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 ...

[Campsall MS. leaf 42, back.]

[The tagd f, g, k, t, of the MS. are not printed in this 3rd book.]

(1)

O Blysful light of whiche þe bemes clere. [ 1] Adorneth al þe þridde heuene faire. O sonnes lyef .o. Ioues doughter dere. Plesaunce of loue .o. goodly debonaire. [ 4] In gentil hertes ay redy to repaire. O verray cause of hele and of gladnesse. I-heried be þi myght and þin goodnesse. [ 7]

(2)

In heuene and helle in erthe and salte se. [leaf 43] [ 8] Is felt þi myght of þat I wole descerne. As / man / bryd / beste / fissħ / herbe and grene tre. The feld in tymes with vapour eterne. [ 11] God loueth and to loue wol nough werne. And in þis word no lyues creature. with-outen loue is worth or may endure. [ 14]

(3)

Ye Ioues first to þilke effectes glade. [ 15] Thorugh whiche þat þinges lyuen alle and be. Comeueden and amoreux hem made. On mortal þyng and as yow lyst ay ye. [ 18] Yeue hym in loue ese or aduersite. And in a þousand formes doun hem sente. For loue in erþe / and whom yow lyste he hente. [ 21]

(4)

Ye fierse Mars apeysen of his Iire. [ 22] And as yow lyste ye maken hertes digne. Algates hem þat ye wole sette a fyre. Thei dreden shame and vices þei resigne. [ 25] Ye do hem corteys be fresch and benigne. And hye or lowe after a wyght entendeth. The Ioyes þat he hath youre myght it sendeth. [ 28]

(5)

Ye holden regne and hous in vnite. [ 29] Ye sothfast cause of frendship ben also. Ye knowe al þilke couered qualite. Of þing which þat folk on wondren so. [ 32] whan þey kan not constreue how it may Io. She loueth hym or whi he loueth here. As whi þis fissh and nought þat cometh to were. [ 35]

(6)

Ye folk a lawe han set in vniuersite. [ 36] And þis knowe I by hem þat loueres be. That who-so stryueth with yow hath þe worse. Now lady bryght for þi benignite. [ 39] At reuerence of hem þat seruen þe. whos clerk I am so techeþ me deuyse. Som Ioye of þat is felt in þis seruyce. [ 42]

(7)

Ye in my nakede herte sentement. [leaf 43, back] [ 43] Inhelde and do me shewe of thi swetnesse. Caliope thi voys be now present. For now is nede sestow not my destresse. [ 46] How I mot telle a-non right þe gladnesse. Of Troylus to Venus heriynge. To which who nede hath god hym brynge. [ 49]

Explicit prohemium. Tercii libri.

Incipit liber Tercius.

(8)

LAy al þis mene while Troylus. [ 50] Recordynge his lesson in þis manere. Mafey þought he þus wole I sey and þus. Thus wole I pleyne vn-to my lady dere. [ 53] That word is good and þis shal be my chere. This nyl I not foryeten in no wyse. God leue hym werke as he gan deuyse. [ 56]

(9)

And lord so his herte gan to quappe. [ 57] Herynge here come and short for to syke. And Pandarus þat lad here by þe lappe. Com ner and gan at þe curtyn pyke. [ 60] And seyde god do bote on alle syke. Se who is here yow comen to visite. Lo here is she þat is youre deth to wyte. [ 63]

(10)

Ther-with it semed as he wepte almost. [ 64] A.ha. quod Troylus so rufully. wher me be wo .o. myghty god yow wost. who is al þere I se nought trewely. [ 67] Sire quod Criseyde it is Pandare and .I. Ye swete herte allas I may nought ryse. To knele and do yow honour in som wyse. [ 70]

(11)

And dressede hym vpward and she right tho. [ 71] Gan boþe here hondes softe vpon hym leye. O for þe loue of god do ye not so. To me quod she I what is þis to seye. [ 74] Sire come am I to yow for causes tweye. First yow to þonke and of youre mercy eke. Continuaunce I wolde yow beseche. [ 77]

(12)

This Troilus þat herde his lady preye. [ 78] Of lordship hym wax neyþer quyk ne ded. Ne myght a word for shame to it seye. Al þough men sholde smyte of his hed. [ 81] But lord so he wex sodeynlyche red. And sire his lesson þat wende konne. To preyen hire is þurgh his wit y-ronne. [ 84]

(13)

Cryseyde al þis aspiede wel y-nowgh. [ 85] For she was wys and louede hym neuere þe lasse. Al nere he malapert or made it towgh. Or was to bold to synge a fol a masse. [ 88] But whan his shame gan somwhat to passe. His resones as I may my rymes holde. I yow wole telle as techen bokes olde. [ 91]

(14)

An chaunged voys right for his verrey drede. [ 92] which voys ek quooke and þer-to his manere. Goodly abayst / and now his hewes rede. Now pale vn-to Criseyde his lady dere. [ 95] with look doun cast and humble yolden chere. Lo þe alderfirst word that hym asterte. was twyes mercy mercy swete herte. [ 98]

(15)

And stynte a whily and whan ho myghte out brynge. [ 99] The nexte word was god wot þat I haue. As feythfully as [I] haue had konnynge. Ben yowres also god my sowle saue. [ 102] And shal til þat I woful wyght be graue. And þough I dar ne kan vn-to yow pleyne. Iwys I suffre nought þe lasse peyne. [ 105]

(16)

Thus muche as now .o. wommanlyche wyf. [ 106] I may out brynge and yf þis yow displese. That shal I wreke vpon myn owne lyf. Right sone I trowe and don youre herte an ese. [ 109] If with my deth youre herte may apese. But syn þat ye han herd me som what seye. Now recche I neuere how sone þat I deye. [ 112]

(17)

Ther-with his manly sorwe to by-holde. [ 113] It myght han mad an herte of ston for to rewe. And Pandare wep as he to watre wolde. And poked euere his nece newe and newe. [ 116] And seyde wo bygon ben hertes trewe. For loue of god make of þis þyng an ende. Or sle vs boþe at ones er þat ye wende. [ 119]

(18)

I what quod she by god and by my trowþe. [ 120] I not nought what ye wille þat I shal seye. I what quod he þat ye han on hym routhe. For goddes loue and doth hym nought to deye. [ 123] Now þanne þus / quod she / I wolde hym preye. To telle me þe fyn on his entente. Yet wyst I neuere wel what þat he mente. [ 126]

(19)

What þat I mene .o. swete herte dere. [ 127] Quod Troylus .o. goodly fresshe fre. That with þe stremes of youre eyen clere. Ye wolde som tyme frendly on me se. [ 130] And þanne agreen þat I may ben he. with-oute brauncħ of vyce yn ony wyse. In trowþe alwey to don yow my seruyse. [[Yow for to serue / lyke as ye wyl deuyse.—Caxton.]] [ 133]

(20)

As to my lady right and chief resort. [ 134] With al my wit and al my deligence. And to han right as yow lyst comfort. Vnder yowre yerde egal to myn offence. [ 137] As deth If þat I breke youre defende. And þat ye digne me so muche honoure. Me to comaunden ought yn ony owre. [ 140]

(21)

And I to ben yowre verray humble trewe. [leaf 45] [ 141] Secret. and yn myn paynes pacient. And euere mo desire fresshly newe. To seruen and ben ay I-lyke diligent. [ 144] And with good herte al holly youre talent. Receyuen wel how sore þat me smerte. Lo þis mene I myn owene swete herte. [ 147]

(22)

Quod Pandarus lo here an hard request. [ 148] A resonable lady for to werne. Now Nece myn by natal Ioues feste. were .I. a god ye sholde sterue as yerne. [ 151] That heren wel þat þis man wole no þyng yerne. But youre honour / and sen hym almost sterue. And ben so loth to suffren hym yow serue. [ 154]

(23)

With þat she gan hire eyen on hym caste. [ 155] Ful esyly and ful debonairly. Auysyng here and hied not to faste. with neuere a word but seyde hym softely. [ 158] Myn honour sauf I wol wel trewely. But yn swych forme as he can now deuyse. Receyuen hym fully to my seruyce. [ 161]

(24)

By-sechyng hym for goddes loue þat he. [ 162] wolde in honour of trouþe and gentilesse. As I wel mene eke mene wel to me. And myn honour with wit and besynesse. [ 165] Ay kepe. and yf I may don hym gladnesse. From hens-forth I-wys I nyl not feyne. Now beth al hol no lengere ye ne pleyne. [ 168]

(25)

But naþelees this warne .I. yow quod she. [ 169] A kynges sone al-þough ye be I-wys. Ye shul nomore haue soueraynte. Of me in loue þan right in þat cas is. [ 172] Ne I nyl forbere yf þat ye don a-mys. To wrathen yow / and whil þat ye me serue. Cherycen yow right after ye deserue. [ 175]

(26)

And shortly my dere herte and al my knyght. [lf 45, bk] [ 176] Beth glad and draweth yow to lustynesse. And I shal trewely with al my myght. Youre bittre tornen al to swetnesse. [ 179] If .I. be she þat may now do gladnesse. For euery wo ye shal recouere a blysse. And hym in armes toke and gan hym kysse. [ 182]

(27)

Fil Pandarus on knees and vp his eyen. [ 183] To heuene þrew and held hise hondes hye. Inmortal god quod he þat mayst nought dyen. Cupide I mene of þis mayst glorifie. [ 186] And Venus þow mayst make melodie. with-outen hond me semeth þat in þe towne. For this merueyle I here eche belle sowne. [ 189]

(28)

But ho no more now of þis matere. [ 190] For-whi þis folk wole comen vp anoon. That han þe lettre red / lo I hem here. But I coniure þe Criseyde and on. [ 193] And two þow Troylus whan þow mayst gon. That at myn hows ye ben at myn warnynge. For I ful wel shal shape youre comynge. [ 196]

(29)

And eseth þere youre hertes right y-nough. [ 197] And lat se which of yow shal bere þe belle. To speke of loue a-right / þer-with he lough. For þere haue ye a layser for to telle. [ 200] Quod Troylus how longe shal y dwelle. Er þis be don. quod he whan þou mayst ryse. This þing shal be right as I yow deuyse. [ 203]

(30)

With þat Eleyne and also Deiphebus. [ 204] Tho comen vpward right at þe steyres ende. And lord so þanne gan grone Troylus. His broþer and his suster for to blynde. [ 207] Quod Pandarus it is tyme þat we wende. Tak nece myn youre leue at alle þre. And late hem speke and cometh forth with me. [ 210]

(31)

She toke here leue at hem ful þryftyly. [leaf 46] [ 211] As she wel koude and þey here reuerence. Vn-to þe fulle here deden hardely. And wonder wel spaken in here absence. [ 214] Of here in preysyng of here excellence. Hire gouernaunce hire wit and here manere. Commendeden it Ioye was to here. [ 217]

(32)

Now late here wende vn to here owne place. [ 218] And torne we to Troylus a-yen. That gan ful lyghtly of the lettre passe. That Deiphebus hadde yn þe gardeyn seyn. [ 221] And of Eleyne and hym he wolde fayn Delyuered ben and seyde þat hym lyste. To slepe and after tales haue reste. [ 224]

(33)

Eleyne hym kyste and toke here leue blyue. [ 225] Deiphebus ek. and hom wente euery wyght. And Pandarus as faste as he may dryue. To Troylus þo com as lyne right. [ 228] And on a pailet al þat glade nyght. By Troylus he lay with mery chere. To tale / and wel was hem þei were y-fere. [ 231]

(34)

Whan euery wyght was voyded but þey two. [ 232] And alle þe dores were faste y-shette. To telle in short with-oute wordes mo. This Pandarus with-outen ony lette. [ 235] Vp ros and on his beddes side hym sette. And gan to speke in a sobre wyse. To Troylus as I shal yow deuyse. [ 238]

(35)

Myn alderleuest lord and broþer dere. [ 239] God wot and þow þat it sat me sore. when I þe saw so langwysshyng to yere. For loue of which þi wo wax alwey more. [ 242] That I with al my myght and al my lore. Haue euere sethen do my bysynesse. To brynge þe to Ioye out of distresse [ 245]

(36)

And haue it brought to swich plit as þow wost. [lf 46, bk] [ 246] So þat thorugh me þow stondest now in weye. To fare wel. I seye it for no bost. And wostow whi for shame it is to seye. [ 249] For þe haue I a game bygonne to pleye. whicħ þat I neuere don shal eft for oþer. Al-þough he were a þousand fold my broþer. [ 252]

(37)

That is to seye for þe am I becomen. [ 253] By-twene game and ernest swych a mene. As maken wommen vn-to men to comen. Al sey I nought þow wost wel what I mene. [ 256] For þe haue I my Nece of vices clene. So fully mad þi gentilesse triste. That al shal ben right as þi selue lyste. [ 259]

(38)

But god þat alle wot take I to wytnesse. [ 260] That neuere I þis for coueytise wroughte. But oonly for to a-brygge þat destresse. For which wel nygh þow deydest as me þoughte. [ 263] But gode broþer do now as þe oughte. For goddes loue. and kep hire out of blame. Syn þow art wys and saue alwey here name. [ 266]

(39)

For wel þow wost the name as yet of here. [ 267] A-mong þe peple. as who seyth alwed is. For þat man is vnbore dar I swere. That euere wyste she dide amys. [ 270] But wo is me þat I þat cause al þis. May þenken þat she is my Nece deere. And I here Em / and traytor eke y-fere. [ 273]

(40)

And were it wyst þat I þrough myn engyn. [ 274] Hadde in my nece I-put þis fantasye. To do þi lust and holly to be þyn. why al þe world vp-on it wolde crye. [ 277] And seye þat I þe worste trecherye. Dide yn þis cas þat euere was bygone. And she for-lost / and þow right nought wonne. [ 280]

(41)

Wher-fore er I ferther go a pas. [leaf 47] [ 281] Yet eft I þe by-seche and fully seye. That preuete go with vs in þis cas. That is to seye þat þow vs neuere wreye. [ 284] And be nought wroth þough I þe ofte preye. To holden secre swych an heigh matere. For skylful is / þow wost wel my preyere. [ 287]

(42)

And þenk what wo þer hath by-tyd er þis. [ 288] For makynge of auauntes as men rede. And what myschaunce in þis world yet is. Fro day to day right for þat wykkede dede. [ 291] For whiche þese wise clerkes þat ben dede. Han euere yet prouerbed to vs yonge. That firste vertu is to kepe tonge. [ 294]

(43)

And nere it that .I. wilne as now tabregge. [ 295] Diffusioun of speche .I. koude almost. A þousand olde storyes the alegge. Of wommen lost. þorugh fals and foles bost. [ 298] Prouerbes kanst þy selue y-nowe and wost. A-yens þat vice for to ben a labbe. Al seyde men soth as often as þe[y] gabbe. [ 301]

(44)

O tonge allas so often here byforn. [ 302] Hastow made many a lady bright of hewe. Seyd welawey þe day þat I was born. And manye a maydes sorwes for to newe. [ 305] And for þe more part al is vntrewe. That men of yelpe and it were brought to preue. Of kyng non auauntures is to leue. [ 308]

(45)

Auauntoure and a lyere al is on. [ 309] A[s] þus I pose a womman graunte me. Here loue and seyth þat oþer wole she non. And I am sworn to holde it secre. [ 312] And after .I. go telle two or þre. I.-wys .I. am a-vauntour at þe leste. And a lyere for I breke myn heste. [ 315]

(46) (Much alterd in Caxton.)

Now loke þanne yf þey be nought to blame. [leaf 47, back] [ 316] Swych maner folk what shal I clepe hem what. That hem auaunte of wommen and by name. That neuere yet byhight hem þis ne þat. [ 319] Ne knewe hem no more þan myn olde hat. No wonder is so god me sende hele. Though womman drede with vs men to dele. [ 322]

(47)

I sey þis not for no mystrust of yow. [ 323] Ne for no wyse men but for foles Nice. And for þe harm þat in þe world is now. As wel for foly ofte as for malice. [ 326] For wel wot I in wys folk þat vice. NO wommat [[t for n]] drat if she be wel a-vised. For wyse ben by foles [harm] chastised. [ 329]

(48)

But now to purpos leue broþer dere. [ 330] Haue al þis þing þat I haue seyd in mynde. And kep þe clos and be now of good chere. For at þi day þow shalt me trewe fynde. [ 333] I shal þi proces sette yn swych a kynde. And god to-forn þat it shal þe suffice. For it shal ben right as þow wolt deuyse. [ 336]

(49)

For wel I wot þow menest [wel] parde. [ 337] Therfore I dar þis fully vndertake. Thow wost eke what þi lady graunted þe. And day is set þi chartres vp to make. [ 340] Haue now good nyght I make no lengere wake. And byd for me syn þow art now yn blysse. That god me sende deth or soone lysse. [ 343]

(50)

Who myghte telle half þe Ioye and feste. [ 344] whiche þat þe sowle of Troylus þo felte. Herynge þe feyth of Pandarus byheste. His olde wo that made his sorwe swelte. [ 347] Gan tho for Ioye wasten and to-melte. And alle þe richesse of his sikes sore. At ones fledde he felte of hem no more. [ 350]

(51)

But right so [as] these holtes and these hayes. [ 351] That han in wynter ded ben and dreye. Reuesten hem in grene when þat may is. whan euery lusti lyketh best to pleye. [ 354] Right in þat selue wyse soth for to seye. wax sodeynlyche his herte ful of Ioye. That gladder was þere neuere man yn Troye. [ 357]

(52)

And gan his lok on Pandarus vp caste. [ 358] Ful sobrely and frendly for to se. And seyde frend yn April þe laste. As wel þow wost if it remembreþ þe. [ 361] How neigh the deth for wo þow founde me. And how þow dedest al þi bysynesse. To knowe of me þe cause of my distresse. [ 364]

(53)

Thow wost how longe .I. it for-bar to seye. [ 365] To þe þat art þe man þat I to best triste. And peril was it noon to þe by-wreye. That wyst I wel. but telle me yf þe lyste. [ 368] Sith I so loth was þat þi selfe it wyste. How dorst I mo tellen of þis matere. That quake now and no wyght may vs here. [ 371]

(54)

But natheles by þat god I þe swere. [ 372] That as hym lyst may al þis world gouuerne. And yf I lye Achilles with his spere. Myn herte cleue. al were my lyf eterne. [ 375] As I am mortal. yf I late or yerne. wolde it by-wreye. or dorste. or sholde konne. For al þe good þat god made vnder sonne. [ 378]

(55)

That raþer deye I wolde and determyne. [ 379] As þenketh me now stokked yn presoun. In wrecchednesse in filþe and yn vermine. Castif to cruel kyng Agamenoun. [ 382] And þis yn alle þe temples of þis town. Vpon þe goddes alle I wole þe swere. To morwe day. yf þat it lyketh here. [ 385]

(56)

And that thow hast so meche don for me. [ 386] That I ne may it neuere more deserue. This knowe I wel al myghte I now for þe. A thowsand tymes In a morwen sterue. [ 389] .I. kan no more but þat I þe wole serue. Right as þi [[kn corrected]] knaue whider so þow wende. For euere more vn to my lyues ende. [ 392]

(57)

But here with al myn herte I þe byseche. [ 393] That neuere in me þow deme swych folye. As I shal seyn me þowghte by þi speche That þis which þow me dost for companye. [ 396] I sholde wene it were a baudery. I am nought al [[mad has been written over "yf" in a later hand.]] yf I lewed be. It is not so þat wote I wel parde. [ 399]

(58)

But he þat goth for gold or for richesse. [ 400] On swych message calle hym what þe lyst. And þis þat þow dost calle it gentilesse. Compassioun and felawshipe and tryst. [ 403] Departe it so. for wyde where is wyst. How þat þere is dyuersite requered. By-twyxen þynges lyk as I haue lered. [ 406]

(59)

And þat þow knowe I þenke nought ne wene. [ 407] That þis seruise a shame be or Iape. I haue my faire suster Polixene. Cassandre Eleyne. or ony of þe frape. [ 410] Be she neuere so faire or wel I-shape. Tel which þow wylt of euerychone. To han for þyne and late me þanne allone. [ 413]

(60)

But syn þat thow hast don me þis seruyce. [ 414] My lyf to saue and for noon hope of mede. So for the loue of god þis grete emprise. Parforme it out. for now is most nede. [ 417] For hygh and low with-outen ony drede. I wole alwey þyne hestes alle kepe. Haue now good nyght and late vs boþe slepe. [ 420]

(61)

Thus held hym eche with oþer wel apayed. [leaf 49] [ 421] That al þe world ne myght it bet a-mende And on þe morwe whan þei were arayed. Eche to his owene nedes gan entende. [ 424] But Troylus þouhte as þe fyr he brende. For sharp desir of hope and of plesaunce. He not for-gat his gode gouernaunce. [ 427]

(62)

But in hym self wiþ manhod gan restreyne. [ 428] Eche rakel dede and eche vnbrydled chere. That alle þo þat lyuen soth to seyne. Ne sholde han wyst by word or by manere. [ 431] what þat he mente as towchyng þis matere. From euery wyght as fer as is þe clowde. He was so wel dissimulen he kowde. [ 434]

(63)

And al þe while whiche þat I yow deuyse. [ 435] This was hys lyf with al his fulle myght. By day he was in martes highe seruyse. This is to seyn. in armes as a knyght. [ 438] And for þe more part þe longe nyght. He lay and þoughte how þat he myght serue. His lady best he[re] þank for to deserue. [ 441]

(64)

Nyl I nought swere al-þough he lay softe. [ 442] That in his þought he nas sumwhat dishesed. Ne þat he tornede on his pylwes ofte. And wolde of þat hym myssed han ben [[The s has been partly rubd out]] sesed. [ 445] But yn swych cas men is nought alwey yplesed. For ought I wot no more þan was he. That kan I deme of possibilite. [ 448]

(65)

But certeyn is to purpos for to go. [ 449] That in þis while as wreten is in geste. He say his lady som tyme [and] also. She with hym spak whan þat she dorste and leste. [ 452] And by hire boþe auys as it was þe beste. Apoynteden ful warly in þis nede. So as þey dorste how þey wolden procede. [ 455]

(66)

But it was spoken in so short a wyse. [leaf 49, back] [ 456] In swych [awayt] alwey and in swych fere. Lest ony wyght dyuynen or deuyse. wolde of hem two. or to it leye an eere. [ 459] That al þis world. so lef to hem ne were. As þat Cupido wolde hem grace sende. To make of here speche a-ryght a[n] ende. [ 462]

(67) [Caxton leaves out St. 67-71. Harl. 12•••• (lf 24, bk) and 2932 (lf 59, bk) have em.]

But þilke lytel þat þey spake or wroughte. [ 463] His wyse gost tok ay of al swych hede. It semed here he wyste what she þoughte. with-outen word. so þat it was no nede. [ 466] To bidde hym ought to done or ought for-bede. For which she þoughte þat loue al come it late. Of alle Ioye hadde opned here þe yate. [ 469]

(68)

And shortly of þis proces for to pace. [ 470] So wel his werk and wordes he by-sette. That he so ful stod in his lady grace. That twenty þousand tymes or she lette. [ 473] She þonked god she euere with hym mette. So koude he hym gouerne in swych seruyce. That al þe world ne myght it bet deuyse. [ 476]

(69)

For whi she fond hym so dyscret in al. [ 477] So secret. and of swych obeysaunce. That wel she felte / he was to hire a wal. Of stel. and sheld from euery dysplesaunce. [ 480] That to ben in his good gouernaunce. So wys he was. she was no more a-fered. I mene as fer as oughte ben requered. [ 483]

(70)

And Pandarus to quyke alwey þe fyr. [ 484] was euere y-lyk prest and dyligent. To ese his frend was set al his desir. He shof ay on. he to and fro was sent. [ 487] He lettres bar whan Troylus was absent. That neuere man as in his frendes nede. Ne bar hym bet þan he with-outen drede. [ 490]

(71)

But now paraunter som man wene wolde. [leaf 50] [ 491] That euery word. or sonde. or lok. or chere. Of Troylus þat I rehersen sholde. In al þis while / vn-to his lady dere. [ 494] I trowe it were a long þing for to here. Or of what wyght þat stont in swych disioynte. Hise wordes alle or euery lok to poynte. [ 497]

(72)

For soþe I haue not herd it don er þis. [ 498] In storye noon ne noman here I wene. And þough I wold I koude not I-wys. For þere was som Epistel hem by-twene. [ 501] That wolde as seyth myn Auctor wel contene. Neigh half þis bok of which hym lyst not write. How sholde I þanne a lyne of it endite. [ 504]

(73)

But to þe grete effect þan sey I þus. [ 505] That stondyng in concord and in quiete. This ilke two Criseide and Troylus. As I haue told / and in þis tyme swete. [ 508] Saue only often myght þei not mete. Ne layser haue hire speches to fulfille. That it befel right as I shal yow telle. [ 511]

(74)

That Pandarus þat euere dide his myght. [ 512] Right for þe fyn þat I shal speke of here. And for to brynge to his hous som nyght. His faire Nece / and Troylus y-fere. [ 515] There as at leyser al þis heigh matere. Towchyng here loue were at þe fulle vp bounde. Hadde out of doute a tyme to it founde. [ 518]

(75)

For he with gret deliberacion. [ 519] Hadde euery þing þat here myghte auaylle. Forn-cast and put in execucion. And neiþer laft for cost ne for trauayle. [ 522] Come yf hem lest hem sholde no þing fayle. And for to ben in ought espied þere. That wyst he wel an inpossible were. [ 525]

(76)

Dredles it clere was in the wynd. [leaf 50, back] [ 526] From euery pye and euery lette game. Now al is wel for al þe world is blynd. In þis matere boþe fremed and tame. [ 529] This tymber is al redy vp to frame. Vs lakketh nought but þat we weten wolde. A certeyn houre in whiche she comen sholde. [ 532]

(77)

And Troylus þat al þis puruyaunce. [ 533] Knew at þe fulle and waytede on it ay. Hadde here-vp-on ek made gret ordenaunce And founde his cause. and þer-to his aray. [ 536] Yf þat he were myssed nyght or day. Ther while he was abowte þis seruyse. That he was gon to don his sacrifice. [ 539]

(78)

And most at swych a temple a-lone wake. [ 540] Answered of appollo for to be. And first to sen þe holy laurer quake. Er þat Apollo spak out of þe tre. [ 543] To telle hym next whan grekes sholden fle. And for[thi] lette hym no man god forbede. But prey Apollo helpen in þis nede. [ 546]

(79)

Now is þere but litel more for to done. [ 547] But Pandare vp and shortely for to seyne. Right soone vpon þe chaungyng of þe moone. whan lyghtles is þe world a nyght or tweyne. [ 550] And þat þe walkene shop hym for to reyne. He straught a morwe vn-to his nece wente. Ye han wel herd þe fyn of his entente. [ 553]

(80)

