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diff --git a/old/266.txt b/old/266.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6649e1f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/266.txt @@ -0,0 +1,34033 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Confessio Amantis, by John Gower + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Confessio Amantis + Tales of the Seven Deadly Sins, 1330-1408 A.D. + +Author: John Gower + +Release Date: July 3, 2008 [EBook #266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONFESSIO AMANTIS *** + + + + +Produced by Douglas B. Killings and Diane M. Brendan + + + + + +CONFESSIO AMANTIS + +or + +TALES OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS + +By John Gower + +1330-1408 A.D. + + +The following electronic text is based on that edition published +in THE WORKS OF JOHN GOWER, ed. Prof. G.C. Macauley. + + + + +Prologus + + + Torpor, ebes sensus, scola parua labor minimusque + Causant quo minimus ipse minora canam: + Qua tamen Engisti lingua canit Insula Bruti + Anglica Carmente metra iuuante loquar. + Ossibus ergo carens que conterit ossa loquelis + Absit, et interpres stet procul oro malus. + + + Of hem that writen ous tofore + The bokes duelle, and we therfore + Ben tawht of that was write tho: + Forthi good is that we also + In oure tyme among ous hiere + Do wryte of newe som matiere, + Essampled of these olde wyse + So that it myhte in such a wyse, + Whan we ben dede and elleswhere, + Beleve to the worldes eere 10 + In tyme comende after this. + Bot for men sein, and soth it is, + That who that al of wisdom writ + It dulleth ofte a mannes wit + To him that schal it aldai rede, + For thilke cause, if that ye rede, + I wolde go the middel weie + And wryte a bok betwen the tweie, + Somwhat of lust, somewhat of lore, + That of the lasse or of the more 20 + Som man mai lyke of that I wryte: + And for that fewe men endite + In oure englissh, I thenke make + A bok for Engelondes sake, + The yer sextenthe of kyng Richard. + What schal befalle hierafterward + God wot, for now upon this tyde + Men se the world on every syde + In sondry wyse so diversed, + That it welnyh stant al reversed, 30 + As forto speke of tyme ago. + The cause whi it changeth so + It needeth nought to specifie, + The thing so open is at ije + That every man it mai beholde: + And natheles be daies olde, + Whan that the bokes weren levere, + Wrytinge was beloved evere + Of hem that weren vertuous; + For hier in erthe amonges ous, 40 + If noman write hou that it stode, + The pris of hem that weren goode + Scholde, as who seith, a gret partie + Be lost: so for to magnifie + The worthi princes that tho were, + The bokes schewen hiere and there, + Wherof the world ensampled is; + And tho that deden thanne amis + Thurgh tirannie and crualte, + Right as thei stoden in degre, 50 + So was the wrytinge of here werk. + Thus I, which am a burel clerk, + Purpose forto wryte a bok + After the world that whilom tok + Long tyme in olde daies passed: + Bot for men sein it is now lassed, + In worse plit than it was tho, + I thenke forto touche also + The world which neweth every dai, + So as I can, so as I mai. 60 + Thogh I seknesse have upon honde + And longe have had, yit woll I fonde + To wryte and do my bisinesse, + That in som part, so as I gesse, + The wyse man mai ben avised. + For this prologe is so assised + That it to wisdom al belongeth: + What wysman that it underfongeth, + He schal drawe into remembrance + The fortune of this worldes chance, 70 + The which noman in his persone + Mai knowe, bot the god al one. + Whan the prologe is so despended, + This bok schal afterward ben ended + Of love, which doth many a wonder + And many a wys man hath put under. + And in this wyse I thenke trete + Towardes hem that now be grete, + Betwen the vertu and the vice + Which longeth unto this office. 80 + Bot for my wittes ben to smale + To tellen every man his tale, + This bok, upon amendment + To stonde at his commandement, + With whom myn herte is of accord, + I sende unto myn oghne lord, + Which of Lancastre is Henri named: + The hyhe god him hath proclamed + Ful of knyhthode and alle grace. + So woll I now this werk embrace 90 + With hol trust and with hol believe; + God grante I mot it wel achieve. + If I schal drawe in to my mynde + The tyme passed, thanne I fynde + The world stod thanne in al his welthe: + Tho was the lif of man in helthe, + Tho was plente, tho was richesse, + Tho was the fortune of prouesse, + Tho was knyhthode in pris be name, + Wherof the wyde worldes fame 100 + Write in Cronique is yit withholde; + Justice of lawe tho was holde, + The privilege of regalie + Was sauf, and al the baronie + Worschiped was in his astat; + The citees knewen no debat, + The poeple stod in obeissance + Under the reule of governance, + And pes, which ryhtwisnesse keste, + With charite tho stod in reste: 110 + Of mannes herte the corage + Was schewed thanne in the visage; + The word was lich to the conceite + Withoute semblant of deceite: + Tho was ther unenvied love, + Tho was the vertu sett above + And vice was put under fote. + Now stant the crop under the rote, + The world is changed overal, + And therof most in special 120 + That love is falle into discord. + And that I take to record + Of every lond for his partie + The comun vois, which mai noght lie; + Noght upon on, bot upon alle + It is that men now clepe and calle, + And sein the regnes ben divided, + In stede of love is hate guided, + The werre wol no pes purchace, + And lawe hath take hire double face, 130 + So that justice out of the weie + With ryhtwisnesse is gon aweie: + And thus to loke on every halve, + Men sen the sor withoute salve, + Which al the world hath overtake. + Ther is no regne of alle outtake, + For every climat hath his diel + After the tornynge of the whiel, + Which blinde fortune overthroweth; + Wherof the certain noman knoweth: 140 + The hevene wot what is to done, + Bot we that duelle under the mone + Stonde in this world upon a weer, + And namely bot the pouer + Of hem that ben the worldes guides + With good consail on alle sides + Be kept upriht in such a wyse, + That hate breke noght thassise + Of love, which is al the chief + To kepe a regne out of meschief. 150 + For alle resoun wolde this, + That unto him which the heved is + The membres buxom scholden bowe, + And he scholde ek her trowthe allowe, + With al his herte and make hem chiere, + For good consail is good to hiere. + Althogh a man be wys himselve, + Yit is the wisdom more of tuelve; + And if thei stoden bothe in on, + To hope it were thanne anon 160 + That god his grace wolde sende + To make of thilke werre an ende, + Which every day now groweth newe: + And that is gretly forto rewe + In special for Cristes sake, + Which wolde his oghne lif forsake + Among the men to yeve pes. + But now men tellen natheles + That love is fro the world departed, + So stant the pes unevene parted 170 + With hem that liven now adaies. + Bot forto loke at alle assaies, + To him that wolde resoun seche + After the comun worldes speche + It is to wondre of thilke werre, + In which non wot who hath the werre; + For every lond himself deceyveth + And of desese his part receyveth, + And yet ne take men no kepe. + Bot thilke lord which al may kepe, 180 + To whom no consail may ben hid, + Upon the world which is betid, + Amende that wherof men pleigne + With trewe hertes and with pleine, + And reconcile love ayeyn, + As he which is king sovereign + Of al the worldes governaunce, + And of his hyhe porveaunce + Afferme pes betwen the londes + And take her cause into hise hondes, 190 + So that the world may stonde apppesed + And his godhede also be plesed. + To thenke upon the daies olde, + The lif of clerkes to beholde, + Men sein how that thei weren tho + Ensample and reule of alle tho + Whiche of wisdom the vertu soughten. + Unto the god ferst thei besoughten + As to the substaunce of her Scole, + That thei ne scholden noght befole 200 + Her wit upon none erthly werkes, + Which were ayein thestat of clerkes, + And that thei myhten fle the vice + Which Simon hath in his office, + Wherof he takth the gold in honde. + For thilke tyme I understonde + The Lumbard made non eschange + The bisschopriches forto change, + Ne yet a lettre for to sende + For dignite ne for Provende, 210 + Or cured or withoute cure. + The cherche keye in aventure + Of armes and of brygantaille + Stod nothing thanne upon bataille; + To fyhte or for to make cheste + It thoghte hem thanne noght honeste; + Bot of simplesce and pacience + Thei maden thanne no defence: + The Court of worldly regalie + To hem was thanne no baillie; 220 + The vein honour was noght desired, + Which hath the proude herte fyred; + Humilite was tho withholde, + And Pride was a vice holde. + Of holy cherche the largesse + Yaf thanne and dede gret almesse + To povere men that hadden nede: + Thei were ek chaste in word and dede, + Wherof the poeple ensample tok; + Her lust was al upon the bok, 230 + Or forto preche or forto preie, + To wisse men the ryhte weie + Of suche as stode of trowthe unliered. + Lo, thus was Petres barge stiered + Of hem that thilke tyme were, + And thus cam ferst to mannes Ere + The feith of Crist and alle goode + Thurgh hem that thanne weren goode + And sobre and chaste and large and wyse. + Bot now men sein is otherwise, 240 + Simon the cause hath undertake, + The worldes swerd on honde is take; + And that is wonder natheles, + Whan Crist him self hath bode pes + And set it in his testament, + How now that holy cherche is went, + Of that here lawe positif + Hath set to make werre and strif + For worldes good, which may noght laste. + God wot the cause to the laste 250 + Of every right and wrong also; + But whil the lawe is reuled so + That clerkes to the werre entende, + I not how that thei scholde amende + The woful world in othre thinges, + To make pes betwen the kynges + After the lawe of charite, + Which is the propre duete + Belongende unto the presthode. + Bot as it thenkth to the manhode, 260 + The hevene is ferr, the world is nyh, + And veine gloire is ek so slyh, + Which coveitise hath now withholde, + That thei non other thing beholde, + Bot only that thei myhten winne. + And thus the werres thei beginne, + Wherof the holi cherche is taxed, + That in the point as it is axed + The disme goth to the bataille, + As thogh Crist myhte noght availe 270 + To don hem riht be other weie. + In to the swerd the cherche keie + Is torned, and the holy bede + Into cursinge, and every stede + Which scholde stonde upon the feith + And to this cause an Ere leyth, + Astoned is of the querele. + That scholde be the worldes hele + Is now, men sein, the pestilence + Which hath exiled pacience 280 + Fro the clergie in special: + And that is schewed overal, + In eny thing whan thei ben grieved. + Bot if Gregoire be believed, + As it is in the bokes write, + He doth ous somdel forto wite + The cause of thilke prelacie, + Wher god is noght of compaignie: + For every werk as it is founded + Schal stonde or elles be confounded; 290 + Who that only for Cristes sake + Desireth cure forto take, + And noght for pride of thilke astat, + To bere a name of a prelat, + He schal be resoun do profit + In holy cherche upon the plit + That he hath set his conscience; + Bot in the worldes reverence + Ther ben of suche manie glade, + Whan thei to thilke astat ben made, 300 + Noght for the merite of the charge, + Bot for thei wolde hemself descharge + Of poverte and become grete; + And thus for Pompe and for beyete + The Scribe and ek the Pharisee + Of Moises upon the See + In the chaiere on hyh ben set; + Wherof the feith is ofte let, + Which is betaken hem to kepe. + In Cristes cause alday thei slepe, 310 + Bot of the world is noght foryete; + For wel is him that now may gete + Office in Court to ben honoured. + The stronge coffre hath al devoured + Under the keye of avarice + The tresor of the benefice, + Wherof the povere schulden clothe + And ete and drinke and house bothe; + The charite goth al unknowe, + For thei no grein of Pite sowe: 320 + And slouthe kepeth the libraire + Which longeth to the Saintuaire; + To studie upon the worldes lore + Sufficeth now withoute more; + Delicacie his swete toth + Hath fostred so that it fordoth + Of abstinence al that ther is. + And forto loken over this, + If Ethna brenne in the clergie, + Al openly to mannes ije 330 + At Avynoun thexperience + Therof hath yove an evidence, + Of that men sen hem so divided. + And yit the cause is noght decided; + Bot it is seid and evere schal, + Betwen tuo Stoles lyth the fal, + Whan that men wenen best to sitte: + In holy cherche of such a slitte + Is for to rewe un to ous alle; + God grante it mote wel befalle 340 + Towardes him which hath the trowthe. + Bot ofte is sen that mochel slowthe, + Whan men ben drunken of the cuppe, + Doth mochel harm, whan fyr is uppe, + Bot if somwho the flamme stanche; + And so to speke upon this branche, + Which proud Envie hath mad to springe, + Of Scisme, causeth forto bringe + This newe Secte of Lollardie, + And also many an heresie 350 + Among the clerkes in hemselve. + It were betre dike and delve + And stonde upon the ryhte feith, + Than knowe al that the bible seith + And erre as somme clerkes do. + Upon the hond to were a Schoo + And sette upon the fot a Glove + Acordeth noght to the behove + Of resonable mannes us: + If men behielden the vertus 360 + That Crist in Erthe taghte here, + Thei scholden noght in such manere, + Among hem that ben holden wise, + The Papacie so desguise + Upon diverse eleccioun, + Which stant after thaffeccioun + Of sondry londes al aboute: + Bot whan god wole, it schal were oute, + For trowthe mot stonde ate laste. + Bot yet thei argumenten faste 370 + Upon the Pope and his astat, + Wherof thei falle in gret debat; + This clerk seith yee, that other nay, + And thus thei dryve forth the day, + And ech of hem himself amendeth + Of worldes good, bot non entendeth + To that which comun profit were. + Thei sein that god is myhti there, + And schal ordeine what he wile, + Ther make thei non other skile 380 + Where is the peril of the feith, + Bot every clerk his herte leith + To kepe his world in special, + And of the cause general, + Which unto holy cherche longeth, + Is non of hem that underfongeth + To schapen eny resistence: + And thus the riht hath no defence, + Bot ther I love, ther I holde. + Lo, thus tobroke is Cristes folde, 390 + Wherof the flock withoute guide + Devoured is on every side, + In lacke of hem that ben unware + Schepherdes, whiche her wit beware + Upon the world in other halve. + The scharpe pricke in stede of salve + Thei usen now, wherof the hele + Thei hurte of that thei scholden hele; + And what Schep that is full of wulle + Upon his back, thei toose and pulle, 400 + Whil ther is eny thing to pile: + And thogh ther be non other skile + Bot only for thei wolden wynne, + Thei leve noght, whan thei begynne, + Upon her acte to procede, + Which is no good schepherdes dede. + And upon this also men sein, + That fro the leese which is plein + Into the breres thei forcacche + Her Orf, for that thei wolden lacche 410 + With such duresce, and so bereve + That schal upon the thornes leve + Of wulle, which the brere hath tore; + Wherof the Schep ben al totore + Of that the hierdes make hem lese. + Lo, how thei feignen chalk for chese, + For though thei speke and teche wel, + Thei don hemself therof no del: + For if the wolf come in the weie, + Her gostly Staf is thanne aweie, 420 + Wherof thei scholde her flock defende; + Bot if the povere Schep offende + In eny thing, thogh it be lyte, + They ben al redy forto smyte; + And thus, how evere that thei tale, + The strokes falle upon the smale, + And upon othre that ben grete + Hem lacketh herte forto bete. + So that under the clerkes lawe + Men sen the Merel al mysdrawe, 430 + I wol noght seie in general, + For ther ben somme in special + In whom that alle vertu duelleth, + And tho ben, as thapostel telleth, + That god of his eleccioun + Hath cleped to perfeccioun + In the manere as Aaron was: + Thei ben nothing in thilke cas + Of Simon, which the foldes gate + Hath lete, and goth in othergate, 440 + Bot thei gon in the rihte weie. + Ther ben also somme, as men seie, + That folwen Simon ate hieles, + Whos carte goth upon the whieles + Of coveitise and worldes Pride, + And holy cherche goth beside, + Which scheweth outward a visage + Of that is noght in the corage. + For if men loke in holy cherche, + Betwen the word and that thei werche 450 + Ther is a full gret difference: + Thei prechen ous in audience + That noman schal his soule empeire, + For al is bot a chirie feire + This worldes good, so as thei telle; + Also thei sein ther is an helle, + Which unto mannes sinne is due, + And bidden ous therfore eschue + That wikkid is, and do the goode. + Who that here wordes understode, 460 + It thenkth thei wolden do the same; + Bot yet betwen ernest and game + Ful ofte it torneth other wise. + With holy tales thei devise + How meritoire is thilke dede + Of charite, to clothe and fede + The povere folk and forto parte + The worldes good, bot thei departe + Ne thenken noght fro that thei have. + Also thei sein, good is to save 470 + With penance and with abstinence + Of chastite the continence; + Bot pleinly forto speke of that, + I not how thilke body fat, + Which thei with deynte metes kepe + And leyn it softe forto slepe, + Whan it hath elles al his wille, + With chastite schal stonde stille: + And natheles I can noght seie, + In aunter if that I misseye. 480 + Touchende of this, how evere it stonde, + I here and wol noght understonde, + For therof have I noght to done: + Bot he that made ferst the Mone, + The hyhe god, of his goodnesse, + If ther be cause, he it redresce. + Bot what as eny man accuse, + This mai reson of trowthe excuse; + The vice of hem that ben ungoode + Is no reproef unto the goode: 490 + For every man hise oghne werkes + Schal bere, and thus as of the clerkes + The goode men ben to comende, + And alle these othre god amende: + For thei ben to the worldes ije + The Mirour of ensamplerie, + To reulen and to taken hiede + Betwen the men and the godhiede. + Now forto speke of the comune, + It is to drede of that fortune 500 + Which hath befalle in sondri londes: + Bot often for defalte of bondes + Al sodeinliche, er it be wist, + A Tonne, whanne his lye arist, + Tobrekth and renneth al aboute, + Which elles scholde noght gon oute; + And ek fulofte a litel Skar + Upon a Banke, er men be war, + Let in the Strem, which with gret peine, + If evere man it schal restreigne. 510 + Wher lawe lacketh, errour groweth, + He is noght wys who that ne troweth, + For it hath proeved ofte er this; + And thus the comun clamour is + In every lond wher poeple dwelleth, + And eche in his compleignte telleth + How that the world is al miswent, + And ther upon his jugement + Yifth every man in sondry wise. + Bot what man wolde himself avise, 520 + His conscience and noght misuse, + He may wel ate ferste excuse + His god, which evere stant in on: + In him ther is defalte non, + So moste it stonde upon ousselve + Nought only upon ten ne twelve, + Bot plenerliche upon ous alle, + For man is cause of that schal falle. + And natheles yet som men wryte + And sein that fortune is to wyte, 530 + And som men holde oppinion + That it is constellacion, + Which causeth al that a man doth: + God wot of bothe which is soth. + The world as of his propre kynde + Was evere untrewe, and as the blynde + Improprelich he demeth fame, + He blameth that is noght to blame + And preiseth that is noght to preise: + Thus whan he schal the thinges peise, 540 + Ther is deceipte in his balance, + And al is that the variance + Of ous, that scholde ous betre avise; + For after that we falle and rise, + The world arist and falth withal, + So that the man is overal + His oghne cause of wel and wo. + That we fortune clepe so + Out of the man himself it groweth; + And who that other wise troweth, 550 + Behold the poeple of Irael: + For evere whil thei deden wel, + Fortune was hem debonaire, + And whan thei deden the contraire, + Fortune was contrariende. + So that it proeveth wel at ende + Why that the world is wonderfull + And may no while stonde full, + Though that it seme wel besein; + For every worldes thing is vein, 560 + And evere goth the whiel aboute, + And evere stant a man in doute, + Fortune stant no while stille, + So hath ther noman al his wille. + Als fer as evere a man may knowe, + Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe; + The world stant evere upon debat, + So may be seker non astat, + Now hier now ther, now to now fro, + Now up now down, this world goth so, 570 + And evere hath don and evere schal: + Wherof I finde in special + A tale writen in the Bible, + Which moste nedes be credible; + And that as in conclusioun + Seith that upon divisioun + Stant, why no worldes thing mai laste, + Til it be drive to the laste. + And fro the ferste regne of alle + Into this day, hou so befalle, 580 + Of that the regnes be muable + The man himself hath be coupable, + Which of his propre governance + Fortuneth al the worldes chance. + The hyhe almyhti pourveance, + In whos eterne remembrance + Fro ferst was every thing present, + He hath his prophecie sent, + In such a wise as thou schalt hiere, + To Daniel of this matiere, 590 + Hou that this world schal torne and wende, + Till it be falle to his ende; + Wherof the tale telle I schal, + In which it is betokned al. + As Nabugodonosor slepte, + A swevene him tok, the which he kepte + Til on the morwe he was arise, + For he therof was sore agrise. + To Daniel his drem he tolde, + And preide him faire that he wolde 600 + Arede what it tokne may; + And seide: "Abedde wher I lay, + Me thoghte I syh upon a Stage + Wher stod a wonder strange ymage. + His hed with al the necke also + Thei were of fin gold bothe tuo; + His brest, his schuldres and his armes + Were al of selver, bot the tharmes, + The wombe and al doun to the kne, + Of bras thei were upon to se; 610 + The legges were al mad of Stiel, + So were his feet also somdiel, + And somdiel part to hem was take + Of Erthe which men Pottes make; + The fieble meynd was with the stronge, + So myhte it wel noght stonde longe. + And tho me thoghte that I sih + A gret ston from an hull on hyh + Fel doun of sodein aventure + Upon the feet of this figure, 620 + With which Ston al tobroke was + Gold, Selver, Erthe, Stiel and Bras, + That al was in to pouldre broght, + And so forth torned into noght." + This was the swevene which he hadde, + That Daniel anon aradde, + And seide him that figure strange + Betokneth how the world schal change + And waxe lasse worth and lasse, + Til it to noght al overpasse. 630 + The necke and hed, that weren golde, + He seide how that betokne scholde + A worthi world, a noble, a riche, + To which non after schal be liche. + Of Selver that was overforth + Schal ben a world of lasse worth; + And after that the wombe of Bras + Tokne of a werse world it was. + The Stiel which he syh afterward + A world betokneth more hard: 640 + Bot yet the werste of everydel + Is last, whan that of Erthe and Stiel + He syh the feet departed so, + For that betokneth mochel wo. + Whan that the world divided is, + It moste algate fare amis, + For Erthe which is meynd with Stiel + Togedre may noght laste wiel, + Bot if that on that other waste; + So mot it nedes faile in haste. 650 + The Ston, which fro the hully Stage + He syh doun falle on that ymage, + And hath it into pouldre broke, + That swevene hath Daniel unloke, + And seide how that is goddes myht, + Which whan men wene most upryht + To stonde, schal hem overcaste. + And that is of this world the laste, + And thanne a newe schal beginne, + Fro which a man schal nevere twinne; 660 + Or al to peine or al to pes + That world schal lasten endeles. + Lo thus expondeth Daniel + The kynges swevene faire and wel + In Babiloyne the Cite, + Wher that the wiseste of Caldee + Ne cowthen wite what it mente; + Bot he tolde al the hol entente, + As in partie it is befalle. + Of gold the ferste regne of alle 670 + Was in that kinges time tho, + And laste manye daies so, + Therwhiles that the Monarchie + Of al the world in that partie + To Babiloyne was soubgit; + And hield him stille in such a plit, + Til that the world began diverse: + And that was whan the king of Perse, + Which Cirus hyhte, ayein the pes + Forth with his Sone Cambises 680 + Of Babiloine al that Empire, + Ryht as thei wolde hemself desire, + Put under in subjeccioun + And tok it in possessioun, + And slayn was Baltazar the king, + Which loste his regne and al his thing. + And thus whan thei it hadde wonne, + The world of Selver was begonne + And that of gold was passed oute: + And in this wise it goth aboute 690 + In to the Regne of Darius; + And thanne it fell to Perse thus, + That Alisaundre put hem under, + Which wroghte of armes many a wonder, + So that the Monarchie lefte + With Grecs, and here astat uplefte, + And Persiens gon under fote, + So soffre thei that nedes mote. + And tho the world began of Bras, + And that of selver ended was; 700 + Bot for the time thus it laste, + Til it befell that ate laste + This king, whan that his day was come, + With strengthe of deth was overcome. + And natheles yet er he dyde, + He schop his Regnes to divide + To knyhtes whiche him hadde served, + And after that thei have deserved + Yaf the conquestes that he wan; + Wherof gret werre tho began 710 + Among hem that the Regnes hadde, + Thurgh proud Envie which hem ladde, + Til it befell ayein hem thus: + The noble Cesar Julius, + Which tho was king of Rome lond, + With gret bataille and with strong hond + Al Grece, Perse and ek Caldee + Wan and put under, so that he + Noght al only of thorient + Bot al the Marche of thoccident 720 + Governeth under his empire, + As he that was hol lord and Sire, + And hield thurgh his chivalerie + Of al this world the Monarchie, + And was the ferste of that honour + Which tok the name of Emperour. + Wher Rome thanne wolde assaille, + Ther myhte nothing contrevaille, + Bot every contre moste obeie: + Tho goth the Regne of Bras aweie, 730 + And comen is the world of Stiel, + And stod above upon the whiel. + As Stiel is hardest in his kynde + Above alle othre that men finde + Of Metals, such was Rome tho + The myhtieste, and laste so + Long time amonges the Romeins + Til thei become so vileins, + That the fals Emperour Leo + With Constantin his Sone also 740 + The patrimoine and the richesse, + Which to Silvestre in pure almesse + The ferste Constantinus lefte, + Fro holy cherche thei berefte. + Bot Adrian, which Pope was, + And syh the meschief of this cas, + Goth in to France forto pleigne, + And preith the grete Charlemeine, + For Cristes sake and Soule hele + That he wol take the querele 750 + Of holy cherche in his defence. + And Charles for the reverence + Of god the cause hath undertake, + And with his host the weie take + Over the Montz of Lombardie; + Of Rome and al the tirandie + With blodi swerd he overcom, + And the Cite with strengthe nom; + In such a wise and there he wroghte, + That holy cherche ayein he broghte 760 + Into franchise, and doth restore + The Popes lost, and yaf him more: + And thus whan he his god hath served, + He tok, as he wel hath deserved, + The Diademe and was coroned. + Of Rome and thus was abandoned + Thempire, which cam nevere ayein + Into the hond of no Romein; + Bot a long time it stod so stille + Under the Frensche kynges wille, 770 + Til that fortune hir whiel so ladde, + That afterward Lombardz it hadde, + Noght be the swerd, bot be soffrance + Of him that tho was kyng of France, + Which Karle Calvus cleped was; + And he resigneth in this cas + Thempire of Rome unto Lowis + His Cousin, which a Lombard is. + And so hit laste into the yeer + Of Albert and of Berenger; 780 + Bot thanne upon dissencioun + Thei felle, and in divisioun + Among hemself that were grete, + So that thei loste the beyete + Of worschipe and of worldes pes. + Bot in proverbe natheles + Men sein, ful selden is that welthe + Can soffre his oghne astat in helthe; + And that was on the Lombardz sene, + Such comun strif was hem betwene 790 + Thurgh coveitise and thurgh Envie, + That every man drowh his partie, + Which myhte leden eny route, + Withinne Burgh and ek withoute: + The comun ryht hath no felawe, + So that the governance of lawe + Was lost, and for necessite, + Of that thei stode in such degre + Al only thurgh divisioun, + Hem nedeth in conclusioun 800 + Of strange londes help beside. + And thus for thei hemself divide + And stonden out of reule unevene, + Of Alemaine Princes sevene + Thei chose in this condicioun, + That upon here eleccioun + Thempire of Rome scholde stonde. + And thus thei lefte it out of honde + For lacke of grace, and it forsoke, + That Alemans upon hem toke: 810 + And to confermen here astat, + Of that thei founden in debat + Thei token the possessioun + After the composicioun + Among hemself, and therupon + Thei made an Emperour anon, + Whos name as the Cronique telleth + Was Othes; and so forth it duelleth, + Fro thilke day yit unto this + Thempire of Rome hath ben and is 820 + To thalemans. And in this wise, + As ye tofore have herd divise + How Daniel the swevene expondeth + Of that ymage, on whom he foundeth + The world which after scholde falle, + Come is the laste tokne of alle; + Upon the feet of Erthe and Stiel + So stant this world now everydiel + Departed; which began riht tho, + Whan Rome was divided so: 830 + And that is forto rewe sore, + For alway siththe more and more + The world empeireth every day. + Wherof the sothe schewe may, + At Rome ferst if we beginne: + The wall and al the Cit withinne + Stant in ruine and in decas, + The feld is wher the Paleis was, + The toun is wast; and overthat, + If we beholde thilke astat 840 + Which whilom was of the Romeins, + Of knyhthode and of Citezeins, + To peise now with that beforn, + The chaf is take for the corn, + As forto speke of Romes myht: + Unethes stant ther oght upryht + Of worschipe or of worldes good, + As it before tyme stod. + And why the worschipe is aweie, + If that a man the sothe seie, 850 + The cause hath ben divisioun, + Which moder of confusioun + Is wher sche cometh overal, + Noght only of the temporal + Bot of the spirital also. + The dede proeveth it is so, + And hath do many day er this, + Thurgh venym which that medled is + In holy cherche of erthly thing: + For Crist himself makth knowleching 860 + That noman may togedre serve + God and the world, bot if he swerve + Froward that on and stonde unstable; + And Cristes word may noght be fable. + The thing so open is at ije, + It nedeth noght to specefie + Or speke oght more in this matiere; + Bot in this wise a man mai lere + Hou that the world is gon aboute, + The which welnyh is wered oute, 870 + After the forme of that figure + Which Daniel in his scripture + Expondeth, as tofore is told. + Of Bras, of Selver and of Gold + The world is passed and agon, + And now upon his olde ton + It stant of brutel Erthe and Stiel, + The whiche acorden nevere a diel; + So mot it nedes swerve aside + As thing the which men sen divide. 880 + Thapostel writ unto ous alle + And seith that upon ous is falle + Thende of the world; so may we knowe, + This ymage is nyh overthrowe, + Be which this world was signified, + That whilom was so magnefied, + And now is old and fieble and vil, + Full of meschief and of peril, + And stant divided ek also + Lich to the feet that were so, 890 + As I tolde of the Statue above. + And this men sen, thurgh lacke of love + Where as the lond divided is, + It mot algate fare amis: + And now to loke on every side, + A man may se the world divide, + The werres ben so general + Among the cristene overal, + That every man now secheth wreche, + And yet these clerkes alday preche 900 + And sein, good dede may non be + Which stant noght upon charite: + I not hou charite may stonde, + Wher dedly werre is take on honde. + Bot al this wo is cause of man, + The which that wit and reson can, + And that in tokne and in witnesse + That ilke ymage bar liknesse + Of man and of non other beste. + For ferst unto the mannes heste 910 + Was every creature ordeined, + Bot afterward it was restreigned: + Whan that he fell, thei fellen eke, + Whan he wax sek, thei woxen seke; + For as the man hath passioun + Of seknesse, in comparisoun + So soffren othre creatures. + Lo, ferst the hevenly figures, + The Sonne and Mone eclipsen bothe, + And ben with mannes senne wrothe; 920 + The purest Eir for Senne alofte + Hath ben and is corrupt fulofte, + Right now the hyhe wyndes blowe, + And anon after thei ben lowe, + Now clowdy and now clier it is: + So may it proeven wel be this, + A mannes Senne is forto hate, + Which makth the welkne to debate. + And forto se the proprete + Of every thyng in his degree, 930 + Benethe forth among ous hiere + Al stant aliche in this matiere: + The See now ebbeth, now it floweth, + The lond now welketh, now it groweth, + Now be the Trees with leves grene, + Now thei be bare and nothing sene, + Now be the lusti somer floures, + Now be the stormy wynter shoures, + Now be the daies, now the nyhtes, + So stant ther nothing al upryhtes, 940 + Now it is lyht, now it is derk; + And thus stant al the worldes werk + After the disposicioun + Of man and his condicioun. + Forthi Gregoire in his Moral + Seith that a man in special + The lasse world is properly: + And that he proeveth redely; + For man of Soule resonable + Is to an Angel resemblable, 950 + And lich to beste he hath fielinge, + And lich to Trees he hath growinge; + The Stones ben and so is he: + Thus of his propre qualite + The man, as telleth the clergie, + Is as a world in his partie, + And whan this litel world mistorneth, + The grete world al overtorneth. + The Lond, the See, the firmament, + Thei axen alle jugement 960 + Ayein the man and make him werre: + Therwhile himself stant out of herre, + The remenant wol noght acorde: + And in this wise, as I recorde, + The man is cause of alle wo, + Why this world is divided so. + Division, the gospell seith, + On hous upon another leith, + Til that the Regne al overthrowe: + And thus may every man wel knowe, 970 + Division aboven alle + Is thing which makth the world to falle, + And evere hath do sith it began. + It may ferst proeve upon a man; + The which, for his complexioun + Is mad upon divisioun + Of cold, of hot, of moist, of drye, + He mot be verray kynde dye: + For the contraire of his astat + Stant evermore in such debat, 980 + Til that o part be overcome, + Ther may no final pes be nome. + Bot other wise, if a man were + Mad al togedre of o matiere + Withouten interrupcioun, + Ther scholde no corrupcioun + Engendre upon that unite: + Bot for ther is diversite + Withinne himself, he may noght laste, + That he ne deieth ate laste. 990 + Bot in a man yit over this + Full gret divisioun ther is, + Thurgh which that he is evere in strif, + Whil that him lasteth eny lif: + The bodi and the Soule also + Among hem ben divided so, + That what thing that the body hateth + The soule loveth and debateth; + Bot natheles fulofte is sene + Of werre which is hem betwene 1000 + The fieble hath wonne the victoire. + And who so drawth into memoire + What hath befalle of old and newe, + He may that werre sore rewe, + Which ferst began in Paradis: + For ther was proeved what it is, + And what desese there it wroghte; + For thilke werre tho forth broghte + The vice of alle dedly Sinne, + Thurgh which division cam inne 1010 + Among the men in erthe hiere, + And was the cause and the matiere + Why god the grete flodes sende, + Of al the world and made an ende + Bot Noe5 with his felaschipe, + Which only weren saulf be Schipe. + And over that thurgh Senne it com + That Nembrot such emprise nom, + Whan he the Tour Babel on heihte + Let make, as he that wolde feihte 1020 + Ayein the hihe goddes myht, + Wherof divided anon ryht + Was the langage in such entente, + Ther wiste non what other mente, + So that thei myhten noght procede. + And thus it stant of every dede, + Wher Senne takth the cause on honde, + It may upriht noght longe stonde; + For Senne of his condicioun + Is moder of divisioun 1030 + And tokne whan the world schal faile. + For so seith Crist withoute faile, + That nyh upon the worldes ende + Pes and acord awey schol wende + And alle charite schal cesse, + Among the men and hate encresce; + And whan these toknes ben befalle, + Al sodeinly the Ston schal falle, + As Daniel it hath beknowe, + Which al this world schal overthrowe, 1040 + And every man schal thanne arise + To Joie or elles to Juise, + Wher that he schal for evere dwelle, + Or straght to hevene or straght to helle. + In hevene is pes and al acord, + Bot helle is full of such descord + That ther may be no loveday: + Forthi good is, whil a man may, + Echon to sette pes with other + And loven as his oghne brother; 1050 + So may he winne worldes welthe + And afterward his soule helthe. + Bot wolde god that now were on + An other such as Arion, + Which hadde an harpe of such temprure, + And therto of so good mesure + He song, that he the bestes wilde + Made of his note tame and milde, + The Hinde in pes with the Leoun, + The Wolf in pes with the Moltoun, 1060 + The Hare in pees stod with the Hound; + And every man upon this ground + Which Arion that time herde, + Als wel the lord as the schepherde, + He broghte hem alle in good acord; + So that the comun with the lord, + And lord with the comun also, + He sette in love bothe tuo + And putte awey malencolie. + That was a lusti melodie, 1070 + Whan every man with other low; + And if ther were such on now, + Which cowthe harpe as he tho dede, + He myhte availe in many a stede + To make pes wher now is hate; + For whan men thenken to debate, + I not what other thing is good. + Bot wher that wisdom waxeth wod, + And reson torneth into rage, + So that mesure upon oultrage 1080 + Hath set his world, it is to drede; + For that bringth in the comun drede, + Which stant at every mannes Dore: + Bot whan the scharpnesse of the spore + The horse side smit to sore, + It grieveth ofte. And now nomore, + As forto speke of this matiere, + Which non bot only god may stiere. + + + Explicit Prologus + + + + +Incipit Liber Primus + + + Naturatus amor nature legibus orbem + Subdit, et vnanimes concitat 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 salus, vexata quies, pius error, + Bellica pax, vulnus dulce, suaue malum. + + + + I may noght strecche up to the hevene + Min hand, ne setten al in evene + This world, which evere is in balance: + It stant noght in my sufficance + So grete thinges to compasse, + Bot I mot lete it overpasse + And treten upon othre thinges. + Forthi the Stile of my writinges + Fro this day forth I thenke change + And speke of thing is noght so strange, 10 + Which every kinde hath upon honde, + And wherupon the world mot stonde, + And hath don sithen it began, + And schal whil ther is any man; + And that is love, of which I mene + To trete, as after schal be sene. + In which ther can noman him reule, + For loves lawe is out of reule, + That of tomoche or of tolite + Welnyh is every man to wyte, 20 + And natheles ther is noman + In al this world so wys, that can + Of love tempre the mesure, + Bot as it falth in aventure: + For wit ne strengthe may noght helpe, + And he which elles wolde him yelpe + Is rathest throwen under fote, + Ther can no wiht therof do bote. + For yet was nevere such covine, + That couthe ordeine a medicine 30 + To thing which god in lawe of kinde + Hath set, for ther may noman finde + The rihte salve of such a Sor. + It hath and schal ben everemor + That love is maister wher he wile, + Ther can no lif make other skile; + For wher as evere him lest to sette, + Ther is no myht which him may lette. + Bot what schal fallen ate laste, + The sothe can no wisdom caste, 40 + Bot as it falleth upon chance; + For if ther evere was balance + Which of fortune stant governed, + I may wel lieve as I am lerned + That love hath that balance on honde, + Which wol no reson understonde. + For love is blind and may noght se, + Forthi may no certeinete + Be set upon his jugement, + Bot as the whiel aboute went 50 + He yifth his graces undeserved, + And fro that man which hath him served + Fulofte he takth aweye his fees, + As he that pleieth ate Dees, + And therupon what schal befalle + He not, til that the chance falle, + Wher he schal lese or he schal winne. + And thus fulofte men beginne, + That if thei wisten what it mente, + Thei wolde change al here entente. 60 + And forto proven it is so, + I am miselven on of tho, + Which to this Scole am underfonge. + For it is siththe go noght longe, + As forto speke of this matiere, + I may you telle, if ye woll hiere, + A wonder hap which me befell, + That was to me bothe hard and fell, + Touchende of love and his fortune, + The which me liketh to comune 70 + And pleinly forto telle it oute. + To hem that ben lovers aboute + Fro point to point I wol declare + And wryten of my woful care, + Mi wofull day, my wofull chance, + That men mowe take remembrance + Of that thei schall hierafter rede: + For in good feith this wolde I rede, + That every man ensample take + Of wisdom which him is betake, 80 + And that he wot of good aprise + To teche it forth, for such emprise + Is forto preise; and therfore I + Woll wryte and schewe al openly + How love and I togedre mette, + Wherof the world ensample fette + Mai after this, whan I am go, + Of thilke unsely jolif wo, + Whos reule stant out of the weie, + Nou glad and nou gladnesse aweie, 90 + And yet it may noght be withstonde + For oght that men may understonde. + Upon the point that is befalle + Of love, in which that I am falle, + I thenke telle my matiere: + Now herkne, who that wol it hiere, + Of my fortune how that it ferde. + This enderday, as I forthferde + To walke, as I yow telle may,- + And that was in the Monthe of Maii, 100 + Whan every brid hath chose his make + And thenkth his merthes forto make + Of love that he hath achieved; + Bot so was I nothing relieved, + For I was further fro my love + Than Erthe is fro the hevene above, + As forto speke of eny sped: + So wiste I me non other red, + Bot as it were a man forfare + Unto the wode I gan to fare, 110 + Noght forto singe with the briddes, + For whanne I was the wode amiddes, + I fond a swote grene pleine, + And ther I gan my wo compleigne + Wisshinge and wepinge al myn one, + For other merthes made I none. + So hard me was that ilke throwe, + That ofte sithes overthrowe + To grounde I was withoute breth; + And evere I wisshide after deth, 120 + Whanne I out of my peine awok, + And caste up many a pitous lok + Unto the hevene, and seide thus: + "O thou Cupide, O thou Venus, + Thou god of love and thou goddesse, + Wher is pite? wher is meknesse? + Now doth me pleinly live or dye, + For certes such a maladie + As I now have and longe have hadd, + It myhte make a wisman madd, 130 + If that it scholde longe endure. + O Venus, queene of loves cure, + Thou lif, thou lust, thou mannes hele, + Behold my cause and my querele, + And yif me som part of thi grace, + So that I may finde in this place + If thou be gracious or non." + And with that word I sawh anon + The kyng of love and qweene bothe; + Bot he that kyng with yhen wrothe 140 + His chiere aweiward fro me caste, + And forth he passede ate laste. + Bot natheles er he forth wente + A firy Dart me thoghte he hente + And threw it thurgh myn herte rote: + In him fond I non other bote, + For lenger list him noght to duelle. + Bot sche that is the Source and Welle + Of wel or wo, that schal betide + To hem that loven, at that tide 150 + Abod, bot forto tellen hiere + Sche cast on me no goodly chiere: + Thus natheles to me sche seide, + "What art thou, Sone?" and I abreide + Riht as a man doth out of slep, + And therof tok sche riht good kep + And bad me nothing ben adrad: + Bot for al that I was noght glad, + For I ne sawh no cause why. + And eft scheo asketh, what was I: 160 + I seide, "A Caitif that lith hiere: + What wolde ye, my Ladi diere? + Schal I ben hol or elles dye?" + Sche seide, "Tell thi maladie: + What is thi Sor of which thou pleignest? + Ne hyd it noght, for if thou feignest, + I can do the no medicine." + "Ma dame, I am a man of thyne, + That in thi Court have longe served, + And aske that I have deserved, 170 + Some wele after my longe wo." + And sche began to loure tho, + And seide, "Ther is manye of yow + Faitours, and so may be that thow + Art riht such on, and be feintise + Seist that thou hast me do servise." + And natheles sche wiste wel, + Mi world stod on an other whiel + Withouten eny faiterie: + Bot algate of my maladie 180 + Sche bad me telle and seie hir trowthe. + "Ma dame, if ye wolde have rowthe," + Quod I, "than wolde I telle yow." + "Sey forth," quod sche, "and tell me how; + Schew me thi seknesse everydiel." + "Ma dame, that can I do wel, + Be so my lif therto wol laste." + With that hir lok on me sche caste, + And seide: "In aunter if thou live, + Mi will is ferst that thou be schrive; 190 + And natheles how that it is + I wot miself, bot for al this + Unto my prest, which comth anon, + I woll thou telle it on and on, + Bothe all thi thoght and al thi werk. + O Genius myn oghne Clerk, + Com forth and hier this mannes schrifte," + Quod Venus tho; and I uplifte + Min hefd with that, and gan beholde + The selve Prest, which as sche wolde 200 + Was redy there and sette him doun + To hiere my confessioun. + This worthi Prest, this holy man + To me spekende thus began, + And seide: "Benedicite, + Mi Sone, of the felicite + Of love and ek of all the wo + Thou schalt thee schrive of bothe tuo. + What thou er this for loves sake + Hast felt, let nothing be forsake, 210 + Tell pleinliche as it is befalle." + And with that word I gan doun falle + On knees, and with devocioun + And with full gret contricioun + I seide thanne: "Dominus, + Min holi fader Genius, + So as thou hast experience + Of love, for whos reverence + Thou schalt me schriven at this time, + I prai the let me noght mistime 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 thing foryete: + Bot if thou wolt my schrifte oppose + Fro point to point, thanne I suppose, + Ther schal nothing be left behinde. + Bot now my wittes ben so blinde, + That I ne can miselven teche." + Tho he began anon to preche, 230 + And with his wordes debonaire + He seide tome softe and faire: + "Thi schrifte to oppose and hiere, + My Sone, I am assigned hiere + Be Venus the godesse above, + Whos Prest I am touchende of love. + Bot natheles for certein skile + I mot algate and nedes wile + Noght only make my spekynges + Of love, bot of othre thinges, 240 + That touchen to the cause of vice. + For that belongeth to thoffice + Of Prest, whos ordre that I bere, + So that I wol nothing forbere, + That I the vices on and on + Ne schal thee schewen everychon; + Wherof thou myht take evidence + To reule with thi conscience. + Bot of conclusion final + Conclude I wol in special 250 + For love, whos servant I am, + And why the cause is that I cam. + So thenke I to don bothe tuo, + Ferst that myn ordre longeth to, + The vices forto telle arewe, + Bot next above alle othre schewe + Of love I wol the propretes, + How that thei stonde be degrees + After the disposicioun + Of Venus, whos condicioun 260 + I moste folwe, as I am holde. + For I with love am al withholde, + So that the lasse I am to wyte, + Thogh I ne conne bot a lyte + Of othre thinges that ben wise: + I am noght tawht in such a wise; + For it is noght my comun us + To speke of vices and vertus, + Bot al of love and of his lore, + For Venus bokes of nomore 270 + Me techen nowther text ne glose. + Bot for als moche as I suppose + It sit a prest to be wel thewed, + And schame it is if he be lewed, + Of my Presthode after the forme + I wol thi schrifte so enforme, + That ate leste thou schalt hiere + The vices, and to thi matiere + Of love I schal hem so remene, + That thou schalt knowe what thei mene. 280 + For what a man schal axe or sein + Touchende of schrifte, it mot be plein, + It nedeth noght to make it queinte, + For trowthe hise wordes wol noght peinte: + That I wole axe of the forthi, + My Sone, it schal be so pleinly, + That thou schalt knowe and understonde + The pointz of schrifte how that thei stonde." + Betwen the lif and deth I herde + This Prestes tale er I answerde, 290 + And thanne I preide him forto seie + His will, and I it wolde obeie + After the forme of his apprise. + Tho spak he tome in such a wise, + And bad me that I scholde schrive + As touchende of my wittes fyve, + And schape that thei were amended + Of that I hadde hem misdispended. + For tho be proprely the gates, + Thurgh whiche as to the herte algates 300 + Comth alle thing unto the feire, + Which may the mannes Soule empeire. + And now this matiere is broght inne, + Mi Sone, I thenke ferst beginne + To wite how that thin yhe hath stonde, + The which is, as I understonde, + The moste principal of alle, + Thurgh whom that peril mai befalle. + And forto speke in loves kinde, + Ful manye suche a man mai finde, 310 + Whiche evere caste aboute here yhe, + To loke if that thei myhte aspie + Fulofte thing which hem ne toucheth, + Bot only that here herte soucheth + In hindringe of an other wiht; + And thus ful many a worthi knyht + And many a lusti lady bothe + Have be fulofte sythe wrothe. + So that an yhe is as a thief + To love, and doth ful gret meschief; 320 + And also for his oghne part + Fulofte thilke firy Dart + Of love, which that evere brenneth, + Thurgh him into the herte renneth: + And thus a mannes yhe ferst + Himselve grieveth alther werst, + And many a time that he knoweth + Unto his oghne harm it groweth. + Mi Sone, herkne now forthi + A tale, to be war therby 330 + Thin yhe forto kepe and warde, + So that it passe noght his warde. + Ovide telleth in his bok + Ensample touchende of mislok, + And seith hou whilom ther was on, + A worthi lord, which Acteon + Was hote, and he was cousin nyh + To him that Thebes ferst on hyh + Up sette, which king Cadme hyhte. + This Acteon, as he wel myhte, 340 + Above alle othre caste his chiere, + And used it fro yer to yere, + With Houndes and with grete Hornes + Among the wodes and the thornes + To make his hunting and his chace: + Where him best thoghte in every place + To finde gamen in his weie, + Ther rod he forto hunte and pleie. + So him befell upon a tide + On his hunting as he cam ride, 350 + In a Forest al one he was: + He syh upon the grene gras + The faire freisshe floures springe, + He herde among the leves singe + The Throstle with the nyhtingale: + Thus er he wiste into a Dale + He cam, wher was a litel plein, + All round aboute wel besein + With buisshes grene and Cedres hyhe; + And ther withinne he caste his yhe. 360 + Amidd the plein he syh a welle, + So fair ther myhte noman telle, + In which Diana naked stod + To bathe and pleie hire in the flod + With many a Nimphe, which hire serveth. + Bot he his yhe awey ne swerveth + Fro hire, which was naked al, + And sche was wonder wroth withal, + And him, as sche which was godesse, + Forschop anon, and the liknesse 370 + Sche made him taken of an Hert, + Which was tofore hise houndes stert, + That ronne besiliche aboute + With many an horn and many a route, + That maden mochel noise and cry: + And ate laste unhappely + This Hert his oghne houndes slowhe + And him for vengance al todrowhe. + Lo now, my Sone, what it is + A man to caste his yhe amis, 380 + Which Acteon hath dere aboght; + Be war forthi and do it noght. + For ofte, who that hiede toke, + Betre is to winke than to loke. + And forto proven it is so, + Ovide the Poete also + A tale which to this matiere + Acordeth seith, as thou schalt hiere. + In Metamor it telleth thus, + How that a lord which Phorces 390 + Was hote, hadde dowhtres thre. + Bot upon here nativite + Such was the constellacion, + That out of mannes nacion + Fro kynde thei be so miswent, + That to the liknesse of Serpent + Thei were bore, and so that on + Of hem was cleped Stellibon, + That other soster Suriale, + The thridde, as telleth in the tale, 400 + Medusa hihte, and natheles + Of comun name Gorgones + In every contre ther aboute, + As Monstres whiche that men doute, + Men clepen hem; and bot on yhe + Among hem thre in pourpartie + Thei hadde, of which thei myhte se, + Now hath it this, now hath it sche; + After that cause and nede it ladde, + Be throwes ech of hem it hadde. 410 + A wonder thing yet more amis + Ther was, wherof I telle al this: + What man on hem his chiere caste + And hem behield, he was als faste + Out of a man into a Ston + Forschape, and thus ful manyon + Deceived were, of that thei wolde + Misloke, wher that thei ne scholde. + Bot Perses that worthi knyht, + Whom Pallas of hir grete myht 420 + Halp, and tok him a Schield therto, + And ek the god Mercurie also + Lente him a swerd, he, as it fell, + Beyende Athlans the hihe hell + These Monstres soghte, and there he fond + Diverse men of thilke lond + Thurgh sihte of hem mistorned were, + Stondende as Stones hiere and there. + Bot he, which wisdom and prouesse + Hadde of the god and the godesse, 430 + The Schield of Pallas gan enbrace, + With which he covereth sauf his face, + Mercuries Swerd and out he drowh, + And so he bar him that he slowh + These dredful Monstres alle thre. + Lo now, my Sone, avise the, + That thou thi sihte noght misuse: + Cast noght thin yhe upon Meduse, + That thou be torned into Ston: + For so wys man was nevere non, 440 + Bot if he wel his yhe kepe + And take of fol delit no kepe, + That he with lust nys ofte nome, + Thurgh strengthe of love and overcome. + Of mislokynge how it hath ferd, + As I have told, now hast thou herd, + My goode Sone, and tak good hiede. + And overthis yet I thee rede + That thou be war of thin heringe, + Which to the Herte the tidinge 450 + Of many a vanite hath broght, + To tarie with a mannes thoght. + And natheles good is to hiere + Such thing wherof a man may lere + That to vertu is acordant, + And toward al the remenant + Good is to torne his Ere fro; + For elles, bot a man do so, + Him may fulofte mysbefalle. + I rede ensample amonges alle, 460 + Wherof to kepe wel an Ere + It oghte pute a man in fere. + A Serpent, which that Aspidis + Is cleped, of his kynde hath this, + That he the Ston noblest of alle, + The which that men Carbuncle calle, + Berth in his hed above on heihte. + For which whan that a man be sleyhte, + The Ston to winne and him to daunte, + With his carecte him wolde enchaunte, 470 + Anon as he perceiveth that, + He leith doun his on Ere al plat + Unto the ground, and halt it faste, + And ek that other Ere als faste + He stoppeth with his tail so sore, + That he the wordes lasse or more + Of his enchantement ne hiereth; + And in this wise himself he skiereth, + So that he hath the wordes weyved + And thurgh his Ere is noght deceived. 480 + An othre thing, who that recordeth, + Lich unto this ensample acordeth, + Which in the tale of Troie I finde. + Sirenes of a wonder kynde + Ben Monstres, as the bokes tellen, + And in the grete Se thei duellen: + Of body bothe and of visage + Lik unto wommen of yong age + Up fro the Navele on hih thei be, + And doun benethe, as men mai se, 490 + Thei bere of fisshes the figure. + And overthis of such nature + Thei ben, that with so swete a stevene + Lik to the melodie of hevene + In wommanysshe vois thei singe, + With notes of so gret likinge, + Of such mesure, of such musike, + Wherof the Schipes thei beswike + That passen be the costes there. + For whan the Schipmen leie an Ere 500 + Unto the vois, in here avys + Thei wene it be a Paradys, + Which after is to hem an helle. + For reson may noght with hem duelle, + Whan thei tho grete lustes hiere; + Thei conne noght here Schipes stiere, + So besiliche upon the note + Thei herkne, and in such wise assote, + That thei here rihte cours and weie + Foryete, and to here Ere obeie, 510 + And seilen til it so befalle + That thei into the peril falle, + Where as the Schipes be todrawe, + And thei ben with the Monstres slawe. + Bot fro this peril natheles + With his wisdom king Uluxes + Ascapeth and it overpasseth; + For he tofor the hond compasseth + That noman of his compaignie + Hath pouer unto that folie 520 + His Ere for no lust to caste; + For he hem stoppede alle faste, + That non of hem mai hiere hem singe. + So whan they comen forth seilinge, + Ther was such governance on honde, + That thei the Monstres have withstonde + And slain of hem a gret partie. + Thus was he sauf with his navie, + This wise king, thurgh governance. + Wherof, my Sone, in remembrance 530 + Thou myht ensample taken hiere, + As I have told, and what thou hiere + Be wel war, and yif no credence, + Bot if thou se more evidence. + For if thou woldest take kepe + And wisly cowthest warde and kepe + Thin yhe and Ere, as I have spoke, + Than haddest thou the gates stoke + Fro such Sotie as comth to winne + Thin hertes wit, which is withinne, 540 + Wherof that now thi love excedeth + Mesure, and many a peine bredeth. + Bot if thou cowthest sette in reule + Tho tuo, the thre were eth to reule: + Forthi as of thi wittes five + I wole as now nomore schryve, + Bot only of these ilke tuo. + Tell me therfore if it be so, + Hast thou thin yhen oght misthrowe? + Mi fader, ye, I am beknowe, 550 + I have hem cast upon Meduse, + Therof I may me noght excuse: + Min herte is growen into Ston, + So that my lady therupon + Hath such a priente of love grave, + That I can noght miselve save. + What seist thou, Sone, as of thin Ere? + Mi fader, I am gultyf there; + For whanne I may my lady hiere, + Mi wit with that hath lost his Stiere: 560 + I do noght as Uluxes dede, + Bot falle anon upon the stede, + Wher as I se my lady stonde; + And there, I do yow understonde, + I am topulled in my thoght, + So that of reson leveth noght, + Wherof that I me mai defende. + My goode Sone, god thamende: + For as me thenketh be thi speche + Thi wittes ben riht feer to seche. 570 + As of thin Ere and of thin yhe + I woll nomore specefie, + Bot I woll axen overthis + Of othre thing how that it is. + Mi Sone, as I thee schal enforme, + Ther ben yet of an other forme + Of dedly vices sevene applied, + Wherof the herte is ofte plied + To thing which after schal him grieve. + The ferste of hem thou schalt believe 580 + Is Pride, which is principal, + And hath with him in special + Ministres five ful diverse, + Of whiche, as I the schal reherse, + The ferste is seid Ypocrisie. + If thou art of his compaignie, + Tell forth, my Sone, and schrif the clene. + I wot noght, fader, what ye mene: + Bot this I wolde you beseche, + That ye me be som weie teche 590 + What is to ben an ypocrite; + And thanne if I be forto wyte, + I wol beknowen, as it is. + Mi Sone, an ypocrite is this,- + A man which feigneth conscience, + As thogh it were al innocence, + Withoute, and is noght so withinne; + And doth so for he wolde winne + Of his desir the vein astat. + And whanne he comth anon therat, 600 + He scheweth thanne what he was, + The corn is torned into gras, + That was a Rose is thanne a thorn, + And he that was a Lomb beforn + Is thanne a Wolf, and thus malice + Under the colour of justice + Is hid; and as the poeple telleth, + These ordres witen where he duelleth, + As he that of here conseil is, + And thilke world which thei er this 610 + Forsoken, he drawth in ayein: + He clotheth richesse, as men sein, + Under the simplesce of poverte, + And doth to seme of gret decerte + Thing which is litel worth withinne: + He seith in open, fy! to Sinne, + And in secre ther is no vice + Of which that he nis a Norrice: + And evere his chiere is sobre and softe, + And where he goth he blesseth ofte, 620 + Wherof the blinde world he dreccheth. + Bot yet al only he ne streccheth + His reule upon religioun, + Bot next to that condicioun + In suche as clepe hem holy cherche + It scheweth ek how he can werche + Among tho wyde furred hodes, + To geten hem the worldes goodes. + And thei hemself ben thilke same + That setten most the world in blame, 630 + Bot yet in contraire of her lore + Ther is nothing thei loven more; + So that semende of liht thei werke + The dedes whiche are inward derke. + And thus this double Ypocrisie + With his devolte apparantie + A viser set upon his face, + Wherof toward this worldes grace + He semeth to be riht wel thewed, + And yit his herte is al beschrewed. 640 + Bot natheles he stant believed, + And hath his pourpos ofte achieved + Of worschipe and of worldes welthe, + And takth it, as who seith, be stelthe + Thurgh coverture of his fallas. + And riht so in semblable cas + This vice hath ek his officers + Among these othre seculers + Of grete men, for of the smale + As for tacompte he set no tale, 650 + Bot thei that passen the comune + With suche him liketh to comune, + And where he seith he wol socoure + The poeple, there he woll devoure; + For now aday is manyon + Which spekth of Peter and of John + And thenketh Judas in his herte. + Ther schal no worldes good asterte + His hond, and yit he yifth almesse + And fasteth ofte and hiereth Messe: 660 + With mea culpa, which he seith, + Upon his brest fullofte he leith + His hond, and cast upward his yhe, + As thogh he Cristes face syhe; + So that it seemeth ate syhte, + As he al one alle othre myhte + Rescoue with his holy bede. + Bot yet his herte in other stede + Among hise bedes most devoute + Goth in the worldes cause aboute, 670 + How that he myhte his warisoun + Encresce. And in comparisoun + Ther ben lovers of such a sort, + That feignen hem an humble port, + And al is bot Ypocrisie, + Which with deceipte and flaterie + Hath many a worthi wif beguiled. + For whanne he hath his tunge affiled, + With softe speche and with lesinge, + Forth with his fals pitous lokynge, 680 + He wolde make a womman wene + To gon upon the faire grene, + Whan that sche falleth in the Mir. + For if he may have his desir, + How so falle of the remenant, + He halt no word of covenant; + Bot er the time that he spede, + Ther is no sleihte at thilke nede, + Which eny loves faitour mai, + That he ne put it in assai, 690 + As him belongeth forto done. + The colour of the reyni Mone + With medicine upon his face + He set, and thanne he axeth grace, + As he which hath sieknesse feigned. + Whan his visage is so desteigned, + With yhe upcast on hire he siketh, + And many a contenance he piketh, + To bringen hire in to believe + Of thing which that he wolde achieve, 700 + Wherof he berth the pale hewe; + And for he wolde seme trewe, + He makth him siek, whan he is heil. + Bot whanne he berth lowest the Seil, + Thanne is he swiftest to beguile + The womman, which that ilke while + Set upon him feith or credence. + Mi Sone, if thou thi conscience + Entamed hast in such a wise, + In schrifte thou thee myht avise 710 + And telle it me, if it be so. + Min holy fader, certes no. + As forto feigne such sieknesse + It nedeth noght, for this witnesse + I take of god, that my corage + Hath ben mor siek than my visage. + And ek this mai I wel avowe, + So lowe cowthe I nevere bowe + To feigne humilite withoute, + That me ne leste betre loute 720 + With alle the thoghtes of myn herte; + For that thing schal me nevere asterte, + I speke as to my lady diere, + To make hire eny feigned chiere. + God wot wel there I lye noght, + Mi chiere hath be such as my thoght; + For in good feith, this lieveth wel, + Mi will was betre a thousendel + Than eny chiere that I cowthe. + Bot, Sire, if I have in my yowthe 730 + Don other wise in other place, + I put me therof in your grace: + For this excusen I ne schal, + That I have elles overal + To love and to his compaignie + Be plein withoute Ypocrisie; + Bot ther is on the which I serve, + Althogh I may no thonk deserve, + To whom yet nevere into this day + I seide onlyche or ye or nay, 740 + Bot if it so were in my thoght. + As touchende othre seie I noght + That I nam somdel forto wyte + Of that ye clepe an ypocrite. + Mi Sone, it sit wel every wiht + To kepe his word in trowthe upryht + Towardes love in alle wise. + For who that wolde him wel avise + What hath befalle in this matiere, + He scholde noght with feigned chiere 750 + Deceive Love in no degre. + To love is every herte fre, + Bot in deceipte if that thou feignest + And therupon thi lust atteignest, + That thow hast wonne with thi wyle, + Thogh it thee like for a whyle, + Thou schalt it afterward repente. + And forto prove myn entente, + I finde ensample in a Croniqe + Of hem that love so beswike. 760 + It fell be olde daies thus, + Whil themperour Tiberius + The Monarchie of Rome ladde, + Ther was a worthi Romein hadde + A wif, and sche Pauline hihte, + Which was to every mannes sihte + Of al the Cite the faireste, + And as men seiden, ek the beste. + It is and hath ben evere yit, + That so strong is no mannes wit, 770 + Which thurgh beaute ne mai be drawe + To love, and stonde under the lawe + Of thilke bore frele kinde, + Which makth the hertes yhen blinde, + Wher no reson mai be comuned: + And in this wise stod fortuned + This tale, of which I wolde mene; + This wif, which in hire lustes grene + Was fair and freissh and tendre of age, + Sche may noght lette the corage 780 + Of him that wole on hire assote. + Ther was a Duck, and he was hote + Mundus, which hadde in his baillie + To lede the chivalerie + Of Rome, and was a worthi knyht; + Bot yet he was noght of such myht + The strengthe of love to withstonde, + That he ne was so broght to honde, + That malgre wher he wole or no, + This yonge wif he loveth so, 790 + That he hath put al his assay + To wynne thing which he ne may + Gete of hire graunt in no manere, + Be yifte of gold ne be preiere. + And whanne he syh that be no mede + Toward hir love he myhte spede, + Be sleyhte feigned thanne he wroghte; + And therupon he him bethoghte + How that ther was in the Cite + A temple of such auctorite, 800 + To which with gret Devocioun + The noble wommen of the toun + Most comunliche a pelrinage + Gon forto preie thilke ymage + Which the godesse of childinge is, + And cleped was be name Ysis: + And in hire temple thanne were, + To reule and to ministre there + After the lawe which was tho, + Above alle othre Prestes tuo. 810 + This Duck, which thoghte his love gete, + Upon a day hem tuo to mete + Hath bede, and thei come at his heste; + Wher that thei hadde a riche feste, + And after mete in prive place + This lord, which wolde his thonk pourchace, + To ech of hem yaf thanne a yifte, + And spak so that be weie of schrifte + He drowh hem unto his covine, + To helpe and schape how he Pauline 820 + After his lust deceive myhte. + And thei here trowthes bothe plyhte, + That thei be nyhte hire scholden wynne + Into the temple, and he therinne + Schal have of hire al his entente: + And thus acorded forth thei wente. + Now lest thurgh which ypocrisie + Ordeigned was the tricherie, + Wherof this ladi was deceived. + These Prestes hadden wel conceived 830 + That sche was of gret holinesse; + And with a contrefet simplesse, + Which hid was in a fals corage, + Feignende an hevenely message + Thei come and seide unto hir thus: + "Pauline, the god Anubus + Hath sent ous bothe Prestes hiere, + And seith he woll to thee appiere + Be nyhtes time himself alone, + For love he hath to thi persone: 840 + And therupon he hath ous bede, + That we in Ysis temple a stede + Honestely for thee pourveie, + Wher thou be nyhte, as we thee seie, + Of him schalt take avisioun. + For upon thi condicioun, + The which is chaste and ful of feith, + Such pris, as he ous tolde, he leith, + That he wol stonde of thin acord; + And forto bere hierof record 850 + He sende ous hider bothe tuo." + Glad was hire innocence tho + Of suche wordes as sche herde, + With humble chiere and thus answerde, + And seide that the goddes wille + Sche was al redy to fulfille, + That be hire housebondes leve + Sche wolde in Ysis temple at eve + Upon hire goddes grace abide, + To serven him the nyhtes tide. 860 + The Prestes tho gon hom ayein, + And sche goth to hire sovereign, + Of goddes wille and as it was + Sche tolde him al the pleine cas, + Wherof he was deceived eke, + And bad that sche hire scholde meke + Al hol unto the goddes heste. + And thus sche, which was al honeste + To godward after hire entente, + At nyht unto the temple wente, 870 + Wher that the false Prestes were; + And thei receiven hire there + With such a tokne of holinesse, + As thogh thei syhen a godesse, + And al withinne in prive place + A softe bedd of large space + Thei hadde mad and encourtined, + Wher sche was afterward engined. + Bot sche, which al honour supposeth, + The false Prestes thanne opposeth, 880 + And axeth be what observance + Sche myhte most to the plesance + Of godd that nyhtes reule kepe: + And thei hire bidden forto slepe + Liggende upon the bedd alofte, + For so, thei seide, al stille and softe + God Anubus hire wolde awake. + The conseil in this wise take, + The Prestes fro this lady gon; + And sche, that wiste of guile non, 890 + In the manere as it was seid + To slepe upon the bedd is leid, + In hope that sche scholde achieve + Thing which stod thanne upon bilieve, + Fulfild of alle holinesse. + Bot sche hath failed, as I gesse, + For in a closet faste by + The Duck was hid so prively + That sche him myhte noght perceive; + And he, that thoghte to deceive, 900 + Hath such arrai upon him nome, + That whanne he wolde unto hir come, + It scholde semen at hire yhe + As thogh sche verrailiche syhe + God Anubus, and in such wise + This ypocrite of his queintise + Awaiteth evere til sche slepte. + And thanne out of his place he crepte + So stille that sche nothing herde, + And to the bedd stalkende he ferde, 910 + And sodeinly, er sche it wiste, + Beclipt in armes he hire kiste: + Wherof in wommanysshe drede + Sche wok and nyste what to rede; + Bot he with softe wordes milde + Conforteth hire and seith, with childe + He wolde hire make in such a kynde + That al the world schal have in mynde + The worschipe of that ilke Sone; + For he schal with the goddes wone, 920 + And ben himself a godd also. + With suche wordes and with mo, + The whiche he feigneth in his speche, + This lady wit was al to seche, + As sche which alle trowthe weneth: + Bot he, that alle untrowthe meneth, + With blinde tales so hire ladde, + That all his wille of hire he hadde. + And whan him thoghte it was ynowh, + Ayein the day he him withdrowh 930 + So prively that sche ne wiste + Wher he becom, bot as him liste + Out of the temple he goth his weie. + And sche began to bidde and preie + Upon the bare ground knelende, + And after that made hire offrende, + And to the Prestes yiftes grete + Sche yaf, and homward be the Strete. + The Duck hire mette and seide thus: + "The myhti godd which Anubus 940 + Is hote, he save the, Pauline, + For thou art of his discipline + So holy, that no mannes myht + Mai do that he hath do to nyht + Of thing which thou hast evere eschuied. + Bot I his grace have so poursuied, + That I was mad his lieutenant: + Forthi be weie of covenant + Fro this day forth I am al thin, + And if thee like to be myn, 950 + That stant upon thin oghne wille." + Sche herde his tale and bar it stille, + And hom sche wente, as it befell, + Into hir chambre, and ther sche fell + Upon hire bedd to wepe and crie, + And seide: "O derke ypocrisie, + Thurgh whos dissimilacion + Of fals ymaginacion + I am thus wickedly deceived! + Bot that I have it aperceived 960 + I thonke unto the goddes alle; + For thogh it ones be befalle, + It schal nevere eft whil that I live, + And thilke avou to godd I yive." + And thus wepende sche compleigneth, + Hire faire face and al desteigneth + With wofull teres of hire ije, + So that upon this agonie + Hire housebonde is inne come, + And syh how sche was overcome 970 + With sorwe, and axeth what hire eileth. + And sche with that hirself beweileth + Welmore than sche dede afore, + And seide, "Helas, wifhode is lore + In me, which whilom was honeste, + I am non other than a beste, + Now I defouled am of tuo." + And as sche myhte speke tho, + Aschamed with a pitous onde + Sche tolde unto hir housebonde 980 + The sothe of al the hole tale, + And in hire speche ded and pale + Sche swouneth welnyh to the laste. + And he hire in hise armes faste + Uphield, and ofte swor his oth + That he with hire is nothing wroth, + For wel he wot sche may ther noght: + Bot natheles withinne his thoght + His herte stod in sori plit, + And seide he wolde of that despit 990 + Be venged, how so evere it falle, + And sende unto hise frendes alle. + And whan thei weren come in fere, + He tolde hem upon this matiere, + And axeth hem what was to done: + And thei avised were sone, + And seide it thoghte hem for the beste + To sette ferst his wif in reste, + And after pleigne to the king + Upon the matiere of this thing. 1000 + Tho was this wofull wif conforted + Be alle weies and desported, + Til that sche was somdiel amended; + And thus a day or tuo despended, + The thridde day sche goth to pleigne + With many a worthi Citezeine, + And he with many a Citezein. + Whan themperour it herde sein, + And knew the falshed of the vice, + He seide he wolde do justice: 1010 + And ferst he let the Prestes take, + And for thei scholde it noght forsake, + He put hem into questioun; + Bot thei of the suggestioun + Ne couthen noght a word refuse, + Bot for thei wolde hemself excuse, + The blame upon the Duck thei leide. + Bot therayein the conseil seide + That thei be noght excused so, + For he is on and thei ben tuo, 1020 + And tuo han more wit then on, + So thilke excusement was non. + And over that was seid hem eke, + That whan men wolden vertu seke, + Men scholde it in the Prestes finde; + Here ordre is of so hyh a kinde, + That thei be Duistres of the weie: + Forthi, if eny man forsueie + Thurgh hem, thei be noght excusable. + And thus be lawe resonable 1030 + Among the wise jugges there + The Prestes bothe dampned were, + So that the prive tricherie + Hid under fals Ipocrisie + Was thanne al openliche schewed, + That many a man hem hath beschrewed. + And whan the Prestes weren dede, + The temple of thilke horrible dede + Thei thoghten purge, and thilke ymage, + Whos cause was the pelrinage, 1040 + Thei drowen out and als so faste + Fer into Tibre thei it caste, + Wher the Rivere it hath defied: + And thus the temple purified + Thei have of thilke horrible Sinne, + Which was that time do therinne. + Of this point such was the juise, + Bot of the Duck was other wise: + For he with love was bestad, + His dom was noght so harde lad; 1050 + For Love put reson aweie + And can noght se the rihte weie. + And be this cause he was respited, + So that the deth him was acquited, + Bot for al that he was exiled, + For he his love hath so beguiled, + That he schal nevere come ayein: + For who that is to trowthe unplein, + He may noght failen of vengance. + And ek to take remembrance 1060 + Of that Ypocrisie hath wroght + On other half, men scholde noght + To lihtly lieve al that thei hiere, + Bot thanne scholde a wisman stiere + The Schip, whan suche wyndes blowe: + For ferst thogh thei beginne lowe, + At ende thei be noght menable, + Bot al tobreken Mast and Cable, + So that the Schip with sodein blast, + Whan men lest wene, is overcast; 1070 + As now fulofte a man mai se: + And of old time how it hath be + I finde a gret experience, + Wherof to take an evidence + Good is, and to be war also + Of the peril, er him be wo. + Of hem that ben so derk withinne, + At Troie also if we beginne, + Ipocrisie it hath betraied: + For whan the Greks hadde al assaied, 1080 + And founde that be no bataille + Ne be no Siege it myhte availe + The toun to winne thurgh prouesse, + This vice feigned of simplesce + Thurgh sleyhte of Calcas and of Crise + It wan be such a maner wise. + An Hors of Bras thei let do forge + Of such entaile, of such a forge, + That in this world was nevere man + That such an other werk began. 1090 + The crafti werkman Epius + It made, and forto telle thus, + The Greks, that thoghten to beguile + The kyng of Troie, in thilke while + With Anthenor and with Enee, + That were bothe of the Cite + And of the conseil the wiseste, + The richeste and the myhtieste, + In prive place so thei trete + With fair beheste and yiftes grete 1100 + Of gold, that thei hem have engined; + Togedre and whan thei be covined, + Thei feignen forto make a pes, + And under that yit natheles + Thei schopen the destruccioun + Bothe of the kyng and of the toun. + And thus the false pees was take + Of hem of Grece and undertake, + And therupon thei founde a weie, + Wher strengthe myhte noght aweie, 1110 + That sleihte scholde helpe thanne; + And of an ynche a large spanne + Be colour of the pees thei made, + And tolden how thei weren glade + Of that thei stoden in acord; + And for it schal ben of record, + Unto the kyng the Gregois seiden, + Be weie of love and this thei preiden, + As thei that wolde his thonk deserve, + A Sacrifice unto Minerve, 1120 + The pes to kepe in good entente, + Thei mosten offre er that thei wente. + The kyng conseiled in this cas + Be Anthenor and Eneas + Therto hath yoven his assent: + So was the pleine trowthe blent + Thurgh contrefet Ipocrisie + Of that thei scholden sacrifie. + The Greks under the holinesse + Anon with alle besinesse 1130 + Here Hors of Bras let faire dihte, + Which was to sen a wonder sihte; + For it was trapped of himselve, + And hadde of smale whieles twelve, + Upon the whiche men ynowe + With craft toward the toun it drowe, + And goth glistrende ayein the Sunne. + Tho was ther joie ynowh begunne, + For Troie in gret devocioun + Cam also with processioun 1140 + Ayein this noble Sacrifise + With gret honour, and in this wise + Unto the gates thei it broghte. + Bot of here entre whan thei soghte, + The gates weren al to smale; + And therupon was many a tale, + Bot for the worschipe of Minerve, + To whom thei comen forto serve, + Thei of the toun, whiche understode + That al this thing was do for goode, 1150 + For pes, wherof that thei ben glade, + The gates that Neptunus made + A thousend wynter ther tofore, + Thei have anon tobroke and tore; + The stronge walles doun thei bete, + So that in to the large strete + This Hors with gret solempnite + Was broght withinne the Cite, + And offred with gret reverence, + Which was to Troie an evidence 1160 + Of love and pes for everemo. + The Gregois token leve tho + With al the hole felaschipe, + And forth thei wenten into Schipe + And crossen seil and made hem yare, + Anon as thogh thei wolden fare: + Bot whan the blake wynter nyht + Withoute Mone or Sterre lyht + Bederked hath the water Stronde, + Al prively thei gon to londe 1170 + Ful armed out of the navie. + Synon, which mad was here aspie + Withinne Troie, as was conspired, + Whan time was a tokne hath fired; + And thei with that here weie holden, + And comen in riht as thei wolden, + Ther as the gate was tobroke. + The pourpos was full take and spoke: + Er eny man may take kepe, + Whil that the Cite was aslepe, 1180 + Thei slowen al that was withinne, + And token what thei myhten wynne + Of such good as was sufficant, + And brenden up the remenant. + And thus cam out the tricherie, + Which under fals Ypocrisie + Was hid, and thei that wende pees + Tho myhten finde no reles + Of thilke swerd which al devoureth. + Fulofte and thus the swete soureth, 1190 + Whan it is knowe to the tast: + He spilleth many a word in wast + That schal with such a poeple trete; + For whan he weneth most beyete, + Thanne is he schape most to lese. + And riht so if a womman chese + Upon the wordes that sche hiereth + Som man, whan he most trewe appiereth, + Thanne is he forthest fro the trowthe: + Bot yit fulofte, and that is rowthe, 1200 + Thei speden that ben most untrewe + And loven every day a newe, + Wherof the lief is after loth + And love hath cause to be wroth. + Bot what man that his lust desireth + Of love, and therupon conspireth + With wordes feigned to deceive, + He schal noght faile to receive + His peine, as it is ofte sene. + Forthi, my Sone, as I thee mene, 1210 + It sit the wel to taken hiede + That thou eschuie of thi manhiede + Ipocrisie and his semblant, + That thou ne be noght deceivant, + To make a womman to believe + Thing which is noght in thi bilieve: + For in such feint Ipocrisie + Of love is al the tricherie, + Thurgh which love is deceived ofte; + For feigned semblant is so softe, 1220 + Unethes love may be war. + Forthi, my Sone, as I wel dar, + I charge thee to fle that vice, + That many a womman hath mad nice; + Bot lok thou dele noght withal. + Iwiss, fader, nomor I schal. + Now, Sone, kep that thou hast swore: + For this that thou hast herd before + Is seid the ferste point of Pride: + And next upon that other side, 1230 + To schryve and speken overthis + Touchende of Pride, yit ther is + The point seconde, I thee behote, + Which Inobedience is hote. + This vice of Inobedience + Ayein the reule of conscience + Al that is humble he desalloweth, + That he toward his god ne boweth + After the lawes of his heste. + Noght as a man bot as a beste, 1240 + Which goth upon his lustes wilde, + So goth this proude vice unmylde, + That he desdeigneth alle lawe: + He not what is to be felawe, + And serve may he noght for pride; + So is he badde on every side, + And is that selve of whom men speke, + Which wol noght bowe er that he breke. + I not if love him myhte plie, + For elles forto justefie 1250 + His herte, I not what mihte availe. + Forthi, my Sone, of such entaile + If that thin herte be disposed, + Tell out and let it noght be glosed: + For if that thou unbuxom be + To love, I not in what degree + Thou schalt thi goode world achieve. + Mi fader, ye schul wel believe, + The yonge whelp which is affaited + Hath noght his Maister betre awaited, 1260 + To couche, whan he seith "Go lowe," + That I, anon as I may knowe + Mi ladi will, ne bowe more. + Bot other while I grucche sore + Of some thinges that sche doth, + Wherof that I woll telle soth: + For of tuo pointz I am bethoght, + That, thogh I wolde, I myhte noght + Obeie unto my ladi heste; + Bot I dar make this beheste, 1270 + Save only of that ilke tuo + I am unbuxom of no mo. + Whan ben tho tuo? tell on, quod he. + Mi fader, this is on, that sche + Comandeth me my mowth to close, + And that I scholde hir noght oppose + In love, of which I ofte preche, + Bot plenerliche of such a speche + Forbere, and soffren hire in pes. + Bot that ne myhte I natheles 1280 + For al this world obeie ywiss; + For whanne I am ther as sche is, + Though sche my tales noght alowe, + Ayein hir will yit mot I bowe, + To seche if that I myhte have grace: + Bot that thing may I noght enbrace + For ought that I can speke or do; + And yit fulofte I speke so, + That sche is wroth and seith, "Be stille." + If I that heste schal fulfille 1290 + And therto ben obedient, + Thanne is my cause fully schent, + For specheles may noman spede. + So wot I noght what is to rede; + Bot certes I may noght obeie, + That I ne mot algate seie + Somwhat of that I wolde mene; + For evere it is aliche grene, + The grete love which I have, + Wherof I can noght bothe save 1300 + My speche and this obedience: + And thus fulofte my silence + I breke, and is the ferste point + Wherof that I am out of point + In this, and yit it is no pride. + Now thanne upon that other side + To telle my desobeissance, + Ful sore it stant to my grevance + And may noght sinke into my wit; + For ofte time sche me bit 1310 + To leven hire and chese a newe, + And seith, if I the sothe knewe + How ferr I stonde from hir grace, + I scholde love in other place. + Bot therof woll I desobeie; + For also wel sche myhte seie, + "Go tak the Mone ther it sit," + As bringe that into my wit: + For ther was nevere rooted tre, + That stod so faste in his degre, 1320 + That I ne stonde more faste + Upon hire love, and mai noght caste + Min herte awey, althogh I wolde. + For god wot, thogh I nevere scholde + Sen hir with yhe after this day, + Yit stant it so that I ne may + Hir love out of my brest remue. + This is a wonder retenue, + That malgre wher sche wole or non + Min herte is everemore in on, 1330 + So that I can non other chese, + Bot whether that I winne or lese, + I moste hire loven til I deie; + And thus I breke as be that weie + Hire hestes and hir comandinges, + Bot trewliche in non othre thinges. + Forthi, my fader, what is more + Touchende to this ilke lore + I you beseche, after the forme + That ye pleinly me wolde enforme, 1340 + So that I may myn herte reule + In loves cause after the reule. + Toward this vice of which we trete + Ther ben yit tweie of thilke estrete, + Here name is Murmur and Compleignte: + Ther can noman here chiere peinte, + To sette a glad semblant therinne, + For thogh fortune make hem wynne, + Yit grucchen thei, and if thei lese, + Ther is no weie forto chese, 1350 + Wherof thei myhten stonde appesed. + So ben thei comunly desesed; + Ther may no welthe ne poverte + Attempren hem to the decerte + Of buxomnesse be no wise: + For ofte time thei despise + The goode fortune as the badde, + As thei no mannes reson hadde, + Thurgh pride, wherof thei be blinde. + And ryht of such a maner kinde 1360 + Ther be lovers, that thogh thei have + Of love al that thei wolde crave, + Yit wol thei grucche be som weie, + That thei wol noght to love obeie + Upon the trowthe, as thei do scholde; + And if hem lacketh that thei wolde, + Anon thei falle in such a peine, + That evere unbuxomly thei pleigne + Upon fortune, and curse and crie, + That thei wol noght here hertes plie 1370 + To soffre til it betre falle. + Forthi if thou amonges alle + Hast used this condicioun, + Mi Sone, in thi Confessioun + Now tell me pleinly what thou art. + Mi fader, I beknowe a part, + So as ye tolden hier above + Of Murmur and Compleignte of love, + That for I se no sped comende, + Ayein fortune compleignende 1380 + I am, as who seith, everemo: + And ek fulofte tyme also, + Whan so is that I se and hiere + Or hevy word or hevy chiere + Of my lady, I grucche anon; + Bot wordes dar I speke non, + Wherof sche myhte be desplesed, + Bot in myn herte I am desesed: + With many a Murmur, god it wot, + Thus drinke I in myn oghne swot, 1390 + And thogh I make no semblant, + Min herte is al desobeissant; + And in this wise I me confesse + Of that ye clepe unbuxomnesse. + Now telleth what youre conseil is. + Mi Sone, and I thee rede this, + What so befalle of other weie, + That thou to loves heste obeie + Als ferr as thou it myht suffise: + For ofte sithe in such a wise 1400 + Obedience in love availeth, + Wher al a mannes strengthe faileth; + Wherof, if that the list to wite + In a Cronique as it is write, + A gret ensample thou myht fynde, + Which now is come to my mynde. + Ther was whilom be daies olde + A worthi knyht, and as men tolde + He was Nevoeu to themperour + And of his Court a Courteour: 1410 + Wifles he was, Florent he hihte, + He was a man that mochel myhte, + Of armes he was desirous, + Chivalerous and amorous, + And for the fame of worldes speche, + Strange aventures forto seche, + He rod the Marches al aboute. + And fell a time, as he was oute, + Fortune, which may every thred + Tobreke and knette of mannes sped, 1420 + Schop, as this knyht rod in a pas, + That he be strengthe take was, + And to a Castell thei him ladde, + Wher that he fewe frendes hadde: + For so it fell that ilke stounde + That he hath with a dedly wounde + Feihtende his oghne hondes slain + Branchus, which to the Capitain + Was Sone and Heir, wherof ben wrothe + The fader and the moder bothe. 1430 + That knyht Branchus was of his hond + The worthieste of al his lond, + And fain thei wolden do vengance + Upon Florent, bot remembrance + That thei toke of his worthinesse + Of knyhthod and of gentilesse, + And how he stod of cousinage + To themperour, made hem assuage, + And dorsten noght slen him for fere: + In gret desputeisoun thei were 1440 + Among hemself, what was the beste. + Ther was a lady, the slyheste + Of alle that men knewe tho, + So old sche myhte unethes go, + And was grantdame unto the dede: + And sche with that began to rede, + And seide how sche wol bringe him inne, + That sche schal him to dethe winne + Al only of his oghne grant, + Thurgh strengthe of verray covenant 1450 + Withoute blame of eny wiht. + Anon sche sende for this kniht, + And of hire Sone sche alleide + The deth, and thus to him sche seide: + "Florent, how so thou be to wyte + Of Branchus deth, men schal respite + As now to take vengement, + Be so thou stonde in juggement + Upon certein condicioun, + That thou unto a questioun 1460 + Which I schal axe schalt ansuere; + And over this thou schalt ek swere, + That if thou of the sothe faile, + Ther schal non other thing availe, + That thou ne schalt thi deth receive. + And for men schal thee noght deceive, + That thou therof myht ben avised, + Thou schalt have day and tyme assised + And leve saufly forto wende, + Be so that at thi daies ende 1470 + Thou come ayein with thin avys. + This knyht, which worthi was and wys, + This lady preith that he may wite, + And have it under Seales write, + What questioun it scholde be + For which he schal in that degree + Stonde of his lif in jeupartie. + With that sche feigneth compaignie, + And seith: "Florent, on love it hongeth + Al that to myn axinge longeth: 1480 + What alle wommen most desire + This wole I axe, and in thempire + Wher as thou hast most knowlechinge + Tak conseil upon this axinge." + Florent this thing hath undertake, + The day was set, the time take, + Under his seal he wrot his oth, + In such a wise and forth he goth + Hom to his Emes court ayein; + To whom his aventure plein 1490 + He tolde, of that him is befalle. + And upon that thei weren alle + The wiseste of the lond asent, + Bot natheles of on assent + Thei myhte noght acorde plat, + On seide this, an othre that. + After the disposicioun + Of naturel complexioun + To som womman it is plesance, + That to an other is grevance; 1500 + Bot such a thing in special, + Which to hem alle in general + Is most plesant, and most desired + Above alle othre and most conspired, + Such o thing conne thei noght finde + Be Constellacion ne kinde: + And thus Florent withoute cure + Mot stonde upon his aventure, + And is al schape unto the lere, + As in defalte of his answere. 1510 + This knyht hath levere forto dye + Than breke his trowthe and forto lye + In place ther as he was swore, + And schapth him gon ayein therfore. + Whan time cam he tok his leve, + That lengere wolde he noght beleve, + And preith his Em he be noght wroth, + For that is a point of his oth, + He seith, that noman schal him wreke, + Thogh afterward men hiere speke 1520 + That he par aventure deie. + And thus he wente forth his weie + Alone as knyht aventurous, + And in his thoght was curious + To wite what was best to do: + And as he rod al one so, + And cam nyh ther he wolde be, + In a forest under a tre + He syh wher sat a creature, + A lothly wommannysch figure, 1530 + That forto speke of fleisch and bon + So foul yit syh he nevere non. + This knyht behield hir redely, + And as he wolde have passed by, + Sche cleped him and bad abide; + And he his horse heved aside + Tho torneth, and to hire he rod, + And there he hoveth and abod, + To wite what sche wolde mene. + And sche began him to bemene, 1540 + And seide: "Florent be thi name, + Thou hast on honde such a game, + That bot thou be the betre avised, + Thi deth is schapen and devised, + That al the world ne mai the save, + Bot if that thou my conseil have." + Florent, whan he this tale herde, + Unto this olde wyht answerde + And of hir conseil he hir preide. + And sche ayein to him thus seide: 1550 + "Florent, if I for the so schape, + That thou thurgh me thi deth ascape + And take worschipe of thi dede, + What schal I have to my mede?" + "What thing," quod he, "that thou wolt axe." + "I bidde nevere a betre taxe," + Quod sche, "bot ferst, er thou be sped, + Thou schalt me leve such a wedd, + That I wol have thi trowthe in honde + That thou schalt be myn housebonde." 1560 + "Nay," seith Florent, "that may noght be." + "Ryd thanne forth thi wey," quod sche, + "And if thou go withoute red, + Thou schalt be sekerliche ded." + Florent behihte hire good ynowh + Of lond, of rente, of park, of plowh, + Bot al that compteth sche at noght. + Tho fell this knyht in mochel thoght, + Now goth he forth, now comth ayein, + He wot noght what is best to sein, 1570 + And thoghte, as he rod to and fro, + That chese he mot on of the tuo, + Or forto take hire to his wif + Or elles forto lese his lif. + And thanne he caste his avantage, + That sche was of so gret an age, + That sche mai live bot a while, + And thoghte put hire in an Ile, + Wher that noman hire scholde knowe, + Til sche with deth were overthrowe. 1580 + And thus this yonge lusti knyht + Unto this olde lothly wiht + Tho seide: "If that non other chance + Mai make my deliverance, + Bot only thilke same speche + Which, as thou seist, thou schalt me teche, + Have hier myn hond, I schal thee wedde." + And thus his trowthe he leith to wedde. + With that sche frounceth up the browe: + "This covenant I wol allowe," 1590 + Sche seith: "if eny other thing + Bot that thou hast of my techyng + Fro deth thi body mai respite, + I woll thee of thi trowthe acquite, + And elles be non other weie. + Now herkne me what I schal seie. + Whan thou art come into the place, + Wher now thei maken gret manace + And upon thi comynge abyde, + Thei wole anon the same tide 1600 + Oppose thee of thin answere. + I wot thou wolt nothing forbere + Of that thou wenest be thi beste, + And if thou myht so finde reste, + Wel is, for thanne is ther nomore. + And elles this schal be my lore, + That thou schalt seie, upon this Molde + That alle wommen lievest wolde + Be soverein of mannes love: + For what womman is so above, 1610 + Sche hath, as who seith, al hire wille; + And elles may sche noght fulfille + What thing hir were lievest have. + With this answere thou schalt save + Thiself, and other wise noght. + And whan thou hast thin ende wroght, + Com hier ayein, thou schalt me finde, + And let nothing out of thi minde." + He goth him forth with hevy chiere, + As he that not in what manere 1620 + He mai this worldes joie atteigne: + For if he deie, he hath a peine, + And if he live, he mot him binde + To such on which of alle kinde + Of wommen is thunsemlieste: + Thus wot he noght what is the beste: + Bot be him lief or be him loth, + Unto the Castell forth he goth + His full answere forto yive, + Or forto deie or forto live. 1630 + Forth with his conseil cam the lord, + The thinges stoden of record, + He sende up for the lady sone, + And forth sche cam, that olde Mone. + In presence of the remenant + The strengthe of al the covenant + Tho was reherced openly, + And to Florent sche bad forthi + That he schal tellen his avis, + As he that woot what is the pris. 1640 + Florent seith al that evere he couthe, + Bot such word cam ther non to mowthe, + That he for yifte or for beheste + Mihte eny wise his deth areste. + And thus he tarieth longe and late, + Til that this lady bad algate + That he schal for the dom final + Yive his answere in special + Of that sche hadde him ferst opposed: + And thanne he hath trewly supposed 1650 + That he him may of nothing yelpe, + Bot if so be tho wordes helpe, + Whiche as the womman hath him tawht; + Wherof he hath an hope cawht + That he schal ben excused so, + And tolde out plein his wille tho. + And whan that this Matrone herde + The manere how this knyht ansuerde, + Sche seide: "Ha treson, wo thee be, + That hast thus told the privite, 1660 + Which alle wommen most desire! + I wolde that thou were afire." + Bot natheles in such a plit + Florent of his answere is quit: + And tho began his sorwe newe, + For he mot gon, or ben untrewe, + To hire which his trowthe hadde. + Bot he, which alle schame dradde, + Goth forth in stede of his penance, + And takth the fortune of his chance, 1670 + As he that was with trowthe affaited. + This olde wyht him hath awaited + In place wher as he hire lefte: + Florent his wofull heved uplefte + And syh this vecke wher sche sat, + Which was the lothlieste what + That evere man caste on his yhe: + Hire Nase bass, hire browes hyhe, + Hire yhen smale and depe set, + Hire chekes ben with teres wet, 1680 + And rivelen as an emty skyn + Hangende doun unto the chin, + Hire Lippes schrunken ben for age, + Ther was no grace in the visage, + Hir front was nargh, hir lockes hore, + Sche loketh forth as doth a More, + Hire Necke is schort, hir schuldres courbe, + That myhte a mannes lust destourbe, + Hire body gret and nothing smal, + And schortly to descrive hire al, 1690 + Sche hath no lith withoute a lak; + Bot lich unto the wollesak + Sche proferth hire unto this knyht, + And bad him, as he hath behyht, + So as sche hath ben his warant, + That he hire holde covenant, + And be the bridel sche him seseth. + Bot godd wot how that sche him pleseth + Of suche wordes as sche spekth: + Him thenkth welnyh his herte brekth 1700 + For sorwe that he may noght fle, + Bot if he wolde untrewe be. + Loke, how a sek man for his hele + Takth baldemoine with Canele, + And with the Mirre takth the Sucre, + Ryht upon such a maner lucre + Stant Florent, as in this diete: + He drinkth the bitre with the swete, + He medleth sorwe with likynge, + And liveth, as who seith, deyinge; 1710 + His youthe schal be cast aweie + Upon such on which as the weie + Is old and lothly overal. + Bot nede he mot that nede schal: + He wolde algate his trowthe holde, + As every knyht therto is holde, + What happ so evere him is befalle: + Thogh sche be the fouleste of alle, + Yet to thonour of wommanhiede + Him thoghte he scholde taken hiede; 1720 + So that for pure gentilesse, + As he hire couthe best adresce, + In ragges, as sche was totore, + He set hire on his hors tofore + And forth he takth his weie softe; + No wonder thogh he siketh ofte. + Bot as an oule fleth be nyhte + Out of alle othre briddes syhte, + Riht so this knyht on daies brode + In clos him hield, and schop his rode 1730 + On nyhtes time, til the tyde + That he cam there he wolde abide; + And prively withoute noise + He bringth this foule grete Coise + To his Castell in such a wise + That noman myhte hire schappe avise, + Til sche into the chambre cam: + Wher he his prive conseil nam + Of suche men as he most troste, + And tolde hem that he nedes moste 1740 + This beste wedde to his wif, + For elles hadde he lost his lif. + The prive wommen were asent, + That scholden ben of his assent: + Hire ragges thei anon of drawe, + And, as it was that time lawe, + She hadde bath, sche hadde reste, + And was arraied to the beste. + Bot with no craft of combes brode + Thei myhte hire hore lockes schode, 1750 + And sche ne wolde noght be schore + For no conseil, and thei therfore, + With such atyr as tho was used, + Ordeinen that it was excused, + And hid so crafteliche aboute, + That noman myhte sen hem oute. + Bot when sche was fulliche arraied + And hire atyr was al assaied, + Tho was sche foulere on to se: + Bot yit it may non other be, 1760 + Thei were wedded in the nyht; + So wo begon was nevere knyht + As he was thanne of mariage. + And sche began to pleie and rage, + As who seith, I am wel ynowh; + Bot he therof nothing ne lowh, + For sche tok thanne chiere on honde + And clepeth him hire housebonde, + And seith, "My lord, go we to bedde, + For I to that entente wedde, 1770 + That thou schalt be my worldes blisse:" + And profreth him with that to kisse, + As sche a lusti Lady were. + His body myhte wel be there, + Bot as of thoght and of memoire + His herte was in purgatoire. + Bot yit for strengthe of matrimoine + He myhte make non essoine, + That he ne mot algates plie + To gon to bedde of compaignie: 1780 + And whan thei were abedde naked, + Withoute slep he was awaked; + He torneth on that other side, + For that he wolde hise yhen hyde + Fro lokynge on that foule wyht. + The chambre was al full of lyht, + The courtins were of cendal thinne, + This newe bryd which lay withinne, + Thogh it be noght with his acord, + In armes sche beclipte hire lord, 1790 + And preide, as he was torned fro, + He wolde him torne ayeinward tho; + "For now," sche seith, "we ben bothe on." + And he lay stille as eny ston, + Bot evere in on sche spak and preide, + And bad him thenke on that he seide, + Whan that he tok hire be the hond. + He herde and understod the bond, + How he was set to his penance, + And as it were a man in trance 1800 + He torneth him al sodeinly, + And syh a lady lay him by + Of eyhtetiene wynter age, + Which was the faireste of visage + That evere in al this world he syh: + And as he wolde have take hire nyh, + Sche put hire hand and be his leve + Besoghte him that he wolde leve, + And seith that forto wynne or lese + He mot on of tuo thinges chese, 1810 + Wher he wol have hire such on nyht, + Or elles upon daies lyht, + For he schal noght have bothe tuo. + And he began to sorwe tho, + In many a wise and caste his thoght, + Bot for al that yit cowthe he noght + Devise himself which was the beste. + And sche, that wolde his hertes reste, + Preith that he scholde chese algate, + Til ate laste longe and late 1820 + He seide: "O ye, my lyves hele, + Sey what you list in my querele, + I not what ansuere I schal yive: + Bot evere whil that I may live, + I wol that ye be my maistresse, + For I can noght miselve gesse + Which is the beste unto my chois. + Thus grante I yow myn hole vois, + Ches for ous bothen, I you preie; + And what as evere that ye seie, 1830 + Riht as ye wole so wol I." + "Mi lord," sche seide, " grant merci, + For of this word that ye now sein, + That ye have mad me soverein, + Mi destine is overpassed, + That nevere hierafter schal be lassed + Mi beaute, which that I now have, + Til I be take into my grave; + Bot nyht and day as I am now + I schal alwey be such to yow. 1840 + The kinges dowhter of Cizile + I am, and fell bot siththe awhile, + As I was with my fader late, + That my Stepmoder for an hate, + Which toward me sche hath begonne, + Forschop me, til I hadde wonne + The love and sovereinete + Of what knyht that in his degre + Alle othre passeth of good name: + And, as men sein, ye ben the same, 1850 + The dede proeveth it is so; + Thus am I youres evermo." + Tho was plesance and joye ynowh, + Echon with other pleide and lowh; + Thei live longe and wel thei ferde, + And clerkes that this chance herde + Thei writen it in evidence, + To teche how that obedience + Mai wel fortune a man to love + And sette him in his lust above, 1860 + As it befell unto this knyht. + Forthi, my Sone, if thou do ryht, + Thou schalt unto thi love obeie, + And folwe hir will be alle weie. + Min holy fader, so I wile: + For ye have told me such a skile + Of this ensample now tofore, + That I schal evermo therfore + Hierafterward myn observance + To love and to his obeissance 1870 + The betre kepe: and over this + Of pride if ther oght elles is, + Wherof that I me schryve schal, + What thing it is in special, + Mi fader, axeth, I you preie. + Now lest, my Sone, and I schal seie: + For yit ther is Surquiderie, + Which stant with Pride of compaignie; + Wherof that thou schalt hiere anon, + To knowe if thou have gult or non 1880 + Upon the forme as thou schalt hiere: + Now understond wel the matiere. + Surquiderie is thilke vice + Of Pride, which the thridde office + Hath in his Court, and wol noght knowe + The trowthe til it overthrowe. + Upon his fortune and his grace + Comth "Hadde I wist" fulofte aplace; + For he doth al his thing be gesse, + And voideth alle sikernesse. 1890 + Non other conseil good him siemeth + Bot such as he himselve diemeth; + For in such wise as he compasseth, + His wit al one alle othre passeth; + And is with pride so thurghsoght, + That he alle othre set at noght, + And weneth of himselven so, + That such as he ther be nomo, + So fair, so semly, ne so wis; + And thus he wolde bere a pris 1900 + Above alle othre, and noght forthi + He seith noght ones "grant mercy" + To godd, which alle grace sendeth, + So that his wittes he despendeth + Upon himself, as thogh ther were + No godd which myhte availe there: + Bot al upon his oghne witt + He stant, til he falle in the pitt + So ferr that he mai noght arise. + And riht thus in the same wise 1910 + This vice upon the cause of love + So proudly set the herte above, + And doth him pleinly forto wene + That he to loven eny qwene + Hath worthinesse and sufficance; + And so withoute pourveance + Fulofte he heweth up so hihe, + That chippes fallen in his yhe; + And ek ful ofte he weneth this, + Ther as he noght beloved is, 1920 + To be beloved alther best. + Now, Sone, tell what so thee lest + Of this that I have told thee hier. + Ha, fader, be noght in a wer: + I trowe ther be noman lesse, + Of eny maner worthinesse, + That halt him lasse worth thanne I + To be beloved; and noght forthi + I seie in excusinge of me, + To alle men that love is fre. 1930 + And certes that mai noman werne; + For love is of himself so derne, + It luteth in a mannes herte: + Bot that ne schal me noght asterte, + To wene forto be worthi + To loven, bot in hir mercy. + Bot, Sire, of that ye wolden mene, + That I scholde otherwise wene + To be beloved thanne I was, + I am beknowe as in that cas. 1940 + Mi goode Sone, tell me how. + Now lest, and I wol telle yow, + Mi goode fader, how it is. + Fulofte it hath befalle or this + Thurgh hope that was noght certein, + Mi wenynge hath be set in vein + To triste in thing that halp me noght, + Bot onliche of myn oughne thoght. + For as it semeth that a belle + Lik to the wordes that men telle 1950 + Answerth, riht so ne mor ne lesse, + To yow, my fader, I confesse, + Such will my wit hath overset, + That what so hope me behet, + Ful many a time I wene it soth, + Bot finali no spied it doth. + Thus may I tellen, as I can, + Wenyng beguileth many a man; + So hath it me, riht wel I wot: + For if a man wole in a Bot 1960 + Which is withoute botme rowe, + He moste nedes overthrowe. + Riht so wenyng hath ferd be me: + For whanne I wende next have be, + As I be my wenynge caste, + Thanne was I furthest ate laste, + And as a foll my bowe unbende, + Whan al was failed that I wende. + Forthi, my fader, as of this, + That my wenynge hath gon amis 1970 + Touchende to Surquiderie, + Yif me my penance er I die. + Bot if ye wolde in eny forme + Of this matiere a tale enforme, + Which were ayein this vice set, + I scholde fare wel the bet. + Mi Sone, in alle maner wise + Surquiderie is to despise, + Wherof I finde write thus. + The proude knyht Capanes 1980 + He was of such Surquiderie, + That he thurgh his chivalerie + Upon himself so mochel triste, + That to the goddes him ne liste + In no querele to beseche, + Bot seide it was an ydel speche, + Which caused was of pure drede, + For lack of herte and for no nede. + And upon such presumpcioun + He hield this proude opinioun, 1990 + Til ate laste upon a dai, + Aboute Thebes wher he lay, + Whan it of Siege was belein, + This knyht, as the Croniqes sein, + In alle mennes sihte there, + Whan he was proudest in his gere, + And thoghte how nothing myhte him dere, + Ful armed with his schield and spere + As he the Cite wolde assaile, + Godd tok himselve the bataille 2000 + Ayein his Pride, and fro the sky + A firy thonder sodeinly + He sende, and him to pouldre smot. + And thus the Pride which was hot, + Whan he most in his strengthe wende, + Was brent and lost withouten ende: + So that it proeveth wel therfore, + The strengthe of man is sone lore, + Bot if that he it wel governe. + And over this a man mai lerne 2010 + That ek fulofte time it grieveth, + Whan that a man himself believeth, + As thogh it scholde him wel beseme + That he alle othre men can deme, + And hath foryete his oghne vice. + A tale of hem that ben so nyce, + And feigne hemself to be so wise, + I schal thee telle in such a wise, + Wherof thou schalt ensample take + That thou no such thing undertake. 2020 + I finde upon Surquiderie, + How that whilom of Hungarie + Be olde daies was a King + Wys and honeste in alle thing: + And so befell upon a dai, + And that was in the Monthe of Maii, + As thilke time it was usance, + This kyng with noble pourveance + Hath for himself his Charr araied, + Wher inne he wolde ride amaied 2030 + Out of the Cite forto pleie, + With lordes and with gret nobleie + Of lusti folk that were yonge: + 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 ayein his char 2040 + Two pilegrins of so gret age, + That lich unto a dreie ymage + Thei weren pale and fade hewed, + And as a bussh which is besnewed, + Here berdes weren hore and whyte; + Ther was of kinde bot a lite, + That thei ne semen fulli dede. + Thei comen to the kyng and bede + Som of his good par charite; + And he with gret humilite 2050 + Out of his Char to grounde lepte, + And hem in bothe hise armes kepte + And keste hem bothe fot and hond + Before the lordes of his lond, + And yaf hem of his good therto: + And whanne he hath this dede do, + He goth into his char ayein. + Tho was Murmur, tho was desdeign, + Tho was compleignte on every side, + Thei seiden of here oghne Pride 2060 + Eche until othre: "What is this? + Oure king hath do this thing amis, + So to abesse his realte + That every man it myhte se, + And humbled him in such a wise + To hem that were of non emprise." + Thus was it spoken to and fro + Of hem that were with him tho + Al prively behinde his bak; + Bot to himselven noman spak. 2070 + The kinges brother in presence + Was thilke time, and gret offence + He tok therof, and was the same + Above alle othre which most blame + Upon his liege lord hath leid, + And hath unto the lordes seid, + Anon as he mai time finde, + Ther schal nothing be left behinde, + That he wol speke unto the king. + Now lest what fell upon this thing. 2080 + The day was merie and fair ynowh, + Echon with othre pleide and lowh, + And fellen into tales newe, + How that the freisshe floures grewe, + And how the grene leves spronge, + And how that love among the yonge + Began the hertes thanne awake, + And every bridd hath chose hire make: + And thus the Maies day to thende + Thei lede, and hom ayein thei wende. 2090 + The king was noght so sone come, + That whanne he hadde his chambre nome, + His brother ne was redi there, + And broghte a tale unto his Ere + Of that he dede such a schame + In hindringe of his oghne name, + Whan he himself so wolde drecche, + That to so vil a povere wrecche + Him deigneth schewe such simplesce + Ayein thastat of his noblesce: 2100 + And seith he schal it nomor use, + And that he mot himself excuse + Toward hise lordes everychon. + The king stod stille as eny ston, + And to his tale an Ere he leide, + And thoghte more than he seide: + Bot natheles to that he herde + Wel cortaisly the king answerde, + And tolde it scholde be amended. + And thus whan that her tale is ended, 2110 + Al redy was the bord and cloth, + The king unto his Souper goth + Among the lordes to the halle; + And whan thei hadden souped alle, + Thei token leve and forth thei go. + The king bethoghte himselve tho + How he his brother mai chastie, + That he thurgh his Surquiderie + Tok upon honde to despreise + Humilite, which is to preise, 2120 + And therupon yaf such conseil + Toward his king that was noght heil; + Wherof to be the betre lered, + He thenkth to maken him afered. + It fell so that in thilke dawe + Ther was ordeined be the lawe + A trompe with a sterne breth, + Which cleped was the Trompe of deth: + And in the Court wher the king was + A certein man this Trompe of bras 2130 + Hath in kepinge, and therof serveth, + That whan a lord his deth deserveth, + He schal this dredful trompe blowe + Tofore his gate, and make it knowe + How that the jugement is yove + Of deth, which schal noght be foryove. + The king, whan it was nyht, anon + This man asente and bad him gon + To trompen at his brother gate; + And he, which mot so don algate, 2140 + Goth forth and doth the kynges heste. + This lord, which herde of this tempeste + That he tofore his gate blew, + Tho wiste he be the 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 thei him axe cause why; + Bot he the sothe noght forthi 2150 + Ne wiste, and ther was sorwe tho: + For it stod thilke tyme so, + This trompe was of such sentence, + That therayein no resistence + Thei couthe ordeine be no weie, + That he ne mot algate deie, + Bot if so that he may pourchace + To gete his liege lordes grace. + Here wittes therupon thei caste, + And ben apointed ate laste. 2160 + This lord a worthi ladi hadde + Unto his wif, which also dradde + Hire lordes deth, and children five + Betwen hem two thei hadde alyve, + That weren yonge and tendre of age, + And of stature and of visage + Riht faire and lusty on to se. + Tho casten thei that he and sche + Forth with here children on the morwe, + As thei that were full of sorwe, 2170 + Al naked bot of smok and scherte, + To tendre with the kynges herte, + His grace scholden go to seche + And pardoun of the deth beseche. + Thus passen thei that wofull nyht, + And erly, whan thei sihe it lyht, + Thei gon hem forth in such a wise + As thou tofore hast herd devise, + Al naked bot here schortes one. + Thei wepte and made mochel mone, 2180 + Here Her hangende aboute here Eres; + With sobbinge and with sory teres + This lord goth thanne an humble pas, + That whilom proud and noble was; + Wherof the Cite sore afflyhte, + Of hem that sihen thilke syhte: + And natheless al openly + With such wepinge and with such cri + Forth with hise children and his wif + He goth to preie for his lif. 2190 + Unto the court whan thei be come, + And men therinne have hiede nome, + Ther was no wiht, if he hem syhe, + Fro water mihte kepe his yhe + For sorwe which thei maden tho. + The king supposeth of this wo, + And feigneth as he noght ne wiste; + Bot natheles at his upriste + Men tolden him how that it ferde: + And whan that he this wonder herde, 2200 + In haste he goth into the halle, + And alle at ones doun thei falle, + If eny pite may be founde. + The king, which seth hem go to grounde, + Hath axed hem what is the fere, + Why thei be so despuiled there. + His brother seide: "Ha lord, mercy! + I wot non other cause why, + Bot only that this nyht ful late + The trompe of deth was at my gate 2210 + In tokne that I scholde deie; + Thus be we come forto preie + That ye mi worldes deth respite." + "Ha fol, how thou art forto wyte," + The king unto his brother seith, + "That thou art of so litel feith, + That only for a trompes soun + Hast gon despuiled thurgh the toun, + Thou and thi wif in such manere + Forth with thi children that ben here, 2220 + In sihte of alle men aboute, + For that thou seist thou art in doute + Of deth, which stant under the lawe + Of man, and man it mai withdrawe, + So that it mai par chance faile. + Now schalt thou noght forthi mervaile + That I doun fro my Charr alihte, + Whanne I behield tofore my sihte + In hem that were of so grete age + Min oghne deth thurgh here ymage, 2230 + Which god hath set be lawe of kynde, + Wherof I mai no bote finde: + For wel I wot, such as thei be, + Riht such am I in my degree, + Of fleissh and blod, and so schal deie. + And thus, thogh I that lawe obeie + Of which the kinges ben put under, + It oghte ben wel lasse wonder + Than thou, which art withoute nede + For lawe of londe in such a drede, 2240 + Which for tacompte is bot a jape, + As thing which thou miht overscape. + Forthi, mi brother, after this + I rede, sithen that so is + That thou canst drede a man so sore, + Dred god with al thin herte more: + For al schal deie and al schal passe, + Als wel a Leoun as an asse, + Als wel a beggere as a lord, + Towardes deth in on acord 2250 + Thei schullen stonde." And in this wise + The king hath with hise wordes wise + His brother tawht and al foryive. + Forthi, mi Sone, if thou wolt live + In vertu, thou most vice eschuie, + And with low herte humblesce suie, + So that thou be noght surquidous. + Mi fader, I am amorous, + Wherof I wolde you beseche + That ye me som ensample teche, 2260 + Which mihte in loves cause stonde. + Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde, + In love and othre thinges alle + If that Surquiderie falle, + It may to him noght wel betide + Which useth thilke vice of Pride, + Which torneth wisdom to wenynge + And Sothfastnesse into lesynge + Thurgh fol ymaginacion. + And for thin enformacion, 2270 + That thou this vice as I the rede + Eschuie schalt, a tale I rede, + Which fell whilom be daies olde, + So as the clerk Ovide tolde. + Ther was whilom a lordes Sone, + Which of his Pride a nyce wone + Hath cawht, that worthi to his liche, + To sechen al the worldes riche, + Ther was no womman forto love. + So hihe he sette himselve above 2280 + Of stature and of beaute bothe, + That him thoghte alle wommen lothe: + So was ther no comparisoun + As toward his condicioun. + This yonge lord Narcizus hihte: + No strengthe of love bowe mihte + His herte, which is unaffiled; + Bot ate laste he was beguiled: + For of the goddes pourveance + It fell him on a dai par chance, 2290 + That he in all his proude fare + Unto the forest gan to fare, + Amonges othre that ther were + To hunte and to desporte him there. + And whanne he cam into the place + Wher that he wolde make his chace, + The houndes weren in a throwe + Uncoupled and the hornes blowe: + The grete hert anon was founde, + Which swifte feet sette upon grounde, 2300 + And he with spore in horse side + Him hasteth faste forto ride, + Til alle men be left behinde. + And as he rod, under a linde + Beside a roche, as I thee telle, + He syh wher sprong a lusty welle: + The day was wonder hot withalle, + And such a thurst was on him falle, + That he moste owther deie or drinke; + And doun he lihte and be the brinke 2310 + He teide his Hors unto a braunche, + And leide him lowe forto staunche + His thurst: and as he caste his lok + Into the welle and hiede tok, + He sih the like of his visage, + And wende ther were an ymage + Of such a Nimphe as tho was faie, + Wherof that love his herte assaie + Began, as it was after sene, + Of his sotie and made him wene 2320 + It were a womman that he syh. + The more he cam the welle nyh, + The nerr cam sche to him ayein; + So wiste he nevere what to sein; + For whanne he wepte, he sih hire wepe, + And whanne he cride, he tok good kepe, + The same word sche cride also: + And thus began the newe wo, + That whilom was to him so strange; + Tho made him love an hard eschange, 2330 + To sette his herte and to beginne + Thing which he mihte nevere winne. + And evere among he gan to loute, + And preith that sche to him come oute; + And otherwhile he goth a ferr, + And otherwhile he draweth nerr, + And evere he fond hire in o place. + He wepth, he crith, he axeth grace, + There as he mihte gete non; + So that ayein a Roche of Ston, 2340 + As he that knew non other red, + He smot himself til he was ded. + Wherof the Nimphes of the welles, + And othre that ther weren elles + Unto the wodes belongende, + The body, which was ded ligende, + For pure pite that thei have + Under the grene thei begrave. + And thanne out of his sepulture + Ther sprong anon par aventure 2350 + Of floures such a wonder syhte, + That men ensample take myhte + Upon the dedes whiche he dede, + As tho was sene in thilke stede; + For in the wynter freysshe and faire + The floures ben, which is contraire + To kynde, and so was the folie + Which fell of his Surquiderie. + Thus he, which love hadde in desdeign, + Worste of all othre was besein, 2360 + And as he sette his pris most hyhe, + He was lest worth in loves yhe + And most bejaped in his wit: + Wherof the remembrance is yit, + So that thou myht ensample take, + And ek alle othre for his sake. + Mi fader, as touchende of me, + This vice I thenke forto fle, + Which of his wenynge overtroweth; + And nameliche of thing which groweth 2370 + In loves cause or wel or wo + Yit pryded I me nevere so. + Bot wolde god that grace sende, + That toward me my lady wende + As I towardes hire wene! + Mi love scholde so be sene, + Ther scholde go no pride a place. + Bot I am ferr fro thilke grace, + As forto speke of tyme now; + So mot I soffre, and preie yow 2380 + That ye wole axe on other side + If ther be eny point of Pride, + Wherof it nedeth to be schrive. + Mi Sone, godd it thee foryive, + If thou have eny thing misdo + Touchende of this, bot overmo + Ther is an other yit of Pride, + Which nevere cowthe hise wordes hide, + That he ne wole himself avaunte; + Ther mai nothing his tunge daunte, 2390 + That he ne clappeth as a Belle: + Wherof if thou wolt that I telle, + It is behovely forto hiere, + So that thou myht thi tunge stiere, + Toward the world and stonde in grace, + Which lacketh ofte in many place + To him that can noght sitte stille, + Which elles scholde have al his wille. + The vice cleped Avantance + With Pride hath take his aqueintance, 2400 + So that his oghne pris he lasseth, + When he such mesure overpasseth + That he his oghne Herald is. + That ferst was wel is thanne mis, + That was thankworth is thanne blame, + And thus the worschipe of his name + Thurgh pride of his avantarie + He torneth into vilenie. + I rede how that this proude vice + Hath thilke wynd in his office, 2410 + Which thurgh the blastes that he bloweth + The mannes fame he overthroweth + Of vertu, which scholde elles springe + Into the worldes knowlechinge; + Bot he fordoth it alto sore. + And riht of such a maner lore + Ther ben lovers: forthi if thow + Art on of hem, tell and sei how. + Whan thou hast taken eny thing + Of loves yifte, or Nouche or ring, 2420 + Or tok upon thee for the cold + Som goodly word that thee was told, + Or frendly chiere or tokne or lettre, + Wherof thin herte was the bettre, + Or that sche sende the grietinge, + Hast thou for Pride of thi likinge + Mad thin avant wher as the liste? + I wolde, fader, that ye wiste, + Mi conscience lith noght hiere: + Yit hadde I nevere such matiere, 2430 + Wherof min herte myhte amende, + Noght of so mochel that sche sende + Be mowthe and seide, "Griet him wel:" + And thus for that ther is no diel + Wherof to make myn avant, + It is to reson acordant + That I mai nevere, bot I lye, + Of love make avanterie. + I wot noght what I scholde have do, + If that I hadde encheson so, 2440 + As ye have seid hier manyon; + Bot I fond cause nevere non: + Bot daunger, which welnyh me slowh, + Therof I cowthe telle ynowh, + And of non other Avantance: + Thus nedeth me no repentance. + Now axeth furthere of my lif, + For hierof am I noght gultif. + Mi Sone, I am wel paid withal; + For wite it wel in special 2450 + That love of his verrai justice + Above alle othre ayein this vice + At alle times most debateth, + With al his herte and most it hateth. + And ek in alle maner wise + Avantarie is to despise, + As be ensample thou myht wite, + Which I finde in the bokes write. + Of hem that we Lombars now calle + Albinus was the ferste of alle 2460 + Which bar corone of Lombardie, + And was of gret chivalerie + In werre ayein diverse kinges. + So fell amonges othre thinges, + That he that time a werre hadde + With Gurmond, which the Geptes ladde, + And was a myhti kyng also: + Bot natheles it fell him so, + Albinus slowh him in the feld, + Ther halp him nowther swerd ne scheld, 2470 + That he ne smot his hed of thanne, + Wherof he tok awey the Panne, + Of which he seide he wolde make + A Cuppe for Gurmoundes sake, + To kepe and drawe into memoire + Of his bataille the victoire. + And thus whan he the feld hath wonne, + The lond anon was overronne + And sesed in his oghne hond, + Wher he Gurmondes dowhter fond, 2480 + Which Maide Rosemounde hihte, + And was in every mannes sihte + A fair, a freissh, a lusti on. + His herte fell to hire anon, + And such a love on hire he caste, + That he hire weddeth ate laste; + And after that long time in reste + With hire he duelte, and to the beste + Thei love ech other wonder wel. + Bot sche which kepth the blinde whel, 2490 + Venus, whan thei be most above, + In al the hoteste of here love, + Hire whiel sche torneth, and thei felle + In the manere as I schal telle. + This king, which stod in al his welthe + Of pes, of worschipe and of helthe, + And felte him on no side grieved, + As he that hath his world achieved, + Tho thoghte he wolde a feste make; + And that was for his wyves sake, 2500 + That sche the lordes ate feste, + That were obeissant to his heste, + Mai knowe: and so forth therupon + He let ordeine, and sende anon + Be lettres and be messagiers, + And warnede alle hise officiers + That every thing be wel arraied: + The grete Stiedes were assaied + For joustinge and for tornement, + And many a perled garnement 2510 + Embroudred was ayein the dai. + The lordes in here beste arrai + Be comen ate time set, + On jousteth wel, an other bet, + And otherwhile thei torneie, + And thus thei casten care aweie + And token lustes upon honde. + And after, thou schalt understonde, + To mete into the kinges halle + Thei come, as thei be beden alle: 2520 + And whan thei were set and served, + Thanne after, as it was deserved, + To hem that worthi knyhtes were, + So as thei seten hiere and there, + The pris was yove and spoken oute + Among the heraldz al aboute. + And thus benethe and ek above + Al was of armes and of love, + Wherof abouten ate bordes + Men hadde manye sondri wordes, 2530 + That of the merthe which thei made + The king himself began to glade + Withinne his herte and tok a pride, + And sih the Cuppe stonde aside, + Which mad was of Gurmoundes hed, + As ye have herd, whan he was ded, + And was with gold and riche Stones + Beset and bounde for the nones, + And stod upon a fot on heihte + Of burned gold, and with gret sleihte 2540 + Of werkmanschipe it was begrave + Of such werk as it scholde have, + And was policed ek so clene + That no signe of the Skulle is sene, + Bot as it were a Gripes Ey. + The king bad bere his Cuppe awey, + Which stod tofore him on the bord, + And fette thilke. Upon his word + This Skulle is fet and wyn therinne, + Wherof he bad his wif beginne: 2550 + "Drink with thi fader, Dame," he seide. + And sche to his biddinge obeide, + And tok the Skulle, and what hire liste + Sche drank, as sche which nothing wiste + What Cuppe it was: and thanne al oute + The kyng in audience aboute + Hath told it was hire fader Skulle, + So that the lordes knowe schulle + Of his bataille a soth witnesse, + And made avant thurgh what prouesse 2560 + He hath his wyves love wonne, + Which of the Skulle hath so begonne. + Tho was ther mochel Pride alofte, + Thei speken alle, and sche was softe, + Thenkende on thilke unkynde Pride, + Of that hire lord so nyh hire side + Avanteth him that he hath slain + And piked out hire fader brain, + And of the Skulle had mad a Cuppe. + Sche soffreth al til thei were uppe, 2570 + And tho sche hath seknesse feigned, + And goth to chambre and hath compleigned + Unto a Maide which sche triste, + So that non other wyht it wiste. + This Mayde Glodeside is hote, + To whom this lady hath behote + Of ladischipe al that sche can, + To vengen hire upon this man, + Which dede hire drinke in such a plit + Among hem alle for despit 2580 + Of hire and of hire fader bothe; + Wherof hire thoghtes ben so wrothe, + Sche seith, that sche schal noght be glad, + Til that sche se him so bestad + That he nomore make avant. + And thus thei felle in covenant, + That thei acorden ate laste, + With suche wiles as thei caste + That thei wol gete of here acord + Som orped knyht to sle this lord: 2590 + And with this sleihte thei beginne, + How thei Helmege myhten winne, + Which was the kinges Boteler, + A proud a lusti Bacheler, + And Glodeside he loveth hote. + And sche, to make him more assote, + Hire love granteth, and be nyhte + Thei schape how thei togedre myhte + Abedde meete: and don it was + This same nyht; and in this cas 2600 + The qwene hirself the nyht secounde + Wente in hire stede, and there hath founde + A chambre derk withoute liht, + And goth to bedde to this knyht. + And he, to kepe his observance, + To love doth his obeissance, + And weneth it be Glodeside; + And sche thanne after lay aside, + And axeth him what he hath do, + And who sche was sche tolde him tho, 2610 + And seide: "Helmege, I am thi qwene, + Now schal thi love wel be sene + Of that thou hast thi wille wroght: + Or it schal sore ben aboght, + Or thou schalt worche as I thee seie. + And if thou wolt be such a weie + Do my plesance and holde it stille, + For evere I schal ben at thi wille, + Bothe I and al myn heritage." + Anon the wylde loves rage, 2620 + In which noman him can governe, + Hath mad him that he can noght werne, + Bot fell al hol to hire assent: + And thus the whiel is al miswent, + The which fortune hath upon honde; + For how that evere it after stonde, + Thei schope among hem such a wyle, + The king was ded withinne a whyle. + So slihly cam it noght aboute + That thei ne ben descoevered oute, 2630 + So that it thoghte hem for the beste + To fle, for there was no reste: + And thus the tresor of the king + Thei trusse and mochel other thing, + And with a certein felaschipe + Thei fledde and wente awey be schipe, + And hielde here rihte cours fro thenne, + Til that thei come to Ravenne, + Wher thei the Dukes helpe soghte. + And he, so as thei him besoghte, 2640 + A place granteth forto duelle; + Bot after, whan he herde telle + Of the manere how thei have do, + This Duk let schape for hem so, + That of a puison which thei drunke + Thei hadden that thei have beswunke. + And al this made avant of Pride: + Good is therfore a man to hide + His oghne pris, for if he speke, + He mai lihtliche his thonk tobreke. 2650 + In armes lith non avantance + To him which thenkth his name avance + And be renomed of his dede: + And also who that thenkth to spede + Of love, he mai him noght avaunte; + For what man thilke vice haunte, + His pourpos schal fulofte faile. + In armes he that wol travaile + Or elles loves grace atteigne, + His lose tunge he mot restreigne, 2660 + Which berth of his honour the keie. + Forthi, my Sone, in alle weie + Tak riht good hiede of this matiere. + I thonke you, my fader diere, + This scole is of a gentil lore; + And if ther be oght elles more + Of Pride, which I schal eschuie, + Now axeth forth, and I wol suie + What thing that ye me wole enforme. + Mi Sone, yit in other forme 2670 + Ther is a vice of Prides lore, + Which lich an hauk whan he wol sore, + Fleith upon heihte in his delices + After the likynge of his vices, + And wol no mannes resoun knowe, + Till he doun falle and overthrowe. + This vice veine gloire is hote, + Wherof, my Sone, I thee behote + To trete and speke in such a wise, + That thou thee myht the betre avise. 2680 + The proude vice of veine gloire + Remembreth noght of purgatoire, + Hise worldes joyes ben so grete, + Him thenkth of hevene no beyete; + This lives Pompe is al his pes: + Yit schal he deie natheles, + And therof thenkth he bot a lite, + For al his lust is to delite + In newe thinges, proude and veine, + Als ferforth as he mai atteigne. 2690 + I trowe, if that he myhte make + His body newe, he wolde take + A newe forme and leve his olde: + For what thing that he mai beholde, + The which to comun us is strange, + Anon his olde guise change + He wole and falle therupon, + Lich unto the Camelion, + Which upon every sondri hewe + That he beholt he moste newe 2700 + His colour, and thus unavised + Fulofte time he stant desguised. + Mor jolif than the brid in Maii + He makth him evere freissh and gay, + And doth al his array desguise, + So that of him the newe guise + Of lusti folk alle othre take; + And ek he can carolles make, + Rondeal, balade and virelai. + And with al this, if that he may 2710 + Of love gete him avantage, + Anon he wext of his corage + So overglad, that of his ende + Him thenkth ther is no deth comende: + For he hath thanne at alle tide + Of love such a maner pride, + Him thenkth his joie is endeles. + Now schrif thee, Sone, in godes pes, + And of thi love tell me plein + If that thi gloire hath be so vein. 2720 + Mi fader, as touchinge of al + I may noght wel ne noght ne schal + Of veine gloire excuse me, + That I ne have for love be + The betre adresced and arraied; + And also I have ofte assaied + Rondeal, balade and virelai + For hire on whom myn herte lai + To make, and also forto peinte + Caroles with my wordes qweinte, 2730 + To sette my pourpos alofte; + And thus I sang hem forth fulofte + In halle and ek in chambre aboute, + And made merie among the route, + Bot yit ne ferde I noght the bet. + Thus was my gloire in vein beset + Of al the joie that I made; + For whanne I wolde with hire glade, + And of hire love songes make, + Sche saide it was noght for hir sake, 2740 + And liste noght my songes hiere + Ne witen what the wordes were. + So forto speke of myn arrai, + Yit couthe I nevere be so gay + Ne so wel make a songe of love, + Wherof I myhte ben above + And have encheson to be glad; + Bot rathere I am ofte adrad + For sorwe that sche seith me nay. + And natheles I wol noght say, 2750 + That I nam glad on other side; + For fame, that can nothing hide, + Alday wol bringe unto myn Ere + Of that men speken hier and there, + How that my ladi berth the pris, + How sche is fair, how sche is wis, + How sche is wommanlich of chiere; + Of al this thing whanne I mai hiere, + What wonder is thogh I be fain? + And ek whanne I may hiere sain 2760 + Tidinges of my ladi hele, + Althogh I may noght with hir dele, + Yit am I wonder glad of that; + For whanne I wot hire good astat, + As for that time I dar wel swere, + Non other sorwe mai me dere, + Thus am I gladed in this wise. + Bot, fader, of youre lores wise, + Of whiche ye be fully tawht, + Now tell me if yow thenketh awht 2770 + That I therof am forto wyte. + Of that ther is I thee acquite, + Mi sone, he seide, and for thi goode + I wolde that thou understode: + For I thenke upon this matiere + To telle a tale, as thou schalt hiere, + How that ayein this proude vice + The hihe god of his justice + Is wroth and gret vengance doth. + Now herkne a tale that is soth: 2780 + Thogh it be noght of loves kinde, + A gret ensample thou schalt finde + This veine gloire forto fle, + Which is so full of vanite. + Ther was a king that mochel myhte, + Which Nabugodonosor hihte, + Of whom that I spak hier tofore. + Yit in the bible his name is bore, + For al the world in Orient + Was hol at his comandement: 2790 + As thanne of kinges to his liche + Was non so myhty ne so riche; + To his Empire and to his lawes, + As who seith, alle in thilke dawes + Were obeissant and tribut bere, + As thogh he godd of Erthe were. + With strengthe he putte kinges under, + And wroghte of Pride many a wonder; + He was so full of veine gloire, + That he ne hadde no memoire 2800 + That ther was eny good bot he, + For pride of his prosperite; + Til that the hihe king of kinges, + Which seth and knoweth alle thinges, + Whos yhe mai nothing asterte,- + The privetes of mannes herte + Thei speke and sounen in his Ere + As thogh thei lowde wyndes were,- + He tok vengance upon this pride. + Bot for he wolde awhile abide 2810 + To loke if he him wolde amende, + To him a foretokne he sende, + And that was in his slep be nyhte. + This proude kyng a wonder syhte + Hadde in his swevene, ther he lay: + Him thoghte, upon a merie day + As he behield the world aboute, + A tree fulgrowe he syh theroute, + Which stod the world amiddes evene, + Whos heihte straghte up to the hevene; 2820 + The leves weren faire and large, + Of fruit it bar so ripe a charge, + That alle men it myhte fede: + He sih also the bowes spriede + Above al Erthe, in whiche were + The kinde of alle briddes there; + And eke him thoghte he syh also + The kinde of alle bestes go + Under this tre aboute round + And fedden hem upon the ground. 2830 + As he this wonder stod and syh, + Him thoghte he herde a vois on hih + Criende, and seide aboven alle: + "Hew doun this tree and lett it falle, + The leves let defoule in haste + And do the fruit destruie and waste, + And let of schreden every braunche, + Bot ate Rote let it staunche. + Whan al his Pride is cast to grounde, + The rote schal be faste bounde, 2840 + And schal no mannes herte bere, + Bot every lust he schal forbere + Of man, and lich an Oxe his mete + Of gras he schal pourchace and ete, + Til that the water of the hevene + Have waisshen him be times sevene, + So that he be thurghknowe ariht + What is the heveneliche myht, + And be mad humble to the wille + Of him which al mai save and spille." 2850 + This king out of his swefne abreide, + And he upon the morwe it seide + Unto the clerkes whiche he hadde: + Bot non of hem the sothe aradde, + Was non his swevene cowthe undo. + And it stod thilke time so, + This king hadde in subjeccioun + Judee, and of affeccioun + Above alle othre on Daniel + He loveth, for he cowthe wel 2860 + Divine that non other cowthe: + To him were alle thinges cowthe, + As he it hadde of goddes grace. + He was before the kinges face + Asent, and bode that he scholde + Upon the point the king of tolde + The fortune of his swevene expounde, + As it scholde afterward be founde. + Whan Daniel this swevene herde, + He stod long time er he ansuerde, 2870 + And made a wonder hevy chiere. + The king tok hiede of his manere, + And bad him telle that he wiste, + As he to whom he mochel triste, + And seide he wolde noght be wroth. + Bot Daniel was wonder loth, + And seide: "Upon thi fomen alle, + Sire king, thi swevene mote falle; + And natheles touchende of this + I wol the tellen how it is, 2880 + And what desese is to thee schape: + God wot if thou it schalt ascape. + The hihe tree, which thou hast sein + With lef and fruit so wel besein, + The which stod in the world amiddes, + So that the bestes and the briddes + Governed were of him al one, + Sire king, betokneth thi persone, + Which stant above all erthli thinges. + Thus regnen under the the kinges, 2890 + And al the poeple unto thee louteth, + And al the world thi pouer doubteth, + So that with vein honour deceived + Thou hast the reverence weyved + Fro him which is thi king above, + That thou for drede ne for love + Wolt nothing knowen of thi godd; + Which now for thee hath mad a rodd, + Thi veine gloire and thi folie + With grete peines to chastie. 2900 + And of the vois thou herdest speke, + Which bad the bowes forto breke + And hewe and felle doun the tree, + That word belongeth unto thee; + Thi regne schal ben overthrowe, + And thou despuiled for a throwe: + Bot that the Rote scholde stonde, + Be that thou schalt wel understonde, + Ther schal abyden of thi regne + A time ayein whan thou schalt regne. 2910 + And ek of that thou herdest seie, + To take a mannes herte aweie + And sette there a bestial, + So that he lich an Oxe schal + Pasture, and that he be bereined + Be times sefne and sore peined, + Til that he knowe his goddes mihtes, + Than scholde he stonde ayein uprihtes,- + Al this betokneth thin astat, + Which now with god is in debat: 2920 + Thi mannes forme schal be lassed, + Til sevene yer ben overpassed, + And in the liknesse of a beste + Of gras schal be thi real feste, + The weder schal upon thee reine. + And understond that al this peine, + Which thou schalt soffre thilke tide, + Is schape al only for thi pride + Of veine gloire, and of the sinne + Which thou hast longe stonden inne. 2930 + So upon this condicioun + Thi swevene hath exposicioun. + Bot er this thing befalle in dede, + Amende thee, this wolde I rede: + Yif and departe thin almesse, + Do mercy forth with rihtwisnesse, + Besech and prei the hihe grace, + For so thou myht thi pes pourchace + With godd, and stonde in good acord." + Bot Pride is loth to leve his lord, 2940 + And wol noght soffre humilite + With him to stonde in no degree; + And whan a schip hath lost his stiere, + Is non so wys that mai him stiere + Ayein the wawes in a rage. + This proude king in his corage + Humilite hath so forlore, + That for no swevene he sih tofore, + Ne yit for al that Daniel + Him hath conseiled everydel, 2950 + He let it passe out of his mynde, + Thurgh veine gloire, and as the blinde, + He seth no weie, er him be wo. + And fell withinne a time so, + As he in Babiloine wente, + The vanite of Pride him hente; + His herte aros of veine gloire, + So that he drowh into memoire + His lordschipe and his regalie + With wordes of Surquiderie. 2960 + And whan that he him most avaunteth, + That lord which veine gloire daunteth, + Al sodeinliche, as who seith treis, + Wher that he stod in his Paleis, + He tok him fro the mennes sihte: + Was non of hem so war that mihte + Sette yhe wher that he becom. + And thus was he from his kingdom + Into the wilde Forest drawe, + Wher that the myhti goddes lawe 2970 + Thurgh his pouer dede him transforme + Fro man into a bestes forme; + And lich an Oxe under the fot + He graseth, as he nedes mot, + To geten him his lives fode. + Tho thoghte him colde grases goode, + That whilom eet the hote spices, + Thus was he torned fro delices: + The wyn which he was wont to drinke + He tok thanne of the welles brinke 2980 + Or of the pet or of the slowh, + It thoghte him thanne good ynowh: + In stede of chambres wel arraied + He was thanne of a buissh wel paied, + The harde ground he lay upon, + For othre pilwes hath he non; + The stormes and the Reines falle, + The wyndes blowe upon him alle, + He was tormented day and nyht, + Such was the hihe goddes myht, 2990 + Til sevene yer an ende toke. + Upon himself tho gan he loke; + In stede of mete gras and stres, + In stede of handes longe cles, + In stede of man a bestes lyke + He syh; and thanne he gan to syke + For cloth of gold and for perrie, + Which him was wont to magnefie. + Whan he behield his Cote of heres, + He wepte and with fulwoful teres 3000 + Up to the hevene he caste his chiere + Wepende, and thoghte in this manere; + Thogh he no wordes myhte winne, + Thus seide his herte and spak withinne: + "O mihti godd, that al hast wroght + And al myht bringe ayein to noght, + Now knowe I wel, bot al of thee, + This world hath no prosperite: + In thin aspect ben alle liche, + The povere man and ek the riche, 3010 + Withoute thee ther mai no wight, + And thou above alle othre miht. + O mihti lord, toward my vice + Thi merci medle with justice; + And I woll make a covenant, + That of my lif the remenant + I schal it be thi grace amende, + And in thi lawe so despende + That veine gloire I schal eschuie, + And bowe unto thin heste and suie 3020 + Humilite, and that I vowe." + And so thenkende he gan doun bowe, + And thogh him lacke vois and speche, + He gan up with his feet areche, + And wailende in his bestly stevene + He made his pleignte unto the hevene. + He kneleth in his wise and braieth, + To seche merci and assaieth + His god, which made him nothing strange, + Whan that he sih his pride change. 