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STANFORD UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Tie | English Works of John (tuer.
EDITED FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS,
WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES, AND GLOSSARY.
RY
G. C. MACAULAY, M.A,
FORMERLY FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
VOL. I. (Conressto AMANTIS, PRoL.— Lis. V. 1970.)
ae 25.5 ae
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m ee *6 ^ . ' fs ^ € a »
LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., Lrp.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD.
M DCCCC,
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es
14648
Extra Series, No. Lxxx1.
OXFORD : HORACE HART, M.A., PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY.
PREFATORY NOTE.
NO apology is needed for a new edition of the Confessio Amantis, which has long been among the desiderata of the Early English Text Society. The work of the present editor dates from the discovery, made some six years ago, that the best authorities for the text were to be found in the Bodleian Library, and consequently that the main part of the work ought to be done at Oxford. At the same time all due attention has been paid to the manuscripts which arc to be found elsewhere, and thanks are due to many Librarians and private owners for the help which they have given.
It may be added here that the editor has become more and more convinced, as his work went on, of the value and authentic character of the text given by the Fairfax MS. of the Confessio Amantis, which as proceeding directly from the author, though not written by his hand, may claim the highest rank as an authority for his language.
It is hoped that the list of errata, the result chiefly of a revision made during the formation of the Glossary, may be taken to indicate not so much the carelessness of the editor, as his desire to be absolutely accurate in the reproduction of this interesting text.
The analysis of the Coufessio Amantis which is printed in the Introduction, was undertaken chiefly at the sugges- tion of Dr. Furnivall. With reference to this it may be observed that in places where the author is following well- known sources, the summaries are intentionally bricfer, and in the case of some of the Biblical stories a reference to the original has been thought sufficient.
G. C. M.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . A . . . .
CONFESSIO AMANTIS : — PROLOGUS . E . . e . . LIBER I. " . " . , e LIBER II . e . ° . , e LIBER lll . . . . . . . LIBER IV . . . . e fe
LIBER V. . . . . . e
NOTES ° " ° . °
INTRODUCTION
THE Confessio Amantis has been the subject both of exaggerated praise and of undue depreciation. It was the fashion of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to set Gower side by side with Chaucer, and to represent them as the twin stars of the new English poetry, a view which, however it may be justified by consideration of their language and literary tendencies, seems to imply a very uncritical estimate of their comparative importance. Some of these refer- ences are collected below, and they serve to indicate in a general way that the author had a great literary reputation and that his book was very popular, the latter being a conclusion which is sufficiently vouched for also by the large number of manuscripts which existed, and by the three printed editions. We shall confine ourselves here to drawing attention to a few facts of special significance.
In the first place the Confessio Amantis is the earliest English book which made its way beyond the limits of its own language. There exists a Spanish translation, dating apparently from the very beginning of the fifteenth century, in which reference is made also to a Portuguese version, not known to be now in existence, on which perhaps the Castilian was based. This double translation into con- temporary languages of the Continent must denote that the writer's fame was not merely insular in his life-time.
Secondly, with regard to the position of this book in the sixteenth century, the expressions used by Berthelette seem to me to imply something more than a mere formal tribute. This printer, who is especially distinguished by his interest in language, in the preface to his edition of the Confessio Amantis most warmly sets forth his author as a model of pure English, contrasting his native simplicity with the extravagant affectations of style and
viii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
language which were then in fashion. In fact, when we compare the style of Gower in writing of love with that which we find in some of the books which were at that time issuing from the press, we cannot help feeling that the recommendation was justified.
Again, nearly a century later a somewhat striking testimony to the position of Gower as a standard author is afforded by Ben Jonson's English Grammar. The syntax contains about a hundred and thirty illustrative quotations, and of these about thirty are from Gower. Chaucer is cited twenty-five times, Lydgate and Sir Thomas More each about fourteen, the other chief authorities being Norton, Jewel, Fox, Sir John Cheke and the English Bible.
Finally, our author’s popularity and established position as a story-teller is decisively vouched for by the partly Shakesperian play of Pericles. Plots of plays were usually borrowed without acknowledgement ; but here, a plot being taken from the Confessso Amant, the opportunity is seized of bringing Gower himself on the stage to act as Prologue to four out of the five acts, speaking in the measure of his own octosyllabic couplet,
‘To sing a song that old was sung From ashes ancient Gower is come,’ &c.
The book was so well known and the author so well established in reputation, that a play evidently gained credit by connecting itself with his name.
The following are the principal references to Gower in the fifteenth and six- teenth centuries. The author of The King’s Quair dedicates his poem to the memory (or rather to the poems) of his masters Gower and Chaucer. Hoccleve calls him ‘my maister Gower,’
‘Whos vertu I am insufficient For to descrive.’
John Walton of Osney, the metrical translator of Boethius, writes,
‘To Chaucer, that is flour of rhethorique In english tonge and excellent poete,
This wot I wel, no thing may I do like, Though so that I of makinge entermete ; And Gower, that so craftely doth trete
As in his book(es) of moralite,
Though I to hem in makinge am unmete, Yit moste I schewe it forth that is in me.’
Bokenham in his Lives of the Saints repeatedly speaks of Gower, Chaucer and Lydgate, the last of whom was then still living, as the three great lights
INTRODUCTION ix
of English literature. Caxton printed the Confessio Amantis in 1483, and it seems to have been one of the most popular productions of his press.
In the sixteenth century Gower appears by the side of Chaucer in Dunbar's Lament for the Makaris and in Lindsay's poems. Hawes m the Pastime of Pleaswre classes him with Chaucer and his beloved Lydgate, and Skelton introduces him as first in order of time among the English poets who are mentioned in the Garland of Laurel,
*] saw Gower that first garnysshed our Englysshe rude, And maister Chaucer,’ &c.,
a testimony which is not quite consistent with that in the Lament for Philip Sparow, * Gower's Englysh is old And of no value is told, . His mater is worth gold And worthy to be enrold.’
Barclay in the Preface of his Mirour of Good Manners (printed 1516) states that he has been desired by his * Master,' Sir Giles Alington, to abridge and amend the Confessio Amantis, but has declined the task, chiefly on moral grounds. The work he says would not be suitable to his age and order (he was a priest and monk of Ely),
‘And though many passages therin be commendable, Some processes appeare replete with wantonnes:
For age it is a folly and jeopardie doubtlesse, And able for to rayse bad name contagious, To write, reade or commen of thing venerious.’
Leland had some glimmering perception of the difference between Chaucer and Gower in literary merit ; but Bale suggests that our author was ‘alter Dantes ac Petrarcha’ (no less), adding the remark, taken perhaps from Berthelette’s preface, ‘sui-temporis lucerna habebatur ad docte scribendum in lingua vulgari! In Bullein’s Dialogue against the Fever Pestilence (1564) Gower is represented as sitting next to the Classical poets, Homer, Hesiod, Ennius and Lucan. Puttenham in the Art of English Poesie (1589), and Sidney in the Defence of Poesie (1595), equally class Gower and Chaucer together. The latter, illustrating his thesis that the first writers of each country were the poets, says, ‘So among the Romans were Livius Andro- nicus and Ennius, so in the Italian language. . . the poets Dante, Boccace and Petrarch, so in our English, Gower and Chaucer, after whom, encouraged and delighted with their excellent foregoing, others have followed to beautify our mother tongue, as well in the same kind as in other arts.’
In Robert Greene's Vision, printed about 1592, Chaucer and Gower appear as the accepted representatives of the pleasant and the sententious styles in story-telling, and compete with one another in tales upon a given subject, the cure of jealousy. The introduction of Gower into the play of Pencles, Prince of Tyre has already been referred to.
The uncritical exaggeration of Gower's literary merits, which formerly prevailed, has been of some disadvantage to him in
! [n some unpublished papers kindly communicated to me by Miss Bateson.
x GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
modern times. The comparison with Chaucer, which was so repeatedly suggested, could not but be unfavourable to him ; and modern critics, instead of endeavouring to appreciate fairly such merits as he has, have often felt called upon to offer him up as a sacrifice to the honour of Chaucer, who assuredly needs no such addition to his glory. The true critical procedure is rather the opposite of this. Gower's early popularity and reputation are: facts to be reckoned with, in addition to the literary merit which we in our generation may find in his work, and neither students of Middle English, nor those who aim at tracing the influences under which the English language and literature developed during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, can afford to leave Gower's English work out of their account.
THE ENGLISH WORKS.
i. LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS.— The reason of the success of the Confessio 4 mantis was naturally the fact that it supplied a popular need. After endeavouring to ‘give an account of his stewardship’ in various ways as a moralist, the author at length found his true vocation, and this time happily in his native tongue, as a teller of stories. The rest is all machinery, sometimes poetical and inter- esting, sometimes tiresome and clumsy, but the stories are the, main thing. The perception of the popular taste may have come to him partly through the success of Chaucer in the Legend of Good Women, and the simple, but excellent narrative style which he thereupon developed must have been a new revelation of his powers to himself as well as to others. It is true that he does not altogether drop the character of the moralist, but he has definitely and publicly resigned the task of setting society generally to rights,
‘It stant noght in my sufficance So grete thinges to compasse,
Forthi the Stile of my writinges
Fro this day forth I thenke change
And speke of thing is noght so strange,’ &c. (i. 4 ff.) He covers his retreat indeed by dwelling upon the all-pervading influence of Love in the world and the fact that all the evils of society may be said to spring from the want of it; but this is little more than a pretext. Love is the theme partly because it supplies .'
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS xi
a convenient framework for the design, and partly perhaps out of . deference to a royal command. There is no reason to doubt the statement in the first version of the Prologue about the meeting of the author with Richard II on the river, and that he then received suggestions for a book, which the king promised to accept and read. It may easily be supposed that Richard himself suggested love as the subject, being a matter in which, as we know from Froissart, he was apt to take delight. *Adont me demanda le roy de quoy il traittoit. Je luy dis, * D'amours." De ceste response fut-il tous resjouys, et regarda dedens le livre en plusieurs lieux et y lisy'.’ It was certainly to the credit of the young king that he should have discerned literary merit in the work of the grave monitor who had so lectured him upon his duties in the Vox Clamantis, and should have had some part in encouraging him to set his hand to a more promising task ; and if it be the fact that he suggested love as the subject, we cannot but admire both the sense of humour displayed by the prince and the address with which our author acquitted himself of the task proposed.
The idea of the Confession was no doubt taken from the ,
Roman de la Rose, where the priest of Nature, whose name is Genius, hears her confession ; but it must be allowed that Gower has made much better use of it. Nature occupies herself in ex- pounding the system of the universe generally, and in confessing at great length not her own faults but those of Man, whom she repents of having made. Her tone is not at all that of a penitent, though she may be on her knees, and Genius does little or nothing for her in reply except to agree rather elaborately with her view that, if proper precautions had been taken, Mars and Venus might easily have outwitted Vulcan. Gower on the other hand has made
the Confession into a framework which will conveniently hold any .
number of stories upon every possible subject, and at the same time he has preserved for the most part the due propriety of character and situation in the two actors. By giving the scheme an apparent limitation to the subject of love he has not in fact necessarily limited the range of narrative, for there is no impropriety in illustrating by a tale the general nature of a vice or virtue before making the special application to cases which concern lovers, and this special application, made with all due solemnity, has often a character of piquancy in which the moral tale
! Froissart, Chron., ed. K. de Lettenhove, vol. xv. p. 167.
\
xii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
pure and simple would be wanting. Add to this that the form adopted tends itself to a kind of quasi-religious treatment of the . subject, which was fully in accordance with the taste of the day, and produces much of that impression of quaintness and charm with which we most of us associate our first acquaintance with the Confessio Amanfis.
The success of the work—for a success it is in spite of its faults —is due to several merits. The first of these is the author's un- / questionable talent for story-telling. He has little of the dramatic power or the humour which distinguish Chaucer, but he tells his tales in a well-ordered and interesting manner, does not break the thread by digressions, never tires of the story before it is finished, as Chaucer does so obviously and so often, and carries his reader through with him successfully to the end in almost every case. His narrative is a clear, if shallow, stream, rippling pleasantly over the stones and unbroken either by dams or cataracts. The materials of course are not original, but Gower is by no means a slavish follower in detail of his authorities ; the proportions and arrangement of the stories are usually his own and often show good judgement. Moreover he not seldom gives a fresh turn to a well-known story, as in the instances of Jephthah and Saul, or makes a pretty addition to it, as is the case in some of the tales from Ovid. Almost the only story in which the interest really flags is the longest, the tale of Apollonius of Tyre, which fills up so much of the eighth book and was taken as the basis of the plot of Pericles ; and this was in its original form so loose and rambling a series of incidents, that hardly any skill could have completely redeemed it. There is no doubt that this gift of clear and inter- esting narrative was the merit which most appealed to the popular taste, the wholesome appetite for stories being at that time not too well catered for, and that the plainness of the style was an advantage rather than a drawback.
Tastes will differ of course as to the merits of the particular stories, but some may be selected as incontestably good. The tale of Mundus and Paulina in the first book is excellently told, and so is that of Alboin and Rosemund. The best of the second book are perhaps the False Bachelor and the legend of Constantine and Silvester, in the latter of which the author has greatly im- proved upon his materials. In the third book the tale of Canace is most pathetically rendered, far better than in Ovid, so that in
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS xiii
spite of Chaucer's denunciation his devoted follower Lydgate could not resist the temptation of borrowing it. The fourth book, which altogether is of special excellence, gives us Rosiphelee, Phyllis, and the very poetically told tale of Ceix and Alceone. The fifth has Jason and Medea, a most admirable example of sustained narrative, simple and yet effective and poetical, per- haps on the whole Gower's best performance: also the oriental tale of Adrian and Bardus, and the well told story of Tereus and Philomela. In the seventh we shall find the Biblical story of Gideon excellently rendered, the Rape of Lucrece, and the tale of Virginia. These may be taken as specimens of Gower's narrative power at its best, and by the degree of effectiveness which he attains in them and the manner in which he has used his mate- rials, he may fairly be judged as a story-teller.
As regards style and poetical qualities we find much that is good in the narratives. Force and picturesqueness certainly cannot be denied to the tale of Medea, with its description of the summer sea glistening in the sun, which blazes down upon the returning hero, and from the golden fleece by his side flashes a signal of success to Medea in her watch-tower, as she prays for her chosen knight. Still less can we refuse to recognize the poetical power of the later phases of the same story, first the midnight rovings of Medea in search of enchantments,
*The world was stille on every side ; With open hed and fot al bare,
Hir her tosprad sche gan to fare, Upon hir clethes gert sche was,
A] specheles and on the gras
Sche glod forth as an Addre doth: Non otherwise sche ne goth,
Til sche cam to the freisshe flod, And there a while sche withstod. Thries sche torned hire aboute,
And thries ek sche gan doun loute And in the flod sche wette hir her, And thries on the water ther
Sche gaspeth with a drecchinge onde, And tho sche tok hir speche on honde.' (v. 3962 ff.),
and again later, when the charms are set in action, 4059 ff, a passage of extraordinary picturesqueness, but too long to be quoted here. We do not forget the debt to Ovid, but these descriptions are far more detailed and forcible than the original.
xiv GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
For a picture of a different kind, also based upon Ovid, we may take the description of the tears of Lucrece for her husband, and the reviving beauty in her face when he appears,
* With that the water in hire yhe Aros, that sche ne myhte it stoppe, And as men sen the dew bedroppe The leves and the floures eke,
Riht so upon hire whyte cheke The wofull salte teres felle.
Whan Collatin hath herd hire telle The menynge of hire trewe herte, Anon with that to hire he sterte, And seide, * Lo, mi goode diere, Nou is he come to you hiere, That ye most loven, as ye sein."
And sche with goodly chiere ayein Beclipte him in hire armes smale, And the colour, which erst was pale, To Beaute thanne was restored,
So that it myhte noght be mored' (vii. 4830 ff.),
a passage in which Gower, with his natural taste for simplicity, has again improved upon his classical authority, and may safely challenge comparison with Chaucer, who has followed Ovid more literally.
It is worth mention that Gower's descriptions of storms at sea are especially vivid and true, so that we are led to suppose that he had had more than a mere literary acquaintance with such things. Such for instance is the account of the shipwreck of the Greek fleet, iii. 981 ff, and of the tempests of which Apollo- nius is more than once the victim, as viii. 604 ff., and in general nautical terms and metaphors, of some of which the meaning is not quite clear, seem to come readily from his pen.
Next to the simple directness of narrative style which distin- guishes the stories themselves, we must acknowledge a certain
\ attractiveness in the setting of them. The Lover decidedly engages our interest: we can understand his sorrows and his joys, his depression when his mistress will not listen to the verses which he has written for her, and his delight when he hears men speak her praises. We can excuse his frankly confessed envy, malice and hatred in all matters which concern his rivals in her love. His feelings are described in a very natural manner, the hesitation and forgetfulness in her presence, and the self-reproach
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS xv
afterwards, the eagerness to do her small services, to accompany her to mass, to lift her into her saddle, to ride by her carriage, the delight of being present in her chamber, of singing to her or reading her the tale of Troilus, or if no better may be, of watching her long and slender fingers at work on her weaving or embroidery. Sometimes she will not stay with him, and then he plays with the dog or with the birds in the cage, and converses with the page of her chamber—anything as an excuse to stay ; and when it grows late and he must perforce depart, he goes indeed, but returns with the pretence of having forgotten some- thing, in order that he may bid her good-night once more. He rises in the night and looks out of his window over the houses towards the chamber where she sleeps, and loses himself in imagination of the love-thefts which he would commit if by any necromancy he had the power. Yet he is not extravagantly romantic: he will go wherever his lady bids him, but he will not range the world in arms merely in order to gain renown, losing his lady perhaps in the meantime at home. We take his side when he complains of the Confessor's want of feeling for a pain which he does not himself experience, and his readiness to prescribe for a wound of the heart as if it were a sore of the heel. Even while we smile, we compassionate the lover who is at last disqualified on account of age, and recommended to make a ' beau retret while there is yet time.
But there is also another character in whom we are interested, and that is the lady herself. Gower certainly appreciated some- thing of the delicacy and poetical refinement which ideal love requires, and this appreciation he shows also in his Za/ades ; but here we have something more than this. The figure of the lady, | which we see constantly in the background of the dialogue, is both | attractive and human. We recognize in her a creature of flesh and blood, no goddess indeed, as her lover himself observes, but a charming embodiment of womanly grace and refinement. She is surrounded by lovers, but she is wise and wary. She is cour- teous and gentle, but at the same time firm: she will not gladly swear, and therefore says nay without an oath, but it is a decisive nay to any who are disposed to presume. She does not neglect her household duties merely because a lover insists upon hanging about her, but leaves him to amuse himself how he may, while she busies herself elsewhere. If she has leisure and can sit
xvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
down to her embroidery, he may read to her if he will, but it must be some sound romance, and not his own rondels, balades, and virelays in praise of her. Custom allows him to kiss her when he takes his leave, but if he comes back on any pretext and takes his leave again, there is not often a second kiss per- mitted. She lets him lead her up to the offering in church, and ride by her side when she drives out, but she will take no presents from him, though with some of her younger admirers, whose passion she knows is a less serious matter, she is not so strict, but takes and gives freely. Even the description of her person is not offensive, as such descriptions almost always are, Her lover suspects that her soul may be in a perilous state, seeing that she has the power of saving a man's life and yet suffers him to die, but he admits there is no more violence in her than in a child of three years old, and her words are as pleasant to him as the winds of the South. Usurious dealing is a vice of which he ventures to accuse her, seeing that he has given her his whole heart in return for a single glance of her eye, and she holds to the bargain and will not give heart for heart; but then, as the Confessor very justly replies, ‘she may be such that her one glance is worth thy whole heart many times over,’ and so he has sold his heart profitably, having in return much more than it is worth.
However, the literary characteristic which is perhaps most remarkable in the Confessio Amantis is connected rather with the form of expression than with the subject-matter. No justice is done to Gower unless it is acknowledged that the technical skill which he displays in his verse and the command which he has over the language for his own purposes is very remarkable, In the ease and naturalness of his movement within the fetters of the octosyllabic couplet he far surpasses his contemporaries, including Chaucer himself. Certain inversions of order and irregularities of construction he allows himself, and there are many stop-gaps of the conventional kind in the ordinary flow of his narrative; but in places where the matter requires it, his admirable management of the verse paragraph, the metrical smoothness of his lines, attained without unnatural accent or forced order of words, and the neatness with which he expresses exactly what he has to say within the precise limits which he lays down for himself, show a finished mastery of expression which
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS xvii
is surprising in that age of half-developed English style, and in a man who had trained himself rather in French and Latin than in English composition. Such a sentence as the following, for example, seems to flow from him with perfect ease, there is no halting in the metre, no hesitation or inversion for the sake of the rhyme, it expresses just what it has to express, no more
and no less : * Til that the hihe king of kinges, Which seth and knoweth alle thinges, Whos yhe mai nothing asterte, — The privetes of mannes herte Thei speke and sounen in his Ere As thogh thei lowde wyndes were, — He tok vengance upon this pride.' (i. 2803 ff.)
Or again, as an example of a more colloquial kind,
* And if thei techen to restreigne
Mi love, it were an ydel peine
To lerne a thing which mai noght be.
For lich unto the greene tree,
If that men toke his rote aweie,
Riht so myn herte scholde deie,
If that mi love be withdrawe.' (iv. 2677 ff.)
There is nothing remarkable about the sentiment or expression in these passages, but they are perfectly simple and natural, and run into rhyming verse without disturbance of sense or accent; but such technical skill as we have here is extremely rare among the writers of the time. Chaucer had wider aims, and being an artist of an altogether superior kind, he attains, when at his best, to a higher level of achievement in versification as in other things ; but he is continually attempting more than he can perform, he often aims at the million and misses the unit. His command over his materials is evidently incomplete, and he has not troubled himself to acquire perfection of craftsmanship, knowing that other things are more important,
‘And that I do no diligence To shewe craft but o sentence.’
The result is that the most experienced reader often hesitates in
his metre and is obliged to read lines over twice or even thrice,
before he can satisfy himself how the poet meant his words to be
accented and what exactly was the rhythm he intended. In fact,
instead of smoothing the way for his reader, he often deliberately +, b
xviii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
chooses to spare himself labour by taking every advantage, fair or unfair, of those licences of accent and syllable suppression for which the unstable condition of the literary language afforded scope. The reader of Gower's verse is never interrupted in this manner except by the fault of a copyist or an editor ; and when we come to examine the means by which the smoothness is attained, we feel that we have to do with a literary craftsman who by laborious training has acquired an almost perfect mastery over his tools. The qualities of which we are speaking are especially visible in the more formal style of utterance which belongs to the speeches, letters and epitaphs in our author's tales. The reply of Constance to her questioner (ii. 1148 ff.) is a good example of the first: * Quod sche, **I am
A womman wofully bestad.
I hadde a lord, and thus he bad,
That I forth with my litel Sone
Upon the wawes scholden wone,
Bot what the cause was, I not:
Bot he which alle thinges wot
Yit hath, I thonke him, of his miht
Mi child and me so kept upriht,
That we be save bothe tuo."'
And as longer instances we may point to the reflexions of the Emperor Constantine near the end of the same book (ii. 3243 ff.), and the prayer of Cepbalus (iv. 3197-3252). The letters of Canace and of Penelope are excellent, each in its own way, and the epitaphs of Iphis (iv. 3674 ff.) and of Thaise (viii. 1533 ff.) are both good examples of the simple yet finished style, e. g.
‘Hier lith, which slowh himself, Iphis, For love of Araxarathen :
And in ensample of tho wommen, That soffren men to deie so,
Hire forme a man mai sen also,
Hou it is torned fleissh and bon
Into the figure of a Ston:
He was to neysshe and sche to hard. Be war forthi hicrafterward ;
Ye men and wommen bothe tuo, Ensampleth you of that was tho.’ (iv. 3674 ff.)
In a word, the author's literary sphere may be a limited one, and his conception of excellence within that sphere may fall
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS xix
very far short of the highest standard, but such as his ideals are, he is able very completely to realize them. The French and English elements of the language, instead of still maintaining a wilful strife, as is so often the case in Chaucer's metre, are here combined in harmonious alliance. More especially we must recognize the fact that in Gower's English verse we have a consistent and for the moment a successful attempt to combine the French syllabic with the English accentual system of metre, and this without sacrificing the purity of the language as regards forms of words and grammatical inflexion. We shall see in our subsequent investigations how careful and ingenious he is in providing by means of elision and otherwise for the legitimate suppression of those weak terminations which could not find a place as syllables in the verse without disturbing its accentual flow, while at the same time the sense of their existence was not to be allowed to disappear. 'The system was too difficult and complicated to be possible except for a specially trained hand, and Gower found no successor in his enterprise ; but the fact that the attempt was made is at least worthy of note.
With considerable merits both of plan and execution the Con- Jessto Amantis has also no doubt most serious faults. The scheme itself, with its conception of a Confessor who as priest has to ^ expound a system of morality, while as a devotee of Venus he is concerned only with the affairs of love (i. 237—280), can hardly be called altogether a consistent or happy one. The application of morality to matters of love and of love to questions of morality is often very forced, though it may sometimes be amusing in its gravity. The Confessor is continually forgetting one or the other of his two characters, and the moralist is found justifying unlawful love or the servant of Venus singing the praises of virginity. Moreover the author did not resist the temptation to express his views on society in a Prologue which is by no means sufhciently connected with the general scheme of the poem, though it is in part a protest against division and discord, that is to say, lack of love. Still worse is the deliberate departure from the general plan which we find in the seventh book, where on pretence of affording relief and recreation to the wearied penitent, the Confessor, who says that he has little or no under- standing except of love, is allowed to make a digression which embraces the whole field of human knowledge, but more
b 2
XX GOWER’S ENGLISH WORKS
especially deals with the duties of a king, a second political pamphlet in fact, in which the stories of kings ruined by lust or insolence, of Sardanapalus, Rehoboam, Tarquin, and the rest, are certainly intended to some extent as an admonition of the author’s royal patron. The petition addressed to Rehoboam by his people against excessive taxation reads exactly like one of the English parliamentary protests of the period against the extravagant demands of the crown. Again, the fifth book, which even without this would be disproportionately long, contains an absolutely unnecessary account of the various religions of the world, standing there apparently for no reason except to show the author’s learning, and reaching the highest pitch of grotesque absurdity when the Confessor occupies himself in demolishing the claim of Venus to be accounted a goddess, and that too without even the excuse of having forgotten for the moment that he is supposed to be her priest. Minor excrescences of the same kind are to be found in the third book, where the law- fulness of war is discussed, and in the fourth, where there is a dissertation on the rise of the Arts, and especially of Alchemy. All that can be said is that these digressions were very common in the books of the age—the Roman de la Rose, at least in the part written by Jean de Meun, is one of the worst offenders.
Faults of detail it would be easy enough to point out. The style is at times prosaic and the matter uninteresting, the verse is often eked out with such commonplace expressions and helps to rhyme as were used by the writers of the time, both French or English. Sometimes the sentences are unduly spun out or the words and clauses are awkwardly transposed for the sake of the uninterrupted smoothness of the verse. The attainment of this object moreover is not always an advantage, and sometimes the regularity of the metre and the inevitable recurrence of the rhyme produces a tiresome result. On the whole however the effect is not unpleasing, ‘the ease and regularity with which the verse flows breathes a peaceful contentment, which communicates itself to the reader, and produces the same effect upon the ear as the monotonous but not wearisome splashing of a fountain! More- over, as has already been pointed out, when the writer is at his best, the rhyme is kept duly in the background, and the paragraph is constructed quite independently of the couplet, so that this
! B. ten Brink, Geschihte der Engl. Litt. ii. 141.
DATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES xxi
form of metre proves often to be a far better vehicle for the narrative than might have been at first supposed.
ii. DATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES.— The Confessio Amantis in its earliest form bears upon the face of it the date 1390 (Prol. 331 margin)', and we have no reason to doubt that this was the year in which it was first completed. "The author tells us that it was written at the command of King Richard II, whom he met while rowing on the Thames at London, and who invited him to come into his barge to speak with him. It is noticeable, however, that even this first edition has a dedication to Henry earl of Derby, contained in the Latin lines at the end of the poem ?, so that it is not quite accurate to say that the dedication was afterwards changed, but rather that this dedication was made more prominent and introduced into the text of the poem, while at the same time the personal reference to the king in the Prologue was suppressed. If the date referred to above had been observed by former editors, the speculations first of Pauli and then of Professor Hales, tending to throw back the completion of the first recension of the Confessio Amantis to the year 1386, or even 1383, would have been spared. Their conclusions rest, moreover, on the purest guess-work. The former argues that the preface and the epilogue® in their first form date from the year 1386, because from that year the king (who was then nineteen years old) ‘developed those dangerous qualities which estranged from him, amongst others, the poet’ ; and Professor Hales (Atheneum, Dec. 1881) contends that the references to the young king’s qualities as a ruler, ‘Justice medled with pite,’ &c. certainly point to the years immediately succeeding the Peasants’ revolt (a time when Gower did not regard him as a responsible ruler at all, but excuses him for the evil proceedings of the government on account of his tender age) *,
! This date has hitherto been omitted from the text of the printed editions.
? The last two lines, which contain the mention of the earl of Derby, are omitted in some MSS. of the first recension, and this may be an indication that the author circulated some copies without them. A full account of the various recensions of the poem is given later, under the head of ' Text.'
! The term ‘ epilogue’ is used for convenience to designate the conclusion of the poem after viii. 2940, but no such designation is used by the author: similarly ‘preface’ means here the opening passage of the Prologue dl. 1-92).
! ! Minoris etatis causa inde excusabilem pronuncians.’
xxii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
that the reference to Richard's desire to establish peace (viii. 3014* ff.) must belong to the period of the negotiations with the French and the subsequent truce, 1383-84, though Professor Hales is himself quite aware that negotiations for peace were proceeding also in 1389, and finally that the mention of ‘the newe guise of Beawme' must indicate the very year succeeding the king's marriage to Anne of Bohemia in 1382, whereas in fact the Bohemian fashions would no doubt continue to prevail at court, and still be accounted new, throughout the queen's lifetime. It is on such grounds as these that we are told that the Confessio Amantis in its first form cannot have been written later than the year 1385 and was probably as early as 1383.
All such conjectures are destroyed by the fact that the manu- scripts of the first recension bear the date 1390 at the place cited, and though this does not absolutely exclude a later date for the completion of the book, it is decisive against an earlier one. Moreover, the fact that in the final recension this date is omitted (and deliberately omitted, as we know from the erasure in the Fairfax MS.) points to the conclusion that it is to be regarded definitely as a date of publication, and therefore was inappropriate for a later edition.
This conclusion agrees entirely with the other indications, and they are sufficiently precise, though the fact that one of these also has unluckily escaped the notice of the editors has caused it to be generally overlooked '.
The form of epilogue which was substituted for that of the first recension, and in which the over-sanguine praise of Richard as a ruler is cancelled, bears in the margin the date of the fourteenth year of his reign (viii. 2973 margin), * Hic in anno quarto decimo Regis Ricardi orat pro statu regni, &c. Now the fourteenth year of King Richard II was from June 21, 1390, to the same day of 1391. We must therefore suppose that the change in this part of the book took place, in some copies at least, within a few months of its first completion.
Thirdly, we have an equally precise date for the alteration in the Prologue, by which all except a formal mention of Richard II is
! Dr. Karl Meyer, in his dissertation John Gower s Besiehungen su Chaucer und Kônig Richard II (1889), takes account of these various notes of time, having made himself to some extent acquainted with the MSS., but his conclusions are in my opinion untenable,
DATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES xxiii
excluded, while the dedication to Henry of Lancaster is introduced into the text of the poem ; and here the time indicated is the sixteenth year of King Richard (Prol. 25), a date which appears also in the margin of some copies here and at l. 97, so that we may assume that this final change of form took place in the year 1392-93, that is, not later than June 1393.
Having thus every step dated for us by the author, we may, if we think it worth while, proceed to conjecture what were the political events which suggested his action ; but in such a case as this it is evidently preposterous to argue first from the political conditions, of which as they personally affected our author and his friends we can only be very imperfectly informed, and then to endeavour to force the given dates into accordance with our own conclusions.
It will be observed from the above dates that we are led to infer two stages of alteration, and the expectation is raised of finding the poem in some copies with the epilogue rewritten but the preface left in its original state. This expectation is fulfilled. The Bodley MS. 294 gives a text of this kind, and it is certain that there were others of the same form, for Berthelette used for his edition a manuscript of this kind, which was not identical with that which we have.
In discussing the import of the various changes introduced by the author it is of some importance to bear in mind the fact already mentioned that even the first issue of the Confessio Amantis had a kind of dedication to Henry of Lancaster in the Latin lines with which it concluded,
! Derbeie comiti, recolunt quem laude periti, Vade liber purus sub eo requiesce futurus.'
This seems rather to dispose of the idea that a dedication to Henry would be inconsistent with loyalty to Richard, a suggestion which would hardly have been made in the year 1390, or even 1393.
! This has been equally the procedure of Prof. Hales on the one hand, who endeavours to throw back the composition of the first recension to an extravagantly early period, and of Dr. Karl Meyer on the other, who wishes to bring down the final form of the book to a time later than the deposition of Richard II. The theory of the latter, that the sixteenth year of King Richard is given as the date of the original completion of the poem, and not of the revised preface, is sufficiently refuted by the date ‘ fourteenth year’ attached to the rewritten cpilogue.
xxiv GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
No doubt those copies which contained in the preface the state- ment that the book was written at the command of the king and for his sake, and in the epilogue the presentation of the completed book to him (3050* ff.), if they had also appended to them the Latin lines which commend the work to the earl of Derby, may be said to have contained in a certain sense a double dedication, the compliment being divided between the king and his brilliant cousin, and very probably a copy which was intended for the court would be without the concluding lines, as we find to be the case with some manuscripts; but the suggestion that the ex- pressions of loyalty and the praises of Richard as a ruler which we find in the first epilogue are properly to be called inconsistent with a dedication of the poem to Henry of Lancaster, his cousin and counsellor, is plausible only in the light of later events, which could not be foreseen by the poet, in the course of which Henry became definitely the opponent of Richard and finally took the lead in deposing him. It is true that the earl of Derby had been one of the lords appellant in 1387, but after the king's favourites had been set aside, he was for the time reconciled to Richard, and he could not in any sense be regarded as the leader of an opposition party. "That Gower, when he became disgusted with Richard II, should have set Henry’s name in the Prologue in place of that of the king, as representing his ideal of knighthood and statesmanship, may be regarded either as a coincidence with the future events, or as indicating that Gower had some discrimination in selecting a possible saviour of society; but it is certain that at this time the poet can have had no definite idea that his hero would become a candidate for the throne.
The political circumstances of the period during which the Confessio Amantis was written and revised are not very easy to disentangle. We may take it as probable that the plan of its composition, under the combined influence of Chaucer's Zegend of Good Women! and of the royal command, may have been laid about the year 1386. Before this time Richard would scarcely have been regarded by Gower as responsible for the government, and he would naturally look hopefully upon the young sovereign, then just entering upon his duties, as one who with proper admo- nition and due choice of advisers might turn out to be a good
2 For the connexion between this and the Confessio Amantis see L. Bech in Anglia, v. 313 ff.
DATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES XXV
ruler. During the succeeding years the evil counsellors of the king were removed by the action of the lords appellant and the Parliament, and in the year 1389 a moderate and national policy seemed to have been finally adopted by the king, with William of Wykeham as Chancellor and the young earl of Derby, who had been one of the appellants but had quarrelled with his uncle Gloucester, among the king’s trusted advisers. By the light of subsequent events Gower condemned the whole behaviour of the king during this period as malicious and treacherous, but this could hardly have been his judgement of it at the time, for Richard’s dissimulation, if dissimulation it were, was deep enough to deceive all parties. Consequently, up to the year 1390 at least, he may have continued, though with some misgivings, to trust in the king’s good intentions and to regard him as a ruler who might effectually heal the divisions of the land, as he had already taken steps to restore peace to it outwardly. It is quite possible also that something may have come to his knowledge in the course of the year 1390-91 which shook his faith. It was at this time, in July 1390, just at the beginning of the fourteenth year of King Richard, that his hero the earl of Derby left the court and the kingdom to exercise his chivalry in Prussia, and for this there may have been a good reason. We know too little in detail of the events of the year to be able to say exactly what causes of jealousy may have arisen between the king and his cousin, who was nearly exactly of an age with him and seems to have attracted much more attention than Richard himself at the jousts of St. Ingle- vert in May of this year. Whatever feeling there may have been on the side of the earl of Derby would doubtless reflect itself in the minds of his friends and supporters, and something of this kind may have deepened into certitude the suspicions which Gower no doubt already had in his heart of the ultimate inten- tions of Richard II. The result was that in some copies at least of the Confessio Amantis the concluding praises of the king as a ruler were removed and lines of a more general character on the state of the kingdom and the duties of a king were substituted, but still there was no mention of the earl of Derby except as before in the final Latin lines. Two years later, 1392-93, when the earl of Derby had fairly won his spurs and at the age of twenty-five might be regarded as a model of chivalry, the mention of Richard as the suggester of the work was removed,
xxvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
and the name of Henry set in the text as the sole object of the dedication.
The date sixteenth year must certainly be that of this last change, but the occasion doubtless was the sending of a pre- sentation copy to Henry, and this would hardly amount to publication. The author probably did not feel called upon publicly to affront the king by removing his name and praises, either at the beginning or the end, from the copies generally issued during his reign. Whether or not this conduct justifies the charge of time-serving timidity, which has been made against Gower, I cannot undertake to decide. He was, however, in fact rather of an opposite character, even pedantically stiff in passing judgement severely on those in high places, and not bating a syllable of what he thought proper for himself to say or for a king to hear, though while the king was young and might yet shake himself free from evil influences he was willing to take as favourable a view of his character as possible. Probably he was for some time rather in two minds about the matter, but in any case ‘timid and obsequious' are hardly the right epithets for the author of the Vox Clamanitis.
Before leaving this subject something should perhaps be said upon a matter which has attracted no little attention, namely the supposed quarrel between the author of the Confessio Amantis and Chaucer. It is well known that the first recension of our poem has a passage referring to Chaucer in terms of eulogy (viii. 2941*—57*), and that this was omitted when the epilogue was rewritten. This fact has been brought into connexion with the apparent reference to Gower in the Canterbury Tales, where the Man of Law in the preamble to his tale disclaims on Chaucer's behalf such ‘cursed stories’ as those of Canace and Apollonius, because they treat of incest. It has been thought that this was meant for a serious attack on Gower, and that he took offence at it and erased the praise of Chaucer from the Confessio Amantis.
It is known of course that the two poets were on personally friendly terms, not only from the dedication of Zroi/us, but from the fact that when Chaucer was sent on a mission to the Continent in 1378, he appointed Gower one of his attorneys in his absence. It is possible that their friendship was interrupted by a misunder- standing, but it may be doubted whether there is sufficient proof of this in the facts which have been brought forward.
DATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES xxvii
In the first place I question whether Chaucer's censure is to be taken very seriously. "That it refers to Gower I have little doubt, but that the attack was a humorous one is almost equally clear. Chaucer was aware that some of his own tales were open to objection on the score of morality, and when he saw a chance of scoring a point on the very ground where his friend thought him- self strongest, he seized it with readiness. Some degree of serious- ness there probably is, for Chaucer's sound and healthy view of life instinctively rejected the rather morbid horrors to which he refers ; but it may easily be suspected that he was chiefly amused by the opportunity of publicly lecturing the moralist, who perhaps had privately remonstrated with him'. As to the notion that Chaucer had been seriously offended by the occasional and very trifling resemblances of phrase in Gower's tale of Constance with his own version of the same original, it is hardly worth discussion.
There is of course the possibility that Gower may have taken it more seriously than it was meant, and though he was not quite so devoid of a sense of humour as it has been the fashion to suppose ?, yet he may well have failed to enjoy a public attack, however humorous, upon two of his tales. It must be observed, however, that if we suppose the passage in question to have been the cause of the excision of Gower's lines about Chaucer, we must assume that the publication of it took place precisely within this period of a few months which elapsed between the first and the second versions of Gower's epilogue.
Before further considering the question as to what was actually our author's motive in omitting the tribute to his brother poet, we should do well to observe that this tribute was apparently allowed to stand in some copies of the rewritten epilogue. There is one good manuscript, that in the possession of Lord Middleton,
! Lydgate apparently did not take Chaucer's censure very seriously, for he quite needlessly introduced the tale of Canace into his Falls of Princes, following Gower's rendering of it.
! See for example the picture of Nebuchadnezzar transformed into an ox, ‘Tho thoghte him colde grases goode,' &c. (i. 2976 ff.), the account of the jealous husband, who after charging his wife quite unreasonably with wishing she had another there in his stead, turns away from her in bed and leaves her to weep all the night, while he sleeps (v. 545 ff.), and the description of the man who entertains his wife so cheerfully on his return home with tales of the good sport that he has had, but carefully avoids
all reference to the occurrence which would have interested her most 'v. 6119 ff...
xxviii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
in which the verses about Chaucer not only stand in combination with the new form of epilogue, but in a text which has also the revised preface, dated two years later'. Hence it seems possible that the exclusion of the Chaucer verses was rather accidental than deliberate, and from this and other considerations an explana- tion may be derived which will probably seem too trivial, but nevertheless is perhaps the true one. We know from the Fairfax MS. of the Confessio Amantis and from several original copies of the Vox Clamantts that the author's method of rewriting his text was usually to erase a certain portion, sometimes a whole column or page, and substitute a similar number of lines of other matter. It will be observed here that for the thirty lines 2941*— 2970*, including the reference to Chaucer, are substituted thirty lines from which that reference is excluded. After this come four Latin lines replacing an equal number in the original recension, and then follow fifteen lines, 2971-2985, which are the same except a single line in the two editions. It may be that the author, wishing to mention the departure of the Confessor and the thoughts which he had upon his homeward way, sacrificed the Chaucer verses as an irrelevance, in order to find room for this matter between the Adieu of Venus and the lines beginning ‘He which withinne daies sevene, which he did not intend to alter, and that this proceeding, carried out upon a copy of the first recension which has not come down to us, determined the general form of the text for the copies with epilogue rewritten, though in a few instances care was taken to combine the allusion to Chaucer with the other alterations. Such an explanation as this would be in accord with the methods of the author in some other respects ; for, as we shall see later on, the most probable explanation of the omission in the third recension of the additional passages in the fifth and seventh books, is that a first recension copy was used in a material sense as a basis for the third recension text, and it was therefore not convenient to introduce alterations which increased the number of lines in the body of the work.
1 The reading in the Latin note at the beginning of ‘quarto (decimo)! for ! sexto decimo is probably due to a mistake, for we find ‘ sextenthe’ in the text of 1. a5. It may be noted that the MS. mentioned by Pauli as con- taining the rewritten preface and also the Chaucer verses (New Coll. 326) is a hybrid, copied from two different manuscripts.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxix
iil. ANALYSIS. PROLOGUS.
I-92. PREFACE. By the books of those that were before us we are instructed, and therefore it is good that we also should write something which may remain after our days. But to write of wisdom only is not good. I would rather go by the middle path and make a book of pleasure and profit both : and since few write in English, my meaning - is to make a book * for England's sake now in the sixteenth year of King Richard. Things have changed and books are less beloved than in former days, but without them the fame and the example of the virtuous would be lost. Thus I, simple scholar as I am, purpose to write a book touching both upon the past and the present, and though I have long been sick, yet I will endeavour as I may to provide wisdom for the wise. For this prologue belongs all to wisdom, and by it the wise may recall to their memory the fortunes of the world ; but after the prologue the book shall be of Love, which does great wonders among men. Also I shall speak of the vices and virtues of rulers. But as my wit is too small to admonish every man, I submit my work for correction to my own lord Henry of Lancaster, with whom my heart is in accord, and whom God has proclaimed the model of knighthood. God grant I may well achieve the work which I have taken in hand.
93-192. TEMPORAL RULERS. In the time past things went well: there was plenty and riches, with honour for noble deeds, and each estate kept its due place. Justice was upheld and the people obeyed their rulers. . Man's heart was then shown in his face and his thought expressed by his words, virtue was exalted and vice abased. Now all is changed, and above all discord and hatred have taken the place of love, there is no stable peace, no justice and righteousness. All
* for King Richard’s sake, to whom my allegiance belongs and for whom I pray. It chanced that as I rowed in à boat on the flowing Thames under the town of New Troy, I met my liege lord, and he bad me come from my boat into his barge, and there he laid upon me a charge to write some new thing which he himself might read. Thus I am the more glad to write, and I have the less fear of envious blame. A gentle heart praises without malice, but the world is full of cvil tongues and my king's command shall nevertheless be fulfilled. Though I have long been sick, yet I will endeavour to write a book which may be wisdom to the wise and play to those who desire to play. But the proverb says that a good beginning makes a good end: therefore I will here begin the prologue of my book, speaking partly of the former state of the world and partly of the present.
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kingdoms are alike in this, and heaven alone knows what is to be done. The sole remedy is that those who are the world's guides should follow good counsel and should be obeyed by their people; and if king and council were at one, it might be hoped that the war would be brought to an end, which is so much against the peace of Christ's religion and from which no land gets any good. May God, who is above all things, give that peace of which the lands have need.
193-498. THE CHURCH. Formerly the life of the clergy was an example to all, there was no simony, no disputes in the Church, no ambition for worldly honour. Pride was held a vice and humility a virtue. Alms were given to the poor and the clergy gave themselves to preaching and to prayer. Thus Christ's faith was first taught, but now it is otherwise. Simony and worldly strife prevail; and if priests take part in wars, I know not who shall make the peace. But heaven is far and the world is near, and they regard nothing but vainglory and covetousness, so that the tithe goes at once to the war, as though Christ could not do them right by other ways. That which should bring salvation to the world is now the cause of evil: the prelates are such as Gregory wrote of, who desire a charge in order that they may grow rich and great, and the faith is hindered thereby. Ambition and avarice have destroyed charity ; Sloth is their librarian and delicacy has put away their abstinence. Moreover Envy everywhere burns in the clergy like the fire of Etna, as we may see now [in this year of grace 1390] at Avignon. To see the Church thus fall between two stools is a cause of sorrow to us all: God grant that it may go well at last with him who has the truth. But as a fire spreads while men are slothfully drinking, so this schism causes the new sect of Lollardy to spring up, and many another heresy among the clergy themselves. It were better to dike and delve and have the true faith, than to know all that the Bible says and err as some of these do. If men had before their eyes the virtues which Christ taught, they would not thus dispute about the Papacy. Each one attends to his own profit, but none to the general cause of the Church, and thus Christ's fold is broken and the flock is devoured. The shepherds, intent upon worldly good, wound instead of healing, and rob the sheep unjustly of their wool. Nay, they drive them among the brambles, so that they may have the wool which the thorns tear off. If the wolf comes in the way, their staff is not at hand to defend the sheep, but they are ready enough to smite the sheep with it, if they offend ever so little. There are some indeed in whom virtue dwells, whom God has called as Aaron was called, but most follow Simon at the heels, whose chariot rolls upon wheels of covetousness and pride. They teach how good it is to clothe and feed the poor, yet of their own goods they do not distribute. They say that chastity should be preserved by abstinence, but they eat daintily and lie softly, and whether they preserve their chastity thereby, I dare not say:
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxi
I hear tales, but I will not understand. Yet the vice of the evil-doers is no reproof to the good, for every man shall bear his own works.
499-584. THE COMMONS. As for the people, it is to be feared that that may happen which has already come to pass in sundry lands, that they may break the bounds and overflow in a ruinous flood. Everywhere there is lack of law and growth of error; all say that this world has gone wrong, and every one gives his judgement as to the cause ; but he who looks inwards upon himself will be ready to excuse his God, in whom there is no default. The cause of evil is in ourselves. Some say it is fortune and some the planets, but in truth all depends upon man. No estate is secure, the fortune of it goes now up, now down, and all this is in consequence of man's doings. In the Bible I find a tale which teaches that division is the chief cause why things may not endure, and that man himself is to blame for the changes which have overthrown kingdoms.
585-662. NABUGODONOSOR in a dream saw an image with the head and neck of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the legs of steel, and the feet of mixed steel and clay. On the feet of this image fell a great stone which rolled down from a hill, and the image was destroyed. Daniel expounded this of the successive kingdoms of the world.
663-880. These were the FOUR MONARCHIES, of Babylon, of Persia, of the Greeks, and of the Romans. We are now in the last age, that of dissension and division, as shown by the state of the Empire and the Papacy. This is that which was designated by the feet of the image.
881-1088. We are near to the end of the world, as the apostle tells us. The world stands now divided like the feet of the image. Wars are general, and yet the clergy preach that charity is the foundation of all good deeds. Man is the cause of all the evil, and therefore the image bore the likeness of a man. The heavenly bodies, the air and the earth suffer change and corruption through the sin of man, who is in himself a little world. When he is disordered in himself, the elements are all at strife with him and with each other. Division is the cause of destruction. So it is with man, who has within him diverse principles which are at strife with one another, and in whom also there is a fatal division between the body and the soul, which led to the fall from a state of innocence. The confusion of tongucs at the building of the tower of Babel was a further cause of division, and at last all peace and charity shall depart, and the stone shall fall. Thenceforward every man shall dwell either in heaven, where all is peace, or in hell, which is full of discord.
Would God that there were in these days any who could set peace on the earth, as Arion once by harping brought beasts and men into accord. But this is a matter which only God can direct.
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Lis. I.
1-92. I cannot stretch my hand to heaven and set in order the world: so great a task is more than I am able to compass: I must let that alone and treat of other things. Therefore I think to change from this time forth the style of my writings, and to speak of a matter with which all the world has to do, and that is Love; wherein almost all are out of rule and measure, for no man is able to resist it or to find a remedy for it. If there be anything in this world which is governed blindly by fortune, it is love: this is a game in which no man knows whether he shall win or lose. I am myself one who belongs to this school, and I will tell what befel me not long since in regard to love, that others may take example thereby.
93-202. I fared forth to walk in the month of May, when every bird has chosen his mate and rejoices over the love which he has achieved ; but I was further off from mine than earth is from heaven. So to the wood I went, not to sing with the birds, but to weep and lament; and after a time I fell to the ground and wished for death. Then I looked up to the heaven and prayed the god and the goddess of love to show me some grace. Anon I saw them ; and he, the king of love, passed me by with angry look and cast at me a fiery lance, which pierced through my heart. But the queen remained, and asked me who I was, and bade me make known my malady. I told her that I had served her long and asked only my due wage, but she frowned and said that there were many pretenders, who in truth had done no service, and bade me tell the truth and show forth all my sickness. ‘That can I well do,’ I replied, ‘if my life may last long enough.’ Then she looked upon me and said, * My will is first that thou confess thyself to my priest.’ And with that she called Genius, her priest, and he came forth and sat down to hear my shrift.
203-288. This worthy priest bade me tell what I had felt for love's sake, both the joy and the sorrow ; and I fell down devoutly on my knees and prayed him to question me from point to point, lest I should forget things which concerned my shrift, for my heart was disturbed so that I could not myself direct my wits. He replied that he was there to hear my confession and to question me: but he would not only * speak of love; for by his office of priest he was bound to set forth the moral vices. Yet he would show also the properties of Love, for he was retained in the service of Venus and knew little of other things. His purpose was to expound the nature of every vice, as it became a priest to do, and so to apply his teaching to the matter of love that I should plainly understand his lore.
289-574. SINS OF SEEING AND HEARING. I prayed him to say his will, and I would obey, and he bade me confess as touching my five senses, which are the gates through which things come into the heart,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxiii
and first of the principal and most perilous, the sense of sight. Many a man has done mischief to love through seeing, and often the fiery dart of love pierces the heart through the eye. (289-332.)
Ovid tells a tale of the evils of * mislook,! how Ac/eon when hunting came upon Diana and her nymphs bathing, and because he did not turn away his eyes, he was changed into a hart and torn to pieces by his own hounds. (333-378)
Again, the Gorgons were three sisters, who had but one eye between them, which they passed one to another, and if any man looked upon them he was straightway turned into a stone. These were all killed by Perseus, to whom Pallas lent a shield with which he covered his face, and Mercury a sword with which he slew the monsters. (389- 435-)
My priest therefore bade me beware of misusing my sight, lest I also should be turned to stone; and further he warned me to take good heed of my hearing, for many a vanity comes to man's heart through the ears. (436-462.)
There is a serpent called 44522425, which has a precious stone in his head, but when a man tries to overcome him by charms in order to win this stone, he refuses to hear the enchantment, laying one ear close to the earth and stopping the other with his tail. (463-480.)
Moreover, in the tale of Troy we read of Szrens, who are in the form of women above and of fishes below, and these sing so sweetly, that the sailors who pass are enchanted by it and cannot steer their ships: so they are wrecked and torn to pieces by the monsters. Uluxes, however, escaped this peril by stopping the ears of his company, and then they slew many of them. (481-529.)
From these examples (he said) I might learn how to keep the eye and the ear from folly, and if I could control these two, the rest of the senses were easy to rule. (530-549.)
I made my confession then, and said that as for my eyes I had indeed cast them upon the Gorgon Medusa, and my heart had been changed into stone, upon which my lady had graven an eternal mark of love. Moreover, I was guilty also as regards my ear; for when I heard my lady speak, my reason lost all rule, and I did not do as Uluxes did, but fell at once in the place where she was, and was torn. to pieces in my thought. (550-567.)
God amend thee, my son, he said. I will ask now no more of thy senses, but of other things. (568-574.)
THE SEVEN DEADLY VICES.— PRIDE.
575-1234. Hypocrisy. Pride, the first of the seven deadly Vices, has five ministers, of whom the first is called Hypocrisy. Hast thou been of his company, my son?
I know not, father, what hypocrisy means. I beseech you to teach me and I will confess. (575-593.)
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A hypocrite is one who feigns innocence without, but is not so within. Such are many of those who belong to the religious orders, with some of those who occupy the high places of the Church, and others also who pretend to piety, while all their design is to increase their worldly wealth. (594-672.)
There are lovers also of this kind, who deceive by flattery and soft speech, and who pretend to be suffering sickness for love, but are ready always to beguile the woman who trusts them. Art thou one of these, my son?
Nay, father, for I have no need to feign: my heart is always more sick than my visage, and I am more humble towards my lady within than any outward sign can show. I will not say but that I may have been guilty towards others in my youth ; but there is one towards whom my word has ever been sincere.
It is well, my son, to tell the truth always towards love; for if thou deceive and win thereby, thou wilt surely repent it afterwards, as a tale which I will tell may show. (672-760.)
Mundus and Paulina. At Rome, in the time of Tiberius, a worthy lady Pauline was deceived by Mundus, who bribed the priests of Isis and induced them to bring her to the temple at night on pretence of meeting the god Anubus. Mundus concealed himself in the temple and personated the god. Meeting her on her way home he let her understand the case, and she, overcome with grief and shame, reported the matter to her husband. The priests were put to death, Mundus was sent into exile, and the image of Isis was thrown into the Tiber. (761-1059.)
The Trojan Horse. Again, to take a case of the evil wrought by Hypocrisy in other matters, we read how, when the Greeks could not capture Troy, they made a horse of brass and secretly agreeing with Antenor and Eneas they concluded a feigned peace with the Trojans and desired to bring this horse as an offering to Minerva into the city. The gates were too small to admit it, and so the wall was broken down, and the horse being brought in was offered as an evidence of everlasting peace with Troy. The Greeks then departed to their ships, as if to set sail, but landed again in the night on a signal from Sinon. They came up through the broken gate, and slew those within, and burnt the city. (1060-1189.)
Thus often in love, when a man seems most true, he is most false, and for a time such lovers speed, but afterwards they suffer punishment. Therefore eschew Hypocrisy in love. (1190-1234.)
1235-1875. INOBEDIENCE. The second point of Pride is Inobe- dience, which bows before no law, whether of God or man. Art thou, my son, disobedient to love ?
Nay, father, except when my lady bids me forbear to speak of my love, or again when she bids me choose a new mistress. She might
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxv
as well say, * Go, take the Moon down from its place in heaven,’ as bid me remove her love out of my breast. Thus far I disobey, but in no other thing. (1235-1342.)
There are two attendants, my son, on this vice, called Murmur and Complaint, which grudge at all the fortune that betides, be it good or bad. And so among lovers there are those who will not faithfully submit to love, but complain of their fortune, if they fail of anything that they desire.
My father, I confess that at times I am guilty of this, when my lady frowns upon me, but I dare not say a word to her which might displease her. I murmur and am disobedient in my heart, and so far I confess that I am ‘ unbuxom.’
I counsel thee, my son, to be obedient always to love’s hest, for obedience often avails where strength may do nothing; and of this I remember an example written in a chronicle. (1343-1406.)
There was a knight, nephew to the emperor, by name Florent, chivalrous and amorous, who seeking adventures was taken prisoner by enemies. He had slain the son of the captain of the castle to which he was led; and they desired to take vengeance on him, but feared the emperor. An old and cunning dame, grandmother to the slain man, proposed a condition. He should be allowed to go, on promise of returning within a certain time, and then he should suffer death unless he could answer rightly the question, ‘ What do all women most desire?’ He gave his pledge, and sought everywhere an answer to the question, but without success. When the day approached, he set out ; and as he passed through a forest, he saw a loathly hag sitting under a tree. She offered to save him if he would take her as his wife. He refused at first, but then seeing no other way, he accepted, on the condition that he should try all other answers first, and if they might save him he should be free. She told him that what all women most desire is to be sovereign of man's love. He saved himself by this answer, and returned to find her, being above all things ashamed to break his troth. Foul as she was, he respected her womanhood, and set her upon his horse before him. He reached home, journeying by night and hiding himself by day, and they were wedded in the night, she in her fine clothes looking fouler than before. When they were in bed, he turned away from her, but she claimed his bond; and he turning towards her saw a young lady of matchless beauty by his side. She stayed him till he should make his choice, whether he would have her thus by night or by day ; and he, despairing of an answer, left it to her to decide. By thus making her his sovereign, he had broken the charm which bound her. She was the king's daughter of Sicily, and had been transformed by her stepmother, till she should win the love and sovereignty of a peerless knight. Thus obedience may give a man good fortune in love. (1407-1861.)
c2
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxvii
that which I did: for I saw in the pilgrims the image of my own death, as appointed by God's ordinance, and to this law I did obeisance; for compared to this all other laws are as nothing. There- fore, my brother, fear God with all thine heart, for all shall die and be equal in his sight. Thus the king admonished his brother and forgave him. (2010-2253.)
I beseech you, father, to tell me some example of this in the cause of love.
My son, in love as well as in other things this vice should be eschewed, as a tale shows which Ovid told.
There was one /Varcissus, who had such pride that he thought no woman worthy of him. On a day he went to hunt in the forest, and being hot and thirsty lay down to drink from a spring. There he saw the image of his face in the water and thought it was a nymph. Love for her came upon him and he in vain entreated her to come out to him : at length in despair he smote himself against a rock till he was dead. The nymphs of the springs and of the woods in pity buried his body, and from it there sprang flowers which bloom in the winter, against the course of nature, as his folly was. (2254-2366.)
My father, I shall ever avoid this vice. I would my lady were as humble towards me as I am towards her. Ask me therefore further, if there be ought else.
God forgive thee, my son, if thou have sinned in this: but there is moreover another vice of Pride which cannot rule his tongue, and this also is an evil. (2367-2398.)
2399-2680. AVANTANCE. This vice turns praise into blame by loud proclaiming of his own merit; and so some lovers do. Tell me then if thou hast ever received a favour in love and boasted of it afterwards.
Nay, father, for I never received any favour of which I could boast. Ask further then, for here I am not guilty.
That is well, my son, but know that love hates this vice above all others, as thou mayest learn by an example. (2399-2458.)
Alboin and Rosemund. | Albinus was king of the Lombards, and he in war with the Geptes killed their king Gurmond in battle, and made a cup of his skull. Also he took Gurmond's daughter Rosemund as his wife. When the wars were over, he made a great feast, that his queen might make acquaintance with the lords of his kingdom ; and at the banquet his pride arose, and he sent for this cup, which was richly set in gold and gems, and bade his wife drink of it, saying, ‘ Drink with thy father, She, not knowing what cup it was, took it and drank ; and then the king told how he had won it by his victory, and had won also his wife's love, who had thus drunk of the skull. She said nothing, but thought of the unkindness of her lord in thus boasting, as he sat by her side, that he had killed her father and made a cup of his skull. Then after the feast she planned vengeance with Glodeside her maid.
xxxviii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
A knight named Helmege, the king's butler, loved Glodeside. To him the queen gave herself in place of her maid, and then making herself known, she compelled him to help her. They slew Albinus, but were themselves compelled to flee, taking refuge with the Duke of Ravenna, who afterwards caused them to be put to death by poison. (2459-2646.)
It is good therefore that a man hide his own praise, both in other things and also in love, or else he may fail of his purpose.
2681-3066. VAIN GLORY thinks of this world only and delights in new things. He will change his guise like a chameleon. He will make carols, balades, roundels and virelays, and if he gets any advan- tage in love, he rejoices over it so that he forgets all thought of death. Tell me if thou hast done so.
My father, I may not wholly excuse myself, in that I have been for love the better arrayed, and have attempted rondels, balades, virelays and carols for her whom I love, and sung them moreover, and made myself merry in chamber and in hall. But I fared none the better: my glory was in vain. She would not hear my songs, and my fine array brought me no reason to be glad. And yet I have had gladness at times in hearing how men praised her, and also when I have tidings that she is well. Tell me if I am to blame for this.
I acquit thee, my son, and on this matter I think to tell a tale how God does vengeance on this vice. Listen now to a tale that is true, though it be not of love. (2681-2784.)
There was a king of whom I spoke before, Mabugodonosor by name. None was so mighty in his days, and in his Pride he ruled the earth as a god. This king in his sleep saw a tree which overshadowed the whole earth, and all birds and beasts had lodging in it or fed beneath it. Then he heard a voice bidding to hew down the tree and destroy it ; but the root (it said) should remain, and bear no man's heart, but feed on grass like an ox, till the water of the heaven should have washed him seven times and he should be made humble to the will of God. The King could find none to interpret this dream, and sent therefore for Daniel. He said that the tree betokened the king, and that as the tree was hewn down, so his kingdom should be overthrown, and he should pasture like an ox and be rained upon and afflicted, until he acknowledged the greatness of God. The punishment was ordained, he said, for his vain glory, and if he would leave this and entreat for grace, he might perchance escape the evil.
But Pride will not suffer humility to stand with him. Neither for his dream nor yet for Daniel's word did this king leave his vain glory, and so that which had been foretold came upon him.
Then after seven years he remembered his former state and wept ; and though he might not find words, he prayed within his heart to God and vowed to leave his vain glory, reaching up his feet towards
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxix
the heaven, kneeling and braying for mercy. Suddenly he was changed again into a man and received his power as before, and the pride of vain glory passed for ever from his heart. (2785- 3042.)
De not thou, my son, like a beast, but take humility in hand, for a proud man cannot win love. I think now again to tell thee a tale which may teach thee to follow Humility and eschew Pride.
3067-3425. HUMILITY. Zhe Three Questions. There was once a young and wise king, who delighted in propounding difficult questions, and one knight of his court was so ready in answering them that the king conceived jealousy and resolved to put him to confusion. He bade him therefore answer these three questions on pain of death: (1) What is it that has least need and yet men help it most? (2) What is worth most and yet costs least? (3) What costs most and is worth least? The knight went home to consider, but the more he beat his brains, the more he was perplexed. He had two daughters, the younger fourteen years of age, who, perceiving his grief, entreated him to tell her the cause. At length he did so, and she asked to be allowed to answer for him to the king. When the day came, they went together to the court, and the knight left the answers to the maiden, at which all won- dered. She replied to the first question that it was the Ea:th, upon which men laboured all the year round, and yet it had no need of help, being itself the source of all life. As to the second, it was Humility, through which God sent down his Son, and chose Mary above all others ; and yet this costs least to maintain, for it brings about no wars among men. The third question, she said, referred to Pride, which cost Lucifer and the rebel angels the loss of heaven, and Adam the loss of paradise, and was the cause also of so many evils in the world.
The king was satisfied, and looking on the maiden he said, *I like thine answer well, and thee also, and if thou wert of lineage equal to these lords, I would take thee for my wife. Ask what thou wilt of me and thou shalt have it.” She asked an earldom for her father, and this granted, she thanked the king upon her knees, and claimed fulfilment of his former word. Whatever she may have been once, she was now an earl's daughter, and he had promised to take her as his wife. The king, moved by love, gave his assent, and thus it was. This king ruled Spain in old days and his name was Alphonse: the knight was called Don Petro, and the daughter wise Peroncile. (3067-3402.)
Thus, my son, thou mayest know the evil of Pride, which fell from his place in heaven and in paradise ; but Humility is gentle and debon- naire. Therefore leave Pride and take Humility.
My father, I will not forget: but now seek further of my shrift.
My son, I have spoken enough of Pride, and I think now to tell of Envy, which is a hellish vice, in that it does evil without any cause.
(3403- 3449.)
xl GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
LIB. II.
1-220. SORROW FOR ANOTHER'S JOY. The next after Pride is ENVY, who burns ever in his thought, if he sees another preferred to himself or more worthy. Hast thou, my son, in love been sick of another man's welfare?
Yea, father, a thousand times, when I have seen another blithe of love. I am then like: Etna, which burns ever within, or like a ship driven about by the winds and waves. But this is only as regards my lady, when I see lovers approach her and whisper in her ear. Not that I mistrust her wisdom, for none can keep her honour better ; yet when I see her make good cheer to any man, I am full of Envy to see him glad.
My son, the hound which cannot eat chaff, will yet drive away the oxen who come to the barn; and so it is often with love. If a man is out of grace himself, he desires that another should fail. (1-96.)
Acis and Galatea, Ovid tells a tale how Poliphemus loved Galathea, and she, who loved another, rejected him. He waited then for a chance to grieve her in her love, and he saw her one day in speech with young Acis under a cliff by the sea. His heart was all afire with Envy, and he fled away like an arrow from a bow, and ran roaring as a wild beast round Etna. "Then returning he pushed down a part of the cliff upon Acis and slew him. She fled to the sea, where Neptune took her in his charge, and the gods transformed Acis into a spring with fresh streams, as he had been fresh in love, and were wroth with Polipheme for his Envy. (97-200.)
Thus, my son, thou mayest understand that thou must let others be.
My father, the example is good, and I will work no evil in love for Envy. (200-220.)
221-382. JOY FOR ANOTHER’S GRIEF. This vice rejoices when he sees other men sad, and thinks that he rises by another's fall, as in other things, so also in love. Hast thou done so, my son?
Yes, father, ] confess that when I see the lovers of my lady get a fall, I rejoice at it; and the more they lose, the more I think that I shall win: and if I am none the better for it, yet it is a pleasure to me to see another suffer the same pains as I. Tell me if this be wrong.
This kind of Envy, my son, can never be right. It will sometimes be willing to suffer loss, in order that another may also suffer, as a tale will show. (221-290.) |
The Travellers and the Angel. Jupiter sent down an angel to report of the condition of mankind. He joined himself to two travellers, and he found by their talk that one was covetous and the other envious. On parting he told them that he came from God, and in return for their kindness he would grant them a boon: one should choose a gift and
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xli
the other should have the double of what his fellow asked. The covetous man desired the other to ask, and the other, unwilling that his fellow should have more good than he, desired to be deprived of the sight of one eye, in order that his fellow might lose both. This was done, and the envious man rejoiced. (291-364.)
This is a thing contrary to nature, to seek one's own harm in order to grieve another. °
My father, I never did so but in the way that I have said: tell me if there be more.
383-1871. DETRACTION. There is one of the brood of Envy called Detraction. He has Malebouche in his service, who cannot praise any without finding fault. He is like the beetle which flies over the fields, and cares nothing for the spring flowers, but makes his feast of such filth as he may find. So this envious jangler makes no mention of a man’s virtue, but if he find a fault he will proclaim it openly. So also in Love’s court many envious tales are told. If thou hast made such janglery, my son, shrive thee thereof. (383-454.)
Yes, father, but not openly. When I meet my dear lady and think of those who come about her with false tales, all to deceive an innocent (though she is wary enough and can well keep herself), my heart is envious and I tell the worst I know against them; and so I would against the truest and best of men, if he loved my lady; for I cannot endure that any should win there but I. This I do only in my lady’s ear, and above all I never tell any tale which touches her good name. Tell me then what penance I shall endure for this, for I have told you the whole truth.
My son, do so no more. Thy lady, as thou sayest, is wise and wary, and there is no need to tell her these tales. Moreover she will like thee the less for being envious, and often the evil which men plan towards others falls on themselves. Listen to a tale on this matter. (454- 586.)
Tale of Constance. The Roman Emperor Tiberius Constantinus had a daughter Constance, beautiful, wise, and full of faith. She converted to Christianity certain merchants of Barbary, who came to Rome to sell their wares, and they, being questioned by the Soldan when they returned, so reported of Constance that he resolved to ask for her in marriage. He sent to Rome and agreed to be converted, and Constance was sent with two cardinals and many other lords, to be his bride. But the mother of the Soldan was moved by jealousy. She invited the whole company to a feast, and there slew her own son and all who had had to do with the marriage except Constance herself, whom she ordered to be placed alone in a rudderless ship with victuals for five years, and so to be committed to the winds and waves. (587-713.)
For three years she drifted under God's guidance, and at last came
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to land in Northumberland, near a castle on the bank of Humber, which was kept by one Elda for the king of that land Allee, a Saxon and a worthy knight. Elda found her in the ship and committed her to the care of Hermyngheld his wife, who loved her and was converted by her. Hermyngheld in the name of Christ restored sight to a blind man, at which all wondered, and Elda was converted to the faith. On the morrow he rode to the king, and thinking to please him, who was then unwedded, told him of Constance. The king said he would come and see her. Elda sent before him a knight whom he trusted, and this knight had loved Constance, but she had rejected him, so that his love was turned to hate. When he came to the castle he delivered the message, and they prepared to receive the king; but in the night he cut the throat of Hermyngheld and placed the bioody knife under the bed where Constance lay. Elda came the same night and found his wife lying dead and Constance sleeping by her. The false knight accused Constance and discovered the knife where he had placed it. Elda was not convinced, and the knight swore to her guilt upon a book. Suddenly the hand of heaven smote him and his eyes fell out of his head, and a voice bade him confess the truth, which he did, and thereupon died. (714-885.)
After this the king came, and desiring to wed Constance, agreed to receive baptism. So a bishop came from Bangor in Wales and christened him and many more, and married Constance to the king. She would not tell who she was, but the king perceived that she was a noble creature. God visited her and she was with child, but the king was compelled to go out on a war, and left his wife with Elda and the bishop. A son was born and baptized by the name of Moris, and letters were written to the king, and the bearer of them, who had to pass by Knares- borough, stayed there to tell the news to the king's mother Domilde. She in the night changed the letters for others, which said, as from the keepers of the queen, that she had been delivered of a monster. The messenger carried the letters to the king, who wrote back that they should keep his wife carefully till he came again. On his return the mes- senger stayed again at Knaresborough, and Domilde substituted a letter bidding them on pain of death place Constance and her child in the same ship in which she had come, and commit them to the sea. They grieved bitterly, but obeyed. She prayed to heaven for help and devoted herself to the care of the child (886-1083). After the end of that year the ship came to land near a castle in Spain, where a heathen admiral was lord, who had a steward named Theloüs, a false renegade. He came to see the ship and found Constance, but he let none else see her; and at night he returned, thinking to have her at his will. He swore to kill her if she resisted him, and she bade him look out at the port to see if any man was near: then on the prayer of Constance he was thrown out of the ship and drowned. A wind arose which took her
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xliii
from the land, and after three years she came to a place where a great navy lay. The lord of these ships questioned her, but she told him little, giving her name as Couste. He said that he came from taking vengeance on the Saracens for their treachery, but could hear no news of Constance. He was the Senator of Rome and was married to a niece of the Emperor named Heleine. She came to Rome with her child and dwelt with his wife till twelve years were gone, and none knew what she was, but all loved her well. (1084-1225.)
In the meantime king Allee discovered the treachery and took ven- geance on his mother, who was burnt to death after confession of her guilt; and all said that she had well deserved her punishment and lamented for Constance. Having finished his wars, the king resolved to go to Rome for absolution, and leaving Edwyn his heir to rule the land, he set forth with Elda. Arcennus reported to his wife and to Couste the coming of king Allee, and Couste swooned for joy. The king, after seeing the Pope and relieving his conscience, made a feast, to which he invited the Senator and others. Moris went also, and his mother bade him stand at the feast in sight of the king. The king seeing him thought him like his wife Constance, and loved him without knowing why. He asked Arcennus if the child were his son, and from him he heard his story and the name of his mother. The king smiled at the name ‘ Couste,’ knowing that it was Saxon for Constance, and was eager to ascertain the truth. After the feast he besought the Senator to bring him home to see this Couste, and never man was more joyful than he was when he saw his wife. (1226-1445.)
The king remained at Rome for a time with Constance, but still she did not tell him who she was. After a while she prayed him to make an honourable feast before he left the city and to invite the Emperor, who was at a place a few miles away from the city. Moris was sent to beseech him to come and eat with them, which request he granted ; and at the time appointed they all went forth to meet the Emperor. Constance, riding forward to welcome him, made herself known to him as his daughter. Hisheart was overcome, as if he had seen the dead come to life again, and all present shed tears. So a parliament was held and Moris was named heir to the Emperor. King Allee and Constance returned home to the great joy of their land ; but soon after this the king died, and Constance came again to Rome. After a short time the Emperor also died in her arms, and she herself in the next year following. Moris was crowned Emperor and known as ' the most Christian, (1446-1598.)
Thus love at last prevailed and the false tongues were silenced. Beware then thou of envious backbiting and lying, and if thou wouldest know further what mischief is done by backbiting, hear now another tale. (1599-1612.)
Demetrius and Perseus. Philip king of Maccdoine had two sons,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xlv
I myself have no help from it, I can conceal nothing from her which it concerns her to know. To him who loves not my lady, let him love as many others as he will, I feign no semblant, and his tales sink no deeper than my ears. Now, father, what is your doom and what pain must I suffer? (1879-2076.)
My son, all virtue should be praised and all vice blamed : therefore put no visor on thy face. Yet many men do so nowadays, and especially I hear how False Semblant goes with those whom we call Lombards, men who are cunning to feign that which is not, and who take from us the profit of our own land, while we bear the burdens. They have a craft called Fa crere, and against this no usher can bar the door. This craft discovers everything and makes it known in foreign lands to our grievous loss. Those who read in books the examples of this vice of False Semblant, will be the more on their guard against it. (2077-2144.)
Hercules and Deianira. 1 will tell thee a tale of False Semblant, and how Deianira and Hercules suffered by it. Hercules had cast his heart only upon this fair Deianira, and once he desired to pass over a river with her, but he knew not the ford. There was there a giant called Nessus, who envying Hercules thought to do him harm by treachery, since he dared not fight against him openly. Therefore, pretending friendship, he offered to carry the lady across and set her safe on the other shore. Hercules was well pleased, and Nessus took her upon his shoulder; but when he was on the further side, he attempted to carry her away with him. Hercules came after them and shot him with a poisoned arrow, but before he died he gave Deianira his shirt stained with his heart's blood, telling her that if her lord were untrue, this shirt would make his love return to her. She kept it well in coffer and said no word. The years passed, and Hercules set his heart upon Eole, the king's daughter of Eurice, so that he dressed himself in her clothes and she was clothed in his, and no remedy could be found for his folly. Deianira knew no other help, but took this shirt and sent it to him. The shirt set his body on fire, and clove to it so that it could not be torn away. Heran to the high wood and tore down trees and made a huge fire, into which he leapt and was burnt both flesh and bones. And all this came of the False Semblant which Nessus made. There- fore, my son, beware, since so great a man was thus lost. (2145- 2312.)
Father, I will no more have acquaintance with False Semblant, and I will do penance for my former feigning. Ask more now, if more there be.
My son, there is yet the fifth which is conceived of Envy, and that is Supplantation, by means of which many have lost their labour in love as in other things. (2313-2326.)
2327-3110. SUPPLANTATION. This vice has often overthrown men
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and deprived them of their dignities. Supplantation obtains for himself the profit of other men's loss, and raises himself upon their fall. In the same way there are lovers who supplant others and deprive them of what is theirs by right, reaping what others have sown. If thou hast done so, my son, confess.
For ought I know, father, I am guiltless in deed, but not so in thought. IfI had had the power, I would long ago have made appro- priation of other men's love. But this only as regards one, for whom Iletallothers go. If I could, I would turn away her heart from her other lovers and supplant them, no matter by what device: but force I dare not use for fear of scandal. If this be sin, my father, I am ready to redress my guilt. (2327-2428.)
My son, God beholds a man's thought, and if thou knewest what it were to be a supplanter in love, thou wouldest for thine own sake take heed. At Troy Agamenon supplanted Achilles, and Diomede Troilus. Geta and Amphitrion too were friends, and Geta was the lover of Almena : but. when he was absent, Amphitrion made his way to her chamber and counterfeited his voice, whereby he obtained admittance to her bed. Geta came afterwards, but she refused to let him in, think- ing that her lover already lay in her arms. (2429-2500.)
The False Bachelor. There was an Emperor of Rome who ruled in peace and had no wars. His son was chivalrous and desirous of fame, so he besought leave to go forth and seek adventures, but his father refused to grant it. At length he stole away with a knight whom he trusted, and they took service with the Soldan of Persia, who had war with the Caliph of Egypt. There this prince did valiantly and gained renown; moreover, he was overtaken by love of the Soldan's fair daughter, so that his prowess grew more and more, and none could stand against him. At length the Soldan and the Caliph drew to a battle, and the Soldan took a gold ring of his daughter and commanded her, if he should fall in the fight, to marry the man who should produce this ring. Inthe battle this Roman did great deeds, and Egypt fled in his presence. As they of Persia pursued, an arrow struck the Soldan and he was borne wounded to a tent. Dying he gave his daughter's ring to this knight of Rome. After his burial a parliament was appointed, and on the night before it met, this young lord told his secret to his bachelor and showed him the ring. The bachelor feigned glad- ness, but when his lord was asleep, he stole the ring from his purse and put another in its stead. When the court was set, the young lady was brought forth. The bachelor drew forth the ring and claimed her hand, which was allowed him in spite of protest, and so he was crowned ruler of the empire. His lord fell sick of sorrow, caring only for the loss of his love; and before his death he called the lords to him and sent a message to his lady, and wrote also a letter to his father the Emperor. Thus he died, and the treason was known. The false
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xlvii
bachelor was sent to Rome on demand of the Emperor, to receive punishment there, and the dead body also was taken thither for burial. (2501-2781.)
Thus thou mayest be well advised, my son, not to do so; and above all, when Pride and Envy are joined together, no man can find a remedy for the evil. Of this I find a true example in a chronicle of old time, showing how Supplant worked once in Holy Church. I know not if it be so now. (2782-2802.)
Pope Boniface. At Rome Pope Nicholas died, and the cardinals met in conclave to choose another Pope. They agreed upon a holy recluse full of ghostly virtues, and he was made Pope and called Celestin. There was a cardinal, however, who had long desired the papacy, and he was seized with such envy that he thought to supplant the Pope by artifice. He caused a young priest of his family to be appointed to the Pope’s chamber, and he told this man to take a trumpet of brass and by means of it speak to the Pope at midnight through the wall, bidding him renounce his dignity. This he did thrice ; and the Pope, conceiving it to be a voice from heaven, asked the cardinals in consistory whether a Pope might resign his place. All sat silent except this cardinal of whom we have spoken, and he gave his opinion that the Pope could make a decree by which this might be done. He did so, and the cardinal was elected in his stead under the name of Boniface. But such treason cannot be hid; it is like the spark of fire in the roof, which when blown by the wind blazes forth. Boniface openly boasted of his device; and such was his pride that he took quarrel with Louis, King of France, and laid his kingdom under interdict. The king was counselled by his barons, and he sent Sir William de Langharet, with a company of men-at-arms, who captured the Pope at Pontsorge near Avignon and took him into France, where he was put in bonds and died of hunger, eating off both his hands. Of him it was said that he came in like a fox, reigned like a lion, and died like a dog. By his example let all men beware of gaining office in the Church by wrongful means. God forbid that it should be of our days that the Abbot Joachim spake, when he prophesied of the shameful traffic which should dishonour the Church of God. (2803- 3084.)
Envy it was that moved Joab to slay Abner treacherously; and for Envy Achitophel hanged himself when his counsel was not preferred. Seneca says that Envy is the common wench who keeps tavern for the Court, and sells liquour which makes men drunk with desire to surpass their fellows. (3085-3110.)
Envy is in all ways unpleasant in love; the fire within dries up the blood which should flow kindly through his veins. He aloneis moved by pure malice in that which he does. Therefore, my son, if thou wouldest find a way to love, put away Envy.
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Reason would that I do so, father; but in order that I may flee from this vice, I pray you to tell me a remedy.
My son, as there is physic for the sick, so there are virtues for the vices, which quench them as water does a fire. Against Envy is set Charity, the mother of Pity, which causes a man to be willing to bear evil himself rather than that another should suffer. Hear from me a tale about this, and mark it well. (3111-3186.)
Constantine and Silvester. In Latin books I find how Constantine, the Emperor of Rome, had a leprosy which could not be cured, and wise men ordered for his healing a bath of the blood of children under seven years old. Orders were sent forth, and mothers brought their children from all parts to the palace. The Emperor, hearing the noise of lamentation, looked forth in the morning and was struck with pity. He thought to himself that rich and poor were all alike in God's sight, and that a man should do to others as he would that others should do to him. He resolved rather to suffer his malady than that so much innocent blood should be shed, and he sent the mothers and children away happy to their homes. In the night he had a vision of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, saying to him, that as he had shown mercy, mercy should be shown to him, and bidding him send to fetch Silvester from Mount Celion, where he was hiding for fear of the Emperor, who had been a foe to Christ's faith. They told him their names and departed, and he did as they commanded. Silvester came and preached to the Emperor of the redemption of mankind and the last judgement, and said that God had accepted the charity and pity which he had shown. Constantine received baptism in the same vessel which had been prepared for the blood ; and as he was being baptized, a light from heaven shone in the place and the leprosy fell from him as it were fishes’ scales. Thus body and soul both were cleansed. The Emperor sent forth letters bidding all receive baptism on pain of death, and founded two churches in Rome for Peter and Paul, to which he gave great worldly possessions. His will was good, but the working of his deed was bad. As he made the gift, a voice was heard from heaven saying that the poison of temporal things was this day mingled with the spiritual. All may see the evil now, and may God amend it. (3187-3496.)
I have said, my son, how Charity may help a man in both worlds; therefore, if thou wouldest avoid Envy, acquaint thyself with Charity, which is the sovereign virtue.
My father, I shall ever eschew Envy the more for this tale which ye have told, and I pray you to give me my penance for that which I have done amiss, and to ask me further.
I will tell thee, my son, of the vice which stands next after this.
(3497-3530.)
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LIB. III.
There is a vice which is the enemy to Patience and doth no pleasure to nature. This is one of the fatal Seven and is called IRE, which in English is WRATH.
25-416. He has five servants to help him, of whom the first is MELANCHOLY, which lours like an angry beast and none knows the . reason why. Hast thou been so, my son?
Yea, father, I may not excuse myself therof, and love is the cause of it My heart is ever hot and I burn with wrath, angered with myself because I cannot speed. Waking I dream that I meet with my lady and pray her for an answer to my suit, and she, who will not gladly swear, saith me nay without an oath, wherewith I am so distempered that I almost lose my wits; and when I think how long I have served and how I am refused, I am angry for the smallest thing, and every servant in my house is afraid of me until the fit passes. If I approach my lady and she speaks a fair word to me, all my anger is gone ; but if she will not look upon me, I return again to my former state. Thus I hurt my hand against the prick and make a whip for my own self; and all this springs from Melancholy. I pray you, my father, teach me some example whereby I may appease myself.
My son, I will fulfil thy prayer. (25-142.)
Canace and Machatre. There was a king called Eolus, and he had two children, a son Machaire and a daughter Canace. These two grew up together in one chamber, and love made them blind, so that they followed only the law of nature and saw not that of reason. As the bird which sees the food but not the net, so they saw not the peril. At length Canace was with child and her brother fled. The child was born and the truth could not be hid. The father came into her chamber in a frenzy of wrath, and she in vain entreated for mercy. He sent a knight to her with a sword, that she might slay herself; but first she wrote a letter to her brother, while her child lay weeping in her breast. Then she set the pommel of the sword to ground and pierced her heart with the point. The king bade them take the child and cast it out for wild beasts to devour. Little did he know of love who wrought such a cruel deed. (143-336.)
Therefore, my son, have regard to love, and remember that no man's might can resist what Nature has ordained. Otherwise vengeance may fall, as in a tale that I will tell. (337-360.)
Tiresias saw two snakes coupled together and smote them with his staff. Thereupon, as he had disturbed nature, so he was transformed against nature into a woman. (361-380.)
Thus wrote Ovid, and thus we see that we ought not to be wroth against the law of nature in men. "There may be vice in love, but there is no malice.
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My father, all this is true. Let every man love whom he will ; I shall not be wroth, if it be not my lady. I am angry only with myself, because I can find no remedy for my evils. (381-416.)
417-842. CHESTE. The second kind of Wrath is Cheste, which has his mouth ever unlocked and utters evil sayings of every one. Men are more afraid of him than of thunder and exclaim against his evil tongue. Tell me, my son, if thou hast ever chid toward thy love.
Nay, father, never: I call my lady herself to witness. I never dared speak to her any but good words. I may have said at times more than I ought, the best plowman balks sometimes, and I bave often spoken contrary to her command; but she knows well that I do not chide. Men may pray to God, and he will not be wroth; and my lady, being but a woman, ought not to be angry if I tell her of my griefs. Often indeed I chide with myself, because I have not said that which I ought, but this avails me nothing. Now ye have heard all, therefore give me absolution.
My son, if thou knewest all the evils of Cheste in love, thou wouldest learn to avoid it. Fair speech is most accordant to love; therefore keep thy tongue carefully and practise Patience.
My father, tell me some example of this. (417-638.)
Patience of Socrates. A man should endure as Socrates did, who to try his own patience married a scolding wife. She came in on a winter day from the well and saw her husband reading by the fire, Not being able to draw an answer to her reproaches, she emptied the water-pot over his head: but he said only that rain in the course of nature followed wind, and drew nearer to the fire to dry his clothes. (639- 698.)
I know not if this be reasonable, but such a man ought truly to be called patient by judgement of Love's Court.
Here again is a tale by which thou mayest learn to restrain thy tongue. (699-730.)
Jupiter, Juno and Tiresias. Jupiter and Juno fell out upon the question whether man or wife is the more ardent in love, and they made Tiresias judge. He speaking unadvisedly gave judgement against Juno, who deprived him of his sight. Jupiter in compensation gave him the gift of prophecy, but he would rather have had the sight of his eyes. Therefore beware, and keep thy tongue close. (731-782.)
Phebus and Cornide. Phebus loved Cornide, but a young knight visited her in her chamber. This was told to Phebus by a bird which she kept, and he in anger slew Cornide. Then he repented, and as a punishment he changed the bird's feathers from white to black. (783-817.)
Jupiter and Laar. The nymph Laar told tales of Jupiter to Juno, and he cut off her tongue and sent her down to hell. There are many
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such now in Love's Court, who let their tongues go loose. Be not thou one of these, my son, and above all avoid Cheste.
My father, I will do so: but now tell me more of Wrath. (818-842.)
843-1088. HATE is the next, own brother to Cheste. Art thou guilty of this?
I know not as yet what it is, except ye teach me.
Listen then : Hate is a secret Wrath, gathering slowly and dwelling in the heart, till he see time to break forth.
Father, I will not swear that I have been guiltless of this ; for though I never hated my lady, I have hated her words. Moreover I hate those envious janglers who hinder me with their lies, and'I pray that they may find themselves in the same condition as I am. Then I would stand in their way, as they stand in mine, and they would know how grievous a thing it is to be hindered in love.
My son, I cannot be content that thou shouldest hate any man, even though he have hindered thee. But I counsel thee to beware of other men's hate, for it is often disguised under a fair appearance, as the Greeks found to their cost. (843-972.)
King Namfplus and the Greeks. After the fall of Troy the Greeks, voyaging home, were overtaken by a storm and knew not how to save their ships. Now there was a king, Namplus, who hated the Greeks because of his son Palamades, whom they had done to death, and he lighted fires to lure their ships towards his rocky coast. They supposed that the fires were beacons to guide them into haven, and many of their ships ran on the rocks. The rest, warned by the cry of those that perished, put forth again to sea.
By this, my son, thou mayest know how Fraud joins with Hate to overthrow men. (973-1088.)
1089-2621. CONTEK and HOMICIDE. Two more remain, namely Contek, who has Foolhaste for his chamberlain, and Homicide. These always in their wrath desire to shed blood, and they will not hear of pity. Art thou guilty of this, my son?
Nay, my father, Christ forbid. Yet as regards love, about which is our shrift, I confess that I have Contek in my heart, Wit and Reason opposing Will and Hope. Reason says that I ought to cease from my love, but Will encourages me in it, and he it is who rules me.
Thou dost wrong, my son, for Will should ever be ruled by Reason, whereof I find a tale written. (1089-1200.)
Diogenes and Alexander. There was a philosopher named Diogenes, who in his old age devised a tun, in which he sat and observed the heavens. King Alexander rode by with his company and sent a knight to find out what this might be. The knight questioned Diogenes, but he could get no answer. ‘It is thy king who asks,’ said the knight in anger. ‘No, not my king,’ said the philosopher. ‘What then, is he thy man?’ ‘Nay, but rather my man's man. The knight told the
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king, who rode himself to see. ‘Father,’ he said, ‘tell me how I am thy man's man. Diogenes replied, ‘ Because I have always kept Will in subjection to me, but with thee Will is master and causes thee to sin.’ The king offered to give him whatsoever he should ask. He replied, * Stand thou out of my sunshine: I need no other gift from thee.’
From this thou mayest learn, my son; for thou hast said that thy will is thy master, and hence thou hast Contek in thine heart, and this, since love is blind, may even breed Homicide. (1201-1330.)
Pyramus and Thisbe. In the city of Semiramis there dwelt two lords in neighbouring houses, and the one had a son named Piramus, and the other a daughter, Tisbee. These loved each other, and when two are of one accord in love, no man can hinder their purpose. They made a hole in the wall between them and conversed through this, till at length they planned to meet near a spring without the town. The maiden was there first ; but a lion came to drink at the spring with snout all bloody from a slain beast, and she fled away, leaving her wimple on the ground. This the lion tore and stained with blood, while she lay hid in a bush, not daring to move. Piramus came soon and supposed she had been slain. Reproaching himself as the cause of her death, he slew himself with his sword in his foolhaste. Tisbee came then and found him dead, and she called upon the god and goddess of love, who had so cruelly served those who were obedient to their law. At last her sorrow overcame her, so that she knew not what she did. She set the sword's point to her heart and fell upon it, and thus both were found lying. (1331-1494.)
Beware by this tale that thou bring not evil on thyself by foolhaste.
My father, I will not hide from you that I have often wished to die, though I have not been guilty of the deed. But I know by whose counsel it is that my lady rejects me, and him I would slay if I had him in my power.
Who is this mortal enemy, my son?
His name is Danger, and he may well be called ‘sanz pite.’ It is he who hinders me in all things and will not let my lady receive my suit. He is ever with her and gives an evil answer to all my prayers. Thus I hate him and desire that he should be slain. But as to my lady, I muse at times whether she will be acquitted of homicide, if I die for her love, when with one word she might have saved me.
My son, refrain thine heart from Wrath, for Wrath causes a man to fail of love. Men must go slowly on rough roads and consider before they climb: ‘ rape reweth,' as the proverb says, and it is better to cast water on the fire than burn up the house. Be patient, my son: the mouse cannot fight with the cat, and whoso makes war on love will have the worse. Love demands peace, and he who fights most will conquer least. Hasten not to thy sorrow: he has not lost who waits.
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Thou mayest take example by Piramus, who slew himself so foolishly. Do nothing in such haste, for suffrance is the well of peace. Hasten not the Court of Love, in which thou hast thy suit. Foolhaste often sets a man behind, and of this I have an example. (1495-1684.)
Phebus and Daphne. Phebus laid his love on Daphne and followed his suit with foolish haste. She ever said him nay, and at length Cupid, seeing the haste of Phebus, said that he should hasten more and yet not speed. He pierced his heart therefore with a golden dart of fire, and that of Daphne with a dart of lead. Thus the more Phebus pursued, the more she fled away, and at length she was changed into a laurel tree, which is ever green, in token that she remained ever a maid. Thus thou mayest understand that it is vain to hasten love, when fortune is against it.
Thanks, father, for this: but so long as I see that my lady is no tree, I will serve her, however fortune may turn.
I say no more, my son, but think how it was with Phebus and beware. A man should take good counsel always, for counsel puts foolhaste away.
Tell me an example, I pray you. (1685-1756.)
Athemas and Demephon. When Troy was taken and the Greeks returned home, many kings found their people unwilling to receive them. Among these were Athemas and Demephon, who gathered a host to avenge themselves and said they would spare neither man, woman, nor child. Nestor however, who was old and wise, asked them to what purpose they would reign as kings, if their people should be destroyed, and bade them rather win by fair speech than by threats. Thus the war was turned to peace: for the nations, seeing the power which the kings had gathered, sent and entreated them to lay aside their wrath. (1757-1856.)
By this example refrain thine heart, my son, and do nothing by violence which may be done by love. As touching Homicide, it often happens unadvisedly through Will, when Reason is away, and great vengeance has sometimes followed. Whereof I shall tell a tale which it is pity to hear. (1857-1884.)
Orestes. Agamenon, having returned from Troy, was slain by his wife Climestre and her lover Egistus. Horestes, his infant son, was saved and delivered into the keeping of the king of Crete. When he grew up, he resolved to avenge his father, and coming to Athens gathered a power there with the help of the duke. When he offered sacrifice in a temp:e for his success, the god gave him command to slay his mother, tearing away her breasts with his own hands and giving her body to be devoured. He rode to Micene and took the city by siege : then he sent for his mother and did as the oracle had commanded. Egistus, coming to the rescue of Micene, was caught in an ambush and hanged as a traitor.
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Fame spread these deeds abroad, and many blamed Horestes for slaying his mother. The lords met at Athens and sent for him to come and answer for his deed. He told how the gods had laid a charge upon him to execute judgement, as he had done, and Menesteus, a duke and worthy knight, spoke for him and championed his cause. They concluded upon this that since she had committed so foul an adultery and murder, she had deserved the punishment, and Horestes was crowned king of Micene. Egiona, daughter of Egistus and Climestre, who had consented to the murder of Agamenon, hanged herself for sorrow that her brother had been acquitted. Such is the vengeance for murder. (1885-2195.)
My father, I pray you tell me if it is possible without sin to slay a man.
Yea, my son, in sundry wise. The judge commits sin if he spares to slay those who deserve death by the law. Moreover a man may defend his house and his land in war, and slay if no better may be.
I beseech you, father, to tell me whether those that seek war in a worldly cause, and shed blood, do well. (2196-2250.)
War. God has forbidden homicide, and when God's Son was born, his angels proclaimed peace to the men of good will. Therefore by the law of charity there should be no war, and nature also commends peace. War consorts with pestilence and famine and brings every kind of evil upon the earth. I know not what reward he deserves who brings in such things ; and if he do it to gain heaven's grace, he shall surely fail. Since wars are so evil in God's sight, it is a marvel what ails men that they cannot establish peace. Sin, I trow, is the cause, and the wages of sin is death. Covetousness first brought in war, and among the Greeks Arcadia alone was free from war, because it was barren and poor. Yet it is a wonder that a worthy king or lord will claim that to which he has no right. Nature and law both are against it, but Wit is here oppressed by Will, and some cause is feigned to deceive the world. Thou mayest take an example of this, how men excuse their wrong-doing, and how the poor and the rich are alike in the lust for gain. (2251-2362.)
Alexander and the Pirate. A sea-rover was brought before Alex- ander and accused of his misdeeds. He replied, ‘I have a heart like thine, and if I had the power, I would do as thou dost. But since I am the leader of a few men only, I am called a thief, while thou with thy great armies art called an Emperor. Rich and poor are not weighed evenly in the balance.’ The king approved his boldness and retained him in his service. (2363-2417.)
Thus they who are set on destruction are all of one accord, captain and company alike. When reason is put aside, man follows rapine like a bird of prey, and all the world may not suffice for his desires. Alexander overran the whole earth and died miserably, when he
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thought himself most secure. Lo, what profit it isto slay men for covet- ousness, as if they were beasts. Beware, my son, of slaying. (2418-2484.)
Is it lawful, my father, to pass over the sea to war against the Saracen ?
My son, Christ bade men preach and suffer for the faith. He made all men free by his own death, and his apostles after him preached and suffered death: but if they had wished to spread the faith by the sword, it would never have prevailed. We see that since the time when the Church took the sword in hand, a great part of that which was won has been lost to Christ’s faith. Be well advised then always ere thou slay. Homicide stands now even in the Church itself; and when the well of pity is thus defouled with blood, others do not hesitate to make war and to slay. We see murder now upon the earth as m the days when men bought and sold sins.
In Greece before Christ’s faith men were dispensed of the guilt of murder by paying gold: so it was with Peleus, Medea, Almeus, and so it is still But after this life it shall be known how it fares with those who do such things. Beasts do not prey upon their own kind, and it is not reasonable that man should be worse than a beast.
Solinus tells a tale of a bird with man’s face, which dies of sorrow when it has slain a man. By this example men should eschew homi- cide and follow mercy. (2485-2621.)
I have heard examples of this virtue of MERCY among those who followed the wars. Remember, my son, that this virtue brings grace, and that they who are most mighty to hurt should be the most ready to relieve. (2622-2638.)
Telaphus and Teucer. Achilles and his son Telaphus made war on Theucer, king of Mese. Achilles was about to slay the king in the battle, but Telaphus interceded for him, saying that Theucer once did him good service. Thus the king's life was spared but the Greeks won the victory. Theucer, grateful for this and for other service before rendered by Achilles, made Telaphus heir to all his land, and thus was mercy rewarded. (2639-2717.)
Take pity therefore, my son, of other men's suffering, and let nothing be a pleasure to thee which is grief to another. Stand against Ire by the counsel of Patience and take Mercy to be the governor of thy con- science: so shalt thou put away all homicide and hate, and so shalt thou the sooner have thy will of love.
Father, I will do your hests; and now give me my penance for Wrath, and ask further of my life.
My son, I will do so. Art thou then guilty of Sloth?
My father, I would know first the points which bclong to it.
Hearken then, and I will set them forth : and bear well in mind that shrift is of no value to him that will not endeavour to leave his vice.
(2718-2774-)
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LIB. IV.
1-312. LACHESCE is the first point of SLOTH, and his nature is to put off till to-morrow what he ought to do to-day. Hast thou done so in love?
Yes, my father, I confess I am guilty. When I have set a time to speak to that sweet maid, Lachesce has often told me that another time is better, or has bidden me write instead of speaking by mouth. Thus I have let the time slide for Sloth, until it was too late. But my love is always the same, and though my tongue be slow to ask, my heart is ever entreating favour. I pray you tell me some tale to teach me how to put away Lachesce. (1-76.)
Eneas and Dido. When Eneas came with his navy to Carthage, he won the love of the queen Dido, who laid all her heart on him. Thence he went away toward Ytaile; and she, unable to endure the pain of love, wrote him a letter saying that if he came not again, it would be with her as with the swan that lost her mate, she should die for his sake. But he, being slothful in love, tarried still away, and she bitterly complaining of his delay, thrust a sword through her heart and thus got rest for herself. (77-146.)
Ulysses and Penelope. Again, when Ulixes stayed away so long at Troy, his true wife Penolope wrote him a letter complaining of his Lachesce. So he set himself to return home with all speed as soon as Troy was taken. (147-233)
Grossteste. The great clerk Grossteste laboured for seven years to make a speaking head of brass, and then by one half-minute of Lachesce he lost all his labour. (234-243.)
It fares so sometimes with the lover who does not keep his time. Let him think of the five maidens whose lamps were not lit when the bridegroom came forth, and how they were shut out.
My father, I never bad any time or place appointed me to get any grace: otherwise I would have kept my hour. But she will not alight on any lure that I may cast, and the louder I cry, the less she hears.
Go on so, my son, and let no Lachesce be found in thee. (244-312.)
313-538. PUSILLANIMITY means in our language the lack of heart to undertake man's work. This vice is ever afraid when there is no cause of dread. So as regards love there are truants that dare not speak, who are like bells without clappers and do not ask anything.
I am one of those, my father, in the presence of my lady.
Do no more so, my son, for fortune comes to him who makes continuance in his prayers. (313-370.)
Pygmaleon. There was one named Pymaleon, a sculptor of great skill, who made an image of a woman in ivory, fairer than any living creature. On this he set his love and prayed her ever for a return, as though she understood what he said. At length Venus had pity on him
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS lvii
and transformed the image into a woman of flesh and blood. Thus he won his wife; but if he had not spoken, he would hawe failed. By this example thou mayest learn that word may work above nature, and that the god of love is favourable to those who are steadfast in love. About which also I read a strange tale. (371-450)
ifhis. King Ligdus told his wife that if her child about to be born should be a daughter, it must be put to death. A daughter was born, whom Isis the goddess of childbirth bade bring up as a boy. So they named him Iphis, and when he was ten years old he was betrothed to Iante. Cupid took pity on them at last for the love that they had to one another, and changed Iphis into a man. (451-505.)
Thus love has goodwill towards those who pursue steadfastly that which to love is due.
My father, I have not failed for lack of prayer, except so far as I said above. I beseech Love day and night to work his miracle for me. (506-538.)
539-886. FORGETFULNESS. There is yet another who serves Acci- die, and that is Foryetelness. He forgets always more than the half of that which he has to say to his love.
So it has often been with me, father: I am so sore afraid in her presence that I am as one who has seen a ghost, and I cannot get my wits for fear, but stand, as it were, dumb and deaf. Then afterwards I lament and ask myself why I was afraid, for there is no more violence in her than in a child of three years old. Thus I complain to myself of my forgetfulness ; but 1 never forget the thought of her, nor should do, though I had the Ring of Oblivion, which Moses made for Tharbis. She is near my heart always, and when I am with her, I am so ravished with the sight of her, that I forget all the words that lI ought to speak. Thus it is with me as regards forgetfulness and lack of heart.
My son, love will not send his grace unless we ask it. God knows a man's thought and yet he wills that we should pray. Therefore pull up a busy heart and let no chance escape thee ; and as touching Foryetelness 1 find a tale written. (539-730.)
Demophon and Phyllis. King Demephon, as he sailed to Troy, came to Rhodopeie, of which land Phillis was queen. He plighted his troth to her, and she granted him all that he would have. Then came the time that he should sail on to Troy, but he vowed to return to her within a month. The month passed and he forgot his time. She sent him a letter, setting him a day, and saying that if he came not, his sloth would cause her death. She watched and waited, putting up a lantern in a tower by night, but he did not return. Then when the day came and no sail appeared, she ran down from the tower to an arbour where she was alone, and hanged herself upon a bough with a girdle of silk. The gods shaped her into a tree, which men called
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after her Philliberd, and this name it has still to the shame of Deme- phon, who repented, but all too late. Thus none can guess the evil that comes through Foryetelness. (731-886.)
887-1082. NEGLIGENCE is he who will not be wise beforehand, and afterwards exclaims, * Would God I had known!' He makes the stable-door fast after the steed is stolen. If thou art so in love, thou wilt not achieve success.
My father, I may with good conscience excuse myself of this. I labour to learn love's craft, but I cannot find any security therein. My will is not at fault, for I am busy night and day to find out how love may be won.
I am glad, my son, that thou canst acquit thyself of this, for there is no science and no virtue that may not be lost by Negligence. (887-978.
Phaeton. Phebus had a son named Pheton, who, conspiring with his mother Clemenee, got leave to drive the chariot of the Sun. Phebus advised him how he should do, and that he should drive neither too low nor too high. But he through Negligence let the horses draw the car where they would, and at last the world was set on fire. Phebus then caused him to fall from the car, and he was drownetl in a river. (979-1034.)
Icarus. As in high estate it is a vice to go too low, so in low estate it does harm to go too high. Dedalus had a son named Icharus, and they were in prison with Minotaurus and could not escape. This Dedalus then fashioned wings for himself and his son, and he warned his son not to fly too high, lest the wax with which his wings were set on should melt with the sun. Icharus neglected his father’s warning and fell to his destruction : and so do some others. (1035-1082.)
1083-2700. IDLENESS is another of the brood of Sloth and is the nurse of every vice. In summer he will not work for the heat and in winter for the cold. He will take no travail for his lady’s sake, but is as a Cat that would eat fish and yet not wet his claws. Art thou of such a mould? Tell me plainly.
Nay, father, towards love I was never idle.
What hast thou done then, my son?
In every place where my lacy is, I have been ready to serve her, whether in chamber or in hall. When she goes to mass, I lead her up to the offering ; when she works at her weaving or embroidery, I stand by, and sometimes I tell tales or sing. When she will not stay with me, but busies herself elsewhere, I play with the dog or the birds and talk to the page or the waiting-maid, to make an excuse for my lingering. If she will ride, 1 lift her into the saddle and go by her side, and at other tímes I ride by her carriage and speak with her, or sing. Tell me then if I have any guilt of Idleness.
Thou shalt have no penance here, my son; but nevertheless there are many who will not trouble themselves to know what love is, until
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS lix
he overcome them by force. Thus a king's daughter once was idle, until the god of love chastised her, as thou shalt hear, (1083-1244.)
Rosiphelee, daughter of Herupus, king of Armenie, was wise and fair, but she had one great fault of sloth, desiring neither marriage nor the love of paramours. Therefore Venus and Cupid made a rod for her chastising, so that her mood at length was changed. She walked forth once in the month of May, and staying alone under the trees near a lawn, she heard the birds sing and saw the hart and the hind go together, and a debate arose within her asto love. Then casting her eyes about, she saw a company of ladies riding upon white horses. They had saddles richly adorned and were clothed in the fairest copes and kirtles, all alike of white and blue. Their beauty was beyond that of earthly things, and they wore crowns upon their heads such that all the gold of Cresus could not have purchased the least of them.
The king’s daughter drew back abashed and hid herself to let them pass, not daring to ask who they were. Then after them she saw a woman on a black horse, lean, galled and limping, yet with a richly jewelled bridle. The woman, though fair and young, had her clothing torn and many score of halters hanging about her middle. The princess came forth and asked her what this company might be, and she said these were they who had been true servants to love, but she herself had been slow and unwilling ; and therefore each year in the month of May she must needs ride in this manner and bear halters for.the rest. Her jewelled bridle was granted her because at last she had yielded to love, but death came upon her too suddenly. ‘1 com- mend you to God, lady,’ she said, ‘ and bid you warn all others for my sake not to be idle in love, but to think upon my bridle "Thus she passed out of sight like a cloud, and the lady was moved with fear and amended her ways, swearing within her heart that she would bear no halters. (1245-1446.)
Understand then, my son, that as this lady was chastised, so should those knights take heed who are idle towards love, lest they deserve even a greater punishment. Maidens too must follow the law of love and not waste that time during which they might be bearing the charge of children for the service of the world. And about this I think to tell them a tale. (1447-1504.)
Jephthah's daughter. Among the Jews there was a duke named Jepte, who going to war against Amon, made a vow that if victory were granted to him, he would sacrifice to God the first who should meet him on his return. He overcame his foes and returning met his daughter, who came forth to welcome him with songs and dances. When she saw his sorrow and heard the vow that he had made, she bade him keep his covenant, and asked only for a respite of forty days to bewail her maidenhead, in that she had brought forth no children for the increase of her people. So with other maidens she went
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixi
in battle, would not draw back from the danger, but with Jonathas his son he met his enemies on the mountains of Gelboe, and won eternal fame. (1935-1962.)
Education of Achilles. Prowess is founded upon hardihood, and we know how Achilles was brought up to this by Chiro, called Centaurus. He was taught not to make his chase after the beasts that fled from him, but to fight with such as would withstand him. Moreover a covenant was set that every day he should slay, or at least wound, some savage beast, as a lion or a tiger, and bring home with him a token of blood upon his weapon. "Thus he came to surpass all other knights. (1963-2013.)
Other examples there are, as of Lancelot and many more, which show how Prowess in arms has led to success in love. Let this tale be witness of it. (2014-2044.)
Hercules and Achelons. King Oénes of Calidoyne had a daughter Deianire, who was promised in marriage to Achelons, a giant and a magician. Hercules, that worthy knight who set up the two pillars of brass in the desert of India, sought her love, and the king dared.not refuse him. It was ordained then that combat should decide between them. Achelons, stirred up to prowess by love, fought boldly, but Her- cules seized him with irresistible strength. Then Achelons tried his -craft, changing himself into a snake first and then a bull. Hercules, however, held him by the horns and forced him down, till at length he was overcome. Thus Hercules won his wife by prowess. (2045-2134.)
So Pantasilee, queen of Feminee, for love of Hector did deeds of prowess at Troy; and P&ilemenis, because he brought home the body of Pantasilee and saved some of her maidens, had a tribute granted to him of three maidens yearly from the land of Amazoine. Æneas also won Lavine in battle against king Turnus. By these examples thou mayest see how love’s grace may be gained, for worthy women love manhood and gentilesse. (2135-2199.)
What is Gentilesse, my father?
Some set thatname upon riches coming down from old time, but there is no true merit in riches ; and as for lineage, all are descended from Adam and Eve. Rich and poor are alike in their birth and in their death ; the true gentilesse depends upon virtue, and for virtue love may profit much. E specially love is opposed to Sloth, and Sloth is most of all contrary to the nature of man, for by it all knowledge is lost. (2200-2362.)
By Ladour it was that all useful arts were found out, and the names of many inventors have been handed down by fame, as Cham, Cadmus, Theges, Termegis, Josephus, Heredot, Jubal, Zenzis, Promotheus, Tubal, Jadahel, Verconius, and among women Minerve and Delbora. Saturnus found out agriculture and trade, and he first coined money. (2363-2450.
Many philosophers have cortrived the getting and refining of
Ixii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS *
metals and the science of Alconomie, by which gold and silver are multiplied, with the working of the seven bodies and the four spirits for the finding of the perfect Elixir.
The philosophers of old made three Stones: the Vegetable, by which life and health are preserved, the Animal, by which the five senses are helped in their working, and the Mineral, by which metals are trans- formed. This science is a true one, but men know not how to follow it rightly, so that it brings in only poverty and debt. They who first founded it have great names, as Hermes, Geber, Ortolan and others. (2451-2632.)
With regard to Language, Carmente was the first who invented the Latin letters, and then came those who laid down the rules of rhetoric, as Aristarchus, Dindimus, Tullius and Cithero. Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew, and others also translated books into Latin from Arabic and Greek. In poetry Ovid wrote for lovers, and taught how love should be cooled, if it were too hot.
My father, I would read his books, if they might avail me ; but as a tree would perish if its roots were cut away, so if my love were with- drawn, my heart would die.
That is well said, my son, if there be any way by which love may be achieved; and assuredly he who will not labour and dares not venture will attain to nothing. (2633-2700.)
2701-3388. SOMNOLENCE. Thechamberlain of Sloth is Somnolence, who sleeps when he should be awake. "When knights and ladies revel in company, he skulks away like a hare and lays himself down to rest ; and there he dreams and snores, and when he wakes, he expounds his dreams. If thou wilt serve love, my son, do not thou so.
Surely not, father; it were better for me to die than to have such sluggardy, or rather it were better I had never been born. I have never been sleepy in the place where my lady was, whether I should dance with her, or cast the dice, or read of Troilus. When it is late and I must needs go, I look piteously upon her and take leave upon my knee, or kiss her if I may; and then before I depart from the house, I feign some cause to return and take leave of her again. Then afterwards I curse the night for driving me away from her company, and I sigh and wish for day, or think of the happiness of those who have their love by their side all the long night through. At last I go to bed, but my heart remains still with her: no lock may shut him out, and he passes through the strongest wall He goes into her bed and takes her softly in his arms, and wishes that his body also were there. In my dreams again I suffer the torments of love, or if I dream some- times that I meet her alone and that Danger has bcen left behind, I wake only to find all in vain.
My son, in past times many dreams have told of truth, as thou mayest know by a tale. (2701-2926.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixiii
Ceix and Alceone. Ceix, king of Trocinie, went on a pilgrimage for the sake of his brother Dedalion, and left at home Alceone his wife. She besought him to fix the time of his return, and he said ‘ Within two months. The time passed and she heard no tidings, and Juno, to whom she prayed, sent Yris to the house of Sleep, bidding him show this lady by dream how the matter was.
Yris bent the heaven like a bow and came down, and she went to the place where Sleep had his dwelling, in a cave where no sun ever shone and no sound could be heard but the murmur of the river Lethes, which ran hard by. He himself was sleeping in a chamber strewn up and down with dreams, and long it was ere her words could pierce his ears. When he at length understood the message, he chose out three, Morpheus, Ithecus and Panthasas, to do this deed. Morpheus appeared to Alceone in the form of her husband lying dead upon the shore, while the other two showed her in action the scene of the tem- pest and the wreck. She cried out in terror and awoke, and on the morrow, going down to the sea, she saw his body floating on the waves. Careless of death she leapt into the deep, and would have caught him in her arms; but the gods pitied them and changed them into birds of the sea, and so they dwelt together lovingly. (2927-3123.)
Thus dreams prove sometimes true.
Father, I have said that when I am in my lady's company, I do not desire to sleep. But at other times I care little to wake, for I cannot endure to be in company without her. Iknow not if this be Somnolence.
I acquit thee, my son, and I will tell a tale to show how little love and sleep are in accord. (3124-3186.)
Prayer of Cephalus. He who will wake by night for love may take example by Cephalus, who when he lay with Aurora prayed to the Sun and to the Moon that the night might be made longer and the day delayed, in order that he might follow only the law of love. Sloth cares nothing for the night except that he may sleep, but Cephalus did other- wise. (3187-3275.)
My father, that is no wonder, since he had his love by his side. But this is never my case, so I have never need to entreat the Sun to stay his chariot, or the Moon to lengthen her course. Sometimes I have a dream that makes me glad, but afterwards I find it untrue: so that I know not of what use sleep is to man.
True, my son, except that it helps nature, when it is taken in due measure. But he who sleeps unduly may come by misfortune, as I can show by a tale. (3276-3316.)
Argus and Mercury. Jupiter lay by Io, wherefore Juno changed her into a cow and gave her into the keeping of Argus, who had a hundred eyes. Mercury came to steal the cow, and he piped so cunningly that Argus fell asleep. So Mercury smote off his head and took away lo. Therefore, my son, beware thou sleep not overmuch. (3317-3364.)
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Love will not let me do so, father: but ask further, if there be more.
Yea, my son, one there is to tell of still. (3365-3388.)
3389-3692. TRISTESCE. When Sloth has done all that he may, he conceives Tristesce, which drives him to utter wretchedness. With Tristesce is Obstinacy, and despair follows them. So it is with some lovers, who lose all hope.
I am one of these, father, except that I do not cease to pray.
My son, do not despair ; for when the heart fails, all is lost. Listen to a tale about this. (3389-3514.)
Iphis and Araxarathen. \phis, son of king Theucer, loved a maid of low estate. Though a prince, he was subject to love, but she would not listen to his suit. At length being brought to despair, he came before her house in the night, and having bewailed his case and lamented her hardness of heart, he hanged himself upon the post of the gate. On the morrow the maiden took the guilt upon herself, and prayed that no pity might be shown to her, as she had shown no pity to him. The gods took away her life and changed her into stone; and men carried the body of Iphis to the city and set up the stone image of the maiden above his tomb, with an epitaph telling of their fate. (3515-3684.)
Thus, my son, despair, as I say, is a grievous thing.
Father, I understand now the nature of Sloth, and I will take heed.
LiB. V.
AVARICE is the root of all strife among men. He ever gets more and more and lets nothing go, and yet he has never enough. He has no profit from his riches any more than an ox from his ploughing or a sheep from his wool: instead of being master of his wealth, he serves it asa slave. Dost thou fare so in love, my son?
No, my father, for I was never in possession ; but I cannot here excuse my will, for if I had my lady, I would never let her go; and herein I am like the avaricious man. Moreover, though I have not the wealth, yet I have the care, and am like that ox of which ye told before. Judge if this be Avarice.
My son, it is no wonder if thou art a slave to love ; but to be a slave to gold is against nature and reason. (1-140.)
Midas. Bacchus had a priest named Cillenus, and he being drunk and wandering in Frige was brought in bonds before Mide, the king of that land. This king dealt with him courteously, and Bacchus in reward of this bade him ask what worldly thing he would. He debated long within himself between three things, pleasure, power and wealth ; and at length he asked that all things might be turned by his touch to gold. The boon granted, he tried his power on stone and leaf, but when he at length sat down to meat, then he saw the folly of Avarice,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixv
and prayed Bacchus to take back his gift. The god took pity and bade him bathe in Paceole, and so he recovered his first estate; but the stones in the bed of the river were changed to gold. He went home and put away his Avarice, and taught his people to till the land and breed cattle rather than seek increase of gold. (141-332.)
Before gold was coined, war and usury were unknown, but now through Avarice all the world is out of joint. When thou seest a man have need, give him of thy substance, for the pain of Zanfalus awaits those who will not give : they stand in a river up to their chin and yet cannot drink, and fruit hangs over and touches their lips, of which they cannot eat. Thus Avarice hungers ever after more, though he has enough, and gets no good from that which he has. If thou desirest to be beloved, thou must use largess and give for thy love's sake : if thou wilt have grace, be gracious, and eschew the disease of Avarice. Some men have no rest for fear their gold should be stolen, and so some lovers cannot be at peace for Jealousy. (333-444.)
What is this Jealousy, my father?
It is like a fever, my son, which returns every day. It makes a man look after his lady wherever she goes, and if she make the least sign of countenance to another man, he turns it to a cause of quarrel. Nothing can please him that she does. If he goes from home, he leaves some one to report her doings, and finds fault where there is none. The wife who is married to such a man may well curse the day when the gold was laid upon the book. Asthe sick man has no appetite for food, so the jealous man has no appetite for love, and yet like the avaricious he is tormented with the fear of losing his treasure. Love hates nothing more than this fever of which I speak, and to show how grievous it is, I will tell thee an example. (445-634.)
Vulcan and Venus. Vulcan the smith had the fair Venus for his wife, whom Mars loved and was beloved again. Jealousy caused Vulcan to spy upon them, and he devised so by his craft that they were caught as they lay together and bound with chains. He called the gods to see, but was only rebuked for his pains. Hence earthly husbands may learn that by Jealousy they bring shame upon themselves. (635-725.)
This example, my father, is hard to understand. How can such things happen among the gods, when there is but one God who is Lord of all? How come such gods as these to have a place?
My son, such gods are received by the unwise in sundry places: 1 will tell thee how. (726-747.)
747-1970. THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. There were four forms of belief before Christ was born.
The CAa/dees worshipped the Sun, Moon and Stars and the Ele- ments, which cannot be gods because they suffer change. (747-786.)
The Egyf/ians worshipped beasts, and also three gods and a goddess,
»* e
Ixvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
of whom the goddess, Ysis, came from Greece and taught them tillage. (787-834.)
The Greeks deified the men who were their rulers or who became famous, as Saturnus king of Crete and Jupiter his son,—such was their folly. Of gods they had besides these Mars, Apollo, Mercury, Vulcan, Eolus, Neptune, Pan, Bacchus, Esculapius, Hercules, Pluto, and of goddesses Sibeles, Juno, Minerva, Pallas, Ceres, Diana, Proserpine; also Satyrs, Nymphs and Manes,—it would be too long to tell the whole. (835-1373)
Yes, father, but why have ye said nothing of the god and the goddess of love?
I have left it for shame, my son, because I am their priest, but since thou desirest it, I will tell thee. "Venus was the daughter of Saturn, and she first taught that love should be common. She had children both by gods and men : she lay with her brother Jupiter and her son Cupid, and she first told women to sell their bodies. Therefore they called her the goddess of love and her son the god. (1374-1443.)
The Greeks took a god to help in whatsoever they had to do. Dindimus, king of the Bragmans, wrote to Alexander, blaming the Greek faith, and saying that they had a god for every member of their body, Minerva for the head, Mercury for the tongue, and so on. (1444- 1496.)
Idol-worship came first through Cirophanes, who set up an image of his son, and after that Ninus made a statue of his father Belus, which he caused to be worshipped, and third came the statue of Apis or Sera- pis, who spoke to Alexander in the cave, when he came riding with Candalus. (1497-1590.)
Thus went the misbeliefs of Grece, of Egypt and of Chaldee. Then, as the book says, God chose a people for himself. Habraham taught his lineage to worship only the one true God, and after they had multiplied in Egypt, God delivered them wondrously by Moises and brought them into the land of promise. But when Christ was born, they failed and fell away; so that they now live out of God's grace, dispersed in sundry lands. (1591-1736.)
God sent his Son down from heaven to restore the loss which we suffered in Adam: so that original sin was the cause of man's honour at the last. By this faith only we can attain to Paradise once more, but faith is not enough without good deeds. Therefore be not deceived by Lollardy, which sets the true faith of Christ in doubt. (1737-1824.)
Christ wrought first and then taught, so that his words explained his deeds, but we in these days have the words alone. Our prelates are like that priest who turned away his eyes and let Anthenor steal the Palladion of Troy. Christ died for the faith, but they say that life is sweet, and they follow only their ownease. Therefore the ship of Peter is almost lost in the waves, and tares are sown among the corn. Gregory
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS lIxvii
complains of the sloth of the prelacy, and asks how we shall appear beside the Apostles in the day of Judgement. We shall be like the man who hid his lord's besant and got no increase upon it. We are slow towards our spiritual work, but swift to Avarice, which, as the apostle says, is idolatry.
My father, for this which ye have said I shall take the better heed : but now tell me the branches of Avarice as well in love as otherwise. (1825-1970.)
1971—2858. COVEITISE. Avarice has many servants, and one of these is Coveitise, who is her principal purveyor and makes his gain in every place. He is as the pike who devours the smaller fishes: for him might is always right. I will tell thee a tale of the punishment of this vice. (1971-2030.)
Vizgils Mirror. Virgil made a mirror at Rome, wherein the motions of all enemies for thirty miles round might be seen. They of Carthage had war with Rome, and took counsel with the king of Puile how they might destroy this mirror. Crassus, the Roman Emperor, was above all things covetous. "They sent therefore three philosophers to Rome with a great treasure of gold, which they buried in two places secretly. These men professed to the Emperor that by dreams they could discover ancient hoards of gold, and first one and then the other of these buried treasures was found. Then the third master announced a yet greater treasure, to be found by mining under the magic mirror. As they mined, they underset the supports of the mirror with timber, and on a certain night these three set fire to the timber and fled out of the city. So the mirror fell and was destroyed, and Hanybal slew so many of the Romans in a day, that he filled three bushels with their gold rings. The Romans punished their Emperor by pouring molten gold down his throat, so that his thirst for gold might be quenched. (2031-2224.)
Coveitise in a king or in those of his court is an evil thing, my son; but he who most covets often gains least, and Fortune stands for much as well in courts as elsewhere. (2225-2272.)
The Two Coffers. A king heard that his courtiers complained of unequal rewards for their service. He resolved to show them that the fault lay not with him, and he caused two coffers to be made in all respects alike, the one of which he filled with gold and jewels, and the other with straw and stones. He called before him those who had complained, and bade them choose. They chose the worthless coffer, and he proved to them by this, that if they were not advanced, their fortune only was to blame. (2273-2390.)
Like this is the story of the Zwo Beggars whom the Emperor Frederick heard disputing about riches, and for whom he prepared two pasties, one containing a capon and the other full of florins. (2391-2441.)
e2
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixix
with the daughters of king Lichomede. There he was the bedfellow of Deidamie, and so her maidenhead was lost. The Greeks in the meantime assailed Troy in vain, and it was told them by divination that unless they had Achilles, their war would be endless. Ulixes therefore was sent with Diomede to bring him, and coming to the kingdom of Lichomede he could not distinguish Achilles from the rest. Then he set forth the gifts which he had brought for the women, and among them a knight's harness brightly burnished. Achilles left ali the rest and chose this, and then he came forth armed in it before them. He was glad enough, but not so Lichomede, who had been so overseen. Thus came out the treachery of False Witness; and if Thetis, who was a goddess, thus deceived Deidamie, what security have women against the untruth of lovers? (2961-3218.)
My father, tell me some tale about Perjury.
I will tell thee, my son, how Jason did to Medea, as it is written in the book of Troy. (3219-3246.)
Jason and Medea. Jason was the nephew of king Peleus; and desiring to achieve adventures and see strange lands, he took a company of knights, and among them Hercules, and sailed to the isle of Colchos to win the fleece of gold. On the way they touched at Troy, where the king Lamedon treated them discourteously, and then they came to Colchos. Oétes, who was king there, endeavoured to persuade Jason to leave his adventure, but without success; and then the princess Medea entertained him with welcome. Moved by love of him she offered him her help to win the fleece, and he plighted his troth to her and swore that he would never part from her. She taught him what to do, and gave him a magic ring and an ointment, telling him also what charms and prayers to use, so that he might slay the serpent which guarded the fleece, yoke the fire-breathing oxen to the plough, sow the teeth of the serpent and slay the knights who should spring up.
He took his leave of her, and passing over the water in a boat did as Medea bade him. Returning with the fleece he was welcomed back by Medea and the rest, and that night he took Medea and her treasure on board his ship and they sailed away to Greece. It was vain to pursue: they were gone.
When they came to Greece, all received them with. joy, and these lovers lived together, till they had two sons. Medea with her charms renewed the youth of Eson, Jason's father, and brought him back to the likeness of a young man of twenty years. No woman could have shown more love to a man than she did to Jason; and yet, when he bare the crown after his uncle Peleus was dead, he broke the oath which he had sworn and took Creusa, daughter of king Creon, to wife. Medea sent her the gift of a mantle, from which fire sprang out and consumed her ; then in the presence of Jason she killed his two sons, and was gone to the court of Pallas above before he could draw his
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxi
If ever thou be wedded man, my son, use no such means as this.
4671-4884. PARSIMONY or SCARCENESS. Another there is whom Avarice has for the keeper of his house, and his name is Scarceness. It is easier to flay the flint than to get from him the value of a rush to help another. How is it with thee, my son? Hast thou been scarce or free towards thy love?
My father, if I had all the treasure of Cresus or the gold of Octovien, T would give it all to her, if I might. But indeed I never gave her any gift, for from me she will not take any, lest I should have some small cause of hope. Yet she takes from others and gives again, so that all speak well of her. As for me, she knows that my heart and all that I have is at her command and will be while I live. (4671-4780.)
Babio and Croceus. Scarceness accords not with love, and often a man has lost the coat for the hood. With gift a man may do much, and meed keeps love in house. Babio had a love named Viola, who was both fair and free ; but he was a niggard, and so she was ill served. Croceus, liberal and amorous, came in her way, and she left Babio loveless. (4781-4862.)
My father, if there be anything amiss in me toward my love in this matter, I will amend it.
Thou sayest well, and I will pass on. (4863-4884.)
4885-5504. INGRATITUDE or UNKINDNESS. This is a vice which repays no service, and when he has received a barnful, grudges to give a grain in return. God and Nature both condemn this vice, and even a beast loves the creature who does him kindness, as this tale will show by example. (4885-4936.)
Adrian and Bardus. Adrian, a great lord of Rome, while hunting in a forest, fell into a pit. He cried for help all day, but none heard till evening, when one Bardus, a woodcutter, came by with his ass, and heard Adrian promise to give half his goods to him who should help him. He let down a rope, and first an ape and then a serpent was drawn up by it. Bardus was terrified, but still the voice implored help, and at length Adrian was drawn up. At once this lord departed with- out thanks, and threatened Bardus with vengeance if ever he should claim the promise. The poor man went home, not daring to speak more, and on the next day, going to get wood, he found that the ape had requited his kindness by gathering for him a great heap of sticks, and so continued to do day by day ; and the serpent brought him a precious stone in her mouth. This last he sold to a jeweller and after- wards found it again in his purse, and as often as he sold it, the same thing followed. At length this came to be known, and the Emperor heard of it. Calling Bardus before him he listened to his tale, and gave judgement that Adrian should fulfil his promise. (4937-5162.)
Flee this vice, my son, for many lovers are thus unkind.
Alas, father, that such a man should be, who when he has had what
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxiii
sits at home waiting for her husband's return from hunting will hear from him nothing of this, but only how his hounds have run or his hawks have flown. (6075-6144.)
Nepiune and Cornix. Cornix was a maid attendant on Pallas, and as she went upon the shore, Neptune thought to rob her of the treasure which passes all others and is called the maidenhead. She prayed to Pallas, and by her help escaped from him in the form of a crow, rejoicing more to keep her maidenhead white under the blackness of the feathers than to lose it and be adorned with the fairest pearls. (6145-6217.)
Calistona. King Lichaon had a daughter Calistona, who desired ever to be a maiden and dwelt with the nymphs of Diane. Jupiter by craft stole her maidenhead, and Diane discovering it reproached her, so that she fled away. She was delivered of a son, Archas, but Juno in vengeance transformed her into a bear. In that likeness she met her son in the forest, and he bent his bow against her, but Jupiter ordained for them both so that they were saved from misfortune. (6225-6337.)
Such Robbery, my son, is ever to be avoided, and I will tell thee how in old days VIRGINITY was held in esteem.
Valerius tells how the Emperor did honour to the virgin, when he met her in the way, and we hear also of PAirinus, who thrust out his eyes in order that he might the better keep his virginity.
Valentinian moreover, the Emperor, in his old age rejoiced more that he had overcome his flesh, than that he had conquered his enemies in battle. (6338-6428.)
Evil follows when Virginity is taken away in lawless manner, as when Agamenon took Criseide from the city of Lesbon, and plague came upon the host, so that they sent her back with prayer and sacrifice.
Therefore do no Robbery in love's cause, my son. (6429-6492.)
6493-6960. STEALTH. Coveitise has also aservant called Stealth, who takes his prey in secret, coming into houses at night, or cutting purses by day. Like the dog that comes back from worrying sheep, he looks all innocent, so that no man knows what he has done. There are lovers also who take by stealth, either kisses or other things. Hast thou done so? (6493-6561.)
I dare not, father, for my heart is hers and will not do anything against her. Moreover Danger is so watchful a warden that none can steal anything from her. Strong locks make thieves into honest men, and by no lying in wait can 1 slip through his guard. Yet at night 1 often wake when others sleep, and I look out from my window upon the houses round, and mark the chamber where shelies. Istand there long in the cold and wish for some device of sorcery, whereby 1 might enter that chamber and steal. It brings me ease for the time to think of these things, but it profits me nothing in the end. It is for you to judge if I deserve penance for this or no.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxv
hU
a man loves none of them, but goes there only to steal their hearts. All this is Sacrilege.
My father, I do not so: but when my lady goes to»matins or to mass, thither I go also ; and then my looks are for her alone, and my prayers are that God may change her heart. I watch and wait to steal from her a word or look, and when I lead her up to the offering with my hand about her waist, I win a touch as well. Except in such things I have done no Sacrilege, but it is my power and not my will that fails.
Thy will is to blame, my son ; the rest that thou hast said is of little account. Yet all things have their time and place: the church is for Prayer and the chamber for other things. Thatthou mayest know how Sacrilege is punished, I will spend on thee a tale. (7032-7194.)
