Troilus and criseyde

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Title:TroilusandCriseyde
Author:GeoffreyChaucer
ReleaseDate:July12,2008[EBook#257]
LastUpdated:January26,2013
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTROILUSANDCRISEYDE***

ProducedbyDouglasB.Killings,DianeM.Brendan,andDavidWidger


TROILUSANDCRISEYDE


byGeoffreyChaucer


Contents
BOOKI.IncipitLiberPrimus
BOOKII.IncipitProhemiumSecundi
Libri.
BOOKIII.Incipitprohemiumtercii

libri.
BOOKIV.IncipitProhemiumLiber
Quartus.
BOOKV.IncipitLiberQuintus.


BOOKI.IncipitLiberPrimus


ThedoublesorweofTroilustotellen,1
ThatwasthekingPriamussoneofTroye,
Inlovinge,howhisaventuresfellen
Frowotowele,andafteroutofIoye,
Mypurposis,erthatIpartefroye.5
Thesiphone,thouhelpmefortendyte
Thisewofulvers,thatwepenasIwryte!
TotheeclepeI,thougoddesseoftorment,
ThoucruelFurie,sorwingeverinpeyne;
Helpme,thatamthesorwfulinstrument10
Thathelpethlovers,asIcan,topleyne!
Forwelsitit,thesothefortoseyne,
Awofulwighttohanadreryfere,
And,toasorwfultale,asorychere.
ForI,thatgodofLovesservauntsserve,15
NedartoLove,formynunlyklinesse,
Preyenforspeed,alsholdeItherforsterve,
SoferamIfrohishelpinderknesse;
Butnathelees,ifthismaydoongladnesse
Toanylover,andhiscauseavayle,20
Havehemythank,andmynbethistravayle!

Butyeloveres,thatbatheningladnesse,
Ifanydropeofpiteeinyowbe,
Remembrethyowonpassedhevinesse
Thatyehanfelt,andontheadversitee25
Ofotherefolk,andthenkethhowthatye
HanfeltthatLovedorsteyowdisplese;
Oryehanwonnehymwithtogreetanese.
Andpreyethforhemthatbeninthecas
OfTroilus,asyemayafterhere,30
Thatlovehembringeinhevenetosolas,
Andeekformepreyethtogodsodere,
ThatIhavemighttoshewe,insommanere,
SwichpeyneandwoasLovesfolkendure,
InTroilusunselyaventure.35
Andbiddetheekforhemthatbeendespeyred
Inlove,thatnevernilrecoveredbe,
Andeekforhemthatfalslybeenapeyred
Thorughwikkedtonges,beitheorshe;
Thusbiddethgod,forhisbenignitee,40
Sograuntehemsoneoutofthisworldtopace,
ThatbeendespeyredoutofLovesgrace.


Andbiddetheekforhemthatbeenatese,
Thatgodhemgraunteaygoodperseveraunce,
Andsendehemmighthirladiessotoplese,45
ThatittoLovebeworshipandplesaunce.
ForsohopeImysoulebestavaunce,
TopreyeforhemthatLovesservauntsbe,
Andwrytehirwo,andliveincharitee.

Andfortohaveofhemcompassioun50
AsthoughIwerehirowenebrotherdere.
Nowherkenethwithagodeentencioun,
FornowwolIgonstreighttomymatere,
Inwhicheyemaythedoublesorweshere
OfTroilus,inlovingofCriseyde,55
Andhowthatsheforsookhimershedeyde.
Itiswelwist,howthattheGrekesstronge
Inarmeswithathousandshippeswente
ToTroyewardes,andtheciteelonge
Assegedenneightenyeerertheystente,60
And,indiversewyseandoonentente,
TheravisshingtowrekenofEleyne,
ByParisdoon,theywroughtenalhirpeyne.
Nowfilitso,thatinthetountherwas
Dwellingealordofgreetauctoritee,65
AgretdevynthatclepedwasCalkas,
Thatinsciencesoexpertwas,thathe
KnewwelthatTroyesholdedestroyedbe,
Byanswereofhisgod,thathightethus,
DaunPhebusorApolloDelphicus.70
SowhanthisCalkasknewbycalculinge,
AndeekbyanswereofthisAppollo,
ThatGrekessholdenswichapeplebringe,
ThorughwhichthatTroyemostebeenfor-do,
Hecasteanoonoutofthetountogo;75
Forwelwistehe,bysort,thatTroyesholde
Destroyedben,ye,woldewho-sonolde.
Forwhich,fortodepartensoftely
Tookpurposfulthisforknowingewyse,

AndtotheGrekesostfulprively80
Hestalanoon;andthey,incurteyswyse,
Hymdedenbotheworshipandservyse,
Intrustthathehathconninghemtorede


