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John Gower's Confessio amantis

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Title
John Gower's Confessio amantis
Author
Gower, John, 1325?-1408
Publication
Oxford: Clarendon Press
1899-1902
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Oxford Text Archive number: U-1677-C

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"John Gower's Confessio amantis." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/Confessio. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 19, 2024.

Pages

Page 2.233

Book 7

Lines 1 through 100

I GENIUS the prest of love, 7.1 Mi Sone, as thou hast preid above 7.2 That I the Scole schal declare 7.3 Of Aristotle and ek the fare 7.4 Of Alisandre, hou he was tauht, 7.5 I am somdel therof destrauht; 7.6 For it is noght to the matiere 7.7 Of love, why we sitten hiere 7.8 To schryve, so as Venus bad. 7.9 Bot natheles, for it is glad, 7.10 So as thou seist, for thin aprise 7.11 To hiere of suche thinges wise, 7.12 Wherof thou myht the time lisse, 7.13 So as I can, I schal the wisse: 7.14 For wisdom is at every throwe 7.15 Above alle other thing to knowe 7.16 In loves cause and elleswhere. 7.17 Forthi, my Sone, unto thin Ere, 7.18 Though it be noght in the registre 7.19 Of Venus, yit of that Calistre 7.20 And Aristotle whylom write 7.21 To Alisandre, thou schalt wite. 7.22 Bot for the lores ben diverse, 7.23

Page 2.234

7.23 I thenke ferst to the reherce 7.24 The nature of Philosophie, 7.25 Which Aristotle of his clergie, 7.26 Wys and expert in the sciences, 7.27 Declareth thilke intelligences, 7.28 As of thre pointz in principal. 7.29 Wherof the ferste in special 7.30 Is Theorique, which is grounded 7.31 On him which al the world hath founded, 7.32 Which comprehendeth al the lore. 7.33 And forto loken overmore, 7.34 Next of sciences the seconde 7.35 Is Rethorique, whos faconde 7.36 Above alle othre is eloquent: 7.37 To telle a tale in juggement 7.38 So wel can noman speke as he. 7.39 The laste science of the thre 7.40 It is Practique, whos office 7.41 The vertu tryeth fro the vice, 7.42 And techeth upon goode thewes 7.43 To fle the compaignie of schrewes, 7.44 Which stant in disposicion 7.45 Of mannes free eleccion. 7.46 Practique enformeth ek the reule, 7.47 Hou that a worthi king schal reule 7.48 His Realme bothe in werre and pes. 7.49 Lo, thus danz Aristotiles 7.50 These thre sciences hath divided 7.51 And the nature also decided, 7.52 Wherof that ech of hem schal serve. 7.53 The ferste, which is the conserve 7.54 And kepere of the remnant, 7.55 As that which is most sufficant 7.56 And chief of the Philosophie, 7.57 If I therof schal specefie 7.58 So as the Philosophre tolde, 7.59 Nou herkne, and kep that thou it holde. 7.60

Page 2.235

7.60 Of Theorique principal 7.61 The Philosophre in special 7.62 The propretees hath determined, 7.63 As thilke which is enlumined 7.64 Of wisdom and of hih prudence 7.65 Above alle othre in his science: 7.66 And stant departed upon thre, 7.67 The ferste of which in his degre 7.68 Is cleped in Philosophie 7.69 The science of Theologie, 7.70 That other named is Phisique, 7.71 The thridde is seid Mathematique. 7.72 Theologie is that science 7.73 Which unto man yifth evidence 7.74 Of thing which is noght bodely, 7.75 Wherof men knowe redely 7.76 The hihe almyhti Trinite, 7.77 Which is o god in unite 7.78 Withouten ende and beginnynge 7.79 And creatour of alle thinge, 7.80 Of hevene, of erthe and ek of helle. 7.81 Wherof, as olde bokes telle, 7.82 The Philosophre in his resoun 7.83 Wrot upon this conclusioun, 7.84 And of his wrytinge in a clause 7.85 He clepeth god the ferste cause, 7.86 Which of himself is thilke good, 7.87 Withoute whom nothing is good, 7.88 Of which that every creature 7.89 Hath his beinge and his nature. 7.90 After the beinge of the thinges 7.91 Ther ben thre formes of beinges: 7.92 Thing which began and ende schal, 7.93

Page 2.236

7.93 That thing is cleped temporal; 7.94 Ther is also be other weie 7.95 Thing which began and schal noght deie. 7.96 As Soules, that ben spiritiel, 7.97 Here beinge is perpetuel: 7.98 Bot ther is on above the Sonne, 7.99 Whos time nevere was begonne, 7.100

Lines 101 through 200

And endeles schal evere be; 7.101 That is the god, whos mageste 7.102 Alle othre thinges schal governe, 7.103 And his beinge is sempiterne. 7.104 The god, to whom that al honour 7.105 Belongeth, he is creatour, 7.106 And othre ben hise creatures: 7.107 The god commandeth the natures 7.108 That thei to him obeien alle; 7.109 Withouten him, what so befalle, 7.110 Her myht is non, and he mai al: 7.111 The god was evere and evere schal, 7.112 And thei begonne of his assent; 7.113 The times alle be present 7.114 To god, to hem and alle unknowe, 7.115 Bot what him liketh that thei knowe: 7.116 Thus bothe an angel and a man, 7.117 The whiche of al that god began 7.118 Be chief, obeien goddes myht, 7.119 And he stant endeles upriht. 7.120 To this science ben prive 7.121 The clerkes of divinite, 7.122 The whiche unto the poeple prechen 7.123 The feith of holi cherche and techen, 7.124 Which in som cas upon believe 7.125 Stant more than thei conne prieve 7.126 Be weie of Argument sensible: 7.127 Bot natheles it is credible, 7.128 And doth a man gret meede have, 7.129 To him that thenkth himself to save. 7.130 Theologie in such a wise 7.131

Page 2.237

7.131 Of hih science and hih aprise 7.132 Above alle othre stant unlike, 7.133 And is the ferste of Theorique. 7.134 Phisique is after the secounde, 7.135 Thurgh which the Philosophre hath founde 7.136 To techen sondri knowlechinges 7.137 Upon the bodiliche thinges. 7.138 Of man, of beste, of herbe, of ston, 7.139 Of fissch, of foughl, of everychon 7.140 That ben of bodely substance, 7.141 The nature and the circumstance 7.142 Thurgh this science it is ful soght, 7.143 Which vaileth and which vaileth noght. 7.144 The thridde point of Theorique, 7.145 Which cleped is Mathematique, 7.146 Devided is in sondri wise 7.147 And stant upon diverse aprise. 7.148 The ferste of whiche is Arsmetique, 7.149 And the secounde is seid Musique, 7.150 The thridde is ek Geometrie, 7.151 Also the ferthe Astronomie. 7.152 Of Arsmetique the matiere 7.153 Is that of which a man mai liere 7.154 What Algorisme in nombre amonteth, 7.155 Whan that the wise man acompteth 7.156 After the formel proprete 7.157 Of Algorismes Abece: 7.158 Be which multiplicacioun 7.159 Is mad and diminucioun 7.160 Of sommes be thexperience 7.161 Of this Art and of this science. 7.162 The seconde of Mathematique, 7.163 Which is the science of Musique, 7.164 That techeth upon Armonie 7.165 A man to make melodie 7.166 Be vois and soun of instrument 7.167 Thurgh notes of acordement, 7.168 The whiche men pronounce alofte, 7.169 Nou scharpe notes and nou softe, 7.170

Page 2.238

7.170 Nou hihe notes and nou lowe, 7.171 As be the gamme a man mai knowe, 7.172 Which techeth the prolacion 7.173 Of note and the condicion. 7.174 Mathematique of his science 7.175 Hath yit the thridde intelligence 7.176 Full of wisdom and of clergie 7.177 And cleped is Geometrie, 7.178 Thurgh which a man hath thilke sleyhte, 7.179 Of lengthe, of brede, of depthe, of heyhte 7.180 To knowe the proporcion 7.181 Be verrai calculacion 7.182 Of this science: and in this wise 7.183 These olde Philosophres wise, 7.184 Of al this worldes erthe round, 7.185 Hou large, hou thikke was the ground, 7.186 Controeveden thexperience; 7.187 The cercle and the circumference 7.188 Of every thing unto the hevene 7.189 Thei setten point and mesure evene. 7.190 Mathematique above therthe 7.191 Of hyh science hath yit the ferthe, 7.192 Which spekth upon Astronomie 7.193 And techeth of the sterres hihe, 7.194 Beginnynge upward fro the mone. 7.195 Bot ferst, as it was forto done, 7.196 This Aristotle in other thing 7.197 Unto this worthi yonge king 7.198 The kinde of every element 7.199 Which stant under the firmament, 7.200

Lines 201 through 300

Hou it is mad and in what wise, 7.201 Fro point to point he gan devise. 7.202 Tofore the creacion 7.203 Of eny worldes stacion, 7.204

Page 2.239

7.204 Of hevene, of erthe, or eke of helle, 7.205 So as these olde bokes telle, 7.206 As soun tofore the song is set 7.207 And yit thei ben togedre knet, 7.208 Riht so the hihe pourveance 7.209 Tho hadde under his ordinance 7.210 A gret substance, a gret matiere, 7.211 Of which he wolde in his manere 7.212 These othre thinges make and forme. 7.213 For yit withouten eny forme 7.214 Was that matiere universal, 7.215 Which hihte Ylem in special. 7.216 Of Ylem, as I am enformed, 7.217 These elementz ben mad and formed, 7.218 Of Ylem elementz they hote 7.219 After the Scole of Aristote, 7.220 Of whiche if more I schal reherce, 7.221 Foure elementz ther ben diverse. 7.222 The ferste of hem men erthe calle, 7.223 Which is the lowest of hem alle, 7.224 And in his forme is schape round, 7.225 Substancial, strong, sadd and sound, 7.226 As that which mad is sufficant 7.227 To bere up al the remenant. 7.228 For as the point in a compas 7.229 Stant evene amiddes, riht so was 7.230 This erthe set and schal abyde, 7.231 That it may swerve to no side, 7.232 And hath his centre after the lawe 7.233 Of kinde, and to that centre drawe 7.234 Desireth every worldes thing, 7.235 If ther ne were no lettyng. 7.236 Above therthe kepth his bounde 7.237 The water, which is the secounde 7.238 Of elementz, and al withoute 7.239 It environeth therthe aboute. 7.240 Bot as it scheweth, noght forthi 7.241 This soubtil water myhtely, 7.242

Page 2.240

7.242 Thogh it be of himselve softe, 7.243 The strengthe of therthe perceth ofte; 7.244 For riht as veines ben of blod 7.245 In man, riht so the water flod 7.246 Therthe of his cours makth ful of veines, 7.247 Als wel the helles as the pleines. 7.248 And that a man may sen at y�e, 7.249 For wher the hulles ben most hyhe, 7.250 Ther mai men welle stremes finde: 7.251 So proveth it be weie of kinde 7.252 The water heyher than the lond. 7.253 And over this nou understond, 7.254 Air is the thridde of elementz, 7.255 Of whos kinde his aspirementz 7.256 Takth every lifissh creature, 7.257 The which schal upon erthe endure: 7.258 For as the fissh, if it be dreie, 7.259 Mot in defaute of water deie, 7.260 Riht so withouten Air on lyve 7.261 No man ne beste myhte thryve, 7.262 The which is mad of fleissh and bon; 7.263 There is outake of alle non. 7.264 This Air in Periferies thre 7.265 Divided is of such degre, 7.266 Benethe is on and on amidde, 7.267 To whiche above is set the thridde: 7.268 And upon the divisions 7.269 There ben diverse impressions 7.270 Of moist and ek of drye also, 7.271 Whiche of the Sonne bothe tuo 7.272 Ben drawe and haled upon hy, 7.273 And maken cloudes in the Sky, 7.274 As schewed is at mannes sihte; 7.275 Wherof be day and ek be nyhte 7.276 After the times of the yer 7.277 Among ous upon Erthe her 7.278 In sondri wise thinges falle. 7.279 The ferste Periferie of alle 7.280

Page 2.241

7.280 Engendreth Myst and overmore 7.281 The dewes and the Frostes hore, 7.282 After thilke intersticion 7.283 In which thei take impression. 7.284 Fro the seconde, as bokes sein, 7.285 The moiste dropes of the reyn 7.286 Descenden into Middilerthe, 7.287 And tempreth it to sed and Erthe, 7.288 And doth to springe grass and flour. 7.289 And ofte also the grete schour 7.290 Out of such place it mai be take, 7.291 That it the forme schal forsake 7.292 Of reyn, and into snow be torned; 7.293 And ek it mai be so sojorned 7.294 In sondri places up alofte, 7.295 That into hail it torneth ofte. 7.296 The thridde of thair after the lawe 7.297 Thurgh such matiere as up is drawe 7.298 Of dreie thing, as it is ofte, 7.299 Among the cloudes upon lofte, 7.300

Lines 301 through 400

And is so clos, it may noght oute,- 7.301 Thanne is it chased sore aboute, 7.302 Til it to fyr and leyt be falle, 7.303 And thanne it brekth the cloudes alle, 7.304 The whiche of so gret noyse craken, 7.305 That thei the feerful thonder maken. 7.306 The thonderstrok smit er it leyte, 7.307 And yit men sen the fyr and leyte, 7.308 The thonderstrok er that men hiere: 7.309 So mai it wel be proeved hiere 7.310 In thing which schewed is fro feer, 7.311 A mannes yhe is there nerr 7.312 Thanne is the soun to mannes Ere. 7.313 And natheles it is gret feere 7.314 Bothe of the strok and of the fyr, 7.315 Of which is no recoverir 7.316 In place wher that thei descende, 7.317 Bot if god wolde his grace sende. 7.318

Page 2.242

7.318 And forto speken over this, 7.319 In this partie of thair it is 7.320 That men fulofte sen be nyhte 7.321 The fyr in sondri forme alyhte. 7.322 Somtime the fyrdrake it semeth, 7.323 And so the lewed poeple it demeth; 7.324 Somtime it semeth as it were 7.325 A Sterre, which that glydeth there: 7.326 Bot it is nouther of the tuo, 7.327 The Philosophre telleth so, 7.328 And seith that of impressions 7.329 Thurgh diverse exalacions 7.330 Upon the cause and the matiere 7.331 Men sen diverse forme appiere 7.332 Of fyr, the which hath sondri name. 7.333 Assub, he seith, is thilke same, 7.334 The which in sondry place is founde, 7.335 Whanne it is falle doun to grounde, 7.336 So as the fyr it hath aneled, 7.337 Lich unto slym which is congeled. 7.338 Of exalacion I finde 7.339 Fyr kinled of the fame kinde, 7.340 Bot it is of an other forme; 7.341 Wherof, if that I schal conforme 7.342 The figure unto that it is, 7.343 These olde clerkes tellen this, 7.344 That it is lik a Got skippende, 7.345 And for that it is such semende, 7.346 It hatte Capra saliens. 7.347 And ek these Astronomiens 7.348 An other fyr also, be nyhte 7.349 Which scheweth him to mannes syhte, 7.350 Thei clepen Eges, the which brenneth 7.351 Lik to the corrant fyr that renneth 7.352 Upon a corde, as thou hast sein, 7.353

Page 2.243

7.353 Whan it with poudre is so besein 7.354 Of Sulphre and othre thinges mo. 7.355 Ther is an other fyr also, 7.356 Which semeth to a mannes yhe 7.357 Be nyhtes time as thogh ther flyhe 7.358 A dragon brennende in the Sky, 7.359 And that is cleped proprely 7.360 Daaly, wherof men sein fulofte, 7.361 "Lo, wher the fyri drake alofte 7.362 Fleth up in thair!" and so thei demen. 7.363 Bot why the fyres suche semen 7.364 Of sondri formes to beholde, 7.365 The wise Philosophre tolde, 7.366 So as tofore it hath ben herd. 7.367 Lo thus, my Sone, hou it hath ferd: 7.368 Of Air the due proprete 7.369 In sondri wise thou myht se, 7.370 And hou under the firmament 7.371 It is ek the thridde element, 7.372 Which environeth bothe tuo, 7.373 The water and the lond also. 7.374 And forto tellen overthis 7.375 Of elementz which the ferthe is, 7.376 That is the fyr in his degre, 7.377 Which environeth thother thre 7.378 And is withoute moist al drye. 7.379 Bot lest nou what seith the clergie; 7.380 For upon hem that I have seid 7.381 The creatour hath set and leid 7.382 The kinde and the complexion 7.383 Of alle mennes nacion. 7.384 Foure elementz sondri ther be, 7.385 Lich unto whiche of that degre 7.386 Among the men ther ben also 7.387 Complexions foure and nomo, 7.388 Wherof the Philosophre treteth, 7.389 That he nothing behinde leteth, 7.390 And seith hou that thei ben diverse, 7.391

Page 2.244

7.391 So as I schal to thee reherse. 7.392 He which natureth every kinde, 7.393 The myhti god, so as I finde, 7.394 Of man, which is his creature, 7.395 Hath so devided the nature, 7.396 That non til other wel acordeth: 7.397 And be the cause it so discordeth, 7.398 The lif which fieleth the seknesse 7.399 Mai stonde upon no sekernesse. 7.400

Lines 401 through 500

Of therthe, which is cold and drye, 7.401 The kinde of man Malencolie 7.402 Is cleped, and that is the ferste, 7.403 The most ungoodlich and the werste; 7.404 For unto loves werk on nyht 7.405 Him lacketh bothe will and myht: 7.406 No wonder is, in lusty place 7.407 Of love though he lese grace. 7.408 What man hath that complexion, 7.409 Full of ymaginacion 7.410 Of dredes and of wrathful thoghtes, 7.411 He fret himselven al to noghtes. 7.412 The water, which is moyste and cold, 7.413 Makth fleume, which is manyfold 7.414 Foryetel, slou and wery sone 7.415 Of every thing which is to done: 7.416 He is of kinde sufficant 7.417 To holde love his covenant, 7.418 Bot that him lacketh appetit, 7.419 Which longeth unto such delit. 7.420 What man that takth his kinde of thair, 7.421 He schal be lyht, he schal be fair, 7.422 For his complexion is blood. 7.423 Of alle ther is non so good, 7.424 For he hath bothe will and myht 7.425 To plese and paie love his riht: 7.426 Wher as he hath love undertake, 7.427 Wrong is if that he be forsake. 7.428 The fyr of his condicion 7.429

Page 2.245

7.429 Appropreth the complexion 7.430 Which in a man is Colre hote, 7.431 Whos propretes ben dreie and hote: 7.432 It makth a man ben enginous 7.433 And swift of fote and ek irous; 7.434 Of contek and folhastifnesse 7.435 He hath a riht gret besinesse, 7.436 To thenke of love and litel may: 7.437 Though he behote wel a day, 7.438 On nyht whan that he wole assaie, 7.439 He may ful evele his dette paie. 7.440 After the kinde of thelement, 7.441 Thus stant a mannes kinde went, 7.442 As touchende his complexion, 7.443 Upon sondri division 7.444 Of dreie, of moiste, of chele, of hete, 7.445 And ech of hem his oghne sete 7.446 Appropred hath withinne a man. 7.447 And ferst to telle as I began, 7.448 The Splen is to Malencolie 7.449 Assigned for herbergerie: 7.450 The moiste fleume with his cold 7.451 Hath in the lunges for his hold 7.452 Ordeined him a propre stede, 7.453 To duelle ther as he is bede: 7.454 To the Sanguin complexion 7.455 Nature of hire inspeccion 7.456 A propre hous hath in the livere 7.457 For his duellinge mad delivere: 7.458 The dreie Colre with his hete 7.459 Be weie of kinde his propre sete 7.460 Hath in the galle, wher he duelleth, 7.461 So as the Philosophre telleth. 7.462 Nou over this is forto wite, 7.463 As it is in Phisique write 7.464 Of livere, of lunge, of galle, of splen, 7.465

Page 2.246

7.465 Thei alle unto the herte ben 7.466 Servantz, and ech in his office 7.467 Entendeth to don him service, 7.468 As he which is chief lord above. 7.469 The livere makth him forto love, 7.470 The lunge yifth him weie of speche, 7.471 The galle serveth to do wreche, 7.472 The Splen doth him to lawhe and pleie, 7.473 Whan al unclennesse is aweie: 7.474 Lo, thus hath ech of hem his dede. 7.475 And to sustienen hem and fede 7.476 In time of recreacion, 7.477 Nature hath in creacion 7.478 The Stomach for a comun Coc 7.479 Ordeined, so as seith the boc. 7.480 The Stomach coc is for the halle, 7.481 And builleth mete for hem alle, 7.482 To make hem myghty forto serve 7.483 The herte, that he schal noght sterve: 7.484 For as a king in his Empire 7.485 Above alle othre is lord and Sire, 7.486 So is the herte principal, 7.487 To whom reson in special 7.488 Is yove as for the governance. 7.489 And thus nature his pourveance 7.490 Hath mad for man to liven hiere; 7.491 Bot god, which hath the Soule diere, 7.492 Hath formed it in other wise. 7.493 That can noman pleinli devise; 7.494 Bot as the clerkes ous enforme, 7.495 That lich to god it hath a forme, 7.496 Thurgh which figure and which liknesse 7.497 The Soule hath many an hyh noblesse 7.498 Appropred to his oghne kinde. 7.499 Bot ofte hir wittes be mad blinde 7.500

Lines 501 through 600

Al onliche of this ilke point, 7.501 That hir abydinge is conjoint 7.502

Page 2.247

7.502 Forth with the bodi forto duelle: 7.503 That on desireth toward helle, 7.504 That other upward to the hevene; 7.505 So schul thei nevere stonde in evene, 7.506 Bot if the fleissh be overcome 7.507 And that the Soule have holi nome 7.508 The governance, and that is selde, 7.509 Whil that the fleissh him mai bewelde. 7.510 Al erthli thing which god began 7.511 Was only mad to serve man; 7.512 Bot he the Soule al only made 7.513 Himselven forto serve and glade. 7.514 Alle othre bestes that men finde 7.515 Thei serve unto here oghne kinde, 7.516 Bot to reson the Soule serveth; 7.517 Wherof the man his thonk deserveth 7.518 And get him with hise werkes goode 7.519 The perdurable lyves foode. 7.520 Of what matiere it schal be told, 7.521 A tale lyketh manyfold 7.522 The betre, if it be spoke plein: 7.523 Thus thinke I forto torne ayein 7.524 And telle plenerly therfore 7.525 Of therthe, wherof nou tofore 7.526 I spak, and of the water eke, 7.527 So as these olde clerkes spieke, 7.528 And sette proprely the bounde 7.529 After the forme of Mappemounde, 7.530 Thurgh which the ground be pourparties 7.531 Departed is in thre parties, 7.532 That is Asie, Aufrique, Europe, 7.533 The whiche under the hevene cope, 7.534 Als ferr as streccheth eny ground, 7.535 Begripeth al this Erthe round. 7.536 Bot after that the hihe wrieche 7.537 The water weies let out seche 7.538

Page 2.248

7.538 And overgo the helles hye, 7.539 Which every kinde made dye 7.540 That upon Middelerthe stod, 7.541 Outake Noe� and his blod, 7.542 His Sones and his doughtres thre, 7.543 Thei were sauf and so was he;- 7.544 Here names who that rede rihte, 7.545 Sem, Cam, Japhet the brethren hihte;- 7.546 And whanne thilke almyhty hond 7.547 Withdrouh the water fro the lond, 7.548 And al the rage was aweie, 7.549 And Erthe was the mannes weie, 7.550 The Sones thre, of whiche I tolde, 7.551 Riht after that hemselve wolde, 7.552 This world departe thei begonne. 7.553 Asie, which lay to the Sonne 7.554 Upon the Marche of orient, 7.555 Was graunted be comun assent 7.556 To Sem, which was the Sone eldeste; 7.557 For that partie was the beste 7.558 And double as moche as othre tuo. 7.559 And was that time bounded so; 7.560 Wher as the flod which men Nil calleth 7.561 Departeth fro his cours and falleth 7.562 Into the See Alexandrine, 7.563 Ther takth Asie ferst seisine 7.564 Toward the West, and over this 7.565 Of Canahim wher the flod is 7.566 Into the grete See rennende, 7.567 Fro that into the worldes ende 7.568 Estward, Asie it is algates, 7.569 Til that men come unto the gates 7.570 Of Paradis, and there ho. 7.571 And schortly for to speke it so, 7.572 Of Orient in general 7.573 Withinne his bounde Asie hath al. 7.574 And thanne upon that other syde 7.575

Page 2.249

7.575 Westward, as it fell thilke tyde, 7.576 The brother which was hote Cham 7.577 Upon his part Aufrique nam. 7.578 Japhet Europe tho tok he, 7.579 Thus parten thei the world on thre. 7.580 Bot yit ther ben of londes fele 7.581 In occident as for the chele, 7.582 In orient as for the hete, 7.583 Which of the poeple be forlete 7.584 As lond desert that is unable, 7.585 For it mai noght ben habitable. 7.586 The water eke hath sondri bounde, 7.587 After the lond wher it is founde, 7.588 And takth his name of thilke londes 7.589 Wher that it renneth on the strondes: 7.590 Bot thilke See which hath no wane 7.591 Is cleped the gret Occeane, 7.592 Out of the which arise and come 7.593 The hyhe flodes alle and some; 7.594 Is non so litel welle spring, 7.595 Which ther ne takth his beginnyng, 7.596 And lich a man that haleth breth 7.597 Be weie of kinde, so it geth 7.598 Out of the See and in ayein, 7.599 The water, as the bokes sein. 7.600

Lines 601 through 700

Of Elementz the propretes 7.601 Hou that they stonden be degres, 7.602 As I have told, nou myht thou hiere, 7.603 Mi goode Sone, al the matiere 7.604 Of Erthe, of water, Air and fyr. 7.605 And for thou saist that thi desir 7.606 Is forto witen overmore 7.607 The forme of Aristotles lore, 7.608 He seith in his entendement, 7.609 That yit ther is an Element 7.610 Above the foure, and is the fifte, 7.611 Set of the hihe goddes yifte, 7.612 The which that Orbis cleped is. 7.613

Page 2.250

7.613 And therupon he telleth this, 7.614 That as the schelle hol and sound 7.615 Encloseth al aboute round 7.616 What thing withinne an Ey belongeth, 7.617 Riht so this Orbis underfongeth 7.618 These elementz alle everychon, 7.619 Which I have spoke of on and on. 7.620 Bot overthis nou tak good hiede, 7.621 Mi Sone, for I wol procede 7.622 To speke upon Mathematique, 7.623 Which grounded is on Theorique. 7.624 The science of Astronomie 7.625 I thinke forto specefie, 7.626 Withoute which, to telle plein, 7.627 Alle othre science is in vein 7.628 Toward the scole of erthli thinges: 7.629 For as an Egle with his winges 7.630 Fleth above alle that men finde, 7.631 So doth this science in his kinde. 7.632 Benethe upon this Erthe hiere 7.633 Of alle thinges the matiere, 7.634 As tellen ous thei that ben lerned, 7.635 Of thing above it stant governed, 7.636 That is to sein of the Planetes. 7.637 The cheles bothe and ek the hetes, 7.638 The chances of the world also, 7.639 That we fortune clepen so, 7.640 Among the mennes nacion 7.641 Al is thurgh constellacion, 7.642 Wherof that som man hath the wele, 7.643 And som man hath deseses fele 7.644 In love als wel as othre thinges; 7.645

Page 2.251

7.645 The stat of realmes and of kinges 7.646 In time of pes, in time of werre 7.647 It is conceived of the Sterre: 7.648 And thus seith the naturien 7.649 Which is an Astronomien. 7.650 Bot the divin seith otherwise, 7.651 That if men weren goode and wise 7.652 And plesant unto the godhede, 7.653 Thei scholden noght the sterres drede; 7.654 For o man, if him wel befalle, 7.655 Is more worth than ben thei alle 7.656 Towardes him that weldeth al. 7.657 Bot yit the lawe original, 7.658 Which he hath set in the natures, 7.659 Mot worchen in the creatures, 7.660 That therof mai be non obstacle, 7.661 Bot if it stonde upon miracle 7.662 Thurgh preiere of som holy man. 7.663 And forthi, so as I began 7.664 To speke upon Astronomie, 7.665 As it is write in the clergie, 7.666 To telle hou the planetes fare, 7.667 Som part I thenke to declare, 7.668 Mi Sone, unto thin Audience. 7.669 Astronomie is the science 7.670 Of wisdom and of hih connynge, 7.671 Which makth a man have knowlechinge 7.672 Of Sterres in the firmament, 7.673 Figure, cercle and moevement 7.674 Of ech of hem in sondri place, 7.675 And what betwen hem is of space, 7.676 Hou so thei moeve or stonde faste, 7.677 Al this it telleth to the laste. 7.678 Assembled with Astronomie 7.679 Is ek that ilke Astrologie 7.680 The which in juggementz acompteth 7.681 Theffect, what every sterre amonteth, 7.682 And hou thei causen many a wonder 7.683 To tho climatz that stonde hem under. 7.684

Page 2.252

7.684 And forto telle it more plein, 7.685 These olde philosphres sein 7.686 That Orbis, which I spak of err, 7.687 Is that which we fro therthe a ferr 7.688 Beholde, and firmament it calle, 7.689 In which the sterres stonden alle, 7.690 Among the whiche in special 7.691 Planetes sefne principal 7.692 Ther ben, that mannes sihte demeth, 7.693 Bot thorizonte, as to ous semeth. 7.694 And also ther ben signes tuelve, 7.695 Whiche have her cercles be hemselve 7.696 Compassed in the zodiaque, 7.697 In which thei have here places take. 7.698 And as thei stonden in degre, 7.699 Here cercles more or lasse be, 7.700

Lines 701 through 800

Mad after the proporcion 7.701 Of therthe, whos condicion 7.702 Is set to be the foundement 7.703 To sustiene up the firmament. 7.704 And be this skile a man mai knowe, 7.705 The more that thei stonden lowe, 7.706 The more ben the cercles lasse; 7.707 That causeth why that some passe 7.708 Here due cours tofore an other. 7.709 Bot nou, mi lieve dere brother, 7.710 As thou desirest forto wite 7.711 What I finde in the bokes write, 7.712 To telle of the planetes sevene, 7.713 Hou that thei stonde upon the hevene 7.714 And in what point that thei ben inne, 7.715 Tak hiede, for I wol beginne, 7.716 So as the Philosophre tauhte 7.717 To Alisandre and it betauhte, 7.718 Wherof that he was fulli tawht 7.719 Of wisdom, which was him betawht. 7.720 Benethe alle othre stant the Mone, 7.721

