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diff --git a/old/42083-0.txt b/old/42083-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e98c543..0000000 --- a/old/42083-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,26573 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De -Consolatione Philosophiae', by Geoffrey Chaucer - -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: Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae' - -Author: Geoffrey Chaucer - -Editor: Richard Morris - -Release Date: February 12, 2013 [EBook #42083] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHIAE *** - - - - -Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner, JackMcJiggins and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[This e-text includes characters that require UTF-8 (Unicode) file -encoding: - - œ (“oe” ligature) - ȝ Ȝ (yogh) - ħ ũ (h with bar, u with tilde: both rare) - -The Sidenotes include a few Greek phrases: - - ἕπου Θεῷ - -If any of these characters do not display properly, or if the -apostrophes and quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, -make sure your text reader’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set -to Unicode (UTF-8). You may also need to change the default font. -As a last resort, use the Latin-1 version of the file instead. - -Linenotes refer to the Cambridge MS.; see end of Introduction. “H.” in -the Linenotes is not explained; Skeat’s edition of Chaucer’s _Complete -Works_ says that it refers to MS. Harley 2421. - -_Text format:_ - -In the printed book, line numbers were squeezed in wherever there was -room. For the e-text, they have been regularized to the EETS-standard -multiples of 4. Line divisions and page numbers were retained for use -with the Index and linenotes, except that some very short words have -been moved up or down to avoid awkward gaps. Headnotes have been -moved to the nearest convenient line break. - -Italics representing expanded abbreviations are shown in b{ra}ces. -Other italics are shown conventionally with _lines_. Superscripts are -shown with ^ (caret); they always continue to the end of the word. -Oversized initial letters are shown with double leading ++ as ++A. In -the Appendix, decorative final letters are shown with single + as dar+, -sprong+. Italic thorn (þ) and yogh (ȝ) seem to have been unavailable to -the printer; both letters have been formatted to match the surrounding -text. - -The inverted semicolon (rare) is shown in brackets as [;]. All other -bracketed letters or letter groups are in the original. - -In the primary text, anomalous spellings with initial “u” or non-initial -“v” are not individually noted. Other errors, whether corrected or not, -are listed at the end of the e-text. - -For this e-text, Chaucer’s translation of the _Consolatio_ is given -twice: first as printed, with all notes and apparatus, and then as text -alone.] - - - - - Chaucer’s Translation of - BOETHIUS’S “DE CONSOLATIONE - PHILOSOPHIÆ” - - - EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY - - Extra Series, No. 5 - - 1868 - (Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., 1969) - - Price 40s. - - - - - Chaucer’s Translation of - BOETHIUS’S “DE CONSOLATIONE - PHILOSOPHIÆ” - - Edited From - British Museum Additional MS. 10,340 - Collated With - Cambridge University Library MS. Ii.3.21 - - By - - RICHARD MORRIS - - - _Published for_ - THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY - _by the_ - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS - London New York Toronto - - - - - First Published 1868 - - Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., - and 1969 - - - Extra Series, No. 5 - - Originally printed by - Richard Clay & Sons Ltd., London and Bungay - and now reprinted lithographically in Great Britain - at the University Press, Oxford - by Vivian Ridler - Printer to the University - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -When master hands like those of Gibbon and Hallam have sketched the life -of _Boethius_, it is well that no meaner man should attempt to mar their -pictures. They drew, perhaps, the most touching scene in Middle-age -literary history,--the just man in prison, awaiting death, consoled by -the Philosophy that had been his light in life, and handing down to -posterity for their comfort and strength the presence of her whose -silver rays had been his guide as well under the stars of Fortune as the -mirk of Fate. With Milton in his dark days, Boece in prison could say,-- - - ‘I argue not - Against Heaven’s hand or will, nor bate a jot - Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer - Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? - The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied - In liberty’s defence, my noble task, - Of which all Europe rings from side to side.’ - -For, indeed, the echoes of Boethius, Boethius, rang out loud from every -corner of European Literature. An Alfred awoke them in England, a -Chaucer, a Caxton would not let them die; an Elizabeth revived them -among the glorious music of her reign.[I-1] To us, though far off, they -come with a sweet sound. ‘The angelic’ Thomas Aquinas commented on him, -and many others followed the saint’s steps. Dante read him, though, -strange to say, he speaks of the Consolation as ‘a book not known by -many.’[I-2] Belgium had her translations--both Flemish[I-3] and -French[I-4]; Germany hers,[I-5] France hers,[I-6] Italy hers.[I-7] The -Latin editors are too numerous to be catalogued here, and manuscripts -abound in all our great libraries. - -No philosopher was so bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of -Middle-age writers as Boethius. Take up what writer you will, and you -find not only the sentiments, but the very words of the distinguished -old Roman. And surely we who read him in Chaucer’s tongue, will not -refuse to say that his full-circling meed of glory was other than -deserved. Nor can we marvel that at the end of our great poet’s life, he -was glad that he had swelled the chorus of Boethius’ praise; and ‘of the -translacioun of Boece de Consolacioun,’ thanked ‘oure Lord Ihesu Crist -and his moder, and alle the seintes in heuen.’ - -The impression made by Boethius on Chaucer was evidently very deep. Not -only did he translate him directly, as in the present work, but he read -his beloved original over and over again, as witness the following list, -incomplete of course, of passages from Chaucer’s poems translated more -or less literally from the _De Consolatione_: - - [Footnote I-1: Other translations are by John Walton of Osney, in - verse, in 1410 (Reg. MS. 18, A 13), first printed at Tavistock in - 1525, and to be edited some time or other for the E.E.T.S. An - anonymous prose version in the Bodleian. George Coluile, alias - Coldewel, 1556; J. T. 1609; H. Conningesbye, 1664; Lord Preston, - 1695, 1712; W. Causton, 1730; Redpath, 1785; R. Duncan, 1789; - anon. 1792 (Lowndes).] - - [Footnote I-2: Dante, in his _Convito_, says, “Misimi a legger - quello _non conosciuto da molti_ libro di Boezio, nel quale - captivo e discacciato consolato s’avea.”] - - [Footnote I-3: Printed at Ghent, 1485.] - - [Footnote I-4: By Reynier de Seinct Trudon, printed at Bruges, - 1477.] - - [Footnote I-5: An old version of the 11th cent., printed by Graff, - and a modern one printed at Nuremberg, 1473.] - - [Footnote I-6: By Jean de Méung, printed at Paris, 1494.] - - [Footnote I-7: By Varchi, printed at Florence, 1551; Parma, 1798.] - - -I. LOVE. - - Wost thou nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, - That who schal yeve a lover eny lawe, - Love is a grettere lawe, by my pan, - Then may be yeve to (of) eny erthly man? - - (_Knightes Tale, Aldine Series_, vol. ii. p. 36, 37.) - - But what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter - lawe and a strengere to hym self þan any lawe þat men may ȝeuen. - - (_Chaucer’s Prose Translation_, p. 108.) - - _Quis legem det amantibus? - Major lex amor est sibi._ - - (Boeth., lib. iii. met. 12.) - - -II. A DRUNKEN MAN. - - A dronke man wot wel he hath an hous, - But he not[I-8] which the righte wey is thider. - - (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 39.) - - _Ryȝt as a dronke man not nat[I-9] by whiche paþe he may retourne - home to hys house._ - - (Chaucer’s Trans., p. 67.) - - _Sed velut ebrius, domum quo tramite revertatur, ignorat._ - - (Boeth., lib. iii. pr. 2.) - - [Footnote I-8: The Harl. MS. reads _not nat_, to the confusion of - the metre.] - - [Footnote I-9: = ne wot nat = knows not.] - - -III. THE CHAIN OF LOVE. - - The firste moevere of the cause above, - Whan he first made the fayre cheyne of love, - Gret was theffect, and heigh was his entente; - Wel wist he why, and what therof he mente; - _For with that faire cheyne of love he bond - The fyr, the watir, the eyr, and eek the lond - In certeyn boundes, that they may not flee._ - - (_Knightes Tale_, p. 92.) - - That þe world with stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges // - þat the contraryos qualite of elementȝ holden amonge hem self - aliaunce perdurable / þat phebus the sonne with his goldene - chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þat the mone hath - commaundement ouer the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesperus the eue - sterre hat[h] browt // þat þe se gredy to flowen constreyneth with - a certeyn ende hise floodes / so þat it is nat l[e]ueful to - strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þat is - to seyn to couere alle the erthe // Al this a-cordaunce of thinges - is bownden with looue / þat gouerneth erthe and see / and [he] - hath also commaundementȝ to the heuenes / and yif this looue - slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þat now louen hem to-gederes / - wolden maken a batayle contynuely and stryuen to fordoon the - fasoun of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable - feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to-gideres poeples / - ioygned with an hooly bond / and knytteth sacrement of maryages of - chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O - weleful weere mankynde / yif thilke loue þat gouerneth heuene - gouerned yowre corages /. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, bk. ii. met. 8.) - - Quod mundus stabili fide - Concordes variat vices, - Quod pugnantia semina - Fœdus perpetuum tenent, - Quod Phœbus roseum diem - Curru provehit aureo, - Ut quas duxerit Hesperus - Phœbe noctibus imperet, - Ut fluctus avidum mare - Certo fine coerceat, - Ne terris liceat vagis - Latos tundere terminos; - _Hanc rerum seriem ligat, - Terras ac pelagus regens, - Et cœlo imperitans amor._ - Hic si fræna remiserit, - Quicquid nunc amat invicem, - Bellum continuo geret: - Et quam nunc socia fide - Pulcris motibus incitant, - Certent solvere machinam. - Hic sancto populos quoque - Junctos fœdere continet, - Hic et conjugii sacrum - Castis nectit amoribus, - Hic fidis etiam sua - Dictat jura sodalibus. - O felix hominum genus, - Si vestros animos amor, - Quo cælum regitur, regat. - - (_Boeth._, lib. ii. met. 8.) - - Love, that of erth and se hath governaunce! - Love, that his hestes hath in hevene hye! - Love, that with an holsom alliaunce - Halt peples joyned, as hym liste hem gye! - Love, that knetteth law and compaignye, - And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle! - - (_Troylus & Cryseyde_, st. 243, vol. iv. p. 296.) - - That, that the world with faith, which that is stable - Dyverseth so, his stoundes concordynge;-- - That elementz, that ben so discordable, - Holden a bond, perpetualy durynge;-- - That Phebus mot his rosy carte forth brynge, - And that the mone hath lordschip overe the nyghte;-- - Al this doth Love, ay heryed be his myght! - - That, that the se, that gredy is to flowen, - Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so - Hise flodes, that so fiersly they ne growen - To drenchen erth and alle for everemo; - And if that Love aught lete his brydel go, - Al that now loveth asonder sholde lepe, - And lost were al that Love halt now to kepe. - - (_Ibid._ st. 244, 245.) - - -IV. MUTABILITY DIRECTED AND LIMITED BY AN IMMUTABLE AND DIVINE -INTELLIGENCE. - - That same prynce and moevere eek, quod he, - Hath stabled, in this wrecched world adoun, - Certeyn dayes and duracioun - To alle that er engendrid in this place, - Over the whiche day they may nat pace, - Al mowe they yit wel here dayes abregge; - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Than may men wel by this ordre discerne - That thilke moevere stabul is and eterne. - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - And therfore of his wyse purveaunce - He hath so wel biset his ordenaunce, - That spices of thinges and progressiouns - Schullen endure by successiouns - And nat eterne be, withoute any lye. - - (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92, 93.) - - Þe engendrynge of alle þinges quod she and alle þe progressiouns - of muuable nature. and alle þat moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys - causes. hys ordre. and hys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe deuyne - þouȝt [and thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset and put in þe toure. - þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ - many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, bk. iv. pr. 6, p. 134.) - - -V. THE PART IS DERIVED FROM THE WHOLE, THE IMPERFECT FROM THE PERFECT. - - Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, - That every partye dyryveth from his hool. - For nature hath nat take his bygynnyng - Of no partye ne cantel of a thing, - But of a thing that parfyt is and stable, - Descendyng so, til it be corumpable. - - (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92.) - - For al þing þat is cleped inperfit . is proued inperfit by þe - amenusynge of perfeccioun . or of þing þat is perfit . and her-of - comeþ it . þat in euery þing general . yif þat . þat men seen any - þing þat is inperfit . certys in þilke general þer mot ben somme - þing þat is perfit. For yif so be þat perfeccioun is don awey . - men may nat þinke nor seye fro whennes þilke þing is þat is cleped - inperfit . For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of - þinges amenused and inperfit . but it procediþ of þingus þat ben - al hool . and absolut . and descendeþ so doune in-to outerest - þinges and in-to þingus empty and wiþ-oute fruyt . but as I haue - shewed a litel her byforne . þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be - frele and vein and inperfit . þer may no man doute . þat þer nys - som blisfulnesse þat is sad stedfast and perfit.’ - - (bk. iii. pr. 10, p. 89.) - - Omne enim quod imperfectum esse dicitur, id deminutione perfecti - imperfectum esse perhibetur. Quo fit ut si in quolibet genere - imperfectum quid esse videatur, in eo perfectum quoque aliquod - esse necesse sit. Etenim perfectione sublata, unde illud, quod - imperfectum perhibetur, extiterit, ne fingi quidem potest. _Neque - enim ab diminutis inconsummatisque natura rerum cepit exordium, - sed ab integris absolutisque procedens in hæc extrema atque effœta - dilabitur._ Quod si, uti paulo ante monstravimus, est quædam boni - fragilis imperfecta felicitas, esse aliquam solidam perfectamque - non potest dubitari. - - (_Boeth._, lib. iii. pr. 10.) - - -VI. GENTILITY. - - For gentilnesse nys but renomé - Of thin auncestres, for her heigh bounté - Which is a straunge thing to thy persone. - - (_The Wyf of Bathes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 241.) - - For if þe name of gentilesse be referred to renoun and clernesse - of linage. þan is gentil name but a foreine þing. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 78.) - - _Quæ_ [nobilitas], _si ad claritudinem refertur, aliena est._ - - (_Boethius_, lib. iii. pr. 6.) - - -VII. NERO’S CRUELTY. - - No teer out of his eyen for that sighte - Ne cam; but sayde, a fair womman was sche. - Gret wonder is how that he couthe or mighte - Be domesman on hir dede beauté. - - (_The Monkes Tale_, vol. iii. p. 217.) - - Ne no tere ne wette his face, but he was so hard-herted þat he - myȝte ben domesman or iuge of hire dede beauté. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 55.) - - Ora non tinxit lacrymis, sed esse - Censor extincti potuit decoris. - - (_Boethius_, lib. ii. met. 6.) - - -VIII. PREDESTINATION AND FREE-WILL. - -In ‘Troylus and Cryseyde’ we find the following long passage taken from -Boethius, book v. prose 2, 3. - -Book iv. st. 134, vol. iv. p. 339. - - (1) Syn God seth every thynge, out of doutaunce, - And hem disponeth, thorugh his ordinaunce, - In hire merites sothely for to be, - As they shul comen by predesteyné - -136 - - (2) For som men seyn if God seth al byforne, - Ne God may not deseyved ben pardé! - Than moot it fallen, theigh men hadde it sworne, - That purveyaunce hath seyn befor to be, - Wherfor I seye, that, from eterne, if he - Hathe wiste byforn our thought ek as oure dede, - We have no fre choys, as thise clerkes rede. - -137 - - (3) For other thoughte, nor other dede also, - Myghte nevere ben, but swich as purveyaunce, - Which may nat ben deceyved nevere moo, - Hath feled byforne, withouten ignoraunce; - For if ther myghte ben a variaunce, - To wrythen out fro Goddes purveyinge, - Ther nere no prescience of thynge comynge; - -138 - - (4) But it were rather an opinyon - Uncertein, and no stedfast forseynge; - And certes that were an abusyon - That God shold han no parfit clere wetynge, - More than we men, that han douteous wenynge, - But swich an erroure upon God to gesse - Were fals, and foule, and wikked corsednesse. - -139 - - (5) They seyn right thus, that thynge is nat to come, - For that the prescience hath seyne byfore - That it shal come; but they seyn that therfore - That it shal come, therfor the purveyaunce - Woot it bifore, withouten ignorance. - -140 - - (6) And in this manere this necessité - Retourneth in his part contrarye agayn; - For nedfully byhoveth it not to be, - That thilke thynges fallen in certeyn - That ben purveyed; but nedly, as they seyne, - Bihoveth it that thynges, which that falle, - That thei in certein ben purveied alle. - -141 - - (7) I mene as though I labourede me in this, - To enqueren which thynge cause of whiche thynge be; - - (8) As, whether that the prescience of God is - The certein cause of the necessité - Of thynges that to comen ben, pardé! - Or, if necessité of thynge comynge - Be cause certein of the purveyinge. - -142 - - (9) But now nenforce I me nat in shewynge - How the ordre of causes stant; but wel woot I - That it bihoveth that the bifallynge - Of thynges, wiste bifor certeinly, - Be necessarie, al seme it nat therby - That prescience put fallynge necessaire - To thynge to come, al falle it foule or faire. - -143 - - (10) For, if ther sit a man yonde on a see, [seat] - Than by necessité bihoveth it, - That certes thyn opinioun soth be, - That wenest or conjectest that he sit; - And, further over, now ayeinwarde yit, - Lo right so is it on the part contrarie, - As thus,--nowe herkene, for I wol nat tarie:-- - -144 - - (11) I sey, that if the opinion of the - Be soth for that he sit, than seye I this, - That he moot sitten by necessité; - And thus necessité in either is, - For in hym nede of sittynge is, ywis, - And in the, nede of soth; and thus forsoth - Ther mot necessité ben in yow bothe. - -145 - - (12) But thow maist seyne, the man sit nat therfore, - That thyn opinioun of his sittynge sothe is; - But rather, for the man sat there byfore, - Therfor is thyn opinioun soth, ywys; - And I seye, though the cause of soth of this - Cometh of his sittynge, yet necessité - Is interchaunged both in hym and the. - -146 - - (13) Thus in the same wyse, out of doutaunce, - I may wel maken, as it semeth me, - My resonynge of Goddes purveiaunce, - And of the thynges that to comen be; . . . - -147 - - (14) For although that for thynge shal come, ywys, - Therfor it is purveyed certeynly, - Nat that it cometh for it purveied is; - Yet, natheles, bihoveth it nedfully, - That thynge to come be purveied trewly; - Or elles thynges that purveied be. - That they bitiden by necessité. - -148 - - (15) And this sufficeth right ynough, certeyn, - For to distruye oure fre choys everydele. - - (1) Quæ tamen ille ab æterno cuncta prospiciens providentiæ cernit - intuitus, et suis quæque meritis prædestinata disponit. . . . . - (_Boethius_, lib. v. pr. 2.) . . . . . . . . . . . . - - (2) Nam si cuncta prospicit Deus neque falli ullo modo potest, - evenire necesse est, quod providentia futurum esse præviderit. - Quare si ab æterno non facta hominum modo, sed etiam consilia - voluntatesque prænoscit, nulla erit arbitrii libertas; - - (3) Neque enim vel factum aliud ullum vel quælibet existere - poterit voluntas, nisi quam nescia falli providentia divina - præsenserit. Nam si res aliorsum, quam provisæ sunt detorqueri - valent, non jam erit futuri firma præscientia; - - (4) Sed opinio potius incerta; quod de Deo nefas credere judico. - - (5) Aiunt enim non ideo quid esse eventurum quoniam id providentia - futurum esse prospexerit; sed e contrario potius, quoniam quid - futurum est, id divinam providentiam latere non possit. - - (6) Eoque modo necessarium est hoc in contrariam relabi partem; - neque enim necesse est contingere quæ providentur, sed necesse est - quæ futura sunt provideri. - - (7) Quasi vero quæ cujusque rei causa sit, - - (8) Præscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas - providentiæ, laboretur. - - (9) At nos illud demonstrare nitamur, quoquo modo sese habeat ordo - causarum, necessarium esse eventum præscitarum rerum, etiam si - præscientia futuris rebus eveniendi necessitatem non videatur - inferre. - - (10) Etenim si quispiam sedeat, opinionem quæ eum sedere conjectat - veram esse necesse est: at e converso rursus, - - (11) Si de quopiam vera sit opinio quoniam sedet eum sedere - necesse est. In utroque igitur necessitas inest: in hoc quidem - sedendi, at vero in altero veritatis. - - (12) Sed non idcirco quisque sedet, quoniam vera est opinio: sed - hæc potius vera est, quoniam quempiam sedere præcessit. Ita cum - causa veritatis ex altera parte procedat, inest tamen communis in - utraque necessitas. - - (13) Similia de providentia futurisque rebus ratiocinari patet. - - (14) Nam etiam si idcirco, quoniam futura sunt, providentur: non - vero ideo, quoniam providentur, eveniunt: nihilo minus tamen a Deo - vel ventura provideri, vel provisa evenire necesse est: - - (15) Quod ad perimendam arbitrii libertatem solum satis est. - - (lib. v. pr. 3.) - -See _Chaucer’s Boethius_, pp. 154-6. - - -IX. THE GRIEF OF REMEMBERING BYGONE HAPPINESS. - - For, of fortunes scharp adversité, - The worste kynde of infortune is this, - A man to han ben in prosperité, - And it remembren, when it passed is. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 226, vol. iv. p. 291.) - - Sed hoc est, quod recolentem me vehementius coquit. Nam in omni - adversitate fortunæ infelicissimum genus est infortunii, fuisse - felicem.[I-10] - - (_Boethius_, lib. ii. pr. 4.) - - [Footnote I-10: Cf. Dante, _Inferno_, V. 121. - - Nessun maggior dolore - Che ricordarsi del tempo felice - Nella miseria; e ciò sa ’l tuo Dottore.] - - -X. VULTURES TEAR THE STOMACH OF TITYUS IN HELL. - - ----Syciphus in Helle, - Whos stomak fowles tyren everemo, - That hyghten volturis. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, book i. st. 113, p. 140.) - - Þe fowel þat hyȝt voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe giser of ticius. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 107.) - - -XI. THE MUTABILITY OF FORTUNE. - - For if hire (Fortune’s) whiel stynte any thinge to torne - Thanne cessed she Fortune anon to be. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. i. st. 122, p. 142.) - - If fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 32.) - -(Compare stanzas 120, 121, p. 142, and stanza 136, p. 146, of ‘Troylus -and Cryseyde’ with pp. 31, 33, 35, and p. 34 of Chaucer’s Boethius.) - - At omnium mortalium stolidissime, si manere incipit, fors esse - desistit. - - (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 1.) - - -XII. WORLDLY SELYNESSE - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Imedled is with many a bitternesse. - Ful angwyshous than is, God woote, quod she, - Condicion of veyn prosperité! - For oyther joies comen nought yfeere, - Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 110, p. 258.) - - Þe swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] - bitternesses. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 42.) - - --ful anguissous þing is þe condicioun of mans goodes. For eyþer - it comeþ al to-gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not perpetuely. - - (_Ib._ p. 41.) - - Quam multis amaritudinibus humanæ felicitatis dulcedo respersa - est! - - (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.) - - Anxia enim res est humanorum conditio bonorum, et quæ vel nunquam - tota proveniat, vel nunquam perpetua subsistat. - - (_Ib._) - - O, brotel wele of mannes joie unstable! - With what wight so thow be, or how thow pleye, - Oither he woot that thow joie art muable, - Or woot it nought, it mot ben on of tweyen: - Now if he woot it not, how may he seyen - That he hath veray joie and selynesse, - That is of ignoraunce ay in distresse? - - Now if he woote that joie is transitorie, - As every joie of worldly thynge mot fle, - Thanne every tyme he that hath in memorie, - The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he - May in no parfyte selynesse be: - And if to lese his joie, he sette not a myte, - Than semeth it, that joie is worth ful lite. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 111, 112, vol. iv. p. 258.) - - (1) What man þat þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ, eiþer he woot - þat [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. And yif he woot - it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe blyndenesse of - ignoraunce. - - (2) And yif he woot þat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad - þat he ne lese þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may - leesen it. . . . . . For whiche þe continuel drede þat he haþ - ne suffriþ hym nat to ben weleful. Or ellys yif he leese it he - wene[þ] to be dispised and forleten hit. Certis eke þat is a ful - lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is loost. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, pp. 43, 44.) - - (1) Quem caduca ista felicitas vehit, vel scit eam, vel nescit - esse mutabilem. Si nescit, quænam beata sors esse potest - ignorantiæ in cæcitate? - - (2) Si scit, metuat necesse est, ne amittat, quod amitti posse non - dubitat; quare continuus timor non sinit esse felicem. An vel si - amiserit, negligendum putat? Sic quoque perexile bonum est, quod - æquo animo feratur amissum. - - (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.) - - -XIII. FORTUNE. - - ----Fortune - That semeth trewest when she wol bigyle, - . . . . . . . . . . . . . - And, when a wight is from hire whiel ithrowe, - Than laugheth she, and maketh hym the mowe. - - (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 254, vol. iv. p. 299.) - - She (Fortune) vseþ ful flatryng familarité wiþ hem þat she - enforceþ to bygyle. - - (_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 30.) - - . . . . . . . She lauȝeþ and scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe - whiche she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille . . . . Yif þat a - wyȝt is seyn weleful and ouerþrowe in an houre. - - (_Ib._ p. 33.) - -In book v., stanza 260, vol. v. p. 75, Chaucer describes how the soul of -Hector, after his death, ascended ‘up to the holughnesse of the seventhe -spere.’ In so doing he seems to have had before him met. 1, book 4, of -Boethius, where the ‘soul’ is described as passing into the heaven’s -utmost sphere, and looking down on the world below. See _Chaucer’s -Boethius_, p. 110, 111. - -Ætas Prima is of course a metrical version of lib. ii. met. 5. - -Hampole speaks of the wonderful sight of the Lynx; perhaps he was -indebted to Boethius for the hint. --(See _Boethius_, book 3, pr. 8, -p. 81.) - -I have seen the following elsewhere: - - (1) Value not beauty, for it may be destroyed by a three days’ - fever. - - (See _Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 81.) - - (2) There is no greater plague than the enmity of thy familiar - friend. - - (See _Chaucer’s_ translation, p. 77.) - - * * * * * - -Chaucer did not English Boethius second-hand, through any early French -version, as some have supposed, but made his translation with the Latin -original before him. - -Jean de Méung’s version, the only early French translation, perhaps, -accessible to Chaucer, is not always literal, while the present -translation is seldom free or periphrastic, but conforms closely to the -Latin, and is at times awkwardly literal. A few passages, taken -haphazard, will make this sufficiently clear. - - _Et dolor ætatem jussit inesse suam._ And sorou haþ comaunded his - age to be in me (p. 4). - - Et ma douleur {com}ma{n}da a vieillesse - Entrer en moy / ains quen fust hors ieunesse. - - _Mors hominum felix, quæ se nec dulcibus annis - Inserit, et mæstis sæpe vocata venit._ - - Þilke deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben - swete (i. _mirie_). but comeþ to wrecches often yclepid. (p. 4) - - On dit la mort des ho{m}es estre eureuse - Qui ne vie{n}t pas en saiso{n} pla{n}tureuse - Mais des tristes mo{u}lt souue{n}t appellee - Elle y affuit nue / seche et pelee. - - _Querimoniam lacrymabilem._ Wepli compleynte (p. 5). Fr. ma - complainte moy esmouuant a pleurs. - - _Styli officio._ Wiþ office of poyntel (p. 5). Fr. (que ie - reduisse) p{ar} escript. - - _Inexhaustus._ Swiche . . . þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid (p. - 5). Fr. inconsumptible. - - _Scenicas meretriculas._ Comune strumpetis of siche a place þat - men clepen þe theatre (p. 6). Fr. ces ribaudelles fardees. - - _Præcipiti profundo._ In ouer-þrowyng depnesse (p. 7). - - [L]As que la pensee de lomme - Est troublee et plongie comme - En _abisme precipitee_ - Sa propre lumiere gastee. - - _Nec pervetusta nec incelebris._ Neyþer ouer-oolde ne vnsolempne - (p. 11). Fr. desquelz la memoire nest pas trop ancienne ou no{n} - recitee. - - _Inter secreta otia._ Among my secre restyng whiles (p. 14). Fr. - entre mes secrettes {et} oyseuses estudes. - - _Palatini canes._ Þe houndys of þe palays (p. 15). Fr. les chiens - du palais. - - _Masculæ prolis._ Of þi masculyn children (p. 37). Fr. de ta - lignie masculine. - - _Ad singularem felicitatis tuæ cumulum venire delectat._ It - deliteþ me to comen now to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse - (p. 37). Fr. Il me plait venir au singulier monceau de ta - felicite. - - _Consulare imperium._ Emperie of consulers (p. 51). Fr. le{m}pire - consulaire. - - _Hoc ipsum brevis habitaculi._ Of þilke litel habitacle (p. 57). - Fr. de cest trespetit habitacle. - - _Late patentes plagas._ Þe brode shewyng contreys (p. 60). - - QVico{n}ques tend a gloire vaine - Et le croit estre souueraine - Voye _les regions pate{n}tes_ - Du ciel . . . . . . - - _Ludens hominum cura._ Þe pleiyng besines of men (p. 68). - - Si quil tollist par doulz estude - Des hommes la solicitude . . - - _Hausi cœlum._ I took heuene (p. 10). Fr. ie . . . regarday le - ciel. - - _Certamen adversum præfectum prætorii communis commodi ratione - suscepi._ I took strif aȝeins þe prouost of þe pretorie for comune - profit (p. 15). Fr. ie entrepris lestrif a lencontre du prefect du - parlement royal a cause de la commune vtilite. - - _At cujus criminis arguimur summam quæris?_ But axest þou in somme - of what gilt I am accused? (p. 17). Fr. Mais demandes tu la somme - du pechie duquel pechie nous so{m}mes arguez? - - _Fortuita temeritate._ By fortunouse fortune (p. 26). Fr. par - fortuite folie. - - _Quos premunt septem gelidi triones._ Alle þe peoples þat ben - vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones (p. 55). Fr. - ceulx de septentrion. - - _Ita ego quoque tibi veluti corollarium dabo._ Ryȝt so wil I ȝeue - þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune (p. 91). Fr. - semblablement ie te donneray ainsi que vng correlaire. - - _In stadio._ In þe stadie or in þe forlonge (p. 119). Fr. ou (for - au) champ. - - _Conjecto._ I coniecte (p. 154). Fr. ie coniecture. - - _Nimium . . . adversari ac repugnare videtur._ It semeþ . . . to - repugnen and to contrarien gretly. Fr. Ce semble chose trop - contraire et repugnante. - - _Universitatis ambitum._ Envirounynge of þe vniuersite (p. 165). - Fr. lauironnement de luniuersalite. - - _Rationis universum._ Vniuersite of resoun (p. 165). Fr. - luniuersalite de Raison. - - _Scientiam nunquam deficientis instantiæ rectius æstimabis._ Þou - shalt demen [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or - of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ (p. 174). Fr. mais tu la diras - plus droittement et mieulx science de instante p{re}sentialite non - iamais defaillant mais eternelle. - -Many of the above examples are very bald renderings of the original, and -are only quoted here to show that Chaucer did not make his translation -from the French. - -Chaucer is not always felicitous in his translations:--thus he -translates _clavus atque gubernaculum_ by _keye and a stiere_ (p. 103), -and _compendium_ (gain, acquisition) by _abreggynge_ (abridging, -curtailment), p. 151. Many terms make their appearance in English for -the first time,--and most of them have become naturalized, and are such -as we could ill spare. Some few are rather uncommon, as _gouernaile_ -(gubernaculum), p. 27; _arbitre_ (arbitrium), p. 154. As Chaucer takes -the trouble to explain _inestimable_ (inæstimabilis), p. 158, it could -not have been a very familiar term. - -Our translator evidently took note of various readings, for on p. 31 he -notes a variation of the original. On p. 51 he uses _armurers_ -(= armures) to render _arma_, though most copies agree in reading -_arva_. - -There are numerous glosses and explanations of particular passages, -which seem to be interpolated by Chaucer himself. Thus he explains what -is meant by the _heritage of Socrates_ (p. 10, 11); he gives the -meaning of _coemption_ (p. 15); of _Euripus_ (p. 33); of the _porch_ -(p. 166).[I-11] Some of his definitions are very quaint; as, for -instance, that of Tragedy--‘_a dité of a prosperité for a tyme þat endiþ -in wrechednesse_’ (p. 35). One would think that the following definition -of Tragedian would be rather superfluous after this,--‘_a maker of dites -þat hyȝten_ (are called) _tregedies_’ (p. 77). - - _Melliflui . . . oris Homerus_ - -is thus quaintly Englished: _Homer wiþ þe hony mouþe, þat is to seyn. -homer wiþ þe swete dites_ (p. 153). - - * * * * * - -The present translation of the _De Consolatione_ is taken from -Additional MS. 10,340, which is supposed to be the _oldest_ manuscript -that exists in our public libraries. After it was all copied out and -ready for press, Mr Bradshaw was kind enough to procure me, for the -purpose of collation, the loan of the Camb. University MS. Ii. 3. 21, -from which the various readings at the foot of the pages are taken. - -Had I had an opportunity of examining the Cambridge MS. carefully -throughout before the work was so far advanced, I should certainly have -selected it in preference to the text now given to the reader. Though -not so ancient as the British Museum MS., it is far more correct in its -grammatical inflexions, and is no doubt a copy of an older and very -accurate text. - -The Additional MS. is written by a scribe who was unacquainted with the -force of the final _-e_. Thus he adds it to the preterites of strong -verbs, which do not require it; he omits it in the preterites of weak -verbs where it is wanted, and attaches it to passive participles (of -weak verbs), where it is superfluous. The scribe of the Cambridge MS. is -careful to preserve the final _-e_ where it is a sign (1) of the -definite declension of the adjective; (2) of the plural adjective; -(3) of the infinitive mood; (4) of the preterite of weak verbs; (5) of -present participles;[I-12] (6) of the 2nd pers. pret. indic. of strong -verbs; (7) of adverbs; (8) of an older vowel ending. - -The Addit. MS. has frequently _thilk_ (singular and plural), and _-nes_ -(in _wrechednes_, &c.), when the Camb. MS. has _thilke_[I-13] and -_-nesse_. - -For further differences the reader may consult the numerous collations -at the foot of the page. - -If the Chaucer Society obtains that amount of patronage from the -literary public which it deserves, but unfortunately has yet not -succeeded in getting, so that it may be enabled to go on with the great -work which has been so successfully commenced, then the time may come -when I shall have the opportunity of editing the Camb. MS. of Chaucer’s -Boethius for that Society, and lovers of Early English Literature will -have two texts instead of one. - - [Footnote I-11: See pages 39, 50, 61, 94, 111, 133, 149, 153, - 159.] - - [Footnote I-12: In the Canterbury Tales we find participles in - _-yngë_.] - - [Footnote I-13: It is nearly always _thilkë_ in the Canterbury - Tales.] - - - - -APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION. - - -The last of the ancients, and one who forms a link between the classical -period of literature and that of the middle ages, in which he was a -favourite author, is Boethius, a man of fine genius, and interesting -both from his character and his death. It is well known that after -filling the dignities of Consul and Senator in the court of Theodoric, -he fell a victim to the jealousy of a sovereign, from whose memory, in -many respects glorious, the stain of that blood has never been effaced. -The _Consolation of Philosophy_, the chief work of Boethius, was written -in his prison. Few books are more striking from the circumstances of -their production. Last of the classic writers, in style not impure, -though displaying too lavishly that poetic exuberance which had -distinguished the two or three preceding centuries, in elevation of -sentiment equal to any of the philosophers, and mingling a Christian -sanctity with their lessons, he speaks from his prison in the swan-like -tones of dying eloquence. The philosophy that consoled him in bonds, was -soon required in the sufferings of a cruel death. Quenched in his blood, -the lamp he had trimmed with a skilful hand gave no more light; the -language of Tully and Virgil soon ceased to be spoken; and many ages -were to pass away, before learned diligence restored its purity, and the -union of genius with imitation taught a few modern writers to surpass in -eloquence the Latinity of Boethius. --(Hallam’s _Literature of Europe_, -i. 2, 4th ed. 1854.) - -The Senator Boethius is the last of the Romans whom Cato or Tully could -have acknowledged for their countryman. As a wealthy orphan, he -inherited the patrimony and honours of the Anician family, a name -ambitiously assumed by the kings and emperors of the age; and the -appellation of Manlius asserted his genuine or fabulous descent from a -race of consuls and dictators, who had repulsed the Gauls from the -Capitol, and sacrificed their sons to the discipline of the Republic. In -the youth of Boethius the studies of Rome were not totally abandoned; a -Virgil is now extant, corrected by the hand of a consul; and the -professors of grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence, were maintained in -their privileges and pensions by the liberality of the Goths. But the -erudition of the Latin language was insufficient to satiate his ardent -curiosity; and Boethius is said to have employed eighteen laborious -years in the schools of Athens, which were supported by the zeal, the -learning, and the diligence of Proclus and his disciples. The reason and -piety of their Roman pupil were fortunately saved from the contagion of -mystery and magic, which polluted the groves of the Academy, but he -imbibed the spirit, and imitated the method, of his dead and living -masters, who attempted to reconcile the strong and subtle sense of -Aristotle with the devout contemplation and sublime fancy of Plato. -After his return to Rome, and his marriage with the daughter of his -friend, the patrician Symmachus, Boethius still continued, in a palace -of ivory and [glass] to prosecute the same studies. The Church was -edified by his profound defence of the orthodox creed against the Arian, -the Eutychian, and the Nestorian heresies; and the Catholic unity was -explained or exposed in a formal treatise by the _indifference_ of three -distinct though consubstantial persons. For the benefit of his Latin -readers, his genius submitted to teach the first elements of the arts -and sciences of Greece. The geometry of Euclid, the music of Pythagoras, -the arithmetic of Nicomachus, the mechanics of Archimedes, the astronomy -of Ptolemy, the theology of Plato, and the logic of Aristotle, with the -commentary of Porphyry, were translated and illustrated by the -indefatigable pen of the Roman senator. And he alone was esteemed -capable of describing the wonders of art, a sun-dial, a water-clock, or -a sphere which represented the motions of the planets. From these -abstruse speculations, Boethius stooped, or, to speak more truly, he -rose to the social duties of public and private life: the indigent were -relieved by his liberality; and his eloquence, which flattery might -compare to the voice of Demosthenes or Cicero, was uniformly exerted in -the cause of innocence and humanity. Such conspicuous merit was felt and -rewarded by a discerning prince: the dignity of Boethius was adorned -with the titles of consul and patrician, and his talents were usefully -employed in the important station of master of the offices. -Notwithstanding the equal claims of the East and West, his two sons were -created, in their tender youth, the consuls of the same year. On the -memorable day of their inauguration, they proceeded in solemn pomp from -their palace to the forum amidst the applause of the senate and people; -and their joyful father, the true Consul of Rome, after pronouncing an -oration in the praise of his royal benefactor, distributed a triumphal -largess in the games of the circus. Prosperous in his fame and fortunes, -in his public honours and private alliances, in the cultivation of -science and the consciousness of virtue, Boethius might have been styled -happy, if that precarious epithet could be safely applied before the -last term of the life of man. - -A philosopher, liberal of his wealth and parsimonious of his time, might -be insensible to the common allurements of ambition, the thirst of gold -and employment. And some credit may be due to the asseveration of -Boethius, that he had reluctantly obeyed the divine Plato, who enjoins -every virtuous citizen to rescue the state from the usurpation of vice -and ignorance. For the integrity of his public conduct he appeals to the -memory of his country. His authority had restrained the pride and -oppression of the royal officers, and his eloquence had delivered -Paulianus from the dogs of the palace. He had always pitied, and often -relieved, the distress of the provincials, whose fortunes were exhausted -by public and private rapine; and Boethius alone had courage to oppose -the tyranny of the Barbarians, elated by conquest, excited by avarice, -and, as he complains, encouraged by impunity. In these honourable -contests his spirit soared above the consideration of danger, and -perhaps of prudence; and we may learn from the example of Cato, that a -character of pure and inflexible virtue is the most apt to be misled by -prejudice, to be heated by enthusiasm, and to confound private enmities -with public justice. The disciple of Plato might exaggerate the -infirmities of nature, and the imperfections of society; and the mildest -form of a Gothic kingdom, even the weight of allegiance and gratitude, -must be insupportable to the free spirit of a Roman patriot. But the -favour and fidelity of Boethius declined in just proportion with the -public happiness; and an unworthy colleague was imposed to divide and -control the power of the master of the offices. In the last gloomy -season of Theodoric, he indignantly felt that he was a slave; but as his -master had only power over his life, he stood without arms and without -fear against the face of an angry Barbarian, who had been provoked to -believe that the safety of the senate was incompatible with his own. The -Senator Albinus was accused and already convicted on the presumption of -_hoping_, as it was said, the liberty of Rome. - -“If Albinus be criminal,” exclaimed the orator, “the senate and myself -are all guilty of the same crime. If we are innocent, Albinus is equally -entitled to the protection of the laws.” These laws might not have -punished the simple and barren wish of an unattainable blessing; but -they would have shown less indulgence to the rash confession of -Boethius, that, had he known of a conspiracy, the tyrant never should. -The advocate of Albinus was soon involved in the danger and perhaps the -guilt of his client; their signature (which they denied as a forgery) -was affixed to the original address, inviting the emperor to deliver -Italy from the Goths; and three witnesses of honourable rank, perhaps of -infamous reputation, attested the treasonable designs of the Roman -patrician. Yet his innocence must be presumed, since he was deprived by -Theodoric of the means of justification, and rigorously confined in the -tower of Pavia, while the senate, at the distance of five hundred miles, -pronounced a sentence of confiscation and death against the most -illustrious of its members. At the command of the Barbarians, the occult -science of a philosopher was stigmatized with the names of sacrilege and -magic. A devout and dutiful attachment to the senate was condemned as -criminal by the trembling voices of the senators themselves; and their -ingratitude deserved the wish or prediction of Boethius, that, after -him, none should be found guilty of the same offence. - -While Boethius, oppressed with fetters, expected each moment the -sentence or the stroke of death, he composed in the tower of Pavia the -_Consolation of Philosophy_; a golden volume not unworthy of the leisure -of Plato or Tully, but which claims incomparable merit from the -barbarism of the times and the situation of the author. The celestial -guide, whom he had so long invoked at Rome and Athens, now condescended -to illumine his dungeon, to revive his courage, and to pour into his -wounds her salutary balm. She taught him to compare his long prosperity -and his recent distress, and to conceive new hopes from the inconstancy -of fortune. Reason had informed him of the precarious condition of her -gifts; experience had satisfied him of their real value; he had enjoyed -them without guilt; he might resign them without a sigh, and calmly -disdain the impotent malice of his enemies, who had left him happiness, -since they had left him virtue. From the earth, Boethius ascended to -heaven in search of the SUPREME GOOD; explored the metaphysical -labyrinth of chance and destiny, of prescience and free-will, of time -and eternity; and generously attempted to reconcile the perfect -attributes of the Deity with the apparent disorders of his moral and -physical government. Such topics of consolation, so obvious, so vague, -or so abstruse, are ineffectual to subdue the feelings of human nature. -Yet the sense of misfortune may be diverted by the labour of thought; -and the sage who could artfully combine in the same work the various -riches of philosophy, poetry, and eloquence, must already have possessed -the intrepid calmness which he affected to seek. Suspense, the worst of -evils, was at length determined by the ministers of death, who executed, -and perhaps exceeded, the inhuman mandate of Theodoric. A strong cord -was fastened round the head of Boethius, and forcibly tightened till his -eyes almost started from their sockets; and some mercy may be discovered -in the milder torture of beating him with clubs till he expired. But his -genius survived to diffuse a ray of knowledge over the darkest ages of -the Latin world; the writings of the philosopher were translated by the -most glorious of the English kings, and the third emperor of the name of -Otho removed to a more honourable tomb the bones of a Catholic saint, -who, from his Arian persecutors, had acquired the honours of martyrdom -and the fame of miracles. In the last hours of Boethius, he derived some -comfort from the safety of his two sons, of his wife, and of his -father-in-law, the venerable Symmachus. But the grief of Symmachus was -indiscreet, and perhaps disrespectful; he had presumed to lament, he -might dare to revenge, the death of an injured friend. He was dragged in -chains from Rome to the palace of Ravenna; and the suspicions of -Theodoric could only be appeased by the blood of an innocent and aged -senator.--Gibbon’s _Decline and Fall_, 1838, vol. vii. p. 45-52 (without -the notes). - - - - -INDEX - - -_(Giving the first line of each Metre, the first words of each Prose, -and the corresponding page of the translation)._ - -Book Metre Prose Page - - I 1 -- Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi 4 - „ -- 1 Hæc dum mecum tacitus ipse reputarem 5 - „ 2 -- Heu, quam præcipiti mersa profundo 7 - „ -- 2 Sed medicinæ, inquit, potius tempus est 8 - „ 3 -- Tunc me discussa liquerunt nocte tenebræ 9 - „ -- 3 Haud aliter tristitiæ nebulis dissolutis, - hausi cœlum 10 - „ 4 -- Quisquis composito serenus ævo 12 - „ -- 4 Sentisne, inquit, hæc, atque animo - illabuntur tuo? 13 - „ 5 -- O stelliferi conditor orbis 21 - „ -- 5 Hæc ubi continuato dolore delatravi 23 - „ 6 -- Cum Phœbi radiis grave 25 - „ -- 6 Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis - rogationibus 26 - „ 7 -- Nubibus atris 29 - II -- 1 Posthæc paulisper obticuit 29 - „ 1 -- Hæc cum superba verterit vices dextra 33 - „ -- 2 Vellem autem pauca tecum fortunæ ipsius 33 - „ 2 -- Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus 35 - „ -- 3 His igitur si pro se tecum fortuna - loqueretur 36 - „ 3 -- Cum polo Phœbus roseis quadrigis 39 - „ -- 4 Tum ego, Vera, inquam, commemoras 39 - „ 4 -- Quisquis volet perennem 44 - „ -- 5 Sed quoniam rationum jam in te mearum - fomenta 45 - „ 5 -- Felix nimium prior ætas 50 - „ -- 6 Quid autem de dignitatibus, potentiaque - disseram 51 - „ 6 -- Novimus quantas dederit ruinas 55 - „ -- 7 Tum ego, Scis, inquam, ipsa 56 - „ 7 -- Quicumque solam mente præcipiti petit 60 - „ -- 8 Sed ne me inexorabile contra fortunam 61 - „ 8 -- Quod mundus stabili fide 62 - III -- 1 Jam cantum illa finierat 63 - „ 1 -- Qui serere ingenuum volet agrum 64 - „ -- 2 Tum defixo paululum visu 64 - „ 2 -- Quantas rerum flectat habenas 68 - „ -- 3 Vos quoque, o terrena animalia 69 - „ 3 -- Quamvis fluente dives auri gurgite 71 - „ -- 4 Sed dignitates honorabilem reverendumque 72 - „ 4 -- Quamvis se Tyrio superbus ostro 74 - „ -- 5 An vero regna regumque familiaritas - efficere potentem valent? 75 - „ 5 -- Qui se volet esse potentem 77 - „ -- 6 Gloria vero quam fallax sæpe, - quam turpis est! 77 - „ 6 -- Omne hominum genus in terris 78 - „ -- 7 Quid autem de corporis voluptatibus loquar? 79 - „ 7 -- Habet omnis hoc voluptas 80 - „ -- 8 Nihil igitur dubium est, quin 80 - „ 8 -- Eheu, quam miseros tramite devio 81 - „ -- 9 Hactenus mendacis formam felicitatis - ostendisse 82 - „ 9 -- O qui perpetua mundum ratione gubernas 87 - „ -- 10 Quoniam igitur quæ sit imperfecti 88 - „ 10 -- Huc omnes pariter venite capti 94 - „ -- 11 Assentior, inquam. 95 - „ 11 -- Quisquis profunda mente vestigat verum 100 - „ -- 12 Tum ego, Platoni, inquam, vehementer - assentior 101 - „ 12 -- Felix qui potuit boni 106 - IV -- 1 Hæc cum Philosophia, dignitate 108 - „ 1 -- Sunt etenim pennæ volucres mihi 110 - „ -- 2 Tum ego, Papæ, inquam, ut magna promittis! 112 - „ 2 -- Quos vides sedere celso 118 - „ -- 3 Videsne igitur quanto in cœno probra - volvantur 119 - „ 3 -- Vela Neritii ducis 122 - „ -- 4 Tum ego, Fateor, inquam, nec injuria - dici video 123 - „ 4 -- Quid tantos juvat excitare motus 130 - „ -- 5 Hic ego, Video, inquam, quæ sit vel - felicitas 131 - „ 5 -- Si quis Arcturi sidera nescit 132 - „ -- 6 Ita est, inquam. 133 - „ 6 -- Si vis celsi jura tonantis 143 - „ -- 7 Jamne igitur vides, quid hæc omnia - quæ diximus, consequatur? 144 - „ 7 -- Bella bis quinis operatus annis 147 - V -- 1 Dixerat, orationisque cursum ad alia quædam 149 - „ 1 -- Rupis Achæmeniæ scopulis, ubi versa - sequentum 151 - „ -- 2 Animadverto, inquam, idque uti tu dicis, - ita esse consentio. 152 - „ 2 -- Puro clarum lumine Phœbum 153 - „ -- 3 Tum ego, En, inquam, difficiliori rursus - ambiguitate confundor. 154 - „ 3 -- Quænam discors fœdera rerum 159 - „ -- 4 Tum illa, Vetus, inquit, hæc est de - Providentia querela 161 - „ 4 -- Quondam porticus attulit 166 - „ -- 5 Quod si in corporibus sentiendis, quamvis 168 - „ 5 -- Quam variis terras animalia permeant - figuris! 170 - „ -- 6 Quoniam igitur, uti paulo ante - monstratum est 171 - - Appendix.--Ætas Prima 180 - „ Balades de Vilage sanz Peinture 182 - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - -++[I]NCIPIT TABULA LIBRI BOICII DE CONSOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE. - - [_Additional MS. 10,340, fol. 3._] - - - [Sidenote: [fol. 3.]] - -LIBER PRIMUS. - - 1 Carmina qui quondam studio flore{n}te p{er}egi. - 2 Hic dum mecum tacitus. - 3 Heu q{ua}m precipiti. - 4 Set medicine inquit tempus. - 5 Tunc me discussa. - 6 Haut[C-1] aliter tristicie. - 7 Quisquis composito. - 8 Sentis ne inquit. - 9 O stelliferi conditor orbis. - 10 Hic ubi continuato dolore. - 11 Cum phebi radijs. - 12 Primu{m} igit{ur} pateris rogac{i}o{n}ib{us}. - 13 Nubib{us} atris condita. - -EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS. - - -LIBER SECUNDUS. - - 1 Postea paulisper[C-2] conticuit. - 2 Hec cum superba. - 3 Uellem autem pauca. - 4 Si quantas rapidis. - 5 His igitur si {et} pro se. - 6 Cum primo polo. - 7 Tunc ego uera inq{ua}m. - 8 Contraq{ue}. - 9 Quisq{ui}s ualet p{er}hennem cantus. - 10 Set cum racionu{m} iam in te. - 11 Felix i{n} miru{m} iam prior etas. - 12 Quid au{tem} de dignitatib{us}. - 13 Nouim{us} quantos dederat. - 14 Tu{m} ego scis inq{ua}m. - 15 Quicu{n}q{ue} solam mente. - 16 Set ne me inexorabile. - 17 Q{uo}d mu{n}dus stabile fide. - -EXPLICIT LIBER S{E}C{UN}DUS. - - -LIBER TERCIUS. - - 1 Iam tantu{m} illa. - 2 Qui serere ingeniu{m}. - 3 Tunc defixo paululu{m}. - 4 Quantas reru{m} flectat. - 5 Uos quoq{ue} terrena a{n}i{m}alia. - 6 Qua{m}uis fluenter diues. - 7 Set dignitatib{us}. - 8 Qua{m}uis se tirio. - 9 An uero regna. - 10 Qui se ualet esse potentem. - 11 Gloria uero q{uam} fallax. - 12 Omne hominu{m} genus in terris. - 13 Quid au{tem} de corporib{us}. - 14 Habet hoc uoluptas. - 15 Nichil igit{ur} dubiu{m} est. - 16 Heu q{ue} miseros tramite. - 17 Hacten{us} me{n}dacio forma{m}. - 18 O qui p{er}petua. - 19 Q{uonia}m igit{ur} qui scit. - 20 Nunc omnes pariter. - 21 Assencior inq{ua}m cuncta. - 22 Quisq{ue} profunda. - 23 Tunc ego platoni inq{ua}m. - 24 Felix qui poterit. - -EXPLICIT LIBER T{ER}CIUS. - - -LIBER QUARTUS. - - 1 Hec cum philosophia. - 2 Sunt eteni{m} penne. - 3 Tunc ego pape inq{uam}. - 4 Quos uides sedere celsos. - 5 Uides ne igitur quanto. - 6 U[e]la naricij ducis. - 7 Tunc ego fateor inq{ua}m. - 8 Quid tantos iuuat. - 9 Huic ego uideo inq{ua}m. - 10 Si quis arcturi[C-3] sydera. - 11 Ita est inq{ua}m. - 12 Si uis celsi iura. - 13 Iam ne igit{ur} uides. - 14 Bella bis quinis. - -EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS. - - -INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS. - - 1 Dixerat orac{i}onis q{ue} cursu{m}. - 2 Rupis achemenie. - 3 Animaduerto inq{ua}m. - 4 Puro claru{m} lumine. - 5 Tamen ego en inq{ua}m. - 6 Que nam discors. - 7 Tamen illa uetus. - 8 Quonda{m} porticus attulit. - 9 Quod si i{n} corporib{us}. - 10 Qua{m} uarijs figuris. - 11 Quonia{m} igit{ur} uti paulo ante. - -EXPLICIT LIBER QUI{N}TUS {ET} ULTIMUS. - - [Footnote C-1: MS. hanc.] - - [Footnote C-2: MS. luper.] - - [Footnote C-3: MS. arituri.] - - - - - [[pg 4]] - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 3 _b_.]] - -*LIBER PRIMUS. - - -INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE. - -Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Boethius deplores his misfortunes in the following - pathetic elegy.] - - ++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of - sorouful matere. ¶ Þat whilom in florysching - studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses - of poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery 4 - v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ v{er}ray teers. - ¶ At þe leest no drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses. - þat þei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. þat is - to seyne when I was exiled. - - [Sidenote: ypalage antithesis] - - þei þat weren glorie of 8 - my youȝth whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now þe - sorouful werdes of me olde man. - - [Sidenote: Laments his immature old age.] - - for elde is comen vnwarly - vpon me hasted by þe harmes þat I haue. {and} - sorou haþ comau{n}ded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres 12 - hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and - þe slak[e] skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body. - - [Sidenote: Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.] - - þilk[e] - deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat - ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches often 16 - yclepid. - - [Linenotes: - 1 _of_--MS. of of. - 2 _florysching_--floryssynge - 3 _rendyng_--rendynge - 4 _be_--ben - 5 _wrecchednes_--wrecchednesse - _teers_--teeres - 6 _leest_--leeste - _myȝt[e] ouer-come_--myhte ouercomen - 8 _seyne when_--seyn whan - 9 _youȝth_--MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe - 10 _sorouful werdes_--sorful wierdes [i. fata] - 12 _sorou_--sorwe - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _be_--ben - 13 _hore_--hoore - _ben_--arn - _myne_--myn - 14 _slak[e]_--slake - _vpon_--of - _emty_--emptyd - _þilk[e]_--thilke - 15 _welful_--weleful - _comeþ not_--comth nat - 16 _.i. mirie_--omitted] - - ¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ cruel - to{ur}neþ awey fro wrecches {and} naieþ to closen wepyng - eyen. - - [Sidenote: When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius, - but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.] - - ¶ While fortune vnfeiþful fauored[e] me 20 - wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) þe sorouful houre þat - is to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. - ¶ But now for fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuable - chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf draweþ 24 - a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. - - [Sidenote: Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm - that hath thus fallen.] - - ¶ O ȝe my - frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful: [[pg 5]] - for he þat haþ fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree. - - [Linenotes: - 19 _tourneþ_--torneth - _naieþ_--nayteth - _wepyng_--wepynge - 20 _While_--Whil - _fauored[e]_--fauorede - 21 _lyȝte_--lyhte - _.s. temporels_--omitted - _sorouful houre_--sorwful howr{e} - 22 _seyne_--seyn - _had[de]_--hadde - _myne_--myn - 23 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _chaunged hir disceyuable_--chaungyd hyre deceyuable - 24 _vnpitouse lijf_--vnpietous lyf] - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.] - -HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS. - - [Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman, - and of great age.] - - ++IN þe mene while þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges 28 - wiþ my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wiþ - office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue þe heyȝt of my - heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt - hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer þe comune 32 - myȝt of men. wiþ a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiþ swiche vigoure - {and} strenkeþ þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al - were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. þat men ne - wolde not trowe i{n} no manere þat sche were of oure 36 - elde. - - [Sidenote: Her height could not be determined, for there were - times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.] - - þe stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for - su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} - lyche to þe comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it - semed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe heyȝte 40 - of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche - p{er}ced[e] þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyng - was i{n} ydel. - - [Sidenote: Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but - dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.] - - ¶ Hir cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delye - þredes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. þe wyche 44 - cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen hondes: as I - knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng - to me þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forleten - and dispised elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as 48 - it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages. - - [Sidenote: On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Π - and on the upper Θ.] - - ¶ In þe neþerest[e] - hem or bordure of þese cloþes me{n} redden [[pg 6]] - ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijf - actif. And abouen þ{a}t l{ett}re in þe heyȝest[e] bordure 52 - a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf contemplatif. - - [Linenotes: - 26 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede - _be_--ben - 27 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _not_--nat - _stedfast_--stidefast - 28 _In þe mene_--omitted - _recorded[e]_--recordede - 30 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh - _stondyng above_--MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouen - _heyȝt_--heyhte - _my_--myn - 31 _greet_--gret - 32 _brennyng_--brennynge - _clere seing_--cleer seynge - 33 _swiche_--swych - 34 _strenkeþ_--strengthe - _it----emptid_--it myhte nat ben emted - _Al_--alle - 36 _wolde----trowe_--wolden nat trowen - 37 _iugement_--Iuggement - 38 _sumtyme_--somtyme - _constreyned[e]_--constreynede - _schronk_--MS. schronke, C. shronk - 39 _lyche_--lyk - 40 _semed[e]_--semede - _touched[e]_--towchede - 41 _when_--whan - _hef_--MS. heued, C. hef - _heyer_--hyere - 42 _perced[e]_--percede - _syȝt_--syhte - _lokyng_--lookynge - 44 _crafte_--craft - 45 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen - _owen hondes_--owne handes - 46 _knew_--MS. knewe, C. knewh - _selfe declaryng_--self declarynge - _schewyng_--shewynge - 47 _derkenes_--dirknesse - _forleten_--forletyn - 48 _dispised_--despised - _had[de] duskid_--hadde dusked - _dirkid_--derked - 49 _by-smoked_--the smokede - _neþerest[e]_--nethereste - 50 _þese_--thise - 51 _swiche_--omitted - _gregkysche_--grekyssh{e} - _signifieþ_--syngnifieth - 52 _heyȝest[e]_--heyeste] - - [Headnote: - A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.] - - [Sidenote: Between the letters were steps like a ladder.] - - ¶ And by-twene þese two l{ett}res þere weren seien degrees - nobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wyche - degrees men myȝt[en] clymbe fro þe neþemast[e] l{ett}re 56 - to þe ouermast[e]. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy’s garments were tattered and torn, and - pieces had been carried violently off.] - - ¶ Naþeles hondes of su{m} men - hadde korue þ{a}t cloþe by vyolence {and} by strenkeþ. - ¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche - peces as he myȝte geet[e]. - - [Sidenote: In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a - sceptre.] - - ¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide 60 - woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde. {and} in hir lefte - honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þese - poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng - wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued 64 - and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only - increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 4.]] - - ¶ Who q{uo}d sche haþ - suffred ap{ro}chen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis - of siche a place þat *men clepen þe theatr{e}. - ¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiþ no 68 - remedies. but þei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wiþ - swete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornes - {and} prykkynges of talentȝ or affecciou{n}s wiche þat - ben no þing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen þe 72 - cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. - - [Sidenote: They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot - free it from its malady.] - - ¶ For þei - holden þe hertes of men i{n} usage. but þei ne delyuere - not folk fro maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawen - fro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any vnkonnyng - {and} vnp{ro}fitable [[pg 7]] - man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges 77 - þe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously. - - [Linenotes: - 54 _by-twene þese_--bytwixen thise - _þere_--ther - _seien_--seyn - 55 _nobly wrouȝt_--nobely ywroght - _wyche_--whiche - 56 _myȝt[en] clymbe_--myhten clymbyn - _neþemast[e]_--nethereste - 57 _ouermast[e]_--vppereste - _sum_--some - 58 _hadde korue_--hadden koruen - _cloþe_--cloth - _strenkeþ_--strengthe - 59 _born_--MS. borne, C. born - _away syche_--awey swiche - 60 _geet[e]_--geten - _forsaide_--forseide - 61 _ber_--MS. bere, C. bar - _bookes_--smale bookes - _honde_--hand - _lefte honde_--left hand - 62 _ber_--MS. bere, C. baar - _sauȝ þese_--say thise - 63 _bedde_--bed - _endytyng_--enditynge - 64 _ameued_--amoued - 65 _glowed[e]_--glowede - _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath - 66 _seek[e]_--sike - _þise_--the - _strumpetis_--strompetes - 67 _siche_--swich - _clepen_--clepyn - 68 _only ne_--nat oonly ne - _not his_--nat hise - _no_--none - 69 _wolde fede_--wolden feeden - _norysche hem_--noryssyn hym - 72 _ben_--ne ben - _frutefiyng_--fructefiynge - 73 _cornes plenteuouse_--corn plentyuos - 74 _þe_ and _ne_--both omitted - 75 _not_--nat - _if ȝe_--MS. if þe, C. yif ye - _hadde_--hadden - 76 _vnkonnyng_--vnkunnynge - 78 _peple_--poeple] - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not - seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in - Eleatic and Academic studies.] - - ¶ For-why in syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes - weren no þing endamaged. ¶ But ȝe wiþdrawen me 80 - þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles of - Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. - - [Sidenote: She bids the syrens begone.] - - ¶ But goþ now - raþer awey ȝe meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it - be at þe laste. {and} suffreþ þis man to be cured {and} 84 - heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful sciences. - - [Sidenote: Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.] - - ¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten - wroþely þe chere adou{n}ward to þe erþe {and} schewyng - by redenesse hir schame þei passeden sorowfuly þe 88 - þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged i{n} - teres was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe what - þat woman was of so i{m}perial auctorite. - - [Sidenote: Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august - dame.] - - ¶ I wex al - a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my syȝt adoune in to þe 92 - erþe. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don - afterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun - vpon þe vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.] - - {and} sche byholdyng - my chere þat was cast to þe erþe heuy {and} 96 - greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiþ þise wordes þ{a}t I - schal sey þe p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my þouȝt. - - [Linenotes: - 79 _syche_--swhiche - _myne_--myn - 80 _weren_--ne weeren - _ȝe_--ye - 81 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath - _ben_--be - _scoles_--schooles - 82 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth - 83 _wyche_--whiche þat - 85 _say_--seyn - _notful_--noteful - 86 _I-blamed_--Iblamyd - 87 _wroþely_--wrothly - _adounward_--downward - 88 _redenesse_--rednesse - _sorowfuly_--sorwfully - 89 _þreschefolde_--thresshfold - _syȝt_--syhte - 90 _derked_--dyrked - _myȝt[e]----knowe_--myhte nat knowen - 91 _wex_--wax - 92 _a-besid_--abaysshed - _caste_--cast - _adoune in to_--down to - 93 _don_--MS. done - 95 _vterrest[e] corner_--vttereste corner{e} - _bedde_--bed - 97 _compleinede_--compley[n]de - 98 _sey_--seyen] - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.] - -HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO. - - [Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Drowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper - clearness.] - - ++Allas how þe þouȝt of man dreint in ouer þrowyng - depnesse dulleþ {and} forletiþ hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. 100 - myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as - ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-oute{n} mesure. - þ{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiþ worldly wyndes. [[pg 8]] - - [Sidenote: Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the - motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of - storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden - causes of nature.] - - ¶ Þis - man þat su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} þe heuene was open 104 - {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche - paþes. {and} sauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne. {and} sauȝ - þe sterres of þe colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} - heuene vseþ wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. 108 - ¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al þis by - noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouer - þis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyng - wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien þe smoþe water of þe 112 - see. {and} what spirit turneþ þe stable heuene. {and} - whi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to falle - in þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lusty - houres of þe fyrste somer sesou{n} þat hiȝteþ {and} apparaileþ 116 - þe erþe wiþ rosene floures. ¶ And who - makeþ þat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle ȝeres fletiþ - wiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis ma{n} was wont to - telle þe dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid. 120 - - [Sidenote: But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to - the ground.] - - ¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of lyȝt of hys þouȝt. {and} - hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiþ heuy cheynes {and} bereþ his - chere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and is - constreyned to loke on foule erþe. 124 - - [Linenotes: - 101 _gone_--goon - 102 _bisines_--bysynesse - _outen_--owte - 103 _worldly_--wordely - 104 _sumtyme_--whilom - 105 _gone_--goon - 106 _paþes_--paathes - _sauȝ_--sawh - _lyȝtnesse_--lythnesse - _sunne_--sonne - _sauȝ_--MS. sue, C. sawgh - 107 _wyche_--which - 108 _risorses_--recourses - 111 _seche_--seken - _sounyng_--sownynge - 114 _ryseþ oute_--aryseth owt - _falle_--fallen - 115 _westren_--westrene - 116 _fyrste_--fyrst - 119 _eke_--ek - 120 _dyuerses_--diuerse - _yhid_--MS. yhidde - 121 _lieþ_--lith - _emptid_--emted - 123 _adoune_--adown - _greet[e] weyȝt_--grete weyhte - 124 _loke----foule_--looken on the fool] - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.] - -SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS. - - [Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: More need of medicine than of complaint.] - - ++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more þen of - compleynte. ¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng to - me warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen saide. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy addresses Boethius.] - - ¶ Art - not þou he q{uo}d sche þat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiþ my 128 - mylke {and} fostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascaped {and} - comen to corage of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þe - syche armures þat ȝif þou þi self ne haddest first caste [[pg 9]] - hem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in sykernesse 132 - þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not. - - [Sidenote: She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than - from stupidity.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 4 _b_.]] - - *Why art þou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. - It were me leuer þat it were for schame. but it semeþ - me þat astony{n}ge haþ opp{re}ssed þe. - - [Sidenote: She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of - a disordered mind.] - - ¶ And whan 136 - sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office of - tonge {and} al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon - my brest {and} seide. ¶ Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche. - ¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche þat is a comune 140 - sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a litel - forȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly reme{m}bren - hym self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowe{n} me or now. - - [Sidenote: To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his - eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and - dries up his tears.] - - {and} þat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. 144 - þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel þinges ¶ Þise - wordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garment - yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat were - ful of þe wawes of my wepynges. 148 - - [Linenotes: - 125, 126 _þen_--than - 127 _al_--alle - _saide_--seyde - 128 _sumtyme_--whilom - _I-norschid_--MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed - 129 _fostre[d]_--fostered - _my_--myne - 130 _Certys_--Certes - _ȝaf_, yaf - 131 _syche_--swiche - _ȝif_--yif - _caste_--C. cast - 132 _away_--awey - _schulden haue_--sholden han - 133 _not be_--nat ben - _Knowest þou_--knowestow - 134 _art þou_--artow - 136 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 138 _tonge_--tunge - _doumbe_--dowmb - _honde_--hand - 139 _Here_--her - 140 _litargie whiche_--litarge which - 141 _sekenes_--sykenesse - 141, 143 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 144 _done_--doon - _wil wipe_--wol wypen - 146 _garment_--garnement - 147 _dried[e]_--dryede - _were_--weeren - 148 _ful_--fulle] - - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.] - -TUNC ME DISCUSSA. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Her touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the - heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are - chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden - day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden - light.] - - ++Þus when þat nyȝt was discussed {and} chased awey. - derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre - aȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and ryȝt by ensample as - þe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is to 152 - sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swifte - wynde þat hyȝt chorus. {and} þat þe firmame{n}t stont - derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and þat þe sterres not - apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ sprad 156 - vpo{n} erþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt borias - sent out of þe kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þis [[pg 10]] - nyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it away {and} descouereþ þe - closed day. ¶ Þan schineþ pheb{us} yshaken wiþ 160 - sodeyne lyȝt {and} smyteþ wiþ hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g - eyen. - - [Linenotes: - 149 _when_--whan - 150 _myn_--myne - _repeyre_--repeyrede - 151 _aȝeyne_--omitted - _her firste_--hir fyrst - 152 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hid - _when_--whan - 153 _sey_--seyn - _when_--whan - 154 _hyȝt_--heyhte - _chorus_--MS. thorus - _stont_--MS. stonde, C. stant - 157 _þan_--thanne - _wynde_--wynd - _hyȝt_--hyhte - 158 _sent_--isent - 160 _þan_--thanne - 161 _sodeyne_--sodeyn] - - - [Headnote: - THE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.] - -HAUT[1] ALITER TRISTICIE. - - [Footnote 1: MS. hanc.] - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: The clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius - recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be - Philosophy.] - - ++Ryȝt so {and} none oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowe - dissolued {and} don awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} 164 - receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my fyciscien. - ¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my - lokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos - houses I hadde conuersed {and} haunted fro my ȝouþe. 168 - {and} I seide þus. - - [Sidenote: He addresses her.] - - ¶ O þou maistresse of alle uertues - descendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comen - in to þis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comen - for þ{o}u art mad coupable wiþ me of fals[e] blames. 172 - - [Sidenote: She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that - she is willing to share his misfortunes.] - - ¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake þe now. and - scholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe charge - þat þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis - it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten 176 - wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat is i{n}nocent. - - [Sidenote: She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new - thing.] - - ¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as þouȝ - þer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ For - trowest þou þat philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed 180 - i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] maneres. - - [Sidenote: For before the age of Plato she contended against - folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.] - - ¶ Haue I not - stryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore þe - age of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of foly {and} - eke þe same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates 184 - deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful deeþ in my presence. - - [Sidenote: Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans - and Stoics wanted to get a part.] - - ¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe h{er}itage is to seyne - þe doctrine of þe whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of [[pg 11]] - felicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people 188 - of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many oþer enforceden - hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part þat is - to seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to þe - defence of his oppiniou{n} þe wordes of socrates. 192 - - [Sidenote: Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her - robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got - possession of her.] - - ¶ Þei - as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} - debatyng þer aȝeins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloþes - þat I hadde woue{n} wiþ myn handes. {and} wiþ þe - cloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. þei 196 - wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ he{m} euery - dele. - - [Sidenote: Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.] - - In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as - myche as þer semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of - myne habit. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 5.]] - - þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens 200 - {and} stoyciens my *familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) - so{m}me þoruȝ þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] - multitude of hem. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had - laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.] - - ¶ Þis is to seyne for þei - semeden philosophres: þei weren p{ur}sued to þe deeþ 204 - and slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilynge - of anaxogore. ne þe empoysenyng of socrates. ne þe - to{ur}mentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] straungers. ¶ Ȝit - myȝtest þou haue knowe{n} þe senectiens {and} þe Canyos 208 - {and} þe sorancis of wyche folk þe renou{n} is neyþer ouer - oolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellys - ne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ but oonly for þei weren - enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke 212 - to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtest - not to wondre þouȝ þ{a}t I in þe bitter see of þis lijf be - fordryuen wiþ tempestes blowyng aboute. [[pg 12]] - - [Sidenote: It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked, - who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no - leader.] - - in þe whiche - te{m}peste þis is my most p{ur}pos þat is to seyn to displese 216 - to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al be - þe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned - wiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by - flityng errour folyly {and} lyȝtly. - - [Sidenote: If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires - within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless - baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.] - - ¶ And if þei somtyme 220 - maky{n}g an ost aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure - leder draweþ to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. - {and} þei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable - forto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker 224 - fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed - in syche a palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoying - folye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swiche - rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] þinges. 228 - - [Linenotes: - 163 _none oþer_--non oother - _sorowe_--sorwe - 165 _knowe_--knowen - 166 _myne_--myn - _festned[e]_--fastnede - 170 _fro_--from - 170, 171 _art þou_--artow - 172 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked - _fals[e]_--false - 174 _parte_--parten - 176 _nar[e]_--nere - _sittyng_--sittinge - 178 _þan_--thanne - 179 _þing_--thing - _q.d. non_--omitted - 180 _trowest þou_--trowestow - _alþerfirst_--alderfirst - 181 _wicked[e]_--wikkede - 182 _strife_--strif - 183 _aȝeins_--ayenis - _foolhardines_--foolhardinesse - _foly_--folie - 184 _eke_--ek - 185 _deserued[e]_--desseruede - 186 _wyche_--the which - _seyne_--seyn - 188 _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse - 189 _oþer_--oothre - 190 _go_--gon - _eueryche_--euerich - 191 _seyne_--seyn - _to_--omitted - _eueryche_--euerich - 194 _tornen_--_read_ coruen, C. koruen - 195 _wouen_--MS. wonne{n}, C. wouen - 196 _arased_--arraced - 197 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon - 198 _dele_--del - 199 _myche_--moche - _semed[e]_--semede - {and}--or - 200 _myne_--myn - _wenyng_--MS. wevyng, C. weninge - 202 _þoruȝ_--thorw - _wikked[e]_--wikkede - _vnkunnyng[e]_--vnkunnynge - 203 _seyne_--seyn þ{a}t - 204 _semeden_--semede - _pursued_--MS. pursuede, C. pursued - 205 _slayn_--MS. slayne, C. slayn - 207 [_weren_]--weeren - 208 _myȝtest þou haue_--myhtestow han - 209 _sorancis_--sorans - _wyche_--which - _is_--nis - 210 _oolde_--MS. colde, C. old - 211 _brouȝt[e]_--browhte - 212 _enfourmed_--MS. vnfourmed, C. enformyd - _my_--myne - _vnlyke_--vnlyk - 213 _wicked folk_--wikkede foolk{e} - _auȝtest_--owhtest - 214 _wondre_--wondren - _bitter_--bittre - 216 _displese_--displesen - 217 _wikked[e]_--wikkede - _schrews_--shrewes - 218 _oost_--glossed _acies_ in C. - _grete_--gret - 219, 222 _leder_--leder{e} - 220 _flityng_--fleetynge - _lyȝtly_--lythly - _if_--yif - 221 _aȝeynest_--ayenis - 222 _to----rycchesse_, to gydere hise rychesses - _toure_--towr - 224 _heyȝ_--heye - 225 _al_--alle - _ben_--omitted - _stored_--warnestored - 226 _syche_--swich - _þat_--omitted - 227 _scorne_--schorne - 228 _rauiners----þinges_--rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges] - - - [Headnote: - THE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.] - -QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who hath triumphed over fate, and remained - insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by - storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest - thunderbolts.] - - ++Who so it be þat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat - of lyuyng. þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e] - wierdes {and} lokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer fortune. he may - holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace 232 - of þe co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þe - botme. ne schal not moeue þat man. ne þe vnstable - mountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ oute þoruȝ - hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey 236 - of þonder lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures ne - schal not mouene þat man. - - [Sidenote: Fear not the tyrant’s rage.] - - ¶ Wherto þen wrecches - drede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wode {and} felownes wiþ-outen - ony strenkeþ. - - [Sidenote: He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the - tyrant.] - - ¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat. {and} 240 - so schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt. [[pg 13]] - - [Sidenote: He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges - his own fetters.] - - ¶ But who so þat quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þat - nis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man þat so doþ haþ cast - awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and} 244 - enlaceþ hym i{n} þe cheyne wiþ whiche he may be - drawen. - - [Linenotes: - 229 _clere_--cleer - 230 _lyuyng_--leuynge - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _vnderfote_--vndir-foot - _prowed[e]_--prowde - 231 _may----chiere_--may his cheere holde - 232 _manace_--manesses - 233 _þe_--þe see - 235 _hyȝt_--hihte - _veseuus_--MS. vesenus - _wircheþ_--writith - 236 _broken[e]_--brokene - _smokyng_--smokynge - 237 _smyte_--smyten - 238 _Wherto þen_--wharto thanne - 239 _felownes----ony_--felonos withowte any - 241 _schalt þou desarmen_--shaltow deseruien - 243 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth - _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath - _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast - 244 _schelde_--sheld - _remoeued fro_--remwed from - 245 _whiche_--the which - _be_--ben] - - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.] - -SENTIS NE INQUIT. - - [Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.] - - ++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt - in þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. 248 - Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þou - abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þi - wounde. - - [Sidenote: Boethius complains of Fortune’s unrelenting rage.] - - ¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my - corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} 252 - .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not - ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþ - woode aȝeynes me. - - [Sidenote: Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his - prison?] - - ¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe - face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). - - [Sidenote: His library, his habit, and his countenance are all - changed.] - - ¶ Is þis 256 - þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt - certeyne sege to þe i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou - desputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touching - diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan 260 - myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face or - [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.] - my chere swiche as now. - - ¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þe - secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my maners - {and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre 264 - of heuene. - - [Sidenote: Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?] - - [Interlinear: ironice] - ¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe - to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist - by þe mouþe of plato þis sentence. - - [Sidenote: Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are - most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who - study to be so.] - - þat is to - seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren 268 - blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom [[pg 14]] - gouerneden þilke þinges. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 5 _b_.]] - - or ellys yif it so by-felle þat - þe gouernours *of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes. - - [Linenotes: - 247 _Felest þou_--Felistow - _ouȝt_--awht - 248 _art þou_--artow - 249 _wepest þou_--wepistow - _spillest þou_--spillestow - 252 _answered[e]_--answerede - 255 _woode_--wood - 257 _wyche_--which - 258 _myne house þere_--myn hows ther - 259 _desputest of[te]_--desputedest ofte - 260 _þan_--thanne - 261 _it_ and _þan_--both omitted - 261, 262 _swiche_--swich - 262 _souȝt[e]_--sowhte - 263 _secretys_--secretȝ - _my_--MS. me, C. my - 264 _al_--alle - 265 _gerdoun_--gerdouns - 266 _enfourmedist_--conformedest - 267 _mouþe_--mowht - 268 _comunabletes_--comunalitees - 270 _by-felle_--byfille - 271 _in grete wisdomes_--to geten wysdom] - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.] - - [Sidenote: The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the - management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands - of unprincipled citizens.] - - ¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same 272 - plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken - {and} desire þe gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe - gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes of - felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge 276 - inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk. - - [Sidenote: Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice - (in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his - retirement.] - - ¶ And - þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng - to put[te] furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune - admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe 280 - among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t - put[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþ - me þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but - þe comune studie of al goodenes. - - [Sidenote: He sought to do good to all, but became involved in - discord with the wicked.] - - ¶ And þer-of comeþ 284 - it þat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse - discordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. - - [Sidenote: Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger - of the most powerful.] - - ¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþe - of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for 288 - saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of - Triguilla.] - - ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} - wiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat made - alwey assautes aȝeins þe p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble - folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out 292 - hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe - wronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully - p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended - by þe auctorite of me put aȝeins p{er}ils. - - [Sidenote: He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor - folk.] - - þat is to seine put 296 - myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þat - þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey [[pg 15]] - wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. - - [Linenotes: - 272 _eke_--ek - 275 _comune_--omitted - _y-left_--MS. ylefte, C. yleft - 276 _Citiȝenis_--citesenes - _brynge inne_--bryngen in - 278 _þerfore_--therfor - _þilk_--thilke - _desiryng_--desired - 279 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth - 280 _þo_--thilke - 282 _put[te]_--putte - 283 _brouȝt[e]_--ne browhte - 284 _þe_--omitted - _al goodenes_--alle goodnesse - _comeþ_--comth - 287, 288 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 289 _saluacioun_--sauacioun - 290 _þilk_--thilke - _hyȝt[e]_--hyhte - 290 _conigaste_--MS. coniugaste - 292 _ofte_--ofte ek - _ȝitte_--omitted - 294 _bygon[ne]_--bygunne - _done_--don - 295 _couered_--MS. couerede, C. couered - 296 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - _seine_--seyn - 297 _myne_--myn - 298 _vnpunysched_--vnpunyssed - 299 _myseses_--myseyses] - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.] - - [Sidenote: I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.] - - ¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe 300 - fortunes {and} þe rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces - ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune - tributis or cariages. - - [Sidenote: I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.] - - as sory was I as þei þat suffred[e] - þe harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of 304 - gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne - {and} comaundede þat no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne - til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere greuous pris. - ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it 308 - knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat - is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat were - establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n} - as who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue þe 312 - ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ - - [Sidenote: I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.] - - ¶ Whan it was in þe - soure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous - {and} inplitable coempciou{n} þat men seyn wel it schulde - greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe p{ro}uince of 316 - co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe pretorie - for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I - ouercom it so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne - took effect. - - [Sidenote: I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the - palace (_Palatini canes_).] - - ¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse 320 - of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is to - seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} - couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us} - of hem þat gapede{n}. - - [Sidenote: I defended Albinus against Cyprian.] - - ¶ And for as myche as þe peyne 324 - of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly - henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of - Rome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s [[pg 16]] - of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn 328 - þat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self. - - [Sidenote: For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at - Court.] - - but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat - for þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no - þing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers. 332 - by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þe - same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. - - [Linenotes: - 300 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. weth drowh - _ȝitte_--yit - _wrong_--wronge - 301 _rychesse_--richesses - _þe_ (2)--omitted - 302 _harmed eyþer_--harmyd or amenused owther - 303 _tributis_--tributȝ - _suffred[e]_--suffreden - 304 _harme_--harm - 305 _ȝere_--yer - _hys_--hise - 305, 306, 307 _corne_--corn - 306 _schold[e] bie_--sholde byen - 308 _But I withstod_--Boece withstood (MS. withstode) - _com_--MS. come, C. com - 311 _swiche_--swich - 312 _bouȝt[e]_--bowhte - _busshel_--bossel - _most[e] ȝeue_--moste yeue - 315 _inplitable_--vnplitable - _seyn_--sayen - 319 _ouercom_--MS. ouercome, C. ouer com - 320 _counseiller_--consoler - _rychesse_--rychesses - 321 _whyche_--which - 322 _wolde_--wolden - 323 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. drowh - 324 _myche_--moche - 326 _punischen_--punisse - 327 _putt[e]_--putte - 328 _yseyn_--MS. yseyne - 329 _greet[e]_--grete - 330 _aughte be_--owhte be the - _oþer_--oothre - 333 _by þe whiche_--by which - _þoruȝ þe_--thorw tho] - - [Headnote: - THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.] - - [Sidenote: Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius, - Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city - on account of their many crimes.] - - ¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme - was chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled 336 - i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine - moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused - me. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed - hem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes 340 - wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei wolde - not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy - houses. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 6.]] - - *þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} - whan þis was ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e] 344 - but þat þei voided[e] þe citee of Rauenne by certeyne - day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheued - wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. - ¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis 348 - cruelte. - - [Sidenote: But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they - accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.] - - For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyng - of my name by þilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What - may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng - deserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. 352 - made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}). - - [Sidenote: Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush - for the baseness of the accusers.] - - ¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde - nat fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused. - ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. 356 - - [Linenotes: - 335 _whiche_--the whiche - _one_--oon - _somtyme_--whilom - 339 _sumtyme_--whilon - 340 _go_--gon - _her_--hir - 341 _wiþ-outen_--withowte - _wolde not_--nolden nat - 342 _defended[e]_--defendedyn - _by_--by the - 343 _seyne_--seyn - _seyntuaries_--sentuarye - 344 _was_--omitted - _comaunded[e]_--comaundede - 345 _voided[e]_--voidede - _certeyne_--certeyn - 346 _men_--me - _merken_--marke - 347 _hoke of iren_--hoot yren - 348 _þe_--omitted - _myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben - 349 _þilk_--thilke - 350 _þilk[e]_--thilke - 351 _be_--ben - _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 354, 355 [_Certes----asshamyd_]--from C. - 356 _auȝt[e]_--owte - _haue had_--han had, MS. hadde] - - [[pg 17]] - [Headnote: - THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.] - - ¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of what gilt .I. - am accused. - - [Sidenote: Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the - Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.] - - men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie - of þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here - in what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed 360 - þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he - scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges - Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou of - þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to 364 - þe (q. d. no{n}). - - [Sidenote: It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has - and will have its best interests always at heart.] - - ¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is to - seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten - to wilne it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but - þe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese. 368 - ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat I - haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat. - and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ - her decretȝ {and} hire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne 372 - or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciou{n} of - he{m} (.s senat{us}). - - [Sidenote: (Folly cannot change the merit of things.] - - ¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hym - self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges. - - [Sidenote: According to Socrates’ judgment it is not lawful to - hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)] - - ¶ Ne .I. - trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful 376 - to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent[e] to lesynges. - ¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] it to gessen - or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of - whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche 380 - as folk þat ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} - knowen it. - - [Sidenote: Boethius determines to transmit an account of his - prosecution to posterity.] - - ¶ I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce. - for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by - whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of 384 - Rome. What app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of. - - [Sidenote: Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers - had he been allowed the use of their confessions.] - - Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if - I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at þe [[pg 18]] - co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in 388 - alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m} - may men hopen. - - [Sidenote: But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped - for.] - - Certys I wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom - myȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered by - þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was 392 - accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us}) - was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked - aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis Canius answered[e] - þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it. 396 - - [Linenotes: - 357 _axest þou_--axestow - 358 _seyne_--seyn - _sauen_--saue - 359 _desirest þou_--desires thow - _here_--hereen - 362 _maked_--MS. maken, C. makyd - 363 _demest þou_--demestow - 365 _wold_--MS. wolde, C. wold - 366 _seyne_--seyn - 367 _þat_--omitted - _am_--I am - 368 _be_--ben - 369 _it_--it thanne - _þan_--omitted - 371 _þilk_--thilke - 372 _her_--hir - _hire_--hir - _þouȝ_--thogh - 373 _or_--and - _seyne_--seyn - 374 _lieth_--MS. lieþe, C. lieth - 377 _assent[e]_--assente - 381 _schollen_--shellen - 382 {and}--{and} in - 385 _speken_--speke - 385-86 _of----lettres_--C. omits - 386 _if_--yif - 387 _had_--MS. hade, C. had - 388 _myn_--myne - 389 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath - _grete_--gret - _what_--omitted - 390 _some_--som - 391 _myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben - _þan haue_--thanne han - 392 _hyȝt[e]_--hyhte - 394 _maked_--ymaked - 395 _answered[e]_--answerede - 396 _had[de]_--hadde] - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.] - - [Sidenote: It is not strange that the wicked should conspire - against virtue.] - - In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte - þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat schrewed[e] folk apparailen - folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þat - þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto 400 - done. - - [Sidenote: The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human - nature.] - - For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ - p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to a - monstre {and} a meruaille. - - [Sidenote: It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the - eye of an Omniscient God.] - - ¶ How þat in þe p{re}se{n}t - syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche 404 - þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys - þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þi - familers not vnskilfully axed þus. - - [Sidenote: If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is - none, whence arises good?] - - ¶ Ȝif god is. whennes - comen wikked[e] þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes 408 - comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat - felonous folk þat now desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of - alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe senat han wilned to - gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey bataile{n} 412 - {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit - hadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of - þe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Boethius defends the integrity of his life.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 6 _b_.]] - - ¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde [[pg 19]] - don or *seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. 417 - - [Sidenote: He defended the Senate at Verona.] - - ¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe - kyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten - vpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real 420 - maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþ - how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al - þe senat. - - [Sidenote: He spake only the truth, and did not boast.] - - ¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I - auaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self. 424 - - [Sidenote: (Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving - conscience.)] - - ¶ For - alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse renou{n} in - auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe - secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel - seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. 428 - - [Linenotes: - 397 _whiche_--which - _sorwe_--sorw - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _witte_--wit - 398 _schrewed[e]_--shrewede - 399 _folies_--felonies - _vertues_--vertu - 400 _had[de]_--han - 401 _done_--don - _comeþ_--comth - 402 _lyke to a_--lyk a - 404 _syȝt_--syhte - 405 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 406 _innocent_--innocentȝ - _whiche_--which - 408 _wikked[e]_--wykkede - 410 _bloode_--blod - 411 _eke_--ek - 412 _gone_--gon {and} - _seyn_--seyen - 413 _eke_--ek - 414 _seyne_--seyn - 415 _scholde_--sholden - 416 _wele_--wel - 417 _don_--MS. done, C. doon - _seyn_--seyen - 418 _þe_ (1)--omitted - 419 _slauȝter_--slawhtre - 420 _transporten vpon_--transpor vp - 422 _grete_--gret - _defended[e]_--deffendede - 423 _seide soþe_--seye soth - 424 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede - 425 _when_--whan - _preciouse_--presious] - - [Headnote: - OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.] - - [Sidenote: But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer - the punishment due to the blackest crime.] - - I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray - vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie - had[de] euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to - seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of 432 - mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is vncerteyne - to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. þat is - to seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee - or compassiou{n}. 436 - - [Sidenote: Had he been accused of a design to burn temples, - massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his - accusers.] - - ¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused - þat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys - wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed deeþ - to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han - punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. - - [Sidenote: But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and - condemned to death.] - - ¶ But 440 - now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almost fyue-hundreþ - þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned - to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and} - bountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben 444 - þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuer - ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as [[pg 20]] - myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee. - - [Linenotes: - 429 _in_--for - 430 _vertue_--vertu - 431 _had[de]_--hadde - 432 _seyne_--seyn - _myne_--myn - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 433 _witte_--wit - _vncerteyne_--vncerteyn - 434 _al_--alle - _submytted[e]_--submittede - 435 _seyne_--seyn - _cheyned[e]_--enclinede - 436 _had[de]_--hadde - 438 _wicked_--wykkede - _had[de]_--hadde - 441 _almost_--almest - 442 _þousand_--MS. þousas - _wiþ outen_--withowte - 444 _done_--doon - 445 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 446 _ben_--be - _swiche_--swich - 447 _myn_ (_both_)--myne - _swiche_--whiche - _seyen_--sayen] - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.] - - [Sidenote: Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.] - - þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it 448 - wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on honde - {and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience - wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And - certys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute 452 - þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. ne - sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne - þine eyen. - - [Sidenote: He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim - of Pythagoras,-- ἕπου Θεῷ.] - - ¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn - eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. 456 - þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to - goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to - taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hast - ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest 460 - me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre - chaumbre of myn house. - - [Sidenote: His family and friends could clear him from all - suspicion of the crime of sorcery.] - - þat is to seye my wijf {and} þe - co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues - fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ 464 - hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche - blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen me - taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame. - - [Sidenote: Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his - enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.] - - ¶ For 467 - þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tementȝ - by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled - wiþ þi techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners. - ¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayle - me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed 472 - wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I - haue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme. - - [Linenotes: - 448 _wolde_--wolden - 449 _some_--som - _beren_--baren - _on honde_--an hand - 450 _polute_--polut - 451 _sacrelege_--C. _has_ sorcerie _as a gloss to_ sacrilege - 453 _al_--alle - 454 _had[de]_--hadde - _byforne_--byforn - 455 _drouppedest_--droppedest - _myn_--myne - 456 _þilk_--thilke - 457 _seyne_--seyn - _seruen_--serue - _god_--godde - 459 _helpe_--help - _spirites_--spirite - 460 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - _syche_--swiche - [_þou_]--thow - 461 _lyke_--lyk - 462 _house_--hows - _seye_--seyn - 463 _myn_--my - 465 _owen_--owne - _of al_--from alle - _syche_--swich - 467 _philosophie_--philosophre - _feiþe_--feyth - _grete_--gret - 468 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - 473 _myne_--myn - 474 _þere_--ther - _harme_--harm] - - [[pg 21]] - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.] - - þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement of myche folk ne loken no - þing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe aue{n}t{ur}e 476 - of fortune. - - [Sidenote: Most people imagine that that only should be judged to - be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with - success.] - - ¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben - p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse - co{m}mendiþ. _Glosa._ ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue - prosperite. he is a good man {and} worþi to haue þat 480 - p{ro}sperite. - - [Sidenote: The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.] - - and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked - man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to - haue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me - folke. - - [Sidenote: [* Text begins again.]] - - *{and} þer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of 484 - al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink[e] - ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of - me. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of - contrarious fortune is þis. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 7.]] - - *þat whan þat ony blame is 488 - laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þat - he suffreþ. - - [Sidenote: Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and - reputation.] - - ¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men - {and} despoiled from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name - by gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis. 492 - - [Sidenote: The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the - innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.] - - ¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of - wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And - I se þat euery lorel shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe - fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode 496 - men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and - euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed - {and} ben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ - ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence 500 - {and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere. - - [Linenotes: - 475 _myche_--moche - 476 _þe[de]sertys_--the desertȝ - 479 _Glosa_--glose - 480 _good_--MS. goode, C. good - _haue_--han - 481 _so_--omitted in C. - 481, 482 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 483 _haue_--han - 484 _Fyrste_--fyrst - 485 _al_--alle - _þink[e]_--thinke - 488 _ony_--any - 489 _laid_--MS. laide, C. leyd - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 490 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - 491 _from_--of - 494 _abounden_--habownden - _gladnes_--gladnesse - 495 _oute_--owt - 496 _accusen_--accuse - 497 _ben_--beth - 501 _manere_--wise] - - - [Headnote: - THE CRUEL CHANGES OF FORTUNE] - -O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS. - - [Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Author of the starry sky, Thou, seated on high, turnest - the spheres, and imposest laws upon the stars and planets.] - - ++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche - þat art fastned to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and} - turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng sweigh{e} - {and} {con}streinest [[pg 22]] - þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t þe 505 - mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng - wiþ alle þe bemes of þe sonne. - - [Sidenote: The sun obscures the lesser lights, and quenches even - the moon’s light.] - - ¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe - sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan þe mone 508 - pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith - hir lyȝtes. - - [Sidenote: Thou raisest Hesperus to usher in the shades of night, - and again causest him to be the harbinger of day, whence his name - Lucifer.] - - ¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche - þat in þe first[e] tyme of þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir - colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed cours. {and} 512 - is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is - þan cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter - dwellyng in þe tyme of colde wynter þat makeþ þe - leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte tides of þe 516 - nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen. - - [Sidenote: Thou controllest the changing seasons of the year.] - - ¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ] - þo variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat - ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde bringeþ aȝein in þe first[e] - somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat hyȝt[e] boreas 520 - haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste - eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us} - saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan þe sterre - sirius eschaufeþ hym. 524 - - [Sidenote: All nature is bound by thy eternal law.] - - ¶ Þere nis no þing vnbounde - from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat. - - [Linenotes: - 502 _whele_--whel - _whiche_--which - 503 _fastned_--yfastned - _chayere_--chayer - 504 _sweighe_--sweyh - _constreinest_, MS. contreuiest, C. constreynest - 506 _hir_--her{e} - 508 _lasse_--lesse - 510 _esperus whiche_--hesperus which - 511 _first[e]_--fyrste - _furþe_--forth - 512 _eft_--est - 514 _restreinest_--MS. restreniest - 516 _to_--omitted - 518 _attempre[þ] þo_--atempreth the - _sesons_--sesoun - _ȝere_--yer - 519 _wynde bringeþ_--wynd brengeth - 520 _wynde_--wynd - _hyȝt[e]_--hihte - 521 _reft_--MS. refte, C. reft - _seyne_--seyn - 522 _hyȝt_--hihte - _arcturus_--MS. aritur{us} - 523 _saw_--MS. saweþ, C. sawgh - _hey[e]_--hyye - 524 _hym_--hem - _þere_--ther - _þing_--thinge - 525 _from_--fram - _forleteþ hym of_--forleetheth þe werke of] - - [Headnote: - CONTRASTED WITH THE ORDER OF NATURE.] - - [Sidenote: Why, then, leavest thou man’s actions uncontrolled?] - - ¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne - ende. why refusest þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of - men by dewe manere. - - [Sidenote: Why should fickle fortune be allowed to work such - mighty changes in the world?] - - ¶ Whi suffrest þ{o}u þat slidyng 528 - fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges. - so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns - punissitȝ innocentȝ. - - [Sidenote: The wicked are prosperous, while the righteous are in - adversity.] - - ¶ And folk of wikked[e] - man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers. {and} anoienge folk 532 - treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy men. [[pg 23]] - ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in - dirke dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame - {and} þe peyne of þe felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne 536 - þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals colo{ur} ne - a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan - hem lyst to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to - putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne kynges. whiche þ{a}t 540 - poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden. - - [Sidenote: O thou that bindest the disagreeing elements, look upon - this wretched earth, and, as thou dost govern the spacious - heavens, so let the earth be firmly bound.] - - ¶ O þou what so - euer þou be þat knyttes[t] alle bondes of þinges loke - on þise wrecched[e] erþes. we men þat ben nat a - foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we 544 - ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou gouerno{ur} - wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne - {and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ - whiche þou gouernest þe heuene þat is so large. 548 - - [Linenotes: - 527 _refusest þou_--refowsestow - 529 _to----þinges_--so grete entrechaunginges of thynges - 531 _punissitȝ_--punysshe - _wikked[e]_--wykkede - 532 _heiȝe_--heer{e} - 533 _in_--oon - 534 {and}--omitted - 536 _Ne þe forsweryng_--Ne forswerynge - 537 _kembd_--MS. kembde, C. kembd - 541 _wiþ[outen]_--withhowtyn - 542 _knyttes[t]_--knyttest - 543 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede - 544 _a_ (2)--omitted - 545 _þe_--this - 546 _wiþdraw_--MS. wiþdrawe, C. withdrawh - _þe_--thei - 547 _forme_--ferme - [_bonde_]--from C. - _wiþ_--by] - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY CONSOLES BOETHIUS,] - -HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy consoles Boethius.] - - ++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or - broken out þise þinges sche wiþ hir chere peisible - {and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes seide þ{us}. - whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] 552 - on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I - wist[e] neuer how fer þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne - hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be þou fer fro þi - contre. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 7 _b_.]] - - þou nart *nat put out of it. but þou hast 556 - fayled of þi weye {and} gon amys. - - [Sidenote: She speaks to him of his country.] - - ¶ and yif þou hast - leuer forto wene þan þou be put out of þi contre. þan - hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony oþer wyȝt haþ. - - [Linenotes: - 550 _broken_--borken - 552 _wist[e]_--wyste - 553 _on-one_--anon - 554 _wist[e]_--wyste - _fer_--ferr{e} - 555 _ne hadde_--nadde - 557 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon - 558 _leuer_--leuer{e} - 558, 559 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - 559 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - [Headnote: - AND PROPOSES TO ADMINISTER REMEDIES.] - - ¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt[e] neuer haue don 560 - þat to þe. [[pg 24]] - - [Sidenote: She reminds him that he is a citizen of a country not - governed by a giddy multitude, but εἷς κοίρανός ἐστιν, εἷς - βασιλεύς.] - - ¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou - art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by - gouernement of multitude. as weren þe contres of hem - of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god 564 - þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of - þe dwellyng of hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem - in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom - to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to his 568 - iustice. - - [Sidenote: The Commonwealth of Boethius.] - - ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi - Citee. in þe whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed - þat what wyȝt þat haþ leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete - or hys house. þen ellys where: he may not be exiled 572 - by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened - in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis - no drede þat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But - who þat letteþ þe wille forto enhabit[e] þere. he forleteþ 576 - also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke Citee. - - [Sidenote: Philosophy says she is moved more by the looks of - Boethius than by his gloomy prison.] - - ¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me - nat so myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not - raþer þe walles of þi librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt 580 - wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe sete of þi þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: Books are to be valued on account of the _thoughts_ - they contain.] - - In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte - þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is - to sein þe sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of 584 - þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. þou hast seid - soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode dedys. þou hast - seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges - þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges 588 - þat be{n} knowe to alle folk. - - [Sidenote: Boethius has rightfully and briefly recounted the - frauds of his accusers.] - - and of þe felonies {and} - fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it semeþ þe haue I-touched - it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten þo - same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth [[pg 25]] - in þe mouþe of þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou 593 - hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of þe wrongful - dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my - blame. - - [Sidenote: Thou hast, said Philosophy, bewailed the loss of thy - good name, thou hast complained against Fortune, and against the - unequal distribution of rewards and punishments.] - - {and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune 596 - þat is appaired. {and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed - aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat gerdou{n}s ne ben not - euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in þe l{att}re - ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat 600 - gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But - for þat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed - þe. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee - dyuersely - - [Sidenote: Strong medicines are not proper for thee now, - distracted by grief, anger, and sadness.] - - ¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt. myȝtyer 604 - remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche - we wil[e] vsen somedel lyȝter medicines. - - [Sidenote: Light medicines must prepare thee for sharper - remedies.] - - So þat þilk[e] - passiou{n}s þat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} - folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen woxe esy 608 - {and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and} - more egre medicine by an esier touchyng. - - [Linenotes: - 560 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _haue_--han - _don_--MS. done, C. don - 562 _born_--MS. borne, C. born - 566 _hys_--hise - _putte_--put - 568 _be_--ben - 571 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 572 _house_--hows - 574 [_and----clos_]--from C. - 576 _wille_--wyl - _enhabit[e]_--enhabyte - 578 _seye_--sey - _amoeueþ_--moueth - 579 _myche_--mochel - _owen_--owne - _ne_ (2)--omitted - 582 _putte_ (_both_)--put - _somtyme_--whilom - 585 _decertes_--desertes - _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyde - 586 _soþe_--soth - 587 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 588 _opposed_--aposyd - 599 _knowe_--knowyn - 592 _be couth_--MS. be couth{e}, C. ben cowth - 596 _wepen_--wopen - 597 _laste_--last - _eschaufed_--eschaufede - 598 _not_--omitted - 599 _ȝolde_--yolden - 602 _many_--manye - 604 _myȝtyer_--myhtyer{e} - 605 _whiche_--which - 606 _wil[e]_--wol - _lyȝter_--lyhter{e} - _þilk[e]_--thilke - 607 _harde_--hard - 608 _folowyng_--Flowyng - _woxe_--wexen - 610 _esier_--esyer{e}] - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY QUESTIONS BOETHIUS.] - -CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who sows his seed when the sun is in the Sign of - Cancer, must look for no produce.] - - ++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by - þe beme of pheb{us}. þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} 612 - þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre. Who so ȝeueþ - þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen - hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he - hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes. - - [Sidenote: Think not to ingather violets in the wintry and stormy - season.] - - yif þou wilt 616 - gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode whan - þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of - þe wynde þat hyȝt aquilon - - [Sidenote: If you wish for wine in autumn let the tendrils of the - vine be free in the spring.] - - Yif þou desirest or - ¶ wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ a gloto{n}us hande [[pg 26]] - to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe first 621 - somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer - ȝeuen his ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer. - - [Sidenote: To every work God assigns a proper time, nor suffers - anything to pass its bounds.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 8.]] - - ¶ God tokeniþ {and} assigneþ *þe tymes. ablyng hem 624 - to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffreþ not stoundes - whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined to - be medeled to gidre - - [Sidenote: Success does not await him who departs from the - appointed order of things.] - - ¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ - certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. 628 - he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys werkes. - - [Linenotes: - 612 _beme_--beemes - _seyne_--seyn - 614 _hys_--hise - _refuse_--refusen - 615 after _hem_ C. adds [s. corn] - _lete hym gon_ (MS. _gone_)--lat hym gon - 616 _or_--of - _wilt gadre_--wolt gadery - 618 _felde_--feeld - _felnesse_--felnesses - 619 _hyȝt_--hyhte - 620 _hande_--hond - 622 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 625 _her propre_--heer{e} propres - _not_--nat the - 626 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 627 _be medeled_--ben I-medled - 628 _certeyne_--certeyn - 629 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - - [Headnote: - DISCOVERS THE CAUSE OF HIS DISTEMPER.] - -PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy proposes to question Boethius.] - - ++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat - of þi þouȝt by a fewe demaundes. so þat I may - vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe 632 - me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I schal - answer{e}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is the world governed by Chance?] - - ¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d - sche þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes - {and} fortunes. or elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any 636 - gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: _B._ By no means. The Creator presides over his own - works.] - - Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not - in no manere þat so certeyne þinges scholde be moeued - by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker - {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk. - - [Sidenote: I shall never swerve from this opinion.] - - Ne neuer nas 640 - ȝit day þat myȝt[e] putte me oute of þe soþenesse of - þat sentence. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Yes! Thou didst say as much when thou didst - declare man alone to be destitute of divine care.] - - ¶ So is it q{uod} sche. for þe same þing - songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and} - byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of 644 - god. ¶ For of alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat - þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}. - - [Sidenote: Still thou seemest to labour under some defect even in - this conviction.] - - but how (.i. pape.). - I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen þou - art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken 648 - depper. I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. [[pg 27]] - - [Sidenote: Tell me how the world is governed.] - - but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde - be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche gouernailes takest - þou hede þat it is gouerned. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I do not thoroughly comprehend your question.] - - ¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe 652 - .I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat - ȝit answeren to þi demaundes. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I was not deceived, then, when I said there was - some defect in thy sentiment.] - - ¶ I nas nat deceiued - q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ su{m}what. by whiche þe - maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi þouȝt. so 656 - as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open. - - [Sidenote: Tell me what is the chief end of all things; and - whither all things tend.] - - ¶ But - seye me þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of - þi þinges. whider þat þe entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ. - ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse 660 - haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche - þou wost wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and} - p{ro}ceded. - - [Sidenote: _B._ God is the beginning of all things.] - - I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] þat - god is þe bygynnyng of al. - - [Sidenote: _P._ How, then, art thou ignorant of their end?] - - ¶ And how may þis be 664 - q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of - þinges. þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of - þinges. - - [Sidenote: But it is the nature of these perturbations (which thou - endurest) to unsettle men’s minds.] - - but swiche ben þe customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. - {and} þis power þei han. þat þei may moeue a ma{n} fro 668 - hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} - of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al - arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat - þou woldest answere to þis. - - [Sidenote: Dost thou remember that thou art a man?] - - ¶ Remembrest þou þat 672 - þou art a man - - [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly I do.] - - ¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre - þat q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ What is man?] - - _Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste þou not telle - me þan q{uod} sche what þing is a man. - - [Sidenote: _B._ If you ask me whether I am a rational and mortal - creature, I know and confess I am.] - - ¶ Axest not - me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a resonable best mortel. I 676 - wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But dost thou not know that thou art more than - this?] - - ¶ Wistest - þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she. - - [Linenotes: - 630 _wolt þou_--woltow - _stat_--estat - 633 _atte_--at - _wilt_--wolt - 635 _worlde_--world - _foolisshe_--foolyssh - 636 _fortunes_--fortunows - 638 _scholde_--sholden - 639 _wot_--MS. wote, C. woot - 641 _myȝt[e] putte_--myhte put - 644 _put_--MS. putte - 645 _doutest_--dowtedest - 646 _how_--owh - 647 _seek siþen_--syk{e} syn - 648 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - 649 _depper_--depper{e} - _not what_--not ner{e} what - 650 _siþen_--syn - _worlde_--world - 651 _takest þou_--takestow - 658 _seye_--sey - _remembrest þou_--remenbres thow - _ouȝt_--omitted - 659 _al_--alle - 660 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde - _herd told it_--herd yt toold - 661 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 663 _proceded_--procedeth - _ansewered[e]_--answerede - 664 _þe_--omitted - _al_--alle - 665 _siþen_--syn - 668 _fro_--owt of - 669 _seyne from_--seyn fro - 672 _Remembrest þou_--Remenbresthow - 674 _Maiste þou_--Maysthow - 675 _þan_--þanne - _þing_--thinge - _Axest_--Axestow - 677 _Wistest þou_--wystesthow - 678 _þing_--thinge] - - [[pg 28]] - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS NEEDS LIGHT REMEDIES.] - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - No q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Now I know the principal cause of thy distemper.] - - now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi - maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete ¶ Þou hast left forto 680 - knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue pleynelyche - knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe - entre of recoueryng of þin hele. - - [Sidenote: Thou hast lost the knowledge of thyself, thou knowest - not the end of things, and hast forgotten how the world is - governed.] - - ¶ Forwhy for þou - art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng of þi self. forþi sorwest 684 - þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And - for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest - [þou] þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful - for þou hast forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde 688 - is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s - of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}. - - [Sidenote: These are not only great occasions of disease, but also - causes of death itself.] - - þise ben grete - causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to - deeþ - - [Sidenote: I thank God that Reason hath not wholly deserted thee.] - - ¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of 692 - heele þat nat{ur}e haþ not al forleten þe. - - [Sidenote: I have some hope of thy recovery since thou believest - that the world is under Divine Providence, for this small spark - shall produce vital heat.] - - {and} I haue - g[r]ete norissinges of þi hele. {and} þat is þe soþe sentence - of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 8 _b_.]] - - þat þou byleuest - þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput 696 - to þe folie *of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe - resou{n} of god ¶ And þer fore doute þe noþing. - For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal shine. - - [Sidenote: But as this is not the time for stronger remedies, and - because it is natural to embrace false opinions so soon as we have - laid aside the true, from whence arises a mist that darkens the - understanding, I shall endeavour therefore to dissipate these - vapours so that you may perceive the true light.] - - ¶ But - for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies 700 - ¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte - as þei casten aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in - fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse - of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray 704 - insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to - maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies. - so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge - desyrynges is don awey. þou mow[e] knowe þe schynyng 708 - of verray lyȝt. - - [Linenotes: - 680 _hast left_--MS. haste lefte, C. hast left - 681 _knowe_--knowen - _pleynelyche knowen_--pleynly fwonde [= founde] - 684 _sorwest þou_--sorwistow - 686 _for[þi] demest [þou]_--For thy demesthow - 687 _wikked_--MS. wilked, C. wykkyd - 688 _worlde_--world - 689 _wenest þou_--wenestow - 690 _outen_--owte - 693 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _al_--alle - 694 _þi_--thin - 696 _vnderput_--vndyrputte - 697 _to_ (2)--omitted - 698 _fore_--for - _noþing_--nothinge - 699 _spark þine heet_--sparke thin hete - 700 _muche_--meche - 702 _aweye_--away - 703 [_of----opyniouns_]--from C. - 705 _insyȝt_--insyhte - _say_--assaye - 706 _lyȝt_--lyhte - 708 _don_--MS. don{e} - _mow[e]_--mowe] - - [[pg 29]] - [Headnote: - HE IS NOT TO TAKE HIS LOSSES TO HEART.] - -NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]] - - [Sidenote: Black clouds obscure the light of the stars.] - - ++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak[e] cloudes ne mowen - geten a dou{n} no lyȝt. - - [Sidenote: If the south wind renders the sea tempestuous, the - waves, fouled with mud, will lose their glassy clearness.] - - Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat - hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g þe see medleþ þe 712 - heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme - ¶ Þe wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} - lyke to þe fair[e] bryȝt[e] dayes wiþstant anon þe - syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure þat is resolued. 