Ineveryperilwhichthatistodrede.
Thenoyseuproos,whanitwasfirstaspyed,85
Thorughalthetoun,andgenerallywasspoken,
ThatCalkastraytorfledwas,andallyed
WithhemofGrece;andcastentobenwroken
Onhimthatfalslyhaddehisfeithsobroken;
Andseyden,heandalhiskinatones90
Benworthyfortobrennen,felandbones.
NowhaddeCalkasleft,inthismeschaunce,
Alunwistofthisfalseandwikkeddede,
Hisdoughter,whichthatwasingretpenaunce,
Forofhirlyfshewasfulsoreindrede,95
Asshethatnistewhatwasbesttorede;
Forbotheawidowewasshe,andallone
Ofanyfreendtowhomshedorstehirmone.
Criseydewasthisladynamea-right;
Astomydome,inalTroyescitee100
Nasnoonsofair,forpassingeverywight
Soaungellykwashirnatyfbeautee,
Thatlykathingimmortalsemedshe,
Asdothanhevenishparfitcreature,
Thatdounweresentinscorningofnature.105
Thislady,whichthatal-dayherdeatere
Hirfadresshame,hisfalsnesseandtresoun,

Welnighoutofhirwitforsorweandfere,
Inwideweshabitlargeofsamitbroun,
OnkneesshefilbifornEctora-doun;110
Withpitousvoys,andtendrelywepinge,
Hismercybad,hir-selvenexcusinge.
NowwasthisEctorpitousofnature,
Andsawthatshewassorwfullybigoon,
Andthatshewassofairacreature;115
Ofhisgoodnessehegladedhiranoon,
Andseyde,`Latyourfadrestresongoon
Forthwithmischaunce,andyeyour-self,inIoye,
Dwellethwithus,whylyougoodlist,inTroye.
`Andalthonourthatmenmaydoonyowhave,120
Asferforthasyourfaderdwelledhere,
Yeshulhan,andyourbodyshalmensave,
AsferasImayoughtenquereorhere.'
Andshehimthonkedwithfulhumblechere,


Andofterwolde,andithaddebenhiswille,125
Andtookhirleve,andhoom,andheldhirstille.
Andinhirhoussheaboodwithswichmeynee
Astohirhonournedewastoholde;
Andwhylshewasdwellingeinthatcitee,
Keptehirestat,andbotheofyongeandolde130
Fulwelbeloved,andwelmenofhirtolde.
Butwhetherthatshechildrenhaddeornoon,
Iredeitnaught;therforeIlateitgoon.
Thethingesfellen,astheydoonofwerre,
BitwixenhemofTroyeandGrekesofte;135

ForsomdayboughtentheyofTroyeitderre,
AndefttheGrekesfoundennothingsofte
ThefolkofTroye;andthusfortuneon-lofte,
Andundereft,ganhemtowheelenbothe
Afterhircours,aywhyltheywerewrothe.140
Buthowthistouncomtodestruccioun
Nefallethnoughttopurposmetotelle;
Foritwerealongdigressioun
Fromymatere,andyowtolongedwelle.
ButtheTroyanegestes,astheyfelle,145
InOmer,orinDares,orinDyte,
Who-sothatcan,mayredehemastheywryte.
ButthoughthatGrekeshemofTroyeshetten,
Andhirciteebisegedeala-boute,
Hiroldeusagewoldetheynotletten,150
Asfortohonourehirgoddesfuldevoute;
Butaldermostinhonour,outofdoute,
TheyhaddearelikhightPalladion,
Thatwashirtrista-boveneverichon.
Andsobifel,whancomenwasthetyme155
OfAperil,whanclothedisthemede
Withnewegrene,oflustyVerthepryme,
Andswotesmellenfloureswhyteandrede,
Insondrywysesshewed,asIrede,
ThefolkofTroyehirobservauncesolde,160
Palladionesfestefortoholde.
Andtothetemple,inalhirbestewyse,
Ingeneral,therwentemanyawight,
ToherknenofPalladionservyse;
Andnamely,somanyalustyknight,165

Somanyaladyfreshandmaydenbright,
Fulwelarayed,bothemosteandleste,
Ye,botheforthesesonandthefeste.
AmongthiseotherefolkwasCriseyda,
Inwideweshabiteblak;butnathelees,170
RightasourfirstelettreisnowanA,
Inbeauteefirstsostoodshe,makelees;
Hirgodlylookinggladedealtheprees.
Nasneverseynthingtobenpreysedderre,
Norundercloudeblaksobrightasterre175
AswasCriseyde,asfolkseydeeverichoon
Thathirbeheldeninhirblakewede;
Andyetshestoodfulloweandstillealloon,
Bihindenotherefolk,inlitelbrede,
Andneighthedore,ayundershamesdrede,180
Simpleofa-tyr,anddebonaireofchere,
Withfulassuredlokingandmanere.
ThisTroilus,ashewaswonttogyde
Hisyongeknightes,laddehemupanddoun
Inthilkelargetempleoneverysyde,185
Biholdingaytheladyesofthetoun,
Nowhere,nowthere,fornodevocioun
Haddehetonoon,torevenhimhisreste,
Butgantopreyseandlakkenwhomhimleste.
Andinhiswalkfulfasthegantowayten190
Ifknightorsquyerofhiscompanye
Ganfortosyke,orletehiseyenbayten
Onanywomanthathecoudeaspye;