Whanne he was come he gan a-noon to pleye. [ 554] As he was woned and of hym self to Iape. And fynally he swor and gan here seye. By þis and þat she shold hym not escape. [ 557] Ne lengere don hym after here to gape. But certeynly she moste by here leue. Come soupen in his hous with hym at eue. [ 560]

(81)

At whiche she lough and gan here faste excuse. [ 561] And seyde. it rayneth. lo how shal I gon. Lat be quod he / stond not þus to muse. This mot be don ye shal be þere a-noon. [ 564] So at þe laste her-of þey felle at oon. Or elles softe he swor here in here ere. He nolde neuere come þere she were. [ 567]

(82)

Soone after þis to hym she gan to rowne. [ 568] And asked hym yf Troylus were there. He swor here nay for he was out of towne. And seyde Nece I pose þat he were. [ 571] Yow dorste haue neuere the more fere. For raþere þan men myght hem þere aspie. Me were leuere a þousand fold to dye. [ 574]

(83)

Nought lyst myn Auctor fully to declare. [ 575] what þat she þought whan þat he seyde so. That Troylus was out of town y-fare. As yf he seyde þere soth or no. [ 578] But þat with-outen a-wayte with hym to go. She graunted hym sith he hire þat bisoughte. And as his Nece obeyed as here oughte. [ 581]

(84)

But natheles yet gan she hym byseche. [ 582] Al þough with hym to gon it was no fere. For to be war of gosylyche peple speche. That dremen þynges whiche þat neuere were. [ 585] And wel auyse hym whom he brought there. And seyde hym Em. syn I most on yow triste. Loke al be wel and do now as yow lyste. [ 588]

(85)

He swor yis by stokkes and by stones. [ 589] And by þe goddes þat in heuene dwelle. Or elles were hym leuere soule and bones. with pluto kyng as depe ben yn helle. [ 592] As Tantalus what sholde I more telle. whan al was wel he ros and toke his leue. And she vn-to þe souper com whan it was eue. [ 595]

(86)

With a certayn of here owene men. [leaf 51, back] [ 596] And with here faire Nece Antigone. And oþere of here wommen nyne or ten. But who was glad now. who as trowe ye. [ 599] But Troylus þat stod / and myght it se. Thurgh out a lytel wyndowe in a stuwe. Ther he by-shet syn mydnyght was [in] mewe. [ 602]

(87)

Wnwist of euery wight but of Pandare. [ 603] But to þe poynt. now whanne she was y-come. with alle Ioye and alle frendes fare. Here Em a-noon in armes hath here nome. [ 606] And after to þe souper alle and some. whan tyme was ful softe þey hym sette. God wot þer was no deynte for to fette. [ 609]

(88)

And after souper gonnen þey to ryse. [ 610] At ese wel with hertes fressh and glade. And wel was hym that koude best auyse. To like here. or laughen þat here made. [ 613] He song. she pleyde. he told tales of wade. But at þe laste as euery þing hath ende. She tok here leue. and nedes she wolde wende. [ 616]

(89)

But .o. Fortune executrice of wyerdes. [.i. destine.] [ 617] O. Influences of þise heuenes hye. Soth is þat vnder god ye ben oure hierdes. Though to vs besteȝ ben the causes wrie. [ 620] This mene I for she gan homward hye. But execut was al byside here leue. At the goddes wyl. for which she moste bleue. [ 623]

(90)

The bente mone with hire hornes pale. [ 624] Saturne and Ioue in Cancro Ioyned were. That swych a rayn from heuene gan a-vale. That euery maner womman þat was þere. [ 627] Hadde of þat smoky reyn a verray fere. At which pandare þo lough and seyde þenne. Now were a tyme a lady to go henne. [ 630]

(91)

But goode Nece yf I myght euere plese. [leaf 52] [ 631] Yow any þing þanne prey [I] yow quod he. To don myn herte as now so gret an ese. As for to dwelle here al þis nyght with me. [ 634] For-whi þis is yovre owene hous parde. For be my trouthe I sey it for no game. To wende now it were to me a shame. [ 637]

(92)

Criseyde whiche þat kowde as muche good. [ 638] As half a world tok [[tok corrected]] hede of his preyere. And syn it ron. and al was on a flode. She þoughte as good chep may I dwelle here. [ 641] And graunte gladly with a frendes chere. And haue a þank as grucche and þanne a-byde. For hom to gon it may nought wel be-tyde. [ 644]

(93)

I wole quod she myn vncle lef and drede. [ 645] Syn þat yow lyst it skile is to be so. I am right glad with yow to dwellen here. I seyde but a game I wolde go. [ 648] I-wys graunt mercy Nece quod he þo. were it a game or no soth for to telle. Now am I glad syn þat yow lyst to dwelle. [ 651]

(94)

Thus al is wel. but þo by-gan a-right. [ 652] The newe Ioye and al þe feste a-gayn. But Pandarus yf goodly hadde he myght. He wolde han hyed here to bedde fayn. [ 655] And seyde lord þis is an huge rayn. This were a weder for to slepen Inne. And þat I rede vs soone to by-gynne. [ 658]

(95)

And Nece wot ye where I wol yow leye. [ 659] For þat we shul not lyggen fer a-sonder. And for ye neiþer shullen dar I seye. Heren noyse of reynes nor of þondre. [ 662] By god right in my lite closet yonder. And I wole in þat oþer hous allone. Be wardeyn of youre wommen euerychone. [ 665]

(96)

And in þis myddel chaumbre þat ye se. [ 666] Shul youre wommen slepen wel and softe. And þere I seyde shal youre selue be. And yf ye liggen wel to nyght come ofte. [ 669] And careth not what weder is on lofte. The wyn a-non and whan so þat yow leste. So go we slepe .I. trowe it be þe beste. [[Than is it tyme / for to go to reste.—Caxton, & Harl. 1239.]] [ 672]

(97)

Ther nys no more but here after soone. [ 673] The voyde dronke / and trauers drawe anoon. Gan euery wight þat hadde nought to done. More in þat place out of þat chaumber gon. [ 676] And euere mo so sternelych it ron. And blew þer-with so wonderlyche loude. That wel neigh no man heren oþer koude. [ 679]

(98)

Tho Pandarus here Em right as hym oughte. [ 680] with women swych as were hire most a-boute. Ful glad vn-to hire beddes syde here broughte. And toke his leue. and gan ful lowe lowte. [ 683] And seyde here in þis closet dore with-oute. Right ouer-thwart youre wommen lyggen alle. That whom yow lyste of hem ye may here calle. [ 686]

(99)

So whanne þat she was yn þe closet leyd. [ 687] And alle here wommen forth by ordenaunce. A bedde weren. þere as I haue seyd. There was no more to speken nor to traunce. [ 690] But boden go to bedde with myschaunce. If ony wight was sterynge ony where. And late hem slepe þat abedde were. [ 693]

(100)

But Pandarus þat wel koude eche a del. [ 694] The olde daunce. and euery poynt þer-Inne. whan þat he sey þat al þyng was wel. He þought he wolde on his werk bygynne. [ 697] And gan þe stewe dore al soft vn-pynne. And stille as ston with-outen lenger lette. By Troylus a-down right he hym sette. [ 700]

(101)

And shortly to the poynt ryght for to gon. [leaf 53] [ 701] Of alle þis werk he told hym word and ende. And seyde make þe redy ryght a-noon. Thow shalt in-to heuene blysse wende. [ 704] Now blysful Venus þow me grace sende. Quod Troylus. for neuere yet no nede. Hadde I er now. ne haluendel þe drede. [ 707]

(102)

Quod Pandarus ne drede þe neuere a del. [ 708] For it shal ben right as þow wylt desire. So thriue I this nyght shal I make it wel. Or casten al þe Growel in þe fyre. [ 711] Yit blisful Venus þis nyght þow me enspire. Quod Troylus. as wys as .I. þe serue. And euere bet and bet shal til I sterue. [ 714]

(103)

An yf I hadde .o. Venus ful of murþe. [ 715] Aspectes badde. of mars or of Saturne. Or þow Combest or let were my byrþe. Thi fader prey al þilke harme disturne. [ 718] Of grace and þat I glad a-yen may turne. For loue of hym þow louedest yn þe shawe. I mene Adoon þat with þe bor was slawe. [ 721]

(104)

Ioue ek for þe loue of faire Europe. [ 722] The whiche in forme of bole a-way þow fette. Now help .o. Mars thow with þi blody cope. For loue of Cipres þow me nought ne lette. [ 725] O phebus þenk whan dane here seluen shette. Vnder þe bark / and laurer wax for-drede. Yet for here loue .o. help now at þis nede. [ 728]

(105)

Mercurye for þe loue of hierse ek. [ 729] For whiche Pallas was with Aglawros wroth. Now help and ek diane I þe by-sek. That þis viage be not to þe loth. [ 732] O fatal sustren / which er ony cloþ. Me shapen was. my destene me sponne. So help to þis werk þat is by-gonne. [ 735]

(106)

Quod Pandarus thow wrecched mouses herte. [leaf 53, back] [ 736] Art þow a-garst. so þat she wole þe byte. whi do on þis furred cloke a-boue þi sherte. And folewe me for I wol han þe wyte. [ 739] But dyde and late me go by-fore a lyte. And with þat word he gan vn-do a trappe. And Troylus he brought In by þe lappe. [ 742]

(107)

The sterne wynd so lowde gan to route. [ 743] That no wight oþer noyse myghte here. And þey þat lay at þe dore with-oute. Ful sikerly þei slepten al I-fere. [ 746] And Pandarus with a ful sobre chere. Goth to þe dore anoon wit-owten lette. There as þey laye. and softely it shette. [ 749]

(108)

And as he come a-yenward preuely. [ 750] His Nece a-wook and asked who goth þere. My dere Nece quod he it am .I. Ne wondreth not / ne haueth of it no fere. [ 753] And ner he com and seyde here yn here ere. No word for loue of god I yow byseche. Lat no wight rysen and heren of oure speche. [ 756]

(109)

What which weye be ye comen benedicite. [ 757] Quod she and how vnwyst of vs alle. Here at þis secre trappe dore quod he. Quod þo Criseyde lat me som wyght calle. [ 760] I god forbede that it sholde falle. Quod þo Pandarus þat ye swych foly wroughte. They myght deme þyng þey neuere þoughte. [ 763]

(110)

It is nought good a slepyng hound to wake. [ 764] Ne yeue a wyght a cause to deuyne. Youre wommen slepen alle I vnder-take. So þat for hem the hous men myghte myne. [ 767] And slepen wolen til þe sonne shyne. And whanne my tale al brought is to an ende. Vnwist right as I cam so wole I wende. [ 770]

(111)

Now Nece myn ye shul wel vnderstonde. [leaf 54] [ 771] Quod he so as ye wommen demen alle. That for to holde in loue a man in honde. And hym here lef and dere herte calle. [ 774] And maken hym an howue a-boue a calle. I mene as loue an oþer in þis mene while. She doth hire self a shame and hym [a] gyle. [ 777]

(112)

Now wherby þat I telle yow al þis. [ 778] Ye wot your self as wel as ony wyght. How þat youre loue þat fully graunted is. To Troylus þe worþieste knyght. [ 781] On of þis world and þer-to trouþe plyght. That but it were on hym a-long ye nolde. Hym neuere falsen / while ye lyuen sholde. [ 784]

(113)

Now stant it þus þat sith I fro yow wente. [ 785] This Troylus right platly for to seyn. Is þurgh a goter by a preuy wente. In-to my chaumbre come in al þis reyn. [ 788] Vnwyst of euery manere wyght certeyn. Saue of my self as wysly haue I Ioye. And by þat feith I shal Pryam of Troye. [ 791]

(114)

And he is come in swich peyne and distresse. [ 792] That but he be al fully wod by þis. He sodeynly mot falle in-to wodnesse. But yf god helpe / and cause whi is þis. [ 795] He seyth hym told is of a frend of his How þat ye louen sholde on þat hatte Horaste. For sorwe of whiche þis nyght shalt ben his laste. [ 798]

(115)

Criseyde which þat alle þese þynges herde. [ 799] Gan sodeynly aboute her herte colde. And with a syk ful sorwfully answerede. Allas I wende who-so tales tolle. [ 802] My dere herte wolde me not holde. So lyghtly fals / allas conseytes. wronge. what harm þey don. for now lyue I to longe. [ 805]

(116)

Horaste allas and falsen Troylus. [leaf 54, back] [ 806] I knowe hym not god helpe me so quod she. Allas what wykked spirit told hym þus. Now certes Em to more yf I hym se. [ 809] I shal þer-of as fully excuse me. As euere dide womman yf he lyke. And with þat word she gan ful sore syke. [ 812]

(117)

O quod she so worldly selynesse. [ 813] which clerkes callen fals felicite. y-medled is with many a bitternesse. Ful angwysshous. than is god wot quod she. [ 816] Condicioun of veyn prosperite. For oþer Ioyes comen nough y-fere. Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. [ 819]

(118)

O brotel wele of mannes Ioye vnstable. [ 820] with what wyght so þow be or how þow pleye. Ouþer he wot þat þow Ioye art muable. Other he wot it not. it mot ben on of tweye. [ 823] Now yf he wot it not how may he seye. That he hath verray Ioye and selynesse. That is of ignoraunce ay in derknesse. [ 826]

(119)

Now yf he wot þat Ioye is transitorie. [ 827] As euery Ioye of worldly thyng mot fle. Than euery tyme he hath in memorie. The drede of lesyng maketh hym þat he. [ 830] May in no parfit selynesse be. And yf to lese his Ioye he set a myte. Than semeth it þat Ioye is worth but lyte. [ 833]

(120)

Wherfore I wol deffyne in þis manere. [ 834] That trewely for ought I kan espie. Ther is no verray wele in þis world here. But .o. þow wykked serpent Ialousye. [ 837] Thow mysbeleued and enuyous folye. whi hastow mad Troylus to me vntriste. That neuere yet agylte hym þat I wyste. [ 840]

(121)

Quod Pandarus thus fallen is þis cas. [leaf 55] [ 841] whi vncle myn quod she who told yow þis. whi doth myn dere herte þus allas. Ye wote ye nece myn quod he what is. [ 844] I hope al shal be wel þat is amys. For ye may quenche al þis yf þat yow leste. And doth right so. for I holde it þe beste. [ 847]

(122)

So shal I do to morwe y-wys quod she. [ 848] And god to-forn. so þat it shal suffise. To morwe allas. þat were a fayre quod he. Nay nay it may not stonden yn þis wyse. [ 851] For Nece myn þus writen clerkes wyse. That peril is with drecchyng yn I-drawe. Nay swych a-bodes be nought worth an hawe. [ 854]

(123)

Nece al þing hath tyme I dar a-vowe. [ 855] For whan a chaumber a-fyr is or an halle. More nede is it sodeynly to rescowe. Than to dispute and axe a-monges alle. [ 858] How þis candele in þe straw is falle. A benedicite for al among þat fare. The harm is don. and fare wel feld-fare. [ 861]

(124)

And Nece myn take it not [a]gref. [ 862] If þat ye suffre hym al nyght in þis wo. God help me so ye hadde hym neuere lef. That dar I seyn. now þere is but we two. [ 865] But wel I wot þat ye wole not do so. Ye ben to wys to do so gret folye. To putte his lyf al nyght in Iupartie. [ 868]

(125)

Hadde ye hym neuere lef by god I wene. [ 869] I hadde neuere þing so lief quod she. Now by my þryft quod he þat shal be sene. For syn ye make þis ensample of me. [ 872] If I al nyght wolde hym in sorwe se. For al þe tresour yn þe town of Troye. I bidde god I neuere mot haue Ioye. [ 875]

(126)

Now loke þanne yf ye þat ben his loue. [leaf 55, back] [ 876] Shul putte al nyght his lyf in Iupartie. For þing of nought now by þat god a-boue. Nought only þis delay cometh of folye. [ 879] But of malis. if þat I shal nought lye. what platly and ye suffre hym in distresse. Ye neyþer bounte don ne gentilesse. [ 882]

(127)

Quod þo Criseyde wole ye don o þing. [ 883] And ye þerwith shal styte al his disese. Haue here and bereth hym þis blewe rynge. For þere is no þing myght hym bettre plese. [ 886] Saue I my self. ne bettre his herte a-pese. And sey my dere herte þat his sorwe. Is causeles þat shal ben sene to morwe. [ 889]

(128)

A ryng quod he. ye haselwodes shaken. [ 890] Ye Nece myne þat ryng moste han a ston. Þat myhte a dede man a-lyue maken. And swych a ryng I trowe þat ye haue non. [ 893] Discrecioun out of youre hed is gon. That fele I now quod he and þat is rouþe. O tyme y-lost wel maystow cursen slouþe. [ 896]

(129)

Wot ye not wel þat noble and heigh corage. [ 897] Ne sorweth not ne stenteth ek for lyte. But yf a fol were in a Ialous rage. I nold not sette at his sorwe a myte. [ 900] But feffe hym with a fewe wordes white. A-nother day whan þat I myght hym fynde. But þis þing stont al in a noþer kynde. [ 903]

(130)

This is so gentil and so tender of herte. [ 904] That with his deth he wole his sorwes wreke. For trusteth wel how sore þat hym smerte. He wole to yow no Ialouse wordes speke. [ 907] And for-þi nece er þat his herte breke. To speke youre self to him. of þis matere. For with o word ye may his herte stere. [ 910]

(131)

Now haue I told what peril he is Inne. [leaf 56] [ 911] And his comyng vnwyst is to euery wyght. Ne parde harm may þere be non ne synne. I wol my self be with yow al þis nyght. [ 914] Ye knowe ek how it is youre owne knyght. And þat by right ye moste vpon hym triste. And I at prest to fecche hym whan yow lyste. [ 917]

(132)

This accident so petous was to here. [ 918] And ek so lyk a soth at pryme face. And Troylus hire knyght to hire so dere. His preue comyng and þe siker place. [ 921] That þough þat she dide hym as þanne a grace. Considered alle þinges as þey stode. No wonder is. syn she dide al for gode. [ 924]

(133)

Cryseyde answered as wysly god at reste. [ 925] My sowle brynge. as me is for hym wo. And Em y-wys fayn wolde I do þe beste. Yf þat I hadde grace for to do so. [ 928] But wheþer þat ye dwelle or for hym go. I am til god me bettre mynde sende. A [[first, At]] dulcarnon right at my wittes ende. [ 931]

(134)

Quod Pandarus ye Nece wol ye here. [ 932] Dulcarnon called is flemyng of wrecches. It semeth hard for wrecches wol not lere. For verray slouþe and oþere wilful tacches. [ 935] This seyd by hym þat is not worth two facches. But ye ben wys and þat we han on honde. Nis neiþer hard ne skylful to withstonde. [ 938]

(135)

Thanne Em quod she doth her-of as yow lyst. [ 939] But er he come I wil vp first aryse. And for þe loue of god syn al my trist. Is on yow two. and ye ben boþe wyse. [ 942] So wyrcheth now in so discret a wyse. That I honour may haue and he plesaunce. For I am here al yn youre gouernaunce. [ 945]

(136)

That is wel seyd quod he my nece dere. [leaf 56, back] [ 946] That thryft on þat wyse gentil herte. But liggeth stille. and taketh hym ryght here. It nedeth not no ferþere for hym sterte. [ 949] And eche of yow ese oþeres sorwes smerte. For loue of god. and Venus I þe herye. For soone hope I we shulle ben alle merye. [ 952]

(137) [[Not in Harl. 1239.]]

This Troylus ful sone on knes hym sette. [ 953] Ful sobrely ryght by here beddes hede. And yn his beste wyse his lady grette. But lord so she wax sodeynlych red. [ 956] Ne þough men sholden smyten of here hed. She kowde nought a word a-ryght out brynge. So sodeynly. for his sodeyn comynge. [ 959]

(138)

But Pandarus þat so wel koude fele. [ 960] In euery thyng to pleye a-noon by-gan. And seyde Nece se how this lord kan knele. Now for youre trouþe seth þis gentil man. [ 963] And with þat word he for a quysshon ran. And seyde kneleth now whil þat yow lyste. There god youre hertes brynge soone at reste. [ 966]

(139)

Kan I not seyn. for she bad hym not ryse. [ 967] If sorwe it put out of here remembraunce. Or elles yf she toke it in þe wyse. Of duete. as for his obseruaunce. [ 970] But wel fynde I she dide hym þis plesaunce. That she hym kyste al-þough she siked sore. And bad hym sytte a-down with-owten more. [ 973]

(140)

Quod Pandarus now wol ye wel by-gynne. [ 974] Now doth hym sitte now gode Nece dere. Vpon youre beddes side þere with-Inne. That eche of yow þe bet may oþer here. [ 977] And with þat word he drow hym to þe fyre. And tok a lyght and fond his contenaunce. As for to loken vp-on an old romaunce. [ 980]

(141)

Criseyde that was Troylus lady right. [leaf 57] [ 981] And cler stod on a ground of sykernesse. Al þoughte she here seruaunt and hire knyghte. Ne sholde of right noon vntrouþe in here gesse. [ 984] Yet naþeles considered his distresse. And þat loue is in cause of swych folye. Thus to hym spak she of his Ielousye. [ 987]

(142)

Lo herte myn as wolde þe excellence. [ 988] Of loue. a-yeyns þe which þat no man may. Ne oughte ek goudly make resistence. And ek by-cause I felte wel and say. [ 991] Youre grete trouþe and seruyse euery day. And þat yowre herte al myn was soth to seyne. This drof me first to rewe vp-on yowre peyne. [ 994]

(143)

And youre goodnesse haue I founden alwey yet. [ 995] Of whiche my dere herte and al my knyght. I þonke it yow as fer as I haue wit. Al kan I nought as muche as it were right. [ 998] And I emforthe my konnynge and my myght. Haue and ay shal how sore þat me smerte. Ben to yow trewe. and hol with al myn herte. [ 1001]

(144)

And dredles þat shal be founde at preue. [ 1002] But herte myn what al þis is to seyn. Shal wel be told so þat ye yow not greue. Though I to yow right on yow self compleyne. [ 1005] For þer-with mene I fynally þe peyne. That halt youre herte and myn in heuynesse. Fully to slen and euery wrong redresse. [ 1008]

(145)

My goode loue [[loue, corrected]] not I for whi ne how. [ 1009] That Ialousye. allas. þat wikkede wyuere. Thus causeles is cropen in-to yow. The harm of which I wolde fayn delyuere. [ 1012] Allas þat he al hool or of hym slyuere. Shuld haue his refuyt in so digne a place. Ther Ioue soone oute of youre herte hym race. [ 1015]

(146)

But .o. þow Ioue .o. Auctor of nature. [leaf 57, back] [ 1016] Is þis an honour to þi deite. That folk vngiltyf. suffren here Iniure. And who þat gyltyf is al quyt goth he. [ 1019] O were it leful þat I pleyne of þe. That vndeserued suffrest Ialousie. And þat I wolde on þe pleyne and crye. [ 1022]

(147)

Ek al my wo is þis þat folk now vsen. [ 1023] To seyn right þus. ye Ialousye is loue. And wolde a busshel venym al excusen. For þat o greyn of loue is on it shoue. [ 1026] But þat wot heighe god þat sit a-boue. If it be liker loue / or hate or grame. And after þat it oughte to bere his name. [ 1029]

(148)

But certeyn is som manere Ialousye. [ 1030] Is excusable more þan som I-wys. And whaune cause is & somme swych fantasye. with pite so wel repressed is. [ 1033] That it vnneþe doth or seyth amys. But goodly drynketh vp al his distresse. And þat excuse I for þe gentilesse. [ 1036]

(149)

And some so ful of furye is and despit. [ 1037] That it sourmounteth his repressioun. But herte myn ye be not in þat plyt. That þanke I god for whiche yowr [[r later]] [ 1040] I wol not calle it but illusioun. Of habundaunce of loue and bysy cure. That doth youre herte þis dishese endure. [ 1043]

(150)

Of which I am right sory but not wroth. [ 1044] But for my deuoir and youre hertes reste. wher so yow lyste by ordal or by oth. By sort or in what wyse so yow lyste. [ 1047] For loue of god lat preue it for þe beste. And yf þat I be gyltyf do me deye. Allas what myght I more do or seye. [ 1050]

(151)

With that a fewe bryghte terys newe. [leaf 58] [ 1051] Out of here eyen fille and þus she seyde. Now god þow wost in þought ne dede vntrewe. To Troylus was neuere yet Criseyde. [ 1054] With þat here hed in to þe bed down she leyde. And with the shete it wreygh and sighed sore. And held here pes / not o word spak she more. [ 1057]

(152)

But now help god to quenchen al þis sorwe. [ 1058] So hope I þat he shal for he best may. For I haue seyn of ful mysty morwe. Folwen ful ofte a merye someres day. [ 1061] And after wynter folweth grene may. Men sen alday and reden ek in storyes. That after sharpe shoures ben victories. [ 1064]

(153)

This Troylus whan he here wordes herde. [[Caxton leaves out St. 153-160. Harl. 1239 (leaf 29, bk), & 2392 (leaf 71, back) have em.]] [ 1065] Haue ye no care hym lyst not to slepe. For it þoughte hym no strokes of yerde. To here or sen Criseyde his lady wepe. [ 1068] But wel he felte a-boute his herte crepe. For euery teer which þat Criseyde a-sterte. The crampe of deth to streyne hym by þe herte. [ 1071]

(154)

And in his mynde he gan þe tyme a-curse. [ 1072] That he cam þere / and þat he was born. For now is wykke I-turned vn-to worse. And al þe labour he hath don by-forn. [ 1075] He wend it lost he þoughte he nas but lorn. O Pandarus þoughte he allas þi wyle. Serueth of nought so wel-awey þe while. [ 1078]

(155)

And þer-with-al he heng a-down þe hed. [ 1079] And fil on knes and sorwfully he sighte. what myght he seyn he felte he nas but ded. For wroth was she þat shulde his sorwes lyghte. [ 1082] But naþeles whanne þat he speken myghte. Than seyde he þus god wot þat of þis game. whan al is wyst / þan am I not to blame. [ 1085]

(156)

Ther-with þe sorwe so his herte shette. [leaf 56, back] [ 1086] That from his eighen fil þere not a tere. And euery spirit his vigour yn knette. So þey a-stoned & oppressed were. [ 1089] The felyng of his sorwe or of his fere. Or of ought elles. fled was out of towne. And doun he fel al sodeynly a swowne. [ 1092]

(157)

This was no litel sorwe for to se. [ 1093] For al was hust and Pandare vp as faste. O Nece pes or we be lost quod he. Buth nought [[t later]] a-gast. but certeyn at þe laste. [ 1096] For þis or þat. he hym in-to bedde caste. And seyde o thef is þis a mannes herte. And of he rente al / to his bare sherte. [ 1099]

(158)

And seyde Nece but ye helpe vs now. [ 1100] Allas yowre owne Troylus is lorn. I-wys so wolde I and I wiste how. Ful fayn quod she allas þat I was born. [ 1103] Ye Nece wole ye pulle out þe þorn. That stiketh in his herte quod Pandare. Sey al for-yeue and stynt is al þis fare. [ 1106]