3030 + Anon as he was humble and tame, + He fond toward his god the same, + And in a twinklinge of a lok + His mannes forme ayein he tok, + And was reformed to the regne + In which that he was wont to regne; + So that the Pride of veine gloire + Evere afterward out of memoire + He let it passe. And thus is schewed + What is to ben of Pride unthewed 3040 + Ayein the hihe goddes lawe, + To whom noman mai be felawe. + Forthi, my Sone, tak good hiede + So forto lede thi manhiede, + That thou ne be noght lich a beste. + Bot if thi lif schal ben honeste, + Thou most humblesce take on honde, + For thanne myht thou siker stonde: + And forto speke it otherwise, + A proud man can no love assise; 3050 + For thogh a womman wolde him plese, + His Pride can noght ben at ese. + Ther mai noman to mochel blame + A vice which is forto blame; + Forthi men scholde nothing hide + That mihte falle in blame of Pride, + Which is the werste vice of alle: + Wherof, so as it was befalle, + The tale I thenke of a Cronique + To telle, if that it mai thee like, 3060 + So that thou myht humblesce suie + And ek the vice of Pride eschuie, + Wherof the gloire is fals and vein; + Which god himself hath in desdeign, + That thogh it mounte for a throwe, + It schal doun falle and overthrowe. + A king whilom was yong and wys, + The which sette of his wit gret pris. + Of depe ymaginaciouns + And strange interpretaciouns, 3070 + Problemes and demandes eke, + His wisdom was to finde and seke; + Wherof he wolde in sondri wise + Opposen hem that weren wise. + Bot non of hem it myhte bere + Upon his word to yeve answere, + Outaken on, which was a knyht; + To him was every thing so liht, + That also sone as he hem herde, + The kinges wordes he answerde; 3080 + What thing the king him axe wolde, + Therof anon the trowthe he tolde. + The king somdiel hadde an Envie, + And thoghte he wolde his wittes plie + To sette som conclusioun, + Which scholde be confusioun + Unto this knyht, so that the name + And of wisdom the hihe fame + Toward himself he wolde winne. + And thus of al his wit withinne 3090 + This king began to studie and muse, + What strange matiere he myhte use + The knyhtes wittes to confounde; + And ate laste he hath it founde, + And for the knyht anon he sente, + That he schal telle what he mente. + Upon thre pointz stod the matiere + Of questions, as thou schalt hiere. + The ferste point of alle thre + Was this: "What thing in his degre 3100 + Of al this world hath nede lest, + And yet men helpe it althermest?" + The secounde is: "What most is worth, + And of costage is lest put forth?" + The thridde is: "Which is of most cost, + And lest is worth and goth to lost?" + The king thes thre demandes axeth, + And to the knyht this lawe he taxeth, + That he schal gon and come ayein + The thridde weke, and telle him plein 3110 + To every point, what it amonteth. + And if so be that he misconteth, + To make in his answere a faile, + Ther schal non other thing availe, + The king seith, bot he schal be ded + And lese hise goodes and his hed. + The knyht was sori of this thing + And wolde excuse him to the king, + Bot he ne wolde him noght forbere, + And thus the knyht of his ansuere 3120 + Goth hom to take avisement: + Bot after his entendement + The more he caste his wit aboute, + The more he stant therof in doute. + Tho wiste he wel the kinges herte, + That he the deth ne scholde asterte, + And such a sorwe hath to him take, + That gladschipe he hath al forsake. + He thoghte ferst upon his lif, + And after that upon his wif, 3130 + Upon his children ek also, + Of whiche he hadde dowhtres tuo; + The yongest of hem hadde of age + Fourtiene yer, and of visage + Sche was riht fair, and of stature + Lich to an hevenely figure, + And of manere and goodli speche, + Thogh men wolde alle Londes seche, + Thei scholden noght have founde hir like. + Sche sih hire fader sorwe and sike, 3140 + And wiste noght the cause why; + So cam sche to him prively, + And that was where he made his mone + Withinne a Gardin al him one; + Upon hire knes sche gan doun falle + With humble herte and to him calle, + And seide: "O goode fader diere, + Why make ye thus hevy chiere, + And I wot nothing how it is? + And wel ye knowen, fader, this, 3150 + What aventure that you felle + Ye myhte it saufly to me telle, + For I have ofte herd you seid, + That ye such trust have on me leid, + That to my soster ne my brother, + In al this world ne to non other, + Ye dorste telle a privite + So wel, my fader, as to me. + Forthi, my fader, I you preie, + Ne casteth noght that herte aweie, 3160 + For I am sche that wolde kepe + Youre honour." And with that to wepe + Hire yhe mai noght be forbore, + Sche wissheth forto ben unbore, + Er that hire fader so mistriste + To tellen hire of that he wiste: + And evere among merci sche cride, + That he ne scholde his conseil hide + From hire that so wolde him good + And was so nyh his fleissh and blod. 3170 + So that with wepinge ate laste + His chiere upon his child he caste, + And sorwfulli to that sche preide + He tolde his tale and thus he seide: + "The sorwe, dowhter, which I make + Is noght al only for my sake, + Bot for thee bothe and for you alle: + For such a chance is me befalle, + That I schal er this thridde day + Lese al that evere I lese may, 3180 + Mi lif and al my good therto: + Therfore it is I sorwe so." + "What is the cause, helas!" quod sche, + "Mi fader, that ye scholden be + Ded and destruid in such a wise?" + And he began the pointz devise, + Whiche as the king told him be mowthe, + And seid hir pleinly that he cowthe + Ansuere unto no point of this. + And sche, that hiereth how it is, 3190 + Hire conseil yaf and seide tho: + "Mi fader, sithen it is so, + That ye can se non other weie, + Bot that ye moste nedes deie, + I wolde preie of you a thing: + Let me go with you to the king, + And ye schull make him understonde + How ye, my wittes forto fonde, + Have leid your ansuere upon me; + And telleth him, in such degre 3200 + Upon my word ye wole abide + To lif or deth, what so betide. + For yit par chaunce I may pourchace + With som good word the kinges grace, + Your lif and ek your good to save; + For ofte schal a womman have + Thing which a man mai noght areche." + The fader herde his dowhter speche, + And thoghte ther was resoun inne, + And sih his oghne lif to winne 3210 + He cowthe don himself no cure; + So betre him thoghte in aventure + To put his lif and al his good, + Than in the maner as it stod + His lif in certein forto lese. + And thus thenkende he gan to chese + To do the conseil of this Maide, + And tok the pourpos which sche saide. + The dai was come and forth thei gon, + Unto the Court thei come anon, 3220 + Wher as the king in juggement + Was set and hath this knyht assent. + Arraied in hire beste wise + This Maiden with hire wordes wise + Hire fader ladde be the hond + Into the place, wher he fond + The king with othre whiche he wolde, + And to the king knelende he tolde + As he enformed was tofore, + And preith the king that he therfore 3230 + His dowhtres wordes wolde take, + And seith that he wol undertake + Upon hire wordes forto stonde. + Tho was ther gret merveile on honde, + That he, which was so wys a knyht, + His lif upon so yong a wyht + Besette wolde in jeupartie, + And manye it hielden for folie: + Bot ate laste natheles + The king comandeth ben in pes, 3240 + And to this 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, "the pointz of whiche I herde, + Thei schul of reson ben ansuerde. + The ferste I understonde is this, + What thing of al the world it is, + Which men most helpe and hath lest nede. + Mi liege lord, this wolde I rede: 3250 + The Erthe it is, which everemo + With mannes labour is bego; + Als wel in wynter as in Maii + The mannes hond doth what he mai + To helpe it forth and make it riche, + And forthi men it delve and dyche + And eren it with strengthe of plowh, + Wher it hath of himself ynowh, + So that his nede is ate leste. + For every man and bridd and beste, 3260 + And flour and gras and rote and rinde, + And every thing be weie of kynde + Schal sterve, and Erthe it schal become; + As it was out of Erthe nome, + It schal to therthe torne ayein: + And thus I mai be resoun sein + That Erthe is the most nedeles, + And most men helpe it natheles. + So that, my lord, touchende of this + I have ansuerd hou that it is. 3270 + That other point I understod, + Which most is worth and most is good, + And costeth lest a man to kepe: + Mi lord, if ye woll take kepe, + I seie it is Humilite, + Thurgh which the hihe trinite + As for decerte of pure love + Unto Marie from above, + Of that he knew hire humble entente, + His oghne Sone adoun he sente, 3280 + Above alle othre and hire he ches + For that vertu which bodeth pes: + So that I may be resoun calle + Humilite most worth of alle. + And lest it costeth to maintiene, + In al the world as it is sene; + For who that hath humblesce on honde, + He bringth no werres into londe, + For he desireth for the beste + To setten every man in reste. 3290 + Thus with your hihe reverence + Me thenketh that this evidence + As to this point is sufficant. + And touchende of the remenant, + Which is the thridde of youre axinges, + What leste is worth of alle thinges, + And costeth most, I telle it, Pride; + Which mai noght in the hevene abide, + For Lucifer with hem that felle + Bar Pride with him into helle. 3300 + Ther was Pride of to gret a cost, + Whan he for Pride hath hevene lost; + And after that in Paradis + Adam for Pride loste his pris: + In Midelerthe and ek also + Pride is the cause of alle wo, + That al the world ne may suffise + To stanche of Pride the reprise: + Pride is the heved of alle Sinne, + Which wasteth al and mai noght winne; 3310 + Pride is of every mis the pricke, + Pride is the werste of alle wicke, + And costneth most and lest is worth + In place where he hath his forth. + Thus have I seid that I wol seie + Of myn answere, and to you preie, + Mi liege lord, of youre office + That ye such grace and such justice + Ordeigne for mi fader hiere, + That after this, whan men it hiere, 3320 + The world therof mai speke good." + The king, which reson understod + And hath al herd how sche hath said, + Was inly glad and so wel paid + That al his wraththe is overgo: + And he began to loke tho + Upon this Maiden in the face, + In which he fond so mochel grace, + That al his pris on hire he leide, + In audience and thus he seide: 3330 + "Mi faire Maide, wel thee be! + Of thin ansuere and ek of thee + Me liketh wel, and as thou wilt, + Foryive be thi fader gilt. + And if thou were of such lignage, + That thou to me were of parage, + And that thi fader were a Pier, + As he is now a Bachilier, + So seker as I have a lif, + Thou scholdest thanne be my wif. 3340 + Bot this I seie natheles, + That I wol schape thin encress; + What worldes good that thou wolt crave, + Axe of my yifte and thou schalt have." + And sche the king with wordes wise + Knelende thonketh in this wise: + "Mi liege lord, god mot you quite! + Mi fader hier hath bot a lite + Of warison, and that he wende + Hadde al be lost; bot now amende 3350 + He mai wel thurgh your noble grace." + With that the king riht in his place + Anon forth in that freisshe hete + An Erldom, which thanne of eschete + Was late falle into his hond, + Unto this knyht with rente and lond + Hath yove and with his chartre sesed; + And thus was all the noise appesed. + This Maiden, which sat on hire knes + Tofore the king, hise charitees 3360 + Comendeth, and seide overmore: + "Mi liege lord, riht now tofore + Ye seide, as it is of record, + That if my fader were a lord + And Pier unto these othre grete, + Ye wolden for noght elles lete, + That I ne scholde be your wif; + And this wot every worthi lif, + A kinges word it mot ben holde. + Forthi, my lord, if that ye wolde 3370 + So gret a charite fulfille, + God wot it were wel my wille: + For he which was a Bacheler, + Mi fader, is now mad a Pier; + So whenne as evere that I cam, + An Erles dowhter now I am." + This yonge king, which peised al, + Hire beaute and hir wit withal, + As he that was with love hent, + Anon therto yaf his assent. 3380 + He myhte noght the maide asterte, + That sche nis ladi of his herte; + So that he tok hire to his wif, + To holde whyl that he hath lif: + And thus the king toward his knyht + Acordeth him, as it is riht. + And over this good is to wite, + In the Cronique as it is write, + This noble king of whom I tolde + Of Spaine be tho daies olde 3390 + The kingdom hadde in governance, + And as the bok makth 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 that was sene in thilke place, + Wher sche hir fader out of teene + Hath broght and mad hirself a qweene, 3400 + Of that sche hath so wel desclosed + The pointz wherof sche was opposed. + Lo now, my Sone, as thou myht hiere, + Of al this thing to my matiere + Bot on I take, and that is Pride, + To whom no grace mai betide: + In hevene he fell out of his stede, + And Paradis him was forbede, + The goode men in Erthe him hate, + So that to helle he mot algate, 3410 + Where every vertu schal be weyved + And every vice be received. + Bot Humblesce is al otherwise, + Which most is worth, and no reprise + It takth ayein, bot softe and faire, + If eny thing stond in contraire, + With humble speche it is redresced: + Thus was this yonge Maiden blessed, + The which I spak of now tofore, + Hire fader lif sche gat therfore, 3420 + And wan with al the kinges love. + Forthi, my Sone, if thou wolt love, + It sit thee wel to leve Pride + And take Humblesce upon thi side; + The more of grace thou schalt gete. + Mi fader, I woll noght foryete + Of this that ye have told me hiere, + And if that eny such manere + Of humble port mai love appaie, + Hierafterward I thenke assaie: 3430 + Bot now forth over I beseche + That ye more of my schrifte seche. + Mi goode Sone, it schal be do: + Now herkne and ley an Ere to; + For as touchende of Prides fare, + Als ferforth as I can declare + In cause of vice, in cause of love, + That hast thou pleinly herd above, + So that ther is nomor to seie + Touchende of that; bot other weie 3440 + Touchende Envie I thenke telle, + Which hath the propre kinde of helle, + Withoute cause to misdo + Toward himself and othre also, + Hierafterward as understonde + Thou schalt the spieces, as thei stonde. + + + Explicit Liber Primus + + + + +Incipit Liber Secundus + + + Inuidie culpa magis est attrita dolore, + Nam sua mens nullo tempore leta manet: + Quo gaudent alii, dolet ille, nec vnus amicus + Est, cui de puro comoda velle facit. + Proximitatis honor sua corda veretur, et omnis + Est sibi leticia sic aliena dolor. + Hoc etenim vicium quam sepe repugnat amanti, + Non sibi, set reliquis, dum fauet ipsa Venus. + Est amor ex proprio motu fantasticus, et que + Gaudia fert alius, credit obesse sibi. + + + Now after Pride the secounde + Ther is, which many a woful stounde + Towardes othre berth aboute + Withinne himself and noght withoute; + For in his thoght he brenneth evere, + Whan that he wot an other levere + Or more vertuous than he, + Which passeth him in his degre; + Therof he takth his maladie: + That vice is cleped hot Envie. 10 + Forthi, my Sone, if it be so + Thou art or hast ben on of tho, + As forto speke in loves cas, + If evere yit thin herte was + Sek of an other mannes hele? + So god avance my querele, + Mi fader, ye, a thousend sithe: + Whanne I have sen an other blithe + Of love, and hadde a goodly chiere, + Ethna, which brenneth yer be yere, 20 + Was thanne noght so hot as I + Of thilke Sor which prively + Min hertes thoght withinne brenneth. + The Schip which on the wawes renneth, + And is forstormed and forblowe, + Is noght more peined for a throwe + Than I am thanne, whanne I se + An other which that passeth me + In that fortune of loves yifte. + Bot, fader, this I telle in schrifte, 30 + That is nowher bot in o place; + For who that lese or finde grace + In other stede, it mai noght grieve: + Bot this ye mai riht wel believe, + Toward mi ladi that I serve, + Thogh that I wiste forto sterve, + Min herte is full of such sotie, + That I myself mai noght chastie. + Whan I the Court se of Cupide + Aproche unto my ladi side 40 + Of hem that lusti ben and freisshe,- + Thogh it availe hem noght a reisshe, + Bot only that thei ben in speche,- + My sorwe is thanne noght to seche: + Bot whan thei rounen in hire Ere, + Than groweth al my moste fere, + And namly whan thei talen longe; + My sorwes thanne be so stronge + Of that I se hem wel at ese, + I can noght telle my desese. 50 + Bot, Sire, as of my ladi selve, + Thogh sche have wowers ten or twelve, + For no mistrust I have of hire + Me grieveth noght, for certes, Sire, + I trowe, in al this world to seche, + Nis womman that in dede and speche + Woll betre avise hire what sche doth, + Ne betre, forto seie a soth, + Kepe hire honour ate alle tide, + And yit get hire a thank beside. 60 + Bot natheles I am beknowe, + That whanne I se at eny throwe, + Or elles if I mai it hiere, + That sche make eny man good chiere, + Thogh I therof have noght to done, + Mi thought wol entermette him sone. + For thogh I be miselve strange, + Envie makth myn herte change, + That I am sorghfully bestad + Of that I se an other glad 70 + With hire; bot of other alle, + Of love what so mai befalle, + Or that he faile or that he spede, + Therof take I bot litel heede. + Now have I seid, my fader, al + As of this point in special, + Als ferforthli as I have wist. + Now axeth further what you list. + Mi Sone, er I axe eny more, + I thenke somdiel for thi lore 80 + Telle an ensample of this matiere + Touchende Envie, as thou schalt hiere. + Write in Civile this I finde: + Thogh it be noght the houndes kinde + To ete chaf, yit wol he werne + An Oxe which comth to the berne, + Therof to taken eny fode. + And thus, who that it understode, + It stant of love in many place: + Who that is out of loves grace 90 + And mai himselven noght availe, + He wolde an other scholde faile; + And if he may put eny lette, + He doth al that he mai to lette. + Wherof I finde, as thou schalt wite, + To this pourpos a tale write. + Ther ben of suche mo than twelve, + That ben noght able as of hemselve + To gete love, and for Envie + Upon alle othre thei aspie; 100 + And for hem lacketh that thei wolde, + Thei kepte that non other scholde + Touchende of love his cause spede: + Wherof a gret ensample I rede, + Which unto this matiere acordeth, + As Ovide in his bok recordeth, + How Poliphemus whilom wroghte, + Whan that he Galathee besoghte + Of love, which he mai noght lacche. + That made him forto waite and wacche 110 + Be alle weies how it ferde, + Til ate laste he knew and herde + How that an other hadde leve + To love there as he mot leve, + As forto speke of eny sped: + So that he knew non other red, + Bot forto wayten upon alle, + Til he may se the chance falle + That he hire love myhte grieve, + Which he himself mai noght achieve. 120 + This Galathee, seith the Poete, + Above alle othre was unmete + Of beaute, that men thanne knewe, + And hadde a lusti love and trewe, + A Bacheler in his degree, + Riht such an other as was sche, + On whom sche hath hire herte set, + So that it myhte noght be let + For yifte ne for no beheste, + That sche ne was al at his heste. 130 + This yonge knyht Acis was hote, + Which hire ayeinward als so hote + Al only loveth and nomo. + Hierof was Poliphemus wo + Thurgh pure Envie, and evere aspide, + And waiteth upon every side, + Whan he togedre myhte se + This yonge Acis with Galathe. + So longe he waiteth to and fro, + Til ate laste he fond hem tuo, 140 + In prive place wher thei stode + To speke and have here wordes goode. + The place wher as he hem syh, + It was under a banke nyh + The grete See, and he above + Stod and behield the lusti love + Which ech of hem to other made + With goodly chiere and wordes glade, + That al his herte hath set afyre + Of pure Envie: and as a fyre 150 + Which fleth out of a myhti bowe, + Aweie he fledde for a throwe, + As he that was for love wod, + Whan that he sih how that it stod. + This Polipheme a Geant was; + And whan he sih the sothe cas, + How Galathee him hath forsake + And Acis to hire love take, + His herte mai it noght forbere + That he ne roreth lich a Bere; 160 + And as it were a wilde beste, + The whom no reson mihte areste, + He ran Ethna the hell aboute, + Wher nevere yit the fyr was oute, + Fulfild of sorghe and gret desese, + That he syh Acis wel at ese. + Til ate laste he him bethoghte, + As he which al Envie soghte, + And torneth to the banke ayein, + Wher he with Galathee hath seyn 170 + Acis, whom that he thoghte grieve, + Thogh he himself mai noght relieve. + This Geant with his ruide myht + Part of the banke he schof doun riht, + The which evene upon Acis fell, + So that with fallinge of this hell + This Poliphemus Acis slowh, + Wherof sche made sorwe ynowh. + And as sche fledde fro the londe, + Neptunus tok hire into honde 180 + And kept hire in so sauf a place + Fro Polipheme and his manace, + That he with al his false Envie + Ne mihte atteigne hir compaignie. + This Galathee of whom I speke, + That of hirself mai noght be wreke, + Withouten eny semblant feigned + Sche hath hire loves deth compleigned, + And with hire sorwe and with hire wo + Sche hath the goddes moeved so, 190 + That thei of pite and of grace + Have Acis in the same place, + Ther he lai ded, into a welle + Transformed, as the bokes telle, + With freisshe stremes and with cliere, + As he whilom with lusti chiere + Was freissh his love forto qweme. + And with this ruide Polipheme + For his Envie and for his hate + Thei were wrothe. And thus algate, 200 + Mi Sone, thou myht understonde, + That if thou wolt in grace stonde + With love, thou most leve Envie: + And as thou wolt for thi partie + Toward thi love stonde fre, + So most thou soffre an other be, + What so befalle upon the chaunce: + For it is an unwys vengance, + Which to non other man is lief, + And is unto himselve grief. 210 + Mi fader, this ensample is good; + Bot how so evere that it stod + With Poliphemes love as tho, + It schal noght stonde with me so, + To worchen eny felonie + In love for no such Envie. + Forthi if ther oght elles be, + Now axeth forth, in what degre + It is, and I me schal confesse + With schrifte unto youre holinesse. 220 + Mi goode Sone, yit ther is + A vice revers unto this, + Which envious takth his gladnesse + Of that he seth the hevinesse + Of othre men: for his welfare + Is whanne he wot an other care: + Of that an other hath a fall, + He thenkth himself arist withal. + Such is the gladschipe of Envie + In worldes thing, and in partie 230 + Fulofte times ek also + In loves cause it stant riht so. + If thou, my Sone, hast joie had, + Whan thou an other sihe unglad, + Schrif the therof. Mi fader, yis: + I am beknowe unto you this. + Of these lovers that loven streyte, + And for that point which thei coveite + Ben poursuiantz fro yeer to yere + In loves Court, whan I may hiere 240 + How that thei clymbe upon the whel, + And whan thei wene al schal be wel, + Thei ben doun throwen ate laste, + Thanne am I fedd of that thei faste, + And lawhe of that I se hem loure; + And thus of that thei brewe soure + I drinke swete, and am wel esed + Of that I wot thei ben desesed. + Bot this which I you telle hiere + Is only for my lady diere; 250 + That for non other that I knowe + Me reccheth noght who overthrowe, + Ne who that stonde in love upriht: + Bot be he squier, be he knyht, + Which to my ladiward poursuieth, + The more he lest of that he suieth, + The mor me thenketh that I winne, + And am the more glad withinne + Of that I wot him sorwe endure. + For evere upon such aventure 260 + It is a confort, as men sein, + To him the which is wo besein + To sen an other in his peine, + So that thei bothe mai compleigne. + Wher I miself mai noght availe + To sen an other man travaile, + I am riht glad if he be let; + And thogh I fare noght the bet, + His sorwe is to myn herte a game: + Whan that I knowe it is the same 270 + Which to mi ladi stant enclined, + And hath his love noght termined, + I am riht joifull in my thoght. + If such Envie grieveth oght, + As I beknowe me coupable, + Ye that be wys and resonable, + Mi fader, telleth youre avis. + Mi Sone, Envie into no pris + Of such a forme, I understonde, + Ne mihte be no resoun stonde 280 + For this Envie hath such a kinde, + That he wole sette himself behinde + To hindre with an othre wyht, + And gladly lese his oghne riht + To make an other lesen his. + And forto knowe how it so is, + A tale lich to this matiere + I thenke telle, if thou wolt hiere, + To schewe proprely the vice + Of this Envie and the malice. 290 + Of Jupiter this finde I write, + How whilom that he wolde wite + Upon the pleigntes whiche he herde, + Among the men how that it ferde, + As of here wrong condicion + To do justificacion: + And for that cause doun he sente + An Angel, which about wente, + That he the sothe knowe mai. + So it befell upon a dai 300 + This Angel, which him scholde enforme, + Was clothed in a mannes forme, + And overtok, I understonde, + Tuo men that wenten over londe, + Thurgh whiche he thoghte to aspie + His cause, and goth in compaignie. + This Angel with hise wordes wise + Opposeth hem in sondri wise, + Now lowde wordes and now softe, + That mad hem to desputen ofte, 310 + And ech of hem his reson hadde. + And thus with tales he hem ladde + With good examinacioun, + Til he knew the condicioun, + What men thei were bothe tuo; + And sih wel ate laste tho, + That on of hem was coveitous, + And his fela was envious. + And thus, whan he hath knowlechinge, + Anon he feigneth departinge, 320 + And seide he mot algate wende. + Bot herkne now what fell at ende: + For thanne he made hem understonde + That he was there of goddes sonde, + And seide hem, for the kindeschipe + That thei have don him felaschipe, + He wole hem do som grace ayein, + And bad that on of hem schal sein + What thing him is lievest to crave, + And he it schal of yifte have; 330 + And over that ek forth withal + He seith that other have schal + The double of that his felaw axeth; + And thus to hem his grace he taxeth. + The coveitous was wonder glad, + And to that other man he bad + And seith that he ferst axe scholde: + For he supposeth that he wolde + Make his axinge of worldes good; + For thanne he knew wel how it stod, 340 + That he himself be double weyhte + Schal after take, and thus be sleyhte, + Be cause that he wolde winne, + He bad his fela ferst beginne. + This Envious, thogh it be late, + Whan that he syh he mot algate + Make his axinge ferst, he thoghte, + If he worschipe or profit soghte, + It schal be doubled to his fiere: + That wolde he chese in no manere. 350 + Bot thanne he scheweth what he was + Toward Envie, and in this cas + Unto this Angel thus he seide + And for his yifte this he preide, + To make him blind of his on yhe, + So that his fela nothing syhe. + This word was noght so sone spoke, + That his on yhe anon was loke, + And his felawh forthwith also + Was blind of bothe his yhen tuo. 360 + Tho was that other glad ynowh, + That on wepte, and that other lowh, + He sette his on yhe at no cost, + Wherof that other two hath lost. + Of thilke ensample which fell tho, + Men tellen now fulofte so, + The world empeireth comunly: + And yit wot non the cause why; + For it acordeth noght to kinde + Min oghne harm to seche and finde 370 + Of that I schal my brother grieve; + It myhte nevere wel achieve. + What seist thou, Sone, of this folie? + Mi fader, bot I scholde lie, + Upon the point which ye have seid + Yit was myn herte nevere leid, + Bot in the wise as I you tolde. + Bot overmore, if that ye wolde + Oght elles to my schrifte seie + Touchende Envie, I wolde preie. 380 + Mi Sone, that schal wel be do: + Now herkne and ley thin Ere to. + Touchende as of Envious brod + I wot noght on of alle good; + Bot natheles, suche as thei be, + Yit is ther on, and that is he + Which cleped in Detraccioun. + And to conferme his accioun, + He hath withholde Malebouche, + Whos tunge neither pyl ne crouche 390 + Mai hyre, so that he pronounce + A plein good word withoute frounce + Awher behinde a mannes bak. + For thogh he preise, he fint som lak, + Which of his tale is ay the laste, + That al the pris schal overcaste: + And thogh ther be no cause why, + Yit wole he jangle noght forthi, + As he which hath the heraldie + Of hem that usen forto lye. 400 + For as the Netle which up renneth + The freisshe rede Roses brenneth + And makth hem fade and pale of hewe, + Riht so this fals Envious hewe, + In every place wher he duelleth, + With false wordes whiche he telleth + He torneth preisinge into blame + And worschipe into worldes schame. + Of such lesinge as he compasseth, + Is non so good that he ne passeth 410 + Betwen his teeth and is bacbited, + And thurgh his false tunge endited: + Lich to the Scharnebudes kinde, + Of whos nature this I finde, + That in the hoteste of the dai, + Whan comen is the merie Maii, + He sprat his wynge and up he fleth: + And under al aboute he seth + The faire lusti floures springe, + Bot therof hath he no likinge; 420 + Bot where he seth of eny beste + The felthe, ther he makth his feste, + And therupon he wole alyhte, + Ther liketh him non other sihte. + Riht so this janglere Envious, + Thogh he a man se vertuous + And full of good condicioun, + Therof makth he no mencioun: + Bot elles, be it noght so lyte, + Wherof that he mai sette a wyte, 430 + Ther renneth he with open mouth, + Behinde a man and makth it couth. + Bot al the vertu which he can, + That wole he hide of every man, + And openly the vice telle, + As he which of the Scole of helle + Is tawht, and fostred with Envie + Of houshold and of compaignie, + Wher that he hath his propre office + To sette on every man a vice. 440 + How so his mouth be comely, + His word sit evermore awry + And seith the worste that he may. + And in this wise now a day + In loves Court a man mai hiere + Fulofte pleigne of this matiere, + That many envious tale is stered, + Wher that it mai noght ben ansuered; + Bot yit fulofte it is believed, + And many a worthi love is grieved 450 + Thurgh bacbitinge of fals Envie. + If thou have mad such janglerie + In loves Court, mi Sone, er this, + Schrif thee therof. Mi fader, yis: + Bot wite ye how? noght openly, + Bot otherwhile prively, + Whan I my diere ladi mete, + And thenke how that I am noght mete + Unto hire hihe worthinesse, + And ek I se the besinesse 460 + Of al this yonge lusty route, + Whiche alday pressen hire aboute, + And ech of hem his time awaiteth, + And ech of hem his tale affaiteth, + Al to deceive an innocent, + Which woll noght ben of here assent; + And for men sein unknowe unkest, + Hire thombe sche holt in hire fest + So clos withinne hire oghne hond, + That there winneth noman lond; 470 + Sche lieveth noght al that sche hiereth, + And thus fulofte hirself sche skiereth + And is al war of "hadde I wist":- + Bot for al that myn herte arist, + Whanne I thes comun lovers se, + That woll noght holden hem to thre, + Bot welnyh loven overal, + Min herte is Envious withal, + And evere I am adrad of guile, + In aunter if with eny wyle 480 + Thei mihte hire innocence enchaunte. + Forthi my wordes ofte I haunte + Behynden hem, so as I dar, + Wherof my ladi may be war: + I sai what evere comth to mowthe, + And worse I wolde, if that I cowthe; + For whanne I come unto hir speche, + Al that I may enquere and seche + Of such deceipte, I telle it al, + And ay the werste in special. 490 + So fayn I wolde that sche wiste + How litel thei ben forto triste, + And what thei wolde and what thei mente, + So as thei be of double entente: + Thus toward hem that wicke mene + My wicked word was evere grene. + And natheles, the soth to telle, + In certain if it so befelle + That althertrewest man ybore, + To chese among a thousend score, 500 + Which were alfulli forto triste, + Mi ladi lovede, and I it wiste, + Yit rathere thanne he scholde spede, + I wolde swiche tales sprede + To my ladi, if that I myhte, + That I scholde al his love unrihte, + And therto wolde I do mi peine. + For certes thogh I scholde feigne, + And telle that was nevere thoght, + For al this world I myhte noght 510 + To soffre an othre fully winne, + Ther as I am yit to beginne. + For be thei goode, or be thei badde, + I wolde non my ladi hadde; + And that me makth fulofte aspie + And usen wordes of Envie, + Al forto make hem bere a blame. + And that is bot of thilke same, + The whiche unto my ladi drawe, + For evere on hem I rounge and gknawe 520 + And hindre hem al that evere I mai; + And that is, sothly forto say, + Bot only to my lady selve: + I telle it noght to ten ne tuelve, + Therof I wol me wel avise, + To speke or jangle in eny wise + That toucheth to my ladi name, + The which in ernest and in game + I wolde save into my deth; + For me were levere lacke breth 530 + Than speken of hire name amis. + Now have ye herd touchende of this, + Mi fader, in confessioun: + And therfor of Detraccioun + In love, of that I have mispoke, + Tel how ye wole it schal be wroke. + I am al redy forto bere + Mi peine, and also to forbere + What thing that ye wol noght allowe; + For who is bounden, he mot bowe. 540 + So wol I bowe unto youre heste, + For I dar make this beheste, + That I to yow have nothing hid, + Bot told riht as it is betid; + And otherwise of no mispeche, + Mi conscience forto seche, + I can noght of Envie finde, + That I mispoke have oght behinde + Wherof love owhte be mispaid. + Now have ye herd and I have said; 550 + What wol ye, fader, that I do? + Mi Sone, do nomore so, + Bot evere kep thi tunge stille, + Thou miht the more have of thi wille. + For as thou saist thiselven here, + Thi ladi is of such manere, + So wys, so war in alle thinge, + It nedeth of no bakbitinge + That thou thi ladi mis enforme: + For whan sche knoweth al the forme, 560 + How that thiself art envious, + Thou schalt noght be so gracious + As thou peraunter scholdest elles. + Ther wol noman drinke of tho welles + Whiche as he wot is puyson inne; + And ofte swich as men beginne + Towardes othre, swich thei finde, + That set hem ofte fer behinde, + Whan that thei wene be before. + Mi goode Sone, and thou therfore 570 + Bewar and lef thi wicke speche, + Wherof hath fallen ofte wreche + To many a man befor this time. + For who so wole his handes lime, + Thei mosten be the more unclene; + For many a mote schal be sene, + That wolde noght cleve elles there; + And that schold every wys man fere: + For who so wol an other blame, + He secheth ofte his oghne schame, 580 + Which elles myhte be riht stille. + Forthi if that it be thi wille + To stonde upon amendement, + A tale of gret entendement + I thenke telle for thi sake, + Wherof thou miht ensample take. + A worthi kniht in Cristes lawe + Of grete Rome, as is the sawe, + The Sceptre hadde forto rihte; + Tiberie Constantin he hihte, 590 + Whos wif was cleped Ytalie: + Bot thei togedre of progenie + No children hadde bot a Maide; + And sche the god so wel apaide, + That al the wide worldes fame + Spak worschipe of hire goode name. + Constance, as the Cronique seith, + Sche hihte, and was so ful of feith, + That the greteste of Barbarie, + Of hem whiche usen marchandie, 600 + Sche hath converted, as thei come + To hire upon a time in Rome, + To schewen such thing as thei broghte; + Whiche worthili of hem sche boghte, + And over that in such a wise + Sche hath hem with hire wordes wise + Of Cristes feith so full enformed, + That thei therto ben all conformed, + So that baptesme thei receiven + And alle here false goddes weyven. 610 + Whan thei ben of the feith certein, + Thei gon to Barbarie ayein, + And ther the Souldan for hem sente + And axeth hem to what entente + Thei have here ferste feith forsake. + And thei, whiche hadden undertake + The rihte feith to kepe and holde, + The matiere of here tale tolde + With al the hole circumstance. + And whan the Souldan of Constance 620 + Upon the point that thei ansuerde + The beaute and the grace herde, + As he which thanne was to wedde, + In alle haste his cause spedde + To sende for the mariage. + And furthermor with good corage + He seith, be so he mai hire have, + That Crist, which cam this world to save, + He woll believe: and this recorded, + Thei ben on either side acorded, 630 + And therupon to make an ende + The Souldan hise hostages sende + To Rome, of Princes Sones tuelve: + Wherof the fader in himselve + Was glad, and with the Pope avised + Tuo Cardinals he hath assissed + With othre lordes many mo, + That with his doghter scholden go, + To se the Souldan be converted. + Bot that which nevere was wel herted, 640 + Envie, tho began travaile + In destourbance of this spousaile + So prively that non was war. + The Moder which this Souldan bar + Was thanne alyve, and thoghte this + Unto hirself: "If it so is + Mi Sone him wedde in this manere, + Than have I lost my joies hiere, + For myn astat schal so be lassed." + Thenkende thus sche hath compassed 650 + Be sleihte how that sche may beguile + Hire Sone; and fell withinne a while, + Betwen hem two whan that thei were, + Sche feigneth wordes in his Ere, + And in this wise gan to seie: + "Mi Sone, I am be double weie + With al myn herte glad and blithe, + For that miself have ofte sithe + Desired thou wolt, as men seith, + Receive and take a newe feith, 660 + Which schal be forthringe of thi lif: + And ek so worschipful a wif, + The doughter of an Emperour, + To wedde it schal be gret honour. + Forthi, mi Sone, I you beseche + That I such grace mihte areche, + Whan that my doughter come schal, + That I mai thanne in special, + So as me thenkth it is honeste, + Be thilke which the ferste feste 670 + Schal make unto hire welcominge." + The Souldan granteth hire axinge, + And sche therof was glad ynowh: + For under that anon sche drowh + With false wordes that sche spak + Covine of deth behinde his bak. + And therupon hire ordinance + She made so, that whan Constance + Was come forth with the Romeins, + Of clerkes and of Citezeins, 680 + A riche feste sche hem made: + And most whan that thei weren glade, + With fals covine which sche hadde + Hire clos Envie tho sche spradde, + And alle tho that hadden be + Or in apert or in prive + Of conseil to the mariage, + Sche slowh hem in a sodein rage + Endlong the bord as thei be set, + So that it myhte noght be let; 690 + Hire oghne Sone was noght quit, + Bot deide upon the same plit. + Bot what the hihe god wol spare + It mai for no peril misfare: + This worthi Maiden which was there + Stod thanne, as who seith, ded for feere, + To se the feste how that it stod, + Which al was torned into blod: + The Dissh forthwith the Coppe and al + Bebled thei weren overal; 700 + Sche sih hem deie on every side; + No wonder thogh sche wepte and cride + Makende many a wofull mone. + Whan al was slain bot sche al one, + This olde fend, this Sarazine, + Let take anon this Constantine + With al the good sche thider broghte, + And hath ordeined, as sche thoghte, + A nakid Schip withoute stiere, + In which the good and hire in fiere, 710 + Vitailed full for yeres fyve, + Wher that the wynd it wolde dryve, + Sche putte upon the wawes wilde. + Bot he which alle thing mai schilde, + Thre yer, til that sche cam to londe, + Hire Schip to stiere hath take in honde, + And in Northumberlond aryveth; + And happeth thanne that sche dryveth + Under a Castel with the flod, + Which upon Humber banke stod 720 + And was the kynges oghne also, + The which Allee was cleped tho, + A Saxon and a worthi knyht, + Bot he believed noght ariht. + Of this Castell was Chastellein + Elda the kinges Chamberlein, + A knyhtly man after his lawe; + And whan he sih upon the wawe + The Schip drivende al one so, + He bad anon men scholden go 730 + To se what it betokne mai. + This was upon a Somer dai, + The Schip was loked and sche founde; + Elda withinne a litel stounde + It wiste, and with his wif anon + Toward this yonge ladi gon, + Wher that thei founden gret richesse; + Bot sche hire wolde noght confesse, + Whan thei hire axen what sche was. + And natheles upon the cas 740 + Out of the Schip with gret worschipe + Thei toke hire into felaschipe, + As thei that weren of hir glade: + Bot sche no maner joie made, + Bot sorweth sore of that sche fond + No cristendom in thilke lond; + Bot elles sche hath al hire wille, + And thus with hem sche duelleth stille. + Dame Hermyngheld, which was the wif + Of Elda, lich hire oghne lif 750 + Constance loveth; and fell so, + Spekende alday betwen hem two, + Thurgh grace of goddes pourveance + This maiden tawhte the creance + Unto this wif so parfitly, + Upon a dai that faste by + In presence of hire housebonde, + Wher thei go walkende on the Stronde, + A blind man, which cam there lad, + Unto this wif criende he bad, 760 + With bothe hise hondes up and preide + To hire, and in this wise he seide: + "O Hermyngeld, which Cristes feith, + Enformed as Constance seith, + Received hast, yif me my sihte." + Upon his word hire herte afflihte + Thenkende what was best to done, + Bot natheles sche herde his bone + And seide, "In trust of Cristes lawe, + Which don was on the crois and slawe, 770 + Thou bysne man, behold and se." + With that to god upon his kne + Thonkende he tok his sihte anon, + Wherof thei merveile everychon, + Bot Elda wondreth most of alle: + This open thing which is befalle + Concludeth him be such a weie, + That he the feith mot nede obeie. + Now lest what fell upon this thing. + This Elda forth unto the king 780 + A morwe tok his weie and rod, + And Hermyngeld at home abod + Forth with Constance wel at ese. + Elda, which thoghte his king to plese, + As he that thanne unwedded was, + Of Constance al the pleine cas + Als goodliche as he cowthe tolde. + The king was glad and seide he wolde + Come thider upon such a wise + That he him mihte of hire avise, 790 + The time apointed forth withal. + This Elda triste in special + Upon a knyht, whom fro childhode + He hadde updrawe into manhode: + To him he tolde al that he thoghte, + Wherof that after him forthoghte; + And natheles at thilke tide + Unto his wif he bad him ride + To make redi alle thing + Ayein the cominge of the king, 800 + And seith that he himself tofore + Thenkth forto come, and bad therfore + That he him kepe, and told him whanne. + This knyht rod forth his weie thanne; + And soth was that of time passed + He hadde in al his wit compassed + How he Constance myhte winne; + Bot he sih tho no sped therinne, + Wherof his lust began tabate, + And that was love is thanne hate; 810 + Of hire honour he hadde Envie, + So that upon his tricherie + A lesinge in his herte he caste. + Til he cam home he hieth faste, + And doth his ladi tunderstonde + The Message of hire housebonde: + And therupon the longe dai + Thei setten thinges in arrai, + That al was as it scholde be + Of every thing in his degree; 820 + And whan it cam into the nyht, + This wif hire hath to bedde dyht, + Wher that this Maiden with hire lay. + This false knyht upon delay + Hath taried til thei were aslepe, + As he that wolde his time kepe + His dedly werkes to fulfille; + And to the bed he stalketh stille, + Wher that he wiste was the wif, + And in his hond a rasour knif 830 + He bar, with which hire throte he cutte, + And prively the knif he putte + Under that other beddes side, + Wher that Constance lai beside. + Elda cam hom the same nyht, + And stille with a prive lyht, + As he that wolde noght awake + His wif, he hath his weie take + Into the chambre, and ther liggende + He fond his dede wif bledende, 840 + Wher that Constance faste by + Was falle aslepe; and sodeinly + He cride alowd, and sche awok, + And forth withal sche caste a lok + And sih this ladi blede there, + Wherof swoundende ded for fere + Sche was, and stille as eny Ston + She lay, and Elda therupon + Into the Castell clepeth oute, + And up sterte every man aboute, 850 + Into the chambre and forth thei wente. + Bot he, which alle untrouthe mente, + This false knyht, among hem alle + Upon this thing which is befalle + Seith that Constance hath don this dede; + And to the bed with that he yede + After the falshed of his speche, + And made him there forto seche, + And fond the knif, wher he it leide, + And thanne he cride and thanne he seide, 860 + "Lo, seth the knif al blody hiere! + What nedeth more in this matiere + To axe?" And thus hire innocence + He sclaundreth there in audience + With false wordes whiche he feigneth. + Bot yit for al that evere he pleigneth, + Elda no full credence tok: + And happeth that ther lay a bok, + Upon the which, whan he it sih, + This knyht hath swore and seid on hih, 870 + That alle men it mihte wite, + "Now be this bok, which hier is write, + Constance is gultif, wel I wot." + With that the hond of hevene him smot + In tokne of that he was forswore, + That he hath bothe hise yhen lore, + Out of his hed the same stounde + Thei sterte, and so thei weren founde. + A vois was herd, whan that they felle, + Which seide, "O dampned man to helle, 880 + Lo, thus hath god the sclaundre wroke + That thou ayein Constance hast spoke: + Beknow the sothe er that thou dye." + And he told out his felonie, + And starf forth with his tale anon. + Into the ground, wher alle gon, + This dede lady was begrave: + Elda, which thoghte his honour save, + Al that he mai restreigneth sorwe. + For the seconde day a morwe 890 + The king cam, as thei were acorded; + And whan it was to him recorded + What god hath wroght upon this chaunce, + He tok it into remembrance + And thoghte more than he seide. + For al his hole herte he leide + Upon Constance, and seide he scholde + For love of hire, if that sche wolde, + Baptesme take and Cristes feith + Believe, and over that he seith 900 + He wol hire wedde, and upon this + Asseured ech til other is. + And forto make schorte tales, + Ther cam a Bisschop out of Wales + Fro Bangor, and Lucie he hihte, + Which thurgh the grace of god almihte + The king with many an other mo + Hath cristned, and betwen hem tuo + He hath fulfild the mariage. + Bot for no lust ne for no rage 910 + Sche tolde hem nevere what sche was; + And natheles upon the cas + The king was glad, how so it stod, + For wel he wiste and understod + Sche was a noble creature. + The hihe makere of nature + Hire hath visited in a throwe, + That it was openliche knowe + Sche was with childe be the king, + Wherof above al other thing 920 + He thonketh god and was riht glad. + And fell that time he was bestad + Upon a werre and moste ride; + And whil he scholde there abide, + He lefte at hom to kepe his wif + Suche as he knew of holi lif, + Elda forth with the Bisschop eke; + And he with pouer goth to seke + Ayein the Scottes forto fonde + The werre which he tok on honde. 930 + The time set of kinde is come, + This lady hath hire chambre nome, + And of a Sone bore full, + Wherof that sche was joiefull, + Sche was delivered sauf and sone. + The bisshop, as it was to done, + Yaf him baptesme and Moris calleth; + And therupon, as it befalleth, + With lettres writen of record + Thei sende unto here liege lord, 940 + That kepers weren of the qweene: + And he that scholde go betwene, + The Messager, to Knaresburgh, + Which toun he scholde passe thurgh, + Ridende cam the ferste day. + The kinges Moder there lay, + Whos rihte name was Domilde, + Which after al the cause spilde: + For he, which thonk deserve wolde, + Unto this ladi goth and tolde 950 + Of his Message al how it ferde. + And sche with feigned joie it herde + And yaf him yiftes largely, + Bot in the nyht al prively + Sche tok the lettres whiche he hadde, + Fro point to point and overradde, + As sche that was thurghout untrewe, + And let do wryten othre newe + In stede of hem, and thus thei spieke: + "Oure liege lord, we thee beseke 960 + That thou with ous ne be noght wroth, + Though we such thing as is thee loth + Upon oure trowthe certefie. + Thi wif, which is of faierie, + Of such a child delivered is + Fro kinde which stant al amis: + Bot for it scholde noght be seie, + We have it kept out of the weie + For drede of pure worldes schame, + A povere child and in the name 970 + Of thilke which is so misbore + We toke, and therto we be swore, + That non bot only thou and we + Schal knowen of this privete: + Moris it hatte, and thus men wene + That it was boren of the qweene + And of thin oghne bodi gete. + Bot this thing mai noght be foryete, + That thou ne sende ous word anon + What is thi wille therupon." 980 + This lettre, as thou hast herd devise, + Was contrefet in such a wise + That noman scholde it aperceive: + And sche, which thoghte to deceive, + It leith wher sche that other tok. + This Messager, whan he awok, + And wiste nothing how it was, + Aros and rod the grete pas + And tok this lettre to the king. + And whan he sih this wonder thing, 990 + He makth the Messager no chiere, + Bot natheles in wys manere + He wrote ayein, and yaf hem charge + That thei ne soffre noght at large + His wif to go, bot kepe hire stille, + Til thei have herd mor of his wille. + This Messager was yifteles, + Bot with this lettre natheles, + Or be him lief or be him loth, + In alle haste ayein he goth 1000 + Be Knaresburgh, and as he wente, + Unto the Moder his entente + Of that he fond toward the king + He tolde; and sche upon this thing + Seith that he scholde abide al nyht + And made him feste and chiere ariht, + Feignende as thogh sche cowthe him thonk. + Bot he with strong wyn which he dronk + Forth with the travail of the day + Was drunke, aslepe and while he lay, 1010 + Sche hath hise lettres overseie + And formed in an other weie. + Ther was a newe lettre write, + Which seith: "I do you forto wite, + That thurgh the conseil of you tuo + I stonde in point to ben undo, + As he which is a king deposed. + For every man it hath supposed, + How that my wif Constance is faie; + And if that I, thei sein, delaie 1020 + To put hire out of compaignie, + The worschipe of my Regalie + Is lore; and over this thei telle, + Hire child schal noght among hem duelle, + To cleymen eny heritage. + So can I se non avantage, + Bot al is lost, if sche abide: + Forthi to loke on every side + Toward the meschief as it is, + I charge you and bidde this, 1030 + That ye the same Schip vitaile, + In which that sche tok arivaile, + Therinne and putteth bothe tuo, + Hireself forthwith hire child also, + And so forth broght unto the depe + Betaketh hire the See to kepe. + Of foure daies time I sette, + That ye this thing no longer lette, + So that your lif be noght forsfet." + And thus this lettre contrefet 1040 + The Messager, which was unwar, + Upon the kingeshalve bar, + And where he scholde it hath betake. + Bot whan that thei have hiede take, + And rad that writen is withinne, + So gret a sorwe thei beginne, + As thei here oghne Moder sihen + Brent in a fyr before here yhen: + Ther was wepinge and ther was wo, + Bot finaly the thing is do. 1050 + Upon the See thei have hire broght, + Bot sche the cause wiste noght, + And thus upon the flod thei wone, + This ladi with hire yonge Sone: + And thanne hire handes to the hevene + Sche strawhte, and with a milde stevene + Knelende upon hire bare kne + Sche seide, "O hihe mageste, + Which sest the point of every trowthe, + Tak of thi wofull womman rowthe 1060 + And of this child that I schal kepe." + And with that word sche gan to wepe, + Swounende as ded, and ther sche lay; + Bot he which alle thinges may + Conforteth hire, and ate laste + Sche loketh and hire yhen caste + Upon hire child and seide this: + "Of me no maner charge it is + What sorwe I soffre, bot of thee + Me thenkth it is a gret pite, 1070 + For if I sterve thou schalt deie: + So mot I nedes be that weie + For Moderhed and for tendresse + With al myn hole besinesse + Ordeigne me for thilke office, + As sche which schal be thi Norrice." + Thus was sche strengthed forto stonde; + And tho sche tok hire child in honde + And yaf it sowke, and evere among + Sche wepte, and otherwhile song 1080 + To rocke with hire child aslepe: + And thus hire oghne child to kepe + Sche hath under the goddes cure. + And so fell upon aventure, + Whan thilke yer hath mad his ende, + Hire Schip, so as it moste wende + Thurgh strengthe of wynd which god hath yive, + Estward was into Spaigne drive + Riht faste under a Castell wall, + Wher that an hethen Amirall 1090 + Was lord, and he a Stieward hadde, + Oon Thelos, which al was badde, + A fals knyht and a renegat. + He goth to loke in what astat + The Schip was come, and there he fond + Forth with a child upon hire hond + This lady, wher sche was al one. + He tok good hiede of the persone, + And sih sche was a worthi wiht, + And thoghte he wolde upon the nyht 1100 + Demene hire at his oghne wille, + And let hire be therinne stille, + That mo men sih sche noght that dai. + At goddes wille and thus sche lai, + Unknowe what hire schal betide; + And fell so that be nyhtes tide + This knyht withoute felaschipe + Hath take a bot and cam to Schipe, + And thoghte of hire his lust to take, + And swor, if sche him daunger make, 1110 + That certeinly sche scholde deie. + Sche sih ther was non other weie, + And seide he scholde hire wel conforte, + That he ferst loke out ate porte, + That noman were nyh the stede, + Which myhte knowe what thei dede, + And thanne he mai do what he wolde. + He was riht glad that sche so tolde, + And to the porte anon he ferde: + Sche preide god, and he hire herde, 1120 + And sodeinliche he was out throwe + And dreynt, and tho began to blowe + A wynd menable fro the lond, + And thus the myhti goddes hond + Hire hath conveied and defended. + And whan thre yer be full despended, + Hire Schip was drive upon a dai, + Wher that a gret Navye lay + Of Schipes, al the world at ones: + And as god wolde for the nones, 1130 + Hire Schip goth in among hem alle, + And stinte noght, er it be falle + And hath the vessell undergete, + Which Maister was of al the Flete, + Bot there it resteth and abod. + This grete Schip on Anker rod; + The Lord cam forth, and whan he sih + That other ligge abord so nyh, + He wondreth what it myhte be, + And bad men to gon in and se. 1140 + This ladi tho was crope aside, + As sche that wolde hireselven hide, + For sche ne wiste what thei were: + Thei soghte aboute and founde hir there + And broghten up hire child and hire; + And therupon this lord to spire + Began, fro whenne that sche cam, + And what sche was. Quod sche, "I am + A womman wofully bestad. + I hadde a lord, and thus he bad, 1150 + That I forth with my litel Sone + Upon the wawes scholden wone, + Bot why the cause was, I not: + Bot he which alle thinges wot + Yit hath, I thonke him, of his miht + Mi child and me so kept upriht, + That we be save bothe tuo." + This lord hire axeth overmo + How sche believeth, and sche seith, + "I lieve and triste in Cristes feith, 1160 + Which deide upon the Rode tree." + "What is thi name?" tho quod he. + "Mi name is Couste," sche him seide: + Bot forthermor for noght he preide + Of hire astat to knowe plein, + Sche wolde him nothing elles sein + Bot of hir name, which sche feigneth; + Alle othre thinges sche restreigneth, + That a word more sche ne tolde. + This lord thanne axeth if sche wolde 1170 + With him abide in compaignie, + And seide he cam fro Barbarie + To Romeward, and hom he wente. + Tho sche supposeth what it mente, + And seith sche wolde with him wende + And duelle unto hire lyves ende, + Be so it be to his plesance. + And thus upon here aqueintance + He tolde hire pleinly as it stod, + Of Rome how that the gentil blod 1180 + In Barbarie was betraied, + And therupon he hath assaied + Be werre, and taken such vengance, + That non of al thilke alliance, + Be whom the tresoun was compassed, + Is from the swerd alyve passed; + Bot of Constance hou it was, + That cowthe he knowe be no cas, + Wher sche becam, so as he seide. + Hire Ere unto his word sche leide, 1190 + Bot forther made sche no chiere. + And natheles in this matiere + It happeth thilke time so: + This Lord, with whom sche scholde go, + Of Rome was the Senatour, + And of hir fader themperour + His brother doughter hath to wyve, + Which hath hir fader ek alyve, + And was Salustes cleped tho; + This wif Heleine hihte also, 1200 + To whom Constance was Cousine. + Thus to the sike a medicine + Hath god ordeined of his grace, + That forthwith in the same place + This Senatour his trowthe plihte, + For evere, whil he live mihte, + To kepe in worschipe and in welthe, + Be so that god wol yive hire helthe, + This ladi, which fortune him sende. + And thus be Schipe forth sailende 1210 + Hire and hir child to Rome he broghte, + And to his wif tho he besoghte + To take hire into compaignie: + And sche, which cowthe of courtesie + Al that a good wif scholde konne, + Was inly glad that sche hath wonne + The felaschip of so good on. + Til tuelve yeres were agon, + This Emperoures dowhter Custe + Forth with the dowhter of Saluste 1220 + Was kept, bot noman redily + Knew what sche was, and noght forthi + Thei thoghten wel sche hadde be + In hire astat of hih degre, + And every lif hire loveth wel. + Now herke how thilke unstable whel, + Which evere torneth, wente aboute. + The king Allee, whil he was oute, + As thou tofore hast herd this cas, + Deceived thurgh his Moder was: 1230 + Bot whan that he cam hom ayein, + He axeth of his Chamberlein + And of the Bisschop ek also, + Wher thei the qweene hadden do. + And thei answerde, there he bad, + And have him thilke lettre rad, + Which he hem sende for warant, + And tolde him pleinli as it stant, + And sein, it thoghte hem gret pite + To se so worthi on as sche, 1240 + With such a child as ther was bore, + So sodeinly to be forlore. + He axeth hem what child that were; + And thei him seiden, that naghere, + In al the world thogh men it soghte, + Was nevere womman that forth broghte + A fairer child than it was on. + And thanne he axede hem anon, + Whi thei ne hadden write so: + Thei tolden, so thei hadden do. 1250 + He seide, "Nay." Thei seiden, "Yis." + The lettre schewed rad it is, + Which thei forsoken everidel. + Tho was it understonde wel + That ther is tresoun in the thing: + The Messager tofore the king + Was broght and sodeinliche opposed; + And he, which nothing hath supposed + Bot alle wel, began to seie + That he nagher upon the weie 1260 + Abod, bot only in a stede; + And cause why that he so dede + Was, as he wente to and fro, + At Knaresburgh be nyhtes tuo + The kinges Moder made him duelle. + And whan the king it herde telle, + Withinne his herte he wiste als faste + The treson which his Moder caste; + And thoghte he wolde noght abide, + Bot forth riht in the same tide 1270 + He tok his hors and rod anon. + With him ther riden manion, + To Knaresburgh and forth thei wente, + And lich the fyr which tunder hente, + In such a rage, as seith the bok, + His Moder sodeinliche he tok + And seide unto hir in this wise: + "O beste of helle, in what juise + Hast thou deserved forto deie, + That hast so falsly put aweie 1280 + With tresoun of thi bacbitinge + The treweste at my knowlechinge + Of wyves and the most honeste? + Bot I wol make this beheste, + I schal be venged er I go." + And let a fyr do make tho, + And bad men forto caste hire inne: + Bot ferst sche tolde out al the sinne, + And dede hem alle forto wite + How sche the lettres hadde write, 1290 + Fro point to point as it was wroght. + And tho sche was to dethe broght + And brent tofore hire Sones yhe: + Wherof these othre, whiche it sihe + And herden how the cause stod, + Sein that the juggement is good, + Of that hir Sone hire hath so served; + For sche it hadde wel deserved + Thurgh tresoun of hire false tunge, + Which thurgh the lond was after sunge, 1300 + Constance and every wiht compleigneth. + Bot he, whom alle wo distreigneth, + This sorghfull king, was so bestad, + That he schal nevermor be glad, + He seith, eftsone forto wedde, + Til that he wiste how that sche spedde, + Which hadde ben his ferste wif: + And thus his yonge unlusti lif + He dryveth forth so as he mai. + Til it befell upon a dai, 1310 + Whan he hise werres hadde achieved, + And thoghte he wolde be relieved + Of Soule hele upon the feith + Which he hath take, thanne he seith + That he to Rome in pelrinage + Wol go, wher Pope was Pelage, + To take his absolucioun. + And upon this condicioun + He made Edwyn his lieutenant, + Which heir to him was apparant, 1320 + That he the lond in his absence + Schal reule: and thus be providence + Of alle thinges wel begon + He tok his leve and forth is gon. + Elda, which tho was with him there, + Er thei fulliche at Rome were, + Was sent tofore to pourveie; + And he his guide upon the weie, + In help to ben his herbergour, + Hath axed who was Senatour, 1330 + That he his name myhte kenne. + Of Capadoce, he seide, Arcenne + He hihte, and was a worthi kniht. + To him goth Elda tho forth riht + And tolde him of his lord tidinge, + And preide that for his comynge + He wolde assigne him herbergage; + And he so dede of good corage. + Whan al is do that was to done, + The king himself cam after sone. 1340 + This Senatour, whan that he com, + To Couste and to his wif at hom + Hath told how such a king Allee + Of gret array to the Citee + Was come, and Couste upon his tale + With herte clos and colour pale + Aswoune fell, and he merveileth + So sodeinly what thing hire eyleth, + And cawhte hire up, and whan sche wok, + Sche syketh with a pitous lok 1350 + And feigneth seknesse of the See; + Bot it was for the king Allee, + For joie which fell in hire thoght + That god him hath to toune broght. + This king hath spoke with the Pope + And told al that he cowthe agrope, + What grieveth in his conscience; + And thanne he thoghte in reverence + Of his astat, er that he wente, + To make a feste, and thus he sente 1360 + Unto the Senatour to come + Upon the morwe and othre some, + To sitte with him at the mete. + This tale hath Couste noght foryete, + Bot to Moris hire Sone tolde + That he upon the morwe scholde + In al that evere he cowthe and mihte + Be present in the kinges sihte, + So that the king him ofte sihe. + Moris tofore the kinges yhe 1370 + Upon the morwe, wher he sat, + Fulofte stod, and upon that + The king his chiere upon him caste, + And in his face him thoghte als faste + He sih his oghne wif Constance; + For nature as in resemblance + Of face hem liketh so to clothe, + That thei were of a suite bothe. + The king was moeved in his thoght + Of that he seth, and knoweth it noght; 1380 + This child he loveth kindely, + And yit he wot no cause why. + Bot wel he sih and understod + That he toward Arcenne stod, + And axeth him anon riht there, + If that this child his Sone were. + He seide, "Yee, so I him calle, + And wolde it were so befalle, + Bot it is al in other wise." + And tho began he to devise 1390 + How he the childes Moder fond + Upon the See from every lond + Withinne a Schip was stiereles, + And how this ladi helpeles + Forth with hir child he hath forthdrawe. + The king hath understonde his sawe, + The childes name and axeth tho, + And what the Moder hihte also + That he him wolde telle he preide. + "Moris this child is hote," he seide, 1400 + "His Moder hatte Couste, and this + I not what maner name it is." + But Allee wiste wel ynowh, + Wherof somdiel smylende he lowh; + For Couste in Saxoun is to sein + Constance upon the word Romein. + Bot who that cowthe specefie + What tho fell in his fantasie, + And how his wit aboute renneth + Upon the love in which he brenneth, 1410 + It were a wonder forto hiere: + For he was nouther ther ne hiere, + Bot clene out of himself aweie, + That he not what to thenke or seie, + So fain he wolde it were sche. + Wherof his hertes privete + Began the werre of yee and nay, + The which in such balance lay, + That contenance for a throwe + He loste, til he mihte knowe 1420 + The sothe: bot in his memoire + The man which lith in purgatoire + Desireth noght the hevene more, + That he ne longeth al so sore + To wite what him schal betide. + And whan the bordes were aside + And every man was rise aboute, + The king hath weyved al the route, + And with the Senatour al one + He spak and preide him of a bone, 1430 + To se this Couste, wher sche duelleth + At hom with him, so as he telleth. + The Senatour was wel appaied, + This thing no lengere is delaied, + To se this Couste goth the king; + And sche was warned of the thing, + And with Heleine forth sche cam + Ayein the king, and he tho nam + Good hiede, and whan he sih his wif, + Anon with al his hertes lif 1440 + He cawhte hire in his arm and kiste. + Was nevere wiht that sih ne wiste + A man that more joie made, + Wherof thei weren alle glade + Whiche herde tellen of this chance. + This king tho with his wif Constance, + Which hadde a gret part of his wille, + In Rome for a time stille + Abod and made him wel at ese: + Bot so yit cowthe he nevere plese 1450 + His wif, that sche him wolde sein + Of hire astat the trowthe plein, + Of what contre that sche was bore, + Ne what sche was, and yit therfore + With al his wit he hath don sieke. + Thus as they lihe abedde and spieke, + Sche preide him and conseileth bothe, + That for the worschipe of hem bothe, + So as hire thoghte it were honeste, + He wolde an honourable feste 1460 + Make, er he wente, in the Cite, + Wher themperour himself schal be: + He graunteth al that sche him preide. + Bot as men in that time seide, + This Emperour fro thilke day + That ferst his dowhter wente away + He was thanne after nevere glad; + Bot what that eny man him bad + Of grace for his dowhter sake, + That grace wolde he noght forsake; 1470 + And thus ful gret almesse he dede, + Wherof sche hadde many a bede. + This Emperour out of the toun + Withinne a ten mile enviroun, + Where as it thoghte him for the beste, + Hath sondry places forto reste; + And as fortune wolde tho, + He was duellende at on of tho. + The king Allee forth with thassent + Of Couste his wif hath thider sent 1480 + Moris his Sone, as he was taght, + To themperour and he goth straght, + And in his fader half besoghte, + As he which his lordschipe soghte, + That of his hihe worthinesse + He wolde do so gret meknesse, + His oghne toun to come and se, + And yive a time in the cite, + So that his fader mihte him gete + That he wolde ones with him ete. 1490 + This lord hath granted his requeste; + And whan the dai was of the feste, + In worschipe of here Emperour + The king and ek the Senatour + Forth with here wyves bothe tuo, + With many a lord and lady mo, + On horse riden him ayein; + Til it befell, upon a plein + Thei sihen wher he was comende. + With that Constance anon preiende 1500 + Spak to hir lord that he abyde, + So that sche mai tofore ryde, + To ben upon his bienvenue + The ferste which schal him salue; + And thus after hire lordes graunt + Upon a Mule whyt amblaunt + Forth with a fewe rod this qweene. + Thei wondren what sche wolde mene, + And riden after softe pas; + Bot whan this ladi come was 1510 + To themperour, in his presence + Sche seide alowd in audience, + "Mi lord, mi fader, wel you be! + And of this time that I se + Youre honour and your goode hele, + Which is the helpe of my querele, + I thonke unto the goddes myht." + For joie his herte was affliht + Of that sche tolde in remembrance; + And whanne he wiste it was Constance, 1520 + Was nevere fader half so blithe. + Wepende he keste hire ofte sithe, + So was his herte al overcome; + For thogh his Moder were come + Fro deth to lyve out of the grave, + He mihte nomor wonder have + Than he hath whan that he hire sih. + With that hire oghne lord cam nyh + And is to themperour obeied; + Bot whan the fortune is bewreied, 1530 + How that Constance is come aboute, + So hard an herte was non oute, + That he for pite tho ne wepte. + Arcennus, which hire fond and kepte, + Was thanne glad of that is falle, + So that with joie among hem alle + Thei riden in at Rome gate. + This Emperour thoghte al to late, + Til that the Pope were come, + And of the lordes sende some 1540 + To preie him that he wolde haste: + And he cam forth in alle haste, + And whan that he the tale herde, + How wonderly this chance ferde, + He thonketh god of his miracle, + To whos miht mai be non obstacle: + The king a noble feste hem made, + And thus thei weren alle glade. + A parlement, er that thei wente, + Thei setten unto this entente, 1550 + To puten Rome in full espeir + That Moris was apparant heir + And scholde abide with hem stille, + For such was al the londes wille. + Whan every thing was fulli spoke, + Of sorwe and queint was al the smoke, + Tho tok his leve Allee the king, + And with full many a riche thing, + Which themperour him hadde yive, + He goth a glad lif forto live; 1560 + For he Constance hath in his hond, + Which was the confort of his lond. + For whan that he cam hom ayein, + Ther is no tunge it mihte sein + What joie was that ilke stounde + Of that he hath his qweene founde, + Which ferst was sent of goddes sonde, + Whan sche was drive upon the Stronde, + Be whom the misbelieve of Sinne + Was left, and Cristes feith cam inne 1570 + To hem that whilom were blinde. + Bot he which hindreth every kinde + And for no gold mai be forboght, + The deth comende er he be soght, + Tok with this king such aqueintance, + That he with al his retenance + Ne mihte noght defende his lif; + And thus he parteth from his wif, + Which thanne made sorwe ynowh. + And therupon hire herte drowh 1580 + To leven Engelond for evere + And go wher that sche hadde levere, + To Rome, whenne that sche cam: + And thus of al the lond sche nam + Hir leve, and goth to Rome ayein. + And after that the bokes sein, + She was noght there bot a throwe, + Whan deth of kinde hath overthrowe + Hir worthi fader, which men seide + That he betwen hire armes deide. 1590 + And afterward the yer suiende + The god hath mad of hire an ende, + And fro this worldes faierie + Hath take hire into compaignie. + Moris hir Sone was corouned, + Which so ferforth was abandouned + To Cristes feith, that men him calle + Moris the cristeneste of alle. + And thus the wel meninge of love + Was ate laste set above; 1600 + And so as thou hast herd tofore, + The false tunges weren lore, + Whiche upon love wolden lie. + Forthi touchende of this Envie + Which longeth unto bacbitinge, + Be war thou make no lesinge + In hindringe of an other wiht: + And if thou wolt be tawht ariht + What meschief bakbitinge doth + Be other weie, a tale soth 1610 + Now miht thou hiere next suiende, + Which to this vice is acordende. + In a Cronique, as thou schalt wite, + A gret ensample I finde write, + Which I schal telle upon this thing. + Philippe of Macedoyne kyng + Two Sones hadde be his wif, + Whos fame is yit in Grece rif: + Demetrius the ferste brother + Was hote, and Perses that other. 1620 + Demetrius men seiden tho + The betre knyht was of the tuo, + To whom the lond was entendant, + As he which heir was apparant + To regne after his fader dai: + Bot that thing which no water mai + Quenche in this world, bot evere brenneth, + Into his brother herte it renneth, + The proude Envie of that he sih + His brother scholde clymbe on hih, 1630 + And he to him mot thanne obeie: + That may he soffre be no weie. + With strengthe dorst he nothing fonde, + So tok he lesinge upon honde, + Whan he sih time and spak therto. + For it befell that time so, + His fader grete werres hadde + With Rome, whiche he streite ladde + Thurgh mihty hond of his manhode, + As he which hath ynowh knihthode, 1640 + And ofte hem hadde sore grieved. + Bot er the werre were achieved, + As he was upon ordinance + At hom in Grece, it fell per chance, + Demetrius, which ofte aboute + Ridende was, stod that time oute, + So that this Perse in his absence, + Which bar the tunge of pestilence, + With false wordes whiche he feigneth + Upon his oghne brother pleigneth 1650 + In privete behinde his bak, + And to his fader thus he spak: + "Mi diere fader, I am holde + Be weie of kinde, as resoun wolde, + That I fro yow schal nothing hide, + Which mihte torne in eny side + Of youre astat into grevance: + Forthi myn hertes obeissance + Towardes you I thenke kepe; + For it is good ye take kepe 1660 + Upon a thing which is me told. + Mi brother hath ous alle sold + To hem of Rome, and you also; + For thanne they behote him so, + That he with hem schal regne in pes. + Thus hath he cast for his encress + That youre astat schal go to noght; + And this to proeve schal be broght + So ferforth, that I undertake + It schal noght wel mow be forsake." 1670 + The king upon this tale ansuerde + And seide, if this thing which he herde + Be soth and mai be broght to prove, + "It schal noght be to his behove, + Which so hath schapen ous the werste, + For he himself schal be the ferste + That schal be ded, if that I mai." + Thus afterward upon a dai, + Whan that Demetrius was come, + Anon his fader hath him nome, 1680 + And bad unto his brother Perse + That he his tale schal reherse + Of thilke tresoun which he tolde. + And he, which al untrowthe wolde, + Conseileth that so hih a nede + Be treted wher as it mai spede, + In comun place of juggement. + The king therto yaf his assent, + Demetrius was put in hold, + Wherof that Perses was bold. 1690 + Thus stod the trowthe under the charge, + And the falshede goth at large, + Which thurgh beheste hath overcome + The greteste of the lordes some, + That privelich of his acord + Thei stonde as witnesse of record: + The jugge was mad favorable: + Thus was the lawe deceivable + So ferforth that the trowthe fond + Rescousse non, and thus the lond 1700 + Forth with the king deceived were. + The gulteles was dampned there + And deide upon accusement: + Bot such a fals conspirement, + Thogh it be prive for a throwe, + Godd wolde noght it were unknowe; + And that was afterward wel proved + In him which hath the deth controved. + Of that his brother was so slain + This Perses was wonder fain, 1710 + As he that tho was apparant, + Upon the Regne and expectant; + Wherof he wax so proud and vein, + That he his fader in desdeign + Hath take and set of non acompte, + As he which thoghte him to surmonte; + That wher he was ferst debonaire, + He was tho rebell and contraire, + And noght as heir bot as a king + He tok upon him alle thing 1720 + Of malice and of tirannie + In contempt of the Regalie, + Livende his fader, and so wroghte, + That whan the fader him bethoghte + And sih to whether side it drowh, + Anon he wiste well ynowh + How Perse after his false tunge + Hath so thenvious belle runge, + That he hath slain his oghne brother. + Wherof as thanne he knew non other, 1730 + Bot sodeinly the jugge he nom, + Which corrupt sat upon the dom, + In such a wise and hath him pressed, + That he the sothe him hath confessed + Of al that hath be spoke and do. + Mor sori than the king was tho + Was nevere man upon this Molde, + And thoghte in certain that he wolde + Vengance take upon this wrong. + Bot thother parti was so strong, 1740 + That for the lawe of no statut + Ther mai no riht ben execut; + And upon this division + The lond was torned up so doun: + Wherof his herte is so distraght, + That he for pure sorwe hath caght + The maladie of which nature + Is queint in every creature. + And whan this king was passed thus, + This false tunged Perses 1750 + The regiment hath underfonge. + Bot ther mai nothing stonde longe + Which is noght upon trowthe grounded; + For god, which alle thing hath bounded + And sih the falshod of his guile, + Hath set him bot a litel while, + That he schal regne upon depos; + For sodeinliche as he aros + So sodeinliche doun he fell. + In thilke time it so befell, 1760 + This newe king of newe Pride + With strengthe schop him forto ride, + And seide he wolde Rome waste, + Wherof he made a besi haste, + And hath assembled him an host + In al that evere he mihte most: + What man that mihte wepne bere + Of alle he wolde non forbere; + So that it mihte noght be nombred, + The folk which after was encombred 1770 + Thurgh him, that god wolde overthrowe. + Anon it was at Rome knowe, + The pompe which that Perse ladde; + And the Romeins that time hadde + A Consul, which was cleped thus + Be name, Paul Emilius, + A noble, a worthi kniht withalle; + And he, which chief was of hem alle, + This werre on honde hath undertake. + And whanne he scholde his leve take 1780 + Of a yong dowhter which was his, + Sche wepte, and he what cause it is + Hire axeth, and sche him ansuerde + That Perse is ded; and he it herde, + And wondreth what sche meene wolde: + And sche upon childhode him tolde + That Perse hir litel hound is ded. + With that he pulleth up his hed + And made riht a glad visage, + And seide how that was a presage 1790 + Touchende unto that other Perse, + Of that fortune him scholde adverse, + He seith, for such a prenostik + Most of an hound was to him lik: + For as it is an houndes kinde + To berke upon a man behinde, + Riht so behinde his brother bak + With false wordes whiche he spak + He hath do slain, and that is rowthe. + "Bot he which hateth alle untrowthe, 1800 + The hihe god, it schal redresse; + For so my dowhter prophetesse + Forth with hir litel houndes deth + Betokneth." And thus forth he geth + Conforted of this evidence, + With the Romeins in his defence + Ayein the Greks that ben comende. + This Perses, as noght seende + This meschief which that him abod, + With al his multitude rod, 1810 + And prided him upon the thing, + Of that he was become a king, + And how he hadde his regne gete; + Bot he hath al the riht foryete + Which longeth unto governance. + Wherof thurgh goddes ordinance + It fell, upon the wynter tide + That with his host he scholde ride + Over Danubie thilke flod, + Which al befrose thanne stod 1820 + So harde, that he wende wel + To passe: bot the blinde whiel, + Which torneth ofte er men be war, + Thilke ys which that the horsmen bar + Tobrak, so that a gret partie + Was dreint; of the chivalerie + The rerewarde it tok aweie, + Cam non of hem to londe dreie. + Paulus the worthi kniht Romein + Be his aspie it herde sein, 1830 + And hasteth him al that he may, + So that upon that other day + He cam wher he this host beheld, + And that was in a large feld, + Wher the Baneres ben desplaied. + He hath anon hise men arraied, + And whan that he was embatailled, + He goth and hath the feld assailed, + And slowh and tok al that he fond; + Wherof the Macedoyne lond, 1840 + Which thurgh king Alisandre honoured + Long time stod, was tho devoured. + To Perse and al that infortune + Thei wyte, so that the comune + Of al the lond his heir exile; + And he despeired for the while + Desguised in a povere wede + To Rome goth, and ther for nede + The craft which thilke time was, + To worche in latoun and in bras, 1850 + He lerneth for his sustienance. + Such was the Sones pourveance, + And of his fader it is seid, + In strong prisoun that he was leid + In Albe, wher that he was ded + For hunger and defalte of bred. + The hound was tokne and prophecie + That lich an hound he scholde die, + Which lich was of condicioun, + Whan he with his detraccioun 1860 + Bark on his brother so behinde. + Lo, what profit a man mai finde, + Which hindre wole an other wiht. + Forthi with al thin hole miht, + Mi Sone, eschuie thilke vice. + Mi fader, elles were I nyce: + For ye therof so wel have spoke, + That it is in myn herte loke + And evere schal: bot of Envie, + If ther be more in his baillie 1870 + Towardes love, sai me what. + Mi Sone, as guile under the hat + With sleyhtes of a tregetour + Is hidd, Envie of such colour + Hath yit the ferthe deceivant, + The which is cleped Falssemblant, + Wherof the matiere and the forme + Now herkne and I thee schal enforme. + Of Falssemblant if I schal telle, + Above alle othre it is the welle 1880 + Out of the which deceipte floweth. + Ther is noman so wys that knoweth + Of thilke flod which is the tyde, + Ne how he scholde himselven guide + To take sauf passage there. + And yit the wynd to mannes Ere + Is softe, and as it semeth oute + It makth clier weder al aboute; + Bot thogh it seme, it is noght so. + For Falssemblant hath everemo 1890 + Of his conseil in compaignie + The derke untrewe Ypocrisie, + Whos word descordeth to his thoght: + Forthi thei ben togedre broght + Of o covine, of on houshold, + As it schal after this be told. + Of Falssemblant it nedeth noght + To telle of olde ensamples oght; + For al dai in experience + A man mai se thilke evidence 1900 + Of faire wordes whiche he hiereth; + Bot yit the barge Envie stiereth + And halt it evere fro the londe, + Wher Falssemblant with Ore on honde + It roweth, and wol noght arive, + Bot let it on the wawes dryve + In gret tempeste and gret debat, + Wherof that love and his astat + Empeireth. And therfore I rede, + Mi Sone, that thou fle and drede 1910 + This vice, and what that othre sein, + Let thi Semblant be trewe and plein. + For Falssemblant is thilke vice, + Which nevere was withoute office: + Wher that Envie thenkth to guile, + He schal be for that ilke while + Of prive conseil Messagier. + For whan his semblant is most clier, + Thanne is he most derk in his thoght, + Thogh men him se, thei knowe him noght; 1920 + Bot as it scheweth in the glas + Thing which therinne nevere was, + So scheweth it in his visage + That nevere was in his corage: + Thus doth he al his thing with sleyhte. + Now ley thi conscience in weyhte, + Mi goode Sone, and schrif the hier, + If thou were evere Custummer + To Falssemblant in eny wise. + For ought I can me yit avise, 1930 + Mi goode fader, certes no. + If I for love have oght do so, + Now asketh, I wol praie yow: + For elles I wot nevere how + Of Falssemblant that I have gilt. + Mi Sone, and sithen that thou wilt + That I schal axe, gabbe noght, + Bot tell if evere was thi thoght + With Falssemblant and coverture + To wite of eny creature 1940 + How that he was with love lad; + So were he sori, were he glad, + Whan that thou wistest how it were, + Al that he rounede in thin Ere + Thou toldest forth in other place, + To setten him fro loves grace + Of what womman that thee beste liste, + Ther as noman his conseil wiste + Bot thou, be whom he was deceived + Of love, and from his pourpos weyved; 1950 + And thoghtest that his destourbance + Thin oghne cause scholde avance, + As who saith, "I am so celee, + Ther mai no mannes privete + Be heled half so wel as myn." + Art thou, mi Sone, of such engin? + Tell on. Mi goode fader, nay + As for the more part I say; + Bot of somdiel I am beknowe, + That I mai stonde in thilke rowe 1960 + Amonges hem that Saundres use. + I wol me noght therof excuse, + That I with such colour ne steyne, + Whan I my beste Semblant feigne + To my felawh, til that I wot + Al his conseil bothe cold and hot: + For be that cause I make him chiere, + Til I his love knowe and hiere; + And if so be myn herte soucheth + That oght unto my ladi toucheth 1970 + Of love that he wol me telle, + Anon I renne unto the welle + And caste water in the fyr, + So that his carte amidd the Myr, + Be that I have his conseil knowe, + Fulofte sithe I overthrowe, + Whan that he weneth best to stonde. + Bot this I do you understonde, + If that a man love elles where, + So that my ladi be noght there, 1980 + And he me telle, I wole it hide, + Ther schal no word ascape aside, + For with deceipte of no semblant + To him breke I no covenant; + Me liketh noght in other place + To lette noman of his grace, + Ne forto ben inquisitif + To knowe an other mannes lif: + Wher that he love or love noght, + That toucheth nothing to my thoght, 1990 + Bot al it passeth thurgh myn Ere + Riht as a thing that nevere were, + And is foryete and leid beside. + Bot if it touche on eny side + Mi ladi, as I have er spoken, + Myn Eres ben noght thanne loken; + For certes, whanne that betitt, + My will, myn herte and al my witt + Ben fully set to herkne and spire + What eny man wol speke of hire. 2000 + Thus have I feigned compaignie + Fulofte, for I wolde aspie + What thing it is that eny man + Telle of mi worthi lady can: + And for tuo causes I do this, + The ferste cause wherof is,- + If that I myhte ofherkne and seke + That eny man of hire mispeke, + I wolde excuse hire so fully, + That whan sche wist in inderly, 2010 + Min hope scholde be the more + To have hir thank for everemore. + That other cause, I you assure, + Is, why that I be coverture + Have feigned semblant ofte time + To hem that passen alday byme + And ben lovers als wel as I, + For this I weene trewely, + That ther is of hem alle non, + That thei ne loven everich on 2020 + Mi ladi: for sothliche I lieve + And durste setten it in prieve, + Is non so wys that scholde asterte, + Bot he were lustles in his herte, + Forwhy and he my ladi sihe, + Hir visage and hir goodlych yhe, + Bot he hire lovede, er he wente. + And for that such is myn entente, + That is the cause of myn aspie, + Why that I feigne compaignie 2030 + And make felawe overal; + For gladly wolde I knowen al + And holde me covert alway, + That I fulofte ye or nay + Ne liste ansuere in eny wise, + Bot feigne semblant as the wise + And herkne tales, til I knowe + Mi ladi lovers al arowe. + And whanne I hiere how thei have wroght, + I fare as thogh I herde it noght 2040 + And as I no word understode; + Bot that is nothing for here goode: + For lieveth wel, the sothe is this, + That whanne I knowe al how it is, + I wol bot forthren hem a lite, + Bot al the worste I can endite + I telle it to my ladi plat + In forthringe of myn oghne astat, + And hindre hem al that evere I may. + Bot for al that yit dar I say, 2050 + I finde unto miself no bote, + Althogh myn herte nedes mote + Thurgh strengthe of love al that I hiere + Discovere unto my ladi diere: + For in good feith I have no miht + To hele fro that swete wiht, + If that it touche hire eny thing. + Bot this wot wel the hevene king, + That sithen ferst this world began, + Unto non other strange man 2060 + Ne feigned I semblant ne chiere, + To wite or axe of his matiere, + Thogh that he lovede ten or tuelve, + Whanne it was noght my ladi selve: + Bot if he wolde axe eny red + Al onlich of his oghne hed, + How he with other love ferde, + His tales with myn Ere I herde, + Bot to myn herte cam it noght + Ne sank no deppere in my thoght, 2070 + Bot hield conseil, as I was bede, + And tolde it nevere in other stede, + Bot let it passen as it com. + Now, fader, say what is thi dom, + And hou thou wolt that I be peined + For such Semblant as I have feigned. + Mi Sone, if reson be wel peised, + Ther mai no vertu ben unpreised + Ne vice non be set in pris. + Forthi, my Sone, if thou be wys, 2080 + Do no viser upon thi face, + Which as wol noght thin herte embrace: + For if thou do, withinne a throwe + To othre men it schal be knowe, + So miht thou lihtli falle in blame + And lese a gret part of thi name. + And natheles in this degree + Fulofte time thou myht se + Of suche men that now aday + This vice setten in a say: 2090 + I speke it for no mannes blame, + Bot forto warne thee the same. + Mi Sone, as I mai hiere talke + In every place where I walke, + I not if it be so or non, + Bot it is manye daies gon + That I ferst herde telle this, + How Falssemblant hath ben and is + Most comunly fro yer to yere + With hem that duelle among ous here, 2100 + Of suche as we Lombardes calle. + For thei ben the slyeste of alle, + So as men sein in toune aboute, + To feigne and schewe thing withoute + Which is revers to that withinne: + Wherof that thei fulofte winne, + Whan thei be reson scholden lese; + Thei ben the laste and yit thei chese, + And we the ferste, and yit behinde + We gon, there as we scholden finde 2110 + The profit of oure oghne lond: + Thus gon thei fre withoute bond + To don her profit al at large, + And othre men bere al the charge. + Of Lombardz unto this covine, + Whiche alle londes conne engine, + Mai Falssemblant in special + Be likned, for thei overal, + Wher as they thenken forto duelle, + Among hemself, so as thei telle, 2120 + Ferst ben enformed forto lere + A craft which cleped is Fa crere: + For if Fa crere come aboute, + Thanne afterward hem stant no doute + To voide with a soubtil hond + The beste goodes of the lond + And bringe chaf and take corn. + Where as Fa crere goth toforn, + In all his weie he fynt no lette; + That Dore can non huissher schette 2130 + In which him list to take entre: + And thus the conseil most secre + Of every thing Fa crere knoweth, + Which into strange place he bloweth, + Where as he wot it mai most grieve. + And thus Fa crere makth believe, + So that fulofte he hath deceived, + Er that he mai ben aperceived. + Thus is this vice forto drede; + For who these olde bokes rede 2140 + Of suche ensamples as were ar, + Him oghte be the more war + Of alle tho that feigne chiere, + Wherof thou schalt a tale hiere. + Of Falssemblant which is believed + Ful many a worthi wiht is grieved, + And was long time er we wer bore. + To thee, my Sone, I wol therfore + A tale telle of Falssemblant, + Which falseth many a covenant, 2150 + And many a fraude of fals conseil + Ther ben hangende upon his Seil: + And that aboghten gulteles + Bothe Deianire and Hercules, + The whiche in gret desese felle + Thurgh Falssemblant, as I schal telle. + Whan Hercules withinne a throwe + Al only hath his herte throwe + Upon this faire Deianire, + It fell him on a dai desire, 2160 + Upon a Rivere as he stod, + That passe he wolde over the flod + Withoute bot, and with him lede + His love, bot he was in drede + For tendresce of that swete wiht, + For he knew noght the forde ariht. + Ther was a Geant thanne nyh, + Which Nessus hihte, and whanne he sih + This Hercules and Deianyre, + Withinne his herte he gan conspire, 2170 + As he which thurgh his tricherie + Hath Hercules in gret envie, + Which he bar in his herte loke, + And thanne he thoghte it schal be wroke. + Bot he ne dorste natheles + Ayein this worthi Hercules + Falle in debat as forto feihte; + Bot feigneth Semblant al be sleihte + Of frendschipe and of alle goode, + And comth where as thei bothe stode, 2180 + And makth hem al the chiere he can, + And seith that as here oghne man + He is al redy forto do + What thing he mai; and it fell so + That thei upon his Semblant triste, + And axen him if that he wiste + What thing hem were best to done, + So that thei mihten sauf and sone + The water passe, he and sche. + And whan Nessus the privete 2190 + Knew of here herte what it mente, + As he that was of double entente, + He made hem riht a glad visage; + And whanne he herde of the passage + Of him and hire, he thoghte guile, + And feigneth Semblant for a while + To don hem plesance and servise, + Bot he thoghte al an other wise. + This Nessus with hise wordes slyhe + Yaf such conseil tofore here yhe 2200 + Which semeth outward profitable + And was withinne deceivable. + He bad hem of the Stremes depe + That thei be war and take kepe, + So as thei knowe noght the pas; + Bot forto helpe in such a cas, + He seith himself that for here ese + He wolde, if that it mihte hem plese, + The passage of the water take, + And for this ladi undertake 2210 + To bere unto that other stronde + And sauf to sette hire up alonde, + And Hercules may thanne also + The weie knowe how he schal go: + And herto thei acorden alle. + Bot what as after schal befalle, + Wel payd was Hercules of this, + And this Geant also glad is, + And tok this ladi up alofte + And set hire on his schuldre softe, 2220 + And in the flod began to wade, + As he which no grucchinge made, + And bar hire over sauf and sound. + Bot whanne he stod on dreie ground + And Hercules was fer behinde, + He sette his trowthe al out of mynde, + Who so therof be lief or loth, + With Deianyre and forth he goth, + As he that thoghte to dissevere + The compaignie of hem for evere. 2230 + Whan Hercules therof tok hiede, + Als faste as evere he mihte him spiede + He hyeth after in a throwe; + And hapneth that he hadde a bowe, + The which in alle haste he bende, + As he that wolde an Arwe sende, + Which he tofore hadde envenimed. + He hath so wel his schote timed, + That he him thurgh the bodi smette, + And thus the false wiht he lette. 2240 + Bot lest now such a felonie: + Whan Nessus wiste he scholde die, + He tok to Deianyre his scherte, + Which with the blod was of his herte + Thurghout desteigned overal, + And tolde how sche it kepe schal + Al prively to this entente, + That if hire lord his herte wente + To love in eny other place, + The scherte, he seith, hath such a grace, 2250 + That if sche mai so mochel make + That he the scherte upon him take, + He schal alle othre lete in vein + And torne unto hire love ayein. + Who was tho glad bot Deianyre? + Hire thoghte hire herte was afyre + Til it was in hire cofre loke, + So that no word therof was spoke. + The daies gon, the yeres passe, + The hertes waxen lasse and lasse 2260 + Of hem that ben to love untrewe: + This Hercules with herte newe + His love hath set on Eolen, + And therof spieken alle men. + This Eolen, this faire maide, + Was, as men thilke time saide, + The kinges dowhter of Eurice; + And sche made Hercules so nyce + Upon hir Love and so assote, + That he him clotheth in hire cote, 2270 + And sche in his was clothed ofte; + And thus fieblesce is set alofte, + And strengthe was put under fote, + Ther can noman therof do bote. + Whan Deianyre hath herd this speche, + Ther was no sorwe forto seche: + Of other helpe wot sche non, + Bot goth unto hire cofre anon; + With wepende yhe and woful herte + Sche tok out thilke unhappi scherte, 2280 + As sche that wende wel to do, + And broghte hire werk aboute so + That Hercules this scherte on dede, + To such entente as she was bede + Of Nessus, so as I seide er. + Bot therof was sche noght the ner, + As no fortune may be weyved; + With Falssemblant sche was deceived, + That whan sche wende best have wonne, + Sche lost al that sche hath begonne. 2290 + For thilke scherte unto the bon + His body sette afyre anon, + And cleveth so, it mai noght twinne, + For the venym that was therinne. + And he thanne as a wilde man + Unto the hihe wode he ran, + And as the Clerk Ovide telleth, + The grete tres to grounde he felleth + With strengthe al of his oghne myght, + And made an huge fyr upriht, 2300 + And lepte himself therinne at ones + And brende him bothe fleissh and bones. + Which thing cam al thurgh Falssemblant, + That false Nessus the Geant + Made unto him and to his wif; + Wherof that he hath lost his lif, + And sche sori for everemo. + Forthi, my Sone, er thee be wo, + I rede, be wel war therfore; + For whan so gret a man was lore, 2310 + It oghte yive a gret conceipte + To warne alle othre of such deceipte. + Grant mercy, fader, I am war + So fer that I nomore dar + Of Falssemblant take aqueintance; + Bot rathere I wol do penance + That I have feigned chiere er this. + Now axeth forth, what so ther is + Of that belongeth to my schrifte. + Mi Sone, yit ther is the fifte 2320 + Which is conceived of Envie, + And cleped is Supplantarie, + Thurgh whos compassement and guile + Ful many a man hath lost his while + In love als wel as otherwise, + Hierafter as I schal devise. + The vice of Supplantacioun + With many a fals collacioun, + Which he conspireth al unknowe, + Full ofte time hath overthrowe 2330 + The worschipe of an other man. + So wel no lif awayte can + Ayein his sleyhte forto caste, + That he his pourpos ate laste + Ne hath, er that it be withset. + Bot most of alle his herte is set + In court upon these grete Offices + Of dignitees and benefices: + Thus goth he with his sleyhte aboute + To hindre and schowve an other oute 2340 + And stonden with his slyh compas + In stede there an other was; + And so to sette himselven inne, + He reccheth noght, be so he winne, + Of that an other man schal lese, + And thus fulofte chalk for chese + He changeth with ful litel cost, + Wherof an other hath the lost + And he the profit schal receive. + For his fortune is to deceive 2350 + And forto change upon the whel + His wo with othre mennes wel: + Of that an other man avaleth, + His oghne astat thus up he haleth, + And takth the bridd to his beyete, + Wher othre men the buisshes bete. + Mi Sone, and in the same wise + Ther ben lovers of such emprise, + That schapen hem to be relieved + Where it is wrong to ben achieved: 2360 + For it is other mannes riht, + Which he hath taken dai and niht + To kepe for his oghne Stor + Toward himself for everemor, + And is his propre be the lawe, + Which thing that axeth no felawe, + If love holde his covenant. + Bot thei that worchen be supplaunt, + Yit wolden thei a man supplaunte, + And take a part of thilke plaunte 2370 + Which he hath for himselve set: + And so fulofte is al unknet, + That som man weneth be riht fast. + For Supplant with his slyhe cast + Fulofte happneth forto mowe + Thing which an other man hath sowe, + And makth comun of proprete + With sleihte and with soubtilite, + As men mai se fro yer to yere. + Thus cleymeth he the bot to stiere, 2380 + Of which an other maister is. + Forthi, my Sone, if thou er this + Hast ben of such professioun, + Discovere thi confessioun: + Hast thou supplanted eny man? + For oght that I you telle can, + Min holi fader, as of the dede + I am withouten eny drede + Al gulteles; bot of my thoght + Mi conscience excuse I noght. 2390 + For were it wrong or were it riht, + Me lakketh nothing bote myht, + That I ne wolde longe er this + Of other mannes love ywiss + Be weie of Supplantacioun + Have mad apropriacioun + And holde that I nevere boghte, + Thogh it an other man forthoghte. + And al this speke I bot of on, + For whom I lete alle othre gon; 2400 + Bot hire I mai noght overpasse, + That I ne mot alwey compasse, + Me roghte noght be what queintise, + So that I mihte in eny wise + Fro suche that mi ladi serve + Hire herte make forto swerve + Withouten eny part of love. + For be the goddes alle above + I wolde it mihte so befalle, + That I al one scholde hem alle 2410 + Supplante, and welde hire at mi wille. + And that thing mai I noght fulfille, + Bot if I scholde strengthe make; + And that I dar noght undertake, + Thogh I were as was Alisaundre, + For therof mihte arise sklaundre; + And certes that schal I do nevere, + For in good feith yit hadde I levere + In my simplesce forto die, + Than worche such Supplantarie. 2420 + Of otherwise I wol noght seie + That if I founde a seker weie, + I wolde as for conclusioun + Worche after Supplantacioun, + So hihe a love forto winne. + Now, fader, if that this be Sinne, + I am al redy to redresce + The gilt of which I me confesse. + Mi goode Sone, as of Supplant + Thee thar noght drede tant ne quant, 2430 + As for nothing that I have herd, + Bot only that thou hast misferd + Thenkende, and that me liketh noght, + For godd beholt a mannes thoght. + And if thou understode in soth + In loves cause what it doth, + A man to ben a Supplantour, + Thou woldest for thin oghne honour + Be double weie take kepe: + Ferst for thin oghne astat to kepe, 2440 + To be thiself so wel bethoght + That thou supplanted were noght, + And ek for worschipe of thi name + Towardes othre do the same, + And soffren every man have his. + Bot natheles it was and is, + That in a wayt at alle assaies + Supplant of love in oure daies + The lief fulofte for the levere + Forsakth, and so it hath don evere. 2450 + Ensample I finde therupon, + At Troie how that Agamenon + Supplantede the worthi knyht + Achilles of that swete wiht, + Which named was Brexei5da; + And also of Crisei5da, + Whom Troilus to love ches, + Supplanted hath Diomedes. + Of Geta and Amphitrion, + That whilom weren bothe as on 2460 + Of frendschipe and of compaignie, + I rede how that Supplantarie + In love, as it betidde tho, + Beguiled hath on of hem tuo. + For this Geta that I of meene, + To whom the lusti faire Almeene + Assured was be weie of love, + Whan he best wende have ben above + And sikerest of that he hadde, + Cupido so the cause ladde, 2470 + That whil he was out of the weie, + Amphitrion hire love aweie + Hath take, and in this forme he wroghte. + Be nyhte unto the chambre he soghte, + Wher that sche lay, and with a wyle + He contrefeteth for the whyle + The vois of Gete in such a wise, + That made hire of hire bedd arise, + Wenende that it were he, + And let him in, and whan thei be 2480 + Togedre abedde in armes faste, + This Geta cam thanne ate laste + Unto the Dore and seide, "Undo." + And sche ansuerde and bad him go, + And seide how that abedde al warm + Hir lief lay naked in hir arm; + Sche wende that it were soth. + Lo, what Supplant of love doth: + This Geta forth bejaped wente, + And yit ne wiste he what it mente; 2490 + Amphitrion him hath supplanted + With sleyhte of love and hire enchaunted: + And thus put every man out other, + The Schip of love hath lost his Rother, + So that he can no reson stiere. + And forto speke of this matiere + Touchende love and his Supplant, + A tale which is acordant + Unto thin Ere I thenke enforme. + Now herkne, for this is the forme. 2500 + Of thilke Cite chief of alle + Which men the noble Rome calle, + Er it was set to Cristes feith, + Ther was, as the Cronique seith, + An Emperour, the which it ladde + In pes, that he no werres hadde: + Ther was nothing desobeissant + Which was to Rome appourtenant, + Bot al was torned into reste. + To some it thoghte for the beste, 2510 + To some it thoghte nothing so, + And that was only unto tho + Whos herte stod upon knyhthode: + Bot most of alle of his manhode + The worthi Sone of themperour, + Which wolde ben a werreiour, + As he that was chivalerous + Of worldes fame and desirous, + Began his fadre to beseche + That he the werres mihte seche, 2520 + In strange Marches forto ride. + His fader seide he scholde abide, + And wolde granten him no leve: + Bot he, which wolde noght beleve, + A kniht of his to whom he triste, + So that his fader nothing wiste, + He tok and tolde him his corage, + That he pourposeth a viage. + If that fortune with him stonde, + He seide how that he wolde fonde 2530 + The grete See to passe unknowe, + And there abyde for a throwe + Upon the werres to travaile. + And to this point withoute faile + This kniht, whan he hath herd his lord, + Is swore, and stant of his acord, + As thei that bothe yonge were; + So that in prive conseil there + Thei ben assented forto wende. + And therupon to make an ende, 2540 + Tresor ynowh with hem thei token, + And whan the time is best thei loken, + That sodeinliche in a Galeie + Fro Romelond thei wente here weie + And londe upon that other side. + The world fell so that ilke tide, + Which evere hise happes hath diverse, + The grete Soldan thanne of Perse + Ayein the Caliphe of Egipte + A werre, which that him beclipte, 2550 + Hath in a Marche costeiant. + And he, which was a poursuiant + Worschipe of armes to atteigne, + This Romein, let anon ordeigne, + That he was redi everydel: + And whan he was arraied wel + Of every thing which him belongeth, + Straght unto Kaire his weie he fongeth, + Wher he the Soldan thanne fond, + And axeth that withinne his lond 2560 + He mihte him for the werre serve, + As he which wolde his thonk deserve. + The Soldan was riht glad with al, + And wel the more in special + Whan that he wiste he was Romein; + Bot what was elles in certein, + That mihte he wite be no weie. + And thus the kniht of whom I seie + Toward the Soldan is beleft, + And in the Marches now and eft, 2570 + Wher that the dedli werres were, + He wroghte such knihthode there, + That every man spak of him good. + And thilke time so it stod, + This mihti Soldan be his wif + A Dowhter hath, that in this lif + Men seiden ther was non so fair. + Sche scholde ben hir fader hair, + And was of yeres ripe ynowh: + Hire beaute many an herte drowh 2580 + To bowe unto that ilke lawe + Fro which no lif mai be withdrawe, + And that is love, whos nature + Set lif and deth in aventure + Of hem that knyhthode undertake. + This lusti peine hath overtake + The herte of this Romein so sore, + That to knihthode more and more + Prouesce avanceth his corage. + Lich to the Leoun in his rage, 2590 + Fro whom that alle bestes fle, + Such was the knyht in his degre: + Wher he was armed in the feld, + Ther dorste non abide his scheld; + Gret pris upon the werre he hadde. + Bot sche which al the chance ladde, + Fortune, schop the Marches so, + That be thassent of bothe tuo, + The Soldan and the Caliphe eke, + Bataille upon a dai thei seke, 2600 + Which was in such a wise set + That lengere scholde it noght be let. + Thei made hem stronge on every side, + And whan it drowh toward the tide + That the bataille scholde be, + The Soldan in gret privete + A goldring of his dowhter tok, + And made hire swere upon a bok + And ek upon the goddes alle, + That if fortune so befalle 2610 + In the bataille that he deie, + That sche schal thilke man obeie + And take him to hire housebonde, + Which thilke same Ring to honde + Hire scholde bringe after his deth. + This hath sche swore, and forth he geth + With al the pouer of his lond + Unto the Marche, where he fond + His enemy full embatailled. + The Soldan hath the feld assailed: 2620 + Thei that ben hardy sone assemblen, + Wherof the dredfull hertes tremblen: + That on sleth, and that other sterveth, + Bot above all his pris deserveth + This knihtly Romein; where he rod, + His dedly swerd noman abod, + Ayein the which was no defence; + Egipte fledde in his presence, + And thei of Perse upon the chace + Poursuien: bot I not what grace 2630 + Befell, an Arwe out of a bowe + Al sodeinly that ilke throwe + The Soldan smot, and ther he lay: + The chace is left for thilke day, + And he was bore into a tente. + The Soldan sih how that it wente, + And that he scholde algate die; + And to this knyht of Romanie, + As unto him whom he most triste, + His Dowhter Ring, that non it wiste, 2640 + He tok, and tolde him al the cas, + Upon hire oth what tokne it was + Of that sche scholde ben his wif. + Whan this was seid, the hertes lif + Of this Soldan departeth sone; + And therupon, as was to done, + The dede body wel and faire + Thei carie til thei come at Kaire, + Wher he was worthily begrave. + The lordes, whiche as wolden save 2650 + The Regne which was desolat, + To bringe it into good astat + A parlement thei sette anon. + Now herkne what fell therupon: + This yonge lord, this worthi kniht + Of Rome, upon the same niht + That thei amorwe trete scholde, + Unto his Bacheler he tolde + His conseil, and the Ring with al + He scheweth, thurgh which that he schal, 2660 + He seith, the kinges Dowhter wedde, + For so the Ring was leid to wedde, + He tolde, into hir fader hond, + That with what man that sche it fond + Sche scholde him take to hire lord. + And this, he seith, stant of record, + Bot noman wot who hath this Ring. + This Bacheler upon this thing + His Ere and his entente leide, + And thoghte more thanne he seide, 2670 + And feigneth with a fals visage + That he was glad, bot his corage + Was al set in an other wise. + These olde Philosophres wise + Thei writen upon thilke while, + That he mai best a man beguile + In whom the man hath most credence; + And this befell in evidence + Toward this yonge lord of Rome. + His Bacheler, which hadde tome, 2680 + Whan that his lord be nihte slepte, + This Ring, the which his maister kepte, + Out of his Pours awey he dede, + And putte an other in the stede. + Amorwe, whan the Court is set, + The yonge ladi was forth fet, + To whom the lordes don homage, + And after that of Mariage + Thei trete and axen of hir wille. + Bot sche, which thoghte to fulfille 2690 + Hire fader heste in this matiere, + Seide openly, that men mai hiere, + The charge which hire fader bad. + Tho was this Lord of Rome glad + And drowh toward his Pours anon, + Bot al for noght, it was agon: + His Bacheler it hath forthdrawe, + And axeth ther upon the lawe + That sche him holde covenant. + The tokne was so sufficant 2700 + That it ne mihte be forsake, + And natheles his lord hath take + Querelle ayein his oghne man; + Bot for nothing that evere he can + He mihte as thanne noght ben herd, + So that his cleym is unansuerd, + And he hath of his pourpos failed. + This Bacheler was tho consailed + And wedded, and of thilke Empire + He was coroned Lord and Sire, 2710 + And al the lond him hath received; + Wherof his lord, which was deceived, + A seknesse er the thridde morwe + Conceived hath of dedly sorwe: + And as he lay upon his deth, + Therwhile him lasteth speche and breth, + He sende for the worthieste + Of al the lond and ek the beste, + And tolde hem al the sothe tho, + That he was Sone and Heir also 2720 + Of themperour of grete Rome, + And how that thei togedre come, + This kniht and he; riht as it was, + He tolde hem al the pleine cas, + And for that he his conseil tolde, + That other hath al that he wolde, + And he hath failed of his mede: + As for the good he takth non hiede, + He seith, bot only of the love, + Of which he wende have ben above. 2730 + And therupon be lettre write + He doth his fader forto wite + Of al this matiere as it stod; + And thanne with an hertly mod + Unto the lordes he besoghte + To telle his ladi how he boghte + Hire love, of which an other gladeth; + And with that word his hewe fadeth, + And seide, "A dieu, my ladi swete." + The lif hath lost his kindly hete, 2740 + And he lay ded as eny ston; + Wherof was sory manyon, + Bot non of alle so as sche. + This false knyht in his degree + Arested was and put in hold: + For openly whan it was told + Of the tresoun which is befalle, + Thurghout the lond thei seiden alle, + If it be soth that men suppose, + His oghne untrowthe him schal depose. 2750 + And forto seche an evidence, + With honour and gret reverence, + Wherof they mihten knowe an ende, + To themperour anon thei sende + The lettre which his Sone wrot. + And whan that he the sothe wot, + To telle his sorwe is endeles, + Bot yit in haste natheles + Upon the tale which he herde + His Stieward into Perse ferde 2760 + With many a worthi Romein eke, + His liege tretour forto seke; + And whan thei thider come were, + This kniht him hath confessed there + How falsly that he hath him bore, + Wherof his worthi lord was lore. + Tho seiden some he scholde deie, + Bot yit thei founden such a weie + That he schal noght be ded in Perse; + And thus the skiles ben diverse. 2770 + Be cause that he was coroned, + And that the lond was abandoned + To him, althogh it were unriht, + Ther is no peine for him diht; + Bot to this point and to this ende + Thei granten wel that he schal wende + With the Romeins to Rome ayein. + And thus acorded ful and plein, + The qwike body with the dede + With leve take forth thei lede, 2780 + Wher that Supplant hath his juise. + Wherof that thou thee miht avise + Upon this enformacioun + Touchende of Supplantacioun, + That thou, my Sone, do noght so: + And forto take hiede also + What Supplant doth in other halve, + Ther is noman can finde a salve + Pleinly to helen such a Sor; + It hath and schal ben everemor, 2790 + Whan Pride is with Envie joint, + He soffreth noman in good point, + Wher that he mai his honour lette. + And therupon if I schal sette + Ensample, in holy cherche I finde + How that Supplant is noght behinde; + God wot if that it now be so: + For in Cronique of time ago + I finde a tale concordable + Of Supplant, which that is no fable, 2800 + In the manere as I schal telle, + So as whilom the thinges felle. + At Rome, as it hath ofte falle, + The vicair general of alle + Of hem that lieven Cristes feith + His laste day, which non withseith, + Hath schet as to the worldes ije, + Whos name if I schal specefie, + He hihte Pope Nicolas. + And thus whan that he passed was, 2810 + The Cardinals, that wolden save + The forme of lawe, in the conclave + Gon forto chese a newe Pope, + And after that thei cowthe agrope + Hath ech of hem seid his entente: + Til ate laste thei assente + Upon an holy clerk reclus, + Which full was of gostli vertus; + His pacience and his simplesse + Hath set him into hih noblesse. 2820 + Thus was he Pope canonized, + With gret honour and intronized, + And upon chance as it is falle, + His name Celestin men calle; + Which notefied was be bulle + To holi cherche and to the fulle + In alle londes magnified. + Bot every worschipe is envied, + And that was thilke time sene: + For whan this Pope of whom I meene 2830 + Was chose, and othre set beside, + A Cardinal was thilke tide + Which the papat longe hath desired + And therupon gretli conspired; + Bot whan he sih fortune is failed, + For which long time he hath travailed, + That ilke fyr which Ethna brenneth + Thurghout his wofull herte renneth, + Which is resembled to Envie, + Wherof Supplant and tricherie 2840 + Engendred is; and natheles + He feigneth love, he feigneth pes, + Outward he doth the reverence, + Bot al withinne his conscience + Thurgh fals ymaginacioun + He thoghte Supplantacioun. + And therupon a wonder wyle + He wroghte: for at thilke whyle + It fell so that of his lignage + He hadde a clergoun of yong age, 2850 + Whom he hath in his chambre affaited. + This Cardinal his time hath waited, + And with his wordes slyhe and queinte, + The whiche he cowthe wysly peinte, + He schop this clerk of which I telle + Toward the Pope forto duelle, + So that withinne his chambre anyht + He lai, and was a prive wyht + Toward the Pope on nyhtes tide. + Mai noman fle that schal betide. 2860 + This Cardinal, which thoghte guile, + Upon a day whan he hath while + This yonge clerc unto him tok, + And made him swere upon a bok, + And told him what his wille was. + And forth withal a Trompe of bras + He hath him take, and bad him this: + "Thou schalt," he seide, "whan time is + Awaite, and take riht good kepe, + Whan that the Pope is fast aslepe 2870 + And that non other man by nyh; + And thanne that thou be so slyh + Thurghout the Trompe into his Ere, + Fro hevene as thogh a vois it were, + To soune of such prolacioun + That he his meditacioun + Therof mai take and understonde, + As thogh it were of goddes sonde. + And in this wise thou schalt seie, + That he do thilke astat aweie 2880 + Of Pope, in which he stant honoured, + So schal his Soule be socoured + Of thilke worschipe ate laste + In hevene which schal evere laste." + This clerc, whan he hath herd the forme + How he the Pope scholde enforme, + Tok of the Cardinal his leve, + And goth him hom, til it was Eve, + And prively the trompe he hedde, + Til that the Pope was abedde. 2890 + And at the Midnyht, whan he knewh + The Pope slepte, thanne he blewh + Withinne his trompe thurgh the wal, + And tolde in what manere he schal + His Papacie leve, and take + His ferste astat: and thus awake + This holi Pope he made thries, + Wherof diverse fantasies + Upon his grete holinesse + Withinne his herte he gan impresse. 2900 + The Pope ful of innocence + Conceiveth in his conscience + That it is goddes wille he cesse; + Bot in what wise he may relesse + His hihe astat, that wot he noght. + And thus withinne himself bethoght, + He bar it stille in his memoire, + Til he cam to the Consistoire; + And there in presence of hem alle + He axeth, if it so befalle 2910 + That eny Pope cesse wolde, + How that the lawe it soffre scholde. + Thei seten alle stille and herde, + Was non which to the point ansuerde, + For to what pourpos that it mente + Ther was noman knew his entente, + Bot only he which schop the guile. + This Cardinal the same while + Al openly with wordes pleine + Seith, if the Pope wolde ordeigne 2920 + That ther be such a lawe wroght, + Than mihte he cesse, and elles noght. + And as he seide, don it was; + The Pope anon upon the cas + Of his Papal Autorite + Hath mad and yove the decre: + And whan that lawe was confermed + In due forme and al affermed, + This innocent, which was deceived, + His Papacie anon hath weyved, 2930 + Renounced and resigned eke. + That other was nothing to seke, + Bot undernethe such a jape + He hath so for himselve schape, + That how as evere it him beseme, + The Mitre with the Diademe + He hath thurgh Supplantacion: + And in his confirmacion + Upon the fortune of his grace + His name is cleped Boneface. 2940 + Under the viser of Envie, + Lo, thus was hid the tricherie, + Which hath beguiled manyon. + Bot such conseil ther mai be non, + With treson whan it is conspired, + That it nys lich the Sparke fyred + Up in the Rof, which for a throwe + Lith hidd, til whan the wyndes blowe + It blaseth out on every side. + This Bonefas, which can noght hyde 2950 + The tricherie of his Supplant, + Hath openly mad his avant + How he the Papacie hath wonne. + Bot thing which is with wrong begonne + Mai nevere stonde wel at ende; + Wher Pride schal the bowe bende, + He schet fulofte out of the weie: + And thus the Pope of whom I seie, + Whan that he stod on hih the whiel, + He can noght soffre himself be wel. 2960 + Envie, which is loveles, + And Pride, which is laweles, + With such tempeste made him erre, + That charite goth out of herre: + So that upon misgovernance + Ayein Lowyz the king of France + He tok querelle of his oultrage, + And seide he scholde don hommage + Unto the cherche bodily. + Bot he, that wiste nothing why 2970 + He scholde do so gret servise + After the world in such a wise, + Withstod the wrong of that demande; + For noght the Pope mai comande + The king wol noght the Pope obeie. + This Pope tho be alle weie + That he mai worche of violence + Hath sent the bulle of his sentence + With cursinge and with enterdit. + The king upon this wrongful plyt, 2980 + To kepe his regne fro servage, + Conseiled was of his Barnage + That miht with miht schal be withstonde. + Thus was the cause take on honde, + And seiden that the Papacie + Thei wolde honoure and magnefie + In al that evere is spirital; + Bot thilke Pride temporal + Of Boneface in his persone, + Ayein that ilke wrong al one 2990 + Thei wolde stonden in debat: + And thus the man and noght the stat + The Frensche schopen be her miht + To grieve. And fell ther was a kniht, + Sire Guilliam de Langharet, + Which was upon this cause set; + And therupon he tok a route + Of men of Armes and rod oute, + So longe and in a wayt he lay, + That he aspide upon a day 3000 + The Pope was at Avinoun, + And scholde ryde out of the toun + Unto Pontsorge, the which is + A Castell in Provence of his. + Upon the weie and as he rod, + This kniht, which hoved and abod + Embuisshed upon horse bak, + Al sodeinliche upon him brak + And hath him be the bridel sesed, + And seide: "O thou, which hast desesed 3010 + The Court of France be thi wrong, + Now schalt thou singe an other song: + Thin enterdit and thi sentence + Ayein thin oghne conscience + Hierafter thou schalt fiele and grope. + We pleigne noght ayein the Pope, + For thilke name is honourable, + Bot thou, which hast be deceivable + And tricherous in al thi werk, + Thou Bonefas, thou proude clerk, 3020 + Misledere of the Papacie, + Thi false bodi schal abye + And soffre that it hath deserved." + Lo, thus the Supplantour was served; + For thei him ladden into France + And setten him to his penance + Withinne a tour in harde bondes, + Wher he for hunger bothe hise hondes + Eet of and deide, god wot how: + Of whom the wrytinge is yit now 3030 + Registred, as a man mai hiere, + Which spekth and seith in this manere: + Thin entre lich the fox was slyh, + Thi regne also with pride on hih + Was lich the Leon in his rage; + Bot ate laste of thi passage + Thi deth was to the houndes like. + Such is the lettre of his Cronique + Proclamed in the Court of Rome, + Wherof the wise ensample nome. 3040 + And yit, als ferforth as I dar, + I rede alle othre men be war, + And that thei loke wel algate + That non his oghne astat translate + Of holi cherche in no degree + Be fraude ne soubtilite: + For thilke honour which Aaron tok + Schal non receive, as seith the bok, + Bot he be cleped as he was. + What I schal thenken in this cas 3050 + Of that I hiere now aday, + I not: bot he which can and may, + Be reson bothe and be nature + The help of every mannes cure, + He kepe Simon fro the folde. + For Joachim thilke Abbot tolde + How suche daies scholden falle, + That comunliche in places alle + The Chapmen of such mercerie + With fraude and with Supplantarie 3060 + So manye scholden beie and selle, + That he ne may for schame telle + So foul a Senne in mannes Ere. + Bot god forbiede that it were + In oure daies that he seith: + For if the Clerc beware his feith + In chapmanhod at such a feire, + The remenant mot nede empeire + Of al that to the world belongeth; + For whan that holi cherche wrongeth, 3070 + I not what other thing schal rihte. + And natheles at mannes sihte + Envie forto be preferred + Hath conscience so differred, + That noman loketh to the vice + Which is the Moder of malice, + And that is thilke false Envie, + Which causeth many a tricherie; + For wher he may an other se + That is mor gracious than he, 3080 + It schal noght stonden in his miht + Bot if he hindre such a wiht: + And that is welnyh overal, + This vice is now so general. + Envie thilke unhapp indrowh, + Whan Joab be deceipte slowh + Abner, for drede he scholde be + With king David such as was he. + And thurgh Envie also it fell + Of thilke false Achitofell, 3090 + For his conseil was noght achieved, + Bot that he sih Cusy believed + With Absolon and him forsake, + He heng himself upon a stake. + Senec witnesseth openly + How that Envie proprely + Is of the Court the comun wenche, + And halt taverne forto schenche + That drink which makth the herte brenne, + And doth the wit aboute renne, 3100 + Be every weie to compasse + How that he mihte alle othre passe, + As he which thurgh unkindeschipe + Envieth every felaschipe; + So that thou miht wel knowe and se, + Ther is no vice such as he, + Ferst toward godd abhominable, + And to mankinde unprofitable: + And that be wordes bot a fewe + I schal be reson prove and schewe. 3110 + Envie if that I schal descrive, + He is noght schaply forto wyve + In Erthe among the wommen hiere; + For ther is in him no matiere + Wherof he mihte do plesance. + Ferst for his hevy continance + Of that he semeth evere unglad, + He is noght able to ben had; + And ek he brenneth so withinne, + That kinde mai no profit winne, 3120 + Wherof he scholde his love plese: + For thilke blod which scholde have ese + To regne among the moiste veines, + Is drye of thilke unkendeli peines + Thurgh whiche Envie is fyred ay. + And thus be reson prove I may + That toward love Envie is noght; + And otherwise if it be soght, + Upon what side as evere it falle, + It is the werste vice of alle, 3130 + Which of himself hath most malice. + For understond that every vice + Som cause hath, wherof it groweth, + Bot of Envie noman knoweth + Fro whenne he cam bot out of helle. + For thus the wise clerkes telle, + That no spirit bot of malice + Be weie of kinde upon a vice + Is tempted, and be such a weie + Envie hath kinde put aweie 3140 + And of malice hath his steringe, + Wherof he makth his bakbitinge, + And is himself therof desesed. + So mai ther be no kinde plesed; + For ay the mor that he envieth, + The more ayein himself he plieth. + Thus stant Envie in good espeir + To ben himself the develes heir, + As he which is his nexte liche + And forthest fro the heveneriche, 3150 + For there mai he nevere wone. + Forthi, my goode diere Sone, + If thou wolt finde a siker weie + To love, put Envie aweie. + Min holy fader, reson wolde + That I this vice eschuie scholde: + Bot yit to strengthe mi corage, + If that ye wolde in avantage + Therof sette a recoverir, + It were tome a gret desir, 3160 + That I this vice mihte flee. + Nou understond, my Sone, and se, + Ther is phisique for the seke, + And vertus for the vices eke. + Who that the vices wolde eschuie, + He mot be resoun thanne suie + The vertus; for be thilke weie + He mai the vices don aweie, + For thei togedre mai noght duelle: + For as the water of a welle 3170 + Of fyr abateth the malice, + Riht so vertu fordoth the vice. + Ayein Envie is Charite, + Which is the Moder of Pite, + That makth a mannes herte tendre, + That it mai no malice engendre + In him that is enclin therto. + For his corage is tempred so, + That thogh he mihte himself relieve, + Yit wolde he noght an other grieve, 3180 + Bot rather forto do plesance + He berth himselven the grevance, + So fain he wolde an other ese. + Wherof, mi Sone, for thin ese + Now herkne a tale which I rede, + And understond it wel, I rede. + Among the bokes of latin + I finde write of Constantin + The worthi Emperour of Rome, + Suche infortunes to him come, 3190 + Whan he was in his lusti age, + The lepre cawhte in his visage + And so forth overal aboute, + That he ne mihte ryden oute: + So lefte he bothe Schield and spere, + As he that mihte him noght bestere, + And hield him in his chambre clos. + Thurgh al the world the fame aros, + The grete clerkes ben asent + And come at his comandement 3200 + To trete upon this lordes hele. + So longe thei togedre dele, + That thei upon this medicine + Apointen hem, and determine + That in the maner as it stod + Thei wolde him bathe in childes blod + Withinne sevene wynter age: + For, as thei sein, that scholde assuage + The lepre and al the violence, + Which that thei knewe of Accidence 3210 + And noght be weie of kinde is falle. + And therto thei acorden alle + As for final conclusioun, + And tolden here opinioun + To themperour: and he anon + His conseil tok, and therupon + With lettres and with seales oute + Thei sende in every lond aboute + The yonge children forto seche, + Whos blod, thei seiden, schal be leche 3220 + For themperoures maladie. + Ther was ynowh to wepe and crie + Among the Modres, whan thei herde + Hou wofully this cause ferde, + Bot natheles thei moten bowe; + And thus wommen ther come ynowhe + With children soukende on the Tete. + Tho was ther manye teres lete, + Bot were hem lieve or were hem lothe, + The wommen and the children bothe 3230 + Into the Paleis forth be broght + With many a sory hertes thoght + Of hem whiche of here bodi bore + The children hadde, and so forlore + Withinne a while scholden se. + The Modres wepe in here degre, + And manye of hem aswoune falle, + The yonge babes criden alle: + This noyse aros, the lord it herde, + And loked out, and how it ferde 3240 + He sih, and as who seith abreide + Out of his slep, and thus he seide: + "O thou divine pourveance, + Which every man in the balance + Of kinde hast formed to be liche, + The povere is bore as is the riche + And deieth in the same wise, + Upon the fol, upon the wise + Siknesse and hele entrecomune; + Mai non eschuie that fortune 3250 + Which kinde hath in hire lawe set; + Hire strengthe and beaute ben beset + To every man aliche fre, + That sche preferreth no degre + As in the disposicioun + Of bodili complexioun: + And ek of Soule resonable + The povere child is bore als able + To vertu as the kinges Sone; + For every man his oghne wone 3260 + After the lust of his assay + The vice or vertu chese may. + Thus stonden alle men franchised, + Bot in astat thei ben divised; + To some worschipe and richesse, + To some poverte and distresse, + On lordeth and an other serveth; + Bot yit as every man deserveth + The world yifth noght his yiftes hiere. + Bot certes he hath gret matiere 3270 + To ben of good condicioun, + Which hath in his subjeccioun + The men that ben of his semblance." + And ek he tok a remembrance + How he that made lawe of kinde + Wolde every man to lawe binde, + And bad a man, such as he wolde + Toward himself, riht such he scholde + Toward an other don also. + And thus this worthi lord as tho 3280 + Sette in balance his oghne astat + And with himself stod in debat, + And thoghte hou that it was noght good + To se so mochel mannes blod + Be spilt for cause of him alone. + He sih also the grete mone, + Of that the Modres were unglade, + And of the wo the children made, + Wherof that al his herte tendreth, + And such pite withinne engendreth, 3290 + That him was levere forto chese + His oghne bodi forto lese, + Than se so gret a moerdre wroght + Upon the blod which gulteth noght. + Thus for the pite which he tok + Alle othre leches he forsok, + And put him out of aventure + Al only into goddes cure; + And seith, "Who that woll maister be, + He mot be servant to pite." 3300 + So ferforth he was overcome + With charite, that he hath nome + His conseil and hise officers, + And bad unto hise tresorers + That thei his tresour al aboute + Departe among the povere route + Of wommen and of children bothe, + Wherof thei mihte hem fede and clothe + And saufli tornen hom ayein + Withoute lost of eny grein. 3310 + Thurgh charite thus he despendeth + His good, wherof that he amendeth + The povere poeple, and contrevaileth + The harm, that he hem so travaileth: + And thus the woful nyhtes sorwe + To joie is torned on the morwe; + Al was thonkinge, al was blessinge, + Which erst was wepinge and cursinge; + Thes wommen gon hom glade ynowh, + Echon for joie on other lowh, 3320 + And preiden for this lordes hele, + Which hath relessed the querele, + And hath his oghne will forsake + In charite for goddes sake. + Bot now hierafter thou schalt hiere + What god hath wroght in this matiere, + As he which doth al equite. + To him that wroghte charite + He was ayeinward charitous, + And to pite he was pitous: 3330 + For it was nevere knowe yit + That charite goth unaquit. + 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 + Fro god, and seide in this manere: + "O Constantin, for thou hast served + Pite, thou hast pite deserved: 3340 + Forthi thou schalt such pite have + That god thurgh pite woll thee save. + So schalt thou double hele finde, + Ferst for thi bodiliche kinde, + And for thi wofull Soule also, + Thou schalt ben hol of bothe tuo. + And for thou schalt thee noght despeire, + Thi lepre schal nomore empeire + Til thou wolt sende therupon + Unto the Mont of Celion, 3350 + Wher that Silvestre and his clergie + Togedre duelle in compaignie + For drede of thee, which many day + Hast ben a fo to Cristes lay, + And hast destruid to mochel schame + The prechours of his holy name. + Bot now thou hast somdiel appesed + Thi god, and with good dede plesed, + That thou thi pite hast bewared + Upon the blod which thou hast spared. 3360 + Forthi to thi salvacion + Thou schalt have enformacioun, + Such as Silvestre schal the teche: + The nedeth of non other leche." + This Emperour, which al this herde, + "Grant merci lordes," he ansuerde, + "I wol do so as ye me seie. + Bot of o thing I wolde preie: + What schal I telle unto Silvestre + Or of youre name or of youre estre?" 3370 + And thei him tolden what thei hihte, + And forth withal out of his sihte + Thei passen up into the hevene. + And he awok out of his swevene, + And clepeth, and men come anon: + He tolde his drem, and therupon + In such a wise as he hem telleth + The Mont wher that Silvestre duelleth + Thei have in alle haste soght, + And founde he was and with hem broght 3380 + To themperour, which to him tolde + His swevene and elles what he wolde. + And whan Silvestre hath herd the king, + He was riht joiful of this thing, + And him began with al his wit + To techen upon holi writ + Ferst how mankinde was forlore, + And how the hihe god therfore + His Sone sende from above, + Which bore was for mannes love, 3390 + And after of his oghne chois + He tok his deth upon the crois; + And how in grave he was beloke, + And how that he hath helle broke, + And tok hem out that were him lieve; + And forto make ous full believe + That he was verrai goddes Sone, + Ayein the kinde of mannes wone + Fro dethe he ros the thridde day, + And whanne he wolde, as he wel may, 3400 + He styh up to his fader evene + With fleissh and blod into the hevene; + And riht so in the same forme + In fleissh and blod he schal reforme, + Whan time comth, the qwike and dede + At thilke woful dai of drede, + Where every man schal take his dom, + Als wel the Maister as the grom. + The mihti kinges retenue + That dai may stonde of no value 3410 + With worldes strengthe to defende; + For every man mot thanne entende + To stonde upon his oghne dedes + And leve alle othre mennes nedes. + That dai mai no consail availe, + The pledour and the plee schal faile, + The sentence of that ilke day + Mai non appell sette in delay; + Ther mai no gold the Jugge plie, + That he ne schal the sothe trie 3420 + And setten every man upriht, + Als wel the plowman as the kniht: + The lewed man, the grete clerk + Schal stonde upon his oghne werk, + And such as he is founde tho, + Such schal he be for everemo. + Ther mai no peine be relessed, + Ther mai no joie ben encressed, + Bot endeles, as thei have do, + He schal receive on of the tuo. 3430 + And thus Silvestre with his sawe + The ground of al the newe lawe + With gret devocion he precheth, + Fro point to point and pleinly techeth + Unto this hethen Emperour; + And seith, the hihe creatour + Hath underfonge his charite, + Of that he wroghte such pite, + Whan he the children hadde on honde. + Thus whan this lord hath understonde 3440 + Of al this thing how that it ferde, + Unto Silvestre he thanne ansuerde, + With al his hole herte and seith + That he is redi to the feith. + And so the vessel which for blod + Was mad, Silvestre, ther it stod, + With clene water of the welle + In alle haste he let do felle, + And sette Constantin therinne + Al naked up unto the chinne. 3450 + And in the while it was begunne, + A liht, as thogh it were a Sunne, + Fro hevene into the place com + Wher that he tok his cristendom; + And evere among the holi tales + Lich as thei weren fisshes skales + Ther fellen from him now and eft, + Til that ther was nothing beleft + Of al his grete maladie. + For he that wolde him purefie, 3460 + The hihe god hath mad him clene, + So that ther lefte nothing sene; + He hath him clensed bothe tuo, + The bodi and the Soule also. + Tho knew this Emperour in dede + That Cristes feith was forto drede, + And sende anon hise lettres oute + And let do crien al aboute, + Up peine of deth that noman weyve + That he baptesme ne receive: 3470 + After his Moder qweene Heleine + He sende, and so betwen hem tweine + Thei treten, that the Cite all + Was cristned, and sche forth withall. + This Emperour, which hele hath founde, + Withinne Rome anon let founde + Tuo cherches, which he dede make + For Peter and for Poules sake, + Of whom he hadde avisioun; + And yaf therto possessioun 3480 + Of lordschipe and of worldes good. + Bot how so that his will was good + Toward the Pope and his Franchise, + Yit hath it proved other wise, + To se the worchinge of the dede: + For in Cronique this I rede; + Anon as he hath mad the yifte, + A vois was herd on hih the lifte, + Of which al Rome was adrad, + And seith: "To day is venym schad 3490 + In holi cherche of temporal, + Which medleth with the spirital." + And hou it stant of that degree + Yit mai a man the sothe se: + God mai amende it, whan he wile, + I can ther to non other skile. + Bot forto go ther I began, + How charite mai helpe a man + To bothe worldes, I have seid: + And if thou have an Ere leid, 3500 + Mi Sone, thou miht understonde, + If charite be take on honde, + Ther folweth after mochel grace. + Forthi, if that thou wolt pourchace + How that thou miht Envie flee, + Aqueinte thee with charite, + Which is the vertu sovereine. + Mi fader, I schal do my peine: + For this ensample which ye tolde + With al myn herte I have withholde, 3510 + So that I schal for everemore + Eschuie Envie wel the more: + And that I have er this misdo, + Yif me my penance er I go. + And over that to mi matiere + Of schrifte, why we sitten hiere + In privete betwen ous tweie, + Now axeth what ther is, I preie. + Mi goode Sone, and for thi lore + I woll thee telle what is more, 3520 + So that thou schalt the vices knowe: + For whan thei be to thee full knowe, + Thou miht hem wel the betre eschuie. + And for this cause I thenke suie + The forme bothe and the matiere, + As now suiende thou schalt hiere + Which vice stant next after this: + And whan thou wost how that it is, + As thou schalt hiere me devise, + Thow miht thiself the betre avise. 3530 + + + Explicit Liber Secundus + + + + +Incipit Liber Tercius + + + Ira suis paribus est par furiis Acherontis, + Quo furor ad tempus nil pietatis habet. + Ira malencolicos animos perturbat, vt equo + Iure sui pondus nulla statera tenet. + Omnibus in causis grauat Ira, set inter amantes, + Illa magis facili sorte grauamen agit: + Est vbi vir discors leuiterque repugnat amori, + Sepe loco ludi fletus ad ora venit. + + + If thou the vices lest to knowe, + Mi Sone, it hath noght ben unknowe, + Fro ferst that men the swerdes grounde, + That ther nis on upon this grounde, + A vice forein fro the lawe, + Wherof that many a good felawe + Hath be distraght be sodein chance; + And yit to kinde no plesance + It doth, bot wher he most achieveth + His pourpos, most to kinde he grieveth, 10 + As he which out of conscience + Is enemy to pacience: + And is be name on of the Sevene, + Which ofte hath set this world unevene, + And cleped is the cruel Ire, + Whos herte is everemore on fyre + To speke amis and to do bothe, + For his servantz ben evere wrothe. + Mi goode fader, tell me this: + What thing is Ire? Sone, it is 20 + That in oure englissh Wrathe is hote, + Which hath hise wordes ay so hote, + That all a mannes pacience + Is fyred of the violence. + For he with him hath evere fyve + Servantz that helpen him to stryve: + The ferst of hem Malencolie + Is cleped, which in compaignie + An hundred times in an houre + Wol as an angri beste loure, 30 + And noman wot the cause why. + Mi Sone, schrif thee now forthi: + Hast thou be Malencolien? + Ye, fader, be seint Julien, + Bot I untrewe wordes use, + I mai me noght therof excuse: + And al makth love, wel I wot, + Of which myn herte is evere hot, + So that I brenne as doth a glede + For Wrathe that I mai noght spede. 40 + And thus fulofte a day for noght + Save onlich of myn oghne thoght + I am so with miselven wroth, + That how so that the game goth + With othre men, I am noght glad; + Bot I am wel the more unglad, + For that is othre mennes game + It torneth me to pure grame. + Thus am I with miself oppressed + Of thoght, the which I have impressed, 50 + That al wakende I dreme and meete + That I with hire al one meete + And preie hire of som good ansuere: + Bot for sche wol noght gladly swere, + Sche seith me nay withouten oth; + And thus wexe I withinne wroth, + That outward I am al affraied, + And so distempred and esmaied. + A thousand times on a day + Ther souneth in myn Eres nay, 60 + The which sche seide me tofore: + Thus be my wittes as forlore; + And namely whan I beginne + To rekne with miself withinne + How many yeres ben agon, + Siththe I have trewly loved on + And nevere tok of other hede, + And evere aliche fer to spede + I am, the more I with hir dele, + So that myn happ and al myn hele 70 + Me thenkth is ay the leng the ferre, + That bringth my gladschip out of herre, + Wherof my wittes ben empeired, + And I, as who seith, al despeired. + For finaly, whan that I muse + And thenke how sche me wol refuse, + I am with anger so bestad, + For al this world mihte I be glad: + And for the while that it lasteth + Al up so doun my joie it casteth, 80 + And ay the furthere that I be, + Whan I ne may my ladi se, + The more I am redy to wraththe, + That for the touchinge of a laththe + Or for the torninge of a stree + I wode as doth the wylde Se, + And am so malencolious, + That ther nys servant in myn hous + Ne non of tho that ben aboute, + That ech of hem ne stant in doute, 90 + And wenen that I scholde rave + For Anger that thei se me have; + And so thei wondre more and lasse, + Til that thei sen it overpasse. + Bot, fader, if it so betide, + That I aproche at eny tide + The place wher my ladi is, + And thanne that hire like ywiss + To speke a goodli word untome, + For al the gold that is in Rome 100 + Ne cowthe I after that be wroth, + Bot al myn Anger overgoth; + So glad I am of the presence + Of hire, that I all offence + Foryete, as thogh it were noght, + So overgladed is my thoght. + And natheles, the soth to telle, + Ayeinward if it so befelle + That I at thilke time sihe + On me that sche miscaste hire yhe, 110 + Or that sche liste noght to loke, + And I therof good hiede toke, + Anon into my ferste astat + I torne, and am with al so mat, + That evere it is aliche wicke. + And thus myn hand ayein the pricke + I hurte and have do many day, + And go so forth as I go may, + Fulofte bitinge on my lippe, + And make unto miself a whippe. 120 + With which in many a chele and hete + Mi wofull herte is so tobete, + That all my wittes ben unsofte + And I am wroth, I not how ofte; + And al it is Malencolie, + Which groweth of the fantasie + Of love, that me wol noght loute: + So bere I forth an angri snoute + Ful manye times in a yer. + Bot, fader, now ye sitten hier 130 + In loves stede, I yow beseche, + That som ensample ye me teche, + Wherof I mai miself appese. + Mi Sone, for thin hertes ese + I schal fulfille thi preiere, + So that thou miht the betre lere + What mischief that this vice stereth, + Which in his Anger noght forbereth, + Wherof that after him forthenketh, + Whan he is sobre and that he thenketh 140 + Upon the folie of his dede; + And of this point a tale I rede. + Ther was a king which Eolus + Was hote, and it befell him thus, + That he tuo children hadde faire, + The Sone cleped was Machaire, + The dowhter ek Canace hihte. + Be daie bothe and ek be nyhte, + Whil thei be yonge, of comun wone + In chambre thei togedre wone, 150 + And as thei scholden pleide hem ofte, + Til thei be growen up alofte + Into the youthe of lusti age, + Whan kinde assaileth the corage + With love and doth him forto bowe, + That he no reson can allowe, + Bot halt the lawes of nature: + For whom that love hath under cure, + As he is blind himself, riht so + He makth his client blind also. 160 + In such manere as I you telle + As thei al day togedre duelle, + This brother mihte it noght asterte + That he with al his hole herte + His love upon his Soster caste: + And so it fell hem ate laste, + That this Machaire with Canace + Whan thei were in a prive place, + Cupide bad hem ferst to kesse, + And after sche which is Maistresse 170 + In kinde and techeth every lif + Withoute lawe positif, + Of which sche takth nomaner charge, + Bot kepth hire lawes al at large, + Nature, tok hem into lore + And tawht hem so, that overmore + Sche hath hem in such wise daunted, + That thei were, as who seith, enchaunted. + And as the blinde an other ledeth + And til thei falle nothing dredeth, 180 + Riht so thei hadde non insihte; + Bot as the bridd which wole alihte + And seth the mete and noght the net, + Which in deceipte of him is set, + This yonge folk no peril sihe, + Bot that was likinge in here yhe, + So that thei felle upon the chance + Where witt hath lore his remembrance. + So longe thei togedre assemble, + The wombe aros, and sche gan tremble, 190 + And hield hire in hire chambre clos + For drede it scholde be disclos + And come to hire fader Ere: + Wherof the Sone hadde also fere, + And feigneth cause forto ryde; + For longe dorste he noght abyde, + In aunter if men wolde sein + That he his Soster hath forlein: + For yit sche hadde it noght beknowe + Whos was the child at thilke throwe. 200 + Machaire goth, Canace abit, + The which was noght delivered yit, + Bot riht sone after that sche was. + Now lest and herkne a woful cas. + The sothe, which mai noght ben hid, + Was ate laste knowe and kid + Unto the king, how that it stod. + And whan that he it understod, + Anon into Malencolie, + As thogh it were a frenesie, 210 + He fell, as he which nothing cowthe + How maistrefull love is in yowthe: + And for he was to love strange, + He wolde noght his herte change + To be benigne and favorable + To love, bot unmerciable + Betwen the wawe of wod and wroth + Into his dowhtres chambre he goth, + And sih the child was late bore, + Wherof he hath hise othes swore 220 + That sche it schal ful sore abye. + And sche began merci to crie, + Upon hire bare knes and preide, + And to hire fader thus sche seide: + "Ha mercy! fader, thenk I am + Thi child, and of thi blod I cam. + That I misdede yowthe it made, + And in the flodes bad me wade, + Wher that I sih no peril tho: + Bot now it is befalle so, 230 + Merci, my fader, do no wreche!" + And with that word sche loste speche + And fell doun swounende at his fot, + As sche for sorwe nedes mot. + Bot his horrible crualte + Ther mihte attempre no pite: + Out of hire chambre forth he wente + Al full of wraththe in his entente, + And tok the conseil in his herte + That sche schal noght the deth asterte, 240 + As he which Malencolien + Of pacience hath no lien, + Wherof the wraththe he mai restreigne. + And in this wilde wode peine, + Whanne al his resoun was untame, + A kniht he clepeth be his name, + And tok him as be weie of sonde + A naked swerd to bere on honde, + And seide him that he scholde go + And telle unto his dowhter so 250 + In the manere as he him bad, + How sche that scharpe swerdes blad + Receive scholde and do withal + So as sche wot wherto it schal. + Forth in message goth this kniht + Unto this wofull yonge wiht, + This scharpe swerd to hire he tok: + Wherof that al hire bodi qwok, + For wel sche wiste what it mente, + And that it was to thilke entente 260 + That sche hireselven scholde slee. + And to the kniht sche seide: "Yee, + Now that I wot my fadres wille, + That I schal in this wise spille, + I wole obeie me therto, + And as he wole it schal be do. + Bot now this thing mai be non other, + I wole a lettre unto mi brother, + So as my fieble hand may wryte, + With al my wofull herte endite." 