716 - {and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro - heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme - by þe encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} - fallen from some roche. 720 - - [Sidenote: If thou wouldst see truth by the clearest light, pursue - the path of right.] - - ¶ And forþi yif þou wilt - loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt. {and} holde þe - weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe. - - [Sidenote: Away with joy, fear, hope, and sorrow.] - - ¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe - drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. - - [Sidenote: Let none of these passions cloud thy mind.] - - þat is - to sein lat noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. 724 - or blynde þe. - - [Sidenote: Where these things control, the soul is bound by strong - fetters.] - - for cloudy {and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and} - bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise þinges regnen. - - EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS. - - [Linenotes: - 710 _blak[e]_--blake - 712 _stormynge_--turnyng - 713 _from_--fro - 714 _somtyme_--whilom - 715 _lyke_--lyk - _fair[e]----wiþstant_ (MS. wiþstante)--fayr{e} cleer{e} dayes - {and} brihte withstand - 716 _syȝtes_--syhtes - 717 _streme_--strem - 718 _heyȝe_--hy - 720 _from some_--fram som - _wilt_--wolt - 721 _soþe_--soth - _clere_--cleer - _holde_--holden - 722 _weye_--wey - _paþe_--paath - 724 _come_--comen - 725 _blynde_--blende - _þilk_--thilke] - - - - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY EXHIBITS TO BOETHIUS THE WILES OF FORTUNE.] - -INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS. - - -POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy exhorts Boethius not to torment himself on - account of his losses.] - - ++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde - gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she 728 - seide þus. - - [Sidenote: Thou art, she says, affected by the loss of thy former - fortune.] - - ¶ As who so myȝt[e] seye þus. After þise - þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e] - by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to - herkene hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif 732 - I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe [[pg 30]] - causes {and} þe habit of þi maladie. þou languissed {and} - art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi raþer fortune. - - [Sidenote: It hath perverted thy faculties.] - - ¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou 736 - feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe - astat of þi corage. - - [Sidenote: I am well acquainted with all the wiles of that Prodigy - (_i. e._ Fortune).] - - ¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde - colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune. - and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem 740 - þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde - wiþ vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left - in despeir vnpurueyed. - - [Sidenote: Though she has left thee, thou hast not lost anything - of beauty or of worth.] - - ¶ and if þou remembrest wel - þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune. þow 744 - shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne - hast ylost any fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not - gretly trauaile to don þe remembren of þise þinges. - - [Sidenote: Thou wert once proof against her allurements.] - - ¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir 748 - wiþ manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} - presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were - drawe{n} oute of myne entre. þat is to seyne out of - myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} - - [Sidenote: But sudden change works a great alteration in the minds - of men, hence it is that thou art departed from thy usual peace of - mind.] - - ¶ But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne 752 - bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. - and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro - þe pees of þi þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: But with some gentle emollients I shall prepare thee - for stronger medicines.] - - but now is tyme þat þou drynke - {and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable þinges. so þat whan 756 - þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make weye to - strenger drynkes of medycynes. - - [Sidenote: Approach then, Rhetoric, with thy persuasive charms, - and therewith let Music also draw near.] - - ¶ Com nowe furþe - þerfore þe suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche - þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil she forsakeþ not myne 760 - estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a - damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes - or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. [[pg 31]] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 9.]] - - *what ayleþ þe man. what - is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. 764 - I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and} uncouþe. - - [Sidenote: Thou thinkest that Fortune is changed towards thee.] - - ¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe - - [Sidenote: But thou art deceived.] - - ¶ But þou wenest wrong. yif þou [þat] wene. - - [Sidenote: In this misadventure of thine she hath preserved her - constancy in changing.] - - Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer [kept] as to 768 - þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre - self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e] - þe. {and} desseiued[e] þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of - false welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: You have seen the double face of this blind divinity.] - - þou hast now knowen {and} ataynt 772 - þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse - fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir - to oþer folk. haþ shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif - þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat she is good. vse 776 - hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat. - - [Sidenote: If thou dost abhor her perfidy cast her off, for her - sports are dangerous.] - - ¶ And if þou agrisest - hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat - pleyeþ so harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so - myche sorwe to þe. sholde be to þe cause of pees {and} 780 - [of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe whiche - þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake - hym. _Glose._ ¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text - þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe ne þer nis no man 784 - syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken. - - [Sidenote: Is that happiness which is so transient?] - - ¶ Holdest þou - þan þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen. - - [Sidenote: Is the attendance of Fortune so dear to thee, whose - stay is so uncertain, and whose removal causes such grief?] - - {and} is p{re}sent fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis - not feiþful forto dwelle. {and} whan she goþ aweye þat 788 - she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat - be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche - whe{n} she dep{ar}teþ fro hym. - - [Sidenote: What is she (Fortune) but the presage of future - calamity?] - - ¶ What oþer þing is - flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse [[pg 32]] - þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken 793 - of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but - wisdom lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges. - - [Sidenote: Her mutability should make men neither fear her threats - nor desire her favours.] - - {and} þe - same chau{n}gyng from one to an oþer. þat is to seyne 796 - fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat þe manaces of - fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of - hir to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe - to suffren wiþ euene wille in pacience al þat is don 800 - inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to seyne in þis worlde. - - [Linenotes: - 727 _she_ (2)--I - 729 _myȝt[e] seye_--myht{e} seyn - 730 _stynt[e]_--stynte - 732 _hire_--here - 733 _knowe vtterly_--knowen owtrely - 734 _languissed_--languyssest - 737 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 738 _astat_--estat - _felefolde_--feelefold - 739 _colour_--colours - _deceites_ (MS. decrites)--deceytes - _merueillous_--meruayles - 742 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 743 _if_--yif - 746 _any_ (MS. my)--any - _þing_--thinge - 747 _trauaile_--travaylen - _don_--do - _remembren of_--remenbre on - 748 [_and despysen_]--from C. - 749 _was_--omitted - 750 _were_--weren - 751 _myne_--myn - _seyne_--sayn - 752 _sudeyne_--sodeyn - 753 _outen_--owte - 757 _inne_--in - _mow----weye_--mowe maken way - 758 _strenger_--strengere - _Com nowe furþe_--MS. Come; C. Com now forth - 760 _goþ_--MS. goþe - 761 _com_--MS. come, C. com - 762 _house_--hows - _lyȝter_--lyhter{e} - 763 _prolaciouns_--p{ro}basyons - _heuyer_--heuyer{e} - _ayleþ_--eyleth - 765 _trow[e]_--trowe - _sen_--MS. sene, C. seyn - _some_--som - _þing_--thinge - _uncouþe_--vnkowth - 766 _aȝeins_--ayein - 767 _wenest_--weenes - [_þat_]--C. that - 768 _haþ_--MS. haþe - [_kept_]--from C. - 769 _stablenes in þe_--stabylnesse standeth in the - 770 _swyche_--swich - 771 _vnleueful_--vnlefful - 775 _haþ_--MS. had, C. hat - 776 _good_--MS. goode, C. god - 777 _agrisest_--MS. agrised, C. agrysyst - 778 _fals[e]_--false - 780 _myche_--mochel - 781 [_of_]--from C. - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 783 _text_--texte - 784 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 785 _forsaken_--forsake - _Holdest þou_--holdestow - 786 _þan_--thanne - _preciouse_--p{re}syes - 787 _derworþi_--dereworthe - _whiche_--which - 788 _feiþful_--feythfulle - _goþ_--MS. goþe - _aweye_--awey - 790 _mans_--mannys - 791 _when_--wan - _þing_--thinge - 793 _suffriþ_--suffiseth - 794 _of þing_--on thynge - _byforne_--MS. byforne byforne - _man_--a man - 795 _mesureþ_--amesureth - 796 _from one_--fram oon - _seyne_--seyn - 797 _fro_--from - _to_--into - 799 _atte þe last_--at the laste] - - [Headnote: - PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.] - - [Sidenote: If you submit to her yoke you must patiently endure her - inflictions.] - - ¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke - of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of - dwellyng to fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely 804 - to be þi lady - - [Sidenote: Impatience will only embitter your loss.] - - ¶ Art þou nat wrongful in þat {and} - makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin inpacience. - {and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir. - - [Sidenote: You cannot choose your port if you leave your vessel to - the mercy of the winds.] - - ¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest - [{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt 808 - be shouen not þider þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat - þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest þi seedes in þe - feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben - oþer while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne. - - [Sidenote: You have given yourself up to Fortune; it becomes you - therefore to obey her commands.] - - ¶ Þou 812 - hast bytaken þiself to þe gouernaunce of fortune. - {and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt to þe manere - of þi lady. - - [Sidenote: Would you stop the rolling of her wheel?] - - and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden - þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng 816 - whele. - - [Sidenote: Fool! if Fortune once became stable she would cease to - exist.] - - ¶ O þou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune - bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune. - - [Linenotes: - 801 _seyne_--seyn - _worlde_--world - 802 _Syþen_--Syn - _ȝokke_--yok{e} - 803 _if_--yif - _write_--wryten - 804 _whiche_--which - 805 _lady_--ladye - _Art þou_--Artow - 806 _wroþe_--wroth - _þin_--thine - 807 _chaungen_--chaunge - 808 [_and_]--from C. - 809 _þider_--thedyr - _whider_--whedyr - 811 _haue_--han - 814 _manere_--maneres - 815 {and}--omitted - _wiþstonden_--withholden - 816 _sweyes_--sweyȝ - 818 _cesed[e]_--cesede] - - - [[pg 33]] - [Headnote: - THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.] - -HEC CUM SUPERBA. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.] - - [Sidenote: Fortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of - Euripus.] - - ++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid - hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners 820 - of þe boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of - þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe streme - is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. _Texte_ - - [Sidenote: She hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the - captive.] - - ¶ She - cruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren 824 - ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble - chere of hym þat is discomfited. - - [Sidenote: She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the - wretched.] - - {and} she neyþer hereþ - ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde - þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche 828 - she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille. - - [Sidenote: Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a - marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is - hurled from happiness into adversity.] - - ¶ Þus she - pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a - grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝt - is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre. 832 - - [Linenotes: - 819 _proude_--prowd - _hande_--hand - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 820 _lyke_--lik - 821 _arme_--arm - 822 _streme_--strem - 823 _one_--o - 821 _adoune_--adown - _somtyme_--whilom - 825 _ydred_ (MS. _ydredde_)--ydrad - _humble_--vmble - 827 _reccheþ_--rekkeþ - _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede - _harde_--hard - 828 _lauȝeþ_--lyssheth - _wepyng_--wepynges - 830 _strengþe_--strengthes] - - - [Headnote: - PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.] - -VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA. - - [Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of - Fortune.] - - ++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge - þe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t - she axeþ ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 9 _b_.]] - - *¶ O þou man wher fore makest þou - me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges 836 - haue I don þe. - - [Sidenote: What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?] - - what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren - þine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þou - wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites - - [Sidenote: Can you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in - his riches?] - - ¶ And - yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ 840 - receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan - wol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges were{n} þine - whiche þat þou axest. - - [Sidenote: You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and - encompassed you with affluence.] - - ¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þe - forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked 844 - {and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my [[pg 34]] - rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to - sustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins - me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunce {and} 848 - shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be - thankful and complain not.] - - ¶ Now it - lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace - as he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to - pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi 852 - þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong. - - [Sidenote: Riches and honours are subject to me.] - - Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my - ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: They are my servants, and come and go with me.] - - ¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei - comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel 856 - affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þou - pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne - haddest not lorn he{m}. - - [Sidenote: Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?] - - ¶ shal I þan only be defended - to vse my ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same - with dark nights?] - - ¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to 860 - make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe same dayes - wiþ derke nyȝtes. - - [Sidenote: Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with - flowers?] - - ¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile - þe visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ - fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} 864 - wiþ coldes. - - [Sidenote: The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times - terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.] - - ¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtyme - calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and} - somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes. - - [Sidenote: Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of - men?] - - ¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched 868 - shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesse - is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe. - - [Sidenote: I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting - what was low, and bringing down what was high.] - - {and} þis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g - whele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge 872 - þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and} þe heyest to þe loweste. - - [Linenotes: - 833 _plete_--pleten - 834 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak - 835 _makest þou_--makes thow - 836 _wronges_--wro{n}ge - 837 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _byreft_--MS. byrefte, C. byreft - 838 _stryf_--MS. stryue, C. stryf - _plete_--pleten - _by fore_--by forn - 839 _wilt_--wolt - _rycchesse_--rychesses - 840 _shewe_--shewyn - _euer_--eu{er}e - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 841 _þese_--tho - _his_--hise - 842 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te - [_alle_]--from C. - 845 _al þing_--alle thinges - _norysshed[e]_--noryssede - 846 _rychesse_--rychesses - 848, 849 _al_--alle - 848 _habundaunce_--abou{n}dau{n}ce - 850 _wiþ----hande_--withdrawen myn hand - _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - 851 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 852 _vtterly_--outrely - _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn. - 853 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 854 _Ricches_--Rychesses - 858 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn - 859 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn - 860 _vse_--vsen - 861 _keuere þe_--coeu{er}yn tho - 862 _derke_--dirk - _erþe_--yer - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 864 _confounde_--co{n}fownden - 865 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 866 _calme_--kalm - 867 (2nd) _wiþ_--omitted - 869 _stedfast_--stidefast - _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse - 870 _vnkouþ_--MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowth - _Swyche_--Swych - 871 _pley[e]_--pleye - 872 _whele_--wheel - _glade_--glad - _chaunge_--chaungy{n}] - - [[pg 35]] - [Headnote: - BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.] - - [Sidenote: Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport - requires it.] - - worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þou - ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende - dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it. - - [Sidenote: Know you not the history of Crœsus and of Paulus - Æmilius?] - - Wost þou 876 - not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} - was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche - Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be - brent. but þat a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene 880 - þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde how - þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe - kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe - self[e] kyng. - - [Sidenote: What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but - the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of - Fortune?] - - What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of 884 - Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ an - vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley - ¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for - a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse. - - [Sidenote: Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of - Jove’s palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other - of woes?] - - Lernedest nat þou 888 - in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þe - seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat on - is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme. - - [Sidenote: What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?] - - ¶ What ryȝt - hast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously 892 - of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and} - p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe. - - [Sidenote: My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.] - - What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause of - hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges. - - [Sidenote: Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of - humanity.] - - ¶ Naþeles desmaie þe 896 - nat in þi þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme - of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt. - - [Linenotes: - 874 _worþe_--worth - _wilt_--wolt - 876 _doun_--adou{n} - _whanne_--wan - _pleye_--pley - _Wost þou_--wistesthow - 877 _kyng_ (1)--the kyng - _lyndens_--lydyens - 878 _byforne_--byforn - 880 _reyne descended[e]_--rayn dessendede - _from_--fro - 881 _rescowed[e]_--rescowede - 882 _take_--takyn - 885 _an_--a - 886 _þe_--omitted - 887 _seyne_--seyn - 890 _tunnes_--tonnes - 891 _harme_--harm - 892 _hast þou_--hasthow - 893 _seyne_--seyn - _rycchesse_--rychesses - 894 _I be nat_--I ne be nat al - 896 _better_--beter{e} - 898 _lyue_--lyuen - _þine_--thin] - - - [Headnote: - THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.] - -SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS. - - [Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Though Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as - many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or - stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.] - - ++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} - wiþ ful horn. {and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As 900 - many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan it - is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many [[pg 36]] - rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe - sterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to 904 - wope wrecched[e] pleyntes. - - [Sidenote: Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still - cry for more.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 10.]] - - ¶ And al be it so *þat - god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem as ful - large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ - noble or clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. 908 - but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þei - han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapen - {and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse. - - [Sidenote: What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?] - - ¶ What brideles - myȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene 912 - coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in - large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest of - hauyng. - - [Sidenote: He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth - truly labour under poverty.] - - ¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ - hym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche. 916 - - [Linenotes: - 899 _rycches_--rychesses - 901 _recches_--rychesses - _vpwardes_--vpward - 902 _rauysshing_--rauyssynge - 903 _rycches_--rychesses - _bryȝt[e]_--bryhte - _on_ (1)--in - 904 _nyȝt_--nyhtes - 905 _wope wrecched[e]_--wepe wrecchede - 906 _her_--hir - _ful_--fool - 907 _muche_--meche - _folk_--men - 908 _haue_--hauen - _I-gete_--I-getyn - 909 _her_--hir - 910 _seye_--seyn - 911 _rycchesse_--rychesses - 912 _wiþholde_--wytholden - _certeyne_--certeyn - 914 _þrest_--thurst - 915 _dredeful_--dredful - 916 _lyueþ_--leueth] - - - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.] - -HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE. - - [Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: If Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your - complaint.] - - ++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in - þis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what - þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þi{n}g wherwiþ. - þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It 920 - byhoueþ þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to - tellen it. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What you have said is very specious, but such - discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.] - - ¶ Certeynely q{uod} I þan þise ben faire - þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorike - {and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben 924 - deliciouse. - - [Sidenote: They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has - made in the heart.] - - ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of - harme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat - þei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delites - of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat 928 - whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. þe sorwe [[pg 37]] - þat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: _P._ So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed - as remedies, but as lenitives only.] - - Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she. - ¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. but - þei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel 932 - aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}. - - [Sidenote: When time serves, I will administer those things that - shall reach the seat of your disease.] - - ¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal - moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe. - - [Sidenote: But you are not among the number of the wretched.] - - ¶ But - naþeles þ{a}t þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self a - wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe nou{m}bre {and} þe 936 - manere of þi welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided - for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your - noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;] - - I holde me stille how þat - þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and} - kepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. - {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of þe Citee. 940 - ¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere þan - forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse - kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may - ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful 944 - wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe. - - [Sidenote: nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.] - - ¶ {And} wiþ - þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and} - noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi - sones {and} ou{er} al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. 948 - ¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat weren - warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now to - þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any - fruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of 952 - welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two - sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?] - - ¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for any - charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce - of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers. - {and} ylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret 956 - assemble of senatours. {and} vndir þe blyþenesse of poeple. - {and} whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in her - chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere [[pg 38]] - of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of 960 - eloquence. - - [Sidenote: When in the circus you satisfied the expectant - multitude with a triumphal largess?] - - whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers - in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. {and} fulfildest þe - abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þe - wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. 964 - - [Sidenote: By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained - from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.] - - þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat - is to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosynge - wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þe - {and} norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast 968 - had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} - þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to p{re}ue man - - [Sidenote: Will you therefore call Fortune to account?] - - ¶ Wilt þou þerfore - leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune. - - [Sidenote: She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if - you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that - you are still happy.] - - she haþ now twynkeled - first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere 972 - þe nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi - sorwes. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 10 _b_.]] - - *þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful. - - [Linenotes: - 918 [_nat_]--from C. - 919 _if_--yif - 920 _mayist_--mayst - _tellen_--defendyn - 921 _ȝeue_--yeuyn - 922 _þan_--thanne - _ben_--bet (= beth) - 923 _swetnesse_--swetenesse - 924 _while_--whil - _herd_--MS. herde - 926 _harme_--harm - 928 _mowe_--mowen - 929 _soun[e]_-sowne - 930 _inset_--MS. insette, C. inset - 932 _sorwe_--sorwes - 933 _aȝeyne_--ayein - 934 _moue swiche_--moeue swych - 938 _souerayn_--sou{er}ane - 943 _neyȝbour_--neysshebo{ur} - 944 _nere_--were - 945 _nobley_--nobleye - _fadres_--fadyr-is - 947 _seyne_--seyn - 948 _lyst_--lyste - _passe of_--passen the - 949 _þouȝt_--yowthe - 950 _warned_--werned - 952 _fruyt_--frute - _price_--p{r}is - 953 _Myȝtest þow_--myhtes-thow - 954 _harme_--harm - _myȝt[e] byfallen_--myhte befalle - 955 _sey[e]_--saye - 956 _from_--fro - _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret - 958 _say[e]_--saye - _sette_--set - _her_--heer{e} - 961 _bytwix_--bytwyen - 962 _hyȝt_--hihte - 963 _of_ (1)--of the - _about_--abowten - 964 _wiþ_--w{i}t{h} so - 965 _ȝaue_--MS. þan, C. yaue - _of_--to - 966 _seyne_--seyn - 967 _accoied[e]_--acoyede - 968 _norsshed[e]_--noryssede - _owen_--owne - _þou----of_--thow bar away of - 969 _had_--MS. hadde - _swiche_--swich - 970 _preue_--pryue - 971 _leye_--lye - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 972 _wykked_--wyckede - 973 _blysses_--blysse - 974 _forsake_--forsakyn - _nart_--art - _blysful_--blysseful] - - [Headnote: - ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.] - - [Sidenote: These evils that you suffer are but transitory.] - - For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þinges - þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi 976 - þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now - semen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste - a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þis - lijf. - - [Sidenote: Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the - life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?] - - or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis 980 - þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same - man. þat is to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe - body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunous - þinges willen dwelle. - - [Sidenote: The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.] - - ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day 984 - of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also - to þilke þat haþ dwelt. - - [Sidenote: What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or - it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?] - - {and} þerfore what wenist þou - þar recche yif þou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she - fortune forlete þe i{n} fleenge awey. 988 - - [Linenotes: - 978 _soory_--sorye - _firste_--fyrst - 979 _sodeyne_--sodeyn - _shadowe_--shadwe - 980 _stedfastnesse_--stedefastnesse - 981 _swifte_--swyft - _dissolueþ_--dyssoluede - 983 _al þouȝ þat_--al þ{a}t thowgh - _fortunous_--fortune - 984 _willen dwelle_--wolen dwellyn - _last[e]_--laste - 986 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _wenist þou_--weenestow - 987 _þar recche_--dar recke - 988 _awey_--away] - - - [[pg 39]] - [Headnote: - MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.] - -CUM PRIMO POLO. - - [Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: The stars pale before the light of the rising sun.] - - ++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse - w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd - paleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe so{n}ne þat - ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe 992 - sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir - lyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne. - - [Sidenote: Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly - winds cause their beauty to fade.] - - ¶ Whan þe - wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somer - sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ 996 - warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. - þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes. - - [Sidenote: Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.] - - Ofte þe see is - clere {and} calme wiþoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte - þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes 1000 - {and} ouer whelweþ þe see. - - [Sidenote: If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory - riches?] - - ¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde - is so [ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many - entrechau{n}gynges. wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge - fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. 1004 - - [Sidenote: All here below is unstedfast and unstable.] - - It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable þat no - þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable. - - [Linenotes: - 989 _his_--hyr - 990 _þan_--thanne - 991 _flamus_--flambes - 995 _redy_--rody - _rosene_--rosyn - 997 _warme_--warm - 998 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth - _fayrnesse_--fayrenesse - 999 _clere_--cleer - _calme_--kalm - 1000 _wynde_--wynd - 1001 _whelweþ_--welueeth - 1002 [_ȝeelde_]--from C. - 1003, 1004 _wilt þou_--wolthow - 1003 _þan_--thanne - _trublynge_--towmbly{n}ge - 1004 _in flittyng_--on flettynge - 1005 _It is_--is it - 1006 _no_--ne - _stable_--estable] - - - [Headnote: - MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.] - -TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.] - - ++ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou - seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e] 1008 - swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. þat is to seine. þat - p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} - soone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it - remembreþ me. - - [Sidenote: It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds - most to man’s infelicity.] - - ¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe 1012 - most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han - ben weleful. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Recollect that you have yet much affluence.] - - ¶ But þat þou q{uo}d she abaist þus þe - to{ur}ment of þi fals[e] opiniou{n} þat maist þou not ryȝtfully - blamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou [[pg 40]] - hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶ _Textus._ 1017 - For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse - moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene - w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee. 1020 - - [Sidenote: What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you - still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.] - - ¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest for - most p{re}cious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept - to þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. - Mayst þou þa{n} pleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune. 1024 - syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit - lyueþ in goode poynt þilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde. - - [Sidenote: Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.] - - ¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a - man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. þe whiche 1028 - man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owen - lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. {and} - not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any - sentence put aȝeins him. - - [Sidenote: Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her - separation from you.] - - ¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat 1032 - is attempre of witte {and} passyng oþer women in clennes - of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes - she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ - looþ of hir life. {and} kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. {and} 1036 - is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for - desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot graunten - þat þi welefulnesse is amenused. - - [Sidenote: Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of - the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 11.]] - - ¶ What shal I seyn - eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children 1040 - of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte of - hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir. - - [Sidenote: And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life; - you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all - men value more than life.] - - and siþen þe souereyn - cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues. - - [Linenotes: - 1008 _soþe_--soth - _Ne I may_--Ne I ne may - 1009 _seine_--seyn - 1011 _a_--omitted - _gretly_--gretely - 1012 _aduersitees_--adu{er}syte - 1013 _most_--mooste - 1014 _abaist_--abyest - 1015 _tourment_--tormentȝ - _fals[e]_--false - 1016 _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyh - 1017 _ȝitte_--yit - 1019 _leueful_--leefful - 1020 _many[e] þinges_--manye grete thinges - 1022 _alle_--al - 1023 _þe by_--the yit by - 1024 _myschief_--meschef - 1025 _best[e]_--beste - 1026 _lyueþ_--leueth - _goode_--good - 1027 _whiche_--which - 1028 _al_--alle - _of_ (2)--omitted - 1029 _b[i]en_--byen - _owen_--owne - 1030 _byweyleþ_--bewayleth - _don_--MS. done, C. don - 1031 _liueþ_--leueth - 1033 _witte_--wyt - _women_--wymmen - 1034 _shortly_--shortely - 1035 _lyke_--lik - _welle_--wel - 1036 _hir life_--this lyf - 1037 _maat_--maad - 1038 _whiche_--weche - 1039 _amenused_--amenyssed - _seyn_--(MS. seyne) seyn - 1041 _lyknesse_--lykenesse - _witte_--wyt - 1042 {and} (1)--or - _eldefadir_--eldyr fadyr - _siþen_--syn - 1043 _folke_--folk] - - [Headnote: - THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.] - - ¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes. 1044 - ¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwelly{n}g to þe wardes þat no [[pg 41]] - man douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þen - þine owen lijf. - - [Sidenote: Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and - hope of future felicity.] - - ¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nys - nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ou{er} 1048 - greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin - ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þis - tyme p{re}sent. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passen - ne to falle{n}. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I hope these will never fail me.] - - ¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I þat fast[e] mot[en] 1052 - þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so eu{er}e - þat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen. - - [Sidenote: But do you not see how low I am fallen?] - - ¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and} - aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me. 1056 - - [Sidenote: _P._ I should think that I had made progress if you did - not repine so at your fate.] - - ¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forþered þe q{uod} she. if - þat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As - who seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þou - tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast 1060 - ȝit þi best[e] þinges. - - [Sidenote: It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so - many comforts.] - - ¶ But I may nat suffre þin - delices. þat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for þat - oþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: Every one, however happy, has something to complain - of.] - - ¶ For what - man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. þat he ne 1064 - stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee of - his estat. - - [Sidenote: The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either - it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does - come.] - - ¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciou{n} - of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to - gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not p{er}petuely. 1068 - - [Linenotes: - 1044 _art þou þouȝ_--arthow yif - 1045 _But ȝitte_--for yit - _dwellyng_--dwellyd - _wardes_--ward - 1046 _þat_--than - _derworþe_--dereworthe - _þen þine_--than thin - 1047 _ȝitte_--yit - 1049 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _þin_--thyne - 1050 _cliue fast[e]_--cleuen faste - _wole suffre_--wolen suffren - 1052 _fallen_--faylen - _fast[e] mot[en]_--faste moten - 1053 _holden_--halden - 1054 _furþe_--forth - 1055 _mayst_--mayste - _greet[e]_--grete - 1058 _forþenke_--forthinke - 1061 _best[e]_--beste - _suffre þin_--suffren thi - 1063 _oþer_--ther - 1064 _perfit_--parfyt - 1065 _or_--and - _some half aȝeine_--som halue ayen - 1067 _mans_--mannes - _comeþ al_--comth nat al - 1068 _lasteþ_--last - _perpetuely_--p{er}petuel] - - [Headnote: - HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.] - - [Sidenote: One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.] - - ¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed - of hys vngentil lynage. - - [Sidenote: Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is - surrounded by indigence.] - - {and} som man is renomed - of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so - grete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat 1072 - he were vnknowe. - - [Sidenote: A third is blest with both advantages, but is - unmarried.] - - and som ma{n} habundeþ boþe i{n} - rychesse {and} noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e] - lijf. for he haþ no wijf. [[pg 42]] - - [Sidenote: This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while - that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their - evil ways.] - - ¶ and som man is wel {and} - selily maried but he haþ no children. {and} norissheþ his 1076 - ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som - man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for - þe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir. - - [Sidenote: Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state - of his fortune.] - - ¶ and for þis - þer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. 1080 - for alwey to euery man þere is i{n} mest somwhat - þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat he - haþ assaied. - - [Sidenote: The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and - they are impatient if anything is untoward.] - - ¶ {And} adde þis also þat euery weleful - man haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle 1084 - þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is - nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þrowe - adoũne for euery lytel þing. - - [Sidenote: The happiness of the most fortunate depends on - trifles.] - - ¶ And ful lytel þinges - ben þo þat wiþdrawen þe so{m}me or þe p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of 1088 - blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat. - - [Sidenote: How many would think themselves in heaven if they had - only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!] - - ¶ How - many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to ben - almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e] - p{ar}tie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place 1092 - þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabiten - here. - - [Sidenote: Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art - miserable.] - - {and} forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þou - wenest it - - [Sidenote: Every lot may be happy to the man who bears his - condition with equanimity and courage.] - - ¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt - ellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a 1096 - wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage. - - [Linenotes: - 1069 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - 1070 _renomed_--renowned - 1072 _angre for_--Angwysshe of - _leuer_--leu{er}e - 1074 _chast[e]_--caste - 1075, 1076 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1076 _maried_--ymaryed - _his_--hise - 1077 _ricchesse_--Rychesses - _heires_--eyres - _folk_--foolkys - 1080 _þer_--þ{er} ne - 1081 _mest_--omitted - 1082 _vnassaieþ_--vnassaied - _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot - 1083, 1084 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1084 _wel_--ful - 1085 _fallen_--byfalle - _wille_--wyl - 1086 _none_--non - _an-oone_--Anon - _þrowe_--throwen - 1087 _adoũne_--adou{n} - 1090 _wolde_--wolden - 1095 _it_--hyt - _who_--ho - 1096 _no_--a] - - - [Headnote: - THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.] - -CONTRAQ{UE}. - - [Sidenote: When patience is lost then a change of state is - desired.] - - ++And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe - agreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it. - ¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chau{n}ge{n} 1100 - his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse of - mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses. - þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete {and} [[pg 43]] - ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden 1104 - þat it ne goþ away whan it wol. - - [Sidenote: How much is human felicity embittered!] - - ¶ Þan is it wel sen - how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges. - - [Sidenote: It will not stay with those that endure their lot with - equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.] - - þat neiþ{er} it dwelliþ p{er}petuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune - receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in 1108 - al. to hem þat ben anguissous. - - [Sidenote: Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that - felicity which is to be found within yourselves?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 11 _b_.]] - - ¶ O ye mortel folkes - what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche - þat is put in ȝoure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}deþ - ȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne 1112 - blisfulnesse. - - [Sidenote: Nothing is more precious than thyself.] - - Is þer any þing to þe more p{re}ciouse þan - þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay. - - [Sidenote: If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot - deprive thee of it.] - - ¶ Þan if it so be þat - þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee - of þi soule. þan hast þou þing i{n} þi power þat þou 1116 - noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe. - - [Sidenote: Happiness does not consist in things transitory.] - - {and} þat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] may - nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel. - - [Sidenote: If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that - thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.] - - ¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir þus 1120 - yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat - liueþ by resou{n} ¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereyne - goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more - worþi þing {and} more digne is þilke þing þ{a}t may nat be 1124 - taken awey. - - [Sidenote: Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true - happiness.] - - ¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse - of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray - blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer. - - [Sidenote: He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it - is changeable or does not know it.] - - ¶ What man þat - þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat 1128 - [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. - - [Sidenote: If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the - blindness of his ignorance?] - - ¶ And yif - he woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe - blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot þat it is - chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þ{a}t he ne lese 1132 - þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it. - - [Linenotes: - 1098 _aȝeinewarde al_--ayeinward alle - 1099 _it_--hyt - 1101 _whan_--what - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lost - 1102 _yspranid_--spraynyd - _bitternesses_--beternesses - 1104 _hym_--hem - _it_--hyt - _be_--ben - 1105 _goþ_--MS. geþe - _wol_--woole - _sen_--MS. sene - 1107 _dwelliþ_--dureth - 1109 _folkes_--folk{e} - 1110 _oute_--owt - 1112 _shortly_--shortely - 1114 _wilt_--MS. wilte, C. wolt - _if_--yif - 1117 _by-nyme_--be-neme - 1118 _blisfulnesse [ne]_--blyssefulnesse ne - 1120 _to gidir_--to gidere - 1121, 1122 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - 1125 _wele_--wel - 1126 _receyue_--resseyuen - 1129 [_it_]--from C. - _it_--hyt - 1130 _be_--ben - 1131 _blyndenesse_--blyndnesse] - - [[pg 44]] - [Headnote: - RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.] - - [Sidenote: If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing - it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.] - - ¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest he - leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þe - continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben 1136 - weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be - dispised {and} forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a ful - lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is - loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force. 1140 - of þe lost þan of þe hauynge. - - [Sidenote: Since thou art convinced of the soul’s immortality, - thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity, - that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of - misery.] - - ¶ And for as myche as - þou þi self art he to who{m} it haþ ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued - by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel þat þe - soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke 1144 - syn it is clere. {and} certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse - endiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben douted - þat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þe - kynde of mortal þi{n}g{us} ne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse 1148 - by þe ende of þe deeþ. - - [Sidenote: But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity, - by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.] - - ¶ And syn we knowen - wel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse - nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng of - peynes {and} to{ur}mentes. - - [Sidenote: How then can this present life make men truly happy, - since when it is ended they do not become miserable?] - - how myȝt[e] þan þis p{re}sent 1152 - lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e] - lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches. - - [Linenotes: - 1134 _it_--hyt - _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth - 1135 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot - _leese_ (2)--leese it - _whiche_--which - 1136 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1137 _ellys_--omitted - _wene_--weneth - 1138 _hit_--omitted - 1139 _goode_--good - _born_--MS. borne, C. born - _hert[e]_--herte - 1140 _seyne_--seyn - _don_--MS. done, C. do - _force_--fors - 1142 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1143 _many[e]_--manye - 1144 _mowen_--mowe - _dien_--deyen - 1145 _clere_--cleer - _certeyne_--certeyn - 1147 _al_--alle - 1150 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _fruit_--frut - 1152 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 1153 _make_--maken - _self[e]_--selue] - - - [Headnote: - RICHES HAVE NO INTRINSIC VALUE.] - -QUISQUIS UOLET[2] P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS. - - [Footnote 2: MS. ualet.] - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who would have a stable and lasting seat must not - build upon lofty hills; nor upon the sands, if he would escape the - violence of winds and waves.] - - ++What maner man stable {and} war þat wil founden hym - a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune 1156 - wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise - þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to - bilde on þe cop of þe mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in þe moyste - sandes. ¶ For þe fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}menteþ þe cop 1160 - of þe mou{n}tayngne wiþ alle his strengþes. ¶ and þe - lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte. [[pg 45]] - - [Sidenote: If thou wilt flee perilous fortune, lay thy foundation - upon the firmer stone, so that thou mayst grow old in thy - stronghold.] - - {and} forþi yif þou wolt flee þe p{er}ilous auenture þat is to - seine of þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn 1164 - þi house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al - þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ ouereþrowynges - ¶ Þou þat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by - strengþe of þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng 1168 - þe wodenesses and þe Ires of þe eir. - - [Linenotes: - 1155, 1156, 1157 _wil_--wole - 1156 _be cast_--MS. be caste, C. ben cast - 1157 _wynde_--wynd - 1158 _eschewe_--eschewen - 1160 _fel[le]_--felle - 1161 _his_--hise - 1162 _lowe_--lavse - _see_--omitted - _refuse_--refusen - _weyȝte_--wyhte - 1163 _flee_--fleen - 1164 _seine_--seyn - 1165 _þi_--thin - _lowe stoone_--lowh stoon - 1167 _welful_--weleful - 1169 _wodenesses_--woodnesses] - - - [Headnote: - GLORY NOT IN RICHES; THEY ADD NOTHING TO VIRTUE.] - -SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: It is now time to use stronger medicines, since lighter - remedies have taken effect.] - - ++But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resou{n}s - descenden now in to þe. I trowe it were tyme to - vsen a litel strenger medicynes. - - [Sidenote: What is there in the gifts of Fortune that is not vile - and despicable?] - - ¶ Now vndirstonde 1172 - here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat - brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 12.]] - - what is þer in hem þat may be - þine *in any tyme. or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be - considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely. - - [Sidenote: Are riches precious in themselves, or in men’s - estimation?] - - ¶ Richesse ben þei 1176 - p{re}ciouse by þe nature of hem self. or ellys by þe - nature of þe. - - [Sidenote: What is most precious in them, quantity or quality?] - - What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it - nat golde or myȝt of moneye assembled. - - [Sidenote: Bounty is more glorious than niggardliness.] - - ¶ Certis - þilke golde {and} þilke moneye shineþ {and} ȝeueþ better 1180 - renou{n} to hem þat dispenden it. þen to þilke folke þat - mokeren it. - - [Sidenote: Avarice is always hateful, while liberality is - praise-worthy.] - - For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be - hated. {and} largesse makeþ folke clere of renou{n} - ¶ For syn þat swiche þi{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o 1184 - man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ no man. - - [Sidenote: Money cannot be more precious than when it is dispensed - liberally to others.] - - Certis þan is þilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated - in to oþer folk. {and} stynteþ to ben had by - vsage of large ȝeuy{n}g of hym þat haþ ȝeuen it. 1188 - - [Sidenote: If one man’s coffers contained all the money in the - world, every one else would be in want of it.] - - {and} also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world were - gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men [[pg 46]] - to ben nedy as of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool - þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge fulfilleþ to gyder 1192 - þe heryng of myche folke. - - [Sidenote: Riches cannot be dispensed without diminution.] - - but Certys ȝoure rycchesse - ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng - ¶ And whan þei ben apassed. nedys þei maken - hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses. - - [Sidenote: O the poverty of riches, that cannot be enjoyed by many - at the same time, nor can be possessed by one without - impoverishing others!] - - ¶ O streite {and} 1196 - nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne] - may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man - wiþ-oute pouerte of al oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge - of ge{m}mes þat I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. draweþ it nat 1200 - þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne for þe - beaute. - - [Sidenote: The beauty of precious stones consists only in their - brightness, wherefore I marvel that men admire that which is - motionless, lifeless, and irrational.] - - ¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte - in shynyng of stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones - hem self. {and} nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre 1204 - gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For - whi what þing is it þat yif it wa{n}teþ moeuyng {and} - ioynture of soule {and} body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen - a faire creature to hym þat haþ a soule of resou{n}. 1208 - - [Sidenote: Precious stones are indeed the workmanship of the - Creator, but their beauty is infinitely below the excellency of - man’s nature.] - - ¶ For al be it so þat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a - litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent - of hir creato{ur} {and} þoruȝ þe distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. - ȝit for as myche as þei ben put vndir ȝoure excellence. 1212 - þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe shullen - merueylen on hem. - - [Sidenote: Doth the beauty of the field delight thee?] - - ¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ - it nat mychel vnto ȝow. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Why should it not? for it is a beautiful part of a - beautiful whole.] - - _Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat - deliten vs. syn þat it is a ryȝt fayr porciou{n} of þe ryȝt 1216 - fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis worlde. - - [Sidenote: Hence, we admire the face of the sea, the heavens, as - well as the sun, moon, and stars.] - - ¶ And ryȝt - so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan - it is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene {and} - on þe sterres. {and} on þe sonne. {and} on þe mone. [[pg 47]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do these things concern thee? darest thou glory in - them?] - - _Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teineþ q{uo}d she any of þilke 1221 - þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge - of any swiche þinges. - - [Sidenote: Do the flowers adorn you with their variety?] - - Art þou distingwed {and} embelised - by þe spryngyng floures of þe first somer 1224 - sesou{n}. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of somer. whi - art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies. - - [Sidenote: Why embracest thou things wherein thou hast no - property?] - - why enbracest þou - straunge goodes as þei weren þine. - - [Sidenote: Fortune can never make that thine which the nature of - things forbids to be so.] - - Fortune shal neuer - maken þat swiche þinges ben þine þat nature of þinges 1228 - maked foreyne fro þe. - - [Sidenote: The fruits of the earth are designed for the support of - beasts.] - - ¶ Syche is þat wiþ-oute{n} - doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe - norssinge of bestes. - - [Sidenote: If you seek only the necessities of nature, the - affluence of Fortune will be useless.] - - ¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi - nede after þat it suffiseþ to nature þan is it no nede 1232 - þat þou seke after þe sup{er}fluite of fortune. - - [Sidenote: Nature is content with a little, and superfluity will - be both disagreeable and hurtful.] - - ¶ For - wiþ ful fewe þinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel þing nature - halt hire appaied. {and} yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng - of nat{ur}e wiþ sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys þilke 1236 - þinges þ{a}t þou wilt þresten or pouren in to nature - shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies. - - [Sidenote: Does it add to a man’s worth to shine in variety of - costly clothing?] - - ¶ Wenest - þou eke þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse - cloþing. - - [Sidenote: The things really to be admired are the beauty of the - stuff or the workmanship of it.] - - of whiche cloþing yif þe beaute be agreable 1240 - to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of þe - matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat - wrouȝt[e] hem. - - [Sidenote: Doth a great retinue make thee happy?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 12 _b_.]] - - but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ - þat a blisful *man. - - [Sidenote: If thy servants be vicious, they are a great burden to - the house, and pernicious enemies to the master of it.] - - þe whiche seruauntes yif þei ben 1244 - vicioũs of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a - destrucc{i}ou{n} to þe house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to þe lorde - hym self - - [Sidenote: If they be good, why should the probity of others be - put to thy account?] - - ¶ {And} yif þei ben goode men how shal - straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in þe nou{m}bre 1248 - of þi rycchesse. - - [Sidenote: Upon the whole, then, none of those enjoyments which - thou didst consider as thy own did ever properly belong to thee.] - - so þ{a}t by alle þise forseide þinges. it is - clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat þou - accou{m}ptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode. - - [Sidenote: If they be not desirable, why shouldst thou grieve for - the loss of them?] - - ¶ In - þe whiche þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired. 1252 - - [Linenotes: - 1172 _strenger_--strenger{e} - _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond - 1173 _nar[e]_--ne weere - 1174 _be þine_--ben thyn - 1175 _foule_--fowl - 1176 _Richesse_--Rychessis - 1178 _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1179, 1180 _golde_--gold - 1180 _better_--betere - 1181 _þen_--thanne - 1182 _mokeres_--mokereres - 1183 _folke clere_--folk cler - 1184 _swiche_--swich - _from_--fram - 1187 _stynteþ_--stenteth - 1188 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1189 _world_--worlde - 1190 _al_--alle - 1191 _al hool_--omitted - 1193 _myche folke_--moche folk{e} - _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1194 _myche_--moche - 1196 _forgon_--MS. forgone - 1197 _þise_--this - _rycchesses_--rychesse - [_ne_]--from C. - 1198 _on_--o - 1199 _wiþ-oute_--with-owten - _al_--alle - _folke_--folk{e} - 1200 _preciouse_--p{re}syous - 1201 _in_--omitted - _warde_--ward - _seyne_--seyn - 1202 _beaute_ (1)--beautes - _For_--but - 1203 _in_--in the - 1204 _whiche_--which - 1207 _ioynture_--Ioyngture - 1208 _faire_--fayr - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1210 _laste_--last - _worlde_--world - 1212 _myche_--mochel - 1213 _desserued_--MS. desseyued, C. desseruyd - _weye_--wey - _shullen_--sholden - 1215 _mychel_--mochel - 1217 _fair werk_--fayr{e} werke - _worlde_--world - 1219 _clere_--cler - 1222 _darst þou glorifie_--darsthow gloryfyen - 1225 _in_--in the - 1229 _Syche_--Soth - 1230 _on_--to - 1231, 1235, 1237 _wilt_--wolt - 1238 _shullen_--shollen - 1239 _fair_--fayre - 1240 _whiche_--which - 1242 _werkeman_--werkman - 1246 _house_--hows - _lorde_--lord - 1248 _goodenes_--goodnesse - 1250 _shewed_--I-shewyd - _none_--oon - 1251 _þin_--thine - _goode_--good] - - [[pg 48]] - [Headnote: - RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.] - - whi sholdest þou be sory yif þou leese hem. or whi - sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem. - - [Sidenote: If they are fair by nature, what is that to thee?] - - ¶ For if þei - ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}teneþ þat to þe. - - [Sidenote: They would be equally agreeable whether thine or not.] - - for as wel sholde þei han ben faire by hem self. 1256 - þouȝ þei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle þin rycchesse. - - [Sidenote: They are not to be reckoned precious because they are - counted amongst thy goods, but because they seemed so before thou - didst desire to possess them.] - - ¶ For-why - faire ne p{re}cioũs ne weren þei nat. for þat þei - comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair - {and} p{re}cious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem 1260 - amonges þi rycchesse. - - [Sidenote: What, then, is it we so clamorously demand of Fortune?] - - but what desirest þou of fortune - wiþ so greet a noyse {and} wiþ so greet a fare - - [Sidenote: Is it to drive away indigence by abundance?] - - ¶ I - trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce - of þinges. - - [Sidenote: But the very reverse of this happens, for there is need - of many helps to keep a variety of valuable goods.] - - ¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe 1264 - contrarie. for whi certys it nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges - to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse ostelmentȝ. - - [Sidenote: They want most things who have the most.] - - and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat - many[e] þinges han. - - [Sidenote: They want the fewest who measure their abundance by the - necessities of nature, and not by the superfluity of their - desires.] - - {and} aȝeyneward of litel nediþ 1268 - hem þat mesuren hir fille after þe nede of kynde {and} - nat after þe outrage of couetyse - - [Sidenote: Is there no good planted within ourselves, that we are - obliged to go abroad to seek it?] - - ¶ Is it þan so þat ye - men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in ȝow. For - whiche ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in 1272 - foreine {and} subgit þinges. - - [Sidenote: Are things so changed and inverted, that god-like man - should think that he has no other worth but what he derives from - the possession of inanimate objects?] - - ¶ So is þan þe condic{i}ou{n} - of þinges turned vpso dou{n}. þat a man þat is a devyne - beest by merit of hys resou{n}. þinkeþ þat hy{m} - self nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ 1276 - possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules. - - [Linenotes: - 1255 _fair_--fayr{e} - _hire owen_--hyr owne - 1256 _sholde_--sholden - _self_--selue - 1257 _þin rycchesse_--thyne rychesses - 1259 _amonges_--among{e} - 1259, 1261 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - 1259 _fair_--fayr{e} - 1260 _leuer rekene_--leu{er}e rekne - 1262 _greet_ (2)--grete - 1265, 1267 _many[e]_--manye - 1267 _soþe_--soth - 1272 _outwardes_--owtward - 1276 _fair_--fayr{e} - _if_--yif] - - [Headnote: - IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN.] - - [Sidenote: Inferior things are satisfied with their own - endowments, while man (the image of God) seeks to adorn his nature - with things infinitely below him, not understanding how much he - dishonours his Maker.] - - ¶ And certys al oþ{er} þi{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen - beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by ȝour{e} - resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝour{e} excellent 1280 - kynde of þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat - how gret a wro{n}g ȝe don to ȝoure creato{ur}. - - [Sidenote: God intended man to excel all earthly creatures, yet - you debase your dignity and prerogative below the lowest beings.] - - for he - wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi {and} noble of - any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adou{n} ȝoure [[pg 49]] - dignitees by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges. - - [Sidenote: In placing your happiness in despicable trifles, you - acknowledge yourselves of less value than these trifles, and well - do you merit to be so esteemed.] - - ¶ For if þat al 1285 - þe good of euery þing be more p{re}ciouse þan is þilk - þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat þe - foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten 1288 - ȝe {and} putten ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by - ȝoure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ - out ȝour{e} desert. - - [Sidenote: Man only excels other creatures when he knows himself.] - - For certys swiche is þe co{n}dic{i}ou{n} - of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it 1292 - self. þan passeþ it i{n} noblesse alle oþer þinges. - - [Sidenote: When he ceases to do so, he sinks below beasts.] - - and whan it forletiþ þe knowyng of it self. þan it is - brouȝt byneþen alle beestes. - - [Sidenote: Ignorance is natural to beasts, but in men it is - unnatural and criminal.] - - ¶ For-why alle oþer - [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem 1296 - self. but whan þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self. - it comeþ hem of vice. - - [Sidenote: How weak an error is it to believe that anything - foreign to your nature can be an ornament to it.] - - but how brode sheweþ þe erro{ur} - {and} þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony þing may - ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but 1300 - for-soþe þat may nat be don. - - [Sidenote: If a thing appear beautiful on account of its external - embellishments, we admire and praise those embellishments alone.] - - for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ - þi{n}ges þat ben put to hym. as þus. yif þilke þinges - shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis - þilke þinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiþ whiche 1304 - he is apparailled. - - [Sidenote: The thing covered still continues in its natural - impurity.] - - ¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is - couered {and} wrapped vndir þat dwelleþ in his filþe. - - [Sidenote: I deny that to be a good which is hurtful to its - owner.] - - and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ hym - þat haþ it. - - [Sidenote: Am I deceived in this? You will say no; for riches have - often hurt their possessors.] - - ¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay. 1308 - ¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe - rycchesse. - - [Sidenote: Every wicked man desires another’s wealth, and esteems - him alone happy who is in possession of riches.] - - ¶ Syn þat euery wicked shrew {and} for - hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes rycchesse - wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or 1312 - p{re}cious stones. [[pg 50]] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 13.]] - - {and} weniþ hym *only most worþi þat - haþ hem - - [Sidenote: You, therefore, who now so much dread the instruments - of assassination, if you had been born a poor wayfaring man, - might, with an empty purse, have sung in the face of robbers.] - - ¶ þou þan þat so besy dredest now þe swerde - {and} þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe paþe of þis - lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e] 1316 - by-fore þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ - no rycchesse on hym by þe weye. may boldly syng[e] - byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben robbed. - - [Sidenote: O the transcendant felicity of riches! No sooner have - you obtained them, than you cease to be secure.] - - ¶ O preciouse {and} ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of 1320 - mortal rycchesse. þat wha{n} þou hast geten it. þan hast - þou lorn þi syke[r]nesse. - - [Linenotes: - 1278 _hire owen_--hir owne - 1281 _ne_ (2)--omitted - _vndirstonde_--vndyrstondyn - 1282 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret - 1284 _oþer erþely_--oothre worldly - _þresten_--threste - 1285 _by-neþen_--by-nethe - _if_--yif - 1286 _good_--MS. goode, C. good - _þing_--thinge - _preciouse_--p{re}syos - _þilk þing_--thilke thinge - 1287 _þe_ (2)--tho - 1288 _summytten_--submitten - 1289 _self_--seluen - _foulest[e]_--fowleste - 1290 _bitidiþ_--tydeth - 1291 _out_--owte - _desert_--desertes - 1292 _al_--alle - 1293 _self_--selue - 1294 _it is_--is it - 1296 [_leuynge_]--from C. - _hem_--hym - 1297 _þat_--omitted - 1298 _comeþ_--comth - 1299 _þing_--thinge - 1302 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - 1303 _whiche_--which - 1306 _filþe_--felthe - 1307 _þing_--thinge - _good_--MS. goode, C. good - 1308 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1309 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - _þe_--tho - 1310 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - _shrew_--shrewe - 1311 _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1312 _golde_--gold - 1314 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hat - _besy_--bysy - _swerde_--swerd - 1315 _paþe_--paath - 1316 _wayfaryng_--wayferynge - _syng[e]_--synge - 1317 _by-fore_--by-forn - _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth - _poure_--pore - _bereþ_--berth - 1318 _boldly syng[e]_--boldely synge - 1319 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1320 _preciouse_--p{re}cyos - _clere_--cler - 1321 _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1322 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn] - - - [Headnote: - THE GOLDEN AGE.] - -FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Happy was the first age of men. They were contented - with what the faithful earth produced.] - - ++Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem - apaied wiþ þe metes þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten 1324 - furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem - self wiþ outerage. - - [Sidenote: With acorns they satisfied their hunger.] - - ¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken - her hunger at euene wiþ acornes of okes - - [Sidenote: They knew not Hypocras nor Hydromel.] - - ¶ þei ne - couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus to þe clere hony. 1328 - þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre. - - [Sidenote: They did not dye the Serian fleece in Tyrian purple.] - - ne þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe co{n}tre - of siriens wiþ þe venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei - couþe nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiþ þe 1332 - blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in tyrie. - wiþ whiche blode men deien purper. - - [Sidenote: They slept upon the grass, and drank of the running - stream, and reclined under the shadow of the tall pine.] - - ¶ þei slepen - holesom slepes vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng - watres. {and} laien vndir þe shadowe of þe heyȝe 1336 - pyne trees. - - [Sidenote: No man yet ploughed the deep, nor did the merchant - traffick with foreign shores.] - - ¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf - ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne - hadden seyne ȝitte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse [[pg 51]] - in to dyuerse co{n}tres. - - [Sidenote: The warlike trumpet was hushed and still.] - - ¶ þo weren þe cruel 1340 - clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille. - - [Sidenote: Bloodshed had not yet arisen through hateful quarrels.] - - ne blode yshed by - egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers. - - [Sidenote: Nothing could stimulate their rage to engage in war, - when they saw that wounds and scars were the only meeds.] - - for wherto - or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen - armes. whan þei seien cruel woundes ne none medes 1344 - ben of blood yshad - - [Sidenote: O that those days would come again!] - - ¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde - turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres. - - [Sidenote: The thirst of wealth torments all; it rages more - fiercely than Ætna’s fires.] - - ¶ But þe anguissous - loue of hauyng brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe - fijr of þe Mou{n}taigne of Ethna þat euer brenneþ. 1348 - - [Sidenote: Cursed be the wretch who first brought gold to light.] - - ¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or - þe weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. {and} þe p{re}cious - stones þat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious - perils. þat is to seyne þat he þat hem first vp dalf. he 1352 - dalf vp a p{re}cious peril. - - [Sidenote: It has since proved perilous to many a man.] - - for-whi. for þe p{re}ciousnesse - of swyche haþ many man ben in peril. - - [Linenotes: - 1324 _erþes_--feeldes - 1325 _furþe_--forth - _destroyed[e]_--dystroyede - 1327 _her_--hyr - _at_--MS. as, C. at - _euene_--euen - 1328 _couþe_--cowde - _medle_--medly - _ȝift_--yifte - _clere_--cleer - 1329 _couþe_--cowde - _of_--nor - 1330 _couþe_--cowde - _briȝt[e] flies_--bryhte fleeȝes - 1331 _siriens_--Seryens - _seyne_--seyn - 1332 _couþe_--cowde - _dien_--deyen - _flies_--fleȝes - 1333 _blode_--blood - _shelfysshe_--shyllefyssh - 1334 _blode_--blood - 1335 _holesom_--holsom - _rynnyng watres_--rennynge wateres - _shadowe_--shadwes - _heyȝe_--heye - 1337 _pyne_--pyn - _no_ (2)--omitted - [_ne_]--from C. - _karf_--karue - 1339 _hadden seyne ȝitte_--hadde seyn yit - 1341 _whist_--hust - _blode yshed_--blod I-shad - 1343 _whiche woodenesse_--whych wodnesse - 1344 _seien_--say - 1346 _turne aȝeyne_--torne ayein - 1347 _folke_--folk - 1348 _þe_--omitted - _euer_--ay - 1351 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hydd - 1352 _seyne_--seyn - _he_ (2)--omitted - 1354 _swyche_--swych thinge - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _ben_--be] - - - [Headnote: - OF DIGNITIES AND POWERS.] - -QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: But why should I discourse of dignities and powers - which (though you are ignorant of true honour and real power) you - extol to the skies?] - - ++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. - þe whiche [ye] men þ{a}t neiþer knowen verray dignitee 1356 - ne verray power areysen hem as heye as þe - heuene. - - [Sidenote: When they fall to the lot of a wicked man, they produce - greater calamities than the flaming eruption of Ætna, or the most - impetuous deluge.] - - þe whiche dignitees {and} powers yif þei come - to any wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} - distrucc{i}ou{n} as doþ þe fla{m}me of þe Mou{n}taigne 1360 - Ethna whan þe fla{m}me wit walwiþ vp ne no deluge - ne doþ so cruel harmes. - - [Sidenote: You remember that your ancestors desired to abolish the - Consular government (the commencement of the Roman liberty), - because of the pride of the Consuls; as their ancestors before for - the same consideration had suppressed the title of King.] - - ¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel - as I trowe þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie - of {con}sulers þe whiche þat somtyme was bygynnyng 1364 - of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han - don a-wey þat dignitee for þe p{r}ide of þe conseilers. - - [Linenotes: - 1355 _seyne_--seye - 1358 _come_--comen - 1359 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _[as] greet[e]_--as grete - 1360 _distruccioun_--destrucciou{n}s - _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth - _flamme_--flaumbe - 1361 _flamme_--flawmbe - _wit_--omitted - 1362 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth - 1363 _clepiþ_--clepyn - 1364 _whiche_--whych - _somtyme_--whilom - 1366 _for_--MS. of, C. for] - - [[pg 52]] - [Headnote: - HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,] - - ¶ And ryȝt for þe same p{r}ide ȝoure eldres byforne þat - tyme hadden don awey out of þe Citee of rome þe 1368 - kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no - lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þ{a}t dignitees - {and} powers ben ȝeuen to goode men. þe whiche þing - is ful ȝelde. what agreable þi{n}ges is þer in þo dignitees. 1372 - or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem. - - [Linenotes: - 1368 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 1369 _seien_--seyn - 1370 _lenger_--lenger{e} - _kyng_--kynge - 1371 _whiche_--which - 1373 _folk_--foolkys] - - [Headnote: - FOR THEY FALL TO THE LOT OF THE WICKED.] - - [Sidenote: Virtue is not embellished by dignities, but dignities - derive honour from virtue.] - - ¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ur} ne comeþ nat to - vertue for cause of dignite. but aȝeinward. hono{ur} - comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue. - - [Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and - desired?] - - but whiche is 1376 - ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere {and} so requerable - - [Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?] - - ¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche - þing þat it semeþ þat ȝe han power. - - [Sidenote: If thou sawest a mouse assuming command over other - mice, wouldst thou not almost burst with laughter?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 13 _b_.]] - - ¶ Now yif þou - say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} *oþer myse þat chalenged[e] to 1380 - hymself ward ryȝt {and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how - gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So - fareþ it by men. þe body haþ power ouer þe body. - - [Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly - may be the cause of death?] - - For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt what 1384 - þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde. - þe whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale - flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of crepyng wormes in to - þe priuetees of mennes bodyes. - - [Sidenote: But how can any man obtain dominion over another, - unless it be over his body, or, what is inferior to his - body,--over his possessions, the gifts of Fortune?] - - ¶ But wher shal 1388 - men fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any - ryȝt vpon an oþer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or - ellys vpo{n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe body. whiche - I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s - - [Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?] - - ¶ Mayst þou euer haue 1392 - any comaundement ouer a fre corage - - [Sidenote: Can you disturb a soul consistent with itself, and knit - together by the bond of reason?] - - ¶ Mayst þou - remuen fro þe estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a þouȝt þat is - cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}. ¶ As - somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of 1396 - corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment [[pg 53]] - to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen folk þat wisten - of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie þat - was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt - - [Sidenote: Have you not read how Anaxarchus bit off his tongue and - spat it in the face of Nicocreon?] - - ¶ But þis free man boot 1400 - of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in þe visage of þilke - woode tyrau{n}te. ¶ So þat þe to{ur}mentȝ þat þis - tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. þis - wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. - - [Sidenote: What is it that one man can do to another that does not - admit of retaliation?] - - ¶ But what 1404 - þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he - ne may receyue þe same þing of oþer folke i{n} hym - self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. þat folk - ne may don hym þe same. - - [Sidenote: Busiris used to kill his guests, but at last himself - was killed by Hercules, his guest.] - - ¶ I haue herd told of 1408 - busirides þat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden - in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of - ercules þat was hys gest - - [Sidenote: Regulus put his Carthaginian prisoners in chains, but - was afterwards obliged to submit to the fetters of his enemies.] - - ¶ Regulus had[de] taken in - bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres. 1412 - but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to - ben bounden w{i}t{h} þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de] - somtyme ou{er}comen. - - [Sidenote: Is he mighty that dares not inflict what he would upon - another for fear of a requital?] - - ¶ Wenest þou þan þat he be - myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don 1416 - hym. þat he doþ to oþer. - - [Sidenote: If powers and honours were intrinsically good, they - would never be attained by the wicked.] - - {and} ȝit more ou{er} yif it so - were þat þise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre - or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden þei - comen to shrewes. - - [Sidenote: An union of things opposite is repugnant to nature.] - - ¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben 1420 - not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ - þat contra[r]ious þinges ben yioigned. - - [Sidenote: But as wicked men do obtain the highest honours, it is - clear that honours are not in themselves good, otherwise they - would not fall to the share of the unworthy.] - - ¶ And so - as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk han dignitees - ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees {and} powers 1424 - ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren - hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes. - - [Sidenote: The worst of men have often the largest share of - Fortune’s gifts.] - - ¶ And certys þe same þing may most digneliche Iugen - {and} seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune - þat most plenteuously [[pg 54]] - comen to shrewes. - - [Sidenote: We judge him to be valiant who has given evidence of - his fortitude.] - - ¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I 1429 - trowe þat it auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ - þat he nis strong. in whom he seeþ strengþe. {and} in - whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is swyfte. 1432 - - [Sidenote: So music maketh a musician, &c.] - - Also musyk makeþ musiciens. {and} fysik makeþ phisiciens. - {and} rethorik rethoriens. - - [Sidenote: The nature of everything consists in doing what is - peculiar to itself, and it repels what is contrary to it.] - - ¶ For whi þe nature - of euery þing makiþ his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat - ent{er}medled wiþ þe effect{is} of co{n}trarious þinges. 1436 - - [Linenotes: - 1374 _comeþ_--comth - 1375, 1376 _vertue_--vertu - 1376 _comeþ_--comth - _by_--for - _whiche_--which - 1377 _derworþe_--dereworthe - _clere_--cleer - 1378 _whiche_--which - 1379 _han_--MS. hanne, C. han - 1380 _say[e]_--saye - _mouse amongus_--mous amonges - _myse_--musȝ - 1382 _scorne_--scorn - 1383 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1385 _mannes_--man - 1386 _þe----slayn_--the whiche men wel ofte ben slayn - 1388 _mennes bodyes_--mannes body - 1391 _lower_--lower{e} - _whiche_--the which - 1395 _stedfast_--stidefast - 1396 _somtyme_--whylom - 1399 _whiche_--which - 1401 _owen_--owne - 1406 _receyue_--resseyuen - _oþer_--oothre - 1408 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde, C. herd told - 1409 _hys_--hise - _herburghden_--herberweden - 1410 _slayn_--sleyn - 1411 _had[de]_--hadde - 1413 _most[e]_--moste - 1414 _bounden_--bownde - _cheynes_--MS. þeues, C. cheynes - _had[de]_--hadde - 1415 _somtyme_--whylom - 1416 _þat----þing_--that hath no power to don a thinge - _oþer_--oothre - 1417 _hym_--in hym - _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth - _to oþer_--in oothre - 1421 _togidres_--to-gider{e} - 1423 _certeyne_--certein - 1424 _tymes_--tyme - 1425 _owen_--owne - 1429 _whiche_--which - 1430 _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 1432 _Soþe_--soth - _swyfte_--swyft - 1435 _is_--nis - 1436 _effectis_--effect] - - [Headnote: - POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.] - - ¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it ben - contrarie - - [Sidenote: Riches cannot restrain avarice. Power cannot make a man - master of himself if he is the slave of his lusts.] - - ¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne - auarice vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a - ma{n} myȝty ouer hym self. whiche þat vicious lustis 1440 - holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat ben - vnbounden. - - [Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon base men do not make them - worthy, but rather expose their want of merit.] - - {and} dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e] - folk nat oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ - raþer al openly þat þei ben vnworþi {and} vndigne. 1444 - - [Sidenote: Why is it so? ’Tis because you give false names to - things. You dignify riches, power, and honours, with names they - have no title to.] - - ¶ And whi is it þ{us}. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye to - clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in - þe co{n}t{ra}rie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued - by þe effect of þe same þinges. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 14.]] - - so þat *þise ilke rycchesse 1448 - ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben cleped rycchesse. - ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne - whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee. - - [Sidenote: In fine, the same may be said of all the gifts of - Fortune, in which nothing is desirable, nothing of natural good in - them, since they are not always allotted to good men, nor make - them good to whom they are attached.] - - ¶ And at þe laste I may conclude þe same þinge of 1452 - al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis no þing to - ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte. - ¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygne{n} - hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey 1456 - goode to who{m} þei be{n} y-ioigned. - - [Linenotes: - 1437 _oute_--owt - 1441 _ben_--be - 1442 _shrewed[e]_--shrewede - 1446 _fals[e]_--false - _al_--alle - 1447 _whiche_--which - 1449 _auȝten_--owhten - _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1450 _whiche_--swich - _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 1451 _whiche_--swich - _auȝt[e]_--owht - 1453 _al_--alle - 1454 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1455 _sene_--I-seene] - - - [[pg 55]] - [Headnote: - NERO’S CRUELTY.] - -NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: We know what ruin Nero did.] - - ++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} - destrucc{i}ou{n}s weren doñ by þe Emp{er}oure Nero. - - [Sidenote: He burnt Rome, he slew the conscript fathers, murdered - his brother, and spilt his mother’s blood.] - - ¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome {and} made slen þe 1460 - senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer. {and} - he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is - to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} þe body of his modir to - seen where he was conceiued. - - [Sidenote: He looked unmoved upon his mother’s corpse, and passed - judgment upon her beauty.] - - {and} he loked[e] on euery 1464 - half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette - his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben - domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. - - [Sidenote: Yet this parricide ruled over all lands, illumined by - the sun in his diurnal course, and controlled the frozen regions - of the pole.] - - ¶ And ȝitte - neuerþeles gouerned[e] þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples 1468 - þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng from his outerest - arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat - is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial - þat þe so{n}ne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And 1472 - eke þis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat - ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones. - þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben vndir - þe p{ar}ties of þe norþe. - - [Sidenote: He governed, too, the people in the torrid zone.] - - ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] 1476 - alle þe poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ - {and} bakiþ þe brennynge sandes by his drie hete. þat - is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe. - - [Sidenote: But yet Nero’s power could not tame his ferocious - mind.] - - [but yit ne - myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of 1480 - this wykkyd nero / - - [Sidenote: It is a grievous thing when power strengthens the arm - of him whose will prompts him to deeds of cruelty.] - - Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as - ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is - to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe. - - [Linenotes: - 1458 _greet[e]_--grete - 1460 _letee_--let - 1461 _somtyme slouȝ_--whilom slow - 1463 _let_--lette - 1464 _where_--wher - 1465 _half_--halue - 1466 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 1467 _hire_--hyr - 1468 _neuerþeles_--natheles - _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede - _al_--alle - 1469 _from_--fram - _outerest_--owtereste - 1470 _hidde_--hide - 1471 _seyne_--seyn - 1472 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth - 1473 _goueyrende_--gou{er}nyd - 1474 _triones_--tyryones - 1475 _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede - 1476 _parties_--p{ar}ty - _norþe_--north - _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede - 1477 _wynde_--wynd - _scorchiþ_--scorklith - 1479 _seyne_--seyn - _souþe_--sowth - 1479-81 [_but----it is_]--MS. _has_: but ne how greuous fortune is - 1482 _swerde_--swerd] - - - [[pg 56]] - [Headnote: - THE LOVE OF GLORY.] - -TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ Thou knowest that I did not covet mortal and - transitory things.] - - ++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe 1484 - couetise of mortal þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe - of me. but I haue wel desired matere of þinges - to done. as who seiþ. - - [Sidenote: I only wished to exercise my virtue in public concerns, - lest it should grow feeble by inactivity.] - - I desired[e] to han matere of - gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne 1488 - sholde not elden. þat is to seyn. þat list þat or he wex - olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. ne sholde - nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. - ¶ For whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his 1492 - goode gouernement. - - [Sidenote: _P._ A love of glory is one of those things that may - captivate minds naturally great, but not yet arrived at the - perfection of virtue.] - - ¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d - she. {and} þat is a þing þat may drawen to gouernaunce - swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir nature. - but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as 1496 - ben y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is - to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel - administred þe comune þinges. or doon goode decertes - to p{ro}fit of þe comune. - - [Sidenote: But consider how small and void of weight is that - glory.] - - for se now {and} considere how 1500 - litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie. - - [Sidenote: Astronomy teaches us that this globe of earth is but a - speck compared with the extent of the heavens, and is as nothing - if compared with the magnitude of the celestial sphere.] - - ¶ Certeine - þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of - astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute - ne halt but þe resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse 1504 - of heuene. þat is to seye. þat yif þat þer were - maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe gretnesse of - heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde - no space - - [Sidenote: Ptolemy shows that only one-fourth of this earth is - inhabited by living creatures.] - - ¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde 1508 - þe ferþe partie is enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat - we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned by tholome þat - p{ro}uitħ it. - - [Sidenote: Deduct from this the space occupied by seas, marshes, - lakes, and deserts, and there remains but a small proportion left - for the abode of man.] - - ¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated - in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe 1512 - see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as - myche space as þe regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}streccheþ. - - [Linenotes: - 1487 _desired[e]_--desyr{e} - 1489 _wex olde_--wax old - 1492 _whiche_--which - _speke_--spekyn - 1496 _tollen_--MS. tellen, C. tollen - 1497 _ful[le]_--fulle - 1501 _al prise_--alle prys - 1505 _seye_--seyn - 1507 _wolde_--woldyn - _alle_--al - [_ne_]--from C. - 1510 _lerned_--ylerned - 1512 _þouȝte_--thowht - _myche_--moche - 1513 [_the_]--from C. - 1514 _myche space_--moche spaces] - - [[pg 57]] - [Headnote: - FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 14 _b_.]] - - þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ sholde - *þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of 1516 - men. - - [Sidenote: And do you, who are confined to the least point of this - point, think of nothing but of blazing far and wide your name and - reputation?] - - {and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ - i{n}ne þe leest[e] prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to - manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don ȝoure name to ben - born forþe. - - [Sidenote: What is there great in a glory so circumscribed?] - - but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and} so 1520 - streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche - conteinþe it in largesse {and} in greet doynge. - - [Sidenote: Even in this contracted circle, there is a great - variety of nations, to whom not only the fame of particular men, - but even of great cities, cannot extend.] - - And also - sette þis þer to þat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge - {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben 1524 - enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe - whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what - for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of - vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe 1528 - names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke - þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen. - - [Sidenote: In the time of Marcus Tullius the fame of Rome did not - reach beyond Mount Caucasus.] - - ¶ At þe - last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym - self writeþ in his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of 1532 - Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe - mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was þilk - tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes. - and eke of oþer folk enhabityng aboute. - - [Sidenote: How narrow, then, is that glory which you labour to - propagate.] - - ¶ Sest þou 1536 - nat þan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie - þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie. - - [Sidenote: Shall the glory of a Roman citizen reach those places - where the name even of Rome was never heard?] - - May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider - as þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne 1540 - passen. - - [Sidenote: Customs and institutions differ in different - countries.] - - ¶ And eke sest þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of - diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge - hem self. - - [Sidenote: What is praise-worthy in one is blame-worthy in - another.] - - so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen worþi of - p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. 1544 - - [Linenotes: - 1515 _seye_--seyn - 1516 _streite_--streyt - 1517 _þan_--thanne - 1518 _inne_--in - _leest[e]_--leste - _þilk_--thilke - _þenke ȝe_--thinken ye - 1520 _born forþe_--MS. borne, C. born, forth - _narwe_--narwh - 1521 _streyt_--streyte - _myche_--mochel - 1522 _conteinþe_--coueyteth - 1525 _habitacle_--MS. habitache, C. habytacule - 1529 [_nat_]--from C. - 1531 _last[e]_--laste - 1532 _writeþ_--writ - 1533 _hadde_--hadden - _ȝitte_--omitted - 1534 _hyȝt_--hyhte - _þilk_--thikke - 1535 _wexen_--waxen - 1536 _Sest þou_--sestow - 1538 _shew_--shewe - 1539 _singlere_--singler] - - [Headnote: - FAME IS NOT ETERNAL.] - - [Sidenote: It is not the interest of any man who desires renown to - have his name spread through many countries.] - - ¶ and þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in - p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise [[pg 58]] - bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many manere - peoples. - - [Sidenote: He ought, therefore, to be satisfied with the glory he - has acquired at home.] - - ¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben 1548 - paied of hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen - neyȝbores. - - [Sidenote: But of how many personages, illustrious in their times, - have the memorials been lost through the carelessness and neglect - of writers.] - - ¶ And þilke noble renou{n} shal be - restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but how - many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe 1552 - nedy {and} wrecched forȝetynge of writers put oute of - mynde {and} don awey. - - [Sidenote: But writings do not preserve the names of men for - ever.] - - ¶ Al be it so þat certys þilke - writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe {and} - derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. 1556 - - [Sidenote: But perhaps you suppose that you shall secure - immortality if your names are transmitted to future ages.] - - but ȝe men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe - þenke þat in tyme comyng ȝoure fame shal lasten. - - [Sidenote: If you consider the infinite space of eternity you will - have no reason to rejoice in this supposition.] - - ¶ But - naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to þe endeles - space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou 1560 - maist reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name. - - [Sidenote: If a _moment_ be compared with 10,000 years, there is a - proportion between them, though a very small one.] - - ¶ For - if þer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a - mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for as myche as boþe - þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some 1564 - porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be. - - [Sidenote: But this number of years, multiplied by whatever sum - you please, vanishes when compared with the infinite extent of - eternity.] - - ¶ But naþeles - þilke self nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as - þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d - to þe p{er}durablete þat is een[de]les. - - [Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none - between the infinite and finite.] - - ¶ For of 1568 - þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of - thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende - may be maked no {com}parysou{n}]. - - [Sidenote: Hence it is, that Fame (however lasting), compared with - eternity, will seem absolutely nothing.] - - ¶ And for þi is it al - þouȝ renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken 1572 - were þouȝt by þe regard of et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable - {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but - pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. - - [Sidenote: But yet you do good from no other view than to have the - empty applause of the people, foregoing the pleasures of a good - conscience in order to have the insignificant praises of other - people.] - - ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne - don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. [[pg 59]] - {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse 1577 - of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure - gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke. - - [Linenotes: - 1545 _comeþ_--comth it - 1547 _furþe_--forth - _manere_--maner - 1548 _þerfore_--ther-for - _auȝte_--owhte - 1549 _paied_--apayed - _hys owen_--hise owne - 1550 _neyȝbores_--nesshebours - _be_--ben - 1552 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt - 1556 _derke_--derk - _doþ aweye_--MS. doþe, C. doth a-wey - _her autours_--hir actorros - 1557 _ȝe_--yow - _semen_--semeth - 1558 _comyng_--to comynge - 1559 _wilt_--wolt - 1560 _whiche_--which - 1563 _myche_--mochel - 1564 _þo_--the - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _some_--som - 1566 _self_--selue - 1567 _be_ (2)--ben - 1568 _een[de]les_--endeles - 1569 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked - [_but----comparysoun_]--from C. - 1573 _by_--to] - - [Headnote: - VANITY REPROVED.] - - [Sidenote: This silly vanity was once thus ingeniously and - pleasantly rallied.] - - ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of whiche 1580 - p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy - {and} myrily swiche vanite. - - [Sidenote: A certain man, who had assumed the name of a - philosopher through a love of vain-glory, was told by a man of - humour that he could prove he was a philosopher by bearing - patiently the injuries offered him.] - - somtyme þere was a man þat - had[de] assaied wiþ striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe - whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude 1584 - veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe name - of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of - þouȝt[e] he wolde assay[e] where he þilke were a - philosopher or no. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 15.]] - - þat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred 1588 - lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges *þat weren don vnto hym. - - [Sidenote: After counterfeiting patience for a while, the sophist - said to the other, ‘You must surely confess that I am a - philosopher.’] - - ¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a - litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of - outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and} reioysynge of 1592 - hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest - þou nat þat I am a philosophere. - - [Sidenote: ‘I might have believed it,’ said the other, ‘had you - held your tongue.’] - - þat oþer man answered[e] - aȝein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de] - wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n} þi tonge 1596 - stille. - - [Sidenote: What advantage is it to great and worthy men to be - extolled after death?] - - ¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men. - For certys of swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ - vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniþ fame to - swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe deeþ. atte 1600 - þe last[e]. - - [Sidenote: If body and soul die, then there can be no glory; nor - can there be when he (to whom it is ascribed) does not exist.] - - ¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is - to seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n} - defendiþ vs to byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no - wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie ben. for he of 1604 - who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no wise. - - [Sidenote: But if the soul is immortal when it leaves the body, it - takes no thought of the joys of this world.] - - and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of - goode werkes vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe [[pg 60]] - wendeþ frely to þe heuene. dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle 1608 - erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioiseþ þat - it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith / - thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this - world]. 1612 - - [Linenotes: - 1580 _whiche_--swych - 1581 _scorned[e]_--scornede - 1582 _swiche_--swych - _somtyme_--whilom - 1583 _had[de]_--hadde - 1584 _whiche_--which - _proude_--prowd - 1586 _speke_--spak - 1587 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte - _assay[e]_--assaye - 1588 _seyne_--seyn - 1590 _feined[e]_--feynede - 1592 _aȝeine_--ayein - 1593 _last[e]_--laste - _vndirstondest þou_--vndyrstondow - 1594 _answered[e]_--answerde - 1595 _had[de]_--hadde - 1596 [_yt_]--from C. - 1601 _last[e]_--laste - 1602 _seyne_--seyn - 1604 _for_ (2)--whan - 1605 _þis_--thilke - _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - _nouȝt_--nawht - 1606 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1608 _nouȝt þan_--nat thanne - 1610 _from_--fro - 1610-1612 [_as----world_]--from C.] - - - [Headnote: - DEATH PUTS AN END TO RENOWN.] - -QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE. - - [Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]] - - [Sidenote: Let him who seeks fame, thinking it to be the sovereign - good, look upon the broad universe and this circumscribed earth; - and he will then despise a glorious name limited to such a - confined space.] - - ++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie - of fame. {and} weniþ þat it be souereyne good - ¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng contreys of - þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and} 1616 - he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may - nat fulfille þe litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what - coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in - ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde. - - [Sidenote: Will splendid titles and renown prolong a man’s life?] - - ¶ For al þouȝ 1620 - [þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ - by dyuerse tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes - shyne wiþ clere titles of hono{ur}s. - - [Sidenote: In the grave there is no distinction between high and - low.] - - ȝit naþeles - deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and} deeþ wrappeþ 1624 - to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal - {and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e]. - - [Sidenote: Where is the good Fabricius now?] - - ¶ where - wone{n} now þe bones of trewe fabricius. - - [Sidenote: Where the noble Brutus, or stern Cato?] - - what is - now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit lastynge 1628 - of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres. - - [Sidenote: Their empty names still live, but of their persons we - know nothing.] - - but al þouȝ we han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of - hem. it is nat ȝeuen to knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and} - consumpt. - - [Sidenote: Fame cannot make you known.] - - Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly vnknowable 1632 - ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene - to lyuen þe leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name. - whan o cruel day shal rauyshe ȝow. þan is þe secunde - deeþ dwellyng in ȝow. - - [Sidenote: It will be effaced by conquering Time, so that death - will be doubly victorious.] - - _Glosa._ þe first deeþ he clepiþ 1636 - here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and [[pg 61]] - þe secunde deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of - þe renoune of fame.[3] - - [Linenotes: - 1615 _Lete_--Lat - _loke_--looken - 1616 _sete_--Cyte - 1617 _be_--ben - 1619 _vpon_--vp - 1620 _and dedely_--in the dedly - 1621 _y-spradde_--ysprad - [_þat_]--from C. - _ferne_--MS. serue, C. ferne - _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth - 1622 {and} (2)--or - 1623 _shyne_--shynen - _clere_--cler - 1624 _al_--alle - 1626 _heyest[e]_--heyoste - _lowest[e]_--loweste - 1628 _stiern_--MS. sciern, C. stierne - 1632 _consumpt_--{con}sumpte - 1634 _lenger_--longer{e} - 1637 _þe_ (1)--omitted - 1639 _renoune_--renou{n}] - - [Footnote 3: The next three chapters are from the Camb. MS.] - - - [Headnote: - ADVERSE FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.] - -[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA. - - [Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: ‘But do not believe,’ said Philosophy, ‘that I am an - implacable enemy to Fortune.] - - ++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she 1640 - þ{a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // - - [Sidenote: This inconstant dame sometimes deserves well of men, - when she appears in her true colours.] - - yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t she desseyuable desserueth - to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t is whan she - hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt / 1644 - {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow - nat þ{a}t .I. shal seye // - - [Sidenote: And what I say may perhaps appear paradoxical.] - - it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I. - desyr{e} to telle / - - [Sidenote: That is, that adverse fortune is more beneficial than - prosperous fortune.] - - {and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my - sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune 1648 - p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} // - - [Sidenote: The latter lies and deceives us, the former displays - her natural inconstancy.] - - For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth - falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe - {con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she 1652 - sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // - - [Sidenote: That deceives us, this instructs us; that, by a - fallacious show of good, enslaves the mind; this, by the knowledge - of her fickleness, frees and absolves it.] - - the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune - techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} the beaute - of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the 1656 - contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of - freele welefulnesse // - - [Sidenote: The one is wavering and incapable of reflection, the - other is staid and wise through experience of adversity.] - - the amyable fortune maysthow sen - alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge 1659 - of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd - {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte // - - [Sidenote: Lastly, prosperous fortune leads men astray. Adversity - teaches them wherein real happiness consists.] - - at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth - mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos - fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / 1664 - {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke / - - [Sidenote: It renders us no inconsiderable service in enabling us - to recognize our true friends.] - - weenesthow - thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / þ{a}t - this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the - thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune 1668 - hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the [[pg 62]] - certeyn vysages {and} ek the dowtos visages of thy - felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / she took - awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // 1672 - - [Sidenote: At what price would you not have bought this knowledge - in your prosperity?] - - now whan thow wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} - how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge - of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy - verray freendes // - - [Sidenote: Complain not, then, of loss of wealth, since thou hast - found infinitely greater riches in your true friends.] - - now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse 1676 - .I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde - of Rychesses þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes. - - - [Headnote: - ALL THINGS BOUND BY THE CHAIN OF LOVE.] - -QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE. - - [Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: This world, by an invariable order, suffers change.] - - ++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable - chaungynges // - - [Sidenote: Elements, that by nature disagree, are restrained by - concord.] - - þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ 1680 - holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us} - the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the - rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the - nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt // 1684 - - [Sidenote: The sea is thus kept within its proper bounds.] - - þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende - hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise - brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn - to cou{er}e alle the erthe // - - [Sidenote: This concord is produced by love, which governeth earth - and sea, and extends its influence to the heavens.] - - Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges 1688 - is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} - hath also {com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes / - - [Sidenote: If this chain of love were broken all things would be - in perpetual strife, and the world would go to ruin.] - - {and} yif - this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now - louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely 1692 - {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde / - the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre - moeuynges // - - [Sidenote: Love binds nations together, it ties the nuptial knot, - and dictates binding laws to friendship.] - - this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned - w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages 1696 - of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to - trewe felawes // - - [Sidenote: Men were truly blest if governed by this celestial - love!’] - - O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke - loue þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages / - - EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_. - - [Linenote: - 1690 _hath_--H. he hath] - - - - - [[pg 63]] - [Headnote: - BOETHIUS IS COMFORTED BY PHILOSOPHY’S SONG.] - -INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3^_us_. - - -IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy now ended her song.] - - ++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse 1700 - of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous - of herkninge / - - [Sidenote: I was so charmed that I kept a listening as if she were - still speaking.] - - {and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn - Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde - seye // - - [Sidenote: At last I said, O sovereign comforter of dejected - minds, how much hast thou refreshed me with the energy of thy - discourse, so that I now think myself almost an equal match for - Fortune and able to resist her blows.] - - so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow 1704 - þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So thow - hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy - sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe - nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as 1708 - who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune - {and} wel deffende me fro hyr // - - [Sidenote: I fear not, therefore, thy remedies, but earnestly - desire to hear what they are.] - - {and} tho remedies - whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren ryht sharpe - Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. desiros 1712 - of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // - - [Sidenote: _P._ When I perceived that, silent and attentive, you - received my words, I expected to find such a state of mind in you, - or rather, I created in you such an one.] - - than seyde she thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // - whan þ{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my - wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow haddest swych habyte 1716 - of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl þ{a}t .I. - my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which - þ{a}t is a moore verray thing{e} // - - [Sidenote: What remains to be said is of such a nature that when - it is first tasted it is pungent and unpleasant, but when once - swallowed it turns sweet, and is grateful to the stomach.] - - And certes the remenau{n}t - of thinges þ{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst 1720 - whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan - they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they - swete // - - [Sidenote: But because you say you would now gladly hear, with - what desire would you burn if you could imagine whither I am going - to lead you?] - - but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to - herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow 1724 - glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the // - - [Sidenote: _B._ Whither is that, I pray?] - - whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. // - - [Sidenote: _P._ To that true felicity, of which you seem to have - but a faint foretaste.] - - to thilke verray welefulnesse - q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // - - [Sidenote: But your sight is clouded with false forms, so that it - cannot yet behold this same felicity.] - - but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by 1728 - Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit - sen thilke selue welefulnesse // - - [Sidenote: _B._ Show me, I pray, that true happiness without - delay.] - - do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe - me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the [[pg 64]] - w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // - - [Sidenote: _P._ I will gladly do so at your desire, but I will - first describe that false cause (of happiness), so that you may be - better able to comprehend the exact model.] - - þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she / 1732 - for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by - wordes / {and} I wol enforcen me to enformen the // - thilke false cause of blysfulnesse þ{a}t thow more knowest / - so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false 1736 - goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow - mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //] - - [Linenotes: - 1702 _streyhte_--H. strenghed - 1712 _am nat_--H. nam nought - 1718 _had[de]_--H. hade - 1734 _wol_--H. shall{e} - 1739 _wil_--wole - _felde_--feeld] - - - [Headnote: - AWAY WITH FALSE FELICITY!] - - [Sidenote: * Here the Add. MS. begins again.] - -*QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who would sow seed must first clear the ground of - useless weeds, so that he may reap an abundant harvest.] - - ¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first - delyuer it of þornes {and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke 1740 - þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe corne may come{n} heuy - of eres {and} of greins. - - [Sidenote: Honey tastes all the sweeter to a palate disgusted by - offensive flavours.] - - hony is þe more swete yif mouþes - han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke. - - [Sidenote: The stars shine all the clearer when the southern - showery blasts cease to blow.] - - ¶ þe sterres - shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his 1744 - ploungy blastes. - - [Sidenote: When Lucifer has chased away the dark night, then - Phœbus mounts his gay chariot.] - - {and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ - chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe - rosene horse of þe sonne. - - [Sidenote: So you, beholding the false felicity, and withdrawing - your neck from the yoke of earthly affections, will soon see the - sovereign good.] - - ¶ Ryȝt so þou byholdyng - first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] 1748 - fro þe ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe - verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage. - - [Linenotes: - 1740 _delyuer_--delyuere - _of_--fro - _hooke_--hook - 1741 _bushes_--bosses - _ferne_--fern - _corne_--korn - 1743 _firste_--fyrst - _wikke_--wyckyd - 1744 _wynde_--wynd - _his_--hise - 1745 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1746 _feirer_--fayrere - 1747 _horse_--hors - _Ryȝt_--And Ryht - 1748 _fals[e]_--false - _bygynne_--bygyn - _wiþdrawe_--w{i}t{h} drawen - _nek[ke]_--nekke - 1749 _afterwarde_--afft{er}ward - 1750 _entre_--entren] - - - [Headnote: - THE DESIRE OF THE TRUE GOOD.] - -TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Philosophy, with a serious air, and appearing to - recollect herself, and to rouse up all her faculties, thus began.] - - ++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow - hir ryȝt as it were in to þe streite sete of hir 1752 - þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt þ{us}. - - [Sidenote: All the cares and desires of men seek one - end--happiness.] - - Alle þe cures - q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem i{n} - many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 15 _b_.]] - - ¶ But naþeles þei enforced hem *to comen oonly to on 1756 - ende of blisfulnesse [[pg 65]] - - [Sidenote: True happiness is that complete good which, once - obtained, leaves nothing more to be desired.] - - [And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode - þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer þat no þing more - desiire. - - [Sidenote: It is the sovereign good, and comprehends all others. - It lacks nothing, otherwise it could not be the supreme good.] - - and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat conteiniþ - in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode 1760 - yif þere failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne - goode. ¶ For þan were þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne - goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben desired. - - [Sidenote: Happiness is, therefore, that perfect state, in which - all other goods meet and centre.] - - Now is it clere {and} - certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat - by þe congregac{i}ou{n} 1764 - of alle goodes. - - [Sidenote: It is the object which all men strive after.] - - ¶ þe whiche blisfulnesse as - I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by - dyuerse weyes. - - [Sidenote: A desire of the true good is a natural instinct, but - error misleads them to pursue false joys.] - - ¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode - is naturely y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe 1768 - myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ hem in to fals[e] goodes. - - [Sidenote: Some, imagining the supreme good to consist in lacking - nothing, labour for an abundance of _riches_; others, supposing - that this good lies in the _reverence_ and _esteem_ of their - fellow men, strive to acquire honourable positions.] - - ¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat souereygne - goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing. - {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. 