(159)

Ye þat to me quod she ful leuere were. [ 1107] Than al þe good þe sonne a-boute goth. [[goth, much later]] And ther-with-al she swor hym in his ere. I-wis my dere herte I am nought wroth. [ 1110] Haue here my trouþe and many a noþer oth. Now spek to me. for it am I Cryseyde. But al for nought / yet myght he no a-breyde. [ 1113]

(160)

Therwith his pows and Pawmes of his hondes. [ 1114] They gan to frote. and wete his temples tweyne. And for delyueren hym from bittre bondes. She ofte hym kyste and shortly for to seyne. [ 1117] Hym to reuoken she dide al hire peyne. And at þe laste. he gan his breth to drawe. And of his swough sone after þat a-dawe. [ 1120]

(161)

And bet gan mynde and reson to hym take. [leaf 59] [ 1121] But wonder sore he was abayst I-wys. And with a syk whan he gan bet a-wake. He seyde o mercy god what þing is þis. [ 1124] whi do ye with yowre seluen þus a-mys. Quod þo Criseyde. is þis a mannes game. what Troylus wol ye do þus for shame. [ 1127]

(162)

And þer-with-al here arm ouer hym she leyde. [ 1128] And al for-yaf / and ofte tyme hym kyste. He þonked here. and to hyr spak and seyde. As fil to purpos for his hertes reste. [ 1131] And she to þat answered hym as hir lyste. And with hire goodly wordes hym disporte. She gan and ofte his sorwes to comforte. [ 1134]

(163)

Quod Pandarus for ought [[t later]] I kan espyen. [ 1135] This lyght nor I ne seruen here of nought. Lyght is not good for syke folkes eyen. But for þe loue of god syn ye be brought. [ 1138] In þus good plit / lat now non heuy þought. Ben hangynge in þe hertes of yow tweye. And bar þe candele to þe chimeney. [ 1141]

(164)

Soone after þis þough it no nede were. [ 1142] whan she swych oþes as hire lyste deuyse. Hadde of hym take / here þought þo no fere. Ne cause ek non. to bidde hym þennes ryse. [ 1145] Yet lesse þing þan oþes may suffise. In many a cas. for euery wyght I gesse. That loueth wel meneth but gentilesse. [ 1148]

(165)

But in effect she wolde wite a-noon. [ 1149] Of what man / and ek where and also why. He Ielous was. syn þere was cause non. And ek þe signe. þat he tok it by. [ 1152] She bad hym þat to telle here bysily. Or elles certeyn she bar hym on honde. That þis was don of malys hir to fonde. [ 1155]

(166)

With-outen more shortly for to seyne. [leaf 59, back] [ 1156] He moste obeye vn-to his lady heste. And for þe lasse harm he moste feyne. He seyde here whanne she was at swych a feste. [ 1159] She myght on hym han loked at þe leste. Not I not what al dere y-now a rysshe. As he þat nedes moste a cause fysshe. [ 1162]

(167)

And she answered swete al were it so. [ 1163] what harm was þat syn I noon yuel mene. For by þat god þat bought vs boþe two. In alle þynge is myn entente clene. [ 1166] Swych argumentz ne ben not worth a bene. wol ye the chyldyssh Ialousye contrefete. Now were worthy þat ye were y-bete. [ 1169]

(168)

Tho Troylus gan sorwfully to syke. [ 1170] Lest she be wroth hym þoughte his herte deyde. And seyde allas vpon my sorwes syke. Haue mercy swete herte myn Cryseyde. [ 1173] And yf þat in þo wordes þat I seyde. Be ony wrong I wol no more trespace. Do what yow lyst I am al in youre grace. [ 1176]

(169)

And she answered of gilt mysericorde. [ 1177] That is to seyn þat I for-yeue al þis. And euere more on þis nyght yow recorde. And beth wel war ye do no more amys. [ 1180] Nay dere herte myn quod he I-wys. And now quod she þat I haue do yow smerte. For-yeue it me myn owene swete herte. [ 1183]

(170)

This Troilus with blysse of þat supprised. [ 1184] Put al in goddes hond as he þat mente. No þyng but wel / and sodeynly a-vysed. He here in armes faste to hym hente. [ 1187] And Pandarus with a ful good entente. Leyd hym to slepe. and seyde yf ye ben wyse. Swowneth not now lest more folk a-ryse. [ 1190]

(171)

What myght or may þe sely larke seye. [leaf 60] [ 1191] whan þat þe sparhauk hath it in his fote. I kan no more but of þis ilke tweye. To whom þis tale / sour be or sot. [ 1194] Though þat I tarye a yer som tyme I mot. After myn Auctor tellen here gladnesse. As wel as I haue told here heuynesse. [ 1197]

(172)

Criseyde which þat felte here þus I-take. [ 1198] As writen clerkes in here bokes olde. Right as an Aspes lef she gan to quake. whan she hym felte here in armes folde. [ 1201] But Troylus al hool of cares colde. Gan þanken the blysful goddes seuene. Thus sondry peynes bryngen folk to heuene. [ 1204]

(173)

This Troylus yn armes gan here streyne. [ 1205] And seyde o swete as euere mot I gon. Now be ye kaught. now is þere but we tweyne. Now yeldeth yow for oþer bote is noon. [ 1208] To þat Criseyde answered þus a-noon. Ne hadde I er now my swete herte dere. Ben yolden y-wys I were now not here. [ 1211]

(174)

O soth is seyd that heled for to be. [ 1212] As of a feuere. or oþere gret syknesse. Men moste drynke as men may often se. Ful bittre drynk. and for to han gladnesse. [ 1215] Men drynken often peyne / and gret distresse. I mene it here as for þis auenture. That þourgh a peyne is founden al his cure. [ 1218]

(175)

And now swetnesse semeth þe more swet. [ 1219] That bitternesse assayed was by-forn. For out of wo in blysse now þey flete. Non swych þey felten sith þat þey were born. [ 1222] Now is þis bet þan boþe two be lorn. For loue of god take euery womman hede. To werken þus / yf it come to þe nede. [ 1225]

(176)

Criseyde al quyt from euery drede and tene. [lf 60, bk] [ 1226] As she þat Iust cause hadde hym to tryste. Made hym swych feste / it Ioye was to sene. whan she his trowþe and clene entent wyste. [ 1229] And as a-bowte a tre with many a twyste. Bytrent and wryþe the soote wode bynde. Gan eche of hem in armes oþer wynde. [ 1232]

(177)

And as þe newe a-baysshed Nyghtyngale. [ 1233] That stynteth first whan she gynneth to synge. whan þat she hereth any herde tale. Or in þe hegges ony wight sterynge. [ 1236] And after syker doth here voys out rynge. Right so Criseyd whan here drede stynte. Opened here herte and told hym here entente. [ 1239]

(178)

And right as he þat seth his deth is shapen. [ 1240] And deye mot in out þat he may gysse. And sodeynly rescous doth hym escapen. And from his deth is brought yn sykernesse. [ 1243] For alle þis word yn swych present gladnesse. was Troylus and hath his lady swete. with worse hap god lat vs neuere mete. [ 1246]

(179)

Here armes smale he[r] streyght[e] bak and softe. [ 1247] Her sydes longe. fleysshly smoþe and white. He gan to stroke and good thryft bad ful ofte. Here snowyssh þrote. here brestes rounde and lyte. [ 1250] Thus yn this [heuene] he gan hym delyte. And þer with al a þowsand tyme here kyste. That what to done for Ioye vnneþe he wyste. [ 1253]

(180)

Thanne seyde he þus .o. loue .o. charite. [ 1254] Thi moder ek Citherea the swete. After þi self next heried be she. Venus mene I þe wel willy planete. [ 1257] And next þe Imeneus .I. the grete. For neuere man was to yow goddes holde. As I which ye han brought fro cares colde. [ 1260]

(181)

Benyngne loue thow holy bond of thynges. [leaf 61] [ 1261] who-so wole grace / and lyst þe nought honouren. Lo his desir wole fle with-outen wynges. For nodestow of bounte hem socouren. [ 1264] That seruen best and most alwey labouren. Yet were al lost þat dar I wel seye certes. But yf þi grace passed oure desertes. [ 1267]

(182)

And for þow me þat lest kowde deserue. [ 1268] Of hem þat nombred be to þi grace. Hast holpen þere I lykly was to sterue. And me bistowed in so heygh a place. [ 1271] That þilke boundes may no blysse passe. I kan no more but laude and reuerence. Be to þy bounte and þin excellence. [ 1274]

(183)

And þer-with-al Criseyde a-noon he kyste. [ 1275] Of which certeyn she felte no dishese. And þus seyde he / now wolde god I wyste. Myn herte swete. how I yow myghte plese. [ 1278] what man quod he was euere þus at ese. As I on whiche þe faireste and þe beste. That euere I say deyneth here herte reste. [ 1281]

(184)

Here may men se þat mercy passeth ryght. [ 1282] The experience of þat is felt in me. That am vnworthi to so swete a wyght. But herte myn of youre benyngnite. [ 1285] So þenk þowgh þat I vnworthi be. Yet mot I nede amenden in som wyse. Right þourgh þe of vertu of yowre heyghe seruyce. [ 1288]

(185)

And for þe loue of god my lady dere. [ 1289] Syn god hath wrought me for þat I shal yow serue. As þus I mene þat ye wole be my stere. To do me lyue yf þat yow lyste or sterue. [ 1292] So techeth me how þat I ma[y] deserue. Youre þank. so þurgh myn ignoraunce. Ne do no þing þat yow be displesaunce. [ 1295]

(186)

But certes fresshe wommanliche wyf. [leaf 61, back] [ 1296] This dar I seye / þat trouthe and diligence. That shal ye fynde in me al my lyfe. Ne I wole certeyn breken youre defence. [ 1299] And yf I do present or in absence. For loue of god lat sle me wiþ þe dede. If þat it lyke-to youre womanhede. [ 1302]

(187)

I-wys quod she myn owne hertes lyst. [ 1303] My ground of ese. and al myn herte dere. Graunt mercy / for on þat is al my trist. But late vs falle a-wey fro þis matere. [ 1306] For it suffisith þis þat seyd is here. And at o word with-outen repentaunce. wel-come my knyght / my pes / my suffisaunce. [ 1309]

(188)

Of here delyt. or Ioyes / oon þe leste. [ 1310] were impossible to my wyt to seye. But Iuggeth ye þat han ben at þe feste. Of swych gladnesse yf þat hem lyste pleye. [ 1313] I kan no more / but þus [þese] ilke tweye. That nyght be-twexen dred and sikernesse. Felten in loue þe grete worthynesse. [ 1316]

(189)

O blysful nyght of hem so longe y-sought. [ 1317] How bliþe vn-to hem boþe þow were. why ne hadde I swych on with my soule y-bought. Ye or þe leeste Ioye þat was þere. [ 1320] A-wey þow fowle daunder and þow fere. And lat hem in þis heuene blyssyd dwelle. That is so heygh þat al ne kan I telle. [ 1323]

(190) [[St. 190-1 are made 201-2 in Harl. MS. 1239 & Caxton's text. Harl. 2392 (lf 75, bk) & Addit. 12,044 (lf 59, bk) have em here.]]

But soth is þough I kan not telle al. [ 1324] As kan myn Auctor of his excellence. Yet haue I seyd and god to-forn and shal. In euery þyng al hoolly his sentence. [ 1327] And yf þat I at loues reuerence. Haue ony word In eched for þe beste. Doth þer-with-al right as yow seluen leste. [ 1330]

(191)

For myne wordes here and euery part. [leaf 62] [ 1331] I speke hem alle vnder correccioun. Of yow þat felyng han in loues art. And putte it al yn youre discrecioun. [ 1334] To encrese or maken dyminucioun. Of my langage and þat I yow by-seche. But now to purpos of my raþer speche. [ 1337]

(192)

Thise ilke two þat ben in armes laft. [ 1338] So loth to hem a sondry go-ne [it] were. That eche from oþer wenden ben by-raft. Or elles lo þis was here most fere. [ 1341] That al þis þyng but nyce dremes nere. For which ful ofte eche of hem seyde o swete. Clippe ich yow þus or elles I it mete. [ 1344]

(193)

A lord so he gan gladly on here se. [ 1345] That neuere his lok ne blente from here face. And seyde o dere herte may it be. That it be soth / þat ye ben in þis place. [ 1348] Ye herte myn. god þank I of his grace. Quod þo Criseyde and þer-with-al hym kyste. That where his spirit was for Ioye he nyste. [ 1351]

(194)

This Troylus ful ofte here eighen two. [ 1352] Gan for to kysse and seyde o eyen clere. It were ye þat wroughte me swych wo. Ye humble nettes of my lady dere. [ 1355] Though þere be mercy wreten yn youre chere. God wot þe text ful hard is soth to fynde. How koude ye with-outen bond me bynde. [ 1358]

(195)

Therwith he gan here faste in armes take. [ 1359] And wel an hundred tymes gan he syke. Nought swych sorwful sykes as men make. For wo / or elles whanne þat folk ben syke. [ 1362] But esy sykes swyche as ben to lyke. That shewed his affeccion with-Inne. Of swiche sikes koude he nought blynne. [ 1365]

(196)

Sone after þis they speke of sondry thynges. [lf 62, bk] [ 1366] As fil to purpos of þis auenture. And pleyinge entrechaungeden here rynges. Of which I kan nough tellen no scripture. [ 1369] But wel I wot a broche gold of asure. In whiche a ruby set was lyk an herte. Criseyde hym yaf and stak it on his sherte. [ 1372]

(197)

Lord trowe ye a coueytous or a wrecche. [ 1373] That blameth loue and holt of it despit. That of þe pens þat he kan moke & kecche. was euere yet y-yeue hym swych delyt. [ 1376] As ys in loue in oo poynt in som plyt. Nay douteles. for also god me saue. So parfit Ioye may no nygard haue. [ 1379]

(198)

They wole sey yis but lord so þat þey lye. [ 1380] Tho bysy wrecches ful of wo and drede. They callen loue a woodnesse or folye. But it shal falle hem as I shal yow rede. [ 1383] They shul for-go þe white and eke þe rede. And leue in wo þere god yeue hem myschaunce. And euery louere yn his trouþe auaunce. [ 1386]

(199)

As wolde god þat wrecches þat dispise. [ 1387] Seruyse of loue hadde eerys al so longe. As hadde Myda ful of Coueytise. And þer-to drenken hadde as hoot and stronge. [ 1390] As Crassus dide for his affectis wronge. To techen hem þat þey ben in þe vice. And loueres nought / al-þough þey holde hem nyce. [ 1393]

(200)

This ilke two of whom þat I yow seye. [ 1394] whan þat here hertes wel assured were. Tho gonne þei to speke and to pleye. And ek reherce how and whanne and where. [ 1397] They knewe hym first and euery wo and feere. That passed was / but al swych heuynesse. I þanke it god was tourned to gladnesse. [ 1400]

(201)

And euere more whan þat hem fille to speke. [leaf 63] [ 1401] Of ony þing of swych a tyme a-gon. with kyssyng alle þat tale sholde breke. And fallen in a newe Ioye a-noon. [ 1404] And dede al here myght syn þey were oon. For to recoueren blysse and ben at ese. And passed woo with Ioye countrepeyse. [ 1407]

(202)

Reson wil not þat I speke of shep. [[for slepe] [ 1408] For it accordeth nough to my matere. God wot þey toke of þat ful lytel kepe. But lest þis nyght that was to hem so dere. [ 1411] Ne sholde in veyn escape in no manere. It was byset in Ioye and bysynesse. Of al þat sowneth in-to gentilesse. [ 1414]

(203)

But whanne þe kok comune Astrologer. [ 1415] Gan on his brest to bete and after to crowe. And lucifer þe dayes messager. Gan for to ryse / and out here bemys þrow. [ 1418] And afterward ros to hym þat kowde it know. Fortuna maior þat anoon Criseyde. with herte sore to Troylus þus seyde. [ 1421]

(204)

Myn hertes lyf my tryst and my plesaunce. [ 1422] That I was born allas what me is wo. That day of vs mot make desseueraunce. For tyme it is to ryse and hens to go. [ 1425] Or ellys I am lost for eueremo. O nyght allas whi nyltow ouer vs houe. As longe as whanne Almena lay by Ioue. [ 1428]

(205)

O blake nyght as folk in bokes rede. [ 1429] That shapen art by god þis world to hide. At certeyn tymes with þi derke wede. That vnder þat men myghte in reste abyde. [ 1432] wel oughte bestes pleyne. and folk þe chide. That þere as day with labour wolde vs breste. That þow þus flest. and deynest vs nought reste. [ 1435]

(206)

Thow dost allas to shortly thyn office. [leaf 65, back] [ 1436] Thow rakel nyght þere god makere of kynde. The for þyn hast and þyn vnkynde vice. So faste ay to oure hemy-spere bynde. [ 1439] That neuere more vnder þe ground þow wynde. For now for þow so hyest out of Troye. Haue I for-gon þus hastely my Ioye. [ 1442]

(207)

This Troylus þat with þo wordes felte. [ 1443] As þoughte hym tho. for pitous distresse. The blody teerys from his herte melte. As he þat neuere yet swych heuynesse. [ 1446] Assayed hadde out of so gret gladnesse. Gan þerwith-al Criseyde his lady dere. In armes streyne and seyde in þis manere. [ 1449]

(208)

O crueel day accusour of þe Ioye. [ 1450] That nyght and loue han stole and faste y-wryen. A-cursed be þi comyng in-to Troye. For euery bore hath oon of þi bryght eyen. [ 1453] Enuyous day what lyst þe so to spyen. what hastow lost why sekestow þis place. Ther god þi lyght so quenche for his grace. [ 1456]

(209)

Allas what han þese loueres þe agilt. [ 1457] Dispitous day thyn be þe pyne of helle. For many a louere hastow shent and wilt. Thi pouryng In wol no where late hem dwelle. [ 1460] what proferestow thi light here for to selle. Go selle it hem þat smale selys grauen. we wol þe nought. vs nedeth no day hauen. [ 1463]

(210)

And ek þe sonne Tytan gan he to chyde. [ 1464] And seyde o fol wel may men þe dispise. That hast þe Dawyng al nyght by þi syde. And suffrest here so soone vp fro þe ryse. [ 1467] For to disesen loueres yn þis wyse. what hold youre bed þer þow and ek þi morwe. I bidde god so yeue yow boþe sorwe. [ 1470]

(211)

Ther-with ful sore he sight and þus he seyde. [leaf 64] [ 1471] My lady right. and of my wele or wo. The welle and rote .o. goodly myn Criseyde. And shal I ryse allas and shal I go. [ 1474] Now fele I þat myn herte mot a two. For how sholde I an hour my lyf saue. Syn þat with yow is al þe lyf I haue. [ 1477]

(212)

What shal I don / for certes I not how. [ 1478] Ne whanne allas I shal þe tyme se. That yn þis plit I may be eft with yow. And of my lyf god wot how þat shal be. [ 1481] Syn þat desir ryght now so brenneth me. That I am ded a-noon but I retorne. How shold I longe allas fro yow soiourne. [ 1484]

(213)

But naþeles myn owene lady bryght. [ 1485] were it so þat I wist outrely. That I youre humble seruaunt & youre knyght. were in youre herte set so fermely. [ 1488] As ye in myn þe whiche þyng trewely. Me leuere were þan þese wordes tweyne. Yet sholde I bet endure al my peyne. [ 1491]

(214)

To þat Cryseyde answered right a-noon. [ 1492] And with a syk she seyde .o. herte dere. The game y-wys so ferforth now is gon. That first shal Phebus falle fro his spere. [ 1495] And euery Egle ben þe dowues fere, And euery roche out of his place sterte. Er Tro[i]les out of Criseydes herte. [ 1498]

(215)

Ȝe be so depe In-with myn herte graue. [ 1499] That þough I wold it turne out of my þought. As wysly verray god my soule saue. To dyen in þe peyne I kowde nowght. [ 1502] And for þe loue of god þat vs hath wrought. Lat yn youre brayn noon oþer fantasye. So crepe / þat it cause me to dye. [ 1505]

(216)

An þat ye me wolde han as faste in mynde. [lf 64, bk] [ 1506] As I haue yow. þat wold I yow by-seche. And yf I wyste sothly / þat to fynde. God myght not a poynt my Ioyes eche. [ 1509] But herte myn with-oute more speche. Beth to me trewe or elles were it routhe. For I am þyn by god and by my trouthe. [ 1512]

(217)

Beth glad for-þi and lyue in sykernesse. [ 1513] Thus seyde I neuere er þis ne shal to mo. And yf to yow it were a gret gladnesse. To turne a-yen soone afte[r] þat ye go. [ 1516] As fayn wolde I as ye it were so. As wysly god myn herte brynge at reste. And hym in armes toke and ofte keste. [ 1519]

(218)

Agayns his wil syn it mot nedes be. [ 1520] This Troylus vp ros and faste hym cledde. And in his armes tok his lady fre. An hundred tyme. and on his wey hym spedde. [ 1523] And with swych wordes as his herte bledde. He seyde farewel myn herte and dere swete. There god vs graunte sound and soone to mete. [ 1526]

(219)

To which no word for sorwe she answerede. [ 1527] So sore gan his partyng here destreyne. And Troylus vn-to his palays ferde. As wo-by-gon as she was soth to seyne. [ 1530] So hard hym wrong of sharp desir þe peyne. For to ben eft þere he was in plesaunce. That it may neuere out of his remembraunce. [ 1533]

(220)

Retorned to his Real Palais soone. [ 1534] He softe in to his bedde gan for to slynke. To slepe longe as he was woned to done. But al for nought he may wel lygge and wynke. [ 1537] But slep ne may þere in his herte synke. Thenkynge how she for whom desir hym brende. A þousand fold was worth more þan he wende. [ 1540]

(221)

And in his þought gan vp and dounto wynde. [leaf 65] [ 1541] Hise wordes alle and euery contenaunce. And fermely impressen yn hire mynde. The leste poynt þat to hym was plesaunce. [ 1544] And verraylyche of þilke remembraunce. Desir al new hym brende. and lust to brede. Gan more þan erst. and yet toke he noon hede. [ 1547]

(222)

Criseyde also right in þe same wyse. [ 1548] Of Troylus gan in here herte shette. His worthinesse. his lust / his dedes wyse. His gentilesse. and how she with hym mette. [ 1551] Thonkynge loue he so wel here by-sette. Desiryng eft to haue here herte dere. In swych a plyt she dorst make hym chere. [ 1554]

(223)

Pandare a morwe which þat comen was. [ 1555] Vn-to his Nece and gan hire fayre grete. Seyde. al þis nyght so reynede it allas. That al my drede is þat ye my Nece swete. [ 1558] Han litel layser had to shepe [[for slepe]] and mete. Al nyght quod he hath reyn so do me wake. That som of vs I trowe here hedes ake. [ 1561]

(224)

And ner he come and seyde how stont it now. [ 1562] This murye morwe nece how kan ye fare. Criseyde answerede neuere þe bet [for] yow. Fox þat ye ben. god yeue youre herte care. [ 1565] God helpe me so ye causes al þis fare, Trow I quod she. for alle youre wordes whyte. who-so seth yow knoweth yow ful lite. [ 1568]

(225)

With þat she gan here face for to wrye. [ 1569] with þe shete and wax for shame al red. And Pandarus gan vnder for to prye. And seyde Nece yf þat I shal ben ded. [ 1572] Here haue a swerd and smyte of myn hede. with that his arm al sodeynly he þriste. Vnder here nekke and at þe laste here keste. [ 1575]

(226)

I passe al þat which chargeth nought to seye. [lf 65, bk] [ 1576] what god for-yaf his deth an she al so. For-yaf and with here vncle gan for to pleye. For oþer cause was þer noon but so. [ 1579] But of þis þing right to þe effect to go. whan tyme was hom til here hous she wente. And Pandarus hath fully his entente. [ 1582]

(227)

Now torne we a-yen to Troylus. [ 1583] That resteles ful longe a bedde lay. And preuely sente after Pandarus. To hym to come in al þe haste he may. [ 1586] He come a-noon nought onys seyde he nay. And Troylus ful sobrely he grette. And doun vpon his beddes syde hym sette. [ 1589]

(228)

This Troylus with al þe affeccioun. [ 1590] Of frendes loue þat herte may deuyse. To Pandarus on knees fil a-down. And er þat he wolde out of þe place a-ryse. [ 1593] He gan hym þonken in his beste wyse. A hondred sithe / and gan þe tyme blysse. That he was born / to brynge hym fro distresse. [ 1596]

(229)

He seyde .o. frend of frendes the alderbeste. [ 1597] That euere was / þe soþe for to telle. Thow hast in heuene y-brought my soule at reste. Fro Flegiton the fery flood of helle. [ 1600] That þough I myght a þousand tymes selle. Vpon a day my lyf in þy seruise. It myght nought a mot in þat suffise. [ 1603]

(230)

The Sonne whiche þat al þe worlde may se. [ 1604] Saw neuere yet my lyf þat dar I leye. So Inly feyr / and goodly as is she. whos I am al / and shal til þat I deye. [ 1607] And þat I þus am heres dar I seye. That þanked be the heigh worthynesse. Of loue. and ek þy kynde bysynesse. [ 1610]

(231)

Thus hastow me no lytel thyng y-yeue. [leaf 66] [ 1611] For which to the obliged be for ay. My lyf / and why / for þorugh þyn help I leue. For elles ded hadde I be many a day. [ 1614] And with þat word doun in his bed he lay. And Pandarus ful sobrely hym herde. Til al was seyd / and þanne he hym answerde. [ 1617]

(232)

My dere frend yf I haue don for þe. [ 1618] In ony cas god wot it is me lief. And am as glad as man may of it be. God help me so. but tak it not a grief. [ 1621] That I shal seyn be war of of myschief.. That þere as þow now brought art in to blysse. That þow þi self ne cause it nought to mysse. [ 1624]

(233)

For of Fortunes sharp aduersite. [[l. 1-4, Boethius, and Dante]] [ 1625] The worste kynde of Infortune is þis. A man to haue be in prosperite. And it remembren whan it passed is. [ 1628] Thow art wys ynowh for-þi do nought amys. Be not to Rakel þough þou sitte warme. For if þow be certeyn it wol þe harme. [ 1631]

(234)

Thow art at ese and holde þe wel þer-Inne. [ 1632] For also seur as red is euery fir. As gret a craft is kep wel as wynne. Bridle alwey wel þi speche and þi desir. [ 1635] For worldly Ioye halt not but by a wir. That preueth wel it brest alday so ofte. For-IIi nede is to werke wiþ it softe. [ 1638]

(235)

Quod Troylus I hope and god to-forn. [ 1639] My dere frend / þat I shal so me bere. That in my gilt þer shal no þing be lorn. Ne I nyl not rakle as for to greuen here. [ 1642] It nedeth not þis matere ofte tere. For wistow myn herte wel Pandare. God wot of þis þow woldest litel care. [ 1645]