270 + Sche tok a Penne on honde tho, + Fro point to point and al the wo, + Als ferforth as hireself it wot, + Unto hire dedly frend sche wrot, + And tolde how that hire fader grace + Sche mihte for nothing pourchace; + And overthat, as thou schalt hiere, + Sche wrot and seide in this manere: + "O thou my sorwe and my gladnesse, + O thou myn hele and my siknesse, 280 + O my wanhope and al my trust, + O my desese and al my lust, + O thou my wele, o thou my wo, + O thou my frend, o thou my fo, + O thou my love, o thou myn hate, + For thee mot I be ded algate. + Thilke ende may I noght asterte, + And yit with al myn hole herte, + Whil that me lasteth eny breth, + I wol the love into my deth. 290 + Bot of o thing I schal thee preie, + If that my litel Sone deie, + Let him be beried in my grave + Beside me, so schalt thou have + Upon ous bothe remembrance. + For thus it stant of my grevance; + Now at this time, as thou schalt wite, + With teres and with enke write + This lettre I have in cares colde: + In my riht hond my Penne I holde, 300 + And in my left the swerd I kepe, + And in my barm ther lith to wepe + Thi child and myn, which sobbeth faste. + Now am I come unto my laste: + Fare wel, for I schal sone deie, + And thenk how I thi love abeie." + The pomel of the swerd to grounde + Sche sette, and with the point a wounde + Thurghout hire herte anon sche made, + And forth with that al pale and fade 310 + Sche fell doun ded fro ther sche stod. + The child lay bathende in hire blod + Out rolled fro the moder barm, + And for the blod was hot and warm, + He basketh him aboute thrinne. + Ther was no bote forto winne, + For he, which can no pite knowe, + The king cam in the same throwe, + And sih how that his dowhter dieth + And how this Babe al blody crieth; 320 + Bot al that mihte him noght suffise, + That he ne bad to do juise + Upon the child, and bere him oute, + And seche in the Forest aboute + Som wilde place, what it were, + To caste him out of honde there, + So that som best him mai devoure, + Where as noman him schal socoure. + Al that he bad was don in dede: + Ha, who herde evere singe or rede 330 + Of such a thing as that was do? + Bot he which ladde his wraththe so + Hath knowe of love bot a lite; + Bot for al that he was to wyte, + Thurgh his sodein Malencolie + To do so gret a felonie. + Forthi, my Sone, how so it stonde, + Be this cas thou miht understonde + That if thou evere in cause of love + Schalt deme, and thou be so above 340 + That thou miht lede it at thi wille, + Let nevere thurgh thi Wraththe spille + Which every kinde scholde save. + For it sit every man to have + Reward to love and to his miht, + Ayein whos strengthe mai no wiht: + And siththe an herte is so constreigned, + The reddour oghte be restreigned + To him that mai no bet aweie, + Whan he mot to nature obeie. 350 + For it is seid thus overal, + That nedes mot that nede schal + Of that a lif doth after kinde, + Wherof he mai no bote finde. + What nature hath set in hir lawe + Ther mai no mannes miht withdrawe, + And who that worcheth therayein, + Fulofte time it hath be sein, + Ther hath befalle gret vengance, + Wherof I finde a remembrance. 360 + Ovide after the time tho + Tolde an ensample and seide so, + How that whilom Tiresias, + As he walkende goth per cas, + Upon an hih Montaine he sih + Tuo Serpentz in his weie nyh, + And thei, so as nature hem tawhte, + Assembled were, and he tho cawhte + A yerde which he bar on honde, + And thoghte that he wolde fonde 370 + To letten hem, and smot hem bothe: + Wherof the goddes weren wrothe; + And for he hath destourbed kinde + And was so to nature unkinde, + Unkindeliche he was transformed, + That he which erst a man was formed + Into a womman was forschape. + That was to him an angri jape; + Bot for that he with Angre wroghte, + Hise Angres angreliche he boghte. 380 + Lo thus, my Sone, Ovide hath write, + Wherof thou miht be reson wite, + More is a man than such a beste: + So mihte it nevere ben honeste + A man to wraththen him to sore + Of that an other doth the lore + Of kinde, in which is no malice, + Bot only that it is a vice: + And thogh a man be resonable, + Yit after kinde he is menable 390 + To love, wher he wole or non. + Thenk thou, my Sone, therupon + And do Malencolie aweie; + For love hath evere his lust to pleie, + As he which wolde no lif grieve. + Mi fader, that I mai wel lieve; + Al that ye tellen it is skile: + Let every man love as he wile, + Be so it be noght my ladi, + For I schal noght be wroth therby. 400 + Bot that I wraththe and fare amis, + Al one upon miself it is, + That I with bothe love and kinde + Am so bestad, that I can finde + No weie how I it mai asterte: + Which stant upon myn oghne herte + And toucheth to non other lif, + Save only to that swete wif + For whom, bot if it be amended, + Mi glade daies ben despended, 410 + That I miself schal noght forbere + The Wraththe which that I now bere, + For therof is non other leche. + Now axeth forth, I yow beseche, + Of Wraththe if ther oght elles is, + Wherof to schryve. Sone, yis. + Of Wraththe the secounde is Cheste, + Which hath the wyndes of tempeste + To kepe, and many a sodein blast + He bloweth, wherof ben agast 420 + Thei that desiren pes and reste. + He is that ilke ungoodlieste + Which many a lusti love hath twinned; + For he berth evere his mowth unpinned, + So that his lippes ben unloke + And his corage is al tobroke, + That every thing which he can telle, + It springeth up as doth a welle, + Which mai non of his stremes hyde, + Bot renneth out on every syde. 430 + So buillen up the foule sawes + That Cheste wot of his felawes: + For as a Sive kepeth Ale, + Riht so can Cheste kepe a tale; + Al that he wot he wol desclose, + And speke er eny man oppose. + As a Cite withoute wal, + Wher men mai gon out overal + Withouten eny resistence, + So with his croked eloquence 440 + He spekth al that he wot withinne: + Wherof men lese mor than winne, + For ofte time of his chidinge + He bringth to house such tidinge, + That makth werre ate beddeshed. + He is the levein of the bred, + Which soureth al the past aboute: + Men oghte wel such on to doute, + For evere his bowe is redi bent, + And whom he hit I telle him schent, 450 + If he mai perce him with his tunge. + And ek so lowde his belle is runge, + That of the noise and of the soun + Men feeren hem in al the toun + Welmore than thei don of thonder. + For that is cause of more wonder; + For with the wyndes whiche he bloweth + Fulofte sythe he overthroweth + The Cites and the policie, + That I have herd the poeple crie, 460 + And echon seide in his degre, + "Ha wicke tunge, wo thee be!" + For men sein that the harde bon, + Althogh himselven have non, + A tunge brekth it al to pieces. + He hath so manye sondri spieces + Of vice, that I mai noght wel + Descrive hem be a thousendel: + Bot whan that he to Cheste falleth, + Ful many a wonder thing befalleth, 470 + For he ne can nothing forbere. + Now tell me, Sone, thin ansuere, + If it hath evere so betidd, + That thou at eny time hast chidd + Toward thi love. Fader, nay: + Such Cheste yit unto this day + Ne made I nevere, god forbede: + For er I sunge such a crede, + I hadde levere to be lewed; + For thanne were I al beschrewed 480 + And worthi to be put abak + With al the sorwe upon my bak + That eny man ordeigne cowthe. + Bot I spak nevere yit be mowthe + That unto Cheste mihte touche, + And that I durste riht wel vouche + Upon hirself as for witnesse; + For I wot, of hir gentilesse + That sche me wolde wel excuse, + That I no suche thinges use. 490 + And if it scholde so betide + That I algates moste chide, + It myhte noght be to my love: + For so yit was I nevere above, + For al this wyde world to winne + That I dorste eny word beginne, + Be which sche mihte have ben amoeved + And I of Cheste also reproeved. + Bot rathere, if it mihte hir like, + The beste wordes wolde I pike 500 + Whiche I cowthe in myn herte chese, + And serve hem forth in stede of chese, + For that is helplich to defie; + And so wolde I my wordes plie, + That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale + With tellinge of my softe tale. + Thus dar I make a foreward, + That nevere unto my ladiward + Yit spak I word in such a wise, + Wherof that Cheste scholde arise. 510 + This seie I noght, that I fulofte + Ne have, whanne I spak most softe, + Per cas seid more thanne ynowh; + Bot so wel halt noman the plowh + That he ne balketh otherwhile, + Ne so wel can noman affile + His tunge, that som time in rape + Him mai som liht word overscape, + And yit ne meneth he no Cheste. + Bot that I have ayein hir heste 520 + Fulofte spoke, I am beknowe; + And how my will is, that ye knowe: + For whan my time comth aboute, + That I dar speke and seie al oute + Mi longe love, of which sche wot + That evere in on aliche hot + Me grieveth, thanne al my desese + I telle, and though it hir desplese, + I speke it forth and noght ne leve: + And thogh it be beside hire leve, 530 + I hope and trowe natheles + That I do noght ayein the pes; + For thogh I telle hire al my thoght, + Sche wot wel that I chyde noght. + Men mai the hihe god beseche, + And he wol hiere a mannes speche + And be noght wroth of that he seith; + So yifth it me the more feith + And makth me hardi, soth to seie, + That I dar wel the betre preie 540 + Mi ladi, which a womman is. + For thogh I telle hire that or this + Of love, which me grieveth sore, + Hire oghte noght be wroth the more, + For I withoute noise or cri + Mi pleignte make al buxomly + To puten alle wraththe away. + Thus dar I seie unto this day + Of Cheste in ernest or in game + Mi ladi schal me nothing blame. 550 + Bot ofte time it hath betidd + That with miselven I have chidd, + That noman couthe betre chide: + And that hath ben at every tide, + Whanne I cam to miself al one; + For thanne I made a prive mone, + And every tale by and by, + Which as I spak to my ladi, + I thenke and peise in my balance + And drawe into my remembrance; 560 + And thanne, if that I finde a lak + Of eny word that I mispak, + Which was to moche in eny wise, + Anon my wittes I despise + And make a chidinge in myn herte, + That eny word me scholde asterte + Which as I scholde have holden inne. + And so forth after I beginne + And loke if ther was elles oght + To speke, and I ne spak it noght: 570 + And thanne, if I mai seche and finde + That eny word be left behinde, + Which as I scholde more have spoke, + I wolde upon miself be wroke, + And chyde with miselven so + That al my wit is overgo. + For noman mai his time lore + Recovere, and thus I am therfore + So overwroth in al my thoght, + That I myself chide al to noght: 580 + Thus for to moche or for to lite + Fulofte I am miself to wyte. + Bot al that mai me noght availe, + With cheste thogh I me travaile: + Bot Oule on Stock and Stock on Oule; + The more that a man defoule, + Men witen wel which hath the werse; + And so to me nys worth a kerse, + Bot torneth on myn oghne hed, + Thogh I, til that I were ded, 590 + Wolde evere chyde in such a wise + Of love as I to you devise. + Bot, fader, now ye have al herd + In this manere how I have ferd + Of Cheste and of dissencioun, + Yif me youre absolucioun. + Mi Sone, if that thou wistest al, + What Cheste doth in special + To love and to his welwillinge, + Thou woldest flen his knowlechinge 600 + And lerne to be debonaire. + For who that most can speke faire + Is most acordende unto love: + Fair speche hath ofte brought above + Ful many a man, as it is knowe, + Which elles scholde have be riht lowe + And failed mochel of his wille. + Forthi hold thou thi tunge stille + And let thi witt thi wille areste, + So that thou falle noght in Cheste, 610 + Which is the source of gret destance: + And tak into thi remembrance + If thou miht gete pacience, + Which is the leche of alle offence, + As tellen ous these olde wise: + For whan noght elles mai suffise + Be strengthe ne be mannes wit, + Than pacience it oversit + And overcomth it ate laste; + Bot he mai nevere longe laste, 620 + Which wol noght bowe er that he breke. + Tak hiede, Sone, of that I speke. + Mi fader, of your goodli speche + And of the witt which ye me teche + I thonke you with al myn herte: + For that world schal me nevere asterte, + That I ne schal your wordes holde, + Of Pacience as ye me tolde, + Als ferforth as myn herte thenketh; + And of my wraththe it me forthenketh. 630 + Bot, fader, if ye forth withal + Som good ensample in special + Me wolden telle of som Cronique, + It scholde wel myn herte like + Of pacience forto hiere, + So that I mihte in mi matiere + The more unto my love obeie + And puten mi desese aweie. + Mi Sone, a man to beie him pes + Behoveth soffre as Socrates 640 + Ensample lefte, which is write: + And for thou schalt the sothe wite, + Of this ensample what I mene, + Althogh it be now litel sene + Among the men thilke evidence, + Yit he was upon pacience + So sett, that he himself assaie + In thing which mihte him most mispaie + Desireth, and a wickid wif + He weddeth, which in sorwe and strif 650 + Ayein his ese was contraire. + Bot he spak evere softe and faire, + Til it befell, as it is told, + In wynter, whan the dai is cold, + This wif was fro the welle come, + Wher that a pot with water nome + Sche hath, and broghte it into house, + And sih how that hire seli spouse + Was sett and loked on a bok + Nyh to the fyr, as he which tok 660 + His ese for a man of age. + And sche began the wode rage, + And axeth him what devel he thoghte, + And bar on hond that him ne roghte + What labour that sche toke on honde, + And seith that such an Housebonde + Was to a wif noght worth a Stre. + He seide nowther nay ne ye, + Bot hield him stille and let hire chyde; + And sche, which mai hirself noght hyde, 670 + Began withinne forto swelle, + And that sche broghte in fro the welle, + The waterpot sche hente alofte + And bad him speke, and he al softe + Sat stille and noght a word ansuerde; + And sche was wroth that he so ferde, + And axeth him if he be ded; + And al the water on his hed + Sche pourede oute and bad awake. + Bot he, which wolde noght forsake 680 + His Pacience, thanne spak, + And seide how that he fond no lak + In nothing which sche hadde do: + For it was wynter time tho, + And wynter, as be weie of kinde + Which stormy is, as men it finde, + Ferst makth the wyndes forto blowe, + And after that withinne a throwe + He reyneth and the watergates + Undoth; "and thus my wif algates, 690 + Which is with reson wel besein, + Hath mad me bothe wynd and rein + After the Sesoun of the yer." + And thanne he sette him nerr the fer, + And as he mihte hise clothes dreide, + That he nomore o word ne seide; + Wherof he gat him somdel reste, + For that him thoghte was the beste. + I not if thilke ensample yit + Acordeth with a mannes wit, 700 + To soffre as Socrates tho dede: + And if it falle in eny stede + A man to lese so his galle, + Him oghte among the wommen alle + In loves Court be juggement + The name bere of Pacient, + To yive ensample to the goode + Of pacience how that it stode, + That othre men it mihte knowe. + And, Sone, if thou at eny throwe 710 + Be tempted ayein Pacience, + Tak hiede upon this evidence; + It schal per cas the lasse grieve. + Mi fader, so as I believe, + Of that schal be no maner nede, + For I wol take so good hiede, + That er I falle in such assai, + I thenke eschuie it, if I mai. + Bot if ther be oght elles more + Wherof I mihte take lore, 720 + I preie you, so as I dar, + Now telleth, that I mai be war, + Som other tale in this matiere. + Sone, it is evere good to lere, + Wherof thou miht thi word restreigne, + Er that thou falle in eny peine. + For who that can no conseil hyde, + He mai noght faile of wo beside, + Which schal befalle er he it wite, + As I finde in the bokes write. 730 + Yit cam ther nevere good of strif, + To seche in all a mannes lif: + Thogh it beginne on pure game, + Fulofte it torneth into grame + And doth grevance upon som side. + Wherof the grete Clerk Ovide + After the lawe which was tho + Of Jupiter and of Juno + Makth in his bokes mencioun + How thei felle at dissencioun 740 + In manere as it were a borde, + As thei begunne forto worde + Among hemself in privete: + And that was upon this degree, + Which of the tuo more amorous is, + Or man or wif. And upon this + Thei mihten noght acorde in on, + And toke a jugge therupon, + Which cleped is Tiresias, + And bede him demen in the cas; 750 + And he withoute avisement + Ayein Juno yaf juggement. + This goddesse upon his ansuere + Was wroth and wolde noght forbere, + Bot tok awey for everemo + The liht fro bothe hise yhen tuo. + Whan Jupiter this harm hath sein, + An other bienfait therayein + He yaf, and such a grace him doth, + That for he wiste he seide soth, 760 + A Sothseiere he was for evere: + Bot yit that other were levere, + Have had the lokinge of his yhe, + Than of his word the prophecie; + Bot how so that the sothe wente, + Strif was the cause of that he hente + So gret a peine bodily. + Mi Sone, be thou war ther by, + And hold thi tunge stille clos: + For who that hath his word desclos 770 + Er that he wite what he mene, + He is fulofte nyh his tene + And lest ful many time grace, + Wher that he wolde his thonk pourchace. + And over this, my Sone diere, + Of othre men, if thou miht hiere + In privete what thei have wroght, + Hold conseil and descoevere it noght, + For Cheste can no conseil hele, + Or be it wo or be it wele: 780 + And tak a tale into thi mynde, + The which of olde ensample I finde. + Phebus, which makth the daies lihte, + A love he hadde, which tho hihte + Cornide, whom aboven alle + He pleseth: bot what schal befalle + Of love ther is noman knoweth, + Bot as fortune hire happes throweth. + So it befell upon a chaunce, + A yong kniht tok hire aqueintance 790 + And hadde of hire al that he wolde: + Bot a fals bridd, which sche hath holde + And kept in chambre of pure yowthe, + Discoevereth all that evere he cowthe. + This briddes name was as tho + Corvus, the which was thanne also + Welmore whyt than eny Swan, + And he that schrewe al that he can + Of his ladi to Phebus seide; + And he for wraththe his swerd outbreide, 800 + With which Cornide anon he slowh. + Bot after him was wo ynowh, + And tok a full gret repentance, + Wherof in tokne and remembrance + Of hem whiche usen wicke speche, + Upon this bridd he tok this wreche, + That ther he was snow whyt tofore, + Evere afterward colblak therfore + He was transformed, as it scheweth, + And many a man yit him beschreweth, 810 + And clepen him into this day + A Raven, be whom yit men mai + Take evidence, whan he crieth, + That som mishapp it signefieth. + Be war therfore and sei the beste, + If thou wolt be thiself in reste, + Mi goode Sone, as I the rede. + For in an other place I rede + Of thilke Nimphe which Laar hihte: + For sche the privete be nyhte, 820 + How Jupiter lay be Jutorne, + Hath told, god made hire overtorne: + Hire tunge he kutte, and into helle + For evere he sende hir forto duelle, + As sche that was noght worthi hiere + To ben of love a Chamberere, + For sche no conseil cowthe hele. + And suche adaies be now fele + In loves Court, as it is seid, + That lete here tunges gon unteid. 830 + Mi Sone, be thou non of tho, + To jangle and telle tales so, + And namely that thou ne chyde, + For Cheste can no conseil hide, + For Wraththe seide nevere wel. + Mi fader, soth is everydel + That ye me teche, and I wol holde + The reule to which I am holde, + To fle the Cheste, as ye me bidde, + For wel is him that nevere chidde. 840 + Now tell me forth if ther be more + As touchende unto Wraththes lore. + Of Wraththe yit ther is an other, + Which is to Cheste his oghne brother, + And is be name cleped Hate, + That soffreth noght withinne his gate + That ther come owther love or pes, + For he wol make no reles + Of no debat which is befalle. + Now spek, if thou art on of alle, 850 + That with this vice hast ben withholde. + As yit for oght that ye me tolde, + Mi fader, I not what it is. + In good feith, Sone, I trowe yis. + Mi fader, nay, bot ye me lere. + Now lest, my Sone, and thou schalt here. + Hate is a wraththe noght schewende, + Bot of long time gaderende, + And duelleth in the herte loken, + Til he se time to be wroken; 860 + And thanne he scheweth his tempeste + Mor sodein than the wilde beste, + Which wot nothing what merci is. + Mi Sone, art thou knowende of this? + My goode fader, as I wene, + Now wot I somdel what ye mene; + Bot I dar saufly make an oth, + Mi ladi was me nevere loth. + I wol noght swere natheles + That I of hate am gulteles; 870 + For whanne I to my ladi plie + Fro dai to dai and merci crie, + And sche no merci on me leith + Bot schorte wordes to me seith, + Thogh I my ladi love algate, + Tho wordes moste I nedes hate; + And wolde thei were al despent, + Or so ferr oute of londe went + That I nevere after scholde hem hiere; + And yit love I my ladi diere. 880 + Thus is ther Hate, as ye mai se, + Betwen mi ladi word and me; + The word I hate and hire I love, + What so me schal betide of love. + Bot forthere mor I wol me schryve, + That I have hated al my lyve + These janglers, whiche of here Envie + Ben evere redi forto lie; + For with here fals compassement + Fuloften thei have mad me schent 890 + And hindred me fulofte time, + Whan thei no cause wisten bime, + Bot onliche of here oghne thoght: + And thus fuloften have I boght + The lie, and drank noght of the wyn. + I wolde here happ were such as myn: + For how so that I be now schrive, + To hem ne mai I noght foryive, + Til that I se hem at debat + With love, and thanne myn astat 900 + Thei mihten be here oghne deme, + And loke how wel it scholde hem qweme + To hindre a man that loveth sore. + And thus I hate hem everemore, + Til love on hem wol don his wreche: + For that schal I alway beseche + Unto the mihti Cupido, + That he so mochel wolde do, + So as he is of love a godd, + To smyte hem with the same rodd 910 + With which I am of love smite; + So that thei mihten knowe and wite + How hindringe is a wofull peine + To him that love wolde atteigne. + Thus evere on hem I wayte and hope, + Til I mai sen hem lepe a lope, + And halten on the same Sor + Which I do now: for overmor + I wolde thanne do my myht + So forto stonden in here lyht, 920 + That thei ne scholden finde a weie + To that thei wolde, bot aweie + I wolde hem putte out of the stede + Fro love, riht as thei me dede + With that thei speke of me be mowthe. + So wolde I do, if that I cowthe, + Of hem, and this, so god me save, + Is al the hate that I have, + Toward these janglers everydiel; + I wolde alle othre ferde wel. 930 + Thus have I, fader, said mi wille; + Say ye now forth, for I am stille. + Mi Sone, of that thou hast me said + I holde me noght fulli paid: + That thou wolt haten eny man, + To that acorden I ne can, + Thogh he have hindred thee tofore. + Bot this I telle thee therfore, + Thou miht upon my beneicoun + Wel haten the condicioun 940 + Of tho janglers, as thou me toldest, + Bot furthermor, of that thou woldest + Hem hindre in eny other wise, + Such Hate is evere to despise. + Forthi, mi Sone, I wol thee rede, + That thou drawe in be frendlihede + That thou ne miht noght do be hate; + So miht thou gete love algate + And sette thee, my Sone, in reste, + For thou schalt finde it for the beste. 950 + And over this, so as I dar, + I rede that thou be riht war + Of othre mennes hate aboute, + Which every wysman scholde doute: + For Hate is evere upon await, + And as the fisshere on his bait + Sleth, whan he seth the fisshes faste, + So, whan he seth time ate laste, + That he mai worche an other wo, + Schal noman tornen him therfro, 960 + That Hate nyle his felonie + Fulfille and feigne compaignie + Yit natheles, for fals Semblant + Is toward him of covenant + Withholde, so that under bothe + The prive wraththe can him clothe, + That he schal seme of gret believe. + Bot war thee wel that thou ne lieve + Al that thou sest tofore thin yhe, + So as the Gregois whilom syhe: 970 + The bok of Troie who so rede, + Ther mai he finde ensample in dede. + Sone after the destruccioun, + Whan Troie was al bete doun + And slain was Priamus the king, + The Gregois, whiche of al this thing + Ben cause, tornen hom ayein. + Ther mai noman his happ withsein; + It hath be sen and felt fulofte, + The harde time after the softe: 980 + Be See as thei forth homward wente, + A rage of gret tempeste hem hente; + Juno let bende hire parti bowe, + The Sky wax derk, the wynd gan blowe, + The firy welkne gan to thondre, + As thogh the world scholde al to sondre; + Fro hevene out of the watergates + The reyni Storm fell doun algates + And al here takel made unwelde, + That noman mihte himself bewelde. 990 + Ther mai men hiere Schipmen crie, + That stode in aunter forto die: + He that behinde sat to stiere + Mai noght the forestempne hiere; + The Schip aros ayein the wawes, + The lodesman hath lost his lawes, + The See bet in on every side: + Thei nysten what fortune abide, + Bot sette hem al in goddes wille, + Wher he hem wolde save or spille. 1000 + And it fell thilke time thus: + Ther was a king, the which Namplus + Was hote, and he a Sone hadde, + At Troie which the Gregois ladde, + As he that was mad Prince of alle, + Til that fortune let him falle: + His name was Palamades. + Bot thurgh an hate natheles + Of some of hem his deth was cast + And he be tresoun overcast. 1010 + His fader, whan he herde it telle, + He swor, if evere his time felle, + He wolde him venge, if that he mihte, + And therto his avou behihte: + And thus this king thurgh prive hate + Abod upon await algate, + For he was noght of such emprise + To vengen him in open wise. + The fame, which goth wyde where, + Makth knowe how that the Gregois were 1020 + Homward with al the felaschipe + Fro Troie upon the See be Schipe. + Namplus, whan he this understod, + And knew the tydes of the flod, + And sih the wynd blew to the lond, + A gret deceipte anon he fond + Of prive hate, as thou schalt hiere, + Wherof I telle al this matiere. + This king the weder gan beholde, + And wiste wel thei moten holde 1030 + Here cours endlong his marche riht, + And made upon the derke nyht + Of grete Schydes and of blockes + Gret fyr ayein the grete rockes, + To schewe upon the helles hihe, + So that the Flete of Grece it sihe. + And so it fell riht as he thoghte: + This Flete, which an havene soghte, + The bryghte fyres sih a ferr, + And thei hem drowen nerr and nerr, 1040 + And wende wel and understode + How al that fyr was made for goode, + To schewe wher men scholde aryve, + And thiderward thei hasten blyve. + In Semblant, as men sein, is guile, + And that was proved thilke while; + The Schip, which wende his helpe acroche, + Drof al to pieces on the roche, + And so ther deden ten or twelve; + Ther mihte noman helpe himselve, 1050 + For ther thei wenden deth ascape, + Withouten help here deth was schape. + Thus thei that comen ferst tofore + Upon the Rockes be forlore, + Bot thurgh the noise and thurgh the cri + These othre were al war therby; + And whan the dai began to rowe, + Tho mihten thei the sothe knowe, + That wher they wenden frendes finde, + Thei founden frenschipe al behinde. 1060 + The lond was thanne sone weyved, + Wher that thei hadden be deceived, + And toke hem to the hihe See; + Therto thei seiden alle yee, + Fro that dai forth and war thei were + Of that thei hadde assaied there. + Mi Sone, hierof thou miht avise + How fraude stant in many wise + Amonges hem that guile thenke; + Ther is no Scrivein with his enke 1070 + Which half the fraude wryte can + That stant in such a maner man: + Forthi the wise men ne demen + The thinges after that thei semen, + Bot after that thei knowe and finde. + The Mirour scheweth in his kinde + As he hadde al the world withinne, + And is in soth nothing therinne; + And so farth Hate for a throwe: + Til he a man hath overthrowe, 1080 + Schal noman knowe be his chere + Which is avant, ne which arere. + Forthi, mi Sone, thenke on this. + Mi fader, so I wole ywiss; + And if ther more of Wraththe be, + Now axeth forth per charite, + As ye be youre bokes knowe, + And I the sothe schal beknowe. + Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde + That yit towardes Wraththe stonde 1090 + Of dedly vices othre tuo: + And forto telle here names so, + It is Contek and Homicide, + That ben to drede on every side. + Contek, so as the bokes sein, + Folhast hath to his Chamberlein, + Be whos conseil al unavised + Is Pacience most despised, + Til Homicide with hem meete. + Fro merci thei ben al unmeete, 1100 + And thus ben thei the worste of alle + Of hem whiche unto wraththe falle, + In dede bothe and ek in thoght: + For thei acompte here wraththe at noght, + Bot if ther be schedinge of blod; + And thus lich to a beste wod + Thei knowe noght the god of lif. + Be so thei have or swerd or knif + Here dedly wraththe forto wreke, + Of Pite list hem noght to speke; 1110 + Non other reson thei ne fonge, + Bot that thei ben of mihtes stronge. + Bot war hem wel in other place, + Where every man behoveth grace, + Bot ther I trowe it schal hem faile, + To whom no merci mihte availe, + Bot wroghten upon tiraundie, + That no pite ne mihte hem plie. + Now tell, my Sone. Fader, what? + If thou hast be coupable of that. 1120 + Mi fader, nay, Crist me forbiede: + I speke onliche as of the dede, + Of which I nevere was coupable + Withoute cause resonable. + Bot this is noght to mi matiere + Of schrifte, why we sitten hiere; + For we ben sett to schryve of love, + As we begunne ferst above: + And natheles I am beknowe + That as touchende of loves throwe, 1130 + Whan I my wittes overwende, + Min hertes contek hath non ende, + Bot evere it stant upon debat + To gret desese of myn astat + As for the time that it lasteth. + For whan mi fortune overcasteth + Hire whiel and is to me so strange, + And that I se sche wol noght change, + Than caste I al the world aboute, + And thenke hou I at home and oute 1140 + Have al my time in vein despended, + And se noght how to ben amended, + Bot rathere forto be empeired, + As he that is welnyh despeired: + For I ne mai no thonk deserve, + And evere I love and evere I serve, + And evere I am aliche nerr. + Thus, for I stonde in such a wer, + I am, as who seith, out of herre; + And thus upon miself the werre 1150 + I bringe, and putte out alle pes, + That I fulofte in such a res + Am wery of myn oghne lif. + So that of Contek and of strif + I am beknowe and have ansuerd, + As ye, my fader, now have herd. + Min herte is wonderly begon + With conseil, wherof witt is on, + Which hath resoun in compaignie; + Ayein the whiche stant partie 1160 + Will, which hath hope of his acord, + And thus thei bringen up descord. + Witt and resoun conseilen ofte + That I myn herte scholde softe, + And that I scholde will remue + And put him out of retenue, + Or elles holde him under fote: + For as thei sein, if that he mote + His oghne rewle have upon honde, + Ther schal no witt ben understonde. 1170 + Of hope also thei tellen this, + That overal, wher that he is, + He set the herte in jeupartie + With wihssinge and with fantasie, + And is noght trewe of that he seith, + So that in him ther is no feith: + Thus with reson and wit avised + Is will and hope aldai despised. + Reson seith that I scholde leve + To love, wher ther is no leve 1180 + To spede, and will seith therayein + That such an herte is to vilein, + Which dar noght love and til he spede, + Let hope serve at such a nede: + He seith ek, where an herte sit + Al hol governed upon wit, + He hath this lyves lust forlore. + And thus myn herte is al totore + Of such a Contek as thei make: + Bot yit I mai noght will forsake, 1190 + That he nys Maister of my thoght, + Or that I spede, or spede noght. + Thou dost, my Sone, ayein the riht; + Bot love is of so gret a miht, + His lawe mai noman refuse, + So miht thou thee the betre excuse. + And natheles thou schalt be lerned + That will scholde evere be governed + Of reson more than of kinde, + Wherof a tale write I finde. 1200 + A Philosophre of which men tolde + Ther was whilom be daies olde, + And Diogenes thanne he hihte. + So old he was that he ne mihte + The world travaile, and for the beste + He schop him forto take his reste, + And duelte at hom in such a wise, + That nyh his hous he let devise + Endlong upon an Axeltre + To sette a tonne in such degre, 1210 + That he it mihte torne aboute; + Wherof on hed was taken oute, + For he therinne sitte scholde + And torne himself so as he wolde, + To take their and se the hevene + And deme of the planetes sevene, + As he which cowthe mochel what. + And thus fulofte there he sat + To muse in his philosophie + Solein withoute compaignie: 1220 + So that upon a morwetyde, + As thing which scholde so betyde, + Whan he was set ther as him liste + To loke upon the Sonne ariste, + Wherof the propretes he sih, + It fell ther cam ridende nyh + King Alisandre with a route; + And as he caste his yhe aboute, + He sih this Tonne, and what it mente + He wolde wite, and thider sente 1230 + A knyht, be whom he mihte it knowe, + And he himself that ilke throwe + Abod, and hoveth there stille. + This kniht after the kinges wille + With spore made his hors to gon + And to the tonne he cam anon, + Wher that he fond a man of Age, + And he him tolde the message, + Such as the king him hadde bede, + And axeth why in thilke stede 1240 + The Tonne stod, and what it was. + And he, which understod the cas, + Sat stille and spak no word ayein. + The kniht bad speke and seith, "Vilein, + Thou schalt me telle, er that I go; + It is thi king which axeth so." + "Mi king," quod he, "that were unriht." + "What is he thanne?" seith the kniht, + "Is he thi man?" "That seie I noght," + Quod he, "bot this I am bethoght, 1250 + Mi mannes man hou that he is." + "Thou lyest, false cherl, ywiss," + The kniht him seith, and was riht wroth, + And to the king ayein he goth + And tolde him how this man ansuerde. + The king, whan he this tale herde, + Bad that thei scholden alle abyde, + For he himself wol thider ryde. + And whan he cam tofore the tonne, + He hath his tale thus begonne: 1260 + "Alheil," he seith, "what man art thou?" + Quod he, "Such on as thou sest now." + The king, which hadde wordes wise, + His age wolde noght despise, + Bot seith, "Mi fader, I thee preie + That thou me wolt the cause seie, + How that I am thi mannes man." + "Sire king," quod he, "and that I can, + If that thou wolt." "Yis," seith the king. + Quod he, "This is the sothe thing: 1270 + Sith I ferst resoun understod, + And knew what thing was evel and good, + The will which of my bodi moeveth, + Whos werkes that the god reproeveth, + I have restreigned everemore, + As him which stant under the lore + Of reson, whos soubgit he is, + So that he mai noght don amis: + And thus be weie of covenant + Will is my man and my servant, 1280 + And evere hath ben and evere schal. + And thi will is thi principal, + And hath the lordschipe of thi witt, + So that thou cowthest nevere yit + Take o dai reste of thi labour; + Bot forto ben a conquerour + Of worldes good, which mai noght laste, + Thou hiest evere aliche faste, + Wher thou no reson hast to winne: + And thus thi will is cause of Sinne, 1290 + And is thi lord, to whom thou servest, + Wherof thou litel thonk deservest." + The king of that he thus answerde + Was nothing wroth, bot whanne he herde + The hihe wisdom which he seide, + With goodly wordes this he preide, + That he him wolde telle his name. + "I am," quod he, "that ilke same, + The which men Diogenes calle." + Tho was the king riht glad withalle, 1300 + For he hadde often herd tofore + What man he was, so that therfore + He seide, "O wise Diogene, + Now schal thi grete witt be sene; + For thou schalt of my yifte have + What worldes thing that thou wolt crave." + Quod he, "Thanne hove out of mi Sonne, + And let it schyne into mi Tonne; + For thou benymst me thilke yifte, + Which lith noght in thi miht to schifte: 1310 + Non other good of thee me nedeth." + This king, whom every contre dredeth, + Lo, thus he was enformed there: + Wherof, my Sone, thou miht lere + How that thi will schal noght be lieved, + Where it is noght of wit relieved. + And thou hast seid thiself er this + How that thi will thi maister is; + Thurgh which thin hertes thoght withinne + Is evere of Contek to beginne, 1320 + So that it is gretli to drede + That it non homicide brede. + For love is of a wonder kinde, + And hath hise wittes ofte blinde, + That thei fro mannes reson falle; + Bot whan that it is so befalle + That will schal the corage lede, + In loves cause it is to drede: + Wherof I finde ensample write, + Which is behovely forto wite. 1330 + I rede a tale, and telleth this: + The Cite which Semiramis + Enclosed hath with wall aboute, + Of worthi folk with many a route + Was enhabited here and there; + Among the whiche tuo ther were + Above alle othre noble and grete, + Dwellende tho withinne a Strete + So nyh togedre, as it was sene, + That ther was nothing hem betwene, 1340 + Bot wow to wow and wall to wall. + This o lord hadde in special + A Sone, a lusti Bacheler, + In al the toun was non his pier: + That other hadde a dowhter eke, + In al the lond that forto seke + Men wisten non so faire as sche. + And fell so, as it scholde be, + This faire dowhter nyh this Sone + As thei togedre thanne wone, 1350 + Cupide hath so the thinges schape, + That thei ne mihte his hand ascape, + That he his fyr on hem ne caste: + Wherof her herte he overcaste + To folwe thilke lore and suie + Which nevere man yit miht eschuie; + And that was love, as it is happed, + Which hath here hertes so betrapped, + That thei be alle weies seche + How that thei mihten winne a speche, 1360 + Here wofull peine forto lisse. + Who loveth wel, it mai noght misse, + And namely whan ther be tuo + Of on acord, how so it go, + Bot if that thei som weie finde; + For love is evere of such a kinde + And hath his folk so wel affaited, + That howso that it be awaited, + Ther mai noman the pourpos lette: + And thus betwen hem tuo thei sette 1370 + And hole upon a wall to make, + Thurgh which thei have her conseil take + At alle times, whan thei myhte. + This faire Maiden Tisbee hihte, + And he whom that sche loveth hote + Was Piramus be name hote. + So longe here lecoun thei recorden, + Til ate laste thei acorden + Be nihtes time forto wende + Al one out fro the tounes ende, 1380 + Wher was a welle under a Tree; + And who cam ferst, or sche or he, + He scholde stille there abide. + So it befell the nyhtes tide + This maiden, which desguised was, + Al prively the softe pas + Goth thurgh the large toun unknowe, + Til that sche cam withinne a throwe + Wher that sche liketh forto duelle, + At thilke unhappi freisshe welle, 1390 + Which was also the Forest nyh. + Wher sche comende a Leoun syh + Into the feld to take his preie, + In haste and sche tho fledde aweie, + So as fortune scholde falle, + For feere and let hire wympel falle + Nyh to the welle upon therbage. + This Leoun in his wilde rage + A beste, which that he fond oute, + Hath slain, and with his blodi snoute, 1400 + Whan he hath eten what he wolde, + To drynke of thilke stremes colde + Cam to the welle, where he fond + The wympel, which out of hire hond + Was falle, and he it hath todrawe, + Bebled aboute and al forgnawe; + And thanne he strawhte him forto drinke + Upon the freisshe welles brinke, + And after that out of the plein + He torneth to the wode ayein. 1410 + And Tisbee dorste noght remue, + Bot as a bridd which were in Mue + Withinne a buissh sche kepte hire clos + So stille that sche noght aros; + Unto hirself and pleigneth ay. + And fell, whil that sche there lay, + This Piramus cam after sone + Unto the welle, and be the Mone + He fond hire wimpel blodi there. + Cam nevere yit to mannes Ere 1420 + Tidinge, ne to mannes sihte + Merveile, which so sore aflihte + A mannes herte, as it tho dede + To him, which in the same stede + With many a wofull compleignynge + Began his handes forto wringe, + As he which demeth sikerly + That sche be ded: and sodeinly + His swerd al nakid out he breide + In his folhaste, and thus he seide: 1430 + "I am cause of this felonie, + So it is resoun that I die, + As sche is ded be cause of me." + And with that word upon his kne + He fell, and to the goddes alle + Up to the hevene he gan to calle, + And preide, sithen it was so + That he may noght his love as tho + Have in this world, that of her grace + He miht hire have in other place, 1440 + For hiere wolde he noght abide, + He seith: bot as it schal betide, + The Pomel of his swerd to grounde + He sette, and thurgh his herte a wounde + He made up to the bare hilte: + And in this wise himself he spilte + With his folhaste and deth he nam; + For sche withinne a while cam, + Wher he lai ded upon his knif. + So wofull yit was nevere 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 traunce awok, + With many a wofull pitous lok + Hire yhe alwei among sche caste + Upon hir love, and ate laste 1460 + Sche cawhte breth and seide thus: + "O thou which cleped art Venus, + Goddesse of love, and thou, Cupide, + Which loves cause hast forto guide, + I wot now wel that ye be blinde, + Of thilke unhapp which I now finde + Only betwen my love and me. + This Piramus, which hiere I se + Bledende, what hath he deserved? + For he youre heste hath kept and served, 1470 + And was yong and I bothe also: + Helas, why do ye with ous so? + Ye sette oure herte bothe afyre, + And maden ous such thing desire + Wherof that we no skile cowthe; + Bot thus oure freisshe lusti yowthe + Withoute joie is al despended, + Which thing mai nevere ben amended: + For as of me this wol I seie, + That me is levere forto deie 1480 + Than live after this sorghful day." + And with this word, where as he lay, + Hire love in armes sche embraseth, + Hire oghne deth and so pourchaseth + That now sche wepte and nou sche kiste, + Til ate laste, er sche it wiste, + So gret a sorwe is to hire falle, + Which overgoth hire wittes alle. + As sche which mihte it noght asterte, + The swerdes point ayein hire herte 1490 + Sche sette, and fell doun therupon, + Wherof that sche was ded anon: + And thus bothe on o swerd bledende + Thei weren founde ded liggende. + Now thou, mi Sone, hast herd this tale, + Bewar that of thin oghne bale + Thou be noght cause in thi folhaste, + And kep that thou thi witt ne waste + Upon thi thoght in aventure, + Wherof thi lyves forfeture 1500 + Mai falle: and if thou have so thoght + Er this, tell on and hyde it noght. + Mi fader, upon loves side + Mi conscience I woll noght hyde, + How that for love of pure wo + I have ben ofte moeved so, + That with my wisshes if I myhte, + A thousand times, I yow plyhte, + I hadde storven in a day; + And therof I me schryve may, 1510 + Though love fully me ne slowh, + Mi will to deie was ynowh, + So am I of my will coupable: + And yit is sche noght merciable, + Which mai me yive lif and hele. + Bot that hir list noght with me dele, + I wot be whos conseil it is, + And him wolde I long time er this, + And yit I wolde and evere schal, + Slen and destruie in special. 1520 + The gold of nyne kinges londes + Ne scholde him save fro myn hondes, + In my pouer if that he were; + Bot yit him stant of me no fere + For noght that evere I can manace. + He is the hindrere of mi grace, + Til he be ded I mai noght spede; + So mot I nedes taken hiede + And schape how that he were aweie, + If I therto mai finde a weie. 1530 + Mi Sone, tell me now forthi, + Which is that mortiel enemy + That thou manacest to be ded. + Mi fader, it is such a qwed, + That wher I come, he is tofore, + And doth so, that mi cause is lore. + What is his name? It is Daunger, + Which is mi ladi consailer: + For I was nevere yit so slyh, + To come in eny place nyh 1540 + Wher as sche was be nyht or day, + That Danger ne was redy ay, + With whom for speche ne for mede + Yit mihte I nevere of love spede; + For evere this I finde soth, + Al that my ladi seith or doth + To me, Daunger schal make an ende, + And that makth al mi world miswende: + And evere I axe his help, bot he + Mai wel be cleped sanz pite; 1550 + For ay the more I to him bowe, + The lasse he wol my tale alowe. + He hath mi ladi so englued, + Sche wol noght that he be remued; + For evere he hangeth on hire Seil, + And is so prive of conseil, + That evere whanne I have oght bede, + I finde Danger in hire stede + And myn ansuere of him I have; + Bot for no merci that I crave, 1560 + Of merci nevere a point I hadde. + I finde his ansuere ay so badde, + That werse mihte it nevere be: + And thus betwen Danger and me + Is evere werre til he dye. + Bot mihte I ben of such maistrie, + That I Danger hadde overcome, + With that were al my joie come. + Thus wolde I wonde for no Sinne, + Ne yit for al this world to winne; 1570 + If that I mihte finde a sleyhte, + To leie al myn astat in weyhte, + I wolde him fro the Court dissevere, + So that he come ayeinward nevere. + Therfore I wisshe and wolde fain + That he were in som wise slain; + For while he stant in thilke place, + Ne gete I noght my ladi grace. + Thus hate I dedly thilke vice, + And wolde he stode in non office 1580 + In place wher mi ladi is; + For if he do, I wot wel this, + That owther schal he deie or I + Withinne a while; and noght forthi + On my ladi fulofte I muse, + How that sche mai hirself excuse, + If that I deie in such a plit. + Me thenkth sche mihte noght be qwyt + That sche ne were an homicide: + And if it scholde so betide, 1590 + As god forbiede it scholde be, + Be double weie it is pite. + For I, which al my will and witt + Have yove and served evere yit, + And thanne I scholde in such a wise + In rewardinge of my servise + Be ded, me thenkth it were a rowthe: + And furthermor, to telle trowthe, + Sche, that hath evere be wel named, + Were worthi thanne to be blamed 1600 + And of reson to ben appeled, + Whan with o word sche mihte have heled + A man, and soffreth him so deie. + Ha, who sawh evere such a weie? + Ha, who sawh evere such destresse? + Withoute pite gentilesse, + Withoute mercy wommanhede, + That wol so quyte a man his mede, + Which evere hath be to love trewe. + Mi goode fader, if ye rewe 1610 + Upon mi tale, tell me now, + And I wol stinte and herkne yow. + Mi Sone, attempre thi corage + Fro Wraththe, and let thin herte assuage: + For who so wole him underfonge, + He mai his grace abide longe, + Er he of love be received; + And ek also, bot it be weyved, + Ther mihte mochel thing befalle, + That scholde make a man to falle 1620 + Fro love, that nevere afterward + Ne durste he loke thiderward. + In harde weies men gon softe, + And er thei clymbe avise hem ofte: + Men sen alday that rape reweth; + And who so wicked Ale breweth, + Fulofte he mot the werse drinke: + Betre is to flete than to sincke; + Betre is upon the bridel chiewe + Thanne if he felle and overthrewe, 1630 + The hors and stikede in the Myr: + To caste water in the fyr + Betre is than brenne up al the hous: + The man which is malicious + And folhastif, fulofte he falleth, + And selden is whan love him calleth. + Forthi betre is to soffre a throwe + Than be to wilde and overthrowe; + Suffrance hath evere be the beste + To wissen him that secheth reste: 1640 + And thus, if thou wolt love and spede, + Mi Sone, soffre, as I the rede. + What mai the Mous ayein the Cat? + And for this cause I axe that, + Who mai to love make a werre, + That he ne hath himself the werre? + Love axeth pes and evere schal, + And who that fihteth most withal + Schal lest conquere of his emprise: + For this thei tellen that ben wise, 1650 + Wicke is to stryve and have the werse; + To hasten is noght worth a kerse; + Thing that a man mai noght achieve, + That mai noght wel be don at Eve, + It mot abide til the morwe. + Ne haste noght thin oghne sorwe, + Mi Sone, and tak this in thi witt, + He hath noght lost that wel abitt. + Ensample that it falleth thus, + Thou miht wel take of Piramus, 1660 + Whan he in haste his swerd outdrowh + And on the point himselve slowh + For love of Tisbee pitously, + For he hire wympel fond blody + And wende a beste hire hadde slain; + Wher as him oghte have be riht fain, + For sche was there al sauf beside: + Bot for he wolde noght abide, + This meschief fell. Forthi be war, + Mi Sone, as I the warne dar, 1670 + Do thou nothing in such a res, + For suffrance is the welle of Pes. + Thogh thou to loves Court poursuie, + Yit sit it wel that thou eschuie + That thou the Court noght overhaste, + For so miht thou thi time waste; + Bot if thin happ therto be schape, + It mai noght helpe forto rape. + Therfore attempre thi corage; + Folhaste doth non avantage, 1680 + Bot ofte it set a man behinde + In cause of love, and that I finde + Be olde ensample, as thou schalt hiere, + Touchende of love in this matiere. + A Maiden whilom ther was on, + Which Daphne hihte, and such was non + Of beaute thanne, as it was seid. + Phebus his love hath on hire leid, + And therupon to hire he soghte + In his folhaste, and so besoghte, 1690 + That sche with him no reste hadde; + For evere upon hire love he gradde, + And sche seide evere unto him nay. + So it befell upon a dai, + Cupide, which hath every chance + Of love under his governance, + Syh Phebus hasten him so sore: + And for he scholde him haste more, + And yit noght speden ate laste, + A dart thurghout his herte he caste, 1700 + Which was of gold and al afyre, + That made him manyfold desire + Of love more thanne he dede. + To Daphne ek in the same stede + A dart of Led he caste and smot, + Which was al cold and nothing hot. + And thus Phebus in love brenneth, + And in his haste aboute renneth, + To loke if that he mihte winne; + Bot he was evere to beginne, 1710 + For evere awei fro him sche fledde, + So that he nevere his love spedde. + And forto make him full believe + That no Folhaste mihte achieve + To gete love in such degree, + This Daphne into a lorer tre + Was torned, which is evere grene, + In tokne, as yit it mai be sene, + That sche schal duelle a maiden stille, + And Phebus failen of his wille. 1720 + Be suche ensamples, as thei stonde, + Mi Sone, thou miht understonde, + To hasten love is thing in vein, + Whan that fortune is therayein. + To take where a man hath leve + Good is, and elles he mot leve; + For whan a mannes happes failen, + Ther is non haste mai availen. + Mi fader, grant merci of this: + Bot while I se mi ladi is 1730 + No tre, but halt hire oghne forme, + Ther mai me noman so enforme, + To whether part fortune wende, + That I unto mi lyves ende + Ne wol hire serven everemo. + Mi Sone, sithen it is so, + I seie nomor; bot in this cas + Bewar how it with Phebus was. + Noght only upon loves chance, + Bot upon every governance 1740 + Which falleth unto mannes dede, + Folhaste is evere forto drede, + And that a man good consail take, + Er he his pourpos undertake, + For consail put Folhaste aweie. + Now goode fader, I you preie, + That forto wisse me the more, + Som good ensample upon this lore + Ye wolden telle of that is write, + That I the betre mihte wite 1750 + How I Folhaste scholde eschuie, + And the wisdom of conseil suie. + Mi Sone, that thou miht enforme + Thi pacience upon the forme + Of old essamples, as thei felle, + Now understond what I schal telle. + Whan noble Troie was belein + And overcome, and hom ayein + The Gregois torned fro the siege, + The kinges founde here oghne liege 1760 + In manye places, as men seide, + That hem forsoke and desobeide. + Among the whiche fell this cas + To Demephon and Athemas, + That weren kinges bothe tuo, + And bothe weren served so: + Here lieges wolde hem noght receive, + So that thei mote algates weyve + To seche lond in other place, + For there founde thei no grace. 1770 + Wherof they token hem to rede, + And soghten frendes ate nede, + And ech of hem asseureth other + To helpe as to his oghne brother, + To vengen hem of thilke oultrage + And winne ayein here heritage. + And thus thei ryde aboute faste + To gete hem help, and ate laste + Thei hadden pouer sufficant, + And maden thanne a covenant, 1780 + That thei ne scholden no lif save, + Ne prest, ne clerc, ne lord, ne knave, + Ne wif, ne child, of that thei finde, + Which berth visage of mannes kinde, + So that no lif schal be socoured, + Bot with the dedly swerd devoured: + In such Folhaste here ordinance + Thei schapen forto do vengance. + Whan this pourpos was wist and knowe + Among here host, tho was ther blowe 1790 + Of wordes many a speche aboute: + Of yonge men the lusti route + Were of this tale glad ynowh, + Ther was no care for the plowh; + As thei that weren Folhastif, + Thei ben acorded to the strif, + And sein it mai noght be to gret + To vengen hem of such forfet: + Thus seith the wilde unwise tonge + Of hem that there weren yonge. 1800 + Bot Nestor, which was old and hor, + The salve sih tofore the sor, + As he that was of conseil wys: + So that anon be his avis + Ther was a prive conseil nome. + The lordes ben togedre come; + This Demephon and Athemas + Here pourpos tolden, as it was; + Thei sieten alle stille and herde, + Was non bot Nestor hem ansuerde. 1810 + He bad hem, if thei wolde winne, + They scholden se, er thei beginne, + Here ende, and sette here ferste entente, + That thei hem after ne repente: + And axeth hem this questioun, + To what final conclusioun + Thei wolde regne Kinges there, + If that no poeple in londe were; + And seith, it were a wonder wierde + To sen a king become an hierde, 1820 + Wher no lif is bot only beste + Under the liegance of his heste; + For who that is of man no king, + The remenant is as no thing. + He seith ek, if the pourpos holde + To sle the poeple, as thei tuo wolde, + Whan thei it mihte noght restore, + Al Grece it scholde abegge sore, + To se the wilde beste wone + Wher whilom duelte a mannes Sone: 1830 + And for that cause he bad hem trete, + And stinte of the manaces grete. + Betre is to winne be fair speche, + He seith, than such vengance seche; + For whanne a man is most above, + Him nedeth most to gete him love. + Whan Nestor hath his tale seid, + Ayein him was no word withseid; + It thoghte hem alle he seide wel: + And thus fortune hire dedly whiel 1840 + Fro werre torneth into pes. + Bot forth thei wenten natheles; + And whan the Contres herde sein + How that here kinges be besein + Of such a pouer as thei ladde, + Was non so bold that hem ne dradde, + And forto seche pes and grith + Thei sende and preide anon forthwith, + So that the kinges ben appesed, + And every mannes herte is esed; 1850 + Al was foryete and noght recorded. + And thus thei ben togedre acorded; + The kinges were ayein received, + And pes was take and wraththe weived, + And al thurgh conseil which was good + Of him that reson understod. + Be this ensample, Sone, attempre + Thin herte and let no will distempre + Thi wit, and do nothing be myht + Which mai be do be love and riht. 1860 + Folhaste is cause of mochel wo; + Forthi, mi Sone, do noght so. + And as touchende of Homicide + Which toucheth unto loves side, + Fulofte it falleth unavised + Thurgh will, which is noght wel assised, + Whan wit and reson ben aweie + And that Folhaste is in the weie, + Wherof hath falle gret vengance. + Forthi tak into remembrance 1870 + To love in such a maner wise + That thou deserve no juise: + For wel I wot, thou miht noght lette, + That thou ne schalt thin herte sette + To love, wher thou wolt or non; + Bot if thi wit be overgon, + So that it torne into malice, + Ther wot noman of thilke vice, + What peril that ther mai befalle: + Wherof a tale amonges alle, 1880 + Which is gret pite forto hiere, + I thenke forto tellen hiere, + That thou such moerdre miht withstonde, + Whan thou the tale hast understonde. + Of Troie at thilke noble toun, + Whos fame stant yit of renoun + And evere schal to mannes Ere, + The Siege laste longe there, + Er that the Greks it mihten winne, + Whil Priamus was king therinne; 1890 + Bot of the Greks that lyhe aboute + Agamenon ladde al the route. + This thing is knowen overal, + Bot yit I thenke in special + To my matiere therupon + Telle in what wise Agamenon, + Thurgh chance which mai noght be weived, + Of love untrewe was deceived. + An old sawe is, "Who that is slyh + In place where he mai be nyh, 1900 + He makth the ferre Lieve loth": + Of love and thus fulofte it goth. + Ther while Agamenon batailleth + To winne Troie, and it assailleth, + Fro home and was long time ferr, + Egistus drowh his qweene nerr, + And with the leiser which he hadde + This ladi at his wille he ladde: + Climestre was hire rihte name, + Sche was therof gretli to blame, 1910 + To love there it mai noght laste. + Bot fell to meschief ate laste; + For whan this noble worthi kniht + Fro Troie cam, the ferste nyht + That he at home abedde lay, + Egistus, longe er it was day, + As this Climestre him hadde asent, + And weren bothe of on assent, + Be treson slowh him in his bedd. + Bot moerdre, which mai noght ben hedd, 1920 + Sprong out to every mannes Ere, + Wherof the lond was full of fere. + Agamenon hath be this qweene + A Sone, and that was after sene; + Bot yit as thanne he was of yowthe, + A babe, which no reson cowthe, + And as godd wolde, it fell him thus. + A worthi kniht Taltabius + This yonge child hath in kepinge, + And whan he herde of this tidinge, 1930 + Of this treson, of this misdede, + He gan withinne himself to drede, + In aunter if this false Egiste + Upon him come, er he it wiste, + To take and moerdre of his malice + This child, which he hath to norrice: + And for that cause in alle haste + Out of the lond he gan him haste + And to the king of Crete he strawhte + And him this yonge lord betawhte, 1940 + And preide him for his fader sake + That he this child wolde undertake + And kepe him til he be of Age, + So as he was of his lignage; + And tolde him over al the cas, + How that his fadre moerdred was, + And hou Egistus, as men seide, + Was king, to whom the lond obeide. + And whanne Ydomeneux the king + Hath understondinge of this thing, 1950 + Which that this kniht him hadde told, + He made sorwe manyfold, + And tok this child into his warde, + And seide he wolde him kepe and warde, + Til that he were of such a myht + To handle a swerd and ben a knyht, + To venge him at his oghne wille. + And thus Horestes duelleth stille, + Such was the childes rihte name, + Which after wroghte mochel schame 1960 + In vengance of his fader deth. + The time of yeres overgeth, + That he was man of brede and lengthe, + Of wit, of manhod and of strengthe, + A fair persone amonges alle. + And he began to clepe and calle, + As he which come was to manne, + Unto the King of Crete thanne, + Preiende that he wolde him make + A kniht and pouer with him take, 1970 + For lengere wolde he noght beleve, + He seith, bot preith the king of leve + To gon and cleyme his heritage + And vengen him of thilke oultrage + Which was unto his fader do. + The king assenteth wel therto, + With gret honour and knyht him makth, + And gret pouer to him betakth, + And gan his journe forto caste: + So that Horestes ate laste 1980 + His leve tok and forth he goth. + As he that was in herte wroth, + His ferste pleinte to bemene, + Unto the Cite of Athene + He goth him forth and was received, + So there was he noght deceived. + The Duc and tho that weren wise + Thei profren hem to his servise; + And he hem thonketh of here profre + And seith himself he wol gon offre 1990 + Unto the goddes for his sped, + As alle men him yeven red. + So goth he to the temple forth: + Of yiftes that be mochel worth + His sacrifice and his offringe + He made; and after his axinge + He was ansuerd, if that he wolde + His stat recovere, thanne he scholde + Upon his Moder do vengance + So cruel, that the remembrance 2000 + Therof mihte everemore abide, + As sche that was an homicide + And of hire oghne lord Moerdrice. + Horestes, which of thilke office + Was nothing glad, as thanne he preide + Unto the goddes there and seide + That thei the juggement devise, + How sche schal take the juise. + And therupon he hadde ansuere, + That he hire Pappes scholde of tere 2010 + Out of hire brest his oghne hondes, + And for ensample of alle londes + With hors sche scholde be todrawe, + Til houndes hadde hire bones gnawe + Withouten eny sepulture: + This was a wofull aventure. + And whan Horestes hath al herd, + How that the goddes have ansuerd, + Forth with the strengthe which he ladde + The Duc and his pouer he hadde, 2020 + And to a Cite forth thei gon, + The which was cleped Cropheon, + Where as Phoieus was lord and Sire, + Which profreth him withouten hyre + His help and al that he mai do, + As he that was riht glad therto, + To grieve his mortiel enemy: + And tolde hem certein cause why, + How that Egiste in Mariage + His dowhter whilom of full Age 2030 + Forlai, and afterward forsok, + Whan he Horestes Moder tok. + Men sein, "Old Senne newe schame": + Thus more and more aros the blame + Ayein Egiste on every side. + Horestes with his host to ride + Began, and Phoieus with hem wente; + I trowe Egiste him schal repente. + Thei riden forth unto Micene, + Wher lay Climestre thilke qweene, 2040 + The which Horestes moder is: + And whan sche herde telle of this, + The gates weren faste schet, + And thei were of here entre let. + Anon this Cite was withoute + Belein and sieged al aboute, + And evere among thei it assaile, + Fro day to nyht and so travaile, + Til ate laste thei it wonne; + Tho was ther sorwe ynowh begonne. 2050 + Horestes dede his moder calle + Anon tofore the lordes alle + And ek tofor the poeple also, + To hire and tolde his tale tho, + And seide, "O cruel beste unkinde, + How mihtest thou thin herte finde, + For eny lust of loves drawhte, + That thou acordest to the slawhte + Of him which was thin oghne lord? + Thi treson stant of such record, 2060 + Thou miht thi werkes noght forsake; + So mot I for mi fader sake + Vengance upon thi bodi do, + As I comanded am therto. + Unkindely for thou hast wroght, + Unkindeliche it schal be boght, + The Sone schal the Moder sle, + For that whilom thou seidest yee + To that thou scholdest nay have seid." + And he with that his hond hath leid 2070 + Upon his Moder brest anon, + And rente out fro the bare bon + Hire Pappes bothe and caste aweie + Amiddes in the carte weie, + And after tok the dede cors + And let it drawe awey with hors + Unto the hound and to the raven; + Sche was non other wise graven. + Egistus, which was elles where, + Tidinges comen to his Ere 2080 + How that Micenes was belein, + Bot what was more herd he noght sein; + With gret manace and mochel bost + He drowh pouer and made an host + And cam in rescousse of the toun. + Bot al the sleyhte of his tresoun + Horestes wiste it be aspie, + And of his men a gret partie + He made in buisshement abide, + To waite on him in such a tide 2090 + That he ne mihte here hond ascape: + And in this wise as he hath schape + The thing befell, so that Egiste + Was take, er he himself it wiste, + And was forth broght hise hondes bounde, + As whan men han a tretour founde. + And tho that weren with him take, + Whiche of tresoun were overtake, + Togedre in o sentence falle; + Bot false Egiste above hem alle 2100 + Was demed to diverse peine, + The worste that men cowthe ordeigne, + And so forth after be the lawe + He was unto the gibet drawe, + Where he above alle othre hongeth, + As to a tretour it belongeth. + Tho fame with hire swifte wynges + Aboute flyh and bar tidinges, + And made it cowth in alle londes + How that Horestes with hise hondes 2110 + Climestre his oghne Moder slowh. + Some sein he dede wel ynowh, + And som men sein he dede amis, + Diverse opinion ther is: + That sche is ded thei speken alle, + Bot pleinli hou it is befalle, + The matiere in so litel throwe + In soth ther mihte noman knowe + Bot thei that weren ate dede: + And comunliche in every nede 2120 + The worste speche is rathest herd + And lieved, til it be ansuerd. + The kinges and the lordes grete + Begonne Horestes forto threte + To puten him out of his regne: + "He is noght worthi forto regne, + The child which slowh his moder so," + Thei saide; and therupon also + The lordes of comun assent + A time sette of parlement, 2130 + And to Athenes king and lord + Togedre come of on accord, + To knowe hou that the sothe was: + So that Horestes in this cas + Thei senden after, and he com. + King Menelay the wordes nom + And axeth him of this matiere: + And he, that alle it mihten hiere, + Ansuerde and tolde his tale alarge, + And hou the goddes in his charge 2140 + Comanded him in such a wise + His oghne hond to do juise. + And with this tale a Duc aros, + Which was a worthi kniht of los, + His name was Menestes, + And seide unto the lordes thus: + "The wreeche which Horeste dede, + It was thing of the goddes bede, + And nothing of his crualte; + And if ther were of mi degree 2150 + In al this place such a kniht + That wolde sein it was no riht, + I wole it with my bodi prove." + And therupon he caste his glove, + And ek this noble Duc alleide + Ful many an other skile, and seide + Sche hadde wel deserved wreche, + Ferst for the cause of Spousebreche, + And after wroghte in such a wise + That al the world it oghte agrise, 2160 + Whan that sche for so foul a vice + Was of hire oghne lord moerdrice. + Thei seten alle stille and herde, + Bot therto was noman ansuerde, + It thoghte hem alle he seide skile, + Ther is noman withseie it wile; + Whan thei upon the reson musen, + Horestes alle thei excusen: + So that with gret solempnete + He was unto his dignete 2170 + Received, and coroned king. + And tho befell a wonder thing: + Egiona, whan sche this wiste, + Which was the dowhter of Egiste + And Soster on the moder side + To this Horeste, at thilke tide, + Whan sche herde how hir brother spedde, + For pure sorwe, which hire ledde, + That he ne hadde ben exiled, + Sche hath hire oghne lif beguiled 2180 + Anon and hyng hireselve tho. + It hath and schal ben everemo, + To moerdre who that wole assente, + He mai noght faille to repente: + This false Egiona was on, + Which forto moerdre Agamenon + Yaf hire acord and hire assent, + So that be goddes juggement, + Thogh that non other man it wolde, + Sche tok hire juise as sche scholde; 2190 + And as sche to an other wroghte, + Vengance upon hireself sche soghte, + And hath of hire unhappi wit + A moerdre with a moerdre quit. + Such is of moerdre the vengance. + Forthi, mi Sone, in remembrance + Of this ensample tak good hiede: + For who that thenkth his love spiede + With moerdre, he schal with worldes schame + Himself and ek his love schame. 2200 + Mi fader, of this aventure + Which ye have told, I you assure + Min herte is sory forto hiere, + Bot only for I wolde lere + What is to done, and what to leve. + And over this now be your leve, + That ye me wolden telle I preie, + If ther be lieffull eny weie + Withoute Senne a man to sle. + Mi Sone, in sondri wise ye. 2210 + What man that is of traiterie, + Of moerdre or elles robberie + Atteint, the jugge schal noght lette, + Bot he schal slen of pure dette, + And doth gret Senne, if that he wonde. + For who that lawe hath upon honde, + And spareth forto do justice + For merci, doth noght his office, + That he his mercy so bewareth, + Whan for o schrewe which he spareth 2220 + A thousand goode men he grieveth: + With such merci who that believeth + To plese god, he is deceived, + Or elles resoun mot be weyved. + The lawe stod er we were bore, + How that a kinges swerd is bore + In signe that he schal defende + His trewe poeple and make an ende + Of suche as wolden hem devoure. + Lo thus, my Sone, to socoure 2230 + The lawe and comun riht to winne, + A man mai sle withoute Sinne, + And do therof a gret almesse, + So forto kepe rihtwisnesse. + And over this for his contre + In time of werre a man is fre + Himself, his hous and ek his lond + Defende with his oghne hond, + And slen, if that he mai no bet, + After the lawe which is set. 2240 + Now, fader, thanne I you beseche + Of hem that dedly werres seche + In worldes cause and scheden blod, + If such an homicide is good. + Mi Sone, upon thi question + The trowthe of myn opinion, + Als ferforth as my wit arecheth + And as the pleine lawe techeth, + I woll thee telle in evidence, + To rewle with thi conscience. 2250 + The hihe god of his justice + That ilke foule horrible vice + Of homicide he hath forbede, + Be Moi5ses as it was bede. + Whan goddes Sone also was bore, + He sende hise anglis doun therfore, + Whom the Schepherdes herden singe, + Pes to the men of welwillinge + In erthe be among ous here. + So forto speke in this matiere 2260 + After the lawe of charite, + Ther schal no dedly werre be: + And ek nature it hath defended + And in hir lawe pes comended, + Which is the chief of mannes welthe, + Of mannes lif, of mannes helthe. + Bot dedly werre hath his covine + Of pestilence and of famine, + Of poverte and of alle wo, + Wherof this world we blamen so, 2270 + Which now the werre hath under fote, + Til god himself therof do bote. + For alle thing which god hath wroght + In Erthe, werre it bringth to noght: + The cherche is brent, the priest is slain, + The wif, the maide is ek forlain, + The lawe is lore and god unserved: + I not what mede he hath deserved + That suche werres ledeth inne. + If that he do it forto winne, 2280 + Ferst to acompte his grete cost + Forth with the folk that he hath lost, + As to the wordes rekeninge + Ther schal he finde no winnynge; + And if he do it to pourchace + The hevene mede, of such a grace + I can noght speke, and natheles + Crist hath comanded love and pes, + And who that worcheth the revers, + I trowe his mede is ful divers. 2290 + And sithen thanne that we finde + That werres in here oghne kinde + Ben toward god of no decerte, + And ek thei bringen in poverte + Of worldes good, it is merveile + Among the men what it mai eyle, + That thei a pes ne conne sette. + I trowe Senne be the lette, + And every mede of Senne is deth; + So wot I nevere hou that it geth: 2300 + Bot we that ben of o believe + Among ousself, this wolde I lieve, + That betre it were pes to chese, + Than so be double weie lese. + I not if that it now so stonde, + Bot this a man mai understonde, + Who that these olde bokes redeth, + That coveitise is on which ledeth, + And broghte ferst the werres inne. + At Grece if that I schal beginne, 2310 + Ther was it proved hou it stod: + To Perce, which was ful of good, + Thei maden werre in special, + And so thei deden overal, + Wher gret richesse was in londe, + So that thei leften nothing stonde + Unwerred, bot onliche Archade. + For there thei no werres made, + Be cause it was bareigne and povere, + Wherof thei mihten noght recovere; 2320 + And thus poverte was forbore, + He that noght hadde noght hath lore. + Bot yit it is a wonder thing, + Whan that a riche worthi king, + Or other lord, what so he be, + Wol axe and cleyme proprete + In thing to which he hath no riht, + Bot onliche of his grete miht: + For this mai every man wel wite, + That bothe kinde and lawe write 2330 + Expressly stonden therayein. + Bot he mot nedes somwhat sein, + Althogh ther be no reson inne, + Which secheth cause forto winne: + For wit that is with will oppressed, + Whan coveitise him hath adressed, + And alle resoun put aweie, + He can wel finde such a weie + To werre, where as evere him liketh, + Wherof that he the world entriketh, 2340 + That many a man of him compleigneth: + Bot yit alwei som cause he feigneth, + And of his wrongful herte he demeth + That al is wel, what evere him semeth, + Be so that he mai winne ynowh. + For as the trew man to the plowh + Only to the gaignage entendeth, + Riht so the werreiour despendeth + His time and hath no conscience. + And in this point for evidence 2350 + Of hem that suche werres make, + Thou miht a gret ensample take, + How thei her tirannie excusen + Of that thei wrongfull werres usen, + And how thei stonde of on acord, + The Souldeour forth with the lord, + The povere man forth with the riche, + As of corage thei ben liche, + To make werres and to pile + For lucre and for non other skyle: 2360 + Wherof a propre tale I rede, + As it whilom befell in dede. + Of him whom al this Erthe dradde, + Whan he the world so overladde + Thurgh werre, as it fortuned is, + King Alisandre, I rede this; + How in a Marche, where he lay, + It fell per chance upon a day + A Rovere of the See was nome, + Which many a man hadde overcome 2370 + And slain and take here good aweie: + This Pilour, as the bokes seie, + A famous man in sondri stede + Was of the werkes whiche he dede. + This Prisoner tofor the king + Was broght, and there upon this thing + In audience he was accused: + And he his dede hath noght excused, + Bot preith the king to don him riht, + And seith, "Sire, if I were of miht, 2380 + I have an herte lich to thin; + For if the pouer were myn, + Mi will is most in special + To rifle and geten overal + The large worldes good aboute. + Bot for I lede a povere route + And am, as who seith, at meschief, + The name of Pilour and of thief + I bere; and thou, which routes grete + Miht lede and take thi beyete, 2390 + And dost riht as I wolde do, + Thi name is nothing cleped so, + Bot thou art named Emperour. + Oure dedes ben of o colour + And in effect of o decerte, + Bot thi richesse and my poverte + Tho ben noght taken evene liche. + And natheles he that is riche + This dai, tomorwe he mai be povere; + And in contraire also recovere 2400 + A povere man to gret richesse + Men sen: forthi let rihtwisnesse + Be peised evene in the balance. + The king his hardi contienance + Behield, and herde hise wordes wise, + And seide unto him in this wise: + "Thin ansuere I have understonde, + Wherof my will is, that thou stonde + In mi service and stille abide." + And forth withal the same tide 2410 + He hath him terme of lif withholde, + The mor and for he schal ben holde, + He made him kniht and yaf him lond, + Which afterward was of his hond + And orped kniht in many a stede, + And gret prouesce of armes dede, + As the Croniqes it recorden. + And in this wise thei acorden, + The whiche of o condicioun + Be set upon destruccioun: 2420 + Such Capitein such retenue. + Bot forto se to what issue + The thing befalleth ate laste, + It is gret wonder that men caste + Here herte upon such wrong to winne, + Wher no beyete mai ben inne, + And doth desese on every side: + Bot whan reson is put aside + And will governeth the corage, + The faucon which that fleth ramage 2430 + And soeffreth nothing in the weie, + Wherof that he mai take his preie, + Is noght mor set upon ravine, + Than thilke man which his covine + Hath set in such a maner wise: + For al the world ne mai suffise + To will which is noght resonable. + Wherof ensample concordable + Lich to this point of which I meene, + Was upon Alisandre sene, 2440 + Which hadde set al his entente, + So as fortune with him wente, + That reson mihte him non governe, + Bot of his will he was so sterne, + That al the world he overran + And what him list he tok and wan. + In Ynde the superiour + Whan that he was ful conquerour, + And hadde his wilful pourpos wonne + Of al this Erthe under the Sonne, 2450 + This king homward to Macedoine, + Whan that he cam to Babiloine, + And wende most in his Empire, + As he which was hol lord and Sire, + In honour forto be received, + Most sodeinliche he was deceived, + And with strong puison envenimed. + And as he hath the world mistimed + Noght as he scholde with his wit, + Noght as he wolde it was aquit. 2460 + Thus was he slain that whilom slowh, + And he which riche was ynowh + This dai, tomorwe he hadde noght: + And in such wise as he hath wroght + In destorbance of worldes pes, + His werre he fond thanne endeles, + In which for evere desconfit + He was. Lo now, for what profit + Of werre it helpeth forto ryde, + For coveitise and worldes pride 2470 + To sle the worldes men aboute, + As bestes whiche gon theroute. + For every lif which reson can + Oghth wel to knowe that a man + Ne scholde thurgh no tirannie + Lich to these othre bestes die, + Til kinde wolde for him sende. + I not hou he it mihte amende, + Which takth awei for everemore + The lif that he mai noght restore. 2480 + Forthi, mi Sone, in alle weie + Be wel avised, I thee preie, + Of slawhte er that thou be coupable + Withoute cause resonable. + Mi fader, understonde it is, + That ye have seid; bot over this + I prei you tell me nay or yee, + To passe over the grete See + To werre and sle the Sarazin, + Is that the lawe? Sone myn, 2490 + To preche and soffre for the feith, + That have I herd the gospell seith; + Bot forto slee, that hiere I noght. + Crist with his oghne deth hath boght + Alle othre men, and made hem fre, + In tokne of parfit charite; + And after that he tawhte himselve, + Whan he was ded, these othre tuelve + Of hise Apostles wente aboute + The holi feith to prechen oute, 2500 + Wherof the deth in sondri place + Thei soffre, and so god of his grace + The feith of Crist hath mad aryse: + Bot if thei wolde in other wise + Be werre have broght in the creance, + It hadde yit stonde in balance. + And that mai proven in the dede; + For what man the Croniqes rede, + Fro ferst that holi cherche hath weyved + To preche, and hath the swerd received, 2510 + Wherof the werres ben begonne, + A gret partie of that was wonne + To Cristes feith stant now miswent: + Godd do therof amendement, + So as he wot what is the beste. + Bot, Sone, if thou wolt live in reste + Of conscience wel assised, + Er that thou sle, be wel avised: + For man, as tellen ous the clerkes, + Hath god above alle ertheli werkes 2520 + Ordeined to be principal, + And ek of Soule in special + He is mad lich to the godhiede. + So sit it wel to taken hiede + And forto loke on every side, + Er that thou falle in homicide, + Which Senne is now so general, + That it welnyh stant overal, + In holi cherche and elles where. + Bot al the while it stant so there, 2530 + The world mot nede fare amis: + For whan the welle of pite is + Thurgh coveitise of worldes good + Defouled with schedinge of blod, + The remenant of folk aboute + Unethe stonden eny doute + To werre ech other and to slee. + So is it all noght worth a Stree, + The charite wherof we prechen, + For we do nothing as we techen: 2540 + And thus the blinde conscience + Of pes hath lost thilke evidence + Which Crist upon this Erthe tawhte. + Now mai men se moerdre and manslawhte + Lich as it was be daies olde, + Whan men the Sennes boghte and solde. + In Grece afore Cristes feith, + I rede, as the Cronique seith, + Touchende of this matiere thus, + In thilke time hou Peles 2550 + His oghne brother Phocus slowh; + Bot for he hadde gold ynowh + To yive, his Senne was despensed + With gold, wherof it was compensed: + Achastus, which with Venus was + Hire Priest, assoilede in that cas, + Al were ther no repentance. + And as the bok makth remembrance, + It telleth of Medee also; + Of that sche slowh her Sones tuo, 2560 + Eges in the same plit + Hath mad hire of hire Senne quit. + The Sone ek of Amphioras, + Whos rihte name Almes was, + His Moder slowh, Eriphile; + Bot Achilo the Priest and he, + So as the bokes it recorden, + For certein Somme of gold acorden + That thilke horrible sinfull dede + Assoiled was. And thus for mede 2570 + Of worldes good it falleth ofte + That homicide is set alofte + Hiere in this lif; bot after this + Ther schal be knowe how that it is + Of hem that suche thinges werche, + And hou also that holi cherche + Let suche Sennes passe quyte, + And how thei wole hemself aquite + Of dedly werres that thei make. + For who that wolde ensample take, 2580 + The lawe which is naturel + Be weie of kinde scheweth wel + That homicide in no degree, + Which werreth ayein charite, + Among the men ne scholde duelle. + For after that the bokes telle, + To seche in al this worldesriche, + Men schal noght finde upon his liche + A beste forto take his preie: + And sithen kinde hath such a weie, 2590 + Thanne is it wonder of a man, + Which kynde hath and resoun can, + That he wol owther more or lasse + His kinde and resoun overpasse, + And sle that is to him semblable. + So is the man noght resonable + Ne kinde, and that is noght honeste, + Whan he is worse than a beste. + Among the bokes whiche I finde + Solyns spekth of a wonder kinde, 2600 + And seith of fowhles ther is on, + Which hath a face of blod and bon + Lich to a man in resemblance. + And if it falle him so per chance, + As he which is a fowhl of preie, + That he a man finde in his weie, + He wol him slen, if that he mai: + Bot afterward the same dai, + Whan he hath eten al his felle, + And that schal be beside a welle, 2610 + In which whan he wol drinke take, + Of his visage and seth the make + That he hath slain, anon he thenketh + Of his misdede, and it forthenketh + So gretly, that for pure sorwe + He liveth noght til on the morwe. + Be this ensample it mai well suie + That man schal homicide eschuie, + For evere is merci good to take, + Bot if the lawe it hath forsake 2620 + And that justice is therayein. + For ofte time I have herd sein + Amonges hem that werres hadden, + That thei som while here cause ladden + Be merci, whan thei mihte have slain, + Wherof that thei were after fain: + And, Sone, if that thou wolt recorde + The vertu of Misericorde, + Thou sihe nevere thilke place, + Where it was used, lacke grace. 2630 + For every lawe and every kinde + The mannes wit to merci binde; + And namely the worthi knihtes, + Whan that thei stonden most uprihtes + And ben most mihti forto grieve, + Thei scholden thanne most relieve + Him whom thei mihten overthrowe, + As be ensample a man mai knowe. + He mai noght failen of his mede + That hath merci: for this I rede, 2640 + In a Cronique and finde thus. + Whan Achilles with Telaphus + His Sone toward Troie were, + It fell hem, er thei comen there, + Ayein Theucer the king of Mese + To make werre and forto sese + His lond, as thei that wolden regne + And Theucer pute out of his regne. + And thus the Marches thei assaile, + Bot Theucer yaf to hem bataille; 2650 + Thei foghte on bothe sides faste, + Bot so it hapneth ate laste, + This worthi Grek, this Achilles, + The king among alle othre ches: + As he that was cruel and fell, + With swerd in honde on him he fell, + And smot him with a dethes wounde, + That he unhorsed fell to grounde. + Achilles upon him alyhte, + And wolde anon, as he wel mihte, 2660 + Have slain him fullich in the place; + Bot Thelaphus his fader grace + For him besoghte, and for pite + Preith that he wolde lete him be, + And caste his Schield betwen hem tuo. + Achilles axeth him why so, + And Thelaphus his cause tolde, + And seith that he is mochel holde, + For whilom Theucer in a stede + Gret grace and socour to him dede, 2670 + And seith that he him wolde aquite, + And preith his fader to respite. + Achilles tho withdrowh his hond; + Bot al the pouer of the lond, + Whan that thei sihe here king thus take, + Thei fledde and han the feld forsake: + The Grecs unto the chace falle, + And for the moste part of alle + Of that contre the lordes grete + Thei toke, and wonne a gret beyete. 2680 + And anon after this victoire + The king, which hadde good memoire, + Upon the grete merci thoghte, + Which Telaphus toward him wroghte, + And in presence of al the lond + He tok him faire be the hond, + And in this wise he gan to seie: + "Mi Sone, I mot be double weie + Love and desire thin encress; + Ferst for thi fader Achilles 2690 + Whilom ful many dai er this, + Whan that I scholde have fare amis, + Rescousse dede in mi querele + And kepte al myn astat in hele: + How so ther falle now distance + Amonges ous, yit remembrance + I have of merci which he dede + As thanne: and thou now in this stede + Of gentilesce and of franchise + Hast do mercy the same wise. 2700 + So wol I noght that eny time + Be lost of that thou hast do byme; + For hou so this fortune falle, + Yit stant mi trust aboven alle, + For the mercy which I now finde, + That thou wolt after this be kinde: + And for that such is myn espeir, + As for my Sone and for myn Eir + I thee receive, and al my lond + I yive and sese into thin hond." 2710 + And in this wise thei acorde, + The cause was Misericorde: + The lordes dede here obeissance + To Thelaphus, and pourveance + Was mad so that he was coroned: + And thus was merci reguerdoned, + Which he to Theucer dede afore. + Lo, this ensample is mad therfore, + That thou miht take remembrance, + Mi Sone; and whan thou sest a chaunce, 2720 + Of other mennes passioun + Tak pite and compassioun, + And let nothing to thee be lief, + Which to an other man is grief. + And after this if thou desire + To stonde ayein the vice of Ire, + Consaile thee with Pacience, + And tak into thi conscience + Merci to be thi governour. + So schalt thou fiele no rancour, 2730 + Wherof thin herte schal debate + With homicide ne with hate + For Cheste or for Malencolie: + Thou schalt be soft in compaignie + Withoute Contek or Folhaste: + For elles miht thou longe waste + Thi time, er that thou have thi wille + Of love; for the weder stille + Men preise, and blame the tempestes. + Mi fader, I wol do youre hestes, 2740 + And of this point ye have me tawht, + Toward miself the betre sawht + I thenke be, whil that I live. + Bot for als moche as I am schrive + Of Wraththe and al his circumstance, + Yif what you list to my penance, + And asketh forthere of my lif, + If otherwise I be gultif + Of eny thing that toucheth Sinne. + Mi Sone, er we departe atwinne, 2750 + I schal behinde nothing leve. + Mi goode fader, be your leve + Thanne axeth forth what so you list, + For I have in you such a trist, + As ye that be my Soule hele, + That ye fro me wol nothing hele, + For I schal telle you the trowthe. + Mi Sone, art thou coupable of Slowthe + In eny point which to him longeth? + My fader, of tho pointz me longeth 2760 + To wite pleinly what thei meene, + So that I mai me schrive cleene. + Now herkne, I schal the pointz devise; + And understond wel myn aprise: + For schrifte stant of no value + To him that wol him noght vertue + To leve of vice the folie: + For word is wynd, bot the maistrie + Is that a man himself defende + Of thing which is noght to comende, 2770 + Wherof ben fewe now aday. + And natheles, so as I may + Make unto thi memoire knowe, + The pointz of Slowthe thou schalt knowe. + + + Explicit Liber Tercius + + + + +Incipit Liber Quartus + + + Dicunt accidiam fore nutricem viciorum, + Torpet et in cunctis tarda que lenta bonis: + Que fieri possent hodie transfert piger in cras, + Furatoque prius ostia claudit equo. + Poscenti tardo negat emolumenta Cupido, + Set Venus in celeri ludit amore viri. + + + Upon the vices to procede + After the cause of mannes dede, + The ferste point of Slowthe I calle + Lachesce, and is the chief of alle, + And hath this propreliche of kinde, + To leven alle thing behinde. + Of that he mihte do now hier + He tarieth al the longe yer, + And everemore he seith, "Tomorwe"; + And so he wol his time borwe, 10 + And wissheth after "God me sende," + That whan he weneth have an ende, + Thanne is he ferthest to beginne. + Thus bringth he many a meschief inne + Unwar, til that he be meschieved, + And may noght thanne be relieved. + And riht so nowther mor ne lesse + It stant of love and of lachesce: + Som time he slowtheth in a day + That he nevere after gete mai. 20 + Now, Sone, as of this ilke thing, + If thou have eny knowleching, + That thou to love hast don er this, + Tell on. Mi goode fader, yis. + As of lachesce I am beknowe + That I mai stonde upon his rowe, + As I that am clad of his suite: + For whanne I thoghte mi poursuite + To make, and therto sette a day + To speke unto the swete May, 30 + Lachesce bad abide yit, + And bar on hond it was no wit + Ne time forto speke as tho. + Thus with his tales to and fro + Mi time in tariinge he drowh: + Whan ther was time good ynowh, + He seide, "An other time is bettre; + Thou schalt mowe senden hire a lettre, + And per cas wryte more plein + Than thou be Mowthe durstest sein." 40 + Thus have I lete time slyde + For Slowthe, and kepte noght my tide, + So that lachesce with his vice + Fulofte hath mad my wit so nyce, + That what I thoghte speke or do + With tariinge he hield me so, + Til whanne I wolde and mihte noght. + I not what thing was in my thoght, + Or it was drede, or it was schame; + Bot evere in ernest and in game 50 + I wot ther is long time passed. + Bot yit is noght the love lassed, + Which I unto mi ladi have; + For thogh my tunge is slowh to crave + At alle time, as I have bede, + Min herte stant evere in o stede + And axeth besiliche grace, + The which I mai noght yit embrace. + And god wot that is malgre myn; + For this I wot riht wel a fin, 60 + Mi grace comth so selde aboute, + That is the Slowthe of which I doute + Mor than of al the remenant + Which is to love appourtenant. + And thus as touchende of lachesce, + As I have told, I me confesse + To you, mi fader, and beseche + That furthermor ye wol me teche; + And if ther be to this matiere + Som goodly tale forto liere 70 + How I mai do lachesce aweie, + That ye it wolden telle I preie. + To wisse thee, my Sone, and rede, + Among the tales whiche I rede, + An old ensample therupon + Now herkne, and I wol tellen on. + Ayein Lachesce in loves cas + I finde how whilom Eneas, + Whom Anchises to Sone hadde, + With gret navie, which he ladde 80 + Fro Troie, aryveth at Cartage, + Wher for a while his herbergage + He tok; and it betidde so, + With hire which was qweene tho + Of the Cite his aqueintance + He wan, whos name in remembrance + Is yit, and Dido sche was hote; + Which loveth Eneas so hote + Upon the wordes whiche he seide, + That al hire herte on him sche leide 90 + And dede al holi what he wolde. + Bot after that, as it be scholde, + Fro thenne he goth toward Ytaile + Be Schipe, and there his arivaile + Hath take, and schop him forto ryde. + Bot sche, which mai noght longe abide + The hote peine of loves throwe, + Anon withinne a litel throwe + A lettre unto hir kniht hath write, + And dede him pleinly forto wite, 100 + If he made eny tariinge, + To drecche of his ayeincomynge, + That sche ne mihte him fiele and se, + Sche scholde stonde in such degre + As whilom stod a Swan tofore, + Of that sche hadde hire make lore; + For sorwe a fethere into hire brain + Sche schof and hath hireselve slain; + As king Menander in a lay + The sothe hath founde, wher sche lay 110 + Sprantlende with hire wynges tweie, + As sche which scholde thanne deie + For love of him which was hire make. + "And so schal I do for thi sake," + This qweene seide, "wel I wot." + Lo, to Enee thus sche wrot + With many an other word of pleinte: + Bot he, which hadde hise thoghtes feinte + Towardes love and full of Slowthe, + His time lette, and that was rowthe: 120 + For sche, which loveth him tofore, + Desireth evere more and more, + And whan sche sih him tarie so, + Hire herte was so full of wo, + That compleignende manyfold + Sche hath hire oghne tale told, + Unto hirself and thus sche spak: + "Ha, who fond evere such a lak + Of Slowthe in eny worthi kniht? + Now wot I wel my deth is diht 130 + Thurgh him which scholde have be mi lif." + Bot forto stinten al this strif, + Thus whan sche sih non other bote, + Riht evene unto hire herte rote + A naked swerd anon sche threste, + And thus sche gat hireselve reste + In remembrance of alle slowe. + Wherof, my Sone, thou miht knowe + How tariinge upon the nede + In loves cause is forto drede; 140 + And that hath Dido sore aboght, + Whos deth schal evere be bethoght. + And overmore if I schal seche + In this matiere an other spieche, + In a Cronique I finde write + A tale which is good to wite. + At Troie whan king Ulixes + Upon the Siege among the pres + Of hem that worthi knihtes were + Abod long time stille there, 150 + In thilke time a man mai se + How goodli that Penolope, + Which was to him his trewe wif, + Of his lachesce was pleintif; + Wherof to Troie sche him sende + Hire will be lettre, thus spekende: + "Mi worthi love and lord also, + It is and hath ben evere so, + That wher a womman is al one, + It makth a man in his persone 160 + The more hardi forto wowe, + In hope that sche wolde bowe + To such thing as his wille were, + Whil that hire lord were elleswhere. + And of miself I telle this; + For it so longe passed is, + Sithe ferst than ye fro home wente, + That welnyh every man his wente + To there I am, whil ye ben oute, + Hath mad, and ech of hem aboute, 170 + Which love can, my love secheth, + With gret preiere and me besecheth: + And some maken gret manace, + That if thei mihten come in place, + Wher that thei mihte here wille have, + Ther is nothing me scholde save, + That thei ne wolde werche thinges; + And some tellen me tidynges + That ye ben ded, and some sein + That certeinly ye ben besein 180 + To love a newe and leve me. + Bot hou as evere that it be, + I thonke unto the goddes alle, + As yit for oght that is befalle + Mai noman do my chekes rede: + Bot natheles it is to drede, + That Lachesse in continuance + Fortune mihte such a chance, + Which noman after scholde amende." + Lo, thus this ladi compleignende 190 + A lettre unto hire lord hath write, + And preyde him that he wolde wite + And thenke hou that sche was al his, + And that he tarie noght in this, + Bot that he wolde his love aquite, + To hire ayeinward and noght wryte, + Bot come himself in alle haste, + That he non other paper waste; + So that he kepe and holde his trowthe + Withoute lette of eny Slowthe. 200 + Unto hire lord and love liege + To Troie, wher the grete Siege + Was leid, this lettre was conveied. + And he, which wisdom hath pourveied + Of al that to reson belongeth, + With gentil herte it underfongeth: + And whan he hath it overrad, + In part he was riht inly glad, + And ek in part he was desesed: + Bot love his herte hath so thorghsesed 210 + With pure ymaginacioun, + That for non occupacioun + Which he can take on other side, + He mai noght flitt his herte aside + Fro that his wif him hadde enformed; + Wherof he hath himself conformed + With al the wille of his corage + To schape and take the viage + Homward, what time that he mai: + So that him thenketh of a day 220 + A thousand yer, til he mai se + The visage of Penolope, + Which he desireth most of alle. + And whan the time is so befalle + That Troie was destruid and brent, + He made non delaiement, + Bot goth him home in alle hihe, + Wher that he fond tofore his yhe + His worthi wif in good astat: + And thus was cessed the debat 230 + Of love, and Slowthe was excused, + Which doth gret harm, where it is used, + And hindreth many a cause honeste. + For of the grete Clerc Grossteste + I rede how besy that he was + Upon clergie an Hed of bras + To forge, and make it forto telle + Of suche thinges as befelle. + And sevene yeres besinesse + He leyde, bot for the lachesse 240 + Of half a Minut of an houre, + Fro ferst that he began laboure + He loste all that he hadde do. + And otherwhile it fareth so, + In loves cause who is slow, + That he withoute under the wow + Be nyhte stant fulofte acold, + Which mihte, if that he hadde wold + His time kept, have be withinne. + Bot Slowthe mai no profit winne, 250 + Bot he mai singe in his karole + How Latewar cam to the Dole, + Wher he no good receive mihte. + And that was proved wel be nyhte + Whilom of the Maidenes fyve, + Whan thilke lord cam forto wyve: + For that here oyle was aweie + To lihte here lampes in his weie, + Here Slowthe broghte it so aboute, + Fro him that thei ben schet withoute. 260 + Wherof, my Sone, be thou war, + Als ferforth as I telle dar. + For love moste ben awaited: + And if thou be noght wel affaited + In love to eschuie Slowthe, + Mi Sone, forto telle trowthe, + Thou miht noght of thiself ben able + To winne love or make it stable, + All thogh thou mihtest love achieve. + Mi fader, that I mai wel lieve. 270 + Bot me was nevere assigned place, + Wher yit to geten eny grace, + Ne me was non such time apointed; + For thanne I wolde I were unjoynted + Of every lime that I have, + If I ne scholde kepe and save + Min houre bothe and ek my stede, + If my ladi it hadde bede. + Bot sche is otherwise avised + Than grante such a time assised; 280 + And natheles of mi lachesse + Ther hath be no defalte I gesse + Of time lost, if that I mihte: + Bot yit hire liketh noght alyhte + Upon no lure which I caste; + For ay the more I crie faste, + The lasse hire liketh forto hiere. + So forto speke of this matiere, + I seche that I mai noght finde, + I haste and evere I am behinde, 290 + And wot noght what it mai amounte. + Bot, fader, upon myn acompte, + Which ye be sett to examine + Of Schrifte after the discipline, + Sey what your beste conseil is. + Mi Sone, my conseil is this: + Hou so it stonde of time go, + Do forth thi besinesse so, + That no Lachesce in the be founde: + For Slowthe is mihti to confounde 300 + The spied of every mannes werk. + For many a vice, as seith the clerk, + Ther hongen upon Slowthes lappe + Of suche as make a man mishappe, + To pleigne and telle of hadde I wist. + And therupon if that thee list + To knowe of Slowthes cause more, + In special yit overmore + Ther is a vice full grevable + To him which is therof coupable, 310 + And stant of alle vertu bare, + Hierafter as I schal declare. + Touchende of Slowthe in his degre, + Ther is yit Pusillamite, + Which is to seie in this langage, + He that hath litel of corage + And dar no mannes werk beginne: + So mai he noght be resoun winne; + For who that noght dar undertake, + Be riht he schal no profit take. 320 + Bot of this vice the nature + Dar nothing sette in aventure, + Him lacketh bothe word and dede, + Wherof he scholde his cause spede: + He woll no manhed understonde, + For evere he hath drede upon honde: + Al is peril that he schal seie, + Him thenkth the wolf is in the weie, + And of ymaginacioun + He makth his excusacioun 330 + And feigneth cause of pure drede, + And evere he faileth ate nede, + Til al be spilt that he with deleth. + He hath the sor which noman heleth, + The which is cleped lack of herte; + Thogh every grace aboute him sterte, + He wol noght ones stere his fot; + So that be resoun lese he mot, + That wol noght auntre forto winne. + And so forth, Sone, if we beginne 340 + To speke of love and his servise, + Ther ben truantz in such a wise, + That lacken herte, whan best were + To speke of love, and riht for fere + Thei wexen doumb and dar noght telle, + Withoute soun as doth the belle, + Which hath no claper forto chyme; + And riht so thei as for the tyme + Ben herteles withoute speche + Of love, and dar nothing beseche; 350 + And thus thei lese and winne noght. + Forthi, my Sone, if thou art oght + Coupable as touchende of this Slowthe, + Schrif thee therof and tell me trowthe. + Mi fader, I am al beknowe + That I have ben on of tho slowe, + As forto telle in loves cas. + Min herte is yit and evere was, + As thogh the world scholde al tobreke, + So ferful, that I dar noght speke 360 + Of what pourpos that I have nome, + Whan I toward mi ladi come, + Bot let it passe and overgo. + Mi Sone, do nomore so: + For after that a man poursuieth + To love, so fortune suieth, + Fulofte and yifth hire happi chance + To him which makth continuance + To preie love and to beseche; + As be ensample I schal thee teche. 370 + I finde hou whilom ther was on, + Whos name was Pymaleon, + Which was a lusti man of yowthe: + The werkes of entaile he cowthe + Above alle othre men as tho; + And thurgh fortune it fell him so, + As he whom love schal travaile, + He made an ymage of entaile + Lich to a womman in semblance + Of feture and of contienance, 380 + So fair yit nevere was figure. + Riht as a lyves creature + Sche semeth, for of yvor whyt + He hath hire wroght of such delit, + That sche was rody on the cheke + And red on bothe hire lippes eke; + Wherof that he himself beguileth. + For with a goodly lok sche smyleth, + So that thurgh pure impression + Of his ymaginacion 390 + With al the herte of his corage + His love upon this faire ymage + He sette, and hire of love preide; + Bot sche no word ayeinward seide. + The longe day, what thing he dede, + This ymage in the same stede + Was evere bi, that ate mete + He wolde hire serve and preide hire ete, + And putte unto hire mowth the cuppe; + And whan the bord was taken uppe, 400 + He hath hire into chambre nome, + And after, whan the nyht was come, + He leide hire in his bed al nakid. + He was forwept, he was forwakid, + He keste hire colde lippes ofte, + And wissheth that thei weren softe, + And ofte he rouneth in hire Ere, + And ofte his arm now hier now there + He leide, as he hir wolde embrace, + And evere among he axeth grace, 410 + As thogh sche wiste what he mente: + And thus himself he gan tormente + With such desese of loves peine, + That noman mihte him more peine. + Bot how it were, of his penance + He made such continuance + Fro dai to nyht, and preith so longe, + That his preiere is underfonge, + Which Venus of hire grace herde; + Be nyhte and whan that he worst ferde, 420 + And it lay in his nakede arm, + The colde ymage he fieleth warm + Of fleissh and bon and full of lif. + Lo, thus he wan a lusti wif, + Which obeissant was at his wille; + And if he wolde have holde him stille + And nothing spoke, he scholde have failed: + Bot for he hath his word travailed + And dorste speke, his love he spedde, + And hadde al that he wolde abedde. 430 + For er thei wente thanne atwo, + A knave child betwen hem two + Thei gete, which was after hote + Paphus, of whom yit hath the note + A certein yle, which Paphos + Men clepe, and of his name it ros. + Be this ensample thou miht finde + That word mai worche above kinde. + Forthi, my Sone, if that thou spare + To speke, lost is al thi fare, 440 + For Slowthe bringth in alle wo. + And over this to loke also, + The god of love is favorable + To hem that ben of love stable, + And many a wonder hath befalle: + Wherof to speke amonges alle, + If that thee list to taken hede, + Therof a solein tale I rede, + Which I schal telle in remembraunce + Upon the sort of loves chaunce. 450 + The king Ligdus upon a strif + Spak unto Thelacuse his wif, + Which thanne was with childe grete; + He swor it scholde noght be lete, + That if sche have a dowhter bore, + That it ne scholde be forlore + And slain, wherof sche sory was. + So it befell upon this cas, + Whan sche delivered scholde be, + Isis be nyhte in privete, 460 + Which of childinge is the goddesse, + Cam forto helpe in that destresse, + Til that this lady was al smal, + And hadde a dowhter forth withal; + Which the goddesse in alle weie + Bad kepe, and that thei scholden seie + It were a Sone: and thus Iphis + Thei namede him, and upon this + The fader was mad so to wene. + And thus in chambre with the qweene 470 + This Iphis was forthdrawe tho, + And clothed and arraied so + Riht as a kinges Sone scholde. + Til after, as fortune it wolde, + Whan it was of a ten yer age, + Him was betake in mariage + A Duckes dowhter forto wedde, + Which Iante hihte, and ofte abedde + These children leien, sche and sche, + Whiche of on age bothe be. 480 + So that withinne time of yeeres, + Togedre as thei ben pleiefieres, + Liggende abedde upon a nyht, + Nature, which doth every wiht + Upon hire lawe forto muse, + Constreigneth hem, so that thei use + Thing which to hem was al unknowe; + Wherof Cupide thilke throwe + Tok pite for the grete love, + And let do sette kinde above, 490 + So that hir lawe mai ben used, + And thei upon here lust excused. + For love hateth nothing more + Than thing which stant ayein the lore + Of that nature in kinde hath sett: + Forthi Cupide hath so besett + His grace upon this aventure, + That he acordant to nature, + Whan that he syh the time best, + That ech of hem hath other kest, 500 + Transformeth Iphe into a man, + Wherof the kinde love he wan + Of lusti yonge Iante his wif; + And tho thei ladde a merie lif, + Which was to kinde non offence. + And thus to take an evidence, + It semeth love is welwillende + To hem that ben continuende + With besy herte to poursuie + Thing which that is to love due. 510 + Wherof, my Sone, in this matiere + Thou miht ensample taken hiere, + That with thi grete besinesse + Thou miht atteigne the richesse + Of love, if that ther be no Slowthe. + I dar wel seie be mi trowthe, + Als fer as I my witt can seche, + Mi fader, as for lacke of speche, + Bot so as I me schrof tofore, + Ther is non other time lore, 520 + Wherof ther mihte ben obstacle + To lette love of his miracle, + Which I beseche day and nyht. + Bot, fader, so as it is riht + In forme of schrifte to beknowe + What thing belongeth to the slowe, + Your faderhode I wolde preie, + If ther be forthere eny weie + Touchende unto this ilke vice. + Mi Sone, ye, of this office 530 + Ther serveth on in special, + Which lost hath his memorial, + So that he can no wit withholde + In thing which he to kepe is holde, + Wherof fulofte himself he grieveth: + And who that most upon him lieveth, + Whan that hise wittes ben so weyved, + He mai full lihtly be deceived. + To serve Accidie in his office, + Ther is of Slowthe an other vice, 540 + Which cleped is Foryetelnesse; + That noght mai in his herte impresse + Of vertu which reson hath sett, + So clene his wittes he foryet. + For in the tellinge of his tale + Nomore his herte thanne his male + Hath remembrance of thilke forme, + Wherof he scholde his wit enforme + As thanne, and yit ne wot he why. + Thus is his pourpos noght forthi 550 + Forlore of that he wolde bidde, + And skarsly if he seith the thridde + To love of that he hadde ment: + Thus many a lovere hath be schent. + Tell on therfore, hast thou be oon + Of hem that Slowthe hath so begon? + Ye, fader, ofte it hath be so, + That whanne I am mi ladi fro + And thenke untoward hire drawe, + Than cast I many a newe lawe 560 + And al the world torne up so doun, + And so recorde I mi lecoun + And wryte in my memorial + What I to hire telle schal, + Riht al the matiere of mi tale: + Bot al nys worth a note schale; + For whanne I come ther sche is, + I have it al foryete ywiss; + Of that I thoghte forto telle + I can noght thanne unethes spelle 570 + That I wende altherbest have rad, + So sore I am of hire adrad. + For as a man that sodeinli + A gost behelde, so fare I; + So that for feere I can noght gete + Mi witt, bot I miself foryete, + That I wot nevere what I am, + Ne whider I schal, ne whenne I cam, + Bot muse as he that were amased. + Lich to the bok in which is rased 580 + The lettre, and mai nothing be rad, + So ben my wittes overlad, + That what as evere I thoghte have spoken, + It is out fro myn herte stoken, + And stonde, as who seith, doumb and def, + That all nys worth an yvy lef, + Of that I wende wel have seid. + And ate laste I make abreid, + Caste up myn hed and loke aboute, + Riht as a man that were in doute 590 + And wot noght wher he schal become. + Thus am I ofte al overcome, + Ther as I wende best to stonde: + Bot after, whanne I understonde, + And am in other place al one, + I make many a wofull mone + Unto miself, and speke so: + "Ha fol, wher was thin herte tho, + Whan thou thi worthi ladi syhe? + Were thou afered of hire yhe? 600 + For of hire hand ther is no drede: + So wel I knowe hir wommanhede, + That in hire is nomore oultrage + Than in a child of thre yeer age. + Whi hast thou drede of so good on, + Whom alle vertu hath begon, + That in hire is no violence + Bot goodlihiede and innocence + Withouten spot of eny blame? + Ha, nyce herte, fy for schame] 610 + Ha, couard herte of love unlered, + Wherof art thou so sore afered, + That thou thi tunge soffrest frese, + And wolt thi goode wordes lese, + Whan thou hast founde time and space? + How scholdest thou deserve grace, + Whan thou thiself darst axe non, + Bot al thou hast foryete anon?" + And thus despute I loves lore, + Bot help ne finde I noght the more, 620 + Bot stomble upon myn oghne treine + And make an ekinge of my peine. + For evere whan I thenke among + How al is on miself along, + I seie, "O fol of alle foles, + Thou farst as he betwen tuo stoles + That wolde sitte and goth to grounde. + It was ne nevere schal be founde, + Betwen foryetelnesse and drede + That man scholde any cause spede." 630 + And thus, myn holi fader diere, + Toward miself, as ye mai hiere, + I pleigne of my foryetelnesse; + Bot elles al the besinesse, + That mai be take of mannes thoght, + Min herte takth, and is thorghsoght + To thenken evere upon that swete + Withoute Slowthe, I you behete. + For what so falle, or wel or wo, + That thoght foryete I neveremo, 640 + Wher so I lawhe or so I loure: + Noght half the Minut of an houre + Ne mihte I lete out of my mende, + Bot if I thoghte upon that hende. + Therof me schal no Slowthe lette, + Til deth out of this world me fette, + Althogh I hadde on such a Ring, + As Moises thurgh his enchanting + Som time in Ethiope made, + Whan that he Tharbis weddid hade. 650 + Which Ring bar of Oblivion + The name, and that was be resoun + That where it on a finger sat, + Anon his love he so foryat, + As thogh he hadde it nevere knowe: + And so it fell that ilke throwe, + Whan Tharbis hadde it on hire hond, + No knowlechinge of him sche fond, + Bot al was clene out of memoire, + As men mai rede in his histoire; 660 + And thus he wente quit away, + That nevere after that ilke day + Sche thoghte that ther was such on; + Al was foryete and overgon. + Bot in good feith so mai noght I: + For sche is evere faste by, + So nyh that sche myn herte toucheth, + That for nothing that Slowthe voucheth + I mai foryete hire, lief ne loth; + For overal, where as sche goth, 670 + Min herte folwith hire aboute. + Thus mai I seie withoute doute, + For bet, for wers, for oght, for noght, + Sche passeth nevere fro my thoght; + Bot whanne I am ther as sche is, + Min herte, as I you saide er this, + Som time of hire is sore adrad, + And som time it is overglad, + Al out of reule and out of space. + For whan I se hir goodli face 680 + And thenke upon hire hihe pris, + As thogh I were in Paradis, + I am so ravisht of the syhte, + That speke unto hire I ne myhte + As for the time, thogh I wolde: + For I ne mai my wit unfolde + To finde o word of that I mene, + Bot al it is foryete clene; + And thogh I stonde there a myle, + Al is foryete for the while, 690 + A tunge I have and wordes none. + And thus I stonde and thenke al one + Of thing that helpeth ofte noght; + Bot what I hadde afore thoght + To speke, whanne I come there, + It is foryete, as noght ne were, + And stonde amased and assoted, + That of nothing which I have noted + I can noght thanne a note singe, + Bot al is out of knowlechinge: 700 + Thus, what for joie and what for drede, + Al is foryeten ate nede. + So that, mi fader, of this Slowthe + I have you said the pleine trowthe; + Ye mai it as you list redresce: + For thus stant my foryetelnesse + And ek my pusillamite. + Sey now forth what you list to me, + For I wol only do be you. + Mi Sone, I have wel herd how thou 710 + Hast seid, and that thou most amende: + For love his grace wol noght sende + To that man which dar axe non. + For this we knowen everichon, + A mannes thoght withoute speche + God wot, and yit that men beseche + His will is; for withoute bedes + He doth his grace in fewe stedes: + And what man that foryet himselve, + Among a thousand be noght tuelve, 720 + That wol him take in remembraunce, + Bot lete him falle and take his chaunce. + Forthi pull up a besi herte, + Mi Sone, and let nothing asterte + Of love fro thi besinesse: + For touchinge of foryetelnesse, + Which many a love hath set behinde, + A tale of gret ensample I finde, + Wherof it is pite to wite + In the manere as it is write. 730 + King Demephon, whan he be Schipe + To Troieward with felaschipe + Sailende goth, upon his weie + It hapneth him at Rodopeie, + As Eolus him hadde blowe, + To londe, and rested for a throwe. + And fell that ilke time thus, + The dowhter of Ligurgius, + Which qweene was of the contre, + Was sojournende in that Cite 740 + Withinne a Castell nyh the stronde, + Wher Demephon cam up to londe. + Phillis sche hihte, and of yong age + And of stature and of visage + Sche hadde al that hire best besemeth. + Of Demephon riht wel hire qwemeth, + Whan he was come, and made him chiere; + And he, that was of his manere + A lusti knyht, ne myhte asterte + That he ne sette on hire his herte; 750 + So that withinne a day or tuo + He thoghte, how evere that it go, + He wolde assaie the fortune, + And gan his herte to commune + With goodly wordes in hire Ere; + And forto put hire out of fere, + He swor and hath his trowthe pliht + To be for evere hire oghne knyht. + And thus with hire he stille abod, + Ther while his Schip on Anker rod, 760 + And hadde ynowh of time and space + To speke of love and seche grace. + This ladi herde al that he seide, + And hou he swor and hou he preide, + Which was as an enchantement + To hire, that was innocent: + As thogh it were trowthe and feith, + Sche lieveth al that evere he seith, + And as hire infortune scholde, + Sche granteth him al that he wolde. 770 + Thus was he for the time in joie, + Til that he scholde go to Troie; + Bot tho sche made mochel sorwe, + And he his trowthe leith to borwe + To come, if that he live may, + Ayein withinne a Monthe day, + And therupon thei kisten bothe: + Bot were hem lieve or were hem lothe, + To Schipe he goth and forth he wente + To Troie, as was his ferste entente. 780 + The daies gon, the Monthe passeth, + Hire love encresceth and his lasseth, + For him sche lefte slep and mete, + And he his time hath al foryete; + So that this wofull yonge qweene, + Which wot noght what it mihte meene, + A lettre sende and preide him come, + And seith how sche is overcome + With strengthe of love in such a wise, + That sche noght longe mai suffise 790 + To liven out of his presence; + And putte upon his conscience + The trowthe which he hath behote, + Wherof sche loveth him so hote, + Sche seith, that if he lengere lette + Of such a day as sche him sette, + Sche scholde sterven in his Slowthe, + Which were a schame unto his trowthe. + This lettre is forth upon hire sonde, + Wherof somdiel confort on honde 800 + Sche tok, as she that wolde abide + And waite upon that ilke tyde + Which sche hath in hire lettre write. + Bot now is pite forto wite, + As he dede erst, so he foryat + His time eftsone and oversat. + Bot sche, which mihte noght do so, + The tyde awayteth everemo, + And caste hire yhe upon the See: + Somtime nay, somtime yee, 810 + Somtime he cam, somtime noght, + Thus sche desputeth in hire thoght + And wot noght what sche thenke mai; + Bot fastende al the longe day + Sche was into the derke nyht, + And tho sche hath do set up lyht + In a lanterne on hih alofte + Upon a Tour, wher sche goth ofte, + In hope that in his cominge + He scholde se the liht brenninge, 820 + Wherof he mihte his weies rihte + To come wher sche was be nyhte. + Bot al for noght, sche was deceived, + For Venus hath hire hope weyved, + And schewede hire upon the Sky + How that the day was faste by, + So that withinne a litel throwe + The daies lyht sche mihte knowe. + Tho sche behield the See at large; + And whan sche sih ther was no barge 830 + Ne Schip, als ferr as sche may kenne, + Doun fro the Tour sche gan to renne + Into an Herber all hire one, + Wher many a wonder woful mone + Sche made, that no lif it wiste, + As sche which all hire joie miste, + That now sche swouneth, now sche pleigneth, + And al hire face sche desteigneth + With teres, whiche, as of a welle + The stremes, from hire yhen felle; 840 + So as sche mihte and evere in on + Sche clepede upon Demephon, + And seide, "Helas, thou slowe wiht, + Wher was ther evere such a knyht, + That so thurgh his ungentilesce + Of Slowthe and of foryetelnesse + Ayein his trowthe brak his stevene?" + And tho hire yhe up to the hevene + Sche caste, and seide, "O thou unkinde, + Hier schalt thou thurgh thi Slowthe finde, 850 + If that thee list to come and se, + A ladi ded for love of thee, + So as I schal myselve spille; + Whom, if it hadde be thi wille, + Thou mihtest save wel ynowh." + With that upon a grene bowh + A Ceinte of Selk, which sche ther hadde, + Sche knette, and so hireself sche ladde, + That sche aboute hire whyte swere + It dede, and hyng hirselven there. 860 + Wherof the goddes were amoeved, + And Demephon was so reproeved, + That of the goddes providence + Was schape such an evidence + Evere afterward ayein the slowe, + That Phillis in the same throwe + Was schape into a Notetre, + That alle men it mihte se, + And after Phillis Philliberd + This tre was cleped in the yerd, 870 + And yit for Demephon to schame + Into this dai it berth the name. + This wofull chance how that it ferde + Anon as Demephon it herde, + And every man it hadde in speche, + His sorwe was noght tho to seche; + He gan his Slowthe forto banne, + Bot it was al to late thanne. + Lo thus, my Sone, miht thou wite + Ayein this vice how it is write; 880 + For noman mai the harmes gesse, + That fallen thurgh foryetelnesse, + Wherof that I thi schrifte have herd. + Bot yit of Slowthe hou it hath ferd + In other wise I thenke oppose, + If thou have gult, as I suppose. + Fulfild of Slowthes essamplaire + Ther is yit on, his Secretaire, + And he is cleped Negligence: + Which wol noght loke his evidence, 890 + Wherof he mai be war tofore; + Bot whanne he hath his cause lore, + Thanne is he wys after the hond: + Whanne helpe may no maner bond, + Thanne ate ferste wolde he binde: + Thus everemore he stant behinde. + Whanne he the thing mai noght amende, + Thanne is he war, and seith at ende, + "Ha, wolde god I hadde knowe]" + Wherof bejaped with a mowe 900 + He goth, for whan the grete Stiede + Is stole, thanne he taketh hiede, + And makth the stable dore fast: + Thus evere he pleith an aftercast + Of al that he schal seie or do. + He hath a manere eke also, + Him list noght lerne to be wys, + For he set of no vertu pris + Bot as him liketh for the while; + So fieleth he fulofte guile, 910 + Whan that he weneth siker stonde. + And thus thou miht wel understonde, + Mi Sone, if thou art such in love, + Thou miht noght come at thin above + Of that thou woldest wel achieve. + Mi holi fader, as I lieve, + I mai wel with sauf conscience + Excuse me of necgligence + Towardes love in alle wise: + For thogh I be non of the wise, 920 + I am so trewly amerous, + That I am evere curious + Of hem that conne best enforme + To knowe and witen al the forme, + What falleth unto loves craft. + Bot yit ne fond I noght the haft, + Which mihte unto that bladd acorde; + For nevere herde I man recorde + What thing it is that myhte availe + To winne love withoute faile. 930 + Yit so fer cowthe I nevere finde + Man that be resoun ne be kinde + Me cowthe teche such an art, + That he ne failede of a part; + And as toward myn oghne wit, + Controeve cowthe I nevere yit + To finden eny sikernesse, + That me myhte outher more or lesse + Of love make forto spede: + For lieveth wel withoute drede, 940 + If that ther were such a weie, + As certeinliche as I schal deie + I hadde it lerned longe ago. + Bot I wot wel ther is non so: + And natheles it may wel be, + I am so rude in my degree + And ek mi wittes ben so dulle, + That I ne mai noght to the fulle + Atteigne to so hih a lore. + Bot this I dar seie overmore, 950 + Althogh mi wit ne be noght strong, + It is noght on mi will along, + For that is besi nyht and day + To lerne al that he lerne may, + How that I mihte love winne: + Bot yit I am as to beginne + Of that I wolde make an ende, + And for I not how it schal wende, + That is to me mi moste sorwe. + Bot I dar take god to borwe, 960 + As after min entendement, + Non other wise necgligent + Thanne I yow seie have I noght be: + Forthi per seinte charite + Tell me, mi fader, what you semeth. + In good feith, Sone, wel me qwemeth, + That thou thiself hast thus aquit + Toward this vice, in which no wit + Abide mai, for in an houre + He lest al that he mai laboure 970 + The longe yer, so that men sein, + What evere he doth it is in vein. + For thurgh the Slowthe of Negligence + Ther was yit nevere such science + Ne vertu, which was bodely, + That nys destruid and lost therby. + Ensample that it hath be so + In boke I finde write also. + Phebus, which is the Sonne hote, + That schyneth upon Erthe hote 980 + And causeth every lyves helthe, + He hadde a Sone in al his welthe, + Which Pheton hihte, and he desireth + And with his Moder he conspireth, + The which was cleped Clemenee, + For help and conseil, so that he + His fader carte lede myhte + Upon the faire daies brihte. + And for this thing thei bothe preide + Unto the fader, and he seide 990 + He wolde wel, bot forth withal + Thre pointz he bad in special + Unto his Sone in alle wise, + That he him scholde wel avise + And take it as be weie of lore. + Ferst was, that he his hors to sore + Ne prike, and over that he tolde + That he the renes faste holde; + And also that he be riht war + In what manere he lede his charr, 1000 + That he mistake noght his gate, + Bot up avisement algate + He scholde bere a siker yhe, + That he to lowe ne to hyhe + His carte dryve at eny throwe, + Wherof that he mihte overthrowe. + And thus be Phebus ordinance + Tok Pheton into governance + The Sonnes carte, which he ladde: + Bot he such veine gloire hadde 1010 + Of that he was set upon hyh, + That he his oghne astat ne syh + Thurgh negligence and tok non hiede; + So mihte he wel noght longe spede. + For he the hors withoute lawe + The carte let aboute drawe + Wher as hem liketh wantounly, + That ate laste sodeinly, + For he no reson wolde knowe, + This fyri carte he drof to lowe, 1020 + And fyreth al the world aboute; + Wherof thei weren alle in doubte, + And to the god for helpe criden + Of suche unhappes as betyden. + Phebus, which syh the necgligence, + How Pheton ayein his defence + His charr hath drive out of the weie, + Ordeigneth that he fell aweie + Out of the carte into a flod + And dreynte. Lo now, hou it stod 1030 + With him that was so necgligent, + That fro the hyhe firmament, + For that he wolde go to lowe, + He was anon doun overthrowe. + In hih astat it is a vice + To go to lowe, and in service + It grieveth forto go to hye, + Wherof a tale in poesie + I finde, how whilom Dedalus, + Which hadde a Sone, and Icharus 1040 + He hihte, and thogh hem thoghte lothe, + In such prison thei weren bothe + With Minotaurus, that aboute + Thei mihten nawher wenden oute; + So thei begonne forto schape + How thei the prison mihte ascape. + This Dedalus, which fro his yowthe + Was tawht and manye craftes cowthe, + Of fetheres and of othre thinges + Hath mad to fle diverse wynges 1050 + For him and for his Sone also; + To whom he yaf in charge tho + And bad him thenke therupon, + How that his wynges ben set on + With wex, and if he toke his flyhte + To hyhe, al sodeinliche he mihte + Make it to melte with the Sonne. + And thus thei have her flyht begonne + Out of the prison faire and softe; + And whan thei weren bothe alofte, 1060 + This Icharus began to monte, + And of the conseil non accompte + He sette, which his fader tawhte, + Til that the Sonne his wynges cawhte, + Wherof it malt, and fro the heihte + Withouten help of eny sleihte + He fell to his destruccion. + And lich to that condicion + Ther fallen ofte times fele + For lacke of governance in wele, 1070 + Als wel in love as other weie. + Now goode fader, I you preie, + If ther be more in the matiere + Of Slowthe, that I mihte it hiere. + Mi Sone, and for thi diligence, + Which every mannes conscience + Be resoun scholde reule and kepe, + If that thee list to taken kepe, + I wol thee telle, aboven alle + In whom no vertu mai befalle, 1080 + Which yifth unto the vices reste + And is of slowe the sloweste. + Among these othre of Slowthes kinde, + Which alle labour set behinde, + And hateth alle besinesse, + Ther is yit on, which Ydelnesse + Is cleped, and is the Norrice + In mannes kinde of every vice, + Which secheth eases manyfold. + In Wynter doth he noght for cold, 1090 + In Somer mai he noght for hete; + So whether that he frese or swete, + Or he be inne, or he be oute, + He wol ben ydel al aboute, + Bot if he pleie oght ate Dees. + For who as evere take fees + And thenkth worschipe to deserve, + Ther is no lord whom he wol serve, + As forto duelle in his servise, + Bot if it were in such a wise, 1100 + Of that he seth per aventure + That be lordschipe and coverture + He mai the more stonde stille, + And use his ydelnesse at wille. + For he ne wol no travail take + To ryde for his ladi sake, + Bot liveth al upon his wisshes; + And as a cat wolde ete fisshes + Withoute wetinge of his cles, + So wolde he do, bot natheles 1110 + He faileth ofte of that he wolde. + Mi Sone, if thou of such a molde + Art mad, now tell me plein thi schrifte. + Nay, fader, god I yive a yifte. + That toward love, as be mi wit, + Al ydel was I nevere yit, + Ne nevere schal, whil I mai go. + Now, Sone, tell me thanne so, + What hast thou don of besischipe + To love and to the ladischipe 1120 + Of hire which thi ladi is? + Mi fader, evere yit er this + In every place, in every stede, + What so mi lady hath me bede, + With al myn herte obedient + I have therto be diligent. + And if so is sche bidde noght, + What thing that thanne into my thoght + Comth ferst of that I mai suffise, + I bowe and profre my servise, 1130 + Somtime in chambre, somtime in halle, + Riht as I se the times falle. + And whan sche goth to hiere masse, + That time schal noght overpasse, + That I naproche hir ladihede, + In aunter if I mai hire lede + Unto the chapelle and ayein. + Thanne is noght al mi weie in vein, + Somdiel I mai the betre fare, + Whan I, that mai noght fiele hir bare, 1140 + Mai lede hire clothed in myn arm: + Bot afterward it doth me harm + Of pure ymaginacioun; + For thanne this collacioun + I make unto miselven ofte, + And seie, "Ha lord, hou sche is softe, + How sche is round, hou sche is smal] + Now wolde god I hadde hire al + Withoute danger at mi wille]" + And thanne I sike and sitte stille, 1150 + Of that I se mi besi thoght + Is torned ydel into noght. + Bot for al that lete I ne mai, + Whanne I se time an other dai, + That I ne do my besinesse + Unto mi ladi worthinesse. + For I therto mi wit afaite + To se the times and awaite + What is to done and what to leve: + And so, whan time is, be hir leve, 1160 + What thing sche bit me don, I do, + And wher sche bidt me gon, I go, + And whanne hir list to clepe, I come. + Thus hath sche fulliche overcome + Min ydelnesse til I sterve, + So that I mot hire nedes serve, + For as men sein, nede hath no lawe. + Thus mot I nedly to hire drawe, + I serve, I bowe, I loke, I loute, + Min yhe folweth hire aboute, 1170 + What so sche wole so wol I, + Whan sche wol sitte, I knele by, + And whan sche stant, than wol I stonde: + Bot whan sche takth hir werk on honde + Of wevinge or enbrouderie, + Than can I noght bot muse and prie + Upon hir fingres longe and smale, + And now I thenke, and now I tale, + And now I singe, and now I sike, + And thus mi contienance I pike. 1180 + And if it falle, as for a time + Hir liketh noght abide bime, + Bot besien hire on other thinges, + Than make I othre tariinges + To dreche forth the longe dai, + For me is loth departe away. + And thanne I am so simple of port, + That forto feigne som desport + I pleie with hire litel hound + Now on the bedd, now on the ground, 1190 + Now with hir briddes in the cage; + For ther is non so litel page, + Ne yit so simple a chamberere, + That I ne make hem alle chere, + Al for thei scholde speke wel: + Thus mow ye sen mi besi whiel, + That goth noght ydeliche aboute. + And if hir list to riden oute + On pelrinage or other stede, + I come, thogh I be noght bede, 1200 + And take hire in min arm alofte + And sette hire in hire sadel softe, + And so forth lede hire be the bridel, + For that I wolde noght ben ydel. + And if hire list to ride in Char, + And thanne I mai therof be war, + Anon I schape me to ryde + Riht evene be the Chares side; + And as I mai, I speke among, + And otherwhile I singe a song, 1210 + Which Ovide in his bokes made, + And seide, "O whiche sorwes glade, + O which wofull prosperite + Belongeth to the proprete + Of love, who so wole him serve] + And yit therfro mai noman swerve, + That he ne mot his lawe obeie." + And thus I ryde forth mi weie, + And am riht besi overal + With herte and with mi body al, 1220 + As I have said you hier tofore. + My goode fader, tell therfore, + Of Ydelnesse if I have gilt. + Mi Sone, bot thou telle wilt + Oght elles than I mai now hiere, + Thou schalt have no penance hiere. + And natheles a man mai se, + How now adayes that ther be + Ful manye of suche hertes slowe, + That wol noght besien hem to knowe 1230 + What thing love is, til ate laste, + That he with strengthe hem overcaste, + That malgre hem thei mote obeie + And don al ydelschipe aweie, + To serve wel and besiliche. + Bot, Sone, thou art non of swiche, + For love schal the wel excuse: + Bot otherwise, if thou refuse + To love, thou miht so per cas + Ben ydel, as somtime was 1240 + A kinges dowhter unavised, + Til that Cupide hire hath chastised: + Wherof thou schalt a tale hiere + Acordant unto this matiere. + Of Armenye, I rede thus, + Ther was a king, which Herupus + Was hote, and he a lusti Maide + To dowhter hadde, and as men saide + Hire name was Rosiphelee; + Which tho was of gret renomee, 1250 + For sche was bothe wys and fair + And scholde ben hire fader hair. + Bot sche hadde o defalte of Slowthe + Towardes love, and that was rowthe; + For so wel cowde noman seie, + Which mihte sette hire in the weie + Of loves occupacion + Thurgh non ymaginacion; + That scole wolde sche noght knowe. + And thus sche was on of the slowe 1260 + As of such hertes besinesse, + Til whanne Venus the goddesse, + Which loves court hath forto reule, + Hath broght hire into betre reule, + Forth with Cupide and with his miht: + For thei merveille how such a wiht, + Which tho was in hir lusti age, + Desireth nother Mariage + Ne yit the love of paramours, + Which evere hath be the comun cours 1270 + Amonges hem that lusti were. + So was it schewed after there: + For he that hihe hertes loweth + With fyri Dartes whiche he throweth, + Cupide, which of love is godd, + In chastisinge hath mad a rodd + To dryve awei hir wantounesse; + So that withinne a while, I gesse, + Sche hadde on such a chance sporned, + That al hire mod was overtorned, 1280 + Which ferst sche hadde of slow manere: + For thus it fell, as thou schalt hiere. + Whan come was the Monthe of Maii, + Sche wolde walke upon a dai, + And that was er the Sonne Ariste; + Of wommen bot a fewe it wiste, + And forth sche wente prively + Unto the Park was faste by, + Al softe walkende on the gras, + Til sche cam ther the Launde was, 1290 + Thurgh which ther ran a gret rivere. + It thoghte hir fair, and seide, "Here + I wole abide under the schawe": + And bad hire wommen to withdrawe, + And ther sche stod al one stille, + To thenke what was in hir wille. + Sche sih the swote floures springe, + Sche herde glade foules singe, + Sche sih the bestes in her kinde, + The buck, the do, the hert, the hinde, 1300 + The madle go with the femele; + And so began ther a querele + Betwen love and hir oghne herte, + Fro which sche couthe noght asterte. + And as sche caste hire yhe aboute, + Sche syh clad in o suite a route + Of ladis, wher thei comen ryde + Along under the wodes syde: + On faire amblende hors thei sete, + That were al whyte, fatte and grete, 1310 + And everichon thei ride on side. + The Sadles were of such a Pride, + With Perle and gold so wel begon, + So riche syh sche nevere non; + In kertles and in Copes riche + Thei weren clothed, alle liche, + Departed evene of whyt and blew; + With alle lustes that sche knew + Thei were enbrouded overal. + Here bodies weren long and smal, 1320 + The beaute faye upon her face + Non erthly thing it may desface; + Corones on here hed thei beere, + As ech of hem a qweene weere, + That al the gold of Cresus halle + The leste coronal of alle + Ne mihte have boght after the worth: + Thus come thei ridende forth. + The kinges dowhter, which this syh, + For pure abaissht drowh hire adryh 1330 + And hield hire clos under the bowh, + And let hem passen stille ynowh; + For as hire thoghte in hire avis, + To hem that were of such a pris + Sche was noght worthi axen there, + Fro when they come or what thei were: + Bot levere than this worldes good + Sche wolde have wist hou that it stod, + And putte hire hed alitel oute; + And as sche lokede hire aboute, 1340 + Sche syh comende under the linde + A womman up an hors behinde. + The hors on which sche rod was blak, + Al lene and galled on the back, + And haltede, as he were encluyed, + Wherof the womman was annuied; + Thus was the hors in sori plit, + Bot for al that a sterre whit + Amiddes in the front he hadde. + Hir Sadel ek was wonder badde, 1350 + In which the wofull womman sat, + And natheles ther was with that + A riche bridel for the nones + Of gold and preciouse Stones. + Hire cote was somdiel totore; + Aboute hir middel twenty score + Of horse haltres and wel mo + Ther hyngen ate time tho. + Thus whan sche cam the ladi nyh, + Than tok sche betre hiede and syh 1360 + This womman fair was of visage, + Freyssh, lusti, yong and of tendre age; + And so this ladi, ther sche stod, + Bethoghte hire wel and understod + That this, which com ridende tho, + Tidinges couthe telle of tho, + Which as sche sih tofore ryde, + And putte hir forth and preide abide, + And seide, "Ha, Suster, let me hiere, + What ben thei, that now riden hiere, 1370 + And ben so richeliche arraied?" + This womman, which com so esmaied, + Ansuerde with ful softe speche, + And seith, "Ma Dame, I schal you teche. + These ar of tho that whilom were + Servantz to love, and trowthe beere, + Ther as thei hadde here herte set. + Fare wel, for I mai noght be let: + Ma Dame, I go to mi servise, + So moste I haste in alle wise; 1380 + Forthi, ma Dame, yif me leve, + I mai noght longe with you leve." + "Ha, goode Soster, yit I preie, + Tell me whi ye ben so beseie + And with these haltres thus begon." + "Ma Dame, whilom I was on + That to mi fader hadde a king; + Bot I was slow, and for no thing + Me liste noght to love obeie, + And that I now ful sore abeie. 1390 + For I whilom no love hadde, + Min hors is now so fieble and badde, + And al totore is myn arai, + And every yeer this freisshe Maii + These lusti ladis ryde aboute, + And I mot nedes suie here route + In this manere as ye now se, + And trusse here haltres forth with me, + And am bot as here horse knave. + Non other office I ne have, 1400 + Hem thenkth I am worthi nomore, + For I was slow in loves lore, + Whan I was able forto lere, + And wolde noght the tales hiere + Of hem that couthen love teche." + "Now tell me thanne, I you beseche, + Wherof that riche bridel serveth." + With that hire chere awei sche swerveth, + And gan to wepe, and thus sche tolde: + "This bridel, which ye nou beholde 1410 + So riche upon 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 love, which me overcom, + So that therafter hiede I nom + And thoghte I wolde love a kniht: + That laste wel a fourtenyht, + For it no lengere mihte laste, + So nyh my lif was ate laste. 1420 + Bot now, allas, to late war + That I ne hadde him loved ar: + For deth cam so in haste bime, + Er I therto hadde eny time, + That it ne mihte ben achieved. + Bot for al that I am relieved, + Of that mi will was good therto, + That love soffreth it be so + That I schal swiche a bridel were. + Now have ye herd al myn ansuere: 1430 + To godd, ma Dame, I you betake, + And warneth alle for mi sake, + Of love that thei ben noght ydel, + And bidd hem thenke upon mi brydel." + And with that word al sodeinly + Sche passeth, as it were a Sky, + Al clene out of this ladi sihte: + And tho for fere hire herte afflihte, + And seide to hirself, "Helas] + I am riht in the same cas. 1440 + Bot if I live after this day, + I schal amende it, if I may." + And thus homward this lady wente, + And changede al hire ferste entente, + Withinne hire herte and gan to swere + That sche none haltres wolde bere. + Lo, Sone, hier miht thou taken hiede, + How ydelnesse is forto drede, + Namliche of love, as I have write. + For thou miht understonde and wite, 1450 + Among the gentil nacion + Love is an occupacion, + Which forto kepe hise lustes save + Scholde every gentil herte have: + For as the ladi was chastised, + Riht so the knyht mai ben avised, + Which ydel is and wol noght serve + To love, he mai per cas deserve + A grettere peine than sche hadde, + Whan sche aboute with hire ladde 1460 + The horse haltres; and forthi + Good is to be wel war therbi. + Bot forto loke aboven alle, + These Maidens, hou so that it falle, + Thei scholden take ensample of this + Which I have told, for soth it is. + Mi ladi Venus, whom I serve, + What womman wole hire thonk deserve, + Sche mai noght thilke love eschuie + Of paramours, bot sche mot suie 1470 + Cupides lawe; and natheles + Men sen such love sielde in pes, + That it nys evere upon aspie + Of janglinge and of fals Envie, + Fulofte medlid with disese: + Bot thilke love is wel at ese, + Which set is upon mariage; + For that dar schewen the visage + In alle places openly. + A gret mervaile it is forthi, 1480 + How that a Maiden wolde lette, + That sche hir time ne besette + To haste unto that ilke feste, + Wherof the love is al honeste. + Men mai recovere lost of good, + Bot so wys man yit nevere stod, + Which mai recovere time lore: + So mai a Maiden wel therfore + Ensample take, of that sche strangeth + Hir love, and longe er that sche changeth 1490 + Hir herte upon hir lustes greene + To mariage, as it is seene. + For thus a yer or tuo or thre + Sche lest, er that sche wedded be, + Whyl sche the charge myhte bere + Of children, whiche the world forbere + Ne mai, bot if it scholde faile. + Bot what Maiden hire esposaile + Wol tarie, whan sche take mai, + Sche schal per chance an other dai 1500 + Be let, whan that hire lievest were. + Wherof a tale unto hire Ere, + Which is coupable upon this dede, + I thenke telle of that I rede. + Among the Jewes, as men tolde, + Ther was whilom be daies olde + A noble Duck, which Jepte hihte. + And fell, he scholde go to fyhte + Ayein Amon the cruel king: + And forto speke upon this thing, 1510 + Withinne his herte he made avou + To god and seide, "Ha lord, if thou + Wolt grante unto thi man victoire, + I schal in tokne of thi memoire + The ferste lif that I mai se, + Of man or womman wher it be, + Anon as I come hom ayein, + To thee, which art god sovereign, + Slen in thi name and sacrifie." + And thus with his chivalerie 1520 + He goth him forth, wher that he scholde, + And wan al that he winne wolde + And overcam his fomen alle. + Mai noman lette that schal falle. + This Duc a lusti dowhter hadde, + And fame, which the wordes spradde, + Hath broght unto this ladi Ere + How that hire fader hath do there. + Sche waiteth upon his cominge + With dansinge and with carolinge, 1530 + As sche that wolde be tofore + Al othre, and so sche was therfore + In Masphat at hir fader gate + The ferste; and whan he com therate, + And sih his douhter, he tobreide + Hise clothes and wepende he seide: + "O mihti god among ous hiere, + Nou wot I that in no manere + This worldes joie mai be plein. + I hadde al that I coude sein 1540 + Ayein mi fomen be thi grace, + So whan I cam toward this place + Ther was non gladdere man than I: + But now, mi lord, al sodeinli + Mi joie is torned into sorwe, + For I mi dowhter schal tomorwe + Tohewe and brenne in thi servise + To loenge of thi sacrifise + Thurgh min avou, so as it is." + The Maiden, whan sche wiste of this, 1550 + And sih the sorwe hir fader made, + So as sche mai with wordes glade + Conforteth him, and bad him holde + The covenant which he is holde + Towardes god, as he behihte. + Bot natheles hire herte aflihte + Of that sche sih hire deth comende; + And thanne unto the ground knelende + Tofore hir fader sche is falle, + And seith, so as it is befalle 1560 + Upon this point that sche schal deie, + Of o thing ferst sche wolde him preie, + That fourty daies of respit + He wolde hir grante upon this plit, + That sche the whyle mai bewepe + Hir maidenhod, which sche to kepe + So longe hath had and noght beset; + Wherof her lusti youthe is let, + That sche no children hath forthdrawe + In Mariage after the lawe, 1570 + So that the poeple is noght encressed. + Bot that it mihte be relessed, + That sche hir time hath lore so, + Sche wolde be his leve go + With othre Maidens to compleigne, + And afterward unto the peine + Of deth sche wolde come ayein. + The fader herde his douhter sein, + And therupon of on assent + The Maidens were anon asent, 1580 + That scholden with this Maiden wende. + So forto speke unto this ende, + Thei gon the dounes and the dales + With wepinge and with wofull tales, + And every wyht hire maidenhiede + Compleigneth upon thilke nede, + That sche no children hadde bore, + Wherof sche hath hir youthe lore, + Which nevere sche recovere mai: + For so fell that hir laste dai 1590 + Was come, in which sche scholde take + Hir deth, which sche may noght forsake. + Lo, thus sche deiede a wofull Maide + For thilke cause which I saide, + As thou hast understonde above. + Mi fader, as toward the Love + Of Maidens forto telle trowthe, + Ye have thilke vice of Slowthe, + Me thenkth, riht wonder wel declared, + That ye the wommen have noght spared 1600 + Of hem that tarien so behinde. + Bot yit it falleth in my minde, + Toward the men hou that ye spieke + Of hem that wole no travail sieke + In cause of love upon decerte: + To speke in wordes so coverte, + I not what travaill that ye mente. + Mi Sone, and after min entente + I woll thee telle what I thoghte, + Hou whilom men here loves boghte 1610 + Thurgh gret travaill in strange londes, + Wher that thei wroghten with here hondes + Of armes many a worthi dede, + In sondri place as men mai rede. + That every love of pure kinde + Is ferst forthdrawe, wel I finde: + Bot natheles yit overthis + Decerte doth so that it is + The rather had in mani place. + Forthi who secheth loves grace, 1620 + Wher that these worthi wommen are, + He mai noght thanne himselve spare + Upon his travail forto serve, + Wherof that he mai thonk deserve, + There as these men of Armes be, + Somtime over the grete Se: + So that be londe and ek be Schipe + He mot travaile for worschipe + And make manye hastyf rodes, + Somtime in Prus, somtime in Rodes, 1630 + And somtime into Tartarie; + So that these heraldz on him crie, + "Vailant, vailant, lo, wher he goth]" + And thanne he yifth hem gold and cloth, + So that his fame mihte springe, + And to his ladi Ere bringe + Som tidinge of his worthinesse; + So that sche mihte of his prouesce + Of that sche herde men recorde, + The betre unto his love acorde 1640 + And danger pute out of hire mod, + Whanne alle men recorden good, + And that sche wot wel, for hir sake + That he no travail wol forsake. + Mi Sone, of this travail I meene: + Nou schrif thee, for it schal be sene + If thou art ydel in this cas. + My fader ye, and evere was: + For as me thenketh trewely + That every man doth mor than I 1650 + As of this point, and if so is + That I have oght so don er this, + It is so litel of acompte, + As who seith, it mai noght amonte + To winne of love his lusti yifte. + For this I telle you in schrifte, + That me were levere hir love winne + Than Kaire and al that is ther inne: + And forto slen the hethen alle, + I not what good ther mihte falle, 1660 + So mochel blod thogh ther be schad. + This finde I writen, hou Crist bad + That noman other scholde sle. + What scholde I winne over the Se, + If I mi ladi loste at hom? + Bot passe thei the salte fom, + To whom Crist bad thei scholden preche + To al the world and his feith teche: + Bot now thei rucken in here nest + And resten as hem liketh best 1670 + In all the swetnesse of delices. + Thus thei defenden ous the vices, + And sitte hemselven al amidde; + To slen and feihten thei ous bidde + Hem whom thei scholde, as the bok seith, + Converten unto Cristes feith. + Bot hierof have I gret mervaile, + Hou thei wol bidde me travaile: + A Sarazin if I sle schal, + I sle the Soule forth withal, 1680 + And that was nevere Cristes lore. + Bot nou ho ther, I seie nomore. + Bot I wol speke upon mi schrifte; + And to Cupide I make a yifte, + That who as evere pris deserve + Of armes, I wol love serve; + And thogh I scholde hem bothe kepe, + Als wel yit wolde I take kepe + Whan it were time to abide, + As forto travaile and to ryde: 1690 + For how as evere a man laboure, + Cupide appointed hath his houre. + For I have herd it telle also, + Achilles lefte hise armes so + Bothe of himself and of his men + At Troie for Polixenen, + Upon hire love whanne he fell, + That for no chance that befell + Among the Grecs or up or doun, + He wolde noght ayein the toun 1700 + Ben armed, for the love of hire. + And so me thenketh, lieve Sire, + A man of armes mai him reste + Somtime in hope for the beste, + If he mai finde a weie nerr. + What scholde I thanne go so ferr + In strange londes many a mile + To ryde, and lese at hom therwhile + Mi love? It were a schort beyete + To winne chaf and lese whete. 