1772 - and some oþer men deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto - be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben - reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe hono{ur}s þat þei - han ygeten - - [Sidenote: There are some, again, who place it in supreme _power_, - and seek to rule, or to be favoured by the ruling powers.] - - ¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat 1776 - ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen - he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat - regnen. - - [Sidenote: There are those who fancy _fame_ to be the height of - happiness, and seek by the arts of war or peace to get renown.] - - ¶ And it semeþ to some oþer folk þat noblesse - of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to 1780 - geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees. - - [Sidenote: Many there are who believe nothing to be better than - _joy_ and _gladness_, and think it delightful to plunge into - luxury.] - - and many folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode - be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful - [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit. - - [Sidenote: Some there are who use these causes and ends - interchangeably, as those who desire riches as a means of getting - power; or who desire power in order to get money or renown.] - - ¶ And 1784 - þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes {and} þe endes - of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to [[pg 66]] - han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto - han moneye or for cause of renou{n}. - - [Sidenote: In all they do they have a particular end in view.] - - ¶ In þise þinges 1788 - {and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n} - of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As þus. - - [Linenotes: - 1751 _fastned[e]_--fastnede - _wiþdrow_--MS. wiþdrowen, C. w{i}t{h} drowh - 1752 _sete_--Cyte - 1756 _enforced_--enforsen - 1757 [_And blysfulnesse_]--from C. - _goode_--good - 1758 _so_--so þ{a}t - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 1759 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn - 1760 _al_--alle - _goode_--good - 1761 _þere_--ther - _failed[e]_--faylyde - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - 1762 _þan_--thanne - _þere_--ther - _goode_--good - _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn - 1763 _goode_--good - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 1764 _certeyne_--certein - 1766 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - _folke_--foolk - 1767 _goode_--good - 1769 _fals[e]_--false - 1770 _souereygne goode is_--sou{er}eyn good be - 1771 _lyue wiþ outen_--lyuen w{i}t{h} owte - 1772 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - 1773 _some_--som - _goode be_--good ben - 1774 _be_--ben - 1775 _neyȝbours_--nesshebors - 1776 _halden_--holden - 1777 _heyȝe_--heyh - _to_--omitted - _goode_--good - 1780 _goode_--good - 1781 _or_--{and} - 1782 _folke_--folk - _goode_--good - 1783 _be_--by - 1784 [_thynge_]--from C. - 1786 _rycchesse_--rychesses - 1787 _delices_--delytes - 1789 _oþer_--oothre - _al_--alle - 1790 [_of_]--from C.] - - [Headnote: - FRIENDSHIP A SACRED THING.] - - [Sidenote: Nobility and popular favour are sought after by some in - order to become famous.] - - ¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it - semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}. - - [Sidenote: By others, wives and children are only desired as - sources of pleasure.] - - ¶ and wijf {and} 1792 - children þat men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. - - [Sidenote: Friendship must not be reckoned among the goods of - fortune, but among those of virtue, for it is a very sacred - thing.] - - ¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened - among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it - is a ful holy man{er}e þing. - - [Sidenote: All else are desired either for the power or pleasure - they afford.] - - alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe 1796 - ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of - delit. - - [Sidenote: The goods of the body fall under the same predicament.] - - ¶ Certis now am I redy to referen þe goodes of - þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen. - - [Sidenote: Strength and a good stature seem to give power and - worthiness.] - - ¶ For it semeþ - þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and} 1800 - worþinesse. - - [Sidenote: Beauty and swiftness give glory and fame; and health - gives delight.] - - ¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen - noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ - ȝiuen delit. - - [Sidenote: In all these happiness alone is sought.] - - ¶ In alle þise þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat - blisfulnesse is desired. - - [Sidenote: What a man most wishes for, that he esteems the supreme - good, which, as we have defined, is happiness.] - - ¶ For-whi þilke þing þat euery 1804 - man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe - souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse - is þe souereyne goode. for whiche euery wyȝt - demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer alle þinges þat 1808 - it be þe blisfulnesse. - - [Sidenote: Thou hast now before thee a view of human felicity - (falsely so called), that is, riches, honours, power, glory, and - delight, which last _Epicurus_ considered as the sovereign good.] - - ¶ Now hast þou þan byforne - [thy eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse - of ma{n}ky{n}de. þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. - power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe whiche delit oonly considered 1812 - Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat delit is þe - souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as - hym þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe - herte. - - [Sidenote: I now return to the inclinations and pursuits of - mankind.] - - ¶ But I reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. 1816 - of whiche men þe corage alwey rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe [[pg 67]] - souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be wiþ a derke - memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. - - [Sidenote: Their minds are bent upon the chief good, and are ever - seeking it with a darkened understanding, like a drunken man, who - cannot find his way home.] - - ¶ Ryȝt as a - dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne 1820 - home to hys house. - - [Sidenote: Do they go astray who strive to keep themselves from - want?] - - ¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen - {and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no þing - - [Linenotes: - 1794 _shollen_--sholden - 1795 _þe_--tho - 1796 _oþer_--oothre - 1801 _swiftenesse_--sweftnesse - 1803 _ȝiuen_--MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen - 1806, 1807 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - 1807 _whiche_--whych - 1809 _þe_--omitted - _þan byforne_--thanne byforn - 1810 [_thy eyen_]--from C.; MS. _has_ ȝeuen aȝeyne - _almost_--almest - _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse - 1811 _seyne rycchesse_--seyn Rychesses - 1814 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - _myche_--moche - _oþer_--oothre - 1815 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte - _from_--fram - 1816 _aȝeyne_--ayein - 1818 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - _of_--omitted - _alle_--al - _derke_--dirkyd - 1819 [_but----paath_]--from C. - 1820 _dronke_--dronken - _paþe_--paath - 1821 _home_--hym] - - [Headnote: - ALL SEEK THE CHIEF GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: By no means. No state is happier than that in which a - man is above want, and independent of others.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 16.]] - - ¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny - blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} *of alle 1824 - goodes þat ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is - suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self. - - [Sidenote: Are they guilty of folly that seek esteem and - reverence?] - - and foleyen - swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing þ{a}t is - ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of 1828 - reuerence. - - [Sidenote: No; for that is not contemptible for which all men - strive.] - - ¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule - ne worþi to ben dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel - folke trauaille forto geten it. - - [Sidenote: Is not power to be reckoned amongst desirable goods?] - - ¶ And power auȝt[e] - nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes - - [Sidenote: Why not? For that is not an insignificant good which - invests a man with authority and command.] - - what ellis. 1832 - for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most - worþi of alle þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and} - clernesse of renou{n} auȝte þat to ben dispised. - - [Sidenote: Fame also is to be regarded, for everything excellent - is also shining and renowned.] - - ¶ Certys - þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is ryȝt excellent 1836 - {and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and} renomed. - - [Sidenote: We hardly need say that happiness is not an unjoyous - and melancholy state, for in the pursuit of the smallest matters - men seek only pleasure.] - - ¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse - be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne - to sorwes. syn þat in ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to 1840 - haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten hem. - - [Sidenote: Hence it is that mankind seek riches, &c., because by - them they hope to get independence, honour, &c.] - - ¶ Certys þise - ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. - and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes. - glorie {and} delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce 1844 - hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse. - - [Sidenote: However varied their desires, _happiness_ is their sole - pursuit.] - - ¶ þanne - is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so many dyu{er}se - studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d. - how grete is þe strengþe of nature. [[pg 68]] - - [Sidenote: However various men’s opinions are respecting - happiness, all agree in pursuing it as the end of their actions - and desires.] - - ¶ For how so þat 1848 - men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men - accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende of goode. - - [Linenotes: - 1823 _perfourny_--p{er}forme - 1825 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _none_--non - 1827 _þilk_--thilke - 1828 _goode_--good - 1829 _foule_--fowl - 1830 _al_--welneyh alle - 1831 _trauaille_--trauaylen - _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 1832 _be_--ben - 1834 _out_--owte - 1835 _auȝte_--owhte - 1836 _al_--alle - 1837 _be_--ben - _clere_--cleer - 1843 _rycches_--Rychesses - 1846 _goode_--good - 1847 _be_--ben - 1848 _grete_--gret - 1849 _algates_--Allegates - 1850 _goode_--good] - - - [Headnote: - OF NATURE’S LAWS.] - -Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: I will now sing of Nature’s laws, by which the universe - is governed.] - - ++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and} - delitable sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ 1852 - {and} flitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by - whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde. {and} - how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde þat - may nat be vnbounden. - - [Sidenote: [j]] - [Sidenote: The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper’s - lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive, - and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.] - - ¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of 1856 - þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines. {and} taken - metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and} - dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to - suffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. 1860 - þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage - of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested. repaireþ - aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir - nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. 1864 - and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþe - assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þei - freten hir maister. - - [Sidenote: [ij]] - [Sidenote: If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of - the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her - food, and pine for the beloved woods.] - - ¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ - on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wode {and} 1868 - after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t] þe - pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes - {and} large metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif - þilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe 1872 - agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir - fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe - wode {and} twitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete - voys. - - [Sidenote: [iij]] - [Sidenote: The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume - its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.] - - ¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty 1876 - strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe [[pg 69]] - hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oon - þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene. - - [Sidenote: [iiij]] - [Sidenote: Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by - a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.] - - ¶ þe sonne phebus - þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein 1880 - eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont - aryse. - - [Sidenote: All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the - source of order.] - - ¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre - cours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge - aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to 1884 - þi{n}ges but þat. - - [Sidenote: Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found, - for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return - from whence they came.] - - þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe - bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable - þat it chaungeþ nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde. - - [Linenotes: - 1851 _shew[e]_--shewe - 1854 _whiche_--MS. swiche, C. whyche - _worlde_--world - 1856 _be_--ben - _vnbounden_--vnbownde - 1857 _fair[e]_--fayr{e} - 1860 [_betinges_]--from C. - 1862 _passeþ_--passed - 1864 _from_--fram - _vnbounden_--vnbownde - 1865 _to-teren_--to-torn - _toþe_--toth - 1867 _Iangland_--Iangelynge - 1869 _streit_--streyht - 1870 _pleiyng_--MS. pleinyng, C. pleyynge - _besines_--bysynesse - _honied[e]_--honyede - 1872 _oute_--owt - 1873 _agreable_--agreables - 1874 _fete_--feet - 1875 _twitriþ_--twiterith - 1877 _croppe_--crop - 1878 _hande_--hand - _bente_--bent - 1880 _failleþ_--falleth - 1881 _cart_--carte - _a_--omitted - _paþe_--paath - 1883 _of_--MS. of of - 1885 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _ioignynge_--Ioyned - 1886 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - - [Headnote: - THE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.] - -VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of - your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in - view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 16 _b_.]] - - *++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} 1888 - alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a - þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner þouȝt al be it - nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk 1891 - verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n} - ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But - many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer fro. - - [Sidenote: Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means - they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?] - - ¶ Considere - now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man - weniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen 1896 - to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by nature - - [Sidenote: If riches and honours and the like make men happy, so - that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured - by these acquisitions.] - - ¶ For - yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer forseide þinges - bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille - hem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] 1900 - þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei han - geten. - - [Sidenote: But if these things cannot make good what they promise, - if there still be something to be desired, then they are - delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.] - - ¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne mowe nat - p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of - many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals 1904 - beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke - þinges. ¶ First {and} forward þou þi self þat haddest - haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. [[pg 70]] - - [Sidenote: In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong - or grievance?] - - ¶ I axe - ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses 1908 - þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any - wrong or greuau{n}ce þat by-tidde þe on any syde. - - [Linenotes: - 1889 [_yowre bygynnynge_]--from C. - _al_--MS. as, C. Al - 1891 _from_--fram - _til þilk_--to thylke - 1892 _þe_--omitted - 1893 _þilk_--thylke - 1895 _be_--by - 1896 _gete_--geten - 1899 _swiche_--swych - _goode_--good - 1900 _wil_--wole - _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te - 1904 _many_--manye - _clerely_--clerly - _fals_--false - 1905 _knowe_--knowen - 1908 _þilk[e]_--thylke] - - [Headnote: - NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I must confess that I cannot remember ever being - wholly free from some trouble or other.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I was - so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of 1912 - somwhat. - - [Sidenote: _P._ That was because something was absent which you - did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.] - - þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest - han lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest - han had. - - [Sidenote: _B._ That’s quite true.] - - ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then you did desire the presence of the one and - the absence of the other?] - - desiredest þou - þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer. 1916 - - [Sidenote: _B._ I confess I did.] - - I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Every man is in need of what he desires.] - - for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer - somwhat þat euery man desireþ. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly he is.] - - ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?] - - ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he þat haþ lakke or nede of a - wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self. 1920 - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - no q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?] - - {and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi - rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What then if I did?] - - ¶ what - ellis q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all - want, although this was what they seemed to promise.] - - ¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a - man nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} 1924 - þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ. - - [Sidenote: Money may part company with its owner, however - unwilling he may be to lose it.] - - ¶ and eke - certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye - ne haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen - of hem þat han it maugre hem. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I confess that’s true.] - - ¶ I by-knowe 1928 - it wel q{uod} I - - [Sidenote: _P._ It ought to be confessed when every day we see - _might_ prevailing over _right_.] - - ¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen it - q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen - it fram þe febler maugre hem. - - [Sidenote: From whence springs so much litigation, but from this, - that men seek to recover their own of which they have been - unjustly deprived?] - - ¶ Fro whennes comen - ellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of 1932 - plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneye - þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} - alwey maugre hem. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true.] - - ¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then a man needs the assistance of others in order - to keep his riches.] - - þan q{uo}d - she haþ a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by 1936 - whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I. - - [Linenotes: - 1913 _þat----lakkedest_--And was nat þ{a}t q{uod} she for - þ{a}t the lacked som-what - 1915 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - 1917 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te - 1919 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _a wyȝt_--awht - 1921 _alle_--al - 1922 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - _lak_--lakke - 1923 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - 1927 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _owen_--owne - 1930 _strenger folke by-nymen_--strenger{e} folk by-nemyn - 1931 _fram_--fro - _febler_--febeler{e} - _Fro_--for - 1933 _aȝeine_--ayeyn - 1934 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _be_--ben - 1936 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _helpe_--help - 1937 _say_--sey] - - [[pg 71]] - [Headnote: - RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.] - - [Sidenote: If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need - of this help?] - - ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe - yif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese. - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is beyond all doubt.] - - ¶ þat - is doutles q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then the very reverse of what was expected (from - riches) takes place? For riches add to a man’s necessities.] - - þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie 1940 - q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholde - make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede of - foreine helpe. - - [Sidenote: Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not - rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?] - - ¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod} - she þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk 1944 - may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche men - may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. - - [Sidenote: You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy - these wants.] - - ¶ But - þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ - þei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest 1948 - {and} don awey colde. - - [Sidenote: By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot - satisfy every want.] - - ¶ In þis wise may nede be co{n}forted - by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al - out{er}ly be don awey. - - [Sidenote: Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with - riches, yet some cravings will remain.] - - for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey - gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe 1952 - any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled. - - [Sidenote: A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has - enough.] - - ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how þat litel - þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ ne - suffiseþ no þinge. - - [Sidenote: If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think - that they can supply all your necessities?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 17.]] - - *¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat 1956 - al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may - it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeue{n} - ȝow suffisau{n}ce. - - [Linenotes: - 1938 _nediþ no helpe_--nedede non help - 1939 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 1940 _doutles_--dowteles - 1941 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - 1943 _helpe_--help - _whiche_--whych - 1944 _rycches_--Rychesse - _dryuen_--dryue - 1945 _hungre_--hungyr - _þrest_--thurst - 1946 _þei_--the - _colde_--coold - _in_--on - 1947 _wilt answere_--wolt Answeren - _y-nouȝ_--y-now - 1948 _þrest_--thurst - 1949 _colde_--coold - 1950 _nat_--omitted - 1951 _outerly_--vtrely - 1953 _myȝt[e] ben_--myhte be - 1957 _rychesse_--Rychesses] - - -QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: The rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest - content.] - - ++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer 1960 - fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche - hys couetise. - - [Sidenote: Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his - fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care - never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him - company.] - - ¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-charged - wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he do - erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere 1964 - ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he - lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym [[pg 72]] - compaignie whanne he is dede. - - [Linenotes: - 1960 _riuer_--a Ryu{er} - 1961 _alle_--al - _golde_--gold - _ȝitte_--yit - _staunche_--stau{n}chyn - 1962, 1963 _þouȝ_--thow - 1964 _erye_--Ere - _hundreþ_--hundred - 1965 _while_--whyl - 1966 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte - _shal_--shol - 1967 _dede_--ded] - - - [Headnote: - OF DIGNITIES.] - -SET DIGNITATIB{US}.[4] - - [Footnote 4: Read _dignitates_.] - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: It may be said that _dignities_ confer honour on their - possessors.] - - ++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym 1968 - honorable {and} reuerent. - - [Sidenote: But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue - in the heart?] - - han þei nat so grete strengþe - þat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsen - þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þe - vices. - - [Sidenote: So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render - them more conspicuous.] - - Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. 1972 - but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses. - - [Sidenote: Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities - given to wicked men.] - - {and} þer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne. - þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men. - - [Sidenote: Hence Catullus’ resentment against Nonius, whom he - calls the botch, or impostume of the State.] - - ¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat 1976 - hyȝt noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ - hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum - is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis noni{us} set in a - chayere of dignitee. - - [Sidenote: The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if - they were in more obscure situations.] - - Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye 1980 - dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of - wikked men shold{e} ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed - of none hono{ur}s. - - [Sidenote: Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a - magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?] - - ¶ Certys þou þi self ne - myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou 1984 - myȝtest suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ - decorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n} - þe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldest - nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne 1988 - þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous - shrewe {and} of an acusor. - - [Sidenote: Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of - esteem.] - - ¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche - honours Iuge{n} hem worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and} - holde vnworþi to han þilke same hono{ur}s. - - [Sidenote: If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him - worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.] - - ¶ Now yif 1992 - þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þou - ne myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe [[pg 73]] - hono{ur}. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I could not do otherwise.] - - No q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever - transfers to her votaries.] - - ¶ Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen 1996 - p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ dignite anon - to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned. - - [Linenotes: - 1969 _make_--maken - 1969 _grete_--gret - 1972 [_ne_]--from C. - _ben_--be - 1972, 1973 _wikkednesses_--wykkydnesse - 1973 _to_--omitted - _shew[en]_--shewen - 1974 _comeþ_--comth - _grete desdeyne_--gret desdaign - 1976 _whiche_--which - 1977 _hyȝt_--hyhte - _nonius_--MS. vonn{us}, C. nomy{us} - _boch_--MS. boþe, C. boch - _clepiþ_--clepyd - 1979 _nonius_--MS. uonn{us}, C. nomy{us} - _set_--MS. sette, C. set - 1980 _Sest þou_--Sesthow - _þan_--thanne - _vylenye_--fylonye - 1981 _vnworþines_--vnworthynesse - 1982 _ben_--be - _ysen_--MS. ysene, C. I-sene - 1984 _many_--manye - 1985 _bere_--beren - 1986 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 1987 _þe_ (2)--omitted - 1988 _whanne_--whan - 1989 _say[e]_--saye - _had[de]_--hadde - 1994 _demen_--deme - 1995 _whiche_--which - 1996 _quod she_--omitted - 1997 _vertue_--vertu - _uertue_--vertu - 1998 _whiche_--whych] - - [Headnote: - DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.] - - [Sidenote: Honours conferred by the populace do not make men - worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.] - - ¶ And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat - maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat 2000 - þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit men - auȝten take more hede in þis. - - [Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices - the more conspicuous.] - - ¶ For if it so be þat he - is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne - may nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan 2004 - makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan p{re}ised. þe - whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folk - - [Sidenote: Nor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for - worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by - their contagious villanies.] - - ¶ {and} - for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes - reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden 2008 - aȝein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten - {and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie. - - [Sidenote: These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to - procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the - consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him - their respect?] - - ¶ And for as - moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerence - ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. 2012 - vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and} - hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were - come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde - þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of 2016 - straunge folk - - [Sidenote: If respect were an attribute of honour it would - infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an - attribute of fire.] - - ¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were - a naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen - nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office. - - [Linenotes: - 2000 _clerly_--MS. clerkly, C. clerly - 2002 _auȝten----hede_--owhten taken mor heed - 2002-3 _For----dignite_--For yif so be þ{a}t a wykkyd whyght be - so mochel the fowler{e} {and} the moore owt cast þ{a}t he - is despised of most folk so as dignete - 2004-2007 _maken----soþe_--maken shrewes digne of Reu{er}ence - the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne - makith dignete shrewes rather so moche mor{e} despised than - preysed {and} forsothe - 2008 _ȝelden_--yilden - 2009 _byspotten_--by-spetten - 2010 _hire_--hyr - 2011 _moche_--mochel - _mow[e]_--mowe - 2012 _þe shadewy_--thyse shadwye - 2013 _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond - _þis_--thus - 2014 _hadde_--had - 2018 _ȝifte_--yift - 2019 _folke_--foolk - _done_--don] - - [Headnote: - DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 17 _b_.]] - - ¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to 2020 - enchaufen {and} *to ben hote. - - [Sidenote: Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and - vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is, - among foreign nations.] - - but for as myche as forto - be holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of - hir p{ro}pre strengþe of nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] [[pg 74]] - opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites 2024 - maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat - þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites. - her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is - a-mong straung folk. maist þou sein. - - [Sidenote: Do they always endure in those places that gave birth - to them?] - - but amo{n}g{us} 2028 - hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey. - - [Sidenote: The Prætorate was once a great honour, but now it is - only an empty name and a heavy expense.] - - ¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme - a grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel - name. {and} þe rente of þe senatorie a g{r}et charge. 2032 - - [Sidenote: What is more vile than the office of the - superintendency of provisions?] - - {and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] to - þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer þinges - he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more - nowe out cast þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie - - [Sidenote: That which hath no innate beauty must lose its - splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning - it.] - - ¶ And as I haue 2036 - seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ no - p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris {and} - shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of - vsaunces. - - [Sidenote: If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile - through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of - times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion, - what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or - what dignity can they confer on others?] - - ¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen 2040 - nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif þ{a}t dignites - wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ and - yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of - tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of 2044 - poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beaute - þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne ne - mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer. - - [Linenotes: - 2020 _enchaufen_--eschaufen - 2021 _myche_--mochel - 2022 _be_--ben - 2023 _fals[e]_--false - 2024 _þat_ (2)--omitted - 2027 _her_--hyr - _vanissen_--vanesshen - 2028 _a-mong_--amonges - _straung_--strau{n}ge - _but_--ne - 2029 _þat_--ther - _duren þilk[e]_--ne duren nat thylke - 2030 _somtyme_--whylom - 2031 _grete_--gret - 2032 _þe_ (2)--omitted - 2033 _somtyme_--whylom - _þe_--MS. þe þe - 2034 _corne_--corn - _what_--omitted - 2035 _more nowe_--now more - 2036 _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast - 2037 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - _here byforne_--her by-forn - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2042 _filþe_--felthe - 2043 _þat_--omitted - 2046 _auȝte_--owhte - _none_--non - 2047 _þei_--MS. ȝe, C. they - _none_--non] - - -QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Nero, though invested with the purple and adorned with - pearls, was hated by all men.] - - ++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie 2048 - kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s - of Tirie {and} wiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf he - hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat - al was he by-hated [[pg 75]] - of alle folk. - - [Sidenote: Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the - dishonoured seats of dignity.] - - ¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret 2052 - lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe - vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes - he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þo - dignites. - - [Sidenote: Who then can think that felicity resides in honours - given by vicious shrews?] - - who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse 2056 - were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious - shrewes. - - [Linenotes: - 2048 _al_ (2)--alle - 2049 _kembed_--kembde - _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede - 2050 _ȝitte_--yit - 2053 _lordship_--lorshippe - _ȝaf somtyme_--yaf whylom - _dredeful_--reu{er}encȝ - 2055 _fore_--for - _ȝaf_--yaf] - - - [Headnote: - KINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.] - -AN UERO REGNA. - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a - man mighty?] - - ++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a - ma{n} to ben myȝty. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Why should they not if they are durable?] - - how ellys. ¶ whanne hir 2060 - blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely - - [Sidenote: _P._ Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with - many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of - fortune.] - - but certys þe olde age of - tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of - ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to - wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is - too weak to preserve itself!] - - ¶ O a noble þing 2064 - {and} a cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty to - kepe it self. - - [Sidenote: If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if - it be defective.] - - ¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctour - {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on - any side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ 2068 - in wrechednesse. - - [Sidenote: But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power - ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.] - - but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde - stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer nede ben myche - folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe - no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat 2072 - power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat - same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hem - wreches. - - [Sidenote: Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than - of felicity.] - - ¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han - more porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. 2076 - - [Linenotes: - 2060 _myȝty_--MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty - 2062 _passeþ_--passed - _of_ (2)--omitted - 2063 _kynges þat han_--kynges ben - 2066 _kepe_--kepen - 2067 _maker_--maker{e} - 2069 _yif_--yit - _realmes_--the Reaumes - 2070 _stretchen_--strechchen - _myche_--moche - 2071 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2073 _whiche_--whych - 2074 _vndirneþ_--vndyr-nethe] - - [Headnote: - POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.] - - [Sidenote: Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition, - exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked - sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.] - - ¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaied - þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredes - of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þe - heued of his familier. - - [Sidenote: What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do - away with care or fear?] - - what þing is þan þis power þat 2080 - may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe [[pg 76]] - þe prikkes of drede. - - [Sidenote: Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they - glory in their power.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 18.]] - - and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen - *in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifien - hem in her power - - [Sidenote: Is he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?] - - ¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man 2084 - be myȝty þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may - nat don. - - [Sidenote: Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed - guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power - depends solely upon his numerous retinue?] - - ¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty man - þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or - seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. 2088 - þen þei dreden hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise - seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers - [or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges. - - [Sidenote: Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes - having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!] - - ¶ what sholde I telle þe - any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes 2092 - hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse. - - [Sidenote: Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their - fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are - incident.] - - þe whiche familiers - certis þe real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat - abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the - manner of his death.] - - ¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] - his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what 2096 - deeþ he wolde deien. - - [Sidenote: Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by - the swords of his soldiers.] - - ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat - knyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier - whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝty - a-monges hem of þe courte. - - [Sidenote: Yet both would have given up all they possessed.] - - and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe 2100 - han renou{n}ced her power. - - [Sidenote: Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless - fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them - to choose their fate.] - - of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] - hym to ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also - to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe grete - weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune 2104 - draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne - myȝt[e] do þat he wolde. - - [Sidenote: What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and - which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?] - - what þing is þanne þilke - power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶ {and} - whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And 2108 - yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it. - - [Sidenote: No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on - prosperity instead of virtue.] - - ¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben - conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue. - - [Sidenote: Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into - enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of - thy familiar friend?] - - Certys swiche - folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune [[pg 77]] - makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is 2113 - more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy. - - [Linenotes: - 2077 _had[de]_--hadde - 2078 _shewid[e]_--shewede - 2079 _realmes_--Reaumes - _swerde_--swerd - _heng_--MS. henge, C. heng - 2081 _besines_--bysynesse - 2083 _ȝit_--yif - _glorifien_--gloryfye - 2084 _þilk[e]_--thylke - 2087 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _environed_--enuyrownede - 2088 [_hem_]--from C. - 2089 _þen_--than - 2091 [_or_]--from C. - 2092 _realmes_--Reames - 2093 _feblenesse_--feblesse - 2094 _real_--Ryal - 2095 [_ofte_]--from C. - _constreined[e]_--co{n}streynede - 2096 _his_ (1)--hyr - _seneca_--Senek - 2097 _comaundid[e]_--comau{n}dede - 2098 _her_--hyr - 2099 _whiche_--which - _had[de] ben long_--þ{a}t hadde ben longe - 2100 _courte_--court - _wolde_--wolden - 2101 [_two_]--from C. - _enforced[e]_--enforcede - 2102 _ȝiuen_--yeuen - _his_--hyse - 2104 _weyȝt_--weyhte - 2105 _sholden_--sholen - 2106 _myȝt[e]_--myhte] - - - [Headnote: - GLORY IS DECEPTIVE.] - -QUI SE UALET[5] ESSE POTENTEM. - - [Footnote 5: Read _uolet_] - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who would obtain sovereign power must obtain - conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.] - - ++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel - corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir 2116 - þe foule reines of lecherie. - - [Sidenote: Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet - if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.] - - for al be it so þat þi lordship[e] - strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi - comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in - þe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst 2120 - nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} - oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no - power þat þou hast. - - [Linenotes: - 2115 _wolde ben_--wole be - 2116 _put[te]_--putte - 2117 _lordship[e]_--lordshype - 2119 _comaundement_--comau{n}dementȝ - _leest isle_--last Ile - 2120 _hyȝt_--hyhte - 2121 _puten_--putten - _derk[e]_--dyrke - 2122 _oute_--owt] - - - [Headnote: - GENTILITY IS FOREIGN TO RENOWN.] - -GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: How deceptive and deformed a thing is glory! Well did - the Tragedian exclaim--ὦ δόξα δόξα μυρίοισι δὴ βροτῶν, οὐδὲν - γεγῶσι βίοτον ὤγκωσας μέγαν, for the undeserving have been - crowned with glory and renown by popular and erring opinion.] - - ++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for 2124 - whiche þing nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to - sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten tregedies cried[e] {and} - seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no þing - ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. 2128 - for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n} - of poeple. - - [Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the - prejudices of the vulgar?] - - and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler - þen swiche p{re}isynge - - [Sidenote: Those that are undeservedly praised ought to blush for - shame.] - - for þilk[e] folk þat be{n} p{re}ised - falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges. 2132 - - [Sidenote: If a wise man gets well-merited praise it does not add - to his felicity.] - - {and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by - her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed - to þe conscience of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire - good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple. but by þe soþefastnesse 2136 - of conscience. - - [Sidenote: If it be a good thing to spread abroad one’s fame, it - must be dishonourable not to do so.] - - {and} yif it seme a fair þing a - man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ - it. þat it is demed to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be [[pg 78]] - ysprad ne encresed. - - [Sidenote: But a good name cannot penetrate everywhere, and the - most illustrious names must be unknown to the greatest part of the - world.] - - but as I seide a litel her byforne. 2140 - þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe - renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he - þat þou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe - nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ 2144 - out renou{n}. - - [Sidenote: The favour of the people is worth but little as it is - seldom judicious and never permanent.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 18 _b_.]] - - ¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise þinges I ne trowe - nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer worþi - *to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is - ferm p{er}durably. - - [Sidenote: How empty and transitory are titles of nobility!] - - ¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. 2148 - what man is it þat ne may wel seen how veyne {and} - how flittyng a þing it is. - - [Sidenote: Gentility is wholly foreign to renown, and to those who - boast of noble birth.] - - ¶ For if þe name of gentilesse - be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan - is gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to 2152 - hem þat glorifien hem of hir linage. - - [Sidenote: Nobility is fame derived from the merits of one’s - ancestors.] - - ¶ For it semeþ - þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge þat comeþ of decert - of auncestres. - - [Sidenote: If praise can give nobility they are noble who are - praised.] - - ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ gentilesse - þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. 2156 - - [Sidenote: Then if thou hast no nobility of thy own, thou canst - not derive any splendour from the merits of others.] - - For whiche þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse - of þi self. þat is to sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte - foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat gentil. - - [Sidenote: If there be any good in nobleness of birth, it consists - alone in this, that it imposes an obligation upon its possessors - not to degenerate from the virtues of their ancestors.] - - ¶ But certis - yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al 2160 - oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed - to gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien - or forliuen fro þe uertues of hire noble kynrede. - - [Linenotes: - 2124 _foule_--fowl - 2125 _whiche_--whych - 2126 _maker_--maker{e} - _cried[e]_--cryde - 2127 _he_--she - 2128 _sweller_--sweller{e} - 2129 _many[e]_--manye - _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - _fals[e]_--false - 2130 _fouler_--fowler{e} - 2131 _þen_--thanne - _þilk[e]_--thylke - 2133 _or_--of - 2134 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _þilke_--thylke - 2139 _foule þinge_--fowl thing - 2140 _ne_--{and} - _byforne_--byforn - 2144 _parties_--partye - _erþe_--Erthes - _out_--owte - 2145 _out_--owhte - 2148 _ferm_--ferme - 2149 _veyne_--veyn - 2150 _if_--yif - 2154 _comeþ of_--comth of the - 2157 _whiche_--which - 2158 _pris_--preys - _comeþ_--comth - 2160 _goode_--good - _in_ (2)--omitted - 2161 _maner_--maner{e}] - - -OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]] - - [Sidenote: All men have the same origin.] - - ++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable 2164 - burþe. - - [Sidenote: They have one father and one king, who gave the moon - her horns, and adorned the sun with his rays.] - - On al one is fadir of þinges. On alone - minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe sonne hys - bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes. - - [Sidenote: The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with - stars.] - - he ȝaf þe men to - þe erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene. - - [Sidenote: He breathed into man the breath of life.] - - ¶ he encloseþ 2168 - wiþ membres þe soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. [[pg 79]] - - [Sidenote: All men spring from this illustrious source.] - - ¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. - - [Sidenote: Why then do they boast of pedigree?] - - whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris - - [Sidenote: He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his - noble origin.] - - ¶ For yif þou - look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} 2172 - ȝoure makere. þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he - norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre - burþe. - - [Linenotes: - 2166 _hys_--hyse - 2167 _hir_--hyse - 2169 _fro hys_--fram hyse - 2170 _seed_--sede - 2171 _bosten_--MS. voscen, C. bosten - 2172 _look[e]_--loke] - - - [Headnote: - SENSUAL PLEASURES FULL OF ANXIETY.] - -QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.[6] - - [Footnote 6: Read _corporis voluptatibus_.] - - [Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: But what shall I say with respect to sensual pleasures, - the desire of which is full of anxiety, and the enjoyment of them - full of repentance?] - - ++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e 2176 - delices þe desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe - fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce. - - [Sidenote: What diseases and intolerable pains (the merited fruits - of vice) are these delights wont to bring upon those who enjoy - them!] - - ¶ How grete - sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ryȝt as a - manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to 2180 - bryngen to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem. - - [Sidenote: I am unable to see what joy is to be found in the - gratification of them.] - - ¶ Of - whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir - moeuyng. - - [Sidenote: The remembrance of criminal indulgence brings with it - bitter remorse.] - - ¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil - remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. 2184 - þat þe issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory. - - [Sidenote: If such things make men happy, then may brutes attain - to felicity, since by their instinct they are urged to satisfy - their bodily delights.] - - ¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk blisful. þan - by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful. - ¶ Of whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille 2188 - hire bodyly iolyte. - - [Sidenote: A wife and children do not always bring happiness, for - some have found tormentors in their own offspring.] - - and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}] - children were [an] honest þing. but it haþ ben seid. - þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han ben - fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. 2192 - ¶ Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. - It nedeþ nat to tellen it þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied - it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}. - - [Sidenote: I approve of this opinion of Euripides, that he who is - childless is happy in his misfortune.] - - In þis approue I þe - sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he 2196 - þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune. - - [Linenotes: - 2173 _is_--nis - 2176 _delices_--delites - _body_--bodye - 2177 _anguisse_--Angwyssh - 2178 _grete_--gret - 2179 _sekenesse_--sykenesse - _grete sorwes_--gret soruwes - 2180 _fruit_--frut - 2182 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - 2183 _wil_--wole - 2184 _hys_--hyse - 2185 _sorowful_--sorwful - _sory_--sorye - 2186 _make_--makyn - 2189 [_and_]--from C. - 2190 [_an_]--from C. - _haþ_--haþe - _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 2191 _myche_--mochel - 2192 _many_--manye - 2196 _Euridippus_--Eurydyppys; _read_ Euripides - 2197 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - - [[pg 80]] - [Headnote: - NO HAPPINESS IN EXTERNAL THINGS.] - -HABET HOC UOLUPTAS. - - [Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Pleasure leaves a pain behind it.] - - ++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes - þ{a}t vsen it. - - [Sidenote: The bee gives us agreeable honey, but try to hold it, - and it quickly flies, leaving its sting behind.] - - ¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat - we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe bee haþ shed hys agreable 2200 - honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes of he{m} - þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge. - - [Linenotes: - 2198 _Euery_--MS. Ouery, C. Every - 2198, 2200 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _shed hys_--shad hyse] - - - [Headnote: - MEN ARE LED ASTRAY BY IGNORANCE.] - -NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST. - - [Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: It appears then that happiness is not to be found in - the above-mentioned external things.] - - ++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a - maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne 2204 - mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to lede{n} - hem. - - [Sidenote: These false ways are perplexed with many evils, as I - shall presently show thee.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 19.]] - - ¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise *forseide weyes - ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. - - [Sidenote: Do you want to amass wealth, then you must take it from - your neighbours.] - - ¶ For whi - yif þou enforcest þe to assemble moneye. þou most by-reuen 2208 - hym his moneye þat haþ it. - - [Sidenote: Would you shine in dignities, then you must beg for - them and disgrace yourself by a humiliating supplication.] - - and yif þou wilt - shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien - hem þat ȝiue{n} þo dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest - by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk þ{o}u shalt defoule þi 2212 - self by hu{m}blesse of axing. - - [Sidenote: If power be your ambition, you expose yourself to the - snares of inferiors.] - - yif þou desiryst power. - þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast - vndir many p{er}iles. - - [Sidenote: Do you ask for glory, to be distracted by vexations and - so lose all security.] - - axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so - destrat by aspre þinges þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. 2216 - - [Sidenote: Do you prefer a voluptuous life? Think then that all - men will despise him who is a thrall to his body.] - - ¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in delices. - euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat - art þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to] - sein seruau{n}t to þi body. - - [Sidenote: They build upon a weak foundation that place bodily - delights above their own reason.] - - ¶ Now is it þan wel yseen 2220 - how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat - putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Can you surpass the elephant in bulk, or the bull in - strength?] - - ¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in gretnesse - or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe 2224 - bole. - - [Sidenote: Art thou swifter than the tiger?] - - Mayst þou ben swifter þan þe tigre. - - [Sidenote: Behold the immense extent of the heavens and cease to - admire vile or lesser things.] - - biholde þe - spaces {and} þe stablenesse {and} þe swyfte cours of þe [[pg 81]] - heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule - þinges. - - [Sidenote: Admire what is still more admirable, the consummate - wisdom that governs them.] - - þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise 2228 - þinges to ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by - whiche it is gouerned. - - [Sidenote: How fleeting is beauty!] - - but þe shynynge of þi forme þat - is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly passyng is - it {and} how transitorie. - - [Sidenote: It fades sooner than the vernal flowers.] - - ¶ Certis it is more flittynge 2232 - þan þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}. - - [Sidenote: For, as Aristotle says, if a man were lynx-eyed and - could look into the entrails of Alcibiades (so fair outwardly) he - would find all foul and loathsome.] - - For so - as aristotil telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a - beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe lokyng of folk myȝt[e] - percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who so lokid 2236 - þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was - ful fayr in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt - foule. - - [Sidenote: Thy nature does not make thee seem beautiful, but the - imperfect view of thy admirers.] - - {and} for þi yif þou semest faire. þi nature ne - makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of þe fieblesse of þe 2240 - eyen þat loken. - - [Sidenote: Prize bodily perfections as much as you will, yet a - three days’ fever will destroy them.] - - ¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body as - moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat - what so it be. þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body - whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or 2244 - dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of - alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in - a so{m}me. - - [Sidenote: Worldly goods do not give what they promise, do not - comprise every good, are not the paths to felicity, nor can of - themselves make any one happy.] - - ¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne - mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by 2248 - þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne ben nat - weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne - maken men to ben blysful. - - [Linenotes: - 2203 _nis_--is - 2204 _mysledyng_--mysledynges - 2205 _folke_--folk - 2208 _enforcest_--MS. enforced, C. enforcest - 2209 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _wilt_--wolt - 2211 _ȝiuen_--yeuen - 2212 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon - _by-fore_--byforn - _shalt_--shal - 2213 _by_--thorw - 2214 _by_--be - _be_--ben - 2216 _destrat_--MS. destralle, C. destrat - _forgone_--forgoon - 2217 _wilt_--wolt - 2218 _whiȝt_--wyht - 2219 _foule_--fowl - [_to_]--from C. - 2220 _yseen_--seen - 2221 _brutel_--brotel - 2222 _owen_--owne - 2224 _weyȝt_--weyhty - _strenger_--strenger{e} - 2225 _swifter_--swyfter{e} - _biholde_--by-hold - 2227 _stynte_--stynt - 2228 _whiche_--whych - 2230 _whiche_--wych - 2231 _seien_--seyn - 2234 _as_--omitted - 2235 _hiȝt_--hyhte - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 2237 _alcibiades_--MS. alcidiades - 2238 _fayr_--fayr{e} - _þe_--omitted - _shulde_--sholde - 2239 _foule_--fowl - _faire_--fayr - _ne_--omitted - 2240 _desceiuaunce of þe fieblesse_--deceyuable or the feblesse - 2242 _moche_--mochel - _know[e]_--knowe - 2243 _þe_--omitted - _þi body whiche_--the body whych - 2247 _a_--omitted] - - - [Headnote: - MEN PURSUE FALSE JOYS.] - -HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE. - - [Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Alas! how through folly and ignorance do men stray from - the path of true happiness!] - - ++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ 2252 - wandryng wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good. - - [Sidenote: Ye do not seek gold upon trees nor diamonds from the - vine.] - - ¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne ȝe ne - gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. [[pg 82]] - - [Sidenote: Ye lay not your nets to catch fish upon the lofty - hills.] - - ne ȝe ne - hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen 2256 - fisshe of whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes. - - [Sidenote: The hunter goes not to the Tyrrhene waters to hunt the - roe.] - - and yif - ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe ne gon nat to þe foordes - of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene. - - [Sidenote: Men know where to look for white pearls, and for the - fish that yields the purple dye.] - - {and} ouer þis men knowen - wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe 2260 - floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} - of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundeþ - most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe - w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre. - - [Sidenote: They know where the most delicate of the finny race - abound and where the fierce sea-urchin is to be found.] - - {and} knowen 2264 - whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or - of sharpe fisshes þat hyȝten echynnys. - - [Sidenote: But where the Sovereign Good abides blinded mortals - never know, but plunge into the earth below to look for that which - has its dwelling in the heavens.] - - but folk suffren - hem self to ben so blynde þat hem ne recchiþ nat to - knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei 2268 - coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere - þilke goode þ{a}t so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe - sterres. - - [Sidenote: What doom do the silly race deserve?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 19 _b_.]] - - ¶ what *p{re}yere may I make þat be digne to - þe nice þouȝtis of men. - - [Sidenote: May they pursue such false joys, and having obtained - them, too late find out the value of the true.] - - but I p{re}ye þat þei coueite{n} 2272 - rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo - false goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe - knowen þe verray goodes. - - [Linenotes: - 2252 _whiche_ (_both_)--whych - 2253 _paþe_--paath - _good_--goode - 2254 _golde_--gold] - - - [Headnote: - THE INSUFFICIENCY OF WORLDLY BLISS.] - -HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}. - - [Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ I have been describing the form of counterfeit - happiness, and if you have considered it attentively I shall - proceed to give you a perfect view of the true.] - - ++IT suffisiþ þat I haue shewed hider to þe forme of 2276 - false wilfulnesse. so þat yif þou look[e] now clerely - þe ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeriþ from hennes forþe - to shewe{n} þe verray wilfulnesse. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I now see that there is no sufficiency in riches, - no power in royalty, no esteem in dignities, nor nobility in - renown, nor joy in carnal pleasures.] - - ¶ For q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] - se wel now þat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by richesse. ne 2280 - power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne gentilesse - by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast þou wel - knowen q{uo}d she þe cause whi it is. Certis me semeþ - q{uod} .I. þat .I. se hem ryȝt as þouȝ - it were þoruȝ a litel [[pg 83]] - clifte. - - [Sidenote: I have a glimpse of the cause of all this, but I should - like a more distinct view.] - - but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of 2285 - þe. Certys q{uod} she þe resou{n} is al redy - - [Sidenote: _P._ The cause is obvious--for that which is by nature - one and indivisible human ignorance separates and divides, and - reverses the true order of things.] - - ¶ For - þilk þing þat symply is on þing wiþ outen ony - diuisiou{n}. þe errour {and} folie of mankynde departeþ 2288 - {and} diuidiþ it. {and} mislediþ it {and} t{ra}nsporteþ from - verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes þat ben false {and} - inp{er}fit. - - [Sidenote: Does that state which needs nothing stand in need of - power?] - - ¶ But seye me þis. wenest þou þat he þat haþ - nede of power þat hy{m} ne lakkeþ no þing. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I should say no. _P._ Right! That which wants - power needs external aid.] - - Nay q{uo}d 2292 - .I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she þou seist aryȝt. For yif so be - þ{a}t þer is a þing þat in any p{ar}tie be fieble of power. - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is true! _P._ Sufficiency and power therefore - are of one nature. _B._ It seems so indeed.] - - Certis as in þat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine - helpe. ¶ Riȝt so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power 2296 - ben þan of on kynde ¶ So semeþ it q{uod} I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Are power and sufficiency to be despised? Are they - not rather worthy of universal respect?] - - ¶ And - demyst þou q{uo}d she þat a þing þat is of þis manere. - þat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} myȝty auȝt[e] to ben dispised. - or ellys þ{a}t it be ryȝt digne of reuerences abouen 2300 - alle þinges. - - [Sidenote: _B._ They are doubtless highly estimable. _P._ Add - respect to sufficiency and power, and consider all three as one - and the same thing.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute þat it - nis ryȝt worþi to ben reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she þan - adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power ¶ So þat - we demen þat þise þre þinges ben alle o þing. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I see no objection to that view.] - - ¶ Certis 2304 - q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten þe soþe. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But can that be obscure and ignoble which - possesses three such attributes? is it not noble and worthy of a - shining reputation?] - - what demest þou þan q{uo}d she is þat a dirke þing {and} - nat noble þat is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} myȝty. or ellys - þat is ryȝt clere {and} ryȝt noble of celebrete of renou{n}. 2308 - - [Linenotes: - 2256 _heyȝe_--the hyye - _kachen_--kachche - 2257 _fisshe_--fyssh - 2258 _hunte_--honte - _roos_--Rooes - 2259 _hyȝt_--hyhte - 2260 _crikes_--brykes - _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hyd - 2261, 2262 _whiche_--whych - 2263 _shelfisshe_--shelle fysh - 2264, 2265 _whiche_--whych - 2264 _dien_--deyen - 2265 _of_--w{i}t{h} - 2266 _echynnys_--MS. ethynnys, C. Echynnys - 2268 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd - 2270 _goode_--good - 2271 _make_--maken - 2273 _rycches_--Rychesse - 2277 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse - _look[e]_--loke - _clerely_--clerly - 2279 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse - _For_--For-sothe - [_I._]--from C. - 2280 _richesse_--Rychesses - 2281 _realmes_--Reames - 2287 _þilk_--thylke - _on_--o - 2290 _goode_--good - 2291 _seye_--sey - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2294 _fieble_--febler{e} - 2295 _most[e]_--mot - 2296 _helpe_--help - 2297 _on_--o - 2298 _demyst þou_--demesthow - 2299 _seine_--seyn - _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 2300 _reuerences_--Reu{er}ence - 2302 _nis ryȝt_--is ryht - 2304 _alle_--al - 2305 _willen_--wolen - 2306 _dirke_--dyrk - 2308 _clere_--cler - _of celebrete_--by celebryte] - - [Headnote: - THE UNITY OF TRUE FELICITY.] - - [Sidenote: He who is most powerful and worthy of renown--if he - lack fame which he cannot give to himself, must (by this defect) - seem in some measure more weak and abject.] - - ¶ Considere þan q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne. - þat he þat ne haþ ne[de] of no þing {and} is most - myȝty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediþ any - clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he myȝt[e] nat 2312 - graunten of hym self. ¶ So þat for lakke of þilke - clerenesse he myȝt[e] seme febler on any syde or þe - more outcaste. _Glosa._ þis is to seyne nay. [[pg 84]] - - [Sidenote: He that is sufficiently mighty and esteemed will have - necessarily an illustrious name.] - - ¶ For who - so þat is suffisau{n}t myȝty {and} reuerent. clernesse of 2316 - renou{n} folweþ of þe forseide þinges. he haþ it alredy of - hys suffisaunce. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it, for reputation seems inseparable - from the advantages you have just mentioned.] - - boice. I may nat q{uo}d I denye it. - ¶ But I mot graunten as it is. þat þis þing be ryȝt - celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore Renown differs in no wise from the three - above-mentioned attributes.] - - ¶ þan 2320 - folweþ it q{uo}d she þat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to - þe þre forseide þinges. so þat þer ne be amonges hem - no difference. {and} þis is a consequente q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: And if any one then stands in need of no external aid, - can have all he wants, and is illustrious and respected--is not - his condition very agreeable and pleasant?] - - þis þing þan q{uo}d she þat ne haþ no nede of no foreine 2324 - þing. {and} þat may don alle þinges by his strengþes. - {and} þat is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat þat a myrie - þing {and} a ioyful. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot conceive how such a one can have grief or - trouble.] - - _boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I þ{a}t any - sorow myȝt[e] comen to þis þing þat is swiche. ¶ Certys 2328 - I may nat þinke. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It must then be a state of happiness; and we may - also affirm that sufficiency, power, nobility, differ only in - name, but not in substance.] - - _P._ ¶ þanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} - she þat þis þing be ful of gladnesse yif þe þorseide þinges - be soþe. ¶ And also certys mote we graunten. þat - suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben 2332 - only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce haþ no - diu{er}site. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is a necessary consequence.] - - _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ The depravity of mankind then divides that which - is essentially indivisible; and, seeking for a part of that which - has no parts, they miss the entire thing which they so much - desire.] - - _P._ þilke - þinge þan q{uo}d she þat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 20.]] - - þe wikkednesse of men departiþ it *diuidiþ it. {and} 2336 - whan þei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a þing þat ne - haþ no part. þei ne geten hem neiþer þilk[e] p{ar}tie þat - nis none. ne þe þing al hole þat þei ne desire nat. - - [Sidenote: _B._ How is that?] - - _.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ He that seeks riches in order to avoid poverty, is - not solicitous about power; he prefers meanness and obscurity, and - denies himself many natural pleasures that he may not lessen his - heaps of pelf.] - - _p._ þilke man q{uo}d she þat 2340 - sekeþ rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayleþ hym - nat to for to gete power for he haþ leuer ben dirk {and} - vile. {and} eke wiþdraweþ from hym selfe many naturel - delitȝ for he nolde lesen þe moneye þat he haþ assembled. 2344 - - [Sidenote: He who lacks power, is pricked with trouble, and - rendered an outcast and obscure by his sordid ways, does not - possess sufficiency.] - - but certis in þis manere he ne getiþ hym nat [[pg 85]] - suffisaunce þat power forletiþ. {and} þat moleste p{re}keþ. - {and} þat filþe makeþ outcaste. {and} þat derknesse hideþ. - - [Sidenote: He who only aims at power squanders his riches, and - despises delights and honours unaccompanied by power.] - - and certis he þ{a}t desireþ only power he wastiþ {and} 2348 - scatriþ rychesse {and} dispiseþ delices {and} eke hono{ur} - þat is wiþ out power. ne he ne p{re}iseþ glorie no þing. - - [Linenotes: - 2310 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2312 _whiche_--whych - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 2314 _clerenesse_--clernesse - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _febler_--the febeler{e} - 2315 _seyne_--seyn - 2317 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2324 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2325 _his_--hyse - 2326 _myrie_--mery - 2327 _wenest_--whennes - 2328 _sorow myȝt[e]_--sorwe myhte - 2329 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te - 2331 _be_--ben - _also certys_--certes also - 2333 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2334 _nedely_--nedly - 2335 _þinge_--thing - 2337 _gete_--geten - 2338 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _þilk[e]_--thilke - 2339 _none_--non - _hole_--hool - 2340 _whiche_--whych - 2341 _rychesse_--Rychesses - _fleen_--MS. sleen, C. flen - 2342 _leuer_--leu{er} - 2343 _vile_--vyl - _selfe_--self - 2344 _delitȝ_--delices - _lesen_--lese - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2346 _prekeþ_--prykketh - 2347 _derknesse_--dyrknesse - 2349 _scatriþ_--schatereth - _delices_--delycȝ - 2350 _wiþ out_--w{i}t{h} owte] - - [Headnote: - OF FALSE FELICITY.] - - ¶ Certys þus seest þou wel þat many þi{n}g{us} failen to - hym. for he haþ somtyme faute of many necessites. 2352 - - [Sidenote: Such a one must be subject to many anxieties.] - - {and} many anguysses biten hym - - [Sidenote: And when he cannot get rid of these evils he ceases to - have what he most desired--power.] - - ¶ {and} whan he may - nat don þo defautes awey. he forleteþ to ben myȝty. - {and} þat is þe þing þat he most desireþ. - - [Sidenote: In the same way honour, glory, and pleasure, are all - inseparable; he that seeks one without the other will fail to - obtain his desires.] - - {and} ryȝt þus - may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie 2356 - {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of þise forseide - þinges is þe same þat þise oþer þinges ben. þat is to - sein. al oon þing. who so þat euer sekeþ to geten þat - oon of þise {and} nat þat oþer. he ne geteþ nat þat he 2360 - desireþ. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What then if a man should desire to gain them all - at once?] - - _Boice._ ¶ what seist þou þan yif þat a man - coueiteþ to geten alle þise þinges to gider. - - [Sidenote: _P._ He would then indeed desire perfect felicity--but - can he ever expect to find it in the acquisitions above mentioned, - which do not perform what they promise?] - - _P._ Certys - q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie þat he wolde geten hym souereyne - blisfulnes. but þat shal he nat fynde in þo þinges 2364 - þat .I. haue shewed þat ne mowe nat ȝeuen þat þei by-heten. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No, surely!] - - _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then happiness is not to be sought in these things - which are falsely supposed capable of satisfying our desires?] - - ¶ þan q{uod} she ne - sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in - swiche þinges as men wenen þat þei ne mowe 2368 - ȝeuen but o þing senglely of alle þ{a}t me{n} seken. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I confess it, and nothing can be more truly - affirmed than this.] - - I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat - ben said. - - [Sidenote: Turn your mind’s eye upon the reverse of all this - _false felicity_ and you will perceive _the true happiness_.] - - _P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme - {and} þe causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} 2372 - flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere shalt þou seen an oon - þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is very clear, and I had a complete view of it - when you explained to me the causes of its counterfeit.] - - _b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to - a blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a 2376 - lytel her byforne. whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me [[pg 86]] - þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse - - [Sidenote: True felicity consists in a state of sufficiency, of - power, and honour--as well as of a shining reputation and every - desirable pleasure: and I must confess that true felicity is that - which is bestowed by these advantages, as they are in reality all - one and the same.] - - ¶ For but yif I be by-giled. - þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly - makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty. hono{ur}able noble. 2380 - {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel knowe þat I - haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte. - I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen - on of þe forseide þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe 2384 - douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle of blysfulnesse. - - [Sidenote: _P._ O my nursling, how happy are you in this - conviction, provided you add but one limitation.] - - _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I - sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I - shal seine. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] - - what is þat q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can - confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).] - - ¶ Trowest þou þat 2388 - þer be any þing in þis erþely mortal toumblyng þinges - þat may bryngen þis estat. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I think not; for nothing can be desirable beyond - such a state of perfection.] - - Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat. - {and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer - is no þing more to ben desired. - - [Sidenote: _P._ These imperfect things above mentioned only confer - the shadow of the supreme good, or at most only an imperfect - felicity, but they cannot bestow true and perfect happiness.] - - _P._ þise þinges þan 2392 - q{uo}d she. þat is to seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power. - {and} swiche þinges eyþer þei semen likenesse of verray - goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to mortal folk a - maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke 2396 - goode þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I quite agree with you.] - - _boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then, knowing the difference between true and - false felicity you must now learn where to look for this supreme - felicity.] - - þan q{uo}d she for as - moche as þou hast knowen whiche is þilke verray blisfulnesse. - {and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien 2400 - falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit - seme{n} verray goodes. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]] - - ¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n} - *whennes {and} where þou mowe seek[e] þilke verray - blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly {and} 2404 - haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But, as Plato says that even in the least things - the Divine assistance ought to be implored, what ought we do, to - render us worthy of so important a discovery as the true source - and seat of the sovereign good?] - - ¶ But for as - moche q{uo}d she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his - book of i{n} thimeo. þat in ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde - bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou þat be 2408 - [now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of [[pg 87]] - þilke souereyne goode. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.] - - _B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme - þat we shulle clepen to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For - wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden aryȝt. - - [Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--] - - þou seist 2412 - a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus. - - [Linenotes: - 2351 _many_--manye - 2352 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _faute_--defaute - 2353 _may_--ne may - 2354 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 2356 _make_--maken - 2357 _forseide_--MS. sorseide - 2363 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn - 2365 _mowe_--mowen - 2368 _wenen_--wene - _mowe_--mowen - 2370 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te - _soþer_--sother{e} - 2371 _said_--MS. saide, C. sayd - 2376 [_ful wel_]--from C. - 2377 _byforne_--by-forn - 2378 _blysfulnesse_--MS. blyndenesse, C. blysfulnesse - 2385 _of_--omitted - 2386 _nurry_--norye - 2387 _sey[e]_--seye - 2388 _seine_--seyn - 2389 _þis_--thise - 2390 _nat_--nawht - 2393 _seyne_--sey - 2395 _ȝeuen_--yeue - 2397 _goode_--good - 2399 _whiche_--which - 2401 _seyne_--seyn - 2402 _knowen_--knowe - 2403 _seek[e]_--seke - 2405 _herkene_--herknen - 2407 _sholde_--sholden - 2408 _bysechen_--by-shechen - _helpe_--help - 2409 [_now_]--from C. - 2410 _souereyne goode_--verray good - 2411 _shulle_--shollen - _to_--omitted - 2413 _on-one_--anon] - - - [Headnote: - IN SEEKING SUPREME FELICITY THE DIVINE AID IS TO BE INVOKED.] - -O QUI PERPETUA. - - [Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: O Father and Maker of heaven and earth, by whose - eternal reason the world is governed, and by whose supreme command - Time flows from the birth of ages, Thou, firm and unchanged - thyself, makest all things else to move!] - - ++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat - gouernest þis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist - þe tymes for to gon from tyme þat age had[de] 2416 - bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast {and} - stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued. - - [Sidenote: Thy sovereign will to floating matter gave its various - forms, impelled by no exterior causes, but by the Idea of the Best - in thy great mind conceived void of malice.] - - ne forein causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke - of floterynge mater. but only þe forme of souereyne 2420 - goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie þat moeued[e] - þe frely. - - [Sidenote: Fairest thyself bearing the world’s figure in thy - thought, thou didst create the world after that prototype, and - dost draw all things from the image of the fair Supreme, and dost - command that this world should have perfect parts.] - - þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde - in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse - semblable of þat faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest 2424 - alle þinges of þi souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist - þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and} - absolut hyse p{er}fit parties. - - [Sidenote: By harmonious measures thou dost bind fast the - elements, so that there is no discordance between things cold and - hot, or between the moist and the dry.] - - ¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ - by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges 2428 - mowen accorde wiþ þe hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges - wiþ þe moyst þinges. - - [Sidenote: That the fire may not fly too high, and that weight may - not press the earth and water lower than they are now placed,] - - þat þe fire þat is purest ne fleye - nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n} - ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. 2432 - - [Linenotes: - 2415 _worlde_--world - 2416 _from----age_--from syn þ{a}t age - _had[de]_--hadde - 2417 _stedfast_--stedefast - 2418 _oþer_--oothre - 2419 _forein_--foreyne - _werke_--werk - 2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - 2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset - _wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in - [_þe_]--the - _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte - _moeued[e]_--moeuede - 2422 _alþerfairest_--alderfayrest - 2422-24-26 _worlde_--world - 2423 _likkenesse_--lyknesse - 2426 _and absolut_--C. omits - 2427 _hyse_--hys - 2430 _fire_--fyr - _fleye_--fle - 2431 _drawe_--drawen] - - [Headnote: - GOD IS THE FOUNTAIN OF FELICITY.] - - [Sidenote: thou didst join the Middle Soul (of a threefold nature) - moving all things, and then by agreeing numbers didst resolve it.] - - ¶ þou knyttest to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde - moeuyng alle þinges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge. - - [Sidenote: When that is done, cut into two orbs, it moves about - returning to itself, and then encompassing the profound mind doth - by that fair idea turn the heaven.] - - ¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ assembled - a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne 2436 - aȝein to hym owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep [[pg 88]] - þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene by semblable ymage. - - [Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser - lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.] - - þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and} þe lasse - liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. 2440 - - [Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return - to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.] - - þou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei - ben conuertid to þe by þi benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest - hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng fijr. - - [Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy - august throne.] - - ¶ O - fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete. 2444 - {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good. - - [Sidenote: Let them behold the fountain of all good. Dispel the - mists of sense, remove the weights of earth-born cares, and in thy - splendour shine (in our minds).] - - {and} þe lyȝte yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes - of hys corage in þe. ¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke - [thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of erþely heuynesse. 2448 - {and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes. - - [Sidenote: For thou art ever clear, and to the good art peace and - rest. He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, path - and goal, combined!] - - for þou art clernesse þou - art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. - berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe - [þat] is oure ende. _Glose._ 2452 - - [Linenotes: - 2435 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2436 _goþ_--MS. goþe - 2437 _owen_--C. omits - 2438 _tourniþ_--MS. to{ur}niþe - 2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke - 2440 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte - 2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge - 2444 _yif_--yiue - _þi streite_--the streyte - 2445 [_hym_]--from C. - 2446 _lyȝte_--lyht - 2448 [_thow_]--from C. - 2449 _bryȝtnes_--bryhtnesse - 2451 _paþ_--MS. paþe; paath - 2452 [_þat_]--that] - - - [Headnote: - GOD THE SUPREME GOOD.] - -QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.[7] - - [Footnote 7: Read que sit.] - - [Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Now that thou hast had a faithful representation of - future felicity as well as of the true happiness, I shall show - thee in what the Perfection of Happiness consists.] - - ++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe - forme of goode þat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe - forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now trowe I þat it were - goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is 2456 - set. - - [Sidenote: Our best plan will be to inquire whether there be in - nature such a good as thou hast lately defined, lest we be - deceived by the vanity of Imagination and be carried beyond the - truth of the matter subjected to our inquiry.] - - {and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first enquere - forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke - goode þat þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat - is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in þe nature 2460 - of þinges. For þat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne - desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe soþefastnesse - of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne. - but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. 2464 - ¶ and þat it nis ryȝt as a welle of alle goodes. - - [Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all - other good.] - - ¶ For - al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. - is proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe [[pg 89]] - amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing þat is p{er}fit. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 21.]] - - [Sidenote: When we say that a thing is _imperfect_ we assert that - there is something else of its kind _perfect_.] - - {and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468 - þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general - þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so - be þat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke - nor seye fro whe{n}nes þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. 2472 - - [Sidenote: Nature takes not her origin from things diminished and - imperfect; but, proceeding from an entire and absolute substance, - descends into the remotest and most fruitless things.] - - ¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng - of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediþ of - þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ so - doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} 2476 - wiþ oute fruyt. - - [Sidenote: If there be an imperfect and fading felicity there must - also be one stable and perfect.] - - but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne. - þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and} - inp{er}fit. þer may no man doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse - þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. þis is concludid 2480 - q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly. - - [Sidenote: But now consider wherein this felicity resides. That - God is the governor of all things is proved by the universal - opinion of all men.] - - _P._ But co{n}sidere - also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe - co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men - p{ro}ueþ {and} graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is 2484 - good. - - [Sidenote: For since nothing may be conceived better than God, - then He who has no equal in goodness must be good.] - - ¶ For so as no þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan - god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he þ{a}t] no þing is - bettre. þat he nys good. - - [Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and - (2) that the sovereign good exists in him.] - - ¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat - god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit 2488 - goode is in hym. - - [Sidenote: If it were not so He could not be the Ruler of all - things, for there would be some other being excelling him who - possesses the supreme good and who must have existed before Him.] - - ¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne - may nat ben p{r}ince of alle þinges. for certis som þing - possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more - þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were first 2492 - {and} elder þan god. - - [Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the - imperfect;] - - ¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat - alle þinges þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit. - - [Linenotes: - 2453 _whiche_--which - 2454-55-56-58-59 _goode_--good - 2454 _whiche_--whych - 2457 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - 2460 _seine_--seyn - _souereyne goode_--souereyn good - _be founden_--ben fownde - 2461 _veyne_--veyn - 2463 _þis is to seyne_--C. omits - 2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed - _goode_--good - 2465 _of_--MS. of of - 2466 _al þing_--alle thing - 2468 _her of comeþ_--ther of comht - 2470 _somme_--som - 2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 2473 _token_--took - 2475 _hool_--hoole - 2476 _doune_--down - 2477 _wiþ oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut - 2480 _stedfast_--stydefast - 2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely - _soþefastly_--sothfastly - 2486 [_he þat_]--from C. - _is bettre_--nis bettr{e} - 2488-89-91 _goode_--good - 2489 _swiche_--swych - 2492 [_it_]--from C. - _seme_--semen - 2493 _elder_--elder{e}] - - [Headnote: - GOD THE SOURCE OF TRUE FELICITY.] - - [Sidenote: wherefore, that our reasonings may not run on with - infinity, we must confess that the Supreme God is full of perfect - and consummate good.] - - ¶ And for þi for as moche as [that] my resou{n} - or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an ende. we 2496 - ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of - souereyne p{er}fit goode. [[pg 90]] - - [Sidenote: And as we have seen that the perfect good is true - happiness, it follows that the true felicity resides in the - Supreme Divinity.] - - and we han establissed þat þe - souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes - ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. 2500 - _B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne may nat be wiþseid - in no manere. - - [Sidenote: But let us see how we can firmly and irrefragably prove - that the Supreme God contains in his own nature a plenitude of - perfect and consummate good.] - - ¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now how - þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis - þat I haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of 2504 - souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest - þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of alle þinges haue - ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self. - ¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful 2508 - ryȝt as þou myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse - in hym self. {and} þat ilke blisfulnesse þat is in hym - were diu{er}s in substaunce. - - [Sidenote: If you think that God has received this good from - without, then you must believe that the giver of this good is more - excellent than God the receiver.] - - ¶ For yif þou wene þat - god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou 2512 - mayst wene þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more - goode þan is god. - - [Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more - excellent than God.] - - ¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse - {and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle - þinges. - - [Sidenote: But if this supreme good is in Him by nature, and is - nevertheless of a different substance, we cannot conceive, since - God is the author of all things, what could have united these two - substances differing one from another.] - - ¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by 2516 - nature. but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng - resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne - who so feyne may. who was he þat [hath] co{n}ioigned - þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre. - - [Sidenote: Lastly, a thing which essentially differs from another - cannot be the same with that from which it is supposed to differ.] - - {and} eke at þe last[e] se 2520 - wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke - þing nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} - to ben diu{er}s. - - [Sidenote: Consequently, what in its nature differs from the chief - good cannot be the supreme good.] - - þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat - by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. þat þat 2524 - þing nys nat souereyne good. - - [Sidenote: But it would be impious and profane thus to conceive of - God, since nothing can excel Him in goodness and worth.] - - but certys þat were a - felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing - nis more worþe. - - [Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than - its origin.] - - For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e - of hem ne may nat ben better þan his bygy{n}nyng. 2528 - - [Linenotes: - 2495 [_that_]--from C. - 2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses - 2497 _ouȝt[e]_--owen - 2498 _goode_--good - 2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good - 2500 [_þat----is_]--from C. - _yset_--MS. ysette, C. set - 2501 _be_--ben - _wiþseid_--MS. wiþseide, C. withseid - 2503 _wiþ-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte - 2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good - [_In----I_]--from C. - 2506 _ouȝt_--awht - 2507 _þan of_--owt of - 2508 _whiche_--whych - _souereyne goode_--souereyn good - 2509 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2510 _þat ilke_--thilke - 2511 _were_--weren - 2514 _goode_--worth - 2517 _from_--fro - [_hym_]--from C. - 2518 _feyne_--faigne - 2519 _feyne_--feigne - [_hath_]--from C. - 2520 _last[e]_--laste - 2521 _o_--a - 2522 _whiche_--whych - 2524 _from_--fro - 2527 _nis_--is - 2528 _better_--bettre] - - [Headnote: - THERE CANNOT BE TWO CHIEF GOODS.] - - [Sidenote: We may therefore conclude that the Author of all things - is really and substantially the supreme Good.] - - ¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}. [[pg 91]] - þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same - þing is good in his substaunce. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!] - - _B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully - q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But you have owned that true felicity is the - sovereign good; then you must also grant that God is that true - felicity.] - - _P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she þat 2532 - souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d .I. þan - q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat - þilke same souereyne goode be god. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Your conclusions follow from your premises.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 21 _b_.]] - - ¶ Certys *q{uo}d - .I. I ne may nat denye ne wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. 2536 - and I see wel þat it folweþ by strengþe of þe - p{re}misses. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Let us see whether we cannot prove this more - convincingly by considering it in this view, that there cannot be - two sovereign goods which differ in themselves.] - - ¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued - [yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben - two souereyne goodes þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem 2540 - self. - - [Sidenote: For it is plain that of the goods that differ one - cannot be what the other is; wherefore neither of them can be - perfect where one wants the other.] - - þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan [ne] mowen - neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to - oþir. - - [Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.] - - but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly - þat it nis nat souereyne. - - [Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.] - - þe þinges þan þat ben 2544 - souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse. - - [Sidenote: But it has been shown that God and happiness are the - chief good, wherefore the sovereign felicity and the Supreme - Divinity are one and the same.] - - ¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben - [the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat - souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No 2548 - þing q{uo}d I nis more soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by - resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god may nat ben - concluded. - - [Sidenote: Following then the examples of geometricians who deduce - their consequences from their propositions, I shall deduce to thee - something like a corollary as follows:--] - - _P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as - þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2552 - ben wont to brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes - or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue - þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune. - - [Sidenote: Because by the attainment of felicity men become happy, - and as felicity is the same as Divinity itself, therefore by the - attainment of Divinity men are made happy.] - - For whi. - for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben 2556 - maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is - it manifest {and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men - ben makid blisful. - - [Sidenote: But as by the participation of justice or of wisdom men - become just or wise,] - - ryȝt as by þe getynge of iustice . . . - {and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben maked wise. 2560 - - [Linenotes: - 2529 _whiche_--whych - 2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 2533 _soþe_--soth - 2534 _mote_--moten - 2539 [_yit_]--from C. - 2541 _is_ (1)--nis - _oþer_--othre - [_ne_]--from C. - 2546 _conclude_--concluded - 2547 [_the_] from C. - _goode_--good - _be_--ben - 2549 _soþefast_--sothfast - _ferme_--MS. forme, C. ferme - 2552 _proposiciouns_--MS. p{ro}porsiou{n}s, C. p{ro}posiciou{n}s - 2553 _porismes_--MS. poeismes, C. porysmes - 2554 _wil_--wole] - - [Headnote: - THE HAPPY MAN IS A GOD.] - - [Sidenote: so by partaking of Divinity they must necessarily, - and by parity of reason, become gods.] - - ¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n} - wha{n} þei han getyn [[pg 92]] - diuinite þei ben maked goddys. - - [Sidenote: Every happy man then is a god. But by nature there is - only _One_; but by participation of Divine essence there may be - many gods.] - - þan is euery blisful - man god. ¶ But certis by nature. þer nys but oon god. - but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne 2564 - disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many goddes. ¶ þis - is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as - þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune - or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. 2568 - þan is þe þing þat by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise - forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: But as happiness seems to be an assemblage of many - things, ought we not to consider whether these several things - constitute conjointly the body of happiness, or whether there is - not some one of these particular things that may complete the - substance or essence of it, and to which all the rest have a - relation?] - - ¶ So q{uo}d she as - it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges. it were - forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or 2572 - conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite - of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle - þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it acomplise by hy{m} self þe - substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise oþer þinges 2576 - ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne - as to þe chief of hem. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.] - - ¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou - makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what þou seist. {and} - þat þou recordest me þe forseide þinges. - - [Sidenote: _P._ As you grant that happiness is a good, you may say - the same of all the other goods; for perfect sufficiency is - identical with supreme felicity; so is supreme power, likewise - high rank, a shining reputation, and perfect pleasure.] - - ¶ Haue I nat 2580 - iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis forsoþe - q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d - she þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide - þinges. ¶ For þilke same blisfulnesse þat is 2584 - demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke self is - souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse - or noblesse {and} souereyne delit. - - [Sidenote: What say you, then; are all these things, sufficiency, - power, and the rest, to be considered as constituent parts of - felicity? or are they to be referred to the sovereign good as - their source and principal?] - - what seist þou - þan of alle þise þinges. þat is to seyne. suffisance power 2588 - {and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as membris of blisfulnesse. - or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne good. - ¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem. - - [Linenotes: - 2563 _oon_--o - 2564 _letteþ_--let - 2566 _faire_--fayr - 2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme - 2572 [_þat_]--from C. - 2573 _maner_--maner{e} - _by_--be - 2574 [_of_]--from C. - 2575 _swyche_--swych - 2576 _oþer_--oothr{e} - 2577 _seyne_--seyn - 2578 _chief_--chef - 2581 _goode ȝis_--good ys - 2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good - 2583 _goode_--good - 2585 _self_--selue - 2588 _þise_--C. omits - _seyne_--seyn - 2589 _oþer_--oothre] - - [Headnote: - GOOD, THE RULE AND SQUARE OF THINGS DESIRABLE.] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I see what you are aiming at, and I am desirous to - hear your arguments.] - - b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to [[pg 93]] - seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. 2593 - - [Sidenote: _P._ If all these things were members of felicity, they - would differ one from another, for it is the property of diverse - parts to compose one body.] - - _p._ Take now þus þe discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d - she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d she weren membris to - felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. 2596 - ¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. - þat dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body. - - [Sidenote: But it has been well shown that all these things are - the same and do not differ--therefore they are not parts, for if - they were, happiness might be made up of one member--which is - absurd and impossible.] - - ¶ Certis - q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben shewed her byforne. þat alle þise - þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei none membris q{uo}d 2600 - she. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]] - - for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were - conioigned *al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g - þat may nat ben doon. - - [Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the - sequel.] - - þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat - doutous. but I abide to herkene þe remenaunt of þe 2604 - questiou{n}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by - Good, as the rule and square.] - - þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat alle oþer - þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode. - - [Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they - are esteemed a good.] - - ¶ For þerfore - is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben - good. {and} forþi is power requered. for men trowen also 2608 - þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we þinken {and} - coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit. - - [Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.] - - þan is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat - auȝt[e] be desired. - - [Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or - appearance, can never be desired.] - - forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no 2612 - good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat - wel in no manere be desired ne requered. - - [Sidenote: On the contrary, things not essentially good are - desired because they appear to be real goods.] - - {and} þe contrarie. - For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben nat - goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben 2616 - þei desired as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode. - - [Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all - things that we desire.] - - {and} þerfore is it þat men auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte - be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of alle þinges þat ben to - requeren. - - [Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is - itself what we chiefly want.] - - ¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for whiche 2620 - men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same - þing be most desired. - - [Sidenote: If a man desire to ride on account of health--it is not - the ride he wants so much as its salutary effects.] - - as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde - for cause of hele. he ne desireþ nat so mychel þe - moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. [[pg 94]] - - [Sidenote: Since all things are sought after for the sake of Good, - they cannot be more desirable than the good itself.] - - Now þan 2624 - syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good. - þei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same - good - - [Sidenote: It has been shown that all the aforesaid things are - only pursued for the sake of happiness--hence it is clear that - good and happiness are essentially the same.] - - ¶ But we han graunted þat blysfulnesse is þat - þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben desired. 2628 - þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and} - desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good - {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} þe same substaunce. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.] - - ¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat men myȝt[en] discorden 2632 - in þis. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are - identical and inseparable.] - - _p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse - is al oon þing - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.] - - ¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I. - - [Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that - of the Supreme Good.] - - þan mowe we conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is - set in þilke same good {and} in noon oþer place. 2636 - - [Linenotes: - 2591 _brouȝt_--MS wrouȝt, C. browht - 2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne - 2594 _Take_--tak - 2596 _fro_--from - 2597 _swiche_--swhych - 2600 _on þing_--othing - 2602 _one_--on - 2603 _ben doon_--be don - 2604 _herkene_--herknen - 2605 _clere_--cler - _oþer_--oothre - 2606 _goode_--good - 2609 _goode_--good - _mowe_--mowen - 2617 [_þat_]--from C. - _were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche - 2618 _þerfore_--therfor - _auȝten_--owhten - 2619 _alle_--alle the - 2620 _whiche_--whych - 2623 _mychel_--mochel - 2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge - 2626 [_nat_]--from C. - 2628 _oþer_--oothr{e} - 2630 _clerely_--clerly - _good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse - 2631 _oone_--oon - 2632 _myȝt[en]_--myhten - 2634 _oon_--oo - _soþe_--soth - 2635 _mowe_--mowen - 2636 _set_--MS. sette, C. set] - - - [Headnote: - GOD A HAVEN OF REST.] - -NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C. - - [Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Come hither, all ye that are captives--bound and - fettered with the chains of earthly desires;--come to this source - of goodness, where you shall find rest and security.] - - ++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and} - ybounde wiþ wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable - delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in ȝoure þouȝt. here - shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene 2640 - stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to - wreches. - - [Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.] - - _Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred - {and} deceyued wiþ worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now - to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat is refut to hem þat 2644 - wolen come to hym. - - [Sidenote: Not the gold of Tagus or of Hermus, nor the gems of - India, can clear the mental sight from vain delusions, but rather - darken it.] - - _Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe - ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or - ellys alle þe þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his - rede brynke. or þat yndus ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote 2648 - p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene stones - (smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat - cleren þe lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure - blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne hire dirkenesse - - [Sidenote: Such sources of our delight are found in the earth’s - gloomy caverns,--but the bright light that rules the heavens - dispels the darkness of the soul.] - - ¶ Alle þat 2652 - likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ ȝoure þouȝtes. - þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe [[pg 95]] - shynyng by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and} - whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe þat chaseþ þe derke 2656 - ouerþrowyng of þe soule. - - [Sidenote: He who has seen this light will confess that the beams - of the sun are weak and dim.] - - ¶ And who so euer may - knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat - þe white bemes of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer. - - [Linenotes: - 2638 _wicked[e]_--wyckyde - 2639, 2640 _here_--her - 2640 _hauene_--MS. heuene, C. hauene - 2641 _al oone_--allone - 2643 _worldly_--worldely - 2645 _come_--comyn - 2646 _golden[e] grauels_--goldene grauayles - 2647 _þynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges - _hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus - 2648 _nexte_--next - 2649 _worlde_--world - 2654, 2656 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2654 _hys_--hyse - 2656 _chaseþ þe derke_--eschueth the dyrke - 2657 _euer_--C. omits - 2658 _seine_--seyn] - - - [Headnote: - MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.] - -ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice. - - [Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I assent, and am convinced by the force of your - arguments.] - - ++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben 2660 - strongly bounden wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully - know what this good is?] - - how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif þat þou - knowe what þilke goode is. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I should value it infinitely if at the same time I - might attain to the knowledge of God, who is the sovereign good.] - - I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by - price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to 2664 - knowe also to-gidre god þat is good. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I shall elucidate this matter by incontrovertible - reasons if thou wilt grant me those things which I have before - laid down as conclusions.] - - ¶ certys q{uo}d she - þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]] - - yif þat þo þinges þat - I haue conclude[d] a litel her by *forne dwellen oonly - in hir first[e] graunty{n}g. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I grant them all.] - - _Boice._ þei dwellen graunted 2668 - to þe q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi - forseide conclusiou{n}s. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Have I not shown that the things which the - majority of mankind so eagerly pursue are not true and perfect - goods, for they differ from one another; and because where one of - them is absent the others cannot confer absolute happiness (or - good)?] - - ¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d - she þat þe þinges þat ben requered of many folke. ne - ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei ben diu{er}se þat 2672 - oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to - oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful - {and} absolute. - - [Sidenote: Have I not shown, too, that the true and chief good is - made up of an assemblage of all the goods in such a way, that if - sufficiency is an attribute of this good, it must at the same time - possess power, reverence, &c.] - - ¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good - whan þei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in 2676 - to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing þat is suffisaunce. - þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and} - mirþe. - - [Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be - classed among desirable things?] - - ¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o - same þing þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben 2680 - put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges. þat auȝten ben requered - or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may - þer no man douten. - - [Sidenote: While these things differ from one another they are not - goods; but as soon as they become one then they are made - goods.--Do not they owe their being good to their unity?] - - _p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne - ben none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei [[pg 96]] - bygynnen to ben al o þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne 2685 - comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite þat þei ben - maked goodes. - - [Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.] - - _b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you confess that everything that is good - becomes such by the participation of the sovereign good or no?] - - but alle þing þat - is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good - by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} 2688 - of good or no. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is so.] - - ¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I. - - [Linenotes: - 2660 _assent[e]_--assente - 2662 _mychel_--mochel - 2663 _goode_--good - 2664 _price_--prys - 2669 _is_--omitted - _seyne_--seyn - 2671 _folke_--folkes - 2673 _oþer_--oothre - _eche_--ech - 2675 _absolute_--absolut - _atte arst_--at erste - 2676 _al_--alle - _a_--O - 2677 _to_--omitted - _wirchyng_--wyrkynge - 2678 _þilk_--thilke - 2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put - _auȝten_--owhten - 2684 _none_--no - 2685 _al o_--alle oon - 2686 _comiþ_--comth - 2689 _graunt[e]_--graunte] - - [Headnote: - UNITY NECESSARY TO EXISTENCE.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then you must own that unity and good are the same - (for the substance of those things must be the same, whose effects - do not naturally differ).] - - ¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable - resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing. ¶ For of - þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse 2692 - nedys þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot gainsay it.] - - I ne may - nat denye it q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you not perceive that everything which exists - is permanent so long as it preserves its unity--but as soon as it - loses this, it is dissolved and annihilated?] - - ¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d - she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe his dwellyng {and} - his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it 2696 - forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre. - - [Sidenote: _B._ How so?] - - ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ In the animal creation as long as the soul and the - body are united and conjoined in one, this being is called an - animal or beast, but when the union is dissolved by the separation - of these, the animal perishes and is no longer a beast.] - - ¶ Ryȝt as in - beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule {and} þe body ben - co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a 2700 - beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce - þat oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a - dede þi{n}g. {and} þat it is no lenger no beste. - - [Sidenote: The same may be said of man and all other things; they - subsist while unity is preserved, but as soon as that is destroyed - the things themselves lose their existence.] - - {and} þe - body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} 2704 - of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a figure of - mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so] - diuide[d] {and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei - destroien vnite. þe body forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. 2708 - ¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same manere - by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery - þinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} - whan it forletiþ to ben oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.] - - _boice._ 2712 - whan I considre q{uo}d I many þinges I see noon oþ{er}. - - [Linenotes: - 2690 _mayst þou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten - 2692 [_of_]--from C. - 2695 _al_--alle - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2696, 2697 _oone_--oon - 2698 _whiche_--which - 2703 _dede_--ded - _lenger_--lenger{e} - _beste_--beest - 2704 _while_--whil - _oon_--oo - 2706 _[so] diuide[d]_--so deuydyd - 2709 _so_--omitted - 2713 _many_--manye] - - [Headnote: - NATURE SUSTAINS VEGETATION.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything which acts naturally that - forgoes this desire of existence and wishes for death and - corruption?] - - ¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as moche as - it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of 2715 - hys beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ - {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. [[pg 97]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I do not find any creature endowed with volition, - which, of itself and without constraint, renounces or despises - life and self-preservation or willingly hastens to destruction.] - - ¶ yif I considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han - any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne - fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out - forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} 2720 - or þat wole his þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For - euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to defende {and} kepe þe - sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}. - - [Sidenote: But with regard to herbs and trees, I am doubtful - whether I ought to have the same opinion of them, for they have no - sensitive soul, nor any natural volition like animals.] - - _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. þat is 2724 - to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes - or trees þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel - wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han wheþer - þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren. - - [Sidenote: _P._ There is no cause for doubt in respect to these.] - - ¶ Certis 2728 - q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute. - - [Sidenote: Herbs and trees first choose a convenient place to grow - in, where, agreeably to their respective natures, they are sure to - thrive, and are in no danger of perishing; for some grow on - plains, some on mountains, &c.; and if you try to transplant them, - they forthwith wither and die.] - - ¶ Now look - vpon þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in - swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place - þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire 2732 - nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen - in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n} - mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._] - [{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos 2736 - in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any wyht enforce hym to - beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye // - - [Sidenote: To everything that vegetates, nature gives what is - needful for its subsistence, and takes care that they should not - perish before their time.] - - For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t / - þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to - hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they 2740 - han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen // - - [Sidenote: Need I tell you that plants are nourished by their - roots (which are so many mouths hid in the earth), and diffuse - strength throughout the whole plant, as through their marrow?] - - what woltow seyn - of this / þ{a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr - rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged 2743 - w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as}) - hyr wode {and} hyr bark / - - [Sidenote: And further, it is admirably contrived that the pith, - the most tender part of plants, is hid in the middle of the trunk, - surrounded with hard and solid wood, and with an outer coat of - bark to ward off the storms and weather.] - - {and} what woltow seyn - of this þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. - sapp) is / þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} - þ{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of 2748 - wode // {and} þ{a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis - the destemprau{n}ce - of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren [[pg 98]] - harm / - - [Sidenote: Admire, too, the diligence of nature in propagating - plants by a multiplicity of seeds, which are as a foundation for a - building, not to remain for a time, but as it were for ever.] - - {and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is - the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} 2752 - pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man - þ{a}t ne wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and} - edyfice for to duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto - duren p{er}durablely by generacyou{n} // - - [Sidenote: Things inanimate incline to what is most suitable to - their beings, and to preserve continuance.] - - {and} the thinges ek 2756 - þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech - of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t - is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} - of hyr beynge {and} endurynge // - - [Sidenote: For why should the flame mount upwards by lightness, - and the earth tend towards its centre by gravity (weight), unless - these motions were agreeable to their respective natures?] - - For wher for elles berith 2760 - lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth the - erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and - thilke moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem // - - [Linenotes: - 2718 _willynge_--wylnynge - _or_--{and} - 2719 _þing_--beest - _out forþe_--owte forth - 2720 _lyue_--lyuen - 2723 _of lijf_--of hys lyf - 2726 _soule_--sowles - 2727 _appetite_--appetites - 2729 _look_--loke - 2730 _waxen firste_--wexen fyrst - 2733, 2734 _some_--som - 2734 _oþir_--oothre - 2753 _pupllisen_--H. publisshen) - 2755 _edyfice_--MS. edyfite - _a tyme_--H. oon) tyme - 2758 _that_--H. omits - _hirs_--H. his] - - [Headnote: - THE LOVE OF LIFE IS INSTINCTIVE.] - - [Sidenote: Whatever is agreeable to the nature of a thing - preserves it. So what is contrary to its nature destroys it.] - - {and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge 2764 - {and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes - {and} enemys corompen hem // - - [Sidenote: Dense bodies, such as stones, resist an easy separation - of parts; whereas the particles of liquid or flowing things, such - as air and water, are easily separated and soon reunited.] - - {and} yit the harde thinges - as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere - ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge 2768 - þ{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the - thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr - they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem þ{a}t - brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} 2772 - sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben - arraced // - - [Sidenote: Fire avoids and utterly refuses any such division.] - - but fyr [fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} / - - [Sidenote: I am not now treating of the voluntary motion of a - conscious soul, but of the natural intention and instinct.] - - ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the - sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n} 2776 - of thinges // - - [Sidenote: We swallow our meat without thinking of it, and we draw - our breath in sleep without perception.] - - As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete þ{a}t we - resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen - owr{e} breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt // - - [Sidenote: The love of life in animals is not derived from an - intellectual will, but from natural principles implanted in them.] - - For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of 2780 - hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle // - but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} // - - [Sidenote: For the will, induced by powerful reasons, sometimes - chooses and embraces death, although nature dreads and abhors it.] - - For certes thorw - constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful - ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith - // that is to seyn [[pg 99]] - as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som 2785 - cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which - þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore // - - [Sidenote: And, on the contrary, we see that concupiscence (by - which alone the human race is perpetuated) is often restrained by - the will.] - - And som tyme - we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / 2788 - destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and - requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} / - by the whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd - the longe durablete of mortal thinges // - - [Sidenote: Self-love possessed by every creature is not the - product of volition, but proceeds from a natural impression or - intention of nature.] - - And thus 2792 - this charite and this Loue þ{a}t eu{er}y thing hath to hym - self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle / but of - the entenciou{n} of natur{e} // - - [Sidenote: Providence has implanted in all created things an - instinct, for the purpose of self-preservation, by which they - desire to prolong existence to its utmost limits.] - - For the puruyance of god - hat yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is 2796 - a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they - desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen // - - [Linenotes: - 2774 [_fleeth_]--from H. - 2775 _weleful_--H. wilfull{e} - 2779 _slepyt_--H. slepe{n} - 2788 _seeth_--H. seen) - _wil_--H. will{e} - 2792 _And_--H. as - 2796 _hat_--H. haue] - - [Headnote: - THE WILL IS SUPERIOR TO INSTINCT.] - - [Sidenote: Doubt not, therefore, that everything which exists - desires existence and avoids dissolution.] - - For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that - alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren 2800 - naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable - dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} // - - [Sidenote: _B._ You have made those things perfectly plain and - intelligible, which before were obscure and doubtful.] - - B // - now confesse I. wel q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly / - w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the thinges that whylom semeden 2804 - vncerteyn to me / - - [Sidenote: _P._ That which desires to subsist desires also to - retain its unity for if this be taken away it cannot continue to - exist.] - - P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng þ{a}t - desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth - to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes - beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht // - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is very true!] - - that 2808 - is sotħ q{uod} I. // - - [Sidenote: _P._ All things then desire one thing--unity.] - - Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges - oon // - - [Sidenote: _B._ They do.] - - .I. assente q{uod} .I. // - - [Sidenote: _P._ Unity then is the same as good.] - - {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she - that thilke same oon is thilke that is good // - - [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.] - - B // ye forsothe - q{uod} I. // - - [Sidenote: _P._ Thus all things desire good--and it is one and the - same good that all creatures desire.] - - Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren 2812 - good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen - ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth // - - [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true. For either all things must - be reduced to nothing (or have no relation to anything else), and, - destitute of a head, float about without control or order; or if - there be anything to which all things tend, that must be the - supreme good.] - - Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} - verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and} 2816 - browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour - despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif [[pg 100]] - ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden - {and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of 2820 - alle goodes / - - [Sidenote: _P._ I rejoice greatly, my dear pupil, that you so - clearly apprehend this truth, of which but just now you were - ignorant.] - - P /. thanne seyde she thus // O my norry - q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // For thow - hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse // - that is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben 2824 - descouered to the / in that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow - wystest nat a lytel her by-forn // - - [Sidenote: _B._ What was that?] - - what was th{a}t q{uod} I. // - - [Headnote: - THE END OF ALL THINGS.