Parts and Helen. Lamedon was king of Troy, and against him the Greeks made war, and they slew him and destroyed his city. With other prisoners they took the fair Esiona his daughter, and she was given to Thelamon. Priamus, son of Lamedon, built up Troy again, and with advice of his parliament he sent Antenor to demand back Esiona. The Greeks and Thelamon stoutly refused his request, and Priamus called his parliament again to debate of war or peace. Hector spoke for peace, alleging grounds of prudence, though he was ever the first in war; but his brother Paris gave his voice for avenging the wrong. He told how, as he slept beside a well, three goddesses came before him in a vision, and Venus, to whom he assigned the golden apple which was the prize of beauty, had promised to give him in Greece the fairest woman of all the earth. Paris then went forth to Greece, though Cassandra and Helenus lamented for the evil that was to come. Landed in an isle he met the queen Heleine, who came to do sacrifice there to Venus, and he stole her heart. Heleine was in the temple all the night, offering prayer to Venus, and Paris came all suddenly and bore her to his ship. This Sacrilege was the cause why the Greeks laid siege about Troy, and at last burnt and slew all that was within it. (7195-7590.)
Note also how Achilles saw Polixena in the temple of Apollo, and how Troilus first laid his love on Criseide in a holy place. Take heed therefore to thyself.
Thus Avarice has more branches than any other vice, and the work- ing of it is everywhere seen; but if a man would live rightly, he must do Largess. (7591-7640.)
7641-7844. PRODIGALITY and LARGESS. Virtue lies between two extremes: here we see Avarice and Prodigality, and between them Liberality or Largess, which holds the middle path between too much and too little. Where Largess guides a man, he does what is right both to God and the world, and God rewards him with the gift of heaven. The world gives ever to him who hath; but it is better to give than to receive, to have thine own good than to crave that of
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxvil
is butler of both, and being blind he gives men to drink of them by chance, now of this and now of that, so that some laugh and others lower, I know by thy tale that thou hast drunk of the potion that is bitter. (306-390.)
Bacchus in the Desert. But thou must ever pray to attain to the other, whereby thy thirst may be allayed, as Bacchus prayed in the desert, when he and all his host were in danger of perishing by thirst. Jupiter sent a ram, which spurned the ground, and there sprang up a fountain of water. (391-439.)
Pray thou thus in thy need: a dumb man seldom gets land. Remember moreover that the butler is blind, and he may by chance give thee a drink of the sweet, which shall cause thee to grow sober.
Of love-drunkenness an example is Tristram, who drank with Bele Ysolde of the drink which Brangwein gave them: and that thou may the more eschew the company of drunken men, hear this tale. (440- 484.)
Marriage of Pirithous. The fair Ipotacie was wedded to Pirotoüs, and he invited his friends to the feast. They became drunk both with wine and with desire, and so they carried away the bride by violence from her husband. (485-529.)
Galba and Vitellus were rulers of Spain, and so drunken were they both that the land cried out against them. They ravished both wife and maid, but at length they were brought under the law and con- demned to die. Then they filled full a great vessel of wine and drank until their senses left them, and so they were slain, being already half dead. (537-595-)
617-1260. DELICACY. The vice of Delicacy will not lack any pleasure which meat or drink can give, and desires always something new.
So he who is delicate in love cannot content himself with what he has; but though he have a fair wife, yet he will set his heart on others, and though his lady make him cheer, he must have more than she can with honour give. .
I am not guilty of this, father: I would be satisfied if I could be fed at all, except with woe. Yet some dainties I pick which please me for the time. (617-752.)
My sight is fed with dainties when I look upon her face and form, yet it may never be fed to the full, but always longs for more. (753-826.)
My hearing has a dainty feast when men commend her worthiness and grace, and above all when I hear her speak, for her words are to me like the winds of the South. Or again, I feed my ears with tales of those who loved before I was born, of Ydoine and Amadas and of many more, and I think how sorrow endures but for atime. (827-898.)
Finally, I have a cook whose name is Thought, who keeps his pots ever boiling with fancy and desire, and sets before me on the table all
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxix
men to the form of beasts, but he overcame them with his sorceries, and at length he took his course for home, leaving Circes with child. His wife and all his people rejoiced at his home-coming, but when a man is most in his prosperity, then fortune makes him soonest fall. He had a dream, as he lay upon his bed, and he seemed to see a form of heavenly beauty. He embraced that image and it embraced him again, and it said to him : * Our acquaintance shall be hereafter to our sorrow : one of. us two shall take his death from this love in which we now rejoice.’ It showed him then a sign, three fishes wrought upon a pennon, and so all suddenly went forth from him. |
Uluxes started from sleep, and making his calculations upon this, he judged that the danger was to be feared from his son Thelamachus. Him therefore he shut up within castle wall, and he made for himself a stronghold and set his servants to keep guard. But none can make resistance against his fate: Thelogonus, his son by Circes, came to find his father, bearing as his ensign a pennon with three fishes upon his spear, and he came to this stronghold of Uluxes. The guards denied him entrance and an affray arose at the gate. The king came forth, and Thelogonus cast his spear at him, not knowing who he was. Uluxes was wounded to death, but he recognized the figure of his dream and the sign upon the pennon, and embraced his son, com- mending him to the care of Thelamachus before he died.
Lo, what evil came to him of Sorcery : by Sorcery he begat his son, and that which was done against nature was against nature avenged. (1391-1788.)
Nectanaëus. The king of Egypt, Nectanabus, a great magician, fled from his enemies to Macedoine. In the chief city there the queen Olimpias kept the feast of her nativity and rode forth to be seen by the people. Nectanabus stood with the others, and gazed upon her so steadfastly, that the queen sent for him and asked him who he was. He replied that he was one who had a message for her, which must be said in private. She appointed a time, and he told her how the god Amos of Lybia desired to be her bedfellow and would beget a child of her who should subdue the whole earth. To prove his words he caused her by his magic to have a vision, which she took for prophecy ; and so at length, coming in the person of the god and transforming himself into various shapes, he had his will of her and begat a son. Nectana- bus caused Philip the king, being from home, to have a vision whereby he supposed that a god had lain with his wife, and returning he found her with child. Still he doubted, but by further signs and wonders Nectanabus caused him to forget his jealousy. Amid portents of earthquake and of tempest the child was born, and his name was called Alexander. He grew up, and Aristotle taught him philosophy, while Nectanabus instructed him in astronomy. On a certain night, when they were upon a tower observing the stars, Nectanabus pro-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxxi
word must not be discordant with the thought, as when Uluxes by his eloquence persuaded Anthenor to betray to him the city of Troy. Words are both evil and good, they make friend of foe and foe of friend. For a true example of Rhetoric read how Julius and the consul Cithero pleaded against one another when the treason of Catiline was discovered.
1641-5397. PRACTIC. This has three divisions, Ethics, Economics and Politics. A king must learn the first in order that he may rule himself in the way of good living, the second teaches him how to order his household, and the third how to govern his kingdom. (1641-1710.)
1711-1984. The first point of Policy is TRUTH, which above all things ought to be found in a king ; and this is in part signified by the jewels of his crown.
To show thee that Truth is the sovereign virtue of all, I will tell thee a tale, (1711-1782.)
King, Wine, Woman and Truth. Daires, Soldan of Perce, had three wise men about his chamber, Arpaghes, Manachaz and Zoro- babel. To them he put the question, which is strongest, wine, woman, or a king. Of this they disputed in turn, and Arpaghes said, * A king is the strongest, for he has power over men and can raise them up and cast them down: also he alone stands free from the law.’ Manachaz said, ‘ Wine is the strongest, for this takes reason away from the wise and makes the fool seem learned, this turns cowardice to courage and avarice to largess.’ Zorobabel said, ‘Women are the strongest, for the king and all other men come of women and bow to the love of women,’ and he told how he had seen Cirus upon his throne overcome by the love of Apemen, daughter of Besazis, so that she did with him what she would. Women too make men desire honour, and woman is next to God the greatest help of man, as A/ceste, wife of Ametus, gave her life to save her husband. Thus Zorobabel told his opinion, but nevertheless he said that above all these the mightiest of all earthly things is Truth: and so the question was concluded, and Zorobabel was most commended for his judgement. (1783-1984.)
1985-2694. LARGESS is the second point of Policy. A king must be free from the vices both of Avarice and of Prodigality. As Aris- totle taught by the ill example of the king of Chaldee, he must spend his own substance and not that of his people, he must do justice before he makes gifts, and his gifts must be to those who have deserved them. (1985-2060.)
Julius and the poor Knight. A knight came to plead his cause at Rome, where the Emperor Julius was in presence ; but he could get no advocate, because he was poor. He prayed for justice to the Emperor, and Julius assigned him an advocate. The knight was angry, and said, * When I was with thee in Afric, I fought myself and
put no man in my stead; and so thou here shouldest speak for me *$ f
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxxiii
Ahab and Micaiah. 1 Kings xxii. (2527-2694.)
2695-3102. JUSTICE is the third point of Policy. A land is nothing without men, and men cannot be without law. It is for the king above all others to guide the law, and though he is above the law, yet he must not do things whicb are against it. He must make his own life right towards God, and then endeavour to rule his people rightly, and he must see that his judges are both wise and true. -(2695-2764.)
Maximin, when he appointed a judge, inquired carefully whether he were virtuous or no. Thus the course of law was not hindered by coveitise. (2765-2782.)
Gaius Fabricius, consul of Rome, when the Samnites brought him gold, tried it with taste and smell, and said he knew not for what it would serve. It was better, he said, to rule the men who had the gold, than to possess gold and lose the liberty to be just. (2783-2817.)
In those times none was preferred to the office of judge unless he were a friend to the common right. (2818-2832.)
Conrad ordered matters so that in his time no man durst set aside the law for gold. (2833-2844.)
Carmidotoire the consul slew himself rather than allow his own law to be broken, when by inadvertence he had come armed to the Senate- house. (2845-2888.)
Cambyses flayed a corrupt judge, and nailed his skin upon the chair where his son was set to judge in his place. (2889-2904.)
Ligurgius, prince of Athens, having established good laws in his city, took an oath from the citizens that they would change nothing during his absence; and so he departed, never to return, desiring that Athens might still enjoy good laws. (2917-3028.)
The first Lawgivers. The names of those who first made laws ought to be handed down to fame. They are Moses, Mercurius, Neuma Pompilius, Ligurgius, Foroneus, Romulus. Kings ought to be led by law, and it is a scandal to a king if the law be not executed. (3029- 3102.)
3103-4214. The fourth point of Policy is PITY. This is the virtue by which the King of kings was moved when he sent his Son down to this earth. Every subject should fear his king, and every king should have mercy on his people. [The apostle James says that he who shows no pity shall find none. Cassodre says that the kingdom is safe where pity dwells. Tullius that the king who is overcome by pity bears a shield of victory. We read how a knight appealed from the wrath of Alexander to his pity and so obtained grace. (3149*-3179*.)] Constantine said, ‘He who is a servant to pity, is worthy to rule all else.’ Troian said that he desired his people to obey him rather from love than fear. (3103-3162.)
[The Pagan and the Jew. Two travellers went through the desert together, and each asked the other of his belief. The one said, ‘I am
f 2
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS Ixxxv
cruelty. Of men who have undertaken war for a righteous cause there are examples in the Bible, and of those I will tell thee one. (3514- 3626.)
Story of Gideon. Judges vii. (3627-3806.)
Saul and Agag. Saul failed to cbey God’s command to slay Agag, showing pity wrongfully: therefore he lost his life and his kingdom. (3807-3845.)
On the other hand Salomon obeyed his father David's command in slaying Joab, and yet he showed mercy in his reign and wrought no tyranny. Also he was wise and had worthy men about him, and there is nothing better for a ruler than Wisdom. Salomon asked for this gift from God, and this it is which a king chiefly needs in order to hold the balance even between Justice and Pity. (3846-3944.)
Courtiers and Fool, Lucius, king of Rome, asked his steward and his chamberlain what men said about him. The steward merely flattered in his reply, but the chamberlain answered that people thought he would be a worthy king if he had good counsellors. The fool, who played with his bauble by the fire, laughed at both, and said, ‘If the king were wise, the council would not be bad.’ Thus the king was instructed and put away his bad counsellors. (3945-4010.)
Folly of Rehoboam. 1 Kings xii, 1-20 (4027-4129.)
Counsel of young men thus leads to ruin. There is a question whether it is better that the king be wise or his council. The answer is that it is better to have wise counsellors. (4130-4180.)
The Emperor Anthonius said he would rather have one of his subjects saved than a thousand of his enemies slain. Mercy mingled with justice is the foundation of every king's rule. Thus I have spoken of four points, Truth, Largess, Pity and Justice. There is yet a fifth. (4181-4214.)
4215-5397. CHASTITY, the fifth point of Policy. The male is made for the female, but one must not desire many. A man must keep the troth he has plighted in marriage, and this all the more in the high and holy estate of a king.
Aristotle advised Alexander to frequent the company of fair women, but not to beguile himself with them. For it is not they who beguile the men, but the men beguile themselves. The water is not to blame if a man drown himself in it, nor the gold if men covet it. It is by nature that a man loves, but not by nature that he loses his wits: that is like frost in July or hose worn over the shoe. Yet great princes have been thus misled. (4215-4312.)
Sardanapalus lost his kingdom and his honour, because he became effeminate in his lusts. (4313-4343.)
David, however, though he loved many women, preserved the honour of knighthood. (4344-4360.)
Cyrus had a war with the Zydians, and he could not conquer them.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxvii
daughter of Raguel. Seven men who married her were strangled by the fiend Asmod, because they took her only for lust; but Thobie, taught by Raphael, had his will and yet kept the law of marriage. God has bound beasts by the law of nature only, but men must follow also the law of reason and do no lechery. Thus the philosopher taught to Alexander. (5307-5397.)
I thank you, father. The tales sound in my ears, but my heart is elsewhere ; for nothing can make me forget my love. Leave all else therefore, and let us return to our shrift.
Yes, my son, there is one point more, and this is the last. (5398-
5438.) LiB. VIII.
1-198. LAWS OF MARRIAGE. God created Adam and Eve to repair the loss of Lucifer and his angels, and bade them increase and multi- ply. Inthe first generation by God's law brother and sister were joined in marriage, then afterwards cousin wedded cousin, as in the time of Habraham and Jacob. At last under Christian law Marriage was forbidden also in the third degree. Yet some men take no heed to kinship or religion, but go as a cock among the hens and as a stallion among the mares, Such love may be sweet at first, but afterwards it is bitter.
199-2008. EXAMPLES OF INCEST. Caligu/a the Roman Emperor bereft his three sisters of their virginity : therefore God bereft him of his life and of his empire.
Amon lay with his sister Thamar, and Absolon his brother took vengeance upon him.
Lot lay with his daughters, and the stocks which came from them were not good.
Thus if a man so set his love, he will afterwards sorely repent it; and of this I think to tell a tale which is long to hear. (199-270.)
Apollonius of Tyre. Ina Chronicle called Pantheon I read how king Antiochus ravished his daughter and lived with her in sin. To hinder her marriage, he proposed a problem to those who sought her love, and if a man failed to resolve it, he must lose his head. At length came the Prince Apollinus of Tyre, and the king proposed to him the question. He saw too clearly what the riddle meant, and Antiochus fearing shame put off the time of his reply for thirty days. (271-439.)
The Prince feared his vengeance and fled home to Tyre, and thence he departed secretly in a ship laden with wheat. Antiochus sent one Taliart in all haste to Tyre, with command to make away with the Prince by poison. Finding that Apollinus had fled, he returned.
_ In the meantime the Prince came to Tharsis, and took lodging there with one Strangulio and his wife Dionise. The city was suffer- ing famine, and Apollinus gave them his wheat as a free gift, in return
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xxxix
daughter, until she was fourteen years old, grew up with the daughter of Strangulio, but Thaise was preferred to the other in all places where they went, and Dionise was therefore wroth. She bade her bondman Theophilus take Thaise down to the shore of the sea and there slay her. He brought her to the sea, but her cry called forth pirates from their hiding-place, who carried her with them away to Mitelene and sold her to Leonin, master of a brothel. (1272-1423.)
The young men who came to her were moved by compassion and did her no wrong, so that Leonin sent his own servant in to her. She entreated to be permitted to make gain for him in some other way, and being taken from the brothel and placed in security, she taught such things as gentlewomen desire to learn, and her name went forth over all the land. (1424-1497.)
Theophilus reported that he had slain Thaise, and Dionise, pretend- ing that she had died suddenly, made a great funeral and set up a tomb with an epitaph. After this, Apollinus came to seek for his daughter at Tharsis, and hearing that she was dead, he put forth to sea again in grievous sorrow. He lay weeping alone in the darkness of the Ship's hold, until under stress of storm they came to Mitelene. (1498- 1617.)
Hearing of his grief, the lord of the city, Athenagoras, sent Thaise to comfort him. He at first rejected all her consolation, but then to his joy discovered that she was the daughter for whom he mourned. Athenagoras asked for her in marriage and was wedded to her. (1618- 1776.)
They went forth all together with intent to avenge the treason at Tharsis, but Apollinus was warned in a dream to go to Ephesim, and there in the temple of Diane he found the wife whom he supposed to have been dead. Thence they voyaged to Tyre and were received with joy. Athenagoras and Thaise were there crowned king and queen, and Apollinus sailed away and took due vengeance upon Strangulio and Dionise. (1777-1962.)
When this was done, a letter came to him from Pentapolim, praying him to come and receive that kingdom, since the king was dead. They had a good voyage thither, and he and his wife were crowned there and led their life happily. (1963-2008.)
Thus, my son, thou mayest see how it is with those that love in a good manner, but it is not love when men take their lust like beasts. _
2029-3172. CONCLUSION. Father, I may acquit myself in this, but I entreat your counsel as to what way I shall follow in my love.
I counsel thee, my son, to labour no more in things which bring thee no profit. The end of every pleasure is pain. Love is blind, and makes all his servants blind: thou mayest yet withdraw and set thyself under . the law of reason.
It is easy to say so, father. My woe is but a game to you, feeling
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS xci
pressed round to see. Some said that love was folly in the old, and others that no age could be free, and that while there was yet oil in the lamp, it might always be set alight. Cupid groped after me till he found me, and then he drew forth that fiery lance which before he had cast through my heart, and Venus anointed my wound with a cooling oint- ment and gave me a mirror in which I might behold myself. I saw my face wrinkled and my eyes dim, and I likened myself to that time of year when winter has despoiled the earth. Then Reason returned to | me and 1 was made sober and sound. (2726-2860.)
Venus beheld me, and laughing asked me what Love was. I an- swered with confusion that I knew him not, and prayed that I might be excused from my attendance on her Court. Astouching my Confession too, I asked an absolution, and the Priest gave it readily. Then the queen delivered to me a pair of beads to hang about my neck, and on them was written Por reposer in gold. ‘Thus,’ said she, ‘have I provided for thine ease, and my will is that thou pray for peace. Stay no more in my Court, but go where moral virtue dwells, where are those books which men say that thou hast written: thou and I must commune together never again. *Adieu, for 1 must go from thee.’ And so enveloped in a starry cloud, Venus was taken to her place above, and her Priest departed also at the same time. I stood for a while amazed; and then I smiled, thinking of the beads that she bad given me and of the prayers that I should say. And thus I took my way softly homeward. (2870-2970.) |
To God, the Creator of all things, I pray for the welfare of this land, and that it may have peace and unity, which every estate should desire. I pray that the clergy may work after the rule of charity, that the order of knighthood may cause extortion to cease and defend the right of the Church, that merchants may follow honesty, and above all that the king may keep himself and all the other estates of the kingdom in the right way. The king who humbly follows the law of
* Adieu, for I must go from thee. And greet Chaucer well, as my disciple and my poet, who has filled the land with the songs which he made for my sake. And bid him in his later age make his testament of love, as thou hast made thy shrift.’
And so enveloped in a starry cloud, Venus was taken to her place above, and I turned homeward with my beads in hand. (2940*-2970*.)
To God, the Creator of all things, I pray for my worthy king Richard the Second, in whom has always been found Justice mingled with Pity. In his person it may be shown what a king should be, especially in that he sought no vengeance through cruelty. Though evil came upon the land, yet his estate was kept safe by the high God, as the sun is ever bright in himself, though the air be troubled. He sought love and peace and accord, not only here at home, but abroad also, following
ORTHOGRAPHY xciii
from the rhyme-words of a Middle English author will probably not be precisely applicable to his language in general. The sphere of our investigations will be that in which the licentious and exceptional is most likely to be found. If he has any ten- dency to borrow from other dialects than his own or to use irregular forms, this tendency will be most seen in his rhymes, for it will probably be the exigencies of rhyme which suggest the variation. Chaucer repeatedly uses ‘here,’ in the sense of the modern ‘her,’ to rhyme with such words as ‘bere,’ ‘spere,’ but we should certainly not be justified in concluding that this and not ‘hire’ was the normal form of bis language. Similarly in the case of Gower by examination of his rhymes alone we might be led to many very doubtful results. For example, we should gather that he almost always used the form sane rather than sene, wile (verb) and not wole or wo/, axe and not aske, sek (adj.) and never sik, Aond and never hand, couthe and never coude, sente (pret.) rather than sende, the adverb ending -/y in preference to -liche or -/ich. In these cases and in many others we might easily be misled, the forms of these words as used in rhyme being determined chiefly by the comparative frequency of the various rhyme-syllables. Most of the conclusions above mentioned, and others like them, have in fact been arrived at in a paper by K. Fahrenberg, published in the Archiv für die neueren Sprachen, vol. 89. The author of this paper, having only Pauli’s text before him, very properly confines himself to an examination of the rhymes, and within these limits most of his results are sound enough ; but it would be very unsafe to treat them as generally applicable to the language of Gower. In our case it must be understood that the Fairfax manuscript is regarded (for reasons which will afterwards be stated) as a practically accurate repro- duction of the author’s original text, and consequently the occur- rence of a particular form in rhyme is not held necessarily to be of any special significance.
ORTHOGRAPHY.—This being premised, we shall proceed to note first some points which call for attention in the orthography of the text.
In describing the British Museum MS. Harl. 3869, Pauli takes occasion to observe: ‘This copy is very remarkable on account of its orthography, which has been carried through
ORTHOGRAPHY xcv
the rhyme-words is evidently brought into harmony, as meene : Almeene, ii. 2465 f., beere : weere, iv. 1323 f., brood : good, v. 4375 f., goode : foode, vii. 519 f. [n a few cases however a phonetic distinction seems to be intended, as when we find eef as preterite of efe, and deere (also dere) pret. plur. of beren.
Mais (the month) is regularly written with #, but rhymes with saz, gay, &c.
The doubling of final consonants, apparently to indicate vowel shortness, is more common, as in a//, bladd, charr, hadd, happ, madd, bedd, fedd, fett, spedd, bitt, bridd, chidd, godd, rodd, beside al, char, had, hap, mad, bed, fet, &c.
The doubling of s in a final tone syllable seems to have no such sig- nificance, as in Achilles : press, iv. a161f., but Ulixes : pres, iv. 147f., so natheles : encress, pes : encress, in all of which the vowel must be long.
One of the most noteworthy points of the orthography is the frequent use of se in tonic syllables for close @ This appears in French words such as achieve, appiere, chief, chiere, cher, grieve, matiere, messagier, pier, &c. (also in many of these cases e, as chere, cler, matere), but it is very commonly used also in words of English origin and seems invariably to be associated with the close sound of the vowel. Thus we have Are, spriede, lief (but Jevere), sieke, diel, stiel, whiel, dieme, sieme, diere, fiere (= company), Aere (adv.), Aere (verb), Here, stiere, and others, which have in most cases the alternative spelling with e, as hede, sprede, seke, del, stel, tb hel, deme, seme, &c., but in all of which the vowel has the close sound.
It is impossible here to discuss the question how far this habit of spelling may have been introduced by analogy from French words with a similar sound of the vowel, and how far it may have grown out the Kentish use of ze, ye for O. E. eo, e, ze. Reference may be made to the remarks in the Introduction to the volume of Gower’s French Works, p. xxi, where it is suggested that ze, having lost its value as a diphthong in later Anglo-Norman, came to be regarded as a traditional symbol in many cases for close e, and hence such forms as clier, chef, pier, prophiete, &c., and as regards ie in the Kentish dialect there is a useful statement in the paper by W. Heuser, Zum Kentischen Dialekt im Mittelenglischen, published in Azgéa, xvii, 78 ff.
In any case the fact is pretty clear that this variation was confined by Gower to words in which he gave to the vowel a close sound, and it is therefore useful as a distinguishing note, though there are few words in which this is the only form of spelling.
xcvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
Both in stems of words and in their terminations # is on the whole preferred to y, so that we have crie, hide, lif, like, mile, ride, &c. more usually than crye, hyde, &c. (but perhaps y more often after m, n, as knyht, myhte, nyhf), and also arrai, mat, dat, hardi, ladi, worpi, mt, thi, more often on the whole than array, may, &c., but -/y in adverbs more often than -/f.
In some few cases it seems that a distinction is pretty consis- tently made, as between wryée (inf.) and write (past participle), and perhaps between zeife (know) and wyé (blame).
Before gh followed by 7 we find a, o almost regularly in place of au, ou. Thus we have aghfe, straghte, taghte, boghte, broghte, doghter, noght, oghte, oght, soghte, wroghte, &c., but occasionally broughte, doughter, ought, &c. Beside some of these there are forms in which au (aw), ou (ow) are written, but followed by simple A, as strawhte, tawhte, douhter (dowhter).
There is no difference between -ow» and -ow as terminations of such French words as divisioun, complexioun, &c., but -own is much the more usual form '. Where they occur in rhyme, the rhyme-words are usually assimilated to one another in form of spelling, but sometimes -o»», -ow rhyme together, as division : doun, ii. 1743 ., foun : condicion, v. 255t, constellacioun : relacion, vi. 2253 f.
In the case of a» followed by a consonant in a tone-syllable the variation to au» seems to be merely a question of spelling, and we have such rhymes as chaunce : remembrance, ii. 893 f., demande : comaunde, iv. 2794, swp- planted : enchaunted, ii. 2491, covenant : supplaunt, ii. 2367. In the French terminations -ance, -ant, the simple form is decidedly preferred (but gover- naunce : porveaunce, Prol. 187 f., graunt : amblaunt, ii. 1505 f.), and so also in many other words, as change, strange, comande, demande, supplante (also
comaunde, supplaunte). In other cases au is either the usual or the only form, as daunce, daunte, enchaunte, haunte, sclaundre.
With regard to the consonants, it should be observed that Gower consistently wrote sch for sk initially, so that we have regularly schal, schape, sche, schewe, schip, schrifte, and also lora- schipe, worschipe, &c.*, in other places usually ssh, as disshop (also bisschop), buissh, fissh, fleissh (also ffeiscA), freissh, reisshe, wisshe.
The almost regular use of 4 for gh in such words as Ash, nyh, sth, kntht, ht, miht, niht, heihte, sleihte, &c. will be spoken of later.
Gower did not use 3 for # or gh. Such forms as mize, ijt,
! The difference in the MS. usually consists only in the line drawn over the final on. So also often in the case of the words discussed below, chaunce, daunce, enchaunte, &c.
3 Very seldom sh in F, as Prol. 938, i. 2171, i. 1458.
PHONOLOGY xcvii
eje, wrouzt, are practically unknown in the best MSS. (F has sut once.) On the other hand initially in such words as 5e, jer, je (forztve), jong, &c. 3 is regularly used. Only late and inferior MSS. have y. In regard to this letter Gower's usage is exactly the reverse of that which we find in the Ayendite of lewyt. We have P for fk regularly except in the case of a capital ltter being required, as at the beginning of a line, or in con- nexion with some foreign words and names as /AaZemans, thevangile, rthorique, Athemas, Anthenor, Thebith. Cases of th for P in ordinary English words are very rare in F (but i. 289o, v. 2319, vii. 4203).
In some words there is an interchange of c and s, as decerte, pourchace powrchase, service servise, rancoun, suffice suffise, sufficant, &c., and the French termination -esse is also spelt -esce, as largesse largesce, simplesce simplesse ; so also encresce, redresce, &c. In such points the orthography of Romance words is usually in accordance with that which we find in the author's French writings, in which also are found such etymological forms as deceipte, double,
Before quitting the general subject, we ought to note certain words of common occurrence which are spelt not quite in the usual way. The author regularly writes dof for dut, be for dy, when used as a preposition and unemphatic, ows for ws (pers. pron.), noght for not (not being used for ne wot). Some forms of proper names, as Habraham, Irahel, are characteristic. In these points, as in many others, the writer evidently followed a definite system, and in spite of the variations recorded, the orthography of the Fairfax and Stafford MSS. certainly conveys to the reader the general impression of regularity and consistency.
PHONOLOGY. (1) O. E. SHORT VOWELS AND DIPHTHONGS.
O.E. a, €, es. In the case of a (o) before a lengthening nasal combination, ZZ, nd, mb, ng, &c., we may note that though ond, honde, hondes are preferred, as by Chaucer, yet hand, handes pretty frequently occur, as i. 2, 1807, 2994, ii. 574, iii. 116, v. 1505, &c. (also lande, iii. 1956, v. 1949), and that without any necessity of rhyme. In fact Aand seems to be rather preferred except in rhyme. Contrary to what is apparently Chaucer's usage we find thonk, thonke as the regular forms in Gower, and only occasionally thank, as ii. 60, 2012. This may be due to the Kentish tendency to lengthen before s£, which perhaps was pronounced nearly as ag (see Morsbach, Mittelengl. Gramm.,
ss g
PHONOLOGY xcix
forming one class and rhyming together, while they are kept entirely apart from threde, drede, dede (= dead), rede, pl. adj. ( «^ red), which have ¢ from és or 4. On the other hand, jede the pret. plur. of didde (from bédon) rhymes with dede (dead), e.g. i. 2047.
So also answere, bere (subst.), dere (verb inf.), forbere, dere (destroy), lere (loss), séere (stir), bestere, swere (verb), fere (verb), were (wear), were (defend), form one class of rhyme-words as against ere, fere (fear), there, were (from wéron), &c. But eere (verb) from erian rhymes with there, v. 819f., and scheres with feres, v. 5691. The case of bere rhyming with were (from tron), L 2795f, vii. 1795 f, is not an exception to the rule, being the preterite plural, from b&ron.
Another group is chele, fele (many), hele (cover), stele, wele, as against hele (heal), dele, &c. : but we find hele (halo) : hele (helan), iii. 2755 f.
Again we have efe, gete (inf. and partic.), begrie, forjete, mete (meat), sete (past partic.) kept apart from g»vfe (great), bete (beaten), strete, tete, lete (#tan), swete (verb, - sweat), threte, whete, &c. It may be noted that bezete (subst.) belongs to the class grete, bete, &c.
There is every reason to suppose that the same distinction would hold with other endings, in the case of which no sufficient rhyme-test is forth- coming, as breke, spehe (inf.), wreke (inf. and past partic.), which have no other words with ¢ with which they could be rhymed, eke, sehe, meke, &c., all having £4.
On the whole we may say that this distinction is very carefully kept in Gower's rhymes, and must certainly indicate a difference of pronunciation.
The adverb zwei also written wie/, has a double sound, as in Chaucer, either ? or e, rhyming with de/ (diel), stiel, whiel, &c., and also with sa/urce/, Daniel, and the substantive we/ for we/e.
eg forms ei, which is often interchangeable with az, as seie, Jeie, Wete, ajein.
O.E.i There is nothing in Gower's rhymes to lend support to the theory that 7; from ©. E. 7 in open syllables (i.e. before a single consonant followed by a vowel), as in the past participles write, drive, schrive, and the infinitives zzve, wife, is of doubtful quantity. The past participle and plural preterite wife have Zand rhyme with æzsfe (know), while the infinitive wzyée rhymes with wyfe (blame), verb and substantive: the infinitives Ave, 3ive, forzive and the participles drive, zive, schrive, &c. rhyme among themselves and not with schkryve (inf), alyve, fyve: the short vowel words wile (verb), s&ze, bile are separate from «ye (subst.), whyle, ile, &c. This would not be worth mentioning but for ten Brink's argument (Chaucers Sprache, 88 3 5, 32 5), based on the very smallest positive evidence.
ga
c GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
Aire (hir) is used regularly for the personal and possessive pronoun of the third person sing. fem. (= her), and never Aere, as is Chaucer's usage in rhyme.
cherche is Gowers regular form from eie, but chirche is common in the orthography of the Pratse of Peace, e. g. 197, 210, 225, &c., beside cherche, 232, 254.
O. E. 0. wolde, scholde, golde, molde rhyme with folde, holde, colde, &c., but in open syllables a distinction is observed (as in the case of e) between new-lengthened ? and ÿ from O. E. a, so that fofore, before, therfore, score and the participles bore, forbore, lore, schore, swore are kept separate in rhyme from such words as hore, more, lore (subst.), ore, rore, sore, to which later group should be added More (Moor) and the Romance verb restore’. This distinction seems to be recognized by Chaucer, cp. Z*oi/us, v. 22- 26, but with a good many exceptions, as Legend of Good Women, 452f., 550f., 1516 f., Cant. Tales, A 1541 f., 3237 f., &c., chiefly, but not exclusively, in the case of more. Gower is very much stricter and allows very few exceptions (overmore : tofore,i. 3361 f., nomore : therfore, vii. 3279* f., more : therfore, vii. 3869 f., more : fere, viii. 991 f.), which must be regarded as imperfect rhymes. Considering the frequency with which words of these two classes occur in rhyme, it is remarkable that the distinction should be so well kept.
We may note that #owe (subst.) from Zoga rhymes with words like knowe, in which ow is from aw. $
O.E. u. In some words o and » interchange, as Zegonne be- gunne, conne cunne, coppe cuppe, dronkeschipe drunkeschipe, further Jorther, ronne (over)runne, sonne sunne, thurgh thorgk(soght), fonge tunge, tonne tunne, &c., but we have without variation, dole, hunger, note (nut), some, under, wonder, &c. The regular rhyme under : wonder is enough to show that the sound was the same.
love, above rhyme together and not with any other word. (For the rhyme at v. 7047 f., see under 6.)
sone (from sunu), wone (custom), asfone, rhyme only with one another: in the rhyme wones : omes, which occurs iv. 2217 f., viii. 611 f., we have to do of course with a different word.
! [n other cases, as with the group broke, lobe, spoke, wroke (past parti-
ciples), and joke (spbst.\, there are no rhyme-words with ¢ from d by which a distinction can be established.
PHONOLOGY ci
dore (door) rhymes with spore and dore (subjunctive of dar), bole with wole (verb).
O. E.y. This is usually represented by e (except before 4, g), e.g. abegge, berie, berthe, besy, bregge, dede (did), evel, fele (also fille), felthe, ferst, fest, hell (also hill, hull), ken (also kin), kende (usually &inde), kesse (also kisse), knette, krepel, lere, lest (listen), est (= pleases, also Uist), mende (also minde), meric, merthe, pet (also pitt, put), scherte, schetten, senne (also sinne), stere (stir), thenke (from Pyncan), werche (also worche), werse (also worse): to these must be added Aedde, hed, pret. and past partic. of hyde, in which original § was shortened (also Aidde, hid). On the other hand, we have gi/t (also gu/?), gw/tif, lifte (sky), stinten (not stenten), thinne (not thenne), thurste, wierdes. Gower does not use the forms birthe, bisy, dide (did), mirie, mirthe, stire.
The results obtained for certain words from rhymes by Fahren- berg’ are rather misleading. For example, he suggests the con- clusion that #/% (subst.) and /w/f/ie are used with # only, but of the nineteen instances which he quotes, all but two are in rhyme with z&?//e a natural combination (at least for fu/fi//e), and one which has determined the form in most cases. Apart from this, both fe/iz (subst.) and fudfel/e are found (/e//e in rhyme, iii. 2609).
Again, senne is much more common than would appear from the rhymes. Fahrenberg can quote only one instance in rhyme, as against twenty-nine of size, but this is certainly due to the greater frequency of the words (such as deginne, winne, &c.), which give rhymes to szzse. The word occurs seven times in the Prologue, once it is in rhyme, Sinne : inne, and of the other six instances five are of senne and one only of sinne. On the other hand, Ae// (from Ay//) alone appears in rhyme, but #7 or Aui] are commoner forms in use.
The mistakes tell both ways, but on the whole the conclusion that i is much commoner than e in these words is seriously incorrect.
For the use in rhyme of the words of this class with open tone syllable, as stere, Jere (from Zyre), see under e.
(2) O. E. LoNG VOWELS AND DIPHTHONGS. O. E. & The g of kom rhymes, as in Chaucer, with the 5 of the
1 Archiv für n. Sprachen, 89, p. 392. AsIsometimes have occasion to criti- cize statements in this paper, I take the opportunity here-of acknowledging its merit, as the only careful study lately attempted of Gower's language-
PHONOLOGY ciii
drede (: nede, i. 1987, 2240, : spede, iv. 629, : hiede, iv. 1448, &c.), but dede (dead) : drede, ii. 3405 f., drede : rede (from réad), iv. 185f.
leche (: seche, ii. 3220, beseche, iii. 413).
»neste, ‘dream,’ (: »meete, from méfan, iii. 51).
sese (scsmete), adj. (: sete, from métan, ii. 458, iii. 1100).
slep, slepe, subst. and verb, (Aefe : slepe, Prol. 309 f., 475 ., slep : bep, i. 155, &c.), but slep : hep (héap), iv. 3007 f.
speche (spieche) (: seche, Prol. 174, beseche, i. 1986).
spieke (speke), from spr£con, pret. pl. (: beseke, ii. 959, sieke, ii. 1456).
thred (: sped, i. 1419).
Jer, Jere, (ere : stere, ii. 2379, 3er : &i;r, iii. 199, Jeeves : pleiefieres, iv. 481), with no instances apparently of ¢.
If we take now the words in which 4 is from 4 corresponding to Germanic ai, we obtain the following results.
With ¢:
er (: ner, ii. 2285).
geth (: deth, ii. 1804, 2616, &c.).
leme, ‘lend,’ (: bene, v. 4407).
leve, ‘ remain,’ (: bereve, Prol. 412).
se (see), ‘sea,’ (: síves, iii. 86, iv. 1715, sie, iv. 1664), but be : se, iv. 1625 f., wee : see, viii. 1723 f.
3e (yee), ‘yea,’ (: slee, iii. 262, 2068, stres, iii. 668).
(stre, slee, have no ¢ rhymes, so we have no reason to suppose, as in the case of Chaucer, that final é has a close sound.)
With ¢:
areche, from drécan, (: beseche, ii. 666).
clene (: sene, ii. 3461).
del (diel), somdiel, &c. (: whiel, Prol. 137, stiel, Prol. 61a, 828).
evere, nevere, (: levere, Prol. 38, ii. 5, ii. 2417, &c.).
-hede (-hiede) as a suffix: Jede : godhiede, Prol. 497 f., cp. i. 1211 f., 1719£., v. 595 f., viii. 95 f., »tede : twommaniuede, iii. 1607 f., wommanhiede : fiede, vi. 695 £, maidenhede : spede, vii. 5145 f., viii. 1419 f., and so on, but once £, Maidenhede : rede (from read), v. 5987.
hete, subst. and verb, ‘heat,’ (: stwete, ‘sweet,’ ii. 2740, vi. 249), but here : fobete, iii. rat f., hete : bete, viii. 1195 f.-
lede (: hicde, v. 156, : fede, vii. 2336 *), but dede (dead) : lede, ii. 2779 f.
lere (lere), from léran, (: hiere, verb, i. 454, iii. 2204, v. 2029, diere, viii, 1462, hiere (adv.), viii. 1497, unliered : stiered, Prol. 233 f.).
mens (eene), verb, (: sene, ii. 3830, iv. 1645, wene, i. 1937, &c., grene, i. 777, &c., fene, iii. 771, queene, iv. 786).
sprede (spriede) (: fede, i. 2824, spede, ii. 504, spredeth : nedeth, v. 7679 f., feedeth, vi. 895 f.), but sprede : hede (head), vii. 845 f.
feche (: beseche, i. 590, 2260, iii. 132).
The above are the results arrived at by examination of the rhymes with vowels of undoubted quality ; i. e. 7 from ©. E. ea,
1 According toten Brink, sede ought to be regarded as an uncertain rhyme because of the O. E. »éades beside niedes, but Gower never rhymes it with open €.
civ GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
and e from O. E. e, eo, ze. In addition to this, an investigation has been made of the rhyming of these words among themselves and with words of Romance origin, in the process of which some additional words with € from d, as dele, hele, swete, ‘sweat,’ wete, are brought in. This cannot here be given in full, but it may be said that in almost all points it confirms the results arrived at above. A few words, however, to which an open vowel is assigned above, rhyme with other words from & which almost certainly have ¢, and therefore must be set as having unstable pronuncia- tion. Thus, in spite of the rhyme /ene (lend) : dene mentioned above, we have /ene : mene (both verb and subst.) and Zee : eene, and though fere rhymes more than once with ere, we have lered : afered and wunlered : afered, which suggest that the close sound was possible.
On the whole we may set down the following as the result of our examination.
With open vowel: of the & (e) class, Jede, pret. pl, dreth, her (pl. Aeres), Jefe, lewed, strete: of the @ = af class, er, geth, leve (remain), 3ee (yea).
With close vowel: of the former class, /eche, meete (dream), mete (fit), sepe, speche, speke, pret. pl., thred, wete, wreche, 3er, and with one exception only in each case dede, slep: of the latter class, areche, clene, del, evere, lere, mene, nevere, feche, and with one exception in each case, -hede (-hiede), Jede, sprede.
With unstable vowel: from & (€), drede, eve, fere (fear), red (subst.), rede, there, were, where : from & = at, hete, lene, see (sea).
The conclusions to which we are led are, first that in Gower’s usage there is less instability of vowel-sound in these words than in Chaucer, the number of words with unstable vowel being smaller and the variations even in their case more exceptional ; secondly that Gower’s language has a strongly pronounced leaning towards ¢; and finally that this tendency is quite as much visible in the words of the & = ai class as in the others.
O.E. 6a. The substantive Je/ieve has € by influence of the verb.
There is no use apparently of #74 from néad or of 37r from gear, and e£, eke, seems invariably to have z.
From cage, fleah, héah, neak we have yhe, yh, hih, nyh.
There seems no reason to suppose that séve, s/e had e, as has been concluded for Chaucers language because of such rhymes
PHONOLOGY cv
as se : he, sire : she, stree : we, see ten Brink, Chaucers Sprache, $ 23.
It has already been shown that see (sea), which we have supposed to have unstable vowel quality, very seldom rhymes with words having e, notwithstanding the frequent opportunity for such rhymes, and jee, *yea, never. It may be questioned whether the rule laid down by ten Brink for Chaucer is a sound one, and whether Chaucer's practice does not really depend simply upon the larger supply of rhymes in e, such as he, she, me, thee, be, se (verb), £re, three, &c. It is at least possible that the difference here between Gower and Chaucer arises from the fact that the latter was less strict in his rhymes, and certainly the later developments of se, see, sre, jee supply no confirmation of the idea that they had e regularly in Chaucer's language.
O. E. 60. By the side of se£ (siek) there is occasionally sz.
The form fi, fille for fell, felle, pret. sing. and pl. from fa//e, are not used by Gower. He rhymes fe// ( féoll) : hell (hy/I) and felle, pret. pL : fee ( fyllan).
The personal pronoun jow (zou) from eot» rhymes with shou, now, &c.
O. E.i. Fahrenberg's instances of 7 : e, i. 177 f. and iii. 413 f., are both founded on mistakes.
O. E. à. The personal pronoun from ©. E. zs is always written ous, but rhymes in some instances with -«s in Latin names, e.g. Tricolonius : ous, Tereiis : ous.
butan is shortened to dof, not ouf. It occurs also as a dis- syllable in the form Zofe.
O.E. y. The only example of ÿ as e is fer from /yr, which occurs in rhyme with jez, iii. 694, (elsewhere fyr). Chaucer has fere, dat., rhyming with ere, adv., Z*oi/us, iii. 978, and also afere in rhyme with séere, ‘stir,’ Zrotlus, i. 229.
The cases of kedde, hed, pret. and past participle (from 2ydan), are examples of shortened j passing naturally to e, and so also fest from /ÿsé, felthe from fe, threste from Jrysta.
From jg in drÿge we have dreie, but also Zzye.
O. E. 6. Gower, like Chaucer, rhymes the word do (misdo, undo, &c.), and occasionally £o in therto, with words that have f derived from a, not only so, a/so, two, wo, but also tho, adv. (i. 2609, iii. 683, v. 5331, &c.), go, ago (ii. 2483, 3513, iv. 1161, 3465,
PHONOLOGY cvii
Chaucer, does not occur in Gower's English, though we occasion- ally find it in his French. At the same time the possibility of such rhymes cannot be denied, for we have foun : YZioun, v. 7235 f., and Lamedon : Jasoun, v. 7197 f.
Adjectives in -ows do not rhyme with -ws, as in Chaucer Aurelius : amorous, Thesetis : desirous.
The terminations -arie, -orie are not used at all, but instead of them the French forms -aive, -oire, as adversaire, contraire, necessaire, gloire, histoire, memoire, purgaloire, victoire. Latin proper names in o rhyme with 2, as Cifhero (: also), Leo (: also), Phito (: tho), Juno (: so, tho), &c., but also in several cases with do. There seems no sufficient reason to suppose, as ten Brink does, that they regularly had 5.
(4) Consonants. The termination -/icAe (-lich) in adjectives and adverbs, which Fahrenberg judging by the rhymes sets down as very uncommon compared with -éy, is by far the more usual of the two. It is true that -/y occurs more frequently in rhyme, but that is due chiefly to the greater abundance of rhyme words corresponding to it, e. g. forthi, by, cri, merci, enemy: we have, however, redely : properly, Prol. 947f. The general rule of usage is this: -/y usually in rhyme (but Zesi/icAe : swiche, iv. 1235 f.), and before a consonant in cases where the metre requires a single syllable, as i. 2069, ‘Al prively behinde his bak’ (but frend/icA, viii. 2173), -/iche or -4ich before a vowel, as i. 373, ‘That ronne besiliche aboute,’ cp. ii. 1695, v. 1247, and -/izle of course where two syllables are required, as i. 1035, * Was thanne al openliche schewed,’ so ii. 918, iv. 57, and compare also iii. 2065 f.,
* Unkindely for thou hast wroght, Unkindeliche it schal be boght.'
But in Prol. 719 we have on/y before a vowel, * Noght al only of thorient,’ though on/iche occurs in a similar position, i. 1948, and onlich, ii. 42. Again, 911, ‘And sodeinly, er sche it wiste,’ but Prol. 503, ‘Al sodeinliche, er it be wist,’ cp. iv. 921, compared with i. 1336. The treatment of the O.E. spirant 4 (= x) deserves some attention. This occurring before ¢ is recognized as having in M. E. a palatal or a guttural sound, according to the nature of the
cviii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
preceding vowel, but the texts of our period usually give it as gh in both cases. Gower, however, makes a distinction, writing almost regularly aZ?Afe, briht, dihte, fikte, flihte, kntht, AA, miht, mihte, nihi, riht, sthte, wiht, hethte, slethte, &c., but aghte, caghte, straghte, boghte, broghte, noght, oght, oghte, sogkte. Occasionally however in the first class we find g, as rarely dryghfe, ighte, more frequently AezgAfe, sleighte, and pretty regularly eight ; and there are several words in the second which have variants with 4, but in these cases ws) is inserted, as cawhte, strawhte, dowhter (douhter), owhte: otherwise # is generally absent, as we have already seen. The form referred to is commoner with the vowel a than with o.
It is hardly necessary to repeat here that 4/// is a word of Romance origin, and rhymes properly with dekf, appetst, not with 447, niki, &c., being separate in etymology from O. E. /iAt.
From the fact that there is no rhyming of -£A with -i£ either in Gower or Chaucer, we may certainly gather that the sounds were somewhat different; but the fact that Gower does not usually write g& after 7 indicates, no doubt, that in this case the sound of the spirant was less marked than when preceded by broader vowels.
Where O. E. 4 is a final aspirate, g is not usually written, as 514, hik, nth, bowk, lowh, plowk, slowh, ynowk, except in the case of thogk, but very occasionally we find such forms as drogh, plogh. In the words which have w(x) & is often dropped, as in óotees, low, slow (preterites), ynom.
v. INFLEXION.—(1) SUBSTANTIVES. In a certain number of words there is variation in the matter of final e: thus we have drink drinke, felawe felawh (fela), Ayht Ayhte, half halve, help helpe, hep keje, lack lacke, lyf lrve, myn myne, queene queen, sor sore, wel wele, will aille, wyndeu wradowe, to which must be added many words with the suffixes -Aale, -hade, -schife, and the termination -sage, e.g. falshedie), Enykthad\e), manhedie), felaschi~re), kunfing(e), know- dechingie), teching(e\, wenyng(e). In these latter cases the presence of the e ending is not wholly dependent on the accent, for we have Aunting, i. 350, but Asiefyæer, iv. 2429, feckynug and feckinge both equally in rhyme, i. 1592, v. 611, gs rfe, L 3128, ExifAód, v. 2057, Jrianhif, d. 1217. Accent however has some influence, and it is hardly conceivable that the final ¢ should count in the metre except where the accent falls an the preceding svilable. so that where the accent is thrown back, we find that the word is regularly followed by a vowel la the case of the (English termination -err the final e is
INFLEXION. SUBSTANTIVES cix
usually written : such words are degpere, forthdrawere, hindrere, ledere, lovere, makere, repere, spekere, writere. This -e, however, is either elided or passed over in the metre (as with janglere, v. 526), unless an accent falls on the termination, in which case it may be sounded, as vii. 2348, ‘ The Sothseiere tho was lief.’
The forms game, gamen appear side by side both in singular and plural, as i. 347, vi. 1849, viii. 680.
As regards the oblique cases we note the following genitive forms: cherche, herte (also hertes), hevene, ladi, soule, sterre (pl.), wode (also wodes), to which add dowhter (also dowhtres), fader (also fadres), moder. 1n the expressions horse side, horse heved, &c., horse is genitive singular.
The -¢ termination of the dative appears in a good many pre- positional phrases: fo (in) bedde, in boke, to borwe, be (to) bote, with (of) childe, unto the chinne (but unto the chin, i. 1682), be date, to (fro) dethe (also fro deth), of dome, on (under) fote (but upon the fot, at his fot), on fyre, to (upon) grounde, fro (unto) the grounde (also fro the ground), on hede, at ( fro) home (also at hom), in (on, upon) honde, to (into) honde, (but ‘bar on Aond, be the hond), on horse, to horse, fo (in, of) house (but in myn hous), to (into) londe, be (in, over) londe, of (out of) londe, fro the londe, (but of his lond, &c.), be lyhte, to lyve, to manne, to mowthe, be mowthe, be nyhte (also be "yÁ/, and regularly af nyht, on nyM, a nyht, to nyht), fo rede, be (to, into, out of) schipe (also £o schip), to scorne, to slepe (also fo slep), to fowne, to wedde, to wyve, fo 3ere, be 3ere.
In the plural we have Aors, schep unchanged, and also with numerals, mile, monthe, pound, jer (beside 3eres), wynter. The plural of thing is thinges, sometimes fAinge, not thing. Mutation plurals, feet, men, teeth, wommen. Plurals in -en, brethren, children, oxen (also oxes), ton, yhen.
The forms in -eze have plurals -ers, as janglers, kepers, lovers. From maiden we have beside maidens also maidenes (three syllables), iv. 255, which is perhaps the true reading in Chaucer, Leg. of G. Women, 722. From angel we have plural angdis, iii. 2256, as well as angles, and Nimphis, v. 6932, but there are few examples of plural in -ss.
With regard to Romance substantives Gower appears to be stricter than Chaucer in preserving their form. He gives us regularly deste ‘ beast,’ feste, requeste, tempeste. We have however baner (also banere), host, maner, matier (beside manere, matiere), press (beside presse), travaile, conseile (substantives) very occasionally for fravail, consed.
Several distinctively feminine forms are used, as capiteine, cham- berere, citezeine, cousine, enemie.
In some cases the Latin inflexion is introduced, as Zanfaly, Apollinis, Centauri,in Cancro, Achillem, Esionam, Phebum, the two last apparently introduced after the first recension. |
INFLEXION. ADJECTIVES cxi
3413, ‘hire /frezssh aray, vii. 5000, ‘hire Ao/ entente, viii. 1222, cp. viii. 1710, 2968 (but ‘ 3oure Ao/e conseil ’).
Among Romance adjectives the want of inflexion is more frequent in proportion to the whole number of instances, e. g. ‘the vei» honour,’ Prol. 221, ‘the /a/s emperour,’ Prol. 739, ‘ Hire clos Envie,’ ii. 684, &c.
In the case of adjectives of more than one syllable, whether English or French, the definite form is exceptional. The commonest case is that of superlatives, in which the definite form -es/e is regularly used when the accent falls on the termination, whether in rhyme or other- wise, as /aireste, i. 767, v. 7427, slyheste, i. 1442, wiseste : myhtteste, i. 1097 f., wofulleste, vii. 5017. Even when the accent is thrown back, the definite inflexion is more usually given than not, as /aireste, i. 1804, hofeste, i. 2492, freweste, ii. 1282, povereste, iv. 2238, heyeste, vii. 935, but sometimes dropped, as ‘the purest Eir, Prol. 921, ‘the Jongest of hem,’ i. 3133, ‘ the /owest of hem alle,’ vii. 224: in all cases, however, where the accent is thrown back, the adjective is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, so that the metre is not affected.
Other adjectives of which the termination is capable of accent may take the definite inflexion, when the accent is thrown on the termina- tion, as ‘the covostouse flaterie,' ‘this /echerouse pride,’ this {yrannysshe knyht,’ but on the other hand ‘his fals 5;//ows lokynge,’ ‘the f:etous Justinian,’ ‘the proude fyrannyssk Romein,’ and cases where the adjective is used as a substantive, ‘the covettous, ‘This Envious,’ ‘thaverous, &c. We have ‘the pfarfite medicine,’ iv. 2624 (but ‘the parfit Elixir,’ iv. 2522, with accent thrown back), and ‘O thou gentile Venus,’ viii. 2294; but perhaps faz/fífe, gentile are to be regarded as feminine forms, as almost certainly devo/te, i. 636.
Where the final syllable of the adjective is incapable of accent, there is ordinarily no question of a definite inflexion, except where there is syncope after v (x), as in evele. Such words are croked, wicked, cruel, litel, middel, biter, dedly, lusti, sinful(I), wilful, woful(l), wrongful, and we may note that comparatives in -ere and adjectives in -Ziche (with accent thrown back) sometimes appear in the truncated form of spelling even where a definite termination is suggested by their position, e.g. ‘hire Jonger Soster, v. 5395, ' hir goodlych yhe,’ ii. 2026, ‘Ha, thou sgood/ich ypocrite, v. 6293, ‘hire dedlich yhe,’ vii. 5089 (-ZicA in these latter cases to avoid the hiatus of *ungoodly ypocrite, &c.). As an exceptional instance the form nakede should be observed, ‘his 2a£ede arm,’ iv. 421, given so both by F and S.
The formation of plurals in adjectives and participles used attribu- tively is governed by the same principles. We have 'freciowse Stones, iv. 1354, but ‘the most principal’ (pl), v. 1115. In the expression ‘the chief flodes,' v. 1112, chief must be considered perhaps as a substantive, like 4ed in ‘the hed planete” Naturally words like wicked, woful, /usti, &c., take no plural inflexion, but we have manye
INFLEXION. PRONOUNS cxiii
*O thou divine pourveance, ii. 3243, ‘the Jarfite medicine,’ iv. 2624, «a gentile... on, v. 2713, and ‘O thou genfile Venus,’ viii. 2294, may be examples of the same usage.
There is one instance of the French plural adjective in -5, Prol. 738, evidently introduced for the sake of the rhyme.
(3) PRONOUNS. The personal pronoun of the first person is regu- larly J, not ich, It is usually written y by the copyist of the last 235 lines of the Fairfax MS. and in the Praise of Peace.
The third person sing. fem. is sche (never written she), once scheo: the oblique case is Aire, hir (never here), and Aire, though usually equivalent to a monosyllable, sometimes has -e fully sounded, as i. 367, iv. 766, v. 1178.
The third person neuter is 7/, seldom Az.
In the first person plural the oblique case is ozs, not shortened to ws in spelling.
The possessives of the first and second persons sing., min, thin, have no plural inflexion, but the disjunctive form /Ayze pl. occurs, i. 168. On the other hand Ais, originally an uninflected form, has usually the plural Aise,-but sometimes As. The form Azse is never a dissyllable. |
The feminine possessive, 3rd pers., is hive or Atv, freely interchanged and metrically equivalent. There is no question of a plural inflexion here, and we find ‘ Hive Nase,’ ‘ hire browes, ‘hir lockes,’ ‘ Hire Necke,’ quite indifferently used, i. 1678 ff. The disjunctive is hive, v. 6581, and hires, v. 6857. The forms oure, 3oure are usual for the possessives of the 1st and 2nd pers. plur., and these are commonly used as mono- syllables, e. g. i. 2062, 2768, and interchanged with our, jour; but they are also capable of being reckoned as dissyllables, e.g. Prol. 5, iii. 1087. Here again there is no plural inflexion (' 3o: wordes,’ iii. 627). The disjunctive joxres occurs in i. 1852.
The possessive of the 3rd pers. plur. is here, her, which is practically never confused in good MSS. with ire, hir of the fem. sing.! We are fully justified in assuming that for Gower the distinction was absolute.
The ordinary relatives are which and that: who is little used as a relative except in the genitive case, whos. The plural whiche is usually pronounced as a monosyllable, as ii. 604, iv. 1496, v. 1320, and often loses -e in writing, as Prol. 1016, iv. 1367, 1872, v. 4041, but also sometimes counts as a dissyllable, e. g. i. 404, vii. 1256.
In combination with the definite article the singular form is ‘the which,’ not ‘the whiche,’ as Prol. 71, 975.
1 In the Praise of Peace however the MS. has Aere for hire, Il. 108, 329, cp. 254. F has Aire for here once accidentally, iii. gor. $5
INFLEXION. VERBS CXV
pl. riden, ches, pl. chose, and among preterite-presents cam, pl conne, maz, pl. mowe, schal, pl. schulle schull schol, wot, pl. wite.
There are some few instances in F of strong preterites with irregular -¢ termination in the Ist or 3rd pers. singular, but in no case is this authenticated by metre or rhyme. The following are examples in which F and S are agreed, ‘ schofe a wile,’ v. 4278, ‘ he dare him,’ v. 5236, ‘which si#e his Soster,’ v. 5810, ‘ Jefe come,’ vi. 1186, ‘he tho /o£e hire in his arm, viii. 1732. These are perhaps mistakes, and they have some- times been corrected in the text on the authority of other MSS.
The 2nd pers. sing. has the -e termination, as sie (syhe), iii. 2629, iv. $99, were, iv. 600, knewe, vi. 2313, come, viii. 2076, but fok, i. 2421. The 2nd pers. sing. of the preterite-present mas is regularly »s44 (myAf), never ‘mayest.’ Occasionally the best MSS. give it as »iAe, e.g. i. 2457, vii. 2637, 3819, but there is no metrical confirmation of this form. The preterite plural is very rarely found without -¢, as v. 3300, 7534, vii. 3574.
Among Weak Verbs those which have the short or syncopated form keep the -e termination almost regularly. Such preterites are, for example, asfide, cride, deide, leide, obeide, payde, preide, seide, teide, hadde, made, brende, sende, answerde, ferde, herde, solde, spilde, tolde, wende, betidde, dradde, fedde, fledde, hedde, gradde, ladde, radde, spedde, sfradde, crepte, duelte, felte, hente, kepte, kiste, lefte, lepte, loste, mente, slepte, wente, wepte, alihte, caste, dihte, grette, knette, kutle, laste, liste, mette, plyhte, putte, schette, sette, sterte, triste, arawhte, broghte, cawhte, oghte, roghte, schryhte, soghte, strawhte, tawhte, thoghte, wroghte, cowthe, dorste, mihte, moste, scholde, wiste, wolde.
At the same time it must be noted (as in the case of the infinitive) that with some of these forms there is an occasional tendency to drop the -e before a vowel at the beginning of the next word (that is, where elision would take place), and the agreement of the best MSS., especially F and S, makes it certain this was sometimes done by the author. It is impossible to trace any system, but the number of verbs affected is not large, and in nearly every case the instances of this kind of elision-apocope are largely outnumbered by the examples of normal inflexion in the same verb!.
The following is a tolerably full list of references for these preterite forms, which are given in alphabetical order: ‘ Beraft hire,’ v. 5647, ‘ it bettdd upon the cas,’ vii. 4381, * Sche casf on me,’ i. 152, ‘cast up hire lok,’ v. 5436, ‘he cast his lok,’ vi. 1035, ‘ dorst he,’ ii. 1633, ‘dread him,’ viii. 1368,
1 [n a few cases, as Prol. 543, i. 183, 1280, v. 3393, vi. 2062, the gram- matically correct form has been printed in the text from less good MSS. and against the combined authority of F and S. On a review of the whole subject this does not now seem to me satisfactory.
h 2
INFLEXION. VERBS exvii
substitute in narrative the present tense, or the perfect formed with ‘hath,’ for the 3rd person singular of the preterite, * Conforteth ’ for ' Confortede,' ‘Hath axed’ for ‘axede,’ ' feigneth ” for ‘ feignede,’ and this apparently as a matter of habit and even in cases where a vowel follows. No doubt the use of the present tense in narrative is quite usual apart from this, but the extremely frequent combination of strong or syncopated preterites with the present tenses of verbs of this class - seems to me to indicate clearly how the matter stood.
The following are a few of the examples of this: ‘For sche fof thanne chiere on honde And clepeth him,’ i. 1767 f., ‘The king comandeth ben in pes, And .. . cast,’ 3240 f., * Comendeth, and seide overmore,’ 3361, ‘he him bethoghte, .. . And torneth to the banke ayein,’ ii. 167 ff., ‘for hem sente And axeth hem,’ 613 f., ‘day... clepeth oute .. . sterte,’ 848 ff., ‘Sche loketh and hire yhen caste,’ 1066, * This child he loveth kindely... Bot wel he ssh... axeth .. . seide, 1381 ff., ‘Sche preide him and conseileth bothe,' 1457, ‘Which semeth outward profitable And was,’ 220r f., ‘And he himself that ilke throwe Abod, and hovefh there stille,' iii. 1232 f., and so on.
These examples will serve to illustrate a tendency which every reader will observe, when once his attention has been called to it. There are indeed many narrative passages in which nearly all the strong or syncopated verbs are used in the preterite, and all the others in the present, and it is evident that this cannot be accidental !.
There are, however, a certain number of instances ofthe use of weak preterites, indicative or subjunctive, and a few in which the final e (or -en) is sounded in the metre.
The following are examples of -ede preterites (in one instance -sde): ‘I teisshide after deth,’ i. 120, ‘he passede ate laste,’ 142, ‘he hem sfopfede alle faste,’ 522, ‘And warnede alle his officiers,” 2506, ‘Mi ladi /ovede, and 1 it wiste,' ii. 50a, ‘he axede hem anon,’ 1248, ‘he rounede in thin Ere,’ 1944, ‘Bot he hire lovede, er he wente,’ 2027, ‘Thogh that he /ovede ten or tuelve,' 2063, ‘ Supplantede the worthi knyht,' 2453, ‘Sche fowrede oute,’ iii. 679, so also iii, 1631, 2556, iv. 468, 825, 842, 934, 1340, 1345, 1444, ‘Lo, thus sche deede a wofull Maide,’ iv. 1593, ‘it kede ek to wende,’ 2150, ‘ Controeveden be sondri wise,’ 2454, ‘ Translateden. And otherwise,’ 2660, ‘And foundeden the grete Rome,’ v. 904, ‘He /eignede him,’ 928, * And clepede him,’ 951, ‘He percede the harde roche,’ 1678, ‘Thei /asleden, whan Crist was bore,’ 1697, ‘ Thei passeden the toun,’ 2182, ‘ Alle othre passede of his hond,’ 3258, * Welcomede him,’ 3373, ‘walkede up and doun’ (pl.), 3833, ‘ axede him,’ 5129, so also 5114, 6132, 6791, 6887, ‘oppressede al the nacion’ (pl.), vi. 568, ‘ That loveden longe er 1 was bore,’ 882, ‘he s«sede ay,’ 1207, ‘ exilede out of londe,’ 2348, ‘ Enformeden,' vii. 1495, ‘ Devoureden,’ 3346, * Ensamplede hem’ (pl.),
1 Prof. Lounsbury's criticism on the rhyme of vii. 5103 f, as given in Pauli's edition, is quite sound, and Prof. Skeat's defence of it will not do. Gower never rhymes a past participle in -ed with a weak preterite, though he sometimes drops the -e of the preterite before a vowel. The rhyme was good enough for Chaucer, however, as Prof. Lounsbury'sexamples abundantly prove.
INFLEXION. VERBS cxix
Confessor saying 448, tell, understond, and the Lover fe/fefh, axeth (e- g. i. 1395, 1875), at other times the Lover says Jest, say, tell, lef, &c. (i. 1942, 1972, ii. 2074, iii. 841, &c.) !
Present Participle. The form of the present participle is the most characteristic part of Gower's verb inflexion as compared (for example) with Chaucer's. Chaucer seems regularly to have used the form in -/wge (often with apocope -é#g): Gower uses ordin- arily the form -ezde, and normally with the accent thrown on the termination, as i. 204, ‘To me sfekende thus began,’ 236, ‘Whos Prest I am fouchende of love,’ 428, ‘ Stondende as Stones hiere and there,’ 633, *So that semende of liht thei werke, 1379 f., ‘That for I se no sped comende, . . . compleignende,’ 1682, * Hangende doun unto the chin.’
Sometimes the same form .is used with accent on the preceding syllable, and in this case the -e is systematically elided, e. g. Prol. 11, ‘In tyme comende after this,’ 259, ‘ Belongende unto the presthode,’ i. 296, ‘As Zouchende of my wittes fyve? (cp. 334, 742), 3025, ‘And wailende in his bestly stevene.’
In a relatively small number of instances the form -zage occurs either in rhyme, as i. 524, ‘So whan thei comen forth seilinge,’ in rhyme with ‘singe,’ i. 1710, ‘And liveth, as who seith, deyisge, in rhyme with * likynge' (subst.), or with the accent thrown back, as i. 115, * Wisshinge and wepinge al myn one, v. 518, ‘Adidinge in hir compaignie,’ vi. 717, ‘I mai go /as£inge everemo’; rarely out of rhyme and with accent, as i. 2721, ‘ Mi fader, as fouchinge of al.’
The final e is never lost in writing, but when the accent is thrown back it is always elided.
Past Participle. The -id termination of weak past participles is very rarely found in the Fairfax MS., except in the concluding passage, which is copied in a different hand from the rest. It occurs commonly in the Praise of Peace. Examples found elsewhere in F are weddid, iv. 650, medlid, iv. 1475.
From se//en besides the regular past participle se¢ there appears the form sefe twice in rhyme, vii. 2864, forzefe : sete, and viii. 244, miisgefe (past partic.) : upsete. This seems to be formed after the analogy of gete. On the other hand we have /erd, i. 445, &c., but also /are(x), iii. 2692, v. 3797, &c. The past participle of se is sen, sein, sete, but most commonly seme. In a few instances a final e is given by the MSS. in weak past participles, e.g. Aerde for herd, v. 4231, schope for schop, v. 4278, sette for set, vi. 10, wiste for wist, viii. 37.
The cases of weak past participles with plural inflexion (e. g. Prol. 300, i. 3246, iv. 2343, v. 6789) have already been mentioned in dealing with adjectives.
! Except in the case of these imperative forms the and pers. plur. is quite consistently used by the Lover in his shrift, and the and pers. sing. by the Confessor in reply.
METRE, Etc. cxxi
iii. 931, ‘Of this hill that northward lay,’ iii. 62), nor displaces the natural accent (as ‘Of Decembre the tenthe day,’ Hous of Fame, i 111, ‘Jupiter considereth wel this, ii. 134, * Rounede everych in otheres ere,’ iii. 954), nor slurs over syllables.
To say that Gower never indulges in any of these licences would be an exaggeration. Some displacement of the natural accent may be found occasionally, even apart from the case of those French words whose accent was unsettled, but it is present in a very slight degree, and the rhythm produced does not at all resemble that of the lines cited above from Chaucer: e. g. i. 2296, ‘Wher that he wolde make his chace 2348, ‘Under the grene thet begrave,’ 2551, ‘“ Drink with thi fader, Dame," he seide. Such as it is, this licence is nearly confined to the first foot of the verse, and is not so much a displacement of the natural accent of the words as a trochaic commencement, after the fashion which has established itself as an admitted variety in the English iambic. We may, however, read long passages of the Confessio Amants without finding any line in which the accent is displaced even to this extent.
Again, as to slurring of syllables, this no doubt takes place, but on regular principles and with certain words or combinations only. "There are hardly more than three or four lines in the whole of the Confessio Amantis where a superfluous syllable stands unaccounted for in the body of the verse, as for example,
iv. 1131, ‘Som time in chambre, som time in halle,’ v. 441, * Of Jelousie, bot what it is,'
v. 2914, ‘And thus ful ofte aboute the hals,' v. 5011, ‘It was fantosme, bot yit he herde.’
The writer seems to have no need of any licences. The narrative flows on in natural language, and in sentences and periods which are apparently not much affected by the exigencies of metre or rhyme, and yet the verse is always smooth and the rhyme never fails to be correct. If this is not evidence of the highest style of art, it shows at least very considerable skill.
In Gower's five-accent line, as exhibited in the Supplication of viii. 2217-2300 and in the poem Z5 Praise of Peace, Schipper finds less smoothness of metre, *owing perhaps to the greater unfami- liarity and difficulty of the stanza and verse’ (Englische Metrik, i. 483ff). His examples, however, are not conclusive on this point. Some of the lines cited owe their irregularity to corrup-
METRE, Etc. cxxiii
~
weak final e is never counted as a syllable in the verse, except in rhyme, require some qualification even when applied to Chaucer (for example, ‘sone’ is certainly a dissyllable in Cant. Tales, A 1963, Hous of Fame, i. 218), and they are almost wholly inapplicable to Gower, as we shall see if we examine them. (a) Gower has the forms Aire, oure, zoure, all occasionally as dissyllables apart from special emphasis or rhyme. (B) these, some, whiche are all some- times dissyllables. (y) The strong participles with short stems as come, drive, write as a rule have the final e sounded. (5) The -¢ of the 2nd pers. sing. of the strong preterite may be sounded, e. g. iii. 2629 (but ‘ Were thou,’ iv. 600). (e) The form made, both singular and plural, regularly has -e sounded, were (pret.) usually, and wife sometimes. (£) sone, wone, schipe (dat.), and the French words in -£e (ye), &c., have -e regularly counted in the metre : so also beste, entente, tempeste. (m) before, tofore, there are used in both ways.
Gower's usage with reference to this matter is as follows :
The personal and possessive pronouns Aire, ouvre, joure, here and hise (as plural of Ass), written also Air, our, &c., are asa rule treated as monosyllables, We have however ‘Fro Aire, which was naked al,’ i. 367, ‘And thenke untoward Aire drawe,’ iv. 559, so v. 1178, 2757, vii. 1899, &c., ‘In oure tyme among ous hiere,’ Prol. 5 (but ‘Ore king hath do this thing amis,’ i. 2062), * As 3e be joure bokes knowe,’ iii. 1087, cp. v. 2951 (but ‘Bot, fader, of joure lores wise,’ i. 2768). Add to these alle (pl.) before definite article.
In the following words also the final ¢ is sometimes suppressed for the verse: these (also thes), Prol. goo, 1037, i. 435, ii. 237, &c. (but these, v. 813, 1127, vii. 1005, &c.): whiche plur. (also which), ii. 604, iv. 1496, &c. (but whiché, i. 404, v. 1269, vii. 822, 1256, &c.) : eche (also ech), v. 6883, accord- ingto F,cp. Prol. 516: there (usually ther), viii. 2311, 2689 (but fhere, iii. 1233, &c., and often in rhyme): were pret. ind. or subj. (also wer), iii. 1600, iv. 600, 1657, 1689 (but more usually weré, as Prol. 1072, iii. 762, v. 2569, vii. 4458): where (usually wher), v. 4355 (but wheré, v. 2720): more (also mor), ii. 26, v. 2239, 6207, vii. 3237 (but moré, Prol. 55*, 640, iv. 2446, vii. 3287, &c.): before, tofore (also befor, tofor), i. 2054, 2864, iii. 2052 (but before, Prol. 848, and often in rhyme): /owre, vii. 2371 (but Jour, ii. 1037, iv. 2464): fare (wel), iii. 305, iv. 1378 (but /aréwel, v. 4218): sire, i. 2878, ii. 2995 (but siré, v. 3547, 5593) : tite, ii. 455 (but twilé, v. 3150, 8445) : wole (also tool), v. 2891, agri, &c.: bothe, ii. 1966, 2154, iv. 2138, &c. (but bothé, Prol. 1068, i. 851, &c.): wolde (also wold), v. 4413 (usually woldé’): come, ii. 789, iv. 2826 (but comé, pp. iv. 1283, vi. 1493, vii. 4840, inf. viii. 1362) : some, pl. subst., iii. 2112, v. 2252 (but somé, i. 2034 ff.) : have, Prol. 708, i. 169, 2724, ii. 550, iv. 1600 (but have, ii. 332, iv. 1598): love, subst. iv. 930, vi. 1261 (but /oy£ much more often, e.g. i. 103, 251, 760, &c.): fwelve (also £wel/), iv. 1983 (but fwelvé, vii. 1005) : frewe (also trew), v. 2877 (but trewé, pl., Prol. 184, def., iii, 2228): move, inf. (also mow), iv. 38: sete, inf. and ist s, pres. iii, 1737, iv. 672, v. 2616, 6428, &c. (but ses often): prese,
METRE, Etc. CXXV
. Elision of weak final e takes place regularly before a vowel or an unaspirated 4. We must observe that several classical proper names ending originally in €, as Adceone, Daphne, Progne, Phebe, have weak e and are subject to elision, and under this head it may be noted that Canace rhymes to p/ace, whereas Chaucer (referring to Gower's story) gives the name as Canacee, in rhyme with Ae. Also the combinations dyme, fome, tothe, &c., have weak -« and are elided before a vowel.
An aspirated A prevents elision as effectively as any other consonant. We have ‘min holé herte, *greté hornes,’ * Cadme hyhte,’ * Mi Soné, herkne,’ ‘ propré hous,’ ‘ fasté holde' (and even ‘othré herbes,’ iv. 3008); but there are some words in which À is aspirated only when they are emphatic in sense or position, as have, hath, he, him, hire, how, &c. For example, elision takes place usually before ave, ke, how, but not so as a rule in cases where they are used in rhyme or with special emphasis, e. g. i. 2542, ‘Of such werk as it scholde have,’ ii. 2479, cp. v. 7766, * Wenende that it were he,’ iv. 4604, ‘And al the cause hou it wente.’ On the other hand, the preterite Aadde seems to have an aspirated A even in unemphatic position, as ii. 589, ‘The Sceptre hadde forto rihte’: compare vii. 2364, ‘ Victoire hadde upon his fo,’ with vii. 2392, ‘Thogh thou victoire have nou on honde.’ Elision also takes place before Æserafter, though not before Azere.
There is one instance of hiatus, viii. 110, ‘That he his Sone Isaac,’ and it may be noted that the same thing occurs with the same name in the Mirour, 12241, ‘ De Isaak auci je lis.’
The article the regularly coalesces with a succeeding word beginning with a vowel or mute A, as thaffeccioun, thalemans, thamende, thapostel, thastat, theffect, themperour, thenvious, therbage, therthe, thexperience, thonour, thother, thunsemlieste, thyle, &c. The exceptions, which are very few, are cases of special emphasis, as i. 3251, ‘ The Erthe it is.’ Similarly the negative particle ste with a succeeding verb beginning with a vowel, as nam, naproche, nis (but ne have), and also occasionally with some words beginning with w, forming mere, nost, not, nyle, nyste, &c. In some few instances /o coalesces with the gerund, as facompte, teschuie.
There is diaeresis regularly in such proper names as Zheseiis, Peleiis, Tereiis, and also in Sail, Zsaäc. We have Moises usually, but Moises (dissyllable), iv. 648, Thaïse usually, but ZZaisis in the epitaph, viii. 1536. One example occurs affecting the -ee termina- tion, viz. Caldeë, v. 781 (usually a dissyllable), so /udee, Galileë in Mirour, 20067, 29239. This is an essentially different case from
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT cxxvii
similarly thou : ynou, vii. 2099 f. (but dowe : ynowhe, ii. 3225 f.). We have already seen that the use of such alternative forms as sinne senne, wile wole, lasse desse, hedde hidde, -ende -inge is sometimes determined by the rhyme.
Alliteration is used by Gower in a manner which is especially characteristic of the new artistic style of poetry. It is sufficiently frequent, both in formal combinations, such as ‘cares colde,’ ‘lusty lif,’ ‘park and plowh, ‘swerd or spere, ‘lief and loth,’ ‘wel or wo,’ ‘dike and delve,’ ‘slepe softe,’ ‘spille . . . spede,’ and as an element of the versification :
i 886 f. ‘For so, thei seide, al stille and softe God Anubus hire wolde awake.'
iv. 2590 ‘The lost is had, the lucre is lore.’
iv. 3384 f. * Which many a man hath mad to falle, Wher that he mihte nevere arise.’
v. 3670 f. ‘And thanne he gan to sighe sore, And sodeinliche abreide of slep.’
vii 3468 £ ‘Sche hath hir oghne bodi feigned, For feere as thogh sche wolde flee.’
But it is not introduced in accordance with any fixed rules, and it often assists the flow of the verse without in the least attracting the attention of the reader. We do not find any examples of the rather exaggerated popular style which Chaucer sometimes adopts in passages of violent action, e.g. Cant. Zales, A 2604 ff. The whole subject of alliteration in Gower has been carefully dealt with by P. Hofer in his dissertation, A//teration bet Gower, 1890, where a very large number of examples are cited and classified ; and to this the reader may be referred. '
viii. TEXT AND Manuscripts. About forty manuscript copies of the Confessio Amantis are known to exist in public or private libraries or in the hands of booksellers, and probably there may be a few more in private possession, the existence of which has not yet been recorded. As the broad lines for their classification are necessarily laid down by the fact that the book was put forth by the author in several different forms, it is necessary, before proceeding further, to say something about this matter.
That the poem exists in at least two distinct forms, character- ized by obvious differences near the beginning and at the end, has been matter of common knowledge. Even in Berthelette's edition of 1532 the difference at the beginning was noted, and
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT cxxix
we see reason to divide the manuscripts of our first recension into two main groups, one exhibiting an earlier and the other a later text, this last being more in accordance generally with that of what we call the second and third recensions than with the earlier form of the first. For practical purposes, however, the division which has been laid down above may fairly be adopted. As regards the order of time, from the political tendency of the differences between them it is clear that what we call the first recension logically precedes the third. The intermediate positio of the second is given chiefly by the fact that one of the seven existing manuscripts gives the earlier form of preface, and this may also have been the case with two others, which are defective at the beginning’. However, as has been said, the name is used for convenience to cover a class of copies which, as regards the character of their text, do not all belong to the same period, and they must be looked upon as representing rather a concurrent variety of the first or the third recension * than as a type which is distinctly intermediate in order of time. At the same time the smaller variations of text exhibited by these seven MSS. in combination, as against all others*, mark them as really a family apart, more closely related to one another than to those that lie outside the group.
For the sake of clearness the manuscripts are in this edition regularly grouped according to this classification, and in the critical notes each class is cited by itself. At the same time ‘it must not be assumed that the manuscripts of each recension stand necessarily by themselves, and that no connexion is trace- able between one class and another. On the contrary, we shall
! Berthelette used a manuscript (not now existing) which in this respect, as in many others, resembled B.
2 It may be noted that the four second recension MSS. which contain the author's Latin note about his books (‘ Quia vnusquisque,' &c.), viz. BTAPs, agree in a form of it which is different both from that which is given by first recension copies and that which we find in F, and is clearly intermediate between the other two, the first form fully excusing Richard II for the troubles of his reign and the third entirely condemning him, while this makes no mention of his merits or demerits, but simply prays for the state of the kingdom. It is noticeable that the second recension form definitely substitutes Henry for Richard as the patron of the Confessio Amantis, though in one at least of the copies to which it is attached this substitution has not been made in the text of the poem.
* e. g. ii. 193, 365 ff., iii. 168, 1241, iv. 283, 1321, v. 1252, &c. + i
CXXX GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
find that many errors in the text of the first recension appear also in some copies of the second, and even of the third. The process by which this was brought about is made clearer to us by the fact that we have an example of a manuscript which has passed from one group into another partly by erasure and partly by substitution of leaves, apparently made under the direction of the author. This is MS. Fairfax 3, which forms the basis of our text, and the handwriting of some of the substituted pages is one which may be recognized as belonging to the ‘scriptorium ’ of the poet.
The example is a suggestive one and serves to explain several things. It makes it easy to understand, for example, how the additional matter introduced into the second recension came to be omitted in the third. The author in this instance had before him a very fully revised and corrected copy of his first edition, and this by a certain amount of rewriting over erasure and by a substitution of leaves at the beginning and end of the poem was converted into a copy of what we call the third recension, which his scribes could use at once as an authoritative exemplar. The introduction of the additional passages in the fifth and seventh books could not have been effected without a process of recopying the whole book, which would have called for much additional labour of the nature of proof-reading on the part of the author, in order to secure its correctness. This argument would apply to a book which was intended to remain in the hands of the author, or rather of the scribes whom he employed, and to be used as an archetype from which copies were to be made. If a new book had to be specially prepared for presentation, the case would be different, and it might then be worth while to incorporate the additional passages with the fully revised and re-dedicated text, as we find was done in the case of the so-called Stafford MS.
Another matter which can evidently be explained in the same way is the reappearance in some copies of the second recension of errors which belong to the first. In producing the originals of such manuscripts as these, partially revised copies of the first recension must have been used as the basis, and such errors as had not yet received correction appear in the new edition.
The assumption that a certain number of errors are original, that is to say, go back either to the author's own autograph or
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT cxxxi
to the transcript first made from it, is in itself probable: we know in fact that some which appear in every copy, without exception, of the first and second recensions at length receive correction by erasure in Fairfax 3. So far as we can judge, the text of the Confessio Amantis during its first years exhibited a steady tendency to rid itself of error, and the process of corrup- tion in the ordinary sense can hardly be said to have set in until after the death of the author. There are a large number of various readings in the case of which we find on the one side the great majority of first recension MSS., and on the other a small number of this same type together with practically the whole of the second and third recensions, as, for example’:
i. 2836 to HiXERCLBs do AJMG, SAdBAA, FWHs 2847 be o». HiXGERCLB: its. AJM, SAdBA, FWHs 2953 wele H... B1 weie AJM, SAd BA, FWH: 3027 preieth Hi... B4 W braieth, AJM, S... AA, FH: 3374 an Erl hier Hi... B, A. mad a Pier AJM, SAdBA, FW (Hs def.) 3981 place H1... Bs, BA maide AJM, SAdA, FW (Hs defective) ii. 833 that diere H1... Bs, B that other AJ(M), SAda4, FWHs . lii, ra euermore H1... Bs. enemy AJM, SAdBTA, FWHs 354 I may Hi... Bs he may AJM, SAdBTA, FWHs iv. 109 day Hi... Bs, Hs lay AJM, SBTA, FW (Ad def.) v. 316 thanne (than) Hi... B, A hom AJM, SAdBTA, FWHs 368 And for no drede now wol I wonde Hi...Bs,A In helle thou schalt understonde AJM, S... A, FWHs cp. 394, 424, 786, &c. 2694 Whan that sche was bot of ong age For good ERCLBsa That only for thilke avantage Of good AJMHiXG, S... AA, FWHs 2771 nyh om. ERCLBa ins. AJMHiXG, S... A, FWHs 3110 burned as the silver ERCLBs burned was as selver AJMHiXG, S...4A, FWHs cp. 3032, 3246, &c.
We see in these examples, selected as fairly typical, that some of the variants have evidently the character of errors, while in other cases the difference of reading is due to an alternative version. The circumstances, however, of these two cases are not distinguishable, the errors are supported by as much authority as the rest, and it must be supposed that both have the same
! For the explanation of the use of letters to designate MSS. the reader is referred to the list of MSS. given later. It should be noted that AJM and FWHs represent in each case a group of about seven MSS., and H1... Bs one of nearly twenty. We observe in the examples given that B and A are sometimes found either separately or together on the side of the Hi... Ba group, and that the same is true occasionally of W, while on the other hand some MSS. of the Hi... B: group are apt to pass over to the other side in a certain part of the text and support what we call the revised reading.
12
cxxxii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
origin. If then we assume that such variations as we find (for example) in i. 3396, 3416, v. 30, 47, 82, 368, 2694, &c., are due to the author, as is almost certain, there can be no doubt that the form of text which is given by the group AJM in combination with the second and third recensions is the later of the two: and if the group Hi... Be represents an earlier type as regards this class of variation, it must surely do so also as regards the errors, which, as we have seen, stand upon the same ground in respcet of manuscript authority. As we cannot help believing that the author wrote originally ‘To holde hir whil my lif may laste,’ v. 82, and ‘The more he hath the more he greedeth,’ v. 394, SO we may reasonably suppose that errors such as ‘it’ for ‘hid,’ i. 1755, ‘that diere' for ‘that other,’ ii. 833, ‘what’ for ‘war,’ iil. 1065, existed in the copy which first served as an exemplar.
It may be observed here that in cases where revision seems to have taken place, we can frequently see a definite reason for the change; either the metre is made more smooth, as i. 1770, 2622, 3374, ii. 671, 751, 1763, iii. 765, 2042, 2556, iv. 234, V. 368, 1678, &c., or some name is altered into a more correct form, as where ‘Element’ is changed to ‘Clemenee,’ iv. 985, with a corresponding alteration of the rhyme, or the expression and run of the sentence is improved, as i. 368, 3416, v. 30, 1906, 6756, &c. In particular we note the tendency towards increased smoothness of metre which is shown in dealing with weak e terminations. .
It is to be assumed on the principles which have been stated that the group ERCLBs and the other manuscripts which agree with them represent with more or less accuracy the first form of the author's text, that H1YXG and a few more form a class in which correction and revision has taken place to some extent, but partially and unsystematically, and that AJM &c. give us the first recension text in a much more fully revised and corrected form.
It has been already said that F was originally a manuscript of the first recension. We shall find however that it did not exactly correspond to any existing first recension manuscript. Setting aside the small number of individual mistakes to be found in it, there are perhaps about eighty instances (many of a very trifling character) in which its text apparently differed originally from
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT cxxxiii
that of any first recension copy which we have, and in about half of these the text of F agrees with that of the second recension. The manuscript which comes nearest to F in most respects is J (St. John's Coll., Camb.), and there is a considerable number of instances in which this MS. stands alone among first recension copies in agreement with the Fairfax text. In the sixth book, for example, if J be set aside, there are at least twenty-three passages in which F gives an apparently genuine reading unsupported by the first recension ; but in sixteen of these cases J is in agree- ment with F. It must be noted, however, that this state of things is not equally observable in the earlier part of the poem, and indeed does not become at all marked until the fifth book.
Besides variations of reading, there are in the Fairfax MS. a few additions to the text which are not found in any first recension copy. These are Prol. 495-498, 579-584 and i. 1403- 1406, two passages of four lines each and one of six, as well as some additions to the Latin notes in the margin (at Prol. 195, i. 2705, and v. 7725), of which the first two were evidently put in later than the accompanying text. Finally, there are three other additions to the text which are found in a single copy of the first recension, MS. Harl. 3490 (H1). These are i. 2267-2274, where four lines have been expanded into eight, i. 2343-2358, an inter- esting addition of sixteen lines to the tale of Narcissus, and i. 2369-2372. Thus in the matter of additions to the text Hi stands nearer to F than AJM &c., and in a few other passages also it is found standing alone of its recension in company with F, e.g. i. 2043, 2398, ii. 2247. This manuscript does not belong to the ‘fully revised’ group, but it gives the revised readings more frequently perhaps than any other outside that group.
Thus notwithstanding the differences between the first recension copies, as we have them, and the Fairfax MS. as it originally stood, we shall have no difficulty in regarding the latter as having been originally a revised and corrected copy of that recension, exhibiting a text to which tolerably near approaches are made by A, J, and Hi, each in its own way, though no copy precisely corresponding to it is known to exist.
Passing to the second recension, we must first repeat what has already been said, that it did not supersede the first, but existed and developed by its side, having its origin probably in the very same year, or at latest in the next. Its characteristic point is the
cxxxiv GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
presence of considerable additions in the fifth and seventh books, together with a rearrangement of part of the sixth. "There are seven manuscripts known to me, of which three are defective at the beginning. All these (except one, which is also defective at the end) have the rewritten epilogue, one in combination with the Chaucer verses and the others without them. Of the four which are perfect at the beginning, one, namely B, has the earlier form of preface, and the other three, APs and S, the later. Of the others it is probable, but by no means certain, that T agreed with B in this respect, and practically certain that A agreed with S. A more satisfactory line of distinction, which divides the manuscripts of this class into two groups, is given by the general character of the text which they exhibit, and by the insertion or omission of certain of the additional passages of which we have spoken. While some of the passages, viz. v. 6395*-6438*, 7086*—7210*, vii. 3207*—3360*, are common to all the copies, as are also the transposition of vi. 665-964 and (except in case of A) the omission of v. 7701-7746, three of them are found in AdBTAPs only, and are omitted in SA’, viz. v. 7015*—7036*, vii. 2329*-2340* and 3149*-3180*. Then, as regards the text generally, the five MSS. first mentioned all have connexions of various kinds with the unrevised form of the first recension, while the last two represent a type which, except as regards variants specially characteristic of the second recension, of which there may be about sixty in all, nearly corresponds with that of the Fairfax MS."
The relations of the group AdBTAPs with the first recension and with one another are difficult to clear up satisfactorily. Broadly, it may be said that of these B represents an earlier type than the rest in regard to correction and A in regard to revision: that is to say, B retains a large number of first recension errors which do not appear in the rest (sharing some, however, with A), while at the same time, in cases where a line has been rewritten B almost regularly has the altered form, though with some exceptions in the first two books. On the other hand, though it often happens
! S is defective in one of these places and Ad in another, but a reckoning of the lines contained in the missing leaves proves that the facts were as stated.
? They do not, however, contain the additions above mentioned, at Prol, 495; 519, i. 1403, 2267, &c.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT CXXIY
that A is free from original errors which appear in B, yet in many places where B has the revised form of text A gives us the original, in agreement with the earlier first recension type, while in others A agrees with B in giving the revised reading. Then again, there can be no doubt of the close connexion between B and T, but the agreement between them is not usually on those points in which B follows the first recension in error. It is as if they had been derived from the same archetype, but T (or a manuscript from which T was copied) sprang from it at a later stage than the original of B, when many of the errors noted in the first recension had been corrected, while the text of the book generally was allowed to remain as it was'. Finally, the text of Ad approaches very near to a fully revised and corrected type. It very occasionally reproduces the earlier first recension, as if by accident, but seems never deliberately to give an ‘unrevised’ reading. It should be observed that from a point towards the end of the fifth book (about v. 6280) AdBT is a group which is very fre- quently found in special agreement, whereas before that point we usually find BT (or BTA) with Ad on the other side.
Passing now to the third recension, which has the preface and epilogue as in A and S, but excludes the additional passages, we find it represented by eight manuscripts, with Fairfax 3 at their head. "We have already seen that this manuscript was originally one of the first recension, and was altered by the author so as to substitute the new epilogue and the new preface. Besides these changes, fresh lines are in several places written over erasures, as i. 2713 f., iv. 1321 f., 1361 f., &c., the marginal date is erased at Prol. 331, and additions have been made to the marginal notes. All these alterations, as well as the points previously noted, in which F originally differed from the other copies of the first recension, are reproduced in the other MSS. of the third recension.
! It is doubtful, however, whether the special connexion between B and T extended over the whole book, It seems rather to begin about iii. 1500. The question about the relative position of these two MSS. would be easier of solution if it were not that T is defective up to ii. 2687, that is as regards the part where the connexion of B with the first recension is most apparent. The fact is that until about the middle of the third book B is found usually in accord with the ERCLBs group, and though it sometimes in these first books presents the characteristic second recension reading, as ii. 193, 365 ff., iii. 168, at other times it departs from it, as i. 1881, 2017.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT cxxxvii
source as Hs, and it has the same lapse from the third recension to the first, coinciding with the gap in the Keswick book. On the other hand W, though in form of text it corresponds with these and with F, is quite independent of the group above men- tioned, and probably also of the Fairfax MS. It is late and full of corruptions, but in several instances it assists in the correction of errors which appear in F, and it is apparently based on a copy which retained some of the variants of the earlier text still uncorrected.
As for the remaining manuscript, which was formerly in the Phillipps collection, but is now in the hands of a bookseller, I have had so little opportunity for examining it that I ought not to attempt a classification.
Reviewing the whole body of authorities, we can recognize readily that two are pre-eminent as witnesses for the author's final text, that is to say, S and F, the Stafford and the Fairfax MSS. These are practically identical in orthography, and, except as regards the characteristic differences, which sufficiently guarantee their independence, exhibit essentialy the same text, and one which bears the strongest marks of authenticity. Both are con- temporary with the author, and it is perhaps difficult to say which best represents his final judgement as to the form of his work.
The Stafford MS. seems to be the earlier in time, that is to say, it probably precedes the final conversion of the Fairfax copy. It was evidently written for presentation to a member of the house of Lancaster, perhaps to Henry himself before his accession to the throne. It was doubtless for some such presentation copy that the preface was rewritten in 1392-3, with the dedication to Henry introduced into the English text, while most of the other copies issued during Richard's reign probably retained their original form. If we suppose that the new forms of preface and epilogue were at first intended only for private circulation, we can account for the very considerable preponderance of the first recension in regard to the number of copies by which it is represented, and also allow sufficient time for the gradual de- velopment of the text, first into the type which we find in A or J, and finally into that of F, as it originally stood, a process which can hardly be satisfactorily understood if we suppose that from 1393 onwards the Lancastrian dedication had its place in all copies put forth by the author. It seems on the whole probable, for reasons to be stated afterwards, that the final conversion of
cxxxvii GOWER’S ENGLISH WORKS
F (that is as regards the preface) did not take place until after the deposition of Richard, and it is reasonable enough to suppose that copies were usually issued in the original form, until after that event occurred.
Manuscripts. The following account of the MSS. is given on my own authority in every detail. I have been able to see them all, and I wish here to express my thanks to the possessors of them, and to the librarians who have them in their charge, for the readiness with which they have given me the use of them. I am indebted especially to the Councils of Trinity College and St. John's College, Cambridge, and to Corpus Christi, Wadham, Magdalen, and New College, Oxford, for allowing their MSS? to be sent to the Bodleian Library for my use, and to remain there for considerable periods. Except in the case of one or two, to which my access was limited, I have examined every one carefully, so that I am able to say (for example) to what extent, if at all, they are imperfect. "They are arranged as far as possible in accordance with the classes and groups to which they belong, as follows :
ist Recension (a) AJMP:ChN:E, (6) HiYXGOAdsCathQ (o ECRLB:SnDArHdAsh and Recension (a) SA (4) AdTBAPs 3rd Recension FHsNKHsMagdWPs Hn
FIRST RECENSION.
(a) Revised.
A. BODLEY 902, Bodleian Library (formerly Arch. D. 33, not in Bernard's Catalogue, 1697). Contains Confessio Amantis followed by ‘Explicit iste liber’ (four lines), ‘Quam cinxere freta,’ and ‘ Quia vnusquisque.’ Parchment, ff. 184, measuring 133 x 9% in., in quires of 8 with catchwords. Well written in double column of 46 lines in three different hands of early fifteenth cent., of which the first extends to the end of the second quire (ff. 2-16), the second from thence to the end of the tenth quire (ff. 17-80), and the third from f. 81 to the end. The columns nearly correspond with those of the Fairfax MS. up to f.81, after which point some attempt is made to save space by writing the Latin verses in the margin. Latin summaries in the margin, except very occasionally, as on ff. 10 and 11v° Floreated half border in fairly good style at the beginning of each book except the fifth, and one miniature on f. 8, of the Confession, remarkable for the fact that the figure of the Lover is evidently intended as a portrait of the author, being that of an old man and with some resemblance in features to the effigy on Gower'stomb. The Confessor has a red stoie,
MANUSCRIPTS cxxxix
which with his right hand he is laying on the penitent's head, much as in the miniatures which we have in C and L. The note for the minia- turist still stands in the margin, ‘ Hic fiat confessor sedens ef confessus coram se genuflectendo.’
The first leaf of the book is lost, and has been supplied in the sixteenth cent. from Berthelette’s second edition. It should be noted that this is not the form of commencement which belongs properly to the MS., being that of the third recension, taken by Berthelette from Caxton. The first line of f. 2 is Prol. 144.
As to former possessors, we find written on the last leaf *Anniballis Admiralis dominicalis,’ on f. 80 ‘Be me Anne Russell’ (?), and on f. 115 ‘ Elyzebeth Gardnar my troust ys in god,’ all apparently sixteenth cent. The first name is evidently that of Claude d'Annebaut (also called d'Hannybal), who was Admiral of France, and died in 1552. He was in England about the year 1547. The book came to the Bodleian from Gilbert Dolben, Esq., of Finedon, in Northamptonshire, in the year 1697, and not being in the Catalogue of 1697, it has to some extent escaped notice.
The text is a very good one of the revised type. It should be noted, how- ever, that while in the earlier books AJM &c. stand very frequently together on the side of F as against the rest of the first recension, in the later, and especially in the seventh and cighth, AM &c. have an increasing tendency to
stand with the first recension generally, leaving J alone in support of the cor- rected text. In the earlier books À sometimes stands alone in this manner, as i. 1960, ii. 961, 1356.
The orthography (especially that of the second hand) is nearly that of F. As regards final e, the tendency is rather to insert wrongly than to omit. Punctuation agrees generally with that of F.
J. ST. JoHN’s CoLL, CAMB. B 12. Containsthe same as A. Parch- ment, ff. 214, 12 x 9}in., in quires of 8 with catchwords : double column of 39 lines, written in a very neat hand of the first quarter of fifteenth century. Latin summaries usually omitted, but most of them inserted up to f. 5 (Prol. 606), and a few here and there in the fifth and seventh books.
The first page has a complete border, but there are no other decora- tions except red and blue capitals. Old wooden binding.
The seventh leaf of quire 12 (v. 57-213) and the first of quire 14 (v. 1615-1770) are cut out, and a passage of 184 lines is omitted in the first book (i. 631-814) without loss of leaf, which shows that the manu- script from which it was copied, and which here must have lost a leaf, had the normal number of 46 lines to the column.
Various names, as Thomas Browne, Nicolas Helifax, J. Baynorde, are written in the book, and also * John Nicholas oweth this book,’ with the date 1576. At the beginning we find ‘Tho. C. S.’, which stands for ‘Thomas Comes Southampton. The book was in fact bought with
MANUSCRIPTS cxli
of special agreement, and some considerations suggest that it may be actually derived from it, as for example the writing of the Latin verses in the margin after f. 80, which in A seems to be connected with a change of hand, whereas in M it begins at the same point without any such reason. On the other hand M has a good many readings which are clearly independent, either correcting mistakes and omissions in A, as Prol. 195 marg., 937; i. 673 marg., 924, 1336, 3445, ii. 951, iii. 2529, vi. 620, or giving an early read- ing where À has a later, e.g. Prol. 869, i. 1118, 1755, ii. 961, 3516, iii. 1939, v. 3914, 5524, &c. In correctness of text and of spelling M is much inferior to A, especially as regards final e : for example, on f. 53 v°,
Came neuer 3it to mannes ere Cam A
Tiding | ne to mannes sit Tidinge . .. sihte A Merueil whiche so sore aflihte Merueile which A Amannes herte as it pe dede po A
To hym whoche in pe same stede him which A
Pi, formerly PHILLIPPS 2298, bought in June, 1899, by Mr. B. Quaritch, who kindly allowed me to see it. Parchment, leaf measuring about 9 x 6} in., double column of 39 lines, in a fairly neat running hand, with many contractions because of the small size of the leaf. Latin summaries omitted. No decoration. Text agrees with AJM group, so far as I have examined it.
Ch. CHETHAM'S LIBR., MANCHESTER, A. 6. 11 (Bern. Cat. ii. 7151). Contains Conf. Amantis with ‘ Explicit’ (4 lines) and ‘Quam cinxere.’ Parchment, ff. 126, about 15} x 10$ in., quires usually of 12 or 14 leaves. Rather irregularly written in double column of 47-61 lines, late fifteenth century. No ornament. Marginal Latin almost entirely omitted, but some English notes by way of summary occasionally in margin, perhaps by later hand.
The first leaf is lost, the MS. beginning Prol. 193, and alsotwo leaves in the second quire (i. 1092-1491) and one in the tenth (viii. 2111-2343); but besides these imperfections there are many omissions, apparently because the copyist got tired of his work, e. g. ii. 3155-3184, iii. 41-126, 817-842, 877-930, 1119-1196, iv. 17-72, 261-370, $69-704, 710-722, 915-968, 1117-1236, v. 72-112. There is also a good deal of omission and confusion in v. 6101-7082. Atthe end in a scroll is written * Note- hurste,’ which indicates probably that the book was copied for one of the Chethams of Nuthurst, perhaps Thomas Chetham, who died 1504. The word ' Notehurst' also occurs at the end of the Glasgow MS. of the ‘ Destruction of Troy, which has in another place the names of John and Thomas Chetham of ‘Notehurst’ as the owners of it.
In text it belongs to the AJM group, and sometimes, as iv. 208, stands alone with J. There are many corruptions, however, and the spelling is late and bad.
Ns. NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD, 326. Contains Conf. Amantis only (no ‘ Explicit’). Parchment, ff. 207 + 4 blanks, about 132 x 94 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords ; neatly written in double column of 40 lines
cxlii GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
(or 39). No Latin summaries or verses. The handwriting changes after f. 62 (at iii. 2164) and becomes rather larger and more ornamental.
Two leaves lost after f. 35, containing ii. 1066-1377, and some of the Jeaves of the MS. from which it was copied had been displaced, so that iv. 2501-2684 comes after 2864, then follows 3049-3232, then 2865- 3048, and after these 3233 ff. (two leaves displaced in the original). Lines omitted sometimes with blanks left, as i. 1044, 2527.
From the coats of arms which it contains the book would seem to have been written for Thomas Mompesson of Bathampton, sheriff of Wilts in 1478 (K. Meyer, John Gowers Besiehungen, &c.). It was given to John Mompesson by Sir Giles Mompesson in 1650, and to New College by Thomas Mompesson, Fellow, in 1705.
The text is a combination of two types. It has the Lancaster dedication at the beginning, but the conclusion which belongs to the first recension. On examination it proves that the scribe who wrote the first eight quires followed a manuscript not of the F, but of the SA class (agreeing for example with S in i. 1881 f., 2017 ff., ii. 2387, iii, 168, 1241, and differing from F in regard to i. 2267 ff., 2343ff., &c.), while the copyist of the remainder followed one of the revised first recension. The spelling is poor.
Es. BIBL. EGERTON 913, Brit. Museum. A fragment, containing Conf. Amantis from the beginning to i. 1701. Paper, ff. 47, 114 x 8 in., in quires of 16 with catchwords : single column, 30-37 lines on page: Latin summaries in margin. Three hands, (1) f. 1-26, 31-36; (2) 27-30; (3) 37-47.
On f. 26 v?. there is an omission of i. 387-570 (one leaf of 184 lines lost in the copy). This is supplied by the insertion of four leaves after f. 26, containing i. 375-580.
The text belongs to the revised group, as shown by Prol. 6, 7, 115, 659, 869, i. 162, 278, 368, 1262, &c.
(6) Intermediate.
Hi. HARLEIAN 3490, Brit. Museum. Contains, ff. 1-6 St Edmund's Speculum Religtosorum, ff. 8-215 Confessio Amantis, left unfinished on f.215 v°. Parchment, 215 leaves, 144 x 10 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords : double column of 34-51 lines, small neat hand of middle fifteenth cent, with some corrections, perhaps in the same hand. Latin summaries in the text, underlined with red. Blank leaf cut out after f.6, and f.7 left blank, so that Gower begins on the first leaf of the second quire. The text is left unfinished at viii. 3062*, part of the last page remaining blank.
Floreated pages at the beginning of the books and also at f. 11, with various coats of arms painted.
The text given by this MS. is of an intermediate type. Occasionally throughout it is found in agreement with AJM &c. rather than with ERC &c., as Prol. 6, 7, i. 162, 630, 1755, 1768 fI., 1934, &c., and in a large portion
MANUSCRIPTS cxliii
of the fifth book it passes over definitely in company with XG &c. to the revised class, but it does not contain the distinctive readings of XG. Some- times it stands alone of the first recension in company with F &c., as iv. 2414, vii. 1749, viii. 2098, and especially in regard to the three passages, i. 2267 ff., 2343 ff., 2369 ff. In individual correctness of text and spelling the MS. does not rank high, and it is especially bad as regards insertion and omission of final e, as ‘Wherof him ouht welle to drede,’ ‘Ayenste the poyntes of the beleue,' ‘Of whome that he taketh eny hede.' It has th
regularly for p and y for 5.
Y. In the possession of the MARQUESS OF BUTE, by whose kindness I have been allowed to examine it. Contains Confessio Amantis, imperfect at beginning and end. Parchment, 154 x 102 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords on scrolls. Very well written in double column of 50 lines, early fifteenth cent. Latin summaries in text (red). Floreated page finely illuminated at the beginning of each book, with good painting of large initials, some with figures of animals, in a style that looks earlier than the fifteenth cent. Spaces left on f. 2, apparently for two miniatures, before and after the Latin lines following i. 202.
Begins in the last Latin summary of the Prologue, ‘Arion nuper citharista,’ followed by Prol. 1053, * Bot wolde god,’ &c., having lost six leaves. Again, after iv. 819 nine leaves are lost, up to iv. 2490, and one leaf also which contained vi. 2367- vii. 88: the book ends with viii. 2799, two or three leaves being lost here. The book belonged to the first Marquess of Bute, who had his library at Luton. At present it is at St. John's Lodge, Regent's Park.
This is a good manuscript, carefully written and finely decorated. There are very few contractions, and in particular the termination -oun is generally written in full, as * confessioun,' i. 202, *resoun,' iii. 1111, 'de- vocioun,’ * contemplacioun, v. 7125 f. &c., and fh is written regularly for p. As regards individual accuracy and spelling it is very fair, but the scribe adds -e very freely at the end of words. Tbe type of text represented is evidently intermediate to some extent, but I have not been able to examine it suf- ficiently to determine its exact character. It supports the revised group in a certain number of passages, e. g. i. 264, 630, 3374, 3396, 3416, ii. 31, 1328, 1758, &c., sometimes in company with Hi: and sometimes not. In particular we may note the passage i. 3374 ff., where in some lines it is revised as above mentioned, and in others, as 3381, 3414, 3443, it keeps the earlier text. Occasionally Y seems to have a tendency to group itself with B, as i. 208, 604, and in other places we find YE or YEC forming a group in agreement with B, as i. 161, iii. 633, v. 1946, 3879.
X. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, 134. Contains, ff. 1-30 Lydgate's Life of the Virgin (imperfect at beginning), f.1 begins in cap. xiii. ‘Therefore quod pees,’ ff. 30-249 Confessio Amantis with ‘ Explicit’ (six lines), ‘Quam cinxere, and ‘Quia vnusquisque,’ ff. 250-283, Hoc- cleve's Regement of Princes, with * Explicit Thomas Occlef,’ ff. 283 v^, metrical version of Boethius [by John Walton of Osney] with leaves
cxliv GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
lost at the end, ends ‘Amonges hem pa? dwelles ny3e present.’ Parchment, ff. 297, about 15 x 11 in., in quires of 8 without catchwords, in a good and regular hand. The Conf. Amantis is in double column of 41 lines. Latin summaries in text (red). Ornamental borders at the beginning of books and space for miniature of Nebu- chadnezzar’s Dream on f. 34 v?. One leaf lost between ff. 134 and 135, containing v. 1159-1318.
The book belonged formerly to the Rev. Charles Lyttelton, LL.D., who notes that it came originally from the Abbey of Hales Owen.
I owe thanks to the librarian of the Society of Antiquaries for courteously giving me access to the manuscript.
The text is of the intermediate type, passing over in a part of the fifth book with H1 &c. to the revised group, but not giving the revised readings much support on other occasions. It forms however a distinct sub-group with GOAd:, these manuscripts having readings apparently peculiar to themselves in several passages, e. g. v. 3688 and after v. 6848.
The spelling is not very good, and in particular final e is thrown in very freely without justification : there are also many -ts, -1d, -ir terminations, as ‘servantis,’ ‘ goodis,’ ‘ nedis,' ‘ellis,’ * crokid,' ‘ clepid,’ * vsid,’ ‘ chambir,’ ‘aftir,’ and 3 usually for gh (A), as ‘ hy3e,’ * ny3e,’ * oust,’ ‘lawe,’ ‘ sley3tis,’ &c. The text however is a fair one, and the use of it by Halliwell in his Dictionary preserved him from some of the errors of the printed editions. The scribe was apt to drop lines occasionally and insert them at the bottom of the column, and some, as iii. 2343, are dropped without being supplied.
G. GLASGOW, HUNTERIAN MUSEUM, S. i. 7. Contains Confessio Amantis, imperfect at the end. Parchment, ff. 181 (numbered 179 by doubling 94 and 106) with two blanks at the beginning, 163 x 1012 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords: well and regularly written in double column of 46 lines, early fifteenth century. Latin summaries in the text (red). Floreated page at the beginning of each book, so far as they remain, and illuminated capitals. Many catchwords lost by cutting of the margin : it must once have been a very large book.
The manuscript has lost about sixteen leaves at the end, and eight altogether in various other places. In every case except one, however, the place of the lost leaf is supplied by a new leaf inserted, one of which has the missing portion of the text copied out from an early edition, while the rest are blank. The leaves lost are mostly such as would probably have had miniatures or illuminations, including the beginning of the first, second, sixth, seventh, and eighth books. The losses are as follows: f. 4 (containing Prol. 504-657, probably with a miniature) text supplied by later hand, f.7 (Prol 984-i. 30), f.9 (i. 199-336, probably with a miniature), f. 28 (i. 3402-ii. 108), f. 129 (131) (v. 7718-vi. 40), f. 143 (145) (vi. 2343-vii. 60), a leaf after f. 175 (177)
(vii. 5399-viii. 126), f. 177 (179) (viii. 271-441), and all after f. 179 (181), that is from viii. 783 to the end.
MANUSCRIPTS cxlv
A former owner (seventeenth cent.) says, ‘This Book, as I was told by the Gent: who presented it to me, did originally belong to the Abbey of Bury in Suffolk.’ If so, the Confessio Amantis was probably read in this copy by Lydgate.
I am under great obligations to Dr. Young, Librarian of the Hunterian Museum, for the trouble he has taken to give me access to this excellent manuscript.
The Glasgow MS. is especially related to X (iv. 2773, v. 1486, 3582, 3688, 4110, 6848 ff., vi. ror, vii. 769, &c.), and belongs more generally to the group HiX &c., which passes over to the revised class almost completely in a considerable part of the fifth book. The text, however, is on the whole much better than that of X, being both individually more correct and more frequently found on the side of the corrected readings, e.g. i, 2836, ii. 1441, 1867, v. 781, 1203, 2996, 4425, 5966, 6839, 7223, 7630, vi. 86, 746 (corrected), 1437, vii. 510, 1361, 1574, 2337, 3902, viii. 568. In at least one place, vii. 1574, it stands alone of the first recension, while in others, as v. 4425, 5966, 7630, vi. 746, 1437, &c., it is accompanied only by J. On the other hand in some passages, as v. 5802, 6019, 6257, vii. 1172 »narg. &c., G has an earlier reading and X the later, while there is also a whole series of passages where G, sometimes in company with X, seems to show a special connexion of some kind with B (BT), as ii. 1925, iii. 733, iv. 2295, 2508, v. 4, 536, 2508, 3964, 4072, 7048, vi. 1267, 1733, vii. 3748, 4123, &c.
The book is carefully written, and corrected in the same hand, e.g. V. 3145, SOII, vi. 430, 746, vii. 4233. The spelling is pretty good, and in particular it is a contrast to X in the matter of final e. This is seldom wrongly inserted, and when it is omitted it is usually in places where the metre is not affected by it. Punctuation often in the course of the line, but not at the end.
O. STOWE 950, Brit. Museum. Confessio Amantis, imperfect at beginning and end. Parchment, ff. 175 (177 by numbering leaves of another book pasted to binding), 141 x 10 in., in eights with catchwords and signatures, double column of 44-46 lines; written in a small, neat hand. Latin summaries in text (red). No decorated pages.
Has lost seven leaves of the first quire, to i. 165 (incl.), and also after f. 16 one leaf (i. 2641-2991), after f. 35 one (ii. 2486-2645), after f. 44 two (iii. 673-998), after f. 97 one (v. 3714-3898), after f. 108 two (v. 5832-6184), after f. 136 two (vii. 771-1111), and at least four leaves at the end (after viii. 2549).
Formerly belonged to Lord Ashburnham.
In text this belongs to the XG group, agreeing with them, for example, at v. 3688, 6848, and in general with HiXG, whcre they go together (so far as I have examined the book), e.g. in the Latin verses after v. 2858 (' Vltra testes falsos," ‘ penitus") and in the readings of v. 1893, 1906, 2694, 3110, &c.
The handwriting is somewhat like that of Hi: the spelling sometimes fairly good, but unequal; bad especially at the beginning. The metre generally good.
+* k
cxlvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
Ads. ADDITIONAL 22139, Brit. Museum. Confessio Amantis, imperfect, with the author's account of his books, * Quia vnusquisque,’ at the end, followed by Chaucer's poems, ‘To you my purse,’ ‘The firste stok,’ ‘Some time this worlde,’ ‘Fle fro the pres.” Parchment, ff. 138, 132 x 10} in., in quires of 8 with catchwords: regularly and closely written in double column of 53 lines by two hands, the first (ff.1-71) somewhat pointed, the second rounder and smaller. Date 1432 on a shield, f. 1. Latin summaries in text (red). Illu- minated borders at beginning of books (except the eighth) and many gilt capitals: a miniature cut out on f. 4 (before Prol. 595).
The first leaves are much damaged, f. 1 having only two lines left (f.2 begins Prol. 177), f. 3 has lost Prol. 455-478 and 505-527, &c., f. 4 has a miniature cut out, with Prol. 716-726 on the other side, f. 6 has lost Prol. 979-1061. After f. 7 there is a loss of seventeen leaves (i. 199-ii. 56), after f. 31 (originally 48) two quires (sixteen leaves) are lost and f. 32 is damaged (iii. 1150-iv. 1517), after f. 81 one leaf lost (v. 7807-vi. 154).
Bought by Brit. Museum from Thos. Kerslake of Bristol, 1857.
The text is closely connected with that of X, but not copied from that manuscript itself (see ii. 1711, vii. 92, viii. 2650). There are corrections here and there in a somewhat later hand, e. g. ii. 671, 1045, 1457, iil. 1053, iv. 2922, several of which are cases of lines supplied, which had been dropped. In v. 3688 the ordinary reading has been substituted doubtless for that of X, and in some cases the alterations are wrong, as vii. 2639, viii. 5r. The manuscript has a good many individual errors and the spelling is rather poor.
Cath. ST. CATHARINE'S COLL, CAMB. Confessio Amantis with ‘Explicit’ (six lines), ‘Quam cinxere' and ‘Quia vnusquisque.' Parchment, ff. 188, 172 x 121 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords : well written in double column of 47 lines, afterwards 40, before the middle of fifteenth cent. Latin summaries in text (red. Floreated whole border at the beginning of each book: miniature on f. 4 v? of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream, and f. 8 v? the Confession (Priest on stool to left of picture, laying hand but not stole on penitent's head), fairly well painted.
Leaves are missing which contained i. 3089-3276, ii. 3331-3518, V. 1182-1363, 6225-6388, vi. 107-460, vii. 984-1155, and viii. 2941- 3114*, and the last leaf containing * Explicit, &c., is placed now at the beginning of the volume. There is a confusion of the text in the third book, iii. 236-329 being repeated after 678 and 679-766 left out, also a considerable omission in the fourth (iv. 2033-3148) without loss of leaves in this MS. (The statement in the MS. that seven leaves are here lost is a mistake.) In the passage vii. 1486-2678 several leaves have been disarranged in the quire.
Given to the College in 1740 by Wm. Bohun of Beccles (Suffolk), to
MANUSCRIPTS cxlvii
whose great-grandfather, Baxter Bohun, it was given in 1652 by his * grandmother Lany.'
The text is of a rather irregular type, but often agrees with the XGO group. It has many mistakes and the spelling is poor.
Q. Belonged to the late Mr. B. Quaritch, who kindly allowed me to examine it slightly. Parchment, leaves measuring about 14 x 82 in., in double column of 49 lines, well written, early fifteenth cent. Ends with the account of the author's books, * Quia vnusquisque? Floreated pages at the beginning of books and a good miniature of the Con- fession on f. 3, of a rather unusual type—the priest seated to the left of the picture and the penitent at a little distance. Latin summaries in text (red). Begins with Prol. 342, having lost two leaves here, and has lost also Prol. 529-688, Prol. 842-i. 85, and perhaps more.
The book formerly belonged to a Marquess of Hastings.
This is a good manuscript, and the spelling is fairly correct. I place
it provisionally here, because its readings seem to show a tendency towards the XG group.
(c) Unrevised. - .
E. EGERTON 1991, Brit. Museum. Confessio Amantis with ‘ Ex- plicit’ (six lines), ‘Quam cinxere, and ‘Quia vnusquisque,’ after which ‘Deo Gracias. And panne ho no more.’ Parchment, ff.214, 154x10 in. in quires of 8 with catchwords: regularly written in a very good large hand in double column of 42 lines, early fifteenth cent. Latin summaries in text (red). Floreated pages at beginning of books, and a finely painted miniature of the Confession on f. 7 v°.
Two leaves lost, originally ff. 1 and 3, containing Prol. 1-134 and 454-594. The book has also suffered from damp, and parts of the first and last leaves are so discoloured as to be illegible.
A seventeenth cent. note on f. 1 v° tells us that the book was given on April 5, 1609, ‘at Skarborough Castle’ to the lady Eliz) Dymoke by her aunt the lady Catherine Burghe, daughter of Lord Clynton, who was afterwards earl of Lincoln and Lord High Admiral, to whom it came by her mother, the lady Eliz. Talboys. On f. 2 we find the register of the birth of Master Harry Clinton, son and heir of Lord Clinton, born at Canbery, June 6, 1542. The name Willoughby occurs also in the book (sixteenth cent.), and on a flyleaf inserted at the beginning we find ‘John Brograve, 1682,’ with Latin lines in the form of an acrostic about his family, signed ‘Thomas Tragiscus, Bohemus.'
Bought by the Brit. Mus. August 6, 1865, at Lord Charlemont’s sale.
The text of this fine MS. belongs clearly to the unrevised group. At the same time its original must have had some corrections, and some also appear on the face of this MS. It stands alone of the first recension in
k 2
MANUSCRIPTS cxlix
boke appertayneth vnto the Right Honorable the Ladie Margaret Strange” (presumably the same whose name appears in M). The binding has ‘ Lady Mary Strainge.’
A very fair MS. of its class and almost absolutely typical, but gives distinctively revised readings in a few passages, as ii. 925, iv. 1342, V. 3145, viii. 1621. Omits vii. 2889-2916 and some of the Latin summaries. The words ‘pope’ and ‘papacie’ are regularly erased, see especially f. 47. Spelling and metre fairly good: no punctuation.
L. LAUD 609, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 754). Confessio Amantis with ‘Explicit’ (four lines), ‘Quam cinxere’ and ‘Quia vnusquisque.’ Parchment, ff. 170, 16 x 103 in., in quires of 8 with catchwords: double column, first of 40 lines, then about 44, and after f. 16 of 51: well written, first quarter fifteenth cent. Latin in the text (red). Floreated border of first page and half borders at the beginning of books, well executed. Two miniatures, on f. 5v? the Image of the dream, and on f. 10 the Confession, both much like those in C and Bs, but damaged.
After f. 109 one leaf is lost (v. 5550-5739), one after f. 111 (v. 6140- 6325), and eight (quire 16) after f. 118 (v. 7676-vi. 1373).
The names Symon and Thomas Elrington (sixteenth cent.) occur in the book, ff. 89, 170, and ‘ Liber Guilielmi Laud Archiepiscopi Cantuar. et Cancellarii Vniuersitatis Oxon. 1633’ on f. 1.
In correctness of text and spelling the text is decidedly inferior to the foregoing MSS. We may note apparently good readings in the following passages, Prol. 159, i. 3023, v. 1072, vii. 374, 3040, 3639, viii. 358, 483.
B». BODLEY 693, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 2875). | Confessio A mantis with ‘Explicit’ (six lines), * Quam cinxere' and * Quia vnus- quisque. Parchment (gilt edged), ff. 196, 15 x 10 in, in eights with catchwords. Well written, first quarter fifteenth cent., in double column of 46 lines. Latin in text (red). Floreated border of first page and half borders at beginning of books (also on f. 8v?), well executed : two small miniatures, f. 4v? the Image of the dream, f. 8v? (within an initial T) the Confession, like those in C and L, but smaller.
At the end we have ‘ ffrauncois Halle A? MV*VI' (i. e. 1506), ‘Garde le fine.’ In the initial on f. 1 a coat of arms is painted surrounded by the Garter and its motto. The arms are those of Charles Brandon duke of Suffolk (Brandon with quartering of Bruyn and Rokeley, see Doyle, Official Baronage,11. 443), and on the same page is painted the Brandon crest (lion's head erased, crowned per pale gules and arg., langued az.). These must have been painted in later than the date of the MS. The binding is deeply stamped with the arms of Great Britain and Ireland in colours, and the letters I. R., showing that the book belonged to James I. It was presented to the Bodleian by Dr. John King, who
MANUSCRIPTS cli
Ar. ARUNDEL 45, College of Arms (Bern. Cat. ii. 5547). Confessio Amantis (imperfect). Paper, 168 leaves (numbered 167, but one dropped in numbering after f. 42) -- two parchment blank at beginning, 11$x8] in. Quires of 8 (usually), with catchwords, double column of 46-51 lines, small neat writing, middle fifteenth cent. Latin in text (red) : no illumination, but spaces left for initials.
One leaf lost after f. 7 (i. 63-216), two after f. 116 (v. 5229-5594), and all after viii. 1102 (about twelve leaves gone at the end).
Former possessors, * Thomas Goodenston, Gerdeler of London,’ and (before him probably) * Jhon Barthylmewe, Gerdyllarr and Marchant.'
Hd. At CASTLE HOWARD, the property of the Earl of Carlisle, who most kindly sent it for my use. Confessio Amantis with * Explicit’ (four lines), ‘Quam cinxere! and * Quia vnusquisque.’ Parchment, ff. 111 (num- bered as 110) 14 x 11 in., in quires of 8 (usually), marked iiii, v, vi, &c. In double column of 60-74 lines, rather irregularly written in a small, fairly clear hand, later fifteenth cent. Latin in text. Some red and blue initials; no other decoration.
Seventeen leaves lost at the beginning, f. 1 begins at i. 3305, and f. 8 is the first leaf of quire iiii: after f. 73 four leaves lost, containing vi. 264-1306, and in the last quire one, containing viii. 2566-2833. The leaves in the latter half of the book, from f. 66, bave been much disarranged in the binding.
The name ‘Tho. Martin’ is written at the beginning, in the hand- writing of the well-known Thomas Martin of Palgrave. This of course is not the book mentioned in Bern. Cat. ij. 611 as among the books collected by Lord William Howard at Naworth Castle. There seems to be at present no Gower MS. at Naworth.
Some readings seem to show a connexion of Hd with L, as iii. 1885, 2763, * Now herkne and I pe po,’ iv. 1341, 3086, 3449, 3535, but it is not derived from it. Note also the readings of ii. 1577 ‘Ne,’ 2825 ‘by,’ iii. 1173 *[upartie,' v. 3306 ‘Oute.’ There are many corruptions in the text as well as some deliberate alterations, as ‘cleped’ regularly to ‘called,’ and words are often dropped or inserted to the injury of the metre.
Ash. ASHMOLE 35, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 6916). Confessio Amantis (imperfect). Paper, ff. 182, 13kx9k in. Quires of 12 (usually), with catchwords, double column of 42-48 lines, fairly well written : no Latin verses or summaries, but summaries in English writen in the text (red), mostly omitted in the last thirty leaves. Some initials in red, spaces left for larger capitals.
Begins with Prol. 170, having lost two leaves (one blank) at the beginning. After f. 2 one leaf is lost (Prol. 541-725), one after f. 4 (i. 1-169), one after f. 32 (ii. 1749-1927), one after f. 91 (v. 2199-2366), three after f. 181 (viii. 2505-2893), one after f. 182, which ends with viii. 3082*. Half of f. 182 is torn away, but the beginning of the
MANUSCRIPTS cliii
not adopted by Henry until 1397, this would not be the actual copy sent on the occasion of the dedication to him in 1392-93. On the other hand the absence of all royal emblems indicates that the book was prepared before Henry's accession to the throne.
In the sixteenth cent. (Queen Elizabeth's reign) the book belonged to one William Downes, whose name is written more than once on f.170. The ornamental letters W. D. on f. 21 are probably his initials, and on f. 76 we have Phillipp Downes in a fifteenth-cent. hand. On f. 171 v?there isa note about the parsonages of Gwend. .. and Stythians in the county of Cornewell, percell of the possessions of the late monastary of Rewley,’ and also about the ‘personage of Croppreadin in the county of Oxforde,’ granted for xxi years by Edward VI and pay- ing lvi pounds a year. ' T. P. Goodwyn’ is another name (seventeenth cent). When Todd saw the MS. at the beginning of this century, it belonged to the Marquess of Stafford.
S has the Lancaster dedication and the rewritten epilogue, and with these the three additional passages, v. 6395*-6438*, 7086*-4210*, vii. 3207*-3360*, omitting v. 7701-7746, and transposing vi. 665-964. In correctness it is inferior only to F, and these two stand far above all others as primary authorities. Their independence of one another is certain, and the general agreement of their text gives it the highest guarantee of authenticity. The spelling is practically the same, as will be seen in those passages which are printed from S in this edition, e. g. vii. 3207*-3360*, indeed in most places the two texts are absolutely the same, letter for letter. As regards f. 50, which is in a different hand, it should be noted not only that it is far less correct than the rest, but also that it is copied from a different original, a MS. of the unrevised first recension, distinctive readings of which are given in iii. 1686, 1763, 1800, 1806, while no trace of such readings appears in any other part of S.
A. SIDNEY SUSSEX COLL, CAMB. A. 4. I (Bern. Cat. i. 3. 726). Contains Confessio Amantis, with ‘Explicit’ (six lines) and ‘Quam cinxere,’ (ff. 2-202 v°), and then an English version of Cato's Disticha. Paper, ff. 211 (of which four blank), 11% x 83 in., in quires of 12 with catchwords and signatures, Written in double column of 41-48 lines in a fairly good hand, middle fifteenth century, with a good many con- tractions. Latin summaries usually in text, sometimes in margin. No decoration. The first leaf is lost, containing Prol. 1-140.
The book was left to the College by Samuel Ward, Master, 1643. One of the blank leaves has the word ‘temsdytton’ (i.e. Thames Dytton) in an early hand.
In regard to form of text this MS. agrees throughout with S, and it must no doubt have had the Lancaster preface. It is remarkable as containing the additional lines pririted by Caxton at the end of the Prologue (which may have been also in S), and it has eleven Latin hexameters substituted for the prose summaries at Prol. 591 and 617, beginning,
* Dormitans statuam sublimem rex babilonis,'
MANUSCRIPTS clv
present with ii. 2687. Also the second col. of f. 84 r° is left blank with omission of v. 7499-7544. A large part of f. 33 is blank, but there is no omission.
Presented to the College by Thomas Nevile, Master.
A good MS., with form of text in v, vi, vii, like that of AdB, and obviously having a special connexion in its readings with B. T, however, is of a more fully corrected type than B, and it must remain doubtful whether the preface of the poem in T was of the earlier or the later form. In any case the original of the two, if (as it seems) they had a common original, was not made up earlier than 1397, for the resemblance of the manuscripts extends to the French and Latin poems Which follow the Conf. Amantis, and the last of these is dated the 2oth year of king Richard.
The third and fourth hands are neater and better than the other two. The first is rather less correct and less good in spelling than the others, and also it omits the Latin marginal notes. The parts written in this hand are ii. 2687-iii. 608, v. 1415-2874, 5805-7082, v. 7545-vi. 1040, vi. 2201-vii. 2532.
With regard to the connexions within the group AdBTA, attention may be drawn especially to v. 659, where Ad has the usual reading, T omits the line, leaving a blank, while B and A have bad lines made up for the occasion, to v. 4020, where Ad again has the usual text, TA omit, and B has a made- up line, and to v. 7303. where AdBT omit two lines necessary to the sense which: A inserts. We may note the alteration by erasure in T of v. 5936, apparently from the reading of the unrevised text.
B. BODLEY 294, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 2449). Contents, as in T, ff. 1-197 Conf. Amantis, &c., ff. 197-199 v? Zraifié, f. 199 v? * Quia vnusquisque,’ ff. 199 v?-201 Carmen super multiplici, &c., ending with the lines * Hoc ego bis deno.’ Parchment, ff. 201, 15k x 10$ in., quires of 8 with catchwords. Well written in double column of 42-47 lines, first quarter of fifteenth cent. Latin summaries in text (red): * Confessor,’ ‘ Amans,’ usually omitted. Complete border of first page and at the beginning of each book except i and ii, painted in good style. Two miniatures, f. 4v° Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (the king in bed crowned), f. 9 the Confession, nearly as in E. No leaves lost.
The name ‘ Edwarde Fletewoode’ appears on f. 1, and the book was probably given by him to the University in 1601.
Form of text in v, vi, vii the same as AdT. We have in this MS. a combination of the early preface with the rewritten conclusion, a form which we might reasonably expect to find, and which may have been that of T, as it certainly was of the MS. used by Berthelette. Something has already been said of the text of this MS., and for the rest sufficient information will be found in the critical apparatus. The spelling of B is exemplified in the passages printed from it, Prol. 24*-92*, v. 7015*-7036", vii. 2329*-2340*, 3149*-3180*. Asin the case of E, the copyist is careful of metre, and while omitting final e freely before a vowel, rarely does so where it affects the metre, and seldom adds -e unduly. There is hardly any punctuation.
clvi GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
A. WOLLATON HALL, in the possession of Lord Middleton, who kindly allowed me to examine it. Contents as B. Parchment, ff. 197, 154 x 10} in., in quires of 8 with catchwords and signatures. Well and regularly written in double column of 46 lines, early fifteenth century. Latin summaries in text (red) as a rule, sometimes in margin. Spaces left for miniatures at the beginning and for initials throughout, not painted. No leaves lost.