1710 + Bot if mi ladi bidde wolde, + That I for hire love scholde + Travaile, me thenkth trewely + I mihte fle thurghout the Sky, + And go thurghout the depe Se, + For al ne sette I at a stre + What thonk that I mihte elles gete. + What helpeth it a man have mete, + Wher drinke lacketh on the bord? + What helpeth eny mannes word 1720 + To seie hou I travaile faste, + Wher as me faileth ate laste + That thing which I travaile fore? + O in good time were he bore, + That mihte atteigne such a mede. + Bot certes if I mihte spede + With eny maner besinesse + Of worldes travail, thanne I gesse, + Ther scholde me non ydelschipe + Departen fro hir ladischipe. 1730 + Bot this I se, on daies nou + The blinde god, I wot noght hou, + Cupido, which of love is lord, + He set the thinges in discord, + That thei that lest to love entende + Fulofte he wole hem yive and sende + Most of his grace; and thus I finde + That he that scholde go behinde, + Goth many a time ferr tofore: + So wot I noght riht wel therfore, 1740 + On whether bord that I schal seile. + Thus can I noght miself conseile, + Bot al I sette on aventure, + And am, as who seith, out of cure + For ought that I can seie or do: + For everemore I finde it so, + The more besinesse I leie, + The more that I knele and preie + With goode wordes and with softe, + The more I am refused ofte, 1750 + With besinesse and mai noght winne. + And in good feith that is gret Sinne; + For I mai seie, of dede and thoght + That ydel man have I be noght; + For hou as evere I be deslaied, + Yit evermore I have assaied. + Bot thogh my besinesse laste, + Al is bot ydel ate laste, + For whan theffect is ydelnesse, + I not what thing is besinesse. 1760 + Sei, what availeth al the dede, + Which nothing helpeth ate nede? + For the fortune of every fame + Schal of his ende bere a name. + And thus for oght is yit befalle, + An ydel man I wol me calle + As after myn entendement: + Bot upon youre amendement, + Min holi fader, as you semeth, + Mi reson and my cause demeth. 1770 + Mi Sone, I have herd thi matiere, + Of that thou hast thee schriven hiere: + And forto speke of ydel fare, + Me semeth that thou tharst noght care, + Bot only that thou miht noght spede. + And therof, Sone, I wol thee rede, + Abyd, and haste noght to faste; + Thi dees ben every dai to caste, + Thou nost what chance schal betyde. + Betre is to wayte upon the tyde 1780 + Than rowe ayein the stremes stronge: + For thogh so be thee thenketh longe, + Per cas the revolucion + Of hevene and thi condicion + Ne be noght yit of on acord. + Bot I dar make this record + To Venus, whos Prest that I am, + That sithen that I hidir cam + To hiere, as sche me bad, thi lif, + Wherof thou elles be gultif, 1790 + Thou miht hierof thi conscience + Excuse, and of gret diligence, + Which thou to love hast so despended, + Thou oghtest wel to be comended. + Bot if so be that ther oght faile, + Of that thou slowthest to travaile + In armes forto ben absent, + And for thou makst an argument + Of that thou seidest hiere above, + Hou Achilles thurgh strengthe of love 1800 + Hise armes lefte for a throwe, + Thou schalt an other tale knowe, + Which is contraire, as thou schalt wite. + For this a man mai finde write, + Whan that knyhthode schal be werred, + Lust mai noght thanne be preferred; + The bedd mot thanne be forsake + And Schield and spere on honde take, + Which thing schal make hem after glade, + Whan thei ben worthi knihtes made. 1810 + Wherof, so as it comth to honde, + A tale thou schalt understonde, + Hou that a kniht schal armes suie, + And for the while his ese eschuie. + Upon knyhthode I rede thus, + How whilom whan the king Nauplus, + The fader of Palamades, + Cam forto preien Ulixes + With othre Gregois ek also, + That he with hem to Troie go, 1820 + Wher that the Siege scholde be, + Anon upon Penolope + His wif, whom that he loveth hote, + Thenkende, wolde hem noght behote. + Bot he schop thanne a wonder wyle, + How that he scholde hem best beguile, + So that he mihte duelle stille + At home and welde his love at wille: + Wherof erli the morwe day + Out of his bedd, wher that he lay, 1830 + Whan he was uppe, he gan to fare + Into the field and loke and stare, + As he which feigneth to be wod: + He tok a plowh, wher that it stod, + Wherinne anon in stede of Oxes + He let do yoken grete foxes, + And with gret salt the lond he siew. + But Nauplus, which the cause kniew, + Ayein the sleihte which he feigneth + An other sleihte anon ordeigneth. 1840 + And fell that time Ulixes hadde + A chyld to Sone, and Nauplus radde + How men that Sone taken scholde, + And setten him upon the Molde, + Wher that his fader hield the plowh, + In thilke furgh which he tho drowh. + For in such wise he thoghte assaie, + Hou it Ulixes scholde paie, + If that he were wod or non. + The knihtes for this child forthgon; 1850 + Thelamacus anon was fett, + Tofore the plowh and evene sett, + Wher that his fader scholde dryve. + Bot whan he sih his child, als blyve + He drof the plowh out of the weie, + And Nauplus tho began to seie, + And hath half in a jape cryd: + "O Ulixes, thou art aspyd: + What is al this thou woldest meene? + For openliche it is now seene 1860 + That thou hast feigned al this thing, + Which is gret schame to a king, + Whan that for lust of eny slowthe + Thou wolt in a querele of trowthe + Of armes thilke honour forsake, + And duelle at hom for loves sake: + For betre it were honour to winne + Than love, which likinge is inne. + Forthi tak worschipe upon honde, + And elles thou schalt understonde 1870 + These othre worthi kinges alle + Of Grece, which unto thee calle, + Towardes thee wol be riht wrothe, + And grieve thee per chance bothe: + Which schal be tothe double schame + Most for the hindrynge of thi name, + That thou for Slouthe of eny love + Schalt so thi lustes sette above + And leve of armes the knyhthode, + Which is the pris of thi manhode 1880 + And oghte ferst to be desired." + Bot he, which hadde his herte fyred + Upon his wif, whan he this herde, + Noght o word therayein ansuerde, + Bot torneth hom halvinge aschamed, + And hath withinne himself so tamed + His herte, that al the sotie + Of love for chivalerie + He lefte, and be him lief or loth, + To Troie forth with hem he goth, 1890 + That he him mihte noght excuse. + Thus stant it, if a knyht refuse + The lust of armes to travaile, + Ther mai no worldes ese availe, + Bot if worschipe be with al. + And that hath schewed overal; + For it sit wel in alle wise + A kniht to ben of hih emprise + And puten alle drede aweie; + For in this wise, I have herd seie, 1900 + The worthi king Protheselai + On his passage wher he lai + Towardes Troie thilke Siege, + Sche which was al his oghne liege, + Laodomie his lusti wif, + Which for his love was pensif, + As he which al hire herte hadde, + Upon a thing wherof sche dradde + A lettre, forto make him duelle + Fro Troie, sende him, thus to telle, 1910 + Hou sche hath axed of the wyse + Touchende of him in such a wise, + That thei have don hire understonde, + Towardes othre hou so it stonde, + The destine it hath so schape + That he schal noght the deth ascape + In cas that he arryve at Troie. + Forthi as to hir worldes joie + With al hire herte sche him preide, + And many an other cause alleide, 1920 + That he with hire at home abide. + Bot he hath cast hir lettre aside, + As he which tho no maner hiede + Tok of hire wommannysshe drede; + And forth he goth, as noght ne were, + To Troie, and was the ferste there + Which londeth, and tok arryvaile: + For him was levere in the bataille, + He seith, to deien as a knyht, + Than forto lyve in al his myht 1930 + And be reproeved of his name. + Lo, thus upon the worldes fame + Knyhthode hath evere yit be set, + Which with no couardie is let. + Of king Sal also I finde, + Whan Samuel out of his kinde, + Thurgh that the Phitonesse hath lered, + In Samarie was arered + Long time after that he was ded, + The king Sal him axeth red, 1940 + If that he schal go fyhte or non. + And Samuel him seide anon, + "The ferste day of the bataille + Thou schalt be slain withoute faile + And Jonathas thi Sone also." + Bot hou as evere it felle so, + This worthi kniht of his corage + Hath undertake the viage, + And wol noght his knyhthode lette + For no peril he couthe sette; 1950 + Wherof that bothe his Sone and he + Upon the Montz of Gelboe5 + Assemblen with here enemys: + For thei knyhthode of such a pris + Be olde daies thanne hielden, + That thei non other thing behielden. + And thus the fader for worschipe + Forth with his Sone of felaschipe + Thurgh lust of armes weren dede, + As men mai in the bible rede; 1960 + The whos knyhthode is yit in mende, + And schal be to the worldes ende. + And forto loken overmore, + It hath and schal ben evermore + That of knihthode the prouesse + Is grounded upon hardinesse + Of him that dar wel undertake. + And who that wolde ensample take + Upon the forme of knyhtes lawe, + How that Achilles was forthdrawe 1970 + With Chiro, which Centaurus hihte, + Of many a wondre hiere he mihte. + For it stod thilke time thus, + That this Chiro, this Centaurus, + Withinne a large wildernesse, + Wher was Leon and Leonesse, + The Lepard and the Tigre also, + With Hert and Hynde, and buck and doo, + Hadde his duellinge, as tho befell, + Of Pileon upon the hel, 1980 + Wherof was thanne mochel speche. + Ther hath Chiro this Chyld to teche, + What time he was of tuelve yer age; + Wher forto maken his corage + The more hardi be other weie, + In the forest to hunte and pleie + Whan that Achilles walke wolde, + Centaurus bad that he ne scholde + After no beste make his chace, + Which wolde flen out of his place, 1990 + As buck and doo and hert and hynde, + With whiche he mai no werre finde; + Bot tho that wolden him withstonde, + Ther scholde he with his Dart on honde + Upon the Tigre and the Leon + Pourchace and take his veneison, + As to a kniht is acordant. + And therupon a covenant + This Chiro with Achilles sette, + That every day withoute lette 2000 + He scholde such a cruel beste + Or slen or wounden ate leste, + So that he mihte a tokne bringe + Of blod upon his hom cominge. + And thus of that Chiro him tawhte + Achilles such an herte cawhte, + That he nomore a Leon dradde, + Whan he his Dart on honde hadde, + Thanne if a Leon were an asse: + And that hath mad him forto passe 2010 + Alle othre knihtes of his dede, + Whan it cam to the grete nede, + As it was afterward wel knowe. + Lo, thus, my Sone, thou miht knowe + That the corage of hardiesce + Is of knyhthode the prouesce, + Which is to love sufficant + Aboven al the remenant + That unto loves court poursuie. + Bot who that wol no Slowthe eschuie, 2020 + Upon knihthode and noght travaile, + I not what love him scholde availe; + Bot every labour axeth why + Of som reward, wherof that I + Ensamples couthe telle ynowe + Of hem that toward love drowe + Be olde daies, as thei scholde. + Mi fader, therof hiere I wolde. + Mi Sone, it is wel resonable, + In place which is honorable 2030 + If that a man his herte sette, + That thanne he for no Slowthe lette + To do what longeth to manhede. + For if thou wolt the bokes rede + Of Lancelot and othre mo, + Ther miht thou sen hou it was tho + Of armes, for thei wolde atteigne + To love, which withoute peine + Mai noght be gete of ydelnesse. + And that I take to witnesse 2040 + An old Cronique in special, + The which into memorial + Is write, for his loves sake + Hou that a kniht schal undertake. + Ther was a king, which Oe5nes + Was hote, and he under his pes + Hield Calidoyne in his Empire, + And hadde a dowhter Deianire. + Men wiste in thilke time non + So fair a wiht as sche was on; 2050 + And as sche was a lusti wiht, + Riht so was thanne a noble kniht, + To whom Mercurie fader was. + This kniht the tuo pilers of bras, + The whiche yit a man mai finde, + Sette up in the desert of Ynde; + That was the worthi Hercules, + Whos name schal ben endeles + For the merveilles whiche he wroghte. + This Hercules the love soghte 2060 + Of Deianire, and of this thing + Unto hir fader, which was king, + He spak touchende of Mariage. + The king knowende his hih lignage, + And dradde also hise mihtes sterne, + To him ne dorste his dowhter werne; + And natheles this he him seide, + How Achelons er he ferst preide + To wedden hire, and in accord + Thei stode, as it was of record: 2070 + Bot for al that this he him granteth, + That which of hem that other daunteth + In armes, him sche scholde take, + And that the king hath undertake. + This Achelons was a Geant, + A soubtil man, a deceivant, + Which thurgh magique and sorcerie + Couthe al the world of tricherie: + And whan that he this tale herde, + Hou upon that the king ansuerde 2080 + With Hercules he moste feighte, + He tristeth noght upon his sleighte + Al only, whan it comth to nede, + Bot that which voydeth alle drede + And every noble herte stereth, + The love, that no lif forbereth, + For his ladi, whom he desireth, + With hardiesse his herte fyreth, + And sende him word withoute faile + That he wol take the bataille. 2090 + Thei setten day, they chosen field, + The knihtes coevered under Schield + Togedre come at time set, + And echon is with other met. + It fell thei foghten bothe afote, + Ther was no ston, ther was no rote, + Which mihte letten hem the weie, + But al was voide and take aweie. + Thei smyten strokes bot a fewe, + For Hercules, which wolde schewe 2100 + His grete strengthe as for the nones, + He sterte upon him al at ones + And cawhte him in hise armes stronge. + This Geant wot he mai noght longe + Endure under so harde bondes, + And thoghte he wolde out of hise hondes + Be sleyhte in som manere ascape. + And as he couthe himself forschape, + In liknesse of an Eddre he slipte + Out of his hond, and forth he skipte; 2110 + And efte, as he that feighte wole, + He torneth him into a Bole, + And gan to belwe of such a soun, + As thogh the world scholde al go doun: + The ground he sporneth and he tranceth, + Hise large hornes he avanceth + And caste hem here and there aboute. + Bot he, which stant of him no doute, + Awaiteth wel whan that he cam, + And him be bothe hornes nam 2120 + And al at ones he him caste + Unto the ground, and hield him faste, + That he ne mihte with no sleighte + Out of his hond gete upon heighte, + Til he was overcome and yolde, + And Hercules hath what he wolde. + The king him granteth to fulfille + His axinge at his oghne wille, + And sche for whom he hadde served, + Hire thoghte he hath hire wel deserved. 2130 + And thus with gret decerte of Armes + He wan him forto ligge in armes, + As he which hath it dere aboght, + For otherwise scholde he noght. + And overthis if thou wolt hiere + Upon knihthode of this matiere, + Hou love and armes ben aqueinted, + A man mai se bothe write and peinted + So ferforth that Pantasilee, + Which was the queene of Feminee, 2140 + The love of Hector forto sieke + And for thonour of armes eke, + To Troie cam with Spere and Schield, + And rod hirself into the field + With Maidens armed al a route + In rescouss of the toun aboute, + Which with the Gregois was belein. + Fro Pafagoine and as men sein, + Which stant upon the worldes ende, + That time it likede ek to wende 2150 + To Philemenis, which was king, + To Troie, and come upon this thing + In helpe of thilke noble toun; + And al was that for the renoun + Of worschipe and of worldes fame, + Of which he wolde bere a name: + And so he dede, and forth withal + He wan of love in special + A fair tribut for everemo. + For it fell thilke time so; 2160 + Pirrus the Sone of Achilles + This worthi queene among the press + With dedli swerd soghte out and fond, + And slowh hire with his oghne hond; + Wherof this king of Pafagoine + Pantasilee of Amazoine, + Wher sche was queene, with him ladde, + With suche Maidens as sche hadde + Of hem that were left alyve, + Forth in his Schip, til thei aryve; 2170 + Wher that the body was begrave + With worschipe, and the wommen save. + And for the goodschipe of this dede + Thei granten him a lusti mede, + That every yeer as for truage + To him and to his heritage + Of Maidens faire he schal have thre. + And in this wise spedde he, + Which the fortune of armes soghte, + With his travail his ese he boghte; 2180 + For otherwise he scholde have failed, + If that he hadde noght travailed. + Eneas ek withinne Ytaile, + Ne hadde he wonne the bataille + And don his miht so besily + Ayein king Turne his enemy, + He hadde noght Lavine wonne; + Bot for he hath him overronne + And gete his pris, he gat hire love. + Be these ensamples here above, 2190 + Lo, now, mi Sone, as I have told, + Thou miht wel se, who that is bold + And dar travaile and undertake + The cause of love, he schal be take + The rathere unto loves grace; + For comunliche in worthi place + The wommen loven worthinesse + Of manhode and of gentilesse, + For the gentils ben most desired. + Mi fader, bot I were enspired 2200 + Thurgh lore of you, I wot no weie + What gentilesce is forto seie, + Wherof to telle I you beseche. + The ground, Mi Sone, forto seche + Upon this diffinicion, + The worldes constitucion + Hath set the name of gentilesse + Upon the fortune of richesse + Which of long time is falle in age. + Thanne is a man of hih lignage 2210 + After the forme, as thou miht hiere, + Bot nothing after the matiere. + For who that resoun understonde, + Upon richesse it mai noght stonde, + For that is thing which faileth ofte: + For he that stant to day alofte + And al the world hath in hise wones, + Tomorwe he falleth al at ones + Out of richesse into poverte, + So that therof is no decerte, 2220 + Which gentilesce makth abide. + And forto loke on other side + Hou that a gentil man is bore, + Adam, which alle was tofore + With Eve his wif, as of hem tuo, + Al was aliche gentil tho; + So that of generacion + To make declaracion, + Ther mai no gentilesce be. + For to the reson if we se, 2230 + Of mannes berthe the mesure, + It is so comun to nature, + That it yifth every man aliche, + Als wel to povere as to the riche; + For naked thei ben bore bothe, + The lord nomore hath forto clothe + As of himself that ilke throwe, + Than hath the povereste of the rowe. + And whan thei schulle both passe, + I not of hem which hath the lasse 2240 + Of worldes good, bot as of charge + The lord is more forto charge, + Whan god schal his accompte hiere, + For he hath had hise lustes hiere. + Bot of the bodi, which schal deie, + Althogh ther be diverse weie + To deth, yit is ther bot on ende, + To which that every man schal wende, + Als wel the beggere as the lord, + Of o nature, of on acord: 2250 + Sche which oure Eldemoder is, + The Erthe, bothe that and this + Receiveth and alich devoureth, + That sche to nouther part favoureth. + So wot I nothing after kinde + Where I mai gentilesse finde. + For lacke of vertu lacketh grace, + Wherof richesse in many place, + Whan men best wene forto stonde, + Al sodeinly goth out of honde: 2260 + Bot vertu set in the corage, + Ther mai no world be so salvage, + Which mihte it take and don aweie, + Til whanne that the bodi deie; + And thanne he schal be riched so, + That it mai faile neveremo; + So mai that wel be gentilesse, + Which yifth so gret a sikernesse. + For after the condicion + Of resonable entencion, 2270 + The which out of the Soule groweth + And the vertu fro vice knoweth, + Wherof a man the vice eschuieth, + Withoute Slowthe and vertu suieth, + That is a verrai gentil man, + And nothing elles which he can, + Ne which he hath, ne which he mai. + Bot for al that yit nou aday, + In loves court to taken hiede, + The povere vertu schal noght spiede, 2280 + Wher that the riche vice woweth; + For sielde it is that love alloweth + The gentil man withoute good, + Thogh his condicion be good. + Bot if a man of bothe tuo + Be riche and vertuous also, + Thanne is he wel the more worth: + Bot yit to putte himselve forth + He moste don his besinesse, + For nowther good ne gentilesse 2290 + Mai helpen him whiche ydel be. + Bot who that wole in his degre + Travaile so as it belongeth, + It happeth ofte that he fongeth + Worschipe and ese bothe tuo. + For evere yit it hath be so, + That love honeste in sondri weie + Profiteth, for it doth aweie + The vice, and as the bokes sein, + It makth curteis of the vilein, 2300 + And to the couard hardiesce + It yifth, so that verrai prouesse + Is caused upon loves reule + To him that can manhode reule; + And ek toward the wommanhiede, + Who that therof wol taken hiede, + For thei the betre affaited be + In every thing, as men may se. + For love hath evere hise lustes grene + In gentil folk, as it is sene, 2310 + Which thing ther mai no kinde areste: + I trowe that ther is no beste, + If he with love scholde aqueinte, + That he ne wolde make it queinte + As for the while that it laste. + And thus I conclude ate laste, + That thei ben ydel, as me semeth, + Whiche unto thing that love demeth + Forslowthen that thei scholden do. + And overthis, mi Sone, also 2320 + After the vertu moral eke + To speke of love if I schal seke, + Among the holi bokes wise + I finde write in such a wise, + "Who loveth noght is hier as ded"; + For love above alle othre is hed, + Which hath the vertus forto lede, + Of al that unto mannes dede + Belongeth: for of ydelschipe + He hateth all the felaschipe. 2330 + For Slowthe is evere to despise, + Which in desdeign hath al apprise, + And that acordeth noght to man: + For he that wit and reson kan, + It sit him wel that he travaile + Upon som thing which mihte availe, + For ydelschipe is noght comended, + Bot every lawe it hath defended. + And in ensample therupon + The noble wise Salomon, 2340 + Which hadde of every thing insihte, + Seith, "As the briddes to the flihte + Ben made, so the man is bore + To labour," which is noght forbore + To hem that thenken forto thryve. + For we, whiche are now alyve, + Of hem that besi whylom were, + Als wel in Scole as elleswhere, + Mowe every day ensample take, + That if it were now to make 2350 + Thing which that thei ferst founden oute, + It scholde noght be broght aboute. + Here lyves thanne were longe, + Here wittes grete, here mihtes stronge, + Here hertes ful of besinesse, + Wherof the worldes redinesse + In bodi bothe and in corage + Stant evere upon his avantage. + And forto drawe into memoire + Here names bothe and here histoire, 2360 + Upon the vertu of her dede + In sondri bokes thou miht rede. + Of every wisdom the parfit + The hyhe god of his spirit + Yaf to the men in Erthe hiere + Upon the forme and the matiere + Of that he wolde make hem wise: + And thus cam in the ferste apprise + Of bokes and of alle goode + Thurgh hem that whilom understode 2370 + The lore which to hem was yive, + Wherof these othre, that now live, + Ben every day to lerne newe. + Bot er the time that men siewe, + And that the labour forth it broghte, + Ther was no corn, thogh men it soghte, + In non of al the fieldes oute; + And er the wisdom cam aboute + Of hem that ferst the bokes write, + This mai wel every wys man wite, 2380 + Ther was gret labour ek also. + Thus was non ydel of the tuo, + That on the plogh hath undertake + With labour which the hond hath take, + That other tok to studie and muse, + As he which wolde noght refuse + The labour of hise wittes alle. + And in this wise it is befalle, + Of labour which that thei begunne + We be now tawht of that we kunne: 2390 + Here besinesse is yit so seene, + That it stant evere alyche greene; + Al be it so the bodi deie, + The name of hem schal nevere aweie. + In the Croniqes as I finde, + Cham, whos labour is yit in minde, + Was he which ferst the lettres fond + And wrot in Hebreu with his hond: + Of naturel Philosophie + He fond ferst also the clergie. 2400 + Cadmus the lettres of Gregois + Ferst made upon his oghne chois. + Theges of thing which schal befalle, + He was the ferste Augurre of alle: + And Philemon be the visage + Fond to descrive the corage. + Cladyns, Esdras and Sulpices, + Termegis, Pandulf, Frigidilles, + Menander, Ephiloquorus, + Solins, Pandas and Josephus 2410 + The ferste were of Enditours, + Of old Cronique and ek auctours: + And Heredot in his science + Of metre, of rime and of cadence + The ferste was of which men note. + And of Musique also the note + In mannes vois or softe or scharpe, + That fond Jubal; and of the harpe + The merie soun, which is to like, + That fond Poulins forth with phisique. 2420 + Zenzis fond ferst the pourtreture, + And Promothes the Sculpture; + After what forme that hem thoghte, + The resemblance anon thei wroghte. + Tubal in Iren and in Stel + Fond ferst the forge and wroghte it wel: + And Jadahel, as seith the bok, + Ferst made Net and fisshes tok: + Of huntynge ek he fond the chace, + Which now is knowe in many place: 2430 + A tente of cloth with corde and stake + He sette up ferst and dede it make. + Verconius of cokerie + Ferst made the delicacie. + The craft Minerve of wolle fond + And made cloth hire oghne hond; + And Delbora made it of lyn: + Tho wommen were of great engyn. + Bot thing which yifth ous mete and drinke + And doth the labourer to swinke 2440 + To tile lond and sette vines, + Wherof the cornes and the wynes + Ben sustenance to mankinde, + In olde bokes as I finde, + Saturnus of his oghne wit + Hath founde ferst, and more yit + Of Chapmanhode he fond the weie, + And ek to coigne the moneie + Of sondri metall, as it is, + He was the ferste man of this. 2450 + Bot hou that metall cam a place + Thurgh mannes wit and goddes grace + The route of Philosophres wise + Controeveden be sondri wise, + Ferst forto gete it out of Myne, + And after forto trie and fyne. + And also with gret diligence + Thei founden thilke experience, + Which cleped is Alconomie, + Wherof the Selver multeplie 2460 + Thei made and ek the gold also. + And forto telle hou it is so, + Of bodies sevene in special + With foure spiritz joynt withal + Stant the substance of this matiere. + The bodies whiche I speke of hiere + Of the Planetes ben begonne: + The gold is titled to the Sonne, + The mone of Selver hath his part, + And Iren that stant upon Mart, 2470 + The Led after Satorne groweth, + And Jupiter the Bras bestoweth, + The Coper set is to Venus, + And to his part Mercurius + Hath the quikselver, as it falleth, + The which, after the bok it calleth, + Is ferst of thilke fowre named + Of Spiritz, whiche ben proclamed; + And the spirit which is secounde + In Sal Armoniak is founde: 2480 + The thridde spirit Sulphur is; + The ferthe suiende after this + Arcennicum be name is hote. + With blowinge and with fyres hote + In these thinges, whiche I seie, + Thei worchen be diverse weie. + For as the philosophre tolde + Of gold and selver, thei ben holde + Tuo principal extremites, + To whiche alle othre be degres 2490 + Of the metalls ben acordant, + And so thurgh kinde resemblant, + That what man couthe aweie take + The rust, of which thei waxen blake, + And the savour and the hardnesse, + Thei scholden take the liknesse + Of gold or Selver parfitly. + Bot forto worche it sikirly, + Betwen the corps and the spirit, + Er that the metall be parfit, 2500 + In sevene formes it is set; + Of alle and if that on be let, + The remenant mai noght availe, + Bot otherwise it mai noght faile. + For thei be whom this art was founde + To every point a certain bounde + Ordeignen, that a man mai finde + This craft is wroght be weie of kinde, + So that ther is no fallas inne. + Bot what man that this werk beginne, 2510 + He mot awaite at every tyde, + So that nothing be left aside, + Ferst of the distillacion, + Forth with the congelacion, + Solucion, descencion, + And kepe in his entencion + The point of sublimacion, + And forth with calcinacion + Of veray approbacion + Do that ther be fixacion 2520 + With tempred hetes of the fyr, + Til he the parfit Elixir + Of thilke philosophres Ston + Mai gete, of which that many on + Of Philosophres whilom write. + And if thou wolt the names wite + Of thilke Ston with othre tuo, + Whiche as the clerkes maden tho, + So as the bokes it recorden, + The kinde of hem I schal recorden. 2530 + These olde Philosophres wyse + Be weie of kinde in sondri wise + Thre Stones maden thurgh clergie. + The ferste, if I schal specefie, + Was lapis vegetabilis, + Of which the propre vertu is + To mannes hele forto serve, + As forto kepe and to preserve + The bodi fro siknesses alle, + Til deth of kinde upon him falle. 2540 + The Ston seconde I thee behote + Is lapis animalis hote, + The whos vertu is propre and cowth + For Ere and yhe and nase and mouth, + Wherof a man mai hiere and se + And smelle and taste in his degre, + And forto fiele and forto go + It helpeth man of bothe tuo: + The wittes fyve he underfongeth + To kepe, as it to him belongeth. 2550 + The thridde Ston in special + Be name is cleped Minerall, + Which the metalls of every Mine + Attempreth, til that thei ben fyne, + And pureth hem be such a weie, + That al the vice goth aweie + Of rust, of stink and of hardnesse: + And whan thei ben of such clennesse, + This Mineral, so as I finde, + Transformeth al the ferste kynde 2560 + And makth hem able to conceive + Thurgh his vertu, and to receive + Bothe in substance and in figure + Of gold and selver the nature. + For thei tuo ben thextremetes, + To whiche after the propretes + Hath every metal his desir, + With help and confort of the fyr + Forth with this Ston, as it is seid, + Which to the Sonne and Mone is leid; 2570 + For to the rede and to the whyte + This Ston hath pouer to profite. + It makth mulptiplicacioun + Of gold, and the fixacioun + It causeth, and of his habit + He doth the werk to be parfit + Of thilke Elixer which men calle + Alconomie, as is befalle + To hem that whilom weren wise. + Bot now it stant al otherwise; 2580 + Thei speken faste of thilke Ston, + Bot hou to make it, nou wot non + After the sothe experience. + And natheles gret diligence + Thei setten upon thilke dede, + And spille more than thei spede; + For allewey thei finde a lette, + Which bringeth in poverte and dette + To hem that riche were afore: + The lost is had, the lucre is lore, 2590 + To gete a pound thei spenden fyve; + I not hou such a craft schal thryve + In the manere as it is used: + It were betre be refused + Than forto worchen upon weene + In thing which stant noght as thei weene. + Bot noght forthi, who that it knewe, + The science of himself is trewe + Upon the forme as it was founded, + Wherof the names yit ben grounded 2600 + Of hem that ferste it founden oute; + And thus the fame goth aboute + To suche as soghten besinesse + Of vertu and of worthinesse. + Of whom if I the names calle, + Hermes was on the ferste of alle, + To whom this art is most applied; + Geber therof was magnefied, + And Ortolan and Morien, + Among the whiche is Avicen, 2610 + Which fond and wrot a gret partie + The practique of Alconomie; + Whos bokes, pleinli as thei stonde + Upon this craft, fewe understonde; + Bot yit to put hem in assai + Ther ben full manye now aday, + That knowen litel what thei meene. + It is noght on to wite and weene; + In forme of wordes thei it trete, + Bot yit they failen of beyete, 2620 + For of tomoche or of tolyte + Ther is algate founde a wyte, + So that thei folwe noght the lyne + Of the parfite medicine, + Which grounded is upon nature. + Bot thei that writen the scripture + Of Grek, Arabe and of Caldee, + Thei were of such Auctorite + That thei ferst founden out the weie + Of al that thou hast herd me seie; 2630 + Wherof the Cronique of her lore + Schal stonde in pris for everemore. + Bot toward oure Marches hiere, + Of the Latins if thou wolt hiere, + Of hem that whilom vertuous + Were and therto laborious, + Carmente made of hire engin + The ferste lettres of Latin, + Of which the tunge Romein cam, + Wherof that Aristarchus nam 2640 + Forth with Donat and Dindimus + The ferste reule of Scole, as thus, + How that Latin schal be componed + And in what wise it schal be soned, + That every word in his degre + Schal stonde upon congruite. + And thilke time at Rome also + Was Tullius with Cithero, + That writen upon Rethorike, + Hou that men schal the wordes pike 2650 + After the forme of eloquence, + Which is, men sein, a gret prudence: + And after that out of Hebreu + Jerom, which the langage kneu, + The Bible, in which the lawe is closed, + Into Latin he hath transposed; + And many an other writere ek + Out of Caldee, Arabe and Grek + With gret labour the bokes wise + Translateden. And otherwise 2660 + The Latins of hemself also + Here studie at thilke time so + With gret travaile of Scole toke + In sondri forme forto boke, + That we mai take here evidences + Upon the lore of the Sciences, + Of craftes bothe and of clergie; + Among the whiche in Poesie + To the lovers Ovide wrot + And tawhte, if love be to hot, 2670 + In what manere it scholde akiele. + Forthi, mi Sone, if that thou fiele + That love wringe thee to sore, + Behold Ovide and take his lore. + My fader, if thei mihte spede + Mi love, I wolde his bokes rede; + And if thei techen to restreigne + Mi love, it were an ydel peine + To lerne a thing which mai noght be. + For lich unto the greene tree, 2680 + If that men toke his rote aweie, + Riht so myn herte scholde deie, + If that mi love be withdrawe. + Wherof touchende unto this sawe + There is bot only to poursuie + Mi love, and ydelschipe eschuie. + Mi goode Sone, soth to seie, + If ther be siker eny weie + To love, thou hast seid the beste: + For who that wolde have al his reste 2690 + And do no travail at the nede, + It is no resoun that he spede + In loves cause forto winne; + For he which dar nothing beginne, + I not what thing he scholde achieve. + Bot overthis thou schalt believe, + So as it sit thee wel to knowe, + That ther ben othre vices slowe, + Whiche unto love don gret lette, + If thou thin herte upon hem sette. 2700 + Toward the Slowe progenie + Ther is yit on of compaignie, + And he is cleped Sompnolence, + Which doth to Slouthe his reverence, + As he which is his Chamberlein, + That many an hundrid time hath lein + To slepe, whan he scholde wake. + He hath with love trewes take, + That wake who so wake wile, + If he mai couche a doun his bile, 2710 + He hath al wowed what him list; + That ofte he goth to bedde unkist, + And seith that for no Druerie + He wol noght leve his sluggardie. + For thogh noman it wole allowe, + To slepe levere than to wowe + Is his manere, and thus on nyhtes, + Whan that he seth the lusti knyhtes + Revelen, wher these wommen are, + Awey he skulketh as an hare, 2720 + And goth to bedde and leith him softe, + And of his Slouthe he dremeth ofte + Hou that he stiketh in the Myr, + And hou he sitteth be the fyr + And claweth on his bare schanckes, + And hou he clymbeth up the banckes + And falleth into Slades depe. + Bot thanne who so toke kepe, + Whanne he is falle in such a drem, + Riht as a Schip ayein the Strem, 2730 + He routeth with a slepi noise, + And brustleth as a monkes froise, + Whanne it is throwe into the Panne. + And otherwhile sielde whanne + That he mai dreme a lusti swevene, + Him thenkth as thogh he were in hevene + And as the world were holi his: + And thanne he spekth of that and this, + And makth his exposicion + After the disposicion 2740 + Of that he wolde, and in such wise + He doth to love all his service; + I not what thonk he schal deserve. + Bot, Sone, if thou wolt love serve, + I rede that thou do noght so. + Ha, goode fader, certes no. + I hadde levere be mi trowthe, + Er I were set on such a slouthe + And beere such a slepi snoute, + Bothe yhen of myn hed were oute. 2750 + For me were betre fulli die, + Thanne I of such a slugardie + Hadde eny name, god me schilde; + For whan mi moder was with childe, + And I lay in hire wombe clos, + I wolde rathere Atropos, + Which is goddesse of alle deth, + Anon as I hadde eny breth, + Me hadde fro mi Moder cast. + Bot now I am nothing agast, 2760 + I thonke godd; for Lachesis, + Ne Cloto, which hire felawe is, + Me schopen no such destine, + Whan thei at mi nativite + My weerdes setten as thei wolde; + Bot thei me schopen that I scholde + Eschuie of slep the truandise, + So that I hope in such a wise + To love forto ben excused, + That I no Sompnolence have used. 2770 + For certes, fader Genius, + Yit into nou it hath be thus, + At alle time if it befelle + So that I mihte come and duelle + In place ther my ladi were, + I was noght slow ne slepi there: + For thanne I dar wel undertake, + That whanne hir list on nyhtes wake + In chambre as to carole and daunce, + Me thenkth I mai me more avaunce, 2780 + If I mai gon upon hir hond, + Thanne if I wonne a kinges lond. + For whanne I mai hire hand beclippe, + With such gladnesse I daunce and skippe, + Me thenkth I touche noght the flor; + The Ro, which renneth on the Mor, + Is thanne noght so lyht as I: + So mow ye witen wel forthi, + That for the time slep I hate. + And whanne it falleth othergate, 2790 + So that hire like noght to daunce, + Bot on the Dees to caste chaunce + Or axe of love som demande, + Or elles that hir list comaunde + To rede and here of Troilus, + Riht as sche wole or so or thus, + I am al redi to consente. + And if so is that I mai hente + Somtime among a good leisir, + So as I dar of mi desir 2800 + I telle a part; bot whanne I preie, + Anon sche bidt me go mi weie + And seith it is ferr in the nyht; + And I swere it is even liht. + Bot as it falleth ate laste, + Ther mai no worldes joie laste, + So mot I nedes fro hire wende + And of my wachche make an ende: + And if sche thanne hiede toke, + Hou pitousliche on hire I loke, 2810 + Whan that I schal my leve take, + Hire oghte of mercy forto slake + Hire daunger, which seith evere nay. + Bot he seith often, "Have good day," + That loth is forto take his leve: + Therfore, while I mai beleve, + I tarie forth the nyht along, + For it is noght on me along + To slep that I so sone go, + Til that I mot algate so; 2820 + And thanne I bidde godd hire se, + And so doun knelende on mi kne + I take leve, and if I schal, + I kisse hire, and go forth withal. + And otherwhile, if that I dore, + Er I come fulli to the Dore, + I torne ayein and feigne a thing, + As thogh I hadde lost a Ring + Or somwhat elles, for I wolde + Kisse hire eftsones, if I scholde, 2830 + Bot selden is that I so spede. + And whanne I se that I mot nede + Departen, I departe, and thanne + With al myn herte I curse and banne + That evere slep was mad for yhe; + For, as me thenkth, I mihte dryhe + Withoute slep to waken evere, + So that I scholde noght dissevere + Fro hire, in whom is al my liht: + And thanne I curse also the nyht 2840 + With al the will of mi corage, + And seie, "Awey, thou blake ymage, + Which of thi derke cloudy face + Makst al the worldes lyht deface, + And causest unto slep a weie, + Be which I mot nou gon aweie + Out of mi ladi compaignie. + O slepi nyht, I thee defie, + And wolde that thou leye in presse + With Proserpine the goddesse 2850 + And with Pluto the helle king: + For til I se the daies spring, + I sette slep noght at a risshe." + And with that word I sike and wisshe, + And seie, "Ha, whi ne were it day? + For yit mi ladi thanne I may + Beholde, thogh I do nomore." + And efte I thenke forthermore, + To som man hou the niht doth ese, + Whan he hath thing that mai him plese 2860 + The longe nyhtes be his side, + Where as I faile and go beside. + Bot slep, I not wherof it serveth, + Of which noman his thonk deserveth + To gete him love in eny place, + Bot is an hindrere of his grace + And makth him ded as for a throwe, + Riht as a Stok were overthrowe. + And so, mi fader, in this wise + The slepi nyhtes I despise, 2870 + And evere amiddes of mi tale + I thenke upon the nyhtingale, + Which slepeth noght be weie of kinde + For love, in bokes as I finde. + Thus ate laste I go to bedde, + And yit min herte lith to wedde + With hire, wher as I cam fro; + Thogh I departe, he wol noght so, + Ther is no lock mai schette him oute, + Him nedeth noght to gon aboute, 2880 + That perce mai the harde wall; + Thus is he with hire overall, + That be hire lief, or be hire loth, + Into hire bedd myn herte goth, + And softly takth hire in his arm + And fieleth hou that sche is warm, + And wissheth that his body were + To fiele that he fieleth there. + And thus miselven I tormente, + Til that the dede slep me hente: 2890 + Bot thanne be a thousand score + Welmore than I was tofore + I am tormented in mi slep, + Bot that I dreme is noght of schep; + For I ne thenke noght on wulle, + Bot I am drecched to the fulle + Of love, that I have to kepe, + That nou I lawhe and nou I wepe, + And nou I lese and nou I winne, + And nou I ende and nou beginne. 2900 + And otherwhile I dreme and mete + That I al one with hire mete + And that Danger is left behinde; + And thanne in slep such joie I finde, + That I ne bede nevere awake. + Bot after, whanne I hiede take, + And schal arise upon the morwe, + Thanne is al torned into sorwe, + Noght for the cause I schal arise, + Bot for I mette in such a wise, 2910 + And ate laste I am bethoght + That al is vein and helpeth noght: + Bot yit me thenketh be my wille + I wolde have leie and slepe stille, + To meten evere of such a swevene, + For thanne I hadde a slepi hevene. + Mi Sone, and for thou tellest so, + A man mai finde of time ago + That many a swevene hath be certein, + Al be it so, that som men sein 2920 + That swevenes ben of no credence. + Bot forto schewe in evidence + That thei fulofte sothe thinges + Betokne, I thenke in my wrytinges + To telle a tale therupon, + Which fell be olde daies gon. + This finde I write in Poesie: + Cei5x the king of Trocinie + Hadde Alceone to his wif, + Which as hire oghne hertes lif 2930 + Him loveth; and he hadde also + A brother, which was cleped tho + Dedalion, and he per cas + Fro kinde of man forschape was + Into a Goshauk of liknesse; + Wherof the king gret hevynesse + Hath take, and thoghte in his corage + To gon upon a pelrinage + Into a strange regioun, + Wher he hath his devocioun 2940 + To don his sacrifice and preie, + If that he mihte in eny weie + Toward the goddes finde grace + His brother hele to pourchace, + So that he mihte be reformed + Of that he hadde be transformed. + To this pourpos and to this ende + This king is redy forto wende, + As he which wolde go be Schipe; + And forto don him felaschipe 2950 + His wif unto the See him broghte, + With al hire herte and him besoghte, + That he the time hire wolde sein, + Whan that he thoghte come ayein: + "Withinne," he seith, "tuo Monthe day." + And thus in al the haste he may + He tok his leve, and forth he seileth + Wepende, and sche hirself beweileth, + And torneth hom, ther sche cam fro. + Bot whan the Monthes were ago, 2960 + The whiche he sette of his comynge, + And that sche herde no tydinge, + Ther was no care forto seche: + Wherof the goddes to beseche + Tho sche began in many wise, + And to Juno hire sacrifise + Above alle othre most sche dede, + And for hir lord sche hath so bede + To wite and knowe hou that he ferde, + That Juno the goddesse hire herde, 2970 + Anon and upon this matiere + Sche bad Yris hir Messagere + To Slepes hous that sche schal wende, + And bidde him that he make an ende + Be swevene and schewen al the cas + Unto this ladi, hou it was. + This Yris, fro the hihe stage + Which undertake hath the Message, + Hire reyny Cope dede upon, + The which was wonderli begon 2980 + With colours of diverse hewe, + An hundred mo than men it knewe; + The hevene lich into a bowe + Sche bende, and so she cam doun lowe, + The god of Slep wher that sche fond. + And that was in a strange lond, + Which marcheth upon Chymerie: + For ther, as seith the Poesie, + The god of Slep hath mad his hous, + Which of entaille is merveilous. 2990 + Under an hell ther is a Cave, + Which of the Sonne mai noght have, + So that noman mai knowe ariht + The point betwen the dai and nyht: + Ther is no fyr, ther is no sparke, + Ther is no dore, which mai charke, + Wherof an yhe scholde unschette, + So that inward ther is no lette. + And forto speke of that withoute, + Ther stant no gret Tree nyh aboute 3000 + Wher on ther myhte crowe or pie + Alihte, forto clepe or crie: + Ther is no cok to crowe day, + Ne beste non which noise may + The hell, bot al aboute round + Ther is growende upon the ground + Popi, which berth the sed of slep, + With othre herbes suche an hep. + A stille water for the nones + Rennende upon the smale stones, 3010 + Which hihte of Lethes the rivere, + Under that hell in such manere + Ther is, which yifth gret appetit + To slepe. And thus full of delit + Slep hath his hous; and of his couche + Withinne his chambre if I schal touche, + Of hebenus that slepi Tree + The bordes al aboute be, + And for he scholde slepe softe, + Upon a fethrebed alofte 3020 + He lith with many a pilwe of doun: + The chambre is strowed up and doun + With swevenes many thousendfold. + Thus cam Yris into this hold, + And to the bedd, which is al blak, + Sche goth, and ther with Slep sche spak, + And in the wise as sche was bede + The Message of Juno sche dede. + Fulofte hir wordes sche reherceth, + Er sche his slepi Eres perceth; 3030 + With mochel wo bot ate laste + His slombrende yhen he upcaste + And seide hir that it schal be do. + Wherof among a thousend tho, + Withinne his hous that slepi were, + In special he ches out there + Thre, whiche scholden do this dede: + The ferste of hem, so as I rede, + Was Morphes, the whos nature + Is forto take the figure 3040 + Of what persone that him liketh, + Wherof that he fulofte entriketh + The lif which slepe schal be nyhte; + And Ithecus that other hihte, + Which hath the vois of every soun, + The chiere and the condicioun + Of every lif, what so it is: + The thridde suiende after this + Is Panthasas, which may transforme + Of every thing the rihte forme, 3050 + And change it in an other kinde. + Upon hem thre, so as I finde, + Of swevenes stant al thapparence, + Which otherwhile is evidence + And otherwhile bot a jape. + Bot natheles it is so schape, + That Morphes be nyht al one + Appiereth until Alceone + In liknesse of hir housebonde + Al naked ded upon the stronde, 3060 + And hou he dreynte in special + These othre tuo it schewen al. + The tempeste of the blake cloude, + The wode See, the wyndes loude, + Al this sche mette, and sih him dyen; + Wherof that sche began to crien, + Slepende abedde ther sche lay, + And with that noise of hire affray + Hir wommen sterten up aboute, + Whiche of here ladi were in doute, 3070 + And axen hire hou that sche ferde; + And sche, riht as sche syh and herde, + Hir swevene hath told hem everydel. + And thei it halsen alle wel + And sein it is a tokne of goode; + Bot til sche wiste hou that it stode, + Sche hath no confort in hire herte, + Upon the morwe and up sche sterte, + And to the See, wher that sche mette + The bodi lay, withoute lette 3080 + Sche drowh, and whan that sche cam nyh, + Stark ded, hise harmes sprad, sche syh + Hire lord flietende upon the wawe. + Wherof hire wittes ben withdrawe, + And sche, which tok of deth no kepe, + Anon forth lepte into the depe + And wolde have cawht him in hire arm. + This infortune of double harm + The goddes fro the hevene above + Behielde, and for the trowthe of love, 3090 + Which in this worthi ladi stod, + Thei have upon the salte flod + Hire dreinte lord and hire also + Fro deth to lyve torned so, + That thei ben schapen into briddes + Swimmende upon the wawe amiddes. + And whan sche sih hire lord livende + In liknesse of a bridd swimmende, + And sche was of the same sort, + So as sche mihte do desport, 3100 + Upon the joie which sche hadde + Hire wynges bothe abrod sche spradde, + And him, so as sche mai suffise, + Beclipte and keste in such a wise, + As sche was whilom wont to do: + Hire wynges for hire armes tuo + Sche tok, and for hire lippes softe + Hire harde bile, and so fulofte + Sche fondeth in hire briddes forme, + If that sche mihte hirself conforme 3110 + To do the plesance of a wif, + As sche dede in that other lif: + For thogh sche hadde hir pouer lore, + Hir will stod as it was tofore, + And serveth him so as sche mai. + Wherof into this ilke day + Togedre upon the See thei wone, + Wher many a dowhter and a Sone + Thei bringen forth of briddes kinde; + And for men scholden take in mynde 3120 + This Alceoun the trewe queene, + Hire briddes yit, as it is seene, + Of Alceoun the name bere. + Lo thus, mi Sone, it mai thee stere + Of swevenes forto take kepe, + For ofte time a man aslepe + Mai se what after schal betide. + Forthi it helpeth at som tyde + A man to slepe, as it belongeth, + Bot slowthe no lif underfongeth 3130 + Which is to love appourtenant. + Mi fader, upon covenant + I dar wel make this avou, + Of all mi lif that into nou, + Als fer as I can understonde, + Yit tok I nevere Slep on honde, + Whan it was time forto wake; + For thogh myn yhe it wolde take, + Min herte is evere therayein. + Bot natheles to speke it plein, 3140 + Al this that I have seid you hiere + Of my wakinge, as ye mai hiere, + It toucheth to mi lady swete; + For otherwise, I you behiete, + In strange place whanne I go, + Me list nothing to wake so. + For whan the wommen listen pleie, + And I hir se noght in the weie, + Of whom I scholde merthe take, + Me list noght longe forto wake, 3150 + Bot if it be for pure schame, + Of that I wolde eschuie a name, + That thei ne scholde have cause non + To seie, "Ha, lo, wher goth such on, + That hath forlore his contenaunce]" + And thus among I singe and daunce, + And feigne lust ther as non is. + For ofte sithe I fiele this; + Of thoght, which in mi herte falleth + Whanne it is nyht, myn hed appalleth, 3160 + And that is for I se hire noght, + Which is the wakere of mi thoght: + And thus as tymliche as I may, + Fulofte whanne it is brod day, + I take of all these othre leve + And go my weie, and thei beleve, + That sen per cas here loves there; + And I go forth as noght ne were + Unto mi bedd, so that al one + I mai ther ligge and sighe and grone 3170 + And wisshen al the longe nyht, + Til that I se the daies lyht. + I not if that be Sompnolence, + Bot upon youre conscience, + Min holi fader, demeth ye. + My Sone, I am wel paid with thee, + Of Slep that thou the Sluggardie + Be nyhte in loves compaignie + Eschuied hast, and do thi peine + So that thi love thar noght pleine: 3180 + For love upon his lust wakende + Is evere, and wolde that non ende + Were of the longe nyhtes set. + Wherof that thou be war the bet, + To telle a tale I am bethoght, + Hou love and Slep acorden noght. + For love who that list to wake + Be nyhte, he mai ensample take + Of Cephalus, whan that he lay + With Aurora that swete may 3190 + In armes all the longe nyht. + Bot whanne it drogh toward the liht, + That he withinne his herte sih + The dai which was amorwe nyh, + Anon unto the Sonne he preide + For lust of love, and thus he seide: + "O Phebus, which the daies liht + Governest, til that it be nyht, + And gladest every creature + After the lawe of thi nature,- 3200 + Bot natheles ther is a thing, + Which onli to the knouleching + Belongeth as in privete + To love and to his duete, + Which asketh noght to ben apert, + Bot in cilence and in covert + Desireth forto be beschaded: + And thus whan that thi liht is faded + And Vesper scheweth him alofte, + And that the nyht is long and softe, 3210 + Under the cloudes derke and stille + Thanne hath this thing most of his wille. + Forthi unto thi myhtes hyhe, + As thou which art the daies yhe, + Of love and myht no conseil hyde, + Upon this derke nyhtes tyde + With al myn herte I thee beseche + That I plesance myhte seche + With hire which lith in min armes. + Withdrawgh the Banere of thin Armes, 3220 + And let thi lyhtes ben unborn, + And in the Signe of Capricorn, + The hous appropred to Satorne, + I preie that thou wolt sojorne, + Wher ben the nihtes derke and longe: + For I mi love have underfonge, + Which lith hier be mi syde naked, + As sche which wolde ben awaked, + And me lest nothing forto slepe. + So were it good to take kepe 3230 + Nou at this nede of mi preiere, + And that the like forto stiere + Thi fyri Carte, and so ordeigne, + That thou thi swifte hors restreigne + Lowe under Erthe in Occident, + That thei towardes Orient + Be Cercle go the longe weie. + And ek to thee, Diane, I preie, + Which cleped art of thi noblesse + The nyhtes Mone and the goddesse, 3240 + That thou to me be gracious: + And in Cancro thin oghne hous + Ayein Phebus in opposit + Stond al this time, and of delit + Behold Venus with a glad yhe. + For thanne upon Astronomie + Of due constellacion + Thou makst prolificacion, + And dost that children ben begete: + Which grace if that I mihte gete, 3250 + With al myn herte I wolde serve + Be nyhte, and thi vigile observe." + Lo, thus this lusti Cephalus + Preide unto Phebe and to Phebus + The nyht in lengthe forto drawe, + So that he mihte do the lawe + In thilke point of loves heste, + Which cleped is the nyhtes feste, + Withoute Slep of sluggardie; + Which Venus out of compaignie 3260 + Hath put awey, as thilke same, + Which lustles ferr from alle game + In chambre doth fulofte wo + Abedde, whanne it falleth so + That love scholde ben awaited. + But Slowthe, which is evele affaited, + With Slep hath mad his retenue, + That what thing is to love due, + Of all his dette he paieth non: + He wot noght how the nyht is gon 3270 + Ne hou the day is come aboute, + Bot onli forto slepe and route + Til hyh midday, that he arise. + Bot Cephalus dede otherwise, + As thou, my Sone, hast herd above. + Mi fader, who that hath his love + Abedde naked be his syde, + And wolde thanne hise yhen hyde + With Slep, I not what man is he: + Bot certes as touchende of me, 3280 + That fell me nevere yit er this. + Bot otherwhile, whan so is + That I mai cacche Slep on honde + Liggende al one, thanne I fonde + To dreme a merie swevene er day; + And if so falle that I may + Mi thought with such a swevene plese, + Me thenkth I am somdiel in ese, + For I non other confort have. + So nedeth noght that I schal crave 3290 + The Sonnes Carte forto tarie, + Ne yit the Mone, that sche carie + Hire cours along upon the hevene, + For I am noght the more in evene + Towardes love in no degree: + Bot in mi slep yit thanne I se + Somwhat in swevene of that me liketh, + Which afterward min herte entriketh, + Whan that I finde it otherwise. + So wot I noght of what servise 3300 + That Slep to mannes ese doth. + Mi Sone, certes thou seist soth, + Bot only that it helpeth kinde + Somtyme, in Phisique as I finde, + Whan it is take be mesure: + Bot he which can no Slep mesure + Upon the reule as it belongeth, + Fulofte of sodein chance he fongeth + Such infortune that him grieveth. + Bot who these olde bokes lieveth, 3310 + Of Sompnolence hou it is write, + Ther may a man the sothe wite, + If that he wolde ensample take, + That otherwhile is good to wake: + Wherof a tale in Poesie + I thenke forto specefie. + Ovide telleth in his sawes, + How Jupiter be olde dawes + Lay be a Mayde, which Yo + Was cleped, wherof that Juno 3320 + His wif was wroth, and the goddesse + Of Yo torneth the liknesse + Into a cow, to gon theroute + The large fieldes al aboute + And gete hire mete upon the griene. + And therupon this hyhe queene + Betok hire Argus forto kepe, + For he was selden wont to slepe, + And yit he hadde an hundred yhen, + And alle alyche wel thei syhen. 3330 + Now herkne hou that he was beguiled. + Mercurie, which was al affiled + This Cow to stele, he cam desguised, + And hadde a Pipe wel devised + Upon the notes of Musiqe, + Wherof he mihte hise Eres like. + And over that he hadde affaited + Hise lusti tales, and awaited + His time; and thus into the field + He cam, where Argus he behield 3340 + With Yo, which beside him wente. + With that his Pype on honde he hente, + And gan to pipe in his manere + Thing which was slepi forto hiere; + And in his pipinge evere among + He tolde him such a lusti song, + That he the fol hath broght aslepe. + Ther was non yhe mihte kepe + His hed, the which Mercurie of smot, + And forth withal anon fot hot 3350 + He stal the Cow which Argus kepte, + And al this fell for that he slepte. + Ensample it was to manye mo, + That mochel Slep doth ofte wo, + Whan it is time forto wake: + For if a man this vice take, + In Sompnolence and him delite, + Men scholde upon his Dore wryte + His epitaphe, as on his grave; + For he to spille and noght to save 3360 + Is schape, as thogh he were ded. + Forthi, mi Sone, hold up thin hed, + And let no Slep thin yhe englue, + Bot whanne it is to resoun due. + Mi fader, as touchende of this, + Riht so as I you tolde it is, + That ofte abedde, whanne I scholde, + I mai noght slepe, thogh I wolde; + For love is evere faste byme, + Which takth no hiede of due time. 3370 + For whanne I schal myn yhen close, + Anon min herte he wole oppose + And holde his Scole in such a wise, + Til it be day that I arise, + That selde it is whan that I slepe. + And thus fro Sompnolence I kepe + Min yhe: and forthi if ther be + Oght elles more in this degre, + Now axeth forth. Mi Sone, yis: + For Slowthe, which as Moder is 3380 + The forthdrawere and the Norrice + To man of many a dredful vice, + Hath yit an other laste of alle, + Which many a man hath mad to falle, + Wher that he mihte nevere arise; + Wherof for thou thee schalt avise, + Er thou so with thiself misfare, + What vice it is I wol declare. + Whan Slowthe hath don al that he may + To dryve forth the longe day, 3390 + Til it be come to the nede, + Thanne ate laste upon the dede + He loketh hou his time is lore, + And is so wo begon therfore, + That he withinne his thoght conceiveth + Tristesce, and so himself deceiveth, + That he wanhope bringeth inne, + Wher is no confort to beginne, + Bot every joie him is deslaied: + So that withinne his herte affraied 3400 + A thousend time with o breth + Wepende he wissheth after deth, + Whan he fortune fint adverse. + For thanne he wole his hap reherce, + As thogh his world were al forlore, + And seith, "Helas, that I was bore] + Hou schal I live? hou schal I do? + For nou fortune is thus mi fo, + I wot wel god me wol noght helpe. + What scholde I thanne of joies yelpe, 3410 + Whan ther no bote is of mi care? + So overcast is my welfare, + That I am schapen al to strif. + Helas, that I nere of this lif, + Er I be fulliche overtake]" + And thus he wol his sorwe make, + As god him mihte noght availe: + Bot yit ne wol he noght travaile + To helpe himself at such a nede, + Bot slowtheth under such a drede, 3420 + Which is affermed in his herte, + Riht as he mihte noght asterte + The worldes wo which he is inne. + Also whan he is falle in Sinne, + Him thenkth he is so ferr coupable, + That god wol noght be merciable + So gret a Sinne to foryive; + And thus he leeveth to be schrive. + And if a man in thilke throwe + Wolde him consaile, he wol noght knowe 3430 + The sothe, thogh a man it finde: + For Tristesce is of such a kinde, + That forto meintiene his folie, + He hath with him Obstinacie, + Which is withinne of such a Slouthe, + That he forsaketh alle trouthe, + And wole unto no reson bowe; + And yit ne can he noght avowe + His oghne skile bot of hed: + Thus dwyneth he, til he be ded, 3440 + In hindringe of his oghne astat. + For where a man is obstinat, + Wanhope folweth ate laste, + Which mai noght after longe laste, + Till Slouthe make of him an ende. + Bot god wot whider he schal wende. + Mi Sone, and riht in such manere + Ther be lovers of hevy chiere, + That sorwen mor than it is ned, + Whan thei be taried of here sped 3450 + And conne noght hemselven rede, + Bot lesen hope forto spede + And stinten love to poursewe; + And thus thei faden hyde and hewe, + And lustles in here hertes waxe. + Hierof it is that I wolde axe, + If thou, mi Sone, art on of tho. + Ha, goode fader, it is so, + Outake a point, I am beknowe; + For elles I am overthrowe 3460 + In al that evere ye have seid. + Mi sorwe is everemore unteid, + And secheth overal my veines; + Bot forto conseile of mi peines, + I can no bote do therto; + And thus withouten hope I go, + So that mi wittes ben empeired, + And I, as who seith, am despeired + To winne love of thilke swete, + Withoute whom, I you behiete, 3470 + Min herte, that is so bestad, + Riht inly nevere mai be glad. + For be my trouthe I schal noght lie, + Of pure sorwe, which I drye + For that sche seith sche wol me noght, + With drecchinge of myn oghne thoght + In such a wanhope I am falle, + That I ne can unethes calle, + As forto speke of eny grace, + Mi ladi merci to pourchace. 3480 + Bot yit I seie noght for this + That al in mi defalte it is; + For I cam nevere yit in stede, + Whan time was, that I my bede + Ne seide, and as I dorste tolde: + Bot nevere fond I that sche wolde, + For oght sche knew of min entente, + To speke a goodly word assente. + And natheles this dar I seie, + That if a sinful wolde preie 3490 + To god of his foryivenesse + With half so gret a besinesse + As I have do to my ladi, + In lacke of askinge of merci + He scholde nevere come in Helle. + And thus I mai you sothli telle, + Save only that I crie and bidde, + I am in Tristesce al amidde + And fulfild of Desesperance: + And therof yif me mi penance, 3500 + Min holi fader, as you liketh. + Mi Sone, of that thin herte siketh + With sorwe, miht thou noght amende, + Til love his grace wol thee sende, + For thou thin oghne cause empeirest + What time as thou thiself despeirest. + I not what other thing availeth, + Of hope whan the herte faileth, + For such a Sor is incurable, + And ek the goddes ben vengable: 3510 + And that a man mai riht wel frede, + These olde bokes who so rede, + Of thing which hath befalle er this: + Now hier of what ensample it is. + Whilom be olde daies fer + Of Mese was the king Theucer, + Which hadde a kniht to Sone, Iphis: + Of love and he so maistred is, + That he hath set al his corage, + As to reguard of his lignage, 3520 + Upon a Maide of lou astat. + Bot thogh he were a potestat + Of worldes good, he was soubgit + To love, and put in such a plit, + That he excedeth the mesure + Of reson, that himself assure + He can noght; for the more he preide, + The lass love on him sche leide. + He was with love unwys constreigned, + And sche with resoun was restreigned: 3530 + The lustes of his herte he suieth, + And sche for dred schame eschuieth, + And as sche scholde, tok good hiede + To save and kepe hir wommanhiede. + And thus the thing stod in debat + Betwen his lust and hire astat: + He yaf, he sende, he spak be mouthe, + Bot yit for oght that evere he couthe + Unto his sped he fond no weie, + So that he caste his hope aweie, 3540 + Withinne his herte and gan despeire + Fro dai to dai, and so empeire, + That he hath lost al his delit + Of lust, of Slep, of Appetit, + That he thurgh strengthe of love lasseth + His wit, and resoun overpasseth. + As he which of his lif ne rowhte, + His deth upon himself he sowhte, + So that be nyhte his weie he nam, + Ther wiste non wher he becam; 3550 + The nyht was derk, ther schon no Mone, + Tofore the gates he cam sone, + Wher that this yonge Maiden was + And with this wofull word, "Helas!" + Hise dedli pleintes he began + So stille that ther was noman + It herde, and thanne he seide thus: + "O thou Cupide, o thou Venus, + Fortuned be whos ordinaunce + Of love is every mannes chaunce, 3560 + Ye knowen al min hole herte, + That I ne mai your hond asterte; + On you is evere that I crie, + And yit you deigneth noght to plie, + Ne toward me youre Ere encline. + Thus for I se no medicine + To make an ende of mi querele, + My deth schal be in stede of hele. + Ha, thou mi wofull ladi diere, + Which duellest with thi fader hiere 3570 + And slepest in thi bedd at ese, + Thou wost nothing of my desese. + Hou thou and I be now unmete. + Ha lord, what swevene schalt thou mete, + What dremes hast thou nou on honde? + Thou slepest there, and I hier stonde. + Thogh I no deth to the deserve, + Hier schal I for thi love sterve, + Hier schal a kinges Sone dye + For love and for no felonie; 3580 + Wher thou therof have joie or sorwe, + Hier schalt thou se me ded tomorwe. + O herte hard aboven alle, + This deth, which schal to me befalle + For that thou wolt noght do me grace, + Yit schal be told in many a place, + Hou I am ded for love and trouthe + In thi defalte and in thi slouthe: + Thi Daunger schal to manye mo + Ensample be for everemo, 3590 + Whan thei my wofull deth recorde." + And with that word he tok a Corde, + With which upon the gate tre + He hyng himself, that was pite. + The morwe cam, the nyht is gon, + Men comen out and syhe anon + Wher that this yonge lord was ded: + Ther was an hous withoute red, + For noman knew the cause why; + Ther was wepinge and ther was cry. 3600 + This Maiden, whan that sche it herde, + And sih this thing hou it misferde, + Anon sche wiste what it mente, + And al the cause hou it wente + To al the world sche tolde it oute, + And preith to hem that were aboute + To take of hire the vengance, + For sche was cause of thilke chaunce, + Why that this kinges Sone is split. + Sche takth upon hirself the gilt, 3610 + And is al redi to the peine + Which eny man hir wole ordeigne: + And bot if eny other wolde, + Sche seith that sche hirselve scholde + Do wreche with hire oghne hond, + Thurghout the world in every lond + That every lif therof schal speke, + Hou sche hirself i scholde wreke. + Sche wepth, sche crith, sche swouneth ofte, + Sche caste hire yhen up alofte 3620 + And seide among ful pitously: + "A godd, thou wost wel it am I, + For whom Iphis is thus besein: + Ordeine so, that men mai sein + A thousend wynter after this, + Hou such a Maiden dede amis, + And as I dede, do to me: + For I ne dede no pite + To him, which for mi love is lore, + Do no pite to me therfore." 3630 + And with this word sche fell to grounde + Aswoune, and ther sche lay a stounde. + The goddes, whiche hir pleigntes herde + And syhe hou wofully sche ferde, + Hire lif thei toke awey anon, + And schopen hire into a Ston + After the forme of hire ymage + Of bodi bothe and of visage. + And for the merveile of this thing + Unto the place cam the king 3640 + And ek the queene and manye mo; + And whan thei wisten it was so, + As I have told it heir above, + Hou that Iphis was ded for love, + Of that he hadde be refused, + Thei hielden alle men excused + And wondren upon the vengance. + And forto kepe in remembrance, + This faire ymage mayden liche + With compaignie noble and riche 3650 + With torche and gret sollempnite. + To Salamyne the Cite + Thei lede, and carie forth withal + The dede corps, and sein it schal + Beside thilke ymage have + His sepulture and be begrave: + This corps and this ymage thus + Into the Cite to Venus, + Wher that goddesse hire temple hadde, + Togedre bothe tuo thei ladde. 3660 + This ilke ymage as for miracle + Was set upon an hyh pinacle, + That alle men it mihte knowe, + And under tht thei maden lowe + A tumbe riche for the nones + Of marbre and ek of jaspre stones, + Wherin this Iphis was beloken, + That evermor it schal be spoken. + And for men schal the sothe wite, + Thei have here epitaphe write, 3670 + As thing which scholde abide stable: + The lettres graven in a table + Of marbre were and seiden this: + "Hier lith, which slowh himself, Iphis, + For love of Araxarathen: + And in ensample of tho wommen, + That soffren men to deie so, + Hire forme a man mai sen also, + Hou it is torned fleissh and bon + Into the figure of a Ston: 3680 + He was to neysshe and sche to hard. + Be war forthi hierafterward; + Ye men and wommen bothe tuo, + Ensampleth you of that was tho: + Lo thus, mi Sone, as I thee seie, + It grieveth be diverse weie + In desepeir a man to falle, + Which is the laste branche of alle + Of Slouthe, as thou hast herd devise. + Wherof that thou thiself avise 3690 + Good is, er that thou be deceived, + Wher that the grace of hope is weyved. + Mi fader, hou so that it stonde, + Now have I pleinly understonde + Of Slouthes court the proprete, + Wherof touchende in my degre + For evere I thenke to be war. + Bot overthis, so as I dar, + With al min herte I you beseche, + That ye me wolde enforme and teche 3700 + What ther is more of youre aprise + In love als wel as otherwise, + So that I mai me clene schryve. + Mi Sone, whyl thou art alyve + And hast also thi fulle mynde, + Among the vices whiche I finde + Ther is yit on such of the sevene, + Which al this world hath set unevene + And causeth manye thinges wronge, + Where he the cause hath underfonge: 3710 + Wherof hierafter thou schalt hiere + The forme bothe and the matiere. + + + Explicit Liber Quartus. + + + + +Incipit Liber Quintus + + + Obstat auaricia nature legibus, et que + Largus amor poscit, striccius illa vetat. + Omne quod est nimium viciosum dicitur aurum, + Vellera sicut oues, seruat auarus opes. + Non decet vt soli seruabitur es, set amori + Debet homo solam solus habere suam. + + + Ferst whan the hyhe god began + This world, and that the kinde of man + Was falle into no gret encress, + For worldes good tho was no press, + Bot al was set to the comune. + Thei spieken thanne of no fortune + Or forto lese or forto winne, + Til Avarice broghte it inne; + And that was whan the world was woxe + Of man, of hors, of Schep, of Oxe, 10 + And that men knewen the moneie. + Tho wente pes out of the weie + And werre cam on every side, + Which alle love leide aside + And of comun his propre made, + So that in stede of schovele and spade + The scharpe swerd was take on honde; + And in this wise it cam to londe, + Wherof men maden dyches depe + And hyhe walles forto kepe 20 + The gold which Avarice encloseth. + Bot al to lytel him supposeth, + Thogh he mihte al the world pourchace; + For what thing that he may embrace + Of gold, of catel or of lond, + He let it nevere out of his hond, + Bot get him more and halt it faste, + As thogh the world scholde evere laste. + So is he lych unto the helle; + For as these olde bokes telle, 30 + What comth therinne, lasse or more, + It schal departe neveremore: + Thus whanne he hath his cofre loken, + It schal noght after ben unstoken, + Bot whanne him list to have a syhte + Of gold, hou that it schyneth brihte, + That he ther on mai loke and muse; + For otherwise he dar noght use + To take his part, or lasse or more. + So is he povere, and everemore 40 + Him lacketh that he hath ynowh: + An Oxe draweth in the plowh, + Of that himself hath no profit; + A Schep riht in the same plit + His wolle berth, bot on a day + An other takth the flees away: + Thus hath he, that he noght ne hath, + For he therof his part ne tath. + To seie hou such a man hath good, + Who so that reson understod, 50 + It is impropreliche seid, + For good hath him and halt him teid, + That he ne gladeth noght withal, + Bot is unto his good a thral, + And as soubgit thus serveth he, + Wher that he scholde maister be: + Such is the kinde of thaverous. + Mi Sone, as thou art amerous, + Tell if thou farst of love so. + Mi fader, as it semeth, no; 60 + That averous yit nevere I was, + So as ye setten me the cas: + For as ye tolden here above, + In full possession of love + Yit was I nevere hier tofore, + So that me thenketh wel therfore, + I mai excuse wel my dede. + Bot of mi will withoute drede, + If I that tresor mihte gete, + It scholde nevere be foryete, 70 + That I ne wolde it faste holde, + Til god of love himselve wolde + That deth ous scholde part atuo. + For lieveth wel, I love hire so, + That evene with min oghne lif, + If I that swete lusti wif + Mihte ones welden at my wille, + For evere I wolde hire holde stille: + And in this wise, taketh kepe, + If I hire hadde, I wolde hire kepe, 80 + And yit no friday wolde I faste, + Thogh I hire kepte and hielde faste. + Fy on the bagges in the kiste! + I hadde ynogh, if I hire kiste. + For certes, if sche were myn, + I hadde hir levere than a Myn + Of Gold; for al this worldesriche + Ne mihte make me so riche + As sche, that is so inly good. + I sette noght of other good; 90 + For mihte I gete such a thing, + I hadde a tresor for a king; + And thogh I wolde it faste holde, + I were thanne wel beholde. + Bot I mot pipe nou with lasse, + And suffre that it overpasse, + Noght with mi will, for thus I wolde + Ben averous, if that I scholde. + Bot, fader, I you herde seie + Hou thaverous hath yit som weie, 100 + Wherof he mai be glad; for he + Mai whanne him list his tresor se, + And grope and fiele it al aboute, + Bot I fulofte am schet theroute, + Ther as my worthi tresor is. + So is mi lif lich unto this, + That ye me tolden hier tofore, + Hou that an Oxe his yock hath bore + For thing that scholde him noght availe: + And in this wise I me travaile; 110 + For who that evere hath the welfare, + I wot wel that I have the care, + For I am hadd and noght ne have, + And am, as who seith, loves knave. + Nou demeth in youre oghne thoght, + If this be Avarice or noght. + Mi Sone, I have of thee no wonder, + Thogh thou to serve be put under + With love, which to kinde acordeth: + Bot, so as every bok recordeth, 120 + It is to kinde no plesance + That man above his sustienance + Unto the gold schal serve and bowe, + For that mai no reson avowe. + Bot Avarice natheles, + If he mai geten his encress + Of gold, that wole he serve and kepe, + For he takth of noght elles kepe, + Bot forto fille hise bagges large; + And al is to him bot a charge, 130 + For he ne parteth noght withal, + Bot kepth it, as a servant schal: + And thus, thogh that he multeplie + His gold, withoute tresorie + He is, for man is noght amended + With gold, bot if it be despended + To mannes us; wherof I rede + A tale, and tak therof good hiede, + Of that befell be olde tyde, + As telleth ous the clerk Ovide. 140 + Bachus, which is the god of wyn, + Acordant unto his divin + A Prest, the which Cillenus hihte, + He hadde, and fell so that be nyhte + This Prest was drunke and goth astraied, + Wherof the men were evele apaied + In Frigelond, where as he wente. + Bot ate laste a cherl him hente + With strengthe of other felaschipe, + So that upon his drunkeschipe 150 + Thei bounden him with chenes faste, + And forth thei ladde him als so faste + Unto the king, which hihte Myde. + Bot he, that wolde his vice hyde, + This courteis king, tok of him hiede, + And bad that men him scholde lede + Into a chambre forto kepe, + Til he of leisir hadde slepe. + And tho this Prest was sone unbounde, + And up a couche fro the grounde 160 + To slepe he was leid softe ynowh; + And whanne he wok, the king him drowh + To his presence and dede him chiere, + So that this Prest in such manere, + Whil that him liketh, there he duelleth: + And al this he to Bachus telleth, + Whan that he cam to him ayein. + And whan that Bachus herde sein + How Mide hath don his courtesie, + Him thenkth it were a vilenie, 170 + Bot he rewarde him for his dede, + So as he mihte of his godhiede. + Unto this king this god appiereth + And clepeth, and that other hiereth: + This god to Mide thonketh faire + Of that he was so debonaire + Toward his Prest, and bad him seie: + What thing it were he wolde preie, + He scholde it have, of worldes good. + This king was glad, and stille stod, 180 + And was of his axinge in doute, + And al the world he caste aboute, + What thing was best for his astat, + And with himself stod in debat + Upon thre pointz, the whiche I finde + Ben lievest unto mannes kinde. + The ferste of hem it is delit, + The tuo ben worschipe and profit. + And thanne he thoghte, "If that I crave + Delit, thogh I delit mai have, 190 + Delit schal passen in myn age: + That is no siker avantage, + For every joie bodily + Schal ende in wo: delit forthi + Wol I noght chese. And if worschipe + I axe and of the world lordschipe, + That is an occupacion + Of proud ymaginacion, + Which makth an herte vein withinne; + Ther is no certain forto winne, 200 + For lord and knave al is o weie, + Whan thei be bore and whan thei deie. + And if I profit axe wolde, + I not in what manere I scholde + Of worldes good have sikernesse; + For every thief upon richesse + Awaiteth forto robbe and stele: + Such good is cause of harmes fele. + And also, thogh a man at ones + Of al the world withinne his wones 210 + The tresor myhte have everydel, + Yit hadde he bot o mannes del + Toward himself, so as I thinke, + Of clothinge and of mete and drinke, + For more, outake vanite, + Ther hath no lord in his degre." + And thus upon the pointz diverse + Diverseliche he gan reherce + What point him thoghte for the beste; + Bot pleinly forto gete him reste 220 + He can so siker weie caste. + And natheles yit ate laste + He fell upon the coveitise + Of gold; and thanne in sondri wise + He thoghte, as I have seid tofore, + Hou tresor mai be sone lore, + And hadde an inly gret desir + Touchende of such recoverir, + Hou that he mihte his cause availe + To gete him gold withoute faile. 230 + Withinne his herte and thus he preiseth + The gold, and seith hou that it peiseth + Above al other metall most: + "The gold," he seith, "may lede an host + To make werre ayein a King; + The gold put under alle thing, + And set it whan him list above; + The gold can make of hate love + And werre of pes and ryht of wrong, + And long to schort and schort to long; 240 + Withoute gold mai be no feste, + Gold is the lord of man and beste, + And mai hem bothe beie and selle; + So that a man mai sothly telle + That al the world to gold obeieth." + Forthi this king to Bachus preieth + To grante him gold, bot he excedeth + Mesure more than him nedeth. + Men tellen that the maladie + Which cleped is ydropesie 250 + Resembled is unto this vice + Be weie of kinde of Avarice: + The more ydropesie drinketh, + The more him thursteth, for him thinketh + That he mai nevere drinke his fille; + So that ther mai nothing fulfille + The lustes of his appetit: + And riht in such a maner plit + Stant Avarice and evere stod; + The more he hath of worldes good, 260 + The more he wolde it kepe streyte, + And evere mor and mor coveite. + And riht in such condicioun + Withoute good discrecioun + This king with avarice is smite, + That al the world it myhte wite: + For he to Bachus thanne preide, + That wherupon his hond he leide, + It scholde thurgh his touche anon + Become gold, and therupon 270 + This god him granteth as he bad. + Tho was this king of Frige glad, + And forto put it in assai + With al the haste that he mai, + He toucheth that, he toucheth this, + And in his hond al gold it is, + The Ston, the Tree, the Lef, the gras, + The flour, the fruit, al gold it was. + Thus toucheth he, whil he mai laste + To go, bot hunger ate laste 280 + Him tok, so that he moste nede + Be weie of kinde his hunger fede. + The cloth was leid, the bord was set, + And al was forth tofore him fet, + His disch, his coppe, his drinke, his mete; + Bot whanne he wolde or drinke or ete, + Anon as it his mouth cam nyh, + It was al gold, and thanne he syh + Of Avarice the folie. + And he with that began to crie, 290 + And preide Bachus to foryive + His gilt, and soffre him forto live + And be such as he was tofore, + So that he were not forlore. + This god, which herde of his grevance, + Tok rowthe upon his repentance, + And bad him go forth redily + Unto a flod was faste by, + Which Paceole thanne hyhte, + In which as clene as evere he myhte 300 + He scholde him waisshen overal, + And seide him thanne that he schal + Recovere his ferste astat ayein. + This king, riht as he herde sein, + Into the flod goth fro the lond, + And wissh him bothe fot and hond, + And so forth al the remenant, + As him was set in covenant: + And thanne he syh merveilles strange, + The flod his colour gan to change, 310 + The gravel with the smale Stones + To gold thei torne bothe at ones, + And he was quit of that he hadde, + And thus fortune his chance ladde. + And whan he sih his touche aweie, + He goth him hom the rihte weie + And liveth forth as he dede er, + And putte al Avarice afer, + And the richesse of gold despiseth, + And seith that mete and cloth sufficeth. 320 + Thus hath this king experience + Hou foles don the reverence + To gold, which of his oghne kinde + Is lasse worth than is the rinde + To sustienance of mannes fode; + And thanne he made lawes goode + And al his thing sette upon skile: + He bad his poeple forto tile + Here lond, and live under the lawe, + And that thei scholde also forthdrawe 330 + Bestaile, and seche non encress + Of gold, which is the breche of pes. + For this a man mai finde write, + Tofor the time, er gold was smite + In Coign, that men the florin knewe, + Ther was welnyh noman untrewe; + Tho was ther nouther schield ne spere + Ne dedly wepne forto bere; + Tho was the toun withoute wal, + Which nou is closed overal; 340 + Tho was ther no brocage in londe, + Which nou takth every cause on honde: + So mai men knowe, hou the florin + Was moder ferst of malengin + And bringere inne of alle werre, + Wherof this world stant out of herre + Thurgh the conseil of Avarice, + Which of his oghne propre vice + Is as the helle wonderfull; + For it mai neveremor be full, 350 + That what as evere comth therinne, + Awey ne may it nevere winne. + Bot Sone myn, do thou noght so, + Let al such Avarice go, + And tak thi part of that thou hast: + I bidde noght that thou do wast, + Bot hold largesce in his mesure; + And if thou se a creature, + Which thurgh poverte is falle in nede, + Yif him som good, for this I rede 360 + To him that wol noght yiven here, + What peine he schal have elleswhere. + Ther is a peine amonges alle + Benethe in helle, which men calle + The wofull peine of Tantaly, + Of which I schal thee redely + Devise hou men therinne stonde. + In helle, thou schalt understonde, + Ther is a flod of thilke office, + Which serveth al for Avarice: 370 + What man that stonde schal therinne, + He stant up evene unto the chinne; + Above his hed also ther hongeth + A fruyt, which to that peine longeth, + And that fruit toucheth evere in on + His overlippe: and therupon + Swich thurst and hunger him assaileth, + That nevere his appetit ne faileth. + Bot whanne he wolde his hunger fede, + The fruit withdrawth him ate nede, 380 + And thogh he heve his hed on hyh, + The fruit is evere aliche nyh, + So is the hunger wel the more: + And also, thogh him thurste sore + And to the water bowe a doun, + The flod in such condicioun + Avaleth, that his drinke areche + He mai noght. Lo nou, which a wreche, + That mete and drinke is him so couth, + And yit ther comth non in his mouth! 390 + Lich to the peines of this flod + Stant Avarice in worldes good: + He hath ynowh and yit him nedeth, + For his skarsnesse it him forbiedeth, + And evere his hunger after more + Travaileth him aliche sore, + So is he peined overal. + Forthi thi goodes forth withal, + Mi Sone, loke thou despende, + Wherof thou myht thiself amende 400 + Bothe hier and ek in other place. + And also if thou wolt pourchace + To be beloved, thou most use + Largesce, for if thou refuse + To yive for thi loves sake, + It is no reson that thou take + Of love that thou woldest crave. + Forthi, if thou wolt grace have, + Be gracious and do largesse, + Of Avarice and the seknesse 410 + Eschuie above alle other thing, + And tak ensample of Mide king + And of the flod of helle also, + Where is ynowh of alle wo. + And thogh ther were no matiere + Bot only that we finden hiere, + Men oghten Avarice eschuie; + For what man thilke vice suie, + He get himself bot litel reste. + For hou so that the body reste, 420 + The herte upon the gold travaileth, + Whom many a nyhtes drede assaileth; + For thogh he ligge abedde naked, + His herte is everemore awaked, + And dremeth, as he lith to slepe, + How besi that he is to kepe + His tresor, that no thief it stele. + Thus hath he bot a woful wele. + And riht so in the same wise, + If thou thiself wolt wel avise, 430 + Ther be lovers of suche ynowe, + That wole unto no reson bowe. + If so be that thei come above, + Whan thei ben maistres of here love, + And that thei scholden be most glad, + With love thei ben most bestad, + So fain thei wolde it holden al. + Here herte, here yhe is overal, + And wenen every man be thief, + To stele awey that hem is lief; 440 + Thus thurgh here oghne fantasie + Thei fallen into Jelousie. + Thanne hath the Schip tobroke his cable, + With every wynd and is muable. + Mi fader, for that ye nou telle, + I have herd ofte time telle + Of Jelousie, bot what it is + Yit understod I nevere er this: + Wherfore I wolde you beseche, + That ye me wolde enforme and teche 450 + What maner thing it mihte be. + Mi Sone, that is hard to me: + Bot natheles, as I have herd, + Now herkne and thou schalt ben ansuerd. + Among the men lacke of manhode + In Mariage upon wifhode + Makth that a man himself deceiveth, + Wherof it is that he conceiveth + That ilke unsely maladie, + The which is cleped Jelousie: 460 + Of which if I the proprete + Schal telle after the nycete, + So as it worcheth on a man, + A Fievere it is cotidian, + Which every day wol come aboute, + Wher so a man be inne or oute. + At hom if that a man wol wone, + This Fievere is thanne of comun wone + Most grevous in a mannes yhe: + For thanne he makth him tote and pryhe, 470 + Wher so as evere his love go; + Sche schal noght with hir litel too + Misteppe, bot he se it al. + His yhe is walkende overal; + Wher that sche singe or that sche dance, + He seth the leste contienance, + If sche loke on a man aside + Or with him roune at eny tyde, + Or that sche lawghe, or that sche loure, + His yhe is ther at every houre. 480 + And whanne it draweth to the nyht, + If sche thanne is withoute lyht, + Anon is al the game schent; + For thanne he set his parlement + To speke it whan he comth to bedde, + And seith, "If I were now to wedde, + I wolde neveremore have wif." + And so he torneth into strif + The lust of loves duete, + And al upon diversete. 490 + If sche be freissh and wel araied, + He seith hir baner is displaied + To clepe in gestes fro the weie: + And if sche be noght wel beseie, + And that hir list noght to be gladd, + He berth an hond that sche is madd + And loveth noght hire housebonde; + He seith he mai wel understonde, + That if sche wolde his compaignie, + Sche scholde thanne afore his ije 500 + Schewe al the plesir that sche mihte. + So that be daie ne be nyhte + Sche not what thing is for the beste, + Bot liveth out of alle reste; + For what as evere him liste sein, + Sche dar noght speke a word ayein, + Bot wepth and holt hire lippes clos. + Sche mai wel wryte, "Sanz repos," + The wif which is to such on maried. + Of alle wommen be he waried, 510 + For with this Fievere of Jalousie + His echedaies fantasie + Of sorghe is evere aliche grene, + So that ther is no love sene, + Whil that him list at hom abyde. + And whan so is he wol out ryde, + Thanne hath he redi his aspie + Abidinge in hir compaignie, + A janglere, an evel mouthed oon, + That sche ne mai nowhider gon, 520 + Ne speke a word, ne ones loke, + That he ne wol it wende and croke + And torne after his oghne entente, + Thogh sche nothing bot honour mente. + Whan that the lord comth hom ayein, + The janglere moste somwhat sein; + So what withoute and what withinne, + This Fievere is evere to beginne, + For where he comth he can noght ende, + Til deth of him have mad an ende. 530 + For thogh so be that he ne hiere + Ne se ne wite in no manere + Bot al honour and wommanhiede, + Therof the Jelous takth non hiede, + Bot as a man to love unkinde, + He cast his staf, as doth the blinde, + And fint defaulte where is non; + As who so dremeth on a Ston + Hou he is leid, and groneth ofte, + Whan he lith on his pilwes softe. 540 + So is ther noght bot strif and cheste; + Whan love scholde make his feste, + It is gret thing if he hir kisse: + Thus hath sche lost the nyhtes blisse, + For at such time he gruccheth evere + And berth on hond ther is a levere, + And that sche wolde an other were + In stede of him abedde there; + And with tho wordes and with mo + Of Jelousie, he torneth fro 550 + And lith upon his other side, + And sche with that drawth hire aside, + And ther sche wepeth al the nyht. + Ha, to what peine sche is dyht, + That in hire youthe hath so beset + The bond which mai noght ben unknet! + I wot the time is ofte cursed, + That evere was the gold unpursed, + The which was leid upon the bok, + Whan that alle othre sche forsok 560 + For love of him; bot al to late + Sche pleigneth, for as thanne algate + Sche mot forbere and to him bowe, + Thogh he ne wole it noght allowe. + For man is lord of thilke feire, + So mai the womman bot empeire, + If sche speke oght ayein his wille; + And thus sche berth hir peine stille. + Bot if this Fievere a womman take, + Sche schal be wel mor harde schake; 570 + For thogh sche bothe se and hiere, + And finde that ther is matiere, + Sche dar bot to hirselve pleine, + And thus sche suffreth double peine. + Lo thus, mi Sone, as I have write, + Thou miht of Jelousie wite + His fievere and his condicion, + Which is full of suspecion. + Bot wherof that this fievere groweth, + Who so these olde bokes troweth, 580 + Ther mai he finden hou it is: + For thei ous teche and telle this, + Hou that this fievere of Jelousie + Somdel it groweth of sotie + Of love, and somdiel of untrust. + For as a sek man lest his lust, + And whan he may no savour gete, + He hateth thanne his oughne mete, + Riht so this fieverous maladie, + Which caused is of fantasie, 590 + Makth the Jelous in fieble plit + To lese of love his appetit + Thurgh feigned enformacion + Of his ymaginacion. + Bot finali to taken hiede, + Men mai wel make a liklihiede + Betwen him which is averous + Of gold and him that is jelous + Of love, for in on degre + Thei stonde bothe, as semeth me. 600 + That oon wolde have his bagges stille, + And noght departen with his wille, + And dar noght for the thieves slepe, + So fain he wolde his tresor kepe; + That other mai noght wel be glad, + For he is evere more adrad + Of these lovers that gon aboute, + In aunter if thei putte him oute. + So have thei bothe litel joye + As wel of love as of monoie. 610 + Now hast thou, Sone, at my techinge + Of Jelousie a knowlechinge, + That thou myht understonde this, + Fro whenne he comth and what he is, + And ek to whom that he is lik. + Be war forthi thou be noght sik + Of thilke fievere as I have spoke, + For it wol in himself be wroke. + For love hateth nothing more, + As men mai finde be the lore 620 + Of hem that whilom were wise, + Hou that thei spieke in many wise. + Mi fader, soth is that ye sein. + Bot forto loke therayein, + Befor this time hou it is falle, + Wherof ther mihte ensample falle + To suche men as be jelous + In what manere it is grevous, + Riht fain I wolde ensample hiere. + My goode Sone, at thi preiere 630 + Of suche ensamples as I finde, + So as thei comen nou to mynde + Upon this point, of time gon + I thenke forto tellen on. + Ovide wrot of manye thinges, + Among the whiche in his wrytinges + He tolde a tale in Poesie, + Which toucheth unto Jelousie, + Upon a certein cas of love. + Among the goddes alle above 640 + It fell at thilke time thus: + The god of fyr, which Vulcanus + Is hote, and hath a craft forthwith + Assigned, forto be the Smith + Of Jupiter, and his figure + Bothe of visage and of stature + Is lothly and malgracious, + Bot yit he hath withinne his hous + As for the likynge of his lif + The faire Venus to his wif. 650 + Bot Mars, which of batailles is + The god, an yhe hadde unto this: + As he which was chivalerous, + It fell him to ben amerous, + And thoghte it was a gret pite + To se so lusti on as sche + Be coupled with so lourde a wiht: + So that his peine day and nyht + He dede, if he hire winne myhte; + And sche, which hadde a good insihte 660 + Toward so noble a knyhtli lord, + In love fell of his acord. + Ther lacketh noght bot time and place, + That he nys siker of hire grace: + Bot whan tuo hertes falle in on, + So wys await was nevere non, + That at som time thei ne mete; + And thus this faire lusti swete + With Mars hath ofte compaignie. + Bot thilke unkynde Jelousie, 670 + Which everemor the herte opposeth, + Makth Vulcanus that he supposeth + That it is noght wel overal, + And to himself he seide, he schal + Aspie betre, if that he may; + And so it fell upon a day, + That he this thing so slyhli ledde, + He fond hem bothe tuo abedde + Al warm, echon with other naked. + And he with craft al redy maked 680 + Of stronge chenes hath hem bounde, + As he togedre hem hadde founde, + And lefte hem bothe ligge so, + And gan to clepe and crie tho + Unto the goddes al aboute; + And thei assembled in a route + Come alle at ones forto se. + Bot none amendes hadde he, + Bot was rebuked hiere and there + Of hem that loves frendes were; 690 + And seiden that he was to blame, + For if ther fell him eny schame, + It was thurgh his misgovernance: + And thus he loste contienance, + This god, and let his cause falle; + And thei to skorne him lowhen alle, + And losen Mars out of hise bondes. + Wherof these erthli housebondes + For evere myhte ensample take, + If such a chaunce hem overtake: 700 + For Vulcanus his wif bewreide, + The blame upon himself he leide, + Wherof his schame was the more; + Which oghte forto ben a lore + For every man that liveth hiere, + To reulen him in this matiere. + Thogh such an happ of love asterte, + Yit scholde he noght apointe his herte + With Jelousie of that is wroght, + Bot feigne, as thogh he wiste it noght: 710 + For if he lete it overpasse, + The sclaundre schal be wel the lasse, + And he the more in ese stonde. + For this thou myht wel understonde, + That where a man schal nedes lese, + The leste harm is forto chese. + Bot Jelousie of his untrist + Makth that full many an harm arist, + Which elles scholde noght arise; + And if a man him wolde avise 720 + Of that befell to Vulcanus, + Him oghte of reson thenke thus, + That sithe a god therof was schamed, + Wel scholde an erthli man be blamed + To take upon him such a vice. + Forthi, my Sone, in thin office + Be war that thou be noght jelous, + Which ofte time hath schent the hous. + Mi fader, this ensample is hard, + Hou such thing to the heveneward 730 + Among the goddes myhte falle: + For ther is bot o god of alle, + Which is the lord of hevene and helle. + Bot if it like you to telle + Hou suche goddes come aplace, + Ye mihten mochel thonk pourchace, + For I schal be wel tawht withal. + Mi Sone, it is thus overal + With hem that stonden misbelieved, + That suche goddes ben believed: 740 + In sondri place sondri wise + Amonges hem whiche are unwise + Ther is betaken of credence; + Wherof that I the difference + In the manere as it is write + Schal do the pleinly forto wite. + Er Crist was bore among ous hiere, + Of the believes that tho were + In foure formes thus it was. + Thei of Caldee as in this cas 750 + Hadde a believe be hemselve, + Which stod upon the signes tuelve, + Forth ek with the Planetes sevene, + Whiche as thei sihe upon the hevene. + Of sondri constellacion + In here ymaginacion + With sondri kerf and pourtreture + Thei made of goddes the figure. + In thelementz and ek also + Thei hadden a believe tho; 760 + And al was that unresonable: + For thelementz ben servicable + To man, and ofte of Accidence, + As men mai se thexperience, + Thei ben corrupt be sondri weie; + So mai no mannes reson seie + That thei ben god in eny wise. + And ek, if men hem wel avise, + The Sonne and Mone eclipse bothe, + That be hem lieve or be hem lothe, 770 + Thei soffre; and what thing is passible + To ben a god is impossible. + These elementz ben creatures, + So ben these hevenly figures, + Wherof mai wel be justefied + That thei mai noght be deified: + And who that takth awey thonour + Which due is to the creatour, + And yifth it to the creature, + He doth to gret a forsfaiture. 780 + Bot of Caldee natheles + Upon this feith, thogh it be les, + Thei holde affermed the creance; + So that of helle the penance, + As folk which stant out of believe, + They schull receive, as we believe. + Of the Caldeus lo in this wise + Stant the believe out of assisse: + Bot in Egipte worst of alle + The feith is fals, hou so it falle; 790 + For thei diverse bestes there + Honoure, as thogh thei goddes were: + And natheles yit forth withal + Thre goddes most in special + Thei have, forth with a goddesse, + In whom is al here sikernesse. + Tho goddes be yit cleped thus, + Orus, Typhon and Isirus: + Thei were brethren alle thre, + And the goddesse in hir degre 800 + Here Soster was and Ysis hyhte, + Whom Isirus forlai be nyhte + And hield hire after as his wif. + So it befell that upon strif + Typhon hath Isre his brother slain, + Which hadde a child to Sone Orayn, + And he his fader deth to herte + So tok, that it mai noght asterte + That he Typhon after ne slowh, + Whan he was ripe of age ynowh. 810 + Bot yit thegipcienes trowe + For al this errour, which thei knowe, + That these brethren ben of myht + To sette and kepe Egipte upriht, + And overthrowe, if that hem like. + Bot Ysis, as seith the Cronique, + Fro Grece into Egipte cam, + And sche thanne upon honde nam + To teche hem forto sowe and eere, + Which noman knew tofore there. 820 + And whan thegipcienes syhe + The fieldes fulle afore here yhe, + And that the lond began to greine, + Which whilom hadde be bareigne,- + For therthe bar after the kinde + His due charge,- this I finde, + That sche of berthe the goddesse + Is cleped, so that in destresse + The wommen there upon childinge + To hire clepe, and here offringe 830 + Thei beren, whan that thei ben lyhte. + Lo, hou Egipte al out of syhte + Fro resoun stant in misbelieve + For lacke of lore, as I believe. + Among the Greks, out of the weie + As thei that reson putte aweie, + Ther was, as the Cronique seith, + Of misbelieve an other feith, + That thei here goddes and goddesses, + As who seith, token al to gesses 840 + Of suche as weren full of vice, + To whom thei made here sacrifice. + The hihe god, so as thei seide, + To whom thei most worschipe leide, + Saturnus hihte, and king of Crete + He hadde be; bot of his sete + He was put doun, as he which stod + In frenesie, and was so wod, + That fro his wif, which Rea hihte, + Hise oghne children he to plihte, 850 + And eet hem of his comun wone. + Bot Jupiter, which was his Sone + And of full age, his fader bond + And kutte of with his oghne hond + Hise genitals, whiche als so faste + Into the depe See he caste; + Wherof the Greks afferme and seie, + Thus whan thei were caste aweie, + Cam Venus forth be weie of kinde. + And of Saturne also I finde 860 + How afterward into an yle + This Jupiter him dede exile, + Wher that he stod in gret meschief. + Lo, which a god thei maden chief! + And sithen that such on was he, + Which stod most hihe in his degre + Among the goddes, thou miht knowe, + These othre, that ben more lowe, + Ben litel worth, as it is founde. + For Jupiter was the secounde, 870 + Which Juno hadde unto his wif; + And yit a lechour al his lif + He was, and in avouterie + He wroghte many a tricherie; + And for he was so full of vices, + Thei cleped him god of delices: + Of whom, if thou wolt more wite, + Ovide the Poete hath write. + Bot yit here Sterres bothe tuo, + Saturne and Jupiter also, 880 + Thei have, althogh thei be to blame, + Attitled to here oghne name. + Mars was an other in that lawe, + The which in Dace was forthdrawe, + Of whom the clerk Vegecius + Wrot in his bok, and tolde thus, + Hou he into Ytaile cam, + And such fortune ther he nam + That he a Maiden hath oppressed, + Which in hire ordre was professed, 890 + As sche which was the Prioresse + In Vestes temple the goddesse, + So was sche wel the mor to blame. + Dame Ylia this ladi name + Men clepe, and ek sche was also + The kinges dowhter that was tho, + Which Mynitor be name hihte. + So that ayein the lawes ryhte + Mars thilke time upon hire that + Remus and Romulus begat, 900 + Whiche after, whan thei come in Age, + Of knihthode and of vassellage + Ytaile al hol thei overcome + And foundeden the grete Rome; + In Armes and of such emprise + Thei weren, that in thilke wise + Here fader Mars for the mervaile + The god was cleped of bataille. + Thei were his children bothe tuo, + Thurgh hem he tok his name so, 910 + Ther was non other cause why: + And yit a Sterre upon the Sky + He hath unto his name applied, + In which that he is signified. + An other god thei hadden eke, + To whom for conseil thei beseke, + The which was brother to Venus, + Appollo men him clepe thus. + He was an Hunte upon the helles, + Ther was with him no vertu elles, 920 + Wherof that enye bokes karpe, + Bot only that he couthe harpe; + Which whanne he walked over londe, + Fulofte time he tok on honde, + To gete him with his sustienance, + For lacke of other pourveance. + And otherwhile of his falshede + He feignede him to conne arede + Of thing which after scholde falle; + Wherof among hise sleyhtes alle 930 + He hath the lewed folk deceived, + So that the betre he was received. + Lo now, thurgh what creacion + He hath deificacion, + And cleped is the god of wit + To suche as be the foles yit. + An other god, to whom thei soghte, + Mercurie hihte, and him ne roghte + What thing he stal, ne whom he slowh. + Of Sorcerie he couthe ynowh, 940 + That whanne he wolde himself transforme, + Fulofte time he tok the forme + Of womman and his oghne lefte; + So dede he wel the more thefte. + A gret spekere in alle thinges + He was also, and of lesinges + An Auctour, that men wiste non + An other such as he was on. + And yit thei maden of this thief + A god, which was unto hem lief, 950 + And clepede him in tho believes + The god of Marchantz and of thieves. + Bot yit a sterre upon the hevene + He hath of the planetes sevene. + But Vulcanus, of whom I spak, + He hadde a courbe upon the bak, + And therto he was hepehalt: + Of whom thou understonde schalt, + He was a schrewe in al his youthe, + And he non other vertu couthe 960 + Of craft to helpe himselve with, + Bot only that he was a Smith + With Jupiter, which in his forge + Diverse thinges made him forge; + So wot I noght for what desir + Thei clepen him the god of fyr. + King of Cizile Ypolitus + A Sone hadde, and Eolus + He hihte, and of his fader grant + He hield be weie of covenant 970 + The governance of every yle + Which was longende unto Cizile, + Of hem that fro the lond forein + Leie open to the wynd al plein. + And fro thilke iles to the londe + Fulofte cam the wynd to honde: + After the name of him forthi + The wyndes cleped Eoli + Tho were, and he the god of wynd. + Lo nou, hou this believe is blynd! 980 + The king of Crete Jupiter, + The same which I spak of er, + Unto his brother, which Neptune + Was hote, it list him to comune + Part of his good, so that be Schipe + He mad him strong of the lordschipe + Of al the See in tho parties; + Wher that he wroghte his tyrannyes, + And the strange yles al aboute + He wan, that every man hath doute 990 + Upon his marche forto saile; + For he anon hem wolde assaile + And robbe what thing that thei ladden, + His sauf conduit bot if thei hadden. + Wherof the comun vois aros + In every lond, that such a los + He cawhte, al nere it worth a stre, + That he was cleped of the See + The god be name, and yit he is + With hem that so believe amis. 1000 + This Neptune ek was thilke also, + Which was the ferste foundour tho + Of noble Troie, and he forthi + Was wel the more lete by. + The loresman of the Schepherdes, + And ek of hem that ben netherdes, + Was of Archade and hihte Pan: + Of whom hath spoke many a man; + For in the wode of Nonarcigne, + Enclosed with the tres of Pigne, 1010 + And on the Mont of Parasie + He hadde of bestes the baillie, + And ek benethe in the valleie, + Wher thilke rivere, as men seie, + Which Ladon hihte, made his cours, + He was the chief of governours + Of hem that kepten tame bestes, + Wherof thei maken yit the festes + In the Cite Stinfalides. + And forth withal yit natheles 1020 + He tawhte men the forthdrawinge + Of bestaile, and ek the makinge + Of Oxen, and of hors the same, + Hou men hem scholde ryde and tame: + Of foules ek, so as we finde, + Ful many a soubtiel craft of kinde + He fond, which noman knew tofore. + Men dede him worschipe ek therfore, + That he the ferste in thilke lond + Was which the melodie fond 1030 + Of Riedes, whan thei weren ripe, + With double pipes forto pipe; + Therof he yaf the ferste lore, + Til afterward men couthe more. + To every craft for mannes helpe + He hadde a redi wit to helpe + Thurgh naturel experience: + And thus the nyce reverence + Of foles, whan that he was ded, + The fot hath torned to the hed, 1040 + And clepen him god of nature, + For so thei maden his figure. + An other god, so as thei fiele, + Which Jupiter upon Samele + Begat in his avouterie, + Whom, forto hide his lecherie, + That non therof schal take kepe, + In a Montaigne forto kepe, + Which Dyon hihte and was in Ynde, + He sende, in bokes as I finde: 1050 + And he be name Bachus hihte, + Which afterward, whan that he mihte, + A wastour was, and al his rente + In wyn and bordel he despente. + Bot yit, al were he wonder badde, + Among the Greks a name he hadde; + Thei cleped him the god of wyn, + And thus a glotoun was dyvyn. + Ther was yit Esculapius + A godd in thilke time as thus. 1060 + His craft stod upon Surgerie, + Bot for the lust of lecherie, + That he to Daires dowhter drowh, + It felle that Jupiter him slowh: + And yit thei made him noght forthi + A god, and was no cause why. + In Rome he was long time also + A god among the Romeins tho; + For, as he seide, of his presence + Ther was destruid a pestilence, 1070 + Whan thei to thyle of Delphos wente, + And that Appollo with hem sente + This Esculapius his Sone, + Among the Romeins forto wone. + And there he duelte for a while, + Til afterward into that yle, + Fro whenne he cam, ayein he torneth, + Where al his lyf that he sojorneth + Among the Greks, til that he deide. + And thei upon him thanne leide 1080 + His name, and god of medicine + He hatte after that ilke line. + An other god of Hercules + Thei made, which was natheles + A man, bot that he was so strong, + In al this world that brod and long + So myhti was noman as he. + Merveiles tuelve in his degre, + As it was couth in sondri londes, + He dede with hise oghne hondes 1090 + Ayein geantz and Monstres bothe, + The whiche horrible were and lothe, + Bot he with strengthe hem overcam: + Wherof so gret a pris he nam, + That thei him clepe amonges alle + The god of strengthe, and to him calle. + And yit ther is no reson inne, + For he a man was full of sinne, + Which proved was upon his ende, + For in a rage himself he brende; 1100 + And such a cruel mannes dede + Acordeth nothing with godhede. + Thei hadde of goddes yit an other, + Which Pluto hihte, and was the brother + Of Jupiter, and he fro youthe + With every word which cam to mouthe, + Of eny thing whan he was wroth, + He wolde swere his commun oth, + Be Lethen and be Flegeton, + Be Cochitum and Acheron, 1110 + The whiche, after the bokes telle, + Ben the chief flodes of the helle: + Be Segne and Stige he swor also, + That ben the depe Pettes tuo + Of helle the most principal. + Pluto these othes overal + Swor of his commun custummance, + Til it befell upon a chance, + That he for Jupiteres sake + Unto the goddes let do make 1120 + A sacrifice, and for that dede + On of the pettes for his mede + In helle, of which I spak of er, + Was granted him; and thus he ther + Upon the fortune of this thing + The name tok of helle king. + Lo, these goddes and wel mo + Among the Greks thei hadden tho, + And of goddesses manyon, + Whos names thou schalt hiere anon, 1130 + And in what wise thei deceiven + The foles whiche here feith receiven. + So as Saturne is soverein + Of false goddes, as thei sein, + So is Sibeles of goddesses + The Moder, whom withoute gesses + The folk Payene honoure and serve, + As thei the whiche hire lawe observe. + Bot forto knowen upon this + Fro when sche cam and what sche is, 1140 + Bethincia the contre hihte, + Wher sche cam ferst to mannes sihte; + And after was Saturnes wif, + Be whom thre children in hire lif + Sche bar, and thei were cleped tho + Juno, Neptunus and Pluto, + The whiche of nyce fantasie + The poeple wolde deifie. + And for hire children were so, + Sibeles thanne was also 1150 + Mad a goddesse, and thei hire calle + The moder of the goddes alle. + So was that name bore forth, + And yit the cause is litel worth. + A vois unto Saturne tolde + Hou that his oghne Sone him scholde + Out of his regne putte aweie; + And he be cause of thilke weie, + That him was schape such a fate, + Sibele his wif began to hate 1160 + And ek hire progenie bothe. + And thus, whil that thei were wrothe, + Be Philerem upon a dai + In his avouterie he lai, + On whom he Jupiter begat; + And thilke child was after that + Which wroghte al that was prophecied, + As it tofore is specefied: + So that whan Jupiter of Crete + Was king, a wif unto him mete 1170 + The Dowhter of Sibele he tok, + And that was Juno, seith the bok. + Of his deificacion + After the false oppinion, + That have I told, so as thei meene; + And for this Juno was the queene + Of Jupiter and Soster eke, + The foles unto hire sieke, + And sein that sche is the goddesse + Of Regnes bothe and of richesse: 1180 + And ek sche, as thei understonde, + The water Nimphes hath in honde + To leden at hire oghne heste; + And whan hir list the Sky tempeste, + The reinbowe is hir Messager. + Lo, which a misbelieve is hier! + That sche goddesse is of the Sky + I wot non other cause why. + An other goddesse is Minerve, + To whom the Greks obeie and serve: 1190 + And sche was nyh the grete lay + Of Triton founde, wher sche lay + A child forcast, bot what sche was + Ther knew noman the sothe cas. + Bot in Aufrique sche was leid + In the manere as I have seid, + And caried fro that ilke place + Into an Yle fer in Trace, + The which Palene thanne hihte, + Wher a Norrice hir kepte and dihte. 1200 + And after, for sche was so wys + That sche fond ferst in hire avis + The cloth makinge of wolle and lyn, + Men seiden that sche was divin, + And the goddesse of Sapience + Thei clepen hire in that credence. + Of the goddesse which Pallas + Is cleped sondri speche was. + On seith hire fader was Pallant, + Which in his time was geant, 1210 + A cruel man, a bataillous: + An other seith hou in his hous + Sche was the cause why he deide. + And of this Pallas some ek seide + That sche was Martes wif; and so + Among the men that weren tho + Of misbelieve in the riote + The goddesse of batailles hote + She was, and yit sche berth the name. + Now loke, hou they be forto blame. 1220 + Saturnus after his exil + Fro Crete cam in gret peril + Into the londes of Ytaile, + And ther he dede gret mervaile, + Wherof his name duelleth yit. + For he fond of his oghne wit + The ferste craft of plowh tilinge, + Of Eringe and of corn sowinge, + And how men scholden sette vines + And of the grapes make wynes; 1230 + Al this he tawhte, and it fell so, + His wif, the which cam with him tho, + Was cleped Cereres be name, + And for sche tawhte also the same, + And was his wif that ilke throwe, + As it was to the poeple knowe, + Thei made of Ceres a goddesse, + In whom here tilthe yit thei blesse, + And sein that Tricolonius + Hire Sone goth amonges ous 1240 + And makth the corn good chep or dere, + Riht as hire list fro yer to yeere; + So that this wif be cause of this + Goddesse of Cornes cleped is. + King Jupiter, which his likinge + Whilom fulfelde in alle thinge, + So priveliche aboute he ladde + His lust, that he his wille hadde + Of Latona, and on hire that + Diane his dowhter he begat 1250 + Unknowen of his wif Juno. + And afterward sche knew it so, + That Latona for drede fledde + Into an Ile, wher sche hedde + Hire wombe, which of childe aros. + Thilke yle cleped was Delos; + In which Diana was forthbroght, + And kept so that hire lacketh noght. + And after, whan sche was of Age, + Sche tok non hiede of mariage, 1260 + Bot out of mannes compaignie + Sche tok hire al to venerie + In forest and in wildernesse + For ther was al hire besinesse + Be daie and ek be nyhtes tyde + With arwes brode under the side + And bowe in honde, of which sche slowh + And tok al that hir liste ynowh + Of bestes whiche ben chacable: + Wherof the Cronique of this fable 1270 + Seith that the gentils most of alle + Worschipen hire and to hire calle, + And the goddesse of hihe helles, + Of grene trees, of freisshe welles, + They clepen hire in that believe, + Which that no reson mai achieve. + Proserpina, which dowhter was + Of Cereres, befell this cas: + Whil sche was duellinge in Cizile, + Hire moder in that ilke while 1280 + Upon hire blessinge and hire heste + Bad that sche scholde ben honeste, + And lerne forto weve and spinne, + And duelle at hom and kepe hire inne. + Bot sche caste al that lore aweie, + And as sche wente hir out to pleie, + To gadre floures in a pleine, + And that was under the monteine + Of Ethna, fell the same tyde + That Pluto cam that weie ryde, 1290 + And sodeinly, er sche was war, + He tok hire up into his char. + And as thei riden in the field, + Hire grete beaute he behield, + Which was so plesant in his ije, + That forto holde in compainie + He weddeth hire and hield hire so + To ben his wif for everemo. + And as thou hast tofore herd telle + Hou he was cleped god of helle, 1300 + So is sche cleped the goddesse + Be cause of him, ne mor ne lesse. + Lo, thus, mi Sone, as I thee tolde, + The Greks whilom be daies olde + Here goddes hadde in sondri wise, + And thurgh the lore of here aprise + The Romeins hielden ek the same. + And in the worschipe of here name + To every godd in special + Thei made a temple forth withal, 1310 + And ech of hem his yeeres dai + Attitled hadde; and of arai + The temples weren thanne ordeigned, + And ek the poeple was constreigned + To come and don here sacrifice; + The Prestes ek in here office + Solempne maden thilke festes. + And thus the Greks lich to the bestes + The men in stede of god honoure, + Whiche mihten noght hemself socoure, 1320 + Whil that thei were alyve hiere. + And over this, as thou schalt hiere, + The Greks fulfild of fantasie + Sein ek that of the helles hihe + The goddes ben in special, + Bot of here name in general + Thei hoten alle Satiri. + Ther ben of Nimphes proprely + In the believe of hem also: + Oreades thei seiden tho 1330 + Attitled ben to the monteines; + And for the wodes in demeynes + To kepe, tho ben Driades; + Of freisshe welles Naiades; + And of the Nimphes of the See + I finde a tale in proprete, + Hou Dorus whilom king of Grece, + Which hadde of infortune a piece,- + His wif forth with hire dowhtres alle, + So as the happes scholden falle, 1340 + With many a gentil womman there + Dreint in the salte See thei were: + Wherof the Greks that time seiden, + And such a name upon hem leiden, + Nerei5des that thei ben hote, + The Nimphes whiche that thei note + To regne upon the stremes salte. + Lo now, if this believe halte! + Bot of the Nimphes as thei telle, + In every place wher thei duelle 1350 + Thei ben al redi obeissant + As damoiselles entendant + To the goddesses, whos servise + Thei mote obeie in alle wise; + Wherof the Greks to hem beseke + With tho that ben goddesses eke, + And have in hem a gret credence. + And yit withoute experience + Salve only of illusion, + Which was to hem dampnacion, 1360 + For men also that were dede + Thei hadden goddes, as I rede, + And tho be name Manes hihten, + To whom ful gret honour thei dihten, + So as the Grekes lawe seith, + Which was ayein the rihte feith. + Thus have I told a gret partie; + Bot al the hole progenie + Of goddes in that ilke time + To long it were forto rime. 1370 + Bot yit of that which thou hast herd, + Of misbelieve hou it hath ferd, + Ther is a gret diversite. + Mi fader, riht so thenketh me. + Bot yit o thing I you beseche, + Which stant in alle mennes speche, + The godd and the goddesse of love, + Of whom ye nothing hier above + Have told, ne spoken of her fare, + That ye me wolden now declare 1380 + Hou thei ferst comen to that name. + Mi Sone, I have it left for schame, + Be cause I am here oghne Prest; + Bot for thei stonden nyh thi brest + Upon the schrifte of thi matiere, + Thou schalt of hem the sothe hiere: + And understond nou wel the cas. + Venus Saturnes dowhter was, + Which alle danger putte aweie + Of love, and fond to lust a weie; 1390 + So that of hire in sondri place + Diverse men felle into grace, + And such a lusti lif sche ladde, + That sche diverse children hadde, + Nou on be this, nou on be that. + Of hire it was that Mars beyat + A child, which cleped was Armene; + Of hire also cam Andragene, + To whom Mercurie fader was: + Anchises begat Eneas 1400 + Of hire also, and Ericon + Biten begat, and therupon, + Whan that sche sih ther was non other, + Be Jupiter hire oghne brother + Sche lay, and he begat Cupide. + And thilke Sone upon a tyde, + Whan he was come unto his Age, + He hadde a wonder fair visage, + And fond his Moder amourous, + And he was also lecherous: 1410 + So whan thei weren bothe al one, + As he which yhen hadde none + To se reson, his Moder kiste; + And sche also, that nothing wiste + Bot that which unto lust belongeth, + To ben hire love him underfongeth. + Thus was he blind, and sche unwys: + Bot natheles this cause it is, + Why Cupide is the god of love, + For he his moder dorste love. 1420 + And sche, which thoghte hire lustes fonde, + Diverse loves tok in honde, + Wel mo thanne I the tolde hiere: + And for sche wolde hirselve skiere, + Sche made comun that desport, + And sette a lawe of such a port, + That every womman mihte take + What man hire liste, and noght forsake + To ben als comun as sche wolde. + Sche was the ferste also which tolde 1430 + That wommen scholde here bodi selle; + Semiramis, so as men telle, + Of Venus kepte thilke aprise, + And so dede in the same wise + Of Rome faire Neabole, + Which liste hire bodi to rigole; + Sche was to every man felawe, + And hild the lust of thilke lawe, + Which Venus of hirself began; + Wherof that sche the name wan, 1440 + Why men hire clepen the goddesse + Of love and ek of gentilesse, + Of worldes lust and of plesance. + Se nou the foule mescreance + Of Greks in thilke time tho, + Whan Venus tok hire name so. + Ther was no cause under the Mone + Of which thei hadden tho to done, + Of wel or wo wher so it was, + That thei ne token in that cas 1450 + A god to helpe or a goddesse. + Wherof, to take mi witnesse, + The king of Bragmans Dindimus + Wrot unto Alisandre thus: + In blaminge of the Grekes feith + And of the misbelieve, he seith + How thei for every membre hadden + A sondri god, to whom thei spradden + Here armes, and of help besoghten. + Minerve for the hed thei soghten, 1460 + For sche was wys, and of a man + The wit and reson which he can + Is in the celles of the brayn, + Wherof thei made hire soverain. + Mercurie, which was in his dawes + A gret spekere of false lawes, + On him the kepinge of the tunge + Thei leide, whan thei spieke or sunge. + For Bachus was a glotoun eke, + Him for the throte thei beseke, 1470 + That he it wolde waisshen ofte + With swote drinkes and with softe. + The god of schuldres and of armes + Was Hercules; for he in armes + The myhtieste was to fihte, + To him tho Limes they behihte. + The god whom that thei clepen Mart + The brest to kepe hath for his part, + Forth with the herte, in his ymage + That he adresce the corage. 1480 + And of the galle the goddesse, + For sche was full of hastifesse + Of wraththe and liht to grieve also, + Thei made and seide it was Juno. + Cupide, which the brond afyre + Bar in his hond, he was the Sire + Of the Stomak, which builleth evere, + Wherof the lustes ben the levere. + To the goddesse Cereres, + Which of the corn yaf hire encress 1490 + Upon the feith that tho was take, + The wombes cure was betake; + And Venus thurgh the Lecherie, + For which that thei hire deifie, + Sche kept al doun the remenant + To thilke office appourtenant. + Thus was dispers in sondri wise + The misbelieve, as I devise, + With many an ymage of entaile, + Of suche as myhte hem noght availe; 1500 + For thei withoute lyves chiere + Unmyhti ben to se or hiere + Or speke or do or elles fiele; + And yit the foles to hem knele, + Which is here oghne handes werk. + Ha lord, hou this believe is derk, + And fer fro resonable wit! + And natheles thei don it yit: + That was to day a ragged tre, + To morwe upon his majeste 1510 + Stant in the temple wel besein. + How myhte a mannes resoun sein + That such a Stock mai helpe or grieve? + Bot thei that ben of such believe + And unto suche goddes calle, + It schal to hem riht so befalle, + And failen ate moste nede. + Bot if thee list to taken hiede + And of the ferste ymage wite, + Petornius therof hath write 1520 + And ek Nigargorus also; + And thei afferme and write so, + That Promothes was tofore + And fond the ferste craft therfore, + And Cirophanes, as thei telle, + Thurgh conseil which was take in helle, + In remembrance of his lignage + Let setten up the ferste ymage. + Of Cirophanes seith the bok, + That he for sorwe, which he tok 1530 + Of that he sih his Sone ded, + Of confort knew non other red, + Bot let do make in remembrance + A faire ymage of his semblance + And sette it in the market place, + Which openly tofore his face + Stod every dai to don him ese. + And thei that thanne wolden plese + The fader, scholden it obeie, + Whan that they comen thilke weie. 1540 + And of Ninus king of Assire + I rede hou that in his empire + He was next after the secounde + Of hem that ferst ymages founde. + For he riht in semblable cas + Of Belus, which his fader was + Fro Nembroth in the rihte line, + Let make of gold and Stones fine + A precious ymage riche + After his fader evene liche; 1550 + And therupon a lawe he sette, + That every man of pure dette + With sacrifice and with truage + Honoure scholde thilke ymage: + So that withinne time it fell, + Of Belus cam the name of Bel, + Of Bel cam Belzebub, and so + The misbelieve wente tho. + The thridde ymage next to this + Was, whan the king of Grece Apis 1560 + Was ded, thei maden a figure + In resemblance of his stature. + Of this king Apis seith the bok + That Serapis his name tok, + In whom thurgh long continuance + Of misbelieve a gret creance + Thei hadden, and the reverence + Of Sacrifice and of encence + To him thei made: and as thei telle, + Among the wondres that befelle, 1570 + Whan Alisandre fro Candace + Cam ridende, in a wilde place + Undur an hull a Cave he fond; + And Candalus, which in that lond + Was bore, and was Candaces Sone, + Him tolde hou that of commun wone + The goddes were in thilke cave. + And he, that wolde assaie and have + A knowlechinge if it be soth, + Liht of his hors and in he goth, 1580 + And fond therinne that he soghte: + For thurgh the fendes sleihte him thoghte, + Amonges othre goddes mo + That Serapis spak to him tho, + Whom he sih there in gret arrai. + And thus the fend fro dai to dai + The worschipe of ydolatrie + Drowh forth upon the fantasie + Of hem that weren thanne blinde + And couthen noght the trouthe finde. 1590 + Thus hast thou herd in what degre + Of Grece, Egipte and of Caldee + The misbelieves whilom stode; + And hou so that thei be noght goode + Ne trewe, yit thei sprungen oute, + Wherof the wyde world aboute + His part of misbelieve tok. + Til so befell, as seith the bok, + That god a poeple for himselve + Hath chose of the lignages tuelve, 1600 + Wherof the sothe redely, + As it is write in Genesi, + I thenke telle in such a wise + That it schal be to thin apprise. + After the flod, fro which Noe5 + Was sauf, the world in his degre + Was mad, as who seith, newe ayein, + Of flour, of fruit, of gras, of grein, + Of beste, of bridd and of mankinde, + Which evere hath be to god unkinde: 1610 + For noght withstondende al the fare, + Of that this world was mad so bare + And afterward it was restored, + Among the men was nothing mored + Towardes god of good lyvynge, + Bot al was torned to likinge + After the fleissh, so that foryete + Was he which yaf hem lif and mete, + Of hevene and Erthe creatour. + And thus cam forth the grete errour, 1620 + That thei the hihe god ne knewe, + Bot maden othre goddes newe, + As thou hast herd me seid tofore: + Ther was noman that time bore, + That he ne hadde after his chois + A god, to whom he yaf his vois. + Wherof the misbelieve cam + Into the time of Habraham: + Bot he fond out the rihte weie, + Hou only that men scholde obeie 1630 + The hihe god, which weldeth al, + And evere hath don and evere schal, + In hevene, in Erthe and ek in helle; + Ther is no tunge his miht mai telle. + This Patriarch to his lignage + Forbad, that thei to non ymage + Encline scholde in none wise, + Bot here offrende and sacrifise + With al the hole hertes love + Unto the mihti god above 1640 + Thei scholden yive and to no mo: + And thus in thilke time tho + Began the Secte upon this Erthe, + Which of believes was the ferthe. + Of rihtwisnesse it was conceived, + So moste it nedes be received + Of him that alle riht is inne, + The hihe god, which wolde winne + A poeple unto his oghne feith. + On Habraham the ground he leith, 1650 + And made him forto multeplie + Into so gret a progenie, + That thei Egipte al overspradde. + Bot Pharao with wrong hem ladde + In servitute ayein the pes, + Til god let sende Moi5ses + To make the deliverance; + And for his poeple gret vengance + He tok, which is to hiere a wonder. + The king was slain, the lond put under, 1660 + God bad the rede See divide, + Which stod upriht on either side + And yaf unto his poeple a weie, + That thei on fote it passe dreie + And gon so forth into desert: + Wher forto kepe hem in covert, + The daies, whan the Sonne brente, + A large cloude hem overwente, + And forto wissen hem be nyhte, + A firy Piler hem alyhte. 1670 + And whan that thei for hunger pleigne, + The myhti god began to reyne + Manna fro hevene doun to grounde, + Wherof that ech of hem hath founde + His fode, such riht as him liste; + And for thei scholde upon him triste, + Riht as who sette a tonne abroche, + He percede the harde roche, + And sprong out water al at wille, + That man and beste hath drunke his fille: 1680 + And afterward he yaf the lawe + To Moi5ses, that hem withdrawe + Thei scholden noght fro that he bad. + And in this wise thei be lad, + Til thei toke in possession + The londes of promission, + Wher that Caleph and Josue5 + The Marches upon such degre + Departen, after the lignage + That ech of hem as Heritage 1690 + His porpartie hath underfonge. + And thus stod this believe longe, + Which of prophetes was governed; + And thei hadde ek the poeple lerned + Of gret honour that scholde hem falle; + Bot ate moste nede of alle + Thei faileden, whan Crist was bore. + Bot hou that thei here feith have bore, + It nedeth noght to tellen al, + The matiere is so general: 1700 + Whan Lucifer was best in hevene + And oghte moste have stonde in evene, + Towardes god he tok debat; + And for that he was obstinat, + And wolde noght to trouthe encline, + He fell for evere into ruine: + And Adam ek in Paradis, + Whan he stod most in al his pris + After thastat of Innocence, + Ayein the god brak his defence 1710 + And fell out of his place aweie: + And riht be such a maner weie + The Jwes in here beste plit, + Whan that thei scholden most parfit + Have stonde upon the prophecie, + Tho fellen thei to most folie, + And him which was fro hevene come, + And of a Maide his fleissh hath nome, + And was among hem bore and fedd, + As men that wolden noght be spedd 1720 + Of goddes Sone, with o vois + Thei hinge and slowhe upon the crois. + Wherof the parfit of here lawe + Fro thanne forth hem was withdrawe, + So that thei stonde of no merit, + Bot in truage as folk soubgit + Withoute proprete of place + Thei liven out of goddes grace, + Dispers in alle londes oute. + And thus the feith is come aboute, 1730 + That whilom in the Jewes stod, + Which is noght parfihtliche good. + To speke as it is nou befalle, + Ther is a feith aboven alle, + In which the trouthe is comprehended, + Wherof that we ben alle amended. + The hihe almyhti majeste, + Of rihtwisnesse and of pite, + The Sinne which that Adam wroghte, + Whan he sih time, ayein he boghte, 1740 + And sende his Sone fro the hevene + To sette mannes Soule in evene, + Which thanne was so sore falle + Upon the point which was befalle, + That he ne mihte himself arise. + Gregoire seith in his aprise, + It helpeth noght a man be bore, + If goddes Sone were unbore; + For thanne thurgh the ferste Sinne, + Which Adam whilom broghte ous inne, 1750 + Ther scholden alle men be lost; + Bot Crist restoreth thilke lost, + And boghte it with his fleissh and blod. + And if we thenken hou it stod + Of thilke rancoun which he payde, + As seint Gregoire it wrot and sayde, + Al was behovely to the man: + For that wherof his wo began + Was after cause of al his welthe, + Whan he which is the welle of helthe, 1760 + The hihe creatour of lif, + Upon the nede of such a strif + So wolde for his creature + Take on himself the forsfaiture + And soffre for the mannes sake. + Thus mai no reson wel forsake + That thilke Senne original + Ne was the cause in special + Of mannes worschipe ate laste, + Which schal withouten ende laste. 1770 + For be that cause the godhede + Assembled was to the manhede + In the virgine, where he nom + Oure fleissh and verai man becom + Of bodely fraternite; + Wherof the man in his degre + Stant more worth, as I have told, + Than he stod erst be manyfold, + Thurgh baptesme of the newe lawe, + Of which Crist lord is and felawe. 1780 + And thus the hihe goddes myht, + Which was in the virgine alyht, + The mannes Soule hath reconsiled, + Which hadde longe ben exiled. + So stant the feith upon believe, + Withoute which mai non achieve + To gete him Paradis ayein: + Bot this believe is so certein, + So full of grace and of vertu, + That what man clepeth to Jhesu 1790 + In clene lif forthwith good dede, + He mai noght faile of hevene mede, + Which taken hath the rihte feith; + For elles, as the gospel seith, + Salvacion ther mai be non. + And forto preche therupon + Crist bad to hise Apostles alle, + The whos pouer as nou is falle + On ous that ben of holi cherche, + If we the goode dedes werche; 1800 + For feith only sufficeth noght, + Bot if good dede also be wroght. + Now were it good that thou forthi, + Which thurgh baptesme proprely + Art unto Cristes feith professed, + Be war that thou be noght oppressed + With Anticristes lollardie. + For as the Jwes prophecie + Was set of god for avantage, + Riht so this newe tapinage 1810 + Of lollardie goth aboute + To sette Cristes feith in doute. + The seintz that weren ous tofore, + Be whom the feith was ferst upbore, + That holi cherche stod relieved, + Thei oghten betre be believed + Than these, whiche that men knowe + Noght holy, thogh thei feigne and blowe + Here lollardie in mennes Ere. + Bot if thou wolt live out of fere, 1820 + Such newe lore, I rede, eschuie, + And hold forth riht the weie and suie, + As thine Ancestres dede er this: + So schalt thou noght believe amis. + Crist wroghte ferst and after tawhte, + So that the dede his word arawhte; + He yaf ensample in his persone, + And we the wordes have al one, + Lich to the Tree with leves grene, + Upon the which no fruit is sene. 1830 + The Priest Thoas, which of Minerve + The temple hadde forto serve, + And the Palladion of Troie + Kepte under keie, for monoie, + Of Anthenor which he hath nome, + Hath soffred Anthenor to come + And the Palladion to stele, + Wherof the worschipe and the wele + Of the Troiens was overthrowe. + Bot Thoas at the same throwe, 1840 + Whan Anthenor this Juel tok, + Wynkende caste awei his lok + For a deceipte and for a wyle: + As he that scholde himself beguile, + He hidde his yhen fro the sihte, + And wende wel that he so mihte + Excuse his false conscience. + I wot noght if thilke evidence + Nou at this time in here estatz + Excuse mihte the Prelatz, 1850 + Knowende hou that the feith discresceth + And alle moral vertu cesseth, + Wherof that thei the keies bere, + Bot yit hem liketh noght to stere + Here gostliche yhe forto se + The world in his adversite; + Thei wol no labour undertake + To kepe that hem is betake. + Crist deide himselve for the feith, + Bot nou our feerfull prelat seith, 1860 + "The lif is suete," and that he kepeth, + So that the feith unholpe slepeth, + And thei unto here ese entenden + And in here lust her lif despenden, + And every man do what him list. + Thus stant this world fulfild of Mist, + That noman seth the rihte weie: + The wardes of the cherche keie + Thurgh mishandlinge ben myswreynt, + The worldes wawe hath welnyh dreynt 1870 + The Schip which Peter hath to stiere, + The forme is kept, bot the matiere + Transformed is in other wise. + Bot if thei weren gostli wise, + And that the Prelatz weren goode, + As thei be olde daies stode, + It were thanne litel nede + Among the men to taken hiede + Of that thei hieren Pseudo telle, + Which nou is come forto duelle, 1880 + To sowe cokkel with the corn, + So that the tilthe is nyh forlorn, + Which Crist sew ferst his oghne hond. + Nou stant the cockel in the lond, + Wher stod whilom the goode grein, + For the Prelatz nou, as men sein, + Forslowthen that thei scholden tile. + And that I trowe be the skile, + Whan ther is lacke in hem above, + The poeple is stranged to the love 1890 + Of trouthe, in cause of ignorance; + For wher ther is no pourveance + Of liht, men erren in the derke. + Bot if the Prelatz wolden werke + Upon the feith which thei ous teche, + Men scholden noght here weie seche + Withoute liht, as now is used: + Men se the charge aldai refused, + Which holi cherche hath undertake. + Bot who that wolde ensample take, 1900 + Gregoire upon his Omelie + Ayein the Slouthe of Prelacie + Compleigneth him, and thus he seith: + "Whan Peter, fader of the feith, + At domesdai schal with him bringe + Judeam, which thurgh his prechinge + He wan, and Andrew with Achaie + Schal come his dette forto paie, + And Thomas ek with his beyete + Of Ynde, and Poul the routes grete 1910 + Of sondri londes schal presente, + And we fulfild of lond and rente, + Which of this world we holden hiere, + With voide handes schul appiere, + Touchende oure cure spirital, + Which is our charge in special, + I not what thing it mai amonte + Upon thilke ende of oure accompte, + Wher Crist himself is Auditour, + Which takth non hiede of vein honour." 1920 + Thoffice of the Chancellerie + Or of the kinges Tresorie + Ne for the writ ne for the taille + To warant mai noght thanne availe; + The world, which nou so wel we trowe, + Schal make ous thanne bot a mowe: + So passe we withoute mede, + That we non otherwise spede, + Bot as we rede that he spedde, + The which his lordes besant hedde 1930 + And therupon gat non encress. + Bot at this time natheles, + What other man his thonk deserve, + The world so lusti is to serve, + That we with him ben all acorded, + And that is wist and wel recorded + Thurghout this Erthe in alle londes + Let knyhtes winne with here hondes, + For oure tunge schal be stille + And stonde upon the fleisshes wille. 1940 + It were a travail forto preche + The feith of Crist, as forto teche + The folk Paiene, it wol noght be; + Bot every Prelat holde his See + With al such ese as he mai gete + Of lusti drinke and lusti mete, + Wherof the bodi fat and full + Is unto gostli labour dull + And slowh to handle thilke plowh. + Bot elles we ben swifte ynowh 1950 + Toward the worldes Avarice; + And that is as a sacrifice, + Which, after that thapostel seith, + Is openly ayein the feith + Unto thidoles yove and granted: + Bot natheles it is nou haunted, + And vertu changed into vice, + So that largesce is Avarice, + In whos chapitre now we trete. + Mi fader, this matiere is bete 1960 + So fer, that evere whil I live + I schal the betre hede yive + Unto miself be many weie: + Bot over this nou wolde I preie + To wite what the branches are + Of Avarice, and hou thei fare + Als wel in love as otherwise. + Mi Sone, and I thee schal devise + In such a manere as thei stonde, + So that thou schalt hem understonde. 1970 + Dame Avarice is noght soleine, + Which is of gold the Capiteine; + Bot of hir Court in sondri wise + After the Scole of hire aprise + Sche hath of Servantz manyon, + Wherof that Covoitise is on; + Which goth the large world aboute, + To seche thavantages oute, + Wher that he mai the profit winne + To Avarice, and bringth it inne. 1980 + That on hald and that other draweth, + Ther is no day which hem bedaweth, + No mor the Sonne than the Mone, + Whan ther is eny thing to done, + And namely with Covoitise; + For he stant out of al assisse + Of resonable mannes fare. + Wher he pourposeth him to fare + Upon his lucre and his beyete, + The smale path, the large Strete, 1990 + The furlong and the longe Mile, + Al is bot on for thilke while: + And for that he is such on holde, + Dame Avarice him hath withholde, + As he which is the principal + Outward, for he is overal + A pourveour and an aspie. + For riht as of an hungri Pie + The storve bestes ben awaited, + Riht so is Covoitise afaited 2000 + To loke where he mai pourchace, + For be his wille he wolde embrace + Al that this wyde world beclippeth; + Bot evere he somwhat overhippeth, + That he ne mai noght al fulfille + The lustes of his gredi wille. + Bot where it falleth in a lond, + That Covoitise in myhti hond + Is set, it is ful hard to fiede; + For thanne he takth non other hiede, 2010 + Bot that he mai pourchace and gete, + His conscience hath al foryete, + And not what thing it mai amonte + That he schal afterward acompte. + Bote as the Luce in his degre + Of tho that lasse ben than he + The fisshes griedeli devoureth, + So that no water hem socoureth, + Riht so no lawe mai rescowe + Fro him that wol no riht allowe; 2020 + For wher that such on is of myht, + His will schal stonde in stede of riht. + Thus be the men destruid fulofte, + Til that the grete god alofte + Ayein so gret a covoitise + Redresce it in his oghne wise: + And in ensample of alle tho + I finde a tale write so, + The which, for it is good to liere, + Hierafterward thou schalt it hiere. 2030 + Whan Rome stod in noble plit, + Virgile, which was tho parfit, + A Mirour made of his clergie + And sette it in the tounes ije + Of marbre on a piler withoute; + That thei be thritty Mile aboute + Be daie and ek also be nyhte + In that Mirour beholde myhte + Here enemys, if eny were, + With al here ordinance there, 2040 + Which thei ayein the Cite caste: + So that, whil thilke Mirour laste, + Ther was no lond which mihte achieve + With werre Rome forto grieve; + Wherof was gret envie tho. + And fell that ilke time so, + That Rome hadde werres stronge + Ayein Cartage, and stoden longe + The tuo Cites upon debat. + Cartage sih the stronge astat 2050 + Of Rome in thilke Mirour stonde, + And thoghte al prively to fonde + To overthrowe it be som wyle. + And Hanybal was thilke while + The Prince and ledere of Cartage, + Which hadde set al his corage + Upon knihthod in such a wise, + That he be worthi and be wise + And be non othre was conseiled, + Wherof the world is yit merveiled 2060 + Of the maistries that he wroghte + Upon the marches whiche he soghte. + And fell in thilke time also, + The king of Puile, which was tho, + Thoghte ayein Rome to rebelle, + And thus was take the querele, + Hou to destruie this Mirour. + Of Rome tho was Emperour + Crassus, which was so coveitous, + That he was evere desirous 2070 + Of gold to gete the pilage; + Wherof that Puile and ek Cartage + With Philosophres wise and grete + Begunne of this matiere trete, + And ate laste in this degre + Ther weren Philosophres thre, + To do this thing whiche undertoke, + And therupon thei with hem toke + A gret tresor of gold in cophres, + To Rome and thus these philisophres 2080 + Togedre in compainie wente, + Bot noman wiste what thei mente. + Whan thei to Rome come were, + So prively thei duelte there, + As thei that thoghten to deceive: + Was non that mihte of hem perceive, + Til thei in sondri stedes have + Here gold under the ground begrave + In tuo tresors, that to beholde + Thei scholden seme as thei were olde. 2090 + And so forth thanne upon a day + Al openly in good arai + To themperour thei hem presente, + And tolden it was here entente + To duellen under his servise. + And he hem axeth in what wise; + And thei him tolde in such a plit, + That ech of hem hadde a spirit, + The which slepende a nyht appiereth + And hem be sondri dremes lereth 2100 + After the world that hath betid. + Under the ground if oght be hid + Of old tresor at eny throwe, + They schull it in here swevenes knowe; + And upon this condicioun, + Thei sein, what gold under the toun + Of Rome is hid, thei wole it finde, + Ther scholde noght be left behinde, + Be so that he the halvendel + Hem grante, and he assenteth wel; 2110 + And thus cam sleighte forto duelle + With Covoitise, as I thee telle. + This Emperour bad redily + That thei be logged faste by + Where he his oghne body lay; + And whan it was amorwe day, + That on of hem seith that he mette + Wher he a goldhord scholde fette: + Wherof this Emperour was glad, + And therupon anon he bad 2120 + His Mynours forto go and myne, + And he himself of that covine + Goth forth withal, and at his hond + The tresor redi there he fond, + Where as thei seide it scholde be; + And who was thanne glad bot he? + Upon that other dai secounde + Thei have an other goldhord founde, + Which the seconde maister tok + Upon his swevene and undertok. 