Hewoldesmyle,andholdenitfolye,
Andseyehimthus,`godwot,sheslepethsofte195
Forloveofthee,whanthoutornestfulofte!
`Ihaveherdtold,pardieux,ofyourlivinge,
Yelovers,andyourlewedeobservaunces,
Andwhichalabourfolkhaninwinninge
Oflove,and,inthekeping,whichdoutaunces;200
Andwhanyourpreyeislost,woandpenaunces;
Overreyfoles!nyceandblindebeye;
Thernisnotooncanwarbyotherbe.'
Andwiththatwordhegancastupthebrowe,
Ascaunces,`Lo!isthisnoughtwyslyspoken?'205
Atwhichthegodofloveganlokenrowe


Rightfordespyt,andshoopfortobenwroken;
Hekiddeanoonhisbowenasnotbroken;
Forsodeynlyhehithimatthefulle;
Andyetasproudapekokcanhepulle.210
Oblindeworld,Oblindeentencioun!
Howoftefallethaltheffectcontraire
Ofsurquidryeandfoulpresumpcioun;
Forcaughtisproud,andcaughtisdebonaire.
ThisTroilusisclombenonthestaire,215
Andlitelweneththathemootdescenden.
Butal-dayfalleththingthatfolesnewenden.
AsproudeBayardginnethfortoskippe
Outofthewey,soprikethhimhiscorn,
Tilhealashhaveofthelongewhippe,220
Thanthenkethhe,`ThoughIprauncealbiforn

Firstinthetrays,fulfatandneweshorn,
YetamIbutanhors,andhorseslawe
Imootendure,andwithmyferesdrawe.'
Soferdeitbythisfersandproudeknight;225
Thoughheaworthykingessonewere,
Andwendenothinghaddehadswichemight
Ayenshiswilthatsholdehishertestere,
Yetwithalookhishertewexa-fere,
Thathe,thatnowwasmostinprydeabove,230
Wexsodeynlymostsubgetun-tolove.
For-thyensampletakethofthisman,
Yewyse,proude,andworthyfolkesalle,
ToscornenLove,whichthatsosonecan
Thefreedomofyourhertestohimthralle;235
Foreveritwas,andeveritshalbifalle,
ThatLoveishethatallethingmaybinde;
Formaynomanfor-dothelaweofkinde.
Thatthisbesooth,hathprevedanddothyet;
ForthistroweIyeknowen,alleorsome,240
Menredennotthatfolkhangretterwit
Thantheythathanbemostwithlovey-nome;
Andstrengestfolkbentherwithovercome,
Theworthiestandgrettestofdegree:
Thiswas,andis,andyetmenshalitsee.245
Andtrewelichitsitweltobeso;
Foralderwysesthanther-withbenplesed;


Andtheythathanbenaldermostinwo,
Withlovehanbenconfortedmostandesed;

Andofteithaththecruelherteapesed,250
Andworthyfolkmaadworthierofname,
Andcausethmosttodredenvyceandshame.
Nowsithitmaynotgoodlybewithstonde,
Andisathingsovertuousinkinde,
RefusethnottoLovefortobebonde,255
Sin,ashim-selvenlist,hemayyowbinde.
Theyerdeisbetthatbowenwoleandwinde
Thanthatthatbrest;andtherforIyowrede
Tofolwenhimthatsowelcanyowlede.
Butfortotellenforthinspecial260
AsofthiskingessoneofwhichItolde,
Andletenotherthingcollateral,
OfhimthenkeImytalefortoholde,
BothofhisIoye,andofhiscarescolde;
Andalhiswerk,astouchingthismatere,265
ForIitgan,Iwolther-torefere.
With-innethetemplehewentehimforthpleyinge,
ThisTroilus,ofeverywightaboute,
Onthisladyandnowonthatlokinge,
Wher-soshewereoftoune,orofwith-oute:270
Andup-oncasbifel,thatthorugharoute
Hiseyeperced,andsodepeitwente,
TilonCriseydeitsmoot,andtheritstente.
Andsodeynlyhewaxther-withastoned,
Andganhirebetbiholdeinthriftywyse:275
`Omercy,god!'thoughtehe,`wherhastowwoned,
Thatartsofairandgoodlytodevyse?'
Ther-withhishertegantospredeandryse,
Andsoftesighed,lestmenmightehimhere,