(236)

Tho gan he telle hym of his glade nyght. [leaf 66, back] [ 1646] And where-of first his herte dredde & how. And seyde frend as I am trewe knyght. And by þat feyth I shal to god and yow. [ 1649] I hadde it neuere half so hote as now. And ay þe more þat desir me biteth. To loue here best / þe more it me delyteth [ 1652]

(237)

I not my self not wisly what it is. [ 1653] But now I fele a newe qualite. Ye al a noþer er I dede er þis. Pandare answerede and seyde þus þat he. [ 1656] That onys may in heuene blysse be. He feleth oþer weyes dar I leye. Than þilke tyme he first herd of it seye. [ 1659]

(238)

This is o word for al þis Troylus. [ 1660] was neuere ful to speke of þis matere, And for to preyse vn-to Pandarus. The bounte of his right lady dere. [ 1663] And Pandarus to þanke and maken clere. This tale ay was span newe to bygynne. Til þat þe nyght departed hem a-twynne. [ 1666]

(239)

Soone after þis for þat fortune it wolde. [ 1667] I-comen was þe blysful tyme swete. That Troylus was warned þat he shulde. Ther he was erst Criseyde his lady mete. [ 1670] For which he felt his herte in Ioye flete. And feythfully gan alle þe goddes herye. And lat se now yf þat he kan be merye. [ 1673]

(240)

And holden was þe forme and al þe wyse. [ 1674] Of here comynge. and of his also. As it was erst whych nedeth nought deuyse. But playnly to þe effect right for to go. [ 1677] In Ioye and seurte Pandarus hem two. A-bedde brought whan þat hem boþe leste. And þei ben in quyete and yn reste. [ 1680]

(241)

Nought nedeþ it to yow syn þey ben met. [leaf 67] [ 1681] To aske at me yf þat þey blyþe were. For yf it erst was wel þo was it bet. A þousand fold þis nedeþ not enquere. [ 1684] A gon was euery sorwe and euery fere. And boþe y-wys þey hadde and so þey wende. As muche Ioye as herte may complende. [ 1687]

(242)

This is no litel þyng of for to seye. [ 1688] This passeth euery wyt for to deuyse. For eche of hem gan oþeres lust obeye. Felicite which þat þese clerkes wyse. [ 1691] Commenden so. ne may not here suffice. This Ioye may not y-wrete ben with Inke. This passeth al þat herte may by-þenke. [ 1694]

(243)

But cruel day so wel-awey þe stounde. [ 1695] Gan for to a-proche as þey by synes knewe. For which hem þoughte felen dethes wounde. So wo was hem þat changen gan here hewe. [ 1698] And day þey gonnen to dispise al newe. Callyng it traytous enuyous and worse. And bitterly þe dayes light þey curse. [ 1701]

(244)

Quod Troylus now am I war. [ 1702] That Piros and þo swyfte stedes þre. which þat drawen forth þe sonnes char. Han gon som by-path in despit of me. [ 1705] That makeþ it so soone day to be. And for þe sonne hym hasteth þus to ryse. Ne shal I neuere don here sacrifice. [ 1708]

(245)

But nedes day departe moste hem soone. [ 1709] And whanne here speche don was and here chere. They twynne a-noon as þey were woned to done. And setten tyme of metyng eft y-fere. [ 1712] And many a nyght þey wrought yn þis manere. And þus Fortune a tyme ladde In Ioye. Criseyde and ek þis kynges sone of Troye. [ 1715]

(246)

In suffisaunce In blisse and in syngynges. [leaf 67, back] [ 1716] This Troylus gan al his lyf to lede. He spendeth Iusteth maketh festeynynges. He yeueth frely ofte. and chaungeth wede. [ 1719] And held hym aboute alwey out of drede. A world of folk. as kam hym wel of kynde. The fresshest and þe beste he koude fynde. [ 1722]

(247)

Þat swych a voys was of hym and [a] steuene. [ 1723] Thorugh-out þe world of honour and largesse. That it rong vp in-to þe yate of heuene. And as in loue he was yn swych gladnesse. [ 1726] That in his herte he demede as I gesse. That þere nys louere in þis world at ese. So wel as he and þus gan loue hym plese. [ 1729]

(248)

The goodlihede or beaute which þat kynde. [ 1730] In ony oþer lady hadde y-set. Kan not þe mountaunce of a knot vnbynde. A-boute his herte of al Criseydes net. [ 1733] He was so narwe y-maked and y-knet. That it vndon on any manere syde. That nyl not ben for ought þat may be-tide. [ 1736]

(249)

And by þe hond ful ofte he wolde take. [ 1737] This Pandarus and in-to gardeyn lede. And swych a feste and swych a proces make. Hym of Criseyde / and of here womanhede. [ 1740] And of here beaute / þat with-outen drede. It was an heuene his wordes for to here. And þanne he wolde synge in þis manere. [ 1743]

(250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.)

Loue þat of erþe and se hath gouernaunce. [ 1744] Loue þat his heste hath in heuene hye. Love þat with an holsom alliaunce. Halt peples Ioyned as hem lyst hym gye. [ 1747] Loue þat knetteth lawe of companye. And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle. Bynd þis a-cord / þat I haue told and telle. [ 1750]

(251) (Troilus's Song. 2.)

That þat þe world with feyth which þat is stable. [lf 68] [ 1751] Dyuerseth so his stoundes concordynge. That elementes þat ben so discordable. Holden a bond perpetuely durynge. [ 1754] That Phebus mot his rosy day forth brynge. And þat þe mone hath lordship ouer þe nyghtes. Al þis doth loue. ay heryed be his myghtes. [ 1757]

(252) (Troilus's Song. 3.)

That þat þe se þat gredy is to flowen. [ 1758] Constreyne to a certeyn ende so. His flodes þat freshly þey ne growen. To drenchen erthe / and al for euere mo. [ 1761] And yf þat loue ought late his bridel go. Al þat now loueth a-sonder sholde lepe. And al were lost þat loue halt now to hepe. [ 1764]

(253) (Troilus's Song. 4.)

So wolde god þat Auctor is of kynde. [ 1765] That with his bond / loue of his vertu liste. To cerchen hertes alle and faste bynde. That from his bond no wight þe weye out wyste. [ 1768] And hertes colde hem wolde I þat he it wyste. To make hem loue. and þat hem lest ay rewe. On hertes sore / and kep hem þat ben trewe. [ 1771]

(254)

In alle nedes for þe townes werre. [ 1772] He was and ay þe firste in armes dight. And certaynly but if þat bokes erre. Saue Ector most y-drad of ony wight. [ 1775] And þis encres of hardinesse & myght. Cam hym of loue. his ladyes þank to wynne. That altered his spirit so with-Inne. [ 1778]

(255) [[Caxton puts st. 255 after 259. Herl. 1239 has it here.]]

In tyme of trewe. on haukynge wolde ryde. [ 1779] Or elles hunten. bore. beere. or lyoun. The smale bestes leet he gon by syde. And whan þat he com rydynge in to town. [ 1782] Ful ofte his lady from hire wyndow down. As frescħ as fawkon cometh out of muwe. Ful redy was hym goodly to saluwe. [ 1785]

(256)

And most of loue and vertu was his speche. [lf 68, bk] [ 1786] And in despit hadde alle wrecchednesse. And douteles no nede was hym byseche. To honouren hem þat hadde worthynesse. [ 1789] And esen hem þat weren in distresse. And glad was he yf any wyght wel ferde. That louere was. whan he it wyste or herde. [ 1792]

(257)

For soth to seyn he lost held euery wyght. [ 1793] But yf he were in loues heyghe seruyse. I. mene folk þat oughte it ben of right. And ouer al þis so wel koude he deuyse. [ 1796] Of sentement. and in so vnkow wyse. Al his aray. þat euery louere þoughte. That al was wel what-so he seyde or wroughte. [ 1799]

(258)

And þough þat he be come of blod royal. [ 1800] Lyst hym of pride at no wyght for to chase. Benygne he was to ech yn general. For which he gat hym þank in euery place. [ 1803] Thus wold loue y-heryed be his grace. That Pride / enuye / Ire / and auaryce. He gan to fle. and euery oþer vice. [ 1806]

(259)

Thow lady bryght þe doughter to Dyone. [ 1807] Thy blynde and wynged sone ek daun Cupide. Ye sustren nyne ek þat by Elycone. I. hil parnaso lysten for to a-byde. [ 1810] That ye þus fer han deyned me to gyde. I kan no more but syn þat ye wol wende. Ye heryed ben for ay with-outen ende. [ 1813]

(260)

Thourgh yow haue I seyd fully in my song. [ 1814] Theffect and Ioye of Troylus seruyce. Al be þat þere was som dishese a-mong. As to myn Auctor listeþ to deuyse. [ 1817] My þridde book now ende Ich in þis wys. And Troylus in lust and in quiete. Is with Criseyde his owne herte swete. [ 1820]

[End of Book III.]

[Harleian MS. 2280, leaf 35.]

[The tagd f, g, k, t, of the MS. are not printed in this 3rd book.]

(1)

Oblisful light of which þe bemes clere [ 1] Adorneth all the thridde heuene fayre O sonnes lief o Ioues doughter dere Plesaunce o love o godely debonaire [ 4] In gentil hertes ay redy to repayre O verray cause of hele and of gladdenesse Iheried be þi myght and thy goodenesse [ 7]

(2)

¶ In heuene and helle and erhte and salt se [ 8] Is felt þi myght If þat I wol descerne As man / bryd / best / fissh / herbe and grene tre The fele in tymes with vapour eterne [ 11] God loueth and to loue wol nougth werne And in þis world no lyues creature With-outen loue is worth or may endure [ 14]

(3)

¶ Ye Ioues first to thike effectes glade [ 15] Thorugh which þat thynges lyuen al and be Comeueden and amoreux hem made On mortal thynge and as ȝow list ay ye [ 18] Ȝeue hym in loue ese or aduersite And in a thousand formes down hym sente For loue in erthe and ȝow list he hente [ 21]

(4)

¶ Ye fierse mars apasen of his Ire [ 22] And as ȝow list . ȝe maken hertes digne Algates hym þat ȝe wol sette a fyre Þei dreden shame and vices þei resigne [ 25] Ȝe do hem curteis be fresshe and benigne And heigh or lawe eftir a wight entendeth Þe Ioies þat he hath ȝoure myght it sendeth [ 28]

(5)

Ȝe holden regne and hous in vnite [ 29] Ȝe sothfast cause of frendschipe ben also Ȝe knowe al þilke couerd qualite Of thynges which þat folk on wondren so [ 32] when þei kan naught construe how it may Io She loueth hym or why he loueth here [[here later]] As why þis fish and naught cometh to were [ 35]

(6)

¶ Ye folk a lawe han sette in vniuerse [ 36] And þis know I by hem þat loueres be Þat who-so stryueth [[first streyneth]] with ȝow hath þe worse Now lady bryght for þi benignite [ 39] At reuerence of hem þat seruen the whos clerc I am so techeth me deuyse Som Ioie of þat is felt in þi seruyse [ 42]

(7)

¶ Ye in my naked herte sentement [leaf 35, back] [ 43] In hielde / and do me shew of þi sweniesse [[or swemesse]] Caliope thy uois be now presente For now is nede sestow nought my distresse [ 46] How I mot telle a-non righ the gladnesse Of troilus to Venus herynge To which who nede hath god hym brynge [ 49]

Explicit prohemium tercij libri

Incipit liber tercius

(8)

LAY al this mene while Troilus [ 50] Recordynge his lesson in this manere Mayfey thought he thus wol I seye and thus Thus wol I pleyne vn-to my lady deere [ 53] Þat worde is goode and þis shal be my chere Þis nyl I nought forȝeten in no wyse God leue hym werken as he gan deuyse [ 56]

(9)

¶ And lord so þat his herte gan to quappe [ 57] Heryng hire com and short for to sike And Pandarus þat ledde hire by þe lappe Com ner and gan in at þe curtyn pike [ 60] And seyde god do bote on alle sike Se who is here ȝow comen to vysite lo here is she þat is ȝowre deth to wyte [ 63]

(10)

¶ Þer-with it semed as he vepte almost [ 64] ha a quod Troilus so reufully wher me be wo o myghty god thow wost who is al ther I se nought trewly [ 67] Sire quod Criseyde it is Pandare and I Ȝe swete herte allas I may nought rise To knele and do ȝow honour in som wyse [ 70]

(11)

¶ And dressed hym vpwarde and she right tho [ 71] Gan both hire hondes soft vp on hym leye O for þe loue of god do ȝe nought so To me quod she I what is þis to seye [ 74] Syr comen am I to ȝow for causes tweye First ȝow to thanke and of ȝowre lordshipe eke Continuaunce I wolde ȝow byseke [ 77]

(12)

¶ This Troilus þat herde his lady preye [leaf 36] [ 78] Of lordship hym wex neyther quyk ne dede Ne myght o worde for shame to it seye Al though men shold smyten of his hed [ 81] But lord so he wex so deynlyche rede And sire his lesson þat he wende konne To preyen hire is thorugh his wit yronne [ 84]

(13)

¶ Criseyde al þis aspied wel ynough [ 85] For she was wis and loued hym neuere þ^e lasse Al ner he malapert or made it tough Or was to bold to synge a fole a masse [ 88] But when his shame gan somwhat to passe His resons as I may my rymes holde I ȝow wol telle as techen bokes olde [ 91]

(14)

¶ In chaunged vois right for his verray drede [ 92] Which vois ek quook and ther-to his manere Goodly abayst / and now his hewes rede Now pale vnto Criseyde his lady deere [ 95] with loke down cast and humble I-ȝolden chere Lo the alderfirst worde þat hym asferte [[f alterd]] was tweyes mercy mercy swete herte [ 98]

(15)

¶ And stynte a while and when he myght oute brynge [ 99] Þe next word was god woot for I haue As faithfully as I haue hadde konnynge Ben ȝoures alle god so my soule saue [ 102] and shal tyl þat I woful wight be graue And though I dar ne kan vn to ȝow pleyne I-wis I suffer naugh the lasse peyne. [ 105]

(16)

¶ Thus muche as now o wommanlich wif [ 106] I may oute brynge and If this ȝowe displees Þat shal I wreke vp-on myn owen lif Right soon I trow and do ȝour herte an ese [ 109] If with my deth ȝoure herte may apese But syn that ȝe han herd me somwhat seye Now reche I neuere how soon þat I deye [ 112]

(17)

¶ Ther-with his manly sorwe to be-holde [ 113] It myght han maad an herte of stone to rew And Pandare wep as he to water wold And puked euer his nece new and newe [ 116] And seyde wo bigon ben hertes trewe For loue of god make of þis thyng an ende Or sle vs both atones er þat ȝe wende [ 119]

(18)

¶ I what quod she by god and by my trowthe [lf 36, bk] [ 120] I not nat what ȝe wilne þat I seye I what quod he þat ȝe han on hym rewthe For goddes loue and doth hym nought to deye [ 123] Now þan thus quod she I wolde hym preye To telle me þe fyn of his entente Ȝet wiste I neuere wel what þat he mente [ 126]

(19)

¶ what þat I mene o swete herte deere [ 127] Quod Troilus o goodely fressh fre That with the stremes of ȝoure eighen clere Ȝe wolde som tyme freshely on me se [ 130] And þanne a-green þat I may ben he With-outen braunche of vyce on any wyse In trowth alway to don ȝow my seruyse [ 133]

(20)

¶ As to my lady right and chief resorte [ 134] Which al my wit and al my diligence And to han right as ȝow list conforte Vnder youre ȝerde egal to myn offence [ 137] as deth If þat I breke ȝoure defence as þat ȝe deigne me so muchel honoure Me to comaunden aught in any houre [ 140]

(21)

¶ And I to ben ȝoure verray humble trewe [ 141] Secret / and in my peynes pacient And euere mo desiren freshly newe To seruen / and ben ay ylike diligent [ 144] And with goode herte al holly ȝoure talent Receyuen wel how soore þat me smerte Lo this mene .I. myn owen swete herte [ 147]

(22)

¶ Quod pandarus lo here an hard requeste [ 148] And resonable a lady for to warne Now nece myn by natal Ioues feste Were I a god ȝe sholden sterue as ȝerne [ 151] Þat heren wel þis man wol no thyng desire ȝerne But ȝour honoure and sen hym almost sterue And ben so loth to suffre hym ȝow serue [ 154]

(23)

¶ With that she gan hire eyen on hym caste [ 155] Ful esyly and ful debonayrly Auysynge hire and hyed nought to faste With neuere a word but seyde hym softly [ 158] Myn honour sauf I wol wel trewly And in swiche forme as he gan now deuyse Receyuen hym fully to my seruyse [ 161]

(24)

¶ Besechynge hym for goddes loue þat he [leaf 37] [ 162] wolden in honour of treuthe and gentilnesse As I wol mene ek menen wele to me and myn honour with wit and bysinesse [ 165] Ay kepe and if I may don hym gladdenesse From hennes forth I-wis I nyl nought feyne Now beth al hoole no longer ȝe ne pleyne [ 168]

(25)

¶ But natheles þis werne I ȝow quod she [ 169] a kynge some although ȝe be I-wis Ȝe shul namore han souereynte Of me in loue than right in þat cas is [ 172] Ny nyl forbere if þat ȝe don amys To wreth ȝow and whil þat ȝe me serue Chericen ȝow right efter ȝe disserue [ 175]

(26)

¶ And shortly deere herte and al my knyghte [ 176] Betht glad and drawet ȝow to lustinesse And I shal trewly with al my myght Ȝour bittre tornen al in to swettenesse [ 179] If I be she at may ȝow do gladnesse For euery wo ȝe shal recouere a blisse And hym in armes took and gan hym kysse [ 182]

(27)

¶ Fil Pandarus on knees and vp his yen [ 183] To heuene trewe and helde hise hondes highe Inmortal god quod he that maist nought dyen Cupide I mene of this maist glorifye [ 186] And venus thow maist maken melodye with-outen honde me semeth that in þe towne For þis merueille ich here ich belle sowne [ 189]

(28)

¶ But ho namore as now of þis matere [ 190] For-why þis folk wol comen vp a-non Þat han þe lettre red lo I hem here But I coniure þe Crisseyde and oon [ 193] And two thow Troilus when thow maist gon That at myn hous ȝe ben at my warnynge For I ful wele shal shape ȝoure comynge [ 196]

(29)

¶ And eseth there ȝoure hertes right ynough [ 197] And lat se which of ȝow shal here þe belle To speke of loue a-right and ther-with he lough For ther have ȝe a layser for to telle [ 200] Quod Troilus how longe shal I dwelle Er this be don quod he whan thou maist rise This thyng shal be / right as I ȝow deuyse [ 203]

(30)

¶ With þat Eleyne and also Deiphebus [leaf 37, back] [ 204] Tho comen vpward right at þe steyres ende And lord so schame gan greuen Troilus His brother and his suster for to blende [ 207] Quod Pandarus it tyme is þat we wende Tak nece myn ȝoure leue at alle thre And lat hem spek and cometh forth with me [ 210]

(31)

¶ She toke hire leue at hem ful thriftily [ 211] as she wel koude / and they hire reuerence Vn to þe fulle / diden hardily and wonder wel speken in hire absens [ 214] Of hire in preysynge of hire excellence Hire governaunce hire wit and hire manere Comendiden it Ioie was to here [ 217]

(32)

¶ Now lat hire wende vnto hire owen place [ 218] And torne we Troilus a-ȝeyn Þat ful lightly / gan of þe letre pace Þat Deiphebus hadde in þe gardyn seyn [ 221] And of Eleyne and hym deiphebus he wolde feyne Deluled ben and seyde þat hym leste To slepe and efter tales han reste [ 224]

(33)

¶ Eleyne hym kyste and toke hire leue blyue [ 225] Deiphebus ek and hom wente euery wyght and Pandarus as fast as he may dryue To Troilus tho com as lyne right [ 228] and on a pailet al þat glade nyght By Troilus he lay with mery chere To tale / and wel was hym þei were Ifere [ 231]

(34)

Whan euery wyght was voyded but þey two. [ 232] And alle þe dores were faste y-shette. To telle in short with-oute wordes mo. This Pandarus with-outen ony lette. [ 235] Vp ros and on his beddes side hym sette. And gan to speke in a sobre wyse. To Troylus as I shal yow deuyse. [ 238]

(35)

Myn alderleuest lord and broþer dere. [ 239] God wot and þow þat it sat me sore. when I þe saw so langwysshyng to yere. For loue of which þi wo wax alwey more. [ 242] That I with al my myght and al my lore. Haue euere sethen do my bysynesse. To brynge þe to Ioye out of distresse [ 245]

(36) [leaf 38]

¶ And haue it brought to swicho plit as thow woost [ 246] So þat thorugh me thow stondest now in weye To faren wel I seye it for no boste And wostow why for shame it is to seye [ 249] For the haue I bigonne a gamen pleye whiche þat I neuere do shal eft for othere Al-though he were a thousand fold my brother [ 252]

(37)

¶ Þat is to seye for þe am I bicomen [ 253] By-twyxen gam and ernest swich a meene As maken wommen vnto men to comen Al seye I nought thow wost wel what I mene [ 256] For the haue I my nece of vices clene So fully maad thy gentileste triste Þat al be shal right as thy seluen liste [ 259]

(38)

¶ But god þat al woote tak I to wittenesse [ 260] Þat neuere I þis for coueytise Iwroughte But onely for tabregge that distresse For which wel neigh thow dydest as me thoughte [ 263] But goode brother do now as the aughte For goddes loue and kepe hyre oute of blame Syn thow art wis and saue alwey hire name [ 266]

(39)

¶ For wele thow woost þe name as ȝet of here [ 267] Among þe peple as who soith halowed is For þat man is vn-bore I dar wel swere Þat euere wiste þat she dide amys [ 270] But wo is me þat I þat cause al this May thenken þat she is my nece deere And I hire em and tractor ek Ifeere [ 273]

(40)

¶ And were it wist þat I thorwh myn eyen [ 274] Hadde in my nece y-put þis fantasye To don þi luste and holly to ben thyn why al þe worlde vp-on it wolde crye [ 277] And seyn þat I / the werste trecherye Dide in þis cas þat euere was bygonne and she for-loste / and thow right nought ywonne [ 280]

(41)

¶ Wher-fore er I wol forther gon a pas [ 281] Ȝet eft y the biseche and fully seye Þat pryuete go with vs in this caas Þat is to seyn / þat thow vs neuere wreye [ 284] And be not wroth though I þe oft preye To holden secre swich an heigh matere [[erasure: tere writ∣ten in the margin.]] For skylful is thow woost wel my preyere [ 287]

(42)

¶ And thynk what wo þer hath bityd or this [lf 38, bk] [ 288] For makynge of auauntes as men rede And what meschaunce in þis worlde ȝet þer is Fro day to day right for þat wikked dede [ 291] For which þis wise clerkes that ben dede han euere this prouerbed to vs ȝong Þat first vertu is to kepe tonge [ 294]

(43)

¶ And ner it þat I wilne as now tabregge [ 295] Diffusion of speche I koude al-moost a thousand olde stories the alegge Of wommen lost thorugh fals and fooles bost [ 298] Prouerbes kanst þi self I-now and woost Aȝeyns þat vice for to ben a labbe Al seyd men soth as often as they gabbe [ 301]

(44)

¶ O tong allas so often here biforne [ 302] Hastow made many a lady bright of hewe Seyd waylawey þe day þat I was born And many a maydes sorwes for to newe [ 305] And for þe more part al is vntrewe Þat men of ȝelpe / and It were brought to preue Of kynde non auauntour is to leue [ 308]

(45)

¶ Auauntour and a lyer al is oone [ 309] As thus I pose womman graunte me Hire loue / and seith þat other wol she noon And I am sworn to holden it secree [ 312] And efter I go telle it two or thre I-wis I am auauntour at þe leeste And lyer for I breke my byheste [ 315]

(46)

¶ Now loke þan If they be nought to blame [ 316] Swich manere folk what shal I clepe hem what Þat hem auaunte wommen and by name Þat ȝet biheighte hem neuere þis ne þat [ 319] Ne knew hem more þan myn old hatte No wonder is so god me sende hele Though wommen dreden with vs men to deele [ 322]

(47)

¶ I seye nought þis for no mystruste of ȝowe [ 323] Ne for no wyse men but for fooles nyce And for þe harme þat in þe world is now as wol for folye oft as for malice [ 326] For wel woot I in wyse folk þat vice No womman drat if she be wel avised For wise ben by foles harm chastised [ 329]

(48)

¶ But now to purpos leeue brother deere [ 330] Haue al þis thyng / þat I haue seyde in mynde And kepe þe clos and be now of goode chere For at þi day thow shalt me trew fynde [ 333] I shal þi processe sette in swiche a kynde and god to-forn þat it shal þe suffise For it shal ben right as þow wolt deuyse [ 336]

(49)

¶ For wel I woot thow menest wel parde [ 337] Þer-for I dar this fully vndertake Thow woost ek what thy lady graunted þe And day is set þe charres vp to make [ 340] Haue now goode nyght I may no longer wake and bid for me syn thow ert now in blisse Þat god me sende deth or soone lesse [ 343]

(50)

¶ Who myghte tellen half þe Ioye or feest [ 344] whiche þat þe soule of Troilus tho felte Herynge theffecte of Pandarus biheste His old wo þat made his herte swelte [ 347] Gan tho for Ioye wasten and to-melte And al þe rechesse of [his] sikes soore Atones fledde he felte of hem namore [ 350]

(51)

¶ But right so as þis holtes and þis hayis [ 351] Þat han in wynter dede ben and drye Reuesten hem in greene when þat may is When euery lusty lyketh best to pleye [ 354] Righte in þat selue wyse soth for to seye Wax sodeynliche his herte ful of Ioie Þat gladdere was þer neuer man in Troye [ 357]

(52)

¶ And gan his looke on Pandarus vp caste [ 358] Ful sobrely and frendly for to se And seyde frend in aperil the laste as wel thow woost if it remembre the [ 361] How neigh þe deth for wo thow founde me And how thow didest al þi besynesse To know of me þe cause of my distresse [ 364]

(53)

¶ Thow woost how longe ich for-bare to seye [ 365] To þe þat ert þe man þat I best triste And peril non was it to þe biwreye Þat wiste I wele but telle me if þe liste [ 368] Sith I so loth was þat þi self it wiste How dorst I mo tellen of þis matere Þat quake now and no wight may us here [ 371]

(54)

¶ But natheles by þat god I the sweere [ 372] Þat as hym list may al þis world gouerne And if I lye achilles with his speere Myn herte clene alle were my lyfe eterne [ 375] as I am mortal If I late or ȝene wold it biwreye or dorst or sholde konne For alle þe goode þat god made vnder sonne [ 378]

(55)

