A parallel-text print of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde from the Campsall ms. of Mr. Bacon Frank, copied for Henry V. when Prince of Wales, the Harleian ms. 2280 in the British museum, and the Cambridge university library ms. Gg. 4. 27. Put forth by Frederick J. Furnivall ...

Chancer's Troilus.

(At the side, ':' means englisht from Boccaccio's Filostrato, tho not word for word; '|' means having a general likeness to the Filostrato; '⋮' means having a slight likeness to it. See Mr. Wm. Rossetti's Comparison of the Troylus and the Filostrato for the Chaucer Society.)

[The Campsall MS., vellum, before 1413 (done for HEN. V. when Prince of Wales, as shown by his arms on leaf 2), leaf 2.]

[The final f, g, k, and t have very small tags, not given here.]

(1) (Proem)

THe double sorwe of Troylus to tellen. [ 1] That was þe kyng Priamus sone of Troye. In louynge how hise Auentures fellen. Fro wo to wele and after out of Ioye. [ 4] MY purpos is er þat I parte froye. Thesiphone þow helpe me for tendite. This woful vers! þat wepen as I write. [ 7]

(2) (Invocation)

To þe clepe I þow goddesse of torment. [ 8] Thow cruel furie sorwyng euere yn peyne. Help me that am the sorwful Instrument. That helpeth louers as I kan to pleyne. [ 11] For wel sit it the sothe for to seyne. A woful wight to han a drery feere. And to a sorwful tale / a sory cheere. [ 14]

(3)

For I þat god of loues seruauntȝ serue. [ 15] Ne dar to loue for myn vnliklynesse. Preyen for speed al sholde I. þerfor sterue. So fer am [I] fro his help in derknesse. [ 18] But natheles if þis may don gladnesse. Vn to ony louere and his cause auayle. Haue he my þank / and myn be his trauayle. [ 21]

(4)

But ye loueres þat baþen in gladnesse. [ 22] If ony drope of pite in yow be. Remembre yow on passed heuynesse. That ye han felt. and on þe aduersite. [ 25] Of other fok. and þenketh how þat ye. Han felt þat loue dorst yow displese. Or ye han wonne hym with to gret an ese. [ 28]

(5)

And preyeth for hem þat ben yn the cas. [ 29] Of Troylus. as ye may after here. That loue hym brynge yn heuene to solas. And ek for me preyeth to god so dere. [ 32] That I haue myght to shewe in som manere. Swych peyne and wo. as loues. folk endure. In Troylus vnsely auenture. [ 35]

(6)

And byddeth ek for hem þat ben desespeyred. [leaf 2, back] [ 36] In loue / þat neuere nyl recouered be. And ek for hem þat falsely ben apeyred. Thorugh wykked tonges be it he or she. [ 39] Thus biddeth god for his benignite. So graunte hem soone out of þis world to pace. That ben desespeyred out of loues grace. [ 42]

(7)

And biddeth ek for hem that ben at ese. [ 43] That god hem graunte ay goode perseueraunce. And sende hem myght hire loues for to plese, That it to loue / be worship and plesaunce. [ 46] For so hope I my soule best auaunce. To preye for hem þat loues seruauntȝ be. And write hire wo / and lyue in charite. [ 49]

(8)

And for to haue of hem compassioun. [ 50] As þough I were here owene broþer deere. Now herkeneth with a goode entencioun. For now wol I gon streyght to my matere. [ 53] In whiche ye may the double sorwes here. Of Troylus in louyng of Criseyde. And how that she forsok him er she deyde. [ 56]

(9 (Story)

YT is wel wist how þat the Grekes stronge. [ 57] In armes with a þousand shippes went. To Troyewardes / and þe Cite longe. Assegeden neigh ten yer er þei stente. [ 60] And in diuerse wyse and oon entente. The raueshyng to wreken of Eleyne. By Parys don þei wroughten al hire peyne. [ 63]

(10)

Now fil it so þat in þe toun þer was. [ 64] Dwellyng a lord of gret auctorite. A gret Deuyn þat cleped was Calkas. That in science so expert was þat he. [ 67] Knew wel þat Troye sholde destroyed be. By answere of his god þat high þus. Daun Phebus or Apollo Delphebus. [ 70]

(11)

So whanne this Calkas knew by Calkulynge. [leaf 3] [ 71] And ek by answere of this Appollo. That Grekes sholden swych a peple brynge. Thorugh which þat Troye moste ben for-do. [ 74] He caste anoon out of þe town to go. For wel wyst he by sort þat Troye sholde. Destroyed ben ye wolde who-so nolde. [ 77]

(12)

For which for to departen softely. [ 78] Took purpos ful þis forknowyng wyse. And to þe Grekes ost ful pryely. He stal a noon / and þey in curteys wyse. [ 81] Hym deden bothen worship and seruyse. In trust þat he hath konnyng hem to rede. In euery peril which þat is to drede. [ 84]

(13)

The noyse vp ros whanne it was first aspied. [ 85] Thorugh al þe town / and generally was spoken. That Calkas traytor fals fled was and allyed. With hem of Grece / and casten to ben wroken. [ 88] On hym þat falsly hadde his feith so broken. And seyden he and al his kyn at onys. Ben worthi for to brennen fel and bones. [ 91]

(14)

Now hadde Calkas left in þis meschaunce. [ 92] Al vnwist of þis fals and wikked dede. His douhter which þat was in gret penaunce. For of hire lyf sche was ful sore in drede. [ 95] As she þat nyst what was best to rede. For bothe a wydowe was she and allone. Of ony frend to whom she dorst make hire mone. [ 98]

(15)

Criseyde was þis lady name al right. [ 99] As to my dome in al Troyes cyte. Nas noon so faire for-passyng euery wyght. So angelyk was here natyf beaute. [ 102] That lyk a þing inmortal semed she. As doth an heuenysh parfit creature. That down were sent in scornyng of nature. [ 105]

(16)

This lady which þat alday herde at ere. [leaf 2, back] [ 106] Hire fadres shame / his falsnesse / and tresoun. wel nygh out of here wit for sorwe and fere. In widewes habit large of samyt broun. [ 109] On knees she fil byforn Ector a doun. with pitous voys and tendrely wepynge. His mercy bad / here selue excusynge. [ 112]

(17)

Now was þis Ector pitous of nature. [ 113] And saw þat she was sorwfully bigon. And þat she was so fair a creature. Of his goodnesse he gladed her anoon. [ 116] And seyde lat youre fadres treson gon. Forth with mischaunce / and ye youre self in Ioye. Dwelleth with vs whil yow good lyst in Troye. [ 119]

(18)

And al thonour þat men may don yow haue. [ 120] As ferforth as youre fader dwelled here. Ye shul han and youre body shal men saue. As fer as I may ought enquere or here. [ 123] And she hym þonked with ful humble chere. And ofter wolde and it hadde ben his wylle. and toke hire leue home / and held hire stille. [ 126]

(19)

And in hire hous she abod with swych meyne. [ 127] As to hire honour nede was to holde. And whil she dwelled yn þat Cite. Kept here estat. and bothe of yong and olde. [ 130] Ful wel beloued / and wel men of here tolde. But wheþer þat sche hadde children or noon. I rede it nought / þerfore I late it goon. [ 133]

(20)

The þinges fellen as þei don of werre. [ 134] Bitwixen hem of Troye and Grekes ofte. For som day boughten they of Troye it derre. And ofte þe Grekes founden no thing softe. [ 137] The folk of Troye and þus fortune on lofte. And wonder ofte gan hem to weylen bothe. After hire cours / ay whil þei were wroþe. [ 140]

(21)

But how þis toun com to destruccion̄. [leaf 4] [ 141] Ne falleth nought to purpos me to telle. For it were a long disgression̄. Fro my matere and yow to longe to dwelle. [ 144] But the Troiane gestes as þei felle. In Omer of yn Dares or in Dite. who-so þat kan may rede hem as þei write. [ 147]

(22)

But þough þat Grekes hem of Troye shetten. [ 148] And hire Cite bisegede al a boute. Hire old vsage wolde þei not letten. As for to honoure hire goddes ful deuoute. [ 151] But aldermost yn honour out of doute. Thei hadde a relyk hight Palladion. That was hire tryst a bouen euerichon. [ 154]

(23)

And so bifeɫɫ whan come was þe tyme. [ 155] Of Aperil whan cloþed is þe mede. with newe grene of lusti ver þe pryme. And swoot smellen floures white and rede. [ 158] In sondry wyses shewed as I rede. The folk of Troye hire obseruaunces olde. Palladions feste for to holde. [ 161]

(24)

And to þe temple yn al here goodly best wyse. [ 162] In general þere went many a wight. To herkenen of Palladion þe seruyse. And namely so many a lusti knyght. [ 165] So many a lady fresch and mayden bright. Ful wel arayed bothe meene meste and leste. Ye boþe for the seson and for þe feste. [ 168]

(25)

Among þese oþere folk was Criseyda. [ 169] In widewes habite blak but naþeles. Right as oure first lettre is now an .a. In beaute first so stode she makeles. [ 172] Hire goodly lokyng gladede al þe prees. Nas neuere yet þing seyn to ben presed derre. Nor vnder cloud blak / so bright a sterre. [ 175]

(26)

As was Criseyde as folk seyde euerichone. [leaf 4, back] [ 176] That here bihelden yn here blake wede. And yet she stood ful lowe and stille allone. Byhynden oþere folk / in litel brede. [ 179] And neigh þe dore / ay vnder shames drede. Symple of a-tyr / and debonaire of chere. with ful assuryd lokyng and manere. [ 182]

(27)

This Troilus as he was wont to gyde. [ 183] His yonge knyghtes ladde hem vp and doun. In þilke large temple on euery syde. Byholdyng ay þe ladyes of þe toun. [ 186] Now here now þere for no deuocioun. Hadde he to noon to reuen hym his reste. But gan to preyse and lakken whom hym leste. [ 189]

(28)

And yn his walk ful fast he gan to wayten. [ 190] If knyght or squyer of his companie. Gan for to sike or lete his eien beyten. On ony woman þat he koude aspye. [ 193] He wolde smyle and holden it folye. And sey hym þus god wot she slepeth softe. For loue of þe whan þou tornest ofte. [ 196]

(29)

I haue herd told pardieux of youre lyuynge. [ 197] Ye louers / and youre obseruaunces. And swych labour as folk han yn wynnynge. Of loue / and yn þe kepyng which doutaunces. [ 200] And whan youre preye is lost woo and penaunces. O. verrey loues nice and blynde be ye. Ther nys not oon kan war by oþer be. [ 203]

(30)

And with þat word he gan cast vp þe browe. [ 204] Ascaunces lo is þis nought wysly spoken. At which þe god of loue gan to loken rowe. Right for despit. and shop for to ben wroken. [ 207] And kyd a-noon his bowe nas not broken. Ful sodeynly he hit hym at þe fulle. And yet as proud a pekok can he pulle. [ 210]

(31)

O blynd world .o. blynd entencion̄. [leaf 5] [ 211] How ofte falleth al þeffect contraire. Of Suriquidrie and foul presumpcion̄. For caught is proud and caught is debonaire. [ 214] This Troylus is clomben on þe staire. And litel weneth þat he moste descenden. But alday falleth þyng þat foles ne wenden. [ 217]

(32)

As proude bayard gynneth for to skyppe. [ 218] Out of þe wey / so priketh hym his corn. Til he a lassħ haue of þe long whippe. Than þenketht he þough I praunce al by-forn. [ 221] First yn þe trays ful fat and newe shorn. Yet am I but an hors and horses lawe. I moot endure and with my felawes drawe. [ 224]

(33)

So ferd it by þis fers and proud knyght. [ 225] Though he a worthi kynges sone were. And wende no þing hadde had swych myght. A-yens his wil þat sholde his herte dere. [ 228] yet with a lok his hert wax a fere. That he þat now was most in pride a-boue. wax sodeynly most subget vn to loue. [ 231]

(34)

For-þi ensample taketh of þis man. [ 232] Ye wyse proude and worthi folkes alle. To scornen loue which þat so soone kan. The fredom of youre hertes to hym þralle. [ 235] For euere it was / and euere it shal bifalle. That loue is he þat alle þing may bynde. For may no man for-do þe lawe of kynde. [ 238]

(35)

That this be soth hath preued [[? MS. d]] and doth yet. [ 239] For this trowe I ye knowen alle or some. Men reden not þat folk han gretter wit. Than þei þat han be most with loue y-nome. [ 242] And strengest folk ben þerwith ouercome. The worthiest and grettest yn degre. This was and is / and yet men shal it se. [ 245]

(36)

And trewelycħ it sit wele to be so. [leaf 5, back] [ 246] For alderwisest han þer with ben plesed. And þei þat han ben addermost in wo. with loue han ben conforted most and esed. [ 249] And ofte it hath þe cruel herte apesed. And worthi folk maad worthier of name. And causen most to dreden vice and shame. [ 252]

(37)

Now sith it may not goodly be withstonde. [ 253] And is a thyng so vertuous yn kynde. Refuseth not to loue for to be bonde. Syn as hym seluen lyst he may yow bynde. [ 256] The yerde is bet þat bowen wole and wynde. Than þat / þat brest / and þerfor .I. yow rede. To folwen hym þat so wel kan yow lede. [ 259]

(38)

But for to tellen forth yn special. [ 260] Of þis kynges sone of which I tolde. And letten oþer þing collateral. Of hym þenk I my tale for to holde. [ 263] Boþe of his Ioyes and of his cares colde. And al his werk as touchyng þis matere. For I it gan I wil þer-to refere. [ 266]

(39)

With-Inne þe temple he went hym forth pleynge. [ 267] This Troylus and euery wyght aboute. On þis lady and now on þat lokynge. where so she were of towne or of with oute. [ 270] And vp on cas bifel þat þorugh a route. His eye procede / and so depe it wente. Til on Criseyde it smot and þere it stente. [ 273]

(40)

And sodeynly he wax þer-with astoned. [ 274] And [gan] hire bet biholde yn thrifty wyse. O mercy god þoughte he wher hastow woned. That art so fair and goodly to deuyse. [ 277] And þer-with his hert gan to sprede and ryse. And softe sighed lest men myghte hym here. And caughte a-yen his firste pleynge chere. [ 280]

(41)

She nas not with the leste of here stature. [leaf 6] [ 281] But alle here lymes so wel answerynge. weren to womanhode þat creature. was neuer lasse mannyssħ in semynge. [ 284] And ek þe pure wyse of here meuynge. Shewed wel þat men myght yn here gesse. Honour estat and wommanly noblesse. [ 287]

(42)

To Troylus right wonder wel with alle. [ 288] Gan for to lyke here menyng and here chere. whicħ somdel deynous was for she leet falle. Here look a lite a-side in swycħ manere. [ 291] Ascaunces what may I not stonden here. And after þat here lokyng gan she lyghte. That neuere þought hym seen so fair a sighte. [ 294]

(43)

And of here look yn hym þer gan to quyken. [ 295] So gret desir and sucħ affeccioun. That in his hertes botme gan to stiken. Of here / his fixe and depe impressioun. [ 298] And þough he erst hadde poured vp and doun. He was þo glad his hornes yn to shrynke. Vnneþes wyst he how to loke or wynke. [ 301]

(44)

Lo he þat leet hym seluen so konnynge. [ 302] And scorned hem þat loues peynes dryen. was ful vnwar þat loue hadde his dwellynge. with-Inne þe subtile stremes of here eyen. [ 305] That sodeynly hym þoughte þat he sholde dyen. Right with hire look þe spirit yn herte. Blyssyd be loue þat kan þus folk conuerte. [ 308]

(45)

She þis in blak lykynge to Troylus. [ 309] Ouer al þyng he stood to byholde. Ne his desir ne whefor he stod þus. He neiþer chere ne made ne word tolde. [ 312] But from a fer his maner for to holde. On oþer þing his look som tyme he caste. And eft on here while þat þe seruise laste. [ 315]

(46)

And after this not fullyche al a-whaped. [ 316] Out of þe temple al esilyche he wente. Repentynge hym þat he hadde euere y-Iaped. Of loues folk. lest fully þe descente. [ 319] Of scorn fille on hym self. but what he mente. Lyst it were wyst on ony maner side. His wo he gan dissimulen and hide. [ 322]

(47)

Whan he was fro þe temple þus departed. [ 323] He streyght anoon / vn to his paleys turneth. Right with here look þurgh shoten & þurgh darted. Al feyneth he yn lust þat he soiorneth. [ 326] And al his speche and cher also he borneth. And ay of loues seruantȝ euery while. Hym-self to wre at hem her gan to smyle. [ 329]

(48)

And seyde lord so ye lyue al yn lyst. [ 330] Ye loueres / for þe konnyngest of yow. That serueth most ententiflych and best. Hym tyt as often harme þer-of as prow. [ 333] Youre hire is quyt a-yeyn ye god wot how. Nought wel for wel. but scorn for good seruice. In feith youre ordre is ruled in good wyse. [ 336]

(49)

I noun certeyn ben alle youre obseruaunces. [ 337] But it a sely fewe poyntes be. Ne no þing asketh so grete attendaunces. As doth youre lay and þat knowe alle ye. [ 340] But þat is not þe worste as mot .I. the. But tolde I yow þe worste poynt I leue. Al seyde I soth ye wolden at me greue. [ 343]

(50

But tak þis þat ye loueres ofte eschuwe. [ 344] Or elles don of good entencioun. Ful ofte þi lady wole it mys construe. And deme it harm yn hire opinyoun. [ 347] And yet yf she for other enchesoun. Be wroth þan shalt þow han a groyn a-noon. Lord wel is hym þat may be of yow oon. [ 350]

(51)

But for al þis whanne he say his tyme. [leaf 7] [ 351] He held his pes noon oþer bote hym gayned. For loue bygan his fetheres so to lyme. That wel vnneþe vn-to his folk he feyned. [ 354] That oþere besye nedes hym destrayned. For wo was hym þat what to done he nyste. But bad his folk to gon wher þat hym lyste. [ 357]

(52)

And whan þat he yn chaumbre was allone. [ 358] He down vp on his beddes feet hym sette. And first he gan to syke and to grone. And þoughte ay on here so with-outen ony lette. [ 361] That as he sat and wok his spirit mette. That he here saw a temple and al þe wyse. Right of hire loke / and gan it newe auyse. [ 364]

(53)

Thus gan he make a myrrour of his mynde. [ 365] In whicħ he saugh alle holly hire figure. And that he wel koude yn his herte fynde. It was to him a right good auenture. [ 368] To loue swych on and yf he dede his cure. To seruen here yet myght he falle in grace. Or elles for on of hire seruauntȝ pace. [ 371]

(54)

Ymagynynge þat trauaylle nor grame. [ 372] Ne myghte for so goodly on be lorn. As she. ne hym for his desir no shame. Al were it wist but yn prys and vp born. [ 375] Of alle louers wel more þan byforn. Thus argumented he yn his gynnynge. Ful vnauysed of his wo comynge. [ 378]

(55)

Thus toke he purpos loues craft to suwe. [ 379] And þoughte he wolde werken priuely. First to hide his desir yn muwe. From euery wyght y-born al outrely. [ 382] But he myght ought recouered be þerby. Remembryng hym þat loue to wyde y-blowe. Yelt bittre fruyt þough swete be sowe. [ 385]

(56)

And ouer aɫɫ þis yet muche more he þoughte. [lf 7, bk] [ 386] For what to speken and what to holden Inne. And what to arten hire hire to loue he soughte. And on a song a-noon right to bygynne. [ 389] And gan loude on his sorwe for to wynne. For wiþ good hope he gan fully assente. Criseyde for to loue and nought repente. [ 392]

(57)

And of his song nought only þe sentence. [ 393] As writ my Auctor called Lollyus. But pleynly saue oure tonge deference. I dar wel sayn yn al þat Troylus. [ 396] Seyde yn his song / lo euery word right þus. As .I. shal seyn. and who lyst it to hire. Lo nexst þis vers he may it fynden here. [ 399]

(58) (Troilus's Song, from Petrach's 88th Sonnet.)

Yf loue is o god what fele .I. so. [ 400] And if loue is. what þyng and what is he. yf loue be good from whens cometh my wo. If it be wykke a wonder þenketh me. [ 403] whenne euery torment and aduersite. That cometh of hym may me so goodly þynke. For ay þurst I þe more þat I it drynke. [ 406]

(59) (From Petrarch.)

And yf þat at myn owene lust I brenne. [ 407] Fro whennes cometh my walyng and my pleynte. If harme agree me wher-to pleyne I þanne. I not. ne whi vnweri þat I feynte. [ 410] O quyke deth o swete harme so queynte. How may of [þe] yn me swiche quantite. But if þat I consente þat it so be. [ 413]

(60) (From Petrarch.)

And if þat I consente .I. wrongfully. [ 414] Compleyne .I.-wys þus possed to and fro. Al sterles with-Inne a bot am .I. A-myd þe see by-twen wyndes two. [ 417] That yn contrarye stonden euere mo. Allas what is þis wonder maladye. For hete of cold for cold of hete I deye. [ 420]

(End of Troilus's Song from Petrach's 88th Sonnet.)

(61)

And to the god of loue þus seyde he. [leaf 8] [ 421] with pitous voys .o. lord now youres is. Mi spirit whicħ þat aught youre be. Yow þank I lord þat han me brought to þis. [ 424] But wheþer goddesse or womman .I.-wys. She be / I not which þat ye do me serue. But as here man .I. wole ay leue and sterue. [ 427]

(62)

Ȝe stonden yn hire eyen myghtily. [ 428] As yn a place vn-to your vertu digne. wherfore my lord if my seruyse or .I. May lyke yow so beth to me benygne. [ 431] For myn estal royal here I resigne. In-to hire ħond and with ful humble chere. By-come here man as to my lady dere. [ 434]

(63)

In hym ne deynede sparen blood royal. [ 435] The fyr of loue þe wherfro god me blysse. Ne hym forbar in no degre for al. His vertu or his excellent prowesse. [ 438] But hold hym as his þral lowe yn distresse. And brend hym so in sondry wyse ay newe. That sixty tyme a day he loste his hewe. [ 441]

(64)

So muche day by day his owene þought. [ 442] For lust to here gan quyken and encrese. That euery oþer charge he sett at nought. For þi ful ofte his hote fyr to cesse. [ 445] To seen here goodly look he gan to prese. For þerby to ben esed wel he wende. And ay þe ner he was þe more he brende. [ 448]

(65)

For ay þe ner þe fyr þe hotter is. [ 449] This trowe I knoweth al þis companye. But were he fer or neer I dar seye this. By nyght or day for wysdom or folye. [ 452] His hert which þat is his brestes eye. Was ay on hire þat fairest was to sene. Than euere was Eleyne or Polixene. [ 455]

(66)

Ek of þe day ther passed nought an houre. [leaf 8, back] [ 456] That to hymself a þousand tymes he seyde. Good goodly to whom serue I and laboure. As I best kan. now wolde god Criseyde. [ 459] Ye wolden on me rewe er þat I deyede. My dere herte allas / myn hele and hewe. And lyf is lost / but ye wole on me rew. [ 462]

(67)

Alle oþere dredres weren from hym fled. [ 463] Bothe of þe assege and his saluacioun. Ne yn hym desir doon oþere fownes bredde. But argumentȝ to þis conclusioun. [ 466] That she on hym wolde han compassioun. And he to be here man whil he may dure. Lo here his lyf and from þe deth his cure. [ 469]

(68)

The shoures sharpe fille of armes preue. [ 470] That Ector and hise oþere breþeren diden. Ne made hym oonly þer-fore ones meue. And yet was he wher-so men wente or riden. [ 473] Founde oon þe best and lengest tyme a-byden. Ther peril was / and dide eke sucħ trauayl. In armes þat to þenke it was meruayle. [ 476]

(69)

But for none hate he to þe Grekes hadde. [ 477] Ne also for þe rescous of þe town. Ne made hym þus yn armes for to madde. But oonly lo for þis conclusioun. [ 480] To lyken hire þe bet for his renoun. Fro day to day yn armes so he spedde. That þe Grekes as þe deth hym dredde. [ 483]

(70)

And fro þis forth þo refte hym loue his sleep. [ 484] And made his mete his foo / and ek his sorwe. Gan multeplie / þat ho-so took keep. It shewed in his hewe bothe euen and morwe. [ 487] Thefor a title he gan hym for to borwe. Of oþer syknesse / lest of hym men wende. That þe hote fyr of loue hym brende. [ 490]

(71)

And seyde he hadde a feuer and ferd amys. [leaf 9] [ 491] But how it was certayn kan I not seye. If þat his lady vnderstod not þis. Or feyned here she nyste oon of þe tweye. [ 494] But wel I rede þat by no maner weye. Ne semed it þat she of hym roughte. Nor of his peyne. or what so euere he þoughte. [ 497]

(72)

But þanne felt þis Troylus such wo. [ 498] That he was wel neih wood for ay his drede. was this. þat she som wyght hadde loued so. That neuere of hym she wolde haue taken hede. [ 501] For such hym þought he felt his herte blede. Ne of his wo ne dorst he not bygynne. To tellen it. for al þis world to wynne. [ 504]

(73)

But whanne he hadde a space fro his care. [ 505] Thus to hym self ful ofte he gan to pleyne. He sayde o fool now art þow yn þe snare. That whilom Iapedest at loues peyne. [ 508] Now artow hent now gnaw þin owene cheyne. Thow were ay wont eche louere reprehende. Of þing fro which þow kanst þe nought defende. [ 511]

(74)

What wole now euery louer seyn of þe. [ 512] If þis be wist but euere yn thyn absence. Laughen yn skorn and seyn lo þere gooth he. That is þe man of so gret sapience. [ 515] That held vs loueres lest yn reuerence. Now thonked be god he may goon in þe daunce. Of hem þat loue lyst febely for to auaunce. [ 518]

(75)

But .o. þow woful Troylus god wolde. [ 519] Syn þow most leue þurgh þy destene. That þow beset were on swych oon þat sholde. Knowe al þi wo al lakkede here pite. [ 522] But al so cold yn loue towardes þe. Thi lady is / as frost yn wynter mone. And þow fordon as snow yn fyr is soone. [ 525]

(76)

God wolde I were a-ryued In þe port. [leaf 9, back] [ 526] Of deth to which my sorwe wil me lede. A lord to me it were gret comfort. Then were I quyt of langwysshyng yn drede. [ 529] For by myn hed / sorwe I-blowe on brede. I shal by-Iaped ben a þousand tyme. More þan þat fol of whos folye men ryme. [ 532]

(77)

But now help god and ye swete for whom. [ 533] I pleyne .I. caught yet neuere wyght so faste. O mercy dere hert and help me from. The deth. for I whil þat my lyf wole laste. [ 536] More þan my-self wole loue yow to my laste. And with som frendly look gladeth me swete. Þough neuere more þyng ye me by-hete. [ 539]

(78)

This wordes and ful manye an oþer to. [ 540] He spak and called euere yn his compleynte. Hire name. for to tellen hire his woo. Tyl neigh þat he in salte teres dreynte. [ 543] Al was for nought she herd nought his pleynte. And whan þat he biþought on þat folye. A þousand fold his wo gan multeplie. [ 546]

(79)

By-waylyng yn his chambre þus allone. [ 547] A frend of his þat called was Pandare. Com onys yn vnwar and herd hym grone. And sey his frend yn swych distresse and care. [ 550] Allas quod he who causeth al þis fare. O mercy god what vnhap may þis meene. Han now þus soone Grekes maad yow lene. [ 553]

(80)

Or hastow remors of conscience. [ 554] And art now fallen yn som deuocioun. And waylest for þi synne and þyn offence. And hast for ferd caught attricioun. [ 557] God saue hem þat by-seged han oure toun. And so kan leye oure Iolyte on presse. And bryng oure lusty folk to holynesse. [ 560]

(81)

These wordes seyde he for þe nones alle. [leaf 10] [ 561] That with swych þing he myghte hym angry maken. And with an angre don his wo falle. As for þe tyme and his corage awaken. [ 564] But wel he wiste as fer as tonges spaken. Ther nas a man of grettere hardinesse. Than he ne more desirede worthinesse. [ 567]

(82)

What cas quod Troylus or what auenture. [ 568] Hath gided þe to se my langwysshynge. That am refus of euery creature. But for þe loue of god at my preyinge. [ 571] Go hens a-way for certes my deyinge. wol the dishese / and I mot nedes deye. Ther-for go wey þer is no more to seye. [ 574]

(83)

But if þou wene I be þus sike for drede. [ 575] It is not so and þer-for scorne nought. Ther is a noþer þing .I. take of hede. wel more than ought þe Grekes han wrought. [ 578] which cause is of my deth for sorwe and þought. But þough þat I now telle þe it ne lest. Ne be þow nought wroth I hide it for þe heste. [ 581]

(84)

This Pandare þat neigh malt for sorwe and routhe. [ 582] Ful often seyde allas what may þis be. Now frend quod he yf euere loue or trouþe. Hath ben or is by-twyxen þe and me. [ 585] Ne do þou neuere such a cruelte. To hide fro þi frend so gret a care. wostow nought wel þat it am I Pandare. [ 588]

(85)

I wole parten with þe al þyn peyne. [ 589] If it be so I do þe no comfort. As it is frendes right soth for to seyne. To entreparten wo as glad desport. [ 592] I haue and shal for trewe or fals report. In wrong and right I-loued þe al my lyue Hyd not þi wo fro me but telle it blyue. [ 595]

(86)

Than gan this Troylus sorwfully to syke. [leaf 10, back] [ 596] And seyde him þus god leue it be my beste. To telle it þe for sith it may þe lyke. Yet wole I telle it þowh myn herte breste. [ 599] And wel wot I þow mayst don me no reste. But lest þow deme I trust not to þe. Now herke frende for þus it stant with me. [ 602]

(87)

Loue a-yens þe which who-so defendeth. [ 603] Hym-seluen most hym alder-lest auayleth. with desespeir so sorwfully me offendeth. That streyght vn to þe deth myn herte ffayleth. [ 606] Ther-to desir so brennynly me assaylleth. That to ben slayn it were a grettere Ioye. To me þan Kyng of Grece ben and Troye. [ 609]

(88)

Suffiseth þis my fulle frend Pandare. [ 610] That I haue seyd for now wostow my wo. And for þe loue of god my cold care. So hyd it wel .I. telle it neuere to mo. [ 613] For harmes myghte folwen mo þan two. If it were wyst but be þou in gladnesse. And lat me sterue vnknowe of my distresse. [ 616]

(89)

How hastow þus vnkyndely and longe. [ 617] Hid þis fro me. þow fool quod Pandarus. Paraunter þow myght after swych on longe. That myn auys a-noon may helpen vs. [ 620] This were a wonder þyng quod Troylus. Thow koudest neuere yn loue þyn seluen wysse. How deuel maystow bryngen me to blysse. [ 623]

(90)

Ye Troilus now herke quod Pandare. [ 624] Though .I. be nyce it happeth ofte so. That on þat excesse doth ful yuele fare. By good counseyl kan kepe his frend þer-fro. [ 627] I haue my-self ek seyn a blynd man go. Ther as he fel þat coude loke wyde. A fool may ek ofte a wys man gide. [ 630]

(91)

A wheston is no keruyng Instrument. [leaf 11] [ 631] And yet it maketh sharpe keruyng tolys. And þere þow wost þat I haue out myswent. Eschewe þou þat. for swych þyng to þe scole is. [ 634] Thus ofte wyse men ben war by folys. If þou do so þi wit is wel by-wared. By eche contrarie is euery þing declared. [ 637]

(92)

For how myght euere swetnesse haue be knowe. [ 638] To hym þat neuere tasted bitternesse. Ne no man may be inly glad I trowe. That neuere was yn sorwe or som distresse. [ 641] Ek whit by blak by shame ek worthinesse. Eche set by oþer more for other semeth. As men may se and so þe wyse it demeth. [ 644]

(93)

Sith þus of two contraries is a lore. [ 645] I þat haue yn loue so ofte assayed. Greuaunces ought konne and wel þe more. Counsayllen þe of þat þow art amayed. [ 648] Ek þe ne oughte not ben yuel apayed. Thow I desir with þe for to bere. Thyn heuy charge / it shal þe lasse dere. [ 651]

(94)

I wot wel [þat] it fareth þus by me. [ 652] As to þi broþer Parys an hierdesse. which þat I-cleped was Oenone. wrot yn a compleynt of hire heuynesse. [ 655] Ye say þe lettre þat she wrot y gesse. Nay neuere yet ywis quod Troylus. No quod Pandare / herkene it was þus. [ 658]

(95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st)

Phebus þat first fond art of medecyne. [ 659] Quod she. and koude yn euery wyghtes care. Remede and red by erbess she knew fyne. Yet to hym self his konnynge was ful bare. [ 662] For loue hadde hym so bounde yn a snare. Al for þe doughter of þe kynge Amete. That al his craft / ne koude al his sorwe bete. [ 665]

(96)

Ryght so fare .I. vnhappily for me. [leaf 11, back] [ 666] I loue oone best and þat me smerteth sore. And yet paraunter kan I rede the. And not my self repreue me no more. [ 669] I haue no cause I wot wel for to soore. As doth an hauk þat lysteth for to pleye. But to þyn help yet somwhat kan I seye. [ 672]

(97)

And of o þyng right siker maystow be. [ 673] That certayn for to deye yn þe peyne. That I shal neuere more discoueren þe. Ne by my trouþe I kepe not restreyne. [ 676] The fro þi loue þey þat it were Eleyne. That is þi broþeres wyf if ich it wyste. Be what she be / and loue hire as þe liste. [ 679]

(98)

Therfore as a frend fullycħ yn me assure. [ 680] And telle me plat what is þyn enchesoun. And finally cause of wo þat ye endure. For douteth no þyn myn entenciown. [ 683] Nys nought to yow of reprehencion̄. To speke as now for no wygh may bireue. A man to loue til þat hym lyst to leue. [ 686]

(99)

And weteth wel þat bothe two ben vices. [ 687] Mystrusten alle or elles alle leue. But wel wot I the meene of it no vice is. For to trusten sum wight is a preue. [ 690] Of trouþe. and for-þi wolde I fayn remeue. Thy wrong conceyte. and do þe som wyght tryste. Thi wo to telle. and telle me yf þow lyste. [ 693]

(100)

Thise wyse seyth wo hym þat is allone. [ 694] For and he falle he hath noon helpe to ryse. And sith þou hast a felawe tel thi moone. For þis nys not yn certeyn þe next wyse. [ 697] To wynnen loue as techen vs þe wyse. To walwe and wepe as Niobe þe queene. whos terys yet yn marbel ben y-seene. [ 700]

(101)

Lat be thi wepyng and thi drerynesse. [leaf 12] [ 701] And lat vs lyssen wo with oþer speche. So may þis woful tyme seme lesse. Delite not in wo þi wo for to seche. [ 704] As doon þese foles þat hire sorwes eche. with sorwe when þey han mysauenture. And lysten nought to sechen oþer cure. [ 707]

(102)

Men seyn to wrecche is consolacioun. [ 708] To haue an other felawe yn his peyne. That ought wel ben oure opynyoun. For boþe þow and I of loue we pleyne. [ 711] So ful of sorwe am I soth for to seyne. That certaynly nomore harde grace. May sitte on me. for-whi þer is no space. [ 714]

(103)

If god wole þou art not agast of me. [ 715] Lest I wold of þi lady þe bygyle. Thow wost þi-self / whom þat I loue parde. As I best kan. gon sithen longe while. [ 718] And sithe þow wost I do it for no wyle. And siþen I am he yn whom þou tristest most. Tel me sumwhat syn al my wo þow wost. [ 721]

(104)

Yet Troylus for al þis no word seyde. [ 722] But longe he lay [as] stylle as he ded were. And after þis with sikynge he a-breyde. And to Pandarus voys he lente his eere. [ 725] And vp his eyen caste he / þat in feere. was Pandarus. lest þat in frenesye. He sholde falle or elles soone dye. [ 728]

(105)

And cride a-wake ful wonderly and sharpe. [ 729] what alombrestow as yn a lytargie. Or artow lyk an asse to þe harpe. That hereth soun whan men þe strenges plye. [ 732] But yn his mynde of þat no melodye. May synk yn hym to glade / for þat he. So dul is of his bestialite. [ 735]

(106)

And wiþ that Pandare of his wordes stente. [leaf 12, back] [ 736] But Troylus yet hym no word answerede. For-why to telle nat not his entente. To neuere man for whom þat he so ferde. [ 739] For it is seyd man maketh ofte a yerde. with which þe makere is hym self beten. In sondry maneres as þis wyse treten. [ 742]

(107)

And namely yn his counseyl tellyng. [ 743] That toucheþ loue þat ought be secre. For of hym self it wolde not ought sprynge. But-yf þat it the bet gouuerned be. [ 746] Ek som tyme it is a craft to seme fle. Fro þyng which yn effect men hunte faste. Al þis gan Troylus yn his herte caste. [ 749]

(108)

But naþeles whan he had herd hym crye. [ 750] A-.wake {punctel} he gan to syke wonder sore. And seyde frend þough þat I stille lye. I am not def / now pes and cry no more. [ 753] For I haue herd þi wordes and þi lore. But suffre me my myschef to by-wayle. For þi prouerbes may me nought auayle. [ 756]

(109)

Nor oþer cure canstow noon for me. [ 757] Eke I nyl not be cured I wol deye. what knowe I of þe queene Niobe. Lat be þyne olde ensaumples I þe preye. [ 760] No quod þo Pandarus þerfore I seye. Such is delit of foles to by-wepe. Here wo. but seken bote þei ne kepe. [ 763]

(110)

Now knowe I þat reson yn þe fayleth. [ 764] But telle me yf I wyst what she were. For whom þat þe al þis mysaunter ayleth. Dorstestow þat I telle in hire eere. [ 767] Thi wo. sith þow darst not þi-self for feere. And hire by-sought on þe to han som rouþe. why nay quod he by god and bi my trouþe. [ 770]

(111)

What not as bisily quod Pandarus. [leaf 13] [ 771] As þough myn owen lyf lay on þis nede. No certes / broþer quod þis Troylus. And why / for þat þow sholdest neuere spede. [ 774] wostow þat wel / ye þat is out of drede. Quod Troylus / for al þat euere ye konne. She nyl not to no swych wrecche be wonne. [ 777]

(112)

Quod Pandarus allas what may þis be. [ 778] That þow desespered art þus causeles. what lyueth not þi lady benedicite. How wostow so þat þow art graceles. [ 781] Such yuel is not alwey botales. why put not Impossible þus þi cure. Syn þyng to come is ofte yn auenture. [ 784]

(113)

I graunte wel þat þow endurest wo. [ 785] As sharp as doth þe Ticius yn helle. whos stomak foughles tiren euere mo. That highte volturis as bokes telle. [ 788] But I may not endure þat þow dwelle. In so vnskilful an opynyoun. That of þi wo is no curacioun. [ 791]

(114)

But ones nyltow for þi coward herte. [ 792] And for þyn ire and folessh wilfulnesse. For wantrust tellen of þi sorwes smerte. Ne to þyn owen help do bysynesse. [ 795] As meche as speke a resoun more or lasse. But lyk as he þat lest of no þyng recche. what womman wolde loue such a wrecche. [ 798]

(115)

What may she deme oþer of þi deth. [ 799] If þow þus deye / and she not whi it is. But þat for fere is yolden vp þi breth. For Grekes han byseged vs y-wys. [ 802] Lord which a þonk þen shaltow han of þis. Thus wol she seyn and al þe toun at ones. The wrecche is ded the deuel haue his bones. [ 805]

(116)

Thow mayst allone here wepe and crie and knele. [lf 13, bk] [ 806] But loue a woman þat she wot it nought. And she wole quyte þat þou shalt not fele. Vnknowe vnkyst and lost þat is vn-sought. [ 809] what many a man hath loue ful dere ybought. Twenty wynter that his lady wyste. That neuere yet his lady mouth yet kyste. [ 812]

(117)

What shulde he þerfore fallen yn despeyr. [ 813] Or be recreaunte of his owene tene. Or slen hym self al be his lady feyr. Nay. nay. but euere yn oon be fressh and grene. [ 816] To seruen and loue hys dere hertes queene. And þenk it is a guerdoun hire to serue. A þowsand folde more þan he kan deserue. [ 819]

(118)

Of þat word toke hede Troylus. [ 820] And þought a-noon what folye he was Inne. And how þat hym soth seyde Pandarus. That for to slen hym self myght he not wynne. [ 823] But boþe doon vnmanhod and synne. And of his deth his lady nought to wyte. For of his wo god knoweth ful lyte. [ 826]

(119)

And with þat þought he gan ful sore syke. [ 827] And seyde allas what is me best to do. To whom Pandare answered yf þe lyke. The best is þat þow telle me al þi wo. [ 830] And haue my trowþe but þow it fynde so. I be þi bote or þat it be ful longe. To pieces do me drawe and sithen honge. [ 833]

(120)

Ȝe so þow seyst quod Troylus þo allas. [ 834] But god wot it is not þe raþer so. Ful hard were it to helpen yn þis cas. For wele fynde I þat fortune is my fo. [ 837] Ne alle þe men þat ryden konne or go. May of here cruel whiel þe harm wiþstonde. For as here lyst she pleyeth wiþ free and bonde. [ 840]

(121)

Quod Pandarus than blamestow Fortune. [leaf 14] [ 841] For þow art wroth now at erst I se. wostow nat wel þat fortune ys commune. To euery maner wight yn som degree. [ 844] And yet þow hast þis comfort lo parde. That as here Ioyes moten ouer gone. So mote hire sorwes passen euerychone. [ 847]

(122)

For yf here whiel stynte any þyng to torne. [ 848] Thanne cessede she fortune anoon to be. Now sith here whiel by no wey may soiorne. what wostow of here mutabilite. [ 851] Ryght as þi seluen lyst wol don by þe. Or þat she be not fer fro þyn he[l]pynge. Paraunter þow hast cause for to synge. [ 854]

(123)

And þerfore wostow whan I þe beseche. [ 855] Lat be þi wo and turnyng to þe grounde. For who-so lyst haue helpyng of his leche. To hym byhoueth first vnwre his wounde. [ 858] To Cerberus yn helle ay be I bounde. were it for my suster al þi sorwe. By my wil she sholde al be þyn to morwe. [ 861]

(124)

Loke vp I seye and telle me what she is. [ 862] A-noon þat I may goon aboute þin nede. Knowe Ich here ought for my loue telle me þis. Thenne wolde I hopen þe raþere for to spede. [ 865] Tho gan þe veyne of Troylus to blede. Fo[r] he was hit and wax al red for shame. A ha quod Pandare here bygynneth game. [ 868]

(125)

And with þat word he gan hym for to shake. [ 869] And seyde þef þow shalt here name telle. But þo bigan sely Troylus for to quake. As þough men sholde han lad hym in to helle. [ 872] And seyde allas of al my wo þe welle. Than is my swete fo called Criseyde. And wel neygh wiþ þe word for fere he deyde. [ 875]

(126)

And whan þat Pandare herde here name neuene. [leaf 14, back] Lord he was glad and seyde frend so dere. Now fare a right for Ioues name yn heuene. Loue hath beset þe wel be of good chere. [ 879] For of good name and wysdom and manere. She hath y-nough and ek of gentilesse. If she be fayr þow wost þi-self I gesse. [ 882]

(127)

Ne neuere saw a more bounteuous. [ 883] Of here estat. ne a gladder. ne of speche. A frendliour na more gracious. For to do wel ne lasse hadde nede to seche. [ 886] what for to doon and al þis bet to eche. In honour to as fer as she may strecche. A kynges herte semeth by hires a wrecche. [[Harl. 3943 has another stansa here; see p. 33, Troilus and Filostrato.]] [ 889]

(128)

And also þenk and þer-with glade the. [ 890] That sith þy lady vertuous is al. So folweth it þat þere is som pite. Amonges alle þese oþere in general. [ 893] And for-þy se þat þow yn special. Requere not þat is a-yen hire name. For vertue streccheþ not hym self to shame. [ 896]

(129)

But wel is me þat euere I was born. [ 897] That þou biset art yn so good a place. For by my trouþe yn loue I dorst haue sworn. The sholde neuere a tyd so fayr a grace. [ 900] And wostow whi for þow were woned to chace. At loue yn scorn. and for despit hym calle. Seynt Idyot / lord / of þese foles alle. [ 903]

(130)

How ofte hastow mad þi nyce Iapes. [ 904] And seyd þat loues seruantz euerychone. Of nycete ben verray goddes Apes. And some wole mucche here mete allone. [ 907] Lyggyng a bedde and hem for to grone. And som þow seydest hadde a blaunche feuere. And preyedest god he sholde neuere keuere. [ 910]

(131)

And som of hem toke on hem for þe colde. [leaf 15] [ 911] More þan y-nough so seydestow ful ofte. And some han feyned ofte tyme and tolde. How þat they wake whan þei slepen softe. [ 914] And þus þei wolden han brought hem self a lofte. And naþeles were vnder at þe laste. Thus seidestow and Iapedest ful faste. [ 917]

(132)

Ye seydestow for þe more part. [ 918] These loueres wolden speke in general. And þought it was a siker art. For faylyng for to assayn ouer al. [ 921] Now may I iape of þe if þat I shal. But naþeles þough þat I sholde deye. That þow art none of þo þat dorst I seye. [ 924]

(133)

Now beet þi brest and seye to god of loue. [ 925] Thi grace lord for now I me repente. If I mys spak / for now my-self I loue. Thus sey with al thyn hert yn good entente. [ 928] Quod Troilus a lord I me consente. And pray to þe my Iapes þow for-yeue. And I shal neuere more whil I leue. [ 931]

(134)

Thow seyst wel quod Pandarus and now I hope. [ 932] That þow þe goddes wraþþe hast al apesed. And siþen þat þow hast wopen many a drope. And seyd swych þyng wher-with þi god is plesed. [ 935] Now wolde neuere god but þow were esed. And þynk wel she of whom rist al þi wo. Here after may þi comfort be al so. [ 938]

(135)

For þilke ground þat bereth þe wedys wykke. [ 939] Bereth eke þese holsome herbes al ful ofte. Next þe foule netle rough and þikke. The rose waxeþ swote and smothe and softe. [ 942] And nexst þe valey is þe hil a-lofte. And nexst þe derk nyght þe glade morwe. And also Ioye is nexst after sorwe. [ 945]

(136)

Now loke þat a-tempre be þy brydel. [leaf 15, back] [ 946] And for þe beste ay suffre to þe tyde. Or elles alle oure labour is on ydel. He hasteþ wel þat wysly kan a-byde. [ 949] Be diligent and trewe and ay wel hide. Be lusty fre perseuere yn þyn seruyse. And al is wel if þow werk yn þis wyse. [ 952]

(137)

But ne þat departed is yn euery place. [ 953] Is no wher hool as writen clerkes wyse. what wonder is that such on haue no grace. Ek wostow how it fareþ on som seruice. [ 956] As plaunte a tre or herbe yn sondry wyse. And on þe morwe pulle it vp as blyue. No wonder is þow it mowe neuere þriue. [ 959]

(138)

And sith þat god of loue hath þe bystowed. [ 960] In place digne vn [to] þi worþynesse. Stond fast for to good port hastow rowed. And of thy self for any heuynesse. [ 963] Hope alwey wel / for but if drerynesse. Or ouer-haste oure boþe laboure shende. I hope of þis to make a good ende. [ 966]

(139)

And wostow whi I am þe lasse a-fered. [ 967] Of þis matere with my Nece trete. For þis haue I herd seyd of wyse y-lered. was neuere man ne woman yet bygete. [ 970] That was vnapt to suffren loues hete. Celestial. or elles loue of kynde. For-þi som grace I hope yn here fynde. [ 973]

(140)

And for to speke of here yn special. [ 974] Hire beaute to by-þynke and hire youþe. It sit hire nought to be Celestial. And yet þough þat hire lyste boþe and kouþe. [ 977] But trewly it sat here wel right nowþe. A worthy knyght to loue and cherice. And but she do I holde it for a vice. [ 980]

(141)

Wherfore I am and wole be ay redy. [leaf 16] [ 981] To peyne me to do yow þis seruyse. For boþe yow to plese þus hope I. Her-afterward for ye beth boþe wyse. [ 984] And konne it counseyl kepe yn such a wyse. That no man schal of it þe wiser be. And so we may be gladed alle þre. [ 987]

(142)

For be my trowþe I haue right now of þe. [ 988] A good conceyt yn my wit as I gesse. And what þat is I wol now þat þow se. I þenke. sith þat loue of his goodnesse. [ 991] Hath þe conuerted out of wikkednesse. That þow shalt be þe best post I leue. Of al his lay / and most hise foos to greue. [ 994]

(143)

Ensample whi. se ye þese wyse clerkes. [ 995] That erren aldermost a-yen þe lawe. And ben conuerted from hire wykkede werkes. Thorugh grace of god þat lyst hem to hym drawe. [ 998] Than arn þei folk þat han most god yn awe. And strengest feyþed ben I vnderstonde. And konne an errour alder best wiþstonde. [ 1001]

(144)

Whanne Troylus had herd Pandare assentyd. [ 1002] To ben his help yn louyng of Criseyde. wex of his wo as who seyth vntormentid. But hotter weex his loue and þus he seyde. [ 1005] with sobre chere al-þough his herte pleyde. Now blysful Venus help er þat I sterue. Of þe Pandare I may som þank deserue. [ 1008]

(145)

But dere frend how shal myn wo ben lesse. [ 1009] Til þis be don and good eke telle me þisse. How wyltow seyn of me and my destresse. Lest she be wroth þis drede I most I-wysse. [ 1012] Or nyl not heren or trowen how it ysse. Al þis drede I. and ek for þe manere. Of þe here Em she nyl no swych þyng here. [ 1015]

(146)

Quod Pandarus þou hast a ful grete care. [leaf 16, back] [ 1016] Lest þat þe Cherl wole falle out of þe mone. whi lord I hate of þe þi nyce fare. whi entremete of þat þow hast to done. [ 1019] For goddes loue I bydde þe a bone. So lat me allone. and it shal be þi beste. whi frend quod he / now do riþt as þe leste. [ 1022]

(147)

But herke Pandare o word for I nolde. [ 1023] That þow in me wendest so gret folye. That to my lady I desiren sholde. That toucheþ harm or ony vilenye. [ 1026] For dredles me were leuere dye. Than she of me ought elles vnderstode. But þat / þat myght sownen yn to gode. [ 1029]

(148)

Tho lough þis Pandare & a-noon answered. [ 1030] And I þi borw / fy / no wyght doth but so. I rought nought þough þat she stode and herde. How þat þow seyst. but farewel I wole go. [ 1033] A dieu / be glad / god spede vs boþe two. yeue me þis labour and þis besynesse. And of my sped be þyn al þat swetnesse. [ 1036]

(149)

But Troylus gan doun on his knees to falle. [ 1037] And Pandare yn his armes hent faste. And seyde now fy on þe Grekes alle. yet parde god shal helpe vs at þe laste. [ 1040] And dredles yf þat my lyf may laste. And god to-forn / lo som of hem shal smerte. And yet me of-þynketh þat þis auaunt me a-sterte. [ 1043]

(150)

Now Pandare I kan no more seye. [ 1044] But þow wys / þow wost / þow mayst / þow art al. My lyf / my deth / hool yn thyn hond I leye. Help now quod he / yis by my trouþe I shal. [ 1047] God yelde þe frend and þis yn special. Quod Troylus / þat þou me recomaunde. To here þat to þe deth me may comaunde. [ 1050]

(151)

This Pandarus tho desirous to serue. [leaf 17] [ 1051] His fulle frend þenne seyde yn þis manere. Farwel and þenk I wole þi þank deserue. Haue here my trouthe and þat þou shalt wel here. [ 1054] And went his wey þenkyng on þis matere. And how he myght here beseche of grace. And fynde a tyme þer to and a place. [ 1057]

(152)

For euery wyght that hath an hows to founde. [ 1058] Ne renneth nought þe werk for to bygynne. With rakel hond / but he wole byde a stounde. And send his hertes lyne out fro with Inne. [ 1061] Alderfirst his purpos for to wynne. Al þis Pandare yn his herte þoughte. And caste his werk ful wyaly or he wroughte. [ 1064]

(153)

But Troilus lay þo no lengere down. [ 1065] But vp a-noon vp on his stede bay. And yn þe feld he pleyde þo lyoun. who was þat Grek þat wiþ hym mette þat day. [ 1068] And yn þe town his manere þo forþ ay. So goodly was / and gat hym so yn grace. That eche hym louede þat loked on his face. [ 1071]

(154)

For he by-come þe frendlyeste wyght. [ 1072] The gentileste and ek þe most fre. The þriftieste and oon þe beste knyght. That yn his tyme was or myghte be. [ 1075] Dede were his Iapes and his cruelte. His heigh port and his manere estraunge. And ech of þo gan for a vertu chaunge. [ 1078]

(155)

Now late vs stynte of Troylus a stounde. [ 1079] That fareth lyk a man þat hurt is sore. And is somdel of akynge of his wounde. Ilyssed wel / but heled no del more. [ 1082] And as an esy pacient þe lore. Abit of hym þat goþ aboute his cure. And þus he drieth forth his auenture. [ 1085]

Explicit liber primus. [leaf 17, back]

[Harl. MS. 2280, Brit. Mus., ab. 1410-25, vellum, leaf 1.]