Andcaughtea-yeinhisfirstepleyingechere.280
Shenasnatwiththelesteofhirstature,
Butallehirlimessowelansweringe
Werentowomanhode,thatcreature
Wasneuerlassemannishinseminge.
Andeekthepurewyseofheremeninge285
Shewedewel,thatmenmightinhirgesse
Honour,estat,andwommanlynoblesse.
ToTroilusrightwonderwelwith-alle


Ganfortolykehirmeningeandhirchere,
Whichsomdeldeynouswas,forsheleetfalle290
Hirlookalitea-side,inswichmanere,
Ascaunces,`What!MayInotstondenhere?'
Andafterthathirlokingganshelighte,
Thatneverthoughtehimseensogoodasighte.
Andofhirlookinhimthergantoquiken295
Sogreetdesir,andswichaffeccioun,
Thatinhishertebotmegantostiken
Ofhirhisfixeanddepeimpressioun:
Andthoughheersthaddepouredupanddoun,
Hewasthogladhishornesintoshrinke;300
Unnetheswistehehowtolokeorwinke.
Lo,hethatleethim-selvensokonninge,
Andscornedhemthatlovespeynesdryen,
Wasfulunwarthatlovehaddehisdwellinge
With-innethesubtilestremesofhiryen;305
Thatsodeynlyhimthoughtehefeltedyen,
Rightwithhirlook,thespiritinhisherte;

Blissedbelove,thatthuscanfolkconverte!
She,thisinblak,likingetoTroylus,
Overallethyng,hestoodfortobiholde;310
Nehisdesir,newherforhestoodthus,
Heneithercheremade,newordetolde;
Butfroma-fer,hismanerfortoholde,
Onotherthinghislooksom-tymehecaste,
Andeftonhir,whylthatservyselaste.315
Andafterthis,notfullichealawhaped,
Outofthetemplealesilichehewente,
Repentingehimthathehaddeevery-iaped
Oflovesfolk,lestfullythedescente
Ofscornfilleonhim-self;but,whathemente,320
Lestitwerewistonanymanersyde,
Hiswohegandissimulenandhyde.
Whanhewasfrothetemplethusdeparted,
Hestreyghtanoonun-tohispaleystorneth,
Right with hir look thurgh-shoten and thurghdarted,325
Alfeynethheinlustthathesoiorneth;
Andalhischereandspechealsoheborneth;
Anday,oflovesservantseverywhyle,
Him-selftowrye,athemhegantosmyle.


Andseyde,`Lord,soyelivealinlest,330
Yeloveres!Fortheconningestofyow,
Thatservethmostententiflichandbest,
Himtitasoftenharmther-ofasprow;
Yourhyreisquitayein,ye,godwothow!
Noughtwelforwel,butscornforgoodservyse;335

Infeith,yourordreisruledingoodwyse!
`Innoun-certeynbenalleyourobservaunces,
Butitaselyfewepoyntesbe;
Neno-thingaskethsogreteattendaunces
Asdothyourelay,andthatknowealleye;340
Butthatisnottheworste,asmoteIthee;
But,toldeIyowtheworstepoynt,Ileve,
AlseydeIsooth,yewoldenatmegreve!
`Buttakthis,thatyeloveresofteeschuwe,
Orellesdoonofgoodentencioun,345
Fuloftethyladywoleitmisconstrue,
Anddemeitharminhiropinioun;
Andyetifshe,forotherenchesoun,
Bewrooth,thanshaltthouhanagroynanoon:
Lord!welishimthatmaybeofyowoon!'350
Butforalthis,whanthathesayhistyme,
Heheldhispees,nonotherbotehimgayned;
Forlovebiganhisfetheressotolyme,
Thatwelunnetheun-tohisfolkhefayned
Thatotherebesyenedeshimdestrayned;355
Forwowashim,thatwhattodoonheniste,
Butbadhisfolktogoonwherthathemliste.
Andwhanthatheinchaumbrewasallone,
Hedounup-onhisbeddesfeethimsette,
Andfirstbegantosyke,andefttogrone,360
Andthoughteayonhirso,with-outenlette,
That,ashesatandwook,hisspiritmette
Thathehirsawatemple,andalthewyse
Rightofhirloke,andganitneweavyse.
Thusganhemakeamirourofhisminde,365

Inwhichhesaughalhoollyhirfigure;
Andthathewelcoudeinhishertefinde,
Itwastohimarightgoodaventure
Toloveswichoon,andifhedidehiscure
Toservenhir,yetmightehefalleingrace,370