¶ Þat rather deye I wolde and determyne [ 379] As thynketh me now stokked in prisone In wrechednesse in filthe and vermyne Caytif to cruel kinge agamenoun [ 382] And þis in alle þe temples of þis town Vp-on þe goddes alle I wil the swere To morwe day if þat it liketh þe here [ 385]

(56)

¶ And þat thow hast so much I-do for me [ 386] Þat I ne may it neuere more disserue Þis knowe I wel al myghte I now for þe A thousand tymes on a morwen sterue [ 389] I kan namore but þat I wol þe serue Right as þi sclaue whider so thow wende For euere more vnto my lyues ende [ 392]

(57)

¶ But here with al myn herte I þe biche [ 393] Þat neuere in me thow deme swiche folye As I shal seyn me thoughte by thy speche Þat þis whiche thow me doste for companye [ 396] I shold wene it were a bauderye I am nought wode alle If I lewed be It is nought so þat woot I wel parde [ 399]

(58)

¶ But he þat goth for gold or for richesse [ 400] On swich message cal hem what þe liste and þis þat thow dost calle it gentilnesse Compassyon and felawshyp and truste [ 403] Departe it so for wide where is wiste How þat þer is dyuersite requered Bytwexen thynges lyke as I haue lered [ 406]

(59)

¶ And þat thow knowe I thynke nought ne wene [ 407] Þat þis seruyse a shame be or Iape I have my faire suster Polixene Cassandre Eleyne or any of þe frape [ 410] Be she neuere so faire or wel I-shape Tel which thow wilt of euerychon To han for thyn and lat me þanne allone [ 413]

(60)

¶ But sith þat þow hast don me þis seruyse [leaf 40] [ 414] My lif to saue and for non hope of mede So for þe loue of god þis grete emprise Parforne it out for now is most nede [ 417] For heigh a lough with-outen any drede I wol alway þine hestis alle kepe Haue now gode nyght and lat vs both slepe [ 420]

(61)

¶ Þus held hym ich of other wel apayed [ 421] Þat al the world ne myghte it bet amende And on þe morwen when they were arayed Ech to his owen nedes gan entende [ 424] But Troilus thought as þe fire he brende For sharpe desire of hope and o plesaunce He nought for-gat his goode gouernaunce [ 427]

(62)

¶ But in hym self with manhode gan restreyne [ 428] Ech rackle dede and ech vnbrideled chere Þat al tho þat lyuen soth to seyne Ne sholde han wiste by word or by manere [ 431] what þat he mente as touchynge þis matere From euery wyght as fer as is þe cloude He was so wele dissimulen he koude [ 434]

(63)

¶ And al þe while which þat I ȝow deuyse [ 435] Þis was his lyf with al his ful myghte By day he was in martes heighe seruyse Þis is to seyn in armes as a knyghte [ 438] And for þe more part þe longe nyght He lay and thought how þat he myght serue His lady best hire thonke for to deserue [ 441]

(64)

¶ Nyl I nought swere al-though he lay soft [ 442] Þat in his thought he nas somwhat disesede Ne þat he torned on his pilous oft And wald of þat he myssed han ben sesed [ 445] But in swich cas men is nought alwey plesed For ought I woot namore þan was he Þat kan I deme of possibilite [ 448]

(65)

¶ But certeyn is to purpos for to go [ 449] Þat in þis whiche as writen is in geste Ȝe say his lady som tyme and also She with hym spake when þat she dorst or liste [ 452] And by hire bothe auys as was þe beste apoynteden ful warly in þis nede So as they dorst / how they wolden procede [ 455]

(66)

¶ But it was spoken in so short a wyse [leaf 40, back] [ 456] In swich awayt alwey and in swich fere Lest any wight deuynen or deuyse wold of hem two or to it ley an ere [ 459] Þat al þis world so leue to hem ne were As þat cupide wold hem grace sende To maken of hire speche a-right an ende [ 462]

(67)

¶ But þilk litel þat they spake or wrought [ 463] His wis goost took ay of al swich hede It semed hire he west what she thought with-outen word so þat was no nede [ 466] To bid hym ought to don or ought forbede For which she tought þat loue al come it late Of al Ioie hadde opned hire þe ȝate [ 469]

(68)

¶ And shortly of þis proces for to pace [ 470] So wel his werk and wordes he bisette Þat he so ful stood in his lady grace Þat twenti thousand tymes or she lette [ 473] She thanked god þat euere she with hym mette So koude he hym gouerne in swich seruyse Þat al þe world ne myght it bet auyse [ 476]

(69)

¶ For-why she fonde hym so discrete in al [ 477] So secrete and of swich obeysaunce Þat wel she felte he was to hire a wal Of stiel / and shield from euery displesaunce [ 480] That to be in his good gouernaunce So wis he was she was namore afered I mene as fer as ought ben requered [ 483]

(70)

¶ And Pandarus to quyke alwey þe fire [ 484] was euere yhold prest and diligent To ese his frende was sette al his desire He shof ay on he to and fro was sent [ 487] He lettres bar whan Troilus was absente Þat neuere man as in his frendes nede Ne ber hym bet þanne he with-outen drede [ 490]

(71)

¶ But now paraunter som man wayten wolde [ 491] Þat euery worde or sond or looke or chere Of Troilus / that I rehercen sholde In al þis while vn-to his lady deere [ 494] I trowe it were a longe thynge for to here Or of what wight þat stant in swich disioynte His wordes alle or euery look / to poynte [ 497]

(72)

¶ For soth I haue naught herd it don er this [leaf 41] [ 498] In stone non / ne no man here I weene And though I wolde I koude nought I-wis For þer was som Epistel hem bytwene [ 501] Þat walde as seith myn auctour wele contene Neigh half þis boke of which hym liste nought wryte How shol I þanne a lyne of it endite [ 504]

(73)

¶ But to þe grete effect / þanne sey I þus [ 505] Þat stondyng / in concord and in quiete Þis ilk two . Criseide and Troilus As I haue tolde / and in þis tyme swete [ 508] Saue only often myghte they not mete Ne layser haue hire speches to fulfille Þat it befel right as I shal ȝow telle [ 511]

(74)

¶ Þat Pandarus þat euere dide his myght [ 512] Right for þe fyn that I shal spek of here As for to bryngen to his hous som nyghte His faire nece and Troilus yfere [ 515] Wher as at layser al þis he matere Touchynge hire loue wer at þe fulle vp bounde Hadde oute of doute a tyme to it founde [ 518]

(75)

¶ For he with grete deliberacioun [ 519] hadde euery thynge þat here-to myght availle Forncast and put in execucioun And noither left for cost ne for trauaile [ 522] Come if hem lest hym shold no thynge faille And for to ben in oughte aspied thare Þat wiste he wel an impossible were [ 525]

(76)

¶ Dredeles it clere was in the wynde [ 526] Of euery pie And euery lette game Now alle is wel for al þe world is blynde In þis matere both fremed and tame [ 529] Þis tymbyr is al redy vp to frame Vs lakketh nought but þat we witen wolde A certein oure in whiche she comen sholde [ 532]

(77)

¶ And Troilus þat al this purveiaunce [ 533] And at þe fulle and waited on it ay Hadde here-vp-on ek / made grete ordinaunce And fonde his cause and ther-to his aray [ 536] If that he were myssed nyght or day Ther while he was a-bouten þis seruyse Þat he was gon to don his sacrifise [ 539]

(78)

¶ And moste at swhich a temple allone wake [lf 41, bk] [ 540] Answerde of apollo for to be And first to sen the holy laurer quake Er þat appollo spake oute of the tre [ 543] To telle hym next when grekes shold fle And for-thi lette hym no man god for-bede But preye apollo helpen in þis nede [ 546]

(79)

¶ Now is ther litel more for to doone [ 547] But Pandare vp and shortily for to seyne Right soone vp-on the chaungynge of þe moone when lightlees is þe world a nyght or tweyne [ 550] And þat þe walken shope hym for to reyne He streight o morwe vn-to his nece wente Ȝe han wel herde þe fyn of his entente [ 553]

(80)

¶ Whan he was come he gan a-non to pleye [ 554] As he was wont and of hym self to Iape And finaly he swore and gan hire seye Bi this and þat she shold hym nought escape [ 557] Ne lenger don hym efter hire to cape But certeinly she most by hire leue Come soupen in his hous with hym at eue [ 560]

(81)

¶ At which she lough and gan hire faste excuse [lf 51] [ 561] And seyde it reyneth lo how shold I gon Lat be quod he ne stant nought þus to muse Þis mot be done ȝe shal be þer onon [ 564] So at þe last here-of they fel attone Or elles soft he swor hire in hire ere He nolde neuere comen ther she were [ 567]

(82)

¶ Soone after þis she to hym gan to rowne [ 568] And axed hym if Troilus wer there He swor hire nay for he was oute of town And seyde nece I pose þat he were [ 571] Þow thruste neuere han þe more fere For rather þan men myght hym ther aspie Me were leuer a thousand folde deye [ 574]

(83)

¶ Nough list myn auctour fully to declare [ 575] what þat she þought when he seyde so Þat Troilus was oute of town I-fare As if he seyde ther-of soth or no [ 578] But þat with a-wayt with hym to go She graunted hym sith he hire þat bisoughte And as his nece obeyed as hire oughte [ 581]

(84)

¶ But natheles ȝett gan she hym biseche [leaf 42] [ 582] Al-though with hym to gon it was no fere For it to be war of goosish peples speche Þat dremen thynges which as neuere were [ 585] And wel auyse hym whom he brought there And seyde hym Em syn I most on ȝow triste Look al be wel do / now as ȝow liste [ 588]

(85)

¶ He swor hire þis by stokkes and by stones [ 589] And by the goddes þat in heuene dwelle Or elles were hym leuere soule and bones with Pluto kynge as depe ben in helle [ 592] as Tantalus what shold I more telle when alle was wel he roos and tooke his leue And she to soper come when it was eue [ 595]

(86)

¶ With a certeyn of hire own men [ 596] And with hire faire nece antigone And other of hire wommen nyne or ten But who was glade now who as trowe ȝe [ 599] But troilus þat stood and myght it se Thorugh-out a litel wyndowe in a stewe Ther he bishet sen myndnyght was in muwe [ 602]

(87)

¶ Wnwist of euery wyght but of Pandare [ 603] But to þe pointe now when she was come with alle Ioie [and] alle frendes fare Hire Em anon in armes hath hire nome [ 606] And efter to the soper alle and some when tyme was ful soft they hem sette God woot ther was no deynte for to fette [ 609]

(88)

¶ And after soper gonnen they to ryse [ 610] At ese wele with herte fresshe and glade And wel was hym þat koude beste deuyse To liken hire or þat hire laughen made [ 613] He songh she pleyde he told tale of wade But at þe last as euery thynge has ende She tooke hire leue and nedes wald wende [ 616]

(89)

¶ But o fortune executrice of wierdes [ 617] O Influences of þis heuenes hye Soth is þat vnder god ȝe ben oure hierdes Though to vs bestes ben þe causes wrye [ 620] Þis mene I now for she gan homward hye But execut was al byside hire leue At þe goddes wil for which she most bleue [ 623]

(90)

¶ The bent moone with hire hoȝnes pale [leaf 42, back] [ 624] Saturne and Ioue in Cancro Ioyned were Þat swich a reyne from heuene gan auale Þat euery manere womman þat was there [ 627] Hadde of þat smoky reyn a verray fere At which Pandare þo lough and seyde thenne Now were it tyme a lady to gette hende [ 630]

(91)

¶ But goode nece If I myght euere plese [ 631] Ȝow any thynge þan preye ich ȝow quod he To don myn herte as now so grete an ese as for to dwelle here al þis nyght with me [ 634] For whi þis is ȝoure owene hous parde For by my trowth I sey it nought a game To wonde as now it were to me a shame [ 637]

(92)

¶ Criseyde which þat as muche goode [ 638] As half a world took hede of his preyere and syn it ron and alle was on a flode She thought as good chep may I dwelle here [ 641] And graunte it gladly with a frendes chere And haue a thank as gruche and þanne abide For hom to gon it may nought wele bitide [ 644]

(93)

¶ I wol quod she myn vncle lief and dere [ 645] Syn þat ȝow list it skyl is to be so I am right glad with ȝow to dwellen here I seyde but a game I wold go [ 648] I-wis graunte mercy nece quod he tho were it a game or no soth for to telle Now am I glad syn þat ȝow list to dwelle [ 651]

(94)

¶ Þus al is wele / but þo bigan aright [ 652] Þe newe Ioie and al þe fest agayne But Pandarus If goodly hadde he myght He wold han hyed hire to bedde fayn [ 655] and seyde lord þis is an huge reyne Þis were a weder for to slepen Inne and þat I rede vs soon bygynne [ 658]

(95)

¶ And nece woot ȝe where I wol ȝow leye [ 659] For þat we shullen not liggen fer a-sonder And for ȝe neither shullen dar I seye Heren noise of reynes nor of thonder [ 662] By god right in my lite closet ȝonder And I wol in þat outter hous allone Be warden of ȝoure wommen euerychon [ 665]

(96)

¶ And in þis myddel chaumber þat ȝe se [leaf 43] [ 666] Shal ȝoure wommen slepen wel and softe And ther I seyde shal ȝoure seluen be And if ȝe liggen wel to nyght come ofte [ 669] And careth nought what weder is a-lofte The wyn anon and whan so þat ȝow leste So go we slepe I trow it be þe beste [ 672]

(97)

¶ Ther nys no more but here efter soone [ 673] The voide dronke and traueres drawe anon Gan euery wyghte þat hadde nought to done More in þe place oute of þe chaumber gone [ 676] And euere-mo so sternelich it ron and blew ther-with so wonderliche loude Þat wel neighe no man heren other koude [ 679]

(98)

¶ Tho Pandarus hire Em right as hym oughte [ 680] with wommen swiche as were hire most aboute Ful glad vn-to hire beddes syde hire brought and took his leue and gan ful lowe loute [ 683] And seyde hire at þis closet dore with-oute Right ouerthwart ȝoure wommen liggen alle That whom ȝow list of hem ȝe may here calle [ 686]

(99)

¶ So when þat she was in þe closet layde [ 687] and alle wommen forth by ordinaunce A bedde weren ther as I haue seyde There was namore to skipen nor to traunce [ 690] But boden go to bedde with mischaunce If any wight was sterynge any where and lat hem slepen that a bedde ware [ 693]

(100)

¶ But Pandarus þat wel koude ech a deele [ 694] Þe olde daunce and euery poynt ther-Inne when þat he seye þat alle thynge was wele He thought he wolde vp-on his werk bygynne [ 697] And gan the stewe dore al soft vnpynne as stille as stone with-outen langer lette By Troilus a-down right he hym sette [ 700]

(101)

¶ And shortly to þe pointe right for to gon [ 701] Of alle this werk he told hym worde and ende And seyde make the redy righ anon For thow shalt into heuene blisse wende [ 704] Now blisful Venus thow me grace sende Quod Troilus / for neuere ȝet no nede hadde ich er now / ne haluendeel þe drede [ 707]

(102)

¶ Quod Pandarus ne drede the neuere a dele [ 708] For it shal be righ as thow wolt desire So thryue I þis nyght shal I make it wele Or casten al þe gruwel in þe fyre [ 711] Ȝet blisful Venus þis nyght thow me enspire Quod Troilus as wys as I the serue And euere bet and bet shal til I sterue [ 714]

(103)

¶ And if ich hadde o Venus ful of myrthe [ 715] Aspectes hadde of mars or of Saturne Or thow combust or let were in my byrth Þi fader prey al thylke harme desturne [ 718] Of grace / and þat I glad a-ȝein may turne For loue of hym thow louedest in þe shawe I mene adon þat with þe bore was slawe [ 721]

(104)

¶ O Ioue ek for þe loue of fayre Europe [ 722] Þe which in forme of bool a-wey thow fette Now help / o mars thow with þi blody cope For þe loue of Cypres thow me nought ne lette [ 725] O phebus thynke when dane hire seluen shette Vnder þe bark and laurer wax for-drede Ȝet for hire loue o help now at þis nede [ 728]

(105)

¶ Mercure for þe love of hierse eke [ 729] For whiche Pallas was with a-glowros wroth Now help and ek diane I þe biseke Þat þis viage be nought to þe loth [ 732] O fatal sustren which er any cloth Me shapen was my destenye me sponne So helpeth to þis werk þat is bygonne [ 735]

(106)

¶ Quod Pandarus thow wriched mowses herte [ 736] Art tow agast so þat she wil þe hite wy don þis furred cloke vp on þi sherte And folowe me for I wol han þe wyte [ 739] But bid and lat me gon by-forne a lyte And with þat word he gan vn-don a trappe And Troilus he brought in by þe lappe [ 742]

(107)

¶ The sterne wynde so londe kan to route [ 743] Þat no wight other noise myght here and they þat layen at þe dore with-oute Ful sikirly they slepten al I-feere [ 746] And Pandarus with a ful sobre chere Goth to þe dore anon with-outen lette Þer as þey laye and softly it shette [ 749]

(108)

¶ And as he come aȝeynward pryuely [ 750] His nece a-woke and axen who goth there My dere nece quod he it am I Ne wondereth nought ne haue of it no fare [ 753] And ner he com and seyde hire in hire ere No word for loue of god I ȝow biseche Lat no wight rise and heren of oure speche [ 756]

(109)

¶ What whiche way be ȝe comen benedicite [ 757] Quod she and how vnwiste of hem alle Here at this secre trappe dore quod he Quod she Criseyde lat me som wight calle [ 760] I god forbede that it shold falle Quod Pandarus / that ȝe shwich folye wroughte They myghte demen thynge they neuere er thoughte [ 763]

(110)

¶ It is nought goode a slepyng hounde to wake [ 764] Ne ȝeve a wyght a cause to deuyne Ȝoure wommen slepen alle I vndertake So þat hem þe hous men myghte myne [ 767] And slepen wollen til þe sonne shyne And when my tale brought is to an ende Wnwyst right as I com so wol I wende [ 770]

(111)

¶ Now nece myn ȝe shal wel vnderstonde [ 771] Quod he so ye wommen demen alle Þat for to [[hold corrected]] holde in loue a man in honde And hym hire lief and dere herte calle [ 774] And maken hym an howue aboue a calle I mene as loue a nother in þis mene while She doth hire-self a shame and hym a gyle [ 777]

(112)

¶ Now wherby þat I telle ȝow al this [ 778] Ȝe wot ȝoure-self as wel as any wyghte How þat ȝoure loue alle fully graunted is To Troilus the worthiest knyghte [ 781] Oon of þis word and þer-to trouthe I plighte Þat but it were on hym a-longe ȝe nolde Hym neuere falsen while ȝe lyuen sholde [ 784]

(113)

¶ Now stant it thus þat sith I fro ȝow wente [ 785] This Troilus right platly for to seyn Is thorwgh a goter by a pryue wente Into my chaumber com in al þis reyn [ 788] Vnwist of euery manere wight certeyn Saue of my self as wisly have I Ioye And by þe feith I shal priam of Troye [ 791]

(114)

¶ And he is come in swich [[wich corrected; wo overline, •• later]] wo and distresse [lf 44, bk] [ 792] And but he be alle fully woode by this He sodeynly mot falle in to wodenesse But god help and cause whi þis is [ 795] He seith hym tolde is of a frende of his How þat ȝe sholden louen oon þat hatte horaste For sorwe of whiche þis nyght shal ben his laste [ 798]

(115)

¶ Criseyde which þat al þis wonder herde [ 799] Gan sodeynly a-boute hire hert colde And with a sik she sorwfully answerde Allas I wende who-so tales tolde [ 802] My deere herte wold me nought holde So lightly fals allas conseyues wronge what harme they don for now lyue I to longe [ 805]

(116)

¶ Horaste allas and falsen Troilus [ 806] I knowe hym nought god helpe me so quod she allas what wikked spirit tolde hym thus Now certes Em to morw and I hym se [ 809] I shal ther-of as ful excusen me as euere dide womman if hym like and with þat worde she gan ful sore sike [ 812]

(117)

¶ O god quod she wordly selynesse [ 813] which clerkes tellen fals felicite I-medled is with many a bitternesse Ful angwyshous than is god woote quod she [ 816] Condicion of veyn prosperite For oyther Ioies comen nought yfeere Or elles no wight hath hym alwey here [ 819]

(118)

¶ O brotel wele of manes Ioie vnstable [ 820] with what wight so thow be or how thow pleye Oither he woot þat thow Ioie art muable Or woot it nought it mot ben on of tweyen [ 823] Now if he woot. how may he seyen That he hath verray Ioie and selynesse Þat is of ignoraunce ay in distresse [ 826]

(119)

¶ Now if ȝe woote þat Ioie is transitorie [ 827] As euery Ioie or wordly thynge mot fle Þanne euery tyme he þat hath in memorie Þe drede of lesynge maketh hym þat he [ 830] May no parfite selynesse be And If to lese his ioie he sette a myte Than semeth it þat Ioie is worth ful lite [ 833]

(120)

¶ Wher-for I wol deffyne in this matere [leaf 45] [ 834] Þat trewly for aught I kan espie Ther is no verray wele in this world here But o thow wikked serpent Iabousie [ 837] Thow mysbileued and enuyous folye whi hastow made Troilus to me vntruste Þat neuere ȝet a-gylte hym that I wyste [ 840]

(121)

¶ Quod Pandarus thus fallen is this cas [ 841] why vncle myn quod she who tolde hym þis why doth my deere herte thus allas Ȝe woote ȝe nece myn quod he what is [ 844] I hope alle shal be wel þat is a-mys For ȝe may quenche alle þis if þat ȝow liste And doth right so for I hold it for þe beste [ 847]

(122)

¶ So shal I do to morw I-wis quod she [ 848] And god to-forn so þat it shal suffise To morwe allas that were a fair quod he Nay nay it may nought stonden in þis wyse [ 851] For nece myn thus writen clerkes wyse [Mora trahit periculum] Þat peril is with drecchynge in ydrowe Nay swich abedes ben nought worth an hawe [ 854]

(123)

¶ Nece alle thynge hath tyme I dar auowe [ 855] For when a chaumbere a fire is or an halle wel more now is it sodynly rescowe Þan to disputen and axe amonges alle [ 858] How this candele in þe strow is falle A benedicite for al a-monge þat fare Þe harme is don and fare wel feldefare [ 861]

(124)

¶ And nece myne ne take nought agrief [ 862] If þat ȝe suffre hym alle nyght in þis wo God help me so ȝe hadde hym neuere lief Þat dar I seyn now þer is but we two [ 865] But wel I woot þat ȝe wol nat do so Ȝe ben to wis to don so grete folye To put his lief alle nyght in Iupartye [ 868]

(125)

¶ Hadde I hym neuere lief by god I wene [ 869] Ȝe hadde neuere thynge so lief quod she Now bi my thrifte quod he þat shal be seene For syn ȝe make þis ensaumple of me [ 872] If ich alle nyght wold hym in sorw se For alle the tresour in þe town of troye I bidde god I neuere mote haue Ioye [ 875]

(126)

¶ Now loke þanne if ȝe ben his loue [leaf 45, back] [ 876] Shul putte his lief alle nyght in Iupartye For thynge of nought now by þat god above Nought oonly this delay comth of folye [ 879] But of malice of þat I shal not lye What platly and ȝe suffre hym in distresse Ȝe noither bounte don ne gentilnesse [ 882]

(127)

¶ Quod she Criseyde wele ȝe don o thynge [ 883] And ȝe ther-with shal stynte alle his disese Haue here and bereth hym þis blewe rynge For ther is no thynge myght hym better plese [ 886] Saue I my self ne more his herte apese And sey my dere herte þat his sorwe Is causeles þat shal be seene to morwe [ 889]

(128)

¶ A rynge quod he ȝe haselwodes shaken [ 890] Ȝe nece myne þat rygh most han a stoone Þat myght dede men a-lyue maken And swich a rynge trow I þat ȝe haue noon [ 893] Discrecion oute of ȝoure hed is gon Þat fele I now quod he and þat is routhe O tyme I-lost wel maystow corsen slouthe [ 896]

(129)

¶ Whoot ȝe not wele þat noble and heigh corage [ 897] Ne seweth nought ne stynteht ek for lite But if a foole were in a Ialous rage I nold setten at his sow a myte [ 900] But feffe hym with a fewe wordes whyte A nother day when þat I myght hym fynde But this thynge stante al in a nother kynde [ 903]

(130)

¶ Þis is so gentil and so tendre of herte [ 904] Þat with his deth he wol his sorwes wreke For trusteth wel how sore þat hym smerte He wol to ȝowe no Ialous wordes speke [ 907] And for-thy nece er þat his herte breke So spek ȝoure self to hym If þis matere For with a worde ȝe may his herte steere [ 910]

(131)

¶ Now haue I told what peril he is Inne [ 911] And his comynge vnwiste is teuery wight Ne parde harm may þer be non ne synne I wol my-self be with ȝow al þis nyghte [ 914] Ȝe know ek how it is ȝoure owene knyght And þat by right ȝe most vp on hym triste And I alle prist to fetthe [[tt meant for cc]] hym when ȝow liste [ 917]

(132)

¶ Þis accident so pitous was to here [leaf 46] [ 918] And ek so like a soth at pryme face And Troilus hire knyght to hire so dere His priue comyng / and þe seker place [ 921] Þat though þat she dide hym as þanne a grace Considered alle thynges as they stode No wonder is syn she dide alle for goode [ 924]

(133)

¶ Criseyde answerede as wysly god at reste [ 925] My soule brynge as me is for hym wo And Em I-wis fayn wold I don þe beste If þat ich grace had for to do so [ 928] But wheter þat ȝe dwel or for hym go I am til god me bettere mynde sende A dulcarnon right at my wittes ende [ 931]

(134)

¶ Quod Pandarus ȝe nece wel ȝe here [ 932] Dulcarnon called is flemynge of wriches It semeth hard for wreches wol nought lere For verray slouthe or other wilful tecches [ 935] Þis seyde bi hem þat ben nought worth two fecches But ȝe ben wis and þat we han on honde Nis neither harde ne skylful to withstonde [ 938]

(135)

¶ Þanne Em quod she doth here-of as ȝow liste [ 939] But or he come I wol vp firste a-rise And for þe loue of god seyn al my triste Is on ȝow two and ȝe ben bothe wise [ 942] So werketh now in so discrete a wyse Þat I honour may haue and he plesaunce For I am here alle in ȝoure gouerenaunce [ 945]

(136)

¶ This is wel seyde quod he my nece deere [ 946] Þer good thrift on þat wise gentil herte But liggeth stille and taketh hym right here It nedeth nought no ferther for hym sterte [ 949] And ech of ȝow eseth otheres sorwes smerte For love of god and venus I þe herye For soon hope I we shul ben al merye [ 952]

(137)

¶ This Troilus ful soone on knowes hym sette [ 953] Ful sobrely right by hire beddes hed And in his beste wise his lady grette But lord what she wex sodeynlyche rede [ 956] Ne though men sholde smythen of hire hed She koude nought a word right out brynge So sodeynly for his sodeyn comynge [ 959]