[The þ & y are of the same form, tho printed þ & y here.]

(1) (Proem)

THe double sorowe of troilus to tellen [ 1] Þat was þe kynge Priamus sone of Troye In louynge how hise auentures fellen Fro wo to wele and after out of Ioye [ 4] My purpos is er þat I parte fro ye Thesphone thow help me for tendite This woful vers þat wepen as I write [ 7]

(2) (Invocation)

¶ To the clepe I thow goddesse of torment [ 8] Thow cruel furye sorowynge euer in peyne Help me þat am þe sorowful Instrument That helpeþ louers as I kan to pleyne [ 11] For wel sit it þe sothe for to seyne A woful wyght to han a drery feere And to a sorwful tale a sory chere [ 14]

(3)

¶ For I þat god of loues seruaunt serue [ 15] Ne dar to loue for myn vnliklynesse Preyen for speed al sholde I þer-fore sterue So fer I am from his helpe in derkenesse [ 18] But natheles if þis may done gladnesse Un to any louere and his cause a-vaylle Haue he my þonk and myn by þis trauaille [ 21]

(4)

¶ But ye louers þat oathen in gladdenesse [ 22] If any drope of pite in ȝow be Remembreth ȝow on passed heuynesse Þat ȝe han felt and on þe aduersite [ 25] Of oþer folk and thenketh how þat ȝe Han felt þat loue dorste ȝow displeese Or ȝe han wonne hym wiþ to grete an ese [ 28]

(5)

¶ And preyeth for hem þat ben in þe cas [ 29] Of Troilus as may after heere Þat Loue hem brynge in heuene to solas And ek for me preyeth to god so deere [ 32] Þat I haue mygth to shew in som manere Swich peyne and wo as loues folk endure In troilus vnsely auenture [ 35]

(6)

¶ And byddeþ ek for hem þat ben despeyred [ 36] In loue þat neuere nyl recouered be And ek for hem þat falsly ben a-peyred Þorwgh wikked tonges. be it he or sche [ 39] Þus byddeþ god for his benignite So graunte hem sone out of þis world to passe Þat ben despeyred out [of] loues grace [ 42]

(7)

¶ And byddeþ ek for hem þat ben at ese [leaf 1, back] [ 43] Þat god hem graunte ay goode perseueraunce And sende hem myght hire loueres for to plese Þat it to loue be worschip and plesaunce [ 46] For so hope I best my soule to auaunce To preye for hem þat loues scruauntes be And write hire wo and lyue in cherite [ 49]

(8)

¶ And for to haue of hem compassyoun [ 50] As þough I were hire owne broþer deere Now herkeneth with a goode entencioun For now wol I gone streght to my matere [ 53] In þe whiche ȝe may double sorwes here of troilus in louynge of Criseyde And how þat she for-soke him or sche deyed [ 56]

(9) (Story)

¶ It is wele wist how þat þe grekes stronge [ 57] In armes with a thousand shippes wente To troye wardes and þe cite longe asseȝeden nygh ten yer er theye stente [ 60] And in diuerse wise and oon entente Þe rauysynge to wreken of Eleyne By paris doun they wroughten al hir peyne [ 63]

(10)

¶ Now fel it so þat in þe town þer was [ 64] Dwellynge a lord of grete autorite A grete deuyn þat cleped was calkas Þat in science so expert was þat he [ 67] Knew wele þat troye sholde destroyed be By answer of his god þat hyghte þus Daun phebus or appollo delphicus [ 70]

(11)

¶ So when þis calkas knew by calkulynge [ 71] And ek by answer of þis appollo Þat grekes sholden swiche a peple brynge Þorwgh whiche þat Troye most ben fordo [ 74] He cast o non out of þe town to go For wel west he by soȝt þat troye sholde Destroyed ben. ȝe wold who so nolde [ 77]

(12)

¶ For which for to departen softely [ 78] Took purpos ful þis for-knowynge wyse And to þe grekes oost ful pryuely he stal a non / and þei in curtas wyse [ 81] Hym deden bothen worschipp and seruyse In truste þat hee hath knowynge him to rede In euery peril which þat is to drede [ 84]

(13)

¶ Þe noyse up rose when it was first aspied [leaf 2] [ 85] Þorwgh al þe town and generally was spoken Þat calkas traitor fals fled was and allied with hem of grece and casten to ben wroken [ 88] on him þat falsly hadde his faith so broken and sayden þat he and alle his kyn at oones Ben worþi for to brennen alle fel and bones [ 91]

(14)

¶ Now had calkas left in þis mischaunce [ 92] Alle vnwiste of þis fals and wikked dede His douȝter which þat was in grete penaunce For of hir lyf sche was ful sore in drede [ 95] As sche þat nyst what was best to rede For boþe a wydew was sche and allone of any frend to whom sche dorst hir mone [ 98]

(15)

¶ Criseyde was þis lady name al riȝth [ 99] As to my doom in alle troyes cite was non so fayre for-passynge euery wyght So aungellyke was hir natif beaute [ 102] Þat lyke a thynge in-mortal semed sche As doth an heuenyssh parfit creature Þat down war sent in scornyng of nature [ 105]

(16)

¶ Þis lady whiche alday þat herd at ere [ 106] Hire faderes chame his falsenesse and tresoun wel neȝgh out of hire witt for sorw and fere In widewes habit large of samyt broune [ 109] On knees sche fel by-forne ector a-doune with pitous vois and tenderly wepynge his mercy bad hire seluen excusynge. [ 112]

(17)

¶ Nowe was þis ector pitous of nature [ 113] And sauȝgh þat che was sorowfully bygone And þat sche was so fayre a creature Of his godenesse he gladded hire anone [ 116] And sayde lat ȝoure faderes tresoun gone forth with mischaunce and ȝourself in Ioye Dwellyt with us whil ȝow goode list in troye [ 119]

(18)

¶ And alle þe honour þat men may don ȝow haue [ 120] as fer forth as ȝour fader dwelled here Ȝe schal han and ȝour body schal men saue as fer as may ouȝght enquere or here [ 123] And sche him þankked with ful humble chere And ofter wald and it hadde ben his wille And toke hyre leue and hoom and held hir stille [ 126]

(19)

¶ And in hire house sche abode with swhich meyne [lf 2, bk] [ 127] As til hire honour neded was to holde And whil sche was dwellynge in þat cite Kepte hire astate / and boþe of ȝonge and olde [ 130] Ful wel by-loued / and wel men of hire tolde But wheþer þat sche children hadde or non I rede it noȝgh þer-fore I latt it gone [ 133]

(20)

¶ Þe thynges fellen as þai don of werre [ 134] Bitwixen hem of Troye and grekes ofte For somday boughten þai of troye it dere And eft þe grekes founden no þinge softe [ 137] Þe folk of troye and þus fortune on loft And vnder eft gan hem to whielen bothe Aftir hire cours / ay whil þat þai were wroþe [ 140]

(21)

¶ But how þis town com to destruccioun [ 141] Ne falleþ noȝth to purpos me to telle For it were a longe discrecioun Fro my matere // and ȝow to longe to dwelle [ 144] But þe troyan geestes as þei felle In Omer or in dares or in dite who-so þat kan may rede hem as þai write [ 147]

(22)

¶ But though þat grekes hem of troye shetten [ 148] And hire cite be-seged alle a-boute Hire old vsage wold þai noȝth letten As for to honour hire goddes ful deuoute [ 151] But aldermost in honour out of doute Þey had a relyk heet palladioun Þat was hire trist a-bouen euerichoun [ 154]

(23)

¶ And so byfel whan comen was þ^e tyme [ 155] Of aperil whan cloþed is þe mede With new grene of lusty veer þe prime And swote smellen floures white and rede [ 158] In sondry wises schewed as I rede Þe folke of troye hire obseruaunces olde Palladyons fest for to holde [ 161]

(24)

¶ And to þ^e tomple in alle hire godely best wise [ 162] In general þer wente many a wyȝt To herken of palladyoun þe seruise And namely so mony a lusti knyght [ 165] So many a lady fresshe and mayden bryght Ful wele araied boþe most meyne and leste Yo boþe for þ^e seson and þe feeste [ 168]

(25)

¶ Among þise oþer folke was crisayda [leaf 4] [ 169] In wydewes habit blak but naþeles Right as oure furste lettre is nowe an a In beaute firste so stoode sche makeles [ 172] Hire goodely lokkyng / gladde al the prees Was neuere þat seyn thyng / to ben preysed derre Nor vnder cloude blake so bright a sterre [ 175]

(26)

¶ As was criseyde as folk seyde euerychon [ 176] Þat hire by-helden in hire blak wede And þat scho stood ful low and stille allone Byhynden oþer folk in litel brede [ 179] And neȝgh þe dore ay vnder chames drede Symple of a-tyre and debonar of cheere wyth ful asseured lokynge and manere [ 182]

(27)

¶ Þis troylus as he was wont to gyde [ 183] Hire ȝonge knyghtes led hem vp and down In þilke large temple on euery syde Byholdynge ay þe ladys of þe town [ 186] Now here now þare for no deuocioun Hadde he to non / to reuen him his reste But gan to preyse and lakken whom him leste [ 189]

(28)

¶ And in his walk ful fast he gan to wayten [ 190] If knyght or swyer of his compaynye Gan for to sigh or lete his eyen baten On any woman þat he koude aspye [ 193] He wolden smyle and holden it folye And seye him þus god wote sche slepeþ softe For loue of þe whan þow turnest ful oft [ 196]

(29)

¶ I haue herd telle pardieux of ȝour lyuynge [ 197] Ye louers and ȝoure obseruaunces And which a labour folk han in wynnynge of loue / and in þe kepynge whiche doutaunces [ 200] And when ȝour preye is lost wo and penaunces O verrey fooles nice and blynde be ȝe Þer is not oon kan war by oþer be [ 203]

(30)

¶ And wiþ þat worde he gan cast vp þe browe [ 204] Ascaunces lo / is þis nouȝt wysely spoken At whiche þe god of loue gan loken rowe Riȝght for despit / and shope for to ben wroken [ 207] He kydde onon his bow nas not broken For sodenly he hitte him atte fulle And þat as proude a pakoc can he pulle [ 210]

(31)

¶ O blynde world O blynd entencioun [ 211] How often falleþ alle þe effecte contrarie Of surquidrye and foule presumpcioun For kaught is pryde and kaught is debonaire [ 214] Þis troylus is clomben on þe starre And litel weneþ þat he schall descenden But alday fayleth þinge þat fooles wenden [ 217]

(32)

¶ As proude bayard gynneþ for to skyppe [ 218] out of þe wey / so prikeþ him his corne Til he a lassch haue of þe longe whippe Þan thynkeþ he thoȝgh I praunce al by-forne [ 221] First in þe trayse ful fat and new shorne Ȝet am I but an hors and horses lawe I mote endure and with my feers drawe [ 224]

(33)

¶ So ferd it by þis fiers and proude knyght [ 225] Thought he a worþi kynges sonne were And wende no þinge had had swiche myȝt a-ȝeynis his wille þat schold his hert stiere [ 228] Þat wiþ a look his wax a feere Þat he þat now was moost in pride aboue wax sodeynly most subgit vnto loue [ 231]

(34)

¶ For-þe ensaumple taketh of þis man [ 232] Ye wise proude and worþi folkes alle To scornen loue whiche þat so soon kan Þe fredom of ȝoure hertes to him þralle [ 235] For euere it was and euere it schal be-falle Þat loue is he þat alle þinge may bynde For may no man fordon þe lawe of kynde [ 238]

(35)

¶ Þat þis be sothe haþ proued and doþ ȝett [ 239] For þis trowe I ȝe knowen alle or some Men reden þat folk han gretter witte Þan þei þat haþ ben most wiþ loue ynome [ 242] And strengest folk ben þer-wiþ ouer-come Þe worthiest and þe grettest of degree Þis was and is and ȝett men schal it see [ 245]

(36)

¶ And trewliche it sitt wele to be so [ 246] For alderwysest han þar-wiþ ben plesed And þai þat han ben aldermost in wo with loue han ben conforted most and esed [ 249] And oft it haþ þe cruel herte apesed And worþi folk made worþier of name And causeth most to dreden vice and chame [ 252]

(37)

¶ And sith it may not godely ben with-stonde [leaf 4] [ 253] And is a þinge so vertuous in kynde Refuseth not to loue for to ben bonde Syn as him seluen liste he may ȝow bynde [ 256] Þe ȝerde is bet þat bowen wole and wynde Þan þat þat brest / and þer-for I ȝow rede To folowen him þat so wele kan ȝow lede [ 259]

(38)

¶ But for to tellen forthe in speciale [ 260] Of þis kynges sone of which I told And leten oþer þinge collateral Of hym þenke .I. my tale for to holde [ 263] Boþe of his Ioie and of his cares colde And alle his werk as towchynge þis matere For I it gan .I wol þer-to refeere [ 266]

(39)

¶ with-Inne þ^e temple he wente him forth pleyinge [ 267] Þis Troylus of euery wyght a-boute On þis lady and now on þat lokynge where-so sche were of towne or of with-oute [ 270] And vp-on cas bifel þat þorwȝ a route His eyghe percede and so depe it wente Til on criseyde it smoot and þer it stente [ 273]

(40)

¶ And sodeynly he wex þer-with astoned [ 274] And gan hire bet biholde in thrifry wise O mercye god thoughte he where hastow woned Þat ert so fair and goodely to deuyse [ 277] Þer-with his hert gan to sprede and ryse And soft syghed lest men myght him here And caughte aȝeyn his firste playinge chere [ 280]

(41)

¶ Sche nas not with þe leste of hire stature [ 281] But alle hire lymes so wele answerynge weren to womanhode þat creature Was neuer lesse mannyssh in semynge [ 284] And ek þe poure wyse of hire menynge Schewed wele þat men myght in hire gesse Honor estate / and womanly noblesse [ 287]

(42)

¶ To troylus right wonder wele with alle [ 288] gan for to like / hire menynge and hire chere whiche somdele deignous was for sche lete falle Hire loke a lite a side / in swiche manere [ 291] ascaunces what may I nat stonden here And after þat hire lokynge gan sche lyghte Þat neuer thoughte hym seen so goode a sighte [ 294]

(43)

¶ And of hire loke in him þer gan to quyken [lf 4, bk] [ 295] So grete desire and swhiche affeccioun Þer in his hertes botme gan to stiken Of his fixe and depe impressioun [ 298] And thought he arst hadde poured up and donn He was þo gladde his hornes in to shrynke Vnnethes wiste he how to loke or wynke [ 301]

(44)

¶ Loo he þat lete hym seluen so konnynge [ 302] And scorned hym þat loues peynes dryen was ful vnwar þat loue hadde his dwellynge with-inne þe subtile stremes of hir eyen [ 305] Þat so-deynly hym thoughte he felt deyen Ryght with hire loke þe spirit in his herte Blissed be loue þat þus kan folk conuerte [ 308]

(45)

¶ Sche þis in blake likynge to troylus [ 309] Ouer alle þinge he stode for to beholde Ne his desire ne wher-for he stode þus He neyther chere made ne worde tolde [ 312] But fram a-fer his manere for to hold On oþer þinge his loke som tyme he caste And oft on hire while þat seruise laste [ 315]

(46)

¶ And after þis nat fulliche alle awhaped [ 316] Out of þe temple alle esiliche he wente Repentynge him þat he hadde euer I-iaped Of loues folke lest fully the descente [ 319] Of scorne / fille on hym self but what he mente lest it were wiste on any maner syde His wo he gan dissimilen and hyde [ 322]

(47)

¶ when he was fro þe temple þus departed [ 323] He streght anon vn-to his paleys torneth Right with hire loke þorwh schoten and þorwh darted Al feyneþ he in lust þat he soiorneth [ 326] And al his chere and speche al so he borneth And ay of loues seruantes euery while Him self to wrie at hem he gan to smile [ 329]

(48)

¶ And seyde lorde so ye lyue al in leste [ 330] Ye louers / for þe konnyngest of ȝow Þat serueþ most ententifliche and best Him tit als often harme þer-of as prowe [ 333] Ȝour hire is quyt aȝeyn ye god wote howe Nought wel for wel but scorn for gode seruise In feithe ȝowr ordre is ruled in gode wyse. [ 336]

(49)

¶ In non certeyn ben alle ȝoure obseruaunces [leaf 5] [ 337] But it a sely fewe poyntes be Ne no þinge asketh so grete attendaunces As doþ your lay and þat know alle ȝe [ 340] But þat is not þe werste as mote I the But tolde I ȝow þe werste poynt I leeue Al seyde I soth ȝe wolden at me greue [ 343]

(50)

¶ But take þis þat ȝe loueres oft eschewe [ 344] Or elles don of goode entencioun Ful oft þi lady wol it misconstrewe And deme it harme in hyr opinioun [ 347] And ȝit if sche for oþer encheson Be wroth / þan schal þow haue a groyn onon lord wele is hym / þat may be of ȝow one [ 350]

(51)

¶ But for al þis when he sey his tyme [ 351] He held his pees non oþer boote him gayned For loue bigan his feþeres so to lyme That wel vnnethe vn-til his folk he fayned [ 354] Þat other besye nedes him destrayned For wo was him þat what to don he nyste But bad his folk to gon wher þat hem liste [ 357]

(52)

¶ And when þat he in chaumber was allon [ 358] He down vp-on his beddes feet him sette And first he gan to syke and eft to grone And thoughte ay on hire so wiþ-outen lette [ 361] Þat as he satt and woke his spirit mette Þat he here saugh and temple and al þ^e wyse Right of hire loke and gan it new a-uise [ 364]

(53)

¶ Þus gan he make a mirour of his mynde [ 365] In whiche he saughȝ alle holly hire figure And þat he wel kouth in his hert fynde It was to him ryght a goode auenture [ 368] To loue swhich oon and if he dydde his cure To seruen hire ȝet myȝt he falle in grace Or elles for oon of hir seruauntes pace [ 371]

(54)

¶ Ymaginynge þat trauaille nor grame [ 372] Ne myȝt for so goodely one be lorne As she ne him for his desire no shame Al were it wiste but in pris and vp borne [ 375] of alle louers wele more þan byforne Þus argumentede he in hijs gynnynge Ful vnauised of his wo comynge [ 378]

(55)

¶ Þus toke he purpos loues craft to suwe [leaf 5, back] [ 379] And thought he wold wyrkyn prively First to hiden his desire in muwe From euery wyght yborne alle outrely [ 382] But he myght aught recouered be þerby Rememberynge him þat loue to wyde yblowe Ȝelt better fruyt thouge swete sede be sawe [ 385]

(56)

¶ And ouer al þis ȝet muchel more he þouȝt [ 386] what for to speke and what to holden Inne And what artu hire to loue he soughte And on a songe a-non ryght to bigynne [ 389] And gan loude on his sorwe for to wynne For wiþ goode hope he gan fully assente Cryseyde for to loue and nought repent [ 392]

(57)

¶ And of his songe nought only þe sentence [ 393] As write myn autour called lollius But pleynly saue oure tonges difference I dar wel seyn in alle þat troylus [ 396] Seyde in his songe loo euery word right þus As I sal seyn and whoso liste it here Lo next þis vers he may it fynde here [ 399]

(58) (From Petrarch.) // cantus troili

¶ If no loue is o god what fele I so [ 400] And if loue is what þinge and whiche is he If loue be gode from whennes comþ my wo If it be wykke a wonder thynketh me [ 403] whenne euery torment and aduersite Þat cometh of him may to me sauory thynke For ay thirst I þe more þat iche it drynke [ 406]

(59) (From Petrarch.)

¶ And if þat at myn owne lust I brenne [ 407] From whennes cometh my wailynge and my pleynte If harme agree me I where-to pleyne I thenne I noot / ne why vnworþi þat I feynte [ 410] O quyk deth o swete harme so queynte How may of þe in me swhiche quantite But if þat I consente þat it be [ 413]

(60) (From Petrarch.)

¶ And if that I consente I wrongefully [ 414] Compleyne Iwhis þus possed to and fro Al stierlees with-Inne aboot am I Amyd þe see betwexen wendes two [ 417] Þat in contrarie standen euer mo Allas what is þis wonder maladye For hote of cold for cold of hete I dye [ 420]

(End of Troilus's Song from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.)

(61)

¶ And to þe god of loue þus seyde he [leaf 6] [ 421] with pitous uois o lord now ȝours is Mi spirit whiche auȝght ȝours be Ȝow þanke I lord þat haue me brought to þis [ 424] But wheþer goddesse or womman Iwys She be I not / which þat ȝe do me serue But as hire man I wol ay lyue and sterue [ 427]

(62)

¶ Ȝe stonden in hire eyen miȝtyly [ 428] As in a place vn-to ȝour vertu digne wher-for lord If my seruise or I. May liken ȝow so beth to me benigne [ 431] For myn estate roial here I resigne In to hire hond and with ful humble chere By-come hire man as to my lady dere [ 434]

(63)

¶ In hym ne deyned sparen blode roial [ 435] Þe fir of loue / ye wher-fro god me blisse Ne him for-bar in no degre for al His vertue or his excellent prowesse [ 438] But held hym as his þralle low in destresse And brinde hym so in sondry wyse ay newe Þat sexty tyme a day he lost his hewe [ 441]

(64)

¶ So muchel day by day his owne þouȝt [ 442] For lust to hire be-gan quiken and encresse Þat euery oþer charge he sett at nouȝt For-þi ful oft his hote fir to cesse [ 445] To sene hire goodely loke he gan to preesse For þar-by to ben esed wele he wende And ay þe ner he was þe more he brende [ 448]

(65)

¶ For ay the ner þe fir þe hatter is [ 449] Þis trowe I knoweth al þis companye But were he fer or nere .I. dar seye þis By nyght or day for wisdom or for folye [ 452] His herte which þat is his brestis eye was on hire þat fairer was to sene Þan euere were elyne or polixene [ 455]

(66)

¶ Ek of þe day þer passed nouȝgth an houre [ 456] Þat to him self a þowsand tyme he seyde Goode godely to whom serue I laboure As I best kan now wold god cryseyde [ 459] Ȝe wolden on me rew er þat I dyede Mi deere herte allas myn hele and hewe And lif is lost but ȝe wol on me rewe [ 462]

(67)

¶ Alle oþer dredes weren from him fledde [leaf 6, back] [ 463] Bothe of thassege and his sauacioun Ne in his desire none other fownes bredde But argumentes to þis conclusion [ 466] Þat sche of him wolde han compassioun And he to ben hire man whil he may dure Lo here his lif and from þe deth his cure [ 469]

(68)

¶ Þe charppe showres fille of armes preue [ 470] Þat ector or his othere bretheren diden Ne made hym oonly þere-fore ones meue And þat was he wher-so men went or riden [ 473] Founde oon þe best and lengest tyme abiden Þer peril was and dide eke swiche trauaile In armes þat to thynke it was meruaille [ 476]

(69)

¶ But for none hate he to þe grekes hadde [ 477] Ne also for þe rescous of þe town Ne made him þus in armes for to madde But oonly lo for this conclusioun [ 480] To liken hire þe bette for his renoun Fro day to day in armes so he spedde That the grekes as þe deth him dredde [ 483]

(70)

¶ And fro þis forth þo reft hym loue his slepe [ 484] And made his mete his foo and ek his sorwe gan multiplye þat who-so toke kepe It shewed in his hewe boþe eue and morwe [ 487] Þer-for a title he gan him for to borwe of oþer sikenesse / lest men of him wende Þat þe hote fire of loue him brende [ 490]

(71)

¶ And seyd he hadde a feuyr and ferde amys [ 491] But howe it was certein kan I not seye If þat his lady vnderstode nat þis Or feyned hir she nyste on of þe tweye [ 494] But wele I rede þat by no maner weye Ne semed it þat she of him roughte Or of his peyne or what so euere he þoughte [ 497]

(72)

¶ But þan felt þis troilus swiche wo [ 498] Þat he was wel nyghe wode for ay his drede was þis þat sche som wyght hadde loued so Þat neuer of him she wold haue taken hede [ 501] For whiche him þought he felt his hert blede Ne of his wo ne dorst he nat by-gynne to tellen hire / for al þis world to wynne [ 504]

(73)

¶ But when he hadde a space from his care [leaf 7] [ 505] Þus to him self ful oft he gan to pleyne He sayd o fool now artow in þe sware Þat whilom Iapedest at loues peyne [ 508] Now artow hent now gnawe þin own cheyne Þow were ay wont eche louere reprehende Of þingh fro which þow kanst þe nat defende [ 511]

(74)

¶ what wol now euery louer seyn of þe [ 512] If þis be wiste / but euere in þin absence Laughen in scorne / and seyn loo þer goþe he Þat is man of so grete sapience [ 515] and held vs louers leest in reuerence Now thanked god he may gone in þe daunce of him þat loue liste fiebly for tauaunce [ 518]

(75)

¶ But o þow woful troilus god wolde [ 519] Seth þow most louen þorwȝ þi desteyne Þat þow by-sette were on swich on þat sholde know al þi wo al lakked hire pite [ 522] But also colde in loue Towardes þe Þi lady is / as froost in wynter mone And þow for-doon as snowe in fire is soone [ 525]

(76)

¶ God wold I were aryued in þe porte [ 526] of deth / to which my sorow wol me lede A lord to me it were a grete comfort Þan were I qwytte of langwysshynge in drede [ 529] For be myn hidde sorowe yblowe on brede I shal by-Iaped ben a þowsand tyme More þan þat fool / of whos folye men ryme [ 532]

(77)

But now help god and ye swete for whom [ 533] I pleyne / caught ye neuer wygth so fast O mercy dere hert and help me from Þe deth for I whil þat my lif may laste [ 536] Mor than my self wol loue ȝow to my laste And wiþ some freendly loke gladdeth me swete Þowhȝ neuere more þynge ȝe me byhete [ 539]

(78)

¶ Þis wordes and ful many a noþer to [ 540] He spak / and called euere in his compleynte hire name / for to tellen hire his wo Tyl neigh þat he in salte teris dreynte [ 543] Al was for noȝt she herd not his pleynte And when þat he bithought on þat folye A þousand folde his wo gan to multiplye [ 546]

(79)

¶ Biwayllynge in his chaumber þus allone [leaf 7, back] [ 547] A frende of his þat called was pandare come ones vnwar and herde hym grone And saye his freende in swich destresse and care [ 550] Allas quod he who causeth al þis fare O mercy god what vnhap may þis mene Han now þus soone grekes made ȝow leene [ 553]

(80)

¶ Or hastow som remors of conscience [ 554] And art now falle in some devocioun And waylest for þi synne and þin offence And hast for ferde caught attricioun [ 557] God saue hym þat biseged han oure town And so kan leye oure Iolyte on presse And brynge oure lusti folk to holynesse [ 560]

(81)

¶ Þise wordes seyde he for þe nones alle [ 561] Þat with swiche þinge he myght him angry maken And with an angre don his wo to falle as for þe tyme and his corage awaken [ 564] But wele he wyste as fer as tonges spaken Þer nas aman of gretter hardinesse Þan he ne more desired worþinesse. [ 567]

(82)

¶ what cas quod troylus or what auenture [ 568] Hath gided þe to sen me languyssinge Þat am refus of euery creature But for þe loue of god at my prayinge [ 571] go henne a-way for certys my deynge wol þe disese and I mote nedes deye Þer-for go wey þer is no more to seye [ 574]

(83)

¶ But if þow wene I be þus sik for drede [ 575] It is not so and þerfore scorne nought Þer is anoþer thynge I take of hede wel more þan aught þe grekes han y-wrogth [ 578] whiche cause is of my dethe for sorw and thought But þough þat I now telle it þe ne leste Be þow nought wroth I hidde it for þe beste [ 581]

(84)

¶ Þis Pandare þat neyghe malt for wo and routhe [ 582] Ful often seyd allas what may þis be Now frende quod he If euere loue or trouthe hath ben / or is bytwixen þe and me [ 585] Ne do þow neuere swiche a cruelte To hyden fro þi frende so grete a care wostow not wel þat it am I pandare [ 588]

(85)

¶ I wil parten with þe al þi peyne [leaf 8] [ 589] If it be so I do þe no comfort As it is frendes right soth for to seyne To entreparten wo as gladde desport [ 592] I haue and schal for trew or fals report In wronge and right I-loued þ^e al my lyue Hide nat þi wo fro me but telle it bilyue [ 595]

(86)

¶ Þan gan þis sorwful troilus to syke [ 596] And seyde him þus god leue it be my best To telle it þe for syth it may þe like Ȝet will I telle it though myn hert breste [ 599] And wele wote I þow mayst do me no reste But leste þow deme I tryste not to þe Now herke frende for þus it stonde with me [ 602]

(87)

¶ Loue aȝeins þe which who so defendeth [ 603] Him seluen most / him alderlest availleth wiþ dessespeir / so sorwfully me offendeth Þat streght vn-to þe deth myn herte sailleth [ 606] Þer-to desire so brennyngly me assaileth Þat to ben slayn it were a gretter Ioye To me / than kyng of grece be and troye [ 609]

(88)

¶ Suffiseth þis my ful frend Pandare [ 610] Þat I have seyde for now wostow my wo And for þe loue of god my cold care So hide it wele / I tolde it neuere to mo [ 613] For harmes myght folwen mo þan two If it were wiste / but be þow in gladnesse And lat me sterue vnknow of my destresse [ 616]

(89)

¶ How hastow þus vnkyndly and longe [ 617] Hidde þis fro me þow fool quod pandarus Paraunter þow myght after swiche oon longe Þat myn auys a-non may helpe vs [ 620] Þis were a wonder þinge quod troilus Þow coudest neuere in loue þi seluen wysse How deuel maystow brynge me to blysse [ 623]

(90)

¶ Ȝe Troilus herke now quod Pandare [ 624] though I be nyse / It happeth often so That oon þat excesse doth ful yuele fare By goode conseyl kan kepe his frende þer-fro [ 627] I haue my self ek seyen a blynde man go Þer as he fel þat coude loken wyde A fool may ek a wise man oft gyde [ 630]

(91)

¶ A wheston is no keruynge Instrument [leaf 8, back] [ 631] But ȝet it makeþ sharpe keruynge tolis And þer þow whost þat I haue aught myswent eshewe þow þat for swich þinge to þe scole is [ 634] Þus often wise men ben ware of folis If þow do so þi witte is wele bywared By is contrarye is euery þinge declared [ 637]

(92)

¶ For how myght euere swetenesse han ben knowe [ 638] To hym þat neuere tasted betternesse Ne noman may ben Inly glad I trowe Þat neuere was in sorwe or som destresse [ 641] Ek whit by blak by chame ek worþinesse Ech sett by oþer more for oþer semeþ As men may se and so þe wise it demeþ [ 644]

(93)

¶ Sith þus of two contraries is a loore [ 645] I that haue in love so oft asayde greuaunces / ought konne and wele þ^e more Conseyllen þe / of þat þow ert amayed [ 648] Ek þe ne aught not ben yuel apayed Þoughe I desire with þe for to bere Þin heuy charge it schal þe lesse dere [ 651]

(94)

¶ I wote wele þat it farth þus by me [ 652] as to þi broþer paris an hierdesse whiche þat cleped was oonone wroot in a compleynt of hire heuynesse [ 655] Ȝe sey þe lettre þat sche wroot I gesse Nay neuere ȝet Iwis quod troilus Now quod pandare herken it was þus [ 658]

(95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st.)

¶ Ioebus þat þat first fond art of medcine [[MS I]] [ 659] quod she / and coude in euery wyghtes care Remede and rede by herbes she know fyne Ȝet to hym self his konnynge was ful bare [ 662] For loue had hym so bounden in a snare Al for þe doughter of þe kynge Amete Þat al his craft ne koude his sorwes beete [ 665]

(96)

¶ Right so fare I vnhappily for me [ 666] I loue oone beste / and þat me smerteþ soore And ȝet paraunter kan I reden þe And nat my selfe repreue me no more [ 669] I haue no cause I wote wele for to sore As doth an hauk that listeþ for to pleye But to þi help ȝet som-what kan I seye [ 672]

(97)

¶ And of o þyinge ryght siker maystow be [leaf 9] [ 673] Þat certein for to dyen in þe peyne Þat I shal neuer mo discoueren þe Ne by my trouþe I kepe nat restreyne [ 676] Þe fro þi loue / theigh þat it were Eleyne Þat is þi broþer wyf / if ich it wiste Be what she be / and loue hyre as þe liste [ 679]

(98)

¶ Þer-for as frend fulliche in me asseure [ 680] and tel me plat / what is thenchoeson And fynali cause / of wo þat ye endure For douteht no þinge myn entencion [ 683] Nys nat to ȝow of reprehencion To speke as now / for no þinge may bireue A man to loue / til þat hym list to loue [ 686]

(99)

¶ And witeth wel þat both two ben vices [ 687] Mystrusten alle / or ellis alle loue But wele I wote þe mene of it no vice is For for to trusten som wyght is a preue [ 690] of trouthe / and for-þi wold I fayne remeue Þi wronge conceyte / and do þe som wyght truste Þi wo to telle / and tel me if þe liste [ 693]

(100)

¶ Þe wise seith wo him þat is allon [ 694] For and he falle / he hath non helpe him to ryse And sith þow hast a felow tel þi moone For þis nis naught certeyne þe nexte wise [ 697] to wynnen loue / as techen vs þe wyse To walow and wepe / as Nyobe þe quene whos teerys ȝet in marbel ben yseene [ 700]

(101)

¶ Lat be þi wepynge and þi drerynesse [ 701] And lat vs listen wo with oþer speeche So may þi woful tyme seme lesse Delite not in wo / þi wo to seche [ 704] As doon þis fooles / þat hire sorw eche with sorowe / when þei han mysauenture And listen nougth to seche hem ooþer cure [ 707]

(102)

¶ Men seyn to wrecche is consolacion [ 708] to haue a noþer felaw in his peyne Þat ought wel ben oure opynyon For bothen þow and I of loue we pleyne [ 711] So ful of sorw am I soth for to seyne Þat certanly no more harde grace may sitte on me / for why þer is no space [ 714]

(103)

¶ If god wil þow art nought agast of me [leaf 9, back] [ 715] lest I wol of þi lady þe bigile Þow woste þi self / whom þat I loue pardee As I best kan / gon sithen longe while [ 718] And sith þow wost I do it for no wile and sith I am he þat þow tristest moost Tel me som-what syn al my wo þow woste [ 721]

(104)

¶ Ȝet troilus for al þis [no] worde sayde [ 722] But longe he lay / as stille as he dede were And after þis with sikynge he abreyde And to pandarus voice he lente his ere [ 725] And vp his eighen cast he þat in feere was pandarus / leste þat in frenesye He sholde falle / or ellis sone dye [ 728]

(105)

¶ And criede awake ful wondurliche and charpe [ 729] what slombrestow as in litargye Or artow like an asse to þe harpe That hereth sown whan men þe strenges plye [ 732] Bot in hys mynde of þat no melodye May synken hym to gladden for þat he So dul is of his bestialitee [ 735]

(106)

¶ And wiþ þat Pandare of his wordes stente [ 736] But Troilus ȝet hym nothynge answerde For why / to tellen nas not his entente To neuere no man / for whom þat he so ferde [ 739] For it is seyde / men makeþ of a ȝerde wiþ which þe maker is hym self ybeten In sondry manere / as þise wyse treten [ 742]

(107)

¶ And nameliche in his counseylle tellynge [ 743] Þat towcheth loue / þat oughte ben secree For of hym self it wol nought out sprynge But if þat it þe bette gouerned be [ 746] Ek som tyme it is a craft to seme flee Fro thynge / which in effect men hunte faste Al þis gan Troilus in his herte caste [ 749]

(108)

¶ But nathelees when he hadde herde hym crye [ 750] Awak / he gan to syken wonder sore And seyde frende / þoughe that I stil lye I am not deef / now pees and crye namoore [ 753] For I haue herde þi wordes and þi loore But suffre me my myschief to bywayle For þi prouerbes may me nought avaylle [ 756]

(109)

¶ Nor other cure kanstow none for me [leaf 10] [ 757] Eke I nyl not ben cured / I wol dye What know I. of þe quene Nyobe Lat be þin olde ensaumples I þe preye [ 760] No quod tho Pandarus þer-fore I seye Swiche is delit of fooles to be-wepe Hyre wo / but seken boote thei ne kepe [ 763]

(110)

¶ Now knowe I þat þer reson in þe failleth [ 764] But tel me / if I wyste what she were For whom þat the al þis misauenture ailleth Dorstestow þat I tolde in hyre ere [ 767] Þi wo / syth þow darst nought þi self for feere and hyre bysought on þe to han som routhe whi nay quod he by god and by my trouthe [ 770]

(111)

¶ What nat as bisily quod pandarus [ 771] As though myn owen lyfe lay on þis nede No certes brother quod þis Troilus and whi / for þat þow sholdest neuere spede [ 774] wostow þat wele / ȝe þat is out of drede quod troilus / for al þat euere ȝe konne She nyl to noon swhich wreche as I ben wonne [ 777]

(112)

¶ Quod pandarus allas what may þis be [ 778] Þat thow despired art þus causelees what lyueth nat þi lady bendistee How wostow so that þow art graceles [ 781] Swhiche yuel is nat alwey bootelees why put nat impossible þus þi cure Syth þinge to come / is oft in auenture [ 784]

(113)

¶ I graunte wel þat þow endurest wo [ 785] as sharpe / as doth tycius in holle Whos stomak fowles tyren euere mo Þat hyghten Volturis / as bokes telle [ 788] But I may noth endure þat þow dwelle In so vnskilful an opynyon Þat of þi wo is no curacion [ 791]

(114)

¶ But oones nyltow for þi coward herte [ 792] And for þin ire / and foolysh wilfulnesse For wantruste tellen of þi sorwes smerte Ne to þin own help / don besynesse [ 795] as muche / as speke a reson more or lesse But liste as he þat lest of nothynge recche what woman koude loue sweche a wriche [ 798]

(115)

¶ what may she demen oother of þi deeth [leaf 10, back] [ 799] If þow þus deye / and she noot whi it is But þat for feere / is ȝolden vp þi brethe For grekis han biseged vs Iwys [ 802] Lord which a thank þan shaltow han of þis Þus wol she seyn and alle þe town atonees Þe wreche is deed / the deuel haue his bones [ 805]

(116)

¶ Þow mayst allone here wepe and crye and knele [ 806] But loue a woman þat she wote it nought And she wol qwyte þat þow shalt not feele Vnknow vnkyst / and lost þat is vnsought [ 809] What many a man þat loue ful deere a-bought Twenty wynter þat his lady wyste Þat neuer ȝyt his lady mouth he kyste [ 812]

(117)

¶ What{punctel} scholde he ther-for fallen in dispayr [ 813] Or be recreaunte for his own tene Or sleen hym self al be his lady faire Nay nay / but euere in oone be fresch and grene [ 816] To serue and loue his deere hertes queene And thynke it is a guerdon hire to serue A þowsand folde / moore þan he kan deserue [ 819]

(118)

¶ Of þat worde took hede Troylus [ 820] And thought o-none what folye he was Inne And how þat sothe hym seyde pandarus Þat for to slen hym self myghte he nat wynne [ 823] But bothe doon vn-manhode and a synne And of his deth his lady nougth to wyte For of his wo god wote she knewe ful lyte [ 826]

(119)

¶ And with þat þought he gan ful soore syke [ 827] And seyd allas what is me beste to do To whom Pandare answered / if þe lyke Þe beste is þat þow telle me al þi wo [ 830] And have my trouhte but þow it fynde so I be þi boote / or þat it be ful longe To pieces do me draw / and sythen honge [ 833]

(120)

¶ Ȝe so þow seyst quod Troylus tho allas [ 834] But god woote it nought þe raþer so Ful harde were it to help in þis cas For wele fynde I þat fortune is my wo [ 837] Ne alle þe men þat ryden konne or go May of hyre cruel whiel þ^e harme wiþstonde For as hire luste she pleyeht with fre and bon̄de [ 840]

(121)

¶ Quod Pandarus / than blamestow fortune [leaf 11] [ 841] For þow art wrothe / ȝe now at arst I se wostow nat wel þat fortune is comune To euery maner wyght in some degre [ 844] And ȝet þow hast þis comfort lo parde Þat as hire Ioyes moten ouer gone So mote hire sorwes passen euerychone [ 847]

(122)

¶ For if hire whiel stynte any þinge to torne [ 848] Þanne cessed she fortune a-non to be Now sith hire whiel by no way may soiorne what wastow if hire mutabilite [ 851] Ryght as þi seluen list wol don by the Or þat she be nought fer fro þin helpynge Paraunter þow hast cause for to synge [ 854]

(123)

¶ And þer-for wostow what I þe be[se]che [ 855] Lat be þi wo / and tornynge to þe grounde For who so liste haue helynge of his leche To hym behoueth first vnwre his wonde [ 858] To Cerberus in helle ay be I bounde were it for my suster al þi sorwe By my wille / she sholde al be þin to morwe [ 861]

(124)

¶ Loke vp I seye / and telle me what she is [ 862] Anon þat I may gone aboute þi nede Know iche hire ought / for my loue telle me þis Þanne wolde I hopen the raþer for to spede [ 865] Þo gan þe veyne of troilus to blede For he was hit / and wex alle rede for chame A ha quod pandare / here bygynneth game [ 868]

(125)

¶ And with þat worde he gan hym for to schake [ 869] And seyde þeef / þow shalt hir name telle But þo gan sely Troylus for to quake As þough men sholde han led hym in-to helle [ 872] And seyde / allas of al my wo þe welle Þanne is my swote foo / called cryseyde And wel neygh with þat worde for feere he deyede [ 875]

(126)

¶ And whan þat pandare herde hyre name neuene [ 876] lord he was glad / and seyde frende so dere Now fare a right for Iouues name in heuene loue hath by-set þe welle / be of goode shere [ 879] For of good name and wisdom and manere She hath ynough / and ek of gentilesse If she be fayre / þow wost þi self I gesse [ 882]

(127)

¶ Ny neuere saugh / a moore bountevous [leaf 11, back] [ 883] of hyre estate / ne gladder / nor of speche A frenlyer na moore graciouse For to do wel / ne lasse hadde nede to seche [ 886] what for to don / and al þis bet to eche In honor to as fer as she may stretche A kynges herte semeth by hires a wreche [ 889]

(128)

¶ And also thynk / and þer-with gladde þe [ 890] Þat syth þi lady vertuouse is alle So folweth it þat þer is som pyte Amange alle þis oþer in general [ 893] And for-þi se þat thow in speciale Requere nought / þat is aȝanys hir name For vertue streccheth naught hym self to shame [ 896]

(129)

¶ But wele is me þat euer þat I was borne [ 897] Þat þow bisett art in so goode a place For by my trouth in loue I dorst haue sworne Þe sholde neuere han tyd þus fayre a grace [ 900] And wostow / for þow were wonte to chace At loue in scorne / and for despite him calle Seint ydiot lorde of þise fooles alle. [ 903]

(130)

¶ How often hastow made þi nyce Iapes [ 904] and seyde þat loues seruauntȝ euerichon Of nycete ben verrey goddes apes And some wold muche hire mete allone [ 907] Lyggynge a bedde / and make hem for to grone And some þow seydest hadde a blaunche feuere And preydest god he shold neuer keuere [ 910]

(131)

¶ And som of hem / took on hym for þe colde [ 911] More þan I-nough / so seydestow ful ofte And some han feyned ofte tyme and tolde How þat þei waken whan þei slepten softe [ 914] And þus þei wolde han brought hym self a-lofte And naþelees were vnder att laste Þus seydestow and Iaped fulfaste [ 917]

(132)

¶ Ȝet seydestow þat for þe moore part [ 918] Thyse louers wolden speke in general And þoughten þat was a syker art For faylinge for tassayen ouer alle [ 921] Now may Iape of þe if þat I shalle But naþeles þough þat I sholde deye Þat þow art noon of þo I dorst seye [ 924]

(133)

¶ Now beet thy breest / and sey to god of loue [leaf 12] [ 925] Þi grace lord for now I me repente If I misspake / for now my-self I loue Þus seye with al þin herte in goode entente [ 928] Quod Troylus a lorde I me consente And preye to þe my Iapes þow for-ȝiue And I schal neuer more whil I lyue [ 931]

(134)

¶ Þow seyst wele quod Pandarus / and now I hope [ 932] Þat þow þe goddes wrathe hast al apesed And sithen þow hast wepen many a drope And seyd swiche þinge where-with þi god is plesed [ 935] Now wold neuere god but þow were esed And thynke wele she of whom rist al þi wo Here after may þi comfort ben also [ 938]

(135)

¶ For þilke grounde þat bereth þe wedes wykke [ 939] Bereth eke þise holsom herbes / as ful oft Nexte þe foule netle rough and þikke Þe rose waxeth swote and smoþe and softe [ 942] And next þe valay is þe hille o lofte And nexte þe derke nyght þe glad morwe And also loye is next þe fyn of sorwe [ 945]

(136)

¶ Now looke þat a-tempree be þi brydel [ 946] And for þe beste ay suffre to þe tyde Or elles alle oure labour is on ydel He hasteth wele / þat wysly kan abyde [ 949] Be diligent and trewe and ay wele hyde Be lusti / fre / perseuere in þi seruyse. And al is wele / if þow wyrke in þis wise [ 952]

(137)

¶ But he þat departed is in euery place [ 953] Is no wher hool / as writen clerkes wyse what wonder is þough swiche an haue no grace Ek wostow how it fareth of som scruyse [ 956] As plaunte a tree or erb in sondry wyse And on þe morwe pulle it vp as bylyue No wonder is þough it may neuere þryue [ 959]

(138)

¶ And sith þat god of loue hath þ^e by-stowede [ 960] In place digne vn to þi worþ[y]nesse Stonde fast / for to goode port hastow rowede And of þi self for any heuynesse [ 963] Hope alwey wele / for but-if drerinesse Or ouer haste / our bothe laboure schende I hope of þis to maken a ful gode ende [ 966]

(139)

¶ And wostow why I am þe lesse a-fered [leaf 12, back] [ 967] Of þis mater wiþ my nece trete For þis haue .I. herde seyde of wyse lered was neuer man or woman þat bigete [ 970] Þat was vnapt to soueren loues hete Celestial / or elles loue of kynde For-þi som grace / I hope in hyre to fynde [ 973]

(140)

¶ And for to speke of hyre in special [ 974] Hyre beaute to be-thynken and hyre ȝouthe It sitt hyre nought to ben celestial As ȝet þough þat hir lyste bothe and kouthe [ 977] But trewly it sate hire wel ryght nought A worthy knyght to louen and cherice And but she do / I holde it for a vice [ 980]

(141)

¶ whar-for .I. am and wol ben ay redy [ 981] To peynne me to do ȝow þis seruyse For boþe ȝow to pleese thus hope I Here efterwarde / for ȝe ben bothe wyse [ 984] And konne it conseyle kepe in swiche a wyse Þat no man schal þe wyser of it be And so we may ben gladded alle þre [ 987]

(142)

¶ And by my trouthe I haue right now of þe [ 988] A good conceyte / in my wit as I gesse And what it is / I wol now þat þow se I thenke / sith that loue of his godenesse [ 991] Hath conuerted oute of wikkydnesse Þat þow shalt ben þe beste post I leeue of alle his lay and moost his foes to greue [ 994]

(143)

¶ Ensaumple whi / se now þise wyse clerkes [ 995] Þat erren aldermost a-ȝayn a lawe And ben conuerted from hire wikked werkes Þorwgh grace of god þat list hem to him drawe [ 998] Þan are þei folk þat han moost god in awe And strenghest feythed ben I vnderstonde And konne an erroure alderbeste withstonde [ 1001]

(144)

¶ When Troylus had herd pandare assented [ 1002] To ben his help in louynge of crisseyde weex of his wo / as who syth vntormented But hotter wex his loue and þus he seyde [ 1005] wiþ sobre chere al-þough his herte pleyde Now blisful Venus helpe ar þat I sterue Of þe Pandare I mowe som thanke deserue [ 1008]

(145)

¶ But dere frend how shal my wo be lesse [leaf 13] [ 1009] Til þis be don / and goode ek telle me þis how woltow seyn of me and my destresse leste she be wroth / this drede I moost I-wis [ 1012] Or nyl not here / or trowen howe it is Al þis drede I / and eke for þe manere Of þe hyre Em / she nyl no swich þinge here [ 1015]

(146)

¶ Quod Pandarus þow hast a ful grete care [ 1016] lest þat þe cherl may falle out of þe moone why lord I hate of þe þi nice fare why entremette of þat þou hast to doone [ 1019] For goddes loue I bydde þe a boone So lat malon / and it schal be þi beste why frend quod he / now do right as þe leste [ 1022]

(147)

¶ But herk Pandare o worde for I nolde [ 1023] Þat þow in me wendest so grete folye Þat to my lady I desyren scholde Þat towcheth harme or any vilanye [ 1026] For dredeles me ware leuere deye Þan she of me aught ellis vndirstode But þat þat myght sownen in-to goode [ 1029]

(148)

¶ To lough þis Pandare and anon answerde [ 1030] And I þi borugh / fy no wyght doþe but so I roughte naught þough þat she stode and herde How þat þow seyste but fare wel I wol go [ 1033] A dieu / be glad / go saue us bothe two Ȝif me þis labour and þis bysynesse And of my speede / be þin alle þat swettenesse [ 1036]

(149)

¶ Þo Troilus gan doun on knees to falle [ 1037] And Pandare in his armes hente faste And seyde / now fy on þe grekes alle Ȝet pardee god schal help us at þe laste [ 1040] And dredelees if þat my lif may laste And god to-forne / lo som of hem shal smerte And ȝet mathynketh þat þis a-vaunte may sterte [ 1043]

(150)

¶ Now Pandare I kanne no more seye [ 1044] But thow wys / þow wost / þow mayst / þow art alle My lyf / my deth / hool in þin honde I leye Helpe now quod he / ȝis by my trouthe I shal [ 1047] God ȝelde þe frend / and þis in special Quod Troilus þat þow me recomaunde To hire þat to þe deeth me may comaunde [ 1050]

(151)

¶ This pandarus tho desyrous to serue [leaf 13, back] [ 1051] His ful frend / þan seyd in þis manere Far wele / and thenk I wole þi thank deserue Haue here my trouthe / and þat þow schalt wele here [ 1054] And went his wey / þenkynge on þis matere And how he best myȝte hire beseche grace And fynde a tyme ther-to and a place [ 1057]

(152)

¶ For euery wyght þat hath an house to founde [ 1058] Ne renneth naught þe werk for to bygynne with rakel hond / but he wol byde a stounde And sende his hertes lyne out fro with-Inne [ 1061] Alderfirst his purpos for to wynne Al þis Pandare in his herte thoughte And caste his werk ful wysly ar he wroughte [ 1064]

(153)

¶ But troylus lay þo no langer down [ 1065] But vp a-none vp on his steede bay And in þe feelde he pleyde þo leoune wo was þat grek þat wiþ hym mette a day [ 1068] And in þe town his maner þo forth ay So goodely was / and gat hym so in grace That ech hym loued / that loked on his face [ 1071]

(154)

¶ For he by-come þe frendlyest wyght [ 1072] Þe genlyest / and ek þe moost free Þe thriftiest / and oone þe best knyght Þat in his tyme was or myghte be [ 1075] Dede ware his Iapes and his crueltee His hieghe porte / and his manere estraunge And ech of hem gan for a vertu chaunge [ 1078]

(155)

¶ Now lat vs stynte of Troylus a stounde [ 1079] Þat fareth lyk aman þat hurte is soore And is some deel of akynge of his wound Ylissed wel / but heeled no deel more [ 1082] And as an esy pacient þe loore Abit of hym / þat gothe aboute his cure And þus he dryeth forth his auenture [ 1085]

Explicit Liber Primus.