Page 2.253

7.721 The which hath with the See to done: 7.722 Of flodes hihe and ebbes lowe 7.723 Upon his change it schal be knowe; 7.724 And every fissh which hath a schelle 7.725 Mot in his governance duelle, 7.726 To wexe and wane in his degre, 7.727 As be the Mone a man mai se; 7.728 And al that stant upon the grounde 7.729 Of his moisture it mot be founde. 7.730 Alle othre sterres, as men finde, 7.731 Be schynende of here oghne kinde 7.732 Outake only the monelyht, 7.733 Which is noght of himselve bright, 7.734 Bot as he takth it of the Sonne. 7.735 And yit he hath noght al fulwonne 7.736 His lyht, that he nys somdiel derk; 7.737 Bot what the lette is of that werk 7.738 In Almageste it telleth this: 7.739 The Mones cercle so lowe is, 7.740 Wherof the Sonne out of his stage 7.741 Ne seth him noght with full visage, 7.742 For he is with the ground beschaded, 7.743 So that the Mone is somdiel faded 7.744 And may noght fully schyne cler. 7.745 Bot what man under his pouer 7.746 Is bore, he schal his places change 7.747 And seche manye londes strange: 7.748 And as of this condicion 7.749 The Mones disposicion 7.750 Upon the lond of Alemaigne 7.751 Is set, and ek upon Bretaigne, 7.752 Which nou is cleped Engelond; 7.753 For thei travaile in every lond. 7.754 Of the Planetes the secounde 7.755 Above the Mone hath take his bounde, 7.756 Mercurie, and his nature is this, 7.757 That under him who that bore is, 7.758 In boke he schal be studious 7.759 And in wrytinge curious, 7.760

Page 2.254

7.760 And slouh and lustles to travaile 7.761 In thing which elles myhte availe: 7.762 He loveth ese, he loveth reste, 7.763 So is he noght the worthieste; 7.764 Bot yit with somdiel besinesse 7.765 His herte is set upon richesse. 7.766 And as in this condicion, 7.767 Theffect and disposicion 7.768 Of this Planete and of his chance 7.769 Is most in Burgoigne and in France. 7.770 Next to Mercurie, as wol befalle, 7.771 Stant that Planete which men calle 7.772 Venus, whos constellacion 7.773 Governeth al the nacion 7.774 Of lovers, wher thei spiede or non, 7.775 Of whiche I trowe thou be on: 7.776 Bot whiderward thin happes wende, 7.777 Schal this planete schewe at ende, 7.778 As it hath do to many mo, 7.779 To some wel, to some wo. 7.780 And natheles of this Planete 7.781 The moste part is softe and swete; 7.782 For who that therof takth his berthe, 7.783 He schal desire joie and merthe, 7.784 Gentil, courteis and debonaire, 7.785 To speke his wordes softe and faire, 7.786 Such schal he be be weie of kinde, 7.787 And overal wher he may finde 7.788 Plesance of love, his herte boweth 7.789 With al his myht and there he woweth. 7.790 He is so ferforth Amourous, 7.791 He not what thing is vicious 7.792 Touchende love, for that lawe 7.793 Ther mai no maner man withdrawe, 7.794 The which venerien is bore 7.795 Be weie of kinde, and therefore 7.796 Venus of love the goddesse 7.797 Is cleped: bot of wantounesse 7.798

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7.798 The climat of hir lecherie 7.799 Is most commun in Lombardie. 7.800

Lines 801 through 900

Next unto this Planete of love 7.801 The brighte Sonne stant above, 7.802 Which is the hindrere of the nyht 7.803 And forthrere of the daies lyht, 7.804 As he which is the worldes y�e, 7.805 Thurgh whom the lusti compaignie 7.806 Of foules be the morwe singe, 7.807 The freisshe floures sprede and springe, 7.808 The hihe tre the ground beschadeth, 7.809 And every mannes herte gladeth. 7.810 And for it is the hed Planete, 7.811 Hou that he sitteth in his sete, 7.812 Of what richesse, of what nobleie, 7.813 These bokes telle, and thus thei seie. 7.814 Of gold glistrende Spoke and whiel 7.815 The Sonne his carte hath faire and wiel, 7.816 In which he sitt, and is coroned 7.817 With brighte stones environed; 7.818 Of whiche if that I speke schal, 7.819 Ther be tofore in special 7.820 Set in the front of his corone 7.821 Thre Stones, whiche no persone 7.822 Hath upon Erthe, and the ferste is 7.823 Be name cleped Licuchis; 7.824 That othre tuo be cleped thus, 7.825 Astrices and Ceramius. 7.826 In his corone also behinde, 7.827 Be olde bokes as I finde, 7.828 Ther ben of worthi Stones thre 7.829 Set ech of hem in his degre: 7.830 Wherof a Cristall is that on, 7.831 Which that corone is set upon; 7.832 The seconde is an Adamant; 7.833 The thridde is noble and avenant, 7.834 Which cleped is Ydriades. 7.835 And over this yit natheles 7.836 Upon the sydes of the werk, 7.837

Page 2.256

7.837 After the wrytinge of the clerk, 7.838 Ther sitten fyve Stones mo: 7.839 The smaragdine is on of tho, 7.840 Jaspis and Elitropius 7.841 And Dendides and Jacinctus. 7.842 Lo, thus the corone is beset, 7.843 Wherof it schyneth wel the bet; 7.844 And in such wise his liht to sprede 7.845 Sit with his Diademe on hede 7.846 The Sonne schynende in his carte. 7.847 And forto lede him swithe and smarte 7.848 After the bryhte daies lawe, 7.849 Ther ben ordeined forto drawe 7.850 Foure hors his Char and him withal, 7.851 Wherof the names telle I schal: 7.852 Eritheu�s the ferste is hote, 7.853 The which is red and schyneth hote, 7.854 The seconde Acteos the bryhte, 7.855 Lampes the thridde coursier hihte, 7.856 And Philogeu�s is the ferthe, 7.857 That bringen lyht unto this erthe, 7.858 And gon so swift upon the hevene, 7.859 In foure and twenty houres evene 7.860 The carte with the bryhte Sonne 7.861 Thei drawe, so that overronne 7.862 Thei have under the cercles hihe 7.863 Al Middelerthe in such an hye. 7.864 And thus the Sonne is overal 7.865 The chief Planete imperial, 7.866 Above him and benethe him thre: 7.867 And thus betwen hem regneth he, 7.868 As he that hath the middel place 7.869 Among the Sevene, and of his face 7.870 Be glade alle erthly creatures, 7.871 And taken after the natures 7.872 Here ese and recreacion. 7.873 And in his constellacion 7.874 Who that is bore in special, 7.875 Of good will and of liberal 7.876 He schal be founde in alle place, 7.877

Page 2.257

7.877 And also stonde in mochel grace 7.878 Toward the lordes forto serve 7.879 And gret profit and thonk deserve. 7.880 And over that it causeth yit 7.881 A man to be soubtil of wit 7.882 To worche in gold, and to be wys 7.883 In every thing which is of pris. 7.884 Bot forto speken in what cost 7.885 Of al this erthe he regneth most 7.886 As for wisdom, it is in Grece, 7.887 Wher is apropred thilke spiece. 7.888 Mars the Planete bataillous 7.889 Next to the Sonne glorious 7.890 Above stant, and doth mervailes 7.891 Upon the fortune of batailes. 7.892 The conquerours be daies olde 7.893 Were unto this planete holde: 7.894 Bot who that his nativite 7.895 Hath take upon the proprete 7.896 Of Martes disposicioun 7.897 Be weie of constellacioun, 7.898 He schal be fiers and folhastif 7.899 And desirous of werre and strif. 7.900

Lines 901 through 1000

Bot forto telle redely 7.901 In what climat most comunly 7.902 That this planete hath his effect, 7.903 Seid is that he hath his aspect 7.904 Upon the holi lond so cast, 7.905 That there is no pes stedefast. 7.906 Above Mars upon the hevene, 7.907 The sexte Planete of the sevene, 7.908 Stant Jupiter the delicat, 7.909 Which causeth pes and no debat. 7.910 For he is cleped that Planete 7.911 Which of his kinde softe and swete 7.912 Attempreth al that to him longeth; 7.913 And whom this planete underfongeth 7.914 To stonde upon his regiment, 7.915 He schal be meke and pacient 7.916

Page 2.258

7.916 And fortunat to Marchandie 7.917 And lusti to delicacie 7.918 In every thing which he schal do. 7.919 This Jupiter is cause also 7.920 Of the science of lyhte werkes, 7.921 And in this wise tellen clerkes 7.922 He is the Planete of delices. 7.923 Bot in Egipte of his offices 7.924 He regneth most in special: 7.925 For ther be lustes overal 7.926 Of al that to this lif befalleth; 7.927 For ther no stormy weder falleth, 7.928 Which myhte grieve man or beste, 7.929 And ek the lond is so honeste 7.930 That it is plentevous and plein, 7.931 Ther is non ydel ground in vein; 7.932 And upon such felicite 7.933 Stant Jupiter in his degre. 7.934 The heyeste and aboven alle 7.935 Stant that planete which men calle 7.936 Saturnus, whos complexion 7.937 Is cold, and his condicion 7.938 Causeth malice and crualte 7.939 To him the whos nativite 7.940 Is set under his governance. 7.941 For alle hise werkes ben grevance 7.942 And enemy to mannes hele, 7.943 In what degre that he schal dele. 7.944 His climat is in Orient, 7.945 Wher that he is most violent. 7.946 Of the Planetes by and by, 7.947 Hou that thei stonde upon the Sky, 7.948 Fro point to point as thou myht hiere, 7.949 Was Alisandre mad to liere. 7.950 Bot overthis touchende his lore, 7.951 Of thing that thei him tawhte more 7.952 Upon the scoles of clergie 7.953 Now herkne the Philosophie. 7.954

Page 2.259

7.954 He which departeth dai fro nyht, 7.955 That on derk and that other lyht, 7.956 Of sevene daies made a weke, 7.957 A Monthe of foure wekes eke 7.958 He hath ordeigned in his lawe, 7.959 Of Monthes tuelve and ek forthdrawe 7.960 He hath also the longe yeer. 7.961 And as he sette of his pouer 7.962 Acordant to the daies sevene 7.963 Planetes Sevene upon the hevene, 7.964 As thou tofore hast herd devise, 7.965 To speke riht in such a wise, 7.966 To every Monthe be himselve 7.967 Upon the hevene of Signes tuelve 7.968 He hath after his Ordinal 7.969 Assigned on in special, 7.970 Wherof, so as I schal rehersen, 7.971 The tydes of the yer diversen. 7.972 Bot pleinly forto make it knowe 7.973 Hou that the Signes sitte arowe, 7.974 Ech after other be degre 7.975 In substance and in proprete 7.976 The zodiaque comprehendeth 7.977 Withinne his cercle, as it appendeth. 7.978 The ferste of whiche natheles 7.979 Be name is cleped Aries, 7.980 Which lich a wether of stature 7.981 Resembled is in his figure. 7.982 And as it seith in Almageste, 7.983 Of Sterres tuelve upon this beste 7.984 Ben set, wherof in his degre 7.985 The wombe hath tuo, the heved hath thre, 7.986 The Tail hath sevene, and in this wise, 7.987 As thou myht hiere me divise, 7.988 Stant Aries, which hot and drye 7.989 Is of himself, and in partie 7.990

Page 2.260

7.990 He is the receipte and the hous 7.991 Of myhty Mars the bataillous. 7.992 And overmore ek, as I finde, 7.993 The creatour of alle kinde 7.994 Upon this Signe ferst began 7.995 The world, whan that he made man. 7.996 And of this constellacioun 7.997 The verray operacioun 7.998 Availeth, if a man therinne 7.999 The pourpos of his werk beginne; 7.1000

Lines 1001 through 1100

For thanne he hath of proprete 7.1001 Good sped and gret felicite. 7.1002 The tuelve Monthes of the yeer 7.1003 Attitled under the pouer 7.1004 Of these tuelve Signes stonde; 7.1005 Wherof that thou schalt understonde 7.1006 This Aries on of the tuelve 7.1007 Hath March attitled for himselve, 7.1008 Whan every bridd schal chese his make, 7.1009 And every neddre and every Snake 7.1010 And every Reptil which mai moeve, 7.1011 His myht assaieth forto proeve, 7.1012 To crepen out ayein the Sonne, 7.1013 Whan Ver his Seson hath begonne. 7.1014 Taurus the seconde after this 7.1015 Of Signes, which figured is 7.1016 Unto a Bole, is dreie and cold; 7.1017 And as it is in bokes told, 7.1018 He is the hous appourtienant 7.1019 To Venus, somdiel descordant. 7.1020 This Bole is ek with sterres set, 7.1021 Thurgh whiche he hath hise hornes knet 7.1022 Unto the tail of Aries, 7.1023 So is he noght ther sterreles. 7.1024 Upon his brest ek eyhtetiene 7.1025 He hath, and ek, as it is sene, 7.1026 Upon his tail stonde othre tuo. 7.1027

Page 2.261

7.1027 His Monthe assigned ek also 7.1028 Is Averil, which of his schoures 7.1029 Ministreth weie unto the floures. 7.1030 The thridde signe is Gemini, 7.1031 Which is figured redely 7.1032 Lich to tuo twinnes of mankinde, 7.1033 That naked stonde; and as I finde, 7.1034 Thei be with Sterres wel bego: 7.1035 The heved hath part of thilke tuo 7.1036 That schyne upon the boles tail, 7.1037 So be thei bothe of o parail; 7.1038 But on the wombe of Gemini 7.1039 Ben fyve sterres noght forthi, 7.1040 And ek upon the feet be tweie, 7.1041 So as these olde bokes seie, 7.1042 That wise Tholomeu�s wrot. 7.1043 His propre Monthe wel I wot 7.1044 Assigned is the lusti Maii, 7.1045 Whanne every brid upon his lay 7.1046 Among the griene leves singeth, 7.1047 And love of his pointure stingeth 7.1048 After the lawes of nature 7.1049 The youthe of every creature. 7.1050 Cancer after the reule and space 7.1051 Of Signes halt the ferthe place. 7.1052 Like to the crabbe he hath semblance, 7.1053 And hath unto his retienance 7.1054 Sextiene sterres, wherof ten, 7.1055 So as these olde wise men 7.1056 Descrive, he berth on him tofore, 7.1057 And in the middel tuo be bore, 7.1058 And foure he hath upon his ende. 7.1059 Thus goth he sterred in his kende, 7.1060 And of himself is moiste and cold, 7.1061 And is the propre hous and hold 7.1062 Which appartieneth to the Mone, 7.1063

Page 2.262

7.1063 And doth what longeth him to done. 7.1064 The Monthe of Juin unto this Signe 7.1065 Thou schalt after the reule assigne. 7.1066 The fifte Signe is Leo hote, 7.1067 Whos kinde is schape dreie and hote, 7.1068 In whom the Sonne hath herbergage. 7.1069 And the semblance of his ymage 7.1070 Is a leoun, which in baillie 7.1071 Of sterres hath his pourpartie: 7.1072 The foure, which as Cancer hath 7.1073 Upon his ende, Leo tath 7.1074 Upon his heved, and thanne nest 7.1075 He hath ek foure upon his brest, 7.1076 And on upon his tail behinde, 7.1077 In olde bokes as we finde. 7.1078 His propre Monthe is Juyl be name, 7.1079 In which men pleien many a game. 7.1080 After Leo Virgo the nexte 7.1081 Of Signes cleped is the sexte, 7.1082 Wherof the figure is a Maide; 7.1083 And as the Philosophre saide, 7.1084 Sche is the welthe and the risinge, 7.1085 The lust, the joie and the likinge 7.1086 Unto Mercurie: and soth to seie 7.1087 Sche is with sterres wel beseie, 7.1088 Wherof Leo hath lent hire on, 7.1089 Which sit on hih hir heved upon, 7.1090 Hire wombe hath fyve, hir feet also 7.1091 Have other fyve: and overmo 7.1092 Touchende as of complexion, 7.1093 Be kindly disposicion 7.1094 Of dreie and cold this Maiden is. 7.1095 And forto tellen over this 7.1096 Hir Monthe, thou schalt understonde, 7.1097 Whan every feld hath corn in honde 7.1098 And many a man his bak hath plied, 7.1099

Page 2.263

7.1099 Unto this Signe is Augst applied. 7.1100

Lines 1101 through 1200

After Virgo to reknen evene 7.1101 Libra sit in the nombre of sevene, 7.1102 Which hath figure and resemblance 7.1103 Unto a man which a balance 7.1104 Berth in his hond as forto weie: 7.1105 In boke and as it mai be seie, 7.1106 Diverse sterres to him longeth, 7.1107 Wherof on hevede he underfongeth 7.1108 Ferst thre, and ek his wombe hath tuo, 7.1109 And doun benethe eighte othre mo. 7.1110 This Signe is hot and moiste bothe, 7.1111 The whiche thinges be noght lothe 7.1112 Unto Venus, so that alofte 7.1113 Sche resteth in his hous fulofte, 7.1114 And ek Saturnus often hyed 7.1115 Is in this Signe and magnefied. 7.1116 His propre Monthe is seid Septembre, 7.1117 Which yifth men cause to remembre, 7.1118 If eny Sor be left behinde 7.1119 Of thing which grieve mai to kinde. 7.1120 Among the Signes upon heighte 7.1121 The Signe which is nombred eighte 7.1122 Is Scorpio, which as feloun 7.1123 Figured is a Scorpioun. 7.1124 Bot for al that yit natheles 7.1125 Is Scorpio noght sterreles; 7.1126 For Libra granteth him his ende 7.1127 Of eighte sterres, wher he wende, 7.1128 The whiche upon his heved assised 7.1129 He berth, and ek ther ben divised 7.1130 Upon his wombe sterres thre, 7.1131 And eighte upon his tail hath he. 7.1132 Which of his kinde is moiste and cold 7.1133 And unbehovely manyfold; 7.1134 He harmeth Venus and empeireth, 7.1135 Bot Mars unto his hous repeireth, 7.1136 Bot war whan thei togedre duellen. 7.1137

Page 2.264

7.1137 His propre Monthe is, as men tellen, 7.1138 Octobre, which bringth the kalende 7.1139 Of wynter, that comth next suiende. 7.1140 The nynthe Signe in nombre also, 7.1141 Which folweth after Scorpio, 7.1142 Is cleped Sagittarius, 7.1143 The whos figure is marked thus, 7.1144 A Monstre with a bowe on honde: 7.1145 On whom that sondri sterres stonde, 7.1146 Thilke eighte of whiche I spak tofore, 7.1147 The whiche upon the tail ben bore 7.1148 Of Scorpio, the heved al faire 7.1149 Bespreden of the Sagittaire; 7.1150 And eighte of othre stonden evene 7.1151 Upon his wombe, and othre sevene 7.1152 Ther stonde upon his tail behinde. 7.1153 And he is hot and dreie of kinde: 7.1154 To Jupiter his hous is fre, 7.1155 Bot to Mercurie in his degre, 7.1156 For thei ben noght of on assent, 7.1157 He worcheth gret empeirement. 7.1158 This Signe hath of his proprete 7.1159 A Monthe, which of duete 7.1160 After the sesoun that befalleth 7.1161 The Plowed Oxe in wynter stalleth; 7.1162 And fyr into the halle he bringeth, 7.1163 And thilke drinke of which men singeth, 7.1164 He torneth must into the wyn; 7.1165 Thanne is the larder of the swyn; 7.1166 That is Novembre which I meene, 7.1167 Whan that the lef hath lost his greene. 7.1168 The tenthe Signe dreie and cold, 7.1169 The which is Capricornus told, 7.1170 Unto a Got hath resemblance: 7.1171 For whos love and whos aqueintance 7.1172 Withinne hise houses to sojorne 7.1173 It liketh wel unto Satorne, 7.1174 Bot to the Mone it liketh noght, 7.1175

Page 2.265

7.1175 For no profit is there wroght. 7.1176 This Signe as of his proprete 7.1177 Upon his heved hath sterres thre, 7.1178 And ek upon his wombe tuo, 7.1179 And tweie upon his tail also. 7.1180 Decembre after the yeeres forme, 7.1181 So as the bokes ous enforme, 7.1182 With daies schorte and nyhtes longe 7.1183 This ilke Signe hath underfonge. 7.1184 Of tho that sitte upon the hevene 7.1185 Of Signes in the nombre ellevene 7.1186 Aquarius hath take his place, 7.1187 And stant wel in Satornes grace, 7.1188 Which duelleth in his herbergage, 7.1189 Bot to the Sonne he doth oultrage. 7.1190 This Signe is verraily resembled 7.1191 Lich to a man which halt assembled 7.1192 In eyther hand a water spoute, 7.1193 Wherof the stremes rennen oute. 7.1194 He is of kinde moiste and hot, 7.1195 And he that of the sterres wot 7.1196 Seith that he hath of sterres tuo 7.1197 Upon his heved, and ben of tho 7.1198 That Capricorn hath on his ende; 7.1199 And as the bokes maken mende, 7.1200

Lines 1201 through 1300

That Tholomeu�s made himselve, 7.1201 He hath ek on his wombe tuelve, 7.1202 And tweie upon his ende stonde. 7.1203 Thou schalt also this understonde, 7.1204 The frosti colde Janever, 7.1205 Whan comen is the newe yeer, 7.1206 That Janus with his double face 7.1207 In his chaiere hath take his place 7.1208 And loketh upon bothe sides, 7.1209 Somdiel toward the wynter tydes, 7.1210 Somdiel toward the yeer suiende, 7.1211 That is the Monthe belongende 7.1212 Unto this Signe, and of his dole 7.1213

Page 2.266

7.1213 He yifth the ferste Primerole. 7.1214 The tuelfthe, which is last of alle 7.1215 Of Signes, Piscis men it calle, 7.1216 The which, as telleth the scripture, 7.1217 Berth of tuo fisshes the figure. 7.1218 So is he cold and moiste of kinde, 7.1219 And ek with sterres, as I finde, 7.1220 Beset in sondri wise, as thus: 7.1221 Tuo of his ende Aquarius 7.1222 Hath lent unto his heved, and tuo 7.1223 This Signe hath of his oghne also 7.1224 Upon his wombe, and over this 7.1225 Upon his ende also ther is 7.1226 A nombre of twenty sterres bryghte, 7.1227 Which is to sen a wonder sighte. 7.1228 Toward this Signe into his hous 7.1229 Comth Jupiter the glorious, 7.1230 And Venus ek with him acordeth 7.1231 To duellen, as the bok recordeth. 7.1232 The Monthe unto this Signe ordeined 7.1233 Is Februer, which is bereined, 7.1234 And with londflodes in his rage 7.1235 At Fordes letteth the passage. 7.1236 Nou hast thou herd the proprete 7.1237 Of Signes, bot in his degre 7.1238 Albumazar yit over this 7.1239 Seith, so as therthe parted is 7.1240 In foure, riht so ben divised 7.1241 The Signes tuelve and stonde assised, 7.1242 That ech of hem for his partie 7.1243 Hath his climat to justefie. 7.1244 Wherof the ferste regiment 7.1245 Toward the part of Orient 7.1246 From Antioche and that contre 7.1247 Governed is of Signes thre, 7.1248 That is Cancer, Virgo, Leo: 7.1249 And toward Occident also 7.1250 From Armenie, as I am lerned, 7.1251

Page 2.267

7.1251 Of Capricorn it stant governed, 7.1252 Of Pisces and Aquarius: 7.1253 And after hem I finde thus, 7.1254 Southward from Alisandre forth 7.1255 Tho Signes whiche most ben worth 7.1256 In governance of that doaire, 7.1257 Libra thei ben and Sagittaire 7.1258 With Scorpio, which is conjoint 7.1259 With hem to stonde upon that point: 7.1260 Constantinople the Cite, 7.1261 So as the bokes tellen me, 7.1262 The laste of this division 7.1263 Stant untoward Septemtrion, 7.1264 Wher as be weie of pourveance 7.1265 Hath Aries the governance 7.1266 Forth with Taurus and Gemini. 7.1267 Thus ben the Signes propreli 7.1268 Divided, as it is reherced, 7.1269 Wherof the londes ben diversed. 7.1270 Lo thus, mi Sone, as thou myht hiere, 7.1271 Was Alisandre mad to liere 7.1272 Of hem that weren for his lore. 7.1273 But nou to loken overmore, 7.1274 Of othre sterres hou thei fare 7.1275 I thenke hierafter to declare, 7.1276 So as king Alisandre in youthe 7.1277 Of him that suche thinges couthe 7.1278 Enformed was tofore his yhe 7.1279 Be nyhte upon the sterres hihe. 7.1280 Upon sondri creacion 7.1281 Stant sondri operacion, 7.1282 Som worcheth this, som worcheth that; 7.1283 The fyr is hot in his astat 7.1284 And brenneth what he mai atteigne, 7.1285 The water mai the fyr restreigne, 7.1286 The which is cold and moist also. 7.1287 Of other thing it farth riht so 7.1288

Page 2.268

7.1288 Upon this erthe among ous here; 7.1289 And forto speke in this manere, 7.1290 Upon the hevene, as men mai finde, 7.1291 The sterres ben of sondri kinde 7.1292 And worchen manye sondri thinges 7.1293 To ous, that ben here underlinges. 7.1294 Among the whiche forth withal 7.1295 Nectanabus in special, 7.1296 Which was an Astronomien 7.1297 And ek a gret Magicien, 7.1298 And undertake hath thilke emprise 7.1299 To Alisandre in his aprise 7.1300

Lines 1301 through 1400

As of Magique naturel 7.1301 To knowe, enformeth him somdel 7.1302 Of certein sterres what thei mene; 7.1303 Of whiche, he seith, ther ben fiftene, 7.1304 And sondrily to everich on 7.1305 A gras belongeth and a Ston, 7.1306 Wherof men worchen many a wonder 7.1307 To sette thing bothe up and under. 7.1308 To telle riht as he began, 7.1309 The ferste sterre Aldeboran, 7.1310 The cliereste and the moste of alle, 7.1311 Be rihte name men it calle; 7.1312 Which lich is of condicion 7.1313 To Mars, and of complexion 7.1314 To Venus, and hath therupon 7.1315 Carbunculum his propre Ston: 7.1316 His herbe is Anabulla named, 7.1317 Which is of gret vertu proclamed. 7.1318 The seconde is noght vertules; 7.1319 Clota or elles Pliades 7.1320 It hatte, and of the mones kinde 7.1321 He is, and also this I finde, 7.1322 He takth of Mars complexion: 7.1323 And lich to such condicion 7.1324 His Ston appropred is Cristall, 7.1325 And ek his herbe in special 7.1326 The vertuous Fenele it is. 7.1327

Page 2.269

7.1327 The thridde, which comth after this, 7.1328 Is hote Algol the clere rede, 7.1329 Which of Satorne, as I may rede, 7.1330 His kinde takth, and ek of Jove 7.1331 Complexion to his behove. 7.1332 His propre Ston is Dyamant, 7.1333 Which is to him most acordant; 7.1334 His herbe, which is him betake, 7.1335 Is hote Eleborum the blake. 7.1336 So as it falleth upon lot, 7.1337 The ferthe sterre is Alhaiot, 7.1338 Which in the wise as I seide er 7.1339 Of Satorne and of Jupiter 7.1340 Hath take his kinde; and therupon 7.1341 The Saphir is his propre Ston, 7.1342 Marrubium his herbe also, 7.1343 The whiche acorden bothe tuo. 7.1344 And Canis maior in his like 7.1345 The fifte sterre is of Magique, 7.1346 The whos kinde is venerien, 7.1347 As seith this Astronomien. 7.1348 His propre Ston is seid Berille, 7.1349 Bot forto worche and to fulfille 7.1350 Thing which to this science falleth, 7.1351 Ther is an herbe which men calleth 7.1352 Saveine, and that behoveth nede 7.1353 To him that wole his pourpos spede. 7.1354 The sexte suiende after this 7.1355 Be name Canis minor is; 7.1356 The which sterre is Mercurial 7.1357 Be weie of kinde, and forth withal, 7.1358 As it is writen in the carte, 7.1359 Complexion he takth of Marte. 7.1360 His Ston and herbe, as seith the Scole, 7.1361 Ben Achates and Primerole. 7.1362 The sefnthe sterre in special 7.1363 Of this science is Arial, 7.1364 Which sondri nature underfongeth. 7.1365

Page 2.270

7.1365 The Ston which propre unto him longeth, 7.1366 Gorgonza proprely it hihte: 7.1367 His herbe also, which he schal rihte 7.1368 Upon the worchinge as I mene, 7.1369 Is Celidoine freissh and grene. 7.1370 Sterre Ala Corvi upon heihte 7.1371 Hath take his place in nombre of eighte, 7.1372 Which of his kinde mot parforne 7.1373 The will of Marte and of Satorne: 7.1374 To whom Lapacia the grete 7.1375 Is herbe, bot of no beyete; 7.1376 His Ston is Honochinus hote, 7.1377 Thurgh which men worchen gret riote. 7.1378 The nynthe sterre faire and wel 7.1379 Be name is hote Alaezel, 7.1380 Which takth his propre kinde thus 7.1381 Bothe of Mercurie and of Venus. 7.1382 His Ston is the grene Amyraude, 7.1383 To whom is yoven many a laude: 7.1384 Salge is his herbe appourtenant 7.1385 Aboven al the rememant. 7.1386 The tenthe sterre is Almareth, 7.1387 Which upon lif and upon deth 7.1388 Thurgh kinde of Jupiter and Mart 7.1389 He doth what longeth to his part. 7.1390 His Ston is Jaspe, and of Planteine 7.1391 He hath his herbe sovereine. 7.1392 The sterre ellefthe is Venenas, 7.1393 The whos nature is as it was 7.1394 Take of Venus and of the Mone, 7.1395 In thing which he hath forto done. 7.1396 Of Adamant is that perrie 7.1397 In which he worcheth his maistrie; 7.1398 Thilke herbe also which him befalleth, 7.1399 Cicorea the bok it calleth. 7.1400