Orelles,foroonofhirservauntspace.
Imaginingethattravaillenorgrame
Nemighte,forsogoodlyoon,belorn
Asshe,nehimforhisdesirneshame,
Alwereitwist,butinprysandup-born375
Ofalleloverswelmorethanbiforn;
Thusargumentedheinhisginninge,
Fulunavysedofhiswocominge.
Thustookhepurposlovescrafttosuwe,
Andthoughtehewoldewerkenprively,380
First,tohydenhisdesirinmuwe
Fromeverywighty-born,al-outrely,
Buthemighteoughtrecoveredbetherby;
Remembringhim,thatlovetowydey-blowe
Yeltbittrefruyt,thoughsweteseedbesowe.385
Andoveralthis,yetmuchelmorehethoughte
Whatfortospeke,andwhattoholdeninne,
Andwhattoartenhirtolovehesoughte,
Andonasonganoon-righttobiginne,
Andganloudeonhissorwefortowinne;390
Forwithgoodhopeheganfullyassente
Criseydefortolove,andnoughtrepente.
Andofhissongnoughtonlythesentence,

AswritmynautourcalledLollius,
Butpleynly,saveourtongesdifference,395
Idarwelsayn,inalthatTroilus
Seydeinhissong,lo!everywordrightthus
AsIshalseyn;andwho-solistithere,
Lo!nextthisvers,hemayitfindenhere.
CantusTroili.
`Ifnoloveis,Ogod,whatfeleIso?400
Andifloveis,whatthingandwhicheishe!
Iflovebegood,fromwhennescomthmywo?
Ifitbewikke,awonderthinkethme,
Whenneeverytormentandadversitee
Thatcomethofhim,maytomesavorythinke;405
ForaythurstI,themorethatIitdrinke.
`AndifthatatmynowenelustIbrenne,
Frowhennescomethmywailingandmypleynte?
Ifharmeagreeme,wher-topleyneIthenne?


Inoot,newhyunwerythatIfeynte.410
Oquikedeeth,Osweteharmsoqueynte,
Howmayoftheeinmeswichquantitee,
But-ifthatIconsentethatitbe?
`AndifthatIconsente,Iwrongfully
Compleyne,y-wis;thuspossedtoandfro,415
AlstereleeswithinneabootamI
A-midthesee,by-twixenwindestwo,
Thatincontrariestondenever-mo.
Allas!whatisthiswondermaladye?
Forheteofcold,forcoldofhete,Ideye.'420

Andtothegodoflovethusseydehe
Withpitousvoys,`Olord,nowyouresis
Myspirit,whichthatoughteyouresbe.
YowthankeI,lord,thathanmebroughttothis;
Butwhethergoddesseorwomman,y-wis,425
Shebe,Inoot,whichthatyedomeserve;
ButashirmanIwoleayliveandsterve.
`Yestondeninhireeyenmightily,
Asinaplaceun-toyourevertudigne;
Wherfore,lord,ifmyservyseorI430
Maylykeyow,sobethtomebenigne;
FormynestatroyalhereIresigne
In-tohirhond,andwithfulhumblechere
Bicomehirman,astomyladydere.'
Inhimnedeynedsparenbloodroyal435
Thefyroflove,wher-frogodmeblesse,
Nehimforbarinnodegree,foral
Hisvertuorhisexcellentprowesse;
Butheldhimashisthralloweindistresse,
Andbrendehimsoinsondrywyseaynewe,440
Thatsixtytymeadayhelostehishewe.
Somuche,daybyday,hisowenethought,
Forlusttohir,ganquikenandencrese,
Thateveryotherchargehesetteatnought;
For-thyfulofte,hishotefyrtocese,445
Toseenhirgoodlylookhegantoprese;
Forther-bytobenesedwelhewende,
Andaythenerhewas,themorehebrende.
Foraythenerthefyr,thehotteris,
This,troweI,knowethalthiscompanye.450

Butwereheferorneer,Idarseyethis,
Bynightorday,forwisdomorfolye,
Hisherte,whichthatishisbrestesye,
Wasayonhir,thatfairerwastosene
ThaneverwereEleyneorPolixene.455
Eekofthedaytherpassednoughtanhoure
Thattohim-selfathousandtymeheseyde,
`Goodgoodly,towhomserveIandlaboure,
AsIbestcan,nowwoldegod,Criseyde,
YewoldenonmereweerthatIdeyde!460
Mydereherte,allas!mynheleandhewe
Andlyfislost,butyewoleonmerewe.'
Alleotheredredeswerenfromhimfledde,
Bothoftheassegeandhissavacioun;
Neinhimdesyrnoonotherefownesbredde465
Butargumentestohisconclusioun,
Thatsheonhimwoldehancompassioun,
Andhetobehirman,whylhemaydure;
Lo,herehislyf,andfromthedeethhiscure!
Thesharpeshouresfelleofarmespreve,470
ThatEctororhisotherebretherendiden,
Nemadehimonlyther-foreonesmeve;
Andyetwashe,wher-somenwenteorriden,
Foundeoonthebeste,andlengesttymeabiden
Therperilwas,anddideeeksuchtravayle475
Inarmes,thattothenkeitwasmervayle.
ButfornonhatehetotheGrekeshadde,
Nealsofortherescousofthetoun,