The text of this MS. is in many ways interesting. It has Lancaster dedi- cation, but in text it often seems to belong to the unrevised first recension ; for though many of the errors of this group are found to be corrected in A, even in cases where B retains them, as Prol. 7, 219, Lat. Verses after 584, 812, 844, 937 f., i. 8, 54, 264, 278, &c., ii. 671, 833, &c., and though there are also many of the revised readings, as i. 368, ii. 1758 ff. (in both of which B is unrevised), iv. 517, 766, 985 f., 2954, 3153, v. 30, 47f., 82, 2694 f., 3110, &c., yet in many other places the original readings stand in A, as i. 3374 ff. iv. 2407, 2556, v. 274, 316, 394. 1893, 1906 f., &c., where BT are revised. The characteristic second recension readings are almost regularly given by A, which agrees with AdBT against SA in regard to the passages inserted ; but there are some important differences between this MS. and all others of its class, viz. (1) after v. 6430* it has a combination of first and second recensions. (2) v. 7701-3746 is inserted as in the first and third re- censions, (3) viii. 2941-2959 is inserted as in the first recension (with the curious corruption ‘Cuther’ for ‘Chaucer’), the rewritten epilogue being carried on from the line ‘ Enclosed in a sterred skye.’
It will be observed that BTA often form a distinct group, as (to take only a few examples) iv. 1567, 1996, 2034, 3132, 3138, v. 654 ff., 4138, &c. We may note, however, v. 7303 f. which are inserted by A, though omitted in AdBT, and the reading ‘she’ in iv. 2973.
Ps. Phillipps 8192, at Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham. Same contents as BTA. Parchment, ff. 193, large fol. Well written in double col. of 46 lines, early fifteenth cent. Latin summaries in margin. lllumination on the first page and at the beginning of books, except i. and iii. On the first page a miniature of Nebuchadnezzar's Image, with a small figure in the border, and also a figure painted in the initial O. Two leaves missing and supplied in blank after f. 1 (Prol. 154-509), and one later (vii. 3199-3382). On f. 1 v? ‘Joh: Finch Comitis Winchilsea filius 1700.’
A fine MS. of an early type. It has the Lancaster dedication in the Pro- logue and the later form of epilogue, and as regards the additional passages it agrees with AdBTA. In text Ps is closely related to A, but it does not include v. 7701-7746 or viii. 2941-2960, nor does it agree with A in v. 6431* ff. As instances of their agreement we may cite Prol. 14, ‘It dwelleth oft in,’ 115, ‘ vneuened,' 127, ‘ben nought diuided, &c. In the marginal note of Prol. 22 Ps has ‘sextodecimo,’ but the first three letters are over an erasure.
MANUSCRIPTS clvii
THIRD RECENSION.
F. FAIRFAX 3, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 3883). Contains, ff. 2-186, Confessio Amantis, with ‘Explicit’ and ‘Quam cinxere,' ff. 186 v°-190 v? 7raifi, &c., ff.190v°-194 Carmen de multiplici viciorum festilencia, ending with the lines ‘Hoc ego bis deno; &c., f. 194 *Quia vnusquisque,' f. 194 v? sixteen Latin lines by *a certain philosopher’ in praise of the author, beginning ‘ Eneidos Bucolis que Georgica,’ f. 195 a leaf of a Latin moral treatise from the old binding. Parchment, ff. 195 (including one blank flyleaf at the beginning and one of another book at the end), 134 x 9]. in., in quires of 8 with catchwords ; the first quire begins at f. 2, the twenty-fourth quire has six leaves and the twenty-fifth (last) three. The leaves of the seventh quire are disarranged and should be read in the following order, 50, $2, 53 51, 56, 54, 55, 57. The Confessio Amantis is written in double column of 46 lines, in a very good hand of the end of the fourteenth cent. Latin summaries in the margin. Half borders, some with animal figures, at the beginning of each book, and two miniatures, one at the beginning, rather large, of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and the other on f. 8 of the Confession, in which the priest is dressed in green and has a wreath of roses on his head, while the penitent, whose features are damaged, wears a hood and a collar of SS with a badge, probably a swan, dependent from it. This was no doubt intended as a portrait of the author : the collar and badge have somewhat the appearance of having been added after the original painting was made. The size of the illuminated capitals indicates precisely the nature of the various divisions of the work.
On f. 2 is written ‘The Ladie Isabell Fairfax daughter and hare of Thwats hir bouk,’ on f. 8 ‘This boke belongeth to my lady farfax off Steton, and on f.1 *Sr Thomas fayrfax of Denton Knighte true owner of this booke, 1588. This Lady Isabell] Fairfax was the grand- daughter and heiress of John Thwaites of Denton, who died in 1511, and was married to Sir William Fairfax of Steeton. Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton, whose name appears in the book, was her grandson. The book no doubt came from the Thwaites family, and we are thus able to trace it back as far as John Thwaites of Denton, who died in old age not much more than a hundred years after the death of the author. It was bequeathed with other MSS. to the University of Oxford by Sir Thomas Fairfax the parliamentary general, grandson of the above Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton, and was placed in the Bodleian Library in 1675.
The first leaf of the text, up to Prol. 146, is written in a second hand which has also written ff. 186-194, including the last lines of the Conf. Amantis from viii. 3147. A third hand (with very different orthography) has written viii. 2938-3146, being the last 29 lines of f. 41 v? (over an
MANUSCRIPTS clix
freedom. It has seemed desirable therefore to introduce a greater degree of consistency, while preserving the general usage of the MS. Proper names are regularly given in this edition with capitals (usually so in the MS., but not always), and sentences are begun with capital letters after a full stop. On the other hand the J (or J), which is often used as an initial, has frequently been suppressed, and occasionally this has been done in the case of other letters. It may be observed, however, that capital letters are on the whole used very systematically in the MS., and other good MSS., especially S, agree with F in the main principles. Certain substantives as ‘ Ere,’ * Erthe,’ ‘ Schip,' ' Sone,’ ‘ Ston,’ are almost invariably used with capitals, and names of animals, as ‘Cat,’ ‘Hare,’ ‘Hound,’ ‘Leoun,’ ‘ Mous,' ‘Oxe,’ ‘ Pie,’ ‘Ro,’ ‘Schep,’ ‘ Tigre, of some parts of the body, as ‘Arm,’ ‘ Hiele,’ ‘ Lippes,’ ‘Nase,’ ‘ Pappes,’ ‘Skulle,’ and many other concrete substantives, are apt to be written with capitals, sometimes apparently in order to give them more importance. Capitals are seldom thus used except in the case of substantives and some numerals, as ‘ Nyne,' ‘Seconde,’ *Sexte,' * Tenthe,' and in many cases it is pretty evident that a distinction is intended, e.g. between ‘Sone’ and ‘sone’ (adv.), ‘Se’ (= sea) and ‘se’ (verb), ‘Dore’ and ‘dore’ (verb), see iv. 2825 f, ‘More’ and ‘more,’ *Pype and ‘pipe’ (verb), iv. 3342f., ‘Myn’ and ‘myn’ (poss. pron.), ‘Mone’ and ‘mone’ (verb), but see v. 5804, 5808, ‘In’ and ‘in,’ vii. 492r f., viii. 1169 f., 1285 f. That some importance was attached to the matter is shown by the cases where careful alterations of small letters into capitals have been made in the MS., as Prol. 949, i. 1687, V. 1435, 3206, 4019, vii. 2785, &c.
Many corrections were made by the first hand, and some of these arc noteworthy, especially the cases where a final e seems to be deliberately erased for the sake of the metre or before a vowel, as i. 60 ‘ get” for ‘ gete,' iii. 2346 ‘trew’ for ‘trewe,’ vi. 1359 ‘I red’ for ‘I rede,’ vii. 1706 ‘ ffyf’ for ‘ ffyue,' or where an e has been added afterwards, as ii. 3399 ‘ depe,’ iii. 449 * bowe,' v. 1269, 3726, 5265, ‘ whiche.’
It remains only to speak of the punctuation of the MS., which is evidently carried out carefully. The frequent stops at the ends of lines are for the most part meaningless, but those elsewhere are of importance and usually may be taken as a guide to the sense. They are sometimes certainly wrong (e.g. i. 1102 Togedre. 1284 will. 2965 fro. ii. r104 wille. 1397 name. 2354 astat. iii. 2638 be. iv. 497 grace. 1751 besinesse. 1985 hardi. 2502 alle. 3354 Slep. 3635 lif- v. 4 good. 231 herte- 444 wynd- 1342 See- 1630 only: 2318 bord. &c), but the proportion of error is small, and the punctuation of F generally must be treated with respect. There is usually a stop wherever a marked pause comes in the line, and this punctua- tion occurs on an average about once in ten lines. The following record of the punctuation of iv. 1301-1600 will serve as an illustration of its nature and extent: 1303 loue. 1307 ladis. 1316 cloped. 1369 seide- 1374 seip- 1376 loue: 1388 slow. 1409 wepe- 1412 Dame. 1415 loue. 1439 hirself. 1457is- 1459 peine: 146r haltres. 1466 told. 1470 paramours- 1471 lawe. 1474 ianglinge- 1489 take. 1490 loue. 1491 herte. 1492 mariage- 1496 chil- dren- 1497 mai. 1499 tarie- 1501 let. 1512 god: seide- 1532 opre- 1534 ferste - 1535 dovhter- 1536 clopes- 1547 Tohewe. 1560 seip- 1561 point. 1566 maidenhod. 1567 had. 1591 come. 1592 dej.
MANUSCRIPTS clxi
sone, 1036 be shrewed, 3357 seled, ii. 318 ff. fela, felaw, felawh (varying as F), after 382 infamen, &c., but sometimes F is corrected in small matters, as Prol. 20r erthly, 249 which, 280 pacience, i. r1o to fare, &c.
The feature of the book is the series of miniatures, illustrating it through- out. In this respect it is unique, so far as I know, though other copies similarly illustrated must once have existed. The following is a complete list of the subjects (leaves cited by original number) : f. 15 (i. 1417) Florent and the old woman, f. 18 (i. 2021) man blowing trumpet, lord, wife, and five children looking out of a castle, f. 23 (i. 2785) cut out, f. 24 (i. 3067) cut out and sewn in, much damaged, f. 30 (ii. 587) cut out, f. 44 (ii. 3187) mothers bringing babies to Constantine, f. 56 (iii. 1885) Clytemnestra torn by horses, two crowned persons conversing in the foreground, f. 59 (iii. 2363) Pirate brought before Alexander, f. 61 (iv. r) Dido killing herself, Eneas riding away, f. 68 (iv. 1245) lady with halters and red bridle questioned by Rosiphelee, f. 71 (iv. 1815) ct ouf, f. 72 (iv. 2045) fight between Hercules and Achelous, f. 77 (iv. 2927) Alceone in bed dreaming, body of king in the water, f. 83 (v. 141) Midas at table, f. 93 (v. 2031) Crassus having gold poured down his throat, f. 94 (v. 2273) king opening coffers, f. 95 (v. 2391) cut out, f. 96 (v. 2643) cut out, f. 98 (v. 2961) almost defaced, f. 100 (v. 3247) cut out, f. 109 (v. 4937) Bardus pulling Adrian out of the pit, f. 111 (v. 5231) Ariadne left sleeping, ship sailing away, f. 117 (v. 6225) a procession of naked nymphs to bathe, £ 120 (v. 6807) cut out, f. 133 (vi. 1391) Telegonus sup- porting his father's head, guards lying dead, f. 136 (vi. 1789) cuf ont, f. 150 (vii, 1783) cut out, f. 158 (vii. 3417) cut ont, f. 159 (vii. 3627) Gideon and his men blowing trumpets, &c., enemy asleep in a tent, f. 165 (vii. 4593) cut out, f. 17% (viii. 271 ff.) half the page cut away, with probably three miniatures, for only 5a lines are gone, whereas there was space for 92.
K. KESWICK HALL, near Norwich, in the possession of J. H. Gurney, Esq., who most kindly sent it to Oxford for my use. Contains the same as F, but is slightly imperfect at the end. Parchment, ff. 189, 13x92 in. quires of 8 with catchwords. Well written in double column of 46 lines (corresponding column for column with F through- out), apparently in six different hands, of which the first wrote quires 1, 2, 6, 8-11, 21, the second 3 and perhaps 7, the third 4, 5, 16, 17, the fourth 12-15, 19, the fifth 18, and the sixth 20, 22-24. Latin summaries in the margin (sometimes omitted). Three leaves are lost in the seventh quire (iii. 1087-1632), and one at the end, containing the last thirteen lines of the Latin Carmen de multiplici, &c., with probably the account of the books and the piece ‘ Eneidos, Bucolis.' A floreated initial to each book, and space left for miniatures on ff. 1 and 7. Old stamped leather binding.
Former possessors, Thomas Stone ‘ of Bromsberrowe in the County of Glouc.’, Henry Harman, William Mallowes (Q. Elizabeth's reign ?), John Feynton.
The various hands differ very much from one another in correctness. The first and the fourth give a text so closely corresponding to that of F, that it
is almost impossible not to believe that it is copied from it. In the case of vs l
MANUSCRIPTS clxiii
point where the third hand of K begins, the preceding portion of the text being very fairly correct, and so to some extent elsewhere. Forexample, in V. 917-1017 (a part written in K by the first hand) there are about eight metrical faults in a hundred lines, while in vi. 183-283 (written in K by the third hand), there are at least twenty-five. (3) In a certain part of the third book Hs suddenly ceases to follow the third recension text, and almost regularly gives the readings of the ERCLBs group. This appears first in iii. 1088 and ceases to be the case after iii. 1686, thus remarkably corresponding with the gap caused in K by the loss of three leaves after iii, 1086. It is difficult not to believe that this very marked change was caused by the following of another MS. in a place where K was defective.
- The spelling of Hs is rather late: there is no use of J, and y is used for 5 in ‘ye,’ 'yiue, &c.
Magd. MAGDALEN COLLEGE, OXF. 213 (Bern. Cat. i. 2.2354). Con- fessio Amantis with‘ Explicit’ (six lines) and Table of Contents in English (on two fly-leaves at the beginning and one at the end). Parchment, ff. 180 + 3 (as above), 182 x 13} in., in quires of 8 with catchwords: written in double column of 48 lines in a large hand of the middle fifteenth cent. something like that of Hs. Table of contents and columns 2, 3, 4 of f. 2 in a different hand. Latin summaries in text (red). Fine coloured letters with floreated half borders at the beginning of each book, and some neat drawing in connexion with the scrolls of the catchwords.
The book has lost one leaf after f.22 (ii. 409-586) and eight after f. 88 (v. 701-2163). On f. 155 v? the MS. omits vii. 2519-2695 without loss of leaf or blank.
Presented to the College by Marchadin Hunnis in 1620. A note by the present Librarian states that he was elected a demy of the College in 1606, appointed second master of the College Grammar School in 1610, and dismissed from that office as *insufficiens' in Dec. 1611. The book is reported missing in Coxe's catalogue.
This MS. is in many points like Hs in its text, and must certainly have the same origin, both being perhaps derived from a MS. dependent on K. It reproduces most of the corruptions which we find in Hs, adding many others of its own, and it has the same readings in the third book which we have already noted in Hs.
A point of interest about this MS. is its apparent connexion with Caxton's edition. It seems evident that among the MSS. from which Caxton worked (and he had three at least) was either this very copy or one so like it as to be practically undistinguishable. Of this we shall say more when we speak of Caxton's edition.
W. WADHAM COLL, OxF. 13. Confessio Amantis with‘ Explicit ’ (six lines) and ‘Quam cinxere,’ then the Zra:tié, slightly imperfect at the end, ending ‘un amie soulain, xvii. 9. Paper, ff. 450, including two original blanks at the beginning, 114 x 8} in., in quires of 8 with
l2
MANUSCRIPTS clxv
Hi. 1605, v. 2906, &c. In most of these last instances W merely remains in agreement with the first recension, where F, &c. depart from it, therefore its testimony may be of an accidental character.
The list of Mayors and Sheriffs of Chester on the first pages bas perhaps some local interest, as it is contemporary and probably made by a responsible person. Comparing it with that given in Ormerod's Hist. of Cheshire, we find several differences, as ‘Ric. Sadler’ for ‘Rich. Smith’ as one of the Sheriffs of 1475, ‘John Monkesfelde, Rob. Pleche,’ Sheriffs for 1478, *Mathewe Hewse’ for ‘Mathew Johnson,’ 1479, 'Rychard Kir e' for ‘Rich. Barker,’ 1492. The same pages have some notes about current historical events, as (under 1469), ‘The which yere were hedet the lorde Wellybe and the lorde Well. his son for the grete insurreccion and rysing of the Comyns of the Counte of Lyncolne. Also the same yere entred our Souereyne and moste noble Prince Kynge Edward now reynynge,’ &c. Under 1470 is a note of the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury, and at 1476 the record of a visit to Chester of ‘our Souereigne lorde Prince,’ who stayed there from Christmas to Easter. |
Ps. Formerly PHILLIPPS 8942, bought in March, 1895, by Messrs. H. S. Nichols & Co., and afterwards in the possession of Messrs. Maggs, Booksellers. Confessio Amantis, imperfect, ending viii. 3119, * As Tullius som tyme wrot.’ Parchment, rather roughly written, middle of fifteenth century. From the Towneley Collection.
Hn. HATTON $1, Bodleian Library (Bern. Cat. 4099). Confessio Amantis, imperfect. Parchment, ff. 206, 12 x 9 in., in quires first of 6 and then usually of 8 (lettered) ; double column of 42-48 lines, untidy writing. Has lost #4 (iii. 1314-1475), #2 (iv. 2118-2268), s 2 (v. 5169- 5333), £2 (v. 6774-6914), and five or six at the end (after viii. 2408). Copied from Caxton’s edition, including the Table of Contents and the confusion in leaf numbering.
Besides these, there are several MSS. which contain selections from the Confessio Amantis, as
HARL. 7333, Brit. Museum, which, besides the Canterbury Tales and other things, has seven stories from the Conf. Amantis, viz. f. 120 Tereus (v. 5551 ff.), f.122 Constance (ii. 587 ff), f. 126 The Three Questions (i. 3067 ff.), f. 127 v? The Travellers and the Angel (ii. 291 ff.), f. 127 v? Virgil’s Mirror, f. 128 v? The Two Coffers, f. 129 The Beggars and the Pasties, &c. (v. 2031-2498). Parchment, large folio, column of 66 lines, no Latin. These stories are in the same hand as the Cas. Tales, which go before, and the Parlement of Foules, which follows them. The text is that of the first recension unrevised : a very poor
copy.
CAMB. UNIV. Ee. ii. 15. Paper, ff. 95, end of fifteenth or beginning
SPANISH TRANSLATION clxvii
story, as that of Tereus, in which we have the king at meat presented with the head of his son, while there are three birds in the background and the scene of the outrage on Philomene on the left; and again in (4), where the rich man and his wife are sitting at table and refusing food to the beggar, while in the background on the right an angel is receiving the soul of the dying Lazarus.
These miniatures are supposed to have belonged to Sir John Fenn, editor of the Paston Letters. The MS. from which they were cut seems to have been of the middle of the fifteenth cent.
Evidence is afforded of one other large and well written MS. of the Conf. Amantis by a fragment of parchment in the Shrewsbury School Library, of which a photograph has most kindly been sent to me by Dr. Calvert of Shrewsbury. It contains about 70 lines of the Prologue, viz. 189-195 (with the Latin), 224-244, 274-294, 323-343. The leaf to which it belonged must have measured at least 158 x 114 in., and was written in double column of 50 lines.
Three other MSS. are mentioned in the Catalogue of 1697 (vol. ii. pt. 1), viz. 611 *John Gower's Old English Poems' with *S. Anselmi Speculum Religiosorum, at Naworth Castle, which I strongly suspect is identical with Harl. 3490 (Hi), 4035, *Goweri Confessio Amantis, Fol. magn.,' belonging to Ric. Brideoake, Esq., of Ledwell, Oxon., and 6974, ‘Jo. Gower's Poems, fol.,’ belonging to Sir Henry Langley of the County of Salop (i.e. of the Abbey, Shrewsbury).
The average excellence of the Gower MSS. stands high, and there is a surprisingly large proportion of well written and finely decorated copies, which attain to more than a respectable tandard of correct- ness. Manuscripts such as L or Bs, which stand in the third rank among copies of the Confessio A mantis, would take a very different place among the authorities for any of Chaucer's works, second only to the Ellesmere MS. if they were copies of the Canterbury Tales, and easily in the first place if it were a question of the Legend of Good Women or the Zows of Fame, It is evident not only that Gower was careful about the text of his writings, but also that there was some organized system of reproduction, which was wanting in the case of Chaucer.
VERSION. It remains to say something of the Spanish prose version of the Confessio mantis, which exists in manuscript in the Library of the Escorial (g. ii. 19). Information about this was first given me by Mr. J. Fitzmaurice-Kelly, and since then by the learned Librarian of the Escorial, Fr. Guillermo Antolin, O.S.A., who most obligingly sent me an account of it. The Catalogue (1858) thus describes the book : * Confision del amante, libro así intitulado compuesto por Juan Goer natural del Reyno de Englaterra, e tornado en lengua Portuguesa por Roberto Payn ó Payna canónigo de la ciudad de Lisboa, e despues fué puesto en lenguaje castellano por Juan de Cuenca natural de Huete.
EDITIONS clxix
followed. The later form of epilogue was perhaps printed rather than the other because it is longer. Caxton prints the lines at the end of the Prologue, which are given only by A, and there are some other indications that he had a MS. of this type ; but he had also one of the AdBT group, which alone contain vii. 2329*-2340* and 3149*- 3180*.
On f. cxvi v? Caxton still agrees with Magd. almost regularly, e.g. v. 4450 And myn hap 4454 is not trouble 4465 But for that 4467 ne shall yeue and lene 4484 doo 4503 A good word, whereas on f. cxvii he differs repeatedly, e.g. 4598, 4532, 4543, 4555, 4560, 4572, and seems never to be in full agreement after this. That he is following a first recension copy after about v. 6400 is clear from the unbroken series of readings belonging to this class which he exhibits. The text generally is very poor and the metre extremely bad.
BERTHELETTE in 1532 printed the Co#f. Amantis from a MS. very closely resembling B. He did not venture, however, to substitute the preface which he found in his copy for that to which Caxton had given currency, but merely expressed surprise that the printed copies should deviate so much from the MSS., and printed separately that which his manuscript gave. He also takes from Caxton the lines at the end of the Prologue, the additional third recension passages, Prol. 495-498, 579-584, i. 1403-1406, 2267-2274, 2343-2358, 2369-2372', and also the Chaucer greeting, viii. 2941-2960*, but he has overlooked v. 7701-7746. He inserts of course all the additional passages in v. and vii, as he found them in his MS., loudly protesting against Caxton for omitting ‘ lynes and columnes, ye and sometyme holle padges.’
Berthelette’s text is better than Caxton’s, but his manuscript must have been decidedly inferior in correctness to B.
The second edition, 1554, is a reprint of the first, column for column, in different type. A few mistakes are corrected, and the spelling is somewhat changed, especially by substitution in many cases of i for y.
CHALMERS published the Conf. Amantis in vol. ii. of the collection of British Poets, 1810, taking the text from Berthelette's edition of 1554.
PAULI professed to follow Berthelette's first edition with collation throughout of MSS. Harl. 7184 and 3869, and occasional reference to Harl. 3490 and the Stafford MS. It is almost impossible that this full collation can really have been made, for by it nearly all Berthelette's errors might have been corrected, whereas we find them as a matter
! In the case of most of these passages the text proves them to be taken from Caxton's edition. Thus in Prol. 497 both editions omit ‘to,’ Prol. 583 both omit ‘ propre,’ i. 2248 both have ‘ Vnder graue for * Vnder the grene,’ in 2354 ‘ other’ for ‘ thilke,' and in 3372 ‘in me’ for ‘I me.’
THE PRESENT EDITION cixxi
and almost the only second recension MS. which is not imperfect, has perhaps a special claim to attention because its text is of the type which all the editions except that of Caxton have followed. In all cases where variation has been found, except where it is merely of form and spelling or of a very trifling and accidental kind, the readings of at least fourteen other selected copies have been ascertained, and by this procedure those variations which are merely individual have been distinguished from those which are shared by a class or a group. The result is given in the critical notes, all the variations of A and B being there cited except those that are very trifling ', while the readings of C are usually given only when shared by some other manuscript.
It is important that it should be observed which the manuscripts are which have thus been referred to and how their evidence is cited. They are divided always according to their recension, first, second or third, and they are cited in an unvarying order, as follows : AJMH: X(G)ERCLBs, SAdBTA, FWH; (or K), so that A... Bs means the whole series of the first class, and S... A that of the second, while Hi... Bs stands for H1iX(G)ERCLBs, and E... Bs for ERCLBs. These nineteen (or eighteen) manuscripts are present as witnesses throughout, whether named or not ; for when the manuscripts are named which give a varia- tion, it is to be assumed that the remainder have the reading of the text. Thus the note
* 1295 wisdom] wordes Hi... Bs», Hs’ must be taken to imply that ‘wisdom’ is the reading of AJM, SAdBTA, FW and ‘wordes’ of HiXGERCLB,;, Hs: * 1296 gostly B’
means that the reading of the text, ‘goodly,’ is given by every one of the nineteen except B:
‘1318 How per(e) HiG... Ba’ means that the reading of the text is that of AJMX, SAdBTA, FWHas and that of the note belongs to HiGERCLB::
* 1330 for to] pat fou SAdBTA' indicates a reading of the second recension only :
1 The following will serve as examples of those omitted : iii. 367 tawh B 422 vngood lieste A 618 is (for it) A 652 softe softe B 658 sely sely B 139 marg. litigabant B 864 artow B 923 he (for
hem) B iv. 635 f. betake ... purghsott A 650 wedde A IIOS nO wol no B 1229 herte B 1239 po (for pou) A, &c.
OTHER ENGLISH WORKS cixxiii
should be observed that as nearly all references to Gower for the last forty years have been made by Pauli's edition, it has been thought advisable to place in the margin of this text indications of the volumes and pages of that edition: thus P. 1. 153 stands for ‘ Pauli, vol. i. p. 153.'
Setting aside matters of spelling, punctuation and grammatical form, we may note that the material differences of reading between the text of this edition and that of Pauli are in number about two thousand.
OTHER ENGLISH Works. With regard to the text of the poem In Praise of Peace all that need be said will be found in the notes upon it. The Trentham MS, which contains it, has already been fully described in the volume of ‘ French Works.’
A poem in five seven-line stanzas, beginning ‘ Passe forthe pou pilgryme and bridel wele py beste,’ occurs in (Shirley’s) MS. Ash- mole 59, f. 17 v» (Bodl. Libr.), with the title ‘Balade moral of gode counseyle made by Gower.’ The same without the final stanza (owing to loss of a leaf) occurs in MS. Rawlinson C. 86, but with no title or ascription of authorship, and both texts have been printed (not quite correctly) by Dr. Karl Meyer in his John Gower’s Besiehungen, &c., 1889. In addition to these copies there is one in the British Museum MS. Addit. 29729, which has been published by Dr. Max Forster in the Archiv für das Studium der neueren Sprachen, vol. 102, p. 5o. In this MS. the piece is ascribed to Benedict Burgh, and it is called * A leson to kepe well the tonge.’
It is almost impossible that these verses can have been written by Gower, but out of deference to Shirley's authority (which is not very weighty however), and in order that the reader may judge, it is printed here, all deviations from the Ashmole text being noted, except in the case of 'th' for 'p, and some readings of the Rawlinson copy (R) being added in parentheses.
BALADE MORAL OF GODE COUNSEYLE MADE BY GOWER.
Passe forth, thou pilgryme, and bridel wel thy beeste; Loke not agein for thing that may betyde ;
Thenke what thou wilt, but speke ay with the leeste ; Avyse thee wel who stondeth thee besyde ;
Let not thyne herte beo with thy tonge bewryde ; Trust not to muche in fayre visayginge,
For peynted cheere shapeth efft to stynge.
I forpe wele a ageine 4 weele stondepe 7 shapepe (efft] her R)
clxxiv © GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS
Byholde thy selff, or that thou other deme;
Ne beo not glad whane other done amyss ;
Sey never al that which wolde the sothe seme, IO Thou maist not wite what thy fortune is:
For there is no wight on lyve iwyss
That stondeth sure, ther fore I rede beware,
And looke aboute for stumbling in the snare.
Reporte not muche on other mennes sawe;
Be ay adrad to here a wicked fame;
For man shal dye by dome of goddes lawe,
That here enpeyreth any mannes name.
Avyse thee wel ther fore or thow attame
Suche as thou mayst never revoke ageyn; 20 A good name leste is leste for ay certain.
Pley not with pecus ne ffawvel to thy feere ; Chese thou hem never, yif thou do affter me;
The hande is hurt that bourdeth with the bere; Fawvel fareth even right as doth a bee;
Hony mowthed, ful of swetnesse is she,
But loke behinde and ware thee from hir stonge, Thow shalt have hurt yf thou play with hir longe.
Dispreyse no wight but if effte thou may him preyse,
Ne preyse no firre but thou may discomende : go Weyghe thy wordes and hem by mesure peyse ;
Thenke that the gilty may by grace amende,
And eke the gode may happen to offende:
Remember eke that what man doth amiss,
Thou hast or art or may be suche as he is.
This is full of lines that Gower would not have written, with superfluous syllables in the metre, as ll. 1, 5, 10, 17, 29, 33, 35 (omitting those that might pass with amended spelling), accent on weak syllables, as ll. 20, 25, 26, 31, defective rhyme, as ‘besyde’ : * bewryde' (participle), and ‘feere’ (companion) : * bere,’ or sup- pression of syllable at the beginning, as in l. 12. The form * mayst ' (maist) for * miht' is not found in any respectable Gower MS. Moreover the style is not that of Gower, but evidently imitated from Chaucer's poem ‘ Fle from the pres.’
9 gladde (glad R) amysse ro pee 11 wit (witte R) I2 ewysse 13 stondepe 15 mens (mennys R) 16 adradde I8 enpeyrepe mans (mannes R) 19 wele powe 20 ageyne 21 gode (good R) certaine aa (Playe not pecus R) 24 hurte bourdepe (abrere R) 25 farebe dope 26 right ful (full R) 27 frome 28 powe shalt kache hareme to pley w* peos beestis longe (Thow shalt haue hurt yf pou play with her longe R) 34 Remembre dope amisse 95 haste arte
PVP UTUOUCUTCUCUCUOUOUCUCUCUCUCUCUCUCUCUCU CU UCUCUCUCUCUCUOUCUCUCUCU UCUC UC UCUCUCD UCUCO VUPD Py
CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA
2, note on 24-92, for A, read APs, and for Of these Hs Magd. have read Of these Magd. has
I3, note on 331, for RSnDAr read RSnDAr, A
14, l. 349, for new read newe
19, note on 543, read scholde A, B, K schold S, F
23, note on 668, for hol] hole AC read hol B, F hole AC
note on 683, for A read AM
25, l. 747, for for read forto
29, 1. 871, for form read forme
33, 1. 1024, for wist read wiste
57, 1. 782, for There read Ther
6o, 1. 914, for She read Sche so also p. 244, L 679
64, 1. 1052, for righte read rihte
qo, l. 1275, for Commandeth read Comandeth
72, note on 1338, for SA read SAdA, Hs
88, 1. 1946, for wenyinge read wenynge
96, l. 2248, for well read wel
100, 1, 2365, for myght read myht so also p. 117, 1. 2990
107, l. 2630, for discoevered read descoevered
109, 1. 2710, for all read al so also p. 156, 1. 966, p. 238, l. 447, p. 346,1. 1668
112, l. 2822, for bare read bar
113, l. 2838, for But read Bot
. 133, below 1. 96, a small space should be left
138, 1. 274, for greveth read grieveth
150, l. 750, for her read hire
170, l. 1498, for Till read Til
182, note on 1916, for RCLBs, Hs read RCLBs, A, Hs
200, note on 2592, for AdB read SAdBA
234, note on 313, for H1... Bs read Hi... Ba, A
252, note on 983, add pater A
257, note on 1164, for XRCLE» read HiXRCLBs
260, note on 1258, for AdT read AdTA
262, note on 1336 (ssargin), add om. A
265, note on 1448, for X... Bs, WHs read X ... Bs, A, WHs 266, note on 1473, for AdBT read SAdBTA
269, note on 1605, for SBA read BA and for AdTA read SAdTA 280, note on 2023, for Phoreus T read Phoreus TA
282, ]. 2077, for hounde read hound
284, note on 2166, for W read A, W
289, 1. 2357, for pouere read povere
292, note on 2444, for Hi... Bs read Hi... B3, SA
. 307, l. 225, for distruid »ead destruid
314, l. 498, for accordant read acordant
334, l. 1224 (margin), add Confessor
346, |. 1653, for accompte read acompte
351, note on 1872, for AC read AC, S
387, |. 3188, for By read Be
396, l. 3507, for thinge read thing
421, l. 716, for harme read harm
464, note on 745 ff., add The authority here followed is the 7Ȏsor of Brunetto Latini, pp. 84-88 (ed. 1863).
468, note on 463 ff. , add The authority for this is perhaps the Zresor, p. 191.
473, l. 11, for 7101), Spertachus for Cyrus (vii. 3418), &c. read 7101).
489, note on 2459 ff, for I am unable—form of it. read The name Geta was taken by Gower from the Geta of Vitalis Blesensis, a dramatic piece in Latin elegiacs founded on Plautus, in which Geta takes the place of Sosia: see Wright's Early Mysteries, &c., pp. 79-90.
. 509, note on 2606, for on the ferst, read on the ferste,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
P.i.1 1. Zorpor, ebes sensus, scola parua labor minimusque Causant quo minimus ipse minora canam: Qua famen Engisti lingua canit Insula Bruti Anglica Carmente metra iuuante loguar. Ossibus ergo carens que contertt ossa loguelis Absit, et interpres stet procul oro malus.
Incipit Prologus
Or hem that writen ous tofore The bokes duelle, and we therfore Ben tawht of that was write tho: Forthi good is that we also In oure tyme among ous hiere Do wryte of newe som matiere, Essampled of these olde wyse So that it myhte in such a wyse,
The text is that of F (Fairfax 3). The MSS. most commonly cited ave the following :—
Of the first recension, A (Bodley 902), J (St. John's Coll. Camb. B 12), M (Camb. Univ. Mm. 2. 21), Es (Egerton 913), H1 (Harlaan 3490), Y (Marquess of Bute's), X (Soc. of Antiquanes 134), G (Glasgow, Huntenan Mus. S i. 7), E (Egerton 1991), R (Reg. 18 C xxii.), C (Corpus Christi Coll. Oxf. 67), L (Laud 609), Bs (Bodley 693).
Of the second, S (Stafford), Ad. (Brit. Mus. Addit. 12043), B (Bodley 294), T (Trin. Coll. Camb. R 3. 2), A (Sidney Coll. Camb. A 4. 1).
Of the third, F (Fairfax 3, W (Wadham Coll. x3), K (Keswick Hail), Hs (Harl. 7184), Magd. (Magdalen Coll. Oxf. 213).
S ff. time, write, wise, &c., S 6 Do ME:Hi, SA, FWKHs So JXGRB:,B To CL 7 Essampled (Ensampled) JME3Hi, SA, FWKHs Ensamples X... Ba &c., B 8 awyse F a wise S
2
[DxsicN or THE Boox.)
Hic in principio declarat qualiter in anno Regis Ricardi secundi sexto decimo Iohannes Gower pre- sentem libellum com- posuitet finaliter com- pleuit, quem strenu- issimo domino suo domino Henrico de Lancastria tunc Der- beie Comiti cum omni reuerencia specialiter destinauit.
J
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Whan we ben dede and elleswhere,
Beleve to the worldes eere
In tyme comende after this.
Bot for men $ein, and soth it is,
That who that al of wisdom writ
It dulleth ofte a mannes wit
To him that schal it aldai rede,
For thilke cause, if that ye rede, lI wolde go the middel weie
And wryte a bok betwen the tweie,
Somwhat of lust, somewhat of lore,
That of the lasse or of the more
Som man mai lyke of that I wryte:
And for that fewe men endite
In oure englissh, I thenke make L'A bok for Engelondes sake,
The yer sextenthe of kyng Richard.
What schal befalle hierafterward
God wot, for now upon this tyde
Men se the world on every syde
In sondry wyse so diversed,
That it welnyh stant al reversed,
As forto speke of tyme ago.
lo
20
P.ig
30
*A bok for king Richardes sake,
To whom belongeth my ligeance With al myn hertes obeissance
In al that evere a liege man
Unto his king may doon or can: So ferforth I me recomande
To him which al me may comande, Preyende unto the hihe regne
30°
15 rede om B a3 Englisch S 24-92 These lines are found in copies of the third recension (FHaNKHsMagd. W&c.) and also $n SA. The rest have 24*—92*. The marginal note, ‘ Hic in principio—destinauit,’ ss found only in A, KHsMagd. Of these, HsMagd. have in principio
libri for in principio, and A gives quarto for sexto. 28 on]in S 29,30 Two lines omitted in S 24*-92* All variations from B are noted. 24* book B
25* bilongep B. 27* euer B. a29*f. recomaunde . . . comaunde B
gi* Prayend B
PROLOGUS
The cause whi it changeth so
It needeth nought to specifie,
The thing so open is at ye
That every man it mai beholde : And natheles be daies olde,
Whan that the bokes weren levere, Wrytinge was beloved evere
Of hem that weren vertuous ;
For hier in erthe amonges ous,
If noman write hou that it stode, The pris of hem that weren goode Scholde, as who seith, a gret partie Be lost: so for to magnifie
The worthi princes that tho were, The bokes schewen hiere and there, Wherof the world ensampled is;
40
Which causeth every king to regne, That his corone longe stonde.
I thenke and have it understonde, As it bifel upon a tyde,
As thing which scholde tho betyde,— Under the toun of newe Troye, Which tok of Brut his ferste joye, In Temse whan it was flowende
As I be bote cam rowende,
So as fortune hir tyme sette,
My liege lord par chaunce I mette; And so befel, as I cam nyh,
Out of my bot, whan he me syh, He bad me come in to his barge. And whan I was with him at large, Amonges othre thinges seid
40
33 nou3t S, F 38 Writing... belouyd S 41 no man S
46 schiewe S 47 essampled S
36* bityde B 37* margin Regis Anglie Ricardi secundi erased in B leaving blank 38* took B 39* Themese G Themse R 40* by B 42* margin sed B 43* bifel B 43* f. neigh .. . seigh B 45* margin Cronicarum historiis XG 47* seyde B
B2
3
{DESIGN or THE Boox. }
Hic declarat in pri- mis qualiter ob reue- renciam serenissimi principis domini sui Regis Anglie Ricardi secundi totus suus hu- milis IohannesGower, licet graui infirmitate
, a diu multipliciter fati-
gatus, huius opusculi labores suscipere non recusauit, set tan- quam fauum ex variis floribus recollectum, presentem libellum ex variis cronicis, his- toriis, poetarum phi-
4 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Desicn OF THE And tho that deden thanne amis 00K. | Thurgh tirannie and crualte, P.is Right as thei stoden in degre, 50
So was the wrytinge of here werk. Thus I, which am a burel clerk, Purpose forto wryte a bok
After the world that whilom tok Long tyme in olde daies passed:
Bot for men sein it is now lassed,
In worse plit than it was tho,
I thenke forto touche also
The world which neweth every dai, So as I can, so as I mai. 60 Thogh I seknesse have upon honde And longe have had, yit woll I fonde To wryte and do my bisinesse,
That in som part, so as I gesse,
losophorumque dictis, He hath this charge upon me leid,
quatenus sibi infirm- And bad me doo my besynesse
itas permisit, studiosis- 20. f * sime compilauit. That to his hihe worthinesse 50
Som newe thing I scholde boke, That he himself it mihte loke
After the forme of my writynge. And thus upon his comandynge Myn herte is wel the more glad
To write so as he me bad;
And eek my fere is wel the lasse That non envye schal compasse Withoute a resonable wite
To feyne and blame that I write. 60° A gentil herte his tunge stilleth, That it malice non distilleth,
But preyseth that is to be preised ; But he that hath his word unpeysed
49 tirantie S 51 is pe writing S 52 bural S 63 Tho write S
48* leyde B 49* busynesse B 51* booke B 52* mighte looke B 53* f. writyng ... comaundyng B 55* hert B 59* Wipout B 62* noon B
x
PROLOGUS 5
The wyse man mai ben avised. [DESIGN or THE For this prologe is so assised Boox.] That it to wisdom al belongeth:
What wysman that it underfongeth,
He schal drawe into remembrance
The fortune of this worldes chance, 70
The which noman in his persone
Mai knowe, bot the god al one.
Whan the prologe is so despended,
This bok schal afterward ben ended
Of love, which doth many a wonder
And many a wys man hath put under.
And in this wyse I thenke trete
Towardes hem that now be grete,
Betwen the vertu and the vice P. i. 6
Which longeth unto this office. 80
And handleth (onwrong) every thing,
I preye un to the hevene king
Fro suche tunges he me schilde.
And natheles this world is wilde
Of such jangling, and what befalle,
My kinges heste schal nought falle, 70* That I, in hope to deserve
His thonk, ne schal his wil observe ;
And elles were I nought excused,
For that thing may nought be refused
Which that a king himselve bit.
Forthi the symplesce of my wit
I thenke if that it myhte avayle
In his service to travaile:
Though I seknesse have upon honde,
And longe have had, yit wol I fonde, 80*
68 wise man S 71 no man S qa allone S 75 awonder F 76 awys man F a wise man S 80 officie F 65* handelep B onkrong euery Hi outkrong euery JME:XGR
outkroud euery Ba outtrong euery Ar outkrong eny B out
wronge ony Cath. 66* pray B heuene GR heuen B 69* bifalle B 75* Which JME2XGCL What H:RBa, B byt B 76* ffor py B 77* it might (it myht) JMEsCL it may GRB;, B
I may HiSn it XCath. 78* to do trauayle G 8o* long B
6
[DEpicartow.]
[THE FORMER TIME BETTER THAN THIS. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot for my wittes ben to smale
To tellen every man his tale,
This bok, upon amendment
To stonde at his commandement, With whom myn herte is of accord, I sende unto myn oghne lord,
Which of Lancastre is Henri named: The hyhe god him hath proclamed Ful of knyhthode and alle grace.
So woll I now this werk embrace go With hol trust and with hol believe ; God grante I mot it wel achieve.
ii. Zempus preteritum presens fortuna beatum
Linguit, et antiquas vertit in orbe vias.
Progenuit veterem concors dileccio pacem, Dum facies hominis nuncia mentis erat:
Legibus vnicolor tunc temporis aura refulsit, Justicie plane tuncque fuere vie.
Nuncque latens odium vultum defingit amoris, Paceque sub ficia tempus ad arma tegit;
Instar et ex variis mutabile Cameliontis Lex gerit, ef regnis sunt noua iura nowis: (10)
So as I made my beheste,
To make a bok after his heste,
And write in such a maner wise, Which may be wisdom to the wise And pley to hem that lust to pleye. But in proverbe I have herd seye That who that wel his werk begynneth The rather a good ende he wynneth ; And thus the prologe of my bok After the world that whilom tok, go* And eek somdel after the newe,
I wol begynne for to newe.
Latin Verses ii. 2 antünas ...vrbe S 6 ff. tunc que... Nunc que...Paceque...sic que F 8 subficta S
81* byheste B 8a* book B 87* bygyn»ep B 89* f. book... took B 92* bygynne B for to newe JMEXHiXGR,B for the newe D Ar. for to schewe CLBs
PROLOGUS
Climata que fuerant solidissima sicque per orbem Soluuntur, nec eo centra quietis habent.
If I schal drawe in to my mynde The tyme passed, thanne I fynde The world stod thanne in al his welthe: Tho was the lif of man in helthe, Tho was plente, tho was richesse, Tho was the fortune of prouesse, Tho was knyhthode in pris be name, Wherof the wyde worldes fame 100 Write in Cronique is yit withholde ; P.i.7 Justice of lawe tho was holde, The privilege of regalie Was sauf, and al the baronie Worschiped was in his astat ; The citees knewen no debat, The poeple stod in obeissance Under the reule of governance, And pes, which ryhtwisnesse keste, With charite tho stod in reste: 110 Of mannes herte the corage Was schewed thanne in the visage; The word was lich to the conceite Withoute semblant of deceite : Tho was ther unenvied love, Tho was the vertu sett above And vice was put under fote. Now stant the crop under the rote, The world is changed overal, And therof most in special 120 That love is falle into discord.
96 margin videlicet—sexto decimo tnserted only sn MSS. of the third recension, FWKHs &c. S has instead of tt (after space of one line), Nota quod tempore creacionis huius libri fuerunt guerre et opiniones guer- rarum tam in sancta Cristi ecclesia quam per singula mundi regna quasi vniuersaliter diuulgate. Quapropter in hoc presenti prologo euentus tam graues"scriptor per singulos gradus specialiter deplangit.
So A without space and with dei for Cristi 109 which JME:CL, FKHs wip HiXGRBs:, SBA, W 113 word JME3B;, A, FWK &c. world HiXGRCL &c., SB 115 vnenuied JME;, S,
FWK &c. vneuened A noon enuyed (non enuied) Hi... Bs, B
7
(TzwxPoRAL Ru ters. ]
De statu regnorum, vt dicunt, secundum temporalia, videlicet tempore regis Ricardi secundi anno regni sui sexto decimo.
8
(TEMPORAL RULERSs.]
Apostolus. Regem honorificate.
Salomon. Omnia fac cum consilio.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And that I take to record
Of every lond for his partie
The comun vois, which mai noght lie;
Noght upon on, bot upon alle
It is that men now clepe and calle,
And sein the regnes ben divided,
In stede of love is hate guided,
The werre wol no pes purchace,
And lawe hath take hire double face, 130 So that justice out of the weie P.i.8 With ryhtwisnesse is gon aweie:
And thus to loke on every halve,
Men sen the sor withoute salve,
Which al the world hath overtake.
Ther is no regne of alle outtake,
For every climat hath his diel
After the tornynge of the whiel,
Which blinde fortune overthroweth ;
Wherof the certain noman knoweth: 140 The hevene wot what is to done,
Bot we that duelle under the mone
Stonde in this world upon a weer,
And namely bot the pouer
Of hem that ben the worldes guides
With good consail on alle sides
Be kept upriht in such a wyse,
Thatthate breke noght thassise
Of love, which is al the chief
To kepe a regne out of meschief. 150 For alle resoun wolde this,
That unto him which the heved is
The membres buxom scholden bowe,
And he scholde ek her trowthe allowe,
With al his herte and make hem chiere,
For good consail is good to hiere.
Althogh a man be wys himselve,
124 comun GC, S comune B, F 127 the] pat HiRBs, B 143 a weerS a werB aweerF 144 A begins here 147 S has lost a leaf, ll. 147-320 149 which A,B whiche F 155 his o». B 157 aman F
PROLOGUS 9
Yit is the wisdom more of tuelve ; (Temporat Rurzns.] And if thei stoden bothe in on,
To hope it were thanne anon 160
That god his grace wolde sende P.i.9
To make of thilke werre an ende,
Which every day now groweth newe:
And that is gretly forto rewe
In special for Cristes sake,
Which wolde his oghne lif forsake
Among the men to yeve pes.
But now men tellen natheles
That love is fro the world departed,
So stant the pes unevene parted 170 With hem that liven now adaies.
Bot forto loke at alle assaies,
To him that wolde resoun seche
After the comun worldes speche
It is to wondre of thilke werre,
In which non wot who hath the werre ;
For every lond himself deceyveth
And of desese his part receyveth,
And yet ne take men no kepe.
Bot thilke lord which al may kepe, 180 To whom no consail may ben hid,
Upon the world which is betid,
Amende that wherof men pleigne
With trewe hertes and with pleine,
And reconcile love ayeyn,
As he which is king sovereign
Of al the worldes governaunce,
And of his hyhe porveaunce
Afferme pes betwen the londes
And take her cause into hise hondes, 190 So that the world may stonde appesed P. i. 10 And his godhede also be plesed.
iii. Quas coluit Moises vetus aut nouus ipse Johannes,
Hesternas leges vix colit ista dies.
159 stoden AJME:L, A, FKHs stonden Hi... RBs &c., BA, W 169 loue AJMEsXL, FWKHs it E, B. om. HiRBsSn
f
IO
(Tus CHurcx.]
De statu cleri, vt dicunt, secundum spi- ritualia, videlicet tem- pore Roberti Gibbon- ensis,quinomen Clem- entis sibi sortitus est, tunc antipape.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Sic prius ecclesia bina virtute folita Nunc magis inculta pallet vtrague via.
Pacificam Petri vaginam mucro resumens Horrutt ad Cristi verba cruoris iter,
Nunc tamen assiduo gladium de sanguine tinctum
Vibrat auaricta, lege tepente sacra.
Sic lupus est pastor, pater hostis, mors miserator,
Predoque largitor, pax et in orbe timor.
To thenke upon the daies olde, The lif of clerkes to beholde, Men sein how that thei weren tho Ensample and reule of alle tho
Whiche of wisdom the vertu soughten.
Unto the god ferst thei besoughten As to the substaunce of her Scole, That thei ne scholden noght befole Her wit upon none erthly werkes, Which were ayein thestat of clerkes, And that thei myhten fle the vice Which Simon hath in his office, Wherof he takth the gold in honde. For thilke tyme I understonde
The Lumbard made non escbange The bisschopriches forto change, Ne yet a lettre for to sende
For dignite ne for Provende,
Or cured or withoute cure.
The cherche keye in aventure
Of armes and of brygantaille
Stod nothing thanne upon bataille ; To fyhte or for to make cheste
It thoghte hem thanne noght honeste ;
Bot of simplesce and pacience Thei maden thanne no defence: The Court of worldly regalie
210 prebende A, A 219 worby(-i) H1ERLB:, B worlde W
(10)
200
210
P. i. 11
Latin Verses iii. 8 tepente JE:, AA, FWKHs repenteAMH: ... B: B, Magd. Io Predo que F
194 ff. margin De statu—antipape om. AEs inserted in third recension only (different hand in F) 205 an hondeR, B. anhonde HiBà om. XGLB:, WHs
videlicet—antipape 201 ertly F
215 for
PROLOGUS 11
To hem was thanne no baillie ; 320 [Tue CHurcu.] The vein honour was noght desired,
Which hath the proude herte fyred ;
Humilite was tho withholde,
And Pride was a vice holde.
Of holy cherche the largesse
Yaf thanne and dede gret almesse
To povere men that hadden nede :
Thei were ek chaste in word and dede, Wherof the poeple ensample tok ;
Her lust was al upon the bok, 230 Or forto preche or forto preie,
To wisse men the ryhte weie
Of suche as stode of trowthe unliered.
Lo, thus was Petres barge stiered
Of hem that thilke tyme were,
And thus cam ferst to mannes Ere
The feith of Crist and alle goode
Thurgh hem that thanne weren goode
And sobre and chaste and large and wyse.
Bot now men sein is otherwise, 240 Simon the cause hath undertake,
The worldes swerd on honde is take ;
And that is wonder natheles, P. i. 12 Whan Crist him self hath bode pes
And set it in his testament,
How now that holy cherche is went,
Of that here lawe positif
Hath set to make werre and strif
For worldes good, which may noght laste.
God wot the cause to the laste 250 Of every right and wrong also;
But whil the lawe is reuled so
That clerkes to the werre entende,
I not how that thei scholde amende
The woful world in othre thinges,
To make pes betwen the kynges
After the lawe of charite,
Which is the propre duete
234 Petrus HE... Bs, W Petris XG 249 wich F
I2 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Tue Cuurcn.] Belongende unto the presthode. Bot as it thenkth to the manhode, 260 The hevene is ferr, the world is nyh, And veine gloire is ek so slyh, Which coveitise hath now withholde, That thei non other thing beholde, Bot only that thei myhten winne. And thus the werres thei beginne, Wherof the holi cherche is taxed, That in the point as it is axed The disme goth to the bataille, As thogh Crist myhte noght availe 270 To don hem riht be other weie. In to the swerd the cherche keie Is torned, and the holy bede P. i. 13 Into cursinge, and every stede Which scholde stonde upon the feith And to this cause an Ere leyth, Astoned is of the querele. That scholde be the worldes hele Is now, men sein, the pestilence Which hath exiled pacience 280 Fro the clergie in special : And that is schewed overal, In eny thing whan thei ben grieved. Bot if Gregoire be believed, As it is in the bokes write, He doth ous somdel forto wite The cause of thilke prelacie, Wher god is noght of compaignie : For every werk as it is founded Schal stonde or elles be confounded ; 290 Who that only for Cristes sake Desireth cure forto take, And noght for pride of thilke astat, To bere a name of a prelat, He schal be resoun do profit 260 to pe manhod(e) AJMEs, AA, FW tom. Hi... Bs B to make
m. KHs 267 ye FKHsMagd. pat A... Bs &c, BAA om. W 280 paciencie F
PROLOGUS
In holy cherche upon the plit That he hath set his conscience ; Bot in the worldes reverence Ther ben of suche manie glade,
I3 (THe CnuncH.] Gregorius. Terrenis
lucris inhiant, honore prelacie gaudent, et
Whan thei to thilke astat ben made, 300 non vt prosint, set vt
Noght for the merite of the charge,
Bot for thei wolde hemself descharge
Of poverte and become grete ; P. i. 14 And thus for Pompe and for beyete
The Scribe and ek the Pharisee
Of Moises upon the See
In the chaiere on hyh ben set ;
Wherof the feith is ofte let,
Which is betaken hem to kepe.
In Cristes cause alday thei slepe, 310 Bot of the world is noght foryete ;
For wel is him that now may gete
Office in Court to ben honoured.
The stronge coffre hath al devoured
Under the keye of avarice
The tresor of the benefice,
Wherof the povere schulden clothe
And ete and drinke and house bothe ;
The charite goth al unknowe,
For thei no grein of Pite sowe: 320 And slouthe kepeth the libraire
Which longeth to the Saintuaire ;
To studie upon the worldes lore
Sufficeth now withoute more ;
Delicacie his swete toth
Hath fostred so that it fordoth
Of abstinence al that ther is.
And forto loken over this,
If Ethna brenne in the clergie,
Al openly to mannes ye 330 At Avynoun thexperience
317 povere] pore pei (pai) CL, W (pouere pey) 321 S resumes 331 Copies of first and second recensions have here in margin Anno domini Millesimo CCC? Nonagesimo. S gives this with the addition quia tunc erat ecclesia diuisa and so also RSnDAr F has an erasure in the margin.
presint, episcopatum desiderant.
14
[Tue Cuurcn.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Therof hath yove an evidence,
Of that men sen hem so divided. P. i. 15 And yit the cause is noght decided ;
Bot it is seid and evere schal,
Betwen tuo Stoles lyth the fal,
Whan that men wenen best to sitte :
In holy cherche of such a slitte
Is for to rewe un to ous alle;
God grante it mote wel befalle 340 Towardes him which hath the trowthe.
Bot ofte is sen that mochel slowthe,
Whan men ben drunken of the cuppe,
Doth mochel harm, whan fyr is uppe,
Bot if somwho the flamme stanche ;
And so to speke upon this branche,
Which proud Envie hath mad to springe,
Of Scisme, causeth forto bringe
This new Secte of Lollardie,
And also many an heresie 350 Among the clerkes in hemselve.
It were betre dike and delve
And stonde upon the ryhte feith,
Than knowe al that the bible seith
And erre as somme clerkes do.
Upon the hond to were a Schoo
And sette upon the fot a Glove
Acordeth noght to the behove
Of resonable mannes us:
If men behielden the vertus 360 That Crist in Erthe taghte here,
Thei scholden noght in such manere,
Among hem that ben holden wise, P. i. 16 The Papacie so desguise
Upon diverse eleccioun,
Which stant after thaffeccioun
Of sondry londes al aboute:
Bot whan god wole, it schal were oute,
336 lyp F (ss ras.) KHsMagd. is A... Bs &c., SBAA 9398 flitte
941 whiche F 347 proud A, SB. proude C, F
354 that] what EBs, B
PROLOGUS 15
For trowthe mot stonde ate laste. [THe Caurcu.] "Bot yet thei argumenten faste 370 Upon the Pope and his astat, Wherof thei falle in gret debat ; This clerk seith yee, that other nay, And thus thei dryve forth the day, And ech of hem himself amendeth Of worldes good, bot non entendeth To that which comun profit were. Thei sein that god is myhti there, And schal ordeine what he wile, - Ther make thei non other skile 380 Where is the peril of the feith, Bot every clerk his herte leith To kepe his world in special, And of the cause general, ^ Which unto holy cherche longeth, Is non of hem that underfongeth To schapen eny resistence : | And thus the riht hath no defence, Bot ther I love, ther I holde. Lo, thus tobroke is Cristes folde, 490 Wherof the flock withoute guide Devoured is on every side, In lacke of hem that ben unware P. i. 17 Schepherdes, whiche her wit beware Upon the world in other halve. The scharpe pricke in stede of salve Thei usen now, wherof the hele Thei hurte of that thei scholden hele ; And what Schep that is full of wulle Upon his back, thei toose and pulle, 400 Whil ther is eny thing to pile: And thogh ther be non other skile Bot only for thei wolden wynne, Thei leve noght, whan thei begynne, Upon her acte to procede, Which is no good schepherdes dede.
370 argumeten F 373 This... pat AJM, SA, F &c. This... pis ExXX ... B, B. The... this Hi 396 pricke om. A
I6
(THe Caurcx.]
Qui vocatur a deo tanquam Aaron.
409 forcacche AMEs, SAA, FWKHs for tacche (t) J
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And upon this also men sein, That fro the leese which is plein Into the breres thei forcacche
Her Orf, for that thei wolden lacche
With such duresce, and so bereve That schal upon the thornes leve
Of wulle, which the brere hath tore ;
Wherof the Schep ben al totore
Of that the hierdes make hem lese. Lo, how thei feignen chalk for chese, For though thei speke and teche wel,
Thei don hemself therof no del: For if the wolf come in the weie, Her gostly Staf is thanne aweie,
Wherof thei scholde her flock defende ;
Bot if the povere Schep offende In eny thing, thogh it be lyte, They ben al redy forto smyte ;
And thus, how evere that thei tale,
The strokes falle upon the smale, And upon othre that ben grete Hem lacketh herte forto bete.
So that under the clerkes lawe Men sen the Merel al mysdrawe, I wol noght seie in general,
For ther ben somme in special In whom that alle vertu duelleth, And tho ben, as thapostel telleth, That god of his eleccioun
Hath cleped to perfeccioun
In the manere as Aaron was: Thei ben nothing in thilke cas Of Simon, which the foldes gate Hath lete, and goth in othergate, Bot thei gon in the rihte weie.
Ther ben also somme, as men seie,
That folwen Simon ate hieles,
forp cacche Hi... 410 Her Orf] Herof (Here of) RCSn, A Wheorof H1 Therof A 419 com FK 421 folk EC, W
410
420
P. i. 18
430
440
. Bs, B
PROLOGUS 17
Whos carte goth upon the whieles [Tur Cnuncu.] Of coveitise and worldes Pride, And holy cherche goth beside,
Which scheweth outward a visage Of that is noght in the corage. For if men loke in holy cherche, Betwen the word and that thei werche 450 Ther is a full gret difference : Thei prechen ous in audience That noman schal his soule empeire, P. i. 19 For al is bot a chirie feire This worldes good, so as thei telle; Also thei sein ther is an helle, Which unto mannes sinne is due, And bidden ous therfore eschue That wikkid is, and do the goode. Who that here wordes understode, 460 It thenkth thei wolden do the same ; Bot yet betwen ernest and game Ful ofte it torneth other wise. With holy tales thei devise How meritoire is thilke dede Of charite, to clothe and fede The povere folk and forto parte The worldes good, bot thei departe Ne thenken noght fro that thei have. Also thei sein, good is to save 470 With penance and with abstinence Of chastite the continence ; Bot pleinly forto speke of that, I not how thilke body fat, Which thei with deynte metes kepe And leyn it softe forto slepe, Whan it hath elles al his wille, With chastite schal stonde stille: And natheles I can noght seie, In aunter if that I misseye. 480 Touchende of this, how evere it stonde, 450 thei] men B 453 apeyre AM 457 vnto mannes soule is
AME: isto mannes synne B + C
18 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Trz Cuurcx.] I here and wol noght understonde, For therof have I noght to done: P. i. 20 Bot he that made ferst the Mone, The hyhe géd, of his goodnesse, If ther be cause, he it redresce. Bot what as eny man accuse, This mai reson of trowthe excuse ; The vice of hem that ben ungoode Is no reproef unto the goode: 490 For every man hise oghne werkes Schal bere, and thus as of the clerkes The goode men ben to comende, And alle these otbre god amende: For thei ben to the worldes ye The Mirour of ensamplerie, To reulen and to taken hiede Betwen the men and the godhiede.
iv. Vulgaris populus regali lege subactus [Tux Commons. } Dum iacet, vt mitis agna subibit onus. Si caput extollat et lex sua frena relaxet, V! sibi velle iubet, Tigridis instar kabet. Jgnis, agua dominans duo sunt pietale carentes, Jra tamen plebis est violenta magis.
Now forto speke of the comune,
It is to drede of that fortune 500 _De statu plebis, vt Which hath befalle in sondri londes : dicunt, secundum ac- cidencium mutabilia. Bot often for defalte of bondes Al sodeinliche, er it be wist, A Tonne, whanne his lye arist, Tobrekth and renneth al aboute, Which elles scholde noght gon oute ; And ek fulofte a litel Skar Upon a Banke, er men be war, Let in the Strem, which with gret peine, P. i. a1 If evere man it schal restreigne. 510 486 he om. AM 487 as AJMEs, SA, FKHs pat H1... Bs, B is W 495-498 Four lines found only in third recension copies FWKHs &c. 501 margin mutabilia accidencium HiRBs, B accidencia mutabilia X 510 euere ,euer) AMEsX, SAA, FKHs
euery JH1RB:, W eny CL, B
PROLOGUS
Wher lawe lacketh, errour groweth,
He is noght wys who that ne troweth,
For it hath proeved ofte er this;
And thus the comun clamour is
In every lond wher poeple dwelleth,
And eche in his compleignte telleth
How that the world is al miswent,
And ther upon his jugement
Yifth every man in sondry wise.
Bot what man wolde himself avise,
His conscience and noght misuse,
He may wel ate ferste excuse
His god, which evere stant in oh:
In him ther is defalte non,
So moste it stonde upon ousselve
Nought only upon ten ne twelve,
Bot plenerliche upon ous alle,
For man is cause of that schal falle. And natheles yet som men wryte
And sein that fortune is to wyte,
And som men holde oppinion
That it is constellacion,
Which causeth al that a man doth: God wot of bothe which is soth. The world as of his propre kynde
Was evere untrewe, and as the blynde
Improprelich he demeth fame, He blameth that is noght to blame
And preiseth that is noght to preise: Thus whan he schal the thinges peise,
Ther is deceipte in his balance,
And al is that the variance
Of ous, that scholde ous betre avise ; For after that we falle and rise,
The world arist and falth withal,
So that the man is overal
His oghne cause of wel and wo. That we fortune clepe so
518 argument IJ
543 schold S, F
520
530
P. i. 22
540
I9
[THe Commons. }
(Max rug Causz or Ewvir.)
Nota contra hoc, quodaliquisortem for - tune, aliqui influen- ciam planetarum po- nunt, per quod, vt dicitur,rerum euentus necessario contingit. Set pocius dicendum cst, quod ea que nos prospera et aduersa in hoc mundo voca- mus, secundum merita et demerita hominum digno dei iudicio pro- veniunt.
20
[MAN THE CAUSE OF Evi. |
Boicius. O quam dulcedo humane vite multa amaritudine a- spersa est!
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Out of the man himself it groweth ;
And who that other wise troweth, Rs Behold the poeple of Irael:
For evere whil thei deden wel,
Fortune was hem debonaire,
And whan thei deden the contraire,
Fortune was contrariende.
So that it proeveth wel at ende
Why that the world is wonderfull
And may no while stonde full,
Though that it seme wel besein;
For every worldes thing is vein, 260 And evere goth the whiel aboute,
And evere stant a man in doute,
Fortune stant no while stille,
So hath ther noman al his wille.
Als fer as evere a man may knowe,
Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe;
The world stant evere upon debat,
So may be seker non astat,
Now hier now ther, now to now fro, P. i. 23 Now up now down, this world goth so, STO And evere hath don and evere schal :
Wherof I finde in special
A tale writen in the Bible,
Which moste nedes be credible;
And that as in conclusioun
Seith that upon divisioun
Stant, why no worldes thing mai laste,
Til it be drive to the laste.
And fro the ferste regne of alle
Into this day, hou so befalle, 580 Of that the regnes be muable
The man himself hath be coupable,
Which of his propre governance
Fortuneth al the worldes chance.
O
551 Irael JM, S,.FH3N : the rest Israel 565 aman F 579-584 Six lines found only in third recension: cp. 495
PROLOGUS
v. Prosper et aduersus obliquo tramite versus Immundus mundus decipit omne genus. Mundus in euentu versatur vt alea casu, Quam celer in ludis iactat auara manus. Sicut ymago viri variantur temfora mundi, Statgue nichil firmum preter amare deum.
The hyhe almyhti pourveance, In whos eterne remembrance Fro ferst was every thing present, He hath his prophecie sent, In such a wise as thou scbalt hiere, To Daniel of this matiere,
2I
[ NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM.)
590
Hou that this world schal torne and wende, Hic in prologo
Till it be falle to his ende ; Wherof the tale telle I schal, In which it is betokned al.
tractat de Statua illa, quam Rex Nabugodo- nosor viderat in somp- nis, cuius caput aue reum, pectus argen-
As Nabugodonosor slepte, P. i. 24 teum, venter eneus, ti-
A swevene him tok, the which he kepte Til on the morwe he was arise,
For he therof was sore agrise.
To Daniel his drem he tolde,
And preide him faire that he wolde Arede what it tokne may ;
And seide: ‘Abedde wher I lay,
Me thoghte I syh upon a Stage
Wher stod a wonder strange ymage. His hed with al the necke also
Thei were of fin gold bothe tuo;
His brest, his schuldres and his armes Were al of selver, bot the tharmes, The wombe and al doun to the kne, Of bras thei were upon to se;
The legges were al mad of Stiel,
So were his feet also somdiel,
And somdiel part to hem was take Of Erthe which men Pottes make ;
Latin Verses v. 3 vesatur vt HiRBz2, B vesatur et CL HiR, B 6 line om. Hil B2Sn, B
bie ferree, pedum vero quedam pars ferrea, quedam fictilis videba- tur, sub qua membror- um diuersitate secun- dum Danielis exposi- cionem huius mundi
600 variacio figurabatur.
610
4 ictat
588 send F 592 befalle F 608 the tharmes] pe armes M, A tharmes B», HsMagd. 610 weren on AX 611 made al AMH:
22
[NzsUCHADNEZZAR'S Dream. ]
Hic narrat viterius de quodam lapide grandi, qui, vt in dicto sompnio vide- batur, ab excelso monte super statuam corruens ipsam quasi in nichilum penitus contriuit.
Hic loquitur de iaterpretacione som- pnii, et primo dicit de significacione capitis aurei.
De pectore ar- genteo.
De ventre eneo.
De tibeis ferreis.
De significacione pedum, qui ex duabus materiis discordanti- bus adinuicem diuisi extiterant.
De lapidis statuam confringentis signifi- cacione.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The fieble meynd was with the stronge, So myhte it wel noght stonde longe. And tho me thoghte that I sih A gret ston from an hull on hyh Fel doun of sodein aventure Upon the feet of this figure, 620 With which Ston al tobroke was Gold, Selver, Erthe, Stiel and Bras, That al was in to pouldre broght, And so forth torned into noght.' This was the swevene which he hadde, P. i. 25 That Daniel anon aradde, And seide him that figure strange Betokneth how the world schal change And waxe lasse worth and lasse, Til it to noght al overpasse. 630 The necke and hed, that weren golde, He seide how that betokne scholde A worthi world, a noble, a riche, To which non after schal be liche. Of Selver that was overforth Schal ben a world of lasse worth ; And after that the wombe of Bras Tokne of a werse world it was. The Stiel which he syh afterward A world betokneth more hard: 640 Bot yet the werste of everydel Is last, whan that of Erthe and Stiel He syh the feet departed so, For that betokneth mochel wo. Whan that the world divided is, It moste algate fare amis, For Erthe which is meynd with Stiel logedre may noght laste wiel, Bot if that on that other waste ; So mot it nedes faile in haste. 650 The Ston, which fro the hully Stage
616 nought wel KHs nought (om. wel) AM, W (nat) 618 on)
an B 618 margin grandi] gracia dei (gra di) RB:Sn 627 margin dicit om. B
PROLOGUS 23
He syh doun falle on that ymage, ( NEBUCHADNEZzzAR's And hath it into pouldre broke, __ Darax. } That swevene hath Daniel unloke,
And seide how that is goddes myht, P. i. 26
Which whan men wene most upryht
To stonde, schal hem overcaste.
And that is of this world the laste,
And thanne a newe schal beginne,
Fro which a man schal nevere twinne ; 660 Or al to peine or al to pes (Tue Empires or That world schal lasten endeles. THE Wortp.] Lo thus expondeth Daniel Hic consequenter ; ; scribit qualiter huius The ky nges swevene faire and wel seculi regna variis mu- In Babiloyne the Cite, tacionibus,proutindic- . ta statua figurabatur Wher that the wiseste of Caldee . secundum temporüm Ne cowthen wite what it mente ; distincciones sencibil- Bot he tolde al the hol entente, iter hactenus diminu- As in partie it is befalle. Of gold the ferste regne of alle 670 De seculo aureo, Was in that kinges time tho, deserat ests And laste manye daies so, tempore ipsius Nabu- Therwhiles that the Monarchie dee vsque Mida Of al the world in that partie Ciri Regis Persarum.
To Babiloyne was soubgit ;
And hield him stille in such a plit,
Til that the world began diverse:
And that was whan the king of Perse,
Which Cirus hyhte, ayein the pes
Forth with his Sone Cambises 680 Of Babiloine al that Empire,
Ryht as thei wolde hemself desire,
Put under in subjeccioun
And tok it in possessioun,
And slayn was Baltazar the king, P. 1, 27 Which loste his regne and al his thing.
And thus whan thei it hadde wonne,
The world of Selver was begonne De seculo argenteo, quod in pectore desig:
659 schal a newe Hi... Ba, B 663 expondep S, FK ail.
expoundep
668 al om. HiRB:;, B hol] ho'e AC margin
diminuntur F 681 al] of AMERB3, B om. Hi 683 in om. À
24
[THE Empires OF THE Wonrp.]
natum est, a tempore ipsius Regis Ciri vsque in regnum Alex- andri Regis Mace- donie.
De seculo enco, quod in ventre desig- natum est, a tempore ipsius Alexandri vs- que in regnum Iulii Romanorum Impara- toris.
698 nedes] soffre (suffre) ME, B 720 of Occident XE, B 723 chiualrie F 724 this] pe HiXGCL, W
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And that of gold was passed oute: And in this wise it goth aboute
In to the Regne of Darius;
And thanne it fell to Perse thus,
That Alisaundre put hem under,
Which wroghte of armes many a wonder, So that the Monarchie lefte
With Grecs, and here astat uplefte, And Persiens gon under fote,
So soffre thei that nedes mote.
And tho the world began of Bras, And that of selver ended was ;
Bot for the time thus it laste,
Til it befell that ate laste
This king, whan that his day was come, With strengthe of deth was overcome. And natheles yet er he dyde,
He schop his Regnes to divide
To knyhtes whiche him hadde served, And after that thei have deserved
Yaf the conquestes that he wan; Wherof gret werre tho began
Among hem that the Regnes hadde, Thurgh proud Envie which hem ladde, Til it befell ayein hem thus:
The noble Cesar Julius,
Which tho was king of Rome lond, With gret bataille and with strong hond Al Grece, Perse and ek Caldee
Wan and put under, so that he
Noght al only of thorient
Bot al the Marche of thoccident Governeth under his empire,
As he that was hol lord and Sire, And hield thurgh his chivalerie
Of al this world the Monarchie,
And was the ferste of that honour Which tok the name of Emperour.
705 or B
690
"00
710
P. i. 28
718 putte A
PROLOGUS 25
Wher Rome thanne wolde assaille, (Tug Empires or Ther myhte nothing contrevaille, THE Wonr».) B beie : De seculo ferreo, ot every contre moste obeie: quod in tibeis desig- Tho goth the Regne of Bras aweie, 730 patum est, a tempore And comen is the world of Stiel, Karoli magni Kegis And stod above upon the whiel. Francorum.
As Stiel is hardest in his kynde
Above alle othre that men finde
Of Metals, such was Rome tho
The myhtieste, and laste so
Long time amonges the Romeins
Til thei become so vileins,
That the fals Emperour Leo
With Constantin his Sone also "40 The patrimoine and the richesse,
Which to Silvestre in pure almesse
The ferste Constantinus lefte,
Fro holy cherche thei berefte.
Bot Adrian, which Pope was, P. i. 29 And syh the meschief of this cas, Goth in to France for pleigne,
And preith the grete Charlemeine, For Cristes sake and Soule hele That he wol take the querele
Of holy cherche in his defence.
And Charles for the reverence
Of god the cause hath undertake, And with his host the weie take Over the Montz of Lombardie ;
Of Rome and al the tirandie
With blodi swerd he overcom,
And the Cite with strengthe nom ;
In such a wise and there he wroghte, That holy cherche ayein he broghte 60 Into franchise, and doth restore
The Popes lost, and yaf him more:
=T eu Q
730 margin vsque ad Hi... Bs, B 732 stant Hi... B4, B margin Francie Hi... Bz, B 739 pe fals Emperour AJMXGCL, Sa, FKHs pe Emp. fals HERBs peemperourB 745 Bot] Good (God) GCLAndH: 750woldeMHiXGCL,A 754haptakeB didtakeA
26
(THe Empires or THE WoRLD. |
De seculo nouissi- mis iam temporibus ad similitudinem pe- dum in discordiam lapso et diuiso, quod post decessum ipsius Karoli, cum imperium Romanorum in manus Longobardorum per- uenerat, tempore Al- berti et Berengarii incepit: nam obeorum diuisionem contigit, vt Almanni impera- toriam adepti sunt maiestatem. In cuius solium quendam prin- cipem theotonicum Othonem nomine sub- limari primitus con- stituerunt. Etab illo regno incipiente di- uisio per vniuersum orbem in posteros concreuit, vnde nos ad alterutrum diuisi huius seculi consum- macionem iam vltimi expectamus.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And thus whan he his god hath served,
He tok, as he wel hath deserved,
The Diademe and was coroned.
Of Rome and thus was abandoned
Thempire, which cam nevere ayein
Into the hond of no Romein ;
Bot a long time it stod so stille
Under the Frensche kynges wille, "70 Til that fortune hir whiel so ladde,
That afterward Lombardz it hadde,
Noght be the swerd, bot be soffrance
Of him that tho was kyng of France,
Which Karle Calvus cleped was; P. i. 30 And he resigneth in this cas
Thempire of Rome unto Lowis
His Cousin, which a Lombard is.
And so bit laste into the yeer
Of Albert and of Berenger ; -80 Bot thanne upon dissencioun
Thei felle, and in divisioun
Among hemself that were grete,
So that thei loste the beyete
Of worschipe and of worldes pes.
Bot in proverbe natheles
Men sein, ful selden is that welthe
Can soffre his oghne astat in helthe;
And that was on the Lombardz sene,
Such comun strif was hem betwene "JO Thurgh coveitise and thurgh Envie,
That every man drowh his partie,
Which myhte leden eny route,
Withinne Burgh and ek withoute:
The comun ryht hath no felawe,
So that the governance of lawe
Was lost, and for necessite,
Of that thei stode in such degre
Al only thurgh divisioun,
764 as he hap wel ERBs, SBAA wel as he hath Hi 768 the
om. B
785 margin peruenerit Hi... RLB:, B. peruenit C
PROLOGUS 27
Hem nedeth in conclusioun 800 [THe Emprres oF
Of strange londes help beside. THE Wonr».| And thus for thei hemself divide
And stonden out of reule unevene,
Of Alemaine Princes sevene
Thei chose in this condicioun, P. i. 31
That upon here eleccioun
Thempire of Rome scholde stonde.
And thus thei lefte it out of honde
For lacke of grace, and it forsoke,
That Alemans upon hem toke: 810
And to confermen here astat,
Of that thei founden in debat
Thei token the possessioun
After the composicioun
Among hemself, and therupon
Thei made an Emperour anon,
Whos name as the Cronique telleth
Was Othes; and so forth it duelleth,
Fro thilke day yit unto this
Thempire of Rome hath ben and is 820
To thalemans. And in this wise, [THE LATEST Time. }
As ye tofore have herd divise
How Daniel the swevene expondeth
Of that ymage, on whom he foundeth
The world which after scholde falle,
Come is the laste tokne of alle;
Upon the feet of Erthe and Stiel
So stant this world now everydiel
Departed ; which began riht tho,
Whan Rome was divided so: 8.0
And that is forto rewe sore,
For alway siththe more and more
The world empeireth every day.
Wherof the sothe schewe may, |
At Rome ferst if we beginne: P. i. 32
804 Almanie A 812 founden AJMEs, SAA, FWHs stonden X ...R,B stoden HiCLBa 821 To pe almains X... Bs, BA To Almayns Hi 823 expondep S, FKHs af. expounde}
28
[THe LATEST TixE.]
[Division THE CAUSE oF Evir.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The wall and al the Cit withinne
Stant in ruine and in decas,
The feld is wher the Paleis was,
The toun is wast; and overthat,
If we beholde thilke astat S40 Which whilom was of the Romeins,
Of knyhthode and of Citezeins,
To peise now with that beforn,
The chaf is take for the corn,
As forto speke of Romes myht:
Unethes stant ther oght upryht
Of worschipe or of worldes good,
As it before tyme stod.
And why the worschipe is aweie,
If that a man the sothe seie, S:0 The cause hath ben divisioun,
Which moder of confusioun
Is wher sche cometh overal,
Noght only of the temporal
Bot of the spirital also.
The dede proeveth it is so,
And hath do many day er this,
Thurgh venym which that medled is
In holy cherche of erthly thing:
For Crist himself makth knowleching S60 That noman may togedre serve
God and the world, bot if he swerve
Froward that on and stonde unstable ;
And Cristes word may noght be fable.
The thing so open is at ye, P. i. 33 It nedeth noght to specefie
Or speke oght more in this matiere ;
Bot in this wise a man mai lere
Hou that the world is gon aboute,
836 al pe Cit S, F al pecite (citee) A. ..Bs, BAA, KHs the cite W Magd. al the toune Hi 837 f. deces... wes ECL, B deues... was HiSn deues .. . wes RBs 838 wher] per AMEsHi 844 fro (from) HiERBs, B, WMagd. 845 Andforto A, Magd. And so to HiEBs, B And so R As to L 850 sope XGSn,
FWKH: sop schal AJMHiERCLBs, SBAA 865 line om. B 869 bis world MHi... Ba, B
: PROLOGUS 29
The which welnyh is wered oute, 870 [Division THE Cause After the form of that figure or Evi. |
Which Daniel in his scripture Expondeth, as tofore is told.
Of Bras, of Selver and of Gold The world is passed and agon, And now upon his olde ton
It stant of brutel Erthe and Stiel, The whiche acorden nevere a diel ; So mot it nedes swerve aside
sumus in quos fines
As thing the which men sen divide. 880
Thapostel writ unto ous alle Hic dicit secundum And seith that upon ous is falle apostolum, quod nos Thende of the world; so may we knowe, scculi deuenerunt.
This ymage is nyh overthrowe,
Be which this world was signified,
That whilom was so magnefied,
And now is old and fieble and vil,
Full of meschief and of peril,
And stant divided ek also
Lich to the feet that were so, 890 As I tolde of the Statue above.
And this men sen, thurgh lacke of love
Where as the lond divided is,
It mot algate fare amis:
And now to loke on every side, P. i. 34 A man may se the world divide,
The werres ben so general
Among the cristene overal,
That every man now secheth wreche,
And yet these clerkes alday preche goo And sein, good dede may non be
Which stant noght upon charite :
I not hou charite may stonde,
Wher dedly werre is take on honde.
Bot al this wo is cause of man,
The which that wit and reson can,
And that in tokne and in witnesse
873 Expondep S, FK 89a this] pus AMHiX, Hs goo these] ps AM...E,B,W
30
[Division THE CAUSE or Evir.]
Hic scribit quod ex diuisionis passione singula creata detri- mentum corruptibile paciuntur.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That ilke ymage bar liknesse
Of man and of non other beste.
For ferst unto the mannes heste gto Was every creature ordeined,
Bot afterward it was restreigned :
Whan that he fell, thei fellen eke,
Whan he wax sek, thei woxen seke;
For as the man hath passioun
Of seknesse, in comparisoun
So soffren othre creatures.
Lo, ferst the hevenly figures,
The Sonne and Mone eclipsen bothe,
And ben with mannes senne wrothe ; 920 The purest Eir for Senne alofte
Hath ben and is corrupt fulofte,
Right now the hyhe wyndes blowe,
And anon after thei ben lowe,
Now clowdy and now clier it is: P. i. 35 So may it proeven wel be this,
A mannes Senne is forto hate,
Which makth the welkne to debate.
And forto se the proprete
Of every thyng in his degree, 930 Benethe forth among ous hiere
Al stant aliche in this matiere :
The See now ebbeth, now it floweth,
The lond now welketh, now it groweth,
Now be the Trees with leves grene,
Now thei be bare and nothing sene,
Now be the lusti somer floures,
Now be the stormy wynter shoures,
Now be the daies, now the nyhtes,
So stant ther nothing al upryhtes, 940 Now it is lyht, now it is derk ;
And thus stant al the worldes werk
912 Bot] ffor HiERB:, B 923 hyhe] while HiERBs, B 934 welwep AJM, W (weloweth) 937 f. the... the] bei... pei (pay... pay) AHIERBs; B per...per CL pese... pey X pe... pey G 939 Fei (pay) daies H1... R, B now the nyhtes]
now be pe n. MCB:, A now be pey (thei) n. HiXG
PROLOGUS E
After the disposicioun [Division THE CAUSE Of man and his condicioun. or Evi.] Forthi Gregoire in his Moral
Seith that a man in special
The lasse world is properly:
And that he proeveth redely ;
For man of Soule resonable
Is to an Angel resemblable, 950
And lich to beste he hath fielinge,
And lich to Trees he hath growinge ;
The Stones ben and so is he:
Thus of his propre qualite
The man, as telleth the clergie, P. i. 36
Is as a world in his partie,
And whan this litel world mistorneth,
The grete world al overtorneth.
The Lond, the See, the firmament, . Thei axen alle jugement 960
Ayein the man and make him werre:
Therwhile himself stant out of herre,
The remenant wol noght acorde:
And in this wise, as I recorde,
The man is cause of alle wo,
Why this world is divided so.
Division, the gospell seith, Hic dicit secundum . euangelium, quod om- On hous upon another leith, ne regnum in se diui- Til that the Regne al overthrowe : sum desolabitur. And thus may every man wel knowe, 970
Division aboven alle Is thing which makth the world to falle, And evere hath do sith it began. It may ferst proeve upon a man; Quod ex sue com- The which, for his complexioun piexionis materia di- Is mad upon divisioun existat. Of cold, of hot, of moist, of drye, He mot be verray kynde dye: For the contraire of his astat 946 aman F 950 Is to an] It is an HiERB;, B 957 mistormep FKHs 963 stant out of acord(e) HiERB:, B 966 Why) Wip RCLB: 967as pe g. s. AG, W 976 margin existit A
32
{Division THE CAUSE or Eviz. }
Quod homo ex cor- poris et anime condi- cione diuisus, sicut saluacionis ita et dampnacionis aptitu- dinem ingreditur.
Qualiter Adam a statu innocencie diui- sus a paradiso volup- tatis in terram laboris peccator — proiectus est,
Qualiter populi per vniuersum orbem a cultura dei diuisi, Noe cum sua sequela dum- taxat exceptis, diluuio interierunt,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Stant evermore in such debat, Til that o part be overcome, Ther may no final pes be nome. Bot other wise, if a man were Mad al togedre of o matiere Withouten interrupcioun,
Ther scholde no corrupcioun Engendre upon that unite:
Bot for ther is diversite
Withinne himself, he may noght laste,
That he ne deieth ate laste. Bot in a man yit over this Full gret divisioun ther is,
Thurgh which that he is evere in strif,
Whil that him lasteth eny lif: The bodi and the Soule also Among hem ben divided so,
That what thing that the body hateth
The soule loveth and debateth ; Bot natheles fulofte is sene
Of werre which is hem betwene The fieble hath wonne the victoire. And who so drawth into memoire What hath befalle of old and newe, He may that werre sore rewe, Which ferst began in Paradis:
For ther was proeved what it is, find what desese there it wroghte ; For thilke werre tho forth broghte The vice of alle dedly Sinne, Thurgh which division cam inne Among the men in erthe hiere, And was the cause and the matiere Why god the grete flodes sende, Of al the world and made an ende Bot Noé with his felaschipe,
Which only weren saulf be Schipe. And over that thurgh Senne it com
982 be nome] benome FK H:
980
P. 1. 37
990
1000
1010
P. i. 38
PROLOGUS
That Nembrot such emprise nom, Whan he the Tour Babel on heihte Let make, as he that wolde feihte Ayein the hihe goddes myht, Wherof divided anon ryht
Was the langage in such entente, Ther wist non what other mente, So that thei myhten noght procede. And thus it stant of every dede,
1020
Wher Senne takth the cause on honde,
It may upriht noght longe stonde ; For Senne of his condicioun Is moder of divisioun
1030
And tokne whan the world schal faile.
For so seith Crist withoute faile, That nyh upon the worldes ende Pes and acord awey schol wende And alle charite schal cesse, Among the men and hate encresce ; And whan these toknes ben befalle, A] sodeinly the Ston schal falle, As Daniel it hath beknowe, Which al this world schal overthrowe, And every man schal thanne arise To Joie or elles to Juise, Wher that he schal for evere dwelle, Or straght to hevene or straght to he In hevene is pes and al acord, Bot helle is full of such descord That ther may be no loveday: Forthi good is, whil a man may, Echon to sette pes with other And loven as his oghne brother ; So may he winne worldes welthe And afterward his soule helthe.
Bot wolde god that now were on An other such as Arion,
1018 suche prise H1ERB3, B 1019 he om. RLBs, B, 1029 condicion F 1033 margin vexat HiERB:, B 1055 S has lost a leaf (1055 —i. 106)
++ D
1040
lle. P. i. 39
1050
W that Hi 1038 And A
33
[Division THE Cause or Evir.)
Qualiter in edifica- cione turris Babel, quam in dei contemp- tum Nembrot erexit, : lingua prius hebraica in varias linguas ce- lica vindicta diuide- batur.
Qualiter mundus, qui in statu diuisionis quasi cotidianis pre- senti tempore vexatur flagellis,alapidesuper- ueniente, id est a di- uina potencia vsque ad resolucionem omnis carnis subito conter- etur.
Hic narrat excm- plum de concordia et vnitate inter homines
34
[ Division THE CAUSE or Evii.]
prouocanda ; et dicit qualiter quidam Arion nuper Citharista ex sui cantus cithareque consona melodia tante virtutis extiterat, vt ipse non solum virum cum viro, set eciam leonemcumcerua,lup- um cum agna, canem cum lepore, ipsum audientes vnanimiter absque vlla discordia adinuicem pacificauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which hadde an harpe of such temprure, And therto of so good mesure
He song, that he the bestes wilde Made of his note tame and milde, The Hinde in pes with the Leoun, The Wolf in pes with the Moltoun, The Hare in pees stod with the Hound; And every man upon this ground Which Arion that time herde,
Als wel the lord as the schepherde,
He broghte hem alle in good acord ;
So that the comun with the lord, And lord with the comun also, He sette in love bothe tuo
And putte awey malencolie.
That was a lusti melodie,
Whan every man with other low ; And if ther were such on now,
Which cowthe harpe as he tho dede,
He myhte availe in many a stede To make pes wher now is hate; For whan men thenken to debate, I not what other thing is good. Bot wher that wisdom waxeth wod, And reson torneth into rage,
So that mesure upon oultrage Hath set his world, it is to drede;
For that bringth in the comun drede, Which stant at every mannes Dore: Bot whan the scharpnesse of the spore
The horse side smit to sore,
It grieveth ofte.
And now nomore,
As forto speke of this matiere,
Which non bot only god may stiere.
Explicit Prologus
1078 waxed FK
1087 As] And YERSn, B om. Bs only may HiER, B god may only Bs
1069
P. i. 40
1080
1088 god
LIBER PRIMUS
P. i. 41 Incipit Liber Primus
i. Naturatus amor nature legibus orbem
Subdit, et unanimes concitat esse feras:
Huius enim mundi Princeps amor esse videtur, Cuius eget diues, pauper et omnis ope.
Sunt in agone pares amor et fortuna, que cecas Plebis ad insidias vertit vterque rotas.
Est amor egra salus, vexata quies, bius error, Bellica pax, vulnus dulce, suaue malui.
I may noght strecche up to the hevene
Min hand, ne setten al in evene
This world, which evere is in balance:
It stant noght in my sufficance
So grete thinges to compasse,
Bot I mot lete it overpasse
And treten upon othre thinges.
Forthi the Stile of my writinges
Fro this day forth I thenke change
And speke of thing is noght so strange, 10
Which every kinde hath upon honde, P. i.42
And wherupon the world mot stonde,
And hath don sithen it began,
And schal whil ther is any man;
And that is love, of which I mene
To trete, as after schal be sene.
In which ther can noman him reule,
For loves lawe is out of reule,
That of tomoche or of tolite
Welnyh is every man to wyte, 22
1 strecchen vp to h. EC, A strecche vp to h. XB: (vt) 8 fforpi (ffor py) AJMEsE, AA, FKHs ffor HiYXR... B3,B,W 10 thing is] pinges E:H1Y ... B4, B noght so] more YX 13 margin intendit] intendit eciam ERCL intendit et HiBs D 2
[Love RULES THE ‘Wor .p. }
Postquam in Pro- logo tractatum hac- tenus existit, qualiter hodierne condicionis diuisio caritatis di- leccionem superauit, intendit auctor ad presens suum libel- lum, cuiusnomen Con- fessio Amantis nun- cupatur, componere de illo amore, a quo non solum humanum ge- nus, sed eciam cuncta animancia naturaliter subiciuntur. Et quia nonnulliamantes ultra
36
{ LOVE RULES THE Wor vp. }
quam expedit desi- derii passionibus cre- bro stimulantur, ma- teria libri per totum super hiis specialius diffunditur.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And natheles ther is noman In al this world so wys, that can Of love tempre the mesure, Bot as it falth in aventure : For wit ne strengthe may noght helpe, And he which elles wolde him yelpe Is rathest throwen under fote, Ther can no wiht therof do bote. For yet was nevere such covine, That couthe ordeine a medicine 30 To thing which god in lawe of kinde Hath set, for ther may noman finde The rihte salve of such a Sor. It hath and schal ben everemor That love is maister wher he wile, Ther can no lif make other skile ; For wher as evere him lest to sette, Ther is no myht which him may lette. Bot what schal fallen ate laste, The sothe can no wisdom caste, 40 Bot as it falleth upon chance ; P. i. 43 For if ther evere was balance Which of fortune stant governed, I may wel lieve as I am lerned That love hath that balance on honde, Which wol no reson understonde. For love is blind and may noght se, Forthi may no certeinete Be set upon his jugement, Bot as the whiel aboute went &O He yifth his graces undeserved, And fro that man which hath him served Fulofte he takth aweye his fees, As he that pleieth ate Dees, And therupon what schal befalle He not, til that the chance falle, Wher he schal lese or he schal winne. 23 margin crebreHiE... B». 26 margin diffundeturB 97 evere
him lest] himselflest (list) Hi YERBs, B lust) 5o aboute is went ACL. isaboute went A sr grace HiXGERB:,BA 54 And HiYERBs, B
LIBER PRIMUS
And thus fulofte men beginne,
That if thei wisten what it mente,
Thei wolde change al here entente. And forto proven it is so,
I am miselven on of tho, gece picd
Which to this Scole am underfonge.
For it is siththe go noght longe,
As forto speke of this matiere,
I may you telle, if ye woll hiere,
A wonder hap which me befell,
That was to me bothe hard and fell,
Touchende of love and his fortune,
The which me liketh to comune
And pleinly forto telle it oute.
To hem that ben lovers aboute
Fro point to point I wol declare
And wryten of my woful care,
Mi wofull day, my wofull chance,
That men mowe take remembrance
Of that thei schall hierafter rede:
For in good feith this wolde I rede,
That every man ensample take
Of wisdom which him is betake,
And that he wot of good aprise
To teche it forth, for such emprise
Is forto preise; and therfore I
Woll wryte and schewe al openly
How love and I togedre mette,
Wherof the world ensample fette
Mai after this, whan I am go,
Of thilke unsely jolif wo,
Whos reule stant out of the weie,
Nou glad and nou gladnesse aweie,
And yet it may noght be withstonde
For oght that men may understonde.
Vt discant alti, docet experiencia facti,
Rebus in ambiguis que sit habenda via.
76 now B. 80 is him AG
37
(EXAMPLE OF THE AUTHOR. ]
Hic quasi in persona
6° aliorum, quos amor
70 P. i. 44
8o
go
i. Von ego Sampsonis vires, non Herculis arma Vinco, sum sed ut hii victus amore pari.
alligat, fingens se auc- tor esse Amantem, va- rias eorum passiones variis huius libri dis- tinccionibus per sing- ula scribere proponit.
(His worur CASE.
38
[His WOFUL cask.]
Hic declarat mate- riam, dicens qualiter Cupido quodam ignito iaculo sui cordis mem- oriam grauivlcere per- forauit, quod Venus percipiens ipsum, vt dicit, quasi in mortis articulo spasmatum, ad confitendum se Genio sacerdoti super amoris causa sic semi- uiuum specialiter com- mendauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Deuius ordo ducis templata fericla sequentem Instruit a tergo, ne simul tlle cadat.
Me quibus ergo Venus, casus, lagueauit amantem, Orbis in exemplum scribere tendo palam.
Upon the point that is befalle Of love, in which that I am falle, I thenke telle my matiere: Now herkne, who that wol it hiere, Of my fortune how that it ferde. This enderday, as I forthferde To walke, as I yow telle may,— And that was in the Monthe of Maii, Whan every brid hath chose his make And thenkth his merthes forto make Of love that he hath achieved ; Bot so was I nothing relieved, For I was further fro my love Than Erthe is fro the hevene above, As forto speke of eny sped: So wiste I me non other red, Bot as it were a man forfare Unto the wode I gan to fare, Noght forto singe with the briddes, For whanne I was the wode amiddes, I fond a swote grene pleine, And ther I gan my wo compleigne Wisshinge and wepinge al myn one, For other merthes made I none. So hard me was that ilke throwe, That ofte sithes overthrowe To grounde I was withoute breth ; And evere I wisshide after deth, Whanne I out of my peine awok,
Latin Verses ii. 5 Deuius AJMEs, AA, FKHs
P. i. 45
roo
IIO
120
Denuus (?) H.Y
Demum XGEC,B Deinque L Deui B:Sn Veni R 7 Me) Aere HiYf.m. ERBs, B 102 take CL, B 107 S resumes 109 forsake B 110 Vnto...
I gan tofare F And to... forth is he fare CL And to... gan I to fate Y To...IganfareR To...I made me jare B1 Vnto... my way gan take B Ane om. SnD 116 opere A 120 wisshide FK wisschide S wisshid Hs aj. wissched
LIBER PRIMUS 39
And caste up many a pitous lok [His coMPLAINT TO Unto the hevene, and seide thus: Cupip AND VrNus.] *O thou Cupide, O thou Venus,
Thou god of love and thou goddesse, P. i. 46
Wher is pite? wher is meknesse?
Now doth me pleinly live or dye,
For certes such a maladie
As I now have and longe have hadd,
It myhte make a wisman madd, 130
If that it scholde longe endure.
O Venus, queene of loves cure,
Thou lif, thou lust, thou mannes hele,
Behold my cause and my querele,
And yif me som part of thi grace,
So that I may finde in this place
If thou be gracious or non.’
And with that word I sawh anon
The kyng of love and qweene bothe;
Bot he that kyng with yhen wrothe 140
His chiere aweiward fro me caste,
And forth he passede ate laste.
Bot natheles er he forth wente [THE Frery DART.] A firy Dart me thoghte he hente
And threw it thurgh myn herte rote:
In him fond I non other bote,
For lenger list him noght to duelle.
Bot sche that is the Source and Welle [Venus QUEEN OF Of wel or wo, that schal betide | Love.] To hem that Joven, at that tide 150
Abod, bot forto tellen hiere
Sche cast on me no goodly chiere:
Thus natheles to me sche seide,
* What art thou, Sone?' and I abreide
Riht as a man doth out of slep, P.i.47 And therof tok sche riht good kep
And bad me nothing ben adrad:
Bot for al that I was noght glad,
For I ne sawh no cause why.
And eft scheo asketh, what was I: 160
130 wismam FK 160 scheo FK al. sche
40 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Venus QUEEN or I seide, *A Caitif that lith hiere: Lovr.] What wolde ye, my Ladi diere?
Schal I ben hol or elles dye?' Sche seide, * Tell thi maladie: What is thi Sor of which thou pleignest ? Ne hyd it noght, for if thou feignest, I can do the no medicine. ‘Ma dame, I am a man of thyne, That in thi Court have longe served, And aske that I have deserved, 170 Som wele after my longe wo.’ And sche began to loure tho, And seide, ‘Ther is manye of yow Faitours, and so may be that thow Art riht such on, and be feintise Seist that thou hast me do servise.’ And natheles sche wiste wel, Mi world stod on an other whiel Withouten eny faiterie : Bot algate of my maladie 180 Sche bad me telle and seie hir trowthe. ‘Ma dame, if ye wolde have rowthe,’ Quod I, ‘than wolde I telle yow.’ ‘Sey forth, quod sche, ‘and tell me how; Schew me thi seknesse everydiel.’ P. i. 48 * Ma dame, that can I do wel, Be so my lif therto wol laste.’ With that hir lok on me sche caste, And seide: ‘In aunter if thou live, Mi will is ferst that thou be schrive ; 190 And natheles how that it is I wot miself, bot for al this
(Genius, THE PRIEST Unto my prest, which comth anon,
oF Love.] I woll thou telle it on and on,
Bothe all thi thoght and al thi werk.
161 Ma dame I sayde Iohn Gowere E, B And I answerde wif drery chiere C And I answerd wip ful myld chere L line om. RB:SnD 162 What wolde 3e wip me my I. d. ERLBs What wolde se wip me l. d. XGC, B 163 or elles] or schal IC or L 164 tell (telle) me Hi YE... Ba, BA, W 165 of which) which pat CL where of W 183 pan wolde C ban woldA,B panne wold S, FK
LIBER PRIMUS 41
O Genius myn oghne Clerk, (Genius, THE Prisst Com forth and hier this mannes schrifte,’ or Lovz.] Quod Venus tho; and I uplifte
Min hefd with that, and gan beholde
The selve Prest, which as sche wolde aco
Was redy there and sette him doun
To hiere my confessioun.
iii. Confessus Genio st sit medióina salutis Experiar morbis, quos tulit ipsa Venus. Lesa quidem ferro medicantur membra saluti, Raro tamen medicum vulnus amoris habet.
This worthi Prest, this holy man [Tue Lover's
To me spekende thus began, SHRIT.] And seide: *' Benedicite,
Mi Sone, of the felicite
Of love and ek of all the wo
Thou schalt thee schrive of bothe tuo.
What thou er this for loves sake G Hic dicit qualiter Hast felt, let nothing be forsake, 210 sedent — prouolutus Tell pleinliche as it is befalle.’ P. i. 49 Amans at. confiten- And with that word I gan doun falle incuruatur, supplicans On knees, and with devocioun tamen, vt ad sui sen- And with full gret contricioun confessor illein dicen. I seide thanne: ‘ Dominus, dis opponere sibi be-
Min holi fader Genius, nignius dignaretur.
So as thou hast experience
Of love, for whos reverence
Thou schalt me schriven at this time, I prai the let me noght mistime 220 Mi schrifte, for I am destourbed
In al myn herte, and so contourbed, That I ne may my wittes gete,
So schal I moche thing foryete:
Bot if thou wolt my schrifte oppose Fro point to point, thanne I suppose, Ther schal nothing be left behinde. Bot now my wittes ben so blinde, That I ne can miselven teche.’
200 Prest o». B 208 thee] be Y, B, Magd. 213 and with] wipgoodB wip XC aswipA 224 schal] pat A 227 beleft FK
42
[Tax Lover's SHRIFT.)
Sermo Genii sacer- dotis super confes- sione ad Amantem.
232 tome F al. to me
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Tho he began anon to preche, And with his wordes debonaire He seide tome softe and faire: *'Thi schrifte to oppose and hiere, My Sone, I am assigned hiere Be Venus the godesse above,
Whos Prest I am touchende of love.
Bot natheles for certein skile
I mot algate and nedes wile Noght only make my spekynges Of love, bot of othre thinges, That touchen to the cause of vice. For that belongeth to thoffice
Of Prest, whos ordre that I bere, So that I wol nothing forbere, That I the vices on and on
Ne schal thee schewen everychon ; Wherof thou myht take evidence To reule with thi conscience.
Bot of conclusion final
Conclude I wol in special
For love, whos servant I am, And why the cause is that I cam. So thenke I to don bothe tuo, Ferst that myn ordre longeth to, The vices forto telle arewe,
Bot next above alle othre schewe Of love I wol the propretes,
How that thei stonde be degrees After the disposicioun
Of Venus, whos condicioun
I moste folwe, as I am holde. For I with love am al withholde, So that the lasse I am to wyte, Thogh I ne conne bot a lyte
Of othre thinges that ben wise:
I am noght tawht in such a wise;
234 sone sone F am om. B
230
240
P. i. 5o
260
264 I ne
conne] I now can (conne) ECLBs, B I ne now can XR ne can
nowe Hi
266 awise FK
LIBER PRIMUS 43
For it is noght my comun us [THE Lover's To speke of vices and vertus, SHRIFT.] Bot al of love and of his lore,
For Venus bokes of nomore 270 Me techen nowther text ne glose. P. i. 51 Bot for als moche as I suppose
It sit a prest to be wel thewed,
And schame it is if he be lewed,
Of my Presthode after the forme
I wol thi schrifte so enforme,
That ate leste thou schalt hiere
The vices, and to thi matiere
Of love I schal hem so remene,
That thou schalt knowe what thei mene. 280 For what a man schal axe or sein
Touchende of schrifte, it mot be plein,
It nedeth noght to make it queinte,
For trowthe hise wordes wol noght peinte : That I wole axe of the forthi,
My Sone, it schal be so pleinly,
That thou schalt knowe and understonde
The pointz of schrifte how that thei stonde.'
iv. Visus et auditus fragilis sunt ostia mentis, [THE Five Sensss. ]
Que viciosa manus claudere nulla potest.
Est ibi larga via, graditur qua cordis ad antrum Hostis, et ingrediens fossa talenta rapit.
Hec michi confessor Genius primordia profert, Dum sit in extremis vita remorsa malts.
Nunc famen vt poterit semiviua loquela fateri, Verba fer os timide conscia mentis agam.
Betwen the lif and deth I herde
This Prestes tale er I answerde, 290
And thanne I preide him forto seie
His will, and I it wolde obeie
After the forme of his apprise.
Tho spak he tome in such a wise, . Hic incipit confes-
And bad me that I scholde schrive P. i, 52 5° Amantis, cui de 277 laste (last) JYRCL,BAA 278 vice H1... B, B. 281 aman F
288 The] po B 293 the] ber F 294 tome FK al. to me awise F wise AEC, B 295 scholde (schuld) me Hi... Ba, B
44
(Tue Five SENszs.) duobus precipue quin- que sensuum, hoc est de visu et auditu, con- fessor pre ceteris op- ponit.
(Szerme. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As touchende of my wittes fyve, And schape that thei were amended Of that I hadde hem misdispended. For tho be proprely the gates, . Thurgh whiche as to the herte algates Comth alle thing unto the feire, Which may the mannes Soule empeire. And now this matiere is broght inne, Mi Sone, I thenke ferst beginne To wite how that thin yhe hath stonde, The which is, as I understonde, The moste principal of alle, Thurgh whom that peril mai befalle. And forto speke in loves kinde,
Ful manye suche a man mai finde, Whiche evere caste aboute here yhe, To loke if that thei myhte aspie Fulofte thing which hem ne toucheth, Bot only that here herte soucheth In hindringe of an other wiht ; And thus ful many a worthi knyht And many a lusti lady bothe Have be fulofte sythe wrothe. So that an yhe is as a thief To love, and doth ful gret meschief ; And also for his oghne part Fulofte thilke firy Dart Of love, which that evere brenneth, Thurgh him into the herte renneth: And thus a mannes yhe ferst Himselve grieveth alther werst, And many a time that he knoweth Unto his oghne harm it groweth. Mi Sone, herkne now forthi A tale, to be war therby Thin yhe forto kepe and warde, So that it passe noght his warde.
298 mispended XR, FWKHs so myspended Bi
manye suche S manye such F many suche AC M...RLBs, B
300
310
P. i. 53
33°
310 318 Hap
LIBER PRIMUS
Ovide telleth in his bok Ensample touchende of mislok, And seith hou whilom ther was on, A worthi lord, which Acteon Was hote, and he was cousin nyh To him that Thebes ferst on hyh Up sette, which king Cadme hyhte. This Acteon, as he wel myhte, 340 Above alle othre caste his chiere, And used it fro yer to yere, With Houndes and with grete Hornes Among the wodes and the thornes To make his hunting and his chace: Where him best thoghte in every place To finde gamen in his weie, Ther rod he forto hunte and pleie. So him befell upon a tide On his hunting as he cam ride, 350 In a Forest al one he was: He syh upon the grene gras The faire freisshe floures springe, He herde among the leves singe The Throstle with the nyhtingale: P. i. 54 Thus er he wiste into a Dale He cam, wher was a litel plein, All round aboute wel besein With buisshes grene and Cedres hyhe; And ther withinne he caste his yhe. 360 Amidd the plein he syh a welle, So fair ther myhte noman telle, In which Diana naked stod To bathe and pleie hire in the flod With many a Nimphe, which hire serveth. Bot he his yhe awey ne swerveth Fro hire, which was naked al,
334 margin exemplum om. AM 335 whilon FK 339 Vp sette S,F Vpsette AC, B margin spaciaret B 349 atide FK 353 floures freische H1... Bj, B. 355 Trostle FK 357 wher was] in to (into) Hi... B4, B 365 many nimphes Sn, B many Nimphe YEC many simphe RLBa mani a maiden A
45
[TALE or Acrzox.)
Hic narrat Confes- sor exemplum de visu ab illicitis preseruan- do, dicensqualiter Ac- teon CadmiRegis The- barum nepos, dum in quadam Foresta vena- cionis causa spaciare- tur, accidit vt ipse quendam fontem ne- morosa arborum pul- critudine circumuen- tum superueniens, vi- dit ibi Dianam cum suis Nimphis nudam in flumine balnean- tem; quam diligen- cius intuens oculos suos a muliebri nudi- tate nullatenus auer- tere volebat. Vnde in- dignata Diana ipsum in cerui figuram trans- formauit; quem canes proprii apprehenden- tes mortiferisdentibus penitus dilaniarunt.
46
[TALE or ACTEON.]
Confessor.
[TArE or Mepusa. ]
Hic ponit aliud ex- emplum de eodem, vbi dicit quod quidam princeps nominePhor- ceus tres progenuit filias, Gorgones a vul- go nuncupatas, que uno partu exorte de- formitatem Monstro- rum serpentinam ob- tinuerunt; quibus,cum in etatem peruenerant, talis destinata fuerat natura, quod quicum- que in eas aspiceret in lapidem subito mu- tabatur. Et sic quam plures incaute respi-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And sche was wonder wroth withal, And him, as sche which was godesse, Forschop anon, and the liknesse 370 Sche made him taken of an Hert, Which was tofore hise houndes stert, That ronne besiliche aboute With many an horn and many a route, That maden mochel noise and cry: And ate laste unhappely This Hert his oghne houndes slowhe And him for vengance al todrowhe. Lo now, my Sone, what it is A man to caste his yhe amis, 380 Which Acteon hath dere aboght ; Be war forthi and do it noght. For ofte, who that hiede toke, Betre is to winke than to loke. And forto proven it is so, P. i. 55 Ovide the Poete also A tale which to this matiere Acordeth seith, as thou schalt hiere.
In Metamor it telleth thus, How that a lord which Phorceiis 390 Was hote, hadde dowhtres thre. Bot upon here nativite Such was the constellacion, That out of mannes nacion Fro kynde thei be so miswent, That to the liknesse of Serpent Thei were bore, and so that on Of hem was cleped Stellibon, That other soster Suriale, The thridde, as telleth in the tale, 420 Medusa hihte, and natheles Of comun name Gorgones 368 for anger perof swal(l) HiEXG, B for anger perfor swal YR for anger perof schall CLB: therefore for angerschall DAr 9370 and theJin to CL in be Bs 371 taken] in fourme Lom. Bs
374 aroute F 377 hondes FK 388 andseip RCLB: and says W 391 and hadde CLBs, W 897 bore] bope FWKH:Magd.
LIBER PRIMUS 47
In every contre ther aboute, (Tate or Mepusa.] As Monstres whiche that men doute, cientes visis illis peri- . erunt. et rerseus Men clepen hem ; and bot on yhe miles clipeo Palladis Among hem thre in pourpartie gladioque — Mercurii . . . . munitus eas extra Thei hadde, of which thei myhte se, montem Athlantis co- Now hath it this, now hath it sche; habitantes animo au- : daci absque sui peri- After that cause and nede it ladde, culo interfecit. Be throwes ech of hem it hadde. 410
A wonder thing yet more amis Ther was, wherof I telle al this : What man on hem his chiere caste And hem behield, he was als faste Out of a man into a Ston P. i. 56 Forschape, and thus ful manyon Deceived were, of that thei wolde Misloke, wher that thei ne scholde. Bot Perseüs that worthi knyht, Whom Pallas of hir grete myht 420 Halp, and tok him a Schield therto, And ek the god Mercurie also Lente him a swerd, he, as it fell, Beyende Athlans the hihe hell These Monstres soghte, and there he fond Diverse men of thilke lond Thurgh sihte of hem mistorned were, Stondende as Stones hiere and there. Bot he, which wisdom and prouesse Hadde of the god and the godesse, 430 The Schield of Pallas gan enbrace, With which he covereth sauf his face, Mercuries Swerd and out he drowh, And so he bar him that he slowh These dredful Monstres alle thre. Lo now, my Sone, avise the, Confessor. That thou thi sihte noght misuse: Cast noght thin yhe upon Meduse, That thou be torned into Ston : For so wys man was nevere non, 440
423 he, as it fell] as it befel (om. he) C asitfel L, W 425 These] pis A 430 Hap B, W
[HzAnRING.)
(Tue PRUDENCE oF THE SERPENT. ]
Hic narrat Confes- sor exemplum, vt non ab auris exaudicione fatua animus deceptus inuoluatur. Et dicit qualiter ille serpens, qui aspis vocatur, quendam preciosissi- mum lapidem nomine Carbunculum in sue frontis medio gestans, contra verba incan- tantis aurem vnam terre affigendo premit, et aliam sue caude stimulo firmissime ob- turat.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot if he wel his yhe kepe And take of fol delit no kepe, That he with lust nys ofte nome, Thurgh strengthe of love and overcome. ^ Of mislokynge how it hath ferd, P.i 57 As I have told, now hast thou herd, My goode Sone, and tak good hiede. And overthis yet I thee rede That thou be war of thin heringe, Which to the Herte the tidinge 450 Of many a vanite hath broght, To tarie with a mannes thoght. And natheles good is to hiere Such thing wherof a man may lere That to vertu is acordant, And toward al the remenant Good is to torne his Ere fro; For elles, bot a man do so, Him may fulofte mysbefalle. I rede ensample amonges alle, 460 Wherof to kepe wel an Ere It oghte pute a man in fere.
A Serpent, which that Aspidis
Is cleped, of his kynde hath this,
That he the Ston noblest of alle,
The which that men Carbuncle calle,
Berth in his hed above on heihte.
For which whan that a man be sleyhte,
The Ston to winne and him to daunte,
With his carecte him wolde enchaunte, 470 ' Anon as he perceiveth that,
He leith doun his on Ere al plat
Unto the ground, and halt it faste,
And ek that other Ere als faste
He stoppeth with his tail so sore, P. i. 58
That he the wordes lasse or more
441 welAJEsC,S, FKHs wil (wille) YXGERLB:, BA, W wol/e) MHi, Magd. 447 andom. B. 454,458 aman FK 470 margin aspidis B 476 margin firmissimo HiGRCLBs
LIBER PRIMUS
Of his enchantement ne hiereth ; And in this wise himself he skiereth, So that he hath the wordes ‘weyved
And thurgh his Ere is noght deceived. 480
An othre thing. who that recordeth, Lich unto this ensample acordeth, Which in the tale of Troie I finde. Sirenes of a wonder kynde Ben Monstres, as the bokes tellen, And in the grete Se thei duellen: Of body bothe and of visage Lik unto wommen of yong age Up fro the Navele on hih thei be, And doun benethe, as men mai se, Thei bere of fisshes the figure.
And overthis of such nature
Thei ben, that with so swete a stevene Lik to the melodie of hevene
In wommanysshe vois thei singe, With notes of so gret likinge,
Of such mesure, of such musike, Wherof the Schipes thei beswike That passen be the costes there.
For whan the Schipmen leie an Ere Unto the vois, in here avys
Thei wene it be a Paradys,
Which after is to hem an helle.
For reson may noght with hem duelle, Whan thei tho grete lustes hiere ; Thei conne noght here Schipes stiere, So besiliche upon the note
Thei herkne, and in such wise assote, That thei here rihte cours and weie Foryete, and to here Ere obeie,
And seilen til it so befalle
That thei into the peril falle,
490
P. i. 59
49
[TALE OF THE SiRENS.]
Aliud | exemplum super eodem, qualiter rex Vluxes cum a bello Troiano versus Greciam nauigio re- mearet, et prope illa Monstra marina, Si- renes nuncupata, an- gelica voce canoras, ipsum ventorum ad- uersitate nauigare o- porteret,omnium nau- tarum suorum aures obturari coegit. Et sic salutari prouidencia prefultus absque peri- culo saluus cum sua classe Vluxes per- transiuit.
481 opre SB, F rest oper 488 womman À a womman MXGCLB: 491 berep XRCLB;, B 505 tho] pe JEsHi... B», B, W HsMagd. so AA
x2 E
50
[TALE or THE SIRENS. ]
Confessor. -
[THE Sins oF THE EYE AND THE Ear. |
Amans.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Where as the Schipes be todrawe, And thei ben with the Monstres slawe. Bot fro this peril natheles With his wisdom king Uluxes Ascapeth and it overpasseth ; For he tofor the hond compasseth That noman of his compaignie Hath pouer unto that folie 520 His Ere for no lust to caste ; For he hem stoppede alle faste, That non of hem mai hiere hem singe. So whan they comen forth seilinge, Ther was such governance on honde, That thei the Monstres have withstonde And slain of hem a gret partie. Thus was he sauf with his navie, This wise king, thurgh governance. Wherof, my Sone, in remembrance 530 Thou myht ensample taken hiere, As I have told, and what thou hiere Be wel war, and yif no credence, Bot if thou se more evidence. For if thou woldest take kepe P. i. 60 And wisly cowthest warde and kepe Thin yhe and Ere, as I have spoke, Than haddest thou the gates stoke Fro such Sotie as comth to winne Thin hertes wit, which is withinne, 549 Wherof that now thi love excedeth Mesure, and many a peine bredeth. Bot if thou cowthest sette in reule Tho tuo, the thre were eth to reule : Forthi as of thi wittes five I wole as now nomore schryve, Bot only of these ilke tuo. Tell me therfore if it be so, Hast thou thin yhen oght misthrowe? Mi fader, ye, I am beknowe, 550
522 atte (at) laste XEC, B 531 myht S might AC, B
549 yhe B
LIBER PRIMUS SI
I have hem cast upon Meduse, Therof I may me noght excuse : Min herte is growen into Ston,
So that my lady therupon
Hath such a priente of love grave, That I can noght miselve save.
What seist thou, Sone, as of thin Ere? Opponit Confessor. Mi fader, I am gultyf there ; Respondet Amans. For whanne I may my lady hiere, Mi wit with that hath lost his Stiere: 560
I do noght as Uluxes dede, Bot falle anon upon the stede, Wher as I se my lady stonde ; And there, I do yow understonde, I am topulled in my thoght, P. i. 61 So that of reson leveth noght, Wherof that I me mai defende. My goode Sone, god thamende: Confessor. For as me thenketh be thi speche Thi wittes ben riht feer to seche. 570 As of thin Ere and of thin yhe I woll nomore specefie, Bot I woll axen overthis Of othre thing how that it is.
v. Celsior est Aquila que Leone ferocior tlle, [THE SEVEN DEADLY Quem tumor elati cordis ad alta mouet. Sins. Prive. | Sunt species quinque, quibus esse Superbia ductrix Clamat, et in multis mundus adheret eis. Laruando faciem ficto pallore subornat Fraudibus Ypocrisis mellea verba suis. Sicque pios animos quamsepe ruit muliebres Ex humili verbo sub latitante dolo.
Mi Sone, as I thee schal enforme,
Ther ben yet of an other forme Hic loquitur quod
Of dedly vices sevene applied, | septem sunt peccata
. : mortalia, quorum ca- Wherof the herte is ofte plied put Superbia varias To thing which after schal him grieve. specieshabet,etearum r 3 prima Ypocrisis dici- Ihe ferste of hem thou schalt believe 580 tur, cuius propricta-
Latin Versesv. 1 Aquilaque F — 8 sub latitante J, S, F sublatitante AC, B 580 ferste C, S ferst A, F first B
E 2
52 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
tem secundum vicium Is Pride, which is principal, simplciter Confessor And hath with him in special Ministres five ful diverse, Of whiche, as I the schal reherse,
[Five Ministers er The ferste is seid Ypocrisie. PriDe. . . i. Hypocrisy. } If thou art of his compaignie, Tell forth, my Sone, and schrif the clene. Amans. I wot noght, fader, what ye mene: Bot this I wolde you beseche, P. i. 62 That ye me be som weie teche 590
What is to ben an ypocrite ; And thanne if I be forto wyte, I wol beknowen, as it is.
Confessor. | Mi Sone, an ypocrite is this, — A man which feigneth conscience, As thogh it were al innocence, Withoute, and is noght so withinne; And doth so for he wolde winne Of his desir the vein astat. And whanne he comth anon therat, 600 He scheweth thanne what he was, The corn is torned into gras, That was a Rose is thanne a thorn, And he that was a Lomb beforn Is thanne a Wolf, and thus malice Under the colour of justice Is hid; and as the poeple telleth,
Ipocrisis Religiosa. These ordres witen where he duelleth, As he that of here conseil is, And thilke world which thei er this 610 Forsoken, he drawth in ayein: He clotheth richesse, as men sein, Under the simplesce of poverte, And doth to seme of gret decerte Thing which is litel worth withinne : He seith in open, fy! to Sinne, And in secre ther is no vice 582 margin primitus declaratA ... Bs, S...A 584 Lo». FKH:
593 be knowen FK 604 toforn Y, B, W 608 margin Ipocrisis Relig. om. AM, B 610 word L, B
LIBER PRIMUS 53
Of which that he nis a Norrice: [Hypocrisy. ] And evere his chiere is sobre and softe, P. i. 63 And where he goth he blesseth ofte, 620
Wherof the blinde world he dred e eth °
Bot yet al only he ne streccheth
His reule upon religioun,
Bot next to that condicioun
In suche as clepe hem holy cherche | It scheweth ek how he can werche Ipocrisis ccclesiastica. Among tho wyde furred hodes,
To geten hem the worldes goodes.
And thei hemself ben thilke same
That setten most the world in blame, 630 Bot yet in contraire of her lore
Ther is nothing thei loven more ;
So that semende of liht thei werke
The dedes whiche are inward derke.
And thus this double Ypocrisie
With his devolte appdrantie
A viser set upon his face,
Wherof toward this worldes grace
He semeth to be riht wel thewed,
And yit his herte is al beschrewed. 640 Bot natheles he stant believed,
And hath his pourpos ofte achieved
Of worschipe and of worldes welthe,
And takth it, as who seith, be stelthe
Thurgh coverture of his fallas.
And riht so in semblable cas
'This vice hath ek his officers
Among these othre seculers Ipocrisis secularis. Of grete men, for of the smale P. i. 64 As for tacompte he set no tale, 650
Bot thei that passen the comune With suche him liketh to comune, And where he seith he wol socoure The poeple, there he woll devoure ; For now aday is manyon
626 gan AM schal R margin Ipocr. eccles. om. A 627 pe JE3Hi...B3, B, W 630 That] pay (pai) X...Bs3 B
54
[Hypocrtsy. ]
[Hypocrisy oF Lovers. |
Hic tractat Confes- sor cum Amante su- per illa presertim Ipo- crisia, que sub amoris facie fraudulenter la- titando mulieres ipsius ficticiis credulas se- pissime decipit inno- centes.
656 and of] and AM and seynt Hi — innocentes om. A,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which spekth of Peter and of John -
And thenketh Judas in his herte. Ther schal no worldes good asterte His hond, and yit he yifth almesse And fasteth ofte and hiereth Messe: With mea culpa, which he seith, Upon his brest fullofte he leith His hond, and cast upward his yhe, As thogh he Cristes face syhe ; So that it seemeth ate syhte, As he al one alle othre myhte Rescoue with his holy bede. Bot yet his herte in other stede Among hise bedes most devoute Goth in the worldes cause aboute, How that he myhte his warisoun Encresce.
And in comparisoun Ther ben lovers of such a sort, That feignen hem an humble port, And al is bot Ypocrisie, Which with deceipte and flaterie Hath many a worthi wif beguiled. For whanne he hath his tunge, affiled, With softe speche and with lesihges Forth with his fals pitous lokynge, He wolde make a womman wene To gon upon the faire grene, Whan that sche falleth in the Mir. For if he may have his desir, How so falle of the remenant, He halt no word of covenant; Bot er the time that he spede, Ther is no sleihte at thilke nede, Which eny loves faitour mai, That he ne put it in assai, As him belongeth forto done. The colour of the reyni Mone
660
P. i. 65 650
699
674 margin Hic tractat
LIBER PRIMUS
With medicine upon his face
He set, and thanne he axeth grace, As he which hath sieknesse feigned. Whan his visage is so desteigned, With yhe upcast on hire he siketh, And many a contenance he piketh, To bringen hire in to believe
Of thing which that he wolde achieve, 700 Wherof he berth the pale hewe ; And for he wolde seme trewe,
He makth him siek, whan he is heil. Bot whanne he berth lowest the Seil, Thanne is he swiftest to beguile
The womman, which that ilke while Set upon him feith or credence.
Mi S e, if thou thi conscience
UN e . . Entamed hast in such a wise, P. i. 66 In schrifte thou thee myht avise 710
And telle it me, if it be so. Min holy fader, certes no. As forto feigne such sieknesse It nedeth noght, for this witnesse I take of god, that my corage Hath ben mor siek than my visage. And ek this mai I wel avowe, So lowe cowthe I nevere bowe To feigne humilite withoute, That me ne leste betre loute "10 With alle the thoghtes of myn herte; For that thing schal me nevere asterte, I speke as to my lady diere, To make hire eny feigned chiere. God wot wel there I lye noght, Mi chiere hath be such as my thoght ; For in good feith, this lieveth wel, Mi will was betre a thousendel Than eny chiere that I cowthe. Bot, Sire, if I have in my yowthe 730 Don other wise in other place, 704 berep (berp) lowest seil AH1... Bs, B, Magd. 123 tomy F
55
[Hypocrisy or Lovers.)
Opponit Confessor.
Respondet Amans.
56 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
{Hypocrisy or I put me therof in your grace: Lovers. | For this excusen I ne schal, That I have elles overal To love and to his compaignie Be plein withoute Ypocrisie ; Bot ther is on the which I serve, Althogh I may no thonk deserve, To whom yet nevere into this day P. i. 67 I seide onlyche or ye or nay, 740 Bot if it so were in my thoght. As touchende othre seie I noght That I nam somdel forto wyte Of that ye clepe an ypocrite. Confessor. Mi Sone, it sit wel every wiht
To kepe his word in trowthe upryht Towardes love in alle wise. For who that wolde him wel avise What hath befalle in this matiere, He scholde noght with feigned chiere 750 Deceive Love in no degre. To love is every herte fre, Bot in deceipte if that thou feignest And therupon thi lust atteignest, That thow hast wonne with thi wyle, Thogh it thee like for a whyle, Thou schalt it afterward repente. And forto prove myn entente, I finde ensample in a Croniqe
Of hem that love so beswike. "60
[Tate or Munpus It fell be olde daies thus,
AND PAULINA.] Whil themperour Tiberius _ Quod Ipocrisia sit The Monarchie of Rome ladde, narrat exemplum gue. Ther was a worthi Romein hadde iter sub regno Tiberii A wif, and sche Pauline hihte, miles nomine Mundus, Which was to every mannes sihte qui. Romanorum Qux Of al the Cite the faireste,
t
dominam Phuliran, And as men seiden, ek the beste.
732 put A, SB,F putte C 756 the hit like W it be like HiL it be liking C
LIBER PRIMUS
It is and hath ben evere yit,
That so strong is no mannes wit,
Which thurgh beaute ne mai be drawe
'To love, and stonde under the lawe
Of thilke bore frele kinde,
Which makth the hertes yhen blinde,
Wher no reson mai be comuned :
And in this wise stod fortuned
This tale, of which I wolde mene;
This wif, which in hire lustes grene
Was fair and freissh and tendre of age,
Sche may noght lette the corage
Of him that wole on hire assote. There was a Duck, and he was hote
Mundus, which hadde in his baillie
To lede the chivalerie
Of Rome, and was a worthi knyht ;
Bot yet he was noght of such myht
The strengthe of love to withstonde,
That he ne was so broght tp honde,
That malgre wher he wole or no,
This yonge wif he loveth so,
That he hath put al his assay
To wynne thing which he ne may
Gete of hire graunt in no manere,
Be yifte of gold ne be preiere.
And whanne he syh that be no mede
Toward hir love he myhte spede,
Be sleyhte feigned thanne he wroghte ;
And therupon he him bethoghte
How that ther was in the Cite
A temple of such auctorite,
To which with gret Devocioun
The noble wommen of the toun
Most comunliche a pelrinage
Gon forto preie thilke ymage
Which the godesse of childinge is,
P. i. 68
719
799
P. i. 69
800
57
(Tare or Munpus AND PAULINA. }
pulcherrimam castita- tisque famosissimam mediantibus duobus falsis presbiteris in templo Ysis deum se esse fingens sub ficte sanctitatis ypocrisi nocturno tempore vi- ciauit. Vndeidemdux in exilium, presbiteri in mortem ob sui cri- minis — enormitatem dampnati extiterant, ymagoque dee Ysis a templo euulsa vniuer- soconclamante populo in flumen Tiberiadis proiecta mergebatur.
domini se esse fingentcs A stant HiGE 78a Duck
113 margin domini se esse fingens ME: 775 Ther(e) AM 416 stonde RCLBs A, F Duk (duk)SB Duke C
58
(Tare or Munpus AND PAULINA.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And cleped was be name Ysis : And in hire temple thanne were, To reule and to ministre there After the lawe which was tho, Above alle othre Prestes tuo. 810 This Duck, which thoghte his love gete, Upon a day hem tuo to mete Hath bede, and thei come at his heste ; Wher that thei hadde a riche feste, And after mete in prive place This lord, which wolde his thonk pourchace, To ech of hem yaf thanne a yifte, And spak so that be weie of schrifte He drowh hem unto his covine, To helpe and schape how he Pauline S20 After his lust deceive myhte. And thei here trowthes bothe plyhte, That thei be nyhte hire scholden wynne Into the temple, and he therinne Schal have of hire al his entente: And thus acorded forth thei wente. Now lest thurgh which ypocrisie Ordeigned was the tricherie, Wherof this ladi was deceived. P. i. 70 These Prestes hadden wel conceived 830 That sche was of gret holinesse ; And with a contrefet simplesse, Which hid was in a fals corage, Feignende an hevenely message Thei come and seide unto hir thus: ‘Pauline, the god Anubus Hath sent ous bothe Prestes hiere, And seith he woll to thee appiere Be nyhtes time himself alone, For love he hath to thi persone: S40 And therupon he hath ous bede, That we in Ysis temple a stéde ”
820 he} the B, W that Hi 834 fleigncd AMHiXLBs, W
(ffeignet) present B
pey feigned C 837 seyt vs B p.m. Prestes!
LIBER PRIMUS 59
Honestely for thee pourveie, [Tare or Munous Wher thou bé nyhte, as we thee seie, AND PAULINA.] Of him schalt take avisioun. For upon thi condicioun, . The which is chaste and ful of feith, Such pris, as he ous tolde, he leith, That he wol stonde of thin acord ; And forto bere hierof record 850 He sende ous hider bothe tuo.’ Glad was hire innocence tho Of suche wordes as sche herde, With humble chiere and thus answerde, And seide that the goddes wille Sche was al redy to fulfille, That be hire housebondes leve Sche wolde in Ysis temple at eve Upon hire goddes grace abide, P. i. 71 To serven him the nyhtes tide. 860 The Prestes tho gon hom ayein, And sche goth to hire sovereign, Of goddes wille and as it was Sche tolde him al the pleine cas, Wherof he was deceived eke, And bad that sche hire scholde meke Al hol unto the goddes heste. And thus sche, which was al honeste To godward after hire entente, At nyht unto the temple wente, STO Wher that the false Prestes were ; And thei receiven hire there With such a tokne of holinesse, As thogh thei syhen a godesse, And al withinne in prive place A softe bedd of large space Thei hadde mad and encourtined, Wher sche was afterward engined. Bot sche, which al honour supposeth, The false Prestes thanne opposeth, 880 And axeth be what observance 876 lofte Hi... Ba
60
| Tare or Munpus AND PAULINA. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Sche myhte most to the plesance
Of godd that nyhtes reule kepe:
And thei hire bidden forto slepe Liggende upon the bedd alofte,
For so, thei seide, al stille and softe God Anubus hire wolde awake.
The conseil in this wise take,
The Prestes fro this lady gon;
And sche, that wiste of guile non,
In the manere as it was seid
To slepe upon the bedd is leid,
In hope that sche scholde achieve Thing which stod thanne upon bilieve, Fulfild of alle holinesse.
Bot sche hath failed, as I gesse,
For in a closet faste by
The Duck was hid so prively
That sche him myhte noght perceive ; And he, that thoghte to deceive,
Hath such arrai upon him nome, That whanne he wolde unto hir come, It scholde semen at hire yhe
As thogh sche verrailiche syhe
God Anubus, and in such wise
This ypocrite of his queintise Awaiteth evere til sche slepte.
And thanne out of his place he crepte So stille that sche nothing herde,
And to the bedd stalkende he ferde, And sodeinly, er sche it wiste,
Beclipt in armes he hire kiste: Wherof in wommanysshe drede
She wok and nyste what to rede;
Bot he with softe wordes milde Conforteth hire and seith, with childe He wolde hire make in such a kynde That al the world schal have in mynde The worschipe of that ilke Sone;
884 biddep B 886 al om. B 893 wolde AM
pat B
903 to H1... L. vato Bs
P. i. 72 890
900
910
P. i. 73 896 hath]
LIBER PRIMUS 61
For he schal with the goddes wone, 920 [TALE or MuNpus And ben himself a godd also. AND Pautina. ] With suche wordes and with mo, The whiche he feigneth in his speche, This lady wit was al to seche, As sche which alle trowthe weneth : Bot he, that alle untrowthe meneth, With blinde tales so hire ladde, That all his wille of hire he hadde. And whan him thoghte it was ynowh, Ayein the day he him withdrowh 930 So prively that sche ne wiste Wher he becom, bot as him liste Out of the temple he goth his weie. And sche began to bidde and preie Upon the bare ground knelende, And after that made hire offrende, And to the Prestes yiftes grete Sche yaf, and homward be the Strete. The Duck hire mette and seide thus : ‘The myhti godd which Anubus 940 Is hote, he save the, Pauline, For thou art of his discipline So holy, that no mannes myht Mai do that he hath do to nyht Of thing which thou hast evere eschuied. Bot I his grace have so poursuied, That I was mad his lieutenant : Forthi be weie of covenant Fro this day forth I am al thin, P. i. 74 And if thee like to be myn, 950 That stant upon thin oghne wille.’