[Out of MS. Gg. 4. 27, University Library, Cambridge, the first 2 leaves of the Troilus have been cut.]

[Cambridge Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27, vellum, ab. 1425 A. D. leaf 14: leaves 12 and 13 have been cut out.]

(11)

¶ So whan þat kalkas knew be kalkelyng [leaf 14] [ 71] And ek be answere of þis Appollo Þat Grekys schulde swich a pepele bryng Þorow wheche þat troye muste be for-do [ 74] he caste anon out of þ^e toun to go ffor wel woste he be sort þat Troye schulde Dystroyed ben ȝe wolde ho so nolde [ 77]

(12)

.. ffor wich to departyn softely [ 78] Tok purpos ful þis for-knowynge wyse And to þ^e grekys oft ful preuili He stal a-non & þey in curteys wyse [ 81] Hym dedyn boþ^e worschepe & seruyse In trust þat he hath knowynge hem to rede In euery peryl which þat is to drede [ 84]

(13)

¶ þe noyse vp ros whan it was [. . . [ 85] . . . . . no gap in the MS.] spokyn Þat calcas traytour field was & alyed With hem of grece & castyn to ben wrokyn [ 88] On hym þat hade falsely hys feyt so broke And seydyn þat he & al hys kyn atonys Ben worþy to brennyn fel & bonys [ 91]

(14)

..Now hadde calcas lefte in þis myschaunce [ 92] Onwost of þis false & wekede dede Hys doughtyr which þat was in gret penaunce ffor of hyre lyf sche was ful sore in drede [ 95] As sche þat nyste what was best to rede ffor boþ^e a wedewe was sche & alone Of oni frend to whom sche durste hyre mone [ 98]

(15)

¶ Crysseyde was þis ladyis name al ryȝth [ 99] As to myn dom in al Troyis cete Was non so fayr for-passynge euery wyȝt So aungelli was hyre natyf beaute [ 102] Þat lyke a þyng inmortal semede sche As is an heueneliche parfyt creature Þat doun were sent in scornynge of nature [ 105]

(16)

¶ Þis lady whych þat herde alday at ere [leaf 14, back] [ 106] Hyr faderys schame falsenesse & tresoun Wol nyh out of hyre wit for sorwe & fere In wedewys abite blak of samite broun [ 109] On kneis be-fore ector sche fel adoun With petous voys and tenderly wepynge Hys merci bad hyre selue excusynge [ 112]

(17)

..Now was þis ector petous of nature [ 113] And say þat sche was sorwefully begon And þat sche was so fayr a creature Of his goodnesse he gladede hyre a-non [ 116] And seyde let ȝoure faderis tresoun gon fforth with myschaunce & ȝe ȝoure self in ioye Dwellyth with vs whil ȝow good lyste in troye [ 119]

(18)

¶ And al þ^e honour þat men may ȝow don haue [ 120] As fer forth as ȝoure fadyr dwellede here Ȝe ¹ schal haue & men schal youre body save ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] As fer as I may ouȝt enquire or here [ 123] And sche hym þankede with ful vmble chere And oftere wolde ȝif it hadde be his wille And tok hyre leue & hom & held hyre stille [ 126]

(19)

..And in hyre hous sche bod with swych mene [ 127] As to honour nede was to holde And whil sche was dwellynge in þat cete Kept hire estat & boþe of ȝonge & olde [ 130] fful wel belouid & wel men of hire tolde But wheþer sche þat schilderyn hade or non I rede it not þerfore I lete it gon [ 133]

(20)

¶ The þyngis fellin as þey don of werre [ 134] Be-twixe hem of troye and grekys ofte ffor sum day bouȝte þe of Troye so derre And eft þ^e Grekis founden noþyng softe [ 137] Þe folk of Troye & þus fortune onloste And eyþer ost gan hem to weyle boþe Aftyr hyr cours ay whil þey were wroþe [ 140]

(21)

¶ But how þis toun come to distruxioun [leaf 15] [ 141] Ne fallit not to purpos me to telle ffor it were here a long disgrecioun ffor myn matyer & ȝow to longe dwelle [ 144] But þ^e troyan gestis as þey felle In omere or in dares or in dyte ho so can may rede hem as þey wryte [ 147]

..But þow þat grekys hem of troye schentyn [ 148] And here cete besegede al aboute Here olde vsage nolde þey not letten As for to honoure here god ful deuoute [ 151] But aldermost in honour out of doute Þey haddyn a relike hyȝt paladion Þat was here trost a-boue hem euerychon [ 154]

(23)

¶ And so befel whan comyn was þ^e tyme [ 155] Of aperille whan cloþid is þ^e mede With newe grene of lusti ver þ^e prime And swete smelle flouris whyte & rede [ 158] In sundery wyse schewede as I rede Þ^e folk of troye þ^e obseruaunce olde Palas dionis feste for to holde [ 161]

(24)

..And to þ^e temple in al here beste wyse [ 162] Yn general þere wente manye a wyȝt To herkenyn of palladyons seruise And namely so manye a lusty knyȝt [ 165] So many a lady frosch [[h by corrector]] & maydyn bryȝt fful wel arayed boþe meste & leste Ȝe boþe for þ^e sesoun & þ^e feste [ 168]

(25)

¶ Among þese oþere folk was Cresseyde [ 169] In wedewys abite blak but neuere þ^e les Ryȝ as oure fyrst letter is now an .A. In beaute fyrst so stod sche makeles [ 172] Hyre goodeli lokyng gladede al þ^e pres Nas neuer ȝit seyen þyng to be preyse derre Nor vndyr cloude blak so bryȝt a sterre [ 175]

(26)

¶ As was Crisseyde fok seyde euerychone [leaf 15, back] [ 176] Þat hire byhildyn in hyre blake wede And ȝit sche stod ful stylle & lowe alone By-hyndyn oþere folke in lityl brede [ 179] And ney þ^e dore vndir schamys drede Symple of a-tyr & deboner of chere With ful answered lokyng and manere [ 182]

(27)

..Þis troylis as he was wone to gide [ 183] Hyse ȝynge knyȝtis lad hem vp & doun In þ^e ilke large temple on euery syde By-holdynge alle þ^e ladyis of þ^e toun [ 186] Now here now þere for non deuocioun Hade he to non / to reuyn him his reste But gan to prisyn / & lakkyn whan hym leste [ 189]

(28)

¶ And in his walk faste he gan to wayten [ 190] Ȝyf kynȝt or squyer of his cumpany Gan for to sykyn or let his eyen baytyn On ony woman þat he coute aspy [ 193] He wolde smyle & holde it foly And seyde him þus god wot sche slepith ful softe ffor loue of þ^e / whan þu turnyst ful ofte [ 196]

(29)

¶ I haue pardeux herd [[herd later]] of ȝoure lyuynge [ 197] Ȝe loueris & ȝoure lewede obseruaunces And which a labour folk han in wynnynge Of þ^e loue & in þ^e kepynge which dotaunce [ 200] And whanne ȝoure pray is lost wo & penaunce Verray folis and blynde be ȝe Þere nys not on þat can war by oþere be [ 203]

(30)

¶ And with þat word he gan caste vp his browe [ 204] Asscauunis [[c corrected]] lo is not þis wel spokyn At whiche þ^e god of loue gan loke rowe Ryȝt for dispit & schop for to ben wrokyn [ 207] He ked a-non his bowe nas not brokyn ffor sodeynly he hit hym at þ^e fulle And ȝit as proud a pekok can he pulle [ 210]

(31)

¶ O blynde world o blynde entencioun [leaf 16] [ 211] How ofte fallyt al þeffecte contrarye O sirquide & foule presumcioun ffor cauȝt is proud & caut is debonoyre [ 214] Þis troylis is clombyn on þ^e steyre And lityl wenyth þat he mot dessendyn But alday faylyt þyngys þat folis wendyn [ 217]

(32)

..As proude bayar^d [[corrected]] gynnyth for to skyppe [ 218] Out of þ^e woye so prykyth hym his corne Tyl a lasche [[corrected]] haue of þ^e longe wyppe Þanne þynkyth he þow I praunce al a-forn [ 221] ffyrst in þ^e trays ful fat & newe schorn Ȝit am I but an hors & horsis lawe Is ffor [[corrected]] tendure and with hyse [[corrected]] ferys drawe [ 224]

(33)

¶ So ferde it by þis ferse & proude knyȝt [ 225] Þow he a worþy kyngis sone were And wende noþyng hadde had swych amyȝt A-ȝens his will þat schulde his herte stere [ 228] Ȝit with a lok his herte wex al fere Þat he þat now was most in pryde aboue Wex sodeynly most subiecht on to loue [ 231]

(34)

..ffor-þy ensaumple takyt of þis man [ 232] Ȝe wise proude & wordely folk alle To skorne loue wheche þat somme can Þ^e fredam of ȝoure hertys to hym þralle [ 235] ffor euere it was & euere it schal be-falle Þat loue is he þat alle þynge may bynde ffor may no man for-do þ^e lawe of kynde [ 238]

(35)

¶ þat þis be soþ hath preuyd & doþ ȝit [ 239] ffor þis trowe I ȝe knowe alle or some Men redyn not þat folk han grettere wyt Þan þey þat most with loue haþ ben nome [ 242] And strengest folk han þerwith ben ouercome Þ^e worþiest & grettest of degre Þis was & is & ȝit men schal it se [ 245]

(36)

¶ And treweliche it seyth wel to be so [leaf 16, back] [ 246] ffor aldyrwysest han þerwith ben plesid And þey þat han ben aldyrmost in woo With loue han ben most confortid & esed [ 249] And ofte it haþ þ^e crewel herte apesid And worþy folk mad worþiere of name And caused most to drede vice & schame [ 252]

(37)

..Now syþe it may not godly be withstonde [ 253] And is a þyng so vertuous & kynde Refuseþ it not to loue for to be bonde Syþe as hymself lest he may ȝow bynde [ 256] Þ^e ȝerde is bet þat bowe wele & wynde Þan þat þat brestyt & þerefore I ȝow rede To folwyn loue / þat so wel can ȝow lede [ 259]

(38)

¶ But for to tellyn forþe in specyal [ 260] Of þis kyngis sone / of whych I tolde And letyn oþere þyngis collatrial Of hym þynke .I. myn tale to holde [ 263] Boþ^e of hise ioyes / & of hise carys colde And al his werk / as touchynge þis matere ffor I it can / wel þerto refere [ 266]

(39)

..With-inne þ^e temple he wente hym forth pleyinge [ 267] Þis Troylis of euery wyȝt aboute On þis ladi & now on þat lokynge Where sche were in toune or with oute [ 270] And vp on cas / fel þat þou•• a route his eyȝen perseydyn / & so depe it wentyn Tyl on cresseide it smot & þere it stente [ 273]

(40)

..And sodeynly he wex þerwith astonyd [ 274] And gan bet hire biholde / in þryfty wyse O merci god þouȝte he / where hast þou wonyd Þat art so fayr & so godli to deuyse [ 277] Þerwyt his herte gan to sprede & ryse And softe he sykyd lest men myȝte hym here And cauȝte a-ȝyn his forme pleynynge chere [ 280]

(41)

¶ Sche was not with þ^e leste of stature [leaf 17] [ 281] But alle hyre lemys so wel answerynge Where to woman-hode þat creature Nas neuere lasse namely in semynge [ 284] And ek þ^e pore wyse of hire menyng Schewede wel þat men myȝtyn in hyre gesse Honour estat wommanly noblesse [ 287]

(42)

..þo troylys wondyr wel with alle [ 288] Gan for to like hyre menynge & hyre chere Wych sumdel deynous was for sche let falle Hyre lok a lytil and seyde in swych manere [ 291] Aschaunis may I not stonde here And aftyr þat hyre lokynge gan sche lyȝth Þat neuere þoughte him sen so good a syȝth [ 294]

(43)

¶ And of hyre lok in hym þere gan to queken [ 295] So gret desyr & swych affeccyoun Þat in his herte boteme gan to quekyn Of hyre his fyx & depe enpressioun [ 298] And þow he erst hade pourede vp & doun He was þ^o glad hise hornys in to schrynke Vnneþe woste he to loke or [[a later to stuck in]] wynke [ 301]

(44)

..Lo hym þat let hym seluen so kunnynge [ 302] And scornede hem þat louys peynys dryen Was ful on-war þat loue hade his dwellynge With-inne þ^e subtyl stremys of hyre eyȝen [ 305] Þat sodeynly hym þouȝte for to deyen Ryȝt with hyre lok þ^e spryt of his herte Blessed be loue þat þus folk can conuerte [ 308]

(45)

¶ Sche þis in blak lokynge to Troylys [ 309] Ouer alle þynge stod for to behelde Ne his desyr ne war for he [[corrected]] stod þus He neyþer schyr made ne word tolde [ 312] But from affer his maner for to holde On oþer þyng sumtyme his lok he caste And eft on hyre whilys þat seruyse laste [ 315]

(46)

¶ And aftyr þis not fully alle askapide [leaf 17, back] [ 316] Out of þ^e temple al eselyche he wente Repentynge hym þat euere he iapide Of louys folk lest fully þe descente [ 319] Of schorn fel on hym selfe but what he ment Lest hit were wyst on ony manere syde Hys wo he gan dissymylyn & seyde [ 322]

(47)

..whan he was þus from þ^e temple departid [ 323] He styrte a-non vp to þ^e paleys turnyth Ryȝt with hyre lok þour-schotyn & þour-dartyd Al feynyþ he in lust þat þe soiournyth [ 326] And al his chyr & speche also he bornyth And ay of louys seruauntys euery whyle Hym self to wryþe at hym self ganto smyle [ 329]

(48)

¶ And seyde lord so ȝe loue al in [[r corrected]] rest [ 330] Ȝe loueris for þ^e kunnyngest of ȝow Þat seruyth most ententifully & best Hym tyt as ofte harm þerof as prow [ 333] Ȝoure hyre is quyt aȝen god wot how Not wel for þey wil schorne for good seruyse Yn fay ȝoure ordere is rewelyd in good wyse [ 336]

(49)

..In veyn sertayn ben alle ȝoure obseruauncis [ 337] But ȝif it / a fewe poyntis be Ne no þyng askyth so gret intendauncis As doþ ȝoure lay as knowyn alle ȝe [ 340] But is not þ^e werste so mot I þe But tolde I ȝow þ^e werste poynt I leue Al seyde I soþ ȝe wolde at me greue [ 343]

(50)

¶ But þis þat ȝe loueris ofte eschewe [ 344] Or ellis don of good entencioun fful ofte þyn lady wil it mysconstrewe And deme it harm by hyre opinyoun [ 347] And ȝit ȝif sche for oþir entencioun Be wroþ þan / that þou han a groyn a non Now wel is hym þat may ben of ȝow on [ 350]

(51)

¶ But for al þis whan þat he say his tyme [leaf 18] [ 351] He held his pes non oþere bote him gayned ffor loue he gan hyse federis so to lyme Þat wel onneþe on-tyl his folk he faynid [ 354] Þat oþere busy nedis hym destreyned ffor wo was hym þat what to done he nyst But bad hyse folk to gon where hem lyst [ 357]

(52)

..And whan þat he was in chambere a-lone [ 358] He doun vp on his bedis fet hym sette And fryst he gan to sike & eft to grone And þoughte so ay on hire with-oute lette [ 361] Þat as he sat & wok his spyrit mette Þat he hire saw & temple & al þ^e wyse Ryȝt of hire lok & gan it newe avyse [ 364]

(53)

¶ þus gan he make a myrour of his mynde [ 365] In wich he say al holly hire figure And þat wel he coude in his herte fynde It was to hym riȝt a good auenture [ 368] To loue swychon & ȝif he dede his cure To seruyn hyre ȝit myȝte he fallyn in grace Or ellis for on of hyre seruauntis pace [ 371]

(54)

..Imagenynge þat neyþer trauayle nor gaine [ 372] Ne myȝte for so godli on ben lorn As sche ne hym for his desyr ne schame Al were it wyst but in preys & vp born [ 375] Of alle loueris wel more þan by-forn Þus argumentid he in his gynnynge fful on-avised of hise wocomynge [ 378]

(55)

¶ þus tok he purpos louys craft to schewe [ 379] And seyde he wolde worschepe preuyly ffyrst to hydyn his desyr in mewe From euery wyȝt I-born al vttyrly [ 382] But he myȝt ouȝt recouered be þerby Remembrynge hym þat loue to wyde I-blowe Ȝildyth bittere freut þow swete seed be sowe [ 385]

(56)

¶ And oueral þis meche more he þouȝte [leaf 18, back] [ 386] What for to spek & what to heldyn in And what for to artyn hire to loue he souȝte And on a song a-non ryȝt to begyn [ 389] And gan loude on his sorwe towyn ffor whiche good hope he gan fully assente Cresseyde to loue & not forto repente [ 392]

(57)

¶ And of þ^e song not only þ^e sentence [ 393] As wryt myn autour callid lollyous But pleynly saue oure tungis differens I dar wel say in al þat troylys [ 396] Seyde in his song lo euery word riȝt þus As I schal sayn & ho so leste it here Lo next þis vers he may it fynde here [ 399]

(58) (From Petrarch.) Cantus [in margin]

..Ȝif no loue is O god what fele I so [ 400] And ȝif loue is what þyng & which is he Ȝif loue be good from whennys comyt myn wo Ȝif it be / awondyr þynkyth me [ 403] whanne euery turnement & aduersite Þat comyth of hym may to me sauery þynke ffor ay I preste þ^e more þat I drynke [ 406]

(59) (From Petrarch.)

..And ȝit þat at myn owene lust I brenne [ 407] ffrom whenys comyth myn wele & myn pleynte Ȝif harm a-gre me I wherto pleyne þenne I not ne why onwery þat I feynte [ 410] O quyk deþ O swete harm so queynte How may of þ^e in me swych quantite But ȝif þat I consente / þat it be [ 413]

(60) (From Petrarch.)

¶ And ȝif þat I consente / I wrongfully [ 414] Compleyne I-wis þus possed to & fro As stereles wyȝt in a bot am I Amyde þe se be-twexe wyndis too [ 417] Þat in contrayre stondyn euere mo Allas what þis wondyr maladye ffor cold of hete for hete of cold I. deye [ 420]

(End of Troilus's Song from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.)

(61)

¶ And to þ^e god of loue þus seyde he [leaf 19] [ 421] With petous voyce a lord now ȝoure is Myn spyryt þ^e wheche þat auȝte ȝoure be Ȝow þanke I lord þat broute me to þis [ 424] But wheþer goddes or woman I.-wys I not wych þat ȝe don me serue But as hyre man I wolde ay lyue & sterue [ 427]

(62)

..Ȝe stondyn in hyre eyȝen myȝtily [ 428] As in a place on-to ȝore vertu dygne Wherefore lord ȝif myn seruyse or I May lykyn ȝow so beþ to me benygne [ 431] ffor myn estat / ryal I resyne [[resyne corrected]] In to hyre hond & with ful vmble chere Be-come hyre man as to myn lady dere [ 434]

(63)

¶ In hym ne deyned to spare blod ryal [ 435] Þ^e fyr of loue wherefrom [[corrected]] god me blys Ne hym forbar in no degre of alle Hys vertu or his excellent prowesse [ 438] But helde hym as his þral lowe in distresse And brende hym so / in sundery wyse ay newe Þat sexty tyme a day he loste his hewe [ 441]

(64)

..So mechil day from day his owene þought [ 442] ffor loue to hyre gan quekyn & encrese Þat euery oþer charge he sette at nouȝt ffor-why ful ofte his hote fyre to cece [ 445] To sen hyre goodly lok he gan to prese ffor þerby to ben esed wel he wende ffor ay þ^e ner he was þ^e more he brende [ 448]

(65)

¶ ffor ay þ^e ner þ^e fyer þ^e hattere is [ 449] Þis trowe I knowyth al þis cumpanye But were he fer or ny I dar sey þis Be nyȝt or day / be wisdem of folye [ 452] His herte wich / þat is his brestys eyȝe Was ay on hyre / þat fayrere was to sene Þan euere were elyne / or polexene [ 455]

(66)

¶ Ek of þ^e day þere passede not an oure [leaf 19, back] [ 456] Þat of hym self a þousent syþis seyde God goodly to whom I serue & laboure As I best can now wolde god cresseyde [ 459] Ȝa wolde on me rewe or þat I deyede Myn dere herte allas myn hele & hewe And lyf is lost but ȝe on me rewe [ 462]

(67)

..Alle oþere dredis were from hym fled [ 463] Boþ^e of þ^e asege and his sauacioun Nyn hym desyred non oþer founys bred But argumentis to his conclusion [ 466] Þat sche on hym wolde haue compascioun And he to ben hire man whil þat he may dure Lo here his lyf & from þ^e deþes cure [ 469]

(68)

¶ þ^e scharpe schourris felle of armys proue [ 470] Þat ector or hise oþere breþeren deden Ne madyn hym only þerfore onys moue And ȝit was he where so men wente or ryden [ 473] ffounde on of þ^e beste & lengest tyme abyden Þere peryl was & dede ek swych trauayle In armys þat to þynke it was merauayle [ 476]

(69)

..But for non hate he to þ^e grekys hadde [ 477] Ne also for þ^e rescous of þ^e toun Ne made hym þus in armys for to madde But only lo for þis conclusioun [ 480] To like hyre þ^e bet for his renoun ffrom day to day in armys so he spedde Þat þ^e grekys hym as of þ^e deþ dredde [ 483]

(70)

¶ And from þis forth þo refte hym loue his slep [ 484] And made his mete his fo {punctel} & ek his sorwe Gan multepleye þat who so tok kep It semede in his hewe on euyn & on morwe [ 487] Þerfore a tytele he gan hym for to borwe Of oþere seknesse lest men of hym wende Þat þ^e hote fuyr of loue hym brende [ 490]

(71)

¶ And seyde he hadde a feuere & ferde al amys [leaf 20] [ 491] But hou it was serteyn I can not sey Ȝif þat his lady vndyrstod not þis Or feynede hyre he nyste on of þ^e tweye [ 494] But wel rede I þat be no maner weye Ne semed it þat sche of hym rouȝte Or of his peyne or what so euere he þouȝte [ 497]

(72)

..But þanne fel to þis troylys so meche wo [ 498] Þat he was wol nygh wod. for ay his drede Was þis þat sche / sum wyȝt hade louyd so Þat neuere of hym sche wolde a takyn hede [ 501] ffor þat cause he þouȝte his herte blede Ne of his wo ne durste he not begynne To telle hyre for al þis world to wynne [ 504]

(73)

¶ But whanne he hadde a space from his care [ 505] Þus tyl hym self ful ofte he gan to pleyne He seyde O fol art þou now in þ^e snare Þat whilhom iapedyst at louys peyne [ 508] Now art þou hent now gnaw þyn owen cheyne Þou were ay wonyd eche louere reprehende Of þyng from which þou can þ^e not defende [ 511]

(74)

..What wele now euery louere seyn of þe [ 512] Ȝif þis be wyst / but euere in þyn absence Laughyn in scorne & seyn lo þere goþ he Þat is þ^e man of so gret sapience [ 515] Þat held vs loueris best in reuerence Now þankyd be god he may gon in þ^e daunce Of hem. þat loue lust febly for to auaunce [ 518]

(75)

¶ But O þou woful troylys god wolde [ 519] Seþ. þou muste loue þour þyn destene Þat þou be set where · on swechou · þat schulde Knowe al þyn woo / al lakkede hyre pete [ 522] But also cold in loue towardys þe Þyn lady is as frost in wyntyr mone And þou fordon. as snow in fyre is sone [ 525]

(76)

¶ God wolde I were aryuyd in þ^e porte [leaf 20, back] [ 526] Of deþ þ^e wheche myn sorwe wolde me lede A lord to me it were a gret confort Þanne were I quit of languissyng in drede [ 529] ffor by myn hed sorwe Iblowe on brede I schal beiapid ben a þousent tyme More þan þat fole / of whos foly men ryme [ 532]

(77)

..But now help god / & ȝe swete for whom [ 533] I pleyne. I-kauȝt / ȝe neuere wyȝt so faste O mercy dere herte / & help me from Þ^e deþ {punctel} for I whil myn lyf may laste [ 536] More þan myn selue. wylle loue ȝou to myn laste And with sum frendli lok / gladede me swete Þouȝ neuere noþyng more ȝe me behete [ 539]

(78)

¶ þese wordys / & ful manye anoþer to [ 540] Spak & euere he callyd / in his compleynte Hire name for to tellyn hire his wo Til nyȝ þat he in salte teris drenkte [ 543] Al was for nouȝt sche herde nouȝt his pleynte And whan he þouȝte on þat folye A þousent fold his sorwe gan multeplye [ 546]

(79)

..By-wailyng in his chambir þus a-lone [ 547] A frend of his þat callyd was pandaris Came onys in on-war and herdde hym grone And say his frend in distresse & care [ 550] Allas quod he ho causeþ al þis fare O mercy god what on-hap may þis mene Han now þus sone grekys mad þ^e lene [ 553]

(80)

¶ Or hast þou sum remors of concience [ 554] And art now falle in sum deuocyoun And waylyst for þyn synne & þyn offence And hast for ferd cauȝt attriciouun [ 557] God saue hem þat han be segit oure toun Þat so cunne leyn oure iolite on presse And brynge oure lusty folk in holynesse [ 560]

(81)

¶ þese wordis seyde he for þe nonys alle [leaf 21] [ 561] Þat with sweche þyngis he myȝte him angery make And with an angyr don his sorwe falle As for þ^e tyme and his corage a-wakyn [ 564] But wel woste he as fer as tungis spakyn Þere nas a man of grettere hardynesse Þan he ne more desirede worþynesse [ 567]

(82)

..What cas quod he or what mysauenture [ 568] Hadde gydit þ^e to se myn languissyng Þat am refus of euery [[or every]] cryature But for þ^e loue of god at myn preying [ 571] So hene awoy for sertys myn deying Wele þe dissese & I mote ² nedys deye ² [[²-² corrector]] Þerfore go awoy þere nys no more to seye [ 574]

(83)

¶ But ȝif þou wene I be þus sek for drede [ 575] It is not so & þerfore skorne me nouȝt Þere is a noþer þyng I take of hede Wel more þan ouȝt þat þ^e grekys han wrouȝt [ 578] Which cause is of myn deþ for sorwe & þouȝt But þow þat I ne tellit þ^e ne lest Be ȝe not wroþ I hyde it for þ^e best [ 581]

(84)

..þis pandare þat wol ner mast for wo & rewthe [ 582] ffull ofte seyde allas what may þis be Now frend quod he ȝif euere loue or treuthe Haþ ben er þis be-tweþe þe & me [ 585] Ne do þou neuere swich a crewelte To hydyn from þyn frend swich a care Wost þou not wel þat it am I Pandare [ 588]

(85)

¶ I wele partyn with þ^e al þyn peyne [ 589] Ȝif it be so I do þ^e non confort As it is frendis ryȝt / soþ for to seyne To interpartyn wo {punctel} as god disport [ 592] I haue & schal / for trowe or fals report In wrong & ryȝt / loued þ^e al myn lyf Hyd not þyn wo from me / but telle it blyue [[Lines 582 to 595 were repeated in the MS. on leaf 21, back, and struck out by the rubricator.]] [ 595]

(86)

¶ þanne gan þis sorweful troylys sike [leaf 21, back] [ 596] And seyde hym þus god leue it be myn best To telle it þ^e / for sythe it may be like Ȝit wele i telle it þ^e þow myn herte brest [ 599] And wele wot I þou mayt do me no rest But lest to deme I truste not to þ^e Now herkene frend for þus it stondith with me [ 602]

(87)

..Loue a-ȝens whiche. who so defendyth [ 603] Hym selue most{punctel} al þere lest auaylyth With disespeyr. so sorweful me offendyth Þat streyt on to þ^e deþ myn herte saylyth [ 606] Þerto desyr so brenynge me assaylyth Þerto ben slayn It were a gret ioye To me{punctel} þan kyng of grece ben & Troye [ 609]

(88)

¶ Suffyseþ þis myn fulle frend Pandare [ 610] Þat I haue seyd / for now hast þou myn wo And for þ^e love of god myn colde care So hyde it wel / for I tolde it neuere to mo [ 613] ffor harmys myȝtyn fallyn mo þan too Ȝif it were wist but be þou in gladnesse And let me sterue / onknowe of myn distresse [ 616]

(89)

¶ How hast þou þus onkendely & longe [leaf 22] [ 617] Hid þis from me / þou fool quod pandaris Parauenture þou mayȝt aftyr swichon longe Þat myn auys a-non may helpyn vs [ 620] Þat were a wondyr þyng quod Troylys Þou coudyst neuere .in loue þyn selue wisse How del mayst þou / bryngyn me to blysse [ 623]

(90)

..Ȝa troylys now herkene / quod pandare [ 624] Þow I be nyse it happyþ ofte so Þat on þat exces doþ ful euele fare By good consayl may kepe his frend þerfro [ 627] I haue myn saelue / sen a blyng man go Þere as he fel þat coude loke wyde A fol may ek a wys man gyde [ 630]

(91)

¶ A weston is non keruyng instrument [ 631] But ȝit it makyth scharpe keruyng tolys And ȝif þou wyst þat I haue ouȝt mys went Excuse þou þat for swich þyng to þ^e skole is [ 634] Þus ofte wyse men / ben war by folys Ȝif þou do so þyn wyte is wel be-waryd By his contrarye is euery þyng declarid [ 637]

(92)

..ffor hou myȝte euere swetnesse a be knowe [ 638] To him þat neuere tastid bittyrnesse Ne no man wot what gladnesse is I trowe Þat neuere was in sorwe or in sum distresse [ 641] Ek whyt by blak be schame ek worþynesse Eche set by oþer more for oþer semyth As men may sen & so þ^e wise demyn [ 644]

(93)

¶ Syþe þus in too contrarijs is on lore [ 645] I þat haue in loue so ofte asayed Greuaunce ouȝte come / & wel þe more Conseyle þ^e of þat þou art a-mayede [ 648] And ek þou not to ben euele payede Þow I desese / with þ^e for to bere Þyn heuy charg / it schal þ^e lasse dere [ 651]

(94)

¶ I wot wel þat it faryth þus by me [leaf 22, back] [ 652] As to þyn broþer Parys & hierdesse Whech ¹ that clepyde was senome ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] Wrot in a compleynt of hire heuynesse [ 655] Ȝe say þ^e lettere þat sche wrot I gesse Nay neuere ȝit I-wis ² quod Troylys ² [[²-² corrector]] Now quod Pandaris herkenyt it was þis [ 658]

(95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st.)

..Phebus þat fyrst found art of medicynys [ 659] Quod sche & curere [[corrected]] in euery wyȝtis care Remedye & red by herkis he knyt fyne Ȝit to hym self his cunnyng is ful bare [ 662] ffor loue hadde so boundyn in a snare As for þ^e douȝtyr of kyng Amete Þat al his craft ne coude [[corrected]] his sorwe bete [ 665]

(96)

¶ Ryȝt so fare I onhaply for me [ 666] I loue on best & þat me smertyth sore And ȝit parauenture can I rede þ^e And nouȝt myn self repreue me no more [ 669] I haue no cause I wot wel for to sore [[next line in MS. scratcht out, then, l. 671] As doþ an hauk þat lestyþ for to pleye But to þat helpe sumwhat I can seye [ 672]

(97)

..And of on þyng ryt sekyr mayt þou be [ 673] Þat certeyn for to deyen in þ^e peyne Þat I schal neuere more discouere þe Ne be myn trouthe I kepe not restreyne [ 676] Þ^e from þyn loue þow It were Elyne Þat is þyn broþeris wyf ȝif ich it wiste Be what sche be & loue hire as þou lyste [ 679]

(98)

¶ þerfore as frend fullych in me assure [ 680] And telle me plat what is þyn entencioun And finially cause of wo þat þ^e endure ffor doutyth no þyng myn entencioun [ 683] Ne is not to ȝow of reprehencioun To speke as now for nowyȝt may bereue A man to loue til hym luste to leue [ 686]

(99)

¶ And þerfore wetyth wel þat boþ^e to ben vicis [leaf 23] [ 687] Mistrostyn al or eɫɫ [[elles]] al leue But wel I wot þat it no vice is ffor forto trostene sum wyȝt is a preue [ 690] ffor-þi of treuthe / wolde I fayn remeue Þyn wrong confort & do þ^e sum wyȝt truste Þyn wo to telle & tel me ȝif þou lyste [ 693]

(100)

..þ^e wise seyeth wo is hym þat is a lone [ 694] ffor and he falle he ne haþ non helpe to ryse And syþ^e þou hast a felawe tel þyn mone ffor þis nys not certeyn þ^e nexte wyse [ 697] To women loue as cechyn vs þ^e wysse To walwe & wepe as I Nyob þ^e quene Whos teris ȝit in marbil ben sene [ 700]

(101)

¶ Let ben þyn wepynge & þyn drerynesse [ 701] And let vs wisse with oure speche So may þyn woful tyme seme lesse Delite not in wo þy wo to steche [[or sceche]] [ 704] As don þese folis þat here sorwys eche With sorwe whan þey han mys auenture And liste not to seche hem oþer cure [ 707]

(102)

..Men seyn to wreche is consolacioun [ 708] To han a noþer felawe in his peyne Þat auȝte wel to ben oure opinyoun ffor boþ^e þou & I of loue we pleyne [ 711] So ful of sorwe am I soþ for to seyne Þat certeynly no more harde grace May sittyn on me for why þere nys non space [ 714]

(103)

¶ Ȝyf god wil þou art not agast of me [ 715] Lest I wolde of þyn lady þe begile Þou wost þyn self hom þat I loue parde As I best kan gon [[corrected]] sithe longe while [ 718] And sey þou wilt it do for no gyle And seyst þou þat I am he þat þou trostyst most Tel me sumwhat syþyn al myn wo þou wyst [ 721]

(104)

¶ Ȝit troylis for al þis no word seyde [leaf 23, back] [ 722] But longe he lay as stylle & he dede where And aftyr with sykynge he a-breyde And to pandarys voys he bente his ere [ 725] And vp hise eyen caste he þat in fere Was pandaris lest þat in frenesye He schulde falle or eɫɫ sone deye [ 728]

(105)

..He cryede a-wake ful wondyrliche & scharpe [ 729] What slomberyst þou as in lytargye Or art þou lyk an asse to þ^e harpe Þat heryth soun whan men þ^e stryngis pleye [ 732] But in his mynde of þat no melodye May synkyn hym to gladdyn for þat he So dul is of his bestialte [ 735]

(106)

¶ And why þat pandarys of hise wordys stente [ 736] And troylys ȝyt hym non word answeryd ffor why to tellyn was not his entent To neuere no man for whom þat he so ferde [ 739] ffor it is seyd men makyth ofte a ȝerde With whiche þ^e makere is hym self I-bete In sundery maner as þese clerkis trete [ 742]

(107)

..And nameliche in his conseyl tellyng [ 743] Þat touche loue þat auȝte to be secre ffor of hym self it wele Inow out sprynge But ȝif þat it þ^e bettyr gouerned be [ 746] Ek it is a craft for summe / sumtyme to fle ffor þyng which in effecte men hunte faste Al þis gan troylys in his herte caste [ 749]

(108)

¶ But neuere þe les whan he hadde herd hym cry [ 750] A-wake he gan to sike wondyr sore And seyde frend þow I stille lye I nam not def / lye stylle & crye no more [ 753] ffor I haue herd þyne wordis & þyn lore But suffere me myn myschif to be-waylyn ffor þyne prouerbis moun me not auaylyn [ 756]

(109)

¶ ffor oþer cure canst þou non for me [leaf 24] [ 757] Ek I wele not ben cured I wele deye What knowe I of þ^e quene Neoble Let ben þyne olde examplys I þe preye [ 760] No quod pandarys þerfore I seye Swich is delyt of folys to be-wepyn Here wo but sychen bote þey ne kepyn [ 763]

(110)

..Now I knowe þat þere resoun in þ^e faylyth [ 764] But telle me ȝif I wyste wych sche were ffor whom al þis auenture mys-aylyth Durstyst þou þat I told hyre in hyre ere [ 767] Þyn wo syþe þou darst not for fere And hyre be-southe on þe to han sum reuthe Why nay quod he by god & by myn treuthe [ 770]

(111)

¶ What not as busily quod pandarys [ 771] As þow myn owene lyf laye on þis nede No certys broþer quod þis tr[o]ylys And why / for þat þou schuldyst neuere spede [ 774] Wost þou þat wel{punctel} ȝa þat is out of drede quod troylys for al þat euere ȝe cunne Sche wele to non swich wreche as I ben wonne [ 777]

(112)

..Quod pandaris allas what may þis be [ 778] Þat þou dispeyred art þus causeles What lyuyth not þyn lady benediste How wost þou so þat þou art graceles [ 781] Swych euyl is not alwoy boteles Why put not impossible þus þyn cure Swich þyng to come is ofte in auenture [ 784]

(113)

¶ I graunte wel þat þou enduryst wo [ 785] As scharpe as doþ he which is in helle Whois stomak foulys tyryn euere & oo Þat hyȝte wulturnus as bokys telle [ 788] But I may not endure þat þou dwelle In so onskylful opynyoun Þat of þe wo is non curacyoun [ 791]

(114)

¶ But onys nylt þou for þyn coward herte [leaf 24, back] [ 792] And for þyn yre & foly wilfulnesse ffor wantrost tellyn of þynne sorwis smerte Ne to þyn owene hele don besynesse [ 795] As meche as specke a resoun more or lesse But lych as he þat leste of no þyng reche What woman coude loue swich a wreche [ 798]

(115)

..What may sche demyn / ouȝt of þyn deþ [ 799] Ȝif þou þus deye & sche not why it is But þerfore fere is ȝuldyn vp þyn breþ ffor Grekys han besegit vs I-wis [ 802] Lord wych a þank schuldyst þou han of þis Þus wil sche say & al þe toun at onys Þe wreche is ded þe deuyl haue hyse bony[s] [ 805]

(116)

¶ þu mayȝt a-lone [[a-boue corrected]] hire wepe crye & knele [ 806] But loue a woman þat sche wote it not And sche wele quite it þat þou schalt not fele Vn-knowe on-kyst & lost þat is on-souȝt [ 809] What manye a man haþ loue ful dere abouȝt Twenty wyntyr þat his lady not wyst Þat neuere ȝit his ladyis mouth he ne kyst [ 812]

(117)

..What schulde he perfore falle in dispeyr [ 813] Or ben recreaunt for his owene tene Or slen hym selfe al by his lady fayre Nay nay but euere in on boþe frossche & grene [ 816] To leuyn & to seruyn his dere lady quene And þynkyn it is a gerdoun hyre to seruyn A þousent fold more þan he can deseruyn [ 819]

(118)

¶ And of þys word tok hed troylys [ 820] And þouȝte a non what foly he was inne And hou þat soþ hym seyde pandaris Þat for to slen hym he myȝte not wynne [ 823] Boþe to don on-manhod & a gret synne And of his deþ his lady not to wyte ffor of hys wo god wot sche k[n]ew but lyte [ 826]

(119)

¶ And with þat þouȝt he gan ful sore syke [leaf 25] [ 827] And seyde allas what is me best to do To whom pandare answerde ȝyf þ^e lyke Þ^e beste is þat þou telle me þyn wo [ 830] And haue myn treuthe but þou fynde it so I be þyn bote or þat it be ful longe To pecys do me drawe & sythe me honge [ 833]

(120)

..Ȝa so seyst þou quod Troylys þo & allas [ 834] But god wot it is not þe raþere so fful harde it were to helpyn in þis cas ffor wel fynde I þat fortune is myn fo [ 837] Ne alle þe men þat ryde cunne or go May of hyre whel / þe harm wel with-stonde ffor as hyre lust sche pleyeþ with fre & bonde [ 840]

(121)

¶ Qud pandaris þanne blamyst þou fortune [ 841] ffor þou art wroþ now / ȝa [[other letters scratcht out]] at [[other letters scratcht out]] e [[other letters scratcht out]] I see Wost þou not wel þat fortune is comune To euery maner wyȝt in sum de-gre [ 844] And ȝit þou hast þis confort lo parde Þat as hyre ioye motyn ouergon So motyn hire sorwys passyn euerychon [ 847]

(122)

..ffor ȝif hire whelys styntyn ony þyng to turne [ 848] Þanne sesed sche / anon fortune to be Now sythe hire whel ne may in no woye soiourne What wyst þou ȝyf hire mutabilitie [ 851] Ryȝt as hire self lust wele don by þe Or þat sche be now [[now, overline, later]] fer from þyn helpynge Perauenture þou hast cause for to synge [ 854]

(123)

¶ And þerfore wost þou I þ^e be-seche [ 855] Let be þyn wo / & turnynge to þe ground ffor ho so lyst [[lyst, overline, later]] haue helpyng of his leche To hym by-houyth fyrst onwrye his wounde [ 858] To serberus in helle ay be I bounde Were it for myn sustyr al þyn sorwe By myn wil [sche] schulde be þyn to-morwe [ 861]

(124)

¶ Loke vp I say & tel me what sche is [leaf 25, back] [ 862] A-non þat I may gon a-bout þyn nede Knowe I hire ouȝt for myn loue tel me þis Þat wolde I hope raþere for to spede [ 865] Þo gan þ^e veyne of Troylis for to blede ffor he was hurt & wex al red for schame A .a. quod Pandarys here be-gynnyth game [ 868]

(125)

..And with þat word he gan hym for to schake [ 869] And seyde [Ȝ scratcht out]] if þou schalt hire name telle But þo gan sely troylis for to quake As þow men schulde han hym in to helle [ 872] And seyde allas of al myn wo þe welle Þanne is myn swete fo callyd Crisseyde And wol ner with þe word for fer he deyede [ 875]

(126)

¶ And whan þat pandarys herde hyre name nemene [ 876] Lord he was glad & seyde frend so dere Now fare a ryȝt for iouys name in heuene Loue þou hast be-set wel / be of good chere [ 879] ffor of good name / wisdom & manere Sche haþ I-now / & ek of gentillesse Ȝyf sche be fayr / þou wyst þyn self I gesse [ 882]

(127)

..Ne neuere ne say a more / bountyuous [ 883] Of hire estat / non / gladere ne of speche A frendelyere / ne non more gracious ffor to don wel ne lasse hadde nede to seche [ 886] What for to don & al þis bet to eche In honour to as fer as sche may streche A kyngis herte semyth bi hire awreche [ 889]

(128)

¶ And also þyng & þerwith gladde þe [ 890] Þat sythyn þyn lady vertyuous is al So folwyþ it / þat þere is sum pete A-mong alle þese oþere / in general [ 893] And for þis se pat þow in specyal Requere nat þat is a-ȝens hire name ffor vertu strechith nouȝt hym self to schame [ 896]

(129)

¶ But wel is me þat euere þat I was born [leaf 26] [ 897] Þat þou be-set art / in so good a place ffor myn trouthe in lyue / I durst a sworn Þere schulde neuere in loue / han tyd þus fayr a grace [ 900] ffor wost þou why / þou were wone to chase At loue on skorn / & for dispit hym calle Seynt ideot / lord of folis alle [ 903]

(130)

..How ofte hast þou mad / þyne nyse iapis [ 904] And seyd þat louys seruantis / euerychon Of nycete ben but very gydde apis And some wolde frete / meche here mone alon [ 907] Lyinge in bedde / & make hem for to gron And some þou seydist / hade / a blaunche feuere And preyedist to god / he schulde neuere keuere [ 910]

(131)

¶ And some of hem tok on hem for þe cold [ 911] More þan I-now / so seydist þou ful ofte And some han feyned / ofte tyme & told How þat þey wake / whan þey slepe softe [ 914] And þus wolde a brouȝt hem self a lofte And neuer þe les weryn vndyr at þ^e laste Þus seydist þou / & iapedist ful faste [ 917]

(132)

..Ȝit seydist þou þat for þ^e more part [ 918] Þese louerys wolde speke in general And þouȝtyn þat it was a sekyr art ffor failyng to a-sayen oueral [ 921] Now may I iapyn of þ^e ȝif þat I schal But neuer-þeles þow I schulde deye Þat þou art non of þo I durste seye [ 924]

(133)

¶ Now bete þyn brest & sey to god of loue [ 925] Þyn grace lord for now I me repente Ȝif I mys spak / for now myn self I loue Þus say with al þyn herte in good entent [ 928] Quod Troylis a lord I me consent And prey to þ^e myne iapis þou for-ȝeue And neuere more wele iape whil I leue [ 931]

(134)

¶ Þow sest wel quod pandarys & now I hope [lf 26, bk] [ 932] Þat þou þe goddesse wrethe hast a-pesed And syþe þat þou hast wepyn manye a drope And seyd swych þyng wherwith þyn god is plesed [ 935] Now wolde neuere god but þou were esid And þynke wel sche / of whom ryseþ al þyn wo Here aftyr may þyn confort ben also [ 938]

(135)

// ffor þynke ground þat beryth þ^e wedis wikke [ 939] Beryth ek þese holsome erbis / as ful ofte Noþer [[Noyeþ corrected]] þ^e foule nettyl row & þekke Þ^e rose wexit swete sauery & softe [ 942] And next þ^e valy is þ^e hil on lofte And next þ^e derke [[corrected]] nyȝt þ^e gladde morwe And alse þ^e ioye is next þ^e fyn of sorwe [ 945]

(136)

¶ Now loke þat atempere wel þyn brydil [ 946] And for þ^e beste ay suffere to þ^e [[f scratcht out]] yde Or ellis al oure labour is in ydil He hastyth wel þat wisely can abide [ 949] Be diligent & trewe & ay wel hide Fe lusty fre perseuere in þyn seruyse And al is wel ȝif þou were in þis wyse [ 952]

(137)

// But he þat partyd is in euery a place [ 953] Is nowher hol as wryte clerkys wise What wondyr ist þow swich on haue no grace Ek wost þou how it faryth of sum seruyse [ 956] As plante a tre or erbe in sundery wise And on þ^e morwe felle it as blyue Now wondyr ist þow it may neuere þryue [ 959]

(138)

¶ And siþe god of loue haþ þ^e be-stowyd [ 960] In place digne on to þyn worþynes Stond faste for to good port hast þou rowid And of þyn self for ony heuynesse [ 963] Hope slwoy wel þat but ȝif dreurynesse Or for euere hast þou oure boþis labour schende I hope of þis to make a good ende [ 966]

(139)

¶ And wost þou wel whi I am þ^e lasse aferyd [leaf 27] [ 967] Of þys matyr with myn nece trete ffor þis haue I herd seyd of leryd [[ryd, corrector]] Was neuere non woman ȝit be-gete [ 970] Þat was on-hapi to soffere louys hete Celestial or ellys loue of kynde ffor-þy sum grace / I hope in hyre fynde [ 973]

(140)

// And for to speke of hyre in specyal [ 974] Hyre beaute to be-heldyn & hyre ȝouþe It sit hire not to be celestial As ȝit þat hire lyste boþe & couþe [ 977] But trewely it sat hire wel riȝt nouþe A worþy knyȝt to loue & cherice And but sche do I holde it for a vice [ 980]

(141)

¶ Þerfore I am & wele be al redy [ 981] To peyne me to don þis seruyse ffor boþe ȝow to plese þis hope I Here aftyrward for þe ben boþe wyse [ 984] And cunne conseyle & kepe in swich a wyse Þat no man schal þ^e wysere of it be And so we may be gladit alle þre [ 987]

(142)

// And be myn treuthe I haue ryȝt now of þe [ 988] A good conseyt in myn wit as I gesse And what it is I wele now þat þou se I þynke to sey þat loue of his goodnesse [ 991] Hath þ^e conuertyd out of þyn wekedenesse Þat þou schal be þe beste post I leue Of al his lay & most his fois greue [ 994]

(143)

¶ On-saumpele why se now þese grete clerkys [ 995] Þat arn aldyr most a-ȝen a lawe And ben conuertyd from alle here wekede werkys Þour grace of god þat lyste hem to hym drawe [ 998] Þanne are þey folk þat han god most in awe And strengest fichid ben I vndyr-stonde And cunnyn an erour aldyr best withstonde [ 1001]

(144)

¶ Whan Troylis hadde herd Pandaris assentyd [lf 27 bk] [ 1002] To ben his helpe in louynge of crysseyde Wex of his wo as ho sey onturnementyd But hottere wex his loue & þanne he seyde [ 1005] With sobre chere as þow his herte pleyede Now blysful venus help er þan I sterue Of þ^e Pandare I may sum þank deserue [ 1008]

(145)

// But dere frend how schal myn wo ben lessed [ 1009] Tyl þis be don & goode ek telle þou me þis How wilt þow seyn of me & myn distresse Lest sche be wroþ þis drede I most I-wis [ 1012] Or nyl not heryn or trowyn how it is Al þis dred I ek for þ^e manere Of þe hyre em / sche wyl no swich þyng here [ 1015]

(146)

¶ Quod pandaris þu hast a wol gret care [ 1016] Lest þat þe cherl / may falle out of þ^e mone Whe lord I hate of þ^e / þyn nyse fare Why entermetyst þ^e / of þyng þou hast not to done [ 1019] ffor goddys loue / I bidde þ^e a bone So let me a lone & it schal be þyn best Why frend qud he now do ryȝt as þou lest [ 1022]

(147)

// But herke Pandare o word for ¹ I ne wolde ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] [ 1023] Þat þou in me wendyst so gret folye Þat myn lady. I desyryn schulde Þat touchith harm or ony velenye [ 1026] ffor dredles me were leuere deþe Þat sche of me ouȝt ellis vndyrstode But þat þat myȝte sounyn in to goode [ 1029]

(148)

¶ Þo low þis pandarys & a-non answerde [ 1030] And I þyn borw nonwyt doþ but soo I rouȝte not þow sche stod & herde How þat þou seyst but fare wel I wele goo [ 1033] Adew be glad god spede vs boþe too Ȝif me þis labour & þis besinesse And of myn sped be þyn al þ^e swetnesse [ 1036]

[Leaves 28 and 29 have been cut out of this MS.]