Nemadehimthusinarmesfortomadde,
Butonly,lo,forthisconclusioun,480
Tolykenhirthebetforhisrenoun;
Frodaytodayinarmessohespedde,
ThatalletheGrekesasthedeethhimdredde.
Andfrothisforththoreftehimlovehissleep,
Andmadehismetehisfoo;andeekhissorwe485
Ganmultiplye,that,who-sotokekeep,
Itshewedinhishewe,botheeveandmorwe;
Therforatitleheganhimfortoborwe
Ofothersyknesse,lestofhimmenwende
Thatthehotefyroflovehimbrende,490
Andseyde,hehaddeafeverandferdeamis;


Buthowitwas,certayn,canInotseye,
Ifthathisladyunderstoodnotthis,
Orfeynedhirsheniste,oonofthetweye;
ButwelIredethat,bynomanerweye,495
Nesemeditasthatsheofhimroughte,
Norofhispeyne,orwhat-so-everhethoughte.
ButthanfeltothisTroylussuchwo,
Thathewaswelneighwood;forayhisdrede
Wasthis,thatshesomwighthadlovedso,500
Thatneverofhimshewoldehavetakenhede;
Forwhichehimthoughtehefeltehisherteblede.
Neofhiswonedorstehenotbiginne
Totellenit,foralthisworldtowinne.
Butwhannehehaddeaspacefrohiscare,505
Thustohim-selffuloftehegantopleyne;

Hesayde,`Ofool,nowartthouinthesnare,
ThatwhilomIapedestatlovespeyne;
Nowartowhent,nowgnawthynowenecheyne;
Thouwereaywontecheloverereprehende510
Ofthingfrowhichthoucansttheenatdefende.
`Whatwolnoweveryloverseynofthee,
Ifthisbewist,buteverinthynabsence
Laugheninscorn,andseyn,`Lo,thergoothhe,
Thatisthemanofsogretsapience,515
Thatheldusloversleestinreverence!
Now,thonkedbegod,hemaygooninthedaunce
OfhemthatLovelistfeblyfortoavaunce!'
`But,OthouwofulTroilus,godwolde,
Sinthoumostloventhurghthidestinee,520
Thatthowbesetwereonswichoonthatsholde
Knowealthywo,allakkedehirpitee:
Butalsocoldinlove,towardesthee,
Thyladyis,asfrostinwintermone,
Andthoufordoon,assnowinfyrissone.'525
`GodwoldeIwerearyvedintheport
Ofdeth,towhichmysorwewilmelede!
A,lord,tomeitwereagretcomfort;
ThanwereIquitoflanguisshingindrede.
Forbymynhiddesorwey-bloweonbrede530
Ishalbi-Iapedbeenathousandtyme
Morethanthatfoolofwhosfolyemenryme.


`Butnowhelpgod,andye,swete,forwhom
Ipleyne,y-caught,ye,neverwightsofaste!

Omercy,dereherte,andhelpmefrom535
Thedeeth,forI,whylthatmylyfmaylaste,
Morethanmy-selfwolloveyowtomylaste.
Andwithsomfreendlylookgladethme,swete,
Thoughnevermorethingyemebi-hete!'
Thiswordesandfulmanyean-otherto540
Hespak,andcalledeverinhiscompleynte
Hirname,fortotellenhirhiswo,
Tilneighthatheinsalteteresdreynte.
Alwasfornought,sheherdenoughthispleynte;
Andwhanthathebithoughteonthatfolye,545
Athousandfoldhiswoganmultiplye.
Bi-waylinginhischambrethusallone,
Afreendofhis,thatcalledwasPandare,
Comonesinunwar,andherdehimgrone,
Andsayhisfreendinswichdistresseandcare:
`Allas!'quodhe,`whocausethalthisfare?551
Omercy,god!Whatunhapmaythismene?
HannowthussoneGrekesmaadyowlene?
`Orhastowsomremorsofconscience,
Andartnowfalleinsomdevocioun,555
Andwaylestforthysinneandthynoffence,
Andhastforferdecaughtattricioun?
Godsavehemthatbi-segedhanourtoun,
AndsocanleyeourIolyteonpresse,
Andbringourlustyfolktoholinesse!'560
Thesewordesseydeheforthenonesalle,
Thatwithswichthinghemightehimangrymaken,
Andwithanangredonhissorwefalle,
Asforthetyme,andhiscorageawaken;