Lines 1401 through 1500

Alpheta in the nombre sit, 7.1401 And is the twelfthe sterre yit; 7.1402

Page 2.271

7.1402 Of Scorpio which is governed, 7.1403 And takth his kinde, as I am lerned; 7.1404 And hath his vertu in the Ston 7.1405 Which cleped is Topazion: 7.1406 His herbe propre is Rosmarine, 7.1407 Which schapen is for his covine. 7.1408 Of these sterres, whiche I mene, 7.1409 Cor Scorpionis is thritiene; 7.1410 The whos nature Mart and Jove 7.1411 Have yoven unto his behove. 7.1412 His herbe is Aristologie, 7.1413 Which folweth his Astronomie: 7.1414 The Ston which that this sterre alloweth, 7.1415 Is Sardis, which unto him boweth. 7.1416 The sterre which stant next the laste, 7.1417 Nature on him this name caste 7.1418 And clepeth him Botercadent; 7.1419 Which of his kinde obedient 7.1420 Is to Mercurie and to Venus. 7.1421 His Ston is seid Crisolitus, 7.1422 His herbe is cleped Satureie, 7.1423 So as these olde bokes seie. 7.1424 Bot nou the laste sterre of alle 7.1425 The tail of Scorpio men calle, 7.1426 Which to Mercurie and to Satorne 7.1427 Be weie of kinde mot retorne 7.1428 After the preparacion 7.1429 Of due constellacion. 7.1430 The Calcedoine unto him longeth, 7.1431 Which for his Ston he underfongeth; 7.1432 Of Majorane his herbe is grounded. 7.1433 Thus have I seid hou thei be founded, 7.1434 Of every sterre in special, 7.1435 Which hath his herbe and Ston withal, 7.1436 As Hermes in his bokes olde 7.1437 Witnesse berth of that I tolde. 7.1438

Page 2.272

7.1438 The science of Astronomie, 7.1439 Which principal is of clergie 7.1440 To dieme betwen wo and wel 7.1441 In thinges that be naturel, 7.1442 Thei hadde a gret travail on honde 7.1443 That made it ferst ben understonde; 7.1444 And thei also which overmore 7.1445 Here studie sette upon this lore, 7.1446 Thei weren gracious and wys 7.1447 And worthi forto bere a pris. 7.1448 And whom it liketh forto wite 7.1449 Of hem that this science write, 7.1450 On of the ferste which it wrot 7.1451 After Noe�, it was Nembrot, 7.1452 To his disciple Ychonithon 7.1453 And made a bok forth therupon 7.1454 The which Megaster cleped was. 7.1455 An other Auctor in this cas 7.1456 Is Arachel, the which men note; 7.1457 His bok is Abbategnyh hote. 7.1458 Danz Tholome is noght the leste, 7.1459 Which makth the bok of Almageste; 7.1460 And Alfraganus doth the same, 7.1461 Whos bok is Chatemuz be name. 7.1462 Gebuz and Alpetragus eke 7.1463 Of Planisperie, which men seke, 7.1464 The bokes made: and over this 7.1465 Ful many a worthi clerc ther is, 7.1466 That writen upon this clergie 7.1467 The bokes of Altemetrie, 7.1468 Planemetrie and ek also, 7.1469 Whiche as belongen bothe tuo, 7.1470 So as thei ben naturiens, 7.1471 Unto these Astronomiens. 7.1472 Men sein that Habraham was on; 7.1473 Bot whether that he wrot or non, 7.1474 That finde I noght; and Moi�ses 7.1475 Ek was an other: bot Hermes 7.1476

Page 2.273

7.1476 Above alle othre in this science 7.1477 He hadde a gret experience; 7.1478 Thurgh him was many a sterre assised, 7.1479 Whos bokes yit ben auctorized. 7.1480 I mai noght knowen alle tho 7.1481 That writen in the time tho 7.1482 Of this science; bot I finde, 7.1483 Of jugement be weie of kinde 7.1484 That in o point thei alle acorden: 7.1485 Of sterres whiche thei recorden 7.1486 That men mai sen upon the hevene, 7.1487 Ther ben a thousend sterres evene 7.1488 And tuo and twenty, to the syhte 7.1489 Whiche aren of hemself so bryhte, 7.1490 That men mai dieme what thei be, 7.1491 The nature and the proprete. 7.1492 Nou hast thou herd, in which a wise 7.1493 These noble Philosophres wise 7.1494 Enformeden this yonge king, 7.1495 And made him have a knowleching 7.1496 Of thing which ferst to the partie 7.1497 Belongeth of Philosophie, 7.1498 Which Theorique cleped is, 7.1499 As thou tofore hast herd er this. 7.1500

Lines 1501 through 1600

Bot nou to speke of the secounde, 7.1501 Which Aristotle hath also founde, 7.1502 And techeth hou to speke faire, 7.1503 Which is a thing full necessaire 7.1504 To contrepeise the balance, 7.1505 Wher lacketh other sufficance. 7.1506 Above alle erthli creatures 7.1507 The hihe makere of natures 7.1508

Page 2.274

7.1508 The word to man hath yove alone, 7.1509 So that the speche of his persone, 7.1510 Or forto lese or forto winne, 7.1511 The hertes thoght which is withinne 7.1512 Mai schewe, what it wolde mene; 7.1513 And that is noghwhere elles sene 7.1514 Of kinde with non other beste. 7.1515 So scholde he be the more honeste, 7.1516 To whom god yaf so gret a yifte, 7.1517 And loke wel that he ne schifte 7.1518 Hise wordes to no wicked us; 7.1519 For word the techer of vertus 7.1520 Is cleped in Philosophie. 7.1521 Wherof touchende this partie, 7.1522 Is Rethorique the science 7.1523 Appropred to the reverence 7.1524 Of wordes that ben resonable: 7.1525 And for this art schal be vailable 7.1526 With goodli wordes forto like, 7.1527 It hath Gramaire, it hath Logiqe, 7.1528 That serven bothe unto the speche. 7.1529 Gramaire ferste hath forto teche 7.1530 To speke upon congruite: 7.1531 Logique hath eke in his degre 7.1532 Betwen the trouthe and the falshode 7.1533 The pleine wordes forto schode, 7.1534 So that nothing schal go beside, 7.1535 That he the riht ne schal decide. 7.1536 Wherof full many a gret debat 7.1537 Reformed is to good astat, 7.1538 And pes sustiened up alofte 7.1539 With esy wordes and with softe, 7.1540 Wher strengthe scholde lete it falle. 7.1541 The Philosophre amonges alle 7.1542 Forthi commendeth this science, 7.1543 Which hath the reule of eloquence. 7.1544 In Ston and gras vertu ther is, 7.1545 Bot yit the bokes tellen this, 7.1546

Page 2.275

7.1546 That word above alle erthli thinges 7.1547 Is vertuous in his doinges, 7.1548 Wher so it be to evele or goode. 7.1549 For if the wordes semen goode 7.1550 And ben wel spoke at mannes Ere, 7.1551 Whan that ther is no trouthe there, 7.1552 Thei don fulofte gret deceipte; 7.1553 For whan the word to the conceipte 7.1554 Descordeth in so double a wise, 7.1555 Such Rethorique is to despise 7.1556 In every place, and forto drede. 7.1557 For of Uluxes thus I rede, 7.1558 As in the bok of Troie is founde, 7.1559 His eloquence and his facounde 7.1560 Of goodly wordes whiche he tolde, 7.1561 Hath mad that Anthenor him solde 7.1562 The toun, which he with tresoun wan. 7.1563 Word hath beguiled many a man; 7.1564 With word the wilde beste is daunted, 7.1565 With word the Serpent is enchaunted, 7.1566 Of word among the men of Armes 7.1567 Ben woundes heeled with the charmes, 7.1568 Wher lacketh other medicine; 7.1569 Word hath under his discipline 7.1570 Of Sorcerie the karectes. 7.1571 The wordes ben of sondri sectes, 7.1572 Of evele and eke of goode also; 7.1573 The wordes maken frend of fo, 7.1574 And fo of frend, and pes of werre, 7.1575 And werre of pes, and out of herre 7.1576 The word this worldes cause entriketh, 7.1577 And reconsileth whan him liketh. 7.1578 The word under the coupe of hevene 7.1579 Set every thing or odde or evene; 7.1580 With word the hihe god is plesed, 7.1581 With word the wordes ben appesed, 7.1582 The softe word the loude stilleth; 7.1583 Wher lacketh good, the word fulfilleth, 7.1584 To make amendes for the wrong; 7.1585

Page 2.276

7.1585 Whan wordes medlen with the song, 7.1586 It doth plesance wel the more. 7.1587 Bot forto loke upon the lore 7.1588 Hou Tullius his Rethorique 7.1589 Componeth, ther a man mai pike 7.1590 Hou that he schal hise wordes sette, 7.1591 Hou he schal lose, hou he schal knette, 7.1592 And in what wise he schal pronounce 7.1593 His tale plein withoute frounce. 7.1594 Wherof ensample if thou wolt seche, 7.1595 Tak hiede and red whilom the speche 7.1596 Of Julius and Cithero, 7.1597 Which consul was of Rome tho, 7.1598 Of Catoun eke and of Cillene, 7.1599 Behold the wordes hem betwene, 7.1600

Lines 1601 through 1700

Whan the tresoun of Cateline 7.1601 Descoevered was, and the covine 7.1602 Of hem that were of his assent 7.1603 Was knowe and spoke in parlement, 7.1604 And axed hou and in what wise 7.1605 Men scholde don hem to juise. 7.1606 Cillenus ferst his tale tolde, 7.1607 To trouthe and as he was beholde, 7.1608 The comun profit forto save, 7.1609 He seide hou tresoun scholde have 7.1610 A cruel deth; and thus thei spieke, 7.1611 The Consul bothe and Catoun eke, 7.1612 And seiden that for such a wrong 7.1613 Ther mai no peine be to strong. 7.1614 Bot Julius with wordes wise 7.1615 His tale tolde al otherwise, 7.1616 As he which wolde her deth respite, 7.1617 And fondeth hou he mihte excite 7.1618 The jugges thurgh his eloquence 7.1619 Fro deth to torne the sentence 7.1620 And sette here hertes to pite. 7.1621 Nou tolden thei, nou tolde he; 7.1622

Page 2.277

7.1622 Thei spieken plein after the lawe, 7.1623 Bot he the wordes of his sawe 7.1624 Coloureth in an other weie 7.1625 Spekende, and thus betwen the tweie, 7.1626 To trete upon this juggement, 7.1627 Made ech of hem his Argument. 7.1628 Wherof the tales forto hiere, 7.1629 Ther mai a man the Scole liere 7.1630 Of Rethoriqes eloquences, 7.1631 Which is the secounde of sciences 7.1632 Touchende to Philosophie; 7.1633 Wherof a man schal justifie 7.1634 Hise wordes in disputeisoun, 7.1635 And knette upon conclusioun 7.1636 His Argument in such a forme, 7.1637 Which mai the pleine trouthe enforme 7.1638 And the soubtil cautele abate, 7.1639 Which every trewman schal debate. 7.1640 The ferste, which is Theorique, 7.1641 And the secounde Rethorique, 7.1642 Sciences of Philosophie, 7.1643 I have hem told as in partie, 7.1644 So as the Philosophre it tolde 7.1645 To Alisandre: and nou I wolde 7.1646 Telle of the thridde what it is, 7.1647 The which Practique cleped is. 7.1648 Practique stant upon thre thinges 7.1649 Toward the governance of kinges; 7.1650 Wherof the ferst Etique is named, 7.1651 The whos science stant proclamed 7.1652 To teche of vertu thilke reule, 7.1653

Page 2.278

7.1653 Hou that a king himself schal reule 7.1654 Of his moral condicion 7.1655 With worthi disposicion 7.1656 Of good livinge in his persone, 7.1657 Which is the chief of his corone. 7.1658 It makth a king also to lerne 7.1659 Hou he his bodi schal governe, 7.1660 Hou he schal wake, hou he schal slepe, 7.1661 Hou that he schal his hele kepe 7.1662 In mete, in drinke, in clothinge eke: 7.1663 Ther is no wisdom forto seke 7.1664 As for the reule of his persone, 7.1665 The which that this science al one 7.1666 Ne techeth as be weie of kinde, 7.1667 That ther is nothing left behinde. 7.1668 That other point which to Practique 7.1669 Belongeth is Iconomique, 7.1670 Which techeth thilke honestete 7.1671 Thurgh which a king in his degre 7.1672 His wif and child schal reule and guie, 7.1673 So forth with al the companie 7.1674 Which in his houshold schal abyde, 7.1675 And his astat on every syde 7.1676 In such manere forto lede, 7.1677 That he his houshold ne mislede. 7.1678 Practique hath yit the thridde aprise, 7.1679 Which techeth hou and in what wise 7.1680 Thurgh hih pourveied ordinance 7.1681 A king schal sette in governance 7.1682 His Realme, and that is Policie, 7.1683 Which longeth unto Regalie 7.1684 In time of werre, in time of pes, 7.1685 To worschipe and to good encress 7.1686 Of clerk, of kniht and of Marchant, 7.1687 And so forth of the remenant 7.1688 Of al the comun poeple aboute, 7.1689 Withinne Burgh and ek withoute, 7.1690

Page 2.279

7.1690 Of hem that ben Artificiers, 7.1691 Whiche usen craftes and mestiers, 7.1692 Whos Art is cleped Mechanique. 7.1693 And though thei ben noght alle like, 7.1694 Yit natheles, hou so it falle, 7.1695 O lawe mot governe hem alle, 7.1696 Or that thei lese or that thei winne, 7.1697 After thastat that thei ben inne. 7.1698 Lo, thus this worthi yonge king 7.1699 Was fulli tauht of every thing, 7.1700

Lines 1701 through 1800

Which mihte yive entendement 7.1701 Of good reule and good regiment 7.1702 To such a worthi Prince as he. 7.1703 Bot of verray necessite 7.1704 The Philosophre him hath betake 7.1705 Fyf pointz, whiche he hath undertake 7.1706 To kepe and holde in observance, 7.1707 As for the worthi governance 7.1708 Which longeth to his Regalie, 7.1709 After the reule of Policie. 7.1710 To every man behoveth lore, 7.1711 Bot to noman belongeth more 7.1712 Than to a king, which hath to lede 7.1713 The poeple; for of his kinghede 7.1714 He mai hem bothe save and spille. 7.1715 And for it stant upon his wille, 7.1716 It sit him wel to ben avised, 7.1717 And the vertus whiche are assissed 7.1718 Unto a kinges Regiment, 7.1719 To take in his entendement: 7.1720 Wherof to tellen, as thei stonde, 7.1721 Hierafterward nou woll I fonde. 7.1722

Page 2.280

7.1722 Among the vertus on is chief, 7.1723 And that is trouthe, which is lief 7.1724 To god and ek to man also. 7.1725 And for it hath ben evere so, 7.1726 Tawhte Aristotle, as he wel couthe, 7.1727 To Alisandre, hou in his youthe 7.1728 He scholde of trouthe thilke grace 7.1729 With al his hole herte embrace, 7.1730 So that his word be trewe and plein, 7.1731 Toward the world and so certein 7.1732 That in him be no double speche: 7.1733 For if men scholde trouthe seche 7.1734 And founde it noght withinne a king, 7.1735 It were an unsittende thing. 7.1736 The word is tokne of that withinne, 7.1737 Ther schal a worthi king beginne 7.1738 To kepe his tunge and to be trewe, 7.1739 So schal his pris ben evere newe. 7.1740 Avise him every man tofore, 7.1741 And be wel war, er he be swore, 7.1742 For afterward it is to late, 7.1743 If that he wole his word debate. 7.1744 For as a king in special 7.1745 Above alle othre is principal 7.1746 Of his pouer, so scholde he be 7.1747 Most vertuous in his degre; 7.1748 And that mai wel be signefied 7.1749 Be his corone and specified. 7.1750 The gold betokneth excellence, 7.1751 That men schull don him reverence 7.1752 As to here liege soverein. 7.1753 The Stones, as the bokes sein, 7.1754 Commended ben in treble wise: 7.1755 Ferst thei ben harde, and thilke assisse 7.1756 Betokneth in a king Constance, 7.1757 So that ther schal no variance 7.1758 Be founde in his condicion; 7.1759 And also be descripcion 7.1760

Page 2.281

7.1760 The vertu which is in the stones 7.1761 A verrai Signe is for the nones 7.1762 Of that a king schal ben honeste 7.1763 And holde trewly his beheste 7.1764 Of thing which longeth to kinghede: 7.1765 The bryhte colour, as I rede, 7.1766 Which in the stones is schynende, 7.1767 Is in figure betoknende 7.1768 The Cronique of this worldes fame, 7.1769 Which stant upon his goode name. 7.1770 The cercle which is round aboute 7.1771 Is tokne of al the lond withoute, 7.1772 Which stant under his Gerarchie, 7.1773 That he it schal wel kepe and guye. 7.1774 And for that trouthe, hou so it falle, 7.1775 Is the vertu soverein of alle, 7.1776 That longeth unto regiment, 7.1777 A tale, which is evident 7.1778 Of trouthe in comendacioun, 7.1779 Toward thin enformacion, 7.1780 Mi Sone, hierafter thou schalt hiere 7.1781 Of a Cronique in this matiere. 7.1782 As the Cronique it doth reherce, 7.1783 A Soldan whilom was of Perce, 7.1784 Which Daires hihte, and Ytaspis 7.1785 His fader was; and soth it is 7.1786 That thurgh wisdom and hih prudence 7.1787 Mor than for eny reverence 7.1788 Of his lignage as be descente 7.1789 The regne of thilke empire he hente: 7.1790 And as he was himselve wys, 7.1791 The wisemen he hield in pris 7.1792 And soghte hem oute on every side, 7.1793 That toward him thei scholde abide. 7.1794 Among the whiche thre ther were 7.1795 That most service unto him bere, 7.1796

Page 2.282

7.1796 As thei which in his chambre lyhen 7.1797 And al his conseil herde and syhen. 7.1798 Here names ben of strange note, 7.1799 Arpaghes was the ferste hote, 7.1800

Lines 1801 through 1900

And Manachaz was the secounde, 7.1801 Zorobabel, as it is founde 7.1802 In the Cronique, was the thridde. 7.1803 This Soldan, what so him betidde, 7.1804 To hem he triste most of alle, 7.1805 Wherof the cas is so befalle: 7.1806 This lord, which hath conceiptes depe, 7.1807 Upon a nyht whan he hath slepe, 7.1808 As he which hath his wit desposed, 7.1809 Touchende a point hem hath opposed. 7.1810 The kinges question was this; 7.1811 Of thinges thre which strengest is, 7.1812 The wyn, the womman or the king: 7.1813 And that thei scholde upon this thing 7.1814 Of here ansuere avised be, 7.1815 He yaf hem fulli daies thre, 7.1816 And hath behote hem be his feith 7.1817 That who the beste reson seith, 7.1818 He schal receive a worthi mede. 7.1819 Upon this thing thei token hiede 7.1820 And stoden in desputeison, 7.1821 That be diverse opinion 7.1822 Of Argumentz that thei have holde 7.1823 Arpaghes ferst his tale tolde, 7.1824 And seide hou that the strengthe of kinges 7.1825 Is myhtiest of alle thinges. 7.1826 For king hath pouer over man, 7.1827 And man is he which reson can, 7.1828 As he which is of his nature 7.1829 The moste noble creature 7.1830 Of alle tho that god hath wroght: 7.1831 And be that skile it semeth noght, 7.1832 He seith, that eny erthly thing 7.1833

Page 2.283

7.1833 Mai be so myhty as a king. 7.1834 A king mai spille, a king mai save, 7.1835 A king mai make of lord a knave 7.1836 And of a knave a lord also: 7.1837 The pouer of a king stant so, 7.1838 That he the lawes overpasseth; 7.1839 What he wol make lasse, he lasseth, 7.1840 What he wol make more, he moreth; 7.1841 And as the gentil faucon soreth, 7.1842 He fleth, that noman him reclameth; 7.1843 Bot he al one alle othre tameth, 7.1844 And stant himself of lawe fre. 7.1845 Lo, thus a kinges myht, seith he, 7.1846 So as his reson can argue, 7.1847 Is strengest and of most value. 7.1848 Bot Manachaz seide otherwise, 7.1849 That wyn is of the more emprise; 7.1850 And that he scheweth be this weie. 7.1851 The wyn fulofte takth aweie 7.1852 The reson fro the mannes herte; 7.1853 The wyn can make a krepel sterte, 7.1854 And a delivere man unwelde; 7.1855 It makth a blind man to behelde, 7.1856 And a bryht yhed seme derk; 7.1857 It makth a lewed man a clerk, 7.1858 And fro the clerkes the clergie 7.1859 It takth aweie, and couardie 7.1860 It torneth into hardiesse; 7.1861 Of Avarice it makth largesse. 7.1862 The wyn makth ek the goode blod, 7.1863 In which the Soule which is good 7.1864 Hath chosen hire a resting place, 7.1865 Whil that the lif hir wole embrace. 7.1866 And be this skile Manachas 7.1867 Ansuered hath upon this cas, 7.1868 And seith that wyn be weie of kinde 7.1869 Is thing which mai the hertes binde 7.1870 Wel more than the regalie. 7.1871 Zorobabel for his partie 7.1872

Page 2.284

7.1872 Seide, as him thoghte for the beste, 7.1873 That wommen ben the myhtieste. 7.1874 The king and the vinour also 7.1875 Of wommen comen bothe tuo; 7.1876 And ek he seide hou that manhede 7.1877 Thurgh strengthe unto the wommanhede 7.1878 Of love, wher he wole or non, 7.1879 Obeie schal; and therupon, 7.1880 To schewe of wommen the maistrie, 7.1881 A tale which he syh with yhe 7.1882 As for ensample he tolde this,- 7.1883 Hou Apemen, of Besazis 7.1884 Which dowhter was, in the paleis 7.1885 Sittende upon his hihe deis, 7.1886 Whan he was hotest in his ire 7.1887 Toward the grete of his empire, 7.1888 Cirus the king tirant sche tok, 7.1889 And only with hire goodly lok 7.1890 Sche made him debonaire and meke, 7.1891 And be the chyn and be the cheke 7.1892 Sche luggeth him riht as hir liste, 7.1893 That nou sche japeth, nou sche kiste, 7.1894 And doth with him what evere hir liketh; 7.1895 Whan that sche loureth, thanne he siketh, 7.1896 And whan sche gladeth, he is glad: 7.1897 And thus this king was overlad 7.1898 With hire which his lemman was. 7.1899 Among the men is no solas, 7.1900

Lines 1901 through 2000

If that ther be no womman there; 7.1901 For bot if that the wommen were, 7.1902 This worldes joie were aweie: 7.1903 Thurgh hem men finden out the weie 7.1904 To knihthode and to worldes fame; 7.1905 Thei make a man to drede schame, 7.1906 And honour forto be desired: 7.1907 Thurgh the beaute of hem is fyred 7.1908 The Dart of which Cupide throweth, 7.1909 Wherof the jolif peine groweth, 7.1910

Page 2.285

7.1910 Which al the world hath under fote. 7.1911 A womman is the mannes bote, 7.1912 His lif, his deth, his wo, his wel; 7.1913 And this thing mai be schewed wel, 7.1914 Hou that wommen ben goode and kinde, 7.1915 For in ensample this I finde. 7.1916 Whan that the duk Ametus lay 7.1917 Sek in his bedd, that every day 7.1918 Men waiten whan he scholde deie, 7.1919 Alceste his wif goth forto preie, 7.1920 As sche which wolde thonk deserve, 7.1921 With Sacrifice unto Minerve, 7.1922 To wite ansuere of the goddesse 7.1923 Hou that hir lord of his seknesse, 7.1924 Wherof he was so wo besein, 7.1925 Recovere myhte his hele ayein. 7.1926 Lo, thus sche cride and thus sche preide, 7.1927 Til ate laste a vois hir seide, 7.1928 That if sche wolde for his sake 7.1929 The maladie soffre and take, 7.1930 And deie hirself, he scholde live. 7.1931 Of this ansuere Alceste hath yive 7.1932 Unto Minerve gret thonkinge, 7.1933 So that hir deth and his livinge 7.1934 Sche ches with al hire hole entente, 7.1935 And thus acorded hom sche wente. 7.1936 Into the chambre and whan sche cam, 7.1937 Hire housebonde anon sche nam 7.1938 In bothe hire Armes and him kiste, 7.1939 And spak unto him what hire liste; 7.1940 And therupon withinne a throwe 7.1941 This goode wif was overthrowe 7.1942 And deide, and he was hool in haste. 7.1943 So mai a man be reson taste, 7.1944 Hou next after the god above 7.1945 The trouthe of wommen and the love, 7.1946 In whom that alle grace is founde, 7.1947 Is myhtiest upon this grounde 7.1948 And most behovely manyfold. 7.1949

Page 2.286

7.1949 Lo, thus Zorobabel hath told 7.1950 The tale of his opinion: 7.1951 Bot for final conclusion 7.1952 What strengest is of erthli thinges, 7.1953 The wyn, the wommen or the kinges, 7.1954 He seith that trouthe above hem alle 7.1955 Is myhtiest, hou evere it falle. 7.1956 The trouthe, hou so it evere come, 7.1957 Mai for nothing ben overcome; 7.1958 It mai wel soffre for a throwe, 7.1959 Bot ate laste it schal be knowe. 7.1960 The proverbe is, who that is trewe, 7.1961 Him schal his while nevere rewe: 7.1962 For hou so that the cause wende, 7.1963 The trouthe is schameles ate ende, 7.1964 Bot what thing that is troutheles, 7.1965 It mai noght wel be schameles, 7.1966 And schame hindreth every wyht: 7.1967 So proveth it, ther is no myht 7.1968 Withoute trouthe in no degre. 7.1969 And thus for trouthe of his decre 7.1970 Zorobabel was most commended, 7.1971 Wherof the question was ended, 7.1972 And he resceived hath his mede 7.1973 For trouthe, which to mannes nede 7.1974 Is most behoveliche overal. 7.1975 Forthi was trouthe in special 7.1976 The ferste point in observance 7.1977 Betake unto the governance 7.1978 Of Alisandre, as it is seid: 7.1979 For therupon the ground is leid 7.1980 Of every kinges regiment, 7.1981 As thing which most convenient 7.1982 Is forto sette a king in evene 7.1983 Bothe in this world and ek in hevene. 7.1984

Page 2.287

7.1984 Next after trouthe the secounde, 7.1985 In Policie as it is founde, 7.1986 Which serveth to the worldes fame 7.1987 In worschipe of a kinges name, 7.1988 Largesse it is, whos privilegge 7.1989 Ther mai non Avarice abregge. 7.1990 The worldes good was ferst comune, 7.1991 Bot afterward upon fortune 7.1992 Was thilke comun profit cessed: 7.1993 For whan the poeple stod encresced 7.1994 And the lignages woxen grete, 7.1995 Anon for singulier beyete 7.1996 Drouh every man to his partie; 7.1997 Wherof cam in the ferste envie 7.1998 With gret debat and werres stronge, 7.1999 And laste among the men so longe, 7.2000

Lines 2001 through 2100

Til noman wiste who was who, 7.2001 Ne which was frend ne which was fo. 7.2002 Til ate laste in every lond 7.2003 Withinne hemself the poeple fond 7.2004 That it was good to make a king, 7.2005 Which mihte appesen al this thing 7.2006 And yive riht to the lignages 7.2007 In partinge of here heritages 7.2008 And ek of al here other good; 7.2009 And thus above hem alle stod 7.2010 The king upon his Regalie, 7.2011 As he which hath to justifie 7.2012 The worldes good fro covoitise. 7.2013 So sit it wel in alle wise 7.2014 A king betwen the more and lesse 7.2015 To sette his herte upon largesse 7.2016 Toward himself and ek also 7.2017 Toward his poeple; and if noght so, 7.2018 That is to sein, if that he be 7.2019

Page 2.288

7.2019 Toward himselven large and fre 7.2020 And of his poeple take and pile, 7.2021 Largesse be no weie of skile 7.2022 It mai be seid, bot Avarice, 7.2023 Which in a king is a gret vice. 7.2024 A king behoveth ek to fle 7.2025 The vice of Prodegalite, 7.2026 That he mesure in his expence 7.2027 So kepe, that of indigence 7.2028 He mai be sauf: for who that nedeth, 7.2029 In al his werk the worse he spedeth. 7.2030 As Aristotle upon Chaldee 7.2031 Ensample of gret Auctorite 7.2032 Unto king Alisandre tauhte 7.2033 Of thilke folk that were unsauhte 7.2034 Toward here king for his pilage: 7.2035 Wherof he bad, in his corage 7.2036 That he unto thre pointz entende, 7.2037 Wher that he wolde his good despende. 7.2038 Ferst scholde he loke, hou that it stod, 7.2039 That al were of his oghne good 7.2040 The yiftes whiche he wolde yive; 7.2041 So myhte he wel the betre live: 7.2042 And ek he moste taken hiede 7.2043 If ther be cause of eny nede, 7.2044 Which oghte forto be defended, 7.2045 Er that his goodes be despended: 7.2046 He mot ek, as it is befalle, 7.2047 Amonges othre thinges alle 7.2048 Se the decertes of his men; 7.2049 And after that thei ben of ken 7.2050 And of astat and of merite, 7.2051 He schal hem largeliche aquite, 7.2052 Or for the werre, or for the pes, 7.2053 That non honour falle in descres, 7.2054 Which mihte torne into defame, 7.2055 Bot that he kepe his goode name, 7.2056 So that he be noght holde unkinde. 7.2057 For in Cronique a tale I finde, 7.2058

Page 2.289

7.2058 Which spekth somdiel of this matiere, 7.2059 Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere. 7.2060 In Rome, to poursuie his riht, 7.2061 Ther was a worthi povere kniht, 7.2062 Which cam al one forto sein 7.2063 His cause, when the court was plein, 7.2064 Wher Julius was in presence. 7.2065 And for him lacketh of despence, 7.2066 Ther was with him non advocat 7.2067 To make ple for his astat. 7.2068 Bot thogh him lacke forto plede, 7.2069 Him lacketh nothing of manhede; 7.2070 He wiste wel his pours was povere, 7.2071 Bot yit he thoghte his riht recovere, 7.2072 And openly poverte alleide, 7.2073 To themperour and thus he seide: 7.2074 "O Julius, lord of the lawe, 7.2075 Behold, mi conseil is withdrawe 7.2076 For lacke of gold: do thin office 7.2077 After the lawes of justice: 7.2078 Help that I hadde conseil hiere 7.2079 Upon the trouthe of mi matiere." 7.2080 And Julius with that anon 7.2081 Assigned him a worthi on, 7.2082 Bot he himself no word ne spak. 7.2083 This kniht was wroth and fond a lak 7.2084 In themperour, and seide thus: 7.2085 "O thou unkinde Julius, 7.2086 Whan thou in thi bataille were 7.2087 Up in Aufrique, and I was there, 7.2088 Mi myht for thi rescousse I dede 7.2089 And putte noman in my stede, 7.2090 Thou wost what woundes ther I hadde: 7.2091 Bot hier I finde thee so badde, 7.2092 That thee ne liste speke o word 7.2093 Thin oghne mouth, nor of thin hord 7.2094