Sche herde his tale and bar it stille, And hom sche wente, as it befell, Into hir chambre, and ther sche fell Upon hire bedd to wepe and crie, And seide : * O derke ypocrisie, Thurgh whos dissimilacion Of fals ymaginacion
924 al to] for to À
Id
62 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Tare or Munpus I am thus wickedly deceived ! AND Pautina.] Bot that I have it aperceived 960 I thonke unto the goddes alle ; For thogh it ones be befalle, It schal nevere eft whil that I live, And thilke avou to godd I yive.’ And thus wepende sche compleigneth, Hire faire face and al desteigneth With wofull teres of hire ye, So that upon this agonie Hire housebonde is inne come, And syh how sche was overcome 970 With sorwe, and axeth what hire eileth. And sche with that hirself beweileth Welmore than sche dede afore, And seide, ‘Helas, wifhode is lore In me, which whilom was honeste, I am non other than a beste, Now I defouled am of tuo.’ And as sche myhte speke tho, Aschamed with a pitous onde '' P. i. 75 Sche tolde unto hir housebonde yo The sothe of al the hole tale, And in hire speche ded and pale Sche swouneth welnyh to the laste. And he hire in hise armes faste Uphield, and ofte swor his oth That he with hire is nothing wroth, For wel he wot sche may ther noght : Bot natheles withinne his thoght His herte stod in sori plit, And seide he wolde of that despit 990 Be venged, how so evere it falle, And sende unto hise frendes alle. And whan thei weren come in fere, He tolde hem upon this matiere, And axeth hem what was to done: And thei avised were sone, And seide it thoghte hem for the beste 975 me om. B
LIBER PRIMUS 63
To sette ferst his wif in reste, [Tate or Munpus And after pleigne to the king AND Pautina.] Upon the matiere of this thing. 1000 Tho was this wofull wif conforted Be alle weies and desported, Til that sche was somdiel amended ; And thus a day or tuo despended, The thridde day sche goth to pleigne With many a worthi Citezeine, And he with many a Citezein. Whan themperour it herde sein, And knew the falshed of the vice, P. i. 76 He seide he wolde do justice: 1010 And ferst he let the Prestes take, And for thei scholde it noght forsake, He put hem into questioun ; Bot thei of the suggestioun Ne couthen noght a word refuse, Bot for thei wolde hemself excuse, The blame upon the Duck thei leide. Bot therayein the conseil seide That thei be noght excused so, For he is on and thei ben tuo, 1020 And tuo han more wit then on, So thilke excusement was non. And over that was seid hem eke, That whan men wolden vertu seke, Men scholde it in the Prestes finde; Here ordre is of sol hyh a kinde, That thei be Duisires of the weie : Forthi, if eny man forsueie Thurgh hem, thei be noght excusable. And thus be lawe resonable 1030 Among the wise jugges there The Prestes bothe dampned were, So that the prive tricherie Hid under fals Ipocrisie Was thanne al openliche schewed,
1013 put SB, F putte AC IoIS a] o C, B 1023 seid A,S seydB seide F 1027 diustres A
64
[TaLe or Muxpus AND PAULINA. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That many a man hem hath beschrewed. And whan the Prestes weren dede, The temple of thilke horrible dede Thei thoghten purge, and thilke ymage, P. i. 77 Whos cause was the pelrinage, 1040 Thei drowen out and als so faste Fer into Tibre thei it caste, Wher the Rivere it hath defied : And thus the temple purified Thei have of thilke horrible Sinne, Which was that time do therinne, us Of this point such was the juis/ ^ Bot of the Duck was othe wise : For he with love was bestad, His dom was noght so harde lad ; 1050 For Love put reson aweie And can noght se the righte weie. And be this cause he was respited, So that the deth him was acquited, Bot for al that he was exiled, For he his love hath so beguiled, That he schal nevere come ayein: For who that is to trowthe unplein, He may noght failen of vengance. And ek to take remembrance 1060 Of that Ypocrisie hath wroght On other half, men scholde noght To lihtly lieve al that thei hiere, Bot thanne scholde a wisman stiere The Schip, whan suche wyndes blowe : For ferst thogh thei beginne lowe, At ende thei be noght menable, Bot al tobreken Mast and Cable, So that the Schip with sodein blast, P. i. 78 Whan men lest wene, is overcast ; 1070
1036 hap hem AMEsHiL, W (has hem) be schrewed FK 1059 veniance XRCLBs 1067 menable AJYXG, SAdA,F meuable (moeuable) ELBs, B, WHs doubtfu! MHiRC, Magd. 1068 al tobroken (al to broke &c.) AMERCBs, Ad, FHsMagd. alto brosten EL
1079 it] hem H1... ECLB4 B heR et virum Jinter virum ME... Bs inter viros XG
om. AM
LIBER PRIMUS
As now fulofte a man mai se: And of old time how it hath be I finde a gret experience, Wherof to take an evidence Good is, and to be war also
Of the peril, er him be wo.
Of hem that ben so derk withinne, At Troie also if we beginne, Ipocrisie it hath betraied : For whan the Greks hadde al assaied, And founde that be no bataille Ne be no Siege it myhte availe The toun to winne thurgh prouesse, This vice feigned of simplesce Thurgh sleyhte of Calcas and of Crise It wan be such a maner wise. An Hors of Bras thei let do forge Of such entaile, of such a forge, That in this world was nevere man That such an other werk began. The crafti werkman Epius It made, and forto telle thus, The Greks, that thoghten to beguile The kyng of Troie, in thilke while With Anthenor and with Enee, That were bothe of the Cite And of the conseil the wiseste, The richeste and the myhtieste, In prive place so thei trete With fair beheste and yiftes grete Of gold, that thei hem have engined ; Togedre and whan thei be covined, Thei feignen forto make a pes, And under that yit natheles Thei schopen the destruccioun Bothe of the kyng and of the toun.
1093 margin in templo om. Hi... Ba
deuastarunt] demonstrarunt A
.
F
1080
1090
P. i. 79
ITOO
1083 margin inter virum 1090 »nargin hoc 1099 margin
65
[Tue Trojan Horse. }
Hic vlterius ponit exemplum de illa eciam Ypocrisia, que inter virum et virum decipiens periculosis- sima consistit, Et narrat, qualiter Greci in obsidione ciuitatis Troie, cum ipsam vi comprehendere nulla- tenus potuerunt, fal- laci animo cum Troi- anis pacem vt dicunt pro perpetuo statue- bant: et super hoc quendam ecuum mire grossitudinis de ere fabricatum ad sacrifi- candum in templo Mi- nerue confingentes, sub tali sanctitatis ypocrisi dictam Ciui- tatem intrarunt, et ipsam cum inhabi- tantibus gladio et igne comminuentes pro perpetuo penitus deuastarunt.
66
[TH Trojan Horse. |
1115 stood in a cord B 1125 jiuen A
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And thus the false pees was take Of hem of Grece and undertake, And therupon thei founde a weie, Wher strengthe myhte noght aweie, That sleihte scholde helpe thanne; And of an ynche a large spanne Be colour of the pees thei made, And tolden how thei weren glade Of that thei stoden in acord ; And for it schal ben of record, Unto the kyng the Gregois seiden, Be weie of love and this thei preiden, As thei that wolde his thonk deserve, A Sacrifice unto Minerve, The pes to kepe in good entente, Thei mosten offre er that thei wente. The kyng conseiled in this cas Be Anthenor and Eneas Therto hath yoven his assent: So was the pleine trowthe blent Thurgh contrefet Ipocrisie Of that thei scholden sacrifie.
The Greks under the holinesse Anon with alle besinesse Here Hors of Bras let faire dihte, Which was to sen a wonder sihte ; For it was trapped of himselve, And hadde of smale whieles twelve, Upon the whiche men ynowe With craft toward the toun it drowe, And goth glistrende ayein the Sunne. Tho was ther joie ynowh begunne, For Troie in gret devocioun Cam also with processioun Ayein this noble Sacrifise With gret honour, and in this wise Unto the gates thei it broghte. Bot of here entre whan thei soghte,
1110
1120
P. i. 80
1130
1140
1118 pus M... R, BAd, WHsMagd.
LIBER PRIMUS 67
The gates weren al to smale; [THE TROJAN Horse] And therupon was many a tale, Bot for the worschipe of Minerve, To whom thei comen forto serve, Thei of the toun, whiche understode That al this thing was do for goode, 1150 For pes, wherof that thei ben glade, The gates that Neptunus made A thousend wynter ther tofore, Thei have anon tobroke and tore; The stronge walles doun thei bete, So that in to the large strete This Hors with gret solempnite Was broght withinne the Cite, And offred with gret reverence, P. i. 81 Which was to Troie an evidence 1160 Of love and pes for everemo. The Gregois token leve tho With al the hole felaschipe, And forth thei wenten into Schipe And crossen seil and made hem yare, Anon as thogh thei wolden fare: Bot whan the blake wynter nyht Withoute Mone or Sterre lyht Bederked hath the water Stronde, Al prively thei gon to londe 1170 Ful armed out of the navie. Synon, which mad was here aspie Withinne Troie, as was conspired, Whan time was a tokne hath fired ; And thei with that here weie holden, And comen in riht as thei wolden, Ther as the gate was tobroke. The pourpos was full take and spoke: Er eny man may take kepe, Whil that the Cite was aslepe, 1180 Thei slowen al that was withinne, 1145 tosmale F 1162 token]toke(n)her(e) CLBs 1165 trossen
ECL trussen H1R tuossenBa 1172 Symon HiCLBs, FWH:Magd. mad om. AM
F2
68
[Tug Trojan Honsx.]
( Hypocrisy iN Love. ]
Confessor.
1197 the wordes that] pe which B
om. A
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And token what thei myhten wynne
Of such good as was sufficant,
And brenden up the remenant.
And thus cam out the tricherie,
Which under fals Ypocrisie
Was hid, and thei that wende pees
Tho myhten finde no reles
Of thilke swerd which al devoureth. Fulofte and thus the swete soureth,
Whan it is knowe to the tast:
He spilleth many a word in wast
That schal with such a poeple trete ;
For whan he weneth most beyete,
Thanne is he schape most to lese.
And riht so if a womman chese
Upon the wordes that sche hiereth
' P.i. 82
1190
Som man, whan he most trewe appiereth,
Thanne is he forthest fro the trowthe Bot yit fulofte, and that is rowthe, Thei speden that ben most untrewe And loven every day a newe, Wherof the lief is after loth And love hath cause to be wroth. Bot what man that his lust desireth Of love, and therupon conspireth With wordes feigned to deceive, He schal noght faile to receive His peine, as it is ofte sene.
Forthi, my Sone, as I thee mene, It sit the wel to taken hiede That thou eschuie of thi manhiede Ipocrisie and his semblant, That thou ne be noght deceivant, To make a womman to believe Thing which is noght in thi bilieve: For in such feint Ipocrisie Of love is al the tricherie, Thurgh which love is deceived ofte ;
1216 thi] fe XR, B
1200
1210
P. i. 83
I210 margin Confessor
LIBER PRIMUS 69
For feigned semblant is so softe, 1220 [ Hypocrisy iN Lovz.]
Unethes love may be war.
Forthi, my Sone, as I wel dar,
I charge thee to fle that vice,
That many a womman hath mad nice;
Bot lok thou dele noght withal. Iwiss, fader, nomor I schal. Amans. Now, Sone, kep that thou hast swore: Confessor.
For this that thou hast herd before
Is seid the ferste point of Pride:
And next upon that other side, 1230
To schryve and speken overthis
- Touchende of Pride, yit ther is
The point seconde, I thee behote,
Which Inobedience is hote.
vi. Flectere quam frangi melius reputatur, et olle (ii. INOBBDIENCE.)
Fictilis ad cacabum pugna valere nequit.
Quem neque lex hominum, neque lex diuina valebit Flectere, multociens corde reffectit amor.
Quem non flectit amor, non est flectendus ab vilo, Set rigor illius plus Elephante riget.
Dedignatur amor poterit quos scire rebelles, Et rudibus sortem prestat habere rudem;
Set qui sponte sui subicit se cordis amore, Frangit in aduersis omnia fata fius. (10)
This vice of Inobedience Ayein the reule of conscience Al that is humble he desalloweth, That he toward his god ne boweth After the lawes of his heste.
Noght as a man bot as a beste, 1240 cunda specie Superbie, . . . . c Which goth upon his lustes wilde, P. i. 84 que Inobediencia dici So goth this proude vice unmylde, tur: et primo illius
. vient naturam SIMDII-
That he desdeigneth alle lawe: citer declarat, et trac. He not what is to be felawe, tat consequenter Su: . per lla precipue Ino-
And serve may he noght for pride; bediencia, que in curia So is he badde on every side, Cupidinis exosa amo- . ris causam cx sua im-
And is that selve of whom men speke, becillitate sepissime Which wol noght bowe er that he breke. retardat. In cuius
Latin Verses vi. 4 reflectat H1... CBs ne flectat L
79
materia Confessor A- manti specialiusoppo- nit,
Confessor.
Amans.
Opponit Confessor. Respondet Amans.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
I not if love him myhte plie, For elles forto justefie His herte, I not what mihte availe. Forthi, my Sone, of such entaile If that thin herte be disposed, Tell out and let it noght be glosed: For if that thou unbuxom be To love, I not in what degree Thou schalt thi goode world achieve. Mi fader, ye schul wel believe, The yonge whelp which is affaited Hath noght his Maister betre awaited, To couche, whan he seith ‘Go lowe,’ That I, anon as I may knowe Mi ladi will, ne bowe more. Bot other while I grucche sore Of some thinges that sche doth, Wherof that I woll telle soth: For of tuo pointz I am bethoght, That, thogh I wolde, I myhte noght Obeie unto my ladi heste ; Bot I dar make this beheste, Save only of that ilke tuo I am unbuxom of no mo. What ben tho tuo? tell on, quod he. Mi fader, this is on, that sche Commandeth me my mowth to close, And that I scholde hir noght oppose In love, of which I ofte preche, Bot plenerliche of such a speche Forbere, and soffren hire in pes. Bot that ne myhte I natheles For al this world obeie ywiss ; For whanne I am ther as sche is, Though sche my tales noght alowe, Ayein hir will yit mot I bowe, To seche if that I myhte have grace:
1252 margin Confessor om. S, F 1257 schat F .. Bs, BA (l. 1263 om. Ad) Resp. Am. om. A 1280 myhte À myht S, F
1230
1260
1270
P. i. 85
1280
1263 nc]
1273 f. margin Opp. Conf.
LIBER PRIMUS 71
Bot that thing may I noght enbrace (ii. INoBEDIENCE.]) For ought that I can speke or do; And yit fulofte I speke so, That sche is wroth and seith, ‘Be stille.’ If I that heste schal fulfille 1290 And therto ben obedient, Thanne is my cause fully schent, For specheles may noman spede. So wot I noght what is to rede ; Bot certes I may noght obeie, That I ne mot algate seie Somwhat of that I wolde mene ; For evere it is aliche grene, The grete love which I have, Wherof I can noght bothe save 1300 My speche and this obedience: P. i. 86 And thus fulofte my silence I breke, and is the ferste point Wherof that I am out of point In this, and yit it is no pride. Now thanne upon that other side To telle my desobeissance, Ful sore it stant to my grevance And may noght sinke into my wit ; For ofte time sche me bit 1310 To leven hire and chese a newe, And seith, if I the sothe knewe How ferr I stonde from hir grace, I scholde love in other place. Bot therof woll I desobeie ; For also wel sche myhte seie, ‘Go tak the Mone ther it sit,’ As bringe that into my wit: For ther was nevere rooted tre, That stod so faste in his degre, 1320 That I ne stonde more faste Upon hire love, and mai noght caste 1286 pourchace A 1303 is] pis AMEs, pis is A, W 1304 point] ioint GCLBs, W 1310 For ofte] fful ofte (ffulofte) Hi... Bz, B 1314 other] anoper (an oper) HiXRLBs, BA
7?
[ii. INoBEDIENCE.]
[MuRAaUR AND CoMPLAINT.)
Hic loquitur de Murmure et Planctu, qui super omnes alios ]nobediencie secre- ciores vt ministri illi
deseruiunt.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Min herte awey, althogh I wolde.
For god wot, thogh I nevere scholde
Sen hir with yhe after this day,
Yit stant it so that I ne may
Hir love out of my brest remue.
This is a wonder retenue,
That malgre wher sche wole or non
Min herte is everemore in on, 1330 So that I can non other chese, P. i. 87 Bot whether that I winne or lese,
I moste hire loven til I deie;
And thus I breke as be that weie
Hire hestes and hir comandinges,
Bot trewliche in non othre thinges.
Forthi, my fader, what is more
Touchende to this ilke lore
I you beseche, after the forme
That ye pleinly me wolde enforme, 1340 So that I may myn herte reule
In loves cause after the reule.
vii. Murmur in aduersis ita concifit tlle superbus, Pena quod ex bina sorte perurget eum. Obuia fortune cum spes in amore resistit, Non sine mentali murmure plangit amans.
Toward this vice of which we trete Ther ben yit tweie of thilke estrete, Here name is Murmur and Compleignte : Ther can noman here chiere peinte,
To sette a glad semblant therinne,
For thogh fortune make hem wynne,
Yit grucchen thei, and if thei lese,
Ther is no weie forto chese, 1350 Wherof thei myhten stonde appesed.
So ben thei comunly desesed ;
Ther may no welthe ne poverte
Attempren hem to the decerte
1336 treweliche in opre A 1338 Touchend vnto H1... Bs, B
Touchende of (Touchand of) SA
Latin Verses vii. 4 munere B
1345 compleingte F
1347 margin deseruiunt A, SB deseruiant FK
LIBER PRIMUS | 73
Of buxomnesse be no wise: [MuRMUR AxD For ofte time thei despise CoMPLAINT.] The goode fortune as the badde, P. i. 88 As thei no mannes reson hadde, Thurgh pride, wherof thei be blinde.
And ryht of such a maner kinde 1 360 Ther be lovers, that thogh thei have Of love al that thei wolde crave, Yit wol thei grucche be som weie, That thei wol noght to love obeie Upon the trowthe, as thei do scholde ; And if hem lacketh that thei wolde, Anon thei falle in such a peine, That evere unbuxomly thei pleigne Upon fortune, and curse and crie, That thei wol noght here hertes plie 1370 To soffre til it betre falle. Forthi if thou amonges alle Hast used this condicioun, Mi Sone, in thi Confessioun Now tell me pleinly what thou art.
Mi fader, I beknowe a part, Amans. So as ye tolden hier above Of Murmur and Compleignte of love, That for I se no sped comende, Ayein fortune compleignende 1380 I am, as who seith, everemo: And ek fulofte tyme also, Whan so is that I se and hiere Or hevy word or hevy chiere Of my lady, I grucche anon; Bot wordes dar I speke non,
Wherof sche myhte be desplesed, P.i. 89
Bot in myn herte I am desesed: . With many a Murmur, god it wot,
Thus drinke I in myn oghne swot, 1399
And thogh I make no semblant, Min herte is al desobeissant ;
1376 margin Amans om. A 1378 Compleingte F 1384 Of . of YXE...L, B Of...or GB: ... and (om. Or) Hi
74
[Murmur AND ComPLainr. ]
Confessor.
[Tate or FLORENT.]|
Hic contra amori inobedientes ad com- mendacionem Obedi- encie Confessor super eodem exemplum po- nit; vbi dicit quod, cum quedam Regis Ci- ziffe filia in sue iuuen- tutis floribus pulcher- rima ex eius Nouerce incantacionibus in ve- tulam turpissimam transformata extitit, Florencius tunc Im- paratoris Claudi Ne- pos, miles in armis strenuissimus amoro- sisque legibus inten- dens, ipsam ex sua obediencia in pulcri- tudinem pristinam mi- rabiliter reformauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And in this wise I me confesse
Of that ye clepe unbuxomnesse.
Now telleth what youre conseil is. Mi Sone, and I thee rede this,
What so befalle of other weie,
That thou to loves heste obeie
Als ferr as thou it myht suffise :
For ofte sithe in such a wise 1400
"Obedience in love availeth,
Wher al a mannes strengthe faileth ;
Wherof, if that the list to wite
In a Cronique as it is write,
A gret ensample thou myht fynde,
Which now is come to my mynde.
Ther was whilom be daies olde A worthi knyht, and as men tolde He was Nevoeu to themperour And of his Court a Courteour: 1410 Wifles he was, Florent he hihte, He was a man that mochel myhte, Of armes he was desirous, Chivalerous and amorous, And for the fame of worldes speche, Strange aventures forto seche, He rod the Marches al aboute. P. i. go And fell a time, as he was oute, Fortune, which may every thred Tobreke and knette of mannes sped, 1420 Schop, as this knyht rod in a pas, That he be strengthe take was, And to a Castell thei him ladde, Wher that he fewe frendes hadde: For so it fell that ilke stounde
1396 andj as B 1396 margin Confessor om. A 1403-6 These Sour lines in third recension only: the others have two, given thus in A, And in ensample of pis matiere A tale I fynde, as pou schalt hiere. Below this in A, Exemplum super eodem. 1408 knyht or. A 1416 for to] wold he B 1417 margin amoris que A... Bs, A 1420 margin transformauit A
LIBER PRIMUS 15
That he hath with a dedly wounde [TALE or FLORENT.] M NN his oghne hondes slain Branchus, which to the Capitain Was Sone and Heir, wherof ben wrothe The fader and the moder bothe. 1430 That knyht Branchus was of his hond The worthieste of al his lond, And fain thei wolden do vengance Upon Florent, bot remembrance That thei toke of his worthinesse Of knyhthod and of gentilesse, And how he stod of cousinage To themperour, made hem assuage, And dorsten noght slen him for fere: In gret desputeisoun thei were 1440 Among hemself, what was the beste. Ther was a lady, the slyheste Of alle that men knewe tho, So old sche myhte unethes go, And was grantdame unto the dede: And sche with that began to rede, And seide how sche wol bringe him inne, P. i. 91 That sche schal him to dethe winne Al only of his oghne grant, Thurgh strengthe of verray covenant 1450 Withoute blame of eny wiht. Anon sche sende for this kniht, And of hire Sone sche alleide The deth, and thus to him sche seide: ‘Florent, how so thou be to wyte Of Branchus deth, men schal respite As now to take vengement, Be so thou stonde in juggement Upon certein condicioun, That thou unto a questioun 1460 Which I schal axe schalt ansuere ; And over this thou schalt ek swere, That if thou of the sothe faile, Ther schal non other thing availe, 1440 despitesoun A 1464 line om. B
76
[TALE or FLORENT.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That thou ne schalt thi deth receive. And for men schal thee noght deceive, That thou therof myht ben avised, Thou schalt have day and tyme assised And leve saufly forto wende, Be so that at thi daies ende 1470 Thou come ayein with thin avys. This knyht, which worthi was and wys, This lady preith that he may wite, And have it under Seales write, What questioun it scholde be For which he schal in that degree Stonde of his lif in jeupartie. P. i. 92 With that sche feigneth compaignie, And seith: ‘Florent, on love it hongeth Al that to myn axinge longeth: 1480 What alle wommen most desire This wole I axe, and in thempire Wher as thou hast most knowlechinge Tak conseil upon this axinge.’ Florent this thing hath undertake, The day was set, the time take, Under his seal he wrot his oth, In such a wise and forth he goth Hom to his Emes court ayein ; To whom his aventure plein 1490 He tolde, of that him is befalle. And upon that thei weren alle The wiseste of the lond asent, Bot natheles of on assent Thei myhte noght acorde plat, On seide this, an othre that. After the disposicioun Of naturel complexioun To som womman it is plesance, That to an other is grevance; 1 500 Bot such a thing in special, Which to hem alle in general
1479 in loue Sa, B. of loue W 1483 Wher as; jer as AME:XG 1492 thei ow. AM 1500 anoJreS, F
LIBER PRIMUS 71
Is most plesant, and most desired (Tare or FronzNr.] Above alle othre and most conspired,
Such o thing conne thei noght finde
Be Constellacion ne kinde:
And thus Florent withoute cure P. i. 93 Mot stonde upon his aventure,
And is al schape unto the lere,
As in defalte of his answere. 1310 This knyht hath levere forto dye
Than breke his trowthe and forto lye
In place ther as he was swore,
And schapth him gon ayein therfore.
Whan time cam he tok his leve,
That lengere wolde he noght beleve,
And preith his Em he be noght wroth,
For that is a point of his oth,
He seith, that noman schal him wreke,
Thogh afterward men hiere speke 1520 That he par aventure deie.
And thus he wente forth his weie
Alone as knyht aventurous,
And in his thoght was curious
To wite what was best to do:
And as he rod al one so,
And cam nyh ther he wolde be,
In a forest under a tre |
He syh wher sat a creature,
A lothly wommannysch figure, 1530 That forto speke of fleisch and bon
So foul yit syh he nevere non.
This knyht behield hir redely,
And as he wolde have passed by,
Sche cleped him and bad abide; *^
And he his horse heved aside
Tho torneth, and to hire he rod, P. i. 94 And there he hoveth and abod,
To wite what sche wolde mene.
And sche began him to bemene, 1540
1505 Such o ping ME2, S, FHs Suiche one pisg A Such a ping
AJH:..
. B, BAd, W 1509 in to E... B, B to Hs
78
[Tare or FLORENT.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And seide: ‘Florent be thi name, Thou hast on honde such a game, That bot thou be the betre avised, Thi deth is schapen and devised, That al the world ne mai the save, Bot if that thou my conseil have. Florent, whan he this tale herde, Unto this olde wyht answerde And of hir conseil he hir preide. And sche ayein to him thus seide : 1550 * Florent, if I for the so schape, That thou thurgh me thi deth ascape And take worschipe of thi dede, What schal I have to my mede?' ‘What thing,’ quod he, ‘that thou wolt axe.’ ‘I bidde nevere a betre taxe’ Quod sche, ‘bot ferst, er thou be sped, Thou schalt me leve such a wedd, That I wol have thi trowthe in honde That thou schalt be myn housebonde^ — 1560 ‘Nay,’ seith Florent, ‘that may noght be.’ ‘Ryd thanne forth thi wey,’ quod sche, ‘And if thou go withoute red, Thou schalt be sekerliche ded.’ Florent behihte hire good ynowh Of lond, of rente, of park, of plowh, Bot al that compteth sche at noght. P.i.95 Tho fell this knyht in mochel thoght, Now goth he forth, now comth ayein, He wot noght what is best to sein, 1570 And thoghte, as he rod to and fro, That chese he mot on of the tuo, Or forto take hire to his wif Or elles forto lese his lif. And thanne he caste his avantage, That sche was of so gret an age, That sche mai live bot a while, And thoghte put hire in an Ile,
I555 That AM 1573 haue A 1578 put SB, F
LIBER PRIMUS 79
Wher that noman hire scholde knowe, [Tare or FLoRENT.] Til sche with deth were overthrowe. 1580 And thus this yonge lusti knyht
Unto this olde lothly wiht
Tho seide: ‘If that non other chance
Mai make my deliverance,
Bot only thilke same speche
Which, as thou seist, thou schalt me teche, Have hier myn hond, I schal thee wedde.’ And thus his trowthe he leith to wedde.
With that sche frounceth up the browe :
‘This covenant I wol allowe,’ 1590 Sche seith: ‘if eny other thing
Bot that thou hast of my techyng
Fro deth thi body mai respite,
I woll thee of thi trowthe acquite,
And elles be non other weie.
Now herkne me what I schal seie.
"Whan thou art come into the place, P.i 96 Wher now thei maken gret manace
And upon thi comynge abyde, |
Thei wole anon the same tide 1600 Oppose thee of thin answere.
I wot thou wolt nothing forbere
Of that thou wenest be thi beste,
And if thou myht so finde reste,
Wel is, for thanne is ther nomore.
And elles this schal be my lore,
That thou schalt seie, upon this Molde
That alle wommen lievest wolde
Be soverein of mannes love:
For what womman is so above, 1610 Sche hath, as who seith, al hire wille ;
And elles may sche noght fulfille
What thing hir were lievest have.
With this answere thou schalt save
Thiself, and other wise noght.
And whan thou hast thin ende wroght,
Com hier ayein, thou schalt me finde,
And let nothing out of thi minde.'
80 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(Tare or FLORENT.] He goth him forth with hevy chiere, As he that not in what manere 1620 He mai this worldes joie atteigne : For if he deie, he hath a peine, And if he live, he mot him binde To such on which of alle kinde Of wommen is thunsemlieste : Thus wot he noght what is the beste: Bot be him lief or be him loth, P. i. 97 Unto the Castell forth he goth His full answere forto yive, Or forto deie or forto live. 1630 Forth with his conseil cam the lord, The thinges stoden of record, He sende up for the lady sone, And forth sche cam, that olde Mone. In presence of the remenant The strengthe of al the covenant Tho was reherced openly, And to Florent sche bad forthi That he schal tellen his avis, As he that woot what is the pris. 1640 Florent seith al that evere he couthe, Bot such word cam ther non to mowthe, That he for yifte or for beheste Mihte eny wise his deth areste. And thus he tarieth longe and late, Til that this lady bad algate That he schal for the dom final Yive his answere in special Of that sche hadde him ferst opposed : And thanne he hath trewly supposed 1650 That he him may of nothing yelpe, Bot if so be tho wordes helpe, Whiche as the womman hath him tawht ; Wherof he hath an hope cawht That he schal ben excused so, And tolde out plein his wille tho.
1626 punsemylieste FK . Funsemelieste B 1632 acord B 1648 3iue AC, B. 3if F 1652 pe AMHi, Ad, Hs
LIBER PRIMUS 81
And whan that this Matrone herde P. i. 98 [Tare or Fronznr.] The manere how this knyht ansuerde, Sche seide: ‘ Ha treson, wo thee be, That hast thus told the privite, 1660 Which alle wommen most desire ! I wolde that thou were afire.’ Bot natheles in such a plit Florent of his answere is quit: And tho began his sorwe newe, For he mot gon, or ben untrewe, "To hire which his trowthe hadde. Bot he, which alle schame dradde, Goth forth in stede of his penance, And takth the fortune of his chance, , 1670 As he that was with trowthe affaited. This olde wyht him hath awaited In place wher as he hire lefte : Florent his wofull heved uplefte And syh this vecke wher sche sat, Which was the lothlieste what That evere man caste on his yhe: Hire Nase bass, hire browes hyhe, Hire yhen smale and depe set, . Hire chekes ben with teres wet, 1680 ad And rivelen as an emty skyn Hangende doun unto the chin, Hire Lippes schrunken ben for age, Ther was no grace in the visage, Hir front was nargh, hir lockes hore, Sche loketh forth as doth a More, Hire Necke is schort, hir schuldres courbe, P. i. 99 That myhte a mannes lust destourbe, Hire body gret and nothing smal, And schortly to descrive hire al, 1690 Sche hath no lith withoute a lak ; Bot lich unto the wollesak Sche proferth hire unto this knyht, And bad him, as he hath behyht, So as sche hath ben his warant, 1693 proferp Hi, Ad, F profurt W rest profrep, profere} at G
82
[TALE or FLORFNT.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That he hire holde covenant, And be the bridel sche him seseth. Bot godd wot how that sche him pleseth Of suche wordes as sche spekth : Him thenkth welnyh his herte brekth 1700 For sorwe that he may noght fle, Bot if he wolde untrewe be.
Loke, how sek man for his hele Takth baldémoine with Cdnele]" ^^ And with the Mirre takth the Sucre, Ryht upon such a maner lucre Stant Florent, as in this diete: He drinkth the bitre with the swete, He medleth sorwe with likynge, And liveth, as who seith, deyinge ; I7IO His youthe schal be cast aweie Upon such on which » the weie Is old and lothly overa "m 5 Bot nede he mot that c tfe sna schal He wolde algate his trowthe holde, As every knyht therto is holde, What happ so evere him is befalle: P. i. 100 Thogh sche be the fouleste of alle, Yet to thonour of wommanhiede Him thoghte he scholde taken hiede ; 1720 So that for pure gentilesse, As he hire couthe best adresce, In ragges, as sche was totore, He set hire on his hors tofore And forth he takth his weie softe ; No wonder thogh he siketh ofte. Bot as an oule fleth be nyhte Out of alle othre briddes syhte, Riht so this knyht on daies brode In clos him hield, and schop his rode 1730 On nyhtes time, til the tyde That he cam there he wolde abide ; And prively withoute noise He bringth this foule grete Coise
1704 Canele] pe Canele YG ... Bs, B
LIBER PRIMUS 83
To his Castell in such a wise (Tate or FLORENT.] That noman myhte hire schappe avise, Til sche into the chambre cam: Wher he his prive conseil nam Of suche men as he most troste, And tolde hem that he nedes moste 1740 This beste wedde to his wif, For elles hadde he lost his lif. The prive wommen were asent, That scholden ben of his assent: Hire ragges thei anon of drawe, And, as it was that time lawe, She hadde bath, sche hadde reste, P. i. 101 And was arraied to the beste. Bot with no craft of combes brode Thei myhte hire hore lockes schode, 1750 And sche ne wolde noght be schore For no conseil, and thei therfore, With such atyr as tho was used, Ordeinen that it was excused, And hid so crafteliche aboute, That noman myhte sen hem oute. Bot when sche was fulliche arraied And hire atyr was al assaied, Tho was sche foulere on to se: Bot yit it may non other be, 1760 Thei were wedded in the nyht; So wo begon was nevere knyht As he was thanne of mariage. And sche began to pleie and rage, As who seith, I am wel ynowh; Bot he therof nothing ne lowh, For sche tok thanne chiere on honde And clepeth him hire housebonde, And seith, ‘My lord, go we to bedde, For I to that entente wedde, 1°70 That thou schalt be my worldes blisse :’
1755 hid} it MYX...CBs, B dijt L 1768 cleped X... Ba, B cleput W 1770 entent(e) pe wedde X... CBs, BA entent was wedde L, 4, W
G2
84
iTALE or FLORENT.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And profreth him with that to kisse, As sche a lusti Lady were. His body myhte wel be there, Bot as of thoght and of memoire His herte was in purgatoire. Bot yit for strengthe of matrimoine — P. i. 102 He myhte make non essoine, That he ne mot algates plie To gon to bedde of compaignie : 1780 And whan thei were abedde naked, Withoute slep he was awaked ; He torneth on that other side, For that he wolde hise yhen hyde Fro lokynge on that foule wyht. The chambre was al full of lyht, The courtins were of cendal thinne, This newe bryd which lay withinne, Thogh it be noght with his acord, In armes sche beclipte hire lord, 1790 And preide, as he was torned fro, He wolde him torne ayeinward tho ; ‘For now,’ sche seith, ‘we ben bothe on.’ And he lay stille as eny ston, Bot evere in on sche spak and preide, And bad him thenke on that he seide, Whan that he tok hire be the hond. He herde and understod the bond, How he was set to his penance, And as it were a man in trance v^ 1800 He torneth him al sodeinly, And syh a lady lay him by Of eyhtetiene wynter age, Which was the faireste of visage That evere in al this world he syh: And as he wolde have take hire nyh, Sche put hire hand and be his leve P. i. 103 Besoghte him that he wolde leve, And seith that forto wynne or lese
1785 on] of X... Bs, BA fole F 1793 ben] bep RCLBs
1809 seide (sayde) for to X ... B1, B saide pat for to W
LIBER PRIMUS 85
He mot on of tuo thinges chese, 1810 [Tare or ae
Wher he wol have hire such on nyht, l« beo u eX
Or elles upon daies lyht, For he schal noght bave bothe tuo. AME © cien - And he began to sorwe tho, In many a wise and caste his thoght, Bot for al that yit cowthe he noght Devise himself which was the beste. And sche, that wolde his hertes reste, Preith that he scholde chese algate, Til ate laste longe and late 1820 He seide: ‘O ye, my lyves hele, Sey what you list in my querele, I not what ansuere I schal yive: Bot evere whil that I may live, I wol that ye be my maistresse, For I can noght miselve gesse Which is the beste unto my chois. Thus grante I yow myn hole vois, Ches for ous bothen, I you preie ; And what as evere that ye seie, 1830 Riht as ye wole so wol I.’ ‘Mi lord,’ sche seide, ‘ grant merci, For of this word that ye now sein, That ye have mad me soverein, Mi destine is overpassed, That nevere hierafter schal be lassed Mi beaute, which that I now have, P. i. 104 Til I be take into my grave ; Bot nyht and day as I am now I schal alwey be such to yow. | The kinges dowhter of Cizile I am, and fell bot siththe awhile, As I was with my fader late, That my Stepmoder for an hate, Which toward me sche hath begonne, Forschop me, til I hadde wonne The love and sovereinete
1 840
1822 e lust AM thu liste Hi poulist A 3e wyl Sn, W (wille) 1839 Bot! Bop(e) Hi... Ba, BAA, W
#6
| Vase or FLosknr.]
& andeaseti
. Maux
V be Aw.
Mb crc Maa, 66 6 oer ama cc Ne: 808 Ac: CHER TMS cic iP zr.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of what knyht that in his degre
Alle othre passeth of good name:
And, as men sein, ye ben the same,
The dede proeveth it is so;
'l'hus am I youres evermo.'
l'ho was plesance and joye ynowh,
Echon with other pleide and lowh;
Thei live longe and wel thei ferde,
And clerkes that this chance herde
Thei writen it in evidence,
‘To teche how that obedience
Mai wel fortune a man to love
And sette him in his lust above,
Aa it befell unto this knyht .— Forthi, my Sone, if thou do ryht,
l'hou schalt unto thi love obeie,
Aud folwe hir will be alle weie. Min holy fader, so I wile:
For ye have told me such a skile
(f this ensample now tofore,
hat 1 schal evermo therfore
thieratterwand myn observance
Uo bre and to his obemance
Vhe detre kepe: and over ths
(C pue ap cher oxbt eves 5
Wher thas ] me scaryve xia
What ny ct is in spews,
M. fer, aueth, 1 veu crete.
New lest, sav Sore. rx D shai ee
Oe Wit Mer o3 Surcucere,
Word stant wits Prue of compunmie
W^erot Mai tou icut dere Inu, lo &aowe d uw Juve gut 2f Jun SPA? Ine lorte as “dou scant Lere Now düGecNUQd wer ite mucere.
dz . jx Tides
cs.
1830
1860
Ww
1889 alle ping B, W 1895 purghsoght S burgh-soght F
LIBER PRIMUS
Qui magis astutus refutat se vincere bellum,
In laqueos Veneris forcius tpse cadit.
Sepe Cupido virum sibi qui presumit amantem
Fallit, et in vacuas sfes redit ipsa vias.
Surquiderie is thilke vice Of Pride, which the thridde office
Hath in his Court, and wol noght knowe
The trowthe til it overthrowe. Upon his fortune and his grace
Comth ‘ Hadde I wist' fulofte aplace ;
For he doth al his thing be gesse, And voideth alle sikernésse. - : Non other conseil good him siemeth Bot such as he himselve diemeth ; For in such wise as he compasseth, His wit al one alle othre passeth ; And is with pride so thurghsoght, That he alle othre set at noght, And weneth of himselven so, That such as he ther be nomo, So fair, so semly, ne so wis; And thus he wolde bere a pris Above alle othre, and noght forthi He seith noght ones ‘grant mercy’ To godd, which alle grace sendeth, So that his wittes he despendeth Upon himself, as thogh ther were No godd which myhte availe there: Bot al upon his oghne witt He stant, til he falle in the pitt So ferr that he mai noght arise. And riht thus in the same wise This vice upon the cause of love So proudly set the herte above, And doth him pleinly forto wene That he to loven eny qwene Hath worthinesse and sufficance ; And so withoute, pourveance
al pis ping M
1890
P. i. 106
1900
1910
1891 him) it AM 1906 good YXERCR:, H:
87
iii. SURQUIDRY OR PRESUMPTION. ]
Hic loquitur de ter- cia specie Superbie, que Presumpcio dici- tur, cuius naturam primo secundum vi- cium Confessor sim. pliciter declarat. |
Hic tractat Confes- sor cum Amantesuper illa saltem presump- cione, ex cuius super- bia quam plures fatui amantes, cum maioris certitudinis in amore spem sibi promittunt,
88
(ii. SuRQUIDRY OR PRESUMPTION. |
inexpediti cicius desti- tuuntur.
Amans.
Confessor. Amans.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Fulofte he heweth up so hihe,
That chippes fallen in his yhe;
And ek ful ofte he weneth this,
Ther as he noght beloved is, 1920
To be beloved alther best.
Now, Sone, tell what so thee lest
Of this that I have told thee hier. P. i. 107 Ha, fader, be noght in a Wer:
I trowe ther be noman lesse,
Of eny maner wortbinesse,
That halt him lasse worth thanne I
To be beloved; and noght forthi
I seie in excusinge of me,
To alle men that love is fre. 1930
And certes that mai noman werne ;
For love is of himself so derne,
It luteth in a mannes herte :
Bot that ne schal me noght asterte,
To wene forto be worthi
To loven, bot in hir mercy.
Bot, Sire, of that ye wolden mene,
That I scholde otherwise wene
To be beloved thanne I was,
I am beknowe as in that cas. 1940 Mi goode Sone, tell me how. Now lest, and I wol telle yow,
Mi goode fader, how it is.
Fulofte it hath befalle or this
Thurgh hope that was noght certein,
Mi wenyinge hath be set in vein
To triste in thing that halp me noght,
Bot onliche of myn oughne thoght.
For as it semeth that a belle
Lik to the wordes that men telle 1950
Answerth, riht so ne mor ne lesse,
To yow, my fader, I confesse,
Such will my wit hath overset, P. i. 108
That what so hope me behet,
1931 noman]} no womman YXGERB:, B 1934 me noght) not (noust) me X... Bs, BA 1940 pis cas B
1958 a om. MGERCBa, B JX... Bs, B
LIBER PRIMUS
Ful many a time I wene it soth, Bot finali no spied it doth.
Thus may I tellen, as I can, Wenyng beguileth many a man; So hath it me, riht wel I wot: For if a man wole in a Bot Which is withoute botme rowe, He moste nedes overthrowe.
Riht so wenyng hath ferd be me: For whanne I wende next have be, As I be my wenynge caste, Thanne was I furthest ate laste, And as a foll my bowe unbende, Whan al was failed that I wende. Forthi, my fader, as of this,
That my wenynge hath gon amis Touchende to Surquiderie,
Yif me my penance er I die. Bot if ye wolde in eny forme
Of this matiere a tale enforme, Which were ayein this vice set,
I scholde fare wel the bet.
Mi Sone, in alle maner wise Surquiderie is to despise, Wherof I finde write thus. The proude knyht Capaneiis He was of such Surquiderie, That he thurgh his chivalerie Upon himself so mochel triste, That to the goddes him ne liste In no querele to beseche, Bot seide it was an ydel speche, Which caused was of pure drede, For lack of herte and for no nede. And upon such presumpcioun He hield this proude opinioun, Til ate laste upon a dai,
1960 For] But B 1966 Thanse F Than AC, B
1960
1970
1980
P. i. 109
1990
wold(e)
89
fi. SuRguipry on PRESUMPTION.)
[TALE or CAPANEUS. }
Hic ponit Confes- sor exemplum contra illos, qui de suis viri- bus presumentes de- biliores efficiuntur. Et narrat qualiter ille Capaneus, miles in ar- mis probatissimus, de sua presumens auda- cia inuocacionem ad superos tempore ne- cessitatis ex vecordia tantum et non aliter primitus prouenisse asseruit, Vndein ob- sidione Ciuitatis The- barum, cum ipsc quo- dam die coram suis hostibus ad debellan- dum se obtulit, ignis
9o
[TALE or CAPANEUS.]
de celo subito super- veniens ipsum arma- tum totaliter in cine- res combussit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Aboute Thebes wher he lay,
Whan it of Siege was belein,
This knyht, as the Croniqes sein,
In alle mennes sihte there,
Whan he was proudest in his gere,
And thoghte how nothing myhte him dere,
Ful armed with his schield and spere
As he the Cite wolde assaile,
Godd tok himselve the bataille 2000 Ayein his Pride, and fro the sky
A firy thonder sodeinly
He sende, and him to pouldre smot.
And thus the Pride which was hot,
Whan he most in his strengthe wende,
Was brent and lost withouten ende:
So that it proeveth wel therfore,
The strengthe of man is sone lore,
Bot if that he it wel governe.
And over this a man mai lerne 2010 That ek fulofte time it grieveth,
Whan that a man himself believeth,
As thogh it scholde him wel beseme — P. i. 110 That he alle othre men can deme,
And hath foryete his oghne vice.
A tale of hem that ben so nyce,
And feigne hemself to be so wise,
I schal thee telle in such a wise,
Wherof thou schalt ensample take
'That thou no such thing undertake. 2020
I finde upon Surquiderie, How that whilom of Hungarie Be olde daies was a King Wys and honeste in alle thing: And so befell upon a dai, And that was in the Monthe of Maii,
2005 strengthe] triste (truste) X ... Bs, B 2009 wil B 2017-20 For these four lines SAdA have two,—
Wherof pou miht piselue lere, I penke telle, as pou schalt hiere.
2026 moone (mone) XGR, B
2041 pilgrimis (pilgrims &c.) AJMXRLB: peregrins B 2049 pur charite MX...
2043 Thei] Bi BA, W
LIBER PRIMUS
As thilke time it was usance,
This kyng with noble pourveance Hath for himself his Charr araied, Wher inne he wolde ride amaied ~~ Out of the Cite forto pleie,
With lordes and with gret nobleie Of lusti folk that were yonge: Wher some pleide and some songe, And some gon and some ryde,
And some prike here hors aside And bridlen hem now in now oute. The kyng his yhe caste aboute,
Til he was ate laste war
And syh comende ayein his char Two pilegrins of so gret age,
That lich unto a dreie ymage
Thei weren pale and fade hewed, And as a bussh which is besnewed, Here berdes weren hore and whyte ; Ther was of kinde bot a lite,
That thei ne semen fulli dede.
Thei comen to the kyng and bede Som of his good par charite ;
And he with gret humilite
Out of his Char to grounde lepte, And hem in bothe hise armes kepte And keste hem bothe fot and hond Before the lordes of his lond,
And yaf hem of his good therto : And whanne he hath this dede do, He goth into his char ayein.
Tho was Murmur, tho was desdeign, Tho was compleignte on every side, Thei seiden of here oghne Pride Eche until othre: ‘What is this? Oure king hath do this thing amis, So to abesse his realte
That Hi, FWKHsMagd. 2054 his lordes XGECB;, B
2030
2040
P. i. 111
2030
2060
pilgrins Hi
9I
(THE TRUMP or DzaTH.]
Hic loquitur Con- fessor contra illos, qui de sua sciencia presu- mentes aliorum con- diciones diiudicantes indiscrete redarguunt. Et narrat exemplum de quodam principe Regis Hungarie ger- mano, qui cum fratrem suum pauperibus in publico vidit humilia- tum, ipsum redargu- endo in contrarium edocere presumebat : set Rex omni sapien- cia prepollens ipsum sic incaute presumen- tem ad humilitatis me- moriam terribili pro- uidencia micius casti- gauit.
92
e
[Tux Taux» or Daarn.!
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That every man it myhte se, And humbled him in such a wise To hem that were of non emprise.’ Thus was it spoken to and fro Of hem that were with him tho Al prively behinde his bak ; Bot to himselven noman spak. 2070 The kinges brother in presence Was thilke time, and gret offence He tok therof, and was the same P. i. usa Above alle othre which most blame Upon his liege lord bath leid, And bath unto the lordes seid, Anon as he mai time finde, Ther schal nothing be left behinde, That he wol speke unto the king. Now lest what fell upon this thing. 2080 The day was merie and fair ynowh, Echon with othre pleide and lowh. And fellen into tales newe, How that the freisshe floures grewe. And how the grene leves spronge, And how that love among the vonge Began the hertes thanne awake, And every bridd hath chose hire make : And thus the Maies day to thende The: lede, and hom ayein thet wende. 2030 The king was noght so sone come, That whanne he hadde his chambre nome. His brother ne was redi there, And broghte a tale unto his Ere Of that he dede such a schame In hindringe of his oghne name, Whan be himself so wolde drecche, That to so vil a povere wrecche Him deigneth schewe such simplesce Ayein thastat of his noblesce : :100 And seith he schal it nomor use. And that he mot himself excuse 2078 beleft FK belete A 2088 hire his Hi... Be. B. W
LIBER PRIMUS 93
Toward hise lordes everychon. P.i. 213 [Tue Trump or The king stod stille as eny ston, Dzara.] And to his tale an Ere he leide,
And thoghte more than he seide: Bot natheles to that he herde Wel cortaisly the king answerde, And tolde it scholde be amended. And thus whan that her tale is ended, 2110 Al redy was the bord and cloth, The king unto his Souper goth Among the lordes to the halle ; And whan thei hadden souped alle, Thei token leve and forth thei go. The king bethoghte himselve tho How he his brother mai chastie, That he thurgh his Surquiderie Tok upon honde to despreise Humilite, which is to preise, 2130 And therupon yaf such conseil Toward his king that was noght heil; Wherof to be the betre lered, He thenkth to maken him afered. It fell so that in thilke dawe Ther was ordeined be the lawe A trompe with a sterne breth, Which cleped was the Trompe of deth : And in the Court wher the king was A certein man this Trompe of bras 2130 Hath in kepinge, and therof serveth, That whan a lord his deth deserveth, He schal this dredful trompe blowe P. i. 114 Tofore his gate, and make it knowe How that the jugement is yove Of deth, which schal noght be foryove. The king, whan it was nyht, anon This man asente and bad him gon To trompen at his brother gate; _ And he, which mot so don algate, 2140 Goth forth and doth the kynges heste. 2105 An F 2122 which was E, B whichisG and was L
94
[Tug TruMP oF DEATH.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
This lord, which herde of this tempeste That he tofore his gate blew,
Tho wiste he be the lawe and knew That he was sikerliche ded:
And as of help he wot no red,
Bot sende for hise frendes alle
And tolde hem how it is befalle. And thei him axe cause why;
Bot he the sothe noght forthi
Ne wiste, and ther was sorwe tho: For it stod thilke tyme so,
This trompe was of such sentence, That therayein no resistence
Thei couthe ordeine be no weie, That he ne mot algate deie,
Bot if so that he may pourcbace To gete his liege lordes grace.
Here wittes therupon thei caste, And ben apointed ate laste.
This lord a worthi ladi hadde Unto his wif, which also dradde Hire lordes deth, and children five Betwen hem two thei hadde alyve, That weren yonge and tendre of age, And of stature and of visage Riht faire and lusty on to se.
Tho casten thei that he and sche Forth with here children on the morwe, As thei that were full of sorwe,
Al naked bot of smok and scherte, To tendre with the kynges herte, His grace scholden go to seche And pardoun of the deth beseche. Thus passen thei that wofull nyht, And erly, whan thei sihe it lyht, Thei gon hem forth in such a wise As thou tofore hast herd devise, Al naked bot here schortes one.
2150
2160
P. i. 115
2170
2159 Hire FK 2171 Sherte F 2173 go biseche B
2179 schortes M, FK rest schertes (shirtes &c.)
LIBER PRIMUS 95
Thei wepte and made mochel mone, 2180 [Tue Trump or Here Her hangende aboute here Eres; Drarn.) With sobbinge and with sory teres This lord goth thanne an humble pas, That whilom proud and noble was ; Wherof the Cite sore afflyhte, Of hem that sihen thilke syhte: And natheles al openly With such wepinge and with such cri Forth with hise children and his wif He goth to preie for his lif. 2190 Unto the court whan thei be come, And men therinne have hiede nome, Ther was no wiht, if he hem syhe, P. i. 116 Fro water mihte kepe his yhe For sorwe which thei maden tho. The king supposeth of this wo, And feigneth as he noght ne wiste ; Bot natheles at his upriste Men tolden him how that it ferde: And whan that he this wonder herde, 2290 In haste he goth into the halle, And alle at ones doun thei falle, If eny pite may be founde. The king, which seth hem go to grounde, Hath axed hem what is the fere, Why thei be so despuiled there. His brother seide: ‘Ha lord, mercy! I wot non other cause why, Bot only that this nyht ful late The trompe of deth was at my gate 2210 In tokne that I scholde deie; Thus be we come forto preie That ye mi worldes deth respite.' ‘Ha fol, how thou art forto wyte,’ The king unto his brother seith, * That thou art of so litel feith, That only for a trompes soun
2181 hanged(e) AMHi, 4, W (honget) 2191 become FK 2208 wot] not AM -
96
(Tug Trump or Deatu. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Hast gon despuiled thurgh the toun, Thou and thi wif in such manere Forth with thi children that ben here, In sihte of alle men aboute,
For that thou seist thou art in doute Of deth, which stant under the lawe Of man, and man it mai withdrawe, So that it mai par chance faile.
Now schalt thou noght forthi mervaile That I doun fro my Charr alihte, Whanne I behield tofore my sihte
In hem that were of so gret age
Min oghne deth thurgh here ymage, Which god hath set be lawe of kynde, Wherof I mai no bote finde:
For wel I wot, such as thei be,
Riht such am I in my degree,
Of fleissh and blod, and so schal deie.
And thus, thogh I that lawe obeie Of which the kinges ben put under, It oghte ben wel lasse wonder
Than thou, which art withoute nede For lawe of londe in such a drede, Which for tacompte is bot a jape, As thing which thou miht overscape. Forthi, mi brother, after this
I rede, sithen that so is
That thou canst drede a man so sore, Dred god with al thin herte more: For al schal deie and al schal passe, Als well a Leoun as an asse,
Als wel a beggere as a lord, Towardes deth in on acord
2220
P. i. 117
2130
2140
2250
Thei schullen stonde.’ And in this wise
The king hath with hise wordes wise His brother tawht and al foryive.
Forthi, mi Sone, if thou wolt live In vertu, thou most vice eschuie,
P. i. 118
2224 mai] hap B 2234 aml]a man C,B 2951 And] as B
2260 som ensample! by som weie B 2265 f.
LIBER PRIMUS
And with low herte humblesce suie,
So that thou be noght surquidous. Mi fader, I am amorous,
Wherof I wolde you beseche
That ye me som ensample teche,
Which mihte in loves cause stonde. Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde,
In love and othre thinges alle
If that Surquiderie falle,
It may to him noght wel betide
Which useth thilke vice of Pride,
Which torneth wisdom to wenynge
And Sothfastnesse into lesynge
Thurgh fol ymaginacion.
And for thin enformacion,
That thou this vice as I the rede
Eschuie schalt, a tale I rede,
Which fell whilom be daies olde,
So as the clerk Ovide tolde.
Ther was whilom a lordes Sone, Which of his Pride a nyce wone Hath cawht, that worthi to his liche, To sechen al the worldes riche,
Ther was no womman forto love.
So hihe he sette himselve above
Of stature and of beaute bothe,
That him thoghte alle wommen lothe: So was ther no comparisoun
As toward his condicioun.
To man in any maner side He may wel nowher pan abide R To man in eny maner side It may to him nou3t wel betide Ba
CL combine the above with the reading of the text. 2267-74 Eight lines found thus in copies of the third recension, FWKHs &c., and also in Hi. The rest have four, given as follows by S,
**
fforpi eschuie it I pe rede
ffor in Ouide a tale I rede
How fat a man was ouertake Wherof pou myht ensample take.
H
97
[Tug Trump or DEATH.)
Amans.
2260
Confessor.
2270
[Tacs or Narcissus.
Hic in speciali trac-
2280 tat Confessor cum A- mante contra illos, qui
de propria formositate presumentes amorem mulieris dedignantur.
P. i. 119 Et narrat exemplum,
qualitercuiusdam Prin-
2261 inom. XE... Bi
98
{Tare or Narcrssus.]
cipisfiliusnomineNar- cizus estiuo tempore, cum ipse venacionis causaquendam ceruum solus cum suis canibus exagitaret, in grauem sitim incurrens neces- sitate compulsus ad bibendum de quodam fonte pronus se incli- nauit ; vbi ipse faciem suam pulcherrimam in aqua percipiens, puta- bat se per hoc illam Nimpham,quam Poete Ekko vocant, in flu- mine coram suis ocu- lispocius conspexisse; de cuius amore con- festim laqueatus, vtip- sam ad se de fonte ex- traheret, pluribus blan- diciis adulabatur. Set cumillud perficerenul- latenus potuit.pre nim- io languore deficiens contra lapides ibidem adiacentes caput ex- uerberanscerebrum ef- fudit. Etsicde propria pulcritudine quifuerat presumptuosus,de pro- pria pulcritudine fat- uatus interiit.
FHs on pe XERC, B vpon the Hi
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
This yonge lord Narcizus hihte:
No strengthe of love bowe mihte
His herte, which is unaffiled ;
Bot ate laste he was beguiled :
For of the goddes pourveance
It fell him on a dai par chance, 2292 That he in all his proude fare
Unto the forest gan to fare,
Amonges othre that ther were
To hunte and to desporte him there.
And whanne he cam into the place
Wher that he wolde make his chace,
The houndes weren in a throwe
Uncoupled and the hornes blowe:
The grete hert anon was founde,
Which swifte feet sette upon grounde, 2 300 And he with spore in horse side
Him hasteth faste forto ride,
Til alle men be left behinde.
And as he rod, under a linde
Beside a roche, as I thee telle,
He syh wher sprong a lusty welle:
The day was wonder hot withalle,
And such a thurst was on him falle,
That he moste owther deie or drinke ;
And doun he lihte and be the brinke 2310 He teide his Hors unto a braunche,
And leide him lowe forto staunche
His thurst: and as he caste his lok P. i. 120 Into the welle and hiede tok,
He sih the like of his visage,
And wende ther were an ymage
Of such a Nimphe as tho was faie,
Wherof that love his herte assaie
Began, as it was after sene,
Of his sotie and made him wene 2320 It were a womman that he syh.
2293 margin pronus] proulis XE . . . B: 2294 to
2299 The grete] A greteAM, W 2300 vpon AJ, Ad, 2302 margin poterat B
LIBER PRIMUS 99
The more he cam the welle nyh, [Tare or Narcissus. |
The nerr cam sche to him ayein; |
So wiste he nevere what to sein;
For whanne he wepte, he sih hire wepe,
And whanne he cride, he tok good kepe,
The same word sche cridé also:
And thus began the newe wo,
That whilom was to him so strange;
Tho made him love an hard eschange, 2330
To sette his herte and to beginne
Thing which he mihte nevere winne.
And evere among he gan to loute,
And preith that sche to him come oute ;
And otherwhile he goth a ferr,
And otherwhile he draweth nerr,
And evere he fond hire in o place.
He wepth, he crith, he axeth grace,
There as he mihte gete non;
So that ayein a Roche of Ston, 2340
As he that knew non other red,
He smot himself til he was ded.
Wherof the Nimphes of the welles, P. i. 121
And othre that ther weren elles
Unto the wodes belongende,
The body, which was ded ligende,
For pure pite that thei have
Under the grene thei begrave.
And thanne out of his sepulture
Ther sprong anon par aventure 2350
Of floures such a wonder syhte,
That men ensample take myhte
Upon the dedes whiche he dede,
As tho was sene in thilke stede;
For in the wynter freysshe and faire
The floures ben, which is contraire
To kynde, and so was the folie
Which fell of his Surquiderie.
Thus he, which love hadde in desdeign, Confessor. 2332 neuer mighte B 2335 aferrJ,SB.F aferrA 2343-58 Sixteen lines found only in third recension copies, FWKHs &c., and in Hi H 2
IOO
[PRESUMPTION OF Lovers. }
Amans.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Worste of all othre was besein, And as he sette his pris most hyhe, He was lest worth in loves yhe And most bejaped in his wit: Wherof the remembrance is yit,
So that thou myght ensample take, And ek alle othre for his sake.
Mi fader, as touchende of me, This vice I thenke forto fle,
Which of his wenynge overtroweth ; And nameliche of thing which groweth In loves cause or wel or wo
Yit pryded I me nevere so.
Bot wolde god that grace sende, That toward me my lady wende As I towardes hire wene!
Mi love scholde so be sene,
Ther scholde go no pride a place. Bot I am ferr fro thilke grace,
As forto speke of tyme now ;
So mot I soffre, and preie yow That ye wole axe on other side
If ther be eny point of Pride, Wherof it nedeth to be schrive.
Mi Sone, godd it thee foryive, If thou have eny thing misdo Touchende of this, bot overmo Ther is an other yit of Pride, Which nevere cowthe hise wordes hide, That he ne wole himself avaunte ; Ther mai nothing his tunge daunte, That he ne clappeth as a Belle: Wherof if thou wolt that I telle,
It is behovely forto hiere,
So that thou myht thi tunge stiere, Toward the world and stonde in grace, Which lacketh ofte in many place
2370
P. i. 122
2380
2390
2369-72 third recension and Hi only 2379 And X... Bs, B
2380 and preie]I preie (prey) XGECLBs, B I seigh R euermo JUHiXGRLBs, Ba, W 2396 aplace AM
2386
LIBER PRIMUS
To him that can noght sitte stille, Which elles scholde have al his wille.
ix. Magniloque propriam minuit lactancia lingue
Famam, quam stabilem firmat honore cilens. Ipse sui laudem meriti non perctpit, unde
Se sua per verba tactat in orbe palam.
Estque viri culpa iactancia, que rubefactas
In muliere reas causat habere genas.
The vice cleped Avantance
With Pride hath take his aqueintance, So that his oghne pris he lasseth, When he such mesure overpasseth That he his oghne Herald is.
That ferst was wel is thanne mis, That was thankworth is thanne blame, And thus the worschipe of his name Thurgh pride of his avantarie
He torneth into vilenie.
I rede how that this proude vice Hath thilke wynd in his office,
Which thurgh the blastes that he bloweth The mannes fame he overthroweth Of vertu, which scholde elles springe Into the worldes knowlechinge ;
Bot he fordoth it alto sore.
And riht of such a maner lore
Ther ben lovers: forthi if thow
Art on of hem, tell and sei how. Whan thou hast taken eny thing
Of loves yifte, or Nouche or ring,
Or tok upon thee for the cold
Som goodly word that thee was told, Or frendly chiere or tokne or lettre, Wherof thin herte was the bettre,
Or that sche sende the grietinge, Hast thou for Pride of thi likinge Mad thin avant wher as the liste?
2398 al om. Hi, FHs
haunt Bi
2421 tok (took) J, B, F toke AC
P. i. 123
2400
IOI
[iv. AVANTANCE OR BoasriNc.]
Hicloquitur dequar- taspecie Superbie,que lactancia dicitur, ex cuius natura causatur, vt homo de seipso tes. timonium perhibenssu- arum virtutum merita de laude in culpam
2410 transfert, et suam fa-
2420
2410 wynd] hunt(e) HiYX ...L, B
2416 margin verecundia M... Ba, Ad vecundia W
2423 Of JX... B, B, W
mam cum ipse extol- lere vellet, illam pro- priooresubvertit. Set et Venusinamoriscau- sa de isto vicio macu- latos a sua Curia super omnes alios abhorrens expellit, eteorum mul- tiloquium verecunda detestatur. VndeCon- fessor Amanti oppo- nensmateriam plenius declarat.
IOZ
Amans
Confessor.
(TALE or ALBINUS AND RosEMUND.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra is- tos, qui vel de sua in armis probitate, vel de suo in amoris causa
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
I wolde, fader, that ye wiste, Mi conscience lith noght hiere: P. i. 124 Yit hadde I nevere such matiere, 2430 Wherof min herte myhte amende, Noght of so mochel that sche sende Be mowthe and seide, ‘Griet him wel:’ And thus for that ther is no diel Wherof to make myn avant, It is to reson acordant That I mai nevere, bot I lye, Of love make avanterie. I wot noght what I scholde have do, If that I hadde évicheson SO, 2440 As ye have seid hier manyon ; Bot I fond cause nevere non: Bot daunger, which welnyh me slowh, Therof I cowthe telle ynowh, And of non other Avantance: Thus nedeth me no repentance. Now axeth furthere of my lif, For hierof am I noght gultif.
Mi Sone, I am wel paid withal ; For wite it wel in special 2450 That love of his verrai justice Above alle othre ayein this vice At alle times most debateth, With al his herte and most it hateth. And ek in alle maner wise Avantarie is to despise, As be ensample thou myht write, Which I finde in the bokes write.
Of hem that we Lombars now calle P. i. 125 Albinus was the ferste of alle 2460 Which bar corone of Lombardie,
And was of gret chivalerie
In werre ayein diverse kinges. So fell amonges othre thinges, That he that time a werre hadde
2457 myht(might)JC,B myhteA,S,F 2460 ferste S ferst A, B, F
LIBER PRIMUS
With Gurmond, which the Geptes ladde, And was a myhti kyng also: Bot natheles it fell him so, Albinus slowh him in the feld, Ther halp him nowther swerd ne scheld, 470 That he ne smot his hed of thanne,
Wherof he tok awey the Panne, Of which he seide he wolde make A Cuppe for Gurmoundes sake, To kepe and drawe into memoire
Of his bataille the victoire. And thus whan he the feld hath wonne, The lond anon was overronne And sesed in his oghne hond, Wher he Gurmondes dowhter fond, 2480
Which Maide Rosemounde hihte, And was in every mannes sihte
A fair, a freissh, a lusti on. His herte fell to hire anon, And such a love on hire he caste,
That he hire weddeth ate laste ; And after that long time in reste
With hire he duelte, and to the beste
Thei love ech other wonder wel.
P. i. 126
Bot sche which kepth the blinde whel, 2490
Venus, whan thei be most above,
In al the hoteste of here love, Hire whiel sche torneth, and thei felle In the manere as I schal telle.
This king, which stod in al his welthe Of pes, of worschipe and of helthe,
And felte him on no side grieved,
As he that hath his world achieved, Tho thoghte he wolde a feste make ;
And that was for his wyves sake,
That sche the lordes ate feste,
That were obeissant to his heste,
2473 margin testum Hi... Bs (E corr. testam) JMEB:;, A, W (dwellet) duellep XGRCL
statum G statutum XE... Bi
2497 agrieued B
2488 dwelled
2489 margin statim)
2501 ate] of be B
103
[Tare or ALBINUS AND RosEMUND.)
desiderio completo se iactant. Et narratqual- iter Albinus primus Rex Longobardorum, cum ipse quendam a- lium Regem nomine Gurmundum in bello morientem triumphas- set, testam capitis de- functi auferens ci- phum ex ea gemmis et auro circumligatum in sue victorie memoriam fabricariconstituit : in- : super et ipsius Gur- mundi filiam Rose- mundam rapiens, mar- itali thoro inconiugem sibi copulauit, Vnde ipso Albino posteacor- am sui Regni nobili- bus in suo regali con- uiuio sedente, dicti Gurmundi ciphum in- fuso vino ad se inter epulas afferri iussit; quem sumptum vxori sue Regine porrexit dicens,'Bibecum patre tuo. Quod et ipsa hu- iusmodi operis ignara fecit. Quo facto Rex statim super hiis que per prius gesta fue- rant cunctis audienti- bus per singula se iac- tauit. Reginavero cum talia audisset, celato animo factum abhor- rensin mortem domini sui Regis circumspec- ta industria conspira- uit; ipsumque auxiliant- ibus Glodesida et Hel- mege breui subsecuto tempore interfecit: cu- ius mortem Dux Ra- uennensis tam in cor- pus dicte Regine quam suorum fautorum post. ea vindicauit. Set et huius tocius infortunii
104 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[TALE or ALBINUS Mai knowe: and so forth therupon AND Rosruuwp.] He let ordeine, and sende anon
sola superbiciactancia Be lettres and be messagiers, And warnede alle hise officiers That every thing be wel arraied : The grete Stiedes were assaied For joustinge and for tornement, And many a perled garnement 2510 Embroudred was ayein the dai. The lordes in here beste arrai Be comen ate time set, On jousteth wel, an other bet, And otherwhile thei torneie, And thus thei casten care aweie And token lustes upon honde. And after, thou schalt understonde, To mete into the kinges halle P. i. 127 Thei come, as thei be beden alle: 2510 And whan thei were set and served, Thanne after, as it was deserved, To hem that worthi knyhtes were, So as thei seten hiere and there, The pris was yove and spoken oute Among the heraldz al aboute. And thus benethe and ek above Al] was of armes and of love, Wherof abouten ate bordes Men hadde manye sondri wordes, 2530 That of the merthe which thei made The king himself began to glade Withinne his herte and tok a pride, And sih the Cuppe stonde aside, Which mad was of Gurmoundes hed, As ye have herd, whan he was ded, And was with gold and riche Stones Beset and bounde for the nones, And stod upon a fot on heihte Of burned gold, and with gret sleihte 1540 Of werkmanschipe it was begrave
2511 Embroudred F rest Embrowded (Embroudid &c.)
LIBER PRIMUS 105
Of such HN as jit scholde have, [TALE or ALBINUS And was policed ek so clene AND RosEMUND.]
That no signe of the PP is sene, Bot as it were a Grip 3 Ey The king bad bere his Cuppe awey, Which, stod tofore him on the bord, And fette thilke. Upon his word This Skulle is fet and wyn therinne, P. i. 128 Wherof he_bad his wif beginne: 2550 ‘Drink with thi fader, Dame,’ he seide. And sche to his biddinge obeide, And tok the Skulle, and what hire liste Sche drank, as sche which nothing wiste What Cuppe it was: and thanne al oute The kyng in audience aboute Hath told it was hire fader Skulle, So that the lordes knowe schulle Of his bataille a soth witnesse, And made avant thurgh what prouesse 2569 He hath his wyves love wonne, Which of the Skulle hath so begonne. Tho was ther mochel Pride alofte, Thei speken alle, and sche was softe, Thenkende on thilke unkynde Pride, Of that hire lord so nyh hire side Avanteth him that he hath slain And piked out hire fader brain, And of the Skulle had mad a Cuppe. Sche soffreth al til thei were uppe, 2570 And tho sche hath seknesse feigned, And goth to chambre and hath compleigned Unto a Maide which sche triste, So that non other wyht it wiste. This Mayde Glodeside is hote, To whom this lady hath behote Of ladischipe al that sche can, To vengen hire upon this man, Which dede hire drinke in such a plit P. i. 129 Among hem alle for despit 2580 2544 is} was Hi...B4 B 2569 had C, SB, F hadde A hapJ
106
[Tare or ArBINUS AND ROSEMUND.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of hire and of hire fader bothe; Wherof hire thoghtes ben so wrothe, Sche seith, that sche schal noght be glad, Til that sche se him so bestad That he nomore make avant. And thus thei felle in covenant, That thei acorden ate laste, With suche wiles as thei caste That thei wol gete of here acord Som ‘orped knyht to sle this lord: 2590 And with this sleihte thei beginne, How thei Helmege myhten winne, Which was the kinges Boteler, A proud a lusti Bacheler, And Glodeside he loveth hote. jo! And sche, to make him more assotey, Hire love granteth, and be nyhte Thei schape how thei togedre myhte Abedde meete: and don it was This same nyht; and in this cas 2600 The qwene hirself the nyht secounde Wente in hire stede, and there hath founde A chambre derk withoute liht, And goth to bedde to this knyht. And he, to kepe his observance, To love doth his obeissance, And weneth it be Glodeside ; And sche thanne after lay aside, And axeth him what he hath do, P. i. 130 And who sche was sche tolde him tho, 2610 And seide: ‘Helmege, I am thi qwene, Now schal thi love wel be sene Of that thou hast thi wille wroght : Or it schal sore ben aboght, Or thou schalt worche as I thee seie. And if thou wolt be such a weie Do my plesance and holde it stille, For evere I schal ben at thi wille, Bothe I and al myn heritage.’ 2611 thi] pe JHi... Bs, BA
LIBER PRIMUS. 107
Anon the wylde loves rage, 2620 [TALE or ALBINUS In which noman him can governe, AnD Rosemunn. } Hath mad him that he can noght werne, Bot fell al hol to hire assent: And thus the whiel is al miswent, The which fortune hath upon honde; For how that evere it after stonde, Thei schope among hem such a wyle, The king was ded withinne a whyle. So slihly cam it noght aboute That thei ne ben discoevered oute, 2630 So that it thoghte hem for the beste To fle, for there was no reste: And thus the tresor of the king Thei trusse and mochel other thing, And with a certein felaschipe Thei fledde and wente awey be schipe, And hielde here rihte cours fro thenne, Til that thei come to Ravenne, Wher thei the Dukes helpe soghte. P. i. 131 And he, so as thei him besoghte, 2640 A place granteth forto duelle ; Bot after, whan he herde telle Of the manere how thei have do, This Duk let schape for hem so, That of a puison which thei drunke Thei hadden that thei have besWuti 14 And al this made avant of Pride: Good is therfore a man to hide His oghne pris, for if he speke, He mai lihtliche his thonk tobreke. 2650 In armes lith non avantance To him which thenkth his name avance And be renomed of his dede: And also who that thenkth to spede Of love, he mai him noght avaunte; For what man thilke vice haunte, His pourpos schal fulofte faile. In armes he that wol travaile 2622 Hath mad] Made Hi... Bs, B 2658 he] who AM
108 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[AVANTANCE.] Or elles loves grace atteigne, His lose tunge he mot restreigne, 2660 Which berth of his honour the keie. Confessor. Forthi, my Sone, in alle weie Tak riht good hiede of this matiere. Amans. I thonke you, my fader diere,
This scole is of a gentil lore;
And if ther be oght elles more
Of Pride, which I schal eschuie,
Now axeth forth, and I wol suie
What thing that ye me wole enforme. P. i. 132 Confessor. Mi Sone, yit in other forme 2670
Ther is a vice of Prides lore,
Which lich an hauk whan he wol sore,
Fleith upon heihte in his delices
After the likynge of his vices,
And wol no mannes resoun knowe,
Till he doun falle and overthrowe.
This vice veine gloire is hote,
Wherof, my Sone, I thee behote
To trete and speke in such a wise,
That thou thee myht the betre avise. 2680
[v. VaIN-GLory.] x. Gloria ferfetuos pregnat mundana dolores,
Qui lamen est vanus gaudia vana cufit.
Eius amiciciam, quem gloria tollit inanis, Non sine blandiciis planus habebit homo:
Verbis compositis qui scit strigilare fauellum, Scandere sellata tura valebit eques.
Sic in amore magis qui blanda subornat in ore Verba, fer hoc brauium quod nequit alter kabet.
Et famen ornatos cantus variosque paralus
Letaque corda suis legibus optat amor. (10) The proude vice of veine gloire Hic loquitur ade Remembreth noght of purgatoire, quinta specie su le, : . que Inanis gloria vo Hise worldes joyes ben so grete, . catur, et eiusdem vicii Him thenkth of hevene no beÿete ; naturam primo descri- TEE : . bens super eodem in This lives Pompe is al his pes: amoris causa Confes- Yit schal he deie natheles,
2669 3e me wole] 3e wol (wil) me L, A 3e wol(e) AM me wol Hs
LIBER PRIMUS 109
And therof thenkth he bot a lite, [v. Vain-Grory.] For al his lust is to delite sorAmanticonsequen- In newe thinges, proude and veine, ter opponit,
Als ferforth as he mai atteigne. 2690
I trowe, if that he myhte make P. i. 133
His body newe, he wolde take
A newe forme and leve his olde:
For what thing that he mai beholde, -
The which to comun us is strange,
Anon his olde guise change
He wole and falle therupon,
Lich unto the Camelion,
Which upon every sondri hewe
That he beholt he moste newe 2700 His colour, and thus unavised
Fulofte time he stant desguised.
Mor jolif than the brid in Maii
He makth him evere freissh and gay,
And doth al his array desguise, Salomon. Amictus eius So that of him the newe guise | annunciat de eo. Of lusti folk alle othre take ;
And ek he can carolles make,
Rondeal, balade and virelai.
And with all this, if that he may 2710 Of love gete him avantage,
Anon he wext of his corage
So overglad, that of his ende
Him thenkth ther is no deth comende:
For he hath thanne at alle tide
Of love such a maner pride,
Him thenkth his joie is endeles.
Now schrif thee, Sone, in godes pes, Confessor. And of thi love tell me plein If that thi gloire hath be so vein. 2720
Mi fader, as touchinge of al P. i. 134 Amans.
2687 terforAM,W peronAd aliteA, SB, F, &c. 2705 margin Salomon. Amictus—eo in third recension only. 2713 f. This text only in copies of third recension, F(in ras.) WKHs &c. The rest have,
So ouerglad pat purgatoire Ne myhte abregge his veine gloire
IIO CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Tue Lover’s Con- I may noght wel ne noght ne schal FEssION.] Of veine gloire excuse me g ,
That I ne have for love be The betre adresced and arraied ; And also I have ofte assaied Rondeal, balade and virelai For hire on whom myn herte lai To make, and also forto peinte Caroles with my wordes qweinte, 2730 To sette my pourpos alofte ; And thus I sang hem forth fulofte In halle and ek in chambre aboute, And made merie among the route, Bot yit ne ferde I noght the bet. Thus was my gloire in vein beset Of al the joie that I made; For whanne I wolde with hire glade, And of hire love songes make, Sche saide it was noght for hir sake, 2740 And liste noght my songes hiere Ne witen what the wordes were. So forto speke of myn arrai, Yit couthe I nevere be so gay Ne so wel make a songe of love, Wherof I myhte ben above And have encheson to be glad; Bot rathere I am ofte adrad For sorwe that sche seith me nay. And natheles I wol noght say, 2750 That I nam glad on other side; P. i. 135 For fame, that can nothing hide, Alday wol bringe unto myn Ere Of that men speken hier and there, How that my ladi berth the pris, How sche is fair, how sche is wis, How sche is wommanlich of chiere ; Of al this thing whanne I mai hiere, What wonder is thogh I be fain? And ek whanne I may hiere sain 2760 2751 nam) am Hi... Bs, W on] an AJ
LIBER PRIMUS
Tidinges of my ladi hele,
Althogh I may noght with hir dele, Yit am I wonder glad of that ;
For whanne I wot hire good astat, As for that time I dar wel swere, Non other sorwe mai me dere, Thus am I gladed in this wise. Bot, fader, of youre lores wise,
Of whiche ye be fully tawht,
Now tell me if yow thenketh awht 2770
That I therof am forto wyte. : Of that ther is I thee acquite,
Mi sone, he seide, and for thi goode
I wolde that thou understode :
For I thenke upon this matiere
To telle a tale, as thou schalt hiere,
How that ayein this proude vice
The hihe god of his justice
Is wroth and gret vengance doth.
Now herkne a tale that is soth: 2780 Thogh it be noght of loves kinde, P. i. 136
A gret ensample thou schalt finde This veine gloire forto fle, Which is so full of vanite.
xi Humant generis cum sit sibi gloria maior, Sefe subesse solet proximus ille dolor: Mens elata graues descensus sepe subibit, Mens humilis stabile molleque firmat iter. Motibus innumeris volutat fortuna fer orbem ; Cum magis alta fetis, inferiora time. Ther was a king that mochel myhte, Which Nabugodonosor hihte, Of whom that I spak hier tofore. Yit in the bible his name is bore, For al the world in Orient Was hol at his comandement : 2790 2770 pou penkep (penkp AXRCLB: pou penke M ;e penke (pinke) HiSn, A 3e thenketh (ye pinketh) Ad, W
Latin Verses xi. 5 immunis HiXGECLBs, B 2789 in the orient A, WH:
III
[Tug Lover’s Con- FESSION.)
[ NEBUCHADNEZZAR's PUNISHMENT. ]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra vi- cium inanis glorie, narrans qualiter Na- bugodonosor Rex Cal- deorum, cum ipse in
112
[ NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PUNISHMENT. |
omni sue maiestatis gloria celsior extitis- set, deus eius super- biam castigare volens ipsum extra formam hominis in bestiam fenum comedentem transmutauit. Et sic per septennium peni- tens, cum ipse po- tenciorem se agnouit, misertus deus ipsum in sui regni solium resti- tuta sanitate emenda- tum graciosius collo- cauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As thanne of kinges to his liche
Was non so myhty ne so riche;
To his Empire and to his lawes,
As who seith, alle in thilke dawes
Were obeissant and tribut bere,
As thogh he godd of Erthe were.
With strengthe he putte kinges under,
And wroghte of Pride many a wonder;
He was so full of veine gloire,
That he ne hadde no memoire 2800 That ther was eny good bot he,
For pride of his prosperite ;
Til that the hihe king of kinges,
Which seth and knoweth alle thinges,
Whos yhe mai nothing asterte,—
The privetes of mannes herte
Thei speke and sounen in his Ere P. i. 137 As thogh thei lowde wyndes were, —
He tok vengance upon this pride.
Bot for he wolde awhile abide 2810 To loke if he him wolde amende,
To him a foretokne he sende,
And that was in his slep be nyhte.
This proude kyng a wonder syhte
Hadde in his swevene, ther he lay:
Him thoghte, upon a merie day
As he behield the world aboute,
A tree fulgrowe he syh theroute,
Which stod the world amiddes evene,
Whos heihte straghte up to the hevene; 820 The leves weren faire and large,
Of fruit it bare so ripe a charge,
That alle men it myhte fede:
He sih also the bowes spriede
Above al Erthe. in whiche were
The kinde of alle briddes there;
2796 margin subito transmutauit A... B4, S...A a8or good FKHs godd(god)A...B: S...A,W 2812 a foretokene K a fortoken W aforetokne S, F afortokene R a fore tokne (token) JXEC, Hs afore tokne (-en) AMH,GLBs, BAdA
LIBER PRIMUS
And eke him thoghte he syh also
The kinde of alle bestes go
Under this tre aboute round
And fedden hem upon the ground.
As he this wonder stod and syh,
Him thoghte he herde a vois on hih
Criende, and seide aboven alle:
‘Hew doun this tree and lett it falle,
The leves let defoule in haste
And do the fruit destruie and waste,
And let of schreden every braunche,
But ate Rote let it staunche.
Whan al his Pride is cast to grounde,
The rote schal be faste bounde,
And schal no mannes herte bere,
Bot every lust he schal forbere
Of man, and lich an Oxe his mete
Of gras he schal pourchace and ete,
Til that the water of the hevene
Have waisshen him be times sevene,
So that he be thurghknowe ariht
What is the heveneliche myht,
And be mad humble to the wille
Of him which al mai save and spille.’ This king out of his swefne abreide,
And he upon the morwe it seide
Unto the clerkes whiche he hadde:
Bot non of hem the sothe aradde,
Was non his swevene cowthe undo.
And it stod thilke time so,
This king hadde in subjeccioun
Judee, and of affeccioun
Above alle othre on Daniel
He loveth, for he cowthe wel
Divine that non other cowthe:
To him were alle thinges cowthe,
2835 defoule] do foule X... Bs doune falle Hi
to HiXE... Ba
pis tre L
2830
P. i. 138
2840
2850
2860
2836 do]
2839 his Pride] pis pride Hi... CB»
2847 be om. Hi... Bs, Hs purghknowe A, F purgh
knowe J, SB
ee
I
113
( NEBUCHADNEZZAR's PUNISHMENT.]
114
[| NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PUNISHMENT. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As he it hadde of goddes grace. He was before the kinges face Asent, and bode that he scholde Upon the point the king of tolde The fortune of his swevene expounde, P. i. 139 As it scholde afterward be founde. Whan Daniel this swevene herde, He stod long time er he ansuerde, 2870 And made a wonder hevy chiere. The king tok hiede of his manere, And bad him telle that he wiste, As he to whom he mochel triste, And seide he wolde noght be wroth. Bot Daniel was wonder loth, And seide: ‘Upon thi fomen alle, Sire king, thi swevene mote falle ; And natheles touchende of this I wol the tellen how it is, 2880 And what desese is to thee schape : God wot if thou it schalt ascape. The hihe tree, which thou hast sein With lef and fruit so wel besein, The which stod in the world amiddes, So that the bestes and the briddes Governed were of him al one, Sire king, betokneth thi persone, Which stant above all erthli thinges. Thus regnen under the the kinges, 2890 And al the poeple unto thee louteth, And al the world thi pouer doubteth, So that with vein honour deceived Thou hast the reverence weyved Fro him which is thi king above, That thou for drede ne for love Wolt nothing knowen of thi godd; P. i. 140 Which now for thee hath mad a rodd, Thi veine gloire and thi folie
2863 it om. HiXERCBs that L, W 2869 hisB pe MX 2874 As] And Hi...L 2885 wode B 2891 al] of Hi...Bs (ofte R) 2898 a rodd AJ, B. arodd S, FK
LIBER PRIMUS IIS
With grete peines to chastie. 2900 [NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S And of the vois thou herdest speke, PUNISHMENT. | Which bad the bowes forto breke And hewe and felle doun the tree, That word belongeth unto thee; Thi regne schal ben overthrowe, And thou despuiled for a throwe: Bot that the Rote scholde stonde, Be that thou schalt wel understonde, Ther schal abyden of thi regne A time ayein whan thou schalt regne. 2910 And ek of that thou herdest seie, To take a mannes herte aweie And sette there a bestial, So that he lich an Oxe schal Pasture, and that he be bereined Be times sefne and sore peined, Til that he knowe his goddes mihtes, Than scholde he stonde ayein uprihtes,— Al this betokneth thin astat, Which now with god is in debat: 2920 Thi mannes forme schal be lassed, Til sevene yer ben overpassed, And in the liknesse of a beste Of gras schal be thi real feste, The weder schal upon thee reine. And understond that al this peine, Which thou schalt soffre thilke tide, P.i. 141 Is schape al only for thi pride Of veine gloire, and of the sinne Which thou hast longe stonden inne. 2930
So upon this condicioun Thi swevene hath exposicioun. Bot er this thing befalle in dede, Amende thee, this wolde I rede: Yif and departe thin almesse, Do mercy forth with rihtwisnesse, Besech and prei the hihe grace, For so thou myht thi pes pourchace
2903 falle Hi... Bs, W 2905 The A
12
116 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S With godd, and stonde in good acord.' PUNISHMENT. ] Bot Pride is loth to leve his lord, 2940 And wol noght soffre humilite With him to stonde in no degree; And whan a schip hath lost his stiere, Is non so wys that mai him stiere Ayein the wawes in a rage. This proude king in his corage Humilite hath so forlore, That for no swevene he sih tofore, Ne yit for al that Daniel Him bath conseiled everydel, 2950 He let it passe out of his mynde, Thurgh veine gloire, and as the blinde, He seth no weie, er him be wo. And fell withinne a time so, As he in Babiloine wente, The vanite of Pride him hente; His herte aros of veine gloire, P. i. 142 So that he drowh into memoire His lordschipe and his regalie With wordes of Surquiderie. . 2960 And whan that he him most avaunteth, That lord which veine gloire daunteth, Al sodeinliche, as who seith treis, Wher that he stod in his Paleis, He tok him fro the mennes sihte: Was non of hem so war that mihte Sette yhe wher that he becom. And thus was he from his kingdom Into the wilde Forest drawe, Wher that the myhti goddes lawe 2970 Thurgh his pouer dede him transforme Fro man into a bestes forme; And lich an Oxe under the fot He graseth, as he nedes mot, To geten him his lives fode. Tho thoghte him colde grases goode, That whilom eet the hote spices, 2953 weie] wele Hi... Ba
LIBER PRIMUS 117
Thus was he torned fro delices: [ NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S The wyn which he was wont to drinke PUNISHMENT. | He tok thanne of the welles brinke 2980 Or of the bet or of the slowh, It thoghte him thanne good ynowh : In stede of chambres wel arraied He was thanne of a buissh wel paied, The harde ground he lay upon, For othre pilwes hath he non; The stormes and the Reines falle, P. i. 143 The wyndes blowe upon him alle, He was tormented day and nyht, Such was the hihe goddes myght, 2990 Til sevene yer an ende toke. Upon himself tho gan he loke; In stede of mete gras and stres, In stede of handes longe cles, In stede of man a bestes lyke He syh; and thanne he gan to syke For cloth of gold and for perrie; Bones Which him was wont to magnefie. Whan he behield his Cote of heres, He wepte and with fulwoful teres 3000 Up to the hevene he caste his chiere Wepende, and thoghte in this manere ; Thogh he no wordes myhte winne, Thus seide his herte and spak withinne: *O mihti godd, that al hast wroght And al myht bringe ayein to noght, Now knowe I wel, bot al of thee, This world hath no prosperite : In thin aspect ben alle liche, The povere man and ek the riche, 3010 Withqute thee ther mai no wight, And thou above alle othre miht. O mihti lord, toward my vice Thi merci medle with justice ; 2988 blew(e) M, B 2990 Such] Which Hi... Bs 2997 for]
te Hi... Ba of KHs om.W 3000 fulwoful A, F ful woful J, B 3010 the riche om. B go1r wight B, F wiht AJ, S
118
[ NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PuNISHMENT.)
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And I woll make a covenant, That of my lif the remenant I schal it be thi grace amende, P. i. 144 And in thi lawe so despende That veine gloire I schal eschuie, And bowe unto thin heste and suie 3020 Humilite, and that I vowe.’ And so thenkende he gan doun bowe, And thogh him lacke vois and speche, He gan up with his feet areche, And wailende in his bestly stevene He made his pleignte unto the hevene. He kneleth in his wise and braieth, To seche merci and assaieth His god, which made him nothing strange, Whan that he sih his pride change. 3030 Anon as he was humble and tame, He fond toward his god the same, And in a twinklinge of a lok His mannes forme ayein he tok, And was reformed to the regne In which that he was wont to regne; So that the Pride of veine gloire Evere afterward out of memoire He let it passe. And thus is schewed What is to ben of Pride unthewed 3040 Ayein the hihe goddes lawe, To whom noman mai be felawe. Forthi, my Sone, tak good hiede So forto lede thi manhiede, That thou ne be noght lich a beste. Bot if thi lif schal ben honeste, Thou most humblesce take on honde, P. i. 145 For thanne myht thou siker stonde: And forto speke it otherwise, A proud man can no love assise ; 3050 For thogh a womman wolde him plese, His Pride can noght ben at ese.
3023 and speche JHiL, FWHs of speche AM...CBs S...A 3027 braieth] preich (prayep) Hi... Bs, W
LIBER PRIMUS
Ther mai noman to mochel blame A vice which is forto blame; Forthi men scholde nothing | hide That mihte falle in blame of Pride, Which is the werste vice of alle: Wherof, so as it was befalle, The tale I thenke of a Cronique To telle, if that it mai thee like, So that thou myht humblesce suie And ek the vice of Pride eschuie, Wherof the gloire is fals and vein; Which god himself hath in desdeign, That thogh it mounte for a throwe, It schal doun falle and overthrowe.
3060
xii. Est virtus humilis, per quam deus altus ad yma Se tulit et nostre viscera carnis kabet. Sic humilis suferest, et amor sibi subditur omnis, - Cuius habet nulla sorte superbus opem: Odit eum terra, celum deiecit et ipsum, Sedibus inferni statque receptus tbi.
mm Am
A king whilom was yong and wys, The which sette of his wit gret pris. Of depe ymaginaciouns And strange interpretaciouns, . Problemes and demandes eke,
His wisdom was to finde and seke; Wherof he wolde in sondri wise Opposen hem that weren wise.
Bot non of hem it myhte bere Upon his word to yeve answere, Outaken on, which was a knyht; To him was every thing so liht, That also sone as he hem herde, The kinges wordes he answerde ; What thing the king him axe wolde, Therof anon the trowthe he tolde.
3070 P. i. 146
3c80
Latin Verses xii. 5 eum] enim B 3078 margin habitantibus H1... Bs, BA meritum] meriti Hi... Bs, BA
3080 margin valencie
119
[(Huuizrry.]
—
[TALE oF THE THREE QUESTIONS. ]
Hic narrat Confes- sor exemplum simpli- citer contra Superbi- am; et dicit quod nup- erquidam Rex famose prudencie cuidam mil- iti suo super tribus questionibus, vt inde certitudinis responsio- nem daret, sub pena capitalissentencie ter- minum prefixit. Pri- mo, quid minoris in- digencie ab inbabi- tantibus orbem auxi- lium maius obtinuit. Secundo, quid maioris valencie meritum con- tinens minoris expen- se reprisas exiguit.
120
[TALE or THE THREE Quesrions.] Tercio, quid omnia bona diminuens ex sui proprietate nichil pe- nitus valuit. Quarum vero questionum que- dam virgo dicti mili- tis filia sapientissima nomine patris sui so- lucionem aggrediens taliter Regi respondit. Ad primam dixit, quod terra nullius indiget, quam tamen adiuuare cotidianis — laboribus omnes intendunt. Ad secundam dixit, quod humilitas omnibus vir- tutibus prevalet, que tamen nullius prode- galitatis expensis men- suram excedit. Ad ter- ciam dixit, quod su- perbia omnia tam cor- porisquam animebona deuastans maiores ex: pensarum excessus in- ducit. Et tamen nul- lius valoris, ymmo to- cius perdicionis, caus- am sua culpa minis-
trat.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The king somdiel hadde an Envie, And thoghte he wolde his wittes plie To sette som conclusioun,
Which scholde be confusioun
Unto this knyht, so that the name And of wisdom the hihe fame Toward himself he wolde winne. And thus of al his wit withinne 2090 This king began to studie and muse, What strange matiere he myhte use The knyhtes wittes to confounde ; And ate laste he hath it founde, And for the knyht anon he sente, That he schal telle what he mente. Upon thre pointz stod the matiere Of questions, as thou schalt hiere.
The ferste point of alle thre i* questio. Was this: *What thing in his degre 3100 Of al this world hath nede lest, P. i. 147 And yet men helpe it althermest ?’
The secounde is: ‘What most is worth, ii* questio. - And of costage is lest put forth ?'
The thridde is: *Which is of most cost, iii* questio. And lest is worth and goth to lost?’
The king thes thre demandes axeth,
And to the knyht this lawe he taxeth,
That he schal gon and come ayein
The thridde weke, and telle him plein 3110 To every point, what it amonteth.
And if so be that he misconteth,
To make in his answere a faile,
Ther schal non other thing availe,
The king seith, bot he schal be ded
And lese hise goodes and his hed.
The knyht was sori of this thing
And wolde excuse him to the king,
Bot he ne wolde him noght forbere,
And thus the knyht of his ansuere 3120
3108 he om. KH: 3120 his] pis X ... Ba
LIBER PRIMUS 12I
Goth hom to take avisement: [Tare or THE THREE Bot after his entendement Questions. ] The more he caste his wit aboute, The more he stant therof in doute. Tho wiste he wel the kinges herte, That he the deth ne scholde asterte, And such a sorwe hath to him take, That gladschipe he hath al forsake. He thoghte ferst upon his lif, And after that upon his wif, 3130 Upon his children ek also, P. i. 148 Of whiche he hadde dowhtres tuo; | The yongest of hem hadde of age Fourtiene yer, and of visage Sche was riht fair, and of stature Lich to an hevenely figure, And of manere and goodli speche, Thogh men wolde alle Londes seche, Thei scholden noght have founde hir like. Sche sih hire fader sorwe and sike, 3140 And wiste noght the cause why; So cam sche to him prively, And that was where he made his mone Withinne a Gardin al him one; Upon hire knes sche gan doun falle With humble herte and to him calle, And seide: *O goode fader diere, Why make ye thus hevy chiere, And I wot nothing how it is? And wel ye knowen, fader, this, 3150 What aventure that you felle Ye myhte it saufly to me telle, For I have ofte herd you seid, That ye such trust have on me leid, That to my soster ne my brother, . In al this world ne to non other, Ye dorste telle a privite So wel, my fader, as to me.
3126 schal AM 3155 ne my] ne to my GRE;, Ad^4, W (nor to my) and my Hi
122 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(Tate or THE THREE Forthi, my fader, I you preie, Questions. } Ne casteth noght that herte aweie, 3162 For I am sche that wolde kepe P. i. 149
Youre honour.’ And with that to wepe Hire yhe mai noght be forbore, Sche wissheth forto ben unbore, Er that hire fader so mistriste To tellen hire of that he wiste : And evere among merci sche cride, That he ne scholde his conseil hide From hire that so wolde him good And was so nyh his fleissh and blod. 3170 So that with wepinge ate laste His chiere upon his child he caste, And sorwfulli to that sche preide He tolde his tale and thus he seide : *'The sorwe, dowhter, which I make Is noght al only for my sake, Bot for thee bothe and for you alle: For such a chance is me befalle, That I schal er this thridde day Lese al that evere I lese may, 3180 Mi lif and al my good therto: Therfore it is I sorwe so.' ‘What is the cause, helas!’ quod sche, ‘Mi fader, that ye scholden be Ded and destruid in such a wise ?’ And he began the pointz devise, Whiche as the king told him be mowthe, And seid hir pleinly that he cowthe Ansuere unto no point of this. And sche, that hiereth how it is, 3190 Hire conseil yaf and seide tho: P. i. 150 * Mi fader, sithen it is so, That ye can se non other weie, Bot that ye moste nedes deie, I wolde preie of you a thing: 3183 helas A, S, F Alas] allas B &c. 3185 a om. E, B
3187 told SB, F tolde AJ 3188 seid (seyd) B, F seide AJ he ne cowbe HiXGRCLBs 3195 pray yow of BA o ping B
LIBER PRIMUS 123
Let me go with you to the king, [TALE or THE THREE And ye schull make him understonde Questions. ] How ye, my wittes forto fonde, Have leid your ansuere upon me; And telleth him, in such degre 3200 Upon my word ye wole abide To lif or deth, what so betide. For yit par chaunce I may pourchace With som good word the kinges grace, Your lif and ek your good to save; For ofte schal a womman have Thing which a man mai noght areche.’ The fader herde his dowhter speche, And thoghte ther was resoun inne, And sih his oghne lif to winne 3210 He cowthe don himself no cure ; So betre him thoghte in aventure To put his lif and al his good, Than in the maner as it stod His lif in certein forto lese. And thus thenkende he gan to chese To do the conseil of this Maide, And tok the pourpos which sche saide. The dai was come and forth thei gon, Unto the Court thei come anon, 3220 Wher as the king in juggement P. i. 151 Was set and hath this knyht assent. Arraied in hire beste wise This Maiden with hire wordes wise Hire fader ladde be the hond Into the place, wher he fond The king with othre whiche he wolde, And to the king knelende he tolde As he enformed was tofore, And preith the king that he therfore 3230 His dowhtres wordes wolde take, And seith that he wol undertake Upon hire wordes forto stonde. Tho was ther gret merveile on honde, 3201 I wole XERCBa 3209 fought pat per was XGRCLB:
124
[TaLe or THE THREE Questions. }
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That he, which was so wys a knyht, His lif upon so yong a wyht Besette wolde in jeupartie, And manye it hielden for folie: Bot ate laste natheles The king comandeth ben in pes, 3240 And to this Maide he caste his chiere, And seide he wolde hire tale hiere, He bad hire speke, and sche began: ' Mi liege lord, so as I can,' Quod sche, *the pointz of whiche I herde, Thei schul of reson ben ansuerde. The ferste I understonde is this, What thing of al the world it is, Which men most helpe and hath lest nede. Mi liege lord, this wolde I rede: 3250 The Erthe it is, which everemo P. i. 152 With mannes labour is bego; Als wel in wynter as in Maii The mannes hond doth what he mai To helpe it forth and make it riche, And forthi men it delve and dyche And eren it with strengthe of plowh, Wher it hath of himself ynowh, So that his nede is ate leste. For every man and bridd and beste, 3260 And flour and gras and rote and rinde, And every thing be weie of kynde Schal sterve, and Erthe it schal become ; As it was out of Erthe nome, It schal to therthe torne ayein : And thus I mai be resoun sein That Erthe is the most nedeles, And most men helpe it natheles. So that, my lord, touchende of this I have ansuerd hou that it is. 3270
3245 pointes (pointz) which(e) Hi... B» B, WKHs (pointes which as L) 3249 hath lest nede] hap most nede R han most nede XEC han lest nede Bs 3261 And] Of Hi...Bs, B. 3264 of pe erpe AMBs, A
LIBER PRIMUS 125
That other point I understod, (Tate or THE THREE Which most is worth and most is good, Questions. ] And costeth lest a man to kepe:
Mi lord, if ye woll take kepe, I seie it is Humilite, Thurgh which the hihe trinite As for decerte of pure love Unto Marie from above, Of that he knew hire humble entente, His oghne Sone adoun he sente, 3280 Above alle othre and hire he ches P. i. 153 For that vertu which bodeth pes: So tbat I may be resoun calle Humilite most worth of alle. And lest it costeth to maintiene, In al the world as it is sene ; For who that hath humblesce on honde, He bringth no werres into londe, For he desireth for the beste To setten every man in reste. 3290 Thus with your hihe reverence Me thenketh that this evidence As to this point is sufficant. And touchende of the remenant, Which is the thridde of youre axinges, What leste is worth of alle thinges, And costeth most, I telle it, Pride; Which mai noght in the hevene abide, For Lucifer with hem that felle Bar Pride with him into helle. 3300 Ther was Pride of to gret a cost, Whan he for Pride hath hevene lost ; And after that in Paradis Adam for Pride loste his pris: In Midelerthe and ek also Pride is the cause of alle wo, That al the world ne may suffise To stanche of Pride the reprise: 3285 to] in AM 3300 into] to AM 3301 grete (gret) cost MHiG, B
126 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Tate or THE THREE Pride is the heved of alle Sinne, Questioss. | Which wasteth al and mai noght winne; 3310 Pride is of every mis the pricke, P. i 154
Pride is the werste of alle wicke, And costneth most and lest is worth In place where he hath his forth. Thus have I seid that I wol seie Of myn answere, and to you preie, Mi liege lord, of youre office 'That ye such grace and such justice Ordeigne for mi fader hiere, That after this, whan men it hiere, 3320 The world therof mai speke good.’ The king, which reson understod And hath al herd how sche hath said, Was inly glad and so wel paid 'That al his wraththe is overgo: And he began to loke tho Upon this Maiden in the face, In which he fond so mochel grace, That al his pris on hire he leide, In audience and thus he seide: 3330 * Mi faire Maide, wel thee be! Of thin ansuere and ek of thee Me liketh wel, and as thou wilt, Foryive be thi fader gilt. And if thou were of such _lignage, That thou to me were of “parage, And that thi fader were a Pier, As he is now a Bachilier, So seker as I have a lif, Thou scholdest thanne be my wif. 3340 Bot this I seie natheles, P. i. 155 That I wol schape thin encress ; What worldes good that thou wolt crave, Axe of my yifte and thou schalt have.’ And sche the king with wordes wise Knelende thonketh in this wise: * Mi liege lord, god mot you quite! 3313 costep HiXLBs, Ba, Hs costs W
LIBER PRIMUS 127
Mi fader hier hath bot a lite [TALE or THE THREE Of Warison, and that he wende Questions. } Hadde al be lost; bot now amende 3350
He mai wel thurgh your noble grace.’ With that the king mht in his place Anon forth in that freisshe hete An Erldom, which thanne of eschete Was late falle into his hond, Unto this knyht with rente and lond Hath yove and with his chartre sesed ; And thus was all the noise appesed.
This Maiden, which sat on hire knes Tofore the king, hise charitees 3360 Comendeth, and seide overmore ; * Mi liege lord, riht now tofore Ye seide, as it is of record, That if my fader were a lord And Pier unto these othre grete, Ye wolden for noght elles lete, That I ne scholde be your wif; And this wot every worthi lif, A kinges word it mot ben holde. Forthi, my lord, if that ye wolde 3370 So gret a charite fulfille, P. i. 156 God wot it were wel my wille: For he which was a Bacheler, Mi fader, is now mad a Pier; So whenne as evere that I cam, An Erles dowhter now I am.’
This yonge king, which peised al, Hire beaute and hir wit withal, As he that was with love hent, Anon therto yaf his assent. 3380 He myhte noght the maide asterte, That sche nis ladi of his herte;
3357 seled F 3361 euermore MX ... B:, B, W 3363 as]
and Hi... Ba, B 3369 it mot ben] mot (mote) nede be Hi . . . Ba, BA 3374 mad a Pier] an Erl(e) hier Hi. . Bz, A 3379 that] which Hi... Ba, B 3381 maide] place
Hi... Bs, BA
128
[TALE OF THE THREE QuEstions. ]
[(Huuizrry.] Gonfessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
So that he tok hire to his wif, To holde whyl that he hath lif: And thus the king toward his knyht Acordeth him, as it is riht.
And over this good is to wite, In the Cronique as it is write, This noble king of whom I tolde Of Spaine be tho daies olde 3390 The kingdom hadde in governance, And as the bok makth remembrance, Alphonse was his propre name: The knyht also, if I schal name, Danz Petro hihte, and as men telle, His dowhter wyse Peronelle Was cleped, which was full of grace: And that was sene in thilke place, Wher sche hir fader out of teene Hath broght and mad hirself a qweene, 3400 Of that sehe hath so wel desclosed P. i. 157 The pointz wherof sche was opposed.
Lo now, my Sone, as thou myht hiere, Of al this thing to my matiere Bot on I take, and that is Pride, To whom no grace mai betide: In hevene he fell out of his stede, And Paradis him was forbede, The goode men in Erthe him hate, So that to helle he mot algate, 3410 Where every vertu schal be weyved And every vice be received. Bot Humblesce is al otherwise, Which most is worth, and no reprise It takth ayein, bot softe and faire, If eny thing stond in contraire,
3396 His doughtres (doghter) name Peronele Hi... Bs, A 3398 sene (seene) A, B. scene S, F schene (om. was) J 3403 myht) may Hi... B» 3412 be] schal be Hi... B: 3414 worpy and no prise X ... CB: worth and no prise Hi worpy and of no prise LSn, A worth and of no reprise W 3416 And
it is alway debonaire Hi... B4, A stondJ, S; F stonde A, B
LIBER PRIMUS
With humble speche it is redresced : Thus was this yonge Maiden blessed, The which I spak of now tofore, Hire fader lif sche gat therfore, 3420 And wan with al the kinges love. Forthi, my Sone, if thou wolt love, It sit thee wel to leve Pride And take Humblesce upon thi side ; The more of grace thou schalt gete. Mi fader, I woll noght foryete Of this that ye have told me hiere, And if that eny such manere Of humble port mai love appaie, Hierafterward I thenke assaie: 3430 Bot now forth over I beseche P. i. 158 That ye more of my schrifte seche. Mi goode Sone, it schal be do: Now herkne and ley an Ere to; For as touchende of Prides fare, Als ferforth as I can declare In cause of vice, in cause of love, That hast thou pleinly herd above, So that ther is nomor to seie Touchende of that; bot other weie 3440 Touchende Envie I thenke telle, Which hath the propre kinde of helle, Withoute cause to misdo Toward himself and othre also, Hierafterward as understonde Thou schalt the spieces, as thei stonde.
Explicit Liber Primus.
3443 to misdo] of ping misdo Hi... CB: of nothing mysdo L 3445 as] as I AJL, A, W
129
( Hosarmy.]
Amans.
Confessor.
130
[ Envy. ]
Hic in secundo li- bro tractat de Inuidia et eius speciebus, qua- rum dolor alterius gaudii prima nuncupa- tur, cuiuscondicionem secundum viciumCon- fessor primitus descri- bens, Amanti quatenus amorem concernit, su - pe: eodem consequen- ter opponit.
ji. SORROW FOR AN- OTHER MAN'S Jov.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Incipit Liber Secundus. P. i. 159
i. Inuidie culpa magis est alfrita dolore,
Nam sua mens nullo tempore leta manet :
Quo gaudent alii, dolet ille, nec vnus amicus Est, cui de puro comoda velle facit.
Proximitatis honor sua corda veretur, el omnis Est sibi leticia sic aliena dolor.
Hoc efenim vicium quam sepe repugnat amanti, Non sibi, set reliquis, dum fauet ipsa Venus.
Est amor ex proprio motu fantasticus, ef que Gaudia fert alius, credit obesse sibi. (10)
Now after Pride the secounde
Ther is, which many a woful stounde
Towardes othre berth aboute
Withinne himself and noght withoute ;
For in his thoght he brenneth evere,
Whan that he wot an other levere
Or more vertuous than he,
Which passeth him in his degre;
Therof he takth his maladie:
That vice is cleped hot Envie. 10 Forthi, my Sone, if it be so
Thou art or hast ben on of tho,
As forto speke in loves cas,
If evere yit thin herte was
Sek of an other mannes hele? P. i. 160 So god avance my querele,
Mi fader, ye, a thousend sithe:
Whanne I have sen an other blithe
Of love, and hadde a goodly chiere,
Latin Verses i. 10 aliis Hi... Bs, BA, W
LIBER SECUNDUS 131
Ethna, which brenneth yer be yere, 20 [SORROW FOR an- Was thanne noght so hot as I OTHER MAN'S Jor.) Of thilke Sor which prively
Min hertes thoght withinne brenneth.
The Schip which on the wawes renneth,
And is forstormed and forblowe,
Is noght more peined for a throwe
Than I am thanne, whanne I se
An other which that passeth me
In that fortune of loves yifte.
Bot, fader, this I telle in schrifte, 30 That is nowher bot in o place;
For who that lese or finde grace
In other stede, it mai noght grieve:
Bot this ye mai riht wel believe,
Toward mi ladi that I serve,
Thogh that I wiste forto sterve,
Min herte is full of such sotie,
That I myself mai noght chastie.
Whan I the Court se of Cupide
Aproche unto my ladi side 40 Of hem that lusti ben and freisshe,—
Thogh it availe hem noght a reisshe,
Bot only that thei ben in speche, —
My sorwe is thanne noght to seche:
Bot whan thei rounen in hire Ere, P. i. 161 Than groweth al my moste fere,
And namly whan thei talen longe;
My sorwes thanne be so stronge
Of that I se hem wel at ese,
I can noght telle my desese. 5o Bot, Sire, as of my ladi selve,
Thogh sche have yowers ten or twelve,
For no mistrust I bave of hire
Me grieveth noght, for certes, Sire,
I trowe, in al this world to seche,
Nis womman that in dede and speche
Woll betre avise hire what sche doth,
31 nowher] now heer (here) MX... Bs K 2
I32
[Sorrow FOR AN- OTHER MAN's Joy. ]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ne betre, forto seie a soth, Kepe hire honour ate alle tide, And yit get hire a thank beside. 60 Bot natheles I am beknowe, That whanne I se at eny throwe, Or elles if I mai it hiere, That sche make eny man good chiere, Thogh I therof have noght to done, Mi thought wol entermette him sone. For thogh I be miselve strange, Envie makth myn herte change, That I am sorghfully bestad Of that I se an other glad ro With hire; bot of other alle, Of love what so mai befalle, Or that he faile or that he spede, Therof take I bot litel heede. Now have I seid, my fader, al P. i. 162 As of this point in special, Als ferforthli as I have wist. Now axeth further what you list. Mi Sone, er I axe eny more, I thenke somdiel for thi lore Ro Telle an ensample of this matiere Touchende Envie, as thou schalt hiere. Write in Civile this I finde: Thogh it be noght the houndes kinde To ete chaf, yit wol he werne An Oxe which comth to the berne, Therof to taken eny fode. And thus, who that it understode, It stant of love in many place: Who that is out of loves grace 90 And mai himselven noght availe, He wolde an other scholde faile ; And if he may put eny lette, He doth al that he mai to lette.
59 ateA, S, F at J, B 60 get J,S, F gete AC, B 71 oper (othir) MHi, Ada, Hs opre AJEC, SB, F 78 further] fader KH: 92 wolde] pought(e) XEC pough HiRLBs
LIBER SECUNDUS
Wherof I finde, as thou schalt wite, To this pourpos a tale write.
Ther ben of suche mo than twelve, That ben noght able as of hemselve To gete love, and for Envie Upon alle othre thei aspie ;
And for hem lacketh that thei wolde, Thei kepte that non other scholde Touchende of love his cause spede: Wherof a gret ensample I rede, Which unto this matiere acordeth, As Ovide in his bok recordeth, How Poliphemus whilom wroghte, Whan that he Galathee besoghte
Of love, which he mai noght lacche. That made him forto waite and wacche Be alle weies how it ferde,
Til ate laste he knew and herde
How that an other hadde leve
To love there as he mot leve,
As forto speke of eny sped:
So that he knew non other red,
Bot forto wayten upon alle,
Til he may se the chance falle
That he hire love myhte grieve, Which he himself mai noght achieve. This Galathee, seith the Poete,
Above alle othre was unmete
Of beaute, that men thanne knewe, And hadde a lusti love and trewe,
A Bacheler in his degree,
Riht such an other as was sche,
On whom sche hath hire herte set, So that it myhte noght be let
For yifte ne for no beheste,
That sche ne was al at his heste.
P. i. 163
110
120
130
96 write] I write AM 116 margin capere Hi... B, B 117 Bot] Bo F 119 margin et om. B 123 that men thanne knewe} pat men pat (om. knewe) A pat men pat knew M that than men knewe Ad of men that knewe Hs 129 no om. AM
133
[TALE or AcIS AND GALATEA.]
Hicponit Confessor exemplum saltem con- tra istos qui in amoris causa aliorum gaudiis inuidentes nequaquam per hoc sibi ipsis pro- ficiunt. Et narrat, qualiter quidam iuue- nis miles nomine Acis, quem Galathea Nim- pha pulcherrima toto corde peramauit, cum ipsi sub quadam rupe iuxta litus maris col- loquium adinuicem habuerunt, Poliphe- mus Gigas concussa rupe magnam inde partem super caput Acis ab alto proiciens ipsum per inuidiam interfecit. Et cum ipse super hoc dictam Gala- theam rapere voluis- set, Neptunus Giganti obsistens ipsam inuio- latam salua custodia preseruauit. Set et dii miserti corpus Acis defuncti in fontem aque dulcissime subito transmutarunt.
134 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[TaLe or Ácis AND This yonge knyht Acis was hote, GALATEA.] Which hire ayeinward als so hote Al only loveth and nomo. Hierof was Poliphemus wo Thurgh pure Envie, and evere aspide, P. i. 164 And waiteth upon every side, Whan he togedre myhte se This yonge Acis with Galathe. So longe he waiteth to and fro, Til ate laste he fond hem tuo, 140 In prive place wher thei stode To speke and have bere wordes goode. The place wher as he hem syh, It was under a banke nyh The grete See, and he above Stod and behield the lusti love Which ech of bem to other made With goodly chiere and wordes glade, That al his herte hath set afyre Of pure Envie: and as a fyre 150 Which fleth out of a myhti bowe, Aweie he fledde for a throwe, As he that was for love wod, Whan that be sih how that it stod. This Polipheme a Geant was ; And whan he sih the sothe cas, How Galathee him hath forsake And Acis to hire love take, His herte mai it noght forbere That he ne roreth lich a Bere; 160 And as it were a wilde beste, The whom no reson mihte areste, He ran Ethna the hell aboute, Wher nevere yit the fyr was oute, Fulfild of sorghe and gret desese, P. i. 165 That he syh Acis wel at ese.
136 tyde B 149 set J, SB. setteA, F 150 vyre (vire) Hi... L, B,W 160 lich] as B. KH; 162 The whom AX, SAd, F Tho whome M To whomJHiG... B,A In whom Kinras.Hs The which B, W Hom om. The) A areste] haue reste J
LIBER SECUNDUS 135
Til ate laste he him bethoghte, [Tare or Acis AND As he which al Envie soghte, Gatatea.] And torneth to the banke ayein,
Wher he with Galathee hath seyn 170
Acis, whom that he thoghte grieve, Thogh he himself mai noght relieve. This Geant with his ruide myht Part of the banke he schof doun riht, The which evene upon Acis fell, So that with fallinge of this hell This Poliphemus Acis slowh, Wherof sche made sorwe ynowh. And as sche fledde fro the londe, Neptunus tok hire into honde 180 And kept hire in so sauf a place Fro Polipheme and his manace, That he with al his false Envie Ne mihte atteigne hir compaignie. This Galathee of whom I speke, That of hirself mai noght be wreke, Withouten eny semblant feigned Sche hath hire loves deth compleigned, And with hire sorwe and with hire wo Sche hath the goddes moeved so, Igo That thei of pite and of grace Have Acis in the same place, Ther he lai ded, into a welle Transformed, as the bokes telle, With freisshe stremes and with cliere, P. i. 166 ^ he whilom with lusti chiere | . Vas freissh his love forto qweine. And with this ruide Polipheme For his Envie and for his hate Thei were wrothe. And thus algate, 200 Confessor. Mi Sone, thou myht understonde, That if thou wolt in grace stonde With love, thou most leve Envie: And as thou wolt for thi partie 176 pe helle AM (hille) 181 keptJ, SB, F kepte A 193 Wher SAdBA
136
[TALE or Ácis AND GALATEA.]
Amans.
(ii. Joy FOR ANOTHER MAN'S GRIEF. |
Hicloquitur Confes- sor de secunda specie Inuidie, que gaudium alteriusdoloris dicitur, et primo eiusdem vicii materiam tractans am- antis conscienciam super eodem vlterius inuestigat.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Toward thi love stonde fre,
So most thou soffre an other be, What so befalle upon the chaunce: For it is an unwys vengance, Which to non other man is lief, And is unto himselve grief.
Mi fader, this ensample is good ; Bot how so evere that it stod With Poliphemes love as tho,
It schal noght stonde with me so, To worchen eny felonie
In love for no such Envie.
Forthi if ther oght elles be,
Now axeth forth, in what degre
It is, and I me schal confesse With schrifte unto youre holinesse.
il. Orta sibi solifo mentalia gaudia liuor
Dum videt alterius, damfna doloris agit.
Inuidus obridet hodie fletus aliorum,
Fletus cui proprios crastina fata farant. Sic in amore pari stat sorte iocosus, amantes — P. i. 167
Cum videt illusos, inuidus tlle quasi.
Sit licet in vacuum, sperat tamen thse leuamen
Alterius casu, lafsus et tpse simul.
Mi goode Sone, yit ther is A vice revers unto this, Which envious takth his gladnesse Of that he seth the hevinesse Of othre men: for his welfare Is whanne he wot an other care: Of that an other hath a fall, He thenkth himself arist withal. Such is the gladschipe of Envie In worldes thing, and in partie Fulofte times ek also In loves cause it stant riht so.
Latin Verses ii. y Orta) Vita Hi... Bs, B HiXGRCLB: 228 He) Him E, KH:
5 sorte) forte
LIBER SECUNDUS 137
If thou, my Sone, hast joie had, [Joy FOR ANOTHER Whan thou an other sihe unglad, MAN'S GRIEF.] Schrif the therof. Mi fader, yis: Amans. I am beknowe unto you this. Of these lovers that loven streyte, And for that point which thei coveite Ben poursuiantz fro yeer to yere In loves Court, whan I may hiere 240 How that thei clymbe upon the whel, And whan thei wene al schal be wel, Thei ben doun throwen ate laste, Thanne am I fedd of that thei faste, And lawhe of that I se hem loure; And thus of that thei brewe soure I drinke swete, and am wel esed P. i. 168 Of that I wot thei ben desesed. Bot this which I you telle hiere Is only for my lady diere ; 250 That for non other that I knowe Me reccheth noght who overthrowe, Ne who that stonde in love upriht : Bot be he squier, be he knyht, Which to my ladiward poursuieth, The more he lest of that he suieth, The mor me thenketh that I winne, And am the more glad withinne Of that I wot him sorwe endure.
For evere upon such aventure 260
It is a confort, as men sein, Boicius. Consola- To him the which is wo besein cio miserorum est . . . . habere consortem in To sen an other in his peine, pena.
So that thei bothe mai compleigne.
Wher I miself mai noght availe
To sen an other man travaile,
I am riht glad if he be let;
And thogh I fare noght the bet, .
His sorwe is to myn herte a game:
Whban that I knowe it is the same 270 Which to mi ladi stant enclined,
138
[Jor FOR ANOTHER man's Gamr.)
Confessor.
[THE TRAVELLERS AND THE ANGEL. |
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum presertim contra illum, quispon- te sui ipsius detrimen- tum in alterius penam maiorem patitur. Et narrat quod, cum Iupi- ter angelum suum in forma hominis, vt ho- minum condiciones exploraret, ab excelso in terram misit, conti- git quod ipse angelus duos homines,quorum vnus cupidus, alter in- uidus erat, itinerando spacio quasi vnius diei comitabatur. Etcum sero factum esset, an- gelus eorum noticie seipsum tunc manifes. tans dixit, quod quic- quid alter eorum ab ipso donari sibi pecie- rit, illud statim obtine-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And hath his love noght termined, I am riht joifull in my thoght.
If such Envie greveth oght,
As I beknowe me coupable,
Ye that be wys and resonable,
Mi fader, telleth youre avis.
Mi Sone, Envie into no pris Of such a forme, I understonde, Ne mihte be no resoun stonde. For this Envie hath such a kinde, That he wole sette himself behinde To hindre with an othre wyht, And gladly lese his oghne riht To make an other lesen his.
And forto knowe how it so is,
A tale lich to this matiere
I thenke telle, if thou wolt hiere, To schewe proprely the vice
Of this Envie and the malice.
Of Jupiter this finde I write, How whilom that he wolde wite Upon the pleigntes whiche he herde, Among the men how that it ferde, As of here wrong condicion To do justificacion : And for that cause doun he sente An Angel which aboute wente, That he the sothe knowe mai. So it befell upon a dai
P. i. 169
380
290
300
This Angel, which him scholde enforme,
Was clothed in a mannes forme, And overtok, I understonde,
Tuo men that wenten over londe, Thurgh whiche he thoghte to aspie His cause, and goth in compaignie. This Angel with hise wordes wise Opposeth hem in sondri wise,
Now lowde wordes and now softe,
298 which om. B
P. i. 170
LIBER SECUNDUS
That mad hem to desputen ofte,
And ech of hem his reson hadde.
And thus with tales he hem ladde
With good examinacioun,
Til he knew the condicioun,
What men thei were bothe tuo;
And sih wel ate laste tho,
That on of hem was coveitous,
And his fela was envious.
And thus, whan he hath knowlechinge,
Anon he feigneth departinge,
And seide he mot algate wende.
Bot herkne now what fell at ende:
For thanne he made hem understonde
That he was there of goddes sonde,
And seide hem, for the kindeschipe
That thei have don him felaschipe,
He wole hem do som grace ayein,
And bad that on of hem schal sein
What thing him is lievest to crave,
And he it schal of yifte have;
And over that ek forth withal
He seith that other have schal
The double of that his felaw axeth ;
And thus to hem his grace he taxeth. The coveitous was wonder glad,
And to that other man he bad
And seith that he ferst axe scholde:
For he supposeth that he wolde
Make his axinge of worldes good;
For thanne he knew wel how it stod,
That he himself be double weyhte
Schal after take, and thus be sleyhte,
Be cause that he wolde winne,
He bad his fela ferst beginne.
This Envious, thogh it be late,
Whan that he syh he mot algate
310
o
32
330
P. i. r1
340
139
[THE TRAVELLERS AND THE ANGEL. }
bit, quod et socio suo secum comitanti affir- matduplicandum. Su- per quo cupidus im- peditus auaricia, sper- ans sibi diuicias car- pere duplicatas, pri- mo petere recusauit. Quod cum inuidus an- imaduerteret, naturam sui vicii concernens, ita vt socius suus vtro- quelumine priuaretur, seipsum monoculum fieri constanter pri- mus ab angelo postu- labat. Et sic vnius inuidia alterius auari- ciam maculauit.
310 mad S, F made AJ, B 315 margin igitur (g^) diuicias carpere XER,B sibi diuicias capere MHi, W igitur diuicias capere CL 346 What Jat B What Ad
140
"HE TRAVELLERSAND THE ANGEL.)
Com. c.
V amem c.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Make his axinge ferst, he thoghte, If he worschipe or profit soghte, It schal be doubled to his fiere: That wolde he chese in no manere. E Bot thanne he scheweth what he was Toward Envie, and in this cas Unto this Angel thus he seide And for his vifte this he preide, To make him blind of his on yhe, So that his fela nothing syhe. This word was noght so sone spoke, That his on yhe anon was loke, And his felawh forthwith also Was blind of bothe his yhen tuo. 62 Tho was that other glad ynowh, That on werte. and that other lowh. He sette his on vhe at no cost, Wherof that other two hath lost. Of thilke ensample which fell tha Men tellen now fuiofte so, The world empe:reth comuni : P. i 172 And vit wot non the canse why; For it acordeth nazht to kinde Min oghne harm ro seche and Snide iT Oi thar I scha! Lx Grothe: fme. l: mybte revere ve icheve. Wha: sess lol Some. of thos eae = M; fader, £00 1] scoeà A. Upee Le port: sine we bam am Yet was mye Der mere ni bot ot the woe is [orc cà Bot owermere. I Vno ye waste (Oc ees to mr ctr ieme
" o
t f,
Lluctende Esre d) wvaeó Tres. BN
M. Sc. fL ca wer à
New eric ai er cur Ere x. xx Torre F Rs us hs A an wus WW MS Las Me rm. SILLA FT re wo se us wae X icd necu
. Br. Mgt urinrnmure d
LIBER SECUNDUS
ii. Inutdie pars est detraccio fessima, festen
Que magis infamem flatibus oris agit.
Lingua venenato sermone refercutit auras, Sic ut in alterius scandala fama volat.
Morsibus a tergo quos inficit ipsa fideles, Vulneris ignoti sepe salute carent.
Set generosus amor linguam conseruat, vt etus Verbum quod loquitur nulla sinistra gerat.
Touchende as of Envious brod I wot noght on of alle good ; Bot natheles, suche as thei be, Yit is ther on, and that is he Which cleped is Detraccioun.
And to conferme his accioun, pao the. He hath withholde Malebouche, . . Lene
Whos tunge neither yf ne éfouche
I4I
(iii. DETRACTION. |
Hic tractat Confes- sor de tercia specie Inuidie, que Detrac- cio dicitur, cuius mor- sus vipereos lesa
^ quamsepe fama de-
390 plangit.
Mai hyre, so that he pronounce P. i. 173
A plein good word withoute frounce Awher behinde a mannes bak.
For thogh he preise, he fint som lak, Which of his tale is ay the laste, That al the pris schal overcaste : And thogh ther be no cause why, Yit wole he jangle noght forthi,
As he which hath the heraldie
Of hem that usen forto lye.
For as the Netle which up renneth The freisshe rede Roses brenneth And makth hem fade and pale of hewe, Riht so this fals Envious hewe,
In every place wher he duelleth, With false wordes whiche he telleth He torneth preisinge into blame And worschipe into worldes schame. Of such lesinge as he compasseth, Is non so good that he ne passeth Betwen his teeth and is bacbited, And thurgh his false tunge endited :
Latin Verses iii. a infamen F 401 the om. AM 409 suche F
400
410
142 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
? (Derraction. ] Lich to the gens settee kinde, Of whos nature this I finde, That in the hoteste of the dai, Whan comen is the merie Maii, He dprat is wynge and up he fleth: And under al aboute he seth * The faire lusti floures springe, Bot therof hath he no likinge ; 420 Bot where he seth of eny beste P. i. 174 The felthe, ther he makth his feste, And therupon he wole alyhte, Ther liketh him non other sihte. Riht so this janglere Envious, Thogh he a man se vertuous And full of good condicioun, Therof makth he no mencioun: Bot elles, be it noght so lyte, Wherof that he mai sette a wyte, 430 Ther renneth he with open mouth, Behinde a man and makth it couth. Bot al the vertu which he can, That wole he hide of every man, And openly the vice telle, As he which of the Scole of helle Is tawht, and fostred with Envie Of houshold and of compaignie, Wher that he hath his propre office To sette on every man a vice. 440 How so his mouth be comely, His word sit evermore awry And seith the worste that he may. [ DETRACTION oF And in this wise now a day Lovers. | In loves Court a man mai hiere Fulofte pleigne of this matiere, That many envious tale is stered, Wher that it mai noght ben ansuered ; Bot yit fulofte it is believed, And many a worthi love is grieved 450 Thurgh bacbitinge of fals Envie. P. i. 175 If thou have mad such janglerie
LIBER SECUNDUS 143
In loves Court, mi Sone, er this, (DerRAcrTION OF Schrif thee therof. , Lovzas.] Mi fad "el Hic in amoris causa 1 fader, yis: huius vicii crimen ad Bot wite ye how? noght openly, memoriam reducens Bot otherwhile privel Confessor Amanti su- priveiy, per eodem plenius op- Whan I my diere ladi mete, ponit.
And thenke how that I am noght mete Unto hire hihe worthinesse, And ek I se the besinesse 460 Of al this yonge lusty route, Whiche alday pressen hire aboute, And ech of hem his time awaiteth, And ech of hem his tale affaiteth, Al to deceive an innocent, Which woll noght ben of here assent ; And for men sein unknowe unkest, Hire thombe sche holt in hire fest So clos withinne hire oghne hond, That there winneth noman lond ; 470 Sche lieveth noght al that sche hiereth, And thus fulofte hirself sche skiereth And is al war of *hadde I wist’:— Bot for al that myn herte arist, Whanne I thes comun lovers se, That woll noght holden hem to thre, Bot welnyh loven overal, Min herte is Envious withal, And evere I am adrad of guile, In aunter if with eny wyle 480 Thei mihte hire innocence enchaunte. P. i. 176 Forthi my wordes ofte I haunte Behynden hem, so as I dar, Wherof my ladi may be war: I sai what evere comth to mowthe, And worse I wolde, if that I cowthe ; For whanne I come unto hir speche, Al that I may enquere and seche 467 vnknowen vnkost R vnknowen gest AM 473 hadde
1 wist] hadde (had) wist XRC haddy wist(e) HiELB: — haddiwist M, Hs haddy I wist Ad
144 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[DETRACTION or Of such deceipte, I telle it al, Lovers.] And ay the werste in special. 490 So fayn I wolde that sche wiste How litel thei ben forto triste, And what thei wolde and what thei mente, So as thei be of double entente : Thus toward hem that wicke mene My wicked word was evere grene. And natheles, the soth to telle, In certain if it so befelle That althertrewest man ybore, To chese among a thousend score, 500 Which were alfulli forto triste, Mi ladi lovede, and I it wiste, Yit rathere thanne he scholde spede, I wolde swiche tales sprede To my ladi, if that I myhte, - That I scholde al his love unrihte, And therto wolde I do mi peine. For certes thogh I scholde feigne, And telle that was nevere thoght, For al this world I myhte noght RIO To soffre an othre fully winne, P. i. 177 Ther as I am yit to beginne. For be thei goode, or be thei badde, I wolde non my ladi hadde; And that me makth fulofte aspie And usen wordes of Envie, Al forto make hem bere a blame. And that is bot of thilke same, The whiche unto my ladi drawe, For evere on hem I rounge and gknawe 520 And hindre hem al that evere I mai; And that is, sothly forto say, Bot only to my lady selve: I telle it noght to ten ne tuelve, Therof I wol me wel avise, To speke or jangle in eny wise That toucheth to my ladi name, 517 Al] And H1... B, Hs
x
LIBER SECUNDUS | 145
The which in ernest and in game [D£rRACTION or I wolde save into my deth; Lovers. } For me were levere lacke breth 530
Than speken of hire name amis. Now have ye herd touchende of this, Mi fader, in confessioun : And therfor of Detraccioun In love, of that I have mispoke, Tel how ye wole it schal be wroke. I am al redy forto bere Mi peine, and also to forbere What thing that ye wol noght allowe ; For who is bounden, he mot bowe. 540 So wol I bowe unto youre heste, P. i. 178 For I dar make this beheste, That I to yow have nothing hid, Bot told riht as it is betid ; And otherwise of no mispeche, Mi conscience forto seche, I can noght of Envie finde, That I mispoke have oght behinde Wherof love owhte be mispaid. Now have ye herd and I have said; 550 What wol ye, fader, that I do? Mi Sone, do nomore so, Confessor.