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ The _End of all things_. And this is what every - one desires; but we have shown that _good_ is the thing desired by - all, therefore _Good_ is the _End of all things_.] - - That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was - the ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing þ{a}t 2828 - eu{er}y wiht desireth // and for as mochel as we han - gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd that good is thilke thing - that is desired of alle / thanne moten we nedes confessun / - that good is the fyn of alle thinges. 2832 - - [Linenotes: - 2800 _the_--H. þo - 2806 _perdurablely_--H. p{er}durably - 2807 _destroied_--H. destrued - 2811 _thilke_ (1)--H. ilke - 2818 _heued or elles_--H. hede or els - 2820 _hyen_--H. hyen) to - _moste_--H. must] - - - [Headnote: - TRUTH INTUITIVE.] - -QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE. - - [Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]] - - [Sidenote: He who seeks truth with deep research and is unwilling - to go wrong, should collect his slumbering thoughts, and turn the - inner light upon the soul itself.] - - ++WHo so that sekith sotħ by a deep thoght And - coueyteth nat to ben deseyuyd by no mys-weyes // - lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne hym self / the Lyht - of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein enclynynge 2836 - in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys - thowhtes / - - [Sidenote: The knowledge that he seeks without he will find - treasured up in the recesses of the mind.] - - And lat hym techen his corage that he hath - enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / al þ{a}t he compaseth or - sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte // - - [Sidenote: The light of Truth will disperse Error’s dark clouds, - and shine forth brighter than the sun.] - - And thanne thilke thing that the 2840 - blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal - lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth // - - [Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]] - - Glosa // who so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth 2843 - in his thowht / {and} wol nat be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s / - that goon amys fro the trouthe // lat hym wel - examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e} {and} - the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones - examine {and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} 2848 - or that he deme // and lat hym techen his sowle that it [[pg 101]] - hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche y-hyd w{i}t{h} in - it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to ben - in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of 2852 - his mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [þe] - syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth - to [þe] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth / - - [Sidenote: For when the body enclosed the soul and cast oblivion - o’er its powers it did wholly exterminate the heaven-born light.] - - For certes the body - bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd 2856 - owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng // - - [Sidenote: The germs of truth were latent within, and were fanned - into action by the gentle breath of learning.] - - For certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth - w{i}t{h} in yowr{e} corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by - the wynde {and} by the blastes of doctryne // - - [Sidenote: Were not truth implanted in the heart, how could man - distinguish right from wrong?] - - For wher{e} 2860 - for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne wyl the ryhtes whan - ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} þ{a}t the noryssynges of - resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e} - herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen þe 2864 - sooth of any thing þ{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a - Roote of sothfastnesse þ{a}t weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in - the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche sothfastnesse - lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght // - - [Sidenote: So, if what Plato taught is true, ‘to learn is no other - than to remember what had been before forgotten.’] - - {and} yif 2868 - so be þ{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth - sooth // al þ{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no - thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges - þ{a}t ben foryetyn. 2872 - - [Linenotes: - 2838 _his_--H. þis - _that_--H. {and} þ{a}t - 2841 _blake_--H. blak - _hadde y-couered_--H. had cou{er}ed - 2842 _lyhten_--H. light - 2843 _dep[e]_--C. dep, H. depe - 2847 _thing_--H. þyng{es} - 2863 _depthe_--H. depe - 2864 [_is_]--from H. - _sholden_--H. shulde - 2867 _nature[l]_--H. nat{ur}ell{e}] - - - [Headnote: - THE WORLD GOVERNED BY GOD.] - -TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I am quite of Plato’s opinion, for you have now a - second time recalled these things to my remembrance which had been - forgotten, first by the contagious union of soul and body, and - afterwards by the pressure of my afflictions.] - - ++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for - thow remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit] - - [Sidenote: [*_Addit. MS. 10,340, fol. 23._]] - - *þe seconde tyme. þat is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my - memorie by þe co{n}tagioũs coniuncc{i}ou{n} of þe body wiþ 2876 - þe soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded - by þe charge {and} by þe burden of my sorwe. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If you will reflect upon the concessions you have - already made, you will soon call to mind that truth, of which you - lately confessed your ignorance.] - - ¶ And þan sayde she þus. ¶ If þou look[e] q{uo}d she - firste þe þinges þat þou hast graunted it ne shal nat 2880 - ben ryȝt feer þat þou ne shalt remembren þilke þing þat [[pg 102]] - þou seidest þat þou nistest nat. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] - - what þing q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It was, by what power the world is governed.] - - ¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she þat þis worlde is - gouerned. - - [Sidenote: _B._ With regard to that, I own I confessed my - ignorance, but though I now remotely see what you infer, yet I - wish for further explanation from you.] - - Me remembriþ it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse 2884 - wel þat I ne wist[e] it nat ¶ But al be it so þat - I se now fro{m} afer what þou p{ur}posest ¶ Algates I - desire ȝit to herkene it of þe more pleynely. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You acknowledged a little while ago that this - world was governed by God?] - - ¶ þou ne - wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne þat men 2888 - sholden doute þat þis worlde is gouerned by god. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I still cling to this opinion, and will give you - my reasons for this belief.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne ȝitte doute I it nauȝt. ne I nil - neuer wene þat it were to doute. as who seiþ. but I - wot wel þat god gouerneþ þis worlde. ¶ And I shal 2892 - shortly answere þe by what resou{n}s I am brouȝt to þis. - - [Sidenote: The discordant elements of this world would never have - assumed their present form unless there had been a wise - Intelligence to unite them; and even after such a union, the - joining of such opposites would have disunited and ruined the - fabric made up of them, had not the same conjoining hand kept them - together.] - - ¶ þis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious - p{ar}ties ne myȝten neuer han ben assembled in o forme. - but yif þere ne were oon þat conioigned so many[e 2896 - diu{er}se] þinges. ¶ And þe same diuersite of hire - natures þat so discordeden þat oon fro þat oþer most[e] - dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} þe þi{n}ges þat ben co{n}ioigned. - yif þere ne were oon þat contened[e] þat he haþ co{n}ioigned 2900 - {and} ybounde. - - [Sidenote: The order that reigns throughout nature could not - proceed so regularly and uniformly if there were not a Being, - unchangeable and stedfast, to order and dispose so great a - diversity of changes.] - - ne þe certein ordre of nature ne - sholde. nat brynge furþe so ordinee moeuynge. by - places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites. - yif þere ne were oon þat were ay stedfast dwellynge. 2904 - þat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] þise diuersites of - moeuynges. - - [Sidenote: This Being, the creator and ruler of all things, I call - God.] - - ¶ and þilke þinge what so euer it be. by - whiche þat alle þinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe - hym god þat is a worde þat is vsed to alle folke. 2908 - - [Sidenote: _P._ As thy sentiments on these points are so just I - have but little more to do--for thou mayest be happy and secure, - and revisit thy own country.] - - þan seide she. syn þou felest þus þise þinges q{uo}d she. I - trowe þat I haue lytel more to done. þat þou myȝty of - wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones þi contre. - - [Linenotes: - 2875, 2877 _lost[e]_--loste - 2878 _burden_--burdene - 2879 _look[e]_--looke - 2880 _firste_--fyrst - 2883 _whiche_--which - _gouerment_--gou{er}nement - _worlde_--wordyl - 2885 _wist[e]_--wiste - 2887 _pleynely_--pleynly - 2888 _here byforne_--her byforn - 2889 _worlde is_--world nis - 2890 _ȝitte doute_--yit ne dowte - _nil_--nel - 2892 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot - 2892, 2894 _worlde_--world - 2893 _answere_--answeren - 2894 _many_--manye - 2895 _myȝten_--myhte - 2896 _þere_--ther - _many[e]_--manye - 2897 [_diuerse_]--from C. - _hire_--hir - 2898 _most[e]_--moste - 2900 _þere_--ther - _contened[e]_--contenede - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 2902 _furþe_--forth - _ordinee moeuynge_--ordene moeuynges - 2904 _þere_--ther - _stedfast_--stidefast - 2905 _ordeyned[e]_--ordeynede - _disposed[e]_--disponede - 2907 _whiche_--which - _ben_--be - _ylad_--MS. yladde, C. I-ladd - 2908 _worde_--word - _folke_--foolk - 2911 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse] - - [Headnote: - GOD IS ALL-SUFFICIENT.] - - [Sidenote: But let us reflect a little more upon these matters.] - - ¶ But lat vs loken þe þinges þat we han - p{ur}posed her-byforn. [[pg 103]] - - [Sidenote: Did we not agree that _Sufficiency_ is of the nature of - true happiness?] - - ¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} she 2913 - þat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse. - - [Sidenote: And have we not seen that God is that true felicity, - and that He needs no external aid nor instruments?] - - {and} we han accorded - þat god is {and} þilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsoþe q{uo}d - I. {and} þat to gouerne þis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he 2916 - neuer han nede of none helpe fro wiþoute. - - [Sidenote: For if he should, he would not be self-sufficient.] - - for ellys yif - he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde not haue - [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. ȝis þus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: And he directs all things by himself alone?] - - ¶ þan ordeyneþ he by hym self al oon alle þinges q{uo}d 2920 - she. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be gainsaid.] - - þat may nat ben denied q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I have shown that God is the chief good; God must, - therefore, direct and order all things by _good_, since he governs - them by himself, whom we have proved to be the _supreme good_, and - he is that helm and rudder, by which this machine of the world is - steadily and securely conducted.] - - ¶ And I haue - shewed þat god is þe same good. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me - wel q{uo}d I. ¶ þan ordeineþ he alle þinges by þilke - goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to 2924 - ben good gouerneþ alle þi{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a - keye {and} a stiere by whiche þat þe edifice of þis worlde - is ykept stable {and} wiþ oute corumpynge - - [Sidenote: _B._ I entirely agree to this, and partly anticipated - your remarks.] - - ¶ I accorde - me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here byforn 2928 - þat þou woldest seyne þus. Al be it so þat it were by - a þinne suspeciou{n}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I believe it; for your eyes are now more intent - upon these great truths relating to true felicity; but what I am - going to say is not less open to your view.] - - I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as - I trowe þou leedest nowe more ententifly þine eyen to - loken þe verray goodes ¶ but naþeles þe þinges þat I 2932 - shal telle þe ȝit ne sheweþ nat lasse to loken. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] - - what is - þat q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ As we believe that God governs all things by his - goodness, and that all things have a natural tendency towards the - _good_, can it be doubted but that they all voluntarily submit to - the will and control of their ruler?] - - ¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} þat - ryȝtfully þat god gouerneþ alle þinges by þe keye of his - goodnesse. ¶ And alle þise same þinges as I [haue] 2936 - tauȝt þe. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen - to goode þer may no man doute{n}. þat þei ne ben - gouerned uoluntariely. {and} þat þei ne conuerten [hem] - nat of her owe{n} wille to þe wille of hire ordeno{ur}. 2940 - - [Linenotes: - 2912 _han_--ha - 2913 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 2916 _worlde_--world - 2917 _none helpe_--non help - 2918 _had[de]_--hadde - _helpe_--help - 2919 [_no_]--from C. - 2920 _al oon_--allone - 2921 _ben denied_--be denoyed - 2924, 2926 _whiche_--which - 2925 _ben_--be - 2926 _worlde_--world - 2928 _gretly_--gretely - _here_--her - 2929 _seyne_--seye - 2931 _nowe_--now - 2932 _naþeles_--nat[h]les - 2935 _ryȝtfully_--MS. on ryȝtfully - 2936 [_haue_]--from C. - 2938 _goode_--good - 2939 [_hem_]--from C. - 2940 _nat_--omitted - _her_--hir - _owen_--owne - _wille_ (_both_)--wil - _hire_--hyr] - - [Headnote: - ALL THINGS SUBMIT TO GOD.] - - as þei þat ben accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} - {and} her kyng. [[pg 104]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be otherwise. There would be no safety - for those who obey, if the discord of a portion were allowed.] - - ¶ It mot nedys be so q{uo}d. I. - - [Sidenote: [* Fol. 23 _b_.]] - - *¶ For þe realme ne sholde not seme blisful ȝif þere were a ȝok - of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne þe sauynge of 2944 - obedient þinges ne sholde nat be. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything that follows the dictates of - nature that seeks to counteract the will of God?] - - þan is þere no þing - q{uo}d she þ{a}t kepiþ hys nature[;] þat enforceþ hym to - gone aȝeyne god. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - ¶ No q{uo}d. I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If there should be any such, it could not prevail - against him, who is supremely happy and consequently omnipotent.] - - ¶ And if þat any þi{n}g - enforced[e] hym to wiþstonde god. myȝt[e] it auayle at 2948 - þe laste aȝeyns hym þat we han g{ra}unted to ben al - myȝty by þe ryȝt of blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al - outerly it ne myȝt[e] nat auaylen hym. - - [Sidenote: Then there is nothing that either will or can withstand - this supreme good?] - - þan is þere no - þing q{uo}d she þat eyþer wol or may wiþstonde to þis 2952 - souereyne good. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing, certainly.] - - ¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I - - [Sidenote: _P._ It is then the supreme good that governs and - orders all things powerfully and benignly.] - - ¶ þan is - þilke þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat alle þi{n}g{us} - gouerneþ strongly {and} ordeyneþ hem softly. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I am delighted with your _conclusions_, but much - more with your _language_; so that fools may be ashamed of their - objections to the divine government.] - - þa{n} seide I - þus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in þe endes or in þe 2956 - so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s þat þou hast concludid {and} - p{ro}ued. ¶ But þilke wordes þat þ{o}u vsest deliten me - moche more. ¶ So at þe last[e] fooles þat so{m}tyme - renden greet[e] þinges auȝte{n} ben asshamed of hem 2960 - self. - - [Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]] - - ¶ þat is to seyne þ{a}t we fooles þat rep{re}henden - wickedly þe þi{n}g{us} þat touchen goddes gouernaunce we - auȝte{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I þat seide god - refuseþ oonly þe werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiþ nat 2964 - of he{m}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You have read the Poets’ fables, how the Giants - stormed heaven--how they were repulsed and punished according to - their deserts; but may we not compare our reasons together, for by - so doing some clear spark of truth may shine forth?] - - _p._ þou hast wel herd q{uo}d she þe fables of þe - poetes. how þe geauntes assailden þe heuene wiþ þe - goddes. but for soþe þe debonaire force of god disposed[e] - hem so as it was worþi. þat is to seyne distroied[e] þe 2968 - geauntes. as it was worþi. ¶ But wilt þou þat we - ioygnen togedre þilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of - swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele - of soþe - - [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.] - - ¶ Do q{uo}d I as þe list. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is God omnipotent?] - - wenest þou q{uo}d she 2972 - þat god ne is almyȝty. no man is in doute of it. [[pg 105]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ No one doubts it.] - - Certys - q{uo}d I no wyȝt ne defendiþ it if he be in hys mynde. - - [Linenotes: - 2941 _her_--hyr - 2943 _realme_--Reaume - _seme_--semen - 2945 _þere_--ther - 2947 _gone aȝeyne_--goon ayein - 2948 _enforced[e]_--enforcede - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _auayle_--auaylen - 2949 _aȝeyns_--a-yenis - 2951 _outerly_--owtrely - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _auaylen_--MS. aualeyne, C. auaylen - _hym_--hem - _þere_--ther - 2952 _wol_--wole - _wiþstonde_--w{i}t{h}-stondyn - _þis souereyne_--his sou{er}eyn - 2955 _softly_--softtely - 2957 _sommes_--somme - [_the_]--from C. - 2959 _last[e]_--laste - 2960 _greet[e]_--grete - 2960, 2963 _auȝten_--owhten - 2961 _seyne_--seyn - 2965 _of hem_--of it - _herd_--MS. herde, C. herd - 2967 _disposed[e]_--desposede - 2968 _seyne distroied[e]_--seyn destroyede - 2971 _swiche_--swych - _some_--som - 2972 _soþe_--soth - _list_--liste - 2973 _is_ (1)--be - _man_--omitted - _is_ (2)--nis - 2974 _defendiþ_--dowteth] - - [Headnote: - EVIL HAS NO EXISTENCE.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ If he is almighty, there are, then, no limits to - his power?] - - but he q{uo}d she þat is al myȝty þere nis no þing þat he - ne may do. - - [Sidenote: _B._ He can doubtless do all things.] - - þat is soþe q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ May God do evil?] - - May god done yuel 2976 - q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - nay for soþe q{uo}d. I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is evil nothing, since God, who is almighty, - cannot do it?] - - ¶ þan is yuel no þing - q{uo}d she. ¶ Syn þat he ne may not done yuel þat - may done alle þinges. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Dost thou mock me or play with me, leading me with - thy arguments into an inextricable labyrinth, and enclosing me in - a wonderful circle of Divine Simplicity?] - - scornest þou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys - pleyest þou or deceiuest þou me. þat hast so wouen me 2980 - wiþ þi resou{n}s. þe house of didalus so entrelaced. þat it - is vnable to ben vnlaced. þou þat oþer while entrest - þere þou issest {and} oþer while issest þere þou entrest. - ne fooldest þou nat to gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a 2984 - maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of symplicite - deuyne. - - [Sidenote: For thou didst first begin with happiness, and didst - say that it was the sovereign good, and that it resided in God; - then, that God was that _Good_ and the perfection of happiness; - and, hence, thou didst infer that nobody could be happy unless he - became likewise a God.] - - ¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan þou bygu{n}ne - atte blisfulnesse þ{o}u seidest þat it is souereyne - good. {and} seidest þat it is set in souereyne god. {and} þat 2988 - god is þe ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche þou ȝaf[e] me - as a couenable ȝifte. þat is to seyne þ{a}t no wyȝt nis - blisful. but yif he be good al so þer wiþ - - [Sidenote: Again, thou saidst that the very form of good was the - substance whereof God and happiness were composed, and that it was - the object and desire of all things in nature.] - - {and} seidest - eke þat þe forme of goode is þe substaunce of god. {and} 2992 - of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest þ{a}t þilke same oone is þilke - same goode þat is requered {and} desired of al þe kynde - of þinges. - - [Sidenote: Thou didst prove that God rules the world by his - goodness, and that all things willingly obeyed him; and that evil - has no existence.] - - {and} þou p{ro}euedest in disputynge þat god - gouerneþ alle [the] þinges of þe worlde by þe gouernementys 2996 - of bountee. {and} seydest þat alle þinges wolen - ybeyen to hym. and seidest þat þe nature of yuel nis - no þing. - - [Sidenote: These truths you established by forcible and natural - arguments, and by no strained and far-fetched reasons.] - - {and} þise þinges ne shewedest þou nat wiþ no - resou{n}s ytake fro wiþoute but by proues in cercles {and} 3000 - homelyche knowen. ¶ þe whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem - self hir feiþ {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of oþer. þan - seide she þus. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I have not deluded you, for by the Divine aid we - have accomplished our chief task.] - - I ne scorne þe nat ne pleye ne desseyue - þe. but I haue shewed to þe þinge þat is grettest ouer [[pg 106]] - alle þinges by þe ȝifte of god þat we some tyme prayden 3005 - - [Linenotes: - 2975 _þere_--ther - 2976 _do_--C. omits - _soþe_--soth - _done_--don - 2978, 2979 _done_--don - 2980 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen - 2981 _house_--hows - 2983 _þere_ (_both_)--ther - 2987 _atte_--at - 2988 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - 2989 _ful[le]_--fulle - _whiche_--which - _ȝaf[e]_--yaue - 2990 _ȝifte_--yift - _seyne_--seyn - 2992, 2994 _goode_--good - 2993 _oone_--oon - 2994 _al_--alle - 2996 [_the_]--from C. - 2998 _ybeyen_--obeyen - 2999 _no_ (2)--none - 3000 _ytake_--I-taken - 3001 _homelyche_--hoomlich - 3002 _eueriche_--eu{er}ich - [_of_]--from C. - 3004 _þe þinge_--the the thing - 3005 _ȝifte_--yift - _some tyme prayden_--whilom preyeden] - - [Headnote: - GOD IS LIKE A SPHERE.] - - [Sidenote: I have proved to you that it is an essential property - of the Divine nature not to go out of itself, nor to receive into - itself anything extraneous.] - - ¶ For þis is þe forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. þat - is swiche þat it ne slydeþ nat in to outerest foreine - þinges. ne ne rec[e]yueþ no st{ra}nge þinges in hym. 3008 - - [Sidenote: Parmenides says of the Deity that _God is like a - well-rounded sphere_.] - - but ryȝt as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of þilke deuyne substaunce. - he seide þus þat þilke deuyne substaunce - torneþ þe worlde {and} þilke cercle moeueable of þinges - while þilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiþ it self wiþ outen 3012 - moeuynge. - - [Sidenote: He causes the moving globe to revolve, but is himself - immovable.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 24.]] - - þat *is to seyne þat it ne moeuiþ neuere mo. - {and} ȝitte it moeueþ alle oþer þinges. - - [Sidenote: If I have chosen my arguments from the subjects within - range of our discussion, do not let that surprise you, for, as - Plato has taught us, there ought to be an alliance between the - words and the subject of discourse.] - - but na-þeles yif I - [haue] stered resou{n}s þat ne ben nat taken fro wiþ oute - þe compas of þe þinge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s 3016 - þat ben bystowed wiþ i{n}ne þat compas þere nis nat whi - þat þou sholde[st] merueylen. sen þou hast lerned by - þe sentence of plato þat nedes þe wordes moten ben - cosynes to þo þinges of whiche þei speken. 3020 - - [Linenotes: - 3006 [_the_]--from C. - 3007 _swiche_--swich - 3009 _parmaynws_--a p{ar}manides - 3011 _worlde_--world - 3012 _while_--whil - _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte - 3013 _seyne_--seyn - 3014 _ȝitte_--yit - _oþer_--oothre - 3015 [_haue_]--from C. - 3016 _whiche_--which - 3017 _wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in - 3020 _cosynes_--MS. conceyued, C. cosynes - _þo_--þe - _whiche_--which] - - - [Headnote: - THE POWER OF MUSIC.] - -FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A. - - [Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Happy is he that hath seen the lucid spring of truth! - Happy the man that hath freed himself from terrestrial chains!] - - ++Blisful is þat man þat may seen þe clere welle of good. - blisful is he þat may vnbynde hym fro þe bonde of - heuy erþe. - - [Sidenote: The Thracian poet, consumed with grief for the loss of - his wife, sought relief from music.] - - ¶ þe poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] þat somtyme - hadde ryȝt greet sorowe for þe deeþ of hys wijf. - - [Sidenote: His mournful songs drew the woods along; the rolling - rivers ceased to flow; the savage beasts became heedless of their - prey; the timid hare was not aghast at the hound.] - - aftir þat 3024 - he hadde maked by hys wepely songes þe wodes meueable - to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked þe ryueres to stonden - stille. {and} maked þe hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen - dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe. 3028 - {and} had[de] maked þat þe hare was nat agast of þe - hounde whiche þat was plesed by hys songe. - - [Sidenote: But the songs that did all things tame, could not allay - their master’s ardent love.] - - so þat - whane þe most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende þe - entrailes of his brest. ne þe songes þat hadde ouer [[pg 107]] - comen alle þinges ne myȝten nat assuage hir lorde 3033 - orpheus. - - [Sidenote: He bewailed the cruelty of the gods above, and - descended to Pluto’s realm.] - - ¶ He pleyned[e] hym of þe godes þat were{n} - cruel to hym. he wente hym to þe houses of helle - - [Sidenote: There he struck his tuneful strings and sang, - exhausting all the harmonious art imparted to him by his mother - Calliope.] - - {and} þere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng 3036 - of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song in - wepynge alle þat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued - oute of þe noble welles of hys modir calliope þe goddesse. - - [Sidenote: In songs dictated both by grief and love, he implored - the infernal powers to give him back his Eurydice.] - - {and} he song wiþ as mychel as he myȝt[e] of 3040 - wepynge. {and} wiþ as myche as loue þat doubled[e] his - sorwe myȝt[e] ȝeuen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke - h{er}te. ¶ And he commoeuede þe helle {and} requered[e] - {and} souȝte by swete p{re}iere þe lordes of soules in helle 3044 - of relesynge. þat is to seyne to ȝelden hym hys wif. - - [Sidenote: Cerberus, Hell’s three-headed porter, stood amazed;] - - ¶ Cerberus þe porter of helle wiþ his þre heuedes was - cauȝt {and} al abaist for þe new[e] songe. - - [Sidenote: the Furies, tormentors of guilty souls, did weep;] - - {and} þe þre goddesses - furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies þat to{ur}mente{n} 3048 - {and} agaste{n} þe soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory - {and} wepen teres for pitee. - - [Sidenote: Ixion, tormented by the revolving wheel, found rest;] - - þan was nat þe heued of - Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by þe ou{er}þrowi{n}g whele. - - [Sidenote: Tantalus, suffering from a long and raging thirst, - despised the stream;] - - ¶ And - tantalus þat was destroied by þe woodnesse of longe 3052 - þrust dispiseþ þe flodes to drynke. - - [Sidenote: and the greedy vulture did cease to eat and tear the - growing liver of Tityus.] - - þe fowel þat hyȝt - voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe giser of ticius is so fulfilled - of his songe þat it nil etyn ne tyren no more. - - [Linenotes: - 3022 _vnbynde_--vnbyndyn - _bonde_--bondes - 3023 [_orpheus_]--from C. - _somtyme_--whilom - 3024 _sorowe_--sorwe - 3028 _dredles_--dredeles - _to herkene_--forto herknen - 3029 _had[de]_--hadde - 3030 _þat_ (2)--omitted - 3031 _most[e]_--moste - 3032 _hadde_--hadden - 3033 _assuage_--asswagen - _lorde_--lord - 3034 _pleyned[e]_--pleynede - _godes_--heuene goodes - 3035 _wente_--MS. wenten, C. wente - 3036 _tempred[e] hys_--temprede hise - 3037 _of hys_--C. omits - _spak_--MS. spakke, C. spak - _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge - 3038 _alle_--al - 3039 _oute_--owt - _goddesse_--goddes - 3040 _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge - _mychel_--mochel - 3041 _myche_--moche - _doubled[e]_--dowblede - 3042 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _ȝeuen_--yeue - _teche_--thechen - _in----herte_--omitted - 3043 _commoeuede_--MS. comaunded, C. co{m}moeuede - 3044 _souȝte_--by-sowhte - 3045 _ȝelden_--yilden - 3046 _his_--hise - 3047 _cauȝt_--MS. cauȝte, C. cawht - _new[e] songe_--newe song - 3049 _anoye----sorweful_--anoy woxen soruful - 3050 _þan_--tho ne - 3051 _whele_--wheel - 3053 _þrust_--thurst - _hyȝt_--hihte - 3054 _fulfilled_--fulfyld - 3055 _songe_--song] - - [Headnote: - FIX NOT THE THOUGHTS ON EARTHLY THINGS.] - - [Sidenote: At length Pluto himself relented, crying out, ‘We are - overcome! Let us give him back his wife, he hath well won her by - his song.] - - ¶ Atte þe laste þe lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued 3056 - to misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d - he. yif[e] we to orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye - he haþ welle I-bouȝt hir by his faire songe {and} - his ditee. [[pg 108]] - - [Sidenote: But we will lay this injunction upon him. Till he - escape the infernal bounds, he shall not cast a backward look.’] - - but we wil putte{n} a lawe in þis. {and} couenaunt 3060 - in þe ȝifte. þ{a}t is to seyne. þat til he be out of - helle yif he loke byhynden hym [þ{a}t] hys wijf shal - come{n} aȝeine to vs - - [Sidenote: But, who shall give a lover any law? Love is a greater - law than may be given to any earthly man.] - - ¶ but what is he þat may ȝeue a - lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to 3064 - hym self þan any lawe þ{a}t men may ȝeuen. - - [Sidenote: Alas! having left the realms of night, Orpheus cast a - look behind and lost his too-much-loved Euridice.] - - ¶ Allas - whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at þe termes of - þe nyȝt. þat is to seyne at þe last[e] boundes of helle. - Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} 3068 - lost[e] hir {and} was deed. - - [Sidenote: This fable belongs to all you, whose minds would view - the Sovereign Good.] - - ¶ þis fable app{er}teineþ to - ȝow alle who so euer desireþ or sekiþ to lede his þouȝte - in to þe souereyne day. þat is to seyne to clerenes[se] - of souereyne goode. - - [Sidenote: For he who fixes his thoughts upon earthly things and - low, must lose the noble and heaven-imparted Good.] - - ¶ For who so þat eu{er}e be so ouer 3072 - come{n} þat he fycche hys eyen in to þe put[te] of helle. - þat is to seyne who so setteþ his þouȝtes in erþely - þinges. al þat euer he haþ drawen of þe noble good - celestial he lesiþ it whan he lokeþ þe helles. þat is to 3076 - seyne to lowe þinges of þe erþe. - - EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS. - - [Linenotes: - 3056 _Atte_--At - _lorde_--lord - 3057 _cried[e]_--cryde - 3058 _yif[e]_--yiue - 3059 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _welle_--wel - _faire_--C. omits - _songe_--song - 3060 _wil putten_--wol putte - 3062 _byhynden_--by-hynde - [_þat_]--from C. - 3063 _to_--vn-to - 3064 _gretter_--gret - 3066 _were al most_--weren almest - 3067 _last[e]_--laste - 3068 _loked[e] abakwarde_--lookede abacward - 3069 _lost[e]_--loste - 3070 _þouȝte_--thowht - 3071 _clerenes[se]_--clernesse - 3072 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn god - 3073 _put[te]_--putte - 3074 _setteþ_--sette - 3075 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - - - - [Headnote: - THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 24 _b_.]] - -*INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS. - - -HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}. - - [Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: When P. with grace and dignity had poured forth her - songs, I, not quite quit of my load of grief, interrupted her as - she was continuing her discourse.] - - ++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably - þe forseide þinges kepynge þe dignitee of hir - choere in þe weyȝte of hir wordes. I þan þat ne hadde 3080 - nat al out{er}ly forȝeten þe wepyng {and} mournyng - þat was set in myne herte for-brek þe entenc{i}ou{n} of hir - þat entended[e] ȝitte to seyne oþ{er} þinges. - - [Sidenote: All your discourses, O my conductress to the true - light! have been very clear and unanswerable, both by the divine - testimony which they carry along with them, and by thy - irrefragable arguments.] - - ¶ Se q{uo}d - I. þou þat art gideresse of verray lyȝte þe þinges þat þou 3084 - hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere - {and} so shewyng [[pg 109]] - by þe deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by þi resou{n}s þat - þei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. - - [Sidenote: Through the oppression of grief I had forgotten these - truths, but was not wholly ignorant of them.] - - ¶ And þilke þi{n}g{us} - þat þou toldest me. al be it so þat I hadde som tyme 3088 - fo[r]ȝeten hem for [the] sorwe of þe wronge þat haþ ben - don to me. ȝit naþeles þei ne were nat alouterly vnknowen - to me. - - [Sidenote: The principal cause of my trouble is this--that, whilst - the absolute Ruler of all things is goodness itself, evil exists - and is allowed to pass unpunished.] - - but þis same is namly a gret cause of - my sorwe. þat so as þe gouernoure of þinges is goode. 3092 - yif þat yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif - þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge. - - [Sidenote: This, to say the least, is astonishing.] - - þe whiche - þinge oonly how worþi it is to ben wondred vpon. þou - considerest it weel þi self certeynly. - - [Sidenote: Moreover, while _vice_ flourishes _virtue_ is not only - unrewarded, but trampled under foot by base and profligate men, - and suffers the punishment due to impiety.] - - but ȝitte to þis 3096 - þing þere is an oþer þing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred - vpon. ¶ For felonie is emperisse {and} flowreþ ful of - rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wiþ outen medes. - but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir þe feet of felonous 3100 - folk. {and} it abieþ þe to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of - wicked felou{n}s - - [Sidenote: Here is cause for wonderment, since such things are - possible under the government of an omniscient and omnipotent God, - who wills nothing but what is the best.] - - ¶ Of al[le] whiche þing þer nis no wyȝt - þat [may] merueyllen ynouȝ ne compleyne þat swiche - þinges ben don in þe regne of god þat alle þinges woot. 3104 - and alle þinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode - þinges. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It were indeed, not only marvellous, but also - horribly monstrous, if, in the well-regulated family of so great a - master, the worthless vessels should be honoured and the precious - ones be despised:--but it is not so.] - - ¶ þan seide she þus. certys q{uo}d she þat were - a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wiþouten ende. - {and} wel more horrible þan alle monstres yif it were as 3108 - þ{o}u wenest. þat is to sein. þat in þe ryȝt ordeyne house - of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. þat þe - vesseles þat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed - {and} heried. and þe p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled 3112 - {and} vyle. but it nis nat so. - - [Sidenote: For if the conclusions we have come to, be sound and - irrefragable, we must confess that under God’s rule the _good_ are - always powerful and mighty, and the _wicked_ weak and - contemptible;] - - For yif þe þinges - þat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole [[pg 110]] - {and} vnraced. þou shalt wel knowe by þe auctorite of - god. of þe whos regne I speke þat certys þe good[e] 3116 - folk ben alwey myȝty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} - feble. - - [Sidenote: that vice never passes unpunished, nor virtue goes - unrewarded;] - - ne þe vices ben neu{e}re mo wiþ outen peyne[;] ne - þe vertues ne ben nat wiþ outen mede. - - [Sidenote: that happiness attends good men, and misfortune falls - to the lot of the wicked.] - - and þat blisfulnesses - comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comeþ 3120 - alwey to wicked folke. - - [Sidenote: These and many other truths of like nature shall be - proved to thee, and shall put an end to thy complaints, and - strengthen thee with firmness and solidity.] - - ¶ And þou shalt wel knowe - many[e] þinges of þis kynde þ{a}t sholle cessen þi pleyntes. - {and} stedfast þe wiþ stedfast saddenesse. - - [Sidenote: Having shown you a picture of true felicity, and - wherein it resides, I shall now trace out the way which will lead - you to your home.] - - ¶ And for þou - hast seyn þe forme of þe verray blisfulnesse by me þat 3124 - [haue] somtyme I-shewed it þe. And þou hast knowen - i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle þinges I treted þ{a}t I - trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] furþe ¶ I shal shewe - þe. þe weye þat shal brynge þe aȝeyne vnto þi house 3128 - - [Sidenote: I will give your soul wings to soar aloft, so that all - tribulation being removed, you may, under my guiding, by my road, - and with my vehicle, return whole and sound into your own - country.] - - {and} I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt by whiche it may - arysen in heyȝte. so þat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey þou - by my gidyng & by my paþe {and} by my sledes shalt - mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to þi contre. 3132 - - [Linenotes: - 3078 _softly_--softely - 3080 _choere in_--cheere {and} - 3082 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - _myne_--Myn - _for-brek_--MS. for-breke, C. Forbrak - 3083 _entended[e]_--entendede - 3084 _lyȝte_--lyht - 3085 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seid - [_me_]--from C. - 3086 _þi_--the - 3087 _mowe_--mowen - 3088 _som tyme_--whilom - 3089 [_the_]--from C. - _wronge_--wrong - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3090 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _were_--weeren - 3091 _namly_--namely - 3092 _goode_--good - 3094 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte - 3095 _þinge_--thing - 3097 _þere_--ther - _ben ywondred_--be wondryd - 3098 _flowreþ_--MS. folweþ, C. flowrith - 3099 _rycchesse_--Rychesses - _vertues_--vertu - _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte - 3101 _in sted_--in stide - 3102 _wicked_--wikkede - _al[le]_--alle - _þing_--thinges - 3103 [_may_]--from C. - 3104 _don_--MS. done, C. doon - 3105 _wool_--wole - _goode_--good - 3107 _grete_--gret - _enbaissynge_--enbasshinge - 3108 _alle_--al - 3109 _ordeyne house_--ordenee hows - 3111, 3113 _vyle_--vyl - 3112 _heried_--he heryed - _sholde_--sholden - 3113 _þe_--tho - 3114 _here byforne_--her byforn - _kept_--MS. kepte, C. kept - 3116 _good[e]_--goode - 3117 _alwey_ (2)----_feble_--alwey owt cast {and} feble - 3118, 3119 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte - 3119 _vertues_--vertuus - 3122 _many[e]_--manye - _sholle cessen_--shollen cesen - 3123 _stedfast----stedfast_--strengthyn the w{i}t{h} stidfast - 3124 _seyn_--MS. seyne, C. seyn - 3125 [_haue_]--from C. - _somtyme_--whilom - 3126 _set_--MS. sette, C. I-set - 3127 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth - 3128 _weye_--wey - _brynge_--bryngen - _þi house_--thin hows - 3129 _ficche_--fycchen - 3130 _arysen_--areysen - _don_--MS. done, C. ydoñ - 3131 _paþe_--paath - _shalt mowen_--shal mowe - 3132 _sounde_--sownd] - - - [Headnote: - VIRTUE NEVER GOES UNREWARDED.] - -SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: I have nimble wings that enable the mind to rise from - earth to heaven, to leave the clouds behind, to pass the region of - perpetual flame, and to reach the starry mansion, journeying - either by Phœbus’ radiant path, or accompanying cold and aged - Saturn, or riding, as a soldier, with Mars.] - - ++I Haue for soþe swifte feþeres þat surmou{n}ten þe heyȝt - of þe heuene whan þe swifte þouȝt haþ cloþed it self. - in þo feþeres it dispiseþ þe hat[e]ful erþes. {and} surmou{n}teþ - þe heyȝenesse of þe greet[e] eyir. {and} it seiþ þe 3136 - cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passeþ þe heyȝt of þe - regiou{n} of þe fire þat eschaufiþ by þe swifte moeuyng of - þe firmament. til þat she a-reisiþ hir in til þe houses þ{a}t - beren þe sterres. {and} ioygneþ hir weyes wiþ þe sonne [[pg 111]] - phebus. {and} felawshipeþ þe weye of þe olde colde 3141 - saturnus. and she ymaked a knyȝt of þe clere sterre. - - [Sidenote: [Chaucer’s Gloss.]] - - þat is to seyne þat þe soule is maked goddys knyȝt by - þe sekyng of treuþe to comen to þe verray knowlege of 3144 - god. - - [Sidenote: Through every sphere she (the mind) runs where night is - most cloudless and where the sky is decked with stars, until she - reaches the heaven’s utmost sphere--] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 25.]] - - and þilke soule renne[þ] by þe cercle *of þe sterres - in alle þe places þere as þe shynyng nyȝt is depeynted. - þat is to seyne þe nyȝt þat is cloudeles. for on nyȝtes þat - ben cloudeles it semeþ as þe heuene were peynted wiþ 3148 - dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan þe soule haþ gon - ynouȝ she shal forleten þe last[e] poynt of þe heuene. - - [Linenotes: - 3133 _heyȝt of þe heuene_--heyhte of heuene - 3134 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3136 _heyȝenesse----eyir_--Rou{n}dnesse of the grete ayr - _seiþ_--seth - 3137 _hir_--his - 3138 _fire_--Fyr - _eschaufiþ_--MS. eschaufiþe - 3139 _she_--he - _hir_--hym - 3140 _hir_--his - 3141 _weye_--wey - _þe----saturnus_--MS. saturnus þe olde colde - 3142 _saturnus_--sat{ur}nis - _she_--he - 3143 _soule_--thowght - 3144 _treuþe_--trowthe - _knowlege_--knoleche - 3145 _soule_--thoght - 3146 _depeynted_--painted - 3149-50 _and whan----she shal_--{and} whanne he hath I-doon - ther{e} I-nowh he shal - 3149 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3150 _þe last[e]----heuene_--the laste heuene] - - [Headnote: - VICE IS ALWAYS PUNISHED.] - - [Sidenote: then pressing on she shall be prepared to see the true - Source of Light, where the great King of kings bears his mighty - sceptre, and holds the reins of the universe.] - - {and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on þe bak of þe swifte - firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of þe dredefulle 3152 - clerenesse of god. ¶ þere haldeþ þe lorde of kynges - þe ceptre of his myȝt {and} atte{m}p{er}eþ þe gouernementes - of þis worlde. - - [Sidenote: Here the great Judge, standing in shining robes, firmly - guides his winged chariot, and rules the tumultuous affairs of the - world.] - - {and} þe shynynge iuge of þinges stable i{n} - hy{m} self gouerneþ þe swifte carte. þat is to seyne þe 3156 - circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne. - - [Sidenote: If you at length shall arrive at this abode, you will - say this is my country--here I was born--and here will I abide.] - - {and} yif þi weye ledeþ - þe aȝeyne so þat þou be brouȝt þider. þan wilt þou seye - now þat þat is þe contre þat þou requeredest of whiche þou - ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbreþ me wel 3160 - here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil - I dwelle. - - [Sidenote: And should you deign to look on the gloomy earth, - you’ll see those tyrants, the fear of wretched folk, banished from - those fair realms.] - - but yif þe lyke þan to loken on þe derkenesse - of þe erþe þat þou hast for-leten. þan shalt þou seen þat - þise felonous tyrauntes þat þe wrecched[e] poeple dredeþ 3164 - now shule ben exiled from þilke faire contre. - - [Linenotes: - 3151-2 _she_--he - 3152-3 _of þe----of god_--of the worshipful lyht of god - 3153 _þere haldeþ_--ther halt - 3155 _þis worlde_--the world - 3156 _carte_--cart or wayn - 3157 [_the_]--from C. - 3159 _whiche_--which - 3161 _here_ (1, 2, 3)--her - _born_--MS. borne, C. born - _wil_ (1)--wol - _wil_ (2)--wole - 3162 _lyke_--liketh - _derkenesse_--dyrknesses - 3164 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede - 3165 _shule_--shollen - _from_--fro] - - - [[pg 112]] - [Headnote: - THE GOOD ARE ALWAYS STRONG.] - -TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ Ah! thou promisest me great things indeed!--but - without delay, satisfy the expectations you have raised.] - - ++ÞAnne seide I þus. [owh] I wondre me þat þou by-hetest - me so grete þinges. ne I ne doute nat þat þ{o}u - ne mayst wel p{er}forme þat þou by-hetest. but I preie þe 3168 - oonly þis. þat þou ne tarie nat to telle me þilke þinges - þat þou hast meoued. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You must first be convinced that the good are - always strong and powerful and the wicked destitute of strength.] - - first q{uo}d she þou most nedes - knowen. þ{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} - myȝty. and þe shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked 3172 - of alle strengþes. - - [Sidenote: These assertions do mutually demonstrate each other.] - - and of þise þinges certys eueryche of - hem is declared {and} shewed by oþ{er}. - - [Sidenote: For since good and evil are contrary, if good be - powerful evil must be impotent.] - - ¶ For so as good - {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be þat goode be - stedfast. þa{n} sheweþ þe fieblesse of yuel al openly. 3176 - - [Sidenote: And if the frailty of evil is known, the strength and - stability of good must also be known to you.] - - and yif þou knowe clerely þe freelnesse of yuel. þe stedfastnesse - of goode is knowen. - - [Sidenote: But to convince you I shall proceed to prove it from - both these principles, establishing these truths, by arguments - drawn first from one of these topics and then from the other.] - - but for as moche as þe fey of - my sentence shal be þe more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I - wil goon by þat oon wey {and} by þat oþer {and} I wil conferme 3180 - þe þinges þat ben p{ur}posed now on þis side {and} - now on þ{a}t syde. - - [Sidenote: Two things are necessary to every action--the Will and - the Power; if either be wanting, nothing can be effected.] - - ¶ Two þinges þer ben in whiche þe - effect of alle þe dedes of man kynde standiþ. þat is to - seyn. wil {and} power. and yif þat oon of þise two fayleþ 3184 - þere nis no þing þat may be don. - - [Sidenote: A man can do nothing without the concurrence of his - will, and if power faileth the will is of no effect.] - - for yif þat wil lakkeþ - þere nys no wyȝt þat vndirtakeþ to done þat he wol not - don. and yif power fayleþ þe wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} - stant for nauȝt. - - [Sidenote: Hence, if you see a person desirous of getting what he - cannot procure, you are sure he lacks power to obtain it.] - - and þer of comeþ it þat yif þou se a 3188 - wyȝt þat wolde gete{n} þat he may nat geten. þou mayst - nat douten þat power ne fayleþ hy{m} to haue{n} þat he - wolde. ¶ þis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat - ben denyed in no manere. - - [Sidenote: And if you see another do what he had a mind to do, can - you doubt that he had the power to do it?] - - and yif þou se a wyȝt q{uo}d 3192 - she. þat haþ don þat he wolde don þ{o}u nilt nat douten - þat he ne haþ had power to done it. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No, surely. _P._ A man, then, is esteemed - powerful in respect of what he is able to do, and weak in - relation to what he is unable to perform.] - - no q{uo}d. I. and in - þat. þat euery wyȝt may. in þat þat men may holden - hym myȝty. as who seiþ i{n} as moche as a man is myȝty [[pg 113]] - to done a þing. in so moche men halden hy{m} myȝty. 3197 - and in þat þat he ne may. in þat men demen hym to - ben feble. - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.] - - I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you remember that I proved that the will of - man, following different pursuits, seeks happiness only?] - - Remembriþ þe q{uo}d - she þat I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s 3200 - þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of þe wil of ma{n}kynde whiche þat - is lad by diuerse studies hastiþ to comen to blisfulnesse. - ¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I þat it hath ben shewed. - - [Linenotes: - 3166 [_owh_]--from C. - 3171 _good[e]_--goode - _strong[e]_--stronge - 3172 _desert_--dishert - 3173 _eueryche_--eu{er}ich - 3175 _goode_--good - 3176 _stedfast_--stidefast - 3177 _freelnesse_--frelenesse - _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse - 3178 _goode_--good - 3180 _oon_--oo - _wil_ (2)--wole - 3185-6 _þere_--ther - 3185 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 3186 _done_--don - 3187 _wille_--wil - 3188 _comeþ_--comht - 3189 _mayst_--MS. mayste, C. mayst - 3191 _clere_--cler - 3192 _denyed_--denoyed - 3193-4 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3193 _don_ (_both_)--MS. done, C. doon - 3194 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had - _done_--doon - 3196 _as moche_--so moche - 3197 _done_--doon - _moche_--mochel - _halden_--halt - 3201 _whiche_--which - 3202 _lad_--MS. ladde, C. lad - 3203 _it hath ben_--MS. I herde þe, C. it hath ben] - - [Headnote: - THE IMPOTENCY OF THE WICKED.] - - [Sidenote: Do you recollect too, that it has been shown that - happiness is the supreme good of men--and all desire this good, - since all seek happiness?] - - {and} recordeþ þe nat þan q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is 3204 - þilke same goode þat men requeren. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 25 _b_.]] - - so þat whan þat - blisfulnesse is requered *of alle. þat goode [also] is - requered {and} desired of al. It recordeþ me wel q{uo}d I. - for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie. - - [Sidenote: All men, then, good and bad, seek to acquire good?] - - alle 3208 - folk þan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} - wiþ oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. - þat is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: And it is certain that when men obtain good they become - good?] - - and certeyne is q{uo}d - she þat by þe gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. 3212 - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is most certain.] - - þis is certeyne q{uo}d. I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do good men, then, get what they desire?] - - ¶ þan geten goode men þat þei - desiren. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.] - - so semeþ it q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If evil men obtain the good, they can be no longer - evil?] - - but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d - she yif þei geten þe goode þat þei desire{n} þei [ne] - mowen nat ben wicked. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is so.] - - so is it q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Since then both parties pursue the good, which - only the virtuous obtain, we must believe that good men are - powerful, and that the wicked are weak and feeble?] - - ¶ þan so as 3216 - þat oon {and} þat oþer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} þe - goode folk geten good {and} nat þe wicked folk ¶ þan - nis it no doute þat þe goode folk ne ben myȝty {and} þe - wicked folk ben feble. - - [Sidenote: _B._ None can doubt this, save such as either consider - not rightly the nature of things, or are incapable of - comprehending the force of any reasoning.] - - ¶ who so þat euer q{uo}d I 3220 - douteþ of þis. he ne may nat considre þe nature of - þi{n}ges. ne þe consequence of resou{n}. and ouer þis q{uo}d she. - - [Linenotes: - 3205-6 _goode_--good - 3206 [_also_]--from C. - 3207 _al_--alle - _It----I_--it ne recordeth me nat q{uod} I - 3210-12(1)-15 _goode_--good - 3214 _wicked[e]_--wikkede - 3215 [_ne_]--from C. - 3216 _mowen_--mowe - 3217 [_quod she_]--from C. - 3218 _wicked_--wilk{e} (? wikke) - 3220 _wicked_--wikkede] - - [Headnote: - THE WICKED DO NOT SEEK ARIGHT THE SUPREME GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ If two beings have the same end in view--and one - of them accomplishes his purpose by the use of natural means, - while the other not using legitimate means does not attain his - end--which of these two is the most powerful?] - - ¶ yif þat þer ben two þinges þat han o same 3223 - p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} þat one of he{m} p{ur}sueþ {and} p{er}formeþ - þilke same þinge by naturel office. {and} þat oþer - ne may nat done þilk naturel office. but folweþ by - oþer manere þan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym þat - acomplisiþ hys p{ur}pos kyndely. - {and} ȝit he ne acomplisiþ [[pg 114]] - nat hys owen purpos. wheþer of þise two demest 3229 - þou for more myȝty. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate your meaning more clearly.] - - ¶ yif þat I coniecte q{uo}d .I. þat - þou wilt seye algates. ȝit I desire to herkene it more - pleynely of þe. - - [Sidenote: _P._ The motion of walking is natural to man? And this - motion is the natural office of the feet? Do you grant this?] - - þou nilt nat þan denye q{uo}d she þat þe 3232 - moeueme{n}tȝ of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soþe - q{uo}d I. ne þou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she þ{a}t þilke naturel - office of goynge ne be þe office of feet. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I do.] - - I ne doute - it nat q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If, then, he who is able to use his feet walks, - whilst another lacking this power creeps on his hands--surely he - that is able to move naturally upon his feet is more powerful than - he who cannot.] - - þan q{uo}d she yif þat a wyȝt be myȝty to 3236 - moeue {and} goþ vpon hys feet. and anoþer to whom - þilke naturel office of feet lakkeþ. enforceþ hym to gone - crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. ¶ whiche of þise two auȝte - to ben holden more myȝty by ryȝt. knyt furþe þe remenaunt 3240 - q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wyȝt ne douteþ þat he þat - may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more myȝty - þan he þat ne may nat - - [Sidenote: _P._ The good and bad seek the supreme good: the good - by the natural means of virtue--the wicked by gratifying divers - desires of earthly things (which is not the natural way of - obtaining it).] - - ¶ but þe souereyne good q{uo}d - she þat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to þe good folk {and} to 3244 - badde. þe good folke seken it by naturel office of - uertues. {and} þe shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by - dyuerse couetise of erþely þinges. whiche þat nis no - naturel office to geten þilke same souereyne goode. 3248 - - [Sidenote: Do you think otherwise?] - - trowest þou þat it be any oþer wyse. - - [Sidenote: _B._ The consequence is plain, and that follows from - what has been granted--that the good are powerful, while the - wicked are feeble.] - - nay q{uo}d .I. for þe - co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of þinges þat I haue - graunted. ¶ þat nedes goode folk moten ben myȝty. - {and} shrewes feble {and} vnmyȝty. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You rightly anticipate me; for it is a good sign, - as physicians well know, when Nature exerts herself and resists - the malady.] - - ¶ þou rennest aryȝt 3252 - byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} þis is þe iugement þat is to - seyn. ¶ I iuge of þe ryȝt as þise leches ben wont forto - hopen of seke folk whan þei ap{er}ceyuen þat nature is - redressed {and} wiþstondeþ to þe maladie. - - [Sidenote: But, as you are so quick of apprehension, I shall - continue this mode of reasoning.] - - ¶ But for I 3256 - see þe now al redy to þe vndirstandynge I shal shewe - þe more þilke {and} continuel resou{n}s. - - [Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot - attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and - almost compels them; what would become of them without this - natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible?] - - ¶ For loke now - how gretly shewiþ þe feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]] - folke. þat ne mowen nat come to þat hire naturel 3260 - entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ hem. {and} ȝitte almost þilk naturel - entenc{i}ou{n} constreineþ hem. ¶ and what wer{e} to deme - þan of shrewes. yif þilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten - hem. ¶ þe whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} goþ alwey 3264 - byforne hem. {and} is so grete þat vnneþ it may be - ou{er}comen. - - [Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The - greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the - power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.)] - - ¶ Considre þan how gret defaute of power - {and} how gret feblesse þere is in grete felonous folk as - who seiþ þe gretter þi{n}ges þat ben coueited {and} þe desire 3268 - nat accomplissed of þe lasse myȝt is he þat coueiteþ it - {and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forþi philosophie seiþ - þus by souereyne good. - - [Sidenote: The wicked seek after no trivial things--which they - fail to obtain; but they aspire in vain to the sovereign good, - which they endeavour day and night to obtain.] - - ¶ Sherewes ne requere nat - lyȝt[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche þei ne may nat 3272 - folwen ne holden. but þei fayle{n} of þilke some of þe - heyȝte of þinges þat is to seyne souereyne good. ne þise - wrecches ne comen nat to þe effect of souereyne good. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 26.]] - - *þe whiche þei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by nyȝtes 3276 - {and} by dayes. - - [Sidenote: The good attain the end of their desires, and therein - their power is manifested.] - - ¶ In þe getyn[g] of whiche goode þe - strengþe of good folk. is ful wel ysen. - - [Sidenote: For as you deem him a good walker that goes to the end - of his journey, so you must esteem him powerful that attains his - desires, beyond which there is nothing to desire.] - - For ryȝt so as - þ{o}u myȝtest demen hym myȝty of goynge þat goþ on - hys feet til he myȝt[e] come to þilke place fro þe whiche 3280 - place þere ne lay no wey forþer to be gon. Ryȝt so - most þou nedes demen hym for ryȝt myȝty þat getiþ - {and} atteiniþ to þe ende of alle þinges þat ben to desire. - by-ȝonde þe whiche ende þat þer nis no þing to desire. 3284 - - [Linenotes: - 3226 _þilk_--thilke - 3229 _owen_--owne - 3231 _wilt_--wolt - _herkene_--herkne - 3232 _pleynely_--pleynly - _denye_--denoye - 3233 _moeuementȝ_--Moeuement - 3237 _goþ_--MS. goþe - _hys_--hise - 3238 _gone_--goon - 3239 _hys_--hise - _whiche_--which - 3240 _more_--the Moore - _furþe_--forth - 3242 _gone_--gon - 3245 _good_--goode - 3246 _uertues_--vertuus - 3247 _whiche_--which - 3248 _goode_--good - 3253 _byfore_--by-forn - 3254 _forto_--to - 3255 _seke_--sike - 3259 _wicked_--wikkede - 3260 _come_--comyn - 3261 _þilk_--thilke - 3262 _deme_--demen - 3263-4 _helpe_--help - 3264 _whiche_--which - _goþ_--MS. goþe - 3265 _grete_--gret - _vnneþ_--vnnethe - _be ouercomen_--ben ou{er}come - 3267 _þere_--ther - _grete_--wikkede - 3268 _þinges_--thing - _ben_--is - 3271 _Sherewes ne requere_--ne shrewes ne requeren - 3272 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte - _veyne_--veyn - _nat_--omitted - 3276 _whiche_--which - 3277 _getyn[g]_--getinge - _whiche goode_--which good - 3278 _ysen_--MS. and C. ysene - 3279 _goþ_--MS. goþe - 3280 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 3281 _þere_--ther - _lay_--laye - _forþer_--forthere - _be_--ben - 3283 _desire_--desired - 3284 _þat_--omitted] - - [Headnote: - THE WICKED HAVE NO REAL EXISTENCE.] - - [Sidenote: Wicked men, then, are destitute of those powers which - the good so amply possess.] - - ¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude þat - wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle - strengþe. - - [Sidenote: Wherefore do they leave virtue, and follow vice? Is it - because they are ignorant of good?] - - For whi forleten þei v{er}tues {and} folwen - vices. nis it nat for þat þei ne knowen nat þe goodes. 3288 - - [Sidenote: What is more weak and base than the blindness of - ignorance? Or do they know the way they ought to follow, but are - led astray by lust and covetousness?] - - ¶ But what þing is more feble {and} more caitif þan is þe [[pg 116]] - blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys þei knowen ful wel - whiche þinges þat þei auȝten to folwen ¶ but lecherye - {and} couetise ouerþroweþ hem mysturned. - - [Sidenote: And so, indeed, weak-minded men are overpowered by - intemperance, for they cannot resist vicious temptations.] - - ¶ and certis 3292 - so doþ distemp{er}aunce to feble men. þat ne mowe{n} nat - wrastle aȝeins þe vices - - [Sidenote: Do they willingly desert Good and turn to Evil? If they - do so, they not only cease to be powerful, but even cease to - exist.] - - ¶ Ne knowen þei nat þan wel - þat þei foreleten þe good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully - to vices. ¶ And in þis wise þei ne forleten nat 3296 - oonly to ben myȝty. but þei forleten al outerly in any - wise forto ben - - [Sidenote: For those who neglect the common end of all beings, - cease to exist.] - - ¶ For þei þat forleten þe comune fyn of - alle þinges þat ben. þei for-leten also þerwiþ al forto - ben. - - [Sidenote: You may marvel that I assert that the wicked, the - majority of the human race, have no existence--but it is, however, - most true.] - - and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk þat 3300 - þis were a merueile to seyne þat shrewes whiche þat - contienen þe more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no - beynge. ¶ but naþeles it is so. {and} þus stant þis þing - - [Sidenote: That the wicked are bad I do not deny--but I do not - admit that they have any real existence.] - - for þei þat ben shrewes I denye nat þat þei ben shrewes. 3304 - but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly þat þei - [ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge. - - [Sidenote: You may call a corpse a dead man, but you cannot with - propriety call it a man.] - - for ryȝt as þou myȝtest - seyn of þe careyne of a man þat it were a ded man. - ¶ but þou ne myȝtest nat symplely callen it a man. 3308 - - [Sidenote: So the vicious are profligate men, but I cannot confess - they absolutely exist.] - - ¶ So graunt[e] I wel for soþe þat vicious folk ben - wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and} - symplely þat þei ben. - - [Sidenote: That thing exists that preserves its rank, nature, and - constitution, but when it loses these essentials it ceases to be.] - - ¶ For þilk þing þat wiþ - holdeþ ordre {and} kepiþ nature. þilk þing is {and} haþ 3312 - beynge. but þat þing þat faileþ of þat. þat is to seyne - he þ{a}t forletiþ naturel ordre he for-letiþ þilk beyng - þat is set in hys nature. - - [Sidenote: But, you may say that the wicked have a _power_ to act, - nor do I deny it; but their power is an effect of weakness.] - - but þou wolt sein þat shrewes - mowen. ¶ Certys þat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys 3316 - hir power ne descendeþ nat of strengþe but of feblesse. - - [Sidenote: They can do evil, but this they could not do, if they - retained the power of doing good.] - - for þei mowen don wickednesses. þe whiche þei ne - myȝten nat don yif þei myȝte{n} dwelle in þe forme {and} - in þe doynge of goode folke. [[pg 117]] - - [Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.] - - ¶ And þilke power 3320 - sheweþ ful euydently þat þei ne mowen ryȝt nauȝt. - - [Linenotes: - 3285 _whiche_--the which - _þat_--þ{a}t the - 3286 _ben_--be - 3291 _auȝten to folwen_--owhten folwe - 3293 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth - 3394 _wrastle_--wrastlen - 3295 _vilfully_--wilsfully - 3297 _outerly_--owtrely - 3301 _seyne_--seyen - 3304-5 _denye_--denoye - 3305 _sey[e] symplely_--seye sympeli - 3306 [_ne_]--from C. - 3307 _seyn_--seyen - 3309 _graunt[e]_--graunte - 3311-12 _þilk_--thilke - 3312 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3313 _þat_ (1)--what - _seyne_--seyn - 3314 _þilk_--thilke - 3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - 3316 _denye_--denoye - 3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 3319 _myȝten_ (1)--myhte - _dwelle_--dwellin - 3320 _goode_--good] - - [Headnote: - POWER, AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE CHIEF GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: For as evil is nothing, it is clear that while the - wicked can only do evil they can do nothing.] - - ¶ For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn - þat yuel is nauȝt. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly - but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{n} is al clere. þat 3324 - shrewes ne mowen ryȝt nat to han power. - - [Sidenote: That you may understand the force of this power, I have - proved that nothing is more powerful than the sovereign good.] - - and for as - moche as þou vndirstonde whiche is þe strengþe þat is - power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn - þat no þing nis so myȝty as souereyne good - - [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.] - - ¶ þat is 3328 - soþe q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ And that supreme good can do no evil?] - - [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don - non yuel // - - [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly not.] - - Certes no q{uod} I] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is there any one who thinks that man can do all - things?] - - ¶ Is þer any wyȝt þan - q{uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don alle þinges. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No sane man can think so.] - - No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte. - - [Sidenote: _P._ But men may do evil.] - - ¶ but 3332 - certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.] - - ¶ ȝe wolde - god q{uo}d I þat þei ne myȝte{n} don none. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Since he that can do good, can do all things, and - he that has power to do evil cannot do all things, therefore the - evil-doers are less powerful.] - - þat q{uo}d she - so as he þat is myȝty to done oonly but good[e] þinges - may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben myȝty to done 3336 - yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open - þing {and} manifest þat þei þ{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of - lasse power. - - [Sidenote: Let me add too that _power_ is one of the things to be - desired, and that all such things are to be referred to the chief - good (the perfection of their nature).] - - and ȝitte to p{ro}ue þis conclusiou{n} þere - helpeþ me þis þat I haue shewed here byforne. þat al 3340 - power is to be nou{m}bred amonge þinges þat men auȝten - requere. {and} haue shewed þat alle þi{n}ges þat auȝten ben - desired ben referred to good ryȝt as to a manere heyȝte - of hyr nature. - - [Sidenote: But the power of doing evil has no relation to that - Good, therefore it is not desirable; but as all power is - desirable, it is clear that the ability to do evil is not power.] - - ¶ But for to mowen don yuel {and} 3344 - felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. þan nis nat - yuel of þe nou{m}bre of þinges þat auȝte{n}. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 26 _b_.]] - - *be desired. but - al power auȝt[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ þan is - it open {and} cler þat þe power ne þe moeuyng of shrewes 3348 - nis no powere. - - [Sidenote: It clearly follows from this reasoning, that the good - only are powerful while the vicious are feeble.] - - {and} of alle þise þinges it sheweþ wel þat - þe goode folk ben certeynly myȝty. {and} þe shrewes ben [[pg 118]] - douteles vnmyȝty - - [Sidenote: And Plato’s opinion is hereby verified that the _wise_ - only have the power to do what they desire; the wicked may follow - the dictates of their lusts, but their great aim and desire, - _i. e._ HAPPINESS, they can never attain.] - - ¶ And it is clere {and} open þat þilke - sentence of plato is uerray {and} soþe. þ{a}t seyþ þat oonly 3352 - wiseme{n} may [doon] þat þei desiren. {and} shrewes - mowen haunten þat hem lykeþ. but þat þei desiren þat - is to seyne to comen to souereyne good þei ne han no - power to acomplissen þat. - - [Sidenote: The wicked may gratify their desires, thinking to - attain the chief good (for which they wish), but they can never - possess it, for impiety and vice can never be crowned with - happiness.] - - ¶ For shrewes don þat hem 3356 - list whan by þo þinges in whiche þei deliten þei wenen - to atteyne to þilke good þat þei desiren. but þei ne geten - ne atteynen nat þer to. ¶ for vices ne comen nat to - blisfulnesse. 3360 - - [Linenotes: - 3324 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses - _clere_--cleer - 3325 _nat----power_--nawht ne han no power - 3326 _whiche_--which - _þat is_--of this - 3327 _here_--her - 3328 _nis_--is - 3329 _soþe_--soth - 3329, 3330 [_and thilke----quod I_]--from C. - 3334 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _none þat_--non thanne - 3335 _done_--doon - _good[e]_--goode - 3336 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _done_--don - 3337 _yuel[e]_--yuele - _þis_--it - 3338 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 3339 _ȝitte_--yit - _þere_--ther - 3340 _shewed here byforne_--Ishewed her by-forn - _al_--alle - 3341 _amonge_--among - 3344 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 3346 _auȝten be_--owhte ben - 3347 _al_--alle - _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 3351 _clere_--cler - 3352 _soþe_--soth - _þat seyþ_--MS. but siþe, C. þ{a}t seyth - 3353 [_doon_]--from C. - 3355 _seyne_--seyn - 3357 _whiche_--which] - - - [Headnote: - THE WICKED ARE UNHAPPY.] - -QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS. - - [Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Whosoever might strip of their purple coverings, proud - kings, who, surrounded by their guards, sit on lofty thrones, and - whose stern looks wear fierce threatenings, and boiling breasts - breathe fury; would see those mighty lords inwardly fettered, and - tormented by lust, passion, grief, and delusive hopes.] - - ++Who so þat þe couertures of her veyn apparailes - myȝt[e] strepen of þise proude kynges þat þou - seest sitten on heyȝe in her chayeres glyterynge in - shynynge purpre envyroned wiþ sorweful arm{ur}es 3364 - manasyng wiþ cruel mouþe. blowyng by woodnesse of - herte. ¶ He sholde se þan þat ilke lordes beren wiþ - i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormentiþ - he{m} on þat oon syde wiþ gredy venyms {and} 3368 - troublable Ire þat araiseþ in hem þe floodes of troublynges - tourmentiþ vpon þat oþer side hir þouȝt. or sorwe halt - he{m} wery or ycauȝt. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope - tourmentiþ hem. - - [Sidenote: Since, then, so many tyrants bear sway over one - head--that lord, oppressed by so many masters (i. e. vices), is - weak and feeble, and his actions are not obedient to his will.] - - And þerfore syn þou seest on heed. 3372 - þat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis. - þa{n} ne doþ þilk tyraunt nat þat he desiriþ. syn he - is cast doune wiþ so many[e] wicked lordes. þat is to - seyn wiþ so many[e] vices. þat han so wicked lordshipes 3376 - ouer hym. - - [Linenotes: - 3361-63 _her_--hir - 3362 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 3363 _heyȝe_--heygh - 3364 _sorweful_--sorwful - 3365 _mouþe_--Mowth - 3366 _se_--seen - _ilke_--thilke - 3368 _on_--in - 3369 _hem_--hym - 3371 _disseyuyng_--deceyuynge - 3373 _seyne_--seyn - _bere_--beeren - 3373-75-76 _many[e]_--manye - 3373 _tyrauntis_--tyranyes - 3374 _doþ_--MS. doþe - _þilk_--thilke - 3375 _doune_--down - _wicked_--wikkede - 3376 _wicked_--wikkedly] - - - [[pg 119]] - [Headnote: - THEY DO NOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT.] - -VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO. - - [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: See you not in how great and filthy a mire the wicked - wallow?] - - ++SEest þou nat þan in how gret filþe þise shrewes ben - ywrapped. {and} wiþ whiche cleernesse þise good - folk shynen. - - [Sidenote: This is a proof that good folks do not go unrewarded, - nor do the evil-doers escape punishment.] - - In þis sheweþ it wel þat to good folk ne 3380 - lakkeþ neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken - neuer mo to{ur}mentis. - - [Sidenote: Every action is done for a certain end, and that end is - the reward of the action.] - - for of alle þinges þat ben ydon - þilke þing for whiche any þing is doon. it semeþ as by - ryȝt þat þilke þing be þe mede of þat. as þus. ¶ yif a 3384 - man renneþ in þe stadie or in þe forlonge for þe corone. - þan lieþ þe mede in þe corone for whiche he renneþ. - - [Sidenote: But Happiness is that good for which all things are - done. Therefore happiness is the reward which all the human race - seek as the reward of their actions.] - - ¶ And I haue shewed þat blisfulnesse is þilke same - good for whiche þat alle þi{n}g{us} ben don. þan is þilke 3388 - same good p{ur}posed to þe werkes of mankynde ryȝt as - a comune mede. - - [Sidenote: This good is inseparable from the virtuous, therefore - virtue can never want its reward.] - - whiche mede ne may ben disseuered - fro good folk. for no wyȝt as by ryȝt fro þennes forþe - þ{a}t hym lakkiþ goodnesse ne shal ben cleped good. 3392 - For whiche þing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne - forsaken hem neuer mo. - - [Sidenote: Evil men may rage as they please against the good, but - the crown of the wise shall not fall nor fade.] - - For al be it so þat sherewes - waxen as wood as hem list aȝeynes good[e] folk. ȝitte - neuer þe les þe corone of wise men ne shal nat fallen 3396 - ne faden. - - [Sidenote: The wickedness of another cannot deprive a virtuous - soul of its own honour.] - - ¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymeþ - nat fro þe corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. - - [Linenotes: - 3379 _whiche_--which - 3380 _good_--goode - 3381 _ne_ (2)--omitted - 3383 _whiche_--which - 3385 _forlonge_--forlong - 3386-88-90 _whiche_--which - 3391 _forþe_--forth - 3393 _whiche_--which - _good[e]_--goode - 3395 _wood_--woode - _good[e]_--goode - 3396 _les_--leese - _ne_--omitted - 3398 _good[e]_--goode] - - [Headnote: - THE REWARD OF THE GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: If a man pride himself on the possession of an - advantage received from another, he may be deprived of it, either - by the giver or by others.] - - but yif þat any wyȝt reioiseþ hem of goodnesse þat þei - had[de] taken fro wiþoute. as who seiþ yif [þ{a}t] any 3400 - wyȝt had[de] hys goodnesse of any oþer man þan of - hym self. certys he þat ȝaf hym þilke goodnesse or - ellys som oþer wyȝt myȝt[e] bynym[e] it hym. - - [Sidenote: But, as the reward of the virtuous is derived from - virtue, a man cannot lose this meed unless he ceases to be - virtuous.] - - but for - as moche as to euery wyȝt hys owen p{ro}pre bounte 3404 - ȝeueþ hy{m} hys mede. þan at arst shal he faylen of - mede whan he forletiþ to ben good. - - [Sidenote: Lastly, since a reward is desired because it is - supposed to be a good, can we believe that he who is capable of - good is deprived of the recompence?] - - {and} at þe laste so - as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen þat þei ben - good[e]. who is he þat wolde deme þat he þat is ryȝt [[pg 120]] - myȝty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. 3409 - - [Sidenote: What reward shall he receive?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 27.]] - - *{and} of what - mede shal he be gerdoned. - - [Sidenote: Certainly the fairest and richest of all rewards.] - - certys of ryȝt faire mede - {and} ryȝt greet abouen alle medes. - - [Sidenote: Call to mind that excellent corollary I have already - given thee, and reason thus:--] - - ¶ Remembre þe of - þilk noble corolarie þat I ȝaf þe a lytel here byforne. 3412 - {and} gadre it to gidre in þis manere. - - [Sidenote: Since the supreme good is happiness, it follows that - all good men are happy in as much as they are good; but if they - are happy they must become as it were gods.] - - so as god hym self - is blisfulnesse. þan is it clere {and} certeyn. þat alle good - folk ben makid blisful for þei ben good[e]. and þilke - folk þat ben blisful it accordiþ {and} is couenable to ben 3416 - godde[s]. - - [Sidenote: The reward (_i. e._ divinity) of the righteous is such - that no time can impair it, no power can diminish it, nor can any - wickedness obscure it.] - - þan is þe mede of goode folk swiche. þat no - day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal endirken - it. ne power of no wyȝt ne shal nat amenusen it - þat is to seyn to ben maked goddes. - - [Sidenote: Since, then, happiness belongs to good men, punishment - inseparably attends the wicked.] - - ¶ and syn it is 3420 - þus þat goode men ne faylen neuer mo of hir{e} medes. - - [Linenotes: - 3399 _reioiseþ_--reioyse - _hem_--hym - _þei had[de]_--he hadde - 3400 [_þat_]--from C. - 3401 _had[de]_--hadde - 3402 _self_--MS. selk - 3403 _myȝt[e] bynym[e]_--myhte be-nyme - 3404 _owen_--owne - 3406 _laste_--last - 3408 _good[e]_--goode - _wolde_--nolde - 3409 _goode_--good - _of_ (2)--of the - 3411 _greet_--grete - 3412 _here byforne_--her by-forn - 3413 _god_--good - 3414 _is_ (1)--his - _clere_--cleer - 3415 _good[e]_--goode - 3417 _godde[s]_--goddes - _swiche_--swich - 3418 [_ne_]--from C. - _endirken_--derken] - - [Headnote: - VIRTUE EXALTS MANKIND.] - - ¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of þe vndep{ar}table - peyne of shrewes. ¶ þat is to seyn þat þe peyne of - shrewes ne dep{ar}tiþ nat from hem self neuer mo. 3424 - - [Sidenote: For since _good_ and _evil_ are contraries, so are - _rewards_ and _punishments_.] - - ¶ For so as goode {and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben - contrarie it mot nedes ben þ{a}t ryȝt as we seen by-tiden - in gerdou{n} of goode. - - [Sidenote: It is evident that rewards follow good actions, and - punishments attend evil actions; then as virtue itself is the - reward of the virtuous, so vice is the punishment of the vicious.] - - þat also mot þe peyne of yuel - answer{e} by þe contrarie partye to shrewes. now þan so 3428 - as bounte {and} prowesse ben þe medes to goode folk. - also is shrewednesse it self torment to shrewes - - [Sidenote: He who is punished with pain and uneasiness knows that - he is afflicted with evil.] - - ¶ þan - who so þat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiþ yuel. - - [Sidenote: If, then, the wicked did rightly understand themselves - they would perceive that they are not exempted from punishment.] - - yif shrewes wolen þan p{re}isen hem self may it semen 3432 - to hem þat þei ben wiþ oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. - - [Sidenote: Since vice, the extreme and worst kind of evil, not - only afflicts them, but infects and entirely pollutes them.] - - syn þei ben swiche þat þe [vtteriste wikkednesse / þ{a}t is to - seyn wikkede thewes / which þ{a}t is the] out{er}este {and} - þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ nat ne 3436 - entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ - he{m} gretely - - [Sidenote: But contemplate the punishment of the wicked.] - - ¶ And al so loke on shrewes þat ben þe - contrarie p{ar}tye of goode men. - how grete peyne felawshipeþ [[pg 121]] - {and} folweþ hem. - - [Sidenote: You have been taught that _unity_ is essential to being - and is good--and all that have this unity are good; whatsoever, - then, fails to be good ceases to exist.] - - ¶ For þou hast lerned a litel 3440 - here byforn þat al þi{n}g þat is {and} haþ beynge is oon. - {and} þilke same oon is good. þan is þis consequence þat - it semeþ wel. þat al þat is {and} haþ bey{n}ge is good. þis - is to seyne. as who seiþ þat beynge {and} vnite {and} 3444 - goodnesse is al oon. {and} in þis manere it folweþ þan. - þat al þing þat faileþ to ben good. it styntiþ forto be. - {and} forto haue any beynge. - - [Sidenote: So that it appears that evil men must cease to be what - they were.] - - wher fore it is þat shrewes - stynten forto ben þat þei weren. - - [Sidenote: That they were once men, the outward form of the body, - which still remains, clearly testifies.] - - but þilke oþer forme 3448 - of mankynde. þat is to seyne þe forme of þe body wiþ - oute. shewiþ ȝit þat þise shrewes were somtyme men. - - [Linenotes: - 3422 _wise man_--wysman - _þe_--omitted - _vndepartable_--MS. vndirp{ar}table, C. vndepartable - 3423 _of_ (1)--of the - 3428 _answere_--answery - _þe_--omitted - 3434 [_vtteriste----is the_]--from C. - 3438 _gretely_--gretly - 3439 _grete_--gret - 3441 _al_--alle - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3443 _al_--alle - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3446 _al_--alle - 3447 _haue_--han - 3448 _stynten_--MS. styntent - 3450 _were somtyme_--weeren whilom] - - [Headnote: - HE WHO CEASES TO BE VIRTUOUS CEASES TO BE A MAN.] - - [Sidenote: Wherefore, when they degenerate into wickedness they - lose their human nature.] - - ¶ wher fore whan þei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to - malice. certys þan han þei forlorn þe nature of mankynde. 3452 - - [Sidenote: But as virtue alone exalts one man above other men, it - is evident that vice, which divests a man of his nature, must sink - him below humanity.] - - but so as oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse - euery man ouer oþer men. þan mot it nedes be - þat shrewes whiche þat shrewednesse haþ cast out of þe - condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir þe merite {and} 3456 - þe deserte of men. - - [Sidenote: You cannot, therefore, esteem him to be a man whom you - see thus transformed by his vices.] - - þan bitidiþ it þat yif þou seest a - wyȝt þat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. þou ne mayst nat - wene þat he be a man. - - [Sidenote: The greedy robber, you will say, is like a _wolf_.] - - ¶ For ȝif he [be] ardaunt in - auarice. {and} þat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of 3460 - foreine rychesse. þou shalt seyn þat he is lyke to a - wolf. - - [Sidenote: He who gives no rest to his abusive tongue, you may - liken to a _hound_.] - - {and} yif he be felonous {and} wiþ out reste {and} - ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. þou shalt lykene hym - to þe hounde. - - [Sidenote: Does he delight in fraud and trickery? then is he like - young _foxes_.] - - {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} 3464 - reioyseþ hym to rauysshe by wyles. þou shalt seyne - hym lyke to þe fox whelpes. - - [Sidenote: Is he intemperate in his anger? then men will compare - him to a raging _lion_.] - - ¶ And yif he be distempre - {and} quakiþ for ire men shal wene þat he bereþ - þe corage of a lyou{n}. - - [Sidenote: If he be a coward, he will be likened to a _hart_.] - - {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge 3468 - and dredeþ þinges þat ne auȝten nat ben dred. men - shal holde hym lyke to þe h{er}te. [[pg 122]] - - [Sidenote: If he be slow, dull, and lazy, then is he like an - _ass_.] - - {and} yif he be slowe - {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyueþ as an asse. - - [Sidenote: Is he fickle and inconstant? Then is he like a _bird_.] - - {and} yif he - be lyȝt {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungeþ ay his 3472 - studies. he is lickened to briddes. - - [Sidenote: Doth he wallow in filthy lusts? Then doth he roll - himself in the mire like a nasty _sow_.] - - ¶ {and} yif he be - plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiþholden - in þe foule delices of þe foule soowe. - - [Sidenote: It follows, then, that he who ceases to be virtuous, - ceases to be a man; and, since he cannot attain divinity, he is - turned into a beast.] - - ¶ þan folweþ it - þat he þat forletiþ bountee {and} prowesse. he forletiþ to 3476 - ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to þe condic{i}ou{n} - of god. he is tourned in to a beest. - - [Linenotes: - 3452 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn - 3453 _as_--omitted - _enhawnse_--enhawsen - 3455 _whiche_--which - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3459 [_be_]--from C. - 3464 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hidd - 3465 _seyne_--seyn - 3468 _dredeful_--dredful - 3469 _ben_--to ben - _dred_--MS. dredde, C. dredd - 3470 _holde_--holden - _lyke_--lyk - _herte_--hert - _slowe_--slowh - 3472 _vnstedfast_--vnstidefast - _his_--hise - 3475 _þan_--MS. þat, C. thanne - 3477 _passe_--passen] - - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 27 _b_.]] - -*V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Ulysses was driven by the eastern winds upon the shores - of that isle where Circe dwelt, who, having entertained her guests - with magic draughts, transformed them into divers shapes--one into - a boar, another into a lion;] - - ++Evrus þe wynde aryueþ þe sayles of vlixes duc of þe - contre of narice. {and} hys wandryng shippes by þe 3480 - see in to þe isle þere as Circe þe fayre goddesse douȝter - of þe sonne dwelleþ þat medlyþ to hir newe gestes - drynkes þat ben touched {and} maked wiþ enchau{n}tmentȝ. - {and} after þat hir hande myȝty of þe herbes 3484 - had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to dyuerse maneres. þat - oon of hem is couered his face wiþ forme of a boor. þat - oþer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of þe contre of marmorike. - {and} his nayles {and} his teþe wexen. - - [Sidenote: some into howling wolves, and others into Indian - tigers.] - - ¶ þat 3488 - oþer of hem is newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and} - howeliþ whan he wolde wepe. þat oþer goþ debonairly - in þe house as a tigre of Inde. - - [Sidenote: But Mercury, the Arcadian god, rescued Ulysses from the - Circean charms. Yet his mariners, having drunk of her infected - drinks, were changed to swine, and fed on acorns.] - - but al be it so þat þe - godhed of mercurie þat is cleped þe bride of arcadie haþ 3492 - had mercie of þe duc vlixes byseged wiþ diu{er}se yueles - {and} haþ vnbounden hym fro þe pestilence of hys - oosteresse algates þe rowers {and} þe maryners hadden by - þis ydrawen in to hir mouþes {and} dronken þe wicked[e] 3496 - drynkes þei þat were woxen swyne hadden by þis [[pg 123]] - chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto ete acorns of ookes. - - [Sidenote: All traces of the human form were lost, and they were - bereft of speech.] - - non of hir lymes ne dwelliþ wiþ he{m} hoole. but - þei han lost þe voys {and} þe body. - - [Sidenote: Their souls, unchanged, bewailed their dreadful fate.] - - Oonly hir{e} þouȝt 3500 - dwelleþ wiþ hem stable þ{a}t wepiþ {and} bywailiþ þe - monstruous chaungynge þat þei suffren. - - [Sidenote: O most weak, are Circe’s powers compared with the - potency of vice, to transform the human shape!] - - ¶ O ouer lyȝt - hand. as who seiþ. ¶ O feble {and} lyȝt is þe hand of - Circes þe enchaunteresse þat chaungeþ þe bodies of folk 3504 - in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n} - þat is makid by vices. - - [Sidenote: Circe’s herbs may change the body, but cannot touch the - mind, the inward strength of man.] - - ne þe herbes of circes ne ben nat - myȝty. for al be it so þat þei may chau{n}gen þe lymes - of þe body. ¶ algates ȝit þei may nat chau{n}ge þe 3508 - hertes. for wiþ inne is yhid þe strengþe {and} þe vigour - of me{n} in þe secre toure of hire hertys. þat is to seyn - þe strengþe of resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: But vice is more potent than Circe’s poisonous charms.] - - but þilke uenyms of vices to-drawen - a man to hem more myȝtily þan þe venym of 3512 - circes. - - [Sidenote: Though it leaves the body whole, it pierces the inner - man, and inflicts a deadly wound upon the soul.] - - ¶ For vices ben so cruel þat þei percen {and} - þoruȝ passen þe corage wiþ i{n}ne. {and} þouȝ þei ne anoye - nat þe body. ȝitte vices wooden to distroien men by - wounde of þouȝt. 3516 - - [Linenotes: - 3479 _aryueþ_--aryuede - _vlixes_--MS. vluxies, C. vlixes - 3481 _Circe_--Circes - 3483 _enchauntmentȝ_--enchauntementȝ - 3484 _hande_--hand - _of_--ou{er} - 3485 _had[de]_--hadde - _gestes_--MS. goostes, C. gestes - 3486 _boor_--boer{e} - 3488 _his_ (1)--hise - _his teþe_--hise teth - 3489 _newliche_--neweliche - 3490 _goþ_--MS. goþe - 3491 _house_--hows - 3492 _bride_--bryd - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3493 _mercie_--MS. mercurie, C. mercy - 3494 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3495 _oosteresse_--oostesse - 3496 _wicked[e]_--wikkede - 3497 _were woxen swyne_--weeren wexen swyn - 3498 _chaunged_--Ichaunged - _brede_--bred - _forto_--MS. {and} forto - _ete acorns_--eten akkornes - 3499 _hoole_--hool - 3501 _wepiþ_--MS. kepiþ, C. weepith - 3502 _monstruous_--MS. monstronous, C. Monstruos - 3504 _Circes_--MS. Cirtes - _folk_--folkys - 3509 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd - 3515 _wooden_--MS. wolden, C. wooden] - - - [Headnote: - THE WICKED ARE TORMENTED BY A THREEFOLD WRETCHEDNESS.] - -TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I confess that vicious men are rightly called - beasts.] - - ++Þan seide I þus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne - I ne se nat þat men may seyn as by ryȝt. - - [Sidenote: They retain the outward form of man, but the qualities - of their souls prove them to be beasts.] - - þ{a}t - shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to beestes by þe - qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so þ{a}t þei kepen ȝitte 3520 - þe forme of þe body of mankynde. - - [Sidenote: I wish, however, that the wicked were without the power - to annoy and hurt good men.] - - but I nolde nat of - shrewes of whiche þe þouȝt cruel woodeþ alwey in to - destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. þat it wer{e} leueful to hem - to done þat. - - [Sidenote: _P._ They have no power, as I shall presently show - you.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat leueful 3524 - to hem as I shal wel shewen þe in couenable place. - - [Sidenote: But were this power, which men ascribe to them, taken - away from the wicked, they would be relieved of the greatest part - of their punishment.] - - ¶ But naþeles yif so were þat þilke þat me{n} wene{n} ben - leueful for shrewes were bynomen hem. so þat þei ne [[pg 124]] - myȝten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men. ¶ Certys 3528 - a gret p{ar}ty of þe peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged - {and} releued. - - [Sidenote: The wicked are more unhappy when they have accomplished - their evil designs than when they fail to do so.] - - ¶ For al be it so þ{a}t þis ne seme nat - credible þing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk ȝit mot it - nedes be þat shrewes ben more wrecches {and} vnsely. 3532 - whan þei may don {and} p{er}forme þat þei coueiten [than - yif they myhte nat complyssen þ{a}t they coueyten]. - - [Sidenote: If it is a miserable thing to will evil, it is a - greater unhappiness to have the power to execute it, without which - power the wicked desires would languish without effect.] - - ¶ For - yif so be þat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] - þan is it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. 3536 - wiþ oute whiche moeuyng þe wrecched wille sholde - languisshe wiþ oute effecte. - - [Sidenote: Since, then, each of these three things (_i. e._ the - will, the power, and the accomplishment of evil) hath its misery, - therefore a threefold wretchedness afflicts those who both will, - can, and do commit sin.] - - ¶ þan syn þat eueryche of - þise þinges haþ hys wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne wil - to done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes 3540 - be. þat þei (shrewes) ben constreyned by þre vnselynesses - þat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen felonyes - {and} shrewednesses. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I grant it--but still I wish the vicious were - without this misfortune.] - - ¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I - desire gretely þat shrewes losten sone þilke vnselynesses. 3544 - þat is to seyne þat shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng - to don yuel. - - [Sidenote: _P._ They shall be despoiled of it sooner than you wish - perhaps, or than they themselves imagine.] - - ¶ so shulle{n} þei q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 28.]] - - sonnere - p{er}auenture þen þ{o}u woldest *or sonnere þen þei hem - self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. - - [Sidenote: In the narrow limits of this life, nothing, however - tardy it appears, can seem to an immortal soul to have a very long - duration.] - - ¶ For 3548 - þere nis no þing so late in so short bou{n}des of þis lijf - þat is longe to abide. namelyche to a corage inmortel. - - [Sidenote: The great hopes, and the subtle machinations of the - wicked, are often suddenly frustrated, by which an end is put to - their wickedness.] - - Of whiche shrewes þe grete hope {and} þe heye co{m}passy{n}g{us} - of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a 3552 - sodeyne ende or þei ben war. {and} þat þing establiþ to - shrewes þe ende of hir shrewednesse. - - [Sidenote: If vice renders men wretched, the longer they are - vicious the longer must they be miserable.] - - ¶ For yif þat - shrewednesse makiþe wrecches. þan mot he nedes be - most wrecched þat lengest is a shrewe. - - [Sidenote: And they would be infinitely wretched if death did not - put an end to their crimes.] - - þe whiche 3556 - wicked shrewes wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} - caytifs yif þat hir shrewednes ne were yfinissed. at þe [[pg 125]] - leste weye by þe outerest[e] deeþ. - - [Sidenote: It is clear, as I have already shown, that eternal - misery is infinite.] - - for [yif] I haue concluded - soþe of þe vnselynesse of shrewednesse. þan sheweþ 3560 - it clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende þe - whiche is certeyne to ben p{er}durable. - - [Sidenote: _B._ This consequence appears to be just, but difficult - to assent to.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d I - þis [conclusion] is harde {and} wonderful to graunte. ¶ But - I knowe wel þat it accordeþ moche to [the] þi{n}ges þat I 3564 - haue graunted her byforne. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You think rightly; but if you cannot assent to my - conclusion you ought to show that the premises are false, or that - the consequences are unfairly deduced; for if the premises be - granted, you cannot reject the inferences from them.] - - ¶ þou hast q{uo}d she þe ryȝt - estimac{i}ou{n} of þis. but who so euere wene þat it be an - harde þing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ryȝt - þat he shewe þat so{m}me of þe p{re}misses ben fals. or 3568 - ellys he mot shewe þat þe colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s - nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and yif it - be nat so. but þat þe p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted þer nis - nat whi he sholde blame þe argument. - - [Sidenote: What I am about to say is not less wonderful, and it - follows necessarily from the same premises.] - - for þis þing þat 3572 - I shal telle þe nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful. - - [Linenotes: - 3517 _aknowe_--aknowe it - 3518 _seyn_--sayn - 3523 _good[e]_--goode - 3524 _done_--don - 3526 _ben_--be - 3527 _for_--to - 3528 _myȝten_--myhte - _don_--MS. done, C. doon - _harme_--harm - 3529 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret - 3533-36 _don_--MS. done, C. doon - 3533-34 [_than----coueyten_]--from C. - 3537 _moeuyng_--mowynge - _wille_--wil - 3539 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _seyne_--seyn - 3540 _done_ (1)--doon - _moeuynge to done_--Mowynge to don - _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot - 3544 _gretely_--gretly - 3545 _seyne_--seyn - _were_--weeren - _moeuyng_--mowynge - 3548 _wenen_--weene - _to lakken----yuel_--omitted - 3549 _þere_--ther - _so_ (2)--the - 3550 _longe_--long - 3552 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses - _often_--ofte - 3558 _shrewednes_--shrewednesse - _yfinissed_--fynyshed - 3559 _weye_--wey - _outerest[e]_--owtteryste - [_yif_]--from C. - 3560 _soþe_--soth - 3561 _clerely_--cleerly - 3563 [_conclusion_]--from C. - _harde_--hard - 3564 [_the_]--from C. - 3567 _harde_--hard - 3568 _fals_--false - 3573 _nowe_--now] - - [Headnote: - THE WRETCHEDNESS OF THE WICKED IS DIMINISHED BY PUNISHMENT.] - - but of þe þinges þat ben taken al so it is necessarie as - who so seiþ it folweþ of þat whiche þat is p{ur}posed - byforn. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] - - what is þat q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ That the wicked who have been punished for their - crimes, are happier than if justice had allowed them to go - unpunished.] - - ¶ certys q{uo}d she þat is 3576 - þat þ{a}t þise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys - lasse wrecches. þat byen þe tourmentes þat þei han - deserued. þan yif no peyne of Iustice ne chastied[e] - hem. - - [Sidenote: I do not appeal to popular arguments, that punishment - corrects vice, that the fear of chastisement leads them to take - the right path, and that the sufferings of evil-doers deter others - from vice, but I believe that guilty men, unpunished, become much - more unhappy in another way.] - - ne þis ne seye I nat now for þat any man myȝt[e] 3580 - þenk[e] þat þe maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} - chastised by veniaunce. {and} þat þei ben brouȝt to þe - ryȝt wey by þe drede of þe tourment. ne for þat þei - ȝeuen to oþer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} vices. ¶ But 3584 - I vndirstonde ȝitte [in] an oþer manere þat shrewes - ben more vnsely whan þei ne ben nat punissed al be it - so þat þere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. - ne none ensample of lokynge. - - [Sidenote: _B._ In what way do you mean?] - - ¶ And what manere 3588 - shal þat ben q{uo}d I. ouþer þan haþ ben told here [[pg 126]] - byforn - - [Sidenote: _P._ Are not good people happy, and evil folk - miserable?] - - ¶ Haue we nat graunted þan q{uo}d she þat - good[e] folk ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.] - - ȝis q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If good be added to the wretchedness of a man, - will not he be happier than another whose misery has no element of - good in it?] - - [thanne q{uod} she] ȝif þat any good were 3592 - added to þe wrecchenesse of any wyȝt. nis he nat more - blisful þan he þat ne haþ no medelyng of goode in hys - solitarie wrecchednesse. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.] - - so semeþ it q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ And if to the same wretched being another misery - be annexed, does not he become more wretched than he whose misery - is alleviated by the participation of some good?] - - and what - seyst þou þan q{uo}d she of þilke wrecche þat lakkeþ alle 3596 - goodes. so þat no goode nis medeled in hys wrecchednesse. - {and} ȝitte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche - he is a wrecche þat þer be ȝitte anoþer yuel anexid {and} - knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely 3600 - þan þilke wrecche of whiche þe vnselynesse is re[le]ued - by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode. - - [Sidenote: _B._ He does.] - - whi sholde he nat - q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ When evil men are punished they have a degree of - good annexed to their wretchedness, to wit, the punishment itself, - which as it is the effect of justice is good.] - - ¶ þan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan þei - ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. 3604 - þat is to seyne þe same peyne þat þei suffren - whiche þat is good by þe resou{n} of Iustice. - - [Sidenote: And when these wretches escape punishment something - more of ill (_i. e._ exemption from punishment) is added to their - condition.] - - And whan - þilke same shrewes ascapen wiþ outen tourment. þan - han þei somwhat more of yuel ȝit ouer þe wickednesse 3608 - þat þei han don. þat is to seye defaute of peyne. - whiche defaute of peyne þou hast graunted is yuel. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it.] - - ¶ For þe desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Much more unhappy are the wicked when they enjoy - an unmerited impunity than when they suffer a lawful - chastisement.] - - ¶ Moche more þan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely 3612 - whan þei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. þan - whan þei beþ punissed by ryȝtful vengeaunce. - - [Sidenote: It is just to punish evil-doers, and unjust that they - should escape punishment.] - - but þis is - open þi{n}g {and} clere þat it is ryȝt þat shrewes ben - punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong þat þei 3616 - escapin vnpunissed. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Nobody denies that.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 28 _b_.]] - - ¶ who myȝt[e] denye *þat q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Everything, too, which is just is good; and, on - the contrary, whatsoever is unjust is evil.] - - but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. þat al þat is ryȝt nis - good. {and} also þe contrarie. þat alle þat is wrong nis - wicked. [[pg 127]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ These are just inferences from our former - premises.] - - certys q{uo}d I þise þinges ben clere ynouȝ. {and} 3620 - þat we han concludid a litel here byforn{e}. - - [Sidenote: But is there any punishment for the soul after death of - the body?] - - but I p{re}ye - þe þat þou telle me yif þou accordest to leten no to{ur}ment - to þe soules aftir þat þe body is dedid by þe deþe. - þis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest þou ouȝt þat soules han 3624 - any to{ur}ment after þe deþe of þe body. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Yes, and great ones too. Some punishments are - rigorous and eternal.] - - ¶ Certis q{uo}d - she ȝe {and} þat ryȝt grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I - trowe þat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by asprenesse of - peyne. - - [Sidenote: Others have a corrective and purifying force, and are - of finite duration.] - - {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a 3628 - p{ur}ging mekenesse. - - [Sidenote: But this is not to our purpose.] - - but my conseil nys nat to determyne - of þis peyne. but I haue trauayled and told it - hider to. - - [Sidenote: I want you to see that the power of the wicked is in - reality nothing, that the wicked never go unpunished; that their - licence to do evil is not of long duration, and that the wicked - would be more unhappy if it were longer, and infinitely wretched - if it were to continue for ever.] - - ¶ For þou sholdest knowe þat þe mowynge - [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge þe semeþ to 3632 - ben. vnworþi nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of - whiche þou pleynedest þat þei ne were nat punissed. - þat þou woldest seen þat þei ne weren neuer mo wiþ - outen þe torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of þe licence 3636 - of mowynge to done yuel. þat þou p{re}idest þat it - myȝt[e] sone ben endid. {and} þat þou woldest fayne - lerne. þat it ne sholde nat longe endure. {and} þat - shrewes ben more vnsely yif þei were of lenger duryng. 3640 - {and} most vnsely yif þei weren p{er}durable. - - [Sidenote: After this I showed that evil men are more unhappy, - having escaped punishment, than if justly chastised.] - - {and} after - þis I haue shewed þe þat more vnsely ben shrewes - whan þei escapen wiþ oute ryȝtful peyne. þan whan þei - ben punissed by ryȝtful uengeaunce. - - [Sidenote: Wherefore when they are supposed to get off scot-free - they suffer most grievously.] - - and of þis sentence 3644 - folweþ it þat þan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiþ - most greuous tourment. whan men wene þat þei ne ben - nat ypunissed. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Your reasoning appears convincing and conclusive. - But your arguments are opposed to current opinions, and would - hardly command assent, or even a hearing.] - - whan I considre þi resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. - ne trowe nat þat men seyn any þing more verrely. {and} 3648 - yif I to{ur}ne aȝeyn to þe studies of men. who is [he] to - who{m} it sholde seme þat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n} - þise þinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It is so. For those accustomed to the darkness of - error cannot fix their eyes on the light of perspicuous truth, - like birds of night which are blinded by the full light of day.] - - Certys q{uo}d - she so it is. but men may nat. for þei han hire eyen so [[pg 128]] - wont to derkenesse of erþely þinges. þat þei may nat 3653 - liften hem vp to þe lyȝt of clere soþefastnes. ¶ But - þei ben lyke to briddes of whiche þe nyȝt lyȝtneþ hyre - lookyng. {and} þe day blyndeþ hem. - - [Sidenote: They consider only the gratification of their lusts, - they think there is happiness in the liberty of doing evil and in - exemption from punishment.] - - for whan men loken 3656 - nat þe ordre of þinges but hire lustes {and} talentȝ. þei - wene þat oþir þe leue or þe mowynge to done wickednesse - or ellys þe escapi{n}g wiþ oute peyne be weleful. - - [Linenotes: - 3575 _who so seiþ_--ho seyth - _whiche_--which - 3578 _byen_--a-byen - 3579 _chastied[e]_--chastysede - 3580 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 3581 _þenk[e]_--thinke - 3584 _ȝeuen_--MS. ȝeuene, C. yeuen - _fleyen_--flen - 3585 _ȝitte_--yif - [_in_]--from C. - 3588 _none_--non - 3589 _ouþer_--oother - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _ben_--be - _told_--MS. tolde, C. told - 3591 _good[e]_--goode - 3592 [_thanne----she_]--from C. - 3594 _blisful_--weleful - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3594-97 _goode_--good - 3598 _alle_--al - _whiche_--which - 3600 _knyt_--knytte - 3601 _re[le]ued_--releued - 3602 _goode_--good - 3605 _seyne_--seyn - 3606 _whiche_--which - 3607 _outen_--owte - 3609 _don_--MS. done - _seye_--seyn - 3610 _whiche_--which - 3611 _desert_--deserte - 3614 _beþ_--MS. beþe, C. ben - 3615 _clere_--cler - 3617 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 3618 _is ryȝt nis_--MS. nis ryȝt is - 3619 _alle_--al - _nis wicked_--is wykke - 3621 _here_--her - 3623 _dedid_--endyd - _deþe_--deth - 3624 [_is_]--from C. - _ouȝt_--awht - 3625 _deþe_--deth - 3626 _grete_--gret - 3628 _be_--ben - 3629 _determyne_--determenye - 3630 _peyne_--peynes - _told_--MS. tolde - 3632 [_.i. myght_]--from C. - 3632-34 _whiche_--which - 3633 _eke_--ek - 3635 _seen_--seyn - 3637 _done_--don - 3638 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _fayne lerne_--fayn lernen - 3639 _endure_--dur{e} - 3645 _atte_--at the - _laste_--MS. þast, C. laste - 3647 _resouns_--resoun - 3649-50 [_he_]--from C. - 3651 _eke_--ek - 3653 _derkenesse_--derknesse - 3654 _clere soþefastnes_--cleer sothfastnesse - 3655 _whiche_--which - 3658 _oþir_--eyther - _done_--don - 3659 _escaping_--schapynge] - - [Headnote: - VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD.] - - [Sidenote: Do you attend to the eternal law written in your own - heart. Conform your mind to what is good, and you will stand in no - need of a judge to confer a reward upon you--for you have it - already in the enjoyment of the best of things (_i. e._ virtue).] - - but co{n}sider{e} þe iugement of þe p{er}durable lawe. for if 3660 - þou conferme þi corage to þe beste þinges. þou ne hast - no nede to no iuge to ȝiue{n} þe p{r}is or meede. for þou - hast ioigned þi self to þe most excellent þing. - - [Sidenote: If you indulge in vice, you need no other - chastisement--you have degraded yourself into a lower order of - beings.] - - and yif - þou haue enclined þi studies to þe wicked þinges. ne 3664 - seek no foreyn wrekere out of þi self. for þou þi self - hast þrest þe in to wicked þinges. ryȝt as þou myȝtest - loken by dyuerse tymes þe foule erþe {and} þe heuene. - {and} þat alle oþer þinges stynten fro wiþ oute. so þat 3668 - þou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no - þing more. þan sholde it semen to þe as by only resou{n} - of lokynge. þat þou were in þe sterres. {and} now in þe - erþe. - - [Sidenote: The multitude doth not consider this.] - - but þe poeple ne lokeþ nat on þise þinges. - - [Sidenote: What then? Shall we take them as our models who - resemble beasts?] - - what 3672 - þan shal we þan app{ro}chen vs to hem þat I haue - shewed þat þei ben lyke to þe bestes. (q. d. no{n}) - - [Linenotes: - 3662 _to_ (1)--of - 3665 _foreyn_--foreyne - 3666 _þrest_--thryst - _wicked_--wikke - 3669 [_nere----erthe_]--from C. - _heuene_--C. heuenene - _say[e]_--C. saye - 3672 _on_--in - 3674 _lyke_--lyk - _q. d._--MS. q{uo}d] - - [Headnote: - THE WICKED NEED PITY.] - - [Sidenote: If a man who had lost his sight, having even forgotten - his blindness, should declare that his faculties were all perfect, - shall we weakly believe that those who retain their sight are - blind?] - - ¶ And what wilt þou seyne of þis ¶ yif þat a man - hadde al forlorn hys syȝt. {and} had[de] forȝeten þat he 3676 - euer saw {and} wende þ{a}t no þing ne fayled[e] hym of - p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we þat myȝten sen þe - same þing wolde we nat wene þat he were bly{n}de (q. d. - sic). - - [Sidenote: The vulgar will not assent to what I am going to say, - though supported by conclusive arguments--to wit, that persons are - more unhappy that do wrong than those who suffer wrong.] - - ne also ne accordeþ nat þe poeple to þat I shal 3680 - seyne. þe whiche þing is susteyned by a stronge foundement - of resou{n}s. þat is to seyn þat more vnsely ben þei - þat don wrong to oþer folk. þen þei þat þe wrong [[pg 129]] - suffren. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I would willingly hear your reasons.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 29.]] - - ¶ I wolde heren þilke *same resou{n}s q{uo}d I 3684 - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you deny that every wicked man deserves - punishment?] - - ¶ Deniest þou q{uo}d she þat alle shrewes ne ben worþi - to han to{ur}ment. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No, I do not.] - - nay q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I am satisfied that impious men are in many ways - miserable.] - - but q{uo}d she I am certeyne - by many resou{n}s þat shrewes ben vnsely. - - [Sidenote: _B._ They are so.] - - it accordeþ - q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then those that deserve punishment are miserable.] - - þan [ne] dowtest þou nat q{uo}d she þat 3688 - þilke folk þat ben worþi of to{ur}ment þat þei ne ben - wrecches. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I admit it.] - - It accordeþ wel q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ If you were a judge, upon whom would you inflict - punishment? upon the wrong-doer, or upon the injured?] - - yif þou were þan - q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of þinges. wheþer - trowest þou þ{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym þat haþ 3692 - don þe wronge. or hym þat haþ suffred þe wronge. - - [Sidenote: _B._ I should not hesitate to punish the offender as a - satisfaction to the sufferer.] - - I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. þat I nolde don suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n} - to hym þat had[de] suffred þe wrong by þe - sorwe of hym þat had[de] don þe wronge. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Then you would deem the injuring person more - unhappy than he who had been wronged?] - - ¶ þan 3696 - semeþ it q{uo}d she þat þe doar of wrong is more wrecche - þan he þat haþ suffred þe wrong. - - [Sidenote: _B._ That follows naturally.] - - þat folweþ wel q{uo}d [I]. - - [Sidenote: _P._ From this then, and other reasons of like nature, - it seems that vice makes men miserable, and an injury done to any - man is the misery of the doer, and not of the sufferer.] - - þan q{uo}d she by þise causes {and} by oþer causes - þat ben enforced by þe same roate þat filþe or synne by 3700 - þe p{ro}pre nature of it makeþ men wretches. {and} it - sheweþ wel þat þe wrong þat me{n} don nis nat þe - wrecchenesse of hym þat receyueþ þe wrong. but þe - wrecchednesse of hym þat doþ þe wronge - - [Sidenote: But our advocates think differently--they try to obtain - pity for those that have suffered cruelty and oppression;] - - ¶ but certys 3704 - q{uo}d she þise orato{ur}s or aduocatȝ don al þe contrarie - for þei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue þe iuges to han pite - of he{m} þat han suffred {and} resceyued þe þinges þat ben - greuous {and} aspre. - - [Sidenote: but the juster pity is really due to the oppressors, - who ought, therefore, to be led to judgment as the sick are to the - physician, not by angry but by merciful and kind accusers, so - that, by the physic of chastisement, they may be cured of their - vices.] - - {and} ȝitte men sholden more ryȝtfully 3708 - han pitee on hem þat don þe greuaunces {and} þe - wronges. þe whiche shrewes it were a more couenable - þing þat þe accuso{ur}s or aduocatȝ not wroþe but pitous - {and} debonaire ladden þe shrewes þat han don wro{n}g to 3712 - þe Iugement. ryȝt as men leden seke folk to þe leche. - - [Linenotes: - 3675 _wilt þou seyne_--woltow seyn - 3676 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. for-lorn - _syȝt_--syhte - _had[de]_--hadde - 3677 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh - _fayled[e]_--faylede - 3678 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen - 3679 _þing_--thinges - _q. d._--MS. q{uod} - 3681 _whiche_--which - 3683 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _oþer_--oothr{e} - 3688 [_ne_]--from C. - 3691 _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset - _wheþer_--omitted - 3692 _tourment[e]_--tormenten - 3692-3 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3693 _wronge_ (2)--wrong - 3695 _had[de]_--hadde - 3696 _had[de]_--hadden - _wronge_--wrong - 3697 _doar_--doere - 3698 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3699 [_I_]--from C. [[_word moved to l. 3698_]] - 3700 _ben_--ben of - _roate_--Roote - 3703-4 _but----wronge_--omitted - 3704 _doþ_--MS. doþe - 3711 _wroþe_--wroth - 3712 _þe_--tho - _don_--MS. done, C. don - 3713 _seke_--syke] - - [Headnote: - THE DUTY OF ADVOCATES.] - - for þat þei sholden seken out þe maladies of synne by - to{ur}mentȝ. [[pg 130]] - - [Sidenote: I would not have the guilty defrauded by their - advocates. Their duty is to accuse, and not to excuse offenders.] - - and by þis couenaunt eyþer þe entent of þe - defendo{ur}s or aduocatȝ sholde fayle {and} cesen in al. or 3716 - ellys yif þe office of aduocatȝ wolde bettre p{ro}fiten to - men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to þe habit of accusac{i}ou{n}. - þat is [to] s[e]yn þei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and} nat - excuse hem. - - [Sidenote: Were it permitted the wicked to get a slight view of - virtue’s beauty, which they have forsaken, and could they be - persuaded of the purifying effects of lawful chastisement, they - surely would not consider punishment as an evil, but would - willingly give themselves up to justice and refuse the defence of - their advocates.] - - {and} eke þe shrewes hem self. ȝit it were 3720 - leueful to hem to seen at any clifte þe vertue þat þei - han forleten. {and} sawen þat þei sholde putten adou{n} - þe filþes of hire vices by [the] to{ur}mentȝ of peynes. þei - ne auȝten nat ryȝt for þe reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten 3724 - hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche þat þei han lost demen - ne holden þat þilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem. - {and} eke þei wolden refuse þe attendau{n}ce of hir aduocatȝ - {and} taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. 3728 - - [Sidenote: The wise hate nobody, only a fool hates good men; and - it is as irrational to hate the wicked.] - - for whiche it bytideþ [þ{a}t] as to þe wise folk - þer nis no place ylete to hate. þat is to seyn. þat hate - ne haþ no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wyȝt - wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a 3732 - fole. ¶ and forto haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Vice is a sickness of the soul, and needs our - compassion, and not our hate, for the distempers of the soul are - more deplorable than those of the body, and have more claims upon - our compassion.] - - ¶ For ryȝt so as languissing is maladie of body. ryȝt - so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as - we ne deme nat þat þei þat ben seek of hire body ben 3736 - worþi to ben hated. but raþer worþi of pite. wel more - worþi nat to ben hated. but forto ben had in pite ben - þei of whiche þe þouȝtes ben constreined by felonous - wickednesse. þat is more cruel þa{n} any languissinge of 3740 - body. - - [Linenotes: - 3715 _tourmentȝ_--torment - _þe_ (2)--omitted - 3719 _[to] s[e]yn_--to seyn - 3722 _sawen_--sawh - _sholde_--sholden - 3723 [_the_]--from C. - 3724 _auȝten_--owhte - 3725-29 _whiche_--which - 3729 _bytideþ_--MS. byndeþ, C. bytidith - [_þat_]--from C. - 3730 _ylete_--I-leten - 3731 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3732 _wolde_--nyl - _moche_--mochel - 3733 _fole_--fool - 3736 _seek_--syke] - - - [Headnote: - THE FOLLY OF WAR.] - -QUID TANTOS IUUAT. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: What frenzy causes man to hasten on his fate, that is, - by war or by strife.] - - ++What deliteþ it ȝow to exciten so grete moewynges of - hatredes {and} to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} - of ȝoure deeþ wiþ ȝoure p{ro}pre handes. þat is 3744 - to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. - - [Sidenote: If death is desired he delays not to come.] - - for yif ȝe axen þe - deeþ it hastisiþ hym of hys owen wille. ne deeþ ne [[pg 131]] - tarieþ nat hys swifte hors. - - [Sidenote: Why do they who are exposed to the assaults of beasts - of prey and venomous reptiles seek to slay each other with the - sword.] - - and [the] men þat þe serpentȝ - {and} þe lyou{n}s. {and} þe tigre. {and} þe beere {and} þe 3748 - boore seken to sleen wiþ her teþe. ȝit þilke same men - seken to sleen eueryche of hem oþer wiþ swerde. - - [Sidenote: Lo! their manners and opinions do not accord, wherefore - they engage in unjust wars, and fiercely urge on each other’s - destiny.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 29 _b_.]] - - loo for - her man{er}s ben *diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ þei - moeuen vnryȝtful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne 3752 - to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes. - - [Sidenote: But this is no just reason for shedding blood.] - - but þe resou{n} - of cruelte nis nat ynouȝ ryȝtful. - - [Sidenote: Wouldst thou reward each as he deserves? Then love the - good as they deserve, and have pity upon the wicked.] - - wilt þou þan ȝelden a - couenable gerdou{n} to þe desertes of men ¶ Loue ryȝtfully - goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes. 3756 - - [Linenotes: - 3743 [_the_]--from C. - 3745 [_by_]--from C. - 3746 _hastisiþ_--hasteth - _owen wille_--owne wyl - 3747 [_the_]--from C. - 3749 _boore_--boor - _teþe_--teth - 3750 _swerde_--swerd - 3751 _her_--hir - 3752 _wilne_--wylnen - 3753 _enterchaungynge_--entrechaungynges] - - - [Headnote: - THE OPERATIONS OF CHANCE.] - -HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I see plainly the nature of that felicity which - attends the virtues of the good, and of the misery that follows - the vices of the wicked.] - - ++Þus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyþer what blisfulnesse or ellys - what vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in þe desertys of - goode men {and} of shrewes. - - [Sidenote: But in Fortune I see a mixture of good and evil. The - wise man prefers riches, &c., to poverty, &c.] - - ¶ but in þis ilke fortune - of poeple I see somwhat of goode. {and} somwhat of 3760 - yuel. for no wise man haþ nat leuer ben exiled pore - {and} nedy {and} nameles. þan forto dwellen in hys Citee - {and} flouren of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. - {and} stronge of power - - [Sidenote: And wisdom appears more illustrious, when wise men are - governors and impart their felicity to their subjects; and when - imprisonment, torture, &c., are inflicted only upon bad citizens.] - - for in þis wise more clerely {and} 3764 - more witnesfully is þe office of wise men ytretid whan - þe blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it - were yshad amonges poeples þat ben neyȝboures {and} - subgitȝ. syn þat namely prisou{n} lawe {and} þise oþer 3768 - to{ur}mentȝ of lawful peynes ben raþer owed to felonous - Citeȝeins. for þe whiche felonous Citeȝeins þo peynes - ben establissed. þan for goode folk. - - [Sidenote: Why, then, should things undergo so unnatural a - change? Why should the worthy suffer and the vicious receive - the reward of virtue?] - - ¶ þan I m{er}ueile - me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [þ{a}t] þe þinges ben so mys 3772 - entrechaunged. þat to{ur}mentȝ felounes pressen {and} - confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of - vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis. [[pg 132]] - - [Sidenote: I should like to hear the reason of so unjust a - distribution.] - - and I - desire eke to wite{n} of þe. what semeþ þe to ben þe 3776 - resou{n} of þis so wrongful a confusiou{n} - - [Sidenote: I should not marvel so much if _Chance_ were the cause - of all this confusion.] - - ¶ For I wolde - wondre wel þe lasse yif I trowed[e] þat alle þise þinges - were medeled by fortuouse hap. - - [Sidenote: But I am overwhelmed with astonishment when I reflect, - that God the director of all things thus unequally distributes - rewards and punishments.] - - ¶ But now hepeþ - {and} encreseþ myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of þinges. 3780 - þat so as god ȝeueþ ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes - {and} myrþes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre þinges. - {and} ȝeueþ aȝeynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to - shrewes [he] g{ra}unteþ hem her wille {and} þat þei desiren. 3784 - - [Sidenote: What difference is there, then, unless we know the - cause, between God’s proceedings and the operations of Chance?] - - what difference þan may þer be bitwixen þ{a}t þat - god doþ. {and} þe hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat - þe cause whi þat [it] is. - - [Sidenote: _P._ It is not at all surprising that you think you see - irregularities, when you are ignorant of that order by which God - proceeds.] - - it nis no merueile q{uo}d she þouȝ - þat men wenen þat þer be somwhat folysche and confus 3788 - whan þe resou{n} of þe order is vnknowe. - - [Sidenote: But, forasmuch as God, the good governor, presides over - all, rest assured that all things are done rightly and as they - ought to be done.] - - ¶ But alle - þouȝ þou ne know nat þe cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}. - naþeles for as moche as god þe good[e] gouernour attempreþ - {and} gouerneþ þe world. ne doute þe nat þat 3792 - alle þinges ne ben doon aryȝt. - - [Linenotes: - 3760 _goode_--good - 3761 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _nat_--omitted - _leuer_--leu{er}e - 3762 _þan_--MS. þat, C. than - 3763 _redoutable_--MS. redentable, C. redowtable - 3764 _stronge_--strong - _clerely_--clerly - 3766 [_the_]--from C. - 3767 _neyȝboures_--nesshebors - 3769 _lawful_--laweful - 3771 _goode_--good - 3772 [_þat_]--from C. - 3775 _grete_--gret - 3776 _to witen_--forto weten - 3778 _trowed[e]_--trowede - _alle_--al - 3779 _were_--weeren - _fortuouse_--fortunous - 3780 _myne_--myn - 3781 _good[e]_--goode - 3782 _yuel_--yuelis - 3783 _hardnesse_--hardnesses - 3784 [_he_]--from C. - _wille_--wyl - 3785 _difference_--MS. differenee - 3786 _doþ_--MS. doþe - _hap_--happe - 3787 [_it_]--from C. - _it_--ne it - 3788 _confus_--confuse - 3789 _alle_--al - 3791 _good[e]_--goode - 3793 _ne_--omitted] - - - [Headnote: - THE HIDDEN CAUSES OF THINGS.] - -SI QUIS ARCTURI[8] SYDERA. - - [Footnote 8: MS. arituri] - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: He who knows not that the Bear is seen near the Pole, - nor has observed the path of Boötes, will marvel at their - appearance.] - - ++Who so þat ne knowe nat þe sterres of arctour - yto{ur}ned neye to þe souereyne contre or point. - þat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to þe souereyne pool of þe 3796 - firmament {and} woot nat whi þe sterre boetes passeþ or - gaderiþ his wey[n]es. {and} drencheþ his late flaumbes in - þe see. {and} whi þat boetes þe sterre vnfoldiþ his ouer - swifte arisynges. þan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of þe lawe of þe 3800 - heye eyre. - - [Sidenote: The vulgar are alarmed when shadows terrestrial obscure - the moon’s brightness, causing the stars to be displayed.] - - {and} eke if þat he ne knowe nat why þat þe - hornes of þe ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} infect by þe - bou{n}des of þe derke nyȝt ¶ and how þe moene dirk - {and} confuse discouereþ þe sterres. þat she had[de] [[pg 133]] - ycouered by hir clere visage. - - [Sidenote: Thinking the eclipse the result of enchantment, they - sought to destroy the charms by the tinkling of brazen vessels or - cymbals.] - - þe co{m}mune errour moeueþ 3805 - folk {and} makiþ wery hir bacines of bras by þikke - strookes. þat is to seyne þat þer is a maner poeple þat - hyȝt[e] coribandes þat wenen þat whan þe moone is in 3808 - þe eclips þat it be enchau{n}tid. and þerfore forto rescowe - þe moone þei betyn hire basines wiþ þikke strokes. - - [Sidenote: Yet none marvel when the north-west wind renders the - sea tempestuous; nor when vast heaps of congealed snow are melted - by the warm rays of the sun, because the causes are apparent.] - - ¶ Ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe blastes of þe wynde - chorus betyn þe strondes of þe see by quakynge floodes. 3812 - ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe weyȝte of þe snowe - yhardid by þe colde. is resolued by þe brennynge hete - of phebus þe sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly þe - causes. - - [Sidenote: Things whose causes are unknown disquiet the human - mind.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 30.]] - - but þe *causes yhid þat is to seye in heuene 3816 - trouble þe brestes of men. - - [Sidenote: The fickle mob stands amazed at every rare or sudden - phenomenon.] - - ¶ þe moeueable poeple is - a-stoned of alle þinges þat comen selde {and} sodeynely in - oure age. - - [Sidenote: Fear and wonder, however, soon cease when ignorance - given place to certain knowledge.] - - but yif þe troubly errour of oure ignora{n}ce - departid[e] from vs. so þat we wisten þe causes whi þat 3820 - swiche þinges bitiden. certys þei sholde{n} cesse to seme - wondres. - - [Linenotes: - 3794 _arctour_--MS. aritour - 3795 _neye_--neygh - 3796 _seyne_--seyn - _neye_--nygh - 3797-99 _boetes_--MS. boeces, C. boetes - 3798 _his_ (1)--hise - _wey[n]es_--weynes - 3802 _ful[le]_--fulle - 3804 _had[de]_--hadde - 3806 _bacines_--MS. batines - _þikke_--MS. þilke, C. thilke - 3807 _seyne_--seyn - 3808 _hyȝt[e]_--hihte - 3809 _eclips_--eclypse - 3812 _chorus_--MS. thorus, C. chorus - 3813 _snowe_--sonwh = snowh - 3815 _here_--her - _redyly_--redely - 3816 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hid - _seye_--seyn - 3817 _trouble_--trowblen - 3820 _departid[e] from_--departede fro] - - - [Headnote: - FIVE GREAT QUESTIONS.] - -ITA EST INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ So it is. But as thou hast promised to unfold the - hidden causes of things, and unveil things wrapt up in darkness; I - pray thee deliver me from my present perplexity, and explain the - mystery I mentioned to you.] - - ++Þvs is it q{uo}d I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt - me to vnwrappe{n} þe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and 3824 - to discoueren me þe resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I - p{re}ye þe þat þou diuise {and} Iuge me of þis matere. {and} - þat þou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For þis miracle - or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely. - - [Sidenote: _P._ You ask me to declare to you the most intricate of - all questions, which I am afraid can scarce be answered.] - - {and} þan she a 3828 - litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me q{uo}d - she to telle þing. þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen - ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche questiou{n} vnneþ[e]s is - þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. vnneþes is þer 3832 - suffisauntly any þing to answere p{er}fitly to þi questiou{n}. - - [Sidenote: For the subject is of such a kind, that when one doubt - is removed, innumerable others, like the heads of the hydra, - spring up.] - - ¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is [[pg 134]] - determined {and} kut awey þer wexe{n} oþer doutes wiþ-outen - nou{m}bre. ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe 3836 - serpent þat hercules slouȝ. - - [Sidenote: Nor would there be any end of them unless they were - restrained by a quick and vigorous effort of the mind.] - - ¶ Ne þere ne were no - man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt co{n}streined[e] - þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuely {and} a quik fire of þouȝt. þat - is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengþe of witte. - - [Sidenote: The question whereof you want a solution embraces the - five following points: 1. Simplicity, or unity of Providence. 2. - The order and course of Destiny.] - - ¶ For in 3840 - þis matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of þe - simplicite of þe p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of þe ordre of - destine. - - [Sidenote: 3. Sudden chance. 4. Prescience of God, and divine - predestination. 5. Free-will.] - - {and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of þe knowyng {and} - p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of þe lyberte of fre wille. 3844 - þe whiche þing þou þi self ap{er}ceiust wel of what weyȝt - þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise - þinges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to þe medicine to þe. al be it - so þat I haue lytel tyme to don it. - - [Sidenote: I will try to treat of these things:--] - - ȝit naþeles I wole 3848 - enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al þouȝ - þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most - suffren. {and} forberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I - weue (contexo) to þe resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ 3852 - to þe q{uo}d I so do. - - [Sidenote: Resuming her discourse as from a new principle, - Philosophy argued as follows:--] - - ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer - bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide þus. - - [Sidenote: The generation of all things, every progression of - things liable to change, and everything that moveth, derive their - causes, order, and form from the immutability of the divine - understanding.] - - ¶ þe enge{n}drynge of alle - þinges q{uo}d she {and} alle þe progressiou{n}s of muuable - nat{ur}e. {and} alle þ{a}t moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys 3856 - causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe - deuyne þouȝt - - [Sidenote: Providence directs all things by a variety of means.] - - [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset {and} - put in þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite - of god. stablisiþ many manere gyses to þinges þat 3860 - ben to don. - - [Sidenote: These means, referred only to the divine intelligence, - are called Providence; but when contemplated in relation to the - things which receive motion and order from them, are called - Destiny.] - - ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat men loken - it i{n} þilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne i{n}telligence. it - is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referred - by me{n} to þinges þat it moeueþ {and} disponeþ þan [[pg 135]] - of olde men. it was cleped destine. - - [Linenotes: - 3823 _byhyȝt_--by-hyhte - 3824 _hidde_--hyd - 3826 _preye_--p{re}ey - _diuise_--deuyse - 3827 _do_--don - 3828 _gretely_--gretly - 3829 [_what_]--from C. - 3832 _þere auȝt_--ther awht - 3834 _swiche_--swych - _oon_--o - 3835 _wiþouten noumbre_--w{i}t{h}-owte nowmbyr - 3836 _waxen_--wexen - 3837 _þere_--ther - 3838 _constreined[e]_--constreynede - 3839 _lyuely_--lyfly - 3840 _witte_--wit - 3843 _hap_--happe - 3845 _weyȝt_--wyht - 3848 _wole_--wol - 3850 _þow_--MS. now, C. þ{o}u - _most suffren_--MS. moste to souereyne; C. most suffren - 3851 _þilk_--thilke - 3853 _þo_--so - _spak_--MS. spake, C. spak - _a[s]_--as - 3856 _alle_--al - 3858 [_and----thowht_]--from C. - _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset - 3859 _toure_--towr - _seyne_--seyn - _heyȝt_--heyhte - 3861 _don_--done - 3862 _clerenesse_--klennesse] - - [Headnote: - OF FATE AND PROVIDENCE.] - - [Sidenote: Reflection on the efficacy of the one and the other - will soon cause us to see their differences.] - - ¶ þe whiche 3865 - þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. - þe strengþe of þat oon {and} of þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen - seen þat þise two þinges ben diuers. - - [Sidenote: Providence is the divine intelligence manifested in the - disposition of worldly affairs.] - - ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce 3868 - is þilke deuyne resou{n} þat is establissed in þe souereyne - p{r}ince of þinges. þe whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponiþ alle - þinges. - - [Sidenote: Destiny or Fate is that inherent state or condition of - movable things by means whereof Providence retains them in the - order in which she has placed them.] - - but destine is þe disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce - cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche disposic{i}ou{n} 3872 - þe p{ur}ueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres. - - [Sidenote: Providence embraces all things, although diverse and - infinite; but Fate gives motion to every individual thing, and in - the place and under the form appropriated to it.] - - ¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbraceþ alle þi{n}ges to hepe. al þouȝ þat - þei ben dyuerse {and} al þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but - destynie dep{ar}teþ {and} ordeyneþ alle þinges singlerly 3876 - {and} diuideþ. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in - tymes. dep{ar}tiþ [as] þus. - - [Sidenote: So that the explication of this order of things wrapt - up in the divine intelligence is Providence; and being unfolded - according to time and other circumstances, may be called Fate.] - - so þat þe vnfoldyng of temp{or}el - ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in þe lokyng of - þe deuyne þouȝt ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} þilke same 3880 - assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by - tymes. lat þat ben called destine. - - [Sidenote: Though these things appear to differ, yet one of them - depends on the other, for the order of Fate proceeds from the - unity of Providence.