Page 2.290

7.2094 To yive a florin me to helpe. 7.2095 Hou scholde I thanne me beyelpe 7.2096 Fro this dai forth of thi largesse, 7.2097 Whan such a gret unkindenesse 7.2098 Is founde in such a lord as thou?" 7.2099 This Julius knew wel ynou 7.2100

Lines 2101 through 2200

That al was soth which he him tolde; 7.2101 And for he wolde noght ben holde 7.2102 Unkinde, he tok his cause on honde, 7.2103 And as it were of goddes sonde, 7.2104 He yaf him good ynouh to spende 7.2105 For evere into his lives ende. 7.2106 And thus scholde every worthi king 7.2107 Take of his knihtes knowleching, 7.2108 Whan that he syh thei hadden nede, 7.2109 For every service axeth mede: 7.2110 Bot othre, which have noght deserved 7.2111 Thurgh vertu, bot of japes served, 7.2112 A king schal noght deserve grace, 7.2113 Thogh he be large in such a place. 7.2114 It sit wel every king to have 7.2115 Discrecion, whan men him crave, 7.2116 So that he mai his yifte wite: 7.2117 Wherof I finde a tale write, 7.2118 Hou Cinichus a povere kniht 7.2119 A Somme which was over myht 7.2120 Preide of his king Antigonus. 7.2121 The king ansuerde to him thus, 7.2122 And seide hou such a yifte passeth 7.2123 His povere astat: and thanne he lasseth, 7.2124 And axeth bot a litel peny, 7.2125 If that the king wol yive him eny. 7.2126 The king ansuerde, it was to smal 7.2127 For him, which was a lord real; 7.2128 To yive a man so litel thing 7.2129 It were unworschipe in a king. 7.2130 Be this ensample a king mai lere 7.2131

Page 2.291

7.2131 That forto yive is in manere: 7.2132 For if a king his tresor lasseth 7.2133 Withoute honour and thonkles passeth, 7.2134 Whan he himself wol so beguile, 7.2135 I not who schal compleigne his while, 7.2136 Ne who be rihte him schal relieve. 7.2137 Bot natheles this I believe, 7.2138 To helpe with his oghne lond 7.2139 Behoveth every man his hond 7.2140 To sette upon necessite; 7.2141 And ek his kinges realte 7.2142 Mot every liege man conforte, 7.2143 With good and bodi to supporte, 7.2144 Whan thei se cause resonable: 7.2145 For who that is noght entendable 7.2146 To holde upriht his kinges name, 7.2147 Him oghte forto be to blame. 7.2148 Of Policie and overmore 7.2149 To speke in this matiere more, 7.2150 So as the Philosophre tolde, 7.2151 A king after the reule is holde 7.2152 To modifie and to adresce 7.2153 Hise yiftes upon such largesce 7.2154 That he mesure noght excede: 7.2155 For if a king falle into nede, 7.2156 It causeth ofte sondri thinges 7.2157 Whiche are ungoodly to the kinges. 7.2158 What man wol noght himself mesure, 7.2159 Men sen fulofte that mesure 7.2160 Him hath forsake: and so doth he 7.2161 That useth Prodegalite, 7.2162 Which is the moder of poverte, 7.2163 Wherof the londes ben deserte; 7.2164 And namely whan thilke vice 7.2165 Aboute a king stant in office 7.2166 And hath withholde of his partie 7.2167 The covoitouse flaterie, 7.2168

Page 2.292

7.2168 Which many a worthi king deceiveth, 7.2169 Er he the fallas aperceiveth 7.2170 Of hem that serven to the glose. 7.2171 For thei that cunnen plese and glose, 7.2172 Ben, as men tellen, the norrices 7.2173 Unto the fostringe of the vices, 7.2174 Wherof fulofte natheles 7.2175 A king is blamed gulteles. 7.2176 A Philosophre, as thou schalt hiere, 7.2177 Spak to a king of this matiere, 7.2178 And seide him wel hou that flatours 7.2179 Coupable were of thre errours. 7.2180 On was toward the goddes hihe, 7.2181 That weren wrothe of that thei sihe 7.2182 The meschief which befalle scholde 7.2183 Of that the false flatour tolde. 7.2184 Toward the king an other was, 7.2185 Whan thei be sleihte and be fallas 7.2186 Of feigned wordes make him wene 7.2187 That blak is whyt and blew is grene 7.2188 Touchende of his condicion: 7.2189 For whanne he doth extorcion 7.2190 With manye an other vice mo, 7.2191 Men schal noght finden on of tho 7.2192 To groucche or speke therayein, 7.2193 Bot holden up his oil and sein 7.2194 That al is wel, what evere he doth; 7.2195 And thus of fals thei maken soth, 7.2196 So that here kinges yhe is blent 7.2197 And wot not hou the world is went. 7.2198 The thridde errour is harm comune, 7.2199 With which the poeple mot commune 7.2200

Lines 2201 through 2300

Of wronges that thei bringen inne: 7.2201 And thus thei worchen treble sinne, 7.2202 That ben flatours aboute a king. 7.2203 Ther myhte be no worse thing 7.2204 Aboute a kinges regalie, 7.2205 Thanne is the vice of flaterie. 7.2206

Page 2.293

7.2206 And natheles it hath ben used, 7.2207 That it was nevere yit refused 7.2208 As forto speke in court real; 7.2209 For there it is most special, 7.2210 And mai noght longe be forbore. 7.2211 Bot whan this vice of hem is bore, 7.2212 That scholden the vertus forthbringe, 7.2213 And trouthe is torned to lesinge, 7.2214 It is, as who seith, ayein kinde, 7.2215 Wherof an old ensample I finde. 7.2216 Among these othre tales wise 7.2217 Of Philosophres, in this wise 7.2218 I rede, how whilom tuo ther were, 7.2219 And to the Scole forto lere 7.2220 Unto Athenes fro Cartage 7.2221 Here frendes, whan thei were of Age, 7.2222 Hem sende; and ther thei stoden longe, 7.2223 Til thei such lore have underfonge, 7.2224 That in here time thei surmonte 7.2225 Alle othre men, that to acompte 7.2226 Of hem was tho the grete fame. 7.2227 The ferste of hem his rihte name 7.2228 Was Diogenes thanne hote, 7.2229 In whom was founde no riote: 7.2230 His felaw Arisippus hyhte, 7.2231 Which mochel couthe and mochel myhte. 7.2232 Bot ate laste, soth to sein, 7.2233 Thei bothe tornen hom ayein 7.2234 Unto Cartage and scole lete. 7.2235 This Diogenes no beyete 7.2236

Page 2.294

7.2236 Of worldes good or lasse or more 7.2237 Ne soghte for his longe lore, 7.2238 Bot tok him only forto duelle 7.2239 At hom; and as the bokes telle, 7.2240 His hous was nyh to the rivere 7.2241 Besyde a bregge, as thou schalt hiere. 7.2242 Ther duelleth he to take his reste, 7.2243 So as it thoghte him for the beste, 7.2244 To studie in his Philosophie, 7.2245 As he which wolde so defie 7.2246 The worldes pompe on every syde. 7.2247 Bot Arisippe his bok aside 7.2248 Hath leid, and to the court he wente, 7.2249 Wher many a wyle and many a wente 7.2250 With flaterie and wordes softe 7.2251 He caste, and hath compassed ofte 7.2252 Hou he his Prince myhte plese; 7.2253 And in this wise he gat him ese 7.2254 Of vein honour and worldes good. 7.2255 The londes reule upon him stod, 7.2256 The king of him was wonder glad, 7.2257 And all was do, what thing he bad, 7.2258 Bothe in the court and ek withoute. 7.2259 With flaterie he broghte aboute 7.2260 His pourpos of the worldes werk, 7.2261 Which was ayein the stat of clerk, 7.2262 So that Philosophie he lefte 7.2263 And to richesse himself uplefte: 7.2264 Lo, thus hadde Arisippe his wille. 7.2265 Bot Diogenes duelte stille 7.2266 A home and loked on his bok: 7.2267 He soghte noght the worldes crok 7.2268 For vein honour ne for richesse, 7.2269 Bot all his hertes besinesse 7.2270 He sette to be vertuous; 7.2271 And thus withinne his oghne hous 7.2272 He liveth to the sufficance 7.2273 Of his havinge. And fell per chance, 7.2274

Page 2.295

7.2274 This Diogene upon a day, 7.2275 And that was in the Monthe of May, 7.2276 Whan that these herbes ben holsome, 7.2277 He walketh forto gadre some 7.2278 In his gardin, of whiche his joutes 7.2279 He thoghte have, and thus aboutes 7.2280 Whanne he hath gadred what him liketh, 7.2281 He satte him thanne doun and pyketh, 7.2282 And wyssh his herbes in the flod 7.2283 Upon the which his gardin stod, 7.2284 Nyh to the bregge, as I tolde er. 7.2285 And hapneth, whil he sitteth ther, 7.2286 Cam Arisippes be the strete 7.2287 With manye hors and routes grete, 7.2288 And straght unto the bregge he rod. 7.2289 Wher that he hoved and abod; 7.2290 For as he caste his yhe nyh, 7.2291 His felaw Diogene he syh, 7.2292 And what he dede he syh also, 7.2293 Wherof he seide to him so: 7.2294 "O Diogene, god thee spede. 7.2295 It were certes litel nede 7.2296 To sitte there and wortes pyke, 7.2297 If thou thi Prince couthest lyke, 7.2298 So as I can in my degre." 7.2299 "O Arisippe," ayein quod he, 7.2300

Lines 2301 through 2400

"If that thou couthist, so as I, 7.2301 Thi wortes pyke, trewely 7.2302 It were als litel nede or lasse, 7.2303 That thou so worldly wolt compasse 7.2304 With flaterie forto serve, 7.2305 Wherof thou thenkest to deserve 7.2306 Thi princes thonk, and to pourchace 7.2307 Hou thou myht stonden in his grace, 7.2308 For getinge of a litel good. 7.2309 If thou wolt take into thi mod 7.2310 Reson, thou myht be reson deeme 7.2311 That so thi prince forto queeme 7.2312

Page 2.296

7.2312 Is noght to reson acordant, 7.2313 Bot it is gretly descordant 7.2314 Unto the Scoles of Athene." 7.2315 Lo, thus ansuerde Diogene 7.2316 Ayein the clerkes flaterie. 7.2317 Bot yit men sen thessamplerie 7.2318 Of Arisippe is wel received, 7.2319 And thilke of Diogene is weyved. 7.2320 Office in court and gold in cofre 7.2321 Is nou, men sein, the philosophre 7.2322 Which hath the worschipe in the halle; 7.2323 Bot flaterie passeth alle 7.2324 In chambre, whom the court avanceth; 7.2325 For upon thilke lot it chanceth 7.2326 To be beloved nou aday. 7.2327 I not if it be ye or nay, 7.2328 Bot as the comun vois it telleth; 7.2329 Bot wher that flaterie duelleth 7.2330 In eny lond under the Sonne, 7.2331 Ther is ful many a thing begonne 7.2332

Page 2.297

7.2332 Which were betre to be left; 7.2333 That hath be schewed nou and eft. 7.2334 Bot if a Prince wolde him reule 7.2335 Of the Romeins after the reule, 7.2336 In thilke time as it was used, 7.2337 This vice scholde be refused, 7.2338 Wherof the Princes ben assoted. 7.2339 Bot wher the pleine trouthe is noted, 7.2340 Ther may a Prince wel conceive, 7.2341 That he schal noght himself deceive, 7.2342 Of that he hiereth wordes pleine; 7.2343 For him thar noght be reson pleigne, 7.2344 That warned is er him be wo. 7.2345 And that was fully proeved tho, 7.2346 Whan Rome was the worldes chief, 7.2347 The Sothseiere tho was lief, 7.2348 Which wolde noght the trouthe spare, 7.2349 Bot with hise wordes pleine and bare 7.2350 To Themperour hise sothes tolde, 7.2351 As in Cronique is yit withholde, 7.2352 Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere 7.2353 Acordende unto this matiere. 7.2354 To se this olde ensamplerie, 7.2355 That whilom was no flaterie 7.2356 Toward the Princes wel I finde; 7.2357 Wherof so as it comth to mynde, 7.2358 Mi Sone, a tale unto thin Ere, 7.2359 Whil that the worthi princes were 7.2360 At Rome, I thenke forto tellen. 7.2361 For whan the chances so befellen 7.2362

Page 2.298

7.2362 That eny Emperour as tho 7.2363 Victoire hadde upon his fo, 7.2364 And so forth cam to Rome ayein, 7.2365 Of treble honour he was certein, 7.2366 Wherof that he was magnefied. 7.2367 The ferste, as it is specefied, 7.2368 Was, whan he cam at thilke tyde, 7.2369 The Charr in which he scholde ryde 7.2370 Foure whyte Stiedes scholden drawe; 7.2371 Of Jupiter be thilke lawe 7.2372 The Cote he scholde were also; 7.2373 Hise prisoners ek scholden go 7.2374 Endlong the Charr on eyther hond, 7.2375 And alle the nobles of the lond 7.2376 Tofore and after with him come 7.2377 Ridende and broghten him to Rome, 7.2378 In thonk of his chivalerie 7.2379 And for non other flaterie. 7.2380 And that was schewed forth withal; 7.2381 Wher he sat in his Charr real, 7.2382 Beside him was a Ribald set, 7.2383 Which hadde hise wordes so beset, 7.2384 To themperour in al his gloire 7.2385 He seide, "Tak into memoire, 7.2386 For al this pompe and al this pride 7.2387 Let no justice gon aside, 7.2388 Bot know thiself, what so befalle. 7.2389 For men sen ofte time falle 7.2390 Thing which men wende siker stonde: 7.2391 Thogh thou victoire have nou on honde, 7.2392 Fortune mai noght stonde alway; 7.2393 The whiel per chance an other day 7.2394 Mai torne, and thou myht overthrowe; 7.2395 Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe." 7.2396 With these wordes and with mo 7.2397 This Ribald, which sat with him tho, 7.2398 To Themperour his tale tolde: 7.2399

Page 2.299

7.2399 And overmor what evere he wolde, 7.2400

Lines 2401 through 2500

Or were it evel or were it good, 7.2401 So pleinly as the trouthe stod, 7.2402 He spareth noght, bot spekth it oute; 7.2403 And so myhte every man aboute 7.2404 The day of that solempnete 7.2405 His tale telle als wel as he 7.2406 To Themperour al openly. 7.2407 And al was this the cause why; 7.2408 That whil he stod in that noblesse, 7.2409 He scholde his vanite represse 7.2410 With suche wordes as he herde. 7.2411 Lo nou, hou thilke time it ferde 7.2412 Toward so hih a worthi lord: 7.2413 For this I finde ek of record, 7.2414 Which the Cronique hath auctorized. 7.2415 What Emperour was entronized, 7.2416 The ferste day of his corone, 7.2417 Wher he was in his real Throne 7.2418 And hield his feste in the paleis 7.2419 Sittende upon his hihe deis 7.2420 With al the lust that mai be gete, 7.2421 Whan he was gladdest at his mete, 7.2422 And every menstral hadde pleid, 7.2423 And every Disour hadde seid 7.2424 What most was plesant to his Ere, 7.2425 Than ate laste comen there 7.2426 Hise Macons, for thei scholden crave 7.2427 Wher that he wolde be begrave, 7.2428 And of what Ston his sepulture 7.2429 Thei scholden make, and what sculpture 7.2430 He wolde ordeine therupon. 7.2431 Tho was ther flaterie non 7.2432

Page 2.300

7.2432 The worthi princes to bejape; 7.2433 The thing was other wise schape 7.2434 With good conseil; and otherwise 7.2435 Thei were hemselven thanne wise, 7.2436 And understoden wel and knewen. 7.2437 Whan suche softe wyndes blewen 7.2438 Of flaterie into here Ere, 7.2439 Thei setten noght here hertes there; 7.2440 Bot whan thei herden wordes feigned, 7.2441 The pleine trouthe it hath desdeigned 7.2442 Of hem that weren so discrete. 7.2443 So tok the flatour no beyete 7.2444 Of him that was his prince tho: 7.2445 And forto proven it is so, 7.2446 A tale which befell in dede 7.2447 In a Cronique of Rome I rede. 7.2448 Cesar upon his real throne 7.2449 Wher that he sat in his persone 7.2450 And was hyest in al his pris, 7.2451 A man, which wolde make him wys, 7.2452 Fell doun knelende in his presence, 7.2453 And dede him such a reverence, 7.2454 As thogh the hihe god it were: 7.2455 Men hadden gret mervaille there 7.2456 Of the worschipe which he dede. 7.2457 This man aros fro thilke stede, 7.2458 And forth with al the same tyde 7.2459 He goth him up and be his side 7.2460 He set him doun as pier and pier, 7.2461 And seide, "If thou that sittest hier 7.2462 Art god, which alle thinges myht, 7.2463 Thanne have I do worshipe ariht 7.2464 As to the god; and other wise, 7.2465 If thou be noght of thilke assisse, 7.2466 Bot art a man such as am I, 7.2467 Than mai I sitte faste by, 7.2468

Page 2.301

7.2468 For we be bothen of o kinde." 7.2469 Cesar ansuerde and seide, "O blinde, 7.2470 Thou art a fol, it is wel sene 7.2471 Upon thiself: for if thou wene 7.2472 I be a god, thou dost amys 7.2473 To sitte wher thou sest god is; 7.2474 And if I be a man, also 7.2475 Thou hast a gret folie do, 7.2476 Whan thou to such on as schal deie 7.2477 The worschipe of thi god aweie 7.2478 Hast yoven so unworthely. 7.2479 Thus mai I prove redely, 7.2480 Thou art noght wys." And thei that herde 7.2481 Hou wysly that the king ansuerde, 7.2482 It was to hem a newe lore; 7.2483 Wherof thei dradden him the more, 7.2484 And broghten nothing to his Ere, 7.2485 Bot if it trouthe and reson were. 7.2486 So be ther manye, in such a wise 7.2487 That feignen wordes to be wise, 7.2488 And al is verray flaterie 7.2489 To him which can it wel aspie. 7.2490 The kinde flatour can noght love 7.2491 Bot forto bringe himself above; 7.2492 For hou that evere his maister fare, 7.2493 So that himself stonde out of care, 7.2494 Him reccheth noght: and thus fulofte 7.2495 Deceived ben with wordes softe 7.2496 The kinges that ben innocent. 7.2497 Wherof as for chastiement 7.2498 The wise Philosophre seide, 7.2499 What king that so his tresor leide 7.2500

Lines 2501 through 2600

Upon such folk, he hath the lesse, 7.2501 And yit ne doth he no largesse, 7.2502 Bot harmeth with his oghne hond 7.2503 Himself and ek his oghne lond, 7.2504 And that be many a sondri weie. 7.2505 Wherof if that a man schal seie, 7.2506 As forto speke in general, 7.2507

Page 2.302

7.2507 Wher such thing falleth overal 7.2508 That eny king himself misreule, 7.2509 The Philosophre upon his reule 7.2510 In special a cause sette, 7.2511 Which is and evere hath be the lette 7.2512 In governance aboute a king 7.2513 Upon the meschief of the thing, 7.2514 And that, he seith, is Flaterie. 7.2515 Wherof tofore as in partie 7.2516 What vice it is I have declared; 7.2517 For who that hath his wit bewared 7.2518 Upon a flatour to believe, 7.2519 Whan that he weneth best achieve 7.2520 His goode world, it is most fro. 7.2521 And forto proeven it is so 7.2522 Ensamples ther ben manyon, 7.2523 Of whiche if thou wolt knowen on, 7.2524 It is behovely forto hiere 7.2525 What whilom fell in this matiere. 7.2526 Among the kinges in the bible 7.2527 I finde a tale, and is credible, 7.2528 Of him that whilom Achab hihte, 7.2529 Which hadde al Irahel to rihte; 7.2530 Bot who that couthe glose softe 7.2531 And flatre, suche he sette alofte 7.2532 In gret astat and made hem riche; 7.2533 Bot thei that spieken wordes liche 7.2534 To trouthe and wolde it noght forbere, 7.2535 For hem was non astat to bere, 7.2536 The court of suche tok non hiede. 7.2537 Til ate laste upon a nede, 7.2538 That Benedab king of Surie 7.2539 Of Irahel a gret partie, 7.2540 Which Ramoth Galaath was hote, 7.2541 Hath sesed; and of that riote 7.2542 He tok conseil in sondri wise, 7.2543 Bot noght of hem that weren wise. 7.2544

Page 2.303

7.2544 And natheles upon this cas 7.2545 To strengthen him, for Josaphas, 7.2546 Which thanne was king of Judee, 7.2547 He sende forto come, as he 7.2548 Which thurgh frendschipe and alliance 7.2549 Was next to him of aqueintance; 7.2550 For Joram Sone of Josaphath 7.2551 Achabbes dowhter wedded hath, 7.2552 Which hihte faire Godelie. 7.2553 And thus cam into Samarie 7.2554 King Josaphat, and he fond there 7.2555 The king Achab: and whan thei were 7.2556 Togedre spekende of this thing, 7.2557 This Josaphat seith to the king, 7.2558 Hou that he wolde gladly hiere 7.2559 Som trew prophete in this matiere, 7.2560 That he his conseil myhte yive 7.2561 To what point that it schal be drive. 7.2562 And in that time so befell, 7.2563 Ther was such on in Irahel, 7.2564 Which sette him al to flaterie, 7.2565 And he was cleped Sedechie; 7.2566 And after him Achab hath sent: 7.2567 And he at his comandement 7.2568 Tofore him cam, and be a sleyhte 7.2569 He hath upon his heved on heyhte 7.2570 Tuo large hornes set of bras, 7.2571 As he which al a flatour was, 7.2572 And goth rampende as a leoun 7.2573 And caste hise hornes up and doun, 7.2574 And bad men ben of good espeir, 7.2575 For as the hornes percen their, 7.2576 He seith, withoute resistence, 7.2577 So wiste he wel of his science 7.2578 That Benedab is desconfit. 7.2579 Whan Sedechie upon this plit 7.2580 Hath told this tale to his lord, 7.2581 Anon ther were of his acord 7.2582 Prophetes false manye mo 7.2583

Page 2.304

7.2583 To bere up oil, and alle tho 7.2584 Affermen that which he hath told, 7.2585 Wherof the king Achab was bold 7.2586 And yaf hem yiftes al aboute. 7.2587 But Josaphat was in gret doute, 7.2588 And hield fantosme al that he herde, 7.2589 Preiende Achab, hou so it ferde, 7.2590 If ther were eny other man, 7.2591 The which of prophecie can, 7.2592 To hiere him speke er that thei gon. 7.2593 Quod Achab thanne, "Ther is on, 7.2594 A brothell, which Micheas hihte; 7.2595 Bot he ne comth noght in my sihte, 7.2596 For he hath longe in prison lein. 7.2597 Him liketh nevere yit to sein 7.2598 A goodly word to mi plesance; 7.2599 And natheles at thin instance 7.2600

Lines 2601 through 2700

He schal come oute, and thanne he may 7.2601 Seie as he seide many day; 7.2602 For yit he seide nevere wel." 7.2603 Tho Josaphat began somdel 7.2604 To gladen him in hope of trouthe, 7.2605 And bad withouten eny slouthe 7.2606 That men him scholden fette anon. 7.2607 And thei that weren for him gon, 7.2608 Whan that thei comen wher he was, 7.2609 Thei tolden unto Micheas 7.2610 The manere hou that Sedechie 7.2611 Declared hath his prophecie; 7.2612 And therupon thei preie him faire 7.2613 That he wol seie no contraire, 7.2614 Wherof the king mai be desplesed, 7.2615 For so schal every man ben esed, 7.2616 And he mai helpe himselve also. 7.2617 Micheas upon trouthe tho 7.2618 His herte sette, and to hem seith, 7.2619 Al that belongeth to his feith 7.2620 And of non other feigned thing, 7.2621

Page 2.305

7.2621 That wol he telle unto his king, 7.2622 Als fer as god hath yove him grace. 7.2623 Thus cam this prophete into place 7.2624 Wher he the kinges wille herde; 7.2625 And he therto anon ansuerde, 7.2626 And seide unto him in this wise: 7.2627 "Mi liege lord, for mi servise, 7.2628 Which trewe hath stonden evere yit, 7.2629 Thou hast me with prisone aquit; 7.2630 Bot for al that I schal noght glose 7.2631 Of trouthe als fer as I suppose; 7.2632 And as touchende of this bataille, 7.2633 Thou schalt noght of the sothe faile. 7.2634 For if it like thee to hiere, 7.2635 As I am tauht in that matiere, 7.2636 Thou miht it understonde sone; 7.2637 Bot what is afterward to done 7.2638 Avise thee, for this I sih. 7.2639 I was tofor the throne on hih, 7.2640 Wher al the world me thoghte stod, 7.2641 And there I herde and understod 7.2642 The vois of god with wordes cliere 7.2643 Axende, and seide in this manere: 7.2644 "In what thing mai I best beguile 7.2645 The king Achab?" And for a while 7.2646 Upon this point thei spieken faste. 7.2647 Tho seide a spirit ate laste, 7.2648 "I undertake this emprise." 7.2649 And god him axeth in what wise. 7.2650 "I schal," quod he, "deceive and lye 7.2651 With flaterende prophecie 7.2652 In suche mouthes as he lieveth." 7.2653 And he which alle thing achieveth 7.2654 Bad him go forth and don riht so. 7.2655 And over this I sih also 7.2656 The noble peple of Irahel 7.2657 Dispers as Schep upon an hell, 7.2658

Page 2.306

7.2658 Withoute a kepere unarraied: 7.2659 And as thei wente aboute astraied, 7.2660 I herde a vois unto hem sein, 7.2661 "Goth hom into your hous ayein, 7.2662 Til I for you have betre ordeigned." 7.2663 Quod Sedechie, "Thou hast feigned 7.2664 This tale in angringe of the king." 7.2665 And in a wraththe upon this thing 7.2666 He smot Michee upon the cheke; 7.2667 The king him hath rebuked eke, 7.2668 And every man upon him cride: 7.2669 Thus was he schent on every side, 7.2670 Ayein and into prison lad, 7.2671 For so the king himselve bad. 7.2672 The trouthe myhte noght ben herd; 7.2673 Bot afterward as it hath ferd, 7.2674 The dede proveth his entente: 7.2675 Achab to the bataille wente, 7.2676 Wher Benedab for al his Scheld 7.2677 Him slouh, so that upon the feld 7.2678 His poeple goth aboute astray. 7.2679 Bot god, which alle thinges may, 7.2680 So doth that thei no meschief have; 7.2681 Here king was ded and thei ben save, 7.2682 And hom ayein in goddes pes 7.2683 Thei wente, and al was founde les 7.2684 That Sedechie hath seid tofore. 7.2685 So sit it wel a king therfore 7.2686 To loven hem that trouthe mene; 7.2687 For ate laste it wol be sene 7.2688 That flaterie is nothing worth. 7.2689 Bot nou to mi matiere forth, 7.2690 As forto speken overmore 7.2691 After the Philosophres lore, 7.2692 The thridde point of Policie 7.2693 I thenke forto specifie. 7.2694

Page 2.307

7.2694 What is a lond wher men ben none? 7.2695 What ben the men whiche are al one 7.2696 Withoute a kinges governance? 7.2697 What is a king in his ligance, 7.2698 Wher that ther is no lawe in londe? 7.2699 What is to take lawe on honde, 7.2700

Lines 2701 through 2800

Bot if the jugges weren trewe? 7.2701 These olde worldes with the newe 7.2702 Who that wol take in evidence, 7.2703 Ther mai he se thexperience, 7.2704 What thing it is to kepe lawe, 7.2705 Thurgh which the wronges ben withdrawe 7.2706 And rihtwisnesse stant commended, 7.2707 Wherof the regnes ben amended. 7.2708 For wher the lawe mai comune 7.2709 The lordes forth with the commune, 7.2710 Ech hath his propre duete; 7.2711 And ek the kinges realte 7.2712 Of bothe his worschipe underfongeth, 7.2713 To his astat as it belongeth, 7.2714 Which of his hihe worthinesse 7.2715 Hath to governe rihtwisnesse, 7.2716 As he which schal the lawe guide. 7.2717 And natheles upon som side 7.2718 His pouer stant above the lawe, 7.2719 To yive bothe and to withdrawe 7.2720 The forfet of a mannes lif; 7.2721 But thinges whiche are excessif 7.2722 Ayein the lawe, he schal noght do 7.2723 For love ne for hate also. 7.2724 The myhtes of a king ben grete, 7.2725 Bot yit a worthi king schal lete 7.2726 Of wrong to don, al that he myhte; 7.2727 For he which schal the poeple ryhte, 7.2728 It sit wel to his regalie 7.2729 That he himself ferst justefie 7.2730

Page 2.308

7.2730 Towardes god in his degre: 7.2731 For his astat is elles fre 7.2732 Toward alle othre in his persone, 7.2733 Save only to the god al one, 7.2734 Which wol himself a king chastise, 7.2735 Wher that non other mai suffise. 7.2736 So were it good to taken hiede 7.2737 That ferst a king his oghne dede 7.2738 Betwen the vertu and the vice 7.2739 Redresce, and thanne of his justice 7.2740 So sette in evene the balance 7.2741 Towardes othre in governance, 7.2742 That to the povere and to the riche 7.2743 Hise lawes myhten stonde liche, 7.2744 He schal excepte no persone. 7.2745 Bot for he mai noght al him one 7.2746 In sondri places do justice, 7.2747 He schal of his real office 7.2748 With wys consideracion 7.2749 Ordeigne his deputacion 7.2750 Of suche jugges as ben lerned, 7.2751 So that his poeple be governed 7.2752 Be hem that trewe ben and wise. 7.2753 For if the lawe of covoitise 7.2754 Be set upon a jugges hond, 7.2755 Wo is the poeple of thilke lond, 7.2756 For wrong mai noght himselven hyde: 7.2757 Bot elles on that other side, 7.2758 If lawe stonde with the riht, 7.2759 The poeple is glad and stant upriht. 7.2760 Wher as the lawe is resonable, 7.2761 The comun poeple stant menable, 7.2762 And if the lawe torne amis, 7.2763 The poeple also mistorned is. 7.2764 And in ensample of this matiere 7.2765 Of Maximin a man mai hiere, 7.2766 Of Rome which was Emperour, 7.2767