[Campsall MS, leaf 17, back.]

Hic Incipit Liber Secundus.

(1) (Proem)

Owt of þese blake wawes for to sayle. [ 1] O wynd o wynd þe weder gynneth clere. For yn þis see þe bot hath swych trauaylle. Of my comynge that vnneþe I it stere. [ 4] This see clepe I þe tempestous matere. Of desper þat Troylus was Inne. But now of hope þe kalendes bygynne. [ 7]

(2) (Invocation)

O lady myn þat called art Cleo. [ 8] Thow be my sped fro þis forth and my muse. To ryme wel þis book til I haue do. Me nedeth here noon art to vse. [ 11] For-whi to euery louere I me excuse. That of no sentement I þis endite. But out of latyn in my tunge it write. [ 14]

(3)

Wherfore .I. nel haue neyþer þank ne blame. [ 15] Of al þis werk but pray yow mekely. Disblameth me yf ony word be lame. For as myn auctor seyde so sey .I. [ 18] Ek þough I speke of loue vnfelyngly. No wonder is / for it no þyng of newe is. A blynd man ne kan Iuggen wel yn hewys. [ 21]

(4)

Ye knowe ek þat in forme of speche is chaunge. [ 22] with-Inne a thousand yer / and wordes tho. That hadden prys. now wonder nyce and straunge. Vs thenkeþ hem / and yet þey spak hem so. [ 25] And sped as wel yn loue as men now do. Ek for to wynne loue yn sondry ages. In sondry londes{punctel} sondry ben vsages. [ 28]

(5)

And for-thi yf it happe yn ony wyse. [leaf 18] [ 29] That here be ony louere yn þis place. That herkeneth as þe story wole deuyse. How Troylus com to his lady grace. [ 32] And þenketh so nold I not loue purchace. Or wondreth on his speche and his doyng. I not but it is me no wonderynge. [ 35]

(6)

For euery wyght whiche that to rome went. [ 36] Halt nat al o path or alwey o manere. Ek yn some lond were al þe game shent. If þei ferd yn loue as men don here. [ 39] As þus in opyn doyng or yn chere. In vysitynge in forme or seyde hire sawes. For-þi men seyth eehe contre hath hise lawes. [ 42]

(7)

Ek skarsly ben þere yn þis place þre. [ 43] That han yn loue seyd lyk and don yn al. For to þi purpos þis may lyken þe. And þe right nought yet al is seyd or shal. [ 46] Ek som men graue in tre some in ston wal. As it bitit. but syn I haue begonne. Myn Auctor shal I folwe if I konne. [ 49]

Explicit prohemium secundi libri.

Incipit liber. Secundus.

(8)

IN may þat moder is of monethes glade. [ 50] That [[fl alterd to fr]] fresshe floures blew and white and rede. Ben quyke a-gayn þat wynter dede made. And ful of bawme is fletynge euery mede. [ 53] whan Phebus doth his bryghte bemes sprede. Right yn þe white bole so it bytydde. As I shal synge on mayes day þe þridde. [ 56]

(9)

That Pandarus for al his wyse speche. [leaf 18, back] [ 57] Felt ek his Part of loues shotes kene. That koude he neuere so wel preche. It made his hewe a day ful ofte grene. [ 60] So shop it þat hym felt þat day a tene. In loue for which yn wo to bedde he wente. And made er it was day ful many a went. [ 63]

(10)

The swalwe proigne with a sorwful lay. [ 64] whan morwe com. gan make here weymentynge. whi she forshapen was / and euere lay. Pandare a bedde half yn a slomerynge. [ 67] Til she hym so neigh made here cheterynge. How Tireux gan forth hire suster take. That with þe noyse of here he gan a-wake. [ 70]

(11)

And gan to calle and dresse hym vp to ryse. [ 71] Remembrynge hym his erand was to done. From Troylus and ek þe gret emprise. And cast and knew yn good plyt was þe mone. [ 74] To don viage and tok weye soone. Vn to his neces Paleys þer by syde. Now Ianus god of entre thow hym gyde. [ 77]

(12)

Whan he was come vn to his Neces place. [ 78] wher is my Lady vn to hire folk seyde he. And þey hym tolde. and he yn forth gan pace. And fond two oþere ladyes sette and she. [ 81] wiþ-Inne a paued parlour / and þei þre. Herden a mayden reden hem þe gest. Of þe sege of þebes while hem leste. [ 84]

(13)

Quod Pandarus ma dame god yow see. [ 85] with al yowre faire bok & al þe companye. Ey vncle myn welcome y-wys / quod she. And vp she ros / and by þe hond yn hye. [ 88] She tok hym fast / and seyde þis nyght þrie. To good mot it turne of yow I mette. And with þat word she doun on bench hym sette. [ 91]

(14)

Ȝe nece ye shal fare wel the bet. [leaf 19] [ 92] If god wole al þis yer quod Pandarus. But I am sory I haue yow let. To herken of youre book ye preysen þus. [ 95] For goddes loue what seith it telle it vs. Is it of loue som good ye me lere. Vncle quod she youre maystresse is not here. [ 98]

(15)

With þat þei gonnen laughe and she seyde. [ 99] This romaunce is of Thebes þat we rede. And we han herd how þat the kyng Layus deyde. Thurgh Edyppus his sone and al þat dede. [ 102] And here we stenten at þese lettres rede. How þe bisshop as þe bok kan telle. Amphiorax fyl þurgh þe ground to helle. [ 105]

(16)

Quod Pandarus al þis knowe I my selue. [ 106] And al þe assegé of Thebes and al þe care. For herof ben þere maked bokes twelue. But lat be þis and telle me how ye fare. [ 109] Do wey youre barbe and shewe youre face bare. Do wey youre book rys vp and late vs daunce. And lat vs don to may som obseruance. [ 112]

(17)

A god forbede quod she be ye mad. [ 113] Is þat a wydewes lyf so god you saue. By god ye make me right sore a-drad. Ye ben so wylde it semeth þat ye raue. [ 116] It sat me wel bet ay in caue. To bydde and rede on holy seyntes lyues. Lat maydens gon to daunce and yonge wyues. [ 119]

(18)

As euere I þriue quod Pandarus. [ 120] Yet kowde I telle a pyng to don yow pleye. Now vncle dere / quod she tel it vs. For goddes loue is þanne þe assege a-weye. [ 123] I am of Grekes so ferd þat I deye. Nay nay quod he as euere mot I þryue. It is a þyng is worth such fyue. [ 126]

(19)

Ye holy god quod she what þyng is that. [leaf 19, back] [ 127] what bet þan swych fyue .I. nay I-wys. For al þis world ne kan I reden what. It sholde ben / som Iape I trowe is þis. [ 130] And but youre seluen telle what it is. My wit is for to arede it al to lene. As help me god I not not what ye mene. [ 133]

(20)

And I youre bourgh ne neuere shal for me. [ 134] This þing be tolde to yow as mote I þryue. And why so vncle myn why so quod she. By God quod he / that wole I telle as blyue. [ 137] For proudder womman were þere noon on lyue. And ye it wyste yn al þe toun of troye. I iape nought as euere haue I Ioye. [ 140]

(21)

Tho gan sche Iape more þan byforn. [ 141] A þousand fold. and doun hire eyen caste. For neuere sith þe tyme þat she was born. To knowe ȝyng desired she so faste. [ 144] And with a syk she seyde hym at þe laste. Now vncle myn I nyl yow nowght displese. Nor axen more þat may do yow disese. [ 147]

(22)

So after þis with many wordes glade. [ 148] And frendly tales and with mery chere. Of þis and þat þey pleyede and gunnen wade. In many an vnkouþe glad and depe matere. [ 151] As frendes don whanne þei ben met y-fere. Til she gan axen hym how Ector ferde. That was þe townes wal and grekes yerde. [ 154]

(23)

Ful wel I þanke god quod Pandarus. [ 155] Saue yn his arm he hath a litel wounde. And ek his fresshe broþer Troylus. The wyse worþi Ector þe secunde. [ 158] In whom þat al vertu lyst abounde. As alle trowþe and al gentillesse. wysdom / honour / fredom / and worþinesse. [ 161]

(24)

In good feyth Em quod she þat lyketh me. [leaf 20] [ 162] They faren wel / god saue hem bothe two. For trewly I hold it gret deynte. A kynges sone yn armes wel to do. [ 165] And ben of good condicions þer to. For gret power and moral vertu here. Is seelde y-seye yn o persone y-fere. [ 168]

(25)

In good feyth þat is soth quod Pandarus. [ 169] But be my trouþe þe kyng hath sones tweye. That is to mene Ector and Troylus. That certaynly þough þat I sholde deye. [ 172] They ben as voyde of vices dar I seye. As ony men þat lyueth vnder þe sonne. Hire myght is wyde y-knowe and what þey konne. [ 175]

(26)

Of Ector nedeth it no more for to telle. [ 176] In al þis world ner nys a bettre knyght. Than he þat is of worthinesse welle. And he wel more vertu hath þat myght. [ 179] This knoweth many a wys and worthi wyght. The same prys of Troilus I seye. God help me so I knowe not swyche tweye. [ 182]

(27)

Be god quod she of Ector þat is soth. [ 183] Of Troylus þe same þing trowe .I. For dredles men tellen þat he doth. In armes day by day so worþily. [ 186] And bereth hym here at hom so gentilly. To euery wight þat alle prys hath he. Of hem þat me were leuest preysed be. [ 189]

(28)

Ye sey right soth y-wys quod Pandarus. [ 190] For yesterday who-so hadde with hym ben. He myght haue wondred vp on Troylus. For neuere yet so þikke a swarm of ben. [ 193] Ne fleygh as Grekes gonne fro hym flen. And þorugh þe fleld in euery wightes ere. Ther nas no cry but Troylus is þere. [ 196]

(29)

Now here now þere he huntede hem so faste. [leaf 20, bk] [ 197] Ther nas but Grekes blood and Troylus. Now hem he hurte and hem alle down he caste. Ay where he wente it was arayed þus. [ 200] He was here deth and lyf and sheld for vs. That al þat day þere dorste noon with-stonde. whil þat he held his blody swerd yn honde. [ 203]

(30)

Therto he is þe frendlyest man. [ 204] Of gret estat þat euere I saw my lyue. And wher þat hym lyst best felawship kan. To suche as hym þenketh able for to thryue. [ 207] And with þat word þo Pandarus as blyue. He tok his leue and seyde .I. wol go henne. Nay blame haue I myn vncle quod she þenne. [ 210]

(31)

What eyleth yow to be þus wery soone. [ 211] And namelych of womman wol ye so. Nay sitteth down by god I haue to done. with yow to speke of wisdom er ye go. [ 214] And euery wight þat was a-boute hem two. That herd þat gan fer a-wey to stonde. whil þat þey hadde al þat hem liste yn honde. [ 217]

(32)

Whan þat here tale al brought was to an ende. [ 218] Of here estat and of here gouernaunce. Quod Pandarus now is tyme I wende. But yet I seye aryseth and lat vs daunce. [ 221] And cast youre wydwes habit to myschaunce. what lyst yow þus yow self to disfigure. Sith yow it tyd þus faire an auenture. [ 224]

(33)

A wel biþought for loue of god quod she. [ 225] Shal I not wete what ye mene of þis. No þyng axeth layser quod he. And eke me wolde muche greue I-wys. [ 228] If .I. it tolde and ye it toke amys. yet were it bet my tonge for to stille. Than sey a soth þat were a-yens youre wylle. [ 231]

(34)

For Nece by þe goddesse Mynerue. [leaf 21] [ 232] And Iuppiter þat maketh þe þonder rynge. And by þe blysful Venus þat I serue. ye be th[e] womman in þis world lyuynge. [ 235] with-oute paramours to my wytynge. That I best loue and loþest am to greue. And þat ye wete wel yow self I leue. [ 238]

(35)

Ywys vncle quod she grant mercy. [ 239] Youre frendship haue I founden euere yet. I am to no man holden trewely. So muche as yow and haue so litel quyt. [ 242] And with þe grace of god emforth my wit. As yn my gilt I shal you neuere offende. And yf I haue er þis I wol amende. [ 245]

(36)

But for þe loue of god I yow beseche. [ 246] As ye ben he þat I most loue and truste. Lat be youre frendly manere speche. And sey to me youre Nece what yow lyste. [ 249] And with þat word here vncle a-noon here he keste. And seyde gladly leue Nece dere. Tak it for goud þat I shal seye yow here. [ 252]

(37)

With þat she gan hire eyen down to caste. [ 253] And Pandarus to koghe gan a lyte. And seyde Nece lo alwey to þe laste. How-so it be þat som men hem delite. [ 256] with subtil art hire tales for to endite. Yet for al þat in here entencioun. Hire tales is al for som conclusioun. [ 259]

(38)

And sith þe ende is of euery tales strengþe. [ 260] And þis matere is so by-houely. what sholde I poynte or drawen it on lenghthe. To yow þat ben my frend so feithfully. [ 263] And with þat word he gan right Inwardly. Byholden here and loke on hire face. And seyde on suche a mirour good grace. [ 266]

(39)

Thanne þoughte he þus yf I my tale endite. [leaf 21, back] [ 267] Ought hard or make a proces ony while. She shal no sauaur han þer-yn but litel. And trowe I wold hire yn my wyɫɫ bygile. [ 270] For tendre wittes wenen al be wyle There as þey kan not pleynly vnderstonde. For-þi here wit to seruen wol I fonde. [ 273]

(40)

And loked on here yn a besy wyse [ 274] And she was war þat he byheld here so. And seyde lord so ye me auyse. Sey ye me neuere er now what sey ye no. [ 277] Yes yes quod he and bet wole er I go. But be my trowþe I þought now yf ye. Be fortunat. for now men shal it se. [ 280]

(41)

For to euery wight som goodly auenture. [ 281] Som tyme is shape if he it kan receyuen. And yf þat he wole take of it no cure. whan þan it cometh but wylfully it weylen. [ 284] Lo neyþer cas nor fortune hym deseyuen. But right his verray slouþe and wrecchednesse. And swych wyght is for to blame I gesse. [ 287]

(42)

Good aventure o bele Nece haue ye. [ 288] Ful lightly founden if ye konne it take. And for þe loue of god and ek of me. Cache it a-noon lest auenture slake. [ 291] what sholde I lengere proces of it make. Yif me youre hond for yn þis world is noon. If þat you lyst a wyght so wel begon. [ 294]

(43)

And sith I speke of good entencioun. [ 295] As .I. to yow haue told wel here toforn. And loue as wel youre honour and renoun. As creature yn al þis world y-born. [ 298] By alle þe oþes þat I haue to yow sworne And ye be wroth þerfore and wene I lye. Ne shal I neuere seen yow eft with eye. [ 301]

(44)

Beth nought a-gast ne quaketh not wher to. [leaf 22] [ 302] Ne quaketh not for fere so youre hewe. For hardely þe werste of þis is do And þough my tale as now be to yow newe. [ 305] Yet trist alwey ye shal me fynde trewe. And were it þyng þat me þoughte vnsittynge. To yow nold I no suche tales brynge. [ 308]

(45)

Now good Em for goddes loue I prey. [ 309] Quod she / com of / and telle me what it is. For boþe I am agast what ye wole seye. And ek me longeth it to wyte y-wys. [ 312] For wheþer it be wel or be amys. Sey on lat me not yn þis fere dwelle. So wol I don / now herkeneth I shal yow telle. [ 315]

(46)

Now nece myn þe kynges dere sone. [ 316] The good / wyse / worthi / fressh / and fre. which alwey for to do wel is his wone. The noble Troilus so loueth þe. [ 319] That bot ye helpe it wol his bane be. Lo here is al what sholde I more seye. Doth what yow lyst to make hym lyue or deye. [ 322]

(47)

But yf þow late hym deye I wole sterue. [ 323] Haue here my trouþe Nece I nel not lye. Al sholde I with þis knyf myn owene throte kerue. with þat þe teres brast out of his eyen. [ 326] And seyde yf þat ye doon vs boþe dyen Thus giltles þan haue ye fysshed faire. what mende ye though þat we boþe apeyre. [ 329]

(48)

Allas he whiche þat is my lord so dere. [ 330] That trewe man þat noble gentil knyght. That nought desireth but youre frendly chere. I se hym deye þere he goth vp right. [ 333] And hasteþ hym with al his fulle myght. For to be slayn yf fortune wole assente. Allas þat god yow swich a beaute sente. [ 336]

(49)

If it be so that ye so cruel be. [leaf 22, back] [ 337] That of his deth yow lyst nought to recche. That is so trewe and worþi as ye se. No more þan of a Iapere or a wrecche. [ 340] If ye be swych youre beaute may not strecche. To make amendes of so cruel a dede. Auysement is good by-fore þe nede. [ 343]

(50)

Wo worth þe faire gemme vertules [ 344] wo worth þat herbe also þat doth no bote. wo worth þat beaute þat rouþelees. wo worth þat wight þat tret eche vnderfote. [ 347] And ye þat ben of beaute crop and rote. And þerwith-al in you þere be no rouþe. Than is it harm þat ye lyuen by my trouþe. [ 350]

(51)

And also þenk wel þat þis is no gaude. [ 351] For me were leuere þow and I and he. were hanged þan I sholde be his baude. As heyghe as men myghte on vs alle y-se. [ 354] I am þyn Em þe shame were to me. As wel as þe yf þat I sholde assente. Thorugh myn abet þat he þyn honour shente. [ 357]

(52)

Now vnderstonde for I yow nought requere. [ 358] To bynde yow to hym þorugh no behest. But oonly þat ye make hym bettre chere. Than ye han don er þis and more feste. [ 361] So þat his lyf be saued at þe leste. This al and som and playnly oure entente. God helpe me so I neuere oþer mente. [ 364]

(53)

Lo þis request is not but skyle y-wys. [ 365] Ne doute of reson parde is þere noon. I sette þe worste þat ye dredden þis. Men wolden wondren to se hym come or gon. [ 368] Ther a-yenis answere I þus a-noon. That euery wyght but he be fel of kynde. wol deme it loue of frenship yn his mynde. [ 371]

(54)

Who wole deme þough he se a man. [leaf 23] [ 372] To temple go þat he þe ymages eteth. Thenk ek how wysly þat he kan. Gouerne hym self þat he no þyng foryeteth. [ 375] That wher he cometh he prys and þank hym geteth. And ek þer-to he shal come here so selde. what fors were it þough al þe town behelde. [ 378]

(55)

Swych loue of frendes regneth al þis town. [ 379] And wre yow yn þat mantel euere mo. And god so wys be my saluacioun. As I haue seyd youre beste is to do so. [ 382] But alwey good nece to stynte his wo. So lat youre daunger sucred ben a lyte. That of his deth ye be nought to wyte. [ 385]

(56)

Criseyde which þat herd hym yn þis wyse. [ 386] Thought I shal fele what he meneþ y-wys. Now Em quod she what wole ye deuyse. what is youre red I shal don of þis. [ 389] That is wel seyd quod he certayn best is. That ye hym loue a-yen for his louynge. As loue for loue is skylful guerdonynge. [ 392]

(57)

Thenk ek how elde wasteþ euery houre. [ 393] In eche of yow a partie of beauute. And þerfore er age þe deuoure. Go loue. for olde / þer wil no wight of þe. [ 396] Lat þis prouerbe a lore vn-to yow be. To late y-war quod beaute whan it paste. And elde daunteth daunger at þe laste. [ 399]

(58)

The kynges fool is woned to cryen lowde. [ 400] whan that hym þenketh a womman bereth here heighe. So longe mot ye lyue and alle prowde. Til crowes feet ben growen vnder youre eye. [ 403] And sende yow þanne a myrrour yn to prye. In which ye may se youre face a morwe. Nece I bidde wisshe yow no more sorwe. [ 406]

(59)

With þis he stente and caste a-down þe hed. [leaf 23, back] [ 407] And she bygan to brest a wep a-noon. And seyde allas for wo why nere I ded. For of þis world þe feyth is al agon. [ 410] Allas what shulde straunge to me don. when he þat for my best frend y wende. Bet me to loue and shold it me defende. [ 413]

(60)

Allas I wold han trusted douteles. [ 414] That yf þat I þurgh myn disauenture. Had loued oþer hym or Achilles. Ector or ony mannes creature. [ 417] Ye nold han had no mercy ne mesure. On me. but alwey had me in repreue. This false world allas who may it leue. [ 420]

(61)

What is þat al þe Ioye and al þe feste. [ 421] Is þis youre red is þys my blysful cas. Is þis þe verray mede of youre behest. Is al þis peynted proces seyd allas. [ 424] Right for þis fyn O lady myn pallas. Thow yn þis dredful cas for me purueye. For so astonyed am I þat I deye. [ 427]

(62)

With þat she gan ful sorwfully to syke. [ 428] Ay may it be no bet quod Pandarus. By god I shal nomore com here þis wyke. And god to-forn þat am mystrusted þus. [ 431] I se ful wel þat ye sette lite of vs. Or of oure deth. allas I woful wrecche. Might he yet lyue of me is nought to recche. [ 434]

(63)

O cruel god .o. dispitous Marte. [ 435] O furyes þre of helle on yow I crye. So lat me neuere out of þis hous departe. If þat I mente harm or ony vylonye. [ 438] But sith I se my lord mot nedes dye. And .I. with hym here I me shryue and seye. That wikkedly ye don vs boþe deye. [ 441]

(64)

But sith it lyketh yow þat .I. be ded. [leaf 24] [ 442] By Neptunus þat god is of þe se. Fro þis forth shal I neuere eten bred. Til I myn owen herte blod may se. [ 445] For certaynly I wole deye as sone as he. And vp he sterte and on his weye he raughte. Til she hym a-gayn be þe lappe caughte. [ 448]

(65)

Criseyde which þat wel neigh starf for fere. [ 449] So as she was þe ferfulleste wyght. That myght be and herde ek with here ere. And saw þe sorwful ernest of þe knyght. [ 452] And in his preyere eke saw noon vnright. And for þe harm þat myghte ek fallen more. She gan to rewe / and dradde hire wonder sore. [ 455]

(66)

And þoughte þus vnhappes falles þikke. [ 456] Alday for loue and in such manere cas. As men ben cruel yn hem self and wykke. And yf þis man sle here hym self allas. [ 459] In my presence / it wyl be no solas. what men of hit wold deme I kan not seye. It nedeth me ful sleyly for to pleye. [ 462]

(67)

And with a sorwful syk she seyde þrie. [ 463] A lord what me is tyd a sory chaunce. For myn estat now lyth in Iupartie. And ek myn Emes lyf lyth yn balaunce. [ 466] But naþeles with goddes gouernaunce. I shal don so myn honour shal I kepe. And ek his lyf and stynte for to wepe. [ 469]

(68)

Of harmes two þe lesse is for to chese. [ 470] Yet haue I leuere maken hym good chere. In honour / þan myn Emes lyf to lese. ye seyn. ye no þyng elles me requere. [ 473] No y-wys quod he myn owene Nece dere. Now wel quod she and I wol don myn peyne. I shal myn herte a-yens my lust constreyne. [ 476]

(69)

But that .I. nyl not holden hym yn honde. [leaf 24, back] [ 477] Ne loue a man ne kan I not ne may. A-yens my wil but elles wol I fonde. Myn honour sauf plesen hym fro day to day. [ 480] Ther-to nold I nought onys haue seyd nay. But þat I drede as yn my fantasye. But cesseþ cause ay cesseth maladye. [ 483]

(70)

And here I make a protestacioun. [ 484] That yn þis proces yf ye deppere go. That certaynly for no saluacioun. Of yow. þough þat ye sterue boþe two. [ 487] Though al þe world on o day be my foo. Ne shal I neuere on hym han other rouþe. I graunte wel quod Pandarus by my trouþe. [ 490]

(71)

But may I trust wel þer-to quod he. [ 491] That of þis þyng þat ye han hight me here. Ye wol it holden trewly vn-to me. Ye doutles quod she myn vncle dere. [ 494] Ne þat I shal han cause in þis matere. Quod he to pleyne. or ofter yow to preche. why no par de / what nedeth more speche. [ 497]

(72)

Tho fillen þei yn othere tales glade. [ 498] Til at þe laste o good Em quod she þo. For his loue which þat vs boþe made. Tel me how first ye wysten of his wo. [ 501] wot noon of hit but ye he seyde no. kan he wel speke of loue quod she I preye. Tel me / for I þe bet me shal purueye. [ 504]

(73)

Tho Pandarus bygan for to smyle. [ 505] And seyde by my trouþe I shal yow telle. This oþer day nought go ful long while. In with þe paleys gardyn by a welle. [ 508] Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle. Right for to speken of an ordenaunce. How we þe Grekes myghte disauaunce. [ 511]

(74)

Soone after that bygonne we to lepe. [leaf 25] [ 512] And casten with oure dartes to and fro. Til at þe laste he seyde he wolde slepe. And on þe gres a-down he leyde hym þo. [ 515] And I þer after gan rome to and fro Til þat I herd as þat I welk allone. How he bygan ful wofully to grone. [ 518]

(75)

Tho gan I stalke softly hym by-hynde. [ 519] And sikerly þe soþe for to seyne. As I kan clepe ayen now to my mynde. Right þus to loue he gan hym for to pleyne. [ 522] He seyde lord haue rouþe on my peyne. Al haue I ben rebel yn myn entente. Now. mea culpa. lord I me repente. [ 525]

(76)

O god þat at þi disposicioun. [ 526] Ledest þe fyn by Iuste purueyaunce. Of euery wyght my lowe confessioun. Accepte in gre / and sende me swych penaunce. [ 529] As liketh þe but from desesperaunce. That may my gost departe a-wey fro þe. Thow be my sheld for þy benignite. [ 532]

(77)

For certes lord so sore hath she me wounded. [ 533] That stod in blak wyth lokyng of here eyen. That to myn hertes it is I-sounded. Thorugh which I wot þat I mot nedes deyen. [ 536] This is þe worste I dar me not by-wryen. And wel þe hottere ben þe gledes rede. That men hym wrien with asshe pale and dede. [ 539]

(78)

Wiþ þat he smot a-down his hed a-noon. [ 540] And gan to motre I not what trewly. And I a-wey wiþ þat stille gan to gon. And let þer-of as no thyng wyst hadde I. [ 543] And come a-yen a-noon and stod hym by. And seyde a-wake ye slepen al to longe. It semeth not þat loue doth yow longe [ 546]

(79)

That slepen so that no man may yow wake. [leaf 25, back] [ 547] who sey euere or þis so dul a man. Ye frend quod he ye do yowre hedes ake. For loue / and lat me lyuen as I kan. [ 550] But þough þat he for wo was pale and wan. yet made he þo as fressh a contenaunce. As þough he shulde haue led þe newe daunce. [ 553]

(80)

This passede forth til now þis oþer day. [ 554] It fel þat I come romynge al allone. Into a chaumbre and fond how þat he lay. Vp on his bed but man so sore grone. [ 557] Ne herd I neuere and what þat was his mone. Ne wyst I nought for as I was comynge. Al sodeynly he lefte his compleynynge. [ 560]

(81)

Of which I toke somwhat suspecion. [ 561] And ner I come and fond he wepte sore. And god so wys be my saluacioun. As neuere of þyng ne hadde I rouþe more. [ 564] For neiþer with engyn ne with no lore. Vneþes myght I fro þe deth hym kepe. That yet fele I myn hert for hym wepe. [ 567]

(82)

And god wot neuere sith þat I was born. [ 568] was I so bysy no man for to preche. Ne neuere to wyght so depe was I-sworn. Or he me tolde who myght ben his leche. [ 571] But now to yow rehersen al his speche. Or alle hise woful wordes for to sowne. Ne byd me not but ye wol do me swone. [ 574]

(83)

But for to saue his lyf and elles nought. [ 575] And to noon harm of yow þus am I dreuen. And for þe loue of god þat hath vs wrought. Swych chere hym doth that he and I may lyuen. [ 578] Now haue I plat to yow myn herte schryuen. And syn ye wot þat myn entent is clene. Tak hede þer-of for I noon yuel mene. [ 581]

(84)

And right good thryft I pray to god haue ye. [leaf 26] [ 582] That han swych on y-caught with-oute net. And be ye wys as ye ben faire to se. wel yn þe ryng / þan is þe ruby set. [ 585] There were neuere two so wel I-met. whanne ye ben his al hool as he is youre. Ther myghty god yet graunte vs se þat oure. [ 588]

(85)

Nay þerof spak I not quod she. [ 589] As helpe me god ye shenden euery del. O mercy dere nece a-noon quod he. what so I spak I mente nought but wele. [ 592] By mars þe god þat helmed is of stel. Now beth nought wroth my blod my nece dere. Now wole I quod she / foryeuen be it here. [ 595]

(86)

With þis he tok his leue and home he wente. [ 596] And lord he was glad and wel bygon. Criseyde a-ros no lengere she ne stente. But straught in to hire closet went a-noon. [ 599] And sette here down as stille as ony ston. And euery word gan vp and down to wynde. That he hadde seyd as it come here to mynde. [ 602]

(87)

And was somdel astonyed yn here þought. [ 603] Right for the newe cas / but whanne þat she. was ful avised tho fond she right nought. Of peril why she ought a-ferd be. [ 606] For man may loue of possibilite. A womman so his herte may to-breste. And she nought loue a-yen but yf here leste. [ 609]

(88)

But as she sat allone and þoughte þus. [ 610] Ascry aros at skarmyssh al with oute. And men cryede in þe strete se Troylus. Hath right now put to flyght þe Grekes route. [ 613] with that gan al here meyne for to shoute. A go we se. cast vp þe yates wyde. For þurgh þat strete he mot to palays ryde. [ 616]

(89)

For oþer weye is þer to the yate noon. [leaf 26, back] [ 617] Of Gardanus þer vp on is þe cheyne. with þat come he and al his folk a-noon. An esy pas rydynge yn routes tweyne. [ 620] Right as his happy day was soth to seyne. For which men say may nought disturbed be. That shal by-tyden of necessite. [ 623]

(90)

Thus Troylus sat on his bay stede. [ 624] Al armed saue his hed ful richely. And wounded was his hors and gan to blede. On whiche he rod a pas ful softely. [ 627] But swych a knyghtly sight trewely. As was on hym was nought wiþ-outen faile. To loke on mars þat god is of batayle. [ 630]

(91)

So lyk a man of armes and a knyght. [ 631] He was to sen fulfild of heigh prowesse. For boþe he hadde a body and a myght. To don þat þyng as wel as hardynesse. [ 634] And eke to sen hym yn his gere hym dresse. So fressh / so yong / so weldy semed he. It was an heuene vp-on hym for to se. [ 637]

(92)

His helm to-hewe was yn twenty places. [ 638] That by a tissew heng his bak byhynde. His sheld to-dasshed was with swerdes and maces. In which men myghte many an arwe fynde. [ 641] That þrilled hadde horn and nerf and rynde. And ay þe peple cryede here comeþ oure Ioye. And nexst his brother. holdere vp of Troye. [ 644]

(93)

For which he wex a litel red for shame. [ 645] whan he þe peple vp-on hym herde cryen. That to biholde it was a noble game. How sobrelyche he caste doun his eyen. [ 648] Cryseyde gan al his chere aspien. And let it so softe yn hire herte synke. That to hire seluen she seyde who yaf me drynke. [ 651]

(94)

For of here owene þought she wex al red. [leaf 27] [ 652] Remembrynge here right þus lo þis is he. which þat myn vncle swereth he mot be ded. But I on hym haue mercy and pite. [ 655] And wiþ þat þought for pure a shamed she. Gan yn here hed to pulle and þat as faste. whil he and al þe peple forth by paste. [ 658]

(95)

And gan to casten and rollen vp and down. [ 659] with-Inne here þought his excellent prowesse. And his estat and also his renoun. His wit [his] shap and ek his gentillesse. [ 662] But most hire fauour was for his distresse. was al for here / and þought it was a rouþe. To slen swych on yf þat he mente trouþe. [ 665]

(96)

Now myghte som enuyous Iangle þus. [ 666] This was a sodeyn loue how myght it be. That she so lyghtly louede Troylus. Right for þe firste syght ye parde. [ 669] Now who so seyth so mot he neuere þe. For euery þyng a gynnyng hath it nede. Er al be wrought with-outen ony drede. [ 672]

(97)

For I sey nought þat she so sodeynly. [ 673] Yaf hym here loue / but þat she gan enclyne. To lyke hym first and I haue told yow why. And after þat his manhod and his pyne. [ 676] Made loue with-Inne hire for to myne. For which by proces and by good seruice. He gat here loue and in no sodeyn wyse. [ 679]

(98)

And also blisful Venus wel arayed. [ 680] Sat in here seuenethe hows of heuene þo. Disposed wel and wiþ aspectes payed. To helpen sely Troilus of his wo. [ 683] And soth to seyn she nas not al a fo. To Troilus in his natiuyte. God wot that wel þe sonner spedde he. [ 686]

(99)

Now lat vs stynte of Troylus a þrowe. [leaf 27, back] [ 687] That rideth forth and late vs tourne faste. Vn-to Criseyde þat heng here hed ful lowe. Ther as she sat allone. and gan to caste. [ 690] wher on she wolde a-poynt hire at þe laste. If it so were hire Em ne wolde cesse. For Troilus vp-on here for to presse. [ 693]

(100)

And lord so she yn þought gan to argue. [ 694] In þis matere. of which I haue yow told. And what to done best were & what eschue. That plitede she ful ofte in many folde. [ 697] Now was hire herte warm now was it colde. And what she þoughte somwhat shal I write. As to myn Auctor lysteth for to endite. [ 700]

(101)

She þought wel þat Troylus persone [ 701] She knew by sight and ek by gentillesse And thus she seyde al were it nought to done. To graunte hym loue / yet for his worþynesse. [ 704] It were honour with pley and with gladnesse. In honeste / with swych a lord to dele. For myn estat / and also for his hele. [ 707]

(102)

Ek wel wot I my kynges sone is he. [ 708] And sith he hath to se me swych delit. If I wolde vttirly his sight fle. Paraunter he myght haue me yn dispit. [ 711] Thurgh which I mygh stonde in worse plyt. Now were I wys me hate to purchace. with-outen nede þere I may stonde in grace. [ 714]

(103)

In euery þyng I wot þere lith mesure. [ 715] For þough a man forbede dronkenesse. He nought for-bet þat euery creature. Be drynklees / for alwey as I gesse. [ 718] Ek for me sith I wot is al his distresse. I ne ought not for þat þyng hym despise. Sith it is so he meneth in good wyse. [ 721]

(104)

Eke .I. knowe of long tyme a-gon. [leaf 28] [ 722] Hise þewes goode and þat she is not nyse. Ne auaunter certeyn seyth men is he non. To wys is he to do so gret a nyse. [ 725] Ne als I nel hym neuere so cherishe. That he may make avaunt by Iuste cause. He shal me neuere bynde yn swich a clause. [ 728]

(105)

Now set a cas þe hardest is wys. [ 729] Men myghten deme þat he loueþ me. what dishonour were it vn-to me þis. May I hym lette of þat why nay parde. [ 732] I knowe also and alday here and se. Men louen a woman al bysyde hire leue. And whanne hem leste nomore lat hem byleue. [ 735]

(106)

I þenk ek how he able is to haue. [ 736] Of al þis ilke noble town þe þryftiest. To ben his loue so she here honour saue. For out and out he is þe worþiest. [ 739] Saue only Ector which þat is þe best. And yet his lyf al lyth now in my cure. But swych is loue and ek myn auenture. [ 742]

(107)

Ne me to loue a wonder is it nought. [ 743] For wel wot I my self so god me spede. Al wolde I þat noon wyste of þis þought. I am one þe fairest out of drede. [ 746] And goodlyest who-so taketh hede. And so men seyn yn al þe town of Troye. what wonder is it þough he of me haue Ioye. [[Ioye is written in a later hand.]] [ 749]

(108)

I am myn owene woman wel at ese. [ 750] I þank it god / as after myn estat. Right yong and stond vntyd in lusty lese. with-out Ialousye or swych debat. [ 753] Shal non hosbonde seyn to me chekmat. For eiþer þey ben ful of Ialousye. Or maisterful or louen nouellerye. [ 756]

(109)

What shal .I. don to what fyn lyue thus. [leaf 28, back] [ 757] Shal I nat louen in cas yf þat me lyst. What par dieux I am not religious. And þough þat I myn herte sette at reste. [ 760] Vpon þis knyght þat is þe worþieste. And kep alwey myn honour and my name. By al right it may do me no shame. [ 763]

(110)

But ryght as whanne þe sonne shyneth bright. [ 764] In Marche þat chaungeth ofte tyme his face. And þat a cloud is put with wynd to flyght. which ouer-sprat þe sonne as for a space. [ 767] A cloudy þought gan þorugh hire soule pace. That ouer-spradde here brighte þoughtes alle. So þat for fere almost she gan to falle. [ 770]

(111)

That þought was þis allas syn I am fre. [ 771] Sholde I now loue and put yn Iupartie. My sikernesse and þrallen liberte. Allas how dorste I þenken þat folye. [ 774] May I nought wel in oþer folk aspie. Hire dredful Ioye here constreynt and here peyne. There loueth noon þat she nath weye to pleyne. [ 777]

(112)

For loue is yet þe meste stormy lyf. [ 778] Right of hym self þat euere was by-gonne. For euere som mystrust or nyce stryft. Ther is in loue som cloud is ouer þat sonne. [ 781] Ther-to we wrecched wommen. no þyng konne. whan vs is wo but wepe and sitte and þynke. Oure wreche is þis oure owene wo to drynke. [ 784]

(113)

Also þese wikkede tonges ben so prest. [ 785] To speke vs harm / ek men be so vntrewe. That right a-noon as sesed is here lest. So cesseth loue and forth to loue an newe. [ 788] But harm I-don / is don who-so it rewe. For þough þese men for loue hem ferst to-rende. Ful sharp bygynnynge{punctel} breketh ofte at þe ende. [ 791]

(114)

How ofte tyme hath it knowe be. [leaf 29] [ 792] The treson þat to womman hath be do. To what fyn is swych loue I kan not se. Or wher bycomþ it whenne it is go. [ 795] Ther is no wyght þat wot I trowe so. wher it bycometh lo no wyght on it sporneth. That erst was no þyng in-to nought it torneþ. [ 798]

(115)

How bysy if I loue ek most I be. [ 799] To plesen hem þat Iangle of loue and dremen. And coye hem þey sey noon harm of me. For þough þere be no cause yet hem semen. [ 802] Al be for harm þat folk here frendes quemen. And who may stoppe euery wykked tungen. Or sown of belles whanne þat þei be rungen. [ 805]

(116)

And after þat here þought bygan to clere. [ 806] And seyde he which þat no þyng vnder-taketh. No þyng ne acheueth be hym loth or dere. And with an oþer þought hire herte quaketh. [ 809] Than slepeþ hope and after dred a-waketh. Now hot now cold / but þus by-twyxen tweye. She rist here vp / and went here for to pleye. [ 812]

(117)

Adoun þe steyre a-noon right þo she wente. [ 813] In to þe gardeyn with here neces þre. And vp and doun þere made many a wente. Flexippe she Tharbe and Antigone. [ 816] To pleyen þat it Ioye was to se. And oþere of here wommen a gret rowte. Here foleweden yn þe gardeyn al a-bowte. [ 819]

(118)

This gardeyn was large and rayled aɫɫ þe aleyes. [ 820] And shadwede with bowes blosmy and grene. And benched newe and sonded alle þe weyes. In which she walketh arm yn arm by-twene. [ 823] Til at þe laste Antigone þe shene. Gan on a Troian song to synge clere. That it an heuene was hire voys to here. [ 826]

(119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.)

She seyde .O. loue to whom I haue and shal. [lf 29, bk] [ 827] Ben humble subgit trewe yn myn entente. As I best kan to yow lord yeue ych al. For euere more myn herte lust to-rente. [ 830] For neuere yet þi grace no wyght sente. So blysful cause. as me my lyf to lede. In al Ioye and surete out of drede. [ 833]

(120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.)

Þe blisful god han me so wel beset. [ 834] In loue y-wys þat al þat bereth lyf. ymagynen ne kowde how to ben bet. For lord with-outen Ialousye or stryf. [ 837] I loue oon which is most ententyf. To seruen wel vnwery or vnfeyned. That euere was and lest with harm distreyned. [ 840]

(121)

As he þat is þe welle of worþinesse. [ 841] Of trouþe ground myrour of goodlyhed. with Appollo ston of Secrenesse. Of vertu rote / of luf fyndere and hed. [ 844] Thurgh which is al sorwe fro me ded. I-wys I loue hym best so doth he me. Now good þryft haue he wher þat he be. [ 847]

(122)

Whom sholde I þanke but yow god of loue. [ 848] Of al þis blysse yn which to baþe I gynne. And þonked be ye lord for þat I loue. This is þe right lyf þat I am Inne. [ 851] To flemen alle manere vice and synne. This doth me so to vertu for to entende. That day by day I yn my wil amende. [ 854]

(123)

And who-so seyth þat for to loue is vice. [ 855] Or þraldom þough he fele yn it distressse. He ouþer is enuyous or right nyce. Or is vnmyghty for his shrewednesse. [ 858] To louen. for swych maner folk I gesse. Defamen loue. as no þyng of it knowe. They speken but þey bente neuere his bowe. [ 861]

(124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.)

What is the sonne wers of kynde right. [leaf 30] [ 862] Though þat a man for feblesse of his eyen. May nought endure on it to se for bryght. Or loue þe wers þough wrecches on it crien. [ 865] No wele is worth þat may no sorwe dryen. And for-þi he þat hath an hed of verre. Fro cast of stones war hym yn þe werre. [ 868]

(125)

But I with al myn hert and al my myght. [ 869] As I haue seyd wol loue vn-to my laste. My dere herte and al myn owene knyght. In whicħ myn herte is growen so faste. [ 872] And his in me. þat it shal euere laste. Al dredde I first to loue hym to bygynne. Now wote I wel þere is no peril Inne. [ 875]

[End of Antigone's Song of Love.]

(126)

And of hire song right with þat word she stynte. [ 876] And þerwith-al now nece quod Criseyde. who made þis song with so good entente. Antigone answerde a-noon and seyde. [ 879] Ma dame I-wys þe goodlyeste mayde. Of gret estat in al þe town of Troye. And led here lyf in most honour and Ioye. [ 882]

(127)

Forsothe so it semeth by hire song. [ 883] Quod þo Criseyde and gan þer-with to syke. And seyde lord is þere such blysse among. These louers as þey konne faire endite. [ 886] Ye wys quod fressħ Antigone þe white. For alle þe folk þat han or ben on lyue. Ne konne wel þe blysse of loue dyscriue. [ 889]

(128)

But wene ye þat euery wrecche wot. [ 890] The parfit blysse of loue why nay y-wys. They wenen al be loue yf oon be hoot. Do wey do wey þey wot no þyng of þis. [ 893] Men moste axe of seyntes if it is. Aught faire yn heuene whi for þey konne telle. And axen of fendes / is it ful yn helle. [ 896]

(129)

Criseyde vn-to þat purpos nought answerede. [leaf 30, back] [ 897] But seyde y-wys it wole be nyght as faste. But euery word which þat she of here herde. She gan to prenten yn here herte faste. [ 900] And ay gan loue hire lasse for to agaste. Than it dide erst and synken yn hire herte. That she was somwhat able to conuerte. [ 903]

(130)

The dayes honour and þe heuenes heighe. [ 904] The nyghtes fo al þis clepe I þe sonne. Gan westren faste and downward for to wrye. As he þat hadde his dayes cours y-ronne. [ 907] And white þynges wexen dymme and donne. For lak of lyght and sterres for to appere. That she and here folk in went y-fere. [ 910]

(131)

So whan it liked hire to gon to reste. [ 911] And voyded were þey þat voyden oughte. She seyde þat to slepe wel hire leste. Hire wommen soone til hire bed here broughte. [ 914] whan al was hust þanne lay she stille and þoughte. Of alle þis þyng þe manere and þe wyse. Reherce it nedeth nought for ye ben wyse. [ 917]

(132)

A nyghtyngale vpon a cedre grene. [ 918] Vpon þe chambre wal þere as she lay. Ful loude sang a-yen þe mone shene. Paraunter yn his bryddes wyse a lay. [ 921] Of loue þat made hire herte fressħ and gay. That herkened she so longe yn good entente. That at þe laste þe dede slep hire hente. [ 924]

(133)

And as she slep a-noon right þo here mette. [ 925] How þat an Egle feþered whit as bon. Vnder hire brest his longe clawes sette. And out hire herte he rente and þat a-noon. [ 928] And dide his hert in to hire brest to goon. Of which she nought a-gros ne no þing smerte. And forth he fleygh with herte left for herte. [ 931]

(134)

Now late here slepe and we oure tales holde. [leaf 31] [ 932] Of Troylus þat is to palays ryden. Fro þe skarmucħ of þe whiche I tolde. And yn his chambre sit and hath a-byden. [ 935] Til two or þre of his messages yeden. For Pandarus and sought hym ful faste. Til þey hym founde and brought hym at þe last. [ 938]

(135)

This Pandarus come lepyng in at ones. [ 939] And seide þus who hath ben wel y-bete. To day with swerdes. and with slyng stones. But Troylus þat hath caught hym now an hete. [ 942] And gan to Iape and seyde lord so ye swete. But rys and late vs soupe and go to reste. And he answered hym do we as þe leste. [ 945]

(136)

With al þe haste goodly þat þey myghte. [ 946] They spedde hem fro souper vn-to bedde. And euery wyght out at þe dore hym dyghte. And wher hym lyst vpon his wey he spedde. [ 949] But Troilus þoughte his herte bledde. For wo til þat he herde som tydynge. He seyde frend shal I now wepe or synge. [ 952]

(137)

Quod Pandarus ly stille and late vs slepe. [ 953] And don þyn hod thi nedes sped be. Chese if þow wolt synge or daunce or lepe. At short wordes þow shalt trowe me. [ 956] Sire my Nece wole do wel by þe. And loue þe best by god and by my trouþe. But lat of pursuyte make it in slouþe. [ 959]

(138)

For thus ferforth I haue þi worke bygonne. [ 960] Fro day to day til þis day by þe morwe. Here loue of frendship haue I to þe wonne. And also hath she leyd hire feyth to borwe. [ 963] Algate a fot is hameled of þi sorwe. what sholde I lengere sermon of it holde. As ye han herd byfore al he hym tolde. [ 966]

(139)

But right as floures thorugh þe colde of þe nyght. [leaf 31, back] [ 967] Yclosed stoupen on hire stalk lowe. Redressen hem a-yen þe sonne bryght. And spreden on hire kynde cours by rowe. [ 970] Right so gan tho his eyghen vp to þrowe. This Troylus / and seyde o Venus dere. Thi might þi grace y-hered be it here. [ 973]

(140)

And to Pandarus he held vp boþe his hondes. [ 974] And seyde lord al þyn be þat I haue. For I am hol al brosten ben my bonden. A þousand Troians who so þat me yaue. [ 977] Eche after oþer god so wys me saue. Ne myght me so gladen. lo myn herte. It spredeþ so for Ioye it wole to-sterte. [ 980]

(141)

But lord how shal I don how shal I lyuen. [ 981] whanne shal I nexst my dere herte se. How shal þis longe tyme a-wey ben y-drenen. Til þat þow be ayen at here fro me. [ 984] Thow mayst answere a-byd a-byd but he. That hangeth by þe nekke soth to seyne. In grete dishese a-bydeþ for þe peyne. [ 987]

(142)

Al esily now for þe loue of marte. [ 988] Quod Pandarus for euery þyng hath tyme. So longe a-byd til þat þe nyght departe. For al so syker as þow lyst here by me. [ 991] And god toforn I wole be þere at pryme. And for þi werk somwhat as I shal seye. Or on som other wyght þis charge leye. [ 994]

(143)

For parde god wot I haue euere yet. [ 995] Ben redy þe to serue and to þis nyght. Haue I nought fayned but emforth my wit. Don al þi lust and shal wiþ al my myght. [ 998] Do now as I shal seye and do a ryght. And if yow nylt / wyte al þi self þy care On me ys nought y-long þin yuel fare. [ 1001]

(144)

I wot þat thow wysere art þan .I. [ 1002] A þousand fold but if .I. were a[s] þow. God helpe me so as I wolde outrely. Of myn owene hond write here right now. [ 1005] A lettre in which I wolde here telle how. I ferd a-mys and here beseche of rouþe. Now help þi self and leue it not for alouþe. [ 1008]

(145)

And I myn self wil þer-with to here gon. [ 1009] And whanne þow wost þat I am with here þere. worth vp on a courser right a non. Ye hardyly yn þi beste gere. [ 1012] And ryd forth by þe place as nought ne were. And þow shalt fynde vs yf I may sittynge. At som wyndowe yn to þe strete lokynge. [ 1015]

(146)

And yf þe lyke þan maystow vs saluwe. [ 1016] And vp-on me make þi contenaunce. But by þi lyf be war and faste eschuwe. To taryen ought god shilde vs fro myschaunce. [ 1019] Ride forth þi wey and hold þy gouernaunce. And we shal speke of þe som what I trowe. Than þow art goon to do þyne eeres glowe. [ 1022]

(147)

Towchyng þi lettre þat þow art wys ynowh. [ 1023] I wot þow nylt it digneliche endite. As make it with þise argumentus towh. Ne scryuenyssh or craftily þow it wryte. [ 1026] Be-blotte it with þi teeris eke a lyte. And yf þow write a goodly word al softe. Though it be good reherce it not to ofte. [ 1029]

(148)

For þough þe best harpour vpon lyue. [ 1030] wolde on þe best sounded Ioly harpe. That euere was with all hise fyngres fyue. Touche ay o streng or ay o werbul harpe. [ 1033] were hise nayles poynted neuere so sharpe. It shulde make euery wyght to dulle. To here his gle and of hise strokes fulle. [ 1036]

(149)

Ne Iompre ek no discordaunt þing y-fere. [leaf 32, back] [ 1037] As þus to vsen termes of Phisyk. In loues / termes / hold vp þy matere. The forme alwey / and do þat it be lyk. [ 1040] For yf a peyntour wolde peynte a pyk. with asses feet and hede it as an ape. It cordeth nought / so were it but a Iape. [ 1043]

(150)

This counseyl liked wel vn-to Troylus. [ 1044] But as a dredful louere he seyde þis. Allas. my dere Broþer Pandarus. I am a-shamed for to write y-wys. [ 1047] Lest of myn Innocence I seyde a mys. Or that she nolde for despit receyue. Thanne were I ded þere myght it no thing weyue. [ 1050]

(151)

To þat Pandare answered yf þe lyst. [ 1051] Do þat I seye and lat me þerwith gon. For by hym that formede Est and west. I hope of it to brynge answere anoon. [ 1054] Of here hond and yf þat þow nylt non. Lat be. and sory mot he ben his lyue. A-yens þi lust þat helpeþ þe to þryue. [ 1057]

(152)

Quod Troylus depardieux I assente. [ 1058] Syn þat þe lyst I wil a-ryse and wryte. And blysful god I pray with good entente. The viage an þe lettre I shal endite. [ 1061] So spede it. and þow Mynerua þe white. Yef þow me wit my lettre to deuyse. And set hym down and wrot ryght yn þis wyse. [ 1064]

(153) (Troilus's Letter.)