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 30 _b_.]] - - {and} al be *it so þat - þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon - on þat oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal p{ro}cediþ of þe 3884 - simplicite of purueaunce. - - [Sidenote: For as a workman, who has formed in his head the plan - of a work which he is desirous to finish, executes it afterwards, - and produces after a time all the different parts of the model - which he has conceived;] - - for ryȝt as a werkma{n} þat - ap{er}ceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe forme of þe þing þat he wil - make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke. {and} lediþ þat he - had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symply {and} p{re}sently 3888 - by temp{or}el þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: so God in the plan of his Providence disposes - everything to be brought about in a certain order and in a proper - time;] - - ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ - in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably þe þinges - þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in many maneres - {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges 3892 - þat he haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. - - [Linenotes: - 3872 _cleuynge_--clyuynge - 3875 _wiþ outen fyn_--Infynyte - 3876 _singlerly_--syngulerly - 3877 _in_ (3)--MS. {and}, C. in - 3878 _departiþ_--omitted - [_as_]--from C. - _so þat_--lat - 3884 _on_--of - 3886 _wil_--wol - 3888 _had[de]_--hadde - _symply_--symplely - 3889 _þouȝt_--ordinau{n}ce - 3890 _singlerly_--syngulerly - _stably_--stablely - 3893 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - [Headnote: - PROVIDENCE CONTROLS FATE.] - - [Sidenote: and afterwards, by the ministry of Fate, he - accomplishes what he has planned, conformably to that order and - that time.] - - eyþer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to - þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a - mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys [[pg 136]] - by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue 3897 - of aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. - or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal - ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open 3900 - þing þat þe p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple - forme of þinges to done. {and} þe moeueable bonde {and} - þe temp{or}el ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne - simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is 3904 - destine. - - [Sidenote: So then, however Fate be exercised, it is evident that - things subject to Destiny are under the control of Providence, - which disposes Destiny.] - - For whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put - vndir destine ben certys subgitȝ to p{ur}ueaunce. to - whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir. - - [Sidenote: But some things under Providence are exempt from the - control of Fate; being stably fixed near to the Divinity himself, - and beyond the movement of Destiny.] - - ¶ But so{m}me þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat 3908 - so{ur}mounten þe ordinaunce of destine. {and} þo ben - þilke þat stably ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei - so{ur}mou{n}ten þe ordre of destinal moeuablite. - - [Sidenote: For even, as among several circles revolving round one - common centre, that which is innermost approaches nearest to the - simplicity of the middle points, and is, as it were, a centre, - round which the outward ones revolve;] - - ¶ For - ryȝt as cercles þat to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or 3912 - about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne - ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddel {and} is as it - were a Centre or a poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tourne{n} - aboute{n} hym. - - [Sidenote: whilst the outermost, revolving in a wider - circumference, the further it is from the centre describes a - larger space--but yet, if this circle or anything else be joined - to the middle point, it is constrained to be immovable.] - - ¶ and þilke þat is outerest compased by 3916 - larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so - mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe - poynt. and yif þer be any þi{n}g þat knytteþ {and} felawshippeþ - hym selfe to þilke mydel poynt it is constreyned 3920 - in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete. - {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. - - [Sidenote: By parity of reason, the further anything is removed - from the first intelligence, so much the more is it under the - control of Destiny;] - - ¶ Ryȝt - so by semblable resou{n}. þilke þinge þat dep{ar}tiþ firþest - fro þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid 3924 - to grettere bondes of destine. - - [Sidenote: and the nearer anything approaches to this - Intelligence, the centre of all things, the more stable it - becomes, and the less dependent upon Destiny.] - - and in so moche is þe - þing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axeþ {and} - holdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat is to [[pg 137]] - seyne god. - - [Linenotes: - 3894 _eyþer_--owther - _seruaunteȝ_--MS. seruaunceȝ - 3895 _somme_--som - 3896 _al_--alle - 3897 _moeuyng_--moeuynges - 3900 _ywouen_--MS. ywonnen, C. ywouen - _or_--{and} - 3902 _bonde_--bond - 3904 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3905 _whiche_--which - 3912 _as_--as of - 3913 _about_--a-bowte - _inrest_--innerest - 3917 _larger_ (1)--a large - 3918 _mochel_--moche - _forþest_--ferther{e} - 3920 _selfe_--self - 3921 _[vn]moeueablete_--vnmoeuablete - 3922 _ceseth_--MS. fleþe, C. cesith - 3923 _þinge_--thing - 3924 _of_--MS. to, C. of - 3926 _lovs_--laus - 3927 _ner_--ner{e}] - - [Headnote: - DESTINY RULES NATURE.] - - [Sidenote: And if we suppose that the thing in question is joined - to the stability of the supreme mind, it then becomes immovable, - and is beyond the necessity and power of destiny.] - - ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse 3928 - of þe þouȝt of god. {and} be wiþ oute moeuyng certys it - so{ur}mounteþ þe necessite of destyne. - - [Sidenote: As reasoning is to the understanding, as that which is - produced to that which exists of itself, as time to eternity, as - the circle to the centre, so is the movable order of Fate to the - stable simplicity of Providence.] - - þan ryȝt swiche - comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} - of þing þat is engendred to þing þat is. {and} of tyme to 3932 - eternite. {and} of þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is þe - ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of - p{ur}ueaunce. - - [Sidenote: Destiny rules nature.] - - ¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heuene - {and} þe sterres {and} attempreþ þe elymentȝ to gider 3936 - amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformeþ hem by enterchau{n}gable - mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ - aȝein alle þinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables - p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. þat is 3940 - to sein. male {and} female. - - [Sidenote: It controls the actions of men by an indissoluble chain - of causes, and is, like their origin, immutable.] - - and þis ilke ordre co{n}streyneþ - þe fortunes {and} þe dedes of men by a bonde of causes - nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). þe whiche - destinal causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges 3944 - of þe vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes - be þat þei ne be nat mutable. - - [Sidenote: Thus, then, are all things well conducted, since that - invariable order of cause has its origin in the simplicity of the - Divine mind, and by its inherent immutability exercises a - restraint upon mutable things, and preserves them from - irregularity.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 31.]] - - {and} þus ben þe þinges ful - wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{n}ge *in þe - deuyne þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to 3948 - be I-bowed. {and} þis ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ro}pre - stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten - folily - - [Sidenote: To those who understand not this order, things appear - confused--nevertheless, the proper condition of all things directs - and inclines it to their true good.] - - for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confus - {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} 3952 - þilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ro}pre manere of - euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. - - [Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not - even by the wicked, who, in seeking for felicity, are led astray - by crooked error.] - - for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke - þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel 3956 - þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously - seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}niþ he{m}. - - [Linenotes: - 3928 _seyne_--seyn - _þinge cleueþ_--thing clyueth - _stedfastnesse_--stydefastnesse - 3930 _swiche_--swych - 3931 [_it_]--from C. - 3932 _to_ (2)--MS. of, C. to - 3937 _enterchaungable_--MS. enterchau{n}gyngable, - C. entrechaungeable - 3939 _a-doune_--a-down - _sembleables_--semblable - 3942 _bonde_--bond - 3943 _ben vnbounden_--be vnbownde - 3944 _oute_--owt - 3948 _furþe_--forth - 3949 _I-bowed_--MS. vnbounde{n}, C. I-bowed - 3950 _sholde_--sholden - 3951 _whiche_--which - 3952 _mowe_--mowen - 3956 _wicked[e]_--wykkede - 3957 [_ful_]--from C. - 3958 _goode_--good] - - [[pg 138]] - [Headnote: - NOTHING DONE FOR EVIL’S SAKE.] - - [Sidenote: But the order proceeding from the centre of supreme - goodness does not mislead any.] - - ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne - declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. - - [Sidenote: But you may say, what greater confusion can there be - than that both prosperous and adverse things should at times - happen to good men, and that evil men should at one time enjoy - their desires and at another be tormented by hateful things.] - - but þou mayst sein 3960 - what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} þan þ{a}t goode - men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. - ¶ and shrewes also han now þinges þat þei - desiren. - - [Sidenote: Are men wise enough to discover, whether those whom - they believe to be virtuous or wicked, are so in reality?] - - {and} now þi{n}ges þat þei haten ¶ wheþer men 3964 - lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. - ben men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to - ben goode folk or shrewes þ{a}t it mot nedes ben þat folk - ben swiche as þei wenen. - - [Sidenote: Opinions differ as to this matter. Some who are deemed - worthy of reward by one person, are deemed unworthy by another.] - - but in þis manere þe domes 3968 - of men discorden. þat þilke men þ{a}t so{m}me folk demen - worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of to{ur}ment. - - [Sidenote: But, suppose it were possible for one to distinguish - with certainty between the good and the bad?] - - but lat vs graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen - or knowen þe goode folk {and} þe badde. - - [Sidenote: Then he must have as accurate a knowledge of the mind - as one has of the body.] - - May he þan 3972 - knowen {and} seen þilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages. - as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ - may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in - corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s 3976 - {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q’ non). - - [Sidenote: It is miraculous to him who knows it not, why sweet - things are agreeable to some bodies, and bitter to others; why - some sick persons are relieved by lenitives and others by sharper - remedies.] - - ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} - it nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a - miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it nat. whi þat swete 3980 - þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat ben hool {and} - to some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable. {and} also - whi þat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} lyȝt medicines - [{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] 3984 - - [Sidenote: It is no marvel to the leech, who knows the causes of - disease, and their cures.] - - but naþeles þe leche þ{a}t knoweþ þe manere {and} þe attemp{er}aunce - of heele {and} of maladie ne merueileþ of it no - þing. - - [Sidenote: What constitutes the health of the mind, but goodness? - And what are its maladies, but vice?] - - but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but - bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oþer þing semeþ maladie 3988 - of corages but vices. - - [Sidenote: Who is the preserver of good, or the driver away of - evil, but God, the physician of souls, who knows what is necessary - for men, and bestows it upon them?] - - who is ellys kep{er}e of good or - dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of [[pg 139]] - þouȝtes. þe whiche god wha{n} he haþ by-holden from þe - heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knoweþ what is 3992 - couenable to euery wyȝt. {and} leneþ hem þat he wot - [þat] is couenable to hem. - - [Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel--_the order - of destiny_--wrought by the wisdom of God, and marveled at by - ignorant men.] - - Loo here of comeþ {and} - here of is don þis noble miracle of þe ordre destinal. - - [Linenotes: - 3959 _goode_--good - 3960 _declineþ_--MS. enclineþ, C. declynyth - 3961 _wors_--worse - 3962 _somme tyme_--somtyme - 3965 _swiche_--swych - 3967 _goode_--good - _mot_--moste - 3971 _graunt[e]_--graunte - 3973 _inrest_--Inneryste - 3974 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _said_--MS. saide, C. seyd - 3975 _determine_--det{er}minen - 3978 [_ne_]--from C. - _vnlyke_--vn-lyk - 3979 _lyke_--lik - 3981 [_ben_]--from C. - _hool_--hoole - 3984 [_and----medicynes_]--from C. - 3991 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 3993 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot - 3994 [_þat_]--from C. - 3995 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _miracle_--MS. mirache, C. myracle - _ordre_--MS. ordre of] - - [Headnote: - GOD THE SOUL’S PHYSICIAN.] - - whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche 3996 - þing [þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned - - [Sidenote: But, now let us notice a few things concerning the - depth of the Divine knowledge which human reason may comprehend.] - - but forto constreine - as who seiþ ¶ But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle - a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe whiche þat mans - resou{n} may vnderstonde. - - [Sidenote: The man you deem just, may appear otherwise to the - omniscient eye of Providence.] - - ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest 4000 - to ben ryȝt Iuste {and} ryȝt kepyng of eq{u}ite. þe contrarie - of þat semeþ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce þat al woot. - ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ þat þe victories cause - liked[e] to þe goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to 4004 - cato{u}n. - - [Sidenote: When you see apparent irregularities--unexpected and - unwished for--deem them to be rightly done.] - - þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in - þis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] - ordre of þinges. but as to þi wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a - co{n}fusiou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Let us suppose a man so well behaved, as to be approved - of God and man--but not endowed with firmness of mind, so that the - reverses of fortune will cause him to forgo his probity, since - with it he cannot retain his prosperity.] - - but I suppose þat som man be so wel yþewed. 4008 - þat þe deuyne Iugement {and} þe Iugeme{n}t of mankynde - accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast - of corage [þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde - for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by þe 4012 - whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. - - [Sidenote: A wise Providence, knowing that adversity might destroy - this man’s integrity, averts from him that adversity which he is - not able to sustain.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 31 _b_.]] - - ¶ þan þe - wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spareþ hym þe whiche - man{er}e adu{er}site *myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god - wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom þat trauayl 4016 - nis nat couenable. - - [Sidenote: Another man is thoroughly virtuous, and approaches to - the purity of the deity--him Providence deems it an injustice to - oppress by adversity, and therefore exempts him even from bodily - disease.] - - ¶ An oþ{er} man is p{er}fit in alle - uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so þat þe - p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony - þat he were touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he ne 4020 - wil nat suffre þat swiche a man be moeued wiþ any [[pg 140]] - manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the - moore excellent by me]. þe adu{er}sites comen nat (he - seide in grec[;]) þere þ{a}t uertues han edified þe bodie 4024 - of þe holy man. - - [Sidenote: Providence often gives the direction of public affairs - to good men, in order to curb and restrain the malice of the - wicked.] - - and ofte tyme it bitideþ þat þe - so{m}me of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk - to gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes - sholde ben abatid. - - [Sidenote: To some is given a mixture of good and evil, according - to what is most suitable to the dispositions of their minds.] - - {and} god ȝeueþ {and} dep{ar}tiþ to oþer 4028 - folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir - þe qualite of hire corages {and} remordiþ som folk by - adu{er}sites. - - [Sidenote: Upon some are laid moderate afflictions, lest they wax - proud by too long a course of prosperity.] - - for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude by - longe welefulnesse. - - [Sidenote: Others suffer great adversities that their virtues may - be exercised, and strengthened by the practice of patience.] - - {and} oþer folk he suffreþ to ben 4032 - trauayled wiþ harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme - þe vertues of corage by þe vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} - of pacie{n}ce. - - [Sidenote: Some fear to be afflicted with what they are able to - endure. Others despise what they are unable to bear; and God - punishes them with calamities, to make them sensible of their - presumption.] - - and oþer folke dreden more þen þei auȝten - þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren. {and} þilke folk god 4036 - lediþ in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful - þinges. - - [Sidenote: Many have purchased a great name by a glorious death.] - - ¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable - renoune of þis worlde by þe pris of glorious deeþ. - - [Sidenote: Others by their unshaken fortitude, have shown that - virtue cannot be overcome by adversity.] - - and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by 4040 - tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne - may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. - - [[Transcriber’s Note: - The sidenote “Others despise what they are unable to bear” does not - correspond to anything in the text. Skeat’s edition includes the - phrase “and somme dispyse that they mowe nat beren” (Book IV, - Prose 6: _Ita Est Inquam_).]] - - [Linenotes: - 3996 _alle_--al - _doþ_--MS. doþe - _whiche_--which - 3997 [_þat_]--from C. - 3999 _mans_--mannes - 4000 _þilk_--thilke - 4004 _liked[e]_ (_both_)--lykede - 4005 _is don_--MS. is to don - 4006 [_world_]--from C. - _ryȝt[e]_--ryhte - 4007 _wicked[e]_--wykkede - 4010 _vnstedfast_--vnstydefast - 4011 [_þat_]--from C. - _wolde_--wol - 4015 _manere_--man - _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 4016 _wil_--wol - 4018 _neye_--negh - 4021 _wil_--wol - _swiche_--swych - 4022 _manere_--bodyly - 4022-3 [_the----me_]--from C. - 4023 _þe aduersites----nat_--omitted - 4024 _þere_--omitted - 4026 _don_--done - _to_ (2)--MS. so - _to good----gouerne_--to gou{er}ne to goode folk - 4028 _oþer_--oothr{e} - 4030 _som_--some - 4031 _sholden_--sholde - 4033 _conferme_--confermen - 4034 _corage_--corages - 4036 _myȝt[en]_--myhten - 4037 _hem_--hym - _sorweful_--sorwful - 4038 _oþer_--oothr{e} - 4039 _worlde_--world - _of_ (2)--of the - 4041 _oþer_--othr{e}] - - [Headnote: - HOW PROVIDENCE DEALS WITH MANKIND.] - - [Sidenote: These things are done justly, and in order, and are for - the good of those to whom they happen.] - - ¶ and of alle - þise þinges þer nis no doute þ{a}t þei ne ben don ryȝtfully - {and} ordeinly to þe p{ro}fit of hem to whom we 4044 - seen þise þinges bitide. - - [Sidenote: From the same causes it happens, that sometimes - adversity and sometimes prosperity falls to the lot of the - wicked.] - - ¶ For certys þat aduersite - comeþ some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme þat þei - desiren it comeþ of þise forseide causes - - [Sidenote: None are surprised to see bad men afflicted--they get - what they deserve.] - - {and} of sorweful - þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne 4048 - wondreþ. For alle me{n} wenen þat þei han wel deserued it. - - [Sidenote: Their punishment, too, may cause amendment, or deter - others from like vices.] - - {and} þei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche - shrewes þe to{ur}ment som tyme agasteþ oþer to done [[pg 141]] - folies. {and} som tyme it amendeþ hem þat suffren þe 4052 - to{ur}mentis. - - [Sidenote: When the wicked enjoy felicity--the good should learn - how little these external advantages are to be prized, which may - fall to the lot of the most worthless.] - - ¶ And þe p{ro}sp{er}ite þat is ȝeuen to - shrewes sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what - þing þei sholde demen of þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche - p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. - - [Sidenote: Another reason for dispensing worldly bliss to the - wicked is, that indigence would prompt naturally violent and - rapacious minds to commit the greatest enormities.] - - in þe whiche 4056 - þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for p{er}auenture þe nature - of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable - þat þe nedy pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] - raþer egren hym to done felonies. - - [Sidenote: Their disease God cures by the medicine of money.] - - and to þe maladie 4060 - of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse. - - [Sidenote: Some men will cease to do wrong for fear, lest their - wealth be lost through their crimes.] - - {and} som oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ - synnes {and} makiþ co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of - hym self ¶ and drediþ p{er}auenture þat hys blisfulnesse 4064 - of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym þat þe lesynge of - þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} þerfore - he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ - to lese hys fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. 4068 - - [Sidenote: Upon others unmerited happiness is conferred, which at - last precipitates them into deserved destruction.] - - to oþer folk is welefulnesse yȝeue{n} vnworþily þe whiche - ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} þat þei han deserued. - - [Sidenote: To some there is given the power of chastisement, in - order both to exercise the virtues of the good and to punish the - wicked.] - - and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to - punisse{n}. for þat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} 4072 - ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to - shrewes. - - [Sidenote: For as there is no alliance between good and bad, so - neither can the vicious agree together.] - - ¶ For so as þer nis none alyaunce bytwixe - good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat - accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self - - [Sidenote: And how should they? Their vices make them at war with - themselves, rending and tearing their consciences, and there is - scarce anything they do, but what afterwards they disapprove of.] - - {and} whi nat. for shrewes 4076 - discorde{n} of hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to - renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme þinges þe - whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei demen þat - þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. - - [Sidenote: Hence arises a signal miracle brought about by - Providence--that evil men have often made wicked men good.] - - for whiche þinge 4080 - þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme - [fair{e}] miracle so þ{a}t shrewes han maked oftyme [[pg 142]] - shrewes to ben good[e] men. - - [Sidenote: For these latter having suffered injuries from the - former, have become virtuous, in order that they might not - resemble those whom they so detested.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 32.]] - - for whan þat som shrewes - *seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes 4084 - þei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien - hem. {and} retournen to þe fruit of uertue. when þei - studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} þat þei han hated. - - [Linenotes: - 4046 _comeþ_--comth - _some_ (_both_)--som - _þat þei_--MS. þei þat, C. þ{a}t that they - 4047 _comeþ_--comth - _sorweful_--sorwful - 4050 _wicked_--wykkede - _merite_--MS. u{er}ite, C. m{er}yte - 4051 _oþer_--oothr{e} - _done_--don - 4052 _folies_--felonies - 4054 _grete_--gret - _good[e]_--goode - 4055 _sholde_--sholden - _þilk_--thilke - 4056 _serue_--seruen - _whiche_--which - 4057 _dispensiþ_--MS. dispisiþ, C. dispensith - 4059 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 4060 _done_--don - 4061 _rychesse_--Rychesses - 4065 _whiche_--which - 4068 MS. wrongly inserts _welefulnesse_ after _wickednesse_ - 4069-71 _oþer_--oothr{e} - 4073 _good[e]_--goode - 4074 _none_--non - 4075 _good[e]_--goode - 4076 _accorden_--acordy - 4078 _don_--MS. done, C. don - _oft[e]_--ofte - 4079 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 4080 _sholde_--sholden - _whiche þinge_--which thing - 4081 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _oft[e]_--ofte - 4082 [_faire_]--from C. - _oftyme_--omitted - 4083 _good[e]_--goode - 4085 _hat[e]_--hate - _anoien_--anoyeden - 4087 _studien_--omitted - _vnlyke_--vnlyk] - - [Headnote: - EVIL IS OVERRULED FOR GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: It is only the Divine power that can turn evil to good, - overruling it for his own purposes.] - - ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt 4088 - yueles ben þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenably - {and} draweþ out þe effect of any good. as who seiþ þat - yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe myȝt of - god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ 4092 - alle þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þ{a}t] dep{ar}tiþ fro - þe resou{n} of þe ordre whiche þat is assigned to hym. - algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþ{er} ordre. - - [Sidenote: Nothing occurs by the caprice of chance in the realms - of Divine Providence.] - - so þat noþing - nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. 4096 - as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in - þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. - - [Sidenote: Since God is the governor of all things, it is not - lawful to man to attempt to comprehend the whole of the Divine - economy, or to explain it in words.] - - ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt - strong[e] god gouerniþ alle þinges in þis worlde for it - nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne 4100 - vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s - of þe deuyne entent. - - [Sidenote: Let it suffice to know that God orders all things for - the best.] - - for oonly it auȝt[e] - suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle - natures ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. - - [Sidenote: And while he retains things created after his own - likeness conformably to his goodness, he banishes evil by the - cause of destiny out of his empire.] - - while 4104 - þat he hastiþ to wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked - in to hys semblaunce. þat is to seyn forto wiþholden - þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chaseþ - oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys co{m}munalite by þe 4108 - ordre of necessite destinable. - - [Sidenote: So that those evils which you seem to see are only - imaginary.] - - For whiche it folweþ þat - yif þou loke þe p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat - men wenen ben haboundaunt in erþes. þou ne shalt not - seen in no place no þing of yuel. - - [Sidenote: But you are exhausted and weary with the prolixity of - my reasoning, and look for relief from the harmony of my verse.] - - ¶ but I se now þat 4112 - þou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n] {and} [[pg 143]] - wery wiþ lengþe of my resou{n}. {and} þat þou abidest som - swetnesse of songe. - - [Sidenote: Take, then, this draught, with which when refreshed, - you may more strongly proceed to higher matters.] - - tak þa{n} þis drauȝt {and} whan þou - art wel refresshed {and} refet þou shalt ben more stedfast 4116 - to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s. - - [Linenotes: - 4089-90 _good_--goode - 4092 _þilk_--thilke - 4093 [_þat_]--from C. - 4094 _þe_ (2)--thilke - _whiche_--which - 4096 _realme_--Reame - 4099 _strong[e]_--stronge - _worlde_--world - 4100 _no_--omitted - _witte_--wit - 4101 _worde alle_--word al - 4102 _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 4104 _good while_--goode wyl - 4105 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4108 _of_ (1)--fro - 4109 _whiche_--which - 4111 _ben haboundaunt_--ben out{ra}ious / or habowndant - 4115 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak - 4116 _refet_--refect - _shalt ben_--shal be - _stedfast_--stydefast] - - - [Headnote: - LOVE TEMPERS ALL THINGS.] - -SI UIS CELSI IURA. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: If thou wouldst explore the laws of the high Thunderer, - behold the lofty heavens, where, bound by fixed laws, the stars - keep their ancient peace.] - - ++Yif þou wolt demen in þi pur{e} þouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe - lawes of þe heye þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. - loke þou {and} bihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. 4120 - ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges - hir olde pees. - - [Sidenote: There the rosy Sun does not invade the moon’s colder - sphere. Nor doth the Bear stray from his appointed bounds, to - quench his light in the western main.] - - þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne - destourbiþ nat þe colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe - sterre yclepid þe bere. þ{a}t encliniþ hys rauyssynge 4124 - courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe - same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe - westerne see. ne coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in - þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he see oþer sterres yplounged 4128 - in to þe see. - - [Sidenote: Vesper always makes its wonted appearance at eve. - Lucifer ushers in the morn.] - - ¶ And hesperus þe sterre - bodiþ {and} telliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe - sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne þe clere day. - - [Sidenote: So mutual love moves all things, and from the starry - region banishes all strife.] - - ¶ And þus makiþ - loue enterchaungeable þe p{er}durable courses. {and} þus 4132 - is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe sterres. - - [Sidenote: This concord in equal measures tempers the elements, so - that the moist atoms war no more with the dry, nor heat with cold - contends; but the aspiring flame soars aloft, while down the heavy - earth descends.] - - þis accordaunce atte{m}preþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe - elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe - drye þinges. but ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe 4136 - colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to þe hote þinges. {and} - þat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte. {and} þe heuy erþes - aualen by her weyȝtes. - - [Sidenote: By these same causes the flowing year yields sweet - smells in the warm spring-tide; the hot summer ripens the corn.] - - ¶ by þise same cause þe floury - yere ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesou{n} 4140 - warmynge. {and} þe hote somer dryeþ þe cornes. - - [Sidenote: Autumn comes crowned with plenty, and winter wets the - earth with showers.] - - {and} autumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and þe fletyng [[pg 144]] - reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemp{er}aunce noryssiþ - {and} brynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis 4144 - worlde. - - [Sidenote: These changes give life and growth to all that breathe; - and at last by death efface whatever has had birth.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 32 _b_.]] - - ¶ and þilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hideþ - {and} bynymeþ {and} drencheþ vndir þe last[e] deþe alle - *þinges yborn. - - [Sidenote: Meanwhile the world’s Creator, the Source of all, the - Lawgiver, the wise Judge, sits above equitably directing all - things.] - - ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye - makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe 4148 - {and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerniþ {and} encliniþ - þe bridles of þinges. - - [Sidenote: Those things which have been set in motion by him are - also checked and forced to move in an endless round, lest they go - from their source, and become chaotic.] - - {and} þo þinges þat he stireþ to don - by moeuynge he wiþdraweþ {and} arestiþ {and} affermiþ þe - moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne 4152 - clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges. {and} ȝif þat he - ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse - enclined þe þinges þ{a}t ben now continued by stable - ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from hir welle. þat is 4156 - to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. þat is to sein - to{ur}nen in to nauȝt. - - [Sidenote: This love is common to all things, and all things tend - to good; so, urged by this, they all revert to that First Cause - that gave them being.] - - ¶ þis is þe co{m}mune loue of alle - þinges. {and} alle þi{n}ges axen to be holden by þe fyn of - good. For ellys ne myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne 4160 - come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue retourned to þe cause - þat haþ ȝeuen he{m} beynge. þat is to seyn to god. - - [Linenotes: - 4118 _þou wolt_--þ{o}u wys wilt - 4119 _þund[ere]re_--thonderer{e} - _seyne_--seyn - 4120 _bihold_--MS. biholde, C. byhold - 4122 _rody_--MS. redy, C. rody - _fire_--Fyr - 4123 _cercle_--clerke - 4125 _courses_--cours - _heyȝt_--heyhte - 4127 _westerne_--westrene - _dyȝen_--deeyn - 4128 [_the_]--from C. - _he see_--MS. it sewe, C. he see - _oþer_--oothr{e} - 4131 _aȝeyne_--ayein - 4133 _oute_--owt - 4134 _euene-lyke manere[s]_--euenelyk maneres - 4135 _striuen_--stryuynge - _nat_--omitted - 4136 _but_--omitted - 4138 _lyȝt[e] fyre arist_--lyhte fyr arysith - 4140 _yere_--ȝer - 4142 _comeþ aȝeyne_--comth ayein - 4143 _reyne_--reyn - 4144 _furþe al þinge_--forth alle thing - _brediþ lyfe_--berith lyf - 4145 _worlde_--world - _þilk_--thilke - 4146 _last[e] deþe_--laste deth - 4147 _yborn_--MS. yborne, C. I-born - 4148 _lorde_--lord - 4149 _wise_--wys - 4150 _stireþ_--sterith - _don_--gon - 4151 _þe_--omitted - 4153 _clepiþ_--klepede - 4154 _constreyned[e]_--constreynede - _roundenesse_--Rowndnesses - 4156 _sholde_--sholden - 4158 _tournen_--torne - _of_--to - 4159 _be_--ben - 4161 _eftesones aȝeine_--eft sones ayein - 4162 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - - [Headnote: - ALL FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.] - -IAM NE IGITUR UIDES. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you see what follows from our arguments?] - - ++Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I - haue seid. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is it?] - - what þing q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ That all fortune is good.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4164 - outerly þat al fortune is good. - - [Sidenote: _B._ How can that be?] - - and how may þat be - q{uo}d .I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Since all fortune, whether prosperous or adverse, - is for the reward of the good or the punishment of the bad, all - fortune is good which is either just or useful.] - - ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle - fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] - fortune is ȝiuen eiþer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of 4168 - ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen. - or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is alle fortune [[pg 145]] - good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful - or p{ro}fitable. - - [Sidenote: But let us put this opinion among those positions which - thou saidst were not commonly believed by the people.] - - ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resou{n} 4172 - q{uo}d I. and yif I considere þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} þe - destine þat þou tauȝtest me a litel here byforne þis sentence - is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like - vnto þe lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of 4176 - whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were - nat able to ben ywened to þe poeple. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Why so?] - - ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Because it is a common expression that _the - fortune of such a one is bad_.] - - for þat þe comune worde of men mysusiþ q{uo}d I. - þis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [þ{a}t] 4180 - þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. - - [Linenotes: - 4163 _þing_--thinge - 4165 _outerly_--al owtrely - _al_--alle - 4166-7 [_alle----aspre_]--from C. - 4169 _goode_--good - 4174 _here byforne_--her by-forn - 4175 _stedfast_--stydefast - 4176 _noumbre_--nowmbren - _þilk[e]_--thilke - 4177 _here byforne_--her by-forn - 4178 _ywened_--weened - 4179 _worde_--word] - - [Headnote: - PUNISHMENT IS BENEFICIAL.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Do you wish me to conform for awhile to the - language of the people, lest we should seem to depart too much - from the popular mode of expression?] - - wilt þou þan q{uo}d - she þat I p{ro}che a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it - seme nat to hem þat I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro þe - vsage of man kynde. - - [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.] - - as þou wolt q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Is everything profitable that is good?] - - ¶ Demest 4184 - þou nat q{uo}d she þat al þing þat p{ro}fitiþ is good. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Yes, certainly.] - - ȝis q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ That which exercises or corrects is profitable?] - - certis þilk þing þat ex{er}cisiþ or corigiþ profitiþ. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is.] - - I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore it is good?] - - þan is it good q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.] - - whi nat q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ This is the fortune of the virtuous who combat - with adversity, or of those who, relinquishing vice, pursue the - path of virtue?] - - but þis is þe fortune [q{uod} she] of 4188 - hem þat eiþer ben put in vertue {and} batailen aȝeins - aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewen {and} declinen - fro vices {and} taken þe weye of vertue. - - [Sidenote: _B._ It is.] - - ¶ þis ne may - nat I denye q{uo}d I - - [Sidenote: _P._ The vulgar regard that prosperity which is - bestowed as a reward on the good to be beneficial, and they - believe those calamities by which the wicked are punished as the - most miserable things that can be imagined.] - - ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye 4192 - fortune þat is ȝeuen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniþ - ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay forsoþe q{uo}d I. but - þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And what - seist þou of þat oþer fortune q{uo}d she. þat al þouȝ it 4196 - be aspre {and} restreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. - weniþ ouȝt þe poeple þ{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But - þe poeple demiþ þat it be most wrecched of alle þinges - þat may ben þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: But in following the popular opinion, let us beware of - being involved in some new and incredible consequence.] - - war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she 4200 - lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed - {and} co{n}cluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to [[pg 146]] - þe poeple. - - [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] - - what is þat q{uo}d I - - [Sidenote: _P._ We have decided that the fortune of the virtuous - or of those growing up in virtue must needs be good--but that the - fortune of the wicked must be most wretched.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it - folweþ or comeþ of þinges þ{a}t ben graunted þat alle 4204 - fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben i{n} - possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys - in þe purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. - ¶ And þat alle fortune is ryȝt wicked to hem þat 4208 - dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ. {and} þus weneþ - nat þe poeple. - - [Linenotes: - 4180 [_þat_]--from C. - 4181 _wicked_--wykkede - 4182 _proche_--aproche - 4185 _al_--alle - 4186 _þilk_--thilke - 4188 [_quod she_]--from C. - 4191 _weye_--wey - 4193 _deuiniþ_--demyth - 4194 _ouȝt_--awht - 4195 _soþe_--soth - 4198 _ouȝt_--awht - 4199 _be_--is - 4204 _comeþ_--comth - 4206 [_or----vertu_] from C. - 4208 _wicked_--wykkede] - - [Headnote: - THE FORTUNE OF THE VIRTUOUS IS GOOD.] - - [Sidenote: _B._ That’s true, though none dare acknowledge it.] - - ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so - þat noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Why so? The wise man ought not to be cast down, - when he has to wage war with Fortune, no more than the valiant man - ought to be dismayed on hearing the noise of the battle.] - - ¶ whi so - q{uo}d she. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 33.]] - - For ryȝt as no strong man ne semeþ nat to 4212 - abassen or disdaigne{n} as *ofte tyme as he hereþ þe noise - of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man to - beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of - fortune. - - [Sidenote: The dangers of war enable the one to acquire more - glory, and the difficulties of the other aid him to confirm and - improve his wisdom.] - - for boþe to þat on man {and} eke to þat oþ{er} 4216 - þilke difficulte is þe matere to þat oon man of encrese - of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to þat oþer man to conferme - hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys estat. - - [Sidenote: Thus virtue, in its literal acceptation, is a power - that, relying on its own strength, overcomes all obstacles.] - - ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþ {and} 4220 - enforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by - aduersites. - - [Sidenote: You, who have made so much progress in virtue, are not - to be carried away by delights and bodily lusts.] - - ¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese - or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiþ - delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust. - - [Sidenote: You must engage in a fierce conflict with every - fortune--with adversity, lest it dismay you--with prosperity, lest - it corrupt you.] - - ¶ þou sowest 4224 - or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery - fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de þe nat. - ne þat þe myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. - - [Sidenote: Seize the _golden mean_ with all your strength. All - below or above this line is a contemptible and a thankless - felicity.] - - ¶ Occupy - þe mene by stedfast strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir 4228 - þe mene. or ellys al þat ou{er}-passeþ þe mene despiseþ - welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is vicious {and} ne haþ - no mede of hys trauaile. - - [Sidenote: The choice of fortune lies in your own hands, but - remember that even adverse fortune, unless it exercises the - virtues of the good or chastises the wicked, is a punishment.] - - ¶ For it is set in ȝour{e} hand. - as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝour{e} power what fortune ȝow is 4232 - leuest. þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune - þat semeþ sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat þe good [[pg 147]] - folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked folk. it punisseþ. - - [Linenotes: - 4210 _soþe_--soth - 4211 _confessen_--co{n}fesse - 4212 _no strong_--the stronge - 4213 _abassen_--abayssen - 4215 _oft[e]_--ofte - 4219 _seine_--seyn - 4223 _heyȝt_--heyhte - 4224 _welken_--wellen - 4226 _confounde_--MS. co{n}fou{n}ded, C. confownde - 4227 _Occupy_--Ocupye - 4228 _stedfast_--stydefast - 4230 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4231 _set_--MS. sette, C. set - 4232 _lieþ_--lith - 4233 _seyne_--seyn - 4234 _sharpe_--sharp] - - - [Headnote: - WE CHOOSE OUR OWN FORTUNE.] - -BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Atrides carried on a ten years’ war to punish the - licentious Paris.] - - ++ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat 4236 - wrouȝt[e] {and} continued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere - recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by þe destrucc{i}ou{n} - of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer - þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat 4240 - was Menelaus wif his broþer. - - [Sidenote: With blood he purchased propitious gales for the - Grecian fleet, by casting off all fatherly pity, and sacrificing - his daughter Iphigenia to the vengeance of Diana.] - - In þe mene while þat - þilke agamenon desired[e] to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekyssh{e} - nauye {and} bouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes by blode. he - vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} þe sory p{re}st 4244 - ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe - douȝter. ¶ þat is to sein þat agamenon lete kuytte{n} þe - þrote of hys douȝter by þe prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ - hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiþ whiche he 4248 - myȝt[e] wende to troie. - - [Sidenote: Ulysses bewailed his lost mates, devoured by - Polyphemus, but, having deprived the Cyclop of his sight, he - rejoiced to hear the monster’s roar.] - - ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies - bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe - fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] - freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naþeles 4252 - polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage ȝeld to vlixies ioye - by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot - oute þe eye of poliphem{us} þat stod in hys forhede. - - [Linenotes: - 4236 _seyne_--seyn - 4237 _wrouȝt[e]_--wrowhte - _continued[e]_--continuede - _ȝere_--ȝer - 4238 _purged[e]_--purgede - 4240 [_he_]--from C. - _wan_--MS. wanne, C. wan - 4242 _desired[e]_--desirede - 4243 _bouȝt[e]_--bowhte - _blode_--blod - 4244 _vncloþed[e]_--vnclothede - _as_--of - 4245 _kuyttyng_--MS. knyttyng, C. kuttynge - 4246 _lete_--let - _kuytten_--MS. knytte{n}, C. kuttyn - 4248 _haue_--han - 4249 _myȝt[e] wende_--myhte wenden - 4250 _bywept[e]_--by-wepte - _ylorn_--MS. ylorne, C. y-lorn - 4251 _fiers[e]_--feerse - _had[de]_--hadde - 4253 _ȝeld_--yald - 4254 _sorowful_--sorwful - _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot - 4255 _oute_--owt - _stod_--MS. stode, C. stood - _forhede_--forehed] - - [Headnote: - THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.] - - for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} 4256 - wepyng {and} blynde. - - [Sidenote: Hercules is renowned for his many labours, so - successfully overcome.] - - ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys - hard[e] trauaile - - [Sidenote: He overthrew the proud Centaurs;] - - he dawntede þe proude Centauris half - hors half man. - - [Sidenote: he slew the Nemean lion and wore his skin as a trophy - of his victory;] - - {and} he rafte þe despoylynge fro þe - cruel lyou{n} þat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyou{n} {and} [[pg 148]] - rafte hy{m} hys skyn. - - [Sidenote: he smote the Harpies with his arrows;] - - he smot þe brids þat hyȝte{n} 4261 - arpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. - - [Sidenote: he caried off the golden apples of the Hesperides, and - killed the watchful dragon;] - - he rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragou{n}. {and} - hys hand was þe more heuy for þe golde[ne] 4264 - metal. - - [Sidenote: he bound Cerberus with a threefold chain;] - - He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by - hys treble cheyne. - - [Sidenote: he gave the body of proud Diomede as food for the - tyrant’s horses;] - - he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ - put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is - to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedes {and} made his hors 4268 - to etyn hym. - - [Sidenote: he slew the serpent Hydra;] - - and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpent {and} - brend[e] þe venym. - - [Sidenote: he caused Achelous to hide his blushing head within his - banks;] - - and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in - his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his - strondes. þis is to sein þat achelaus couþe transfigure 4272 - hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fauȝt wiþ - orcules at þe laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and - hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for - shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. - - [Sidenote: he left Antæus dead upon the Lybian shore;] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 33 _b_.]] - - ¶ And [he] hercules 4276 - *cast[e] adou{n} Antheus þe geaunt in þe strondes of - libye. - - [Sidenote: he appeased Evander’s wrath by killing Cacus;] - - {and} kacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis - is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacus {and} - apaised[e] wiþ þat deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. - - [Sidenote: he slew the Erymanthean boar;] - - ¶ And 4280 - þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ scomes þe sholdres of - hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of heuene - sholde þreste. - - [Sidenote: and bore the weight of Atlas upon his shoulders.] - - {and} þe laste of his labo{ur}s was þat he - sustened[e] þe heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. - - [Sidenote: These labours justly raised him to the rank of a god.] - - {and} he 4284 - deserued[e] eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his - laste trauayle - - [Sidenote: Go then, ye noble souls, and follow the path of this - great example.] - - ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe stronge men þere as - þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O nice - men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. - - [Sidenote: O ye slothful ones, wherefore do ye basely fly!] - - ¶ O ȝe 4288 - slowe {and} delicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites. {and} ne [[pg 149]] - fyȝte{n} nat aȝeins hem by vertue to wynnen þe mede of - þe heuene. - - [Sidenote: He who conquers earth doth gain the heavens.] - - for þe erþe ouer-come{n} ȝeueþ þe sterres. - ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. 4292 - a man is maked worþi to þe heuene. - - EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS. - - [Linenotes: - 4256 _saw_--say - 4258 _hard[e] trauaile_--harde trauayles - _dawntede_--MS. dawnded, C. dawntede - 4259 _half_--MS. hals - _rafte_--byrafte - _fro_--from - 4260 _seyne_--seyn - 4261 _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot - 4262 [_in----lyrne_]--from C. - 4263 _rauyssed[e]_--rauysshede - 4266 _seid_--MS. seide, C. sayd - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4267 _lorde_--lord - 4269 _etyn_--freten - 4270 _brend[e]_--brende - _flode defouled[e]_--flood defowlede - 4271 _forhede dreint[e]_--forhed dreynte - 4273 _lykenesse_--lyknesses - 4274 _turnid[e]_--tornede - 4275 _brak_--MS. brake, C. brak - _hys_--hise - 4276 [_he_]--from C. - 4278-80 _apaised[e]_--apaysede - 4281 _bristled[e]_--brystelede - _marked[e]_--markede - 4282 _cercle_--clerke - 4283 _þreste_--thriste - 4285 _deserued[e]_--deseruede - 4286 _Goþ_--MS. Goþe - _þere_--ther - 4287 _weye_--way - 4288 _nake_--MS. make, C. nake - 4289 _slowe_--MS. slouȝ, C. slowe - _fley_--flee - 4292 _seyne_--seyn] - - - - - [Headnote: - THE EXISTENCE OF CHANCE.] - -INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS. - - -DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]] - - [Sidenote: When Philosophy had thus spoken, and was about to - discuss other matters I interrupted her.] - - ++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] þe cours of hir resou{n} to - so{m}me oþ{er} þinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Thy exhortation is just and worthy of thy - authority, but thou saidst that the question of the Divine - Superintendence or Providence is involved with many others--and - this I believe.] - - þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyng {and} ful 4296 - digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat - þe questiou{n} of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wiþ - many oþer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it - by þe same þinge. - - [Sidenote: I am desirous, however, of knowing whether there be - such a thing as _Chance_, and what thou thinkest it is.] - - but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap 4300 - be any þing in any weys. {and} if þou wenest þat hap be - any [thing] what is it. - - [Sidenote: _P._ I hasten to fulfil my promise and to show the road - to your own country.] - - þan q{uo}d she. I haste me to - ȝelden {and} assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste {and} - to shewen {and} opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist 4304 - come aȝein to þi contre. - - [Sidenote: But although these things you question me about are - profitable to know, yet they lead us a little out of our way.] - - ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges - whiche þat þou axest b{e}n ryȝt p{ro}fitable to knowe. - ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos. - - [Sidenote: And by straying from the path you may be too fatigued - to return to the right road.] - - And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by 4308 - mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} þe - ryȝt weye. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Don’t be afraid of that, for it will refresh me as - much as rest to know these things in which I am delightfully - interested.] - - ¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing q{uo}d I. for - forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges - I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. 4312 - Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwy{n}ge whan - euery side of þi disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by - vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I don - þe. {and} byga{n} to speken ryȝt þus [[pg 150]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ I will then comply with thy requests.] - - ¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4316 - yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn. - - [Linenotes: - 4294 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - _þe_--by - 4297 _som tyme_--whilom - 4298 _þe_ (2)--thy - 4300 _þinge_--thing - 4302 [_thing_]--from C. - 4303 _ȝelden_--yilden - _assoilen_--MS. assailen, C. assoylen - _byheste_--byhest - 4304-6 _whiche_--which - 4306 _ben_--MS. b{e}n{e} - 4307 _paþe_--paath - 4312 _stede_--styde - 4314 _disputisoun_--disputaciou{n} - _be_--han ben - _stedfast_--stydefast - 4317 _seyn_--seyng] - - [Headnote: - DEFINITION OF CHANCE.] - - [Sidenote: If we define Chance to be an event produced by an - unintelligent motion, and not by a chain or connection of causes, - I should then affirm that Chance is nothing and an empty sound.] - - þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe - moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme - þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al 4320 - outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who - seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significac{i}ou{n} of - þing summittid to þat vois. - - [Sidenote: What room is there for folly and disorder where all - things are restrained by order, through the ordinance of God?] - - for what place myȝt[e] ben - left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn þat 4324 - god lediþ {and} streyniþ alle þinges by ordre. - - [Sidenote: For it is a great truth that nothing can spring out of - nothing.] - - ¶ For þis - sentence is verray {and} soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his - beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise - olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne 4328 - vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god p{r}ince {and} - gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement - of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature - of alle resou{n}. - - [Sidenote: Now, if anything arises without the operation of a - cause, it proceeds from nothing.] - - {and} ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen 4332 - of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen - or woxen of nouȝt. - - [Sidenote: But if this is impossible, then there can be no such a - thing as Chance, as we have defined it.] - - but yif þis ne may nat ben don. - þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing - as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Is there nothing, then, that may be called Chance - or Fortune?] - - ¶ How shal 4336 - it þan ben q{uo}d I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may - be cleped eyþer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune. - - [Sidenote: Is there nothing (hid from the vulgar) to which these - words may be applied?] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 34.]] - - or is - þer ouȝt al *be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to - whiche þise wordes ben couenable. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Aristotle defines this matter with much precision - and probability.] - - Myn aristotul q{uo}d 4340 - she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by - short resou{n} and neyȝe to þe soþe. - - [Sidenote: _B._ How?] - - ¶ In whiche manere - q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ So often as a man does anything for the sake of - any other thing, and another thing than what he intended to do is - produced by other causes, that thing so produced is called - _Chance_.] - - ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any þing for - grace of any oþer þing. {and} an oþer þinge þan þilke 4344 - þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes - it is ycleped hap{pe}. - - [Sidenote: As if a man trench the ground for tillage and find - gold, then this is believed to happen by chance, although it is - not so.] - - ¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by - cause of tylienge of þe felde. {and} fond þere a gobet of [[pg 151]] - golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous 4348 - bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for - it haþ hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn - and vnwar semiþ to han maked hap{pe}. - - [Sidenote: For if the tiller had not ploughed the field, and if - the hider of the gold had not concealed it in that spot, the gold - had not been found.] - - ¶ For - yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif 4352 - þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke - place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. - - [Sidenote: These, then, are the causes of a fortuitous acquisition - which proceeds from a conflux of encountering causes, and not from - the intention of the doer.] - - þise ben - þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche - abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountrynge 4356 - {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by þe entenc{i}ou{n} - of þe doer. - - [Sidenote: For neither the hider of the gold nor the husbandman - intended or understood that the gold should be found.] - - ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. - ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe - golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. - - [Sidenote: But it happened by the concurrence of these two causes - that the one did dig where the other had hidden the money.] - - it bytidde 4360 - {and} ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd - þe golde. - - [Sidenote: Chance, then, is an unexpected event, by a concurrence - of causes, following an action designed for a particular purpose.] - - Now may I þus diffinissen hap{pe}. ¶ Hap{pe} - is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat - ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre p{ro}cedynge 4364 - by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. - - [Sidenote: This concurrence of causes proceeds from that order - which flows from the fountain of Providence and disposes all - things as to place and time.] - - whiche þat - descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle - þinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makeþ þat þe - causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre. 4368 - - [Linenotes: - 4318 _forþe_--forth - 4322 _worde_--word - 4323 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 4324 _left_--lefte - 4325 _streyniþ_--constreynyth - 4326 _soþe_--soth - _no þinge_--nothing - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4327 [_the_]--from C. - 4330 _gynner_--bygynner{e} - 4331 [_the_]--from C. - 4332 _ȝif_--MS. ȝit, C. yif - _þinge_--thing - 4335 _þat----ben_--þ{a}t hap be - _haþ_--MS. haþe - _swiche_--swych - 4338 _happe_--hap - 4339 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidd - 4340 _whiche_--which - 4342 _neyȝe_--nehg - _whiche_--which - 4343 _don_--MS. done, C. don - 4344 _þinge_--thing - 4345 _som[e]_--some - 4346 _happe_--hap - 4347 _of_ (1)--to - _fond_--MS. fonde, C. fownde - 4348 _golde_--gold - _fallen_--byfalle - 4349 _for_ (2)--of - 4350 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _hys_--hise - 4351 _happe_--hap - 4352 _tilier_--tylyer{e} - _delue_--dolue - 4353 _hider_--hyder{e} - _golde_--gold - _hidd_--MS. hidde - 4353-4 _golde_--gold - 4354 _had[de]_--hadde - 4355 _fortune_--fortuit - _whiche_--which - 4356 _fortune_--fortuit - _comeþ_--comth - 4357 _flowyng_--MS. folwyng, C. flowynge - _selfe_--self - 4358 _doer_--doer{e} - _hider_--hider{e} - 4359 _deluer_--deluer{e} - _felde_--feeld - _vndirstanden_--vndirstoden - 4360 _golde_--gold - 4361 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hyd - 4362 _happe_ (_both_)--hap - 4365 _whiche_--which - 4366 _descendeþ_--MS. defendeþ, C. descendith - _wel_--welle] - - -RUPIS ACHEMENIE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Where the flying Parthian doth pierce his pursuers with - his shafts, there from the Achemenian heights flow the Tigris and - Euphrates, but soon their streams divide and flow into separate - channels.] - - ++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in - þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þer{e} - as þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes reto{ur}nid in - þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre 4372 - þe same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten - hir{e} watres. [[pg 152]] - - [Sidenote: But should they unite again, in the impetuous stream, - boats, ships, and trees would be all intermingled, whirled about; - and blind Chance seems to direct the current’s course.] - - and yif þei comen to-gidre {and} ben - assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten - þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe 4376 - entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}geþ þe shippes {and} þe stokkes - araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble. {and} þe watres - ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or - maneres. - - [Sidenote: But the sloping earth, the laws of fluids, govern these - things.] - - þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng 4380 - lowenes of þe erþe. {and} þe flowynge ordre of - þe slidyng water gouerniþ. - - [Sidenote: So though Chance seems to wander unrestrained, it is - nevertheless curbed and restrained by Divine Providence.] - - ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat - semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e] - bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned 4384 - {and} passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne - ordinaunce. - - [Linenotes: - 4369 [_and_]--from C. - _a_--oo - 4371 [_batayle_]--from C. - 4373 _þe_--tho - 4374 _to-gidre_--to-gyderes - 4376 _whiche_--which - 4377 _flode_--flod - 4378 _assemble_--assemblyn - 4380 _enclinyng_--declynynge - 4381 _lowenes_--lownesse - 4383 [_þat_]--from C. - _vngouerned[e]_--vngou{er}nede - 4385 _þe_--thilke] - - - [Headnote: - ON FREE WILL.] - -A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ Is there any _free-will_ in this chain of cohering - causes?] - - ++Þis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel þat it - is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte 4388 - or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliue{n} þus to-gidre - in hem self. - - [Sidenote: Or doth the _chain of destiny_ constrain the motions of - the human mind?] - - ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe - destinal cheine co{n}streiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages - of me{n}. - - [Sidenote: _P._ There is a freedom of the will possessed by every - rational being.] - - yis q{uo}d she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer 4392 - ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} þat it ne hadde liberte - of fre wille. - - [Sidenote: A rational being has judgment to judge of and discern - everything.] - - ¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen - resou{n}. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ {and} demiþ - euery þing. - - [Sidenote: Of himself he knows what he is to avoid or to desire. - He seeks what he judges desirable, and he shuns what he deems - should be avoided.] - - ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat be{n} 4396 - to fleen. {and} þinges þat ben to desiren. {and} þilk þing - þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þ{a}t axeþ or desireþ - he {and} fleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen. - - [Linenotes: - 4389 _or_--of - 4390 _hem_--hym - 4392 _yis_--MS. yif, C. yis - 4392-94 _wille_--wil - 4395 _whiche_--which - 4397 _þilk_--thilke - 4399 [_thilke_]--from C.] - - [Headnote: - PROVIDENCE SEES ALL THINGS.] - - [Sidenote: A rational being possesses, then, the liberty of - choosing and rejecting.] - - ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þ{a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is 4400 - libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. - - [Sidenote: This liberty is not equal in all beings.] - - ¶ But I ne ordeyne - nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis lib{er}tee be - euene like in alle þinges. - - [Sidenote: In heavenly substances, as spirits, &c., judgment is - clear, and the will is incorruptible, and has a ready and - efficacious power of doing things which are desired.] - - forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes - substau{n}ces. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 34 _b_.]] - - þat is to *seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is 4404 - more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} haþ myȝt [[pg 153]] - redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. - - [Sidenote: The souls of men must needs be more free when employed - in the contemplation of the Divine Mind, and less so when they - enter into a body, and still less free when enclosed and confined - in earthly members; but the most extreme servitude is when they - are given over to vice and wholly fallen from their proper - reason.] - - ¶ But þe soules - of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem - in þe speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. {and} 4408 - lasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies. {and} ȝit lasse - free whan þei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in - erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei - ben ȝeue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro þe possessiou{n} of 4412 - hire p{ro}pre resou{n} - - [Sidenote: For at once they are enveloped by the cloud of - ignorance and are troubled by pernicious desires, by yielding to - which they aid and increase that slavery which they brought upon - themselves, and thus even under the liberty proper to them, they - remain captives.] - - ¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye - hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe - þinges {and} dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of - ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe 4416 - whiche talentȝ whan þei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. þei - hepen {and} encresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned - to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire - p{ro}pre libertee. - - [Sidenote: Yet the eye of Providence, beholding all things from - eternity, sees all this and disposes according to their merit all - things as they are predestinated.] - - þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of 4420 - þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þ{a}t alle þinges byholdeþ - {and} seeþ fro et{er}ne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche i{n} her - merites. as þei ben p{ro}destinat. - - [Sidenote: He, as Homer says of the sun, _sees and hears all - things_.] - - {and} it is seid in grek. - þat alle þinges he seeþ {and} alle þinges he hereþ. 4424 - - [Linenotes: - 4405 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4411 _last[e]_--laste - 4412 _fro_--from - 4415 _cloude_--clowdes - 4418 _whiche_--which - 4423 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd] - - -PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE. - - [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: The sweet-tongued Homer sings of the sun’s pure light. - Yet the sun’s beams cannot pierce into the inner bowels of the - earth, nor into the depths of the sea.] - - ++HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer - wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by - pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt - of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} þe inwarde entrailes of 4428 - þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. - - [Sidenote: But God, the world’s maker, beholding from on high, has - his vision impeded neither by earth nor cloud.] - - ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere - of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on - heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe. - ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hy{m} by þe blake 4432 - cloudes. - - [Sidenote: At a glance he sees all events, present, past, and - future.] - - ¶ þilke god seeþ i{n} o strook of þouȝt alle - þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come. - - [Sidenote: God, then, that alone sees all things, may indeed be - called the true Sun.] - - ¶ and þilke - god for he lokeþ {and} seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist [[pg 154]] - seyn þat he is þe verray sonne. 4436 - - [Linenotes: - 4425 _mouþe_--Mowth - 4428 _percen_--MS. p{er}te{n}, C. p{er}cen - _inwarde_--inward - 4430 _worlde_--world - _on heye_--an hegh - 4431 _nat_--omitted - 4434 _schullen come_--shollen comyn - 4435 _al oon_--alone] - - - [Headnote: - GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND MAN’S FREE WILL.] - -TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _B._ I am distracted by a more difficult doubt than - ever.] - - ++ÞAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde - doute þan I was. what doute is þat q{uo}d she. - ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art - troubled. - - [Sidenote: God’s foreknowledge seems to me inconsistent with man’s - free-will.] - - It semeþ q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien 4440 - gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. {and} - þat þer is any fredom of liberte. - - [Sidenote: For if God foresees all things, and cannot be deceived, - then that which Providence hath foreseen must needs happen.] - - for yif so be þat god - lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben - desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle 4444 - þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ - sein byforn to comen. - - [Sidenote: If God from eternity doth foreknow not only the works, - but the designs and wills of men, there can be no liberty of - will--nor can there be any other action or will than that which a - Divine and infallible Providence hath foreseen.] - - ¶ For whiche yif þat god - knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also - hir conseils {and} hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no 4448 - liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer - dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce - þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn - - [Sidenote: For if things fall out contrary to such foreseeing, and - are wrested another way, the prescience of God in regard to - futurity would not be sure and unerring--it would be nothing but - an uncertain opinion of them: but I take it to be impious and - unlawful to believe this of God.] - - ¶ For - yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei 4452 - ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast p{re}science - of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn - oppiniou{n}. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it - felonie {and} vnleueful. - - [Sidenote: Nor do I approve of the reasoning made use of by some. - For they say that a thing is not necessarily to happen because God - hath foreseen it, but rather because it is to happen it cannot be - hid from the divine Providence.] - - ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk 4456 - same resou{n}. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise - nat þilke same resou{n} by whiche þat som men wenen - þat þei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten þe knot of þis - questiou{n}. ¶ For certys þei seyn þ{a}t þing nis nat to 4460 - come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforn{e}. - þat is to comen but raþer þe cont{ra}rie. ¶ And þat - is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore - ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god. 4464 - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 35.]] - - [Sidenote: Now by this reason necessity appears to change sides. - For it is not necessary that the things which are foreseen should - happen, but it is necessary that the things which are to befall - should be foreseen.] - - *{and} in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe [[pg 155]] - contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges - bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / - þ{a}t thinges þ{a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it 4468 - were yt{ra}uailed. - - [Sidenote: As if the question was, which was the cause of the - other--_prescience_ the cause of the necessity of future events, - or the _necessity_ the cause of the prescience of future events?] - - as who seiþ. þat þilke answere p{ro}cediþ - ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to - enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as - wheþer þe p{re}science is cause of þe necessite of þinges to 4472 - comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þi{n}ges to comen is - cause of þe purueau{n}ce. - - [Sidenote: But I will prove that, however the order of causes may - stand, the event of things foreseen is necessary, although - prescience doth not seem to impose a necessity upon future things - to fall out.] - - ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now - to shewe{n} it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is - necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of 4476 - causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe - p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges - to comen. - - [Sidenote: For if a man sit--the belief in the sitting is true; - and, on the other hand, if the opinion is true of his sitting, he - must needs sit.] - - ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ - by necessite þat þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of hym 4480 - þ{a}t coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of - þe contrarie. yif þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of any wyȝt for - þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte - - [Sidenote: In both cases there is a necessity--in the latter that - the person sits--in the former, that the opinion concerning the - other is true.] - - ¶ þan - is here necessite in þat oon {and} in þ{a}t oþer. for in þat 4484 - oon is necessite of sittynge. - - [Sidenote: But the man does not sit because the opinion of his - sitting is true, but the opinion is true because the action of his - being seated was antecedent in time.] - - {and} certys in þat oþer is - necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat - þe oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniou{n} is - raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. - - [Sidenote: So that although the cause of truth arises from the - sitting, there is a common necessity in both.] - - and þus al 4488 - þouȝ þ{a}t þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and - nat of þe trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates ȝitte is þer comune - necessite in þat oon {and} in þat oþer. - - [Sidenote: Thus may we reason concerning Providence and future - events.] - - ¶ þus sheweþ it - þ{a}t I may make semblable skils of þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god 4492 - {and} of þinges to come. - - [Sidenote: For allowing things are foreseen because they are to - happen, and that they do not befall because they are foreseen, it - is necessary that future events should be foreseen of God, or if - foreseen that they should happen; and this alone is sufficient to - destroy all idea of _free-will_.] - - ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges - ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for - þei ben p{ur}ueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles - byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen 4496 - ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben - p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis [[pg 156]] - þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of - oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille - - [Sidenote: But it is preposterous to make the happening of - temporal things the cause of eternal prescience, which we do in - imagining that God foresees future events because they are to - happen.] - - ¶ But now 4500 - [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe {and} how vp - so dou{n} is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of - temp{or}el þinges is þe cause of þe eterne p{re}science. - ¶ But forto wenen þat god p{ur}ueiþ [the] þinges to comen. 4504 - for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto - wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes - of þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce þat is i{n} god. - - [Sidenote: And, moreover, when I know that anything exists, it is - necessary for my belief that it should be.] - - ¶ And - her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot 4508 - þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing be. - - [Sidenote: So also when I know that an event shall come to pass, - it must needs happen.] - - {and} eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þi{n}ge shal - bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þ{a}t þilk[e] same - þing bytide. - - [Sidenote: The event, therefore, of a thing foreseen must befall.] - - so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe 4512 - þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. - - [Sidenote: Lastly, if a person judge a thing to be different to - what it is--this is not knowledge, but a false opinion of it, and - far from the true knowledge.] - - ¶ And - at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer - weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable - oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro þe soþe of 4516 - science. - - [Linenotes: - 4437 _harde_--hard - 4445 _haþ_--MS. haþ{e} - 4446 _whiche_--which - 4450 _wille_--wil - _whiche_--which þ{a}t - 4451 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4453 _stedfast_--stydefast - 4454-55 _þinge_--thing - 4455 _on_--of - 4456 _þilk_--thilke - 4458 _whiche_--which - 4459 _knot_--knotte - 4461 _come_--comyn - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4464 _hyd_--MS. hydde, C. hidde - 4466 [_nat_]--from C. - 4467-8 [_but----yporueyid_]--from C. - 4471 _þinges_--thing - 4477 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4480-82 _soþe_--soth - 4486 _soþe_--sooth - 4487 _soþe_--soth - 4488 _soþe_--sooth - 4489 _soþe comeþ_--sooth comth - [_þe_]--from C. - 4490 _comune_--MS. comme, C. comune - 4493 _come_--comyn - 4494 _to_--omitted - 4494-95 _purueid_--MS. p{ur}ueide, C. p{ur}ueyid - 4498 [_.s._]--from C. - 4499 _fredome_--freedom - 4500 _wille_--wil - 4501 [_certes_]--from C. - 4504 _purueiþ_--MS. p{ur}ueiþe - [_the_]--from C. - 4506 _bitiden_--bytydden - _som tyme_--whilom - 4509 _o_--a - _self_--selue - 4510 _þinge_--thing - 4511 _þilk[e]_--thilke - 4513 _þinge_--thing - 4514 _last[e]_--laste - 4515 _nys_--is] - - [Headnote: - FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN WILL.] - - [Sidenote: If, therefore, a thing be so to happen that the event - of it is neither necessary nor certain, how can any one foresee - what is to happen?] - - ¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat - þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. - ¶ who may weten [byforn] þ{a}t þilke þing is to come. - - [Sidenote: For as pure knowledge has no element in it of - falsehood, so what is comprehended by true knowledge cannot be - otherwise than as comprehended.] - - ¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. 4520 - as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat - be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat - is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon - oþ{er} weyes þan [as] it is conceiued. - - [Sidenote: Hence it is that true knowledge cannot err, because - everything must precisely be what true knowledge perceives it to - be.] - - For þat is þe cause 4524 - whi þat science wa{n}tiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat - witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For - it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þi{n}ge [be] ryȝt as science - co{m}p{re}hendiþ it to be. - - [Sidenote: What follows, then? How does God foreknow these - uncertain contingencies?] - - what shal I þan sein. ¶ In 4528 - whiche man{er}e knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen. - ¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. [[pg 157]] - - [Sidenote: For if he thinks that a thing will inevitably happen, - which possibly may not, he is deceived--but this is sheer - blasphemy.] - - ¶ For yif þat he deme - þat þei ben to comen vneschewably. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 35 _b_.]] - - {and} so may be þat - it is possible þat þei ne shulle{n} *nat comen. god is 4532 - desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. - but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous sy{n}ne. - - [Sidenote: But if God discerns that just as things are to come - they shall come; if he knows that they may or may not come, what - sort of prescience is this, which comprehends nothing certain, - nothing invariable?] - - ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to - comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as 4536 - who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or - ellys nat don. what is þilke p{re}science þat ne comp{re}hendiþ - no certeyne þinge ne stable. - - [Sidenote: Or how does divine prescience differ from human - opinion, if He hath an uncertain judgment of things, whereof the - events are uncertain and unfixed?] - - or ellys what difference - is þer bytwixe þe p{re}science. {and} þilke iape-worþi 4540 - dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuino{ur} þat seide. ¶ Al þat - I seie q{uo}d he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat - be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne p{re}science - more þan þe oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be þat it 4544 - demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of þe whiche - domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. - - [Sidenote: But if there can be no uncertainty in his knowledge, - who is the source of all certainty; the event of all things which - he foreknows must be fixed and inevitable.] - - ¶ But - yif so be þ{a}t noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym - þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þa{n} is þe 4548 - bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist - byforn fermely to come{n}. - - [Sidenote: Whence it follows that men have no freedom in their - designs and actions; because the Divine Mind, endowed with an - infallible foresight, constrains and binds them to a certain - event.] - - For whiche it folweþ þat þe - fredom of þe co{n}seils {and} of þe werkes of mankynde nis - non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges w{i}t{h} outen 4552 - erro{ur} of falsnesse byndeþ {and} co{n}streiniþ hem to a - bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þi{n}g be on-is - grau{n}tid {and} receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no - fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} 4556 - how grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. - - [Linenotes: - 4518 _it_--hit - 4519 [_byforn_]--from C. - 4522 _fals_--false - 4523 [_nat_]--from C. - _ben_--MS. by, C. ben - 4524 _þan [as] it is_--MS. þan it is be - 4527 [_be_]--from C. - 4529 _whiche_--which - 4534 _mouþe_--Mowth - 4536 _shulle_--shullyn - _wit[e]_--wite - 4538 _don_--MS. done, C. y-doon - 4543 _moche_--mochel - _worþe_--worth - 4549 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4550 _whiche_--which - 4551 _mankynde_--man-kynd - 4554 [_this_]--from C. - 4555 _grauntid_--ygraunted] - - [Headnote: - FATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE.] - - ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan p{ur}posed and byhyȝt medes - of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn þat no - moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued 4560 - hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. - - [Sidenote: Rewards and punishments now deemed just and equitable, - will be considered most unjust, when, it is allowed, that mankind - are not prompted by any will of their own, to either virtue or - vice, but in all their actions are impelled by a fatal necessity.] - - ¶ And it - sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whiche - þat is nowe demed. for alþ{er} moste iuste {and} moste [[pg 158]] - ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or 4564 - ellys þ{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk - syn þat þe p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þ{a}t oon ne - to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to - harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges 4568 - to comen. - - [Sidenote: Nor would there be such things as virtue or vice, but - such a medley of the one and the other as would be productive of - the greatest confusion.] - - ¶ þanne ne sholle{n} þer neuer ben ne neuer - weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben co{n}fusiou{n} - of alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And - ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer i{n}co{n}uenient of þe whiche þer 4572 - ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke. - - [Sidenote: And from this it will follow--that since all order - comes of Divine Providence, and that there is no freedom of the - human will, that also our vices must be referred to the author of - all good--which is a most impious opinion.] - - {and} þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd {and} - comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis - leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat 4576 - men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing. - þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e - of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] - han þe blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniþ by 4580 - necessite to don vices. - - [Sidenote: Then is it useless to hope for anything from God, or to - pray to him.] - - þan nis þer no resou{n} to han - hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. - - [Sidenote: For why should men do either, when all they can desire - is irreversibly predestined?] - - ¶ For what - sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien - to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne 4584 - may nat ben enclined. knytteþ {and} streiniþ alle þinges - þat men may desire{n}. - - [Sidenote: Hope and prayer being thus ineffectual, all intercourse - is cut off between God and man.] - - ¶ þan sholde þere be don awey - þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. þat is to - seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. - - [Sidenote: By reverent and humble supplication we earn divine - grace, a most inestimable favour, and are able to associate with - the Deity, and to unite ourselves to the inaccessible light.] - - but by þe p{re}is of ryȝtfulnesse 4588 - {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdou{n} - of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to - sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised. - {and} þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope {and} 4592 - prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken - wiþ god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} - ben conioigned [[pg 159]] - to þilk clernesse þat nis nat app{ro}ched no raþer or - þat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. - - [Sidenote: If men believe that hope and prayer have no power - because of the necessity of future events, by what other way can - we be united, and hold fast to the sovereign Lord of all things?] - - And yif men 4596 - ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengþes. - by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what - þi{n}g is þer þan by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned - {and} clyuen to þilke souereyne p{r}ince of þinges. - - [Sidenote: Wherefore mankind must be dissevered and disunited from - the source of its existence, and shrink from its beginning.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 36.]] - - ¶ For 4600 - whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde - as *þou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted - {and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. - þat is to seien god. 4604 - - [Linenotes: - 4558 _medes of_--Meedes to - 4560 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4562 _alþer worste whiche_--alderworst which - 4563 _nowe_--MS. newe, C. now - _alþer moste iuste_--alder moost Iust - _moste_--most - 4565-67 _good[e]_--goode - 4566 _wille_--wil - [_ne_]--from C. - 4571 _wiþoute_--w{i}t{h}-owten - 4573 _þouȝt_--thoght - 4574 _yledd_--MS. yledde, C. yled - 4575 _comeþ_--comth - 4577 _done_--doon - 4578 _mak[er]e_--maker{e} - 4579 _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 4584 _whiche_--which - 4588 _preis_--prys - _ryȝtfulnesse_--Rihtwessenesse - 4589 _deserue_--desseruyn - 4590 _deuyne_--MS. deuynes, C. dyuyne - 4590-93 _whiche_--which - 4591 _grete_--gret - 4593 [_men_]--from C. - _speken_--speke - 4595 _þilk_--thilke - 4596 _emprenten_--impetrent - 4597 [_nat_]--from C. - [_hope_]--from C. - 4601 _whiche_--which - 4602 _byforne_--by-forn] - - - [Headnote: - THE UNKNOWN CANNOT BE DESIRED.] - -QUE NAM DISCORS - - [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Say what discordant cause looses the bonds of things?] - - ++What discordable cause haþ to-rent {and} vnioigned þe - byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne - þe coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man. - - [Sidenote: What power doth make these two great truths (_i. e._ - Providence and Free-will) contend, which when separate are plain - and clear, but united appear dark and perplexed?] - - ¶ whiche god - haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} þise two soþefast 4608 - or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe p{ur}ueaunce - of god {and} fre wille. þat þei ben synguler {and} - diuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne - coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray 4612 - þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. - - [Sidenote: The mind of man encumbered by the earthly body, can - never, with her cloudy sight, discover the subtle and close bonds - of things.] - - but þe þouȝt of man co{n}founded {and} ouerþrowen by þe dirke - membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] - lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigo{ur} of hys insyȝt while 4616 - þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges - of þinges. - - [Sidenote: But why does man burn with ardour to learn the hidden - notes of truth?] - - ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so - grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) - þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so 4620 - grete desir to knowen þilke notificac{i}ou{n}s þat ben yhidd - vndir þe couerto{ur}s of soþe. - - [Sidenote: Why gropes he for he knows not what? None seek to know - what is known.] - - woot it ouȝt þilke þinges - þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay. [[pg 160]] - ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot. 4624 - {and} þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a - ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est - q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. - ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe. - - [Sidenote: If he knows them not, what does he so blindly seek?] - - and yif 4628 - þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde - þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: Who wishes for things he hath never known?] - - what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he - woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing - nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe 4632 - nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat - ywist - - [Sidenote: Or if he seek, where shall he find them? Or if he find, - how shall he be sure that he has found what he sought for?] - - ¶ and þouȝ [þ{a}t] he seke þo þinges where shal - he fynde{n} hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge {and} - ignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde. - - [Sidenote: The pure soul that sees the divine thought, knows all - the secret chains of things.] - - ¶ But 4636 - whan þe soule byholdeþ {and} seeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is - to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe so{m}me {and} þe - singularites. þat is to seyn þe p{r}inciples {and} eueryche - by hym self. - - [Sidenote: Yet, though now hidden in its fleshly members, it hath - some remembrance of its pure state--it retains the sums of things, - but has lost their particulars.] - - ¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe 4640 - cloude {and} in þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body. - it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe - so{m}me of þinges {and} lesiþ þe singularites. - - [Sidenote: He who seeks truth is not in either circumstance - (_i. e._ seeking for what he knows or knows not), he knoweth not - all things, nor hath he wholly forgotten all.] - - þan who so - þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþ{er} nouþir habit. for 4644 - he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. - - [Sidenote: But he ponders on what he knows, that he may add those - things that he hath forgotten to those that he retains.] - - ¶ But - ȝitte hym remembriþ þe so{m}me of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ - {and} axeþ cou{n}seil {and} tretiþ depelyche þi{n}ges - ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] þat is to sein þe grete so{m}me in 4648 - hys mynde. [_textus_] so þat he mowe adden þe p{ar}ties - þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden. - - [Linenotes: - 4605 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4606 _seyne_--seyn - 4607 _whiche_--which - 4608 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _grete_--gret - _soþefast_--soothfast - 4610 _wille_--wil - 4612 _discorde_--discord - [_tho_]--from C. - 4613 _cleuen_--clyuen - 4615 _dirk[ed]_--derkyd - 4616 _while_--whil - 4617 _knowen_--knowe - 4619-21 _grete_--gret - _note[s]_--notes - 4619 _soþe_--soth - 4621 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. Ihyd - 4622 _soþe_--sooth - _þinges_--thing - 4625 [_Glosa_]--from C. - 4630 _þinge_--thing - _whiche_--which - 4631 _woot_--not - _nat_--nawht - 4632 _couþe_--kowde - 4634 [_þat_]--from C. - _where_--wher - 4635 _what_--MS. þat, C. what - _vnknowynge_--vnkunnynge - 4639 _eueryche_--eu{er}ych - 4640 _while_--whil - _þe_--MS. þe þe - _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidde - 4641 _derknesse_--derkenesse - 4642 _haþ_--MS. haþe - _selfe_--self - 4644 _nouþir habit_--nother habite - 4645 _alle_ (_both_)--al - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4648 [_Glosa_]--from C. - 4649 [_textus_]--from C. - 4650 _haþ_ (_both_)--MS. haþe] - - - [[pg 161]] - [Headnote: - ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROVIDENCE.] - -TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ This is the old objection against Providence, so - ably handled by Cicero in his _Book of Divination_; and you - yourself have anxiously discussed it.] - - ++Þanne seide she. þis is q{uo}d she þe olde questiou{n} of - þe p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he 4652 - deuided[e] þe deuinac{i}ou{n}s. þat is to sein in hys booke - þat he wroot of deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly þis - questiou{n}. {and} þou þi self hast souȝt it mochel {and} - outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. - - [Sidenote: But neither of you have offered a satisfactory solution - of the difficulty.] - - but ȝit ne haþ it nat ben determined 4656 - ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow. - - [Sidenote: The cause of this mystery is that the human - understanding cannot conceive the simplicity of the divine - prescience, for if it were possible to comprehend this, every - difficulty would at once disappear.] - - ¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte - is for þat þe moeuynge of þe resou{n} of mankynde ne - may nat moeue{n} to. þat is to sein applien or ioygnen to 4660 - þe simplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science. ¶ þe whiche - symplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science ȝif þat men [myhten - thinken it in any maner{e} / þ{a}t is to seyn / þ{a}t yif men] myȝte - þinken {and} co{m}p{re}henden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. 4664 - þan ne sholde þer dwellen outerly no doute. - - [Sidenote: I shall, therefore, try to explain and solve this - difficult question.] - - þe whiche - resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I shal assaie at þe laste - to shewen {and} to speden. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 36 _b_.]] - - ¶ whan I haue *firste - [yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to þo resou{n}s by whiche þ{o}u 4668 - art ymoeued. - - [Sidenote: I ask, then, why you do not approve the reasoning of - such as think--that Prescience does not obstruct the liberty of - the will, because it is not the necessitating cause of future - events?] - - ¶ For I axe whi þ{o}u wenest þat þilk[e] - resou{n}s of hem þat assoilen þis questiou{n} ne ben nat - spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or þe - whiche resou{n} for þat it demiþ þat þe p{re}science nis nat 4672 - cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ it - nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. - - [Linenotes: - 4653 _deuided[e]_--deuynede - _booke_--book - 4654 _moeued[e]_--moeuede - 4655 _souȝt_--I-sowht - 4656 _long[e]_--longe - _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4657 _yspedd_--MS. yspedde, C. Isped - _fermely_--MS. feruently, C. fermely - 4658 _derkenesse_--dirknesse - [_of this_]--from C. - 4662-3 [_myhten----men_]--from C. - 4663 _myȝte_--myhten - 4667 _firste_--fyrst - 4668 [_yspendyd and_]--from C. - _þo_--the - _whiche_--which - 4669 _art_--MS. arte - _þilk[e]_--thilke - 4671 _spedeful_--spedful - 4672 _whiche_--which - 4674 _wille_--wyl] - - [Headnote: - NECESSITY AND PRESCIENCE.] - - [Sidenote: Do you draw an argument of the necessity of future - events, from any other topic than this,--that those things which - are foreknown must of necessity happen?] - - for ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys - where of þe necessite of þinges to comen. As who seiþ 4676 - any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat þe p{re}scie{n}ce - woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to - seyn þat þei moten bitide. - - [Sidenote: If divine prescience imposes no necessity upon future - things, must not the issue of things be voluntary, and man’s will - free and unconstrained?] - - ¶ But þan yif þat p{re}science - ne putteþ no necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi self 4680 - hast confessed it {and} byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. - ¶ what [[pg 162]] - cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ þere may no cause be. - by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of þinges - myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. - - [Sidenote: For argument sake let us suppose there is no - prescience, would, then, the events which proceed from free-will - alone be under the power of necessity?] - - ¶ For 4684 - by grace of possessiou{n}. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde - þis þat folweþ. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) þat - þer ne be no p{re}science. þan axe I q{uo}d she in as - moche as app{er}teniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat 4688 - comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by - necessite. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ Let us, then, admit Prescience, but that it - imposes no necessity on what is to happen; the freedom of the will - would still remain entire and absolute.] - - þan aȝeinward q{uo}d - she. I suppose þat þere be p{re}science but þat ne putteþ - no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom 4692 - of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. - - [Sidenote: But although Prescience, you may say, is not the - necessary cause of future events, yet it is a sign that they shall - necessarily happen, and hence it follows that, although there were - no prescience, future events would still be an inevitable - necessity.] - - but þou wolt sein þat al be it so þat p{re}science - nis nat cause of þe necessite of bitidynge to þinges to - comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þ{a}t þe þinges ben 4696 - to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe - p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe - lest[e] wey. it is certeyne þing þat þe e{n}dys {and} þe - bitydynges of þinges to come{n} sholde ben necessarie. 4700 - - [Sidenote: For the sign of a thing is not really the thing itself, - but only points out what the individual is.] - - ¶ For euery sygne sheweþ {and} signifieþ oonly what þe - þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ. - - [Sidenote: Wherefore, it must be first proved that everything - happens by necessity before we can conclude that prescience is a - sign of that necessity.] - - ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing - ne bitidiþ [þ{a}t it ne bytydith] by necessite. so þat it 4704 - may apere þ{a}t þe p{re}scie{n}ce is signe of þis necessite - - [Sidenote: For if there be no necessity, prescience cannot be the - sign of that which has no existence.] - - ¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys þilke p{re}science - ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat. - - [Linenotes: - 4677 _þinge[s]_--thinges - 4683 _whiche_--which - 4685 _better_--beter{e} - 4688 _moche_--mochel - 4689 _frewille_--free wyl - 4691 _þat ne_--þat is ne - 4692 _þat_--MS. þan - _þilk self_--thilke selue - 4693 _wille_--wil - 4699 _lest[e]_--leeste - 4700 _sholde_--sholden - 4703 _whiche_--which - _firste_--fyrst - 4704 [_þat----bytydith_]--from C. - 4707 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - _þinge_--thing] - - [Headnote: - NOT ALL THINGS CONTROLLED BY NECESSITY.] - - [Sidenote: The assertion that nothing happens but by necessity, - must be proved by arguments drawn from causes connected and - agreeing with this necessity, and not from signs or foreign - causes.] - - ¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis 4708 - susteniþ by stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne - p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiþ oute. - but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But þou - mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden nat 4712 - þat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ryȝt as we [[pg 163]] - trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn - to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þ{a}t] ne sholde - we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. 4716 - ȝit ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. - {and} þis maist þou lyȝtly ap{er}ceyue{n} by þis þat I shal - seyn. - - [Sidenote: We see many things when they are done before our eyes; - such as a charioteer driving his chariot, and other things of like - nature.] - - but we seen many þinges whan þei ben don byforn - oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in þe 4720 - to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys - kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ - mayst þou vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere oþir werkeme{n}. - - [Sidenote: Now, is there any necessity which compels these things - to be done?] - - ¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ in oure lokynge 4724 - [þ{a}t] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges - to ben don so. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No. For if all things were moved by - compulsion--the efforts of art would be vain and fruitless.] - - b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in - veyne were alle þe effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges - weren moeued by constreynynge. þat is to seyn by constreynynge 4728 - of oure eyen or of oure syȝt. - - [Sidenote: _P._ The things, then, which are done are under no - necessity that they should be done; then first before they were - done, they were under no necessity of coming to pass; wherefore - some things happen, the event of which is unconstrained by - necessity.] - - _P._ þise þi{n}g{us} - þan q{uo}d she þat whan men don hem ne han non - necessite þat men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or - þei be don. þei ben to comen wiþ out necessite. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 37.]] - - for whi 4732 - þer ben so{m}me þinges to bytide of whiche þe endys - {and} þe bitidynges of hem ben absolut *{and} quit of alle - necessite. - - [Sidenote: These things therefore, although foreknown, have free - events: for as the knowledge of present things imposes no - necessity upon things which are now done, so neither does the - foreknowledge of futurities necessitate the things which are to - come.] - - for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn - þis. þat þo þinges þat men don now þ{a}t þei ne weren 4736 - to bitiden. first or þei were ydon ¶ and þilk same - þinges al þouȝ þ{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn. - ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of - þinges p{re}sent ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges 4740 - [þ{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to - comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden - - [Sidenote: But you may doubt whether there can be any certain - prescience of things, of which the event is not necessitated: for - here there seems to be an evident contradiction.] - - but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. as - wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endes {and} 4744 - bytidynges necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any p{re}science - - [Linenotes: - 4708 _nowe_--now - 4709 _susteniþ_--ysustenyd - _stedfast_--stydefast - _ladd_--MS. ladde, C. lad - 4714 _whiche_--which - 4715 [_þat_]--from C. - _sholde_--sholden - 4716 _demen_--MS. denyen - [_þat_]--from C. - 4717 _necessite_--MS. necessites - 4721 _hys_--hise - 4725 [_þat_]--from C. - 4727 _veyne_--veyn - _alle_--al - _crafte_--craft - 4729 _þise_--MS. þise þise, C. the - 4732 _wiþ out_--w{i}t{h}-owte - 4733 _bytide_--bytyden - _whiche_--which - 4737 _were_--weeren - _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon - _þilk_--thilke - 4741-2 [_þat----thinges_]--from C. - 4744 _endes_--issues] - - [[pg 164]] - [Headnote: - THE NATURE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE.] - - [Sidenote: If things are foreknown, you may contend they must - necessarily happen; and if their event is not necessary, they - cannot be foreseen, because true knowledge can comprehend nothing - but what is absolutely certain.] - - ¶ For certys þei seme to discorde. for þou - wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat necessite - folweþ hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne 4748 - myȝten nat ben wist byforn. {and} þat no þinge ne may - ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne. - - [Sidenote: And if things uncertain in their events are foreseen as - certain, this knowledge is nothing more than a false opinion.] - - {and} yif þo - þinges þat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied - as certeyn. - - [Sidenote: For it is very remote from true knowledge to judge of - things otherwise than they really are.] - - it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat 4752 - soþefastnesse of science [{and} þ{o}u weenyst þ{a}t it be diu{er}se - fro the hoolnesse of science / þ{a}t any man sholde deme - a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. - - [Sidenote: The cause of this error is that men imagine that their - knowledge is wholly derived from the nature of the things known, - whereas it is quite the reverse.] - - and þe - cause of þis errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery 4756 - wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen þat þo þinges ben y-knowe - al oonly by þe strengþe {and} by þe nature of þe þinges - þat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al þe contrarie. for - alle þat eu{er}e is yknowe. - - [Sidenote: Things are not known from their inherent properties, - but by the faculties of the observer.] - - it is raþer comp{re}hendid {and} 4760 - yknowe{n} nat after his strengeþ {and} hys nature. but after - þe faculte þat is to seyn þe power {and} [the] nature of - hem þat knowen. - - [Sidenote: The roundness of a body affects the sight in one way, - and the touch in another.] - - {and} for þat þis shal mowe shewen by - a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer 4764 - weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it. {and} oþer weyes þe - touchi{n}g. - - [Sidenote: The eye, from afar, darts its rays upon the object, and - by beholding it comprehends its form.] - - þe lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþ - {and} seeþ fro afer alle þe body to-gider wiþ oute mouynge - of it self. - - [Sidenote: But the object is not distinguished by the touch unless - the hand comes in contact with it and feels it all round.] - - but þe touchinge cliuiþ {and} conioigneþ to þe 4768 - rounde body (orbi) {and} moueþ abouten þe environynge. - {and} comp{re}hendiþ by p{ar}ties þe roundenesse. - - [Linenotes: - 4746 _seme_--semyn - _discorde_--discorden - 4749 _þat_--yif - 4753-5 [_and----self_]--from C. - 4757 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4760 _alle_--al - 4763 _mowe_--mowen - 4764 _roundenes_--Rowndnesse - 4765 _syȝt_--sihte - 4767 _alle_--al - 4769 _abouten_--abowte - 4770 _roundenesse_--Rowndnesse] - - [Headnote: - SENSE, REASON, AND INTELLIGENCE.] - - [Sidenote: Man himself is surveyed in divers ways--by the senses, - by the imagination, by reason, and by the intelligence (of the - Deity).] - - ¶ and þe man hym self oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym. {and} - oþ{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} oþer weyes resou{n}. {and} 4772 - oþer weyes intelligence. - - [Sidenote: The senses take note of his material figure--the - imagination considers the form alone, exclusive of the matter.] - - ¶ For þe wit co{m}p{re}he{n}diþ - fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. þat - is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginac{i}ou{n} - [comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / 4776 - - [Sidenote: Reason transcends the imaginations, and examining - existences in general discovers the particular species, but the - eye of Intelligence soars still higher; for, going beyond the - bounds of what is general, it surveys the _simple forms_ - themselves, by its own pure and subtle thought:] - - Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] - {and} co{m}p{re}hendeþ [[pg 165]] - by an vniuersel lokynge þe co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em) - þat is in þe singuler peces. ¶ But þe eye of intelligence - is heyȝer for it so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe envirounynge of þe 4780 - vniu{er}site {and} lookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite of þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: in which this is chiefly to be considered, that the - higher power of perception embraces the lower; but the inferior - cannot attain to the energy of the superior:] - - þilk same symple forme of man þat is p{er}durably in þe - deuyne þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered - þat þe heyest strengþe to co{m}prehenden þinges 4784 - enbraceþ {and} conteyneþ þe lower[e] strengþe [but the - lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e} - strengthe]. - - [Sidenote: for the senses cannot go beyond the perception of - matter; the imagination cannot comprehend existences in general, - nor can the reason conceive the simple form.] - - for wit ne may no þinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of - matere. ne þe ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles 4788 - speces. ne resou{n} ne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as - i{n}telligence takeþ it. - - [Sidenote: But the Intelligence looking down (as from above) and - having conceived the form, discerns all things that are below it, - and comprehends what does not fall within the reach of the other - faculties of the mind.] - - but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al - abouen whan it haþ co{m}p{re}hendid þe forme it knoweþ - {and} demeþ alle þe þinges þat be{n} vndir þat forme. but 4792 - she knoweþ he{m} vndir þilke manere in þe whiche it - comp{re}hendiþ þilke same symple forme þat ne may - neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. þat is to seyn to - non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. - - [Sidenote: Without the aid of those faculties Intelligence - comprehends things _formally_ (_i. e._ by beholding their simple - forms) by one effort of mind.] - - for it 4796 - knoweþ þe vniuersite of resou{n} {and} þe figure of - þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}. - {and} þe sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} þou - wenest þ{a}t it be diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat - any man sholde deme a þing to ben oþ{er}weyes þan it is 4800 - it self {and} þe cause of þis erro{ur} {et}c’. {vt sup}ra. by wit. - - [Sidenote: Reason, without the aid of Imagination and Sense, in - considering things in general, comprehends all imaginable and - sensible things.] - - ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne - of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so as I - shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute disco{ur}s 4804 - or collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokeþ any þing - vniu{er}sel it ne vseþ nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and} - algates ȝit [it] co{m}prendiþ þe þinges ymaginable {and} - sensible. - - [Sidenote: For instance, reason defines her general conceptions - thus:--] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 37 _b_.]] - - for resou{n} is she þat *diffinisseþ þe vniuersel 4808 - of hir conseite ryȝt þus. [[pg 166]] - - [Sidenote: Man is a rational two-footed animal, which, though it - be a general idea, yet every one knows that man thus defined is - perceived both by the imagination and the senses, notwithstanding - that in this instance reason does not make use of imagination or - the senses, but of her own rational conception.] - - ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid - beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] vniuersel. - ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a ma{n} is [a thing] - ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and þis same co{n}sidereþ wel 4812 - resou{n}. but þat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte. - but it lokiþ it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. - - [Sidenote: The imagination also, although it derives its power of - seeing and forming figures from the senses, yet in the absence and - without the use of the senses it considers and comprehends all - sensible things by its own imaginative power.] - - ¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n} - al be it so. þat it takeþ of wit þe bygyny{n}g{us} - to seen {and} to formen þe figures. algates al þouȝ þat wit 4816 - ne ware not p{re}sent. ȝit it envirouniþ {and} co{m}p{re}hendiþ - alle þinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge. - but by resou{n} ymaginatif. - - [Sidenote: Do not you see that men attain to the knowledge of - things more by their own faculties, than by the inherent property - of things?] - - ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle - þe þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir 4820 - power. þan þei don of [the] faculte or of power of þinges - þat ben yknowen. - - [Sidenote: Nor is it unreasonable that it should be so--for since - every judgment is the act of the person judging; every one must - needs do his own work by the help of his own faculties, and not by - the aid of foreign power.] - - ne þat nis no wronge. for so as euery - iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat demeþ. It 4823 - byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt p{er}forme þe werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n} - nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power. - - [Linenotes: - 4774 _fro wiþ outen furþe_--w{i}t{h} owte forth - 4776-7 [_comprehendith----ymaginacioun_]--from C. - 4777 _comprehendeþ_--MS. co{m}p{re}hendynge - 4778 _an_--omitted - 4780 _heyȝer_--heyer{e} - 4783 _whiche_--which - _auȝt[e]_--owhte - 4784 _heyest_--heyiste - 4785 _lower[e]_--lower{e} - 4785-7 [_but----strengthe_]--from C. - 4787 _wit_--witte - _oute_--owt - 4791 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4793 _whiche_--which - 4795-6 _non_--none - 4796 _strengþes_--thinges - 4798-4801 _and þou----vt supra_--omitted - 4805 _collacioun_--MS. callac{i}ou{n}, C. collaciou{n} - 4806 _wit_--witte - 4810 [_is_]--from C. - 4813 _witte_--wit - 4821 _don_--MS. done, C. doon - [_the_]--from C. - 4822 _yknowen_--Iknowe] - _no wronge_--nat wrong - 4824 _werke_--werk - 4825 _forein_--foreyne] - - - [Headnote: - HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUTWARD THINGS IS GAINED.] - -QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Fallacious and obscure was the lore of the Stoics,] - - ++ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis - þer as philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. - {and} þilke porche brouȝt[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful 4828 - derke in hire sentences. þ{a}t is to sein philosophers þat - hyȝten stoiciens. - - [Sidenote: who taught that images of things obvious to the senses - were imprinted on the mind by external objects, and that the soul - is at first like a mirror or a clean parchment, free from figures - and letters.] - - þat wenden þat ymages [{and}] sensibilites - þat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n} - of sensible þinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules 4832 - fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke - stoiciens wenden þ{a}t þe soule hadde ben naked of it - self. as a mirour or a clene p{ar}chemyn. so þat alle - fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ oute in to 4836 - soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ryȝt - as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen - l{ett}res emp{re}ntid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of - þe table of wex. or in p{ar}chemyn þat ne haþ no figure [[pg 167]] - [ne] note in it. - - [Sidenote: But if the mind is passive in receiving the impressions - of outward objects, whence proceeds the knowledge by which the - mind comprehends all things?] - - _Glosa._ But now arguiþ boece aȝeins þat 4841 - oppiniou{n} {and} seiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng soule ne - vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys - p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffriþ {and} lieþ subgit to þe 4844 - figures {and} to þe notes of bodyes wiþ oute forþe. {and} - ȝeldeþ ymages ydel {and} veyne in þe manere of a - mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan - þilke knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþ {and} byholdeþ 4848 - alle þinges. - - [Sidenote: Whence its force to conceive individual existences, to - separate those things when known, to unite divided things, and to - choose and change its path, soaring to the highest and descending - to the lowest things--and returning to itself, to confute false - things by the true?] - - and whennes is þilke strengþe þat - byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes is þe strengþe - þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe. {and} þilke stre{n}gþe þat - gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided. {and} þe strengþe þat 4852 - cheseþ hys entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heueþ - vp þe heued. þat is to sein þat it heueþ vp þe ente{n}c{i}ou{n} - to ryȝt heye þinges. {and} som tyme it discendiþ in - to ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} whan it retourniþ in to hym 4856 - self. it rep{re}uiþ {and} destroieþ þe false þinges by þe - trewe þinges. - - [Sidenote: This cause is more efficacious and powerful to see and - to know things, than that cause which receives the characters - impressed like servile matter.] - - ¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more - efficient {and} mochel more myȝty to seen {and} to knowe - þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe 4860 - notes {and} þe figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere - - [Sidenote: Yet the sense in the living body excites and moves the - mental powers; as when the light striking the eyes causes them to - see, or as the voice rushing into the ear excites hearing.] - - algates - þe passiou{n} þat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit - i{n} þe quik[e] body goþ byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng - þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so as whan þat 4864 - clerenesse smyteþ þe eyen {and} moeuiþ hem to seen. or - ryȝt so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eres {and} co{m}moeuiþ - hem to herkne. - - [Sidenote: Then is the force of thought excited; it calls forth - the images within itself, and adds to them the outward forms, - blending external images with the counterparts concealed within.] - - þan is þe stre{n}gþe of þe þouȝt - ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepeþ furþe þe semblable 4868 - moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ i{n}ne it self. {and} - addiþ þo speces to þe notes {and} to þe þinges wiþ out - forþe. {and} medeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe - to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ i{n}ne hym self. 4872 - - [Linenotes: - 4827 _hadde_--hadden - _dispoyten_--desputen - 4828 _brouȝt[e]_--browhte - 4830 [_and_]--from C. - 4837 _inprentid_--aprentyd - 4838 _some tyme_--somtyme - _swift_--swyfte - 4840 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4843 _vnplitiþ_--vnpleyteth - _doþ_--MS. doþe - 4845 _þe_--tho - 4863 _quik[e]_--qwyke - _goþ_--MS. goþe - 4864 _þouȝte_--thoght - 4865 _clerenesse_--cleernesse - 4866 _soune_--sown - 4868 _furþe_--forth - 4870 _out_--owte - 4871 _out forþe_--owte forth - 4872 _forme[s]_--formes - _yhid_--I-hidde] - - - [[pg 168]] - [Headnote: - INTELLIGENCE A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE.] - -Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 38.]] - -*QUESTIO. - - [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]] - - [Sidenote: Although there are in objects certain qualities which - strike externally upon the senses, and put their instruments in - motion; although the passive impression upon the body precedes the - action of the mind,] - - ++But what [yif] þat in bodies to be{n} feelid þat is - to sein in þe takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly - þinges. and al be it so þat þe qualites of bodies þ{a}t ben 4875 - obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuen {and} entalenten þe instrumentes - of þe wittes. - - [Sidenote: and although the former rouses the latter to action, - yet if in the perception of bodily things, the soul is not by the - impression of external things made to know these things, but by - its own power judgeth of these bodily impressions,] - - and al be it so þat þe passiou{n} - of þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce - [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the - which passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of 4880 - þe þouȝt in hym self. {and} moeueþ {and} exiteþ in þis - mene while þe formes þ{a}t resten wiþ in forþe. and yif - þat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat - ytauȝt or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe þise þinges. 4884 - but demiþ {and} knoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiou{n} - or suffrau{n}ce subiect to þe body. - - [Sidenote: how much more shall those pure spiritual beings (as God - or angels) discern things by an act of their understanding alone, - without the aid of impressions from external objects?] - - Moche more þan þoo - þinges þat ben absolut {and} quit fram alle talentȝ or - affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen 4888 - nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe. - but þei accomplissen {and} speden þe dede of hir þouȝt - - [Sidenote: For this reason, then, there are several sorts of - knowing distributed among various beings.] - - by þis resou{n}. - ¶ þan þere comen many manere knowynges - to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g substaunces. - - [Sidenote: For sense (or sensation) destitute of all other - knowledge is allotted to those creatures that have no motion, as - shell-fish.] - - for þe wit 4892 - of þe body þe whiche witte is naked {and} despoyled of - alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne - mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystres - {and} muscles {and} oþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. 4896 - þ{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed to roches. - - [Sidenote: But imagination is given to such brutes capable of - motion, and having in some degree the power of desiring or - refusing.] - - but þe ymaginac{i}ou{n} - comeþ to remuable bestes þat seme{n} to han talent - to fleen or to desiren any þinge. - - [Sidenote: Reason, however, is the attribute of man alone, as - Intelligence is that of God.] - - but resou{n} is al only to - þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as i{n}telligence is oonly þe 4900 - deuyne nature. - - [Sidenote: Hence His (i. e. God’s) knowledge exceeds all other, - comprehending both what belongs to His own nature, and what is - comprehended by all inferior creatures.] - - of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng - is more worþe þan [th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hys - p{ro}pre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiþ it ne [[pg 169]] - knoweþ nat al oonly þat app{er}teiniþ p{ro}prely to hys 4904 - knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer knowynges. - - [Linenotes: - 4873 [_yif_]--from C. - 4878 [_or the_]--from C. - _suffraunce_--MS. suffisau{n}ce, C. suffraunce - 4879-80 [_goth----suffraunce_]--from C. - 4883 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd - 4887 _quit_--quite - 4888 _hys_--hise - 4889 _discernynge_--MS. discryuyng, C. discernynge - _from_--fro - 4893-94 _witte_--wit - 4895 _mowen_--mowe - _here ne þere_--her {and} ther - 4901 _whiche_--which - 4902 _[th]is[e] oþer_--thise oothr{e}] - - [Headnote: - THE POWERS OF SENSE AND IMAGINATION.] - - [Sidenote: But how shall it be then, if sense and imagination - oppose reason, affirming that the general idea of things, which - reason thinks it so perfectly sees, is nothing?] - - but how shal it þan be yif þat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} - stryuen aȝeins resonynge {and} sein þat of þilke - vniuersel þinges. þat resou{n} weneþ to seen þat it nis 4908 - ryȝt nauȝt. - - [Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and - imagination cannot be general.] - - for wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn þat þat. þat - is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel. - þan is eiþer þe iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne þat - þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resou{n} woot 4912 - wel þat many þinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. - þan is þe co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals - whiche þat lookeþ {and} co{m}p{re}hendiþ. þat þat is - sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. - - [Sidenote: But if reason should answer to this--that in her idea - of what is general she comprehends whatever is sensible and - imaginable; but as to the senses and imagination, they cannot - attain to the knowledge of what is general, since their knowledge - is confined to material figures; and therefore in all real - knowledge of things we must give the greatest credit to that - faculty which has a more steadfast and perfect judgment of - things.] - - and ȝif þat resou{n} 4916 - wolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to wit - {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein þat soþely she hir self. - þat is to seyn þat resou{n} lokeþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by - resou{n} of vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensible {and} þat 4920 - þat is ymaginable. {and} þat þilke two þat is to seyn wit - {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} nat strecchen ne enhaunsen - hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat - þe knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} 4924 - þe bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges - men auȝten raþer ȝeue credence to þe more stedfast {and} - to þe more p{er}fit iugement. - - [Sidenote: In a controversy of this kind ought not we, who possess - faculties of reason, &c., to side with reason and espouse her - cause?] - - In þis manere stryuynge - þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge 4928 - {and} of wit þat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n} - {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raþer p{re}ise þe cause - of resou{n}. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}. - - [Linenotes: - 4907 _aȝeins_--ayein - 4908 _vniuersel_--vniu{er}sels - 4911 [_soth_]--from C. - 4914 _fals whiche_--false which - 4917 _wit_--witte - 4918 _soþely_--soothly - 4923 _knowynge_--knowy - 4926 _ȝeue_--yeuen - _stedfast_--stidefast - 4930 [_and_]--from C. - 4931 _or_--{and} of] - - [Headnote: - REASON SHOULD SUBMIT TO INTELLIGENCE.] - - [Sidenote: The case is entirely similar when human reason thinks - the Divine Intelligence cannot behold future events in any other - way than she herself is capable of perceiving them.] - - semblable þinge is it þat þe resou{n} of mankynde 4932 - ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or - knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resou{n} of mankynde - knoweþ hem. - - [Sidenote: For thus you argue:-- - What things are not necessitated cannot be foreknown; therefore - there is no prescience of these things, for, if there were, - everything would be fixed by an absolute necessity.] - - for þou arguist {and} seist þus. þat - yif it ne seme nat to men þat so{m}me þinges han certeyne [[pg 170]] - {and} necessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist 4937 - byforn certeynely to bytiden. þa{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science - of þilke þinges. {and} yif we trowen þat p{re}science - ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it ne 4940 - bitidiþ by necessite. - - [Sidenote: If it were possible to enjoy the intelligence of the - Deity, we should then deem it right that sense and imagination - should yield to reason, and also judge it proper that human reason - should submit to the Divine Intelligence.