2130 + And thus the sothe experience + To themperour yaf such credence, + That al his trist and al his feith + So sikerliche on hem he leith, + Of that he fond him so relieved, + That thei ben parfitli believed, + As thogh thei were goddes thre. + Nou herkne the soutilete. + The thridde maister scholde mete, + Which, as thei seiden, was unmete 2140 + Above hem alle, and couthe most; + And he withoute noise or bost + Al priveli, so as he wolde, + Upon the morwe his swevene tolde + To themperour riht in his Ere, + And seide him that he wiste where + A tresor was so plentivous + Of gold and ek so precious + Of jeueals and of riche stones, + That unto alle hise hors at ones 2150 + It were a charge sufficant. + This lord upon this covenant + Was glad, and axeth where it was. + The maister seide, under the glas, + And tolde him eke, as for the Myn + He wolde ordeigne such engin, + That thei the werk schull undersette + With Tymber, that withoute lette + Men mai the tresor saufli delve, + So that the Mirour be himselve 2160 + Withoute empeirement schal stonde: + And this the maister upon honde + Hath undertake in alle weie. + This lord, which hadde his wit aweie + And was with Covoitise blent, + Anon therto yaf his assent; + And thus they myne forth withal, + The timber set up overal, + Wherof the Piler stod upriht; + Til it befell upon a nyht 2170 + These clerkes, whan thei were war + Hou that the timber only bar + The Piler, wher the Mirour stod,- + Here sleihte noman understod,- + Thei go be nyhte unto the Myne + With pich, with soulphre and with rosine, + And whan the Cite was a slepe, + A wylde fyr into the depe + They caste among the timberwerk, + And so forth, whil the nyht was derk, 2180 + Desguised in a povere arai + Thei passeden the toun er dai. + And whan thei come upon an hell, + Thei sihen how the Mirour fell, + Wherof thei maden joie ynowh, + And ech of hem with other lowh, + And seiden, "Lo, what coveitise + Mai do with hem that be noght wise!" + And that was proved afterward, + For every lond, to Romeward 2190 + Which hadde be soubgit tofore, + Whan this Mirour was so forlore + And thei the wonder herde seie, + Anon begunne desobeie + With werres upon every side; + And thus hath Rome lost his pride + And was defouled overal. + For this 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 that ben dede, + Buisshelles fulle thre, I rede, + He felde, and made a bregge also, + That he mihte over Tibre go + Upon the corps that dede were + Of the Romeins, whiche he slowh there. + Bot now to speke of the juise, + The which after the covoitise 2210 + Was take upon this Emperour, + For he destruide the Mirour; + It is a wonder forto hiere. + The Romeins maden a chaiere + And sette here Emperour therinne, + And seiden, for he wolde winne + Of gold the superfluite, + Of gold he scholde such plente + Receive, til he seide Ho: + And with gold, which thei hadden tho 2220 + Buillende hot withinne a panne, + Into his Mouth thei poure thanne. + And thus the thurst of gold was queynt, + With gold which hadde ben atteignt. + Wherof, mi Sone, thou miht hiere, + Whan Covoitise hath lost the stiere + Of resonable governance, + Ther falleth ofte gret vengance. + For ther mai be no worse thing + Than Covoitise aboute a king: 2230 + If it in his persone be, + It doth the more adversite; + And if it in his conseil stonde, + It bringth alday meschief to honde + Of commun harm; and if it growe + Withinne his court, it wol be knowe, + For thanne schal the king be piled. + The man which hath hise londes tiled, + Awaiteth noght more redily + The Hervest, than thei gredily 2240 + Ne maken thanne warde and wacche, + Wher thei the profit mihten cacche: + And yit fulofte it falleth so, + As men mai sen among hem tho, + That he which most coveiteth faste + Hath lest avantage ate laste. + For whan fortune is therayein, + Thogh he coveite, it is in vein; + The happes be noght alle liche, + On is mad povere, an other riche, 2250 + The court to some doth profit, + And some ben evere in o plit; + And yit thei bothe aliche sore + Coveite, bot fortune is more + Unto that o part favorable. + And thogh it be noght resonable, + This thing a man mai sen alday, + Wherof that I thee telle may + A fair ensample in remembrance, + Hou every man mot take his chance 2260 + Or of richesse or of poverte. + Hou so it stonde of the decerte, + Hier is noght every thing aquit, + For ofte a man mai se this yit, + That who best doth, lest thonk schal have; + It helpeth noght the world to crave, + Which out of reule and of mesure + Hath evere stonde in aventure + Als wel in Court as elles where: + And hou in olde daies there 2270 + It stod, so as the thinges felle, + I thenke a tale forto telle. + In a Cronique this 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 served, + And thoghten that thei have deserved + Avancement, and gon withoute; + And some also ben of the route 2280 + That comen bot a while agon, + And thei avanced were anon. + These olde men upon this thing, + So as thei dorste, ayein the king + Among hemself compleignen ofte: + Bot ther is nothing seid so softe, + That it ne comth out ate laste; + The king it wiste, and als so faste, + As he which was of hih Prudence, + He schop therfore an evidence 2290 + Of hem that pleignen in that cas, + To knowe in whos defalte it was. + And al withinne his oghne entente, + That noman wiste what it mente, + Anon he let tuo cofres make + Of o semblance and of o make, + So lich that no lif thilke throwe + That on mai fro that other knowe: + Thei were into his chambre broght, + Bot noman wot why thei be wroght, 2300 + And natheles the king hath bede + That thei be set in prive stede. + As he that was of wisdom slih, + Whan he therto his time sih, + Al prively, that non it wiste, + Hise oghne hondes that o kiste + Of fin gold and of fin perrie, + The which out of his tresorie + Was take, anon he felde full; + That other cofre of straw and mull 2310 + With Stones meind he felde also. + Thus be thei fulle bothe tuo, + So that erliche upon a day + He bad withinne, ther he lay, + Ther scholde be tofore his bed + A bord upset and faire spred; + And thanne he let the cofres fette, + Upon the bord and dede hem sette. + He knew the names wel of tho, + The whiche ayein him grucche so, 2320 + Bothe of his chambre and of his halle, + Anon and sende for hem alle, + And seide to hem in this wise: + "Ther schal noman his happ despise; + I wot wel ye have longe served, + And god wot what ye have deserved: + Bot if it is along on me + Of that ye unavanced be, + Or elles it be long on you, + The sothe schal be proved nou, 2330 + To stoppe with youre evele word. + Lo hier tuo cofres on the bord: + Ches which you list of bothe tuo; + And witeth wel that on of tho + Is with tresor so full begon, + That if ye happe therupon, + Ye schull be riche men for evere. + Now ches and tak which you is levere: + Bot be wel war, er that ye take; + For of that on I undertake 2340 + Ther is no maner good therinne, + Wherof ye mihten profit winne. + Now goth togedre of on assent + And taketh youre avisement, + For bot I you this dai avance, + It stant upon youre oghne chance + Al only in defalte of grace: + So schal be schewed in this place + Upon you alle wel afyn, + That no defalte schal be myn." 2350 + Thei knelen alle and with o vois + The king thei thonken of this chois: + And after that thei up arise, + And gon aside and hem avise, + And ate laste thei acorde; + Wherof her tale to recorde, + To what issue thei be falle, + A kniht schal speke for hem alle. + He kneleth doun unto the king, + And seith that thei upon this thing, 2360 + Or forto winne or forto lese, + Ben alle avised forto chese. + Tho tok this kniht a yerde on honde, + And goth there as the cofres stonde, + And with assent of everichon + He leith his yerde upon that on, + And seith the king hou thilke same + Thei chese in reguerdoun be name, + And preith him that thei mote it have. + The king, which wolde his honour save, 2370 + Whan he hath herd the commun vois, + Hath granted hem here oghne chois + And tok hem therupon the keie. + Bot for he wolde it were seie + What good thei have, as thei suppose, + He bad anon the cofre unclose, + Which was fulfild with straw and stones: + Thus be thei served al at ones. + This king thanne in the same stede + Anon that other cofre undede, 2380 + Where as thei sihen gret richesse, + Wel more than thei couthen gesse. + "Lo," seith the king, "nou mai ye se + That ther is no defalte in me; + Forthi miself I wole aquyte, + And bereth ye youre oghne wyte + Of that fortune hath you refused." + Thus was this wise king excused, + And thei lefte of here evele speche + And mercy of here king beseche. 2390 + Somdiel to this matiere lik + I finde a tale, hou Frederik, + Of Rome that time Emperour, + Herde, as he wente, a gret clamour + Of tuo beggers upon the weie. + That on of hem began to seie, + "Ha lord, wel mai the man be riche + Whom that a king list forto riche." + That other saide nothing so, + Bot, "He is riche and wel bego, 2400 + To whom that god wole sende wele." + And thus thei maden wordes fele, + Wherof this lord hath hiede nome, + And dede hem bothe forto come + To the Paleis, wher he schal ete, + And bad ordeine for here mete + Tuo Pastes, whiche he let do make. + A capoun in that on was bake, + And in that other forto winne + Of florins al that mai withinne 2410 + He let do pute a gret richesse; + And evene aliche, as man mai gesse, + Outward thei were bothe tuo. + This begger was comanded tho, + He that which hield him to the king, + That he ferst chese upon this thing: + He sih hem, bot he felte hem noght, + So that upon his oghne thoght + He ches the Capoun and forsok + That other, which his fela tok. 2420 + Bot whanne he wiste hou that it ferde, + He seide alowd, that men it herde, + "Nou have I certeinly conceived + That he mai lihtly be deceived, + That tristeth unto mannes helpe; + Bot wel is him whom god wol helpe, + For he stant on the siker side, + Which elles scholde go beside: + I se my fela wel recovere, + And I mot duelle stille povere." 2430 + Thus spak this begger his entente, + And povere he cam and povere he wente; + Of that he hath richesse soght, + His infortune it wolde noght. + So mai it schewe in sondri wise, + Betwen fortune and covoitise + The chance is cast upon a Dee; + Bot yit fulofte a man mai se + Ynowe of suche natheles, + Whiche evere pute hemself in press 2440 + To gete hem good, and yit thei faile. + And forto speke of this entaile + Touchende of love in thi matiere, + Mi goode Sone, as thou miht hiere, + That riht as it with tho men stod + Of infortune of worldes good, + As thou hast herd me telle above, + Riht so fulofte it stant be love: + Thogh thou coveite it everemore, + Thou schalt noght have o diel the more, 2450 + Bot only that which thee is schape, + The remenant is bot a jape. + And natheles ynowe of tho + Ther ben, that nou coveiten so, + That where as thei a womman se, + Ye ten or tuelve thogh ther be, + The love is nou so unavised, + That wher the beaute stant assised, + The mannes herte anon is there, + And rouneth tales in hire Ere, 2460 + And seith hou that he loveth streite, + And thus he set him to coveite, + An hundred thogh he sihe aday. + So wolde he more thanne he may; + Bot for the grete covoitise + Of sotie and of fol emprise + In ech of hem he fint somwhat + That pleseth him, or this or that; + Som on, for sche is whit of skin, + Som on, for sche is noble of kin, 2470 + Som on, for sche hath rodi chieke, + Som on, for that sche semeth mieke, + Som on, for sche hath yhen greie, + Som on, for sche can lawhe and pleie, + Som on, for sche is long and smal, + Som on, for sche is lyte and tall, + Som on, for sche is pale and bleche, + Som on, for sche is softe of speche, + Som on, for that sche is camused, + Som on, for sche hath noght ben used, 2480 + Som on, for sche can daunce and singe; + So that som thing to his likinge + He fint, and thogh nomore he fiele, + Bot that sche hath a litel hiele, + It is ynow that he therfore + Hire love, and thus an hundred score, + Whil thei be newe, he wolde he hadde; + Whom he forsakth, sche schal be badde. + The blinde man no colour demeth, + But al is on, riht as him semeth; 2490 + So hath his lust no juggement, + Whom covoitise of love blent. + Him thenkth that to his covoitise + Hou al the world ne mai suffise, + For be his wille he wolde have alle, + If that it mihte so befalle: + Thus is he commun as the Strete, + I sette noght of his beyete. + Mi Sone, hast thou such covoitise? + Nai, fader, such love I despise, 2500 + And whil I live schal don evere, + For in good feith yit hadde I levere, + Than to coveite in such a weie, + To ben for evere til I deie + As povere as Job, and loveles, + Outaken on, for haveles + His thonkes is noman alyve. + For that a man scholde al unthryve + Ther oghte no wisman coveite, + The lawe was noght set so streite: 2510 + Forthi miself withal to save, + Such on ther is I wolde have, + And non of al these othre mo. + Mi Sone, of that thou woldest so, + I am noght wroth, bot over this + I wol thee tellen hou it is. + For ther be men, whiche otherwise, + Riht only for the covoitise + Of that thei sen a womman riche, + Ther wol thei al here love affiche; 2520 + Noght for the beaute of hire face, + Ne yit for vertu ne for grace, + Which sche hath elles riht ynowh, + Bot for the Park and for the plowh, + And other thing which therto longeth: + For in non other wise hem longeth + To love, bot thei profit finde; + And if the profit be behinde, + Here love is evere lesse and lesse, + For after that sche hath richesse, 2530 + Her love is of proporcion. + If thou hast such condicion, + Mi Sone, tell riht as it is. + Min holi fader, nay ywiss, + Condicion such have I non. + For trewli, fader, I love oon + So wel with al myn hertes thoght, + That certes, thogh sche hadde noght, + And were as povere as Medea, + Which was exiled for Creusa, 2540 + I wolde hir noght the lasse love; + Ne thogh sche were at hire above, + As was the riche qwen Candace, + Which to deserve love and grace + To Alisandre, that was king, + Yaf many a worthi riche thing, + Or elles as Pantasilee, + Which was the quen of Feminee, + And gret richesse with hir nam, + Whan sche for love of Hector cam 2550 + To Troie in rescousse of the toun,- + I am of such condicion, + That thogh mi ladi of hirselve + Were also riche as suche tuelve, + I couthe noght, thogh it wer so, + No betre love hir than I do. + For I love in so plein a wise, + That forto speke of coveitise, + As for poverte or for richesse + Mi love is nouther mor ne lesse. 2560 + For in good feith I trowe this, + So coveitous noman ther is, + Forwhy and he mi ladi sihe, + That he thurgh lokinge of his yhe + Ne scholde have such a strok withinne, + That for no gold he mihte winne + He scholde noght hire love asterte, + Bot if he lefte there his herte; + Be so it were such a man, + That couthe Skile of a womman. 2570 + For ther be men so ruide some, + Whan thei among the wommen come, + Thei gon under proteccioun, + That love and his affeccioun + Ne schal noght take hem be the slieve; + For thei ben out of that believe, + Hem lusteth of no ladi chiere, + Bot evere thenken there and hiere + Wher that here gold is in the cofre, + And wol non other love profre: 2580 + Bot who so wot what love amounteth + And be resoun trewliche acompteth, + Than mai he knowe and taken hiede + That al the lust of wommanhiede, + Which mai ben in a ladi face, + Mi ladi hath, and ek of grace + If men schull yiven hire a pris, + Thei mai wel seie hou sche is wys + And sobre and simple of contenance, + And al that to good governance 2590 + Belongeth of a worthi wiht + Sche hath pleinli: for thilke nyht + That sche was bore, as for the nones + Nature sette in hire at ones + Beaute with bounte so besein, + That I mai wel afferme and sein, + I sawh yit nevere creature + Of comlihied and of feture + In eny kinges regioun + Be lich hire in comparisoun: 2600 + And therto, as I have you told, + Yit hath sche more a thousendfold + Of bounte, and schortli to telle, + Sche is the pure hed and welle + And Mirour and ensample of goode. + Who so hir vertus understode, + Me thenkth it oughte ynow suffise + Withouten other covoitise + To love such on and to serve, + Which with hire chiere can deserve 2610 + To be beloved betre ywiss + Than sche per cas that richest is + And hath of gold a Milion. + Such hath be myn opinion + And evere schal: bot natheles + I seie noght sche is haveles, + That sche nys riche and wel at ese, + And hath ynow wherwith to plese + Of worldes good whom that hire liste; + Bot o thing wolde I wel ye wiste, 2620 + That nevere for no worldes good + Min herte untoward hire stod, + Bot only riht for pure love; + That wot the hihe god above. + Nou, fader, what seie ye therto? + Mi Sone, I seie it is wel do. + For tak of this riht good believe, + What man that wole himself relieve + To love in eny other wise, + He schal wel finde his coveitise 2630 + Schal sore grieve him ate laste, + For such a love mai noght laste. + Bot nou, men sein, in oure daies + Men maken bot a fewe assaies, + Bot if the cause be richesse; + Forthi the love is wel the lesse. + And who that wolde ensamples telle, + Be olde daies as thei felle, + Than mihte a man wel understonde + Such love mai noght longe stonde. 2640 + Now herkne, Sone, and thou schalt hiere + A gret ensample of this matiere. + To trete upon the cas of love, + So as we tolden hiere above, + I finde write a wonder thing. + Of Puile whilom was a king, + A man of hih complexioun + And yong, bot his affeccioun + After the nature of his age + Was yit noght falle in his corage 2650 + The lust of wommen forto knowe. + So it betidde upon a throwe + This lord fell into gret seknesse: + Phisique hath don the besinesse + Of sondri cures manyon + To make him hol; and therupon + A worthi maister which ther was + Yaf him conseil upon this cas, + That if he wolde have parfit hele, + He scholde with a womman dele, 2660 + A freissh, a yong, a lusti wiht, + To don him compaignie a nyht: + For thanne he seide him redily, + That he schal be al hol therby, + And otherwise he kneu no cure. + This king, which stod in aventure + Of lif and deth, for medicine + Assented was, and of covine + His Steward, whom he tristeth wel, + He tok, and tolde him everydel, 2670 + Hou that this maister hadde seid: + And therupon he hath him preid + And charged upon his ligance, + That he do make porveance + Of such on as be covenable + For his plesance and delitable; + And bad him, hou that evere it stod, + That he schal spare for no good, + For his will is riht wel to paie. + The Steward seide he wolde assaie: 2680 + Bot nou hierafter thou schalt wite, + As I finde in the bokes write, + What coveitise in love doth. + This Steward, forto telle soth, + Amonges al the men alyve + A lusti ladi hath to wyve, + Which natheles for gold he tok + And noght for love, as seith the bok. + A riche Marchant of the lond + Hir fader was, and hire fond 2690 + So worthily, and such richesse + Of worldes good and such largesse + With hire he yaf in mariage, + That only for thilke avantage + Of good this Steward hath hire take, + For lucre and noght for loves sake, + And that was afterward wel seene; + Nou herkne what it wolde meene. + This Steward in his oghne herte + Sih that his lord mai noght asterte 2700 + His maladie, bot he have + A lusti womman him to save, + And thoghte he wolde yive ynowh + Of his tresor; wherof he drowh + Gret coveitise into his mynde, + And sette his honour fer behynde. + Thus he, whom gold hath overset, + Was trapped in his oghne net; + The gold hath mad hise wittes lame, + So that sechende his oghne schame 2710 + He rouneth in the kinges Ere, + And seide him that he wiste where + A gentile and a lusti on + Tho was, and thider wolde he gon: + Bot he mot yive yiftes grete; + For bot it be thurgh grete beyete + Of gold, he seith, he schal noght spede. + The king him bad upon the nede + That take an hundred pound he scholde, + And yive it where that he wolde, 2720 + Be so it were in worthi place: + And thus to stonde in loves grace + This king his gold hath abandouned. + And whan this tale was full rouned, + The Steward tok the gold and wente, + Withinne his herte and many a wente + Of coveitise thanne he caste, + Wherof a pourpos ate laste + Ayein love and ayein his riht + He tok, and seide hou thilke nyht 2730 + His wif schal ligge be the king; + And goth thenkende upon this thing + Toward his In, til he cam hom + Into the chambre, and thanne he nom + His wif, and tolde hire al the cas. + And sche, which red for schame was, + With bothe hire handes hath him preid + Knelende and in this wise seid, + That sche to reson and to skile + In what thing that he bidde wile 2740 + Is redy forto don his heste, + Bot this thing were noght honeste, + That he for gold hire scholde selle. + And he tho with hise wordes felle + Forth with his gastly contienance + Seith that sche schal don obeissance + And folwe his will in every place; + And thus thurgh strengthe of his manace + Hir innocence is overlad, + Wherof sche was so sore adrad 2750 + That sche his will mot nede obeie. + And therupon was schape a weie, + That he his oghne wif be nyhte + Hath out of alle mennes sihte + So prively that non it wiste + Broght to the king, which as him liste + Mai do with hire what he wolde. + For whan sche was ther as sche scholde, + With him abedde under the cloth, + The Steward tok his leve and goth 2760 + Into a chambre faste by; + Bot hou he slep, that wot noght I, + For he sih cause of jelousie. + Bot he, which hath the compainie + Of such a lusti on as sche, + Him thoghte that of his degre + Ther was noman so wel at ese: + Sche doth al that sche mai to plese, + So that his herte al hol sche hadde; + And thus this king his joie ladde, 2770 + Til it was nyh upon the day. + The Steward thanne wher sche lay + Cam to the bedd, and in his wise + Hath bede that sche scholde arise. + The king seith, "Nay, sche schal noght go." + His Steward seide ayein, "Noght so; + For sche mot gon er it be knowe, + And so I swor at thilke throwe, + Whan I hire fette to you hiere." + The king his tale wol noght hiere, 2780 + And seith hou that he hath hire boght, + Forthi sche schal departe noght, + Til he the brighte dai beholde. + And cawhte hire in hise armes folde, + As he which liste forto pleie, + And bad his Steward gon his weie, + And so he dede ayein his wille. + And thus his wif abedde stille + Lay with the king the longe nyht, + Til that it was hih Sonne lyht; 2790 + Bot who sche was he knew nothing. + Tho cam the Steward to the king + And preide him that withoute schame + In savinge of hire goode name + He myhte leden hom ayein + This lady, and hath told him plein + Hou that it was his oghne wif. + The king his Ere unto this strif + Hath leid, and whan that he it herde, + Welnyh out of his wit he ferde, 2800 + And seide, "Ha, caitif most of alle, + Wher was it evere er this befalle, + That eny cokard in this wise + Betok his wif for coveitise? + Thou hast bothe hire and me beguiled + And ek thin oghne astat reviled, + Wherof that buxom unto thee + Hierafter schal sche nevere be. + For this avou to god I make, + After this day if I thee take, 2810 + Thou schalt ben honged and todrawe. + Nou loke anon thou be withdrawe, + So that I se thee neveremore." + This Steward thanne dradde him sore, + With al the haste that he mai + And fledde awei that same dai, + And was exiled out of londe. + Lo, there a nyce housebonde, + Which thus hath lost his wif for evere! + Bot natheles sche hadde a levere; 2820 + The king hire weddeth and honoureth, + Wherof hire name sche socoureth, + Which erst was lost thurgh coveitise + Of him, that ladde hire other wise, + And hath himself also forlore. + Mi Sone, be thou war therfore, + Wher thou schalt love in eny place, + That thou no covoitise embrace, + The which is noght of loves kinde. + Bot for al that a man mai finde 2830 + Nou in this time of thilke rage + Ful gret desese in mariage, + Whan venym melleth with the Sucre + And mariage is mad for lucre, + Or for the lust or for the hele: + What man that schal with outher dele, + He mai noght faile to repente. + Mi fader, such is myn entente: + Bot natheles good is to have, + For good mai ofte time save 2840 + The love which scholde elles spille. + Bot god, which wot myn hertes wille, + I dar wel take to witnesse, + Yit was I nevere for richesse + Beset with mariage non; + For al myn herte is upon on + So frely, that in the persone + Stant al my worldes joie al one: + I axe nouther Park ne Plowh, + If I hire hadde, it were ynowh, 2850 + Hir love scholde me suffise + Withouten other coveitise. + Lo now, mi fader, as of this, + Touchende of me riht as it is, + Mi schrifte I am beknowe plein; + And if ye wole oght elles sein, + Of covoitise if ther be more + In love, agropeth out the sore. + Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde + Hou Coveitise hath yit on honde 2860 + In special tuo conseilours, + That ben also hise procurours. + The ferst of hem is Falswitnesse, + Which evere is redi to witnesse + What thing his maister wol him hote: + Perjurie is the secounde hote, + Which spareth noght to swere an oth, + Thogh it be fals and god be wroth. + That on schal falswitnesse bere, + That other schal the thing forswere, 2870 + Whan he is charged on the bok. + So what with hepe and what with crok + Thei make here maister ofte winne + And wol noght knowe what is sinne + For coveitise, and thus, men sain, + Thei maken many a fals bargain. + Ther mai no trewe querele arise + In thilke queste and thilke assise, + Where as thei tuo the poeple enforme; + For thei kepe evere o maner forme, 2880 + That upon gold here conscience + Thei founde, and take here evidence; + And thus with falswitnesse and othes + Thei winne hem mete and drinke and clothes. + Riht so ther be, who that hem knewe, + Of thes lovers ful many untrewe: + Nou mai a womman finde ynowe, + That ech of hem, whan he schal wowe, + Anon he wole his hand doun lein + Upon a bok, and swere and sein 2890 + That he wole feith and trouthe bere; + And thus he profreth him to swere + To serven evere til he die, + And al is verai tricherie. + For whan the sothe himselven trieth, + The more he swerth, the more he lieth; + Whan he his feith makth althermest, + Than mai a womman truste him lest; + For til he mai his will achieve, + He is no lengere forto lieve. 2900 + Thus is the trouthe of love exiled, + And many a good womman beguiled. + And ek to speke of Falswitnesse, + There be nou many suche, I gesse, + That lich unto the provisours + Thei make here prive procurours, + To telle hou ther is such a man, + Which is worthi to love and can + Al that a good man scholde kunne; + So that with lesinge is begunne 2910 + The cause in which thei wole procede, + And also siker as the crede + Thei make of that thei knowen fals. + And thus fulofte aboute the hals + Love is of false men embraced; + Bot love which is so pourchaced + Comth afterward to litel pris. + Forthi, mi Sone, if thou be wis, + Nou thou hast herd this evidence, + Thou miht thin oghne conscience 2920 + Oppose, if thou hast ben such on. + Nai, god wot, fader I am non, + Ne nevere was; for as men seith, + Whan that a man schal make his feith, + His herte and tunge moste acorde; + For if so be that thei discorde, + Thanne is he fals and elles noght: + And I dar seie, as of my thoght, + In love it is noght descordable + Unto mi word, bot acordable. 2930 + And in this wise, fader, I + Mai riht wel swere and salvely, + That I mi ladi love wel, + For that acordeth everydel. + It nedeth noght to mi sothsawe + That I witnesse scholde drawe, + Into this dai for nevere yit + Ne mihte it sinke into mi wit, + That I my conseil scholde seie + To eny wiht, or me bewreie 2940 + To sechen help in such manere, + Bot only of mi ladi diere. + And thogh a thousend men it wiste, + That I hire love, and thanne hem liste + With me to swere and to witnesse, + Yit were that no falswitnesse; + For I dar on this trouthe duelle, + I love hire mor than I can telle. + Thus am I, fader, gulteles, + As ye have herd, and natheles 2950 + In youre dom I put it al. + Mi Sone, wite in special, + It schal noght comunliche faile, + Al thogh it for a time availe + That Falswitnesse his cause spede, + Upon the point of his falshiede + It schal wel afterward be kid; + Wherof, so as it is betid, + Ensample of suche thinges blinde + In a Cronique write I finde. 2960 + The Goddesse of the See Thetis, + Sche hadde a Sone, and his name is + Achilles, whom to kepe and warde, + Whil he was yong, as into warde + Sche thoghte him salfly to betake, + As sche which dradde for his sake + Of that was seid in prophecie, + That he at Troie scholde die, + Whan that the Cite was belein. + Forthi, so as the bokes sein, 2970 + Sche caste hire wit in sondri wise, + Hou sche him mihte so desguise + That noman scholde his bodi knowe: + And so befell that ilke throwe, + Whil that sche thoghte upon this dede, + Ther was a king, which Lichomede + Was hote, and he was wel begon + With faire dowhtres manyon, + And duelte fer out in an yle. + Nou schalt thou hiere a wonder wyle: 2980 + This queene, which the moder was + Of Achilles, upon this cas + Hire Sone, as he a Maiden were, + Let clothen in the same gere + Which longeth unto wommanhiede: + And he was yong and tok non hiede, + Bot soffreth al that sche him dede. + Wherof sche hath hire wommen bede + And charged be here othes alle, + Hou so it afterward befalle, 2990 + That thei discovere noght this thing, + Bot feigne and make a knowleching, + Upon the conseil which was nome, + In every place wher thei come + To telle and to witnesse this, + Hou he here ladi dowhter is. + And riht in such a maner wise + Sche bad thei scholde hire don servise, + So that Achilles underfongeth + As to a yong ladi belongeth 3000 + Honour, servise and reverence. + For Thetis with gret diligence + Him hath so tawht and so afaited, + That, hou so that it were awaited, + With sobre and goodli contenance + He scholde his wommanhiede avance, + That non the sothe knowe myhte, + Bot that in every mannes syhte + He scholde seme a pure Maide. + And in such wise as sche him saide, 3010 + Achilles, which that ilke while + Was yong, upon himself to smyle + Began, whan he was so besein. + And thus, after the bokes sein, + With frette of Perle upon his hed, + Al freissh betwen the whyt and red, + As he which tho was tendre of Age, + Stod the colour in his visage, + That forto loke upon his cheke + And sen his childly manere eke, 3020 + He was a womman to beholde. + And thanne his moder to him tolde, + That sche him hadde so begon + Be cause that sche thoghte gon + To Lichomede at thilke tyde, + Wher that sche seide he scholde abyde + Among hise dowhtres forto duelle. + Achilles herde his moder telle, + And wiste noght the cause why; + And natheles ful buxomly 3030 + He was redy to that sche bad, + Wherof his moder was riht glad, + To Lichomede and forth thei wente. + And whan the king knew hire entente, + And sih this yonge dowhter there, + And that it cam unto his Ere + Of such record, of such witnesse, + He hadde riht a gret gladnesse + Of that he bothe syh and herde, + As he that wot noght hou it ferde 3040 + Upon the conseil of the nede. + Bot for al that king Lichomede + Hath toward him this dowhter take, + And for Thetis his moder sake + He put hire into compainie + To duelle with Dei5damie, + His oghne dowhter, the eldeste, + The faireste and the comelieste + Of alle hise doghtres whiche he hadde. + Lo, thus Thetis the cause ladde, 3050 + And lefte there Achilles feigned, + As he which hath himself restreigned + In al that evere he mai and can + Out of the manere of a man, + And tok his wommannysshe chiere, + Wherof unto his beddefere + Dei5damie he hath be nyhte. + Wher kinde wole himselve rihte, + After the Philosophres sein, + Ther mai no wiht be therayein: 3060 + And that was thilke time seene. + The longe nyhtes hem betuene + Nature, which mai noght forbere, + Hath mad hem bothe forto stere: + Thei kessen ferst, and overmore + The hihe weie of loves lore + Thei gon, and al was don in dede, + Wherof lost is the maydenhede; + And that was afterward wel knowe. + For it befell that ilke throwe 3070 + At Troie, wher the Siege lay + Upon the cause of Menelay + And of his queene dame Heleine, + The Gregois hadden mochel peine + Alday to fihte and to assaile. + Bot for thei mihten noght availe + So noble a Cite forto winne, + A prive conseil thei beginne, + In sondri wise wher thei trete; + And ate laste among the grete 3080 + Thei fellen unto this acord, + That Prothes, of his record + Which was an Astronomien + And ek a gret Magicien, + Scholde of his calculacion + Seche after constellacion, + Hou thei the Cite mihten gete: + And he, which hadde noght foryete + Of that belongeth to a clerk, + His studie sette upon this werk. 3090 + So longe his wit aboute he caste, + Til that he fond out ate laste, + Bot if they hadden Achilles + Here werre schal ben endeles. + And over that he tolde hem plein + In what manere he was besein, + And in what place he schal be founde; + So that withinne a litel stounde + Ulixes forth with Diomede + Upon this point to Lichomede 3100 + Agamenon togedre sente. + Bot Ulixes, er he forth wente, + Which was on of the moste wise, + Ordeigned hath in such a wise, + That he the moste riche aray, + Wherof a womman mai be gay, + With him hath take manyfold, + And overmore, as it is told, + An harneis for a lusti kniht, + Which burned was as Selver bryht, 3110 + Of swerd, of plate and ek of maile, + As thogh he scholde to bataille, + He tok also with him be Schipe. + And thus togedre in felaschipe + Forth gon this Diomede and he + In hope til thei mihten se + The place where Achilles is. + The wynd stod thanne noght amis, + Bot evene topseilcole it blew, + Til Ulixes the Marche knew, 3120 + Wher Lichomede his Regne hadde. + The Stieresman so wel hem ladde, + That thei ben comen sauf to londe, + Wher thei gon out upon the stronde + Into the Burgh, wher that thei founde + The king, and he which hath facounde, + Ulixes, dede the message. + Bot the conseil of his corage, + Why that he cam, he tolde noght, + Bot undernethe he was bethoght 3130 + In what manere he mihte aspie + Achilles fro Dei5damie + And fro these othre that ther were, + Full many a lusti ladi there. + Thei pleide hem there a day or tuo, + And as it was fortuned so, + It fell that time in such a wise, + To Bachus that a sacrifise + Thes yonge ladys scholden make; + And for the strange mennes sake, 3140 + That comen fro the Siege of Troie, + Thei maden wel the more joie. + Ther was Revel, ther was daunsinge, + And every lif which coude singe + Of lusti wommen in the route + A freissh carole hath sunge aboute; + Bot for al this yit natheles + The Greks unknowe of Achilles + So weren, that in no degre + Thei couden wite which was he, 3150 + Ne be his vois, ne be his pas. + Ulixes thanne upon this cas + A thing of hih Prudence hath wroght: + For thilke aray, which he hath broght + To yive among the wommen there, + He let do fetten al the gere + Forth with a knihtes harneis eke,- + In al a contre forto seke + Men scholden noght a fairer se,- + And every thing in his degre 3160 + Endlong upon a bord he leide. + To Lichomede and thanne he preide + That every ladi chese scholde + What thing of alle that sche wolde, + And take it as be weie of yifte; + For thei hemself it scholde schifte, + He seide, after here oghne wille. + Achilles thanne stod noght stille: + Whan he the bryhte helm behield, + The swerd, the hauberk and the Schield, 3170 + His herte fell therto anon; + Of all that othre wolde he non, + The knihtes gere he underfongeth, + And thilke aray which that belongeth + Unto the wommen he forsok. + And in this wise, as seith the bok, + Thei knowen thanne which he was: + For he goth forth the grete pas + Into the chambre where he lay; + Anon, and made no delay, 3180 + He armeth him in knyhtli wise, + That bettre can noman devise, + And as fortune scholde falle, + He cam so forth tofore hem alle, + As he which tho was glad ynowh. + But Lichomede nothing lowh, + Whan that he syh hou that it ferde, + For thanne he wiste wel and herde, + His dowhter hadde be forlein; + Bot that he was so oversein, 3190 + The wonder overgoth his wit. + For in Cronique is write yit + Thing which schal nevere be foryete, + Hou that Achilles hath begete + Pirrus upon Dei5damie, + Wherof cam out the tricherie + Of Falswitnesse, whan thei saide + Hou that Achilles was a Maide. + Bot that was nothing sene tho, + For he is to the Siege go 3200 + Forth with Ulixe and Diomede. + Lo, thus was proved in the dede + And fulli spoke at thilke while: + If o womman an other guile, + Wher is ther eny sikernesse? + Whan Thetis, which was the goddesse, + Dei5damie hath so bejaped, + I not hou it schal ben ascaped + With tho wommen whos innocence + Is nou alday thurgh such credence 3210 + Deceived ofte, as it is seene, + With men that such untrouthe meene. + For thei ben slyhe in such a wise, + That thei be sleihte and be queintise + Of Falswitnesse bringen inne + That doth hem ofte forto winne, + Wher thei ben noght worthi therto. + Forthi, my Sone, do noght so. + Mi fader, as of Falswitnesse + The trouthe and the matiere expresse, 3220 + Touchende of love hou it hath ferd, + As ye have told, I have wel herd. + Bot for ye seiden otherwise, + Hou thilke vice of Covoitise + Hath yit Perjurie of his acord, + If that you list of som record + To telle an other tale also + In loves cause of time ago, + What thing it is to be forswore, + I wolde preie you therfore, 3230 + Wherof I mihte ensample take. + Mi goode Sone, and for thi sake + Touchende of this I schall fulfille + Thin axinge at thin oghne wille, + And the matiere I schal declare, + Hou the wommen deceived are, + Whan thei so tendre herte bere, + Of that thei hieren men so swere; + Bot whan it comth unto thassay, + Thei finde it fals an other day: 3240 + As Jason dede to Medee, + Which stant yet of Auctorite + In tokne and in memorial; + Wherof the tale in special + Is in the bok of Troie write, + Which I schal do thee forto wite. + In Grece whilom was a king, + Of whom the fame and knowleching + Beleveth yit, and Peles + He hihte; bot it fell him thus, 3250 + That his fortune hir whiel so ladde + That he no child his oghne hadde + To regnen after his decess. + He hadde a brother natheles, + Whos rihte name was Eson, + And he the worthi kniht Jason + Begat, the which in every lond + Alle othre passede of his hond + In Armes, so that he the beste + Was named and the worthieste, 3260 + He soghte worschipe overal. + Nou herkne, and I thee telle schal + An aventure that he soghte, + Which afterward ful dere he boghte. + Ther was an yle, which Colchos + Was cleped, and therof aros + Gret speche in every lond aboute, + That such merveile was non oute + In al the wyde world nawhere, + As tho was in that yle there. 3270 + Ther was a Schiep, as it was told, + The which his flees bar al of gold, + And so the goddes hadde it set, + That it ne mihte awei be fet + Be pouer of no worldes wiht: + And yit ful many a worthi kniht + It hadde assaied, as thei dorste, + And evere it fell hem to the worste. + Bot he, that wolde it noght forsake, + Bot of his knyhthod undertake 3280 + To do what thing therto belongeth, + This worthi Jason, sore alongeth + To se the strange regiouns + And knowe the condiciouns + Of othre Marches, where he wente; + And for that cause his hole entente + He sette Colchos forto seche, + And therupon he made a speche + To Peles his Em the king. + And he wel paid was of that thing; 3290 + And schop anon for his passage, + And suche as were of his lignage, + With othre knihtes whiche he ches, + With him he tok, and Hercules, + Which full was of chivalerie, + With Jason wente in compaignie; + And that was in the Monthe of Maii, + Whan colde stormes were away. + The wynd was good, the Schip was yare, + Thei tok here leve, and forth thei fare 3300 + Toward Colchos: bot on the weie + What hem befell is long to seie; + Hou Lamedon the king of Troie, + Which oghte wel have mad hem joie. + Whan thei to reste a while him preide, + Out of his lond he hem congeide; + And so fell the dissencion, + Which after was destruccion + Of that Cite, as men mai hiere: + Bot that is noght to mi matiere. 3310 + Bot thus this worthi folk Gregeis + Fro that king, which was noght curteis, + And fro his lond with Sail updrawe + Thei wente hem forth, and many a sawe + Thei made and many a gret manace, + Til ate laste into that place + Which as thei soghte thei aryve, + And striken Sail, and forth as blyve + Thei sente unto the king and tolden + Who weren ther and what thei wolden. 3320 + Oe5tes, which was thanne king, + Whan that he herde this tyding + Of Jason, which was comen there, + And of these othre, what thei were, + He thoghte don hem gret worschipe: + For thei anon come out of Schipe, + And strawht unto the king thei wente, + And be the hond Jason he hente, + And that was ate paleis gate, + So fer the king cam on his gate 3330 + Toward Jason to don him chiere; + And he, whom lacketh no manere, + Whan he the king sih in presence, + Yaf him ayein such reverence + As to a kinges stat belongeth. + And thus the king him underfongeth, + And Jason in his arm he cawhte, + And forth into the halle he strawhte, + And ther they siete and spieke of thinges, + And Jason tolde him tho tidinges, 3340 + Why he was come, and faire him preide + To haste his time, and the kyng seide, + "Jason, thou art a worthi kniht, + Bot it lith in no mannes myht + To don that thou art come fore: + Ther hath be many a kniht forlore + Of that thei wolden it assaie." + Bot Jason wolde him noght esmaie, + And seide, "Of every worldes cure + Fortune stant in aventure, 3350 + Per aunter wel, per aunter wo: + Bot hou as evere that it go, + It schal be with myn hond assaied." + The king tho hield him noght wel paied, + For he the Grekes sore dredde, + In aunter, if Jason ne spedde, + He mihte therof bere a blame; + For tho was al the worldes fame + In Grece, as forto speke of Armes. + Forthi he dredde him of his harmes, 3360 + And gan to preche him and to preie; + Bot Jason wolde noght obeie, + Bot seide he wolde his porpos holde + For ought that eny man him tolde. + The king, whan he thes wordes herde, + And sih hou that this kniht ansuerde, + Yit for he wolde make him glad, + After Medea gon he bad, + Which was his dowhter, and sche cam. + And Jason, which good hiede nam, 3370 + Whan he hire sih, ayein hire goth; + And sche, which was him nothing loth, + Welcomede him into that lond, + And softe tok him be the hond, + And doun thei seten bothe same. + Sche hadde herd spoke of his name + And of his grete worthinesse; + Forthi sche gan hir yhe impresse + Upon his face and his stature, + And thoghte hou nevere creature 3380 + Was so wel farende as was he. + And Jason riht in such degre + Ne mihte noght withholde his lok, + Bot so good hiede on hire he tok, + That him ne thoghte under the hevene + Of beaute sawh he nevere hir evene, + With al that fell to wommanhiede. + Thus ech of other token hiede, + Thogh ther no word was of record; + Here hertes bothe of on acord 3390 + Ben set to love, bot as tho + Ther mihten be no wordes mo. + The king made him gret joie and feste, + To alle his men he yaf an heste, + So as thei wolde his thonk deserve, + That thei scholde alle Jason serve, + Whil that he wolde there duelle. + And thus the dai, schortly to telle, + With manye merthes thei despente, + Til nyht was come, and tho thei wente, 3400 + Echon of other tok his leve, + Whan thei no lengere myhten leve. + I not hou Jason that nyht slep, + Bot wel I wot that of the Schep, + For which he cam into that yle, + He thoghte bot a litel whyle; + Al was Medea that he thoghte, + So that in many a wise he soghte + His witt wakende er it was day, + Som time yee, som time nay, 3410 + Som time thus, som time so, + As he was stered to and fro + Of love, and ek of his conqueste + As he was holde of his beheste. + And thus he ros up be the morwe + And tok himself seint John to borwe, + And seide he wolde ferst beginne + At love, and after forto winne + The flees of gold, for which he com, + And thus to him good herte he nom. 3420 + Medea riht the same wise, + Til dai cam that sche moste arise, + Lay and bethoughte hire al the nyht, + Hou sche that noble worthi kniht + Be eny weie mihte wedde: + And wel sche wiste, if he ne spedde + Of thing which he hadde undertake, + Sche mihte hirself no porpos take; + For if he deide of his bataile, + Sche moste thanne algate faile 3430 + To geten him, whan he were ded. + Thus sche began to sette red + And torne aboute hir wittes alle, + To loke hou that it mihte falle + That sche with him hadde a leisir + To speke and telle of hir desir. + And so it fell that same day + That Jason with that suete may + Togedre sete and hadden space + To speke, and he besoughte hir grace. 3440 + And sche his tale goodli herde, + And afterward sche him ansuerde + And seide, "Jason, as thou wilt, + Thou miht be sauf, thou miht be spilt; + For wite wel that nevere man, + Bot if he couthe that I can, + Ne mihte that fortune achieve + For which thou comst: bot as I lieve, + If thou wolt holde covenant + To love, of al the remenant 3450 + I schal thi lif and honour save, + That thou the flees of gold schalt have." + He seide, "Al at youre oghne wille, + Ma dame, I schal treuly fulfille + Youre heste, whil mi lif mai laste." + Thus longe he preide, and ate laste + Sche granteth, and behihte him this, + That whan nyht comth and it time is, + Sche wolde him sende certeinly + Such on that scholde him prively 3460 + Al one into hire chambre bringe. + He thonketh hire of that tidinge, + For of that grace him is begonne + Him thenkth alle othre thinges wonne. + The dai made ende and lost his lyht, + And comen was the derke nyht, + Which al the daies yhe blente. + Jason tok leve and forth he wente, + And whan he cam out of the pres, + He tok to conseil Hercules, 3470 + And tolde him hou it was betid, + And preide it scholde wel ben hid, + And that he wolde loke aboute, + Therwhiles that he schal ben oute. + Thus as he stod and hiede nam, + A Mayden fro Medea cam + And to hir chambre Jason ledde, + Wher that he fond redi to bedde + The faireste and the wiseste eke; + And sche with simple chiere and meke, 3480 + Whan sche him sih, wax al aschamed. + Tho was here tale newe entamed; + For sikernesse of Mariage + Sche fette forth a riche ymage, + Which was figure of Jupiter, + And Jason swor and seide ther, + That also wiss god scholde him helpe, + That if Medea dede him helpe, + That he his pourpos myhte winne, + Thei scholde nevere parte atwinne, 3490 + Bot evere whil him lasteth lif, + He wolde hire holde for his wif. + And with that word thei kisten bothe; + And for thei scholden hem unclothe, + Ther cam a Maide, and in hir wise + Sche dede hem bothe full servise, + Til that thei were in bedde naked: + I wot that nyht was wel bewaked, + Thei hadden bothe what thei wolde. + And thanne of leisir sche him tolde, 3500 + And gan fro point to point enforme + Of his bataile and al the forme, + Which as he scholde finde there, + Whan he to thyle come were. + Sche seide, at entre of the pas + Hou Mars, which god of Armes was, + Hath set tuo Oxen sterne and stoute, + That caste fyr and flamme aboute + Bothe at the mouth and ate nase, + So that thei setten al on blase 3510 + What thing that passeth hem betwene: + And forthermore upon the grene + Ther goth the flees of gold to kepe + A Serpent, which mai nevere slepe. + Thus who that evere scholde it winne, + The fyr to stoppe he mot beginne, + Which that the fierce bestes caste, + And daunte he mot hem ate laste, + So that he mai hem yoke and dryve; + And therupon he mot as blyve 3520 + The Serpent with such strengthe assaile, + That he mai slen him be bataile; + Of which he mot the teth outdrawe, + As it belongeth to that lawe, + And thanne he mot tho Oxen yoke, + Til thei have with a plowh tobroke + A furgh of lond, in which arowe + The teth of thaddre he moste sowe, + And therof schule arise knihtes + Wel armed up at alle rihtes. 3530 + Of hem is noght to taken hiede, + For ech of hem in hastihiede + Schal other slen with dethes wounde: + And thus whan thei ben leid to grounde, + Than mot he to the goddes preie, + And go so forth and take his preie. + Bot if he faile in eny wise + Of that ye hiere me devise, + Ther mai be set non other weie, + That he ne moste algates deie. 3540 + "Nou have I told the peril al: + I woll you tellen forth withal," + Quod Medea to Jason tho, + "That ye schul knowen er ye go, + Ayein the venym and the fyr + What schal ben the recoverir. + Bot, Sire, for it is nyh day, + Ariseth up, so that I may + Delivere you what thing I have, + That mai youre lif and honour save." 3550 + Thei weren bothe loth to rise, + Bot for thei weren bothe wise, + Up thei arisen ate laste: + Jason his clothes on him caste + And made him redi riht anon, + And sche hir scherte dede upon + And caste on hire a mantel clos, + Withoute more and thanne aros. + Tho tok sche forth a riche Tye + Mad al of gold and of Perrie, 3560 + Out of the which sche nam a Ring, + The Ston was worth al other thing. + Sche seide, whil he wolde it were, + Ther myhte no peril him dere, + In water mai it noght be dreynt, + Wher as it comth the fyr is queynt, + It daunteth ek the cruel beste, + Ther may no qued that man areste, + Wher so he be on See or lond, + Which hath that ring upon his hond: 3570 + And over that sche gan to sein, + That if a man wol ben unsein, + Withinne his hond hold clos the Ston, + And he mai invisible gon. + The Ring to Jason sche betauhte, + And so forth after sche him tauhte + What sacrifise he scholde make; + And gan out of hire cofre take + Him thoughte an hevenely figure, + Which al be charme and be conjure 3580 + Was wroght, and ek it was thurgh write + With names, which he scholde wite, + As sche him tauhte tho to rede; + And bad him, as he wolde spede, + Withoute reste of eny while, + Whan he were londed in that yle, + He scholde make his sacrifise + And rede his carecte in the wise + As sche him tauhte, on knes doun bent, + Thre sithes toward orient; 3590 + For so scholde he the goddes plese + And winne himselven mochel ese. + And whanne he hadde it thries rad, + To opne a buiste sche him bad, + Which sche ther tok him in present, + And was full of such oignement, + That ther was fyr ne venym non + That scholde fastnen him upon, + Whan that he were enoynt withal. + Forthi sche tauhte him hou he schal 3600 + Enoignte his armes al aboute, + And for he scholde nothing doute, + Sche tok him thanne a maner glu, + The which was of so gret vertu, + That where a man it wolde caste, + It scholde binde anon so faste + That noman mihte it don aweie. + And that sche bad be alle weie + He scholde into the mouthes throwen + Of tho tweie Oxen that fyr blowen, 3610 + Therof to stoppen the malice; + The glu schal serve of that office. + And over that hir oignement, + Hir Ring and hir enchantement + Ayein the Serpent scholde him were, + Til he him sle with swerd or spere: + And thanne he may saufliche ynowh + His Oxen yoke into the plowh + And the teth sowe in such a wise, + Til he the knyhtes se arise, 3620 + And ech of other doun be leid + In such manere as I have seid. + Lo, thus Medea for Jason + Ordeigneth, and preith therupon + That he nothing foryete scholde, + And ek sche preith him that he wolde, + Whan he hath alle his Armes don, + To grounde knele and thonke anon + The goddes, and so forth be ese + The flees of gold he scholde sese. 3630 + And whanne he hadde it sesed so, + That thanne he were sone ago + Withouten eny tariynge. + Whan this was seid, into wepinge + Sche fell, as sche that was thurgh nome + With love, and so fer overcome, + That al hir world on him sche sette. + Bot whan sche sih ther was no lette, + That he mot nedes parte hire fro, + Sche tok him in hire armes tuo, 3640 + An hundred time and gan him kisse, + And seide, "O, al mi worldes blisse, + Mi trust, mi lust, mi lif, min hele, + To be thin helpe in this querele + I preie unto the goddes alle." + And with that word sche gan doun falle + On swoune, and he hire uppe nam, + And forth with that the Maiden cam, + And thei to bedde anon hir broghte, + And thanne Jason hire besoghte, 3650 + And to hire seide in this manere: + "Mi worthi lusti ladi dere, + Conforteth you, for be my trouthe + It schal noght fallen in mi slouthe + That I ne wol thurghout fulfille + Youre hestes at youre oghne wille. + And yit I hope to you bringe + Withinne a while such tidinge, + The which schal make ous bothe game." + Bot for he wolde kepe hir name, 3660 + Whan that he wiste it was nyh dai, + He seide, "A dieu, mi swete mai." + And forth with him he nam his gere, + Which as sche hadde take him there, + And strauht unto his chambre he wente, + And goth to bedde and slep him hente, + And lay, that noman him awok, + For Hercules hiede of him tok, + Til it was undren hih and more. + And thanne he gan to sighe sore 3670 + And sodeinliche abreide of slep; + And thei that token of him kep, + His chamberleins, be sone there, + And maden redi al his gere, + And he aros and to the king + He wente, and seide hou to that thing + For which he cam he wolde go. + The king therof was wonder wo, + And for he wolde him fain withdrawe, + He tolde him many a dredful sawe, 3680 + Bot Jason wolde it noght recorde, + And ate laste thei acorde. + Whan that he wolde noght abide, + A Bot was redy ate tyde, + In which this worthi kniht of Grece + Ful armed up at every piece, + To his bataile which belongeth, + Tok ore on honde and sore him longeth, + Til he the water passed were. + Whan he cam to that yle there, 3690 + He set him on his knes doun strauht, + And his carecte, as he was tawht, + He radde, and made his sacrifise, + And siththe enoignte him in that wise, + As Medea him hadde bede; + And thanne aros up fro that stede, + And with the glu the fyr he queynte, + And anon after he atteinte + The grete Serpent and him slowh. + Bot erst he hadde sorwe ynowh, 3700 + For that Serpent made him travaile + So harde and sore of his bataile, + That nou he stod and nou he fell: + For longe time it so befell, + That with his swerd ne with his spere + He mihte noght that Serpent dere. + He was so scherded al aboute, + It hield all eggetol withoute, + He was so ruide and hard of skin, + Ther mihte nothing go therin; 3710 + Venym and fyr togedre he caste, + That he Jason so sore ablaste, + That if ne were his oignement, + His Ring and his enchantement, + Which Medea tok him tofore, + He hadde with that worm be lore; + Bot of vertu which therof cam + Jason the Dragon overcam. + And he anon the teth outdrouh, + And sette his Oxen in a plouh, 3720 + With which he brak a piece of lond + And sieu hem with his oghne hond. + Tho mihte he gret merveile se: + Of every toth in his degre + Sprong up a kniht with spere and schield, + Of whiche anon riht in the field + Echon slow other; and with that + Jason Medea noght foryat, + On bothe his knes he gan doun falle, + And yaf thonk to the goddes alle. 3730 + The Flees he tok and goth to Bote, + The Sonne schyneth bryhte and hote, + The Flees of gold schon forth withal, + The water glistreth overal. + Medea wepte and sigheth ofte, + And stod upon a Tour alofte: + Al prively withinne hirselve, + Ther herde it nouther ten ne tuelve, + Sche preide, and seide, "O, god him spede, + The kniht which hath mi maidenhiede!" 3740 + And ay sche loketh toward thyle. + Bot whan sche sih withinne a while + The Flees glistrende ayein the Sonne, + Sche saide, "Ha, lord, now al is wonne, + Mi kniht the field hath overcome: + Nou wolde god he were come; + Ha lord, that he ne were alonde!" + Bot I dar take this on honde, + If that sche hadde wynges tuo, + Sche wolde have flowe unto him tho 3750 + Strawht ther he was into the Bot. + The dai was clier, the Sonne hot, + The Gregeis weren in gret doute, + The whyle that here lord was oute: + Thei wisten noght what scholde tyde, + Bot waiten evere upon the tyde, + To se what ende scholde falle. + Ther stoden ek the nobles alle + Forth with the comun of the toun; + And as thei loken up and doun, 3760 + Thei weren war withinne a throwe, + Wher cam the bot, which thei wel knowe, + And sihe hou Jason broghte his preie. + And tho thei gonnen alle seie, + And criden alle with o stevene, + "Ha, wher was evere under the hevene + So noble a knyht as Jason is?" + And welnyh alle seiden this, + That Jason was a faie kniht, + For it was nevere of mannes miht 3770 + The Flees of gold so forto winne; + And thus to talen thei beginne. + With that the king com forth anon, + And sih the Flees, hou that it schon; + And whan Jason cam to the lond, + The king himselve tok his hond + And kist him, and gret joie him made. + The Gregeis weren wonder glade, + And of that thing riht merie hem thoghte, + And forth with hem the Flees thei broghte, 3780 + And ech on other gan to leyhe; + Bot wel was him that mihte neyhe, + To se therof the proprete. + And thus thei passen the cite + And gon unto the Paleis straght. + Medea, which foryat him naght, + Was redy there, and seide anon, + "Welcome, O worthi kniht Jason." + Sche wolde have kist him wonder fayn, + Bot schame tornede hire agayn; 3790 + It was noght the manere as tho, + Forthi sche dorste noght do so. + Sche tok hire leve, and Jason wente + Into his chambre, and sche him sente + Hire Maide to sen hou he ferde; + The which whan that sche sih and herde, + Hou that he hadde faren oute + And that it stod wel al aboute, + Sche tolde hire ladi what sche wiste, + And sche for joie hire Maide kiste. 3800 + The bathes weren thanne araied, + With herbes tempred and assaied, + And Jason was unarmed sone + And dede as it befell to done: + Into his bath he wente anon + And wyssh him clene as eny bon; + He tok a sopp, and oute he cam, + And on his beste aray he nam, + And kempde his hed, whan he was clad, + And goth him forth al merie and glad 3810 + Riht strawht into the kinges halle. + The king cam with his knihtes alle + And maden him glad welcominge; + And he hem tolde the tidinge + Of this and that, hou it befell, + Whan that he wan the schepes fell. + Medea, whan sche was asent, + Com sone to that parlement, + And whan sche mihte Jason se, + Was non so glad of alle as sche. 3820 + Ther was no joie forto seche, + Of him mad every man a speche, + Som man seide on, som man seide other; + Bot thogh he were goddes brother + And mihte make fyr and thonder, + Ther mihte be nomore wonder + Than was of him in that cite. + Echon tauhte other, "This is he, + Which hath in his pouer withinne + That al the world ne mihte winne: 3830 + Lo, hier the beste of alle goode." + Thus saiden thei that there stode, + And ek that walkede up and doun, + Bothe of the Court and of the toun. + The time of Souper cam anon, + Thei wisshen and therto thei gon, + Medea was with Jason set: + Tho was ther many a deynte fet + And set tofore hem on the bord, + Bot non so likinge as the word 3840 + Which was ther spoke among hem tuo, + So as thei dorste speke tho. + Bot thogh thei hadden litel space, + Yit thei acorden in that place + Hou Jason scholde come at nyht, + Whan every torche and every liht + Were oute, and thanne of other thinges + Thei spieke aloud for supposinges + Of hem that stoden there aboute: + For love is everemore in doute, 3850 + If that it be wisly governed + Of hem that ben of love lerned. + Whan al was don, that dissh and cuppe + And cloth and bord and al was uppe, + Thei waken whil hem lest to wake, + And after that thei leve take + And gon to bedde forto reste. + And whan him thoghte for the beste, + That every man was faste aslepe, + Jason, that wolde his time kepe, 3860 + Goth forth stalkende al prively + Unto the chambre, and redely + Ther was a Maide, which him kepte. + Medea wok and nothing slepte, + Bot natheles sche was abedde, + And he with alle haste him spedde + And made him naked and al warm. + Anon he tok hire in his arm: + What nede is forto speke of ese? + Hem list ech other forto plese, 3870 + So that thei hadden joie ynow: + And tho thei setten whanne and how + That sche with him awey schal stele. + With wordes suche and othre fele + Whan al was treted to an ende, + Jason tok leve and gan forth wende + Unto his oughne chambre in pes; + Ther wiste it non bot Hercules. + He slepte and ros whan it was time, + And whanne it fell towardes prime, 3880 + He tok to him suche as he triste + In secre, that non other wiste, + And told hem of his conseil there, + And seide that his wille were + That thei to Schipe hadde alle thinge + So priveliche in thevenynge, + That noman mihte here dede aspie + Bot tho that were of compaignie: + For he woll go withoute leve, + And lengere woll he noght beleve; 3890 + Bot he ne wolde at thilke throwe + The king or queene scholde it knowe. + Thei saide, "Al this schal wel be do:" + And Jason truste wel therto. + Medea in the mene while, + Which thoghte hir fader to beguile, + The Tresor which hir fader hadde + With hire al priveli sche ladde, + And with Jason at time set + Awey sche stal and fond no let, 3900 + And straght sche goth hire unto schipe + Of Grece with that felaschipe, + And thei anon drowe up the Seil. + And al that nyht this was conseil, + Bot erly, whan the Sonne schon, + Men syhe hou that thei were agon, + And come unto the king and tolde: + And he the sothe knowe wolde, + And axeth where his dowhter was. + Ther was no word bot Out, Allas! 3910 + Sche was ago. The moder wepte, + The fader as a wod man lepte, + And gan the time forto warie, + And swor his oth he wol noght tarie, + That with Caliphe and with galeie + The same cours, the same weie, + Which Jason tok, he wolde take, + If that he mihte him overtake. + To this thei seiden alle yee: + Anon thei weren ate See, 3920 + And alle, as who seith, at a word + Thei gon withinne schipes bord, + The Sail goth up, and forth thei strauhte. + Bot non espleit therof thei cauhte, + And so thei tornen hom ayein, + For al that labour was in vein. + Jason to Grece with his preie + Goth thurgh the See the rihte weie: + Whan he ther com and men it tolde, + Thei maden joie yonge and olde. 3930 + Eson, whan that he wiste of this, + Hou that his Sone comen is, + And hath achieved that he soughte + And hom with him Medea broughte, + In al the wyde world was non + So glad a man as he was on. + Togedre ben these lovers tho, + Til that thei hadden sones tuo, + Wherof thei weren bothe glade, + And olde Eson gret joie made 3940 + To sen thencress of his lignage; + For he was of so gret an Age, + That men awaiten every day, + Whan that he scholde gon away. + Jason, which sih his fader old, + Upon Medea made him bold, + Of art magique, which sche couthe, + And preith hire that his fader youthe + Sche wolde make ayeinward newe: + And sche, that was toward him trewe, 3950 + Behihte him that sche wolde it do, + Whan that sche time sawh therto. + Bot what sche dede in that matiere + It is a wonder thing to hiere, + Bot yit for the novellerie + I thenke tellen a partie. + Thus it befell upon a nyht, + Whan ther was noght bot sterreliht, + Sche was vanyssht riht as hir liste, + That no wyht bot hirself it wiste, 3960 + And that was ate mydnyht tyde. + The world was stille on every side; + With open hed and fot al bare, + Hir her tosprad sche gan to fare, + Upon hir clothes gert sche was, + Al specheles and on the gras + Sche glod forth as an Addre doth: + Non otherwise sche ne goth, + Til sche cam to the freisshe flod, + And there a while sche withstod. 3970 + Thries sche torned hire aboute, + And thries ek sche gan doun loute + And in the flod sche wette hir her, + And thries on the water ther + Sche gaspeth with a drecchinge onde, + And tho sche tok hir speche on honde. + Ferst sche began to clepe and calle + Upward unto the sterres alle, + To Wynd, to Air, to See, to lond + Sche preide, and ek hield up hir hond 3980 + To Echates, and gan to crie, + Which is goddesse of Sorcerie. + Sche seide, "Helpeth at this nede, + And as ye maden me to spede, + Whan Jason cam the Flees to seche, + So help me nou, I you beseche." + With that sche loketh and was war, + Doun fro the Sky ther cam a char, + The which Dragouns aboute drowe: + And tho sche gan hir hed doun bowe, 3990 + And up sche styh, and faire and wel + Sche drof forth bothe char and whel + Above in thair among the Skyes. + The lond of Crete and tho parties + Sche soughte, and faste gan hire hye, + And there upon the hulles hyhe + Of Othrin and Olimpe also, + And ek of othre hulles mo, + Sche fond and gadreth herbes suote, + Sche pulleth up som be the rote, 4000 + And manye with a knyf sche scherth, + And alle into hir char sche berth. + Thus whan sche hath the hulles sought, + The flodes ther foryat sche nought, + Eridian and Amphrisos, + Peneie and ek Sperchei5dos, + To hem sche wente and ther sche nom + Bothe of the water and the fom, + The sond and ek the smale stones, + Whiche as sche ches out for the nones, 4010 + And of the rede See a part, + That was behovelich to hire art, + Sche tok, and after that aboute + Sche soughte sondri sedes oute + In feldes and in many greves, + And ek a part sche tok of leves: + Bot thing which mihte hire most availe + Sche fond in Crete and in Thessaile. + In daies and in nyhtes Nyne, + With gret travaile and with gret pyne, 4020 + Sche was pourveid of every piece, + And torneth homward into Grece. + Before the gates of Eson + Hir char sche let awai to gon, + And tok out ferst that was therinne; + For tho sche thoghte to beginne + Such thing as semeth impossible, + And made hirselven invisible, + As sche that was with Air enclosed + And mihte of noman be desclosed. 4030 + Sche tok up turves of the lond + Withoute helpe of mannes hond, + Al heled with the grene gras, + Of which an Alter mad ther was + Unto Echates the goddesse + Of art magique and the maistresse, + And eft an other to Juvente, + As sche which dede hir hole entente. + Tho tok sche fieldwode and verveyne, + Of herbes ben noght betre tueine, 4040 + Of which anon withoute let + These alters ben aboute set: + Tuo sondri puttes faste by + Sche made, and with that hastely + A wether which was blak sche slouh, + And out therof the blod sche drouh + And dede into the pettes tuo; + Warm melk sche putte also therto + With hony meynd: and in such wise + Sche gan to make hir sacrifice, 4050 + And cride and preide forth withal + To Pluto the god infernal, + And to the queene Proserpine. + And so sche soghte out al the line + Of hem that longen to that craft, + Behinde was no name laft, + And preide hem alle, as sche wel couthe, + To grante Eson his ferste youthe. + This olde Eson broght forth was tho, + Awei sche bad alle othre go 4060 + Upon peril that mihte falle; + And with that word thei wenten alle, + And leften there hem tuo al one. + And tho sche gan to gaspe and gone, + And made signes manyon, + And seide hir wordes therupon; + So that with spellinge of hir charmes + Sche tok Eson in bothe hire armes, + And made him forto slepe faste, + And him upon hire herbes caste. 4070 + The blake wether tho sche tok, + And hiewh the fleissh, as doth a cok; + On either alter part sche leide, + And with the charmes that sche seide + A fyr doun fro the Sky alyhte + And made it forto brenne lyhte. + Bot whan Medea sawh it brenne, + Anon sche gan to sterte and renne + The fyri aulters al aboute: + Ther was no beste which goth oute 4080 + More wylde than sche semeth ther: + Aboute hir schuldres hyng hir her, + As thogh sche were oute of hir mynde + And torned in an other kynde. + Tho lay ther certein wode cleft, + Of which the pieces nou and eft + Sche made hem in the pettes wete, + And put hem in the fyri hete, + And tok the brond with al the blase, + And thries sche began to rase 4090 + Aboute Eson, ther as he slepte; + And eft with water, which sche kepte, + Sche made a cercle aboute him thries, + And eft with fyr of sulphre twyes: + Ful many an other thing sche dede, + Which is noght writen in this stede. + Bot tho sche ran so up and doun, + Sche made many a wonder soun, + Somtime lich unto the cock, + Somtime unto the Laverock, 4100 + Somtime kacleth as a Hen, + Somtime spekth as don the men: + And riht so as hir jargoun strangeth, + In sondri wise hir forme changeth, + Sche semeth faie and no womman; + For with the craftes that sche can + Sche was, as who seith, a goddesse, + And what hir liste, more or lesse, + Sche dede, in bokes as we finde, + That passeth over manneskinde. 4110 + Bot who that wole of wondres hiere, + What thing sche wroghte in this matiere, + To make an ende of that sche gan, + Such merveile herde nevere man. + Apointed in the newe Mone, + Whan it was time forto done, + Sche sette a caldron on the fyr, + In which was al the hole atir, + Wheron the medicine stod, + Of jus, of water and of blod, 4120 + And let it buile in such a plit, + Til that sche sawh the spume whyt; + And tho sche caste in rynde and rote, + And sed and flour that was for bote, + With many an herbe and many a ston, + Wherof sche hath ther many on: + And ek Cimpheius the Serpent + To hire hath alle his scales lent, + Chelidre hire yaf his addres skin, + And sche to builen caste hem in; 4130 + A part ek of the horned Oule, + The which men hiere on nyhtes houle; + And of a Raven, which was told + Of nyne hundred wynter old, + Sche tok the hed with al the bile; + And as the medicine it wile, + Sche tok therafter the bouele + Of the Seewolf, and for the hele + Of Eson, with a thousand mo + Of thinges that sche hadde tho, 4140 + In that Caldroun togedre as blyve + Sche putte, and tok thanne of Olyve + A drie branche hem with to stere, + The which anon gan floure and bere + And waxe al freissh and grene ayein. + Whan sche this vertu hadde sein, + Sche let the leste drope of alle + Upon the bare flor doun falle; + Anon ther sprong up flour and gras, + Where as the drope falle was, 4150 + And wox anon al medwe grene, + So that it mihte wel be sene. + Medea thanne knew and wiste + Hir medicine is forto triste, + And goth to Eson ther he lay, + And tok a swerd was of assay, + With which a wounde upon his side + Sche made, that therout mai slyde + The blod withinne, which was old + And sek and trouble and fieble and cold. 4160 + And tho sche tok unto his us + Of herbes al the beste jus, + And poured it into his wounde; + That made his veynes fulle and sounde: + And tho sche made his wounde clos, + And tok his hond, and up he ros; + And tho sche yaf him drinke a drauhte, + Of which his youthe ayein he cauhte, + His hed, his herte and his visage + Lich unto twenty wynter Age; 4170 + Hise hore heres were away, + And lich unto the freisshe Maii, + Whan passed ben the colde shoures, + Riht so recovereth he his floures. + Lo, what mihte eny man devise, + A womman schewe in eny wise + Mor hertly love in every stede, + Than Medea to Jason dede? + Ferst sche made him the flees to winne, + And after that fro kiththe and kinne 4180 + With gret tresor with him sche stal, + And to his fader forth withal + His Elde hath torned into youthe, + Which thing non other womman couthe: + Bot hou it was to hire aquit, + The remembrance duelleth yit. + King Peles his Em was ded, + Jason bar corone on his hed, + Medea hath fulfild his wille: + Bot whanne he scholde of riht fulfille 4190 + The trouthe, which to hire afore + He hadde in thyle of Colchos swore, + Tho was Medea most deceived. + For he an other hath received, + Which dowhter was to king Creon, + Creusa sche hihte, and thus Jason, + As he that was to love untrewe, + Medea lefte and tok a newe. + Bot that was after sone aboght: + Medea with hire art hath wroght 4200 + Of cloth of gold a mantel riche, + Which semeth worth a kingesriche, + And that was unto Creusa sent + In name of yifte and of present, + For Sosterhode hem was betuene; + And whan that yonge freisshe queene + That mantel lappeth hire aboute, + Anon therof the fyr sprong oute + And brente hir bothe fleissh and bon. + Tho cam Medea to Jason 4210 + With bothe his Sones on hire hond, + And seide, "O thou of every lond + The moste untrewe creature, + Lo, this schal be thi forfeture." + With that sche bothe his Sones slouh + Before his yhe, and he outdrouh + His swerd and wold have slayn hir tho, + Bot farewel, sche was ago + Unto Pallas the Court above, + Wher as sche pleigneth upon love, 4220 + As sche that was with that goddesse, + And he was left in gret destresse. + Thus miht thou se what sorwe it doth + To swere an oth which is noght soth, + In loves cause namely. + Mi Sone, be wel war forthi, + And kep that thou be noght forswore: + For this, which I have told tofore, + Ovide telleth everydel. + Mi fader, I may lieve it wel, 4230 + For I have herde it ofte seie + Hou Jason tok the flees aweie + Fro Colchos, bot yit herde I noght + Be whom it was ferst thider broght. + And for it were good to hiere, + If that you liste at mi preiere + To telle, I wolde you beseche. + Mi Sone, who that wole it seche, + In bokes he mai finde it write; + And natheles, if thou wolt wite, 4240 + In the manere as thou hast preid + I schal the telle hou it is seid. + The fame of thilke schepes fell, + Which in Colchos, as it befell, + Was al of gold, schal nevere deie; + Wherof I thenke for to seie + Hou it cam ferst into that yle. + Ther was a king in thilke whyle + Towardes Grece, and Athemas + The Cronique of his name was; 4250 + And hadde a wif, which Philen hihte, + Be whom, so as fortune it dihte, + He hadde of children yonge tuo. + Frixus the ferste was of tho, + A knave child, riht fair withalle; + A dowhter ek, the which men calle + Hellen, he hadde be this wif. + Bot for ther mai no mannes lif + Endure upon this Erthe hiere, + This worthi queene, as thou miht hiere, 4260 + Er that the children were of age, + Tok of hire ende the passage, + With gret worschipe and was begrave. + What thing it liketh god to have + It is gret reson to ben his; + Forthi this king, so as it is, + With gret suffrance it underfongeth: + And afterward, as him belongeth, + Whan it was time forto wedde, + A newe wif he tok to bedde, 4270 + Which Yno hihte and was a Mayde, + And ek the dowhter, as men saide, + Of Cadme, which a king also + Was holde in thilke daies tho. + Whan Yno was the kinges make, + Sche caste hou that sche mihte make + These children to here fader lothe, + And schope a wyle ayein hem bothe, + Which to the king was al unknowe. + A yeer or tuo sche let do sowe 4280 + The lond with sode whete aboute, + Wherof no corn mai springen oute; + And thus be sleyhte and be covine + Aros the derthe and the famine + Thurghout the lond in such a wise, + So that the king a sacrifise + Upon the point of this destresse + To Ceres, which is the goddesse + Of corn, hath schape him forto yive, + To loke if it mai be foryive, 4290 + The meschief which was in his lond. + Bot sche, which knew tofor the hond + The circumstance of al this thing, + Ayein the cominge of the king + Into the temple, hath schape so, + Of hire acord that alle tho + Whiche of the temple prestes were + Have seid and full declared there + Unto the king, bot if so be + That he delivere the contre 4300 + Of Frixus and of Hellen bothe, + With whom the goddes ben so wrothe, + That whil tho children ben therinne, + Such tilthe schal noman beginne, + Wherof to gete him eny corn. + Thus was it seid, thus was it sworn + Of all the Prestes that ther are; + And sche which causeth al this fare + Seid ek therto what that sche wolde, + And every man thanne after tolde 4310 + So as the queene hem hadde preid. + The king, which hath his Ere leid, + And lieveth al that evere he herde, + Unto here tale thus ansuerde, + And seith that levere him is to chese + Hise children bothe forto lese, + Than him and al the remenant + Of hem whiche are aportenant + Unto the lond which he schal kepe: + And bad his wif to take kepe 4320 + In what manere is best to done, + That thei delivered weren sone + Out of this world. And sche anon + Tuo men ordeigneth forto gon; + Bot ferst sche made hem forto swere + That thei the children scholden bere + Unto the See, that non it knowe, + And hem therinne bothe throwe. + The children to the See ben lad, + Wher in the wise as Yno bad 4330 + These men be redy forto do. + Bot the goddesse which Juno + Is hote, appiereth in the stede, + And hath unto the men forbede + That thei the children noght ne sle; + Bot bad hem loke into the See + And taken hiede of that thei sihen. + Ther swam a Schep tofore here yhen, + Whos flees of burned gold was al; + And this goddesse forth withal 4340 + Comandeth that withoute lette + Thei scholde anon these children sette + Above upon this Schepes bak; + And al was do, riht as sche spak, + Wherof the men gon hom ayein. + And fell so, as the bokes sein, + Hellen the yonge Mayden tho, + Which of the See was wo bego, + For pure drede hire herte hath lore, + That fro the Schep, which hath hire bore, 4350 + As sche that was swounende feint, + Sche fell, and hath hirselve dreint; + With Frixus and this Schep forth swam, + Til he to thyle of Colchos cam, + Where Juno the goddesse he fond, + Which tok the Schep unto the lond, + And sette it there in such a wise + As thou tofore hast herd devise, + Wherof cam after al the wo, + Why Jason was forswore so 4360 + Unto Medee, as it is spoke. + Mi fader, who that hath tobroke + His trouthe, as ye have told above, + He is noght worthi forto love + Ne be beloved, as me semeth: + Bot every newe love quemeth + To him which newefongel is. + And natheles nou after this, + If that you list to taken hiede + Upon mi Schrifte to procede, 4370 + In loves cause ayein the vice + Of covoitise and Avarice + What ther is more I wolde wite. + Mi Sone, this I finde write, + Ther is yit on of thilke brood, + Which only for the worldes good, + To make a Tresor of Moneie, + Put alle conscience aweie: + Wherof in thi confession + The name and the condicion 4380 + I schal hierafterward declare, + Which makth on riche, an other bare. + Upon the bench sittende on hih + With Avarice Usure I sih, + Full clothed of his oghne suite, + Which after gold makth chace and suite + With his brocours, that renne aboute + Lich unto racches in a route. + Such lucre is non above grounde, + Which is noght of tho racches founde; 4390 + For wher thei se beyete sterte, + That schal hem in no wise asterte, + Bot thei it dryve into the net + Of lucre, which Usure hath set. + Usure with the riche duelleth, + To al that evere he beith and selleth + He hath ordeined of his sleyhte + Mesure double and double weyhte: + Outward he selleth be the lasse, + And with the more he makth his tasse, 4400 + Wherof his hous is full withinne. + He reccheth noght, be so he winne, + Though that ther lese ten or tuelve: + His love is al toward himselve + And to non other, bot he se + That he mai winne suche thre; + For wher he schal oght yive or lene, + He wol ayeinward take a bene, + Ther he hath lent the smale pese. + And riht so ther ben manye of these 4410 + Lovers, that thogh thei love a lyte, + That scarsly wolde it weie a myte, + Yit wolde thei have a pound again, + As doth Usure in his bargain. + Bot certes such usure unliche, + It falleth more unto the riche, + Als wel of love as of beyete, + Than unto hem that be noght grete, + And, as who seith, ben simple and povere; + For sielden is whan thei recovere, 4420 + Bot if it be thurgh gret decerte. + And natheles men se poverte + With porsuite and continuance + Fulofte make a gret chevance + And take of love his avantage, + Forth with the help of his brocage, + That maken seme wher is noght. + And thus fulofte is love boght + For litel what, and mochel take, + With false weyhtes that thei make. 4430 + Nou, Sone, of that I seide above + Thou wost what Usure is of love: + Tell me forthi what so thou wilt, + If thou therof hast eny gilt. + Mi fader, nay, for ought I hiere. + For of tho pointz ye tolden hiere + I wol you be mi trouthe assure, + Mi weyhte of love and mi mesure + Hath be mor large and mor certein + Than evere I tok of love ayein: 4440 + For so yit couthe I nevere of sleyhte, + To take ayein be double weyhte + Of love mor than I have yive. + For als so wiss mot I be schrive + And have remission of Sinne, + As so yit couthe I nevere winne, + Ne yit so mochel, soth to sein, + That evere I mihte have half ayein + Of so full love as I have lent: + And if myn happ were so wel went, 4450 + That for the hole I mihte have half, + Me thenkth I were a goddeshalf. + For where Usure wole have double, + Mi conscience is noght so trouble, + I biede nevere as to my del + Bot of the hole an halvendel; + That is non excess, as me thenketh. + Bot natheles it me forthenketh; + For wel I wot that wol noght be, + For every day the betre I se 4460 + That hou so evere I yive or lene + Mi love in place ther I mene, + For oght that evere I axe or crave, + I can nothing ayeinward have. + Bot yit for that I wol noght lete, + What so befalle of mi beyete, + That I ne schal hire yive and lene + Mi love and al mi thoght so clene, + That toward me schal noght beleve. + And if sche of hire goode leve 4470 + Rewarde wol me noght again, + I wot the laste of my bargain + Schal stonde upon so gret a lost, + That I mai neveremor the cost + Recovere in this world til I die. + So that touchende of this partie + I mai me wel excuse and schal; + And forto speke forth withal, + If eny brocour for me wente, + That point cam nevere in myn entente: 4480 + So that the more me merveilleth, + What thing it is mi ladi eilleth, + That al myn herte and al my time + Sche hath, and doth no betre bime. + I have herd seid that thoght is fre, + And natheles in privete + To you, mi fader, that ben hiere + Min hole schrifte forto hiere, + I dar min herte wel desclose. + Touchende usure, as I suppose, 4490 + Which as ye telle in love is used, + Mi ladi mai noght ben excused; + That for o lokinge of hire ye5 + Min hole herte til I dye + With al that evere I may and can + Sche hath me wonne to hire man: + Wherof, me thenkth, good reson wolde + That sche somdel rewarde scholde, + And yive a part, ther sche hath al. + I not what falle hierafter schal, 4500 + Bot into nou yit dar I sein, + Hire liste nevere yive ayein + A goodli word in such a wise, + Wherof min hope mihte arise, + Mi grete love to compense. + I not hou sche hire conscience + Excuse wole of this usure; + Be large weyhte and gret mesure + Sche hath mi love, and I have noght + Of that which I have diere boght, 4510 + And with myn herte I have it paid; + Bot al that is asyde laid, + And I go loveles aboute. + Hire oghte stonde if ful gret doute, + Til sche redresce such a sinne, + That sche wole al mi love winne + And yifth me noght to live by: + Noght als so moche as "grant mercy" + Hir list to seie, of which I mihte + Som of mi grete peine allyhte. 4520 + Bot of this point, lo, thus I fare + As he that paith for his chaffare, + And beith it diere, and yit hath non, + So mot he nedes povere gon: + Thus beie I diere and have no love, + That I ne mai noght come above + To winne of love non encress. + Bot I me wole natheles + Touchende usure of love aquite; + And if mi ladi be to wyte, 4530 + I preie to god such grace hir sende + That sche be time it mot amende. + Mi Sone, of that thou hast ansuerd + Touchende Usure I have al herd, + Hou thou of love hast wonne smale: + Bot that thou tellest in thi tale + And thi ladi therof accusest, + Me thenkth tho wordes thou misusest. + For be thin oghne knowlechinge + Thou seist hou sche for o lokinge 4540 + Thin hole herte fro the tok: + Sche mai be such, that hire o lok + Is worth thin herte manyfold; + So hast thou wel thin herte sold, + Whan thou hast that is more worth. + And ek of that thou tellest forth, + Hou that hire weyhte of love unevene + Is unto thin, under the hevene + Stod nevere in evene that balance + Which stant in loves governance. 4550 + Such is the statut of his lawe, + That thogh thi love more drawe + And peise in the balance more, + Thou miht noght axe ayein therfore + Of duete, bot al of grace. + For love is lord in every place, + Ther mai no lawe him justefie + Be reddour ne be compaignie, + That he ne wole after his wille + Whom that him liketh spede or spille. 4560 + To love a man mai wel beginne, + Bot whether he schal lese or winne, + That wot noman til ate laste: + Forthi coveite noght to faste, + Mi Sone, bot abyd thin ende, + Per cas al mai to goode wende. + Bot that thou hast me told and said, + Of o thing I am riht wel paid, + That thou be sleyhte ne be guile + Of no brocour hast otherwhile 4570 + Engined love, for such dede + Is sore venged, as I rede. + Brocours of love that deceiven, + No wonder is thogh thei receiven + After the wrong that thei decerven; + For whom as evere that thei serven + And do plesance for a whyle, + Yit ate laste here oghne guile + Upon here oghne hed descendeth, + Which god of his vengance sendeth, 4580 + As be ensample of time go + A man mai finde it hath be so. + It fell somtime, as it was sene, + The hihe goddesse and the queene + Juno tho hadde in compainie + A Maiden full of tricherie; + For sche was evere in on acord + With Jupiter, that was hire lord, + To gete him othre loves newe, + Thurgh such brocage and was untrewe 4590 + Al otherwise than him nedeth. + Bot sche, which of no schame dredeth, + With queinte wordes and with slyhe + Blente in such wise hir lady yhe, + As sche to whom that Juno triste, + So that therof sche nothing wiste. + Bot so prive mai be nothing, + That it ne comth to knowleching; + Thing don upon the derke nyht + Is after knowe on daies liht: 4600 + So it befell, that ate laste + Al that this slyhe maiden caste + Was overcast and overthrowe. + For as the sothe mot be knowe, + To Juno was don understonde + In what manere hir housebonde + With fals brocage hath take usure + Of love mor than his mesure, + Whan he tok othre than his wif, + Wherof this mayden was gultif, 4610 + Which hadde ben of his assent. + And thus was al the game schent; + She soffreth him, as sche mot nede, + Bot the brocour of his misdede, + Sche which hir conseil yaf therto, + On hire is the vengance do: + For Juno with hire wordes hote, + This Maiden, which Eccho was hote, + Reproveth and seith in this wise: + "O traiteresse, of which servise 4620 + Hast thou thin oghne ladi served! + Thou hast gret peine wel deserved, + That thou canst maken it so queinte, + Thi slyhe wordes forto peinte + Towardes me, that am thi queene, + Wherof thou madest me to wene + That myn housbonde trewe were, + Whan that he loveth elleswhere, + Al be it so him nedeth noght. + Bot upon thee it schal be boght, 4630 + Which art prive to tho doinges, + And me fulofte of thi lesinges + Deceived hast: nou is the day + That I thi while aquite may; + And for thou hast to me conceled + That my lord hath with othre deled, + I schal thee sette in such a kende, + That evere unto the worldes ende + Al that thou hierest thou schalt telle, + And clappe it out as doth a belle." 4640 + And with that word sche was forschape, + Ther may no vois hire mouth ascape, + What man that in the wodes crieth, + Withoute faile Eccho replieth, + And what word that him list to sein, + The same word sche seith ayein. + Thus sche, which whilom hadde leve + To duelle in chambre, mot beleve + In wodes and on helles bothe, + For such brocage as wyves lothe, 4650 + Which doth here lordes hertes change + And love in other place strange. + Forthi, if evere it so befalle, + That thou, mi Sone, amonges alle + Be wedded man, hold that thou hast, + For thanne al other love is wast. + O wif schal wel to thee suffise, + And thanne, if thou for covoitise + Of love woldest axe more, + Thou scholdest don ayein the lore 4660 + Of alle hem that trewe be. + Mi fader, as in this degre + My conscience is noght accused; + For I no such brocage have used, + Wherof that lust of love is wonne. + Forthi spek forth, as ye begonne, + Of Avarice upon mi schrifte. + Mi Sone, I schal the branches schifte + Be ordre so as thei ben set, + On whom no good is wel beset. 4670 + Blinde Avarice of his lignage + For conseil and for cousinage, + To be withholde ayein largesse, + Hath on, whos name is seid Skarsnesse, + The which is kepere of his hous, + And is so thurghout averous, + That he no good let out of honde; + Thogh god himself it wolde fonde, + Of yifte scholde he nothing have; + And if a man it wolde crave, 4680 + He moste thanne faile nede, + Wher god himselve mai noght spede. + And thus Skarsnesse in every place + Be reson mai no thonk porchace, + And natheles in his degree + Above all othre most prive + With Avarice stant he this. + For he governeth that ther is + In ech astat of his office + After the reule of thilke vice; 4690 + He takth, he kepth, he halt, he bint, + That lihtere is to fle the flint + Than gete of him in hard or neisshe + Only the value of a reysshe + Of good in helpinge of an other, + Noght thogh it were his oghne brother. + For in the cas of yifte and lone + Stant every man for him al one, + Him thenkth of his unkindeschipe + That him nedeth no felaschipe: 4700 + Be so the bagge and he acorden, + Him reccheth noght what men recorden + Of him, or it be evel or good. + For al his trust is on his good, + So that al one he falleth ofte, + Whan he best weneth stonde alofte, + Als wel in love as other wise; + For love is evere of som reprise + To him that wole his love holde. + Forthi, mi Sone, as thou art holde, 4710 + Touchende of this tell me thi schrifte: + Hast thou be scars or large of yifte + Unto thi love, whom thou servest? + For after that thou wel deservest + Of yifte, thou miht be the bet; + For that good holde I wel beset, + For why thou miht the betre fare; + Thanne is no wisdom forto spare. + For thus men sein, in every nede + He was wys that ferst made mede; 4720 + For where as mede mai noght spede, + I not what helpeth other dede: + Fulofte he faileth of his game + That wol with ydel hand reclame + His hauk, as many a nyce doth. + Forthi, mi Sone, tell me soth + And sei the trouthe, if thou hast be + Unto thy love or skars or fre. + Mi fader, it hath stonde thus, + That if the tresor of Cresus 4730 + And al the gold Octovien, + Forth with the richesse Yndien + Of Perles and of riche stones, + Were al togedre myn at ones, + I sette it at nomore acompte + Than wolde a bare straw amonte, + To yive it hire al in a day, + Be so that to that suete may + I myhte like or more or lesse. + And thus be cause of my scarsnesse 4740 + Ye mai wel understonde and lieve + That I schal noght the worse achieve + The pourpos which is in my thoght. + Bot yit I yaf hir nevere noght, + Ne therto dorste a profre make; + For wel I wot sche wol noght take, + And yive wol sche noght also, + Sche is eschu of bothe tuo. + And this I trowe be the skile + Towardes me, for sche ne wile 4750 + That I have eny cause of hope, + Noght also mochel as a drope. + Bot toward othre, as I mai se, + Sche takth and yifth in such degre, + That as be weie of frendlihiede + Sche can so kepe hir wommanhiede, + That every man spekth of hir wel. + Bot sche wole take of me no del, + And yit sche wot wel that I wolde + Yive and do bothe what I scholde 4760 + To plesen hire in al my myht: + Be reson this wot every wyht, + For that mai be no weie asterte, + Ther sche is maister of the herte, + Sche mot be maister of the good. + For god wot wel that al my mod + And al min herte and al mi thoght + And al mi good, whil I have oght, + Als freliche as god hath it yive, + It schal ben hires, while I live, 4770 + Riht as hir list hirself commande. + So that it nedeth no demande, + To axe of me if I be scars + To love, for as to tho pars + I wole ansuere and seie no. + Mi Sone, that is riht wel do. + For often times of scarsnesse + It hath be sen, that for the lesse + Is lost the more, as thou schalt hiere + A tale lich to this matiere. 4780 + Skarsnesse and love acorden nevere, + For every thing is wel the levere, + Whan that a man hath boght it diere: + And forto speke in this matiere, + For sparinge of a litel cost + Fulofte time a man hath lost + The large cote for the hod. + What man that scars is of his good + And wol noght yive, he schal noght take: + With yifte a man mai undertake 4790 + The hihe god to plese and queme, + With yifte a man the world mai deme; + For every creature bore, + If thou him yive, is glad therfore, + And every gladschipe, as I finde, + Is confort unto loves kinde + And causeth ofte a man to spede. + So was he wys that ferst yaf mede, + For mede kepeth love in house; + Bot wher the men ben coveitouse 4800 + And sparen forto yive a part, + Thei knowe noght Cupides art: + For his fortune and his aprise + Desdeigneth alle coveitise + And hateth alle nygardie. + And forto loke of this partie, + A soth ensample, hou it is so, + I finde write of Babio; + Which hadde a love at his menage, + Ther was non fairere of hire age, 4810 + And hihte Viola be name; + Which full of youthe and ful of game + Was of hirself, and large and fre, + Bot such an other chinche as he + Men wisten noght in al the lond, + And hadde affaited to his hond + His servant, the which Spodius + Was hote. And in this wise thus + The worldes good of sufficance + Was had, bot likinge and plesance, 4820 + Of that belongeth to richesse + Of love, stod in gret destresse; + So that this yonge lusty wyht + Of thing which fell to loves riht + Was evele served overal, + That sche was wo bego withal, + Til that Cupide and Venus eke + A medicine for the seke + Ordeigne wolden in this cas. + So as fortune thanne was, 4830 + Of love upon the destine + It fell, riht as it scholde be, + A freissh, a fre, a frendly man + That noght of Avarice can, + Which Croceus be name hihte, + Toward this swete caste his sihte, + And ther sche was cam in presence. + Sche sih him large of his despence, + And amorous and glad of chiere, + So that hir liketh wel to hiere 4840 + The goodly wordes whiche he seide; + And therupon of love he preide, + Of love was al that he mente, + To love and for sche scholde assente, + He yaf hire yiftes evere among. + Bot for men sein that mede is strong, + It was wel seene at thilke tyde; + For as it scholde of ryht betyde, + This Viola largesce hath take + And the nygard sche hath forsake: 4850 + Of Babio sche wol no more, + For he was grucchende everemore, + Ther was with him non other fare + Bot forto prinche and forto spare, + Of worldes muk to gete encress. + So goth the wrecche loveles, + Bejaped for his Skarcete, + And he that large was and fre + And sette his herte to despende, + This Croceus, the bowe bende, 4860 + Which Venus tok him forto holde, + And schotte als ofte as evere he wolde. + Lo, thus departeth love his lawe, + That what man wol noght be felawe + To yive and spende, as I thee telle, + He is noght worthi forto duelle + In loves court to be relieved. + Forthi, my Sone, if I be lieved, + Thou schalt be large of thi despence. + Mi fader, in mi conscience 4870 + If ther be eny thing amis, + I wol amende it after this, + Toward mi love namely. + Mi Sone, wel and redely + Thou seist, so that wel paid withal + I am, and forthere if I schal + Unto thi schrifte specefie + Of Avarices progenie + What vice suieth after this, + Thou schalt have wonder hou it is, 4880 + Among the folk in eny regne + That such a vice myhte regne, + Which is comun at alle assaies, + As men mai finde nou adaies. + The vice lik unto the fend, + Which nevere yit was mannes frend, + And cleped is Unkindeschipe, + Of covine and of felaschipe + With Avarice he is withholde. + Him thenkth he scholde noght ben holde 4890 + Unto the moder which him bar; + Of him mai nevere man be war, + He wol noght knowe the merite, + For that he wolde it noght aquite; + Which in this world is mochel used, + And fewe ben therof excused. + To telle of him is endeles, + Bot this I seie natheles, + Wher as this vice comth to londe, + Ther takth noman his thonk on honde; 4900 + Thogh he with alle his myhtes serve, + He schal of him no thonk deserve. + He takth what eny man wol yive, + Bot whil he hath o day to live, + He wol nothing rewarde ayein; + He gruccheth forto yive o grein, + Wher he hath take a berne full. + That makth 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 nou on daies thou schalt finde + At nede fewe frendes kinde; + What thou hast don for hem tofore, + It is foryete, as it were lore. + The bokes speken of this vice, + And telle hou god of his justice, + Be weie of kinde and ek nature + And every lifissh creature, 4920 + The lawe also, who that it kan, + Thei dampnen an unkinde man. + It is al on to seie unkinde + As thing which don is ayein kinde, + For it with kinde nevere stod + A man to yelden evel for good. + For who that wolde taken hede, + A beste is glad of a good dede, + And loveth thilke creature + After the lawe of his nature 4930 + Which doth him ese. And forto se + Of this matiere Auctorite, + Fulofte time it hath befalle; + Wherof a tale amonges alle, + Which is of olde ensamplerie, + I thenke forto specefie. + To speke of an unkinde man, + I finde hou whilom Adrian, + Of Rome which a gret lord was, + Upon a day as he per cas 4940 + To wode in his huntinge wente, + It hapneth at a soudein wente, + After his chace as he poursuieth, + Thurgh happ, the which noman eschuieth, + He fell unwar into a pet, + Wher that 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 the meschief syh. 4950 + And thus al one ther he lay + Clepende and criende al the day + For socour and deliverance, + Til ayein Eve it fell per chance, + A while er it began to nyhte, + A povere man, which Bardus hihte, + Cam forth walkende with his asse, + And hadde gadred him a tasse + Of grene stickes and of dreie + To selle, who that wolde hem beie, 4960 + As he which hadde no liflode, + Bot whanne he myhte such a lode + To toune with his Asse carie. + And as it fell him forto tarie + That ilke time nyh the pet, + And hath the trusse faste knet, + He herde a vois, which cride dimme, + And he his Ere to the brimme + Hath leid, and herde it was a man, + Which seide, "Ha, help hier Adrian, 4970 + And I wol yiven half mi good." + The povere man this understod, + As he that wolde gladly winne, + And to this lord which was withinne + He spak and seide, "If I thee save, + What sikernesse schal I have + Of covenant, that afterward + Thou wolt me yive such reward + As thou behihtest nou tofore?" + That other hath his othes swore 4980 + Be hevene and be the goddes alle, + If that it myhte so befalle + That he out of the pet him broghte, + Of all the goodes whiche he oghte + He schal have evene halvendel. + This Bardus seide he wolde wel; + And with this word his Asse anon + He let untrusse, and therupon + Doun goth the corde into the pet, + To which he hath at ende knet 4990 + A staf, wherby, he seide, he wolde + That Adrian him scholde holde. + Bot it was tho per chance falle, + Into that pet was also falle + An Ape, which at thilke throwe, + Whan that the corde cam doun lowe, + Al sodeinli therto he skipte + And it in bothe hise armes clipte. + And Bardus with his Asse anon + Him hath updrawe, and he is gon. 5000 + But whan he sih it was an Ape, + He wende al hadde ben a jape + Of faierie, and sore him dradde: + And Adrian eftsone gradde + For help, and cride and preide faste, + And he eftsone his corde caste; + Bot whan it cam unto the grounde, + A gret Serpent it hath bewounde, + The which Bardus anon up drouh. + And thanne him thoghte wel ynouh, 5010 + It was fantosme, bot yit he herde + The vois, and he therto ansuerde, + "What wiht art thou in goddes name?" + "I am," quod Adrian, "the same, + Whos good thou schalt have evene half." + Quod Bardus, "Thanne a goddes half + The thridde time assaie I schal": + And caste his corde forth withal + Into the pet, and whan it cam + To him, this lord of Rome it nam, 5020 + And therupon him hath adresced, + And with his hand fulofte blessed, + And thanne he bad to Bardus hale. + And he, which understod his tale, + Betwen him and his Asse al softe + Hath drawe and set him up alofte + Withouten harm al esely. + He seith noght ones "grant merci," + Bot strauhte him forth to the cite, + And let this povere Bardus be. 5030 + And natheles this simple man + His covenant, so as he can, + Hath axed; and that other seide, + If so be that he him umbreide + Of oght that hath be speke or do, + It schal ben venged on him so, + That him were betre to be ded. + And he can tho non other red, + But on his asse ayein he caste + His trusse, and hieth homward faste: 5040 + And whan that he cam hom to bedde, + He tolde his wif hou that he spedde. + Bot finaly to speke oght more + Unto this lord he dradde him sore, + So that a word ne dorste he sein: + And thus upon the morwe ayein, + In the manere as I recorde, + Forth with his Asse and with his corde + To gadre wode, as he dede er, + He goth; and whan that he cam ner 5050 + Unto the place where he wolde, + He hath his Ape anon beholde, + Which hadde gadred al aboute + Of stickes hiere and there a route, + And leide hem redy to his hond, + Wherof he made his trosse and bond; + Fro dai to dai and in this wise + This Ape profreth his servise, + So that he hadde of wode ynouh. + Upon a time and as he drouh 5060 + Toward the wode, he sih besyde + The grete gastli Serpent glyde, + Til that sche cam in his presence, + And in hir kinde a reverence + Sche hath him do, and forth withal + A Ston mor briht than a cristall + Out of hir mouth tofore his weie + Sche let doun falle, and wente aweie, + For that he schal noght ben adrad. + Tho was this povere Bardus glad, 5070 + Thonkende god, and to the Ston + He goth an takth it up anon, + And hath gret wonder in his wit + Hou that the beste him hath aquit, + Wher that the mannes Sone hath failed, + For whom he hadde most travailed. + Bot al he putte in goddes hond, + And torneth hom, and what he fond + Unto his wif he hath it schewed; + And thei, that weren bothe lewed, 5080 + Acorden that he scholde it selle. + And he no lengere wolde duelle, + Bot forth anon upon the tale + The Ston he profreth to the sale; + And riht as he himself it sette, + The jueler anon forth fette + The gold and made his paiement, + Therof was no delaiement. + Thus whan this Ston was boght and sold, + Homward with joie manyfold 5090 + This Bardus goth; and whan he cam + Hom to his hous and that he nam + His gold out of his Purs, withinne + He fond his Ston also therinne, + Wherof for joie his herte pleide, + Unto his wif and thus he seide, + "Lo, hier my gold, lo, hier mi Ston!" + His wif hath wonder therupon, + And axeth him hou that mai be. + "Nou be mi trouthe I not," quod he, 5100 + "Bot I dar swere upon 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 nou hier, bot it be grace. + Forthi tomorwe in other place + I wole it fonde forto selle, + And if it wol noght with him duelle, + Bot crepe into mi purs ayein, + Than dar I saufly swere and sein, 5110 + It is the vertu of the Ston." + The morwe cam, and he is gon + To seche aboute in other stede + His Ston to selle, and he so dede, + And lefte it with his chapman there. + Bot whan that he cam elleswhere, + In presence of his wif at hom, + Out of his Purs and that he nom + His gold, he fond his Ston withal: + And thus it fell him overal, 5120 + Where he it solde in sondri place, + Such was the fortune and the grace. + Bot so wel may nothing ben hidd, + That it nys ate laste kidd: + This fame goth aboute Rome + So ferforth, that the wordes come + To themperour Justinian; + And he let sende for the man, + And axede him hou that it was. + And Bardus tolde him al the cas, 5130 + Hou that the worm and ek the beste, + Althogh thei maden no beheste, + His travail hadden wel aquit; + Bot he which hadde a mannes wit, + And made his covenant be mouthe + And swor therto al that he couthe + To parte and yiven half his good, + Hath nou foryete hou that it stod, + As he which wol no trouthe holde. + This Emperour al that he tolde 5140 + Hath herd, and thilke unkindenesse + He seide he wolde himself redresse. + And thus in court of juggement + This Adrian was thanne assent, + And the querele in audience + Declared was in the presence + Of themperour and many mo; + Wherof was mochel speche tho + And gret wondringe among the press. + Bot ate laste natheles 5150 + For the partie which hath pleigned + The lawe hath diemed and ordeigned + Be hem that were avised wel, + That he schal have the halvendel + Thurghout of Adrianes good. + And thus of thilke unkinde blod + Stant the memoire into this day, + Wherof that every wysman may + Ensamplen him, and take in mynde + What schame it is to ben unkinde; 5160 + Ayein the which reson debateth, + And every creature it hateth. + Forthi, mi Sone, in thin office + I rede fle that ilke vice. + For riht as the Cronique seith + Of Adrian, hou he his feith + Foryat for worldes covoitise, + Fulofte in such a maner wise + Of lovers nou a man mai se + Full manye that unkinde be: 5170 + For wel behote and evele laste + That is here lif; for ate laste, + Whan that thei have here wille do, + Here love is after sone ago. + What seist thou, Sone, to this cas? + Mi fader, I wol seie Helas, + That evere such a man was bore, + Which whan he hath his trouthe suore + And hath of love what he wolde, + That he at eny time scholde 5180 + Evere after in his herte finde + To falsen and to ben unkinde. + Bot, fader, as touchende of me, + I mai noght stonde in that degre; + For I tok nevere of love why, + That I ne mai wel go therby + And do my profit elles where, + For eny sped I finde there. + I dar wel thenken al aboute, + Bot I ne dar noght speke it oute; 5190 + And if I dorste, I wolde pleigne, + That sche for whom I soffre peine + And love hir evere aliche hote, + That nouther yive ne behote + In rewardinge of mi servise + It list hire in no maner wise. + I wol noght say that sche is kinde, + And forto sai sche is unkinde, + That dar I noght; bot god above, + Which demeth every herte of love, 5200 + He wot that on myn oghne side + Schal non unkindeschipe abide: + If it schal with mi ladi duelle, + Therof dar I nomore telle. + Nou, goode fader, as it is, + Tell me what thenketh you of this. + Mi Sone, of that unkindeschipe, + The which toward thi ladischipe + Thou pleignest, for sche wol thee noght, + Thou art to blamen of that thoght. 5210 + For it mai be that thi desir, + Thogh it brenne evere as doth the fyr, + Per cas to hire honour missit, + Or elles time com noght yit, + Which standt upon thi destine: + Forthi, mi Sone, I rede thee, + Thenk wel, what evere the befalle; + For noman hath his lustes alle. + Bot as thou toldest me before + That thou to love art noght forswore, 5220 + And hast don non unkindenesse, + Thou miht therof thi grace blesse: + And lef noght that continuance; + For ther mai be no such grevance + To love, as is unkindeschipe. + Wherof to kepe thi worschipe, + So as these olde bokes tale, + I schal thee telle a redi tale: + Nou herkne and be wel war therby, + For I wol telle it openly. 5230 + Mynos, as telleth the Poete, + The which whilom was king of Crete, + A Sone hadde and Androchee + He hihte: and so befell that he + Unto Athenes forto lere + Was send, and so he bar him there, + For that he was of hih lignage, + Such pride he tok in his corage, + That he foryeten hath the Scoles, + And in riote among the foles 5240 + He dede manye thinges wronge; + And useth thilke lif so longe, + Til ate laste of that he wroghte + He fond the meschief which he soghte, + Wherof it fell that he was slain. + His fader, which it herde sain, + Was wroth, and al that evere he mihte, + Of men of Armes he him dighte + A strong pouer, and forth he wente + Unto Athenys, where he brente 5250 + The pleine contre al aboute: + The Cites stode of him in doute, + As thei that no defence hadde + Ayein the pouer which he ladde. + Eges, which was there king, + His conseil tok upon this thing, + For he was thanne in the Cite: + So that of pes into tretee + Betwen Mynos and Eges + Thei felle, and ben acorded thus; 5260 + That king Mynos fro yer to yeere + Receive schal, as thou schalt here, + Out of Athenys for truage + Of men that were of myhti Age + Persones nyne, of whiche he schal + His wille don in special + For vengance of his Sones deth. + Non other grace ther ne geth, + Bot forto take the juise; + And that was don in such a wise, 5270 + Which stod upon a wonder cas. + For thilke time so it was, + Wherof that men yit rede and singe, + King Mynos hadde in his kepinge + A cruel Monstre, as seith the geste: + For he was half man and half beste, + And Minotaurus he was hote, + Which was begete in a riote + Upon Pasiphe, his oghne wif, + Whil he was oute upon the strif 5280 + Of thilke grete Siege at Troie. + Bot sche, which lost hath alle joie, + Whan that sche syh this Monstre bore, + Bad men ordeigne anon therfore: + And fell that ilke time thus, + Ther was a Clerk, on Dedalus, + Which hadde ben of hire assent + Of that hir world was so miswent; + And he made of his oghne wit, + Wherof the remembrance is yit, 5290 + For Minotaure such an hous, + Which was so strange and merveilous, + That what man that withinne wente, + Ther was so many a sondri wente, + That he ne scholde noght come oute, + But gon amased al aboute. + And in this hous to loke and warde + Was Minotaurus put in warde, + That what lif that therinne cam, + Or man or beste, he overcam 5300 + And slow, and fedde him therupon; + And in this wise many on + Out of Athenys for truage + Devoured weren in that rage. + For every yeer thei schope hem so, + Thei of Athenys, er thei go + Toward that ilke wofull chance, + As it was set in ordinance, + Upon fortune here lot thei caste; + Til that Theses ate laste, 5310 + Which was the kinges Sone there, + Amonges othre that ther were + In thilke yeer, as it befell, + The lot upon his chance fell. + He was a worthi kniht withalle; + And whan he sih this chance falle, + He ferde as thogh he tok non hiede, + Bot al that evere he mihte spiede, + With him and with his felaschipe + Forth into Crete he goth be Schipe; 5320 + Wher that the king Mynos he soghte, + And profreth all that he him oghte + Upon the point of here acord. + This sterne king, this cruel lord + Tok every day on of the Nyne, + And put him to the discipline + Of Minotaure, to be devoured; + Bot Theses was so favoured, + That he was kept til ate laste. + And in the meene while he caste 5330 + What thing him were best to do: + And fell that Adriagne tho, + Which was the dowhter of Mynos, + And hadde herd the worthi los + Of Theses and of his myht, + And syh he was a lusti kniht, + Hire hole herte on him sche leide, + And he also of love hir preide, + So ferforth that thei were al on. + And sche ordeigneth thanne anon 5340 + In what manere he scholde him save, + And schop so that sche dede him have + A clue of thred, of which withinne + Ferst ate dore he schal beginne + With him to take that on ende, + That whan he wolde ayeinward wende, + He mihte go the same weie. + And over this, so as I seie, + Of pich sche tok him a pelote, + The which he scholde into the throte 5350 + Of Minotaure caste rihte: + Such wepne also for him sche dighte, + That he be reson mai noght faile + To make an ende of his bataile; + For sche him tawhte in sondri wise, + Til he was knowe of thilke emprise, + Hou he this beste schulde quelle. + And thus, schort tale forto telle, + So as this Maide him hadde tawht, + Theses with this Monstre fawht, 5360 + Smot of his hed, the which he nam, + And be the thred, so as he cam, + He goth ayein, til he were oute. + Tho was gret wonder al aboute: + Mynos the tribut hath relessed, + And so was al the werre cessed + Betwen Athene and hem of Crete. + Bot now to speke of thilke suete, + Whos beaute was withoute wane, + This faire Maiden Adriane, 5370 + Whan that sche sih Theses sound, + Was nevere yit upon the ground + A gladder wyht that sche was tho. + Theses duelte a dai or tuo + Wher that Mynos gret chiere him dede: + Theses in a prive stede + Hath with this Maiden spoke and rouned, + That sche to him was abandouned + In al that evere that sche couthe, + So that of thilke lusty youthe 5380 + Al prively betwen hem tweie + The ferste flour he tok aweie. + For he so faire tho behihte + That evere, whil he live mihte, + He scholde hire take for his wif, + And as his oghne hertes lif + He scholde hire love and trouthe bere; + And sche, which mihte noght forbere, + So sore loveth him ayein, + That what as evere he wolde sein 5390 + With al hire herte sche believeth. + And thus his pourpos he achieveth, + So that assured of his trouthe + With him sche wente, and that was routhe. + Fedra hire yonger Soster eke, + A lusti Maide, a sobre, a meke, + Fulfild of alle curtesie, + For Sosterhode and compainie + Of love, which was hem betuene, + To sen hire Soster mad a queene, 5400 + Hire fader lefte and forth sche wente + With him, which al his ferste entente + Foryat withinne a litel throwe, + So that it was al overthrowe, + Whan sche best wende it scholde stonde. + The Schip was blowe fro the londe, + Wherin that thei seilende were; + This Adriagne hath mochel fere + Of that the wynd so loude bleu, + As sche which of the See ne kneu, 5410 + And preide forto reste a whyle. + And so fell that upon an yle, + Which Chyo hihte, thei ben drive, + Where he to hire his leve hath yive + That sche schal londe and take hire reste. + Bot that was nothing for the beste: + For whan sche was to londe broght, + Sche, which that time thoghte noght + Bot alle trouthe, and tok no kepe, + Hath leid hire softe forto slepe, 5420 + As sche which longe hath ben forwacched; + Bot certes sche was evele macched + And fer from alle loves kinde; + For more than the beste unkinde + Theses, which no trouthe kepte, + Whil that this yonge ladi slepte, + Fulfild of his unkindeschipe + Hath al foryete the goodschipe + Which Adriane him hadde do, + And bad unto the Schipmen tho 5430 + Hale up the seil and noght abyde, + And forth he goth the same tyde + Toward Athene, and hire alonde + He lefte, which lay nyh the stronde + Slepende, til that sche awok. + Bot whan that sche cast up hire lok + Toward the stronde and sih no wyht, + Hire herte was so sore aflyht, + That sche ne wiste what to thinke, + Bot drouh hire to the water brinke, 5440 + Wher sche behield the See at large. + Sche sih no Schip, sche sih no barge + Als ferforth as sche mihte kenne: + "Ha lord," sche seide, "which a Senne, + As al the world schal after hiere, + Upon this woful womman hiere + This worthi kniht hath don and wroght! + I wende I hadde his love boght, + And so deserved ate nede, + Whan that he stod upon his drede, 5450 + And ek the love he me behihte. + It is gret wonder hou he mihte + Towardes me nou ben unkinde, + And so to lete out of his mynde + Thing which he seide his oghne mouth. + Bot after this whan it is couth + And drawe into the worldes fame, + It schal ben hindringe of his name: + For wel he wot and so wot I, + He yaf his trouthe bodily, 5460 + That he myn honour scholde kepe." + And with that word sche gan to wepe, + And sorweth more than ynouh: + Hire faire tresces sche todrouh, + And with hirself tok such a strif, + That sche betwen the deth and lif + Swounende lay fulofte among. + And al was this on him along, + Which was to love unkinde so, + Wherof the wrong schal everemo 5470 + Stonde in Cronique of remembrance. + And ek it asketh a vengance + To ben unkinde in loves cas, + So as Theses thanne was, + Al thogh he were a noble kniht; + For he the lawe of loves riht + Forfeted hath in alle weie, + That Adriagne he putte aweie, + Which was a gret unkinde dede: + And after this, so as I rede, 5480 + Fedra, the which hir Soster is, + He tok in stede of hire, and this + Fel afterward to mochel teene. + For thilke vice of which I meene, + Unkindeschipe, where it falleth, + The trouthe of mannes herte it palleth, + That he can no good dede aquite: + So mai he stonde of no merite + Towardes god, and ek also + Men clepen him the worldes fo; 5490 + For he nomore than the fend + Unto non other man is frend, + Bot al toward himself al one. + Forthi, mi Sone, in thi persone + This vice above all othre fle. + Mi fader, as ye techen me, + I thenke don in this matiere. + Bot over this nou wolde I hiere, + Wherof I schal me schryve more. + Mi goode Sone, and for thi lore, 5500 + After the reule of coveitise + I schal the proprete devise + Of every vice by and by. + Nou herkne and be wel war therby. + In the lignage of Avarice, + Mi Sone, yit ther is a vice, + His rihte name it is Ravine, + Which hath a route of his covine. + Ravine among the maistres duelleth, + And with his servantz, as men telleth, 5510 + Extorcion is nou withholde: + Ravine of othre mennes folde + Makth his larder and paieth noght; + For wher as evere it mai be soght, + In his hous ther schal nothing lacke, + And that fulofte abyth the packe + Of povere men that duelle aboute. + Thus stant the comun poeple in doute, + Which can do non amendement; + For whanne him faileth paiement, 5520 + Ravine makth non other skile, + Bot takth be strengthe what he wile. + So ben ther in the same wise + Lovers, as I thee schal devise, + That whan noght elles mai availe, + Anon with strengthe thei assaile + And gete of love the sesine, + Whan thei se time, be Ravine. + Forthi, mi Sone, schrif thee hier, + If thou hast ben a Raviner 5530 + Of love. Certes, fader, no: + For I mi ladi love so, + That thogh I were as was Pompeie, + That al the world me wolde obeie, + Or elles such as Alisandre, + I wolde noght do such a sklaundre; + It is no good man, which so doth. + In good feith, Sone, thou seist soth: + For he that wole of pourveance + Be such a weie his lust avance, 5540 + He schal it after sore abie, + Bot if these olde ensamples lie. + Nou, goode fader, tell me on, + So as ye cunne manyon, + Touchende of love in this matiere. + Nou list, mi Sone, and thou schalt hiere, + So as it hath befalle er this, + In loves cause hou that it is + A man to take be Ravine + The preie which is femeline. 5550 + Ther was a real noble king, + And riche of alle worldes thing, + Which of his propre enheritance + Athenes hadde in governance, + And who so thenke therupon, + His name was king Pandion. + Tuo douhtres hadde he be his wif, + The whiche he lovede as his lif; + The ferste douhter Progne hihte, + And the secounde, as sche wel mihte, 5560 + Was cleped faire Philomene, + To whom fell after mochel tene. + The fader of his pourveance + His doughter Progne wolde avance, + And yaf hire unto mariage + A worthi king of hih lignage, + A noble kniht eke of his hond, + So was he kid in every lond, + Of Trace he hihte Teres; + The clerk Ovide telleth thus. 5570 + This Teres his wif hom ladde, + A lusti lif with hire he hadde; + Til it befell upon a tyde, + This Progne, as sche lay him besyde, + Bethoughte hir hou it mihte be + That sche hir Soster myhte se, + And to hir lord hir will sche seide, + With goodly wordes and him preide + That sche to hire mihte go: + And if it liked him noght so, 5580 + That thanne he wolde himselve wende, + Or elles be som other sende, + Which mihte hire diere Soster griete, + And schape hou that thei mihten miete. + Hir lord anon to that he herde + Yaf his acord, and thus ansuerde: + "I wole," he seide, "for thi sake + The weie after thi Soster take + Miself, and bringe hire, if I may." + And sche with that, there as he lay, 5590 + Began him in hire armes clippe, + And kist him with hir softe lippe, + And seide, "Sire, grant mercy." + And he sone after was redy, + And tok his leve forto go; + In sori time dede he so. + This Teres goth forth to Schipe + With him and with his felaschipe; + Be See the rihte cours he nam, + Into the contre til he cam, 5600 + Wher Philomene was duellinge, + And of hir Soster the tidinge + He tolde, and tho thei weren glade, + And mochel joie of him thei made. + The fader and the moder bothe + To leve here douhter weren lothe, + Bot if thei weren in presence; + And natheles at reverence + Of him, that wolde himself travaile, + Thei wolden noght he scholde faile 5610 + Of that he preide, and yive hire leve: + And sche, that wolde noght beleve, + In alle haste made hire yare + Toward hir Soster forto fare, + With Teres and forth sche wente. + And he with al his hole entente, + Whan sche was fro hir frendes go, + Assoteth of hire love so, + His yhe myhte he noght withholde, + That he ne moste on hir beholde; 5620 + And with the sihte he gan desire, + And sette his oghne herte on fyre; + And fyr, whan it to tow aprocheth, + To him anon the strengthe acrocheth, + Til with his hete it be devoured, + The tow ne mai noght be socoured. + And so that tirant raviner, + Whan that sche was in his pouer, + And he therto sawh time and place, + As he that lost hath alle grace, 5630 + Foryat he was a wedded man, + And in a rage on hire he ran, + Riht as a wolf which takth his preie. + And sche began to crie and preie, + "O fader, o mi moder diere, + Nou help!" Bot thei ne mihte it hiere, + And sche was of to litel myht + Defense ayein so ruide a knyht + To make, whanne he was so wod + That he no reson understod, 5640 + Bot hield hire under in such wise, + That sche ne myhte noght arise, + Bot lay oppressed and desesed, + As if a goshauk hadde sesed + A brid, which dorste noght for fere + Remue: and thus this tirant there + Beraft hire such thing as men sein + Mai neveremor be yolde ayein, + And that was the virginite: + Of such Ravine it was pite. 5650 + Bot whan sche to hirselven com, + And of hir meschief hiede nom, + And knew hou that sche was no maide, + With wofull herte thus sche saide, + "O thou of alle men the worste, + Wher was ther evere man that dorste + Do such a dede as thou hast do? + That dai schal falle, I hope so, + That I schal telle out al mi fille, + And with mi speche I schal fulfille 5660 + The wyde world in brede and lengthe. + That thou hast do to me be strengthe, + If I among the poeple duelle, + Unto the poeple I schal it telle; + And if I be withinne wall + Of Stones closed, thanne I schal + Unto the Stones clepe and crie, + And tellen hem thi felonie; + And if I to the wodes wende, + Ther schal I tellen tale and ende, 5670 + And crie it to the briddes oute, + That thei schul hiere it al aboute. + For I so loude it schal reherce, + That my vois schal the hevene perce, + That it schal soune in goddes Ere. + Ha, false man, where is thi fere? + O mor cruel than eny beste, + Hou hast thou holden thi beheste + Which thou unto my Soster madest? + O thou, which alle love ungladest, 5680 + And art ensample of alle untrewe, + Nou wolde god mi Soster knewe, + Of thin untrouthe, hou that it stod!" + And he than as a Lyon wod + With hise unhappi handes stronge + Hire cauhte be the tresses longe, + With whiche he bond ther bothe hire armes, + That was a fieble dede of armes, + And to the grounde anon hire caste, + And out he clippeth also faste 5690 + Hire tunge with a peire scheres. + So what with blod and what with teres + Out of hire yhe and of hir mouth, + He made hire faire face uncouth: + Sche lay swounende unto the deth, + Ther was unethes eny breth; + Bot yit whan he hire tunge refte, + A litel part therof belefte, + Bot sche with al no word mai soune, + Bot chitre and as a brid jargoune. 5700 + And natheles that wode hound + Hir bodi hent up fro the ground, + And sente hir there as be his wille + Sche scholde abyde in prison stille + For everemo: bot nou tak hiede + What after fell of this misdede. + Whanne al this meschief was befalle, + This Teres, that foule him falle, + Unto his contre hom he tyh; + And whan he com his paleis nyh, 5710 + His wif al redi there him kepte. + Whan he hir sih, anon he wepte, + And that he dede for deceite, + For sche began to axe him streite, + "Wher is mi Soster?" And he seide + That sche was ded; and Progne abreide, + As sche that was a wofull wif, + And stod betuen hire deth and lif, + Of that sche herde such tidinge: + Bot for sche sih hire lord wepinge, 5720 + She wende noght bot alle trouthe, + And hadde wel the more routhe. + The Perles weren tho forsake + To hire, and blake clothes take; + As sche that was gentil and kinde, + In worschipe of hir Sostres mynde + Sche made a riche enterement, + For sche fond non amendement + To syghen or to sobbe more: + So was ther guile under the gore. 5730 + Nou leve we this king and queene, + And torne ayein to Philomene, + As I began to tellen erst. + Whan sche cam into prison ferst, + It thoghte a kinges douhter strange + To maken so soudein a change + Fro welthe unto so grete a wo; + And sche began to thenke tho, + Thogh sche be mouthe nothing preide, + Withinne hir herte thus sche seide: 5740 + "O thou, almyhty Jupiter, + That hihe sist and lokest fer, + Thou soffrest many a wrong doinge, + And yit it is noght thi willinge. + To thee ther mai nothing ben hid, + Thou wost hou it is me betid: + I wolde I hadde noght be bore, + For thanne I hadde noght forlore + Mi speche and mi virginite. + Bot, goode lord, al is in thee, 5750 + Whan thou therof wolt do vengance + And schape mi deliverance." + And evere among this ladi wepte, + And thoghte that sche nevere kepte + To ben a worldes womman more, + And that sche wissheth everemore. + Bot ofte unto hir Soster diere + Hire herte spekth in this manere, + And seide, "Ha, Soster, if ye knewe + Of myn astat, ye wolde rewe, 5760 + I trowe, and my deliverance + Ye wolde schape, and do vengance + On him that is so fals a man: + And natheles, so as I can, + I wol you sende som tokninge, + Wherof ye schul have knowlechinge + Of thing I wot, that schal you lothe, + The which you toucheth and me bothe." + And tho withinne a whyle als tyt + Sche waf a cloth of Selk al whyt 5770 + With lettres and ymagerie, + In which was al the felonie, + Which Teres to hire hath do; + And lappede it togedre tho + And sette hir signet therupon + And sende it unto Progne anon. + The messager which forth it bar, + What it amonteth is noght war; + And natheles to Progne he goth + And prively takth hire the cloth, 5780 + And wente ayein riht as he cam, + The court of him non hiede nam. + Whan Progne of Philomene herde, + Sche wolde knowe hou that it ferde, + And opneth that the man hath broght, + And wot therby what hath be wroght + And what meschief ther is befalle. + In swoune tho sche gan doun falle, + And efte aros and gan to stonde, + And eft sche takth the cloth on honde, 5790 + Behield the lettres and thymages; + Bot ate laste, "Of suche oultrages," + Sche seith, "wepinge is noght the bote:" + And swerth, if that sche live mote, + It schal be venged otherwise. + And with that sche gan hire avise + Hou ferst sche mihte unto hire winne + Hir Soster, that noman withinne, + Bot only thei that were suore, + It scholde knowe, and schop therfore 5800 + That Teres nothing it wiste; + And yit riht as hirselven liste, + Hir Soster was delivered sone + Out of prison, and be the mone + To Progne sche was broght be nyhte. + Whan ech of other hadde a sihte, + In chambre, ther thei were al one, + Thei maden many a pitous mone; + Bot Progne most of sorwe made, + Which sihe hir Soster pale and fade 5810 + And specheles and deshonoured, + Of that sche hadde be defloured; + And ek upon hir lord sche thoghte, + Of that he so untreuly wroghte + And hadde his espousaile broke. + Sche makth a vou it schal be wroke, + And with that word sche kneleth doun + Wepinge in gret devocioun: + Unto Cupide and to Venus + Sche preide, and seide thanne thus: 5820 + "O ye, to whom nothing asterte + Of love mai, for every herte + Ye knowe, as ye that ben above + The god and the goddesse of love; + Ye witen wel that evere yit + With al mi will and al my wit, + Sith ferst ye schopen me to wedde, + That I lay with mi lord abedde, + I have be trewe in mi degre, + And evere thoghte forto be, 5830 + And nevere love in other place, + Bot al only the king of Trace, + Which is mi lord and I his wif. + Bot nou allas this wofull strif! + That I him thus ayeinward finde + The most untrewe and most unkinde + That evere in ladi armes lay. + And wel I wot that he ne may + Amende his wrong, it is so gret; + For he to lytel of me let, 5840 + Whan he myn oughne Soster tok, + And me that am his wif forsok." + Lo, thus to Venus and Cupide + Sche preide, and furthermor sche cride + Unto Appollo the hiheste, + And seide, "O myghti god of reste, + Thou do vengance of this debat. + Mi Soster and al hire astat + Thou wost, and hou sche hath forlore + Hir maidenhod, and I therfore 5850 + In al the world schal bere a blame + Of that mi Soster hath a schame, + That Teres to hire I sente: + And wel thou wost that myn entente + Was al for worschipe and for goode. + O lord, that yifst the lives fode + To every wyht, I prei thee hiere + Thes wofull Sostres that ben hiere, + And let ous noght to the ben lothe; + We ben thin oghne wommen bothe." 5860 + Thus pleigneth Progne and axeth wreche, + And thogh hire Soster lacke speche, + To him that alle thinges wot + Hire sorwe is noght the lasse hot: + Bot he that thanne had herd hem tuo, + Him oughte have sorwed everemo + For sorwe which was hem betuene. + With signes pleigneth Philomene, + And Progne seith, "It schal be wreke, + That al the world therof schal speke." 5870 + And Progne tho seknesse feigneth, + Wherof unto hir lord sche pleigneth, + And preith sche moste hire chambres kepe, + And as hir liketh wake and slepe. + And he hire granteth to be so; + And thus togedre ben thei tuo, + That wolde him bot a litel good. + Nou herk hierafter hou it stod + Of wofull auntres that befelle: + Thes Sostres, that ben bothe felle,- 5880 + And that was noght on hem along, + Bot onliche on the grete wrong + Which Teres hem hadde do,- + Thei schopen forto venge hem tho. + This Teres be Progne his wif + A Sone hath, which as his lif + He loveth, and Ithis he hihte: + His moder wiste wel sche mihte + Do Teres no more grief + Than sle this child, which was so lief. 5890 + Thus sche, that was, as who seith, mad + Of wo, which hath hir overlad, + Withoute insihte of moderhede + Foryat pite and loste drede, + And in hir chambre prively + This child withouten noise or cry + Sche slou, and hieu him al to pieces: + And after with diverse spieces + The fleissh, whan it was so toheewe, + Sche takth, and makth therof a sewe, 5900 + With which the fader at his mete + Was served, til he hadde him ete; + That he ne wiste hou that it stod, + Bot thus his oughne fleissh and blod + Himself devoureth ayein kinde, + As he that was tofore unkinde. + And thanne, er that he were arise, + For that he scholde ben agrise, + To schewen him the child was ded, + This Philomene tok the hed 5910 + Betwen tuo disshes, and al wrothe + Tho comen forth the Sostres bothe, + And setten it upon the bord. + And Progne tho began the word, + And seide, "O werste of alle wicke, + Of conscience whom no pricke + Mai stere, lo, what thou hast do! + Lo, hier ben nou we Sostres tuo; + O Raviner, lo hier thi preie, + With whom so falsliche on the weie 5920 + Thou hast thi tirannye wroght. + Lo, nou it is somdel aboght, + And bet it schal, for of thi dede + The world schal evere singe and rede + In remembrance of thi defame: + For thou to love hast do such schame, + That it schal nevere be foryete." + With that he sterte up fro the mete, + And schof the bord unto the flor, + And cauhte a swerd anon and suor 5930 + That thei scholde of his handes dye. + And thei unto the goddes crie + Begunne with so loude a stevene, + That thei were herd unto the hevene; + And in a twinclinge of an yhe + The goddes, that the meschief syhe, + Here formes changen alle thre. + Echon of hem in his degre + Was torned into briddes kinde; + Diverseliche, as men mai finde, 5940 + After thastat that thei were inne, + Here formes were set atwinne. + And as it telleth in the tale, + The ferst into a nyhtingale + Was schape, and that was Philomene, + Which in the wynter is noght sene, + For thanne ben the leves falle + And naked ben the buisshes alle. + For after that sche was a brid, + Hir will was evere to ben hid, 5950 + And forto duelle in prive place, + That noman scholde sen hir face + For schame, which mai noght be lassed, + Of thing that was tofore passed, + Whan that sche loste hir maidenhiede: + For evere upon hir wommanhiede, + Thogh that the goddes wolde hire change, + Sche thenkth, and is the more strange, + And halt hir clos the wyntres day. + Bot whan the wynter goth away, 5960 + And that Nature the goddesse + Wole of hir oughne fre largesse + With herbes and with floures bothe + The feldes and the medwes clothe, + And ek the wodes and the greves + Ben heled al with grene leves, + So that a brid hire hyde mai, + Betwen Averil and March and Maii, + Sche that the wynter hield hir clos, + For pure schame and noght aros, 5970 + Whan that sche seth the bowes thikke, + And that ther is no bare sticke, + Bot al is hid with leves grene, + To wode comth this Philomene + And makth hir ferste yeres flyht; + Wher as sche singeth day and nyht, + And in hir song al openly + Sche makth hir pleignte and seith, "O why, + O why ne were I yit a maide?" + For so these olde wise saide, 5980 + Which understoden what sche mente, + Hire notes ben of such entente. + And ek thei seide hou in hir song + Sche makth gret joie and merthe among, + And seith, "Ha, nou I am a brid, + Ha, nou mi face mai ben hid: + Thogh I have lost mi Maidenhede, + Schal noman se my chekes rede." + Thus medleth sche with joie wo + And with hir sorwe merthe also, 5990 + So that of loves maladie + Sche makth diverse melodie, + And seith love is a wofull blisse, + A wisdom which can noman wisse, + A lusti fievere, a wounde softe: + This note sche reherceth ofte + To hem whiche understonde hir tale. + Nou have I of this nyhtingale, + Which erst was cleped Philomene, + Told al that evere I wolde mene, 6000 + Bothe of hir forme and of hir note, + Wherof men mai the storie note. + And of hir Soster Progne I finde, + Hou sche was torned out of kinde + Into a Swalwe swift of winge, + Which ek in wynter lith swounynge, + Ther as sche mai nothing be sene: + Bot whan the world is woxe grene + And comen is the Somertide, + Than fleth sche forth and ginth to chide, 6010 + And chitreth out in hir langage + What falshod is in mariage, + And telleth in a maner speche + Of Teres the Spousebreche. + Sche wol noght in the wodes duelle, + For sche wolde openliche telle; + And ek for that sche was a spouse, + Among the folk sche comth to house, + To do thes wyves understonde + The falshod of hire housebonde, 6020 + That thei of hem be war also, + For ther ben manye untrewe of tho. + Thus ben the Sostres briddes bothe, + And ben toward the men so lothe, + That thei ne wole of pure schame + Unto no mannes hand be tame; + For evere it duelleth in here mynde + Of that thei founde a man unkinde, + And that was false Teres. + If such on be amonges ous 6030 + I not, bot his condicion + Men sein in every region + Withinne toune and ek withoute + Nou regneth comunliche aboute. + And natheles in remembrance + I wol declare what vengance + The goddes hadden him ordeined, + Of that the Sostres hadden pleigned: + For anon after he was changed + And from his oghne kinde stranged, 6040 + A lappewincke mad he was, + And thus he hoppeth on the gras, + And on his hed ther stant upriht + A creste in tokne he was a kniht; + And yit unto this dai men seith, + A lappewincke hath lore his feith + And is the brid falseste of alle. + Bewar, mi Sone, er thee so falle; + For if thou be of such covine, + To gete of love be Ravine 6050 + Thi lust, it mai thee falle thus, + As it befell of Teres. + Mi fader, goddes forebode! + Me were levere be fortrode + With wilde hors and be todrawe, + Er I ayein love and his lawe + Dede eny thing or loude or stille, + Which were noght mi ladi wille. + Men sein that every love hath drede; + So folweth it that I hire drede, 6060 + For I hire love, and who so dredeth, + To plese his love and serve him nedeth. + Thus mai ye knowen be this skile + That no Ravine don I wile + Ayein hir will be such a weie; + Bot while I live, I wol obeie + Abidinge on hire courtesie, + If eny merci wolde hir plie. + Forthi, mi fader, as of this + I wot noght I have don amis: 6070 + Bot furthermore I you beseche, + Som other point that ye me teche, + And axeth forth, if ther be auht, + That I mai be the betre tauht. + Whan Covoitise in povere astat + Stant with himself upon debat + Thurgh lacke of his misgovernance, + That he unto his sustienance + Ne can non other weie finde + To gete him good, thanne as the blinde, 6080 + Which seth noght what schal after falle, + That ilke vice which men calle + Of Robberie, he takth on honde; + Wherof be water and be londe + Of thing which othre men beswinke + He get him cloth and mete and drinke. + Him reccheth noght what he beginne, + Thurgh thefte so that he mai winne: + Forthi to maken his pourchas + He lith awaitende on the pas, 6090 + And what thing that he seth ther passe, + He takth his part, or more or lasse, + If it be worthi to be take. + He can the packes wel ransake, + So prively berth non aboute + His gold, that he ne fint it oute, + Or other juel, what it be; + He takth it as his proprete. + In wodes and in feldes eke + Thus Robberie goth to seke, 6100 + Wher as he mai his pourpos finde. + And riht so in the same kinde, + My goode Sone, as thou miht hiere, + To speke of love in the matiere + And make a verrai resemblance, + Riht as a thief makth his chevance + And robbeth mennes good aboute + In wode and field, wher he goth oute, + So be ther of these lovers some, + In wylde stedes wher thei come 6110 + And finden there a womman able, + And therto place covenable, + Withoute leve, er that thei fare, + Thei take a part of that chaffare: + Yee, though sche were a Scheperdesse, + Yit wol the lord of wantounesse + Assaie, althogh sche be unmete, + For other mennes good is swete. + Bot therof wot nothing the wif + At hom, which loveth as hir lif 6120 + Hir lord, and sitt alday wisshinge + After hir lordes hom comynge: + Bot whan that he comth hom at eve, + Anon he makth his wif beleve, + For sche noght elles scholde knowe: + He telth hire hou his hunte hath blowe, + And hou his houndes have wel runne, + And hou ther schon a merye Sunne, + And hou his haukes flowen wel; + Bot he wol telle her nevere a diel 6130 + Hou he to love untrewe was, + Of that he robbede in the pas, + And tok his lust under the schawe + Ayein love and ayein his lawe. + Which thing, mi Sone, I thee forbede, + For it is an ungoodly dede. + For who that takth be Robberie + His love, he mai noght justefie + His cause, and so fulofte sithe + For ones that he hath be blithe 6140 + He schal ben after sory thries. + Ensample of suche Robberies + I finde write, as thou schalt hiere, + Acordende unto this matiere. + I rede hou whilom was a Maide, + The faireste, as Ovide saide, + Which was in hire time tho; + And sche was of the chambre also + Of Pallas, which is the goddesse + And wif to Marte, of whom prouesse 6150 + Is yove to these worthi knihtes. + For he is of so grete mihtes, + That he governeth the bataille; + Withouten him may noght availe + The stronge hond, bot he it helpe; + Ther mai no knyht of armes yelpe, + Bot he feihte under his banere. + Bot nou to speke of mi matiere, + This faire, freisshe, lusti mai, + Al one as sche wente on a dai 6160 + Upon the stronde forto pleie, + Ther cam Neptunus in the weie, + Which hath the See in governance; + And in his herte such plesance + He tok, whan he this Maide sih, + That al his herte aros on hih, + For he so sodeinliche unwar + Behield the beaute that sche bar. + And caste anon withinne his herte + That sche him schal no weie asterte, 6170 + Bot if he take in avantage + Fro thilke maide som pilage, + Noght of the broches ne the Ringes, + Bot of some othre smale thinges + He thoghte parte, er that sche wente; + And hire in bothe hise armes hente, + And putte his hond toward the cofre, + Wher forto robbe he made a profre, + That lusti tresor forto stele, + Which passeth othre goodes fele 6180 + And cleped is the maidenhede, + Which is the flour of wommanhede. + This Maiden, which Cornix be name + Was hote, dredende alle schame, + Sih that sche mihte noght debate, + And wel sche wiste he wolde algate + Fulfille his lust of Robberie, + Anon began to wepe and crie, + And seide, "O Pallas, noble queene, + Scheu nou thi myht and let be sene, 6190 + To kepe and save myn honour: + Help, that I lese noght mi flour, + Which nou under thi keie is loke." + That word was noght so sone spoke, + Whan Pallas schop recoverir + After the will and the desir + Of hire, which a Maiden was, + And sodeinliche upon this cas + Out of hire wommanisshe kinde + Into a briddes like I finde 6200 + Sche was transformed forth withal, + So that Neptunus nothing stal + Of such thing as he wolde have stole. + With fetheres blake as eny cole + Out of hise armes in a throwe + Sche flih before his yhe a Crowe; + Which was to hire a more delit, + To kepe hire maidenhede whit + Under the wede of fethers blake, + In Perles whyte than forsake 6210 + That no lif mai restore ayein. + Bot thus Neptune his herte in vein + Hath upon Robberie sett; + The bridd is flowe and he was let, + The faire Maide him hath ascaped, + Wherof for evere he was bejaped + And scorned of that he hath lore. + Mi Sone, be thou war therfore + That thou no maidenhode stele, + Wherof men sen deseses fele 6220 + Aldai befalle in sondri wise; + So as I schal thee yit devise + An other tale therupon, + Which fell be olde daies gon. + King Lichaon upon his wif + A dowhter hadde, a goodly lif, + A clene Maide of worthi fame, + Calistona whos rihte name + Was cleped, and of many a lord + Sche was besoght, bot hire acord 6230 + To love myhte noman winne, + As sche which hath no lust therinne; + Bot swor withinne hir herte and saide + That sche wolde evere ben a Maide. + Wherof to kepe hireself in pes, + With suche as Amadriades + Were cleped, wodemaydes, tho, + And with the Nimphes ek also + Upon the spring of freisshe welles + Sche schop to duelle and nagher elles. 