Fyrst he gan his right lady calle. [ 1065] His hertes lyf / his lust his sorwes lece. His blysse. and ek þis oþere termes alle. That yn such cas alle þese loueres seche. [ 1068] And yn ful humble wyse as in his speche. He gan hym recomaunde vn-to here grace. To telle al how it axeth muche space. [ 1071]

(154)

And after ful louely he here prayede. [leaf 33] [ 1072] To be nought wroth þough he of his folye. So hardy was to hire to write and seyde. That loue it made or elles moste he dye. [ 1075] And pitously gan mercy for to crye. And after þat he seyde and ley ful loude. Hym self was lytel worth and lesse he koude. [ 1078]

(155)

And þat she wold han his konnyng excused. [ 1079] That litel was and ek he dredde hire so. And his vnworþynesse he ay acused. And after þat þan gan he telle his wo. [ 1082] But þat was endeles with-outen ho. And seyde he wolde yn trouþe alwey hym holde. And radde it ouer and gan þe lettre folde. [ 1085]

(End of Troilus's Letter.)

(156)

And with his salty teres gan he bathe. [ 1086] The ruby yn his signet and it sette. Vpon þe wex delyuerlyche and raþe. Ther-with a þousand tymes er he lette. [ 1089] He cussed þo þe lettre þat he shette. And seyde / lettre / a blysful destene. The shapen is my lady shal þe se. [ 1092]

(157)

This Pandarus tok þe lettre and þat by tyme. [ 1093] A morwe and to his Neces paleys sterte. And faste he swor þat is was passed pryme. And gan to Iape and seyde y-wys myn herte. [ 1096] So fressħ it is al-þough it so smerte. I may not slepe neuere a Mayes morwe. I haue a Ioly wo / a lusty sorwe. [ 1099]

(158)

Criseyde whan þat she here vncle herde. [ 1100] with dredful herte and desirous to here. The cause of his comynge þus answerede. Now by youre feyth myn vncle quod she dere. [ 1103] what maner wyndes gydeth yow now here. Tel vs youre Ioly wo and youre penaunce. How ferforth be ye put yn loues daunce. [ 1106]

(159)

By god quod he I hope alwey by-hynde. [leaf 33, back] [ 1107] And she to laughe it þought here herte brest. Quod Pandarus lok alwey ye fynde. Game in myn hod but herkeneth yf yow leste. [ 1110] Ther is right now y-come in to towne a geste. A griek espie and telleth newe þynges. For which I am come to telle yow newe tidynges. [ 1113]

(160)

In to þe gardyn go we and ye shal here. [ 1114] Al preuely of þis a long sermon. with þat þey wente arm in arm y fere. In to þe gardeyn from þe chaumbre doun. [ 1117] And whan þat he so fer was þat þe soun. Of þat þey spoke. no man here myghte. He seyd here þus and out þe lettre plighte. [ 1120]

(161)

Lo he þat is al holly youres fre. [ 1121] Hym recomaundeth lowly to youre grace. And sent you þis lettre here by me. Auiseth you on it whan ye han space. [ 1124] And of som goodly answere yow purchace. Or helpe me god so pleynly for to seyne. He may not longe lyuen for his peyne. [ 1127]

(162)

Ful dredfully þo gan she stonde stille. [ 1128] And tok it nought but al here humble chere. Gan for to chaung and seyde scryt ne bille. For loue of god þat toucheþ þis matere. [ 1131] Ne bryng me noon. and also vncle dere. To myn estat haue more reward I preye. Than to his lust what sholde I more seye. [ 1134]

(163)

And loketh now yf þis be resonable. [ 1135] And letteth nought for fauour ne for slouthe. To sey a soth now were it couenable. To myn estat by god and by youre trouþe. [ 1138] To taken it or to han of hym routhe. In harmyng of my-self or yn repreue. Ber it a-yeyn for hym þat ye on leue. [ 1141]

(164)

This Pandarus gan on here for to stare. [leaf 34] [ 1142] And seyde now is þis þe grettest wonder. That euere I sey lat be þis nyce fare. To deth mot I be smet with þonder. [ 1145] If for þe Cite whiche þat stondeth yonder. wold I a lettre vn-to yow brynge or take. To harm of yow what lyst yow þus to make. [ 1148]

(165)

But þus ye faren wel nyh al and some. [ 1149] That he þat most desireth yow to serue. Of hym ye recche lest wher he bycome. And wheþer þat he lyue or elles sterue. [ 1152] But for al þat / þat euere I may deserue. Refuse it nought quod he and hent here faste. And yn here bosom þe lettre doun he þraste. [ 1155]

(166)

And seyde here now cast it a-way or noon. [ 1156] That folk may sen and gaueren on vs tweye. Quod she I kan a-byde til þey be gon. And gan to smyle and seyde Em I preye. [ 1159] Swych answere as yow lyst yow self purueye. For trewely I wole no lettre write. No þanne wole I quod he so ye endite. [ 1162]

(167)

Therwith she lough and seyde go we dyne. [ 1163] And he gan at hym-self to Iape faste. And seyde Nece I haue so gret a pyne. For loue þat euery oþer day I faste. [ 1166] And gan hise beste Iapes forth to caste. And made here so to laughe at his folye. That she for laughter wende for to dye. [ 1169]

(168)

And whanne þat she was comen in to halle. [ 1170] Now Em quod she we wole go dyne a-noon. And gan som of hire women to hire calle. And streygh[t] in to here chaumbre gan she gon. [ 1173] But of hire bysynesse þis was on. A-monges oþere þynges out of drede. Ful preuyly þis lettre for to rede. [ 1176]

(169)

Auysed word by word yn euery lyne. [leaf 34, back] [ 1177] And fond no lak she þoughte he koude good. And vp it putte and went hire yn to dyne. And Pandarus þat yn a study stood. [ 1180] Er he was war she took by þe hood. And seyde ye were caught er ye wyste. I vouche sauf quod he do what yow lyste. [ 1183]

(170)

Tho wesshen þey and sette hem doun & ete. [ 1184] And after noone ful sleyly Pandarus. Gan drawe hym to þe wyndowe nexst þe strete. And seyde Nece who hath arayed þus. [ 1187] The yonder hous þat stant a-forn yeyn vs. which hous quod she. and gan for to byholde. And knew it wel / and whos it was hym tolde. [ 1190]

(171)

And fillen forth yn speche of þynges smale. [ 1191] And seten yn þe wyndowe boþe tweye. whan Pandarus sawe tyme to his tale. And saw wel þat here folk weren a-weye. [ 1194] Now Nece myn tel on quod he I seye. How liketh yow þe lettre þat ye wot. Kan he þer-on for by my trouþe I not. [ 1197]

(172)

Therwith al rosy hewed wax she. [ 1198] And gan to humme and seyde so I trowe. A-quyte hym wel for goddes loue quod he. My-self to medes wole þe lettre sowe. [ 1201] And held hise honde vp and sat on knowe. Now goode Nece be it neuere so lyte. Yif me þe labour it to sowe and plyte. [ 1204]

(173)

Ye for I kan so write quod she þo. [ 1205] And ek I not what I sholde to hym seye. Nay Nece quod Pandare sey not so. Yet at the leste þanketh hym I preye. [ 1208] Of his good wil and doth hym not to deye. Now for þe loue of me my Nece dere. Refuseth not at þis tyme my preyere. [ 1211]

(174)

Depar dieux quod she god leue al be wel. [leaf 35] [ 1212] God helpe me so þis is þe firste lettre. That euere I wrote ye al or ony del. And in to a closet for to auyse here bettre. [ 1215] She wente allone and gan hire herte vnfettre. Out of disdayns prison but a lyte. And sette here doun and gan a lettre write. [ 1218]

(175)

Of which to telle in short is myn entente. [ 1219] Theffect as fer as I kan vnderstonde. She þonked hym of al þat he wel mente. Towardes hire / but holden hym in honde. [ 1222] She wolde nought ne make hire-self bonde. In loue. but as his suster hym to plese. She wolde fayne to don his herte an ese. [ 1225]

(176)

She shette it and to Pandarus gan gon [ 1226] There as he sat and loked in to a strete. And doun she sette here by hym on a ston. Of Iaspre. vp-on a quysshon gold y-bete. [ 1229] And seyde as wysly helpe me god þe grete. I neuere dide a þing with more peyne. Than write this to whiche ye me constreyne. [ 1232]

(177)

And tok it hym he þonked here and seyde. [ 1233] God wot of þing ful ofte loth bygonne. Cometh ende good / and Nece myn Criseyde. That ye to hym of hard now be y-wonne. [ 1236] Oughte he be glad by god and yonder sonne. For whi men seyth impressions lyghte. Ful lyghtly ben ay redy to þe flyghte. [ 1239]

(178)

But ye han pleyed tyraunt neigh to longe. [ 1240] And hard was it youre herte for to graue. Now stynte þat ye no longere on it honge. Al wolde ye þe forme of daunger saue. [ 1243] But hasteþ yow to don hym Ioye haue. For trusteth wel to longe don hardnesse. Causeth despit ful often for distresse. [ 1246]

(179)

And right as he declamed this matere. [leaf 35, back] [ 1247] Lo Troylus right at þe stretes ende. Com rydyng with his tenþe some yfere. Al softly / and þederwardes gan bende. [ 1250] Ther as þey sete as was his wey to wende. To paylaysward. and Pandarus hym aspyde. And seyde Nece y-se who cometh here ryde. [ 1253]

(180)

O fle not yn / he seyth vs I suppose. [ 1254] Lest he may þynke þat ye hym eschuwe. Nay nay quod she / and waxe as red as þe rose. with þat he gan hire humbly to saluwe. [ 1257] with dredful chere and ofte his hewes muwe. And vp his look debonairly he caste. And bekked on Pandare and forth paste. [ 1260]

(181)

God wot yf he sat on his hors a right. [ 1261] Or goodly was beseyn þat ilke day. God wot whe[r] he was lyk a manly knyght. what sholde .I. drecche or telle of his aray. [ 1264] Criseyde whicħ þat aɫɫ these þynges say. To telle yn short hire lyked al yfere. His persone his aray his look his chere. [ 1267]

(182)

His goodly manere and his gentillesse. [ 1268] So wel þat neuere sith þat she was born. Ne hadde she swych a rouþe of his distresse. And how so she hath hard ben here byforn. [ 1271] To god hope I she hath nowe caught a þorn. She shal not pulle it out þis nexst wyke. God sende mo swich þornes on to pyke. [ 1274]

(183)

Pandare which þat stod hire faste by. [ 1275] Felt Iren hot and he by-gan to smyte. And seyde Nece I pray yow hertely. Telle me þat I shal axen yow a lyte. [ 1278] A womman þat were of his deth to wyte. with-outen his gilt but for hire lakked routhe. were it wel don / quod she nay by my trouthe. [ 1281]

(184)

God helpe me so quod he ye sey me soth. [leaf 36] [ 1282] Ye felen wel youre self þat I not lye. Lo yend he ritt / quod she so he doth. wel quod Pandare as I haue told yow þrye. [ 1285] Lat be youre Nice shame and youre folye. And spek with hym in esyng of his herte. Lat Nicete not do yow boþe smerte. [ 1288]

(185)

But þer-on was to heuen and to done. [ 1289] Considered all þyng it may not be. And whi for shame / and it were ek to soone. To graunten hym so gret a liberte. [ 1292] For playnly hire entent as seyde she. was for to loue hym vnwist if she myghte. And guerdone hym with no þyng but with sighte. [ 1295]

(186)

But Pandarus þoughte it shal not be so. [ 1296] Yf þat I may this nyce opinioun. Schal not be holde fully yeres two. what sholde I make of þis a long sermoun. [ 1299] He moste assente on þat conclusioun. As for þe tyme and whanne þat it was Eue. And al was wel / he ros and toke his leue. [ 1302]

(187)

And on his wey ful faste homward he spedde. [ 1303] And right for Ioye he felte his herte daunce. And Troylus he fond a-lone a-bedde. That lay as doth þese loueres yn a traunce. [ 1306] By-twixen hope and derk desesperaunce. But Pandarus right at his in-comynge. He song as who seyth sumwhat I brynge. [ 1309]

(188)

And seyde who is in his bed so soone. [ 1310] Y-buryed þus / it am I frend quod he who Troylus / nay helpe me so þe mone Quo[d] Pandarus þow shalt ryse and se. [ 1313] A charme þat was sent right now to þe. The which kan helen þe of þyn accesse. yf þow do forth with al þi besynesse. [ 1316]

(189)

Ye thorugh þe myght of god quod Troylus. [leaf 36, back] [ 1317] And Pandarus gan hym þe lettre take. And seyde Par de god hath holpen vs. Haue here a lyght and loke on al þis blake. [ 1320] But ofte gan þe herte glade and quake. Of Troylus whil þat he gan it rede. So as þe wordes yaf hym hope or drede. [ 1323]

(190)

But fynally he tok al for þe beste. [ 1324] That she hym wrot for sumwhat he byheld. On which hym þoughte he myghte his herte reste. Al couered she þe wordes vnder sheld. [ 1327] Thus to þe more worþi part he held. That what for hope and Pandarus byhest His grete wo foryede he at þe leste. [ 1330]

(191)

But as we may alday oure seluen se. [ 1331] Thorugh more wode and col þe more fyr. Right so encres of hope of what it be. Therwith ful ofte encresseth ek desir. [ 1334] Or as an ok cometh of a litel spir. So þorugh þis letre which þat she hym sente. Encressen gan desir of which he brente. [ 1337]

(192)

Wherfore I seye alwey þat day and nyght. [ 1338] This Troylus gan to desiren more. Than he dede erst þurgh hope and dide his myght. To pressen on as by Pandarus lore. [ 1341] And writen to hire of his sorwes sore. Fro day to day he leet it not refreyde. That by Pandare he wrot somwhat or seyde. [ 1344]

(193)

And dide also hise oþere obseruaunces. [ 1345] That to a louere longeth yn þis cas. And after þat þese dees turnede on chaunces. So was he outher glad or seyde allas. [ 1348] And held after his gistes ay his pas. And aftir swych answeres as he hadde. So were hise dayes sory outher glade. [ 1351]

(194)

But to Pandarus alwey was his recours. [leaf 37] [ 1352] And pytously gan ay til hym to pleyne. And hym bysoughte of red and som socours. And Pandarus þat sey his wod peyne. [ 1355] wex wel neigh ded for ruþe soth to seyne. And bysily with al his herte caste. Som of his wo to slen and þat as faste. [ 1358]

(195)

And seyde lord and frend and broþer dere. [ 1359] God wot þat þi dishese doth me wo. But woltow stynten al þis woful chere. And by my trouþe or it be dayes two. [ 1362] And god to-forn yet shal I shape it so. That þou shalt come in to a certayn place. There as þow mayst þi self hire preye of grace. [ 1365]

(196)

And certaynly I not yf þow it wost. [ 1366] But þo þat ben expert yn loue it seye. It is oon of þe þynges þat furþereth most. A man to haue a leyser for to preye. [ 1369] And syker place his wo for to bywreye. For yn good herte it mot som rouþe impresse. To here and se þe gilt[l]es in distresse. [ 1372]

(197)

Paraunter þenkestow þough it be so. [ 1373] That kynde wolde don here to bygynne. To han a manere rouþe vp-on my wo. Seyth daunger nay þow shalt me neuere wynne. [ 1376] So reuleþ here hire hirtes gost with-Inne. That þough she bende yet she stant on rote. That in effect is þis vn-to my bote. [ 1379]

(198)

Thenk here a-yens whan þat þe sturdy ok. [ 1380] On which men hakketh ofte for þe nones. Receyued hath þe happy fallyng strok. The grete sweigh doth it to come al at onys. [ 1383] As doth þese rokkes or þese myl-stones. For swyfter cours cometh þyng þat is of wighte. whan it descendeth þan don þynges lyghte. [ 1386]

(199)

And ried þat boweth doun for euery blast. [leaf 37, back] [ 1387] Ful lightly cesse wynde it wold a-ryse. But so nyl not an ok whan it is cast. It nedeth me nought þe longe to forbyse. [ 1390] Men shal reioyssen of a gret emprise. Acheued wel and stant with-outen doute. Al han men ben þe lengere þer aboute. [ 1393]

(200)

But Troylus yet telle me yf þe lyste. [ 1394] A þing now which þat I shal axen þe. which is þi broþer þat þow louest best. As yn þi verray hertes preuyte. [ 1397] I-wys my broþer deyphebus quod he. Now quod Pandare er owres twyes twelue. He shal þe ese vnwyst of it hym selue. [ 1400]

(201)

Now lat me allone and werken as I may. [ 1401] Quod he and to Deiphebus wente he þo. which hadde his lord and gret frend ben ay. Saue Troylus no man he loued so. [ 1404] To telle in short with-outen wordes mo. Quod Pandarus I pray yow þat ye be. Frend to a cause whiche þat toucheþ me. [ 1407]

(202)

Yis parde quod Deiphebus wel þow wost. [ 1408] In al þat euere I may and god to-forn. Al nere it but for man I loue most. My broþer Troylus but sey wherfore. [ 1411] It is / for sith þat day þat I was bore. I na / ne neuere mo to ben I þenke. A-yeyns a þyng þat myght þe for-thynke. [ 1414]

(203)

Pandare gan hym þonke and to hym seyde. [ 1415] Lo sire I haue a lady yn þis town. That is my nece and called is Criseyde. which som men wolden do oppressioun. [ 1418] And wrongfully haue hire possessioun. wherfor I of youre lordship yow byseche. To ben oure frend with-oute more speche. [ 1421]

(204)

Deiphebus hym answerde o is not þis. [leaf 38] [ 1422] That þow spekest of to me so straungely. Criseyda my frend / he seyde yis. Thanne nedeth quod Deiphebus hardely. [ 1425] Nomore to speke for trusteþ wel þat I. wol be hire champioun with spore and yerde. I rought nought þough alle here foos it herde. [ 1428]

(205)

But telle me þow þat wost alle þis matere. [ 1429] How I myght best auaylen now lat se. Quod Pandarus yf ye my lord so dere. wolden as now don þis honour to me. [ 1432] To prayen here to morwe. lo þat she. Com vn-to yow here pleyntes to deuyse. Hire aduersaries wolde of hit agryse. [ 1435]

(206)

And yf I more dorste prey yow as now. [ 1436] And chargen yow to haue so gret trauayle. To han som of youre breþeren here with yow. That myghten to here cause bet auayle. [ 1439] Than wot I wel she myght neuere fayle. For to be holpen what at youre Instaunce. what with here oþere frendes gouernaunce. [ 1442]

(207)

Deiphebus wh[i]ch þat comen was of kynde. [ 1443] To al honour and bounte to consente. Answered it shal be don / and I kan fynde. Yet grettere help to þis yn myn entente. [ 1446] what wolt þow seyn yf I for Eleyne sente. To speke of þis I trowe it be þe beste. For she may ledyn Paris as here leste. [ 1449]

(208)

Of Ector which þat is my lord my broþer. [ 1450] It nedeth nought to prey hym frend to be. For I haue herd hym o tyme ek and oþer. Speke of Criseyde swich honour þat he. [ 1453] May seyn no bet swych hap to hym haþ she. It nedeth nought his helpes for to craue. He shal be swych right as we wole hym haue. [ 1456]

(209)

Spek þow þi-self also to Troylus. [leaf 38, back] [ 1457] On myn byhalue and pray hym with vs dyne. Sire al þis shal be don quod Pandarus. And toke his leue. and neuere wolde he fyne. [ 1460] But to his Neces hous as streyt as lyne. He com. and fond here fro þe mete a-ryse. And sette hym down. and spak right in þis wyse. [ 1463]

(210)

He seyde o veray god. so haue I ronne. [ 1464] Lo Nece se ye nought how I swete. I not wheþer ye me þe more þank konne. Be nought war how fals Polyphete. [ 1467] Is now abowte eft soones for to plete. And bryng on yow aduocacies newe. I no quod she and chaunged al here hewe. [ 1470]

(211)

What is he more aboute me to drecche. [ 1471] And don me wrong what shal I do allas. Yet of hym self no þyng nold I reche. Nere it for Antenor and Eneas. [ 1474] That ben his frendys yn swych manere cas. But for þe loue of god myn vncle dere. No fors of þat late hym haue al y-fere. [ 1477]

(212)

With-outen þat I haue y-nowh for vs. [ 1478] Nay quod Pandare it shal no þyng be so. For I haue ben right now at Deiphebus. And Ector / and myne oþere lordes mo. [ 1481] And shortly made eche of hem his fo. That by my thryft he shal it neuere wynne. For ought he kan whan þat so he bygynne. [ 1484]

(213)

And as þey casten what was best to done. [ 1485] Deiphebus of his owene curtasye. Come hire to preye yn his propre persone. To holde hym on þe morwe companye. [ 1488] At dyner. which she wolde not denye. But good gan to his preyere obeye. He þonked hire and wente vp-on his weye. [ 1491]

(214)

Whanne þis was don þis Pandare vp a-noon. [leaf 39] [ 1492] To tellen in short and forth gan for to wende. To Troilus as stille as ony ston. And al þis þing he told hym word and ende. [ 1495] And how þat he Deiphbus gan to blende. And seyde hym now is tyme if þat þow konne. To bere þe wel to morwe and al is wonne. [ 1498]

(215)

Now spek / now prey / now pitously compleyne. [ 1499] Lat not for Nice shame or drede or slouþe. Som tyme a man mot telle his owene peyne. Bileue it and she shal han on the rouþe. [ 1502] Thow shalt be saued by þi feyth in trouþe. But wel wot I yow art now yn drede. And what it is I leye I kan arede. [ 1505]

(216)

Thow þinkest now how sholde I don al þis. [ 1506] For be my cheres mosten folk a-spye. That for hire loue is þat I fare a-mys. That badde I leuere vnwyst for sorwe dye. [ 1509] Now þenk not so for þou dost gret folye. For right now haue I founden o manere. Of sleyghte. for to coueren al þi chere. [ 1512]

(217)

Thow shalt gon ouer nyght and þat blyue. [ 1513] Vn-to Deiphebus hous as þe to pleye. Thi maladye a-wey þe bet to dryue. For-why þou semest syk soth for to seye. [ 1516] So after þat doun in þi bed þe leye. And sey þow mayst no lengere vp endure. And lye right þere and byde þyn auenture. [ 1519]

(218)

Sey þat þi feuer is wont þe for to take. [ 1520] The same tyme and lasten til a morwe. And lat se now how wel þow kanst it make. For par de syk is he þat is in sorwe. [ 1523] Go now farewel and Venus here to borwe. I hope and þow þis purpos holde ferme. Thi grace she shal þere fully conferme. [ 1526]

(219)

Quod Troylus y-wys now nedeles. [leaf 39, back] [ 1527] Counseylest me that syklyche I me feyne. For I am syk yn ernest douteles. So þat wel neygh I sterue for þe peyne. [ 1530] Quod Pandarus þow shalt þe betre pleyne. And hast lasse nede to countrefete. For hym men demen hot þat men seen swete. [ 1533]

(220)

Lo holde the at þi tryste clos and .I. [ 1534] Shal wel the der vn-to þi bowe dryue. Therwith he tok his leue softely. And Troylus to Palays wente blyue. [ 1537] So glad ne was he neuere yn al his lyue. And to Pandarus reed gan all assente. And to Deiphebus hous at nyght he wente. [ 1540]

(221)

What nedeth yow to tellen al þe chere. [ 1541] That Deiphebus vn-to his broþer made. Or his accesse or his syklyche manere. How men gan hym with cloþes for to lade. [ 1544] Whanne he was leyd and how men wolde hym glade. But al for nought he held forth ay þe wyse. That ye han herd Pandare er þis deuyse. [ 1547]

(222)

But certeyn is / er Troylus hym leyde. [ 1548] Deiphebus had hym prayed ouer nyght. To ben a frend and helpyng to Criseyde. God wot þat he it grauntede a-noon right. [ 1551] To ben here fulle frend with al his myght. But swych a nede was to prey hym þenne. As for to bydde a womman for to renne. [ 1554]

(223)

The morwen com and neyhen gan þe tyme. [ 1555] Of meltid. þat þe faire queene Eleyne. Shapt here to ben an owre after þe pryme. with Deiphebus to whom she nold not feyne. [ 1558] But as his suster homly for to seyne. She com to dyner yn here playn entente. But god and Pandare wyst what al þis mente. [ 1561]

(224)

Come ek Criseyde al Innocent of this. [leaf 40] [ 1562] Antigone hire sister Tarbe also. But fle we now prolixite best is. For loue of god and lat vs faste go. [ 1565] Right to þe effect with-oute tales mo. whi al þis folk assembled in þis place. And late vs of here saluynges pace. [ 1568]

(225)

Gret honour dide hem Deiphebus certeyn. [ 1569] And fedde hem wel with al þat myghte like. But euere more allas was his refreyn. My goode broþer Troylus the syke. [ 1572] Lyth yet. and þerwith-al he gan to syke. And after þat he peyned hym to glade. Hem as he myghte and chere good he made. [ 1575]

(226)

Compleyned ek Eleyne of his sykenesse. [ 1576] So feythfully þat pite was to here. And euery wight gan waxen for accesse. A leche a-noon and seyde in þis manere. [ 1579] Men curen folk þis charme I wole yow lere. But þere sat oon / al lyst here nought to teche. That þought best cowede I yet ben his leche. [ 1582]

(227)

After compleynt hym gonnen þei to preyse. [ 1583] As folk don yet whan som wyght hath by-gonne. To preyse a man. and with prys hym reyse. A þousand fold yet hyer þan þe sonne. [ 1586] He is / he kan / þat fewe lordes konne. And Pandarus of þat he wolde afferme. He not for-gat here preysyng to conferme. [ 1589]

(228)

Herde al þis þyng Criseyde wel y-nowh. [ 1590] And euery word gan to notefye. For whiche with sobre chere here herte lowh. For who is þat ne wold here glorifye. [ 1593] To mowen swych a knyght lyue or dye. But al passe I lyst ye to longe dwelle. For for o fyn is al þat euere I telle. [ 1596]

(229)

The tyme come fro dyner for to ryse. [leaf 40, back] [ 1597] And as hem oughte aryse euerychon. And gonne a while of þis and þat deuyse. But Pandarus brak al þis speche a-noon. [ 1600] And seide to Deiphebus wole ye gone. If youre wille be as I yow preyde. To speke here / of þe nedes of Criseyde. [ 1603]

(230)

Eleyne whiche þat by þe hond here held. [ 1604] To first þe tale and seyde go we blyue. And goodly on Criseyde she by-held. And seyde Ioues lat hym neuere þryue. [ 1607] That doth yow harm and bryng hym soone of lyue. And yeue me sorwe but he shal it rewe. If þat I may / and alle folk be trewe. [ 1610]

(231)

Teɫɫ yow þi Neces cas quod Deiphebus. [ 1611] To pandarus / for þow kanst best it telle. My lordys and my ladyes it stant þus. what sholde I lengere quod he do yow dwelle. [ 1614] He rong hem a proces lyk a belle. Vp-on here fo þat highte poliphete. So heynous þat men myghte on it spete. [ 1617]

(232)

Answere of þis eche worse of hem þan oþer. [ 1618] And Poliphete þey gonnen þus to waryen. An-honged be swycħ on were he my broþer. And so he shal for he ne may not varyen. [ 1621] what sholde I lengere yn þis tale taryen. Pleynly al at ones þey here hyghten. To ben hire helpe yn al þat euere þey myghten. [ 1624]

(233)

Spak þan Eleyne and seyde Pandarus. [ 1625] woot ought my lord my broþer þis matere. I mene Ector or wot it Troylus He seyde ye but wole ye now here. [ 1628] Me þenketh þis / sith þat Troylus is here. It wore good. If þat ye wolde assente. She told here self / hym al þis er she wente. [ 1631]

(234)

For he wole haue þe more here grief at herte. [leaf 41] [ 1632] By cause / lo / þat she a lady ys. And by youre leue I wole but right yn sterte. And yow wete and þat a-noon y-wys. [ 1635] If þat he slepe. or wole ought here of þis. And yn he lepte and seyde hym in his ere. God haue þi soule I-brought haue I þe bere. [ 1638]

(235)

To smylen of þis gan þo Troylus. [ 1639] And Pandarus with-oute rekenynge. Out wente a-noon to Eleyne and Deiphebus. And seyde hem so þere be no trayinge. [ 1642] Ne more pres he wole wel þat ye brynge. Criseyda my lady þat is here. And as he may endure he wole here. [ 1645]

(236)

But wel ye wot þe chaumbre is but lite. [ 1646] And fewe folk lightly may make it warm. Now loke ye for I wole haue no wyte. To bryng yn pres þat myghte don harm. [ 1649] Or hym dishesen for my bettre arm. wher it be bet she byde til eft sones. Now loke ye þat knoweth what to don is. [ 1652]

(237)

I sey for me best is as I kan knowe. [ 1653] That no wight yn ne wente but ye tweye. But it were I for I kan yn a þrowe. Reherce here cas vnlyk þat she kan seye. [ 1656] And after þis she may hym ones preye. To ben good lord yn short and take here leue. This may not mechel of his ese hym reue. [ 1659]

(238)

And ek for she is straunge he wole for-bere. [ 1660] His ese. which þat he þar nought for yow. Ek oþer. þing þat toucher not to here. He wole me telle I wot it wel right now. [ 1663] That secret is. and for þe townes prow. And þey þat no þing knewe of þis entent. with-oute more to Troilus yn þei went. [ 1666]

(239)

Eleyne in al here goode softly wyse. [ 1667] Gan hym saluwe and womanly to pleye. And seyde ywys ye moste alweyes a-ryse. Now fare broþer beth al hool I preye. [ 1670] And gan here arm right ouer his sholder leye. And hym with al here wit to recomforte. As she best kowde / she gan hym disporte. [ 1673]

(240)

So after þis / quod she we yow byseche. [ 1674] My dere broþer Deiphebus and .I. For loue of god and so doth Pandare eke. To ben good lord and frende right hertely. [ 1677] Vn-to Criseyde which that certeynly. Receyueth wrong / as wot wel here Pandare. That kan here cas wel bet þat I declare. [ 1680]

(241)

This Pandarus gan newe his tunge affyle. [ 1681] And al here cas reherce and þat anoon. whan it was seyd / soone after in a while. Quod Troylus as soon as I may gon. [ 1684] I wole right fayn with al my myght ben oon. Haue god my trouþe here cause to susteyne. Good þryft haue ye quod Eleyne þe queene. [ 1687]

(242)

Quod Pandarus and it youre wille be. [ 1688] That she may take here leue er þat she go. O elles god for-bede quod he. If that she vouche saf for to do so. [ 1691] And with þat word quod Troilus ye two. Deiphebus and my suster leef and dere. To yow haue I to speke of o matere. [ 1694]

(243)

To ben auysed by youre red þe bettre. [ 1695] And fond as hap was at his beddes hed. The copye of a tretes and a lettre. That Ector hade hym sent to axen red. [ 1698] If swych a man was worþi to ben ded. woot I nought who but in a grysly wyse. He preyede hem a-noon on it auyse. [ 1701]

(244)

Deiphebus gan this lettre to vnfolde. [leaf 42] [ 1702] In ernest gret{punctel} so dede Eleyne þe queene. And romynge outward fast it gan byholde. Downward a steyre in to an herber grene. [ 1705] This ilke þinge þei redden hem by-twene. And largely þe mountaunce of an owre. Thei gon on it to rede and to powre. [ 1708]

(245)

Now late hem rede and turne we a-noon. [ 1709] To Pandarus þat gan ful faste prye. That al was wel and out he gan to gon. In to þe grete chambre and þat yn hye. [ 1712] And seyde god saue al þis companye. Come Nece myn my lady queene Eleyne. [[Eleyne later]] Abydeth yow / and ek my lordes tweyne. [ 1715]

(246)

Rys take with yow yowre Nece Antigone. [ 1716] Or whom yow lyst or no fors hardyly. The lasse pres þe bet come forth with me. And loke þat ye þonke humbely. [ 1719] Hem alle þre and whan ye may goodly. Youre tyme y-se taketh of hem youre leue. Lest we to longe of his reste hym reue. [ 1722]

(247)

Al Incocent of Pandarus entente. [ 1723] Quod tho Criseyde go we vncle dere. And arm in arm Inward with hym she wente. Auysed wel here wordes and here chere. [ 1726] And Pandarus yn ernestful manere. Seyde alle folk for goddes loue I preye. Stynteth right here and softely yow pleye. [ 1729]

(248)

Avise yow what folk ben here with-Inne. [ 1730] And in what plit oon is god hym amende. And Inward þus ful softely bygynne. Nece I coniure and heighly yow defende. [ 1733] On his by-halue which þat vs alle sowle sende. And in þe vertue of corounes tweyne. Sle nought þis man þat hath for yow þis peyne. [ 1736]

(249)

Fy on the deuel þenk whicħ on he is. [leaf 42, back] [ 1737] And in what plyt he lith com of a-noon. Thenk þat al swych taried tid but lost it nys. That wole ye bothe. seyn whan ye ben on. [ 1740] Secundelich þer yet deuyneth noon. Vp-on yow two com of now yf ye konne. whil folk is blent / lo al þe tyme is wonne. [ 1743]

(250)

In titeryng and pursuyte and delayes. [ 1744] The folk deuyne at waggynge of a stre. And þough ye wolden han after merye dayes. Than dar ye nought / and why for she and she. [ 1747] Spak swych a word þus loked he and he. Las tyme y-lost .I. dar not with yow dele. Com of þerfore and bryngeth hym to hele. [ 1750]

(251)

But now to yow ye louers þat ben here. [ 1751] was Troylus nought in a kankedort. That lay and myghte whysprynge of hem here. And þought o lord ryght now renneth my sort. [ 1754] Fully to dye or han a-noon comfort. And was þe firste tyme he shulde here preye. Of loue .o. myghti god what shal I seye. [ 1757]

Explicit Secundus liber.

[Harleian MS 2280, leaf 13, back.]

Incipit Prohemium secundi libri./

(1)

Out of þise blake wawes for to saylle [leaf 14] [ 1] O wynde o wynde / þe weder gynneþ to clere For in þis see þe boot hath swiche trauaylle Of my coniynge þat vnnethe I it steere [ 4] Þis see clepe I the tempestous matere Of desespeyre þat Troylus was Inne But now of hope þe kalendes bigynne [ 7]

Inuocacio (2)

¶ O lady myn þat called art cleo [ 8] Þow be my spede / fro þis forth and my Muse To ryme wel þis book tyl I haue do Me nedeth here noon ooþer art to vse [ 11] For why to euery louer I me excuse Þat of no sentement I þis endyte But out of latyn in my tonge it write [ 14]

(3)

¶ Wher-for I nyl haue / neyther þanke ne blame [ 15] Of al þis werk / but preye ȝow mekely Desblameth me / if any worde be lame For as myn auctor seyde me / so seye I [ 18] Ek though I speke of loue vnfelyngly No wonder is / for it no þinge of new is A blynde man kan nat Iuggen wel in hewis [ 21]

(4)

¶ Ȝe knowe ek þat in forme of speche is chaunge [ 22] with-Inne a thowsand ȝere and wordes tho That hadden prys / now wonder nyce and straunge Vs thynketh hem / and ȝet þai spake hem so [ 25] And spedde as wele in loue as men now do. Ek for to wynnen loue in sondry ages In sondry londes / sondry ben vsages [ 28]

(5)

¶ And for-þi if it happe in any wyse [ 29] Þat heere be any louer in þis place Þat herkeneth as þe story wol deuise How Troylus com to his lady grace [ 32] And thynketh / so nolde nat I loue purchace Or wondreth on his speche or his doynge I not but it is me no wondrynge [ 35]

(6)

¶ For euery wyght wheche þat to rome wente [ 36] Halt nat o path / or alwey o manere Ek in some londe were al þe gamen shente If þat þei ferde in loue as men doon here [ 39] As þus / in opyn doynge / or in chere In visitynge / in forme / or seyde hire sawes For-þi men seyn eche contree hath his lawes [ 42]

(7)

¶ Ek scarsly ben þer in þis place thre [leaf 14, back] [ 43] Þat han in loue seyd lik and done in alle For to þi purpos þis may liken þe Quid þe right naught / ȝet all is or schalle [ 46] Ek some men graue in tree some in stonwalle As it bitit but syn I haue bigonne Myn auctour shal I folwen If I konne. [ 49]

Explicit prohemium secundi libri.

Incipit liber secundus.

(8)

IN may þat moder is of monthes gladde [ 50] Þat fressch[e] floures / blew and white and rede Ben quike agayne / þat wynter dede made And ful of bawme is fletynge euery mede [ 53] when phebus dothe his bryght[e] bemes sprede Ryght in þe white bool it so bytydde As I shal synge / on mayes day þe thridde [ 56]

(9)

¶ Þat Pandarus for alle his wyse speche [ 57] Felt ek his part of loues shotes keene Þat koude he neuer so wele of louynge preche It made his hewe a day ful ofte grene [ 60] So shope it þat hym fil þat day a tene In loue / for whiche in wo to bedde he wente And made ar it was day ful [[ful later]] many a wente [ 63]

(10)

¶ So swalwe proignee wiþ a sorwful lay [ 64] whan morwe com̄ / gan make hire waymentynge whi she for-shapen was / and euere lay Pandare abedde / half in a slomberrynge [ 67] Til she so neygh hym made hire chiteringe How Tryeux gan forth hire suster take Þat with þe noyse of hire he gan a-wake [ 70]

(11)

¶ And gan to calle / and dresse hym vp to ryse [ 71] Remembrynge hym his herand was to done From Troilus / and eke his grete emprise And caste and knew in goode plyte was þ^e moone [ 74] To doon viage and take his way ful sone Vnto his neces paleys ther bysyde Now Ianus god of entree þow hym gyde [ 77]

(12)

¶ When he was com vn-to his neces place [leaf 15] [ 78] where is my lady to hire folk quod he And þei him tolde / and he forth In gan pace And fond two oþer ladys sete and she [ 81] with-Inne a paued parlour and thay þre Herden a maydyn reden hem þe geeste Of þe segee of thebes whil hem leste [ 84]

(13)

¶ Quod pandarus / madam god ȝow see [ 85] with al ȝoure faire book / and alle þe compaignye Ey vncle myn / welcome y-wys quod she And vp she roos / and by þe hond in hye [ 88] She took hym fast / and seyd þis nyght thrye To goode mote it torne / of ȝow I mette And with þat worde she down on bench hym sette [ 91]

(14)

¶ Ȝe nece / ȝe shal faren wel þe bette [ 92] If god wole / alle þis ȝere quod Pandarus But I am sory þat I haue ȝow lette To herknen of ȝoure book ȝe preysen þus [ 95] For goddes loue / what syth it tel it vs Is it of loue / o som goode ȝe me leere Vncle quod she / ȝour maistresse is nat heere [ 98]

(15)

¶ With þat þei gonnen laugh / and þo she seyde [ 99] This Romaunce is of thebes þat we rede And we han herd / how þat kynge layus deyed Thorugh Edippus his sone / and al þat dede [ 102] And heere we stynten at þise letteres rede How þe bysshop as þe book kan telle Amphyorax fil þorwh þe grounde to helle [ 105]

(16)

¶ Quod Pandarus al þis know I my-selue [ 106] And alle thassage of Thebes and þe care For her-of ben bokes ther maked Twelue But lat be þis and tel me how ȝe fare [ 109] Do wey ȝoure barbe / and swow ȝoure face bare Do wey ȝour book / ryse vp and lat vs daunce And lat vs do to may som obseruaunce [ 112]

(17)

¶ I god forbede quod she be ȝe made [ 113] Is þat a wydowes lyf / so god ȝow saue By god ȝe maken me right soore a-drad Ye ben so wylde / it semeth as ȝe raue [ 116] It sate me wel bet ay in caue To bydde and rede on holy seyntes lyues lat maydens gon to daunce and ȝonge wyues [ 119]

(18)

¶ As euere thryue I quod þis Pandarus [leaf 15, back] [ 120] Ȝet koude I telle a thynge to don ȝow pleye Now vncle deere quod she telle it vs For goddes loue / is þanne thassege a-weye [ 123] I am of grekes so ferde that I deye Nay nay quod he as euere mote I thryue It is a thynge wel bet þan swiche fyue [ 126]

(19)

¶ Ȝe holy god quod sche / what thinge is þat [ 127] What bet þan swiche fyue I nay iwis For al þis worlde. ne kan I reden what It sholde ben / som iape I trow is þis [ 130] And but ȝoure seluen telle vs what it is My wit is for thede it al to leene As helpe me god / I not not what ȝe mene [ 133]

(20)

¶ And I ȝoure borugh / ne neuere shal for me. [ 134] Þis thynge be told / to ȝow as mote I thryue And why so vncle myn / whi so quod sche By god quod he / þat wil I telle as blyue [ 137] For [[later a interlined]] pruder womman is þare noon on lyue And ȝe it wist in al þe town of Troye I iape nought as euer haue I ioye [ 140]

(21)

¶ Tho gan sche wonder / moore þan byforn [ 141] A thousand folde / and down hire eighen caste For neuere siht tyme þat sche was born To knowe thynge desired she so faste [ 144] And with a syhg sche sayde hym atte laste Now vncle myn / I nyl ȝow nought displese Nor axen moore þat may do ȝow disese [ 147]

(22)

¶ So after þis with manye wordes gladde [ 148] And frendely tales / and with mery cheere Of þis and þat þay playde and gonnen wade In many an vnkouth glad and deepe matere [ 151] As frendes doon / when they ben met Ifeere Tyl she gan axen hym how Ector ferde That was þe townes wal and grekes ȝerde [ 154]

(23)

¶ Ful wele I þonke it god quod Pandarus [ 155] Saue in his arme he hath a litil wounde And eke his freeshe broþer Troylus The wyse worthy ector þe secounde [ 158] In whom þat al vertue liste habounde As alle trouthe / and alle gentillesse wysdom / honour fredom and worthynesse [ 161]

(24)

¶ In goode fayth eem quod she þat liketh me [leaf 16] [ 162] Thay faren wel god saue hem bathe [[? a alterd to o]] For treweliche I halde it grete deyntee A kynges sone in armes wel to do [ 165] And ben of goode condicions þer-to For greete power and moral vertue here Is selde yseyn in o persone Ifeere [ 168]

(25)

¶ In goode faith þat is sooth quod Pandarus [ 169] But by my trouthe þe kyng hath sones tweye That is to mene Ector and Troylus Þat certeynly though þat I scholde deye [ 172] They ben as voyde of vyces dar I seye As any men that lyuen vnder þe sonne Hyre myght is wyde Iknowe and what þei konne [ 175]

(26)

¶ Of Ector nedeth it no more for to telle [ 176] In al þis world þer nys a bettre knyght Þan he þat is / of worthinesse welle And wel moore vertue hath / þan myght [ 179] Þis knoweth many a wys and worthi wyth The same prys of Troilus I seye God help me so / I knowe nat swiche tweye [ 182]

(27)

¶ By god quod she / of Ector þat is soth [ 183] Of Troilus / the same thyng trowe ·I· For dredelees men tellen þat he booth In armys day by day so worthily [ 186] And bereth hem here at hoom so gentilly To euery wyght that alle prys hath he Of hem þat me were leuest preysed be [ 189]

(28)

¶ Ȝe seye righ sooth ywys quod Pandarus [ 190] For ȝersterday who so hadde with hym ben He myghte han wondred vp-on Troilus For neuere ȝet so thikke a swarm of been [ 193] Ne fleigh / as grekes fro hym gonne fleen And thorugh þe felde in euery wyghtes ere Thar nas no cry / but Troilus is þare [ 196]

(29)

¶ Now here now þar he hunted hem so faste [ 197] Þer nas but grekes bloode and Troylus Now he hem hurte and hem alle down he cast Ay wher he wente / it was a-rayde þus [ 200] He was hire deth and sheeld and lif for vs Þat as þat day þer dorste noon withstonde whil þat he held his blody swerd in honde [ 203]

(30)

¶ Ther-to he is þe freendlyeste man [leaf 16, back] [ 204] Of gret estate / þat euere I saugh my lyue And wher hym liste best felaweschipe kan To swiche as hym thynketh able for to thriue [ 207] And with þat worde tho Pandarus as blyue He tooke his leue / and seyde I wol gon henne Nay blame haue I vncle quod she thenne [ 210]

(31)

¶ what eyleth ȝowe to be thus wery soone [ 211] And nameliche of wommen wol ȝe so Nay sitheth down by god I haue to done with ȝow to speke of wisdom er I go [ 214] And euery wyght that was aboute hem þo That herd þat gan fer a-wey to stonde whil þai two hadde alle þat hem liste in honde [ 217]

(32)

¶ when þat hir tale alle brought was to an ende [ 218] Of hyre estate / and of hire gouernaunce Quod pandarus / now is tyme I wende But ȝet I seye / ariseth lat vs daunce [ 221] And cast ȝoure wydowes habit to myschaunce what luste ȝow þus ȝoure self to disfigure Syn ȝow is tyd þus fayre an auenture [ 224]

(33)

¶ A wel bythought for luf of god quod she [ 225] Shal I nat wyten what ȝe mene of þis No þis thyng asketh leyser þo quod he And eke me wold nuch greue I-wys [ 228] If I it tolde / and ȝe it told a-mys Ȝet were it bet my tonge for to stille Þan seye a sooth þat were aȝenis ȝoure wille [ 231]

(34)

¶ For Nece by þe goddesse Mynerue [ 232] And Iuppiter þat makeht þe thonder rynge And by þe blysful Venus þat I serue Ȝe ben þe womman in this world lyuynge [ 235] with-owten paramours to my wittynge Þat I best loue / and lothest any to greue And þat ȝe weten wele ȝoure seluen I leue [ 238]

(35)

¶ Ywys vncle quod she graunt mercy [ 239] Ȝoure frendship haue I founden euere ȝit I am to [no] man holden trewly So muche as ȝowe / and haue so litil quyt [ 242] And with þe grace of god emforth my wyt As in my gylt I shal ȝou neuere offende And if I haue or þis / I wol amende./ [ 245]

(36)

¶ But for þe loue of god / I ȝowe be-seche [leaf 17] [ 246] As ȝe ben he þat I loue moste and triste Lat be to me ȝoure frende maner speche And say to me ȝoure nece what ȝowe liste [ 249] And with þat word hire vncle anoon hire kiste And sayde gladly loue nece dere Tak it for goode þat I shal say ȝow here [ 252]

(37)

¶ with þat she gan hire eyghen down to cast [ 253] And Pandarus to koghe gan a lyte And sayde nece alway lo to the laste How so it be þat som men hem delite [ 256] with subtile art hire tales for to endite Ȝet for alle þat in hire entencioun Hire tale is al [for] som conclusioun [ 259]

(38)

¶ And sithen thende is euery tales strenghte [ 260] And þis matere is so byhouely what shold I pointe or drawen it on lengthe To ȝow þat ben my frende so faythfully [ 263] And with þat word he gan right Inwardly Byholden hire and loken on hire face And sayde on swihch a myroure goode grace [ 266]

(39)

¶ Þan thought he þus of I may my tale endite [ 267] Aught hard / or make a processe any while She shal no sauour han þar-In but lyte And trowe I wolde hire in my wil bygile [ 270] For tendere wittes wenen al be wyle Þer as þey kan nat pleynly vnderstonde For-þi hire witte to seruen wol I fonde [ 273]

(40)

¶ And loked on hire in a bysy wise [ 274] And she was ware þat he byhelde hire so And sayd lord so faste ȝe mauyse Sey ȝe me neuere or now what sey ȝe no [ 277] Ȝis ȝis quod he and bett wol er I go But by my trowthe I thougth now If ȝe But fortunat / for now men shal it se [ 280]

(41)

¶ For to euery wight som goodly auenture [ 281] Som tyme shape if he it kan receyuen And if þat he wol tak of it no cure when þat it cometh but wilfully it weyuen [ 284] Loo noyther cas nor fortune hym deceyuen But right his verray slouthe and wrechednesse And swich a wight is for to blame I gesse [ 287]

(42)

¶ Goode auenture o beale nece haue ȝe [leaf 17, back] [ 288] Ful lightly founden and ȝe kanne it take And for þe loue of god and ek of me Catche it anon leste auenture it slake [ 291] What shold I longer processe of it make Ȝif me ȝoure hond for in þis world is noon If þat ȝow liste a wyght so wel bigone [ 294]

(43)

¶ And sith I speke of goode entencion [ 295] As I to ȝow haue tolde wele here biforne And loue as wel ȝoure honour and renown As creature in al þis world yborne [ 298] By alle þe othes þat I haue ȝow sworne If ȝe be wroth þer-for or wene I lye Ne shal I neuere sen ȝow eft with eighe [ 301]

(44)

¶ Beth nought agast ne qwaketh wher-to [[? wh underdotted for omission]] [ 302] Ne chaungeth nought for fer so ȝoure hewe For hardely þe werste of þis is do And though my tale as now be to ȝow newe [ 305] Ȝet trist alwey ȝe shal me fynde trewe And were it thynge þat me thought vnsittynge To ȝow wold I no swich[e] tales brynge [ 308]

(45)

¶ Now goode Em for goddes loue I preye [ 309] Quod she / com of and tel me what it is For both I am a-gast what ȝe wil seye And ek me longeth it to wite I-wis [ 312] For whether it be wel or be amys Sey on / lat me not in þis fer[e] dwelle So wol I don now herkeneth I shal telle [ 315]

(46)

¶ Now nece myn the kynges dere sone [ 316] Þe goode wyse / worthy fresshe and free which alwey for to don wel is his wone The noble Troilus so loueth the [ 319] Þat but ȝe helpe it wol his bane be Lo here is alle what shold I more seye Doth what ȝow list to mak hym lyue or deye [ 322]

(47)

¶ But If ȝe lat hym deye I wol sterue [ 323] Haue here my trowth nece I nyl nought lye Al schold I with þis knyf my throte kerue with þat þe teres bruste oute of his eighen [ 326] And seyd If þat þe don vs both deyen Þus gilteles þan haue ȝe fisshed faire what mende ȝe If þat we bothe apayre [ 329]

(48)

¶ Allas he whiche þat is my lord so deere [leaf 18] [ 330] Þat trew man þat noble gentyl knyght Þat naught desyred but ȝoure freendely cheere I se hym deyen þer he gothe vp right [ 333] And hasteth hym with alle his ful myght For to ben slayn if his fortune assente Allas þat god ȝow swich a beaute sente [ 336]

(49)