Page 2.309

7.2767 That whanne he made a governour 7.2768 Be weie of substitucion 7.2769 Of Province or of region, 7.2770 He wolde ferst enquere his name, 7.2771 And let it openly proclame 7.2772 What man he were, or evel or good. 7.2773 And upon that his name stod 7.2774 Enclin to vertu or to vice, 7.2775 So wolde he sette him in office, 7.2776 Or elles putte him al aweie. 7.2777 Thus hield the lawe his rihte weie, 7.2778 Which fond no let of covoitise: 7.2779 The world stod than upon the wise, 7.2780 As be ensample thou myht rede; 7.2781 And hold it in thi mynde, I rede. 7.2782 In a Cronique I finde thus, 7.2783 Hou that Gayus Fabricius, 7.2784 Which whilom was Consul of Rome, 7.2785 Be whom the lawes yede and come, 7.2786 Whan the Sampnites to him broghte 7.2787 A somme of gold, and him besoghte 7.2788 To don hem favour in the lawe, 7.2789 Toward the gold he gan him drawe, 7.2790 Wherof in alle mennes lok 7.2791 A part up in his hond he tok, 7.2792 Which to his mouth in alle haste 7.2793 He putte, it forto smelle and taste, 7.2794 And to his yhe and to his Ere, 7.2795 Bot he ne fond no confort there: 7.2796 And thanne he gan it to despise, 7.2797 And tolde unto hem in this wise: 7.2798 "I not what is with gold to thryve, 7.2799 Whan non of all my wittes fyve 7.2800

Lines 2801 through 2900

Fynt savour ne delit therinne. 7.2801 So is it bot a nyce Sinne 7.2802 Of gold to ben to covoitous; 7.2803 Bot he is riche and glorious, 7.2804

Page 2.310

7.2804 Which hath in his subjeccion 7.2805 Tho men whiche in possession 7.2806 Ben riche of gold, and be this skile; 7.2807 For he mai aldai whan he wile, 7.2808 Or be hem lieve or be hem lothe, 7.2809 Justice don upon hem bothe." 7.2810 Lo, thus he seide, and with that word 7.2811 He threw tofore hem on the bord 7.2812 The gold out of his hond anon, 7.2813 And seide hem that he wolde non: 7.2814 So that he kepte his liberte 7.2815 To do justice and equite, 7.2816 Withoute lucre of such richesse. 7.2817 Ther be nou fewe of suche, I gesse; 7.2818 For it was thilke times used, 7.2819 That every jugge was refused 7.2820 Which was noght frend to comun riht; 7.2821 Bot thei that wolden stonde upriht 7.2822 For trouthe only to do justice 7.2823 Preferred were in thilke office 7.2824 To deme and jugge commun lawe: 7.2825 Which nou, men sein, is al withdrawe. 7.2826 To sette a lawe and kepe it noght 7.2827 Ther is no comun profit soght; 7.2828 Bot above alle natheles 7.2829 The lawe, which is mad for pes, 7.2830 Is good to kepe for the beste, 7.2831 For that set alle men in reste. 7.2832 The rihtful Emperour Conrade 7.2833 To kepe pes such lawe made, 7.2834 That non withinne the cite 7.2835 In destorbance of unite 7.2836 Dorste ones moeven a matiere. 7.2837 For in his time, as thou myht hiere, 7.2838 What point that was for lawe set 7.2839 It scholde for no gold be let, 7.2840 To what persone that it were. 7.2841

Page 2.311

7.2841 And this broghte in the comun fere, 7.2842 Why every man the lawe dradde, 7.2843 For ther was non which favour hadde. 7.2844 So as these olde bokes sein, 7.2845 I finde write hou a Romein, 7.2846 Which Consul was of the Pretoire, 7.2847 Whos name was Carmidotoire, 7.2848 He sette a lawe for the pes, 7.2849 That non, bot he be wepneles, 7.2850 Schal come into the conseil hous, 7.2851 And elles as malicious 7.2852 He schal ben of the lawe ded. 7.2853 To that statut and to that red 7.2854 Acorden alle it schal be so, 7.2855 For certein cause which was tho: 7.2856 Nou lest what fell therafter sone. 7.2857 This Consul hadde forto done, 7.2858 And was into the feldes ride; 7.2859 And thei him hadden longe abide, 7.2860 That lordes of the conseil were, 7.2861 And for him sende, and he cam there 7.2862 With swerd begert, and hath foryete, 7.2863 Til he was in the conseil sete. 7.2864 Was non of hem that made speche, 7.2865 Til he himself it wolde seche, 7.2866 And fond out the defalte himselve; 7.2867 And thanne he seide unto the tuelve, 7.2868 Whiche of the Senat weren wise, 7.2869 "I have deserved the juise, 7.2870 In haste that it were do." 7.2871 And thei him seiden alle no; 7.2872 For wel thei wiste it was no vice, 7.2873 Whan he ne thoghte no malice, 7.2874 Bot onliche of a litel slouthe: 7.2875 And thus thei leften as for routhe 7.2876

Page 2.312

7.2876 To do justice upon his gilt, 7.2877 For that he scholde noght be spilt. 7.2878 And whanne he sih the maner hou 7.2879 Thei wolde him save, he made avou 7.2880 With manfull herte, and thus he seide, 7.2881 That Rome scholde nevere abreide 7.2882 His heires, whan he were of dawe, 7.2883 That here Ancestre brak the lawe. 7.2884 Forthi, er that thei weren war, 7.2885 Forth with the same swerd he bar 7.2886 The statut of his lawe he kepte, 7.2887 So that al Rome his deth bewepte. 7.2888 In other place also I rede, 7.2889 Wher that a jugge his oghne dede 7.2890 Ne wol noght venge of lawe broke, 7.2891 The king it hath himselven wroke. 7.2892 The grete king which Cambises 7.2893 Was hote, a jugge laweles 7.2894 He fond, and into remembrance 7.2895 He dede upon him such vengance: 7.2896 Out of his skyn he was beflain 7.2897 Al quyk, and in that wise slain, 7.2898 So that his skyn was schape al meete, 7.2899 And nayled on the same seete 7.2900

Lines 2901 through 3000

Wher that his Sone scholde sitte. 7.2901 Avise him, if he wolde flitte 7.2902 The lawe for the coveitise, 7.2903 Ther sih he redi his juise. 7.2904 Thus in defalte of other jugge 7.2905 The king mot otherwhile jugge, 7.2906 To holden up the rihte lawe. 7.2907 And forto speke of tholde dawe, 7.2908 To take ensample of that was tho, 7.2909 I finde a tale write also, 7.2910 Hou that a worthi prince is holde 7.2911 The lawes of his lond to holde, 7.2912 Ferst for the hihe goddes sake, 7.2913 And ek for that him is betake 7.2914

Page 2.313

7.2914 The poeple forto guide and lede, 7.2915 Which is the charge of his kinghede. 7.2916 In a Cronique I rede thus 7.2917 Of the rihtful Ligurgius, 7.2918 Which of Athenis Prince was, 7.2919 Hou he the lawe in every cas, 7.2920 Wherof he scholde his poeple reule, 7.2921 Hath set upon so good a reule, 7.2922 In al this world that cite non 7.2923 Of lawe was so wel begon 7.2924 Forth with the trouthe of governance. 7.2925 Ther was among hem no distance, 7.2926 Bot every man hath his encress; 7.2927 Ther was withoute werre pes, 7.2928 Withoute envie love stod; 7.2929 Richesse upon the comun good 7.2930 And noght upon the singuler 7.2931 Ordeigned was, and the pouer 7.2932 Of hem that weren in astat 7.2933 Was sauf: wherof upon debat 7.2934 Ther stod nothing, so that in reste 7.2935 Mihte every man his herte reste. 7.2936 And whan this noble rihtful king 7.2937 Sih hou it ferde of al this thing, 7.2938 Wherof the poeple stod in ese, 7.2939 He, which for evere wolde plese 7.2940 The hihe god, whos thonk he soghte, 7.2941 A wonder thing thanne him bethoghte, 7.2942 And schop if that it myhte be, 7.2943 Hou that his lawe in the cite 7.2944 Mihte afterward for evere laste. 7.2945 And therupon his wit he caste 7.2946 What thing him were best to feigne, 7.2947 That he his pourpos myhte atteigne. 7.2948 A Parlement and thus he sette, 7.2949 His wisdom wher that he besette 7.2950 In audience of grete and smale, 7.2951

Page 2.314

7.2951 And in this wise he tolde his tale: 7.2952 "God wot, and so ye witen alle, 7.2953 Hierafterward hou so it falle, 7.2954 Yit into now my will hath be 7.2955 To do justice and equite 7.2956 In forthringe of comun profit; 7.2957 Such hath ben evere my delit. 7.2958 Bot of o thing I am beknowe, 7.2959 The which mi will is that ye knowe: 7.2960 The lawe which I tok on honde, 7.2961 Was altogedre of goddes sonde 7.2962 And nothing of myn oghne wit; 7.2963 So mot it nede endure yit, 7.2964 And schal do lengere, if ye wile. 7.2965 For I wol telle you the skile; 7.2966 The god Mercurius and no man 7.2967 He hath me tawht al that I can 7.2968 Of suche lawes as I made, 7.2969 Wherof that ye ben alle glade; 7.2970 It was the god and nothing I, 7.2971 Which dede al this, and nou forthi 7.2972 He hath comanded of his grace 7.2973 That I schal come into a place 7.2974 Which is forein out in an yle, 7.2975 Wher I mot tarie for a while, 7.2976 With him to speke, as he hath bede. 7.2977 For as he seith, in thilke stede 7.2978 He schal me suche thinges telle, 7.2979 That evere, whyl the world schal duelle, 7.2980 Athenis schal the betre fare. 7.2981 Bot ferst, er that I thider fare, 7.2982 For that I wolde that mi lawe 7.2983 Amonges you ne be withdrawe 7.2984 Ther whyles that I schal ben oute, 7.2985 Forthi to setten out of doute 7.2986 Bothe you and me, this wol I preie, 7.2987 That ye me wolde assure and seie 7.2988 With such an oth as I wol take, 7.2989

Page 2.315

7.2989 That ech of you schal undertake 7.2990 Mi lawes forto kepe and holde." 7.2991 Thei seiden alle that thei wolde, 7.2992 And therupon thei swore here oth, 7.2993 That fro the time that he goth, 7.2994 Til he to hem be come ayein, 7.2995 Thei scholde hise lawes wel and plein 7.2996 In every point kepe and fulfille. 7.2997 Thus hath Ligurgius his wille, 7.2998 And tok his leve and forth he wente. 7.2999 Bot lest nou wel to what entente 7.3000

Lines 3001 through 3100

Of rihtwisnesse he dede so: 7.3001 For after that he was ago, 7.3002 He schop him nevere to be founde; 7.3003 So that Athenis, which was bounde, 7.3004 Nevere after scholde be relessed, 7.3005 Ne thilke goode lawe cessed, 7.3006 Which was for comun profit set. 7.3007 And in this wise he hath it knet; 7.3008 He, which the comun profit soghte, 7.3009 The king, his oghne astat ne roghte; 7.3010 To do profit to the comune, 7.3011 He tok of exil the fortune, 7.3012 And lefte of Prince thilke office 7.3013 Only for love and for justice, 7.3014 Thurgh which he thoghte, if that he myhte, 7.3015 For evere after his deth to rihte 7.3016 The cite which was him betake. 7.3017 Wherof men oghte ensample take 7.3018 The goode lawes to avance 7.3019 With hem which under governance 7.3020 The lawes have forto kepe; 7.3021 For who that wolde take kepe 7.3022 Of hem that ferst the lawes founde, 7.3023 Als fer as lasteth eny bounde 7.3024 Of lond, here names yit ben knowe: 7.3025 And if it like thee to knowe 7.3026

Page 2.316

7.3026 Some of here names hou thei stonde, 7.3027 Nou herkne and thou schalt understonde. 7.3028 Of every bienfet the merite 7.3029 The god himself it wol aquite; 7.3030 And ek fulofte it falleth so, 7.3031 The world it wole aquite also, 7.3032 Bot that mai noght ben evene liche: 7.3033 The god he yifth the heveneriche, 7.3034 The world yifth only bot a name, 7.3035 Which stant upon the goode fame 7.3036 Of hem that don the goode dede. 7.3037 And in this wise double mede 7.3038 Resceiven thei that don wel hiere; 7.3039 Wherof if that thee list to hiere 7.3040 After the fame as it is blowe, 7.3041 Ther myht thou wel the sothe knowe, 7.3042 Hou thilke honeste besinesse 7.3043 Of hem that ferst for rihtwisnesse 7.3044 Among the men the lawes made, 7.3045 Mai nevere upon this erthe fade. 7.3046 For evere, whil ther is a tunge, 7.3047 Here name schal be rad and sunge 7.3048 And holde in the Cronique write; 7.3049 So that the men it scholden wite, 7.3050 To speke good, as thei wel oghten, 7.3051 Of hem that ferst the lawes soghten 7.3052 In forthringe of the worldes pes. 7.3053 Unto thebreus was Moi�ses 7.3054 The ferste, and to thegipciens 7.3055 Mercurius, and to Troiens 7.3056 Ferst was Neuma Pompilius, 7.3057 To Athenes Ligurgius 7.3058 Yaf ferst the lawe, and to Gregois 7.3059 Foroneu�s hath thilke vois, 7.3060 And Romulus to the Romeins. 7.3061 For suche men that ben vileins 7.3062 The lawe in such a wise ordeigneth, 7.3063 That what man to the lawe pleigneth, 7.3064

Page 2.317

7.3064 Be so the jugge stonde upriht, 7.3065 He schal be served of his riht. 7.3066 And so ferforth it is befalle 7.3067 That lawe is come among ous alle: 7.3068 God lieve it mote wel ben holde, 7.3069 As every king therto is holde; 7.3070 For thing which is of kinges set, 7.3071 With kinges oghte it noght be let. 7.3072 What king of lawe takth no kepe, 7.3073 Be lawe he mai no regne kepe. 7.3074 Do lawe awey, what is a king? 7.3075 Wher is the riht of eny thing, 7.3076 If that ther be no lawe in londe? 7.3077 This oghte a king wel understonde, 7.3078 As he which is to lawe swore, 7.3079 That if the lawe be forbore 7.3080 Withouten execucioun, 7.3081 If makth a lond torne up so doun, 7.3082 Which is unto the king a sclandre. 7.3083 Forthi unto king Alisandre 7.3084 The wise Philosophre bad, 7.3085 That he himselve ferst be lad 7.3086 Of lawe, and forth thanne overal 7.3087 So do justice in general, 7.3088 That al the wyde lond aboute 7.3089 The justice of his lawe doute, 7.3090 And thanne schal he stonde in reste. 7.3091 For therto lawe is on the beste 7.3092 Above alle other erthly thing, 7.3093 To make a liege drede his king. 7.3094 Bot hou a king schal gete him love 7.3095 Toward the hihe god above, 7.3096 And ek among the men in erthe, 7.3097 This nexte point, which is the ferthe 7.3098 Of Aristotles lore, it techeth: 7.3099 Wherof who that the Scole secheth, 7.3100

Lines 3101 through 3200

What Policie that it is 7.3101 The bok reherceth after this. 7.3102

Page 2.318

7.3102 It nedeth noght that I delate 7.3103 The pris which preised is algate, 7.3104 And hath ben evere and evere schal, 7.3105 Wherof to speke in special, 7.3106 It is the vertu of Pite, 7.3107 Thurgh which the hihe mageste 7.3108 Was stered, whan his Sone alyhte, 7.3109 And in pite the world to rihte 7.3110 Tok of the Maide fleissh and blod. 7.3111 Pite was cause of thilke good, 7.3112 Wherof that we ben alle save: 7.3113 Wel oghte a man Pite to have 7.3114 And the vertu to sette in pris, 7.3115 Whan he himself which is al wys 7.3116 Hath schewed why it schal be preised. 7.3117 Pite may noght be conterpeised 7.3118 Of tirannie with no peis; 7.3119 For Pite makth a king courteis 7.3120 Bothe in his word and in his dede. 7.3121 It sit wel every liege drede 7.3122 His king and to his heste obeie, 7.3123 And riht so be the same weie 7.3124 It sit a king to be pitous 7.3125 Toward his poeple and gracious 7.3126 Upon the reule of governance, 7.3127 So that he worche no vengance, 7.3128 Which mai be cleped crualte. 7.3129 Justice which doth equite 7.3130 Is dredfull, for he noman spareth; 7.3131 Bot in the lond wher Pite fareth 7.3132 The king mai nevere faile of love, 7.3133 For Pite thurgh the grace above, 7.3134 So as the Philosphre affermeth, 7.3135

Page 2.319

7.3135 His regne in good astat confermeth. 7.3136 Thus seide whilom Constantin: 7.3137 "What Emperour that is enclin 7.3138

Page 2.320

7.3138 To Pite forto be servant, 7.3139 Of al the worldes remenant 7.3140 He is worthi to ben a lord." 7.3141 In olde bokes of record 7.3142 This finde I write of essamplaire: 7.3143 Troian the worthi debonaire, 7.3144 Be whom that Rome stod governed, 7.3145 Upon a time as he was lerned 7.3146 Of that he was to familier, 7.3147 He seide unto that conseiller, 7.3148 That forto ben an Emperour 7.3149 His will was noght for vein honour, 7.3150 Ne yit for reddour of justice; 7.3151 Bot if he myhte in his office 7.3152 Hise lordes and his poeple plese, 7.3153 Him thoghte it were a grettere ese 7.3154 With love here hertes to him drawe, 7.3155 Than with the drede of eny lawe. 7.3156 For whan a thing is do for doute, 7.3157 Fulofte it comth the worse aboute; 7.3158 Bot wher a king is Pietous, 7.3159 He is the more gracious, 7.3160 That mochel thrift him schal betyde, 7.3161 Which elles scholde torne aside. 7.3162 Of Pite forto speke plein, 7.3163 Which is with mercy wel besein, 7.3164

Page 2.321

7.3164 Fulofte he wole himselve peine 7.3165 To kepe an other fro the peine: 7.3166 For Charite the moder is 7.3167 Of Pite, which nothing amis 7.3168 Can soffre, if he it mai amende. 7.3169

Page 2.322

7.3169 It sit to every man livende 7.3170 To be Pitous, bot non so wel 7.3171 As to a king, which on the whiel 7.3172 Fortune hath set aboven alle: 7.3173 For in a king, if so befalle 7.3174 That his Pite be ferme and stable, 7.3175 To al the lond it is vailable 7.3176

Page 2.323

7.3176 Only thurgh grace of his persone; 7.3177 For the Pite of him al one 7.3178 Mai al the large realme save. 7.3179 So sit it wel a king to have 7.3180 Pite; for this Valeire tolde, 7.3181 And seide hou that be daies olde 7.3182 Codrus, which was in his degre 7.3183

Page 2.324

7.3183 King of Athenis the cite, 7.3184 A werre he hadde ayein Dorrence: 7.3185 And forto take his evidence 7.3186 What schal befalle of the bataille, 7.3187 He thoghte he wolde him ferst consaille 7.3188 With Appollo, in whom he triste; 7.3189 Thurgh whos ansuere this he wiste, 7.3190

Page 2.325

7.3190 Of tuo pointz that he myhte chese, 7.3191 Or that he wolde his body lese 7.3192 And in bataille himselve deie, 7.3193 Or elles the seconde weie, 7.3194 To sen his poeple desconfit. 7.3195 Bot he, which Pite hath parfit 7.3196 Upon the point of his believe, 7.3197

Page 2.326

7.3197 The poeple thoghte to relieve, 7.3198 And ches himselve to be ded. 7.3199 Wher is nou such an other hed, 7.3200

Lines 3201 through 3300

Which wolde for the lemes dye? 7.3201 And natheles in som partie 7.3202 It oghte a kinges herte stere, 7.3203 That he hise liege men forbere. 7.3204 And ek toward hise enemis 7.3205 Fulofte he may deserve pris, 7.3206 To take of Pite remembrance, 7.3207 Wher that he myhte do vengance: 7.3208 For whanne a king hath the victoire, 7.3209 And thanne he drawe into memoire 7.3210 To do Pite in stede of wreche, 7.3211 He mai noght faile of thilke speche 7.3212 Wherof arist the worldes fame, 7.3213 To yive a Prince a worthi name. 7.3214 I rede hou whilom that Pompeie, 7.3215 To whom that Rome moste obeie, 7.3216 A werre hadde in jeupartie 7.3217 Ayein the king of Ermenie, 7.3218 Which of long time him hadde grieved. 7.3219 Bot ate laste it was achieved 7.3220 That he this king desconfit hadde, 7.3221 And forth with him to Rome ladde 7.3222 As Prisoner, wher many a day 7.3223 In sori plit and povere he lay, 7.3224 The corone of his heved deposed, 7.3225 Withinne walles faste enclosed; 7.3226 And with ful gret humilite 7.3227 He soffreth his adversite. 7.3228 Pompeie sih his pacience 7.3229 And tok pite with conscience, 7.3230 So that upon his hihe deis 7.3231 Tofore al Rome in his Paleis, 7.3232 As he that wolde upon him rewe, 7.3233 Let yive him his corone newe 7.3234

Page 2.327

7.3234 And his astat al full and plein 7.3235 Restoreth of his regne ayein, 7.3236 And seide it was more goodly thing 7.3237 To make than undon a king, 7.3238 To him which pouer hadde of bothe. 7.3239 Thus thei, that weren longe wrothe, 7.3240 Acorden hem to final pes; 7.3241 And yit justice natheles 7.3242 Was kept and in nothing offended; 7.3243 Wherof Pompeie was comended. 7.3244 Ther mai no king himself excuse, 7.3245 Bot if justice he kepe and use, 7.3246 Which for teschuie crualte 7.3247 He mot attempre with Pite. 7.3248 Of crualte the felonie 7.3249 Engendred is of tirannie, 7.3250 Ayein the whos condicion 7.3251 God is himself the champion, 7.3252 Whos strengthe mai noman withstonde. 7.3253 For evere yit it hath so stonde, 7.3254 That god a tirant overladde; 7.3255 Bot wher Pite the regne ladde, 7.3256 Ther mihte no fortune laste 7.3257 Which was grevous, bot ate laste 7.3258 The god himself it hath redresced. 7.3259 Pite is thilke vertu blessed 7.3260 Which nevere let his Maister falle; 7.3261 Bot crualte, thogh it so falle 7.3262 That it mai regne for a throwe, 7.3263 God wole it schal ben overthrowe: 7.3264 Wherof ensamples ben ynowhe 7.3265 Of hem that thilke merel drowhe. 7.3266 Of crualte I rede thus: 7.3267 Whan the tirant Leoncius 7.3268 Was to thempire of Rome arrived, 7.3269 Fro which he hath with strengthe prived 7.3270 The pietous Justinian, 7.3271

Page 2.328

7.3271 As he which was a cruel man, 7.3272 His nase of and his lippes bothe 7.3273 He kutte, for he wolde him lothe 7.3274 Unto the poeple and make unable. 7.3275 Bot he which is al merciable, 7.3276 The hihe god, ordeigneth so, 7.3277 That he withinne a time also, 7.3278 Whan he was strengest in his ire, 7.3279 Was schoven out of his empire. 7.3280 Tiberius the pouer hadde, 7.3281 And Rome after his will he ladde, 7.3282 And for Leonce in such a wise 7.3283 Ordeigneth, that he tok juise 7.3284 Of nase and lippes bothe tuo, 7.3285 For that he dede an other so, 7.3286 Which more worthi was than he. 7.3287 Lo, which a fall hath crualte, 7.3288 And Pite was set up ayein: 7.3289 For after that the bokes sein, 7.3290 Therbellis king of Bulgarie 7.3291 With helpe of his chivalerie 7.3292 Justinian hath unprisoned 7.3293 And to thempire ayein coroned. 7.3294 In a Cronique I finde also 7.3295 Of Siculus, which was ek so 7.3296 A cruel king lich the tempeste, 7.3297 The whom no Pite myhte areste,- 7.3298 He was the ferste, as bokes seie, 7.3299 Upon the See which fond Galeie 7.3300

Lines 3301 through 3400

And let hem make for the werre,- 7.3301 As he which al was out of herre 7.3302 Fro Pite and misericorde; 7.3303 For therto couthe he noght acorde, 7.3304 Bot whom he myhte slen, he slouh, 7.3305 And therof was he glad ynouh. 7.3306

Page 2.329

7.3306 He hadde of conseil manyon, 7.3307 Among the whiche ther was on, 7.3308 Be name which Berillus hihte; 7.3309 And he bethoghte him hou he myhte 7.3310 Unto the tirant do likinge, 7.3311 And of his oghne ymaginynge 7.3312 Let forge and make a Bole of bras, 7.3313 And on the side cast ther was 7.3314 A Dore, wher a man mai inne, 7.3315 Whan he his peine schal beginne 7.3316 Thurgh fyr, which that men putten under. 7.3317 And al this dede he for a wonder, 7.3318 That whanne a man for peine cride, 7.3319 The Bole of bras, which gapeth wyde, 7.3320 It scholde seme as thogh it were 7.3321 A belwinge in a mannes Ere, 7.3322 And noght the criinge of a man. 7.3323 Bot he which alle sleihtes can, 7.3324 The devel, that lith in helle fast, 7.3325 Him that this caste hath overcast, 7.3326 That for a trespas which he dede 7.3327 He was putt in the same stede, 7.3328 And was himself the ferste of alle 7.3329 Which was into that peine falle 7.3330 That he for othre men ordeigneth; 7.3331 Ther was noman which him compleigneth. 7.3332 Of tirannie and crualte 7.3333 Be this ensample a king mai se, 7.3334 Himself and ek his conseil bothe, 7.3335 Hou thei ben to mankinde lothe 7.3336 And to the god abhominable. 7.3337 Ensamples that ben concordable 7.3338 I finde of othre Princes mo, 7.3339 As thou schalt hiere, of time go. 7.3340 The grete tirant Dionys, 7.3341 Which mannes lif sette of no pris, 7.3342

Page 2.330

7.3342 Unto his hors fulofte he yaf 7.3343 The men in stede of corn and chaf, 7.3344 So that the hors of thilke stod 7.3345 Devoureden the mennes blod; 7.3346 Til fortune ate laste cam, 7.3347 That Hercules him overcam, 7.3348 And he riht in the same wise 7.3349 Of this tirant tok the juise: 7.3350 As he til othre men hath do, 7.3351 The same deth he deide also, 7.3352 That no Pite him hath socoured, 7.3353 Til he was of hise hors devoured. 7.3354 Of Lichaon also I finde 7.3355 Hou he ayein the lawe of kinde 7.3356 Hise hostes slouh, and into mete 7.3357 He made her bodies to ben ete 7.3358 With othre men withinne his hous. 7.3359 Bot Jupiter the glorious, 7.3360 Which was commoeved of this thing, 7.3361 Vengance upon this cruel king 7.3362 So tok, that he fro mannes forme 7.3363 Into a wolf him let transforme: 7.3364 And thus the crualte was kidd, 7.3365 Which of long time he hadde hidd; 7.3366 A wolf he was thanne openly, 7.3367 The whos nature prively 7.3368 He hadde in his condicion. 7.3369 And unto this conclusioun, 7.3370 That tirannie is to despise, 7.3371 I finde ensample in sondri wise, 7.3372 And nameliche of hem fulofte, 7.3373 The whom fortune hath set alofte 7.3374 Upon the werres forto winne. 7.3375 Bot hou so that the wrong beginne 7.3376 Of tirannie, it mai noght laste, 7.3377 Bot such as thei don ate laste 7.3378 To othre men, such on hem falleth; 7.3379 For ayein suche Pite calleth 7.3380

Page 2.331

7.3380 Vengance to the god above. 7.3381 For who that hath no tender love 7.3382 In savinge of a mannes lif, 7.3383 He schal be founde so gultif, 7.3384 That whanne he wolde mercy crave 7.3385 In time of nede, he schal non have. 7.3386 Of the natures this I finde, 7.3387 The fierce Leon in his kinde, 7.3388 Which goth rampende after his preie, 7.3389 If he a man finde in his weie, 7.3390 He wole him slen, if he withstonde. 7.3391 Bot if the man coude understonde 7.3392 To falle anon before his face 7.3393 In signe of mercy and of grace, 7.3394 The Leon schal of his nature 7.3395 Restreigne his ire in such mesure, 7.3396 As thogh it were a beste tamed, 7.3397 And torne awey halfvinge aschamed, 7.3398 That he the man schal nothing grieve. 7.3399 Hou scholde than a Prince achieve 7.3400

Lines 3401 through 3500

The worldes grace, if that he wolde 7.3401 Destruie a man whanne he is yolde 7.3402 And stant upon his mercy al? 7.3403 Bot forto speke in special, 7.3404 Ther have be suche and yit ther be 7.3405 Tirantz, whos hertes no pite 7.3406 Mai to no point of mercy plie, 7.3407 That thei upon her tirannie 7.3408 Ne gladen hem the men to sle; 7.3409 And as the rages of the See 7.3410 Ben unpitous in the tempeste, 7.3411 Riht so mai no Pite areste 7.3412 Of crualte the gret oultrage, 7.3413 Which the tirant in his corage 7.3414 Engendred hath: wherof I finde 7.3415 A tale, which comth nou to mynde. 7.3416 I rede in olde bokes thus: 7.3417