(138)

¶ But Pandarus þat so wel koude feele [leaf 46, back] [ 960] In euery thynge to pleye a-non biganne And seyde nece se how þis lord knele Now for ȝoure trouthe se this gentil man [ 963] And with þat worde he for a quysshen ran And seyde kneleth now whil þat ȝow liste Ther god ȝoure hertes brynge soone at reste [ 966]

(139)

¶ Kån I nought seyn for she bad hym nought rise [ 967] If sorw it putte oute of hire remembraunce Or elles þat she toke it in þe wyse Of dwete as for his obseruaunce [ 970] But wel fynde I she did hym þis plesaunce Þat she hym kyste although she siked soore And bad him sitte adown with-outen more [ 973]

(140)

¶ Quod Pandarus now wol ȝe wel bygynne [ 974] Now doth hym sitte good nece deere Vp on ȝoure beddes syde al þer with-Inne Þat ech of ȝow þe bette may other here [ 977] And with þat word he drew hym to þe fere And took a light and fonde his contenaunce as for to looke vp an old romaunce [ 980]

(141)

¶ Criseyde þat was Troilus lady righte [ 981] And clere stoode on a grounde of sikernesse Al though he hire seruaunt and hire knyghte Ne shold of right non vntrouth in hire gesse [ 984] Ȝet natheles considered his distresse And þat loue is in cause of swich folye Þus to hym spake she of his Ialousye [ 987]

(142)

¶ Lo herte myne as wold the excellence [ 988] Of loue / aȝenis þe whiche þat noman may Ne aught ek goodly maken resistence And ek by-cause I felte wel and say [ 991] Ȝoure grete trouthe and seruyse euery day And that ȝoure herte al myn was soth to seyne Þis drofe me for to rew vp-on ȝoure peyne [ 994]

(143)

¶ And ȝoure goodenesse haue I founden alway ȝet [ 995] Of which my dere herte and al my knyght I thonke it ȝow as fer as I haue witte Al kan I nought as muche as it were right [ 998] and I emforth my konnynge and my myght Haue and ay shal how soore þat me smerte Ben to ȝow trew and hool with al myn herte [ 1001]

(144)

¶ And dredeles þat shal ben founde at preue [leaf 47] [ 1002] But herte myne what al þis is to seyne Shal wel be tolde so that ȝe nought [[t later]] ȝow greue Though I to ȝow right [[t later]] on ȝoure self compleyne [ 1005] For þer-with mene I fynaly þe peyne Þat halt ȝoure hert and myn in heuynesse Fully to slen and euery wronge redresse [ 1008]

(145)

¶ My good myn not I for why ne how [ 1009] That Ialousye allas þat wikked wyuere Þus causeles is cropen in-to ȝow Þe harm of which I wold fayn deluere [ 1012] Allas þat he al hool or of hym slyuere Shold han his refut in so digne a place Þer Ioue hym soone oute of ȝoure herte arace [ 1015]

(146)

¶ But o thow Ioue o auctour of nature [ 1016] Is þis an honour to thy deyte [[te corrected]] Þat folk vngiltif suffre hire Iniure And who þat giltif is al quyte goth he [ 1019] O were it leful for to pleyn on the Þat vndeserued suffrest Ialousye Of þat I wolde vp-on þe pleyne and crye [ 1022]

(147)

¶ Ek al my wo is þis þat folk now vsen [ 1023] To seyn right þus ȝe Ialousye is loue And wold a busshel venym al excusen For þat o greyn of loue is on it shoue [ 1026] But þat woot heigh god þat is a-boue If it be liker loue or hate or grame And efter þat it ought bere his name [ 1029]

(148)

¶ But certeyn is som manere Ialousye [ 1030] Is excusable more þanne som I-wis As when cause is and som swich fantasie which piete so wele repressed is [ 1033] Þat it vnneth doth or seyth amys But goodly drynketh vp al his distresse And þat excuse I for þe gentilesse [ 1036]

(149)

¶ And som so ful of furie is and despite [ 1037] Þat it surmountheth his repression But hert myn ȝe be not in þat plite Þat thonke I god for which ȝoure passion [ 1040] I wol nought calle it but illusioun Of abundaunce of loue and bisy cure Þat doth ȝoure herte þis disese endure [ 1043]

(150)

¶ Of which I am right sory but nough wroth [lf 47, bk] [ 1044] But for my deuoure and ȝoure hertes reste Where so ȝow list be ordal or by ooth By sort or in what wyse so ȝow leste [ 1047] For loue of god lat preue it for þe beste And if þat be gilty do me deye Allas what myght I more don or seyne [ 1050]

(151)

¶ witht þat a few bryght teres newe [ 1051] Oute of hire eighen fille and þus she seyde Now god thow woost in thought ne dede vntrewe To Troilus / was neuere ȝet Criseyde [ 1054] with þat hire hed down in þe bed she layde And with þe shete it wreigh and sight soore And held hire pees nought a word spak she more [ 1057]

(152)

¶ But now helpe god to quenchen al þis sorwe [ 1058] So hope þat he shal for he best may For I haue seyn of a ful mysty morwe Follwen ful oft a merye someres day [ 1061] And efter wynter folweth grene may Men sen alday and reden ek in storyes Þat efter sharpe shoures ben victories [ 1064]

(153)

¶ This Troilus when he hire wordes herde [ 1065] Haue ȝe no care hym list nought to slepe For it thought hym no strokes of a ȝerde To here or sen Criseyde his lady wepe [ 1068] But wel he felte aboute his herte crepe For euery tere which þat criseyde a-sterte Þe craumpe of deth to streyne hym by þe herte [ 1071]

(154)

¶ And in his mynde he gan þe tyme acorse [ 1072] Þat he com þer and þat he was born For now is wikked torned in-to worse Lord al þat labour he hath don biforne [ 1075] He wende it lost he thought he nas but lorne O Pandarus thought he allas þi wile Serueth of nought so walawey þe while [ 1078]

(155)

¶ And ther-with-al he henge a-down þe hed [ 1079] And felle on knesse and sorwfully he sighte what myght he seyn he felt he was but dede For wroth was she þat shold his sorwes lighte [ 1082] But natheles when þat he speken myght Than seyde he þus god woot þat of þis game when al is wiste þan am I nought to blame [ 1085]

(156)

¶ Ther-with þe sorwe so his herte shette [ 1086] Þat from his eyen felle þar nought a tere And euery spirit is vigour in knette So they astoned or oppressed were [ 1089] Þe felynge of his sorwe or of his feere Or of aught elles fled were out of towne And down he fel al sodeynly a-swoune [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Þis was no litel sorwe for to se [ 1093] But al was hust and Pandare vp as faste O nece pees or we be lost quod he Beth nought agast but serteyn at þe laste [ 1096] For þis or þat he into bed hym caste And seyde o thef is þis a mannes herte And of he rente al to his bare sherte [ 1099]

(158)

¶ And seyde nece but ȝe help vs now [ 1100] Allas ȝoure owene Troilus is lorne I-wis so wold I and I wiste how Ful fayn quod she allas þat I was borne [ 1103] Ȝe nece wille ȝe pulle oute þe thorne Þat stikketh in his herte quod Pandare Sey al for-ȝeuen and stynte al þis fare [ 1106]

(159)

¶ Ȝe þat to me quod she ful leuere were [ 1107] Þanne al þe good þe sonne aboute goth And ther-with-al she swor hym in his ere I-wis my deere herte I am nought wroth [ 1110] haue here my trouthe and many a nother ath Now spek to me for it am I Criseyde But al for nought ȝet myght he nought abrayde [ 1113]

(160)

¶ Þer-with his pous and pawmes of his hondes [ 1114] Þei gan to frote and wete his temples tweyne And to delyuer hym from bittre bondes She oft hym kyste and shorthly for to seyne [ 1117] hym to reuoken she did al hire peyne And at þe laste he gan his breth to drawe And of his swough sone efter þat dawe [ 1120]

(161)

¶ And gan bet mynde and reson to hym take [ 1121] But wonder soore he was baiste I-wis And with a syke when he gan awake He seyde o mercy god what thynge is þis [ 1124] whi do with ȝoure seluen þus amys Quod she Criseyde is þis a mannes game What Troilus wol ȝe do þus for shame [ 1127]

(162) [leaf 48, back]

¶ And ther-with-al hire arm ouere hym she layde [ 1128] And al for-ȝaf and of tyme hym kyssed he thonked hire and to hire spak and seyde As fil to purpos for his herte reste [ 1131] And she to þat answerde hym as hire leste And with hire goodly wordes hym disporte She gan // and oft his sorwes to conforte [ 1134]

(163)

¶ Quod Pandarus for aught I kan aspien [ 1135] Þis light nor I ne seruen here of nought Light is nought goode for sike folk eyen But for þe loue of god seyn ȝe ben broughte [ 1138] In þis goode plite lat now no heuy thought Ben hangynge in þe hertes of ȝow tweye And bar þe candele to þe chymeneye [ 1141]

(164)

¶ Sone efter þis thought it no nede were [ 1142] when she swiche othes swor as hire list deuyse Hadde of hym take hire thought tho no fere Ne cause ek non to bidde hym thennes ryse [ 1145] Ȝet lesse thynge þan othes may suffise In many a cas for euery wight I gesse Þat loueth wel meneth but gentilnesse [ 1148]

(165)

¶ But in afect she wold wyte anon [ 1149] Of what man / and ek where and also whi he Ialous was / sen ther was cause non And ek þe signe þat he toke it by [ 1152] Sho bad hym for to tel þat hire bisily Or elles certein she bar hym on honde Þat þis was don of malice hire to fonde [ 1155]

(166)

¶ With-outen more shortly for to seyne [ 1156] hym most obeye vn-to his lady liste And for þe lesse harm he most feyne He seyde hire when she was at swiche a feste [ 1159] She myght on hym han loked at þe leste Not I nought what aldeere ynough a ryshe As he þat nedes most a cause fyshe [ 1162]

(167)

¶ And she answarde swete al were it so [ 1163] With harm was þat seyn I non euele Imene For by þat god þat bought vs bothe two In al thynge is myn entente clene [ 1166] Swiche argumentȝ ne ben nought worth a beene wol ȝe the childishe Ialous contrefete Now were it worthy that ȝe were y-bette [ 1169]

(168)

¶ Tho Troilus gan sorwfully to syke [leaf 49] [ 1170] Leste she be wroth hym thought his herte deyede And seyde allas vp-on my sorwes syke haue mercy swete herte myn criseyde [ 1173] And if þat in tho wordes þat I seyde Be any wronge I wol no more trespas Do what ȝo liste I am al in ȝoure grace [ 1176]

(169)

¶ And she answerde of gylte misericord [ 1177] Þat is to seyn / þat I for-ȝeue al this And euere more on this lyght ȝow recorde And beth wel war ȝe do nomore amyis [ 1180] Nay deere herte myn quod he I-wis And now quod she þat I haue don ȝow smerte For-ȝeue it me myn swene swete herte [ 1183]

(170)

¶ This Troilus with blisse of þat supprise [ 1184] Putte alle in goddes honde as he þat mente No thyng but wel and sodeynly auysed he hire in armes fast to hym hente [ 1187] And Pandarus with a ful goode entente layde hym to slepe and seyde If ȝe be wise Swouneth nought now lest more folk arise [ 1190]

(171)

¶ what myght or may þe sely lark seye [ 1191] when þat þe sparhauk hath hym in hire foot I kan namore but of thise ilk tweye To whom þis tale sucre be or soot [ 1194] Though þat I tarie a yer som tyme I mote After myn auctor tellen hire gladnesse as wel as I haue told hire heuynesse [ 1197]

(172)

¶ Criseyde which þat felt hire thus ytake [ 1198] as writen clerkes in hire bokes olde Right as an aspes leef she gan to quake when she hym felte hire in his armes folde [ 1201] But Troilus al hool of cares colde Gan thonken tho þe blisful goddes seuene Þus sondry peynes bryngen folk in heuene [ 1204]

(173)

¶ This Troilus in armes gan hire streyne [ 1205] And seyde swete as euere mot I gon Now be ȝe caught new is ther but we tweyne Now ȝeldeth ȝow for other boot is non [ 1208] To that Criseyde answerde thus a-non Ne hadde I er now my swete herte deere Ben ȝolde I-wis I were now nough here [ 1211]

(174)

¶ O soth is seyde that heled for to be [leaf 49, back] [ 1212] as of a feuere or other grete syknesse Men most drynke as men may oft se Ful bittre drynke and for to han gladnesse [ 1215] Men drynken oft peynes and grete distresse I mene it here as for this auenture Þat thorwgh a peyne hath fonden al his cure [ 1218]

¶ And now swetnesse semeth more swete [ 1219] Þat bitternesse assayde was by-forne For oute of wo in blisse now they flete Non swich they felten syn they were borne [ 1222] Now is this bet þanne both two be lorne For loue of god take euery womman hede To werken thus of it comyth to þe nede [ 1225]

(176)

¶ Criseyde al quyt from euery drede and teene [ 1226] As she þat Iuste cause hadde hym to triste Made hym swich feste it Ioie was to seene When she his trouthe and clene entente wiste [ 1229] And as aboute a tre with many a twiste Bytrent and writhe þe soote wonbynde Gan ich of hem in armes other wynde [ 1232]

(177)

¶ And as þe new abaysed nyghtyngale [ 1233] Þat stynteth first when bygynneth synge when þat she hereth any hard tale Or in þe hegges any wight sterynge [ 1236] and efter syker doth hire vois oute rynge Right so Criseyde when hire drede stente Opned hire herte and told hym hire entente [ 1239]

(178)

¶ And right as he þat seth his deth y-shapen [ 1240] And deyen mot in aught þat he may gesse And sodeynly rescous doth hym escapen And from his deth is brought in sykernesse [ 1243] For alle þis world in swich present gladnesse was Troilus and hath his lady swete witht vois hap god lat vs neuere mete [ 1246]

(179)

¶ Hire armes smale hire streght bak and softe [ 1247] Her sydes longe flessly smothe [[h was first d]] and white He gan to stroke and good thrifte bad ful ofte Hire snowissh throte hire brestes rounde and lite [ 1250] Þus in þis heuene he gan hym to delyte And ther-with-al a thousand tyme hire kyste Þat what to don for Ioie vnneth he wyste [ 1253]

(180)

¶ Than seyde he thus o loue o charge [leaf 50] [ 1254] Þi moder ek Cythara the swete After þi-self next heried be she Venus mene I þe wel willy planete [ 1257] And next þat Imeneus I þe grete [Imeneus deus nupciarum.] For neuere man was to ȝow goddes holde As I which ȝe han brought fro cares colde [ 1260]

(181)

¶ Benigne loue thow holy hond of thynges [ 1261] who so wol grace and liste þe nought honouren Lo his desir wol fle with-outen wynges For noldestow of bounte hem socouron [ 1264] Þat seruen best and most alway labouron Ȝet were al lost þat dar I wel seyn certes But of þi grace passed oure desertes [ 1267]

(182)

¶ And for thow me þat leest koude disserue [ 1268] Of hem þat noumbred ben vn-to þi grace Hast holpen / ther I likly was to sterue And me bistowed in so heigh a place [ 1271] Þat thilke boundes may no blisse pace I kan namore but loude and reuerence Be to thy bounte and thyn excellence [ 1274]

(183)

¶ And ther-with-alle Criseyde anon he kyste [ 1275] Of which certeyn she felte no disese And þus seyde he now wold god I wiste Myn herte swete how I ȝow myght pleese [ 1278] What man quod he was euere this ateste As I / in wiche þe fairest and þe beste Þat euere I sey deyneth hire herte reste [ 1281]

(184)

¶ Her may men sen þat mercy passeth right [ 1282] Þe experience of þat is felt in me Þat am vnworthy to so swete a wight But hert myn of youre benignite [ 1285] So thynk / þat though þat I vnworthy be Ȝet mote I nede amenden in som wyse Right thorugh vertu of ȝoure heigh seruyse [ 1288]

(185)

¶ And for þe loue of god my lady dere [ 1289] Syn god hath wrought me for I shal ȝow serue As þis I mene ȝe wol ȝe be my fere To do me lyue If þat yow list or sterue [ 1292] So techeth me how þat I may disserue Ȝoure thonke / so þat I through myn ignoraunce Ne do no thynge þat ȝow be displesaunce [ 1295]

(186)

¶ For certes fresshe wommanliche wyf [leaf 50, back] [ 1296] Þis dar I seye þat trouthe and diligence Þat shal ȝe fynden in me al my lyue Ny wol certein breken ȝoure diffence [ 1299] And if I do presente or in absence For loue of god lat sla me with the dede If þat it like vn-to ȝoure wommanhede [ 1302]

(187)

¶ I-wis quod she myn own hertes liste [ 1303] My grounde of ese and al myn herte deere Gerramercy / for on þat is al my triste But lat us fal away fro þis matere [ 1306] For it suffisith þis þat seyde is here and at o worde / with-outen repentaunce wel-come my knyghte / my pees / my suffisaunce [ 1309]

(188)

¶ Of hire delite or Ioies oon þe leeste [ 1310] Were impossibile to my wit to seye But Iuggeth ȝe ȝat han ben at þe feste Of swich gladnesse If that hem liste pleye [ 1313] I kan namore but þus þis ilke tweweye Þat nyght bitweyne drede and sykernesse Felten in loue the grete worthynesse [ 1316]

(189)

¶ O blisful nyght of hem so longe I-soughte [ 1317] How blithe vn-to hem bothe two þow were Why nade I swich oon with my soule I-bought Ȝe or þe leste Ioie þat was there [ 1320] A why thow foule daunger and þow feere And lat hem in this heuene blisse dwelle Þat is so heigh þat al ne kan I telle [ 1323]

(190)

¶ But sothe is þat thought I kan nat talen alle [ 1324] As kan myn auctor of his excellence Þat haue I seyde and god to-forne and shal In euery thynge al holly his sentence [ 1327] And If þat ich at loues reuerence Haue any word in eched for þe beste Doth þer-with-al ryght as ȝoure-seluen leste [ 1330]

(191)

¶ For myne wordes here and euery parte [ 1331] I speke hem alle vnder correccion Of ȝow þat felynge han in loues arte And putte it alle in ȝoure discrecion [ 1334] Tencresce or maken dymynucion Of my langage and þat I ȝow beche But now to purpos of my rather speche [ 1337]

(192)

¶ This ilk two þat ben in armes laft [leaf 51] [ 1338] So loth to hem asonder gon it were Þat ech hem other wenden ben biraft Or elles lo this was hire most feere [ 1341] Þat alle þis thynge but nyce dremes were For whiche ful oft ech of hem seyde o swete Clippe ich ȝow þus or elles I it meete [[glost d]reme] [ 1344]

(193)

¶ And lord so he gan goodely on hire se [ 1345] Þat neuere his loke ne blynte from hire face And seyde o deere herte may it be Þat it be soth þat ȝe ben in þis place [ 1348] Ȝe herte myne god thanke I of his grace Quod tho Criseyde and þer-with-al hym kyste Þat where his spirit was for Ioie he nyste [ 1351]

(194)

¶ Þis Troilus ful oft hire eyen two [ 1352] Gan for to kisse / and seyde o eyen clere It weren ȝe þat wrought me swich wo Ȝe humble nettes of my lady deere [ 1355] Though ther be mercy writen in ȝoure cheere God woote þe tex ful hard is soth to fynde How koude ȝe with-outen bonde me bynde [ 1358]

(195)

¶ Ther-with he gan hire in armes take [ 1359] and wel an hondreth tymes gan he sike Nought swiche sorwful sikes as men make For wo / or elles when þat folk ben sike [ 1362] But esy sikes swiche as ben to like Þat shewed his affeccion with-Inne Of swhich sykes koude nought bilynne [ 1365]

(196)

¶ Soon after this þei spak of sondry thynges [ 1366] As fel to purpos of this auenture And pleiynge entrechanden hire rynges Of whiche I kan nought tellen no scripture [ 1369] But wele I woot a broche gol and asure In whiche a ruby set was like an herte Criseyde hym ȝaf and stak it on his sherte [ 1372]

(197)

¶ Lord trow ȝe a coueytous or a wriche [ 1373] Þat blameth loue and halt of it despite Þat of tho pans þat he gan mokre and theche was euer ȝet I-ȝeue hym swhich delite [ 1376] As is in loue in o pointe in som plyte Nay douteles for also god me saue So parfite Ioie may no nygard haue [ 1379]

(198)

¶ They wol seyn yis but lor so they lye [leaf 51, back] [ 1380] Þo besy wreches ful of wo and drede They callen loue a woondenes or folye But it shal falle hem as I shal ȝow rede [ 1383] They shal for-gon þe whyte and ek þe rede And lyue in wo ther god ȝeue hem myschaunce and euery louere in his trouthe auaunce [ 1386]

(199)

¶ As wold god þo wreches þat dispise [ 1387] Seruyse of loue hadde erys also longe as hadde Myda ful of coueityse And ther-to dronken hadde as hote and stronge [ 1390] as Crassus dide for hise affectos wronge To techen hem þat they han in þe vyce and louers nought al though they hold hem nyce [ 1393]

(200)

¶ Thise ilke two of whom þat I ȝowe seyde [ 1394] when þat hirtes wol assured were Tho gonne they to speken and to pleye and ek rehersen how and whan and whare [ 1397] They knowe hem first and euery wo or fere Þat passed was / but al swich heuynesse I thonke it god was torned in-to gladnesse [ 1400]

(201)

¶ And euer mo when þat hem fel to speke [ 1401] Of any thynge of swich a tyme agon with kyssynge al þat tale shold breke and fallen in a new Ioie anon [ 1404] and diden alle hire myght syn they were oon For to recoueren blisse and ben at ese And passed wo with ioie countrepese [ 1407]

(202)

¶ Reson wol nought þat I speke of slep [ 1408] For it a-cordeth nought to my matere God woot þei toke of þat ful litel kep But list þis nyght þat was to hem so deere [ 1411] Ne shold in veyn escape in no manere It was by-set in Ioie and besynesse Of al þat souneth in to gentilnesse [ 1414]

(203)

¶ But when þe kok comune astrologer [‖ vulgarus astrologus] [ 1415] Gan on his breste to bete and after crew And lucifer þe dayes messager [‖ lucifer .I. stella matutinalis] Gan for to ryse and out hire bemye throwe [ 1418] And estward roos to hym þat koude it knowe Fortuna maior þat a-non Criseyde wit herte soor to Troilus thus seyde [ 1421]

(204)

¶ Myne hertes lyf my triste al my plesaunce [leaf 52] [ 1422] Þat I was born allas what me is wo Þat day of vs moot make disseueraunce For tyme it is to rise and hennes go [ 1425] Or elles I am lost for euer mo O nyght allas why nyltow ouer vs houe As longe / as almena lay by Ioue [‖ Almana mater heroulis] [ 1428]

(205)

¶ O blake nyght as folk in bokes rede [ 1429] Þat shapen art by god þis world to hyde At certein tymes with thy derke wode Þat vnder þat men myghte in rest abyde [ 1432] wel aughten bestes and folk þe chide Þat ther as day with labour wolde us breste Þat thow thus fleest and deynest vs naught reste [ 1435]

(206)

¶ Thow dost allas to schortly thyn office [ 1436] Þow rakle nyght ther god maker of kynde Þe for thyn haste and þin vnkynde vice So fast ay to oure hemysperie bynde [ 1439] Þat neuere more vnder þe grounde thow wende For now for thow so hyest out of troye Haue I for-gon þus hastily My Ioie [ 1442]

(207)

¶ Þis Troilus þat with tho wordes felte [ 1443] As thoughte hym tho for piteous distresse Þe blody teres from his herte mette As he þat neuere ȝet swiche heuynesse [ 1446] Assaued hadde out of so grete gladnesse Gan ther-with-al Criseyde his lady deere In armes streyne and seyde in þis manere [ 1449]

(208)

¶ O cruwel day accusour of the Ioie [ 1450] Þat nyght and loue han stole and faste y-wrien [v. conered] Acorsed be þi comynge in to Troie For euery bore hath oon of þi bryght eyen [ 1453] Enuyous day what liste þe so to spyen what hastow loste why sekestow þis place Þer god thy light so quenche for his grace [ 1456]

(209)

¶ Allas what hath þis louers þe agylte [ 1457] Dispitous day thyn be þe pyne of helle For many a louer hastow slayn and whi Þi pourynge in wel no wher lat hem dwelle [ 1460] what profrestow þi light here for to selle Go selle it hem that smale seles graue we wol þe nought vs nedeth no day haue [ 1463]

(210)

¶ And ek þe sonne Titan gan he chyde [leaf 52, back] [ 1464] And seyde o fool wel may men the dispise Þat hast þe dawnynge al nyght by þi side And sooffriste hire so soone vp fro þe ryse [ 1467] For to disese louers in þis wyse what hold ȝoure bed ther thow and ek þi morw I bidde god so ȝeue ȝow bothe sorwe [ 1470]

(211)

¶ þer-with ful soor he sighte and þus he seyde [ 1471] My lady right and of my wel or wo Þe welle and roote o goodely myn Criseyde And shal I rise allas and shal I so [ 1474] Now fele I þat myne herte mote a two For how shold I my lyf an oure saue Syn þat with ȝow is al þe lyfe ich haue [ 1477]

(212)

¶ What shal I don for certes I not how [ 1478] Ne when allas I shal þe tyme se Þat in þis plit I may ben eft with ȝow And of my lyf god woot how þat shal be [ 1481] Syn þat desir right now so bitleth me Þat I am ded a-non but I retourne how shal I longe allas fro ȝou soiourne [ 1484]

(213)

¶ But natheles myn swene lady bright [ 1485] were it so that I wiste outerly Þat I ȝour humble seruant and ȝoure kynght were in ȝoure herte I-set so fermely [ 1488] As ȝe in myn þe which thynge trewly Me leuer were þan þis worldes tweyne Ȝet shold I bet enduren al my payne [ 1491]

(214)

¶ To þat Criseyde answerde right anon [ 1492] And with a sik she seyde o herte deere Þe gam I-wis so fer foorth now is gon Þat first shal phebus fallen fro his spere [ 1495] And euerich Egle ben þe dowues fere And euery roche out his place sterte Er Troilus out of Criseydes herte. [ 1498]

(215)

¶ Ȝe ben so depe In-with myn herte graue [ 1499] Þat though I wolde it torne out of my thought As wysely verray god my soule saue To dyen in þe peyne I koude nought [ 1502] And for þe loue of god þat vs hath wrought lat in ȝoure breyne non other fantasye So crepe þat it cause me to dye [ 1505]

(216)

¶ And þat ȝe me wold han as faste in mynde [leaf 53] [ 1506] As I haue ȝow þat wold I ȝow beseche And If I wiste sothely that to fynde God myghte noughte a poynte my ioies eche [ 1509] But herte myn with-outen more speche Beth to me trewe or elles were it routhe For I am þin by god and by my trowthe [ 1512]