Bot evere kep thi tunge stille, Thou miht the more have of thi wille. For as thou saist thiselven here, Thi ladi is of such manere, So wys, so war in alle thinge, It nedeth of no bakbitinge That thou thi ladi mis enforme: For whan sche knoweth al the forme, 560 How that thiself art envious, Thou schalt noght be so gracious As thou peraunter scholdest elles. Ther wol noman drinke of tho welles Whiche as he wot is puyson inne; And ofte swich as men beginne
554 of om. J... B, BB, W
L
146
[DeTRACTION OF Lovers. }
[TarzorCoNsrANCE.)
Hic loquitur Con- fessor contra istos in amoris causa detra- hentes, qui suis oblo- quiis aliena solacia perturbant. Et narrat exemplum de Constan- cia Tiberii Rome Im- paratoris filia,omnium virtutum famosissima, ob cuius amorem Sol- danus tunc Persie, vt eam in vxorem ducere posset, Cristianum se fieri promisit; cuius accepta caucione con- silio Pelagii tunc pape dicta filia vna cum duobus Cardinalibus aliisque Rome proceri- bus in Persiam mari- tagii causa nauigio
571 BewarF Be war AJ, B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Towardes othre, swich thei finde,
That set hem ofte fer behinde,
Whan that thei wene be before.
Mi goode Sone, and thou therfore 570 Bewar and lef thi wicke speche, P. i. 179 Wherof hath fallen ofte wreche
To many a man befor this time.
For who so wole his handes lime,
Thei mosten be the more unclene ;
For many a mote schal be sene,
That wolde noght cleve elles there ;
And that schold every wys man fere:
For who so wol an other blame,
He secheth ofte his oghne schame, 580 Which elles myhte be riht stille.
Forthi if that it be thi wille
To stonde upon amendement,
A tale of gret entendement
I thenke telle for thi sake,
Wherof thou miht ensample take.
A worthi kniht in Cristes lawe Of grete Rome, as is the sawe, The Sceptre hadde forto rihte ; Tiberie Constantin he hihte, 590 Whos wif was cleped Ytalie : Bot thei togedre of progenie No children hadde bot a Maide; And sche the god so wel apaide, That al the wide worldes fame Spak worschipe of hire goode name. Constance, as the Cronique seith, Sche hihte, and was so ful of feith, That the greteste of Barbarie, Of hem whiche usen marchandie, 600 Sche hath converted, as thei come P. i. 180 To hire upon a time in Rome, To schewen such thing as thei broghte ; Whiche worthili of hem sche boghte,
578 schold BS, F scholde AJ
LIBER SECUNDUS
And over that in such a wise
Sche hath hem with hire wordes wise Of Cristes feith so full enformed, That thei therto ben all conformed, So that baptesme thei receiven
And alle here false goddes weyven. Whan thei ben of the feith certein, Thei gon to Barbarie ayein,
And ther the Souldan for hem sente And axeth hem to what entente Thei have here ferste feith forsake. And thei, whiche hadden undertake The rihte feith to kepe and holde, The matiere of here tale tolde
With al the hole circumstance.
And whan the Souldan of Constance Upon the point that thei ansuerde The beaute and the grace herde,
As he which thanne was to wedde, In alle haste his cause spedde
To sende for the mariage.
And furthermor with good corage He seith, be so he mai hire have,
That Crist, which cam this world to save,
He woll believe: and this recorded, Thei ben on either side acorded, And therupon to make an ende The Souldan hise hostages sende To Rome, of Princes Sones tuelve: Wherof the fader in himselve
Was glad, and with the Pope avised Tuo Cardinals he hath assissed With othre lordes many mo,
That with his doghter scholden go, To se the Souldan be converted.
Bot that which nevere was wel herted,
Envie, tho began travaile
In destourbance of this spousaile
So prively that non was war.
606 margin fuit; iunt XERCL, B fuerit Bi L 2
147
[Tare or CoNusTANCE.)
honorifice destinata fuit : que tamen oblo- quencium postea de- traccionibus variis mo- dis, prout inferius ar- ticulatur, absque sui
610 culpa-'dólorosa fata
620
630
P. i. 181
640
multipliciter passa est.
Qualiter adueniente Constancia in Barba- riam Mater Soldani, huiusmodi ^ nupcias
148
[TaLx or Constance.)
perturbare volens, fi- lium suum vna cum dicta Constancia Car- dinalibusque et aliis Romanis primo die ad conuiuium inuitauit ; et conuescentibus illis in mensa ipsum Sol- danum omnesque ibi- dem preter Constan- ciam Romanos ab in- sidiis latitantibus sub- dola detraccioneinter- ficiprocurauit. Ipsam- que Constanciam in quadam naui absque gubernaculo positam per altum mare vento- rum flatibus agitan- dam in exilium dirigi solam constituit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The Moder which this Souldan bar
Was thanne alyve, and thoghte this
Unto hirself: ‘If it so is
Mi Sone him wedde in this manere,
Than have I lost my joies hiere,
For myn astat schal so be lassed.'
Thenkende thus sche hath compassed 650 Be sleihte how that sche may beguile
Hire Sone; and fell withinne a while,
Betwen hem two whan that thei were,
Sche feigneth wordes in his Ere,
And in this wise gan to seie:
‘Mi Sone, I am be double weie ‘!
With al myn herte glad and blithe,
For that miself have ofte sithe
Desired thou wolt, as men seith,
Receive and take a newe feith, 660 Which schal be forthringe of thi lif: P. i. 182 And ek so worschipful a wif,
The doughter of an Emperour,
To wedde it schal be gret honour.
Forthi, mi Sone, I you beseche
That I such grace mihte areche,
Whan that my doughter come schal,
That I mai thanne in special,
So as me thenkth it is honeste,
Be thilke which the ferste feste 670 Schal make unto hire welcominge.’
The Souldan granteth hire axinge,
And sche therof was glad ynowh:
For under that anon she drowh
With false wordes that sche spak
‘Covine of deth behinde his bak.
And therupon hire ordinance
She made so, that whan Constance
Was come forth with the Romeins,
Of clerkes and of Citezeins, 680
649 be so AM sone be X 658 margin in exilium] et in exilium X, B et exilium HiERLBs 671 welcominge] comyng(e) Hi... Bs, B
LIBER SECUNDUS 149
A riche feste sche hem made: [TALE or CoxsrANcE.] And most whan that thei weren glade, With fals covine which sche hadde Hire clos Envie tho sche spradde, And alle tho that hadden be Or in apert or in prive Of conseil to the mariage, Sche slowh hem in a sodein rage Endlong the bord as thei be set, So that it myhte noght be let; 690 Hire oghne Sone was noght quit, P. i. 183 Bot deide upon the same plit. Bot what the hihe god wol spare It mai for no peril misfare: This worthi Maiden which was there Stod thanne, as who seith, ded for feere, To se the feste how that it stod, Which al was torned into blod: The Dissh forthwith the Coppe and al Bebled thei weren overal ; 700 Sche sih hem deie on every side ; No wonder thogh sche wepte and cride Makende many a wofull mone. Whan al was slain bot sche al one, This olde fend, this Sarazine, Let take anon this Constantine With al the good sche thider broghte, And hath ordeined, as sche thoghte, A nakid Schip withoute stiere, In which the good, and hire in | fiere, 710 Vitailed full for yeres fyve, Wher that the wynd it wolde dryve, Sche putte upon the wawes wilde. Bot he which alle thing mai schilde,
Thre yer, til that sche cam to londe, . Qualiter nauis cum Hire Schip to stiere hath take in honde, Constancia in partes : Anglie, que tunc pa-
And in Northumberlond aryveth ; gana fuit, prope Hum- And happeth thanne that sche dryveth ber sub quodam cas. | tello Regis, qui tunc
Under a Castel with the flod, Allee vocabatur, post
710 hiere F 716 margin ad partes Hi... RLB:, B
ISO
[Tare or Constance. |
triennium — applicuit, quam quidam miles nomine Elda, dicti castelli tunc custos, e naui lete suscipiens vxori sue Hermyng- heldein custodiam ho- norificecommendauit.
QualiterConstancia Eldam cum vxore sua Hermynghelda, qui antea Cristiani non ex- titerant,ad fidem Cristi miraculose conuertit.
151 and] and it Hi... Bs, B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which upon Humber banke stod 720 And was the kynges oghne also, P. i. 184 The which Allee was cleped tho, A Saxon and a worthi knyht, Bot he believeth noght ariht. Of this Castell was Chastellein Elda the kinges Chamberlein, A knyhtly man after his lawe ; And whan he sih upon the wawe The Schip drivende al one so, ~ He bad anon men scholden go 730 To se what it betokne mai. This was upon a Somer dai, The Schip was loked and sche founde; Elda withinne a litel stounde It wiste, and with his wif anon Toward this yonge ladi gon, Wher that thei founden gret richesse ; Bot sche hire wolde noght confesse, Whan thei hire axen what sche was. And natheles upon the cas 740 Out of the Schip with gret worschipe Thei toke hire into felaschipe, As thei that weren of hir glade: Bot sche no maner joie made, Bot sorweth sore of that sche fond No cristendom in thilke lond ; Bot elles sche hath al hire wille, And thus with hem sche duelleth stille. Dame Hermyngheld, which was the wif Of Elda, lich her oghne lif 750 Constance loveth ; and fell so, P. i. 185 Spekende alday betwen hem two, Thurgh grace of goddes pourveance This maiden tawhte the creance Unto this wif so parfitly, Upon a dai that faste by In presence of hire housebonde, Wher thei go walkende on the Stronde, margin Elda HiG... Bi, B
LIBER SECUNDUS
A blind man, which cam there lad, Unto this wif criende he bad, 760 With bothe hise hondes up and preide To hire, and in this wise he seide: *O Hermyngeld, which Cristes feith, Enformed as Constance seith, Received hast, yif me my sihte.'
Upon his word hire herte afflihte Thenkende what was best to done, Bot natheles sche herde his bone And seide, *In trust of Cristes lawe, Which qn yas on the crois and slawe, 770 Thou bfsne man, behold and se.’ With that to god upon his kne Thonkende he tok his sihte anon, Wherof thei merveile everychon, Bot Elda wondreth most of alle: This open thing which is befalle Concludeth him be such a weie, That he the feith mot nede obeie.
Now lest what fell upon this thing. This Elda forth unto the king 780 A morwe tok his weie and rod, P. i. 186 And Hermyngeld at home abod Forth with Constance wel at ese. Elda, which thoghte his king ta plese, As he that thanne unwedded was, Of Constance al the pleine cas Als goodliche as he cowthe tolde. The king was glad and seide he wolde Come thider upon such a wise That he him mihte of hire avise, “go The time apointed forth withal. This Elda triste in special Upon a knyht, whom fro childhode He hadde updrawe into manhode: To him he tolde al that he thoghte, Wherof that after him forthoghte ; And natheles at thilke tide
782 margin ipsa sibiA... Bs, BA
ISI
[Tace or CONSTANCE. |
Qualiter quidam mi- les iuuenis in amorem Constancie exardes- cens, pro eoquod ipsa assentire noluit, cam de morte Hermyng- helde, quam ipsemet noctanter interfecit, verbis detractoriis ac- cusauit. Set Angelus domini ipsum sic de- trahentem in maxilla subito percuciens non solum pro mendace comprobauit, set ictu mortali post ipsius confessionem penitus interfecit.
152
[Tae or Constance. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Unto his wif he bad him ride
To make redi alle thing
Ayein the cominge of the king, Soo And seith that he himself tofore
Thenkth forto come, and bad therfore
That he him kepe, and told him whanne.
This knyht rod forth his weie thanne ;
And soth was that of time passed
He hadde in al his wit compassed
How he Constance myhte winne ;
Bot he sih tho no sped therinne,
Wherof his lust began tabate,
And that was love is thanne hate ; 810 Of hire honour he hadde Envie, P. i, 187 So that upon his tricherie
A lesinge in his herte he caste.
Til he cam home he hieth faste,
And doth his ladi tunderstonde
The Message of hire housebonde :
And therupon the longe dai
Thei setten thinges in arrai,
That al was as it scholde be
Of every thing in his degree; 820 And whan it cam into the nyht,
This wif hire hath to bedde dyht,
Wher that this Maiden with hire lay.
This false knyht upon delay
Hath taried til thei were aslepe,
As he that wolde his time kepe
His dedly werkes to fulfille;
And to the bed he stalketh stille,
Wher that he wiste was the wif,
And in his hond a rasour knif 830 He bar, with which hire throte he cutte,
And prively the knif he putte
Under that other beddes side,
803 told A, SB, F tolde C 815 his I. to vnderstonde AJMHiX GRLB:, BA pis 1. tunderstonde Ad bis |. to vnderstonde C, Hs his l. vnderstonde E, W 833 that other! pe oper M pat dier(e) Hi... Bs, B
LIBER SECUNDUS 153
Wher that Constance lai beside. [TALE or CoNSTANCE.] Elda cam hom the same nyht,
And stille with a prive lyht,
As he that wolde noght awake
His wif, he hath his weie take
Into the chambre, and ther liggende
He fond his dede wif bledende, 840 Wher that Constance faste by P. i, 188 Was falle aslepe; and sodeinly
He cride alowd, and sche awok,
And forth withal sche caste a lok
And sih this ladi blede there,
Wherof swounende ded for fere
Sche was, and stille as eny Ston
She lay, and Elda therupon
Into the Castell clepeth oute,
And up sterte every man aboute, 850 Into the chambre and forth thei wente.
Bot he, which alle untrouthe mente,
This false knyht, among hem alle
Upon this thing which is befalle
Seith that Constance hath don this dede;
And to the bed with that he yede
After the falshed of his speche,
And made him there forto seche,
And fond the knif, wher he it leide,
And thanne he cride and thanne he seide, 860 'Lo, seth the knif al blody hiere!
What nedeth more in this matiere
To axe?’ And thus hire innocence
He sclaundreth there in audience
With false wordes whiche he feigneth.
Bot yit for al that evere he pleigneth,
Elda no full credence tok:
And happeth that ther lay a bok,
Upon the which, whan he it sih,
This knyht hath swore and seid on hih, 870 That alle men it mihte wite, P. i. 189
844 caste AC, S. cast J, B,F 860 thanne .. . thanne] panne ... pus LB:, B, W
154
[ Tace or Constance. |
Qualiter Rex Allee ad fidem Cristi conuer- sus baptismum recepit et Constanciam super hocletoanimo despon- sauit; que tamen qua- lis vel vnde fuit alicui nullo modo fatebatur. Etcuminfrabreue pos- tea a domino suo im- pregnata fuisset, ipse ad debellandum cum Scotis iter arripuit, et ibidem super guerras aliquamdiu permansit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
* Now be this bok, which hier is write, Constance is gultif, wel I wot.’ With that the hond of hevene him smot In tokne of that he was forswore, That he hath bothe hise yhen lore, Out of his hed the same stounde Thei sterte, and so thei weren founde. A vois was herd, whan that they felle, Which seide, *O dampned man to helle, 88o Lo, thus hath god the sclaundre wroke That thou ayein Constance hast spoke : Beknow the sothe er that thou dye.’ And he told out his felonie, And starf forth with his tale anon. Into the ground, wher alle gon, This dede lady was begrave: Elda, which thoghte his honour save, Al that he mai restreigneth sorwe. For the seconde day a morwe 890 The king cam, as thei were acorded ; And whan it was to him recorded What god hath wroght upon this chaunce, He tok it into remembrance And thoghte more than he seide. For al his hole herte he leide Upon Constance, and seide he scholde For love of hire, if that sche wolde, Baptesme take and Cristes feith Believe, and over that he seith goo He wol hire wedde, and upon this P. i. 190 Asseured ech til other is. And forto make schorte tales, Ther cam a Bisschop out of Wales Fro Bangor, and Lucie he hihte, Which thurgh the grace of god almihte The king with many an other mo Hath cristned, and betwen hem tuo He hath fulfild the mariage. Bot for no lust ne for no rage 910
882 hastjhas C,A hap RLBs, AdB, W 884 told J,SB,F tolde AC
LIBER SECUNDUS
Sche tolde hem nevere what sche was;
And natheles upon the cas
The king was glad, how so it stod,
For wel he wiste and understod
Sche was a noble creature.
The hihe makere of nature
Hire hath visited in a throwe,
That it was openliche knowe
Sche was with childe be the king,
Wherof above al other thing 920
He thonketh god and was riht glad.
And fell that time he was bestad
Upon a werre and moste ride ;
And whil he scholde there abide,
He lefte at hom to kepe his wif
Suche as he knew of holi lif,
Elda forth with the Bisschop eke ;
And he with pouer goth to seke
Ayein the Scottes forto fonde
The werre which he tok on honde. 930 The time set of kinde is come, P. i. 191
This lady hath hire chambre nome,
And of a Sone bore full,
Wherof that sche was joiefull,
Sche was delivered sauf and sone.
The bisshop, as it was to done,
Yaf him baptesme and Moris calleth ;
And therupon, as it befalleth,
With lettres writen of record
Thei sende unto here liege lord, 940
That kepers weren of the qweene:
And he that scholde go betwene,
The Messager, to Knaresburgh,
Which toun he scholde passe thurgh,
Ridende cam the ferste day.
The kinges Moder there lay,
Whos rihte name was Domilde,
912 the; pis Hi... Bs, B, Hs 925 He] And HiYXGECLBas, B 938 margin quod] quia Hi... Bs, B 939 ‘margin non om. B 947 margin desolabitur YRCL, B, W
155
(Tavs or CONSTANCE.]
Qualiter ReginaCon- stancia infantem mas- culum, quem in bap- tismo Mauricium vo- cant, Rege absente enixa est. Set inuida Regis mater Domilda super isto facto condo- lens litteris mendaci- bus Regi certificauit quod vxor sua demo- niaci et non humani generisquoddam mon- strosum fantasma loco genituread ortum pro- duxit; huiusmodique detraccionibus aduer- sus Constanciam in tanto procurauit, quod ipsa in nauim, qua prius venerat, iterum ad exilium vna cum suo partu remissa de- solabatur.
136
[TALE oF CONSTANCE.]
Primalittera in com- mendacionem Con- stancie ab Episcopo Regi missa per Do- mildam in contrarium falsata.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which after al the cause spilde:
For he, which thonk deserve wolde, Unto this ladi goth and tolde
Of his Message al how it ferde.
And sche with feigned joie it herde And yaf him yiftes largely,
Bot in the nyht al prively
Sche tok the lettres whiche he hadde, Fro point to point and overradde,
— As sche that was thurghout untrewe,
And let do wryten othre newe In stede of hem, and thus thei spieke : ‘Oure liege lord, we thee beseke That thou with ous ne be noght wroth, ' Though we such thing as is thee loth Upon oure trowthe certefie. Thi wif, which is of faierie, Of such a child delivered is Fro kinde which stant all amis: Bot for it scholde no;ht be seie, We have it kept out of the weie For drede of pure worldes schame, A povere child and in the name Of thilke which is so misbore We toke, and therto we be swore, That non bot only thou and we Schal knowen of this privete : Moris it hatte, and thus men wene That it was boren of the qweene And of thin oghne bodi gete. Bot this thing mai noght be foryete, That thou ne sende ous word anon What is thi wille therupon.’ 'This lettre, as thou hast herd devise, Was contrefet in such a wise That noman scholde it aperceive : And sche, which thoghte to deceive, It leith wher sche that other tok.
950
960 P. i. 192
979
y8o
949 pong F 951 his) pis ABs 95; As, And C, Hs 961 ne om. J... B, B, W 962 as) pat ERCB:
LIBER SECUNDUS 157
This Messager, whan he awok, [Tae or Constance.) And wiste nothing how it was, Aros and rod the grete pas And tok this lettre to the king. And whan he sih this wonder thing, 990 He makth the Messager no chiere, P. i. 193 Bot natheles in wys manere He wrot ayein, and yaf hem charge That thei ne soffre noght at large His wif to go, bot kepe hire stille, Til thei have herd mor of his wille. This Messager was yifteles, Bot with this lettre natheles, Or be him lief or be him loth, In alle haste ayein he goth loco Be Knaresburgh, and as he wente, Unto the Moder his entente Of that he fond toward the king He tolde; and sche upon this thing Seith that he scholde abide al nyht And made him feste and chiere ariht, Feignende as thogh sche cowthe him thonk. Bot he with strong wyn which he dronk Forth with the travail of the day Was drunke, aslepe and while he lay, IOIO Sche hath hise lettres overseie And formed in an other weie. Ther was a newe lettre write,
Which seith: ‘I do you forto wite, Secunda littera per That thurgh the conseil of you tuo Regem Episcopo re-
: . missa a Domilda ite- I stonde in point to ben undo, rum falsata.
As he which is a king deposed. For every man it hath supposed, How that my wif Constance is faie ; And if that I, thei sein, delaie 1025 To put hire out of compaignie, P. i. 194 The worschipe of my Regalie
993 him Hi... CB, B 1009 ffor wip RLBs 1020 I, thei
sein, delaie] I seie (se) eny delaie Hi... Bs B thei seine d. (om. I) Hs 1021 put AJ; S; F putte C, B
158
[Tavs or CONSTANCE. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Is lore ; and over this thei telle,
Hire child schal noght among hem duelle,
To cleymen eny heritage.
So can I se non avantage,
Bot al is lost, if sche abide:
Forthi to loke on every side
Toward the meschief as it is,
I charge you and bidde this, 1030
That ye the same Schip vitaile,
In which that sche tok arivaile,
Therinne and putteth bothe tuo,
Hireself forthwith hire child also,
And so forth broght unto the depe
Betaketh hire the See to kepe.
Of foure daies time I sette,
That ye this thing no longer lette,
So that your lif be noght forsfet.'
And thus this lettre contrefet 1040
The Messager, which was unwar,
Upon the kihgeshalve Bar,
And where he scholde it hath betake.
Bot whan that thei have hiede take,
And rad that writen is withinne,
So gret a sorwe thei beginne,
As thei here oghne Moder sihen
Brent in a fyr before here yhen:
Ther was wepinge and ther was wo,
Bot finaly the thing is do. 1050 Upon the See thei have hire broght, P. i. 195
Bot sche the cause wiste noght,
And thus upon the flod thei wone,
This ladi with. hire yonge Sone:
And thanne hire handes to the hevene
Sche strawhte, and with a milde stevene
Knelende upon hire bare kne
Sche seide, *O hihe mageste,
Which sest the point of every trowthe,
Tak of thi wofull womman rowthe 1060
1045 that writen is] pe writen is AM pat writen was Bs, B, W pat wryten (om. is) X 1048 tofore B, W
LIBER SECUNDUS 159
And of this child that I schal kepe.' [TALE or Constance. ] And with that word sche gan to wepe, Swounende as ded, and ther sche lay; Bot he which alle thinges may, Conforteth hire, and ate laste Sche loketh and hire yhen caste Upon hire child and seide this : * Of me no maner charge it is What sorwe I soffre, bot of thee Me thenkth it is a gret pite, 1070 For if I sterve thou schalt deie: So mot I nedes be that weie For Moderhed and for tendresse With al myn hole besinesse Ordeigne me for thilke office, As sche which schal be thi Norrice.’ . Thus was sche strengthed forto stonde ; And tho sche tok hire child in honde And yaf it sowke, and evere among Sche wepte, and otherwhile song 1080 To rocke with hire child aslepe : P. i. 196 And thus hire oghne child to kepe Sche hath under the goddes cure. And so fell upon aventure, Whan thilke yer hath mad his ende, Qualiter Nauis Con- Hire Schip, so as it moste wende eec Hispante on Thurgh strengthe of wynd which god hath yive, perioris inter Saraze- Estward was into Spaigne drive rum lactabatur, eus ip. Riht faste under a Castell wall, Sam conseruans gra- Wher that an hethen Amirall 1090 Ciosissime liberauit. Was lord, and he a Stieward hadde, Oon Theloüs, which al was badde, A fals knyht and a renegat. He goth to loke in what astat The Schip was come, and there he fond Forth with a child upon hire hond This lady, wher sche was al one. 1063 Sownend(e) A,B 1066 yheA...Bs SAdB 1070 penkep
it is gret E, B, Hs Io7I schalt] most B 1085 ff. margin Qualiter—liberauit om. AM(p.9.)
160
[TALE or CoxsrANCE.]
Qualiter nauicula Constancie quodam die per altum marc vagans inter copiosam Nauium multitudinem dilapsa est, quarum Arcennus Romano-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
He tok good hiede of the persone, And sih sche was a worthi wiht, And thoghte he wolde upon the nyht 1100 Demene hire at his oghne wille, And let hire be therinne stille, That mo men sih sche noght that dai. At goddes wille and thus sche lai, Unknowe what hire schal betide ; And fell so that be nyhtes tide This knyht withoute felaschipe Hath take a bot and cam to Schipe, And thoghte of hire his lust to take, And swor, if sche him daunger make, IlIO That certeinly sche scholde deie. P. i. 197 Sche sih ther was non other weie, And seide he scholde hire wel conforte, That he ferst loke out ate porte, That noman were nyh the stede, Which myhte knowe wbat thei dede, And thanne he mai do what he wolde. He was riht glad that sche so tolde, And to the porte anon he ferde : Sche preide god, and he hire herde, II20 And sodeinliche he was out throwe And dreynt, and tho began to blowe A wynd menable fro the lond, And thus the myhti goddes hond Hire hath conveied and defended. And whan thre yer be full despended, Hire Schip was drive upon a dai, Wher that a gret Navye lay Of Schipes, al the world at ones :
And as god wolde for the nones, 1130 Hire Schip goth in among hem alle,
1101 at, as AM 1103 mo men sih sche AM \sighe’. S Ada ysaw’, F no men seih ‘sigh’ sche G... Be B. Hs no mans she Hit, W no men sie hire J noght ose. W 1120 preide! preide to L preiep to C praïeth a preith Hs 1123 menable NM, 4 F meuable GRCLE:. B duaiiful AJH.YXE. SAd, H: meveable W 1127 fL weaver Quahter —educau:t cam. AM m,
1129 mergin vagans nauigans B
LIBER SECUNDUS 161
And stinte noght, er it be falle [Tare or Constance. ] And hath the vessell undergete, rum Consul, Dux ct Which Maister was of al the Flete, notam suscipiens ve. Bot there it resteth and abod. que ad Romam secum . . perduxit; vbi equalem This grete Schip on Anker rod ; vxori sue Helene per- The Lord cam forth, and whan he sih mansuram reuerenter e t , That other ligge abord so nyh, eiusdem flium Mauri- He wondreth what it myhte be, cium in omni habun- . danciaquasi proprium And bad men to gon in and se. 1140 educauit. This ladi tho was crope aside, P. i. 198
As sche that wolde hireselven hide,
For sche ne wiste what thei were:
Thei soghte aboute and founde hir there And broghten up hire child and hire; And therupon this lord to spite ^ Began, fro whenne that sche cam,
And what sche was. Quod sche, ‘I am A womman wofully bestad.
I hadde a lord, and thus he bad, 1150 That I forth with my litel Sone
Upon the wawes scholden wone,
Bot why the cause was, I not:
Bot he which alle thinges wot
Yit hath, I thonke him, of his miht
Mi child and me so kept upriht,
That we be save bothe tuo.’
This lord hire axeth overmo
How sche believeth, and sche seith,
‘I lieve and triste in Cristes feith, 1160 Which deide upon the Rode tree.’ ‘What is thi name?’ tho quod he.
‘Mi name is Couste,’ sche him seide: Bot forthermor for noght he preide
Of hire astat to knowe plein,
Sche wolde him nothing elles sein
Bot of hir name, which sche feigneth ; Alle othre thinges sche restreigneth,
1132 be falleJ,S,F befalle AC, B 1133 the] pat A... Bs, SAdBA 1140togoin|}goinAM,4 togonL togodounG gone (to se) W 1151 forpwip J, SB forpwip A, F 1158 euermo Hi... CB W
++
M
162
[ Tate or CONSTANCE. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That a word more sche ne tolde. This lord thanne axeth if sche wolde 1170 With him abide in compaignie, P. i. 199 And seide he cam fro Barbarie To Romeward, and hom he wente. Tho sche supposeth what it mente, And seith sche wolde with him wende And duelle unto hire lyves ende, Be so it be to his plesance. And thus upon here aqueintance He tolde hire pleinly as it stod, Of Rome how that the gentil blod 1180 In Barbarie was betraied, And therupon he hath assaied Be werre, and taken such vengance, That non of al thilke alliance, Be whom the tresoun was compassed, Is from the swerd alyve passed; Bot of Constance hou it was, That cowthe he knowe be no cas, Wher sche becam, so as he seide. Hire Ere unto his word sche leide, 1190 Bot forther made sche no chiere. And natheles in this matiere It happeth thilke time so: This Lord, with whom sche scholde go, Of Rome was the Senatour, And of hir fader themperour His brother doughter hath to wyve, Which hath hir fader ek alyve, And was Salustes cleped tho; This wif Heleine hihte also, I200 To whom Constance was Cousine. P. i. 200 Thus to the sike a medicine Hath god ordeined of his grace, That forthwith in the same place
1169 o word HiECB;, B ne] no F 1178 hire (hir)JMX... Bs,AdB hysW . 1184 alom.HiSn, Hs 1189 becam GEC, AdB, W be cam (bicam &c.) A... XRLBs,F 1191 forther] for pat Hi... B:,B 1193 happed Hi... RLB:,B 1200 This] His Hi... Bs, B, W
1217 fclaschip J, S; F felaschipe A
X, H:
LIBER SECUNDUS
This Senatour his trowthe plihte,
For evere, whil he live mihte,
To kepe in worschipe and in welthe, Be so that god wol yive hire helthe, This ladi, which fortune him sende. And thus be Schipe forth sailende Hire and hir child to Rome he broghte, And to his wif tho he besoghte
To take hire into compaignie :
And sche, which cowthe of courtesie Al that a good wif scholde konne, Was inly glad that sche hath wonne The felaschip of so good on.
Til tuelve yeres were agon,
This Emperoures dowhter Custe Forth with the dowhter of Saluste Was kept, bot noman redily
Knew what sche was, and noght forthi Thei thoghten wel sche hadde be In hire astat of hih degre,
And every lif hire loveth wel.
Now herke how thilke unstable whel, Which evere torneth, wente aboute. The king Allee, whil he was oute, As thou tofore hast herd this cas, Deceived thurgh his Moder was: Bot whan that he cam hom ayein, He axeth of his Chamberlein And of the Bisschop ek also,
Wher thei the qweene hadden do. And thei answerde, there he bad, And have him thilke lettre rad, Which he hem sende for warant, And tolde him pleinli as it stant, And sein, it thoghte hem gret pite To se so worthi on as sche,
With such a child as ther was bore, So sodeinly to be forlore.
M 2
1210
1220
1230
1240
1226 herkne SAdA herkene herken B;, W 1237 he om. B
163
{Tare or Constance. }
Qualiter Rex Allee inita pace cum Scotis a guerris rediens et non inuenta vxore sua causam exilii diligen- cius perscrutans, cum Matrem suam Domil- dam inde culpabilem sciuisset, ipsam in igne
P. i. 201 proiciens comburi fe-
cit.
164 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[TALz or Constance. ] He axeth hem what child that were; And thei him seiden, that nagheré,” In al the world thogh men it soghte, Was nevere womman that forth broghte A fairer child than it was on. And thanne he axede hem anon, Whi thei ne hadden write so: Thei tolden, so thei hadden do. 1250 He seide, ‘Nay.’ Thei seiden, ‘ Vis.” The lettre schewed rad it is, Which thei forsoken everidel. Tho was it understonde wel That ther is tresoun in the thing: The Messager tofore the king Was broght and sodeinliche opposed ; And he, which nothing hath supposed Bot alle wel, began to seie That he nagher upon the weie 1260 Abod, bot only in a stede; And cause why that he so dede Was, as he wente to and fro, P. i. 202 At Knaresburgh be nyhtes tuo The kinges Moder made him duelle. And whan the king it herde telle, Withinne his herte he wiste als faste The treson which his Moder caste; And thoghte he wolde noght abide, Bot forth riht in the same tide 1270 He tok his hors and rod anon. With him ther riden manion, To Knaresburgh and forth thei wente, And lich the fyr which tunder hente, In such a rage, as seith the bok, His Moder sodeinliche he tok And seide unto hir in this wise: *O beste of helle, in what juise Hast thou deserved forto deie,
1245 it] him YX .. . B4, B. om. HiSn 1258 And he which
noping hap supposed AJM, SAdA As he wh. n. hap supposed FWKHs And he noping hap 3it supposed H1... Bs, B
LIBER SECUNDUS 165
That hast so falsly put aweie 1280 [TALE or ConsTANCcr. | With tresoun of thi bacbitinge
The treweste at my knowlechinge
Of wyves and the most honeste ?
Bot I wol make this beheste,
I schal be venged er I go.’
And let a fyr do make tho,
And bad men forto caste hire inne:
Bot ferst sche tolde out al the sinne,
And dede hem alle forto wite
How sche the lettres hadde write, . 1299 Fro point to point as it was wroght.
And tho sche was to dethe broght And brent tofore hire Sones yhe: P. i. 203 Wherof these othre, whiche it sihe
And herden how the cause stod,
Sein that the juggement is good,
Of that hir Sone hire hath so served ;
For sche it hadde wel deserved
Thurgh tresoun of hire false tunge,
Which thurgh the lond was after sunge, 1300 Constance and every wiht compleigneth.
Bot he, whom alle wo distreigneth,
This sorghfull king, was so bestad,
That he schal nevermor be glad,
He seith, eftsone forto wedde,
Til that he wiste how that sche spedde,
Which hadde ben his ferste wif:
And thus his yonge unlusti lif
He dryveth forth so as he mai.
Til it befell upon a dai, 1310
Whan he hise werres hadde achieved, Qualiter post lap- . sum x1. annorum Nex
And thoghte he wolde be relieved Allee ^ absolucionis Of Soule hele upon the feith causa Romam profi- . . ciscens vxorem suam Which he hath take, thanne he seith Constanciam vna cum That he to Rome in pelrinage filio suo diuina proui-
dencia ibidem letus inuenit.
Wol go, wher Pope was Pelage, To take his absolucioun.
1285 I schal FWKHs:s It schalA... Bs, SAdBA 1303 so] po AM wo Ad
166
[Tazz or Constance. }
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And upon this condicioun He made Edwyn his lieutenant, Which heir to him was apparant, 1320 That he the lond in his absence Schal reule: and thus be providence Of alle thinges wel begon P. i. 204 He tok his leve and forth is gon. Elda, which tho was with him there, Er thei fulliche at Rome were, Was sent tofore to pourveie ; And he his guide upon the weie, In help to ben his herbergour, Hath axed who was Senatour, 1330 That he his name myhte kenne. Of Capadoce, he seide, Arcenne He hihte, and was a worthi kniht. To him goth Elda tho forth riht And tolde him of his lord tidinge, And preide that for his comynge He wolde assigne him herbergage ; And he so dede of good corage. Whan al is do that was to done, The king himself cam after sone. ES 4c This Senatour, whan that he com, To Couste and to his wif at hom Hath told how such a king Allee Of gret array to the Citee Was come, and Couste upon his tale With herte clos and colour pale Aswoune fell, and he merveileth So sodeinly what thing hire eyleth, And cawhte hire up, and whan sche wok, Sche syketh with a pitous lok 1350 And feigneth seknesse of the See ; Bot it was for the king Allee, For joie which fell in hire thoght P. i. 205 That god him hath to toune broght.
1328 his guide] is guide HiXGECLBa, B 1343 how] how pat AM 1353fell) was E, B isG o». XRCLB: (that she hadde in here thouht Hi)
LIBER SECUNDUS 167
This king hath spoke with the Pope [Tacs or Constance. ] And told al that he cowthe agrope, What grieveth in his conscience ; And thanne -he thoghte in reverence Of his astat, er that he wente, To make a feste, and thus he sente 1360 Unto the Senatour to come Upon the morwe and othre some, To .sitte with him at the mete. This tale hath Couste noght foryete, Bot to Moris hire Sone tolde That he upon the morwe scholde In al that evere he cowthe and mihte Be present in the kinges sihte, So that the king him ofte sihe. Moris tofore the kinges yhe 1370 Upon the morwe, wher he sat, Fulofte stod, and upon that The king his chiere upon him caste, And in his face him thoghte als faste He sih his oghne wif Constance ; For nature as in resemblance Of face hem liketh so to clothe, That thei were of a suite bothe. The king was moeved in his thoght Of that he seth, and knoweth it noght; 1380 This child he loveth kindely, And yit he wot no cause why. Bot wel he sih and understod P. i. 206 That he toward Arcenne stod, And axeth him anon riht there, If that this child his Sone were. He seide, * Yee, so I him calle, And wolde it were so befalle, Bot it is al in other wise. And tho began he to devise 1390 How he the childes Moder fond Upon the See from every lond 1356 agrope A, SAd, F grope J... Bsa, BA, WHs 1363 at te J, SF atte A,B 1378 a suite] o suite AM
168
[Tare or CousrANcz.]
1412 nouther] nowher LSn neuer Hs
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Withinne a Schip was stiereles, And how this ladi helpeles
Forth with hir child he hath forthdrawe.
The king hath understonde his sawe, The childes name and axeth tho, And what the Moder hihte also That he him wolde telle he preide. * Moris this child is hote, he seide, * His Moder hatte Couste, and this I not what maner name it is.’
But Allee wiste wel ynowh,
Wherof somdiel smylende he lowh ; For Couste in Saxoun is to sein Constance upon the word Romein. Bot who that cowthe specefie
What tho fell in his fantasie,
And how his wit aboute renneth Upon the love in which he brenneth, It were a wonder forto hiere :
For he was nouther ther ne hiere, Bot clene out of himself aweie, That he not what to thenke or seie, So fain he wolde it were sche. Wherof his hertes privete
Began the werre of yee and nay, The which in such balance lay, That contenance for a throwe
He loste, til he mihte knowe
The sothe: bot in his memoire
The man which lith in purgatoire Desireth noght the hevene more, That he ne longeth al so sore
To wite what him schal betide. And whan the bordes were aside And every man was rise aboute, The king hath weyved al the route, And with the Senatour al one
He spak and preide him of a bone, To se this Couste, wher sche duelleth
1400
1410
P. i. 207
1420
1430
(now per now here X)
LIBER SECUNDUS 169
At hom with him, so as he telleth. [Tae or CousrANcr.] The Senatour was wel appaied, This thing no lengere is delaied, To se this Couste goth the king ; And sche was warned of the thing, . And with Heleine forth sche cam Ayein the king, and he tho nam Good hiede, and whan he sih his wif, Anon with al his hertes lif 1440 He cawhte hire in his arm and kiste. Was nevere wiht that sih ne wiste A man that more joie made, P. i. 208 Wherof thei weren alle glade Whiche herde tellen of this chance. This king tho with his wif Constance, Which hadde a gret part of his wille, In Rome for a time stille Abod and made him wel at ese: Bot so yit cowthe he nevere plese 1450 His wif, that sche him wolde sein ' Of hire astat the trowthe plein, Of what contre that sche was bore, Ne what sche was, and yit therfore With al his wit he hath don sieke. Thus as they lihe abedde and spieke, Sche preide him and conseileth bothe, That for the worschipe of hem bothe, So as hire thoghte it were honeste, He wolde an honourable feste 1460 Make, er he wente, in the Cite, Wher themperour himself schal be: He graunteth al that sche him preide. Bot as men in that time seide, This Emperour fro thilke day That ferst his dowhter wente away He was thanne after nevere glad ;
1434 is] was G, B 1441 armes HiXRCLB:, Ada, W kiste] keste F 1445 this] his AM the W 1447 agret F 1457 preip him AM preith (om. him) Hi 1458 worshipe F 1461 the) pat B
170
[Tats or Consrancz. |
Qualiter Constan- cia, que antea per to- tum tempus exilii sui penes omnes incogni- tam se celauit, tunc demum patri suo Im- peratori seipsam per omnia manifestauit : quod cum Rex Allee sciuisset, vna cum vni- uersa Romanorum multitudine inestima- bili gaudio admirantes cunctipotentem lau- darunt.
1468 eny] euery Hi...L, B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot what that eny man him bad Of grace for his dowhter sake, That grace wolde he noght forsake ; And thus ful gret almesse he dede, Wherof sche hadde many a bede. This Emperour out of the toun Withinne a ten mile enviroun,
Where as it thoghte him for the beste,
Hath sondry places forto reste ; And as fortune wolde tho,
He was duellende at on of tho. The king Allee forth with thassent Of Couste his wif hath thider sent Moris his Sone, as he was taght, To themperour and he goth straght, And in his fader half besoghte,
As he which his lordschipe soghte, That of his hihe worthinesse
He wolde do so gret meknesse, His oghne toun to come and se, And yive a time in the cite,
So that his fader mihte him gete That he wolde ones with him ete. This lord hath granted his requeste ; And whan the dai was of the feste, In worschipe of here Emperour The king and ek the Senatour Forth with here wyves bothe tuo, With many a lord and lady mo, On horse riden him ayein ;
Till it befell, upon a plein
Thei sihen wher he was comende. With that Constance anon preiende Spak to hir lord that he abyde,
So that sche mai tofore ryde,
To ben upon his bienvenue
euer eny Ba
1470
P. i. 209
1480
1490
P. i. 210
1472 he Hi, B
1479 forp wip AJ, SB forpwip F A. S 1484 Wip due reuerence as he oughte Hi... Bs wip J, SB fforpwip A, F
1483 fader half J, B, F faderhalf 1495 fforp
LIBER SECUNDUS 171
The ferste which schal him salue ; [Tacs or Constance. ] And thus after hire lordes graunt Upon a Mule whyt amblaunt Forth with a fewe rod this qweene. Thei wondren what sche wolde mene, And riden after softe pas ; Bot whan this ladi come was 1510 To themperour, in his presence Sche seide alowd in audience, ‘Mi lord, mi fader, wel you be! And of this time that I se Youre honour and your goode hele, Which is the helpe of my querele, I thonke unto the goddes myht.’ For joie his herte was affliht Of that sche tolde in remembrance ; And whanne he wiste it was Constance, 1520 Was nevere fader half so blithe. Wepende he keste hire ofte sithe, So was his herte al overcome ; For thogh his Moder were come Fro deth to lyve out of the grave, He mihte nomor wonder have Than he hath whan that he hire sih. With that hire oghne lord cam nyh And is to themperour obeied ; Bot whan the fortune is bewreied, 1530 How that Constance is come aboute, So hard an herte was non oute, That he for pite tho ne wepte. P. i. 211 Arcennus, which hire fond and kepte, Was thanne glad of that is falle, So that with joie among hem alle Thei riden in at Rome gate. This Emperour thoghte al to late, Til that the Pope were come, And of the lordes sende some 1340 To preie him that he wolde haste : And he cam forth in alle haste, 1539 the om. F
172
[Tare or CoNsTANCE.]
Qualiter Mauricius cum Imperatore vt heres Imperii reman- sit, et Rex Allee cum Constancia in Angli- am regressi sunt.
Qualiter Rex Allee post biennium in Anglia humane carnis resolucionem subiens nature debitum per- soluit, post cuius obi- tum Constancia cum patre suo Rome se transtulit moraturam.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And whan that he the tale herde,
How wonderly this chance ferde,
He thonketh god of his miracle,
To whos miht mai be non obstacle :
The king a noble feste hem made,
And thus thei weren alle glade.
A parlement, er that thei wente,
Thei setten unto this entente,
To puten Rome in full espeir
That Moris was apparant heir
And scholde abide with hem stille,
For such was al the londes wille. Whan every thing was fulli spoke,
Of sorwe and queint was al the smoke,
Tho tok his leve Allee the king,
And with full many a riche thing,
Which themperour him hadde yive,
He goth a glad lif forto live ;
For he Constance hath in his hond,
Which was the confort of his lond.
E550
1560
For whan that he cam hom ayein, P. i. 212
Ther is no tunge it mihte sein
What joie was that ilke stounde
Of that he hath his qweene founde, Which ferst was sent of goddes sonde, Whan sche was drive upon the Stronde, Be whom the misbelieve of Sinne
Was left, and Cristes feith cam inne To hem that whilom were blinde.
Bot he which hindreth every kinde And for no gold mai be forboght, The deth comende er he be soght, Tok with this king such aqueintance, That he with al his retenance Ne mihte noght defende his lif;
And thus he parteth from his wif, Which thanne made sorwe ynowh. And therupon hire herte drowh
1543 the] pis Hi... Bs, B 1568 Stronde F
it B
1577 Ne] He YX :.. B4 B om. Hi
1570
1580 1574 he}
LIBER SECUNDUS 173
To leven Engelond for evere [TALE or CoNsrANCE.] And go wher that sche hadde levere,
To Rome, whenne that sche cam:
And thus of al the lond sche nam
Hir leve, and goth to Rome ayein.
And after that the bokes sein,
She was noght there bot a throwe,
Whan deth of kinde hath overthrowe
Hir worthi fader, which men seide De morte Impera- That he betwen hire armes deide. 1590 toris.
And afterward the yer suiende
The god hath mad of hire an ende, _ De morte Constan- And fro this worldes faierie P. i. 213 °°
Hath take hire into compaignie.
Moris hir Sone was corouned, De coronacione Which so ferforth was abandouned Mauricii, qui adhuc
in Cronicis Mauricius
To Cristes feith, that men him calle Imperator Cristianis-
Moris the cristeneste of alle. sumus nuncupatus est. And thus the wel meninge of love
Was ate laste set above ; 1600
And so as thou hast herd tofore,
The false tunges weren lore,
Whiche upon love wolden lie.
Forthi touchende of this Envie
Which longeth unto bacbitinge,
Be war thou make no lesinge
In hindringe of an other wiht:
And if thou wolt be tawht ariht
What meschief bakbitinge doth
Be other weie, a tale soth 1610
Now miht thou hiere next suiende,
Which to this vice is acordende.
[DEMETRIUS AND
In a Cronique, as thou schalt wite, PERSEUS.]
À gret ensample I finde write, Hicponit Confessor . . . ex
Which I schal telle upon this thing. detraMores, qui in
Philippe of Macedoyne kyng
1582 wher that] where (wher) Hi... Bs, BA, W 1599 wel meninge (meuinge) AMRLB:, SAd, F welle menyng HiX whele meneng A whel meuynge J whele mevinge W whiel (whele) moeuyng YGEC, B, Hs
LIBER SECUNDUS 175
Be weie of kinde, as resoun wolde, (DEMETRIUS AND That I fro yow schal nothing hide, Prnszus.] Which mihte torne m eny side Of youre astat into grevance: Forthi myn hertes obeissance Towardes you I thenke kepe; For it is good ye take kepe 1660 Upon a thing which is me told. Mi brother hath ous alle sold To hem of Rome, and you also; For thanne they behote him so, That he with hem schal regne in pes. Thus hath he cast for his encress That youre astat schal go to noght ; And this to proeve schal be broght So ferforth, that I undertake It schal noght wel mow be forsake.' 1670 The king upon this tale ansuerde And seide, if this thing which he herde Be soth and mai be broght to prove, . ‘It schal noght be to his behove, Which so hath schapen ous the werste, For he himself schal be the ferste That schal be ded, if that I mai.’ Thus afterward upon a dai, Whan that Demetrius was come, Anon his fader hath him nome, 1680 And bad unto his brother Perse That he his tale schal reherse Of thilke tresoun which he tolde. P.i.216 . And he, which al untrowthe wolde, Conseileth that so hih a nede Be treted wher as it mai spede, In comun place of juggement. The king therto yaf his assent, Demetrius was put in hold, Wherof that Perseüs was bold. 1690 1669 Soferforp F 1675 Which so hab YGER, SAdAA Which
so as AJMHiXCB:, B, F WhychsohasW Which so L Which tho as Hs 1678 adai F
176 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[DzwETRIUS AND Thus stod the trowthe under the charge, Persrvs.] And the falshede goth at large, Which thurgh beheste hath overcome The greteste of the lordes some, That privelich of his acord Thei stonde as witnesse of record: The jugge was mad favorable: Thus was the lawe deceivable So ferforth that the trowthe fond Rescousse non, and thus the lond 1700 Forth with the king deceived were. The gulteles was dampned there
And deide upon accusement : Bot such a fals conspirement, Thogh it be prive for a throwe, Godd wolde noght it were unknowe ; And that was afterward wel proved In him which hath the deth controved. Of that his brother was so slain This Persetis was wonder fain, 1710 As he that tho was apparant, Upon the Regne and expectant ; Wherof he wax so proud and vein, P. i. 217 That he his fader in desdeign Hath take and set of non acompte, As he which thoghte him to surmonte ; That wher he was ferst debonaire, He was tho rebell and contraire,
. And noght as heir bot as a king He tok upon him alle thing 1720 Of malice and of tirannie In contempt of the Regalie, Livende his fader, and so wroghte, That whan the fader him bethoghte And sih to whether side it drowh, Anon he wiste well ynowh How Perse after his false tunge
1706 it were noght AM 1707 that] pus H1...L,B pis Bs
1711 that tho was] which po was SAdA pat was heir HiYG... B3,B which heyr was X
LIBER SECUNDUS 177
Hath so thenvious belle runge, (DEMETRIUS AND That he hath slain his oghne brother. PERSEUS. | Wherof as thanne he knew non other, 1730
Bot sodeinly the jugge he nom, Which corrupt sat upon the dom, In such a wise and hath him pressed, That he the sothe him hath confessed Of al that hath be spoke and do. Mor sori than the king was tho Was nevere man upon this Molde, And thoghte in certein that he wolde Vengance take upon this wrong. Bot thother parti was so strong, 1740 That for the lawe of no statut Ther mai no riht ben execut ; And upon this division P. i. 218 The lond was torned up so doun: Wherof his herte is so distraght, That he for pure sorwe hath caght The maladie of which nature Is queint in every creature. And whan this king was passed thus, This false tunged Perseüs 1750 The regiment hath underfonge. Bot ther mai nothing stonde longe Which is noght upon trowthe grounded ; For god, which alle thing hath bounded And sih the falshod of his guile, Hath set him bot a litel while, That he schal regne upon depos; For sodeinliche as he aros So sodeinliche doun he fell. In thilke time it so befell, 1760 This newe king of newe Pride With strengthe schop him forto ride, And seide he wolde Rome waste, Wherof he made a besi haste,
1728 belles B. 1743 diuision J, F diuisious A, B 1758 as he aros) right as he ros (aros) Hi... Bz, B 1763 wold(e) to Rome faste Hi... Bs, B
** N
178
[Demetrius AND PERSEUS. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And hath assembled him an host In al that evere he mihte most: What man that mihte wepne bere Of alle he wolde non forbere ; So that it mihte noght be nombred, The folk which after was encombred 1770 Thurgh him, that god wolde overthrowe. Anon it was at Rome knowe, The pompe which that Perse ladde; P. i. 219 And the Romeins that time hadde A Consul, which was cleped thus Be name, Paul Emilius, A noble, a worthi kniht withalle ; And he, which chief was of hem alle, This werre on honde hath undertake. And whanne he scholde his leve take 1780 Of a yong dowhter which was his, Sche wepte, and he what cause it is Hire axeth, and sche him ansuerde That Perse is ded; and he it herde, And wondreth what sche meene wolde: And sche upon childhode him tolde That Perse hir lite! hound is ded. With that he pulleth up his hed And made riht a glad visage, And seide how that was a presage 1790 Touchende unto that other Perse, Of that fortune him scholde adverse, He seith, for such a prenostik | Most of an hound was to him lik: For as it is an houndes kinde To berke upon a man behinde, Riht so behinde his brother bak With false wordes whiche he spak He hath do slain, and that is rowthe. ‘Bot he which hateth alle untrowthe, ^ 1800 The hihe god, it schal redresse ; For so my dowhter prophetesse
1770 after were B wasefter Hs afterward was A 1778 As he
1780 whanne om. AM 1788 is hed F
LIBER SECUNDUS 179
Forth with hir litel houndes deth P.i.220 [Demetrius AND Betokneth. And thus forth he geth Persrvs. ] Conforted of this evidence, | With the Romeins in his defence Ayein the Greks that ben comende.
This Perseüs, as noght seende This meschief which that him abod, With al his multitude rod, 1810 And prided him upon the thing, Of that he was become a king, And how he hadde his regne gete ; Bot he hath al the riht foryete Which longeth unto governance. Wherof thurgh goddes ordinance It fell, upon the wynter tide That with his host he scholde ride Over Danubie thilke flod, Which al befrose thanne stod 1820 . So harde, that he wende wel To passe: bot the blinde whiel, Which torneth ofte er men be war, Thilke ys which that the horsmen bar Tobrak, so that a gret partie Was dreint; of the chivalerie The rerewarde it tok aweie, Cam non of hem to londe dreie.
Paulus the worthi kniht Romein Be his aspie it herde sein, 1830 And hasteth him al that he may, So that upon that other day He cam wher he this host beheld, P. i. 221 And that was in a large feld, Wher the Baneres ben desplaied. He hath anon hise men arraied, And whan that he was embatailled, He goth and hath the feld assailed, | And slowh and tok al that he fond; Wherof the Macedoyne lond, 1840
1803 fforp wip A,SB florwipF 1804 gop B 1808 sende AJ 1809 This] The A... B4, S...4 1811 the] pis X ... Bz, B, W 1829 the) pis Hi, B N
2
180 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[DEMETRIUS AND Which thurgh king Alisandre honoured PERSEUS ] Long time stod, was tho devoured. To Perse and al that infortune Thei wyte, so that the comune Of al the lond his heir exile; And he despeired for the while Desguised in a povere wede To Rome goth, and ther for nede The craft which thilke time was, To worche in latoun and in bras, 1850 He lerneth for his sustienance. Such was the Sones pourveance, And of his fader it is seid, In strong prisoun that he was leid In Albe, wher that he was ded For hunger and defalte of bred. The hound was tokne and prophecie That lich an hound he scholde die, Which lich was of condicioun,
Whan he with his detraccioun 1860 Bark on his brother so behinde.
Confessor. Lo, what profit a man mai finde, Which hindre wole an other wiht. P. i. 222
Forthi with al thin hole miht, Mi Sone, eschuie thilke vice.
Amans. Mi fader, elles were I nyce: For ye therof so wel have spoke, That it is in myn herte loke And evere schal: bot of Envie, If ther be more in his baillie 1870 Towardes love, sai me what.
Confessor. Mi Sone, as guile under the hat With sleyhtes of a tregetour Is hidd, Envie of such colour Hath yit the ferthe deceivant, The which is cleped Falssemblant, Wherof the matiere and the forme Now herkne and I thee schal enforme.
1856 hunger G SB. hungre AJE,F 1867 perfor(e) HiXE S. Bs, B 1869 of] if (3if) X ... Ba om. W
LIBER SECUNDUS 181
iv. Nil bilinguis aget, nisi duplo concinat ore, [iv.FALsE-SEMBLANT.]
Dumque diem loquitur, nox sua vota legit,
Vultus habet lucem, tenebras mens, sermo salutem, Actus set morbum dat suus esse grauem.
Pax tibi quam sfondet, magis est prenostica guerre ; Comoda si dederit, désce subesse dolum.
Quod patet esse fides in eo fraus est, que politi Princifium facti finis habere negat.
O quam condicio falis deformat amantem, Qui magis apparens est in amore nichil. IO
Of Falssemblant if I schal telle, Above alle othre it is the welle 1880 Out of the which deceipte floweth. Ther is noman so wys that knoweth Of thilke flod which is the tyde,
Ne how he scholde himselven guide Hic tractat Confes- To take sauf passage there. P. i. 223 sor super quarta spe- it th d E cie Inuidie, que dis-
And yit the wynd to mannes Ere similacio dicitur, cuius Is softe, and as it semeth oute vultus quanto maioris . 2 amicicie apparenciam
It makth clier weder al aboute ; ostendit, tanto subtil- Bot thogh it seme, it is noght so. ioris doli fallacias ad For Falssemblant hath everemo . 1890 ymapinatur. mens
Of his conseil in compaignie
The derke untrewe Ypocrisie,
Whos word descordeth to his thoght : Forthi thei ben togedre broght
Of o covine, of on houshold,
As it schal after this be told.
Of Falssemblant it nedeth noght
To telle of olde ensamples oght ;
For al dai in experience
A man mai se thilke evidence 1900 Of faire wordes whiche he hiereth ; Bot yit the barge Envie stiereth
And halt it evere fro the londe,
Wher Falssemblant with Ore on honde It roweth, and wol noght arive,
Bot let it on the wawes dryve
1895 a couine HiXRCLBs 1896 be told J, B betold A, S, F 1902 Envie] of Enuie LBs, Hs
182
SE-SEMBLANT.]
c in amoris causa essor super isto Amanti opponit.
ifessio Amantis.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
In gret tempeste and gret debat, Wherof that love and his astat Empeireth. And therfore I rede, Mi Sone, that thou fle and drede 1910 This vice, and what that othre sein, Let thi Semblant be trewe and plein. For Falssemblant is thilke vice, Which nevere was withoute office : Wher that Envie thenkth to guile, P.i 224 He schal be for that ilke while Of prive conseil Messagier. For whan his semblant is most clier, Thanne is he most derk in his thoght, Thogh men him se, thei knowe him noght ; 1920 Bot as it scheweth in the glas Thing which therinne nevere was, So scheweth it in his visage That nevere was in his corage : Thus doth he al his thing with sleyhte. Now ley thi conscience in weyhte, Mi goode Sone, and schrif the hier, If thou were evere Custummer To Falssemblant in eny wise. For ought I can me yit avise, 1930 Mi goode fader, certes no. If I for love have oght do so, Now asketh, I wol praie yow: For elles I wot nevere how Of Falssemblant that I have gilt. Mi Sone, and sithen that thou wilt That I schal axe, gabbe noght, Bot tell if evere was thi thoght With Falssemblant and coverture To wite of eny creature 1940 How that he was with love lad; So were he sori, were he glad, Whan that thou wistest how it were, Al that he rounede in thin Ere
1907 and) and in AM in Hi 1916 be for] before RCLB:, H: 1925 with] by (be) XG, B 1944 rowneth B rownet L
LIBER SECUNDUS 183
Thou toldest forth in other place, P. i. 295 [FALSE-SEMBLANT To setten him fro loves grace Of what womman that thee best liste, Ther as noman his conseil wiste Bot thou, be whom he was deceived Of love, and from his pourpos weyved ; 1950 And thoghtest that his destourbance Thin oghne cause scholde avance, As who saith, ‘I am so celee, Ther mai no mannes privete Be heled half so wel as myn.’ Art thou, mi Sone, of such engin? Tell on. Mi goode fader, nay Amans.
As for the more part I say; Bot of somdiel I am beknowe, That I mai stonde in thilke rowe 1960 Amonges hem that Saundres use. I wol me noght therof excuse, That I with such colour ne steyne, Whan I my beste Semblant feigne To my felawh, til that I wot Al his conseil bothe cold and hot: For be that cause I make him chiere, Til I his love knowe and hiere ; And if so be myn herte soucheth That oght unto my ladi toucheth 1970 Of love that he wol me telle, Anon I renne unto the welle And caste water in the fyr, So that his carte amidd the Myr, Be that I have his conseil knowe, P. i. 226 Fulofte sithe I overthrowe, Whan that he weneth best to stonde. Bot this I do you understonde, If that a man love elles where, So that my ladi be noght there, 1980 And he me telle, I wole it hide, Ther schal no word ascape aside,
1960 in] on B I971 to me telle B
184 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
FALSE-SEMBLANT.] For with deceipte of no semblant To him breke I no covenant ; Me liketh noght in other place To lette noman of his grace, Ne forto ben inquisitif To knowe an other mannes lif: Wher that he love or love noght, That toucheth nothing to my thoght, 1990 Bot al it passeth thurgh myn Ere Riht as a thing that nevere were, And is foryete and leid beside. Bot if it touche on eny side Mi ladi, as I have er spoken, Myn Eres ben noght thanne loken ; For certes, whanne that betitt, My will, myn herte and al my witt Ben fully set to herkne and spire What eny man wol speke of hire. 2000 Thus have I feigned compaignie Fulofte, for I wolde aspie What thing it is that eny man Telle of mi worthi lady can: And for tuo causes I do this, P. i. 227 The ferste cause wherof is,— If that I myhte ofherkne and seke That eny man of hire mispeke, I wolde excuse hire so fully, That whan sche wist it inderly, 2010 Min hope scholde be the more To have hir thank for everemore. That other cause, I you assure, Is, why that I be coverture Have feigned semblant ofte time To hem that passen alday byme And ben lovers als wel as I, For this I weene trewely, That ther is of hem alle non, That thei ne loven everich on 2030
1990 to] of AM 2003 eny] euery Hi... B; 2010 wist SB,F wiste AJ
LIBER SECUNDUS 185
Mi ladi: for sothliche I lieve [FArsE-SEXBLANT.] And durste setten it in prieve, Is non so wys that scholde asterte, Bot he were lustles in his herte, Forwhy and he my ladi sihe, . Hir visage and hir goodlych yhe, Bot he hire lovede, er he wente. And for that such is myn entente, That is the cause of myn aspie, Why that I feigne compaignie 2030 And make felawe overal; For gladly wolde I knowen al And holde me covert alway, That I fulofte ye or nay Ne liste ansuere in eny wise, P. i. 228 Bot feigne semblant as the wise And herkne tales, til I knowe Mi ladi lovers al arowe. And whanne I hiere how thei have wroght, I fare as thogh I herde it noght 2040 And as I no word understode ; Bot that is nothing for here goode: For lieveth wel, the sothe 1s this, That whanne I knowe al how it is, I wol bot forthren hem a lite, Bot al the worste I can endite I telle it to my ladi plat In forthringe of myn oghne astat, And hindre hem al that evere I may. Bot for al that yit dar I say, 2050 I finde unto miself no bote, | Althogh myn herte nedes mote Thurgh strengthe of love al that I hiere Discovere unto my ladi diere: For in good feith I have no miht To hele fro that swete wiht, If that it touche hire eny thing. Bot this wot wel the hevene king, That sithen ferst this world began, 2040 it om. B 2043 the sothe] and sop B 2045 alite A, B, F, &c.
186
[FALSE-SEMBLANT.]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Unto non other strange man 2060 Ne feigned I semblant ne chiere, To wite or axe of his matiere, Thogh that he lovede ten or tuelve, Whanne it was noght my ladi selve : Bot if he wolde axe eny red P. i. 229 Al onlich of his oghne hed, How he with other love ferde, His tales with myn Ere I herde, Bot to myn herte cam it noght Ne sank no deppere in my thoght, 2070 Bot hield conseil, as I was bede, And tolde it nevere in other stede, Bot let it passen as it com. Now, fader, say what is thi dom, And hou thou wolt that I be peined For such Semblant as I have feigned. Mi Sone, if reson be wel peised, Ther mai no vertu ben unpreised Ne vice non be set in pris. Forthi, my Sone, if thou be wys, 2080 Do no viser upon thi face, Which as wol noght thin herte embrace : For if thou do, withinne a throwe To othre men it schal be knowe, So miht thou lihtli falle in blame And lese a gret part of thi name. And natheles in this degree Fulofte time thou myht se Of suche men that now aday This vice setten in a say: 2090 I speke it for no mannes blame, Bot forto warne thee the same. Mi Sone, as I mai hiere talke In every place where I walke, . I not if it be so or non, P. i. 230 Bot it is manye daies gon That I ferst herde telle this,
2072 tolde AJ, S told B, F 2090 a say M, SAd, FH: asay AJ assay(e) Hi... Bz, B, W
LIBER SECUNDUS 187
How Falssemblant hath ben and is [FALSE-SEMBLANT.] Most comunly fro yer to yere
With hem that duelle among ous here, 2100 Of suche as we Lombardes calle.
For thei ben the slyeste of alle,
So as men sein in toune aboute,
To feigne and schewe thing withoute
Which is revers to that withinne :
Wherof that thei fulofte winne,
Whan thei be reson scholden lese;
Thei ben the laste and yit thei chese,
And we the ferste, and yit behinde
We gon, there as we scholden finde 2110 The profit of oure oghne lond:
Thus gon thei fre withoute bond
To don her profit al at large,
And othre men bere al the charge.
Of Lombardz unto this covine,
Whiche alle londes conne engine,
Mai Falssemblant in special
Be likned, for thei overal,
Wher as they thenken forto duelle,
Among hemself, so as thei telle, 2120 Ferst ben enformed forto lere
A craft which cleped is Fa crere:
For if Fa crere come aboute,
Thanne afterward hem stant no doute
To voide with a soubtil hond P. i. 231 The beste goodes of the lond
And bringe chaf and take corn.
Where as Fa crere goth toforn,
In all his weie he fynt no lette ;
That Dore can non huissher schette 2130 In which him list to take entre:
And thus the conseil most secre
Of every thing Fa crere knoweth,
Which into strange place he bloweth,
Where as he wot it mai most grieve.
2111 The profit] To profit XE... Bs 2122 ffacrere AJ, S, F al. ffacrere 2128 biforn (be forn) Bs, B
LIBER SECUNDUS 189
Which he bar in his herte loke, [DEIANIRA AND And thanne he thoghte it schal be wroke. Nrssus.] Bot he ne dorste natheles
Ayein this worthi Hercules
Falle in debat as forto feihte ;
Bot feigneth Semblant al be sleihte
Of frendschipe and of alle goode,
And comth where as thei bothe stode, 2180 And makth hem al the chiere he can,
And seith that as here oghne man
He is al redy forto do
What thing he mai; and it fell so
That thei upon his Semblant triste, P. i. 233 And axen him if that he wiste
What thing hem were best to done,
So that thei mihten sauf and sone
The water passe, he and sche.
And whan Nessus the privete 2190 Knew of here herte what it mente,
‘As he that was of double entente,
He made hem riht a glad visage;
And whanne he herde of the passage
Of him and hire, he thoghte guile,
And feigneth Semblant for a while
To don hem plesance and servise,
Bot he thoghte al an other wise.
This Nessus with hise wordes slyhe
Yaf such conseil tofore here yhe 2100 - Which semeth outward profitable
And was withinne deceivable.
He bad hem of the Stremes depe
That thei be war and take kepe,
So as thei knowe noght the pas;
Bot forto helpe in such a cas,
He seith himself that for here ese
He wolde, if that it mihte hem plese,
The passage of the water take,
And for this ladi undertake 2210
2178 al] as Hi.. Bsa 2191 hire A 2198 line om. B on ober JCLBs, W 2207 seigh (seih) E€ sih(e) LBs
190
[DrIANIRA AND Nrssus.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
To bere unto that other stronde And sauf to sette hire up alonde, And Hercules may thanne also
The weie knowe how he schal go: And herto thei acorden alle.
Bot what as after schal befalle,
Wel payd was Hercules of this,
And this Geant also glad is,
And tok this ladi up alofte
And set hire on his schuldre softe, And in the flod began to wade,
As he which no grucchinge made, And bar hire over sauf and sound. Bot whanne he stod on dreie ground And Hercules was fer behinde,
He sette his trowthe al out of mynde, Who so therof be lief or loth,
With Deianyre and forth he goth, As he that thoghte to dissevere
The compaignie of hem for evere. Whan Hercules therof tok hiede,
Als faste as evere he mihte him spiede He hyeth after in a throwe ;
And hapneth that he hadde a bowe, The which in alle haste he bende, As he that wolde an Arwe sende, Which he tofore hadde envenimed. He hath so wel his schote timed, That he him thurgh the bodi smette, And thus the false wiht he lette.
Bot lest now such a felonie: Whan Nessus wiste he scholde die, He tok to Deianyre his scherte, Which with the blod was of his herte Thurghout desteigned overal,
And tolde how sche it kepe schal A] prively to this entente,
2221 began] he gan GCL 2228 and]
P. i. 234
2220
2230
2240
P. i. 235
2214 Thei F 2218 glad also Hi... B: 2220 set A, S, F sette JC, B ... Bs om. YG, Hs 2247 Al) And Hi, FWHs
to HiXE
LIBER SECUNDUS I9I
That if hire lord his herte wente (DEIANIRA AND To love in eny other place, Nessus. |
The scherte, he seith, hath such a grace, 2250 That if sche mai so mochel make That he the scherte upon him take, He schal alle othre lete in vein And torne unto hire love ayein. Who was tho glad bot Deianyre? Hire thoghte hire herte was afyre Til it was in hire cofre loke, So that no word therof was spoke. The daies gon, the yeres passe, The hertes waxen lasse and lasse 2260 Of hem that ben to love untrewe: This Hercules with herte newe His love hath set on Eolen, And therof spieken alle men. This Eolen, this faire maide, Was, as men thilke time saide, The kinges dowhter of Eurice ; And sche made Hercules so nyce Upon hir Love and so assote, That he him clotheth in hire cote, 2270 And sche in his was clothed ofte ; And thus fieblesce is set alofte, And strengthe was put under fote, Ther can noman therof do bote. Whan Deianyre hath herd this speche, P. i. 236 Ther was no sorwe forto seche: Of other helpe wot sche non, Bot goth unto hire cofre anon; With wepende yhe and woful herte Sche tok out thilke unhappi scherte, 2380 As sche that wende wel to do, And broghte hire werk aboute so That Hercules this scherte on dede, To such entente as she was bede
2248 lord his] lordes Hi... Bz, Ad 2251 mykel (mekyl &c.\ HiG... Ba, W 2270 he om. B. sche Hi 2271 clad fulofte B 2272 fieblest MX ...C pe fieblest LB: the febleste Hi feblenes A
192 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[DEIANIRA AND Of Nessus, so as I seide er.
Nrssus.] Bot therof was sche noght the ner,
| As no fortune may be weyved ; With Falssemblant sche was deceived, That whan sche wende best have wonne, Sche lost al that sche hath begonne. 2390 For thilke scherte unto the bon His body sette afyre anon, And cleveth so, it mai noght twinne, For the venym that was therinne. And he thanne as a wilde man Unto the hihe wode he ran, And as the Clerk Ovide telleth, The grete tres to grounde he felleth With strengthe al of his oghne myght, And made an huge fyr upriht, 2300 And lepte himself therinne at ones And brende him bothe fleissh and bones. Which thing cam al thurgh Falssemblant, That false Nessus the Geant Made unto him and to his wif; P. i. 237 Wherof that he hath lost his lif, And sche sori for everemo.
Confessor. Forthi, my Sone, er thee be wo, I rede, be wel war therfore ; For whan so gret a man was lore, 2310 It oghte yive a gret conceipte To warne alle othre of such deceipte.
Amans. Grant mercy, fader, I am war So fer that I nomore dar Of Falssemblant take aqueintance ; Bot rathere I wol do penance That I have feigned chiere er this. Now axeth forth, what so ther is Of that belongeth to my schrifte.
Confessor. Mi Sone, yit ther is the fifte 2320 Which is conceived of Envie, And cleped is Supplantarie, Thurgh whos compassement and guile
2299 of al FHs of R, Magd 2316 wolde X ... Bs
LIBER SECUNDUS 193
Ful many a man hath lost his while In love als wel as otherwise, Hierafter as I schal devise.
v. Inuidus alterius est Supplantator honoris, [v. SuPPLANTATION.]
Et tua quo vertat culmina subtus arat.
Est opus occultum, quasi que latet anguis in herba, Quod facit, et subita sorte nociuus adest.
Sic subtilis amans alium supplantat amantem, Et capit occulte, quod nequit ipse alam;
Sefegue supplantans in plantam plantat amoris, Quod putat in proprits alter habere bonis.
The vice of Supplantacioun
With many a fals collacioun, Hic tractat Confes- Which he conspireth al unknowe, P. i. 238 Touigie “ue Supplan- Full ofte time hath overthrowe 2330 tacio dicitur, cuius The worschipe of an other man. Spies aline digni. So wel no lif awayte can tatis et officii multo- Ayein his sleyhte forto caste, ciens intrusor existit,
That he his pourpos ate laste
Ne hath, er that it be withset.
Bot most of alle his herte is set
In court upon these grete Offices
Of dignitees and benefices :
Thus goth he with his sleyhte aboute
To hindre and schowve an other oute 2340 And stonden with his slyh compas
In stede there an other was;
And so to sette himselven inne,
He reccheth noght, be so he winne,
Of that an other man schal lese,
And thus fulofte chalk for chese
He changeth with ful litel cost,
Wherof an other hath the lost
And he the profit schal receive.
For his fortune is to deceive 2350 And forto change upon the whel.
His wo with othre mennes wel:
Latin Verses v. x Supplantacio AM supplantare Hs 3 linguis AM ignis Hi 8 Qua» B 2328 manye A, S, F 2337 bis AMG..L, W the Hi, A
+ *
Oo
194
[SuPPLANTATION.]
Hic in amoris causa ponit Confessor manti super eodem.
-onfessio Amantis.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of that an other man avaleth, His oghne astat thus up he haleth, And takth the bridd to his beyete, Wher othre men the buisshes bete. Mi Sone, and in the same wise Ther ben lovers of such emprise, That schapen hem to be relieved P. i. 239 Where it is wrong to ben achieved: 2360 For it is other mannes riht, Which he hath taken dai and niht To kepe for his oghne Stor Toward himself for everemor, And is his propre be the lawe, Which thing that axeth no felawe, If love holde his covenant. Bot thei that worchen be supplaunt, Yit wolden thei a man supplaunte, And take a part of thilke plaunte 2370 Which he hath for himselve set: And so fulofte is al unknet, That som man weneth be riht fast. For Supplant with his slyhe cast Fulofte happneth forto mowe Thing which an other man hath sowe, And makth comun of proprete With sleihte and with soubtilite, As men mai se fro yer to yere. Thus cleymeth he the bot to stiere, 2380 Of which an other maister is. Forthi, my Sone, if thou er this Hast ben of such professioun, Discovere thi confessioun : Hast thou supplanted eny man? For oght that I you telle can, Min holi fader, as of the dede I am withouten eny drede
2354 vp he halep A, FWH:Magd he vp halep (vphalep) A... Bs,
2369 thei] such(e) A... Bs, SAdBA line om. W Magd
2373 men Hi... Bs 2382 margin Hic in amoris. . . eodem) Confessor B 2387 as of dede SAdBA
LIBER SECUNDUS 195
Al gulteles; bot of my thoght P.i.240 [SuPPLANTATION.] Mi conscience excuse I noght. 2390 For were it wrong or were it riht,
Me lakketh nothing bote myht,
That I ne wolde longe er this
Of other mannes love ywiss
Be weie of Supplantacioun
Have mad apropriacioun
And holde that I nevere boghte,
Thogh it an other man forthoghte.
And al this speke I bot of on,
For whom I lete alle othre gon; 2400 Bot hire I mai noght overpasse,
That I ne mot alwey compasse,
Me roghte noght be what queintise,
So that I mihte in eny wise
Fro suche that mi ladi serve
Hire herte make forto swerve
Withouten eny part of love.
For be the goddes alle above
I wolde it mihte so befalle,
That I al one scholde hem alle 2410 Supplante, and welde hire at mi wille.
And that thing mai I noght fulfille,
Bot if I scholde strengthe make ;
And that I dar noght undertake,
Thogh I were as was Alisaundre,
For therof mihte arise sklaundre ;
And certes that schal I do nevere,
For in good feith yit hadde I levere
In my simplesce forto die, P. i. 241 Than worche such Supplantarie. 2420 Of otherwise I wol noght seie
That if I founde a seker weie,
I wolde as for conclusioun
Worche after Supplantacioun,
So hihe a love forto winne.
2392 lakked(e) (Jacked) X ...L lakket W bote J. S, F the rest bot or but 2408 the] po B 2414 1 dar A, FWH: dar IJ... Bz, SAdBA 2425 hihe AC, S, F hih GE, B
O2
196
[SUPPLANTATION.]
Confessor.
Qualiter Agamenon amore Brexeide hillem,et Diomedes amore Criseide oilum supplantauit.
3ETA AND AMPHI- TRION.] Qualiter Amphitri- socium suum Ge- n, qui Almeenam
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Now, fader, if that this be Sinne,
I am al redy to redresce
The gilt of which I me confesse. Mi goode Sone, as of Supplant
Thee thar noght drede tant ne quant,
As for nothing that I have herd,
Bot only that thou hast misferd
Thenkende, and that me liketh noght,
For godd beholt a mannes thoght.
And if thou understode in soth
In loves cause what it doth,
A man to ben a Supplantour,
Thou woldest for thin oghne honour
Be double weie take kepe:
Ferst for thin oghne astat to kepe,
To be thiself so wel bethoght
That thou supplanted were noght,
And ek for worschipe of thi name
Towardes othre do the same,
And soffren every man have his.
Bot natheles it was and is,
That in a wayt at alle assaies
Supplant of love in oure daies
2430
2440
The lief fulofte for the levere P. i. 242
Forsakth, and so it hath don evere. Ensample I finde therupon, At Troie how that Agamenon Supplantede the worthi knyht Achilles of that swete wiht, Which named was Brexeida; And also of Criseida, Whom Troilus to love ches, Supplanted hath Diomedes. Of Geta and Amphitrion, That whilom weren bothe as on Of frendschipe and of compaignie, I rede how that Supplantarie
24:0
2460
2427 al om. B 2434 godd om. AM 2447 a wayt (a wait) J,S, F awayt (await) AC, B 2461 margin socrum
Hi... Bs
LIBER SECUNDUS 197
In love, as it betidde tho, [Gera AND AuPur-
Beguiled hath on of hem tuo. ] TRON. uu . ama Sci
For this Geta that I of meene, loco alterius cautelosa
To whom the lusti faire Almeene suppiantacione sub- Stitui
Assured was be weie of love,
Whan he best wende have ben above
And sikerest of that he hadde,
Cupido so the cause ladde, 2470 That whil he was out of the weie,
Amphitrion hire love aweie
Hath take, and in this forme he wroghte.
Be nyhte unto the chambre he soghte,
Wher that sche lay, and with a wyle
He contrefeteth for the whyle
The vois of Gete in such a wise,
That made hire of hire bedd arise,
Wenende that it were he, P. i. 243 And let him in, and whan thei be 2480 Togedre abedde in armes faste,
This Geta cam thanne ate laste
Unto the Dore and seide, * Undo.’
And sche ansuerde and bad him go,
And seide how that abedde al warm
Hir lief lay naked in hir arm;
Sche wende that it were soth.
Lo, what Supplant of love doth:
This Geta forth bejaped wente,
And yit ne wiste he what it mente; 2490 Amphitrion him hath supplanted
With sleyhte of love and hire enchaunted : And thus put every man out other,
The Schip of love hath lost his Rother,
So that he can no reson stiere.
And forto speke of this matiere
Touchende love and his Supplant,
A tale which is acordant
Unto thin Ere I thenke enforme.
2473 in this forme he] in thys forme W pis infortune YGEC in pis fortune H1XRLBa 2477 a wise J, SB. awise A, F 2497 pis AM
LIBER SECUNDUS 199
As thei that bothe yonge were ; (TALE or THE FALSE So that in prive conseil there BACH&LOR. ] Thei ben assented forto wende. P. i. 245
And therupon to make an ende, 2540
Tresor ynowh with hem thei token,
And whan the time is best thei loken,
That sodeinliche in a Galeie
Fro Romelond thei wente here weie
And londe upon that other side. - The world fell so that ilke tide,
Which evere hise happes hath diverse,
The grete Soldan thanne of Perse
Ayein the Caliphe of Egipte
A werre, which that him beclipte, 2550
Hath in a Marche costeiant.
And he, which was a poursuiant
Worschipe of armes to atteigne,
This Romein, let anon ordeigne,
That he was redi everydel:
And whan he was arraied wel
Of every thing which him belongeth,
Straght unto Kaire his weie he fongeth,
Wher he the Soldan thanne fond,
And axeth that withinne his lond 2560 . He mihte him for the werre serve,
As he which wolde his thonk deserve.
The Soldan was riht glad with al,
And wel the more in special
Whan that he wiste he was Romein ;
Bot what was elles in certein,
That mihte he wite be no weie.
And thus the kniht of whom I seie
Toward the Soldan is beleft, P. i. 246
And in the Marches now and eft, 2570
Wher that the dedli werres were,
He wroghte such knihthode there,
That every man spak of him good.
And thilke time so it stod,
2537 As Hi, W And AJMYX ... Bs, SAdBAA, FHsMagd 2559 he om. AM 2562 pong F 2573 That] And B
200 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[TALE OF THE FALSE This mihti Soldan be his wif BACHELOR.] A Dowhter hath, that in this lif Men seiden ther was non so fair. Sche scholde ben hir fader hair, And was of yeres ripe ynowh:: Hire beaute many an herte drowh 2580 To bowe unto that ilke lawe Fro which no lif mai be withdrawe, And that is love, whos nature Set lif and deth in aventure Of hem that knyhthode undertake. This lusti peine hath overtake The herte of this Romein so sore, That to knihthode more and more Prouesce avanceth his corage: Lich to the Leoun in his rage, 2590 Fro whom that alle bestes fle, Such was the knyht in. his degre: Wher he was armed in the feld, Ther dorste non abide his scheld ; Gret pris upon the werre he hadde. Bot sche which al the chance ladde, Fortune, schop the Marches so, That be thassent of bothe tuo, The. Soldan. and the Caliphe eke, P. i. 247 Bataille upon a dai thei seke, 2600 Which was in such a wise set That lengere scholde it noght be let. Thei made hem stronge on every side, And whan it drowh toward the tide That the bataille scholde be, The Soldan in gret privete A goldring of his dowhter tok, And made hire swere upon a bok And ek upon the goddes alle, That if fortune so befalle 2610 In the bataille that he deie,
2576 this] his AMXR...Bs HsW hireG here Hi 2581 that ilke] pilke AM 2586 Thus AM 2592 pe H1... Bs, FWH; pis AJM, AdB
LIBER SECUNDUS 201
That sche schal thilke man obeie [TALE OF THE FALSE And take him to hire housebonde, BACHELOR. ] Which thilke same Ring to honde Hire scholde bringe after his deth. This hath sche swore, and forth he geth With al the pouer of his lond Unto the Marche, where he fond His enemy full embatailled. The Soldan hath the feld assailed : 2620 Thei that ben hardy sone assemblen, Wherof the dredfull hertes tremblen : That on sleth, and that other sterveth, Bot above alle his pris deserveth This knihtly Romein ; where he rod, His dedly swerd noman abod, Ayein the which was no defence; Egipte fledde in his presence, And thei of Perse upon the chace P. i. 248 Poursuien: bot I not what grace 2630 Befell, an Arwe out of a bowe Al sodeinly that ilke throwe The Soldan smot, and ther he lay: The chace is left for thilke day, And he was bore into a tente. The Soldan sih how that it wente, And tbat he scholde algate die ; And to this knyht of Romanie, As unto him whom he most triste, His Dowhter Ring, that non it wiste, 2640 He tok, and tolde him al the eas, Upon hire oth what tokne it was Of that sche scholde ben his wif. Whan this was seid, the hertes lif Of this Soldan departeth sone; And therupon, as was to done, The dede body wel and faire Thei carie til thei come at Kaire, Wher he was worthily begrave. The lordes, whiche as wolden save 2650 2632 that ilke) wipinne a B 2649 Wher] Ther B
202
LE OF THE FALSE BACHELOR. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The Regne which was desolat, To bringe it into good astat A parlement thei sette anon. Now herkne what fell therupon : This yonge lord, this worthi kniht Of Rome, upon the same niht That thei amorwe trete scholde, Unto his Bacheler he tolde His conseil, and the Ring with al P. i. 249 He scheweth, thurgh which that he schal, 2660 He seith, the kinges Dowhter wedde, For so the Ring was leid to wedde, He tolde, into hir fader hond, That with what man that sche it fond She scholde him take to hire lord. And this, he seith, stant of record, Bot noman wot who hath this Ring. This Bacheler upon this thing His Ere and his entente leide, And thoghte more thanne he seide, 2670 And feigneth with a fals visage That he was glad, bot his corage Was al set in an other wise. These olde Philosophres wise Thei writen upon thilke while, That he mai best a man beguile In whom the man hath most credence ; And this befell in evidence Toward this yonge lord of Rome. His Bacheler, which hadde tome, 2680 Whan that his lord be nihte slepte, This Ring, the which his maister kepte, Out of his Pours awey he dede, And putte an other in the stede. Amorwe, whan the Court is set, The yonge ladi was forth fet, To whom the lordes don homage,
2654 herknep XE... Bs 2661 kinges] soldans X . . . B: Souldan Hi 2678 pus AM 2680 tome AJ YGECB:, SAdBAA, FWKHs thomeL come MHiXR
LIBER SECUNDUS 203
And after that of Mariage (TALE or THE FALSE Thei trete and axen of hir wille. P. i. 250 BacuEtor. } Bot sche, which thoghte to fulfille 2690
Hire fader heste in this matiere, Seide openly, that men mai hiere, The charge which hire fader bad. Tho was this Lord of Rome glad And drowh toward his Pours anon, Bot al for noght, it was agon: His Bacheler it hath forthdrawe, And axeth ther upon the lawe That sche him holde covenant. The tokne was so sufficant . — 2700 That it ne mihte be forsake, And natheles his lord hath take Querelle ayein his oghne man ; Bot for nothing that evere he can He mihte as thanne noght ben herd, So that his cleym is unansuerd, And he hath of his pourpos failed. This Bacheler was tho consailed And wedded, and of thilke Empire He was coroned Lord and Sire, 2710 And al the lond him hath received ; Wherof his lord, which was deceived, A seknesse er the thridde morwe Conceived hath of dedly sorwe: And as he lay upon his deth, Therwhile him lasteth speche and breth, He sende for the worthieste Of al the lond and ek the beste, And tolde hem al the sothe tho, P. i. 251 That he was Sone and Heir also 2720 Of themperour of grete Rome, And how that thei togedre come, This kniht and he; riht as it was, He tolde hem al the pleine cas, And for that he his conseil tolde, 2698 per vpon J. SB pervpon A, F 2708 po was Hi... B; was so H: hath so T
204.
TALE OF THE FALSE BACHELOR. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That other hath al that he wolde, And he hath failed of his mede: As for the good he takth non hiede, He seith, bot only of the love, Of which he wende have ben above. And therupon be lettre write He doth his fader forto wite Of al this matiere as it stod; And thanne with an hertly mod Unto the lordes he besoghte To telle his ladi how he boghte Hire love, of which an other gladeth ; - And with that word his hewe fadeth,
And seide, ‘A dieu, my ladi swete.’ The lif hath lost his kindly hete, And he lay ded as eny ston; Wherof was sory manyon, Bot non of alle so as sche.
This false knyht in his degree Arested was and put in hold: For openly whan it was told Of the tresoun which is befalle, Thurghout the lond thei seiden alle, If it be soth that men suppose,
And forto seche an evidence, With honour and gret reverence, Wherof they mihten knowe an ende, To themperour anon thei sende The lettre which his Sone wrot. And whan that he the sothe wot, To telle his sorwe is endeles, Bot yit in haste natheles
Upon the tale whicb he herde His Stieward into Perse ferde With many a worthi Romein eke, His liege tretour forto seke ;
And whan thei thider come were,
2733 this] pe A... Bs, SAdBTA 2741 ded] stille B gret) and with gret LBs, W
2730
2740
P. i. 252 His oghne untrowthe him schal depose.
2750
2752 and
LIBER SECUNDUS
This kniht him hath confessed there How falsly that he hath him bore, Wherof his worthi lord was lore. Tho seiden some he scholde deie, Bot yit thei founden such a weie
That he schal noght be ded in Perse;
And thus the skiles ben diverse. Be cause that he was coroned, And that the lond was abandoned To him, althogh it were unriht, Ther is no peine for him diht ; Bot to this point and to this ende Thei granten wel that he schal wende With the Romeins to Rome ayein. And thus acorded ful and plein, The qwike body with the dede With leve take forth thei lede, Wher that Supplant hath his.juise.
Wherof that thou thee miht avise Upon this enformacioun Touchende of Supplantacioun, That thou, my Sone, do noght so: And forto take hiede also What Supplant doth in other halve, Ther is noman can finde a salve Pleinly to helen such a Sor; It hath and schal ben everemor, Whan Pride is with Envie joint, He soffreth noman in good point, Wher that he mai his honour lette. And therupon if I schal sette Ensample, in holy cherche I finde How that Supplant is noght behinde ; God wot if that it now be so: For in Cronique of time ago I finde a tale concordable Of Supplant, which that is no fable, In the manere as I schal telle, So as whilom the thinges felle.
2775 pe point Hi... Bs
P. i. 253 2780
205
[TALE OF THE FALSE BACHELOR.]
206
[Pore Boniracz.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos in causa dignitatis ad- quirende supplanta- tores, Et narrat qua- liter Papa Bonefacius predecessorem suum Celestinum a papatu coniectata circumuen- cione . fraudulenter supplantauit, Set qui potentes a sede de- ponit, huiusmodi sup- plantacionis fraudem non sustinens, ipsum sic in sublime exal- tatum postea in pro- fundi carceris mise- riam proici, fame que siti cruciari, necnon et ab huius vite gau- diis dolorosa morte explantari finali con. clusione permisit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
At Rome, as it hath ofte falle, The vicair general of alle Of hem that lieven Cristes feith His laste day, which non withseith, Hath schet as to the worldes ye, Whos name if I schal specefie, He hihte Pope Nicolas. And thus whan that he passed was, The Cardinals, that wolden save The forme of lawe, in the conclave Gon forto chese a newe Pope, And after that thei cowthe agrope Hath ech of hem seid his entente : Til ate laste thei assente Upon an holy clerk reclus, Which full was of gostli vertus ; His pacience and his simplesse Hath set him into hih noblesse. Thus was he Pope canonized, With gret honour and intronized, And upon chance as it is falle, His name Celestin men calle; Which notefied was be bulle To holi cherche and to the fulle In alle londes magnified. Bot every worschipe is envied, And that was thilke time sene: For whan this Pope of whom I meene Was chose, and othre set beside, A Cardinal was thilke tide Which the papat longe hath desired And therupon gretli conspired ; Bot whan he sih fortune is failed, For which long time he hath travailed, That ilke fyr which Ethna brenneth Thurghout his wofull herte renneth,
P. i. 254
2510
2820
2830
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LIBER SECUNDUS 207
Which is resembled to Envie, P. i. 255 (Porr BowiracE.] Wherof Supplant and tricherie 2840 Engendred is; and natheles He feigneth love, he feigneth pes, Outward he doth the reverence, Bot al withinne his conscience Thurgh fals ymaginacioun He thoghte Supplantacioun. And therupon a wonder wyle He wroghte: for at thilke whyle It fell so that of his lignage He hadde a clergoun of yong age, 2850 Whom he hath in his chambre affaited. This Cardinal his time hath waited, And with his wordes slyhe and queinte, The whiche he cowthe wysly peinte, He schop this clerk of which I telle ‘Toward the Pope forto duelle, So that withinne his chambre anyht He lai, and was a prive wyht Toward the Pope on nyhtes tide. Mai noman fle that schal betide. 2860 This Cardinal, which thoghte guile, Upon a day whan he hath while This yonge clerc unto him tok, And made him swere upon a bok, And told him what his wille was. And forth withal a Trompe of bras He hath him take, and bad him this: ‘Thou schalt,' he seide, ‘whan time is Awaite, and take riht good kepe, P. i. 256 Whan tbat the Pope is fast aslepe 2870 And that non other man be nyh; And thanne that thou be so slyh Thurghout the Trompe into his Ere, Fro hevene as thogh a vois it were, To soune of such prolacioun That he his meditacioun
2852 Jis tyme B 2865 told A, B, F tolde J 2870 on slepe HiXGRCL... Ba, Ad, W 2375 The sone AM
208
[Pore Bonirace.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Therof mai take and understonde, As thogh it were of goddes sonde. And in this wise thou schalt seie, That he do thilke astat aweie 2880 Of Pope, in which he stant honoured, So schal his Soule be socoured Of thilke worschipe ate laste In hevene which schal evere laste.’ This clerc, whan he hath herd the forme How he the Pope scholde enforme, Tok of the Cardinal his leve, And goth him hom, til it was Eve, And prively the trompe he hedde, Til that the Pope was abedde. 2890 And at the Midnyht, whan he knewh The Pope slepte, thanne he blewh Withinne his trompe thurgh the wal, And tolde in what manere he schal His Papacie leve, and take His ferste astat: and thus awake This holi Pope he made thries, Wherof diverse fantasies Upon his grete holinesse P. i. 257 Withinne his herte he gan impresse. 29co The Pope ful of innocence Conceiveth in his conscience That it is goddes wille he cesse ; Bot in what wise he may relesse His hihe astat, that wot he noght. And thus withinne himself bethoght, He bar it stille in his memoire, Til he cam to the Consistoire ; And there in presence of hem alle He axeth, if it so befalle 2910 That eny Pope cesse wolde, How that the lawe it soffre scholde. Thei seten alle stille and herde, Was non which to the point ansuerde,
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LIBER SECUNDUS
For to what pourpos that it mente Ther was noman knew his entente, Bot only he which schop the guile.
This Cardinal the same while Al openly with wordes pleine Seith, if the Pope wolde ordeigne 2920 That ther be such a lawe wroght, Than mihte he cesse, and elles noght. And as he seide, don it was; The Pope anon upon the cas Of his Papal Autorite Hath mad and yove the decre: And whan that lawe was confermed In due forme and al affermed, This innocent, which was deceived, P. i. 258 His Papacie anon hath weyved, 2930 Renounced and resigned eke. That other was nothing to seke, Bot undernethe such a jape He hath so for himselve schape, That how as evere it him beseme, The Mitre with the Diademe He hath thurgh Supplantacion : And in his confirmacion Upon the fortune of his grace His name is cleped Boneface. 2940
Under the viser of Envie, Lo, thus was hid the tricherie, Which hath beguiled manyon. Bot such conseil ther mai be non, With treson whan it is conspired, That it nys lich the Sparke fyred Up in the Rof, which for a throwe Lith hidd, til whan the wyndes blowe It blaseth out on every side. This Bonefas, which can noght hyde 2950 The tricherie of his Supplant, Hath openly mad his avant How he the Papacie hath wonne. Bot thing which is with wrong begonne
P
209
[Porx Bonrracz.]
210
PE Bowniract. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Mai nevere stonde wel at ende;
Wher Pride schal the bowe bende,
He schet fulofte out of the weie:
And thus the Pope of whom I seie,
Whan that he stod on hih the whiel, P. i. 259 He can noght soffre himself be wel. 2960 Envie, which is loveles,
And Pride, which is laweles,
With such tempeste made him erre,
That charite goth out of herre:
So that upon misgovernance
' Ayein Lowyz the king of France
He tok querelle of his oultrage, And seide he scholde don hommage Unto the cherche bodily. Bot he, that wiste nothing why 2970 He scholde do so gret servise After the world in such a wise, Withstod the wrong of that demande; For noght the Pope mai comande The king wol noght the Pope obeie. This Pope tho be alle weie That he mai worche of violence Hath sent the bulle of his sentence With cursinge and with enterdit. The king upon this wrongful plyt, 2980 To kepe his regne fro servage, Conseiled was of his Barnage That miht with miht schal be withstonde. Thus was the cause take on honde, And seiden that the Papacie Thei wolde honoure and magnefie In al that evere is spirital ; Bot thilke Pride temporal Of Boneface in his persone, P. i. 260 Ayein that ilke wrong al one 2990 Thei wolde stonden in debat: And thus the man and noght the stat
2959 on pe hih(e) whiel LBs opon the whele W 2964 out of pe herre AM out of herte J
LIBER SECUNDUS 211i
The Frensche schopen be her miht [Pore Bowiracr.) To grieve. And fell ther was a kniht, Sire Guilliam de Langharet, Which was upon this cause set; And therupon he tok a route Of men of Armes and rod oute, So longe and in a wayt he lay, That he aspide upon a day 3000 The Pope was at Avinoun, And scholde ryde out of the toun Unto Pontsorge, the which is A Castell in Provence of his. Upon the weie and as he rod, This kniht, which hoved and abod Embuisshed upon horse bak, Al sodeinliche upon him brak And hath him be the bridel sesed, And seide: ‘O thou, which hast desesed 3010 The Court of France be thi wrong, Now schalt thou singe an other song: Thin enterdit and thi sentence Ayein thin oghne conscience Hierafter thou schalt fiele and grope. We pleigne noght ayein the Pope, For thilke name is honourable, Bot thou, which hast be deceivable And tricherous in al thi werk, P. i. 261 Thou Bonefas, thou proude clerk, 3020 Misledere of the Papacie, Thi false bodi schal abye And soffre that it hath deserved.’ Lo, thus the Supplantour was served ; For thei him ladden into France And setten him to his penance Withinne a tour in harde bondes, Wher he for hunger bothe hise hondes Eet of and deide, god wot how:
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P2
212
[Pore Bonrract. |
Cronica Bonefacii. Irtrasti ut vulp's, reg- nasti ut leo, et mor- tuus es ut canis.
Nota de prophecia Ioachim Abbatis.
Quanti Mercenarii erunt in ouile dei, tuas aures meis narracion- ibus fedare nolo.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of whom the wrytinge is yit now 3030 Registred, as a man mai hiere, Which spekth and seith in this manere: Thin entre lich the fox was slyh, Thi regne also with pride on hih Was lich the Leon in his rage; Bot ate laste of thi passage Thi deth was to the houndes like. Such is the lettre of his Cronique Proclamed in the Court of Rome, Wherof the wise ensample nome. 3040 And yit, als ferforth as I dar, I rede alle othre men be war, And that thei loke wel algate That non his oghne astat translate Of holi cherche in no degree Be fraude ne soubtilite : For thilke honour which Aaron tok Schal non receive, as seith the bok, Bot he be cleped as he was. - P. i. 262 What I schal thenken in this cas 30:0 Of that I hiere now aday, ' I not: bot he which can and may, Be reson bothe and be nature The help of every mannes cure, He kepe Simon fro the folde. For Joachim thilke Abbot tolde How suche daies scholden falle, That comunliche in places alle The Chapmen of such mercerie With fraude and with Supplantarie 3060 So manye scholden beie and selle, That he ne may for schame telle So foul a Senne in mannes Ere. Bot god forbiede that it were In oure daies that he seith: For if the Clerc beware his feith
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" LIBER SECUNDUS 213
In chapmanhod at such a feire, [Pore Bonirace. ] The remenant mot nede empeire
Of al that to the world belongeth ;
For whan that holi cherche wrongeth, 3070 , I not what other thing schal rihte.
And natheles at mannes sihte
Envie forto be preferred
Hath conscience so differred,
That noman loketh to the vice
Which is the Moder of malice,
And that is thilke false Envie,
Which causeth many a tricherie ;
For wher he may an other se P. i. 263
That is mor gracious than he, 3080
It schal noght stonden in his miht
Bot if he hindre such a wiht:
And that is welnyh overal,
This vice is now so general.
Envie thilke unhapp indrowh, [JoAs. AHITOPHEL.]
Whan Joab be deceipte slowh ce mualiter Loab prin.
muaicie aul
Abner, for drede he scholde be inuidie causa Abner
With king David such as was he. subdole inter feit B
. . uaiiter ito-
And thurgh Envie also it fell fel ob hoc quod Cusy
Of thilke false Achitofell, 3090 in consilio Absolon
. . . refere a -
For his conseil was noght achieved, Ps inuidia laqueo se Bot that he sih Cusy believed suspendit.
With Absolon and him forsake, He heng himself upon a stake. Senec witnesseth openly {Nature or Envy.] How that Envie proprely Is of the Court the comun wenche, And halt taverne forto schenche That drink which makth the herte brenne, And doth the wit aboute renne, 3120 Be every weie to compasse How that he mihte alle othre passe, As he which thurgh unkindeschipe Envieth every felaschipe ; So that thou miht wel knowe and se, 3085 indrowh AJ, F in drowh ‘in drough) C, SB
214
ATURE OF Exvy.]
lic describit Con- or naturam Inui- tam in amorequam er secundum pro- 'fatem vicii sub apendio.
v
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ther is no vice such as he,
Ferst toward godd abhominable,
And to mankinde unprofitable :
And that be wordes bot a fewe P. i. 294 I schal be reson prove and schewe. 3110
. Inuidie stimulus sine causa ledit abortus,
Nam sine temptante crimine crimen kabet.
Non est huius opus temptare Cupidinis archum, Dumque faces Veneris ethnica flamma vorat. Absque rubore gene, pallor quas fuscus obumbrat,
Frigida nature cetera membra docent.
Envie if that I schal descrive, He is noght schaply forto wyve In Erthe among the wommen hiere ; For ther is in him no matiere Wherof he mihte do plesance. Ferst for his hevy continance Of tbat he semeth evere unglad, He is noght able to ben had ; And ek he brenneth so withinne, That kinde mai no profit winne, 3120 Wherof he scholde his love plese: For thilke blod which scholde have ese To regne among the moiste veines, Is drye of thilke unkendeli peines Thurgh whiche Envie is fyred ay. And thus be reson prove I may That toward love Envie is noght ; . And otherwise if it be soght, Upon what side as evere it falle, It is the werste vice of alle, 3130 Which of himself hath most malice. For understond that every vice Som cause hath, wherof it groweth, Bot of Envie noman knoweth Fro whenne he cam bot out of helle. P. i. 265 For thus the wise clerkes telle, That no spirit bot of malice
3112 schapli noght AM 3119 An F
LIBER SECUNDUS
Be weie of kinde upon a vice
Is tempted, and be such a weie Envie hath kinde put aweie
And of malice hath his steringe, Wherof he makth his bakbitinge, And is himself therof desesed. So mai ther be no kinde plesed ; For ay the mor that he envieth, The more ayein himself he plieth. Thus stant Envie in good espeir To ben himself the develes heir, As he which is his nexte liche And forthest fro the heveneriche, For there mai he nevere wone.
Forthi, my goode diere Sone, If thou wolt finde a siker weie To love, put Envie aweie.
Min holy fader, reson wolde That I this vice eschuie scholde : Bot yit to strengthe mi corage,
If that ye wolde in avantage Therof sette a recoverir,
It were tome a gret desir, That I this vice mihte flee.
Nou understond, my Sone, and se, Ther is phisique for the seke, And vertus for the vices eke. Who that the vices wolde eschuie, He mot be resoun thanne suie The vertus; for be thilke weie He mai the vices don aweie,
For thei togedre mai noght duelle: For as the water of a welle
Of fyr abateth the malice,
Riht so vertu fordoth the vice. Ayein Envie is Charite,
Which is the Moder of Pite,
That makth a mannes herte tendre,
215
[NATURE or Env
3140
3150
Confessor.
3160
Confessor.
P. i. 266
3170
3160 tome A, F to me JC, SB 3170 pe welle Hi...
B; B
LIBER SECUNDUS 217
As for final conclusioun, [Tare or Constan- And tolden here opinioun TINE AND SILVESTER. | To themperour: and he anon abs ex vnda baptis- His conseil tok, and therupon que materie, tam cor- With lettres and with seales oute Po quam anime, di- Thei sende in every lond aboute cutus est salutem. The yonge children forto seche, Whos blod, thei seiden, schal be leche 3220 For themperoures maladie. Ther was ynowh to wepe and crie Among the Modres, whan thei herde Hou wofully this cause ferde, Bot natheles thei moten bowe ; P. i. 268 And thus wommen ther come ynowhe With children soukende on the Tete. Tho was ther manye teres lete, Bot were hem lieve or were hem lothe, The wommen and the children bothe 3230 Into the Paleis forth be broght With many a sory hertes thoght Of hem whiche of here bodi bore The children hadde, and so forlore Withinne a while scholden se. The Modres wepe in here degre, And manye of hem aswoune falle, The yonge babes criden alle: This noyse aros, the lord it herde, And loked out, and how it ferde 3240 He sih, and as who seith abreide | Out of his slep, and thus he seide : * O thou divine pourveance, Which every man in the balance Of kinde hast formed to be liche, The povere is bore as is the riche And deieth in the same wise, Upon the fol, upon the wise Siknesse and hele entrecomune ; Mai non eschuie that fortune 3250
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218
[Tats or Constan- TINE AND SILVESTER. |
Nota.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which kinde hath in hire lawe set ;
Hire strengthe and beaute ben beset
To every man aliche fre,
That sche preferreth no degre
As in the disposicioun P. i. 269 Of bodili complexioun :
And ek of Soule resonable
The povere child is bore als able
To vertu as the kinges Sone;
For every man his oghne wone 3260 After the lust of his assay
The vice or vertu chese may.
Thus stonden alle men franchised,
Bot in astat thei ben divised ;
To some worschipe and richesse,
To some poverte and distresse,
On lordeth and an other serveth ;
Bot yit as every man deserveth
The world yifth noght his yiftes hiere.
Bot certes he hath gret matiere 3270 To ben of good condicioun,
Which hath in his subjeccioun
The men that ben of his semblance.’
And ek he tok a remembrance
How he that made lawe of kinde
Wolde every man to lawe binde,
And bad a man, such as he wolde
Toward himself, riht such he scholde
Toward an other don also.
And thus this worthi lord as tho 3280 Sette in balance his oghne astat
And with himself stod in debat,
And thoghte hou that it was noght good
To se so mochel mannes blod
Be spilt for cause of him alone. P. i. 270 He sih also the grete mone,
Of that the Modres were unglade,
And of the wo the children made,
3265 margin Nota AJ, F om. C, B 3283 hou that how ML.
3285 for? by (be) Hi... Bs, Hs
LIBER SECUNDUS 219
Wherof that al his herte tendreth, [Tate or CowsrAN- And such pite withinne engendreth, 3290 TINE AND SitvasteR.] That him was levere forto chese His oghne bodi forto lese, Than se so gret a moerdre wroght Upon the blod which gulteth noght. Thus for the pite which he tok Alle othre leches he forsok, And put him out of aventure Al only into goddes cure ; And seith, ‘Who that woll maister be, He mot be servant to pite.’ 3300 So ferforth he was overcome With charite, that he hath nome His conseil and hise officers, And bad unto hise tresorers That thei his tresour al aboute Departe among that povere route Of wommen and of children bothe, Wherof thei mihte hem fede and clothe And saufli tornen hom ayein Withoute lost of eny grein. 3310 Thurgh charite thus he despendeth His good, wherof that he amendeth The povere poeple, and contrevaileth The harm, that he hem so travaileth : And thus the woful nyhtes sorwe P.i. 271 To joie is torned on the morwe; Al was thonkinge, al was blessinge, Which erst was wepinge and cursinge ; Thes wommen gon hom glade ynowh, Echon for joie on other lowh, 3320 And preiden for this lordes hele, Which hath relessed the querele, And hath his oghne will forsake In charite for goddes sake. Bot now hierafter thou schalt hiere What god hath wroght in this matiere,
3290 gendrep AM, W 3306 that] Fe M... Bs SAdBA, W 3314 so om. Hi... Ba
220 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Tare or ConsTan- As he which doth al equite. TINE AND SILVESTER, ] To him that wroghte charite He was ayeinward charitous, And to pite he was pitous: 3330
For it was nevere knowe yit That charite goth unaquit. The nyht, whan he was leid to slepe, The hihe god, which wolde him kepe, Seint Peter and seint Poul him sende, Be whom he wolde his lepre amende. Thei tuo to him slepende appiere Fro god, and seide in this manere: *O Constantin, for thou hast served Pite, thou hast pite deserved : 3340 Forthi thou schalt such pite have That god thurgh pite woll thee save. So schalt thou double hele finde, Ferst for thi bodiliche kinde, And for thi wofull Soule also, P. i. 272 Thou schalt ben hol of bothe tuo. And for thou schalt thee noght despeire, Thi lepre schal nomore empeire Til thou wolt sende therupon Unto the Mont of Celion, 3350 Wher that Silvestre and his clergie Togedre duelle in compaignie For drede of thee, which many day Hast ben a fo to Cristes lay, And hast destruid to mochel schame l'he prechours of his holy name. Bot now thou hast somdiel appesed Thi god, and with good dede plesed, That thou thi pite hast bewared Upon the blod which thou hast spared. 3360 Forthi to thi salvacion Thou schalt have enformacioun, Such as Silvestre schal the teche: The nedeth of non other leche.’ This Emperour, which al this herde, ‘Grant merci lordes, he ansuerde,
LIBER SECUNDUS 221
*[ wol do so as ye me seie. (Tate or Consran- Bot of o thing I wolde preie: TINE AND SILVESTER. | What schal I telle unto Silvestre
Or of youre name or of youre estre?' 3370
And thei him tolden what thei hihte,
And forth withal out of his sihte
Thei passen up into the hevene.
And he awok out of his swevene,
And clepeth, and men come anon: P.i. 273 He tolde his drem, and therupon
In such a wise as he hem telleth
The Mont wher that Silvestre duelleth
Thei have in alle haste soght,
And founde he was and with hem broght 3330 To themperour, which to him tolde
His swevene and elles what he wolde.
And whan Silvestre hath herd the king,
He was riht joiful of this thing,
And him began with al his wit
To techen upon holi writ
Ferst how mankinde was forlore,
And how the hihe god «therfore
His Sone sende from above,
Which bore was for mannes love, ~ 3390 And after of his oghne chois
He tok his deth upon the crois ;
And how in grave he was beloke,
And how that he hath helle broke,
And tok hem out that were him lieve ;
And forto make ous full believe
That he was verrai goddes Sone,
Ayein the kinde of mannes wone
Fro dethe he ros the thridde day,
And whanne he wolde, as he wel may, 3400 He styh up to his fader evene
With fleissh and blod into the hevene ;
And riht so in the same forme
In fleissh and blod he schal reforme,
Whan time comth, the qwike and dede PP. i. 274
3395 were hem B 3402 into heuene AMR, 4, W
222
LE OF CONSTAN- AND SILVESTER. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
At thilke woful dai of drede,
Where every man schal take his dom,
Als wel the Maister as the grom.
The mihti kinges retenue
That dai may stonde of no value 3410 With worldes strengthe to defende ;
For every man mot thanne entende
To stonde upon his oghne dedes
And leve alle othre mennes nedes.
That dai mai no consail availe,
The pledour and the plee schal faile,
The sentence of that ilke day
Mai non appell sette in delay ;
Ther mai no gold the Jugge plie,
That he ne schal the sothe trie 3420 And setten every man upriht,
Als wel the plowman as the kniht :
The lewed man, the grete clerk
Schal stonde upon his oghne werk,
And such as he is founde tho,
Such schal he be for everemo.
Ther mai no peine be relessed,
Ther mai no joie ben encressed,
Bot endeles, as thei have do,
He schal receive on of the tuo. 3430 And thus Silvestre with his sawe
The ground of al the newe lawe
With gret devocion he precheth,
Fro point to point and pleinly techeth
Unto this hethen Emperour ; P. i. 275 And seith, the hihe creatour
Hath underfonge his charite,
Of that he wroghte such pite,
Whan he the children hadde on honde.
Thus whan this lord hath understonde 3440 Of al this thing how that it ferde,
Unto Silvestre he thanne ansuerde,
With al his hole herte and seith
3406 On H1... Ba And Hs (Thatilke W) 3430 He schal] Thei schul (schal) Hi... B: 3431 And pis HERC, W And pus pis L
LIBER SECUNDUS 223
That he is redi to the feith. (Tare oF CoNsTAN- And so the vessel which for blod TIME AND SILVESTER.] Was mad, Silvestre, ther it stod, With clene water of the welle In alle haste he let do felle, And sette Constantin therinne Al naked up unto the chinne. 3450 And in the while it was begunne, A liht, as thogh it were a Sunne, Fro hevene into the place com Wher that he tok his cristendom ; And evere among the holi tales Lich as thei weren fisshes skales Ther fellen from him now and eft, Til that ther was nothing beleft Of al his grete maladie. For he that wolde him purefie, 3460 The hihe god hath mad him clene, So that ther lefte nothing sene; He hath him clensed bothe tuo, The bodi and the Soule also. Tho knew this Emperour in dede P. i. 276 That Cristes feith was forto drede, And sende anon hise lettres oute And let do crien al aboute, Up peine of deth that noman weyve That he baptesme ne receive: 3470 After his Moder qweene Heleine He sende, and so betwen hem tweine Thei treten, that the Cite all Was cristned, and sche forth withall. This Emperour, which hele hath founde, Withinne Rome anon let founde Tuo cherches, whiche he dede make For Peter and for Poules sake, Of whom he hadde avisioun ; And yaf therto possessioun 3480 Of lordschipe and of worldes good.
3458 Til that... beleft] Til... himbeleft (be lefte &c.) Hi... B: 3470 ne om. AM 3476 he let(e) founde AM 3479 Of hem B
224
[TALE or CoNsrAN- TINE AND SILVESTER.]
Confessor.
Amans.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot how so that his will was good Toward the Pope and his Franchise, Yit hath it proved other wise, To se the worchinge of the dede: For in Cronique this I rede; Anon as he hath mad the yifte, A vois was herd on hih the lifte, Of which al Rome was adrad, ' And seith: *To day is venym schad In holi cherche of temporal, Which medleth with the spirital.' And hou it stant of that degree Yit mai a man the sothe se: God mai amende it, whan he wile, I can ther to non other skile.
Bot forto go ther I began, How charite mai helpe a man To bothe worldes, I have seid: And if thou have an Ere leid, Mi Sone, thou miht understonde, If charite be take on honde, Ther folweth after mochel grace. Forthi, if that thou wolt pourchace How that thou miht Envie flee, Aqueinte thee with charite, Which is the vertu sovereine.
Mi fader, I schal do my peine: For this ensample which ye tolde With al myn herte I have withholde, So that I schal for everemore Eschuie Envie wel the more:
And that I have er this misdo,
Yif me my penance er I go.
And over that to mi matiere
Of schrifte, why we sitten hiere
In privete betwen ous tweie,
Now axeth what ther is, I preie. Mi goode Sone, and for thi lore
3490
3510
3486 For] ffro F 9487 so as AM 949a Wich F 3516 why] while) M... Bs, W
et
LIBER SECUNDUS
I woll thee telle what is more, 3520 So that thou schalt the vices knowe:
For whan thei be to thee full knowe,
Thou miht hem wel the betre eschuie.
And for this cause I thenke suie
The forme bothe and the matiere, P. i. 278 As now suiende thou schalt hiere
Whicli vice stant next after this:
And whan thou wost how that it is,
As thou schalt hiere me devise,
Thow miht thiself the betre avise. 3530
Explicit Liber Secundus.
225
{Ire on Wnaan.]
Hic in tercio libro tractat super quinque speciebus Ire, qua- rum prima Malencolia dicitur, cuius vicium Confessor primo de- scribens Amantisuper codem consequenter
opponit.
7 margin primo] prima HiXERCL primum Bs om.G . he] it...it XRC. W it... he HiGELBs I2 enemy] euermore (euer more) H1... B1
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Incipit Liber Tercius.
i. ra suis paribus est par furiis Acherontis, P. i. 279
Quo furor ad tempus nil pietatis habet.
Ira malencolicos animos perturbat, vt eguo Jure sui fondus nulla statera tenet.
Omnibus in causis grauat Ira, set inter amantes, Ila magis facili sorte grauamen agit:
Est vbi vir discors leuiterque repugnat amori, Sefe loco ludi fletus ad ora venit.
Ir thou the vices lest to knowe, Mi Sone, it hath noght ben unknowe, Fro ferst that men the swerdes grounde, That ther nis on upon this grounde, A vice forein fro the lawe, Wherof that many a good felawe Hath be distraght be sodein chance ; And yit to kinde no plesance It doth, bot wher he most achieveth His pourpos, most to kinde he grieveth, As he which out of conscience Is enemy to pacience: And is be name on of the Sevene, Which ofte hath set this world unevene,
And cleped is the cruel Ire, P. i. 280
Whos herte is everemore on fyre To speke amis and to do bothe, For his servantz ben evere wrothe. Mi goode fader, tell me this: What thing is Ire? Sone, it is That in oure englissh Wrathe is hote,
9 f. he
LIBER TERCIUS 227
Which hath hise wordes ay so hote, That all a mannes pacience Is fyred of the violence. For he with him hath evere fyve Servantz that helpen him to stryve : The ferst of hem Malencolie [ii MELANCHOLY. ] Is cleped, which in compaignie An hundred times in an houre Wol as an angri beste loure, 30 And noman wot the cause why. Mi Sone, schrif thee now forthi : Hast thou be Malencolien ? Ye, fader, be seint Julien, Confessio Amantis. Bot I untrewe wordes use, I mai me noght therof excuse: And al makth love, wel I wot, Of which myn herte is evere hot, So that I brenne as doth a glede For Wrathe that I mai noght spede. 40 And thus fulofte a day for noght Save onlich of myn oghne thoght I am so with miselven wroth, That how so that the game goth With othre men, I am noght glad; P. i. 281 Bot I am wel the more unglad, For that is othre mennes game It torneth me to pure grame. Thus am I with miself oppressed Of thoght, the which I have impressed, 50 That al wakende I dreme and meete That I with hire al one meete And preie hire of som good ansuere : Bot for sche wol noght gladly swere, Sche seith me nay withouten oth ; And thus wexe I withinne wroth, That outward I am al affraied, And so distempred and esmaied. A thousand times on a day Ther souneth in myn Eres nay, 60 49 mi seluen A 5r walkend(e) H1... CBs, B. wawende L Q2
228
( MELANCHOL Y.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
‘he which sche seide me tofore :
Thus be my wittes as forlore ;
And namely whan I beginne
To rekne with miself withinne
How many yeres ben agon,
Siththe I have trewly loved on
And nevere tok of other hede,
And evere aliche fer to spede
I am, the more I with hir dele,
So that myn happ and al myn hele ro Me thenkth is ay the leng the ferre,
That bringth my gladschip out of herre, Wherof my wittes ben empeired,
And 1, as who seith, al despeired. :
For finaly, whan that I muse P. i. 282 And thenke how sche me wol refuse,
I am with anger so bestad,
For al this world mihte I be glad :
And for the while that it lasteth
Al up so doun my joie it casteth, 80 And ay the furthere that I be,
Whan I ne may my ladi se,
The more I am redy to wraththe,
That for the touchinge of a laththe
Or for the torninge of a stree
I wode as doth the wylde Se,
And am so malencolious,
That ther nys servant in myn hous
Ne non of tho that ben aboute,
That ech of hem ne stant in doute, go And wenen that I scholde rave
For Anger that thei se me have ;
And so thei wondre more and lasse,
Til that thei sen it overpasse.
Bot, fader, if it so betide,
That I aproche at eny tide
The place wher my ladi is,
And thanne that hire like ywiss
62 al forlore (alle for lore) Hi, B, Hs 68 fer AJ, STAA, FHs for M... Bs, AdB, W 86 wolde AM
LIBER TERCIUS 229
To speke a goodli word untome, [Merancuozy.] For al the gold that is in Rome 100 Ne cowthe I after that be wroth, Bot al myn Anger overgoth ; So glad I am of the presence Of hire, that I all offence Foryete, as thogh it were noght, P. i. 283 So overgladed is my thoght. And natheles, the soth to telle, Ayeinward if it so befelle That I at thilke time sihe On me that sche miscaste hire yhe, 110 Or that sche liste noght to loke, And I therof good hiede toke, Anon into my ferste astat I torne, and am with al so mat, That evere it is aliche wicke. And thus myn hand ayein the pricke I hurte and have do many day, And go so forth as I go may, Fulofte bitinge on my lippe, And make unto miself a whippe, 120 With which in many a chele and hete Mi wofull herte is so tobete, That all my wittes ben unsofte And I am wroth, I not how ofte ; And al it is Malencolie, Which groweth of the fantasie Of love, that me wol noght loute : So bere I forth an angri snoute Ful manye times in a yer. Bot, fader, now ye sitten hier 130 In loves stede, I yow beseche, That som ensample ye me teche, Wherof I mai miself appese. Mi Sone, for thin hertes ese Confessor. I schal fulfille thi preiere, P. i. 284 So that thou miht the betre lere , What mischief that this vice stereth, * 109 pat pilke AM
230
[TALE or Canace AND MACHAIRE. ]
Hic ponit Confes- sor exemplum contra istos, qui cum vires amoris non sunt reali- ter experti, contra alios amantes malen- colica seueritate ad iracundiam vindicte prouocantur. Et nar- rat qualiter Rex Eolus filium nomine Macha- rium et filiam nomine Canacem habuit, qui cum ab infancia vsque ad pubertatem inui- cem educati fuerant, Cupido tandem ignito iaculo amborum cordis desideria amorose penetrauit, ita quod Canacis natura coope- rante a fratre suo inpregnata parturit : super quo pater, intol- lerabilem iuuentutis concupiscenciam ig- norans nimiaque furo- ris malencolia preuen- tus, dictam filiam cum partu dolorosissimo casu interfici adiudi- cauit.
148 margin malencolia Hi... Bs HiXR... Bs Whenne... in W
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which in his Anger noght forbereth,
Wherof that after him forthenketh, | Whan he is sobre and that he thenketh 140 Upon the folie of his dede ;
And of this point a tale I rede.
Ther was a king which Eolus Was hote, and it befell him thus, That he tuo children hadde faire, The Sone cleped was Machaire, The dowhter ek Canace hihte. Be daie bothe and ek be nyhte, Whil thei. be yonge, of comun wone In chambre thei togedre wone, 150 And as thei scholden pleide hem ofte, Til thei be growen up alofte Into the youthe of lusti age, Whan kinde assaileth the corage With love and doth him forto bowe, ‘That he no reson can allowe, Bot halt the lawes of nature: For whom that love hath under cure, As he is blind himself, riht so He makth his client blind also. 160 In such manere as I you telle As thei al day togedre duelle, This brother mihte it noght asterte That he with al his hole herte His love upon his Soster caste : P. i. 285 And so it fell hem ate laste, That this Machaire with Canace Whan thei were in a prive place, Cupide bad hem ferst to kesse, And after sche which is Maistresse 170 In kinde and techeth every lif Withoute lawe positif, Of which sche takth nomaner charge,
162 margin concupiscencia 168 Whan ...in a] Whan pat... in SAdBTA
. LIBER TERCIUS age
Bot kepth hire lawes al at large, [Tare or Canace Nature, tok hem into lore AND Macuaire.] And tawht hem so, that overmore Sche hath hem in such wise daunted, That thei were, as who seith, enchaunted. And as the blinde an other ledeth And til thei falle nothing dredeth, 180 Riht so thei hadde non insihte ; Bot as the bridd which wole alihte And seth the mete and noght the net, Which in deceipte of him is set, This yonge folk no peril sihe, Bot that was likinge in here yhe, So that thei felle upon the chance > Where witt hath lore his remembrance._’ ' So longe thei togedre assemble, __ The wombe aros, and sche gan tremble, 190 And hield hire in hire chambre clos For drede it scholde be disclos And come to hire fader Ere: Wherof the Sone hadde also fere, And feigneth cause forto ryde ; P. i. 386 For longe dorste he noght abyde, In aunter if men wolde sein That he his Soster hath forlein : For yit sche hadde it noght beknowe Whos was the child at thilke throwe. 200 Machaire goth, Canace abit, - The which was noght delivered yit, . Bot riht sone after that sche was. = Now lest and herkne a woful cas. The sothe, which mai noght ben hid, Was ate laste knowe and kid Unto the king, how that it stod. And whan that he it understod, Anon into Malencolie, As thogh it were a frenesie, . 210 176 tawht (taught) AJ, B, F tawhte S overmore] euermore
AMHiXGRCLB;, TA, W 181 in sihte (in siht) AJM 186 that] al B 200 drowe AM
232 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
LE OF CANACE He fell, as he which nothing cowthe | Macuarre. | How maistrefull love is in yowthe : And for he was to love strange, He wolde noght his herte change To be benigne and favorable To love, bot unmerciable Betwen the wawe of wod and wroth Into his dowhtres chambre he goth, And sih the child was late bore, Wherof he hath hise othes swore 220 That sche it schal ful sore abye. And sche began merci to crie, Upon hire bare knes and preide, And to hire fader thus sche seide: ‘Ha mercy! fader, thenk I am P. i. 287 Thi child, and of thi blod I cam. That I misdede yowthe it made, And in the flodes bad me wade, ‘Wher that I sih no peril tho: Bot now it is befalle so, | 230 Merci, my fader, do no wreche !' | And with that word sche loste speche And fell doun swounende at his fot, As sche for sorwe nedes mot. Bot his horrible crualte Ther mihte attempre no pite: Out of hire chambre forth he wente A] full of wraththe in his entente, And tok the conseil in his herte That sche schal noght the deth asterte, 240 As he which Malencolien Of pacience hath no lien, Wherof his wraththe he mai restreigne. And in this wilde wode peine, Whanne al his resoun was untame, A kniht he clepeth be his name, And tok him as be weie of sonde A naked swerd to bere on honde, And seide him that he scholde go And telle unto his dowhter so 350
LIBER TERCIUS 233
In the manere as he him bad, (Tare or Canac How sche that scharpe swerdes blad AND MACHAIRE. Receive scholde and do withal So as sche wot wherto it schal. Forth in message goth this kniht P. i. 288 Unto this wofull yonge wiht, This scharpe swerd to hire he tok: Wherof that al hire bodi qwok, — For wel sche wiste what it mente, And that it was to thilke entente 260 That sche hireselven scholde slee. And to the kniht sche seide: ‘Yee, Now that I wot my fadres wille, That I schal in this wise spille, I wole obeie me therto, And as he wole it schal be do. Bot now this thing mai be non other, I wole a lettre unto mi brother, So as my fieble hand may wryte, With al my wofull herte endite.’ 270 Sche tok a Penne on honde tho, Fro point to point and al the wo, Als ferforth as hireself it wot, Unto hire dedly frend sche wrot, And tolde how that hire fader grace Sche mihte for nothing pourchace ; And overthat, as thou schalt hiere, Sche wrot and seide in this manere: * O thou my sorwe and my gladnesse, O thou myn hele and my siknesse, 280 O my wanhope and al my trust, O my desese and al my lust, O thou my wele, o thou my wo, O thou my frend, o thou my fo, O thou my love, o thou myn hate, — P. i. 289 For thee mot I be ded algate. Thilke ende may I noght asterte, And yit with al myn hole herte, Whil that me lasteth eny breth, 254 it schal] sche schal Hi... Bs, Ad 286 For thee] ffor pi B
234.
[Tace or CaNACE AND MACHAIRE.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
I wol the love into my deth. 290 Bot of o thing I schal thee preie,
If that my litel Sone deie,
Let him be beried in my grave
Beside me, so schalt thou have
Upon ous bothe remembrance.
For thus it stant of my grevance;
Now at this time, as thou schalt wite,
With teres and with enke write
This lettre I have in cares colde:
In my riht hond my Penne I holde, 300 And in my left the swerd I kepe,
And in my barm ther lith to wepe
Thi child and myn, which sobbeth faste.
Now am I come unto my laste:
Fare wel, for I schal sone deie,
And thenk how I thi love abeie.’
The pomel of the swerd to grounde
Sche sette, and with the point a wounde Thurghout hire herte anon sche made,
And forth with that al pale and fade 310 Sche fell doun ded fro ther sche stod.
The child lay bathende in hire blod
Out rolled fro the moder barm,
And for the blod was hot and warm,
He basketh him aboute thrinne. P. i. 290 Ther was no bote forto winne,
For he, which can no pite knowe,
'The king cam in the same throwe,
And sih how that his dowhter dieth
And how this Babe al blody crieth ; 320 Bot al that mihte him noght suffise,
That he ne bad to do juise
Upon the child, and bere him oute,
And seche in the Forest aboute
Som wilde place, what it were,
To caste him out of honde there,
So that som beste him mai devoure,
ago vnto H1... Bs 313 modres (moderis, moders) Hi... Bs 315 basklep AMHiSn, SAA basked C
LIBER TERCIUS
Where as noman him schal socoure. Al that he bad was don in dede: Ha, who herde evere singe or rede 330 Of such a thing as that was do? Bot he which ladde his wraththe so Hath knowe of love bot a lite; Bot for al that he was to wyte, Thurgh his sodein Malencolie To do so gret a felonie. Forthi, my Sone, how so it stonde, Be this cas thou miht understonde That if thou evere in cause of love Schalt deme, and thou be so above 340 That thou miht lede it at thi wille, Let nevere thurgh thi Wraththe spille Which every kinde scholde save. For it sit every man to have Reward to love and to his miht, P. i. 291 Ayein whos strengthe mai no wiht: And siththe an herte is so constreigned, The reddour oghte be restreigned To him that mai no bet aweie, Whan he mot to nature obeie. 350 For it is seid thus overal, That nedes mot that nede schal Of that a lif doth after kinde, Wherof he mai no bote finde. What nature hath set in hir lawe Ther mai no mannes miht withdrawe, And who that worcheth therayein, Fulofte time it hath be sein, Ther hath befalle gret vengance,
Wherof I finde a remembrance. 360
Ovide after the time tho Tolde an ensample and seide so, How that whilom Tiresias,
As he walkende goth per cas,
331 that] bo AM, Ad, Magd hyt W 354 I may H:... Bz 355 What ping nature hap set in lawe A... B3, S...A
235
[Tare or CANACE AND MACHAIRE. }
[| TiRESIAS AND THE SNAKES. ]
236
TIRESIAS AND THE SNAXES.]
Hic narrat qualiter resias in quodam onte duos serpentes genit pariter com- iscentes, quos cum ‘ga percussit. Irati | ob hoc quod natu- m impediuit, ipsum ntra naturam a for- a virili in muliebrem insmutarunt.
Confessor.
Amans.
For love hath evere his lust to pleie,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Upon an hih Montaine he sih Tuo Serpentz in his weie nyh, And thei, so as nature hem tawhte, Assembled were, and he tho cawhte A yerde which he bar on honde, And thoghte that he wolde fonde To letten hem, and smot hem bothe : Wherof the goddes weren wrothe ; And for he hath destourbed kinde And was so to nature unkinde, Unkindeliche he was transformed, That he which erst a man was formed Into a womman was forschape. That was to him an angri jape; Bot for that he with Angre wroghte, Hise Angres angreliche he boghte. Lo thus, my Sone, Ovide hath write, Wherof thou miht be reson write, More is a man than such a beste: So mihte it nevere ben honeste A man to wraththen him to sore Of that an other doth the lore Of kinde, in which is no malice, Bot only that it is a vice: And thogh a man be resonable, Yit after kinde he is menable To love, wher he wole or non. Thenk thou, my Sone, therupon And do Malencolie aweie ;
As he which wolde no lif grieve. Mi fader, that I mai wel lieve;
Al that ye tellen it is skile:
Let every man love as he wile,
Be so it be noght my ladi,
For I schal noght be wroth therby.
Bot that I wraththe and fare amis,
390 menable HiXG, Ada, F
AMB:, ST, Hs movable) L, W
mevable R.
menabe J moeuable EC, B
P. i. 292
400
meuable (1!) mouable
LIBER TERCIUS
Al one upon miself it is, That I with bothe love and kinde Am so bestad, that I can finde No weie how I it mai asterte: P. i. 293 Which stant upon myn oghne herte And toucheth to non other lif, Save only to that swete wif For whom, bot if it be amended, Mi glade daies ben despended, 410 That I miself schal noght forbere The Wraththe which that I now bere, For therof is non other leche. Now axeth forth, I yow beseche, Of Wraththe if ther oght elles is, Wherof to schryve. Sone, yis.
li. Zra mouet litem, que lingue frena resoluens Laxa fer infames currit vbique vias. Rixarum nutrix guos educat ista loguaces, Hos Venus a latere linguit habere vagos. Set pacienter agens tactturno qui celet ore, Vincit, ef optati carpit amoris iter.