¶ If it be so þat ȝe so crwel be [ 337] Þat of his deth ȝow liste nat to reche Þat is so trewe and worthy as ȝe se Namore þan of a Iapare or a wreche [ 340] If ȝe be swiche ȝoure beaute may nat streche To mak amend of so cruwel a dede Auysemente is good bi-fore þe nede [ 343]

(50)

¶ Wo worth þe faire comme vertuelees [ 344] wo worth þat herb also þat doth no boote wo worth þat beaute þat is routheles wo worth þat wyght þat tret ech vnder foote [ 347] And ȝe þat be of beaute crop and roote If þer-with-al in ȝow þer be no routhe Þanne is it harm ȝe lyuen by my trouthe [ 350]

(51)

¶ And also thynke wel þat is no gaude [ 351] For me were leuere that thow and I and he were hanged þan I shold ben his baude As heigh / as men on vs alle y-see [ 354] I am þin Em the shame were to me As wel as þe If þat I sholde assente Thorwgh myn abet þat he þin honour shente [ 357]

(52)

¶ Now vnderstonde fore I nought requere [ 358] To bynd ȝow to hym thorwgh no beheste But oonly þat ȝe mak hym bettere chere Than ȝe han don or þis and moore feste [ 361] So þat his lyue be saued at þe leste This al and som and pleynly oure entente God help me so I neuere other mente [ 364]

(53)

¶ Loo þis requeste is nought but skyl I-wis [ 365] No doute of reson pardee is þer noon I set þe werste þat ȝe dreden thys Men wold wondren sen hym come or goon [ 368] Þer aȝeyn answere I þus anone Þat euery wyght but he be fool of kynde wol deme it loue of frenshippe in his mynde [ 371]

(54)

¶ What wo wol demen though he se a man [lf 18, bk] [ 372] To temple go / þat he þe ymages ettheth Thynke / ek how wel and wysely þat he kan Goueren hym self þat he no thynge forȝeteht [ 375] Þat where he comth he prys and þanke hym geteht And ek þer-to he shal come here so selde what fors were it though al þe town bihelde [ 378]

(55)

¶ Swich louo of frendes regneth al þis town [ 379] And were yow in þat mantel euere moo And god so wys be my sauacioun As I haue seyde / ȝoure best is to do soo [ 382] But alway good nece to stynte his wo So lat ȝoure daunger sucred ben a lyte Þat of his deth ȝe be nought to wyte [ 385]

(56)

¶ Creseyde which þat herd hym in þis wyse [ 386] Thoughte I shal feelen what he mene I-wys Now Em quod she what wold ȝe deuyse what is ȝoure rede I shold don of þis [ 389] Þat is wel seyde quod he certeyn best is Þat ȝe hym loue certeyn for his louynge As loue for loue is skylful guerdonynge [ 392]

(57)

¶ Thynk ek how elde wasteth euery houre [ 393] In eche of ȝow a partye of beauute And þer-for er þat age þe deuoure Go loue / for olde þar wol no wyght of þe [ 396] Lat þis prouerb a lore vnto ȝow be To lat I-war quod beauute when it is paste And elde daunteht daunger at þe laste [ 399]

(58)

¶ The kynges fool is wonte to [[criyen]] cryen lowde [ 400] when þat a womman berth hire heighe So longe mote ȝe lyue and alle proude Tyl crowes feete be grow vnder ȝoure eigh [ 403] And sende ȝow þanne a myrour in to prye In whiche ȝe may se ȝoure face a morw Nece I bydde wysshe ȝow no more sorw [ 406]

(59)

¶ with þis he stynte and caste a-dowyn þe hed [ 407] And she be-gan to breste a wepe a-none And seyd allas for wo / why nere I dede For of þis world þe feith is al a-gone [ 410] Allas what sholden straunge folke [[folke, later]] to me don when þat for my best freend I wende Let me to loue and shold it me defende [ 413]

(60)

¶ Allas I wold han tristed douteles [leaf 19] [ 414] Þat if þat I thorugh my disauenture Hadde loued outher hym or achilles Ector / or any mannes creature [ 417] Ȝe nold han had no mercy ne mesure On me / but alwey had me in repreue Þis fals world allas who may it leue [ 420]

(61)

¶ what is this al the Ioye and alle þe feeste [ 421] Is this ȝoure rede / is þis my blysful cas Is þis þe verray mede of ȝoure byheste Is alle þis peinted proces seyde allas [ 424] Ryght for þis fyn o lady myn pallas Thow in þis dredeful cas for me purueye For so astoned am I that I deye [ 427]

(62)

¶ with þat she gan ful sorufully to syke [ 428] A may it be no bet quod Pandarus By god I shal na more com here þis wyke And god to-forne þat am mystrested þus [ 431] I se ful wele þat ȝe sette lyte of vs Or of oure deth allas I woful wreche Myght he ȝit lyue / of me is nought to reche [ 434]

(63)

¶ O^{þ o u} cruel god / o dispitouse marte [ 435] O furies // thre / of helle on ȝow I crye So lat me neuere / out of þis house departe If þat I ment harm / or any vilanye [ 438] But sith I se my lord moote nedes deye And I with hym here I me shryue and seye Þat wikkedly ȝe don vs bothe to deye [ 441]

(64)

¶ But sith it liketh ȝow þat I be dede [ 442] By neptunus þat god is of þe see Fro þis forth shal I neuere eten brede Vnto I myn own hertys [[hertys, later]] blode may see [ 445] For certein I wol deye as sone as he And vp he sterte / and on his way he raughte Til she agayn hym by þe lappe [[a later y has been put here]] kaughte [ 448]

(65)

¶ Criseyde wyche þat wel neigh starf for [a later pure,] fere [ 449] So [a later eke, put in] as she was þe ferefullest wight Þat myght be and herd ek with hire ere And saught þe soruful hernest of þe knyght [ 452] And in his preyers saughe eke [[eke, later]] noon vn-right And for þe harme þat myght ek fallen more She gan to rew / and dredded hire wonder sore [ 455]

(66)

¶ And thought þus vnhappes fallen thykke [leaf 19, back] [ 456] Alday for loue / and in swiche manere cas As men ben cruel in hem self and wykke And if þe man sla here hem self allas [ 459] In my presaunce / it wol be no solas what men wolde of it deme / I kan nat seye It nedeth me ful sleughtely for to pleye [ 462]

(67)

¶ And with a sorwful syk she seyde threye [ 463] A lord what me is tyd a sory chaunce For myn estate lith now in Iupartye And ek myn emes lyf is in balaunce [ 466] But natheles with goddes gouernaunce I shal so done / myn honour shal I kepe And ek his lyf / and stynte for to wepe [ 469]

(68)

¶ Of harmes two þe lesse is for to cheese [ 470] Ȝet haue I leuere maken hym goode chere In honour þan myn emes lyf to lese Ȝe seyn / ȝe no thynge elles me requere [ 473] No wys quod [he] myn ow[e]n nece dere Now wel quod she and I wel don my peyne I shal myn herte aȝeynist my liste constreyne [ 476]

(69)

¶ But þat I nyl nat holden hym in honde [ 477] Ne loue aman ne kan I naught ne may Aȝeyns my wyl but elles wol I fonde Myn honour saufe plesen hym fro day to day [ 480] Þer-to nold I nat ones seyde nay But þat I drede as in my fantasye But cesse cause ay cesseth maladye [ 483]

(70)

¶ And here I make a protestacioun̄ [ 484] Þat in þis processe If ȝe depter go Þat certanly for no sauacion of ȝow / though þat ȝe sterue both[e] two [ 487] Though al þe world on a day be my fo Ne shal I neuere on hym han other rowthe I graunt wele ouod Pandarus by my trouthe [ 490]

(71)

¶ But may I truste wele þer-to quod he [ 491] Þat of þis thynge þat ȝe han hight me here Ȝe wol it holden trewly vn to me Ȝe trewly quod she myn vncle deere [ 494] Ne that I shal han cause in þis matere Quod he // to plyne or efter ȝow to preche why no pardee what nedeth more speche [ 497]

(72)

¶ Tho fillen they in oothere tales gladde [leaf 20] [ 498] Tyl at þe laste o gooode Em quod she tho For his loue whiche þat vs bothe mode Tel me how firste ȝe westen of his woo [ 501] Woote noon of it but ȝe he seyde no Kan he wel speke of loue quod she I preye Tel me / for I þe bet me shal pleye [ 504]

(73)

¶ Tho Pandarus a litil gan to smyle [[? MS. stuyle]] [ 505] And seyde by my trowthe I wol ȝow telle Þis oother day naught gon ful longe while In whiche þe paleys gardyn by a welle [ 508] Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle Ryght for to speke of an ordynaunce How we þe grekes myghten disauaunce [ 511]

(74)

¶ Soone after þat bigonne to lepe [ 512] And casten with oure dartes to and fro Til at þe laste he seyde he wold slepe And on þe gres a-down he layde him tho [ 515] And I þer-after gan roman to and fro Til þat I herde as þat I welke allone How he bygan ful wofully to grone [ 518]

(75)

¶ Tho gan I stalke hym softely by-hynde [ 519] And sykerly þe sothe for to seyne As I kan clepe aȝeyn now to my mynde Right þus to loue he gan hym for to pleyne [ 522] He seyde lord haue routhe vp on my peyne Al haue I ben rebel in myn entente Now mea culpa lord I me repente [ 525]

(76)

¶ O god þat at þy dispocion̄ [ 526] Ledest the fyn by Iuste purueiaunce Of euery wight my lowe confession Accepte in gree / and send me swich penaunce [ 529] As liketh þe / but from desesperaunce Þat may my goost departe away fro þe Thow be my shelde for þi benignite [ 532]

(77)

¶ For certes lord so sore hath she me woundud [ 533] Þat stoode in blake with lokynge of hire eighen That to myn hertis botme it is I-sownded Thorugh wiche I woote I moote nedes dyen [ 536] This is þe werste I dar me nat wryen And wel þe hootter ben þe gledes rede Þat men hem wren wiþ asshen pale and dede [ 539]

(78)

¶ with þat he smote his hed a down a non [leaf 20, back] [ 540] And gan to motre I not what trewely And I with þat gan stille away gone And lete þer-of as no thynge wyste hadde I [ 543] And come aȝein anon and stode hym by And seyde a-wake ȝe slepen alle to longe It semeth nat þat loue doth ȝow longe [ 546]

(79)

¶ Þat slepen swo þat no man may ȝow wake [ 547] who sey euere or þis so dul a man Ȝe frend quod do ȝe ȝoure heddes ake For loue / and lat me lyuen as I kan [ 550] But though þat he for wo was pale and wan Yet made he þo as fresshe a contenaunce As though he schold have led þe new daunce [ 553]

(80)

¶ This passed forth tyl now þis oþer day [ 554] It felle þat I come romynge al allone In to his chaumber / and fonde how þat he lay Vp on his bedde / but man so sore grone [ 557] Ne herde I neuere and what þat was his mone Ne wyste I nought for as I was comynge Al sodeynly he lefte his compleynynge [ 560]

(81)

¶ Of which I toke somwhat suspecion [ 561] And ner I come and fond he wepte soore And god so wys be my sauacioun As neuere of thynge had I no rowthe more [ 564] For neyther with engyn ne with no lore Vnnethes myght I hym fro þe deth kepe Þat ȝet fele I myn herte for hym wepe [ 567]

(82)

¶ And god woot neuere sith þat I was borne [ 568] was I so bysi no man for to preche Ne neuere was to wyght so depe sworne Or he me told / who myghte ben his leche [ 571] But now to ȝow rehersen al his speche Or al his woful wordes for to sowne Ne byd me naught / but ȝe wol se me swone [ 574]

(83)

¶ But for to saue his lyf and elles nought [ 575] And to no harme of ȝow þus am I dryuen And for þe loue of god þat vs hath wroght Swuche chere hym doth þat he and I may lyuen [ 578] Now haue I plat to ȝow myn herte screuyn And sith ȝe woot þat myn entent is clene Take hede þer-of for I non euel mene [ 581]

(84)

¶ And right good thryft I pray to god haue ȝe [ 582] That han swich oon I-caught with-outen net And be ȝe wys as ȝe ben fayr to se wel in þe ringe than is the ruby set [ 585] Þer were neuere two so wele ymet when ȝe ben his al hole as he is ȝoure Þer myghty god graunt vs þat se þat houre [ 588]

(85)

¶ Nay þer-of speke I nought ha a quod she [ 589] As helpe me god ȝe shenden euery dele O mercy dere nece a-non quod he what so I spake I mente nought but wele [ 592] By mars þe god þat helmed is of stele Now beth nought wroth my blode my nece dere Now wol I quod she forȝeuen be it here [ 595]

(86)

¶ with þis he toke his leue and home he wente [ 596] And lord he was glad and wel bygon Criseyde aros no longer she ne stente But streght in to hire closet wente anon [ 599] And set hire down as stille as any stone And euery word gon vp and down to wynde Þat he had seyde as it come hire to mynde [ 602]

(87)

¶ And was somdele astoned in hire thought [ 603] Right in þe new cas but when þat she was ful auysed / tho fonde she right nought Of peril / why she aught a-ferde be [ 606] For man may loue of possibilite A womman so his hert may to-breste And nought loue aȝeyn but if hire liste [ 609]

(88)

¶ But as she sat allon and thought thus [ 610] Ascry aroos at scarmich alle with-oute And men cried in þe strete se Troilus Hath right now put to flyght þ^e grekes route [ 613] with þat gan al hire meyne for to shoute A gow we se / caste vp the ȝates wyde For thorwgh þis strete he moote to paleys ryde [ 616]

(89)

¶ For oother way is to þe ȝate noon [ 617] Of dardanus þere open is þe cheyne with þat come he and alle his folke anon An hesy pace / rydynge in routes tweyne [ 620] Right as happy day was sothe to seyne For wiche men seyne may nought distourbed be That shal bytyden of necessite [ 623]

(90)

¶ Thus Troilus sat on his bay steede [leaf 21, back] [ 624] Alle armed saue his hed ful richly And wonded was his hors / and gan to blede On wiche he roode / a pase ful softely [ 627] But swiche a knyghtely sighte / trewly as was on hym / was nought with-outen faile To loke on mars / þat god is of batayle [ 630]

(91)

¶ So like aman of armes / and a knyght [ 631] He was to sen / fulfild of heigh prowesse For bothe he hadde a body / and a myght To don þat thynge / as wele as hardynesse [ 634] And ek to sen hym / in his gere hym drisse So fressh so ȝong / so weldy / semed he It was an heuen / vp on hym for to se [ 637]

(92)

¶ His helme to-hewen was / in twenty places [ 638] Þat by a tyssew henge / his bak by-hynde His shelde to-dasshed was / with swerdes and maces In which men myght / many a narwe fynde [ 641] Þat thyrled hadde horn / and nerf and rynde And ay þe peple criede / here comyth oure Ioye And nexte his broþer / holdere vp of Troye. [ 644]

(93)

¶ For which he wex / a litel rede for schame [ 645] when he þe peple / vp on hym herd crien Þat to by-holde / it was a noble game How sobreliche / he caste down his eighen [ 648] Criseyda gan / al his chere aspyen And leet so softe / it in hire herte synken Þat to hire self / she seyde who ȝaf me drynken [ 651]

(94)

¶ For of hire owene thought she wex al rede [ 652] Remembrynge hire right þus / lo þis is he wich [[? MS. with]] þat myn vncle swerth he moot be dede But I on hym haue mercy and pite [ 655] And with þat thought for pure ashamed she Gan in hire hed to pulle and þat as faste while he and alle þe peple forby paste [ 658]

(95)

¶ And gan to caste and rollen vp and down [ 659] with-in hire thought his excellent prowesse And his estat / and also his renoun His wit his shappe and ek his gentilnesse [ 662] But moost hire favour was for his destresse was al for hire and thought it as a rowrhte To slane swich oon If þat he mente trouthe [ 665]

(96)

¶ Now myghte som enuyous Iangle thus [leaf 22] [ 666] Þis was a sodeyn loue how myghte it be Þat she so ligh[t]ly loues Troylus Right for þe firste sight ȝe parde [ 669] Now who seith so mote he neuere ythe For euery thynge a gynnyng hath it nede Er alle be wrought with-outen any drede [ 672]

(97)

¶ For I sey nought þat she so sodeynly [ 673] Ȝaf hym hire loue but þat she gan enclyne To like hym firste and I haue tald ȝow why And efter þat his manhod and his pyne [ 676] Made loue with-Inne hire for to myne For which by proces and by goode ceruyse He gaf hire loue and in no sodeyn wyse [ 679]

(98)

¶ And also blisful Venus wel arayed [ 680] Sat in hire seuenthe hous of heuene tho [[two altered late]] Disposed wel and with appectes payed To helpen sely Troilus of his wo [ 683] A soth to seyn she nas nat al a fo To Troilus in his Natiuitee God woot þat wele þe sonner spedde he [ 686]

(99)

¶ Now lat vs stynte of Troilus a throwe [ 687] Þat rideth forth and lat vs torne faste Vn to criseyde / þat henge hire hed ful lawe Þer as she sat allone / and gan to caste [ 690] wher-on she wold a-poynte hire at þe laste If it so were hire Em ne wold cesse For Troilus vp on hire for to presse [ 693]

(100)

¶ And lord so sche gan in hire thought argwe [ 694] In þis matere of which I haue ȝow tolde And what to done best were and what eschuwe Þat plyted she ful ofte in many folde [ 697] Now was hire hert warm now was it colde And what she thought som what schal I wryte As to myn auctour listeth for tendite. [ 700]

(101)

¶ She thought wel þat Troilus persone [ 701] She knewe by sight and ek his gentilnesse And þus she seyd al were it not to done To graunt hym loue ȝet for his worthinesse [ 704] It were honor with pleye and with gladnesse In honeste with swich a lord to dele For myn estat / and also for his hele [ 707]

(102)

¶ Ek wel wot I my kynges sonne is he [leaf 22, back] [ 708] And sith he hath to se me swich delite If I wold outreliche his sighte flee Paraunter he myght haue me in dispite [ 711] Thorwgh which I myght stond in worse plite No were I wis me hate to purchace with-outen nede ther I may stonde in grace [ 714]

(103)

¶ In euery thynge I wote þer lith mesure [ 715] For though aman forbede dronkennesse He naught forbet þat euery creature Be drenkynlees for alway as I gesse [ 718] Ek sith I wote for me is his destresse I ne aught nat for þat thyng hym dispice Sith it is so he meneth in goode wyse [ 721]

(104)

¶ And ek I knowe of longe tyme agon [ 722] His thewes goode and þat he is nat nyce Navauntour seith men certein is he noon To wys is he to don so grete a vyce [ 725] Ne als I nyl hym neuere so cherice Þat he may mak auaunte by Iuste cause He shal me neuere bynde in swich a clause [ 728]

(105)

¶ Now set a caas the hardeste is I-wys [ 729] Men myghten demen that he loueth me What dishonour were it vnto me this May Ich hym lett of þat why nay pardee [ 732] I knowe also and alway here and see Men louen wommen al by-syde hire leue And when hem liste namore lat hym bileue [ 735]

(106)

¶ I thenk ek how he able is for to haue [ 736] Of al þis ilke noble town the thriftyeste To ben his loue / so she hire honour saue For oute and oute he is þe worthyeste [ 739] Saue oonly Ector which þat is þe beste And ȝit his lyf alle lith now in my cure But swich is loue and ek myn auenture [ 742]

(107)

¶ Ne me to loue a wonder is it nought [ 743] For wele wote I my self so god me spede Al wold I that noon wyste of þis thoughte I am oon þe fayreste out of drede [ 746] And goodelyeste who so taketh hede And so men seyn in al þe town of Troye what wonder is it though he of me haue Ioye [ 749]

(108)

¶ I am myn owene womman wele at ese [leaf 23] [ 750] I thanke it god as efter myn estat Right ȝong / and stonde vnteyd in lusty leese with-outen Ialousie or swich debat [ 753] Shal noon housebonde seyn to me chek mat For eyther þei ben ful of Ialousie Or maysterful / or louen nouelrye [ 756]

(109)

¶ what shal I don to what fyn lyue I thus [ 757] Shal I nat loue in cas If þat me liste what pardieux I am nought religiouse And though þat I myn herte sette at reste [ 760] Vp on þis knyght þat is þe worthyeste And kepe alway myn honour and my name By al right it may do me no chame [ 763]

(110)

¶ But right as when þe sonne shyneth brighte [ 764] In march þat chaungeth oft tyme his face And þat a cloude is put with wynde to flyght Which ouersprat þe sonne as for a space [ 767] A cloudy thought gan thorugh hire soule pace Þat ouerspradde hire brighte thoughtes alle So þat for feere al-moost she gan to falle [ 770]

(111)

¶ That thought was þis allas syn [I] am free [ 771] Shold I now loue and putte in Iupartye My sikernesse and thrallen libertye Allas how dorste I thenken that folye [ 774] May [I] nough wel in other folk aspye Hire dredful Ioye / hire constreynte and hire peyne Þer loueth noon þat she nath way to pleyne [ 777]

(112)

¶ For loue is ȝet þe moost stormy lyf [ 778] Right of hym self þat euere was by-gonne For euere som mystruste or nyce stryfe Þer is in loue som cloude is ouere þat sonne [ 781] Þer-to we wreched wommen no thynge konne when vs is wo / but wepe and sitte and thynke Oure wreche is þis oure owen wo to drynke [ 784]

(113)

¶ Also thise wikkede tonges ben so preste [ 785] To speke vs harme / ek men so vntrewe Þat right anon as cessed is hire leste So ceseth loue / and forth to loue a newe [ 788] But harm I-don is don who so it rewe For though þis men for love hem firste to-rende Ful charpe bygynnynge breketh oft at ende [ 791]

(114)

¶ How oft tyme hath it y-knowen be [leaf 23, back] [ 792] Þe treson þat to wommen hath ben do To what fyn is swich loue I kan nat se Or wher bicometh it when þat it is ago [ 795] There is no wyght þat woot I trow so wher it bicometh lo no wight on it sporneth Þat arst was no thynge in to nought it torneth [ 798]

(115)

¶ How bisy If I loue ek most I be [ 799] To plesen hem þat Iangle of loue and dremen And coye hym they seye noon harme of me For though þer be no cause ȝet hem semen [ 802] alle be for harme þat folk hire frendes quemen And who may stoppen euery wykked tonge Or sown of belles while þat þei ben ronge [ 805]

(116)

¶ And efter þat hire though[t] gan for to clere [ 806] and seyde / he which nat no thynge vndertaketh No thynge nacheueth / be hym loth or deere And with another thought hire hert qwaketh [ 809] Than slepeth hope / and after drede awaketh Now hoot / now cold / but þus bytwixen tweye Þo rist hire vp / and hire fer to pleye [ 812]

(117)

¶ Adown þe steyre anon right tho she wente [ 813] In to þe gardyn with hire neces thre And vp and down ther made many a wente Flexippe she tharbe and antigone [ 816] To pleyn þat it Ioye was to se And other of hire wommen a grete route Hire folweden in þe gardyn alle aboute [ 819]

(118)

¶ Þis ȝerde was large and rayled alle thaleyes [ 820] And shadwed wel with blosmy bowes grene And benched new and sonded alle þe wayes In whiche she walketh arm in arm betwene [ 823] Til at þe laste antigone the shene Gan on a Troian songe to syngen clere Þat it an heuene was hire vois to here [ 826]

(119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.)

¶ She seyde o loue to whom I haue and shal [ 827] Ben humble subgit trewe in myn entente As I best kan / to whom lord ȝeue Ich al For euere mo myn hertes lust to rente [ 830] For neuere ȝet thi grace no wight sente So blisful cause / as me my lyf to lede In alle Ioye and seurte oute of drede [ 833]

(120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.)

¶ Þe blisful god han me so wele besette [leaf 24] [ 834] In love I-wis / þat alle þat bereth lyf Ymagynen ne koude how to ben bett For lord with-owten Ialousye or stryf [ 837] I loue oon which þat moost is ententif To seruen wel vnwery or vnfeyned Þat euere was / and leest with harme destreyned [ 840]

(121)

¶ As he þat is þe wel of worthynesse [ 841] Of trowthe ground / myrour of goodelyhede Of wit appollo / stoon of secrenesse Of vertue roota / of lust fynder and hed [ 844] Thorugh [which] is alle sorwe fro me ded I-wis I loue hym best so doth he me Now goode thryft haue he wher so þat he be [ 847]

(122)

¶ whom shold I thanken but ȝow god of loue [ 848] Of alle þis blisse in which to bathe I gynne And thanked be ȝe lord for þat I loue Þis is þe right lyf that I am Inne [ 851] To flemen alle manere vyce and synne This doth me so to vertue for tentende Þat day by day I in my wyl amende [ 854]

(123)

¶ And who so seith that for to loue is vice [ 855] Or thraldom / though he fele in it destresse He outher is enuyous or right nyce Or is vnmyghty for his sherewednesse [ 858] To louen / for swich maner folk I gesse Defamen loue as no thynge of it knowe They speken / but þey benten neuere is bowe [ 861]

(124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.)

¶ what is þe sonne wors of kynde righte [ 862] Though þat aman for fieblenesse of his eigheu May nought endure on it to se for bryghte Or loue þe wors theigh wreches on it crien [ 865] No wele is worth þat may no sorwe dryen And for-thy who þat hath han hed of verre Fro caste of stonnes war hym in þe werre [ 868]

(125)

¶ But I with al myn herte and alle my myght [ 869] As I haue seyd wol loue vn to my laste My dere herte alle myn owen knyght In whiche myn herte growen is so faste [ 872] And his in me þat it schal euere laste Alle dredde I firste to loue hym to bigynne Now wote I wel þer is no peril Inne [ 875]

[End of Antigone's Song of Love.]

(126)

[leaf 24, back] ¶ And of hire song right with þat worde she stente [ 876] And þer-with-alle now nece quod Criseyde who made þis songe now with so goode entente Antigone answerde anoon and seyde [ 879] Madam I-wis the goodelyest mayde Of grete estate in al þe town of Troye And let hire lyf in moost honour and Ioye [ 882]

(127)

¶ For sothe so it semeth by hire songe [ 883] Quod tho Criseyde and gan þer-with to syke And seyde lord is þer swich blisse amonge Thise louers as they donnen fayre endite [ 886] Ȝe yis quod fresshe antigone the white For al þe folk þat han or ben on lyue Ne konne wel þe blisse of loue descryue [ 889]

(128)

¶ But wene ȝe þat euery wreche woot [ 890] The parfit blisse of loue why nay I-wys They wonen al be loue If oon be hote Do way do way they wote no thyng of þis [ 893] Men moste axe at seintes if it is Aught fayre in heuen why fer they kan telle And axen fendes is it foule in helle [ 896]

(129)

¶ Criseyde vnto that purpos nought answer[d]e [ 897] But seyde I-wis it wol be nyght as faste But euery word with þat she of hire herde She gan to prenten in [hire] herte faste [ 900] And ay gan loue lesse hire for tagaste than it dyde erst and synken in hire herte Þat she wax somwhat able to conuerte [ 903]

(130)

¶ The dayes honour and þe heuenes heye [ 904] The nyghtes foo / al þis clepe I þe sonne Gan westren faste and downward for to wrye As he þat hadde his dayes cours yronne [ 907] And white thynges wexen dymme and donne For lakke of lyght and sterres for tapere Þat she and al hire folk in wente yfere [ 910]

(131)

¶ So when it liked hire to go to reste [ 911] And voyded weren they þat voyden aughte She seyde þat to slepen wel hire leste Hire wommen soon tyl hire bed hire broughte [ 914] when al was hust þan lay she stil and thoughte Of al þis thynge þe manere and þe wyse Reherce it nedeth nought for ȝe ben wyse [ 917]

(132)

¶ A nyghtyngale vp on a cedre grene [leaf 25] [ 918] Vnder þe chaumber wal þer as she lay Ful lowde songe aȝein þe moone shene Paraunter in his briddes wyse a lay [ 921] Of loue / þat made hire herte fresshe and gay Þat herkned she so longe in goode entente Tyl at þe laste þe dede slepe hire hente [ 924]

(133)

¶ And as she slepe anoon right þo hire mette [ 925] How þat an Egle fethered white as bone Vnder hire breste his longe clewes sette And out hire herte he rent and þat anon [ 928] And dide his hert in to hire breste to gon Of whiche she naught agroos ne no thyng smerte And forth he fleigh with herte left for herte [ 931]

(134)

¶ Now lat hire slepe and we oure tales holde [ 932] Of Troilus / þat is to palays ryden Fro þe scarmich of þe whiche I tolde And in his chaumber sit and hath abyden [ 935] Til two or thre of his messages ȝeden Fro Pandarus / and soughten hym ful faste Til they hym fonde and broughte hym at þe laste [ 938]

(135)

¶ This Pandarus come lepynge In stones [ 939] And seyde þus / who hath ben wel bette To day / with swerdes and wiþ sleynge stones But Troilus þat hath kaughte hym an hete [ 942] And gan to Iape / and seyde lorde so ȝe swete But ris and lat vs soupe and go to reste And answerde hym do we as the leste [ 945]

(136)

¶ with alle þe haste goodely þat they myghte [ 946] They spede hem fro þe soper vnto bedde And euery wyght oute at þe dore hym dyght And wher hym leste vp on his way he spedde [ 949] But Troilus thought his herte bledde For wo / til þat he herde som tydynge He seyde frende shal I now wepe or synge [ 952]

(137)

¶ Quod Pandarus li stil and lat me slepe [ 953] And don þin hode / thy nedes spedde be And chese if þow wilte synge or daunce or lepe At shorte wordes thow shal trow me [ 956] Sir my nece wol do wel by the And loue þe beste by god and by my trouthe But lokke of Pursuyte mak it in þi slouthe [ 959]

(138)

¶ For þus ferforth I haue thy worke bigonne [lf 25, bk] [ 960] Fro day to day til þis day by the morwe Hire loue of frenship haue I to þe wonne And also hath she layd hire faith to borwe [ 963] Algate a foot is hameled of þi sorwe What shold I lenger sermon of it holde As ȝe han herd bifore / al he hym tolde [ 966]

(139)

¶ But right as floures thorugh þ^e cold of nyght [ 967] Y-closed stowpen on her stalk lowe Redressen hem aȝein þe sonne bright And spreden on hire kynde cours by rowe [ 970] Right so gan tho his eighen vp to throwe This troilus / and seyde o venus dere Þi might þi grace y-heried be it here [ 973]

(140)

¶ And to pandarus held vp both his hondes [ 974] And seyde lord al þin be that I haue For I am hole and brosten ben my bondes A thousand Troians who-so þat me ȝaue [ 977] Ech efter other god so wys me saue Ne myghte me so gladen lo myn herte It spredeth so for Ioie it wol to-sterte [ 980]

(141)

¶ But lord how shal I don how shal I lyuen [ 981] when shal I next my deere hert see How shal þis longe tyme away be dryuen Til þat thow be aȝein at hire fro me [ 984] Thow maist answere abid abid but he Þat hanght by þe nekke soth to seyne In grete disese abideth for þe peyne [ 987]

(142)

¶ Al esily now for þe loue of marte [ 988] Quod Pandarus / for euery thynge hath tyme So longe abid til þat þe nyght departe For also siker as thow list here bi me [ 991] And god to-forne I wol be thare at pryme And for þi werk som-what as I shal seye Or on som other wight þis charge leye [ 994]

(143)

¶ For parde god wote I haue euere ȝit [ 995] Ben redy þe to serue and to þis nyght Haue naught feyned / but emforth my wit Don al þi luste / and shal with alle my myght [ 998] Do now as [I] shal seyne and fare arighte And if thow nylt wyte al þi self þi care On me is nought a-longe þin yuel fare [ 1001]

(144)

¶ I woote wel þat thow wyser art than I. [leaf 26] [ 1002] A thowsand fold / but if I were as thow God helpe me so as I wolde outrely Of myn own honde write hire right now [ 1005] A lettre / In which I wolde hire tellen how I ferd amys / and hire biseche of routhe Now helpe þi self and leue it nought for slouthe [ 1008]

(145)

¶ And I my self wol ther-with to hire gone [ 1009] And when thow woste þat I am with hire there worth thow vp on a coursur right a-noon Ȝe hardily right in þi beste gere [ 1012] And ride forth by þe place as nought it were And thow shal fynde vs if I may sittynge At som wyndow in to þe strete lokynge [ 1015]

(146)

¶ And if þe leste þan maistow vs salue [ 1016] And vp on me make thow thy contennaunce But by thi lif be war and faste eschue To tarien ought god schilde vs fro mischaunce [ 1019] Ride forth thy way and hold þy gouernaunce And we shal speke of the som what I trowe when thow art gon / to don thyn eris glowe [ 1022]

(147)

¶ Touchynge þi lettre thow ert wys ynough [ 1023] I wot thow nylt it digneliche endite As make it with thyse argumentus tough Ne [[MS. str, &c]] scryuenyssh or craftily thow it write [ 1026] Byblotte it with þi teris ek a lite And if þow write a goodely worde al softe Though it be goode reherce it nought to ofte [ 1029]

(148)

¶ For though þe best ha[r]ppour vp-on lyue [ 1030] wold on þe beste sowned Ioly hare That euere was with alle his fyngeres fyue Touche ay o strenge or ay o warbul ha[r]ppe [ 1033] were his nayles poyntes neuere so charpe I shold maken euery wyght to dulle To here his glee and of his strokes fulle [ 1036]

(149)

¶ Ne Iompre ek ne discordant thyng yfere [ 1037] As thus to vsen termes of fisyk In loues termes / hold of thy matere The forme alway / and do þat it be like [ 1040] For if a peyntour wold peynte a pik with asses feet and hedde it as an ape It cordeth naught / so nere it put a Iape [ 1043]

(150)

¶ This conseil lyked wel vn to Troilus [leaf 26, back] [ 1044] But as a dredful louere he seyde this Allas my dere brother Pandarus I am aschamed for to wryte I-wis [ 1047] Leste of myn Innocence I seyde amys Or þat she nolde it for despit receyue Than were I ded ther myght it no thyng weyue [ 1050]

(151)

¶ To that Pandare answerde If þe leste [ 1051] Do þat I seye and lat me ther-with gon For by that lord þat formed est and weste I hope of if to brynge ansewere anoon [ 1054] Of hire honde / and if that thow nylt noon Lat be / and sory mote he ben his lyue Aȝeyn thi lust þat helpeth þe to thriue [ 1057]

(152)

¶ Quod Troilus depardieux ich assente [ 1058] Sith þat þe lest I wil a-rise and wryte And blisful and pray ich with goode entente Þe vyage and þe letre I shal endite [ 1061] So spede it / and thow Mynerua the whyte Ȝif thow me wit my letre to deuyse And sette hym down and wrot right in þis wyse [ 1064]

(153) (Troilus's Letter.)

¶ First he gan hire his right lady calle [ 1065] His hertes lif his lust his sorwes leche His blisse / and ek thise other termes alle Þat in swich cas þis louers alle seche [ 1068] And in ful humble wyse as in his speche He gan hym recomaunde vn-to hire grace To telle alle how it axeth muchel space [ 1071]

(154)

¶ And efter þis ful lowely he hire preyde [ 1072] To be nought wroth / theigh he of his folye So hardy was to hire to write and seyde Þat loue it made or elles moost he dye [ 1075] And pitously gan mercy for to crye And efter he seyde and leigh ful lowde Hym self was litel worth and lesse he koudo [ 1078]

(155)

¶ And at she shold han his konnynge excused [ 1079] Þat litel was and ek he dradde hire so And his vnworthynesse he ay acused And after þat þan gan he telle his wo [ 1082] But þat was endeles with-outen hoo And seyde he wolde in throuth al-way hym holde And radde it ouer and gan þe letre folde [ 1085]

(End of Troilus's Letter.)

(156)

¶ And with hise salt teris gan he bathe [leaf 27] [ 1086] the ruby in his signet and it sette Vp-on þe wex deliuerliche and rathe Ther-with a thousand tymes er he [[first, Ire]] [ 1089] He kiste tho the letre that he shette And seyd letre a blisful destyne The shapen is my lady shal þe se [ 1092]

(157)

¶ This Pandare tooke þe letre and þat by tyme [ 1093] a-morwe / and to his neces paleys sterte And faste he swore þat it was passed prime And faste he swore þat it was passed prime [ 1096] And gan to Ioye / and seyde y-wys myn herte So fresshe it is alle though it soore smerte I may naught slepe neuere a mayes morwe [ 1099] I haue a Ioly wo a lusty sorwe.

(158)

¶ Creseyde when þat she hire vncle herde [ 1100] with dredeful herte and desirous to here Þe cause of his comynge thus answerde Now by ȝoure fey myn vncle quod she dere [ 1103] What maner wyndes gideth ȝow now here Tel us ioure Ioly wo and Ioure penaunce How fer forth be ȝe put in loues daunce [ 1106]

(159)

¶ By god quod [he] I hoppe alway by-hynde [ 1107] And she to laugh it thoughte hire herte breste Quod Pandarus looke alwey ȝe fynde Game in myn hood but herkenet if ȝow leste [ 1110] Ther is right now come in to towne a gest A greke aspie and telleth newe thynges For wich I come telle ȝow new tydynges [ 1113]

(160)

¶ In to þe gardyn go we and ȝe shal here [ 1114] Al pryuely of þis a longe sermon With þat þei wenten arm in arm yfere In to þe gardyn from þe chaumbre doun [ 1117] And when þat he so fer was þat þe soun Of þat he spake no man heren myghte He seyd hire thus and out þe letre plyghte [ 1120]

(161)

¶ Lo he þat is al holly ȝoures free [ 1121] Hym recomaundeth lowly to ȝoure grace And sent ȝow þis letre hire by me Avyseth ȝow on it when ȝe han sp[a]ce [ 1124] And of som goodely answere ȝow purchace Or helpe me god so pleynly for to seyne He may not lange lyuen for his peyne [ 1127]

(162)

¶ Ful dredfully tho gan she stonde stylle [leaf 27, back] [ 1128] And toke it nough[t] but al hire humble chere Gan for to chaunge and seyde scrit ne bille For loue of god þat toucheth swiche mat[e]re [ 1131] Ne brynge me noon / and also vncle dere To myn estat haue more rewarde I preye Þan to hise lust what shold I more seye [ 1134]

(163)

¶ And looketh now if þis be resonable [ 1135] and lette[t]h nought for fauour ne for slouthe To seyne a sothe now were it couenable To myn estat by god and by ȝoure trouthe [ 1138] To taken it or to han of hym routhe In harmynge of my self or in reproue Ber it aȝeyn for hym þat ȝe on leue [ 1141]

(164)

¶ This Pandarus gan on hire for to stare [ 1142] And seyde now is this grettest wonder That euere I seygh lat be þis nyce fare To deth mote I smyten be with thonder [ 1145] If for þe Cite which stondeth ȝonder walde I a letre vn-to ȝow brynge or take To harm of ȝow what list ȝow þus it make [ 1148]

(165)

¶ But þus ȝe faren wel neigh al and some [ 1149] Þat he þat moste desireth ȝow to serue Of hym ȝe reche leest wher he bycome And whether þat he lyue or elles sterue [ 1152] But for al þat þat euere I may deserue Refuse it naughte quod he and hynte hire faste And in hire bosom þe letre doun he thraste [ 1155]

(166)

¶ And seyde hire now caste a-wey a-noon [ 1156] Þat folke may seyne and gauren on vs tweye Quod she I kan abide til they be gone And gan to smyle and seyde hym Em I preye [ 1159] Swiche answer as ȝow list ȝoure self purueye For trewely I nyl no letre wryte No than wol. .I quod he so ȝe endite [ 1162]

(167)

¶ Ther-with she lough and seyde go we dyne [ 1163] And he gan at hym self to Iape faste and seyde nece I haue so grete a pyne For loue þat euere-ich other day I faste [ 1166] And gan his best Iapes forth to caste And made hire so to laughe at his folye Þat she for laughtere wende for to deye [ 1169]

(168)

¶ And whan þat she was comen in to halle [leaf 28] [ 1170] Now Em quod she we wol go dyne a-non And gan some of hire wommen to hire calle And streght in-to hire chaumber gan she gon [ 1173] But of hire besynesse þis was oon Amonge other þynges out of drede Ful pryuely this letre for to rede [ 1176]

(169)

¶ Auysed word by word in euery lyne [ 1177] And fonde no lakke she thoughte he koude goode And vp it putte and wente hire in to dyne But Pandarus that in a stodye stode [ 1180] Er he was war she toke by þe hoode And seyde ȝe war caughte er þat ȝe wiste I vouche sauf quod he do what ȝow liste [ 1183]

(170)

¶ Tho wesshen they and sette hem doun and ete [ 1184] And after noon ful sleighly Pandarus Gan drawe hym to þe wyndow next þe strete And seyde nece who hath arrayed thus [ 1187] The ȝonder house þat stant a-forȝeynes vs which house quod she / and gan for to byholde And knewe it wele and whas it was hym tolde [ 1190]

(171)

¶ And fillen forthe in speche of thynges smale [ 1191] And seten in þe wyndowe bothe tweye When Pandarus saugh tyme vnto his tale And saugh wel þat hire folk weren al aweye [ 1194] Now nece myne tel on quod he I seye How liketh ȝow þe letre that ȝe woote Kan he þer-on for by my trouthe I noot / [ 1197]

(172)

¶ Ther-with al rosy hewed tho wex she [ 1198] And gan to homme and seid so I trowe A-quyte hym wel for goddes loue quod he My self to medes wol þe letre sowe [ 1201] And helde his hondes vp and satt on knowe Now gode nece be it neuer so lite Ȝif me þe labour it to sow and plyte [ 1204]

(173)

¶ Ȝe for I kan so wryten quod she tho [ 1205] And ek I noot what I shold to hym seye Nay nece quod pandare sey not so Ȝett at þe leest thonketh hym I preye [ 1208] Of his goode wil / and doth hym not to dye Now for þe loue of me my nece dere Refuseth nat at þis tyme my preyere [ 1211]

(174)

¶ Depar-dieux quod she god leue al be wele [lf 28, bk] [ 1212] God helpe me so this is þe firste lettre Þat euer I wrote ȝe al or any dele and in-to a closett for tauyse hire bettre [ 1215] She wente allone and gan her herte vnfettre Out of desdayns prison but a lite And sette hire doun and gan a letre write [ 1218]

(175)

¶ Of which to telle in shorte is myn entent [ 1219] Theffect as fer as I kan vnderstonde She thankes hym of al þat he wel mente Towardes hire / but holden hym in honde [ 1222] She nolde nought ne make hire selfen bonde In loue / but as his sister hym to plese She wold fayne to don his herte an ese [ 1225]

(176)

¶ Sche shette it and in to Pandare gan gone [ 1226] Ther as he satte and loked in to þe strete And doun she sette hire by hym on a stone Of Iapery / vp on a quysshen gold y-bette [ 1229] And seyde as wysly help me god the grete I neuere dide a thynge with more peyne Than writyn this / to whiche ȝe me constreyne [ 1232]

(177)

And toke it hym / he thanked hire and seyde [ 1233] God woot of thynge ful often loth by-gonne Comth ende goode and nece myn Creseyde That ȝe to hym of harde now ben ywonne [ 1236] Ought he be gladde / by god and ȝonder sonne For why men seith impressyons lighte Ful lightely ben ay redy to þe flyghte [ 1239]

(178)

¶ But ȝe han pleyed tiraunt neigh to longe [ 1240] And harde was it ȝoure herte for to graue Now stynte þat ȝe no longer on it honge Al walde ȝe þe fourme of daunger saue [ 1243] But hasteth ȝow to don hym Ioye haue For trusteht wel to longe ydon hardnesse Causeth despite ful often for destresse [ 1246]

(179)

¶ And right as they declamed þis matere [ 1247] Lo Troylus right at þe stretes ende Com ridynge with his tenthe sonne yfeere Al softely and thiderward gan bende [ 1250] Þer as þei sete as was his wey to wende To payleysseward / and Pandarus hym aspiede and seyde nece I-see who comth here ryde [ 1253]

(180)

¶ O fle nought In he seth vs I suppose [leaf 29] [ 1254] Lest he may thynken þat ȝe hym eschewe Nay quod she and wex as rede as rose with þat he gan hire humbly to salwe [ 1257] with dredeful chere and oft his hewes muwe And up his look debonairly he caste And bekked on Pandare and forth he paste [ 1260]

(181)

¶ God woot If he satt on his hors aright [ 1261] Or goodely was by-seyn that ilke day God woot wher he was like a manly knyghte what shold I dretche or telle of his array [ 1264] Criseyde whiche þat al þis thynges sey To telle in short hire liked alle y-feere His persone his array his look his chere [ 1267]

(182)

¶ His goodely manere and his gentilesse [ 1268] So wel þat neuere sith þat she was borne Ne hadde she swiche routhe of his distresse And how so sche harde ben here biforne [ 1271] To god hope I she hath nowe caught a thorne She shal nought pul it out this next weke God send mo swich thornes on to pyke [ 1274]

(183)

¶ Pandare which þat stood hire fast by [ 1275] Felt Iren hoot and he bigan to smyte And seyde nece I preye ȝow hertly Telle me þat I shal axen ȝow a lyte [ 1278] a womman þat were of his deth to wyte with-outen his gylte but for hire lakked routhe were it wele don quod she nay by my trouthe [ 1281]

(184)

¶ God help me so quod he ȝe say me soth [ 1282] Ȝe felen wele ȝoure self þat I naught lye loo ȝonde he ride quod she ȝe so he doth wele quod Pandare as I haue tolde ȝow thrye [ 1285] Lat be ȝoure nyce shame and ȝoure folye And spek with hym in esynge of his herte Lat nycete nat do bathe ȝow smerte [ 1288]

(185)

¶ But þer-on was to heuen and to doone [ 1289] Considered al thynge it may nat be And why for shame and it were eke to soene To graunten hym so grete a liberte [ 1292] For pleynly hire entente as seyde she was for to loue hym vnwyste if she myghte and guerdon hym with no thynge but with sighte [ 1295]

(186)

¶ But Pandarus thought it shal nough[t] be so [lf 29, bk] [ 1296] Ȝif þat I may this nyce opinyon Schal nought be holden fully ȝeres tweye what shold I mak of þis a longe sermone [ 1299] He most assente on þat conclusioun As for þe tyme / and when þat it was euen And alle was wele he roos and toke his leue [ 1302]

(187)

¶ And on his wey ful fast homwarde he spedde [ 1303] And right for Ioye he felt his herte daunce And Troilus he fond allone a-bedde Þat lay as dose þis louers in a traunce [ 1306] Bytwyxen hope and derke desesperaunce But Pandarus right at hys in comynge He song as who seith somwhat I brynge [ 1309]

(188)

¶ And seyde who is in his bed so soone [ 1310] I-buryed thus it am I frende quod he who Troilus nay help me so þe moone Quod Pandarus thow shalt arise and se [ 1313] a charme / þat was sent right now to þe Þe whiche kan helen þe of thyn accesse If þow do forth with al þi besynesse [ 1316]

(189)

¶ Ye thought þe myght of god quod Troilus [ 1317] And Pandarus gan hym þe letre take And seyde pardee god hath holpen vs Haue here a light and loke on alle þe blake [ 1320] But oft gan the herte glade and qwake Of Troilus / whil þat he gan it rede So as þe wordes ȝaue hym hope or drede [ 1323]

(190)

¶ But finaly he toke al for þe beste [ 1324] Þat she hym wroot for somwhat he bihelde On which hym thought he myght his herte reste Al couered she þe wordes vnder shelde [ 1327] Þus to þe more worthy part he helde Þat what for hope and Pandarus biheste His grete wo for-ȝede he at þe leeste [ 1330]

(191)

¶ But as we may alday oure seluen see [ 1331] Thorw mor wode or cole more fire Right so encrees of hope of what it be Þer-with ful ofte encreesseth ek desire [ 1334] Or as an ook comth of a litel spire So thorwgh þis letre which þat she hym sente Encressen gan desir of which he brente [ 1337]

(192)

¶ wher-for I seye alwey þat day and nyghte [leaf 30] [ 1338] Þis Troilus gan to desir moore Þan he dide arst thorugh hope and his myghte To pressen on as by Pandarus lore [ 1341] And wryten to hire of his sorwes soore Fro day to day he leet it nought refreyde Þat by Pandare he wroot somwhat or seyde [ 1344]

(193)

¶ And dide also his other obseruaunce [ 1345] Þat tille a louer longeth in þis cas And efter þat thise dees torned on chaunce So was he outher glad or seyde allas [ 1348] And helde efter his gestes ay his pas As eftir swich answere as he hadde So were his dayes sory outher gladde [ 1351]

(194)

¶ But to Pandare alwey was his recours [ 1352] And pitously gan ay til hym to pleyne And hym bisoughte of rede and som socours And Pandarus þat sey his woode peyne [ 1355] wex wel neigh dede for routhe soth to seyne And bisily with al his herte caste Som of his wo to slen and þat as faste [ 1358]

(195)

¶ And seyd lorde and frende and brother dere [ 1359] God woot þat þi disese doth me wo But wiltow stynten al þis woful chere And by my trouthe er it be dayes two [ 1362] And god to-forn ȝet shal I shape it so Þat þow schalt come in to a certeyn place Þer as þow maist þi selft hire preye of grace [ 1365]

(196)

¶ And certeynly I noot If thow it woste [ 1366] But þo þat ben expert in loue it seye It is oon of þe thynges forthreth moste A man to have a leyser for to preye [ 1369] And syker place his wo for to by-wreye For in good hert it moot som routhe impresse To here and se the giltelees in distresse [ 1372]

(197)

¶ Paraunter thynkestow though it be so [ 1373] Þat kynde wolde don hire to begynne To han a maner routh vp-on my wo Seith daunger nay thow shalt me neuere wynne [ 1376] So reuleth hire hire hertes goost wiþ-Inne Þat though she bende ȝet she stant on roote what in effect is þis vn-to my boote [ 1379]

(198)

¶ Thenk here aȝenis when that the stordy ooke [leaf 30, back] [ 1380] On which men hakketh oft[e] for the nones Receyued hath the happy fallynge stroke The grete swough doth it to come al at ones [ 1383] As don þise rokkes or thise mylne stones For swifter coures cometh thynge þat is of wyghte when it descendeth than don thynges lyghte [ 1386]

(199)

¶ And ried that boweth dowen for euery blaste [ 1387] Ful lightly cesse wynde it wil a-rise But so nyl nought an ook when it is cast It nedeth me nought þe longe to forbise [ 1390] Men shal reioysen of a grete empryse A-cheued wel and stant with-outen doute Al han men ben þe longer ther aboute [ 1393]

(200)

¶ But Troilus þat tel me if þe lest [ 1394] A thynge now which þat I shal axen þe whiche is þi brother þat thow louest best as in þi verray hertes pryuyte [ 1397] I-wis my brother deiphebus quod he Now quod Pandare er houres twies twelue He shal þe ese vnwyst of it hym selue [ 1400]

(201)

¶ Now lat malone and werken as I may [ 1401] Quod he / and to deiphebus wente he tho Which hadde his lord and grete frend ben ay Saue Troilus / no man he loued so [ 1404] To tel in shorte wit-outen wordes mo Quod Pandarus I preye ȝow þat ȝe be Frende to a cause which þat toucheth me [ 1407]

(202)