6240 + And thus cam this Calistona + Into the wode of Tegea, + Wher sche virginite behihte + Unto Diane, and therto plihte + Her trouthe upon the bowes grene, + To kepe hir maidenhode clene. + Which afterward upon a day + Was priveliche stole away; + For Jupiter thurgh his queintise + From hire it tok in such a wise, 6250 + That sodeinliche forth withal + Hire wombe aros and sche toswal, + So that it mihte noght ben hidd. + And therupon it is betidd, + Diane, which it herde telle, + In prive place unto a welle + With Nimphes al a compainie + Was come, and in a ragerie + Sche seide that sche bathe wolde, + And bad that every maide scholde 6260 + With hire al naked bathe also. + And tho began the prive wo, + Calistona wax red for schame; + Bot thei that knewe noght the game, + To whom no such thing was befalle, + Anon thei made hem naked alle, + As thei that nothing wolden hyde: + Bot sche withdrouh hire evere asyde, + And natheles into the flod, + Wher that Diane hirselve stod, 6270 + Sche thoghte come unaperceived. + Bot therof sche was al deceived; + For whan sche cam a litel nyh, + And that Diane hire wombe syh, + Sche seide, "Awey, thou foule beste, + For thin astat is noght honeste + This chaste water forto touche; + For thou hast take such a touche, + Which nevere mai ben hol ayein." + And thus goth sche which was forlein 6280 + With schame, and fro the Nimphes fledde, + Til whanne that nature hire spedde, + That of a Sone, which Archas + Was named, sche delivered was. + And tho Juno, which was the wif + Of Jupiter, wroth and hastif, + In pourpos forto do vengance + Cam forth upon this ilke chance, + And to Calistona sche spak, + And sette upon hir many a lak, 6290 + And seide, "Ha, nou thou art atake, + That thou thi werk myht noght forsake. + Ha, thou ungoodlich ypocrite, + Hou thou art gretly forto wyte! + Bot nou thou schalt ful sore abie + That ilke stelthe and micherie, + Which thou hast bothe take and do; + Wherof thi fader Lichao + Schal noght be glad, whan he it wot, + Of that his dowhter was so hot, 6300 + That sche hath broke hire chaste avou. + Bot I thee schal chastise nou; + Thi grete beaute schal be torned, + Thurgh which that thou hast be mistorned, + Thi large frount, thin yhen greie, + I schal hem change in other weie, + And al the feture of thi face + In such a wise I schal deface, + That every man thee schal forbere." + With that the liknesse of a bere 6310 + Sche tok and was forschape anon. + Withinne a time and therupon + Befell that with a bowe on honde, + To hunte and gamen forto fonde, + Into that wode goth to pleie + Hir Sone Archas, and in his weie + It hapneth that this bere cam. + And whan that sche good hiede nam, + Wher that he stod under the bowh, + Sche kneu him wel and to him drouh; 6320 + For thogh sche hadde hire forme lore, + The love was noght lost therfore + Which kinde hath set under his lawe. + Whan sche under the wodesschawe + Hire child behield, sche was so glad, + That sche with bothe hire armes sprad, + As thogh sche were in wommanhiede, + Toward him cam, and tok non hiede + Of that he bar a bowe bent. + And he with that an Arwe hath hent 6330 + And gan to teise it in his bowe, + As he that can non other knowe, + Bot that it was a beste wylde. + Bot Jupiter, which wolde schylde + The Moder and the Sone also, + Ordeineth for hem bothe so, + That thei for evere were save. + Bot thus, mi Sone, thou myht have + Ensample, hou that it is to fle + To robbe the virginite 6340 + Of a yong innocent aweie: + And overthis be other weie, + In olde bokes as I rede, + Such Robberie is forto drede, + And nameliche of thilke good + Which every womman that is good + Desireth forto kepe and holde, + As whilom was be daies olde. + For if thou se mi tale wel + Of that was tho, thou miht somdiel 6350 + Of old ensample taken hiede, + Hou that the flour of maidenhiede + Was thilke time holde in pris. + And so it was, and so it is, + And so it schal for evere stonde: + And for thou schalt it understonde, + Nou herkne a tale next suiende, + Hou maidenhod is to commende. + Of Rome among the gestes olde + I finde hou that Valerie tolde 6360 + That what man tho was Emperour + Of Rome, he scholde don honour + To the virgine, and in the weie, + Wher he hire mette, he scholde obeie + In worschipe of virginite, + Which tho was of gret dignite. + Noght onliche of the wommen tho, + Bot of the chaste men also + It was commended overal: + And forto speke in special 6370 + Touchende of men, ensample I finde, + Phyryns, which was of mannes kinde + Above alle othre the faireste + Of Rome and ek the comelieste, + That wel was hire which him mihte + Beholde and have of him a sihte. + Thus was he tempted ofte sore; + Bot for he wolde be nomore + Among the wommen so coveited, + The beaute of his face streited 6380 + He hath, and threste out bothe hise yhen, + That alle wommen whiche him syhen + Thanne afterward, of him ne roghte: + And thus his maidehiede he boghte. + So mai I prove wel forthi, + Above alle othre under the Sky, + Who that the vertus wolde peise, + Virginite is forto preise, + Which, as thapocalips recordeth, + To Crist in hevene best acordeth. 6390 + So mai it schewe wel therfore, + As I have told it hier tofore, + In hevene and ek in Erthe also + It is accept to bothe tuo. + And if I schal more over this + Declare what this vertu is, + I finde write upon this thing + Of Valentinian the king + And Emperour be thilke daies, + A worthi knyht at alle assaies, 6400 + Hou he withoute Mariage + Was of an hundred wynter Age, + And hadde ben a worthi kniht + Bothe of his lawe and of his myht. + Bot whan men wolde his dedes peise + And his knyhthode of Armes preise, + Of that he dede with his hondes, + Whan he the kinges and the londes + To his subjeccion put under, + Of al that pris hath he no wonder, 6410 + For he it sette of non acompte, + And seide al that may noght amonte + Ayeins o point which he hath nome, + That he his fleissh hath overcome: + He was a virgine, as he seide; + On that bataille his pris he leide. + Lo nou, my Sone, avise thee. + Yee, fader, al this wel mai be, + Bot if alle othre dede so, + The world of men were sone go: 6420 + And in the lawe a man mai finde, + Hou god to man be weie of kinde + Hath set the world to multeplie; + And who that wol him justefie, + It is ynouh to do the lawe. + And natheles youre goode sawe + Is good to kepe, who so may, + I wol noght therayein seie nay. + Mi Sone, take it as I seie; + If maidenhod be take aweie 6430 + Withoute lawes ordinance, + It mai noght failen of vengance. + And if thou wolt the sothe wite, + Behold a tale which is write, + Hou that the King Agamenon, + Whan he the Cite of Lesbon + Hath wonne, a Maiden ther he fond, + Which was the faireste of the Lond + In thilke time that men wiste. + He tok of hire what him liste 6440 + Of thing which was most precious, + Wherof that sche was dangerous. + This faire Maiden cleped is + Criseide, douhter of Crisis, + Which was that time in special + Of thilke temple principal, + Wher Phebus hadde his sacrifice, + So was it wel the more vice. + Agamenon was thanne in weie + To Troieward, and tok aweie 6450 + This Maiden, which he with him ladde, + So grete a lust in hire he hadde. + Bot Phebus, which hath gret desdeign + Of that his Maiden was forlein, + Anon as he to Troie cam, + Vengance upon this dede he nam + And sende a comun pestilence. + Thei soghten thanne here evidence + And maden calculacion, + To knowe in what condicion 6460 + This deth cam in so sodeinly; + And ate laste redyly + The cause and ek the man thei founde: + And forth withal the same stounde + Agamenon opposed was, + Which hath beknowen al the cas + Of the folie which he wroghte. + And therupon mercy thei soghte + Toward the god in sondri wise + With preiere and with sacrifise, 6470 + The Maide and hom ayein thei sende, + And yive hire good ynouh to spende + For evere whil sche scholde live: + And thus the Senne was foryive + And al the pestilence cessed. + Lo, what it is to ben encressed + Of love which is evele wonne. + It were betre noght begonne + Than take a thing withoute leve, + Which thou most after nedes leve, 6480 + And yit have malgre forth withal. + Forthi to robben overal + In loves cause if thou beginne, + I not what ese thou schalt winne. + Mi Sone, be wel war of this, + For thus of Robberie it is. + Mi fader, youre ensamplerie + In loves cause of Robberie + I have it riht wel understonde. + Bot overthis, hou so it stonde, 6490 + Yit wolde I wite of youre aprise + What thing is more of Covoitise. + With Covoitise yit I finde + A Servant of the same kinde, + Which Stelthe is hote, and Mecherie + With him is evere in compainie. + Of whom if I schal telle soth, + He stalketh as a Pocok doth, + And takth his preie so covert, + That noman wot it in apert. 6500 + For whan he wot the lord from home, + Than wol he stalke aboute and rome; + And what thing he fint in his weie, + Whan that he seth the men aweie, + He stelth it and goth forth withal, + That therof noman knowe schal. + And ek fulofte he goth a nyht + Withoute Mone or sterreliht, + And with his craft the dore unpiketh, + And takth therinne what him liketh: 6510 + And if the dore be so schet, + That he be of his entre let, + He wole in ate wyndou crepe, + And whil the lord is faste aslepe, + He stelth what thing as him best list, + And goth his weie er it be wist. + Fulofte also be lyhte of day + Yit wole he stele and make assay; + Under the cote his hond he put, + Til he the mannes Purs have cut, 6520 + And rifleth that he fint therinne. + And thus he auntreth him to winne, + And berth an horn and noght ne bloweth, + For noman of his conseil knoweth; + What he mai gete of his Michinge, + It is al bile under the winge. + And as an hound that goth to folde + And hath ther taken what he wolde, + His mouth upon the gras he wypeth, + And so with feigned chiere him slypeth, 6530 + That what as evere of schep he strangle, + Ther is noman therof schal jangle, + As forto knowen who it dede; + Riht so doth Stelthe in every stede, + Where as him list his preie take. + He can so wel his cause make + And so wel feigne and so wel glose, + That ther ne schal noman suppose, + Bot that he were an innocent, + And thus a mannes yhe he blent: 6540 + So that this craft I mai remene + Withouten help of eny mene. + Ther be lovers of that degre, + Which al here lust in privete, + As who seith, geten al be Stelthe, + And ofte atteignen to gret welthe + As for the time that it lasteth. + For love awaiteth evere and casteth + Hou he mai stele and cacche his preie, + Whan he therto mai finde a weie: 6550 + For be it nyht or be it day, + He takth his part, whan that he may, + And if he mai nomore do, + Yit wol he stele a cuss or tuo. + Mi Sone, what seist thou therto? + Tell if thou dedest evere so. + Mi fader, hou? Mi Sone, thus,- + If thou hast stolen eny cuss + Or other thing which therto longeth, + For noman suche thieves hongeth: 6560 + Tell on forthi and sei the trouthe. + Mi fader, nay, and that is routhe, + For be mi will I am a thief; + Bot sche that is to me most lief, + Yit dorste I nevere in privete + Noght ones take hire be the kne, + To stele of hire or this or that, + And if I dorste, I wot wel what: + And natheles, bot if I lie, + Be Stelthe ne be Robberie 6570 + Of love, which fell in mi thoght, + To hire dede I nevere noght. + Bot as men sein, wher herte is failed, + Ther schal no castell ben assailed; + Bot thogh I hadde hertes ten, + And were als strong as alle men, + If I be noght myn oghne man + And dar noght usen that I can, + I mai miselve noght recovere. + Thogh I be nevere man so povere, 6580 + I bere an herte and hire it is, + So that me faileth wit in this, + Hou that I scholde of myn acord + The servant lede ayein the lord: + For if mi fot wolde awher go, + Or that min hand wolde elles do, + Whan that myn herte is therayein, + The remenant is al in vein. + And thus me lacketh alle wele, + And yit ne dar I nothing stele 6590 + Of thing which longeth unto love: + And ek it is so hyh above, + I mai noght wel therto areche, + Bot if so be at time of speche, + Ful selde if thanne I stele may + A word or tuo and go my way. + Betwen hire hih astat and me + Comparison ther mai non be, + So that I fiele and wel I wot, + Al is to hevy and to hot 6600 + To sette on hond withoute leve: + And thus I mot algate leve + To stele that I mai noght take, + And in this wise I mot forsake + To ben a thief ayein mi wille + Of thing which I mai noght fulfille. + For that Serpent which nevere slepte + The flees of gold so wel ne kepte + In Colchos, as the tale is told, + That mi ladi a thousendfold 6610 + Nys betre yemed and bewaked, + Wher sche be clothed or be naked. + To kepe hir bodi nyht and day, + Sche hath a wardein redi ay, + Which is so wonderful a wyht, + That him ne mai no mannes myht + With swerd ne with no wepne daunte, + Ne with no sleihte of charme enchaunte, + Wherof he mihte be mad tame, + And Danger is his rihte name; 6620 + Which under lock and under keie, + That noman mai it stele aweie, + Hath al the Tresor underfonge + That unto love mai belonge. + The leste lokinge of hire yhe + Mai noght be stole, if he it syhe; + And who so gruccheth for so lyte, + He wolde sone sette a wyte + On him that wolde stele more. + And that me grieveth wonder sore, 6630 + For this proverbe is evere newe, + That stronge lokes maken trewe + Of hem that wolden stele and pyke: + For so wel can ther noman slyke + Be him ne be non other mene, + To whom Danger wol yive or lene + Of that tresor he hath to kepe. + So thogh I wolde stalke and crepe, + And wayte on eve and ek on morwe, + Of Danger schal I nothing borwe, 6640 + And stele I wot wel may I noght: + And thus I am riht wel bethoght, + Whil Danger stant in his office, + Of Stelthe, which ye clepe a vice, + I schal be gultif neveremo. + Therfore I wolde he were ago + So fer that I nevere of him herde, + Hou so that afterward it ferde: + For thanne I mihte yit per cas + Of love make som pourchas 6650 + Be Stelthe or be som other weie, + That nou fro me stant fer aweie. + Bot, fader, as ye tolde above, + Hou Stelthe goth a nyht for love, + I mai noght wel that point forsake, + That ofte times I ne wake + On nyhtes, whan that othre slepe; + Bot hou, I prei you taketh kepe. + Whan I am loged in such wise + That I be nyhte mai arise, 6660 + At som wyndowe and loken oute + And se the housinge al aboute, + So that I mai the chambre knowe + In which mi ladi, as I trowe, + Lyth in hir bed and slepeth softe, + Thanne is myn herte a thief fulofte: + For there I stonde to beholde + The longe nyhtes that ben colde, + And thenke on hire that lyth there. + And thanne I wisshe that I were 6670 + Als wys as was Nectanabus + Or elles as was Prothes, + That couthen bothe of nigromaunce + In what liknesse, in what semblaunce, + Riht as hem liste, hemself transforme: + For if I were of such a forme, + I seie thanne I wolde fle + Into the chambre forto se + If eny grace wolde falle, + So that I mihte under the palle 6680 + Som thing of love pyke and stele. + And thus I thenke thoghtes fele, + And thogh therof nothing be soth, + Yit ese as for a time it doth: + Bot ate laste whanne I finde + That I am falle into my mynde, + And se that I have stonde longe + And have no profit underfonge, + Than stalke I to mi bedd withinne. + And this is al that evere I winne 6690 + Of love, whanne I walke on nyht: + Mi will is good, bot of mi myht + Me lacketh bothe and of mi grace; + For what so that mi thoght embrace, + Yit have I noght the betre ferd. + Mi fader, lo, nou have ye herd + What I be Stelthe of love have do, + And hou mi will hath be therto: + If I be worthi to penance + I put it on your ordinance. 6700 + Mi Sone, of Stelthe I the behiete, + Thogh it be for a time swete, + At ende it doth bot litel good, + As be ensample hou that it stod + Whilom, I mai thee telle nou. + I preie you, fader, sei me hou. + Mi Sone, of him which goth be daie + Be weie of Stelthe to assaie, + In loves cause and takth his preie, + Ovide seide as I schal seie, 6710 + And in his Methamor he tolde + A tale, which is good to holde. + The Poete upon this matiere + Of Stelthe wrot in this manere. + Venus, which hath this lawe in honde + Of thing which mai noght be withstonde, + As sche which the tresor to warde + Of love hath withinne hir warde, + Phebum to love hath so constreigned, + That he withoute reste is peined 6720 + With al his herte to coveite + A Maiden, which was warded streyte + Withinne chambre and kept so clos, + That selden was whan sche desclos + Goth with hir moder forto pleie. + Leuchotoe, so as men seie, + This Maiden hihte, and Orchamus + Hir fader was; and befell thus. + This doughter, that was kept so deere, + And hadde be fro yer to yeere 6730 + Under hir moder discipline + A clene Maide and a Virgine, + Upon the whos nativite + Of comelihiede and of beaute + Nature hath set al that sche may, + That lich unto the fresshe Maii, + Which othre monthes of the yeer + Surmonteth, so withoute pier + Was of this Maiden the feture. + Wherof Phebus out of mesure 6740 + Hire loveth, and on every syde + Awaiteth, if so mai betyde, + That he thurgh eny sleihte myhte + Hire lusti maidenhod unrihte, + The which were al his worldes welthe. + And thus lurkende upon his stelthe + In his await so longe he lai, + Til it befell upon a dai, + That he thurghout hir chambre wall + Cam in al sodeinliche, and stall 6750 + That thing which was to him so lief. + Bot wo the while, he was a thief! + For Venus, which was enemie + Of thilke loves micherie, + Discovereth al the pleine cas + To Clymene, which thanne was + Toward Phebus his concubine. + And sche to lette the covine + Of thilke love, dedli wroth + To pleigne upon this Maide goth, 6760 + And tolde hire fader hou it stod; + Wherof for sorwe welnyh wod + Unto hire moder thus he saide: + "Lo, what it is to kepe a Maide! + To Phebus dar I nothing speke, + Bot upon hire I schal be wreke, + So that these Maidens after this + Mow take ensample, what it is + To soffre her maidenhed be stole, + Wherof that sche the deth schal thole." 6770 + And bad with that do make a pet, + Wherinne he hath his douhter set, + As he that wol no pite have, + So that sche was al quik begrave + And deide anon in his presence. + Bot Phebus, for the reverence + Of that sche hadde be his love, + Hath wroght thurgh his pouer above, + That sche sprong up out of the molde + Into a flour was named golde, 6780 + Which stant governed of the Sonne. + And thus whan love is evele wonne, + Fulofte it comth to repentaile. + Mi fader, that is no mervaile, + Whan that the conseil is bewreid. + Bot ofte time love hath pleid + And stole many a prive game, + Which nevere yit cam into blame, + Whan that the thinges weren hidde. + Bot in youre tale, as it betidde, 6790 + Venus discoverede al the cas, + And ek also brod dai it was, + Whan Phebus such a Stelthe wroghte, + Wherof the Maide in blame he broghte, + That afterward sche was so lore. + Bot for ye seiden nou tofore + Hou stelthe of love goth be nyhte, + And doth hise thinges out of syhte, + Therof me liste also to hiere + A tale lich to the matiere, 6800 + Wherof I myhte ensample take. + Mi goode Sone, and for thi sake, + So as it fell be daies olde, + And so as the Poete it tolde, + Upon the nyhtes micherie + Nou herkne a tale of Poesie. + The myhtieste of alle men + Whan Hercules with Eolen, + Which was the love of his corage, + Togedre upon a Pelrinage 6810 + Towardes Rome scholden go, + It fell hem be the weie so, + That thei upon a dai a Cave + Withinne a roche founden have, + Which was real and glorious + And of Entaile curious, + Be name and Thophis it was hote. + The Sonne schon tho wonder hote, + As it was in the Somer tyde; + This Hercules, which be his syde 6820 + Hath Eolen his love there, + Whan thei at thilke cave were, + He seide it thoghte him for the beste + That sche hire for the hete reste + Al thilke day and thilke nyht; + And sche, that was a lusti wyht, + It liketh hire al that he seide: + And thus thei duelle there and pleide + The longe dai. And so befell, + This Cave was under the hell 6830 + Of Tymolus, which was begrowe + With vines, and at thilke throwe + Faunus with Saba the goddesse, + Be whom the large wildernesse + In thilke time stod governed, + Weere in a place, as I am lerned, + Nyh by, which Bachus wode hihte. + This Faunus tok a gret insihte + Of Eolen, that was so nyh; + For whan that he hire beaute syh, 6840 + Out of his wit he was assoted, + And in his herte it hath so noted, + That he forsok the Nimphes alle, + And seide he wolde, hou so it falle, + Assaie an other forto winne; + So that his hertes thoght withinne + He sette and caste hou that he myhte + Of love pyke awey be nyhte + That he be daie in other wise + To stele mihte noght suffise: 6850 + And therupon his time he waiteth. + Nou tak good hiede hou love afaiteth + Him which withal is overcome. + Faire Eolen, whan sche was come + With Hercules into the Cave, + Sche seide him that sche wolde have + Hise clothes of and hires bothe, + That ech of hem scholde other clothe. + And al was do riht as sche bad, + He hath hire in hise clothes clad 6860 + And caste on hire his gulion, + Which of the Skyn of a Leoun + Was mad, as he upon the weie + It slouh, and overthis to pleie + Sche tok his grete Mace also + And knet it at hir gerdil tho. + So was sche lich the man arraied, + And Hercules thanne hath assaied + To clothen him in hire array: + And thus thei jape forth the dai, 6870 + Til that her Souper redy were. + And whan thei hadden souped there, + Thei schopen hem to gon to reste; + And as it thoghte hem for the beste, + Thei bede, as for that ilke nyht, + Tuo sondri beddes to be dyht, + For thei togedre ligge nolde, + Be cause that thei offre wolde + Upon the morwe here sacrifice. + The servantz deden here office 6880 + And sondri beddes made anon, + Wherin that thei to reste gon + Ech be himself in sondri place. + Faire Eole hath set the Mace + Beside hire beddes hed above, + And with the clothes of hire love + Sche helede al hire bed aboute; + And he, which hadde of nothing doute, + Hire wympel wond aboute his cheke, + Hire kertell and hire mantel eke 6890 + Abrod upon his bed he spredde. + And thus thei slepen bothe abedde; + And what of travail, what of wyn, + The servantz lich to drunke Swyn + Begunne forto route faste. + This Faunus, which his Stelthe caste, + Was thanne come to the Cave, + And fond thei weren alle save + Withoute noise, and in he wente. + The derke nyht his sihte blente, 6900 + And yit it happeth him to go + Where Eolen abedde tho + Was leid al one for to slepe; + Bot for he wolde take kepe + Whos bed it was, he made assai, + And of the Leoun, where it lay, + The Cote he fond, and ek he fieleth + The Mace, and thanne his herte kieleth, + That there dorste he noght abyde, + Bot stalketh upon every side 6910 + And soghte aboute with his hond, + That other bedd til that he fond, + Wher lai bewympled a visage. + Tho was he glad in his corage, + For he hir kertell fond also + And ek hir mantell bothe tuo + Bespred upon the bed alofte. + He made him naked thanne, and softe + Into the bedd unwar he crepte, + Wher Hercules that time slepte, 6920 + And wende wel it were sche; + And thus in stede of Eole + Anon he profreth him to love. + But he, which felte a man above, + This Hercules, him threw to grounde + So sore, that thei have him founde + Liggende there upon the morwe; + And tho was noght a litel sorwe, + That Faunus of himselve made, + Bot elles thei were alle glade 6930 + And lowhen him to scorne aboute: + Saba with Nimphis al a route + Cam doun to loke hou that he ferde, + And whan that thei the sothe herde, + He was bejaped overal. + Mi Sone, be thou war withal + To seche suche mecheries, + Bot if thou have the betre aspies, + In aunter if the so betyde + As Faunus dede thilke tyde, 6940 + Wherof thou miht be schamed so. + Min holi fader, certes no. + Bot if I hadde riht good leve, + Such mecherie I thenke leve: + Mi feinte herte wol noght serve; + For malgre wolde I noght deserve + In thilke place wher I love. + Bot for ye tolden hier above + Of Covoitise and his pilage, + If ther be more of that lignage, 6950 + Which toucheth to mi schrifte, I preie + That ye therof me wolde seie, + So that I mai the vice eschuie. + Mi Sone, if I be order suie + The vices, as thei stonde arowe, + Of Covoitise thou schalt knowe + Ther is yit on, which is the laste; + In whom ther mai no vertu laste, + For he with god himself debateth, + Wherof that al the hevene him hateth. 6960 + The hihe god, which alle goode + Pourveied hath for mannes fode + Of clothes and of mete and drinke, + Bad Adam that he scholde swinke + To geten him his sustienance: + And ek he sette an ordinance + Upon the lawe of Moi5ses, + That though a man be haveles, + Yit schal he noght be thefte stele. + Bot nou adaies ther ben fele, 6970 + That wol no labour undertake, + Bot what thei mai be Stelthe take + Thei holde it sikerliche wonne. + And thus the lawe is overronne, + Which god hath set, and namely + With hem that so untrewely + The goodes robbe of holi cherche. + The thefte which thei thanne werche + Be name is cleped Sacrilegge, + Ayein the whom I thenke alegge. 6980 + Of his condicion to telle, + Which rifleth bothe bok and belle, + So forth with al the remenant + To goddes hous appourtenant, + Wher that he scholde bidde his bede, + He doth his thefte in holi stede, + And takth what thing he fint therinne: + For whan he seth that he mai winne, + He wondeth for no cursednesse, + That he ne brekth the holinesse 6990 + And doth to god no reverence; + For he hath lost his conscience, + That though the Prest therfore curse, + He seith he fareth noght the wurse. + And forto speke it otherwise, + What man that lasseth the franchise + And takth of holi cherche his preie, + I not what bedes he schal preie. + Whan he fro god, which hath yive al, + The Pourpartie in special, 7000 + Which unto Crist himself is due, + Benymth, he mai noght wel eschue + The peine comende afterward; + For he hath mad his foreward + With Sacrilegge forto duelle, + Which hath his heritage in helle. + And if we rede of tholde lawe, + I finde write, in thilke dawe + Of Princes hou ther weren thre + Coupable sore in this degre. 7010 + That on of hem was cleped thus, + The proude king Antiochus; + That other Nabuzardan hihte, + Which of his crualte behyhte + The temple to destruie and waste, + And so he dede in alle haste; + The thridde, which was after schamed, + Was Nabugodonosor named, + And he Jerusalem putte under, + Of Sacrilegge and many a wonder 7020 + There in the holi temple he wroghte, + Which Baltazar his heir aboghte, + Whan Mane, Techel, Phares write + Was on the wal, as thou miht wite, + So as the bible it hath declared. + Bot for al that it is noght spared + Yit nou aday, that men ne pile, + And maken argument and skile + To Sacrilegge as it belongeth, + For what man that ther after longeth, 7030 + He takth non hiede what he doth. + And riht so, forto telle soth, + In loves cause if I schal trete, + Ther ben of suche smale and grete: + If thei no leisir fynden elles, + Thei wol noght wonden for the belles, + Ne thogh thei sen the Prest at masse; + That wol thei leten overpasse. + If that thei finde here love there, + Thei stonde and tellen in hire Ere, 7040 + And axe of god non other grace, + Whyl thei ben in that holi place; + Bot er thei gon som avantage + Ther wol thei have, and som pilage + Of goodli word or of beheste, + Or elles thei take ate leste + Out of hir hand or ring or glove, + So nyh the weder thei wol love, + As who seith sche schal noght foryete, + Nou I this tokne of hire have gete: 7050 + Thus halwe thei the hihe feste. + Such thefte mai no cherche areste, + For al is leveful that hem liketh, + To whom that elles it misliketh. + And ek riht in the selve kinde + In grete Cites men mai finde + This lusti folk, that make it gay, + And waite upon the haliday: + In cherches and in Menstres eke + Thei gon the wommen forto seke, 7060 + And wher that such on goth aboute, + Tofore the faireste of the route, + Wher as thei sitten alle arewe, + Ther wol he most his bodi schewe, + His croket kembd and theron set + A Nouche with a chapelet, + Or elles on of grene leves, + Which late com out of the greves, + Al for he scholde seme freissh. + And thus he loketh on the fleissh, 7070 + Riht as an hauk which hath a sihte + Upon the foul, ther he schal lihte; + And as he were of faierie, + He scheweth him tofore here yhe + In holi place wher thei sitte, + Al forto make here hertes flitte. + His yhe nawher wole abyde, + Bot loke and prie on every syde + On hire and hire, as him best lyketh: + And otherwhile among he syketh; 7080 + Thenkth on of hem, "That was for me," + And so ther thenken tuo or thre, + And yit he loveth non of alle, + Bot wher as evere his chance falle. + And natheles to seie a soth, + The cause why that he so doth + Is forto stele an herte or tuo, + Out of the cherche er that he go: + And as I seide it hier above, + Al is that Sacrilege of love; 7090 + For wel mai be he stelth away + That he nevere after yelde may. + Tell me forthi, my Sone, anon, + Hast thou do Sacrilege, or non, + As I have said in this manere? + Mi fader, as of this matiere + I wole you tellen redely + What I have do; bot trewely + I mai excuse min entente, + That nevere I yit to cherche wente 7100 + In such manere as ye me schryve, + For no womman that is on lyve. + The cause why I have it laft + Mai be for I unto that craft + Am nothing able so to stele, + Thogh ther be wommen noght so fele. + Bot yit wol I noght seie this, + Whan I am ther mi ladi is, + In whom lith holly mi querele, + And sche to cherche or to chapele 7110 + Wol go to matins or to messe,- + That time I waite wel and gesse, + To cherche I come and there I stonde, + And thogh I take a bok on honde, + Mi contienance is on the bok, + Bot toward hire is al my lok; + And if so falle that I preie + Unto mi god, and somwhat seie + Of Paternoster or of Crede, + Al is for that I wolde spede, 7120 + So that mi bede in holi cherche + Ther mihte som miracle werche + Mi ladi herte forto chaunge, + Which evere hath be to me so strange. + So that al mi devocion + And al mi contemplacion + With al min herte and mi corage + Is only set on hire ymage; + And evere I waite upon the tyde. + If sche loke eny thing asyde, 7130 + That I me mai of hire avise, + Anon I am with covoitise + So smite, that me were lief + To ben in holi cherche a thief; + Bot noght to stele a vestement, + For that is nothing mi talent, + Bot I wold stele, if that I mihte, + A glad word or a goodly syhte; + And evere mi service I profre, + And namly whan sche wol gon offre, 7140 + For thanne I lede hire, if I may, + For somwhat wolde I stele away. + Whan I beclippe hire on the wast, + Yit ate leste I stele a tast, + And otherwhile "grant mercy" + Sche seith, and so winne I therby + A lusti touch, a good word eke, + Bot al the remenant to seke + Is fro mi pourpos wonder ferr. + So mai I seie, as I seide er, 7150 + In holy cherche if that I wowe, + My conscience it wolde allowe, + Be so that up amendement + I mihte gete assignement + Wher forto spede in other place: + Such Sacrilege I holde a grace. + And thus, mi fader, soth to seie, + In cherche riht as in the weie, + If I mihte oght of love take, + Such hansell have I noght forsake. 7160 + Bot finali I me confesse, + Ther is in me non holinesse, + Whil I hire se in eny stede; + And yit, for oght that evere I dede, + No Sacrilege of hire I tok, + Bot if it were of word or lok, + Or elles if that I hir fredde, + Whan I toward offringe hir ledde, + Take therof what I take may, + For elles bere I noght away: 7170 + For thogh I wolde oght elles have, + Alle othre thinges ben so save + And kept with such a privilege, + That I mai do no Sacrilege. + God wot mi wille natheles, + Thogh I mot nedes kepe pes + And malgre myn so let it passe, + Mi will therto is noght the lasse, + If I mihte other wise aweie. + Forthi, mi fader, I you preie, 7180 + Tell what you thenketh therupon, + If I therof have gult or non. + Thi will, mi Sone, is forto blame, + The remenant is bot a game, + That I have herd the telle as yit. + Bot tak this lore into thi wit, + That alle thing hath time and stede, + The cherche serveth for the bede, + The chambre is of an other speche. + Bot if thou wistest of the wreche, 7190 + Hou Sacrilege it hath aboght, + Thou woldest betre ben bethoght; + And for thou schalt the more amende, + A tale I wole on the despende. + To alle men, as who seith, knowe + It is, and in the world thurgh blowe, + Hou that of Troie Lamedon + To Hercules and to Jasoun, + Whan toward Colchos out of Grece + Be See sailende upon a piece 7200 + Of lond of Troie reste preide,- + Bot he hem wrathfulli congeide: + And for thei founde him so vilein, + Whan thei come into Grece ayein, + With pouer that thei gete myhte + Towardes Troie thei hem dyhte, + And ther thei token such vengance, + Wherof stant yit the remembrance; + For thei destruide king and al, + And leften bot the brente wal. 7210 + The Grecs of Troiens many slowe + And prisoners thei toke ynowe, + Among the whiche ther was on, + The kinges doughter Lamedon, + Esiona, that faire thing, + Which unto Thelamon the king + Be Hercules and be thassent + Of al the hole parlement + Was at his wille yove and granted. + And thus hath Grece Troie danted, 7220 + And hom thei torne in such manere: + Bot after this nou schalt thou hiere + The cause why this tale I telle, + Upon the chances that befelle. + King Lamedon, which deide thus, + He hadde a Sone, on Priamus, + Which was noght thilke time at hom: + Bot whan he herde of this, he com, + And fond hou the Cite was falle, + Which he began anon to walle 7230 + And made ther a cite newe, + That thei whiche othre londes knewe + Tho seiden, that of lym and Ston + In al the world so fair was non. + And on that o side of the toun + The king let maken Ylioun, + That hihe Tour, that stronge place, + Which was adrad of no manace + Of quarel nor of non engin; + And thogh men wolde make a Myn, 7240 + No mannes craft it mihte aproche, + For it was sett upon a roche. + The walles of the toun aboute, + Hem stod of al the world no doute, + And after the proporcion + Sex gates weren of the toun + Of such a forme, of such entaile, + That hem to se was gret mervaile: + The diches weren brode and depe, + A fewe men it mihte kepe 7250 + From al the world, as semeth tho, + Bot if the goddes weren fo. + Gret presse unto that cite drouh, + So that ther was of poeple ynouh, + Of Burgeis that therinne duellen; + Ther mai no mannes tunge tellen + Hou that cite was riche of good. + Whan al was mad and al wel stod, + King Priamus tho him bethoghte + What thei of Grece whilom wroghte, 7260 + And what was of her swerd devoured, + And hou his Soster deshonoured + With Thelamon awey was lad: + And so thenkende he wax unglad, + And sette anon a parlement, + To which the lordes were assent. + In many a wise ther was spoke, + Hou that thei mihten ben awroke, + Bot ate laste natheles + Thei seiden alle, "Acord and pes." 7270 + To setten either part in reste + It thoghte hem thanne for the beste + With resonable amendement; + And thus was Anthenor forth sent + To axe Esionam ayein + And witen what thei wolden sein. + So passeth he the See be barge + To Grece forto seie his charge, + The which he seide redely + Unto the lordes by and by: 7280 + Bot where he spak in Grece aboute, + He herde noght bot wordes stoute, + And nameliche of Thelamon; + The maiden wolde he noght forgon, + He seide, for no maner thing, + And bad him gon hom to his king, + For there gat he non amende + For oght he couthe do or sende. + This Anthenor ayein goth hom + Unto his king, and whan he com, 7290 + He tolde in Grece of that he herde, + And hou that Thelamon ansuerde, + And hou thei were at here above, + That thei wol nouther pes ne love, + Bot every man schal don his beste. + Bot for men sein that nyht hath reste, + The king bethoghte him al that nyht, + And erli, whan the dai was lyht, + He tok conseil of this matiere; + And thei acorde in this manere, 7300 + That he withouten eny lette + A certein time scholde sette + Of Parlement to ben avised: + And in the wise it was devised, + Of parlement he sette a day, + And that was in the Monthe of Maii. + This Priamus hadde in his yhte + A wif, and Hecuba sche hyhte, + Be whom that time ek hadde he + Of Sones fyve, and douhtres thre 7310 + Besiden hem, and thritty mo, + And weren knyhtes alle tho, + Bot noght upon his wif begete, + Bot elles where he myhte hem gete + Of wommen whiche he hadde knowe; + Such was the world at thilke throwe: + So that he was of children riche, + As therof was noman his liche. + Of Parlement the dai was come, + Ther ben the lordes alle and some; 7320 + Tho was pronounced and pourposed, + And al the cause hem was desclosed, + Hou Anthenor in Grece ferde. + Thei seten alle stille and herde, + And tho spak every man aboute: + Ther was alegged many a doute, + And many a proud word spoke also; + Bot for the moste part as tho + Thei wisten noght what was the beste, + Or forto werre or forto reste. 7330 + Bot he that was withoute fere, + Hector, among the lordes there + His tale tolde in such a wise, + And seide, "Lordes, ye ben wise, + Ye knowen this als wel as I, + Above all othre most worthi + Stant nou in Grece the manhode + Of worthinesse and of knihthode; + For who so wole it wel agrope, + To hem belongeth al Europe, 7340 + Which is the thridde parti evene + Of al the world under the hevene; + And we be bot of folk a fewe. + So were it reson forto schewe + The peril, er we falle thrinne: + Betre is to leve, than beginne + Thing which as mai noght ben achieved; + He is noght wys that fint him grieved, + And doth so that his grief be more; + For who that loketh al tofore 7350 + And wol noght se what is behinde, + He mai fulofte hise harmes finde: + Wicke is to stryve and have the worse. + We have encheson forto corse, + This wot I wel, and forto hate + The Greks; bot er that we debate + With hem that ben of such a myht, + It is ful good that every wiht + Be of himself riht wel bethoght. + Bot as for me this seie I noght; 7360 + For while that mi lif wol stonde, + If that ye taken werre on honde, + Falle it to beste or to the werste, + I schal miselven be the ferste + To grieven hem, what evere I may. + I wol noght ones seie nay + To thing which that youre conseil demeth, + For unto me wel more it quemeth + The werre certes than the pes; + Bot this I seie natheles, 7370 + As me belongeth forto seie. + Nou schape ye the beste weie." + Whan Hector hath seid his avis, + Next after him tho spak Paris, + Which was his brother, and alleide + What him best thoghte, and thus he seide: + "Strong thing it is to soffre wrong, + And suffre schame is more strong, + Bot we have suffred bothe tuo; + And for al that yit have we do 7380 + What so we mihte to reforme + The pes, whan we in such a forme + Sente Anthenor, as ye wel knowe. + And thei here grete wordes blowe + Upon her wrongful dedes eke; + And who that wole himself noght meke + To pes, and list no reson take, + Men sein reson him wol forsake: + For in the multitude of men + Is noght the strengthe, for with ten 7390 + It hath be sen in trew querele + Ayein an hundred false dele, + And had the betre of goddes grace. + This hath befalle in many place; + And if it like unto you alle, + I wolde assaie, hou so it falle, + Oure enemis if I mai grieve; + For I have cawht a gret believe + Upon a point I wol declare. + This ender day, as I gan fare 7400 + To hunte unto the grete hert, + Which was tofore myn houndes stert, + And every man went on his syde + Him to poursuie, and I to ryde + Began the chace, and soth to seie, + Withinne a while out of mi weie + I rod, and nyste where I was. + And slep me cauhte, and on the gras + Beside a welle I lay me doun + To slepe, and in a visioun 7410 + To me the god Mercurie cam; + Goddesses thre with him he nam, + Minerve, Venus and Juno, + And in his hond an Appel tho + He hield of gold with lettres write: + And this he dede me to wite, + Hou that thei putt hem upon me, + That to the faireste of hem thre + Of gold that Appel scholde I yive. + With ech of hem tho was I schrive, 7420 + And echon faire me behihte; + Bot Venus seide, if that sche mihte + That Appel of mi yifte gete, + Sche wolde it neveremor foryete, + And seide hou that in Grece lond + Sche wolde bringe unto myn hond + Of al this Erthe the faireste; + So that me thoghte it for the beste, + To hire and yaf that Appel tho. + Thus hope I wel, if that I go, 7430 + That sche for me wol so ordeine, + That thei matiere forto pleigne + Schul have, er that I come ayein. + Nou have ye herd that I wol sein: + Sey ye what stant in youre avis." + And every man tho seide his, + And sundri causes thei recorde, + Bot ate laste thei acorde + That Paris schal to Grece wende, + And thus the parlement tok ende. 7440 + Cassandra, whan sche herde of this, + The which to Paris Soster is, + Anon sche gan to wepe and weile, + And seide, "Allas, what mai ous eile? + Fortune with hire blinde whiel + Ne wol noght lete ous stonde wel: + For this I dar wel undertake, + That if Paris his weie take, + As it is seid that he schal do, + We ben for evere thanne undo." 7450 + This, which Cassandre thanne hihte, + In al the world as it berth sihte, + In bokes as men finde write, + Is that Sibille of whom ye wite, + That alle men yit clepen sage. + Whan that sche wiste of this viage, + Hou Paris schal to Grece fare, + No womman mihte worse fare + Ne sorwe more than sche dede; + And riht so in the same stede 7460 + Ferde Helenus, which was hir brother, + Of prophecie and such an other: + And al was holde bot a jape, + So that the pourpos which was schape, + Or were hem lief or were hem loth, + Was holde, and into Grece goth + This Paris with his retenance. + And as it fell upon his chance, + Of Grece he londeth in an yle, + And him was told the same whyle 7470 + Of folk which he began to freyne, + Tho was in thyle queene Heleyne, + And ek of contres there aboute + Of ladis many a lusti route, + With mochel worthi poeple also. + And why thei comen theder tho, + The cause stod in such a wise,- + For worschipe and for sacrifise + That thei to Venus wolden make, + As thei tofore hadde undertake, 7480 + Some of good will, some of beheste, + For thanne was hire hihe feste + Withinne a temple which was there. + Whan Paris wiste what thei were, + Anon he schop his ordinance + To gon and don his obeissance + To Venus on hire holi day, + And dede upon his beste aray. + With gret richesse he him behongeth, + As it to such a lord belongeth, 7490 + He was noght armed natheles, + Bot as it were in lond of pes, + And thus he goth forth out of Schipe + And takth with him his felaschipe: + In such manere as I you seie + Unto the temple he hield his weie. + Tydinge, which goth overal + To grete and smale, forth withal + Com to the queenes Ere and tolde + Hou Paris com, and that he wolde 7500 + Do sacrifise to Venus: + And whan sche herde telle thus, + Sche thoghte, hou that it evere be, + That sche wole him abyde and se. + Forth comth Paris with glad visage + Into the temple on pelrinage, + Wher unto Venus the goddesse + He yifth and offreth gret richesse, + And preith hir that he preie wolde. + And thanne aside he gan beholde, 7510 + And sih wher that this ladi stod; + And he forth in his freisshe mod + Goth ther sche was and made her chiere, + As he wel couthe in his manere, + That of his wordes such plesance + Sche tok, that al hire aqueintance, + Als ferforth as the herte lay, + He stal er that he wente away. + So goth he forth and tok his leve, + And thoghte, anon as it was eve, 7520 + He wolde don his Sacrilegge, + That many a man it scholde abegge. + Whan he to Schipe ayein was come, + To him he hath his conseil nome, + And al devised the matiere + In such a wise as thou schalt hiere. + Withinne nyht al prively + His men he warneth by and by, + That thei be redy armed sone + For certein thing which was to done: 7530 + And thei anon ben redi alle, + And ech on other gan to calle, + And went hem out upon the stronde + And tok a pourpos ther alonde + Of what thing that thei wolden do, + Toward the temple and forth thei go. + So fell it, of devocion + Heleine in contemplacion + With many an other worthi wiht + Was in the temple and wok al nyht, 7540 + To bidde and preie unto thymage + Of Venus, as was thanne usage; + So that Paris riht as him liste + Into the temple, er thei it wiste, + Com with his men al sodeinly, + And alle at ones sette ascry + In hem whiche in the temple were, + For tho was mochel poeple there; + Bot of defense was no bote, + So soffren thei that soffre mote. 7550 + Paris unto the queene wente, + And hire in bothe hise armes hente + With him and with his felaschipe, + And forth thei bere hire unto Schipe. + Up goth the Seil and forth thei wente, + And such a wynd fortune hem sente, + Til thei the havene of Troie cauhte; + Where out of Schipe anon thei strauhte + And gon hem forth toward the toun, + The which cam with processioun 7560 + Ayein Paris to sen his preie. + And every man began to seie + To Paris and his felaschipe + Al that thei couthen of worschipe; + Was non so litel man in Troie, + That he ne made merthe and joie + Of that Paris hath wonne Heleine. + Bot al that merthe is sorwe and peine + To Helenus and to Cassaundre; + For thei it token schame and sklaundre 7570 + And lost of al the comun grace, + That Paris out of holi place + Be Stelthe hath take a mannes wif, + Wherof that he schal lese his lif + And many a worthi man therto, + And al the Cite be fordo, + Which nevere schal be mad ayein. + And so it fell, riht as thei sein, + The Sacrilege which he wroghte + Was cause why the Gregois soughte 7580 + Unto the toun and it beleie, + And wolden nevere parte aweie, + Til what be sleihte and what be strengthe + Thei hadde it wonne in brede and lengthe, + And brent and slayn that was withinne. + Now se, mi Sone, which a sinne + Is Sacrilege in holy stede: + Be war therfore and bidd thi bede, + And do nothing in holy cherche, + Bot that thou miht be reson werche. 7590 + And ek tak hiede of Achilles, + Whan he unto his love ches + Polixena, that was also + In holi temple of Appollo, + Which was the cause why he dyde + And al his lust was leyd asyde. + And Troilus upon Criseide + Also his ferste love leide + In holi place, and hou it ferde, + As who seith, al the world it herde; 7600 + Forsake he was for Diomede, + Such was of love his laste mede. + Forthi, mi Sone, I wolde rede, + Be this ensample as thou myht rede, + Sech elles, wher thou wolt, thi grace, + And war the wel in holi place + What thou to love do or speke, + In aunter if it so be wreke + As thou hast herd me told before. + And tak good hiede also therfore 7610 + Upon what forme, of Avarice + Mor than of eny other vice, + I have divided in parties + The branches, whiche of compainies + Thurghout the world in general + Ben nou the leders overal, + Of Covoitise and of Perjure, + Of fals brocage and of Usure, + Of Skarsnesse and Unkindeschipe, + Which nevere drouh to felaschipe, 7620 + Of Robberie and privi Stelthe, + Which don is for the worldes welthe, + Of Ravine and of Sacrilegge, + Which makth the conscience agregge; + Althogh it mai richesse atteigne, + It floureth, bot it schal noght greine + Unto the fruit of rihtwisnesse. + Bot who that wolde do largesse + Upon the reule as it is yive, + So myhte a man in trouthe live 7630 + Toward his god, and ek also + Toward the world, for bothe tuo + Largesse awaiteth as belongeth, + To neither part that he ne wrongeth; + He kepth himself, he kepth his frendes, + So stant he sauf to bothe hise endes, + That he excedeth no mesure, + So wel he can himself mesure: + Wherof, mi Sone, thou schalt wite, + So as the Philosophre hath write. 7640 + Betwen the tuo extremites + Of vice stant the propretes + Of vertu, and to prove it so + Tak Avarice and tak also + The vice of Prodegalite; + Betwen hem Liberalite, + Which is the vertu of Largesse, + Stant and governeth his noblesse. + For tho tuo vices in discord + Stonde evere, as I finde of record; 7650 + So that betwen here tuo debat + Largesse reuleth his astat. + For in such wise as Avarice, + As I tofore have told the vice, + Thurgh streit holdinge and thurgh skarsnesse + Stant in contraire to Largesse, + Riht so stant Prodegalite + Revers, bot noght in such degre. + For so as Avarice spareth, + And forto kepe his tresor careth, 7660 + That other al his oghne and more + Ayein the wise mannes lore + Yifth and despendeth hiere and there, + So that him reccheth nevere where. + While he mai borwe, he wol despende, + Til ate laste he seith, "I wende"; + Bot that is spoken al to late, + For thanne is poverte ate gate + And takth him evene be the slieve, + For erst wol he no wisdom lieve. 7670 + And riht as Avarice is Sinne, + That wolde his tresor kepe and winne, + Riht so is Prodegalite: + Bot of Largesse in his degre, + Which evene stant betwen the tuo, + The hihe god and man also + The vertu ech of hem commendeth. + For he himselven ferst amendeth, + That overal his name spredeth, + And to alle othre, where it nedeth, 7680 + He yifth his good in such a wise, + That he makth many a man arise, + Which elles scholde falle lowe. + Largesce mai noght ben unknowe; + For what lond that he regneth inne, + It mai noght faile forto winne + Thurgh his decerte love and grace, + Wher it schal faile in other place. + And thus betwen tomoche and lyte + Largesce, which is noght to wyte, 7690 + Halt evere forth the middel weie: + Bot who that torne wole aweie + Fro that to Prodegalite, + Anon he lest the proprete + Of vertu and goth to the vice; + For in such wise as Avarice + Lest for scarsnesse his goode name, + Riht so that other is to blame, + Which thurgh his wast mesure excedeth, + For noman wot what harm that bredeth. 7700 + Bot mochel joie ther betydeth, + Wher that largesse an herte guydeth: + For his mesure is so governed, + That he to bothe partz is lerned, + To god and to the world also, + He doth reson to bothe tuo. + The povere folk of his almesse + Relieved ben in the destresse + Of thurst, of hunger and of cold; + The yifte of him was nevere sold, 7710 + Bot frely yive, and natheles + The myhti god of his encress + Rewardeth him of double grace; + The hevene he doth him to pourchace + And yifth him ek the worldes good: + And thus the Cote for the hod + Largesse takth, and yit no Sinne + He doth, hou so that evere he winne. + What man hath hors men yive him hors, + And who non hath of him no fors, 7720 + For he mai thanne on fote go; + The world hath evere stonde so. + Bot forto loken of the tweie, + A man to go the siker weie, + Betre is to yive than to take: + With yifte a man mai frendes make, + Bot who that takth or gret or smal, + He takth a charge forth withal, + And stant noght fre til it be quit. + So forto deme in mannes wit, 7730 + It helpeth more a man to have + His oghne good, than forto crave + Of othre men and make him bounde, + Wher elles he mai stonde unbounde. + Senec conseileth in this wise, + And seith, "Bot, if thi good suffise + Unto the liking of thi wille, + Withdrawh thi lust and hold the stille, + And be to thi good sufficant." + For that thing is appourtenant 7740 + To trouthe and causeth to be fre + After the reule of charite, + Which ferst beginneth of himselve. + For if thou richest othre tuelve, + Wherof thou schalt thiself be povere, + I not what thonk thou miht recovere. + Whil that a man hath good to yive, + With grete routes he mai live + And hath his frendes overal, + And everich of him telle schal. 7750 + Therwhile he hath his fulle packe, + Thei seie, "A good felawe is Jacke"; + Bot whanne it faileth ate laste, + Anon his pris thei overcaste, + For thanne is ther non other lawe + Bot, "Jacke was a good felawe." + Whan thei him povere and nedy se, + Thei lete him passe and farwel he; + Al that he wende of compainie + Is thanne torned to folie. 7760 + Bot nou to speke in other kinde + Of love, a man mai suche finde, + That wher thei come in every route + Thei caste and waste her love aboute, + Til al here time is overgon, + And thanne have thei love non: + For who that loveth overal, + It is no reson that he schal + Of love have eny proprete. + Forthi, mi Sone, avise thee 7770 + If thou of love hast be to large, + For such a man is noght to charge: + And if it so be that thou hast + Despended al thi time in wast + And set thi love in sondri place, + Though thou the substance of thi grace + Lese ate laste, it is no wonder; + For he that put himselven under, + As who seith, comun overal, + He lest the love special 7780 + Of eny on, if sche be wys; + For love schal noght bere his pris + Be reson, whanne it passeth on. + So have I sen ful many on, + That were of love wel at ese, + Whiche after felle in gret desese + Thurgh wast of love, that thei spente + In sondri places wher thei wente. + Riht so, mi Sone, I axe of thee + If thou with Prodegalite 7790 + Hast hier and ther thi love wasted. + Mi fader, nay; bot I have tasted + In many a place as I have go, + And yit love I nevere on of tho, + Bot forto drive forth the dai. + For lieveth wel, myn herte is ay + Withoute mo for everemore + Al upon on, for I nomore + Desire bot hire love al one: + So make I many a prive mone, 7800 + For wel I fiele I have despended + Mi longe love and noght amended + Mi sped, for oght I finde yit. + If this be wast to youre wit + Of love, and Prodegalite, + Nou, goode fader, demeth ye: + Bot of o thing I wol me schryve, + That I schal for no love thryve, + Bot if hirself me wol relieve. + Mi Sone, that I mai wel lieve: 7810 + And natheles me semeth so, + For oght that thou hast yit misdo + Of time which thou hast despended, + It mai with grace ben amended. + For thing which mai be worth the cost + Per chaunce is nouther wast ne lost; + For what thing stant on aventure, + That can no worldes creature + Telle in certein hou it schal wende, + Til he therof mai sen an ende. 7820 + So that I not as yit therfore + If thou, mi Sone, hast wonne or lore: + For ofte time, as it is sene, + Whan Somer hath lost al his grene + And is with Wynter wast and bare, + That him is left nothing to spare, + Al is recovered in a throwe; + The colde wyndes overblowe, + And still be the scharpe schoures, + And soudeinliche ayein his floures 7830 + The Somer hapneth and is riche: + And so per cas thi graces liche, + Mi Sone, thogh thou be nou povere + Of love, yit thou miht recovere. + Mi fader, certes grant merci: + Ye have me tawht so redeli, + That evere whil I live schal + The betre I mai be war withal + Of thing which ye have seid er this. + Bot overmore hou that it is, 7840 + Toward mi schrifte as it belongeth, + To wite of othre pointz me longeth; + Wherof that ye me wolden teche + With al myn herte I you beseche. + + + Explicit Liber Quintus. + + + + +Incipit Liber Sextus + + + Est gula, que nostrum maculavit prima parentem + Ex vetito pomo, quo dolet omnis homo + Hec agit, ut corpus anime contraria spirat, + Quo caro fit crassa, spiritus atque macer. + Intus et exterius si que virtutis habentur, + Potibus ebrietas conviciata ruit. + Mersa sopore labis, que Bachus inebriat hospes, + Indignata Venus oscula raro premit. + + + The grete Senne original, + Which every man in general + Upon his berthe hath envenymed, + In Paradis it was mystymed: + Whan Adam of thilke Appel bot, + His swete morscel was to hot, + Which dedly made the mankinde. + And in the bokes as I finde, + This vice, which so out of rule + Hath sette ous alle, is cleped Gule; 10 + Of which the branches ben so grete, + That of hem alle I wol noght trete, + Bot only as touchende of tuo + I thenke speke and of no mo; + Wherof the ferste is Dronkeschipe, + Which berth the cuppe felaschipe. + Ful many a wonder doth this vice, + He can make of a wisman nyce, + And of a fool, that him schal seme + That he can al the lawe deme, 20 + And yiven every juggement + Which longeth to the firmament + Bothe of the sterre and of the mone; + And thus he makth a gret clerk sone + Of him that is a lewed man. + Ther is nothing which he ne can, + Whil he hath Dronkeschipe on honde, + He knowth the See, he knowth the stronde, + He is a noble man of armes, + And yit no strengthe is in his armes: 30 + Ther he was strong ynouh tofore, + With Dronkeschipe it is forlore, + And al is changed his astat, + And wext anon so fieble and mat, + That he mai nouther go ne come, + Bot al togedre him is benome + The pouer bothe of hond and fot, + So that algate abide he mot. + And alle hise wittes he foryet, + The which is to him such a let, 40 + That he wot nevere what he doth, + Ne which is fals, ne which is soth, + Ne which is dai, ne which is nyht, + And for the time he knowth no wyht, + That he ne wot so moche as this, + What maner thing himselven is, + Or he be man, or he be beste. + That holde I riht a sori feste, + Whan he that reson understod + So soudeinliche is woxe wod, 50 + Or elles lich the dede man, + Which nouther go ne speke can. + Thus ofte he is to bedde broght, + Bot where he lith yit wot he noght, + Til he arise upon the morwe; + And thanne he seith, "O, which a sorwe + It is a man be drinkeles!" + So that halfdrunke in such a res + With dreie mouth he sterte him uppe, + And seith, "Nou baillez a the cuppe." 60 + That made him lese his wit at eve + Is thanne a morwe al his beleve; + The cuppe is al that evere him pleseth, + And also that him most deseseth; + It is the cuppe whom he serveth, + Which alle cares fro him kerveth + And alle bales to him bringeth: + In joie he wepth, in sorwe he singeth, + For Dronkeschipe is so divers, + It may no whyle stonde in vers. 70 + He drinkth the wyn, bot ate laste + The wyn drynkth him and bint him faste, + And leith him drunke be the wal, + As him which is his bonde thral + And al in his subjeccion. + And lich to such condicion, + As forto speke it other wise, + It falleth that the moste wise + Ben otherwhile of love adoted, + And so bewhaped and assoted, 80 + Of drunke men that nevere yit + Was non, which half so loste his wit + Of drinke, as thei of such thing do + Which cleped is the jolif wo; + And waxen of here oghne thoght + So drunke, that thei knowe noght + What reson is, or more or lesse. + Such is the kinde of that sieknesse, + And that is noght for lacke of brain, + Bot love is of so gret a main, 90 + That where he takth an herte on honde, + Ther mai nothing his miht withstonde: + The wise Salomon was nome, + And stronge Sampson overcome, + The knihtli David him ne mihte + Rescoue, that he with the sihte + Of Bersabee ne was bestad, + Virgile also was overlad, + And Aristotle was put under. + Forthi, mi Sone, it is no wonder 100 + If thou be drunke of love among, + Which is above alle othre strong: + And if so is that thou so be, + Tell me thi Schrifte in privite; + It is no schame of such a thew + A yong man to be dronkelew. + Of such Phisique I can a part, + And as me semeth be that art, + Thou scholdest be Phisonomie + Be schapen to that maladie 110 + Of lovedrunke, and that is routhe. + Ha, holi fader, al is trouthe + That ye me telle: I am beknowe + That I with love am so bethrowe, + And al myn herte is so thurgh sunke, + That I am verrailiche drunke, + And yit I mai bothe speke and go. + Bot I am overcome so, + And torned fro miself so clene, + That ofte I wot noght what I mene; 120 + So that excusen I ne mai + Min herte, fro the ferste day + That I cam to mi ladi kiththe, + I was yit sobre nevere siththe. + Wher I hire se or se hire noght, + With musinge of min oghne thoght, + Of love, which min herte assaileth, + So drunke I am, that mi wit faileth + And al mi brain is overtorned, + And mi manere so mistorned, 130 + That I foryete al that I can + And stonde lich a mased man; + That ofte, whanne I scholde pleie, + It makth me drawe out of the weie + In soulein place be miselve, + As doth a labourer to delve, + Which can no gentil mannes chere; + Or elles as a lewed Frere, + Whan he is put to his penance, + Riht so lese I mi contienance. 140 + And if it nedes to betyde, + That I in compainie abyde, + Wher as I moste daunce and singe + The hovedance and carolinge, + Or forto go the newefot, + I mai noght wel heve up mi fot, + If that sche be noght in the weie; + For thanne is al mi merthe aweie, + And waxe anon of thoght so full, + Wherof mi limes ben so dull, 150 + I mai unethes gon the pas. + For thus it is and evere was, + Whanne I on suche thoghtes muse, + The lust and merthe that men use, + Whan I se noght mi ladi byme, + Al is foryete for the time + So ferforth that mi wittes changen + And alle lustes fro me strangen, + That thei seie alle trewely, + And swere, that it am noght I. 160 + For as the man which ofte drinketh, + With win that in his stomac sinketh + Wext drunke and witles for a throwe, + Riht so mi lust is overthrowe, + And of myn oghne thoght so mat + I wexe, that to myn astat + Ther is no lime wol me serve, + Bot as a drunke man I swerve, + And suffre such a Passion, + That men have gret compassion, 170 + And everich be himself merveilleth + What thing it is that me so eilleth. + Such is the manere of mi wo + Which time that I am hire fro, + Til eft ayein that I hire se. + Bot thanne it were a nycete + To telle you hou that I fare: + For whanne I mai upon hire stare, + Hire wommanhede, hire gentilesse, + Myn herte is full of such gladnesse, 180 + That overpasseth so mi wit, + That I wot nevere where it sit, + Bot am so drunken of that sihte, + Me thenkth that for the time I mihte + Riht sterte thurgh the hole wall; + And thanne I mai wel, if I schal, + Bothe singe and daunce and lepe aboute, + And holde forth the lusti route. + Bot natheles it falleth so + Fulofte, that I fro hire go 190 + Ne mai, bot as it were a stake, + I stonde avisement to take + And loke upon hire faire face; + That for the while out of the place + For al the world ne myhte I wende. + Such lust comth thanne unto mi mende, + So that withoute mete or drinke, + Of lusti thoughtes whiche I thinke + Me thenkth I mihte stonden evere; + And so it were to me levere 200 + Than such a sihte forto leve, + If that sche wolde yif me leve + To have so mochel of mi wille. + And thus thenkende I stonde stille + Withoute blenchinge of myn yhe, + Riht as me thoghte that I syhe + Of Paradis the moste joie: + And so therwhile I me rejoie, + Into myn herte a gret desir, + The which is hotere than the fyr, 210 + Al soudeinliche upon me renneth, + That al mi thoght withinne brenneth, + And am so ferforth overcome, + That I not where I am become; + So that among the hetes stronge + In stede of drinke I underfonge + A thoght so swete in mi corage, + That nevere Pyment ne vernage + Was half so swete forto drinke. + For as I wolde, thanne I thinke 220 + As thogh I were at myn above, + For so thurgh drunke I am of love, + That al that mi sotye demeth + Is soth, as thanne it to me semeth. + And whyle I mai tho thoghtes kepe, + Me thenkth as thogh I were aslepe + And that I were in goddes barm; + Bot whanne I se myn oghne harm, + And that I soudeinliche awake + Out of my thought, and hiede take 230 + Hou that the sothe stant in dede, + Thanne is mi sekernesse in drede + And joie torned into wo, + So that the hete is al ago + Of such sotie as I was inne. + And thanne ayeinward I beginne + To take of love a newe thorst, + The which me grieveth altherworst, + For thanne comth the blanche fievere, + With chele and makth me so to chievere, 240 + And so it coldeth at myn herte, + That wonder is hou I asterte, + In such a point that I ne deie: + For certes ther was nevere keie + Ne frosen ys upon the wal + More inly cold that I am al. + And thus soffre I the hote chele, + Which passeth othre peines fele; + In cold I brenne and frese in hete: + And thanne I drinke a biter swete 250 + With dreie lippe and yhen wete. + Lo, thus I tempre mi diete, + And take a drauhte of such reles, + That al mi wit is herteles, + And al myn herte, ther it sit, + Is, as who seith, withoute wit; + So that to prove it be reson + In makinge of comparison + Ther mai no difference be + Betwen a drunke man and me. 260 + Bot al the worste of everychon + Is evere that I thurste in on; + The more that myn herte drinketh, + The more I may; so that me thinketh, + My thurst schal nevere ben aqueint. + God schilde that I be noght dreint + Of such a superfluite: + For wel I fiele in mi degre + That al mi wit is overcast, + Wherof I am the more agast, 270 + That in defaulte of ladischipe + Per chance in such a drunkeschipe + I mai be ded er I be war. + For certes, fader, this I dar + Beknowe and in mi schrifte telle: + Bot I a drauhte have of that welle, + In which mi deth is and mi lif, + Mi joie is torned into strif, + That sobre schal I nevere worthe, + Bot as a drunke man forworthe; 280 + So that in londe where I fare + The lust is lore of mi welfare, + As he that mai no bote finde. + Bot this me thenkth a wonder kinde, + As I am drunke of that I drinke, + So am I ek for falte of drinke; + Of which I finde no reles: + Bot if I myhte natheles + Of such a drinke as I coveite, + So as me liste, have o receite, 290 + I scholde assobre and fare wel. + Bot so fortune upon hire whiel + On hih me deigneth noght to sette, + For everemore I finde a lette: + The boteler is noght mi frend, + Which hath the keie be the bend; + I mai wel wisshe and that is wast, + For wel I wot, so freissh a tast, + Bot if mi grace be the more, + I schal assaie neveremore. 300 + Thus am I drunke of that I se, + For tastinge is defended me, + And I can noght miselven stanche: + So that, mi fader, of this branche + I am gultif, to telle trouthe. + Mi Sone, that me thenketh routhe; + For lovedrunke is the meschief + Above alle othre the most chief, + If he no lusti thoght assaie, + Which mai his sori thurst allaie: 310 + As for the time yit it lisseth + To him which other joie misseth. + Forthi, mi Sone, aboven alle + Thenk wel, hou so it the befalle, + And kep thi wittes that thou hast, + And let hem noght be drunke in wast: + Bot natheles ther is no wyht + That mai withstonde loves miht. + Bot why the cause is, as I finde, + Of that ther is diverse kinde 320 + Of lovedrunke, why men pleigneth + After the court which al ordeigneth, + I wol the tellen the manere; + Nou lest, mi Sone, and thou schalt hiere. + For the fortune of every chance + After the goddes pourveance + To man it groweth from above, + So that the sped of every love + Is schape there, er it befalle. + For Jupiter aboven alle, 330 + Which is of goddes soverein, + Hath in his celier, as men sein, + Tuo tonnes fulle of love drinke, + That maken many an herte sinke + And many an herte also to flete, + Or of the soure or of the swete. + That on is full of such piment, + Which passeth all entendement + Of mannes witt, if he it taste, + And makth a jolif herte in haste: 340 + That other biter as the galle, + Which makth a mannes herte palle, + Whos drunkeschipe is a sieknesse + Thurgh fielinge of the biternesse. + Cupide is boteler of bothe, + Which to the lieve and to the lothe + Yifth of the swete and of the soure, + That some lawhe, and some loure. + Bot for so moche as he blind is, + Fulofte time he goth amis 350 + And takth the badde for the goode, + Which hindreth many a mannes fode + Withoute cause, and forthreth eke. + So be ther some of love seke, + Whiche oghte of reson to ben hole, + And some comen to the dole + In happ and as hemselve leste + Drinke undeserved of the beste. + And thus this blinde Boteler + Yifth of the trouble in stede of cler 360 + And ek the cler in stede of trouble: + Lo, hou he can the hertes trouble, + And makth men drunke al upon chaunce + Withoute lawe of governance. + If he drawe of the swete tonne, + Thanne is the sorwe al overronne + Of lovedrunke, and schalt noght greven + So to be drunken every even, + For al is thanne bot a game. + Bot whanne it is noght of the same, 370 + And he the biter tonne draweth, + Such drunkeschipe an herte gnaweth + And fiebleth al a mannes thoght, + That betre him were have drunke noght + And al his bred have eten dreie; + For thanne he lest his lusti weie + With drunkeschipe, and wot noght whider + To go, the weies ben so slider, + In which he mai per cas so falle, + That he schal breke his wittes alle. 380 + And in this wise men be drunke + After the drink that thei have drunke: + Bot alle drinken noght alike, + For som schal singe and som schal syke, + So that it me nothing merveilleth, + Mi Sone, of love that thee eilleth; + For wel I knowe be thi tale, + That thou hast drunken of the duale, + Which biter is, til god the sende + Such grace that thou miht amende. 390 + Bot, Sone, thou schalt bidde and preie + In such a wise as I schal seie, + That thou the lusti welle atteigne + Thi wofull thurstes to restreigne + Of love, and taste the swetnesse; + As Bachus dede in his distresse, + Whan bodiliche thurst him hente + In strange londes where he wente. + This Bachus Sone of Jupiter + Was hote, and as he wente fer 400 + Be his fadres assignement + To make a werre in Orient, + And gret pouer with him he ladde, + So that the heiere hond he hadde + And victoire of his enemys, + And torneth homward with his pris, + In such a contre which was dreie + A meschief fell upon the weie. + As he rod with his compainie + Nyh to the strondes of Lubie, 410 + Ther myhte thei no drinke finde + Of water nor of other kinde, + So that himself and al his host + Were of defalte of drinke almost + Destruid, and thanne Bachus preide + To Jupiter, and thus he seide: + "O hihe fader, that sest al, + To whom is reson that I schal + Beseche and preie in every nede, + Behold, mi fader, and tak hiede 420 + This wofull thurst that we ben inne + To staunche, and grante ous forto winne, + And sauf unto the contre fare, + Wher that oure lusti loves are + Waitende upon oure hom cominge." + And with the vois of his preiynge, + Which herd was to the goddes hihe, + He syh anon tofore his yhe + A wether, which the ground hath sporned; + And wher he hath it overtorned, 430 + Ther sprang a welle freissh and cler, + Wherof his oghne boteler + After the lustes of his wille + Was every man to drinke his fille. + And for this ilke grete grace + Bachus upon the same place + A riche temple let arere, + Which evere scholde stonde there + To thursti men in remembrance. + Forthi, mi Sone, after this chance 440 + It sit thee wel to taken hiede + So forto preie upon thi nede, + As Bachus preide for the welle; + And thenk, as thou hast herd me telle, + Hou grace he gradde and grace he hadde. + He was no fol that ferst so radde, + For selden get a domb man lond: + Tak that proverbe, and understond + That wordes ben of vertu grete. + Forthi to speke thou ne lete, 450 + And axe and prei erli and late + Thi thurst to quenche, and thenk algate, + The boteler which berth the keie + Is blind, as thou hast herd me seie; + And if it mihte so betyde, + That he upon the blinde side + Per cas the swete tonne arauhte, + Than schalt thou have a lusti drauhte + And waxe of lovedrunke sobre. + And thus I rede thou assobre 460 + Thin herte in hope of such a grace; + For drunkeschipe in every place, + To whether side that it torne, + Doth harm and makth a man to sporne + And ofte falle in such a wise, + Wher he per cas mai noght arise. + And forto loke in evidence + Upon the sothe experience, + So as it hath befalle er this, + In every mannes mouth it is 470 + Hou Tristram was of love drunke + With Bele Ysolde, whan thei drunke + The drink which Brangwein hem betok, + Er that king Marc his Eem hire tok + To wyve, as it was after knowe. + And ek, mi Sone, if thou wolt knowe, + As it hath fallen overmore + In loves cause, and what is more + Of drunkeschipe forto drede, + As it whilom befell in dede, 480 + Wherof thou miht the betre eschuie + Of drunke men that thou ne suie + The compaignie in no manere, + A gret ensample thou schalt hiere. + This finde I write in Poesie + Of thilke faire Ipotacie, + Of whos beaute ther as sche was + Spak every man, - and fell per cas, + That Pirotos so him spedde, + That he to wyve hire scholde wedde, 490 + Wherof that he gret joie made. + And for he wolde his love glade, + Ayein the day of mariage + Be mouthe bothe and be message + Hise frendes to the feste he preide, + With gret worschipe and, as men seide, + He hath this yonge ladi spoused. + And whan that thei were alle housed, + And set and served ate mete, + Ther was no wyn which mai be gete, 500 + That ther ne was plente ynouh: + Bot Bachus thilke tonne drouh, + Wherof be weie of drunkeschipe + The greteste of the felaschipe + Were oute of reson overtake; + And Venus, which hath also take + The cause most in special, + Hath yove hem drinke forth withal + Of thilke cuppe which exciteth + The lust wherinne a man deliteth: 510 + And thus be double weie drunke, + Of lust that ilke fyri funke + Hath mad hem, as who seith, halfwode, + That thei no reson understode, + Ne to non other thing thei syhen, + Bot hire, which tofore here yhen + Was wedded thilke same day, + That freisshe wif, that lusti May, + On hire it was al that thei thoghten. + And so ferforth here lustes soghten, 520 + That thei the whiche named were + Centauri, ate feste there + Of on assent, of an acord + This yonge wif malgre hire lord + In such a rage awei forth ladden, + As thei whiche non insihte hadden + Bot only to her drunke fare, + Which many a man hath mad misfare + In love als wel as other weie. + Wherof, if I schal more seie 530 + Upon the nature of the vice, + Of custume and of exercice + The mannes grace hou it fordoth, + A tale, which was whilom soth, + Of fooles that so drunken were, + I schal reherce unto thine Ere. + I rede in a Cronique thus + Of Galba and of Vitellus, + The whiche of Spaigne bothe were + The greteste of alle othre there, 540 + And bothe of o condicion + After the disposicion + Of glotonie and drunkeschipe. + That was a sori felaschipe: + For this thou miht wel understonde, + That man mai wel noght longe stonde + Which is wyndrunke of comun us; + For he hath lore the vertus, + Wherof reson him scholde clothe; + And that was seene upon hem bothe. 550 + Men sein ther is non evidence, + Wherof to knowe a difference + Betwen the drunken and the wode, + For thei be nevere nouther goode; + For wher that wyn doth wit aweie, + Wisdom hath lost the rihte weie, + That he no maner vice dredeth; + Nomore than a blind man thredeth + His nedle be the Sonnes lyht, + Nomore is reson thanne of myht, 560 + Whan he with drunkeschipe is blent. + And in this point thei weren schent, + This Galba bothe and ek Vitelle, + Upon the cause as I schal telle, + Wherof good is to taken hiede. + For thei tuo thurgh her drunkenhiede + Of witles excitacioun + Oppressede al the nacion + Of Spaigne; for of fool usance, + Which don was of continuance 570 + Of hem, whiche alday drunken were, + Ther was no wif ne maiden there, + What so thei were, or faire or foule, + Whom thei ne token to defoule, + Wherof the lond was often wo: + And ek in othre thinges mo + Thei wroghten many a sondri wrong. + Bot hou so that the dai be long, + The derke nyht comth ate laste: + God wolde noght thei scholden laste, 580 + And schop the lawe in such a wise, + That thei thurgh dom to the juise + Be dampned forto be forlore. + Bot thei, that hadden ben tofore + Enclin to alle drunkenesse,- + Here ende thanne bar witnesse; + For thei in hope to assuage + The peine of deth, upon the rage + That thei the lasse scholden fiele, + Of wyn let fille full a Miele, 590 + And dronken til so was befalle + That thei her strengthes losten alle + Withouten wit of eny brain; + And thus thei ben halfdede slain, + That hem ne grieveth bot a lyte. + Mi Sone, if thou be forto wyte + In eny point which I have seid, + Wherof thi wittes ben unteid, + I rede clepe hem hom ayein. + I schal do, fader, as ye sein, 600 + Als ferforth as I mai suffise: + Bot wel I wot that in no wise + The drunkeschipe of love aweie + I mai remue be no weie, + It stant noght upon my fortune. + Bot if you liste to comune + Of the seconde Glotonie, + Which cleped is Delicacie, + Wherof ye spieken hier tofore, + Beseche I wolde you therfore. 610 + Mi Sone, as of that ilke vice, + Which of alle othre is the Norrice, + And stant upon the retenue + Of Venus, so as it is due, + The proprete hou that it fareth + The bok hierafter nou declareth. + Of this chapitre in which we trete + There is yit on of such diete, + To which no povere mai atteigne; + For al is Past of paindemeine 620 + And sondri wyn and sondri drinke, + Wherof that he wole ete and drinke: + Hise cokes ben for him affaited, + So that his body is awaited, + That him schal lacke no delit, + Als ferforth as his appetit + Sufficeth to the metes hote. + Wherof this lusti vice is hote + Of Gule the Delicacie, + Which al the hole progenie 630 + Of lusti folk hath undertake + To feede, whil that he mai take + Richesses wherof to be founde: + Of Abstinence he wot no bounde, + To what profit it scholde serve. + And yit phisique of his conserve + Makth many a restauracioun + Unto his recreacioun, + Which wolde be to Venus lief. + Thus for the point of his relief 640 + The coc which schal his mete arraie, + Bot he the betre his mouth assaie, + His lordes thonk schal ofte lese, + Er he be served to the chese: + For ther mai lacke noght so lyte, + That he ne fint anon a wyte; + For bot his lust be fully served, + Ther hath no wiht his thonk deserved. + And yit for mannes sustenance, + To kepe and holde in governance, 650 + To him that wole his hele gete + Is non so good as comun mete: + For who that loketh on the bokes, + It seith, confeccion of cokes, + A man him scholde wel avise + Hou he it toke and in what wise. + For who that useth that he knoweth, + Ful selden seknesse on him groweth, + And who that useth metes strange, + Though his nature empeire and change 660 + It is no wonder, lieve Sone, + Whan that he doth ayein his wone; + For in Phisique this I finde, + Usage is the seconde kinde. + And riht so changeth his astat + He that of love is delicat: + For though he hadde to his hond + The beste wif of al the lond, + Or the faireste love of alle, + Yit wolde his herte on othre falle 670 + And thenke hem mor delicious + Than he hath in his oghne hous: + Men sein it is nou ofte so; + Avise hem wel, thei that so do. + And forto speke in other weie, + Fulofte time I have herd seie, + That he which hath no love achieved, + Him thenkth that he is noght relieved, + Thogh that his ladi make him chiere, + So as sche mai in good manere 680 + Hir honour and hir name save, + Bot he the surplus mihte have. + Nothing withstondende hire astat, + Of love more delicat + He set hire chiere at no delit, + Bot he have al his appetit. + Mi Sone, if it be with thee so, + Tell me. Myn holi fader, no: + For delicat in such a wise + Of love, as ye to me devise, 690 + Ne was I nevere yit gultif; + For if I hadde such a wif + As ye speke of, what scholde I more? + For thanne I wolde neveremore + For lust of eny wommanhiede + Myn herte upon non other fiede: + And if I dede, it were a wast. + Bot al withoute such repast + Of lust, as ye me tolde above, + Of wif, or yit of other love, 700 + I faste, and mai no fode gete; + So that for lacke of deinte mete, + Of which an herte mai be fedd, + I go fastende to my bedd. + Bot myhte I geten, as ye tolde, + So mochel that mi ladi wolde + Me fede with hir glad semblant, + Though me lacke al the remenant, + Yit scholde I somdel ben abeched + And for the time wel refreched. 710 + Bot certes, fader, sche ne doth; + For in good feith, to telle soth, + I trowe, thogh I scholde sterve, + Sche wolde noght hire yhe swerve, + Min herte with o goodly lok + To fede, and thus for such a cok + I mai go fastinge everemo: + Bot if so is that eny wo + Mai fede a mannes herte wel, + Therof I have at every meel 720 + Of plente more than ynowh; + Bot that is of himself so towh, + Mi stomac mai it noght defie. + Lo, such is the delicacie + Of love, which myn herte fedeth; + Thus have I lacke of that me nedeth. + Bot for al this yit natheles + I seie noght I am gylteles, + That I somdel am delicat: + For elles were I fulli mat, 730 + Bot if that I som lusti stounde + Of confort and of ese founde, + To take of love som repast; + For thogh I with the fulle tast + The lust of love mai noght fiele, + Min hunger otherwise I kiele + Of smale lustes whiche I pike, + And for a time yit thei like; + If that ye wisten what I mene. + Nou, goode Sone, schrif thee clene 740 + Of suche deyntes as ben goode, + Wherof thou takst thin hertes fode. + Mi fader, I you schal reherce, + Hou that mi fodes ben diverse, + So as thei fallen in degre. + O fiedinge is of that I se, + An other is of that I here, + The thridde, as I schal tellen here, + It groweth of min oghne thoght: + And elles scholde I live noght; 750 + For whom that failleth fode of herte, + He mai noght wel the deth asterte. + Of sihte is al mi ferste fode, + Thurgh which myn yhe of alle goode + Hath that to him is acordant, + A lusti fode sufficant. + Whan that I go toward the place + Wher I schal se my ladi face, + Min yhe, which is loth to faste, + Beginth to hungre anon so faste, 760 + That him thenkth of on houre thre, + Til I ther come and he hire se: + And thanne after his appetit + He takth a fode of such delit, + That him non other deynte nedeth. + Of sondri sihtes he him fedeth: + He seth hire face of such colour, + That freisshere is than eny flour, + He seth hire front is large and plein + Withoute fronce of eny grein, 770 + He seth hire yhen lich an hevene, + He seth hire nase strauht and evene, + He seth hire rode upon the cheke, + He seth hire rede lippes eke, + Hire chyn acordeth to the face, + Al that he seth is full of grace, + He seth hire necke round and clene, + Therinne mai no bon be sene, + He seth hire handes faire and whyte; + For al this thing withoute wyte 780 + He mai se naked ate leste, + So is it wel the more feste + And wel the mor Delicacie + Unto the fiedinge of myn yhe. + He seth hire schapthe forth withal, + Hire bodi round, hire middel smal, + So wel begon with good array, + Which passeth al the lust of Maii, + Whan he is most with softe schoures + Ful clothed in his lusti floures. 790 + With suche sihtes by and by + Min yhe is fed; bot finaly, + Whan he the port and the manere + Seth of hire wommanysshe chere, + Than hath he such delice on honde, + Him thenkth he mihte stille stonde, + And that he hath ful sufficance + Of liflode and of sustienance + As to his part for everemo. + And if it thoghte alle othre so, 800 + Fro thenne wolde he nevere wende, + Bot there unto the worldes ende + He wolde abyde, if that he mihte, + And fieden him upon the syhte. + For thogh I mihte stonden ay + Into the time of domesday + And loke upon hire evere in on, + Yit whanne I scholde fro hire gon, + Min yhe wolde, as thogh he faste, + Ben hungerstorven al so faste, 810 + Til efte ayein that he hire syhe. + Such is the nature of myn yhe: + Ther is no lust so deintefull, + Of which a man schal noght be full, + Of that the stomac underfongeth, + Bot evere in on myn yhe longeth: + For loke hou that a goshauk tireth, + Riht so doth he, whan that he pireth + And toteth on hire wommanhiede; + For he mai nevere fulli fiede 820 + His lust, bot evere aliche sore + Him hungreth, so that he the more + Desireth to be fed algate: + And thus myn yhe is mad the gate, + Thurgh which the deyntes of my thoght + Of lust ben to myn herte broght. + Riht as myn yhe with his lok + Is to myn herte a lusti coc + Of loves fode delicat, + Riht so myn Ere in his astat, 830 + Wher as myn yhe mai noght serve, + Can wel myn hertes thonk deserve + And fieden him fro day to day + With suche deyntes as he may. + For thus it is, that overal, + Wher as I come in special, + I mai hiere of mi ladi pris; + I hiere on seith that sche is wys, + An other seith that sche is good, + And som men sein, of worthi blod 840 + That sche is come, and is also + So fair, that nawher is non so; + And som men preise hire goodli chiere: + Thus every thing that I mai hiere, + Which souneth to mi ladi goode, + Is to myn Ere a lusti foode. + And ek min Ere hath over this + A deynte feste, whan so is + That I mai hiere hirselve speke; + For thanne anon mi faste I breke 850 + On suche wordes as sche seith, + That full of trouthe and full of feith + Thei ben, and of so good desport, + That to myn Ere gret confort + Thei don, as thei that ben delices. + For al the metes and the spices, + That eny Lombard couthe make, + Ne be so lusti forto take + Ne so ferforth restauratif, + I seie as for myn oghne lif, 860 + As ben the wordes of hire mouth: + For as the wyndes of the South + 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 upon a song, + Whan I it hiere I am so fedd, + That I am fro miself so ledd, 870 + As thogh I were in paradis; + For certes, as to myn avis, + Whan I here of hir vois the stevene, + Me thenkth it is a blisse of hevene. + And ek in other wise also + Fulofte time it falleth so, + Min Ere with a good pitance + Is fedd of redinge of romance + Of Ydoine and of Amadas, + That whilom weren in mi cas, 880 + And eke of othre many a score, + That loveden longe er I was bore. + For whan I of here loves rede, + Min Ere with the tale I fede; + And with the lust of here histoire + Somtime I drawe into memoire + Hou sorwe mai noght evere laste; + And so comth hope in ate laste, + Whan I non other fode knowe. + And that endureth bot a throwe, 890 + Riht as it were a cherie feste; + Bot forto compten ate leste, + As for the while yit it eseth + And somdel of myn herte appeseth: + For what thing to myn Ere spreedeth, + Which is plesant, somdel it feedeth + With wordes suche as he mai gete + Mi lust, in stede of other mete. + Lo thus, mi fader, as I seie, + Of lust the which myn yhe hath seie, 900 + And ek of that myn Ere hath herd, + Fulofte I have the betre ferd. + And tho tuo bringen in the thridde, + The which hath in myn herte amidde + His place take, to arraie + The lusti fode, which assaie + I mot; and nameliche on nyhtes, + Whan that me lacketh alle sihtes, + And that myn heringe is aweie, + Thanne is he redy in the weie 910 + Mi reresouper forto make, + Of which myn hertes fode I take. + This lusti cokes name is hote + Thoght, which hath evere hise pottes hote + Of love buillende on the fyr + With fantasie and with desir, + Of whiche er this fulofte he fedde + Min herte, whanne I was abedde; + And thanne he set upon my bord + Bothe every syhte and every word 920 + Of lust, which I have herd or sein. + Bot yit is noght mi feste al plein, + Bot al of woldes and of wisshes, + Therof have I my fulle disshes, + Bot as of fielinge and of tast, + Yit mihte I nevere have o repast. + And thus, as I have seid aforn, + I licke hony on the thorn, + And as who seith, upon the bridel + I chiewe, so that al is ydel 930 + As in effect the fode I have. + Bot as a man that wolde him save, + Whan he is seck, be medicine, + Riht so of love the famine + I fonde in al that evere I mai + To fiede and dryve forth the day, + Til I mai have the grete feste, + Which al myn hunger myhte areste. + Lo suche ben mi lustes thre; + Of that I thenke and hiere and se 940 + I take of love my fiedinge + Withoute tastinge or fielinge: + And as the Plover doth of Eir + I live, and am in good espeir + That for no such delicacie + I trowe I do no glotonie. + And natheles to youre avis, + Min holi fader, that be wis, + I recomande myn astat + Of that I have be delicat. 950 + Mi Sone, I understonde wel + That thou hast told hier everydel, + And as me thenketh be thi tale, + It ben delices wonder smale, + Wherof thou takst thi loves fode. + Bot, Sone, if that thou understode + What is to ben delicious, + Thou woldest noght be curious + Upon the lust of thin astat + To ben to sore delicat, 960 + Wherof that thou reson excede: + For in the bokes thou myht rede, + If mannes wisdom schal be suied, + It oghte wel to ben eschuied + In love als wel as other weie; + For, as these holi bokes seie, + The bodely delices alle + In every point, hou so thei falle, + Unto the Soule don grievance. + And forto take in remembrance, 970 + A tale acordant unto this, + Which of gret understondinge is + To mannes soule resonable, + I thenke telle, and is no fable. + Of Cristes word, who wole it rede, + Hou that this vice is forto drede + In thevangile it telleth plein, + Which mot algate be certein, + For Crist himself it berth witnesse. + And thogh the clerk and the clergesse 980 + In latin tunge it rede and singe, + Yit for the more knoulechinge + Of trouthe, which is good to wite, + I schal declare as it is write + In Engleissh, for thus it began. + Crist seith: "Ther was a riche man, + A mihti lord of gret astat, + And he was ek so delicat + Of his clothing, that everyday + Of pourpre and bisse he made him gay, 990 + And eet and drank therto his fille + After the lustes of his wille, + As he which al stod in delice + And tok non hiede of thilke vice. + And as it scholde so betyde, + A povere lazre upon a tyde + Cam to the gate and axed mete: + Bot there mihte he nothing gete + His dedly hunger forto stanche; + For he, which hadde his fulle panche 1000 + Of alle lustes ate bord, + Ne deigneth noght to speke a word, + Onliche a Crumme forto yive, + Wherof the povere myhte live + Upon the yifte of his almesse. + Thus lai this povere in gret destresse + Acold and hungred ate gate, + Fro which he mihte go no gate, + So was he wofulli besein. + And as these holi bokes sein, 1010 + The houndes comen fro the halle, + Wher that this sike man was falle, + And as he lay ther forto die, + The woundes of his maladie + Thei licken forto don him ese. + Bot he was full of such desese, + That he mai noght the deth eschape; + Bot as it was that time schape, + The Soule fro the bodi passeth, + And he whom nothing overpasseth, 1020 + The hihe god, up to the hevene + Him tok, wher he hath set him evene + In Habrahammes barm on hyh, + Wher he the hevene joie syh + And hadde al that he have wolde. + And fell, as it befalle scholde, + This riche man the same throwe + With soudein deth was overthrowe, + And forth withouten eny wente + Into the helle straght he wente; 1030 + The fend into the fyr him drouh, + Wher that he hadde peine ynouh + Of flamme which that evere brenneth. + And as his yhe aboute renneth, + Toward the hevene he cast his lok, + Wher that he syh and hiede tok + Hou Lazar set was in his Se + Als ferr as evere he mihte se + With Habraham; and thanne he preide + Unto the Patriarch and seide: 1040 + "Send Lazar doun fro thilke Sete, + And do that he his finger wete + In water, so that he mai droppe + Upon my tunge, forto stoppe + The grete hete in which I brenne." + Bot Habraham answerde thenne + And seide to him in this wise: + "Mi Sone, thou thee miht avise + And take into thi remembrance, + Hou Lazar hadde gret penance, 1050 + Whyl he was in that other lif, + Bot thou in al thi lust jolif + The bodily delices soghtest: + Forthi, so as thou thanne wroghtest, + Nou schalt thou take thi reward + Of dedly peine hierafterward + In helle, which schal evere laste; + And this Lazar nou ate laste + The worldes peine is overronne, + In hevene and hath his lif begonne 1060 + Of joie, which is endeles. + Bot that thou preidest natheles, + That I schal Lazar to the sende + With water on his finger ende, + Thin hote tunge forto kiele, + Thou schalt no such graces fiele; + For to that foule place of Sinne, + For evere in which thou schalt ben inne, + Comth non out of this place thider, + Ne non of you mai comen hider; 1070 + Thus be yee parted nou atuo." + The riche ayeinward cride tho: + "O Habraham, sithe it so is, + That Lazar mai noght do me this + Which I have axed in this place, + I wolde preie an other grace. + For I have yit of brethren fyve, + That with mi fader ben alyve + Togedre duellende in on hous; + To whom, as thou art gracious, 1080 + I preie that thou woldest sende + Lazar, so that he mihte wende + To warne hem hou the world is went, + That afterward thei be noght schent + Of suche peines as I drye. + Lo, this I preie and this I crie, + Now I may noght miself amende." + The Patriarch anon suiende + To his preiere ansuerde nay; + And seide him hou that everyday 1090 + His brethren mihten knowe and hiere + Of Moi5ses on Erthe hiere + And of prophetes othre mo, + What hem was best. And he seith no; + Bot if ther mihte a man aryse + Fro deth to lyve in such a wise, + To tellen hem hou that it were, + He seide hou thanne of pure fere + Thei scholden wel be war therby. + Quod Habraham: "Nay sikerly; 1100 + For if thei nou wol noght obeie + To suche as techen hem the weie, + And alday preche and alday telle + Hou that it stant of hevene and helle, + Thei wol noght thanne taken hiede, + Thogh it befelle so in dede + That eny ded man were arered, + To ben of him no betre lered + Than of an other man alyve." + If thou, mi Sone, canst descryve 1110 + This tale, as Crist himself it tolde, + Thou schalt have cause to beholde, + To se so gret an evidence, + Wherof the sothe experience + Hath schewed openliche at ije, + That bodili delicacie + Of him which yeveth non almesse + Schal after falle in gret destresse. + And that was sene upon the riche: + For he ne wolde unto his liche 1120 + A Crumme yiven 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 that so delices taken; + Whan thei with deth ben overtaken, + That erst was swete is thanne sour. + Bot he that is a governour + Of worldes good, if he be wys, + Withinne his herte he set no pris 1130 + Of al the world, and yit he useth + The good, that he nothing refuseth, + As he which lord is of the thinges. + The Nouches and the riche ringes, + The cloth of gold and the Perrie + He takth, and yit delicacie + He leveth, thogh he were al this. + The beste mete that ther is + He ett, and drinkth the beste drinke; + Bot hou that evere he ete or drinke, 1140 + Delicacie he put aweie, + As he which goth the rihte weie + Noght only forto fiede and clothe + His bodi, bot his soule bothe. + Bot thei that taken otherwise + Here lustes, ben none of the wise; + And that whilom was schewed eke, + If thou these olde bokes seke, + Als wel be reson as be kinde, + Of olde ensample as men mai finde. 1150 + What man that wolde him wel avise, + Delicacie is to despise, + Whan kinde acordeth noght withal; + Wherof ensample in special + Of Nero whilom mai be told, + Which ayein kinde manyfold + Hise lustes tok, til ate laste + That god him wolde al overcaste; + Of whom the Cronique is so plein, + Me list nomore of him to sein. 1160 + And natheles for glotonie + Of bodili Delicacie, + To knowe his stomak hou it ferde, + Of that noman tofore herde, + Which he withinne himself bethoghte, + A wonder soubtil thing he wroghte. + Thre men upon eleccioun + Of age and of complexioun + Lich to himself be alle weie + He tok towardes him to pleie, 1170 + And ete and drinke als wel as he. + Therof was no diversite; + For every day whan that thei eete, + Tofore his oghne bord thei seete, + And of such mete as he was served, + Althogh thei hadde it noght deserved, + Thei token service of the same. + Bot afterward al thilke game + Was into wofull ernest torned; + For whan thei weren thus sojorned, 1180 + Withinne a time at after mete + Nero, which hadde noght foryete + The lustes of his frele astat, + As he which al was delicat, + To knowe thilke experience, + The men let come in his presence: + And to that on the same tyde, + A courser that he scholde ryde + Into the feld, anon he bad; + Wherof this man was wonder glad, 1190 + And goth to prike and prance aboute. + That other, whil that he was oute, + He leide upon his bedd to slepe: + The thridde, which he wolde kepe + Withinne his chambre, faire and softe + He goth now doun nou up fulofte, + Walkende a pass, that he ne slepte, + Til he which on the courser lepte + Was come fro the field ayein. + Nero thanne, as the bokes sein, 1200 + These men doth taken alle thre + And slouh hem, for he wolde se + The whos stomak was best defied: + And whanne he hath the sothe tryed, + He fond that he which goth the pass + Defyed best of alle was, + Which afterward he usede ay. + And thus what thing unto his pay + Was most plesant, he lefte non: + With every lust he was begon, 1210 + Wherof the bodi myhte glade, + For he non abstinence made; + Bot most above alle erthli thinges + Of wommen unto the likinges + Nero sette al his hole herte, + For that lust scholde him noght asterte. + Whan that the thurst of love him cawhte, + Wher that him list he tok a drauhte, + He spareth nouther wif ne maide, + That such an other, as men saide, 1220 + In al this world was nevere yit. + He was so drunke in al his wit + Thurgh sondri lustes whiche he tok, + That evere, whil ther is a bok, + Of Nero men schul rede and singe + Unto the worldes knowlechinge, + Mi goode Sone, as thou hast herd. + For evere yit it hath so ferd, + Delicacie in loves cas + Withoute reson is and was; 1230 + For wher that love his herte set, + Him thenkth it myhte be no bet; + And thogh it be noght fulli mete, + The lust of love is evere swete. + Lo, thus togedre of felaschipe + Delicacie and drunkeschipe, + Wherof reson stant out of herre, + Have mad full many a wisman erre + In loves cause most of alle: + For thanne hou so that evere it falle, 1240 + Wit can no reson understonde, + Bot let the governance stonde + To Will, which thanne wext so wylde, + That he can noght himselve schylde + Fro no peril, bot out of feere + The weie he secheth hiere and there, + Him recheth noght upon what syde: + For oftetime he goth beside, + And doth such thing withoute drede, + Wherof him oghte wel to drede. 1250 + Bot whan that love assoteth sore, + It passeth alle mennes lore; + What lust it is that he ordeigneth, + Ther is no mannes miht restreigneth, + And of the godd takth he non hiede: + Bot laweles withoute drede, + His pourpos for he wolde achieve + Ayeins the pointz of the believe, + He tempteth hevene and erthe and helle, + Hierafterward as I schall telle. 1260 + Who dar do thing which love ne dar? + To love is every lawe unwar, + Bot to the lawes of his heste + The fissch, the foul, the man, the beste + Of al the worldes kinde louteth. + For love is he which nothing douteth: + In mannes herte where he sit, + He compteth noght toward his wit + The wo nomore than the wele, + No mor the hete than the chele, 1270 + No mor the wete than the dreie, + No mor to live than to deie, + So that tofore ne behinde + He seth nothing, bot as the blinde + Withoute insyhte of his corage + He doth merveilles in his rage. + To what thing that he wole him drawe, + Ther is no god, ther is no lawe, + Of whom that he takth eny hiede; + Bot as Baiard the blinde stede, 1280 + Til he falle in the dich amidde, + He goth ther noman wole him bidde; + He stant so ferforth out of reule, + Ther is no wit that mai him reule. + And thus to telle of him in soth, + Ful many a wonder thing he doth, + That were betre to be laft, + Among the whiche is wicchecraft, + That som men clepen Sorcerie, + Which forto winne his druerie 1290 + With many a circumstance he useth, + Ther is no point which he refuseth. + The craft which that Saturnus fond, + To make prickes in the Sond, + That Geomance cleped is, + Fulofte he useth it amis; + And of the flod his Ydromance, + And of the fyr the Piromance, + With questions echon of tho + He tempteth ofte, and ek also 1300 + Ae5remance in juggement + To love he bringth of his assent: + For these craftes, as I finde, + A man mai do be weie of kinde, + Be so it be to good entente. + Bot he goth al an other wente; + For rathere er he scholde faile, + With Nigromance he wole assaile + To make his incantacioun + With hot subfumigacioun. 1310 + Thilke art which Spatula is hote, + And used is of comun rote + Among Paiens, with that craft ek + Of which is Auctor Thosz the Grek, + He worcheth on and on be rowe: + Razel is noght to him unknowe, + Ne Salomones Candarie, + His Ydeac, his Eutonye; + The figure and the bok withal + Of Balamuz, and of Ghenbal 1320 + The Seal, and therupon thymage + Of Thebith, for his avantage + He takth, and somwhat of Gibiere, + Which helplich is to this matiere. + Babilla with hire Sones sevene, + Which hath renonced to the hevene, + With Cernes bothe square and rounde, + He traceth ofte upon the grounde, + Makende his invocacioun; + And for full enformacioun 1330 + The Scole which Honorius + Wrot, he poursuieth: and lo, thus + Magique he useth forto winne + His love, and spareth for no Sinne. + And over that of his Sotie, + Riht as he secheth Sorcerie + Of hem that ben Magiciens, + Riht so of the Naturiens + Upon the Sterres from above + His weie he secheth unto love, 1340 + Als fer as he hem understondeth. + In many a sondry wise he fondeth: + He makth ymage, he makth sculpture, + He makth writinge, he makth figure, + He makth his calculacions, + He makth his demonstracions; + His houres of Astronomie + He kepeth as for that partie + Which longeth to thinspeccion + Of love and his affeccion; 1350 + He wolde into the helle seche + The devel himselve to beseche, + If that he wiste forto spede, + To gete of love his lusti mede: + Wher that he hath his herte set, + He bede nevere fare bet + Ne wite of other hevene more. + Mi Sone, if thou of such a lore + Hast ben er this, I red thee leve. + Min holi fader, be youre leve 1360 + Of al that ye have spoken hiere + Which toucheth unto this matiere, + To telle soth riht as I wene, + I wot noght o word what ye mene. + I wol noght seie, if that I couthe, + That I nolde in mi lusti youthe + Benethe in helle and ek above + To winne with mi ladi love + Don al that evere that I mihte; + For therof have I non insihte 1370 + Wher afterward that I become, + To that I wonne and overcome + Hire love, which I most coveite. + Mi Sone, that goth wonder streite: + For this I mai wel telle soth, + Ther is noman the which so doth, + For al the craft that he can caste, + That he nabeith it ate laste. + For often he that wol beguile + Is guiled with the same guile, 1380 + And thus the guilour is beguiled; + As I finde in a bok compiled + To this matiere an old histoire, + The which comth nou to mi memoire, + And is of gret essamplerie + Ayein the vice of Sorcerie, + Wherof non ende mai be good. + Bot hou whilom therof it stod, + A tale which is good to knowe + To thee, mi Sone, I schal beknowe. 1390 + Among hem whiche at Troie were, + Uluxes ate Siege there + Was on be name in special; + Of whom yit the memorial + Abit, for whyl ther is a mouth, + For evere his name schal be couth. + He was a worthi knyht and king + And clerk knowende of every thing; + He was a gret rethorien, + He was a gret magicien; 1400 + Of Tullius the rethorique, + Of king Zorastes the magique, + Of Tholome thastronomie, + Of Plato the Philosophie, + Of Daniel the slepi dremes, + Of Neptune ek the water stremes, + Of Salomon and the proverbes, + Of Macer al the strengthe of herbes, + And the Phisique of Ypocras, + And lich unto Pictagoras 1410 + Of Surgerie he knew the cures. + Bot somwhat of his aventures, + Which schal to mi matiere acorde, + To thee, mi Sone, I wol recorde. + This king, of which thou hast herd sein, + Fro Troie as he goth hom ayein + Be Schipe, he fond the See divers, + With many a wyndi storm revers. + Bot he thurgh wisdom that he schapeth + Ful many a gret peril ascapeth, 1420 + Of whiche I thenke tellen on, + Hou that malgre the nedle and ston + Wynddrive he was al soudeinly + Upon the strondes of Cilly, + Wher that he moste abyde a whyle. + Tuo queenes weren in that yle + Calipsa named and Circes; + And whan they herde hou Uluxes + Is londed ther upon the ryve, + For him thei senden als so blive. 1430 + With him suche as he wolde he nam + And to the court to hem he cam. + Thes queenes were as tuo goddesses + Of Art magique Sorceresses, + That what lord comth to that rivage, + Thei make him love in such a rage + And upon hem assote so, + That thei wol have, er that he go, + Al that he hath of worldes good. + Uluxes wel this understod, 1440 + Thei couthe moche, he couthe more; + Thei schape and caste ayein him sore + And wroghte many a soutil wyle, + Bot yit thei mihte him noght beguile. + Bot of the men of his navie + Thei tuo forschope a gret partie, + Mai non of hem withstonde here hestes; + Som part thei schopen into bestes, + Som part thei schopen into foules, + To beres, tigres, Apes, oules, 1450 + Or elles be som other weie; + Ther myhte hem nothing desobeie, + Such craft thei hadde above kinde. + Bot that Art couthe thei noght finde, + Of which Uluxes was deceived, + That he ne hath hem alle weyved, + And broght hem into such a rote, + That upon him thei bothe assote; + And thurgh the science of his art + He tok of hem so wel his part, 1460 + That he begat Circes with childe. + He kepte him sobre and made hem wilde, + He sette himselve so above, + That with here good and with here love, + Who that therof be lief or loth, + Al quit into his Schip he goth. + Circes toswolle bothe sides + He lefte, and waiteth on the tydes, + And straght thurghout the salte fom + He takth his cours and comth him hom, 1470 + Where as he fond Penolope; + A betre wif ther mai non be, + And yit ther ben ynowhe of goode. + Bot who hir goodschipe understode + Fro ferst that sche wifhode tok, + Hou many loves sche forsok + And hou sche bar hire al aboute, + Ther whiles that hire lord was oute, + He mihte make a gret avant + Amonges al the remenant 1480 + That sche was on of al the beste. + Wel myhte he sette his herte in reste, + This king, whan he hir fond in hele; + For as he couthe in wisdom dele, + So couthe sche in wommanhiede: + And whan sche syh withoute drede + Hire lord upon his oghne ground, + That he was come sauf and sound, + In al this world ne mihte be + A gladdere womman than was sche. 1490 + The fame, which mai noght ben hidd, + Thurghout the lond is sone kidd, + Here king is come hom ayein: + Ther mai noman the fulle sein, + Hou that thei weren alle glade, + So mochel joie of him thei made. + The presens every day be newed, + He was with yiftes al besnewed; + The poeple was of him so glad, + That thogh non other man hem bad, 1500 + Taillage upon hemself thei sette, + And as it were of pure dette + Thei yeve here goodes to the king: + This was a glad hom welcomyng. + Thus hath Uluxes what he wolde, + His wif was such as sche be scholde, + His poeple was to him sougit, + Him lacketh nothing of delit. + Bot fortune is of such a sleyhte, + That whan a man is most on heyhte, 1510 + Sche makth him rathest forto falle: + Ther wot noman what schal befalle, + The happes over mannes hed + Ben honged with a tendre thred. + That proved was on Uluxes; + For whan he was most in his pes, + Fortune gan to make him werre + And sette his welthe al out of herre. + Upon a dai as he was merie, + As thogh ther mihte him nothing derie, 1520 + Whan nyht was come, he goth to bedde, + With slep and bothe his yhen fedde. + And while he slepte, he mette a swevene: + Him thoghte he syh a stature evene, + Which brihtere than the sonne schon; + A man it semeth was it non, + Bot yit it was as in figure + Most lich to mannyssh creature, + Bot as of beaute hevenelich + It was most to an Angel lich: 1530 + And thus betwen angel and man + Beholden it this king began, + And such a lust tok of the sihte, + That fain he wolde, if that he mihte, + The forme of that figure embrace; + And goth him forth toward the place, + Wher he sih that ymage tho, + And takth it in his Armes tuo, + And it embraceth him ayein + And to the king thus gan it sein: 1540 + "Uluxes, understond wel this, + The tokne of oure aqueintance is + Hierafterward to mochel tene: + The love that is ous betuene, + Of that we nou such joie make, + That on of ous the deth schal take, + Whan time comth of destine; + It may non other wise be." + Uluxes tho began to preie + That this figure wolde him seie 1550 + What wyht he is that seith him so. + This wyht upon a spere tho + A pensel which was wel begon, + Embrouded, scheweth him anon: + Thre fisshes alle of o colour + In manere as it were a tour + Upon the pensel were wroght. + Uluxes kneu this tokne noght, + And preith to wite in som partie + What thing it myhte signefie, 1560 + "A signe it is," the wyht ansuerde, + "Of an Empire:" and forth he ferde + Al sodeinly, whan he that seide. + Uluxes out of slep abreide, + And that was riht ayein the day, + That lengere slepen he ne may. + Men sein, a man hath knowleching + Save of himself of alle thing; + His oghne chance noman knoweth, + Bot as fortune it on him throweth: 1570 + Was nevere yit so wys a clerk, + Which mihte knowe al goddes werk, + Ne the secret which god hath set + Ayein a man mai noght be let. + Uluxes, thogh that he be wys, + With al his wit in his avis, + The mor that he his swevene acompteth, + The lasse he wot what it amonteth: + For al his calculacion, + He seth no demonstracion 1580 + Al pleinly forto knowe an ende; + Bot natheles hou so it wende, + He dradde him of his oghne Sone. + That makth him wel the more astone, + And schop therfore anon withal, + So that withinne castel wall + Thelamachum his Sone he schette, + And upon him strong warde he sette. + The sothe furthere he ne knew, + Til that fortune him overthreu; 1590 + Bot natheles for sikernesse, + Wher that he mihte wite and gesse + A place strengest in his lond, + Ther let he make of lym and sond + A strengthe where he wolde duelle; + Was nevere man yit herde telle + Of such an other as it was. + And forto strengthe him in that cas, + Of al his lond the sekereste + Of servantz and the worthieste, 1600 + To kepen him withinne warde, + He sette his bodi forto warde; + And made such an ordinance, + For love ne for aqueintance, + That were it erly, were it late, + Thei scholde lete in ate gate + No maner man, what so betydde, + Bot if so were himself it bidde. + Bot al that myhte him noght availe, + For whom fortune wole assaile, 1610 + Ther mai be non such resistence, + Which mihte make a man defence; + Al that schal be mot falle algate. + This Circes, which I spak of late, + On whom Uluxes hath begete + A child, thogh he it have foryete, + Whan time com, as it was wone, + Sche was delivered of a Sone, + Which cleped is Thelogonus. + This child, whan he was bore thus, 1620 + Aboute his moder to ful age, + That he can reson and langage, + In good astat was drawe forth: + And whan he was so mochel worth + To stonden in a mannes stede, + Circes his moder hath him bede + That he schal to his fader go, + And tolde him al togedre tho + What man he was that him begat. + And whan Thelogonus of that 1630 + Was war and hath ful knowleching + Hou that his fader was a king, + He preith his moder faire this, + To go wher that his fader is; + And sche him granteth that he schal, + And made him redi forth withal. + It was that time such usance, + That every man the conoiscance + Of his contre bar in his hond, + Whan he wente into strange lond; 1640 + And thus was every man therfore + Wel knowe, wher that he was bore: + For espiaile and mistrowinges + They dede thanne suche thinges, + That every man mai other knowe. + So it befell that ilke throwe + Thelogonus as in this cas; + Of his contre the signe was + Thre fisshes, whiche he scholde bere + Upon the penon of a spere: 1650 + And whan that he was thus arraied + And hath his harneis al assaied, + That he was redy everydel, + His moder bad him farewel, + And seide him that he scholde swithe + His fader griete a thousand sithe. + Thelogonus his moder kiste + And tok his leve, and wher he wiste + His fader was, the weie nam, + Til he unto Nachaie cam, 1660 + Which of that lond the chief Cite + Was cleped, and ther axeth he + Wher was the king and hou he ferde. + And whan that he the sothe herde, + Wher that the king Uluxes was, + Al one upon his hors gret pas + He rod him forth, and in his hond + He bar the signal of his lond + With fisshes thre, as I have told; + And thus he wente unto that hold, 1670 + Wher that his oghne fader duelleth. + The cause why he comth he telleth + Unto the kepers of the gate, + And wolde have comen in therate, + Bot schortli thei him seide nay: + And he als faire as evere he may + Besoghte and tolde hem ofte this, + Hou that the king his fader is; + Bot they with proude wordes grete + Begunne to manace and threte, 1680 + Bot he go fro the gate faste, + Thei wolde him take and sette faste. + Fro wordes unto strokes thus + Thei felle, and so Thelogonus + Was sore hurt and welnyh ded; + Bot with his scharpe speres hed + He makth defence, hou so it falle, + And wan the gate upon hem alle, + And hath slain of the beste fyve; + And thei ascriden als so blyve 1690 + Thurghout the castell al aboute. + On every syde men come oute, + Wherof the kinges herte afflihte, + And he with al the haste he mihte + A spere cauhte and out he goth, + As he that was nyh wod for wroth. + He sih the gates ful of blod, + Thelogonus and wher he stod + He sih also, bot he ne knew + What man it was, and to him threw 1700 + His Spere, and he sterte out asyde. + Bot destine, which schal betide, + Befell that ilke time so, + Thelogonus knew nothing tho + What man it was that to him caste, + And while his oghne spere laste, + With al the signe therupon + He caste unto the king anon, + And smot him with a dedly wounde. + Uluxes fell anon to grounde; 1710 + Tho every man, "The king! the king!" + Began to crie, and of this thing + Thelogonus, which sih the cas, + On knes he fell and seide, "Helas! + I have min oghne fader slain: + Nou wolde I deie wonder fain, + Nou sle me who that evere wile, + For certes it is right good skile." + He crith, he wepth, he seith therfore, + "Helas, that evere was I bore, 1720 + That this unhappi destine + So wofulli comth in be me!" + This king, which yit hath lif ynouh, + His herte ayein to him he drouh, + And to that vois an Ere he leide + And understod al that he seide, + And gan to speke, and seide on hih, + "Bring me this man." And whan he sih + Thelogonus, his thoght he sette + Upon the swevene which he mette, 1730 + And axeth that he myhte se + His spere, on which the fisshes thre + He sih upon a pensel wroght. + Tho wiste he wel it faileth noght, + And badd him that he telle scholde + Fro whenne he cam and what he wolde. + Thelogonus in sorghe and wo + So as he mihte tolde tho + Unto Uluxes al the cas, + Hou that Circes his moder was, 1740 + And so forth seide him everydel, + Hou that his moder gret him wel, + And in what wise sche him sente. + Tho wiste Uluxes what it mente, + And tok him in hise Armes softe, + And al bledende he kest him ofte, + And seide, "Sone, whil I live, + This infortune I thee foryive." + After his other Sone in haste + He sende, and he began him haste 1750 + And cam unto his fader tyt. + Bot whan he sih him in such plit, + He wolde have ronne upon that other + Anon, and slain his oghne brother, + Ne hadde be that Uluxes + Betwen hem made acord and pes, + And to his heir Thelamachus + He bad that he Thelogonus + With al his pouer scholde kepe, + Til he were of his woundes depe 1760 + Al hol, and thanne he scholde him yive + Lond wher upon he mihte live. + Thelamachus, whan he this herde, + Unto his fader he ansuerde + And seide he wolde don his wille. + So duelle thei togedre stille, + These brethren, and the fader sterveth. + Lo, wherof Sorcerie serveth. + Thurgh Sorcerie his lust he wan, + Thurgh Sorcerie his wo began, 1770 + Thurgh Sorcerie his love he ches, + Thurgh Sorcerie his lif he les; + The child was gete in Sorcerie, + The which dede al this felonie: + Thing which was ayein kynde wroght + Unkindeliche it was aboght; + The child his oghne fader slowh, + That was unkindeschipe ynowh. + Forthi tak hiede hou that it is, + So forto winne love amis, 1780 + Which endeth al his joie in wo: + For of this Art I finde also, + That hath be do for loves sake, + Wherof thou miht ensample take, + A gret Cronique imperial, + Which evere into memorial + Among the men, hou so it wende, + Schal duelle to the worldes ende. + The hihe creatour of thinges, + Which is the king of alle kinges, 1790 + Ful many a wonder worldes chance + Let slyden under his suffrance; + Ther wot noman the cause why, + Bot he the which is almyhty. + And that was proved whilom thus, + Whan that the king Nectanabus, + Which hadde Egipte forto lede,- + Bot for he sih tofor the dede + Thurgh magique of his Sorcerie, + Wherof he couthe a gret partie, 1800 + Hise enemys to him comende, + Fro whom he mihte him noght defende, + Out of his oghne lond he fledde; + And in the wise as he him dredde + It fell, for al his wicchecraft, + So that Egipte him was beraft, + And he desguised fledde aweie + Be schipe, and hield the rihte weie + To Macedoine, wher that he + Aryveth ate chief Cite. 1810 + Thre yomen of his chambre there + Al only forto serve him were, + The whiche he trusteth wonder wel, + For thei were trewe as eny stiel; + And hapneth that thei with him ladde + Part of the beste good he hadde. + Thei take logginge in the toun + After the disposicion + Wher as him thoghte best to duelle: + He axeth thanne and herde telle 1820 + Hou that the king was oute go. + Upon a werre he hadde tho; + But in that Cite thanne was + The queene, which Olimpias + Was hote, and with sollempnete + The feste of hir nativite, + As it befell, was thanne holde; + And for hire list to be beholde + And preised of the poeple aboute, + Sche schop hir forto riden oute 1830 + At after mete al openly. + Anon were alle men redy, + And that was in the monthe of Maii, + This lusti queene in good arrai + Was set upon a Mule whyt: + To sen it was a gret delit + The joie that the cite made; + With freisshe thinges and with glade + The noble toun was al behonged, + And every wiht was sore alonged 1840 + To se this lusti ladi ryde. + Ther was gret merthe on alle syde; + Wher as sche passeth be the strete, + Ther was ful many a tymber bete + And many a maide carolende: + And thus thurghout the toun pleiende + This queene unto a pleine rod, + Wher that sche hoved and abod + To se diverse game pleie, + The lusti folk jouste and tourneie; 1850 + And so forth every other man, + Which pleie couthe, his pley began, + To plese with this noble queene. + Nectanabus cam to the grene + Amonges othre and drouh him nyh. + Bot whan that he this ladi sih + And of hir beaute hiede tok, + He couthe noght withdrawe his lok + To se noght elles in the field, + Bot stod and only hire behield. 1860 + Of his clothinge and of his gere + He was unlich alle othre there, + So that it hapneth ate laste, + The queene on him hire yhe caste, + And knew that he was strange anon: + Bot he behield hire evere in on + Withoute blenchinge of his chere. + Sche tok good hiede of his manere, + And wondreth why he dede so, + And bad men scholde for him go. 1870 + He cam and dede hire reverence, + And sche him axeth in cilence + For whenne he cam and what he wolde. + And he with sobre wordes tolde, + And seith, "Ma dame, a clerk I am, + To you and in message I cam, + The which I mai noght tellen hiere; + Bot if it liketh you to hiere, + It mot be seid al prively, + Wher non schal be bot ye and I." 1880 + Thus for the time he tok his leve. + The dai goth forth til it was eve, + That every man mot lete his werk; + And sche thoghte evere upon this clerk, + What thing it is he wolde mene: + And in this wise abod the queene, + And passeth over thilke nyht, + Til it was on the morwe liht. + Sche sende for him, and he com, + With him his Astellabre he nom, 1890 + Which was of fin gold precious + With pointz and cercles merveilous; + And ek the hevenely figures + Wroght in a bok ful of peintures + He tok this ladi forto schewe, + And tolde of ech of hem be rewe + The cours and the condicion. + And sche with gret affeccion + Sat stille and herde what he wolde: + And thus whan he sih time, he tolde, 1900 + And feigneth with hise wordes wise + A tale, and seith in such a wise: + "Ma dame, bot a while ago, + Wher I was in Egipte tho, + And radde in scole of this science, + It fell into mi conscience + That I unto the temple wente, + And ther with al myn hole entente + As I mi sacrifice dede, + On of the goddes hath me bede 1910 + That I you warne prively, + So that ye make you redy, + And that ye be nothing agast; + For he such love hath to you cast, + That ye schul ben his oghne diere, + And he schal be your beddefiere, + Til ye conceive and be with childe." + And with that word sche wax al mylde, + And somdel red becam for schame, + And axeth him that goddes name, 1920 + Which so wol don hire compainie. + And he seide, "Amos of Lubie." + And sche seith, "That mai I noght lieve, + Bot if I sihe a betre prieve." + "Ma dame," quod Nectanabus, + "In tokne that it schal be thus, + This nyht for enformacion + Ye schul have an avision: + That Amos schal to you appiere, + To schewe and teche in what manere 1930 + The thing schal afterward befalle. + Ye oghten wel above alle + To make joie of such a lord; + For whan ye ben of on acord, + He schal a Sone of you begete, + Which with his swerd schal winne and gete + The wyde world in lengthe and brede; + Alle erthli kinges schull him drede, + And in such wise, I you behote, + The god of erthe he schal be hote." 1940 + "If this be soth," tho quod the queene, + "This nyht, thou seist, it schal be sene. + And if it falle into mi grace, + Of god Amos, that I pourchace + To take of him so gret worschipe, + I wol do thee such ladischipe, + Wherof thou schalt for everemo + Be riche." And he hir thonketh tho, + And tok his leve and forth he wente. + Sche wiste litel what he mente, 1950 + For it was guile and Sorcerie, + Al that sche tok for Prophecie. + Nectanabus thurghout the day, + Whan he cam hom wher as he lay, + His chambre be himselve tok, + And overtorneth many a bok, + And thurgh the craft of Artemage + Of wex he forgeth an ymage. + He loketh his equacions + And ek the constellacions, 1960 + He loketh the conjunccions, + He loketh the recepcions, + His signe, his houre, his ascendent, + And drawth fortune of his assent: + The name of queene Olimpias + In thilke ymage write was + Amiddes in the front above. + And thus to winne his lust of love + Nectanabus this werk hath diht; + And whan it cam withinne nyht, 1970 + That every wyht is falle aslepe, + He thoghte he wolde his time kepe, + As he which hath his houre apointed. + And thanne ferst he hath enoignted + With sondri herbes that figure, + And therupon he gan conjure, + So that thurgh his enchantement + This ladi, which was innocent + And wiste nothing of this guile, + Mette, as sche slepte thilke while, 1980 + Hou fro the hevene cam a lyht, + Which al hir chambre made lyht; + And as sche loketh to and fro, + Sche sih, hir thoghte, a dragoun tho, + Whos scherdes schynen as the Sonne, + And hath his softe pas begonne + With al the chiere that he may + Toward the bedd ther as sche lay, + Til he cam to the beddes side. + And sche lai stille and nothing cride, 1990 + For he dede alle his thinges faire + And was courteis and debonaire: + And as he stod hire fasteby, + His forme he changeth sodeinly, + And the figure of man he nom, + To hire and into bedde he com, + And such thing there of love he wroghte, + Wherof, so as hire thanne thoghte, + Thurgh likinge of this god Amos + With childe anon hire wombe aros, 2000 + And sche was wonder glad withal. + Nectanabus, which causeth al + Of this metrede the substance, + Whan he sih time, his nigromance + He stinte and nothing more seide + Of his carecte, and sche abreide + Out of hir slep, and lieveth wel + That it is soth thanne everydel + Of that this clerk hire hadde told, + And was the gladdere manyfold 2010 + In hope of such a glad metrede, + Which after schal befalle in dede. + Sche longeth sore after the dai, + That sche hir swevene telle mai + To this guilour in privete, + Which kneu it als so wel as sche: + And natheles on morwe sone + Sche lefte alle other thing to done, + And for him sende, and al the cas + Sche tolde him pleinly as it was, 2020 + And seide hou thanne wel sche wiste + That sche his wordes mihte triste, + For sche fond hire Avisioun + Riht after the condicion + Which he hire hadde told tofore; + And preide him hertely therfore + That he hire holde covenant + So forth of al the remenant, + That sche may thurgh his ordinance + Toward the god do such plesance, 2030 + That sche wakende myhte him kepe + In such wise as sche mette aslepe. + And he, that couthe of guile ynouh, + Whan he this herde, of joie he louh, + And seith, "Ma dame, it schal be do. + Bot this I warne you therto: + This nyht, whan that he comth to pleie, + That ther be no lif in the weie + Bot I, that schal at his likinge + Ordeine so for his cominge, 2040 + That ye ne schull noght of him faile. + For this, ma dame, I you consaile, + That ye it kepe so prive, + That no wiht elles bot we thre + Have knowlechinge hou that it is; + For elles mihte it fare amis, + If ye dede oght that scholde him grieve." + And thus he makth hire to believe, + And feigneth under guile feith: + Bot natheles al that he seith 2050 + Sche troweth; and ayein the nyht + Sche hath withinne hire chambre dyht, + Wher as this guilour faste by + Upon this god schal prively + Awaite, as he makth hire to wene: + And thus this noble gentil queene, + Whan sche most trusteth, was deceived. + The nyht com, and the chambre is weyved, + Nectanabus hath take his place, + And whan he sih the time and space, 2060 + Thurgh the deceipte of his magique + He putte him out of mannes like, + And of a dragoun tok the forme, + As he which wolde him al conforme + To that sche sih in swevene er this; + And thus to chambre come he is. + The queene lay abedde and sih, + And hopeth evere, as he com nyh, + That he god of Lubye were, + So hath sche wel the lasse fere. 2070 + Bot for he wolde hire more assure, + Yit eft he changeth his figure, + And of a wether the liknesse + He tok, in signe of his noblesse + With large hornes for the nones: + Of fin gold and of riche stones + A corone on his hed he bar, + And soudeinly, er sche was war, + As he which alle guile can, + His forme he torneth into man, 2080 + And cam to bedde, and sche lai stille, + Wher as sche soffreth al his wille, + As sche which wende noght misdo. + Bot natheles it hapneth so, + Althogh sche were in part deceived, + Yit for al that sche hath conceived + The worthieste of alle kiththe, + Which evere was tofore or siththe + Of conqueste and chivalerie; + So that thurgh guile and Sorcerie 2090 + Ther was that noble knyht begunne, + Which al the world hath after wunne. + Thus fell the thing which falle scholde, + Nectanabus hath that he wolde; + With guile he hath his love sped, + With guile he cam into the bed, + With guile he goth him out ayein: + He was a schrewed chamberlein, + So to beguile a worthi queene, + And that on him was after seene. 2100 + Bot natheles the thing is do; + This false god was sone go, + With his deceipte and hield him clos, + Til morwe cam, that he aros. + And tho, whan time and leisir was, + The queene tolde him al the cas, + As sche that guile non supposeth; + And of tuo pointz sche him opposeth. + On was, if that this god nomore + Wol come ayein, and overmore, 2110 + Hou sche schal stonden in acord + With king Philippe hire oghne lord, + Whan he comth hom and seth hire grone. + "Ma dame," he seith, "let me alone: + As for the god I undertake + That whan it liketh you to take + His compaignie at eny throwe, + If I a day tofore it knowe, + He schal be with you on the nyht; + And he is wel of such a myht 2120 + To kepe you from alle blame. + Forthi conforte you, ma dame, + Ther schal non other cause be." + Thus tok he leve and forth goth he, + And tho began he forto muse + Hou he the queene mihte excuse + Toward the king of that is falle; + And fond a craft amonges alle, + Thurgh which he hath a See foul daunted, + With his magique and so enchaunted, 2130 + That he flyh forth, whan it was nyht, + Unto the kinges tente riht, + Wher that he lay amidde his host: + And whanne he was aslepe most, + With that the See foul to him broghte + And othre charmes, whiche he wroghte + At hom withinne his chambre stille, + The king he torneth at his wille, + And makth him forto dreme and se + The dragoun and the privete 2140 + Which was betuen him and the queene. + And over that he made him wene + In swevene, hou that the god Amos, + Whan he up fro the queene aros, + Tok forth a ring, wherinne a ston + Was set, and grave therupon + A Sonne, in which, whan he cam nyh, + A leoun with a swerd he sih; + And with that priente, as he tho mette, + Upon the queenes wombe he sette 2150 + A Seal, and goth him forth his weie. + With that the swevene wente aweie, + And tho began the king awake + And sigheth for his wyves sake, + Wher as he lay withinne his tente, + And hath gret wonder what it mente. + With that he hasteth him to ryse + Anon, and sende after the wise, + Among the whiche ther was on, + A clerc, his name is Amphion: 2160 + Whan he the kinges swevene herde, + What it betokneth he ansuerde, + And seith, "So siker as the lif, + A god hath leie be thi wif, + And gete a Sone, which schal winne + The world and al that is withinne. + As leon is the king of bestes, + So schal the world obeie his hestes, + Which with his swerd schal al be wonne, + Als ferr as schyneth eny Sonne." 2170 + The king was doubtif of this dom; + Bot natheles, whan that he com + Ayein into his oghne lond, + His wif with childe gret he fond. + He mihte noght himselve stiere, + That he ne made hire hevy chiere; + Bot he which couthe of alle sorwe, + Nectanabus, upon the morwe + Thurgh the deceipte and nigromance + Tok of a dragoun the semblance, 2180 + And wher the king sat in his halle, + Com in rampende among hem alle + With such a noise and such a rore, + That thei agast were also sore + As thogh thei scholde deie anon. + And natheles he grieveth non, + Bot goth toward the deyss on hih; + And whan he cam the queene nyh, + He stinte his noise, and in his wise + To hire he profreth his servise, 2190 + And leith his hed upon hire barm; + And sche with goodly chiere hire arm + Aboute his necke ayeinward leide, + And thus the queene with him pleide + In sihte of alle men aboute. + And ate laste he gan to loute + And obeissance unto hire make, + As he that wolde his leve take; + And sodeinly his lothly forme + Into an Egle he gan transforme, 2200 + And flyh and sette him on a raile; + Wherof the king hath gret mervaile, + For there he pruneth him and piketh, + As doth an hauk whan him wel liketh, + And after that himself he schok, + Wherof that al the halle quok, + As it a terremote were; + Thei seiden alle, god was there: + In such a res and forth he flyh. + The king, which al this wonder syh, 2210 + Whan he cam to his chambre alone, + Unto the queene he made his mone + And of foryivenesse hir preide; + For thanne he knew wel, as he seide, + Sche was with childe with a godd. + Thus was the king withoute rodd + Chastised, and the queene excused + Of that sche hadde ben accused. + And for the gretere evidence, + Yit after that in the presence 2220 + Of king Philipp and othre mo, + Whan thei ride in the fieldes tho, + A Phesant cam before here yhe, + The which anon as thei hire syhe, + Fleende let an ey doun falle, + And it tobrak tofore hem alle: + And as thei token therof kepe, + Thei syhe out of the schelle crepe + A litel Serpent on the ground, + Which rampeth al aboute round, 2230 + And in ayein it wolde have wonne, + Bot for the brennynge of the Sonne + It mihte noght, and so it deide. + And therupon the clerkes seide, + "As the Serpent, whan it was oute, + Went enviroun the schelle aboute + And mihte noght torne in ayein, + So schal it fallen in certein: + This child the world schal environe, + And above alle the corone 2240 + Him schal befalle, and in yong Age + He schal desire in his corage, + Whan al the world is in his hond, + To torn ayein into the lond + Wher he was bore, and in his weie + Homward he schal with puison deie." + The king, which al this sih and herde, + Fro that dai forth, hou so it ferde, + His jalousie hath al foryete. + Bot he which hath the child begete, 2250 + Nectanabus, in privete + The time of his nativite + Upon the constellacioun + Awaiteth, and relacion + Makth to the queene hou sche schal do, + And every houre apointeth so, + That no mynut therof was lore. + So that in due time is bore + This child, and forth with therupon + Ther felle wondres many on 2260 + Of terremote universiel: + The Sonne tok colour of stiel + And loste his lyht, the wyndes blewe, + And manye strengthes overthrewe; + The See his propre kinde changeth, + And al the world his forme strangeth; + The thonder with his fyri levene + So cruel was upon the hevene, + That every erthli creature + Tho thoghte his lif in aventure. 2270 + The tempeste ate laste cesseth, + The child is kept, his age encresseth, + And Alisandre his name is hote, + To whom Calistre and Aristote + To techen him Philosophie + Entenden, and Astronomie, + With othre thinges whiche he couthe + Also, to teche him in his youthe + Nectanabus tok upon honde. + Bot every man mai understonde, 2280 + Of Sorcerie hou that it wende, + It wole himselve prove at ende, + And namely forto beguile + A lady, which withoute guile + Supposeth trouthe al that sche hiereth: + Bot often he that evele stiereth + His Schip is dreynt therinne amidde; + And in this cas riht so betidde. + Nectanabus upon a nyht, + Whan it was fair and sterre lyht, 2290 + This yonge lord ladde up on hih + Above a tour, wher as he sih + Thee sterres such as he acompteth, + And seith what ech of hem amonteth, + As thogh he knewe of alle thing; + Bot yit hath he no knowleching + What schal unto himself befalle. + Whan he hath told his wordes alle, + This yonge lord thanne him opposeth, + And axeth if that he supposeth 2300 + What deth he schal himselve deie. + He seith, "Or fortune is aweie + And every sterre hath lost his wone, + Or elles of myn oghne Sone + I schal be slain, I mai noght fle." + Thoghte Alisandre in privete, + "Hierof this olde dotard lieth": + And er that other oght aspieth, + Al sodeinliche his olde bones + He schof over the wal at ones, 2310 + And seith him, "Ly doun there apart: + Wherof nou serveth al thin art? + Thou knewe alle othre mennes chance + And of thiself hast ignorance: + That thou hast seid amonges alle + Of thi persone, is noght befalle." + Nectanabus, which hath his deth, + Yit while him lasteth lif and breth, + To Alisandre he spak and seide + That he with wrong blame on him leide 2320 + Fro point to point and al the cas + He tolde, hou he his Sone was. + Tho he, which sory was ynowh, + Out of the dich his fader drouh, + And tolde his moder hou it ferde + In conseil; and whan sche it herde + And kneu the toknes whiche he tolde, + Sche nyste what sche seie scholde, + Bot stod abayssht as for the while + Of his magique and al the guile. 2330 + Sche thoghte hou that sche was deceived, + That sche hath of a man conceived, + And wende a god it hadde be. + Bot natheles in such degre, + So as sche mihte hire honour save, + Sche schop the body was begrave. + And thus Nectanabus aboghte + The Sorcerie which he wroghte: + Thogh he upon the creatures + Thurgh his carectes and figures 2340 + The maistrie and the pouer hadde, + His creatour to noght him ladde, + Ayein whos lawe his craft he useth, + Whan he for lust his god refuseth, + And tok him to the dieules craft. + Lo, what profit him is belaft: + That thing thurgh which he wende have stonde, + Ferst him exilede out of londe + Which was his oghne, and from a king + Made him to ben an underling; 2350 + And siththen to deceive a queene, + That torneth him to mochel teene; + Thurgh lust of love he gat him hate, + That ende couthe he noght abate. + His olde sleyhtes whiche he caste, + Yonge Alisaundre hem overcaste, + His fader, which him misbegat, + He slouh, a gret mishap was that; + Bot for o mis an other mys + Was yolde, and so fulofte it is; 2360 + Nectanabus his craft miswente, + So it misfell him er he wente. + I not what helpeth that clergie + Which makth a man to do folie, + And nameliche of nigromance, + Which stant upon the mescreance. + And forto se more evidence, + Zorastes, which thexperience + Of Art magique ferst forth drouh, + Anon as he was bore, he louh, 2370 + Which tokne was of wo suinge: + For of his oghne controvinge + He fond magique and tauhte it forth; + Bot al that was him litel worth, + For of Surrie a worthi king + Him slou, and that was his endyng. + Bot yit thurgh him this craft is used, + And he thurgh al the world accused, + For it schal nevere wel achieve + That stant noght riht with the believe: 2380 + Bot lich to wolle is evele sponne, + Who lest himself hath litel wonne, + An ende proveth every thing. + Sal, which was of Juys king, + Up peine of deth forbad this art, + And yit he tok therof his part. + The Phitonesse in Samarie + Yaf him conseil be Sorcerie, + Which after fell to mochel sorwe, + For he was slain upon the morwe. 2390 + To conne moche thing it helpeth, + Bot of to mochel noman yelpeth: + So forto loke on every side, + Magique mai noght wel betyde. + Forthi, my Sone, I wolde rede + That thou of these ensamples drede, + That for no lust of erthli love + Thou seche so to come above, + Wherof as in the worldes wonder + Thou schalt for evere be put under. 2400 + Mi goode fader, grant mercy, + For evere I schal be war therby: + Of love what me so befalle, + Such Sorcerie aboven alle + Fro this dai forth I schal eschuie, + That so ne wol I noght poursuie + Mi lust of love forto seche. + Bot this I wolde you beseche, + Beside that me stant of love, + As I you herde speke above 2410 + Hou Alisandre was betawht + To Aristotle, and so wel tawht + Of al that to a king belongeth, + Wherof min herte sore longeth + To wite what it wolde mene. + For be reson I wolde wene + That if I herde of thinges strange, + Yit for a time it scholde change + Mi peine, and lisse me somdiel. + Mi goode Sone, thou seist wel. 2420 + For wisdom, hou that evere it stonde, + To him that can it understonde + Doth gret profit in sondri wise; + Bot touchende of so hih aprise, + Which is noght unto Venus knowe, + I mai it noght miselve knowe, + Which of hir court am al forthdrawe + And can nothing bot of hir lawe. + Bot natheles to knowe more + Als wel as thou me longeth sore; 2430 + And for it helpeth to comune, + Al ben thei noght to me comune, + The scoles of Philosophie, + Yit thenke I forto specefie, + In boke as it is comprehended, + Wherof thou mihtest ben amended. + For thogh I be noght al cunnynge + Upon the forme of this wrytynge, + Som part therof yit have I herd, + In this matiere hou it hath ferd. 2440 + + + Explicit Liber Sextus + + + + +Incipit Liber Septimus. + + + Omnibus in causis sapiens doctrina salutem + Consequitur, nec habet quis nisi doctus opem. + Naturam superat doctrina, viro quod et ortus + Ingenii docilis non dedit, ipsa dabit. + Non ita discretus hominum per climata regnat, + Quin magis ut sapiat, indiget ipse schole. + + + I Genius the prest of love, + Mi Sone, as thou hast preid above + That I the Scole schal declare + Of Aristotle and ek the fare + Of Alisandre, hou he was tauht, + I am somdel therof destrauht; + For it is noght to the matiere + Of love, why we sitten hiere + To schryve, so as Venus bad. + Bot natheles, for it is glad, 10 + So as thou seist, for thin aprise + To hiere of suche thinges wise, + Wherof thou myht the time lisse, + So as I can, I schal the wisse: + For wisdom is at every throwe + Above alle other thing to knowe + In loves cause and elleswhere. + Forthi, my Sone, unto thin Ere, + Though it be noght in the registre + Of Venus, yit of that Calistre 20 + And Aristotle whylom write + To Alisandre, thou schalt wite. + Bot for the lores ben diverse, + I thenke ferst to the reherce + The nature of Philosophie, + Which Aristotle of his clergie, + Wys and expert in the sciences, + Declareth thilke intelligences, + As of thre pointz in principal. + Wherof the ferste in special 30 + Is Theorique, which is grounded + On him which al the world hath founded, + Which comprehendeth al the lore. + And forto loken overmore, + Next of sciences the seconde + Is Rethorique, whos faconde + Above alle othre is eloquent: + To telle a tale in juggement + So wel can noman speke as he. + The laste science of the thre 40 + It is Practique, whos office + The vertu tryeth fro the vice, + And techeth upon goode thewes + To fle the compaignie of schrewes, + Which stant in disposicion + Of mannes free eleccion. + Practique enformeth ek the reule, + Hou that a worthi king schal reule + His Realme bothe in werre and pes. + Lo, thus danz Aristotiles 50 + These thre sciences hath divided + And the nature also decided, + Wherof that ech of hem schal serve. + The ferste, which is the conserve + And kepere of the remnant, + As that which is most sufficant + And chief of the Philosophie, + If I therof schal specefie + So as the Philosophre tolde, + Nou herkne, and kep that thou it holde. 60 + Of Theorique principal + The Philosophre in special + The propretees hath determined, + As thilke which is enlumined + Of wisdom and of hih prudence + Above alle othre in his science: + And stant departed upon thre, + The ferste of which in his degre + Is cleped in Philosophie + The science of Theologie, 70 + That other named is Phisique, + The thridde is seid Mathematique. + Theologie is that science + Which unto man yifth evidence + Of thing which is noght bodely, + Wherof men knowe redely + The hihe almyhti Trinite, + Which is o god in unite + Withouten ende and beginnynge + And creatour of alle thinge, 80 + Of hevene, of erthe and ek of helle. + Wherof, as olde bokes telle, + The Philosophre in his resoun + Wrot upon this conclusioun, + And of his wrytinge in a clause + He clepeth god the ferste cause, + Which of himself is thilke good, + Withoute whom nothing is good, + Of which that every creature + Hath his beinge and his nature. 90 + After the beinge of the thinges + Ther ben thre formes of beinges: + Thing which began and ende schal, + That thing is cleped temporal; + Ther is also be other weie + Thing which began and schal noght deie. + As Soules, that ben spiritiel, + Here beinge is perpetuel: + Bot ther is on above the Sonne, + Whos time nevere was begonne, 100 + And endeles schal evere be; + That is the god, whos mageste + Alle othre thinges schal governe, + And his beinge is sempiterne. + The god, to whom that al honour + Belongeth, he is creatour, + And othre ben hise creatures: + The god commandeth the natures + That thei to him obeien alle; + Withouten him, what so befalle, 110 + Her myht is non, and he mai al: + The god was evere and evere schal, + And thei begonne of his assent; + The times alle be present + To god, to hem and alle unknowe, + Bot what him liketh that thei knowe: + Thus bothe an angel and a man, + The whiche of al that god began + Be chief, obeien goddes myht, + And he stant endeles upriht. 120 + To this science ben prive + The clerkes of divinite, + The whiche unto the poeple prechen + The feith of holi cherche and techen, + Which in som cas upon believe + Stant more than thei conne prieve + Be weie of Argument sensible: + Bot natheles it is credible, + And doth a man gret meede have, + To him that thenkth himself to save. 130 + Theologie in such a wise + Of hih science and hih aprise + Above alle othre stant unlike, + And is the ferste of Theorique. + Phisique is after the secounde, + Thurgh which the Philosophre hath founde + To techen sondri knowlechinges + Upon the bodiliche thinges. + Of man, of beste, of herbe, of ston, + Of fissch, of foughl, of everychon 140 + That ben of bodely substance, + The nature and the circumstance + Thurgh this science it is ful soght, + Which vaileth and which vaileth noght. + The thridde point of Theorique, + Which cleped is Mathematique, + Devided is in sondri wise + And stant upon diverse aprise. + The ferste of whiche is Arsmetique, + And the secounde is seid Musique, 150 + The thridde is ek Geometrie, + Also the ferthe Astronomie. + Of Arsmetique the matiere + Is that of which a man mai liere + What Algorisme in nombre amonteth, + Whan that the wise man acompteth + After the formel proprete + Of Algorismes Abece: + Be which multiplicacioun + Is mad and diminucioun 160 + Of sommes be thexperience + Of this Art and of this science. + The seconde of Mathematique, + Which is the science of Musique, + That techeth upon Armonie + A man to make melodie + Be vois and soun of instrument + Thurgh notes of acordement, + The whiche men pronounce alofte, + Nou scharpe notes and nou softe, 170 + Nou hihe notes and nou lowe, + As be the gamme a man mai knowe, + Which techeth the prolacion + Of note and the condicion. + Mathematique of his science + Hath yit the thridde intelligence + Full of wisdom and of clergie + And cleped is Geometrie, + Thurgh which a man hath thilke sleyhte, + Of lengthe, of brede, of depthe, of heyhte 180 + To knowe the proporcion + Be verrai calculacion + Of this science: and in this wise + These olde Philosophres wise, + Of al this worldes erthe round, + Hou large, hou thikke was the ground, + Controeveden thexperience; + The cercle and the circumference + Of every thing unto the hevene + Thei setten point and mesure evene. 190 + Mathematique above therthe + Of hyh science hath yit the ferthe, + Which spekth upon Astronomie + And techeth of the sterres hihe, + Beginnynge upward fro the mone. + Bot ferst, as it was forto done, + This Aristotle in other thing + Unto this worthi yonge king + The kinde of every element + Which stant under the firmament, 200 + Hou it is mad and in what wise, + Fro point to point he gan devise. + Tofore the creacion + Of eny worldes stacion, + Of hevene, of erthe, or eke of helle, + So as these olde bokes telle, + As soun tofore the song is set + And yit thei ben togedre knet, + Riht so the hihe pourveance + Tho hadde under his ordinance 210 + A gret substance, a gret matiere, + Of which he wolde in his manere + These othre thinges make and forme. + For yit withouten eny forme + Was that matiere universal, + Which hihte Ylem in special. + Of Ylem, as I am enformed, + These elementz ben mad and formed, + Of Ylem elementz they hote + After the Scole of Aristote, 220 + Of whiche if more I schal reherce, + Foure elementz ther ben diverse. + The ferste of hem men erthe calle, + Which is the lowest of hem alle, + And in his forme is schape round, + Substancial, strong, sadd and sound, + As that which mad is sufficant + To bere up al the remenant. + For as the point in a compas + Stant evene amiddes, riht so was 230 + This erthe set and schal abyde, + That it may swerve to no side, + And hath his centre after the lawe + Of kinde, and to that centre drawe + Desireth every worldes thing, + If ther ne were no lettyng. + Above therthe kepth his bounde + The water, which is the secounde + Of elementz, and al withoute + It environeth therthe aboute. 