Of Wraththe the secounde is Cheste, Which hath the wyndes of tempeste To kepe, and many a sodein blast He bloweth, wherof ben agast 420 Thei that desiren pes and reste. He is that ilke ungoodlieste Which many a lusti love hath twinned ; For he berth evere his mowth unpinned, So that his lippes ben unloke And his corage is al tobroke, That every thing which he can telle, It springeth up as doth a welle, Which mai non of his stremes hyde, Bot renneth out on every syde. 430 So buillen up the foule sawes P. i. 294
402 Al one] Along(e) H1G ... Bs Alllonge X 408 Save] Saufly B Latin Verses ii. 6 Vincit] Viuat H1... CB: Viuit L
237
( MELANCHOLY. ]
(ii. Crust. }
Hic tractat Confes- sor super secunda specie Ire, que Lis dicitur, ex cuius con- tumeliis innumerosa dolorum occasio tam in amoris causa quam aliter in quampluribus sepissime exorta est.
238
[Cuzsrz.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That Cheste wot of his felawes :
For as a Sive kepeth Ale,
Riht so can Cheste kepe a tale ;
Al that he wot he wol desclose,
And speke er eny man oppose.
As a Cite withoute wal,
Wher men mai gon out overal
Withouten eny resistence,
So with his croked eloquence 440 He spekth al that he wot withinne:
Wherof men lese mor than winne,
For ofte time of his chidinge
He bringth to house such tidinge,
That makth werre ate beddeshed.
He is the levein of the bred,
Which soureth all the past aboute:
Men oghte wel such on to doute,
For evere his bowe is redi bent,
And whom he hit I telle him schent, 430 If he mai perce him with his tunge.
And ek so lowde his belle is runge,
That of the noise and of the soun
Men feeren hem in al the toun
Welmore than thei don of thonder.
For that is cause of more wonder ;
For with the wyndes whiche he bloweth Fulofte sythe he overthroweth
The Cites and the policie,
That I have herd the poeple crie, 460 And echon seide in his degre, P. i. 295 ‘Ha wicke tunge, wo thee bel’
For men sein that the harde bon,
Althogh himselven have non,
A tunge brekth it al to pieces.
He hath so manye sondri spieces
Of vice, that I mai noght wel
Descrive hem be a thousendel :
Bot whan that he to Cheste falleth,
445 makep ... at Hi... Bs, BA 446 He] His FWKHs
It Magd
LIBER TERCIUS 239
Ful many a wonder thing befalleth, 470 [Cuzsrr-] For he ne can nothing forbere. Now tell me, Sone, thin ansuere, Opponit Confessor.
If it hath evere so betidd, That thou at eny time hast chidd Toward thi love. Fader, nay ; Confessio Amantis. Such Cheste yit unto this day Ne made I nevere, god forbede : For er I sunge such a crede, I hadde levere to be lewed ; For thanne were I al beschrewed 480 And worthi to be put abak With al the sorwe upon my bak That eny man ordeigne cowthe. Bot I spak nevere yit be mowthe That unto Cheste mihte touche, And that I durste riht wel vouche Upon hirself as for witnesse ; For I wot, of hir gentilesse That sche me wolde wel excuse, That I no suche thinges use. 490 And if it scholde so betide P. i. 296 That I algates moste chide, It myhte noght be to my love: For so yit was I nevere above, For al this wyde world to winne That I dorste eny word beginne, Be which sche mihte have ben amoeved And I of Cheste also reproeved. Bot rathere, if it mihte hir like, The beste wordes wolde I pike 500 Whiche I cowthe in myn herte chese, And serve hem forth in stede of chese, For that is helplich to defie; And so wolde I my wordes plie, That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale
476 yit om. AM 478 synge (sing) H:iXECB:, AdBA, Hs 480 be schrewed FK 490 no pinges suche HiXGRCBs nothynge suche W 504 wolde I] wolde (om, I) FKHs wolle I W
(Cuxsre. }
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
With tellinge of my softe tale.
Thus dar I make a foreward,
That nevere unto my ladiward
Yit spak I word in such a wise, Wherof that Cheste scholde arise. This seie I noght, that I fulofte
Ne have, whanne I spak most softe, Per cas seid more thanne ynowh ; Bot so wel halt noman the plowh That he ne balketh otherwhile,
Ne so wel can noman affile
His tunge, that som time in rape Him mai som liht word overscape, And yit ne meneth he no Cheste. Bot that I have ayein hir heste Fulofte spoke, I am beknowe ;
And how my will is, that ye knowe: For whan my time comth aboute, That I dar speke and seie al oute Mi longe love, of which sche wot That evere in on aliche hot
Me grieveth, thanne al my desese
I telle, and though it hir desplese, I speke it forth and noght ne leve: And thogh it be beside hire leve,
I hope and trowe natheles
That I do noght ayein the pes ; For thogh I telle hire al my thoght, Sche wot wel that I chyde noght. Men mai the hihe god beseche, And he wol hiere a mannes speche
And be noght wroth of that he seith ;
So yifth it me the more feith And makth me hardi, soth to seie, That I dar wel the betre preie
Mi ladi, which a womman is.
For thogh I telle hire that or this Of love, which me grieveth sore,
510
P. i. 297
519 meuep() JMXELB:,W | moeuep GC 532 the] hir (hire) Hi
2... Ba
536 hire B
573 S has lost three leaves (ll. 573-1112)
+
LIBER TERCIUS
Hire oghte noght be wroth the more, For I withoute noise or cri Mi pleignte make al buxomly To puten alle wraththe away. Thus dar I seie unto this day Of Cheste in ernest or in game Mi ladi schal me nothing blame.
Bot ofte time it hath betidd That with miselven I have chidd, That noman couthe betre chide: And that hath ben at every tide, Whanne I cam to miself al one; For thanne I made a prive mone, And every tale by and by, Which as I spak to my ladi, I thenke and peise in my balance And drawe into my remembrance ; And thanne, if that I finde a lak Of eny word that I mispak, Which was to moche in eny wise, Anon my wittes I despise And make a chidinge in myn herte, That eny word me scholde asterte Which as I scholde have holden inne. And so forth after I beginne And loke if ther was elles oght To speke, and I ne spak it noght: And thanne, if I mai seche and finde That eny word be left behinde, Which as I scholde more have spoke, I wolde upon miself be wroke, And chyde with miselven so That al my wit is overgo. For noman mai his time lore Recovere, and thus I am therfore So overwroth in al my thoght, That I myself chide al to noght: Thus for to moche or for to lite Fulofte I am miself to wyte.
R
550
P. i. 298
560
570
580 P. i. 299
581 Thus] That B
24I
[Cuzsrz.]
242
[Curzsrr.]
Confessor.
Seneca. Paciencia est vindicta omnium iniuriarum.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot al that mai me noght availe, With cheste thogh I me travaile : Bot Oule on Stock and Stock on Oule; The more that a man defoule, Men witen wel which hath the werse ; And so to me nys worth a kerse, Bot torneth on myn oghne hed, Thogh I, til that I were ded, 590 Wolde evere chyde in such a wise Of love as I to you devise. Bot, fader, now ye have al herd In this manere how I have ferd Of Cheste and of dissencioun, Yif me youre absolucioun. Mi Sone, if that thou wistest al, What Cheste doth in special To love and to his welwillinge, Thou woldest flen his knowlechinge 600 And lerne to be debonaire. For who that most can speke faire Is most acordende unto love: Fair speche hath ofte brought above Ful many a man, as it is knowe, Which elles scholde have be riht lowe And failed mochel of his wille. Forthi hold thou thi tunge stille And let thi witt thi wille areste, So that thou falle noght in Cheste, 610 Which is the source of gret destance: P. i. goo And tak into thi remembrance If thou miht gete pacience, Which is the leche of alle offence, As tellen ous these olde wise: For whan noght elles mai suffise Be strengthe ne be mannes wit, Than pacience it oversit And overcomth it ate laste ; Bot he mai nevere longe laste, 620
611 destrance AM 612 vnto H1... Bs 619 overcomth t] ouercomep C
LIBER TERCIUS 243
Which wol noght bowe er that he breke. (Cuzsrz.] Tak hiede, Sone, of that I speke. Mi fader, of your goodli speche Amans.
And of the witt which ye me teche
I thonke you with al myn herte:
For that world schal me nevere asterte, That I ne schal your wordes holde, Of Pacience as ye me tolde,
Als ferforth as myn herte thenketh; And of my wraththe it me forthenketh. 630 Bot, fader, if ye forth withal
Som good ensample in special
Me wolden telle of som Cronique,
It scholde wel myn herte like
Of pacience forto hiere,
So that I mihte in mi matiere
The more unto my love obeie
And puten mi desese aweie.
Mi Sone, a man to beie him pes [PATIENCE or Behoveth soffre as Socrates 640 RATES. ) Ensample lefte, which is write: P. i. gor And for thou schalt the sothe wite,
Of this ensample what I mene, Hic ponit Confessor Althogh it be now litel sene exemplum de pacien- . . cia in amore co
Among the men thilke evidence, lites habenda. Et nar- Yit he was upon pacience rat qualiter vxor So- . . cratis ipsum quodam
So sett, that he himself assaie die multis sermonibus In thing which mihte him most mispaie litigauit ; set cum ipse . eq . absque vlla respon- Desireth, and a wickid wif sione omnia probra He weddeth, which in sorwe and strif 650 Pacienter sustulit, in- . . . dignata vxor quan- Ayein his ese was contraire. dam ydriam plenam Bot he spak evere softe and faire, aque, quam in manu
(oc T ene super u Til it befell, as it 1s told, viri sui’ subito effudit, In wynter, whan the dai is cold, dicens, * Euigila et lo-
. . : 1 respon- This wif was fro the welle come, dens tunc ait, «O vere Wher that a pot with water nome iam scio et expertus
624 wich F 626 world (worlde) AM, AdTA, FHs word JH; ... Bs, BA, W 633 teche YEC, B of] in AM, Hs 639 a man to] for to B 647 assaie om. A (p. m.) to assaie M, Hs assayed X did assai A
R 2
244
"ATIENCE OF SOCRATES. ]
uia post vento- rabiem sequun- nbres': etisto
litis contume- ua paciencia de-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Sche hath, and broghte it into house,
And sih how that hire seli spouse Was sett and loked on a bok Nyh to the fyr, as he which tok His ese for a man of age.
And sche began the wode rage,
And axeth him what devel he thoghte, And bar on hond that him ne roghte What labour that sche toke on honde,
And seith that such an Housebonde Was to a wif noght worth a Stre. He seide nowther nay ne ye,
Bot hield him stille and let hire chyde;
And sche, which mai hirself noght hyde, 6 Began withinne forto swelle, And that sche broghte in fro the welle, The waterpot sche hente alofte
And bad him speke, and he al softe
Sat stille and noght a word ansuerde ; And sche was wroth that he so ferde,
And axeth him if he be ded;
And al the water on his hed
She pourede oute and bad awake. Bot he, which wolde noght forsake His Pacience, thanne spak,
And seide how that he fond no lak In nothing which sche hadde do: For it was wynter time tho,
And wynter, as be weie of kinde Which stormy is, as men it finde, Ferst makth the wyndes forto blowe, And after that withinne a throwe He reyneth and the watergates Undoth; ‘and thus my wif algates, Which is with reson wel besein, Hath mad me bothe wynd and rein After the Sesoun of the yer.’
And thanne he sette him nerr the fer,
663 axex F
679 bad] bad him AM, Hs
P. i. 302
690
LIBER TERCIUS 245
And as he mihte hise clothes dreide, [PATIENCE or That he nomore o word ne seide ; SOCRATES. ] Wherof he gat him somdel reste, For that him thoghte was the beste. I not if thilke ensample yit Confessor. Acordeth with a mannes wit, 700 To soffre as Socrates tho dede: P. i. 303 And if it falle in eny stede A man to lese so his galle, Him oghte among the wommen alle In loves Court be juggement The name bere of Pacient, To yive ensample to the goode Of pacience how that it stode, That othre men it mihte knowe. And, Sone, if thou at eny throwe 710 Be tempted ayein Pacience, Tak hiede upon this evidence ; It schal per cas the lasse grieve. Mi fader, so as I believe, Amans. Of that schal be no maner nede, For I wol take so good hiede, That er I falle in such assai, I thenke eschuie it, if I mai. Bot if ther be oght elles more Wherof I mihte take lore, 720 I preie you, so as I dar, Now telleth, that I mai be war, Som other tale in this matiere. Sone, it is evere good to lere, Confessor. Wherof thou miht thi word restreigne, Er that thou falle in eny peine. For who that can no conseil hyde, He mai noght faile of wo beside, Which schal befalle er he it wite, As I finde in the bokes write. 730
Yit cam ther nevere good of strif, P. i. 304 To seche in all a mannes lif:
704 Him] He Hi... B 732 teche XERCB:
246
[JUPrrER, Juxo AND TinES1AS.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum, quod de alterius lite intromit- tere cauendum est. Et narrat qualiter Iupiter cum Iunone super quadam que- stione litigabat, vide- licet vtrum vir an mulier in amoris con- cupiscencia feruen- cius ardebat; super quo Tiresiam eorum iudicemconstituebant. Et quia ille contra Iu- nonem in dicte litis causa sentenciam dif- finiuit, irata dea ipsum amborum oculorum lumine claritatis abs- que remissione priua- uit.
Confessor.
133 on] in HiXE ... Bj, AdA, W of G, B 743 margin constituebat Hi... Bs 756 hise] her B 765 Bot] Lo Hi... B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Thogh it beginne on pure game, Fulofte it torneth into grame And doth grevance upon som side. Wherof the grete Clerk Ovide After the lawe which was tho Of Jupiter and of Juno Makth in his bokes mencioun How thei felle at dissencioun In manere as it were a borde, As thei begunne forto worde Among hemself in privete : And that was upon this degree, Which of the tuo more amorous is, Or man or wif. And upon this Thei mihten noght acorde in on, And toke a jugge therupon, Which cleped is Tiresias, And bede him demen in the cas; And he withoute avisement Ayein Juno yaf juggement. This goddesse upon his ansuere Was wroth and wolde noght forbere, Bot tok awey for everemo The liht fro bothe hise yhen tuo. Whan Jupiter this harm hath sein, An other bienfait therayein He yaf, and such a grace him doth, That for he wiste he seide soth, A Sothseiere he was for evere : Bot yit that other were levere, Have had the lokinge of his yhe, Than of his word the prophecie ; Bot how so that the sothe wente, Strif was the cause of that he hente So gret a peine bodily.
Mi Sone, be thou war ther by,
740
(50
760 P. i. 305
741 aborde A, FK 750 the cas] pis cas BA, W 162 were him leuere H1 ...Bs hadde leuer W
LIBER TERCIUS 247
And hold thi tunge stille clos: [Cuzsrz. | For who that hath his word desclos 770 Er that he wite what he mene,
He is fulofte nyh his tene
And lest ful many time grace,
Wher that he wolde his thonk pourchace.
And over this, my Sone diere,
Of othre men, if thou miht hiere
In privete what thei have wroght,
Hold conseil and descoevere it noght,
For Cheste can no conseil hele,
Or be it wo or be it wele: 780 And tak a tale into thi mynde,
The which of olde ensample I finde.
Phebus, which makth the daies lihte, [PHEBUS AND A love he hadde, which tho hihte conn]
Cornide, whom aboven alle sus sohibereneachuat He pleseth: bot what schal befalle hic ponit Confessor Of love ther is noman knoweth, qui in um contra illos Bot as fortune hire happes throweth. alterius consilium e . uelare presumunt, Et So it befell upon a chaunce, narrat | qualiter que- A yong kniht tok hire aqueintance 790 dam auis tunc albis- . . sima nomine coruus And hadde of hire al that he wolde: P. i. 306 | iium domine sue Bot a fals bridd, which sche hath holde Cornide Phebo denu- . dauit; vnde contigitnon And kept in chambre of pure yowthe, solum ipsam Cornidem Discoevereth all that evere he cowthe. interfici, set et coruum, . . qui antea tanquam nix This briddes name was as tho albus fuit, in piceum Corvus, the which was thanne also colorem pro perpetuo
Welmore whyt than eny Swan, transmutari.
And he that schrewe al that he can
Of his ladi to Phebus seide ;
And he for wraththe his swerd outbreide, 800 With which Cornide anon he slowh.
Bot after him was wo ynowh,
And tok a full gret repentance,
Wherof in tokne and remembrance
773 many a time CL, B, W 778 it om. AJM, KHs hem A 184 margin Quia) Qualiter Hi... Bs 788 happe (hap) Hi... CBs, W happep L 195 margin fuerit HiXRCLBs fuerat GE 798 that] pe Hi... Bs, B
248
[Puzsus AND ConNipr.)
(JuPrrER AND LAan.] Hic loquitur super codem: Et narrat qua- liter Laar Nimpha de eo quod Iupiter Iutur- nam adulterauit,Iuno- ni Iouis vxori secret- umreuelauit.Quaprop- ter Iupiter ira commo- tus lingua Laaris prius abscisa ipsam postea in profundum Ache- rontis exulem pro perpetuo mancipauit.
Amans.
807 snow whyt J, B, F snowwhyt A
blak J, B
822 god] and B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of hem whiche usen wicke speche, Upon this bridd he tok this wreche, That ther he was snow whyt tofore, Evere afterward colblak therfore
He was transformed, as it scheweth,
And many a man yit him beschreweth,
And clepen him into this day A Raven, be whom yit men mai Take evidence, whan he crieth, That som mishapp it signefieth. Be war therfore and sei the beste, If thou wolt be thiself in reste, Mi goode Sone, as I the rede. For in an other place I rede
Of thilke Nimphe which Laar hihte:
For sche the privete be nyhte, How Jupiter lay be Jutorne,
Hath told, god made hire overtorne :
Hire tunge he kutte, and into helle For evere he sende hir forto duelle, As sche that was noght worthi hiere To ben of love a Chamberere, For sche no conseil cowthe hele. And suche adaies be now fele In loves Court, as it is seid, That lete here tunges gon unteid. Mi Sone, be thou non of tho, To jangle and telle tales so, And namely that thou ne chyde, For Cheste can no conseil hide, For Wraththe seide nevere wel. Mi fader, soth is everydel That ye me teche, and I wol holde The reule to which I am holde, To fle the Cheste, as ye me bidde, For wel is him that nevere chidde.
817 the om. B
margin Amans A
808 colblak A, F 818 For] Lo H1... B, B. More W margin secretam AMHiXRCLBa, Hs
820
P. i. 307
830
840 col
831
LIBER TERCIUS
Now tell me forth if ther be more As touchende unto Wraththes lore.
iii. Demonis est odium quasi Scriba, cui dabit Ira Materiam scripti cordis ad antra sui. Non laxabit amor odii quem frena restringunt, Nec secreta sui iuris adire sinit. Of Wraththe yit ther is an other, Which is to Cheste his oghne brother, And is be name cleped Hate, That soffreth noght withinne his gate That ther come owther love or pes, . P. i. 308 For he wol make no reles Of no debat which is befalle. Now spek, if thou art on of alle, 850 That with this vice hast ben withholde. As yit for oght that ye me tolde, Mi fader, I not what it is. In good feith, Sone, I trowe yis. Mi fader, nay, bot ye me lere. Now lest, my Sone, and thou schalt here. Hate is a wraththe noght schewende, Bot of long time gaderende, And duelleth in the herte loken, Til he se time to be wroken ; 860 And thanne he scheweth his tempeste Mor sodein than the wilde beste, Which wot nothing what merci is. Mi Sone, art thou knowende of this? My goode fader, as I wene, Now wot I somdel what ye mene ; Bot I dar saufly make an oth, Mi ladi was me nevere loth. I wol noght swere natheles That I of hate am gulteles ; 870 For whanne I to my ladi plie Fro dai to dai and merci crie, And sche no merci on me leith Bot schorte wordes to me seith, Thogh I my ladi love algate, 848 margin velud B, F 858 gadarende F 868 me] mo AM
^
249
(iif, Hare.]
Hic tractat Confes- sor de tercia specie Ire, que Odium dicitur, cuius naturaomnes Ire
inimicicias ad mentem reducens, illas vsque ad tempus vindicte ve- lut Scriba demonis in cordis papiro com-
memorandas inserit.
Confessio Amantis.
250 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(Harr. ] Tho wordes moste I nedes hate ; And wolde thei were al despent, P. i. 309 Or so ferr oute of londe went That I nevere after scholde hem hiere ; And yit love I my ladi diere. 880 Thus is ther Hate, as ye mai se, Betwen my ladi word and me; The word I hate and hire I love, What so me schal betide of love. Bot forthere mor I wol me schryve, That I have hated al my lyve These janglers, whiche of here Envie Ben evere redi forto lie ; For with here fals compassement Fuloften thei have mad me schent 890 And hindred me fulofte time, Whan thei no cause wisten bime, Bot onliche of here oghne thoght : And thus fuloften have I boght The lie, and drank noght of the wyn. I wolde here happ were such as myn: For how so that I be now schrive, To hem ne mai I noght foryive, Til that I se hem at debat With love, and thanne myn astat goo Thei mihten be here oghne deme, And loke how wel it scholde hem qweme To hindre a man that loveth sore. And thus I hate hem everemore, Til love on hem wol don his wreche: For that schal I alway beseche Unto the mihti Cupido, P. i. 310 That he so mochel wolde do, So as he is of love a godd, To smyte hem with the same rodd gro With which I am of love smite ; So that thei mihten knowe and wite How hindringe is a wofull peine
goo thanne] pan wip HiXGECLBs, B pan in R gor hire F 906 I schal AM, KHsMagd
LIBER TERCIUS 251
To him that love wolde atteigne. [Harz.]
Thus evere on hem I wayte and hope,
Til I mai sen hem lepe a lope,
And halten on the same Sor
Which I do now: for overmor
I wolde thanne do my myht
So forto stonden in here lyht, 920
That thei ne scholden finde a weie
To that thei wolde, bot aweie
I wolde hem putte out of the stede
Fro love, riht as thei me dede
With that thei speke of me be mowthe.
So wolde I do, if that I cowthe,
Of hem, and this, so god me save,
Is al the hate that I have,
Toward these janglers everydiel ;
I wolde alle othre ferde wel. 930
Thus have I, fader, said mi wille ;
Say ye now forth, for I am stille.
: Mi Sone, of that thou hast me said Confessor.
I holde me noght fulli paid:
That thou wolt haten eny man,
To that acorden I ne can,
Thogh he have hindred thee tofore. P. i. 31r
Bot this I telle thee therfore,
Thou miht upon my beneicoun
Wel haten the condicioun 940
Of tho janglers, as thou me toldest,
Bot furthermor, of that thou woldest
Hem hindre in eny other wise,
Such Hate is evere to despise.
Forthi, mi Sone, I wol thee rede,
That thou drawe in be frendlihede
That thou ne miht noght do be hate;
So miht thou gete love algate
And sette thee, my Sone, in reste,
For thou schalt finde it for the beste. 950 918 ouermor F eueremore (euer mor etc.) A... Bs, AdBTA,
WKHs 921 finde] haue AM, KHsMagd be putL 941 tho] pe Hi... Bs, AdB, W
252 [Harz.)
Schal noman tornen him therfro, 960 That Hate nyle his felonie Fulfille and feigne compaignie Yit natheles, for fals Semblant Is toward him of covenant Withholde, so that under bothe The prive wraththe can him clothe, That he schal seme of gret believe. — P. i. 312 Bot war thee wel that thou ne lieve Al that thou sest tofore thin yhe, So as the Gregois whilom syhe: 970 The bok of Troie who so rede, Ther mai he finde ensample in dede.
[Kinc NamPLUS AND Sone after the destruccioun,
THE Greexs.] Whan Troie was al bete doun Hic ponit Confessor And slain was Priamus the king,
sul ee re sue odium The Gregois, whiche of al this thing
aperte vindicare non Ben cause, tornen hom ayein.
possint, ficta dissimi- Ther mai noman his happ withsein;
dole assequuntur. Et It hath be sen and felt fulofte,
mades princeps Fala- The harde time after the softe: 980
corum in obsidione Troieaquibusdam suis emulis proditorie in- terfectus fuisset, pa- terque suus Rex Nam- plus in patria sua tunc existegs — huiusmodi euentus certitudinem
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And over this, so as I dar,
I rede that thou be riht war
Of othre mennes hate aboute,
Which every wysman scholde doute : For Hate is evere upon await,
And as the fisshere on his bait Sleth, whan he seth the fisshes faste, So, whan he seth time ate laste, That he mai worche an other wo,
Be See as thei forth homward wente, A rage of gret tempeste hem hente ; Juno let bende hire parti bowe,
The Sky wax derk, the wynd gan blowe,
The firy welkne gan to thondre,
As thogh the world scholde al to sondre ;
970 pe whilom HiXGCL 973 destruccioux AJ, B destruccion F 979 margin assequentur A 982a margin proditorum HiXRCLBs 983 margin patroque X .. . Bs
rooo wolde hem AM, A, WHs 1007 margin latitantem B
LIBER TERCIUS
Fro hevene out of the watergates
The reyni Storm fell doun algates
And al here takel made unwelde,
That noman mihte himself bewelde.
Ther mai men hiere Schipmen crie,
That stode in aunter forto die:
He that behinde sat to stiere
Mai noght the forestempne hiere ;
The Schip aros ayein the wawes,
The lodesman hath lost his lawes,
The See bet in on every side:
Thei nysten what fortune abide,
Bot sette hem al in goddes wille,
Wher he hem wolde save or spille. And it fell thilke time thus:
Ther was a king, the which Namplus
Was hote, and he a Sone hadde,
At Troie which the Gregois ladde,
As he that was mad Prince of alle,
Til that fortune let him falle:
His name was Palamadés.
Bot thurgh an hate natheles
Of some of hem his deth was cast
And he be tresoun overcast.
His fader, whan he herde it telle,
He swor, if evere his time felle,
He wolde him venge, if that he mihte,
And therto his avou behihte:
And thus this king thurgh prive hate
Abod upon await algate,
For he was noght of such emprise
To vengen him in open "wise.
The fame, which goth wyde where,
Makth knowe how that the Gregois were
Homward with al the felaschipe
Fro Troie upon the See be Schipe.
Namplus, whan he this understod,
And knew the tydes of the flod,
990
P. i. 313
1000
1010
1020
1005 margin Et sic quoque Hi... Bs 1014 behihte) he hight(e) GCL, W
253
[Kinc NAMPLUS AND THE GREEKS. ]
sciuisset,Grecos in sui cordis odium superom- nia recollegit. Vnde contigit quod, cum Greci deuicta Troia per altum mare versus Greciam nauigio re- meantes obscurissimo noctis tempore nimia ventorum tempestate iactabantur, Rex Nam- plus in terra sua con- tra litus maris, vbi ma- iora saxorum emine- bant pericula, super cacumina montium grandissimos noctan- ter fecit ignes: quos Greci aspicientes sal- uum portum ibidem inuenire certissime putabant, etterram ap- proximantes diruptis nauibus magna pars Grecorum periclitaba- tur. Etsic,quod Nam- plus viribus nequiit, odio latitante per dis- similacionis fraudem vindicauit.
254
(ING NAMPLUS AND THE GREEKS. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And sih the wynd blew to the lond,
A gret deceipte anon he fond
Of prive hate, as thou schalt hiere, P. i. 34 Wherof I telle al this matiere.
This king the weder gan beholde,
And wiste wel thei moten holde 1030 Here cours endlong his marche riht,
And made upon the derke nyht
Of grete Schydes and of blockes
Gret fyr ayein the grete rockes,
To schewe upon the helles hihe,
So that the Flete of Grece it sihe.
And so it fell riht as he thoghte:
This Flete, which an havene soghte,
The bryghte fyres sih a ferr,
And thei hem drowen nerr and ner, 1040 And wende wel and understode
How al that fyr was mad for goode,
To schewe wher men scholde aryve,
And thiderward thei hasten blyve.
In Semblant, as men sein, is guile,
And that was proved thilke while ;
The Schip, which wende his helpe acroche, Drof al to pieces on the roche,
And so ther deden ten or twelve ;
Ther mihte noman helpe himselve, 1050 For ther thei wenden deth ascape,
Withouten help here deth was schape.
Thus thei that comen ferst tofore
Upon the Rockes be forlore,
Bot thurgh the noise and thurgh the cri
These othre were al war therby ;
And whan the dai began to rowe, P. i. 315 Tho mihten thei the sothe knowe,
That wher they wenden frendes finde,
Thei founden frenschipe al behinde. 1060 The lond was thanne sone weyved,
1028 this] my B 1029 The king B 1031 Here] His
Hir(e) J,T 1044 afterward B 1047 This schip
Hi... Bs, B 1060 frenschipe A, F frenschip J frendschip B
LIBER TERCIUS 255
Wher that thei hadden be deceived, [Kinc NAMPLUS AND And toke hem to the hihe See; THE GRxzxs.] Therto thei seiden alle yee, Fro that dai forth and war thei were Of that thei hadde assaied there. Mi Sone, hierof thou miht avise Confessor. How fraude stant in many wise Amonges hem that guile thenke ; Ther is no Scrivein with his enke 1070 Which half the fraude wryte can That stant in such a maner man: Forthi the wise men ne demen The thinges after that thei semen, Bot after that thei knowe and finde. The Mirour scheweth in his kinde As he hadde al the world withinne, And is in soth nothing therinne ; And so farth Hate for a throwe: Til he a man hath overthrowe, 1080 Schal noman knowe be his chere Which is avant, ne which arere. Forthi, mi Sone, thenke on this. Mi fader, so I wole ywiss ; Amans, And if ther more of Wraththe be, Now axeth forth per charite, As ye be youre bokes knowe, P. i, 316 And I the sothe schal beknowe.
iv. Qui cohibere manum nequit, et sit spiritus eius [iv. v. CoNTEK AND Naribus, hie populo sepe timendus erit. Homicine. } Sepius in luctum Venus et sua gaudia transfert, Cumque suis thalamis talis amicus adest. Est amor amplexu non ictibus alliciendus, Frangit amicicias impetuosa manus.
Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde That yit towardes Wraththe stonde 1090 Of dedly vices othre tuo: 1065 dai] tyme Hi... Bs, B war] what X...Bz,B what
that Hi Latin Verses iv. 1 sit] sic Hi... Bs, B, WHs
256
[Cowrzk AND Houi- CIDE.)
Hic tractat Confes- sor super quarta et quinta specie Ire, que impetuositas et homi- cidium dicuntur. Set primo de impetuosi- tate specialiustractare intendit, cuius natura spiritum in naribus gestando ad omnesIre mociones in vindictam parata pacienciam nul- latenus obseruat.
Opponit Confessor,
Confessio Amantis.
1094 to drede] togidre B to geder Hi 1112 Bot that] But (Bot) at HiXCLBs 1113 S resumes 1118 ne o»t, MHiL, A, WHs 1122 as of] as for M, Ad of L 1123 was neuer(e) Hi, Ad, WHs
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And forto telle here names so, It is Contek and Homicide, That ben to drede on every side. Contek, so as the bokes sein, Folhast hatb to his Chamberlein, Be whos conseil al unavised Is Pacience most despised, Til Homicide with hem meete. Fro merci thei ben al unmeete, 1100 And thus ben thei the worste of alle Of hem whiche unto wraththe falle, In dede bothe and ek in thoght : For thei acompte here wraththe at noght, Bot if ther be schedinge of blod; And thus lich to a beste wod Thei knowe noght the god of lif. Be so thei have or swerd or knif Here dedly wraththe forto wreke, Of Pite list hem noght to speke; 11IO Non other reson thei ne fonge, - Bot that thei ben of mihtes stronge. Bot war hem wel in other place, P. i. 317 Where every man behoveth grace, Bot ther I trowe it schal hem faile, To whom no merci mihte availe, Bot wroghten upon tiraundie, That no pite ne mihte hem plie. Now tell, my Sone. Fader, what? If thou hast be coupable of that. I120 Mi fader, nay, Crist me forbiede: I speke onliche as of the dede, Of which I nevere was coupable Withoute cause resonable. Bot this is noght to mi matiere Of schrifte, why we sitten hiere ;
1108 thei] pe F
1119 my] me EL, W me my Hi
LIBER TERCIUS 257
For. we ben sett to schryve of love, [CoNTEK WITHIN THI As we begunne ferst above: Heart] And natheles I am beknowe That as touchende of loves throwe, 1130 Whan I my wittes overwende, Min hertes contek hath non ende, Bot evere it stant upon debat To gret desese of myn astat As for the time that it lasteth. For whan mi fortune overcasteth Hire whiel and is to me so strange, And that I se sche wol noght change, Than caste I al the world aboute, And thenke hou I at home and oute 1140 Have al my time in vein despended, And se noght how to ben amended, Bot rathere forto be empeired, P. i. 318 As he that is welnyh despeired : For I ne mai no thonk deserve, And evere I love and evere I serve, And evere I am aliche nerr. Thus, for I stonde in such a wer, I am, as who seith, out of herre; And thus upon miself the werre 1150 I bringe, and putte out alle pes, That I fulofte in such a res Am wery of myn oghne lif. So that of Contek and of strif I am beknowe and have ansuerd, As ye, my fader, now have herd. Min herte is wonderly begon With conseil, wherof witt is on, Which hath resoun in compaignie ; Ayein the whiche stant partie 1160 Will, which hath hope of his acord, And thus thei bringen up descord. Witt and resoun conseilen ofte That I myn herte scholde softe, And that I scholde will remue 1145 pong J, F ping BA, W 1164 I om. XRCLBs, Hs ** S
258
[Cowrek WITHIN THE Heart. ]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And put him out of retenue, Or elles holde him under fote: For as thei sein, if that he mote His oghne rewle have upon honde, Ther schal no witt ben understonde. II70 Of hope also thei tellen this, That overal, wher that he is, He set the herte in jeupartie P. i. 819 With wihssinge and with fantasie, And is noght trewe of that he seith, So that in him ther is no feith: Thus with reson and wit avised Is will and hope aldai despised. . Reson seith that I scholde leve To love, wher ther is no leve 1180 To spede, and will seith therayein That such an herte is to vilein, Which dar noght love; and til he spede; Let hope serve at such a nede: He seith ek, where an herte sit Al hol governed upon wit, He hath this lyves lust forlore. And thus myn herte is al totore Of such a Contek as thei make: Bot yit I mai noght will forsake, I190 That he nys Maister of my thoght, Or that I spede, or spede noght. Thou dost, my Sone, ayein the mht; Bot love is of so gret a miht, His lawe mai noman refuse, So miht thou thee the betre excuse. And natheles thou schalt be lerned That will scholde evere be governed Of reson more than of kinde, Wherof a tale write I finde. 1200
A Philosophre of which men tolde
1166 put AJ, F putte C, B. 1171 thei tellen] to telle B 1133 jeupartie] champartie Hi... Bs 1174 wihssinge AJ, F wissching (wisshing) C, B 1179 I] it AM 1187 this] his Hi... BE», WHs 1190 will] wel Hi... Bj, WHs 1198 evere om. Hi... Bs, Hs
LIBER TERCIUS
Ther was whilom be daies olde, And Diogenes thanne he hihte.
So old he was that he ne mihte The world travaile, and for the beste He schop him forto take his reste, And duelte at hom in such a wise, That nyh his hous he let devise Endlong upon an Axeltre
To sette a tonne in such degre, That he it mihte torne aboute ; Wherof on hed was taken oute,
For he therinne sitte scholde
And torne himself so as he wolde, To take their and se the hevene And deme of the planetes sevene, As he which cowthe mochel what. And thus fulofte there he sat
To muse in his philosophie
Solein withoute compaignie :
So that upon a morwetyde,
As thing which scholde so betyde, Whan he was set ther as him liste To loke upon the Sonne ariste, Wherof the propretes he sih,
It fell ther cam ridende nyh
King Alisandre with a route ;
And as he caste his yhe aboute, Pe. He sih this Tonne, and what it mente
He wolde wite, and thider sente 1230 A knyht, be whom he mihte it knowe, And he himself that ilke throwe Abod, and hoveth there stille.
This kniht after the kinges wille
With spore made his hors to gon
And to the tonne he cam anon,
Wher that he fond a man of Age, And he him tolde the message,
Such as the king him hadde bede,
P. i. 320
1210
P. i 321
259
(TALE or DioGzNEs AND ALEXANDER.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum, quod ho- minis impetuosa vo- luntas sit discrecionis moderamine guber- nanda, Etnarrat qua- liter Diogenes, qui motus animi sui ra- cioni subiugarat, Re- gem Alexandrum su. per isto facto sibi op- ponentem plenius in- formauit.
1220 . .
1208 That] But B 1211 margin opponente Hi... Bs, Hs 1213 Wherof} Wher(e) HiXRCB:, Hs 1222 so] po L, B
S2
260
Tare oF DIOGENES IND ALEXANDER. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And axeth why in thilke stede 1240 The Tonne stod, and what it was.
And he, which understod the cas,
Sat stille and spak no word ayein.
The kniht bad speke and seith, ‘ Vilein,
Thou schalt me telle, er that I go;
It is thi king which axeth so.’
* Mi king,’ quod he, ‘that were unriht.'
‘What is he thanne ?’ seith the kniht,
‘Is he thi man?’ ‘ That seie I noght,’
Quod he, ‘bot this I am bethoght, 1250 Mi mannes man hou that he is.’
‘Thou lyest, false cherl, ywiss,’
The kniht him seith, and was riht wroth,
And to the king ayein he goth
And tolde him how this man ansuerde.
The king, whan he this tale herde,
Bad that thei scholden alle abyde,
For he himself wol thider ryde.
And whan he cam tofore the tonne,
He hath his tale thus begonne : 1 260 * Alheil he seith, ‘what man art thou ? ?
Quod he, ‘Such on as thou sest now.’
The king, which hadde wordes wise, P. i. 322 His age wolde noght despise,
Bot seith, * Mi fader, I thee preie
That thou me wolt the cause seie,
How that I am thi mannes man.’
‘Sire king, quod he, ‘and that I can,
If that thou wolt.’ ‘Yis,’ seith the king.
Quod he, * This is the sothe thing: 1270 Sith I ferst resoun understod,
And knew what thing was evel and good,
The will which of my bodi moeveth,
Whos werkes that the god reproeveth,
I have restreigned everemore,
As him which stant under the lore
Of reson, whos soubgit he is,
1241 he was SAdBTA 1253 king B 1258 wold(e) M...CBs, AdT, WHs 1276 As]OfB And W
LIBER TERCIUS 261
So that he mai noght don amis: [Tare or Dioc: And thus be weie of covenant Will is my man and my servant, 1280 And evere hath ben and evere schal. And thi will is thi principal, And hath the lordschipe of thi witt, So that thou cowthest nevere yit Take o dai reste of thi labour ; Bot forto ben a conquerour Of worldes good, which mai noght laste, Thou hiest evere aliche faste, Wher thou no reson hast to winne : And thus thi will is cause of Sinne, 1290 And is thi lord, to whom thou servest, Wherof thou litel thonk deservest.' The king of that he thus answerde P. i. 323 Was nothing wroth, bot whanne he herde The hihe wisdom which he seide, With goodly wordes this he preide, That he him wolde telle his name. *I am, quod he, 'that ilke same, The which men Diogenes calle.' Tho was the king riht glad withalle, 1300 For he hadde often herd tofore What man he was, so that therfore He seide, *O wise Diogene, Now schal thi grete witt be sene; For thou schalt of my yifte have What worldes thing that thou wolt crave.' Quod he, ‘Thanne hove out of mi Sonne, And let it schyne into mi Tonne; For thou benymst me thilke yifte, Which lith noght in thi miht to schifte: 1310 Non other good of thee me nedeth.' This king, whom every contre dredeth, Lo, thus he was enformed there: Wherof, my Sone, thou miht lere How that thi will schal noght be lieved,
1295 wisdom] wordes Hi... B» Hs 1296 gostly B 1307 mi] Je A 1312 This] The B
[Conrex.]
| [Pyramus AND THISBE. ]
Hic in amoris causa ponit Confessor exem- plum contra illos qui in sua dampna nimis accelerantes ex impe- tuositate seipsos mul- tociens offendunt. Et narrat qualiter Pira- mus, cum ipse Tisbee amicam suam in loco inter eosdem deputato tempore aduentus sui promptam non inue- nit, animo impetuoso seipsum pre dolore extracto gladio mor- taliter transfodit : que postea infra breue ve- niens cum ipsum sic mortuum inuenisset, eciam et illa in sui ipsius mortem impe- tuose festinans eius- dem gladii cuspide sui cordis intima per medium penetrauit.
1318 How per(e) HiG... Bs, Hs 1331 this] pus HE. .. Bsa, Hs margin ipsos Hi... Bs, Hs
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Where it is noght of wit relieved. And thou hast seid thiself er this How that thi will thi maister is;
Thurgh which thin hertes thoght withinne
Is evere of Contek to beginne, So that it is gretli to drede That it non homicide brede. For love is of a wonder kinde, And hath hise wittes ofte blinde, That thei fro mannes reson falle; Bot whan that it is so befalle That will schal the corage lede, In loves cause it is to drede: Wherof I finde ensample write, Which is behovely forto wite.
I rede a tale, and telleth this: The Cite which Semiramis Enclosed hath with wall aboute, Of worthi folk with many a route Was enhabited here and there ; Among the whiche tuo ther were Above alle othre noble and grete, Dwellende tho withinne a Strete So nyh togedre, as it was sene, That ther was nothing hem betwene, Bot wow to wow and wall to wall. This o lord hadde in special A Sone, a lusti Bacheler,
In al the toun was non his pier: That other hadde a dowhter eke,
In al the lond that forto seke
Men wisten non so faire as sche. And fell so, as it scholde be,
This faire dowhter nyh this Sone As thei togedre thanne wone, Cupide hath so the thinges schape, That thei ne mihte his hand ascape,
1320
I330
I340
1350
1330 forto] pat pou SAdBTA 1332 Semiranus E ... Bs, Hs 1336
LIBER TERCIUS 263
That he his fyr on hem ne caste: P. i. 325 [Pyrauus AND Wherof her herte he overcaste Tursnz.] To folwe thilke lore and suie Which nevere man yit miht eschuie; And that was love, as it is happed, Which hath here hertes so betrapped, That thei be alle weies seche How that thei mihten winne a speche, 1360 Here wofull peine forto lisse. Who loveth wel, it mai noght misse, And namely whan ther be tuo Of on acord, how so it go, Bot if that thei som weie finde; For love is evere of such a kinde And hath his folk so wel affaited, That howso that it be awaited, Ther mai noman the pourpos lette: And thus betwen hem tuo thei sette 1370 An hole upon a wall to make, Thurgh which thei have her conseil take At alle times, whan thei myhte. This faire Maiden Tisbee hihte, And he whom that sche loveth hote Was Piramus be name hote. So longe here lecoun thei recorden, Til ate laste thei acorden Be nihtes time forto wende Al one out fro the tounes ende, 1380 Wher was a welle under a Tree; And who cam ferst, or sche or he, He scholde stille there abide. P. i. 326 So it befell the nyhtes tide This maiden, which desguised was, Al prively the softe pas Goth thurgh the large toun unknowe, Til that sche cam withinne a throwe Wher that sche liketh forto duelle, At thilke unhappi freisshe welle, 1390 Which was also the Forest nyh. 1358 so om, AM 1384 the] by (be) Hi... Bs, Hs aW
264 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[PvRAMUS AND Wher sche comende a Leoun syh Trissz.] Into the feld to take his preie, In haste and sche tho fledde aweie, So as fortune scholde falle, For feere and let hire wympel falle Nyh to the welle upon therbage. This Leoun in his wilde rage A beste, which that he fond oute, Hath slain, and with his blodi snoute, 1400 Whan he hath eten what he wolde, To drynke of thilke stremes colde Cam to the welle, where he fond The wympel, which out of hire hond Was falle, and he it hath todrawe, Bebled aboute and al forgnawe ; And thanne he strawhte him forto drinke Upon the freisshe welles brinke, And after that out of the plein He torneth to the wode ayein. 1410 And Tisbee dorste noght remue, Bot as a bridd which were in Mue Withinne a buissh sche kepte hire clos P. i. 327 So stille that sche noght aros; Unto hirself and pleigneth ay. And fell, whil that sche there lay,
This Piramus cam after sone Unto the welle, and be the Mone He fond hire wimpel blodi there. Cam nevere yit to mannes Ere 1410 Tidinge, ne to mannes sihte Merveile, which so sore aflihte A mannes herte, as it tho dede To him, which in the same stede With many a wofull compleignynge Began his handes forto wringe, As he which demeth sikerly That sche be ded: and sodeinly
1394 fleigh (fleih &c.) HG... Ba, Hs flew X — 1406 al fordrawe (al for drawe) HiXRCBs, Hs alto gnawe L 1422 afrighte (afriht &c.) HiG... Bs, Hs
LIBER TERCIUS 265
His swerd al nakid out he breide [PyRAMUS AND In his folhaste, and thus he seide: 1430 Trisue.] ‘I am cause of this felonie,
So it is resoun that I die,
As sche is ded be cause of me.’
And with that word upon his kne
He fell, and to the goddes alle
Up to the hevene he gan to calle,
And preide, sithen it was so
That he may noght his love as tho
Have in this world, that of her grace
He miht hire have in other place, 1440 For hiere wolde he noght abide,
He seith: bot as it schal betide,
The Pomel of his swerd to grounde — P. i. 328 He sette, and thurgh his herte a wounde
He made up to the bare hilte:
And in this wise himself he spilte
With his folhaste and deth he nam;
For sche withinne a while cam,
Wher he lai ded upon his knif.
So wofull yit was nevere lif 1450 As Tisbee was, whan sche him sih:
Sche mihte noght o word on hih
Speke oute, for hire herte schette,
That of hir lif no pris sche sette,
Bot ded swounende doun sche fell.
Til after, whanne it so befell
That sche out of hire traunce awok,
With many a wofull pitous lok
Hire yhe alwei among sche caste
Upon hir love, and ate laste | 1460 Sche cawhte breth and seide thus :
*O thou which cleped art Venus,
Goddesse of love, and thou, Cupide,
Which loves cause hast forto guide,
I wot now wel that ye be blinde,
1430 fulhast (fulle haste &c.) AMHiXCLBs, Ad, W foule haste A 433 As] And Hi... B, Hs 1440 miht (might) J, B, F mihte A 1448 forp sche X... B3, WHs AndscheT 1462 art cleped L, AABTA
266
[PYRAMUS AND Tus. |
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of thilke unhapp which I now finde Only betwen my love and me. This Piramus, which hiere I se Bledende, what hath he deserved ? For he youre heste hath kept and served, 1470 And was yong and I bothe also: Helas, why do ye with ous so? Ye sette oure herte bothe afyre, P. i. 339 And maden ous such thing desire Wherof that we no skile cowthe ; Bot thus oure freisshe lusti yowthe Withoute joie is al despended, Which thing mai nevere ben amended : For as of me this wol I seie, That me is levere. forto deie 1480 Than live after this sorghful day.’ And with this word, where as he lay, Hire love in armes sche embraseth, Hire oghne deth and so pourchaseth That now sche wepte and nou sche kiste, Til ate laste, er sche it wiste, So gret a sorwe is to hire falle, Which overgoth hire wittes alle. As sche which mihte it noght asterte, The swerdes point ayein hire herte 1490 Sche sette, and fell doun therupon, Wherof that sche was ded anon: And thus bothe on o swerd bledende Thei weren founde ded liggende. Now thou, mi Sone, hast herd this tale, Bewar that of thin oghne bale Thou be noght cause in thi folhaste, And kep that thou thi witt ne waste Upon thi thoght in aventure, Wherof thi lyves forfeture I 500 Mai falle: and if thou have so thoght Er this, tell on and hyde it noght.
1473 hertes Hi... Bs, AdBT, WHs 1479 as for me Hi.. . Bs, 1487 gret EC, SB. greteAJ, F 1489 And sche Hi... Bs, Hs 1496 that of] of pat H1XE ... Bs
LIBER TERCIUS 267
Mi fader, upon loves side P. i. 330 (THe Lover’s Con- Mi conscience I woll noght hyde, FEssion. DANGER. ] How that for love of pure wo Confessio Amantis. I have ben ofte moeved so,
That with my wisshes if I myhte,
A thousand times, I yow plyhte,
I hadde storven in a day ;
And therof I me schryve may, 1510 Though love fully me ne slowh,
Mi will to deie was ynowh,
So am I of my will coupable:
And yit is sche noght merciable, Which mai me yive lif and hele.
Bot that hir list noght with me dele, I wot be whos conseil it is,
And him wolde I long time er this, And yit I wolde and evere schal, Slen and destruie in special. 1520 The gold of nyne kinges londes
Ne scholde him save fro myn hondes, In my pouer if that he were ;
Bot yit him stant of me no fere
For noght that evere I can manace. He is the hindrere of mi grace,
Til he be ded I mai noght spede; So mot I nedes taken hiede
And schape how that he were aweie,
If I therto mai finde a weie. 1530
Mi Sone, tell me now forthi, Confessor. Which is that mortiel enemy That thou manacest to be ded. P. i. 331
Mi fader, it is such a qwed, Confessio Amantis.
o
That wher I come, he is tofore, And doth so, that mi cause is lore. What is his name? It is Daunger, Which is mi ladi consailer : For I was nevere yit so slyh, To come in eny place nyh 1540 1503 loue F 1512 was] is BT
268
[DANGER.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Wher as sche was be nyht or day,
That Danger ne was redy ay,
With whom for speche ne for mede
Yit mihte I nevere of love spede ;
For evere this I finde soth,
Al that my ladi seith or doth
To me, Daunger schal make an ende,
And that makth al mi world miswende :
And evere I axe his help, bot he
Mai wel be cleped sanz pite ; 1350 For ay the more I to him bowe,
The lasse he wol my tale alowe.
He hath mi ladi so englued,
Sche wol noght that he be remued ;
For evere he hangeth on hire Seil,
And is so prive of conseil,
That evere whanne I have oght bede,
I finde Danger in hire stede
And myn ansuere of him I have;
Bot for no merci that I crave, 1560 Of merci nevere a point I hadde.
I finde his ansuere ay so badde,
That werse mihte it nevere be: P. i. 332 And thus betwen Danger and me
Is evere werre til he dye.
Bot mihte I ben of such maistrie,
That I Danger hadde overcome,
With that were al my joie come.
Thus wolde I wonde for no Sinne,
Ne yit for al this world to winne; 1570 If that I mihte finde a sleyhte,
To leie al myn astat in weyhte,
I wolde him fro the Court dissevere,
So that he come ayeinward nevere.
Therfore I wisshe and wolde fain
That he were in som wise slain ;
For while he stant in thilke place,
Ne gete I noght my ladi grace.
1562 And pus daunger my fortune ladde Hi... Bs, Hs (chaunce Jor fortune E)
LIBER TERCIUS 269
Thus hate I dedly thilke vice, (DANGER.] And wolde he stode in non office 1580 In place wher mi ladi is ; For if he do, I wot wel this, That owther schal he deie or I Withinne a while; and noght forthi On my ladi fulofte I muse, How that sche mai hirself excuse, If that I deie in such a plit. Me thenkth sche mihte noght be qwyt That sche ne were an homicide: And if it scholde so betide, 1590 As god forbiede it scholde be, Be double weie it is pite. For I, which al my will and witt P. i. 333 Have yove and served evere yit, And thanne I scholde in such a wise In rewardinge of my servise Be ded, me thenkth it were a rowthe : And furthermor, to telle trowthe, Sche, that hath evere be wel named, Were worthi thanne to be blamed 1600 And of reson to ben appeled, Whan with o word sche mihte have heled A man, and soffreth him so deie. Ha, who sawh evere such a weie? Ha, who sawh evere such destresse ? Withoute pite gentilesse, Withoute mercy wommanhede, That wol so quyte a man his mede, Which evere hath be to love trewe. Mi goode fader, if ye rewe 1610 Upon mi tale, tell me now, And I wol stinte and herkne yow. Mi Sone, attempre thi corage Confessor. Fro Wraththe, and let thin herte assuage: For who so wole him underfonge, 1597 a0». H1... B, BA, Hs 1603 sodeie]to deie JH1GE, BT,
VHs forto deie L 1605 such(suche) YXGECLBs, SBA, W insuch JM, AdTA, F such a HiR, H»Magd 1611 tell me]telle 3e AM
270
HORE HASTE WORSE SPEED. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
He mai his grace abide longe,
Er he of love be received ;
And ek also, bot it be weyved,
Ther mihte mochel thing befalle,
That scholde make a man to falle 1620
Fro love, that nevere afterward
Ne durste he loke thiderward.
In harde weies men gon softe, P. i. 33
And er thei clymbe avise hem ofte :
Men sen alday that rape reweth ;
And who so wicked Ale breweth,
Fulofte he mot the werse drinke :
Betre is to flete than to sincke ;
Betre is upon the bridel chiewe
Thanne if he felle and overthrewe, 1630 The hors and stikede in the Myr:
To caste water in the fyr
Betre is than brenne up al the hous:
The man which is malicious
And folhastif, fulofte he falleth,
And selden is whan love him calleth.
Forthi betre is to soffre a throwe
Than be to wilde and overthrowe ;
Suffrance hath evere be the beste
To wissen him that secheth reste : 1640 And thus, if thou wolt love and spede,
Mi Sone, soffre, as I the rede.
What mai the Mous ayein the Cat?
And for this cause I axe that,
Who mai to love make a werre,
That he ne hath himself the werre ?
Love axeth pes and evere schal,
And who that fihteth most withal
Schal lest conquere of his emprise :
For this thei tellen that ben wise, 1650 Wicke is to stryve and have the werse ;
To hasten is noght worth a kerse ;
Thing that a man mai noght achieve, P. i 335
1641 and om. Hi, B 1649 Schal best B Lest schal Hi... Bs, Hs
LIBER TERCIUS | 271
That mai noght wel be don at Eve, [MoRE HASTE woRSE It mot abide til the morwe. SPEED. ]
Ne haste noght thin oghne sorwe,
Mi Sone, and tak this in thi witt,
He hath noght lost that wel abitt.
Ensample that it falleth thus, Thou miht wel take of Piramus, 1660 Whan he in haste his swerd outdrowh And on the point himselve slowh For love of Tisbee pitously,
For he hire wympel fond blody
And wende a beste hire hadde slain;
Wher as him oghte have be riht fain,
For sche was there al sauf beside:
Bot for he wolde noght abide,
This meschief fell. Forthi be war,
Mi Sone, as I the warne dar, 1670 Do thou nothing in such a res,
For suffrance is the welle of Pes.
Thogh thou to loves Court poursuie,
Yit sit it wel that thou eschuie
That thou the Court noght overhaste,
For so miht thou thi time waste;
Bot if thin happ therto be schape,
It mai noght helpe forto rape.
Therfore attempre thi corage;
Folhaste doth non avantage, 1680 Bot ofte it set a man behinde
In cause of love, and that I finde
Be olde ensample, as thou schalt hiere, P. i. 336 Touchende of love in this matiere.
A Maiden whilom ther was on, [TALE or PHEBUS AND Which Daphne hihte, and such was non Dapur. ] Of beaute thanne, as it was seid. Phebus his love hath on hire leid, Hic ponit Confessor And therupon to hire he soghte exemplum contra il-
. los qui in amoris causa In his folhaste, and so besoghte, 1690 nimia festinacione con-
1661 outdrowh F out drowh (drough) AJ, B 1671 a res EC, B aresAJ, S,F 1686 such was] per was Hi... Bs, Hs
LIBER TERCIUS 273
Bot while I se mi ladi is 1730 [Foor-HasrE.] No tre, but halt hire oghne forme, Ther mai me noman so enforme, To whether part fortune wende, That I unto mi lyves ende Ne wol hire serven everemo. Mi Sone, sithen it is so4— Confessor. I seie nomor; bot in this cas Bewar how it with Phebus was. Noght only upon loves chance, Bot upon every governance 1740 Which falleth unto mannes dede, Folhaste is evere forto drede, And that a man good consail take, P. i. 338 Er he- his pourpos undertake, For consail put Folhaste aweie. Now goode fader, I you preie, Amans. That forto wisse me the more, Som good ensample upon this lore Ye wolden telle of that is write, That I the betre mihte wite 1750 How I Folhaste scholde eschuie, And the wisdom of conseil suie. Mi Sone, that thou miht enforme Confessor. Thi pacience upon the forme Of olde essamples, as thei felle, Now understond what I schal telle. —
Whan noble Troie was belein [ATHEMAS AND And overcome, and hom ayein DEMEPHON. } The Gregois torned fro the siege, The kinges founde here oghne liege 1760 HicponitConfessor : exemplum contra il- In manye places, as men seide, los qui nimio furore That hem forsoke and desobeide. accensi vindictam Ire . . sue vitra quam decet Among the whiche fell this cas consequi affectant. Et To Demephon and Athemas, narrat qualiter Athe- . mas et Demephon Re- That weren kinges bothe tuo, ges, cum ipsi de bello And bothe weren served so: Troiano ad propria 1732 me om. AML, KH:Magd (no man so me W) 1763 pe cas Hi... Ba
** T
LIBER TERCIUS 275
Ther was a prive conseil nome. [ATHEMAS AND The lordes ben togedre come ; Drwrruox.] This Demephon and Athemas Here pourpos tolden, as it was ; Thei sieten alle stille and herde, Was non bot Nestor hem ansuerde. 1810 He bad hem, if thei wolde winne, They scholden se, er thei beginne, Here ende, and sette here ferste entente, That thei hem after ne repente: And axeth hem this questioun, To what final conclusioun Thei wolde regne Kinges there, If that no poeple in londe were; And seith, it were a wonder wierde To sen a king become an hierde, 1820 Wher no lif is bot only beste Under the liegance of his heste ; For who that is of man no king, The remenant is as no thing. He seith ek, if the pourpos holde To sle the poeple, as thei tuo wolde, Whan thei it mihte noght restore, Al Grece it scholde abegge sore, To se the wilde beste wone Wher whilom duelte a mannes Sone: 1830 And for that cause he bad hem trete, And stinte of the manaces grete. Betre is to winne be fair speche, P. i. 341 He seith, than such vengance seche ; For whanne a man is most above, Nota. Him nedeth most to gete him love. Whan Nestor hath his tale seid, Ayein him was no word withseid ; It thoghte hem alle he seide wel: And thus fortune hire dedly whiel 1840 Fro werre torneth into pes. Bot forth thei wenten natheles ; 1806 come] nome XCLB: 1830 a om. HiGECL, B 1832 the] yo AJM, SBTA, K om.R 1835 margin Nota F om. A, B T2
276 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
LATHEMAS. «y And whan the Contres herde sein
How that here kinges be besein Of such a pouer as thei ladde, Was non so bold that hem ne dradde, And forto seche pes and grith Thei sende and preide anon forthwith, So that the kinges ben appesed, And every mannes herte is esed ; 1850 Al was foryete and noght recorded. And thus thei ben togedre acorded ; The kinges were ayein received, And pes was take and wraththe weived, And al thurgh conseil which was good Of him that reson understod.
Confessor. Be this ensample, Sone, attempre Thin herte and let no will distempre Nota. Thi wit, and do nothing be myht Which mai be do be love and riht. 1860
Folhaste is cause of mochel wo; Forthi, mi Sone, do noght so. [Hoxrcrpr. . And as touchende of Homicide P. i. 342 Which toucheth unto loves side, Fulofte it falleth unavised Thurgh will, which is noght wel assised, Whan wit and reson ben aweie And that Folhaste is in the weie, Wherof hath falle gret vengance. Forthi tak into remembrance 1870 To love in such a maner wise That thou deserve no juise: For wel I wot, thou miht noght lette, That thou ne schalt thin herte sette To love, wher thou wolt or non; Bot if thi wit be overgon, So that it torne into malice, Ther wot noman of thilke vice, What peril that ther mai befalle: Wherof a tale amonges alle, 1880 Which is gret pite forto hiere, 1859 margin Nota F om. A, B 1866 Thourgh F
I thenke forto tellen hiere,
LIBER TERCIUS
That thou such moerdre miht withstonde, Whan thou the tale hast understonde.
Of Troie at thilke noble toun, Whos fame stant yit of renoun And evere schal to mannes Ere, The Siege laste longe there,
Er that the Greks it mihten winne,
Whil Priamus was king therinne ;
1890
Bot of the Greks that lyhe aboute Agamenon ladde al the route.
This thing is knowen overal, Bot yit I thenke in special To my matiere therupon
P. i. 343
Telle in what wise Agamenon,
Thurgh chance which mai noght be weived, Of love untrewe was deceived.
An old sawe is, ‘Who that is slyh
In place where he mai be nyh,
1900
He makth the ferre Lieve loth’: Of love and thus fulofte it goth. Ther while Agamenon batailleth
To winne Troie, and it assailleth, Fro home and was long time ferr, Egistus drowh his qweene nerr, And with the leiser which he hadde This ladi at his wille he ladde: Climestre was hire rihte name,
Sche was therof gretli to blame,
1910
To love there it mai noght laste. Bot fell to meschief ate laste ; For whan this noble worthi kniht Fro Troie cam, the ferste nyht That he at home abedde lay, Egistus, longe er it was day,
1885 at thilke] pilke B, Hs pat ilke W of pilke L
ing ERL, BT 908 hadde B erst F
1893 thing]
1899 margin crudelissima seueritate A... Bs, BT &c.
I913 worpi noble AM
1914 ferste (firste) AJ, B
27]
(Tare or Onzsrzs.]
Hicponit Confessor exemplum contra il- los qui ob sue concu- piscencie desiderium homicide efficiuntur. Et narrat qualiter Climestra vxor Regis Agamenontis, cum ipse a bello Troiano domi redisset, consilio Egisti, quem adultera peramauit, sponsum suum in cubili dormi- entem sub noctis si- lencio trucidabat ; cu- ius mortem filius eius Horestes tunc minoris etatis postea diis ad- monitus seueritate cru- delissima — vindicauit.
LIBER TERCIUS 279
Til that he were of such a myht [Tate or Onzsrzs.] To handle a swerd and ben a knyht, To venge him at his oghne wille. And thus Horestes duelleth stille, Such was the childes rihte name, Which after wroghte mochel schame 1960 In vengance of his fader deth. The time of yeres overgeth, That he was man of brede and lengthe, Of wit, of manhod and of strengthe, A fair persone amonges alle. And he began to clepe and calle, As he which come was to manne, Unto the King of Crete thanne, Preiende that he wolde him make A kniht and pouer with him take, 1970 For lengere wolde he noght beleve, He seith, bot preith the king of leve To gon and cleyme his heritage And vengen him of thilke oultrage Which was unto his fader do. The king assenteth wel therto, With gret honour and knyht him makth, And gret pouer to him betakth, And gan his journe forto caste : So that Horestes ate laste 1980 His leve tok and forth he goth. As he that was in herte wroth, His ferste pleinte to bemene, P. i. 346 Unto the Cite of Athene He goth him forth and was received, So there was he noght deceived. The Duc and tho that weren wise Thei profren hem to his servise ; And he hem thonketh of here profre And seith himself he wol gon offre 1990 Unto the goddes for his sped, 1968 Unto] Vnto to F Grece M... Ba (except EC) 1979 gan
his journe] gan his money XGE gaue his money HiRCLBs 1989 he om. B
280
[Tare or Orestes. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As alle men him yeven red.
So goth he to the temple forth:
Of yiftes that be mochel worth
His sacrifice and his offringe
He made; and after his axinge
He was ansuerd, if that he wolde
His stat recovere, thanne he scholde
Upon his Moder do vengance
So cruel, that the remembrance 2000 Therof mihte everemore abide,
As sche that was an homicide
And of hire oghne lord Moerdrice.
Horestes, which of thilke office
Was nothing glad, as thanne he preide
Unto the goddes there and seide
That thei the juggement devise,
How sche schal take the juise.
And therupon he hadde ansuere,
That he hire Pappes scholde of tere 2010 Out of hire brest his oghne hondes,
And for ensample of alle londes
With hors sche scholde be todrawe, P. i. 347 Til houndes hadde hire bones gnawe Withouten eny sepulture:
This was a wofull aventure.
And whan Horestes hath al herd,
How that the goddes have ansuerd,
Forth with the strengthe which he ladde
The Duc and his pouer he hadde, 2020 And to a Cite forth thei gon,
The which was cleped Cropheon,
Where as Phoieus was lord and Sire,
Which profreth him withouten hyre
His help and al that he mai do,
As he that was riht glad therto,
To grieve his mortiel enemy :
And tolde hem certein cause why,
How that Egiste in Mariage
2003 of] pus B 2005 and pan (panne) GL, BT — 2023 Phogeus
Phoreus T Plorence W
LIBER TERCIUS 281
His dowhter whilom of full Age 2030 [Tare or Onzrsrzs.] Forlai, and afterward forsok, Whan he Horestes Moder tok. Men sein, ‘Old Senne newe schame ' : Thus more and more aros the blame Ayein Egiste on every side. Horestes with his host to ride Began, and Phoieus with hem wente; I trowe Egiste him schal repente. Thei riden forth unto Micene, Wher lay Climestre thilke qweene, 2040 The which Horestes moder is: And whan sche herde telle of this, The gates weren faste schet, |» P. i. 348 And thei were of here entre let. Anon this Cite was withoute Belein and sieged al aboute, And evere among thei it assaile, Fro day to nyht and so travaile, Til ate laste thei it wonne; Tho was ther sorwe ynowh begonne. 2050 Horestes dede his moder calle Anon tofore the lordes alle And ek tofor the poeple also, To hire and tolde his tale tho, And seide, *O cruel beste unkinde, How mihtest thou thin herte finde, For eny lust of loves drawhte, That thou acordest to the slawhte Of him which was thin oghne lord? Thi treson stant of such record, 2069 Thou miht thi werkes noght forsake ; So mot I for mi fader sake Vengance upon thi bodi do, As I comanded am therto. Unkindely for thou hast wroght, Unkindeliche it schal be boght, 2041 is] was Hi ... Bi 2042 herd telle of pis cas Hi... Bs
2044 entre] purpos Hi... Bs 2046 lieged AM 2056 pou pin (pi) AJM, SAdA,F pou in pin (pi) Hi... Bs, BA, W in thyn T
282
[Tare or OnzsrEs.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The Sone schal the Moder sle, For that whilom thou seidest yee To that thou scholdest nay have seid.' And he with that his hond hath leid 2070 Upon his Moder brest anon, And rente out fro the bare bon Hire Pappes bothe and caste aweie P. i. 349 Amiddes in the carte weie, And after tok the dede cors And let it drawe awey with hors Unto the hounde and to the raven ; Sche was non other wise graven. Egistus, which was elles where, Tidinges comen to his Ere 2080 How that Micenes was belein, Bot what was more herd he noght sein ; With gret manace and mochel bost He drowh pouer and made an host And cam in rescousse of the toun. Bot al the sleyhte of his tresoun Horestes wiste it be aspie, And of his men a gret partie He made in buisshement abide, To waite on him in such a tide 2090 That he ne mihte here hond ascape: And in this wise as he hath schape The thing befell, so that Egiste Was take, er he himself it wiste, And was forth broght hise hondes bounde, As whan men han a tretour founde. And tho that weren with him take, Whiche of tresoun were overtake, Togedre in o sentence falle; Bot false Egiste above hem alle 2100 Was demed to diverse peine, The worste that men cowthe ordeigne, And so forth after be the lawe P. i. 350 He was unto the gibet drawe,
2077 and to] vnto BAA 208aherd J, SB, F herdeA 2100 false AJ,S,F falsC, B
LIBER TERCIUS 283
Where he above alle othre hongeth, [Tare or ORESTES.] As to a tretour it belongeth. Tho fame with hire swifte wynges Aboute flyh and bar tidinges, And made it cowth in alle londes How that Horestes with hise hondes 2110 Climestre his oghne Moder slowh. Some sein he dede wel ynowh, And som men sein he dede amis, Diverse opinion ther is: That sche is ded thei speken alle, Bot pleinli hou it is befalle, The matiere in so litel throwe In soth ther mihte noman knowe Bot thei that weren ate dede: And comunliche in every nede 2120 The worste speche is rathest herd And lieved, til it be ansuerd. The kinges and the lordes grete Begonne Horestes forto threte To puten him out of his regne: ‘He is noght worthi forto regne, The child which slowh his moder so,' Thei saide; and therupon also The lordes of comun assent A time sette of parlement, 2130 And to Athenes king and lord Togedre come of on acord, To knowe hou that the sothe was: P. i. 351 So that Horestes in this cas Thei senden after, and he com. King Menelay the wordes nom And axeth him of this matiere: And he, that alle it mihten hiere, Ansuerde and tolde his tale alarge, And hou the goddes in his charge 2140 Comanded him in such a wise His oghne hond to do juise.
2107 Tho AJM, ST, F The Hi... Bj, AdBAA, WHs hire] his C. the Hi om. AM 2139 at large HiXGECL, B, W
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ami wert chs tale a Duc aros,
Soer was 2 worth kniht of los, Se same was Menesteüs, Ao semÀe unto the lordes thus:
Tye wreeche which Horestes dede, > was dung of the goddes bede, ki mxhing of his crualte ; Ani cf ther were of mi degree 2150 “x a this place such a kniht
"war wolde sein it was no riht, > wuie it with my bodi prove.’
uni therupon he caste his glove,
wri ek this noble Duc alleide Xa; many an other skile, and seide Ste badde wel deserved wreche, emt for the cause of Spousebreche,
und after wroghte in such a wise "^ar al the world it oghte agrise, 2160 Whan that sche for so foul a vice Was of hire oghne lord moerdrice. aa seten alle stille and herde, P. i. 352 Mot therto was noman ansuerde, tt thoghte hem alle he seide skile,
“her ts noman withseie it wile ; Whar thet upon the reson musen, Hutates alle thei excusen : Ÿ chat with gret solempnete Me was unto his dignete 2170 Keaved, and coroned king.
uw tho befell a wonder thing :
Samus whan sche this wiste,
W heh was the dowhter of Egiste
uw Nveter on the moder side
'( ams Ploreste, at thilke tide,
"wai whe herde how hir brother spedde,
sa “ue wrwe, which hire ledde,
"M Wow hadde ben exiled,
ew mens a alle X... Bs withsit hit wille Hi with seith Q0. sah ow alle X ... Bo 2177 herde AJ, B
LIBER TERCIUS 285
Sche hath hire oghne lif beguiled 2180 [TALE or Onrsrzs.] Anon and hyng hireselve tho.
It hath and schal ben everemo,
To moerdre who that wole assente,
He mai noght faille to repente:
This false Egiona was on,
Which forto moerdre Agamenon
Yaf hire acord and hire assent,
So that be goddes juggement,
Thogh that non other man it wolde,
Sche tok hire juise as sche scholde; 2190 And as sche to an other wroghte,
Vengance upon hireself sche soghte,
And hath of hire unhappi wit P. i. 353 A moerdre with a moerdre quit.
Such is of moerdre the vengance.
Forthi, mi Sone, in remembrance Confessor.
Of this ensample tak good hiede:
For who that thenkth his love spiede
With moerdre, he schal with worldes schame Himself and ek his love schame. 2200
Mi fader, of this aventure Amans. Which ye have told, I you assure Min herte is sory forto hiere,
Bot only for I wolde lere What is to done, and what to leve.
And over this now be your leve, Hic queritur qui- That ye me wolden telle I preie, pus de causis licet If ther be lieffull eny weie Withoute Senne a man to sle.
Mi Sone, in sondri wise ye. 2210 Confessor. What man that is of traiterie,
Of moerdre or elles robberie
Atteint, the jugge schal noght lette, Bot he schal slen of pure dette,
And doth gret Senne, if that he wonde. For who that lawe hath upon honde,
2206f. margin Hic queritur—occidere om. B 2207 margin hominem FWHs homini hominem A... Bs, STAA 2209 to] may B orm. AM
LIBER TERCIUS 287
v. Quod creat ipse deus, necat hoc homicida creatum, [Evi or Wan.] Vitor et humano sanguine spargit humus. V? pecoris sic est hominis cruor, heu, modo fusus, P.i. 355 Victa iacet pietas, et furor vrget opus. Angelus ‘In terra fax? dixit, et vltima Cristi Verba sonant facem, quam modo guerra fugat.
The hihe god of his justice
That ilke foule horrible vice Hic loquitur con-
miel . tra motores guerre, Of homicide he hath forbede, que non solum ho- Be Moises as it was bede. micidii set vniversi
mundi desolacionis
Whan goddes Sone also was bore, mater existit.
He sende hise anglis doun therfore,
Whom the Schepherdes herden singe,
Pes to the men of welwillinge
In erthe be among ous here.
So forto speke in this matiere 2260 After the lawe of charite,
Ther schal no dedly werre be:
And ek nature it hath defended
And in hir lawe pes comended,
Which is the chief of mannes welthe,
Of mannes lif, of mannes helthe.
Bot dedly werre hath his covine
Of pestilence and of famine,
Of poverte and of alle wo,
Wherof this world we blamen so, 22470 Which now the werre hath under fote,
Til god himself therof do bote.
For alle thing which god hath wroght
In Erthe, werre it bringth to noght :
The cherche is brent, the priest is slain,
The wif, the maide is ek forlain,
The lawe is lore and god unserved :
I not what mede he hath deserved
That suche werres ledeth inne. P. i. 356 If that he do it forto winne, 2280 Ferst to acompte his grete cost
Forth with the folk that he hath lost,
As to the worldes rekeninge
2256 anglis C, F angelis AJ aungels B 2259 be om. AM
. 2B8
[Evit or WaR.]
Apostolus. Stipen- dium peccati mors est.
Nota, quod Greci omnem terram fer- tilem debellabant, set tantum Archadiam, pro co quod pauper et
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ther schal he finde no winnynge ; And if he do it to pourchace The hevene mede, of such a grace I can noght speke, and natheles Crist hath comanded love and pes, And who that worcheth the revers, I trowe his mede is ful divers. 2290 And sithen thanne that we finde That werres in here oghne kinde Ben toward god of no decerte, And ek thei bringen in poverte Of worldes good, it is merveile Among the men what it mai eyle, That thei a pes ne conne sette. I trowe Senne be the lette, And every mede of Senne is deth ; So wot I nevere hou that it geth: 2300 Bot we that ben of o believe Among ousself, this wolde I lieve, That betre it were pes to chese, Than so be double weie lese. I not if that it now so stonde, Bot this a man mai understonde, Who that these olde bokes redeth, That coveitise is on which ledeth, And broghte ferst the werres inne. P. i. 357 At Grece if that I schal beginne, 2310 Ther was it proved hou it stod: To Perce, which was ful of good, Thei maden werre in special, And so thei deden overal, Wher gret richesse was in londe, So that thei leften nothing stonde Unwerred, bot onliche Archade. For there thei no werres made, Be cause it was bareigne and povere, Wherof thei mihten noght recovere ; 2320 And thus poverte was forbore,
2287 and om, B 2293 of] in AM 2299 margin Apostolus —mors est om. B 2318 werre H1... Bs, T
LIBER TERCIUS 289
He that noght hadde noght hath lore. [Evir or Wan.] Bot yit it is a wonder thing, sterilis fuit, pacifice dimiserunt.
Whan that a riche worthi king, Or other lord, what so he be, Wol axe and cleyme proprete In thing to which he hath no riht, Bot onliche of his grete miht : For this mai every man wel wite, That bothe kinde and lawe write 2339 Expressly stonden therayein. Bot he mot nedes somwhat sein, Althogh ther be no reson inne, Which secheth cause forto winne: For wit that is with will oppressed, Whan coveitise him hath adressed, And alle resoun put aweie, He can wel finde such a weie To werre, where as evere him liketh, P. i. 358 Wherof that he the world entriketh, 2340 That many a man of him compleigneth : Bot yit alwei som cause he feigneth, And of his wrongful herte he demeth That al is wel, what evere him semeth, Be so that he mai winne ynowh. For as the trew man to the plowh Only to the gaignage entendeth, Riht so the werreiour despendeth His time and hath no conscience. And in this point for evidence 2350 Of hem that suche werres make, Thou miht a gret ensample take, How thei her tirannie excusen Of that thei wrongfull werres usen, And how thei stonde of on acord, The Souldeour forth with the lord, The pouere man forth with the riche, As of corage thei ben liche, To make werres and to pile
2343 herte] cause Hi... Bs (line om. X) 2346 trew S, F
rewe AJ, B
++ U
(ALEXANDER AND THE PIRATE.)
Hic declarat per ex- emplum contra istos Principes seu alios quoscumque illicite guerre motores. Et narrat de quodam pi- rata in partibus mari- nis spoliatore notissi- mo, qui cum captus fuisset, et in iudicium coram Rege Alexan- dro productus et de latrocinio accusatus, dixit, *O Alexander, vere quia cum paucis sociis spoliorum causa naues tantum exploro, ego latrunculus vo- cor; tu autem, quia cum infinita bellato- rum multitudine vni- uersam terram subiu- gandospoliasti, Impe- rato'trdiceris. Itaquod status tuus a statu meo differt, set eodem animo condicionem parilem . habemus. ' Alexander vero eius audaciam in respon- sione comprobans, ip- sum penes se familia- rem retinuit; et sic bellicosus bellatori complacuit.
2379 margin cum om. Hi... Bs, B
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For lucre and for non other skyle : 236 Wherof a propre tale I rede, As it whilom befell in dede.
Of him whom al this Erthe dradde, Whan he the world so overladde Thurgh werre, as it fortuned is, King Alisandre, I rede this ; How in a Marche, where he lay, It fell per chance upon a day A Rovere of the See was nome, P. i. 35! Which many a man hadde overcome 337 And slain and take here good aweie: This Pilour, as the bokes seie, A famous man in sondri stede Was of the werkes whiche he dede. This Prisoner tofor the king Was broght, and there upon this thing In audience he was accused: And he his dede hath noght excused, Bot preith the king to don him riht, And seith, ‘Sire, if I were of miht, 238 I have an herte lich to thin ; For if the pouer were myn, Mi will is most in special To rifle and geten overal The large worldes good aboute. Bot for I lede a povere route And am, as who seith, at meschief, The name of Pilour and of thief I bere; and thou, which routes grete Miht lede and take thi beyete, 239 And dost riht as I wolde do, Thi name is nothing cleped so, Bot thou art named Emperour. Oure dedes ben of o colour And in effect of o decerte, Bot thi richesse and my poverte Tho ben noght taken evene liche.
238a the] py (thi) XL
LIBER TERCIUS 291
And natheles he that is riche [ALEXANDER ANI This dai, tomorwe he mai be povere; P.i. 360 7"* Pier) And in contraire also recovere 2409 A povere man to gret richesse I Men sen: forthi let rihtwisnesse Be peised evene in the balance. The king his hardi contienance Behield, and herde hise wordes wise, And seide unto him in this wise: ‘Thin ansuere I have understonde, Wherof my will is, that thou stonde In mi service and stille abide.’ And forth withal the same tide 2410 He hath him terme of lif withholde, - The mor and for he schal ben holde, He made him kniht and yaf him lond, Which afterward was of his hond An orped kniht in many a stede, And gret prouesce of armes dede, As the Croniqes it recorden. And in this wise thei acorden, The whiche of o condicioun Be set upon destruccioun: 2420 Such Capitein such retenue. Bot forto se to what issue The thing befalleth ate laste, It is gret wonder that men caste Here herte upon such wrong to winne, Wher no beyete mai ben inne, And doth desese on every side: Bot whan reson is put aside And will governeth the corage, P. i. 361 The faucon which that fleth ramage 2430 And soeffreth nothing in the weie, Wherof that he mai take his preie, Is noght mor set upon ravine, Than thilke man which his covine Hath set in such a maner wise: 2402 rihtwisne F 2406 to him JH... B1 2412 schulde (sholde) BT 2434 is couine JACLBs, Ad U 2
[Wars AND DrarH OF ALEXANDER. |
Hic secundum ges- ta Regis Alexandri de guerris illicitis ponit Confessor exemplum, dicens quod quamuis Alexander sua poten- cia tocius mundi victor sibi subiugarat im- perium, ipse tandem mortis victoria subiu- gatus cunctipotentis sentenciam euadere non potuit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For al the world ne mai suffise To will which is noght resonable. Wherof ensample concordable Lich to this point of which I meene, Was upon Alisandre sene, 2440 Which hadde set al his entente, So as fortune with him wente, That reson mihte him non governe, Bot of his will he was so sterne, That al the world he overran And what him list he tok and wan. In Ynde the superiour Whan that he was ful conquerour, And hadde his wilful pourpos wonne Of al this Erthe under the Sonne, 2450 This king homward to Macedoine, Whan that he cam to Babiloine, And wende most in his Empire, As he which was hol lord and Sire, In honour forto be received, Most sodeinliche he was deceived, And with strong puison envenimed. And as he hath the world mistimed Noght as he scholde with his wit, P. i. 362 Noght as he wolde it was aquit. 2460 Thus was he slain that whilom slowh, And he which riche was ynowh This dai, tomorwe he hadde noght: And in such wise as he hath wroght In destorbance of worldes pes, His werre he fond thanne endeles, In which for evere desconfit He was. Lo now, for what profit Of werre it helpeth forto ryde, For coveitise and worldes pride 2470 To sle the worldes men aboute,
2436 ne mai] may nought (not &c) A... B4, S...A 2431 To will] To him H1... B: 2443 non] nought (not) JMCBa, B, W 2444 margin subiugauerat Hi... Ba 2449 wilsful F 2460 it was quit (quite &c) H1... Bs, TA washyt quyt W he was aquit M
LIBER TERCIUS
As bestes whiche gon theroute. For every lif which reson can Oghth wel to knowe that a man Ne scholde thurgh no tirannie Lich to these othre bestes die, Til kinde wolde for him sende. I not hou he it mihte amende, Which takth awei for everemore
The lif that he mai noght restore. 2480
Forthi, mi Sone, in alle weie Be wel avised, I thee preie, Of slawhte er that thou be coupable Withoute cause resonable.
Mi fader, understonde it is, That ye have seid; bot over this I prei you tell me nay or yee, To passe over the grete See To werre and sle the Sarazin, P. i. 363 Is that the lawe?
Sone myn, 2490
To preche and soffre for the feith, That have I herd the gospell seith ; Bot forto slee, that hiere I noght. Crist with his oghne deth hath boght Alle othre men, and made hem fre, In tokne of parfit charite ; And after that he tawhte himselve, Whan he was ded, these othre tuelve Of hise Apostles wente aboute The holi feith to prechen oute, 2500 Wherof the deth in sondri place Thei soffre, and so god of his grace The feith of Crist hath mad aryse: Bot if thei wolde in other wise Be werre have broght in the creance,
2474 Oghp SAdT, F Oght (Ought &c.) AMGC, A, W )wep JHiXERLB;, B, Hs 2476 othre] olde B 2478 mihte myght FWHs mai (may) A...B3, S...A 2491 fei SA sie Ada492 sei SA seie Ad 2505 margin Nota AJ, F m. B
293
[Wars AND Dram
OF ALEXANDER.)
Confessor.
Amans.
[ARE CRUSADES LAWFUL !]
Confessor.
Nota.
294.
[ARE Crusapes LAWFUL !]
[(Guitr or Hoxi-
CIDE. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
It hadde yit stonde in balance.
And that mai proven in the dede ;
For what man the Croniqes rede,
Fro ferst that holi cherche hath weyved
To preche, and hath the swerd received, 2510
Wherof the werres ben begonne,
A gret partie of that was wonne
To Cristes feith stant now miswent :
Godd do therof amendement,
So as he wot what is the beste.
Bot, Sone, if thou wolt live in reste
Of conscience wel assised,
Er that thou sle, be wel avised :
For man, as tellen ous the clerkes, — P. i. 364 Hath god above alle ertheli werkes 2520 Ordeined to be principal,
And ek of Soule in special
He is mad lich to the godhiede.
So sit it wel to taken hiede
And forto loke on every side,
Er that thou falle in homicide,
Which Senne is now so general,
That it welnyh stant overal,
In holi cherche and elles where.
Bot al the while it stant so there, 2530 The world mot nede fare amis :
For whan the welle of pite is
Thurgh coveitise of worldes good
Defouled with schedinge of blod,
The remenant of folk aboute
Unethe stonden eny doute
To werre ech other and to slee.
So is it all noght worth a Stree,
The charite wherof we prechen,
For we do nothing as we techen: 2540 And .thus the blinde conscience
Of pes hath lost thilke evidence
Which Crist upon this Erthe tawhte.
Now mai men se moerdre and manslawhte
2529 and] as AJX .. . Bs, BT 2544 manslawte F
LIBER TERCIUS 295
Lich as it was be daies olde, [Guitt or Homi- Whan men the Sennes boghte and solde. cipr.] In Grece afore Cristes feith, Facilitas venie oc . . casionem prebet delin I rede, as the Cronique seith, quendi. Touchende of this matiere thus, P. i. 365 In thilke time hou Peleüs 2550
His oghne brother Phocus slowh;
Bot for he hadde gold ynowh
To yive, his Senne was despensed
With gold, wherof it was compensed :
Achastus, which with Venus was
Hire Priest, assoilede in that cas,
Al were ther no repentance.
And as the bok makth remembrance,
It telleth of Medee also ;
Of that sche slowh her Sones tuo, 2560 Egeüs in the same plit
Hath mad hire of hire Senne quit.
The Sone ek of Amphioras,
Whos rihte name Almeüs was,
His Moder slowh, Eriphile ;
Bot Achilo the Priest and he,
So as the bokes it recorden,
For certein Somme of gold acorden
That thilke horrible sinfull dede
Assoiled was. And thus for mede 2570 Of worldes good it falleth ofte
That homicide is set alofte
Hiere in this lif; bot after this
Ther schal be knowe how that it is
Of hem that suche thinges werche,
And hou also that holi cherche
Let suche Sennes passe quyte,
And how thei wole hemself aquite
Of dedly werres that thei make. P. i. 366 For who that wolde ensample take, 2580 The lawe which is naturel
Be weie of kinde scheweth wel
2556 assoiled him HiXE... Bs assoilep him G 2568 For] fA... Ba 2573 lif] world B 2578 wold M, B
LIBER TERCIUS
For ofte time I have herd sein Amonges hem that werres hadden, That thei som while here cause ladden Be merci, whan thei mihte have slain, Wherof that thei were after fain: And, Sone, if that thou wolt recorde The vertu of Misericorde,
Thou sihe nevere thilke place,
Where it was used, lacke grace.
For every lawe and every kinde
The mannes wit to merci binde;
And namely the worthi knihtes, Whan that thei stonden most uprihtes And ben most mihti forto grieve, Thei scholden thanne most relieve Him whom thei mihten overthrowe, As be ensample a man mai knowe.
2630
P. i. 368 2640
He mai noght failen of his mede That hath merci: for this I rede, In a Cronique and finde thus. Whan Achilles with Telaphus His Sone toward Troie were, It fell hem, er thei comen there, Ayein Theucer the king of Mese To make werre and forto sese His lond, as thei that wolden regne And Theucer pute out of his regne. And thus the Marches thei assaile, Bot Theucer yaf to hem bataille ; Thei foghte on bothe sides faste, Bot so it hapneth ate laste, This worthi Grek, this Achilles, The king among alle othre ches: As he that was cruel and fell, With swerd in honde on him he fell, And smot him with a dethes wounde, That he unhorsed fell to grounde.
2650
2638 And BT 2642 Telaphus J, F 2650 Bot] That Hi... Ba
2624 That] But BT Thelaphus A, SB
[ Mercy. }
(Tate or TELAPHUS AND TEUCER.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum de pietate contra homicidium in guerris habenda. Et narrat qualiter Achil- les vna cum Thelapho filiosuocontra Regem Mesee,qui tunc Theu- cer vocabatur, bel- lum inierunt ; et cum Achilles dictum Re- gem in bello prostra- tum occidere voluis- set, Thelaphus pietate motus ipsum clipeo suocooperiens veniam pro Rege a patre pos- tulauit : pro quo facto ipse Rex adhuc viuens Thephalum Regni sui heredem libera volun- tate constituit.
298
LE OF TELAPHUS AND TEUCER. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Achilles upon him alyhte,
And wolde anon, as he wel mihte, 2660 Have slain him fullich in the place ;
Bot Thelaphus his fader grace
For him besoghte, and for pite
Preith that he wolde lete him be,
And caste his Schield betwen hem tuo. Achilles axeth him why so,
And Thelaphus his cause tolde,
And seith that he is mochel holde,
For whilom Theucer in a stede P. i. 369 Gret grace and socour to him dede, 2670 And seith that he him wolde aquite,
And preith his fader to respite.
Achilles tho withdrowh his hond ;
Bot al the pouer of the lond,
Whan that thei sihe here king thus take,
Thei fledde and han the feld forsake :
The Grecs unto the chace falle,
And for the moste part of alle
Of that contre the lordes grete
Thei toke, and wonne a gret beyete. 2680 And anon after this victoire
The king, which hadde good memoire,
Upon the grete merci thoghte,
Which Telaphus toward him wroghte,
And in presence of al the lond
He tok him faire be the hond,
And in this wise he gan to seie:
* Mi Sone, I mot be double weie
Love and desire thin encress;
Ferst for thi fader Achilles 2690 Whilom ful many dai er this,
Whan that I scholde have fare amis, Rescousse dede in mi querele
And kepte al myn astat in hele:
How so ther falle now distance
Amonges ous, yit remembrance
2671 wol B 2684 Telaphus F Thelaphus AJ, SB 2696 remembrance] in renembrance AM
LIBER TERCIUS | 299
I have of merci which he dede [Tare or TELAPHUS As thanne: and thou now in this stede ^ND TEUCER.] Of gentilesce and of franchise P. i. 370
Hast do mercy the same wise. 2700
So wol I noght that eny time Be lost of that thou hast do byme; For hou so this fortune falle, Yit stant mi trust aboven alle, For the mercy which I now finde, That thou wolt after this be kinde: And for that such is myn espeir, As for my Sone and for myn Fir I thee receive, and al my lond I yive and sese into thin hond.' 2710 And in this wise thei acorde, The cause was Misericorde : The lordes dede here obeissance To Thelaphus, and pourveance Was mad so that he was coroned : And thus was merci reguerdoned, Which he to Theucer dede afore.
Lo, this ensample is mad therfore, Confessor. That thou miht take remembrance, Mi Sone; and whan thou sest a chaunce, 2720 Of other mennes passioun Tak pite and compassioun, And let nothing to thee be lief, Which to an other man is grief. And after this if thou desire To stonde ayein the vice of Ire, Consaile thee with Pacience, And tak into thi conscience Merci to be thi governour. P. i. 371 So schalt thou fiele no rancour, 2730 Wherof thin herte scbal debate With homicide ne with hate For Cheste or for Malencolie: Thou schalt be soft in compaignie Withoute Contek or Folhaste : For elles miht thou longe waste
2723 belief FK
300
Amans.
Confessor.
Amans.
Confessor.
Amans.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Thi time, er that thou have thi wille Of love; for the weder stille Men preise, and blame the tempestes. Mi fader, I wol do youre hestes, 2740 And of this point ye have me tawht, Toward miself the betre sawht I thenke be, whil that I live. Bot for als moche as I am schrive Of Wraththe and al his circumstance, Yif what you list to my penance, And asketh forthere of my lif, If otherwise I be gultif Of eny thing that toucheth Sinne. Mi Sone, er we departe atwinne, 1750 I schal behinde nothing leve. Mi goode fader, be your leve Thanne axeth forth what so you list, For I bave in you such a trist, As ye that be my Soule hele, That ye fro me wol nothing hele, For I schal telle you the trowthe. Mi Sone, art thou coupable of Slowthe In eny point which to him longeth? P. i. 373 My fader, of tho pointz me longeth 2760 To wite pleinly what thei meene, So that I mai me schrive cleene. Now herkne, I schal the pointz devise ; And understond wel myn aprise : For schrifte stant of no value To him that wol him noght vertue To leve of vice the folie: For word is wynd, bot the maistrie Is that a man himself defende Of thing which is noght to comende, 2770 Wherof ben fewe now aday. And natheles, so as I may Make unto thi memoire knowe, The pointz of Slowthe thou schalt knowe.
Explicit Liber Tercius.
2763 the] po AJG ... Bs, SBTA 2764 myn} pis B
Dicunt accidiam fore nutricem victorum,
LIBER QUARTUS
Incipit Liber Quartus.
Torfet et in cunctis tarda que lenta bonis:
Que feri possent hodie transfert piger in cras, Furatogue prius ostia claudit equo. Poscenti tardo negat emolumenta Cupido, Set Venus in celeri ludit amore viri.
Upon the vices to procede
After the cause of mannes dede, The ferste point of Slowthe I calle Lachesce, and is the chief of alle, And hath this propreliche of kinde, To leven alle thing behinde.
Of that he mihte do now hier
He tarieth al the longe yer,
And everemore he seith, ‘Tomorwe’; And so he wol his time borwe,
And wissheth after ‘God me sende, That whan he weneth have an ende, Thanne is he ferthest to beginne. Thus bringth he many a meschief inne Unwar, til that he be meschieved, And may noght thanne be relieved.
And riht so nowther mor ne lesse
It stant of love and of lachesce: Som time he slowtheth in a day That he nevere after gete mai. Now, Sone, as of this ilke thing, If thou have eny knowleching, That thou to love hast don er this, Tell on.
Mi goode fader, yis.
Latin Verses i. 6 ludet Hi... Ba 12 to haue HiXGRCLBs
P. ii. 1
10
P. ii. 2
20
301
[SrorH.)
(i. Lacnesse. ]
Hic in quarto libro loquitur Confessor de speciebus Accidie, qua- rum primam Tardacio- nem vocat, cuius con- dicionem pertractans Amanti super hoc con- sequenter opponit.
Confessio Amantis.
302
| LAcHESSz.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As of lachesce I am beknowe
That I mai stonde upon his rowe,
As I that am clad of his suite:
For whanne I thoghte mi poursuite
To make, and therto sette a day
To speke unto the swete May, p» Lachesce bad abide yit,
And bar on hond it was no wit
Ne time forto speke as tho.
Thus with his tales to and fro
Mi time in tariinge he drowh:
Whan ther was time good ynowh,
He seide, *An other time is bettre ;
Thou schalt mowe senden hire a lettre,
And per cas wryte more plein
Than thou be Mowthe durstest sein.’ 40 Thus have I lete time slyde P. ii. 3 For Slowthe, and kepte noght my tide,
So that lachesce with his vice
Fulofte hath mad my wit so nyce,
That what I thoghte speke or do
With tariinge he hield me so,
Til whanne I wolde and mihte noght.
I not what thing was in my thoght,
Or it was drede, or it was schame;
Bot evere in ernest and in game 50 I wot ther is long time passed.
Bot yit is noght the love lassed,
Which I unto mi ladi have;
For thogh my tunge is slowh to crave
At alle time, as I have bede,
Min herte stant evere in o stede
And axeth besiliche grace,
The which I mai noght yit embrace.
And god wot that is malgre myn;
For this I wot riht wel a fin, 60 Mi grace comth so selde aboute,
That is the Slowthe of which I doute
30 the] pat A... B S... AA 45 bought to speke BA, W 46 hield me] hielde (held) AM 59 As AM
LIBER QUARTUS
Mor than of al the remenant
Which is to love appourtenant.
And thus as touchende of lachesce,
As I have told, I me confesse
To you, mi fader, and beseche
That furthermor ye wol me teche ;
And jf ther be to this matiere
Som goodly tale forto liere
How I mai do lachesce aweie,
That ye it wolden telle I preie. i To wisse thee, my Sone, and rede,
Among the tales whiche I rede,
An old ensample therupon
Now herkne, and I wol tellen on.
Ayein Lachesce in loves cas I finde how whilom Eneas, Whom Anchises to Sone badde, With gret navie, which he ladde Fro Troie, aryveth at Cartage, Wher for a while his herbergage He tok; and it betidde so, With hire which was qweene tho Of the Cite his aqueintance He wan, whos name in remembrance Is yit, and Dido sche was hote; Which loveth Eneas so hote Upon the wordes whiche he seide, That al hire herte on him sche leide And dede al holi what he wolde.
Bot after that, as it be scholde, Fro thenne he goth toward Ytaile Be Schipe, and there his arivaile Hath take, and schop him forto ryde. Bot sche, which mai noght longe abide The hote peine of loves throwe, Anon withinne a litel throwe A lettre unto hir kniht hath write, And dede him pleinly forto wite,
69 to this] to my B of this Hs qo liere] hiere (here &c.) Hi... Bs, BTA 84 qweene] a queene BTA
80
90
100
40 P. ii. 4
303
[LAcHzssz.]
Confessor.
[Engas AND Dipo.]
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos qui in amoris causa tardantes delinquunt. Et narrat qualiter Di- do Regina Cartaginis Eneam ab incendiis Troie fugitiuum in amorem suum gauisa suscepit: quicum post- ea in partes Ytalie a Cartagine bellaturum se transtulit, nimiam- que ibidem moram fa- ciens tempus reditus sui ad Didonem vltra modum tardauit, ipsa intollerabili dolore con- cussa sui cordis intima mortali gladio trans- fodit.
304
[ENEAS AND Dipo.]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
If he made eny tariinge, P. ii.5 To drecche of his ayeincomynge, That sche ne mihte him fiele and se, Sche scholde stonde in such degre As whilom stod a Swan tofore, Of that sche hadde hire make lore ; For sorwe a fethere into hire brain She schof and hath hireselve slain ; As king Menander in a lay The sothe hath founde, wher sche lay 110 Sprantlende with hire wynges tweie, As sche which scholde thanne deie For love of him which was hire make. ‘And so schal I do for thi sake,’ This qweene seide, ‘wel I wot.’ Lo, to Enee thus sche wrot With many an other word of pleinte : Bot he, which hadde hise thoghtes feinte Towardes love and full of Slowthe, His time lette, and that was rowthe: 120 For sche, which loveth him tofore, Desireth evere more and more, And whan sche sih him tarie so, Hire herte was so full of wo, That compleignende manyfold Sche hath hire oghne tale told, Unto hirself and thus sche spak: ‘Ha, who fond evere such a lak Of Slowthe in eny worthi kniht? Now wot I wel my deth is diht 130 Thurgh him which scholde have be mi lif.’ P. ii. 6 Bot forto stinten al this strif, Thus whan sche sih non other bote, Riht evene unto hire herte rote A naked swerd anon sche threste, And thus sche gat hireselve reste In remembrance of alle slowe. Wherof, my Sone, thou miht knowe
109 day Hi... Ba, Hs III Spraulende (Sprawland) M, WKHs 138 miht (myht) J, S mihte A, F
LIBER QUARTUS
How tariinge upon the nede In loves cause is forto drede; 140 And that hath Dido sore aboght,
Whos deth schal evere be bethoght.
And overmore if I schal seche In this matiere an other spieche, In a Cronique I finde write
A tale which is good to wite.
At Troie whan king Ulixes Upon the Siege among the pres Of hem that worthi knihtes were Abod long time stille there, 150 In thilke time a man mai se How goodli that Penolope, Which was to him his trewe wif, Of his lachesce was pleintif ; Wherof to Troie sche him sende Hire will be lettre, thus spekende: * Mi worthi love and lord also, It is and hath ben evere so, That wher a womman is al one, It makth a man in his persone 160 The more hardi forto wowe, P. ii. 7 In hope that sche wolde bowe To such thing as his wille were, Whil that hire lord were elleswhere. And of miself I telle this ; For it so longe passed is, Sithe ferst than ye fro home wente, That welnyh every man his wente To there I am, whil ye ben oute, Hath mad, and ech of hem aboute, 170 Which love can, my love secheth, With gret preiere and me besecheth : And some maken gret manace, That if thei mihten come in place, Wher that thei mihte here wille have,
143 euermore AM, A, WHs
‘yo Had AMJXGERLBs, BA, FHs
$ +
X
168 is went(e) ML, AA, WH:
305
[ENEAS AND Drpo.]
[Urvssrs AND PENELOPE. ]
Hic loquitur super eodem qualiter Peno- lope Vlixem maritum suum, in obsidione Troie diucius moran- tem, ob ipsius ibidem tardacionem Epistola sua redarguit.
306
[(Urvsszs AND PrNELOPE.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ther is nothing me scholde save, That thei ne wolde werche thinges ; And some tellen me tidynges That ye ben ded, and some sein That certeinly ye ben besein
To love a newe and leve me. Bot hou as evere that it be,
I thonke unto the goddes alle, As yit for oght that is befalle Mai noman do my chekes rede: Bot natheles it is to drede,
That Lachesse in continuance Fortune mihte such a chance,
Which noman after scholde amende.’
Lo, thus this ladi compleignende A lettre unto hire lord hath write, And preyde him that he wolde wite
And thenke hou that sche was al his,
And that he tarie noght in this, Bot tha#Mhe wolde his love aquite, To hire ayeinward and noght wryte, Bot come himself in alle haste, That he non other paper waste ;
So that he kepe and holde his trowthe
Withoute lette of eny Slowthe. Unto hire lord and love liege
To Troie, wher the grete Siege
Was leid, this lettre was conveied.
And he, which wisdom hath pourveied
Of al that to reson belongeth, With gentil herte it underfongeth : And whan he hath it overrad, In part he was riht inly glad, And ek in part he was desesed :
Bot love his herte hath so thorghsesed
With pure ymaginacioun,
190 P. ii 8
200
210
184 foroght A, F 189 after noman AM 205 resoun to
208 In part he was inly glad AM In partie (party)
he was inly glad Hi... B: In parti he was riht inly glad J In parti was inli riht glad A
LIBER QUARTUS
That for non occupacioun Which he can take on other side, He mai noght flitt his herte aside Fro that his wif him hadde enformed ; Wherof he hath himself conformed With al the wille of his corage To schape and take the viage Homward, what time that he mai: So that him thenketh of a day 220 A thousand yer, til he mai se P. ii. 9 The visage of Penolope, Which he desireth most of alle. And whan tbe time is so befalle That Troie was distruid and brent, He made non delaiement, Bot goth him home in alle hihe, Wher that he fond tofore his yhe His worthi wif in good astat : And thus was cessed the debat 230 Of love, and Slowthe was excweed, Which doth gret harm, where it is used, And hindreth many a cause honeste. For of the grete Clerc Grossteste I rede how besy that he was Upon clergie an Hed of bras To forge, and make it forto telle Of suche thinges as befelle. And sevene yeres besinesse He leyde, bot for the lachesse 240 Of half a Minut of an houre, Fro ferst that he began laboure He loste all that he hadde do. And otherwhile it fareth so, In loves cause who is slow, That he withoute under the wow Be nyhte stant fulofte acold, Which mihte, if that he hadde wold 214 flitt AJ, SF flitteB 215 Fro] ffor L, BA, WH: hadde
him Hi... Ba 226 no Hi... CBs, BTA, W 234 Lo of Hi... Bs (of om. R) 242 ffor ferst B
X 2
307
[Urvssks AND PENELOPE.]
[GRosTESTE. }
Nota adhuc super eodem de quodam Astrologo, qui quod- dam opus ingeniosum quasi ad complemen- tum septennio perdu- cens, vnius momenti tardacione omnem sui operis diligenciam penitus frustrauit.
308
[THe FoorisH VIRGINS. |
Nota adhuc contra tardacionem de v. vir- ginibus fatuis, que nimiam moram facien- tes intrante sponso ad nupcias cum ipso non introierunt.
Confessor.
Confessio Amantis
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
His time kept, have be withinne. Bot Slowthe mai no profit winne, -
Bot he mai singe in his karole
How Latewar cam to the Dole,
Wher he no good receive mihte.
And that was proved wel be nyhte
Whilom of the Maidenes fyve,
Whan thilke lord cam forto wyve:
For that here oyle was aweie
To lihte here lampes in his weie,
Here Slowthe broghte it so aboute,
Fro him that thei ben schet withoute. Wherof, my Sone, be thou war,
Als ferforth as I telle dar.
For love moste ben awaited :
And if thou be noght wel affaited
In love to eschuie Slowthe,
Mi Sone, forto telle trowthe,
Thou miht noght of thiself ben able
To winne love or make it stable,
All thogh thou mihtest love achieve. Mi fader, that I mai wel lieve.
Bot me was nevere assigned place,
Wher yit to geten eny grace,
Ne me was non such time apointed ;
For thanne I wolde I were unjoynted
Of every lime that I have,
If I ne scholde kepe and save
Min houre bothe and ek my stede,
If my ladi it hadde bede.
Bot sche is otherwise avised
Than grante such a time assised ;
And natheles of mi lachesse
Ther hath be no defalte I gesse
Of time lost, if that I mihte:
Bot yit hire liketh noght alyhte
P. ii. 10
260
270
280
P. ii. u
254 that] it Hi... Bs 255 the] po Hi... L, SBTA no
AM If] And B SAdBTA
261 Ther of B, WHs 263 love] sloupe B 277 houre] honour MHiGEC, W
276 283 if] in
LIBER QUARTUS
Upon no lure which I caste; For ay the more I crie faste, The lasse hire liketh forto hiere. So forto speke of this matiere, I seche that I mai noght finde, I haste and evere I am behinde, And wot noght what it.mai amounte. Bot, fader, upon myn acompte, Which ye be sett to examine Of Schrifte after the discipline, Sey what your beste conseil is.
Mi Sone, my conseil is this: Hou so it stonde of time go, Do forth thi besinesse so, That no Lachesce in the be founde: For Slowthe is mihti to confounde The spied of every mannes werk. For many a vice, as seith the clerk, Ther hongen upon Slowthes lappe Of suche as make a man misbappe, To pleigne and telle of hadde I wist. And therupon if that thee list To knowe of Slowthes cause more, In special yit overmore Ther is a vice full grevable To him which is therof coupable,
190
310
And stant of alle vertu bare, P. ii. 12
Hierafter as I schal declare.
—
l. Qui nichil attemptat, nichil expedit, oreque muto Munus Amicicie vir sibi raro capit. Est modus in verbis, set ei qui parcit amori Verba referre sua, non fauet vllus amor.
Touchende of Slowthe in his degre, Ther is yit Pusillamite, Which is to seie in this langage, He that hath litel of corage And dar no mannes werk beginne:
296 this om. AM 297 go AJ, SjF ago B 310 To) Of B
Latin Verses ii. 3 parcat Hi... Ba. parat Hs 4 refert Hi...
Ba
309
[LACHESSE. |
Confessor.
(ii. PusiLLANDuTY.]
Hic loquitur Con- fessor de quadam specie Accidie, que
310
[PusirrAniTY.] pusillanimitas dicta est, cuius ymaginatiua formido neque virtutes aggredi neque vicia fugere audet; sicque vtriusque vite, tam ac- tiue quam contempla- tiue, premium non at- tingit.
Confessor.
Amans.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
So mai he noght be resoun winne ; For who that noght dar undertake,
Be riht he schal no profit take. 320 Bot of this vice the nature
Dar nothing sette in aventure,
Him lacketh bothe word and dede, Wherof he scholde his cause spede : He woll no manhed understonde,
For evere he hath drede upon honde: Al is peril that he schal seie,
Him thenkth the wolf is in the weie,
And of ymaginacioun
He makth his excusacioun 330 And feigneth cause of pure drede, And evere he faileth ate nede, Til al be spilt that he with deleth. He hath the sor which noman heleth, The which is cleped lack of herte; Thogh every grace aboute him sterte, .He wol noght ones stere his fot; P. ii. 13 So that be resoun lese he mot, That wol noght auntre forto winne. And so forth, Sone, if we beginne 340 To speke of love and his servise, Ther ben truantz in such a wise, That lacken herte, whan best were To speke of love, and riht for fere Thei wexen doumb and dar noght telle, Withoute soun as doth the belle, Which hath no claper forto chyme ; And riht so thei as for the tyme Ben herteles withoute speche Of love, and dar nothing beseche; 350 And thus thei lese and winne noght.
Forthi, my Sone, if thou art oght
Coupable as touchende of this Slowthe, Schrif thee therof and tell me trowthe. Mi fader, I am al beknowe
328 the] his Hi.
YCB:, B
. « Bs, Ad
342 tyrauntz (tirauntis &c.)
356 po J,T,F pe AM... Ba, SAdBA, WHs
>, B
\J, S,F Pigmalcon EC, B, Hs
LIBER QUARTUS
That I have ben on of tho slowe, As forto telle in loves cas. Min herte is yit and evere was,
As thogh the world scholde al tobreke,
So ferful, that I dar noght speke Of what pourpos that I have nome, Whan I toward mi ladi come, Bot let it passe and overgo.
Mi Sone, do nomore so: For after that a man poursuieth To love, so fortune suieth, Fulofte and yifth hire happi chance To him which makth continuance To preie love and to beseche ; As be ensample I schal thee teche.
I finde hou whilom ther was on, Whos name was Pymaleon, Which was a lusti man of yowthe: The werkes of entaile he cowthe Above alle othre men as tho; And thurgh fortune it fell him so, As he whom love schal travaile, He made an ymage of entaile Lich to a womman in semblance Of feture and of contienance, So fair yit nevere was figure. Riht as a lyves creature Sche semeth, for of yvor whyt He hath hire wroght of such delit, That sche was rody on the cheke And red on bothe hire lippes eke; Wherof that he himself beguileth. For with a goodly lok sche smyleth, So that thurgh pure impression Of his ymaginacion With al the herte of his corage
lete (lette) C, B 384 hire] it B
363 let AJ, SF
360
380
399
359 Al pough
372 Pymaleon
3II
[PusiLLANIAITY.]
Confessor.
[ PYGMALEON AND TH. STATUE. ]
Hic in amoris caus
loquitur contra pusil
lanimes, et dicit quo Amans pre timor verbis obmutescer: non debet, set contin uando preces su amoris cxpedicionen tucius prosequatur Et ponit Confesso exemplum, qualite Pigmaleon, pro ec quod preces continu auit, quandam ymagi nem eburneam, cuiu: pulcritudinis concu piscencia illaqueatu: extitit, in carnem e! sanguinem ad latu: suum transformatarr senciit.
312 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
( PYGMALEON AND THE His love upon this faire ymage STATUE.} -— He sette, and hire of love preide ; Bot sche no word ayeinward seide. The longe day, what thing he dede, This ymage in the same stede Was evere bi, that ate mete P. ii. 15 He wolde hire serve and preide hire ete, And putte unto hire mowth the cuppe ; And whan the bord was taken uppe, 400 He hath hire into chambre nome, And after, whan the nyht was come, He leide hire in his bed al nakid. He was forwept, he was forwakid, He keste hire colde lippes ofte, And wissheth that thei weren softe, And ofte he rouneth in hire Ere, And ofte his arm now hier now there He leide, as he hir wolde embrace, And evere among he axeth grace, 410 As thogh sche wiste what he mente: And thus himself he gan tormente With such desese of loves peine, That noman mihte him more peine. Bot how it were, of his penance He made such continuance Fro dai to nyht, and preith so longe, That his preiere is underfonge, Which Venus of hire grace herde ; Be nyhte and whan that he worst ferde, 420 And it lay in his nakede arm, The colde ymage he fieleth warm Of fleissh and bon and full of lif. Lo, thus he wan a lusti wif, Which obeissant was at his wille ; And if he wolde have holde him stille And nothing spoke, he scholde have failed: P. ii. 16 Bot for he hath his word travailed And dorste speke, his love he spedde,
401 into his chambre Hi... Bs (except E) 403 He] And AM 411 he] it Hi, B
LIBER QUARTUS 313
And hadde al that he wolde abedde. 430 [PYGMALEON AND THE For er thei wente thanne atwo, STATUE.)
A knave child betwen hem two
Thei gete, which was after hote
Paphus, of whom yit hath the note
A certein yle, which Paphos
Men clepe, and of his name it ros.
Be this ensample thou miht finde Confessor. That word mai worche above kinde. Forthi, my Sone, if that thou spare To speke, lost is al thi fare, 440 For Slowthe bringth in alle wo. And over this to loke also, The god of love is favorable To hem that ben of love stable, And many a wonder hath befalle: Wherof to speke amonges alle, If that thee list to taken hede, Therof a solein tale I rede, Which I schal telle in remembraunce Upon the sort of loves chaunce. 450
The king Ligdus upon a strif [Tare or Ipis.] Spak unto Thelacuse his wif, Which thanne was with childe grete ; He swor it scholde noght be lete, That if sche have a dowhter bore, Hic ponit exem- That it ne scholde be forlore plum super eodem, And slain, wherof sche sory was. P. ij, r7 Qualiter. Rex Ligdus So it befell upon this cas, pregnanti minabatur, Whan sche delivered scholde be, | quod sl filiam pareret, Isis be nyhte in privete, 460 que tamen postea cum Which of childinge is the goddesse, dea Date tuer pe Cam forto helpe in that destresse, sens filiam nomine Til that this lady was al smal, ame em appellari And hadde a dowhter forth withal ; culi educari admonuit : Which the goddesse in alle weie dens, ipsam in mari. Bad kepe, and tbat thei scholden seie tagium filie cuiusdam
453f. grete: lete AJ, S, F gret: let B 458 margin Isus HiG
RCLB;, T
314
[Tare or Iprnuis.]
principis etate solita copulauit. Set cum Yphis debitum suc coniugi vnde soluere non habuit, deos in sui adiutorium inter- pellabat ;quisuperhoc miserti femininum ge- nus in masculinum ob affectum nature in Y- phe per omnia trans- mutarunt.
470 line om. B 481 atyme B 497 Hir B his AdB om. L
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
It were a Sone: and thus Iphis
Thei namede him, and upon this
The fader was mad so to wene.
And thus in chambre with the qweene 410 This Iphis was forthdrawe tho,
And clothed and arraied so
Riht as a kinges Sone scholde.
Til after, as fortune it wolde,
Whan it was of a ten yer age,
Him was betake in mariage
A Duckes dowhter forto wedde,
Which Iante hihte, and ofte abedde
These children leien, sche and sche,
Whiche of on age bothe be. 489 So that withinne time of yeeres,
Togedre as thei ben pleiefieres,
Liggende abedde upon a nyht,
Nature, which doth every wiht
Upon hire lawe forto muse,
Constreigneth hem, so that thei use
Thing which to hem was al unknowe; P. ii. 18 Wherof Cupide thilke throwe
Tok pite for the grete love,
And let do sette kinde above, 490 So that hir lawe mai ben used,
And thei upon here lust excused.
For love hateth nothing more
Than thing which stant ayein the lore Of that nature in kinde hath sett : Forthi Cupide hath so besett
His grace upon this aventure,
That he accordant to nature,
Whan that he syh the time best, That ech of hem hath other kest, Transformeth Iphe into a man, Wherof the kinde love he wan
Of lusti yonge Iante his wif;
479 he and sche Hi... Bs sche and he B 498 he] be BT 499 the]
LIBER QUARTUS 315
And tho thei ladde a merie lif, (Tate or Ipuis.] Which was to kinde non offence. And thus to take an evidence, Confessor.
It semeth love is welwillende To hem that ben continuende With besy herte to poursuie Thing which that is to love due. 510 Wherof, my Sone, in this matiere Thou miht ensample taken hiere, That with thi grete besinesse Thou miht atteigne the richesse Of love, if that ther be no Slowthe.
I dar wel seie be mi trowthe, Amans. Als fer as I my witt can seche, P. ii. 19 Mi fader, as for lacke of speche, Bot so as I me schrof tofore, Ther is non other time lore, 520 Wherof ther mihte ben obstacle To lette love of his miracle, Which I beseche day and nyht. Bot, fader, so as it is riht In forme of schrifte to beknowe What thing belongeth to the slowe, Your faderhode I wolde preie, If ther be forthere eny weie Touchende unto this ilke vice.
Mi Sone, ye, of this office 530 Confessor.’ Ther serveth on in special, Which lost hath his memorial, So that he can no wit withholde In thing which he to kepe is holde, Wherof fulofte himself he grieveth : And who that most upon him lieveth, Whan that hise wittes ben so weyved, He mai full lihtly be deceived.
514 myht (might) J,B mihte A, S, F the] pi Hi... Bi oT 515 that on. B 517 Also fer as my E... Bz As (Als) er as my HiXG 521 mihte ben] might(e) be non Hi... B:
535 himself fulofte A... Ba (fulle of M), W
316
iii. FoRGETFULNESS.] iii.
Hic tractat Confes- or de vicio Obliuio- iS, quam mater eius \ccidia ad omnes vir- utum memorias nec- ion et in amoris causa mmemorem constit- it.
Confessio Amantis.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Mentibus oblitus alienis labitur tlle,
Quem probat accidia non meminisse sui.
Sic amor incautus, qui non memoratur. ad horas,
Perdit et offendit, quod cuperare neguit.
To serve Accidie in his office, Ther is of Slowthe an other vice, 540 Which cleped is Foryetelnesse ; That noght mai in his herte impresse Of vertu which reson hath sett, P. ii. 20 So clene his wittes he foryet. For in the tellinge of his tale Nomore his herte thanne his male Hath remembrance of thilke forme, Wherof he scholde his wit enforme As thanne, and yit ne wot he why. Thus is his pourpos noght forthi 550 Forlore of that he wolde bidde, And skarsly if he seith the thridde To love of that he hadde ment: Thus many a lovere hath be schent. Tell on therfore, hast thou be oon Of hem that Slowthe hath so begon? Ye, fader, ofte it hath be so, That whanne I am mi ladi fro And thenke untoward hire drawe, Than cast I many a newe lawe 560 And al the world torne up so doun, And so recorde I mi lecoun And wryte in my memorial What I to hire telle schal, Riht al the matiere of mi tale: Bot al nys worth a note schale ; For whanne I come ther sche is, I have it al foryete ywiss ; Of that I thoghte forto telle I can noght thanne unethes spelle 570 That I wende altherbest have rad,
Latin Verses iii. 3 morabatur AM 546 margin se constituit B 548 wit] herte A... Bs 555 therfore] forper(e) BT 560 cast J, SB, F caste A
LIBER QUARTUS 317
So sore I am of hire adrad. [ FORGETFULNESS. ] For as a man that sodeinli P. ii. 21 A gost behelde, so fare I;
So that for feere I can noght gete
Mi witt, bot I miself foryete,
That I wot nevere what I am,
Ne whider I schal, ne whenne I cam,
Bot muse as he that were amased.
Lich to the bok in which is rased 580 The lettre, and mai nothing be rad,
So ben my wittes overlad,
That what as evere I thoghte have spoken,
It is out fro myn herte stoken,
And stonde, as who seith, doumb and def, That all nys worth an yvy lef,
Of that I wende wel have seid.
And ate laste I make abreid,
Caste up myn hed and loke aboute,
Riht as a man that were in doute 590 And wot noght wher he schal become.
Thus am I ofte al overcome,
Ther as I wende best to stonde:
Bot after, whanne I understonde,
And am in other place al one,
I make many a wofull mone
Unto miself, and speke so:
* Ha fol, wher was thin herte tho,
Whan thou thi worthi ladi syhe?
Were thou afered of hire yhe? 600 For of hire hand ther is no drede:
So wel I knowe hir wommanhede,
That in hire is nomore oultrage P. ii. 22 Than in a child of thre yeer age.
Whi hast thou drede of so good on,
Whom alle vertu hath begon,
That in hire is no violence
Bot goodlihiede and innocence
Withouten spot of eny blame?
574 be holdeR beholdep BT, W 584 ouht fro F out of Hi... Bs B 588 abreid (abreide) A, F a breid JEC, B
318
[FoncETFULNESS.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ha, nyce herte, fy for schame! 610
Ha, couard herte of love unlered,
Wherof art thou so sore afered,
That thou thi tunge soffrest frese,
And wolt thi goode wordes lese,
Whan thou hast founde time and space?
How scholdest thou deserve grace,
Whan thou thiself darst axe non,
Bot al thou hast foryete anon P’
And thus despute I loves lore,
Bot help ne finde I noght the more, 610 Bot stomble upon myn oghne treine
And make an ekinge of my peine.
For evere whan I thenke among
How al is on miself along,
I seie, *O fol of alle foles,
'Thou farst as he betwen tuo stoles
That wolde sitte and goth to grounde.
It was ne nevere schal be founde,
Betwen foryetelnesse and drede
That man scholde any cause spede.’ 630 And thus, myn holi fader diere,
Toward miself, as ye mai hiere,
I pleigne of my foryetelnesse ; P. ii. 23 Bot elles al the besinesse,
That mai be take of mannes thoght,
Min herte takth, and is thorghsoght
To thenken evere upon that swete
Withoute Slowthe, I you behete.
For what so falle, or wel or wo,
That thoght foryete I neveremo, 640 Wher so I lawhe or so I loure:
Noght half the Minut of an houre
Ne mihte I lete out of my mende,
Bot if I thoghte upon that hende.
Therof me schal no Slowthe lette,
Til deth out of this world me fette,
618 AndB 624 is] pis XCL 627 Thow(pou) AM 638 schal] it schal AJHi... CBs 641 or wher (wheper) I HiG... Bs or wheresol X orellesT orA 642 amynut(minute) X, BA, W
LIBER QUARTUS 319
Althogh I hadde on such a Ring, ([FORGETFULNESS.] As Moises thurgh his enchanting Som time in Ethiope made, Whan that he Tharbis weddid hade. 650 Which Ring bar of Oblivion The name, and that was be resoun That where it on a finger sat, Anon his love he so foryat, As thogh he badde it nevere knowe: And so it fell that ilke throwe, Whan Tharbis hadde it on hire hond, No knowlechinge of him sche fond, Bot al was clene out of memoire, As men mai rede in his histoire ; 660 And thus he wente quit away, That nevere after that ilke day Sche thoghte that ther was such on; P. ii. 24 Al was foryete and overgon. Bot in good feith so mai noght I: For sche is evere faste by, | So nyh that sche myn herte toucheth, That for nothing that Slowthe voucheth I mai foryete hire, lief ne loth ; For overal, where as sche goth, 670 Min herte folwith hire aboute. Thus mai I seie withoute doute, For bet, for wers, for oght, for noght, Sche passeth nevere fro my thoght ; Bot whanne I am ther as sche is, Min herte, as I you saide er this, Som time of hire is sore adrad, And som time it is overglad, Al out of reule and out of space. For whan I se hir goodli face 680 And thenke upon hire hihe pris, As thogh I were in Paradis, I am so ravisht of the syhte, That speke unto hire I ne myhte 672 seie A, S, F_ sey (say) J, B 676 erbis F 684 That] To FWKHs
320
[FoRcETFULNESS.]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As for the time, thogh I wolde:
For I ne mai my wit unfolde
To finde o word of that I mene, Bot al it is foryete clene ;
And thogh I stonde there a myle, Al is foryete for the while,
A tunge I have and wordes none. And thus I stonde and thenke al one Of thing that helpeth ofte noght ; Bot what I hadde afore thoght
To speke, whanne I come there,
It is foryete, as noght ne were,
And stonde amased and assoted, That of nothing which I have noted I can noght thanne a note singe, Bot al is out of knowlechinge :
Thus, what for joie and what for drede,
Al is foryeten ate nede. So that, mi fader, of this Slowthe I have you said the pleine trowthe ; Ye mai it as you list redresce: For thus stant my foryetelnesse And ek my pusillamite. Sey now forth what you list to me, For I wol only do be you. Mi Sone, I have wel herd how thou
Hast seid, and that thou most amende:
For love his grace wol noght sende To that man which dar axe non. For this we knowen everichon,
A mannes thoght withoute speche God wot, and yit that men beseche His will is; for withoute bedes
He doth his grace in fewe stedes : And what man that foryet himselve, Among a thousand be noght tuelve, That wol him take in remembraunce,
Bot lete him falle and take his chaunce.
690
P. ii. 25
710
720
698-700 om. B 708 whatt F 713 which] bat M, B, W
om. T
LIBER QUARTUS
Forthi pull up a besi herte, P. ii. 26 Mi Sone, and let nothing asterte
Of love fro thi besinesse :
For touchinge of foryetelnesse, Which many a love hath set behinde, A tale of gret ensample I finde, Wherof it is pite to wite
In the manere as it is write.
ant
730
King Demephon, whan he be Schipe To Troieward with felaschipe Sailende goth, upon his weie It hapneth him at Rodopeie, As Eolus him hadde blowe, To londe, and rested for a throwe. And fell that ilke time thus, The dowhter of Ligurgius, Which qweene was of the contre, Was sojournende in that Cite Withinne a Castell nyh the stronde, Wher Demephon cam up to londe. Phillis sche hibte, and of yong age And of stature and of visage Sche hadde al that hire best besemeth. Of Demephon riht wel hire qwemeth, Whan he was come, and made him chiere ; And he, that was of his manere A lusti knyht, ne myhte asterte That he ne sette on hire his herte; So that withinne a day or tuo He thoghte, how evere that it go, He wolde assaie the fortune, And gan his herte to commune With goodly wordes in hire Ere; And forto put hire out of fere, He swor and hath his trowthe pliht To be for evere hire oghne knyht. And thus with hire he stille abod, Ther while his Schip on Anker rod, 760
740
750
P. ii. 27
ga
[ FoRGETFULNESS. ]
[DEMEPHON AND PHILLIS. }
Hic in amoris causa contra obliuiosos po- nit Confessor exem- plum, qualiter Deme- phon versus bellum Troianum itinerando a Phillide Rodopeie Regina non tantum in hospicium, set eciam in amorem, gaudio magno susceptus est : qui postea ab ipsa Troie discedens redi- turum infra certum tempus fidelissime se compromisit. Set quia huiusmodi promissi- onis diem statutum postmodum oblitus est, Phillis obliuionem Demephontis lacrimis primo deplangens,tan- dem cordula collo suo circumligata in qua- dam corulo pre dolore semortuam suspendit.
740 margin ob ipsa HiXE... Ba BT,W pat while M Theke while J
st Y
760 Ther while] The while
322
[Demernon AND PuirLis.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And hadde ynowh of time and space
To speke of love and seche grace. This ladi herde al that he seide,
And hou he swor and hou he preide,
Which was as an enchantement
To hire, that was innocent:
As thogh it were trowthe and feitb,
Sche lieveth al that evere he seith,
And as hire infortune scholde,
Sche granteth him al that he wolde. 770
Thus was he for the time in joie,
Til that he scholde go to Troie ;
Bot tho sche made mochel sorwe,
And he his trowthe leith to borwe
To come, if that he live may,
Ayein withinne a Monthe day,
And therupon thei kisten bothe:
Bot were hem lieve or were hem lothe,
To Schipe he goth and forth he wente
To Troie, as was his ferste entente. 780 The daies gon, the Monthe passeth,
Hire love encresceth and his lasseth,
For him sche lefte slep and mete, P. ii. 28
And he his time hath al foryete ;
So that this wofull yonge qweene,
Which wot noght what it mihte meene,
A lettre sende and preide him come,
And seith how sche is overcome
With strengthe of love in such a wise,
That sche noght longe mai suffise 790
To liven out of his presence ;
And putte upon his conscience
The trowthe which he hath behote,
Wherof sche loveth him so hote,
Sche seith, that if he lengere lette
Of such a day as sche him sette,
Sche scholde sterven in his Slowthe,
766 al Innocent Hi... Bs an Innocent M 790 longe may not (nought) X... Ba longe nouht may Hi 191 wold(e) AM wolde hym W
LIBER QUARTUS 323
Which were a schame unto his trowthe. (DEMEPHON AND This lettre is forth upon hire sonde, Purus.) Wherof somdiel confort on honde 800
Sche tok, as sche that wolde abide And waite upon that ilke tyde Which sche hath in hire lettre write. Bot now is pite forto wite, As he dede erst, so he foryat His time eftsone and oversat. Bot sche, which mihte noght do so, The tyde awayteth everemo, And caste hire yhe upon the See: Somtime nay, somtime yee, 810 Somtime he cam, somtime noght, Thus sche desputeth in hire thoght ' And wot noght what sche thenke mai; P. ii. 29 Bot fastende al the longe day Sche was into the derke nyht, And tho sche hath do set up lyht In a lanterne on hih alofte Upon a Tour, wher sche goth ofte, In hope that in his cominge He scholde se the liht brenninge, 820 Wherof he mihte his weies rihte To come wher sche was be nyhte. Bot al for noght, sche was deceived, For Venus hath hire hope weyved, And schewede hire upon the Sky How that the day was faste by, So that withinne a litel throwe The daies lyht sche mihte knowe. Tho sche behield the See at large; And whan sche sih ther was no barge 830 Ne Schip, als ferr as sche may kenne, Doun fro the Tour sche gan to renne Into an Herber all hire one, Wher many a wonder woful mone Sche made, that no lif it wiste, As sche which all hire joie miste, That now sche swouneth, now sche pleigneth, Y2
-
324 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(DEMEPHON AND And al hire face sche desteigneth PHILLS. ] With teres, whiche, as of a welle The stremes, from hire yhen felle ; $40
So as sche mihte and evere in on
Sche clepede upon Demephon,
And seide, *Helas, thou slowe wiht, P. ii 30 Wher was ther evere such a knyht,
That so thurgh his ungentilesce
Of Slowthe and of foryetelnesse
Ayein his trowthe brak his stevene ?’
And tho hire yhe up to the hevene
Sche caste, and seide, *O thou unkinde,
Hier schalt thou thurgh thi Slowthe finde, 950 If that thee list to come and se,
A ladi ded for love of thee,
So as I schal myselve spille ;
Whom, if it hadde be thi wille,
Thou mihtest save wel ynowh.'
With that upon a grene bowh
A Ceinte of Selk, which sche ther hadde, Sche knette, and so hireself sche ladde,
That sche aboute hire whyte swere
It dede, and hyng hirselven there. 860 Wherof the goddes were amoeved,
And Demephon was so reproeved,
That of the goddes providence
Was schape such an evidence
Evere afterward ayein the slowe,
That Phillis in the same throwe
Was schape into a Notetre,
That alle men it mihte se,
And after Phillis Philliberd
This tre was cleped in the yerd, 870 And yit for Demephon to schame
Into this dai it berth the name.
This wofull chance how that it ferde P. ii. 31 Anon as Demephon it herde,
And every man it hadde in speche,
His sorwe was noght tho to seche;
He gan his Slowthe forto banne,
iv.
LIBER QUARTUS
Bot it was al to late thanne.
Lo thus, my Sone, miht thou wite Ayein this vice how it is write; For noman mai the harmes gesse, That fallen thurgh foryetelnesse, Wherof that I thi schrifte have herd. Bot yit of Slowthe hou it hath ferd — In other wise I thenke oppose, If thou have gult, as I suppose.
Dum plantare licet, cultor qui necgligit ortum, Si desint fructus, imputet ipse sibi.
Preterit tsta dies bona, nec valet illa secunda, Hoc caret exemplo lentus amore suo.
Fulfild of Slowthes essamplaire Ther is yit on, his Secretaire, And he is cleped Negligence: Which wol noght loke his evidence, Wherof he mai be war tofore ; Bot whanne he hath his cause lore, Thanne is he wys after the hond: Whanne helpe may no maner bond, Thanne ate ferste wolde he binde: Thus everemore he stant behinde. Whanne he the thing mai noght amende, Thanne is he war, and seith at ende,
880
890
‘Ha, wolde god I hadde knowe!’ P. ii. 32
Wherof bejaped with a mowe
He goth, for whan the grete Stiede Is stole, thanne he taketh hiede, And makth the stable dore fast: Thus evere he pleith an aftercast Of al that he schal seie or do. He hath a manere eke also,
Him list noght lerne to be wys, For he set of no vertu pris
Bot as him liketh for the while; So fieleth he fulofte guile,
Whan that he weneth siker stonde.
Latin verses iv. 2 ipse] esse AM, W
goo
910
325
Confessor.