Page 2.332

7.3417 Ther was a Duk, which Spertachus 7.3418 Men clepe, and was a werreiour, 7.3419 A cruel man, a conquerour 7.3420 With strong pouer the which he ladde. 7.3421 For this condicion he hadde, 7.3422 That where him hapneth the victoire, 7.3423 His lust and al his moste gloire 7.3424 Was forto sle and noght to save: 7.3425 Of rancoun wolde he no good have 7.3426 For savinge of a mannes lif, 7.3427 Bot al goth to the swerd and knyf, 7.3428 So lief him was the mannes blod. 7.3429 And natheles yit thus it stod, 7.3430 So as fortune aboute wente, 7.3431 He fell riht heir as be descente 7.3432 To Perse, and was coroned king. 7.3433 And whan the worschipe of this thing 7.3434 Was falle, and he was king of Perse, 7.3435 If that thei weren ferst diverse, 7.3436 The tirannies whiche he wroghte, 7.3437 A thousendfold welmore he soghte 7.3438 Thanne afterward to do malice. 7.3439 The god vengance ayein the vice 7.3440 Hath schape: for upon a tyde, 7.3441 Whan he was heihest in his Pride, 7.3442 In his rancour and in his hete 7.3443 Ayein the queene of Marsagete, 7.3444 Which Thameris that time hihte, 7.3445 He made werre al that he myhte: 7.3446 And sche, which wolde hir lond defende, 7.3447 Hir oghne Sone ayein him sende, 7.3448 Which the defence hath undertake. 7.3449 Bot he desconfit was and take; 7.3450 And whan this king him hadde in honde, 7.3451 He wol no mercy understonde, 7.3452 Bot dede him slen in his presence. 7.3453

Page 2.333

7.3453 The tidinge of this violence 7.3454 Whan it cam to the moder Ere, 7.3455 Sche sende anon ay wydewhere 7.3456 To suche frendes as sche hadde, 7.3457 A gret pouer til that sche ladde. 7.3458 In sondri wise and tho sche caste 7.3459 Hou sche this king mai overcaste; 7.3460 And ate laste acorded was, 7.3461 That in the danger of a pass, 7.3462 Thurgh which this tirant scholde passe, 7.3463 Sche schop his pouer to compasse 7.3464 With strengthe of men be such a weie 7.3465 That he schal noght eschape aweie. 7.3466 And whan sche hadde thus ordeigned, 7.3467 Sche hath hir oghne bodi feigned, 7.3468 For feere as thogh sche wolde flee 7.3469 Out of hir lond: and whan that he 7.3470 Hath herd hou that this ladi fledde, 7.3471 So faste after the chace he spedde, 7.3472 That he was founde out of array. 7.3473 For it betidde upon a day, 7.3474 Into the pas whanne he was falle, 7.3475 Thembuisschementz tobrieken alle 7.3476 And him beclipte on every side, 7.3477 That fle ne myhte he noght aside: 7.3478 So that ther weren dede and take 7.3479 Tuo hundred thousend for his sake, 7.3480 That weren with him of his host. 7.3481 And thus was leid the grete bost 7.3482 Of him and of his tirannie: 7.3483 It halp no mercy forto crie 7.3484 To him which whilom dede non; 7.3485 For he unto the queene anon 7.3486 Was broght, and whan that sche him sih, 7.3487 This word sche spak and seide on hih: 7.3488 "O man, which out of mannes kinde 7.3489

Page 2.334

7.3489 Reson of man hast left behinde 7.3490 And lived worse than a beste, 7.3491 Whom Pite myhte noght areste, 7.3492 The mannes blod to schede and spille 7.3493 Thou haddest nevere yit thi fille. 7.3494 Bot nou the laste time is come, 7.3495 That thi malice is overcome: 7.3496 As thou til othre men hast do, 7.3497 Nou schal be do to thee riht so." 7.3498 Tho bad this ladi that men scholde 7.3499 A vessel bringe, in which sche wolde 7.3500

Lines 3501 through 3600

Se the vengance of his juise, 7.3501 Which sche began anon devise; 7.3502 And tok the Princes whiche he ladde, 7.3503 Be whom his chief conseil he hadde, 7.3504 And whil hem lasteth eny breth, 7.3505 Sche made hem blede to the deth 7.3506 Into the vessel wher it stod: 7.3507 And whan it was fulfild of blod, 7.3508 Sche caste this tirant therinne, 7.3509 And seide him, "Lo, thus myht thou wynne 7.3510 The lustes of thin appetit. 7.3511 In blod was whilom thi delit, 7.3512 Nou schalt thou drinken al thi fille." 7.3513 And thus onliche of goddes wille, 7.3514 He which that wolde himselve strange 7.3515 To Pite, fond mercy so strange, 7.3516 That he withoute grace is lore. 7.3517 So may it schewe wel therfore 7.3518 That crualte hath no good ende; 7.3519 Bot Pite, hou so that it wende, 7.3520 Makth that the god is merciable, 7.3521 If ther be cause resonable 7.3522 Why that a king schal be pitous. 7.3523 Bot elles, if he be doubtous 7.3524 To slen in cause of rihtwisnesse, 7.3525 It mai be said no Pitousnesse, 7.3526 Bot it is Pusillamite, 7.3527

Page 2.335

7.3527 Which every Prince scholde flee. 7.3528 For if Pite mesure excede, 7.3529 Kinghode may noght wel procede 7.3530 To do justice upon the riht: 7.3531 For it belongeth to a knyht 7.3532 Als gladly forto fihte as reste, 7.3533 To sette his liege poeple in reste, 7.3534 Whan that the werre upon hem falleth; 7.3535 For thanne he mote, as it befalleth, 7.3536 Of his knyhthode as a Leon 7.3537 Be to the poeple a champioun 7.3538 Withouten eny Pite feigned. 7.3539 For if manhode be restreigned, 7.3540 Or be it pes or be it werre, 7.3541 Justice goth al out of herre, 7.3542 So that knyhthode is set behinde. 7.3543 Of Aristotles lore I finde, 7.3544 A king schal make good visage, 7.3545 That noman knowe of his corage 7.3546 Bot al honour and worthinesse: 7.3547 For if a king schal upon gesse 7.3548 Withoute verrai cause drede, 7.3549 He mai be lich to that I rede; 7.3550 And thogh that it be lich a fable, 7.3551 Thensample is good and resonable. 7.3552 As it be olde daies fell, 7.3553 I rede whilom that an hell 7.3554 Up in the londes of Archade 7.3555 A wonder dredful noise made; 7.3556 For so it fell that ilke day, 7.3557 This hell on his childinge lay, 7.3558 And whan the throwes on him come, 7.3559 His noise lich the day of dome 7.3560 Was ferfull in a mannes thoght 7.3561 Of thing which that thei sihe noght, 7.3562 Bot wel thei herden al aboute 7.3563 The noise, of which thei were in doute, 7.3564

Page 2.336

7.3564 As thei that wenden to be lore 7.3565 Of thing which thanne was unbore. 7.3566 The nerr this hell was upon chance 7.3567 To taken his deliverance, 7.3568 The more unbuxomliche he cride; 7.3569 And every man was fledd aside, 7.3570 For drede and lefte his oghne hous: 7.3571 And ate laste it was a Mous, 7.3572 The which was bore and to norrice 7.3573 Betake; and tho thei hield hem nyce, 7.3574 For thei withoute cause dradde. 7.3575 Thus if a king his herte ladde 7.3576 With every thing that he schal hiere, 7.3577 Fulofte he scholde change his chiere 7.3578 And upon fantasie drede, 7.3579 Whan that ther is no cause of drede. 7.3580 Orace to his Prince tolde, 7.3581 That him were levere that he wolde 7.3582 Upon knihthode Achillem suie 7.3583 In time of werre, thanne eschuie, 7.3584 So as Tersites dede at Troie. 7.3585 Achilles al his hole joie 7.3586 Sette upon Armes forto fihte; 7.3587 Tersites soghte al that he myhte 7.3588 Unarmed forto stonde in reste: 7.3589 Bot of the tuo it was the beste 7.3590 That Achilles upon the nede 7.3591 Hath do, wherof his knyhtlihiede 7.3592 Is yit comended overal. 7.3593 King Salomon in special 7.3594 Seith, as ther is a time of pes, 7.3595 So is a time natheles 7.3596 Of werre, in which a Prince algate 7.3597 Schal for the comun riht debate 7.3598 And for his oghne worschipe eke. 7.3599 Bot it behoveth noght to seke 7.3600

Page 2.337

7.3600

Lines 3601 through 3700

Only the werre for worschipe, 7.3601 Bot to the riht of his lordschipe, 7.3602 Which he is holde to defende, 7.3603 Mote every worthi Prince entende. 7.3604 Betwen the simplesce of Pite 7.3605 And the folhaste of crualte, 7.3606 Wher stant the verray hardiesce, 7.3607 Ther mote a king his herte adresce, 7.3608 Whanne it is time to forsake, 7.3609 And whan time is also to take 7.3610 The dedly werres upon honde, 7.3611 That he schal for no drede wonde, 7.3612 If rihtwisnesse be withal. 7.3613 For god is myhty overal 7.3614 To forthren every mannes trowthe, 7.3615 Bot it be thurgh his oghne slowthe; 7.3616 And namely the kinges nede 7.3617 It mai noght faile forto spede, 7.3618 For he stant one for hem alle; 7.3619 So mote it wel the betre falle 7.3620 And wel the more god favoureth, 7.3621 Whan he the comun riht socoureth. 7.3622 And forto se the sothe in dede, 7.3623 Behold the bible and thou myht rede 7.3624 Of grete ensamples manyon, 7.3625 Wherof that I wol tellen on. 7.3626 Upon a time as it befell, 7.3627 Ayein Judee and Irahel 7.3628 Whan sondri kinges come were 7.3629 In pourpos to destruie there 7.3630 The poeple which god kepte tho,- 7.3631 And stod in thilke daies so, 7.3632 That Gedeon, which scholde lede 7.3633 The goddes folk, tok him to rede, 7.3634 And sende in al the lond aboute, 7.3635 Til he assembled hath a route 7.3636 With thritti thousend of defence, 7.3637

Page 2.338

7.3637 To fihte and make resistence 7.3638 Ayein the whiche hem wolde assaille: 7.3639 And natheles that o bataille 7.3640 Of thre that weren enemys 7.3641 Was double mor than was al his; 7.3642 Wherof that Gedeon him dradde, 7.3643 That he so litel poeple hadde. 7.3644 Bot he which alle thing mai helpe, 7.3645 Wher that ther lacketh mannes helpe, 7.3646 To Gedeon his Angel sente, 7.3647 And bad, er that he forther wente, 7.3648 Al openly that he do crie 7.3649 That every man in his partie 7.3650 Which wolde after his oghne wille 7.3651 In his delice abide stille 7.3652 At hom in eny maner wise, 7.3653 For pourchas or for covoitise, 7.3654 For lust of love or lacke of herte, 7.3655 He scholde noght aboute sterte, 7.3656 Bot holde him stille at hom in pes: 7.3657 Wherof upon the morwe he les 7.3658 Wel twenty thousend men and mo, 7.3659 The whiche after the cri ben go. 7.3660 Thus was with him bot only left 7.3661 The thridde part, and yit god eft 7.3662 His Angel sende and seide this 7.3663 To Gedeon: "If it so is 7.3664 That I thin help schal undertake, 7.3665 Thou schalt yit lasse poeple take, 7.3666 Be whom mi will is that thou spede. 7.3667 Forthi tomorwe tak good hiede, 7.3668 Unto the flod whan ye be come, 7.3669 What man that hath the water nome 7.3670 Up in his hond and lapeth so, 7.3671 To thi part ches out alle tho; 7.3672 And him which wery is to swinke, 7.3673 Upon his wombe and lith to drinke, 7.3674

Page 2.339

7.3674 Forsak and put hem alle aweie. 7.3675 For I am myhti alle weie, 7.3676 Wher as me list myn help to schewe 7.3677 In goode men, thogh thei ben fewe." 7.3678 This Gedeon awaiteth wel, 7.3679 Upon the morwe and everydel, 7.3680 As god him bad, riht so he dede. 7.3681 And thus ther leften in that stede 7.3682 With him thre hundred and nomo, 7.3683 The remenant was al ago: 7.3684 Wherof that Gedeon merveileth, 7.3685 And therupon with god conseileth, 7.3686 Pleignende as ferforth as he dar. 7.3687 And god, which wolde he were war 7.3688 That he schal spede upon his riht, 7.3689 Hath bede him go the same nyht 7.3690 And take a man with him, to hiere 7.3691 What schal be spoke in his matere 7.3692 Among the hethen enemis; 7.3693 So mai he be the more wys, 7.3694 What afterward him schal befalle. 7.3695 This Gedeon amonges alle 7.3696 Phara, to whom he triste most, 7.3697 Be nyhte tok toward thilke host, 7.3698 Which logged was in a valleie, 7.3699 To hiere what thei wolden seie; 7.3700

Lines 3701 through 3800

Upon his fot and as he ferde, 7.3701 Tuo Sarazins spekende he herde. 7.3702 Quod on, "Ared mi swevene ariht, 7.3703 Which I mette in mi slep to nyht. 7.3704 Me thoghte I sih a barli cake, 7.3705 Which fro the Hull his weie hath take, 7.3706 And cam rollende doun at ones; 7.3707 And as it were for the nones, 7.3708 Forth in his cours so as it ran, 7.3709 The kinges tente of Madian, 7.3710

Page 2.340

7.3710 Of Amalech, of Amoreie, 7.3711 Of Amon and of Jebuseie, 7.3712 And many an other tente mo 7.3713 With gret noise, as me thoghte tho, 7.3714 It threw to grounde and overcaste, 7.3715 And al this host so sore agaste 7.3716 That I awok for pure drede." 7.3717 "This swevene can I wel arede," 7.3718 Quod thother Sarazin anon: 7.3719 "The barli cake is Gedeon, 7.3720 Which fro the hell doun sodeinly 7.3721 Schal come and sette such ascry 7.3722 Upon the kinges and ous bothe, 7.3723 That it schal to ous alle lothe: 7.3724 For in such drede he schal ous bringe, 7.3725 That if we hadden flyht of wynge, 7.3726 The weie on fote in desespeir 7.3727 We scholden leve and flen in their, 7.3728 For ther schal nothing him withstonde." 7.3729 Whan Gedeon hath understonde 7.3730 This tale, he thonketh god of al, 7.3731 And priveliche ayein he stal, 7.3732 So that no lif him hath perceived. 7.3733 And thanne he hath fulli conceived 7.3734 That he schal spede; and therupon 7.3735 The nyht suiende he schop to gon 7.3736 This multitude to assaile. 7.3737 Nou schalt thou hiere a gret mervaile, 7.3738 With what voisdie that he wroghte. 7.3739 The litel poeple which he broghte, 7.3740 Was non of hem that he ne hath 7.3741 A pot of erthe, in which he tath 7.3742 A lyht brennende in a kressette, 7.3743 And ech of hem ek a trompette 7.3744 Bar in his other hond beside; 7.3745 And thus upon the nyhtes tyde 7.3746 Duk Gedeon, whan it was derk, 7.3747 Ordeineth him unto his werk, 7.3748

Page 2.341

7.3748 And parteth thanne his folk in thre, 7.3749 And chargeth hem that thei ne fle, 7.3750 And tawhte hem hou they scholde ascrie 7.3751 Alle in o vois per compaignie, 7.3752 And what word ek thei scholden speke, 7.3753 And hou thei scholde here pottes breke 7.3754 Echon with other, whan thei herde 7.3755 That he himselve ferst so ferde; 7.3756 For whan thei come into the stede, 7.3757 He bad hem do riht as he dede. 7.3758 And thus stalkende forth a pas 7.3759 This noble Duk, whan time was, 7.3760 His pot tobrak and loude ascride, 7.3761 And tho thei breke on every side. 7.3762 The trompe was noght forto seke; 7.3763 He blew, and so thei blewen eke 7.3764 With such a noise among hem alle, 7.3765 As thogh the hevene scholde falle. 7.3766 The hull unto here vois ansuerde, 7.3767 This host in the valleie it herde, 7.3768 And sih hou that the hell alyhte; 7.3769 So what of hieringe and of sihte, 7.3770 Thei cawhten such a sodein feere, 7.3771 That non of hem belefte there: 7.3772 The tentes hole thei forsoke, 7.3773 That thei non other good ne toke, 7.3774 Bot only with here bodi bare 7.3775 Thei fledde, as doth the wylde Hare. 7.3776 And evere upon the hull thei blewe, 7.3777 Til that thei sihe time, and knewe 7.3778 That thei be fled upon the rage; 7.3779 And whan thei wiste here avantage, 7.3780 Thei felle anon unto the chace. 7.3781 Thus myht thou sen hou goddes grace 7.3782 Unto the goode men availeth; 7.3783 But elles ofte time it faileth 7.3784 To suche as be noght wel disposed. 7.3785 This tale nedeth noght be glosed, 7.3786

Page 2.342

7.3786 For it is openliche schewed 7.3787 That god to hem that ben wel thewed 7.3788 Hath yove and granted the victoire: 7.3789 So that thensample of this histoire 7.3790 Is good for every king to holde; 7.3791 Ferst in himself that he beholde 7.3792 If he be good of his livinge, 7.3793 And that the folk which he schal bringe 7.3794 Be good also, for thanne he may 7.3795 Be glad of many a merie day, 7.3796 In what as evere he hath to done. 7.3797 For he which sit above the Mone 7.3798 And alle thing mai spille and spede, 7.3799 In every cause, in every nede 7.3800

Lines 3801 through 3900

His goode king so wel adresceth, 7.3801 That alle his fomen he represseth, 7.3802 So that ther mai noman him dere; 7.3803 And als so wel he can forbere, 7.3804 And soffre a wickid king to falle 7.3805 In hondes of his fomen alle. 7.3806 Nou forthermore if I schal sein 7.3807 Of my matiere, and torne ayein 7.3808 To speke of justice and Pite 7.3809 After the reule of realte, 7.3810 This mai a king wel understonde, 7.3811 Knihthode mot ben take on honde, 7.3812 Whan that it stant upon the nede: 7.3813 He schal no rihtful cause drede, 7.3814 Nomore of werre thanne of pes, 7.3815 If he wol stonde blameles; 7.3816 For such a cause a king mai have 7.3817 That betre him is to sle than save, 7.3818 Wherof thou myht ensample finde. 7.3819 The hihe makere of mankinde 7.3820 Be Samuel to Sau�l bad, 7.3821 That he schal nothing ben adrad 7.3822 Ayein king Agag forto fihte; 7.3823

Page 2.343

7.3823 For this the godhede him behihte, 7.3824 That Agag schal ben overcome: 7.3825 And whan it is so ferforth come, 7.3826 That Sau�l hath him desconfit, 7.3827 The god bad make no respit, 7.3828 That he ne scholde him slen anon. 7.3829 Bot Sau�l let it overgon 7.3830 And dede noght the goddes heste: 7.3831 For Agag made gret beheste 7.3832 Of rancoun which he wolde yive, 7.3833 King Sau�l soffreth him to live 7.3834 And feigneth pite forth withal. 7.3835 Bot he which seth and knoweth al, 7.3836 The hihe god, of that he feigneth 7.3837 To Samuel upon him pleigneth, 7.3838 And sende him word, for that he lefte 7.3839 Of Agag that he ne berefte 7.3840 The lif, he schal noght only dye 7.3841 Himself, bot fro his regalie 7.3842 He schal be put for everemo, 7.3843 Noght he, bot ek his heir also, 7.3844 That it schal nevere come ayein. 7.3845 Thus myht thou se the sothe plein, 7.3846 That of tomoche and of tolyte 7.3847 Upon the Princes stant the wyte. 7.3848 Bot evere it was a kinges riht 7.3849 To do the dedes of a knyht; 7.3850 For in the handes of a king 7.3851 The deth and lif is al o thing 7.3852 After the lawes of justice. 7.3853 To slen it is a dedly vice, 7.3854 Bot if a man the deth deserve; 7.3855 And if a king the lif preserve 7.3856 Of him which oghte forto dye, 7.3857 He suieth noght thensamplerie 7.3858 Which in the bible is evident: 7.3859 Hou David in his testament, 7.3860 Whan he no lengere myhte live, 7.3861 Unto his Sone in charge hath yive 7.3862

Page 2.344

7.3862 That he Joab schal slen algate; 7.3863 And whan David was gon his gate, 7.3864 The yonge wise Salomon 7.3865 His fader heste dede anon, 7.3866 And slouh Joab in such a wise, 7.3867 That thei that herden the juise 7.3868 Evere after dradden him the more, 7.3869 And god was ek wel paid therfore, 7.3870 That he so wolde his herte plye 7.3871 The lawes forto justefie. 7.3872 And yit he kepte forth withal 7.3873 Pite, so as a Prince schal, 7.3874 That he no tirannie wroghte; 7.3875 He fond the wisdom which he soghte, 7.3876 And was so rihtful natheles, 7.3877 That al his lif he stod in pes, 7.3878 That he no dedly werres hadde, 7.3879 For every man his wisdom dradde. 7.3880 And as he was himselve wys, 7.3881 Riht so the worthi men of pris 7.3882 He hath of his conseil withholde; 7.3883 For that is every Prince holde, 7.3884 To make of suche his retenue 7.3885 Whiche wise ben, and to remue 7.3886 The foles: for ther is nothing 7.3887 Which mai be betre aboute a king, 7.3888 Than conseil, which is the substance 7.3889 Of all a kinges governance. 7.3890 In Salomon a man mai see 7.3891 What thing of most necessite 7.3892 Unto a worthi king belongeth. 7.3893 Whan he his kingdom underfongeth, 7.3894 God bad him chese what he wolde, 7.3895 And seide him that he have scholde 7.3896 What he wolde axe, as of o thing. 7.3897 And he, which was a newe king, 7.3898 Forth therupon his bone preide 7.3899 To god, and in this wise he seide: 7.3900

Lines 3901 through 4000

"O king, be whom that I schal regne, 7.3901

Page 2.345

7.3901 Yif me wisdom, that I my regne, 7.3902 Forth with thi poeple which I have, 7.3903 To thin honour mai kepe and save." 7.3904 Whan Salomon his bone hath taxed, 7.3905 The god of that which he hath axed 7.3906 Was riht wel paid, and granteth sone 7.3907 Noght al only that he his bone 7.3908 Schal have of that, bot of richesse, 7.3909 Of hele, of pes, of hih noblesse, 7.3910 Forth with wisdom at his axinges, 7.3911 Which stant above alle othre thinges. 7.3912 Bot what king wole his regne save, 7.3913 Ferst him behoveth forto have 7.3914 After the god and his believe 7.3915 Such conseil which is to believe, 7.3916 Fulfild of trouthe and rihtwisnesse: 7.3917 Bot above alle in his noblesse 7.3918 Betwen the reddour and pite 7.3919 A king schal do such equite 7.3920 And sette the balance in evene, 7.3921 So that the hihe god in hevene 7.3922 And al the poeple of his nobleie 7.3923 Loange unto his name seie. 7.3924 For most above all erthli good, 7.3925 Wher that a king himself is good 7.3926 It helpeth, for in other weie 7.3927 If so be that a king forsueie, 7.3928 Fulofte er this it hath be sein, 7.3929 The comun poeple is overlein 7.3930 And hath the kinges Senne aboght, 7.3931 Al thogh the poeple agulte noght. 7.3932 Of that the king his god misserveth, 7.3933 The poeple takth that he descerveth 7.3934 Hier in this world, bot elleswhere 7.3935 I not hou it schal stonde there. 7.3936 Forthi good is a king to triste 7.3937 Ferst to himself, as he ne wiste 7.3938 Non other help bot god alone; 7.3939

Page 2.346

7.3939 So schal the reule of his persone 7.3940 Withinne himself thurgh providence 7.3941 Ben of the betre conscience. 7.3942 And forto finde ensample of this, 7.3943 A tale I rede, and soth it is. 7.3944 In a Cronique it telleth thus: 7.3945 The king of Rome Lucius 7.3946 Withinne his chambre upon a nyht 7.3947 The Steward of his hous, a knyht, 7.3948 Forth with his Chamberlein also, 7.3949 To conseil hadde bothe tuo, 7.3950 And stoden be the Chiminee 7.3951 Togedre spekende alle thre. 7.3952 And happeth that the kinges fol 7.3953 Sat be the fyr upon a stol, 7.3954 As he that with his babil pleide, 7.3955 Bot yit he herde al that thei seide, 7.3956 And therof token thei non hiede. 7.3957 The king hem axeth what to rede 7.3958 Of such matiere as cam to mouthe, 7.3959 And thei him tolden as thei couthe. 7.3960 Whan al was spoke of that thei mente, 7.3961 The king with al his hole entente 7.3962 Thanne ate laste hem axeth this, 7.3963 What king men tellen that he is: 7.3964 Among the folk touchende his name, 7.3965 Or be it pris, or be it blame, 7.3966 Riht after that thei herden sein, 7.3967 He bad hem forto telle it plein, 7.3968 That thei no point of soth forbere, 7.3969 Be thilke feith that thei him bere. 7.3970 The Steward ferst upon this thing 7.3971 Yaf his ansuere unto the king 7.3972 And thoghte glose in this matiere, 7.3973 And seide, als fer as he can hiere, 7.3974 His name is good and honourable: 7.3975 Thus was the Stieward favorable, 7.3976 That he the trouthe plein ne tolde. 7.3977 The king thanne axeth, as he scholde, 7.3978

Page 2.347

7.3978 The Chamberlein of his avis. 7.3979 And he, that was soubtil and wys, 7.3980 And somdiel thoghte upon his feith, 7.3981 Him tolde hou al the poeple seith 7.3982 That if his conseil were trewe, 7.3983 Thei wiste thanne wel and knewe 7.3984 That of himself he scholde be 7.3985 A worthi king in his degre: 7.3986 And thus the conseil he accuseth 7.3987 In partie, and the king excuseth. 7.3988 The fol, which herde of al the cas 7.3989 That time, as goddes wille was, 7.3990 Sih that thei seiden noght ynowh, 7.3991 And hem to skorne bothe lowh, 7.3992 And to the king he seide tho: 7.3993 "Sire king, if that it were so, 7.3994 Of wisdom in thin oghne mod 7.3995 That thou thiselven were good, 7.3996 Thi conseil scholde noght be badde." 7.3997 The king therof merveille hadde, 7.3998 Whan that a fol so wisly spak, 7.3999 And of himself fond out the lack 7.4000

Lines 4001 through 4100

Withinne his oghne conscience: 7.4001 And thus the foles evidence, 7.4002 Which was of goddes grace enspired, 7.4003 Makth that good conseil was desired. 7.4004 He putte awey the vicious 7.4005 And tok to him the vertuous; 7.4006 The wrongful lawes ben amended, 7.4007 The londes good is wel despended, 7.4008 The poeple was nomore oppressed, 7.4009 And thus stod every thing redressed. 7.4010 For where a king is propre wys, 7.4011 And hath suche as himselven is 7.4012 Of his conseil, it mai noght faile 7.4013 That every thing ne schal availe: 7.4014 The vices thanne gon aweie, 7.4015 And every vertu holt his weie; 7.4016

Page 2.348

7.4016 Wherof the hihe god is plesed, 7.4017 And al the londes folk is esed. 7.4018 For if the comun poeple crie, 7.4019 And thanne a king list noght to plie 7.4020 To hiere what the clamour wolde, 7.4021 And otherwise thanne he scholde 7.4022 Desdeigneth forto don hem grace, 7.4023 It hath be sen in many place, 7.4024 Ther hath befalle gret contraire; 7.4025 And that I finde of ensamplaire. 7.4026 After the deth of Salomon, 7.4027 Whan thilke wise king was gon, 7.4028 And Roboas in his persone 7.4029 Receive scholde the corone, 7.4030 The poeple upon a Parlement 7.4031 Avised were of on assent, 7.4032 And alle unto the king thei preiden, 7.4033 With comun vois and thus thei seiden: 7.4034 "Oure liege lord, we thee beseche 7.4035 That thou receive oure humble speche 7.4036 And grante ous that which reson wile, 7.4037 Or of thi grace or of thi skile. 7.4038 Thi fader, whil he was alyve 7.4039 And myhte bothe grante and pryve, 7.4040 Upon the werkes whiche he hadde 7.4041 The comun poeple streite ladde: 7.4042 Whan he the temple made newe, 7.4043 Thing which men nevere afore knewe 7.4044 He broghte up thanne of his taillage, 7.4045 And al was under the visage 7.4046 Of werkes whiche he made tho. 7.4047 Bot nou it is befalle so, 7.4048 That al is mad, riht as he seide, 7.4049 And he was riche whan he deide; 7.4050 So that it is no maner nede, 7.4051 If thou therof wolt taken hiede, 7.4052

Page 2.349

7.4052 To pilen of the poeple more, 7.4053 Which long time hath be grieved sore. 7.4054 And in this wise as we thee seie, 7.4055 With tendre herte we thee preie 7.4056 That thou relesse thilke dette, 7.4057 Which upon ous thi fader sette. 7.4058 And if thee like to don so, 7.4059 We ben thi men for everemo, 7.4060 To gon and comen at thin heste." 7.4061 The king, which herde this requeste, 7.4062 Seith that he wole ben avised, 7.4063 And hath therof a time assised; 7.4064 And in the while as he him thoghte 7.4065 Upon this thing, conseil he soghte. 7.4066 And ferst the wise knyhtes olde, 7.4067 To whom that he his tale tolde, 7.4068 Conseilen him in this manere; 7.4069 That he with love and with glad chiere 7.4070 Foryive and grante al that is axed 7.4071 Of that his fader hadde taxed; 7.4072 For so he mai his regne achieve 7.4073 With thing which schal him litel grieve. 7.4074 The king hem herde and overpasseth, 7.4075 And with these othre his wit compasseth, 7.4076 That yonge were and nothing wise. 7.4077 And thei these olde men despise, 7.4078 And seiden: "Sire, it schal be schame 7.4079 For evere unto thi worthi name, 7.4080 If thou ne kepe noght the riht, 7.4081 Whil thou art in thi yonge myht, 7.4082 Which that thin olde fader gat. 7.4083 Bot seie unto the poeple plat, 7.4084 That whil thou livest in thi lond, 7.4085 The leste finger of thin hond 7.4086 It schal be strengere overal 7.4087 Than was thi fadres bodi al. 7.4088 And this also schal be thi tale, 7.4089 If he hem smot with roddes smale, 7.4090 With Scorpions thou schalt hem smyte; 7.4091

Page 2.350

7.4091 And wher thi fader tok a lyte, 7.4092 Thou thenkst to take mochel more. 7.4093 Thus schalt thou make hem drede sore 7.4094 The grete herte of thi corage, 7.4095 So forto holde hem in servage. 7.4096 This yonge king him hath conformed 7.4097 To don as he was last enformed, 7.4098 Which was to him his undoinge: 7.4099 For whan it cam to the spekinge, 7.4100