(217)

¶ Beth glad for-þi and lyue in sykernesse [ 1513] Þus seyde I neuere er þis ne shal to mo And If to ȝowe it were a grete gladnesse To torne aȝein soon after þat ȝe go [ 1516] As fayn wolde I as ye it were so as wisly god myn herte brynge to reste And hym in armes took and oft kyste [ 1519]

(218)

¶ Aȝeyns his wille sith it moot nedes be [ 1520] Þis Troilus vp roos and faste hym cledde And in his armes took his lady fre An hondred tyme and on his way hym spedde [ 1523] And with swich wordes as his herte bledde He seyde far wel my deere herte swete Ther god vs graunte sownde and soone to mete [ 1526]

(219)

¶ To which no worde for sorw she answerde [ 1527] So soore gan his partynge hire distreyne And Troilus vn-to his paleys ferde As wo-by-gan as she was soth to seyne [ 1530] So hard hym wronge of sharp desire þe peyne For to ben eft þer he was in plesaunce Þat it may neuere out of his remembraunce [ 1533]

(220)

¶ Retorned to his real paleys soone [ 1534] He soft in to his bed gan for to slynke To slepe longe as he was wonte to doon But al for nought he may wel ligge and wynke [ 1537] But slepe ne may ther in his herte synke Thynkynge how she for whom desire hym brende A thousande fold was worth more than he wende [ 1540]

(221)

¶ And in his thought gan vp and down to wynde [ 1541] Hire wordes alle and euery contenaunce And fermely impresen in his mynde Þe leste poynte that to hym plesaunce [ 1544] And verrayliche of thilk remembraunce Desire al newe hym brende and lust to brede Gan more þan erst and ȝet took he non hede [ 1547]

(222)

¶ Criseyde also right in þe same wyse [leaf 53, back] [ 1548] Of Troilus gan in hire herte shette His worthinesse his lust his dedes wyse His gentilesse and how she with hym mette [ 1551] Thonkynge loue she so wal hire bisette Desiry[n]ge efte to han hire herte deere In swiche a plit she dorst make hym chere [ 1554]

(223)

¶ Pandare o morw which þat comyn was [ 1555] Vn-to his nece and gan hire fayre grete Seyde al þis nyght so reyned it allas Þat al my drede is þat ȝe nece swete [ 1558] Han litel layser had to slepe and mete Al nyght quod he hath reyn so do wak Þat som of vs I trowe hire heddes ake [ 1561]

(224)

¶ And ner he com and seyde how stant it nowe [ 1562] Þis murye morwe nece how kan ȝe fare Criseyde answerde neuere þe bet for ȝowe Fox that ȝe ben god ȝeue ȝoure herte care [ 1565] Gan helpe me so ȝe caused al þis fare Trow I quod she / for al ȝoure wordes white O who so seth ȝow knoweth ȝow ful lite [ 1568]

(225)

¶ With þat sche gan hire face for to wyre [i. couere] [ 1569] with þe shette and wex for shame al rede And Pandarus gan vnder for to prye And seyde nece If þat I shal be dede [ 1572] Haue here a swerde and smyte of myn hed With þat has armes al sodeynly he thryste Wnder hire nekke and at þe last hire kyste [ 1575]

(226)

¶ I passe alle þat whiche chargeth nought to seye [ 1576] What god for-ȝafe his deth and she also For-ȝaf / and whiche hire vncle gan to pleye For other cause was ther non than [so] [ 1579] But of þis thynge right to theffect for to go when tyme was home til hire hous she wente And Pandarus hath fully his entente [ 1582]

(227)

Now torne we aȝeyn to Troilus [ 1583] Þat resteles ful longe a bedde lay And priuely sente after Pandarus To hym to com in alle þe hast he may [ 1586] He com a-non nought ones seyde he nay And Troilus ful sobrely he grette And down vp on his bedde syde hym sette [ 1589]

(228)

¶ Thus Troilus with alle thaffeccion [leaf 54] [ 1590] Of frendes loue þat herte may deuyse To Pandarus on knowes fil a-down And er þat he wold of þe place aryse [ 1593] And gan hym thonken in his beste wyse An hondred sithe he gan þe tyme blisse Þat he was borne to brynge hym fro distresse [ 1596]

(229)

¶ He seyde o frend of frendes þe alder beste [ 1597] Þat euere was þe soth for to telle Thow haste in heuene y-brought my soule at reste Fro flagitoun þe fery floode of helle [ 1600] Þat though I myght a thousand tymes selle Vp-on a day my lyf in þi seruyse It might nought a moote in þat suffice [ 1603]

(230)

Þe sonne which þat al þe world may se [ 1604] Saughe neuere ȝet my lyf þat dar I laye So Inly fayre and goodly as is she Whos I am alle and shal til þat I dye [ 1607] And þat I þus am hires dar I saye Þat thonked be þe heigh worthynesse of loue / and ek thy kynde bysinesse [ 1610]

(231)

¶ Þus hastow mo no litel thyng I-ȝeue [ 1611] For-why to þe obliged be for ay My lyf and whi for thorwh hym help I lyue Or elles ded had I ben many a day [ 1614] And with þat worde down in his bed he lay And Pandarus ful sobrely hym herde Til alle was seyde and þan he hym answerde [ 1617]

(232)

¶ My dere frende If I haue don for þe [ 1618] In any cas god woot it is me lief And am as glade as man may of it be God help me so / but take now not agrefe [ 1621] Þat I shal seyne be war of þis meschefe Þat þar as þow now brought art in þi blisse Þat þow þi-self ne cause it nat to mysse [ 1624]

(233)

¶ For of fortunes sharp aduersite [ 1625] The worste kynde of infortune is þis A man to han ben in prosperite And it remembred when it passed is [ 1628] Thart wyse y-nowgh for-þi do not a-mys Be nought to rakel theigh thow sitte warme For if þow be certein it wol the harme [ 1631]

(234)

¶ Thow art at ese and hold þe wel þer-Inne [leaf 54, back] [ 1632] For also seur as rede is euer fire As grete a craft is kepe wele as wynne Bridle alway wel þi speche and þi desire [ 1635] For wordly ioie halt nought but by a wyre Þat preueth wel it brest al day so ofte For-thy nede is to werken with it soft [ 1638]

(235)

¶ Quod Troilus I hope and god to-forne [ 1639] My deere freend þat I shal so me bere Þat in my gilt þer shal no thynge be lorne Ny nyl naught rakle as for to greuen hire [ 1642] It nedeth nought þis matere oft to tere For wistow myn herte wele Pandare God woot of þis thow woldest litel care [ 1645]

(236)

¶ Tho gan he telle hym of his glad nyght [ 1646] And wher-of first hire hert dred and how And seyde frend as I am trewe knyght And by that feith I shal to god and ȝow [ 1649] I hadde it neuere half so hoote as now And ay þe more þat desire me bitheth To loue hire beste þe more it me deliteth [ 1652]

(237)

¶ I not my self nought wysely what it is [ 1653] But now I feele a newe qualite Ȝe al a nother þan I dide er þis Pandare answerde and seyde þus þat he [ 1656] Þat ones may in heuenes blisse be he feleth othere wayes dar I leye Than thylk tyme he first herde of it seye [ 1659]

(238)

¶ This is a worde for al þat Troilus [ 1660] Was neuere ful to speke of þis matere and for to preysen vn-to Pandarus Þe bounte of his right lady deere [ 1663] And Pandarus to thank and maken chere Þis tale ay was span newe to begynne Til þat þe nyght departed hem a-twynne [ 1666]

(239)

¶ Soone after þis for þat fortune it wolde [ 1667] I-comen was þe blisful tyme swete Þat Troilus was warned þat he sholde Ther he was arst Criseyde his lady mete [ 1670] For whiche he felt his herte in Ioie flete And faithfully gan alle þe goddes herye And lat se nowe if þat he kan be merys [ 1673]

(240)

¶ And holden was the ferme and al the wyse [leaf 55] [ 1674] Of hire comynge and of his also as it was erst which nedeth nought deuyse But pleynly to theffect right for to go [ 1677] In Ioie and seurte Pandarus hem two a-bedde brought when þat hem bothe leste And þus they ben in quyete and in reste [ 1680]

(241)

¶ Nought nedeth it to ȝow syn they ben met [ 1681] To ax at me If þat they blythe were For if erst was wel tho was it bet A thousand folde / þis nedeth nought enquere [ 1684] A-go was euery sorwe and euery feere And both I-wis they hadde and so they wende As muche Ioie as herte may comprehende [ 1687]

(242)

¶ Þis nys no litel thynge of for to seye [ 1688] Þis passeth euery wit for to deuyse For ich of hem gan otheres luste obeye Felicite which þat þise clerkes wyse [ 1691] Comenden so / ne may nought here suffise Þis Ioie may nought wryten be with Inke Þis passeth al þat herte may bithynke [ 1694]

(243)

¶ But cruel day so walaway the stounde [ 1695] Gan for taproche as they by signes knowe For which hem thought felen dethes wounde So wo was hem þat changen gan hire hew [ 1698] And day they gonnen to dispise al newe Callynge it traytour envyous and worse And Bitterly þe dayes light they corse [ 1701]

(244)

¶ Quod Troilus now am I ware [ 1702] That Pirors and the swyfte stedes thre which þat drawn forth þe sonnes chare han gon som by-path in dispite of me [ 1705] Þat maketh it so sone day to be And for þe sonne hym hasteth þus to ryse Ne shal I neuere don hire sacrifise [ 1708]

(245)

¶ But nedes day depart hem most soone [ 1709] And when hire speche don was and hire chere they twynne a-non as they were wonte to doone And setten tyme of metyng eft y-fere [ 1712] And many nyght they wrought in þis manere And þus Fortune a tyme ledde in Ioie Criseyde and ek þis kynges sone of Troie [ 1715]

(246)

¶ In suffisaunce in blisse and in syngynges [leaf 55, back] [ 1716] Þis Troilus gan alle his lyf to lede He spendeth Iousteth / maketh festeynynges He ȝeueth frely olte and chaungeth wede [ 1719] And hold aboute hym alway out of drede A world of folk as com hym wel of kynde Þe fresshiste and þe beste he koude fynde [ 1722]

(247)

¶ Þat swich a vois was of hym and a neuene [ 1723] Thorugh-out þe world of honour and largesse Þat it vp rong vn-to þe ȝate of heuene And as in loue he was in swich gladnesse [ 1726] Þat in his herte he demed as I gesse That ther nys louere in þis world at ese So wel as he / and thus gan loue hym to plese [ 1729]

(248)

¶ Þe goodlyhed or beaute which þat kynde [ 1730] In any other lady hadde I-set Kan nought þe mountaunce of a knotte vn-bynde Aboute his herte of alle Criseydes net [ 1733] He was so narwe Ymasked and I-knet Þat it vn-don on any manere syde Þat nyl nought ben for aught that may bitede [ 1736]

(249)

¶ And by þe hond ful oft he wolde take [ 1737] Þis Pandarus and to gardyn lede and swich a feste and swiche proces make Hym of Criseyde and of hire wommanhede [ 1740] And of hire beaute þat with-outen drede It was an heuene his wordes for to here And thanne he wolde synge in þis manere [ 1743]

(250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.)

¶ Loue that of erith and se hath gouernaunce [ 1744] Loue þat hise hestes hath in heuene hye Loue þat with an holsom alliaunce Halt peples Ioyned as hym liste hem gye [ 1747] Loue þat knettheth law and compaignye And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle Bynd þis acorde þat I haue told and telle [ 1750]

(251) (Troilus's Song. 2.)

¶ Þat that the world with faith which þat is stable [ 1751] Dyuerseth so his stoundes concordynge Þat Elementȝ þat ben so discordable holden a bond perpetualy durynge [ 1754] Þat Phebus mot his rosy carte forth brynge And þat þe mone hath lorchip ouere þe nyghtes Al þis doth loue ay heryed be his myght [ 1757]

(252) (Troilus's song. 3.)

¶ That that þe se þat gredy is to flewen [leaf 56] [ 1758] Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so Hise flodes þat so fiersly they ne growen To dreuchen erth and alle for euere mo [ 1761] And if þat love aught lete his brydel go Al þat now loueth a-sonder shold lepe And lost were al þat loue halt now to hepe [ 1764]

(253) (Troilus's Song. 4.)

¶ Soo wold god þat auctour of his kynde [ 1765] Þat with his bond / loue of his vertu liste To cerclen hertes alle and fast bynde Þat from his bonde ne wiste þe wey out wyste [ 1768] And hertes colde hem wold I þat he twiste To make hem loue and þat hem li-te ay rewe On hertes soore and kepe hem þat ben trewe [ 1771]

(254)

¶ In alle the nedes for þe townes werre [ 1772] He was / and ay þe firste in armes dighte And certeynly but-if þat bokes erre Saue ector most I-drede of any wight [ 1775] And þis encres of hardynesse and myght Com hym of loue his ladyes thank to wynne Þat altered his spirit so with-Inne [ 1778]

(255)

¶ In tyme of trewe on haukynge wold he ryde [ 1779] Or elles hunte boore / beere or lyon Þe smale bestes leete he gon bysyde And when þat he com rydynge in to town [ 1782] Ful oft his lady from hire wyndow down As fresh as faucon comen out of muwe Ful redy was hym goodly to salwe [ 1785]

(256)

¶ And most of loue and vertu was his speche [ 1786] And in dispit hadde alle wrechednesse And douteles no nede was hym biseche To honouren hem þat hadds worthynesse [ 1789] And esen hem þat weren in distresse And glad was he if any wight wel feerde Þat louer was when he it wiste or herde [ 1792]

(257)

¶ For soth to seyn he lost held euery wight [ 1793] But if he were in loues heigh seruyse I mene folk þat ought it ben of right And ouere alle þis so wele koude he deuyse [ 1796] Of sentement / and in so vnkouthe wyse Al his array / þat euery louer thoughte Þat al was wel what so he seyde or wroughte [ 1799]

(258)

¶ And though þat he com of blode royal [leaf 56, back] [ 1800] Hym liste of pride at no wight for to chace Beninge he was to eche in general For which he gat hym thanke in euery place [ 1803] Thus wold loue I-heried be his grace Þat pride and Ire enuye and auarice he gan to fle and euery-ich other vice [ 1806]

(259)

¶ Thow laydy bryght the doughter to Dyon [ 1807] Thy blynde and vynged sone ek dam opide Ȝe sustren nyne ek þat by Elycone In hil Parnaso listen for tabide [ 1810] Þat ȝe þus fer hem deyned me to gyde I kan namore but syn þat ye wol wende Ȝe heried ben for ay with-outen ende [ 1813]

(260)

¶ Thorwgh ȝow haue I seyde fully in my songe [ 1814] Theffect and Ioie of Troilus seruyse Al bi þat þer was som disese among As to myn auctour listeth to deuyse [ 1817] My thridde book now ende ich in þis wyse And Troilus in luste and in quiete Is with Criseyde his owen herte swete [ 1820]

[End of Book III.]

[A leaf has been cut out of the Cambridge Univ. Libr. MS. Gg. 4. 27.]

[Leaf 54 has been cut out of this MS.]

(9)

¶ And lord how þat his herte gan to quappe [leaf 55] [ 57] Herynge hire come & schorte for to sike And Pandarus þat ledde hire bi þ^e lape Come ner & gan in at þ^e curteyn pike [ 60] And seyde god do bote on alle sike Se who is here ȝow come to visite Lo here is sche þat is ȝore deþ to wite [ 63]

(10)

// Þerewith it semed as he wept almost [ 64] Ha. a. a. quod Troilus so reufully Where me be wo o myȝti god þou wost Who is al þere I se not trewely [ 67] Sere quod Crisseide it is pandarus & I Ȝa swete herte allas I may not rise To knele and don ȝow honour in sumwise [ 70]

(11)

¶ And dressede him vpward & sche ryȝt þo [ 71] Gan boþe hire hondis softe on him leye O for þ^e loue of god do ȝe not so To me quod he I what is þis to saye [ 74] Sire comyn am I to ȝow for causis tweie ffyrst ȝow to þanken & of ȝoure lordschepe ek Contynuaunce & wolde ȝow be-sek [ 77]

(12)

// Þis Troilus his ladi [[by corrector]] that herde preye [[by corrector]] [ 78] Of lordschepe him wex neyþer quik ne ded Ne myȝte a word for schame to it seye Al-þow men schūlden smytyn of his hed [ 81] But lord so he wex sodeynli red And sire his lessoun þat he wende cunne To preyȝen hire was þour his ² wit ronne ² [[²-² by corrector]] [ 84]

(13)

¶ Crisseide al þis a-spiede wel I-now [ 85] ffor sche was wis & loued him neuer þe les Al nere he maleapert or made it tough Or was to bold to synge a fol a masse [ 88] But whan his schame gan sumwhat to passe His werkis as I may myne ryme holde I wil ȝow tellyn as techin bokis olde [ 91]

(14)

¶ In chaunnged vois riȝt for his verrai drede [leaf 55, back] [ 92] Wich voys ek quok & þerto his manere Goodli a-bassed & now his hewis rede Now pale on to Crisseide his ladi dere [ 95] With lok doun cast & vmbele & ȝoldyn chere Lo þ^e aldir ferste word þat him ouersterte Was twiȝis mercy mercy swete herte [ 98]

(15)

// And stynte a while & whan ne myȝte ouȝt brynge [ 99] Þe nexte word was god wot for I haue As fer-forþ-lich as I haue had cunnynge Ben ȝouris al god so myn soule saue [ 102] And schal til þat I woful wiȝt be graue And þow I dar ne can on to ȝow pleyne I-wis I suffere not þ^e lasse peyne [ 105]

(16)

¶ Þus meche as now I womanliche wyf [ 106] I may ouȝt brynge & ȝif þis ȝow displese Þat schal I wrekyn ryȝt on myn owene lyf Ryȝt sone I trowe & don ȝoure selue an ese [ 109] Ȝif with myn deþ ȝoure wreþe I may a-pese ffor siþe ȝe han herd me sumwhat seye Now reche I neuere how sone þat I deye [ 112]

(17)

// Þerwith his manli sorwe to be-holde [ 113] It myȝte a mad an herte of ston to rewe And pandarus wepte as he to watyr wolde And pokede euere his nece newe & newe [ 116] And seide wo begon ben hertis trewe ffor loue of god mak of þis þyng an ende Or slo vs boþe atonys or ȝe winde [ 119]

(18)

¶ I what quod sche bi god & be myn treuthe [ 120] I not what ȝe wiln þat I seye I wot quod he þat ȝe on him ¹ han routhe ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] ffor goddis loue & do him not to deye [ 123] Now þanne þus quod sche I wolde him preiȝe To telle me þ^e fyn of his entent Ȝit woste I neuere wil what þat he ment [ 126]

(19)

¶ What þat I mene o swete herte dere [leaf 56] [ 127] Qud troilus o goodeli frosche fre Þat with þ^e stremys of ȝoure eynyn clere Ȝe woldyn frenli sumtyme on me se [ 130] And þanne a-gren þat I may ben he With-outyn braunche of vice in ony wise In trouthe alwoi to don ȝow myn seruise [ 133]

(20)

// As to myn lady · riȝt & chif resort [ 134] With al myn wit & al myn diligence And I to han riȝt as ȝow list confort Vndir ȝoure ȝerde egal to myn offense [ 137] As deþ ȝif þat I breke ȝoure defence And þat ȝow digne me so mechil honour Me to mendin ouȝt in ony our [ 140]

(21)

¶ And to ben ȝoure verray humbele trewe [ 141] Secret & in myne peynis pacient And eueremore to desiryn frosch newe To seruyn and ay ben I-lik diligent [ 144] And with good herte al holly ȝoure talent Resseiuyn wel how sore þat me smert Lo þis mene I myn owene swete hert [ 147]

(22)

// Quod Pandarus lo here an hard request [ 148] And resonabele a ladi for to werne Now nece myn be natal Iouis fest Were I god ȝe schulde sterue as ȝerne [ 151] Þat heryn wil þis man wil noþyng ȝerne But ȝoure honour & sen him almost sterue An ben so loþ to sufferyn him ȝow to serue [ 154]

(23)

¶ With þat sche gan hire eyen on him cast [ 155] fful esili & ful debonerli And send hire & hied not to fast With neuere a word but seid him sekyrly [ 158] Myn honour sauyn I wil wel trewely And in swich forme as ȝe can now deuyse Resseyuyn him fulli to myn seruyse [ 161]

(24)

¶ Be-sechyng hym for goddis loue þat he [leaf 56, back] [ 162] Wolde in honour of treuthe & gentillesse As I wel mene / mene wel to me And myn honour with wit & busynesse [ 165] Ay kepyn & ȝif I may don him gladnesse ffrom henys forþ I-wis I nyl not feyne Now beþ al hol no lengere ȝe ne peyne [ 168]

(25)

// But neuer-þeles þis warne I ȝow quod sche [ 169] A kyngis sone al-þow ȝe ben I-wis Ȝe schal no more han seurete of me In loue þan ryt in þat cas is [ 172] Ne I nil not forbere ȝif ȝe don amis To wrathe ȝow & [[h by corrector]] whil þat ȝe me serue Cherise yow riȝt as ȝe deserue [ 175]

(26)

¶ And schortli dere herte & al myn knyȝt [ 176] Beþ glad & drawiþ ȝow to lustinesse And I schal trewely with al myn fulle myȝt Ȝure bittyr turne al in-to swetnesse [ 179] Ȝif I be sche þat may ȝow don gladnesse ffor euery wo ȝe schul recouere a blisse And him in armys tok & gan him kisse [ 182]

(27)

// ffel Pandarus on kneis & vp his eyȝyn [ 183] To heuene þrew & hild his hondis hyȝe O inmortal god quod he þat mayst not deyȝen Cupide I mene of þis mayst þou glorifie [ 186] And venus maist þou make melodie With-outyn hond me semyþ þat in tounne ffor þis merakele I here iche belle sounne [ 189]

(28)

¶ But ho no more now of þis matere [ 190] ffor whi þese folk wele comyn vp a-non Þat han þ^e lettere red lo I hem here But I coniourre þe Crisseide a-non [ 193] And þe þou Troilus whan þou mayȝt gon Þat at myn hous ȝe ben at myn warnynge ffor I schal ful wel scape ȝoure commynge [ 196]

(29)

¶ And ese ȝow þere ryȝt I-now [leaf 57] [ 197] And lat sen wich of ȝow schal bere þ^e belle To speke of loue and ryȝt þerwith he low ffor þere haue ȝe a leiser for to telle [ 200] Quod Troilus how longe schal I dwelle Or þis be don quod he er þou mayȝt ryse Þis þyng schal ben riȝt as þou wilt deuyse [ 203]

(30)

// With þat Elyne & also Deiphebus [ 204] Þo comyn vpward riȝt at þ^e steiȝeris ende And lord so þo / gan gronyn troilus His broþer & his sustir to blende [ 207] Quod pandarus it tyme is þat we wende Takyþ nece myn / ȝourre leue at alle þre And lat hem speke / & comyþ forþ with me [ 210]

(31)

¶ Sche tok hire leue at hem ful þriftyly [ 211] As sche wel coude & þey hire reuerence Vn-to þe fulle dudyn hardily And spekyn wondir wel in hire absence [ 214] Of hire preisyng of hire excellence Hire gouernaunce hire wit & hire manere Comendenyt ioye was to here [ 217]

(32)

// Now let hire wende onto hire owene place [ 218] And turne we to troilis a-ȝein Þat gan ful lyȝtely of þis lettere passe Þat deiphebus hadde in þ^e gardyn seyn [ 221] And of elyne & him he wolde feyn Delyuerid ben & seide þat hym list Slepe & aftyr talis hauyn rest [ 224]

(33)

¶ Elyne hym kist & tok hire leue blyue [ 225] Deiphebus & hom wente euery wiȝt And pandarus as faste as he may dryue To Troilus þo come as lyne ryȝt [ 228] And on a paylet al þat glade nyȝt By Troilus he lay with ful blisful chere To tale & wel was hem þat þey weryn in fere [ 231]

(34)

¶ Whan eueri wyȝt was woyd but þey to [leaf 57, back] [ 232] And alle þe doris were faste schette To tellyn in schort with-outyn wordis mo Þis pandarus with-outyn ony lette [ 235] Vp ros & on his beddis syde him sette And gan to spekyn in sobere wise To troilus as I schal ȝow deuyse [ 238]

(35)

// Myn aldir leueste lord & broþer dere [ 239] God wot þat it sat me so sore Whan I þe say so languissyng to ȝere ffor loue of wich þyn wo waxeþ alwey more [ 242] Þat I wot al myn wit & al myn lore Haue sythe don euere myn besinesse To brynge þ^e to ioye out of distresse [ 245]

(36)

¶ And haue it brouȝt to swich plyȝt as þou wost [ 246] So þat þour me þou stondist in þ^e weye To fare wel I seye it for no bost And wost þou whi for schame it is to seye [ 249] ffor þe haue I be-gunne a game pleye Wich þat I schal neuere for oþer Al-þow he were a þousent fold myn broþer [ 252]

(37)

// Þat is to seyne for þe I am be-comyn [ 253] Be-twixe game & ernest swich a mene As makyn women on-to men comyn Þou wost þyn seluyn what I wolde mene [ 256] ffor þ^e I haue myn nece of vicis clene So fulli mad þin gentilnesse trist [[i corrected]] Þat al schal ben riȝt as þyn seluyn list [ 259]

(38)

¶ But god þat al wot take I to witnesse [ 260] Þat neuere I þis for coueitise wrouȝt But only to abregge þat distresse ffor wich wol ny þou deyedist as mo þouȝt [ 263] But goode broþer do now as ȝe ouȝt ffor goddis loue & kepe hire out of blame Syþe þou art wis so kep alwoy hire name [ 266]

(39)

¶ ffor wel þou wost þ^e name ȝit of hire [leaf 58] [ 267] A-mong þe pepil as ho seiþ halwid is ffor neuere was þere wiȝt I dare wel swere Þat euere wiste þat sche dede a-mys [ 270] But wo is me þat I þat cause al þis May þynkyn þat sche is myn nece dere And I hire em & tretour ek in fere [ 273]

(40)

// And were it wost þat I þour myn engyn [ 274] Hadde in myn nece put þyn fantesie To don þyn lust & holli to ben þyne Whi al þ^e world wolde on it gaure & crie [ 277] And seyn þat I þe werste trecherie Dede in þis cas þat euere was begunne And sche forlost & þow ryȝt nouȝt Iwonne [ 280]

(41)

¶ Wherfore or I wele ferþere gon a pas [ 281] Ȝit eft I þ^e be-seche & fully seye Þat priuite go with vs in þis cas Þat is to seine þat þou vs neuere wreye [ 284] And be not wroþ þus I þe ofte preie To holdyn secre swich an hey matere ffor skilful is / þou wost wel þis preiere [ 287]

(42)