Butwelhewist,asferastongesspaken,565
Thernasamanofgretterhardinesse
Thanhe,nemoredesiredworthinesse.
`Whatcas,'quodTroilus,`orwhataventure
Hathgydedtheetoseemylanguisshinge,
Thatamrefusofeuerycreature?570
Butfortheloveofgod,atmypreyinge,
Gohennea-way,forcertes,mydeyinge
Woltheedisese,andImotnedesdeye;
Ther-forgowey,therisnomoretoseye.


`ButifthouweneIbethussikfordrede,575
Itisnotso,andther-forscornenought;
Therisa-notherthingItakeofhede
WelmorethanoughttheGrekeshany-wrought,
Whichcauseisofmydeeth,forsorweandthought.
ButthoughthatInowtelletheeitneleste,580
Bethounoughtwrooth;Ihydeitforthebeste.'
ThisPandare,thatneighmaltforwoandrouthe,


Fuloftenseyde,`Allas!whatmaythisbe?
Nowfreend,'quodhe,`ifeverloveortrouthe
Hathbeen,oris,bi-twixentheeandme,585
Nedothouneverswicheacrueltee
Tohydefrothyfreendsogreetacare;
WostownoughtwelthatitamI,Pandare?
`Iwolepartenwiththeealthypeyne,
IfitbesoIdotheenocomfort,590

Asitisfreendesright,soothfortoseyne,
Toentrepartenwo,asgladdesport.
Ihave,andshal,fortreweorfalsreport,
Inwrongandrighty-lovedtheealmylyve;
Hydnotthywofrome,buttelleitblyve.'595
ThanganthissorwfulTroilustosyke,
Andseydehimthus,"Godleveitbemybeste
Totelleitthee;forsithitmaytheelyke,
YetwoleItelleit,thoughmynhertebreste;
AndwelwotIthoumaystdomenoreste.600
ButlestthowdemeItrustenottothee,
Nowherkne,freend,forthusitstantwithme.
`Love,a-yeinsthewhichwho-sodefendeth
Him-selvenmost,himalder-lestavayleth,
Withdisespeirsosorwfullymeoffendeth,605
Thatstreyghtun-tothedeethmynhertesayleth.
Ther-todesyrsobrenninglymeassaylleth,
ThattobenslaynitwereagretterIoye
TomethankingofGrecebeenandTroye!
`Suffiseththis,myfullefreendPandare,610
ThatIhaveseyd,fornowwostowmywo;
Andfortheloveofgod,mycoldecare
Sohyditwel,Itelleitnevertomo;
Forharmesmightefolwen,mothantwo,
Ifitwerewist;butbethouingladnesse,615
Andlatmesterve,unknowe,ofmydistresse.'
`Howhastowthusunkindelyandlonge
Hidthisfrome,thoufool?'quodPandarus;
`Paraunterthoumightafterswichoonlonge,
Thatmynavysanoonmayhelpenus.'620

`Thiswereawonderthing,'quodTroylus,
`Thoucoudestneverinlovethy-selvenwisse;
Howdevelmaystowbringenmetoblisse?'


`Ye,Troilus,nowherke,'quodPandare,
`ThoughIbenyce;ithappethofteso,625
Thatoonthatexcesdothfulyvelefare,
Bygoodcounseylcankepehisfreendther-fro.
Ihavemy-selfeekseynablindmango
Ther-ashefelthatcoudelokewyde;
Afoolmayeekawysmanoftegyde.630
`Awhetstonisnokervinginstrument,
Andyetitmakethsharpekerving-tolis.
AndtherthouwoostthatIhaveoughtmiswent,
Eschewethouthat,forswichthingtotheescoleis;
Thusoftewysemenbenwarbyfolis.635
Ifthoudoso,thywitiswelbiwared;
Byhiscontrarieiseverythingdeclared.
`Forhowmighteversweetnessehavebeknowe
Tohimthatnevertastedbitternesse?
Nenomanmaybeinlyglad,Itrowe,640
Thatneverwasinsorweorsomdistresse;
Eekwhytbyblak,byshameeekworthinesse,
Echsetbyother,moreforothersemeth;
Asmenmaysee;andsothewyseitdemeth.
`Siththusoftwocontrariesisalore,645
I,thathaveinlovesoofteassayed
Grevaunces,oughteconne,andwelthemore
Counsayllentheeofthatthouartamayed.