Lines 4101 through 4200

He hath the yonge conseil holde, 7.4101 That he the same wordes tolde 7.4102 Of al the poeple in audience; 7.4103 And whan thei herden the sentence 7.4104 Of his malice and the manace, 7.4105 Anon tofore his oghne face 7.4106 Thei have him oultreli refused 7.4107 And with ful gret reproef accused. 7.4108 So thei begunne forto rave, 7.4109 That he was fain himself to save; 7.4110 For as the wilde wode rage 7.4111 Of wyndes makth the See salvage, 7.4112 And that was calm bringth into wawe, 7.4113 So for defalte of grace and lawe 7.4114 This poeple is stered al at ones 7.4115 And forth thei gon out of hise wones; 7.4116 So that of the lignages tuelve 7.4117 Tuo tribes only be hemselve 7.4118 With him abiden and nomo: 7.4119 So were thei for everemo 7.4120 Of no retorn withoute espeir 7.4121 Departed fro the rihtfull heir. 7.4122 Al Irahel with comun vois 7.4123 A king upon here oghne chois 7.4124 Among hemself anon thei make, 7.4125 And have here yonge lord forsake; 7.4126 A povere knyht Jeroboas 7.4127 Thei toke, and lefte Roboas, 7.4128

Page 2.351

7.4128 Which rihtfull heir was be descente. 7.4129 Lo, thus the yonge cause wente: 7.4130 For that the conseil was noght good, 7.4131 The regne fro the rihtfull blod 7.4132 Evere afterward divided was. 7.4133 So mai it proven be this cas 7.4134 That yong conseil, which is to warm, 7.4135 Er men be war doth ofte harm. 7.4136 Old age for the conseil serveth, 7.4137 And lusti youthe his thonk deserveth 7.4138 Upon the travail which he doth; 7.4139 And bothe, forto seie a soth, 7.4140 Be sondri cause forto have, 7.4141 If that he wole his regne save, 7.4142 A king behoveth every day. 7.4143 That on can and that other mai, 7.4144 Be so the king hem bothe reule, 7.4145 For elles al goth out of reule. 7.4146 And upon this matiere also 7.4147 A question betwen the tuo 7.4148 Thus writen in a bok I fond; 7.4149 Wher it be betre for the lond 7.4150 A king himselve to be wys, 7.4151 And so to bere his oghne pris, 7.4152 And that his consail be noght good, 7.4153 Or other wise if it so stod, 7.4154 A king if he be vicious 7.4155 And his conseil be vertuous. 7.4156 It is ansuerd in such a wise, 7.4157 That betre it is that thei be wise 7.4158 Be whom that the conseil schal gon, 7.4159 For thei be manye, and he is on; 7.4160 And rathere schal an one man 7.4161 With fals conseil, for oght he can, 7.4162 From his wisdom be mad to falle, 7.4163 Thanne he al one scholde hem alle 7.4164 Fro vices into vertu change, 7.4165 For that is wel the more strange. 7.4166

Page 2.352

7.4166 Forthi the lond mai wel be glad, 7.4167 Whos king with good conseil is lad, 7.4168 Which set him unto rihtwisnesse, 7.4169 So that his hihe worthinesse 7.4170 Betwen the reddour and Pite 7.4171 Doth mercy forth with equite. 7.4172 A king is holden overal 7.4173 To Pite, bot in special 7.4174 To hem wher he is most beholde; 7.4175 Thei scholde his Pite most beholde 7.4176 That ben the Lieges of his lond, 7.4177 For thei ben evere under his hond 7.4178 After the goddes ordinaunce 7.4179 To stonde upon his governance. 7.4180 Of themperour Anthonius 7.4181 I finde hou that he seide thus, 7.4182 That levere him were forto save 7.4183 Oon of his lieges than to have 7.4184 Of enemis a thousend dede. 7.4185 And this he lernede, as I rede, 7.4186 Of Cipio, which hadde be 7.4187 Consul of Rome. And thus to se 7.4188 Diverse ensamples hou thei stonde, 7.4189 A king which hath the charge on honde 7.4190 The comun poeple to governe, 7.4191 If that he wole, he mai wel lerne. 7.4192 Is non so good to the plesance 7.4193 Of god, as is good governance; 7.4194 And every governance is due 7.4195 To Pite: thus I mai argue 7.4196 That Pite is the foundement 7.4197 Of every kinges regiment, 7.4198 If it be medled with justice. 7.4199 Thei tuo remuen alle vice, 7.4200

Lines 4201 through 4300

And ben of vertu most vailable 7.4201 To make a kinges regne stable. 7.4202 Lo, thus the foure pointz tofore, 7.4203 In governance as thei ben bore, 7.4204

Page 2.353

7.4204 Of trouthe ferst and of largesse, 7.4205 Of Pite forth with rihtwisnesse, 7.4206 I have hem told; and over this 7.4207 The fifte point, so as it is 7.4208 Set of the reule of Policie, 7.4209 Wherof a king schal modefie 7.4210 The fleisschly lustes of nature, 7.4211 Nou thenk I telle of such mesure, 7.4212 That bothe kinde schal be served 7.4213 And ek the lawe of god observed. 7.4214 The Madle is mad for the the femele, 7.4215 Bot where as on desireth fele, 7.4216 That nedeth noght be weie of kinde: 7.4217 For whan a man mai redy finde 7.4218 His oghne wif, what scholde he seche 7.4219 In strange places to beseche 7.4220 To borwe an other mannes plouh, 7.4221 Whan he hath geere good ynouh 7.4222 Affaited at his oghne heste, 7.4223 And is to him wel more honeste 7.4224 Than other thing which is unknowe? 7.4225 Forthi scholde every good man knowe 7.4226 And thenke, hou that in mariage 7.4227 His trouthe pliht lith in morgage, 7.4228 Which if he breke, it is falshode, 7.4229 And that descordeth to manhode, 7.4230 And namely toward the grete, 7.4231 Wherof the bokes alle trete; 7.4232 So as the Philosophre techeth 7.4233 To Alisandre, and him betecheth 7.4234 The lore hou that he schal mesure 7.4235 His bodi, so that no mesure 7.4236 Of fleisshly lust he scholde excede. 7.4237

Page 2.354

7.4237 And thus forth if I schal procede, 7.4238 The fifte point, as I seide er, 7.4239 Is chastete, which sielde wher 7.4240 Comth nou adaies into place; 7.4241 And natheles, bot it be grace 7.4242 Above alle othre in special, 7.4243 Is non that chaste mai ben all. 7.4244 Bot yit a kinges hihe astat, 7.4245 Which of his ordre as a prelat 7.4246 Schal ben enoignt and seintefied, 7.4247 He mot be more magnefied 7.4248 For dignete of his corone, 7.4249 Than scholde an other low persone, 7.4250 Which is noght of so hih emprise. 7.4251 Therfore a Prince him scholde avise, 7.4252 Er that he felle in such riote, 7.4253 And namely that he nassote 7.4254 To change for the wommanhede 7.4255 The worthinesse of his manhede. 7.4256 Of Aristotle I have wel rad, 7.4257 Hou he to Alisandre bad, 7.4258 That forto gladen his corage 7.4259 He schal beholde the visage 7.4260 Of wommen, whan that thei ben faire. 7.4261 Bot yit he set an essamplaire, 7.4262 His bodi so to guide and reule, 7.4263 That he ne passe noght the reule, 7.4264 Wherof that he himself beguile. 7.4265 For in the womman is no guile 7.4266 Of that a man himself bewhapeth; 7.4267 Whan he his oghne wit bejapeth, 7.4268 I can the wommen wel excuse: 7.4269 Bot what man wole upon hem muse 7.4270 After the fool impression 7.4271 Of his ymaginacioun, 7.4272 Withinne himself the fyr he bloweth, 7.4273 Wherof the womman nothing knoweth, 7.4274

Page 2.355

7.4274 So mai sche nothing be to wyte. 7.4275 For if a man himself excite 7.4276 To drenche, and wol it noght forbere, 7.4277 The water schal no blame bere. 7.4278 What mai the gold, thogh men coveite? 7.4279 If that a man wol love streite, 7.4280 The womman hath him nothing bounde; 7.4281 If he his oghne herte wounde, 7.4282 Sche mai noght lette the folie; 7.4283 And thogh so felle of compainie 7.4284 That he myht eny thing pourchace, 7.4285 Yit makth a man the ferste chace, 7.4286 The womman fleth and he poursuieth: 7.4287 So that be weie of skile it suieth, 7.4288 The man is cause, hou so befalle, 7.4289 That he fulofte sithe is falle 7.4290 Wher that he mai noght wel aryse. 7.4291 And natheles ful manye wise 7.4292 Befoled have hemself er this, 7.4293 As nou adaies yit it is 7.4294 Among the men and evere was, 7.4295 The stronge is fieblest in this cas. 7.4296 It sit a man be weie of kinde 7.4297 To love, bot it is noght kinde 7.4298 A man for love his wit to lese: 7.4299 For if the Monthe of Juil schal frese 7.4300

Lines 4301 through 4400

And that Decembre schal ben hot, 7.4301 The yeer mistorneth, wel I wot. 7.4302 To sen a man fro his astat 7.4303 Thurgh his sotie effeminat, 7.4304 And leve that a man schal do, 7.4305 It is as Hose above the Scho, 7.4306 To man which oghte noght ben used. 7.4307 Bot yit the world hath ofte accused 7.4308 Ful grete Princes of this dede, 7.4309 Hou thei for love hemself mislede, 7.4310 Wherof manhode stod behinde, 7.4311 Of olde ensamples as I finde. 7.4312

Page 2.356

7.4312 These olde gestes tellen thus, 7.4313 That whilom Sardana Pallus, 7.4314 Which hield al hol in his empire 7.4315 The grete kingdom of Assire, 7.4316 Was thurgh the slouthe of his corage 7.4317 Falle into thilke fyri rage 7.4318 Of love, which the men assoteth, 7.4319 Wherof himself he so rioteth, 7.4320 And wax so ferforth wommannyssh, 7.4321 That ayein kinde, as if a fissh 7.4322 Abide wolde upon the lond, 7.4323 In wommen such a lust he fond, 7.4324 That he duelte evere in chambre stille, 7.4325 And only wroghte after the wille 7.4326 Of wommen, so as he was bede, 7.4327 That selden whanne in other stede 7.4328 If that he wolde wenden oute, 7.4329 To sen hou that it stod aboute. 7.4330 Bot ther he keste and there he pleide, 7.4331 Thei tawhten him a Las to breide, 7.4332 And weve a Pours, and to enfile 7.4333 A Perle: and fell that ilke while, 7.4334 On Barbarus the Prince of Mede 7.4335 Sih hou this king in wommanhede 7.4336 Was falle fro chivalerie, 7.4337 And gat him help and compaignie, 7.4338 And wroghte so, that ate laste 7.4339 This king out of his regne he caste, 7.4340 Which was undon for everemo: 7.4341 And yit men speken of him so, 7.4342 That it is schame forto hiere. 7.4343 Forthi to love is in manere. 7.4344 King David hadde many a love, 7.4345 Bot natheles alwey above 7.4346 Knyhthode he kepte in such a wise, 7.4347 That for no fleisshli covoitise 7.4348

Page 2.357

7.4348 Of lust to ligge in ladi armes 7.4349 He lefte noght the lust of armes. 7.4350 For where a Prince hise lustes suieth, 7.4351 That he the werre noght poursuieth, 7.4352 Whan it is time to ben armed, 7.4353 His contre stant fulofte harmed, 7.4354 Whan thenemis ben woxe bolde, 7.4355 That thei defence non beholde. 7.4356 Ful many a lond hath so be lore, 7.4357 As men mai rede of time afore 7.4358 Of hem that so here eses soghten, 7.4359 Which after thei full diere aboghten. 7.4360 To mochel ese is nothing worth, 7.4361 For that set every vice forth 7.4362 And every vertu put abak, 7.4363 Wherof priss torneth into lak, 7.4364 As in Cronique I mai reherse: 7.4365 Which telleth hou the king of Perse, 7.4366 That Cirus hihte, a werre hadde 7.4367 Ayein a poeple which he dradde, 7.4368 Of a contre which Liddos hihte; 7.4369 Bot yit for oght that he do mihte 7.4370 As in bataille upon the werre, 7.4371 He hadde of hem alwey the werre. 7.4372 And whan he sih and wiste it wel, 7.4373 That he be strengthe wan no del, 7.4374 Thanne ate laste he caste a wyle 7.4375 This worthi poeple to beguile, 7.4376 And tok with hem a feigned pes, 7.4377 Which scholde lasten endeles, 7.4378 So as he seide in wordes wise, 7.4379 Bot he thoghte al in other wise. 7.4380 For it betidd upon the cas, 7.4381 Whan that this poeple in reste was, 7.4382 Thei token eses manyfold; 7.4383 And worldes ese, as it is told, 7.4384

Page 2.358

7.4384 Be weie of kinde is the norrice 7.4385 Of every lust which toucheth vice. 7.4386 Thus whan thei were in lustes falle, 7.4387 The werres ben foryeten alle; 7.4388 Was non which wolde the worschipe 7.4389 Of Armes, bot in idelschipe 7.4390 Thei putten besinesse aweie 7.4391 And token hem to daunce and pleie; 7.4392 Bot most above alle othre thinges 7.4393 Thei token hem to the likinges 7.4394 Of fleysshly lust, that chastete 7.4395 Received was in no degre, 7.4396 Bot every man doth what him liste. 7.4397 And whan the king of Perse it wiste, 7.4398 That thei unto folie entenden, 7.4399 With his pouer, whan thei lest wenden, 7.4400

Lines 4401 through 4500

Mor sodeinly than doth the thunder 7.4401 He cam, for evere and put hem under. 7.4402 And thus hath lecherie lore 7.4403 The lond, which hadde be tofore 7.4404 The beste of hem that were tho. 7.4405 And in the bible I finde also 7.4406 A tale lich unto this thing, 7.4407 Hou Amalech the paien king, 7.4408 Whan that he myhte be no weie 7.4409 Defende his lond and putte aweie 7.4410 The worthi poeple of Irael, 7.4411 This Sarazin, as it befell, 7.4412 Thurgh the conseil of Balaam 7.4413 A route of faire wommen nam, 7.4414 That lusti were and yonge of Age, 7.4415 And bad hem gon to the lignage 7.4416 Of these Hebreus: and forth thei wente 7.4417 With yhen greye and browes bente 7.4418 And wel arraied everych on; 7.4419 And whan thei come were anon 7.4420

Page 2.359

7.4420 Among thebreus, was non insihte, 7.4421 Bot cacche who that cacche myhte, 7.4422 And ech of hem hise lustes soghte, 7.4423 Whiche after thei full diere boghte. 7.4424 For grace anon began to faile, 7.4425 That whan thei comen to bataille 7.4426 Thanne afterward, in sori plit 7.4427 Thei were take and disconfit, 7.4428 So that withinne a litel throwe 7.4429 The myht of hem was overthrowe, 7.4430 That whilom were wont to stonde. 7.4431 Til Phinees the cause on honde 7.4432 Hath take, this vengance laste, 7.4433 Bot thanne it cessede ate laste, 7.4434 For god was paid of that he dede: 7.4435 For wher he fond upon a stede 7.4436 A couple which misferde so, 7.4437 Thurghout he smot hem bothe tuo, 7.4438 And let hem ligge in mennes yhe; 7.4439 Wherof alle othre whiche hem sihe 7.4440 Ensamplede hem upon the dede, 7.4441 And preiden unto the godhiede 7.4442 Here olde Sennes to amende: 7.4443 And he, which wolde his mercy sende, 7.4444 Restorede hem to newe grace. 7.4445 Thus mai it schewe in sondri place, 7.4446 Of chastete hou the clennesse 7.4447 Acordeth to the worthinesse 7.4448 Of men of Armes overal; 7.4449 Bot most of alle in special 7.4450 This vertu to a king belongeth, 7.4451 For upon his fortune it hongeth 7.4452 Of that his lond schal spede or spille. 7.4453 Forthi bot if a king his wille 7.4454 Fro lustes of his fleissh restreigne, 7.4455 Ayein himself he makth a treigne, 7.4456 Into the which if that he slyde, 7.4457 Him were betre go besyde. 7.4458 For every man mai understonde, 7.4459

Page 2.360

7.4459 Hou for a time that it stonde, 7.4460 It is a sori lust to lyke, 7.4461 Whos ende makth a man to syke 7.4462 And torneth joies into sorwe. 7.4463 The brihte Sonne be the morwe 7.4464 Beschyneth noght the derke nyht, 7.4465 The lusti youthe of mannes myht, 7.4466 In Age bot it stonde wel, 7.4467 Mistorneth al the laste whiel. 7.4468 That every worthi Prince is holde 7.4469 Withinne himself himself beholde, 7.4470 To se the stat of his persone, 7.4471 And thenke hou ther be joies none 7.4472 Upon this Erthe mad to laste, 7.4473 And hou the fleissh schal ate laste 7.4474 The lustes of this lif forsake, 7.4475 Him oghte a gret ensample take 7.4476 Of Salomon, whos appetit 7.4477 Was holy set upon delit, 7.4478 To take of wommen the plesance: 7.4479 So that upon his ignorance 7.4480 The wyde world merveileth yit, 7.4481 That he, which alle mennes wit 7.4482 In thilke time hath overpassed, 7.4483 With fleisshly lustes was so tassed, 7.4484 That he which ladde under the lawe 7.4485 The poeple of god, himself withdrawe 7.4486 He hath fro god in such a wise, 7.4487 That he worschipe and sacrifise 7.4488 For sondri love in sondri stede 7.4489 Unto the false goddes dede. 7.4490 This was the wise ecclesiaste, 7.4491 The fame of whom schal evere laste, 7.4492 That he the myhti god forsok, 7.4493 Ayein the lawe whanne he tok 7.4494 His wyves and his concubines 7.4495 Of hem that weren Sarazines, 7.4496 For whiche he dede ydolatrie. 7.4497

Page 2.361

7.4497 For this I rede of his sotie: 7.4498 Sche of Sidoyne so him ladde, 7.4499 That he knelende his armes spradde 7.4500

Lines 4501 through 4600

To Astrathen with gret humblesse, 7.4501 Which of hire lond was the goddesse: 7.4502 And sche that was a Moabite 7.4503 So ferforth made him to delite 7.4504 Thurgh lust, which al his wit devoureth, 7.4505 That he Chamos hire god honoureth. 7.4506 An other Amonyte also 7.4507 With love him hath assoted so, 7.4508 Hire god Moloch that with encense 7.4509 He sacreth, and doth reverence 7.4510 In such a wise as sche him bad. 7.4511 Thus was the wiseste overlad 7.4512 With blinde lustes whiche he soghte; 7.4513 Bot he it afterward aboghte. 7.4514 For Achias Selonites, 7.4515 Which was prophete, er his decess, 7.4516 Whil he was in hise lustes alle, 7.4517 Betokneth what schal after falle. 7.4518 For on a day, whan that he mette 7.4519 Jeroboam the knyht, he grette 7.4520 And bad him that he scholde abyde, 7.4521 To hiere what him schal betyde. 7.4522 And forth withal Achias caste 7.4523 His mantell of, and also faste 7.4524 He kut it into pieces twelve, 7.4525 Wherof tuo partz toward himselve 7.4526 He kepte, and al the remenant, 7.4527 As god hath set his covenant, 7.4528 He tok unto Jeroboas, 7.4529 Of Nabal which the Sone was, 7.4530 And of the kinges court a knyht: 7.4531 And seide him, "Such is goddes myht, 7.4532 As thou hast sen departed hiere 7.4533 Mi mantell, riht in such manere 7.4534 After the deth of Salomon 7.4535 God hath ordeigned therupon, 7.4536

Page 2.362

7.4536 This regne thanne he schal divide: 7.4537 Which time thou schalt ek abide, 7.4538 And upon that division 7.4539 The regne as in proporcion 7.4540 As thou hast of mi mantell take, 7.4541 Thou schalt receive, I undertake. 7.4542 And thus the Sone schal abie 7.4543 The lustes and the lecherie 7.4544 Of him which nou his fader is." 7.4545 So forto taken hiede of this, 7.4546 It sit a king wel to be chaste, 7.4547 For elles he mai lihtly waste 7.4548 Himself and ek his regne bothe, 7.4549 And that oghte every king to lothe. 7.4550 O, which a Senne violent, 7.4551 Wherof so wys a king was schent, 7.4552 That the vengance in his persone 7.4553 Was noght ynouh to take al one, 7.4554 Bot afterward, whan he was passed, 7.4555 It hath his heritage lassed, 7.4556 As I more openli tofore 7.4557 The tale tolde. And thus therfore 7.4558 The Philosophre upon this thing 7.4559 Writ and conseileth to a king, 7.4560 That he the surfet of luxure 7.4561 Schal tempre and reule of such mesure, 7.4562 Which be to kinde sufficant 7.4563 And ek to reson acordant, 7.4564 So that the lustes ignorance 7.4565 Be cause of no misgovernance, 7.4566 Thurgh which that he be overthrowe, 7.4567 As he that wol no reson knowe. 7.4568 For bot a mannes wit be swerved, 7.4569 Whan kinde is dueliche served, 7.4570 It oghte of reson to suffise; 7.4571 For if it falle him otherwise, 7.4572 He mai tho lustes sore drede. 7.4573

Page 2.363

7.4573 For of Anthonie thus I rede, 7.4574 Which of Severus was the Sone, 7.4575 That he his lif of comun wone 7.4576 Yaf holy unto thilke vice, 7.4577 And ofte time he was so nyce, 7.4578 Wherof nature hire hath compleigned 7.4579 Unto the god, which hath desdeigned 7.4580 The werkes whiche Antonie wroghte 7.4581 Of lust, whiche he ful sore aboghte: 7.4582 For god his forfet hath so wroke 7.4583 That in Cronique it is yit spoke. 7.4584 Bot forto take remembrance 7.4585 Of special misgovernance 7.4586 Thurgh covoitise and injustice 7.4587 Forth with the remenant of vice, 7.4588 And nameliche of lecherie, 7.4589 I finde write a gret partie 7.4590 Withinne a tale, as thou schalt hiere, 7.4591 Which is thensample of this matiere. 7.4592 So as these olde gestes sein, 7.4593 The proude tirannyssh Romein 7.4594 Tarquinus, which was thanne king 7.4595 And wroghte many a wrongful thing, 7.4596 Of Sones hadde manyon, 7.4597 Among the whiche Arrons was on, 7.4598 Lich to his fader of maneres; 7.4599 So that withinne a fewe yeres 7.4600

Lines 4601 through 4700

With tresoun and with tirannie 7.4601 Thei wonne of lond a gret partie, 7.4602 And token hiede of no justice, 7.4603 Which due was to here office 7.4604 Upon the reule of governance; 7.4605 Bot al that evere was plesance 7.4606 Unto the fleisshes lust thei toke. 7.4607 And fell so, that thei undertoke 7.4608 A werre, which was noght achieved, 7.4609

Page 2.364

7.4609 Bot ofte time it hadde hem grieved, 7.4610 Ayein a folk which thanne hihte 7.4611 The Gabiens: and al be nyhte 7.4612 This Arrons, whan he was at hom 7.4613 In Rome, a prive place he nom 7.4614 Withinne a chambre, and bet himselve 7.4615 And made him woundes ten or tuelve 7.4616 Upon the bak, as it was sene; 7.4617 And so forth with hise hurtes grene 7.4618 In al the haste that he may 7.4619 He rod, and cam that other day 7.4620 Unto Gabie the Cite, 7.4621 And in he wente: and whan that he 7.4622 Was knowe, anon the gates schette, 7.4623 The lordes alle upon him sette 7.4624 With drawe swerdes upon honde. 7.4625 This Arrons wolde hem noght withstonde, 7.4626 Bot seide, "I am hier at your wille, 7.4627 Als lief it is that ye me spille, 7.4628 As if myn oghne fader dede." 7.4629 And forthwith in the same stede 7.4630 He preide hem that thei wolde se, 7.4631 And schewede hem in what degre 7.4632 His fader and hise brethren bothe, 7.4633 Whiche, as he seide, weren wrothe, 7.4634 Him hadde beten and reviled, 7.4635 For evere and out of Rome exiled. 7.4636 And thus he made hem to believe, 7.4637 And seide, if that he myhte achieve 7.4638 His pourpos, it schal wel be yolde, 7.4639 Be so that thei him helpe wolde. 7.4640 Whan that the lordes hadde sein 7.4641 Hou wofully he was besein, 7.4642 Thei token Pite of his grief; 7.4643 Bot yit it was hem wonder lief 7.4644 That Rome him hadde exiled so. 7.4645 These Gabiens be conseil tho 7.4646 Upon the goddes made him swere, 7.4647

Page 2.365

7.4647 That he to hem schal trouthe bere 7.4648 And strengthen hem with al his myht; 7.4649 And thei also him have behiht 7.4650 To helpen him in his querele. 7.4651 Thei schopen thanne for his hele 7.4652 That he was bathed and enoignt, 7.4653 Til that he was in lusti point; 7.4654 And what he wolde thanne he hadde, 7.4655 That he al hol the cite ladde 7.4656 Riht as he wolde himself divise. 7.4657 And thanne he thoghte him in what wise 7.4658 He myhte his tirannie schewe; 7.4659 And to his conseil tok a schrewe, 7.4660 Whom to his fader forth he sente 7.4661 In his message, and he tho wente, 7.4662 And preide his fader forto seie 7.4663 Be his avis, and finde a weie, 7.4664 Hou they the cite myhten winne, 7.4665 Whil that he stod so wel therinne. 7.4666 And whan the messager was come 7.4667 To Rome, and hath in conseil nome 7.4668 The king, it fell per chance so 7.4669 That thei were in a gardin tho, 7.4670 This messager forth with the king. 7.4671 And whanne he hadde told the thing 7.4672 In what manere that it stod, 7.4673 And that Tarquinus understod 7.4674 Be the message hou that it ferde, 7.4675 Anon he tok in honde a yerde, 7.4676 And in the gardin as thei gon, 7.4677 The lilie croppes on and on, 7.4678 Wher that thei weren sprongen oute, 7.4679 He smot of, as thei stode aboute, 7.4680 And seide unto the messager: 7.4681 "Lo, this thing, which I do nou hier, 7.4682 Schal ben in stede of thin ansuere; 7.4683 And in this wise as I me bere, 7.4684 Thou schalt unto mi Sone telle." 7.4685 And he no lengere wolde duelle, 7.4686

Page 2.366

7.4686 Bot tok his leve and goth withal 7.4687 Unto his lord, and told him al, 7.4688 Hou that his fader hadde do. 7.4689 Whan Arrons herde him telle so, 7.4690 Anon he wiste what it mente, 7.4691 And therto sette al his entente, 7.4692 Til he thurgh fraude and tricherie 7.4693 The Princes hefdes of Gabie 7.4694 Hath smiten of, and al was wonne: 7.4695 His fader cam tofore the Sonne 7.4696 Into the toun with the Romeins, 7.4697 And tok and slowh the citezeins 7.4698 Withoute reson or pite, 7.4699 That he ne spareth no degre. 7.4700

Lines 4701 through 4800

And for the sped of this conqueste 7.4701 He let do make a riche feste 7.4702 With a sollempne Sacrifise 7.4703 In Phebus temple; and in this wise 7.4704 Whan the Romeins assembled were, 7.4705 In presence of hem alle there, 7.4706 Upon thalter whan al was diht 7.4707 And that the fyres were alyht, 7.4708 From under thalter sodeinly 7.4709 An hidous Serpent openly 7.4710 Cam out and hath devoured al 7.4711 The Sacrifice, and ek withal 7.4712 The fyres queynt, and forth anon, 7.4713 So as he cam, so is he gon 7.4714 Into the depe ground ayein. 7.4715 And every man began to sein, 7.4716 "Ha lord, what mai this signefie?" 7.4717 And therupon thei preie and crie 7.4718 To Phebus, that thei mihten knowe 7.4719 The cause: and he the same throwe 7.4720 With gastly vois, that alle it herde, 7.4721 The Romeins in this wise ansuerde, 7.4722 And seide hou for the wikkidnesse 7.4723 Of Pride and of unrihtwisnesse, 7.4724 That Tarquin and his Sone hath do, 7.4725

Page 2.367

7.4725 The Sacrifice is wasted so, 7.4726 Which myhte noght ben acceptable 7.4727 Upon such Senne abhominable. 7.4728 And over that yit he hem wisseth, 7.4729 And seith that which of hem ferst kisseth 7.4730 His moder, he schal take wrieche 7.4731 Upon the wrong: and of that speche 7.4732 Thei ben withinne here hertes glade, 7.4733 Thogh thei outward no semblant made. 7.4734 Ther was a knyht which Brutus hihte, 7.4735 And he with al the haste he myhte 7.4736 To grounde fell and therthe kiste, 7.4737 Bot non of hem the cause wiste, 7.4738 Bot wenden that he hadde sporned 7.4739 Per chance, and so was overtorned. 7.4740 Bot Brutus al an other mente; 7.4741 For he knew wel in his entente 7.4742 Hou therthe of every mannes kinde 7.4743 Is Moder: bot thei weren blinde, 7.4744 And sihen noght so fer as he. 7.4745 Bot whan thei leften the Cite 7.4746 And comen hom to Rome ayein, 7.4747 Thanne every man which was Romein 7.4748 And moder hath, to hire he bende 7.4749 And keste, and ech of hem thus wende 7.4750 To be the ferste upon the chance, 7.4751 Of Tarquin forto do vengance, 7.4752 So as thei herden Phebus sein. 7.4753 Bot every time hath his certein, 7.4754 So moste it nedes thanne abide, 7.4755 Til afterward upon a tyde 7.4756 Tarquinus made unskilfully 7.4757 A werre, which was fasteby 7.4758 Ayein a toun with walles stronge 7.4759 Which Ardea was cleped longe, 7.4760 And caste a Siege theraboute, 7.4761 That ther mai noman passen oute. 7.4762