(iv. NEGLIGENCE. ]
Hic tractat Confes- sor devicio Necgligen- cie, cuius condicioAc- cidiam amplectens om- nes artessciencie, tam in amoris causa quam aliter, — ignominiosa pretermittens, cum nullum poterit emin- ere remedium, sui mi- nisterii diligenciam expostfacto in vacuum attemptare presumit,
326
NrcriGENCE.]
fessio Amantis.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And thus thou miht wel understonde, Mi Sone, if thou art such in love, Thou miht noght come at thin above Of that thou woldest wel achieve. Mi holi fader, as I lieve, I mai wel with sauf conscience Excuse me of necgligence Towardes love in alle wise: For thogh I be non of the wise, 910 I am so trewly amerous, That I am evere curious Of hem that conne best enforme To knowe and witen al the forme, What falleth unto loves craft. Bot yit ne fond I noght the haft, Which mihte unto that bladd acorde ; For nevere herde I man recorde What thing it is that myhte availe P. ii. 33 To winne love withoute faile. 930 Yit so fer cowthe I nevere finde Man that be resoun ne be kinde Me cowthe teche such an art, That. he ne failede of a part; And as toward myn oghne wit, Controeve cowthe I nevere yit To finden eny sikernesse, That me myhte outher more or lesse Of love make forto spede: For lieveth wel withoute drede, 940 If that ther were such a weie, As certeinliche as I schal deie I hadde it lerned longe ago. Bot I wot wel ther is non so: And natheles it may wel be, I am so rude in my degree And ek mi wittes ben so dulle, That I ne mai noght to the fulle Atteigne to so hih a lore. Bot this I dar seie overmore, 950 927 }e blad (blade) M, BTA, WHs
LIBER QUARTUS
Althogh mi wit ne be noght strong, It is noght on mi will along, For that is besi nyht and day To lerne al that he lerne may, How that I mihte love winne: Bot yit I am as to beginne Of that I wolde make an ende, And for I not how it schal wende, That is to me mi moste sorwe. P. ii. 34 Bot I dar take god to borwe, 960 As after min entendement, Non other wise necgligent Thanne I yow seie have I noght be: Forthi per seinte charite Tell me, mi fader, what you semeth. In good feith, Sone, wel me qwemeth, That thou thiself hast thus aquit Toward this vice, in which no wit Abide mai, for in an houre He lest al that he mai laboure 970 The longe yer, so that men sein, What evere he doth it is in vein. For thurgh the Slowthe of Negligence Ther was yit nevere such science Ne vertu, which was bodely, That nys destruid and lost therby. Ensample that it hath be so In boke I finde write also. —
Phebus, which is the Sonne hote, That schyneth upon Erthe hote 980 And causeth every lyves helthe, He hadde a Sone in al his welthe, Which Pheton hihte, and he desireth And with his Moder he conspireth, The which was cleped Clemenee, For help and conseil, so that he
955 mihte] may hir B may T 968 vice om. BT 974 neuere
jit AM
984 margin cum om, BT 985 Clemenee] Element
ERC Olement HiXG Clement LB: Clemencee T Clemente M 986 so that he] pat he sent Hi... Ba
327
[NzcLiGENCE.]
Confessor.
[TALE or PuAETON.
Hic contra viciur necgligencie pon Confessor exemplum et narrat quod cur Pheton filius Soli currum patris sui pe aera regere debuera
328
[Tae or PHAETON.)
admonitus a patre vt equos ne deuiarent equa manu diligen- cius refrenaret, ipse consilium patris sua negligencia preteri- ens, equos cum curru nimisbasse errare per- misit ; vndenon solum incendio orbem in- flammauit, set et seip- sum de curru caden- tem in quoddam flu- uium demergi ad in- teritum causauit.
988 brihte] nyhte (nist) AM
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
His fader carte lede myhte
Upon the faire daies brihte.
And for this thing thei bothe preide Unto the fader, and he seide
He wolde wel, bot forth withal Thre pointz he bad in special
Unto his Sone in alle wise,
That he him scholde wel avise
And take it as be weie of lore. Ferst was, that he his hors to sore
.Ne prike, and over that he tolde
That he the renes faste holde; And also that he be riht war
In what manere he lede his charr, That he mistake noght his gate, Bot up avisement algate
He scholde bere a siker yhe, That he to lowe ne to hyhe
His carte dryve at eny throwe, Wherof that he mihte overthrowe. And thus be Phebus ordinance Tok Pheton into governance
The Sonnes carte, which he ladde : Bot he such veine gloire hadde Of that he was set upon hyh, That he his oghne astat ne syh
Thurgh negligence and tok non hiede ;
So mihte he wel noght longe spede. For he the hors withoute lawe
The carte let aboute drawe
Wher as hem liketh wantounly, That ate laste sodeinly,
For he no reson wolde knowe,
This fyri carte he drof to lowe, And fyreth al the world aboute ; Wherof thei weren alle in doubte, And to the god for helpe criden
P. ii. 35 990
1010
P. ii. 36
1020
1002 up] vpon BT vp an Ad
1014 wel noght longe] nought longe wel C not
LIBER QUARTUS
Of suche unhappes as betyden. Phebus, which syh the necgligence, How Pheton ayein his defence His charr hath drive out of the weie, Ordeigneth that he fell aweie Out of the carte into a flod And dreynte. Lo now, hou it stod 1030 With him that was so necgligent, That fro the hyhe firmament, For that he wolde go to lowe, He was anon doun overthrowe. In hih astat it is a vice To go to lowe, and in service It grieveth forto go to hye, Wherof a tale in poesie I finde, how whilom Dedalus, Which hadde a Sone, and Icharus 1040 He hihte, and thogh hem thoghte lothe, In such prison thei weren bothe With Minotaurus, that aboute Thei mihten nawher wenden oute ; So thei begonne forto schape How thei the prison mihte ascape. This Dedalus, which fro his yowthe Was tawht and manye craftes cowthe, Of fetheres and of othre thinges P. ii. 37 Hath mad to fle diverse wynges 1050 For him and for his Sone also; To whom he yaf in charge tho And bad him thenke therupon, How that his wynges ben set on With wex, and if he toke his flyhte To hyhe, al sodeinliche he mihte Make it to melte with the Sonne. And thus thei bave her flyht begonne Out of the prison faire and softe ; And whan thei weren bothe alofte, 1060 This Icharus began to monte, 1029 pe flod (flgod) E, B 1035 Paragr. in MSS. begins at 1039
329 (Tare or PMAETON. |
(Tazz or Icarus.]
Exemplum super eodem de Icharo De- dali filio in carcerc Minotauri existente, cui Dedalus, vt inde euolaret, alas com- ponens, firmiter in- iunxit ne nimis alte propter Solis ardorem ascenderet : quod Ich- arus sua negligencia postponens, cum alc. ius sublimatus fuisset, subito ad terram cor- ruens expirauit.
330
[Tare or IcARUS.]
Amans.
Confessor.
[v. IDLENESS. ]
Hic loquitur Con- fessor super illa spe- cie Accidie, que Oci- um dicitur, cuius
: condicio in virtutum
cultura nullius occu- pacionis diligenciam admittens, cuiuscum- queexpedicionem cau- se non attingit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And of the conseil non accompte He sette, which his fader tawhte, Til that the Sonne his wynges cawhte, Wherof it malt, and fro the heihte Withouten help of eny sleihte He fell to his destruccion. And lich to that condicion Ther fallen ofte times fele For lacke of governance in wele, 1070 Als wel in love as other weie. Now goode fader, I you preie, If ther be more in the matiere Of Slowthe, that I mihte it hiere. Mi Sone, and for thi diligence, Which every mannes conscience Be resoun scholde reule and kepe, If that thee list to taken kepe, I wol thee telle, aboven alle P. ii. 38 In whom no vertu mai befalle, 1080 Which yifth unto the vices reste And is of slowe the sloweste.
v. Aósque labore vagus vir inutilis ocia plectens, Nescio quid presens vita valebit et. Non amor in lali misero viget, immo valoris Qui faciunt ofera clamat habere suos.
Among these othre of Slowthes kinde, Which alle labour set behinde, And hateth alle besinesse, Ther is yit on, which Ydelnesse Is cleped, and is the Norrice In mannes kinde of every vice, Which secheth eases manyfold. In Wynter doth he noght for cold, 1090 In Somer mai he noght for hete ; So whether that he frese or swete,
1073 pis matiere Bs, BA 1074 it o». Hi, B 1075 and]
1082 slowe AJM, F sloupe Hi... Bs S... AA, WHs
1086 yit on, which] on 3it which A, W on sit pas M on which pat
LIBER QUARTUS 331
Or he be inne, or he be oute, [Ipcensss. ] He wol ben ydel al aboute,
Bot if he pleie oght ate Dees.
For who as evere take fees
And thenkth worschipe to deserve,
Ther is no lord whom he wol serve,
As forto duelle in his servise,
Bot if it were in such a wise, 1100 Of that he seth per aventure
That be lordschipe and coverture
He mai the more stonde stille,
And use his ydelnesse at wille.
For he ne wol no travail take P. ii. 39 To ryde for his ladi sake,
Bot liveth al upon his wisshes ;
And as a cat wolde ete fisshes
Withoute wetinge of his cles,
So wolde he do, bot natheles 11IO He faileth ofte of that he wolde. &.
Mi Sone, if thou of such a molde Confessor. Art mad, now tell me plein thi schrifte.
Nay, fader, god I yive a yifte, Amans.
That toward love, as be mi wit, Al ydel was I nevere yit, Ne nevere schal, whil I mai go.
Now, Sone, tell me thanne so, Confessor. What hast thou don of besischipe To love and to the ladischipe 1120 Of hire which thi ladi is?
Mi fader, evere yit er this Confessio Amantis.
In every place, in every stede, What so mi lady hath me bede, With al myn herte obedient I have therto be diligent. And if so is sche bidde noght, What thing that thanne into my thoght Comth ferst of that I mai suffise, I bowe and profre my servise, 1130 Somtime in chambre, somtime in halle, 1093 be he... be he C, BA, Hs be...beheHi 1095 oght orm. B
332
[IprzNzss.]
1133 to hire (hir) masse AMHi;, Ad hir masse KX... B:
biddep A
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ribt as I se the times falle.
And whan sche goth to hiere masse, That time schal noght overpasse, That I naproche hir ladihede,
In aunter if I mai hire lede
Unto the chapelle and ayein.
Thanne is noght al mi weie in vein, Somdiel I mai the betre fare,
Whan I, that mai noght fiele hir bare, Mai lede hire clothed in myn arm: Bot afterward it doth me harm
Of pure ymaginacioun ;
For thanne this collacioun
] make unto miselven ofte,
And seie, * Ha lord, hou sche is softe, How sche is round, hou sche is smal! Now wolde god I hadde hire al Withoute danger at mi wille!’
And thanne I sike and sitte stille,
Of that I se mi besi thoght
Is torned ydel into noght.
Bot for al that lete I ne mai, Whanne I se time an other dai,
That I ne do my besinesse
Unto mi ladi worthinesse.
For I therto mi wit afaite
To se the times and awaite
What is to done and what to leve: And so, whan time is, be hir leve, What thing sche bit me don, I do, And wher sche bidt me gon, I go, And whanne hir list to clepe, I come. Thus hath sche fulliche overcome Min ydelnesse til I sterve,
So that I mot hire nedes serve,
For as men sein, nede hath no lawe. Thus mot I nedly to hire drawe,
P. ii. 40
1140
1150
1160
P. ii. 41
to huyre masse B toward 1162 bidt F (c. 1. 2802) bit J, SB
LIBER QUARTUS 333
I serve, I bowe, I loke, I loute, [Inr.zwzss.] Min yhe folweth hire aboute, 1170 What so sche wole so wol I,
Whan sche wol sitte, I knele by,
And whan sche stant, than wol I stonde:
Bot whan sche takth hir werk on honde
Of wevinge or enbrouderie,
Than can I noght bot muse and prie
Upon hir fingres longe and smale,
And now I thenke, and now I tale,
And now I singe, and now I sike,
And thus mi contienance I pike. 1180 And if it falle, as for a time
Hir liketh noght abide bime,
Bot besien hire on other thinges,
Than make I othre tariinges
To dreche forth the longe dai,
For me is loth departe away.
And thanne I am so simple of port,
That forto feigne som desport
I pleie with hire litel hound
Now on the bedd, now on the ground, 1190 Now with hir briddes in the cage;
For ther is non so litel page,
Ne yit so simple a chamberere,
That I ne make hem alle chere,
Al for thei scholde speke wel: P. ii. 42 Thus mow ye sen mi besi whiel,
That goth noght ydeliche aboute.
And if hir list to riden oute
On pelrinage or other stede,
I come, thogh I be noght bede, 12C0 And take hire in min arm alofte And sette hire in hire sadel softe,
And so forth lede hire be the bridel,
For that I wolde noght ben ydel.
And if hire list to ride in Char,
And thanne I mai therof be war,
1174 And B 1183 oper JGC, S, F opre AE, AdB, Hs here T
[IpLzNxss.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Anon I schape me to ryde Riht evene be the Chares side ; And as I mai, I speke among, And otherwhile I singe a song, 1310 Which Ovide in his bokes made, And seide, *O whiche sorwes glade, O which wofull prosperite Belongeth to the proprete Of love, who so wole him serve! And yit therfro mai noman swerve, That he ne mot his lawe obeie.’ And thus I ryde forth mi weie, And am riht besi overal With herte and with mi body al, 1220 As I have said you hier tofore. My goode fader, tell therfore, Of Ydelnesse if I have gilt. Mi Sone, bot thou telle wilt Oght elles than I mai now hiere, P. ii. 43 Thou schalt have no penance hiere. And natheles a man mai se, How now adayes that ther be Ful manye of suche hertes slowe, That wol noght besien hem to knowe 1230 What thing love is, til ate laste, That he with strengthe hem overcaste, That malgre hem thei mote obeie And don al ydelschipe aweie, To serve wel and besiliche. Bot, Sone, thou art non of swiche, For love schal the wel excuse: Bot otherwise, if thou refuse To love, thou miht so per cas Ben ydel, as somtime was 1240 A kinges dowhter unavised, Til that Cupide hire hath chastised : Wherof thou schalt a tale hiere Acordant unto this matiere.
1207 for to ride Hi... Bs I212 seide] say B 1224 bot] but if Hi... Bs, Ad, W
LIBER QUARTUS
Of Armenye, I rede thus, Ther was a king, which Herupus Was hote, and he a lusti Maide To dowhter hadde, and as men saide Hire name was Rosiphelee ; Which tho was of gret renomee, For sche was bothe wys and fair And scholde ben hire fader hair. Bot sche hadde o defalte of Slowthe Towardes love, and that was rowthe ;
For so wel cowde noman seie, P. ii. 44
Which mihte sette hire in the weie Of loves occupacion
Thurgh non ymaginacion ;
That scole wolde sche noght knowe. And thus sche was on of the slowe As of such hertes besinesse,
Til whanne Venus the goddesse, Which loves court hath forto reule, Hath broght hire into betre reule, Forth with Cupide and with his miht: For thei merveille how such a wiht, Which tho was in hir lusti age, Desireth nother Mariage
Ne yit the love of paramours,
Which evere hath be the comun cours Amonges hem that lusti were.
So was it schewed after there:
For he that hihe hertes loweth
With fyri Dartes whiche he throweth, Cupide, which of love is godd,
In chastisinge hath mad a rodd
To dryve awei hir wantounesse ;
So that withinne a while, I gesse, Sche hadde on such a chance sporned, That al hire mod was overtorned, Which ferst sche hadde of slow manere:
1249 margin amoris] in amoris AC, Hs in Amoris cassa W sargin expectaret Hi... Bs 1257 margin diligencior om. B
335
[Tare or Rosipne- LEE. |
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra is- tos qui amoris occu-
1250 pacionem omittentes, grauioris infortunii casus expectant. Et narrat de quadam Armenie Regis filia, que huiusmodi condi- cionis in principio iuuentutis ociosa per- sistens, mirabili postea visione castigata in amoris obsequium pre ceteris diligencior efficitur.
1260
1270
1280
1251 1266
ow]ofB 1272 schrewed À 1275 Cupide AJ, F Cupido SBT
336
[Tats or Rosipns- Lee. |
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For thus it fell, as thou schalt hiere.
Whan come was the Monthe of Maii,
Sche wolde walke upon a dai,
And that was er the Sonne Ariste ;
Of wommen bot a fewe it wiste,
And forth sche wente prively
Unto the Park was faste by,
Al softe walkende on the gras,
Til sche cam ther the Launde was,
Thurgh which ther ran a gret rivere.
It thoghte hir fair, and seide, ‘ Here
I wole abide under the schawe':
And bad hire wommen to withdrawe,
And ther sche stod al one stille,
To thenke what was in hir wille.
Sche sih the swote floures springe,
Sche herde glade foules singe,
Sche sih the bestes in her kinde,
The buck, the do, the hert, the hinde,
The madle go with the femele ;
And so began ther a querele
Betwen love and hir oghne herte,
Fro which sche couthe noght asterte.
And as sche caste hire yhe aboute,
Sche syh clad in o suite a route
Of ladis, wher thei comen ryde
Along under the wodes syde:
On faire amblende hors thei sete,
That were al whyte, fatte and grete,
And everichon thei ride on side.
The Sadles were of such a Pride,
With Perle and gold so wel begon,
So riche syh sche nevere non;
In kertles and in Copes riche
Thei weren clothed, alle liche,
Departed evene of whyt and blew ;
With alle lustes that sche knew
Thei were enbrouded overal.
Here bodies weren long and smal, I310 faire GEC, BA, Hs
P. ii. 45
1290
1300
1310
P. ii. 46
1320
LIBER QUARTUS 337
The beaute faye upon her face [TALr or Rosipue-
Non erthly thing it may desface ; Corones on here hed thei beere, As ech of hem a qweene weere, That al the gold of Cresus halle The leste coronal of alle Ne mihte have boght after the worth : Thus come thei ridende forth. The kinges dowhter, which this syh, For pure abaissht drowh hire adryh 1330 And hield hire clos under the bowh, And let hem passen stille ynowh ; For as hire thoghte in hire avis, To hem that were of such a pris Sche was noght worthi axen there, Fro when they come or what thei were: Bot levere than this worldes good Sche wolde have wist hou that it stod, And putte hire hed alitel oute ; And as sche lokede hire aboute, 1340 Sche syh comende under the linde A womman up an hors behinde. The hors on which sche rod was blak, Al lene and galled on the back, And haltede, as he were encluyed, P. ii. 47 Wherof the womman was annuied ; Thus was the hors in sori plit, Bot for al that a sterre whit Amiddes in the front he hadde. Hir Sadel ek was wonder badde, 1350 In which the wofull womman sat, I321Í1. Text thus in third recension (but faire WKHsMagd for faye F and hir Hs the W for her): faye—desface sn ras. F A has The beaute of hire face schon Wel bryhtere pan pe Cristall ston so the others of first recension, but most have here (her) for hire and many (as HiGRCLB:) read faces S has The beaute of here faye face Ther mai non erply ping deface so AdBTAA with faire (fair) for faye and some (AdT) hir for here 1341 a lynde L, BA 1342 vpon hors XC, BA vpon an (a) hors HiGLBs, AdTA, W, Hs on anh. M 1348 And B
LE Z
LEE. |
338
Tare or RosiPHE- LEE.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And natheles ther was with that A riche bridel for the nones Of gold and preciouse Stones. Hire cote was somdiel totore ; Aboute hir middel twenty score Of horse haltres and wel mo Ther hyngen ate time tho. Thus whan sche cam the ladi nyh, Than tok sche betre hiede and syh 1360 This womman fair was of visage, Freyssh, lusti, yong and of tendre age; And so this ladi, ther sche stod, Bethoghte hire wel and understod That this, which com ridende tho, Tidinges couthe telle of tho, Which as sche sih tofore ryde, And putte hir forth and preide abide, And seide, * Ha, Suster, let me hiere, What ben thei, that now riden hiere, 1370 And ben so richeliche arraied ?’ This womman, which com so esmaied, Ansuerde with ful softe speche, And seith, ‘Ma Dame, I schal you teche. These ar of tho that whilom were P. ii. 48 Servantz to love, and trowthe beere, Ther as thei hadde here herte set. Fare wel, for I mai noght be let: Ma Dame, I go to mi servise, So moste I haste in alle wise ; 1380 Forthi, ma Dame, yif me leve, I mai noght longe with you leve.’ * Ha, goode Soster, yit I preie, Tell me whi ye ben so beseie And with these haltres thus begon.’ *Ma Dame, whilom I was on
1361 f. Thus in third recension (and o». W) F has the ines written over erasure, except womman
The womman was riht fair of face Al pogh hire lackede oper grace
so S and the other copies of first and second recensions 1367 Which J,S, F Whiche A, B
LIBER QUARTUS 339
That to mi fader hadde a king ; [Tare or RosrPHz- Bot I was slow, and for no thing LeE.] Me liste noght to love obeie, And that I now ful sore abeie. 1390 For I whilom no love hadde, Min hors is now so fieble and badde, And al totore is myn arai, And every yeer this freisshe Maii These lusti ladis ryde aboute, And I mot nedes suie here route In this manere as ye now se, And trusse here haltres forth with me, And am bot as here horse knave. Non other office I ne have, 1400 Hem thenkth I am worthi nomore, For I was slow in loves lore, Whan I was able forto lere, And wolde noght the tales hiere Of hem that couthen love teche.’ P. ii. 49 * Now tell me thanne, I you beseche, Wherof that riche bridel serveth.’ With that hire chere awei sche swerveth, And gan to wepe, and thus sche tolde: *'This bridel, which ye nou beholde 1410 So riche upon myn horse hed,— Ma Dame, afore, er I was ded, Whan I was in mi lusti lif, Ther fel into myn herte a strif Of love, which me overcom, So that therafter hiede I nom And thoghte I wolde love a kniht: That laste wel a fourtenyht, For it no lengere mihte laste, So nyh my lif was ate laste. 1420 Bot now, allas, to late war That I ne hadde him loved ar: For deth cam so in haste bime, Er I therto hadde eny time, 1393 And om. AM 1397 now] mow (mowe) J, AdB, W «19 non AJ za
340 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(Tace or Rosipue- That it ne mihte ben achieved. Ler.] Bot for al that I am relieved, Of that mi will was good therto, That love soffreth it be so That I schal swiche a bridel were. Now have ye herd al myn ansuere: 1430 To godd, ma Dame, I you betake, And warneth alle for mi sake, Of love that thei ben noght ydel, And bidd hem thenke upon mi brydel.’ And with that word al sodeinly P. ii. 50 Sche passeth, as it were a Sky, Al clene out of this ladi sihte : And tho for fere hire herte afflihte, And seide to hirself, * Helas! I am riht in the same cas. 1440 Bot if I live after this day, I schal amende it, if I may.’ And thus homward this lady wente, And changede al hire ferste entente, Withinne hire herte and gan to swere That sche none haltres wolde bere. Confessor. 77" Lo, Sone, hier miht thou taken hiede, How ydelnesse is forto drede, Namliche of love, as I have write. For thou miht understonde and write, 1450 ; Among the gentil nacion ' Love is an occupacion, Which forto kepe hise lustes save Non quia sic se Scholde every gentil herte have: Opinio A set For as the ladi was chastised, Riht so the knyht mai ben avised, Which ydel is and wol noght serve To love, he mai per cas deserve A grettere peine than sche hadde, Whan sche aboute with hire ladde 1460 The horse haltres ; and forthi Good is to be wel war therbi. Bot forto loke aboven alle,
1454 f. margin Non quia—Amantum om. G, BA
LIBER QUARTUS 341
These Maidens, hou so that it falle, [IpDLENEss IN Love.] Thei scholden take ensample of this P. ii. 51 Which I have told, for soth it is. Mi ladi Venus, whom I serve, What womman wole hire thonk deserve, Sche mai noght thilke love eschuie Of paramours, bot sche mot suie 1470 Cupides lawe; and natheles Men sen such love sielde in pes, That it nys evere upon aspie Of janglinge and of fals Envie, Fulofte medlid with disese : Bot thilke love is wel at ese, Which set is upon mariage ; For that dar schewen the visage In alle places openly. A gret mervaile it is forthi, 1480 How that a Maiden wolde lette, That sche hir time ne besette To haste unto that ilke feste, Wherof the love is al honeste. Men mai recovere lost of good, Bot so wys man yit nevere stod, Which mai recovere time lore: So mai a Maiden wel therfore Ensample take, of that sche strangeth Hir love, and longe er that sche changeth 1:490 Hir herte upon hir lustes greene To mariage, as it is seene. For thus a yer or tuo or thre Sche lest, er that sche wedded be, Whyl sche the charge myhte bere P. ii. 52 Of children, whiche the world forbere Ne mai, bot if it scholde faile. Bot what Maiden hire esposaile Wol tarie, whan sche take mai, Sche schal per chance an other dai 1500 Be let, whan that hire lievest were. Wherof a tale unto hire Ere,
1501 that hire] pat sche H1... B1 hir AA it M
[Tare or JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ]
Hic ponit exem- plum super eodem: Etnarrat de filia Iepte, que cum ex sui patris voto in. holocaustum deo occidi et offerri deberet, ipsa pro eo quod virgo fuit et pro- lem ad augmentacio- nem populi dei non- dum genuisset, xl. dierum spacium vt cum suis sodalibus virginibus suam de- fleret — virginitatem, priusquam moreretur, in exemplum aliarum a patre postulauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS Which is coupable upon this dede,
I thenke telle of that I rede.
Among the Jewes, as men tolde, Ther was whilom be daies olde A noble Duck, which Jepte hihte. And fell he scholde go to fyhte
Ayein Amon the cruel king : And forto speke upon this thi
ng, — T
Withinne his herte he made avou
To god and seide, ‘ Ha lord,
if thou
Wolt grante unto thi man victoire, I schal in tokne of thi memoire
The ferste lif that I mai se,
Of man or womman wher it be,
Anon as I come hom ayein,
To thee, which art god sovereign, Slen in thi name and sacrifie.’
And thus with his chivalerie He goth him forth, wher that
Is:
he scholde,
And wan al that he winne wolde
And overcam his fomen alle. Mai noman lette that schal
falle.
This Duc a lusti dowhter hadde, P. ii.: And fame, which the wordes spradde,
Hath broght unto this ladi Ere
How that hire fader hath do there.
Sche waiteth upon his cominge
With dansinge and with carolinge, I
As sche that wolde be tofore
Al othre, and so sche was therfore
In Masphat at hir fader gate
The ferste; and whan he com therate, And sih his douhter, he tobreide
Hise clothes and wepende he
seide :
*O mihti god among ous hiere,
Nou wot I that in no manere
1507 duck A, F duk J, SB ISII auou
B, F a vou (a vowe) MMi, S
... AA, H3 duk J, SB
1521 wher that] so as B 1532 AlAJ,S, F Alle C, BT
(auov, avow) A,
1519 margin aliorum A... B
1525 Duc F dud
LIBER QUARTUS | 343
This worldes joie mai be plein. [Taxes or JzeuTHAH'S I hadde al that I coude sein 1540 PAUGHTER.] Ayein mi fomen be thi grace, So whan I cam toward this place Ther was non gladdere man than I: But now, mi lord, al sodeinli Mi joie is torned into sorwe, For I mi dowhter schal tomorwe Tohewe and brenne in thi servise To loenge of thi sacrifise Thurgh min avou, so as it is.' The Maiden, whan sche wiste of this, 1550 And sih the sorwe hir fader made, So as sche mai with wordes glade Conforteth him, and bad him holde The covenant which he is holde Towardes god, as he behihte. P. ii. 54 Bot natheles hire herte aflihte Of that sche sih hire deth comende ; And thanne unto the ground knelende Tofore hir fader sche is falle, And seith, so as it is befalle 1560 Upon this point that sche schal deie, Of o thing ferst sche wolde him preie, That fourty daies of respit He wolde hir grante upon this plit, That sche the whyle mai bewepe Hir maidenhod, which sche to kepe So longe hath had and noght beset ; Wherof her lusti youthe is let, That sche no children hath forthdrawe In Mariage after the lawe, 1570 So that the poeple is noght encressed. Bot that it mihte be relessed, That sche hir time hath lore so, Sche wolde be his leve go With othre Maidens to compleigne, And afterward unto the peine 1541 pi... my B 1543 non AJC, F no SB 1555 as] and B 1558 ground] world BA 1567 had) kept BTA om. A
344
TALE OF JEPHTHAH’S DAUGHTER. }
Amans.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of deth sche wolde come ayein. The fader herde his douhter sein, And therupon of on assent The Maidens were anon asent, 1580 That scholden with this Maiden wende. So forto speke unto this ende, Thei gon the dounes and the dales With wepinge and with wofull tales, And every wyht hire maidenhiede P. ii. 55 Compleigneth upon thilke nede, That sche no children hadde bore, Wherof sche hath hir youthe lore, Which nevere sche recovere mai: For so fell that hir laste dai 1590 Was come, in which sche scholde take Hir deth, which sche may noght forsake. Lo, thus sche deiede a wofull Maide For thilke cause which I saide, As thou hast understonde above. Mi fader, as toward the Love Of Maidens forto telle trowthe, Ye have thilke vice of Slowthe, Me thenkth, riht wonder wel declared, That ye the wommen have noght spared 1600 Of hem that tarien so behinde. Bot yit it falleth in my minde, Toward the men hou that ye spieke Of hem that wole no travail sieke In cause of love upon decerte : To speke in wordes so coverte, I not what travaill that ye mente. Mi Sone, and after min entente I woll thee telle what I thoghte, Hou whilom men here loves boghte 1610 Thurgh gret travaill in strange londes, Wher that thei wroghten with here hondes Of armes many a worthi dede, In sondri place as men mai rede.
LIBER QUARTUS 345 vi. Quem probat armorum probitas Venus approbat, et quem P. ii. 56
Torpor habet reprobum reprobat illa virum. [Lovers MUST AP- Vecors segnicies insignia nescit amoris, PROVE THEMSELVES IN Nam piger ad brauium tardius ipse venit. ARMS.] That every love of pure kinde Is ferst forthdrawe, wel I finde: Bot natheles yit overthis Decerte doth so that it is The rather had in mani place. Hic loquitur quod Forthi who secheth loves grace, 1620 m Mobi tan ad mi Wher that these worthi wommen are, morum laboris ex-
cercicium nullatenus
He mai noght thanne himselve spare torpescat.
Upon his travail forto serve, Wherof that he mai thonk deserve, There as these men of Armes be, Somtime over the grete Se: So that be londe and ek be Schipe He mot travaile for worschipe And make manye hastyf rodes, Somtime in Prus, somtime in Rodes, 1630 And somtime into Tartarie ; So that these heraldz on him crie, ‘Vailant, vailant, lo, wher he goth!’ And thanne he yifth hem gold and cloth, So that his fame mihte springe, And to his ladi Ere bringe Som tidinge of his worthinesse ; So that sche mihte of his prouesce Of that sche herde men recorde, The betre unto his love acorde 1640 And danger pute out of hire mod, Whanne alle men recorden good, And that sche wot wel, for hir sake P. ii. 57 That he no travail wol forsake. Mi Sone, of this travail I meene: Confessor. Nou schrif thee, for it schal be sene If thou art ydel in this cas. My fader ye, and evere was: Confessio Amantis.
1622 margin nultenus F 1625 Wher B 1637 Som tidinge] Somtime (Som tyme) HiXE ... Bs Sometydinges A I640 bet B
346
[ARGUMENTS TO THE Contrary. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For as me thenketh trewely That every man doth mor than I 1650 As of this point, and if so is That I have oght so don er this, It is so litel of accompte, As who seith, it mai noght amonte To winne of love his lusti yifte. For this I telle you in schrifte, That me were levere hir love winne Than Kaire and al that is ther inne: And forto slen the hethen alle, I not what good ther mihte falle, 1660 So mochel blod thogh ther be schad. This finde I writen, hou Crist bad That noman other scholde sle. What scholde I winne over the Se, If I mi ladi loste at hom? Bot passe thei the salte fom, To whom Crist bad thei scholden preche To all the world and his feith teche : Bot now thei rucken in here nest And resten as hem liketh best 1670 In all the swetnesse of delices. Thus thei defenden ous the vices, And sitte hemselven al amidde ; P. ii. 58 To slen and feihten thei ous bidde Hem whom thei scholde, as the bok seith, Converten unto Cristes feith. Bot hierof have I gret mervaile, Hou thei wol bidde me travaile: A Sarazin if I sle schal, I sle the Soule forth withal, 1680 And that was nevere Cristes lore. Bot nou ho ther, I seie nomore. Bot I wol speke upon mi schrifte ; And to Cupide I make a yifte, That who as evere pris deserve Of armes, I wol love serve ; And thogh I scholde hem bothe kepe, 1670 hem liken HiXRCLB:, W hym likep M
LIBER QUARTUS
Als wel yit wolde I take kepe Whan it were time to abide, As forto travaile and to ryde:
For how as evere a man laboure, Cupide appointed hath his houre. For I have herd it telle also,
Achilles lefte hise armes so
Bothe of himself and of his men At Troie for Polixenen,
Upon hire love whanne he fell, That for no chance that befell Among the Grecs or up or doun, He wolde noght ayein the toun Ben armed, for the love of hire. And so me thenketh, lieve Sire,
A man of armes mai him reste Somtime in hope for the beste,
If he mai finde a weie nerr.
What scholde I thanne go so ferr In strange londes many a mile To ryde, and lese at hom therwhile Mi love? It were a schort beyete To winne chaf and lese whete. Bot if mi ladi bidde wolde,
That I for hire love scholde Travaile, me thenkth trewely
I mihte fle thurghout the Sky, And go thurghout the depe Se, For al ne sette I at a stre
What thonk that I mihte elles gete. What helpeth it a man have mete, Wher drinke lacketh on the bord? What helpeth eny mannes word To seie hou I travaile faste,
Wher as me faileth ate laste
That thing which I travaile fore?
1690 As} And B for to (forto) ride Hi... Bs it] it herd A, A herd M 1701 the o». AM
werre B
1706 go pan (pen) AM go panne W
HiXE...B, W mywhileG pat while M, A
1690
1700
P. ii. 59
1710
1720
1693 herd 1705 weie] 1708 pe while
347
(ARGUMENTS TO THE CowTRARY.]
Hic allegat Amans in sui excusacionem, qualiter Achilles apud Troiam propter amo- rem Polixenen arma sua per aliquod tem- pus dimisit.
348
[ARGUMENTS TO THE CoNTRARY.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
O in good time were he bore,
That mihte atteigne such a mede.
Bot certes if I mihte spede
With eny maner besinesse
Of worldes travail, thanne I gesse,
Ther scholde me non ydelschipe
Departen fro hir ladischipe. 1730 Bot this I se, on daies nou
The blinde god, I wot noght hou,
Cupido, which of love is lord, P. ii. 60 He set the thinges in discord,
That thei that lest to love entende
Fulofte he wole hem yive and sende
Most of his grace; and thus I finde
That he that scholde go behinde,
Goth many a time ferr tofore:
So wot I noght riht wel therfore, 1740 On whether bord that I schal seile.
Thus can I noght miself conseile,
Bot al I sette on aventure,
And am, as who seith, out of cure
For ought that I can seie or do:
For everemore I finde it so,
The more besinesse I leie,
The more that I knele and preie
With goode wordes and with softe,
The more I am refused ofte, 1750 With besinesse and mai noght winne.
And in good feith that is gret Sinne;
For I mai seie, of dede and thoght
That ydel man have I be noght ;
For hou as evere I be deslaied,
Yit evermore I have assaied.
Bot thogh my besinesse laste,
Al is bot ydel ate laste,
For whan theffect is ydelnesse,
I not what thing is besinesse. 1760 Sei, what availeth al the dede, 1738 that] which AJHi... Bs 1740 So pat I not Hi... Bs
1752 that] it B
LIBER QUARTUS 349
Which nothing helpeth ate nede?
For the fortune of every fame P. ii. 61 Schal of his ende bere a name.
And thus for oght is yit befalle,
An ydel man I wol me calle
As after myn entendement :
Bot upon youre amendement,
Min holi fader, as you semeth, (Tux CowrzssoR mr- Mi reson and my cause demeth. 1770 PLIES.] Mi Sone, I have herd thi matiere, Confessor.
Of that thou hast thee schriven hiere:
And forto speke of ydel fare,
Me semeth that thou tharst noght care,
Bot only that thou miht noght spede.
And therof, Sone, I wol thee rede,
Abyd, and haste noght to faste;
Thi dees ben every dai to caste,
Thou nost what chance schal betyde.
Betre is to wayte upon the tyde 1780
Than rowe ayein the stremes stronge :
For thogh so be thee thenketh longe,
Per cas the revolucion
Of hevene and thi condicion
Ne be noght yit of on acord.
Bot I dar make this record
To Venus, whos Prest that I am,
That sithen that I hidir cam
To hiere, as sche me bad, thi lif,
Wherof thou elles be gultif, 1790
Thou miht hierof thi conscience
Excuse, and of gret diligence,
Which thou to love hast so despended, P. ii. 62
Thou oghtest wel to be comended.
Bot if so be that ther oght faile,
Of that thou slowthest to travaile
In armes forto ben absent,
And for thou makst an argument
Of that thou seidest hiere above,
Hou Achilles thurgh strengthe of love 1800 1769 you] 3e A... Bs (except G) 1780 Bet B
350
(Tue Conressor nr- PLIES. |
[Tare or Naurius
AND ULyssEs. }
Hic dicit quod amo- ris delectamento post- posito miles arma sua preferre debet: Et ponit exemplum de Vlixe, cum ipse a bello Troiano propter amorem Penolope remanere domi volu- isset, Nauplus pater Palamades eum tantis sermonibus allocutus est, quod Vlixes thoro sue coniugis relicto labores armorum vna cum aliis Troie mag- nanunus subiba
1805 knythode F which] pat M... Bs
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Hise armes lefte for a throwe,
Thou schalt an other tale knowe, Which is contraire, as thou schalt wite. For this a man mai finde write,
Whan that knyhthode schal be werred, Lust mai noght thanne be preferred ; The bedd mot thanne be forsake
And Schield and spere on honde take, Which thing schal make hem after glade, Whan thei ben worthi knihtes made. Wherof, so as it comth to honde,
A tale thou schalt understonde,
Hou that a kniht schal armes suie, And for the while his ese eschuie.
Upon knyhthode I rede thus, How whilom whan the king Nauplus, The fader of Palamades, Cam forto preien Ulixes With othre Gregois ek also, That he with hem to Troie go, Wher that the Siege scholde be, Anon upon Penolope His wif, whom that he loveth hote, Thenkende, wolde hem noght behote. Bot he schop thanne a wonder wyle, How that he scholde hem best beguile, So that he mihte duelle stille
1810
1820
P. ii. 63
_ At home and welde his love at wille :
Wherof erli the morwe day
Out of his bedd, wher that he lay, Whan he was uppe, he gan to fare Into the field and loke and stare, As he which feigneth to be wod: He tok a plowh, wher that it stod, Wherinne anon in stede of Oxes
He let do yoken grete foxes,
And with gret salt the lond he siew. But Nauplus, which the cause kniew,
1816 Namplus T (and so afterwards) feigned Bs, B
1830
1833 1838 Namplus J, BT
LIBER QUARTUS 351
Ayein the sleihte which he feigneth [Tare or NauPLus An other sleihte anon ordeigneth. 1840 AND Urvssss.] And fell that time Ulixes hadde A chyld to Sone, and Nauplus radde How men that Sone taken scholde, And setten him upon the Molde, Wher that his fader hield the plowh, In thilke furgh which he tho drowh. For in such wise he thoghte assaie, Hou it Ulixes scholde paie, If that he were wod or non. The knihtes for this child forthgon; 1850 Thelamacus anon was fett, Tofore the plowh and evene sett, Wher that his fader scholde dryve. P. ii. 64 Bot whan he sih his child, als blyve He drof the plowh out of the weie, And Nauplus tho began to seie, And hath half in a jape cryd: *O Ulixes, thou art aspyd: What is al this thou woldest meene? For openliche it is now seene 1860 That thou hast feigned al this thing, Which is gret schame to a king, Whan that for lust of eny slowthe Thou wolt in a querele of trowthe Of armes thilke honour forsake, And duelle at hom for loves sake: For betre it were honour to winne Y Than love, which likinge is inne. Forthi tak worschipe upon honde, And elles thou schalt understonde 1870 These othre worthi kinges alle Of Grece, which unto thee calle, Towardes thee wol be riht wrothe, And grieve thee per chance bothe: Which schal be tothe double schame
1850 The] This AJH:...Bs These M forpgon A, F forp mn JC, SB 1872 which J, B, F whiche AC 1875 toe A, F i Fe JC, B &c.
352 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Most for the hindrynge of thi name,
That thou for Slouthe of eny love
Schalt so thi lustes sette above
And leve of armes the knyhthode,
Which is the pris of thi manhode 1880 And oghte ferst to be desired.’
Bot he, which hadde his herte fyred
Upon his wif, whan he this herde, P. ii. 65 Noght o word therayein ansuerde,
Bot torneth hom halvinge aschamed,
And hath withinne himself so tamed
His herte, that al the sotie
Of love for chivalerie
He lefte, and be him lief or loth,
To Troie forth with hem he goth, 1890 That he him mihte noght excuse.
Thus stant it, if a knyht refuse
The lust of armes to travaile,
Ther mai no worldes ese availe,
Bot if worschipe be with al.
And that hath schewed overal ;
For it sit wel in alle wise
A kniht to ben of hih emprise
And puten alle drede aweie ;
For in this wise, I have herd sete, 1900
[Tanz or NauPLUS AND ULysses.]
[ExAMPLES or Prow- ESS. PROTESILAUS.]
Hic narrat super eodem qualiter Lao- domia Regis Prothe- selai vxor, volens ipsum a bello Troiano secum retinere, fata- tam sibi mortem in portu Troie prenun- ciauit : set ipse mili- ciam pocius quam ocia affectans, Troiam adiit, vbi sue mortis precio perpetue laudis Cronicam ademit.
^ The worthi king Protheselai
On his passage wher he lai Towardes Troie thilke Siege,
Sche which was al his oghne liege, Laodomie his lusti wif,
Which for his love was pensif,
As he which al hire herte hadde, Upon a thing wherof sche dradde A lettre, forto make him duelle
Fro Troie, sende him, thus to telle,
Hou sche hath axed of the wyse Touchende of him in such a wise,
1910
That thei have don hire understonde, P. ii. 66
1892 king C, B 1893 lust AJ, SB luste F 1901 Prothefelay HiG... Ba, B
LIBER QUARTUS 353
Towardes othre hou so it stonde, [ExaAuPLEs or Prow- The destine it hath so schape cas, PROTESILAUS | That he schal noght the deth ascape
In cas that he arryve at Troie.
Forthi as to hir worldes joie
With al hire herte sche him preide,
And many an other cause alleide, 1920 That he with hire at home abide.
Bot he hath cast hir lettre aside,
As he which tho no maner hiede
Tok of hire wommannysshe drede ;
And forth he goth, as noght ne were,
To Troie, and was the ferste there
Which londeth, and tok arryvaile :
For him was levere in the bataille,
He seith, to deien as a knyht,
Than forto lyve in al his myht I930 And be reproeved of his name.
Lo, thus upon the worldes fame
Knyhthode hath evere yit be set,
Which with no couardie is let.
Of king Saül also I finde, [Sauz.] Whan Samuel out of his kinde, Adhuc super eo- Thurgh that the Phitonesse hath lered, dem; qualiter Rex In Samarie was arered quod per Samuelem a Long time after that he was ded, Phitonissa suscitatum
| oe, et coniuratum respon- The king Saül him axeth red, 1940 sum, quodipse in bello If that he schal go fyhte or non. moreretur, accepisset, And Samuel him seide anon, aggrediens — milicie ‘ ; famam cunctis: huius The ferste day of the bataille P. ii. 67 vite blandimentis pre- Thou schalt be, slain withoute faile posuit.
And Jonathas thi Sone also.’
Bot hou as evere it felle so,
This worthi kniht of his corage Hath undertake the viage,
And wol noght his knyhthode lette
For no peril he couthe sette ; 1950
1916 the deth] pe day X... Bs 1922 hir] his Hi... CBs
this L 1928 the o». HiXGE, B 1940 axep him Hi... Bs W I944 beslain F
** Aa
[Savr.]
[EpvcaTION or ACHILLES, |
Hic loquitur quod miles in suis pnimor- diis ad audaciam pro- uocari debet. Et nar- rat qualiter Chiro Centaurus Achillem, quem secum ab in- fanciain monte Pileon educauit, vt audax efficeretur, primitus edocuit,quod cum ipse venacionibus ibidem insisteret, leones et tigrides huiusmodique animalia sibi resisten- cia etnullaalia fugitiua agitaret. Et sic A- chilles in iuuentute animatus famosissime milicie ^ probitatem postmodum adoptauit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Wherof that bothe his Sone and he Upon the Montz of Gelboé Assemblen with here enemys: For thei knyhthode of such a pris Be olde daies thanne hielden, That thei non other thing behielden. And thus the fader for worschipe Forth with his Sone of felaschipe Thurgh lust of armes weren dede, As men mai in the bible rede; 19 The whos knyhthode is yit in mende, And schal be to the worldes ende. And forto loken overmore, It hath and schal ben evermore That of knihthode the prouesse Is grounded upon hardinesse Of him that dar wel undertake. And who that wolde ensample take Upon the forme of knyhtes lawe, How that Achilles was forthdrawe T With Chiro, which Centaurus hihte, Of many a wondre hiere he mihte. For it stod thilke time thus, P. ii. That this Chiro, this Centaurus, Withinne a large wildernesse, Wher was Leon and Leonesse, The Lepard and the Tigre also, With Hert and Hynde, and buck and doo, Hadde his duellinge, as tho befell, Of Pileon upon the hel, 1 Wherof was thanne mochel speche. Ther hath Chiro this Chyld to teche, What time he was of tuelve yer age ; Wher forto maken his corage The more hardi be other weie, In the forest to hunte and pleie Whan that Achilles walke wolde,
1966 hardiesse AHiXGECB: hardiest L 1975 may, exagitaret SBAA (Latin om. AdT) margin optauit A
1978 and om, MXGL, B,
LIBER QUARTUS 355
Centaurus bad that he ne scholde [EDUCATION or After no beste make his chace, AcHILLES.] Which wolde flen out of his place, 1990
As buck and doo and hert and hynde,
With whiche he mai no werre finde ;
Bot tho that wolden him withstonde,
Ther scholde he with his Dart on honde
Upon the Tigre and the Leon
Pourchace and take his veneison,
As to a kniht is acordant.
And therupon a covenant
This Chiro with Achilles sette,
That every day withoute lette 2000
He scholde such a cruel beste
Or slen or wounden ate leste,
So that he mihte a tokne bringe P. ii. 69
Of blod upon his hom cominge.
And thus of that Chiro him tawhte
Achilles such an herte cawhte,
That he nomore a Leon dradde,
Whan he his Dart on honde hadde,
Thanne if a Leon were an asse:
And that hath mad him forto passe 2010
Alle othre knihtes of his dede,
Whan it cam to the grete nede,
As it was afterward wel knowe. [Prowess. } Lo, thus, my Sone, thou miht knowe Confessor.
That the corage of hardiesce
Is of knyhthode the prouesce,
Which is to love sufficant
Aboven al the remenant
That unto loves court poursuie.
Bot who that wol no Slowthe eschuie, 2020
Upon knihthode and noght travaile,
I not what love him scholde availe ;
Bot every labour axeth why
Of som reward, wherof that I
1996 make BTA 2008 in honde MX... Bs, W 2010 mad maad) AJC, T made B, F 2012 to om. B 2015 hardi- sce AC, F hardinesse J, SB 2020 Bot] That Hi... B1
Aa2
356
[ Prowess. ]
Amans. Confessor.
[Tare or HrncurEs AND ÂCHELONS.]
Hicdicit,quod Miles priusquam amoris am- plexu dignus efficia- tur, euentus bellicos victoriosus amplect- ere debet, Et narrat qualiter Hercules et Achelons propter Dei- aniram Calidonie Reg- is filiam singulare du- ellum adinuicem ini- erunt, cuius victor Hercules existens ar- morum meritis amo- rem virginis laudabi- liter conquestauit,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Ensamples couthe telle ynowe Of hem that toward love drowe Be olde daies, as thei scholde. Mi fader, therof hiere I wolde. Mi Sone, it is wel resonable, In place which is honorable 2030 If that a man his herte sette, That thanne he for no Slowthe lette To do what longeth to manhede. P. ii 70 For if thou wolt the bokes rede Of Lancelot and othre mo, Ther miht thou sen hou it was tho Of armes, for thei wolde atteigne To love, which withoute peine Mai noght be gete of ydelnesse. And that I take to witnesse 2040 An old Cronique in special, The which into memorial Is write, for his loves sake Hou that a kniht schal undertake.
Ther was a king, which Oénes Was hote, and he under his pes Hield Calidoyne in his Empire,
And hadde a dowhter Deianire.
Men wiste in thilke time non
So fair a wiht as sche was on; 2050 And as sche was a lusti wiht,
Riht so was thanne a noble kniht, To whom Mercurie fader was.
This kniht the tuo pilers of bras, The whiche yit a man mai finde, Sette up in the desert of Ynde;
That was the worthi Hercules,
Whos name schal ben endeles
For the merveilles whiche he wroghte.
This Hercules the love soghte 2060 2034 the] py (thi) Hi, BTA om Ad 2039 begete FH: 2045 Cenes L, BA seues M 2052 propter om. Hi... B:
2055 margin armorum] amorum RCLBs
LIBER QUARTUS 357
Of Deianire, and of this thing [Tate or HrncuLEs Unto hir fader, which was king, AND ACHELONS. } He spak touchende of Mariage. P. ii. 71 The king knowende his hih lignage,
And dradde also hise mihtes sterne,
To him ne dorste his dowhter werne ;
And natheles this he him seide,
How Achelons er he ferst preide
To wedden hire, and in accord
Thei stode, as it was of record: 2070 Bot for al that this he him granteth,
That which of hem that other daunteth
In armes, him sche scholde take,
And that the king hath undertake.
This Achelons was a Geant,
A soubtil man, a deceivant,
Which thurgh magique and sorcerie
Couthe al the world of tricherie :
And whan that he this tale herde,
Hou upon that the king ansuerde 2080 With Hercules he moste feighte,
He tristeth noght upon his sleighte
Al only, whan it comth to nede,
Bot that which voydeth alle drede
And every noble herte stereth,
The love, that no lif forbereth,
For his ladi, whom he desireth,
With hardiesse his herte fyreth,
And sende him word withoute faile
That he wol take the bataille. 2090 Thei setten day, thei chosen field,
The knihtes coevered under Schield
Togedre come at time set, P. ii. 72 And echon is with other met.
It fell thei foghten bothe afote,
Ther was no ston, ther was no rote,
Which mihte letten hem the weie,
But al was voide and take aweie.
2072 dantep F dauntep C, B. dantep AJ, S 2088 hardiesse F hardinesse J, SB
358
TALE or HERCULES AND AÁCHELONS.]
[PENTHESILEA.] Nota de Pantasilea
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Thei smyten strokes bot a fewe, For Hercules, which wolde schewe 3100 His grete strengthe as for the nones, He sterte upon him al at ones And cawhte him in hise armes stronge. This Geant wot he mai noght longe Endure under so harde bondes, And thoghte he wolde out of hise hondes Be sleyhte in som manere ascape. And as he couthe himself forschape, In liknesse of an Eddre he slipte Out of his hond, and forth he skipte ; 2110 And efte, as he that feighte wole, He torneth him into a Bole, And gan to belwe of such a soun, As thogh the world scholde al go doun: The ground he sporneth and he tranceth, Hise large hornes he avanceth And caste hem here and there aboute. Bot he, which stant of him no doute, Awaiteth wel whan that he cam, And him be bothe hornes nam 2120 And al at ones he him caste Unto the ground, and hield him faste, That he ne mihte with no sleighte P. ii. 73 Out of his hond gete upon heighte, Til he was overcome and yolde, And Hercules hath what he wolde. The king him granteth to fulfille His axinge at his oghne wille, And sche for whom he hadde served, Hire thoghte he hath hire wel deserved. 2130 And thus with gret decerte of Armes He wan him forto ligge in armes, As he which hath it dere aboght, For otherwise scholde he noght. And overthis if thou wolt hiere Upon knihthode of this matiere,
2118 hem SBT 2135 ouerpis A, F ouer pis J, SB 2136 of)
9153 margin Amozonie Hi... Bs (except G), B
h...HB
LIBER QUARTUS
Hou love and armes ben aqueinted,
A man mai se bothe write and peinted
So ferforth that Pantasilee,
Which was the queene of Feminee,
The love of Hector forto sieke
And for thonour of armes eke,
To Troie cam with Spere and Schield,
And rod hirself into the field
With Maidens armed al a route
In rescouss of the toun aboute,
Which with the Gregois was belein. Fro Pafagoine and as men sein,
Which stant upon the worldes ende,
That time it likede ek to wende
To Philemenis, which was king,
To Troie, and come upon this thing
In helpe of thilke noble toun ;
And al was that for the renoun
Of worschipe and of worldes fame,
Of which he wolde bere a name:
And so he dede, and forth withal
He wan of love in special
A fair tribut for everemo.
For it fell thilke time so;
Pirrus the Sone of Achilles
This worthi queene among the press
With dedli swerd soghte out and fond,
And slowh hire with his oghne hond;
Wherof this king of Pafagoine
Pantasilee of Amazoine,
Wher sche was queene, with him ladde,
With suche Maidens as sche hadde
Of hem that were left alyve,
Forth in his Schip, til thei aryve ;
Wher that the body was begrave
With worschipe, and the wommen save.
And for the goodschipe of this dede
Thei granten him a lusti mede,
359
[PENTHESILEA. |
Amazonie Regina, qu: Hectoris amore colli gata contra Pirrun
2140 Achillis filium apuc Troiam arma ferr: eciam personalite non recusauit.
[PHILEMENIS. ]
Nota qualiter Phi. lemenis propter mi. licie famam a finibu: terre in defensionem Troie veniens tre: puellas a Regno Am.
2150
P. ii. 74 azonie quolibet annc
percipiendas sibi et heredibus suis imper- tuum ea de causa habere promeruit.
2160
2170
2165 pe king
2166 of Amozoine H1...RLBs and Amozoine C
360
[Piirzwzwis.]
[Eneas. ]
Nota pro eo quod Eneas Regem Turnum in bello deuicit, non solum amorem La- vine, set et regnum Ytalie sibi subiugatum obtinuit.
[GENTILESSE. |
Hic dicit, quod ge- nerosi in amoris causa sepius — preferuntur. Super quo querit Amans, Quid sit gene- rositas : cuius verita- tem questionis Con- fessor per singula dissoluit.
2175 as for] for his BT
uine M
Hi And gat M, W
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That every yeer as for truage To him and to his heritage Of Maidens faire he schal have thre. And in this wise spedde he, Which the fortune of armes soghte, With his travail his ese he boghte ; For otherwise he scholde have failed, If that he hadde noght travailed. Eneas ek withinne Ytaile, Ne hadde he wonne the bataille And don his miht so besily Ayein king Turne his enemy, He hadde noght Lavine wonne ; Bot for he hath him overronne And gete his pris, he gat hire love. Be these ensamples here above, Lo, now, mi Sone, as I have told, Thou miht wel se, who that is bold And dar travaile and undertake The cause of love, he schal be take The rathere unto loves grace; For comunliche in worthi place The wommen loven worthinesse Of manhode and of gentilesse, For the gentils ben most desired. Mi fader, bot I were enspired Thurgh lore of you, I wot no weie What gentilesce is forto seie, Wherof to telle I you beseche. The ground, Mi Sone, forto seche Upon this diffinicion, The worldes constitucion Hath set the name of gentilesse Upon the fortune of richesse Which of long time is falle in age. Thanne is a man of hih lignage After the forme, as thou miht hiere,
2190
2310
2186 margin Lavine] set vine À se
2189 And gete] He gette igete, get) X ... Bs He gate
2199 ff. margin Hic dicit—dissoluit om. B
LIBER QUARTUS 361
Bot nothing after the matiere. [GrNriLEssz.] For who that resoun understonde, P. ii. 76 Upon richesse it mai noght stonde,
For that is thing which faileth ofte :
For he that stant to day alofte
And al the world hath in hise wones,
Tomorwe he falleth al at ones
Out of richesse into poverte,
So that therof is no decerte, 2220 Which gentilesce makth abide. ' And forto loke on other side
Hou that a gentil man is bore,
Adam, which alle was tofore
With Eve his wif, as of hem tuo,
Al was aliche gentil tho ;
So that of generacion
To make declaracion,
Ther mai no gentilesce be.
For to the reson if we se, 2230 Of mannes berthe the mesure, |
It is so comun to nature,
That it yifth every man aliche,
Als wel to povere as to the riche ;
For naked thei ben bore bothe,
The lord nomore hath forto clothe
As of himself that ilke throwe,
Than hath the povereste of the rowe.
And whan thei schulle bothe passe,
I not of hem which hath the lasse 2240 Of worldes good, bot as of charge
The lord is more forto charge,
Whan god schal his accompte hiere, P. ii. 77 For he hath had hise lustes hiere.
Bot of the bodi, which schal deie, Omnes quidem ad Althogh ther be diverse weie ynum finem tendimus, To deth, yit is ther bot on ende,
2218 failep HiGRCLB:, A 2224 pe which al was X ... Bs he wiche was alle Hi 2227 gouernacioun AM 2294 the om. HiXECLBs, Ad, WHs (to om.R) sa41 as of] 3it of Hi... B; of W
362
[Gxnriresse.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
To which that every man schal wende,
Als wel the beggere as the lord,
Of o nature, of on acord:
Sche which oure Eldemoder is,
The Erthe, bothe that and this Receiveth and alich devoureth,
That sche to nouther part favoureth. So wot I nothing after kinde
Where I mai gentilesse finde.
For lacke of vertu lacketh grace, Wherof richesse in many place, Whan men best wene forto stonde, Al sodeinly goth out of honde:
Bot vertu set in the corage,
Ther mai no world be so salvage, Which mihte it take and don aweie, Til whanne that the bodi deie ; And thanne he schal be riched so, That it mai faile neveremo ;
So mai that wel be gentilesse, Which yifth so gret a sikernesse. For after the condicion
Of resonable entencion,
The which out of the Soule groweth And the vertu fro vice knoweth, Wherof a man the vice eschuieth, Withoute Slowthe and vertu suieth, That is a verrai gentil man,
And nothing elles which he can,
Ne which he hath, ne which he mai.
Bot for al that yit nou aday,
In loves court to taken hiede,
The povere vertu schal noght spiede, Wher that the riche vice woweth ; For sielde it is that love alloweth The gentil man withoute good,
2251 Eldemoder (elde moder) AJHi &c., SAd, FH: (eldermoder) L, A oldmoder M olde moder BT alder moder W
1150
2160
2170
P. ii. 78
2280
eldirmodir
4259 wene best to H1... Bs, W wene best for to M
2278 aday J, F a day (a dai) AC, SB
LIBER QUARTUS 363
Thogh his condicion be good. [GrNTILESSE.] Bot if a man of bothe tuo Be riche and vertuous also, Thanne is he wel the more worth : Bot yit to putte himselve forth He moste don his besinesse, For nowther good ne gentilesse 2290 Mai helpen hem whiche ydel be. ue
Bot who that wole in his degre CErrecrs or Lovz.] Travaile so as it belongeth, It happeth ofte that he fongeth Worschipe and ese bothe tuo. For evere yit it hath be so, That love honeste in sondri weie Profiteth, for it doth aweie The vice, and as the bokes sein, It makth curteis of the vilein, 2300 And to the couard hardiesce It yifth, so that verrai prouesse Is caused upon loves reule P. ii. 79 To him that can manhode reule; And ek toward the wommanhiede, Who that therof wol taken hiede, For thei the betre affaited be In every thing, as men may se. For love hath evere hise lustes grene In gentil folk, as it is sene, 2310 Which thing ther mai no kinde areste: I trowe that ther is no beste, If he with love scholde aqueinte, That he ne wolde make it queinte As for the while that it laste. And thus I conclude ate laste, That thei ben ydel, as me semeth, Whiche unto thing that love demeth Forslowthen that thei scholden do.
And overthis, mi Sone, also 2320 After the vertu moral eke Nota de amore cari-
2295 ese] eek (ek) XG, BTA 2300 the om. ME, BTA 2307 ‘hei] pough BT 2311 areste] haue reste AM
364
atis, vbi dicit, Qui on diligit, manet in orte.
LovE CONTRARY TO SLoTH. ]
Apostolus. Que- umque scripta sunt, d nostram doctrinam cripta sunt.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
To speke of love if I schal seke, Among the holi bokes wise I finde write in such a wise, * Who loveth noght is hier as ded’; For love above alle othre is hed, Which hath the vertus forto lede, Of al that unto mannes dede Belongeth : for of ydelschipe He hateth all the felaschipe. 2330 For Slowthe is evere to despise, Which in desdeign hath al apprise, And that acordeth noght to man: P. ii. 80 For he that wit and reson kan, It sit him wel that he travaile Upon som thing which mihte availe, For ydelschipe is noght comended, Bot every lawe it hath defended. And in ensample therupon The noble wise Salomon, 2340 Which hadde of every thing insihte, Seith, *As the briddes to the flihte Ben made, so the man is bore To labour, which is noght forbore To hem that thenken forto thryve. For we, whiche are now alyve, Of hem that besi whylom were, Als wel in Scole as elleswhere, Mowe every day ensample take, That if it were now to make 2350 Thing which that thei ferst founden oute, It scholde noght be broght aboute. Here lyves thanne were longe, Here wittes grete, here mihtes stronge, Here hertes ful of besinesse, Wherof the worldes redinesse In bodi bothe and in corage Stant evere upon his avantage.
2324 awise F 2325 as hier is ded BT 2330 all the] alle (al) A... CBa 2348 ff. margin Apostolus—scripta sunt oss, S... A 2351 S has lost a leaf (1l. 2351-2530)
LIBER QUARTUS
And forto drawe into memoire
Here names bothe and here histoire, Upon the vertu of her dede
In sondri bokes thou miht rede.
vii. Expedit in manibus labor, vt de cotidianis Actibus ac vita viuere possit homo. Set qui doctrine causa fert mente labores, Preualet et merita perpetuata parat.
Of every wisdom the parfit The hyhe god of his spirit Yaf to the men in Erthe hiere Upon the forme and the matiere Of that he wolde make hem wise: And thus cam in the ferste apprise Of bokes and of alle goode Thurgh hem that whilom understode The lore which to hem was yive, Wherof these othre, that now live, Ben every day to lerne newe. Bot er the time that men siewe, And that the labour forth it broghte, Ther was no corn, thogh men it soghte, In non of al the fieldes oute ; And er the wisdom cam aboute Of hem that ferst the bokes write, This mai wel every wys man write, Ther was gret labour ek also. Thus was non ydel of the tuo, That on the plogh hath undertake With labour which the hond hath take, That other tok to studie and muse, As he which wolde noght refuse The labour of hise wittes alle. And in this wise it is befalle, Of labour which that thei begunne We be now tawht of that we kunne: Here besinesse is yit so seene,
Latin Verses vii. 1 in] de B 2373 margin et laboribus AM so] to BTA
2377 al F af J alle A,B
2360
365
P. ii. 81 [Uses or Lasour.]
Hic loquitur contra ociosos quoscumque, et maxime contra is- tos, qui excellentis prudencie ingenium habentes absque fruc- tu operum torpescunt.
2370 Et ponit exemplum de
2380
2390
P. ii. 82
2391
diligencia predeces- sorum, qui ad tocius humani generis doc- trinam etauxilium suis continuis laboribus et studiis, gracia medi- ante diuina, artes et sciencias primitus in- uenerunt.
366 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
That it stant evere alyche greene ; Al be it so the bodi deie, The name of hem schal nevere aweie. [DiscovERERs AND In the Croniqes as I finde, INVENTORS. ] Cham, whos labour is yit in minde, Was he which ferst the lettres fond And wrot in Hebreu with his hond: Of naturel Philosophie He fond ferst also the clergie. 1400 Cadmus the lettres of Gregois Ferst made upon his oghne chois. Theges of thing which schal befalle, He was the ferste Augurre of alle: And Philemon be the visage Fond to descrive the corage. Cladyns, Esdras and Sulpices, Termegis, Pandulf, Frigidilles, Menander, Ephiloquorus, Solins, Pandas and Josephus 2410 The ferste were of Enditours, Of old Cronique and ek auctours : And Heredot in his science Of metre, of rime and of cadence The ferste was of which men note. And of Musique also the note In mannes vois or softe or scharpe, That fond Jubal; and of the harpe The merie soun, which is to like, That fond Poulins forth with phisique. 2410 Zenzis fond ferst the pourtreture, P. ii. 83 And Promotheüs the Sculpture ; After what forme that hem thoghte, The resemblance anon thei wroghte. Tubal in Iren and in Stel Fond ferst the forge and wroghte it wel: And Jadahel, as seith the bok, Ferst made Net and fisshes tok : Of huntynge ek he fond the chace,
2397 lettre BT 2407 Eldras Hi... B4 A 2414 and rime AJMX...B:
LIBER QUARTUS 367
Which now is knowe in many place: 2430 [DiscovzRERs AND A tente of cloth with corde and stake INVENTORS. ] He sette up ferst and dede it make. | Verconius of cokerie Ferst made the delicacie. The craft Minerve of wolle fond And made cloth hire oghne hond ; And Delbora made it of lyn: Tho wommen were of great engyn. Bot thing which yifth ous mete and drinke And doth the labourer to swinke 2440 To tile lond and sette vines, Wherof the cornes and the wynes Ben sustenance to mankinde, In olde bokes as I finde, Saturnus of his oghne wit Hath founde ferst, and more yit Of Chapmanhode he fond the weie, And ek to coigne the moneie Of sondri metall, as it is, He was the ferste man of this. 2450 Bot hou that metall cam a place P. ii. 84 Thurgh mannes wit and goddes grace The route of Philosophres wise Controeveden be sondri wise, Ferst forto gete it out of Myne, And after forto trie and fyne.
And also with gret diligence [ALCHENY.] Thei founden thilke experience, Nota de Alconomia. Which cleped is Alconomie,
Wherof the Selver multeplie 2460
Thei made and ek the gold also. And forto telle hou it is so,
Of bodies sevene in special
With foure spiritz joynt withal
Stant the substance of this matiere. The bodies whiche I speke of hiere Of the Planetes ben begonne:
The gold is titled to the Sonne,
2433 Herconius HiXGECLB:, BA Hercenius R Berconius T, Hs
368
[ArcuEuv.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
The mone of Selver hath his part, And Iren that stant upon Mart, The Led after Satorne groweth, : And Jupiter the Bras bestoweth, The Coper set is to Venus,
And to his part Mercurius
Hath the quikselver, as it falleth, The which, after the bok it calleth, Is ferst of thilke fowre named
Of Spiritz, whiche ben proclamed ; And the spirit which is secounde In Sal Armoniak is founde:
The thridde spirit Sulphur is;
The ferthe suiende after this Arcennicum be name is hote. With blowinge and with fyres hote In these thinges, whiche I seie, Thei worchen be diverse weie.
For as the philosophre tolde
Of gold and selver, thei ben holde Tuo principal extremites,
- To whiche alle othre be degres
Of the metalls ben acordant, And so thurgh kinde resemblant, That what man couthe aweie take
The rust, of which thei waxen blake,
And the savour and the hardnesse, Thei scholden take the liknesse Of gold or Selver parfitly.
Bot forto worche it sikirly, Betwen the corps and the spirit, Er that the metall be parfit,
In sevene formes it is set ;
Of alle and if that on be let, The remenant mai noght availe, Bot otherwise it mai noght faile.
For thei be whom this art was founde
To every point a certain bounde Ordeignen, that a man mai finde
2477 Is] The B 2501 as it is set Hi... Ba
2480 P. ii. 85
1490
2500
LIBER QUARTUS 369
This craft is wroght be weie of kinde, [Arcuxx.] So that ther is no fallas inne.
Bot what man that this werk beginne, 2510
He mot awaite at every tyde, P. ii. 86
So that nothing be left aside,
Ferst of the distillacion,
Forth with the congelacion,
Solucion, descencion,
And kepe in his entencion
The point of sublimacion,
And forth with calcinacion
Of veray approbacion
Do that ther be fixacion 2520 With tempred hetes of the fyr,
Til he the parfit Elixir
Of thilke philosophres Ston
Mai gete, of which that many on
Of Philosophres whilom write.
And if thou wolt the names wite
Of thilke Ston with othre tuo,
Whiche as the clerkes maden tho,
So as the bokes it recorden,
The kinde of hem I schal recorden. 2530
These olde Philosophres wyse (Tur Turer Stones Be weie of kinde in sondri wise or THE PHILOSo-
| PHERS.]
Thre Stones maden thurgh clergie. The ferste, if I schal specefie, Nota de tribus lapi- . aye dibus, quos philosophi Was lapis vegetabilis, | composuerunt, quo- Of which the propre vertu is rum primus dicitur lapis vegetabilis, qui To mannes hele forto serve, sanitatem conseruat, As forto kepe and to preserve secundus dicitur lapis The bodi fro siknesses alle, animalis, qui membra . . D et virtutes sencibiles Til deth of kinde upon him falle. 2540 fortificat, tercius dici- The Ston seconde I thee behote P. ii. 87 turlapis mineralis, qui . . ; | omnia metalla purificat Is lapis animalis hote, et in suum perfectum The whos vertu is propre and cowth ri potencia de-
2512 lefte F 2524 many on F 2531 S resumes The BT 2534 ferste S ferst AJ, F 2535 lapis] cleped BT 2538 As] And Hi... By A 2539 margin qui membra] que membra F sencibiles) sanabiles Hi... Bs, A
** Bb
370
THE THREE STONES OF THE PHiLoso- PHERS.]
2555 aweie F 2556 vice goth] filpe be Hi..
om. W)
It S...A
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For Ere and yhe and nase and mouth,
Wherof a man mai hiere and se
And smelle and taste in his degre,
And forto fiele and forto go
It helpeth man of bothe tuo:
The wittes fyve he underfongeth
To kepe, as it to him belongeth. The thridde Ston in special
Be name is cleped Minerall,
Which the metalls of every Mine
Attempreth, til that thei ben fyne,
And pureth hem be such a weie,
That al the vice goth aweie
Of rust, of stink and of hardnesse :
And whan thei ben of such clennesse,
This Mineral, so as I finde,
Transformeth al the ferste kynde
And makth hem able to conceive
Thurgh his vertu, and to receive
Bothe in substance and in figure
Of gold and selver the nature.
For thei tuo ben thextremetes,
To whiche after the propretes
Hath every metal his desir,
With help and confort of the fyr
Forth with this Ston, as it is seid,
2520
2860
Which to the Sonne and Mone is leid; 2:50
For to the rede and to the whyte This Ston hath pouer to profite. It makth multiplicacioun
Of gold, and the fixacioun
It causeth, and of his habit
He doth the werk to be parfit . Of thilke Elixer which men calle Alconomie, as is befalle
To hem that whilom weren wise.
P. ii. 88
. Ba, A (line
2562 to om. BT 2565 thextremetes] extremites X... Ba, B 2569 ffor AM pe ston Hi... Ba
2578 as] which A... Ba
2576 He]
LIBER QUARTUS 371
Bot now it stant al otherwise ; 2580 [THE THREE STONES . ; OF THE PHILOSO- Thei speken faste of thilke Ston, PHERS.]
Bot hou to make it, nou wot non
After the sothe experience.
And natheles gret diligence
Thei setten upon thilke dede,
And spille more than thei spede ;
For allewey thei finde a lette,
Which bringeth in poverte and dette
To hem that riche were afore :
The lost is had, the lucre is lore, 2590 To gete a pound thei spenden fyve ;
I not hou such a craft schal thryve
In the manere as it is used:
It were betre be refused
Than forto worchen upon weene
In thing which stant noght as thei weene.
Bot noght forthi, who that it knewe,
The science of himself is trewe
Upon the forme as it was founded,
Wherof the names yit ben grounded 2600 Of hem that ferste it founden oute; P. ii. 89 And thus the fame goth aboute
To suche as soghten besinesse
Of vertu and of worthinesse.
Of whom if I the names calle,
Hermes was on the ferste of alle, (THE First Ar- To whom this art is most applied ; CHEMISTS. Geber therof was magnefied, | And Ortolan and Morien,
Among the whiche is Avicen, 2610 Which fond and wrot a gret partie The practique of Alconomie ; Whos bokes, pleinli as thei stonde Upon this craft, fewe understonde ; Bot yit to put hem in assai Ther ben full manye now aday, That knowen litel what thei meene. 2587 all weies (alweies) XGRCLBs 2609 Orcalan Hi... B: 2615 put AJ, SF putte C, B Bba
LIBER QUARTUS 373
And after that out of Hebreu [LETTERS AND Jerom, which the langage kneu, LANGUAGE. | The Bible, in which the lawe is closed, Into Latin he hath transposed ; And many an other writere ek Out of Caldee, Arabe and Grek With gret labour the bokes wise Translateden. And otherwise 2660 The Latins of hemself also P. ii. 91 Here studie at thilke time so With gret travaile of Scole toke In sondri forme forto boke, That we mai take here evidences Upon the lore of the Sciences, Of craftes bothe and of clergie ; Among the whiche in Poesie To the lovers Ovide wrot And tawhte, if love be to hot, 2670 In what manere it scholde akiele. Forthi, mi Sone, if that thou fiele Confessor That love wringe thee to sore, Behold Ovide and take his lore. My fader, if thei mihte spede Amans. Mi love, I wolde his bokes rede ; And if thei techen to restreigne Mi love, it were an ydel peine To lerne a thing which mai noght be. For lich unto the greene tree, 2680 If that men toke his rote aweie, Riht so myn herte scholde deie, If that mi love be withdrawe. Wherof touthende unto this sawe There is bot only to poursuie Mi love, and ydelschipe eschuie. Mi goode Sone, soth to seie, Confessor. If ther be siker eny weie To love, thou hast seid the beste:
2662 and pilke time so H1... RLBs and pilke time also C at hilke t. also W at pilketyme po M 2674 take AJ, S,F tak C, BT 676 hise A 2681 take B
LIBER QUARTUS 375
And of his Slouthe he dremeth ofte [SoxNorzNcz.]
Hou that he stiketh in the Myr,
And hou he sitteth be the fyr
And claweth on his bare schanckes,
And hou he clymbeth up the banckes
And falleth into Slades depe.
Bot thanne who so toke kepe,
Whanne he is falle in such a drem,
Riht as a Schip ayein the Strem, 2730
He routeth with a slepi noise,
And brustleth as a monkes froise,
Whanne it is throwe into the Panne.
And otherwhile sielde whanne
That he mai dreme a lusti swevene,
Him thenkth as thogh he were in hevene
And as the world were holi his :
And thanne he spekth of that and this,
And makth his exposicion
After the disposicion 2740
Of that he wolde, and in such wise
He doth to love all his service ;
I not what thonk he schal deserve.
Bot, Sone, if thou wolt love serve,
I rede that thou do noght so. u Ha, goode fader, certes no. Confessio Amantis
I hadde levere be mi trowthe, P. ii. 94
Er I were set on such a slouthe
And beere such a slepi snoute,
Bothe yhen of myn hed were oute. 2750 .
For me were betre fulli die,
Thanne I of such a slugardie
Hadde eny name, god me schilde ;
For whan mi moder was with childe,
And I lay in hire wombe clos,
I wolde rathere Atropos,
Which is goddesse of alle deth,
Anon as I hadde eny breth,
Me hadde fro mi Moder cast.
Bot now I am nothing agast, 2760
2743 shal F 2744 wolde A 2760 Iam now Hi... Bsa, A
LIBER QUARTUS 377
Somtime among a good leisir, (Tue Lover’s Waxx- So as I dar of mi desir 2800 : FULNESS.] I telle a part; bot whanne I preie, Anon sche bidt me go mi weie And seith it is ferr in the nyht ; And I swere it is even liht. Bot as it falleth ate laste, Ther mai no worldes joie laste, So mot I nedes fro hire wende P. ii. 96 And of my wachche make an ende: And if sche thanne hiede toke, Hou pitousliche on hire I loke, 2810 Whan that I schal my leve take, Hire oghte of mercy forto slake Hire daunger, which seith evere nay. Bot he seith often, ‘Have good day,’ That loth is forto take his leve: Therfore, while 1 mai beleve, I tarie forth the nyht along, For it is noght on me along To slep that I so sone go, Til that I mot algate so; 2820 And thanne I bidde godd hire se, And so doun knelende on mi kne I take leve, and if I schal, I kisse hire, and go forth withal. And otherwhile, if that I dore, Er I come fulli to the Dore, I torne ayein and feigne a thing, As thogh I hadde lost a Ring Or somwhat elles, for I wolde Kisse hire eftsones, if I scholde, 2830 Bot selden is that I so spede. And whanne I se that I mot nede Departen, I departe, and: thanne With al myn herte I curse and banne That evere slep was mad for yhe; For, as me thenkth, I mihte dryhe
2802 bidt A, F bit] bid C, B 2822 doun om. AM 2826 the] atte M, B 2833 Departen] Depart(e) and Hi... Bs, BA
LIBER QUARTUS 379
Thus ate laste I go to bedde, (Tue Lover's WAKE- And yit min herte lith to wedde FULNESS. } With hire, wher as I cam fro;
Thogh I departe, he wol noght so,
Ther is no lock mai schette him oute,
Him nedeth noght to gon aboute, 2880 That perce mai the harde wall;
Thus is he with hire overall,
That be hire lief, or be hire loth,
Into hire bedd myn herte goth,
And softly takth hire in his arm
And fieleth hou that sche is warm,
And wissheth that his body were
To fiele that he fieleth there.
And thus miselven I tormente,
Til that the dede slep me hente : 2890 Bot thanne be a thousand score [DREAXxSs.] Welmore than I was tofore
I am tormented in mi slep,
Bot that I dreme is noght of schep ;
For I ne thenke noght on wulle,
Bot I am drecched to the fulle
Of love, that I have to kepe, P. ii. 99 That nou I lawhe and nou I wepe,
And nou I lese and nou I winne,
And nou I ende and nou beginne. 2900 And otherwhile I dreme and mete
That I al one with hire mete
And that Danger is left behinde ;
And thanne in slep such joie I finde,
That I ne bede nevere awake.
Bot after, whanne I hiede take,
And schal arise upon the morwe,
Thanne is al torned into sorwe,
Noght for the cause I schal arise,
Bot for I mette in such a wise, 2910 And ate laste I am bethoght
That al is vein and helpeth noght:
Bot yit me thenketh be my wille
I wolde have leie and slepe stille,
LIBER QUARTUS 381
With al hire herte and him besoghte, [Tare or Ceix AND
That he the time hire wolde sein, ALCEONE.]
Whan that he thoghte come ayein : sunt, subito coner
‘Withinne,’ he seith, ‘tuo Monthe day.’
And thus in al the haste he may
He tok his leve, and forth he seileth P. ii. 1o1
Wepende, and sche hirself beweileth,
And torneth hom, ther sche cam fro.
Bot whan the Monthes were ago, 2960
The whiche he sette of his comynge,
And that sche herde no tydinge,
Ther was no care forto seche :
Wherof the goddes to beseche
Tho sche began in many wise,
And to Juno hire sacrifise
Above alle othre most sche dede,
And for hir lord sche hath so bede
To wite and knowe hou that he ferde,
That Juno the goddesse hire herde, 2970
Anon and upon this matiere
Sche bad Yris hir Messagere
To Slepes hous that sche schal wende,
And bidde him that he make an ende
Be swevene and schewen al the cas —
Unto this ladi, hou it was. — Ÿ This Yris, fro the hihe stage
Which undertake hath the Message,
Hire reyny Cope dede upon, c
The which was wonderli begon : ^ (^ — ag8o -
With colours of diverse hewe,
An hundred mo than men it knewe;
The hevene lich unto a bowe
Sche bende, and so she cam doun lowe,
The god of Slep wher that sche fond.
And that was in a strange lond,
Which marcheth upon Chymerie : P. ii. 102
For ther, as seith the Poesie,
/ n - Ss eee NS I 2954 thoghte] wolde Hi... Ba wot thought to W 2955 onpes Hi... Bs, Hs 2973 she A, Magd. heA... Bs, AdBT4, WKH:; 2984 so m. AM
LIBER QUARTUS
Sche goth, and ther with Slep sche spak,
And in the wise as sche was bede
The Message of Juno sche dede.
Fulofte hir wordes sche reherceth,
Er sche his slepi Eres perceth ; 3030 With mochel wo bot ate laste
His slombrende yhen he upcaste
And seide hir that it schal be do.
Wherof among a thousend tho,
Withinne his hous that slepi were,
In special he ches out there
Thre, whiche scholden do this dede:
The ferste of hem, so as I rede,
Was Morpheüs, the whos nature
Is forto take the figure 3040 Of what persone that him liketh,
Wherof that he fulofte entriketh
The lif which slepe schal be nyhte;
And Ithecus that other hihte,
Which hath the vois of every soun,
The chiere and the condicioun
Of every lif, what so it is: P. ii. 104 The thridde suiende after this
Is Panthasas, which may transforme
Of every thing the rihte forme, 3050 And change it in an other kinde.
Upon hem thre, so as I finde,
Of swevenes stant al thapparence,
Which otherwhile is evidence
And otherwhile bot a jape.
Bot natheles it is so schape,
That Morpheüs be nyht al one
Appiereth until Alceone
In liknesse of hir housebonde
Al naked ded upon the stronde, 3060 And hou he dreynte in special
These othre tuo it schewen al.
The tempeste of the blake cloude,
3027 pe wise pat M ...CB: pis wise as BT, Hs 3033 schulde
3T, W
3056 was AdBTA 3058 vnto JH:... B, A, WH:
383
[Tare or Crix AND ALCEONE. |
LIBER QUARTUS 385
Hire wynges bothe abrod sche spradde, [Tare or Crrx AND And him, so as sche mai suffise, ALCEONE. ] Beclipte and keste in such a wise, As sche was whilom wont to do: Hire wynges for hire armes tuo Sche tok, and for hire lippes softe P. ii. 106 Hire harde bile, and so fulofte Sche fondeth in hire briddes forme, If that sche mihte hirself conforme 3110 To do the plesance of a wif, As sche dede in that other lif: For thogh sche hadde hir pouer lore, Hir will stod as it was tofore, And serveth him so as sche mai. . Wherof into this ilke day Togedre upon the See thei wone, Wher many a dowhter and a Sone Thei bringen forth of briddes kinde; And for men scholden take in mynde 3120 This Alceoun the trewe queene, Hire briddes yit, as it is seene, Of Alceoun the name bere. _ Lo thus, mi Sone, it mai thee stere ~ Confessor. Of swevenes forto take kepe, For ofte time a man aslepe Mai se what after schal betide. Forthi it helpeth at som tyde A man to slepe, as it belongeth, Bot slowthe no lif underfongeth 3130 Which is to love appourtenant. Mi fader, upon covenant Confessio Amantis.
I dar wel make this avou, Of all mi lif that into nou, Als fer as I can understonde, Yit tok I nevere Slep on honde, Whan it was time forto wake; P. ii. 107 For thogh myn yhe it wolde take, Min herte is evere therayein.
3129 Aman F 3132 pe couenant BTA 3138 For]
And BTA ** cc
386
(SLEEPING AND WAKING. ]
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot natheles to speke it plein, 3140 Al this that I have seid you hiere Of my wakinge, as ye mai hiere, It toucheth to mi lady swete ; For otherwise, I you behiete, In strange place whanne I go, Me list nothing to wake so. For whan the wommen listen pleie, And I hir se noght in the weie, Of whom I scholde merthe take, Me list noght longe forto wake, 3150 Bot if it be for pure schame, Of that I wolde eschuie a name, That thei ne scholde have cause non To seie, ‘Ha, lo, wher goth such on, That hath forlore his contenaunce! __ And thus among I singe and daunce, And feigne lust ther as non is. For ofte sithe I fiele this; Of thoght, which in mi herte falleth Whanne it is nyht, myn hed appalleth, 3160 And that 1s for I se hire noght, Which 1s the wakere of mi thoght: And thus as tymliche as I may, Fulofte whanne it is brod day, I take of all these othre leve And go my weie, and thei beleve, That sen per cas here loves there; P. ii. 108 And I go forth as noght ne were Unto mi bedd, so that al one I mai ther ligge and sighe and grone 3170 And wisshen al the longe nyht, Til that I se the daies lyht. I not if that be Sompnolence, Bot upon youre conscience, Min holi fader, demeth ye. My Sone, I am wel paid with thee,
3140 it} in Hi... Bs 3141 that o». AM 3142 walkyng HiRCBs ne om. T 3153 ne om. H1... Bs 3154 Ha om.
3159 mi F mynAJ, B 3165 allS, F alle AJ, B
LIBER QUARTUS
Of Slep that thou the Sluggardie Be nyhte in loves compaignie Eschuied hast, and do thi peine So that thi love thar noght pleine: For love upon his lust wakende
Is evere, and wolde that non ende Were of the longe nyhtes set. Wherof that thou be war the bet, To telle a tale I am bethoght, Hou love and Slep acorden noght.
3180
For love who that list to wake By nyhte, he mai ensample take Of Cephalus, whan that he lay With Aurora that swete may In armes all the longe nyht. Bot whanne it drogh toward the liht, That he withinne his herte sih The dai which was amorwe nyh, Anon unto the Sonne he preide For lust of love, and thus he seide:
*O Phebus, which the daies liht Governest, til that it be nyht, And gladest every creature After the lawe of thi nature, — Bot natheles ther is a thing, Which onli to the knouleching Belongeth as in privete To love and to his duete, Which asketh noght to ben apert, Bot in cilence and in covert Desireth forto be beschaded : And thus whan that thi liht is faded And Vesper scheweth him alofte, And that the nyht is long and softe, Under the cloudes derke and stille Thanne hath this thing most of his wille. Forthi unto thi myhtes hyhe,
3190 pe AM 3199 margin sua om. BT 9202 margin ita quod AM 3204 margin ila om. SBTA (Latin om. Ad) 3206 cilence S, F silence AJ, B margin dignaretur A... Bs, A
Cca
3190
P. ii. 109
3200
3210
387
[SLEEPING AND WAKING. |
[THe PRAYER OF CEPHALUS. }
Hic dicit quod vigi- lia in Amantibus et non Sompnolencia laudanda est. Et po- nit exemplum de Ce- phalo filio Phebi, qui nocturno cilencio Au- roram amicam suam diligencius amplec- tens, Solem et lunam interpellabat, videli- cet quod Sol in circulo ab oriente distanciori currum cum luce sua retardaret, et quod luna spera sua lon- gissima orbem circu- iens noctem continu- aret; ita vt ipsum Ce- phalum — amplexibus Aurore volutum, pri- usquam dies illa illuc- esceret, suis deliciis adquiescere — diucius permittere dignaren- tur.
388
[THE PRAYER or CEPHALUS.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As thou which art the daies yhe, Of love and myht no conseil hyde, Upon this derke nyhtes tyde With al myn hcrte I thee beseche That I plesance myhte seche With hire which lith in min armes. Withdrawgh the Banere of thin Armes, 3220 And let thi lyhtes ben unbom, And in the Signe of Capricorn, The hous appropred to Satorne, I preie that thou wolt sojorne, Wher ben the nihtes derke and longe: For I mi love have underfonge, Which lith hier be mi syde naked, P. ii. uo As sche which wolde ben awaked, And me lest nothing forto slepe. So were it good to take kepe 3230 Nou at this nede of mi preiere, And that the like forto stiere Thi fyri Carte, and so ordeigne, That thou thi swifte hors restreigne Lowe under Erthe in Occident, That thei towardes Orient Be Cercle go the longe weie. And ek to thee, Diane, I preie, Which cleped art of thi noblesse The nyhtes Mone and the goddesse, 3240 That thou to me be gracious: And in Cancro thin oghne hous Ayein Phebus in opposit Stond al this time, and of delit Behold Venus with a glad yhe. For thanne upon Astronomie Of due constellacion Thou makst prolificacion, And dost that children ben begete : Which grace if that I mihte gete, 3250
3221 ben unborn] be vp (vppe) AM 3233 Thi (Thy) A... Bs, ..A This FWKHs 3244 all] at S... A 3250 if that I] . . Ba
LIBER QUARTUS 389
With al myn herte I wolde serve [THE Prayer or Be nyhte, and thi vigile observe.’ CEPHALUS.] Lo, thus this lusti Cephalus Confessor.
Preide unto Phebe and to Phebus The nyht in lengthe forto drawe, So that he mihte do the lawe In thilke point of loves heste, P. ii. mn Which cleped is the nyhtes feste, Withoute Slep of sluggardie ; Which Venus out of compaignie 3260 Hath put awey, as thilke same, Which lustles ferr from alle game In chambre doth fulofte wo Abedde, whanne it falleth so That love scholde ben awaited. But Slowthe, which is evele affaited, With Slep hath mad his retenue, That what thing is to love due, Of all his dette he paieth non: He wot noght how the nyht is gon 3270 Ne hou the day is come aboute, Bot onli forto slepe and route Til hyh midday, that he arise. Bot Cephalus dede otherwise, As thou, my Sone, hast herd above. Mi fader, who that hath his love Amans. Abedde naked be his syde, And wolde thanne hise yhen hyde With Slep, I not what man is he: Bot certes as touchende of me, 3280 That fell me nevere yit er this. Bot otherwhile, whan so is That I mai cacche Slep on honde Liggende al one, thanne I fonde To dreme a merie swevene er day ; And if so falle that I may Mi thought with such a swevene plese, P. ii. 112
3252 vigilie B 3255 nyht (night) AC, B nyhte (nihte) J, S, F 259 of] or X ... B, W 3263 S has lost a leaf (11. 3263- 442)
399
[Tug PRAYER oF CzPHALUS.]
Confessor.
(ARcus AND Mer- CURY. |
Hic loquiturinamo- ris causa contra istos qui Sompnolencie de- liti ea que seruare lenentur amittunt. Et narrat quod, cum Yo puella pulcherima a [Iunone in vaccam ransformata et in
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Me thenkth I am somdiel in ese, For I non other confort have. So nedeth noght that I schal crave 3290 The Sonnes Carte forto tarie, Ne yit the Mone, that sche carie Hire cours along upon the hevene, For I am noght the more in evene Towardes love in no degree: Bot in mi slep yit thanne I se Somwhat in swevene of that me liketh, Which afterward min herte entriketh, Whan that I finde it otherwise. So wot I noght of what servise 3300 That Slep to mannes ese doth. Mi Sone, certes thou seist soth, Bot only that it helpeth kinde Somtyme, in Phisique as I finde, Whan it is take be mesure: Bot he which can no Slep mesure Upon the reule as it belongeth, Fulofte of sodein chance he fongeth Such infortune that him grieveth. Bot who these olde bokes lieveth, 3310 Of Sompnolence hou it is write, Ther may a man the sothe wite, If that he wolde ensample take, That otherwhile is good to wake: Wherof a tale in Poesie I thenke forto specefie.
Ovide telleth in his sawes, P. ii. 113 How Jupiter be olde dawes Lay be a Mayde, which Yo Was cleped, wherof that Juno 3320 His wif was wroth, and the goddesse Of Yo torneth the liknesse Into a cow, to gon theroute The large fieldes al aboute
3288 in] at XGEC, BT 3308hejitHi...Bs 3322 Of po turne) (tornep) M, Ad Of hem pat turne} X Of hem pat turnen HiG... Be
LIBER QUARTUS 39I
And gete hire mete upon the griene. [Ancus AND Mzn- And therupon this hyhe queene | cx] — . f k Argi custodiam sic For he was selden wont to slepe, perueniens Mercurius And yit he hadde an hundred yhen, occidit. et ipsam vac- And alle alyche wel thei syhen. 3330 cama pastura rapiens, Now herkne hou that he was beguiled. perduxit. MES secum
Mercurie, which was al affiled This Cow to stele, he cam desguised, And hadde a Pipe wel devised Upon the notes of Musiqe, Wherof he mihte hise Eres like. And over that he hadde affaited Hise lusti tales, and awaited His time; and thus into the field He cam, where Argus he behield 3340 With Yo, which beside him wente. With that his Pype on honde he hente, And gan to pipe in his manere Thing which was slepi forto hiere; And in his pipinge evere among He tolde him such a lusti song, That he the fol hath broght aslepe. P. ii. 114 Ther was non yhe mihte kepe His hed, the which Mercurie of smot, And forth withal anon fot hot 3350 He stal the Cow which Argus kepte, And al this fell for that he slepte. Ensample it was to manye mo, That mochel Slep doth ofte wo, Whan it is time forto wake: For if a man this vice take, In Sompnolence and him delite, Men scholde upon his Dore wryte His epitaphe, as on his grave ; For he to spille and noght to save 3360 Is schape, as thogh he were ded. 3337 hap AdBTA 3341 Wip fo which(e) E... Bs, AdT
Wip po pe whiche B 3349 the om. Hi... Bs, AdTA, WHs 3355 Whan] ffor whan HiE... Bs 3361 as] and BT he] it AM
LIBER QUARTUS 393
And is so wo begon therfore, (Tristzssz on Dr- That he withinne his thoght conceiveth | pu
: . . fA con- Tristesce, and so himself deceiveth, dicio tocius consola. That he wanhope bringeth inne, cionis spem deponens, Wher is no confort to beginne, liberari poterit, , for- Bot every joie him is deslaied : tunam sibi euenire
So that withinne his herte affraied 3400 impossibile credit,
A thousend time with o breth Wepende he wissheth after deth, Whan he fortune fint adverse. P. ii. 116 For thanne he wole his hap reherce, As thogh his world were al forlore, And seith, ‘Helas, that I was bore! Hou schal I live? hou schal I do? For nou fortune is thus mi fo, I wot wel god me wol noght helpe. What scholde I thanne of joies yelpe, 3410 Whan ther no bote is of mi care? So overcast is my welfare, That I am schapen al to strif. Helas, that I nere of this lif, Er I be fulliche overtake !' And thus he wol his sorwe make, As god him mihte noght availe: Bot yit ne wol he noght travaile To helpe himself at such a nede, Bot slowtheth under such a drede, 3410 Which is affermed in his herte, Riht as he mihte noght asterte The worldes wo which he is inne. Also whan he is falle in Sinne, Him thenkth he is so ferr coupable, That god wol noght be merciable So gret a Sinne to foryive ; And thus he leeveth to be schrive. And if a man in thilke throwe Wolde him consaile, he wol noght knowe 3430 The sothe, thogh a man it finde: 3397 margin poterit om. BT 3401 tymes E, BT 3427 gret JC,B greteA, F
394
[Tristesse or Dr- SPONDENCY. |
Obstinacio est con- tradiccio veritatis ag- nite.
Confessor.
Confessio Amantis.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
For Tristesce is of such a kinde, That forto meintiene his folie, He hath with him Obstinacie,
Which is withinne of such a Slouthe,
That he forsaketh alle trouthe,
And wole unto no reson bowe ;
And yit ne can he noght avowe
His oghne skile bot of hed:
Thus dwyneth he, til he be ded,
In hindringe of his oghne astat.
For where a man is obstinat,
Wanhope folweth ate laste,
Which mai noght after longe laste,
Till Slouthe make of him an ende.
Bot god wot whider he scbal wende. Mi Sone, and riht in such manere
Ther be lovers of hevy chiere,
That sorwen mor than it is ned,
Whan thei be taried of here sped
And conne noght hemselven rede,
Bot lesen hope forto spede
And stinten love to poursewe ;
And thus thei faden hyde and hewe,
And lustles in here hertes waxe.
Hierof it is that I wolde axe,
If thou, mi Sone, art on of tho. Ha, goode fader, it is so,
Outake a point, I am beknowe ;
For elles I am overthrowe
In al that evere ye have seid.
Mi sorwe is everemore unteid,
And secheth overal my veines ;
Bot forto conseile of mi peines,
I can no bote do therto ;
And thus withouten hope I go,
So that mi wittes ben empeired,
And I, as who seith, am despeired
P. ii m
3449
3450
3460
P. ii. 018
3437 no om. AM 3443 S resumes folweth] fallep SAdBA
faileth TA point BT,
3449 more pan is B, Hs more pan hit L W
3459 9
LIBER QUARTUS 395
To winne love of thilke swete, [TRISTESSE or DE- Withoute whom, I you behiete, 3470 SPONDENCY.] Min herte, that is so bestad, Riht inly nevere mai be glad. For be my trouthe I schal noght lie, Of pure sorwe, which I drye For that sche seith sche wol me noght, With drecchinge of myn oghne thoght In such a wanhope I am falle, That I ne can unethes calle, As forto speke of eny grace, Mi ladi merci to pourchace. 3480 Bot yit I seie noght for this That al in mi defalte it is; For I cam nevere yit in stede, Whan time was, that I my bede Ne seide, and as I dorste tolde: Bot nevere fond I that sche wolde, For oght sche knew of min entente, To speke a goodly word assente. And natheles this dar I seie, That if a sinful wolde preie 3490 To god of his foryivenesse With half so gret a besinesse As I have do to my ladi, P. ii. 119 In lacke of askinge of merci He scholde nevere come in Helle. And thus I mai you sothli telle, Save only that I crie and bidde, I am in Tristesce al amidde And fulfild of Desesperance : And therof yif me mi penance, 3500 Min holi fader, as you liketh. Mi Sone, of that thin herte siketh Confessor. With sorwe, miht thou noght amende, Til love his grace wol thee sende, For thou thin oghne cause empeirest What time as thou thiself despeirest.
3479 eny] my AM 3484 my] me HiRCLBs, W (me bidde) 3489 I dar AM 3502 if pat Hi... Bs, W
[TaLe or Ipnis AND ARAXARATHEN. |
Hic narrat qualiter Iphis, Regis Theucri filius, ob amorem cui- usdam puelle nomine Araxarathen, quam neque donis aut pre- cibus vincere potuit, desperans ante patris ipsius puelle ianuas noctanter se suspen- dit. Vnde dii com- moti dictam puellam in lapidem durissi- mum transmutarunt, quam Rex Theucer vna cum filio suo apud Ciuitatem Sala- mynam in templo Veneris pro perpetua memoria sepeliri et locari fecit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
I not what other thinge availeth, Of hope whan the herte faileth,
For such a Sor is incurable,
And ek the goddes ben vengable : And that a man mai riht wel frede, These olde bokes who so rede,
Of thing which hath befalle er this: Now hier of what ensample it is.
Whilom be olde daies fer Of Mese was the king Theucer, Which hadde a kniht to Sone, Iphis: Of love and he so maistred is, That he hath set al his corage, As to reguard of his lignage, Upon a Maide of lou astat. Bot thogh he were a potestat
Of worldes good, he was soubgit P. ii. r«
To love, and put in such a plit,
That he excedeth the mesure
Of reson, that himself assure
He can noght; for the more he preide, The lasse Iove on him sche leide.
He was with love unwys constreigned, And sche with resoun was restreigned : The lustes of his herte he suieth,
And sche for drede schame eschuieth, And as sche scholde, tok good hiede To save and kepe hir wommanhiede. And thus the thing stod in debat Betwen his lust and hire astat:
He yaf, he sende, he spak be mouthe, Bot yit for oght that evere he couthe Unto his sped he fond no weie,
So that he caste his hope aweie, Withinne his herte and gan despeire Fro dai to dai, and so empeire,
That he hath lost al his delit
3529 margin Ciuitatem om. BT 3531 hert sche BA (om, herte) T 3535 king (kyng) JL, BT
353
354
sch
LIBER QUARTUS 397
Of lust, of Slep, of Appetit, (Tate or IPuis AND That he thurgh strengthe of love lasseth ARAXARATHEN.] His wit, and resoun overpasseth. As he which of his lif ne rowhte, His deth upon himself he sowhte, So that be nyhte his weie he nam, Ther wiste non wher he becam; 3550 The nyht was derk, ther schon no Mone, Tofore the gates he cam sone, Wher that this yonge Maiden was, P. ii. 121 And with this wofull word, * Helas !' Hise dedli pleintes he began So stille that ther was noman It herde, and thanne he seide thus: *O thou Cupide, o thou Venus, Fortuned be whos ordinaunce Of love is every mannes chaunce, 3560 Ye knowen al min hole herte, That I ne mai your hond asterte ; On you is evere that I crie, And yit you deigneth noght to plie, Ne toward me youre Ere encline. Thus for I se no medicine To make an ende of mi querele, My deth schal be in stede of hele. Ha, thou mi wofull ladi diere, Which duellest with thi fader hiere 3570 And slepest in thi bedd at ese, Thou wost nothing of my desese, Hou thou and I be now unmete. Ha lord, what swevene schalt thou mete, What dremes hast thou nou on honde? Thou slepest there, and I hier stonde. Thogh I no deth to the deserve, Hier schal I for thi love sterve, Hier schal a kinges Sone dye For love and for no felonie ; 3580 Wher thou therof have joie or sorwe, Hier schalt thou se me ded tomorwe. 3560 manes F 3576 sleplest F
398
(TALE oF IpHis AND ARAXARATHEN.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
O herte hard aboven alle, P. ii. 123 This deth, which schal to me befalle For that thou wolt noght do me grace, Yit schal be told in many a place, Hou I am ded for love and trouthe In thi defalte and in thi slouthe: Thi Daunger schal to manye mo Ensample be for everemo, 3590 Whan thei my wofull deth recorde.’ And with that word he tok a Corde, With which upon the gate tre He hyng himself, that was pite. The morwe cam, the nyht is gon, Men comen out and syhe anon Wher that this yonge lord was ded: Ther was an hous withoute red, For noman knew the cause why; Ther was wepinge and ther was cry. 3600 This Maiden, whan that sche it herde, And sih this thing hou it misferde, Anon sche wiste what it mente, And al the cause hou it wente To al the world sche tolde it oute, And preith to hem that were aboute To take of hire the vengance, For sche was cause of thilke chaunce, Why that this kinges Sone is spilt. Sche takth upon hirself the gilt, 3610 And is al redi to the peine Which eny man hir wole ordeigne: And bot if eny other wolde, P. ii. 123 Sche seith that sche hirselve scholde Do wreche with hire oghne hond, Thurghout the world in every lond That every lif therof schal speke,
3586 3it schal... many a place J, S, FHs 3it schalt... many a place AM 3it schal... many place Ad, W 3it schal it... mani place TA It (Hit) schal... many a place HiXGRCLBs It schal . .. many place E, B 3587 and) of Hi... Ba, B 3596 syhe ,sihe) AJ,SB syhF 3612 wold(e) BT, W
LIBER QUARTUS 399
Hou sche hirself it scholde wreke. (Tare or IpHis AND
Sche wepth, sche crith, sche swouneth ofte, Sche caste hire yhen up alofte 3620 And seide among ful pitously : ‘A godd, thou wost wel it am I, For whom Iphis is thus besein: Ordeine so, that men mai sein A thousend wynter after this, Hou such a Maiden dede amis, And as I dede, do to me: For I ne dede no pite To him, which for mi love is lore, Do no pite to me therfore.' 3630 And with this word sche fell to grounde Aswoune, and ther sche lay a stounde. The goddes, whiche hir pleigntes herde And syhe hou wofully sche ferde, Hire lif thei toke awey anon, And schopen hire into a Ston After the forme of hire ymage ° Of bodi bothe and of visage. And for the merveile of this thing Unto the place cam the king 3640 And ek the queene and manye mo; And whan thei wisten it was so, As I have told it hier above, P. ii. 124 Hou that Iphis was ded for love, Of that he hadde be refused, Thei hielden alle men excused And wondren upon the vengance. And forto kepe in remembrance, This faire ymage mayden liche With compaignie noble and riche 3650 With torche and gret sollempnite To Salamyne the Cite Thei lede, and carie forth withal
The dede corps, and sein it schal
3622 O god pou wost pat it B O god pou wost it TA (wotest)
3627 S has lost two leaves (ll. 3627—v. 274) 3632 astounde AMR, T, W 3638 and of) and eke of AM
ARAXARATHEN.]
ee
LIBER QUARTUS Good is, er that thou be deceived,
Wher that the grace of hope is weyved.
Mi fader, hou so that it stonde, Now have I pleinly understonde Of Slouthes court the proprete, Wherof touchende in my degre For evere I thenke to be war. Bot overthis, so as I dar, With al min herte I you beseche, That ye me wolde enforme and teche What ther is more of youre aprise In love als wel as otherwise, So that I mai me clene schryve.
Mi Sone, whyl thou art alyve And hast also thi fulle mynde, Among the vices whiche I finde Ther is yit on such of the sevene, Which al this world hath set unevene And causeth manye thinges wronge, Where he the cause hath underfonge: Wherof hierafter thou schalt hiere The forme bothe and the matiere.
Explicit Liber Quartus.
pd
ee
3700
P. ii. 126
3710
401
[TALR or IPHIS ANE ARAXARATHEN. )
Amans.
Confessor.
402
[Avarice. }
Hic in quinto libro intendit | Confessor tractare de Auaricia, que omnium malorum radix dicitur, necnon et de eiusdem vicii speciebus: set primo ipsius Auaricie na- turam describens Am- anti quatenus amorem concernit super hoc specialius opponit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Incipit Liber Quintus.
i. Obstat auaricia nature legibus, et que P. ii. 127
Largus amor poscit, striccius illa vetat.
Omne quod est nimium viciosum dicitur aurum,
Vellera sicut oues, seruat auarus opes.
Non decet vt soli seruabitur es, set amori
Debet homo solam solus habere suam.
FERST whan the hyhe god began This world, and that the kinde of man Was falle into no gret encress, For worldes good tho was no press, Bot al was set to the comune. Thei spieken thanne of no fortune Or forto lese or forto winne, Til Avarice broghte it inne; And that was whan the world was woxe Of man, of hors, of Schep, of Oxe, IO And that men knewen the moneie. Tho wente pes out of the weie And werre cam on every side, Which alle love leide aside And of comun his propre made, P. ii. 128 So that in stede of schovele and spade The scharpe swerd was take on honde; And in this wise it cam to londe, Wherof men maden dyches depe And hyhe walles forto kepe 20 The gold which Avarice encloseth. Bot al to lytel him supposeth, Thogh he mihte al the world pourchace ;
Latin Verses i. 5 dicet AM... Bs 4 per was G, AdB
LIBER QUINTUS 403
For what thing that he may embrace [AvARIcz.] Of gold, of catel or of lond, He let it nevere out of his hond, Bot get him more and halt it faste, As thogh the world scholde evere laste. So is he lych unto the helle; For as these olde bokes telle, 30 What comth therinne, lasse or more, It schal departe neveremore: Thus whanne he hath his cofre loken, It schal noght after ben unstoken, Bot whanne him list to have a syhte Of gold, hou that it schyneth brihte, That he ther on mai loke and muse; For otherwise he dar noght use To take his part, or lasse or more. So is he povere, and everemore 40 Him lacketh that he hath ynowh: An Oxe draweth in the plowh, Of that himself hath no profit ; A Schep riht in the same plit His wolle berth, bot on a day P. ii. 129 An other takth the flees away: Thus hath he, that he noght ne hath, For he therof his part ne tath. To seie hou such a man hath good, Who so that reson understod, 50 It is impropreliche seid, For good hath him and halt him teid, That he ne gladeth noght withal, Bot is unto his good a thral, And as soubgit thus serveth he, Wher that he scholde maister be: Such is the kinde of thaverous. - Mi Sone, as thou art amerous, Confessor.
30 Wher in it moste nedes dwelle Hi... Bs 35 asyhte F tfo ouermore B 47 that he] pat. pat A 41f. ffor he per of his part ne tap Bot kepep to anoper pat he hap So Hi... Ba with some variations (yat for Bot C it hath for he hap Hi)
Dda
404
[AVARICE. ] Confessio Amantis.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Tell if thou farst of love so.
Mi fader, as it semeth, no; 6o That averous yit nevere I was, So as ye setten me the cas:
For as ye tolden here above,
In full possession of love
Yit was I nevere hier tofore,
So that me thenketh wel therfore, I mai excuse wel my dede.
Bot of mi will withoute drede,
If I that tresor mihte gete,
It scholde nevere be foryete, That I ne wolde it faste holde, Til god of love himselve wolde That deth ous scholde parte atuo. For lieveth wel, I love hire so, That evene with min oghne lif, P. ii. 130 If I that swete lusti wif
Mihte ones welden at my wille,
For evere I wolde hire holde stille :
And in this wise, taketh kepe,
If I hire hadde, I wolde hire kepe, 8o And yit no friday wolde I faste,
Thogh I hire kepte and hielde faste.
Fy on the bagges in the kiste!
I hadde ynogh, if I hire kiste.
For certes, if sche were myn,
I hadde hir levere than a Myn
Of Gold ; for al this worldesriche
Ne mihte make me so riche
As sche, that is so inly good.
I sette noght of other good ; 9o For mihte I gete such a thing,
I hadde a tresor for a king ;
And thogh I wolde it faste holde,
I were thanne wel beholde.
Bot I mot pipe nou with lasse,
3
59 farst F fare A... Bsa, Ad... A 73 departe AMH:
82 To holde hir whil my lif may laste Hi . . . Be
LIBER QUINTUS And suffre that it overpasse,
Noght with mi will, for thus I wolde
Ben averous, if that I scholde. Bot, fader, I you herde seie
Hou thaverous hath yit som weie, 100
Wherof he mai be glad; for he
Mai whanne him list his tresor se, And grope and fiele it al aboute,
Bot I fulofte am schet theroute, Ther as my worthi tresor is.
So is mi lif lich unto this, That ye me tolden hier tofore, Hou that an Oxe his yock hath
For thing that scholde him noght availe:
And in this wise I me travaile ;
For who that evere hath the welfare,
I wot wel that I have the care,
For I am hadd and noght ne have, And am, as who seith, loves knave. Nou demeth in youre oghne thoght,
If this be Avarice or noght.
Mi Sone, I have of thee no wonder,
Thogh thou to serve be put under With love, which to kinde acordeth :
Bot, so as every bok recordeth, It is to kinde no plesance That man above his sustienance
Unto the gold schal serve and bowe,
For that mai no reson avowe. Bot Avarice natheles,
If he mai geten his encress
Of gold, that wole he serve and
For he takth of noght elles kepe,
Bot forto fille hise bagges large ; And al is to him bot a charge, For he ne parteth noght withal,
Bot kepth it, as a servant schal:
103 fiele] seche A... Bs Io4 fulofte IA.
Io wise] ping A... Ba I20 acordep XE ulle AM
405 (AvARicz.] P. ii. 131 bore IIO Confessor. I20 kepe, I 30
..Bs» ofte I Hi ... Ba 129
LIBER QUINTUS 407
How Mide hath don his courtesie, [Tare or Mipas.] Him thenkth it were a vilenie, 170 Bot he rewarde him for his dede,
So as he mihte of his godhiede.
Unto this king this god appiereth
And clepeth, and that other hiereth :
This god to Mide thonketh faire
Of that he was so debonaire
Toward his Prest, and bad him seie: :
What thing it were he wolde preie,
He scholde it have, of worldes good.
This king was glad, and stille stod, 180 And was of his axinge in doute,
And al the world he caste aboute,
What thing was best for his astat,
And with himself stod in debat
Upon thre pointz, the whiche I finde
Ben lievest unto mannes kinde.
The ferste of hem it is delit,
The tuo ben worschipe and profit.
And thanne he thoghte, *If that I crave
Delit, thogh I delit mai have, 190 Delit schal passen in myn age:
That is no siker avantage,
For every joie bodily
Schal ende in wo: delit forthi
Wol I noght chese. And if worschipe P. ii. 134 I axe and of the world lordschipe,
That is an occupacion
Of proud ymaginacion,
Which makth an herte vein withinne ;
Ther is no certein forto winne, 200 For lord and knave al is o weie,
Whan thei be bore and whan thei deie.
And if I profit axe wolde,
I not in what manere I scholde
Of worldes good have sikernesse ;
173 pe king A... Bi 185 pe poyntes whiche Hi, BT, W
88 Tho XGERCB4, B They Hi 196 the world] worldes A... Bs, A 201 is a] AM
408 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
TALE or Mipas.] For every thief upon richesse Awaiteth forto robbe and stele : Such good is cause of harmes fele. And also, thogh a man at ones Of al the world withinne his wones 210 The tresor myhte have everydel, Yit hadde he bot o mannes del Toward himself, so as I thinke, Of clothinge and of mete and drinke, For more, outake vanite, Ther bath no lord in his degre.’ And thus upon the pointz diverse Diverseliche he gan reherce What point him thoghte for the beste ; Bot pleinly forto gete him reste 210 He can no siker weie caste. And natheles yit ate laste He fell upon the coveitise Of gold; and thanne in sondri wise He thoghte, as I have seid tofore, P. ii. 135 Hou tresor mai be sone lore, And hadde an inly gret desir Touchende of such recoverir, Hou that he mihte his cause availe To gete him gold withoute faile. 230 Withinne his herte and thus he preiseth The gold, and seith hou that it peiseth Above al other metall most : ‘The gold,’ he seith, ‘may lede an host To make werre ayein a King ; Salomon. Pecunie The gold put under alle thing, ediunt omnia, And set it whan him list above ; The gold can make of hate love And werre of pes and ryht of wrong, And long to schort and schort to long ; 240 Withoute gold mai be no feste, Gold is the lord of man and beste, 210 pis world Hi... Bs 211 myhte om. Hi... Ba (hadde
for have Hi) 212 a mannes Hi... Bj, Ad, W 217 the) ro GEC pese (peis) AdBTA 235 be king BT 242 the o». AMHiXRLB«
LIBER QUINTUS | 409
And mai hem bothe beie and selle ; [TArE or Mrpas.) So that a man mai sothly telle
That al the world to gold obeieth.'
Forthi this king to Bachus preieth
To grante him gold, bot he excedeth
Mesure more than him nedeth.
Men tellen that the maladie
Which cleped is ydropesie 250 Resembled is unto this vice
Be weie of kinde of Avarice~
The more ydropesie drinketh,
The more him thursteth, for him thinketh That he mai nevere drinke his fille; P. ii. 136 So that ther mai nothing fulfille
The lustes of his appetit :
And riht in such a maner plit
Stant Avarice and evere stod ;
The more he hath of worldes good, 260 The more he wolde it kepe streyte,
And evere mor and mor coveite.
And riht in such condicioun
Withoute good discrecioun
This king with avarice is smite,
That al the world it myhte wite:
For he to Bachus thanne preide,
That wherupon his hond he leide,
It scholde thurgh his touche anon
Become gold, and therupon 270 This god him granteth as he bad.
Tho was this king of Frige glad,
And forto put it in assai
With al the haste that he mai,
He toucheth that, he toucheth this,
And in his hond al gold it is,
The Ston, the Tree, the Lef, the gras,
The flour, the fruit, al gold it was.
249 tellep AM 253 dropesie (dropseie) AM 268 per vpon B 273 put AJ, F putte C, BT 274 He touched (touchep) al fat by him lay H1... Bs A (touchep HiGC touchit Bs touche X) 278 al! as AM |
410
(TALE or Mipas.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Thus toucheth he, whil he mai laste
To go, bot hunger ate laste 280 Him tok, so that he moste nede
Be weie of kinde his hunger fede.
The cloth was leid, the bord was set,
And al was forth tofore him fet,
His disch, his coppe, his drinke, his mete; P. ii 137 Bot whanne he wolde or drinke or ete,
Anon as it his mouth cam nyh,
It was al gold, and thanne he syh
Of Avarice the folie.
And he with that began to crie, 290 And preide Bachus to foryive
His gilt, and soffre him forto live
And be such as he was tofore,
So that he were noght forlore.
This god, which herde of his grevance,
Tok rowthe upon his repentance,
And bad him go forth redily
Unto a flod was faste by,
Which Paceole thanne hyhte,
In which as clene as evere he myhte 300 He scholde him waisshen overal,
And seide him thanne that he schal
Recovere his ferste astat ayein.
This king, riht as he herde sein,
Into the flod goth fro the lond,
And wissh him bothe fot and hond,
And so forth al the remenant,
As him was set in covenant:
And thanne he syh merveilles strange,
The flod his colour gan to change, 310 The gravel with the smale Stones
To gold thei torne bothe at ones,
And he was quit of that he hadde,
And thus fortune his chance ladde.
And whan he sih his touche aweie, P. ii. 138
281 him most) AJMG . .. Bs 288 al] as AMXERLB: 295 bis SBT 301 waisshen F waisschen B wasshen (waschen:
306 wyssh (wissh) SB wisshe AJ, F 9314 change AM
LIBER QUINTUS 411
He goth him hom the rihte weie [Tare or Minas] And liveth forth as he dede er,
And putte al Avarice afer,
And the richesse of gold despiseth,
And seith that mete and cloth sufficeth. 320 Thus hath this king experience
Hou foles don the reverence
To gold, which of his oghne kinde
Is lasse worth than is the rinde
To sustienance of mannes fode ;
And thanne he made lawes goode
And al his thing sette upon skile :
He bad his poeple forto tile
Here lond, and live under the lawe,
And that thei scholde also forthdrawe 330 Bestaile, and seche non encress
Of gold, which is the breche of pes.
For this a man mai finde write,
Tofor the time, er gold was smite
In Coign, that men the florin knewe,
Ther was welnyh noman untrewe ;
Tho was ther nouther schield ne spere
Ne dedly wepne forto bere ;
Tho was the toun withoute wal,
Which nou is closed overal; 340 Tho was ther no brocage in londe,
Which nou takth every cause’ on honde:
So mai men knowe, hou the florin
Was moder ferst of malengin
And bringere inne of alle werre, P. ii. 139 Wherof this world stant out of herre
Thurgh the conseil of Avarice,
Which of his oghne propre vice
Is as the helle wonderfull ;
For it mai neveremor be full, 350 That what as evere comth therinne,
Awey ne may it nevere winne.
Bot Sone myn, do tbou noght so,
316 hom] Janne (pan) Hi... Bs, A 332 bruche AM 350 befull F
412
[Iur PUNISHMENT OF TANTALUS. ]
Nota de pena Tan- tali, cuius amara sitis dampnatos torquet auaros,
-
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Let al such Avarice go,
And tak thi part of that thou hast:
I bidde noght that thou do wast,
Bot hold largesce in his mesure ;
And if thou se a creature,
Which thurgh poverte is falle in nede,
Yif him som good, for this I rede 360 To him that wol noght yiven here,
What peine he schal have elleswhere.
- Ther is a peine amonges alle
Benethe in helle, which men calle
The wofull peine of Tantaly,
Of which I schal thee redely _
Devise hou men therinne stonde.
In helle, thou schalt understonde,
Ther. is a flod of thilke office,
Which serveth al for Avarice : 370 What man that stonde schal therinne,
He stant up evene unto the chinne;
Above his hed also ther hongeth
A fruyt, which to that peine longeth,
And that fruit toucheth evere in on P. ii. 140 His overlippe: and therupon
Swich thurst and hunger him assaileth,
That nevere his appetit ne faileth.
Bot whanne he wolde his hunger fede,
The fruit withdrawth him ate nede, 380 And thogh he heve his hed on hyh,
The fruit is evere aliche nyh,
So is the hunger wel the more:
And also, thegh him thurste sore
And to the water bowe a doun,
The flod in such condicioun
Avaleth, that his drinke areche
He mai noght. Lo nou, which a wreche, That mete and drinke is him so couth,
364 Benethe] Grieuep C &c. 368 And for no drede now wol I wonde Hi... Bs, A 371 ffor what man stonde B ffor what man pat stonde T 372 unto] to Hi ... Ba, BTA, W vptoA 385 a doun J, F adoun A, B
LIBER QUINTUS 413
And yit ther comth non in his mouth! 390 [THE PUNISHMENT or Lich to the peines of this flod TANTALUS.] Stant Avarice in worldes good : He hath ynowh and yit him nedeth, For his skarsnesse it him forbiedeth, And evere his hunger after more Travaileth him aliche sore, So is he peined overal. Forthi thi goodes forth withal, Mi Sone, loke thou despende, [Avanice.] Wherof thou myht thiself amende 400 Bothe hier and ek in other place. And also if thou wolt pourchace To be beloved, thou most use Largesce, for if thou refuse To yive for thi loves sake, P. ii. 141 It is no reson that thou take Of love that thou woldest crave. Forthi, if thou wolt grace have, Be gracious and do largesse, Of Avarice and the seknesse 410 Eschuie above alle other thing, And tak ensample of Mide king And of the flod of helle also, Where is ynowh of alle wo. And thogh ther were no matiere Bot only that we finden hiere, Men oghten Avarice eschuie ; For what man thilke vice suie, He get himself bot litel reste. For hou so that the body reste, 420 The herte upon the gold travaileth, Whom many a nyhtes drede assaileth ; For thogh he ligge abedde naked, His herte is everemore awaked, And dremeth, as he lith to slepe, How besi that he is to kepe 394 forbiedep J,S, F forbedep A, B The more he hap pe
nore he greedep Hi... Bz, A (dredep for greedep R) 412 tak iB take AJ, F 424 everemore) ouercome AM... Bs, A
414
[JEALOUSY or Lovzns.]
Amans.
Confessor.
Nota de Ialousia, cuius fantastica sus- picio amorem quam- uis fidelissimum mul. tociens sine causa corruptum ymagina- tur,
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
His tresor, that no thief it stele. Thus hath he bot a woful wele. And riht so in the same wise, If thou thiself wolt wel avise, 4» Ther be lovers of suche ynowe, That wole unto no reson bowe. If so be that thei come above, Whan thei ben maistres of here love, And that thei scholden be most glad, P. ii. 142 With love thei ben most bestad, So fain thei wolde it holden al. Here herte, here yhe is overal, And wenen every man be thief, To stele awey that hem is lief ; 44 Thus thurgh here oghne fantasie Thei fallen into Jelousie. Thanne hath the Schip tobroke his cable, With every wynd and is muable. Mi fader, for that ye nou telle, I have herd ofte time telle Of Jelousie, bot what it is Yit understod I nevere er this : Wherfore I wolde you beseche, That ye me wolde enforme and teche 450 What maner thing it mihte be. Mi Sone, that is hard to me: Bot natheles, as I have herd, Now herkne and thou schalt ben ansuerd.
Among the men lacke of manhode In Mariage upon wifhode Makth that a man himself deceiveth, Wherof it is that he conceiveth That ilke unsely maladie, The which is cleped Jelousie : 460 Of which if I the proprete Schal telle after the nycete,
448 vnderstod (vnderstood) AJ, B vnderstode S, F er this! JisAM...L Iwis Bs 454 Now om. A... Bs 458 margin de om. AMXRCLBz, A 459 ilke] pilke AM
LIBER QUINTUS | 415
So as it worcheth on a man, [JEALousy or
A Fievere it is cotidian, Which every day wol come aboute, P. ii. 143 Wher so a man be inne or oute. At hom if that a man wol wone, This Fievere is thanne of comun wone Most grevous in a mannes yhe: For thanne he makth him tote and pryhe, 470 Wher so as evere his love go; Sche schal noght with hir litel too Misteppe, bot he se it al. His yhe is walkende overal ; Wher that sche singe or that sche dance, He seth the leste contienance, If sche loke on a man aside Or with him roune at eny tyde, Or that sche lawghe, or that sche loure, His yhe is ther at every houre. 480 And whanne it draweth to the nyht,
. If sche thanne is withoute lyht, Anon is al the game schent ; For thanne he set his parlement To speke it whan he comth to bedde, And seith, ‘If I were now to wedde, I wolde neveremore have wif.’ And so he torneth into strif The lust of loves duete, And al upon diversete. 490 If sche be freissh and wel araied, He seith hir baner is displaied To clepe in gestes fro the weie: And if sche be noght wel beseie, And that hir list noght to be gladd, P. ii. 144 He berth an hond that sche is madd And loveth noght hire housebonde ; He seith he mai wel understonde,
. That if sche wolde his compaignie,
463 onjin Hi... B1. 471 as om. Hi... B, A 486 IJ it AM
| neveremore! neuer B neuermore more T 493: fro] by (be) 1... Bs, B Le
Lovers.]
416
[JgALovsv or Lovers.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Sche scholde thanne afore his ye 200 Schewe al the plesir that sche mihte. So that be daie ne be nyhte Sche not what thing is for the beste, Bot liveth out of alle reste ; For what as evere him liste sein, Sche dar noght speke a word ayein, Bot wepth and holt hire lippes clos. Sche mai wel wryte, ‘Sanz repos,’ The wif which is to such on maried. Of alle wommen be he waried, 310 For with this Fievere of Jalousie His echedaies fantasie Of sorghe is evere aliche grene, So that ther is no love sene, Whil that him list at hom abyde. And whan so is he wol out ryde, Thanne hath he redi his aspie Abidinge in hir compaignie, A janglere, an evel mouthed oon, That sche ne mai nowhider gon, £20 Ne speke a word, ne ones loke, That he ne wol it wende and croke And torne after his oghne entente, Thogh sche nothing bot honour mente. Whan that the lord comth hom ayein, P. ii. 145 The janglere moste somwhat sein ; So what withoute and what withinne, This Fievere is evere to beginne, For where he comth he can noght ende, Til deth of him have mad an ende. 530 For thogh so be that he ne hiere Ne se ne wite in no manere Bot al honour and wommanhiede, Therof the Jelous takth non hiede, Bot as a man to love unkinde, He cast his staf, as doth the blinde, And fint defaulte where is non ;
505 liste] lust to B 511 his Hi... B, W 534 Wher of HiG... Ba Where pat X 536 as doth) and as G, B
LIBER QUINTUS 417
As who so dremeth on a Ston [JEALousv or Hou he is leid, and groneth ofte, Lovers. } Whan he lith on his pilwes softe. 540
So is ther noght bot strif and cheste ; Whan love scholde make his feste, It is gret thing if he hir kisse: Thus hath sche lost the nyhtes blisse, For at such time he gruccheth evere And berth on hond ther is a levere, And that sche wolde an other were In stede of him abedde there ; And with tho wordes and with mo Of Jelousie, he torneth fro 550 And lith upon his other side, And sche with that drawth hire aside, And ther sche wepeth al the nyht. Ha, to what peine sche is dyht, That in hire youthe hath so beset P. ii. 146 The bond which mai noght ben unknet ! I wot the time is ofte cursed, That evere was the gold unpursed, The which was leid upon the bok, Whan that alle othre sche forsok 560 For love of him; bot al to late Sche pleigneth, for as thanne algate Sche mot forbere and to him bowe, Thogh he ne wole it noght allowe. For man is lord of thilke feire, So mai the womman bot empeire, If sche speke oght ayein his wille ; And thus sche berth hir peine stille.
Bot if this Fievere a womman take, Sche schal be wel mor harde schake ; 570 For thogh sche bothe se and hiere, And finde that ther is matiere, Sche dar bot to hirselve pleine, And thus sche suffreth double peine.
Lo thus, mi Sone, as I have write, Confessor. Thou miht of Jelousie wite
545 at om. AM 551 his] pat B Ee
418
[JaArovusv or Lovers.)
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
His fievere and his condicion, Which is full of suspecion. Bot wherof that this fievere groweth, Who so these olde bokes troweth, 530 Ther mai he finden hou it is: For thei ous teche and telle this, Hou that this fievere of Jelousie Somdel it groweth of sotie Of love, and somdiel of untrust. P. ii. 147 For as a sek man lest his lust, And whan he may no savour gete, He hateth thanne his oughne mete, Riht so this fieverous maladie, Which caused is of fantasie, 590 Makth the Jelous in fieble plit To lese of love his appetit Thurgh feigned enformacion Of his ymaginacion. Bot finali to taken hiede, Men mai wel make a liklihiede Betwen him which is averous Of gold and him that is jelous Of love, for in on degre Thei stonde bothe, as semeth me. 600 That oon wolde have his bagges stille, And noght departen with his wille, And dar noght for the thieves slepe, So fain he wolde his tresor kepe ; That other mai noght wel be glad, For he is evere more adrad Of these lovers that gon aboute, In aunter if thei putte him oute. So have thei bothe litel joye As wel of love as of monoie. 610 Now hast thou, Sone, at my techinge Of Jelousie a knowlechinge, That thou myht understonde this, Fro whenne he comth and what he is,
6or bagge BT 606 euere more AJ, F eueremore SB 611 at] of B
LIBER QUINTUS
And ek to whom that he is lik. Be war forthi thou be noght sik Of thilke fievere as I have spoke, For it wol in himself be wroke. For love hateth nothing more, As men mai finde be the lore Of hem that whilom were wise,
Hou that thei spieke in many wise.
Mi fader, soth is that ye sein. Bot forto loke therayein, Befor this time hou it is falle, Wherof ther mihte ensample falle To suche men as be jelous In what manere it is grevous, Riht fain I wolde ensample hiere. My goode Sone, at thi preiere Of suche ensamples as I finde, So as thei comen nou to mynde Upon this point, of time gon I thenke forto tellen on.
Ovide wrot of manye thinges, Among the whiche in his wrytinges He tolde a tale in Poesie,
Which toucheth unto Jelousie, Upon a certein cas of love. Among the goddes alle above
It fell at thilke time thus:
The god of fyr, which Vulcanus Is hote, and hath a craft forthwith Assigned, forto be the Smith
Of Jupiter, and his figure
Bothe of visage and of stature
Is lothly and malgracious,
Bot yit he hath withinne his hous As for the likynge of his lif
The faire Venus to his wif.
Bot Mars, which of batailles is The god, an yhe hadde unto this:
649 AL AM... Bs Ee2
419 P. ii. 148 mo ovens).
620
Amans.
(Tare or Vutcan AND VENUS. |
640 Hic ponit exem- plum contra istos mar- itos quos Ialousia mac- ulauit. Et narrat qua- liter Vulcanus, cuius vxor Venus extitit, MM hn inter ip- sam et Martem con-
P. il. 149 cipiens, eorum gestus diligencius — explor- abat: vnde contigit quod ipse quadam vice ambos inter se pariter amplexantes in lecto nudos inuenit,
650 et exclamans omnem cetum deorum et de rum ad tantum sf taculum conuocai
420
[TALE or VULCAN AND VENUS.)
super quo tamen de- risum pocius quam remedium a tota co- horte consecutus est.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
As he which was chivalerous,
It fell him to ben amerous,
And thoghte it was a gret pite
To se so lusti on as sche
Be coupled with so lourde a wiht :
So that his peine day and nyht
He dede, if he hire winne myhte ; And sche, which hadde a good insihte 660 Toward so noble a knyhtli lord,
In love fell of his acord.
Ther lacketh noght bot time and place, That he nys siker of hire grace :
Bot whan tuo hertes falle in on,
So wys await was nevere non,
That at som time thei ne mete ;
And thus this faire lusti swete
With Mars hath ofte compaignie.
Bot thilke unkynde Jelousie, 670 Which everemor the herte opposeth, Makth Vulcanus that he supposeth That it is noght wel overal,
And to himself he seide, he schal
- Aspie betre, if that he may; P. ii. 150
And so it fell upon a day,
That he this thing so slyhli ledde, He fond hem bothe tuo abedde
Al warm, echon with other naked. And he with craft al redy maked 680 Of stronge chenes hath hem bounde, As he togedre hem hadde founde, And lefte hem bothe ligge so,
And gan to clepe and crie tho
Unto the goddes al aboute;
And thei assembled in a route Come alle at ones forto se.
Bot none amendes hadde he,
Bot was rebuked hiere and there
654 auerous BTA 659 And sche pan poughte how sche mighte B Grete it was and sore he sight A line om. T 660 As
671 apposep AM, W 681 him AMECLB:;
LIBER QUINTUS 421
Of hem that loves frendes were ; 690 [Tare or VULCAN And seiden that he was to blame, AnD VENUS.] For if ther fell him eny schame, It was thurgh his misgovernance : And thus he loste contienance, This god, and let his cause falle ; And thei to skorne him lowhen alle, And losen Mars out of hise bondes. Wherof these erthli housebondes For evere myhte ensample take, If such a chaunce hem overtake: 700 For Vulcanus his wif bewreide, The blame upon himself he leide, Wherof his schame was the more ; Which oghte forto ben a lore For every man that liveth hiere, P. ii. 151 To reulen him in this matiere. Thogh such an happ of love asterte, _ Yit scholde he noght apointe his herte With Jelousie of that is wroght, Bot feigne, as thogh he wiste it noght: 710 For if he lete it overpasse, The sclaundre schal be wel the lasse, And he the more in ese stonde. For this thou myht wel understonde, That where a man schal nedes lese, The leste harme is forto chese. Bot Jelousie of his untrist Makth that full many an harm arist, Which elles scholde noght arise ; And if a man him wolde avise 720 Of that befell to Vulcanus, | Him oghte of reson thenke thus, That sithe a god therof was schamed, Wel scholde an erthli man be blamed To take upon him such a vice. Forthi, my Sone, in thin office Confessor. Be war that thou be noght jelous,
691 that] how pat HiXRCLB: how GE . 698 je BT ya he leide] is leid(e) H1... Bs. wasleyed W
422
(TALE or VULCAN AND VENUS.]