Eektheeneoughtenatbenyvelapayed,
ThoughIdesyrewiththeefortobere650
Thynhevycharge;itshalthelassedere.
`Iwootwelthatitfareththusbyme
AstothybrotherParysanherdesse,
Whichthaty-clepedwasOenone,
Wrotinacompleynteofhirhevinesse:655
Yesaythelettrethatshewroot,ygesse?'
`Nay,neveryet,y-wis,'quodTroilus.
`Now,'quodPandare,`herkneth,itwasthus.—
"Phebus,thatfirstfondartofmedicyne,'
Quodshe,`andcoudeineverywightescare660
Remedeandreed,byherbesheknewfyne,
Yettohim-selfhisconningwasfulbare;
Forlovehaddehimsoboundeninasnare,
AlforthedoughterofthekingeAdmete,


Thatalhiscraftnecoudehissorwebete."—665
`RightsofareI,unhappilyforme;
Iloveoonbest,andthatmesmertethsore;
Andyet,paraunter,canIredethee,
Andnotmy-self;reprevemenomore.
Ihavenocause,Iwootwel,fortosore670
Asdothanhaukthatlistethfortopleye,
ButtothynhelpyetsomwhatcanIseye.
`Andofothingrightsikermaystowbe,
Thatcertayn,fortodeyeninthepeyne,
ThatIshalnever-modiscoverenthee;675
Ne,bymytrouthe,Ikepenatrestreyne

Theefrothylove,thoghthatitwereEleyne,
Thatisthybrothereswif,ifichitwiste;
Bewhatshebe,andlovehirastheeliste.
`Therfore,asfreendfullichinmeassure,680
Andtelmeplatwhatisthynenchesoun,
Andfinalcauseofwothatyeendure;
Fordoutethno-thing,mynentencioun
Nisnoughttoyowofreprehencioun,
Tospekeasnow,fornowightmaybireve685
Amantolove,tilthathimlisttoleve.
`Andwitethwel,thatbothetwobenvyces,
Mistrustenalle,orellesalleleve;
ButwelIwoot,themeneofitnovyceis,
Fortotrustensumwightisapreve690
Oftrouthe,andfor-thywoldeIfaynremeve
Thywrongconseyte,anddotheesomwighttriste,
Thywototelle;andtelme,iftheeliste.
`Thewyseseyth,"Wohimthatisallone,
For,andhefalle,hehathnoonhelptoryse;"695
Andsiththouhastafelawe,telthymone;
Forthisnisnot,certeyn,thenextewyse
Towinnenlove,astechenusthewyse,
TowalweandwepeasNiobethequene,
Whosteresyetinmarbelbeeny-sene.700
`Latbethywepingandthidrerinesse,
Andlatuslissenwowithotherspeche;
Somaythywofultymesemelesse.
Delytenotinwothywotoseche,
Asdoonthisefolesthathirsorweseche705

Withsorwe,whantheyhanmisaventure,
Andlistennoughttosechehemothercure.
`Menseyn,"Towreccheisconsolacioun
Tohavean-otherfelaweinhispeyne;"
Thatoughtewelbenouropinioun,710
For,bothethouandI,oflovewepleyne;
SofulofsorweamI,sothfortoseyne,
Thatcerteynlynomorehardegrace
Maysitteonme,for-whytherisnospace.
`Ifgodwolethouartnotagastofme,715
LestIwoldeofthyladytheebigyle,
Thowwostthy-selfwhomthatIlove,pardee,
AsIbestcan,gonsithenlongewhyle.
AndsiththouwostIdoitfornowyle,
AndsithIamhethatthoutristestmost,720
Telmesumwhat,sinalmywothouwost.'
YetTroilus,foralthis,nowordseyde,
Butlongeheleyasstilleashededwere;
Andafterthiswithsykingeheabreyde,
AndtoPandarusvoyshelentehisere,725
Anduphiseyencastehe,thatinfere
WasPandarus,lestthatinfrenesye
Hesholdefalle,orellessonedye;
Andcryde`A-wake'fulwonderlyandsharpe;
`What?Slombrestowasinalytargye?730
Orartowlykanassetotheharpe,
Thatherethsoun,whanmenthestrengesplye,
Butinhismindeofthatnomelodye
Maysinken,himtoglade,forthathe

Sodulisofhisbestialitee?'735
Andwiththat,Pandareofhiswordesstente;
AndTroilusyethimnowordanswerde,
For-whytotellenasnothisentente
Tonevernoman,forwhomthathesoferde.
Foritisseyd,`Manmakethofteayerde740
Withwhichthemakerishim-selfy-beten
Insondrymaner,'asthisewysetreten,
Andnamely,inhiscounseyltellinge
Thattouchethlovethatoughtebesecree;
Forofhim-selfitwoldey-noughout-springe,745
But-ifthatitthebetgovernedbe.