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 38 _b_.]] - - but certys yif we myȝte{n} han þe - iugeme{n}t of þe deuyne þouȝt as we *ben p{ar}son{er}s of - resou{n}. ryȝt so as we han demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginac{i}ou{n} - {and} wit ben byneþe resou{n}. ryȝt so wolde 4944 - we deme{n} þat it were ryȝtful þing þat ma{n}s resou{n} - auȝt[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneþe þe deuyne - þouȝt. - - [Sidenote: Let us, therefore, strive to elevate ourselves to the - height of the supreme intelligence--there shall reason see what - she cannot discover in herself; and that is in what manner the - prescience of God sees and defines all things; although they have - no certain event; and she will see that this is no mere - conjecture, but rather simple, supreme, and unlimited knowledge.] - - for whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ. - þat yif þat we mowe{n} I conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in 4948 - to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne i{n}telligence. for þere shal - resou{n} wel seen þat þat it ne may nat by-holden in it - self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe p{re}science - of god seeþ alle þinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al þouȝ þei 4952 - ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non - oppiniou{n} but it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn - science þat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiþi{n}ne no boundes. - - [Linenotes: - 4938 [_ther_]--from C. - 4939 _trowen_--trowe - 4942 _parsoners_--parsoneres - 4945 _mans_--mannes - 4946 _auȝt[e]_--owte - 4947 _whiche_--which - 4948 _þat yif_--yif þ{a}t - 4949 _heyȝt_--heihte - _þere_--ther - 4952 _þouȝ_--MS. þouȝt - 4955 _no_--none] - - -QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] - - [Sidenote: Various are the shapes of created beings. Some creep - along the ground and trace the dust in furrows as they go;] - - ++ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures 4956 - for so{m}me of hem han hir bodies strauȝt {and} - crepe{n} in þe dust {and} drawen after he{m} a t{ra}is or a - forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or snakes. - - [Sidenote: others with nimble wings float through the air;] - - and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir 4960 - wenges beten þe wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} þe spaces - of þe longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. - - [Sidenote: some with their feet impress the ground, or tread - lightly o’er the meads, or seek the shady grove.] - - and oþer bestes - gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes i{n} þe - erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r] 4964 - by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes. - - [Sidenote: Though we see an endless variety of forms, yet all are - prone; to the earth they bend their looks, increasing the - heaviness of their dull sense.] - - {and} al be it so þ{a}t þou seest þat þei - alle discorden by [[pg 171]] - dyuerse formes. algate hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hir{e} - dulle wittes. - - [Sidenote: Man alone doth raise aloft his noble head; light and - erect he spurns the earth.] - - Onlyche þe lynage of man heueþ heyest hys 4968 - heyȝe heued {and} stondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt body {and} - byholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. - - [Sidenote: Thou art admonished by this figure then, unless by - sense deceived, that whilst taught by thy lofty mien to look - above, thou shouldst elevate thy mind lest it sink below its - proper level.] - - [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man - wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þ{a}t - axest þe heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage. {and} hast areised 4972 - þi forhede to beren vp on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt - ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen þat þi - body is so heye areised. - - [Linenotes: - 4957 _somme_--som - 4959 _forghe contynued_--forwh Ikonntynued - _addres_--nadris - 4960 [_the_]--from C. - 4963 _hem_--hem self - _stappes_--steppis - 4964 _or to gone_--{and} to gon - _eyþe[r]_--eyther - 4965 [_elles_]--from C. - 4967 [_faces_]--from C. - _algate_--algates - _enclini[n]g_--enclynyd - 4968 _Onlyche_--Oonly - _heyest_--heyeste - 4970 _erþe_--erthes - 4971 _oute_--owt - _witte_--wit - 4972 _ryȝt[e]_--ryhte - _hast_--MS. haþe, C. hast - 4973 _forhede_--foreheuyd - _on heye_--a heygh - 4974 _foot sen_--foote syn] - - - [Headnote: - DEFINITION OF ETERNITY.] - -PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A. - -QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]] - - [Sidenote: Since everything which is known is not, as I have - shown, perceived by its own inherent properties, but by the - faculties of those comprehending them, let us now examine the - disposition of the Divine nature.] - - ++ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat 4976 - al þinge þat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature - p{ro}pre. but by þe nature of he{m} þat comp{re}henden it. - ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as - who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þ{a}t þe 4980 - estat is of þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek] - knowen what his science is. - - [Sidenote: All rational creatures agree in affirming that God is - eternal.] - - þe comune iugement of alle - creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is eterne. lat vs - considere þa{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys þat shal 4984 - shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne nature {and} þe deuyne - science - - [Sidenote: And eternity is a full, total, and perfect possession - of a life which shall never end. This will appear more clearly - from a comparison with temporal things.] - - ¶ Eternite þan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al - togidre of lijf interminable {and} þat sheweþ more clerely - by þe co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of temp{or}el þinges. 4988 - - [Sidenote: Temporal existence proceeds from the past to the - present, and thence to the future.] - - for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} p{ro}cediþ fro - preteritȝ in to fut{ur}es. þat is to sein. fro tyme passed - in to tyme comynge. - - [Sidenote: And there is nothing under the law of time, which can - at once comprehend the whole space of its existence.] - - ne þer nis no þing establissed i{n} - tyme þat may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. 4992 - - [Linenotes: - 4977 _al þinge_--alle thinges - 4979 _moche_--mochel - 4980 _loken_--loke - _whiche_--which - 4981 [_ek_]--from C. - 4987 _clerely_--cleerly - 4989 _al_--alle] - - [Headnote: - THE WORLD IS NOT ETERNAL.] - - [Sidenote: Having lost _yesterday_ it does not as yet enjoy - _to-morrow_; and as for _to-day_ it consists only in the present - transitory moment.] - - for certys ȝit ne haþ it nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe. - {and} it haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and certys in þe lijf - of þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt - as in þis moeueable [[pg 172]] - {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. - - [Sidenote: Whatever, therefore, is subjected to a temporal - condition, as Aristotle thought of the world, may be without - beginning and without end; and although its duration may extend to - an infinity of time, yet it cannot rightly be called eternal: for - it doth not comprehend at once the whole extent of its infinite - duration, having no knowledge of things future which are not yet - arrived.] - - þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ 4996 - temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]þough{e} þat [it] bygan neuer - to be. ne þough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle - demde of þe worlde. and al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be - strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 39.]] - - ȝit al*gates nis it no 5000 - swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is - eterne. for al þouȝ þat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace þe - space of life infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe - space of þe lif alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe fut{ur}es 5004 - þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne haþ no lenger þe p{re}t{er}itȝ - þat ben ydon or ypassed. - - [Sidenote: For what is eternal must be always present to itself - and master of itself, and have always with it the infinite - succession of time.] - - but þilke þing þan þat haþ - {and} co{m}prehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif i{n}terminable. - to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe fut{ur}e. 5008 - {and} to whom þer nis nat of þe p{re}t{er}it escapid nor - ypassed. þilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt - to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke - þinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as 5012 - who seiþ alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so myȝty þat al - by ryȝt at hys plesaunce. {and} þ{a}t he haue al p{re}sent - þe infinit of þe moeuable tyme. - - [Sidenote: Therefore some philosophers, who had heard that Plato - believed that this world had neither beginning nor end, falsely - concluded, that the created universe was coeternal with its - Creator.] - - wherfore som men - trowe{n} wrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it semid[e] 5016 - to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge - of tyme. ne þat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. þei wenen - i{n} þis man{er}e þat þis worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiþ - his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat þis worlde {and} 5020 - god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful - wenynge. - - [Sidenote: But it is one thing to be conducted through a life of - infinite duration, which was Plato’s opinion of the world, and - another thing to comprehend at once the whole extent of this - duration as present which, it is manifest, can only belong to the - Divine mind.] - - for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable - as plato graunted[e] to þe worlde. {and} oþer - þing is it to embracen to-gidre alle þe p{re}sence to þe lif 5024 - interminable. þe whiche þing it is clere {and} manifest - þat it is p{ro}pre to þe deuine þouȝt. [[pg 173]] - - [Sidenote: Nor ought it to seem to us that God is prior to and - more ancient than his creatures by the space of time, but rather - by the simple and undivided properties of his nature.] - - ne it ne sholde nat - semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked - by quantite of tyme. but raþer by þe p{ro}prete of hys 5028 - symple nature. - - [Sidenote: The infinite progression of temporal things imitates - the ever-present condition of an immovable life:] - - for þis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el - þinges folwiþ þis p{re}sentarie estat of þe lijf i{n}moeueable. - - [Linenotes: - 4993-4 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 4993 _þe_ (2)--to - 4994 _þat_--the tyme - 4997 _a[l]þoughe_--al-thogh - [_it_]--from C. - 4999 _worlde_--world - 5001 _swiche_--swych - 5002 _eterne_--from C., MS. eternite - 5003 _life_--lyf - 5004-5-6 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 5006 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon - 5007 _alle_--al - 5008-9 _nat_--nawht - 5010 _þilk[e]_--thilke - _or_--{and} - 5014 _by_--be - 5016 _semid[e]_--semede - 5017 _worlde_--world - _had[de]_--hadde - 5018 _haue_--han - 5019-20 _worlde_--world - 5022 _yladd_--MS. yladde, C. I-lad - 5023 _worlde_--world - 5024 _embracen_--enbrace - _alle_--al - _presence to_--p{re}sent of - 5025 _clere_--cleer] - - [Headnote: - GOD IS ETERNAL.] - - [Sidenote: and since it cannot copy nor equal it from an immovable - and simply present state, it passes into motion and into an - infinite measure of past and future time.] - - {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n} - it ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is 5032 - to seyn þat is i{n} þe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþ {and} - falleþ in to moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] p{re}sence - of god. {and} disencresiþ to þe infinite quantite of - fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. - - [Sidenote: But since it cannot possess at once the whole extent of - its duration, yet, as it never ceases wholly to be, it faintly - emulates _that_ whose perfection it can neither attain nor - express, by attaching itself to the present fleeting moment, - which, because it resembles the durable present time, imparts to - those things that partake of it an appearance of existence.] - - {and} so as it ne may nat han togidre 5036 - al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as moche as - it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ - somde[l] to vs þat it folwiþ {and} resembliþ þilke þing - þ{a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. {and} byndeþ it 5040 - self to som manere p{re}sence of þis litel {and} swifte - moment. þe whiche p{re}sence of þis lytele {and} swifte - moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse - of þe ay dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it graunteþ to 5044 - swiche manere þinges as it bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem - þat þise þinges han ben {and} ben - - [Sidenote: But as it cannot stop or abide it pursues its course - through infinite time, and by gliding along it continues its - duration, the plenitude of which it could not comprehend, by - abiding in a permanent state.] - - {and} for [þ{a}t] þe p{re}sence - of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for - [it] rauyssid[e] {and} took þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat 5048 - is to seyn by successiou{n}. {and} by þis man{er}e it is ydon. - for þat it sholde continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche - lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe plente in dwellynge. - - [Sidenote: If we would follow Plato in giving things their right - names, let us say that God is _eternal_ and the world - _perpetual_.] - - {and} for þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to þinges 5052 - {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn þa{n} soþely þat god is - et{er}ne. {and} þat þe worlde is p{er}petuel. - - [Sidenote: His knowledge, surpassing the progression of time, is - ever present, containing the infinite space of past and future - times, and embraces in his clear insight all things, as if they - were now transacting.] - - þan syn þat - euery iugeme{n}t knoweþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by hys owen - nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. þere is soþely 5056 - al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. {and} þe - science of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle - temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t [[pg 174]] - dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embraceþ - {and} considereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes 5060 - p{re}teritȝ {and} fut{ur}es {and} lokeþ in þis symple knowynge - alle þinges of p{re}t{er}it ryȝt as þei weren ydoon p{re}sently - ryȝt now - - [Sidenote: Prescience is, then, a foreknowledge, not of what is to - come, but of the present and _never-failing now_ (in which God - sees all things as if immovably present).] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 39 _b_.]] - - ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenke {and} avise{n} þe - p{re}science by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þi{n}ges *þou ne 5064 - shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of þinges to comen. - - [Linenotes: - 5032 _lyke_--lyk - 5034 [_the_]--from C. - 5039 _somde[l]_--somdel - 5040 _fulfille_--fullfyllen - 5041 _litel_--from C., MS. lykly - 5042 _whiche_--which - _lytele_--from C., MS. lykly - 5046 _ben_ (1)--yben - [_þat_]--from C. - 5047 _swiche_--swych - 5048 [_it_]--from C. - 5051 _myȝt[e]_--myhte - 5052 _willen putte_--wollen putten - _name[s]_--names - 5053 _soþely_--sothly - 5054 _worlde_--world - 5055 _owen_--owne - 5056 _soþely_--sothly - 5057 _al-wey_--al-weys - 5058 _alle_--al - _moe[ue]ment_--moeueme{n}t - 5063 _þenke_--thinken - _avisen_--auyse - 5064 _whiche_--which - _al[le]_--alle] - - [Headnote: - DEFINITION OF PRESCIENCE.] - - but þou shalt deme{n} [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science - of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. - - [Sidenote: Therefore _foreknowledge_ is not so applicable a term - as _providence_--for God looks down upon all things from the - summit of the universe.] - - for whiche it nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde raþer 5068 - be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed ful fer fro ryȝt - lowe þinges. {and} byholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt as - it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. - - [Sidenote: Do you think that God imposes a necessity on things by - beholding them? It is not so in human affairs.] - - whi axest þou þan - or why disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by 5072 - necessite whiche þat ben yseyen {and} yknowen by þe - deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken nat þilke - þi{n}ges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in - hir{e} syȝt. - - [Sidenote: Does your view of an action lay any necessity upon it?] - - for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke 5076 - þinges þat þou byholdest p{re}sent. - - [Sidenote: _B._ No.] - - ¶ Nay q{uo}d I. - - [Sidenote: _P._ By parity of reason it is clear that whilst you - see only some things in a limited instant, God sees all things in - his ever-present time.] - - _p._ Certys þan yif men myȝte maken any digne comparisou{n} - or collac{i}ou{n} of þe p{re}sence diuine. {and} of þe p{re} - of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen so{m}me þinges in þis 5080 - temp{or}el presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys - eterne p{re}sent. - - [Sidenote: His Divine prescience therefore does not change the - nature of things--but only beholds those things as present to him - which shall in time be produced.] - - ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne p{re}science ne - chaungeþ nat þe nature ne þe p{ro}prete of þinges but - byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym ward. as þei 5084 - shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. - - [Sidenote: Nor does he judge confusedly of them, but knows at one - view what will necessarily and what will not necessarily happen.] - - ne it ne - co{n}foundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt - of hys þouȝt he knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel - necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so as whan ȝe seen togidre 5088 - a man walke on þe erþe {and} þe sonne arysen in - [the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seen {and} byholde{n} þat - oon {and} þat oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demen {and} [[pg 175]] - discerne þat þat oon is uolu{n}tarie - {and} þat oþer is necessarie. 5092 - - [Linenotes: - 5066 _shalt_--shal - [_it_]--from C. - 5068 _whiche_--which - 5074-76 _syȝt_--syhte - 5075 _whiche_--which - _þe[i]_--they - 5085 _come_--comyn - 5086 _of syȝt_--O syhte - 5087 _he knoweþ_--MS. repeats - 5090 [_the_]--from C. - 5092 _discerne_--discernen] - - [Headnote: - THE NATURE OF DIVINE PRESCIENCE.] - - [Sidenote: The eye of God, seeing all things, doth not alter the - properties of things, for everything is present to him, though its - temporal event is future.] - - ¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge - alle þi{n}ges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of - þinges þat ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as - to þe condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soþe þei ben fut{ur}e. 5096 - - [Sidenote: When God knows that anything is to be, he knows at the - same time that it is not under the necessity of being--but this is - not conjecture, but certain knowledge founded upon truth.] - - for whiche it folwiþ þat þis nis non oppiniou{n}. but raþer a - stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by soþenes. þat whan - þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat - þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat 5100 - whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel - þat it ne haþ no necessite to bitide. - - [Sidenote: If you insist that _what God foresees shall and must - happen; and that which cannot do otherwise than happen, must needs - happen_, and so bind me to admit a necessity, I must confess that - things are under such a restraint; but it is a truth that we - scarce can comprehend, unless we be acquainted with the Divine - counsels.] - - {and} yif þ{o}u seist - here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to bytide it ne may - nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke 5104 - þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by - necessite. and þat þou streine me to þis name of necessite. - certys I wol wel confessen {and} byknowe a þinge of - ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt [mowe] 5108 - seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe - deuyne þouȝte. - - [Sidenote: For I will answer you thus. That the thing which is to - happen in relation to the Divine knowledge is necessary; but, - considered in its own nature, seems free and absolute.] - - ¶ for I wol answer{e} þe þus. þat þilke - þinge þat is future whan it is referred to þe deuyne 5111 - knowy{n}g þan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden - in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre - {and} absolut from alle necessite. - - [Sidenote: There are two kinds of necessity--one simple; as men - must necessarily die--the other is conditional, as if you know a - man walks he must necessarily walk--for that which is known cannot - be otherwise than what it is apprehended to be.] - - for certys þer ben two - maneres of necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as - þus. þat it byhoueþ by necessite þat alle men be mortal 5116 - or dedely. an oþ{er} necessite is condicionel as þus. yif - þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by necessite þat - he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to - be. it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. 5120 - - [Linenotes: - 5093 [_the_]--from C. - 5097 _whiche_--which - 5098 _stedfast_--stidefast - _soþenes_--sothnesse - 5102 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 5104 _bitide_--bide - 5108 _sadde_--sad - _vnneþ_--vnnethe - [_mowe_]--from C. - 5109 _comen_--come - 5110 _þouȝte_--thoght - _answere_--answeren - 5113 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen - [_is_]--from C. - 5117 _dedely_--dedly - 5119 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - [Headnote: - PRESCIENCE AND NECESSITY.] - - [Sidenote: But this condition does not infer the absolute - necessity, for the nature of the thing itself does not here - constitute the necessity, but the necessity arises from the - conjunction of the condition.] - - ¶ but þis condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke - necessite symple. For certys þis necessite condicionel. - þe p{ro}pre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. - but þe adiecc{i}ou{n} [[pg 176]] - of þe condic{i}ou{n} makiþ it. - - [Sidenote: No necessity compels a man to walk who does so - willingly, but it must be necessary that he walk when he does step - forward.] - - for no necessite ne constreyneþ 5124 - a man to [gon / þ{a}t] gooþ by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it - so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ. - - [Sidenote: So everything that is present to the eye of Providence - must assuredly be, although there is nothing in its own nature to - constitute that necessity.] - - ¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe p{ur}ueaunce - of god seeþ any þing p{re}sent. - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 40.]] - - þan mot þilke *þinge be 5128 - by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys - owen nature. - - [Sidenote: Since God beholds all future events proceeding from - free-will as actually present--these events in relation to Divine - sight are necessary--yet in relation to themselves they are - absolutely free.] - - but certys þe fut{ur}es þat bytyden by fredom - of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre p{re}sentȝ. þise - þinges þan [yif] þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. 5132 - þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe - deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben considred - by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne - forleten nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owe{n} 5136 - natur{e}. - - [Sidenote: All things which God foresees shall surely come to - pass; but some of these things proceed from free-will, which - although they happen,] - - þan certys wiþ outen doute alle þe þing{us} - shollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn þat þei - ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of - [free] arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. 5140 - - [Linenotes: - 5121 _condicioun_--from C., MS. _necessite_ - 5123 _nauȝt_--nat - 5125 [_gon þat_]--from C. - _wille_--wil - 5128 _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot - 5131 _presentȝ_--p{re}sent - 5132 [_yif_]--from C. - _syȝt_--syhte - 5137 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte - 5138 _whiche_--which - 5139 _somme_--som - 5140 [_free_]--from C.] - - [Headnote: - PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN INTENTIONS.] - - [Sidenote: yet do not thereby change their nature, as before they - happened they had it in their power not to happen.] - - ȝit algates ne lese þei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne - beynge. by þe whiche first or þat þei were doon þei - hadden power nat to han bitidd. - - [Sidenote: But it is a thing of no moment then, whether things are - necessary in their own nature or not, since by the condition of - the Divine knowledge they fell out as if they were necessitated.] - - _Boece._ what is þis - to seyn þa{n} q{uo}d I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by 5144 - hire p{ro}pre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in - þe lykenesse of necessite by þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne - science. - - [Sidenote: _P._ The difference is explained in the instances - lately given you, of the man walking, &c.] - - {Ph}ilosoph{ie}. þis is þe difference q{uo}d she. þat - þo þinges þat I p{ur}posed[e] þe a litel here byforn. þat 5148 - is to seyn þe sonne arysynge {and} þe man walkynge þat - þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat - ben vndon. - - [Sidenote: The event of the former was necessary before it befell, - whereas that of the latter was altogether free.] - - naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it - byhoued[e] by necessite þat it was ydon. but nat þat 5152 - oþ{er}. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges þat god haþ p{re}sent. - wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. - but so{m}me of hem descendiþ [[pg 177]] - of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge. - {and} so{m}me descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man 5156 - walkynge. - - [Sidenote: _B._ Then I did not go from the truth when I said that - some things referred to the Divine knowledge are necessary, while - considered in themselves they are not under the bond of - necessity.] - - ¶ þan seide I. no wronge þat yif þat þise - þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan ben þei - necessarie. {and} yif þei ben considered by he{m} selfe þan - ben þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. - - [Sidenote: In the same way everything that is an object of sense - is _general_ when considered in relation to reason--but particular - when considered by itself.] - - ryȝt so [as] 5160 - alle þinges þat appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou - referre it to resou{n} it is vniuersel. {and} yif þou referre - it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it sy{n}guler. - - [Sidenote: But you may say--If I am able to change my purpose I - can deceive providence by changing that which she hath foreseen I - would do.] - - but now - yif þou seist þus þ{a}t yif it be in my power to chaunge 5164 - my p{ur}pose. þan shal I voide þe p{ur}ueaunce of god. - whan þat p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged þo þinges - þat he knoweþ byforn. þan shal I answere þe þus - - [Linenotes: - 5141 _ne_ (2)--C. in - 5142 _whiche_--which - _were doon_--weeryn Idoon - 5143 _bitidd_--MS. bitidde, C. bityd - 5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede - 5150 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon - _myȝten_--myhte - 5151 _vndon_--MS. vndone, C. vndoon - 5151-2 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon - 5152 _byhoued[e]_--houyd - 5153 _haþ_--MS. haþe - 5154 _wiþ outen_--with-owte - _shulle_--shollen - 5156 _doers_--doeres - 5157 _wronge_--wrong - 5159 _selfe_--self - 5160 _from_--fro - _bonde_--bond - [_as_]--from C. - 5163 _look[e]_--loke - 5166 _þo_--the] - - [Headnote: - GOD’S KNOWLEDGE FIXED AND UNCHANGED.] - - [Sidenote: _P._ You may perhaps alter your purpose--but as - providence takes note of your intentions, you cannot deceive her; - for you cannot escape the divine prescience though you have the - power, through a free-will, to vary and diversify your actions.] - - ¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi p{ur}pos but for as 5168 - mochel as þe p{re}sent soþenesse of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce - byholdeþ þat þou mayst chau{n}ge{n} þi p{ur}pose. {and} - wheþir þou wolt chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward - þat þou tourne it. þ{o}u maist nat eschewen þe deuyne 5172 - p{re}science ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt of þe - p{re}sent eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre - wille in to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}. - - [Sidenote: But you may say--Shall the divine knowledge be changed - according to the mutability of my disposition, and the - apprehensions of the Deity fluctuated with my changing purposes?] - - ¶ But þou mayst seyn - aȝeyne how shal it þan be. shal nat þe dyuyne science 5176 - ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan þat I wol o - þing now {and} now an oþer. {and} þilke p{re}science ne - semeþ it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges. - as who seiþ. ne shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne 5180 - p{re}science enterchaungeþ hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge. - so þat it knowe so{m}me tyme o þing {and} so{m}me tyme - þe contrarie. - - [Sidenote: No, indeed! The view of the Deity foreruns every future - event, and brings it back into the presence of his own knowledge, - which does not vary, as you imagine, to conform to your caprices, - but remaining fixed, at once foresees and comprehends all your - changes.] - - ¶ No for soþe. [q{uod} I] for þe deuyne syȝt - renneþ to-forne {and} seeþ alle fut{ur}es {and} clepeþ hem aȝein 5184 - {and} reto{ur}niþ hem to þe p{re}sence of - hys p{ro}pre knowynge. [[pg 178]] - ne he ne entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe - stoundes of forknowyng [as] now þis now þat. but he - ay dwellynge comiþ byforn {and} enbraceþ at o strook 5188 - alle þi mutac{i}ou{n}s. - - [Sidenote: This faculty of comprehending and seeing all things as - present, God does not receive from the issue of futurities, but - from the simplicity of his own nature.] - - and þis p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden - {and} to sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat take{n} it of þe - bitydynge of þinges forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite. - - [Linenotes: - 5169 _soþenesse_--sothnesse - 5170 _chaungen_--chaunge - 5173 _syȝt_--syhte - 5175 _wille_--wyl - 5177 _wol_--wole - 5179 _enterchaunge_--MS. enterchau{n}gyng, C. entrechau{n}ge - 5181 _hys_--hise - 5182 _somme_ (1)--su{m} - _somme_ (2)--som - 5183 _syȝt_--syhte - 5184 _to-forne_--to-forn - 5186 [_so_]--from C. - 5187 [_as_]--from C. - 5188 _comiþ_--comth - 5190 _haþ_--MS. haþe] - - [Headnote: - AN ANSWER TO FORMER OBJECTIONS.] - - [Sidenote: Here, then, is an answer to your former objection--that - it is folly to think that our future actions and events are the - causes of the prescience of God.] - - ¶ and her by is assoiled þilke þing þat þou 5192 - puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it is vnworþi - þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe - science of god - - [Sidenote: For the Divine mind, embracing and comprehending all - things by a present knowledge, plans and directs all things and is - not dependent upon futurity.] - - [Sidenote: [* fol. 41 _b_.]] - - ¶ For c{er}tys *þis strengþe of þe deuyne - science whiche þat enbraceþ alle þinge by his p{re}sentarie 5196 - knowynge establisseþ manere to alle þi{n}g{us} {and} it - ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges. - - [Sidenote: Since no necessity is imposed upon things by the Divine - prescience, there remains to men an inviolable freedom of will.] - - {and} syn þat þise þinges - ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in - þinges by þe deuyne p{re}science. þan is þer fredom of 5200 - arbitre. þat dwelleþ hool {and} vnwemmed to mortal men. - - [Sidenote: And those laws are just which assign rewards and - punishments to men possessing free-will.] - - ne þe lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly meedes {and} peynes - to þe willynges of men þat ben vnbounde {and} quit of - alle necessite. - - [Sidenote: Moreover, God, who sits on high, foreknows all things, - and the eternal presence of his knowledge concurs with the future - quality of our actions, dispensing rewards to good and punishments - to evil men.] - - ¶ And god byholder {and} forwiter of 5204 - alle þinges dwelliþ aboue {and} þe p{re}sent eternite of hys - syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes - dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to good[e] men. {and} - tourmentȝ to wicked men. - - [Sidenote: Nor are our hopes and prayers reposed in, and addressed - to God in vain, which when they are sincere cannot be - inefficacious nor unsuccessful.] - - ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne ben 5208 - þer nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. þat ne mowen - nat ben vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful - - [Sidenote: Resist and turn from vice--honour and love virtue, - exalt your mind to God (the truest hope), offer up your prayers - with humility.] - - ¶ wiþstond þan {and} eschewe þou vices. worshippe - {and} loue þou vertus. areise þi corage to ryȝtful hoopes. 5212 - ȝelde þou humble p{re}iers an heyȝe. - - [Sidenote: If you are sincere you will feel that you are under an - obligation to lead a good and virtuous life, inasmuch as all your - actions and works are done in the presence of an all-discerning - Judge.] - - grete necessite of - prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to - ȝow yif ȝe nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchen - {and} doon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedes {and} ȝoure workes 5216 - by-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþ {and} demeþ alle [[pg 179]] - þinges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt - tymes / AMEN.] - - EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}. - - [Linenotes: - 5193 _seyne_--seyn - 5196 _whiche_--which - 5198 _awiþ_--oweth - 5199 _þat is to----prescience_--omitted - 5203 _vnbounde_--vnbownden - _quit_--quite - 5206 _syȝt_--sihte - 5207 _good[e]_--goode - 5211 _wiþstond_--MS. wiþstonde, C. withstond - 5213 _an heyȝe_--a heygh - _grete_--Gret - 5215 _worchen_--workyn - 5216 {and} (2)--or - 5217 _by-fore_--by-forn - 5218 [_To whom----Amen_]--from C.; MS. reads _et cetera_ after - ‘þinges.’ C. ends with the following rubric: - - Explicit expliceat luder{e} scriptor eat - Finito libro sit laus {et} gloria {Christ}o - Corpore scribentis sit gr{ati}a cunctipotentis] - - - - - [[pg 180]] - [Headnote: - ÆTAS PRIMA.] - -APPENDIX. - - [_Camb. Univ. MS._ Ii. 3. 21, _fol._ 52 _b_.] - - -Chawc{er} vp-on this fyfte met{ur} of the second book - - ++A Blysful lyf a paysyble {and} a swete - Ledden the poeples in the former age - They helde hem paied of the fructes þ{a}t þey ete - Whiche þ{a}t the feldes yaue hem by vsage 4 - They ne weer{e} nat forpampred w{i}t{h} owtrage - Onknowyn was þ^e quyerne {and} ek the melle - They eten mast hawes {and} swych pownage - And dronken wat{er} of the colde welle 8 - - ¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded w{i}t{h} þ^e plowh - But corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hond - Þe which they gnodded {and} eete nat half .I.-nowh - No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond 12 - No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde - Vn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyne - No man yit in the morter spices grond - To clarre ne to sawse of galentyne 16 - - ¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litester{e} - Ne knewh / the fles was of is former hewe - No flessh ne wyste offence of egge or sper{e} - No coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe 20 - No ship yit karf the wawes grene {and} blewe - No Marchau{n}t yit ne fette owt-landissh war{e} - No batails trompes for the werres folk ne knewe - Ne towres heye {and} walles rownde or square 24 - - ¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreye [[pg 181]] - Ther lay no p{ro}fyt ther was no rychesse - - [Sidenote: [fol. 53.]] - - But corsed was the tyme .I. dar+ wel seye - Þ{a}t men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse 28 - To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesse - {And} in þe Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhte - Allas than sprong+ vp al the cursydnesse - Of coueytyse þ{a}t fyrst owr sorwe browhte 32 - - ¶ Thyse tyrau{n}tȝ put hem gladly nat in pres - No places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynne - Ther pou{er}te is as seith diogenes - Ther as vitayle ek is so skars {and} thinne 36 - Þ{a}t nat but mast or apples is ther Inne - But þ{er} as bagges ben {and} fat vitaile - Ther wol they gon {and} spar{e} for no synne - W{i}t{h} al hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle 40 - - ¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non halles - In kaues {and} wodes softe {and} swete - Sleptin this blyssed folk+ w{i}t{h}-owte walles - On gras or leues in p{ar}fyt Ioye reste {and} quiete 44 - No down of fetheres ne no bleched shete - Was kyd to hem but in surte they slepte - Hir hertes weer{e} al on w{i}t{h}-owte galles - Eu{er}ych of hem his feith to oother kepte 48 - - ¶ Vnforged was the hawberke {and} the plate - Þ^e lambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyse - Hadden no fantesye to debate - But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce 52 - No p{r}ide non enuye non Auaryce - No lord no taylage by no tyranye - Vmblesse {and} pes good feith the emp{er}ice - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 - - ¶ Yit was nat Iuppit{er} the lykerous [[pg 182]] - Þ{a}t fyrst was fadyr of delicasie - Come in this world ne nembroth desyrous - To regne had nat maad his towres hye 60 - Allas allas now may [men] wepe And crye - For in owr{e} dayes nis but couetyse - Dowblenesse {and} tresou{n} {and} enuye - Poyson {and} manslawhtr{e} {and} mordre in sondry wyse 64 - - [Linenotes: - 39, 40 MS. transposes the lines - 44 _On_--MS. Or - 56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.] - - - [Headnote: - BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINTURE.] - -CAUS{ER} / BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINT{UR}E - - ¶ This wrecched worlde-is t{ra}nsmutaciou{n} - As wele / or wo / now poeer{e} {and} now hono{ur} - W{i}t{h}-owten ordyr or wis descresyou{n} - Gou{er}ned is by fortunes errour 4 - But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr+ - Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye - - [Sidenote: [fol. 53 _b_.]] - - Iay tout p{er}du mou{n} temps {et} mou{n} labour - For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 8 - - ¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resou{n} - To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr+ - So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vp {and} down - I-tawht me for to knowe in an howr 12 - But trewely no fors of thi reddowr+ - To hym þ{a}t ou{er} hym self hath the maystrye - My suffysau{n}ce shal be my socour+ - For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye 16 - - ¶ O socrates þ{o}u stidfast chau{m}pyou{n} - She neu{er} myht[e] be thi tormentowr - Thow neu{er} dreddest hyr opp{re}ssyou{n} - Ne in hyr cher{e} fownde thow no sauour+ 20 - Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour+ - And þ{a}t hir most[e] worshipe is to lye - I knew hir ek a fals dissimulour+ - For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 24 - - [[pg 183]] -LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE A PLEINTIF. - - ¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt wene - {And} he þ{a}t hath hym self hat suffisaunce - Whi seysthow tha{n}ne y am [to] the so kene - Þ{a}t hast thy self owt of my gou{er}nau{n}ce 28 - Sey thus grau{n}t m{er}cy of thyn habou{n}dau{n}ce - That thow hast lent or this why wolt þ{o}u stryue - What woost thow yit how y the wol auau{n}ce - {And} ek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue 32 - - ¶ I haue the tawht deuisyou{n} by-twene - Frend of effect+ {and} frende of cowntenau{n}ce - The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene - Þ{a}t cureth eyen derkyd for penau{n}ce 36 - Now se[st] thow cleer þ{a}t weere in ignorau{n}ce - Yit halt thin ancre {and} yit thow mayst aryue - Ther bownte berth the keye of my substau{n}ce - {And} ek þ{o}u hast thy beste frende alyue 40 - - ¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigne - Syn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesau{n}ce - Wolthow thanne make a statute on þy quyene - Þ{a}t .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynau{n}ce 44 - Thow born art in my regne of varyau{n}ce - Abowte the wheel w{i}t{h} oother most thow dryue - My loore is bet than wikke is thi greuau{n}ce - {And} ek þou hast thy beste frende a-lyue 48 - - [Linenotes: - 37 _se[st]_--partly erased and _ist_ written on it in a later hand. - 41 _igne_ of _sustigne_ is in a later hand.] - - -LE RESPOU{N}CE DU PLEINTIF COU{N}TR{E} FORTUNE. - - [Sidenote: [fol. 54.]] - - ¶ Thy loor{e} y dempne / it is adu{er}syte - My frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesse - Þ{a}t .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to the - Tak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on p{re}sse 52 - The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse - P{re}nostik is thow wolt hir+ towr+ asayle - Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse [[pg 184]] - In general this rewle may nat fayle 56 - - -LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE COU{N}TR{E} LE PLEINTIF - - ¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte - For .I. the lente a drope of my rychesse - And now me lykyth to w{i}t{h}-drawe me - Whi sholdysthow my realte ap{re}sse 60 - The see may ebbe {and} flowen moor{e} or lesse - The welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayle - Ryht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesse - In general this rewle may nat fayle 64 - - -LE PLEINTIF - - ¶ Lo excussyou{n} of the maieste - Þ{a}t al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesse - That same thinge fortune clepyn ye - Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse 68 - The heuene hath p{ro}prete of sykyrnesse - This world hath eu{er} resteles trauayle - Thy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sse - In general this rewele may nat fayle 72 - - -LENUOY DE FORTUNE - - ¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowr{e} gentilesses - Lat nat this man on me thus crye {and} pleyne - And .I. shal quyte yow yowr{e} bysynesse - At my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne 76 - Þ{a}t but yow lest releue hym of hys peyne - Preyeth hys best frend of his noblesse - That to som beter{e} estat he may attayne - - - * * * * * - * * * * - - -_CHAUCER’S TEXT ONLY_ - -The following section contains the text alone of Chaucer’s translation -of _De Consolatione Philosophiae_, without the editor’s annotations. -It is followed by the Glossarial Index. - - - - -LIBER PRIMUS. - - -INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE. - -Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] - -++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of sorouful matere. -¶ Þat whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo -rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery -v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ v{er}ray teers. ¶ At þe leest no -drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses. þat þei ne were{n} felawes {and} -folweden my wey. þat is to seyne when I was exiled. þei þat weren glorie -of my youȝth whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now þe sorouful -werdes of me olde man. for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted by þe -harmes þat I haue. {and} sorou haþ comau{n}ded his age to be in me. -¶ Heeres hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and þe slak[e] -skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body. þilk[e] deeþ of men is welful þat ne -comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches -often yclepid. - -¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ cruel to{ur}neþ awey fro -wrecches {and} naieþ to closen wepyng eyen. ¶ While fortune vnfeiþful -fauored[e] me wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) þe sorouful houre þat -is to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. ¶ But now for -fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn -vnpitouse lijf draweþ a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. ¶ O ȝe my -frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful: for he þat haþ -fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree. - - -HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS. - - [Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]] - -++IN þe mene while þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges wiþ my self. -{and} markede my wepli compleynte wiþ office of poyntel. I saw stondyng -aboue þe heyȝt of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt -hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer þe comune myȝt of men. wiþ a -lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiþ swiche vigoure {and} strenkeþ þat it ne -myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. -þat men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere þat sche were of oure elde. þe -stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme sche -constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to þe comune mesure of -men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe -heyȝte of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche p{er}ced[e] -þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyng was i{n} ydel. ¶ Hir -cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delye þredes {and} subtil crafte of -p{er}durable matere. þe wyche cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen -hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng to me -þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forleten and dispised elde -had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages. -¶ In þe neþerest[e] hem or bordure of þese cloþes me{n} redden ywouen in -swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijf actif. And abouen þ{a}t -l{ett}re in þe heyȝest[e] bordure a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf -contemplatif. ¶ And by-twene þese two l{ett}res þere weren seien degrees -nobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wyche degrees men myȝt[en] clymbe -fro þe neþemast[e] l{ett}re to þe ouermast[e]. ¶ Naþeles hondes of su{m} -men hadde korue þ{a}t cloþe by vyolence {and} by strenkeþ. ¶ And -eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche peces as he myȝte geet[e]. -¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde. {and} in -hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þese poetical -muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges. -sche was a lytel ameued and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen. ¶ Who q{uo}d sche -haþ suffred ap{ro}chen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis of -siche a place þat men clepen þe theatr{e}. ¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen -not his sorowes. wiþ no remedies. but þei wolde fede {and} norysche hem -wiþ swete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornes {and} prykkynges -of talentȝ or affecciou{n}s wiche þat ben no þing frutefiyng nor -p{ro}fitable destroyen þe cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. ¶ For -þei holden þe hertes of men i{n} usage. but þei ne delyuere not folk fro -maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawen fro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any -vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable man as men ben wont to fynde comunely -amonges þe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously. ¶ For-why in -syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes weren no þing endamaged. ¶ But -ȝe wiþdrawen me þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles of -Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. ¶ But goþ now raþer awey ȝe -meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at þe laste. {and} suffreþ þis -man to be cured {and} heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful -sciences. ¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wroþely þe -chere adou{n}ward to þe erþe {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame þei -passeden sorowfuly þe þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged i{n} -teres was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe what þat woman was of so -i{m}perial auctorite. ¶ I wex al a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my -syȝt adoune in to þe erþe. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche -wolde don afterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun vpon þe -vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. {and} sche byholdyng my chere þat was -cast to þe erþe heuy {and} greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiþ þise -wordes þ{a}t I schal sey þe p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my þouȝt. - - -HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO. - - [Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]] - -++Allas how þe þouȝt of man dreint in ouer þrowyng depnesse dulleþ {and} -forletiþ hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. myntynge to gone in to foreyne -derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-oute{n} mesure. -þ{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiþ worldly wyndes. ¶ Þis man þat su{m}tyme -was fre to who{m} þe heuene was open {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone -in heuenelyche paþes. {and} sauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne. {and} -sauȝ þe sterres of þe colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} heuene vseþ -wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. ¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde -co{m}p{re}hendid al þis by noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And -ouer þis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyng wy{n}des -moeuen {and} bisien þe smoþe water of þe see. {and} what spirit turneþ -þe stable heuene. {and} whi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to -falle in þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lusty houres of þe -fyrste somer sesou{n} þat hiȝteþ {and} apparaileþ þe erþe wiþ rosene -floures. ¶ And who makeþ þat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle ȝeres -fletiþ wiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis ma{n} was wont to telle þe -dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid. ¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of -lyȝt of hys þouȝt. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiþ heuy cheynes {and} -bereþ his chere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and is -constreyned to loke on foule erþe. - - -SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS. - - [Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]] - -++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more þen of compleynte. -¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng to me warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen -saide. ¶ Art not þou he q{uo}d sche þat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiþ my -mylke {and} fostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage -of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þe syche armures þat ȝif þou þi self -ne haddest first caste hem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in -sykernesse þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not. Why art þou -stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer þat it were -for schame. but it semeþ me þat astony{n}ge haþ opp{re}ssed þe. ¶ And -whan sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office of tonge {and} -al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon my brest {and} seide. -¶ Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche. ¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. -whiche þat is a comune sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a -litel forȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly reme{m}bren hym -self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowe{n} me or now. {and} þat he may so -done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel -þinges ¶ Þise wordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garment yplitid -in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat were ful of þe wawes of my -wepynges. - - -TUNC ME DISCUSSA. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - -++Þus when þat nyȝt was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses -forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre aȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and -ryȝt by ensample as þe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is -to sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swifte wynde þat hyȝt -chorus. {and} þat þe firmame{n}t stont derked by wete ploungy cloudes. -and þat þe sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ -sprad vpo{n} erþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt borias sent out of þe -kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þis nyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it -away {and} descouereþ þe closed day. ¶ Þan schineþ pheb{us} yshaken wiþ -sodeyne lyȝt {and} smyteþ wiþ hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g eyen. - - -HAUT ALITER TRISTICIE. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] - -++Ryȝt so {and} none oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and} don -awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my -fyciscien. ¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my lokyng. -I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos houses I hadde conuersed {and} -haunted fro my ȝouþe. {and} I seide þus. ¶ O þou maistresse of alle -uertues descendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comen in to þis -solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comen for þ{o}u art mad coupable -wiþ me of fals[e] blames. ¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake þe -now. and scholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe charge þat -þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne -sittyng to philosophie to leten wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat -is i{n}nocent. ¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as þouȝ -þer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ For trowest þou þat -philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] -maneres. ¶ Haue I not stryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore -þe age of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of foly {and} eke þe same -plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful -deeþ in my presence. ¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe h{er}itage is -to seyne þe doctrine of þe whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of -felicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people of epicuriens -{and} stoyciens {and} many oþer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche -man for his part þat is to seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to -þe defence of his oppiniou{n} þe wordes of socrates. ¶ Þei as in -p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng þer aȝeins. -{and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloþes þat I hadde woue{n} wiþ myn -handes. {and} wiþ þe cloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. -þei wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ he{m} euery dele. In whiche -epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as þer semed[e] so{m}me traces -{and} steppes of myne habit. þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens {and} -stoyciens my familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me þoruȝ -þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] multitude of hem. ¶ Þis is to -seyne for þei semeden philosophres: þei weren p{ur}sued to þe deeþ and -slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilynge of anaxogore. ne þe -empoysenyng of socrates. ne þe to{ur}mentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] -straungers. ¶ Ȝit myȝtest þou haue knowe{n} þe senectiens {and} þe -Canyos {and} þe sorancis of wyche folk þe renou{n} is neyþer ouer oolde -ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellys ne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ -but oonly for þei weren enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste -vnlyke to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtest not to -wondre þouȝ þ{a}t I in þe bitter see of þis lijf be fordryuen wiþ -tempestes blowyng aboute. in þe whiche te{m}peste þis is my most -p{ur}pos þat is to seyn to displese to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche -schrews al be þe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis -gouerned wiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by flityng -errour folyly {and} lyȝtly. ¶ And if þei somtyme maky{n}g an ost -aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure leder draweþ to gedir hys -rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} þei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or -sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker fro -al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed in syche a -palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoying folye ne may not attayne. -¶ We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] þinges. - - -QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] - -++Who so it be þat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng. -þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e] wierdes {and} lokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer -fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace -of þe co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þe botme. ne schal not -moeue þat man. ne þe vnstable mountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ -oute þoruȝ hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey of þonder -lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures ne schal not mouene þat man. -¶ Wherto þen wrecches drede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wode {and} felownes -wiþ-outen ony strenkeþ. ¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat. {and} so -schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt. ¶ But who so þat -quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þat nis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man -þat so doþ haþ cast awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. -{and} enlaceþ hym i{n} þe cheyne wiþ whiche he may be drawen. - - -SENTIS NE INQUIT. - - [Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]] - -++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt in þi corage. -¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou -teres. ¶ Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere -þi wounde. ¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my corage answered[e] -{and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} .I. of rehersyng or of -amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of -fortune þat wexeþ woode aȝeynes me. ¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe -face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). ¶ Is þis þe -librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt certeyne sege to þe -i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou desputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of -þinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan myn habit -swiche as it is now. was þan my face or my chere swiche as now. - - [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.] - -¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þe secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my -maners {and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre of -heuene. - - [Interlinear: ironice] - -¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe to whom I haue be -obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist by þe mouþe of plato þis -sentence. þat is to seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren -blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom gouerneden þilke -þinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle þat þe gouernours of co{m}munalites -studieden in grete wisdomes. ¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same -plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire þe -gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe gou{er}nementes of comune -citees y-left in þe hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne -scholde not brynge inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode -folk. ¶ And þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng -to put[te] furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune -admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe among my -secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t put[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of -wise folk ben knowen wiþ me þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or -dignite: but þe comune studie of al goodenes. ¶ And þer-of comeþ it þat -by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. þat ne myȝten -not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. ¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of -conscience þat þe wraþþe of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me -for saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt. ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wiþstonde -þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat made alwey assautes aȝeins þe -p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put -of. or cast out hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe -wronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed. -¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by þe auctorite of me put -aȝeins p{er}ils. þat is to seine put myne auctorite in peril for þe -wreched pore folke. þat þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched -to{ur}mentid alwey wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. ¶ Neuer -man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe fortunes {and} þe -rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue -rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages. as sory was I as þei þat -suffred[e] þe harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of gothes in -a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede þat no ma{n} -ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere -greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it -knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat is to seyn comune -achat or bying to-gidere þat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a -manere imposiciou{n} as who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue -þe ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ ¶ Whan it was in þe soure hungry -tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n} -þat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe -p{ro}uince of co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe -pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it -so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect. ¶ Paulyn a -counseiller of Rome þe rychesse of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe -palays. þat is to seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} -couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem þat -gapede{n}. ¶ And for as myche as þe peyne of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged -byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a -counseiller of Rome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hates {and} -indignac{i}ou{n}s of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought -yseyn þat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self. but I -aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat for þe loue of -ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no þing to my self to hem ward of -þe kynges halle .s. officers. by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But -þoruȝ þe same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. ¶ Of þe noumbre of -whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme was chased out of þe kynges -seruice. is now co{m}pelled i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine -moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused me. al be it so -þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem boþe to go in to exil. -for her treccheries {and} fraudes wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche -iugement þei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy -houses. þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan þis was -ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e] but þat þei voided[e] þe citee -of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe -forheued wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what -þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis cruelte. For certys þilk same day -was receyued þe accusyng of my name by þilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What -may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng deserued þus. or ellys -þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no -(q.d. no{n}). ¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde nat -fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused. ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue -had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of -what gilt .I. am accused. men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie of -þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here in what manere .I. am accused -þat I scholde han distourbed þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche -he scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges Real maieste. -¶ O meistresse what demest þou of þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I -ne be no schame to þe (q. d. no{n}). ¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is -to seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne -it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but þe entent of þe accusour -to be destourbed schal cese. ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a -synne þat I haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat. and -certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ her decretȝ {and} hire -iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne -þe sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). ¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to -hym self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges. ¶ Ne .I. trowe not by þe -iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful to me to hide þe soþe. ne -assent[e] to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] -it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk. -¶ Of whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche as folk þat -ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it. ¶ I haue put it in -scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by -whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of Rome. What -app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of. Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde -ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben -at þe co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in alle nedys -haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m} may men hopen. Certys I -wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom myȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue -answered by þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was -accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and} -consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis -Canius answered[e] þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it. -In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat -schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly -how þat þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto done. For -why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. -¶ But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a meruaille. ¶ How þat in þe -p{re}se{n}t syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche þinges. -as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent. -¶ For whiche þing oon of þi familers not vnskilfully axed þus. ¶ Ȝif god -is. whennes comen wikked[e] þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes comen -goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat felonous folk þat now -desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe -senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey -bataile{n} {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit hadde I -not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of þe senatours þat þei -scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat -whan I wolde don or seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent -reweledest me. ¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe kyng gredy of -comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al þe ordre of þe -senat. þe gilt of his real maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was -accused. wiþ how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al þe -senat. ¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I auaunted[e] me neuer in -preysyng of my self. ¶ For alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse -renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe secre of -hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for -myne i{n}nocence. I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray -vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie had[de] euer iugis so -accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat -oþer errour of mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is -vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. þat is to -seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee or compassiou{n}. -¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused þat I wolde brenne holy houses. -{and} strangle p{re}stys wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed -deeþ to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han punysched me -p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. ¶ But now I am remewed fro þe Citee of -rome almost fyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned to -p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and} bountees þat I -haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ -nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuer ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame -as myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee. -þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it wiþ medelyng of some felonye. -þei beren me on honde {and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my -conscience wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys þou þi -self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute þe sege of my corage al -couetise of mortal þinges. ne sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a -place in me byforne þine eyen. ¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn -eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. þat is to -seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no -couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou -hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest me lyke to -god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre chaumbre of myn house. þat is to -seye my wijf {and} þe co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my -wyues fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ hys owen dedis. -defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For -þei þat accusen me taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame. -¶ For þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or -enchau{n}tementȝ by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiþ þi -techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners. ¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only -þat þi reuerence ne auayle me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer -be blemissed wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I haue -þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme. þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement -of myche folk ne loken no þing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe -aue{n}t{ur}e of fortune. ¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben -p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiþ. -_Glosa._ ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} -worþi to haue þat p{ro}sperite. and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked -man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to haue þat aduersite. -¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. {and} þer of comeþ þat good -gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to -þink[e] ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of me. ¶ And -þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of contrarious fortune is þis. þat -whan þat ony blame is laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued -þat he suffreþ. ¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men {and} despoiled -from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name by gessyng haue suffred torment -for my goode dedis. ¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of -wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se þat euery lorel -shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I -se þat goode men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery -luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben -excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ ne ben not oonly despoiled of -sykernesse but of defence {and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis -manere. - - -O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS. - - [Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]] - -++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche þat art fastned -to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng -sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t -þe mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng wiþ alle þe bemes of -þe sonne. ¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme -whan þe mone pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith hir -lyȝtes. ¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche þat in þe first[e] tyme of -þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed -cours. {and} is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is þan -cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter dwellyng in þe tyme -of colde wynter þat makeþ þe leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte -tides of þe nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen. ¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ] þo -variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde -bringeþ aȝein in þe first[e] somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat -hyȝt[e] boreas haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste -eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us} saw ben -waxen hey[e] cornes whan þe sterre sirius eschaufeþ hym. ¶ Þere nis no -þing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat. -¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne ende. why refusest -þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of men by dewe manere. ¶ Whi suffrest -þ{o}u þat slidyng fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges. -so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissitȝ -innocentȝ. ¶ And folk of wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers. -{and} anoienge folk treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy -men. ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke -dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame {and} þe peyne of þe -felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals -colo{ur} ne a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan hem lyst -to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne -kynges. whiche þ{a}t poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden. ¶ O þou what so -euer þou be þat knyttes[t] alle bondes of þinges loke on þise -wrecched[e] erþes. we men þat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of -so grete a werke we ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou -gouerno{ur} wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne -{and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ whiche þou gouernest -þe heuene þat is so large. - - -HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - -++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out þise þinges -sche wiþ hir chere peisible {and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes -seide þ{us}. whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] -on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer -þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be -þou fer fro þi contre. þou nart nat put out of it. but þou hast fayled -of þi weye {and} gon amys. ¶ and yif þou hast leuer forto wene þan þou -be put out of þi contre. þan hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony -oþer wyȝt haþ. ¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt[e] neuer haue don þat -to þe. ¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou art born. it nis not -gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren þe -contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god -þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of þe dwellyng of -hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it -is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to -his iustice. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi Citee. in þe -whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed þat what wyȝt þat haþ -leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. þen ellys where: he may -not be exiled by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened -in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis no drede þat -he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who þat letteþ þe wille forto -enhabit[e] þere. he forleteþ also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke -Citee. ¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me nat so -myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not raþer þe walles of þi -librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe -sete of þi þouȝt. In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte -þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is to sein þe -sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in -co{m}mune good. þou hast seid soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode -dedys. þou hast seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges -þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges þat be{n} knowe to -alle folk. and of þe felonies {and} fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it -semeþ þe haue I-touched it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten -þo same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth in þe mouþe of -þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou hast eke blamed gretly {and} -compleyned of þe wrongful dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my -blame. {and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune þat is appaired. -{and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat -gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in -þe l{att}re ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat -gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But for þat many -tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed þe. {and} sorwe {and} -Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee dyuersely ¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt. -myȝtyer remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche we wil[e] -vsen somedel lyȝter medicines. So þat þilk[e] passiou{n}s þat ben woxen -harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen -woxe esy {and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and} -more egre medicine by an esier touchyng. - - -CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]] - -++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by þe beme of pheb{us}. -þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre. -Who so ȝeueþ þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen -hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns -or okes. yif þou wilt gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode -whan þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of þe wynde þat -hyȝt aquilon ¶ Yif þou desirest or wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ -a gloto{n}us hande to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe -first somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer ȝeuen his -ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer. ¶ God tokeniþ {and} -assigneþ þe tymes. ablyng hem to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne -suffreþ not stoundes whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined -to be medeled to gidre ¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ certeyne ordinaunce -of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys -werkes. - - -PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] - -++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat of þi þouȝt by -a fewe demaundes. so þat I may vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi -curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I -schal answer{e}. ¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d sche -þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or -elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}. -Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere þat so certeyne þinges -scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker -{and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk. Ne neuer nas ȝit day þat -myȝt[e] putte me oute of þe soþenesse of þat sentence. ¶ So is it q{uod} -sche. for þe same þing songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest -{and} byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of god. ¶ For of -alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}. -but how (.i. pape.). I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen -þou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken depper. -I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne -doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche -gouernailes takest þou hede þat it is gouerned. ¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe -.I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat ȝit answeren -to þi demaundes. ¶ I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ -su{m}what. by whiche þe maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi -þouȝt. so as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open. ¶ But seye me -þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of þi þinges. whider þat þe -entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} -.I. but drerynesse haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche þou wost -wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded. I wot wel -q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] þat god is þe bygynnyng of al. ¶ And how -may þis be q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of þinges. -þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of þinges. but swiche ben þe -customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} þis power þei han. þat þei may -moeue a ma{n} fro hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and} -p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al arace hym ne -alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat þou woldest answere to þis. -¶ Remembrest þou þat þou art a man ¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat -remembre þat q{uod} .I. _Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste þou not telle me þan -q{uod} sche what þing is a man. ¶ Axest not me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a -resonable best mortel. I wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it. -¶ Wistest þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she. No q{uod} -.I. now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete -¶ Þou hast left forto knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue -pleynelyche knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe entre of -recoueryng of þin hele. ¶ Forwhy for þou art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng -of þi self. forþi sorwest þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes. -¶ And for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest [þou] -þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful for þou hast -forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest -þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}. -þise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to -deeþ ¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of heele þat nat{ur}e haþ -not al forleten þe. {and} I haue g[r]ete norissinges of þi hele. {and} -þat is þe soþe sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde. þat þou -byleuest þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput to þe -folie of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe resou{n} of god ¶ And þer -fore doute þe noþing. For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal -shine. ¶ But for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies -¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte as þei casten -aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of -which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ -vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say -somwhat to maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies. -so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. þou -mow[e] knowe þe schynyng of verray lyȝt. - - -NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]] - -++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no -lyȝt. Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g -þe see medleþ þe heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme ¶ Þe -wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to þe fair[e] -bryȝt[e] dayes wiþstant anon þe syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure -þat is resolued. {and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro -heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by þe -encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some -roche. ¶ And forþi yif þou wilt loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt. -{and} holde þe weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe. ¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe -drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. þat is to sein lat -noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. or blynde þe. for cloudy -{and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise -þinges regnen. - - EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS. - - - - -INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS. - - -POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]] - -++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde gadred by -atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she seide þus. ¶ As who so myȝt[e] -seye þus. After þise þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she -ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to herkene -hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif I q{uod} she haue -vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe causes {and} þe habit of þi -maladie. þou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi -raþer fortune. ¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou -feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe astat of þi -corage. ¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke -merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite -wiþ hem þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde wiþ -vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left in despeir vnpurueyed. ¶ and if -þou remembrest wel þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune. -þow shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any -fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don þe remembren -of þise þinges. ¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir wiþ -manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and} -p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre. -þat is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} ¶ But no sudeyne -mutac{i}ou{n} ne bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. -and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro þe pees of þi -þouȝt. but now is tyme þat þou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and} -delitable þinges. so þat whan þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make -weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes. ¶ Com nowe furþe þerfore þe -suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil -she forsakeþ not myne estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a -damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s -now heuyer. what ayleþ þe man. what is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng -{and} in to wepyng. I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and} -uncouþe. ¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe ¶ But þou wenest -wrong. yif þou [þat] wene. Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer -[kept] as to þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre -self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e] þe. {and} desseiued[e] -þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse. þou hast now knowen -{and} ataynt þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse -fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir to oþer folk. haþ -shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat -she is good. vse hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat. ¶ And if þou agrisest -hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat pleyeþ so -harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so myche sorwe to þe. sholde be -to þe cause of pees {and} [of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe -whiche þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake hym. _Glose._ -¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe -ne þer nis no man syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken. ¶ Holdest þou þan -þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen. {and} is p{re}sent -fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis not feiþful forto dwelle. {and} -whan she goþ aweye þat she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat -be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche whe{n} she -dep{ar}teþ fro hym. ¶ What oþer þing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere -shewyng of wrycchednesse þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly -to loken of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but wisdom -lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges. {and} þe same chau{n}gyng from -one to an oþer. þat is to seyne fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat -þe manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of hir -to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe to suffren wiþ euene -wille in pacience al þat is don inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to -seyne in þis worlde. ¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke -of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to -fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely to be þi lady ¶ Art þou nat -wrongful in þat {and} makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin -inpacience. {and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir. ¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest -[{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt be shouen not þider -þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest -þi seedes in þe feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben oþer -while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne. ¶ Þou hast bytaken þiself -to þe gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt -to þe manere of þi lady. and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden -þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng whele. ¶ O þou fool of -alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan -to ben fortune. - - -HEC CUM SUPERBA. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.] - -++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid hir chau{n}gyng -stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners of þe boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ -Eurippe is an arme of þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe -streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. _Texte_ ¶ She cruel -fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren ydred. {and} she -deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble chere of hym þat is discomfited. -{and} she neyþer hereþ ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is -so harde þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche she haþ -maked wepe wiþ hir free wille. ¶ Þus she pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ -hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif -þat a wyȝt is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre. - - -VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA. - - [Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]] - -++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge þe wordes of fortune -tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t she axeþ ryȝt. ¶ O þou man wher fore -makest þou me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges haue I -don þe. what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren þine. stryf or plete wiþ -me by fore what iuge þat þou wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of -dignites ¶ And yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ -receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan wol I graunt[e] -frely þat [alle] þilke þinges were{n} þine whiche þat þou axest. ¶ Whan -þat nature brouȝt[e] þe forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe -naked {and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my rychesse. -{and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to sustene þe. ¶ And -þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe -habundaunce {and} shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt. ¶ Now it -lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace as he þat haþ vsed -of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest -vtterly lorn alle þi þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no -wrong. Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my ryȝt. ¶ My -seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten -whan I wende. I dar wel affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche -þou pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne haddest not -lorn he{m}. ¶ shal I þan only be defended to vse my ryȝt. ¶ Certis it is -leueful to þe heuene to make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe -same dayes wiþ derke nyȝtes. ¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile þe -visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ fruyt. {and} to -confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} wiþ coldes. ¶ Þe see haþ eke -hys ryȝt to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and} -somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes. ¶ But þe couetyse -of men þat may not be staunched shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat -stedfastnesse is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe. {and} -þis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g whele wiþ þe -tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and} -þe heyest to þe loweste. worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. -þat þou ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende dou{n} whanne -resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it. Wost þou not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of -whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche -Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be brent. but þat a -reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it -out of þi mynde how þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe kyng -of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe self[e] kyng. What -oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of Tragedies. but only þe dedes of -fortune. þat wiþ an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley -¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme -þat endiþ in wrechednesse. Lernedest nat þou in grek whan þou were ȝonge -þat in þe entre or in þe seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. -þat on is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme. ¶ What ryȝt hast þou to -pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously of þe goode syde þat is to -seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be -nat departed fro þe. What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause -of hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges. ¶ Naþeles desmaie þe nat in þi -þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e] nat -to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt. - - -SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS. - - [Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]] - -++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiþ ful horn. -{and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As many recches as þe see turneþ -vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as -many rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe sterry nyȝt. -Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to wope wrecched[e] pleyntes. -¶ And al be it so þat god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem -as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ noble or -clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. but alwey her cruel -ravyne deuourynge al þat þei han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to -seye gapen {and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse. ¶ What brideles myȝten -wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere -þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe -þrest of hauyng. ¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ hym seluen -nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche. - - -HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE. - - [Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]] - -++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in þis manere. For -soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any -þi{n}g wherwiþ. þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It byhoueþ -þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to tellen it. ¶ Certeynely -q{uod} I þan þise ben faire þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of -rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben -deliciouse. ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. þis is to -seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat þei suffren more greuously þan þe -remedies or þe delites of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so -þat whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. þe sorwe þat is -inset greueþ þe þouȝt. Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For þise ne ben ȝit -none remedies of þi maladie. but þei ben a manere norissinges of þi -sorwe ȝit rebel aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal -moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe. ¶ But naþeles þ{a}t þou -shalt not wilne to leten þi self a wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe -nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi welefulnesse. I holde me stille how þat -þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and} kepynge whan þou -were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of -p{r}inces of þe Citee. ¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere -þan0 forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse kynde -of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne -seide þou nere ryȝt weleful wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe. -¶ {And} wiþ þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and} -noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi sones {and} ou{er} -al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. ¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt -dignitees þat weren warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now -to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal -þinges may han any weyȝte or price of welefulnesse. ¶ Myȝtest þou euere -forȝeten for any charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce -of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad -to gidre from þin house vndir so gret assemble of senatours. {and} vndir -þe blyþenesse of poeple. {and} whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in -her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere of kynges -p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of eloquence. whan þou -sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. -{and} fulfildest þe abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about -þe wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. þo -ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat is to seyne. þo feffedest þou -fortune wiþ glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] -þe {and} norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast had of fortune a -ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to p{re}ue -man ¶ Wilt þou þerfore leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune. she haþ now -twynkeled first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere þe -nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi sorwes. þou maist -nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful. For if þou þerfore wenest þi self -nat weleful for þinges þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat -whi þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now semen soory -passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe -or tabernacle of þis lijf. or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in -mannis þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same man. þat is -to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is -þer any feiþ þat fortunous þinges willen dwelle. ȝit naþeles þe last[e] -day of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also to -þilke þat haþ dwelt. {and} þerfore what wenist þou þar recche yif þou -forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she fortune forlete þe i{n} -fleenge awey. - - -CUM PRIMO POLO. - - [Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]] - -++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h} -rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd paleþ hir white cheres. by þe -flamus of þe so{n}ne þat ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn -whan þe sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir lyȝt for -þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne. ¶ Whan þe wode wexeþ redy of rosene -floures in þe first somer sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus -þat wexeþ warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. þan goþ -awey þe fayrnesse of þornes. Ofte þe see is clere {and} calme wiþoute -moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng -tempestes {and} ouer whelweþ þe see. ¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde is so -[ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many entrechau{n}gynges. -wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou -trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe -p{er}durable þat no þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable. - - -TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]] - -++ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I -may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e] swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. þat is to -seine. þat p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} soone. -but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it remembreþ me. ¶ For in -alle aduersitees of fortune þe most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune -is to han ben weleful. ¶ But þat þou q{uo}d she abaist þus þe to{ur}ment -of þi fals[e] opiniou{n} þat maist þou not ryȝtfully blamen ne aretten -to þinges. as who seiþ for þou hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. -¶ _Textus._ For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse -moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] -þinges þou hast ȝit plentee. ¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou -haddest for most p{re}cious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept to -þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. Mayst þou þa{n} pleyne -ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune. syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] -þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit lyueþ in goode poynt þilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of -mankynde.¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a man maked al of -sapience {and} of vertue. þe whiche man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe -pris of þin owen lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. {and} -not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any sentence put aȝeins -him. ¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat is attempre of witte {and} passyng oþer -women in clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes -she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ looþ of hir -life. {and} kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. {and} is al maat {and} -ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing -only I mot graunten þat þi welefulnesse is amenused. ¶ What shal I seyn -eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children of hir age þer -shineþ þe lyknesse of þe witte of hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir. and -siþen þe souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} -lyues. ¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes. ¶ But ȝitte ben -þer þinges dwelly{n}g to þe wardes þat no man douteþ þat þei ne ben more -derworþe to þe þen þine owen lijf. ¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte -nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ou{er} greet tempest -haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer -wole suffre þe comfort of þis tyme p{re}sent. ne þe hope of tyme comynge -to passen ne to falle{n}. ¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I þat fast[e] mot[en] -þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so eu{er}e þat þinges ben. -I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen. ¶ But þou mayst wel seen how -greet[e] apparailes {and} aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me. -¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forþered þe q{uod} she. if þat þou -anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As who seiþ. ¶ I haue -somwhat comforted þe so þat þou tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. -syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ But I may nat suffre þin delices. -þat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for þat oþer lakkeþ somwhat to -þi welefulnesse. ¶ For what man is so sad or of so p{er}fit -welefulnesse. þat he ne stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe -qualitee of his estat. ¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciou{n} -of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it -lasteþ not p{er}petuely. ¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is -asshamed of hys vngentil lynage. {and} som man is renomed of noblesse of -kynrede. but he is enclosed in so grete angre for nede of þinges. þat -hym were leuer þat he were vnknowe. and som ma{n} habundeþ boþe i{n} -rychesse {and} noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e] lijf. for he -haþ no wijf. ¶ and som man is wel {and} selily maried but he haþ no -children. {and} norissheþ his ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. -¶ And som man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for þe -trespas of his son or of his douȝtir. ¶ and for þis þer accordeþ no wyȝt -lyȝtly to þe condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. for alwey to euery man þere -is i{n} mest somwhat þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat -he haþ assaied. ¶ {And} adde þis also þat euery weleful man haþ a wel -delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle þinges fallen at hys owen wille -for he inpacient or is nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is -þrowe adoũne for euery lytel þing. ¶ And ful lytel þinges ben þo þat -wiþdrawen þe so{m}me or þe p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse fro hem þat -ben most fortunat. ¶ How many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to -ben almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e] p{ar}tie of -þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place þat þou clepist exil is -contre to hem þat enhabiten here. {and} forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan -þou wenest it ¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt ellys nys no -wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his -corage. - - -CONTRAQ{UE}. - -++And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe agreablete or by -þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it. ¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful -þat nolde chau{n}ge{n} his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse -of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses. þe whiche -welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete {and} ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit -may it not be wiþ-holden þat it ne goþ away whan it wol. ¶ Þan is it wel -sen how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges. þat neiþ{er} it -dwelliþ p{er}petuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune receyuen agreablely or -egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in al. to hem þat ben anguissous. ¶ O ye -mortel folkes what seke ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche -þat is put in ȝoure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}deþ ȝow ¶ I -shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne blisfulnesse. Is þer any -þing to þe more p{re}ciouse þan þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay. ¶ Þan if -it so be þat þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee -of þi soule. þan hast þou þing i{n} þi power þat þou noldest neuer -lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe. {and} þat þou mayst knowe þat -blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous {and} -te{m}perel. ¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir þus yif -blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat liueþ by resou{n} ¶ Ne -þilke þing nis nat souereyne goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. -for more worþi þing {and} more digne is þilke þing þ{a}t may nat be -taken awey. ¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse of fortune may nat -attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer. ¶ What man -þat þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat [it] is -chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. ¶ And yif he woot it not. what -blisful fortune may þer be in þe blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he -woot þat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þ{a}t he ne lese þat -þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it. ¶ As whoo seiþ he -mot ben alwey agast lest he leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For -whiche þe continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben weleful. -¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit. -¶ Certis eke þat is a ful lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan -it is loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force. of þe lost þan -of þe hauynge. ¶ And for as myche as þou þi self art he to who{m} it haþ -ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot -wel þat þe soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke syn it is -clere. {and} certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse endiþ by þe deeþ of þe -body. ¶ It may nat ben douted þat yif þat deeþ may take awey -blysfulnesse þat al þe kynde of mortal þi{n}g{us} ne descendiþ in to -wrecchednesse by þe ende of þe deeþ. ¶ And syn we knowen wel þat many a -man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. -but eke wiþ suffryng of peynes {and} to{ur}mentes. how myȝt[e] þan þis -p{re}sent lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e] lijf is -endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches. - - -QUISQUIS UOLET P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]] - -++What maner man stable {and} war þat wil founden hym a p{er}durable -sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde -Eurus. {and} wil dispise þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe -to bilde on þe cop of þe mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in þe moyste sandes. ¶ For -þe fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}menteþ þe cop of þe mou{n}tayngne wiþ alle -his strengþes. ¶ and þe lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte. -{and} forþi yif þou wolt flee þe p{er}ilous auenture þat is to seine of -þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn þi house of a myrie site in -a lowe stoone. ¶ For al þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ -ouereþrowynges ¶ Þou þat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by strengþe of -þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng þe wodenesses and þe Ires of -þe eir. - - -SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - -++But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to -þe. I trowe it were tyme to vsen a litel strenger medicynes. ¶ Now -vndirstonde here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat -brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. what is þer in hem þat may be þine in any tyme. -or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be considered {and} lokid -p{er}fitely. ¶ Richesse ben þei p{re}ciouse by þe nature of hem self. or -ellys by þe nature of þe. What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it nat -golde or myȝt of moneye assembled. ¶ Certis þilke golde {and} þilke -moneye shineþ {and} ȝeueþ better renou{n} to hem þat dispenden it. þen -to þilke folke þat mokeren it. For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be -hated. {and} largesse makeþ folke clere of renou{n} ¶ For syn þat swiche -þi{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ -no man. Certis þan is þilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in -to oþer folk. {and} stynteþ to ben had by vsage of large ȝeuy{n}g of hym -þat haþ ȝeuen it. {and} also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world -were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men to ben nedy as -of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge -fulfilleþ to gyder þe heryng of myche folke. but Certys ȝoure rycchesse -ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng ¶ And whan þei -ben apassed. nedys þei maken hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses. ¶ O -streite {and} nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne] may -nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man wiþ-oute pouerte of al -oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge of ge{m}mes þat I clepe p{re}ciouse -stones. draweþ it nat þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne -for þe beaute. ¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte in shynyng of -stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones hem self. {and} nat of men. -¶ For whiche I wondre gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For -whi what þing is it þat yif it wa{n}teþ moeuyng {and} ioynture of soule -{and} body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen a faire creature to hym þat haþ a -soule of resou{n}. ¶ For al be it so þat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a -litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent of hir creato{ur} -{and} þoruȝ þe distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. ȝit for as myche as þei ben -put vndir ȝoure excellence. þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe -shullen merueylen on hem. ¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ it nat -mychel vnto ȝow. _Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat deliten vs. syn þat it is -a ryȝt fayr porciou{n} of þe ryȝt fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis -worlde. ¶ And ryȝt so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan it -is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene {and} on þe sterres. {and} -on þe sonne. {and} on þe mone. _Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teineþ q{uo}d she -any of þilke þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge of -any swiche þinges. Art þou distingwed {and} embelised by þe spryngyng -floures of þe first somer sesou{n}. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of -somer. whi art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies. why enbracest þou straunge -goodes as þei weren þine. Fortune shal neuer maken þat swiche þinges ben -þine þat nature of þinges maked foreyne fro þe. ¶ Syche is þat -wiþ-oute{n} doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe norssinge of -bestes. ¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi nede after þat it suffiseþ to -nature þan is it no nede þat þou seke after þe sup{er}fluite of fortune. -¶ For wiþ ful fewe þinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel þing nature halt hire -appaied. {and} yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wiþ -sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys þilke þinges þ{a}t þou wilt þresten or pouren in -to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies. ¶ Wenest þou eke -þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse cloþing. of whiche cloþing -yif þe beaute be agreable to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of -þe matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat wrouȝt[e] hem. -but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ þat a blisful man. þe whiche -seruauntes yif þei ben vicioũs of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge -{and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to þe house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to þe lorde -hym self ¶ {And} yif þei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or foreyne -goodenes ben put in þe nou{m}bre of þi rycchesse. so þ{a}t by alle þise -forseide þinges. it is clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat -þou accou{m}ptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode. ¶ In þe whiche -þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired. whi sholdest þou be sory yif -þou leese hem. or whi sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem. ¶ For if -þei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}teneþ þat to þe. for as wel -sholde þei han ben faire by hem self. þouȝ þei were{n} dep{ar}tid from -alle þin rycchesse. ¶ For-why faire ne p{re}cioũs ne weren þei nat. for -þat þei comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair {and} -p{re}cious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem amonges þi rycchesse. -but what desirest þou of fortune wiþ so greet a noyse {and} wiþ so greet -a fare ¶ I trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce of þinges. -¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe contrarie. for whi certys it -nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse -ostelmentȝ. and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat -many[e] þinges han. {and} aȝeyneward of litel nediþ hem þat mesuren hir -fille after þe nede of kynde {and} nat after þe outrage of couetyse ¶ Is -it þan so þat ye men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in ȝow. For whiche -ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in foreine {and} subgit þinges. -¶ So is þan þe condic{i}ou{n} of þinges turned vpso dou{n}. þat a man -þat is a devyne beest by merit of hys resou{n}. þinkeþ þat hy{m} self -nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ possessiou{n} of -ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules. ¶ And certys al oþ{er} þi{n}ges ben -appaied of hire owen beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by -ȝour{e} resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝour{e} excellent kynde of -þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g ȝe don -to ȝoure creato{ur}. for he wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi {and} -noble of any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adou{n} ȝoure dignitees -by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges. ¶ For if þat al þe good of euery þing be -more p{re}ciouse þan is þilk þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat -þe foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten ȝe {and} putten -ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by ȝoure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And -certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ out ȝour{e} desert. For certys swiche is þe -co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it -self. þan passeþ it i{n} noblesse alle oþer þinges. and whan it forletiþ -þe knowyng of it self. þan it is brouȝt byneþen alle beestes. ¶ For-why -alle oþer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem self. but whan -þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self. it comeþ hem of vice. but how -brode sheweþ þe erro{ur} {and} þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony -þing may ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but for-soþe þat -may nat be don. for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ þi{n}ges þat ben put to hym. -as þus. yif þilke þinges shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled. -¶ Certis þilke þinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiþ whiche he is -apparailled. ¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is couered {and} wrapped vndir -þat dwelleþ in his filþe. and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ -hym þat haþ it. ¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay. ¶ Certys rycchesse -han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe rycchesse. ¶ Syn þat euery wicked -shrew {and} for hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes -rycchesse wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or p{re}cious -stones. {and} weniþ hym only most worþi þat haþ hem ¶ þou þan þat so -besy dredest now þe swerde {and} þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe -paþe of þis lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e] by-fore -þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ no rycchesse on hym by þe -weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben -robbed. ¶ O preciouse {and} ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of mortal -rycchesse. þat wha{n} þou hast geten it. þan hast þou lorn þi -syke[r]nesse. - - -FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]] - -++Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem apaied wiþ þe metes -þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] -not hem self wiþ outerage. ¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken her hunger -at euene wiþ acornes of okes ¶ þei ne couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus -to þe clere hony. þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre. ne -þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe co{n}tre of siriens wiþ þe -venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei couþe nat dien white flies of -sirien contre wiþ þe blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in -tyrie. wiþ whiche blode men deien purper. ¶ þei slepen holesom slepes -vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng watres. {and} laien vndir þe -shadowe of þe heyȝe pyne trees. ¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf -ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne hadden seyne ȝitte -none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse in to dyuerse co{n}tres. ¶ þo -weren þe cruel clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille. ne blode yshed by -egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers. for wherto or whiche -woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen armes. whan þei seien cruel -woundes ne none medes ben of blood yshad ¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde -turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres. ¶ But þe anguissous loue of hauyng -brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe fijr of þe Mou{n}taigne of Ethna -þat euer brenneþ. ¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or þe -weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. {and} þe p{re}cious stones þat -wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious perils. þat is to seyne þat he -þat hem first vp dalf. he dalf vp a p{re}cious peril. for-whi. for þe -p{re}ciousnesse of swyche haþ many man ben in peril. - - -QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]] - -++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. þe whiche [ye] men -þ{a}t neiþer knowen verray dignitee ne verray power areysen hem as heye -as þe heuene. þe whiche dignitees {and} powers yif þei come to any -wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as doþ -þe fla{m}me of þe Mou{n}taigne Ethna whan þe fla{m}me wit walwiþ vp ne -no deluge ne doþ so cruel harmes. ¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel as I trowe -þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie of {con}sulers þe whiche -þat somtyme was bygynnyng of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han -don a-wey þat dignitee for þe p{r}ide of þe conseilers. ¶ And ryȝt for -þe same p{r}ide ȝoure eldres byforne þat tyme hadden don awey out of þe -Citee of rome þe kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no lenger -no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þ{a}t dignitees {and} powers ben ȝeuen to -goode men. þe whiche þing is ful ȝelde. what agreable þi{n}ges is þer in -þo dignitees. or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem. -¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ur} ne comeþ nat to vertue for cause of -dignite. but aȝeinward. hono{ur} comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue. -but whiche is ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere {and} so requerable -¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche þing þat it semeþ -þat ȝe han power. ¶ Now yif þou say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} oþer myse þat -chalenged[e] to hymself ward ryȝt {and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how -gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So fareþ it by men. þe -body haþ power ouer þe body. For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt -what þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde. þe whiche ben -ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of -crepyng wormes in to þe priuetees of mennes bodyes. ¶ But wher shal men -fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any ryȝt vpon an oþer ma{n} -but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe -body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s ¶ Mayst þou euer haue any -comaundement ouer a fre corage ¶ Mayst þou remuen fro þe estat of hys -p{ro}pre reste. a þouȝt þat is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast -resou{n}. ¶ As somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of -corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment to maken hym -dyscoueren {and} acusen folk þat wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I -clepe a confederacie þat was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt ¶ But þis free man -boot of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in þe visage of þilke woode -tyrau{n}te. ¶ So þat þe to{ur}mentȝ þat þis tyrau{n}t wende to han maked -mater{e} of cruelte. þis wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. ¶ But -what þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he ne may receyue -þe same þing of oþer folke i{n} hym self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don -to folk. þat folk ne may don hym þe same. ¶ I haue herd told of -busirides þat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden in hys -hous. and he was slayn hym self of ercules þat was hys gest ¶ Regulus -had[de] taken in bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to -fetteres. but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to ben bounden -w{i}t{h} þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de] somtyme ou{er}comen. ¶ Wenest -þou þan þat he be myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don -hym. þat he doþ to oþer. {and} ȝit more ou{er} yif it so were þat þise -dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self -neuer nolden þei comen to shrewes. ¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben not -wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ þat contra[r]ious -þinges ben yioigned. ¶ And so as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk -han dignitees ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees {and} powers -ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren hem self to -cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes. ¶ And certys þe same þing may most -digneliche Iugen {and} seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune þat most -plenteuously comen to shrewes. ¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I trowe þat it -auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ þat he nis strong. in whom he -seeþ strengþe. {and} in whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is -swyfte. Also musyk makeþ musiciens. {and} fysik makeþ phisiciens. {and} -rethorik rethoriens. ¶ For whi þe nature of euery þing makiþ his -p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat ent{er}medled wiþ þe effect{is} of -co{n}trarious þinges. ¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it -ben contrarie ¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne auarice -vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a ma{n} myȝty ouer hym self. -whiche þat vicious lustis holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat -ben vnbounden. {and} dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e] folk nat -oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ raþer al openly þat þei ben -vnworþi {and} vndigne. ¶ And whi is it þ{us}. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye -to clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in þe -co{n}t{ra}rie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued by þe effect of þe -same þinges. so þat þise ilke rycchesse ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben -cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne -whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee. ¶ And at þe laste I -may conclude þe same þinge of al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis -no þing to ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte. ¶ as it -is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men. -ne maken hem alwey goode to who{m} þei be{n} y-ioigned. - - -NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT. - - [Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]] - -++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}s -weren doñ by þe Emp{er}oure Nero. ¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome -{and} made slen þe senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer. -{and} he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is to seyn he -let sleen {and} slitte{n} þe body of his modir to seen where he was -conceiued. {and} he loked[e] on euery half vpon hir colde dede body. ne -no tere ne wette his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben -domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. ¶ And ȝitte neuerþeles gouerned[e] -þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng -from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat -is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial þat þe -so{n}ne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And eke þis Nero goueyrende by -Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe -seuene triones. þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben -vndir þe p{ar}ties of þe norþe. ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] alle þe -poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ {and} bakiþ þe brennynge -sandes by his drie hete. þat is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe. -[but yit ne myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of this -wykkyd nero / Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as ofte as wicked -swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is to sein. venimous cruelte to -lordshipe. - - -TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] - -++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe couetise of mortal -þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of -þinges to done. as who seiþ. I desired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce -ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne sholde not elden. þat is to -seyn. þat list þat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. -ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For -whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his goode gouernement. -¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d she. {and} þat is a þing þat may -drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir -nature. but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as ben -y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is to seyn -couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred þe comune -þinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of þe comune. for se now -{and} considere how litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie. -¶ Certeine þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of -astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute ne halt but þe -resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse of heuene. þat is to -seye. þat yif þat þer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe -gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde no -space ¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde þe ferþe partie is -enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned -by tholome þat p{ro}uitħ it. ¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated -in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe see {and} [the] -mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as þe regiou{n} of -droughte ou{er}streccheþ. þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ -sholde þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of men. -{and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ i{n}ne þe leest[e] -prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don -ȝoure name to ben born forþe. but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and} -so streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinþe it in -largesse {and} in greet doynge. And also sette þis þer to þat many a -nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of -hir lyuyng ben enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe -whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what for -diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of vnusage -entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe names of singler men ne -may [nat] strecchen. but eke þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen. -¶ At þe last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writeþ in -his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed -ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was -þilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes. and eke -of oþer folk enhabityng aboute. ¶ Sest þou nat þan how streit {and} how -comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} -to multiplie. May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider as -þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne passen. ¶ And eke sest -þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben -discordau{n}t amonge hem self. so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen -worþi of p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. ¶ and -þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. -he ne may nat i{n} no wise bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many -manere peoples. ¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben paied of -hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen neyȝbores. ¶ And þilke noble -renou{n} shal be restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but -how many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe nedy {and} wrecched -forȝetynge of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey. ¶ Al be it so -þat certys þilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe -{and} derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. but ȝe -men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe þenke þat in tyme comyng -ȝoure fame shal lasten. ¶ But naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} -to þe endeles space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou maist -reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name. ¶ For if þer were maked -co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for -as myche as boþe þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some -porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be. ¶ But naþeles þilke self -nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as þer to may be multiplied. -ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to þe p{er}durablete þat is -een[de]les. ¶ For of þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but -of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende may be -maked no {com}parysou{n}]. ¶ And for þi is it al þouȝ renou{n} of as -longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken were þouȝt by þe regard of -et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly -semen litel. but pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne don -no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. {and} for ydel -rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse of conscience {and} of -vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of -st{ra}nge folke. ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of -whiche p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} -myrily swiche vanite. somtyme þere was a man þat had[de] assaied wiþ -striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe whiche nat for vsage of verrey -vertue. but for proude veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe -name of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of þouȝt[e] he wolde -assay[e] where he þilke were a philosopher or no. þat is to seyne yif he -wolde han suffred lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges þat weren don vnto -hym. ¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan -he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and} -reioysynge of hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest þou -nat þat I am a philosophere. þat oþer man answered[e] aȝein ful bityngly -{and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n} -þi tonge stille. ¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men. For certys of -swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ vertue. what is it q{uo}d -she. what atteiniþ fame to swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe -deeþ. atte þe last[e]. ¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is to -seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n} defendiþ vs to -byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie -ben. for he of who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no -wise. and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of goode werkes -vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe wendeþ frely to þe heuene. -dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} -heuene reioiseþ þat it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith / -thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this world]. - - -QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE. - - [Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]] - -++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie of fame. {and} -weniþ þat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng -contreys of þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and} -he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may nat fulfille þe -litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon -hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde. ¶ For al þouȝ -[þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ by dyuerse -tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiþ clere titles -of hono{ur}s. ȝit naþeles deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and} -deeþ wrappeþ to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal -{and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e]. ¶ where wone{n} now þe bones -of trewe fabricius. what is now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit -lastynge of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres. but al þouȝ we -han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of hem. it is nat ȝeuen to -knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and} consumpt. Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly -vnknowable ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene to lyuen þe -leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe -ȝow. þan is þe secunde deeþ dwellyng in ȝow. _Glosa._ þe first deeþ he -clepiþ here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and þe secunde -deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of þe renoune of fame. - - -[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA. - - [Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]] - -++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she þ{a}t I bere -vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t -she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t -is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt -/ {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat -þ{a}t .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle / -{and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. -deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune -debonayr{e} // For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth -falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe -{con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she sheweth hir self -vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / -the contrarye fortune techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} -the beaute of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the -contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse -// the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / -{and} eu{er}e mysknowynge of hir self // the contrarye fortune is -a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte // -at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth mys -wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos fortune ledith -ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} -an hooke / weenesthow thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel -thing / þ{a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / -the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune hath -departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the certeyn vysages {and} ek the -dowtos visages of thy felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / -she took awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // now whan thow -wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} how mochel -woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the -knowynge of thy verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse -.I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses -þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes. - - -QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE. - - [Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]] - -++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges -// þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ holden among{e} hem self -aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene -chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath -{com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue -sterre hat browt // þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a -certeyn ende hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche -hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn to -cou{er}e alle the erthe // Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges is bownden -w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also -{com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes / {and} yif this looue slakede the -brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a -batayle contynuely {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde -/ the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this -looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} -knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth -lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue -þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages / - - EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_. - - - - -INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3._^us_ - - -IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]] - -++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse of hir{e} -ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous of herkninge / {and} -.I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the -bet / what she wolde seye // so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde -thus // O thow þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So -thow hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy -sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe nat -now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as who seyth. I. -dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro -hyr // {and} tho remedies whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren -ryht sharpe Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. -desiros of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // than seyde she -thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan þ{a}t thow ententyf -{and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow -haddest swych habyte of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl -þ{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which þ{a}t is a -moore verray thing{e} // And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges þ{a}t ben -yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst whan men tasten hem they ben -bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben -they swete // but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to herkne -hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow glowen / yif thow wystest -whyder .I. wol leden the // whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. // to thilke -verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // but -for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by Imagynasyon of -herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse // -do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. -preye the w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she -/ for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by wordes / {and} -I wol enforcen me to enformen the // thilke false cause of blysfulnesse -þ{a}t thow more knowest / so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke -false goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow mowe -knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //] - - -QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]] - -¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of þornes -{and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe -corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins. hony is þe more swete -yif mouþes han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke. ¶ þe sterres -shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his ploungy blastes. -{and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe -day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe rosene horse of þe sonne. ¶ Ryȝt so þou -byholdyng first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] fro þe -ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe verrey goodes -sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage. - - -TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]] - -++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow hir ryȝt -as it were in to þe streite sete of hir þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt -þ{us}. Alle þe cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem -i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. ¶ But naþeles -þei enforced hem to comen oonly to on ende of blisfulnesse [And -blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer -þat no þing more desiire. and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat -conteiniþ in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode yif þere -failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For þan were -þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben -desired. Now is it clere {and} certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a -p{er}fit estat by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. ¶ þe whiche -blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by -dyuerse weyes. ¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode is naturely -y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ -hem in to fals[e] goodes. ¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat -souereygne goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing. {and} -t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. and some oþer men -deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences. -{and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe -hono{ur}s þat þei han ygeten ¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat -ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen -or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat regnen. ¶ And it semeþ to some -oþer folk þat noblesse of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten -hem to geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees. and many -folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and} -gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem -i{n} uoluptuous delit. ¶ And þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes -{and} þe endes of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to -han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto han moneye or -for cause of renou{n}. ¶ In þise þinges {and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is -to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. -¶ As þus. ¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it -semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}. ¶ and wijf {and} children þat men -desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. ¶ But forsoþe frendes ne -shollen nat ben rekkened among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for -it is a ful holy man{er}e þing. alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe ben taken -for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit. ¶ Certis now am I redy -to referen þe goodes of þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen. ¶ For it -semeþ þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and} -worþinesse. ¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen noblesse {and} -glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ ȝiuen delit. ¶ In alle þise -þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat blisfulnesse is desired. ¶ For-whi þilke -þing þat euery man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe -souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse is þe souereyne -goode. for whiche euery wyȝt demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer -alle þinges þat it be þe blisfulnesse. ¶ Now hast þou þan byforne [thy -eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. -þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe -whiche delit oonly considered Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat -delit is þe souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as hym -þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe herte. ¶ But I -reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. of whiche men þe corage alwey -rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be -wiþ a derke memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. ¶ Ryȝt as a dronke -ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne home to hys house. -¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen {and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue -nede of no þing ¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel -p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} of alle goodes þat -ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is suffisant of hy{m} self. -vnto hym self. and foleyen swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing -þ{a}t is ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of -reuerence. ¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule ne worþi to ben -dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten -it. ¶ And power auȝt[e] nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes what -ellis. for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most worþi of alle -þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and} clernesse of renou{n} auȝte -þat to ben dispised. ¶ Certys þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is -ryȝt excellent {and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and} -renomed. ¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse be -anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn þat in -ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten -hem. ¶ Certys þise ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. -and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and} -delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce hono{ur} power. -renou{n} {and} gladnesse. ¶ þanne is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so -many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d. how -grete is þe strengþe of nature. ¶ For how so þat men han dyuerse -sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende -of goode. - - -Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]] - -++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and} delitable -sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ {and} flitteþ -gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe -grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde -þat may nat be vnbounden. - -[Sidenote: [j]] - -¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] -cheines. {and} taken metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and} -dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to suffren [betinges]. -yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. þat is to sein of bestes -devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested. -repaireþ aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature. -{and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. and hir maistre first -to-teren wiþ blody toþe assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to -sein þei freten hir maister. - -[Sidenote: [ij]] - -¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein -in þe wode {and} after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t] -þe pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes. -wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif þilke brid skippynge oute of hir -streite cage seeþ þe agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir -fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe wode {and} twitriþ -desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys. - -[Sidenote: [iij]] - -¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty strengþe bowiþ redely -þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon -aȝein. ¶ An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene. - -[Sidenote: [iiij]] - -¶ þe sonne phebus þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ -aȝein eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont aryse. ¶ Alle -þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle þinges reioisen -hem of hir retournynge aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis -bytaken to þi{n}ges but þat. þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe -bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable þat it chaungeþ -nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde. - - -VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] - -++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} alwey [yowre -bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner -þouȝt al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk -verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ -ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer -fro. ¶ Considere now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man weniþ to -gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen to þilke ende þat he weneþ -to come by nature ¶ For yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer -forseide þinges bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille hem. -ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] þat þei ben maked blisful. -by þilke þinges þat þei han geten. ¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne -mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of -many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals beaute of -blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke þinges. ¶ First {and} -forward þou þi self þat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long -agon. ¶ I axe ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses þou -were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce -þat by-tidde þe on any syde. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat -euere I was so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of -somwhat. þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest han lakked. or -ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest han had. ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan. -desiredest þou þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer. -I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I. for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer somwhat þat -euery man desireþ. ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he -þat haþ lakke or nede of a wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym -self. no q{uod} .I. {and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi -rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce. ¶ what ellis q{uod} .I. -¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a man nis nedy. ne þat he be -suffisaunt to hym self. {and} þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ. -¶ and eke certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye ne -haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem þat han it -maugre hem. ¶ I by-knowe it wel q{uod} I ¶ whi sholdest þou nat -by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen it -fram þe febler maugre hem. ¶ Fro whennes comen ellys alle þise foreine -compleintes or quereles of plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine -her moneye þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey -maugre hem. ¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I. þan q{uo}d she haþ a man nede to -seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may -say nay q{uod} .I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe yif he -ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese. ¶ þat is doutles q{uod} .I. -þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse -þat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede -of foreine helpe. ¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod} she þat -rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk may þei neiþer han hungre ne -þrest. þise ryche men may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. -¶ But þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ þei may -staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest {and} don awey colde. ¶ In -þis wise may nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may -nat al out{er}ly be don awey. for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey gapyng -{and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe any þing ȝit dwelleþ -þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled. ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle -nat how þat litel þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ -ne suffiseþ no þinge. ¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat al don awey -nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat -rychesses mowen ȝeue{n} ȝow suffisau{n}ce. - - -QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - -++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer fletynge alle of -golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise. ¶ And þouȝ he hadde -his nekke I-charged wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he -do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere ne shal his -bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne -shal nat beren hym compaignie whanne he is dede. - - -SET DIGNITATIB{US}. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] - -++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym honorable {and} -reuerent. han þei nat so grete strengþe þat þei may putte vertues in þe -hertis of folk. þat vsen þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey -þe vices. Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. but þei -ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses. {and} þer of comeþ it þat I -haue ryȝt grete desdeyne. þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men. -¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat hyȝt noni{us} -postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of -uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis -noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee. Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye -dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of wikked men shold{e} -ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed of none hono{ur}s. ¶ Certys þou -þi self ne myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou myȝtest -suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ decorat. þat is to seyn. -þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n} þe by þe offence of þe kyng -theodorik þou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. -whanne þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe -{and} of an acusor. ¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem -worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and} holde vnworþi to han þilke same -hono{ur}s. ¶ Now yif þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys -þoune myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe hono{ur}. or ellys -to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled. No q{uod} .I. ¶ Certys dignitees -q{uod} she app{er}tienen p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ -dignite anon to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned. ¶ And -for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat maken folk digne of -hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of -dignite. ¶ And ȝit men auȝten take more hede in þis. ¶ For if it so be -þat he is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat -maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan makeþ dignites shrewes more -dispised þan p{re}ised. þe whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche -folk ¶ {and} for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes -reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden aȝein to dignites -as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire -vylenie. ¶ And for as moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray -reuerence ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. -vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and} hadde many manere -dignites of consules {and} were come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge -nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted -of straunge folk ¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were a naturel ȝifte -to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to -done hys office. ¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to -enchaufen {and} to ben hote. but for as myche as forto be holden -honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengþe of -nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat -wenen þat dignites maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat -þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites. her hono{ur}s -vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is a-mong straung folk. maist -þou sein. but amo{n}g{us} hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites -alwey. ¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a -grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel name. {and} þe rente of þe -senatorie a g{r}et charge. {and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to -taken he[de] to þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer -þinges he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more nowe out cast -þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie ¶ And as I haue seid a litel here byforne. þat -þilke þing þat haþ no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris -{and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of vsaunces. -¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen nat maken folk digne of reuerence. -{and} yif þ{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of -shrewes. ¶ and yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of -tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of poeple. what is it -þat þei han in hem self of beaute þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ -none. þanne ne mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer. - - -QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] - -++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie kembed hym -{and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiþ white -perles. Algates ȝitte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat -al was he by-hated of alle folk. ¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret -lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe vnworshipful -setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat -was so wikked ȝaf þo dignites. who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat -blysfulnesse were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious shrewes. - - -AN UERO REGNA. - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]] - -++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a ma{n} to ben -myȝty. how ellys. ¶ whanne hir blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely but -certys þe olde age of tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is -ful of ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to wrechednesse -out of hir welefulnesse. ¶ O a noble þing {and} a cler þing is power þat -is nat founden myȝty to kepe it self. ¶ And yif þat power of realmes be -auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on any side. -amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ in wrechednesse. but -yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer -nede ben myche folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe no -comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat power failleþ whiche þat -makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ -þat makeþ hem wreches. ¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han more -porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. ¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng -of sisile þat had[de] assaied þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by -similitude þe dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer -þe heued of his familier. what þing is þan þis power þat may nat don -awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe þe prikkes of drede. and certys -ȝit wolden þei lyuen in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei -glorifien hem in her power ¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man be myȝty -þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may nat don. ¶ And holdest þou -þan hym a myȝty man þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or -seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. þen þei dreden -hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme -myȝty but of familiers [or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges. ¶ what sholde I telle -þe any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes hem self ben -ful of gret feblenesse. þe whiche familiers certis þe real power of -kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}. -¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen -on what deeþ he wolde deien. ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat knyȝtis -slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben -long tyme ful myȝty a-monges hem of þe courte. and ȝit certis þei wolde -boþe han renou{n}ced her power. of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to -ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie -exil. ¶ But whan þe grete weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of -fortune draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne myȝt[e] do þat he -wolde. what þing is þanne þilke power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben -agast. ¶ {and} whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And yif þou -woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it. ¶ But wheþir swiche men -ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue. -Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune -makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt -þan a familier enemy. - - -QUI SE UALET ESSE POTENTEM. - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] - -++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te] -nat his nekke ouercomen vndir þe foule reines of lecherie. for al be it -so þat þi lordship[e] strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi -comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in þe see þat hyȝt -tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e] -desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis -no power þat þou hast. - - -GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]] - -++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for whiche þing -nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten -tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no -þing ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. for -many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple. -and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler þen swiche p{re}isynge for þilk[e] -folk þat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir -p{re}isynges. {and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by -her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed to þe conscience -of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple. -but by þe soþefastnesse of conscience. {and} yif it seme a fair þing a -man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ it. þat it is demed -to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be ysprad ne encresed. but as I seide a -litel her byforne. þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe -renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he þat þou wenest be -glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben -wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ out renou{n}. ¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise -þinges I ne trowe nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer -worþi to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is ferm -p{er}durably. ¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. what man is it þat ne -may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a þing it is. ¶ For if þe name -of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan is -gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to hem þat glorifien -hem of hir linage. ¶ For it semeþ þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge -þat comeþ of decert of auncestres. ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ -gentilesse þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. For whiche -þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse of þi self. þat is to -sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat -gentil. ¶ But certis yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be -i{n} al oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed to -gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro þe -uertues of hire noble kynrede. - - -OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]] - -++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable burþe. On al -one is fadir of þinges. On alone minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe -sonne hys bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes. he ȝaf þe men to þe -erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene. ¶ he encloseþ wiþ membres þe -soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. ¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of -noble seed. whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris ¶ For yif þou -look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} ȝoure makere. -þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he norisse his corage vnto vices -{and} forlete his p{ro}pre burþe. - - -QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS. - - [Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]] - -++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e delices þe -desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful -of penaunce. ¶ How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable -ryȝt as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to bryngen -to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem. ¶ Of whiche delices I not what ioye -may ben had of hir moeuyng. ¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil -remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. þat þe issues of -delices ben sorowful {and} sory. ¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk -blisful. þan by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of -whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille hire bodyly -iolyte. and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest þing. -but it haþ ben seid. þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han -ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. ¶ Of whiche -children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nedeþ nat to tellen it -þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}. In -þis approue I þe sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he -þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune. - - -HABET HOC UOLUPTAS. - - [Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]] - -++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes þ{a}t vsen it. -¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe -bee haþ shed hys agreable honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes -of he{m} þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge. - - -NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST. - - [Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]] - -++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to -blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to -lede{n} hem. ¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise forseide weyes ben enlaced. -¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. ¶ For whi yif þou enforcest þe to assemble -moneye. þou most by-reuen hym his moneye þat haþ it. and yif þou wilt -shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien hem þat ȝiue{n} þo -dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk -þ{o}u shalt defoule þi self by hu{m}blesse of axing. yif þou desiryst -power. þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast vndir many -p{er}iles. axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre þinges -þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. ¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in -delices. euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat art -þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to] sein seruau{n}t -to þi body. ¶ Now is it þan wel yseen how lytel {and} how brutel -possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire -owe{n} resou{n}. ¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in -gretnesse or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe bole. Mayst -þou ben swifter þan þe tigre. biholde þe spaces {and} þe stablenesse -{and} þe swyfte cours of þe heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on -foule þinges. þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise þinges to -ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned. but þe -shynynge of þi forme þat is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly -passyng is it {and} how transitorie. ¶ Certis it is more flittynge þan -þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}. For so as aristotil -telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe -lokyng of folk myȝt[e] percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who -so lokid þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was ful fayr -in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt foule. {and} for þi yif -þou semest faire. þi nature ne makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of -þe fieblesse of þe eyen þat loken. ¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body -as moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat what so it be. -þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon -may ben destroied or dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of -alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in a so{m}me. -¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten. -ne ben nat p{er}fit by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne -ben nat weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to -ben blysful. - - -HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE. - - [Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]] - -++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ wandryng -wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good. ¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in -grene trees. ne ȝe ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. ne ȝe -ne hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen fisshe of -whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes. and yif ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe -ne gon nat to þe foordes of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene. {and} ouer þis men -knowen wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe floodes. -{and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles. -{and} knowen whiche water habundeþ most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen -of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre. {and} knowen -whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes -þat hyȝten echynnys. but folk suffren hem self to ben so blynde þat hem -ne recchiþ nat to knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei -coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere þilke goode þ{a}t -so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe sterres. ¶ what p{re}yere may I -make þat be digne to þe nice þouȝtis of men. but I p{re}ye þat þei -coueite{n} rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo false -goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe knowen þe verray goodes. - - -HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}. - - [Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]] - -++IT suffisiþ þat I haue shewed hider to þe forme of false wilfulnesse. -so þat yif þou look[e] now clerely þe ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} -requeriþ from hennes forþe to shewe{n} þe verray wilfulnesse. ¶ For -q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] se wel now þat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by -richesse. ne power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne -gentilesse by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast þou wel knowen -q{uo}d she þe cause whi it is. Certis me semeþ q{uod} .I. þat .I. se hem -ryȝt as þouȝ it were þoruȝ a litel clifte. but me were leuer knowen hem -more openly of þe. Certys q{uod} she þe resou{n} is al redy ¶ For þilk -þing þat symply is on þing wiþ outen ony diuisiou{n}. þe errour {and} -folie of mankynde departeþ {and} diuidiþ it. {and} mislediþ it {and} -t{ra}nsporteþ from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes þat ben false -{and} inp{er}fit. ¶ But seye me þis. wenest þou þat he þat haþ nede of -power þat hy{m} ne lakkeþ no þing. Nay q{uo}d .I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she þou -seist aryȝt. For yif so be þ{a}t þer is a þing þat in any p{ar}tie be -fieble of power. Certis as in þat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine -helpe. ¶ Riȝt so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power ben þan of on -kynde ¶ So semeþ it q{uod} I. ¶ And demyst þou q{uo}d she þat a þing þat -is of þis manere. þat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} myȝty auȝt[e] to -ben dispised. or ellys þ{a}t it be ryȝt digne of reuerences abouen alle -þinges. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute þat it nis ryȝt worþi to ben -reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she þan adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} -to power ¶ So þat we demen þat þise þre þinges ben alle o þing. ¶ Certis -q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten þe soþe. what demest -þou þan q{uo}d she is þat a dirke þing {and} nat noble þat is -suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} myȝty. or ellys þat is ryȝt clere {and} -ryȝt noble of celebrete of renou{n}. ¶ Considere þan q{uo}d she as we -han grau{n}tid her byforne. þat he þat ne haþ ne[de] of no þing {and} is -most myȝty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediþ any clernesse of -renou{n} whiche clernesse he myȝt[e] nat graunten of hym self. ¶ So þat -for lakke of þilke clerenesse he myȝt[e] seme febler on any syde or þe -more outcaste. _Glosa._ þis is to seyne nay. ¶ For who so þat is -suffisau{n}t myȝty {and} reuerent. clernesse of renou{n} folweþ of þe -forseide þinges. he haþ it alredy of hys suffisaunce. boice. I may nat -q{uo}d I denye it. ¶ But I mot graunten as it is. þat þis þing be ryȝt -celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. ¶ þan folweþ it -q{uo}d she þat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to þe þre forseide þinges. -so þat þer ne be amonges hem no difference. {and} þis is a consequente -q{uo}d .I. þis þing þan q{uo}d she þat ne haþ no nede of no foreine -þing. {and} þat may don alle þinges by his strengþes. {and} þat is noble -{and} hono{ur}able. nis nat þat a myrie þing {and} a ioyful. _boice._ -but wenest q{uo}d I þ{a}t any sorow myȝt[e] comen to þis þing þat is -swiche. ¶ Certys I may nat þinke. _P._ ¶ þanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} -she þat þis þing be ful of gladnesse yif þe þorseide þinges be soþe. -¶ And also certys mote we graunten. þat suffisaunce power noblesse -reuerence {and} gladnesse ben only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce -haþ no diu{er}site. _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I. _P._ þilke -þinge þan q{uo}d she þat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. þe -wikkednesse of men departiþ it diuidiþ it. {and} whan þei enforcen hem -to gete p{ar}tie of a þing þat ne haþ no part. þei ne geten hem neiþer -þilk[e] p{ar}tie þat nis none. ne þe þing al hole þat þei ne desire nat. -_.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. _p._ þilke man q{uo}d she þat sekeþ -rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayleþ hym nat to for to gete power -for he haþ leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke wiþdraweþ from hym selfe -many naturel delitȝ for he nolde lesen þe moneye þat he haþ assembled. -but certis in þis manere he ne getiþ hym nat suffisaunce þat power -forletiþ. {and} þat moleste p{re}keþ. {and} þat filþe makeþ outcaste. -{and} þat derknesse hideþ. and certis he þ{a}t desireþ only power he -wastiþ {and} scatriþ rychesse {and} dispiseþ delices {and} eke hono{ur} -þat is wiþ out power. ne he ne p{re}iseþ glorie no þing. ¶ Certys þus -seest þou wel þat many þi{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he haþ somtyme -faute of many necessites. {and} many anguysses biten hym ¶ {and} whan he -may nat don þo defautes awey. he forleteþ to ben myȝty. {and} þat is þe -þing þat he most desireþ. {and} ryȝt þus may I make semblable resou{n}s -of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of þise -forseide þinges is þe same þat þise oþer þinges ben. þat is to sein. al -oon þing. who so þat euer sekeþ to geten þat oon of þise {and} nat þat -oþer. he ne geteþ nat þat he desireþ. _Boice._ ¶ what seist þou þan yif -þat a man coueiteþ to geten alle þise þinges to gider. _P._ Certys -q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie þat he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes. -but þat shal he nat fynde in þo þinges þat .I. haue shewed þat ne mowe -nat ȝeuen þat þei by-heten. _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan q{uod} -she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche þinges as -men wenen þat þei ne mowe ȝeuen but o þing senglely of alle þ{a}t me{n} -seken. I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat ben said. -_P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme {and} þe causes of false -welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere -shalt þou seen an oon þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee. -_b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to a -blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a lytel her byforne. -whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse -¶ For but yif I be by-giled. þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit -blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty. -hono{ur}able noble. {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel -knowe þat I haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte. -I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen on of þe forseide -þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle -of blysfulnesse. _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d -she I sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I shal -seine. what is þat q{uo}d .I. ¶ Trowest þou þat þer be any þing in þis -erþely mortal toumblyng þinges þat may bryngen þis estat. Certys q{uo}d -I trowe it nat. {and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer is -no þing more to ben desired. _P._ þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. þat is to -seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche þinges eyþer þei -semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to -mortal folk a maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke goode -þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen. _boice._ I. accorde -me wel q{uo}d .I. þan q{uo}d she for as moche as þou hast knowen whiche -is þilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien -falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit seme{n} verray -goodes. ¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n} whennes {and} where þou mowe -seek[e] þilke verray blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly -{and} haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it. ¶ But for as moche q{uo}d -she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo. þat in -ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou -þat be [now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of þilke -souereyne goode. _B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme þat we shulle clepen -to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden -aryȝt. þou seist a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus. - - -O QUI PERPETUA. - - [Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]] - -++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat gouernest þis worlde -by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist þe tymes for to gon from tyme -þat age had[de] bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast -{and} stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued. ne forein -causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but -only þe forme of souereyne goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie -þat moeued[e] þe frely. þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde -in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse semblable of þat -faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest alle þinges of þi souereyne -ensampler. {and} comaundedist þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue -frely {and} absolut hyse p{er}fit parties. ¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ by -noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges mowen accorde wiþ þe -hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges wiþ þe moyst þinges. þat þe fire þat -is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat -adou{n} ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. ¶ þou knyttest -to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle þinges. {and} -diuidest it by membres accordynge. ¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ -assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne aȝein to hym -owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene -by semblable ymage. þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and} -þe lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. þou sewest hem -in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei ben conuertid to þe by þi -benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng -fijr. ¶ O fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete. -{and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good. {and} þe lyȝte -yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes of hys corage in þe. -¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke [thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of -erþely heuynesse. {and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes. for þou art clernesse -þou art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. -berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe [þat] is oure ende. -_Glose._ - - -QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT. - - [Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]] - -++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe forme of goode þat nys -nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now -trowe I þat it were goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of -blisfulnesse is set. {and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first -enquere forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke goode þat -þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat is to seine souereyne -goode may be founden in þe nature of þinges. For þat veyne -ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe -soþefastnesse of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne. -but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. ¶ and þat it nis ryȝt -as a welle of alle goodes. ¶ For al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. is -proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing -þat is p{er}fit. {and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif -þat. þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit certys in þilke general -þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so be þat -p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke nor seye fro whe{n}nes -þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. ¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token -nat her bygynnyng of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it -p{ro}cediþ of þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ -so doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} wiþ -oute fruyt. but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne. þat yif þer be a -blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and} inp{er}fit. þer may no man -doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. -b. þis is concludid q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly. _P._ But -co{n}sidere also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe -co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men p{ro}ueþ {and} -graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is good. ¶ For so as no -þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he -þ{a}t] no þing is bettre. þat he nys good. ¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat -god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit goode is in -hym. ¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne may nat ben p{r}ince of alle -þinges. for certis som þing possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode -sholde ben more þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were -first {and} elder þan god. ¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat alle þinges -þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit. ¶ And for þi for -as moche as [that] my resou{n} or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an -ende. we ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of -souereyne p{er}fit goode. and we han establissed þat þe souereyne goode -is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse -is] yset i{n} souereyne god. _B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne -may nat be wiþseid in no manere. ¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now -how þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis þat I -haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of souereyne goode. [In -whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of -alle þinges haue ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self. -¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful ryȝt as þou -myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} þat ilke -blisfulnesse þat is in hym were diu{er}s in substaunce. ¶ For yif þou -wene þat god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou mayst wene -þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more goode þan is god. ¶ But I am -byknowen {and} confesse {and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi -abouen alle þinges. ¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by nature. -but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we speke of -god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne who so feyne may. who was he þat -[hath] co{n}ioigned þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre. {and} eke at þe -last[e] se wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke þing -nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} to ben diu{er}s. -þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat by hys nature is dyuers from -souereyne good. þat þat þing nys nat souereyne good. but certys þat were -a felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing nis more worþe. -For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better þan -his bygy{n}nyng. ¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}. -þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same þing is good in -his substaunce. _B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully q{uo}d .I. _P._ But we han -graunted q{uo}d she þat souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d -.I. þan q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat þilke same -souereyne goode be god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I ne may nat denye ne -wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. and I see wel þat it folweþ by -strengþe of þe p{re}misses. ¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued -[yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes -þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem self. þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan -[ne] mowen neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to -oþir. but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly þat it nis nat -souereyne. þe þinges þan þat ben souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey -ben diuerse. ¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben -[the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat souereyne -blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No þing q{uo}d I nis more -soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god -may nat ben concluded. _P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as -þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s ben wont to -brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of -forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue þe here as a corolarie or a mede of -coroune. For whi. for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben -maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is it manifest -{and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men ben makid blisful. ryȝt as -by þe getynge of iustice . . . {and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben -maked wise. ¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n} wha{n} þei han -getyn diuinite þei ben maked goddys. þan is euery blisful man god. ¶ But -certis by nature. þer nys but oon god. but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s -of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many -goddes. ¶ þis is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it -as þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune or -declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. þan is þe þing þat -by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d -.I. ¶ So q{uo}d she as it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges. -it were forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or conioignen -as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite of parties or [of] -me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it -acomplise by hy{m} self þe substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise -oþer þinges ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne as -to þe chief of hem. ¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou makedest me clerly to -vndirstonde what þou seist. {and} þat þou recordest me þe forseide -þinges. ¶ Haue I nat iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis -forsoþe q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d she -þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide þinges. ¶ For -þilke same blisfulnesse þat is demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke -self is souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse or -noblesse {and} souereyne delit. what seist þou þan of alle þise þinges. -þat is to seyne. suffisance power {and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as -membris of blisfulnesse. or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne -good. ¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem. b. -I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to seke. but I -desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. _p._ Take now þus þe -discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d -she weren membris to felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat -oþer. ¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. þat -dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben -shewed her byforne. þat alle þise þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei -none membris q{uo}d she. for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were -conioigned al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g þat may nat ben -doon. þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide to herkene þe -remenaunt of þe questiou{n}. þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat -alle oþer þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode. ¶ For þerfore is -suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good. {and} forþi is power -requered. for men trowen also þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we -þinken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit. þan -is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat auȝt[e] be -desired. forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no good in it self ne -semblaunce of goode it ne may nat wel in no manere be desired ne -requered. {and} þe contrarie. For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben -nat goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben þei desired -as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode. {and} þerfore is it þat men -auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of -alle þinges þat ben to requeren. ¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for -whiche men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same þing be most -desired. as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde for cause of hele. he ne -desireþ nat so mychel þe moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. Now -þan syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good. þei ne ben -[nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same good ¶ But we han graunted -þat blysfulnesse is þat þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben -desired. þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and} -desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good {and} blisfulnesse -is al oone {and} þe same substaunce. ¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat -men myȝt[en] discorden in þis. _p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and} -verrey blysfulnesse is al oon þing ¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I. þan mowe we -conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is set in þilke same good -{and} in noon oþer place. - - -NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C. - - [Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]] - -++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and} ybounde wiþ -wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in -ȝoure þouȝt. here shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene -stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to wreches. -_Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred {and} deceyued wiþ -worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat -is refut to hem þat wolen come to hym. _Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe -ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or ellys alle þe -þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his rede brynke. or þat yndus -ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene -stones (smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat cleren þe -lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne -hire dirkenesse ¶ Alle þat likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ -ȝoure þouȝtes. þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe shynyng -by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and} whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe -þat chaseþ þe derke ouerþrowyng of þe soule. ¶ And who so euer may -knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat þe white bemes -of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer. - - -ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice. - - [Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]] - -++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben strongly bounden -wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s. how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. -yif þat þou knowe what þilke goode is. I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by -price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to knowe also to-gidre god -þat is good. ¶ certys q{uo}d she þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}. -yif þat þo þinges þat I haue conclude[d] a litel her by forne dwellen -oonly in hir first[e] graunty{n}g. _Boice._ þei dwellen graunted to þe -q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi forseide -conclusiou{n}s. ¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d she þat þe þinges þat ben -requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei -ben diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng -to oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful {and} -absolute. ¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good whan þei ben gadred -to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing -þat is suffisaunce. þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse -{and} mirþe. ¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o same þing -þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges. -þat auȝten ben requered or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne -her of may þer no man douten. _p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne ben -none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei bygynnen to ben al o -þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite -þat þei ben maked goodes. _b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I. but alle þing þat -is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} -of good or no. ¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it -q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing. -¶ For of þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse nedys -þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge. I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. -¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe -his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it -forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre. ¶ In -whiche manere q{uo}d .I. ¶ Ryȝt as in beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule -{and} þe body ben co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is -cleped a beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce þat -oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a dede þi{n}g. {and} -þat it is no lenger no beste. {and} þe body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ -in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a -figure of mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so] diuide[d] -{and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei destroien vnite. þe body -forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. ¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same -manere by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery þinge is -in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forletiþ to ben -oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ. _boice._ whan I considre q{uo}d I many -þinges I see noon oþ{er}. ¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as -moche as it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of hys -beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. ¶ yif I -considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or -of nillynge I ne fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out -forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} or þat wole his -þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to -defende {and} kepe þe sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and} -destrucc{i}ou{n}. _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. -þat is to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes or trees -þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to -appetite as beestes han wheþer þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to -duren. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute. ¶ Now look vpon -þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n} -couenable to hem. in whiche place þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen -as longe as hire nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen -in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n} mareis. -[_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._] [{and} oothre cleuyn on -Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any -wyht enforce hym to beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye // -For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t / þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to -hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they han power to -dwellyn {and} to lyuen // what woltow seyn of this / þ{a}t they drawen -alle hyr norysshynges by hyr rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes -I.-plounged w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. -medull{as}) hyr wode {and} hyr bark / {and} what woltow seyn of this -þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is / -þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} þ{a}t it is -defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of wode // {and} þ{a}t -the vttereste bark is put ayenis the destemprau{n}ce of the heuene / as -a defendowr myhty to suffren harm / {and} thus certes maystow wel sen / -how gret is the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} -pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man þ{a}t ne -wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and} edyfice for to -duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto duren p{er}durablely by -generacyou{n} // {and} the thinges ek þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none -sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to -kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr -natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} of hyr beynge {and} endurynge // For wher -for elles berith lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth -the erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and thilke -moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem // {and} forsothe eu{er}y -thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge {and} propre to hym // ryht as -thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes {and} enemys corompen hem // {and} yit the -harde thinges as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere ryht -faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge þ{a}t they ne -departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and} -fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place -to hem þ{a}t brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} sone -ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben arraced // but fyr -[fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} / ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} -now of weleful moeuynges of the sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the -naturel entenciou{n} of thinges // As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete -þ{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e} -breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt // For certes in -the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of hyr beeinges ne comth nat of -the wilnynges of the sowle // but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} // For -certes thorw constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful -ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith // that is to seyn as thus -that a man may ben constreynyd so by som cause that his wil desireth and -taketh the deth which þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore // -And som tyme we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / -destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and -requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} / by the -whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd the longe -durablete of mortal thinges // And thus this charite and this Loue þ{a}t -eu{er}y thing hath to hym self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle -/ but of the entenciou{n} of natur{e} // For the puruyance of god hat -yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is a ful gret cause -/ to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they desiren naturelly hyr lyf as -longe as eu{er} they mowen // For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no -manere / that alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne -requeren naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable dwellynge / -and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} // B // now confesse I. wel -q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly / w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the -thinges that whylom semeden vncerteyn to me / P. // but q{uod} she -thilke thyng þ{a}t desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he -desireth to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // -certes beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht // that is sotħ -q{uod} I. // Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges oon // .I. assente -q{uod} .I. // {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she that thilke same oon is -thilke that is good // B // ye forsothe q{uod} I. // Alle thinges thanne -q{uod} she requyren good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen -ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth // Ther ne -may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} verray thing / for either alle -thinges ben referred {and} browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} -owte gou{er}nour despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles -yif ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden {and} hyen / -that thing moste ben the souereyn good of alle goodes / P /. thanne -seyde she thus // O my norry q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // -For thow hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse // that -is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben descouered to the / in -that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow wystest nat a lytel her by-forn // what was -th{a}t q{uod} I. // That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was the -ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing þ{a}t eu{er}y wiht -desireth // and for as mochel as we han gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd -that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle / thanne moten we -nedes confessun / that good is the fyn of alle thinges. - - -QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE. - - [Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]] - -++WHo so that sekith sotħ by a deep thoght And coueyteth nat to ben -deseyuyd by no mys-weyes // lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne -hym self / the Lyht of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein -enclynynge in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys thowhtes / And lat -hym techen his corage that he hath enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / -al þ{a}t he compaseth or sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne thilke -thing that the blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal -lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth // Glosa // who -so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth in his thowht / {and} wol nat -be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s / that goon amys fro the trouthe -// lat hym wel examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e} -{and} the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones examine -{and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} or that he deme // and -lat hym techen his sowle that it hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche -y-hyd w{i}t{h} in it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to -ben in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of his -mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [þe] syhte of his vndyrstondynge -thanne the sonne ne semyth to [þe] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth / For -certes the body bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd -owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng // For -certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth w{i}t{h} in yowr{e} -corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by the wynde {and} by the -blastes of doctryne // For wher{e} for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne -wyl the ryhtes whan ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} þ{a}t the -noryssynges of resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e} -herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen þe sooth of any thing -þ{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse þ{a}t -weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche -sothfastnesse lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght // {and} yif -so be þ{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al -þ{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but -recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges þ{a}t ben foryetyn. - - -TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]] - -++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for thow -remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit] þe seconde tyme. þat is -to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by þe co{n}tagioũs -coniuncc{i}ou{n} of þe body wiþ þe soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan -I lost[e] it co{n}founded by þe charge {and} by þe burden of my sorwe. -¶ And þan sayde she þus. ¶ If þou look[e] q{uo}d she firste þe þinges -þat þou hast graunted it ne shal nat ben ryȝt feer þat þou ne shalt -remembren þilke þing þat þou seidest þat þou nistest nat. what þing -q{uo}d I. ¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she þat þis worlde is gouerned. -Me remembriþ it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse wel þat I ne wist[e] it -nat ¶ But al be it so þat I se now fro{m} afer what þou p{ur}posest -¶ Algates I desire ȝit to herkene it of þe more pleynely. ¶ þou ne -wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne þat men sholden doute þat -þis worlde is gouerned by god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne ȝitte doute I it -nauȝt. ne I nil neuer wene þat it were to doute. as who seiþ. but I wot -wel þat god gouerneþ þis worlde. ¶ And I shal shortly answere þe by what -resou{n}s I am brouȝt to þis. ¶ þis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse -{and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne myȝten neuer han ben assembled in o -forme. but yif þere ne were oon þat conioigned so many[e diu{er}se] -þinges. ¶ And þe same diuersite of hire natures þat so discordeden þat -oon fro þat oþer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} þe þi{n}ges þat -ben co{n}ioigned. yif þere ne were oon þat contened[e] þat he haþ -co{n}ioigned {and} ybounde. ne þe certein ordre of nature ne sholde. nat -brynge furþe so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by doynges. by -spaces. by qualites. yif þere ne were oon þat were ay stedfast -dwellynge. þat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] þise diuersites of -moeuynges. ¶ and þilke þinge what so euer it be. by whiche þat alle -þinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe hym god þat is a worde þat is vsed -to alle folke. þan seide she. syn þou felest þus þise þinges q{uo}d she. -I trowe þat I haue lytel more to done. þat þou myȝty of wilfulnesse hool -{and} sounde ne se eftsones þi contre. ¶ But lat vs loken þe þinges þat -we han p{ur}posed her-byforn. ¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} -she þat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse. {and} we han accorded þat god is -{and} þilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsoþe q{uo}d I. {and} þat to -gouerne þis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he neuer han nede of none helpe -fro wiþoute. for ellys yif he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde -not haue [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. ȝis þus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I. ¶ þan -ordeyneþ he by hym self al oon alle þinges q{uo}d she. þat may nat ben -denied q{uo}d I. ¶ And I haue shewed þat god is þe same good. ¶ It -reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I. ¶ þan ordeineþ he alle þinges by þilke -goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to ben good gouerneþ -alle þi{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere by whiche -þat þe edifice of þis worlde is ykept stable {and} wiþ oute corumpynge -¶ I accorde me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here -byforn þat þou woldest seyne þus. Al be it so þat it were by a þinne -suspeciou{n}. I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as I trowe þou leedest -nowe more ententifly þine eyen to loken þe verray goodes ¶ but naþeles -þe þinges þat I shal telle þe ȝit ne sheweþ nat lasse to loken. what is -þat q{uo}d I. ¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} þat ryȝtfully þat god -gouerneþ alle þinges by þe keye of his goodnesse. ¶ And alle þise same -þinges as I [haue] tauȝt þe. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to -comen to goode þer may no man doute{n}. þat þei ne ben gouerned -uoluntariely. {and} þat þei ne conuerten [hem] nat of her owe{n} wille -to þe wille of hire ordeno{ur}. as þei þat ben accordyng {and} -enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} {and} her kyng. ¶ It mot nedys be so -q{uo}d. I. ¶ For þe realme ne sholde not seme blisful ȝif þere were a -ȝok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne þe sauynge of obedient -þinges ne sholde nat be. þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þ{a}t kepiþ hys -nature[;] þat enforceþ hym to gone aȝeyne god. ¶ No q{uo}d. I. ¶ And if -þat any þi{n}g enforced[e] hym to wiþstonde god. myȝt[e] it auayle at þe -laste aȝeyns hym þat we han g{ra}unted to ben al myȝty by þe ryȝt of -blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al outerly it ne myȝt[e] nat auaylen -hym. þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þat eyþer wol or may wiþstonde to -þis souereyne good. ¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I ¶ þan is þilke þe souereyne -good q{uo}d she þat alle þi{n}g{us} gouerneþ strongly {and} ordeyneþ hem -softly. þa{n} seide I þus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in þe endes or -in þe so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s þat þou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued. -¶ But þilke wordes þat þ{o}u vsest deliten me moche more. ¶ So at þe -last[e] fooles þat so{m}tyme renden greet[e] þinges auȝte{n} ben -asshamed of hem self. ¶ þat is to seyne þ{a}t we fooles þat -rep{re}henden wickedly þe þi{n}g{us} þat touchen goddes gouernaunce we -auȝte{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I þat seide god refuseþ oonly þe -werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiþ nat of he{m}. _p._ þou hast wel herd -q{uo}d she þe fables of þe poetes. how þe geauntes assailden þe heuene -wiþ þe goddes. but for soþe þe debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so -as it was worþi. þat is to seyne distroied[e] þe geauntes. as it was -worþi. ¶ But wilt þou þat we ioygnen togedre þilke same resou{n}s. for -p{er}auenture of swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire -sp{er}kele of soþe ¶ Do q{uo}d I as þe list. wenest þou q{uo}d she þat -god ne is almyȝty. no man is in doute of it. Certys q{uo}d I no wyȝt ne -defendiþ it if he be in hys mynde. but he q{uo}d she þat is al myȝty -þere nis no þing þat he ne may do. þat is soþe q{uo}d I. May god done -yuel q{uo}d she. nay for soþe q{uo}d. I. ¶ þan is yuel no þing q{uo}d -she. ¶ Syn þat he ne may not done yuel þat may done alle þinges. -scornest þou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys pleyest þou or deceiuest þou me. þat -hast so wouen me wiþ þi resou{n}s. þe house of didalus so entrelaced. -þat it is vnable to ben vnlaced. þou þat oþer while entrest þere þou -issest {and} oþer while issest þere þou entrest. ne fooldest þou nat to -gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a maner wondirful cercle or -envirounynge of symplicite deuyne. ¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e} -whan þou bygu{n}ne atte blisfulnesse þ{o}u seidest þat it is souereyne -good. {and} seidest þat it is set in souereyne god. {and} þat god is þe -ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche þou ȝaf[e] me as a couenable ȝifte. þat -is to seyne þ{a}t no wyȝt nis blisful. but yif he be good al so þer wiþ -{and} seidest eke þat þe forme of goode is þe substaunce of god. {and} -of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest þ{a}t þilke same oone is þilke same goode -þat is requered {and} desired of al þe kynde of þinges. {and} þou -p{ro}euedest in disputynge þat god gouerneþ alle [the] þinges of þe -worlde by þe gouernementys of bountee. {and} seydest þat alle þinges -wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest þat þe nature of yuel nis no þing. -{and} þise þinges ne shewedest þou nat wiþ no resou{n}s ytake fro -wiþoute but by proues in cercles {and} homelyche knowen. ¶ þe whiche -p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir feiþ {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] -hem of oþer. þan seide she þus. I ne scorne þe nat ne pleye ne desseyue -þe. but I haue shewed to þe þinge þat is grettest ouer alle þinges by þe -ȝifte of god þat we some tyme prayden ¶ For þis is þe forme of [the] -deuyne substaunce. þat is swiche þat it ne slydeþ nat in to outerest -foreine þinges. ne ne rec[e]yueþ no st{ra}nge þinges in hym. but ryȝt as -p{ar}maynws seide in grek of þilke deuyne substaunce. he seide þus þat -þilke deuyne substaunce torneþ þe worlde {and} þilke cercle moeueable of -þinges while þilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiþ it self wiþ outen moeuynge. -þat is to seyne þat it ne moeuiþ neuere mo. {and} ȝitte it moeueþ alle -oþer þinges. but na-þeles yif I [haue] stered resou{n}s þat ne ben nat -taken fro wiþ oute þe compas of þe þinge of whiche we treten. but -resou{n}s þat ben bystowed wiþ i{n}ne þat compas þere nis nat whi þat -þou sholde[st] merueylen. sen þou hast lerned by þe sentence of plato -þat nedes þe wordes moten ben cosynes to þo þinges of whiche þei speken. - - -FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A. - - [Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]] - -++Blisful is þat man þat may seen þe clere welle of good. blisful is he -þat may vnbynde hym fro þe bonde of heuy erþe. ¶ þe poete of t{ra}ce -[orphe{us}] þat somtyme hadde ryȝt greet sorowe for þe deeþ of hys wijf. -aftir þat he hadde maked by hys wepely songes þe wodes meueable to -rennen. {and} hadde ymaked þe ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked þe -hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to -herkene his songe. {and} had[de] maked þat þe hare was nat agast of þe -hounde whiche þat was plesed by hys songe. so þat whane þe most[e] -ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende þe entrailes of his brest. ne þe songes -þat hadde ouer comen alle þinges ne myȝten nat assuage hir lorde -orpheus. ¶ He pleyned[e] hym of þe godes þat were{n} cruel to hym. he -wente hym to þe houses of helle {and} þere he tempred[e] hys -blaundissyng songes by resounyng of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song -in wepynge alle þat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of þe noble -welles of hys modir calliope þe goddesse. {and} he song wiþ as mychel as -he myȝt[e] of wepynge. {and} wiþ as myche as loue þat doubled[e] his -sorwe myȝt[e] ȝeuen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te. ¶ And he -commoeuede þe helle {and} requered[e] {and} souȝte by swete p{re}iere þe -lordes of soules in helle of relesynge. þat is to seyne to ȝelden hym -hys wif. ¶ Cerberus þe porter of helle wiþ his þre heuedes was cauȝt -{and} al abaist for þe new[e] songe. {and} þe þre goddesses furijs {and} -vengerisse of felonies þat to{ur}mente{n} {and} agaste{n} þe soules by -anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for pitee. þan was nat -þe heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by þe ou{er}þrowi{n}g whele. ¶ And -tantalus þat was destroied by þe woodnesse of longe þrust dispiseþ þe -flodes to drynke. þe fowel þat hyȝt voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe -giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe þat it nil etyn ne tyren no -more. ¶ Atte þe laste þe lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued to -misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d he. yif[e] we to -orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye he haþ welle I-bouȝt hir by -his faire songe {and} his ditee. but we wil putte{n} a lawe in þis. -{and} couenaunt in þe ȝifte. þ{a}t is to seyne. þat til he be out of -helle yif he loke byhynden hym [þ{a}t] hys wijf shal come{n} aȝeine to -vs ¶ but what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter -lawe {and} a strengere to hym self þan any lawe þ{a}t men may ȝeuen. -¶ Allas whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at þe termes of þe -nyȝt. þat is to seyne at þe last[e] boundes of helle. Orpheus loked[e] -abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} lost[e] hir {and} was deed. ¶ þis -fable app{er}teineþ to ȝow alle who so euer desireþ or sekiþ to lede his -þouȝte in to þe souereyne day. þat is to seyne to clerenes[se] of -souereyne goode. ¶ For who so þat eu{er}e be so ouer come{n} þat he -fycche hys eyen in to þe put[te] of helle. þat is to seyne who so setteþ -his þouȝtes in erþely þinges. al þat euer he haþ drawen of þe noble good -celestial he lesiþ it whan he lokeþ þe helles. þat is to seyne to lowe -þinges of þe erþe. - - EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS. - - - - -INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS. - - -HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}. - - [Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]] - -++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably þe forseide -þinges kepynge þe dignitee of hir choere in þe weyȝte of hir wordes. -I þan þat ne hadde nat al out{er}ly forȝeten þe wepyng {and} mournyng -þat was set in myne herte for-brek þe entenc{i}ou{n} of hir þat -entended[e] ȝitte to seyne oþ{er} þinges. ¶ Se q{uo}d I. þou þat art -gideresse of verray lyȝte þe þinges þat þou hast seid [me] hider to ben -to me so clere {and} so shewyng by þe deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by þi -resou{n}s þat þei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. ¶ And þilke þi{n}g{us} þat -þou toldest me. al be it so þat I hadde som tyme fo[r]ȝeten hem for -[the] sorwe of þe wronge þat haþ ben don to me. ȝit naþeles þei ne were -nat alouterly vnknowen to me. but þis same is namly a gret cause of my -sorwe. þat so as þe gouernoure of þinges is goode. yif þat yuelys mowen -ben by any weyes. or ellys yif þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge. -þe whiche þinge oonly how worþi it is to ben wondred vpon. þou -considerest it weel þi self certeynly. but ȝitte to þis þing þere is an -oþer þing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. ¶ For felonie is -emperisse {and} flowreþ ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly -wiþ outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir þe feet of -felonous folk. {and} it abieþ þe to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of wicked -felou{n}s ¶ Of al[le] whiche þing þer nis no wyȝt þat [may] merueyllen -ynouȝ ne compleyne þat swiche þinges ben don in þe regne of god þat alle -þinges woot. and alle þinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode -þinges. ¶ þan seide she þus. certys q{uo}d she þat were a grete meruayle -{and} an enbaissynge wiþouten ende. {and} wel more horrible þan alle -monstres yif it were as þ{o}u wenest. þat is to sein. þat in þe ryȝt -ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. þat þe -vesseles þat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed {and} heried. -and þe p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled {and} vyle. but it nis -nat so. For yif þe þinges þat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne -ben kept hoole {and} vnraced. þou shalt wel knowe by þe auctorite of -god. of þe whos regne I speke þat certys þe good[e] folk ben alwey -myȝty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble. ne þe vices ben -neu{e}re mo wiþ outen peyne[;] ne þe vertues ne ben nat wiþ outen mede. -and þat blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comeþ -alwey to wicked folke. ¶ And þou shalt wel knowe many[e] þinges of þis -kynde þ{a}t sholle cessen þi pleyntes. {and} stedfast þe wiþ stedfast -saddenesse. ¶ And for þou hast seyn þe forme of þe verray blisfulnesse -by me þat [haue] somtyme I-shewed it þe. And þou hast knowen i{n} whom -blysfulnesse is set. alle þinges I treted þ{a}t I trowe ben nessessarie -to put[te] furþe ¶ I shal shewe þe. þe weye þat shal brynge þe aȝeyne -vnto þi house {and} I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt by whiche it may -arysen in heyȝte. so þat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey þou by my gidyng & -by my paþe {and} by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in -to þi contre. - - -SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]] - -++I Haue for soþe swifte feþeres þat surmou{n}ten þe heyȝt of þe heuene -whan þe swifte þouȝt haþ cloþed it self. in þo feþeres it dispiseþ þe -hat[e]ful erþes. {and} surmou{n}teþ þe heyȝenesse of þe greet[e] eyir. -{and} it seiþ þe cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passeþ þe heyȝt of þe -regiou{n} of þe fire þat eschaufiþ by þe swifte moeuyng of þe firmament. -til þat she a-reisiþ hir in til þe houses þ{a}t beren þe sterres. {and} -ioygneþ hir weyes wiþ þe sonne phebus. {and} felawshipeþ þe weye of þe -olde colde saturnus. and she ymaked a knyȝt of þe clere sterre. þat is -to seyne þat þe soule is maked goddys knyȝt by þe sekyng of treuþe to -comen to þe verray knowlege of god. and þilke soule renne[þ] by þe -cercle of þe sterres in alle þe places þere as þe shynyng nyȝt is -depeynted. þat is to seyne þe nyȝt þat is cloudeles. for on nyȝtes þat -ben cloudeles it semeþ as þe heuene were peynted wiþ dyuerse ymages of -sterres. {and} whan þe soule haþ gon ynouȝ she shal forleten þe last[e] -poynt of þe heuene. {and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on þe bak of -þe swifte firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of þe dredefulle -clerenesse of god. ¶ þere haldeþ þe lorde of kynges þe ceptre of his -myȝt {and} atte{m}p{er}eþ þe gouernementes of þis worlde. {and} þe -shynynge iuge of þinges stable i{n} hy{m} self gouerneþ þe swifte carte. -þat is to seyne þe circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne. {and} yif þi weye -ledeþ þe aȝeyne so þat þou be brouȝt þider. þan wilt þou seye now þat -þat is þe contre þat þou requeredest of whiche þou ne haddest no mynde. -but now it remenbreþ me wel here was I born. here wil I fastne my -degree. here wil I dwelle. but yif þe lyke þan to loken on þe derkenesse -of þe erþe þat þou hast for-leten. þan shalt þou seen þat þise felonous -tyrauntes þat þe wrecched[e] poeple dredeþ now shule ben exiled from -þilke faire contre. - - -TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]] - -++ÞAnne seide I þus. [owh] I wondre me þat þou by-hetest me so grete -þinges. ne I ne doute nat þat þ{o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme þat þou -by-hetest. but I preie þe oonly þis. þat þou ne tarie nat to telle me -þilke þinges þat þou hast meoued. first q{uo}d she þou most nedes -knowen. þ{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} myȝty. and þe -shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked of alle strengþes. and of -þise þinges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by oþ{er}. -¶ For so as good {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be þat goode be -stedfast. þa{n} sheweþ þe fieblesse of yuel al openly. and yif þou knowe -clerely þe freelnesse of yuel. þe stedfastnesse of goode is knowen. but -for as moche as þe fey of my sentence shal be þe more ferme {and} -habou{n}daunt. I wil goon by þat oon wey {and} by þat oþer {and} I wil -conferme þe þinges þat ben p{ur}posed now on þis side {and} now on þ{a}t -syde. ¶ Two þinges þer ben in whiche þe effect of alle þe dedes of man -kynde standiþ. þat is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif þat oon of þise -two fayleþ þere nis no þing þat may be don. for yif þat wil lakkeþ þere -nys no wyȝt þat vndirtakeþ to done þat he wol not don. and yif power -fayleþ þe wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nauȝt. and þer of -comeþ it þat yif þou se a wyȝt þat wolde gete{n} þat he may nat geten. -þou mayst nat douten þat power ne fayleþ hy{m} to haue{n} þat he wolde. -¶ þis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat ben denyed in no -manere. and yif þou se a wyȝt q{uo}d she. þat haþ don þat he wolde don -þ{o}u nilt nat douten þat he ne haþ had power to done it. no q{uo}d. I. -and in þat. þat euery wyȝt may. in þat þat men may holden hym myȝty. as -who seiþ i{n} as moche as a man is myȝty to done a þing. in so moche men -halden hy{m} myȝty. and in þat þat he ne may. in þat men demen hym to -ben feble. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. Remembriþ þe q{uo}d she þat I. -haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} -of þe wil of ma{n}kynde whiche þat is lad by diuerse studies hastiþ to -comen to blisfulnesse. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I þat it hath ben -shewed. {and} recordeþ þe nat þan q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is þilke -same goode þat men requeren. so þat whan þat blisfulnesse is requered of -alle. þat goode [also] is requered {and} desired of al. It recordeþ me -wel q{uo}d I. for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie. alle -folk þan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} wiþ oute -difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. þat is a uerray -consequence q{uo}d I. and certeyne is q{uo}d she þat by þe gety{n}g of -goode ben men ymaked goode. þis is certeyne q{uo}d. I. ¶ þan geten goode -men þat þei desiren. so semeþ it q{uo}d I. but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d she -yif þei geten þe goode þat þei desire{n} þei [ne] mowen nat ben wicked. -so is it q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan so as þat oon {and} þat oþer [q{uod} she] -desiren good. {and} þe goode folk geten good {and} nat þe wicked folk -¶ þan nis it no doute þat þe goode folk ne ben myȝty {and} þe wicked -folk ben feble. ¶ who so þat euer q{uo}d I douteþ of þis. he ne may nat -considre þe nature of þi{n}ges. ne þe consequence of resou{n}. and ouer -þis q{uo}d she. ¶ yif þat þer ben two þinges þat han o same p{ur}pos by -kynde. {and} þat one of he{m} p{ur}sueþ {and} p{er}formeþ þilke same -þinge by naturel office. {and} þat oþer ne may nat done þilk naturel -office. but folweþ by oþer manere þan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym þat -acomplisiþ hys p{ur}pos kyndely. {and} ȝit he ne acomplisiþ nat hys owen -purpos. wheþer of þise two demest þou for more myȝty. ¶ yif þat I -coniecte q{uo}d .I. þat þou wilt seye algates. ȝit I desire to herkene -it more pleynely of þe. þou nilt nat þan denye q{uo}d she þat þe -moeueme{n}tȝ of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soþe q{uo}d I. ne þou -ne doutest nat q{uo}d she þ{a}t þilke naturel office of goynge ne be þe -office of feet. I ne doute it nat q{uo}d .I. þan q{uo}d she yif þat a -wyȝt be myȝty to moeue {and} goþ vpon hys feet. and anoþer to whom þilke -naturel office of feet lakkeþ. enforceþ hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys -handes. ¶ whiche of þise two auȝte to ben holden more myȝty by ryȝt. -knyt furþe þe remenaunt q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wyȝt ne douteþ þat he þat may -gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more myȝty þan he þat ne may nat -¶ but þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to þe -good folk {and} to badde. þe good folke seken it by naturel office of -uertues. {and} þe shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise -of erþely þinges. whiche þat nis no naturel office to geten þilke same -souereyne goode. trowest þou þat it be any oþer wyse. nay q{uo}d .I. for -þe co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of þinges þat I haue graunted. -¶ þat nedes goode folk moten ben myȝty. {and} shrewes feble {and} -vnmyȝty. ¶ þou rennest aryȝt byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} þis is þe -iugement þat is to seyn. ¶ I iuge of þe ryȝt as þise leches ben wont -forto hopen of seke folk whan þei ap{er}ceyuen þat nature is redressed -{and} wiþstondeþ to þe maladie. ¶ But for I see þe now al redy to þe -vndirstandynge I shal shewe þe more þilke {and} continuel resou{n}s. -¶ For loke now how gretly shewiþ þe feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked -folke. þat ne mowen nat come to þat hire naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ -hem. {and} ȝitte almost þilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreineþ hem. -¶ and what wer{e} to deme þan of shrewes. yif þilke naturel helpe hadde -for-leten hem. ¶ þe whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} goþ alwey -byforne hem. {and} is so grete þat vnneþ it may be ou{er}comen. -¶ Considre þan how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse þere is -in grete felonous folk as who seiþ þe gretter þi{n}ges þat ben coueited -{and} þe desire nat accomplissed of þe lasse myȝt is he þat coueiteþ it -{and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forþi philosophie seiþ þus by souereyne -good. ¶ Sherewes ne requere nat lyȝt[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche þei -ne may nat folwen ne holden. but þei fayle{n} of þilke some of þe heyȝte -of þinges þat is to seyne souereyne good. ne þise wrecches ne comen nat -to þe effect of souereyne good. þe whiche þei enforcen hem oonly to -gete{n} by nyȝtes {and} by dayes. ¶ In þe getyn[g] of whiche goode þe -strengþe of good folk. is ful wel ysen. For ryȝt so as þ{o}u myȝtest -demen hym myȝty of goynge þat goþ on hys feet til he myȝt[e] come to -þilke place fro þe whiche place þere ne lay no wey forþer to be gon. -Ryȝt so most þou nedes demen hym for ryȝt myȝty þat getiþ {and} atteiniþ -to þe ende of alle þinges þat ben to desire. by-ȝonde þe whiche ende þat -þer nis no þing to desire. ¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may -conclude þat wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle -strengþe. For whi forleten þei v{er}tues {and} folwen vices. nis it nat -for þat þei ne knowen nat þe goodes. ¶ But what þing is more feble {and} -more caitif þan is þe blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys þei knowen ful -wel whiche þinges þat þei auȝten to folwen ¶ but lecherye {and} couetise -ouerþroweþ hem mysturned. ¶ and certis so doþ distemp{er}aunce to feble -men. þat ne mowe{n} nat wrastle aȝeins þe vices ¶ Ne knowen þei nat þan -wel þat þei foreleten þe good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to -vices. ¶ And in þis wise þei ne forleten nat oonly to ben myȝty. but þei -forleten al outerly in any wise forto ben ¶ For þei þat forleten þe -comune fyn of alle þinges þat ben. þei for-leten also þerwiþ al forto -ben. and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk þat þis were a -merueile to seyne þat shrewes whiche þat contienen þe more p{ar}tie of -me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge. ¶ but naþeles it is so. {and} þus -stant þis þing for þei þat ben shrewes I denye nat þat þei ben shrewes. -but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly þat þei [ne] ben nat. ne -han no beynge. for ryȝt as þou myȝtest seyn of þe careyne of a man þat -it were a ded man. ¶ but þou ne myȝtest nat symplely callen it a man. -¶ So graunt[e] I wel for soþe þat vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may -nat graunten absolutely {and} symplely þat þei ben. ¶ For þilk þing þat -wiþ holdeþ ordre {and} kepiþ nature. þilk þing is {and} haþ beynge. but -þat þing þat faileþ of þat. þat is to seyne he þ{a}t forletiþ naturel -ordre he for-letiþ þilk beyng þat is set in hys nature. but þou wolt -sein þat shrewes mowen. ¶ Certys þat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys hir -power ne descendeþ nat of strengþe but of feblesse. for þei mowen don -wickednesses. þe whiche þei ne myȝten nat don yif þei myȝte{n} dwelle in -þe forme {and} in þe doynge of goode folke. ¶ And þilke power sheweþ ful -euydently þat þei ne mowen ryȝt nauȝt. ¶ For so as I haue gadered {and} -p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn þat yuel is nauȝt. {and} so as shrewes mowen -oonly but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{n} is al clere. þat shrewes ne -mowen ryȝt nat to han power. and for as moche as þou vndirstonde whiche -is þe strengþe þat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here -byforn þat no þing nis so myȝty as souereyne good ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d -.I. [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel // Certes no -q{uod} I] ¶ Is þer any wyȝt þan q{uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don -alle þinges. No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte. ¶ but -certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{uo}d she. ¶ ȝe wolde god q{uo}d I þat -þei ne myȝte{n} don none. þat q{uo}d she so as he þat is myȝty to done -oonly but good[e] þinges may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben myȝty to -done yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open þing {and} -manifest þat þei þ{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of lasse power. and ȝitte to -p{ro}ue þis conclusiou{n} þere helpeþ me þis þat I haue shewed here -byforne. þat al power is to be nou{m}bred amonge þinges þat men auȝten -requere. {and} haue shewed þat alle þi{n}ges þat auȝten ben desired ben -referred to good ryȝt as to a manere heyȝte of hyr nature. ¶ But for to -mowen don yuel {and} felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. þan nis -nat yuel of þe nou{m}bre of þinges þat auȝte{n}. be desired. but al -power auȝt[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ þan is it open {and} cler -þat þe power ne þe moeuyng of shrewes nis no powere. {and} of alle þise -þinges it sheweþ wel þat þe goode folk ben certeynly myȝty. {and} þe -shrewes ben douteles vnmyȝty ¶ And it is clere {and} open þat þilke -sentence of plato is uerray {and} soþe. þ{a}t seyþ þat oonly wiseme{n} -may [doon] þat þei desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten þat hem lykeþ. -but þat þei desiren þat is to seyne to comen to souereyne good þei ne -han no power to acomplissen þat. ¶ For shrewes don þat hem list whan by -þo þinges in whiche þei deliten þei wenen to atteyne to þilke good þat -þei desiren. but þei ne geten ne atteynen nat þer to. ¶ for vices ne -comen nat to blisfulnesse. - - -QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS. - - [Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]] - -++Who so þat þe couertures of her veyn apparailes myȝt[e] strepen of -þise proude kynges þat þou seest sitten on heyȝe in her chayeres -glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wiþ sorweful arm{ur}es manasyng -wiþ cruel mouþe. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. ¶ He sholde se þan þat -ilke lordes beren wiþ i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for -leccherye tormentiþ he{m} on þat oon syde wiþ gredy venyms {and} -troublable Ire þat araiseþ in hem þe floodes of troublynges tourmentiþ -vpon þat oþer side hir þouȝt. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycauȝt. or -slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmentiþ hem. And þerfore syn þou seest -on heed. þat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis. þa{n} ne -doþ þilk tyraunt nat þat he desiriþ. syn he is cast doune wiþ so many[e] -wicked lordes. þat is to seyn wiþ so many[e] vices. þat han so wicked -lordshipes ouer hym. - - -VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO. - - [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]] - -++SEest þou nat þan in how gret filþe þise shrewes ben ywrapped. {and} -wiþ whiche cleernesse þise good folk shynen. In þis sheweþ it wel þat to -good folk ne lakkeþ neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken neuer mo -to{ur}mentis. for of alle þinges þat ben ydon þilke þing for whiche any -þing is doon. it semeþ as by ryȝt þat þilke þing be þe mede of þat. as -þus. ¶ yif a man renneþ in þe stadie or in þe forlonge for þe corone. -þan lieþ þe mede in þe corone for whiche he renneþ. ¶ And I haue shewed -þat blisfulnesse is þilke same good for whiche þat alle þi{n}g{us} ben -don. þan is þilke same good p{ur}posed to þe werkes of mankynde ryȝt as -a comune mede. whiche mede ne may ben disseuered fro good folk. for no -wyȝt as by ryȝt fro þennes forþe þ{a}t hym lakkiþ goodnesse ne shal ben -cleped good. For whiche þing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne -forsaken hem neuer mo. For al be it so þat sherewes waxen as wood as hem -list aȝeynes good[e] folk. ȝitte neuer þe les þe corone of wise men ne -shal nat fallen ne faden. ¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymeþ nat fro -þe corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. but yif þat any wyȝt -reioiseþ hem of goodnesse þat þei had[de] taken fro wiþoute. as who seiþ -yif [þ{a}t] any wyȝt had[de] hys goodnesse of any oþer man þan of hym -self. certys he þat ȝaf hym þilke goodnesse or ellys som oþer wyȝt -myȝt[e] bynym[e] it hym. but for as moche as to euery wyȝt hys owen -p{ro}pre bounte ȝeueþ hy{m} hys mede. þan at arst shal he faylen of mede -whan he forletiþ to ben good. {and} at þe laste so as alle medes be{n} -requered for men wenen þat þei ben good[e]. who is he þat wolde deme þat -he þat is ryȝt myȝty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. {and} of what mede -shal he be gerdoned. certys of ryȝt faire mede {and} ryȝt greet abouen -alle medes. ¶ Remembre þe of þilk noble corolarie þat I ȝaf þe a lytel -here byforne. {and} gadre it to gidre in þis manere. so as god hym self -is blisfulnesse. þan is it clere {and} certeyn. þat alle good folk ben -makid blisful for þei ben good[e]. and þilke folk þat ben blisful it -accordiþ {and} is couenable to ben godde[s]. þan is þe mede of goode -folk swiche. þat no day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal -endirken it. ne power of no wyȝt ne shal nat amenusen it þat is to seyn -to ben maked goddes. ¶ and syn it is þus þat goode men ne faylen neuer -mo of hir{e} medes. ¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of þe -vndep{ar}table peyne of shrewes. ¶ þat is to seyn þat þe peyne of -shrewes ne dep{ar}tiþ nat from hem self neuer mo. ¶ For so as goode -{and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben contrarie it mot nedes ben þ{a}t -ryȝt as we seen by-tiden in gerdou{n} of goode. þat also mot þe peyne of -yuel answer{e} by þe contrarie partye to shrewes. now þan so as bounte -{and} prowesse ben þe medes to goode folk. also is shrewednesse it self -torment to shrewes ¶ þan who so þat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiþ -yuel. yif shrewes wolen þan p{re}isen hem self may it semen to hem þat -þei ben wiþ oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. syn þei ben swiche þat þe -[vtteriste wikkednesse / þ{a}t is to seyn wikkede thewes / which þ{a}t -is the] out{er}este {and} þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ -nat ne entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ he{m} -gretely ¶ And al so loke on shrewes þat ben þe contrarie p{ar}tye of -goode men. how grete peyne felawshipeþ {and} folweþ hem. ¶ For þou hast -lerned a litel here byforn þat al þi{n}g þat is {and} haþ beynge is oon. -{and} þilke same oon is good. þan is þis consequence þat it semeþ wel. -þat al þat is {and} haþ bey{n}ge is good. þis is to seyne. as who seiþ -þat beynge {and} vnite {and} goodnesse is al oon. {and} in þis manere it -folweþ þan. þat al þing þat faileþ to ben good. it styntiþ forto be. -{and} forto haue any beynge. wher fore it is þat shrewes stynten forto -ben þat þei weren. but þilke oþer forme of mankynde. þat is to seyne þe -forme of þe body wiþ oute. shewiþ ȝit þat þise shrewes were somtyme men. -¶ wher fore whan þei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to malice. certys -þan han þei forlorn þe nature of mankynde. but so as oonly bounte {and} -prowesse may enhawnse euery man ouer oþer men. þan mot it nedes be þat -shrewes whiche þat shrewednesse haþ cast out of þe condic{i}ou{n} of -mankynde ben put vndir þe merite {and} þe deserte of men. þan bitidiþ it -þat yif þou seest a wyȝt þat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. þou ne mayst -nat wene þat he be a man. ¶ For ȝif he [be] ardaunt in auarice. {and} -þat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of foreine rychesse. þou shalt seyn -þat he is lyke to a wolf. {and} yif he be felonous {and} wiþ out reste -{and} ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. þou shalt lykene hym to þe -hounde. {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} reioyseþ hym to -rauysshe by wyles. þou shalt seyne hym lyke to þe fox whelpes. ¶ And yif -he be distempre {and} quakiþ for ire men shal wene þat he bereþ þe -corage of a lyou{n}. {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge and dredeþ -þinges þat ne auȝten nat ben dred. men shal holde hym lyke to þe -h{er}te. {and} yif he be slowe {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyueþ as an -asse. {and} yif he be lyȝt {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungeþ ay -his studies. he is lickened to briddes. ¶ {and} yif he be plounged in -foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiþholden in þe foule delices of þe -foule soowe. ¶ þan folweþ it þat he þat forletiþ bountee {and} prowesse. -he forletiþ to ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to þe -condic{i}ou{n} of god. he is tourned in to a beest. - - -V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] - -++Evrus þe wynde aryueþ þe sayles of vlixes duc of þe contre of narice. -{and} hys wandryng shippes by þe see in to þe isle þere as Circe þe -fayre goddesse douȝter of þe sonne dwelleþ þat medlyþ to hir newe gestes -drynkes þat ben touched {and} maked wiþ enchau{n}tmentȝ. {and} after þat -hir hande myȝty of þe herbes had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to -dyuerse maneres. þat oon of hem is couered his face wiþ forme of a boor. -þat oþer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of þe contre of marmorike. {and} -his nayles {and} his teþe wexen. ¶ þat oþer of hem is newliche chaunged -in to a wolf. {and} howeliþ whan he wolde wepe. þat oþer goþ debonairly -in þe house as a tigre of Inde. but al be it so þat þe godhed of -mercurie þat is cleped þe bride of arcadie haþ had mercie of þe duc -vlixes byseged wiþ diu{er}se yueles {and} haþ vnbounden hym fro þe -pestilence of hys oosteresse algates þe rowers {and} þe maryners hadden -by þis ydrawen in to hir mouþes {and} dronken þe wicked[e] drynkes þei -þat were woxen swyne hadden by þis chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto -ete acorns of ookes. non of hir lymes ne dwelliþ wiþ he{m} hoole. but -þei han lost þe voys {and} þe body. Oonly hir{e} þouȝt dwelleþ wiþ hem -stable þ{a}t wepiþ {and} bywailiþ þe monstruous chaungynge þat þei -suffren. ¶ O ouer lyȝt hand. as who seiþ. ¶ O feble {and} lyȝt is þe -hand of Circes þe enchaunteresse þat chaungeþ þe bodies of folk in to -bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n} þat is makid -by vices. ne þe herbes of circes ne ben nat myȝty. for al be it so þat -þei may chau{n}gen þe lymes of þe body. ¶ algates ȝit þei may nat -chau{n}ge þe hertes. for wiþ inne is yhid þe strengþe {and} þe vigour of -me{n} in þe secre toure of hire hertys. þat is to seyn þe strengþe of -resou{n}. but þilke uenyms of vices to-drawen a man to hem more myȝtily -þan þe venym of circes. ¶ For vices ben so cruel þat þei percen {and} -þoruȝ passen þe corage wiþ i{n}ne. {and} þouȝ þei ne anoye nat þe body. -ȝitte vices wooden to distroien men by wounde of þouȝt. - - -TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]] - -++Þan seide I þus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne I ne se nat -þat men may seyn as by ryȝt. þ{a}t shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to -beestes by þe qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so þ{a}t þei kepen ȝitte -þe forme of þe body of mankynde. but I nolde nat of shrewes of whiche þe -þouȝt cruel woodeþ alwey in to destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. þat it -wer{e} leueful to hem to done þat. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat -leueful to hem as I shal wel shewen þe in couenable place. ¶ But naþeles -yif so were þat þilke þat me{n} wene{n} ben leueful for shrewes were -bynomen hem. so þat þei ne myȝten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men. -¶ Certys a gret p{ar}ty of þe peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged {and} -releued. ¶ For al be it so þ{a}t þis ne seme nat credible þing -p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk ȝit mot it nedes be þat shrewes ben more -wrecches {and} vnsely. whan þei may don {and} p{er}forme þat þei -coueiten [than yif they myhte nat complyssen þ{a}t they coueyten]. ¶ For -yif so be þat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] þan is it more -wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. wiþ oute whiche moeuyng þe wrecched -wille sholde languisshe wiþ oute effecte. ¶ þan syn þat eueryche of þise -þinges haþ hys wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne wil to done yuel. and -moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes be. þat þei (shrewes) ben -constreyned by þre vnselynesses þat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen -felonyes {and} shrewednesses. ¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I desire -gretely þat shrewes losten sone þilke vnselynesses. þat is to seyne þat -shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng to don yuel. ¶ so shulle{n} þei q{uo}d -she. sonnere p{er}auenture þen þ{o}u woldest or sonnere þen þei hem self -wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. ¶ For þere nis no þing so late in -so short bou{n}des of þis lijf þat is longe to abide. namelyche to a -corage inmortel. Of whiche shrewes þe grete hope {and} þe heye -co{m}passy{n}g{us} of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a sodeyne ende -or þei ben war. {and} þat þing establiþ to shrewes þe ende of hir -shrewednesse. ¶ For yif þat shrewednesse makiþe wrecches. þan mot he -nedes be most wrecched þat lengest is a shrewe. þe whiche wicked shrewes -wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} caytifs yif þat hir shrewednes ne -were yfinissed. at þe leste weye by þe outerest[e] deeþ. for [yif] I -haue concluded soþe of þe vnselynesse of shrewednesse. þan sheweþ it -clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende þe whiche is certeyne -to ben p{er}durable. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þis [conclusion] is harde {and} -wonderful to graunte. ¶ But I knowe wel þat it accordeþ moche to [the] -þi{n}ges þat I haue graunted her byforne. ¶ þou hast q{uo}d she þe ryȝt -estimac{i}ou{n} of þis. but who so euere wene þat it be an harde þing to -acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ryȝt þat he shewe þat so{m}me of þe -p{re}misses ben fals. or ellys he mot shewe þat þe colasiou{n} of -p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and -yif it be nat so. but þat þe p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted þer nis nat whi -he sholde blame þe argument. for þis þing þat I shal telle þe nowe ne -shal not seme lasse wondirful. but of þe þinges þat ben taken al so it -is necessarie as who so seiþ it folweþ of þat whiche þat is p{ur}posed -byforn. what is þat q{uo}d I. ¶ certys q{uo}d she þat is þat þ{a}t þise -wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys lasse wrecches. þat byen þe -tourmentes þat þei han deserued. þan yif no peyne of Iustice ne -chastied[e] hem. ne þis ne seye I nat now for þat any man myȝt[e] -þenk[e] þat þe maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} chastised by -veniaunce. {and} þat þei ben brouȝt to þe ryȝt wey by þe drede of þe -tourment. ne for þat þei ȝeuen to oþer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} -vices. ¶ But I vndirstonde ȝitte [in] an oþer manere þat shrewes ben -more vnsely whan þei ne ben nat punissed al be it so þat þere ne ben had -no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. ne none ensample of lokynge. -¶ And what manere shal þat ben q{uo}d I. ouþer þan haþ ben told here -byforn ¶ Haue we nat graunted þan q{uo}d she þat good[e] folk ben -blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. ȝis q{uo}d I. [thanne q{uod} she] -ȝif þat any good were added to þe wrecchenesse of any wyȝt. nis he nat -more blisful þan he þat ne haþ no medelyng of goode in hys solitarie -wrecchednesse. so semeþ it q{uo}d I. and what seyst þou þan q{uo}d she -of þilke wrecche þat lakkeþ alle goodes. so þat no goode nis medeled in -hys wrecchednesse. {and} ȝitte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche he -is a wrecche þat þer be ȝitte anoþer yuel anexid {and} knyt to hym. shal -not men demen hym more vnsely þan þilke wrecche of whiche þe vnselynesse -is re[le]ued by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode. whi sholde he nat -q{uo}d I. ¶ þan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan þei ben punissed -somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne þe same -peyne þat þei suffren whiche þat is good by þe resou{n} of Iustice. And -whan þilke same shrewes ascapen wiþ outen tourment. þan han þei somwhat -more of yuel ȝit ouer þe wickednesse þat þei han don. þat is to seye -defaute of peyne. whiche defaute of peyne þou hast graunted is yuel. -¶ For þe desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. ¶ Moche more -þan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely whan þei ben wrongfully delyuered fro -peyne. þan whan þei beþ punissed by ryȝtful vengeaunce. but þis is open -þi{n}g {and} clere þat it is ryȝt þat shrewes ben punissed. {and} it is -wickednesse {and} wrong þat þei escapin vnpunissed. ¶ who myȝt[e] denye -þat q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. þat al þat is ryȝt nis -good. {and} also þe contrarie. þat alle þat is wrong nis wicked. certys -q{uo}d I þise þinges ben clere ynouȝ. {and} þat we han concludid a litel -here byforn{e}. but I p{re}ye þe þat þou telle me yif þou accordest to -leten no to{ur}ment to þe soules aftir þat þe body is dedid by þe deþe. -þis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest þou ouȝt þat soules han any to{ur}ment -after þe deþe of þe body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she ȝe {and} þat ryȝt grete. -of whiche soules q{uo}d she I trowe þat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by -asprenesse of peyne. {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a -p{ur}ging mekenesse. but my conseil nys nat to determyne of þis peyne. -but I haue trauayled and told it hider to. ¶ For þou sholdest knowe þat -þe mowynge [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge þe semeþ to ben. -vnworþi nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of whiche þou pleynedest -þat þei ne were nat punissed. þat þou woldest seen þat þei ne weren -neuer mo wiþ outen þe torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of þe licence -of mowynge to done yuel. þat þou p{re}idest þat it myȝt[e] sone ben -endid. {and} þat þou woldest fayne lerne. þat it ne sholde nat longe -endure. {and} þat shrewes ben more vnsely yif þei were of lenger duryng. -{and} most vnsely yif þei weren p{er}durable. {and} after þis I haue -shewed þe þat more vnsely ben shrewes whan þei escapen wiþ oute ryȝtful -peyne. þan whan þei ben punissed by ryȝtful uengeaunce. and of þis -sentence folweþ it þat þan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiþ most -greuous tourment. whan men wene þat þei ne ben nat ypunissed. whan I -considre þi resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. ne trowe nat þat men seyn any þing -more verrely. {and} yif I to{ur}ne aȝeyn to þe studies of men. who is -[he] to who{m} it sholde seme þat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n} þise -þinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. Certys q{uo}d she so it is. but -men may nat. for þei han hire eyen so wont to derkenesse of erþely -þinges. þat þei may nat liften hem vp to þe lyȝt of clere soþefastnes. -¶ But þei ben lyke to briddes of whiche þe nyȝt lyȝtneþ hyre lookyng. -{and} þe day blyndeþ hem. for whan men loken nat þe ordre of þinges but -hire lustes {and} talentȝ. þei wene þat oþir þe leue or þe mowynge to -done wickednesse or ellys þe escapi{n}g wiþ oute peyne be weleful. but -co{n}sider{e} þe iugement of þe p{er}durable lawe. for if þou conferme -þi corage to þe beste þinges. þou ne hast no nede to no iuge to ȝiue{n} -þe p{r}is or meede. for þou hast ioigned þi self to þe most excellent -þing. and yif þou haue enclined þi studies to þe wicked þinges. ne seek -no foreyn wrekere out of þi self. for þou þi self hast þrest þe in to -wicked þinges. ryȝt as þou myȝtest loken by dyuerse tymes þe foule erþe -{and} þe heuene. {and} þat alle oþer þinges stynten fro wiþ oute. so þat -þou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no þing more. þan -sholde it semen to þe as by only resou{n} of lokynge. þat þou were in þe -sterres. {and} now in þe erþe. but þe poeple ne lokeþ nat on þise -þinges. what þan shal we þan app{ro}chen vs to hem þat I haue shewed þat -þei ben lyke to þe bestes. (q. d. no{n}) ¶ And what wilt þou seyne of -þis ¶ yif þat a man hadde al forlorn hys syȝt. {and} had[de] forȝeten -þat he euer saw {and} wende þ{a}t no þing ne fayled[e] hym of -p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we þat myȝten sen þe same þing -wolde we nat wene þat he were bly{n}de (q. d. sic). ne also ne accordeþ -nat þe poeple to þat I shal seyne. þe whiche þing is susteyned by a -stronge foundement of resou{n}s. þat is to seyn þat more vnsely ben þei -þat don wrong to oþer folk. þen þei þat þe wrong suffren. ¶ I wolde -heren þilke same resou{n}s q{uo}d I ¶ Deniest þou q{uo}d she þat alle -shrewes ne ben worþi to han to{ur}ment. nay q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she I -am certeyne by many resou{n}s þat shrewes ben vnsely. it accordeþ q{uo}d -I. þan [ne] dowtest þou nat q{uo}d she þat þilke folk þat ben worþi of -to{ur}ment þat þei ne ben wrecches. It accordeþ wel q{uo}d I. yif þou -were þan q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of þinges. wheþer trowest -þou þ{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym þat haþ don þe wronge. or hym þat -haþ suffred þe wronge. I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. þat I nolde don -suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n} to hym þat had[de] suffred þe wrong by þe -sorwe of hym þat had[de] don þe wronge. ¶ þan semeþ it q{uo}d she þat þe -doar of wrong is more wrecche þan he þat haþ suffred þe wrong. þat -folweþ wel q{uo}d [I]. þan q{uo}d she by þise causes {and} by oþer -causes þat ben enforced by þe same roate þat filþe or synne by þe -p{ro}pre nature of it makeþ men wretches. {and} it sheweþ wel þat þe -wrong þat me{n} don nis nat þe wrecchenesse of hym þat receyueþ þe -wrong. but þe wrecchednesse of hym þat doþ þe wronge ¶ but certys q{uo}d -she þise orato{ur}s or aduocatȝ don al þe contrarie for þei enforcen hem -to co{m}moeue þe iuges to han pite of he{m} þat han suffred {and} -resceyued þe þinges þat ben greuous {and} aspre. {and} ȝitte men sholden -more ryȝtfully han pitee on hem þat don þe greuaunces {and} þe wronges. -þe whiche shrewes it were a more couenable þing þat þe accuso{ur}s or -aduocatȝ not wroþe but pitous {and} debonaire ladden þe shrewes þat han -don wro{n}g to þe Iugement. ryȝt as men leden seke folk to þe leche. for -þat þei sholden seken out þe maladies of synne by to{ur}mentȝ. and by -þis couenaunt eyþer þe entent of þe defendo{ur}s or aduocatȝ sholde -fayle {and} cesen in al. or ellys yif þe office of aduocatȝ wolde -bettre p{ro}fiten to men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to þe habit of -accusac{i}ou{n}. þat is [to] s[e]yn þei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. -{and} nat excuse hem. {and} eke þe shrewes hem self. ȝit it were -leueful to hem to seen at any clifte þe vertue þat þei han forleten. -{and} sawen þat þei sholde putten adou{n} þe filþes of hire vices -by [the] to{ur}mentȝ of peynes. þei ne auȝten nat ryȝt for þe -reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche þat -þei han lost demen ne holden þat þilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem. -{and} eke þei wolden refuse þe attendau{n}ce of hir aduocatȝ {and} taken -hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. for whiche it bytideþ -[þ{a}t] as to þe wise folk þer nis no place ylete to hate. þat is to -seyn. þat hate ne haþ no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wyȝt wolde -haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a fole. ¶ and forto haten -shrewes it nis no resou{n}. ¶ For ryȝt so as languissing is maladie of -body. ryȝt so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as we -ne deme nat þat þei þat ben seek of hire body ben worþi to ben hated. -but raþer worþi of pite. wel more worþi nat to ben hated. but forto ben -had in pite ben þei of whiche þe þouȝtes ben constreined by felonous -wickednesse. þat is more cruel þa{n} any languissinge of body. - - -QUID TANTOS IUUAT. - - [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] - -++What deliteþ it ȝow to exciten so grete moewynges of hatredes {and} to -hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} of ȝoure deeþ wiþ ȝoure -p{ro}pre handes. þat is to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. for yif ȝe -axen þe deeþ it hastisiþ hym of hys owen wille. ne deeþ ne tarieþ nat -hys swifte hors. and [the] men þat þe serpentȝ {and} þe lyou{n}s. {and} -þe tigre. {and} þe beere {and} þe boore seken to sleen wiþ her teþe. ȝit -þilke same men seken to sleen eueryche of hem oþer wiþ swerde. loo for -her man{er}s ben diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ þei moeuen vnryȝtful oostes -{and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of -dartes. but þe resou{n} of cruelte nis nat ynouȝ ryȝtful. wilt þou þan -ȝelden a couenable gerdou{n} to þe desertes of men ¶ Loue ryȝtfully -goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes. - - -HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] - -++Þus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyþer what blisfulnesse or ellys what -vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in þe desertys of goode men {and} of -shrewes. ¶ but in þis ilke fortune of poeple I see somwhat of goode. -{and} somwhat of yuel. for no wise man haþ nat leuer ben exiled pore -{and} nedy {and} nameles. þan forto dwellen in hys Citee {and} flouren -of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. {and} stronge of power for -in þis wise more clerely {and} more witnesfully is þe office of wise men -ytretid whan þe blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it -were yshad amonges poeples þat ben neyȝboures {and} subgitȝ. syn þat -namely prisou{n} lawe {and} þise oþer to{ur}mentȝ of lawful peynes ben -raþer owed to felonous Citeȝeins. for þe whiche felonous Citeȝeins þo -peynes ben establissed. þan for goode folk. ¶ þan I m{er}ueile me gretly -q{uo}d I. whi [þ{a}t] þe þinges ben so mys entrechaunged. þat -to{ur}mentȝ felounes pressen {and} confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes -rauyssen medes of vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete -estatis. and I desire eke to wite{n} of þe. what semeþ þe to ben þe -resou{n} of þis so wrongful a confusiou{n} ¶ For I wolde wondre wel þe -lasse yif I trowed[e] þat alle þise þinges were medeled by fortuouse -hap. ¶ But now hepeþ {and} encreseþ myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of -þinges. þat so as god ȝeueþ ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes {and} -myrþes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre þinges. {and} ȝeueþ aȝeynewarde -to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to shrewes [he] g{ra}unteþ hem her wille -{and} þat þei desiren. what difference þan may þer be bitwixen þ{a}t þat -god doþ. {and} þe hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat þe cause whi þat -[it] is. it nis no merueile q{uo}d she þouȝ þat men wenen þat þer be -somwhat folysche and confus whan þe resou{n} of þe order is vnknowe. -¶ But alle þouȝ þou ne know nat þe cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}. -naþeles for as moche as god þe good[e] gouernour attempreþ {and} -gouerneþ þe world. ne doute þe nat þat alle þinges ne ben doon aryȝt. - - -SI QUIS ARCTURI SYDERA. - - [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]] - -++Who so þat ne knowe nat þe sterres of arctour yto{ur}ned neye to þe -souereyne contre or point. þat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to þe -souereyne pool of þe firmament {and} woot nat whi þe sterre boetes -passeþ or gaderiþ his wey[n]es. {and} drencheþ his late flaumbes in þe -see. {and} whi þat boetes þe sterre vnfoldiþ his ouer swifte arisynges. -þan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of þe lawe of þe heye eyre. {and} eke if þat he -ne knowe nat why þat þe hornes of þe ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} -infect by þe bou{n}des of þe derke nyȝt ¶ and how þe moene dirk {and} -confuse discouereþ þe sterres. þat she had[de] ycouered by hir clere -visage. þe co{m}mune errour moeueþ folk {and} makiþ wery hir bacines of -bras by þikke strookes. þat is to seyne þat þer is a maner poeple þat -hyȝt[e] coribandes þat wenen þat whan þe moone is in þe eclips þat it be -enchau{n}tid. and þerfore forto rescowe þe moone þei betyn hire basines -wiþ þikke strokes. ¶ Ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe blastes of þe wynde -chorus betyn þe strondes of þe see by quakynge floodes. ne no man ne -wondreþ whan þe weyȝte of þe snowe yhardid by þe colde. is resolued by -þe brennynge hete of phebus þe sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly þe -causes. but þe causes yhid þat is to seye in heuene trouble þe brestes -of men. ¶ þe moeueable poeple is a-stoned of alle þinges þat comen selde -{and} sodeynely in oure age. but yif þe troubly errour of oure -ignora{n}ce departid[e] from vs. so þat we wisten þe causes whi þat -swiche þinges bitiden. certys þei sholde{n} cesse to seme wondres. - - -ITA EST INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] - -{Þ}vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt me to -vnwrappe{n} þe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and to discoueren me þe -resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye þe þat þou diuise {and} -Iuge me of þis matere. {and} þat þou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For -þis miracle or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely. {and} þan she a -litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle þing. -þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche -questiou{n} vnneþ[e]s is þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. -vnneþes is þer suffisauntly any þing to answere p{er}fitly to þi -questiou{n}. ¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is -determined {and} kut awey þer wexe{n} oþer doutes wiþ-outen nou{m}bre. -ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe serpent þat hercules slouȝ. ¶ Ne -þere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt -co{n}streined[e] þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuely {and} a quik fire of þouȝt. -þat is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengþe of witte. ¶ For in þis matere -me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of þe simplicite of þe -p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of þe ordre of destine. {and} of sodeyne hap. -{and} of þe knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of þe -lyberte of fre wille. þe whiche þing þou þi self ap{er}ceiust wel of -what weyȝt þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise þinges is a -manere porc{i}ou{n} to þe medicine to þe. al be it so þat I haue lytel -tyme to don it. ȝit naþeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. -¶ but al þouȝ þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most -suffren. {and} forberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I weue -(contexo) to þe resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ to þe q{uo}d I so -do. ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide þus. -¶ þe enge{n}drynge of alle þinges q{uo}d she {and} alle þe -progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle þ{a}t moeueþ in any -manere takiþ hys causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of þe stablenesse -of þe deuyne þouȝt [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset {and} put in -þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ -many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat -men loken it i{n} þilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne i{n}telligence. it -is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referred by me{n} to -þinges þat it moeueþ {and} disponeþ þan of olde men. it was cleped -destine. ¶ þe whiche þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. þe -strengþe of þat oon {and} of þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen seen þat þise -two þinges ben diuers. ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce is þilke deuyne resou{n} þat -is establissed in þe souereyne p{r}ince of þinges. þe whiche -p{ur}ueaunce disponiþ alle þinges. but destine is þe disposic{i}ou{n} -{and} ordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche -disposic{i}ou{n} þe p{ur}ueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres. -¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbraceþ alle þi{n}ges to hepe. al þouȝ þat þei ben -dyuerse {and} al þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but destynie dep{ar}teþ -{and} ordeyneþ alle þinges singlerly {and} diuideþ. in moeuynges. in -places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}tiþ [as] þus. so þat þe vnfoldyng of -temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in þe lokyng of þe deuyne -þouȝt ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} þilke same assemblynge. {and} oonyng -diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat þat ben called destine. {and} al be -it so þat þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon on þat -oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal p{ro}cediþ of þe simplicite of -purueaunce. for ryȝt as a werkma{n} þat ap{er}ceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe -forme of þe þing þat he wil make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke. {and} -lediþ þat he had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symply {and} p{re}sently -by temp{or}el þouȝt. ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ in hys p{ur}ueaunce -singlerly {and} stably þe þinges þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in -many maneres {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges þat he -haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. eyþer by so{m}me -dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by -so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. -or ellys by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue of -aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of -he{m}. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or -accomplissed. certys it is open þing þat þe p{ur}ueaunce is an -vnmoeueable {and} symple forme of þinges to done. {and} þe moeueable -bonde {and} þe temp{or}el ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne -simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is destine. For -whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put vndir destine ben certys -subgitȝ to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is -subgit {and} vndir. ¶ But so{m}me þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat -so{ur}mounten þe ordinaunce of destine. {and} þo ben þilke þat stably -ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei so{ur}mou{n}ten þe ordre of -destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ryȝt as cercles þat to{ur}nen aboute a same -Centre or about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne -ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a -poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. ¶ and þilke þat -is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces -in so mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe poynt. and -yif þer be any þi{n}g þat knytteþ {and} felawshippeþ hym selfe to þilke -mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to -[vn]moeueablete. {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. -¶ Ryȝt so by semblable resou{n}. þilke þinge þat dep{ar}tiþ firþest fro -þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid to grettere -bondes of destine. and in so moche is þe þing more free {and} lovs fro -destyne as it axeþ {and} holdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat -is to seyne god. ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse of þe -þouȝt of god. {and} be wiþ oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mounteþ þe -necessite of destyne. þan ryȝt swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of -skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} of þing þat is engendred to þing þat is. -{and} of tyme to eternite. {and} of þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is -þe ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce. -¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heuene {and} þe sterres {and} attempreþ þe -elymentȝ to gider amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformeþ hem by -enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ aȝein alle -þinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables p{ro}gressiou{n}s of -seedes {and} of sexes. þat is to sein. male {and} female. and þis ilke -ordre co{n}streyneþ þe fortunes {and} þe dedes of men by a bonde of -causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). þe whiche destinal -causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges of þe vnmoeueable -purueaunce it mot nedes be þat þei ne be nat mutable. {and} þus ben þe -þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{n}ge in þe deuyne -þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed. {and} þis -ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ro}pre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys -þei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be -confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} þilke -ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ro}pre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to -goode disponit hem alle. for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne -þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel þe whiche -shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked -errour mysto{ur}niþ he{m}. ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of -souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. but þou mayst sein -what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} þan þ{a}t goode men han -so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. ¶ and shrewes also -han now þinges þat þei desiren. {and} now þi{n}ges þat þei haten -¶ wheþer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. ben -men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to ben goode folk or -shrewes þ{a}t it mot nedes ben þat folk ben swiche as þei wenen. but in -þis manere þe domes of men discorden. þat þilke men þ{a}t so{m}me folk -demen worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of to{ur}ment. but lat vs -graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen or knowen þe goode folk {and} -þe badde. May he þan knowen {and} seen þilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of -corages. as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ may a man -speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont -to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies -(q’ non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it -nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem þat ne -knowe{n} it nat. whi þat swete þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat -ben hool {and} to some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable. {and} also -whi þat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} lyȝt medicines [{and} some -folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] but naþeles þe leche þ{a}t -knoweþ þe manere {and} þe attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne -merueileþ of it no þing. but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but -bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oþer þing semeþ maladie of corages but -vices. who is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god -gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of þouȝtes. þe whiche god wha{n} he haþ -by-holden from þe heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knoweþ what is -couenable to euery wyȝt. {and} leneþ hem þat he wot [þat] is couenable -to hem. Loo here of comeþ {and} here of is don þis noble miracle of þe -ordre destinal. whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche þing -[þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiþ ¶ But -forto co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe -whiche þat mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest to -ben ryȝt Iuste {and} ryȝt kepyng of eq{u}ite. þe contrarie of þat semeþ -to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce þat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ -þat þe victories cause liked[e] to þe goddes {and} causes ouercomen -liked[e] to cato{u}n. þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in þis -[world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] ordre of þinges. but -as to þi wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}. but I suppose þat -som man be so wel yþewed. þat þe deuyne Iugement {and} þe Iugeme{n}t of -mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage -[þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten p{er}auenture to -continue i{n}nocence by þe whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. ¶ þan -þe wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spareþ hym þe whiche man{er}e -adu{er}site myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god wil nat suffren hym to -trauaile. to whom þat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An oþ{er} man is -p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so þat -þe p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony þat he were -touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he ne wil nat suffre þat swiche a man -be moeued wiþ any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the -moore excellent by me]. þe adu{er}sites comen nat (he seide in grec[;]) -þere þ{a}t uertues han edified þe bodie of þe holy man. and ofte tyme it -bitideþ þat þe so{m}me of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk to -gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid. -{and} god ȝeueþ {and} dep{ar}tiþ to oþer folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} -aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir þe qualite of hire corages {and} -remordiþ som folk by adu{er}sites. for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude -by longe welefulnesse. {and} oþer folk he suffreþ to ben trauayled wiþ -harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme þe vertues of corage by þe -vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce. and oþer folke dreden -more þen þei auȝten þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren. {and} þilke folk -god lediþ in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful þinges. -¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde by þe -pris of glorious deeþ. and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by -tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne may nat be -ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle þise þinges þer nis no doute -þ{a}t þei ne ben don ryȝtfully {and} ordeinly to þe p{ro}fit of hem to -whom we seen þise þinges bitide. ¶ For certys þat aduersite comeþ some -tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme þat þei desiren it comeþ of þise -forseide causes {and} of sorweful þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys -no man ne wondreþ. For alle me{n} wenen þat þei han wel deserued it. -{and} þei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche shrewes þe to{ur}ment som -tyme agasteþ oþer to done folies. {and} som tyme it amendeþ hem þat -suffren þe to{ur}mentis. ¶ And þe p{ro}sp{er}ite þat is ȝeuen to shrewes -sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what þing þei sholde demen of -þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. -in þe whiche þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for p{er}auenture þe nature -of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable þat þe nedy -pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] raþer egren hym to done felonies. and -to þe maladie of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse. {and} som -oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ synnes {and} makiþ -co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of hym self ¶ and drediþ -p{er}auenture þat hys blisfulnesse of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym -þat þe lesynge of þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} -þerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ to lese hys -fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. to oþer folk is welefulnesse -yȝeue{n} vnworþily þe whiche ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} þat -þei han deserued. and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to punisse{n}. for -þat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} ex{er}cisinge to good[e] -folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes. ¶ For so as þer nis none -alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat -accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self {and} whi nat. for shrewes discorde{n} of -hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to renden her consciences. -{and} don oft[e] tyme þinges þe whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei -demen þat þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche þinge þilke -souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme [fair{e}] miracle so þ{a}t -shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan þat som -shrewes seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes þei -wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien hem. {and} retournen to -þe fruit of uertue. when þei studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} þat þei han -hated. ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt yueles ben -þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenably {and} draweþ out þe effect of -any good. as who seiþ þat yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe -myȝt of god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ alle -þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þ{a}t] dep{ar}tiþ fro þe resou{n} of þe ordre -whiche þat is assigned to hym. algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþ{er} -ordre. so þat noþing nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne -p{ur}ueaunce. as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in þe realme -of þe deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt strong[e] god gouerniþ alle -þinges in þis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to -co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil -ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of þe deuyne entent. for oonly it -auȝt[e] suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle natures -ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. while þat he hastiþ to -wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked in to hys semblaunce. þat is to -seyn forto wiþholden þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he -chaseþ oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys co{m}munalite by þe ordre of -necessite destinable. For whiche it folweþ þat yif þou loke þe -p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat men wenen ben haboundaunt in -erþes. þou ne shalt not seen in no place no þing of yuel. ¶ but I se now -þat þou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n] {and} wery wiþ -lengþe of my resou{n}. {and} þat þou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak -þa{n} þis drauȝt {and} whan þou art wel refresshed {and} refet þou shalt -ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s. - - -SI UIS CELSI IURA. - - [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]] - -++Yif þou wolt demen in þi pur{e} þouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe lawes of þe heye -þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. loke þou {and} bihold þe heyȝtes of -souereyne heuene. ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges -hir olde pees. þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiþ nat þe -colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe sterre yclepid þe bere. þ{a}t encliniþ -hys rauyssynge courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe -same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe westerne see. ne -coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he -see oþer sterres yplounged in to þe see. ¶ And hesperus þe sterre bodiþ -{and} telliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne -þe clere day. ¶ And þus makiþ loue enterchaungeable þe p{er}durable -courses. {and} þus is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe -sterres. þis accordaunce atte{m}preþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe -elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe drye þinges. but -ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to -þe hote þinges. {and} þat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte. {and} þe -heuy erþes aualen by her weyȝtes. ¶ by þise same cause þe floury yere -ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesou{n} warmynge. {and} þe hote -somer dryeþ þe cornes. {and} autumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and -þe fletyng reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemp{er}aunce noryssiþ {and} -brynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis worlde. ¶ and þilk same -attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hideþ {and} bynymeþ {and} drencheþ vndir þe -last[e] deþe alle þinges yborn. ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye -makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe {and} wise Iuge. -to don equite {and} gouerniþ {and} encliniþ þe bridles of þinges. {and} -þo þinges þat he stireþ to don by moeuynge he wiþdraweþ {and} arestiþ -{and} affermiþ þe moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne -clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges. {and} ȝif þat he ne -constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined þe þinges -þ{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from -hir welle. þat is to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. þat is to -sein to{ur}nen in to nauȝt. ¶ þis is þe co{m}mune loue of alle þinges. -{and} alle þi{n}ges axen to be holden by þe fyn of good. For ellys ne -myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue -retourned to þe cause þat haþ ȝeuen he{m} beynge. þat is to seyn to god. - - -IAM NE IGITUR UIDES. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] - -++Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I haue seid. what -þing q{uo}d I. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she outerly þat al fortune is good. and -how may þat be q{uo}d .I. ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle -fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is ȝiuen -eiþer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of ex{er}cisynge of goode folk -or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is -alle fortune good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful -or p{ro}fitable. ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resou{n} q{uo}d I. and -yif I considere þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} þe destine þat þou tauȝtest me a -litel here byforne þis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but -yif it like vnto þe lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of -whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were nat able to ben -ywened to þe poeple. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. for þat þe comune worde of men -mysusiþ q{uo}d I. þis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes -[þ{a}t] þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. wilt þou þan q{uo}d she þat I -p{ro}che a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it seme nat to hem þat I -be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro þe vsage of man kynde. as þou wolt -q{uo}d I. ¶ Demest þou nat q{uo}d she þat al þing þat p{ro}fitiþ is -good. ȝis q{uo}d I. certis þilk þing þat ex{er}cisiþ or corigiþ -profitiþ. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. þan is it good q{uo}d she. whi nat -q{uo}d I. but þis is þe fortune [q{uod} she] of hem þat eiþer ben put in -vertue {and} batailen aȝeins aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewen -{and} declinen fro vices {and} taken þe weye of vertue. ¶ þis ne may nat -I denye q{uo}d I ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye fortune þat is ȝeuen -to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniþ ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay -forsoþe q{uo}d I. but þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And -what seist þou of þat oþer fortune q{uo}d she. þat al þouȝ it be aspre -{and} restreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. weniþ ouȝt þe poeple -þ{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But þe poeple demiþ þat it be most -wrecched of alle þinges þat may ben þouȝt. war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d -she lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed {and} -co{n}cluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to þe poeple. what is þat -q{uo}d I ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it folweþ or comeþ of þinges þ{a}t ben -graunted þat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben i{n} -possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in þe -purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. ¶ And þat alle fortune -is ryȝt wicked to hem þat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ. {and} -þus weneþ nat þe poeple. ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so þat -noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. For ryȝt -as no strong man ne semeþ nat to abassen or disdaigne{n} as ofte tyme as -he hereþ þe noise of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man -to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of fortune. -for boþe to þat on man {and} eke to þat oþ{er} þilke difficulte is þe -matere to þat oon man of encrese of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to þat -oþer man to conferme hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys -estat. ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþ {and} -enforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by aduersites. -¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne -hast nat comen to fleten wiþ delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust. -¶ þou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery -fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de þe nat. ne þat þe -myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. ¶ Occupy þe mene by stedfast -strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir þe mene. or ellys al þat -ou{er}-passeþ þe mene despiseþ welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is -vicious {and} ne haþ no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in ȝour{e} -hand. as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝour{e} power what fortune ȝow is leuest. -þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune þat semeþ sharpe or -aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat þe good folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked -folk. it punisseþ. - - -BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}. - - [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]] - -++ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat wrouȝt[e] {and} -continued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in -wrekyng by þe destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of -hys broþer þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat was -Menelaus wif his broþer. In þe mene while þat þilke agamenon desired[e] -to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes -by blode. he vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} þe sory p{re}st -ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe douȝter. ¶ þat -is to sein þat agamenon lete kuytte{n} þe þrote of hys douȝter by þe -prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiþ -whiche he myȝt[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies -bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe fiers[e] pholifem{us} -ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] freten {and} dreint in hys empty -wombe. but naþeles polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage ȝeld to -vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot oute -þe eye of poliphem{us} þat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde -ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} wepyng {and} blynde. ¶ Hercules is -celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede þe proude Centauris half -hors half man. {and} he rafte þe despoylynge fro þe cruel lyou{n} þat is -to seyne he slouȝ þe lyou{n} {and} rafte hy{m} hys skyn. he smot þe -brids þat hyȝte{n} arpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. he -rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was þe more -heuy for þe golde[ne] metal. He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by hys -treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ put an vnmeke lorde fodre -to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedes {and} -made his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpent {and} -brend[e] þe venym. and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in his forhede -dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. þis is to sein þat -achelaus couþe transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he -fauȝt wiþ orcules at þe laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and -hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym -in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adou{n} Antheus þe geaunt in -þe strondes of libye. {and} kacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis -is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wiþ þat -deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. ¶ And þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ -scomes þe sholdres of hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of -heuene sholde þreste. {and} þe laste of his labo{ur}s was þat he -sustened[e] þe heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. {and} he deserued[e] -eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe -stronge men þere as þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O -nice men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. ¶ O ȝe slowe {and} -delicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites. {and} ne fyȝte{n} nat aȝeins hem by -vertue to wynnen þe mede of þe heuene. for þe erþe ouer-come{n} ȝeueþ þe -sterres. ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. a man -is maked worþi to þe heuene. - - EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS. - - - - -INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS. - - -DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]] - -++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] þe cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me -oþ{er} þinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. þan seide I. Certys -ryȝtful is þin amonestyng {and} ful digne by auctorite. but þat þou -seidest som tyme þat þe questiou{n} of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced -wiþ many oþer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by þe -same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap be any þing in any -weys. {and} if þou wenest þat hap be any [thing] what is it. þan q{uo}d -she. I haste me to ȝelden {and} assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste -{and} to shewen {and} opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist come aȝein to -þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges whiche þat þou axest b{e}n -ryȝt p{ro}fitable to knowe. ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of -my purpos. And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by mysweys so -þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} þe ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe -þer-of no þing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe -whiche þinges I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. -Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwy{n}ge whan euery side of þi -disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. -þat manere wol I don þe. {and} byga{n} to speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys -q{uo}d she yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn. -þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe moeuynge. {and} by no -knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and -I deme al outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who seiþ. but -an ydel worde wiþ outen any significac{i}ou{n} of þing summittid to þat -vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to -disordinau{n}ce. syn þat god lediþ {and} streyniþ alle þinges by ordre. -¶ For þis sentence is verray {and} soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his beynge -of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise olde folk ne wiþseide -neuere al be it so þat þei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god -p{r}ince {and} gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement -of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}. -{and} ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen of no causes. þan shal it seme -þat þilke þinge is comen or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben -don. þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing as I haue -diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it þan ben q{uo}d I. nis -þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may be cleped eyþer hap{pe} or ellis -auenture of fortune. or is þer ouȝt al be it so þat it is hidd fro þe -poeple to whiche þise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul q{uo}d she. in -þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by short resou{n} and neyȝe -to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d I. ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don -any þing for grace of any oþer þing. {and} an oþer þinge þan þilke þing -þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes it is ycleped hap{pe}. -¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by cause of tylienge of þe felde. {and} -fond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by -fortunous bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for it haþ hys -p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiþ to -han maked hap{pe}. ¶ For yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe -felde. and yif þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke -place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben þan þe causes of þe -abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of -causes encountrynge {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by þe -entenc{i}ou{n} of þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. ne þe -deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe golde sholde han be -founde. but as I seide. it bytidde {and} ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere -as þat oþer hadde hidd þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen hap{pe}. -¶ Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat ben don -for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre p{ro}cedynge by an vneschewable -byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat -ordeineþ alle þinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makeþ þat þe -causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre. - - -RUPIS ACHEMENIE. - - [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] - -++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in þe -kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þer{e} as þe fleenge -[batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes reto{ur}nid in þe brestes of hem þat -folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre þe same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates -vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. and yif þei comen to-gidre -{and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten þilke -þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe entrechau{n}gyng flode -bry{n}geþ þe shippes {and} þe stokkes araced wiþ þe flood moten -assemble. {and} þe watres ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel -happes or maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng -lowenes of þe erþe. {and} þe flowynge ordre of þe slidyng water -gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or -vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned -{and} passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne ordinaunce. - - -A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]] - -++Þis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel þat it is ryȝt as -þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte or fre wil in þis ordre of -causes þat cliue{n} þus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen -yif þat þe destinal cheine co{n}streiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages of -me{n}. yis q{uo}d she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer ne was neuer -no nature of resou{n} þat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery -þing þat may naturely vsen resou{n}. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ -{and} demiþ euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat be{n} to -fleen. {and} þinges þat ben to desiren. {and} þilk þing þat any wyȝt -demeþ to ben desired þ{a}t axeþ or desireþ he {and} fleeþ [thilke] þing -þat he troueþ ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þ{a}t resou{n} -is. i{n} hem also is libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. ¶ But I ne -ordeyne nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis lib{er}tee be euene -like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. þat -is to seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is more clere {and} wil nat be -corumped. {and} haþ myȝt redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe -soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe -speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. {and} lasse free whan -þei sliden in to þe bodies. {and} ȝit lasse free whan þei ben gadred -to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in erþely membris. but þe last[e] -seruage is whan þat þei ben ȝeue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro þe -possessiou{n} of hire p{ro}pre resou{n} ¶ For after þat þei han cast -aweye hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe þinges -{and} dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of ignoraunce {and} ben -troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe whiche talentȝ whan þei app{ro}chen -{and} assenten. þei hepen {and} encresen þe seruage whiche þei han -ioigned to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire p{ro}pre -libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of þe deuyne purueaunce -seeþ þ{a}t alle þinges byholdeþ {and} seeþ fro et{er}ne. and ordeyneþ -hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as þei ben p{ro}destinat. {and} it is -seid in grek. þat alle þinges he seeþ {and} alle þinges he hereþ. - - -PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE. - - [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]] - -++HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites -syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by -þe inferme lyȝt of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} þe inwarde entrailes -of þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere of þe grete -worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no -þinges by heuynesses of erþe. ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hy{m} by -þe blake cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ i{n} o strook of þouȝt alle þinges -þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilke god for he lokeþ {and} -seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist seyn þat he is þe verray sonne. - - -TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M. - - [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]] - -++ÞAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute þan I was. -what doute is þat q{uo}d she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche -þinges þou art troubled. It semeþ q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to -contrarien gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. {and} þat þer is -any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god lokeþ alle þinges byforn. -ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat -alle þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ sein byforn -to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of -men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no -liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer dede ne no wille -but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ -feled byforn ¶ For yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei -ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast p{re}science of þinge to -comen but raþer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. þe whiche þinge to trowen on -god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk same -resou{n}. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat þilke same -resou{n} by whiche þat som men wenen þat þei mowen assoilen {and} -vnknytten þe knot of þis questiou{n}. ¶ For certys þei seyn þ{a}t þing -nis nat to come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforn{e}. þat -is to comen but raþer þe cont{ra}rie. ¶ And þat is þis þat for þat þe -þing is to comen þat þerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of -god. {and} in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe contrarie -p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges bytiden þat ben -ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / þ{a}t thinges þ{a}t ben to comyn ben -yporueyid] but as it were yt{ra}uailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere -p{ro}cediþ ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren þe -whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as wheþer þe p{re}science is -cause of þe necessite of þinges to comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of -þi{n}ges to comen is cause of þe purueau{n}ce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat -now to shewe{n} it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is -necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of causes haþ it self. -al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe p{re}science brynge in necessite of -bytydynge of þinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it -byhoueþ by necessite þat þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of hym þ{a}t coniectiþ -þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of þe contrarie. yif þe -oppiniou{n} be soþe of any wyȝt for þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by -necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan is here necessite in þat oon {and} in þ{a}t -oþer. for in þat oon is necessite of sittynge. {and} certys in þat oþer -is necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat þe -oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniou{n} is raþer soþe for þat -a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al þouȝ þ{a}t þe cause of soþe comeþ of -[þe] syttyng. and nat of þe trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates ȝitte is þer -comune necessite in þat oon {and} in þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it þ{a}t I -may make semblable skils of þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god {and} of þinges to -come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei -p{ur}ueid. nat certys for þei ben p{ur}ueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. -ȝit naþeles byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen ben -yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben p{ur}ueied of god -bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to -distroien þe fredome of oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille -¶ But now [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe {and} how vp so -dou{n} is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of temp{or}el þinges is -þe cause of þe eterne p{re}science. ¶ But forto wenen þat god p{ur}ueiþ -[the] þinges to comen. for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but -forto wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes of þilke -souereyne p{ur}ueaunce þat is i{n} god. ¶ And her-to I adde ȝitte þis -þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite -þat þilke self þing be. {and} eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þi{n}ge -shal bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þ{a}t þilk[e] same þing bytide. -so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat -ben eschewed. ¶ And at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben -oþer weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable -oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro þe soþe of science. ¶ wher-fore -yif any þing be so to comen so þat þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne -ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] þ{a}t þilke þing is to come. -¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. as who seiþ -þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so -þilk þing þat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon oþ{er} weyes -þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause whi þat science wa{n}tiþ -lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it -woot. ¶ For it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þi{n}ge [be] ryȝt as -science co{m}p{re}hendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In whiche -man{er}e knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen. ¶ yif þei ne be nat -certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme þat þei ben to comen vneschewably. {and} -so may be þat it is possible þat þei ne shulle{n} nat comen. god is -desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. but for to speke -it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous sy{n}ne. ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt -so as þinges ben to comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. -as who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. -what is þilke p{re}science þat ne comp{re}hendiþ no certeyne þinge ne -stable. or ellys what difference is þer bytwixe þe p{re}science. {and} -þilke iape-worþi dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuino{ur} þat seide. ¶ Al þat -I seie q{uo}d he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis -how moche is worþe þe diuyne p{re}science more þan þe oppiniou{n} of -mankynde yif so be þat it demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of þe -whiche domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be þ{a}t -noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle -þinges. þa{n} is þe bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ -wist byforn fermely to come{n}. For whiche it folweþ þat þe fredom of þe -co{n}seils {and} of þe werkes of mankynde nis non syn þat þe þouȝt of -god seeþ alle þinges w{i}t{h} outen erro{ur} of falsnesse byndeþ {and} -co{n}streiniþ hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þi{n}g be -on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no fre -wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} how grete -damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan -p{ur}posed and byhyȝt medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. -syn þat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued hem. -þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme þan þat þilke -þinge is alþer worste whiche þat is nowe demed. for alþ{er} moste iuste -{and} moste ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys -þ{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk syn þat þe p{ro}pre -wille [ne] sent hem nat to þ{a}t oon ne to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. -neþer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of -þinges to comen. ¶ þanne ne sholle{n} þer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice -ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes -medlid wiþoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer -i{n}co{n}uenient of þe whiche þer ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne -more wikke. {and} þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd {and} -comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis leueful to þe conseils -of mankynde. as who seiþ þat men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne -no þing. þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of -alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] han þe blame of -oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniþ by necessite to don vices. þan nis þer -no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. ¶ For what -sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn þat -þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne may nat ben enclined. knytteþ -{and} streiniþ alle þinges þat men may desire{n}. ¶ þan sholde þere be -don awey þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. þat is to seien -to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. but by þe p{re}is of ryȝtfulnesse {and} of -veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdou{n} of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is -inestimable. þat is to sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful -yp{re}ised. {and} þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope {and} -prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken wiþ god. {and} by -resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned to þilk clernesse þat nis -nat app{ro}ched no raþer or þat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. And -yif men ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengþes. by þe -necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what þi{n}g is þer þan by -whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to þilke souereyne p{r}ince -of þinges. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of -mankynde as þou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned -from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. þat is to seien god. - - -QUE NAM DISCORS - - [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]] - -++What discordable cause haþ to-rent {and} vnioigned þe byndyng or þe -alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne þe coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of -man. ¶ whiche god haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} þise two -soþefast or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe p{ur}ueaunce of -god {and} fre wille. þat þei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne þat þei ne -wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to -[tho] verray þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but þe -þouȝt of man co{n}founded {and} ouerþrowen by þe dirke membris of þe -body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe -vigo{ur} of hys insyȝt while þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne -subtil knyttynges of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so grete -loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) þat is to -sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so grete desir to knowen -þilke notificac{i}ou{n}s þat ben yhidd vndir þe couerto{ur}s of soþe. -woot it ouȝt þilke þinges þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who -seiþ nay. ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot. -{and} þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat -istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat -scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to -wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke -blynde þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he woot ryȝt -nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing nedis som what he knoweþ of it. -or ellys he ne couþe nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben -nat ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þ{a}t] he seke þo þinges where shal he fynde{n} -hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge {and} ignoraunt may knowe þe forme -þat is yfounde. ¶ But whan þe soule byholdeþ {and} seeþ þe heye þouȝt. -þat is to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe so{m}me {and} þe -singularites. þat is to seyn þe p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self. -¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe cloude {and} in þe derknesse of -þe membris of þe body. it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it -wiþholdeþ þe so{m}me of þinges {and} lesiþ þe singularites. þan who so -þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþ{er} nouþir habit. for he not nat -alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But ȝitte hym remembriþ þe -so{m}me of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ {and} axeþ cou{n}seil {and} tretiþ -depelyche þi{n}ges ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] þat is to sein þe grete -so{m}me in hys mynde. [_textus_] so þat he mowe adden þe p{ar}ties þat -he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden. - - -TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] - -++Þanne seide she. þis is q{uo}d she þe olde questiou{n} of þe -p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he deuided[e] þe -deuinac{i}ou{n}s. þat is to sein in hys booke þat he wroot of -deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly þis questiou{n}. {and} þou þi self -hast souȝt it mochel {and} outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. but ȝit ne haþ it -nat ben determined ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow. -¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte is for þat -þe moeuynge of þe resou{n} of mankynde ne may nat moeue{n} to. þat is to -sein applien or ioygnen to þe simplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science. ¶ þe -whiche symplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science ȝif þat men [myhten thinken -it in any maner{e} / þ{a}t is to seyn / þ{a}t yif men] myȝte þinken -{and} co{m}p{re}henden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. þan ne sholde þer -dwellen outerly no doute. þe whiche resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I -shal assaie at þe laste to shewen {and} to speden. ¶ whan I haue firste -[yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to þo resou{n}s by whiche þ{o}u art -ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi þ{o}u wenest þat þilk[e] resou{n}s of hem þat -assoilen þis questiou{n} ne ben nat spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe -whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or þe whiche resou{n} for þat it demiþ þat þe -p{re}science nis nat cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ -it nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. for -ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys where of þe necessite of þinges -to comen. As who seiþ any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat -þe p{re}scie{n}ce woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to seyn -þat þei moten bitide. ¶ But þan yif þat p{re}science ne putteþ no -necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi self hast confessed it {and} -byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. ¶ what cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ -þere may no cause be. by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of -þinges myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For by grace of -possessiou{n}. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde þis þat folweþ. ¶ I -pose (inpossibile) þat þer ne be no p{re}science. þan axe I q{uo}d she -in as moche as app{er}teniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat comen of -frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite. {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d -I. þan aȝeinward q{uo}d she. I suppose þat þere be p{re}science but þat -ne putteþ no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom of -wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. but þou wolt -sein þat al be it so þat p{re}science nis nat cause of þe necessite of -bitidynge to þinges to comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þ{a}t þe -þinges ben to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe -p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe lest[e] wey. it is -certeyne þing þat þe e{n}dys {and} þe bitydynges of þinges to come{n} -sholde ben necessarie. ¶ For euery sygne sheweþ {and} signifieþ oonly -what þe þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ. ¶ For -whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing ne bitidiþ [þ{a}t it ne -bytydith] by necessite. so þat it may apere þ{a}t þe p{re}scie{n}ce is -signe of þis necessite ¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys -þilke p{re}science ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat. ¶ But -certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis susteniþ by stedfast -resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys -ytaken fro wiþ oute. but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But þou -mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden nat þat ben ypurueyed -to comen. but certys ryȝt as we trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe -p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þ{a}t] -ne sholde we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. ȝit -ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. {and} þis maist þou -lyȝtly ap{er}ceyue{n} by þis þat I shal seyn. but we seen many þinges -whan þei ben don byforn oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in -þe to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys kartes or -chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ mayst þou vnd{er}sto{n}de of -alle manere oþir werkeme{n}. ¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ -in oure lokynge [þ{a}t] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges to -ben don so. b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in veyne were alle þe -effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges weren moeued by constreynynge. þat -is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of oure syȝt. _P._ þise -þi{n}g{us} þan q{uo}d she þat whan men don hem ne han non necessite þat -men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or þei be don. þei ben to comen -wiþ out necessite. for whi þer ben so{m}me þinges to bytide of whiche þe -endys {and} þe bitidynges of hem ben absolut {and} quit of alle -necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn þis. þat þo -þinges þat men don now þ{a}t þei ne weren to bitiden. first or þei were -ydon ¶ and þilk same þinges al þouȝ þ{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem -by-forn. ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of þinges -p{re}sent ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges [þ{a}t men doon // Ryht -so the p{re}science of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to -thinges] to bytiden but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. -as wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endes {and} bytidynges -necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any p{re}science ¶ For certys þei seme to -discorde. for þou wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat -necessite folweþ hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne -myȝten nat ben wist byforn. {and} þat no þinge ne may ben comp{re}hendid -by science but certeyne. {and} yif þo þinges þat ne han no certeyne -bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of -oppiniou{n} nat soþefastnesse of science [{and} þ{o}u weenyst þ{a}t it -be diu{er}se fro the hoolnesse of science / þ{a}t any man sholde deme a -thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and þe cause of þis -errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen -þat þo þinges ben y-knowe al oonly by þe strengþe {and} by þe nature of -þe þinges þat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al þe contrarie. for alle -þat eu{er}e is yknowe. it is raþer comp{re}hendid {and} yknowe{n} nat -after his strengeþ {and} hys nature. but after þe faculte þat is to seyn -þe power {and} [the] nature of hem þat knowen. {and} for þat þis shal -mowe shewen by a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer -weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it. {and} oþer weyes þe touchi{n}g. þe -lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþ {and} seeþ fro afer alle þe body -to-gider wiþ oute mouynge of it self. but þe touchinge cliuiþ {and} -conioigneþ to þe rounde body (orbi) {and} moueþ abouten þe environynge. -{and} comp{re}hendiþ by p{ar}ties þe roundenesse. ¶ and þe man hym self -oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym. {and} oþ{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} -oþer weyes resou{n}. {and} oþer weyes intelligence. ¶ For þe wit -co{m}p{re}he{n}diþ fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. -þat is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginac{i}ou{n} -[comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / Resou{n} -surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] {and} co{m}p{re}hendeþ by an vniuersel -lokynge þe co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em) þat is in þe singuler peces. -¶ But þe eye of intelligence is heyȝer for it so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe -envirounynge of þe vniu{er}site {and} lookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite -of þouȝt. þilk same symple forme of man þat is p{er}durably in þe deuyne -þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered þat þe heyest -strengþe to co{m}prehenden þinges enbraceþ {and} conteyneþ þe lower[e] -strengþe [but the lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to -heyer{e} strengthe]. for wit ne may no þinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of -matere. ne þe ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles speces. ne -resou{n} ne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as i{n}telligence takeþ it. -but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al abouen whan it haþ co{m}p{re}hendid þe -forme it knoweþ {and} demeþ alle þe þinges þat be{n} vndir þat forme. -but she knoweþ he{m} vndir þilke manere in þe whiche it comp{re}hendiþ -þilke same symple forme þat ne may neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. -þat is to seyn to non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. for it -knoweþ þe vniuersite of resou{n} {and} þe figure of þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}. -{and} þe sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} þou wenest þ{a}t it be -diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat any man sholde deme a þing to -ben oþ{er}weyes þan it is it self {and} þe cause of þis erro{ur} {et}c’. -{vt sup}ra. by wit. ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resou{n} ne of -ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so -as I shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute disco{ur}s or -collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokeþ any þing vniu{er}sel it -ne vseþ nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and} algates ȝit [it] -co{m}prendiþ þe þinges ymaginable {and} sensible. for resou{n} is she -þat diffinisseþ þe vniuersel of hir conseite ryȝt þus. ¶ Man is a -resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] -vniuersel. ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a ma{n} is [a thing] -ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and þis same co{n}sidereþ wel resou{n}. but -þat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte. but it lokiþ it by [a] -resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n} al be it so. þat it -takeþ of wit þe bygyny{n}g{us} to seen {and} to formen þe figures. -algates al þouȝ þat wit ne ware not p{re}sent. ȝit it envirouniþ {and} -co{m}p{re}hendiþ alle þinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of -demynge. but by resou{n} ymaginatif. ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle þe -þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir power. þan þei don -of [the] faculte or of power of þinges þat ben yknowen. ne þat nis no -wronge. for so as euery iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat -demeþ. It byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt p{er}forme þe werke {and} hys -entenc{i}ou{n} nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power. - - -QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT. - - [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] - -++ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis þer as -philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. {and} þilke -porche brouȝt[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences. þ{a}t -is to sein philosophers þat hyȝten stoiciens. þat wenden þat ymages -[{and}] sensibilites þat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys -ymaginac{i}ou{n} of sensible þinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules -fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke stoiciens wenden -þ{a}t þe soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene -p{ar}chemyn. so þat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ -oute in to soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ryȝt as -we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen l{ett}res -emp{re}ntid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of þe table of wex. or -in p{ar}chemyn þat ne haþ no figure [ne] note in it. _Glosa._ But now -arguiþ boece aȝeins þat oppiniou{n} {and} seiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng -soule ne vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys p{ro}pre -moeuynges. but suffriþ {and} lieþ subgit to þe figures {and} to þe notes -of bodyes wiþ oute forþe. {and} ȝeldeþ ymages ydel {and} veyne in þe -manere of a mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan þilke -knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþ {and} byholdeþ alle þinges. and -whennes is þilke strengþe þat byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes -is þe strengþe þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe. {and} þilke stre{n}gþe þat -gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided. {and} þe strengþe þat cheseþ hys -entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heueþ vp þe heued. þat is to sein -þat it heueþ vp þe ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to ryȝt heye þinges. {and} som tyme -it discendiþ in to ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} whan it retourniþ in to hym -self. it rep{re}uiþ {and} destroieþ þe false þinges by þe trewe þinges. -¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more efficient {and} mochel more myȝty to -seen {and} to knowe þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe -notes {and} þe figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere algates þe -passiou{n} þat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit i{n} þe quik[e] body -goþ byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so -as whan þat clerenesse smyteþ þe eyen {and} moeuiþ hem to seen. or ryȝt -so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eres {and} co{m}moeuiþ hem to herkne. -þan is þe stre{n}gþe of þe þouȝt ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepeþ -furþe þe semblable moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ i{n}ne it self. -{and} addiþ þo speces to þe notes {and} to þe þinges wiþ out forþe. -{and} medeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ -i{n}ne hym self. - - -Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}. - -QUESTIO. - - [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]] - -++But what [yif] þat in bodies to be{n} feelid þat is to sein in þe -takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly þinges. and al be it so þat þe -qualites of bodies þ{a}t ben obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuen {and} -entalenten þe instrumentes of þe wittes. and al be it so þat þe -passiou{n} of þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce -[goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which -passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of þe þouȝt in hym self. -{and} moeueþ {and} exiteþ in þis mene while þe formes þ{a}t resten wiþ -in forþe. and yif þat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage -nis nat ytauȝt or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe þise þinges. but -demiþ {and} knoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiou{n} or suffrau{n}ce -subiect to þe body. Moche more þan þoo þinges þat ben absolut {and} quit -fram alle talentȝ or affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne -folwen nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe. but þei -accomplissen {and} speden þe dede of hir þouȝt by þis resou{n}. ¶ þan -þere comen many manere knowynges to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g -substaunces. for þe wit of þe body þe whiche witte is naked {and} -despoyled of alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne -mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystres {and} muscles {and} -oþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. þ{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed -to roches. but þe ymaginac{i}ou{n} comeþ to remuable bestes þat seme{n} -to han talent to fleen or to desiren any þinge. but resou{n} is al only -to þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as i{n}telligence is oonly þe deuyne -nature. of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng is more worþe þan -[th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hys p{ro}pre nature nat only hys -subiect. as who seiþ it ne knoweþ nat al oonly þat app{er}teiniþ -p{ro}prely to hys knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer -knowynges. but how shal it þan be yif þat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} -stryuen aȝeins resonynge {and} sein þat of þilke vniuersel þinges. þat -resou{n} weneþ to seen þat it nis ryȝt nauȝt. for wit {and} -ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn þat þat. þat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may -nat ben vniuersel. þan is eiþer þe iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne þat -þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resou{n} woot wel þat many -þinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. þan is þe -co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals whiche þat lookeþ {and} -co{m}p{re}hendiþ. þat þat is sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. and -ȝif þat resou{n} wolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to wit -{and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein þat soþely she hir self. þat is to -seyn þat resou{n} lokeþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by resou{n} of -vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensible {and} þat þat is ymaginable. -{and} þat þilke two þat is to seyn wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} -nat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat -þe knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þe bodyly -figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges men auȝten raþer ȝeue -credence to þe more stedfast {and} to þe more p{er}fit iugement. In þis -manere stryuynge þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge {and} of -ymaginynge {and} of wit þat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by -ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raþer p{re}ise þe cause -of resou{n}. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}. -semblable þinge is it þat þe resou{n} of mankynde ne weneþ nat þat þe -deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe -resou{n} of mankynde knoweþ hem. for þou arguist {and} seist þus. þat -yif it ne seme nat to men þat so{m}me þinges han certeyne {and} -necessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to -bytiden. þa{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science of þilke þinges. {and} yif we -trowen þat p{re}science ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it -ne bitidiþ by necessite. but certys yif we myȝte{n} han þe iugeme{n}t of -þe deuyne þouȝt as we ben p{ar}son{er}s of resou{n}. ryȝt so as we han -demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} wit ben byneþe resou{n}. -ryȝt so wolde we deme{n} þat it were ryȝtful þing þat ma{n}s resou{n} -auȝt[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneþe þe deuyne þouȝt. for -whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ. þat yif þat we mowe{n} I -conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne -i{n}telligence. for þere shal resou{n} wel seen þat þat it ne may nat -by-holden in it self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe -p{re}science of god seeþ alle þinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al þouȝ -þei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non oppiniou{n} -but it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn science þat nis nat -enclosed nor yshet wiþi{n}ne no boundes. - - -QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS. - - [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] - -++ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures for so{m}me of hem -han hir bodies strauȝt {and} crepe{n} in þe dust {and} drawen after -he{m} a t{ra}is or a forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or -snakes. and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir wenges beten -þe wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} þe spaces of þe longe eyer by moist -flee[y]nge. and oþer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her -stappes i{n} þe erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r] -by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes. {and} al be it -so þ{a}t þou seest þat þei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate -hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hir{e} dulle wittes. Onlyche þe lynage -of man heueþ heyest hys heyȝe heued {and} stondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt -body {and} byholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man -wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þ{a}t axest þe -heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage. {and} hast areised þi forhede to beren vp -on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir -foot. sen þat þi body is so heye areised. - - -PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A. - -QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE. - - [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]] - -++ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat al þinge þat is -ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature p{ro}pre. but by þe nature of he{m} -þat comp{re}henden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to -vs. as who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þ{a}t þe estat is of -þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. þe -comune iugement of alle creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is -eterne. lat vs considere þa{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys þat shal -shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne nature {and} þe deuyne science ¶ Eternite -þan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al togidre of lijf interminable -{and} þat sheweþ more clerely by þe co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of -temp{or}el þinges. for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} -p{ro}cediþ fro preteritȝ in to fut{ur}es. þat is to sein. fro tyme -passed in to tyme comynge. ne þer nis no þing establissed i{n} tyme þat -may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. for certys ȝit ne haþ it -nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe. {and} it haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and -certys in þe lijf of þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt as in þis -moeueable {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ -temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]þough{e} þat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne -þough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle demde of þe worlde. and -al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. ȝit algates -nis it no swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is eterne. -for al þouȝ þat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace þe space of life -infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe space of þe lif -alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe fut{ur}es þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne -haþ no lenger þe p{re}t{er}itȝ þat ben ydon or ypassed. but þilke þing -þan þat haþ {and} co{m}prehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif -i{n}terminable. to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe fut{ur}e. {and} to whom -þer nis nat of þe p{re}t{er}it escapid nor ypassed. þilk[e] same is -ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite -þat þilke þinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as who -seiþ alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so myȝty þat al by ryȝt at hys -plesaunce. {and} þ{a}t he haue al p{re}sent þe infinit of þe moeuable -tyme. wherfore som men trowe{n} wrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it -semid[e] to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne -þat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. þei wenen i{n} þis man{er}e þat þis -worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiþ his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat -þis worlde {and} god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful -wenynge. for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato -graunted[e] to þe worlde. {and} oþer þing is it to embracen to-gidre -alle þe p{re}sence to þe lif interminable. þe whiche þing it is clere -{and} manifest þat it is p{ro}pre to þe deuine þouȝt. ne it ne sholde -nat semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked by quantite -of tyme. but raþer by þe p{ro}prete of hys symple nature. for þis ilke -infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el þinges folwiþ þis p{re}sentarie estat -of þe lijf i{n}moeueable. {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne -feyne{n} it ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is to -seyn þat is i{n} þe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþ {and} falleþ in to -moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] p{re}sence of god. {and} disencresiþ -to þe infinite quantite of fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. {and} so as it -ne may nat han togidre al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as -moche as it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ somde[l] to -vs þat it folwiþ {and} resembliþ þilke þing þ{a}t it ne may nat attayne -to. ne fulfille. {and} byndeþ it self to som manere p{re}sence of þis -litel {and} swifte moment. þe whiche p{re}sence of þis lytele {and} -swifte moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse of þe ay -dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it graunteþ to swiche manere þinges as it -bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem þat þise þinges han ben {and} ben {and} for -[þ{a}t] þe p{re}sence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for -[it] rauyssid[e] {and} took þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat is to seyn by -successiou{n}. {and} by þis man{er}e it is ydon. for þat it sholde -continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe -plente in dwellynge. {and} for þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to -þinges {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn þa{n} soþely þat god is et{er}ne. -{and} þat þe worlde is p{er}petuel. þan syn þat euery iugeme{n}t knoweþ -{and} comp{re}hendiþ by hys owen nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. -þere is soþely al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. -{and} þe science of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t -dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embraceþ {and} -considereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes p{re}teritȝ {and} fut{ur}es -{and} lokeþ in þis symple knowynge alle þinges of p{re}t{er}it ryȝt as -þei weren ydoon p{re}sently ryȝt now ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenke {and} -avise{n} þe p{re}science by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þi{n}ges þou ne -shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of þinges to comen. but þou shalt -deme{n} [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or of -instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. for whiche it nis nat ycleped -p{ro}uidence but it sholde raþer be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed -ful fer fro ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} byholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt -as it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. whi axest þou þan or why -disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by necessite whiche þat ben -yseyen {and} yknowen by þe deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken -nat þilke þi{n}ges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in hir{e} -syȝt. for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke þinges þat þou -byholdest p{re}sent. ¶ Nay q{uo}d I. _p._ Certys þan yif men myȝte maken -any digne comparisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of þe p{re}sence diuine. {and} -of þe p{re}sence of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen so{m}me þinges in þis -temp{or}el presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys eterne -p{re}sent. ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne p{re}science ne chaungeþ nat þe nature -ne þe p{ro}prete of þinges but byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym -ward. as þei shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne -co{n}foundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt of hys þouȝt he -knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so -as whan ȝe seen togidre a man walke on þe erþe {and} þe sonne arysen in -[the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seen {and} byholde{n} þat oon {and} þat -oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demen {and} discerne þat þat oon is -uolu{n}tarie {and} þat oþer is necessarie. ¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne -lokynge byholdynge alle þi{n}ges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of -þinges þat ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as to þe -condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soþe þei ben fut{ur}e. for whiche it folwiþ -þat þis nis non oppiniou{n}. but raþer a stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by -soþenes. þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat -þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat whan þat god -knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel þat it ne haþ no necessite to -bitide. {and} yif þ{o}u seist here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to -bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke -þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by necessite. and þat -þou streine me to þis name of necessite. certys I wol wel confessen -{and} byknowe a þinge of ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt -[mowe] seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe deuyne -þouȝte. ¶ for I wol answer{e} þe þus. þat þilke þinge þat is future whan -it is referred to þe deuyne knowy{n}g þan is it necessarie. but certys -whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre -{and} absolut from alle necessite. for certys þer ben two maneres of -necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as þus. þat it byhoueþ by -necessite þat alle men be mortal or dedely. an oþ{er} necessite is -condicionel as þus. yif þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by -necessite þat he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to be. -it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. ¶ but þis -condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke necessite symple. For certys þis -necessite condicionel. þe p{ro}pre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. but -þe adiecc{i}ou{n} of þe condic{i}ou{n} makiþ it. for no necessite ne -constreyneþ a man to [gon / þ{a}t] gooþ by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it -so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ. þan mot þilke -þinge be by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys owen -nature. ¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe p{ur}ueaunce of god -seeþ any þing p{re}sent. but certys þe fut{ur}es þat bytyden by fredom -of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre p{re}sentȝ. þise þinges þan [yif] -þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe -condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben -considred by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne forleten -nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owe{n} natur{e}. þan certys wiþ -outen doute alle þe þing{us} shollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn -þat þei ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of [free] -arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. ȝit algates ne -lese þei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne beynge. by þe whiche first or þat -þei were doon þei hadden power nat to han bitidd. _Boece._ what is þis -to seyn þa{n} q{uo}d I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by hire -p{ro}pre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in þe lykenesse of -necessite by þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne science. {Ph}ilosoph{ie}. -þis is þe difference q{uo}d she. þat þo þinges þat I p{ur}posed[e] þe a -litel here byforn. þat is to seyn þe sonne arysynge {and} þe man -walkynge þat þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat ben -vndon. naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite -þat it was ydon. but nat þat oþ{er}. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges -þat god haþ p{re}sent. wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. but so{m}me of -hem descendiþ of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge. {and} so{m}me -descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man walkynge. ¶ þan seide I. no -wronge þat yif þat þise þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan -ben þei necessarie. {and} yif þei ben considered by he{m} selfe þan ben -þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. ryȝt so [as] alle þinges þat -appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou referre it to resou{n} it is -vniuersel. {and} yif þou referre it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it -sy{n}guler. but now yif þou seist þus þ{a}t yif it be in my power to -chaunge my p{ur}pose. þan shal I voide þe p{ur}ueaunce of god. whan þat -p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged þo þinges þat he knoweþ byforn. þan -shal I answere þe þus ¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi p{ur}pos but -for as mochel as þe p{re}sent soþenesse of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce -byholdeþ þat þou mayst chau{n}ge{n} þi p{ur}pose. {and} wheþir þou wolt -chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward þat þou tourne it. þ{o}u maist nat -eschewen þe deuyne p{re}science ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt -of þe p{re}sent eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre wille in -to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}. ¶ But þou mayst seyn aȝeyne how shal it þan -be. shal nat þe dyuyne science ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan -þat I wol o þing now {and} now an oþer. {and} þilke p{re}science ne -semeþ it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges. as who seiþ. ne -shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne p{re}science enterchaungeþ hys -dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so þat it knowe so{m}me tyme o þing {and} -so{m}me tyme þe contrarie. ¶ No for soþe. [q{uod} I] for þe deuyne syȝt -renneþ to-forne {and} seeþ alle fut{ur}es {and} clepeþ hem aȝein {and} -reto{ur}niþ hem to þe p{re}sence of hys p{ro}pre knowynge. ne he ne -entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe stoundes of forknowyng [as] now -þis now þat. but he ay dwellynge comiþ byforn {and} enbraceþ at o strook -alle þi mutac{i}ou{n}s. and þis p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden {and} to -sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat take{n} it of þe bitydynge of þinges -forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite. ¶ and her by is assoiled -þilke þing þat þou puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it -is vnworþi þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe science of -god ¶ For c{er}tys þis strengþe of þe deuyne science whiche þat enbraceþ -alle þinge by his p{re}sentarie knowynge establisseþ manere to alle -þi{n}g{us} {and} it ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges. {and} syn þat þise -þinges ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in þinges by þe -deuyne p{re}science. þan is þer fredom of arbitre. þat dwelleþ hool -{and} vnwemmed to mortal men. ne þe lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly -meedes {and} peynes to þe willynges of men þat ben vnbounde {and} quit -of alle necessite. ¶ And god byholder {and} forwiter of alle þinges -dwelliþ aboue {and} þe p{re}sent eternite of hys syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ -þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to -good[e] men. {and} tourmentȝ to wicked men. ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne -ben þer nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. þat ne mowen nat ben -vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful ¶ wiþstond þan {and} -eschewe þou vices. worshippe {and} loue þou vertus. areise þi corage to -ryȝtful hoopes. ȝelde þou humble p{re}iers an heyȝe. grete necessite of -prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to ȝow yif ȝe nil nat -dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchen {and} doon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedes -{and} ȝoure workes by-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþ {and} demeþ alle -þinges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.] - - EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}. - - - * * * * - * * * * * - - -GLOSSARIAL INDEX. - - [[Pages 180-184 are the Appendix and _Balades_, each with separate - line numbering.]] - - - ABAIST = ABYEST, sufferest, endurest, 39/1014 - ABAIST, abashed, 107/3047 - ABASSEN, to be abashed, dismayed, 146/4213 - ABESID (= ABAYSSHED), abashed, 7/92 - ABIDE, to await, 7/93. - ‘ABIDE after’ = look after, expect, 13/250; - _p.p._ Abiden, waited, 86/2405 - Abieþ, suffers, 109/3101 - ABLYNGE, enabling, fitting (_aptans_), 26/624, 88/2440 - Abood, abode, 63/1716 - Aboven, above, 6/52 - Abreggynge, curtailing; hence _gain_ obtained by curtailment - (_compendium_), 151/4355 - Accoie, to soothe, quiet (_demulcere_), 38/967 - Accordaunce, agreement, 143/4134 - Accordaunt, agreeing, unanimous, 19/431 - Accorde, to agree, 42/1080 - Accoumpte, account, 47/1251 - Accountyng, calculation, 8/110 - Achat, purchase, 15/310 - Acheve, to achieve, accomplish, 18/404 - Achoken, to choke, 47/1235 - Acomplise, Acomplisse, to accomplish, 92/2575, 118/3356 - Acordable, agreeing, 62/1694 - Acusor, informer, 72/1990 - Addre (Nadre), adder, 170/4959 - Adoune, down, downward, 7/92 - Adounward, downwards, 7/87 - Adrad, in fear, afraid, 43/1132 - Adresse, to direct, control, 163/4721 - Afer, afar, 164/4767 - Agast, aghast, frightened, 76/2107 - Agaste, to terrify, frighten, 141/4051 - Agon, ago, 70/1907 - Agreableté, goodwill, 42/1099 - Agrisen, to be afraid, dread, 10/178, 31/777 - Ajuge, to adjudge, 15/325 - Aknowe, acknowledged, 17/367 - Aldirmost, most of all, 124/3557 - Algates, Algate, yet, nevertheless, 19/439, 68/1849, 81/2242, - 162/4696, 4698 - Allegge, to alleviate, 124/3529 - Alouterly, utterly, entirely, 109/3090 - Alþerfairest, fairest of all, 87/2422 - Alþerfirst, first of all, 10/180 - Alþermoste, most of all, 158/4563 - Alþerworste, worst of all, 157/4562 - Alyene, to alienate, 27/671 - Amenuse, to lessen, diminish, 19/426, 40/1039 - Amenusynge, diminution, 46/1192 - Ameve, Amoeve, Amove, to move, 6/64, 23/551 - Amoneste, to admonish, 171/4971 - Amonestyng, admonition, exhortation, 149/4296 - Amongus, amongst, 52/1380 - Amonicioun, admonition, 13/253 - Amynistre, to administer, 135/3891 - Ancre, anchor, 41/1050 - Angre, grief, misery, 41/1072 - Anguisse, Angysse, anguish, 79/2177; - to torment, 80/2198 - Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066 - Anoie, to be grieved, be sorry, 41/1058 - Anoienge, 22/532 - Anoies, hurtful, 47/1238 - Anoious, annoying, hurtful, 7/102 - An-oone, anon, 42/1086 - Anoyously, dangerously, hurtfully, 80/2214 - Apaise, to appease, 148/4278 - Apasse, to pass away, go, 46/1195 - Aperceive, to perceive, 16/344, 134/3845 - Apertly, plainly, 17/386, 91/2543 - Appaie, to please, satisfy, 47/1235 - Appaire, to impair, 25/597 - Apparaile, to clothe, adorn, 8/116 - Apparaillement, clothing, ornament, 49/1300 - Appertiene, to appertain, 73/1996 - Applien, bend to, join, 161/4660 - Apresse, to oppress, 184/60 - Aprochen, to approach, 6/63, 66 - Arace, Arase, Arrace, to tear, tear from, separate, 11/196, 27/671, - 98/2774, 152/4278 - Araise, Areise, Areyse, to raise, 51/1357, 118/3369, 178/5212 - Arbitre, will, free will, 156/4500 - Ardaunt, ardent, 106/3031 - Aresten, to stop, arrest, 32/815 - Aretten, to ascribe to, impute to, 40/1016 - Arist, arises, 143/4138 - Armurers, armours, arms, 51/1342 - Armures, armour, 9/131 - Arst, first, 95/2675 - Arwe, arrow, 148/4262 - Arysynge, rising, 22/512 - Aryve, to bring to shore, 122/3479 - Asayle, to assail, 181/40 - Ascape, to escape, 8/129 - Asondre, asunder, 64/1740 - Aspre, sharp, rough, 32/806, 80/2216 - Asprenesse, sharpness, 127/3627 - Assaie, to essay, 42/1083 - Assemble, to gather together, amass (money), 80/2208 - Asseure, to assure, 16/330 - Assoilen, to absolve, pay, unloose, dissolve, 149/4303, 154/4459 - Astat, estate, state, 30/738 - Astoned, astonished, 7/92, 63/1702; - _stupidus_, 122/3471 - Astonynge, Astonyenge, astonishment, 9/134, 132/3780 - Ataste, to taste, 30/756 - Ataynt, Ateint, attained, knowing, experienced, 31/772, 69/1905 - Attayne, to reach, 12/227 - Atte, at the, 95/2675 - Attemperaunce, tempering, temperament, 138/3973, 144/4145 - Attempre, to temper, moderate, 8/115, 111/3154; - control, 163/4721; - (_adj._) modest, 29/728, 40/1033 - Atteyne, to attain, 118/3358 - Atwyne, in two, 98/2769 - Avalen, to fall down, 143/4139 - Avaunce, to advance, further, 41/1057 - Avaunte, to boast, 5/26, 19/426 - Auctorité, authority, 7/91 - Aventerouse, fortuitous, 28/697, 40/1018 - Aventure, event, 21/476 - Autour, author, 58/1556 - Auȝte, ought, 11/213 - Avisen, to consider, 174/5063 - Awaite, snare, 80/2214 - Awaitour, one who lies in wait, 121/3463 - Awiþ = aweþ, oweth (_debet_), 178/5198 - Ay, ever, 184/55 - Ay-dwellynge, ever-dwelling, 173/5044 - Ayenis, against, 97/2749 - Axe, to ask, 17/357, 24/579 - Aȝeins, Aȝeynes, Aȝeynest, against, 10/183, 11/194, 12/221, 13/255 - Aȝeinewarde, on the contrary, on the other hand, 42/1098 - - Bacine, basin, 133/3806 - Batailen, to war on, do battle against, 18/412 - Been, bees, 80/2200 - Ber, did bear, 6/61 - Bere, Bear, 143/4124 - Beren on hond, to accuse falsely, 20/449 - Bet, better, 63/1703 - Bibled, covered over with blood, 48/1860 - Bisien, to trouble, 8/112 - Bitake. _See_ Bytake. - Bitidd, happened, 176/5143 - Bitwixen. _See_ Bytwixen. - Blaundissinge, flattering, 30/749 - Blaundyshing, flattery, blandishment, 34/866 - Bleched, bleached, 181/45 - Blemisse, to blemish, abuse (_lacero_), 20/472 - Blyssed, blessed, 181/43 - Blyþenesse, joyfulness, 37/957 - Boch, botch, blain, sore, 72/1977 - Bode, to foretell, 143/4130 - Bole, bull, 148/4274 - Boot, did bite, 53/1400 - Bordure, border, hem, 6/50 - Bosten, to boast, 79/2171 - Botme, bottom, 12/234 - Bounté, Bownté, goodness, kindness, 19/444, 46/1202, 183/39 - Brenne (_pret._ Brende), to burn, 19/437, 106/3031 - Brid, bird, 68/1867 - Bristlede, bristly, 148/4281 - Brode, broadly, plainly, 49/1298 - Brutel, brittle, fragile, 45/1174 - Brutelnesse, brittleness, frailty, 184/63 - Burþe, birth, 78/2165 - Busshel (corn), 15/312 - Bydolven (_p.p._), buried, 151/4348 - Byen (for _abyen_), suffer, 125/3578 - Byforen, BYFORN, BYFORNE, before, 20/454 - Bygunne, didst begin, 37/941 - Bygyle, to beguile, 25/615 - Byhate, to hate, 75/2051 - Byheste, promise, 149/4303 - Byhete, to promise, 61/1651, 69/1903 - Byhynde, Byhynden, behind, 108/3062, 110/3137 - Byhyȝt, promised, 70/1925, 85/2374, 157/4558 - Byknowen, Byknowe, to acknowledge, 146/4211, 175/5107; - _p.p._ Byknowen, 90/2514 - Byleve, believe, 28/695 - Byname, an additional name, 84/2333 - Byneþen, beneath, 49/1295 - Bynomen (_p.p._), taken from, 124/3527 - Bynyme, to deprive of, take away, 43/1117, 70/1930 - Byreft, bereft, 33/837 - Byseche, to beseech, 86/2408 - Bysmoked, besmoked, 5/49 - Byspotte, to defile, 73/2009 - Bystowe, to bestow, 24/585 - Bysynesse, toil, 184/75 - Bytake, to entrust, 32/808 - Bytide (_pret._ BYTIDDE, _p.p._ BYTID), to befall, happen, - 20/474, 151/4360, 155/4467 - Bytwene, between, 6/54 - Bytwixen, betwixt, 132/3785 - Bytynge, biting, sharp, 63/1721 - Bywepe, to weep for, 26/644 - Byweyle, to bewail, 26/643 - - Caitif, Caytif, wretched, 21/489, 116/3289 - Careyne, carcase, corpse, 116/3307 - Cariages, taxes (_vectigalia_), 15/303 - Celebrable, commendable, noted, 84/2320, 147/4257 - Certein, certain, 170/4952 - Cese, to cease, 36/904, 130/3716 - Cesse, to cease, 133/3821 - Chalenge, to claim, 52/1380 - Chastie, Chastysen, to chastise, 125/3579, 145/4170 - Chayere, chair, seat, 21/503 - Cheminey, furnace (_caminus_), 12/236 - Cheryce, to cherish, 181/52 - Chesen, to choose, 76/2096 - Cheyn, chain, 8/122 - Chiere, CHERE, CHOERE, face, countenance, 8/123, 12/232, 108/3080 - Chirkynge, groaning (_stridens_), 25/618 - Clarré, a kind of wine, 50/1329 - Cleer, serene, 45/1168 - Clepe, to call, 4/17, 11/188, 17/369 - Clifte, fissure, cleft, 130/3721 - Cliven, CLIVE, to stick, cling, adhere to, 41/1050, 101/2858, 159/4600 - Cloumben = CLOMBEN, climbed, ascended, 57/1533 - Coempcioun, coemption, 15/309 - Coeterne, coeternal, 172/5019 - Colasioun, collation, 125/3569 - Collacioun, comparison, 165/4805 - Combred, troubled, 94/2642 - Commoeve, to move, 107/3043 - Commoevyng, moving (_excitans_), 12/233 - Communalité, commonwealth, 14/271, 142/4108 - Comparisoune, to compare, 58/1567 - Complyssen, to accomplish, 124/3534 - Compotent, having the mastery (_compos_), 172/5012 - Compoune, to compose, form, 87/2419, 93/2598 - Comprende, comprehend, 165/4807 - Comunableté, commonwealth, 13/268 - Comune, common, 9/140, 15/310 - Confederacie, conspiracy, 53/1399 - Confus, confused, 132/3788 - Conjecte, to conjecture, 27/649, 114/3230 - Conjoignen, to join, 92/2573 - Conjuracioun, conspiracy, 18/394, 53/1399 - Consequente, consequence, 84/2323 - Constreyne, to constrain, contract, 5/38 - Consuler (CONSEILER), consul, 51/1364, 1366 - Consumpt (_consumptus_), consumed, 60/1632 - Contek, contest, strife, 130/3745 - Contene, Contienen, to contain, comprehend, 24/573, 116/3302 - Contrarien, to be opposed to, adverse to, 154/4440 - Contrarious, adverse, opposite, 21/488, 53/1420 - Contrefeten, to counterfeit, 173/5031 - Convenably, fitly, conveniently, 142/4089 - Convict, convicted, 19/440 - Cop, top, summit, 44/1159 - Corage, mind, spirit, 118/3367, 119/3398 - Corige, to correct, 125/3581 - Corompe, Corrumpe, to become corrupt, 98/2766, 96/2697 - Corone, Coroune, a crown, 119/3385, 91/2555 - Corsed, cursed, 181/27 - Corsednesse, cursedness, 90/2526 - Corumpynge, corruption, 103/2927 - Cosyne, cousin, 106/3020 - Couche, to lay, set, 35/890 - Coupable, guilty, 10/172 - Couth, known, 25/592 - Coveite, to covet, 51/1365 - Covenable, fit, convenient, 97/2731 - Covertour, Coverture, covering, 118/3361, 159/4622 - Covetise, Coveytyse, covetousness, 20/451, 181/32 - Covine, deceit, collusion, 21/493 - Coyn, money, 180/20 - Creat, created, 99/2796 - Crike, creek, 82/2260 - Croppe, top, 69/1877 - Curacioun, cure (_curatio_), 26/632 - Curage, 30/753. _See_ Corage. - Cure, care, 64/1753 - - Dalf (_pret._ of _delven_), dug, delved, 51/1349 - Damoisel, damsel, 30/762 - Dampnacioun, condemnation, 16/352 - Daunten, Dawnte, to subdue, daunt, 77/2115, 147/4258 - Debonairly, mildly, 122/3490 - Deboneire, gentle (_mitis_), 22/519; - good, 88/2450 - Deceivable, deceptive, 77/2124 - Dede, did, 181/28 - Dedid, made dead, 127/3623 - Deef, deaf, 4/18 - Deere, dear, 37/941 - Deeþ, death, 4/15 - Defaute, fault, defect, 18/402 - Defende, to forbid, 34/859 - Deffeted, enfeebled, weakened, 30/735 - Defoule, to defile, 21/491, 68/1873 - Degrees, steps, 6/54 - Delices, delight, delights (_deliciæ_), 38/968, 41/1062, 66/1787 - Delitable, delectable, 30/756 - Delitably, delightfully, 108/3078 - Delve, should dig, 151/4352 - Delver, a digger, 151/4359 - Delyé, thin, fine, 5/43. Fr. _délié_. - Dempne, to condemn, 183/49 - Denoye, to deny, 88/2464 - Departe, to separate, 29/719 - Depelyche, deeply, 160/4647 - Depeynte, to depict, 111/3146 - Depper, deeper, 27/649 - Derke, Derken, to darken, 7/90, 20/448 - Derworþe, Derworþi, precious, 31/787, 41/1046 - Desarmen, disarm, 13/241 - Desceivaunce, deception, 81/2240 - Desceive, Desseive, to deceive, 9/141, 38/967 - Descryven, to describe, 99/2813 - Desmaie, to dismay, 35/896 - Desordene, inordinate, 36/912 - Despoylynge, spoil, prey, 147/4259 - Destempraunce, severity, 97/2749 - Destinal, fatal, 135/3884 - Destourbe, disturb, 143/4123 - Destrat, distracted, 80/2216 - Destreine, to constrain, bind, 54/1441 - Diffinisse, to define, 88/2459, 165/4808 - Digne, worthy, just, 43/1124, 149/4297 - Digneliche, worthily, 53/1427 - Dirke, dark, 83/2306 - Dirke, Dirken, to make dark, darken, 5/48, 49 - Dirkenesse, darkness, 23/535 - Disceyvable, deceptive, 4/23 - Discordable, discordant, 143/4133 - Discorde, to disagree, 94/2632, 102/2898 - Discordyng, disagreeing, discordant, 68/1849 - Discours, judgment, reason, 165/4804 - Discressioun, discretion, 93/2594 - Discussed, dispersed, scattered, 9/149 - Disdaignen, to disdain (_indignari_), 146/4213 - Disencrese, to decrease, 173/5035 - Disordinaunce, disorder, 150/4324 - Dispenden, to spend, expend, 45/1181 - Dispone, to dispose, 135/3864 - Disputisoun, disputation, 149/4314 - Disseveraunce, separation, 96/2701 - Dissimulen, to dissemble, 178/5215 - Distempre, intemperate, 121/3466 - Distingwed, distinguished, 47/1223 - Dité, ditty, 134/3850 - Divinour, diviner, 157/4541 - Domesman, judge, 55/1467 - Doom, judgment, 152/4395 - Doumbe, dumb, 9/138 - Doutous, Dowtos, doubtful, 5/37 - Dowblenesse, duplicity, 182/63 - Drede, dread, 21/497 - Dredeful, timid, 121/3468 - Dredles, fearless, 106/3028 - Dreint, Dreynt, drowned, drenched, 4/22, 7/99, 148/4271 - Dresse, to direct, order, 137/3954, 142/4104 - Drouppe, to drop, 20/455 - Drow, drew, 15/300 - Duelly, duly, 22/530 - Dulle, to become dull, 7/100 - Dure, Duren, to last, 98/2755 - Duske, to make dusk or dim, 5/48 - Dyverses (_pl._), divers, 8/120 - Dyvynynge, divination, 157/4541 - - Echid, increased, 77/2134 - Echynnys, sea-urchins, 82/2266 - Egalité, equality, evenness (of mind), 42/1099 - Egaly, equally, evenly, 43/1108, 157/4536 - Egge, edge, 180/19 - Egre, sharp, 25/610 - Egren, to urge, excite, 141/4060 - Eir, air, 45/1169 - Ek, Eke, also, 40/1040, 181/36 - Elde, old age, 5/48 - Eldefadir, grandfather, 40/1042 - Elder, older, 89/2493 - Embelise, to embellish, 47/1223 - Emperie, government, 51/1363 - Emperisse, empress, 109/3098 - Empoysenyng, poisoning, 11/206 (_venenum_) - Emprente, to imprint, 166/4839 - Emprenten, obtain (translates the Latin, _impetrent_), 159/4596. - Perhaps a mistake for _empetren_. - Emptid, exhausted, 5/34 - Enbaissynge, a debasing, 109/3107 - Enbrase, embrace, 142/4092 - Enchaufen, to make hot, _chafe_, 73/2020 - Encharge, to impose, 178/5214 - Enchaunteresse, enchantress, 123/3504 - Endamagen, to damage, 15/316 - Endirken, to obscure, 120/3418 - Enditen, to indite, 4/4 - Enfourme, to inform, instruct, 11/212, 13/263 - Enhaunse, Enhawnse, to raise, exalt (_enhance_), 33/825 - Enlace, to bind, entangle, entertwine, perplex, 13/245, - 80/2207, 149/4298 - Enoynte, to anoint, 36/923 - Enpeyren, to impair, 120/3418, 139/4015 - Ensample, example, 9/151 - Entalenten, to excite, 168/4876 - Entecche, defile, pollute, 120/3431 - Entendyng, intent, looking stedfastly on, 8/126 - Entente, to intend, 150/4345 - Ententes, endeavours, labours, 7/79 - Ententif, attentive, intent, 12/223, 29/731 - Ententifly, attentively, 103/2931 - Enterchaunge, to interchange, 65/1785, 131/3753 - Entercomunynge, commerce, communication, 57/1528 - Entermedle, to intermix, 54/1436 - Entré (_adytum_), 30/751 - Entrechaunge, to interchange, 39/1003 - Entrelaced, intermingled, entangled, 105/2981 - Entremete, intermeddle, 104/2964 - Enveneme, to poison, infect, 120/3437 - Enviroune, to surround, 34/848, 88/2437 - Environynge, circumference, 164/4769 - Erþeliche, Erþelyche, earthly, 52/1378, 69/1888 - Erye, to plough, ear, 71/1964 - Eschapen, to escape, 41/1054 - Eschaufe, to become hot, to burn, 22/524 - Eschewen, to avoid, escape, 177/5172 - Eschuynge, eschewing, 99/2802 - Establisse, to establish, 15/311 - Eterne, eternal; - fro eterne = from eternity, 153/4422 - Eternité, eternity, 171/4986 - Evenliche, evenly, 25/599 - Everyche, every, 11/190; - each, 181/48 - Evesterre, evening star, 22/510 - Excussyoun, execution, 184/65 - Exercen, to exercise, practise, 52/1389 - Exercitacioun, exercise, 140/4034 - Exilynge, banishment, 11/205 - Exite, to excite, 168/4881 - Eyen, eyes, 183/36 - Eyer, air, 170/4962 - - Fader, father, 18/414 - Familarité, familiarity, 30/740 - Familers, familiars, 18/407 - Fantesye, fancy, inclination, 181/51 - Fasoun, fashion, 62/1693 - Feffe, (?) 38/966 - Fel, felle, fierce, 44/1160 - Felawschipe, to accompany, 111/3141 - Felefold, manifold, 30/738 - Felliche, fiercely, 39/997 - Felnesse, fierceness, 25/618 - Felonous, wicked, depraved, 18/405 - Felonye, crime, 124/3542 - Fer, far, 23/554 - Ferm, firm, 78/2148 - Fermely, firmly, 157/4550 - Ferne, fern, 64/1741 - Ferne, distant, 60/1621 - Ferþe, fourth, 56/1509 - Festivaly, gaily, 59/1581 - Festne, to fasten, fix, 10/166 - Fette, fetched, 180/22 - Fey, faith, truth, 112/3178 - Ficchen, to fix, fasten, 45/1164, 88/2446 - Fieblesse, feebleness, 81/2240, 112/3176 - Fille, abundance, 48/1269 - Flaumbe, flame, 98/2761 - Fleme, to banish, 29/723 - Fles, fleece, 180/18 - Flete, Fleten, to float, flow, pass away, abound, 8/118, - 28/690, 146/4223, 152/4376 - Fletynge, flowing, 71/1961 - Fley, flee, 149/4289 - Fleyen, to flee, 125/3584 - Flies, fleece, 50/1330 - Flitte, to remove, 68/1853 - Flittyng, changing, fickle, 78/2150 - Flityng, flitting, 12/220 - Flotere, to float, 99/2817 - Floterynge, floating, 87/2420 - Flouren, to flourish, 131/3763 - Fodre, fodder, 148/4267 - Foleyen, Folyen, to act foolishly, 67/1821, 1826 - Folyly, foolishly, 12/220 - Fooldest, foldest, 105/2984 - Forbrek, broke, interrupted, 108/3082 - Fordoon, to undo, destroy, 62/1693 - Fordryven, driven about, 12/215 - Foreyne, foreign, 34/851 - Forghe, furrow, 170/4959 - Forheved, forehead, 16/346 - Forknowyng, foreknowledge, 178/5187 - Forleften, left (_pret._ of _forleve_, _linquo_), 9/150 - Forlete, to cease, 96/2697; - leave, forsake, 22/525 - Forleten (_p.p._), neglected, forsaken, 5/47 - Forliven, degenerate from (_degenero_), 78/2163 - Forlorn, lost, 34/858, 121/3452 - Forme, an error for _ferme_, to make firm, 23/547 - Forpampred, overpampered, 180/5 - Fors, force; - ‘no fors,’ no matter, 182/13 - Forsweryng, perjury, 23/536 - Forþenke, to be sorry, grieved, 41/1058 - Forþere, to further, promote, 41/1057 - Forþest, farthest, 136/3918 - Forþi, therefore, 28/689 - Fortroden, trodden upon, trampled, 109/3100 - Fortunel, fortuitous, 152/4379 - Fortunouse, Fortuouse, fortuitous, 26/639, 38/983, 132/3779 - Forwes, furrows, 180/12 - Forwiter, foreknower, 178/5204 - Foryetyn, forgotten, 101/2872 - Foundement, foundation, 98/2754 - Fowel, bird, 107/3053 - Fram, from, 70/1931 - Freele, frail, 61/1658 - Frete, to eat, devour, 147/4252 - Frounce, flounce, 9/147 - Fructe, fruit, 180/3 - Frutefiyng, fructifying, fruitful, 6/72 - Fulfilling, satisfying, 79/2178 - Fycche, fix, 108/3073. _See_ Ficchen. - Fyn, end, 69/1892 - - Gabbe, ‘gabbe I?’ am I deceived? 49/1308 - Galentyne, a dish in ancient cookery made of sopped bread - and spices (_Halliwell_), 180/16 - Galles, galls, 181/47 - Gapen, to desire, be greedy for, 15/324, 36/910 - Gapinge, desire, 36/910 - Gastnesse, terror, fear, 75/2079 - Geaunt, giant, 104/2966 - Gentilesse, nobility, 78/2154 - Geometrien, geometrician, 91/2552 - Gerdoned, rewarded, 120/3410 - Gerdoun, reward, 13/265 - Gerner, garner, 15/305 - Gesse, Gessen, to deem, suppose, estimate, 17/378, 19/416, 65/1782 - Gessinge, opinion, 21/475 - Gest, guest, 38/979 - Gideresse, a female guide, 108/3084 - Gise, guise, mode, 71/1943 - Giser, gizzard, 107/3054 - Glotonus, greedy, 26/620 - Gnodded, pounded, 180/11 - Gobet, a bit (of gold), 51/1349 - Godhed, divinity, 122/3492 - Goost, spirit, ghost, 40/1036 - Governaile, government (_gubernaculum_), 27/651 - Governaunce, control, 32/813 - Goye, joy, 179/5218 - Grayþe, to devise, prepare, 19/438 - Grobbe up, to grub up, 181/29 - Grond, did grind, 180/15 - Gynne, snare, trap, 82/2256 - Gynner, beginner, 150/4330 - Gyse, guise, mode, 134/3860 - - Habitacle, habitation, 57/1525 - Habunde, to abound, 41/1073 - Halden, to hold, 41/1053 - Hale, to draw, drag, 61/1665 - Halt, holds, 56/1504 - Hardnesse, hardship, 132/3783 - Hardyly, boldly, 34/857 - Hastise, to hasten, 131/3746 - Haunten, to frequent, 10/168; - to practise, exercise, 52/1389 - Heeres, hairs, 4/12 - Heet, heat, 28/699 - Hef, raised, heaved, 5/41 - Hele, health, 93/2623 - Henten, to seize, 15/326 - Hepen, to heap up, increase, 153/4418 - Herburghden, harboured, lodged, 53/1409 - Herie, to praise, 109/3112 - Hert, hart, 106/3027 - Herted, hearted, 55/1466 - Heve, to raise, heave, 171/4968 - Heved, head, 4/13 - Hevenelyche, heavenly, 8/105 - Hevie, to make heavy, 171/4967 - Hey, high, 22/523 - Heyere, higher, 143/4117 - Heyȝe, high, 171/4969 - Hielde, pour, 35/899 - Hiȝte, to adorn, 8/116 - Hoke, hook, 16/347 - Holily, wholly, entirely, 90/2503 - Homelyche, homely, 105/3001 - Hond, hand, 20/449 - Honter, a hunter, 12/228 - Hool, whole, 46/1191 - Hoolnesse, wholeness, 164/4754 - Hoope, to hope, 17/384 - Hore, hoary, 4/13 - Humblesse, humility, 80/2213 - Hungry tyme, time of famine, 15/314 - Hurtlen, to rush against, to oppose, 30/748, 167/4866 - Hyene, hyæna, 185/35 - Hyȝt, is called, 9/154, 25/619 - Hyȝten, are called, 77/2126 - - Ibouȝt, bought, 157/4540 - Ibowed, bent, turned, 137/3949 - Icharged, loaded, 71/1962 - Igete, gotten, 36/908 - Ilorn, lost, 62/1677 - Imperial, august (_imperiosus_), 7/91 - Implie, to fold, enclose, 152/4379 - Infortune, misfortune, 79/2197 - Inmoeveable, immovable, 173/5030 - Inmoeveableté, immobility, 173/5032 - Inorschid, nourished, nurtured, 8/128 - I-nowh, enough, 180/11 - Inperfit, imperfect, 83/2291 - Inplitable (_inexplicabilis_), 15/315 - Inprente, to imprint, 166/4832 - Inpressed, impressed, 167/4861 - Inrest, innermost, 136/3913 - Instaunce (_instantia_), presence, 174/5067 - Intil, into, 110/3139 - Inwiþ, within, 32/801 - Issest, issuest, 105/2983 - Iwist, known, 156/4513 - - Jangland, chattering, 68/1867 - Jape-worthi, ridiculous, 157/4540 - Jolyté, pleasure, 79/2189 - Jowes, jaws, 15/323 - Joygnen, to join, 54/1455 - Joynture, juncture, joining, 46/1207 - Juge, a judge, 19/431; - to judge, 53/1427 - Jugement, judgment, 114/3253 - - Karf (_pret._ of Kerven), cut, 50/1337 - Kembd, KEMBED, combed, 23/537 - Kerve, to cut, 64/1740 - Kevere, cover, obscure, 34/861 - Keye, helm (_clavus_), 103/2926 - Knowelechinge, knowledge, 168/4874 - Knyȝt, soldier, 111/3142 - Konnyng, knowledge, 16/351 - Korue (_p.p._), cut, rent, 6/58 - Kuytten, to cut, 147/4246 - Kyd, known, 181/46 - Kyndeliche, Kyndely, naturally, 101/2850, 114/3228 - Kythen, to make known, show, 184/63 - - Lache, slow, lazy, 122/3471 - Lad (_p.p._), led, 35/879 - Laddre, ladder, 6/55 - Lambyssh, lamb-like, 181/50 - Languisse, to languish, 30/734, 130/3740 - Lappe, flap, 9/146 - Largesse, liberality, 45/1183 - Lasse, less, 22/508 - Leche, Leecher, physician, 13/250, 114/3254, 139/3990 - Leef, dear, 37/941 - Leesen, Leese, to lose, 22/509, 43/1133 - Lene, to give, 139/3993 - Lenger, longer, 52/1370 - Lesynge, loss, 141/4066 - Lesynge, leasing, lie, 156/4525 - Leten, to leave, 10/176; - to esteem, 61/1666 - Leve, permission, leave, 128/3658 - Leveful, allowable, lawful, 10/176 - Ligge, to lie, 60/1632, 147/4251 - Liifly, lively, lifelike, 5/33 - Likerous, lecherous, 72/1989 - Litargie, lethargy, 9/140 - Litestere, a dyer, 180/17 - Lokyng, sight, 10/167 - Loos, praise - Looþ, loath, 40/1036 - Lorel, a wretch, 21/495 - Lorn, lost, 34/859 - Lous, loose, free, 136/3926 - Lykynge, pleasure, 31/771 - Lymes, limbs, 71/1946 - Lynage, lineage, 41/1070 - Lythnesse, lightness, 98/2761 - Lyȝte goodes, temporal goods, 4/21 - Lyȝtly, easily, 12/220 - Lyȝtne, to enlighten, 128/3655 - Lyȝtnesse, light, brightness, 8/106 - - Maat, weary, dejected, 40/1037 - Magistrat, magistracy, 72/1985 - Maistresse, mistress, 10/169 - Malice, _nefas_, wickedness, 20/466 - Malyfice, _maleficium_, 20/468 - Manace, menace, 12/232 - Manase, to menace, 118/3365 - Manassynge, threatening, 44/1158 - Mareis, Mareys, marsh, 56/1513, 97/2735 - Margarits, pearls, 94/2650 - Marye, pith, marrow, 97/2744 - Maugré, in spite of, 70/1928 - Mede, meed, reward, 91/2555 - Medle, to mix, _Medelyng_, mixing, mixture, 20/449, 122/3482, 126/3594 - Meenelyche, moderate, 28/706 - Meistresse, mistress, 17/363 - Melle, mill, 180/6 - Mene, the mean or middle path, 146/4228 - Meremaydenes, mermaids, 7/83 - Merken, to mark, 16/346 - Mervaille, Merveile, marvel, 18/403, 132/3787 - Merveilen, to marvel, 46/1205 - Mervelyng, wondering, 10/161 - Mest, most, 42/1081 - Mesuren, to measure, 65/1782 - Meyné, servants, domestics, 47/1243 - Mirie, pleasant, sweet, 4/16 - Mirinesse, pleasure, 66/1793 - Misericorde, mercy, pity, 107/3057 - Mistourne, to misturn, mislead, 69/1894 - Mochel, great, 62/1674, 109/3110 - Moeveable, mobile, fickle, 133/3817 - Moeven, to move, 8/112, 150/4329 - Moewyng, moving, motion, 130/3742 - Mokere, to hoard up, 45/1182 - Mokere, miser, 45/1182. A mistake for _mokerere_. - Molesté, trouble, grief, 85/2346 - Monstre, prodigy, 18/403 - More, greater, 129/3697 - Morwe, morning, 22/513 - Mosten (_pl._), must, 166/4836 - Mot, must, 40/1038 - Mowen, be able, 25/608 - Mowynge, ability, power, 124/3548 - Myche, much, 21/475 - Mychel, much, 46/1215 - Myntynge, purposing, endeavouring, 7/101 - Myrie, pleasant, 45/1165 - Myrily, pleasantly, 59/1582 - Myrþes, pleasures, 132/3782 - Mys, badly, wrongly, 131/3772 - Mysese, grievance, trouble, 15/299 - Mysknowynge, ignorant, 61/1659 - Mysweys, wrong paths, 149/4309 - - Naie, to refuse, 4/19 - Nake, to make naked, 148/4288 - Nameles, unrenowned, 131/3762 - Namelyche, Namly, especially, 124/3550 - Nare, were not, 10/176 - Nart, art not, 23/556 - Narwe, narrow, 57/1520 - Nas, was not, 180/9 - Naþeles, nevertheless, 6/57 - Nat, not, 23/556 - Necesseden, necessitated, 87/2419 - Nedely, of necessity, 84/2334 - Negardye, (_sb._) misers, 183/53 - Nere, were not, 26/646 - Neþemaste, lowest, nethermost, 6/56 - Neþereste, lowest, 6/50 - Newe, to renew, 137/3938 - Newliche, recently, 122/3489 - Nice, foolish, 148/4287 - Nil, will not, 107/3055 - Nillynge, being unwilling, 97/2718 - Nilt, wilt not, 112/3193 - Nis, is not, 12/218 - Niste, knew not, 102/2882 - Noblesse, nobleness, 37/947 - Nobley, nobility, nobleness, 37/945 - Nolden, would not, 52/1369 - Norice, nurse, 10/167 - Norisse, to nourish, 79/2174 - Norry, nursling, pupil, 10/173 - Norssinge, nourishment, support, 47/1231; - nutriment, 37/932 - Not, know not (_1st pers._), 27/649 - Notful, useful, 7/85 - Nounpower, impotence, 75/2074 - Nouþir, neither, 160/4644 - Noyse, to make a noise (about a thing), to brag, 79/2171 - Nurry (_see_ Norry), 86/2386 - Nys, is not, 45/1175 - - O, one, 24/564 - Obeisaunt, obedient, 13/266, 32/814 - Object, presented, 168/4889 - Occupye, to seize, 146/4227 - Offence, hurt, damage, 180/19 - Offensioun, offence, 20/473 - Olifuntȝ, elephants, 80/2223 - Onknowyn, unknown, 180/6 - Onlyche, only, 171/4968 - Onone, Onoon, at once, anon, 23/553, 74/2027 - Ony, any, 21/488 - Ooned, united, 135/3879 - Oor, oar, 50/1338 - Oosteresse, hostess, 122/3495 - Or, ere, before, 9/143 - Ordeinly, orderly, 140/4044 - Ordenour, ordainer, 109/3110 - Ordeyne, orderly, 109/3109 - Ordinat, ordered, settled, 12/229 - Ordinee, orderly, 102/2902 - Ordure, filth, 29/716 - Ostelmentȝ, furniture, goods, 48/1266 - Oþerweyes, otherwise (_aliter_), 164/4772 - Outerage, excess, 50/1326 - Outerest, extremest, remotest, 55/1469, 89/2476 - Outerly, utterly, 108/3081 - Outraien, do harm (?), 78/2162 - Over-comere, conqueror, 8/109 - Overmaste, highest, uppermost, 6/57 - Overmyche, overmuch, very much, 79/2191 - Overoolde, very old, 11/209 - Overþrowen, prostrate, 21/497 - Overþrowyng, forward, headstrong, 7/99, 141/4058 - Overtymelyche, untimely, 4/13 - Owh, an exclamation (_papæ_), 112/3166 - Owtrage, excess, 180/5 - - Paied, satisfied, 58/1549 - Paleis, pale, 24/574 - Palude, marsh, 148/4262 - Paraventure, peradventure, 18/402 - Parchemyn, parchment, 166/4835 - Parsoners, sharers, partakers, 170/4942 - Partles, without a share, 120/3409 - Pas, paces, 19/442 - Paysyble, peaceable, peaceful, 180/1 - Peisible, quiet, placid, 23/550, 88/2450 - Percen, to pierce, 81/2236 - Perdurable, lasting, perpetual, 5/44, 21/503 - Perdurableté, immortality, 58/1557 - Perfitlyche, _Perfitly_, perfectly, 87/2426, 133/3833 - Perfourny, to afford, furnish, 67/1823 - Perisse, to perish, 96/2712 - Perturbacioun, perturbation, 7/98 - Perverte, to destroy, 11/201 - Peyne, punishment, 121/3439 - Piment, a kind of drink, 50/1329 - Plenté, fulness, 173/5037 - Plentevous, affluent, 67/1824 - Plentivous, yielding abundantly, fertile, 64/1739 - Plentivously, abundantly, 25/592 - Plete, argue, plead, 33/833 - Pletyngus, pleadings, debates (at law), 70/1933 - Pleyne, to complain, 31/777 - Pleynelyche, plainly, 28/681 - Pleynt, complaint, 110/3122 - Plonge, Ploungen, to plunge, 7/89, 65/1784 - Ploungy, wet, rainy (_imbrifer_), 64/1745 - Polute, polluted, 20/450 - Pose, to put a case, cf. put a _poser_, 162/4686 - Pousté, power, 131/3766 - Pownage, pasturage, 180/7 - Poyntel, style, 166/4838 - Preiere, prayer, 107/3044 - Preisen, to estimate, judge, 7/379 - Preisynge, praising, 77/2131 - Preke, to prick, 85/2346 - Prenostik, prognostic, 183/54 - Presentarie, present, 178/5196 - Preterit, preterite, past, 171/4990 - Pretorie, the imperial body-guard, 15/317 - Prevé, secret, 121/3464 - Preven, to prove, 90/2503 - Prie, to pray, 25/600 - Pris, value; - ‘worþi of _pris_,’ precious, 24/583 - Proche, to approach, 145/4182 - Proeve, to approve, 154/4456 - Punisse, to punish, 22/531 - Puplisse, to publish, spread, propagate, 58/1549, 98/2753 - Purper, purple, 25/617 - Purpose, to propose, 176/5148 - Purveaunce, providence, 134/3863 - Purveiable, provident, foreseeing, 68/1854 - Purveie, to ordain, order, 21/478 - Purvyance, providence, 99/2795 - - Quereles, complaints, 70/1932 - Quik, living, 134/3839 - Quyene, queen, 183/43 - Quyerne, a mill, 180/6 - - Rafte, bereft, 147/4259 - Raþer, earlier, former, 30/735 - Raviner, a plunderer, 12/228 - Ravische, to snatch, 11/190 - Ravyne, plunder, rapine, 15/302, 36/909 - Ravynour, plunderer, 121/3460 - Ravysse, to carry off, 131/3774 - Real, royal, 19/420 - Recche, to care, reck, 33/827, 38/987 - Recompensacioun, recompense, 130/3724 - Recorde, to recount, recall, 92/2580, 101/2871 - Reddowr, severity, rigour, 182/13 - Redenesse, redness, flushing, 7/88 - Redoutable, venerable, 131/3763 - Redoute, to fear, 10/178, 57/1535 - Redy = rody, red, ruddy, 39/995 - Refet, refreshed, 143/4116 - Reft (away), carried off, 22/521 - Refut, refuge, 94/2644 - Regne, kingdom, 67/1843 - Regnen, to reign, rule, 29/726 - Remewe, to remove, 19/441 - Remorde, to vex, trouble, 140/4030 - Remuable, able to remove from one place to another, 168/4898 - Remuen, to remove, 52/1394 - Renomed, renowned, 41/1070, 78/2143 - Renovele, to renew, 98/2752 - Replenisse, to replenish, 20/469 - Reprere, to reprove, 167/4857 - Repugnen, to be repugnant to, 154/4440 - Requerable, desirable, 52/1377 - Requere, to require, 99/2790 - Rescowe, to recover, 133/3809 - Rescowe, to rescue, 35/881 - Resolve, to loosen, melt, 133/3814 - Resoune, to resound, 107/3036 - Rethoryen, rhetorical, 30/759 - Rewlyche, pitiable, sorrowful, 35/878 - Risorse = recourse (_recursus_), course, 8/108 - Rody, ruddy, 143/4122 - Roos, roes, 82/2258 - Rosene, roseat, 8/117 - Route, company, 47/1243 - Royle, to run, roll, 29/717 - Rynnyng, running, 50/1335 - Ryȝtwisnesse, righteousness, equity, 16/331 - - Sachel, satchel, sack, 12/223 - Sad, stable, 41/1064 - Saddenesse, stability, 110/3123 - Sarpuler, a sack made of coarse cloth (_Sarcinula_), 12/223 - Sauuacioun, safety, salvation, 97/2723 - Sauȝ, Say, saw, 8/106, 9/137 - Saye, sawest, 37/958 - Schad, shed, 4/13 - Schrew, a wicked person, a wretch, 12/217 - Schrewed, wicked, 18/398 - Schrewednesse, wickedness, 18/401, 117/3324 - Schronk, shrunk, 5/38 - Schulden (_pl._), should, 9/132 - Schullen (_pl._), shall, 25/605 - Scom, foam, froth, 148/4281 - Scripture, writing, 17/382 - Sege, seat, 13/258 - Seien (_pl._), saw, 51/1344 - Seien (_p.p._), seen, 6/54 - Selde, seldom, 133/3818 - Seler, cellar, 35/890 - Selily, happily, blissfully, 42/1076 - Selve, very, 5/42 - Semblable, like, 48/1279 - Semblaunce, likeness, 142/4106 - Semblaunt, appearance, countenance, 5/31 - Senglely, singly, 85/2369 - Sensibilites, sensations, 166/4830 - Servage, servitude, 153/4411 - Sewe, to follow, 88/2441 - Seye, sawest, 37/955 - Seyntuaries, sanctuaries, 16/343 - Shad, divided, spread, 136/3922 - Sholdres, shoulders, 148/4281 - Sich, such, 6/67 - Sikerly, certainly, 94/2635 - Singler, individual, single, 57/1529 - Singlerly, singly, 135/3890 - Sittyng, fitting, becoming, 10/176 - Skilynge, reason, 137/3931 - Slaken, to slake (hunger), 50/1326 - Slede, sledge, 110/3131 - Sleen, Slen, to slay, 53/1409, 55/1460 - Slouȝ, slew, 55/1461 - Smaragde, emerald, 94/2650 - Smerte, to smart, pain, 39/1011 - Smot, smote, 147/4254 - Smoþe, smooth, 8/112 - Sodeyn, sudden, 10/161 - Somedel, somewhat, 25/606 - Somer, summer, 22/517 - Songen (_p.p._), sung, 108/3078 - Soory, sorry, grievous, 38/978 - Soþe, true, 17/377, 118/3352 - Soþefastly, truly, 89/2481 - Soþely, truly, 169/4918 - Soþenesse, truth, 26/641 - Sothfast, true, 61/1652 - Soun, sound, 68/1852 - Soune, to sound, 37/929 - Sounyng, sounding, roaring, 8/111 - Sovereyne, supreme, 90/2508 - Sovereynely, supremely, 91/2545 - Sourmounte, to surpass, 80/2223 - Spece, species, 165/4789 - Speculacioun, looking, contemplation, 153/4408 - Spedeful, Spedful, efficacious, conducive, 125/3570, 161/4671 - Speden, to make clear, explain, 161/4667 - Spere, sphere, 8/108 - Sperkele, spark, 104/2971 - Sprad, spread (_p.p._), 9/156 - Stableté, stability, 137/3950 - Stablise, to establish, 134/3860 - Stably, firmly, 135/3890 - Stappe, step, 170/4963 - Staunche, to satisfy, 71/1948, 1961 - Stere, to move (_agitare_), 106/3015 - Sterre, star, 36/903 - Sterry, starry, 36/904 - Sterten, to start, 104/2971 - Stidefastnesse, stability, strength, 97/2748 - Stidfast, steadfast, 182/17 - Stien, to ascend, 88/2444 - Stiere, _steer_, rudder (_gubernaculum_), 103/2926 - Stiern, stern, 60/1628 - Stoon, stone, 45/1165 - Stormynge, making stormy, 29/712 - Stont, stands, 9/154 - Stoundes, times, 178/5187 - Strauȝt, stretched, extended, 170/4957 - Strengere, stronger, 12/221 - Strenkeþ, strength, 12/240 - Streyhte, stretched, 63/1702 - Streyne, to restrain, 150/4325 - Strond, strand, 51/1339 - Strook, stroke, 153/4433 - Strumpet, 6/66 - Stye, to ascend, 143/4117 - Stynte, to stop, 37/929 - Styntynge, stopping, ceasing, 61/1638 - Suasioun, persuasion (_suadela_), 30/759 - Subgit, subject, 48/1273 - Submytte, to compel, force (_summitto_), 19/434 - Sudeyn, sudden, 30/752 - Suffisaunce, sufficiency, 70/1922 - Suffisaunt, sufficient, 70/1924 - Suffisauntly, sufficiently, 133/3833 - Summitte, Summytte, to submit, 49/1288, 136/3924 - Superfice, surface, 81/2238 - Supplien, to supplicate, 80/2210 - Surté, security, 181/46 - Sustigne, to sustain, 183/41 - Sweighe, whirl, circular motion (_turbo_), 22/504 - Swerd, sword, 19/438 - Swety, sweaty, 181/28 - Sweyes, whirlings, 32/816 - Swich, such, 20/446 - Swolwe, to swallow, 98/2777 - Syker, secure, safe, 12/224, 16/333 - Sykernesse, security, safety, 9/132 - Symplesse, simplicity, 136/3914 - Syn, since, 31/789 - Syþen, since, 32/802 - - Talent, affection, desire, will, 6/71, 168/4887 - Taylage, tollage, 181/54 - Þar, need, 38/987 - Þerwhiles, whilst, 176/5150 - Þilke, the same, that, 99/2814 - Þo, Þoo (_pl._), the, 11/200, 168/4886 - Þondre, thunder, 45/1166 - Þoruȝ, through, 11/202 - Þreschefolde, threshold, 7/89 - Þrest, thirst, 36/914, 71/1945 - Þreste, Þresten, thrust, 47/1237, 148/4283 - Throf, throve, flourished, 74/2050 - Þrust, thirst, 107/3053 - Til, to, 69/1891 - Tilier, a tiller, 151/4352 - To-breke, break in pieces, 88/2447 - Todrowen (_pl._), drew asunder, 11/193 - Toforne, before, 177/5184 - Togidres, together, 53/1421 - To hepe, together, 140/4029 - Tokene, to token, 26/624 - Tollen, to draw, 56/1496 - Torenten (_pl._), rent asunder, 11/194 - To-teren, tear in pieces, 68/1865 - Traas, Trais, trace, track, 170/4958, 4963 - Transporten, throw on (_transferre_), 19/419 - Travaille, labour, toil, 10/174 - Travayle, to toil, labour, 64/1754 - Travayle, labour, 148/4286 - Tregedie, tragedy, 77/2126 - Tregedien, tragedian, 77/2125 - Trenden, to roll, turn, 100/2835 - Troublable, troublesome, 118/3369 - Trouble, turbid, stormy, 29/711 - Troubly, troubled, cloudy (_nubilus_), 133/3819 - Trowen, to trow, believe, 20/468, 152/4399 - Twitre, to twitter, 68/1875 - Twynkel, to wink, 38/971 - Tylienge, tilling, 151/4347 - Tyren, to tear, 107/3055 - - Umblesse, humility, 181/55 - Unagreable, unpleasant, disagreeable, 4/25 - Unassaieþ, untried, 42/1082 - Unbitide, not to happen, 161/4678 - Unbowed, unbent, 148/4284 - Uncovenable, unmeet, importunate (_importunus_), 141/4058 - Undefouled, undefiled, 40/1023 - Undepartable, inseparable, 120/3422 - Underput, put under, subject, 28/696 - Understonde, to understand, 30/733, 43/1120 - Undigne, unworthy, 54/1444 - Undirneþ, underneath, 75/2074 - Undiscomfited, not discomfited (_invictus_), 12/232 - Undoutous, indubitable, 149/4315 - Uneschewably, unavoidably, 157/4531 - Ungentil, ignoble, 41/1070 - Ungrobbed, ungrubbed, 180/14 - Unhonestee, disreputableness, 24/587 - Unhoped, unexpected, 139/4006 - Université, whole, 165/4797 - Unjoynen, Unjoygnen, to separate, 151/4373 - Unknowyng, ignorant, 139/3997 - Unknytten, to unloose (_dissolvere_), 154/4459 - Unkonnyng, Unkunnynge, unknowing, ignorant, 7/76, 11/202 - Unkorven, uncut, 180/14 - Unkouþ, unknown, foreign, 34/870 - Unlace, to disentangle, 105/2982 - Unleveful, illicit, unlawful, 154/4456 - Unmeke, fierce, cruel, 148/4267 - Unmoeveable, immovable, 136/3901 - Unmoeveableté, immobility, 136/3921 - Unmyȝty, weak, impotent, 13/241 - Unneþ, scarcely, 27/652 - Unparygal, unequal, 63/1708 - Unpitouse, cruel, 4/24 - Unpleyten, to explain, 61/1647 - Unplite, explain, unfold, 167/4843 - Unpunissed, unpunished, 21/498 - Unpurveyed, unforeseen, 30/743 - Unraced, unbroken, whole, 110/3115 - Unryȝtful, unjust, 10/185 - Unryȝtfully, unrightfully, unjustly, 23/533 - Unscience, unreal knowledge, no knowledge, 156/4515 - Unsely, wretched, 39/1013 - Unselynesse, wretchedness, 124/3544 - Unskilfuly, unwisely, improperly, 18/407 - Unsolempne, not famous, not celebrated, 11/210 - Unsowe, unsown, 180/10 - Unspedful, unsuccessful, 178/5210 - Unstauncheable, unlimited, infinite, 58/1573 - Unstaunched, uncurbed, unrestrained, 54/1439 - Unsuffrable, intolerable, 79/2179 - Unusage, unfrequency, 57/1528 - Untretable, inexorable, implacable, 61/1641 - Unwar, unexpected, 35/886 - Unwarly, unaware, unexpectedly, 4/10 - Unwemmed, inviolate, 40/1023, 178/5201 - Unwened, unexpected, 139/4006 - Unwoot, knows not, 175/5099 - Unworshipful, dishonoured, 75/2054 - Uphepyng, heaping up, 37/951 - Upsodoun, upside down, 48/1274, 156/4501 - Upsprong, upsprung, 180/10 - Used, accustomed, wonted, 22/512 - Uterreste, extremest, outermost, 7/95 - - Vanisse, to vanish, 74/2027 - Variaunt, varying, 22/518 - Vengerisse, a she-avenger, 107/3048 - Verray, Verrey, true, 19/429 - Vilfully (Wilsfully), wilfully, 116/3295 - Voide, having an empty purse (_vacuus_), 50/1316 - Voyded (of), emptied of, free from, 181/50 - - Wakyng, watchful, 148/4263 - Walwe, to toss, 51/1361 - Walwyng, tossing, 29/712 - Wan, did win, 147/4240 - War, be aware, take care, 145/4200 - Warne, to refuse, deny, 37/950 - Wawe, a wave, 8/115 - Wayk, weak, 28/706 - Weep (_pret._), wept, 35/883 - Welde, wild, 180/17. It may mean _boiled_, since another copy - reads _wellyd_. - Weleful, Welful, prosperous, joyful, 4/15 - Welefulnesse, Welfulnesse, prosperity, felicity, 11/188, 21/478 - Welken, to wither, fade, 146/4224 - Welkne, welkin, 184/62 - Welle, well, source, 157/4548 - Wende, weened, thought, 53/1397 - Wenge, wing, 170/4961 - Wenynge, opinion, 172/5022 - Wepen (_p.p._), wept, 25/596 - Wepli, tearful, 5/29 - Werdes, fates, destinies, 4/10 - Werreye, to make war, 181/25 - Weten, to know, 156/4519 - Wex, wax, 167/4840 - Weyve, to waive, forsake, 29/722 - Wham, whom, 89/2482 - Whelwe, to toss, roll, 39/1001 - Whiderward, whither, 177/5171 - Whist, hushed, 51/1341 - Wierdes, fates, destinies, 12/231 - Wikke, wicked, bad, 64/1743 - Willynge, desire, 178/5203 - Wilne, to desire, 17/367 - Wilnynge, desire, 98/2781 - Wirche, to work, 12/235 - Wirchyng, working, operation, 95/2677 - Wist, known, 170/4937 - Witen, to know, learn, 88/2458, 132/3776, 160/4624 - Wiþdrow, withdrew, 64/1751 - Wiþhalden, to withhold, 142/4105 - Wiþoute forþe, outwardly, 165/4803 - Wiþseid, denied, 90/2501 - Wiþstant, withstand, 29/715 - Wiþstonde (_p.p._), withstood, 14/290 - Witnesfully, attestedly, publicly, 131/3765 - Witynge, knowledge, 156/4526 - Wod, woad, 180/17 - Wod, Wode, mad, raging, 12/225 - Wode, wood, 39/995 - Wodenesse, rage, madness, 45/1169, 107/3052 - Wolen (_pl._), will, 94/2645 - Woltow, wilt thou, 97/2741 - Wone, to dwell, 60/1627 - Woode, Wode, furious, mad, 25/600 - Woode, to rage, 123/3515 - Woodnesse, rage, madness, 107/3052 - Woot, knows, 43/1128 - Wope, to weep, 36/905 - Worchen, to work, 178/5215 - Wost, knowest, 19/423 - Woxe, to increase, wax, grow, 25/608 - Woxen (_p.p._), grown, 25/607 - Wrekere, avenger, 128/3665 - Wrekyng, vengeance, 147/4238 - Wroþely, grieved, sad, 7/87 - Wryþen, twist, turn, wrest, 154/4452 - Wymple, to cover with a veil or wimple, 31/774 - Wyt, sense, 164/4771 - Wyȝt, wight, person, 19/425 - - Yave (_pl._), gave, 180/4 - Yben, been, 162/4698 - Ybeyen, to obey, 105/2998 - Ycauȝt, caught, captured, 118/3371 - Ycleped, called, 150/4346 - Ydel, ‘_in ydel_,’ in vain, 5/43 - Ydred, feared, 33/825 - Yfelawshiped, associated, united, 53/1421 - Yficched, fixed, 136/3910 - Yfinissed, finished, 125/3558 - Yflit, flitted, removed, 8/108 - Ygeten, gotten, 65/1776 - Yhardid, hardened, 133/3814 - Yheuied, made heavy, 171/4974 - Ylad, led, 37/956, 172/5022 - Ylete, permitted, 130/3730 - Ylett, hindered, 161/4674 - Ylorn, lost, 147/4250 - Ymaginable, possessing imagination, 166/4812 - Ymaked, made, 87/2426 - Ymedeled, mixed, 140/4029 - Ynouȝ, enough, 71/1947 - Yplitid, pleated, folded, 9/147 - YPORVEYID, YPURVEID, foreseen, 155/4467, 4468 - Ysen, seen, 72/1982 - Yshad, shed, scattered, 68/1874 - Yshet, shut, 170/4955 - Ysmyte, smitten, 80/2202 - Yspedd, made clear, determined, 161/4657; - despatched, 149/4295 - Yspendyd, examined (_expediero_), 161/4668 - Ysprad, spread, 78/2140 - Yspranid, sprinkled, mixed, 42/1102. - _Read_ yspraind. - Ystrengeþed, strengthened, 175/5098 - Yþewed, behaved, 139/4008 - Yþrongen, pressed, squeezed, 57/1521 - Ytravailed, laboured, 155/4469 - Ytretid, handled, performed, 131/3765 - Yvel, evil, 105/2976 - Ywened, believed, 145/4178 - Ywist, known, 155/4475 - Ywoven, woven, 6/51 - Ywyst, known, 164/4759 - Yȝeven, given, 141/4069 - - Ȝaf, gave, 8/130 - Ȝeelde, Ȝelde, seldom, 39/1002, 52/1372 - Ȝeld, yielded, 147/4253 - Ȝelden, to yield, 149/4303 - Ȝeve, to give, 149/4291 - Ȝevyng, giving, 45/1188 - Ȝif, if, 9/131 - Ȝis, yes, 103/2919 - Ȝisterday, yesterday, 171/4994 - Ȝitte, yet, 156/4508 - Ȝok, Ȝokke, yoke, 32/802, 60/1620 - Ȝolde (_p.p._), yielded, 25/599 - Ȝonge, young, 35/889 - Ȝouþe, youth, 10/168 - - - * * * * * - * * * * - - -_Errors and Inconsistencies_ (Noted by Transcriber) - -_Introduction_ - - (8) Præscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas - providentiæ, laboretur. - [[dot or flyspeck over last u in “futurorum” in two different - printings]] - - _keye and a stiere_ (p. 103) - [[italicized “_keye_ and a stiere”: changed to match - primary text]] - -_Primary Text_ - - [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.] - [[no closing bracket]] - - [Linenote: 852 ... _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn.] - [[printed as shown, with no space for hyphen at line break]] - - [SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA. - ... - of verray blysfulnesse //] - [[brackets open on page 61 and close on page 64]] - - nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as 1708 - who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune - [[spacing unchanged: expected “seyth .I.”] - - ¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened - [[printed “rek-/kened” at line break; - expected spelling “rekened”]] - - [Linenote: 2049 ... _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede] - [[hyphen in “apparailen” invisible]] - - [Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the - prejudices of the vulgar?] [[spelling unchanged]] - - [Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can confer - this happiness? (the sovereign good).] - [[“t” in “this world” invisible]] - - [Sidenote: He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, - path and goal, combined!] [beginning support, guide] - - {and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468 - þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general - þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. - [[text printed as shown, but “yif þat. þat” may be an error: - Skeat edition has only one “þat”]] - - [Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.] - [[no closing bracket]] - - [Headnote: MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.] - [[final . missing or invisible]] - - ... in þat þat men may holden - hym myȝty. 3196 - [[text printed as shown, but “in þat þat” may be an error: - Skeat edition has only one “þat”]] - - þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ nat ne 3436 - entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ - [[text unchanged: expected form “entecchiþ”] - - ... þan sheweþ 3560 - it clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende ... - [[text printed as shown, but may be an error for “wrecchednesse” - as in Skeat; sidenote has “eternal misery is infinite”]] - - [Sidenote: ... and being unfolded according to time and other - circumstances, may be called Fate.] - [[invisible hyphen in “circumstances”]] - - [Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not even - by the wicked ...] [[“n” in “even” invisible]] - - [Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel ...] [[spring]] - - [Linenote: 4006 [_world_]--from C.] - [4006--[_world_]--from C.] - - [l. 4423] as þei ben p{ro}destinat. - [[text unchanged: may be editorial error for “p{re}destinat” - as in l. 3844]] - - [Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and - imagination cannot be general.] - [[invisible hyphen in “imagination”]] - - [Linenote: 5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede] - [[invisible hyphen in “p{ur}posede”]] - -_Glossary_ - - Alþermoste, most of all, 158/4563 - Alþerworste, worst of all, 157/4562 - [[Both are two words in primary text: Alþer moste, Alþer worste]] - - Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066 [41/1062, 1606] - - Anoienge, 22/532 [[definition missing]] - - Fel, felle, fierce 44/1160 - [[citation “44/1160” supplied by transcriber]] - - Taylage, tollage, 181/54 [181/524] - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's -'De Consolatione Philosophiae', by Geoffrey Chaucer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHIAE *** - -***** This file should be named 42083-0.txt or 42083-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/0/8/42083/ - -Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner, JackMcJiggins and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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