¶ Ȝis parde quod deiphebus wel thow woost [ 1408] In al þat euer y may and god to-fore Al nere it but for man I loue moost My brother Troilus / but sey wher-fore [ 1411] It is / for sith þat day þat I was bore I nas ne neuere mo to ben I thynke a-ȝeins a thynge þat mygth þe for-thynke [ 1414]

(203)

¶ Pandare gan hym thanke and to hym seyde [ 1415] Lo sire I haue a lady in þis town Þat is my nece and called is Cryseyde which som men wolden don oppression [ 1418] And wrongfully han hire possession wher-for I of ȝour lordchip ȝow besheche Te ben oure frend with-outen more speche [ 1421]

(204)

¶ Deiphebus hym answerde o is nat this [leaf 81] [ 1422] Þat þow spekest of to me þus schraungely Criseyde my frende he seyde this Than nedeth quod deiphebus Hardely [ 1425] Namore to speke / for trusteth wel þat I wol be hire champyon with spere and ȝerde I rought naught though alle hire foos it herde [ 1428]

(205)

¶ But telle me thow þat woost alle þis matere [ 1429] How I myght beste auaylen now lat se Quod pandarus if ȝe my lord so dere wolden as now do þis honour to me [ 1432] To preyen hire to mo[r]we lo þat she Com vn-to ȝow hire pleyntes to deuyse Hire aduersaries wold of it agryse [ 1435]

(206)

¶ And ȝif I more dorst preye ȝow as now [ 1436] And charden ȝow to han so grete trauelle To han some of ȝoure brethern here with ȝow Þat myght to hire cause bet auayle [ 1439] Þan woot I wele she myght neuere fayle For to ben holpen what at ȝoure instaunce what with hire other frendes generaunce [ 1442]

(207)

¶ Deiphebus which þat comen was of kynde [ 1443] To alle honour and bounte to consente Answerde it shal be don and I kan fynde Ȝette grettere hepe to þis in myn entente [ 1446] what wiltow seyn if I for Eleyne sente To speke of þis I trow it be þe beste For she may leden paris as hire lyste [ 1449]

(208)

¶ Of Ector wiche þat is my lorde my brother [ 1450] It nedeth nought to preye hym frende to be For I haue herde hym o tyme and ek other Speke of Criseyde swich honour þat he [ 1453] Þat he may sey no bet / swich hap to hym hath she It nedeth nought hise helpes for [to] craue He shal be swiche right as we wol hym haue [ 1456]

(209)

¶ Spek thow þi self also to troylus [ 1457] On my bihalue and preye hym with vs dyne Sir al þis shal be don quod Pandarus And took his leue / and neuere gan to fyne [ 1460] But to his neces house as streght as lyne He com / and fond hire fro þe mete arise And sette hym down and spak right in þis wyse [ 1463]

(210)

¶ He seyde o verray god so haue I ronne [leaf 31, back] [ 1464] Lo nece myn se ȝe nought how I swete I not whether ȝe þe more thank me konne Be nought ware how fals polyphete [ 1467] Is now aboute eft sones for to plete And brynge on ȝow aduocacies newe I no quod she and chaunged al hire hewe [ 1470]

(211)

¶ what is he more aboute me to dereche [ 1471] and don me wronge what shal I don allas Ȝet of hym self no thynge ne wolde I reche Nere it for antenor and Eneas [ 1474] Þat ben his frendes in swich manere cas But for þe loue of god Myn vncle dere No fors of þat lat hym han alle I-fere [ 1477]

(212)

¶ with-outen þat I haue a-nough for vs [ 1478] Nay quod pandare it shal no thyng be so For I haue ben right now at deiphebus And Ector / and myne other lordes mo [ 1481] And shortly makes eche of hym his foo Þat by my thryft he shal it neuere wynne For aught he kan when þat so he bygynne [ 1484]

(213)

¶ And as þei casten what was best to done [ 1485] Deiphebus of his owen curtasye Com hire to preye in his propere persone To holde hym on þe morwe compaignie [ 1488] At dyner / which she wold nought denye But goodely gan to his preyer obeye He thanked hire and wente vp on his weye [ 1491]

(214)

¶ when þis was don this Pandare vp anon [ 1492] To telle in shorte and forth gan for to wende To Troilus / as stille as any stoone And þis thynge he told hym word and ende [ 1495] And how þat he deiphebus gan to blende And seyde hym / now is tyme if þat thow konne To bere þe wele to morwe and alle is wonne [ 1498]

(215)

¶ Now speke now preye now pitously compleyne [ 1499] lat nough[t] for nyce shame or drede or slouthe Some tyme a man mot telle his sweue peyne Bileue it / and she shal han on þe routhe [ 1502] Thow shalt be saued by þi feithe in trouth But wel woot I thow art now in drede And what it is I leye I kanne arede [ 1505]

(216)

¶ Thow thynkest now how sholde I don al this [leaf 32] [ 1506] For by my cheres mosten folk aspye Þat for hire loue is þat I fare amys Ȝet hadde I leuere vnwyste for sorwe die [ 1509] Now thynke nought so for þow dost grete folye For I right now haue founden a manere Of sleight / for to coueren al þi chere [ 1512]

(217)

¶ Thow shalt gon ouer nyght and þat blyue [ 1513] Vn-to deiphebus house as the to pleye Thy malady awey þe bet to dryue For-why thou semest sike soth for to seye [ 1516] And after þat don in þi bedde þe leye And seye thou maiste no longer vp endure And lye right þare and byd þin auenture [ 1519]

(218)

¶ Sey þat þi feuere is wonte the for to take [ 1520] Þe same tyme and lasten tyl on morwe And lat se now how wel þow kanst it make For parde sik is he þat is in sorwe [ 1523] Go now fare wel / and venus here to borwe I hope and thow þis purpos holde ferme Þi grace she shal fully ther conferme [ 1526]

(219)

¶ Quod Troilus I-wis thow nedeles [ 1527] Conseylest me / þat sikliche I me feyne For I am sik in ernest douteles So þat wel neigh I sterue for þe peyne [ 1530] Quod Pandarus thow shalt þe bettere pleyne And hast lasse nede conterfete For hym men demen hoote þat men seen swete [ 1533]

(220)

¶ Lo holde þe at thi triste cloos and I [ 1534] Shal wel the deere vn-to þi bowe dryue Ther-with he took hise leue al softly And Troilus to paleys wente blyue [ 1537] So glad ne was he neuere in alle his lyue And to Pandarus reede gan al assente And to Deiphebus hous at nyght he wente [ 1540]

(221)

¶ What nedeth ȝow [to] tellen alle þe chere [ 1541] Þat deiphebus vnto his brother made Or his accesse or his siklych manere How men gan hym with clothes for to lade [ 1544] Þan he was leyde and how men wolde hym glade But al for noughte he helde forth ay the wyse That ȝe han herde Pandare er þis deuyse [ 1547]

(222)

¶ But certein is er Troilus hym leyde [leaf 32, back] [ 1548] Deiphebus had hym preyed ouer nyght To ben a frend and helpynge to Criseyde God woot þat he it graunted anon right [ 1551] To ben hire ful frende with al his myght But swich a nede was to prey hym thenne As for to bidde a woode man for to renne [ 1554]

(223)

¶ The morwen com and neighen gan þe tyme [ 1555] Qf meelited / þat þe faire queene Eleyne Shapte hire to ben an houre efter þe prime with deiphebus / to whom she nolde feyne [ 1558] But as his suster homly soth to seyne She come to dyner in hire pleyne entent But god and pandare wiste what al þis mente [ 1561]

(224)

¶ Com ek Criseyde al Innocent of þis [ 1562] Antigone hire suster Tharbe al-so But flee we now prolixite beste is For loue of god and lat vs faste go [ 1565] Right to theffect with-outen tales mo why al þis folk assemlede in þis place And lat vs of hire saluynges pace [ 1568]

(225)

Grete honour dide hym deiphebus certein [ 1569] And fedde hym wel with al þat myghte like But euere mo allas was his refreyne My goode brother Troilus the sike [ 1572] Lyth ȝet / and þer-with-alle he gan to sike And efter þat he peyned hym to glade Hym as he mygth and chere goode he made [ 1575]

(226)

¶ Compleyned ek Eleyne of his sikenesse [ 1576] So feithfully that pite was to here And euery wight gan wexen for accesse A leche anon / and seyde in þis manere [ 1579] Men curen folk / this charme I wol ȝow leere But þer sat oon al liste hire naught to teche Þat thoughte / beste koude I ȝet ben his leche [ 1582]

(227)

¶ After compleynte hym gonnen they to preyse [ 1583] As folk don ȝet when somwight hath by-gonne To preyse a man and with prys hym rayse A thousande fold ȝet heighere þan þe sonne [ 1586] He is he kan that fewe lordes konne And Pandarus / of þat þei wold afferme He naught for-gat hire preysynge to conferme [ 1589]

(228)

Herde al þis thynge Criseyd wel Inough [leaf 33] [ 1590] And euery word gan for to notifie For wiche with sobre chere hire herte lough For who is þat ne wold hire glorifie [ 1593] To mowen swich a knyght don lyue or dye But al passe I list ȝe to longe dwelle For for [quia propter] o fyn is alle that euer y telle [ 1596]

(229)

¶ The tyme com fro dyner for to rise [ 1597] And as hem aughte arisen euerychon And gonne a while of þis and þat deuyse But Pandarus brak al þis speche anon [ 1600] And seyde to deiphebus wol ȝe gone If ȝoure wille be as I yow preyde To speke here of þe nedes of criseyde [ 1603]

(230)

¶ Eleyne whiche þat by þe honde hire holde [ 1604] Took first þe tale and sayde go we blyue And goodely on criseyde she byhelde And seyde Ioyes lat hym neuere thryue [ 1607] Þat doth ȝow harm and brynge hym sone of lyue And ȝeue me sorwe but he schal it rewe If that I may and al folk be trewe [ 1610]

(231)

¶ Tel how þi neces cas quod deiphebus [ 1611] To Pandarus / for thow kanst best it telle My lordes and my ladys it stant thus what shold I longer quod he do ȝow dwelle [ 1614] He rong hym oute a proces like a belle Vp-on hire fo þat highte poliphete So heynous þat men myghte on it spete [ 1617]

(232)

¶ Answerde of þis ich werse of hem þan other [ 1618] And poliphete they gonnen thus to waryen Anhonged be swich oon were he my brother And so he shal for it ne may naughte varyen [ 1621] what sholde I longer in þis tale taryen Pleynlich al atones they hire highten To ben hire help in al þat euere þei myghten [ 1624]

(233)

¶ Spake þanne Eleyne and seyde Pandarus [ 1625] woot oughte my lorde my brother þis matere I mene Ector or woot it Troilus he seyde ȝe / but wole ȝe now me here [ 1628] Me thynketh þis sith Troilus is here It were good If þat ȝe wolde assente She told hire self hym al this er she wente [ 1631]

(234)

¶ For he wol haue þe more hire grief at herte [lf 33, bk] [ 1632] By cause lo þat she a lady is And by ȝoure loue I wol but in right sterte And do ȝow wyte and that anon I-wis [ 1635] If þat he sl[e]pe or wol ought here of þis And In he lepte and seyde bym in his ere God have þi soule I-brought haue I þi beere [ 1638]

(235)

¶ To smylen of þis gon tho Troilus [ 1639] And Pandarus with-outen rekenynge Out wente anon to Eleyne and deiphebus And seyde hem so ther be no taryinge [ 1642] Ne more prees he wol wele þat ȝe brynge Criseyda my lady that is here And as he may enduren he wol here [ 1645]

(236)

¶ But wol ȝe wot þe chaumber is but lyte [ 1646] And fewe folk may lightly mak it warm Now loketh ȝe for I wol haue no wyte To brynge In prees þat myghten don harm [ 1649] Or hym disesen for my bettre arm Wher it be bet she bide til eft sones Now lakketh ȝe þat knowen what to doon is [ 1652]

(237)

¶ I sey for me best is as I kan knowe [ 1653] Þat no wyght in ne wente but ȝe tweie But it were for I kan in a throwe Reherce hire cas vnlike þat she kan seye [ 1656] And efter þis she may hym ones preye To ben god lord in short and take hire leue This may nought muchel of his ese hym reue [ 1659]

(238)

¶ And ek for she is straunge he wol for-bere [ 1660] His ese / which þat hym thar nough[t] for ȝow Ek other thynge þat toucheth nought to here He wol me telle I woot it wele right now [ 1663] That secrete is and for the townes prow And they þat no thynge knewe of this entente with-outen more is Troilus In they wente [ 1666]

(239)

¶ Eleyn in al hire goodly soft [[corrected]] wyse [ 1667] Gan hym salue and wommanly to pleye And seyde I-wis ȝe most alwayes arise Now fayre brother both al hool I preye [ 1670] And gan hire arm right ouer his shulder leye And hym with al hire wit to reconforte As she best koude she gan hym to disporte [ 1673]

(240)

¶ So after þis quod she we ȝow bisike [leaf 34] [ 1674] My deere brother deiphebus and I For loue of god and so doth pandare eke To ben goode lord and frende right hertely [ 1677] Vn-to Criseyde which that certeinly Receyueth wrong as woot wel here Pandare That kan hire cas bet than I declare [ 1680]

(241)

¶ This Pandarus gan new his tonge affile [ 1681] And al hire cas reherce and þat anon when it was seyde soone after in a while Quod Troilus as soon as [I] may gon [ 1684] I wol right fayn with al my myght ben on Haue god my trouth hire cause to sustene Goode thrift have ȝe quod Eleyne þe quene [ 1687]

(242)

¶ Quod Pandarus and it ȝoure wille be [ 1688] Þat she may take hire leue or þat she go O[r] elles god forbede it tho quod he If that she voucheth sauf for to do so [ 1691] And with þat worde quod Troilus ȝe two Deiphebus and my suster leef and dere To ȝow haue .I. to speke of a matere [ 1694]

(243)

¶ To ben a-uysede by ȝoure reede þe bettere [ 1695] And fond as hap was at his beddes hed Þe copie of a tretis and a lettre Þat Ector hadde hym sent to axen red [ 1698] If shwiche a man was worthy to ben ded Who I naught wo but in a grysely wyse He preyed hym anon / on it auyse [ 1701]

(244)

¶ Deiphebus gan þis letre for tonfolde [ 1702] In ernest gret so dide Eleyne þe quene And rouynge outward fast it gonne biholde Downward a steyre in to an erber grene [ 1705] Þis ilke thynge þei redden hem bitwene And largely þe mountaunce of an houre Þei gonne it to reden and to poure [ 1708]

(245)

¶ Now lat hem rede and torne we anon [ 1709] To Pandarus / þat gan ful fast preye Þat al was wel / and out he gan to gon In to þe grete chaumber and þat in hye [ 1712] And seyde / god saue al þis compaignye Com nece myn my lady quene Eleyne Abideth ȝow / and ek my lordes Tweyne [ 1715]

(246)

¶ Ris tak with ȝowe ȝowre nece antigone [leaf 34, back] [ 1716] Or whom ȝow lest or no fors hardily The lesse prees þe bet com forth with me And loke þat ȝe thonken humblely [ 1719] Hem alle thre / and when ȝe may goodely Ȝoure tyme se taketh of hem ȝoure leue Lest we to longe his restes hym by-reue [ 1722]

(247)

¶ Al Innocent of Pandarus entente [ 1723] Quod tho Criseyde go we Vncle dere And arm in arm inward with hym she wente Auysed wel hire wordes and hire chere [ 1726] And Pandarus in ernestful manere Seyde alle folk for goddes loue I preye Stynteth right here and softly [ 1729]

(248)

¶ Auyseth ȝow what folk ben here with-Inne [ 1730] And in what plit oon is god hym amende And inwarde thus softly bygynne Nece I coniure and heighly ȝow defende [ 1733] On his half with that same vs al sende And in þe vertu of þe corones tweyne Sle nought bis man þat hath for ȝow þis peyne [ 1736]

(249)

¶ Fye on þe deuel thynke which oone he is [ 1737] And in what plit he lith com onon Thynk alle swich taried tyd but lost it nys Þat wol ȝ[e] both seyne when ȝe ben oon [ 1740] Secoundly ther ȝet deuyneth noon Vp-on ȝow two com of now If ȝe kanne whil folk is blent lo al þe tyme is wonne [ 1743]

(250)

¶ In titerynge and pursuyte and delayes [ 1744] Þe folk deuyne at waggynge of stre And though yo [[MS. þo]] wol have aftyr merye dayes Þan dar ȝe naught and why for she and she [ 1747] Spak [[Pak scratcht out]] swich a word thus loked he and he Las tyme I-lost I dar naught with ȝow dele Com of þer-fore and bryngeth hym to hele [ 1750]

(251)

¶ But now to ȝow ȝe louers þat ben here [ 1751] was Troilus naught in a kankedort Þat lay and myghte whIsprynge of hem here And thought o lord right now rennet my sort [ 1754] Fully to deye or han o-non conforte And was þe firste tyme he shold hire preye Of loue / o myghty god what shal he seye [ 1757]

Explicit Liber Secundus.

[2 leaves have been cut out of the Cambridge Univ. Libr MS. Gg. 4. 27.]

[Leaves 28 and 29 have been cut out of this MS., Gg. 4. 27.]

(13)

¶ Madame quod pandaris god ȝow se [leaf 30] [ 85] With al ȝoure bok & al þe cumpanye Ey vnkele quo sche god ȝow saue & se And vp sche ros & bi þ^e hond in hye [ 88] Sche tok hym faste & seyde þis nyȝt þrye To goode mote it turne of ȝow I mette And with þat word sche doun on bench ¹ hym sette ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [ 91]

(14)

// Ȝa nece ȝe schul fare wel þ^e bette [ 92] Ȝyf god wil al þis ȝyr qud Pandarus But I am sori þat I haue ȝow lette To herkyn on ȝoure bok þ^e pryse þus [ 95] ffor goddis loue what seith it telle it vs It is of loue or sum good ȝe me lere Vnkele quod sche ȝoure maystresse is not here [ 98]

(15)

¶ With þat þey gunne lawhe & þo sche seyde [ 99] Þis romauns is of þebes þat we rede And we han herd how þat kyng layes deyede Þour Edippus his sone and al þat dede [ 102] And here we stentyn at þis lettere rede How þ^e bischop as þ^e bok tellith Amphiorax fel þour þ^e ground to helle [ 105]

(16)

// Quod pandare al þis knowe I myn selve [ 106] And al þ^e sege of Thebes & þ^e care ffor herof be þere makyd bokis twelue But lat be þis & tel me how ȝe fare [ 109] Do a-woy ȝoure wimpil & schew ȝoure face bare Do a-woy ȝoure bok rys vp & lat vs daunce And lat vs don to may sum obseruaunce [ 112]

(17)

¶ I god forbede quod sche be ȝe madde [ 113] Is þat a wedewis lyf so god ȝow saue Ȝe makyn me be iouys sore adradde Ȝe ben so wilde it semyth as ȝe raue [ 116] It sat me wel bet ay in a caue To bidde & rede on holy seyntis lyuys Lat maydenys gon daunce & ȝonge wyuis [ 119]

(18)

¶ As euere þryue I quod þis Pandarus [leaf 30, back] [ 120] Ȝit coude I telle a þyng to don ȝow pleye Now Vnkele dere telle it vs ffor goddis loue is þanne þ^e sege a-weye [ 123] I am of grekis aferid so þat I deye Nay na / quod he al so euere mote I þryue It is a þyng bettyr þan sweche fyue [ 126]

(19)

// Ȝa holy god quod sche what þyng is þat [ 127] What bet þan swiche fiue I nay I-wis ffor al þis word ne can I rede what It schulde ben sum iape I trowe is þis [ 130] And but ȝowre selve telle vs what it is Myn wit is forto arede al til eue As help me god as I [[n, corrector]] not what ȝe meue [ 133]

(20)

¶ And I ȝoure borw ne neuere schal for me [ 134] Þis þyng ben told to ȝow so mote I þryue And whi so vnkele myn whi so quod sche By god he seyþ þat wele I telle as blyue [ 137] ffor proudere woman is þere non on lyue And ȝe wiste it / ne in þ^e toun of troye I iape not so euere haue I ioye [ 140]

(21)

// Þo gan sche wonderyn wel more þan be-forn [ 141] A þousent fold & doun hire eyȝen caste ffor neuere syn þ^e tyde þat sche was born To knowe þyng desired sche so faste [ 144] And with a sik sche seyde him at þe laste Now vnkele myn I nil þ^e not displese Nor askyn more þat may don ȝow disese [ 147]

(22)

¶ So aftyr þis with manye wordis glade [ 148] And frendeli talis & with merie chere Of þis & þat þey pleyede & gone wade In manye vncouth glad & dep matere [ 151] As frendis don when þey ben mette in fere Til sche gan axen hym how ector ferde Þat was þ^e tounys wall & þ^e grekys ȝerde [ 154]

(23)

¶ fful wel I þanke god quod þandaris [leaf 31] [ 155] Saue in his arm he haþ a lytil wounde And ek his frosche broþer Troilis Þe wise wary ector þ^e secunde [ 158] In hom þat vertu euere in [corrector]] lust haþ bounde As al treuthe & al gentillesse Wisdom honour fredom & worþinesse [ 161]

(24)

// In good feyþ em quod sche þat likyþ me [ 162] Þey fare wel god saue hem boþe to ffor trewely i holde it gret deynte A kyngis sone in armys wel to do [ 165] And ben of goode condisciounys þerto ffor gret power & moral vertu here Is selde seyn in on persone in fere [ 168]

(25)

¶ In good fayþ þat is soþ quod Pandaris [ 169] But be myn trouthe þe kyng haþ sonys tweye Þat is to mene ector & troylis Þat serteynly þov þat I schulde deye [ 172] Þey ben as voyde of vicis dare I seye As ony men þat leuyn vndir þ^e sunne Here myȝt is meche knowe & what þey cunne [ 175]

(26)

// Oof ector nediþ nouȝt for to telle [ 176] In al þe world þere ne is a betere knyȝt As he þat is of worþinesse welle And he wel more vertu haþ þan myȝt [ 179] Þis knowith many a wys & worþi wyȝt Þe same prys of troylis I seye So god helpe me I knowe not sweche tweye [ 182]

(27)

¶ By god quod sche of ector þat is soþ [ 183] Of Troylus þ^e same þyng trowe I ffor dredles men telle þat he doþ In armys day be day so worþily [ 186] And berith hym at hom here so gentilly Til euery wyȝt þat al þe prys haþ he Of hem þat me were leuest preysed be [ 189]

(28)

¶ Ȝe seyn ryȝt wel I-wis quod Pandaris [leaf 31, back] [ 190] ffor þis day who so hadde with hym ben Miȝte han wonderd vp on troylis ffor neuere ȝit so þikke a swarm of ben [ 193] Ne fley as grekys gunne from him flen And þour þ^e feld in euery wiȝtis ere Þere was non cry but troylis is þere [ 196]

(29)

// Now here now þat he / huntede hem so faste [ 197] Þer nas but grekis blud & Troylis Now hym he hitte hym doun he cast Ay where he wente it was a-rayed þus [ 200] He was here deþ & schild & spere for vs Þat as þat day þere durste non with-stonde Whil þat he hild his blodi swerd in honde [ 203]

(30)

¶ Þerto he is þ^e frendlyeste man [ 204] Of gret stat þat euere I say myn lyue And where hym leste best felauschepe can To swich as hym þynkyþ abele for to þryue [ 207] And with þat word þo pandaris as blyue He tok his leue & seyde he wolde gon henne Nay blame haue I myn vnkele quod sche þanne [ 210]

(31)

// What eylyth ȝow to ben þus wery sone [ 211] And nameliche of wemen wele ȝe so Nay sittyþ doun bi god I haue to done With ȝow to speke of wisdom or ȝe go [ 214] And euery wiȝt þat was a-boute hem to Þat herde þat gan fer awey to stonde Whil þey to haddyn al þat hem luste on hende [ 217]

(32)

¶ Whan þat here talk was brouȝt al to an ende [ 218] Of here estat & of here gouernaunce Quod Pandarus now is it tyme I wende But I seye aryseþ & lat vs daunce [ 221] And cast ȝoure wedewis abite to myschaunce What list ȝoure self þus to disfygure Syþe ȝow is tyd so glad an auenture [ 224]

(33)

¶ A wel be-þouȝt for loue of god quod sche [leaf 32] [ 225] Schal I now wetyn what ȝe mene of þis No þis þyng askyþ leyser þo quod he And ek me wolde meche greue I-wis [ 228] Ȝif I it tolde & ȝe it toke amys Ȝit were it bet myn tunge for to stylle Þan seyn a soþ þat were a-ȝens ȝoure wille [ 231]

(34)

// ffor nece by þ^e goddes Menerue [ 232] And Iupiter þat makyth þe þondyr to rynge Þat blysful venus þat I serue Ȝe ben þ^e woman in þis world leuenge [ 235] With-oute paramouris as to myn wetynge Þat I best loue & loþest am to greue And þat ȝe wete wel ȝoure self I lene [ 238]

(35)

¶ I-wis myn vnkele quod sche graunt mercy [ 239] Ȝoure frenschepe haue I founde euere ȝit I am to no man holde trewely So meche as to ȝow & haue so lityl quit [ 242] And with þ^e grace of god hene forþ & myn wit As in myn gilt I schal ȝow neuere offende And ȝif I haue or þis I wele amende [ 245]

(36)

// But for þ^e loue of god I schal ȝow be-seche [ 246] As ȝe ben he I most loue & trust Let ben to me ȝoure frendely manere speche And sey to me ȝoure nece whhat ȝow lyst [ 249] And with þat word hire vnkele a-non hire kyst And seyde gladly leue nece dere Take it for gode þat I schal seyn ȝow here [ 252]

(37)

¶ With þat sche gan hire eyȝyn doun to caste [ 253] And Pandaris to couhe [[couye alterd to couhe]] gan a lyte And seyde nece alwoy lo to þ^e laste How so it be þat sum men hem delyte [ 256] With sotyl art here talys to endite Ȝit for al þat in here entencioun Here tale is al for sum conclusioun [ 259]

(38)

¶ And syþe þ^e ende is euery talis strenthe [[This leaving-out of the g is now Lancashire, says Prof. Skeat. He has heard Mr. Gladstone do it.]] [leaf 32, back] [ 260] And þis matyr is so behouely What schulde I it pente or drawe it on lenthe [[This leaving-out of the g is now Lancashire, says Prof. Skeat. He has heard Mr. Gladstone do it.]] To ȝow þat ben myn frend so feyþfully [ 263] And with þat word he gan ryȝt inwardly By-heldyn hire & lokyn on hire face And seyde on swich a merour good grace [ 266]

(39)

// þanne þouȝte he þus ȝif I myn tale endite [ 267] Ouȝt hard or make a proces ony while Sche schal non sauour han þerin but lite And trowe I wolde here in myn wil begile [ 270] ffor tendere wittys wenyn al be wile Where as þey can not pleyn vndirstonde fforþy hire wit to serue wele I fonde [ 273]

(40)

¶ And lokyd on hire in a besy wise [ 274] And sche was war þat he be-hild here so And seyde lord so faste ȝe me auyse Sey ȝe me neuer er now what sey ȝe no [ 277] Ȝis ȝis quod he & bet wele er I go But be my treuthe I þouȝte not ȝif ȝe Ben fortunat for now men schal it se [ 280]

(41)

// ffor to eueryche wight sum goodliche auenture [ 281] Sumtyme is scape ȝif he it can receyue And ȝif he ne wil take of it no cure Whan þat it comyth but wilfully it weyue [ 284] Lo neyþer cas ne fortune him disseyue But riȝt his owene slouthe & wrechedenes And swich a wiȝt is for to blame I ges [ 287]

(42)

¶ Good auenture bele nece haue ȝe [ 288] Ful lyȝtely founde & ȝe cunne it take And for þ^e loue of god & ek of me Tache it a-non lest auenture slake [ 291] What schulde I lengere proces of it make Ȝif me ȝoure hond for in þis world is non Ȝif þat ȝow lyst a wyȝt so wel be-gon [ 294]

(43)

¶ And syþe I speke of good entencioun [leaf 33] [ 295] As I to ȝow h[a]ue told ȝu here be-fore And loue as wel ȝoure honour & renoun As criatour in al þis world I-bore [ 298] By al þ^e oþis þat I haue ȝow swore And ȝe ben wroþ þerfore or wene I lie Ne schal I neuere se ȝow eft with eyȝe [ 301]

(44)

¶ Beþ not a-gast ne quakyþ not wherto [ 302] Ne changith nouȝt for fere so ȝoure hewe ffor hardeli þ^e werste of þis is do And þow myn tale as now be to ȝow newe [ 305] Ȝit trist alwey ȝe schul me finde trewe And were it þat me þouȝte vnsittynge To ȝow wolde I non swich tale brynge [ 308]

(45)

¶ Now myn em for goddis loue I preye [ 309] Quod sche cum of & tel me what it is ffor boþe I am a-gast what ȝe wil seye And ek me longith it to wetyn I-wis [ 312] ffor wheþer it be wel or be amys Sey on let me not in þis fere dwelle So wil I don now herkenyth I schal telle [ 315]

(46)

// Now nece myn þ^e kyngis dere sone [ 316] Þ^e goode wise worþi frosch & fre Which alwoy for to don weɫɫ is wone Þ^e noble troilis so sore louyþ þ^e [ 319] Þat but ȝe loue his bane it wele be Lo here is al what schulde I more seye Do what ȝow lust to make him lyue or deye [ 322]

(47)

¶ But ȝif ȝe late him deye I wele sterue [ 323] Haue here myn trouthe nece I nil not lyen Al schulde I with þis knyf myn þrote keruen With þat þ^e teris brostyn out of hise eyȝen [ 326] And seyde ȝif þat ȝe don vs boþe deyen Þus gilteles þanne haue ȝe fiched fayre What mende ȝe o þow we beþ^e a peyre [ 329]

(48)

¶ Allas he wich þat is myn lord so dere [ 330] Þat trewe man þat nobele & worþi knyȝt Þat nouȝt desirith but ȝoure frendeli chere I se hym dye þere þat he goþ vp ryȝt [ 333] And hastyþ him with alle his fulle myȝt ffor to be slayn / ȝif fortune wil asent Allas þat god ȝow swich a beaute sent [ 336]

(49)

// ȝif it be so þat ȝe so crewel be [ 337] Þat of his deþ ȝe liste not to reche Þat is so trewe & worþeli as ȝe se No more þan of a iapere or a wreche [ 340] Ȝif ȝe ben swich ȝoure beute may not streche To make an ende of so crewel a dede Auysement is good be-fore Þ^e nede [ 343]

(50)

¶ Wo worþi þe fayre gom vertules [ 344] Wo worþi þat erbe þat doþ no bote Wo worþi þat beute is reutheles Wo worþe þat wiȝt þat tret vch vndir fote [ 347] And ȝe þat ben of beute crop & rote Ȝif þerwithal in ȝow ne be no reuthe Þanne is it harm ȝe liuyn be myn treuthe [ 350]

(51)

// And also þynkyth wel þat it is no gaude [ 351] ffor me were leuere þou & I & he Were hangit þan I schulde ben his baude As hye as men myȝte on vs alle se [ 354] I am þyn em þ^e schame were to me As wale as ȝe ȝif þat I schulde asent Þour myn a-bek þat he þyn honour schent [ 357]

(52)

¶ Now vndyr-stond for I now not require [ 358] To bynde ȝow to him þour non beheste But only þat ȝe make hym bettyr chere Þan ȝe han don or þis & more festis [ 361] So þat his lyf be sauid at þ^e leste Þis al and sum & pleynli oure entente God help me so / I neuere oþer mente [ 364]

(53)

¶ Lo þis request is not but skil I-wis [leaf 34] [ 365] Ne doute of tresoun parde is þere non I sette þ^e werste þat ȝe drede þis Men woldyn wonderyn to sen hym comyn & gon [ 368] Þere aȝen answere I þus a-non Þat euery wiȝt but he be fol of kende Wele deme it loue or frenschepe in his mende [ 371]

(54)

// What who wele deme þow he se a man [ 372] To temple gon / þat he þ^e emagis ettyþ Þynk ek how wel & wisely þat he can Gouernyn him self þat he no þyng forȝetith [ 375] Þat where he comyth he pris & þank him getiþ And ek þerto he schal come here so selde What fors were it þow al þ^e toun be-helde [ 378]

(55)

¶ Swich loue of frendis regnyth þour al þis toun [ 379] And wri ȝow in þat mentil euere mo And god so wis be myn sauacioun As I haue seyd þ^e best is to don so [ 382] But goode nece alwoy to stynte his wo Lat ȝoure daungere swerd bende a lite Þat of his deþ ȝe ben not for to wite [ 385]

(56)

// Cresseide which þat herde him in þis wyse [ 386] Now I schal fele what ȝe ¹ mene I-wys ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] Now em quod sche what wolde ȝe deuyse What is ȝoure red I schulde don of þis [ 389] Þat is wel seyd serteyn quod he best is Þat ȝe hym loue a-ȝin for his louyng As loue for loue / is skilful guerdounnyng [ 392]

(57)

¶ Þink ek how eld wastyþ euery oure [ 393] In eche of ȝow a parti of beaute And þerfore er þat age þ^e deuoure Go loue for old. þere wele no wiȝt of þ^e [ 396] Lat þis prouerbe a lore onto ȝow be To late war quod beaute whan it paste And olde dauntyþ daunger at þ^e laste [ 399]

(58)

¶ Þe kyngis fol is wone to crye froude [leaf 34, back] [ 400] Whan þat hym þynkith a woman berith hire hie So longe mote ȝe leuen & alle proude Til crowis fet hem waxen vndir ȝoure eyen [ 403] Whi sende ȝow þanne a mereur in to preyen In wich ȝe may se ȝoure face a morwe I bidde with / ȝow no more sorwe [ 406]

(59)

// With þis he stint & cast a-doun his hed [ 407] And sche be-gan to breste & wepe a-non And seide allas for wo whi nere I ded ffor of þis world þ^e feith is al a-gon [ 410] Allas what schulde straunge men to me don Whan he þat for myn beste frend I wende Rediþ me to loue / & schulde it me defende [ 413]

(60)

¶ Allas I wolde a trustid douteles [ 414] Þat ȝif þat I þour myn dis-auenture Hadde louyd him or eɫɫ [[ellis]] achilles Ector or ony manys creature [ 417] Ȝe nylde an had non mercy ne mesure On me but alwoi me in repreue Þis false world allas ho may it leue [ 420]

(61)

// What is þis al þ^e ioye & al þ^e feste [ 421] Is þis ȝoure red is þis myn blisful cas Is þis þ^e veray mede of ȝoure be-heste Is al þis peyntede proces seid allas [ 424] Ryȝt for þis fyn o ladi myn pallas Þow in dredful cas for me purueye for so a-stonid am I þat I deye [ 427]

(62)

¶ With þat sche gan ful sorwefulli to sike [ 428] O may it ben no bet quod pandaris By god I schal no more comyn here þis wike And god to-forn þat I am mystrostid þus [ 431] I se wel þat ȝe sette lite of vs Or of oure deþ allas I woful wreche Miȝt he ȝit liue of me is not to reche [ 434]

(63)

¶ O cruel god O dispituse marte [leaf 35] [ 435] O furies yre of helle on ȝow I crye So lat me neuere out of þis hous departe Ȝif þat I mente harm or welany [ 438] But syþ^e I se myn lord mote nede dey And I with hym here I me schriue & seye Þat wekedeli ȝe don vs boþ^e deye [ 441]

(64)

But siþ^e It like ȝow þat I be ded [ 442] Be neptunus þat god is of þ^e se ffrom þis forþ / schal I neuere ete bred Til I myn ouene herte blod may se [ 445] ffor serteyn I wele deie as sone as he And vp he stirte & on his waye he rauȝte. Til sche a-geyn him ¹ by the lappe cauhte. ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [ 448]

(65)

¶ Crisseyde which þat wol ner sterf for fer [ 449] So as sche was þ^e sorwefuleste wiȝt Þat myȝte be & herde ek with hire ere And say þ^e sorweful ernest of þ^e knyȝt [ 452] And in hise preieris ek say non on-riȝt And for þ^e harm þat myȝte ek falle more Sche gan to rewe & dredde hire wondir sore [ 455]

(66)

// And þouȝte þus vnhappis falle þekke [ 456] Alday for loue & in swich a maner cas And men ben crewel in hem self & weke ffor ȝif þis man sle hire hym self allas [ 459] In myn presence it wele be no solas What men wolde of it don I can not seye It nediþ me ful sleli for to pleie [ 462]

(67)

¶ And with sorweful sike seide þrie [ 463] A lord what me is tid a sori chaunce ffor myn estat lith in iupardie And ek myn emis lyf [[? lyth alterd to lyf, t dotted out]] in a balaunce [ 466] But neuere þ^e les with good gouernaunce I schal so don I schal myn honour kepe And ek his lyf & stinte for to wepe [ 469]

(68)

¶ Of harmis too þ^e lasse is for to chese [[se corrector]] [leaf 35, back] [ 470] Ȝit hadde I leuere to makyn him good chere In honour þan myn Emys lif to lese Ȝe seyn ȝe noþing eɫɫ me requere [ 473] No wis he seith myn owene nece dere Now wel quod sche & I wele don myn peyne I schal myn hest a-ȝen myn lust constreyne [ 476]

(69)

// But þat I nyl not holdyn him in honde [ 477] Ne louyn no man þat can no wiȝt ne may A-ȝen his wil but eɫɫ wil I fonde Myn honour saue plese hym from day to day [ 480] Þerto nolde .I. not onis sey nay But þat I drede as in myn fantasie But sese cause þan seseþ þ^e maladye [ 483]

(70)

¶ But here I make a protestacioun [ 484] Þat in þis mater ȝif ȝe deppere go Þat serteynli for no sauacioun Of ȝow þow ȝe sterue boþe to [ 487] Þow al þ^e world on oo day be myn fo Ne schal I neuere on him han oþer reuthe I graunte wel quod Pandaris be myn treuthe [ 490]

(71)

// But I may troste wel to ȝow quod he [ 491] Þat of þ^e þing þat ȝe han hiȝt me here Ȝe wele & it holdyn trorwely here Ȝa douteles quod sche myn vnkele dere [ 494] Ne þat I schal han cause in þis matere Qud he to pline ne aftir ȝow to preche Whi no parde what nedith more speche [ 497]

(72)

¶ Þo fellyn ȝit in oþere talis glade [ 498] Til at þ^e laste o goode em quod sche þo ffor loue of god which þat vs boþe made Tel me how first ȝe wistyn of his wo [ 501] Wot not of it but ȝit ȝe seide no Can he wel speke of loue I ȝow preie Tel me for I þ^e bet me schal purueie [ 504]

(73)

¶ Þo pandarus a litil gan to smy [leaf 36] [ 505] And seyde be myn treuthe I schal ȝou telle Þis oþerday not gon full long while With-inne þ^e paleis gardyn be a welle [ 508] Gan he & I wel half a day to dwelle So fer to spekyn of an ordenaunce Howe we þ^e grekis myȝtyn don disauenaunce [ 511]

(74)

// Sone aftir þat begunne for to lepe [ 512] And castyn with oure dartis to & fro Til at þ^e laste he seide he wolde slepe And on þ^e gres a-doun he leid hym þo [ 515] And I aftir gan rome to & fro Til þat I herde as þat I welk a lone How þat he gan ful wofully to grone [ 518]

(75)

¶ Þo gan I stalke him softeli be-hinde [ 519] And sekirli þ^e soþe for to seyne As I can clepe a-ȝen to myn mynde Ryȝt þus to louyn he gan him for to pleyne [ 522] He seide lord haue mercy of myn peyne Al haue I ben rebel in myn entent Now mea culpa lord I me repent [ 525]

(76)

// O god þat at þyn dispocicioun [ 526] Ledest þ^e fyn be iuste puruiaunce Of euery wiȝt myn lowe confescioun Accepte in gre & sende me swich pen[a]unce [ 529] As likiþ þ^e but from desperaunce Þat may myn gost departe awoy from þ^e Þou be myn schild for þyn benygnete [ 532]

(77)

¶ ffor certis lord so sore haþ sche me woundet [ 533] Þat stod in blak with lokyng of hire eyȝen Þat to myn herteis boteme it is foundit Þour which I wot þat me muste nedis deyen [ 536] Þis is þe werste I dar me not be-wreien And wel þ^e hattere ben þ^e gleden rede Þat men hem wrien with asschin pale & dede [ 539]

(78)

¶ With þat he smot his hed a-doun a-non [leaf 36, back] [ 540] And gan to motere I not what treweli And I with þat gan stille awoy to gon And let þerof as no þing wost hadde I [ 543] And come a-geyn a-non & stod hym bi And seide a-wake ȝe slepin al to longe It semyth me nouȝt þat loue doþ ȝow longe [ 546]

(79)

// Þat alepin so þat no man may ȝow wake [ 547] Ho say or þis euere so dul a man Ȝa frend qud he doþ ȝe ȝoure hedis ake For loue & lat me leuin as I can [ 550] But þow þat he for loue was pale & wan Ȝit made he þo as frosch a cuntenaunce As þow he schulde a led þe newe daunce [ 553]

(80)

¶ Þis passed forþ til now þis oþer day [ 554] It fel þat I cam romynge al a lone In to his chaumbir & fond how þat he lay Vp on his bed but man so sore grone [ 557] Ne herde I not ne what þat was his mone Ne wiste I not for as I was comynge Al sodeynly he lefte his compleynynge [ 560]

(81)

// Of wich I tok sumwhat suspecioun [ 561] And ner I come & fond he wepte sore And god so wis be myn sauacioun As euere of þing hadde I not reuthe more [ 564] ffor noþer with engyn ne with lore Onneþis myȝte I from þe deþ him kepen Þat ȝit fele I myn herte for hym wepyn [ 567]

(82)

¶ And god wot neuere siþe þat I was borne [ 568] Was I so besi no man for to preche Ne neuere was to wyȝt so depe I-sworne Or he me told ho myȝte ben his leche [ 571] But now to ȝow rehersin al his speche Or alle hise woful wordes for to sunne [[n 1 first m]] Ne biddeþ me not but ȝe wele sen me swounne [ 574]

(83)

¶ But for to saue his lyf or eɫɫ nouȝt [leaf 37] [ 575] And to non harm of ȝow þus I dreuyn And for þe loue of god þat vs haþ wrouȝt Swich cher him doþ þat he & I may leuyn [ 578] Now haue I plat to ȝou myn herte schreuyn And siþe ȝe wetyn þat myn entent is clene Takyth hede þerof for I non euyl mene [ 581]

(84)

// And ryȝt good þrift I preie to god haue ȝe [ 582] Þat haþ swich on lauȝt with-oute net And be ȝe wyse as ȝe ben fayr to se Wel in þ^e ryng þan is þe rebe set [ 585] Þere were neuere to so wel I-met Whan ȝe ben his alhol as he is ȝoure Þere myȝti god ȝit grau[n]te vs sen þat oure [ 588]

(85)

¶ Nay þerof speke I not ha ha quod sche [ 589] As helpe me god ȝe schendyn euerydel A merci dere nece a-non quod he What so I speke I mente not but wel [ 592] By maris þ^e god þat helmyd is of stel Now beþ not wroþ myn blod myn nece dere Now wel quod sche forȝouyn be it here [ 595]

(86)

// With þat he tok his leue & hom he wente [ 596] Ȝe lord how he was glad & wel be-gon Cresseyde aros & neuere sche ne stente But streit in to here closet sche wente a-non [ 599] And sette hire doun as stille as ony ston And euery word gan vp & doun to wende Þat he hadde seid as it come hire to mynde [ 602]

(87)

¶ And wex sumdel a-stonyd in hire þouȝt [ 603] Ryȝt for þ^e newe cas but whan þat sche Was ful auysed þo fond sche ryȝt nouȝt Of periel whi þat sche auȝte a-fered for to be [ 606] ffor man may loue of possibilite A woman so his herte may to-breste And sche not love aȝyn but ȝif sche leste [ 609]

(88)

¶ But as sche sat a lone & seyde þus [leaf 37, back] [ 610] Þe acry a-ros at scharmus al with-oute And men criedyn in þ^e strete se Troylis Haþ riȝt now put to fleyht þ^e grekys route [ 613] With þat gan al hire mene for to shoute A go we sen cast vp þ^e ȝatis wyde [. . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 616]

(89)

ffor oþer weye is from þ^e ȝatys non [ 617] Of dardannis þervp-on is þ^e cheyne With þat come he & al his folk a-non An esi pas rydynge in routys twene [ 620] Ryȝt as his happi day was soþ to seyne ffor wich men seyn may not disturbit be Þat schal betydyn of necescite [ 623]

(90)

¶ Þis Troilis vp on his bayȝe stede [ 624] Al armed saf hys heued ful rychely And wounded hys hors & gan ¹ for to blede ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] On quych he rod a pas ful softely [ 627] But swich a knyȝtely syȝte treweli As was on hym was nouȝt with-outyn fayle To lokyn on mars þat god is of batayle [ 630]

(91)

// So lik a man of armys & a knyȝt [ 631] He was to sen fulfild of hey prowesse ffor boþe he hade a bodi & a myȝt To don þat þyng as wel as hardynesse [ 634] And ek to sen hym in his ger hym dresse So frosch so ȝong so worþi semede he It was an heuene vp-on him for to se [ 637]

(92)

¶ His helm to-hewyn was in twenti placis [ 638] Þat in a tissen being his bak by-hynde His scheld to-dast with swerdis & with macis In wych men myȝte mane an arwe feynde [ 641] Þat þerled hadde hed & nerf & rynde And ay þ^e peple cryed here comyþ oure ioyȝe And next his broþer holdyn vpe of Troye [ 644]

(93)

¶ ffor which he wex a litil red for schame [leaf 38] [ 645] Whan he so herde þ^e peple on hym cryen Þat to beholde it was a nobele game How sobirli he cast a-doun his eyȝen [ 648] Cresseide gan al his cher aspyen And let so softe it in hire herte synkyn Þat to hire self sche seide ho ȝaf me drynken [ 651]

(94)

// ffor of hire owene þought sche wex al red [ 652] Remembrynge hire ryȝt þus lo þis is he Wych þat myn vnkele swerith he myȝte be ded But I on hym haue merci & pete [ 655] And with þat þouȝt for pure schamyd sche Gan in hire hed to pullyn & þat as faste Whil he & al þ^e pepil forbi past [ 658]

(95)

¶ An gan to castyn & rollyn vp & doun [ 659] With-inne hire þouȝt his excellent pruesse And his estat & also his renoun His wit his schap & ek his gentillesse [ 662] But hire fauour was for his distresse Was al for hire & þouȝte it were a reuthe To sle swichon ȝif þat he myȝte in trouthe [ 665]

(96)

// Now myȝte sum enuyous Iangele þus [ 666] Þis was a sodeyn loue how myȝte þis be Þat sche þus lyȝteli lovede Troylus Ryȝt for þe ferste syȝt ȝa parde [ 669] Now ho so seith so neuere mote he þe ffor euery þyng of gynnyng haþ it nede Or it be wrouȝt with-outyn ony drede [ 672]

(97)

¶ ffor I sey not þat sche so sodeynly [ 673] Ȝaf him here herte but þat sche gan enclyne To lyke hym fyrst & I haue told ȝow why And aftyr þat his manhod & his pyne [ 676] Made loue with-inne hire for to myne ffor wich be proces & be good seruyse He wan hire loue & in non sodeyn wise [ 679]

(98)

¶ And also blisful venus / wel arayed [leaf 38, back] [ 680] Sat in hire seuente hous of heuen þo Disposed wel & with aspectis payed To helpe seli troylis of his wo [ 683] And soþ to say sche nas not al a fo To Troylis in his natiuite God wot þat wel þ^e sonere spedde he [ 686]

(99)

Now lat vs stinte of troylis a þrowe [ 687] Þat ridyþ forth & lat vs turne faste Vn to Cresseyde þat hing hire hed so lowe Þere as sche sat a lone & gan to cast [ 690] Wheron sche wolde a-poynt hire at þe last Ȝif þat so were hire em wolde not sese ffor Troylus vp on hire for to prece [ 693]

(100)

¶ And lord how sche gan in hire þouȝt argue [ 694] Of þis mater of which I haue ȝow told And what to done best & what to eschewe Þat pleytede sche ful ofte in manye a fold [ 697] Now was hire herte warm now was it cold And what sche þoute sumwhat schal I write Al for myn autour leste for to endite [ 700]

(101)

// Sche þouȝte ek þis / þat Troilus persone [ 701] Sche knew be seyth & ek bi gentillesse And seide þus al were it not to done To graunte him loue ȝit for his worþynesse [ 704] It were honour with play & gladnesse In honeste with swich a lord to dele ffor myn estat & also for his hele [ 707]

(102)

¶ Ek wel wot I myn kyngis sone is he [ 708] And seyþ he hath to se me swich delite Ȝif I wolde vttirliche his siȝt fle Perauenture he myȝt han me in dispit [ 711] Þour which I myȝte stondyn in werse plyȝt Now were I wis myn hate to purchase With-outyn nede þere I may stonde in grace [ 714]

(103)

¶ In euery þyng I wot þere lyȝt mesure [leaf 39] [ 715] ffor þow a man forbede dronkenes He nouȝt forbede þat euery creature Be drynkeles for alwoy as I gesse [ 718] Ek soþ I wot for me is his distresse I ne auȝte not for þat þing hym dispise Syþe it is so he leuyth in good wise [ 721]

(104)

// And ek I knowe of long tyme a gon [ 722] Hyse þewis goode & þat he is not nyse Ne auauntour seyth men certeyn he is non To wise is he to don so gret a vice [ 725] Ne also I nele him neuere so cherice Þat he may make auaunt be iuste cause He schal me neuere bynde in swich a clause [ 728]

(105)

¶ Now sette a cas þ^e hardest is I-wis [ 729] Men myȝte demyn þat he louyth me What dishonour were it on-to me þis May I him lette of þat why nay parde [ 732] I knowe also & alday here & se Men louyn women þour al þis toun aboute Be þey þe wers whi nay with-outyn doute [ 735]

(106)

// I þynke ek how abele he is for to haue [ 736] Of al þis nobele toun þe þryftyeste Þat woman is so sche hire honour saue ffor out & out he is þ^e worþiest [ 739] Saue onli ector wich þat is þ^e best And ȝit his lyf now lyth al in myn cure But swich is loue & ek myn auenture [ 742]

(107)

¶ Ne me to louyn a wondir is it not [ 743] ffor wel I wot myn self so god me spede Al wolde I þat no man woste of þis þouȝt I am on of þ^e fayreste out of drede [ 746] And goodliest ho so takyþ hede And so men seyn þour al þ^e toun of troye What wondir ist þow he of me haue ioye [ 749]

(108)

¶ I am myn owene woman wel at ese [leaf 39, back] [ 750] I þanke god as aftyr myn estate Ryȝt ȝong & stonde on-teyed in lusty lese With-outyn ielusie & swich debate [ 753] Schal non husbonde sey to me chek mate ffor oþer þey ben ful of ielousie Or mastirful or louyn nouelrye [ 756]

(109)

// What schal I don to what fyn leue I þus [ 757] Schal I not louyn in cas ȝif þat me lyst What parde I am not religious And þow þat I myn herte sette at reste [ 760] Vp on þis knyȝt þat is þ^e worþieste And kepe alwoy myn honour & myn name Be al riȝt it may don me non schame [ 763]

(110)

¶ But riȝt as whan þ^e sunne schynyth bryȝt [ 764] In march þat chaungith oftyn time his face And þat a cloude is put with wynd to flyȝt Wich ouersprat þe sunne as for a space [ 767] A cloudi þouȝt gan þour here soule pase Þat ouer-sprad hire bryȝte þouȝtis alle So þat for fer almost sche gan to falle [ 770]

(111)

// Þat þouȝt was þis al syþe þat I am fre [ 771] Schal I now loue & putte in iupardie Myn sekirnes & þrallyn in liberte Allas how durste I þinkyn þis folye [ 774] May I not wel in oþere folk aspye Here dredful ioye here constaunt & here peyne Þere louyt non þat sche ne haþ [[later t put on to haþ and why]] why [[later t put on to haþ and why]] to pleyne [ 777]

(112)

¶ ffor loue is ȝit þe moste stormy lif [ 778] Ryȝt of him self þat euere was be-gunne ffor euere mistrust or nyce stryf Þere is in loue sum cloude is ouer þe sunne [ 781] Þerto we wreche wemen no þyng cunne Whan vs is wo but sitte & wepe or þynke Oure wreche is þis oure owene wo we drinke [ 784]

(113)

¶ Also þese wekede tungis þey ben so prest [leaf 40] [ 785] To spekyn vs harm ek men ben so ontrewe Þat riȝt a-non as sesed is here lest So seseþ loue & forth to loue a newe [ 788] But harm I-don is don ho so it rewe ffor þow þese men for loue hem ferst to rende fful scharpe beginnyng oftyn brekiþ an ende [ 791]

(114)

// How ofte tyme may men rede & se [ 792] Þe tresoun þat to women haþ be do To what fyn is swich loue I can not se Oor where be-comeþ it whan þat it is go [ 795] Þere nys no wiȝt þat wot I trowe so Wher it becomith lo non wiȝt on it spornyth Þat erst was noþing in to noþying turnyt [ 798]

(115)

¶ How besi ȝif I loue I muste be [ 799] To plese hem þat iangele of loue & demen And coye hem þat seyn non harm of me ffor þow þere be no cause ȝit hem semyþ [ 802] Al be for harm þat folk here frendes quemyn And ho may stoppe euery wekede tunge Or soun of belle whil þat þey ben I-runge [ 805]

(116)

// And after þat hire þouȝt be-gan to clere [ 806] And seyde he wich þat no þing vndir-takyth Non þing a-cheuyth be him loþ or dere And with a noþer þouȝt hire herte quakiþ [ 809] Þanne slepiþ hope and aftir dred a-wakyth Now hot now cold but þus be-twexe tweye Sche rist hire vp / & wente for to pleye [ 812]

(117)

¶ A doun þ^e steyȝere a-non riȝt þo sche went [ 813] In to þ^e gardyn with hire necis þre And vp & doun þey madyn ¹ many a went ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] fflexippe & Schetarbe & Antigone [ 816] To pleye þat it ioye was to se And siþe of hire women a gret route Hire folwede in þ^e gardyn al a boute [ 819]

(118)

¶ Þis ȝerd large & railled alle þe aleys [leaf 40, back] [ 820] And schadewid wel with blospened bowis grene I-benchede newe & sondede alle þe weyes In wich sche walkede arm in arm bi-twene [ 823] Til at þ^e laste antigone þe schene Gan on a troyan lay to syngin clere Þat it an heuene it was hire voys to here [ 826]

(119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.)