Page 2.368

7.4762 So it befell upon a nyht, 7.4763 Arrons, which hadde his souper diht, 7.4764 A part of the chivalerie 7.4765 With him to soupe in compaignie 7.4766 Hath bede: and whan thei comen were 7.4767 And seten at the souper there, 7.4768 Among here othre wordes glade 7.4769 Arrons a gret spekinge made, 7.4770 Who hadde tho the beste wif 7.4771 Of Rome: and ther began a strif, 7.4772 For Arrons seith he hath the beste. 7.4773 So jangle thei withoute reste, 7.4774 Til ate laste on Collatin, 7.4775 A worthi knyht, and was cousin 7.4776 To Arrons, seide him in this wise: 7.4777 "It is," quod he, "of non emprise 7.4778 To speke a word, bot of the dede, 7.4779 Therof it is to taken hiede. 7.4780 Anon forthi this same tyde 7.4781 Lep on thin hors and let ous ryde: 7.4782 So mai we knowe bothe tuo 7.4783 Unwarli what oure wyves do, 7.4784 And that schal be a trewe assay." 7.4785 This Arrons seith noght ones nay: 7.4786 On horse bak anon thei lepte 7.4787 In such manere, and nothing slepte, 7.4788 Ridende forth til that thei come 7.4789 Al prively withinne Rome; 7.4790 In strange place and doun thei lihte, 7.4791 And take a chambre, and out of sihte 7.4792 Thei be desguised for a throwe, 7.4793 So that no lif hem scholde knowe. 7.4794 And to the paleis ferst thei soghte, 7.4795 To se what thing this ladi wroghte 7.4796 Of which Arrons made his avant: 7.4797 And thei hire sihe of glad semblant, 7.4798 Al full of merthes and of bordes; 7.4799 Bot among alle hire othre wordes 7.4800

Page 2.369

7.4800

Lines 4801 through 4900

Sche spak noght of hire housebonde. 7.4801 And whan thei hadde al understonde 7.4802 Of thilke place what hem liste, 7.4803 Thei gon hem forth, that non it wiste, 7.4804 Beside thilke gate of bras, 7.4805 Collacea which cleped was, 7.4806 Wher Collatin hath his duellinge. 7.4807 Ther founden thei at hom sittinge 7.4808 Lucrece his wif, al environed 7.4809 With wommen, whiche are abandoned 7.4810 To werche, and sche wroghte ek withal, 7.4811 And bad hem haste, and seith, "It schal 7.4812 Be for mi housebondes were, 7.4813 Which with his swerd and with his spere 7.4814 Lith at the Siege in gret desese. 7.4815 And if it scholde him noght displese, 7.4816 Nou wolde god I hadde him hiere; 7.4817 For certes til that I mai hiere 7.4818 Som good tidinge of his astat, 7.4819 Min herte is evere upon debat. 7.4820 For so as alle men witnesse, 7.4821 He is of such an hardiesse, 7.4822 That he can noght himselve spare, 7.4823 And that is al my moste care, 7.4824 Whan thei the walles schulle assaile. 7.4825 Bot if mi wisshes myhte availe, 7.4826 I wolde it were a groundles pet, 7.4827 Be so the Siege were unknet, 7.4828 And I myn housebonde sihe." 7.4829 With that the water in hire yhe 7.4830 Aros, that sche ne myhte it stoppe, 7.4831 And as men sen the dew bedroppe 7.4832 The leves and the floures eke, 7.4833 Riht so upon hire whyte cheke 7.4834 The wofull salte teres felle. 7.4835 Whan Collatin hath herd hire telle 7.4836 The menynge of hire trewe herte, 7.4837

Page 2.370

7.4837 Anon with that to hire he sterte, 7.4838 And seide, "Lo, mi goode diere, 7.4839 Nou is he come to you hiere, 7.4840 That ye most loven, as ye sein." 7.4841 And sche with goodly chiere ayein 7.4842 Beclipte him in hire armes smale, 7.4843 And the colour, which erst was pale, 7.4844 To Beaute thanne was restored, 7.4845 So that it myhte noght be mored. 7.4846 The kinges Sone, which was nyh, 7.4847 And of this lady herde and syh 7.4848 The thinges as thei ben befalle, 7.4849 The resoun of hise wittes alle 7.4850 Hath lost; for love upon his part 7.4851 Cam thanne, and of his fyri dart 7.4852 With such a wounde him hath thurghsmite, 7.4853 That he mot nedes fiele and wite 7.4854 Of thilke blinde maladie, 7.4855 To which no cure of Surgerie 7.4856 Can helpe. Bot yit natheles 7.4857 At thilke time he hield his pes, 7.4858 That he no contienance made, 7.4859 Bot openly with wordes glade, 7.4860 So as he couthe in his manere, 7.4861 He spak and made frendly chiere, 7.4862 Til it was time forto go. 7.4863 And Collatin with him also 7.4864 His leve tok, so that be nyhte 7.4865 With al the haste that thei myhte 7.4866 Thei riden to the Siege ayein. 7.4867 Bot Arrons was so wo besein 7.4868 With thoghtes whiche upon him runne, 7.4869 That he al be the brode Sunne 7.4870 To bedde goth, noght forto reste, 7.4871 Bot forto thenke upon the beste 7.4872 And the faireste forth withal, 7.4873 That evere he syh or evere schal, 7.4874 So as him thoghte in his corage, 7.4875 Where he pourtreieth hire ymage: 7.4876 Ferst the fetures of hir face, 7.4877

Page 2.371

7.4877 In which nature hadde alle grace 7.4878 Of wommanly beaute beset, 7.4879 So that it myhte noght be bet; 7.4880 And hou hir yelwe her was tresced 7.4881 And hire atir so wel adresced, 7.4882 And hou sche spak, and hou sche wroghte, 7.4883 And hou sche wepte, al this he thoghte, 7.4884 That he foryeten hath no del, 7.4885 Bot al it liketh him so wel, 7.4886 That in the word nor in the dede 7.4887 Hire lacketh noght of wommanhiede. 7.4888 And thus this tirannysshe knyht 7.4889 Was soupled, bot noght half ariht, 7.4890 For he non other hiede tok, 7.4891 Bot that he myhte be som crok, 7.4892 Althogh it were ayein hire wille, 7.4893 The lustes of his fleissh fulfille; 7.4894 Which love was noght resonable, 7.4895 For where honour is remuable, 7.4896 It oghte wel to ben avised. 7.4897 Bot he, which hath his lust assised 7.4898 With melled love and tirannie, 7.4899 Hath founde upon his tricherie 7.4900

Lines 4901 through 5000

A weie which he thenkth to holde, 7.4901 And seith, "Fortune unto the bolde 7.4902 Is favorable forto helpe." 7.4903 And thus withinne himself to yelpe, 7.4904 As he which was a wylde man, 7.4905 Upon his treson he began: 7.4906 And up he sterte, and forth he wente 7.4907 On horsebak, bot his entente 7.4908 Ther knew no wiht, and thus he nam 7.4909 The nexte weie, til he cam 7.4910 Unto Collacea the gate 7.4911 Of Rome, and it was somdiel late, 7.4912 Riht evene upon the Sonne set, 7.4913 As he which hadde schape his net 7.4914 Hire innocence to betrappe. 7.4915

Page 2.372

7.4915 And as it scholde tho mishappe, 7.4916 Als priveliche as evere he myhte 7.4917 He rod, and of his hors alyhte 7.4918 Tofore Collatines In, 7.4919 And al frendliche he goth him in, 7.4920 As he that was cousin of house. 7.4921 And sche, which is the goode spouse, 7.4922 Lucrece, whan that sche him sih, 7.4923 With goodli chiere drowh him nyh, 7.4924 As sche which al honour supposeth, 7.4925 And him, so as sche dar, opposeth 7.4926 Hou it stod of hire housebonde. 7.4927 And he tho dede hire understonde 7.4928 With tales feigned in his wise, 7.4929 Riht as he wolde himself devise, 7.4930 Wherof he myhte hire herte glade, 7.4931 That sche the betre chiere made, 7.4932 Whan sche the glade wordes herde, 7.4933 Hou that hire housebonde ferde. 7.4934 And thus the trouthe was deceived 7.4935 With slih tresoun, which was received 7.4936 To hire which mente alle goode; 7.4937 For as the festes thanne stode, 7.4938 His Souper was ryht wel arraied. 7.4939 Bot yit he hath no word assaied 7.4940 To speke of love in no degre; 7.4941 Bot with covert subtilite 7.4942 His frendly speches he affaiteth, 7.4943 And as the Tigre his time awaiteth 7.4944 In hope forto cacche his preie. 7.4945 Whan that the bordes were aweie 7.4946 And thei have souped in the halle, 7.4947 He seith that slep is on him falle, 7.4948 And preith he moste go to bedde; 7.4949 And sche with alle haste spedde, 7.4950 So as hire thoghte it was to done, 7.4951 That every thing was redi sone. 7.4952 Sche broghte him to his chambre tho 7.4953

Page 2.373

7.4953 And tok hire leve, and forth is go 7.4954 Into hire oghne chambre by, 7.4955 As sche that wende certeinly 7.4956 Have had a frend, and hadde a fo, 7.4957 Wherof fell after mochel wo. 7.4958 This tirant, thogh he lyhe softe, 7.4959 Out of his bed aros fulofte, 7.4960 And goth aboute, and leide his Ere 7.4961 To herkne, til that alle were 7.4962 To bedde gon and slepten faste. 7.4963 And thanne upon himself he caste 7.4964 A mantell, and his swerd al naked 7.4965 He tok in honde; and sche unwaked 7.4966 Abedde lay, but what sche mette, 7.4967 God wot; for he the Dore unschette 7.4968 So prively that non it herde, 7.4969 The softe pas and forth he ferde 7.4970 Unto the bed wher that sche slepte, 7.4971 Al sodeinliche and in he crepte, 7.4972 And hire in bothe his Armes tok. 7.4973 With that this worthi wif awok, 7.4974 Which thurgh tendresce of wommanhiede 7.4975 Hire vois hath lost for pure drede, 7.4976 That o word speke sche ne dar: 7.4977 And ek he bad hir to be war, 7.4978 For if sche made noise or cry, 7.4979 He seide, his swerd lay faste by 7.4980 To slen hire and hire folk aboute. 7.4981 And thus he broghte hire herte in doute, 7.4982 That lich a Lomb whanne it is sesed 7.4983 In wolves mouth, so was desesed 7.4984 Lucrece, which he naked fond: 7.4985 Wherof sche swounede in his hond, 7.4986 And, as who seith, lay ded oppressed. 7.4987 And he, which al him hadde adresced 7.4988 To lust, tok thanne what him liste, 7.4989 And goth his wey, that non it wiste, 7.4990 Into his oghne chambre ayein, 7.4991 And clepede up his chamberlein, 7.4992

Page 2.374

7.4992 And made him redi forto ryde. 7.4993 And thus this lecherouse pride 7.4994 To horse lepte and forth he rod; 7.4995 And sche, which in hire bed abod, 7.4996 Whan that sche wiste he was agon, 7.4997 Sche clepede after liht anon 7.4998 And up aros long er the day, 7.4999 And caste awey hire freissh aray, 7.5000

Lines 5001 through 5100

As sche which hath the world forsake, 7.5001 And tok upon the clothes blake: 7.5002 And evere upon continuinge, 7.5003 Riht as men sen a welle springe, 7.5004 With yhen fulle of wofull teres, 7.5005 Hire her hangende aboute hire Eres, 7.5006 Sche wepte, and noman wiste why. 7.5007 Bot yit among full pitously 7.5008 Sche preide that thei nolden drecche 7.5009 Hire housebonde forto fecche 7.5010 Forth with hire fader ek also. 7.5011 Thus be thei comen bothe tuo, 7.5012 And Brutus cam with Collatin, 7.5013 Which to Lucrece was cousin, 7.5014 And in thei wenten alle thre 7.5015 To chambre, wher thei myhten se 7.5016 The wofulleste upon this Molde, 7.5017 Which wepte as sche to water scholde. 7.5018 The chambre Dore anon was stoke, 7.5019 Er thei have oght unto hire spoke; 7.5020 Thei sihe hire clothes al desguised, 7.5021 And hou sche hath hirself despised, 7.5022 Hire her hangende unkemd aboute, 7.5023 Bot natheles sche gan to loute 7.5024 And knele unto hire housebonde; 7.5025 And he, which fain wolde understonde 7.5026 The cause why sche ferde so, 7.5027 With softe wordes axeth tho, 7.5028 "What mai you be, mi goode swete?" 7.5029 And sche, which thoghte hirself unmete 7.5030 And the lest worth of wommen alle, 7.5031 Hire wofull chiere let doun falle 7.5032

Page 2.375

7.5032 For schame and couthe unnethes loke. 7.5033 And thei therof good hiede toke, 7.5034 And preiden hire in alle weie 7.5035 That sche ne spare forto seie 7.5036 Unto hir frendes what hire eileth, 7.5037 Why sche so sore hirself beweileth, 7.5038 And what the sothe wolde mene. 7.5039 And sche, which hath hire sorwes grene, 7.5040 Hire wo to telle thanne assaieth, 7.5041 Bot tendre schame hire word delaieth, 7.5042 That sondri times as sche minte 7.5043 To speke, upon the point sche stinte. 7.5044 And thei hire bidden evere in on 7.5045 To telle forth, and therupon, 7.5046 Whan that sche sih sche moste nede, 7.5047 Hire tale betwen schame and drede 7.5048 Sche tolde, noght withoute peine. 7.5049 And he, which wolde hire wo restreigne, 7.5050 Hire housebonde, a sory man, 7.5051 Conforteth hire al that he can, 7.5052 And swor, and ek hire fader bothe, 7.5053 That thei with hire be noght wrothe 7.5054 Of that is don ayein hire wille; 7.5055 And preiden hire to be stille, 7.5056 For thei to hire have al foryive. 7.5057 Bot sche, which thoghte noght to live, 7.5058 Of hem wol no foryivenesse, 7.5059 And seide, of thilke wickednesse 7.5060 Which was unto hire bodi wroght, 7.5061 Al were it so sche myhte it noght, 7.5062 Nevere afterward the world ne schal 7.5063 Reproeven hire; and forth withal, 7.5064 Er eny man therof be war, 7.5065 A naked swerd, the which sche bar 7.5066 Withinne hire Mantel priveli, 7.5067 Betwen hire hondes sodeinly 7.5068 Sche tok, and thurgh hire herte it throng, 7.5069 And fell to grounde, and evere among, 7.5070 Whan that sche fell, so as sche myhte, 7.5071

Page 2.376

7.5071 Hire clothes with hire hand sche rihte, 7.5072 That noman dounward fro the kne 7.5073 Scholde eny thing of hire se: 7.5074 Thus lay this wif honestely, 7.5075 Althogh sche deide wofully. 7.5076 Tho was no sorwe forto seke: 7.5077 Hire housebonde, hire fader eke 7.5078 Aswoune upon the bodi felle; 7.5079 Ther mai no mannes tunge telle 7.5080 In which anguisshe that thei were. 7.5081 Bot Brutus, which was with hem there, 7.5082 Toward himself his herte kepte, 7.5083 And to Lucrece anon he lepte, 7.5084 The blodi swerd and pulleth oute, 7.5085 And swor the goddes al aboute 7.5086 That he therof schal do vengance. 7.5087 And sche tho made a contienance, 7.5088 Hire dedlich yhe and ate laste 7.5089 In thonkinge as it were up caste, 7.5090 And so behield him in the wise, 7.5091 Whil sche to loke mai suffise. 7.5092 And Brutus with a manlich herte 7.5093 Hire housebonde hath mad up sterte 7.5094 Forth with hire fader ek also 7.5095 In alle haste, and seide hem tho 7.5096 That thei anon withoute lette 7.5097 A Beere for the body fette; 7.5098 Lucrece and therupon bledende 7.5099 He leide, and so forth out criende 7.5100

Lines 5101 through 5200

He goth into the Market place 7.5101 Of Rome: and in a litel space 7.5102 Thurgh cry the cite was assembled, 7.5103 And every mannes herte is trembled, 7.5104 Whan thei the sothe herde of the cas. 7.5105 And therupon the conseil was 7.5106 Take of the grete and of the smale, 7.5107 And Brutus tolde hem al the tale; 7.5108 And thus cam into remembrance 7.5109

Page 2.377

7.5109 Of Senne the continuance, 7.5110 Which Arrons hadde do tofore, 7.5111 And ek, long time er he was bore, 7.5112 Of that his fadre hadde do 7.5113 The wrong cam into place tho; 7.5114 So that the comun clamour tolde 7.5115 The newe schame of Sennes olde. 7.5116 And al the toun began to crie, 7.5117 "Awey, awey the tirannie 7.5118 Of lecherie and covoitise!" 7.5119 And ate laste in such a wise 7.5120 The fader in the same while 7.5121 Forth with his Sone thei exile, 7.5122 And taken betre governance. 7.5123 Bot yit an other remembrance 7.5124 That rihtwisnesse and lecherie 7.5125 Acorden noght in compaignie 7.5126 With him that hath the lawe on honde, 7.5127 That mai a man wel understonde, 7.5128 As be a tale thou shalt wite, 7.5129 Of olde ensample as it is write. 7.5130 At Rome whan that Apius, 7.5131 Whos other name is Claudius, 7.5132 Was governour of the cite, 7.5133 Ther fell a wonder thing to se 7.5134 Touchende a gentil Maide, as thus, 7.5135 Whom Livius Virginius 7.5136 Begeten hadde upon his wif: 7.5137 Men seiden that so fair a lif 7.5138 As sche was noght in al the toun. 7.5139 This fame, which goth up and doun, 7.5140 To Claudius cam in his Ere, 7.5141 Wherof his thoght anon was there, 7.5142 Which al his herte hath set afyre, 7.5143 That he began the flour desire 7.5144 Which longeth unto maydenhede, 7.5145

Page 2.378

7.5145 And sende, if that he myhte spede 7.5146 The blinde lustes of his wille. 7.5147 Bot that thing mai he noght fulfille, 7.5148 For sche stod upon Mariage; 7.5149 A worthi kniht of gret lignage, 7.5150 Ilicius which thanne hihte, 7.5151 Acorded in hire fader sihte 7.5152 Was, that he scholde his douhter wedde. 7.5153 Bot er the cause fully spedde, 7.5154 Hire fader, which in Romanie 7.5155 The ledinge of chivalerie 7.5156 In governance hath undertake, 7.5157 Upon a werre which was take 7.5158 Goth out with al the strengthe he hadde 7.5159 Of men of Armes whiche he ladde: 7.5160 So was the mariage left, 7.5161 And stod upon acord til eft. 7.5162 The king, which herde telle of this, 7.5163 Hou that this Maide ordeigned is 7.5164 To Mariage, thoghte an other. 7.5165 And hadde thilke time a brother, 7.5166 Which Marchus Claudius was hote, 7.5167 And was a man of such riote 7.5168 Riht as the king himselve was: 7.5169 Thei tuo togedre upon this cas 7.5170 In conseil founden out this weie, 7.5171 That Marchus Claudius schal seie 7.5172 Hou sche be weie of covenant 7.5173 To his service appourtenant 7.5174 Was hol, and to non other man; 7.5175 And therupon he seith he can 7.5176 In every point witnesse take, 7.5177 So that sche schal it noght forsake. 7.5178 Whan that thei hadden schape so, 7.5179 After the lawe which was tho, 7.5180 Whil that hir fader was absent, 7.5181 Sche was somouned and assent 7.5182 To come in presence of the king 7.5183

Page 2.379

7.5183 And stonde in ansuere of this thing. 7.5184 Hire frendes wisten alle wel 7.5185 That it was falshed everydel, 7.5186 And comen to the king and seiden, 7.5187 Upon the comun lawe and preiden, 7.5188 So as this noble worthi knyht 7.5189 Hir fader for the comun riht 7.5190 In thilke time, as was befalle, 7.5191 Lai for the profit of hem alle 7.5192 Upon the wylde feldes armed, 7.5193 That he ne scholde noght ben harmed 7.5194 Ne schamed, whil that he were oute; 7.5195 And thus thei preiden al aboute. 7.5196 For al the clamour that he herde, 7.5197 The king upon his lust ansuerde, 7.5198 And yaf hem only daies tuo 7.5199 Of respit; for he wende tho, 7.5200

Lines 5201 through 5300

That in so schorte a time appiere 7.5201 Hire fader mihte in no manere. 7.5202 Bot as therof he was deceived; 7.5203 For Livius hadde al conceived 7.5204 The pourpos of the king tofore, 7.5205 So that to Rome ayein therfore 7.5206 In alle haste he cam ridende, 7.5207 And lefte upon the field liggende 7.5208 His host, til that he come ayein. 7.5209 And thus this worthi capitein 7.5210 Appiereth redi at his day, 7.5211 Wher al that evere reson may 7.5212 Be lawe in audience he doth, 7.5213 So that his dowhter upon soth 7.5214 Of that Marchus hire hadde accused 7.5215 He hath tofore the court excused. 7.5216 The king, which sih his pourpos faile, 7.5217 And that no sleihte mihte availe, 7.5218 Encombred of his lustes blinde 7.5219 The lawe torneth out of kinde, 7.5220

Page 2.380

7.5220 And half in wraththe as thogh it were, 7.5221 In presence of hem alle there 7.5222 Deceived of concupiscence 7.5223 Yaf for his brother the sentence, 7.5224 And bad him that he scholde sese 7.5225 This Maide and make him wel at ese; 7.5226 Bot al withinne his oghne entente 7.5227 He wiste hou that the cause wente, 7.5228 Of that his brother hath the wyte 7.5229 He was himselven forto wyte. 7.5230 Bot thus this maiden hadde wrong, 7.5231 Which was upon the king along, 7.5232 Bot ayein him was non Appel, 7.5233 And that the fader wiste wel: 7.5234 Wherof upon the tirannie, 7.5235 That for the lust of Lecherie 7.5236 His douhter scholde be deceived, 7.5237 And that Ilicius was weyved 7.5238 Untrewly fro the Mariage, 7.5239 Riht as a Leon in his rage, 7.5240 Which of no drede set acompte 7.5241 And not what pite scholde amounte, 7.5242 A naked swerd he pulleth oute, 7.5243 The which amonges al the route 7.5244 He threste thurgh his dowhter side, 7.5245 And al alowd this word he cride: 7.5246 "Lo, take hire ther, thou wrongfull king, 7.5247 For me is levere upon this thing 7.5248 To be the fader of a Maide, 7.5249 Thogh sche be ded, that if men saide 7.5250 That in hir lif sche were schamed 7.5251 And I therof were evele named." 7.5252 Tho bad the king men scholde areste 7.5253 His bodi, bot of thilke heste, 7.5254 Lich to the chaced wylde bor, 7.5255 The houndes whan he fieleth sor, 7.5256 Tothroweth and goth forth his weie, 7.5257 In such a wise forto seie 7.5258

Page 2.381

7.5258 This worthi kniht with swerd on honde 7.5259 His weie made, and thei him wonde, 7.5260 That non of hem his strokes kepte; 7.5261 And thus upon his hors he lepte, 7.5262 And with his swerd droppende of blod, 7.5263 The which withinne his douhter stod, 7.5264 He cam ther as the pouer was 7.5265 Of Rome, and tolde hem al the cas, 7.5266 And seide hem that thei myhten liere 7.5267 Upon the wrong of his matiere, 7.5268 That betre it were to redresce 7.5269 At hom the grete unrihtwisnesse, 7.5270 Than forto werre in strange place 7.5271 And lese at hom here oghne grace. 7.5272 For thus stant every mannes lif 7.5273 In jeupartie for his wif 7.5274 Or for his dowhter, if thei be 7.5275 Passende an other of beaute. 7.5276 Of this merveile which thei sihe 7.5277 So apparant tofore here yhe, 7.5278 Of that the king him hath misbore, 7.5279 Here othes thei have alle swore 7.5280 That thei wol stonde be the riht. 7.5281 And thus of on acord upriht 7.5282 To Rome at ones hom ayein 7.5283 Thei torne, and schortly forto sein, 7.5284 This tirannye cam to mouthe, 7.5285 And every man seith what he couthe, 7.5286 So that the prive tricherie, 7.5287 Which set was upon lecherie, 7.5288 Cam openly to mannes Ere; 7.5289 And that broghte in the comun feere, 7.5290 That every man the peril dradde 7.5291 Of him that so hem overladde. 7.5292 Forthi, er that it worse falle, 7.5293 Thurgh comun conseil of hem alle 7.5294

Page 2.382

7.5294 Thei have here wrongfull king deposed, 7.5295 And hem in whom it was supposed 7.5296 The conseil stod of his ledinge 7.5297 Be lawe unto the dom thei bringe, 7.5298 Wher thei receiven the penance 7.5299 That longeth to such governance. 7.5300

Lines 5301 through 5400

And thus thunchaste was chastised, 7.5301 Wherof thei myhte ben avised 7.5302 That scholden afterward governe, 7.5303 And be this evidence lerne, 7.5304 Hou it is good a king eschuie 7.5305 The lust of vice and vertu suie. 7.5306 To make an ende in this partie, 7.5307 Which toucheth to the Policie 7.5308 Of Chastite in special, 7.5309 As for conclusion final 7.5310 That every lust is to eschue 7.5311 Be gret ensample I mai argue: 7.5312 Hou in Rages a toun of Mede 7.5313 Ther was a Mayde, and as I rede, 7.5314 Sarra sche hihte, and Raguel 7.5315 Hir fader was; and so befell, 7.5316 Of bodi bothe and of visage 7.5317 Was non so fair of the lignage, 7.5318 To seche among hem alle, as sche; 7.5319 Wherof the riche of the cite, 7.5320 Of lusti folk that couden love, 7.5321 Assoted were upon hire love, 7.5322 And asken hire forto wedde. 7.5323 On was which ate laste spedde, 7.5324 Bot that was more for likinge, 7.5325 To have his lust, than for weddinge, 7.5326 As he withinne his herte caste, 7.5327 Which him repenteth ate laste. 7.5328 For so it fell the ferste nyht, 7.5329 That whanne he was to bedde dyht, 7.5330 As he which nothing god besecheth 7.5331 Bot al only hise lustes secheth, 7.5332

Page 2.383

7.5332 Abedde er he was fully warm 7.5333 And wolde have take hire in his Arm, 7.5334 Asmod, which was a fend of helle, 7.5335 And serveth, as the bokes telle, 7.5336 To tempte a man of such a wise, 7.5337 Was redy there, and thilke emprise, 7.5338 Which he hath set upon delit, 7.5339 He vengeth thanne in such a plit, 7.5340 That he his necke hathe writhe atuo. 7.5341 This yonge wif was sory tho, 7.5342 Which wiste nothing what it mente; 7.5343 And natheles yit thus it wente 7.5344 Noght only of this ferste man, 7.5345 Bot after, riht as he began, 7.5346 Sexe othre of hire housebondes 7.5347 Asmod hath take into hise bondes, 7.5348 So that thei alle abedde deiden, 7.5349 Whan thei her hand toward hir leiden, 7.5350 Noght for the lawe of Mariage, 7.5351 Bot for that ilke fyri rage 7.5352 In which that thei the lawe excede: 7.5353 For who that wolde taken hiede 7.5354 What after fell in this matiere, 7.5355 Ther mihte he wel the sothe hiere. 7.5356 Whan sche was wedded to Thobie, 7.5357 And Raphael in compainie 7.5358 Hath tawht him hou to ben honeste, 7.5359 Asmod wan noght at thilke feste, 7.5360 And yit Thobie his wille hadde; 7.5361 For he his lust so goodly ladde, 7.5362 That bothe lawe and kinde is served, 7.5363 Wherof he hath himself preserved, 7.5364 That he fell noght in the sentence. 7.5365 O which an open evidence 7.5366 Of this ensample a man mai se, 7.5367 That whan likinge in the degre 7.5368

Page 2.384

7.5368 Of Mariage mai forsueie, 7.5369 Wel oghte him thanne in other weie 7.5370 Of lust to be the betre avised. 7.5371 For god the lawes hath assissed 7.5372 Als wel to reson as to kinde, 7.5373 Bot he the bestes wolde binde 7.5374 Only to lawes of nature, 7.5375 Bot to the mannes creature 7.5376 God yaf him reson forth withal, 7.5377 Wherof that he nature schal 7.5378 Upon the causes modefie, 7.5379 That he schal do no lecherie, 7.5380 And yit he schal hise lustes have. 7.5381 So ben the lawes bothe save 7.5382 And every thing put out of sclandre; 7.5383 As whilom to king Alisandre 7.5384 The wise Philosophre tawhte, 7.5385 Whan he his ferste lore cawhte, 7.5386 Noght only upon chastete, 7.5387 Bot upon alle honestete; 7.5388 Wherof a king himself mai taste, 7.5389 Hou trewe, hou large, hou joust, hou chaste 7.5390 Him oghte of reson forto be, 7.5391 Forth with the vertu of Pite, 7.5392 Thurgh which he mai gret thonk deserve 7.5393 Toward his godd, that he preserve 7.5394 Him and his poeple in alle welthe 7.5395 Of pes, richesse, honour and helthe 7.5396 Hier in this world and elles eke. 7.5397 Mi Sone, as we tofore spieke 7.5398 In schrifte, so as thou me seidest, 7.5399 And for thin ese, as thou me preidest, 7.5400

Lines 5401 through 5438

Thi love throghes forto lisse, 7.5401 That I thee wolde telle and wisse 7.5402 The forme of Aristotles lore, 7.5403 I have it seid, and somdiel more 7.5404 Of othre ensamples, to assaie 7.5405 If I thi peines myhte allaie 7.5406

Page 2.385

7.5406 Thurgh eny thing that I can seie. 7.5407 Do wey, mi fader, I you preie: 7.5408 Of that ye have unto me told 7.5409 I thonke you a thousendfold. 7.5410 The tales sounen in myn Ere, 7.5411 Bot yit min herte is elleswhere, 7.5412 I mai miselve noght restreigne, 7.5413 That I nam evere in loves peine: 7.5414 Such lore couthe I nevere gete, 7.5415 Which myhte make me foryete 7.5416 O point, bot if so were I slepte, 7.5417 That I my tydes ay ne kepte 7.5418 To thenke of love and of his lawe; 7.5419 That herte can I noght withdrawe. 7.5420 Forthi, my goode fader diere, 7.5421 Lef al and speke of my matiere 7.5422 Touchende of love, as we begonne: 7.5423 If that ther be oght overronne 7.5424 Or oght foryete or left behinde 7.5425 Which falleth unto loves kinde, 7.5426 Wherof it nedeth to be schrive, 7.5427 Nou axeth, so that whil I live 7.5428 I myhte amende that is mys. 7.5429 Mi goode diere Sone, yis. 7.5430 Thi schrifte forto make plein, 7.5431 Ther is yit more forto sein 7.5432 Of love which is unavised. 7.5433 Bot for thou schalt be wel avised 7.5434 Unto thi schrifte as it belongeth, 7.5435 A point which upon love hongeth 7.5436 And is the laste of alle tho, 7.5437 I wol thee telle, and thanne ho. 7.5438
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