240 + Bot as it scheweth, noght forthi + This soubtil water myhtely, + Thogh it be of himselve softe, + The strengthe of therthe perceth ofte; + For riht as veines ben of blod + In man, riht so the water flod + Therthe of his cours makth ful of veines, + Als wel the helles as the pleines. + And that a man may sen at ije, + For wher the hulles ben most hyhe, 250 + Ther mai men welle stremes finde: + So proveth it be weie of kinde + The water heyher than the lond. + And over this nou understond, + Air is the thridde of elementz, + Of whos kinde his aspirementz + Takth every lifissh creature, + The which schal upon erthe endure: + For as the fissh, if it be dreie, + Mot in defaute of water deie, 260 + Riht so withouten Air on lyve + No man ne beste myhte thryve, + The which is mad of fleissh and bon; + There is outake of alle non. + This Air in Periferies thre + Divided is of such degre, + Benethe is on and on amidde, + To whiche above is set the thridde: + And upon the divisions + There ben diverse impressions 270 + Of moist and ek of drye also, + Whiche of the Sonne bothe tuo + Ben drawe and haled upon hy, + And maken cloudes in the Sky, + As schewed is at mannes sihte; + Wherof be day and ek be nyhte + After the times of the yer + Among ous upon Erthe her + In sondri wise thinges falle. + The ferste Periferie of alle 280 + Engendreth Myst and overmore + The dewes and the Frostes hore, + After thilke intersticion + In which thei take impression. + Fro the seconde, as bokes sein, + The moiste dropes of the reyn + Descenden into Middilerthe, + And tempreth it to sed and Erthe, + And doth to springe grass and flour. + And ofte also the grete schour 290 + Out of such place it mai be take, + That it the forme schal forsake + Of reyn, and into snow be torned; + And ek it mai be so sojorned + In sondri places up alofte, + That into hail it torneth ofte. + The thridde of thair after the lawe + Thurgh such matiere as up is drawe + Of dreie thing, as it is ofte, + Among the cloudes upon lofte, 300 + And is so clos, it may noght oute,- + Thanne is it chased sore aboute, + Til it to fyr and leyt be falle, + And thanne it brekth the cloudes alle, + The whiche of so gret noyse craken, + That thei the feerful thonder maken. + The thonderstrok smit er it leyte, + And yit men sen the fyr and leyte, + The thonderstrok er that men hiere: + So mai it wel be proeved hiere 310 + In thing which schewed is fro feer, + A mannes yhe is there nerr + Thanne is the soun to mannes Ere. + And natheles it is gret feere + Bothe of the strok and of the fyr, + Of which is no recoverir + In place wher that thei descende, + Bot if god wolde his grace sende. + And forto speken over this, + In this partie of thair it is 320 + That men fulofte sen be nyhte + The fyr in sondri forme alyhte. + Somtime the fyrdrake it semeth, + And so the lewed poeple it demeth; + Somtime it semeth as it were + A Sterre, which that glydeth there: + Bot it is nouther of the tuo, + The Philosophre telleth so, + And seith that of impressions + Thurgh diverse exalacions 330 + Upon the cause and the matiere + Men sen diverse forme appiere + Of fyr, the which hath sondri name. + Assub, he seith, is thilke same, + The which in sondry place is founde, + Whanne it is falle doun to grounde, + So as the fyr it hath aneled, + Lich unto slym which is congeled. + Of exalacion I finde + Fyr kinled of the fame kinde, 340 + Bot it is of an other forme; + Wherof, if that I schal conforme + The figure unto that it is, + These olde clerkes tellen this, + That it is lik a Got skippende, + And for that it is such semende, + It hatte Capra saliens. + And ek these Astronomiens + An other fyr also, be nyhte + Which scheweth him to mannes syhte, 350 + Thei clepen Eges, the which brenneth + Lik to the corrant fyr that renneth + Upon a corde, as thou hast sein, + Whan it with poudre is so besein + Of Sulphre and othre thinges mo. + Ther is an other fyr also, + Which semeth to a mannes yhe + Be nyhtes time as thogh ther flyhe + A dragon brennende in the Sky, + And that is cleped proprely 360 + Daaly, wherof men sein fulofte, + "Lo, wher the fyri drake alofte + Fleth up in thair!" and so thei demen. + Bot why the fyres suche semen + Of sondri formes to beholde, + The wise Philosophre tolde, + So as tofore it hath ben herd. + Lo thus, my Sone, hou it hath ferd: + Of Air the due proprete + In sondri wise thou myht se, 370 + And hou under the firmament + It is ek the thridde element, + Which environeth bothe tuo, + The water and the lond also. + And forto tellen overthis + Of elementz which the ferthe is, + That is the fyr in his degre, + Which environeth thother thre + And is withoute moist al drye. + Bot lest nou what seith the clergie; 380 + For upon hem that I have seid + The creatour hath set and leid + The kinde and the complexion + Of alle mennes nacion. + Foure elementz sondri ther be, + Lich unto whiche of that degre + Among the men ther ben also + Complexions foure and nomo, + Wherof the Philosophre treteth, + That he nothing behinde leteth, 390 + And seith hou that thei ben diverse, + So as I schal to thee reherse. + He which natureth every kinde, + The myhti god, so as I finde, + Of man, which is his creature, + Hath so devided the nature, + That non til other wel acordeth: + And be the cause it so discordeth, + The lif which fieleth the seknesse + Mai stonde upon no sekernesse. 400 + Of therthe, which is cold and drye, + The kinde of man Malencolie + Is cleped, and that is the ferste, + The most ungoodlich and the werste; + For unto loves werk on nyht + Him lacketh bothe will and myht: + No wonder is, in lusty place + Of love though he lese grace. + What man hath that complexion, + Full of ymaginacion 410 + Of dredes and of wrathful thoghtes, + He fret himselven al to noghtes. + The water, which is moyste and cold, + Makth fleume, which is manyfold + Foryetel, slou and wery sone + Of every thing which is to done: + He is of kinde sufficant + To holde love his covenant, + Bot that him lacketh appetit, + Which longeth unto such delit. 420 + What man that takth his kinde of thair, + He schal be lyht, he schal be fair, + For his complexion is blood. + Of alle ther is non so good, + For he hath bothe will and myht + To plese and paie love his riht: + Wher as he hath love undertake, + Wrong is if that he be forsake. + The fyr of his condicion + Appropreth the complexion 430 + Which in a man is Colre hote, + Whos propretes ben dreie and hote: + It makth a man ben enginous + And swift of fote and ek irous; + Of contek and folhastifnesse + He hath a riht gret besinesse, + To thenke of love and litel may: + Though he behote wel a day, + On nyht whan that he wole assaie, + He may ful evele his dette paie. 440 + After the kinde of thelement, + Thus stant a mannes kinde went, + As touchende his complexion, + Upon sondri division + Of dreie, of moiste, of chele, of hete, + And ech of hem his oghne sete + Appropred hath withinne a man. + And ferst to telle as I began, + The Splen is to Malencolie + Assigned for herbergerie: 450 + The moiste fleume with his cold + Hath in the lunges for his hold + Ordeined him a propre stede, + To duelle ther as he is bede: + To the Sanguin complexion + Nature of hire inspeccion + A propre hous hath in the livere + For his duellinge mad delivere: + The dreie Colre with his hete + Be weie of kinde his propre sete 460 + Hath in the galle, wher he duelleth, + So as the Philosophre telleth. + Nou over this is forto wite, + As it is in Phisique write + Of livere, of lunge, of galle, of splen, + Thei alle unto the herte ben + Servantz, and ech in his office + Entendeth to don him service, + As he which is chief lord above. + The livere makth him forto love, 470 + The lunge yifth him weie of speche, + The galle serveth to do wreche, + The Splen doth him to lawhe and pleie, + Whan al unclennesse is aweie: + Lo, thus hath ech of hem his dede. + And to sustienen hem and fede + In time of recreacion, + Nature hath in creacion + The Stomach for a comun Coc + Ordeined, so as seith the boc. 480 + The Stomach coc is for the halle, + And builleth mete for hem alle, + To make hem myghty forto serve + The herte, that he schal noght sterve: + For as a king in his Empire + Above alle othre is lord and Sire, + So is the herte principal, + To whom reson in special + Is yove as for the governance. + And thus nature his pourveance 490 + Hath mad for man to liven hiere; + Bot god, which hath the Soule diere, + Hath formed it in other wise. + That can noman pleinli devise; + Bot as the clerkes ous enforme, + That lich to god it hath a forme, + Thurgh which figure and which liknesse + The Soule hath many an hyh noblesse + Appropred to his oghne kinde. + Bot ofte hir wittes be mad blinde 500 + Al onliche of this ilke point, + That hir abydinge is conjoint + Forth with the bodi forto duelle: + That on desireth toward helle, + That other upward to the hevene; + So schul thei nevere stonde in evene, + Bot if the fleissh be overcome + And that the Soule have holi nome + The governance, and that is selde, + Whil that the fleissh him mai bewelde. 510 + Al erthli thing which god began + Was only mad to serve man; + Bot he the Soule al only made + Himselven forto serve and glade. + Alle othre bestes that men finde + Thei serve unto here oghne kinde, + Bot to reson the Soule serveth; + Wherof the man his thonk deserveth + And get him with hise werkes goode + The perdurable lyves foode. 520 + Of what matiere it schal be told, + A tale lyketh manyfold + The betre, if it be spoke plein: + Thus thinke I forto torne ayein + And telle plenerly therfore + Of therthe, wherof nou tofore + I spak, and of the water eke, + So as these olde clerkes spieke, + And sette proprely the bounde + After the forme of Mappemounde, 530 + Thurgh which the ground be pourparties + Departed is in thre parties, + That is Asie, Aufrique, Europe, + The whiche under the hevene cope, + Als ferr as streccheth eny ground, + Begripeth al this Erthe round. + Bot after that the hihe wrieche + The water weies let out seche + And overgo the helles hye, + Which every kinde made dye 540 + That upon Middelerthe stod, + Outake Noe5 and his blod, + His Sones and his doughtres thre, + Thei were sauf and so was he;- + Here names who that rede rihte, + Sem, Cam, Japhet the brethren hihte;- + And whanne thilke almyhty hond + Withdrouh the water fro the lond, + And al the rage was aweie, + And Erthe was the mannes weie, 550 + The Sones thre, of whiche I tolde, + Riht after that hemselve wolde, + This world departe thei begonne. + Asie, which lay to the Sonne + Upon the Marche of orient, + Was graunted be comun assent + To Sem, which was the Sone eldeste; + For that partie was the beste + And double as moche as othre tuo. + And was that time bounded so; 560 + Wher as the flod which men Nil calleth + Departeth fro his cours and falleth + Into the See Alexandrine, + Ther takth Asie ferst seisine + Toward the West, and over this + Of Canahim wher the flod is + Into the grete See rennende, + Fro that into the worldes ende + Estward, Asie it is algates, + Til that men come unto the gates 570 + Of Paradis, and there ho. + And schortly for to speke it so, + Of Orient in general + Withinne his bounde Asie hath al. + And thanne upon that other syde + Westward, as it fell thilke tyde, + The brother which was hote Cham + Upon his part Aufrique nam. + Japhet Europe tho tok he, + Thus parten thei the world on thre. 580 + Bot yit ther ben of londes fele + In occident as for the chele, + In orient as for the hete, + Which of the poeple be forlete + As lond desert that is unable, + For it mai noght ben habitable. + The water eke hath sondri bounde, + After the lond wher it is founde, + And takth his name of thilke londes + Wher that it renneth on the strondes: 590 + Bot thilke See which hath no wane + Is cleped the gret Occeane, + Out of the which arise and come + The hyhe flodes alle and some; + Is non so litel welle spring, + Which ther ne takth his beginnyng, + And lich a man that haleth breth + Be weie of kinde, so it geth + Out of the See and in ayein, + The water, as the bokes sein. 600 + Of Elementz the propretes + Hou that they stonden be degres, + As I have told, nou myht thou hiere, + Mi goode Sone, al the matiere + Of Erthe, of water, Air and fyr. + And for thou saist that thi desir + Is forto witen overmore + The forme of Aristotles lore, + He seith in his entendement, + That yit ther is an Element 610 + Above the foure, and is the fifte, + Set of the hihe goddes yifte, + The which that Orbis cleped is. + And therupon he telleth this, + That as the schelle hol and sound + Encloseth al aboute round + What thing withinne an Ey belongeth, + Riht so this Orbis underfongeth + These elementz alle everychon, + Which I have spoke of on and on. 620 + Bot overthis nou tak good hiede, + Mi Sone, for I wol procede + To speke upon Mathematique, + Which grounded is on Theorique. + The science of Astronomie + I thinke forto specefie, + Withoute which, to telle plein, + Alle othre science is in vein + Toward the scole of erthli thinges: + For as an Egle with his winges 630 + Fleth above alle that men finde, + So doth this science in his kinde. + Benethe upon this Erthe hiere + Of alle thinges the matiere, + As tellen ous thei that ben lerned, + Of thing above it stant governed, + That is to sein of the Planetes. + The cheles bothe and ek the hetes, + The chances of the world also, + That we fortune clepen so, 640 + Among the mennes nacion + Al is thurgh constellacion, + Wherof that som man hath the wele, + And som man hath deseses fele + In love als wel as othre thinges; + The stat of realmes and of kinges + In time of pes, in time of werre + It is conceived of the Sterre: + And thus seith the naturien + Which is an Astronomien. 650 + Bot the divin seith otherwise, + That if men weren goode and wise + And plesant unto the godhede, + Thei scholden noght the sterres drede; + For o man, if him wel befalle, + Is more worth than ben thei alle + Towardes him that weldeth al. + Bot yit the lawe original, + Which he hath set in the natures, + Mot worchen in the creatures, 660 + That therof mai be non obstacle, + Bot if it stonde upon miracle + Thurgh preiere of som holy man. + And forthi, so as I began + To speke upon Astronomie, + As it is write in the clergie, + To telle hou the planetes fare, + Som part I thenke to declare, + Mi Sone, unto thin Audience. + Astronomie is the science 670 + Of wisdom and of hih connynge, + Which makth a man have knowlechinge + Of Sterres in the firmament, + Figure, cercle and moevement + Of ech of hem in sondri place, + And what betwen hem is of space, + Hou so thei moeve or stonde faste, + Al this it telleth to the laste. + Assembled with Astronomie + Is ek that ilke Astrologie 680 + The which in juggementz acompteth + Theffect, what every sterre amonteth, + And hou thei causen many a wonder + To tho climatz that stonde hem under. + And forto telle it more plein, + These olde philosphres sein + That Orbis, which I spak of err, + Is that which we fro therthe a ferr + Beholde, and firmament it calle, + In which the sterres stonden alle, 690 + Among the whiche in special + Planetes sefne principal + Ther ben, that mannes sihte demeth, + Bot thorizonte, as to ous semeth. + And also ther ben signes tuelve, + Whiche have her cercles be hemselve + Compassed in the zodiaque, + In which thei have here places take. + And as thei stonden in degre, + Here cercles more or lasse be, 700 + Mad after the proporcion + Of therthe, whos condicion + Is set to be the foundement + To sustiene up the firmament. + And be this skile a man mai knowe, + The more that thei stonden lowe, + The more ben the cercles lasse; + That causeth why that some passe + Here due cours tofore an other. + Bot nou, mi lieve dere brother, 710 + As thou desirest forto wite + What I finde in the bokes write, + To telle of the planetes sevene, + Hou that thei stonde upon the hevene + And in what point that thei ben inne, + Tak hiede, for I wol beginne, + So as the Philosophre tauhte + To Alisandre and it betauhte, + Wherof that he was fulli tawht + Of wisdom, which was him betawht. 720 + Benethe alle othre stant the Mone, + The which hath with the See to done: + Of flodes hihe and ebbes lowe + Upon his change it schal be knowe; + And every fissh which hath a schelle + Mot in his governance duelle, + To wexe and wane in his degre, + As be the Mone a man mai se; + And al that stant upon the grounde + Of his moisture it mot be founde. 730 + Alle othre sterres, as men finde, + Be schynende of here oghne kinde + Outake only the monelyht, + Which is noght of himselve bright, + Bot as he takth it of the Sonne. + And yit he hath noght al fulwonne + His lyht, that he nys somdiel derk; + Bot what the lette is of that werk + In Almageste it telleth this: + The Mones cercle so lowe is, 740 + Wherof the Sonne out of his stage + Ne seth him noght with full visage, + For he is with the ground beschaded, + So that the Mone is somdiel faded + And may noght fully schyne cler. + Bot what man under his pouer + Is bore, he schal his places change + And seche manye londes strange: + And as of this condicion + The Mones disposicion 750 + Upon the lond of Alemaigne + Is set, and ek upon Bretaigne, + Which nou is cleped Engelond; + For thei travaile in every lond. + Of the Planetes the secounde + Above the Mone hath take his bounde, + Mercurie, and his nature is this, + That under him who that bore is, + In boke he schal be studious + And in wrytinge curious, 760 + And slouh and lustles to travaile + In thing which elles myhte availe: + He loveth ese, he loveth reste, + So is he noght the worthieste; + Bot yit with somdiel besinesse + His herte is set upon richesse. + And as in this condicion, + Theffect and disposicion + Of this Planete and of his chance + Is most in Burgoigne and in France. 770 + Next to Mercurie, as wol befalle, + Stant that Planete which men calle + Venus, whos constellacion + Governeth al the nacion + Of lovers, wher thei spiede or non, + Of whiche I trowe thou be on: + Bot whiderward thin happes wende, + Schal this planete schewe at ende, + As it hath do to many mo, + To some wel, to some wo. 780 + And natheles of this Planete + The moste part is softe and swete; + For who that therof takth his berthe, + He schal desire joie and merthe, + Gentil, courteis and debonaire, + To speke his wordes softe and faire, + Such schal he be be weie of kinde, + And overal wher he may finde + Plesance of love, his herte boweth + With al his myht and there he woweth. 790 + He is so ferforth Amourous, + He not what thing is vicious + Touchende love, for that lawe + Ther mai no maner man withdrawe, + The which venerien is bore + Be weie of kinde, and therefore + Venus of love the goddesse + Is cleped: bot of wantounesse + The climat of hir lecherie + Is most commun in Lombardie. 800 + Next unto this Planete of love + The brighte Sonne stant above, + Which is the hindrere of the nyht + And forthrere of the daies lyht, + As he which is the worldes ije, + Thurgh whom the lusti compaignie + Of foules be the morwe singe, + The freisshe floures sprede and springe, + The hihe tre the ground beschadeth, + And every mannes herte gladeth. 810 + And for it is the hed Planete, + Hou that he sitteth in his sete, + Of what richesse, of what nobleie, + These bokes telle, and thus thei seie. + Of gold glistrende Spoke and whiel + The Sonne his carte hath faire and wiel, + In which he sitt, and is coroned + With brighte stones environed; + Of whiche if that I speke schal, + Ther be tofore in special 820 + Set in the front of his corone + Thre Stones, whiche no persone + Hath upon Erthe, and the ferste is + Be name cleped Licuchis; + That othre tuo be cleped thus, + Astrices and Ceramius. + In his corone also behinde, + Be olde bokes as I finde, + Ther ben of worthi Stones thre + Set ech of hem in his degre: 830 + Wherof a Cristall is that on, + Which that corone is set upon; + The seconde is an Adamant; + The thridde is noble and avenant, + Which cleped is Ydriades. + And over this yit natheles + Upon the sydes of the werk, + After the wrytinge of the clerk, + Ther sitten fyve Stones mo: + The smaragdine is on of tho, 840 + Jaspis and Elitropius + And Dendides and Jacinctus. + Lo, thus the corone is beset, + Wherof it schyneth wel the bet; + And in such wise his liht to sprede + Sit with his Diademe on hede + The Sonne schynende in his carte. + And forto lede him swithe and smarte + After the bryhte daies lawe, + Ther ben ordeined forto drawe 850 + Foure hors his Char and him withal, + Wherof the names telle I schal: + Erithes the ferste is hote, + The which is red and schyneth hote, + The seconde Acteos the bryhte, + Lampes the thridde coursier hihte, + And Philoges is the ferthe, + That bringen lyht unto this erthe, + And gon so swift upon the hevene, + In foure and twenty houres evene 860 + The carte with the bryhte Sonne + Thei drawe, so that overronne + Thei have under the cercles hihe + Al Middelerthe in such an hye. + And thus the Sonne is overal + The chief Planete imperial, + Above him and benethe him thre: + And thus betwen hem regneth he, + As he that hath the middel place + Among the Sevene, and of his face 870 + Be glade alle erthly creatures, + And taken after the natures + Here ese and recreacion. + And in his constellacion + Who that is bore in special, + Of good will and of liberal + He schal be founde in alle place, + And also stonde in mochel grace + Toward the lordes forto serve + And gret profit and thonk deserve. 880 + And over that it causeth yit + A man to be soubtil of wit + To worche in gold, and to be wys + In every thing which is of pris. + Bot forto speken in what cost + Of al this erthe he regneth most + As for wisdom, it is in Grece, + Wher is apropred thilke spiece. + Mars the Planete bataillous + Next to the Sonne glorious 890 + Above stant, and doth mervailes + Upon the fortune of batailes. + The conquerours be daies olde + Were unto this planete holde: + Bot who that his nativite + Hath take upon the proprete + Of Martes disposicioun + Be weie of constellacioun, + He schal be fiers and folhastif + And desirous of werre and strif. 900 + Bot forto telle redely + In what climat most comunly + That this planete hath his effect, + Seid is that he hath his aspect + Upon the holi lond so cast, + That there is no pes stedefast. + Above Mars upon the hevene, + The sexte Planete of the sevene, + Stant Jupiter the delicat, + Which causeth pes and no debat. 910 + For he is cleped that Planete + Which of his kinde softe and swete + Attempreth al that to him longeth; + And whom this planete underfongeth + To stonde upon his regiment, + He schal be meke and pacient + And fortunat to Marchandie + And lusti to delicacie + In every thing which he schal do. + This Jupiter is cause also 920 + Of the science of lyhte werkes, + And in this wise tellen clerkes + He is the Planete of delices. + Bot in Egipte of his offices + He regneth most in special: + For ther be lustes overal + Of al that to this lif befalleth; + For ther no stormy weder falleth, + Which myhte grieve man or beste, + And ek the lond is so honeste 930 + That it is plentevous and plein, + Ther is non ydel ground in vein; + And upon such felicite + Stant Jupiter in his degre. + The heyeste and aboven alle + Stant that planete which men calle + Saturnus, whos complexion + Is cold, and his condicion + Causeth malice and crualte + To him the whos nativite 940 + Is set under his governance. + For alle hise werkes ben grevance + And enemy to mannes hele, + In what degre that he schal dele. + His climat is in Orient, + Wher that he is most violent. + Of the Planetes by and by, + Hou that thei stonde upon the Sky, + Fro point to point as thou myht hiere, + Was Alisandre mad to liere. 950 + Bot overthis touchende his lore, + Of thing that thei him tawhte more + Upon the scoles of clergie + Now herkne the Philosophie. + He which departeth dai fro nyht, + That on derk and that other lyht, + Of sevene daies made a weke, + A Monthe of foure wekes eke + He hath ordeigned in his lawe, + Of Monthes tuelve and ek forthdrawe 960 + He hath also the longe yeer. + And as he sette of his pouer + Acordant to the daies sevene + Planetes Sevene upon the hevene, + As thou tofore hast herd devise, + To speke riht in such a wise, + To every Monthe be himselve + Upon the hevene of Signes tuelve + He hath after his Ordinal + Assigned on in special, 970 + Wherof, so as I schal rehersen, + The tydes of the yer diversen. + Bot pleinly forto make it knowe + Hou that the Signes sitte arowe, + Ech after other be degre + In substance and in proprete + The zodiaque comprehendeth + Withinne his cercle, as it appendeth. + The ferste of whiche natheles + Be name is cleped Aries, 980 + Which lich a wether of stature + Resembled is in his figure. + And as it seith in Almageste, + Of Sterres tuelve upon this beste + Ben set, wherof in his degre + The wombe hath tuo, the heved hath thre, + The Tail hath sevene, and in this wise, + As thou myht hiere me divise, + Stant Aries, which hot and drye + Is of himself, and in partie 990 + He is the receipte and the hous + Of myhty Mars the bataillous. + And overmore ek, as I finde, + The creatour of alle kinde + Upon this Signe ferst began + The world, whan that he made man. + And of this constellacioun + The verray operacioun + Availeth, if a man therinne + The pourpos of his werk beginne; 1000 + For thanne he hath of proprete + Good sped and gret felicite. + The tuelve Monthes of the yeer + Attitled under the pouer + Of these tuelve Signes stonde; + Wherof that thou schalt understonde + This Aries on of the tuelve + Hath March attitled for himselve, + Whan every bridd schal chese his make, + And every neddre and every Snake 1010 + And every Reptil which mai moeve, + His myht assaieth forto proeve, + To crepen out ayein the Sonne, + Whan Ver his Seson hath begonne. + Taurus the seconde after this + Of Signes, which figured is + Unto a Bole, is dreie and cold; + And as it is in bokes told, + He is the hous appourtienant + To Venus, somdiel descordant. 1020 + This Bole is ek with sterres set, + Thurgh whiche he hath hise hornes knet + Unto the tail of Aries, + So is he noght ther sterreles. + Upon his brest ek eyhtetiene + He hath, and ek, as it is sene, + Upon his tail stonde othre tuo. + His Monthe assigned ek also + Is Averil, which of his schoures + Ministreth weie unto the floures. 1030 + The thridde signe is Gemini, + Which is figured redely + Lich to tuo twinnes of mankinde, + That naked stonde; and as I finde, + Thei be with Sterres wel bego: + The heved hath part of thilke tuo + That schyne upon the boles tail, + So be thei bothe of o parail; + But on the wombe of Gemini + Ben fyve sterres noght forthi, 1040 + And ek upon the feet be tweie, + So as these olde bokes seie, + That wise Tholomes wrot. + His propre Monthe wel I wot + Assigned is the lusti Maii, + Whanne every brid upon his lay + Among the griene leves singeth, + And love of his pointure stingeth + After the lawes of nature + The youthe of every creature. 1050 + Cancer after the reule and space + Of Signes halt the ferthe place. + Like to the crabbe he hath semblance, + And hath unto his retienance + Sextiene sterres, wherof ten, + So as these olde wise men + Descrive, he berth on him tofore, + And in the middel tuo be bore, + And foure he hath upon his ende. + Thus goth he sterred in his kende, 1060 + And of himself is moiste and cold, + And is the propre hous and hold + Which appartieneth to the Mone, + And doth what longeth him to done. + The Monthe of Juin unto this Signe + Thou schalt after the reule assigne. + The fifte Signe is Leo hote, + Whos kinde is schape dreie and hote, + In whom the Sonne hath herbergage. + And the semblance of his ymage 1070 + Is a leoun, which in baillie + Of sterres hath his pourpartie: + The foure, which as Cancer hath + Upon his ende, Leo tath + Upon his heved, and thanne nest + He hath ek foure upon his brest, + And on upon his tail behinde, + In olde bokes as we finde. + His propre Monthe is Juyl be name, + In which men pleien many a game. 1080 + After Leo Virgo the nexte + Of Signes cleped is the sexte, + Wherof the figure is a Maide; + And as the Philosophre saide, + Sche is the welthe and the risinge, + The lust, the joie and the likinge + Unto Mercurie: and soth to seie + Sche is with sterres wel beseie, + Wherof Leo hath lent hire on, + Which sit on hih hir heved upon, 1090 + Hire wombe hath fyve, hir feet also + Have other fyve: and overmo + Touchende as of complexion, + Be kindly disposicion + Of dreie and cold this Maiden is. + And forto tellen over this + Hir Monthe, thou schalt understonde, + Whan every feld hath corn in honde + And many a man his bak hath plied, + Unto this Signe is Augst applied. 1100 + After Virgo to reknen evene + Libra sit in the nombre of sevene, + Which hath figure and resemblance + Unto a man which a balance + Berth in his hond as forto weie: + In boke and as it mai be seie, + Diverse sterres to him longeth, + Wherof on hevede he underfongeth + Ferst thre, and ek his wombe hath tuo, + And doun benethe eighte othre mo. 1110 + This Signe is hot and moiste bothe, + The whiche thinges be noght lothe + Unto Venus, so that alofte + Sche resteth in his hous fulofte, + And ek Saturnus often hyed + Is in this Signe and magnefied. + His propre Monthe is seid Septembre, + Which yifth men cause to remembre, + If eny Sor be left behinde + Of thing which grieve mai to kinde. 1120 + Among the Signes upon heighte + The Signe which is nombred eighte + Is Scorpio, which as feloun + Figured is a Scorpioun. + Bot for al that yit natheles + Is Scorpio noght sterreles; + For Libra granteth him his ende + Of eighte sterres, wher he wende, + The whiche upon his heved assised + He berth, and ek ther ben divised 1130 + Upon his wombe sterres thre, + And eighte upon his tail hath he. + Which of his kinde is moiste and cold + And unbehovely manyfold; + He harmeth Venus and empeireth, + Bot Mars unto his hous repeireth, + Bot war whan thei togedre duellen. + His propre Monthe is, as men tellen, + Octobre, which bringth the kalende + Of wynter, that comth next suiende. 1140 + The nynthe Signe in nombre also, + Which folweth after Scorpio, + Is cleped Sagittarius, + The whos figure is marked thus, + A Monstre with a bowe on honde: + On whom that sondri sterres stonde, + Thilke eighte of whiche I spak tofore, + The whiche upon the tail ben bore + Of Scorpio, the heved al faire + Bespreden of the Sagittaire; 1150 + And eighte of othre stonden evene + Upon his wombe, and othre sevene + Ther stonde upon his tail behinde. + And he is hot and dreie of kinde: + To Jupiter his hous is fre, + Bot to Mercurie in his degre, + For thei ben noght of on assent, + He worcheth gret empeirement. + This Signe hath of his proprete + A Monthe, which of duete 1160 + After the sesoun that befalleth + The Plowed Oxe in wynter stalleth; + And fyr into the halle he bringeth, + And thilke drinke of which men singeth, + He torneth must into the wyn; + Thanne is the larder of the swyn; + That is Novembre which I meene, + Whan that the lef hath lost his greene. + The tenthe Signe dreie and cold, + The which is Capricornus told, 1170 + Unto a Got hath resemblance: + For whos love and whos aqueintance + Withinne hise houses to sojorne + It liketh wel unto Satorne, + Bot to the Mone it liketh noght, + For no profit is there wroght. + This Signe as of his proprete + Upon his heved hath sterres thre, + And ek upon his wombe tuo, + And tweie upon his tail also. 1180 + Decembre after the yeeres forme, + So as the bokes ous enforme, + With daies schorte and nyhtes longe + This ilke Signe hath underfonge. + Of tho that sitte upon the hevene + Of Signes in the nombre ellevene + Aquarius hath take his place, + And stant wel in Satornes grace, + Which duelleth in his herbergage, + Bot to the Sonne he doth oultrage. 1190 + This Signe is verraily resembled + Lich to a man which halt assembled + In eyther hand a water spoute, + Wherof the stremes rennen oute. + He is of kinde moiste and hot, + And he that of the sterres wot + Seith that he hath of sterres tuo + Upon his heved, and ben of tho + That Capricorn hath on his ende; + And as the bokes maken mende, 1200 + That Tholomes made himselve, + He hath ek on his wombe tuelve, + And tweie upon his ende stonde. + Thou schalt also this understonde, + The frosti colde Janever, + Whan comen is the newe yeer, + That Janus with his double face + In his chaiere hath take his place + And loketh upon bothe sides, + Somdiel toward the wynter tydes, 1210 + Somdiel toward the yeer suiende, + That is the Monthe belongende + Unto this Signe, and of his dole + He yifth the ferste Primerole. + The tuelfthe, which is last of alle + Of Signes, Piscis men it calle, + The which, as telleth the scripture, + Berth of tuo fisshes the figure. + So is he cold and moiste of kinde, + And ek with sterres, as I finde, 1220 + Beset in sondri wise, as thus: + Tuo of his ende Aquarius + Hath lent unto his heved, and tuo + This Signe hath of his oghne also + Upon his wombe, and over this + Upon his ende also ther is + A nombre of twenty sterres bryghte, + Which is to sen a wonder sighte. + Toward this Signe into his hous + Comth Jupiter the glorious, 1230 + And Venus ek with him acordeth + To duellen, as the bok recordeth. + The Monthe unto this Signe ordeined + Is Februer, which is bereined, + And with londflodes in his rage + At Fordes letteth the passage. + Nou hast thou herd the proprete + Of Signes, bot in his degre + Albumazar yit over this + Seith, so as therthe parted is 1240 + In foure, riht so ben divised + The Signes tuelve and stonde assised, + That ech of hem for his partie + Hath his climat to justefie. + Wherof the ferste regiment + Toward the part of Orient + From Antioche and that contre + Governed is of Signes thre, + That is Cancer, Virgo, Leo: + And toward Occident also 1250 + From Armenie, as I am lerned, + Of Capricorn it stant governed, + Of Pisces and Aquarius: + And after hem I finde thus, + Southward from Alisandre forth + Tho Signes whiche most ben worth + In governance of that doaire, + Libra thei ben and Sagittaire + With Scorpio, which is conjoint + With hem to stonde upon that point: 1260 + Constantinople the Cite, + So as the bokes tellen me, + The laste of this division + Stant untoward Septemtrion, + Wher as be weie of pourveance + Hath Aries the governance + Forth with Taurus and Gemini. + Thus ben the Signes propreli + Divided, as it is reherced, + Wherof the londes ben diversed. 1270 + Lo thus, mi Sone, as thou myht hiere, + Was Alisandre mad to liere + Of hem that weren for his lore. + But nou to loken overmore, + Of othre sterres hou thei fare + I thenke hierafter to declare, + So as king Alisandre in youthe + Of him that suche thinges couthe + Enformed was tofore his yhe + Be nyhte upon the sterres hihe. 1280 + Upon sondri creacion + Stant sondri operacion, + Som worcheth this, som worcheth that; + The fyr is hot in his astat + And brenneth what he mai atteigne, + The water mai the fyr restreigne, + The which is cold and moist also. + Of other thing it farth riht so + Upon this erthe among ous here; + And forto speke in this manere, 1290 + Upon the hevene, as men mai finde, + The sterres ben of sondri kinde + And worchen manye sondri thinges + To ous, that ben here underlinges. + Among the whiche forth withal + Nectanabus in special, + Which was an Astronomien + And ek a gret Magicien, + And undertake hath thilke emprise + To Alisandre in his aprise 1300 + As of Magique naturel + To knowe, enformeth him somdel + Of certein sterres what thei mene; + Of whiche, he seith, ther ben fiftene, + And sondrily to everich on + A gras belongeth and a Ston, + Wherof men worchen many a wonder + To sette thing bothe up and under. + To telle riht as he began, + The ferste sterre Aldeboran, 1310 + The cliereste and the moste of alle, + Be rihte name men it calle; + Which lich is of condicion + To Mars, and of complexion + To Venus, and hath therupon + Carbunculum his propre Ston: + His herbe is Anabulla named, + Which is of gret vertu proclamed. + The seconde is noght vertules; + Clota or elles Pliades 1320 + It hatte, and of the mones kinde + He is, and also this I finde, + He takth of Mars complexion: + And lich to such condicion + His Ston appropred is Cristall, + And ek his herbe in special + The vertuous Fenele it is. + The thridde, which comth after this, + Is hote Algol the clere rede, + Which of Satorne, as I may rede, 1330 + His kinde takth, and ek of Jove + Complexion to his behove. + His propre Ston is Dyamant, + Which is to him most acordant; + His herbe, which is him betake, + Is hote Eleborum the blake. + So as it falleth upon lot, + The ferthe sterre is Alhaiot, + Which in the wise as I seide er + Of Satorne and of Jupiter 1340 + Hath take his kinde; and therupon + The Saphir is his propre Ston, + Marrubium his herbe also, + The whiche acorden bothe tuo. + And Canis maior in his like + The fifte sterre is of Magique, + The whos kinde is venerien, + As seith this Astronomien. + His propre Ston is seid Berille, + Bot forto worche and to fulfille 1350 + Thing which to this science falleth, + Ther is an herbe which men calleth + Saveine, and that behoveth nede + To him that wole his pourpos spede. + The sexte suiende after this + Be name Canis minor is; + The which sterre is Mercurial + Be weie of kinde, and forth withal, + As it is writen in the carte, + Complexion he takth of Marte. 1360 + His Ston and herbe, as seith the Scole, + Ben Achates and Primerole. + The sefnthe sterre in special + Of this science is Arial, + Which sondri nature underfongeth. + The Ston which propre unto him longeth, + Gorgonza proprely it hihte: + His herbe also, which he schal rihte + Upon the worchinge as I mene, + Is Celidoine freissh and grene. 1370 + Sterre Ala Corvi upon heihte + Hath take his place in nombre of eighte, + Which of his kinde mot parforne + The will of Marte and of Satorne: + To whom Lapacia the grete + Is herbe, bot of no beyete; + His Ston is Honochinus hote, + Thurgh which men worchen gret riote. + The nynthe sterre faire and wel + Be name is hote Alaezel, 1380 + Which takth his propre kinde thus + Bothe of Mercurie and of Venus. + His Ston is the grene Amyraude, + To whom is yoven many a laude: + Salge is his herbe appourtenant + Aboven al the rememant. + The tenthe sterre is Almareth, + Which upon lif and upon deth + Thurgh kinde of Jupiter and Mart + He doth what longeth to his part. 1390 + His Ston is Jaspe, and of Planteine + He hath his herbe sovereine. + The sterre ellefthe is Venenas, + The whos nature is as it was + Take of Venus and of the Mone, + In thing which he hath forto done. + Of Adamant is that perrie + In which he worcheth his maistrie; + Thilke herbe also which him befalleth, + Cicorea the bok it calleth. 1400 + Alpheta in the nombre sit, + And is the twelfthe sterre yit; + Of Scorpio which is governed, + And takth his kinde, as I am lerned; + And hath his vertu in the Ston + Which cleped is Topazion: + His herbe propre is Rosmarine, + Which schapen is for his covine. + Of these sterres, whiche I mene, + Cor Scorpionis is thritiene; 1410 + The whos nature Mart and Jove + Have yoven unto his behove. + His herbe is Aristologie, + Which folweth his Astronomie: + The Ston which that this sterre alloweth, + Is Sardis, which unto him boweth. + The sterre which stant next the laste, + Nature on him this name caste + And clepeth him Botercadent; + Which of his kinde obedient 1420 + Is to Mercurie and to Venus. + His Ston is seid Crisolitus, + His herbe is cleped Satureie, + So as these olde bokes seie. + Bot nou the laste sterre of alle + The tail of Scorpio men calle, + Which to Mercurie and to Satorne + Be weie of kinde mot retorne + After the preparacion + Of due constellacion. 1430 + The Calcedoine unto him longeth, + Which for his Ston he underfongeth; + Of Majorane his herbe is grounded. + Thus have I seid hou thei be founded, + Of every sterre in special, + Which hath his herbe and Ston withal, + As Hermes in his bokes olde + Witnesse berth of that I tolde. + The science of Astronomie, + Which principal is of clergie 1440 + To dieme betwen wo and wel + In thinges that be naturel, + Thei hadde a gret travail on honde + That made it ferst ben understonde; + And thei also which overmore + Here studie sette upon this lore, + Thei weren gracious and wys + And worthi forto bere a pris. + And whom it liketh forto wite + Of hem that this science write, 1450 + On of the ferste which it wrot + After Noe5, it was Nembrot, + To his disciple Ychonithon + And made a bok forth therupon + The which Megaster cleped was. + An other Auctor in this cas + Is Arachel, the which men note; + His bok is Abbategnyh hote. + Danz Tholome is noght the leste, + Which makth the bok of Almageste; 1460 + And Alfraganus doth the same, + Whos bok is Chatemuz be name. + Gebuz and Alpetragus eke + Of Planisperie, which men seke, + The bokes made: and over this + Ful many a worthi clerc ther is, + That writen upon this clergie + The bokes of Altemetrie, + Planemetrie and ek also, + Whiche as belongen bothe tuo, 1470 + So as thei ben naturiens, + Unto these Astronomiens. + Men sein that Habraham was on; + Bot whether that he wrot or non, + That finde I noght; and Moi5ses + Ek was an other: bot Hermes + Above alle othre in this science + He hadde a gret experience; + Thurgh him was many a sterre assised, + Whos bokes yit ben auctorized. 1480 + I mai noght knowen alle tho + That writen in the time tho + Of this science; bot I finde, + Of jugement be weie of kinde + That in o point thei alle acorden: + Of sterres whiche thei recorden + That men mai sen upon the hevene, + Ther ben a thousend sterres evene + And tuo and twenty, to the syhte + Whiche aren of hemself so bryhte, 1490 + That men mai dieme what thei be, + The nature and the proprete. + Nou hast thou herd, in which a wise + These noble Philosophres wise + Enformeden this yonge king, + And made him have a knowleching + Of thing which ferst to the partie + Belongeth of Philosophie, + Which Theorique cleped is, + As thou tofore hast herd er this. 1500 + Bot nou to speke of the secounde, + Which Aristotle hath also founde, + And techeth hou to speke faire, + Which is a thing full necessaire + To contrepeise the balance, + Wher lacketh other sufficance. + Above alle erthli creatures + The hihe makere of natures + The word to man hath yove alone, + So that the speche of his persone, 1510 + Or forto lese or forto winne, + The hertes thoght which is withinne + Mai schewe, what it wolde mene; + And that is noghwhere elles sene + Of kinde with non other beste. + So scholde he be the more honeste, + To whom god yaf so gret a yifte, + And loke wel that he ne schifte + Hise wordes to no wicked us; + For word the techer of vertus 1520 + Is cleped in Philosophie. + Wherof touchende this partie, + Is Rethorique the science + Appropred to the reverence + Of wordes that ben resonable: + And for this art schal be vailable + With goodli wordes forto like, + It hath Gramaire, it hath Logiqe, + That serven bothe unto the speche. + Gramaire ferste hath forto teche 1530 + To speke upon congruite: + Logique hath eke in his degre + Betwen the trouthe and the falshode + The pleine wordes forto schode, + So that nothing schal go beside, + That he the riht ne schal decide. + Wherof full many a gret debat + Reformed is to good astat, + And pes sustiened up alofte + With esy wordes and with softe, 1540 + Wher strengthe scholde lete it falle. + The Philosophre amonges alle + Forthi commendeth this science, + Which hath the reule of eloquence. + In Ston and gras vertu ther is, + Bot yit the bokes tellen this, + That word above alle erthli thinges + Is vertuous in his doinges, + Wher so it be to evele or goode. + For if the wordes semen goode 1550 + And ben wel spoke at mannes Ere, + Whan that ther is no trouthe there, + Thei don fulofte gret deceipte; + For whan the word to the conceipte + Descordeth in so double a wise, + Such Rethorique is to despise + In every place, and forto drede. + For of Uluxes thus I rede, + As in the bok of Troie is founde, + His eloquence and his facounde 1560 + Of goodly wordes whiche he tolde, + Hath mad that Anthenor him solde + The toun, which he with tresoun wan. + Word hath beguiled many a man; + With word the wilde beste is daunted, + With word the Serpent is enchaunted, + Of word among the men of Armes + Ben woundes heeled with the charmes, + Wher lacketh other medicine; + Word hath under his discipline 1570 + Of Sorcerie the karectes. + The wordes ben of sondri sectes, + Of evele and eke of goode also; + The wordes maken frend of fo, + And fo of frend, and pes of werre, + And werre of pes, and out of herre + The word this worldes cause entriketh, + And reconsileth whan him liketh. + The word under the coupe of hevene + Set every thing or odde or evene; 1580 + With word the hihe god is plesed, + With word the wordes ben appesed, + The softe word the loude stilleth; + Wher lacketh good, the word fulfilleth, + To make amendes for the wrong; + Whan wordes medlen with the song, + It doth plesance wel the more. + Bot forto loke upon the lore + Hou Tullius his Rethorique + Componeth, ther a man mai pike 1590 + Hou that he schal hise wordes sette, + Hou he schal lose, hou he schal knette, + And in what wise he schal pronounce + His tale plein withoute frounce. + Wherof ensample if thou wolt seche, + Tak hiede and red whilom the speche + Of Julius and Cithero, + Which consul was of Rome tho, + Of Catoun eke and of Cillene, + Behold the wordes hem betwene, 1600 + Whan the tresoun of Cateline + Descoevered was, and the covine + Of hem that were of his assent + Was knowe and spoke in parlement, + And axed hou and in what wise + Men scholde don hem to juise. + Cillenus ferst his tale tolde, + To trouthe and as he was beholde, + The comun profit forto save, + He seide hou tresoun scholde have 1610 + A cruel deth; and thus thei spieke, + The Consul bothe and Catoun eke, + And seiden that for such a wrong + Ther mai no peine be to strong. + Bot Julius with wordes wise + His tale tolde al otherwise, + As he which wolde her deth respite, + And fondeth hou he mihte excite + The jugges thurgh his eloquence + Fro deth to torne the sentence 1620 + And sette here hertes to pite. + Nou tolden thei, nou tolde he; + Thei spieken plein after the lawe, + Bot he the wordes of his sawe + Coloureth in an other weie + Spekende, and thus betwen the tweie, + To trete upon this juggement, + Made ech of hem his Argument. + Wherof the tales forto hiere, + Ther mai a man the Scole liere 1630 + Of Rethoriqes eloquences, + Which is the secounde of sciences + Touchende to Philosophie; + Wherof a man schal justifie + Hise wordes in disputeisoun, + And knette upon conclusioun + His Argument in such a forme, + Which mai the pleine trouthe enforme + And the soubtil cautele abate, + Which every trewman schal debate. 1640 + The ferste, which is Theorique, + And the secounde Rethorique, + Sciences of Philosophie, + I have hem told as in partie, + So as the Philosophre it tolde + To Alisandre: and nou I wolde + Telle of the thridde what it is, + The which Practique cleped is. + Practique stant upon thre thinges + Toward the governance of kinges; 1650 + Wherof the ferst Etique is named, + The whos science stant proclamed + To teche of vertu thilke reule, + Hou that a king himself schal reule + Of his moral condicion + With worthi disposicion + Of good livinge in his persone, + Which is the chief of his corone. + It makth a king also to lerne + Hou he his bodi schal governe, 1660 + Hou he schal wake, hou he schal slepe, + Hou that he schal his hele kepe + In mete, in drinke, in clothinge eke: + Ther is no wisdom forto seke + As for the reule of his persone, + The which that this science al one + Ne techeth as be weie of kinde, + That ther is nothing left behinde. + That other point which to Practique + Belongeth is Iconomique, 1670 + Which techeth thilke honestete + Thurgh which a king in his degre + His wif and child schal reule and guie, + So forth with al the companie + Which in his houshold schal abyde, + And his astat on every syde + In such manere forto lede, + That he his houshold ne mislede. + Practique hath yit the thridde aprise, + Which techeth hou and in what wise 1680 + Thurgh hih pourveied ordinance + A king schal sette in governance + His Realme, and that is Policie, + Which longeth unto Regalie + In time of werre, in time of pes, + To worschipe and to good encress + Of clerk, of kniht and of Marchant, + And so forth of the remenant + Of al the comun poeple aboute, + Withinne Burgh and ek withoute, 1690 + Of hem that ben Artificiers, + Whiche usen craftes and mestiers, + Whos Art is cleped Mechanique. + And though thei ben noght alle like, + Yit natheles, hou so it falle, + O lawe mot governe hem alle, + Or that thei lese or that thei winne, + After thastat that thei ben inne. + Lo, thus this worthi yonge king + Was fulli tauht of every thing, 1700 + Which mihte yive entendement + Of good reule and good regiment + To such a worthi Prince as he. + Bot of verray necessite + The Philosophre him hath betake + Fyf pointz, whiche he hath undertake + To kepe and holde in observance, + As for the worthi governance + Which longeth to his Regalie, + After the reule of Policie. 1710 + To every man behoveth lore, + Bot to noman belongeth more + Than to a king, which hath to lede + The poeple; for of his kinghede + He mai hem bothe save and spille. + And for it stant upon his wille, + It sit him wel to ben avised, + And the vertus whiche are assissed + Unto a kinges Regiment, + To take in his entendement: 1720 + Wherof to tellen, as thei stonde, + Hierafterward nou woll I fonde. + Among the vertus on is chief, + And that is trouthe, which is lief + To god and ek to man also. + And for it hath ben evere so, + Tawhte Aristotle, as he wel couthe, + To Alisandre, hou in his youthe + He scholde of trouthe thilke grace + With al his hole herte embrace, 1730 + So that his word be trewe and plein, + Toward the world and so certein + That in him be no double speche: + For if men scholde trouthe seche + And founde it noght withinne a king, + It were an unsittende thing. + The word is tokne of that withinne, + Ther schal a worthi king beginne + To kepe his tunge and to be trewe, + So schal his pris ben evere newe. 1740 + Avise him every man tofore, + And be wel war, er he be swore, + For afterward it is to late, + If that he wole his word debate. + For as a king in special + Above alle othre is principal + Of his pouer, so scholde he be + Most vertuous in his degre; + And that mai wel be signefied + Be his corone and specified. 1750 + The gold betokneth excellence, + That men schull don him reverence + As to here liege soverein. + The Stones, as the bokes sein, + Commended ben in treble wise: + Ferst thei ben harde, and thilke assisse + Betokneth in a king Constance, + So that ther schal no variance + Be founde in his condicion; + And also be descripcion 1760 + The vertu which is in the stones + A verrai Signe is for the nones + Of that a king schal ben honeste + And holde trewly his beheste + Of thing which longeth to kinghede: + The bryhte colour, as I rede, + Which in the stones is schynende, + Is in figure betoknende + The Cronique of this worldes fame, + Which stant upon his goode name. 1770 + The cercle which is round aboute + Is tokne of al the lond withoute, + Which stant under his Gerarchie, + That he it schal wel kepe and guye. + And for that trouthe, hou so it falle, + Is the vertu soverein of alle, + That longeth unto regiment, + A tale, which is evident + Of trouthe in comendacioun, + Toward thin enformacion, 1780 + Mi Sone, hierafter thou schalt hiere + Of a Cronique in this matiere. + As the Cronique it doth reherce, + A Soldan whilom was of Perce, + Which Daires hihte, and Ytaspis + His fader was; and soth it is + That thurgh wisdom and hih prudence + Mor than for eny reverence + Of his lignage as be descente + The regne of thilke empire he hente: 1790 + And as he was himselve wys, + The wisemen he hield in pris + And soghte hem oute on every side, + That toward him thei scholde abide. + Among the whiche thre ther were + That most service unto him bere, + As thei which in his chambre lyhen + And al his conseil herde and syhen. + Here names ben of strange note, + Arpaghes was the ferste hote, 1800 + And Manachaz was the secounde, + Zorobabel, as it is founde + In the Cronique, was the thridde. + This Soldan, what so him betidde, + To hem he triste most of alle, + Wherof the cas is so befalle: + This lord, which hath conceiptes depe, + Upon a nyht whan he hath slepe, + As he which hath his wit desposed, + Touchende a point hem hath opposed. 1810 + The kinges question was this; + Of thinges thre which strengest is, + The wyn, the womman or the king: + And that thei scholde upon this thing + Of here ansuere avised be, + He yaf hem fulli daies thre, + And hath behote hem be his feith + That who the beste reson seith, + He schal receive a worthi mede. + Upon this thing thei token hiede 1820 + And stoden in desputeison, + That be diverse opinion + Of Argumentz that thei have holde + Arpaghes ferst his tale tolde, + And seide hou that the strengthe of kinges + Is myhtiest of alle thinges. + For king hath pouer over man, + And man is he which reson can, + As he which is of his nature + The moste noble creature 1830 + Of alle tho that god hath wroght: + And be that skile it semeth noght, + He seith, that eny erthly thing + Mai be so myhty as a king. + A king mai spille, a king mai save, + A king mai make of lord a knave + And of a knave a lord also: + The pouer of a king stant so, + That he the lawes overpasseth; + What he wol make lasse, he lasseth, 1840 + What he wol make more, he moreth; + And as the gentil faucon soreth, + He fleth, that noman him reclameth; + Bot he al one alle othre tameth, + And stant himself of lawe fre. + Lo, thus a kinges myht, seith he, + So as his reson can argue, + Is strengest and of most value. + Bot Manachaz seide otherwise, + That wyn is of the more emprise; 1850 + And that he scheweth be this weie. + The wyn fulofte takth aweie + The reson fro the mannes herte; + The wyn can make a krepel sterte, + And a delivere man unwelde; + It makth a blind man to behelde, + And a bryht yhed seme derk; + It makth a lewed man a clerk, + And fro the clerkes the clergie + It takth aweie, and couardie 1860 + It torneth into hardiesse; + Of Avarice it makth largesse. + The wyn makth ek the goode blod, + In which the Soule which is good + Hath chosen hire a resting place, + Whil that the lif hir wole embrace. + And be this skile Manachas + Ansuered hath upon this cas, + And seith that wyn be weie of kinde + Is thing which mai the hertes binde 1870 + Wel more than the regalie. + Zorobabel for his partie + Seide, as him thoghte for the beste, + That wommen ben the myhtieste. + The king and the vinour also + Of wommen comen bothe tuo; + And ek he seide hou that manhede + Thurgh strengthe unto the wommanhede + Of love, wher he wole or non, + Obeie schal; and therupon, 1880 + To schewe of wommen the maistrie, + A tale which he syh with yhe + As for ensample he tolde this,- + Hou Apemen, of Besazis + Which dowhter was, in the paleis + Sittende upon his hihe deis, + Whan he was hotest in his ire + Toward the grete of his empire, + Cirus the king tirant sche tok, + And only with hire goodly lok 1890 + Sche made him debonaire and meke, + And be the chyn and be the cheke + Sche luggeth him riht as hir liste, + That nou sche japeth, nou sche kiste, + And doth with him what evere hir liketh; + Whan that sche loureth, thanne he siketh, + And whan sche gladeth, he is glad: + And thus this king was overlad + With hire which his lemman was. + Among the men is no solas, 1900 + If that ther be no womman there; + For bot if that the wommen were, + This worldes joie were aweie: + Thurgh hem men finden out the weie + To knihthode and to worldes fame; + Thei make a man to drede schame, + And honour forto be desired: + Thurgh the beaute of hem is fyred + The Dart of which Cupide throweth, + Wherof the jolif peine groweth, 1910 + Which al the world hath under fote. + A womman is the mannes bote, + His lif, his deth, his wo, his wel; + And this thing mai be schewed wel, + Hou that wommen ben goode and kinde, + For in ensample this I finde. + Whan that the duk Ametus lay + Sek in his bedd, that every day + Men waiten whan he scholde deie, + Alceste his wif goth forto preie, 1920 + As sche which wolde thonk deserve, + With Sacrifice unto Minerve, + To wite ansuere of the goddesse + Hou that hir lord of his seknesse, + Wherof he was so wo besein, + Recovere myhte his hele ayein. + Lo, thus sche cride and thus sche preide, + Til ate laste a vois hir seide, + That if sche wolde for his sake + The maladie soffre and take, 1930 + And deie hirself, he scholde live. + Of this ansuere Alceste hath yive + Unto Minerve gret thonkinge, + So that hir deth and his livinge + Sche ches with al hire hole entente, + And thus acorded hom sche wente. + Into the chambre and whan sche cam, + Hire housebonde anon sche nam + In bothe hire Armes and him kiste, + And spak unto him what hire liste; 1940 + And therupon withinne a throwe + This goode wif was overthrowe + And deide, and he was hool in haste. + So mai a man be reson taste, + Hou next after the god above + The trouthe of wommen and the love, + In whom that alle grace is founde, + Is myhtiest upon this grounde + And most behovely manyfold. + Lo, thus Zorobabel hath told 1950 + The tale of his opinion: + Bot for final conclusion + What strengest is of erthli thinges, + The wyn, the wommen or the kinges, + He seith that trouthe above hem alle + Is myhtiest, hou evere it falle. + The trouthe, hou so it evere come, + Mai for nothing ben overcome; + It mai wel soffre for a throwe, + Bot ate laste it schal be knowe. 1960 + The proverbe is, who that is trewe, + Him schal his while nevere rewe: + For hou so that the cause wende, + The trouthe is schameles ate ende, + Bot what thing that is troutheles, + It mai noght wel be schameles, + And schame hindreth every wyht: + So proveth it, ther is no myht + Withoute trouthe in no degre. + And thus for trouthe of his decre 1970 + Zorobabel was most commended, + Wherof the question was ended, + And he resceived hath his mede + For trouthe, which to mannes nede + Is most behoveliche overal. + Forthi was trouthe in special + The ferste point in observance + Betake unto the governance + Of Alisandre, as it is seid: + For therupon the ground is leid 1980 + Of every kinges regiment, + As thing which most convenient + Is forto sette a king in evene + Bothe in this world and ek in hevene. + Next after trouthe the secounde, + In Policie as it is founde, + Which serveth to the worldes fame + In worschipe of a kinges name, + Largesse it is, whos privilegge + Ther mai non Avarice abregge. 1990 + The worldes good was ferst comune, + Bot afterward upon fortune + Was thilke comun profit cessed: + For whan the poeple stod encresced + And the lignages woxen grete, + Anon for singulier beyete + Drouh every man to his partie; + Wherof cam in the ferste envie + With gret debat and werres stronge, + And laste among the men so longe, 2000 + Til noman wiste who was who, + Ne which was frend ne which was fo. + Til ate laste in every lond + Withinne hemself the poeple fond + That it was good to make a king, + Which mihte appesen al this thing + And yive riht to the lignages + In partinge of here heritages + And ek of al here other good; + And thus above hem alle stod 2010 + The king upon his Regalie, + As he which hath to justifie + The worldes good fro covoitise. + So sit it wel in alle wise + A king betwen the more and lesse + To sette his herte upon largesse + Toward himself and ek also + Toward his poeple; and if noght so, + That is to sein, if that he be + Toward himselven large and fre 2020 + And of his poeple take and pile, + Largesse be no weie of skile + It mai be seid, bot Avarice, + Which in a king is a gret vice. + A king behoveth ek to fle + The vice of Prodegalite, + That he mesure in his expence + So kepe, that of indigence + He mai be sauf: for who that nedeth, + In al his werk the worse he spedeth. 2030 + As Aristotle upon Chaldee + Ensample of gret Auctorite + Unto king Alisandre tauhte + Of thilke folk that were unsauhte + Toward here king for his pilage: + Wherof he bad, in his corage + That he unto thre pointz entende, + Wher that he wolde his good despende. + Ferst scholde he loke, hou that it stod, + That al were of his oghne good 2040 + The yiftes whiche he wolde yive; + So myhte he wel the betre live: + And ek he moste taken hiede + If ther be cause of eny nede, + Which oghte forto be defended, + Er that his goodes be despended: + He mot ek, as it is befalle, + Amonges othre thinges alle + Se the decertes of his men; + And after that thei ben of ken 2050 + And of astat and of merite, + He schal hem largeliche aquite, + Or for the werre, or for the pes, + That non honour falle in descres, + Which mihte torne into defame, + Bot that he kepe his goode name, + So that he be noght holde unkinde. + For in Cronique a tale I finde, + Which spekth somdiel of this matiere, + Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere. 2060 + In Rome, to poursuie his riht, + Ther was a worthi povere kniht, + Which cam al one forto sein + His cause, when the court was plein, + Wher Julius was in presence. + And for him lacketh of despence, + Ther was with him non advocat + To make ple for his astat. + Bot thogh him lacke forto plede, + Him lacketh nothing of manhede; 2070 + He wiste wel his pours was povere, + Bot yit he thoghte his riht recovere, + And openly poverte alleide, + To themperour and thus he seide: + "O Julius, lord of the lawe, + Behold, mi conseil is withdrawe + For lacke of gold: do thin office + After the lawes of justice: + Help that I hadde conseil hiere + Upon the trouthe of mi matiere." 2080 + And Julius with that anon + Assigned him a worthi on, + Bot he himself no word ne spak. + This kniht was wroth and fond a lak + In themperour, and seide thus: + "O thou unkinde Julius, + Whan thou in thi bataille were + Up in Aufrique, and I was there, + Mi myht for thi rescousse I dede + And putte noman in my stede, 2090 + Thou wost what woundes ther I hadde: + Bot hier I finde thee so badde, + That thee ne liste speke o word + Thin oghne mouth, nor of thin hord + To yive a florin me to helpe. + Hou scholde I thanne me beyelpe + Fro this dai forth of thi largesse, + Whan such a gret unkindenesse + Is founde in such a lord as thou?" + This Julius knew wel ynou 2100 + That al was soth which he him tolde; + And for he wolde noght ben holde + Unkinde, he tok his cause on honde, + And as it were of goddes sonde, + He yaf him good ynouh to spende + For evere into his lives ende. + And thus scholde every worthi king + Take of his knihtes knowleching, + Whan that he syh thei hadden nede, + For every service axeth mede: 2110 + Bot othre, which have noght deserved + Thurgh vertu, bot of japes served, + A king schal noght deserve grace, + Thogh he be large in such a place. + It sit wel every king to have + Discrecion, whan men him crave, + So that he mai his yifte wite: + Wherof I finde a tale write, + Hou Cinichus a povere kniht + A Somme which was over myht 2120 + Preide of his king Antigonus. + The king ansuerde to him thus, + And seide hou such a yifte passeth + His povere astat: and thanne he lasseth, + And axeth bot a litel peny, + If that the king wol yive him eny. + The king ansuerde, it was to smal + For him, which was a lord real; + To yive a man so litel thing + It were unworschipe in a king. 2130 + Be this ensample a king mai lere + That forto yive is in manere: + For if a king his tresor lasseth + Withoute honour and thonkles passeth, + Whan he himself wol so beguile, + I not who schal compleigne his while, + Ne who be rihte him schal relieve. + Bot natheles this I believe, + To helpe with his oghne lond + Behoveth every man his hond 2140 + To sette upon necessite; + And ek his kinges realte + Mot every liege man conforte, + With good and bodi to supporte, + Whan thei se cause resonable: + For who that is noght entendable + To holde upriht his kinges name, + Him oghte forto be to blame. + Of Policie and overmore + To speke in this matiere more, 2150 + So as the Philosophre tolde, + A king after the reule is holde + To modifie and to adresce + Hise yiftes upon such largesce + That he mesure noght excede: + For if a king falle into nede, + It causeth ofte sondri thinges + Whiche are ungoodly to the kinges. + What man wol noght himself mesure, + Men sen fulofte that mesure 2160 + Him hath forsake: and so doth he + That useth Prodegalite, + Which is the moder of poverte, + Wherof the londes ben deserte; + And namely whan thilke vice + Aboute a king stant in office + And hath withholde of his partie + The covoitouse flaterie, + Which many a worthi king deceiveth, + Er he the fallas aperceiveth 2170 + Of hem that serven to the glose. + For thei that cunnen plese and glose, + Ben, as men tellen, the norrices + Unto the fostringe of the vices, + Wherof fulofte natheles + A king is blamed gulteles. + A Philosophre, as thou schalt hiere, + Spak to a king of this matiere, + And seide him wel hou that flatours + Coupable were of thre errours. 2180 + On was toward the goddes hihe, + That weren wrothe of that thei sihe + The meschief which befalle scholde + Of that the false flatour tolde. + Toward the king an other was, + Whan thei be sleihte and be fallas + Of feigned wordes make him wene + That blak is whyt and blew is grene + Touchende of his condicion: + For whanne he doth extorcion 2190 + With manye an other vice mo, + Men schal noght finden on of tho + To groucche or speke therayein, + Bot holden up his oil and sein + That al is wel, what evere he doth; + And thus of fals thei maken soth, + So that here kinges yhe is blent + And wot not hou the world is went. + The thridde errour is harm comune, + With which the poeple mot commune 2200 + Of wronges that thei bringen inne: + And thus thei worchen treble sinne, + That ben flatours aboute a king. + Ther myhte be no worse thing + Aboute a kinges regalie, + Thanne is the vice of flaterie. + And natheles it hath ben used, + That it was nevere yit refused + As forto speke in court real; + For there it is most special, 2210 + And mai noght longe be forbore. + Bot whan this vice of hem is bore, + That scholden the vertus forthbringe, + And trouthe is torned to lesinge, + It is, as who seith, ayein kinde, + Wherof an old ensample I finde. + Among these othre tales wise + Of Philosophres, in this wise + I rede, how whilom tuo ther were, + And to the Scole forto lere 2220 + Unto Athenes fro Cartage + Here frendes, whan thei were of Age, + Hem sende; and ther thei stoden longe, + Til thei such lore have underfonge, + That in here time thei surmonte + Alle othre men, that to acompte + Of hem was tho the grete fame. + The ferste of hem his rihte name + Was Diogenes thanne hote, + In whom was founde no riote: 2230 + His felaw Arisippus hyhte, + Which mochel couthe and mochel myhte. + Bot ate laste, soth to sein, + Thei bothe tornen hom ayein + Unto Cartage and scole lete. + This Diogenes no beyete + Of worldes good or lasse or more + Ne soghte for his longe lore, + Bot tok him only forto duelle + At hom; and as the bokes telle, 2240 + His hous was nyh to the rivere + Besyde a bregge, as thou schalt hiere. + Ther duelleth he to take his reste, + So as it thoghte him for the beste, + To studie in his Philosophie, + As he which wolde so defie + The worldes pompe on every syde. + Bot Arisippe his bok aside + Hath leid, and to the court he wente, + Wher many a wyle and many a wente 2250 + With flaterie and wordes softe + He caste, and hath compassed ofte + Hou he his Prince myhte plese; + And in this wise he gat him ese + Of vein honour and worldes good. + The londes reule upon him stod, + The king of him was wonder glad, + And all was do, what thing he bad, + Bothe in the court and ek withoute. + With flaterie he broghte aboute 2260 + His pourpos of the worldes werk, + Which was ayein the stat of clerk, + So that Philosophie he lefte + And to richesse himself uplefte: + Lo, thus hadde Arisippe his wille. + Bot Diogenes duelte stille + A home and loked on his bok: + He soghte noght the worldes crok + For vein honour ne for richesse, + Bot all his hertes besinesse 2270 + He sette to be vertuous; + And thus withinne his oghne hous + He liveth to the sufficance + Of his havinge. And fell per chance, + This Diogene upon a day, + And that was in the Monthe of May, + Whan that these herbes ben holsome, + He walketh forto gadre some + In his gardin, of whiche his joutes + He thoghte have, and thus aboutes 2280 + Whanne he hath gadred what him liketh, + He satte him thanne doun and pyketh, + And wyssh his herbes in the flod + Upon the which his gardin stod, + Nyh to the bregge, as I tolde er. + And hapneth, whil he sitteth ther, + Cam Arisippes be the strete + With manye hors and routes grete, + And straght unto the bregge he rod. + Wher that he hoved and abod; 2290 + For as he caste his yhe nyh, + His felaw Diogene he syh, + And what he dede he syh also, + Wherof he seide to him so: + "O Diogene, god thee spede. + It were certes litel nede + To sitte there and wortes pyke, + If thou thi Prince couthest lyke, + So as I can in my degre." + "O Arisippe," ayein quod he, 2300 + "If that thou couthist, so as I, + Thi wortes pyke, trewely + It were als litel nede or lasse, + That thou so worldly wolt compasse + With flaterie forto serve, + Wherof thou thenkest to deserve + Thi princes thonk, and to pourchace + Hou thou myht stonden in his grace, + For getinge of a litel good. + If thou wolt take into thi mod 2310 + Reson, thou myht be reson deeme + That so thi prince forto queeme + Is noght to reson acordant, + Bot it is gretly descordant + Unto the Scoles of Athene." + Lo, thus ansuerde Diogene + Ayein the clerkes flaterie. + Bot yit men sen thessamplerie + Of Arisippe is wel received, + And thilke of Diogene is weyved. 2320 + Office in court and gold in cofre + Is nou, men sein, the philosophre + Which hath the worschipe in the halle; + Bot flaterie passeth alle + In chambre, whom the court avanceth; + For upon thilke lot it chanceth + To be beloved nou aday. + I not if it be ye or nay, + Bot as the comun vois it telleth; + Bot wher that flaterie duelleth 2330 + In eny lond under the Sonne, + Ther is ful many a thing begonne + Which were betre to be left; + That hath be schewed nou and eft. + Bot if a Prince wolde him reule + Of the Romeins after the reule, + In thilke time as it was used, + This vice scholde be refused, + Wherof the Princes ben assoted. + Bot wher the pleine trouthe is noted, 2340 + Ther may a Prince wel conceive, + That he schal noght himself deceive, + Of that he hiereth wordes pleine; + For him thar noght be reson pleigne, + That warned is er him be wo. + And that was fully proeved tho, + Whan Rome was the worldes chief, + The Sothseiere tho was lief, + Which wolde noght the trouthe spare, + Bot with hise wordes pleine and bare 2350 + To Themperour hise sothes tolde, + As in Cronique is yit withholde, + Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere + Acordende unto this matiere. + To se this olde ensamplerie, + That whilom was no flaterie + Toward the Princes wel I finde; + Wherof so as it comth to mynde, + Mi Sone, a tale unto thin Ere, + Whil that the worthi princes were 2360 + At Rome, I thenke forto tellen. + For whan the chances so befellen + That eny Emperour as tho + Victoire hadde upon his fo, + And so forth cam to Rome ayein, + Of treble honour he was certein, + Wherof that he was magnefied. + The ferste, as it is specefied, + Was, whan he cam at thilke tyde, + The Charr in which he scholde ryde 2370 + Foure whyte Stiedes scholden drawe; + Of Jupiter be thilke lawe + The Cote he scholde were also; + Hise prisoners ek scholden go + Endlong the Charr on eyther hond, + And alle the nobles of the lond + Tofore and after with him come + Ridende and broghten him to Rome, + In thonk of his chivalerie + And for non other flaterie. 2380 + And that was schewed forth withal; + Wher he sat in his Charr real, + Beside him was a Ribald set, + Which hadde hise wordes so beset, + To themperour in al his gloire + He seide, "Tak into memoire, + For al this pompe and al this pride + Let no justice gon aside, + Bot know thiself, what so befalle. + For men sen ofte time falle 2390 + Thing which men wende siker stonde: + Thogh thou victoire have nou on honde, + Fortune mai noght stonde alway; + The whiel per chance an other day + Mai torne, and thou myht overthrowe; + Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe." + With these wordes and with mo + This Ribald, which sat with him tho, + To Themperour his tale tolde: + And overmor what evere he wolde, 2400 + Or were it evel or were it good, + So pleinly as the trouthe stod, + He spareth noght, bot spekth it oute; + And so myhte every man aboute + The day of that solempnete + His tale telle als wel as he + To Themperour al openly. + And al was this the cause why; + That whil he stod in that noblesse, + He scholde his vanite represse 2410 + With suche wordes as he herde. + Lo nou, hou thilke time it ferde + Toward so hih a worthi lord: + For this I finde ek of record, + Which the Cronique hath auctorized. + What Emperour was entronized, + The ferste day of his corone, + Wher he was in his real Throne + And hield his feste in the paleis + Sittende upon his hihe deis 2420 + With al the lust that mai be gete, + Whan he was gladdest at his mete, + And every menstral hadde pleid, + And every Disour hadde seid + What most was plesant to his Ere, + Than ate laste comen there + Hise Macons, for thei scholden crave + Wher that he wolde be begrave, + And of what Ston his sepulture + Thei scholden make, and what sculpture 2430 + He wolde ordeine therupon. + Tho was ther flaterie non + The worthi princes to bejape; + The thing was other wise schape + With good conseil; and otherwise + Thei were hemselven thanne wise, + And understoden wel and knewen. + Whan suche softe wyndes blewen + Of flaterie into here Ere, + Thei setten noght here hertes there; 2440 + Bot whan thei herden wordes feigned, + The pleine trouthe it hath desdeigned + Of hem that weren so discrete. + So tok the flatour no beyete + Of him that was his prince tho: + And forto proven it is so, + A tale which befell in dede + In a Cronique of Rome I rede. + Cesar upon his real throne + Wher that he sat in his persone 2450 + And was hyest in al his pris, + A man, which wolde make him wys, + Fell doun knelende in his presence, + And dede him such a reverence, + As thogh the hihe god it were: + Men hadden gret mervaille there + Of the worschipe which he dede. + This man aros fro thilke stede, + And forth with al the same tyde + He goth him up and be his side 2460 + He set him doun as pier and pier, + And seide, "If thou that sittest hier + Art god, which alle thinges myht, + Thanne have I do worshipe ariht + As to the god; and other wise, + If thou be noght of thilke assisse, + Bot art a man such as am I, + Than mai I sitte faste by, + For we be bothen of o kinde." + Cesar ansuerde and seide, "O blinde, 2470 + Thou art a fol, it is wel sene + Upon thiself: for if thou wene + I be a god, thou dost amys + To sitte wher thou sest god is; + And if I be a man, also + Thou hast a gret folie do, + Whan thou to such on as schal deie + The worschipe of thi god aweie + Hast yoven so unworthely. + Thus mai I prove redely, 2480 + Thou art noght wys." And thei that herde + Hou wysly that the king ansuerde, + It was to hem a newe lore; + Wherof thei dradden him the more, + And broghten nothing to his Ere, + Bot if it trouthe and reson were. + So be ther manye, in such a wise + That feignen wordes to be wise, + And al is verray flaterie + To him which can it wel aspie. 2490 + The kinde flatour can noght love + Bot forto bringe himself above; + For hou that evere his maister fare, + So that himself stonde out of care, + Him reccheth noght: and thus fulofte + Deceived ben with wordes softe + The kinges that ben innocent. + Wherof as for chastiement + The wise Philosophre seide, + What king that so his tresor leide 2500 + Upon such folk, he hath the lesse, + And yit ne doth he no largesse, + Bot harmeth with his oghne hond + Himself and ek his oghne lond, + And that be many a sondri weie. + Wherof if that a man schal seie, + As forto speke in general, + Wher such thing falleth overal + That eny king himself misreule, + The Philosophre upon his reule 2510 + In special a cause sette, + Which is and evere hath be the lette + In governance aboute a king + Upon the meschief of the thing, + And that, he seith, is Flaterie. + Wherof tofore as in partie + What vice it is I have declared; + For who that hath his wit bewared + Upon a flatour to believe, + Whan that he weneth best achieve 2520 + His goode world, it is most fro. + And forto proeven it is so + Ensamples ther ben manyon, + Of whiche if thou wolt knowen on, + It is behovely forto hiere + What whilom fell in this matiere. + Among the kinges in the bible + I finde a tale, and is credible, + Of him that whilom Achab hihte, + Which hadde al Irahel to rihte; 2530 + Bot who that couthe glose softe + And flatre, suche he sette alofte + In gret astat and made hem riche; + Bot thei that spieken wordes liche + To trouthe and wolde it noght forbere, + For hem was non astat to bere, + The court of suche tok non hiede. + Til ate laste upon a nede, + That Benedab king of Surie + Of Irahel a gret partie, 2540 + Which Ramoth Galaath was hote, + Hath sesed; and of that riote + He tok conseil in sondri wise, + Bot noght of hem that weren wise. + And natheles upon this cas + To strengthen him, for Josaphas, + Which thanne was king of Judee, + He sende forto come, as he + Which thurgh frendschipe and alliance + Was next to him of aqueintance; 2550 + For Joram Sone of Josaphath + Achabbes dowhter wedded hath, + Which hihte faire Godelie. + And thus cam into Samarie + King Josaphat, and he fond there + The king Achab: and whan thei were + Togedre spekende of this thing, + This Josaphat seith to the king, + Hou that he wolde gladly hiere + Som trew prophete in this matiere, 2560 + That he his conseil myhte yive + To what point that it schal be drive. + And in that time so befell, + Ther was such on in Irahel, + Which sette him al to flaterie, + And he was cleped Sedechie; + And after him Achab hath sent: + And he at his comandement + Tofore him cam, and be a sleyhte + He hath upon his heved on heyhte 2570 + Tuo large hornes set of bras, + As he which al a flatour was, + And goth rampende as a leoun + And caste hise hornes up and doun, + And bad men ben of good espeir, + For as the hornes percen their, + He seith, withoute resistence, + So wiste he wel of his science + That Benedab is desconfit. + Whan Sedechie upon this plit 2580 + Hath told this tale to his lord, + Anon ther were of his acord + Prophetes false manye mo + To bere up oil, and alle tho + Affermen that which he hath told, + Wherof the king Achab was bold + And yaf hem yiftes al aboute. + But Josaphat was in gret doute, + And hield fantosme al that he herde, + Preiende Achab, hou so it ferde, 2590 + If ther were eny other man, + The which of prophecie can, + To hiere him speke er that thei gon. + Quod Achab thanne, "Ther is on, + A brothell, which Micheas hihte; + Bot he ne comth noght in my sihte, + For he hath longe in prison lein. + Him liketh nevere yit to sein + A goodly word to mi plesance; + And natheles at thin instance 2600 + He schal come oute, and thanne he may + Seie as he seide many day; + For yit he seide nevere wel." + Tho Josaphat began somdel + To gladen him in hope of trouthe, + And bad withouten eny slouthe + That men him scholden fette anon. + And thei that weren for him gon, + Whan that thei comen wher he was, + Thei tolden unto Micheas 2610 + The manere hou that Sedechie + Declared hath his prophecie; + And therupon thei preie him faire + That he wol seie no contraire, + Wherof the king mai be desplesed, + For so schal every man ben esed, + And he mai helpe himselve also. + Micheas upon trouthe tho + His herte sette, and to hem seith, + Al that belongeth to his feith 2620 + And of non other feigned thing, + That wol he telle unto his king, + Als fer as god hath yove him grace. + Thus cam this prophete into place + Wher he the kinges wille herde; + And he therto anon ansuerde, + And seide unto him in this wise: + "Mi liege lord, for mi servise, + Which trewe hath stonden evere yit, + Thou hast me with prisone aquit; 2630 + Bot for al that I schal noght glose + Of trouthe als fer as I suppose; + And as touchende of this bataille, + Thou schalt noght of the sothe faile. + For if it like thee to hiere, + As I am tauht in that matiere, + Thou miht it understonde sone; + Bot what is afterward to done + Avise thee, for this I sih. + I was tofor the throne on hih, 2640 + Wher al the world me thoghte stod, + And there I herde and understod + The vois of god with wordes cliere + Axende, and seide in this manere: + "In what thing mai I best beguile + The king Achab?" And for a while + Upon this point thei spieken faste. + Tho seide a spirit ate laste, + "I undertake this emprise." + And god him axeth in what wise. 2650 + "I schal," quod he, "deceive and lye + With flaterende prophecie + In suche mouthes as he lieveth." + And he which alle thing achieveth + Bad him go forth and don riht so. + And over this I sih also + The noble peple of Irahel + Dispers as Schep upon an hell, + Withoute a kepere unarraied: + And as thei wente aboute astraied, 2660 + I herde a vois unto hem sein, + "Goth hom into your hous ayein, + Til I for you have betre ordeigned." + Quod Sedechie, "Thou hast feigned + This tale in angringe of the king." + And in a wraththe upon this thing + He smot Michee upon the cheke; + The king him hath rebuked eke, + And every man upon him cride: + Thus was he schent on every side, 2670 + Ayein and into prison lad, + For so the king himselve bad. + The trouthe myhte noght ben herd; + Bot afterward as it hath ferd, + The dede proveth his entente: + Achab to the bataille wente, + Wher Benedab for al his Scheld + Him slouh, so that upon the feld + His poeple goth aboute astray. + Bot god, which alle thinges may, 2680 + So doth that thei no meschief have; + Here king was ded and thei ben save, + And hom ayein in goddes pes + Thei wente, and al was founde les + That Sedechie hath seid tofore. + So sit it wel a king therfore + To loven hem that trouthe mene; + For ate laste it wol be sene + That flaterie is nothing worth. + Bot nou to mi matiere forth, 2690 + As forto speken overmore + After the Philosophres lore, + The thridde point of Policie + I thenke forto specifie. + What is a lond wher men ben none? + What ben the men whiche are al one + Withoute a kinges governance? + What is a king in his ligance, + Wher that ther is no lawe in londe? + What is to take lawe on honde, 2700 + Bot if the jugges weren trewe? + These olde worldes with the newe + Who that wol take in evidence, + Ther mai he se thexperience, + What thing it is to kepe lawe, + Thurgh which the wronges ben withdrawe + And rihtwisnesse stant commended, + Wherof the regnes ben amended. + For wher the lawe mai comune + The lordes forth with the commune, 2710 + Ech hath his propre duete; + And ek the kinges realte + Of bothe his worschipe underfongeth, + To his astat as it belongeth, + Which of his hihe worthinesse + Hath to governe rihtwisnesse, + As he which schal the lawe guide. + And natheles upon som side + His pouer stant above the lawe, + To yive bothe and to withdrawe 2720 + The forfet of a mannes lif; + But thinges whiche are excessif + Ayein the lawe, he schal noght do + For love ne for hate also. + The myhtes of a king ben grete, + Bot yit a worthi king schal lete + Of wrong to don, al that he myhte; + For he which schal the poeple ryhte, + It sit wel to his regalie + That he himself ferst justefie 2730 + Towardes god in his degre: + For his astat is elles fre + Toward alle othre in his persone, + Save only to the god al one, + Which wol himself a king chastise, + Wher that non other mai suffise. + So were it good to taken hiede + That ferst a king his oghne dede + Betwen the vertu and the vice + Redresce, and thanne of his justice 2740 + So sette in evene the balance + Towardes othre in governance, + That to the povere and to the riche + Hise lawes myhten stonde liche, + He schal excepte no persone. + Bot for he mai noght al him one + In sondri places do justice, + He schal of his real office + With wys consideracion + Ordeigne his deputacion 2750 + Of suche jugges as ben lerned, + So that his poeple be governed + Be hem that trewe ben and wise. + For if the lawe of covoitise + Be set upon a jugges hond, + Wo is the poeple of thilke lond, + For wrong mai noght himselven hyde: + Bot elles on that other side, + If lawe stonde with the riht, + The poeple is glad and stant upriht. 2760 + Wher as the lawe is resonable, + The comun poeple stant menable, + And if the lawe torne amis, + The poeple also mistorned is. + And in ensample of this matiere + Of Maximin a man mai hiere, + Of Rome which was Emperour, + That whanne he made a governour + Be weie of substitucion + Of Province or of region, 2770 + He wolde ferst enquere his name, + And let it openly proclame + What man he were, or evel or good. + And upon that his name stod + Enclin to vertu or to vice, + So wolde he sette him in office, + Or elles putte him al aweie. + Thus hield the lawe his rihte weie, + Which fond no let of covoitise: + The world stod than upon the wise, 2780 + As be ensample thou myht rede; + And hold it in thi mynde, I rede. + In a Cronique I finde thus, + Hou that Gayus Fabricius, + Which whilom was Consul of Rome, + Be whom the lawes yede and come, + Whan the Sampnites to him broghte + A somme of gold, and him besoghte + To don hem favour in the lawe, + Toward the gold he gan him drawe, 2790 + Wherof in alle mennes lok + A part up in his hond he tok, + Which to his mouth in alle haste + He putte, it forto smelle and taste, + And to his yhe and to his Ere, + Bot he ne fond no confort there: + And thanne he gan it to despise, + And tolde unto hem in this wise: + "I not what is with gold to thryve, + Whan non of all my wittes fyve 2800 + Fynt savour ne delit therinne. + So is it bot a nyce Sinne + Of gold to ben to covoitous; + Bot he is riche and glorious, + Which hath in his subjeccion + Tho men whiche in possession + Ben riche of gold, and be this skile; + For he mai aldai whan he wile, + Or be hem lieve or be hem lothe, + Justice don upon hem bothe." 2810 + Lo, thus he seide, and with that word + He threw tofore hem on the bord + The gold out of his hond anon, + And seide hem that he wolde non: + So that he kepte his liberte + To do justice and equite, + Withoute lucre of such richesse. + Ther be nou fewe of suche, I gesse; + For it was thilke times used, + That every jugge was refused 2820 + Which was noght frend to comun riht; + Bot thei that wolden stonde upriht + For trouthe only to do justice + Preferred were in thilke office + To deme and jugge commun lawe: + Which nou, men sein, is al withdrawe. + To sette a lawe and kepe it noght + Ther is no comun profit soght; + Bot above alle natheles + The lawe, which is mad for pes, 2830 + Is good to kepe for the beste, + For that set alle men in reste. + The rihtful Emperour Conrade + To kepe pes such lawe made, + That non withinne the cite + In destorbance of unite + Dorste ones moeven a matiere. + For in his time, as thou myht hiere, + What point that was for lawe set + It scholde for no gold be let, 2840 + To what persone that it were. + And this broghte in the comun fere, + Why every man the lawe dradde, + For ther was non which favour hadde. + So as these olde bokes sein, + I finde write hou a Romein, + Which Consul was of the Pretoire, + Whos name was Carmidotoire, + He sette a lawe for the pes, + That non, bot he be wepneles, 2850 + Schal come into the conseil hous, + And elles as malicious + He schal ben of the lawe ded. + To that statut and to that red + Acorden alle it schal be so, + For certein cause which was tho: + Nou lest what fell therafter sone. + This Consul hadde forto done, + And was into the feldes ride; + And thei him hadden longe abide, 2860 + That lordes of the conseil were, + And for him sende, and he cam there + With swerd begert, and hath foryete, + Til he was in the conseil sete. + Was non of hem that made speche, + Til he himself it wolde seche, + And fond out the defalte himselve; + And thanne he seide unto the tuelve, + Whiche of the Senat weren wise, + "I have deserved the juise, 2870 + In haste that it were do." + And thei him seiden alle no; + For wel thei wiste it was no vice, + Whan he ne thoghte no malice, + Bot onliche of a litel slouthe: + And thus thei leften as for routhe + To do justice upon his gilt, + For that he scholde noght be spilt. + And whanne he sih the maner hou + Thei wolde him save, he made avou 2880 + With manfull herte, and thus he seide, + That Rome scholde nevere abreide + His heires, whan he were of dawe, + That here Ancestre brak the lawe. + Forthi, er that thei weren war, + Forth with the same swerd he bar + The statut of his lawe he kepte, + So that al Rome his deth bewepte. + In other place also I rede, + Wher that a jugge his oghne dede 2890 + Ne wol noght venge of lawe broke, + The king it hath himselven wroke. + The grete king which Cambises + Was hote, a jugge laweles + He fond, and into remembrance + He dede upon him such vengance: + Out of his skyn he was beflain + Al quyk, and in that wise slain, + So that his skyn was schape al meete, + And nayled on the same seete 2900 + Wher that his Sone scholde sitte. + Avise him, if he wolde flitte + The lawe for the coveitise, + Ther sih he redi his juise. + Thus in defalte of other jugge + The king mot otherwhile jugge, + To holden up the rihte lawe. + And forto speke of tholde dawe, + To take ensample of that was tho, + I finde a tale write also, 2910 + Hou that a worthi prince is holde + The lawes of his lond to holde, + Ferst for the hihe goddes sake, + And ek for that him is betake + The poeple forto guide and lede, + Which is the charge of his kinghede. + In a Cronique I rede thus + Of the rihtful Ligurgius, + Which of Athenis Prince was, + Hou he the lawe in every cas, 2920 + Wherof he scholde his poeple reule, + Hath set upon so good a reule, + In al this world that cite non + Of lawe was so wel begon + Forth with the trouthe of governance. + Ther was among hem no distance, + Bot every man hath his encress; + Ther was withoute werre pes, + Withoute envie love stod; + Richesse upon the comun good 2930 + And noght upon the singuler + Ordeigned was, and the pouer + Of hem that weren in astat + Was sauf: wherof upon debat + Ther stod nothing, so that in reste + Mihte every man his herte reste. + And whan this noble rihtful king + Sih hou it ferde of al this thing, + Wherof the poeple stod in ese, + He, which for evere wolde plese 2940 + The hihe god, whos thonk he soghte, + A wonder thing thanne him bethoghte, + And schop if that it myhte be, + Hou that his lawe in the cite + Mihte afterward for evere laste. + And therupon his wit he caste + What thing him were best to feigne, + That he his pourpos myhte atteigne. + A Parlement and thus he sette, + His wisdom wher that he besette 2950 + In audience of grete and smale, + And in this wise he tolde his tale: + "God wot, and so ye witen alle, + Hierafterward hou so it falle, + Yit into now my will hath be + To do justice and equite + In forthringe of comun profit; + Such hath ben evere my delit. + Bot of o thing I am beknowe, + The which mi will is that ye knowe: 2960 + The lawe which I tok on honde, + Was altogedre of goddes sonde + And nothing of myn oghne wit; + So mot it nede endure yit, + And schal do lengere, if ye wile. + For I wol telle you the skile; + The god Mercurius and no man + He hath me tawht al that I can + Of suche lawes as I made, + Wherof that ye ben alle glade; 2970 + It was the god and nothing I, + Which dede al this, and nou forthi + He hath comanded of his grace + That I schal come into a place + Which is forein out in an yle, + Wher I mot tarie for a while, + With him to speke, as he hath bede. + For as he seith, in thilke stede + He schal me suche thinges telle, + That evere, whyl the world schal duelle, 2980 + Athenis schal the betre fare. + Bot ferst, er that I thider fare, + For that I wolde that mi lawe + Amonges you ne be withdrawe + Ther whyles that I schal ben oute, + Forthi to setten out of doute + Bothe you and me, this wol I preie, + That ye me wolde assure and seie + With such an oth as I wol take, + That ech of you schal undertake 2990 + Mi lawes forto kepe and holde." + Thei seiden alle that thei wolde, + And therupon thei swore here oth, + That fro the time that he goth, + Til he to hem be come ayein, + Thei scholde hise lawes wel and plein + In every point kepe and fulfille. + Thus hath Ligurgius his wille, + And tok his leve and forth he wente. + Bot lest nou wel to what entente 3000 + Of rihtwisnesse he dede so: + For after that he was ago, + He schop him nevere to be founde; + So that Athenis, which was bounde, + Nevere after scholde be relessed, + Ne thilke goode lawe cessed, + Which was for comun profit set. + And in this wise he hath it knet; + He, which the comun profit soghte, + The king, his oghne astat ne roghte; 3010 + To do profit to the comune, + He tok of exil the fortune, + And lefte of Prince thilke office + Only for love and for justice, + Thurgh which he thoghte, if that he myhte, + For evere after his deth to rihte + The cite which was him betake. + Wherof men oghte ensample take + The goode lawes to avance + With hem which under governance 3020 + The lawes have forto kepe; + For who that wolde take kepe + Of hem that ferst the lawes founde, + Als fer as lasteth eny bounde + Of lond, here names yit ben knowe: + And if it like thee to knowe + Some of here names hou thei stonde, + Nou herkne and thou schalt understonde. + Of every bienfet the merite + The god himself it wol aquite; 3030 + And ek fulofte it falleth so, + The world it wole aquite also, + Bot that mai noght ben evene liche: + The god he yifth the heveneriche, + The world yifth only bot a name, + Which stant upon the goode fame + Of hem that don the goode dede. + And in this wise double mede + Resceiven thei that don wel hiere; + Wherof if that thee list to hiere 3040 + After the fame as it is blowe, + Ther myht thou wel the sothe knowe, + Hou thilke honeste besinesse + Of hem that ferst for rihtwisnesse + Among the men the lawes made, + Mai nevere upon this erthe fade. + For evere, whil ther is a tunge, + Here name schal be rad and sunge + And holde in the Cronique write; + So that the men it scholden wite, 3050 + To speke good, as thei wel oghten, + Of hem that ferst the lawes soghten + In forthringe of the worldes pes. + Unto thebreus was Moi5ses + The ferste, and to thegipciens + Mercurius, and to Troiens + Ferst was Neuma Pompilius, + To Athenes Ligurgius + Yaf ferst the lawe, and to Gregois + Forones hath thilke vois, 3060 + And Romulus to the Romeins. + For suche men that ben vileins + The lawe in such a wise ordeigneth, + That what man to the lawe pleigneth, + Be so the jugge stonde upriht, + He schal be served of his riht. + And so ferforth it is befalle + That lawe is come among ous alle: + God lieve it mote wel ben holde, + As every king therto is holde; 3070 + For thing which is of kinges set, + With kinges oghte it noght be let. + What king of lawe takth no kepe, + Be lawe he mai no regne kepe. + Do lawe awey, what is a king? + Wher is the riht of eny thing, + If that ther be no lawe in londe? + This oghte a king wel understonde, + As he which is to lawe swore, + That if the lawe be forbore 3080 + Withouten execucioun, + If makth a lond torne up so doun, + Which is unto the king a sclandre. + Forthi unto king Alisandre + The wise Philosophre bad, + That he himselve ferst be lad + Of lawe, and forth thanne overal + So do justice in general, + That al the wyde lond aboute + The justice of his lawe doute, 3090 + And thanne schal he stonde in reste. + For therto lawe is on the beste + Above alle other erthly thing, + To make a liege drede his king. + Bot hou a king schal gete him love + Toward the hihe god above, + And ek among the men in erthe, + This nexte point, which is the ferthe + Of Aristotles lore, it techeth: + Wherof who that the Scole secheth, 3100 + What Policie that it is + The bok reherceth after this. + It nedeth noght that I delate + The pris which preised is algate, + And hath ben evere and evere schal, + Wherof to speke in special, + It is the vertu of Pite, + Thurgh which the hihe mageste + Was stered, whan his Sone alyhte, + And in pite the world to rihte 3110 + Tok of the Maide fleissh and blod. + Pite was cause of thilke good, + Wherof that we ben alle save: + Wel oghte a man Pite to have + And the vertu to sette in pris, + Whan he himself which is al wys + Hath schewed why it schal be preised. + Pite may noght be conterpeised + Of tirannie with no peis; + For Pite makth a king courteis 3120 + Bothe in his word and in his dede. + It sit wel every liege drede + His king and to his heste obeie, + And riht so be the same weie + It sit a king to be pitous + Toward his poeple and gracious + Upon the reule of governance, + So that he worche no vengance, + Which mai be cleped crualte. + Justice which doth equite 3130 + Is dredfull, for he noman spareth; + Bot in the lond wher Pite fareth + The king mai nevere faile of love, + For Pite thurgh the grace above, + So as the Philosphre affermeth, + His regne in good astat confermeth. + Thus seide whilom Constantin: + "What Emperour that is enclin + To Pite forto be servant, + Of al the worldes remenant 3140 + He is worthi to ben a lord." + In olde bokes of record + This finde I write of essamplaire: + Troian the worthi debonaire, + Be whom that Rome stod governed, + Upon a time as he was lerned + Of that he was to familier, + He seide unto that conseiller, + That forto ben an Emperour + His will was noght for vein honour, 3150 + Ne yit for reddour of justice; + Bot if he myhte in his office + Hise lordes and his poeple plese, + Him thoghte it were a grettere ese + With love here hertes to him drawe, + Than with the drede of eny lawe. + For whan a thing is do for doute, + Fulofte it comth the worse aboute; + Bot wher a king is Pietous, + He is the more gracious, 3160 + That mochel thrift him schal betyde, + Which elles scholde torne aside. + Of Pite forto speke plein, + Which is with mercy wel besein, + Fulofte he wole himselve peine + To kepe an other fro the peine: + For Charite the moder is + Of Pite, which nothing amis + Can soffre, if he it mai amende. + It sit to every man livende 3170 + To be Pitous, bot non so wel + As to a king, which on the whiel + Fortune hath set aboven alle: + For in a king, if so befalle + That his Pite be ferme and stable, + To al the lond it is vailable + Only thurgh grace of his persone; + For the Pite of him al one + Mai al the large realme save. + So sit it wel a king to have 3180 + Pite; for this Valeire tolde, + And seide hou that be daies olde + Codrus, which was in his degre + King of Athenis the cite, + A werre he hadde ayein Dorrence: + And forto take his evidence + What schal befalle of the bataille, + He thoghte he wolde him ferst consaille + With Appollo, in whom he triste; + Thurgh whos ansuere this he wiste, 3190 + Of tuo pointz that he myhte chese, + Or that he wolde his body lese + And in bataille himselve deie, + Or elles the seconde weie, + To sen his poeple desconfit. + Bot he, which Pite hath parfit + Upon the point of his believe, + The poeple thoghte to relieve, + And ches himselve to be ded. + Wher is nou such an other hed, 3200 + Which wolde for the lemes dye? + And natheles in som partie + It oghte a kinges herte stere, + That he hise liege men forbere. + And ek toward hise enemis + Fulofte he may deserve pris, + To take of Pite remembrance, + Wher that he myhte do vengance: + For whanne a king hath the victoire, + And thanne he drawe into memoire 3210 + To do Pite in stede of wreche, + He mai noght faile of thilke speche + Wherof arist the worldes fame, + To yive a Prince a worthi name. + I rede hou whilom that Pompeie, + To whom that Rome moste obeie, + A werre hadde in jeupartie + Ayein the king of Ermenie, + Which of long time him hadde grieved. + Bot ate laste it was achieved 3220 + That he this king desconfit hadde, + And forth with him to Rome ladde + As Prisoner, wher many a day + In sori plit and povere he lay, + The corone of his heved deposed, + Withinne walles faste enclosed; + And with ful gret humilite + He soffreth his adversite. + Pompeie sih his pacience + And tok pite with conscience, 3230 + So that upon his hihe deis + Tofore al Rome in his Paleis, + As he that wolde upon him rewe, + Let yive him his corone newe + And his astat al full and plein + Restoreth of his regne ayein, + And seide it was more goodly thing + To make than undon a king, + To him which pouer hadde of bothe. + Thus thei, that weren longe wrothe, 3240 + Acorden hem to final pes; + And yit justice natheles + Was kept and in nothing offended; + Wherof Pompeie was comended. + Ther mai no king himself excuse, + Bot if justice he kepe and use, + Which for teschuie crualte + He mot attempre with Pite. + Of crualte the felonie + Engendred is of tirannie, 3250 + Ayein the whos condicion + God is himself the champion, + Whos strengthe mai noman withstonde. + For evere yit it hath so stonde, + That god a tirant overladde; + Bot wher Pite the regne ladde, + Ther mihte no fortune laste + Which was grevous, bot ate laste + The god himself it hath redresced. + Pite is thilke vertu blessed 3260 + Which nevere let his Maister falle; + Bot crualte, thogh it so falle + That it mai regne for a throwe, + God wole it schal ben overthrowe: + Wherof ensamples ben ynowhe + Of hem that thilke merel drowhe. + Of crualte I rede thus: + Whan the tirant Leoncius + Was to thempire of Rome arrived, + Fro which he hath with strengthe prived 3270 + The pietous Justinian, + As he which was a cruel man, + His nase of and his lippes bothe + He kutte, for he wolde him lothe + Unto the poeple and make unable. + Bot he which is al merciable, + The hihe god, ordeigneth so, + That he withinne a time also, + Whan he was strengest in his ire, + Was schoven out of his empire. 3280 + Tiberius the pouer hadde, + And Rome after his will he ladde, + And for Leonce in such a wise + Ordeigneth, that he tok juise + Of nase and lippes bothe tuo, + For that he dede an other so, + Which more worthi was than he. + Lo, which a fall hath crualte, + And Pite was set up ayein: + For after that the bokes sein, 3290 + Therbellis king of Bulgarie + With helpe of his chivalerie + Justinian hath unprisoned + And to thempire ayein coroned. + In a Cronique I finde also + Of Siculus, which was ek so + A cruel king lich the tempeste, + The whom no Pite myhte areste,- + He was the ferste, as bokes seie, + Upon the See which fond Galeie 3300 + And let hem make for the werre,- + As he which al was out of herre + Fro Pite and misericorde; + For therto couthe he noght acorde, + Bot whom he myhte slen, he slouh, + And therof was he glad ynouh. + He hadde of conseil manyon, + Among the whiche ther was on, + Be name which Berillus hihte; + And he bethoghte him hou he myhte 3310 + Unto the tirant do likinge, + And of his oghne ymaginynge + Let forge and make a Bole of bras, + And on the side cast ther was + A Dore, wher a man mai inne, + Whan he his peine schal beginne + Thurgh fyr, which that men putten under. + And al this dede he for a wonder, + That whanne a man for peine cride, + The Bole of bras, which gapeth wyde, 3320 + It scholde seme as thogh it were + A belwinge in a mannes Ere, + And noght the criinge of a man. + Bot he which alle sleihtes can, + The devel, that lith in helle fast, + Him that this caste hath overcast, + That for a trespas which he dede + He was putt in the same stede, + And was himself the ferste of alle + Which was into that peine falle 3330 + That he for othre men ordeigneth; + Ther was noman which him compleigneth. + Of tirannie and crualte + Be this ensample a king mai se, + Himself and ek his conseil bothe, + Hou thei ben to mankinde lothe + And to the god abhominable. + Ensamples that ben concordable + I finde of othre Princes mo, + As thou schalt hiere, of time go. 3340 + The grete tirant Dionys, + Which mannes lif sette of no pris, + Unto his hors fulofte he yaf + The men in stede of corn and chaf, + So that the hors of thilke stod + Devoureden the mennes blod; + Til fortune ate laste cam, + That Hercules him overcam, + And he riht in the same wise + Of this tirant tok the juise: 3350 + As he til othre men hath do, + The same deth he deide also, + That no Pite him hath socoured, + Til he was of hise hors devoured. + Of Lichaon also I finde + Hou he ayein the lawe of kinde + Hise hostes slouh, and into mete + He made her bodies to ben ete + With othre men withinne his hous. + Bot Jupiter the glorious, 3360 + Which was commoeved of this thing, + Vengance upon this cruel king + So tok, that he fro mannes forme + Into a wolf him let transforme: + And thus the crualte was kidd, + Which of long time he hadde hidd; + A wolf he was thanne openly, + The whos nature prively + He hadde in his condicion. + And unto this conclusioun, 3370 + That tirannie is to despise, + I finde ensample in sondri wise, + And nameliche of hem fulofte, + The whom fortune hath set alofte + Upon the werres forto winne. + Bot hou so that the wrong beginne + Of tirannie, it mai noght laste, + Bot such as thei don ate laste + To othre men, such on hem falleth; + For ayein suche Pite calleth 3380 + Vengance to the god above. + For who that hath no tender love + In savinge of a mannes lif, + He schal be founde so gultif, + That whanne he wolde mercy crave + In time of nede, he schal non have. + Of the natures this I finde, + The fierce Leon in his kinde, + Which goth rampende after his preie, + If he a man finde in his weie, 3390 + He wole him slen, if he withstonde. + Bot if the man coude understonde + To falle anon before his face + In signe of mercy and of grace, + The Leon schal of his nature + Restreigne his ire in such mesure, + As thogh it were a beste tamed, + And torne awey halfvinge aschamed, + That he the man schal nothing grieve. + Hou scholde than a Prince achieve 3400 + The worldes grace, if that he wolde + Destruie a man whanne he is yolde + And stant upon his mercy al? + Bot forto speke in special, + Ther have be suche and yit ther be + Tirantz, whos hertes no pite + Mai to no point of mercy plie, + That thei upon her tirannie + Ne gladen hem the men to sle; + And as the rages of the See 3410 + Ben unpitous in the tempeste, + Riht so mai no Pite areste + Of crualte the gret oultrage, + Which the tirant in his corage + Engendred hath: wherof I finde + A tale, which comth nou to mynde. + I rede in olde bokes thus: + Ther was a Duk, which Spertachus + Men clepe, and was a werreiour, + A cruel man, a conquerour 3420 + With strong pouer the which he ladde. + For this condicion he hadde, + That where him hapneth the victoire, + His lust and al his moste gloire + Was forto sle and noght to save: + Of rancoun wolde he no good have + For savinge of a mannes lif, + Bot al goth to the swerd and knyf, + So lief him was the mannes blod. + And natheles yit thus it stod, 3430 + So as fortune aboute wente, + He fell riht heir as be descente + To Perse, and was coroned king. + And whan the worschipe of this thing + Was falle, and he was king of Perse, + If that thei weren ferst diverse, + The tirannies whiche he wroghte, + A thousendfold welmore he soghte + Thanne afterward to do malice. + The god vengance ayein the vice 3440 + Hath schape: for upon a tyde, + Whan he was heihest in his Pride, + In his rancour and in his hete + Ayein the queene of Marsagete, + Which Thameris that time hihte, + He made werre al that he myhte: + And sche, which wolde hir lond defende, + Hir oghne Sone ayein him sende, + Which the defence hath undertake. + Bot he desconfit was and take; 3450 + And whan this king him hadde in honde, + He wol no mercy understonde, + Bot dede him slen in his presence. + The tidinge of this violence + Whan it cam to the moder Ere, + Sche sende anon ay wydewhere + To suche frendes as sche hadde, + A gret pouer til that sche ladde. + In sondri wise and tho sche caste + Hou sche this king mai overcaste; 3460 + And ate laste acorded was, + That in the danger of a pass, + Thurgh which this tirant scholde passe, + Sche schop his pouer to compasse + With strengthe of men be such a weie + That he schal noght eschape aweie. + And whan sche hadde thus ordeigned, + Sche hath hir oghne bodi feigned, + For feere as thogh sche wolde flee + Out of hir lond: and whan that he 3470 + Hath herd hou that this ladi fledde, + So faste after the chace he spedde, + That he was founde out of array. + For it betidde upon a day, + Into the pas whanne he was falle, + Thembuisschementz tobrieken alle + And him beclipte on every side, + That fle ne myhte he noght aside: + So that ther weren dede and take + Tuo hundred thousend for his sake, 3480 + That weren with him of his host. + And thus was leid the grete bost + Of him and of his tirannie: + It halp no mercy forto crie + To him which whilom dede non; + For he unto the queene anon + Was broght, and whan that sche him sih, + This word sche spak and seide on hih: + "O man, which out of mannes kinde + Reson of man hast left behinde 3490 + And lived worse than a beste, + Whom Pite myhte noght areste, + The mannes blod to schede and spille + Thou haddest nevere yit thi fille. + Bot nou the laste time is come, + That thi malice is overcome: + As thou til othre men hast do, + Nou schal be do to thee riht so." + Tho bad this ladi that men scholde + A vessel bringe, in which sche wolde 3500 + Se the vengance of his juise, + Which sche began anon devise; + And tok the Princes whiche he ladde, + Be whom his chief conseil he hadde, + And whil hem lasteth eny breth, + Sche made hem blede to the deth + Into the vessel wher it stod: + And whan it was fulfild of blod, + Sche caste this tirant therinne, + And seide him, "Lo, thus myht thou wynne 3510 + The lustes of thin appetit. + In blod was whilom thi delit, + Nou schalt thou drinken al thi fille." + And thus onliche of goddes wille, + He which that wolde himselve strange + To Pite, fond mercy so strange, + That he withoute grace is lore. + So may it schewe wel therfore + That crualte hath no good ende; + Bot Pite, hou so that it wende, 3520 + Makth that the god is merciable, + If ther be cause resonable + Why that a king schal be pitous. + Bot elles, if he be doubtous + To slen in cause of rihtwisnesse, + It mai be said no Pitousnesse, + Bot it is Pusillamite, + Which every Prince scholde flee. + For if Pite mesure excede, + Kinghode may noght wel procede 3530 + To do justice upon the riht: + For it belongeth to a knyht + Als gladly forto fihte as reste, + To sette his liege poeple in reste, + Whan that the werre upon hem falleth; + For thanne he mote, as it befalleth, + Of his knyhthode as a Leon + Be to the poeple a champioun + Withouten eny Pite feigned. + For if manhode be restreigned, 3540 + Or be it pes or be it werre, + Justice goth al out of herre, + So that knyhthode is set behinde. + Of Aristotles lore I finde, + A king schal make good visage, + That noman knowe of his corage + Bot al honour and worthinesse: + For if a king schal upon gesse + Withoute verrai cause drede, + He mai be lich to that I rede; 3550 + And thogh that it be lich a fable, + Thensample is good and resonable. + As it be olde daies fell, + I rede whilom that an hell + Up in the londes of Archade + A wonder dredful noise made; + For so it fell that ilke day, + This hell on his childinge lay, + And whan the throwes on him come, + His noise lich the day of dome 3560 + Was ferfull in a mannes thoght + Of thing which that thei sihe noght, + Bot wel thei herden al aboute + The noise, of which thei were in doute, + As thei that wenden to be lore + Of thing which thanne was unbore. + The nerr this hell was upon chance + To taken his deliverance, + The more unbuxomliche he cride; + And every man was fledd aside, 3570 + For drede and lefte his oghne hous: + And ate laste it was a Mous, + The which was bore and to norrice + Betake; and tho thei hield hem nyce, + For thei withoute cause dradde. + Thus if a king his herte ladde + With every thing that he schal hiere, + Fulofte he scholde change his chiere + And upon fantasie drede, + Whan that ther is no cause of drede. 3580 + Orace to his Prince tolde, + That him were levere that he wolde + Upon knihthode Achillem suie + In time of werre, thanne eschuie, + So as Tersites dede at Troie. + Achilles al his hole joie + Sette upon Armes forto fihte; + Tersites soghte al that he myhte + Unarmed forto stonde in reste: + Bot of the tuo it was the beste 3590 + That Achilles upon the nede + Hath do, wherof his knyhtlihiede + Is yit comended overal. + King Salomon in special + Seith, as ther is a time of pes, + So is a time natheles + Of werre, in which a Prince algate + Schal for the comun riht debate + And for his oghne worschipe eke. + Bot it behoveth noght to seke 3600 + Only the werre for worschipe, + Bot to the riht of his lordschipe, + Which he is holde to defende, + Mote every worthi Prince entende. + Betwen the simplesce of Pite + And the folhaste of crualte, + Wher stant the verray hardiesce, + Ther mote a king his herte adresce, + Whanne it is time to forsake, + And whan time is also to take 3610 + The dedly werres upon honde, + That he schal for no drede wonde, + If rihtwisnesse be withal. + For god is myhty overal + To forthren every mannes trowthe, + Bot it be thurgh his oghne slowthe; + And namely the kinges nede + It mai noght faile forto spede, + For he stant one for hem alle; + So mote it wel the betre falle 3620 + And wel the more god favoureth, + Whan he the comun riht socoureth. + And forto se the sothe in dede, + Behold the bible and thou myht rede + Of grete ensamples manyon, + Wherof that I wol tellen on. + Upon a time as it befell, + Ayein Judee and Irahel + Whan sondri kinges come were + In pourpos to destruie there 3630 + The poeple which god kepte tho,- + And stod in thilke daies so, + That Gedeon, which scholde lede + The goddes folk, tok him to rede, + And sende in al the lond aboute, + Til he assembled hath a route + With thritti thousend of defence, + To fihte and make resistence + Ayein the whiche hem wolde assaille: + And natheles that o bataille 3640 + Of thre that weren enemys + Was double mor than was al his; + Wherof that Gedeon him dradde, + That he so litel poeple hadde. + Bot he which alle thing mai helpe, + Wher that ther lacketh mannes helpe, + To Gedeon his Angel sente, + And bad, er that he forther wente, + Al openly that he do crie + That every man in his partie 3650 + Which wolde after his oghne wille + In his delice abide stille + At hom in eny maner wise, + For pourchas or for covoitise, + For lust of love or lacke of herte, + He scholde noght aboute sterte, + Bot holde him stille at hom in pes: + Wherof upon the morwe he les + Wel twenty thousend men and mo, + The whiche after the cri ben go. 3660 + Thus was with him bot only left + The thridde part, and yit god eft + His Angel sende and seide this + To Gedeon: "If it so is + That I thin help schal undertake, + Thou schalt yit lasse poeple take, + Be whom mi will is that thou spede. + Forthi tomorwe tak good hiede, + Unto the flod whan ye be come, + What man that hath the water nome 3670 + Up in his hond and lapeth so, + To thi part ches out alle tho; + And him which wery is to swinke, + Upon his wombe and lith to drinke, + Forsak and put hem alle aweie. + For I am myhti alle weie, + Wher as me list myn help to schewe + In goode men, thogh thei ben fewe." + This Gedeon awaiteth wel, + Upon the morwe and everydel, 3680 + As god him bad, riht so he dede. + And thus ther leften in that stede + With him thre hundred and nomo, + The remenant was al ago: + Wherof that Gedeon merveileth, + And therupon with god conseileth, + Pleignende as ferforth as he dar. + And god, which wolde he were war + That he schal spede upon his riht, + Hath bede him go the same nyht 3690 + And take a man with him, to hiere + What schal be spoke in his matere + Among the hethen enemis; + So mai he be the more wys, + What afterward him schal befalle. + This Gedeon amonges alle + Phara, to whom he triste most, + Be nyhte tok toward thilke host, + Which logged was in a valleie, + To hiere what thei wolden seie; 3700 + Upon his fot and as he ferde, + Tuo Sarazins spekende he herde. + Quod on, "Ared mi swevene ariht, + Which I mette in mi slep to nyht. + Me thoghte I sih a barli cake, + Which fro the Hull his weie hath take, + And cam rollende doun at ones; + And as it were for the nones, + Forth in his cours so as it ran, + The kinges tente of Madian, 3710 + Of Amalech, of Amoreie, + Of Amon and of Jebuseie, + And many an other tente mo + With gret noise, as me thoghte tho, + It threw to grounde and overcaste, + And al this host so sore agaste + That I awok for pure drede." + "This swevene can I wel arede," + Quod thother Sarazin anon: + "The barli cake is Gedeon, 3720 + Which fro the hell doun sodeinly + Schal come and sette such ascry + Upon the kinges and ous bothe, + That it schal to ous alle lothe: + For in such drede he schal ous bringe, + That if we hadden flyht of wynge, + The weie on fote in desespeir + We scholden leve and flen in their, + For ther schal nothing him withstonde." + Whan Gedeon hath understonde 3730 + This tale, he thonketh god of al, + And priveliche ayein he stal, + So that no lif him hath perceived. + And thanne he hath fulli conceived + That he schal spede; and therupon + The nyht suiende he schop to gon + This multitude to assaile. + Nou schalt thou hiere a gret mervaile, + With what voisdie that he wroghte. + The litel poeple which he broghte, 3740 + Was non of hem that he ne hath + A pot of erthe, in which he tath + A lyht brennende in a kressette, + And ech of hem ek a trompette + Bar in his other hond beside; + And thus upon the nyhtes tyde + Duk Gedeon, whan it was derk, + Ordeineth him unto his werk, + And parteth thanne his folk in thre, + And chargeth hem that thei ne fle, 3750 + And tawhte hem hou they scholde ascrie + Alle in o vois per compaignie, + And what word ek thei scholden speke, + And hou thei scholde here pottes breke + Echon with other, whan thei herde + That he himselve ferst so ferde; + For whan thei come into the stede, + He bad hem do riht as he dede. + And thus stalkende forth a pas + This noble Duk, whan time was, 3760 + His pot tobrak and loude ascride, + And tho thei breke on every side. + The trompe was noght forto seke; + He blew, and so thei blewen eke + With such a noise among hem alle, + As thogh the hevene scholde falle. + The hull unto here vois ansuerde, + This host in the valleie it herde, + And sih hou that the hell alyhte; + So what of hieringe and of sihte, 3770 + Thei cawhten such a sodein feere, + That non of hem belefte there: + The tentes hole thei forsoke, + That thei non other good ne toke, + Bot only with here bodi bare + Thei fledde, as doth the wylde Hare. + And evere upon the hull thei blewe, + Til that thei sihe time, and knewe + That thei be fled upon the rage; + And whan thei wiste here avantage, 3780 + Thei felle anon unto the chace. + Thus myht thou sen hou goddes grace + Unto the goode men availeth; + But elles ofte time it faileth + To suche as be noght wel disposed. + This tale nedeth noght be glosed, + For it is openliche schewed + That god to hem that ben wel thewed + Hath yove and granted the victoire: + So that thensample of this histoire 3790 + Is good for every king to holde; + Ferst in himself that he beholde + If he be good of his livinge, + And that the folk which he schal bringe + Be good also, for thanne he may + Be glad of many a merie day, + In what as evere he hath to done. + For he which sit above the Mone + And alle thing mai spille and spede, + In every cause, in every nede 3800 + His goode king so wel adresceth, + That alle his fomen he represseth, + So that ther mai noman him dere; + And als so wel he can forbere, + And soffre a wickid king to falle + In hondes of his fomen alle. + Nou forthermore if I schal sein + Of my matiere, and torne ayein + To speke of justice and Pite + After the reule of realte, 3810 + This mai a king wel understonde, + Knihthode mot ben take on honde, + Whan that it stant upon the nede: + He schal no rihtful cause drede, + Nomore of werre thanne of pes, + If he wol stonde blameles; + For such a cause a king mai have + That betre him is to sle than save, + Wherof thou myht ensample finde. + The hihe makere of mankinde 3820 + Be Samuel to Sal bad, + That he schal nothing ben adrad + Ayein king Agag forto fihte; + For this the godhede him behihte, + That Agag schal ben overcome: + And whan it is so ferforth come, + That Sal hath him desconfit, + The god bad make no respit, + That he ne scholde him slen anon. + Bot Sal let it overgon 3830 + And dede noght the goddes heste: + For Agag made gret beheste + Of rancoun which he wolde yive, + King Sal soffreth him to live + And feigneth pite forth withal. + Bot he which seth and knoweth al, + The hihe god, of that he feigneth + To Samuel upon him pleigneth, + And sende him word, for that he lefte + Of Agag that he ne berefte 3840 + The lif, he schal noght only dye + Himself, bot fro his regalie + He schal be put for everemo, + Noght he, bot ek his heir also, + That it schal nevere come ayein. + Thus myht thou se the sothe plein, + That of tomoche and of tolyte + Upon the Princes stant the wyte. + Bot evere it was a kinges riht + To do the dedes of a knyht; 3850 + For in the handes of a king + The deth and lif is al o thing + After the lawes of justice. + To slen it is a dedly vice, + Bot if a man the deth deserve; + And if a king the lif preserve + Of him which oghte forto dye, + He suieth noght thensamplerie + Which in the bible is evident: + Hou David in his testament, 3860 + Whan he no lengere myhte live, + Unto his Sone in charge hath yive + That he Joab schal slen algate; + And whan David was gon his gate, + The yonge wise Salomon + His fader heste dede anon, + And slouh Joab in such a wise, + That thei that herden the juise + Evere after dradden him the more, + And god was ek wel paid therfore, 3870 + That he so wolde his herte plye + The lawes forto justefie. + And yit he kepte forth withal + Pite, so as a Prince schal, + That he no tirannie wroghte; + He fond the wisdom which he soghte, + And was so rihtful natheles, + That al his lif he stod in pes, + That he no dedly werres hadde, + For every man his wisdom dradde. 3880 + And as he was himselve wys, + Riht so the worthi men of pris + He hath of his conseil withholde; + For that is every Prince holde, + To make of suche his retenue + Whiche wise ben, and to remue + The foles: for ther is nothing + Which mai be betre aboute a king, + Than conseil, which is the substance + Of all a kinges governance. 3890 + In Salomon a man mai see + What thing of most necessite + Unto a worthi king belongeth. + Whan he his kingdom underfongeth, + God bad him chese what he wolde, + And seide him that he have scholde + What he wolde axe, as of o thing. + And he, which was a newe king, + Forth therupon his bone preide + To god, and in this wise he seide: 3900 + "O king, be whom that I schal regne, + Yif me wisdom, that I my regne, + Forth with thi poeple which I have, + To thin honour mai kepe and save." + Whan Salomon his bone hath taxed, + The god of that which he hath axed + Was riht wel paid, and granteth sone + Noght al only that he his bone + Schal have of that, bot of richesse, + Of hele, of pes, of hih noblesse, 3910 + Forth with wisdom at his axinges, + Which stant above alle othre thinges. + Bot what king wole his regne save, + Ferst him behoveth forto have + After the god and his believe + Such conseil which is to believe, + Fulfild of trouthe and rihtwisnesse: + Bot above alle in his noblesse + Betwen the reddour and pite + A king schal do such equite 3920 + And sette the balance in evene, + So that the hihe god in hevene + And al the poeple of his nobleie + Loange unto his name seie. + For most above all erthli good, + Wher that a king himself is good + It helpeth, for in other weie + If so be that a king forsueie, + Fulofte er this it hath be sein, + The comun poeple is overlein 3930 + And hath the kinges Senne aboght, + Al thogh the poeple agulte noght. + Of that the king his god misserveth, + The poeple takth that he descerveth + Hier in this world, bot elleswhere + I not hou it schal stonde there. + Forthi good is a king to triste + Ferst to himself, as he ne wiste + Non other help bot god alone; + So schal the reule of his persone 3940 + Withinne himself thurgh providence + Ben of the betre conscience. + And forto finde ensample of this, + A tale I rede, and soth it is. + In a Cronique it telleth thus: + The king of Rome Lucius + Withinne his chambre upon a nyht + The Steward of his hous, a knyht, + Forth with his Chamberlein also, + To conseil hadde bothe tuo, 3950 + And stoden be the Chiminee + Togedre spekende alle thre. + And happeth that the kinges fol + Sat be the fyr upon a stol, + As he that with his babil pleide, + Bot yit he herde al that thei seide, + And therof token thei non hiede. + The king hem axeth what to rede + Of such matiere as cam to mouthe, + And thei him tolden as thei couthe. 3960 + Whan al was spoke of that thei mente, + The king with al his hole entente + Thanne ate laste hem axeth this, + What king men tellen that he is: + Among the folk touchende his name, + Or be it pris, or be it blame, + Riht after that thei herden sein, + He bad hem forto telle it plein, + That thei no point of soth forbere, + Be thilke feith that thei him bere. 3970 + The Steward ferst upon this thing + Yaf his ansuere unto the king + And thoghte glose in this matiere, + And seide, als fer as he can hiere, + His name is good and honourable: + Thus was the Stieward favorable, + That he the trouthe plein ne tolde. + The king thanne axeth, as he scholde, + The Chamberlein of his avis. + And he, that was soubtil and wys, 3980 + And somdiel thoghte upon his feith, + Him tolde hou al the poeple seith + That if his conseil were trewe, + Thei wiste thanne wel and knewe + That of himself he scholde be + A worthi king in his degre: + And thus the conseil he accuseth + In partie, and the king excuseth. + The fol, which herde of al the cas + That time, as goddes wille was, 3990 + Sih that thei seiden noght ynowh, + And hem to skorne bothe lowh, + And to the king he seide tho: + "Sire king, if that it were so, + Of wisdom in thin oghne mod + That thou thiselven were good, + Thi conseil scholde noght be badde." + The king therof merveille hadde, + Whan that a fol so wisly spak, + And of himself fond out the lack 4000 + Withinne his oghne conscience: + And thus the foles evidence, + Which was of goddes grace enspired, + Makth that good conseil was desired. + He putte awey the vicious + And tok to him the vertuous; + The wrongful lawes ben amended, + The londes good is wel despended, + The poeple was nomore oppressed, + And thus stod every thing redressed. 4010 + For where a king is propre wys, + And hath suche as himselven is + Of his conseil, it mai noght faile + That every thing ne schal availe: + The vices thanne gon aweie, + And every vertu holt his weie; + Wherof the hihe god is plesed, + And al the londes folk is esed. + For if the comun poeple crie, + And thanne a king list noght to plie 4020 + To hiere what the clamour wolde, + And otherwise thanne he scholde + Desdeigneth forto don hem grace, + It hath be sen in many place, + Ther hath befalle gret contraire; + And that I finde of ensamplaire. + After the deth of Salomon, + Whan thilke wise king was gon, + And Roboas in his persone + Receive scholde the corone, 4030 + The poeple upon a Parlement + Avised were of on assent, + And alle unto the king thei preiden, + With comun vois and thus thei seiden: + "Oure liege lord, we thee beseche + That thou receive oure humble speche + And grante ous that which reson wile, + Or of thi grace or of thi skile. + Thi fader, whil he was alyve + And myhte bothe grante and pryve, 4040 + Upon the werkes whiche he hadde + The comun poeple streite ladde: + Whan he the temple made newe, + Thing which men nevere afore knewe + He broghte up thanne of his taillage, + And al was under the visage + Of werkes whiche he made tho. + Bot nou it is befalle so, + That al is mad, riht as he seide, + And he was riche whan he deide; 4050 + So that it is no maner nede, + If thou therof wolt taken hiede, + To pilen of the poeple more, + Which long time hath be grieved sore. + And in this wise as we thee seie, + With tendre herte we thee preie + That thou relesse thilke dette, + Which upon ous thi fader sette. + And if thee like to don so, + We ben thi men for everemo, 4060 + To gon and comen at thin heste." + The king, which herde this requeste, + Seith that he wole ben avised, + And hath therof a time assised; + And in the while as he him thoghte + Upon this thing, conseil he soghte. + And ferst the wise knyhtes olde, + To whom that he his tale tolde, + Conseilen him in this manere; + That he with love and with glad chiere 4070 + Foryive and grante al that is axed + Of that his fader hadde taxed; + For so he mai his regne achieve + With thing which schal him litel grieve. + The king hem herde and overpasseth, + And with these othre his wit compasseth, + That yonge were and nothing wise. + And thei these olde men despise, + And seiden: "Sire, it schal be schame + For evere unto thi worthi name, 4080 + If thou ne kepe noght the riht, + Whil thou art in thi yonge myht, + Which that thin olde fader gat. + Bot seie unto the poeple plat, + That whil thou livest in thi lond, + The leste finger of thin hond + It schal be strengere overal + Than was thi fadres bodi al. + And this also schal be thi tale, + If he hem smot with roddes smale, 4090 + With Scorpions thou schalt hem smyte; + And wher thi fader tok a lyte, + Thou thenkst to take mochel more. + Thus schalt thou make hem drede sore + The grete herte of thi corage, + So forto holde hem in servage. + This yonge king him hath conformed + To don as he was last enformed, + Which was to him his undoinge: + For whan it cam to the spekinge, 4100 + He hath the yonge conseil holde, + That he the same wordes tolde + Of al the poeple in audience; + And whan thei herden the sentence + Of his malice and the manace, + Anon tofore his oghne face + Thei have him oultreli refused + And with ful gret reproef accused. + So thei begunne forto rave, + That he was fain himself to save; 4110 + For as the wilde wode rage + Of wyndes makth the See salvage, + And that was calm bringth into wawe, + So for defalte of grace and lawe + This poeple is stered al at ones + And forth thei gon out of hise wones; + So that of the lignages tuelve + Tuo tribes only be hemselve + With him abiden and nomo: + So were thei for everemo 4120 + Of no retorn withoute espeir + Departed fro the rihtfull heir. + Al Irahel with comun vois + A king upon here oghne chois + Among hemself anon thei make, + And have here yonge lord forsake; + A povere knyht Jeroboas + Thei toke, and lefte Roboas, + Which rihtfull heir was be descente. + Lo, thus the yonge cause wente: 4130 + For that the conseil was noght good, + The regne fro the rihtfull blod + Evere afterward divided was. + So mai it proven be this cas + That yong conseil, which is to warm, + Er men be war doth ofte harm. + Old age for the conseil serveth, + And lusti youthe his thonk deserveth + Upon the travail which he doth; + And bothe, forto seie a soth, 4140 + Be sondri cause forto have, + If that he wole his regne save, + A king behoveth every day. + That on can and that other mai, + Be so the king hem bothe reule, + For elles al goth out of reule. + And upon this matiere also + A question betwen the tuo + Thus writen in a bok I fond; + Wher it be betre for the lond 4150 + A king himselve to be wys, + And so to bere his oghne pris, + And that his consail be noght good, + Or other wise if it so stod, + A king if he be vicious + And his conseil be vertuous. + It is ansuerd in such a wise, + That betre it is that thei be wise + Be whom that the conseil schal gon, + For thei be manye, and he is on; 4160 + And rathere schal an one man + With fals conseil, for oght he can, + From his wisdom be mad to falle, + Thanne he al one scholde hem alle + Fro vices into vertu change, + For that is wel the more strange. + Forthi the lond mai wel be glad, + Whos king with good conseil is lad, + Which set him unto rihtwisnesse, + So that his hihe worthinesse 4170 + Betwen the reddour and Pite + Doth mercy forth with equite. + A king is holden overal + To Pite, bot in special + To hem wher he is most beholde; + Thei scholde his Pite most beholde + That ben the Lieges of his lond, + For thei ben evere under his hond + After the goddes ordinaunce + To stonde upon his governance. 4180 + Of themperour Anthonius + I finde hou that he seide thus, + That levere him were forto save + Oon of his lieges than to have + Of enemis a thousend dede. + And this he lernede, as I rede, + Of Cipio, which hadde be + Consul of Rome. And thus to se + Diverse ensamples hou thei stonde, + A king which hath the charge on honde 4190 + The comun poeple to governe, + If that he wole, he mai wel lerne. + Is non so good to the plesance + Of god, as is good governance; + And every governance is due + To Pite: thus I mai argue + That Pite is the foundement + Of every kinges regiment, + If it be medled with justice. + Thei tuo remuen alle vice, 4200 + And ben of vertu most vailable + To make a kinges regne stable. + Lo, thus the foure pointz tofore, + In governance as thei ben bore, + Of trouthe ferst and of largesse, + Of Pite forth with rihtwisnesse, + I have hem told; and over this + The fifte point, so as it is + Set of the reule of Policie, + Wherof a king schal modefie 4210 + The fleisschly lustes of nature, + Nou thenk I telle of such mesure, + That bothe kinde schal be served + And ek the lawe of god observed. + The Madle is mad for the the femele, + Bot where as on desireth fele, + That nedeth noght be weie of kinde: + For whan a man mai redy finde + His oghne wif, what scholde he seche + In strange places to beseche 4220 + To borwe an other mannes plouh, + Whan he hath geere good ynouh + Affaited at his oghne heste, + And is to him wel more honeste + Than other thing which is unknowe? + Forthi scholde every good man knowe + And thenke, hou that in mariage + His trouthe pliht lith in morgage, + Which if he breke, it is falshode, + And that descordeth to manhode, 4230 + And namely toward the grete, + Wherof the bokes alle trete; + So as the Philosophre techeth + To Alisandre, and him betecheth + The lore hou that he schal mesure + His bodi, so that no mesure + Of fleisshly lust he scholde excede. + And thus forth if I schal procede, + The fifte point, as I seide er, + Is chastete, which sielde wher 4240 + Comth nou adaies into place; + And natheles, bot it be grace + Above alle othre in special, + Is non that chaste mai ben all. + Bot yit a kinges hihe astat, + Which of his ordre as a prelat + Schal ben enoignt and seintefied, + He mot be more magnefied + For dignete of his corone, + Than scholde an other low persone, 4250 + Which is noght of so hih emprise. + Therfore a Prince him scholde avise, + Er that he felle in such riote, + And namely that he nassote + To change for the wommanhede + The worthinesse of his manhede. + Of Aristotle I have wel rad, + Hou he to Alisandre bad, + That forto gladen his corage + He schal beholde the visage 4260 + Of wommen, whan that thei ben faire. + Bot yit he set an essamplaire, + His bodi so to guide and reule, + That he ne passe noght the reule, + Wherof that he himself beguile. + For in the womman is no guile + Of that a man himself bewhapeth; + Whan he his oghne wit bejapeth, + I can the wommen wel excuse: + Bot what man wole upon hem muse 4270 + After the fool impression + Of his ymaginacioun, + Withinne himself the fyr he bloweth, + Wherof the womman nothing knoweth, + So mai sche nothing be to wyte. + For if a man himself excite + To drenche, and wol it noght forbere, + The water schal no blame bere. + What mai the gold, thogh men coveite? + If that a man wol love streite, 4280 + The womman hath him nothing bounde; + If he his oghne herte wounde, + Sche mai noght lette the folie; + And thogh so felle of compainie + That he myht eny thing pourchace, + Yit makth a man the ferste chace, + The womman fleth and he poursuieth: + So that be weie of skile it suieth, + The man is cause, hou so befalle, + That he fulofte sithe is falle 4290 + Wher that he mai noght wel aryse. + And natheles ful manye wise + Befoled have hemself er this, + As nou adaies yit it is + Among the men and evere was, + The stronge is fieblest in this cas. + It sit a man be weie of kinde + To love, bot it is noght kinde + A man for love his wit to lese: + For if the Monthe of Juil schal frese 4300 + And that Decembre schal ben hot, + The yeer mistorneth, wel I wot. + To sen a man fro his astat + Thurgh his sotie effeminat, + And leve that a man schal do, + It is as Hose above the Scho, + To man which oghte noght ben used. + Bot yit the world hath ofte accused + Ful grete Princes of this dede, + Hou thei for love hemself mislede, 4310 + Wherof manhode stod behinde, + Of olde ensamples as I finde. + These olde gestes tellen thus, + That whilom Sardana Pallus, + Which hield al hol in his empire + The grete kingdom of Assire, + Was thurgh the slouthe of his corage + Falle into thilke fyri rage + Of love, which the men assoteth, + Wherof himself he so rioteth, 4320 + And wax so ferforth wommannyssh, + That ayein kinde, as if a fissh + Abide wolde upon the lond, + In wommen such a lust he fond, + That he duelte evere in chambre stille, + And only wroghte after the wille + Of wommen, so as he was bede, + That selden whanne in other stede + If that he wolde wenden oute, + To sen hou that it stod aboute. 4330 + Bot ther he keste and there he pleide, + Thei tawhten him a Las to breide, + And weve a Pours, and to enfile + A Perle: and fell that ilke while, + On Barbarus the Prince of Mede + Sih hou this king in wommanhede + Was falle fro chivalerie, + And gat him help and compaignie, + And wroghte so, that ate laste + This king out of his regne he caste, 4340 + Which was undon for everemo: + And yit men speken of him so, + That it is schame forto hiere. + Forthi to love is in manere. + King David hadde many a love, + Bot natheles alwey above + Knyhthode he kepte in such a wise, + That for no fleisshli covoitise + Of lust to ligge in ladi armes + He lefte noght the lust of armes. 4350 + For where a Prince hise lustes suieth, + That he the werre noght poursuieth, + Whan it is time to ben armed, + His contre stant fulofte harmed, + Whan thenemis ben woxe bolde, + That thei defence non beholde. + Ful many a lond hath so be lore, + As men mai rede of time afore + Of hem that so here eses soghten, + Which after thei full diere aboghten. 4360 + To mochel ese is nothing worth, + For that set every vice forth + And every vertu put abak, + Wherof priss torneth into lak, + As in Cronique I mai reherse: + Which telleth hou the king of Perse, + That Cirus hihte, a werre hadde + Ayein a poeple which he dradde, + Of a contre which Liddos hihte; + Bot yit for oght that he do mihte 4370 + As in bataille upon the werre, + He hadde of hem alwey the werre. + And whan he sih and wiste it wel, + That he be strengthe wan no del, + Thanne ate laste he caste a wyle + This worthi poeple to beguile, + And tok with hem a feigned pes, + Which scholde lasten endeles, + So as he seide in wordes wise, + Bot he thoghte al in other wise. 4380 + For it betidd upon the cas, + Whan that this poeple in reste was, + Thei token eses manyfold; + And worldes ese, as it is told, + Be weie of kinde is the norrice + Of every lust which toucheth vice. + Thus whan thei were in lustes falle, + The werres ben foryeten alle; + Was non which wolde the worschipe + Of Armes, bot in idelschipe 4390 + Thei putten besinesse aweie + And token hem to daunce and pleie; + Bot most above alle othre thinges + Thei token hem to the likinges + Of fleysshly lust, that chastete + Received was in no degre, + Bot every man doth what him liste. + And whan the king of Perse it wiste, + That thei unto folie entenden, + With his pouer, whan thei lest wenden, 4400 + Mor sodeinly than doth the thunder + He cam, for evere and put hem under. + And thus hath lecherie lore + The lond, which hadde be tofore + The beste of hem that were tho. + And in the bible I finde also + A tale lich unto this thing, + Hou Amalech the paien king, + Whan that he myhte be no weie + Defende his lond and putte aweie 4410 + The worthi poeple of Irael, + This Sarazin, as it befell, + Thurgh the conseil of Balaam + A route of faire wommen nam, + That lusti were and yonge of Age, + And bad hem gon to the lignage + Of these Hebreus: and forth thei wente + With yhen greye and browes bente + And wel arraied everych on; + And whan thei come were anon 4420 + Among thebreus, was non insihte, + Bot cacche who that cacche myhte, + And ech of hem hise lustes soghte, + Whiche after thei full diere boghte. + For grace anon began to faile, + That whan thei comen to bataille + Thanne afterward, in sori plit + Thei were take and disconfit, + So that withinne a litel throwe + The myht of hem was overthrowe, 4430 + That whilom were wont to stonde. + Til Phinees the cause on honde + Hath take, this vengance laste, + Bot thanne it cessede ate laste, + For god was paid of that he dede: + For wher he fond upon a stede + A couple which misferde so, + Thurghout he smot hem bothe tuo, + And let hem ligge in mennes yhe; + Wherof alle othre whiche hem sihe 4440 + Ensamplede hem upon the dede, + And preiden unto the godhiede + Here olde Sennes to amende: + And he, which wolde his mercy sende, + Restorede hem to newe grace. + Thus mai it schewe in sondri place, + Of chastete hou the clennesse + Acordeth to the worthinesse + Of men of Armes overal; + Bot most of alle in special 4450 + This vertu to a king belongeth, + For upon his fortune it hongeth + Of that his lond schal spede or spille. + Forthi bot if a king his wille + Fro lustes of his fleissh restreigne, + Ayein himself he makth a treigne, + Into the which if that he slyde, + Him were betre go besyde. + For every man mai understonde, + Hou for a time that it stonde, 4460 + It is a sori lust to lyke, + Whos ende makth a man to syke + And torneth joies into sorwe. + The brihte Sonne be the morwe + Beschyneth noght the derke nyht, + The lusti youthe of mannes myht, + In Age bot it stonde wel, + Mistorneth al the laste whiel. + That every worthi Prince is holde + Withinne himself himself beholde, 4470 + To se the stat of his persone, + And thenke hou ther be joies none + Upon this Erthe mad to laste, + And hou the fleissh schal ate laste + The lustes of this lif forsake, + Him oghte a gret ensample take + Of Salomon, whos appetit + Was holy set upon delit, + To take of wommen the plesance: + So that upon his ignorance 4480 + The wyde world merveileth yit, + That he, which alle mennes wit + In thilke time hath overpassed, + With fleisshly lustes was so tassed, + That he which ladde under the lawe + The poeple of god, himself withdrawe + He hath fro god in such a wise, + That he worschipe and sacrifise + For sondri love in sondri stede + Unto the false goddes dede. 4490 + This was the wise ecclesiaste, + The fame of whom schal evere laste, + That he the myhti god forsok, + Ayein the lawe whanne he tok + His wyves and his concubines + Of hem that weren Sarazines, + For whiche he dede ydolatrie. + For this I rede of his sotie: + Sche of Sidoyne so him ladde, + That he knelende his armes spradde 4500 + To Astrathen with gret humblesse, + Which of hire lond was the goddesse: + And sche that was a Moabite + So ferforth made him to delite + Thurgh lust, which al his wit devoureth, + That he Chamos hire god honoureth. + An other Amonyte also + With love him hath assoted so, + Hire god Moloch that with encense + He sacreth, and doth reverence 4510 + In such a wise as sche him bad. + Thus was the wiseste overlad + With blinde lustes whiche he soghte; + Bot he it afterward aboghte. + For Achias Selonites, + Which was prophete, er his decess, + Whil he was in hise lustes alle, + Betokneth what schal after falle. + For on a day, whan that he mette + Jeroboam the knyht, he grette 4520 + And bad him that he scholde abyde, + To hiere what him schal betyde. + And forth withal Achias caste + His mantell of, and also faste + He kut it into pieces twelve, + Wherof tuo partz toward himselve + He kepte, and al the remenant, + As god hath set his covenant, + He tok unto Jeroboas, + Of Nabal which the Sone was, 4530 + And of the kinges court a knyht: + And seide him, "Such is goddes myht, + As thou hast sen departed hiere + Mi mantell, riht in such manere + After the deth of Salomon + God hath ordeigned therupon, + This regne thanne he schal divide: + Which time thou schalt ek abide, + And upon that division + The regne as in proporcion 4540 + As thou hast of mi mantell take, + Thou schalt receive, I undertake. + And thus the Sone schal abie + The lustes and the lecherie + Of him which nou his fader is." + So forto taken hiede of this, + It sit a king wel to be chaste, + For elles he mai lihtly waste + Himself and ek his regne bothe, + And that oghte every king to lothe. 