Amans.
Confessor.
[THE Gops OF THE Nations. ]
(i. BELIEF OF THE CHALDEANS. |
Quia secundum -oetarum fabulas in uius libelli locis juampluribus | nomi- ia et gestus deorum alsorum intitulantur, juorum infidelitas vt cristianis clarius in- iotescat, intendit de psorum origine se- undum varias Paga- iorum Sectas scribere onsequenter,
Et primo de Secta -haldeorum tractare 'roponit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Which ofte time hath schent the hous.
— 7 Mi fader, this ensample is hard, Hou such thing to the heveneward Among the goddes myhte falle: For ther is bot o god of alle,
i»
Which is the lord of hevene and helle.
Bot if it like you to telle Hou suche goddes come aplace,
P. ii. 152
Ye mihten mochel thonk pourchace,
For I schal be wel tawht withal. Mi Sone, it is thus overal
With hem that stonden misbelieved,
That suche goddes ben believed : In sondri place sondri wise Amonges hem whiche are unwise Ther is betaken of credence; Wherof that I the difference
In the manere as it is write Schal do the pleinly forto wite.
749
li. Gentibus illusts signantur templa deorum,
Vnde deos cecos nacio ceca colit. Nulla creatori racio facit esse creatum
Equiperans, quod adhuc iura pagana fouent.
Er Crist was bore among ous hiere,
Of the believes that tho were
In foure formes thus it was.
Thei of Caldee as in this cas Hadde a believe be hemselve, Which stod upon the signes tuelve, Forth ek with the Planetes sevene,
Whiche as thei sihe upon the hevene.
Of sondri constellacion
In here ymaginacion
With sondri kerf and pourtreture
Thei made of goddes the figure. In thelementz and ek also
Thei hadden a believe tho ;
Latin Verses ii. 1 Mentibus H:... Bs, BTA, W
A Equipans J, B, F
760
4 Equiperans
LIBER QUINTUS 423
And al was that unresonable : P.ii.153 [Beier or THE. For thelementz ben servicable CHALDEANS.] To man, and ofte of Accidence,
As men mai se thexperience,
Thei ben corrupt be sondri weie ;
So mai no mannes reson seie
That thei ben god in eny wise.
And ek, if men hem wel avise,
The Sonne and Mone eclipse bothe,
That be hem lieve or be hem lothe, 770
Thei soffre; and what thing is passible
To ben a god is impossible.
These elementz ben creatures, Et nota quod Nem- So ben these hevenly figures, broth quartus a Noe . . ignem tanquam deum Wherof mai wel be justefied in Chaldea primus That thei mai noght be deified : adorari decreuit.
And who that takth awey thonour
Which due is to the creatour,
And yifth it to the creature,
He doth to gret a forsfaiture. 780 Bot of Caldee natheles
Upon this feith, thogh it be les,
Thei holde affermed the creance ;
So that of helle the penance,
As folk which stant out of believe, li, Beuter OF THE They schull receive, as we believe. GYPTIANS.] Of the Caldeus lo in this wise De Secta Egipcio-
Stant the believe out of assisse : rum.
Bot in Egipte worst of alle
The feith is fals, hou so it falle ; 790 For thei diverse bestes there P. ii. 154 Honoure, as thogh thei goddes were :
And natheles yit forth withal
Thre goddes most in special
Thei have, forth with a goddesse,
764 experience Hi... Bs, A 773 ff. margin Et nota—decreuit »t. BT 781 ofJas E... B: osX 786 And wol (woln) non ‘per maner leue Hi ... Bs (whi for wol R) 787 lo]so B om. ME nargin De Secta Egipciorum om. B 792 thogh om, AMHi Bz, A '95 forth]feip L sep C seintis Bs
424
ELIEF OF THE "GYPTIANS. ]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
In whom is al here sikernesse.
Tho goddes be yit cleped thus,
Orus, Typhon and Isirus :
Thei were brethren alle thre,
And the goddesse in hir degre 800 Here Soster was and Ysis hyhte,
Whom Isirus forlai be nyhte
And hield hire after as his wif.
So it befell that upon strif
Typhon hath Isre his brother slain,
Which hadde a child to Sone Orayn,
And he his fader deth to herte
So tok, that it mai noght asterte
That he Typhon after ne slowh,
Whan he was ripe of age ynowb. 810 Bot yit thegipcienes trowe
For al this errour, which thei knowe,
That these brethren ben of myht
To sette and kepe Egipte upriht,
And overthrowe, if that hem like.
Bot Ysis, as seith the Cronique,
Fro Grece into Egipte cam,
And sche thanne upon honde nam
To teche hem forto sowe and eere,
Which noman knew tofore there. 810 And whan thegipcienes syhe P. ii. 155 The fieldes fulle afore here yhe,
And that the lond began to greine,
Which whilom hadde be bareigne,—
For therthe bar after the kinde
His due charge,—this I finde,
That sche of berthe the goddesse
Is cleped, so that in destresse
The wommen there upon childinge
To hire clepe, and here offringe 830 Thei beren, whan that thei ben lyhte.
Lo, hou Egipte al out of syhte
811 pegipcienes (pe Egipcienes) YGEC, BA fe Egipcianis X thegipciens (pe Egipciens) AJMHiRBs, SAdT, FWHs egipcens L Sar as in 811 but Egipcienes Y pegipciens L
LIBER QUINTUS 425
Fro resoun stant in misbelieve (iii. BELrEF oF THE For lacke of lore, as I believe. GREERS. ] Among the Greks, out of the weie De Secta Grecorum.
As thei that reson putte aweie,
Ther was, as the Cronique seith,
Of misbelieve an other feith,
That thei here goddes and goddesses,
As who seith, token al to gesses 840 Of suche as weren full of vice,
To whom thei made here sacrifice.
The hihe god, so as thei seide,
To whom thei most worschipe leide,
Saturnus hihte, and king of Crete Nota Qualiter Sa- . ° turnus deorum sum- He hadde be; bot of his sete mus appellatur.
He was put doun, as he which stod
In frenesie, and was so wod,
'That fro his wif, which Rea hihte,
Hise oghne children he to plihte, | 850 And eet hem of his comun wone. P. ii. 156 Bot Jupiter, which was his Sone
And of full age, his fader bond
And kutte of with his oghne hond
Hise genitals, whiche als so faste
Into the depe See he caste ;
Wherof the Greks afferme and seie,
Thus whan thei were caste aweie,
Cam Venus forth be weie of kinde.
And of Saturne also I finde 860 How afterward into an yle
This Jupiter him dede exile,
Wher that he stod in gret meschief.
Lo, which a god thei maden chief !
And sithen that such on was he,
Which stod most hihe in his degre
Among the goddes, thou miht knowe,
833 Fro] Of A... Bs 835 margin De Secta Grecorum] De ecta egipciorum B om. E 836 that om. XRCLBs 850 he to lihte (toplighte &c.) J, SAdBTA, FWHs al to plyhte (alto plight rc.) AM... Ba 862 dede him Hi ... Bs, A, W 866 hihe QS, F hih BT
426
BELIEF OF THE GREEKS.)
upiter deus deli- "um.
Mars deus belli.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
These othre, that ben more lowe, Ben litel worth, as it is founde. For Jupiter was the secounde, So Which Juno hadde unto his wif; And yit a lechour al his lif He was, and in avouterie He wroghte many a tricherie ;
And for he was so full of vices, -Thei cleped him god of delices :
Of whom, if thou wolt more write, Ovide the Poete hath write. " Bot yit here Sterres bothe tuo, Saturne and Jupiter also, 880 Thei have, althogh thei be to blame, P. ii. 157 Attitled to here oghne name. Mars was an other in that lawe, The which in Dace was forthdrawe, Of whom the clerk Vegecius Wrot in his bok, and tolde thus, Hou he into Ytaile cam, And such fortune ther he nam, That he a Maiden hath oppressed, : Which in hire ordre was professed, S90 As sche which was the Prioresse In Vestes temple the goddesse, So was sche wel the mor to blame. Dame Ylia this ladi name Men clepe, and ek sche was also The kinges dowhter that was tho, Which Mynitor be name hihte. So that ayein the lawes ryhte Mars thilke time upon hire that Remus and Romulus begat, goo Whiche after, whan thei come in Age, Of knihthode and of vassellage Ytaile al hol thei overcome And foundeden the grete Rome; In Armes and of such emprise Thei weren, that in thilke wise
893 he BT gor Whiche A,S Which J, B, F
LIBER QUINTUS 427
Here fader Mars for the mervaile [BELIEF oF THE The god was cleped of bataille. Greexs] Thei were his children bothe tuo, Thurgh hem he tok his name so, gro Ther was non other cause why: P. ii. 158 And yit a Sterre upon the Sky He hath unto his name applied, In which that he is signified. An other god thei hadden eke, _ Appollo deus Sap- To whom for conseil thei beseke, jencee, The which was brother to Venus, Appollo men him clepe thus. He was an Hunte upon the helles, Ther was with him no vertu elles, 920 Wherof that enye bokes karpe, Bot only that he couthe harpe ; Which whanne he walked over londe, Fulofte time he tok on honde, To gete him with his sustienance, For lacke of other pourveance. And otherwhile of his falshede He feignede him to conne arede Of thing which after scholde falle ; Wherof among hise sleyhtes alle 930 He hath the lewed folk deceived, So that the betre he was received. Lo now, thurgh what creacion He hath deificacion, And cleped is the god of wit To suche as be the foles yit.
An other god, to whom thei soghte, Mercurius — deus Mercurie hihte, and him ne roghte Mercatorum et. fur- What thing he stal, ne whom he slowh.
Of Sorcerie he couthe ynowh, . 940
That whanne he wolde himself transforme, P. ii. 159
915 margin Sciencie A 923 whane F 928 feignep B l 36 be the) bep be AMXE...Bs ther beth Hi ben (om. the) J, ,W 937 f. margin Mercurius—furtorum om. X ... CBs, Hs ercurius deus latronum L Mercurie deus Hi 939 stal] dide
lede) Hi... Bs
428 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Bevier or THE Fulofte time he tok the forme Grrexs.] Of womman and his oghne lefte ;
So dede he wel the more thefte. A gret spekere in alle thinges He was also, and of lesinges An Auctour, that men wiste non An other such as he was on. And yit thei maden of this thief A god, which was unto hem lief, 955 And clepede him in tho believes The god of Marchantz and of thieves. Bot yit a sterre upon the hevene He hath of the planetes sevene.
'ulcanus deus Ignis. But Vulcanus, of whom I spak, He hadde a courbe upon the bak, And therto he was hepehalt : Of whom thou understonde schalt, He was a schrewe in al his youthe, And he non other vertu couthe 960 Of craft to helpe himselve with, Bot only that he was a Smith With Jupiter, which in his forge Diverse thinges made him forge ; So wot I noght for what desir Thei clepen him the god of fyr.
Eolus deus vento- King of Cizile Ypolitus
m. A Sone hadde, and Eolus He hihte, and of his fader grant He hield be weie of covenant 970 The governance of every yle - P. ii. 160
Which was longende unto Cizile,
Of hem that fro the lond forein Leie open to the wynd al plein. And fro thilke iles to the londe Fulofte cam the wynd to honde: After the name of him forthi
The wyndes cleped Eoli
Tho were, and he the god of wynd.
948 on F 951 tho] pe X... Bs, Ad 967 margin Eolus deus ventorum om. B 979 Tho] They (pai &c.) Hi... Bs, B
: LIBER QUINTUS 429
Lo nou, hou this believe is blynd! | 980 [Bzrizr or THE The king of Crete Jupiter, N Gnzzxs.] The same which I spak of er, mars dens
Unto his brother, which Neptune
Was hote, it list him to comune
Part of his good, so that be Schipe
He mad him strong of the lordschipe
Of al the See in tho parties ;
Wher that he wroghte his tyrannyes,
And the strange yles al aboute
He wan, that every man hath doute 990
Upon his marche forto saile ;
For he anon hem wolde assaile
And robbe what thing that thei ladden,
His sauf conduit bot if thei hadden.
Wherof the comun vois aros
In every lond, that such a los
He cawhte, al nere it worth a stre,
That he was cleped of the See
The ‘god be name, and yit he is
With hem that so believe amis. 1000
This Neptune ek was thilke also, P. ii 61
Which was the ferste foundour tho
Of noble Troie, and he forthi
Was wel the more lete by.
The loresman of the Schepherdes, Pan deus nature.
And ek of hem that ben netherdes,
Was of Archade and hihte Pan:
Of whom hath spoke many a man;
For in the wode of Nonarcigne,
Enclosed with the tres of Pigne, 1010
And on the Mont of Parasie
He hadde of bestes the baillie,
And ek benethe in the valleie, 981 margin Neptunus deus maris om. X... . Bs Iubiter deus sliciarum Hi 986 mad J,S,F made AC, B 987 tho] pe 1... Ba 989 al om. BT 992 wold(e) hem Hi... Bs, A » wolde hem M 1006 ben om. AM 1009 Nonarigne (Noua- gne, Nonareigne &c) Hi...Bs, B X Nonartigne (Nonartyne) M,
7Hs 1013 benethe in] benepe (by nepe, benethen &c.) [...Bs, BT benepin A
430 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(Bevier or THE Wher thilke rivere, as men seie, Gnaxxs.] Which Ladon hihte, made his cours, He was the chief of governours Of hem that kepten tame bestes, Wherof thei maken yit the festes In the Cite Stinfalides. And forth withal yit natheles 1020 He tawhte men the forthdrawinge Of bestaile, and ek the makinge Of Oxen, and of hors the same, Hou men hem scholde ryde and tame: Of foules ek, so as we finde, Ful many a soubtiel craft of kinde He fond, which noman knew tofore. Men dede him worschipe ek therfore, That he the ferste in thilke lond Was which the melodie fond 1030 Of Riedes, whan thei weren ripe, P. ii. 162 With double pipes forto pipe; Therof he yaf the ferste lore, Til afterward men couthe more. To every craft for mannes helpe He hadde a redi wit to helpe Thurgh naturel experience : And thus the nyce reverence Of foles, whan that he was ded, The fot hath torned to the hed, 1040 And clepen him god of nature, For so thei maden his figure. Bachus deus vini. An other god, so as thei fiele, D Which Jupiter upon Samele Begat in his avouterie, Whom, forto hide his lecherie, That non therof schal take kepe, In a Montaigne forto kepe, Which Dyon hihte and was in Ynde, He sende, in bokes as I finde: 1050 And he be name Bachus hihte, Which afterward, whan that he mihte, 1050 sende]sayde B kine om. T
LIBER QUINTUS 431
A wastour was, and al his rente [Bevier or THE In wyn and bordel he despente. GREEKS. ] Bot yit, al were he wonder badde, Among the Greks a name he hadde ; Thei cleped him the god of wyn, And thus a glotoun was dyvyn. Ther was yit Esculapius Esculapius — deus A godd in thilke time as thus. 1060 Medicine. His craft stod upon Surgerie, P. ii. 163 Bot for the lust of lecherie, That he to Daires dowhter drowh, It fell that Jupiter him slowh : And yit thei made him noght forthi A god, and was no cause why. In Rome he was long time also A god among the Romeins tho; For, as he seide, of his presence Ther was destruid a pestilence, 1070 Whan thei to thyle of Delphos wente, And that Appollo with hem sente This Esculapius his Sone, Among the Romeins forto wone. And there he duelte for a while, Til afterward into that yle, Fro whenne he cam, ayein he torneth, Where al his lyf that he sojorneth Among the Greks, til that he deide. And thei upon him thanne leide 1080 His name, and god of medicine He hatte after that ilke line. An other god of Hercules , Hercules deus for- . . titudinis. Thei made, which was natheles A man, bot that he was so strong, In al this world that brod and long So myhti was noman as he. Merveiles tuelve in his degre, As it was couth in sondri londes,
1058 a glotoun] pe glotoun B 1059 margin Esculapius deus iedicine om. B ' 1065 thei om. AMXRCLBs 1072 him M ...CBa, BT, WHs 1083 margin Hercules &c. oss. B.
432
[BELIEF or THE GREEKS. |
Pluto deus Inferni.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
He dede with hise oghne hondes 1096 Ayein geantz and Monstres bothe, P. ii. 164 The whiche horrible were and lothe, Bot he with strengthe hem overcam : Wherof so gret a pris he nam, That thei him clepe amonges alle The god of strengthe, and to him calle. And yit ther is no reson inne, For he a man was full of sinne, Which proved was upon his ende, For in a rage himself he brende ; 100 And such a cruel mannes dede Acordeth nothing with godhede. Thei hadde of goddes yit an other, Which Pluto hihte, and was the brother Of Jupiter, and he fro youthe With every word which cam to mouthe, Of eny thing whan he was wroth, He wolde swere his commun oth, Be Lethen and be Flegeton, Be Cochitum and Acheron, 1110 The whiche, after the bokes telle, Ben the chief flodes of the helle : Be Segne and Stige he swor also, That ben the depe Pettes tuo Of helle the most principal. Pluto these othes overal Swor of his commun custummance, Til it befell upon a chance, That he for Jupiteres sake Unto the goddes let do make 1120 A sacrifice, and for that dede P. ii. 165 On of the pettes for his mede In helle, of which I spak of er, Was granted him ; and thus he ther
1103 margin Pluto &c. om. AHiXE... Bs (ins. later M), B
1105 fro] for Hi, BT of W 1107 euery Hi... Bs 1109 füagetoun AMH:;, W fflogetoun GECLBs, B 1112 of the helle) of helle AM... Bs, AdBAA, W 1119 Iupiteres (Iubiteres &c.)
MYXGERC, SB lupiters (Iubiters) AJLBs, FH» Iupiter (Iubiter) Hi, AdTA, W
LIBER QUINTUS
Upon the fortune of this thing The name tok of helle king.
Lo, these goddes and wel mo Among the Greks thei hadden tho, And of goddesses manyon,
Whos names thou schalt hiere anon, And in what wise thei deceiven The foles whiche here feith receiven.
So as Saturne is soverein Of false goddes, as thei sein, So is Sibeles of goddesses The Moder, whom withoute gesses The folk Payene honoure and serve,
As thei the whiche hire lawe observe.
Bot forto knowen upon this
Fro when sche cam and what sche is,
Bethincia the contre hihte,
Wher sche cam ferst to mannes sihte ;
And after was Saturnes wif, Be whom thre children in hire lif Sche bar, and thei were cleped tho Juno, Neptunus and Pluto, The whiche of nyce fantasie The poeple wolde deifie. And for hire children were so, Sibeles thanne was also Mad a goddesse, and thei hire calle The moder of the goddes alle. So was that name bore forth, And yit the cause is litel worth.
A vois unto Saturne tolde
Hou that his oghne Sone him scholde
Out of his regne putte aweie ; And he be cause of thilke weie, That him was schape such a fate, Sibele his wif began to hate
1130
1140
1150
P. ii. 166
1160
1134 margin dearum JY, S... A, FHs deorum AM... Bs, W 138 the om. Hi... B, A, W lawes Hi... Ba 1149 here (her)
,W hisC
iuiciarum om. BT 1156 him om. B
xt
rf
1155 f. margin Iuno &c. om. AM... Bs
et
433
(Bzrrzr or THE Gnzzxs.]
Nota, qualiter Si- beles Dearum Mater et origo nuncupatur.
Iuno Dea Regno-
rum et diuiciarum.
434 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[Breuer or THE And ek hire progenie bothe. Grexxs. } And thus, whil that thei were wrothe,
Be Philerem upon a dai In his avouterie he lai, On whom he Jupiter begat ; And thilke child was after that Which wroghte al that was prophecied, As it tofore is specefied : So that whan Jupiter of Crete Was king, a wif unto him mete 1170 The Dowhter of Sibele he tok, And that was Juno, seith the bok. Of his deificacion After the false oppinion, That have I told, so as thet meene ; And for this Juno was the queene Of Jupiter and Soster eke, The foles unto hire sieke, And sein that sche is the goddesse Of Regnes bothe and of richesse : 1180 And ek sche, as thei understonde, P. ii. 167 The water Nimphes hath in honde To leden at hire oghne heste ; And whan hir list the Sky tempeste, The reinbowe is hir Messager. Lo, which a misbelieve is hier! That sche goddesse is of the Sky I wot non other cause why.
Minerua Dea sapi- An other goddesse is Minerve,
iciarum. To whom the Greks obeie and serve : 1190 And sche was nyh the grete lay Of Triton founde, wher sche lay A child forcast, bot what sche was Ther knew noman the sothe cas. Bot in Aufrique sche was leid In the manere as I have seid, And caried fro that ilke place Into an Yle fer in Trace,
1165 Iupiter he SAdA 11723 Was om. Hi... Bs. asseipHi ... Be 1176 And om. BT
LIBER QUINTUS 435
The which Palene thanne hihte, [BELIEF or THE Wher a Norrice hir kepte and dihte. 1200 Greeks. } And after, for sche was so wys That sche fond ferst in hire avis The cloth makinge of wolle and lyn, Men seiden that sche was divin, And the goddesse of Sapience Thei clepen hire in that credence. Of the goddesse which Pallas Pallas Dea bello- Is cleped sondri speche was. rum. On seith hire fader was Pallant, Which in his time was geant, I210 A cruel man, a bataillous : P. ii. 168 An other seith hou in his hous Sche was the cause why he deide. And of this Pallas some ek seide That sche was Martes wif; and so Among the men that weren tho Of misbelieve in the riote The goddesse of batailles hote She was, and yit sche berth the name. Now loke, hou they be forto blame. 1220 Saturnus after his exil Ceres dea frugum. Fro Crete cam in gret peril Into the londes of Ytaile, And ther he dede gret mervaile, Wherof his name duelleth yit. For he fond of his oghne wit The ferste craft of plowh tilinge, Of Eringe and of corn sowinge, And how men scholden sette vines And of the grapes make wynes; 1230 Al this he tawhte, and it fell so, His wif, the which cam with him tho, Was cleped Cereres be name, And for sche tawhte also the same,
1199 Palon(e) H1...Bs 120t after pat for sche was w. AM... Be 1203 The] To H:E. .. Bs 1207 margin Pallas &c. om. C, BT 1221 margin Ceres dea frugum om. JH: ... Bs Saturnus dea frugum B 1230 grape AM... Ba, A 1232 the om. AM, W
rfa
436 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
[BELIEF OF THE And was his wif that ilke throwe, Greece. ] As it was to the poeple knowe, Thei made of Ceres a goddesse, In whom here tilthe yit thei blesse, And sein that Tricolonius Hire Sone goth amonges ous 119 And makth the corn good chep or dere, P. ii 169 Riht as hire list fro yer to yeere ; So that this wif be cause of this Goddesse of Cornes cleped is. Diana Dea Moncium King Jupiter, which his likinge Siluarum. Whilom fulfelde in alle thinge, So priveliche aboute he ladde His lust, that he his wille hadde Of Latona, and on hire that Diane his dowhter he begat 1250 Unknowen of his wif Juno. And afterward sche knew it so, That Latona for drede fledde Into an Ile, wher sche hedde Hire wombe, which of childe aros. Thilke yle cleped was Delos; In which Diana was forthbroght, And kept so that hire lacketh noght. And after, whan sche was of Age, Sche tok non hiede of mariage, 1260 Bot out of mannes compaignie Sche tok hire al to venerie In forest and in wildernesse ; For ther was al hire besinesse Be daie and ek be nyhtes tyde With arwes brode under the' side And bowe in honde, of which sche slowh And tok al that hir liste ynowh Of bestes whiche ben chacable: Wherof the Cronique of this fable 1270 Seith that the gentils most of alle P. ii. 170 1238hertilbes B 1245 margin et Siluarum om. AM 1252 And]
Bot (But) SAdBTAA 1253 ledde BT I256 was cleped BTA 1262 al to] vnto B
LIBER QUINTUS 437
Worschipen hire and to hire calle, CBELIEF or THE And the goddesse of hihe helles, Gnrrxs.] Of grene trees, of freisshe welles,
They clepen hire in that believe,
Which that no reson mai achieve.
Proserpina, which dowhter was . Proserpina Dea In Of Cereres, befell this cas : _ fernorum. Whil sche was duellinge in Cizile,
Hire moder in that ilke while 1280 Upon hire blessinge and hire heste
Bad that sche scholde ben honeste,
And lerne forto weve and spinne,
And duelle at hom and kepe hire inne.
Bot sche caste al that lore aweie,
And as sche wente hir out to pleie,
To gadre floures in a pleine,
And that was under the monteine
Of Ethna, fell the same tyde
That Pluto cam that weie ryde, 1290 And sodeinly, er sche was war,
He tok hire up into his char.
And as thei riden in the field,
Hire grete beaute he behield,
Which was so plesant in his ye,
That forto holde in compainie
He weddeth hire and hield hire so
To ben his wif for everemo.
And as thou hast tofore herd telle
Hou he was cleped god of helle, 1300 So is sche cleped the goddesse P. ii. z71 Be cause of him, ne mor ne lesse. Lo, thus, mi Sone, as I thee tolde, Confessor.
The Greks whilom be daies olde
Here goddes hadde in sondri wise, And thurgh the lore of here aprise The Romeins hielden ek the same.
1279 Whil sche was] Which was H1... Bs 1286 hir om. Hi... Bs 1287 To gedre ARCLB: To gedres M 1290 Than BTA pe weie ME... Bs 1297 hield] tok(e)
Hi... Ba
438
[(BeLt&F or THE GREEKS. |
Nota, quod dii Mon-
tium Satiri vocantur.
Oreades Nimphe
Montium.
Driades Siluarum.
Naiades fontium.
Nereides Marium.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And in the worschipe of here name To every godd in special Thei made a temple forth withal, 1310 And ech of hem his yeeres dai Attitled hadde ; and of arai The temples weren thanne ordeigned, And ek the poeple was constreigned To come and don here sacrifice ; The Prestes ek in here office Solempne maden thilke festes. And thus the Greks lich to the bestes The men in stede of god honoure, Whiche mihten noght hemself socoure, 1320 Whil that thei were alyve hiere. And over this, as thou schalt hiere, The Greks fulfild of fantasie T Sein ek that of the helles hihe The goddes ben in special, Bot of here name in general Thei hoten alle Satiri. Ther ben of Nimphes proprely In the believe of hem also: Oreades thei seiden tho 1330 Attitled ben to the monteines ; P. ii 173 And for the wodes in demeynes To kepe, tho ben Driades ; Of freisshe welles Naiades ; And of the Nimphes of the See I finde a tale in proprete, Hou Dorus whilom king of Grece, Which hadde of infortune a piece, — His wif forth with hire dowhtres alle, So as the happes scholden falle, 1340 With many a gentil womman there Dreint in the salte See thei were : Wherof the Greks that time seiden, And such a name upon hem leiden,
1308 in o», AM for Hi... Bs 1318 to bestes ER, BTA, W 1331 Attitred AMXRB: 1333 tho] per Hi... B: 1336 margin Nereides Marium om. B 1339 forth om. AM... Ba
LIBER QUINTUS 439
Nereides that thei ben hote, [Brzrigr or THE The Nimphes whiche that thei note Grezxs.] To regne upon the stremes salte.
Lo now, if this believe halte !
Bot of the Nimphes as thei telle,
In every place wher thei duelle 1350
Thei ben al redi obeissant
As damoiselles entendant
To the goddesses, whos servise
Thei mote obeie in alle wise;
Wherof the Greks to -hem beseke
With tho that ben goddesses eke,
And have in hem a gret credence.
And yit withoute experience Manes dii mortuo- Salve only of illusion, rum. Which was to hem dampnacion, 1360 For men also that were dede P. il 173
Thei hadden goddes, as I rede, And tho be name Manes hihten, To whom ful gret honour thei dihten, So as the Grekes lawe seith, Which was ayein the rihte feith.
Thus have I told a gret partie ; Bot al the hole progenie Of goddes in that ilke time To long it were forto rime. 1370 Bot yit of that which thou hast herd, Of misbelieve hou it hath ferd, Ther is a gret diversite.
Mi fader, riht so thenketh me. Amans. Bot yit o thing I you beseche, Which stant in alle mennes speche, The godd and the goddesse of love, Of whom ye nothing hier above Have told, ne spoken of her fare, That ye me wolden now declare 1380 Hou thei ferst comen to that name.
1349 the om. AM... B: 1353 goddes BA, W goddesse AM...Bs 1358 »argin Manes &c. om. B 138r comen ferst AM came first W |
440
[Bezsær or THE Gnzzxs.) Qualiter Cupido et enus deus et dea noris nuncupantur.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Mi Sone, I have it left for schame, Be cause I am here oghne Prest ; Bot for thei stonden nyh thi brest Upon the schrifte of thi matiere, Thou schalt of hem the sothe hiere : And understond nou wel the cas, Venus Saturnes dowhter was, Which alle danger putte aweie Of love, and fond to lust a weie ; 1390 So that of hire in sondri place P. ii. 174 Diverse men felle into grace, And such a lusti lif sche ladde, That sche diverse children hadde, Nou on be this, nou on be that. Of hire it was that Mars beyat A child, which cleped was Armene ; Of hire also cam Andragene, To whom Mercurie fader was : Anchises begat Eneas 1400 Of hire also, and Ericon Biten begat, and therupon, Whan that sche sih ther was non other, Be Jupiter hire oghne brother Sche lay, and he begat Cupide. And thilke Sone upon a tyde, Whan he was come unto his Age, He hadde a wonder fair visage, And fond his Moder amourous, And he was also lecherous : 1410 So whan thei weren bothe al one, As he which yhen hadde none To se reson, his Moder kiste ; And sche also, that nothing wiste Bot that which unto lust belongeth, To ben hire love him underfongeth. Thus was he blind, and sche unwys : Bot natheles this cause it is,
1383 fL. »marpi Qualiter &c. om. Hi... Be 1383 here” hire . bir JL, Ad, W youre? X... CBs 1384 je brest A... Bs, Ad, 1405 lav? hap AM
LIBER QUINTUS 441
Why Cupide is the god of love, [Brrrzr or THE For he his moder dorste love. 1420 Grerxs. | And sche, which thoghte hire lustes fonde, P. ii. 175 Diverse loves tok in honde, Wel mo thanne I the tolde hiere: And for sche wolde hirselve skiere, Sche made comun that desport, And sette a lawe of such a port, That every womman mihte take What man hire liste, and noght forsake. To ben als comun as sche wolde. Sche was the ferste also which tolde 1430 That wommen scholde here bodi selle ; Semiramis, so as men telle, Of Venus kepte thilke aprise, And so dede in the same wise Of Rome faire Neabole, Which liste hire bodi to rigole; sche was to every man felawe, And hild the lust of thilke lawe, Which Venus of hirself began ; Wherof that sche the name wan, 1440 Why. men hire clepen the goddesse Of love and ek of gentilesse, Of worldes lust and of plesance. Se nou the foule mescreance Of Greks in thilke time tho, Whan Venus tok hire name so. Ther was no cause under the Mone Of which thei hadden tho to done, Of wel or wo wher so it was,
That thei ne token in that cas 1450 A god to helpe or a goddesse. P. ii. 176 Wherof, to take mi witnesse, The king of Bragmans Dindimus Nota de Epistola . Dindimi Regis Brag- Wrot unto Alisandre thus: mannorum Alexandro In blaminge of the Grekes feith magno directa, vbi di- 1423 telle X, B, W 1429 a comun AM all comyn X 1438 hild J, F hield SB huld A 1447 no] pe AM... B:
1453 Bragmas AM... Bs, Hs
442
[(BzrizF oF THE GREEKS. |
it quod Greci tunc id corporis conserua- ionem pro singulis nembris singulos de- S specialiter appro- riari credunt.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
And of the misbelieve, he seith How thei for every membre hadden A sondri god, to whom thei spradden Here armes, and of help besoghten. Minerve for the hed thei soghten, 1460 For sche was wys, and of a man The wit and reson which he can Is in the celles of the brayn, Wherof thei made hire soverain. Mercurie, which was in his dawes A gret spekere of false lawes, On him the kepinge of the tunge Thei leide, whan thei spieke or sunge. For Bachus was a glotoun eke, Him for the throte thei beseke, 1470 That he it wolde waisshen ofte With swote drinkes and with softe. The god of schuldres and of armes Was Hercules; for he in armes The myhtieste was to fihte, To him tho Limes they behihte. The god whom that thei clepen Mart The brest to kepe hath for his part, Forth with the herte, in his ymage That he adresce the corage. 1480 And of the galle the goddesse, P. ii. 177 For sche was full of hastifesse Of wraththe and liht to grieve also, Thei made and seide it was Juno. Cupide, which the brond afyre Bar in his hond, he was the Sire Of the Stomak, which builleth evere, Wherof the lustes ben the levere. To the goddesse Cereres, Which of the corn yaf hire encress 1490 Upon the feith that tho was take,
1476 tho] pe HiXGCLBs, AdB, W 1477 whom that] pe whom B whom HiBs, TA, W 1482 hastifesse J, S, F hastifnesse A hastiuesse B 1485 of fire HiE... Bs, A, WHs 1486 Bar] Berep (Ber XG But AME... Bs 1489 To] Lo AMH;XG
LIBER QUINTUS 443
The wombes cure was betake ;
And Venus thurgh the Lecherie, For which that thei hire deifie, Sche kept al doun the remenant To thilke office appourtenant.
Thus was dispers in sondri wise [OriGIN or Ipor- The misbelieve, as I devise, worsHiP. ] With many an ymage of entaile, Nota de prima ydol-
y ymag »
1. orum cultura, que ex Of suche as myhte hem noght availe ; 1500 tibus precipue Sta- For thei withoute lyves chiere tuis exorta est; qua- : : rum prima fuit illa Unmyhti ben to se or hiere quam in filii sui me. Or speke or do or elles fiele; moriam quidam prin- ; ceps nomine Ciropha- And yit the foles to hem knele, nes a sculptore Pro- Which is here oghne handes werk. motheo fabricari con-
Ha lord, hou this believe is derk, stituit.
And fer fro resonable wit ! And natheles thei don it yit: That was to day a ragged tre, To morwe upon his majeste 1510 Stant in the temple wel besein. P. ii. 178 How myhte a mannes resoun sein That such a Stock mai helpe or grieve? Bot thei that ben of such believe And unto suche goddes calle, It schal to hem riht so befalle, And failen ate moste nede. Bot if thee list to taken hiede And of the ferste ymage wite, Petornius therof hath write I520 And ek Nigargorus also; And thei afferme and write so, That Promotheüs was tofore And fond the ferste craft therfore, And Cirophanes, as thei telle, Thurgh conseil which was take in helle, In remembrance of his lignage Let setten up the ferste ymage. I495 kept J, B, F kepteA 1517 ate] at here (atte her) AM... Bi
athor W 1i520 Petornius A, S, F Petronius J, B 1526 which om. E...B: patW tohellee E... Bs 1527 hir(e) E... Ba (her R)
444
[ORIGIN or IDoL- WORSHIP. |
Secunda Statua fuit lla, quam ad sui patris Beli culturam Rex Ninus fieri et adorari lecreuit. Et sic de iomine Beli postea Bel et Belzebub y ydo- um accreuit.
Tercia Statua fuit lla, que ad honorem ipis Regis Grecorum culpta fuit, cui postea iomen Serapis impo- lentes, ipsum quasi leum Pagani colue- unt.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Of Cirophanes seith the bok, That he for sorwe, which he tok Of that he sih his Sone ded,
Of confort knew non other red, Bot let do make in remembrance A faire ymage of his semblance And sette it in the market place, Which openly tofore his face
Stod every dai to don him ese. And thei that thanne wolden plese The fader, scholden it obeie, Whan that they comen thilke weie.
And of Ninus king of Assire I rede hou that in his empire He was next after the secounde Of hem that ferst ymages founde. For he riht in semblable cas Of Belus, which his fader was Fro Nembroth in the rihte line, Let make of gold and Stones fine A precious ymage riche After his fader evene liche ;
And therupon a lawe he sette, That every man of pure dette With sacrifice and with truage Honoure scholde thilke ymage : So that withinne time it fell, Of Belus cam the name of Bel, Of Bel cam Belzebub, and so The misbelieve wente tho.
The thridde ymage next to this Was, whan the king of Grece Apis Was ded, thei maden a figure In resemblance of his stature.
Of this king Apis seith the bok
That Serapis his name tok,
In whom thurgh long continuance
Of misbelieve a gret creance
Thei hadden, and the reverence 1535 sette SB set AJ, F
1540 P. ii. 179
1580
LIBER QUINTUS 445
Of Sacrifice and of encence [OniciN or Ipor- To him thei made: and as thei telle, wonsHiP. | Among the wondres that befelle, 1£7O
Whan Alisandre fro Candace P. ii. 180
Cam ridende, in a wilde place
Undur an hull a Cave he fond;
And Candalus, which in that lond
Was bore, and was Candaces Sone,
Him tolde hou that of commun wone
The goddes were in thilke cave.
And he, that wolde assaie and have
A knowlechinge if it be soth,
Liht of his hors and in he goth, 1580
And fond therinne that he soghte:
For thurgh the fendes sleihte him thoghte,
Amonges othre goddes mo
That Serapis spak to him tho,
Whom he sih there in gret arrai.
And thus the fend fro dai to dai
The worschipe of ydolatrie
Drowh forth upon the fantasie
Of hem that weren thanne blinde
And couthen noght the trouthe finde. 1590 Thus hast thou herd in what degre
Of Grece, Egipte and of Caldee
The misbelieves whilom stode ;
And hou so that thei be noght goode
Ne trewe, yit thei sprungen oute,
Wherof the wyde world aboute
His part of misbelieve tok.
Til so befell as seith the bok,
That god a poeple for himselve
Hath chose of the lignages tuelve, 1600
Wherof the sothe redely, P. ii. 181
As it is write in Genesi, |
I thenke telle in such a wise
That it schal be to thin apprise.
1573 Vndur A, F Vnder J, S, B 1578 And he] He AM... Bs 593 mysbelieue ME... Bs
446
(iv. BELIEF or THE Jxws.])
De Hebreorum seu Iudeorum Secta, quo- rum Sinagoga, eccle- sia Cristi superueni- ente, defecit.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
After the flod, fro which Noe Was sauf, the world in his degre Was mad, as who seith, newe ayein, Of flour, of fruit, of gras, of grein, Of beste, of bridd and of mankinde, Which evere hath be to god unkinde: 1610 For noght withstondende al the fare, Of that this world was mad so bare And afterward it was restored, Among the men was nothing mored Towardes god of good lyvynge, Bot al was torned to likinge After the fleissh, so that foryete Was he which yaf hem lif and mete, Of hevene and Erthe creatour. And thus cam forth the grete errour, 1620 That thei the hihe god ne knewe, Bot maden othre goddes newe, As thou hast herd me seid tofore: Ther was noman that time bore, That he ne hadde after his chois A god, to whom he yaf his vois. Wherof the misbelieve cam Into the time of Habraham : Bot he fond out the rihte weie, Hou only that men scholde obeie 1630 The hihe god, which weldeth al, P. ii. 188 And evere hath don and evere schal, In hevene, in Erthe and ek in helle; Ther is no tunge his miht mai telle. This Patriarch to his lignage Forbad, that thei to non ymage Encline scholde in none wise, Bot here offrende and sacrifise With al the hole hertes love Unto the mihti god above 1640 Thei scholden yive and to no mo: And thus in thilke time tho
1624 bore] bifore BT (J defective here) so also I. 1650
1628 habraham F »est Abraham 1633 and erpe E. .. Bs, Ad
LIBER QUINTUS
Began the Secte upon this Erthe,
Which of believes was the ferthe.
Of rihtwisnesse it was conceived,
So moste it nedes be received
Of him that alle riht is inne,
The hihe god, which wolde winne
A poeple unto his oghne feith.
On Habraham the ground he leith, 1650 And made him forto multeplie
Into so gret a progenie,
That thei Egipte al overspradde.
Bot Pharao with wrong hem ladde
In servitute ayein the pes,
Til god let sende Moises
To make the deliverance ;
And for his poeple gret vengance
He tok, which is to hiere a wonder.
The king was slain, the lond put under, 166o God bad the rede See divide, P. ii. 183 Which stod upriht on either side
And yaf unto his poeple a weie,
That thei on fote it passe dreie
And gon so forth into desert :
Wher forto kepe hem in covert,
The daies, whan the Sonne brente,
A large cloude hem overwente,
And forto wissen hem be nyhte,
A firy Piler hem alyhte. 1670 And whan that thei for hunger pleigne,
The myhti god began to reyne
Manna fro hevene doun to grounde,
Wherof that ech of hem hath founde
His fode, such riht as him liste ;
And for thei scholde upon him triste,
Riht as who sette a tonne abroche,
1643 the Secte] pat secte S...A this secte W tosette AMHiX this] pe AM... Bs 1646 And alle mysbelieue weyued E .. . Ba, A (misbelieues RLB:) 1647 is] wasE...B: 1653 al om. XE... Bs 1662 on] in BT 1664 on fote (foote) passen
ECLBs B on fete p. R on fote myght p. W in fote it p. X 1667 The daies] Be (By) daies S...A A dayes W
447
[ BevizF OF THE Jews. ]
44B
[Bevier or THE Jrws.]
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
He percede the harde roche,
And sprong out water al at wille,
That man and beste hath drunke his fille: 16& And afterward he yaf the lawe
To Moises, that hem withdrawe
Thei scholden noght fro that he bad.
And in this wise thei be lad,
Til thei toke in possession
The londes of promission,
Wher that Caleph and Josué
The Marches upon such degre
Departen, after the lignage
That ech of hem as Heritage 1690 His porpartie hath underfonge. P. ii. 184 And thus stod this believe longe,
Which of prophetes was governed ;
And thei hadde ek the poeple lerned
Of gret honour that scholde hem falle ;
Bot ate moste nede of alle
Thei faileden, whan Crist was bore.
Bot hou that thei here feith have bore,
It nedeth noght to tellen al,
The matiere is so general: 1700 Whan Lucifer was best in hevene
And oghte moste have stonde in evene, Towardes god he tok debat ;
And for that he was obstinat,
And wolde noght to trouthe encline,
He fell for evere into ruine:
And Adam ek in Paradis,
Whan he stod most in al his pris
After thastat of Innocence,
Ayein the god brak his defence 1710 And fell out of his place aweie:
And riht be such a maner weie
The Jwes in here beste plit,
Whan that thei scholden most parfit
1678 perced(e) bo pe RCLBs, A. W 1685 toke (tooke) C, SB tok (took) A, F 1698 lore MHiXGLBs, AdBT, W (hath lore
1713 Iwes F Iewes A, SB
LIBER QUINTUS
Have stonde upon the prophecie, Tho fellen thei to most folie, And him which was fro hevene come, And of a Maide his fleissh hath nome, And was among hem bore and fedd, As men that wolden noght be spedd 1720 Of goddes Sone, with o vois . P.ii. 185 Thei hinge and slowhe upon the crois. Wherof the parfit of here lawe Fro thanne forth hem was withdrawe, So that thei stonde of no merit, Bot in truage as folk soubgit Withoute proprete of place Thei liven out of goddes grace, Dispers in alle londes oute. And thus the feith is come aboute, 1730 That whilom in the Jewes stod, Which is noght parfihtliche good. To speke as it is nou befalle, Ther is a feith aboven alle, In which the trouthe is comprehended, Wherof that we ben alle amended.
The hihe almyhti majeste, Of rihtwisnesse and of pite, The Sinne which that Adam wroghte, Whan he sih time, ayein he boghte, 1740 And sende his Sone fro the hevene To sette mannes Soule in evene, Which thanne was so sore falle Upon the point which was befalle, That he ne mihte himself arise. Gregoire seith in his aprise,
1715 stonde AC, B stond F 1742 Which mannes soule hap set in eueneS...A 1743 And hap his grace reconciled
ffro which pe man was ferst exiled And in himself so sore falle SoS... A (inserting a couplet between 1742 and 1743). 1743 margin ineffabiliter . .. creditur B 1745 auise E ... Ba 1746 margin Gregorius, Nichil nobis nasci profuit, nisi redimi profuisset SBA (proficit for profuit B) +
Gg
449
[BzrigF OF THE Jews. ]
[THE CHRISTIAN FAITRH.]
De fide Cristiana, in qua perfecte legis complementum, sum- mi misterii sacramen- tum, nostreque salua- cionis fundamentum infallibiliter consist- ere credimus.
450
[THe CHRISTIAN FAITH. }
Gregorius. O ne-
essarium Ade pecca- um! O felix culpa, ue talem ac tantum
jeruit habere re-
emptorem !
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
It helpeth noght a man be bore,
If goddes Sone were unbore ;
For thanne thurgh the ferste Sinne,
Which Adam whilom broghte ous inne, 17:0
Ther scholden alle men be lost ; P. ii. 186
Bot Crist restoreth thilke lost,
And boghte it with his fleissh and blod.
And if we thenken hou it stod
Of thilke rancoun which he payde,
As seint Gregoire it wrot and sayde,
Al was behovely to the man:
For that wherof his wo began
Was after cause of al his welthe,
Whan he which is the welle of helthe, 1760
The hihe creatour of lif,
Upon the nede of such a strif
So wolde for his creature
Take on himself the forsfaiture
And soffre for the mannes sake.
Thus mai no reson wel forsake
That thilke Senne original
Ne was the cause in special
Of mannes worschipe ate laste,
Which schal withouten ende laste. 1770
For be that cause the godhede
Assembled was to the manhede
In the virgine, where he nom
Oure fleissh and verai man becom
Of bodely fraternite ;
Wherof the man in his degre
Stant more worth, as I have told,
Than he stod erst be manyfold,
Thurgh baptesme of the newe lawe,
Of which Crist lord is and felawe. 1780 And thus the hihe goddes myht, P. ii. 187
Which was in the virgine alyht,
1756 ff. margin O certe necessarium Ade peccatum etcefera B. O felix—redemptorem om. SBA(AdT) The note stands at 1. 1746 in Hs 1763 wolde he AdB 177a to] wip BT
1781-1793 Thurgh vertu of his hihe myht
Which in Marie was alyht
LIBER QUINTUS
The mannes Soule hath reconsiled,
Which hadde longe ben exiled.
So stant the feith upon believe,
Withoute which mai non achieve
To gete him Paradis ayein:
Bot this believe is so certein,
So full of grace and of vertu,
That what man clepeth to Jhesu
In clene lif forthwith good dede,
He mai noght faile of hevene mede,
Which taken hath the rihte feith ;
For elles, as the gospel seith,
Salvacion ther mai be non.
And forto preche therupon
Crist bad to hise Apostles alle,
The whos pouer as nou is falle
On ous that ben of holi cherche,
If we the goode dedes werche;
For feith only sufficeth noght,
Bot if good dede also be wroght. Now were it good that thou forthi,
Which thurgh baptesme proprely
Art unto Cristes feith professed,
Be war that thou be noght oppressed
With Anticristes lollardie.
For as the Jwes prophecie
To begge mannes soule asein
And pis belieue is so certein
So full of grace and of vertu
That what man clepep to Jhesu
In clene kf forpwip good dede
He mai noght faile of heuene mede So pat it stant vpon belieue
That euery man mai wel achieue Which taken hap &c. SAdBTA
451
[THE CHRISTIAN Faitu.]
1790
1800 Iacobus. Fides sine operibus mortua est.
Confessor.
Nota hic contra is-
tos qui iam lollardi dicuntur,
1790*
1791 forpwip F forp wip AJ, B 1800 pe goode dede JE... Ba (po C) the goodenesse (pe goodnesse) HiX goode dedes G
1800 f. margin lacobus &c. om. S... A 1801 f. ffor feip . bot if per be good dede
Thapostel seip is worp no mede SAdBTA
1807 f. margin Nota hic—dicuntur om. BA(AdT), W Nota contra
istos qui lollardi dicuntur S Nota contra lollardos C lewes AJ, SB
Gg2
1808 Iwes F
452
Tug CHRISTIAN FarrH.)
incepit Jhesus fa- e et docere.
Nota quod, cum thenor Palladium ie a templo Mi- ue abstulit, Thoas Jem summus sacer- | auro corruptus Jos auertit, et sic lum quasi non vi- is Scienter fieri misit.
1826 his dede pe BT his dede his A, W AJ, SB Antenor F
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Was set of god for avantage,
Riht so this newe tapinage 1810
Of lollardie goth aboute P. ii, 188
To sette Cristes feith in doute.
The seintz that weren ous tofore,
Be whom the feith was ferst upbore,
That holi cherche stod relieved,
Thei oghten betre be believed
Than these, whiche that men knowe
Noght holy, thogh thei feigne and blowe
Here lollardie in mennes Ere.
Bot if thou wolt live out of fere, 1820
Such newe lore, I rede, eschuie,
And hold forth riht the weie and suie,
As thine Ancestres dede er this:
So schalt thou noght believe amis. Crist wroghte ferst and after tawhte,
So that the dede his word arawhte ;
He yaf ensample in his persone,
And we the wordes have al one,
Lich to the Tree with leves grene,
Upon the which no fruit is sene. 1830 The Priest Thoas, which of Minerve
The temple hadde forto serve,
And the Palladion of Troie
Kepte under keie, for monoie,
Of Anthenor which he hath nome,
Hath soffred Anthenor to come
And the Palladion to stele,
Wherof the worschipe and the wele
Of the Troiens was overthrowe.
Bot Thoas at the same throwe, 1840
Whan Anthenor this Juel tok, P. ii. 189
Wynkende caste awei his lok
For a deceipte and for a wyle:
As he that scholde himself beguile,
He hidde his yhen fro the sihte,
And wende wel that he so mihte
1835 Anthenor
LIBER QUINTUS 453
Excuse his false conscience. [THE CHRISTIAN I wot noght if thilke evidence Farrn.] Nou at this time in here estatz
Excuse mihte the Prelatz, 1850 Knowende hou that the feith discresceth
And alle moral vertu cesseth,
Wherof that thei the keies bere,
Bot yit hem liketh noght to stere
Here gostliche yhe forto se
The world in his adversite ;
Thei wol no labour undertake
To kepe that hem is betake.
Crist deide himselve for the feith,
Bot nou our feerfull prelat seith, 1860 ‘The lif is suete, and that he kepeth,
So that the feith unholpe slepeth,
And thei unto here ese entenden
And in here lust her lif despenden,
And every man do what him list.
Thus stant this world fulfild of Mist,
That noman seth the rihte weie:
The wardes of the cherche keie
Thurgh mishandlinge ben myswreynt,
The worldes wawe hath welnyh dreynt 1870 The Schip which Peter hath to stiere, P. ii. 190 The forme is kept, bot the matiere Transformed is in other wise.
Bot if thei weren gostli wise,
And that the Prelatz weren goode,
As thei be olde daies stode,
It were thanne litel nede
Among the men to taken hiede
Of that thei hieren Pseudo telle,
Which nou is come forto duelle, 1880 To sowe cokkel with the corn,
So that the tilthe is nyh forlorn,
Which Crist sew ferst his oghne hond.
1849 estatz F estates J astatz (astates) A, SB 1855 goodly goodlich) BT 1879 Pseudo telle] Pheudo telle E Pfeudo t. C hem telle A om. T 1883 sew A, S, F siew B
454
HE CHRISTIAN FaiTH.]
'egorius. Quan- etrus cum Judea, reas cum Achaia, nas cum Yndea, aulus cum gente nt, quid dicemus moderni, quorum im talentum pro lo computabitur ?
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Nou stant the cockel in the lond, Wher stod whilom the goode grein, For the Prelatz nou, as men sein,
. Forslowthen that thei scholden tile. And that I trowe be the skile,
Whan ther is lacke in hem above, The poeple is stranged to the love 1899 Of trouthe, in cause of ignorance ; For wher ther is no pourveance
Of liht, men erren in the derke.
Bot if the Prelatz wolden werke Upon the feith which thei ous teche, Men scholden noght here weie seche Withoute liht, as now is used:
Men se the charge aldai refused, Which holi cherche hath undertake.
Bot who that wolde ensample take, 1909 Gregoire upon his Omelie P. ii. 191 Ayein the Slouthe of Prelacie Compleigneth him, and thus he seith:
‘Whan Peter, fader of the feith,
At domesdai schal with him bringe Judeam, which thurgh his prechinge He wan, and Andrew with Achaie Schal come his dette forto paie,
And Thomas ek with his beyete
Of Ynde, and Poul the routes grete 1910 Of sondri londes schal presente,
And we fulfild of lond and rente, Which of this world we holden hiere, With voide handes schul appiere, Touchende oure cure spirital,
Which is our charge in special,
I not what thing it mai amonte Upon thilke ende of oure accompte, Wher Crist himself is Auditour,
1893 erren] crepen E... B, A 1906 f. Which hap conuert wip his prechinge And whan pat Andrew E...Bs,A (conuerted ...teching L conuer E) 1911 schal] to B
LIBER QUINTUS 455
Which takth non hiede of vein honour.’ 1920 [Tue Curistian Thoffice of the Chancellerie FaitH.] Or of the kinges Tresorie
Ne for the writ ne for the taille
To warant mai noght thanne availe;
The world, which nou so wel we trowe,
Schal make ous thanne bot a mowe:
So passe we withoute mede,
That we non otherwise spede,
Bot as we rede that he spedde,
The which his lordes besant hedde 1930 And therupon gat non encress. P. ii. 192 Bot at this time natheles,
What other man his thonk deserve,
The world so lusti is to serve,
That we with him ben all acorded,
And that is wist and wel recorded
Thurghout this Erthe in alle londes
Let knyhtes winne with here hondes,
For oure tunge schal be stille
And stonde upon the fleisshes wille. 1940 It were a travail forto preche
The feith of Crist, as forto teche
The folk Paiene, it wol noght be;
Bot every Prelat holde his See
With al such ese as he mai gete
Of lusti drinke and lusti mete,
Wherof the bodi fat and full
Is unto gostli labour dull
And slowh to handle thilke plowh.
Bot elles we ben swifte ynowh 1950 Toward the worldes Avarice ;
And that is as a sacrifice,
Which, after that thapostel seith,
Is openly ayein the feith
Unto thidoles yove and granted :
1923 no writ... petaileA no writ...not. YE... Ba to write ...to taile B 1925 which now we see and trowe E... Bz, A 1946 and] of YEC, BT 1952 as a sacrifice] a good s. E... Ba 1953 Jat after E... Bs
456
[Te CHRISTIAN FAITH. |
Amans.
Confessor.
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Bot natheles it is nou haunted, And vertu changed into vice, So that largesce is Avarice,
In whos chapitre now we trete.
Mi fader, this matiere is bete 1960 So fer, that evere whil I live P. ii. 193 I schal the betre hede yive Unto miself be many weie:
Bot over this nou wolde I preie To wite what the branches are Of Avarice, and hou thei fare Als wel in love as otherwise.
Mi Sone, and I thee schal devise In such a manere as thei stonde,
So that thou schalt hem understonde. 1970
1965 the] bo E...L 1969 a om. BT, W 1970 hem om. BT
(LiBRI QUINTI $$ iiji—xiii i” sequenti volumine continentur)
NOTES
PROLOGUS
Latin Verses. i.lf. The author acknowledges his incapacity for higher themes, as at the beginning of the first book. The subject of the present work is a less exalted one than that of those which preceded it.
8f. Qua famen &c. The couplet may be translated, ‘Yet in that tongue of Hengist in which the island of Brut sings, I will utter English measures by the aid of Carmentis.’
9 f. Ossibus ergo carens &c. That is, ‘ Let the evil tongue be far away. The reference is to Prov. xxv. 15, ‘A soft tongue breaketh the bone, taken here in a bad sense : cp. iii. 463 ff.
7. * Moved by the example of these wise men of old.' For this use of *ensampled cp. Z*az/zZ, xv. l. 4,
‘Pour essampler les autres du present.’
13. Who that al &c. ‘If one writes of wisdom only’: a common form of expression in Gower’s French and English both ; see note on Mirour, 1244. In English we have ‘ who that,’ ‘who so (that) ' or ‘what man (that), sometimes with indic. and sometimes with subjunctive: cp. Prol. 460, 550, i. 383, 481, ii. 88, iii. 971, 2508, &c. See also note on 1. 460.
writ, present tense, syncopated form.
16. if that ye rede, ‘if ye so counsel me,’ i.e. if you approve, equiva- lent to the ‘si bon vous sembleroit ! of the Afirour, |. 33.
24. The marginal note is wanting in F and S, and may perhaps have been added after the year 1397, when Henry became Duke of Here- ford, cp. ' tunc Derbie comiti,’ or even later, for in the Cron. Trifertsta Gower calls him Earl of Derby at the time of his exile, using the same expression as here, ‘tunc Derbie comiti? Caxton, followed by
24*— 99*. For this variation see the Introduction. The text of B, which is here followed, is as good as any other, but none of the copies which give the passage are thoroughly good in spelling, and the text has in this respect been slightly normalized. A and E are here defective,
458 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
Berthelet, gives the following: *Hic in primis declarat Ioannes Gower quam ob causam presentem libellum composuit et finaliter compleuit, An. regni regis Ric. secundi 16.’ 81. That is, compared with what it was in former time: cp. L 133. 41. write... sfode: subjunctive. For the subjunctive in indirect question cp. ii. 1243, 1943, iii. 708, 771, &c. 43. as who seith, i.e. ‘as one may say,’ a qualification of what follows, a gret partie': the phrase is a common one, e.g. i. 1381, *as who seith, everemo,' 2794, ii. 696, * as who seith, ded for feere,' &c. 46. schewen, used absolutely, ‘ set forth their histories.’ 52. a burel clerk, ‘a man of simple learning,’ esp. ‘a layman’; cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 3145, D 1872: ‘burel’ was a coarse cloth. 94. £o£, ‘took place,’ ‘existed’: cp. Chaucer, Z7oi/us, iv. 1562, * And if so be that pees herafter take.’ So ‘ prendre’ in French, e.g. Mir. 831, * Le mariage devoit prendre.
and J, which is the best available MS., has eccentricities of spelling (‘ Richardus, *wyche, ‘hyt,’ 'hys, 'aftur, 'resonabul, ‘3ef,’ ‘be heste,’ ‘be ginne,' &c.), which make it rather unsuitable as a basis for the text. It will be found however that J and B mutually correct each other to a great extent, and we have also MGRCL as additional witnesses of a respectable character. Thus in regard to some of the variations in spelling from B we have as follows : —
24* bok J 25 belongep MC 27* euere JML = 31* Preiende G Preiend MCL 536" betyde (betide) GCL 40* beJML 43* f.nyh: Syh (sih) JL 47* f. seid: leyd J 49* besinesse J 51* boke JM 52* myhte loke J 53* f. wrytinge : comandinge J 55* herte JMGCL 59* wipoute GC 62* non JGC 65* handlep JMGL 66" preye (preie) JMGCL heueneJMG 69* befalleJ 75° bit JMCL 80longeJML 82* bokJ 87* begynnep (beginnep) ML 89* f. bok : tok J 92* begynne MCL.
94* ff. A very loosely constructed sentence. It means apparently, *] consider how it befell, as a thing destined then to come to pass, namely that as on Thames I came rowing by boat &c., I chanced to meet my liege lord.’ The disorder in which the clauses are thrown together is a feature which we shall notice elsewhere in our author's style. ‘The toun of newe Troye' is of course London, supposed to have been founded by Brut of Troy, whence was derived ‘ Britain,’ the *insula Bruti ' of the opening lines.
92*. Joke, ‘examine’: cp. ii. 733, vi. 1959.
65*. There is here a corruption which affects all the existing copies. The various readings are given in the critical notes, and evidently ‘outkrong’ is that which has most support. I conjecture that the author wrote ‘ onwrong,’ i.e. 'awrong, which being an unusual word suffered corruption at the hand of the first transcriber, the ‘w’ being
NOTES. Prot. 31-92* 459
72. the god, so 198, ii. 594; cp. ‘the vertu,’ 116, ‘the manhode, 260, ‘the man,’ 546, 582, * The charite,’ 319, &c.
74. ended, ‘continued to the end.’
71 ff. Apparently a reference to the treatise on the duties of a ruler contained in the seventh book: ‘I shall make a discourse also with regard to those who are in power, marking the distinction between the virtues and the vices which belong to their office.’
81 ff. ‘But as my wit is too small to correct the faults of every one, I send this book unto my own lord Henry of Lancaster...to be amended at his command.’ For ‘upon amendement to stonde’ cp. ii. 583. The suggestion of amendment at the hands of the author's patron is of course a mere compliment, like that paid by Chaucer to Gower at the conclusion of 7voz/us, but it gives a modest appearance to the general censure.
It is not likely that the expression ‘ upon amendement’ refers to the change made in this part of the text, to which the author would hardly have called attention thus. Also, unless we explain as above, the meaning would seem to be ‘as my wit is too small to admonish every one, I send my work as now revised to my own lord Henry of Lancaster,’ a much too pointed application of the coming admonitions.
It is hardly needful to add that ‘to tellen every man his tale’ is not a reference to the Canterbury Tales, as some have supposed.
Latin Verses, ii. 2. vertit in orbe, ‘turns round,’ as upon her wheel. 4. Cp. 111 f. 11. * And thus those regions which were once the strongest fall into
mistaken, as it easily might be, for ‘tk’: cp. Chaucer, 77. of Fame, li. 403, where ‘tokne’ is apparently a corruption of ‘ towne.’
66*. the hevene king, ‘ the king of hevene.’ Gower regularly writes the final ‘e’ in ‘ hevene,' ‘evene,’ *evere,' *nevere, &c. The preceding syllable is of course syncopated in pronunciation.
69*. what befalle, ‘whatsoever may befall’: cp. iii. 325, ‘what it were.’
75*, bit, i.e. biddeth.’
85*. The true reading is probably ‘listen pleie,’ which is preferable both as regards form and construction: cp. iv. 3147, ‘whan the wommen listen pleie The readings are as follows: ‘listen pleye’ J, ‘lusten pleie’ M, ‘luste pley’ Bs; the rest mostly ‘lust to pleye.” The verbseems usually to be followed by a preposition when used impersonally, as i. 147, 1403, and otherwise more generally not, as i. 2741, iv. 3147, but there are exceptions both ways, e. g. iv. 907 and iii. 111, iv. 3187.
90*. Cp. 54 ff.
92*. for to newe. This is the reading of the better MSS., and ' schewe' is probably the correction of a copyist who did not under- stand it. The word ‘newe’ means here ‘produce,’ but in l 59 * neweth'' is intransitive and means ‘comes into being.’
460 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
decay throughout the world, and have no centre of rest there? (The first ‘que’ is the relative, for ‘quae.’) It is possible however that ‘ per orbem may refer again to Fortune's wheel, cp. 138 ff, where the sense of this couplet seems to be expressed, and in that case tbe meaning is, ‘ fall into decay as they turn upon the wheel.’
116. the vertu : for this French use ofthe article, which is often found in Gower, see note on l. 72.
122ff. *And in witness of that I take the common voice of every land, which may not lie, This appeal to the common voice, the ‘commune dictum,’ is characteristic of our author, who repeats the proverb ‘-Vox populi vox dei’ several times in various forms, e.g. Mirour, 12725. For the use of ‘that’ in such expressions cp. 1. 907, and iv. 2040.
133. fo loke &c., ‘when we look on all sides’: cp. 31, i. 1060, 2278, &c.
189. dlinde fortune. ‘Fortune’ must here be taken as a proper name, and hence the definite form of adjective : cp. i. 3396, ‘wyse Peronelle,’ ii. 588, 2721, ‘of grete Rome,’ ii. 2304, ‘false Nessus,’ iii. 2100, ‘ false Egiste,’ &c.
143. upon a weer, i. e. in doubt or distress : cp. iii. 1148, and Chaucer, House of Fame, 979,
‘Tho gan I wexen in a wer.’
144 ff. ‘ And especially if the power of the rulers of the world be not kept upright by good counsel in such wise that’ &c.
152. heved, always a monosyllable in the metre: the word also appears as ‘hefd’ i. 199, and frequently as ‘hed.’
154. her trowthe allowe, ‘ approve of their loyalty,’ i.e. accept it.
155. ‘And welcome them with all his heart.’ For the position of the conjunction cp. 521, 756, 759, 1014, i. 854, 863, &c., and note on Mirour, 415. Mr. Liddell points out to me that the same usage occurs frequently in the ME. Palladius.
156 (margin). The quotation is from Ecclus. xxxii. 24, *Fili, sine consilio nihilfacias.' This book is often cited as Solomon in the #firour.
162. A truce with both France and Scotland was made for three years in 1389, but peace was not finally concluded till 1396.
166 f. Cp. Praise of Peace, 190.
172. at alle assates, ‘in every way’: cp. ii. 2447.
Latin Verses. ii. 1. Johannes: St. John the Evangelist, who is mentioned either as the teacher of brotherly love or because his Gospel contains the exhortations to St. Peter, ‘Feed my sheep, ‘Feed my lambs.’
2. sta, ‘this.
8. dina virtute, perhaps charity and chastity, cp. 464 ff.
4. inculta, nominative in spite of metre, so avaricia in 1. 8.
8. {epente, ‘being lukewarm,’ that is, held in a lukewarm manner.
196 (margin). Roberti Gibbonensis, Robert of Geneva, elected pope in opposition to Urban VI, under the title of Clement VII.
NOTES. Prot. 116-268 461
198. /4e god, see note on |. 72.
204. Simon, i.e. Simon Magus, whence simony has its name: cp. 442 ff., Mirour, 18451 ff, and Vox Clamantis, iii. 249, 1217, &c.
207 ff. The reference is to Lombard bankers employed as inter- mediaries in obtaining Church preferment. The ‘letter’ referred to is the papal provision, or perhaps the letter of request addressed to the pope in favour of a particular person : cp. Vox Clam. iii. 1375 f.,
* Littera dum Regis papales supplicat aures, Simon et est medius, vngat vt ipse manus.’ :
210. $rovende, equivalent to prebend, and in fact ‘prebende’ is avar.reading here. Littré quotes from Wace,
* Cil me dona et Diez li rende Baiex une provende,’
and from Rutebeuf, * Qui argent porte a Rome, assés tot provende a.’
212. ‘ The authority of the Church’ (symbolized by the key) ‘ did not then lie at the mercy of armed bands or depend upon the issue of battle For *brigantaiLe, meaning bands of irregular troops, cp. Mir. 18675.
218. defence, * prohibition’: cp. iv. 1026, v. 1710, and Chaucer, 77oi/. iii. 138, *if that I breke your defence.'
220. ‘was then no charge of theirs,’ i. e. did not come under their authority: *baillie' means the charge or government of a thing, as Trait, xi. 19, ‘Le duc q'ot lors Ravenne en sa baillie, hence a thing placed in a person's charge.
221. The vein honour: the definite form is rather less regularly used by Gower in adjectives taken from French than in others, e.g. iii. 889, ‘For with here fals compassement’; but on the other hand, i. 864, ‘ the pleine cas,’ ii. 412, ‘ And thurgh his false tunge endited,’ and 824, ‘ This false knyht upon delay.
246. is went: cp. iii. 878 and Chaucer, Cant. Tales, E 1013, F 567.
247. here lawe positif: the ‘lex positiva! is that which is not morally binding in itself, but only so because imposed by (eccle- siastical) authority: cp. Vox Clam. iii. 227 ff. This is naturally the sphere within which Church dispensations of all kinds take effect.
248. Hath set. Apparently ‘set’ is intransitive, ‘ Since their positive law hath set itself to make,’ &c. There is no good authority for read- ing ‘ hire.’
252. There is hardly another instance of ‘ but’ for ‘bot’ in F, and the form ‘right’ for ‘riht’ in the preceding line is very unusual.
260. ‘he manhode, i.e. human nature: see note on 1.72. For ‘thenkth’ see note on 461.
263. withholde, * retained as her servant.’
268. in the point &c., i.e. so soon as it is collected. The allusion is to the circumstances of the campaign of the Bishop of Norwich in
NOTES. Prot. 278—585 463
ill-treatment take away the wool which shall remain upon the thorns, torn out by the briars, &c. The archdeacon's court is chiefly referred to.
416. chalk for chese, cp. ii. 2346: it is a proverbial expression still current.
430. ‘ We see the lot drawn amiss’: for ‘merel’ cp. Mir. 23496.
484. Hebr. v. 4.
452. in audience, ‘in public assembly’ : cp. ii. 2556.
454. a chirie feire, taken as an emblem of delights which are tran- sitory : cp. vi. 890f.,
* And that endureth bot a throwe, Riht as it were a cherie feste.'
460. understode, past subj. with indefinite sense: cp. i. 383, ii. 88, iii. 971, iv. 2597, 2728, vi. 1474. *Whoso understood their words, to him it seems likely,’ &c., instead of ‘to him it would seem likely”? ; cp. 1. 520.
461. The distinction between ‘thinke’ and ‘thenke’ is completely lost in Gowers usage: 'thenke' is the regular form for both, but ‘thinke’ is admitted equally for both in rhyme, as v. 213, 254.
480. ‘For fear that (On the chance that) I may say wrong.’ The subject is a delicate one and the author shows similar caution when dealing with it in the #srour.
492. as of, ‘as regards’: cp. i. 557, iii. 1479, &c.
Latin Verses. iv. 4. velle, used as a noun, ‘will’: so ‘de puro velle’ in the lines at the beginning of the second book.
909 f. ‘Which with great difficulty man shall restrain, if he shall restrain it ever.'
521. For the position of ‘and’ see note on 155.
525. stonde upon: cp. 214.
529. som men: ‘som’ is uninflected in this expression: on the other hand we have ‘somme clerkes,’ l. 355.
546. {ke man, so 582: see note on 72.
950 f. ‘If any one thinks otherwise, look at the people of Israel’: ‘Behold’ is 2nd sing. imperative. The unusual form ‘ Irael' is given by the best MSS. here and elsewhere, and we must suppose that it proceeds from the author.
558. sonde full: perhaps a reference to 503 ff., or a metaphor from the tides.
567 (margin). The quotation is from Cons. Phil. ii. Pr. 4: ‘Quam multis amaritudinibus humanae felicitatis dulcedo respersa est.” The constant references to Fortune and her wheel may probably be sug- gested by Boethius, e. g. ii. Pr. 1.
578. i.e. till the end of all things.
585ff. This vision of Nebuchadnezzar, which our author takes as his guide to universal history, is made the subject of illustration in those MSS. which have miniatures at or near the beginning of the Confessio Amantts.
464 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
618. Fel doun: cp. iii. 2492, ‘That have I herd the gospell seith.’
668. ko! : see note on 683.
676. * And he kept himself in this condition undisturbed,’ the subject being supplied from 1. 671, ‘Was in that kinges time tho.’ For omission of pronoun cp. Prol. 348, i. 1895, 2083, 2462, &c. However, the fall of the Empire took place not in the reign of Nebucbadnezzar but of Belshazzar (see I. 685).
683. Here and in 693 the best MSS. have ‘ put’ for ‘ putte,’ and this entire suppression of the inflexional syllable in cases where it is lost to the metre by elision is sufficiently well-attested to justify us in accepting it as an occasional practice of the author, both in the case of verbs and adjectives ; cp. 668, 739, &c. It is especially common with this particular verb, e.g. i. 1578, 1807, 3213, ii. 93, 1021, &c., where ‘put’ is used for infinitive as well as for the preterite. Much more rarely in cases where there is no elision, as i. 732. On the other hand, we have ‘putte’ pret. before an elision, l. 1069, i. 2797, ‘pute’ inf. i. 462, iv. 1641.
702. In the marginal summary here F gives 'Imparatoris, and sometimes in other places where the word is fully written, as i. 1417, ii. $93, 2506, 3201. However, ‘Imperator’ is also found in various places of the same MS., as vii. 2416, and the contracted form * Impator ' has in this edition been written out so.
725. Of that honour which tok, i. e. ‘of such honour that he took.’
788. so vileins: a clear case of French plural of the adjective, used here for the sake of the rhyme.
739. fais : see notes on 221, 683.
745 ff. It is hardly necessary to point out that our author's history is here incorrect. Charlemagne was not called in against the Emperor Leo, who died in the year before he was born, but against the Lombards by Adrian I, and then against the rebellious citizens of Rome by Leo III, on which latter occasion he received the imperial crown.
756. Of Rome and: cp. ll. 759, 766, and note on 155.
761. doth restore, i.e. * causeth to be restored.’
712 ff. Here again the story is historically inaccurate, but it is not worth while to set it straight.
786 ff. The meaning seems to be, ‘ But this after all is what we might expect, for prosperity (they say) seldom endures.'
795. hath no felawe, ‘hath no supporter or champion’: cp. Praise of Peace, 266, ‘ And in this wise hath charite no brother.’
809. The punctuation follows F.
828. expondeth. This form occurs also in ll. 663, 873, as a reading of F. The French terminations ‘-on,’ ‘-oun,’ had the same sound and rhymed together, and the same is true of ‘-ance,’ ‘-aunce.’ Probably on the same principle therefore ‘expondeth’ may stand for ‘expoundeth,’ and rhyme with ' foundeth': cp. viii. 235 f. On the other hand, in i. 2867 we have expounde, founde. It may be noted that *exponde' is the form used in the French works, e.g. Mir. 22192, Zrait. xi. 20, where it
NOTES. Prot. 618-985 465
rhymes with Rosemonde, responde, immonde. Asa rule in the Mirour this class of words is given without ‘u,’ but in one stanza we have * responde,’ ‘monde,’ ‘ blonde’ in rhyme together, 8681 ff.
886. Cz#: this is the true reading; the word occurs also Mz». 7197.
848. now with that beforn, ‘ the present with the past,’ ‘now’ being used as a substantive.
850. the sothe sere: this is the reading of the third recension ; the others have ‘the soth schal seie.’ Either text is admissible, for ‘ soth’ is used as a substantive, but ‘the sothe’ is usually preferred, as in 1. 834, and i. 981, iii. 765.
858. Cp. ii. 3490.
881. writ: syncopated present, ‘writeth.’ The reference is to I Cor. x. IL
891. Statue: a dissyllable in Gower and Chaucer (equivalent to ‘statwe”), and here reduced to one syllable by elision : cp. Cant. Zales, À. 975. The longer form ‘ stature’ occurs vi. 1524.
900. these clerkes : demonstrative for definite article, as in French; cp. i. 608, and see note on Mir. 301.
905. See I. 965. Perhaps here ‘cause of’ means ‘because of, as ‘whos cause’ for ‘because of which’ 1040; but I suspect rather an inversion of order, for * Man is cause of al this wo.’
907. that in tokne, cp. 122.
910 ff. This matter of the corruption of all creation through man’s fall is discussed at length both in the Mirour, 26605 ff., and in the Vox Clamantis, vii. 509€.
945 ff. This is one of Gower's favourite citations : it occurs also Ai». 26869, Vox Clam. vii. 639. It is quoted here from AMora/fa, vi. 16 (Migne, Pa£r. vol. 75, p. 740): ‘Homo itaque, quia habet commune esse cum lapidibus, vivere cum arboribus, sentire cum animalibus, discernere cum angelis, recte nomine universitatis exprimitur) In the Mirour it is given as from the Homilies; see Hom. in Ev. xxix. 2. The passage is also quoted in the Roman dela Rose, 19246 ff. (ed. Méon),
‘Il a son.estre avec les pierres, Et vit avec les herbes drues, Et sent avec les bestes mues,’ &c,
947. the lasse world, i.e. a microcosm: cp. Vox Clam. vii. 645, ‘Sic minor est mundus homo, qui fert singula solus."
The saying is attributed to Aristotle in Mivour, 26929.
958. That is, the stones have existence and so hath he, this being the only point in common.
955. as fel/eth the clergie, ‘as learning informs us.’
975. The which, resumed by ‘ He’ in 978: for, i.e. ‘ since.”
979. That is, the opposite elements in his constitution (‘complexioun’) are so much at variance with one another,
985. ‘Without separation of parts.’
+ H h
NOTES. Lis. I. 422-718 469
595. feigneth conscience, that is, makes pretence as to his feeling, or state of mind, (‘ As thogh it were al innocence’): cp. iii. 1504, * Mi conscience I woll noght hyde.’ The explanation suggested in the Mew Engl. Dict. that ‘conscience’ stands for ' conscientiousness ' or ‘rightful dealing,' will hardly do, and the word does not seem to be used early in this sense.
999. the vein astat: see note on Prol. 221.
608. these ordres, i.e. * the orders’ (of religion) : so ‘these clerkes,’ Prol. 900.
where he duelleth, that is, the hypocrite, standing for Hypocrisy in general.
623. religioun, the members of the religious orders, as distinguished from the rest of the clergy.
626. Jt scheweth, ‘it appears’: cp. Prol. 834.
636. devolte apparantie : the words are pure French, and the French feminine form is as naturally used for the adjective, as in the ‘ seinte apparantie' of Air. 1124. We cannot apply the English rule of the definite adjective to such combinations as this: cp: note on Prol. 221. However, ‘devoute’ in L 669 seems to be the plural form.
637. se/, present tense : so ll. 650, 707, &c.
648. these othre seculers, ‘the men of the world also.”
650. * He makes no reckoning in his account.’
695. As he which &c.; that is simply, ‘feigning to be sick,’ so iv. 1833, ‘As he who feigneth to be wod’ ; cp. vii. 3955. The expression ‘ as he which,’ ‘as sche which,’ is very commonly used by Gower in this sense ; cp. i. 925, 1640, &c., and Mir. 27942, ‘ Comme cil q'est tout puissant,’ * being all-powerful.’
698. Cp. iv. 1180, ‘And thus mi contienance I pike.’ It means ‘he makes many a pretence.’
709. Entamed, ‘wounded’: used in a similar moral sense in Air. 25161, ‘Car Covoitise les entame.'
718. As forto feigne, i.e. ‘as regards feigning’: so 1. 723, * as to my ladi diere.’
718 ff. For the form of sentence, which is a favourite one with our author in all his three languages, but especially perhaps in Latin, cp. Mirour, 18589 ff.,
* Unques le corps du sainte Heleine Serchant la croix tant ne se peine,
Qe nous ovesque nostre Court,
Assetz n'y mettons plus du peine,” &c.
Vox Clam. i. 263 ft., ‘In Colchos tauri, quos vicit dextra Iasonis, Non ita sulphureis ignibus ora fremunt,
Quin magis igne boues isti,’ &c.
So also Bal. vii. 23, xviii. 8, xxx. 10; Vox Clam. i. 355, 449, 499, &c.; Conf. Am. i. 1259, 1319, &c.
NOTES. Lis. I. 1225-1886 473
Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain accepts the proposal from loyalty to his lord, and the rest is much as in Gower's version. It should be noted that the alternative of day or night appears in the ballad and was a feature of the original story, which Chaucer altered.
The Percy fragment of 74e Marriage of Sir Gawain, also printed in Sir F. Madden's volume, is the same story as we have in the other ballad. The name Florent and that of the Emperor Claudius are probably due to Gower, who is apt to attach to his stories names of his own choosing: cp. Lucius and Dionys (Conf. Am. v. 7124*, Mir. 7101), Spertachus for Cyrus (vii. 3418), &c.
Shakespeare refers to Gower’s story in the line,
* Be she as foul as was Florentius! love.' Tam. of the Skr. i. 2. 69.
1427. Ais oghne hondes: cp. iii. 2011, 2142 ; v. 1884, 5455 (‘seide his oghne mouth’).
1509. schape unto the lere, ‘ prepared for the loss’ (OE. lyre).
1521. far aventure, or ‘ per aventure” as given by J. The former of the two words is as usual contracted in F.
1536. his horse heved, ‘his horse’s head’: cp. Prol. 1085, iv. 1357, &c. The word ‘heved,’ also written ‘hefd,’ ‘hed,’ is a monosyllable as regards the metre. ,
1541. Florent be thi name: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 3982, ‘dan Piers be youre name.’
1556. ‘I ask for nothing better (to be imposed) as a task.’
1587. Have hier myn hond: so in Chaucer, ‘ Have heer my trouthe,’ D 1013.
1662. This is one of the closest parallels with the ballad,
‘And she that told the nowe, sir Arthoure, I pray to god 1 maye se her bren on a fyre.’ Weddynge of Syr Gawene, 475.
1676. what: cp. the use of ‘quoy’ in French, e.g. Mir. 1781.
1677. caste on his yhe, ‘ cast his eye upon.’
1714. ‘ He must, whom fate compels.’ The words ‘schal,’ ‘scholde’ are regularly used by Gower to express the idea of destiny, e.g. iii. 1348, iv. 92, 377.
1722. ‘ Placing her as he best could.’
1727. Bot as an oule &c. So in Chaucer,
‘And al day after hidde him as an owle, . So wo was hym, his wyf looked so foule.’ D 1081 f.
1767. tok thanne chiere on honde, ‘ began to be merry.’
1771. And profreth him ... fo kisse,i.e. offers to kiss him: cp. v. 6923, * Anon he profreth him to love.’
1886. #7 it overthrowe, i.e. till it fall into calamity, *overthrowe' being intransitive, as 1962.
NOTES. Lis. II. 83-404 481
265 f. ‘When I see another man labour where I cannot achieve success.’ For this use of ‘to’ cp. Prol. 133, &c.
283. fo hindre with, ‘whereby to hinder’: cp. i. 452, 2172.
291 ff. This story, as Prof. Morley points out, is to be found among the fables of Avian, which were widely known. Gower has amplified it considerably. The fable is as follows:
xxii ‘ Iuppiter, ambiguas hominum praediscere mentes, Ad terram Phoebum misit ab arce poli. Tunc duo diversis poscebant numina votis, Namque alter cupidus, invidus alter erat ; His sese medium Titan scrutatus utrumque Obtulit et, * Precibus Iuppiter aecus," ait, * Praestandi facilis; nam quae speraverit unus, Protinus haec alter congeminata feret." Sed cui longa iecur nequiit satiare cupido, Distulit admotas in sua dona preces, IO Spem sibi confidens alieno crescere voto, Seque ratus solum munera ferre duo. ]lle ubi captantem socium sua praemia vidit, Supplicium proprii corporis optat ovans ; Nam petit extincto iam lumine degat ut uno, Alter ut hoc duplicans vivat utroque carens. Tum sortem sapiens humanam risit Apollo, Invidiaeque malum rettulit ipse Iovi, Quae dum proventis aliorum gaudet iniquis, Laetior infelix et sua damna cupit. 20
]. 6. Iuppiter aecus Lachmann vt peteretur cdd.
309. Now lowde wordes &c., i.e. Now with loud words, &c.; cp. vii. 170.
317. That on, ‘The one.’
323 (margin). macwlaust. Du Cange has, ‘ Waculare, Vulnerare, vel vulnerando deformare.'
389. Malebouche, cp. Roman de la Rose, 2847 ff., Mirour de l'omme, 2677 ff.
390. £y] ne crouche, ‘pile nor cross, cross and pile being the too sides of a coin, head and tail.
899 f. The meaning of ‘heraldie’ is rather uncertain here. Probably it stands for * office of herald,’ and the passage means, * Holding the place of herald in the court of liars’; but the Mew Engl. Dict. apparently takes it in the sense of ‘livery,’ comparing the French ‘heraudie,’ a cassock, and an eighteenth-century example in English. In this case we must understand the lines to mean ‘ wearing the livery of those who lie,’ that is, being in their service.
401 ff. Cp. Mirour, 3721 ff.
404. fals, see note on Prol, 221. Just below (l. 412) we have ‘his
false tunge.’
ss 11
NOTES. Lis. II. 590-964 485
709 ff. Note the free transposition of clauses for the sake of the rhymes. The logical order would be 709, 711, 710, 713, 712.
711. for yeres fyve. Trivet says ‘pur treis aunz,' but he keeps her at sea nevertheless for nearly five.
736. gon, plural, ‘he and his wife go’: cp. 1152.
749 ff. In the MSS. the paragraph begins at ‘Constance loveth,’ l. 751.
792. ‘They speaking every day together alone, an absolute use: cp. 1723. For ‘betwen hem two’ cp. 653.
762. Punctuated after ‘hire’ in F.
771. Thou bysne man. The word ‘ bysne' is taken from the original story. Trivet says she spoke in the Saxon language and said, * Bisne man, en lhesu name in rode yslawe haue pi siht' (MS. Rawl. f. 34).
785. As he that. The reference is to the king, so that we should. rather expect ‘As him that,’ but the phrase is a stereotyped one and does not always vary in accordance with grammatical construction : cp. 1623. We find however also ‘ As him which,’ iii. 1276.
791. ‘The time being appointed moreover’: an absolute use of the participle.
831. *trencha la gowle Hermigild': therefore the fact that Gower and Chaucer agree in saying that he cut her throat has no special significance.
833. The reading ‘ that dier,’ or ‘that diere, was apparently a mis- take of the original copyist. It appears in all the unrevised copies of the first recension and also in B. A however has the corrected reading.
857. After, ‘In accordance with.’ .
880 ff. Here Chaucer follows the original more closely than Gower, as also just above, ‘him smoot upon the nekke boon. The words of the miraculous voice are given in Latin by Trivet, ‘ Aduersus filiam matris ecclesie ponebas scandalum: hoc fecisti et tacui ' (‘et non tacui’ Rawl. Stockh.). Chaucer has (B 674 ff.),
‘And seyde, **Thou hast desclaundred gilteles The doughter of holy chirche in heigh presence: Thus hastou doon and yet holde I my pees.’’’
895. This line occurs several times, e.g. i. 2106, ii. 2670.
905. Zucie, apparently to be pronounced ‘Lucfe.’ Such names usually appear either in the Latin forms * Lucius,’ ‘ Tiberius,’ * Clau- dius, ‘Virginius,’ or with accent on the antepenultimate syllable * Tibérie, ‘ Mercürie the ‘i’ not being counted as a syllable.
947. What the right name really is we can hardly say for certain. The printed text of the French gives * Domulde' or ‘ Domilde,' the Rawlinson MS. has ‘ Downilde,’ and Chaucer makes it * Donegild.’
964. which is of faterie. In the French book the letter states that the queen has been transformed since the king’s departure into the likeness of another creature and is an evil spirit in woman's form.
NOTES. Lis. III. 300-818 495
944. Hire oghte noght be. For this impersonal use with the simple infinitive cp. 704.
545. For J, i.e. ‘For that I": cp. 820, &c.
985. This expression, which Pauli for some reason calls an ‘ obscene proverb,’ seems to be nearly equivalent to the saying about the bird that fouls his own nest (cp. A/irour, 23413), and refers apparently to recriminations between the owl and the stock upon which he sits, on the matter of cleanliness. The application is to the case of the man who quarrels with his own performances, and naturally has the worst of it himself.
626. ‘World’ seems to be the true reading here, though ‘ word’ stood in the earlier form of text. The meaning is ‘that state of things shall never be permitted by me. The use of ‘world’ is like that which we have in i. 178, where ‘mi world’ means ‘my condition’: cp. Prol. 383, 1081. The verb ‘asterte’ is used in the sense of escaping notice and so being allowed to pass or to happen: cp. i. 1934,
* Bot that ne schal me noght asterte, "To wene forto be worthi,’ &c. Cp. i. 722.
The expression ‘that word schal me nevere asterte’ is a more ordinary one (and therefore more likely to have been introduced by a copyist), but it gives no satisfactory sense here.
641 ff. The story was a hackneyed one, and occurs in many places. It is shortly told by Jerome, Adv. Jovin. i. 48.
665. what labour that sche toke. The verb is subjunctive, either because the form of speech is indirect, cp. 708, or because the ex- pression is indefinite.
699. Cp. Mirour, 4185 ff., where after telling the same story the author roundly declares that he shall not follow the example.
704. Him oghte.... bere: cp. 544, 1666.
708. how that if stode: subjunctive of indirect speech, under rhyme influence: cp. ii. 1243 and L 771 below, and see note on Prol. 41.
736. Met. iii. 316ff. We have here the rest of the story which was referred to above, 361 ff. The point of the incident as told by Ovid is (perhaps purposely) missed by Gower, who does not mention the reason why Tiresias was selected as judge.
737. That is, according to the religious belief which then prevailed.
762. * And yet the other state would have pleased him better, to have had’ &c.
771. what he mene: for the subjunctive cp. 708.
782. of olde ensample : for ‘olde’ in this expression cp. 1683; but ‘of old time,’ i. 1072, ‘an old ensample,’ iv. 75.
788. This is from Ovid, Ae. ii. 542 ff. The Cornide of Gower's story is Coronis. The story is told at greater length by Chaucer as the Manciples Tale.
818 ff. From Ovid, Fas, ii. 585 ff.
NOTES. Lis. III. 1348-1911 499 .
me together. For the use of ‘betwen’ see note on ii. 653. The posi- tion of *Only' is affected by metrical requirements : see note on ii. 709.
1478. oure herte bothe, ‘the hearts of us both. The singular ‘herte’ is given by the best copies of each recension.
1496. Bewar : thus written several times in F, e.g. 1738. Here A also has ‘ Bewar.’
1524. Aim stant of meno fere : cp. ii. 2124.
1537. Daunger: see note on i. 2443.
1593 ff. The construction of the sentence is interrupted, but the sense is clear: ‘For if I, who have given all my will and wit to her service, should in reward thereof be suffered to die, it would be pity.’ For this kind of irregularity cp. i. 98, 2948, &c.
1605. The reading ‘in such,’ though given by both S and F, must be wrong.
1630. overthrewe. The verb no doubt is intransitive, as often, e. g. 1. 1886, 1962, and below, 1. 1638.
1666. Aim oghte have be: cp. 704.
1685 ff. Ovid, Me/. i. 453-567. Gower cuts the story short.
1701. Ovid, Met. i. 470,
* Quod facit auratum est et cuspide fulget acuta.'
(Merkel alters ‘auratum’ to ‘hamatum,’ but this is certainly-wrong.)
1704. Note that the final syllable of ‘Daphne’ is subject to elision here and in 1716: so * Progne' v. 5574, &c.
1718 ff. The suggestion is Gower's own, as in other:similar cases, e. g. i. 2355.
1748. ‘And it is to be desired that a man,’ &c.
1757 ff. This story is chiefly from Benoit, Roman de Trote, 28025 ff. Guido omits many details which are given by Gower. Note that in ]. 28025, where Joly’s edition has ‘Samas,’ Guido and Gower both have * Athemas.' Our author has treated his materials freely and tells the story at greater length. The speech which he assigns to Nestor is for the most part original.
1885 ff. The tale of Orestes is from Benoit de Sainte- More, Rom. de Troie, 27925-27990, 28155-28283, and 28339-28402. Guido omits the visit of Orestes to Athens to obtain help for his expedition, the portion of the oracle which bad him tear away his mother’s breasts, and the name of Menetius (or Menesteus), who defended Orestes, and Gower’s details are in general more in accordance with those of Benoft. A few exceptions may be found, however. For example, Gower says that Agamemnon was murdered as he lay in bed (1915), Guido, ‘dum suo soporatus dormiret in lecto,’ but Benoit only, ‘ L'ont la première nuit ocis.’ Again, Guido calls Idomeneus ‘ consanguineum eius,’ and Gower says, ‘So as he was of his lignage,’ of which Benoit says nothing. No doubt Gower was acquainted with both, and preferred the French because he perceived it to be better.
1911. ‘To set her love in place where it cannot be secure.’
Kk2
NOTES. Lis. III. 2022—IV. 92 501
rather more correctly as ‘Theutran.’ Also Il. 2674-2680, Roman de Trote, 6545-6553, have nothing corresponding to them in Guido. Guido here certainly referred to a copy of the so-called Dares, where the name occurs in its classical form ‘Teuthras.’ He is particularly interested in the story on local grounds, being concerned to show that the ‘ Messe’ which he found in Benoft might be connected with the name of his place of residence, Messina, and that the events related occurred actually in Sicily. Accordingly he speaks of certain columns popularly called ‘columns of Hercules,’ which existed in his own time in Sicily, ‘ex parte Barbarorum,’ i.e. on the south coast, and takes them as evidence of the connexion of Hercules with the island, and hence of the probability that this story (which in the original has to do with Hercules, though Gower has excluded him from it) had its scene in Sicily. Dares, he admits, says nothing of this, and his reference to Dares is here in more precise form than usual, ‘in suo codice’ according to the Bodleian MS., though the printed editions give ‘in suo opere ' (MS. Add. A. 365, f. 50 v^).
He says of the place where these columns are, ‘qui locus dicitur adhuc columpnarum,’ and adds that the emperor Frederic II has established a town there, and that the place is now called ‘terra nova.” This is obviously identical with the modern Terranova, founded by Frederic II near the site of the ancient Gela. It seems probable that Guido may have been himself a native of this place or of its im- mediate neighbourhood, and that he chose to call himself after its former designation, * Columpna ! or * Columpnae,’ instead of by the new name which had come into use during his own lifetime’.
2643. His Sone. This is a mistake on the part of Gower. Both Benoit and Guido state quite clearly that Telephus was the son of Hercules, and that it was to Hercules that the obligation was due which is referred to in 2690ff. Perhaps the copy of the Roman de Troie which Gower used bad ‘ Thelefus fu filz Achilles’ for * Thelefus fu filz Hercules,’ in l. 6506.
2756. Weshouldrather haveexpected ‘That I fro you wol nothing hele.’
LIB. IV. 9. Cp. Mirour, 5606, ‘Lachesce dist, Demein, Demein.’ 88. Thou schalt mowe: cp. ii. 1670, where we have ‘mow’ for ‘mowe.’ 60. a fin. This is a French expression, which appears repeatedly in
the Mirour as ‘au fin.’ 77 ff. The only definite indication of sources here is the reference
(such as it is) to Ovid, Her. Ef. vii., contained in ll. 104-115.
92. as if be scholde, cp. iii. 1348.
! On inquiry in the locality I find that Terranova, which has always had a column for its emblem, claims Guido as a native: see Memorie Gelest by Sign. S. D. Navarra, Terranova 1896, pp. 72 f.
NOTES. Lis. IV. 104-733 503
371 ff. The story of Pygmalion is from Ovid, AMe/am. x. 243-297.
377. ‘ Being destined to the labours of love’: cp. note on iii. 143 (end).
415. how if were, i.e. ‘how so ever it were’: cp. 1. 1848.
448. a solein tale, ‘a strange tale This word ‘solein’ (or ‘soulein’), which English etymologists in search for the origin of ‘ sullen’ report as hardly to be found in French, occurs repeatedly in the Mirour de l’omme in the sense of ‘alone,’ ‘lonely.’ For the meaning here assigned to it we may compare the modern use of the word ‘ singular,’ which in Gower’s French meant ‘lonely.’ There is no authority for Pauli’s reading ‘solempne,’ and it gives neither sense nor metre.
451 ff. The tale of Iphis is from Ovid, Metam. ix. 666-797, abbreviated and altered with advantage.
453 ff. The authority of the MSS. is strongly in favour of ‘grete: lete’ in these lines, and this reading is certainly right. We must take ‘lete’ as the past participle of the strong verb ‘leten’ (from ‘létan’), meaning ‘leave,’ ‘omit,’ and ‘grete’ as accommodated to the rhyme. The negative construction following rather suggests ‘let,’ meaning ‘hindered ' as ii. 128 ff., but the rhyme ‘let : gret’ would be an im- possible one. See note on i. 3365 and cp. I. 1153.
985. And stonde, i.e.‘ And I stonde’: cp. i. 1895, &c., and below, l. 697.
624. on miself along, so below l. 952, * It is noght on mi will along,’ and Chaucer, Zroi/us, ii. 1001,
* On me is nought along thyn yvel fare.
The use of ‘on’ for ‘of’ in this phrase is still known in some dialects.
647 ff. For the Ring of Forgetfulness here spoken of see Petrus Comestor, Exodus vi., where it is related that Moses in command of the Egyptians captured the chief city of the Ethiopians by the help of Tarbis, daughter of their king, and married her in recompense of her services. "Then, wishing to return to Egypt and being detained by his wife, 'tanquam vir peritus astrorum duas imagines sculpsit in gemmis huius efficaciae, ut altera memoriam, altera oblivionem conferret. Cumque paribus anulis eas inseruisset, alterum, scilicet oblivionis anulum, uxori praebuit, alterum ipse tulit; ut sic pari amore sic paribus anulis insignirentur. Coepit ergo mulier amoris viri oblivisci, et tandem libere in Aegyptum regressus est’ (Migne, Pafrol. vol. 198, p. 1144). Cp. Godfr. Viterb., Pantheon, v. (p. 115).
731 ff. Partly from Ovid, Her. Ef. ii. and Rem. Am. 591-604; but there was probably some other source, for our author would not find anything in Ovid about the transformation into a tree. Many of the details seem to be of his own invention, and he is probably respon- sible for the variation which makes the visit of Demophon to Thrace take place on the way to Troy instead of on the return. Chaucer’s form of the story in the Legend of Good Women is quite different.
133. F is here followed in punctuation.
504 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
716. a Monthe day: Ovid, Her. Ef. ii. 3f.,
* Cornua cum lunae pleno semel orbe coissent, Litoribus nostris ancora pacta tua est.'
782. Cp. Ovid, Ars Am. ii. 354, ‘Exarsit velis acrius illa datis.'
787 ff. Except the idea of a letter being sent, Gower takes little here from Ovid.
816 ff. This passage seems mostly of Gower's invention, partly perhaps on the suggestion of the story of Hero and Leander in Ovid, Her. Ef. xix. 33 ff. See Bech in Anglia, v. 347.
do set up. Apparently ‘set’ is the participle, cp. ii. 1799.
833. al Aire one. This idea is emphasized by Ovid, Rem. Am. 591 f.
869. This piece of etymology is perhaps due to our author, who usually adds something of his own to the stories of transformation which he relates; see note on i. 2355. Lydgate says that Phyllis hanged herself upon a filbert-tree, but he perhaps took the notion from Gower :
‘Upon the walles depeint men myght se Hou she was honged upon a filbert tre.’ Temple of Glas, 88. See the note in Dr. Schick's edition, E. E. T. S. 1891. 893. Cp. Mirour, 5436,
‘Lors est il sage apres la mein,’
of which this line is an exact reproduction.
904. pleith an aftercast. This looks like a metaphor from casting dice, but it is difficult to see the exact application. It means of course here that he is always too late in what he says and does.
914. come at thin above, i.e. attain to success: cp. Mirour, 25350,
‘Car lors est Triche a son dessus.’
964. See note on 1. 2677.
979 ff. The story may probably enough be taken from Ovid, Aetas. ii. 1-324, but if so it is much abbreviated.
which is the Sonne hote,‘ which is called the Sun’; cp. ii. 131 f. Possibly, however, *hote' may be the adjective, with definite termina- tion for the sake of the rhyme. There would be no objection to rhyming with it the adverb of the same form.
1030 ff. The moral drawn by Gower from the story of Phaeton is against going too low, that is abandoning the higher concerns of love owing to slothful negligence. The next story is against aiming too high and neglecting the due claims of service.
1085 ff. Ovid, Metam. viii. 183-235.
1090 f. Cp. Mirour, 5389 ff.
1096. who as evere take: so ‘what man’ is very commonly used with subjunctive, iii. 2508 &c., but the uncertainty of the construction is shown by ‘And thinkth’ in the next line. See notes on Prol. 13, 460.
NOTES. Lis. IV. 776-1330 505
1108 ff. Cp. Mirour, 5395 ff.
1131. A superfluous syllable, such as we have at the pause in this line, is very unusual in Gower's verse; but cp. v. 447.
1158. dete J ne mai, * I may not neglect’: see note on i. 3365.
1180. Cp. i. 698, ‘And many a contenance he piketh.’ It means here perhaps ‘thus I keep up a pretence (for staying).
1245 ff. A somewhat similar story to this is to be found in Andreas Capellanus, De Amore, to which my attention was first called by Mr. Archer. This book (written about 1220) gives imaginary colloquies between different kinds of persons, to illustrate the ways of courtship, ‘Plebeius loquitur plebeiae, ‘ Plebeius nobili, ‘ Nobilis plebeiae,’ ‘Nobilis nobili.’ In this last occurs the story of a squire who saw the god of love leading a great company of ladies in three bands, the first well mounted and well attended, the second well mounted but attended by so many that it was a hindrance rather than a help, and the third in wretched array with lame horses and no attendance. The meaning of the sight is explained to the squire by one of these last, and he is taken to see the appropriate rewards and punishments of each band. Herelates what he has seen to his mistress in order to make her more ready to accept his suit (pp. 91-108, ed. Trojel, 1892).
There are some expressions which resemble those which Gower uses, as quarum quaelibet in equo pinguissimo et formoso et suavissime ambulante sedebat! (p. 92), cp. 1309 f.,
‘On faire amblende hors thei sete That were al whyte, fatte and grete.’
And again, *domina quaedam . . . habens equum macerrimum et turpem et tribus pedibus claudicantem,’ cp. 1343 ff. The story, however, is different in many ways from that of Gower. For other similar stories see the article in Romania for January 1900 on the ‘ Purgatory of Cruel Beauties? by W. A. Neilson.
The tale of Rosiphelee is well told by Gower, and in more than one passage it bears marks of having been carefully revised by the author. The alteration of 1321f. is peculiarly happy, and gives us one of the best couplets in the Confessio Amantis.
1285. the Sonne Ariste: cp. iii. 1224. The capital letter was per- haps intended to mark ' Ariste’ as a substantive.
1307. comen ryde : cp. i. 350.
1309. ‘hors’ is evidently plural here: so i. 2036 and often.
1320. Jong and smal, i.e. tall and slender. Adjectives used predi- catively with a plural subject take the plural inflection or not according to convenience. Thus in Prol. 81 we have ' Bot for my wittes ben to smale' in rhyme with ‘tale.’
1823. deere. This is pret. plur., as 1376: the same form for pret. subj. 2749.
1330. For pure abaissht: cp. Chaucer, 7roilus, ii. 656, ‘And with that thought for pure ashamed she Gan in hir hed to pulle” The
506 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
parallel, to which my attention was called by Prof. McCormick, suggests the idea that ‘abaissht’ is a participle rather than a noun, and the use of the past participle with ‘for’ in this manner occurs several times in Lydgate, e.g. ‘for unknowe,’ ‘meaning from ignorance,’ Zemfe of Glas, 632, ‘for astonied,’ 934, 1366, and so with an adjective, ‘for pure wood’ in the English Rom. of the Rose,276. See Dr. Schick’s note on Lydgate, Zemple of Glas, 632. 1422. That I ne hadde, *1 would that I had’: cp. v. 3747,
‘Ha lord, that he ne were alonde!’
‘to late war’ is in a kind of loose apposition to the subject.
1429. sche. Rather perhaps ‘swich,’ as ii. 566 f, v. 377. Most MSS. have ‘such.’
1432 ff. warneth ... bidd. The singular of the imperative seems to be freely interchanged with the plural in this form of address.
1454 (margin). The author dissociates himself personally from the extreme doctrines enunciated in the text, as at first he took care to remind his readers that the character of a lover was for him only an assumed one (i. 63 ff. margin).
1490. and longe er that sche changeth &c. This is a puzzling sen- tence, and we are not helped by the punctuation of the MSS., which for the most part have a stop after ‘herte.’ I can only suppose that it means ‘and is long before she changes her heart in her youth to mar- riage.’ We can hardly make ‘longe? a verb, ‘and may be eager until she changes,' because of the lines which follow.
1505 ff. Judges xi. Our author has expanded the story so far as regards the mourning for the virginity of Jephthah's daughter, that being the point with which he was particularly concerned here.
1516. * Whether it be of man or woman.
1537 ff. In the original this is different, * Heu me, filia mea, decepisti me et ipsa decepta es: aperui enim os meum ad Dominum, et aliud facere non potero. Gower deals freely here as elsewhere with the narrative, especially in the matter of speeches.
1563. fourty daies : in the original ‘ duobus mensibus."
1632 ff. Cp. Mirour, 11694.
1649. as me thenketh ... That, equivalent to ‘me thinketh ... That,’ either ‘as’ or ‘ That’ being redundant.
1659. The best MSS. give ‘ hepen’ here, not ‘ hepene.’
1693 ff. Roman de Troie, 18385 ff. In the medieval Tale of Troy it is the love of Polyxena which serves as motive for the withdrawal of Achilles from the war.
1723. which J travaile fore. We have here rather a remarkable in- stance of emphasis thrown on the preposition, with a modification of form for the sake of the rhyme: cp. ii. 565.
1741. On whether bord, i. e. on which tack : technical terms of the sea occur several times in the Confessio Amantis,e.g.v. 3119, 7048, viii. 1983.
1810. made: cp. Prol. 300.
NOTES. Lis. IV. 1422-2054 507
1815 ff. Gower seems to have dealt rather freely with this story. The usual form of it gives Palamedes, not Nauplius, as the person who came to fetch Ulysses, and makes Ulysses yoke a horse and an ox to- gether in a plough as a sign of madness: see Hyginus, Faë. xcv. As to the name of Nauplus, see notes on iii. 973, 1002.
1833. That is, ‘feigning to be mad,’ not ‘like one who feigns to be mad’: see note on i. 695.
1847 ff. ‘ He thought to try if he were mad or no, however it might please Ulysses,’ that is, whether it pleased him or not. ‘Hou’ seems to be for ‘ How so evere’: cp. 1. 415.
1875. £ofhe, written so when the emphasis falls on the preposition, see note on i. 232.
1901 ff. Ovid, Her. £5. xiii.
1927. F has a stop after *londeth,' thus throwing the clause, ‘and was the ferste there Which londeth,’ into a parenthesis.
1935 ff. 1 Sam. xxviii, where the witch is called * mulier pythonem habens.'
1968 ff. The story of the education of Achilles by Chiron, as we have it here, is apparently taken, directly or indirectly, from Statius, Aches//. ii. 121 (407) ff,
* Nunquam ille imbelles Ossaea per avia damas Sectari, aut timidas passus me cuspide lyncas Sternere, sed tristes turbare cubilibus ursos Fulmineosque sues, et sicubi maxima tigris Aut seducta iugis fetae spelunca leaenae.
Ipse sedens vasto facta exspectabat in antro, Si sparsus magno remearem sanguine ; nec me Ante nisi inspectis admisit ad oscula telis.'
2014 ff. The argument is to the effect that Prowess, which is ac- knowledged to be the virtue opposed to Sloth, see Airour, 10136 &c., must show itself partly in the spirit of warlike boldness, ‘the corage of hardiesce,’ leading to such undertakings as those of which the Lover had disputed the necessity.
2040. And that, i.e. ‘And as to that’: cp. Prol. 122.
2045 ff. The fight between Hercules and Achelous is related in detail by Ovid, Metam. ix. 31-88. Some parts of this seem to be reproduced by Gower, but the details are not very exactly copied. For the story generally he had some other authority, whence he got for example the names ‘ Oénes’ and ‘ Calidoyne.’
It is to be noted that Gower gives * Achelons' instead of Achelous, as he does also in the 7raïfié, vii. 5, where the story is shortly told in the same way as here, and there we find *Achelontis' in the margin as the genitive case. He ought to have been preserved from the mistake by the occurrence of the name in Ovid's verse.
2054. For these two pillars cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 3307 f, but Gower supposes them to have been both set up in the ' desert of India,'
508 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
* El grant desert d’Ynde superiour’ as he has it in 7raitié, vii. 1, whereas according to Chaucer one was set up in the East and the other in the West, to mark the extreme bounds of the world.
2128 f. Such forms of spelling as ‘sleighte,’ *heighte' are unusual with our author, but cp. vii. 1121, 1227 f.
2185. For the stories of ‘ Pantasilee' and Philemenis we may refer to the Roman de Troie, 23283 ff. and 25663-25704.
2200 ff. From this question arises the inevitable discussion of the nature of ‘gentilesse’ and how far it depends upon birth, riches or personal merit. Gower accepts only the last qualification, and argues for it after the fashion of John Ball, though he was neither a Lollard nor a social revolutionist: cp. Mirour, 23389 ff. For the general subject cp. Dante, Convito, iv. 10, Roman de la Rose, 18807 ff. (ed. Méon), Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D 1109 ff.
To Gower we must grant the merit of clearness and conciseness in handling the well-worn theme.
2208 f. Cp. Dante, Convito, iv. 3.
2305 ff. ‘ And love is of profit also as regards women, so that they may be the better ‘‘affaited.” ’
2314. make it queinte, ‘behave gently’: cp. ‘make it tough,’ Chaucer, Zroïilus, v. 101. For the meaning of * queinte' see the quota- tions in Godefroy’s Dictionary under ‘ cointe.’
2325. 1 John iii. 14.
2342. This is from Job v. 7.
2396 ff. Many of these names are unknown to me, and Warton’s con- jectures on the subject are very wild, but some points may be illustrated from Godfrey of Viterbo. For example, as regards the first we find,
‘Septem quas legimus Cham primus scripserat artes.’ Pantheon, iii. (p. 88).
2401. Godf. Vit, Pantheon, vi. (p. 133), ‘Tunc Cadmus Graecas literas sedecim fecit.'
2410. Zermegis. The word is a dissyllable for the metre. Probably this name stands for Termegistus (i. e. Trismegistus), and in that case we must throw the accent upon the final syllable and pass lightly over the preceding one.
2418 ff. I suspect that ‘ Poulins' means Apollo or Apollinis: cp. Pantheon, vi. (p. 133), *Apollo etiam citharam condidit et artem medicinalem invenit.'
2421. Zenzts, i.e. Zeuxis, who is referred to in the Rom. de /a Rose (for example) as the chief of painters, 16387 ff. (ed. Méon).
2422. Cp. Godf. Vit., Panth. v. (p. 121),
* Tunc et Prometheus, qui filius est Atlantis Dat statuas hominis humano more meantes.' 2427. ‘Jadahel’ is the Jabal (or Jebal) of the Bible (Gen. iv. 20).
Godfrey of Viterbo calls him by the same name and makes the same statement about his hunting and fishing :
NOTES. Lis. IV. 2123-2606 509
* In mundo Iadahel posuit tentoria primus, Venator prior ipse fuit feritate ferinus, Primus et invalidis retia mersit aquis.' Pant. ii. (p. 77). 2439 ff. Godf. Vit., Panth. iv. (p. 98),
' Saturnus statuit super aequora vela moueri, Denarios posuit commercia rite mereri. Aedificans Sutrium dum vivit ibi dominatur,
. Triticeum semen primus in urbe serens.’
2462 ff. Fer the seven bodies and four spirits of Alchemy cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, G 818 ff. Mercury, it will be noticed, is reckoned both as a body and as a spirit, but some authorities called this a spirit only and reckoned six metallic bodies.
2476. after the bok it calleth, ‘according as the book calls it.’
2488 ff. Cp. 2565 ff.
2501. The seven forms are those enumerated in 2513 ff., viz. dis- tillation, congelation, solution, descension, sublimation, calcination, fixation.
2522. Cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, G 862 f.
2098. Zhre Stones. According to some authors, as Hortulanus (MS. Ashmole 1478, iv.), there was but one stone, the Elixir, which had vegetable, animal and mineral qualities or functions; but in Lydgate, Secrees of the Philosophres, 1. 530 (E. E. T. S.), we have,
* And of stones, specially of three, Oon mineral, another vegetatyff,’ &c. ;
and the editor quotes from Rosarium Philosophorum, ‘Tres sunt lapides et tres sales sunt, ex quibus totum magisterium consistit, scilicet mineralis, plantalis et animalis) In the Secreta Secretorum, however, the stone seems to be one only, see the chapter ‘ De lapide animali vegetabili.’
2597. who that it knewe: cp. ii. 88, and see note on Prol. 460.
2606. Hermes, i.e. Hermes Trismegistus, to whom the invention of the science was attributed.
on the ferst, ‘the very first,’ cp. vi. 1481. It may be questioned,
however, whether the theory put forward by C. Stoffel in Englische Studien, xxvii. 253 ff, is the correct explanation of this expression, which survived to Elizabethan times (Shaksp., Cyd. i. 6. 165, ‘he ig one the truest mannered’). He takes ‘on’ in the sense of the Latin ‘unus’ in *iustissimus unus, to mean ‘alone,’ ‘above all.’ It is perhaps more likely that the usual explanation, which regards it as an elliptical expression for ‘one who was the first,’ is correct, especially in view of such expressions as ‘two the first,’ ‘ three the noblest,’ &c., which also occur in the fourteenth century. The use of ‘on’ (‘oon’) for ‘a person’ is common enough, as in the expressions ‘so good on,”
NOTES. Lis. IV. 2608-2996 511
called The Chaunces of the Dyse in the Bodleian MSS. Fairfax 16 and Bodl. 638. For example, the throw of six, four and ace is there ex- plained by the following stanza:
* O mekenesse of vertu principal,
That may be founde in eny creature! In this persone of kunnynge ordinal Is ful assembled, I yow dar assure, The lorde of vertu and al vices cure, Perfit beaute grounded without envye, Assured trust withoute gelousye.'
And similarly there is a stanza, complimentary or otherwise, for each possible throw.
2818. Hire daunger: sce note on i. 2443.
2855. whi ne were it, ‘would it were’: cp. the expression ‘that he ne were,’ Vii. 3747, &c.
2895 f. Apparently he means that his dreams were of no such harm- less things as sheep and their wool, or perhaps not of business matters, alluding to wool as the staple of English commerce.
2901 ff. Cp. Roman de la Rose, 2449-2479.
2905. J ne bede nevere awake: cp. Romaunt of the Rose,791, ‘Ne bode I never thennes go.’ It means apparently ‘I should desire never to awake’ (‘I should not pray ever to awake ').
2024. in my wrytinges. The author forgets here that he is speaking in the person of the Confessor.
2927 ff. This is from Ovid, Mefam. xi. 266-748, where the story is told at great length. Gower follows some parts of it, as the description of the House of Sleep and its surroundings, very closely.
Chaucer tells the story in the Book of the Duchess, but he has not been so successful in reproducing it as Gower. It is here introduced only as an illustration of the truth of dreams, but with its description of the House of Sleep it is very appropriate also in other respects to the subject of Somnolence, which is under discussion.
2028. Trocinie, from the adjective ‘Trachinia,’ in such expressions as ‘ Trachinia tellus,’ A/efam. xi. 269.
2973. The reading of all the best MSS. in this line is ‘he’: (S how- ever is defective). We cannot doubt that the author meant to write ‘sche,’ for in what follows he regularly refers to Iris as female; but the mistake apparently escaped his notice, and we must regard the reading ‘she’ in the two copies in which I have found it as an unauthorized cor- rection. Chaucer makes the messenger male, but does not name him.
2977-3055. This passage very happily follows Ovid, Mef. xi. 589- 645. Our author gives all the essential features, but rearranges them freely and adds details of his own.
2996. AMetam. xi. 608,
‘Ianua, ne verso stridores cardine reddat, Nulla domo tota.’
512 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
3009 ff. Meta. xi. 602 ff., ‘saxo tamen exit ab imo Rivus aquae Lethes, per quem cum mutmure labens Invitat somnos crepitantibus unda lapillis.'
3015 ff. Metam. xi. 610 ff.,
* At medio torus est ebeno sublimis in antro, Plumeus, unicolor, pullo velamine tectus, Quo cubat ipse deus membris languore solutis. Hunc circa passim varias imitantia formas Somnia vana iacent,' &c.
3044. * Ithecus' is a misreading of * Icelos,' as ‘ Panthasas' in L 3049 of ‘ Phantasos.’
3061 ff. Here Gower has made a real improvement in the story by employing the two other ministers of Sleep, whose functions have been described, to represent the scene of the tempest and the wreck, while Morpheus plays the part of Ceyx in the same scene. Ovid in- troduces the characters of Icelos and Phantasos, but makes no use of them, sending Morpheus alone to relate what has taken place, instead of representing it in action, as it would more naturally appear in a dream.
3159. 15 herte: more usually ‘min herte’ as 3139, and so generally before ‘h,’ whether aspirated or not, e. g. 3561; but ‘for mi housebondes were,’ vii. 4813, (with ‘myn housebonde’ below, 4829).
3187 ff. This seems to be for the most part original. A hint may have been given by the lines of Ovid in which it is suggested that Aurora might have used a somewhat similar prayer :
* At si quem manibus Cephalum complexa teneres, Clamares, Lente currite, noctis equi.’ Amor. i. 13, 39.
3222. The sun enters Capricorn on Dec. 21.
3273. that he arise: so 3374, ‘ Til it be dai that I arise,’ and v. 3422, * Til dai cam that sche moste arise
The verb seems here to be attracted into the subjunctive by the in- definite meaning of ‘Til.’ In the other passages the mood is uncertain.
8317 ff. Ovid, Metam. i. 588-723, much abbreviated. It was, how- ever, Jupiter who turned Io into a cow.
3386. for thou thee schalt avise, ‘in order that thou mayest consider.’
3414. that I nere of this lif, ‘would that I were out of this life.’ For ‘that I nere’ cp. note on 1422. For ‘of this lif’ cp. vii. 2883, ‘ whan he were of dawe.’
3438 f. ‘And yet he (Obstinacy) cannot support his own cause by any argument but by headstrong wilfulness.’
For the expression ‘of hed’ we may compare the Latin expression
514. CONFESSIO AMANTIS
LIB. V.
18. ¢¢ cam to londe, wherof, ‘the occasion arose, whence,’ &c.
22. kim supposeth: the verb is used impersonally, like ‘him thenketh.' Probably the confusion between ‘thinke’ and ‘thenke’ gave rise to this expression.
29 ff. So below, 348 ff.: cp. Mérour, 7585 ff.
47 f. This seems, as it stands at present, to be an application of the instances to the case of the avaricious man, ‘ Thus he so his wealth that he in truth possesses nothing,’ (‘that’ for ‘so that"). The original couplet however, as read by all the unrevised class of manuscripts, applies to the case of the sheep, and we may take it so also in its revised form (* Thus! being answered by ‘ that’).
49 ff. Cp. Mirour, 7645 ft.,
‘L’en dist, mais c'est inproprement, Qe l'averous ad grant argent ; Mais voir est que l'argent luy a: En servitude ensi le prent,’ &c.
65. nevere hier. Note that there is no elision before ‘ hier.’
81 f. * And yet, though I held her fast (as a miser his hoard), my life would be a perpetual feast, even on Fridays.’ If he possessed the treasure, his avarice would not allow him to let it go, and yet he would not keep it unused, as a miser does his gold. So later, 93, * Though I should hold it fast, I should so be doing that which I were bound to do.' .
95. pipe, ‘be content’: perhaps from the idea of a bird-catcher piping or whistling for birds, but failing to snare them.
127-186. Notethe repetitionof the word ‘gold’ in an emphatic position.
141 ff. Ovid, Metam. xi. 85-147, freely treated as usual. The debate of Midas as to which of three things he should prefer (Il. 180-245) is all due to our author. In Ovid he chooses without hesitation.
148. Cillenus, i.e. Silenus.
154 f. Gower attributes the action of the king to pure courtesy, Ovid to the fact that Midas recognized in Silenus a fellow-mystic.
249 ff. Cp. Mirour, 7603 ff.
272 ff. Ovid, Metam. xi. 106,
* Laetus abit gaudetque malo Berecyntius heros: Pollicitique fidem tangendo singula temptat.
Ilice detraxit virgam, virga aurea facta est:
Tollit humo saxum, saxum quoque palluit auro*: &c.
298. See note on i. Io.
315-332. This is an expansion of Mefam. xi. 146 f.,
‘Ille perosus opes silvas et rura colebat, Panaque montanis habitantem semper in antris.' 863 ff. The punishment referred to is certainly more appropriate for
NOTES. Lis. V. 18-763 515
avarice than for the offence committed by Tantalus: cp. Hor. Sav. i. 1. 68. Thestory of Tantalus is alluded to several times in Ovid, as Me£a»i. iv. 458, and told by Hyginus, Fa. lxxxii. Perhaps our author rather followed Fulgentius, 4M yZAo/. ii. 18, who quotes from Petronius,
' Divitis haec magni facies erit, omnia late Qui tenet, et sicco concoquit ore famem.' Cp. Mirour, 7621 ff.,
‘Dame Avarice est dite auci Semblable au paine Tantali, &c.
970. This seems to mean that it serves for the punishment of the avaricious ; but from what follows in 391 ff. we gather that the pains of avarice in this life also are to be compared with this particular pain of hell, and so the application is made in the Mirour, 7621-7632.
888. which a wreche, ‘what a punishment.
418. suie: cp. Prol. 460.
447. For the superfluous syllable at the pause in the middle of this line cp. iv. 1131.
496. berth an hond: equivalent to ‘berth on hond,’ L 546.
519. Count ‘evel’ as a monosyllable for the verse ; so regularly, e. g. iii. 1272, vii. 2773.
926. Janglere. The final * -e? is not pronounced here.
958f. the gold... The which was leid upon the bok. The gold in question is that which is laid upon the service-book in payment of the marriage fees: ‘and the Man shall give unto the Woman a Ring, laying the same upon the book with the accustomed duty to the Priest and Clerk.’ Marriage Service.
564. ‘though he will not praise it,’ ie. he gives her no credit for it: cp. Prol. 154.
635 ff. Ovid, Ars Am. ii. 561-592, but the original is not very closely followed.
665. Cp. iii. 1362 ff.
729 ff. From this arises the very ill-advised digression of ll. 747-1970 about the various forms of Religion. There is no more reason why this should come in here than anywhere else, indeed if the question of false gods was to be raised at all, it ought to have come in as an explanation of tlie appearance of Venus and Cupid in the first book. Many stories have been told, for example those of Acteon, of the Gorgons, of Tiresias, of Phoebus and Daphne, of Phaeton, of Ceix, of Argus, and of Midas, which required the explanation quite as much as this one, and the awkwardness of putting it all into the mouth of the priest of Venus is inexcusable.
The main authority followed in this account of the religions of Chaldea, Egypt, and Greece is the Vita Barlaam et Josaphat, cap. xxvii. (Migne, Patrol. vol. 73, p. 548 ff.), but Gower adds much to it, especially as regards the gods and goddesses of Greece.
763. of Accidence : cp. ii. 3210.
Lla
516 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
774. hevenly: so Prol. 918, but ‘hevenely’ i. 834, 3136, the second syllable in that case being syncopated, as regularly in ‘hevene.’ So also in the case of ‘evermore’ and *everemore ’ as compared with ‘evere.’
782. Les, that is, ‘ falsehood.’
798. Istrus, i. e. Osiris.
811. thegipctenes. This must be the true reading for the sake of the metre, both here and in l. 821, though the best copies fail to give it. A similar case occurs in L 1119, but there the authority for ‘ Jupiteres’ is made much stronger by the accession of S.
897. Mynitor, i.e. Numitor.
899 f. that Remus and Romulus. For the position of ‘that’ cp. 1166, 1249.
925. To gete him with: cp. i. 452.
1004. wel the more lete by, much the more esteemed’: cp. Pier; Plowman, A vi. 105, ‘ to lete wel by thyselve,’ and xi. 29: also with ‘of,’ v. 5840 ; cp. Piers Plowm. iv. 160,* Love let of hire lighte and lewte yit lasse,” Orm. 7523, * uss birrth. . . laetenn wel off othre menn.'
1009. Nonarcigne. The name is taken no doubt from the adjective * Nonacrinus ' (from Nonacris), used as in Ovid, 2e. i. 690, where it occurs in the story of Pan and Syrinx, told by Mercury to lull Argus to sleep: cp. Conf. Am. iv. 3345 ff.
1040. Cp. Prol. 118.
1043 ff. The sentence is interrupted and then begun again at l. 1051: see note on i. 98.
1063. That he, i.e. ‘In that he” Gower has here mistaken his authority, which says ‘ post autem eum propter Tyndarei Lacedaemonii filium a Jove fulmine percussum interiisse narrant.’ Vita Bar. et Jos. xxvii.
1071. Delphi and Delos are very naturally confused in the medieval Tale of Troy and elsewhere ; but Delos is mentioned correctly enough below, 1256.
1097. #0 reason inne: cp. i. 3209.
1168. PAslerem, presumably Philyra, but there is no authority for making her the mother of Jupiter.
1249. fat: cp. 899. Apparently it means, ‘that Diane of whom I am to speak. The necessities of rhyme are responsible for these forms of speech.
1276. ‘Which may not attain to reason.’
1828. The paragraph is made to begin here in the MSS. with what is, strictly speaking, its second line, because it is marked by a proper name which indicates its subject, the first line being a mere formal introduction. So also below, 1453: cp. ii. 2451.
1337. The name * Dorus’ seems to have been suggested by that of Doris, mother of the Nereids.
1889. a/le danger, that is, all reluctance or coyness.
1397. Armene, i. e. Harmonia.
1398. Andragene Androgynus or Hermaphroditus.
NOTES. Lis. V. 774-1571 517
1428. noght forsake To ben, i.e. ‘not refuse to be.’
1449. ‘ whether it was of weal or wo’: ‘wher’ for ‘ whether.’
1458. See note on 1323.
As for the letters said to have been exchanged between Alexander and the king of the Bragmans (or Brahmins), we find them at length in the Historia Alexandri Magni de Preliis, which was the source of most of the current stories about Alexander. The passage referred to is as follows: ‘ Tot deos colis quot in tuo corpore membra portas. Nam hominem dicis paruum mundum, et sicut corpus hominis habet - multa membra, ita et in celo dicis multos deos existere. Iunonem credis esse deum cordis, eo quod iracundia nimia mouebatur. Martem vero deum pectoris esse dicis, eó quod princeps extitit preliorum. Mercurium deum lingue vocas, ex eo quod plurimum loquebatur. Herculem deum credis brachiorum, eo quod duodecim virtutes exercuit preliando. Bachum deum gutturis esse putas, eo quod ebrietatem primus inuenit. Cupidinem esse deam dicis, eo quod fornicatrix extitit; tenere dicis facem ardentem, cum qua libidinem excitat et accendit, et ipsam deam iecoris etiam existimas. Cererem deam ventris esse dicis, et Venerem, eo quod fuit mater luxurie, deam genitalium membrorum esse profers? (e 2, ed. Argent. 1489).
Cp. the English alliterative Wars of Alexander, E. E. T. S., 1886, IL 4494 ff. There is no mention of Minerva in either of these.
1520ff. The usual account is to the effect that Ninus set up the first idol: see below, 1541. , What we have here seems to be taken from Fulgentius, MyfAol. iS, where the authorities here cited, Nica- goras and Petronius, are quoted. The passage is apparently corrupt, and our author obviously did not quite understand it: ‘Et quamvis Nicagoras in Disthemithea libro quem scripsit, primum illum formasse idolum referat, et quod vulturi iecur praebeat livoris quasi pingat imaginem : unde et Petronius Arbiter ait,
“Qui vultur iecor intimum pererrat”’ &c.
From the same author, J/yfhol. i. 1, he got the story about Syrophanes, who set up an image of his dead son, to which offerings were made by those who wished to gain his favour.
1541. Cp. Godfr. Vit., Panth. iv. (p. 102), whose account agrees very nearly with what we have here, though he represents this image as the first example of an idol, under the heading, ‘ Quare primum idolum in mundo et quo tempore fuit. Cp. Guido, Ast. Troiana, lib. x (e 5, ed. Argent. 1494).
1559. Godf. Vit., Pantk. iv. (p. 112) : * His temporibus apud Egyptios constructum est idolum magnum in honorem Apis, Regis Argivorum ; quidam tamen dicunt in honorem Ioseph, qui liberavit eos a fame; quod idolum Serapis vocabatur, quasi idolum Apis.'
1571 ff. Hist. Alexandri, f 1v°, ed. Argent. 1489: ‘Exiens inde Alexander cum Candeolo profecti sunt iter diei vnius, et venerunt ad quandam speluncam magnam et hospitati suntibi. Dixitque Candeolus,
518 CONFESSIO AMANTIS
* Omnes dii concilium in ista spelunca concelebrant.” Cum hoc audisset Alexander, statim fecit victimas diis suis, et ingressus in speluncam solus vidit ibi caligines maximasque nubes stellasque lucentes, et inter ipsas stellas quendam deum maximum,’ &c.
Cp. the English alliterative Wars of Alexander, l. $387 ff.
1624. herd me seid: see note on i. 3153.
1686. There is a stop after ‘Forbad’ in F. The meaning is that he gave a prohibition commanding them not to bow to an image.
1677. Rikt as who sette: the verb apparently is subjunctive.
1746 ff. What purports to be the original passage is quoted in the margin of the second recension.
1747. For the form of expression cp. vi. 56f.,
*O which a sorwe It is a man be drinkeles!°
1756 ff. The substance of this is to be found in Gregory, Zn i. Reg. viii. 7 f. (Migne, Parrot. vol. 79. p. 222): *Et quidem, nisi Adam peccaret, Redemptorem nostrum carnem suscipere nostram non oporteret . . Si ergo pro peccatoribus venit, si peccata deessent, eum venire non opor- teret... Magna quippe sunt mala quae per primae culpae meritum patimur, sed quis electus nollet peiora perpeti, quam tantum Redempto- rem non habere ?'
1781 ff. Note that here twelve lines are replaced in the second recension by ten, one of the couplets (or the substance of it) having been inserted earlier, after 1. 1742.
1826. ‘So that his word explained his deed’: ‘arawhte’ from ‘arechen’ (areccan).
1831 ff. Roman de Trote, 25504-25559.
1848-1959. With this compare Prol. 193-498.
1865. ‘ And they do every man what he pleases,’ the verb being plural.
1879. Pseudo: cp. Mirour, 21625 ff.,
']l estoit dit grant temps y a Q'un fals prophete a nous vendra, Q'ad noun Pseudo le decevant ;
' Sicomme aignel se vestira,
Et cuer du loup il portera. O comme les freres maintenant A Pseudo sont bien resemblant ! '
So also Vox Clam. iv. 787 f.,
* Nomine sunt plures, pauci tamen ordine fratres ; Vt dicunt aliqui, Pseudo prophetat ibi.'
It seems that the word *pseudopropheta, used Rev. xix. 20 and elsewhere, was read ‘ Pseudo propheta,' and ‘ Pseudo’ was taken as a proper name. This was combined with the idea of the wolf in sheep's clothing suggested by Matt. vii. 15, * Attendite a falsis prophetis,’ &c., and the application was made especially to the friars.
NOTES. Lis. V. 1624-1952 519
1888. * And this I am brought to believe by the argument that where those above neglect their duty, the people are ignorant of the truth, (as they now are).'
1900 ff. Cp. Mirour, 20065 f, and Vox Clamantis, iii. 903. The reference is to Gregory, Hom. in Evang. xvii. (Migne, Patrol. vol. 76, P. 1148): ‘Ibi Petrus cum Iudaea conversa, quam post se traxit, appa- rebit: ibi Paulus conversum, ut ita dixerim, mundum ducens. Ibi Andreas post se Achaiam, ibi Iohannes Asiam, Thomas Indiam in conspectum sui regis conversam ducet . . . . Cum igitur tot pastores cum gregibus suis ante aeterni pastoris oculos venerint, nos miseri quid dicturi sumus, qui ad Dominum nostrum post negotium vacui redimus ?'
1919. Cp. Mérour, 16662, ‘U q’il ert mesmes auditour.’ The metaphor from rendering accounts in the Exchequer is especially appropriate here for the prelates.
1980. Ais Jordes besant hedde : Matt. xxv. 18.
1944. every Prelat holde, *let every Prelate hold.’
1952 ff. Coloss. iii. 5, ‘ avaritiam, quae est simulacrorum servitus.’
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