// Sche seyde loue to whom I haue & schal [ 827] Ben vmbele subiect trewe in myn entent As I best can I ȝow lord ȝeue I al ffor euere mo myn hertis lust to-rent [ 830] ffor neuere ȝit þyn grace nowyȝt sent So blisful cause as me myn lif to lede In al Ioyȝe & seurte out of drede [ 833]

(120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.)

¶ Þe blisful god han me so wel beset [ 834] In loue I-wis þat al þat berith lyf Imagine ne cunne how to be bete ffor lord with-outyn Ielusie or stryf [ 837] I leue on wich þat is most ententif To seruyn wel onworþi or onfeyned Þat euere was with harm vice disteyned [ 840]

(121)

// As he þat is þe welle of worþines [ 841] Of treuthe ground myrour of goodly-hed Of wight appollo ston of sekyrnes Of vertu rote of lust fingir & hed [ 844] Þour wiche as al sor fro me ded I-wis I loue hym best so doþ he me Now good þrif to haue he where so þat he be [ 847]

(122)

¶ Whom schulde I þanke but ȝow god alone [ 848] Of al þis blis of wich I baþe begyn And þanked be þow lord for þat I loue Þis is þ^e ryȝte lif þat I am in [ 851] To flen alle maner vice & syn Þis doþ me so to vertu for to entende Þat day be da I in myn wil amende [ 854]

(123)

¶ And who þat sayith þat for to loue is vice [leaf 41] [ 855] Or þraldom þow he fele in his herte distres He oþer inuyous is or riȝt nyse Or his vnmyȝti for his schrewedenes [ 858] To louyn for swich maner of folk I ges Diffamyn loue as no þyng of it knowe Þey spekyn but þei bentyn neuere his bowe [ 861]

(124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.)

// What is þ^e sunne wers of kynde ryȝt [ 862] Þow a man for febilnesse of hese eyȝen May not endure on it to se for bryȝt Or loue þe wers þow wrechis on it cryȝen [ 865] No wele is worþi þat may no sorwe dryen And forþi ho þat hauyth an heued of verre ffrom cast of stonys war hym in þ^e werre [ 868]

(125)

¶ But I wigh al myn herte & al myn myth [ 869] As I haue seyd wele loue vn to myn last Myn dere herte & al myn owene knyht In whiche myn / herte growyn is fast [ 872] And his herte in me þat it schal euere last Al drede I fyrst loue him to beginne Now wot I wel þere is no peryl inne [ 875]

[End of Antigone's Song of Love.]

(126)

// And here song ryȝt with þat word sche stente [ 876] And þerwithal now nece quod Crisseide Who made þis song with so good entente Antegone answerde & seide [ 879] Madame I-wis þ^e godelieste mayde Of gret estat in al þe toun of troye And let hire lif in most honour & ioye [ 882]

(127)

¶ ffor soþe so it semyth bi hire songe [ 883] Quod þo Crisseide & gan þerwith to sike And seide lord is þere swich blisse a-mong Þeese [[second e corrected]] loueris as þey cunne fayre endite [ 886] Ȝe I-wis quod frosche antegone þ^e white ffor alle þe folk þat han or ben on liue Ne kunne wil þ^e blisse of loue discriue [ 889]

(128)

¶ But wene ȝe þat euery wreche wot [leaf 41, back] [ 890] Þ^e parfit blisse of loue nay I-wis Þey wene al be loue þere on be hot Doway doway þei wot no þing of þis [ 893] Men miste axen at seyntis ȝif it is Ouȝt fayr in heuene whi for þey can telle An axith fendis ȝif if it be foul in helle [ 896]

(129)

// Criceyde þerto no þing hire answerde [ 897] But seide I-wis it wele ben nyȝt as faste But euery word þat sche of hire herde Sche gan to prentin in h[i]re herte faste [ 900] And ay gan sche hire lasse for to agast Þan it dede erst & sinkyn in here herte Þat sche wex sumwhat abele to conuerte [ 903]

(130)

¶ Þe dayis honour & heuenis eye [ 904] Þe nyȝtis fo al þis clepe I þ^e sunne Gan wrestyn fast & dounward for to wrie As he þat hade þe daijs cours I-ronne [ 907] And white þyngis gunne to wexe dunne ffor lak of lyȝt & sterys to apere Þat sche & alle hire folk hom wente in fere [ 910]

(131)

// So whan it likede hire to gon to rest [ 911] And woydeden werin þo þat wooldyn ouȝt Sche seyde þat slepyn whil hire lest Hire women sone on to hire bed hire brouȝt [ 914] Whan al was hust þo lay sche stille & þouȝt Of al þis þyng þe maner & þe gyse Rehersen it nediþ not for ȝe ben wise [ 917]

(132)

¶ A nyȝtyngale vp on a sidere grene [ 918] Vndyr þe chaumbir was þere as sche lay fful loude song a-ȝen þe mone schene Perauntyr in his briddis wise a lay [ 921] Of loue wich þat made his herte gay That herkened sche so longe en god entent Til at þe laste þ^e dede slep hire hent [ 924]

(133)

¶ And as sche slep a-non ryȝt þo sche mette [leaf 42] [ 925] How þat an egele federid wit as mylk Vndir hire brest hire longe clawis sette And out hire herte rente & þat a-non [ 928] And dede his herte in to [[to, first in]] hire brest to gon Of wich sche gros / nouȝt ne noþying sinerte And forþ he fley herte left for herte [ 931]

(134)

// Now lat here slep & we oure talis holde [ 932] Of troylis þat / is to paleys redyn ffrom þ^e charmys of þ^e whiche I tolde And in his chambyr sit & ay abidyn [ 935] Til too or thre on hire massage ridyn ffor Pandarus & souȝte hym so faste Tyil þey him founde & brouȝte him at þe laste [ 938]

(135)

¶ Þis Pandarus come lepynge in a-tonys [ 939] And seide þus we han ben wel I-betyn To day with swerdis & with slynging of stonys But Troylis þat haþ cauȝt him an herte [ 942] And gan to iape & seyde lord ȝe smete But ris & lat vs suppe & gon to rest And he answerd do we as ȝe lest [ 945]

(136)

// With al þ^e laste goodly þat þey myȝt [ 946] Þey spedde hem from soper & to bedde And euery wiȝt out at þ^e dore hym diȝt And where hym lust vp on his woye him spedde [ 949] Troylis þat þouȝte his herte bledde ffor wo til þat he / herde sum tydynge He seyde frend schal I now wepe or synge [ 952]

(137)

¶ Quod Pandarus li stille & me singe [ 953] And do on þyn hod þyne nedis spedde be And sches ȝif þou wilt synge daunce or lepe At schorte wordis þou schal trostyn in me [ 956] Sire myn nese wele don wel bi þe And loue þe best bi god & be myn treuthe But lak of hire purseut makiþ it þour þin alouthe [ 959]

(138)

¶ ffor þus fer forþ haue I þyn werke begunne [lf 43, bk] [ 960] ffrom day to day til þis day be þe morwe Hire loue of frenschepe haue I to þ^e wonne And þerto haþ sche leyd hire feyþ to borwe [ 963] Algate a fote is hamelid of þyn sorwe What schulde I lengere sarmoun of it holde As ȝe han herd be-forn al he hym tolde [ 966]

(139)

// But riȝt as flouris þour þe colde nyȝt [ 967] I-closede stoupe on here stalke lowe Redressen hem a-ȝen-þ^e sunne bryȝt And spryngin on here kynde cours be rowe [ 970] Ryȝt so gan þo his eyȝen vp to þrowe Þis troilis & seyde venus dere Þyn myȝt þyn grace I-heried be it here [ 973]

(140)

¶ And to Pandaris he held vp boþe hese hondis [ 974] And seide lord al þyn be it þat I haue ffor I am hol al brostyn ben myne woundis A þousand Troyes who so þat me ȝaue [ 977] Sche aftyr oþer god so wis me saue Ne myȝte so gladdyn so myn herte It sprediþ so for ioye it wele to-sterte [ 980]

(141)

// But lord how schal I do how schal I leuyn [ 981] Whanne schal I next myn dere herte se How schal þis longe tyme a-woy be dreuyn Til þat þou be aȝin at hire from me [ 984] Þow mayȝt answere & seyee abide quod he Þat hangiþ bi þ^e nekke soþ to seyne In gret disese abidiþ for þe peyne [ 987]

(142)

¶ Al esili now for þe loue of marte [ 988] Quod pandarus euery þyng haþ tyme So longe a-bit til þat þ^e nyȝt departe ffor also sekyr as þou lyst here by me [ 991] And god toforn I wele be þere or pryme And for þyn werk sumwhat as I schal say Or on sum oþer wiȝt þis charge lay [ 994]

(143)

¶ ffor parde god wot I haue euere ȝit [leaf 43] [ 995] Ben redy þ^e to seruyn in to þis nyȝt Haue I not feyned but euene with myn wit Don al ȝyn lust & schal with al myn myȝt [ 998] Do now as I schal seyn & fare a ryȝt And ȝif þou nylt wite al þyn self þyn care On me is not along al þyn euele fare [ 1001]

(144)

// I wot wel þat þou art wisere þan I [ 1002] A þousent fold but & I were as þou God helpe me so as I wolde vttyrly Ryȝt of myn owene hond write hire ryȝt now [ 1005] A lettere in whiche I wolde hire telle how I ferde a-mis & hire be-sechyn of routhe Now help þyn self & leue it not for slouthe [ 1008]

(145)

¶ And I myn self schal þerwith to here gone [ 1009] And whan þou wist I am with hire þere Worþe vp on a courser ryȝt a-none Ȝa hardily / and þat in þyn beste gere [ 1012] And ryd forþ bi þ^e place as nouȝt ne were And þou schal fynde vs ȝif I may sittynge In sum wyndowe into þ^e strete lokynge [ 1015]

(146)

// And ȝif þ^e lyste þanne mayst þou vs salue [ 1016] And vp on me make þyn cuntenaunce But be þyn lif be war þat þou eschewe To tarye ouȝt god schilde it fro myschance [ 1019] Ryd forþ þyn way & hold þyn gouernaunce And we schal speke of þ^e sumwhat I trowe Whan þou art gon to don þyne eris glowe [ 1022]

(147)

¶ Touchynge þyn lettere þou art wys I-now [ 1023] I wot þou nylt dyneleche ne mystileche endite As to makynit with þese argumentis tow Ne coryously ne craftyliche þou wryte [ 1026] By-blotte it with þyne teris a lite A ȝif þou write a goodli word al softe Þow it be good reherse it not to ofte [ 1029]

(148)

¶ ffor þow þ^e beste harpour vp on lyue [leaf 43, back] [ 1030] Wolde vp on þ^e beste sounede ioly harpe Þat euere was with alle hese fyngerys fyue Touche ay on streng or ay on warbele harpe [ 1033] Were hise naylis poyntede neuere so scharpe It schulde make euery wiȝt to dullen To heryn his gle & of his strokys fullyn [ 1036]

(149)

// Ne iumpere ek no discordaunt þyng in fere [ 1037] As þus to vsen termys of fysik In louys termys hold of þyn matere Þ^e forme alwoy & do þat it be lyk [ 1040] ffor ȝif a peyntour wolde peynte a pyk With assis fet & hedit as an ape It cordyth not so nere it but a iape [ 1043]

(150)

¶ Þis conseyl lykede wel to troylis [ 1044] But as dredful louere seyde he þis Allas myn dere broþer pandarus I am a-schamyd for to wryte I-wis [ 1047] Lest of myn ygnoraunce I seyde amys Or þat sche nolde for dispit resseyue Þanne were I ded þere myȝte no þyng veyue [ 1050]

(151)

// To þat answerde Pandarus ȝif þ^e lest [ 1051] Do þat I say & lat me þerwith gone ffor bi þat lord þat formede est & west I hope of it to brynge answere a-non [ 1054] Ryȝt of hire hond & ȝif þat þou nylt non Let ben & sory mote he ben his lyue A-ȝens þyn lust þat helpyþ þ^e to þryue [ 1057]

(152)

¶ Quod Troylus depardeus I assent [ 1058] Syþ^e þat þ^e lyst I wele a-ryse & wryte And blysful god preye I with good entent Þ^e viage & þe lettere I schal endite [ 1061] So spede it & mynerua þ^e whiȝte Ȝif þou me wilt myn lettere to deuyse And sat hym doun & wrot ryȝt in þis wise [ 1064]

(153) (Troilus's Letter.)

¶ ffyrst he gan hire his ryȝte lady calle [leaf 44] [ 1065] His hertis lyf his lust his sorwis leche His blis & ek þese oþere termys alle Þat in swich cas ȝe loueris alle seche [ 1068] And in ful vmbele wise & in his speche He gan him recommau[n]de on to hire grace To telle al how it axeþ meche spase [ 1071]

(154)

// And aftyr þis ful lowely he hire preyed [ 1072] To ben not wrorþ þow he of his folye So hardy was to hire wryte & seyede Þat loue it made or ell muste he deye [ 1075] And pitously gan merci for to crye And aftyrward he seyde & ley ful loude Hym self was litil worþy & lesse he coude [ 1078]

(155)

¶ But þat sche schulde han his cunnynge excused [ 1079] Þat litil was & ek he dradde hire so And his onworþynesse he ay ascused And aftyr þat þanne gan he telle his wo [ 1082] But þat was enfeyned for ay & o And how he wolde in treuthe alwoy hym holde And his a dew made & gan it folde [ 1085]

(End of Troilus's Letter.)

(156)

// And with hise salte teris he gan bathe [[the, corrector]] [ 1086] Þ^e rubye in his synet & it sette Vp on þ^e wex deliuerly & raþe Þerwith a þousent tymys or he lette [ 1089] He kyste þ^e lettere whan he hadde it schette And seyde a blysful desteny parde Þe schapyn is myn lady schal þ^e se [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Þis Pandarus vp þerwith & þat be tyme [ 1093] On morwe & to his necys paleys sterte And seyde slepe ȝe & it is pryme And gan to iape & seyde þus myn herte [ 1096] So frosch is it þow loue do it smerte I may not slepe neuere a mayis morwe I haue a ioli wo a lusti sorwe [ 1099]

(158)

¶ Crisseyde whanne þat sche hire vnkele herde [lf 44, bk] [ 1100] With dredful herte & desyrous to here Þe cause of þis comynge þus answerde Now be myn fay vnkele quod sche dere [ 1103] What manere wyndis gidiþ ȝow here Tellith vs ȝoure ioli wo & ȝoure penaunce How fer forþ be ȝe put in louis daunce [ 1106]

(159)

// By god quod he I hoppe alwey be-hynde [ 1107] And sche to law & þouȝte hire herte brest Quod Pandarus loke þat ȝe alwey fynde Gamyn in myn hod / but herkenyþ ȝif þat ȝon lest [ 1110] Þere is ryȝt now come in-to toune a gest A greke a spie & telliþ newe þyngis ffor wich come I to telle ȝow tydyngis [ 1113]

(160)

¶ In to þ^e gardyn go we & ȝe schal here [ 1114] Al preuyli of þis a long sarmoun With þat þey wentyn arm in arm in fere In to þ^e gardyn from þe chambere doun [ 1117] And whan þat he so fer was þat þ^e soun Of his wordis no man here myȝte He seyde þus & out þ^e lettere plyȝte [ 1120]

(161)

// Lo he þat is holli ȝouris fre [ 1121] Hym recomaundyþ louli to ȝoure grace And sent ȝow þis lettere here bi me A-vise ȝow on it whan ȝe han space [ 1124] And sum goodli answere ȝow purchase Or helpe god so pleynli for to seyne He ne may not longe leuyn for his peyne [ 1127]

(162)

¶ fful dredfulli þo / gan sche stonde stylle [ 1128] And tok it not / but al hire vmbele chere ¹ Gan to schaunge / and ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] seide scrit ne bille ffor loue of [[of, corrector]] god / þat touchith swich matere [ 1131] Ne bryngyth me non / and also vnkele dere To myn estat / hauyþ more reward I preyȝe Þan to his lust / what schulde I more seye [ 1134]

(163)

¶ And lokith now ȝif þis be resonabele [leaf 45] [ 1135] And letyþ not for fauour ne for slouthe To seyn a soþ now were it conabele To myn estat bi god & be ȝoure trouthe [ 1138] To takyn it or to han of him routhe In harmynge of myn self or in repreue Bere it a-ȝen to hym þat ȝe on leue [ 1141]

(164)

// Pandarus gan vp on hire for to stare [ 1142] And seyde / now is þis þ^e moste wondir Þat euere I hadde / let be þis nyse fare To deþe mote I smete be with þundir [ 1145] [. . . . . . . no gap in the MS.] [caret] Wolde I a letter to ȝow brynge or take To harm of ȝow what liste ȝow þus it make [ 1148]

(165)

¶ But þus ȝe fare alle & some [ 1149] Þat he þat most desireþ / ȝow to serve Of him ȝe reche lest where he become Or wheþer þat he leue or ell sterve [ 1152] But for al þat euere I may deserue Refuse it not quod he & hente hire fast And in hire bosom þ^e lettere doun he þrast [ 1155]

(166)

// And seide caste it now a-wey a-non [ 1156] Þat folk may it se / & gaure on vs to Quod sche .I can a-bide / til þey ben gon And gan to smyle & seyde em I preye [ 1159] Swich answere as ȝe list ȝoure self purueye ffor treweliche I nyl non lettere write No þanne wele I quod he / so ȝe endite [ 1162]

(167)

¶ Þerwith sche low / & seyde go we dyne [ 1163] And Pandarus gan / at him self to iape fast And seyde nece I haue so gret a pyne ffor loue / þat euery oþer day I fast [ 1166] And gan his beste / iapis forþ to cast And made hire so / to lawhe at his folye Þat sche for lauȝtere / wende for to deye [ 1169]

(168)

¶ And whan þat sche was com in to halle [leaf 45, back] [ 1170] Now em quod sche we wele go dyne a-non And gan some of hire women for to calle And streyt in-to hire chaumbere gan sche gon [ 1173] But of hire besynesse was þis on Amongis oþere þingis out of drede fful preuyly þis lettere for to rede [ 1176]

(169)

// A-vysed euery word be word in euery lyne [ 1177] And fond no lak sche þoute he coude good And vp it putte & wente hire for to dyne But pandarus þat in a stodie stod [ 1180] Or he was war sche tok him be þ^e hond And seyde ȝe were cauȝt or ȝe wiste I vouche saf quod he do what ȝ^u liste [ 1183]

(170)

¶ Þ^o wesche þey & sette hem doun & ete [ 1184] And aftyr non ful slyly þis pandaris Gan drawe him tyl a window nyȝ þ^e strete And seyde nece ho haþ arayed þus [ 1187] Þ^e ȝondere hous þat stant a-forn vs Wich hous quod sche & gan to beholde And knew it wel & hos it was hym tolde [ 1190]

(171)

// And fellyn forþ in speche of þyngis smale [ 1191] And setyn in þ^e windowe boþe tweyne Whan Pandarus saw tyme to his tale And saw wel þat hire folk were alle a-woye [ 1194] Now nece myn tel on quod he I seye How likyþ ȝow þ^e lettere þat ȝe wot Can he þeron for be myn trouthe I not [ 1197]

(172)

¶ Þerwithal rosi hewid wex sche [ 1198] And gan to humme & seyde so I trowe Aquit it wel for godis loue seyþ he Myn seluen þ^e medis wolde þ^e lettere sowe [ 1201] And held his hondis vp & fel on knowe Now goode nece be it neuere so lyte Ȝif me þ^e labour I wil it sowe & plyte [ 1204]

(173)

¶ Ȝa for I can so write quod sche þo [leaf 46] [ 1205] And ek I not what I schulde him seye Nay nece quod pandaris sey not so Ȝit at þe leste þankiþ him I preye [ 1208] Of his goode wil / o doþ him not to deye Now for þ^e loue of god myn nece dere Refuse it not at þis tyde be myn preyere [ 1211]

(174)

// Depardeus quod sche god leue al be wel [ 1212] God help me so þis is þe ferste lettere Þat euere I wrot ȝa al or euery del And in to a closet forto auyse hire betere [ 1215] Sche went a lone & gan hire herte onfetere Out of disdaynys prisoun but a lite And sat hire doun & gan a lettere wryte [ 1218]

(175)

¶ Of wych to telle in schort is myn entent [ 1219] Þe effectis as fayre as I can vndyr-stonde Sche þankede hym of al þat he wel ment Towardis hire but holdyn him in holde [ 1222] Sche nolde nouȝt ne makyn here self bonde In loue but as his sustir him to plese Sche wolde ay fayn don his hertete ese [ 1225]

(176)

// Sche schette it & to pandaris in [[is in corrected]] gan gon [ 1226] Þere as he sat & lokede in to þe strete Adoun sche sette hire bi him on a ston Of iasper on a quysschyn gold I-bete [ 1229] And seyde as wisely help [[p corrected]] me god þe grete I neuere did a þyng with more peyne Þan write þis to wich ȝe me constreyne [ 1232]

(177)

¶ And tok it him he þankede hire & seyde [ 1233] God wot of þyngis ful ofte loþ be-gunne Comyth ende god & nece myn Crisseyde Þat ȝe to hym of hard now ben I-wonne [ 1236] Auȝte he be glad by god & ȝoþer sonne ffor whi men sey Impressiou[n]s lyȝt [[Stanza 177 is repeated (but crosst out) on leaf 46. back, with 'ȝone' for 'ȝoþer' in l. 1237, and 'Impressions' in l. 1238.]] fful lyȝteli ben ay redi to þ^e flyȝt / [ 1239]

(178)

¶ But ȝe han pleyed þ^e tyraunt nyȝh to longe [lf 46, bk] [ 1240] And hard was it ȝoure herte for to graue Now stynte þat ȝe no lengere on it honge Al wolde ȝe þe forme of daunger saue [ 1243] But hastyth ȝow to don him ioye haue ffor trosteþ wel to longe don hardnesse Causeþ dispit ful ofte for distresse [ 1246]

(179)

// And ryȝt as þey declamede þis matere [ 1247] Lo Troylis riȝt at þ^e stretis ende Come rydende with his tensum in fere Al softely & þedirward gan bende [ 1250] Þere as þey sete as was his way to wende To paleys ward & Pandarus him aspiede And seyde nece lo ho comyþ here rydende [[dende corrected]] [ 1253]

(180)

¶ O fle not in / he sey vs I suppose [ 1254] Lest he may þynke þat ȝe him eschewe Nay nay quod sche & wex as red as rose With þat he gan hire / humili salue [ 1257] With dredful chere & eft gan his hewis newe And vp his lok debonerly he caste And bekkede on Pandarus & forþ he passede [ 1260]

(181)

// God wot ȝif he sat on his hors a ryȝt [ 1261] Or goodly was be-seyn þat ilke day God wot where he was lyk a manli kn[y]ȝt What schulde I dreche to telle of his aray [ 1264] Cresseide with þay these [[hese corrected]] þyngis say To tellyn schort / þey likede in fere His person . his aray . his lok . his chere. [ 1267]

(182)

¶ His goodli maner & his gentilnesse [leaf 47] [ 1268] So wel þat neuere siþe þat sche was borne Ne hadde sche swich reuthe of his distresse And how so sche haþ hard ben here be-forne [ 1271] To god hope / sche haþ now cauȝt a þorne Sche schal not pulle it out þ^e nexte weyke God sende ȝow sweche þornys on to pyke [ 1274]

(183)

// Pandarus with þat stod hire faste by [ 1275] ffelte þ^e þorn hot & he be-gan to smyte And seyde nece I prei ȝow hertely Tel me þat I schal axe at ȝ^u a lite [ 1278] A woman þat were of his deþ to wite With-outyn his gilt but for here lak of reuthe Were it wel don quod he / nay be myn treuthe [ 1281]

(184)

¶ God helpe me so quod he ȝe say me soþ [ 1282] Ȝe fele wel ȝoure self þat I ne lye Lo ȝondir he rit ȝa quod sche so he doþ Wel quod pandar as I haue tolde ȝow þrye [ 1285] Let ben ȝoure nyse schame & ȝoure folye And speke with him in esynge of his herte Let nysete not don ȝow boþe smerte [ 1288]

(185)

// But þeron was to heuyn & to done [ 1289] Considerid alle þynge it may not be And why{punctel} for speche / & it were ek to sone To graunte him ȝit so gret a liberte [ 1292] ffor pleynly hire entent as seyde sche Was for to louyn him onwist ȝif sche myȝt And guerdoun him with no þyng but with syȝt [ 1295]

(186)

¶ But pandarus þouȝte it schulde not ben so [ 1296] Ȝif þat I may þis nyse opinioun Schal not ben holde fully ȝeris too What schuld I make of þis a long sarmoun [ 1299] He muste asente on þat conclusioun As for þ^e tyme & whanne þat it was eue And al was wel / he ros & tok his leue [ 1302]

(187)

¶ And on his wey fulfaste homward he spedde [lf 47, bk] [ 1303] And ryȝt for ioye he felte his herte daunce And troilus he fond a lone in bedde Þat lay as don ȝe loueris in a traunce [ 1306] Be-tweþe hope & derke disesperaunce But Pandarus ryȝt at his incomynge He song as ho seþ sumwhat I brynge [ 1309]

(188)

// And seyde who is in his bedde so sone [ 1310] I-beried þus it am I þyn frende quod he Who troylis nay help me so þe mone Quod Pandarus þou schalt a-ryse & se [ 1313] A charm þat was ryȝt now sent to þe Þ^e whiche can hele þ^e of þyn accesse So þat þou do forþ þyn besinesse [ 1316]

(189)

¶ Ȝa þour þ^e myȝt of god quod troilis [ 1317] And pandarus gan him þ^e lettere take And seyde parde god haþ holpin vs Haue here a lettere & loke on alle þese blake [ 1320] Lord ofte gan þe herte glade & quake Of Troilus whil þat he gan it rede So as þ^e wordis ȝeue hym hope & drede [ 1323]

(190)

// But finally he tok al for þ^e beste [ 1324] Þat sche him wrot for sumwhat he be-hild On whiche he þouȝte he myȝte his herte reste Alle couered sche þo wordis vndyr schild [ 1327] Þus to þe more worþi part he hel[d] Þat what for hope & pandarus behest His grete wo for-ȝede he at þ^e lest [ 1330]

(191)

¶ But as we may alda oure seluyn se [ 1331] Þour more wode or cole þ^e more fere Ryȝt so encreseþ hope of what it be Þerwith ful oftyn creseþ ek desyre [ 1334] Or as an ok comyþ of a lityl spyre So þour þis lettere wich þat sche hym sende Encresyn gan desyr of wych he brende [ 1337]

(192)

¶ Where-fore I say alway þat day & nyȝt [leaf 48] [ 1338] Þis Troylis gan to desiryn more Þan he dede erst þour hope & dede his myȝt To presen on as bi Pandarus lore [ 1341] And writyn to hire of his sorwis sore ffrom dai to day he let it not refreyde Þat bi pandarus sumwhat he wrot & seyde [ 1344]

(193)

// And dede also hise oþere obseruauncis [ 1345] Þat til a louere longiþ in þis cas And aftyr þat his deis turnede on chauncis So was he oþer glad oþer seyde allas [ 1348] And held aftyr / hise gestis ay hise pas And aftyr swiche answeris as he had So were hise dais sori oþer glad [ 1351]

(194)

¶ But to pandarus was alwey his recours [ 1352] And pitousli gan ay to him pleyne And hym besoute of red or sum socours And Pandarus þat say his wode peyne [ 1355] Wex wol ner ded soþ to seyne And busili with al his herte caste Sum of his wo to slen an þat as faste [ 1358]

(195)

// And seide lord & frend & broþer dere [ 1359] God wot þat þyn disese doþ me wo But wilt þou stynt al þis woful chere And be myn trouthe or it be dayis to [ 1362] And god to-fore ȝit schal I schape it so Þat þou schalt come into a certeyn place Þere as þou mayst þyn self / preye hire of grace [ 1365]

(196)

¶ And certeynli I not ȝif þou it wost [ 1366] But þo þat ben expert in loue it seye Þat on of þe þyngis þat fer-rerith most A man to han a leyser for to preye [ 1369] And secret place his wo to be-wreye ffor in good herte it mot sum reuthe in presse To here & se þe gilteles in distrese [ 1372]

(197)

¶ Perauntyr þinkist þou þow it be so [leaf 42, back] [ 1373] Þat kynde wolde don hire for to begynne To han a maner reuthe vp-on myn wo Seyth daunger nay þou schalt me neuere wynne [ 1376] So prenely hire herte goþ with-inne Þat þow sche bende ȝit sche stond onrote What [[af corrected]] affect is þis vnto myn bete [ 1379]

(198)

// Þynke here a-ȝens whan þat þe sturdi ok [ 1380] On wich men hakke [[hakke, hese, corrected]] ofte for þ^e nonys Receyuid haþ hese [[hakke, hese, corrected]] happy fallynge strok Þe grete swey makiþ it to falle al at onys [ 1383] ³ As don þe rochis or þe melle stonys ffor swiftere cours comyth thyng that is on weyghte Whan it discendyth than don thyngis lyght [ 1386]

(199)

// But red that doun wyth euery blast [doun] [ 1387] fful lyghtly sese wynd it wil aryse ³ [[³-³ by a corrector]] But so wele not an ok whan it is cast It nediþ me not longe þ^e forbise [ 1390] Men schal reioye of a gret empresse Acheuyd wel & stont with-outyn doute Al han men ben þ^e lengere þereaboute [ 1393]

(200)

// But Troylis telle me now ȝif þ^e lyst [ 1394] A þyng wich þat I schal axens [[x, first 3] þe Wich is þyn broper þat þou louis best As in þyn veray herteis priuite [ 1397] I-wis myn broþer deiphebus quod he Quod Pandarus or ouris twies twelwe He schal þ^e ese onwist of it hym selue [ 1400]

(201)

¶ Now let me a lone & werke as I may [ 1401] Quod he & to deiphebus wente þo Which hadde his lord & gret frend ben ay Saue Troylis no man he louyd so [ 1404] To telle in schort with-oute wordis mo Quod Pandarus I preye þat ȝe be ffrend to a cause which þat touchiþ me [ 1407]

(202)

¶ Ȝis parde quod deiphebus wel þou wist [leaf 49] [ 1408] In al þat euere I may & god to-fore Al nere it but for man I loue most Myn broþer troylus but sey wherefore [ 1411] It is forsoþe þ^e day þat I was bore I nas / neueuermore / to ben I þynke A-ȝens a þyng þat myȝte þ^e forþynke [ 1414]

(203)

// Pandarus gan hym þanke & to hym seyde [ 1415] Lo sere I haue a ladi in þis toun Þat is myn nece & called is Cresseide Wich summe men woldyn don oppressioun [ 1418] And wrongli han hire possescioun Wherfore I of ȝoure lordschepe I ȝow be-seche To ben oure frend with-outyn more speche [ 1421]

(204)

¶ Deiphebus him answered o ist not þis [ 1422] Þat þou spekist of to me þus straungely Crisseyde myn frend he seide ȝis Þanne nediþ quod deiphebus hardeli [ 1425] No more of þis for trostiþ wel þat I Wolde be hire chaumpioun with spere & ȝerde I rouȝte not þow alle hire fois it herde [ 1428]

(205)

// But telle me how þou wolt of þis matere [ 1429] If myȝte best auaile now lat se Qod Pandarus / ȝif ȝe myn lord so dere Woldin as now don þis honour to me [ 1432] And preyin hire to morwe lo þat sche Come on to þow hire pleyntis to deuyse Hyre aduersarie wolde of it agryse [ 1435]

(206)

¶ And ȝif I more durste preye as now [ 1436] And chargyn ȝ^u to han so gret trauayle To han some of ȝoure breþeryn here with ȝ^u Þat myȝtyn in hire cause bet auayle [ 1439] Þat wot I wel sche myȝte neuere fayle ffor to ben holpin what at ȝoure instaunce What with hire oþere frendis gouernaunce [ 1442]

(207)

¶ Deiphebus with þat comyn was of kynde [leaf 49, back] [ 1443] To alle honour & bounte to consent Answerede it schal be don & I can fynde Ȝit grettere helpe to þis in myn entent [ 1446] What wilt þou seyn ȝif I for eline sent To speke of þis I trowe it be þ^e best ffor sche may lede paris as hire lest [ 1449]

(208)

// Ector with þat is myn lord myn broþer [ 1450] It nediþ not to prey him oure frend to be ffor I haue herd him o tyme & ek oþer Spokyn of cresseyde swich honour þat he [ 1453] May seyn no bet swich hap to hym haþ sche It nediþ not his helpe more craue He schal ben swich riȝt as we welyn him haue [ 1456]

(209)

¶ Spek þou þyn self also to troilis [ 1457] On myn behalue & prey him with vs dyne Sire al þis schal be don quod pandarus And tok his leue & neuere gan to fyne [ 1460] But he to his necis hous streit as lyne He come & fond hire at mete a-ryse And sat him doun & spak riȝt in þis wise [ 1463]

(210)

// He seide o veray god so haue I ronne [ 1464] lo nece myn lo how I swete I not wher ȝe þ^e more þank me cunne Be ȝe not war how fals Poliphete [ 1467] Is now eft-sonys a-boute for to plete And brynge on ȝow aduocatis newe I not quod sche & chonged al hire hewe [ 1470]

(211)

¶ What is he more a-boute me to drech [ 1471] And don me wrong what schal I do allas Ȝit of him self ȝit wolde I no þyng rech Ne were it for antenore & eneas [ 1474] Þat ben his frendis in swich cas But for þ^e loue of god myn vnkele dere No fors of þat let him han al in fere [ 1477]

(212)

¶ With-outyn þat I haue i-now for vs [leaf 50] [ 1478] Nay quod pandarus it schal no þyng ben so ffor I haue ryȝt now ben at deiphebus At ector & at myne oþere lordis mo [ 1481] And schortli mad eche of hem his fo Þat bi myn þrift he schal it neuere wynne ffor ouȝt he can whan so euere he gynne [ 1484]

(213)

// And as þey castyn what was best to done [ 1485] Deiphebus of his owene curteysi Come hire to preie in his owene propere persone To holde him on þ^e morwe cumpany [ 1488] At dyner which sche nulde not deny But goodely gan to his preyer obeye He þankede hire & wente forþ his weye [ 1491]

(214)

¶ Whan þis was don þis pandarus vp a non [ 1492] To telle in schort & forþ he gan to wende To troilus as stille as ony ston And al þis þyng he told hym word & ende [ 1495] And how þat he deiphebus gan to blende And seide now is tyme ȝif þat þou cunne To bere þ^e wel to morw & al is wonne [ 1498]

(215)

// Now speke now preye & pitously compleyne [ 1499] Let not for nyse schame or dred or slouthe Sumtime a man mote telle his peyne [[peyne corrected]] Beleue & sche schal han on þ^e routhe [ 1502] Þou schalt ben sauyd be þyn feyþ in trouthe But wel I wot þat þow art now in drede And what it is I ley i can it rede [ 1505]

(216)

¶ Þow þynkist now how schulde I do al þis [ 1506] ffor bi swiche cheris mustyn folk aspie Þat for hire loue is þat I fare a mys Ȝit hadde I leuere vnwyst for sorwe to deye [ 1509] Non þyng soo [[thyng soo corrected]] / for þou dost gret folye ffor I riȝt now haue fonden on manere Off sleyȝt for to keueren al þyn chere [ 1512]

(217)

¶ Þou schat gon ouer nyȝt & þat beluye [leaf 50, back] [ 1513] On-to deiphebus hous as þe to pleye Þyn malady a-woy þ^e bet to dryue ffor whi þou semyst sik soþ for to seye [ 1516] Sone aftyr þat doun in þin bed þ^e leie And sei þou mayȝt no lengere vp endure And ly riȝt þere & abyd þyn auenture [ 1519]

(218)

// Sey þat feuere iswont þ^e to taken [ 1520] Þe same tyme & lestyn til on þ^e morwe And lat it sen how þou canst it makyn ffor parde syk is he þat is in sorwyn [ 1523] So now far wel & venus here to borwe I hope & þou þis purpos hold ferme Þyn grace sche schal þ^e fulli conferme [ 1526]

(219)

¶ Qud Troilus I-wis now nedeles [ 1527] Conseilist me þat sekly I me feyne ffor I am sek in ernest douteles So þat wol nyh I sterue for þ^e peyne [ 1530] Quod Pandarus þou schalt þ^e betere pleyne And hast lasse nede þe to countyrfete ffor hym men deme hot þat men sen swete [ 1533]

(220)

// Lo hold þ^e at þyn tryst clos & I [ 1534] Schal wel þ^e der on to þyn bowe dryue Þerwiþ he tok his leue al softely And troilus to paleys went blyue [ 1537] So glad ne was he neuere his lyue And to pandaris red gan al asent And to deiphebus hous at nyȝt he went [ 1540]

(221)

¶ What nedyþ ȝow to tellyn al þ^e chere [ 1541] Þat deiphebus vn to his broþer made Or his acces or his seklyche manere How men gan him with clooþis for to lade [ 1544] Whan he was leyd & how men wolde him glade But al for nouȝt he hild forþ ay þ^e wyse Þat ȝe han herd pandarus or þis deuyse [ 1547]

(222)

¶ But serteynli þis or Troilus him leyde [leaf 51] [ 1548] Deiphebus hadde preiȝed him ouer nyȝt To ben good frend & helpinge to crisseide God wot þat he graunted a-non riȝth [ 1551] To ben hire fulle frend with al his myȝt But swich a nede was for to preye him þan As for to biddyn a wod man ren [ 1554]

(223)

// Þe morwyn com & neyen gan þ^e tyme [ 1555] Of mele that the [[hat the corrected]] fayre quen elyne Schop hire to ben an oure aftyr þ^e prime With deiphebus to whom sche nolde fyne [ 1558] But as his sustir homeli soþ to seyne Sche come to dyner in hire pleyne entent But god & pandarus woste al what he ment [ 1561]

(224)

¶ Come in Crisseide al innocent of þis [ 1562] Antigone hire sistir Tarb also But fle we now prolixite best is ffor loue of god & lat vs faste go [ 1565] Ryȝt to þe effecte with-oute tale mo Whi alle þese folk assembledin in þis place And let vs of here saluyngis pase [ 1568]

(225)

// Gret honour dede hem deiphebus certeyn [ 1569] And fedde hem wel with al þat myȝte like But euere mor allas was his refreyn Myn goode broþer troilus þ^e sike [ 1572] Liþ ȝit & þerwithal gan he sike And aftyr þat he pleyned him to glade Hem as he myȝte & cher good hem made [ 1575]

(226)

¶ Compleynede ek elyne of his siknesse [ 1576] So feithfulli a pete it was to here And euery wiȝt gan wexen for axsesse A leche anon & seyde in þis manere [ 1579] Men cure folk / þis charm I wele þ^e lere But þere sat on al list hire not to teche Þat þouȝte best ȝit coude I ben his leche [ 1582]

(227)

¶ Aftir compleynt him gunne þey to preyse [leaf 51, back] [ 1583] As folk don ȝit whan sum wiȝt haþ begune To preisin a man & vp with pris hem reise A þousent fold ȝit heyȝere þan þ^e sunne [ 1586] He is he can þat fewe lordis cunne And pandarus oftin þat þei woldyn aferme He for-ȝat not here preisyng to conferme [ 1589]

(228)

// Herde alwoy crisseide wel Inow [ 1590] As euery word gan for to notifie ffor wich with sobere cher hire herte low ffor wo is it þat nulde hire glorifie [ 1593] To moun swich a knyȝt don leuyn or deiȝe But al passe I lest ȝe to longe dwelle But for on fyn / is al þat euere I telle [ 1596]

(229)

¶ Þe tyme come from dyner for to arise [ 1597] And as hem þouȝte a-risyn euerychon And gunne a while of þis & þat deuise But pandarus brak al þat speche a-non [ 1600] And seyde to deiphebus wil ȝe gon Ȝif it ȝoure wille be as I ȝow preyede To speke þerof þe nedis of Cresseide [ 1603]

(230)

// Elyne which þat bi þ^e hond hire hild [ 1604] Tok first þ^e tale and seide go we blyue And goodli on Crisseide sche be-hild And seide Iouis let him neuere þryue [ 1607] Þat doþ ȝow harm & bring him sone on lyue And gif me sorwe but he schal it rewe Ȝif þat I may and alle folk ben trewe [ 1610]

(231)

¶ Tel þou þyn necis cas quod Deiphebus [ 1611] To Pandarus for þou canst best it telle Myne lordis & myne ladijs it stant þus What schulde I lengere quod he do ȝ^u dwelle [ 1614] He rong hem a proces lik a belle On to hire for þat hiȝte Poliphete So heynous þat men myȝte on it spete [ 1617]

(232)

¶ And ans ¹ werre of this eueryche werse than othyr ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [leaf 52] [ 1618] And poliphete þey gunne þus to warye On-hongit be swichon were it myn broþer And so it schal for it may not varie [ 1621] [. . . . . . . . line blank in MS.] Pleynli al at onys þey hire hiȝtyn To ben hire frend with al þat euere þey myȝtin [ 1624]

(233)

// Spak þanne Eline & seide Pandarus [ 1625] Wot ouȝt myn lord myn broþer þis matere I mene ector or wot it troilus He seyde ȝe but wele ȝe now me here [ 1628] Me þinkiþ þis soþ þat troilus is here It were good ȝif þat ȝe woldyn assent Sche tolde hire self him al þis or sche went [ 1631]

(234)

¶ ffor we wil haue þ^e more grif at herte [ 1632] Be cause lo þat sche a ladi is And be ȝoure leue I wil but in ryȝt sterte And don ȝow to wetyn & þat a-non Iwis [ 1635] Ȝif þat he slepe or wil ouȝt heryn of þis And in he lep & seide him in his ere God haue þyn soule brouȝt haue I þyn bere [ 1638]

(235)

// To smyle of þis gan þo Troilus [ 1639] And Pandarus with-outyn rekenyng Out wente a-non to Elyne & Deiphebus And seide hem so þere be no tarying [ 1642] No more pres he wil wel þat ȝe bring Crisseide myn ladi þat is here And as he may enduren he wil lere [ 1645]

(236)

¶ But wel ȝe wete þ^e chambir is but lite [ 1646] And fewe folk may liȝteli makyn it warm Now lokiþ ȝe for I wil han non wyȝte To brynge þerin pres þat myȝte don him harm [ 1649] Or hym desesin for myn bettere arm Where it be bet sche abide tyl eftt sonys Now lokiþ ȝe & knowith what to done is [ 1652]

(237)

¶ I say for me best is as I can knowe [leaf 52, back] [ 1653] Þat no wiȝt inne wente but ȝe tweye But ȝif it were I for i can in a þrowe Reherse hire cause onlik þat sche can seye [ 1656] And aftir þis sche may him onys preye To ben good lord in schort & takyn hire leue Þis may not meche of his ese him reue [ 1659]

(238)

// And ek for sche is straunge he wolde for-bere [ 1660] His ese wich þat him dar not for ȝow Ek oþer þyng þat touchiþ not to hire He wolde it telle I wot ryȝt wel riȝt now [ 1663] Þat secret is & for þ^e tounys prow And þey þat knowyn no þing of his entent With-outyn more to Troylus in sche went [ 1666]

(239)

¶ Elyne in al hire goodeli softe wise [ 1667] Gan him seluyn & womanliche to pleye And seide I-wis ȝe mote algate arise Now fayre broþer be alhol I preye [ 1670] And gan hire arm riȝt ouer his schuldir leiȝe And hym with al hire wit to reconfort As sche best coude sche gan him disport [ 1673]

(240)

// So aftir þis quod sche we ȝow be-seche [ 1674] Myn dere broþer deiphebus & I ffor loue of god & so doþ pandarus ek To ben good lord & frend riȝt herteli [ 1677] Vn to cresseide wich þat certeynli Resseyviþ wrong as wot wel here pandare Þat can hire cas wel bet þan I declare [ 1680]

(241)

¶ Þis Pandarus gan newe his tunge a-file [ 1681] And al hire cas rehersede & þat a-non Whan it was seid sone aftyr in a while Quod Troilus as sone as I may gone [ 1684] I wolde riȝt fayn with al myn miȝt ben one Haue god myn trouthe myn cause to susteyne Good þrif haue ȝe quod þ^e quene elyne [ 1687]

(242)

¶ Quod pandarus ȝif it ȝoure wille be [leaf 58] [ 1688] Þat sche may take hire leue or þat sche go Or ell god for-bede þo quod he Ȝif þat þou vouche saf for to don so [ 1691] And with þat word quod troilus ȝe to Deiphebus & myn sustir lef & dere To ȝow haue I to spekyn of a matere [ 1694]

(243)

// To ben auysed be ȝoure red þ^e bettere [ 1695] And fond as hap was at his beddis hed Þ^e copi of þ^e tretys & a lettere Þat ector hadde him sent to axen red [ 1698] Ȝif swich a man were worþi to ben ded Wot not who but in greseliche wise He preied hem faste on it to a-vise [ 1701]

(244)

¶ Deyphebus gan þis lettere to onfolde [ 1702] In ernest gret so dede Elyne þ^e quene And romynge outward faste it gunne bi-holde Dounward a steire & in an erber grene [ 1705] Þis ilk þyng þei reddyn hem be-twene And largeli þ^e mountenau[n]s of an oure Þei gan on it to redyn & to poure [ 1708]

(245)

// Now lat hem redyn & turne we a-non [ 1709] To pandarus þat gan ful faste prey Þat al was wel & out he gan to gon In to þ^e grete chaumbir & þat in hy [ 1712] And seyde god saue al þis cumpany Come nece myne myn ladi quene Elyne Abidiþ ȝuw & ek myn lordis tweyne [ 1715]

(246)

¶ Rys taketh wyth [[wyth, lykyth corrected]] ȝow oure nece antegone [ 1716] Or whom ȝow lykyth [[wyth, lykyth corrected]] no fors hardili Þ^e lasse pres þ^e bet come forþ with me And loke þat þ^e þanke vmbely [ 1719] Hem alle þre And whan þat ȝe may goodly Ȝoure tyme se takyþ of hem ȝoure leue Lest we to longe here restis hem be-reue [ 1722]

(247)

¶ Al innocen[t] of pandarus entent [leaf 53, back] [ 1723] Quod þo Crisseide go we vnkele dere And arm in arm inward with hym sche went Avised wel hire wordis & hire chere [ 1726] And Pandarus in ernest-ful manere Seide alle folk for goddis loue I preye Styntiþ riȝt here & softely ȝe pleye [ 1729]

(248)

// A-viseþ ȝow what folk ben here with-inne [ 1730] And in what plyȝt on is god him amende And inward þus softeli be-gyn O nece I cunioure & heyly defende [ 1733] On his halue þat soule vs alle sende And in vertu of corounys tweyne Sleþ not þis man þat haþ for ȝow þis peyne [ 1736]

(249)

¶ ffy on þ^e deuil þink wichon he is [ 1737] And in what pliȝt he lyȝth come of a-non Þynk on swich taried tid but lost it is Þat wele ȝe boþ^e seyn whan ȝe ben on [ 1740] Secundeli ȝit þere denyeþ non Vp on ȝow to come of now ȝif ȝe cūnne Wilk folk is blent lo al þ^e tyme is wonne [ 1743]

(250)

// In titeryng & pursuing & delayis [ 1744] ffolk deuyne at þ^e wagginge of a stre Þat þow ȝe woldyn han aftir merie daijs Þanne dare ȝe not & whi for sche & sche [ 1747] Spak swich a word þus lokede he & he Las tyme I-lost I dar not with ȝu dele Com of þerfore & brynge hym to hele [ 1750]

(251)

¶ But now to ȝow ȝe loueris þat ben here [ 1751] Was Troilus not in cankedort Þat lay & myȝte whisperyngis of hem here And seyde o lord now rennyþ mynne sort [ 1754] ffulli to deþ or han anon confort And was þ^e fyrste tyme he schulde hire pray Of loue o myȝty god what schal I say [ 1757]