4550 + O, which a Senne violent, + Wherof so wys a king was schent, + That the vengance in his persone + Was noght ynouh to take al one, + Bot afterward, whan he was passed, + It hath his heritage lassed, + As I more openli tofore + The tale tolde. And thus therfore + The Philosophre upon this thing + Writ and conseileth to a king, 4560 + That he the surfet of luxure + Schal tempre and reule of such mesure, + Which be to kinde sufficant + And ek to reson acordant, + So that the lustes ignorance + Be cause of no misgovernance, + Thurgh which that he be overthrowe, + As he that wol no reson knowe. + For bot a mannes wit be swerved, + Whan kinde is dueliche served, 4570 + It oghte of reson to suffise; + For if it falle him otherwise, + He mai tho lustes sore drede. + For of Anthonie thus I rede, + Which of Severus was the Sone, + That he his lif of comun wone + Yaf holy unto thilke vice, + And ofte time he was so nyce, + Wherof nature hire hath compleigned + Unto the god, which hath desdeigned 4580 + The werkes whiche Antonie wroghte + Of lust, whiche he ful sore aboghte: + For god his forfet hath so wroke + That in Cronique it is yit spoke. + Bot forto take remembrance + Of special misgovernance + Thurgh covoitise and injustice + Forth with the remenant of vice, + And nameliche of lecherie, + I finde write a gret partie 4590 + Withinne a tale, as thou schalt hiere, + Which is thensample of this matiere. + So as these olde gestes sein, + The proude tirannyssh Romein + Tarquinus, which was thanne king + And wroghte many a wrongful thing, + Of Sones hadde manyon, + Among the whiche Arrons was on, + Lich to his fader of maneres; + So that withinne a fewe yeres 4600 + With tresoun and with tirannie + Thei wonne of lond a gret partie, + And token hiede of no justice, + Which due was to here office + Upon the reule of governance; + Bot al that evere was plesance + Unto the fleisshes lust thei toke. + And fell so, that thei undertoke + A werre, which was noght achieved, + Bot ofte time it hadde hem grieved, 4610 + Ayein a folk which thanne hihte + The Gabiens: and al be nyhte + This Arrons, whan he was at hom + In Rome, a prive place he nom + Withinne a chambre, and bet himselve + And made him woundes ten or tuelve + Upon the bak, as it was sene; + And so forth with hise hurtes grene + In al the haste that he may + He rod, and cam that other day 4620 + Unto Gabie the Cite, + And in he wente: and whan that he + Was knowe, anon the gates schette, + The lordes alle upon him sette + With drawe swerdes upon honde. + This Arrons wolde hem noght withstonde, + Bot seide, "I am hier at your wille, + Als lief it is that ye me spille, + As if myn oghne fader dede." + And forthwith in the same stede 4630 + He preide hem that thei wolde se, + And schewede hem in what degre + His fader and hise brethren bothe, + Whiche, as he seide, weren wrothe, + Him hadde beten and reviled, + For evere and out of Rome exiled. + And thus he made hem to believe, + And seide, if that he myhte achieve + His pourpos, it schal wel be yolde, + Be so that thei him helpe wolde. 4640 + Whan that the lordes hadde sein + Hou wofully he was besein, + Thei token Pite of his grief; + Bot yit it was hem wonder lief + That Rome him hadde exiled so. + These Gabiens be conseil tho + Upon the goddes made him swere, + That he to hem schal trouthe bere + And strengthen hem with al his myht; + And thei also him have behiht 4650 + To helpen him in his querele. + Thei schopen thanne for his hele + That he was bathed and enoignt, + Til that he was in lusti point; + And what he wolde thanne he hadde, + That he al hol the cite ladde + Riht as he wolde himself divise. + And thanne he thoghte him in what wise + He myhte his tirannie schewe; + And to his conseil tok a schrewe, 4660 + Whom to his fader forth he sente + In his message, and he tho wente, + And preide his fader forto seie + Be his avis, and finde a weie, + Hou they the cite myhten winne, + Whil that he stod so wel therinne. + And whan the messager was come + To Rome, and hath in conseil nome + The king, it fell per chance so + That thei were in a gardin tho, 4670 + This messager forth with the king. + And whanne he hadde told the thing + In what manere that it stod, + And that Tarquinus understod + Be the message hou that it ferde, + Anon he tok in honde a yerde, + And in the gardin as thei gon, + The lilie croppes on and on, + Wher that thei weren sprongen oute, + He smot of, as thei stode aboute, 4680 + And seide unto the messager: + "Lo, this thing, which I do nou hier, + Schal ben in stede of thin ansuere; + And in this wise as I me bere, + Thou schalt unto mi Sone telle." + And he no lengere wolde duelle, + Bot tok his leve and goth withal + Unto his lord, and told him al, + Hou that his fader hadde do. + Whan Arrons herde him telle so, 4690 + Anon he wiste what it mente, + And therto sette al his entente, + Til he thurgh fraude and tricherie + The Princes hefdes of Gabie + Hath smiten of, and al was wonne: + His fader cam tofore the Sonne + Into the toun with the Romeins, + And tok and slowh the citezeins + Withoute reson or pite, + That he ne spareth no degre. 4700 + And for the sped of this conqueste + He let do make a riche feste + With a sollempne Sacrifise + In Phebus temple; and in this wise + Whan the Romeins assembled were, + In presence of hem alle there, + Upon thalter whan al was diht + And that the fyres were alyht, + From under thalter sodeinly + An hidous Serpent openly 4710 + Cam out and hath devoured al + The Sacrifice, and ek withal + The fyres queynt, and forth anon, + So as he cam, so is he gon + Into the depe ground ayein. + And every man began to sein, + "Ha lord, what mai this signefie?" + And therupon thei preie and crie + To Phebus, that thei mihten knowe + The cause: and he the same throwe 4720 + With gastly vois, that alle it herde, + The Romeins in this wise ansuerde, + And seide hou for the wikkidnesse + Of Pride and of unrihtwisnesse, + That Tarquin and his Sone hath do, + The Sacrifice is wasted so, + Which myhte noght ben acceptable + Upon such Senne abhominable. + And over that yit he hem wisseth, + And seith that which of hem ferst kisseth 4730 + His moder, he schal take wrieche + Upon the wrong: and of that speche + Thei ben withinne here hertes glade, + Thogh thei outward no semblant made. + Ther was a knyht which Brutus hihte, + And he with al the haste he myhte + To grounde fell and therthe kiste, + Bot non of hem the cause wiste, + Bot wenden that he hadde sporned + Per chance, and so was overtorned. 4740 + Bot Brutus al an other mente; + For he knew wel in his entente + Hou therthe of every mannes kinde + Is Moder: bot thei weren blinde, + And sihen noght so fer as he. + Bot whan thei leften the Cite + And comen hom to Rome ayein, + Thanne every man which was Romein + And moder hath, to hire he bende + And keste, and ech of hem thus wende 4750 + To be the ferste upon the chance, + Of Tarquin forto do vengance, + So as thei herden Phebus sein. + Bot every time hath his certein, + So moste it nedes thanne abide, + Til afterward upon a tyde + Tarquinus made unskilfully + A werre, which was fasteby + Ayein a toun with walles stronge + Which Ardea was cleped longe, 4760 + And caste a Siege theraboute, + That ther mai noman passen oute. + So it befell upon a nyht, + Arrons, which hadde his souper diht, + A part of the chivalerie + With him to soupe in compaignie + Hath bede: and whan thei comen were + And seten at the souper there, + Among here othre wordes glade + Arrons a gret spekinge made, 4770 + Who hadde tho the beste wif + Of Rome: and ther began a strif, + For Arrons seith he hath the beste. + So jangle thei withoute reste, + Til ate laste on Collatin, + A worthi knyht, and was cousin + To Arrons, seide him in this wise: + "It is," quod he, "of non emprise + To speke a word, bot of the dede, + Therof it is to taken hiede. 4780 + Anon forthi this same tyde + Lep on thin hors and let ous ryde: + So mai we knowe bothe tuo + Unwarli what oure wyves do, + And that schal be a trewe assay." + This Arrons seith noght ones nay: + On horse bak anon thei lepte + In such manere, and nothing slepte, + Ridende forth til that thei come + Al prively withinne Rome; 4790 + In strange place and doun thei lihte, + And take a chambre, and out of sihte + Thei be desguised for a throwe, + So that no lif hem scholde knowe. + And to the paleis ferst thei soghte, + To se what thing this ladi wroghte + Of which Arrons made his avant: + And thei hire sihe of glad semblant, + Al full of merthes and of bordes; + Bot among alle hire othre wordes 4800 + Sche spak noght of hire housebonde. + And whan thei hadde al understonde + Of thilke place what hem liste, + Thei gon hem forth, that non it wiste, + Beside thilke gate of bras, + Collacea which cleped was, + Wher Collatin hath his duellinge. + Ther founden thei at hom sittinge + Lucrece his wif, al environed + With wommen, whiche are abandoned 4810 + To werche, and sche wroghte ek withal, + And bad hem haste, and seith, "It schal + Be for mi housebondes were, + Which with his swerd and with his spere + Lith at the Siege in gret desese. + And if it scholde him noght displese, + Nou wolde god I hadde him hiere; + For certes til that I mai hiere + Som good tidinge of his astat, + Min herte is evere upon debat. 4820 + For so as alle men witnesse, + He is of such an hardiesse, + That he can noght himselve spare, + And that is al my moste care, + Whan thei the walles schulle assaile. + Bot if mi wisshes myhte availe, + I wolde it were a groundles pet, + Be so the Siege were unknet, + And I myn housebonde sihe." + With that the water in hire yhe 4830 + Aros, that sche ne myhte it stoppe, + And as men sen the dew bedroppe + The leves and the floures eke, + Riht so upon hire whyte cheke + The wofull salte teres felle. + Whan Collatin hath herd hire telle + The menynge of hire trewe herte, + Anon with that to hire he sterte, + And seide, "Lo, mi goode diere, + Nou is he come to you hiere, 4840 + That ye most loven, as ye sein." + And sche with goodly chiere ayein + Beclipte him in hire armes smale, + And the colour, which erst was pale, + To Beaute thanne was restored, + So that it myhte noght be mored. + The kinges Sone, which was nyh, + And of this lady herde and syh + The thinges as thei ben befalle, + The resoun of hise wittes alle 4850 + Hath lost; for love upon his part + Cam thanne, and of his fyri dart + With such a wounde him hath thurghsmite, + That he mot nedes fiele and wite + Of thilke blinde maladie, + To which no cure of Surgerie + Can helpe. Bot yit natheles + At thilke time he hield his pes, + That he no contienance made, + Bot openly with wordes glade, 4860 + So as he couthe in his manere, + He spak and made frendly chiere, + Til it was time forto go. + And Collatin with him also + His leve tok, so that be nyhte + With al the haste that thei myhte + Thei riden to the Siege ayein. + Bot Arrons was so wo besein + With thoghtes whiche upon him runne, + That he al be the brode Sunne 4870 + To bedde goth, noght forto reste, + Bot forto thenke upon the beste + And the faireste forth withal, + That evere he syh or evere schal, + So as him thoghte in his corage, + Where he pourtreieth hire ymage: + Ferst the fetures of hir face, + In which nature hadde alle grace + Of wommanly beaute beset, + So that it myhte noght be bet; 4880 + And hou hir yelwe her was tresced + And hire atir so wel adresced, + And hou sche spak, and hou sche wroghte, + And hou sche wepte, al this he thoghte, + That he foryeten hath no del, + Bot al it liketh him so wel, + That in the word nor in the dede + Hire lacketh noght of wommanhiede. + And thus this tirannysshe knyht + Was soupled, bot noght half ariht, 4890 + For he non other hiede tok, + Bot that he myhte be som crok, + Althogh it were ayein hire wille, + The lustes of his fleissh fulfille; + Which love was noght resonable, + For where honour is remuable, + It oghte wel to ben avised. + Bot he, which hath his lust assised + With melled love and tirannie, + Hath founde upon his tricherie 4900 + A weie which he thenkth to holde, + And seith, "Fortune unto the bolde + Is favorable forto helpe." + And thus withinne himself to yelpe, + As he which was a wylde man, + Upon his treson he began: + And up he sterte, and forth he wente + On horsebak, bot his entente + Ther knew no wiht, and thus he nam + The nexte weie, til he cam 4910 + Unto Collacea the gate + Of Rome, and it was somdiel late, + Riht evene upon the Sonne set, + As he which hadde schape his net + Hire innocence to betrappe. + And as it scholde tho mishappe, + Als priveliche as evere he myhte + He rod, and of his hors alyhte + Tofore Collatines In, + And al frendliche he goth him in, 4920 + As he that was cousin of house. + And sche, which is the goode spouse, + Lucrece, whan that sche him sih, + With goodli chiere drowh him nyh, + As sche which al honour supposeth, + And him, so as sche dar, opposeth + Hou it stod of hire housebonde. + And he tho dede hire understonde + With tales feigned in his wise, + Riht as he wolde himself devise, 4930 + Wherof he myhte hire herte glade, + That sche the betre chiere made, + Whan sche the glade wordes herde, + Hou that hire housebonde ferde. + And thus the trouthe was deceived + With slih tresoun, which was received + To hire which mente alle goode; + For as the festes thanne stode, + His Souper was ryht wel arraied. + Bot yit he hath no word assaied 4940 + To speke of love in no degre; + Bot with covert subtilite + His frendly speches he affaiteth, + And as the Tigre his time awaiteth + In hope forto cacche his preie. + Whan that the bordes were aweie + And thei have souped in the halle, + He seith that slep is on him falle, + And preith he moste go to bedde; + And sche with alle haste spedde, 4950 + So as hire thoghte it was to done, + That every thing was redi sone. + Sche broghte him to his chambre tho + And tok hire leve, and forth is go + Into hire oghne chambre by, + As sche that wende certeinly + Have had a frend, and hadde a fo, + Wherof fell after mochel wo. + This tirant, thogh he lyhe softe, + Out of his bed aros fulofte, 4960 + And goth aboute, and leide his Ere + To herkne, til that alle were + To bedde gon and slepten faste. + And thanne upon himself he caste + A mantell, and his swerd al naked + He tok in honde; and sche unwaked + Abedde lay, but what sche mette, + God wot; for he the Dore unschette + So prively that non it herde, + The softe pas and forth he ferde 4970 + Unto the bed wher that sche slepte, + Al sodeinliche and in he crepte, + And hire in bothe his Armes tok. + With that this worthi wif awok, + Which thurgh tendresce of wommanhiede + Hire vois hath lost for pure drede, + That o word speke sche ne dar: + And ek he bad hir to be war, + For if sche made noise or cry, + He seide, his swerd lay faste by 4980 + To slen hire and hire folk aboute. + And thus he broghte hire herte in doute, + That lich a Lomb whanne it is sesed + In wolves mouth, so was desesed + Lucrece, which he naked fond: + Wherof sche swounede in his hond, + And, as who seith, lay ded oppressed. + And he, which al him hadde adresced + To lust, tok thanne what him liste, + And goth his wey, that non it wiste, 4990 + Into his oghne chambre ayein, + And clepede up his chamberlein, + And made him redi forto ryde. + And thus this lecherouse pride + To horse lepte and forth he rod; + And sche, which in hire bed abod, + Whan that sche wiste he was agon, + Sche clepede after liht anon + And up aros long er the day, + And caste awey hire freissh aray, 5000 + As sche which hath the world forsake, + And tok upon the clothes blake: + And evere upon continuinge, + Riht as men sen a welle springe, + With yhen fulle of wofull teres, + Hire her hangende aboute hire Eres, + Sche wepte, and noman wiste why. + Bot yit among full pitously + Sche preide that thei nolden drecche + Hire housebonde forto fecche 5010 + Forth with hire fader ek also. + Thus be thei comen bothe tuo, + And Brutus cam with Collatin, + Which to Lucrece was cousin, + And in thei wenten alle thre + To chambre, wher thei myhten se + The wofulleste upon this Molde, + Which wepte as sche to water scholde. + The chambre Dore anon was stoke, + Er thei have oght unto hire spoke; 5020 + Thei sihe hire clothes al desguised, + And hou sche hath hirself despised, + Hire her hangende unkemd aboute, + Bot natheles sche gan to loute + And knele unto hire housebonde; + And he, which fain wolde understonde + The cause why sche ferde so, + With softe wordes axeth tho, + "What mai you be, mi goode swete?" + And sche, which thoghte hirself unmete 5030 + And the lest worth of wommen alle, + Hire wofull chiere let doun falle + For schame and couthe unnethes loke. + And thei therof good hiede toke, + And preiden hire in alle weie + That sche ne spare forto seie + Unto hir frendes what hire eileth, + Why sche so sore hirself beweileth, + And what the sothe wolde mene. + And sche, which hath hire sorwes grene, 5040 + Hire wo to telle thanne assaieth, + Bot tendre schame hire word delaieth, + That sondri times as sche minte + To speke, upon the point sche stinte. + And thei hire bidden evere in on + To telle forth, and therupon, + Whan that sche sih sche moste nede, + Hire tale betwen schame and drede + Sche tolde, noght withoute peine. + And he, which wolde hire wo restreigne, 5050 + Hire housebonde, a sory man, + Conforteth hire al that he can, + And swor, and ek hire fader bothe, + That thei with hire be noght wrothe + Of that is don ayein hire wille; + And preiden hire to be stille, + For thei to hire have al foryive. + Bot sche, which thoghte noght to live, + Of hem wol no foryivenesse, + And seide, of thilke wickednesse 5060 + Which was unto hire bodi wroght, + Al were it so sche myhte it noght, + Nevere afterward the world ne schal + Reproeven hire; and forth withal, + Er eny man therof be war, + A naked swerd, the which sche bar + Withinne hire Mantel priveli, + Betwen hire hondes sodeinly + Sche tok, and thurgh hire herte it throng, + And fell to grounde, and evere among, 5070 + Whan that sche fell, so as sche myhte, + Hire clothes with hire hand sche rihte, + That noman dounward fro the kne + Scholde eny thing of hire se: + Thus lay this wif honestely, + Althogh sche deide wofully. + Tho was no sorwe forto seke: + Hire housebonde, hire fader eke + Aswoune upon the bodi felle; + Ther mai no mannes tunge telle 5080 + In which anguisshe that thei were. + Bot Brutus, which was with hem there, + Toward himself his herte kepte, + And to Lucrece anon he lepte, + The blodi swerd and pulleth oute, + And swor the goddes al aboute + That he therof schal do vengance. + And sche tho made a contienance, + Hire dedlich yhe and ate laste + In thonkinge as it were up caste, 5090 + And so behield him in the wise, + Whil sche to loke mai suffise. + And Brutus with a manlich herte + Hire housebonde hath mad up sterte + Forth with hire fader ek also + In alle haste, and seide hem tho + That thei anon withoute lette + A Beere for the body fette; + Lucrece and therupon bledende + He leide, and so forth out criende 5100 + He goth into the Market place + Of Rome: and in a litel space + Thurgh cry the cite was assembled, + And every mannes herte is trembled, + Whan thei the sothe herde of the cas. + And therupon the conseil was + Take of the grete and of the smale, + And Brutus tolde hem al the tale; + And thus cam into remembrance + Of Senne the continuance, 5110 + Which Arrons hadde do tofore, + And ek, long time er he was bore, + Of that his fadre hadde do + The wrong cam into place tho; + So that the comun clamour tolde + The newe schame of Sennes olde. + And al the toun began to crie, + "Awey, awey the tirannie + Of lecherie and covoitise!" + And ate laste in such a wise 5120 + The fader in the same while + Forth with his Sone thei exile, + And taken betre governance. + Bot yit an other remembrance + That rihtwisnesse and lecherie + Acorden noght in compaignie + With him that hath the lawe on honde, + That mai a man wel understonde, + As be a tale thou shalt wite, + Of olde ensample as it is write. 5130 + At Rome whan that Apius, + Whos other name is Claudius, + Was governour of the cite, + Ther fell a wonder thing to se + Touchende a gentil Maide, as thus, + Whom Livius Virginius + Begeten hadde upon his wif: + Men seiden that so fair a lif + As sche was noght in al the toun. + This fame, which goth up and doun, 5140 + To Claudius cam in his Ere, + Wherof his thoght anon was there, + Which al his herte hath set afyre, + That he began the flour desire + Which longeth unto maydenhede, + And sende, if that he myhte spede + The blinde lustes of his wille. + Bot that thing mai he noght fulfille, + For sche stod upon Mariage; + A worthi kniht of gret lignage, 5150 + Ilicius which thanne hihte, + Acorded in hire fader sihte + Was, that he scholde his douhter wedde. + Bot er the cause fully spedde, + Hire fader, which in Romanie + The ledinge of chivalerie + In governance hath undertake, + Upon a werre which was take + Goth out with al the strengthe he hadde + Of men of Armes whiche he ladde: 5160 + So was the mariage left, + And stod upon acord til eft. + The king, which herde telle of this, + Hou that this Maide ordeigned is + To Mariage, thoghte an other. + And hadde thilke time a brother, + Which Marchus Claudius was hote, + And was a man of such riote + Riht as the king himselve was: + Thei tuo togedre upon this cas 5170 + In conseil founden out this weie, + That Marchus Claudius schal seie + Hou sche be weie of covenant + To his service appourtenant + Was hol, and to non other man; + And therupon he seith he can + In every point witnesse take, + So that sche schal it noght forsake. + Whan that thei hadden schape so, + After the lawe which was tho, 5180 + Whil that hir fader was absent, + Sche was somouned and assent + To come in presence of the king + And stonde in ansuere of this thing. + Hire frendes wisten alle wel + That it was falshed everydel, + And comen to the king and seiden, + Upon the comun lawe and preiden, + So as this noble worthi knyht + Hir fader for the comun riht 5190 + In thilke time, as was befalle, + Lai for the profit of hem alle + Upon the wylde feldes armed, + That he ne scholde noght ben harmed + Ne schamed, whil that he were oute; + And thus thei preiden al aboute. + For al the clamour that he herde, + The king upon his lust ansuerde, + And yaf hem only daies tuo + Of respit; for he wende tho, 5200 + That in so schorte a time appiere + Hire fader mihte in no manere. + Bot as therof he was deceived; + For Livius hadde al conceived + The pourpos of the king tofore, + So that to Rome ayein therfore + In alle haste he cam ridende, + And lefte upon the field liggende + His host, til that he come ayein. + And thus this worthi capitein 5210 + Appiereth redi at his day, + Wher al that evere reson may + Be lawe in audience he doth, + So that his dowhter upon soth + Of that Marchus hire hadde accused + He hath tofore the court excused. + The king, which sih his pourpos faile, + And that no sleihte mihte availe, + Encombred of his lustes blinde + The lawe torneth out of kinde, 5220 + And half in wraththe as thogh it were, + In presence of hem alle there + Deceived of concupiscence + Yaf for his brother the sentence, + And bad him that he scholde sese + This Maide and make him wel at ese; + Bot al withinne his oghne entente + He wiste hou that the cause wente, + Of that his brother hath the wyte + He was himselven forto wyte. 5230 + Bot thus this maiden hadde wrong, + Which was upon the king along, + Bot ayein him was non Appel, + And that the fader wiste wel: + Wherof upon the tirannie, + That for the lust of Lecherie + His douhter scholde be deceived, + And that Ilicius was weyved + Untrewly fro the Mariage, + Riht as a Leon in his rage, 5240 + Which of no drede set acompte + And not what pite scholde amounte, + A naked swerd he pulleth oute, + The which amonges al the route + He threste thurgh his dowhter side, + And al alowd this word he cride: + "Lo, take hire ther, thou wrongfull king, + For me is levere upon this thing + To be the fader of a Maide, + Thogh sche be ded, that if men saide 5250 + That in hir lif sche were schamed + And I therof were evele named." + Tho bad the king men scholde areste + His bodi, bot of thilke heste, + Lich to the chaced wylde bor, + The houndes whan he fieleth sor, + Tothroweth and goth forth his weie, + In such a wise forto seie + This worthi kniht with swerd on honde + His weie made, and thei him wonde, 5260 + That non of hem his strokes kepte; + And thus upon his hors he lepte, + And with his swerd droppende of blod, + The which withinne his douhter stod, + He cam ther as the pouer was + Of Rome, and tolde hem al the cas, + And seide hem that thei myhten liere + Upon the wrong of his matiere, + That betre it were to redresce + At hom the grete unrihtwisnesse, 5270 + Than forto werre in strange place + And lese at hom here oghne grace. + For thus stant every mannes lif + In jeupartie for his wif + Or for his dowhter, if thei be + Passende an other of beaute. + Of this merveile which thei sihe + So apparant tofore here yhe, + Of that the king him hath misbore, + Here othes thei have alle swore 5280 + That thei wol stonde be the riht. + And thus of on acord upriht + To Rome at ones hom ayein + Thei torne, and schortly forto sein, + This tirannye cam to mouthe, + And every man seith what he couthe, + So that the prive tricherie, + Which set was upon lecherie, + Cam openly to mannes Ere; + And that broghte in the comun feere, 5290 + That every man the peril dradde + Of him that so hem overladde. + Forthi, er that it worse falle, + Thurgh comun conseil of hem alle + Thei have here wrongfull king deposed, + And hem in whom it was supposed + The conseil stod of his ledinge + Be lawe unto the dom thei bringe, + Wher thei receiven the penance + That longeth to such governance. 5300 + And thus thunchaste was chastised, + Wherof thei myhte ben avised + That scholden afterward governe, + And be this evidence lerne, + Hou it is good a king eschuie + The lust of vice and vertu suie. + To make an ende in this partie, + Which toucheth to the Policie + Of Chastite in special, + As for conclusion final 5310 + That every lust is to eschue + Be gret ensample I mai argue: + Hou in Rages a toun of Mede + Ther was a Mayde, and as I rede, + Sarra sche hihte, and Raguel + Hir fader was; and so befell, + Of bodi bothe and of visage + Was non so fair of the lignage, + To seche among hem alle, as sche; + Wherof the riche of the cite, 5320 + Of lusti folk that couden love, + Assoted were upon hire love, + And asken hire forto wedde. + On was which ate laste spedde, + Bot that was more for likinge, + To have his lust, than for weddinge, + As he withinne his herte caste, + Which him repenteth ate laste. + For so it fell the ferste nyht, + That whanne he was to bedde dyht, 5330 + As he which nothing god besecheth + Bot al only hise lustes secheth, + Abedde er he was fully warm + And wolde have take hire in his Arm, + Asmod, which was a fend of helle, + And serveth, as the bokes telle, + To tempte a man of such a wise, + Was redy there, and thilke emprise, + Which he hath set upon delit, + He vengeth thanne in such a plit, 5340 + That he his necke hathe writhe atuo. + This yonge wif was sory tho, + Which wiste nothing what it mente; + And natheles yit thus it wente + Noght only of this ferste man, + Bot after, riht as he began, + Sexe othre of hire housebondes + Asmod hath take into hise bondes, + So that thei alle abedde deiden, + Whan thei her hand toward hir leiden, 5350 + Noght for the lawe of Mariage, + Bot for that ilke fyri rage + In which that thei the lawe excede: + For who that wolde taken hiede + What after fell in this matiere, + Ther mihte he wel the sothe hiere. + Whan sche was wedded to Thobie, + And Raphael in compainie + Hath tawht him hou to ben honeste, + Asmod wan noght at thilke feste, 5360 + And yit Thobie his wille hadde; + For he his lust so goodly ladde, + That bothe lawe and kinde is served, + Wherof he hath himself preserved, + That he fell noght in the sentence. + O which an open evidence + Of this ensample a man mai se, + That whan likinge in the degre + Of Mariage mai forsueie, + Wel oghte him thanne in other weie 5370 + Of lust to be the betre avised. + For god the lawes hath assissed + Als wel to reson as to kinde, + Bot he the bestes wolde binde + Only to lawes of nature, + Bot to the mannes creature + God yaf him reson forth withal, + Wherof that he nature schal + Upon the causes modefie, + That he schal do no lecherie, 5380 + And yit he schal hise lustes have. + So ben the lawes bothe save + And every thing put out of sclandre; + As whilom to king Alisandre + The wise Philosophre tawhte, + Whan he his ferste lore cawhte, + Noght only upon chastete, + Bot upon alle honestete; + Wherof a king himself mai taste, + Hou trewe, hou large, hou joust, hou chaste 5390 + Him oghte of reson forto be, + Forth with the vertu of Pite, + Thurgh which he mai gret thonk deserve + Toward his godd, that he preserve + Him and his poeple in alle welthe + Of pes, richesse, honour and helthe + Hier in this world and elles eke. + Mi Sone, as we tofore spieke + In schrifte, so as thou me seidest, + And for thin ese, as thou me preidest, 5400 + Thi love throghes forto lisse, + That I thee wolde telle and wisse + The forme of Aristotles lore, + I have it seid, and somdiel more + Of othre ensamples, to assaie + If I thi peines myhte allaie + Thurgh eny thing that I can seie. + Do wey, mi fader, I you preie: + Of that ye have unto me told + I thonke you a thousendfold. 5410 + The tales sounen in myn Ere, + Bot yit min herte is elleswhere, + I mai miselve noght restreigne, + That I nam evere in loves peine: + Such lore couthe I nevere gete, + Which myhte make me foryete + O point, bot if so were I slepte, + That I my tydes ay ne kepte + To thenke of love and of his lawe; + That herte can I noght withdrawe. 5420 + Forthi, my goode fader diere, + Lef al and speke of my matiere + Touchende of love, as we begonne: + If that ther be oght overronne + Or oght foryete or left behinde + Which falleth unto loves kinde, + Wherof it nedeth to be schrive, + Nou axeth, so that whil I live + I myhte amende that is mys. + Mi goode diere Sone, yis. 5430 + Thi schrifte forto make plein, + Ther is yit more forto sein + Of love which is unavised. + Bot for thou schalt be wel avised + Unto thi schrifte as it belongeth, + A point which upon love hongeth + And is the laste of alle tho, + I wol thee telle, and thanne ho. + + + Explicit Liber Septimus. + + + + +Incipit Liber Octavus + + + Que favet ad vicium vetus hec modo regula confert, + Nec novus e contra qui docet ordo placet. + Cecus amor dudum nondum sua lumina cepit, + Quo Venus impositum devia fallit iter. + + + The myhti god, which unbegunne + Stant of himself and hath begunne + Alle othre thinges at his wille, + The hevene him liste to fulfille + Of alle joie, where as he + Sit inthronized in his See, + And hath hise Angles him to serve, + Suche as him liketh to preserve, + So that thei mowe noght forsueie: + Bot Lucifer he putte aweie, 10 + With al the route apostazied + Of hem that ben to him allied, + Whiche out of hevene into the helle + From Angles into fendes felle; + Wher that ther is no joie of lyht, + Bot more derk than eny nyht + The peine schal ben endeles; + And yit of fyres natheles + Ther is plente, bot thei ben blake, + Wherof no syhte mai be take. 20 + Thus whan the thinges ben befalle, + That Luciferes court was falle + Wher dedly Pride hem hath conveied, + Anon forthwith it was pourveied + Thurgh him which alle thinges may; + He made Adam the sexte day + In Paradis, and to his make + Him liketh Eve also to make, + And bad hem cresce and multiplie. + For of the mannes Progenie, 30 + Which of the womman schal be bore, + The nombre of Angles which was lore, + Whan thei out fro the blisse felle, + He thoghte to restore, and felle + In hevene thilke holy place + Which stod tho voide upon his grace. + Bot as it is wel wiste and knowe, + Adam and Eve bot a throwe, + So as it scholde of hem betyde, + In Paradis at thilke tyde 40 + Ne duelten, and the cause why, + Write in the bok of Genesi, + As who seith, alle men have herd, + Hou Raphael the fyri swerd + In honde tok and drof hem oute, + To gete here lyves fode aboute + Upon this wofull Erthe hiere. + Metodre seith to this matiere, + As he be revelacion + It hadde upon avision, 50 + Hou that Adam and Eve also + Virgines comen bothe tuo + Into the world and were aschamed, + Til that nature hem hath reclamed + To love, and tauht hem thilke lore, + That ferst thei keste, and overmore + Thei don that is to kinde due, + Wherof thei hadden fair issue. + A Sone was the ferste of alle, + And Chain be name thei him calle; 60 + Abel was after the secounde, + And in the geste as it is founde, + Nature so the cause ladde, + Tuo douhtres ek Dame Eve hadde, + The ferste cleped Calmana + Was, and that other Delbora. + Thus was mankinde to beginne; + Forthi that time it was no Sinne + The Soster forto take hire brother, + Whan that ther was of chois non other: 70 + To Chain was Calmana betake, + And Delboram hath Abel take, + In whom was gete natheles + Of worldes folk the ferste encres. + Men sein that nede hath no lawe, + And so it was be thilke dawe + And laste into the Secounde Age, + Til that the grete water rage, + Of Noeh which was seid the flod, + The world, which thanne in Senne stod, 80 + Hath dreint, outake lyves Eyhte. + Tho was mankinde of litel weyhte; + Sem, Cham, Japhet, of these thre, + That ben the Sones of Noe5, + The world of mannes nacion + Into multiplicacion + Was tho restored newe ayein + So ferforth, as the bokes sein, + That of hem thre and here issue + Ther was so large a retenue, 90 + Of naciouns seventy and tuo; + In sondri place ech on of tho + The wyde world have enhabited. + Bot as nature hem hath excited, + Thei token thanne litel hiede, + The brother of the Sosterhiede + To wedde wyves, til it cam + Into the time of Habraham. + Whan the thridde Age was begunne, + The nede tho was overrunne, 100 + For ther was poeple ynouh in londe: + Thanne ate ferste it cam to honde, + That Sosterhode of mariage + Was torned into cousinage, + So that after the rihte lyne + The Cousin weddeth the cousine. + For Habraham, er that he deide, + This charge upon his servant leide, + To him and in this wise spak, + That he his Sone Isaa5c 110 + Do wedde for no worldes good, + Bot only to his oghne blod: + Wherof this Servant, as he bad, + Whan he was ded, his Sone hath lad + To Bathuel, wher he Rebecke + Hath wedded with the whyte necke; + For sche, he wiste wel and syh, + Was to the child cousine nyh. + And thus as Habraham hath tawht, + Whan Isaa5c was god betawht, 120 + His Sone Jacob dede also, + And of Laban the dowhtres tuo, + Which was his Em, he tok to wyve, + And gat upon hem in his lyve, + Of hire ferst which hihte Lie, + Sex Sones of his Progenie, + And of Rachel tuo Sones eke: + The remenant was forto seke, + That is to sein of foure mo, + Wherof he gat on Bala tuo, 130 + And of Zelpha he hadde ek tweie. + And these tuelve, as I thee seie, + Thurgh providence of god himselve + Ben seid the Patriarkes tuelve; + Of whom, as afterward befell, + The tribes tuelve of Irahel + Engendred were, and ben the same + That of Hebreus tho hadden name, + Which of Sibrede in alliance + For evere kepten thilke usance 140 + Most comunly, til Crist was bore. + Bot afterward it was forbore + Amonges ous that ben baptized; + For of the lawe canonized + The Pope hath bede to the men, + That non schal wedden of his ken + Ne the seconde ne the thridde. + Bot thogh that holy cherche it bidde, + So to restreigne Mariage, + Ther ben yit upon loves Rage 150 + Full manye of suche nou aday + That taken wher thei take may. + For love, which is unbesein + Of alle reson, as men sein, + Thurgh sotie and thurgh nycete, + Of his voluptuosite + He spareth no condicion + Of ken ne yit religion, + Bot as a cock among the Hennes, + Or as a Stalon in the Fennes, 160 + Which goth amonges al the Stod, + Riht so can he nomore good, + Bot takth what thing comth next to honde. + Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde, + That such delit is forto blame. + Forthi if thou hast be the same + To love in eny such manere, + Tell forth therof and schrif thee hiere. + Mi fader, nay, god wot the sothe, + Mi feire is noght of such a bothe, 170 + So wylde a man yit was I nevere, + That of mi ken or lief or levere + Me liste love in such a wise: + And ek I not for what emprise + I scholde assote upon a Nonne, + For thogh I hadde hir love wonne, + It myhte into no pris amonte, + So therof sette I non acompte. + Ye mai wel axe of this and that, + Bot sothli forto telle plat, 180 + In al this world ther is bot on + The which myn herte hath overgon; + I am toward alle othre fre. + Full wel, mi Sone, nou I see + Thi word stant evere upon o place, + Bot yit therof thou hast a grace, + That thou thee myht so wel excuse + Of love such as som men use, + So as I spak of now tofore. + For al such time of love is lore, 190 + And lich unto the bitterswete; + For thogh it thenke a man ferst swete, + He schal wel fielen ate laste + That it is sour and may noght laste. + For as a morsell envenimed, + So hath such love his lust mistimed, + And grete ensamples manyon + A man mai finde therupon. + At Rome ferst if we beginne, + Ther schal I finde hou of this sinne 200 + An Emperour was forto blame, + Gayus Caligula be name, + Which of his oghne Sostres thre + Berefte the virginite: + And whanne he hadde hem so forlein, + As he the which was al vilein, + He dede hem out of londe exile. + Bot afterward withinne a while + God hath beraft him in his ire + His lif and ek his large empire: 210 + And thus for likinge of a throwe + For evere his lust was overthrowe. + Of this sotie also I finde, + Amon his Soster ayein kinde, + Which hihte Thamar, he forlay; + Bot he that lust an other day + Aboghte, whan that Absolon + His oghne brother therupon, + Of that he hadde his Soster schent, + Tok of that Senne vengement 220 + And slowh him with his oghne hond: + And thus thunkinde unkinde fond. + And forto se more of this thing, + The bible makth a knowleching, + Wherof thou miht take evidence + Upon the sothe experience. + Whan Lothes wif was overgon + And schape into the salte Ston, + As it is spoke into this day, + Be bothe hise dowhtres thanne he lay, 230 + With childe and made hem bothe grete, + Til that nature hem wolde lete, + And so the cause aboute ladde + That ech of hem a Sone hadde, + Moab the ferste, and the seconde + Amon, of whiche, as it is founde, + Cam afterward to gret encres + Tuo nacions: and natheles, + For that the stockes were ungoode, + The branches mihten noght be goode; 240 + For of the false Moabites + Forth with the strengthe of Amonites, + Of that thei weren ferst misgete, + The poeple of god was ofte upsete + In Irahel and in Judee, + As in the bible a man mai se. + Lo thus, my Sone, as I thee seie, + Thou miht thiselve be beseie + Of that thou hast of othre herd: + For evere yit it hath so ferd, 250 + Of loves lust if so befalle + That it in other place falle + Than it is of the lawe set, + He which his love hath so beset + Mote afterward repente him sore. + And every man is othres lore; + Of that befell in time er this + The present time which now is + May ben enformed hou it stod, + And take that him thenketh good, 260 + And leve that which is noght so. + Bot forto loke of time go, + Hou lust of love excedeth lawe, + It oghte forto be withdrawe; + For every man it scholde drede, + And nameliche in his Sibrede, + Which torneth ofte to vengance: + Wherof a tale in remembrance, + Which is a long process to hiere, + I thenke forto tellen hiere. 270 + Of a Cronique in daies gon, + The which is cleped Pantheon, + In loves cause I rede thus, + Hou that the grete Antiochus, + Of whom that Antioche tok + His ferste name, as seith the bok, + Was coupled to a noble queene, + And hadde a dowhter hem betwene: + Bot such fortune cam to honde, + That deth, which no king mai withstonde, 280 + Bot every lif it mote obeie, + This worthi queene tok aweie. + The king, which made mochel mone, + Tho stod, as who seith, al him one + Withoute wif, bot natheles + His doghter, which was piereles + Of beaute, duelte aboute him stille. + Bot whanne a man hath welthe at wille, + The fleissh is frele and falleth ofte, + And that this maide tendre and softe, 290 + Which in hire fadres chambres duelte, + Withinne a time wiste and felte: + For likinge and concupiscence + Withoute insihte of conscience + The fader so with lustes blente, + That he caste al his hole entente + His oghne doghter forto spille. + This king hath leisir at his wille + With strengthe, and whanne he time sih, + This yonge maiden he forlih: 300 + And sche was tendre and full of drede, + Sche couthe noght hir Maidenhede + Defende, and thus sche hath forlore + The flour which she hath longe bore. + It helpeth noght althogh sche wepe, + For thei that scholde hir bodi kepe + Of wommen were absent as thanne; + And thus this maiden goth to manne, + The wylde fader thus devoureth + His oghne fleissh, which non socoureth, 310 + And that was cause of mochel care. + Bot after this unkinde fare + Out of the chambre goth the king, + And sche lay stille, and of this thing, + Withinne hirself such sorghe made, + Ther was no wiht that mihte hir glade, + For feere of thilke horrible vice. + With that cam inne the Norrice + Which fro childhode hire hadde kept, + And axeth if sche hadde slept, 320 + And why hire chiere was unglad. + Bot sche, which hath ben overlad + Of that sche myhte noght be wreke, + For schame couthe unethes speke; + And natheles mercy sche preide + With wepende yhe and thus sche seide: + "Helas, mi Soster, waileway, + That evere I sih this ilke day! + Thing which mi bodi ferst begat + Into this world, onliche that 330 + Mi worldes worschipe hath bereft." + With that sche swouneth now and eft, + And evere wissheth after deth, + So that welnyh hire lacketh breth. + That other, which hire wordes herde, + In confortinge of hire ansuerde, + To lette hire fadres fol desir + Sche wiste no recoverir: + Whan thing is do, ther is no bote, + So suffren thei that suffre mote; 340 + Ther was non other which it wiste. + Thus hath this king al that him liste + Of his likinge and his plesance, + And laste in such continuance, + And such delit he tok therinne, + Him thoghte that it was no Sinne; + And sche dorste him nothing withseie. + Bot fame, which goth every weie, + To sondry regnes al aboute + The grete beaute telleth oute 350 + Of such a maide of hih parage: + So that for love of mariage + The worthi Princes come and sende, + As thei the whiche al honour wende, + And knewe nothing hou it stod. + The fader, whanne he understod, + That thei his dowhter thus besoghte, + With al his wit he caste and thoghte + Hou that he myhte finde a lette; + And such a Statut thanne he sette, 360 + And in this wise his lawe he taxeth, + That what man that his doghter axeth, + Bot if he couthe his question + Assoile upon suggestion + Of certein thinges that befelle, + The whiche he wolde unto him telle, + He scholde in certein lese his hed. + And thus ther weren manye ded, + Here hevedes stondende on the gate, + Till ate laste longe and late, 370 + For lacke of ansuere in the wise, + The remenant that weren wise + Eschuieden to make assay. + Til it befell upon a day + Appolinus the Prince of Tyr, + Which hath to love a gret desir, + As he which in his hihe mod + Was likende of his hote blod, + A yong, a freissh, a lusti knyht, + As he lai musende on a nyht 380 + Of the tidinges whiche he herde, + He thoghte assaie hou that it ferde. + He was with worthi compainie + Arraied, and with good navie + To schipe he goth, the wynd him dryveth, + And seileth, til that he arryveth: + Sauf in the port of Antioche + He londeth, and goth to aproche + The kinges Court and his presence. + Of every naturel science, 390 + Which eny clerk him couthe teche, + He couthe ynowh, and in his speche + Of wordes he was eloquent; + And whanne he sih the king present, + He preith he moste his dowhter have. + The king ayein began to crave, + And tolde him the condicion, + Hou ferst unto his question + He mote ansuere and faile noght, + Or with his heved it schal be boght: 400 + And he him axeth what it was. + The king declareth him the cas + With sturne lok and sturdi chiere, + To him and seide in this manere: + "With felonie I am upbore, + I ete and have it noght forbore + Mi modres fleissh, whos housebonde + Mi fader forto seche I fonde, + Which is the Sone ek of my wif. + Hierof I am inquisitif; 410 + And who that can mi tale save, + Al quyt he schal my doghter have; + Of his ansuere and if he faile, + He schal be ded withoute faile. + Forthi my Sone," quod the king, + "Be wel avised of this thing, + Which hath thi lif in jeupartie." + Appolinus for his partie, + Whan he this question hath herd, + Unto the king he hath ansuerd 420 + And hath rehersed on and on + The pointz, and seide therupon: + "The question which thou hast spoke, + If thou wolt that it be unloke, + It toucheth al the privete + Betwen thin oghne child and thee, + And stant al hol upon you tuo." + The king was wonder sory tho, + And thoghte, if that he seide it oute, + Than were he schamed al aboute. 430 + With slihe wordes and with felle + He seith, "Mi Sone, I schal thee telle, + Though that thou be of litel wit, + It is no gret merveile as yit, + Thin age mai it noght suffise: + Bot loke wel thou noght despise + Thin oghne lif, for of my grace + Of thretty daies fulle a space + I grante thee, to ben avised." + And thus with leve and time assised 440 + This yonge Prince forth he wente, + And understod wel what it mente, + Withinne his herte as he was lered, + That forto maken him afered + The king his time hath so deslaied. + Wherof he dradde and was esmaied, + Of treson that he deie scholde, + For he the king his sothe tolde; + And sodeinly the nyhtes tyde, + That more wolde he noght abide, 450 + Al prively his barge he hente + And hom ayein to Tyr he wente: + And in his oghne wit he seide + For drede, if he the king bewreide, + He knew so wel the kinges herte, + That deth ne scholde he noght asterte, + The king him wolde so poursuie. + Bot he, that wolde his deth eschuie, + And knew al this tofor the hond, + Forsake he thoghte his oghne lond, 460 + That there wolde he noght abyde; + For wel he knew that on som syde + This tirant of his felonie + Be som manere of tricherie + To grieve his bodi wol noght leve. + Forthi withoute take leve, + Als priveliche as evere he myhte, + He goth him to the See be nyhte + In Schipes that be whete laden: + Here takel redy tho thei maden 470 + And hale up Seil and forth thei fare. + Bot forto tellen of the care + That thei of Tyr begonne tho, + Whan that thei wiste he was ago, + It is a Pite forto hiere. + They losten lust, they losten chiere, + Thei toke upon hem such penaunce, + Ther was no song, ther was no daunce, + Bot every merthe and melodie + To hem was thanne a maladie; 480 + For unlust of that aventure + Ther was noman which tok tonsure, + In doelful clothes thei hem clothe, + The bathes and the Stwes bothe + Thei schetten in be every weie; + There was no lif which leste pleie + Ne take of eny joie kepe, + Bot for here liege lord to wepe; + And every wyht seide as he couthe, + "Helas, the lusti flour of youthe, 490 + Our Prince, oure heved, our governour, + Thurgh whom we stoden in honour, + Withoute the comun assent + Thus sodeinliche is fro ous went!" + Such was the clamour of hem alle. + Bot se we now what is befalle + Upon the ferste tale plein, + And torne we therto ayein. + Antiochus the grete Sire, + Which full of rancour and of ire 500 + His herte berth, so as ye herde, + Of that this Prince of Tyr ansuerde, + He hadde a feloun bacheler, + Which was his prive consailer, + And Taliart be name he hihte: + The king a strong puison him dihte + Withinne a buiste and gold therto, + In alle haste and bad him go + Strawht unto Tyr, and for no cost + Ne spare he, til he hadde lost 510 + The Prince which he wolde spille. + And whan the king hath seid his wille, + This Taliart in a Galeie + With alle haste he tok his weie: + The wynd was good, he saileth blyve, + Til he tok lond upon the ryve + Of Tyr, and forth with al anon + Into the Burgh he gan to gon, + And tok his In and bod a throwe. + Bot for he wolde noght be knowe, 520 + Desguised thanne he goth him oute; + He sih the wepinge al aboute, + And axeth what the cause was, + And thei him tolden al the cas, + How sodeinli the Prince is go. + And whan he sih that it was so, + And that his labour was in vein, + Anon he torneth hom ayein, + And to the king, whan he cam nyh, + He tolde of that he herde and syh, 530 + Hou that the Prince of Tyr is fled, + So was he come ayein unsped. + The king was sori for a while, + Bot whan he sih that with no wyle + He myhte achieve his crualte, + He stinte his wraththe and let him be. + Bot over this now forto telle + Of aventures that befelle + Unto this Prince of whom I tolde, + He hath his rihte cours forth holde 540 + Be Ston and nedle, til he cam + To Tharse, and there his lond he nam. + A Burgeis riche of gold and fee + Was thilke time in that cite, + Which cleped was Strangulio, + His wif was Dionise also: + This yonge Prince, as seith the bok, + With hem his herbergage tok; + And it befell that Cite so + Before time and thanne also, 550 + Thurgh strong famyne which hem ladde + Was non that eny whete hadde. + Appolinus, whan that he herde + The meschief, hou the cite ferde, + Al freliche of his oghne yifte + His whete, among hem forto schifte, + The which be Schipe he hadde broght, + He yaf, and tok of hem riht noght. + Bot sithen ferst this world began, + Was nevere yit to such a man 560 + Mor joie mad than thei him made: + For thei were alle of him so glade, + That thei for evere in remembrance + Made a figure in resemblance + Of him, and in the comun place + Thei sette him up, so that his face + Mihte every maner man beholde, + So as the cite was beholde; + It was of latoun overgilt: + Thus hath he noght his yifte spilt. 570 + Upon a time with his route + This lord to pleie goth him oute, + And in his weie of Tyr he mette + A man, the which on knees him grette, + And Hellican be name he hihte, + Which preide his lord to have insihte + Upon himself, and seide him thus, + Hou that the grete Antiochus + Awaiteth if he mihte him spille. + That other thoghte and hield him stille, 580 + And thonked him of his warnynge, + And bad him telle no tidinge, + Whan he to Tyr cam hom ayein, + That he in Tharse him hadde sein. + Fortune hath evere be muable + And mai no while stonde stable: + For now it hiheth, now it loweth, + Now stant upriht, now overthroweth, + Now full of blisse and now of bale, + As in the tellinge of mi tale 590 + Hierafterward a man mai liere, + Which is gret routhe forto hiere. + This lord, which wolde don his beste, + Withinne himself hath litel reste, + And thoghte he wolde his place change + And seche a contre more strange. + Of Tharsiens his leve anon + He tok, and is to Schipe gon: + His cours he nam with Seil updrawe, + Where as fortune doth the lawe, 600 + And scheweth, as I schal reherse, + How sche was to this lord diverse, + The which upon the See sche ferketh. + The wynd aros, the weder derketh, + It blew and made such tempeste, + Non ancher mai the schip areste, + Which hath tobroken al his gere; + The Schipmen stode in such a feere, + Was non that myhte himself bestere, + Bot evere awaite upon the lere, 610 + Whan that thei scholde drenche at ones. + Ther was ynowh withinne wones + Of wepinge and of sorghe tho; + This yonge king makth mochel wo + So forto se the Schip travaile: + Bot al that myhte him noght availe; + The mast tobrak, the Seil torof, + The Schip upon the wawes drof, + Til that thei sihe a londes cooste. + Tho made avou the leste and moste, 620 + Be so thei myhten come alonde; + Bot he which hath the See on honde, + Neptunus, wolde noght acorde, + Bot altobroke cable and corde, + Er thei to londe myhte aproche, + The Schip toclef upon a roche, + And al goth doun into the depe. + Bot he that alle thing mai kepe + Unto this lord was merciable, + And broghte him sauf upon a table, 630 + Which to the lond him hath upbore; + The remenant was al forlore, + Wherof he made mochel mone. + Thus was this yonge lord him one, + Al naked in a povere plit: + His colour, which whilom was whyt, + Was thanne of water fade and pale, + And ek he was so sore acale + That he wiste of himself no bote, + It halp him nothing forto mote 640 + To gete ayein that he hath lore. + Bot sche which hath his deth forbore, + Fortune, thogh sche wol noght yelpe, + Al sodeinly hath sent him helpe, + Whanne him thoghte alle grace aweie; + Ther cam a Fisshere in the weie, + And sih a man ther naked stonde, + And whan that he hath understonde + The cause, he hath of him gret routhe, + And onliche of his povere trouthe 650 + Of suche clothes as he hadde + With gret Pite this lord he cladde. + And he him thonketh as he scholde, + And seith him that it schal be yolde, + If evere he gete his stat ayein, + And preide that he wolde him sein + If nyh were eny toun for him. + He seide, "Yee, Pentapolim, + Wher bothe king and queene duellen." + Whanne he this tale herde tellen, 660 + He gladeth him and gan beseche + That he the weie him wolde teche: + And he him taghte; and forth he wente + And preide god with good entente + To sende him joie after his sorwe. + It was noght passed yit Midmorwe, + Whan thiderward his weie he nam, + Wher sone upon the Non he cam. + He eet such as he myhte gete, + And forth anon, whan he hadde ete, 670 + He goth to se the toun aboute, + And cam ther as he fond a route + Of yonge lusti men withalle; + And as it scholde tho befalle, + That day was set of such assisse, + That thei scholde in the londes guise, + As he herde of the poeple seie, + Here comun game thanne pleie; + And crid was that thei scholden come + Unto the gamen alle and some 680 + Of hem that ben delivere and wyhte, + To do such maistrie as thei myhte. + Thei made hem naked as thei scholde, + For so that ilke game wolde, + As it was tho custume and us, + Amonges hem was no refus: + The flour of al the toun was there + And of the court also ther were, + And that was in a large place + Riht evene afore the kinges face, 690 + Which Artestrathes thanne hihte. + The pley was pleid riht in his sihte, + And who most worthi was of dede + Receive he scholde a certein mede + And in the cite bere a pris. + Appolinus, which war and wys + Of every game couthe an ende, + He thoghte assaie, hou so it wende, + And fell among hem into game: + And there he wan him such a name, 700 + So as the king himself acompteth + That he alle othre men surmonteth, + And bar the pris above hem alle. + The king bad that into his halle + At Souper time he schal be broght; + And he cam thanne and lefte it noght, + Withoute compaignie al one: + Was non so semlich of persone, + Of visage and of limes bothe, + If that he hadde what to clothe. 710 + At Soupertime natheles + The king amiddes al the pres + Let clepe him up among hem alle, + And bad his Mareschall of halle + To setten him in such degre + That he upon him myhte se. + The king was sone set and served, + And he, which hath his pris deserved + After the kinges oghne word, + Was mad beginne a Middel bord, 720 + That bothe king and queene him sihe. + He sat and caste aboute his yhe + And sih the lordes in astat, + And with himself wax in debat + Thenkende what he hadde lore, + And such a sorwe he tok therfore, + That he sat evere stille and thoghte, + As he which of no mete roghte. + The king behield his hevynesse, + And of his grete gentillesse 730 + His doghter, which was fair and good + And ate bord before him stod, + As it was thilke time usage, + He bad to gon on his message + And fonde forto make him glad. + And sche dede as hire fader bad, + And goth to him the softe pas + And axeth whenne and what he was, + And preith he scholde his thoghtes leve. + He seith, "Ma Dame, be your leve 740 + Mi name is hote Appolinus, + And of mi richesse it is thus, + Upon the See I have it lore. + The contre wher as I was bore, + Wher that my lond is and mi rente, + I lefte at Tyr, whan that I wente: + The worschipe of this worldes aghte, + Unto the god ther I betaghte." + And thus togedre as thei tuo speeke, + The teres runne be his cheeke. 750 + The king, which therof tok good kepe, + Hath gret Pite to sen him wepe, + And for his doghter sende ayein, + And preide hir faire and gan to sein + That sche no lengere wolde drecche, + Bot that sche wolde anon forth fecche + Hire harpe and don al that sche can + To glade with that sory man. + And sche to don hir fader heste + Hir harpe fette, and in the feste 760 + Upon a Chaier which thei fette + Hirself next to this man sche sette: + With harpe bothe and ek with mouthe + To him sche dede al that sche couthe + To make him chiere, and evere he siketh, + And sche him axeth hou him liketh. + "Ma dame, certes wel," he seide, + "Bot if ye the mesure pleide + Which, if you list, I schal you liere, + It were a glad thing forto hiere." 770 + "Ha, lieve sire," tho quod sche, + "Now tak the harpe and let me se + Of what mesure that ye mene." + Tho preith the king, tho preith the queene, + Forth with the lordes alle arewe, + That he som merthe wolde schewe; + He takth the Harpe and in his wise + He tempreth, and of such assise + Singende he harpeth forth withal, + That as a vois celestial 780 + Hem thoghte it souneth in here Ere, + As thogh that he an Angel were. + Thei gladen of his melodie, + Bot most of alle the compainie + The kinges doghter, which it herde, + And thoghte ek hou that he ansuerde, + Whan that he was of hire opposed, + Withinne hir herte hath wel supposed + That he is of gret gentilesse. + Hise dedes ben therof witnesse 790 + Forth with the wisdom of his lore; + It nedeth noght to seche more, + He myhte noght have such manere, + Of gentil blod bot if he were. + Whanne he hath harped al his fille, + The kinges heste to fulfille, + Awey goth dissh, awey goth cuppe, + Doun goth the bord, the cloth was uppe, + Thei risen and gon out of halle. + The king his chamberlein let calle, 800 + And bad that he be alle weie + A chambre for this man pourveie, + Which nyh his oghne chambre be. + "It schal be do, mi lord," quod he. + Appolinus of whom I mene + Tho tok his leve of king and queene + And of the worthi Maide also, + Which preide unto hir fader tho, + That sche myhte of that yonge man + Of tho sciences whiche he can 810 + His lore have; and in this wise + The king hir granteth his aprise, + So that himself therto assente. + Thus was acorded er thei wente, + That he with al that evere he may + This yonge faire freisshe May + Of that he couthe scholde enforme; + And full assented in this forme + Thei token leve as for that nyht. + And whanne it was amorwe lyht, 820 + Unto this yonge man of Tyr + Of clothes and of good atir + With gold and Selver to despende + This worthi yonge lady sende: + And thus sche made him wel at ese, + And he with al that he can plese + Hire serveth wel and faire ayein. + He tawhte hir til sche was certein + Of Harpe, of Citole and of Rote, + With many a tun and many a note 830 + Upon Musique, upon mesure, + And of hire Harpe the temprure + He tawhte hire ek, as he wel couthe. + Bot as men sein that frele is youthe, + With leisir and continuance + This Mayde fell upon a chance, + That love hath mad him a querele + Ayein hire youthe freissh and frele, + That malgre wher sche wole or noght, + Sche mot with al hire hertes thoght 840 + To love and to his lawe obeie; + And that sche schal ful sore abeie. + For sche wot nevere what it is, + Bot evere among sche fieleth this: + Thenkende upon this man of Tyr, + Hire herte is hot as eny fyr, + And otherwhile it is acale; + Now is sche red, nou is sche pale + Riht after the condicion + Of hire ymaginacion; 850 + Bot evere among hire thoghtes alle, + Sche thoghte, what so mai befalle, + Or that sche lawhe, or that sche wepe, + Sche wolde hire goode name kepe + For feere of wommanysshe schame. + Bot what in ernest and in game, + Sche stant for love in such a plit, + That sche hath lost al appetit + Of mete, of drinke, of nyhtes reste, + As sche that not what is the beste; 860 + Bot forto thenken al hir fille + Sche hield hire ofte times stille + Withinne hir chambre, and goth noght oute: + The king was of hire lif in doute, + Which wiste nothing what it mente. + Bot fell a time, as he out wente + To walke, of Princes Sones thre + Ther come and felle to his kne; + And ech of hem in sondri wise + Besoghte and profreth his servise, 870 + So that he myhte his doghter have. + The king, which wolde his honour save, + Seith sche is siek, and of that speche + Tho was no time to beseche; + Bot ech of hem do make a bille + He bad, and wryte his oghne wille, + His name, his fader and his good; + And whan sche wiste hou that it stod, + And hadde here billes oversein, + Thei scholden have ansuere ayein. 880 + Of this conseil thei weren glad, + And writen as the king hem bad, + And every man his oghne bok + Into the kinges hond betok, + And he it to his dowhter sende, + And preide hir forto make an ende + And wryte ayein hire oghne hond, + Riht as sche in hire herte fond. + The billes weren wel received, + Bot sche hath alle here loves weyved, 890 + And thoghte tho was time and space + To put hire in hir fader grace, + And wrot ayein and thus sche saide: + "The schame which is in a Maide + With speche dar noght ben unloke, + Bot in writinge it mai be spoke; + So wryte I to you, fader, thus: + Bot if I have Appolinus, + Of al this world, what so betyde, + I wol non other man abide. 900 + And certes if I of him faile, + I wot riht wel withoute faile + Ye schull for me be dowhterles." + This lettre cam, and ther was press + Tofore the king, ther as he stod; + And whan that he it understod, + He yaf hem ansuer by and by, + Bot that was do so prively, + That non of othres conseil wiste. + Thei toke her leve, and wher hem liste 910 + Thei wente forth upon here weie. + The king ne wolde noght bewreie + The conseil for no maner hihe, + Bot soffreth til he time sihe: + And whan that he to chambre is come, + He hath unto his conseil nome + This man of Tyr, and let him se + The lettre and al the privete, + The which his dowhter to him sente: + And he his kne to grounde bente 920 + And thonketh him and hire also, + And er thei wenten thanne atuo, + With good herte and with good corage + Of full Love and full mariage + The king and he ben hol acorded. + And after, whanne it was recorded + Unto the dowhter hou it stod, + The yifte of al this worldes good + Ne scholde have mad hir half so blythe: + And forth withal the king als swithe, 930 + For he wol have hire good assent, + Hath for the queene hir moder sent. + The queene is come, and whan sche herde + Of this matiere hou that it ferde, + Sche syh debat, sche syh desese, + Bot if sche wolde hir dowhter plese, + And is therto assented full. + Which is a dede wonderfull, + For noman knew the sothe cas + Bot he himself, what man he was; 940 + And natheles, so as hem thoghte, + Hise dedes to the sothe wroghte + That he was come of gentil blod: + Him lacketh noght bot worldes good, + And as therof is no despeir, + For sche schal ben hire fader heir, + And he was able to governe. + Thus wol thei noght the love werne + Of him and hire in none wise, + Bot ther acorded thei divise 950 + The day and time of Mariage. + Wher love is lord of the corage, + Him thenketh longe er that he spede; + Bot ate laste unto the dede + The time is come, and in her wise + With gret offrende and sacrifise + Thei wedde and make a riche feste, + And every thing which was honeste + Withinnen house and ek withoute + It was so don, that al aboute 960 + Of gret worschipe, of gret noblesse + Ther cride many a man largesse + Unto the lordes hihe and loude; + The knyhtes that ben yonge and proude, + Thei jouste ferst and after daunce. + The day is go, the nyhtes chaunce + Hath derked al the bryhte Sonne; + This lord, which hath his love wonne, + Is go to bedde with his wif, + Wher as thei ladde a lusti lif, 970 + And that was after somdel sene, + For as thei pleiden hem betwene, + Thei gete a child betwen hem tuo, + To whom fell after mochel wo. + Now have I told of the spousailes. + Bot forto speke of the mervailes + Whiche afterward to hem befelle, + It is a wonder forto telle. + It fell adai thei riden oute, + The king and queene and al the route, 980 + To pleien hem upon the stronde, + Wher as thei sen toward the londe + A Schip sailende of gret array. + To knowe what it mene may, + Til it be come thei abide; + Than sen thei stonde on every side, + Endlong the schipes bord to schewe, + Of Penonceals a riche rewe. + Thei axen when the ship is come: + Fro Tyr, anon ansuerde some, 990 + And over this thei seiden more + The cause why thei comen fore + Was forto seche and forto finde + Appolinus, which was of kinde + Her liege lord: and he appiereth, + And of the tale which he hiereth + He was riht glad; for thei him tolde, + That for vengance, as god it wolde, + Antiochus, as men mai wite, + With thondre and lyhthnynge is forsmite; 1000 + His doghter hath the same chaunce, + So be thei bothe in o balance. + "Forthi, oure liege lord, we seie + In name of al the lond, and preie, + That left al other thing to done, + It like you to come sone + And se youre oghne liege men + With othre that ben of youre ken, + That live in longinge and desir + Til ye be come ayein to Tyr." 1010 + This tale after the king it hadde + Pentapolim al overspradde, + Ther was no joie forto seche; + For every man it hadde in speche + And seiden alle of on acord, + "A worthi king schal ben oure lord: + That thoghte ous ferst an hevinesse + Is schape ous now to gret gladnesse." + Thus goth the tidinge overal. + Bot nede he mot, that nede schal: 1020 + Appolinus his leve tok, + To god and al the lond betok + With al the poeple long and brod, + That he no lenger there abod. + The king and queene sorwe made, + Bot yit somdiel thei weren glade + Of such thing as thei herden tho: + And thus betwen the wel and wo + To schip he goth, his wif with childe, + The which was evere meke and mylde 1030 + And wolde noght departe him fro, + Such love was betwen hem tuo. + Lichorida for hire office + Was take, which was a Norrice, + To wende with this yonge wif, + To whom was schape a woful lif. + Withinne a time, as it betidde, + Whan thei were in the See amidde, + Out of the North they sihe a cloude; + The storm aros, the wyndes loude 1040 + Thei blewen many a dredful blast, + The welkne was al overcast, + The derke nyht the Sonne hath under, + Ther was a gret tempeste of thunder: + The Mone and ek the Sterres bothe + In blake cloudes thei hem clothe, + Wherof here brihte lok thei hyde. + This yonge ladi wepte and cride, + To whom no confort myhte availe; + Of childe sche began travaile, 1050 + Wher sche lay in a Caban clos: + Hire woful lord fro hire aros, + And that was longe er eny morwe, + So that in anguisse and in sorwe + Sche was delivered al be nyhte + And ded in every mannes syhte; + Bot natheles for al this wo + A maide child was bore tho. + Appolinus whan he this knew, + For sorwe a swoune he overthrew, 1060 + That noman wiste in him no lif. + And whanne he wok, he seide, "Ha, wif, + Mi lust, mi joie, my desir, + Mi welthe and my recoverir, + Why schal I live, and thou schalt dye? + Ha, thou fortune, I thee deffie, + Nou hast thou do to me thi werste. + Ha, herte, why ne wolt thou berste, + That forth with hire I myhte passe? + Mi peines weren wel the lasse." 1070 + In such wepinge and in such cry + His dede wif, which lay him by, + A thousend sithes he hire kiste; + Was nevere man that sih ne wiste + A sorwe unto his sorwe lich; + For evere among upon the lich + He fell swounende, as he that soghte + His oghne deth, which he besoghte + Unto the goddes alle above + With many a pitous word of love; 1080 + Bot suche wordes as tho were + Yit herde nevere mannes Ere, + Bot only thilke whiche he seide. + The Maister Schipman cam and preide + With othre suche as be therinne, + And sein that he mai nothing winne + Ayein the deth, bot thei him rede, + He be wel war and tak hiede, + The See be weie of his nature + Receive mai no creature 1090 + Withinne himself as forto holde, + The which is ded: forthi thei wolde, + As thei conseilen al aboute, + The dede body casten oute. + For betre it is, thei seiden alle, + That it of hire so befalle, + Than if thei scholden alle spille. + The king, which understod here wille + And knew here conseil that was trewe, + Began ayein his sorwe newe 1100 + With pitous herte, and thus to seie: + "It is al reson that ye preie. + I am," quod he, "bot on al one, + So wolde I noght for mi persone + Ther felle such adversite. + Bot whan it mai no betre be, + Doth thanne thus upon my word, + Let make a cofre strong of bord, + That it be ferm with led and pich." + Anon was mad a cofre sich, 1110 + Al redy broght unto his hond; + And whanne he sih and redy fond + This cofre mad and wel enclowed, + The dede bodi was besowed + In cloth of gold and leid therinne. + And for he wolde unto hire winne + Upon som cooste a Sepulture, + Under hire heved in aventure + Of gold he leide Sommes grete + And of jeueals a strong beyete 1120 + Forth with a lettre, and seide thus: + "I, king of Tyr Appollinus, + Do alle maner men to wite, + That hiere and se this lettre write, + That helpeles withoute red + Hier lith a kinges doghter ded: + And who that happeth hir to finde, + For charite tak in his mynde, + And do so that sche be begrave + With this tresor, which he schal have." 1130 + Thus whan the lettre was full spoke, + Thei haue anon the cofre stoke, + And bounden it with yren faste, + That it may with the wawes laste, + And stoppen it be such a weie, + That it schal be withinne dreie, + So that no water myhte it grieve. + And thus in hope and good believe + Of that the corps schal wel aryve, + Thei caste it over bord als blyve. 1140 + The Schip forth on the wawes wente; + The prince hath changed his entente, + And seith he wol noght come at Tyr + As thanne, bot al his desir + Is ferst to seilen unto Tharse. + The wyndy Storm began to skarse, + The Sonne arist, the weder cliereth, + The Schipman which behinde stiereth, + Whan that he sih the wyndes saghte, + Towardes Tharse his cours he straghte. 1150 + Bot now to mi matiere ayein, + To telle as olde bokes sein, + This dede corps of which ye knowe + With wynd and water was forthrowe + Now hier, now ther, til ate laste + At Ephesim the See upcaste + The cofre and al that was therinne. + Of gret merveile now beginne + Mai hiere who that sitteth stille; + That god wol save mai noght spille. 1160 + Riht as the corps was throwe alonde, + Ther cam walkende upon the stronde + A worthi clerc, a Surgien, + And ek a gret Phisicien, + Of al that lond the wisest on, + Which hihte Maister Cerymon; + Ther were of his disciples some. + This Maister to the Cofre is come, + He peiseth ther was somwhat in, + And bad hem bere it to his In, 1170 + And goth himselve forth withal. + Al that schal falle, falle schal; + Thei comen hom and tarie noght; + This Cofre is into chambre broght, + Which that thei finde faste stoke, + Bot thei with craft it have unloke. + Thei loken in, where as thei founde + A bodi ded, which was bewounde + In cloth of gold, as I seide er, + The tresor ek thei founden ther 1180 + Forth with the lettre, which thei rede. + And tho thei token betre hiede; + Unsowed was the bodi sone, + And he, which knew what is to done, + This noble clerk, with alle haste + Began the veines forto taste, + And sih hire Age was of youthe, + And with the craftes whiche he couthe + He soghte and fond a signe of lif. + With that this worthi kinges wif 1190 + Honestely thei token oute, + And maden fyres al aboute; + Thei leide hire on a couche softe, + And with a scheete warmed ofte + Hire colde brest began to hete, + Hire herte also to flacke and bete. + This Maister hath hire every joignt + With certein oile and balsme enoignt, + And putte a liquour in hire mouth, + Which is to fewe clerkes couth, 1200 + So that sche coevereth ate laste; + And ferst hire yhen up sche caste, + And whan sche more of strengthe cawhte, + Hire Armes bothe forth sche strawhte, + Hield up hire hond and pitously + Sche spak and seide, "Ha, wher am I? + Where is my lord, what world is this?" + As sche that wot noght hou it is. + Bot Cerymon the worthi leche + Ansuerde anon upon hire speche 1210 + And seith, "Ma dame, yee ben hiere, + Where yee be sauf, as yee schal hiere + Hierafterward; forthi as nou + Mi conseil is, conforteth you: + For trusteth wel withoute faile, + Ther is nothing which schal you faile, + That oghte of reson to be do." + Thus passen thei a day or tuo; + Thei speke of noght as for an ende, + Til sche began somdiel amende, 1220 + And wiste hireselven what sche mente. + Tho forto knowe hire hol entente, + This Maister axeth al the cas, + Hou sche cam there and what sche was. + "Hou I cam hiere wot I noght," + Quod sche, "bot wel I am bethoght + Of othre thinges al aboute": + Fro point to point and tolde him oute + Als ferforthli as sche it wiste. + And he hire tolde hou in a kiste 1230 + The See hire threw upon the lond, + And what tresor with hire he fond, + Which was al redy at hire wille, + As he that schop him to fulfille + With al his myht what thing he scholde. + Sche thonketh him that he so wolde, + And al hire herte sche discloseth, + And seith him wel that sche supposeth + Hire lord be dreint, hir child also; + So sih sche noght bot alle wo. 1240 + Wherof as to the world nomore + Ne wol sche torne, and preith therfore + That in som temple of the Cite, + To kepe and holde hir chastete, + Sche mihte among the wommen duelle. + Whan he this tale hir herde telle, + He was riht glad, and made hire knowen + That he a dowhter of his owen + Hath, which he wol unto hir yive + To serve, whil thei bothe live, 1250 + In stede of that which sche hath lost; + Al only at his oghne cost + Sche schal be rendred forth with hire. + She seith, "Grant mercy, lieve sire, + God quite it you, ther I ne may." + And thus thei drive forth the day, + Til time com that sche was hol; + And tho thei take her conseil hol, + To schape upon good ordinance + And make a worthi pourveance 1260 + Ayein the day whan thei be veiled. + And thus, whan that thei be conseiled, + In blake clothes thei hem clothe, + This lady and the dowhter bothe, + And yolde hem to religion. + The feste and the profession + After the reule of that degre + Was mad with gret solempnete, + Where as Diane is seintefied; + Thus stant this lady justefied 1270 + In ordre wher sche thenkth to duelle. + Bot now ayeinward forto telle + In what plit that hire lord stod inne: + He seileth, til that he may winne + The havene of Tharse, as I seide er; + And whanne he was aryved ther, + And it was thurgh the Cite knowe, + Men myhte se withinne a throwe, + As who seith, al the toun at ones, + That come ayein him for the nones, 1280 + To yiven him the reverence, + So glad thei were of his presence: + And thogh he were in his corage + Desesed, yit with glad visage + He made hem chiere, and to his In, + Wher he whilom sojourned in, + He goth him straght and was resceived. + And whan the presse of poeple is weived, + He takth his hoste unto him tho, + And seith, "Mi frend Strangulio, 1290 + Lo, thus and thus it is befalle, + And thou thiself art on of alle, + Forth with thi wif, whiche I most triste. + Forthi, if it you bothe liste, + My doghter Thaise be youre leve + I thenke schal with you beleve + As for a time; and thus I preie, + That sche be kept be alle weie, + And whan sche hath of age more, + That sche be set to bokes lore. 1300 + And this avou to god I make, + That I schal nevere for hir sake + Mi berd for no likinge schave, + Til it befalle that I have + In covenable time of age + Beset hire unto mariage." + Thus thei acorde, and al is wel, + And forto resten him somdel, + As for a while he ther sojorneth, + And thanne he takth his leve and torneth 1310 + To Schipe, and goth him hom to Tyr, + Wher every man with gret desir + Awaiteth upon his comynge. + Bot whan the Schip com in seilinge, + And thei perceiven it is he, + Was nevere yit in no cite + Such joie mad as thei tho made; + His herte also began to glade + Of that he sih the poeple glad. + Lo, thus fortune his hap hath lad; 1320 + In sondri wise he was travailed, + Bot hou so evere he be assailed, + His latere ende schal be good. + And forto speke hou that it stod + Of Thaise his doghter, wher sche duelleth, + In Tharse, as the Cronique telleth, + Sche was wel kept, sche was wel loked, + Sche was wel tawht, sche was wel boked, + So wel sche spedde hir in hire youthe + That sche of every wisdom couthe, 1330 + That forto seche in every lond + So wys an other noman fond, + Ne so wel tawht at mannes yhe. + Bot wo worthe evere fals envie! + For it befell that time so, + A dowhter hath Strangulio, + The which was cleped Philotenne: + Bot fame, which wole evere renne, + Cam al day to hir moder Ere, + And seith, wher evere hir doghter were 1340 + With Thayse set in eny place, + The comun vois, the comun grace + Was al upon that other Maide, + And of hir doghter noman saide. + Who wroth but Dionise thanne? + Hire thoghte a thousend yer til whanne + Sche myhte ben of Thaise wreke + Of that sche herde folk so speke. + And fell that ilke same tyde, + That ded was trewe Lychoride, 1350 + Which hadde be servant to Thaise, + So that sche was the worse at aise, + For sche hath thanne no servise + Bot only thurgh this Dionise, + Which was hire dedlich Anemie + Thurgh pure treson and envie. + Sche, that of alle sorwe can, + Tho spak unto hire bondeman, + Which cleped was Theophilus, + And made him swere in conseil thus, 1360 + That he such time as sche him sette + Schal come Thaise forto fette, + And lede hire oute of alle sihte, + Wher as noman hire helpe myhte, + Upon the Stronde nyh the See, + And there he schal this maiden sle. + This cherles herte is in a traunce, + As he which drad him of vengance + Whan time comth an other day; + Bot yit dorste he noght seie nay, 1370 + Bot swor and seide he schal fulfille + Hire hestes at hire oghne wille. + The treson and the time is schape, + So fell it that this cherles knape + Hath lad this maiden ther he wolde + Upon the Stronde, and what sche scholde + Sche was adrad; and he out breide + A rusti swerd and to hir seide, + "Thou schalt be ded." "Helas!" quod sche, + "Why schal I so?" "Lo thus," quod he, 1380 + "Mi ladi Dionise hath bede, + Thou schalt be moerdred in this stede." + This Maiden tho for feere schryhte, + And for the love of god almyhte + Sche preith that for a litel stounde + Sche myhte knele upon the grounde, + Toward the hevene forto crave, + Hire wofull Soule if sche mai save: + And with this noise and with this cry, + Out of a barge faste by, 1390 + Which hidd was ther on Scomerfare, + Men sterten out and weren ware + Of this feloun,and he to go, + And sche began to crie tho, + "Ha, mercy, help for goddes sake! + Into the barge thei hire take, + As thieves scholde, and forth thei wente. + Upon the See the wynd hem hente, + And malgre wher thei wolde or non, + Tofor the weder forth thei gon, 1400 + Ther halp no Seil, ther halp non Ore, + Forstormed and forblowen sore + In gret peril so forth thei dryve, + Til ate laste thei aryve + At Mitelene the Cite. + In havene sauf and whan thei be, + The Maister Schipman made him boun, + And goth him out into the toun, + And profreth Thaise forto selle. + On Leonin it herde telle, 1410 + Which Maister of the bordel was, + And bad him gon a redy pas + To fetten hire, and forth he wente, + And Thaise out of his barge he hente, + And to this bordeller hir solde. + And he, that be hire body wolde + Take avantage, let do crye, + That what man wolde his lecherie + Attempte upon hire maidenhede, + Lei doun the gold and he schal spede. 1420 + And thus whan he hath crid it oute + In syhte of al the poeple aboute, + He ladde hire to the bordel tho. + No wonder is thogh sche be wo: + Clos in a chambre be hireselve, + Ech after other ten or tuelve + Of yonge men to hire in wente; + Bot such a grace god hire sente, + That for the sorwe which sche made + Was non of hem which pouer hade 1430 + To don hire eny vileinie. + This Leonin let evere aspie, + And waiteth after gret beyete; + Bot al for noght, sche was forlete, + That mo men wolde ther noght come. + Whan he therof hath hiede nome, + And knew that sche was yit a maide, + Unto his oghne man he saide, + That he with strengthe ayein hire leve + Tho scholde hir maidenhod bereve. 1440 + This man goth in, bot so it ferde, + Whan he hire wofull pleintes herde + And he therof hath take kepe, + Him liste betre forto wepe + Than don oght elles to the game. + And thus sche kepte hirself fro schame, + And kneleth doun to therthe and preide + Unto this man, and thus sche seide: + "If so be that thi maister wolde + That I his gold encresce scholde, 1450 + It mai noght falle be this weie: + Bot soffre me to go mi weie + Out of this hous wher I am inne, + And I schal make him forto winne + In som place elles of the toun, + Be so it be religioun, + Wher that honeste wommen duelle. + And thus thou myht thi maister telle, + That whanne I have a chambre there, + Let him do crie ay wyde where, 1460 + What lord that hath his doghter diere, + And is in will that sche schal liere + Of such a Scole that is trewe, + I schal hire teche of thinges newe, + Which as non other womman can + In al this lond." And tho this man + Hire tale hath herd, he goth ayein, + And tolde unto his maister plein + That sche hath seid; and therupon, + Whan than he sih beyete non 1470 + At the bordel be cause of hire, + He bad his man to gon and spire + A place wher sche myhte abyde, + That he mai winne upon som side + Be that sche can: bot ate leste + Thus was sche sauf fro this tempeste. + He hath hire fro the bordel take, + Bot that was noght for goddes sake, + Bot for the lucre, as sche him tolde. + Now comen tho that comen wolde 1480 + Of wommen in her lusty youthe, + To hiere and se what thing sche couthe: + Sche can the wisdom of a clerk, + Sche can of every lusti werk + Which to a gentil womman longeth, + And some of hem sche underfongeth + To the Citole and to the Harpe, + And whom it liketh forto carpe + Proverbes and demandes slyhe, + An other such thei nevere syhe, 1490 + Which that science so wel tawhte: + Wherof sche grete yiftes cawhte, + That sche to Leonin hath wonne; + And thus hire name is so begonne + Of sondri thinges that sche techeth, + That al the lond unto hir secheth + Of yonge wommen forto liere. + Nou lete we this maiden hiere, + And speke of Dionise ayein + And of Theophile the vilein, 1500 + Of whiche I spak of nou tofore. + Whan Thaise scholde have be forlore, + This false cherl to his lady + Whan he cam hom, al prively + He seith, "Ma Dame, slain I have + This maide Thaise, and is begrave + In prive place, as ye me biede. + Forthi, ma dame, taketh hiede + And kep conseil, hou so it stonde." + This fend, which this hath understonde, 1510 + Was glad, and weneth it be soth: + Now herkne, hierafter hou sche doth. + Sche wepth, sche sorweth, sche compleigneth, + And of sieknesse which sche feigneth + Sche seith that Taise sodeinly + Be nyhte is ded, "as sche and I + Togedre lyhen nyh my lord." + Sche was a womman of record, + And al is lieved that sche seith; + And forto yive a more feith, 1520 + Hire housebonde and ek sche bothe + In blake clothes thei hem clothe, + And made a gret enterrement; + And for the poeple schal be blent, + Of Thaise as for the remembrance, + After the real olde usance + A tumbe of latoun noble and riche + With an ymage unto hir liche + Liggende above therupon + Thei made and sette it up anon. 1530 + Hire Epitaffe of good assisse + Was write aboute, and in this wise + It spak: "O yee that this beholde, + Lo, hier lith sche, the which was holde + The faireste and the flour of alle, + Whos name Thai5sis men calle. + The king of Tyr Appolinus + Hire fader was: now lith sche thus. + Fourtiene yer sche was of Age, + Whan deth hir tok to his viage." 1540 + Thus was this false treson hidd, + Which afterward was wyde kidd, + As be the tale a man schal hiere. + Bot forto clare mi matiere, + To Tyr I thenke torne ayein, + And telle as the Croniqes sein. + Whan that the king was comen hom, + And hath left in the salte fom + His wif, which he mai noght foryete, + For he som confort wolde gete, 1550 + He let somoune a parlement, + To which the lordes were asent; + And of the time he hath ben oute, + He seth the thinges al aboute, + And told hem ek hou he hath fare, + Whil he was out of londe fare; + And preide hem alle to abyde, + For he wolde at the same tyde + Do schape for his wyves mynde, + As he that wol noght ben unkinde. 1560 + Solempne was that ilke office, + And riche was the sacrifice, + The feste reali was holde: + And therto was he wel beholde; + For such a wif as he hadde on + In thilke daies was ther non. + Whan this was do, thanne he him thoghte + Upon his doghter, and besoghte + Suche of his lordes as he wolde, + That thei with him to Tharse scholde, 1570 + To fette his doghter Taise there: + And thei anon al redy were, + To schip they gon and forth thei wente, + Til thei the havene of Tharse hente. + They londe and faile of that thei seche + Be coverture and sleyhte of speche: + This false man Strangulio, + And Dionise his wif also, + That he the betre trowe myhte, + Thei ladden him to have a sihte 1580 + Wher that hir tombe was arraied. + The lasse yit he was mispaied, + And natheles, so as he dorste, + He curseth and seith al the worste + Unto fortune, as to the blinde, + Which can no seker weie finde; + For sche him neweth evere among, + And medleth sorwe with his song. + Bot sithe it mai no betre be, + He thonketh god and forth goth he 1590 + Seilende toward Tyr ayein. + Bot sodeinly the wynd and reyn + Begonne upon the See debate, + So that he soffre mot algate + The lawe which Neptune ordeigneth; + Wherof fulofte time he pleigneth, + And hield him wel the more esmaied + Of that he hath tofore assaied. + So that for pure sorwe and care, + Of that he seth his world so fare, 1600 + The reste he lefte of his Caban, + That for the conseil of noman + Ayein therinne he nolde come, + Bot hath benethe his place nome, + Wher he wepende al one lay, + Ther as he sih no lyht of day. + And thus tofor the wynd thei dryve, + Til longe and late thei aryve + With gret distresce, as it was sene, + Upon this toun of Mitelene, 1610 + Which was a noble cite tho. + And hapneth thilke time so, + The lordes bothe and the comune + The hihe festes of Neptune + Upon the stronde at the rivage, + As it was custumme and usage, + Sollempneliche thei besihe. + Whan thei this strange vessel syhe + Come in, and hath his Seil avaled, + The toun therof hath spoke and taled. 1620 + The lord which of the cite was, + Whos name is Athenagoras, + Was there, and seide he wolde se + What Schip it is, and who thei be + That ben therinne: and after sone, + Whan that he sih it was to done, + His barge was for him arraied, + And he goth forth and hath assaied. + He fond the Schip of gret Array, + Bot what thing it amonte may, 1630 + He seth thei maden hevy chiere, + Bot wel him thenkth be the manere + That thei be worthi men of blod, + And axeth of hem hou it stod; + And thei him tellen al the cas, + Hou that here lord fordrive was, + And what a sorwe that he made, + Of which ther mai noman him glade. + He preith that he here lord mai se, + Bot thei him tolde it mai noght be, 1640 + For he lith in so derk a place, + That ther may no wiht sen his face: + Bot for al that, thogh hem be loth, + He fond the ladre and doun he goth, + And to him spak, bot non ansuere + Ayein of him ne mihte he bere + For oght that he can don or sein; + And thus he goth him up ayein. + Tho was ther spoke in many wise + Amonges hem that weren wise, 1650 + Now this, now that, bot ate laste + The wisdom of the toun this caste, + That yonge Taise were asent. + For if ther be amendement + To glade with this woful king, + Sche can so moche of every thing, + That sche schal gladen him anon. + A Messager for hire is gon, + And sche cam with hire Harpe on honde, + And seide hem that sche wolde fonde 1660 + Be alle weies that sche can, + To glade with this sory man. + Bot what he was sche wiste noght, + Bot al the Schip hire hath besoght + That sche hire wit on him despende, + In aunter if he myhte amende, + And sein it schal be wel aquit. + Whan sche hath understonden it, + Sche goth hir doun, ther as he lay, + Wher that sche harpeth many a lay 1670 + And lich an Angel sang withal; + Bot he nomore than the wal + Tok hiede of eny thing he herde. + And whan sche sih that he so ferde, + Sche falleth with him into wordes, + And telleth him of sondri bordes, + And axeth him demandes strange, + Wherof sche made his herte change, + And to hire speche his Ere he leide + And hath merveile of that sche seide. 1680 + For in proverbe and in probleme + Sche spak, and bad he scholde deme + In many soubtil question: + Bot he for no suggestioun + Which toward him sche couthe stere, + He wolde noght o word ansuere, + Bot as a madd man ate laste + His heved wepende awey he caste, + And half in wraththe he bad hire go. + Bot yit sche wolde noght do so, 1690 + And in the derke forth sche goth, + Til sche him toucheth, and he wroth, + And after hire with his hond + He smot: and thus whan sche him fond + Desesed, courtaisly sche saide, + "Avoi, mi lord, I am a Maide; + And if ye wiste what I am, + And out of what lignage I cam, + Ye wolde noght be so salvage." + With that he sobreth his corage 1700 + And put awey his hevy chiere. + Bot of hem tuo a man mai liere + What is to be so sibb of blod: + Non wiste of other hou it stod, + And yit the fader ate laste + His herte upon this maide caste, + That he hire loveth kindely, + And yit he wiste nevere why. + Bot al was knowe er that thei wente; + For god, which wot here hol entente, 1710 + Here hertes bothe anon descloseth. + This king unto this maide opposeth, + And axeth ferst what was hire name, + And wher sche lerned al this game, + And of what ken that sche was come. + And sche, that hath hise wordes nome, + Ansuerth and seith, "My name is Thaise, + That was som time wel at aise: + In Tharse I was forthdrawe and fed, + Ther lerned I, til I was sped, 1720 + Of that I can. Mi fader eke + I not wher that I scholde him seke; + He was a king, men tolde me: + Mi Moder dreint was in the See." + Fro point to point al sche him tolde, + That sche hath longe in herte holde, + And nevere dorste make hir mone + Bot only to this lord al one, + To whom hire herte can noght hele, + Torne it to wo, torne it to wele, 1730 + Torne it to good, torne it to harm. + And he tho toke hire in his arm, + Bot such a joie as he tho made + Was nevere sen; thus be thei glade, + That sory hadden be toforn. + Fro this day forth fortune hath sworn + To sette him upward on the whiel; + So goth the world, now wo, now wel: + This king hath founde newe grace, + So that out of his derke place 1740 + He goth him up into the liht, + And with him cam that swete wiht, + His doghter Thaise, and forth anon + Thei bothe into the Caban gon + Which was ordeigned for the king, + And ther he dede of al his thing, + And was arraied realy. + And out he cam al openly, + Wher Athenagoras he fond, + The which was lord of al the lond: 1750 + He preith the king to come and se + His castell bothe and his cite, + And thus thei gon forth alle in fiere, + This king, this lord, this maiden diere. + This lord tho made hem riche feste + With every thing which was honeste, + To plese with this worthi king, + Ther lacketh him no maner thing: + Bot yit for al his noble array + Wifles he was into that day, 1760 + As he that yit was of yong Age; + So fell ther into his corage + The lusti wo, the glade peine + Of love, which noman restreigne + Yit nevere myhte as nou tofore. + This lord thenkth al his world forlore, + Bot if the king wol don him grace; + He waiteth time, he waiteth place, + Him thoghte his herte wol tobreke, + Til he mai to this maide speke 1770 + And to hir fader ek also + For mariage: and it fell so, + That al was do riht as he thoghte, + His pourpos to an ende he broghte, + Sche weddeth him as for hire lord; + Thus be thei alle of on acord. + Whan al was do riht as thei wolde, + The king unto his Sone tolde + Of Tharse thilke traiterie, + And seide hou in his compaignie 1780 + His doghter and himselven eke + Schull go vengance forto seke. + The Schipes were redy sone, + And whan thei sihe it was to done, + Withoute lette of eny wente + With Seil updrawe forth thei wente + Towardes Tharse upon the tyde. + Bot he that wot what schal betide, + The hihe god, which wolde him kepe, + Whan that this king was faste aslepe, 1790 + Be nyhtes time he hath him bede + To seile into an other stede: + To Ephesim he bad him drawe, + And as it was that time lawe, + He schal do there his sacrifise; + And ek he bad in alle wise + That in the temple amonges alle + His fortune, as it is befalle, + Touchende his doghter and his wif + He schal beknowe upon his lif. 1800 + The king of this Avisioun + Hath gret ymaginacioun, + What thing it signefie may; + And natheles, whan it was day, + He bad caste Ancher and abod; + And whil that he on Ancher rod, + The wynd, which was tofore strange, + Upon the point began to change, + And torneth thider as it scholde. + Tho knew he wel that god it wolde, 1810 + And bad the Maister make him yare, + Tofor the wynd for he wol fare + To Ephesim, and so he dede. + And whanne he cam unto the stede + Where as he scholde londe, he londeth + With al the haste he may, and fondeth + To schapen him be such a wise, + That he may be the morwe arise + And don after the mandement + Of him which hath him thider sent. 1820 + And in the wise that he thoghte, + Upon the morwe so he wroghte; + His doghter and his Sone he nom, + And forth unto the temple he com + With a gret route in compaignie, + Hise yiftes forto sacrifie. + The citezeins tho herden seie + Of such a king that cam to preie + Unto Diane the godesse, + And left al other besinesse, 1830 + Thei comen thider forto se + The king and the solempnete. + With worthi knyhtes environed + The king himself hath abandoned + Into the temple in good entente. + The dore is up, and he in wente, + Wher as with gret devocioun + Of holi contemplacioun + Withinne his herte he made his schrifte; + And after that a riche yifte 1840 + He offreth with gret reverence, + And there in open Audience + Of hem that stoden thanne aboute, + He tolde hem and declareth oute + His hap, such as him is befalle, + Ther was nothing foryete of alle. + His wif, as it was goddes grace, + Which was professed in the place, + As sche that was Abbesse there, + Unto his tale hath leid hire Ere: 1850 + Sche knew the vois and the visage, + For pure joie as in a rage + Sche strawhte unto him al at ones, + And fell aswoune upon the stones, + Wherof the temple flor was paved. + Sche was anon with water laved, + Til sche cam to hirself ayein, + And thanne sche began to sein: + "Ha, blessed be the hihe sonde, + That I mai se myn housebonde, 1860 + That whilom he and I were on!" + The king with that knew hire anon, + And tok hire in his Arm and kiste; + And al the toun thus sone it wiste. + Tho was ther joie manyfold, + For every man this tale hath told + As for miracle, and were glade, + Bot nevere man such joie made + As doth the king, which hath his wif. + And whan men herde hou that hir lif 1870 + Was saved, and be whom it was, + Thei wondren alle of such a cas: + Thurgh al the Lond aros the speche + Of Maister Cerymon the leche + And of the cure which he dede. + The king himself tho hath him bede, + And ek this queene forth with him, + That he the toun of Ephesim + Wol leve and go wher as thei be, + For nevere man of his degre 1880 + Hath do to hem so mochel good; + And he his profit understod, + And granteth with hem forto wende. + And thus thei maden there an ende, + And token leve and gon to Schipe + With al the hole felaschipe. + This king, which nou hath his desir, + Seith he wol holde his cours to Tyr. + Thei hadden wynd at wille tho, + With topseilcole and forth they go, 1890 + And striken nevere, til thei come + To Tyr, where as thei havene nome, + And londen hem with mochel blisse. + Tho was ther many a mowth to kisse, + Echon welcometh other hom, + Bot whan the queen to londe com, + And Thaise hir doghter be hir side, + The joie which was thilke tyde + Ther mai no mannes tunge telle: + Thei seiden alle, "Hier comth the welle 1900 + Of alle wommannysshe grace." + The king hath take his real place, + The queene is into chambre go: + Ther was gret feste arraied tho; + Whan time was, thei gon to mete, + Alle olde sorwes ben foryete, + And gladen hem with joies newe: + The descoloured pale hewe + Is now become a rody cheke, + Ther was no merthe forto seke, 1910 + Bot every man hath that he wolde. + The king, as he wel couthe and scholde, + Makth to his poeple riht good chiere; + And after sone, as thou schalt hiere, + A parlement he hath sommoned, + Wher he his doghter hath coroned + Forth with the lord of Mitelene, + That on is king, that other queene: + And thus the fadres ordinance + This lond hath set in governance, 1920 + And seide thanne he wolde wende + To Tharse, forto make an ende + Of that his doghter was betraied. + Therof were alle men wel paied, + And seide hou it was forto done: + The Schipes weren redi sone, + And strong pouer with him he tok; + Up to the Sky he caste his lok, + And syh the wynd was covenable. + Thei hale up Ancher with the cable, 1930 + The Seil on hih, the Stiere in honde, + And seilen, til thei come alonde + At Tharse nyh to the cite; + And whan thei wisten it was he, + The toun hath don him reverence. + He telleth hem the violence, + Which the tretour Strangulio + And Dionise him hadde do + Touchende his dowhter, as yee herde; + And whan thei wiste hou that it ferde, 1940 + As he which pes and love soghte, + Unto the toun this he besoghte, + To don him riht in juggement. + Anon thei were bothe asent + With strengthe of men, and comen sone, + And as hem thoghte it was to done, + Atteint thei were be the lawe + And diemed forto honge and drawe, + And brent and with the wynd toblowe, + That al the world it myhte knowe: 1950 + And upon this condicion + The dom in execucion + Was put anon withoute faile. + And every man hath gret mervaile, + Which herde tellen of this chance, + And thonketh goddes pourveance, + Which doth mercy forth with justice. + Slain is the moerdrer and moerdrice + Thurgh verray trowthe of rihtwisnesse, + And thurgh mercy sauf is simplesse 1960 + Of hire whom mercy preserveth; + Thus hath he wel that wel deserveth. + Whan al this thing is don and ended, + This king, which loved was and frended, + A lettre hath, which cam to him + Be Schipe fro Pentapolim, + Be which the lond hath to him write, + That he wolde understonde and wite + Hou in good mynde and in good pes + Ded is the king Artestrates, 1970 + Wherof thei alle of on acord + Him preiden, as here liege lord, + That he the lettre wel conceive + And come his regne to receive, + Which god hath yove him and fortune; + And thus besoghte the commune + Forth with the grete lordes alle. + This king sih how it was befalle, + Fro Tharse and in prosperite + He tok his leve of that Cite 1980 + And goth him into Schipe ayein: + The wynd was good, the See was plein, + Hem nedeth noght a Riff to slake, + Til thei Pentapolim have take. + The lond, which herde of that tidinge, + Was wonder glad of his cominge; + He resteth him a day or tuo + And tok his conseil to him tho, + And sette a time of Parlement, + Wher al the lond of on assent 1990 + Forth with his wif hath him corouned, + Wher alle goode him was fuisouned. + Lo, what it is to be wel grounded: + For he hath ferst his love founded + Honesteliche as forto wedde, + Honesteliche his love he spedde + And hadde children with his wif, + And as him liste he ladde his lif; + And in ensample his lif was write, + That alle lovers myhten wite 2000 + How ate laste it schal be sene + Of love what thei wolden mene. + For se now on that other side, + Antiochus with al his Pride, + Which sette his love unkindely, + His ende he hadde al sodeinly, + Set ayein kinde upon vengance, + And for his lust hath his penance. + Lo thus, mi Sone, myht thou liere + What is to love in good manere, 2010 + And what to love in other wise: + The mede arist of the servise; + Fortune, thogh sche be noght stable, + Yit at som time is favorable + To hem that ben of love trewe. + Bot certes it is forto rewe + To se love ayein kinde falle, + For that makth sore a man to falle, + As thou myht of tofore rede. + Forthi, my Sone, I wolde rede 2020 + To lete al other love aweie, + Bot if it be thurgh such a weie + As love and reson wolde acorde. + For elles, if that thou descorde, + And take lust as doth a beste, + Thi love mai noght ben honeste; + For be no skile that I finde + Such lust is noght of loves kinde. + Mi fader, hou so that it stonde, + Youre tale is herd and understonde, 2030 + As thing which worthi is to hiere, + Of gret ensample and gret matiere, + Wherof, my fader, god you quyte. + Bot in this point miself aquite + I mai riht wel, that nevere yit + I was assoted in my wit, + Bot only in that worthi place + Wher alle lust and alle grace + Is set, if that danger ne were. + Bot that is al my moste fere: 2040 + I not what ye fortune acompte, + Bot what thing danger mai amonte + I wot wel, for I have assaied; + For whan myn herte is best arraied + And I have al my wit thurghsoght + Of love to beseche hire oght, + For al that evere I skile may, + I am concluded with a nay: + That o sillable hath overthrowe + A thousend wordes on a rowe 2050 + Of suche as I best speke can; + Thus am I bot a lewed man. + Bot, fader, for ye ben a clerk + Of love, and this matiere is derk, + And I can evere leng the lasse, + Bot yit I mai noght let it passe, + Youre hole conseil I beseche, + That ye me be som weie teche + What is my beste, as for an ende. + Mi Sone, unto the trouthe wende 2060 + Now wol I for the love of thee, + And lete alle othre truffles be. + The more that the nede is hyh, + The more it nedeth to be slyh + To him which hath the nede on honde. + I have wel herd and understonde, + Mi Sone, al that thou hast me seid, + And ek of that thou hast me preid, + Nou at this time that I schal + As for conclusioun final 2070 + Conseile upon thi nede sette: + So thenke I finaly to knette + This cause, where it is tobroke, + And make an ende of that is spoke. + For I behihte thee that yifte + Ferst whan thou come under my schrifte, + That thogh I toward Venus were, + Yit spak I suche wordes there, + That for the Presthod which I have, + Min ordre and min astat to save, 2080 + I seide I wolde of myn office + To vertu more than to vice + Encline, and teche thee mi lore. + Forthi to speken overmore + Of love, which thee mai availe, + Tak love where it mai noght faile: + For as of this which thou art inne, + Be that thou seist it is a Sinne, + And Sinne mai no pris deserve, + Withoute pris and who schal serve, 2090 + I not what profit myhte availe. + Thus folweth it, if thou travaile, + Wher thou no profit hast ne pris, + Thou art toward thiself unwis: + And sett thou myhtest lust atteigne, + Of every lust thende is a peine, + And every peine is good to fle; + So it is wonder thing to se, + Why such a thing schal be desired. + The more that a Stock is fyred, 2100 + The rathere into Aisshe it torneth; + The fot which in the weie sporneth + Fulofte his heved hath overthrowe; + Thus love is blind and can noght knowe + Wher that he goth, til he be falle: + Forthi, bot if it so befalle + With good conseil that he be lad, + Him oghte forto ben adrad. + For conseil passeth alle thing + To him which thenkth to ben a king; 2110 + And every man for his partie + A kingdom hath to justefie, + That is to sein his oghne dom. + If he misreule that kingdom, + He lest himself, and that is more + Than if he loste Schip and Ore + And al the worldes good withal: + For what man that in special + Hath noght himself, he hath noght elles, + Nomor the perles than the schelles; 2120 + Al is to him of o value: + Thogh he hadde at his retenue + The wyde world ryht as he wolde, + Whan he his herte hath noght withholde + Toward himself, al is in vein. + And thus, my Sone, I wolde sein, + As I seide er, that thou aryse, + Er that thou falle in such a wise + That thou ne myht thiself rekevere; + For love, which that blind was evere, 2130 + Makth alle his servantz blinde also. + My Sone, and if thou have be so, + Yit is it time to withdrawe, + And set thin herte under that lawe, + The which of reson is governed + And noght of will. And to be lerned, + Ensamples thou hast many on + Of now and ek of time gon, + That every lust is bot a while; + And who that wole himself beguile, 2140 + He may the rathere be deceived. + Mi Sone, now thou hast conceived + Somwhat of that I wolde mene; + Hierafterward it schal be sene + If that thou lieve upon mi lore; + For I can do to thee nomore + Bot teche thee the rihte weie: + Now ches if thou wolt live or deie. + Mi fader, so as I have herd + Your tale, bot it were ansuerd, 2150 + I were mochel forto blame. + Mi wo to you is bot a game, + That fielen noght of that I fiele; + The fielinge of a mannes Hiele + Mai noght be likned to the Herte: + I mai noght, thogh I wolde, asterte, + And ye be fre from al the peine + Of love, wherof I me pleigne. + It is riht esi to comaunde; + The hert which fre goth on the launde 2160 + Not of an Oxe what him eileth; + It falleth ofte a man merveileth + Of that he seth an other fare, + Bot if he knewe himself the fare, + And felt it as it is in soth, + He scholde don riht as he doth, + Or elles werse in his degre: + For wel I wot, and so do ye, + That love hath evere yit ben used, + So mot I nedes ben excused. 2170 + Bot, fader, if ye wolde thus + Unto Cupide and to Venus + Be frendlich toward mi querele, + So that myn herte were in hele + Of love which is in mi briest, + I wot wel thanne a betre Prest + Was nevere mad to my behove. + Bot al the whiles that I hove + In noncertein betwen the tuo, + And not if I to wel or wo 2180 + Schal torne, that is al my drede, + So that I not what is to rede. + Bot for final conclusion + I thenke a Supplicacion + With pleine wordes and expresse + Wryte unto Venus the goddesse, + The which I preie you to bere + And bringe ayein a good ansuere. + Tho was betwen mi Prest and me + Debat and gret perplexete: 2190 + Mi resoun understod him wel, + And knew it was sothe everydel + That he hath seid, bot noght forthi + Mi will hath nothing set therby. + For techinge of so wis a port + Is unto love of no desport; + Yit myhte nevere man beholde + Reson, wher love was withholde, + Thei be noght of o governance. + And thus we fellen in distance, 2200 + Mi Prest and I, bot I spak faire, + And thurgh mi wordes debonaire + Thanne ate laste we acorden, + So that he seith he wol recorden + To speke and stonde upon mi syde + To Venus bothe and to Cupide; + And bad me wryte what I wolde, + And seith me trewly that he scholde + Mi lettre bere unto the queene. + And I sat doun upon the grene 2210 + Fulfilt of loves fantasie, + And with the teres of myn ije + In stede of enke I gan to wryte + The wordes whiche I wolde endite + Unto Cupide and to Venus, + And in mi lettre I seide thus. + The wofull peine of loves maladie, + Ayein the which mai no phisique availe, + Min herte hath so bewhaped with sotie, + That wher so that I reste or I travaile, 2220 + I finde it evere redy to assaile + Mi resoun, which that can him noght defende: + Thus seche I help, wherof I mihte amende. + Ferst to Nature if that I me compleigne, + Ther finde I hou that every creature + Som time ayer hath love in his demeine, + So that the litel wrenne in his mesure + Hath yit of kinde a love under his cure; + And I bot on desire, of which I misse: + And thus, bot I, hath every kinde his blisse. 2230 + The resoun of my wit it overpasseth, + Of that Nature techeth me the weie + To love, and yit no certein sche compasseth + Hou I schal spede, and thus betwen the tweie + I stonde, and not if I schal live or deie. + For thogh reson ayein my will debate, + I mai noght fle, that I ne love algate. + Upon miself is thilke tale come, + Hou whilom Pan, which is the god of kinde, + With love wrastlede and was overcome: 2240 + For evere I wrastle and evere I am behinde, + That I no strengthe in al min herte finde, + Wherof that I mai stonden eny throwe; + So fer mi wit with love is overthrowe. + Whom nedeth help, he mot his helpe crave, + Or helpeles he schal his nede spille: + Pleinly thurghsoght my wittes alle I have, + Bot non of hem can helpe after mi wille; + And als so wel I mihte sitte stille, + As preie unto mi lady eny helpe: 2250 + Thus wot I noght wherof miself to helpe. + Unto the grete Jove and if I bidde, + To do me grace of thilke swete tunne, + Which under keie in his celier amidde + Lith couched, that fortune is overrunne, + Bot of the bitter cuppe I have begunne, + I not hou ofte, and thus finde I no game; + For evere I axe and evere it is the same. + I se the world stonde evere upon eschange, + Nou wyndes loude, and nou the weder softe; 2260 + I mai sen ek the grete mone change, + And thing which nou is lowe is eft alofte; + The dredfull werres into pes fulofte + Thei torne; and evere is Danger in o place, + Which wol noght change his will to do me grace. + Bot upon this the grete clerc Ovide, + Of love whan he makth his remembrance, + He seith ther is the blinde god Cupide, + The which hath love under his governance, + And in his hond with many a fyri lance 2270 + He woundeth ofte, ther he wol noght hele; + And that somdiel is cause of mi querele. + Ovide ek seith that love to parforne + Stant in the hond of Venus the goddesse, + Bot whan sche takth hir conseil with Satorne, + Ther is no grace, and in that time, I gesse, + Began mi love, of which myn hevynesse + Is now and evere schal, bot if I spede: + So wot I noght miself what is to rede. + Forthi to you, Cupide and Venus bothe, 2280 + With al myn hertes obeissance I preie, + If ye were ate ferste time wrothe, + Whan I began to love, as I you seie, + Nou stynt, and do thilke infortune aweie, + So that Danger, which stant of retenue + With my ladi, his place mai remue. + O thou Cupide, god of loves lawe, + That with thi Dart brennende hast set afyre + Min herte, do that wounde be withdrawe, + Or yif me Salve such as I desire: 2290 + For Service in thi Court withouten hyre + To me, which evere yit have kept thin heste, + Mai nevere be to loves lawe honeste. + O thou, gentile Venus, loves queene, + Withoute gult thou dost on me thi wreche; + Thou wost my peine is evere aliche grene + For love, and yit I mai it noght areche: + This wold I for my laste word beseche, + That thou mi love aquite as I deserve, + Or elles do me pleinly forto sterve. 2300 + Whanne I this Supplicacioun + With good deliberacioun, + In such a wise as ye nou wite, + Hadde after min entente write + Unto Cupide and to Venus, + This Prest which hihte Genius + It tok on honde to presente, + On my message and forth he wente + To Venus, forto wite hire wille. + And I bod in the place stille, 2310 + And was there bot a litel while, + Noght full the montance of a Mile, + Whan I behield and sodeinly + I sih wher Venus stod me by. + So as I myhte, under a tre + To grounde I fell upon mi kne, + And preide hire forto do me grace: + Sche caste hire chiere upon mi face, + And as it were halvinge a game + Sche axeth me what is mi name. 2320 + "Ma dame," I seide, "John Gower." + "Now John," quod sche, "in my pouer + Thou most as of thi love stonde; + For I thi bille have understonde, + In which to Cupide and to me + Somdiel thou hast compleigned thee, + And somdiel to Nature also. + Bot that schal stonde among you tuo, + For therof have I noght to done; + For Nature is under the Mone 2330 + Maistresse of every lives kinde, + Bot if so be that sche mai finde + Som holy man that wol withdrawe + His kindly lust ayein hir lawe; + Bot sielde whanne it falleth so, + For fewe men ther ben of tho, + Bot of these othre ynowe be, + Whiche of here oghne nycete + Ayein Nature and hire office + Deliten hem in sondri vice, 2340 + Wherof that sche fulofte hath pleigned, + And ek my Court it hath desdeigned + And evere schal; for it receiveth + Non such that kinde so deceiveth. + For al onliche of gentil love + Mi court stant alle courtz above + And takth noght into retenue + Bot thing which is to kinde due, + For elles it schal be refused. + Wherof I holde thee excused, 2350 + For it is manye daies gon, + That thou amonges hem were on + Which of my court hast ben withholde; + So that the more I am beholde + Of thi desese to commune, + And to remue that fortune, + Which manye daies hath the grieved. + Bot if my conseil mai be lieved, + Thou schalt ben esed er thou go + Of thilke unsely jolif wo, 2360 + Wherof thou seist thin herte is fyred: + Bot as of that thou hast desired + After the sentence of thi bille, + Thou most therof don at my wille, + And I therof me wole avise. + For be thou hol, it schal suffise: + Mi medicine is noght to sieke + For thee and for suche olde sieke, + Noght al per chance as ye it wolden, + Bot so as ye be reson scholden, 2370 + Acordant unto loves kinde. + For in the plit which I thee finde, + So as mi court it hath awarded, + Thou schalt be duely rewarded; + And if thou woldest more crave, + It is no riht that thou it have." + Venus, which stant withoute lawe + In noncertein, bot as men drawe + Of Rageman upon the chance, + Sche leith no peis in the balance, 2380 + Bot as hir lyketh forto weie; + The trewe man fulofte aweie + Sche put, which hath hir grace bede, + And set an untrewe in his stede. + Lo, thus blindly the world sche diemeth + In loves cause, as tome siemeth: + I not what othre men wol sein, + Bot I algate am so besein, + And stonde as on amonges alle + Which am out of hir grace falle: 2390 + It nedeth take no witnesse, + For sche which seid is the goddesse, + To whether part of love it wende, + Hath sett me for a final ende + The point wherto that I schal holde. + For whan sche hath me wel beholde, + Halvynge of scorn, sche seide thus: + "Thou wost wel that I am Venus, + Which al only my lustes seche; + And wel I wot, thogh thou beseche 2400 + Mi love, lustes ben ther none, + Whiche I mai take in thi persone; + For loves lust and lockes hore + In chambre acorden neveremore, + And thogh thou feigne a yong corage, + It scheweth wel be the visage + That olde grisel is no fole: + There ben fulmanye yeres stole + With thee and with suche othre mo, + That outward feignen youthe so 2410 + And ben withinne of pore assay. + Min herte wolde and I ne may + Is noght beloved nou adayes; + Er thou make eny suche assaies + To love, and faile upon the fet, + Betre is to make a beau retret; + For thogh thou myhtest love atteigne, + Yit were it bot an ydel peine, + Whan that thou art noght sufficant + To holde love his covenant. 2420 + Forthi tak hom thin herte ayein, + That thou travaile noght in vein, + Wherof my Court may be deceived. + I wot and have it wel conceived, + Hou that thi will is good ynowh; + Bot mor behoveth to the plowh, + Wherof the lacketh, as I trowe: + So sitte it wel that thou beknowe + Thi fieble astat, er thou beginne + Thing wher thou miht non ende winne. 2430 + What bargain scholde a man assaie, + Whan that him lacketh forto paie? + Mi Sone, if thou be wel bethoght, + This toucheth thee; foryet it noght: + The thing is torned into was; + That which was whilom grene gras, + Is welked hey at time now. + Forthi mi conseil is that thou + Remembre wel hou thou art old." + Whan Venus hath hir tale told, 2440 + And I bethoght was al aboute, + Tho wiste I wel withoute doute, + That ther was no recoverir; + And as a man the blase of fyr + With water quencheth, so ferd I; + A cold me cawhte sodeinly, + For sorwe that 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 thoghte I sih tofor myn hed + Cupide with his bowe bent, + And lich unto a Parlement, + Which were ordeigned for the nones, + With him cam al the world at ones + Of gentil folk that whilom were + Lovers, I sih hem alle there + Forth with Cupide in sondri routes. + Min yhe and as I caste aboutes, 2460 + To knowe among hem who was who, + I sih wher lusty Youthe tho, + As he which was a Capitein, + Tofore alle othre upon the plein + Stod with his route wel begon, + Here hevedes kempt, and therupon + Garlandes noght of o colour, + Some of the lef, some of the flour, + And some of grete Perles were; + The newe guise of Beawme there, 2470 + With sondri thinges wel devised, + I sih, wherof thei ben queintised. + It was al lust that thei with ferde, + Ther was no song that I ne herde, + Which unto love was touchende; + Of Pan and al that was likende + As in Pipinge of melodie + Was herd in thilke compaignie + So lowde, that on every side + It thoghte as al the hevene cride 2480 + In such acord and such a soun + Of bombard and of clarion + With Cornemuse and Schallemele, + That it was half a mannes hele + So glad a noise forto hiere. + And as me thoghte, in this manere + Al freissh I syh hem springe and dance, + And do to love her entendance + After the lust of youthes heste. + Ther was ynowh of joie and feste, 2490 + For evere among thei laghe and pleie, + And putten care out of the weie, + That he with hem ne sat ne stod. + And overthis I understod, + So as myn Ere it myhte areche, + The moste matiere of her speche + Was al of knyhthod and of Armes, + And what it is to ligge in armes + With love, whanne it is achieved. + Ther was Tristram, which was believed 2500 + With bele Ysolde, and Lancelot + Stod with Gunnore, and Galahot + With his ladi, and as me thoghte, + I syh wher Jason with him broghte + His love, which that Creusa hihte, + And Hercules, which mochel myhte, + Was ther berende his grete Mace, + And most of alle in thilke place + He peyneth him to make chiere + With Eolen, which was him diere. 2510 + Theses, thogh he were untrewe + To love, as alle wommen knewe, + Yit was he there natheles + With Phedra, whom to love he ches: + Of Grece ek ther was Thelamon, + Which fro the king Lamenedon + At Troie his doghter refte aweie, + Eseonen, as for his preie, + Which take was whan Jason cam + Fro Colchos, and the Cite nam 2520 + In vengance of the ferste hate; + That made hem after to debate, + Whan Priamus the newe toun + Hath mad. And in avisioun + Me thoghte that I sih also + Ector forth with his brethren tuo; + Himself stod with Pantaselee, + And next to him I myhte se, + Wher Paris stod with faire Eleine, + Which was his joie sovereine; 2530 + And Troilus stod with Criseide, + Bot evere among, althogh he pleide, + Be semblant he was hevy chiered, + For Diomede, as him was liered, + Cleymeth to ben his parconner. + And thus full many a bacheler, + A thousend mo than I can sein, + With Yowthe I sih ther wel besein + Forth with here loves glade and blithe. + And some I sih whiche ofte sithe 2540 + Compleignen hem in other wise; + Among the whiche I syh Narcise + And Piramus, that sory were. + The worthy Grek also was there, + Achilles, which for love deide: + Agamenon ek, as men seide, + And Menelay the king also + I syh, with many an other mo, + Which hadden be fortuned sore + In loves cause. And overmore 2550 + Of wommen in the same cas, + With hem I sih wher Dido was, + Forsake which was with Enee; + And Phillis ek I myhte see, + Whom Demephon deceived hadde; + And Adriagne hir sorwe ladde, + For Theses hir Soster tok + And hire unkindely forsok. + I sih ther ek among the press + Compleignende upon Hercules 2560 + His ferste love Deyanire, + Which sette him afterward afyre: + Medea was there ek and pleigneth + Upon Jason, for that he feigneth, + Withoute cause and tok a newe; + Sche seide, "Fy on alle untrewe!" + I sih there ek Deijdamie, + Which hadde lost the compaignie + Of Achilles, whan Diomede + To Troie him fette upon the nede. 2570 + Among these othre upon the grene + I syh also the wofull queene + Cleopatras, which in a Cave + With Serpentz hath hirself begrave + Alquik, and so sche was totore, + For sorwe of that sche hadde lore + Antonye, which hir love hath be: + And forth with hire I sih Tisbee, + Which on the scharpe swerdes point + For love deide in sory point; 2580 + And as myn Ere it myhte knowe, + Sche seide, "Wo worthe alle slowe!" + The pleignte of Progne and Philomene + Ther herde I what it wolde mene, + How Teres of his untrouthe + Undede hem bothe, and that was routhe; + And next to hem I sih Canace, + Which for Machaire hir fader grace + Hath lost, and deide in wofull plit. + And as I sih in my spirit, 2590 + Me thoghte amonges othre thus + The doghter of king Priamus, + Polixena, whom Pirrus slowh, + Was there and made sorwe ynowh, + As sche which deide gulteles + For love, and yit was loveles. + And forto take the desport, + I sih there some of other port, + And that was Circes and Calipse, + That cowthen do the Mone eclipse, 2600 + Of men and change the liknesses, + Of Artmagique Sorceresses; + Thei hielde in honde manyon, + To love wher thei wolde or non. + Bot above alle that ther were + Of wommen I sih foure there, + Whos name I herde most comended: + Be hem the Court stod al amended; + For wher thei comen in presence, + Men deden hem the reverence, 2610 + As thogh they hadden be goddesses, + Of al this world or Emperesses. + And as me thoghte, an Ere I leide, + And herde hou that these othre seide, + "Lo, these ben the foure wyves, + Whos feith was proeved in her lyves: + For in essample of alle goode + With Mariage so thei stode, + That fame, which no gret thing hydeth, + Yit in Cronique of hem abydeth." 2620 + Penolope that on was hote, + Whom many a knyht hath loved hote, + Whil that hire lord Ulixes lay + Full many a yer and many a day + Upon the grete Siege of Troie: + Bot sche, which hath no worldes joie + Bot only of hire housebonde, + Whil that hir lord was out of londe, + So wel hath kept hir wommanhiede, + That al the world therof tok hiede, 2630 + And nameliche of hem in Grece. + That other womman was Lucrece, + Wif to the Romain Collatin; + And sche constreigned of Tarquin + To thing which was ayein hir wille, + Sche wolde noght hirselven stille, + Bot deide only for drede of schame + In keping of hire goode name, + As sche which was on of the beste. + The thridde wif was hote Alceste, 2640 + Which whanne Ametus scholde dye + Upon his grete maladye, + Sche preide unto the goddes so, + That sche receyveth al the wo + And deide hirself to yive him lif: + Lo, if this were a noble wif. + The ferthe wif which I ther sih, + I herde of hem that were nyh + Hou sche was cleped Alcione, + Which to Seyix hir lord al one 2650 + And to nomo hire body kepte; + And whan sche sih him dreynt, sche lepte + Into the wawes where he swam, + And there a Sefoul sche becam, + And with hire wenges him bespradde + For love which to him sche hadde. + Lo, these foure were tho + Whiche I sih, as me thoghte tho, + Among the grete compaignie + Which Love hadde forto guye: 2660 + Bot Youthe, which in special + Of Loves Court was Mareschal, + So besy was upon his lay, + That he non hiede where I lay + Hath take. And thanne, as I behield, + Me thoghte I sih upon the field, + Where Elde cam a softe pas + Toward Venus, ther as sche was. + With him gret compaignie he ladde, + Bot noght so manye as Youthe hadde: 2670 + The moste part were of gret Age, + And that was sene in the visage, + And noght forthi, so as thei myhte, + Thei made hem yongly to the sihte: + Bot yit herde I no pipe there + To make noise in mannes Ere, + Bot the Musette I myhte knowe, + For olde men which souneth lowe, + With Harpe and Lute and with Citole. + The hovedance and the Carole, 2680 + In such a wise as love hath bede, + A softe pas thei dance and trede; + And with the wommen otherwhile + With sobre chier among thei smyle, + For laghtre was ther non on hyh. + And natheles full wel I syh + That thei the more queinte it made + For love, in whom thei weren glade. + And there me thoghte I myhte se + The king David with Bersabee, 2690 + And Salomon was noght withoute; + Passende an hundred on a route + Of wyves and of Concubines, + Juesses bothe and Sarazines, + To him I sih alle entendant: + I not if he was sufficant, + Bot natheles for al his wit + He was attached with that writ + Which love with his hond enseleth, + Fro whom non erthly man appeleth. 2700 + And overthis, as for a wonder, + With his leon which he put under, + With Dalida Sampson I knew, + Whos love his strengthe al overthrew. + I syh there Aristotle also, + Whom that the queene of Grece so + Hath bridled, that in thilke time + Sche made him such a Silogime, + That he foryat al his logique; + Ther was non art of his Practique, 2710 + Thurgh which it mihte ben excluded + That he ne was fully concluded + To love, and dede his obeissance. + And ek Virgile of aqueintance + I sih, wher he the Maiden preide, + Which was the doghter, as men seide, + Of themperour whilom of Rome; + Sortes and Plato with him come, + So dede Ovide the Poete. + I thoghte thanne how love is swete, 2720 + Which hath so wise men reclamed, + And was miself the lasse aschamed, + Or forto lese or forto winne + In the meschief that I was inne: + And thus I lay in hope of grace. + And whan thei comen to the place + Wher Venus stod and I was falle, + These olde men with o vois alle + To Venus preiden for my sake. + And sche, that myhte noght forsake 2730 + So gret a clamour as was there, + Let Pite come into hire Ere; + And forth withal unto Cupide + Sche preith that he upon his side + Me wolde thurgh his grace sende + Som confort, that I myhte amende, + Upon the cas which is befalle. + And thus for me thei preiden alle + Of hem that weren olde aboute, + And ek some of the yonge route, 2740 + Of gentilesse and pure trouthe + I herde hem telle it was gret routhe, + That I withouten help so ferde. + And thus me thoghte I lay and herde. + Cupido, which may hurte and hele + In loves cause, as for myn hele + Upon the point which him was preid + Cam with Venus, wher I was leid + Swounende upon the grene gras. + And, as me thoghte , anon ther was 2750 + On every side so gret presse, + That every lif began to presse, + I wot noght wel hou many score, + Suche as I spak of now tofore, + Lovers, that comen to beholde, + Bot most of hem that weren olde: + Thei stoden there at thilke tyde, + To se what ende schal betyde + Upon the cure of my sotie. + Tho myhte I hiere gret partie 2760 + Spekende, and ech his oghne avis + Hath told, on that, an other this: + Bot among alle this I herde, + Thei weren wo that I so ferde, + And seiden that for no riote + An old man scholde noght assote; + For as thei tolden redely, + Ther is in him no cause why, + Bot if he wolde himself benyce; + So were he wel the more nyce. 2770 + And thus desputen some of tho, + And some seiden nothing so, + Bot that the wylde loves rage + In mannes lif forberth non Age; + Whil ther 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 preserveth of his grace. + And thus me thoghte, in sondri place 2780 + Of hem that walken up and doun + Ther was diverse opinioun: + And for a while so it laste, + Til that Cupide to the laste, + Forth with his moder full avised, + Hath determined and devised + Unto what point he wol descende. + And al this time I was liggende + Upon the ground tofore his yhen, + And thei that my desese syhen 2790 + Supposen noght I scholde live; + Bot he, which wolde thanne yive + His grace, so as it mai be, + This blinde god which mai noght se, + Hath groped til that he me fond; + And as he pitte forth his hond + Upon my body, wher I lay, + Me thoghte a fyri Lancegay, + Which whilom thurgh myn herte he caste, + He pulleth oute, and also faste 2800 + As this was do, Cupide nam + His weie, I not where he becam, + And so dede al the remenant + Which unto him was entendant, + Of hem that in Avision + I hadde a revelacion, + So as I tolde now tofore. + Bot Venus wente noght therfore, + Ne Genius, whiche thilke time + Abiden bothe faste byme. 2810 + And sche which mai the hertes bynde + In loves cause and ek unbinde, + Er I out of mi trance aros, + Venus, which hield a boiste clos, + And wolde noght I scholde deie, + Tok out mor cold than eny keie + An oignement, and in such point + Sche hath my wounded herte enoignt, + My temples and my Reins also. + And forth withal sche tok me tho 2820 + A wonder Mirour forto holde, + In which sche bad me to beholde + And taken hiede of that I syhe; + Wherinne anon myn hertes yhe + I caste, and sih my colour fade, + Myn yhen dymme and al unglade, + Mi chiekes thinne, and al my face + With Elde I myhte se deface, + So riveled and so wo besein, + That ther was nothing full ne plein, 2830 + I syh also myn heres hore. + Mi will was tho to se nomore + Outwith, for ther was no plesance; + And thanne into my remembrance + I drowh myn olde daies passed, + And as reson it hath compassed, + I made a liknesse of miselve + Unto the sondri Monthes twelve, + Wherof the yeer in his astat + Is mad, and stant upon debat, 2840 + That lich til other non acordeth. + For who the times wel recordeth, + And thanne at Marche if he beginne, + Whan that the lusti yeer comth inne, + Til Augst be passed and Septembre, + The myhty youthe he may remembre + In which the yeer hath his deduit + Of gras, of lef, of flour, of fruit, + Of corn and of the wyny grape. + And afterward the time is schape 2850 + To frost, to Snow, to Wind, to Rein, + Til eft that Mars be come ayein: + The Wynter wol no Somer knowe, + The grene lef is overthrowe, + The clothed erthe is thanne bare, + Despuiled is the Somerfare, + That erst was hete is thanne chele. + And thus thenkende thoghtes fele, + I was out of mi swoune affraied, + Wherof I sih my wittes straied, 2860 + And gan to clepe hem hom ayein. + And whan Resoun it herde sein + That loves rage was aweie, + He cam to me the rihte weie, + And hath remued the sotie + Of thilke unwise fantasie, + Wherof that I was wont to pleigne, + So that of thilke fyri peine + I was mad sobre and hol ynowh. + Venus behield me than and lowh, 2870 + And axeth, as it were in game, + What love was. And I for schame + Ne wiste what I scholde ansuere; + And natheles I gan to swere + That be my trouthe I knew him noght; + So ferr it was out of mi thoght, + Riht as it hadde nevere be. + "Mi goode Sone," tho quod sche, + "Now at this time I lieve it wel, + So goth the fortune of my whiel; 2880 + Forthi mi conseil is thou leve." + "Ma dame," I seide, "be your leve, + Ye witen wel, and so wot I, + That I am unbehovely + Your Court fro this day forth to serve: + And for I may no thonk deserve, + And also for I am refused, + I preie you to ben excused. + And natheles as for the laste, + Whil that my wittes with me laste, 2890 + Touchende mi confession + I axe an absolucion + Of Genius, er that I go." + The Prest anon was redy tho, + And seide, "Sone, as of thi schrifte + Thou hast ful pardoun and foryifte; + Foryet it thou, and so wol I." + "Min holi fader, grant mercy," + Quod I to him, and to the queene + I fell on knes upon the grene, 2900 + And tok my leve forto wende. + Bot sche, that wolde make an ende, + As therto which I was most able, + A Peire of Bedes blak as Sable + Sche tok and heng my necke aboute; + Upon the gaudes al withoute + Was write of gold, Por reposer. + "Lo," thus sche seide, "John Gower, + Now thou art ate laste cast, + This have I for thin ese cast, 2910 + That thou nomore of love sieche. + Bot my will is that thou besieche + And preie hierafter for the pes, + And that thou make a plein reles + To love, which takth litel hiede + Of olde men upon the nede, + Whan that the lustes ben aweie: + Forthi to thee nys bot o weie, + In which let reson be thi guide; + For he may sone himself misguide, 2920 + That seth noght the peril tofore. + Mi Sone, be wel war therfore, + And kep the sentence of my lore + And tarie thou mi Court nomore, + Bot go ther vertu moral duelleth, + Wher ben thi bokes, as men telleth, + Whiche of long time thou hast write. + For this I do thee wel to wite, + If thou thin hele wolt pourchace, + Thou miht noght make suite and chace, 2930 + Wher that the game is nought pernable; + It were a thing unresonable, + A man to be so overseie. + Forthi tak hiede of that I seie; + For in the lawe of my comune + We be noght schape to comune, + Thiself and I, nevere after this. + Now have y seid al that ther is + Of love as for thi final ende: + Adieu, for y mot fro the wende." 2940 + And with that word al sodeinly, + Enclosid in a sterred sky, + Venus, which is the qweene of love, + Was take in to hire place above, + More wiste y nought wher sche becam. + And thus my leve of hire y nam, + And forth with al the same tide + Hire prest, which wolde nought abide, + Or be me lief or be me loth, + Out of my sighte forth he goth, 2950 + And y was left with outen helpe. + So wiste I nought wher of to yelpe, + Bot only that y hadde lore + My time, and was sori ther fore. + And thus bewhapid in my thought, + Whan al was turnyd in to nought, + I stod amasid for a while, + And in my self y gan to smyle + Thenkende uppon the bedis blake, + And how they weren me betake, 2960 + For that y schulde bidde and preie. + And whanne y sigh non othre weie + Bot only that y was refusid, + Unto the lif which y hadde usid + I thoughte nevere torne ayein: + And in this wise, soth to seyn, + Homward a softe pas y wente, + Wher that with al myn hol entente + Uppon the point that y am schryve + I thenke bidde whil y live. 2970 + He which withinne daies sevene + This large world forth with the hevene + Of his eternal providence + Hath mad, and thilke intelligence + In mannys soule resonable + Hath schape to be perdurable, + Wherof the man of his feture + Above alle erthli creature + Aftir the soule is immortal, + To thilke lord in special, 2980 + As he which is of alle thinges + The creatour, and of the kynges + Hath the fortunes uppon honde, + His grace and mercy forto fonde + Uppon my bare knes y preie, + That he this lond in siker weie + Wol sette uppon good governance. + For if men takyn remembrance + What is to live in unite, + Ther ys no staat in his degree 2990 + That noughte to desire pes, + With outen which, it is no les, + To seche and loke in to the laste, + Ther may no worldes joye laste. + Ferst forto loke the Clergie, + Hem oughte wel to justefie + Thing which belongith to here cure, + As forto praie and to procure + Oure pes toward the hevene above, + And ek to sette reste and love 3000 + Among ous on this erthe hiere. + For if they wroughte in this manere + Aftir the reule of charite, + I hope that men schuldyn se + This lond amende. And ovyr this, + To seche and loke how that it is + Touchende of the chevalerie, + Which forto loke, in som partie + Is worthi forto be comendid, + And in som part to ben amendid, 3010 + That of here large retenue + The lond is ful of maintenue, + Which causith that the comune right + In fewe contrees stant upright. + Extorcioun, contekt, ravine + Withholde ben of that covyne, + Aldai men hierin gret compleignte + Of the desease, of the constreignte, + Wher of the poeple is sore oppressid: + God graunte it mote be redressid. 3020 + For of knyghthode thordre wolde + That thei defende and kepe scholde + The comun right and the fraunchise + Of holy cherche in alle wise, + So that no wikke man it dere, + And ther fore servith scheld and spere: + Bot for it goth now other weie, + Oure grace goth the more aweie. + And forto lokyn ovyrmore, + Wher of the poeple pleigneth sore, 3030 + Toward the lawis of oure lond, + Men sein that trouthe hath broke his bond + And with brocage is goon aweie, + So that no man can se the weie + Wher forto fynde rightwisnesse. + And if men sechin sikernesse + Uppon the lucre of marchandie, + Compassement and tricherie + Of singuler profit to wynne, + Men seyn, is cause of mochil synne, 3040 + And namely of divisioun, + Which many a noble worthi toun + Fro welthe and fro prosperite + Hath brought to gret adversite. + So were it good to ben al on, + For mechil grace ther uppon + Unto the Citees schulde falle, + Which myghte availle to ous alle, + If these astatz amendid were, + So that the vertus stodyn there 3050 + And that the vices were aweie: + Me thenkth y dorste thanne seie, + This londis grace schulde arise. + Bot yit to loke in othre wise, + Ther is a stat, as ye schul hiere, + Above alle othre on erthe hiere, + Which hath the lond in his balance: + To him belongith the leiance + Of Clerk, of knyght, of man of lawe; + Undir his hond al is forth drawe 3060 + The marchant and the laborer; + So stant it al in his power + Or forto spille or forto save. + Bot though that he such power have, + And that his myghtes ben so large, + He hath hem nought withouten charge, + To which that every kyng ys swore: + So were it good that he ther fore + First un to rightwisnesse entende, + Wherof that he hym self amende 3070 + Toward his god and leve vice, + Which is the chief of his office; + And aftir al the remenant + He schal uppon his covenant + Governe and lede in such a wise, + So that ther be no tirandise, + Wherof that he his poeple grieve, + Or ellis may he nought achieve + That longith to his regalie. + For if a kyng wol justifie 3080 + His lond and hem that beth withynne, + First at hym self he mot begynne, + To kepe and reule his owne astat, + That in hym self be no debat + Toward his god: for othre wise + Ther may non erthly kyng suffise + Of his kyngdom the folk to lede, + Bot he the kyng of hevene drede. + For what kyng sett hym uppon pride + And takth his lust on every side 3090 + And wil nought go the righte weie, + Though god his grace caste aweie + No wondir is, for ate laste + He schal wel wite it mai nought laste, + The pompe which he secheth here. + Bot what kyng that with humble chere + Aftir the lawe of god eschuieth + The vices, and the vertus suieth, + His grace schal be suffisant + To governe al the remenant 3100 + Which longith to his duite; + So that in his prosperite + The poeple schal nought ben oppressid, + Wherof his name schal be blessid, + For evere and be memorial. + And now to speke as in final, + Touchende that y undirtok + In englesch forto make a book + Which stant betwene ernest and game, + I have it maad as thilke same 3110 + Which axe forto ben excusid, + And that my bok be nought refusid + Of lered men, whan thei it se, + For lak of curiosite: + For thilke scole of eloquence + Belongith nought to my science, + Uppon the forme of rethoriqe + My wordis forto peinte and pike, + As Tullius som tyme wrot. + Bot this y knowe and this y wot, 3120 + That y have do my trewe peyne + With rude wordis and with pleyne, + In al that evere y couthe and myghte, + This bok to write as y behighte, + So as siknesse it soffre wolde; + And also for my daies olde, + That y am feble and impotent, + I wot nought how the world ys went. + So preye y to my lordis alle + Now in myn age, how so befalle, 3130 + That y mot stonden in here grace: + For though me lacke to purchace + Here worthi thonk as by decerte, + Yit the symplesse of my poverte + Desireth forto do plesance + To hem undir whos governance + I hope siker to abide. + But now uppon my laste tide + That y this book have maad and write, + My muse doth me forto wite, 3140 + And seith it schal be for my beste + Fro this day forth to take reste, + That y nomore of love make, + Which many an herte hath overtake, + And ovyrturnyd as the blynde + Fro reson in to lawe of kynde; + Wher as the wisdom goth aweie + And can nought se the ryhte weie + How to governe his oghne estat, + Bot everydai stant in debat 3150 + Withinne him self, and can nought leve. + And thus forthy my final leve + I take now for evere more, + Withoute makynge any more, + Of love and of his dedly hele, + Which no phisicien can hele. + For his nature is so divers, + That it hath evere som travers + Or of to moche or of to lite, + That pleinly mai noman delite, 3160 + Bot if him faile or that or this. + Bot thilke love which that is + Withinne a mannes herte affermed, + And stant of charite confermed, + Such love is goodly forto have, + Such love mai the bodi save, + Such love mai the soule amende, + The hyhe god such love ous sende + Forthwith the remenant of grace; + So that above in thilke place 3170 + Wher resteth love and alle pes, + Oure joie mai ben endeles. + + + + Explicit iste liber, qui transeat, obsecro liber, + Vt sine liuore vigeat lectoris in ore. + Qui sedet in scannis celi det vt ista lohannis + Perpetuis annis stet pagina grata Britannis, + Derbeie Comiti, recolunt quem laude periti, + Vade liber purus, sub eo requiesce futurus. + + + [End of CONFESSIO AMANTIS] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Confessio Amantis, by John Gower + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONFESSIO AMANTIS *** + +***** This file should be named 266.txt or 266.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/266/ + +Produced by Douglas B. 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