// And þink what wo þere haþ be-tid or þis [ 288] ffor makynge of auauntis as men rede And what myschauns in þis world ȝit is ffrom day to day riȝt for þat wekkede dede [ 291] ffor whi þese wise clerkis þat ben dede Han euere ȝit prouerbid to vs ȝonge Þat fyrst vertu is to kepe tunge [ 294]

(43)

¶ And neuere ȝit þat I wilne as now to a-bregge [ 295] Diffusioun of speche I coude almost A þousent olde storijs to a-legge Of whom men loste þour false & folis bost [ 298] Prouerbis canst þou þyn seluyn & wost A-ȝens þat vis for to ben a labbe Þow men soþ seidyn as oftyn as þei gabbe [ 301]

(44)

¶ O tonge allas so oftyn here be-forn [leaf 56, back] [ 302] Hast þou mad manye a ladi bryȝt of hewe Sayd welleawey þat euere I was born And manye a maydenys sorwe for to newe [ 305] And for þe more part al is vn-trewe Þat men of ȝelp & it were brouȝt to preue Of kynde non auauntour is to leue [ 308]

(45)

// Awauntour & a liere is al on [ 309] As þus I pose a woman grauntede me Hire loue & seyþ þat oþer wil sche non And I am sworn to holdyn it secre [ 312] And aftyr I go telle it to or þre I-wis I am auantour at þe leste And lire for I breke myn beheste [ 315]

(46)

¶ Now loke þanne ȝif þey ben ouȝt to blane [ 316] Swiche maner folk what schal I clepe hem what Þat hem auauntyn of women & be name Þat neuere ȝit be-hyȝt hem þis ne þat [ 319] Ne knowyn hym more þan myn olde hat No wondir ist so god me sende hele Þey wemen dredin with vs men to dele [ 322]

(47)

// I sei not þis for no mys-trost of ȝow [ 323] Ne for no wis man but for folis nyce And for þ^e harm þat in þe world is now As wel for folye oftyn as for maleys [ 326] ffor wel wot I in wise folk þat vise No woman drat ȝif sche be wel auysed ffor wise ben be folys harm chastised [ 329]

(48)

¶ But now to purpos leue broþer dere [ 330] Haue al þis þyng þat I haue seid in mynde And kep þe clos & be now of good chere ffor at myn day þou schat me trewe fynde [ 333] I schal þyn proces settyn in swich a kynde And god to-forn þat it schal þe suffise ffor it schal be riȝt as þou wilt deuyse [ 336]

(49)

¶ ffor I wot wel þou menist wel parde [leaf 59] [ 337] Þerfore I dare wel þis vndir-take Þou wost ek what þyn ladi graunted þe And day is set þ^e charteris vp to make [ 340] Haue now good nyȝt I may no lengere wake And bid for me siþe þow art now in blisse Þat god me sende deþ or sone lisse [ 343]

(50)

// Ho myȝte tellyn half þ^e ioye of feste [ 344] Which þat þe soule of Troilus felte Herynge þe effectis of Pandarus behest His olde wo þat made his herte to swelte [ 347] Gan þo for ioye wastyn & to-melte And al þ^e richesse of his sikis sore At onys fledde he felte of hem no more [ 350]

(51)

¶ But riȝt so as þei se holtis & þis halis [ 351] Þat han in wyntir ded ben & drye Reuestyn hem in grene whan þat may is Whan euery lusty lestyþ best to pleye [ 354] Ryȝt in þat selwe wise soþ to seye Wex sodeynli his herte ful of ioye Þat gladere was þan ony man in troye [ 357]

(52)

// And gan his lok on pandarus vp cast [ 358] fful soberely & frenly on to se And seyde frend in aprille þe last As wel þou wost ȝif it rememberid be [ 361] How ney þ^e deþ / for wo þou fond me And how þou dedist al þyn besinesse To knowyn of me þe cause of þin distresse [ 364]

(53)

¶ Þou wost wel longe i it for-bar to seye [ 365] To þ^e þat art þ^e man þat I best trost And peril wast non it to þe be-wreye Þat wost i wel but tel me þif þou lest [ 368] Sey I soþ loþ wast þat þyn self it wost How durste I more tellyn of þis matere Þat quake now & no wyȝt may vs here [ 371]

(54)

¶ But neuere þe les be þat god I þ^e swere [leaf 59, back] [ 372] Þat as him lyst may al þe world gouerne And ȝif I lye achilles with his spere Myn herte clene al were myn lif eterne [ 375] As I am mortal ȝif I late or ȝerne Wolde it be wereye or durste or schulde cunne ffor al þe good þat god made vndir sunne [ 378]

(55)

// What raþere deye I wolde þan determyne [ 379] As þynkyþ me now stokked in presoun In wrechedenesse in felthe & in vermyne Captyf to crewel kyng agamenoun [ 382] And þis in alle þe tempelis of þis toun Vp-on þe goddys alle I wele ȝow swere To morwe day ȝif þat it likiþ þe here [ 385]

(56)

¶ And þat þou hast so meche don for me [ 386] Þat I it may it neuere more deserue Þis knowe I wel al myȝte I not for þ^e A þousent tymys on a morwyn steruyn [ 389] I can no more but þat I wil þ^e seruyn Ryȝt as þyn knaue whedyr so þow wynde ffor euere on-to myn lyuys ende [ 392]

(57)

// But here with al myn herte I þe be-seche [ 393] Þat neuere in me þou deme swich folye As I schal seye me þouȝt be þyn speche Þat þis which þou me dost for cumpanye [ 396] I schulde wene it were a bauderye I am not wod al-þow I lewid be It is nouȝt on þat wot I wel parde [ 399]

(58)

¶ But he þat goþ for gold or for rychesse [ 400] On swich massage cal him as þ^e lyst And þis as þow dost cal it gentilnesse Compascioun & felauschepe & trist [ 403] Departe it so / for weyde wher is wist How þat þere is diuersite requyred Be-tweþe twey þyngis as I haue lernyd [ 406]

(59)

¶ And þat þou knowe I þynke not ne wene [leaf 60] [ 407] Þat þis seruyse a schame be or iape I haue myn fayre sistir pollexene Cassaundir Elyne or ony of þ^e frape [ 410] Be sche neuere so fayr ne so wel schape Tel me which þou wilt of euerychon To han for þyn & let me þanne a-lon [ 413]

(60)

// But siþe þou hast me don þis seruyse [ 414] Myn lyf to saue & for non hope of mede So for þ^e loue of god þis grete emprise Parforne it out for now is most nede [ 417] ffor hey & low with-outyn ony drede I wil alwoy þynne hestis alle kepe Haue now good nyȝt & lat vs boþe slepe [ 420]

(61)

¶ Þus halt hem eche of oþer wel a-payed [ 421] Þat al þe world ne myȝt it bet a-mende And on þ^e morwe whan þey were a-raied Eche to his owene nede gan entende [ 424] But troylus þo as þ^e fyr brende ffor scharp desyr of hope & of plesaunce He not for-ȝat his wise gouernaunce [ 427]

(62)

// But in him self with manhod gan restreyne [ 428] Eche rakil dede & eche onbrydelid chere Þat alle þo þat lyuyn soþ to seyne Ne schulde a wist be word ne by manere [ 431] What þat he ment as touchynge þis matere ffrom iche in þat as fer as is þ^e cloude He was so wel / dissimulyn he coude [ 434]

(63)

¶ And al þis while which þat I deuyse [ 435] Þis was his lyf with al his fulle myȝt By day he was in martis hey seruyse Þat is to seyn in armys as a knyȝt [ 438] And for þ^e moste part þ^e longe nyȝt He lay & þouȝte how þat he myȝt serue His ladi best hire þonk for to deserue [ 441]

(64)

¶ Nyl I not swere al-þow he lay softe [leaf 60, back] [ 442] Þat in his þouȝt he was sumwhat desesed Ne þat he turned on his pilwis ofte And wolde of þat hym mysesid / han ben esed [ 445] But in swich cas man is not wel plesed ffor ouȝt I wot nomore þan was he Þat can I deme of possibilite [ 448]

(65)

// But serteyn is / to purpos fo to go [ 449] Þat in þis while as wretyn is in geste He say his lady sumtyme & also Sche with him spak whan þat sche durste or leste [ 452] Ay be here boþe auys as was beste Apoyntende ful warly in þis nede So as þey durste so as þey wolde procede [ 455]

(66)

¶ But it was spokyn in so schort a wyse [ 456] In swich a wayt al day & swich a fere Lest ony wyȝt deuynyn or deuyse Wolde in þis speche or to it leyn an ere [ 459] Þat al þis word so lef to hem ne were As þat Cupide wolde hem spase synde To makyn of here spech aryȝt an ende [ 462]

(67)

// But þe ilke lityl þat þei speke or wrouȝt [ 463] His wise gost tok of alle sweche hede It semede hire he worste what sche þouȝt With-outyn word so þat it was non nede [ 466] To bid him out to don or ouȝt forbede ffor wich sche þouȝte þat loue al come it late Of alle Ioye hadde openyd hire þe ȝate [ 469]

(68)

¶ And schortly of þis proces for to pase [ 470] So wel his werk & wordis he be-set Þat he so ful stod in his ladi grace Þat twenty þousent tymys or sche let [ 473] Sche þankede god sche euere with hym met So coude he him gouerne in þat serwyse Þat al þ^e world ne myȝte it bet deuyse [ 476]

(69)

¶ ffor why sche fond him so discret in al [leaf 61] [ 477] So secret & of swich obeysaunce Þat wel sche wiste he was to hire a wal Of stel & schild from eueri displesaunce [ 480] Þat to ben in his goode gouernaunce So wys he was sche was no more aferid I mene as fer as auȝte to ben requeryd [ 483]

(70)

// And pandarus to queke alwoy þ^e fyre [ 484] Was euere I-lik prest & diligent To esyn his frend was alwoy his desyre He schof ay on he to & fro was sent [ 487] He letteris bar whan Troylus was absent Þat neuere man as in his frendis nede Ne bar him bet as he with-outyn drede [ 490]

(71)

¶ But now parantyr summan waytyn wolde [ 491] Þat euery word soun or lok or chere Of troylus þat I reherse schulde In al þis while onto his ladi dere [ 494] I trowe it were a long tyme for to here Or of what wit þat stant in swich disioynte Hise wordis alle or euery lok to peynte [ 497]

(72)

// ffor soþe I haue not herd don or þis [ 498] In story ne no man here I wene And þow I coude I wolde not I-wis ffor þere was sum pistil hem be-twene [ 501] As wolde as seyth myn autour wel conteyne Nyȝ half þis bok of wich hym list not write How schulde I þanne a lyne þerof endite [ 504]

(73)

¶ But to þ^e grete affect þan seyde I þus [ 505] Þat stondyng in concord & in quiete Þese ilke too Cresseide & ek troilus As I haue told & in þis tyme swete [ 508] Saue only ofte wel myȝte þey me No leiser haue here speche to fulfille Þat it be fel riȝt as I schal ȝow telle [ 511]

(74)

¶ Þat Pandarus wich euere dede his myȝt [leaf 61, back] [ 512] Ryȝt for þ^e fyn þat I schal speke of here As for to bryngyn to his hous sum nyȝt His fayre nece & troilus in fere [ 515] Where as at leyser al þis heye matere Touchynge hire loue were at þe fulle vp bounde Lad out of doute a tyme to it founde [ 518]

(75)

// ffor he with gret deliberacioun [ 519] Hadde euery þyng þat herto myȝte auaylyn fforn cast & put in execucioun And neyþer lest for cost ne for travayle [ 522] Come of hem lyst / hem schulde no þyng fayle Ne for to ben in auȝt aspyed þere Þat wist he wel & impossibele were [ 525]

(76)

¶ Dredeles it cler was in þe wynde [ 526] Of euery pye of euery lette game Now al is wel for al þe world is blynd In þis matere boþe frend & tame [ 529] Þis tymbir is / al redi vp to frame Vs lakkyth not but we wetyn wolde A certeyn our in whiche comyn schulde [ 532]

(77)

// And Troylus þat al þis ¹ newe daunce ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] [ 533] Knew at þe fulle and waytid on it ay Hadde vp on here mad his puruyaunce And fond his cause & þerto al þe aray [ 536] Þat ȝif þat he were myssid nyȝt or day Þe while he was a-boutyn his seruyse Þat he was gon to don his sacrifise [ 539]

(78)

¶ And muste at swich a tempele a boue wake [ 540] Answerid of apollo for to be And ferst to se þe holy laurer quak Or þat þe god ouȝt speke out of þ^e tre [ 543] To tellyn hym next / whi þe grekys xulde fle And for þy / lette hym no man god forbede But preye apollo helpyn in þis nede [ 546]

(79)

¶ Now is þere lityl more for to done [leaf 62] [ 547] But pandarus vp & schortli for to seyne Lo sone vp-on þ^e schaungyng of þ^e mone Whan lyȝtles is þ^e world a nyȝt or tweyene [ 550] And þat þ^e walkyn schop hym forto reyne He streyt on morwe on-to his nece wente Ȝe han wel herd þ^e fyn of his entente [ 553]

(80)

// Whan he was come he gan a-non to pleye [ 554] As he was wont & of him seluyn iape And fynally he swor & gan hire seye Be þis & þat sche schulde hym not a-skape [ 557] Ne don him lengere aftir hire to gape But serteynli sche muste bi hire leue Cum suppe in his hous with hym at eue [ 560]

(81)

¶ At which sche low & gan hire faste excuse [ 561] And seyde it reynyþ lo how schulde I gon Let ben quod he ne stond not þus to muse Þis mot ben don ȝe schal ben þere a-non [ 564] So at þe laste herof þey felle at on Or ell softe he swor hire in hire ere He wolde neuere come þer sche were [ 567]

(82)

// Sone aftir þis sche gan to hym to rounne [ 568] And axed hym ȝif þat Troilus was þere He swor hire nay for he was out of tounne And ¹ seyde / what I pose that he were ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] [ 571] He þourrste neuere han þ^e more fere ffor raþere þan / men / myȝte hym þere aspye Me were leuere a þousend fold to deye [ 574]

(83)

¶ Nowȝt luste myn auȝtour fully to declare [ 575] What þat sche þouȝte whan he seyde so Þat troilus was out of þe toun I-fare As ȝif he seyde þerof soþ or no [ 578] But þat with-oute a-wait with hym to go Sche grauntid it siþ þat he hire be-soute And as his nece obeyede as hire ouȝte [ 581]

(84)

¶ But neuere-þe-les ȝit gan sche hym be-seche [lf 62, bk] [ 582] Al-þow with him to gon it was no fere ffor to be war ¹ of the ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] puples speche Þat demyn þingis wich þat neuere were [ 585] And wel al avise hym hom he brouȝte þere And seyde hym Em siþ I mot on ȝow troste Loke al be wel & do riȝt as ȝow leste [ 588]

(85)

// He swor hire þis be stokkis & be stonys [ 589] And be þe goddis þat in heuene dwelle Or ellis were he leuere soule & bonis With plute kyng as depe ben in helle [ 592] As tantalus what schulde I more telle Whan al was wel he ros & tok his leue And sche to soper com whan it was eue [ 595]

(86)

¶ With a serteyn of hire owene men [ 596] And with hire fayre nece antegone And of hire wemen wel nyne or ten But who is glad who as trowe ȝe [ 599] But Troilus þat stod and myȝt it se Þrow-out an hole of a lityl stewe Þere he be schet sin mydnyȝt was in mewe [ 602]

(87)

// On-wist of euery wyȝt but of Pandare [ 603] But to þ^e poynt whan þat sche was come With al Ioye & al frendis fare Hire em a-non in armis haþ hire nome [ 606] And aftyr to soper al & some Whan tyme was ful softe þei hem sette God wot þere was no deynte for to fette [ 609]

(88)

¶ And aftyr soper gunne þei to rise [ 610] At ese wel with hertis frossche & glade And wel was hym þat best coude devyse To likyn hire or þat hire laubyn made [ 613] He song sche pleyde he tolde tale of wade But at þ^e laste as euery þyng haþ ende Sche tok hire leue and nedis wolde wynde [ 616]

(89)

¶ But o fortune executrice of wordis [leaf 63] [ 617] O influensis of þyne heuenys heye Soþ is þat / vndir god ȝe ben oure herdis Þow to vs bestis is þ^e cause I-wrie [ 620] I mene it now for sche gan hom to hyȝe but execut was al be-syde hire leue Þ^e goddis wil / for wich sche muste be-leue [ 623]

(90)

// Þ^e bente mone with hire hornys pale [ 624] Saturne & Ioue in cancro ioynede were Þat made swich a reyn from heue auale Þat euery maner woman þat was þere [ 627] Haddyn of þis smoke reyn a verray fere At wich pandarus low & seyde þan Now were it tyme a lady to gon hen [ 630]

(91)

¶ But goode nece ȝif I myȝte euere plese [ 631] Ȝow ony þing. þan prei I ȝow quod he To don myn herte as nov so gret an ese As for to dwellyn here al þis nyȝt with me [ 634] ffor-whi þis is ȝoure owene hous parde Now bi my trouthe: I seye it not on game To wende as now to me it were a schame [ 637]

(92)

// Crisseide which þat coude as meche good [ 638] As half a world tok hed at his preyere And sey it reyne & al was on flode Sche þouȝte as good schep may I dwelle here [ 641] And grauntede frely with a frendis chere And han a þank / as groche & þanne a-byde ffor hom to gon / it may not wel betyde [ 644]

(93)

¶ I wele qud sche myn vnkele leue & dere [ 645] Siþe þat ȝe list skyl is to ben so I am ryȝt glad with ȝow to dwelle here I seyde it but on game. I wolde go [ 648] I-wis graunt merci nece quod he þo Were it on game or non soþ for to telle Now am I glad I-now / syn ȝe wele with me dwelle [ 651]

(94)

¶ Þus al is wel but ȝe be-gan a-ryȝt [leaf 63, back] [ 652] Þ^e newe Ioye & þ^e feste a-geyne But pandarus ȝif goodli hadde he myȝt He wolde an hyȝed him to bedde fayn [ 655] And seyde lord þis is an heuge rayn Þis were a wedir for to slepin in And Þat I rede vs sone to begyn [ 658]

(95)

// And nece what ȝe whare I wele ȝow leye [ 659] ffor þat we schal not lyn fer a sundyr And for ȝe noþer schuln dare I seye Heryn noyse of reynys / ne of þundyr [ 662] By god ryȝt in myn litil closit ȝondir And I wele in þis vttir hous a-lone Ben wardeyn of ȝoure wemen euerychone [ 665]

(96)

¶ And in þis myddil chaumbir þat ȝe se [ 666] Schal ȝoure wymmen slepin wel & softe And þere be sydyn schal ȝoure seluyn be And ȝif ȝe liggyn wel to nyȝt come oftyn [ 669] And cariþ not what wedir is on lofte Þe wyn a-non / & whan so þat ȝow lyst So gowe slepe / I trowe it be þ^e best [ 672]

(97)

// Þere nys no more but here aftyr sone [ 673] Þey voydyn dronkyn & trauers drowe a-non Gan euery wyȝt þat hadde not to done More in þat place out of þ^e chambir gon [ 676] And euere more to sterneliche it ron And blew þerwiþ so wondirliche loude Þat wol ny no man heryn oþer coude [ 679]

(98)

¶ Þo Pandarus hire em ryȝt as hym ouȝt [ 680] With wemmen wesch as were hire moste aboute fful glad on-to his beddis syde hire brouȝt And tok his leue & low & gan to loute [ 683] And seyde hire at þis closet dore with-oute Ryȝt ouerthwert ȝoure wemen liggyn alle Þat whom ȝe lyst of hem ȝe may calle [ 686]

(99)

¶ So whan þat sche was in þat closet leid [leaf 64] [ 687] And alle hire wemen forþ be ordenaunce A bedde weryn þere as I haue seyd Þere was no more to schepe no to traunce [ 690] But bedyn gon to bedde with mischaunce Ȝif eny man was sterynge eny where And lat hem slepyn þat a bedde were [ 693]

(100)

// And pandarus þat wel coude eche a del [ 694] Wolde daunce & euery poynt þerinne Whan þat he woste alle þynge was wel He þouȝte he wolde vp on his werk be-gynne [ 697] And gan þe stewe dore al softe on-pinne And stille as ston with-outyn more lette By Troylus adoun ryȝt he hym sette [ 700]

(101)

¶ And schortli to þ^e poynt riȝt for to gon [ 701] Of al þis werk he told him word & ende And seyde mak þ^e redi riȝt a-non ffor þow xat in to heuene blysse wynde [ 704] Now blisful venus þou me grace synde Qud troylus. for neuere ȝede no nede Hardere þan now. ne haluyndel þ^e drede [ 707]

(102)

// Quod pandarus ne dred þ^e neuere a del [ 708] ffor it schal be ryȝt as þou wilt desire So þryue I wis nyȝt I schal make it wel Or castyn al þ^e growel in þe fyr [ 711] Now seyn^t venus þou me þis nyȝt enspire Quod Troilus as wis as I þe serue And euere bet & bet wil tyl I sterwe [ 714]

(103)

¶ And if I hadde o venus ful of murþe [ 715] Aspectis badde of mars or of saturne Or þou cumbrid or let were in myn burþe Þyn fadir þrey þilke harm disturne [ 718] Of grace & þat I glad a-ȝin may turne ffor loue of hym þou louedist in þ^e schawe I mene a-don þat with þ^e bor was slawe [ 721]

(104)

¶ O Ioue for þe loue of fayre europe [leaf 64, back] [ 722] Þe which on forme of bok a-woy þou fette Now help o mars þou with þyn blodi cope ffor loue of cipris þou me not ne lette [ 725] O phebus þenk whan dane hire seluyn schette Vndir þe bark & laurer wex for-drede Ȝit for hire loue o help now at þis nede [ 728]

(105)

// Mercurie for þe loue of hirie eke [ 729] ffor which pallas was with a-glouros wroþ Now help & ek diane I þe be-seche Þat þis viage be not þe loþ [ 732] O fatal susterin which or ony cloþ Me schapyn was myn destene me spunne Now helpyþ to þis werk þat is be-gunne [ 735]

(106)

¶ Quod pandarus þou wrechede mousis herte [ 736] Art þow a-gast so þat sche wil þe bete Whi do þis furrede cloke vp-on þyn scherte And folwe me for I wele han þe wite [ 739] But byd & lat me gon a-fore a lite And with þat word he gan on-do a trappe And Troilus he broute in bi þ^e lappe [ 742]

(107)

// Þe sterne wynd so loude be-gan to route [ 743] Þat no wyȝt oþer noyse myȝte here And þey þat leye at þ^e dere with-oute fful sekyrly þey sleptyn alle in fere [ 746] And pandarus with a ful sobere cher Soþ to þ^e dore a-non with-outyn lette Þere as þey lay & softeli it schette [ 749]

(108)

// And as he come a-ȝynward priuyly [ 750] His nece awok & seyde ho goþ þere Myn dere nece he seyth it am I Ne wonderyth not ne hauyþ of it no fere [ 753] And ner he com & seyde hire in hire ere No word for þe loue of god I ȝow be-seche Let hem not rysyn & heryn oure speche [ 756]

(109)

¶ What which way be ȝe comyn benedicite [leaf 65] [ 757] Quod sche & how þus vnwist of hem alle Here at þis secre trappe dore quod he Quod þo Crisseyde let me sum wiȝt calle [ 760] I god for-bede þat it schulde falle Quod Pandarus. þat ȝe swych folye wrouȝt Þey myȝte deme þyngis þey neuer er þouȝt [ 763]

(110)

// It is not good a slepynge hound to wake [ 764] Ne ȝeuyn a wyȝt a cause to deuyne Ȝoure wemen slepin alle I vndirtake So þat for hem þe hous men myȝtyn myne [ 767] And slepyn welyn tyl þe sunne schyne And whan myn tale brouȝt is to an ende Vn-wist ryȝt as I come so wil I wende [ 770]

(111)

¶ Now nece myn ȝe schal wel vndirstonde [ 771] Quod he so as ȝe wemen demyn alle Þat for to holdyn in loue a man in honde And him hire lef & dere herte calle [ 774] And makyn hym a houe vp on a calle I mene as louyn anoþer in þis wyse Sche doþ here [[ere, corrector]] [ 777]

(112)

// Now wherby þat I telle ȝow þis [ 778] Ȝe wete ȝoure self as wel as ony wyȝt How þat ȝoure loue al fully grauntyd is To Troylus þe worþieste knyt [ 781] On of þe world and þerto treuthe plyȝt Þat but it were on him a-long ȝe nolde Hym neuere falsyn whil ȝe leuyn schulde [ 784]

(113)

¶ Now stont it þus þat syn I fro ȝow went [ 785] Þis Troilus ryȝt platli for to seyne Iis þour a goter bi a priue went In-to myn chambere comyn in al þis reyn [ 788] Vnwyst of euery maner of whit serteyn Saue of myn self as wisely haue I ioye And be þat feyth I schal Priame of Troye [ 791]

(114)

¶ And he is comyn in swich peine & distresse [lf 65, bk] [ 792] Þat but he be al fully wod bi þis He sodeynly mot fallyn in-to wodnesse But ȝif god helpe & cause whi þis is [ 795] He seith it is told hym of a frend of his How þat ȝe schulde louyn on þat hatte horaste ffor sorwe of which þis nyȝt schal ben his laste [ 798]

(115)

// Cresseide which þat of þis wondir herde [ 799] Gan sodeynly a-boutyn hire herte coldyn And with a sik sche sorwefully answerde Allas I wende ho-so talis tolde [ 802] Myn dere herte he wolde me not helde So lyȝtely fals allas conseytis wrong What harm þey don for now leue I to longe [ 805]

(116)

¶ Horeste allas & falsyn troylus [ 806] I knowe hym not god help me so quod sche Allas what wekede spiryt tolde hym þus Now sertys em to morwe & I hym se [ 809] I schal of þat as ful excusyn me [[yn me, by corrector]] As euere dede woman ȝif him like And with þat word sche gan ful sore sike [ 812]

(117)

// O god quod sche so wordeli selynesse [ 813] Which clerkis tellyn fals felicite I-medelid is with manye a bittyrnesse fful anguyssous god wot þan is quod sche [ 816] Condiscioun of veyn prosperite ffor oþere ioyis com not in fere Or ellis no wyȝt haþ hem // ² longe here ² [[²-² corrector]] [ 819]

(118)

¶ O bretil wele of manys ioye vn-stabele [ 820] With what wyt þat þou be how so þow pley O þer he wot þat þou Ioye art mouabele Or wot it nouȝt / it mot ben on of þe tweye [ 823] Now of he wot it nouȝt how myȝt he seye Þat he haþ verray ioye & selynesse Þat is of ygnoraunce ay in derknesse [ 826]

(119)

¶ Now ȝif he wot þat ioye is trancitorie [leaf 66] [ 827] As euery ioye of wordeli þyng mot fle Þan euery tyme he þat haþ in memorie Þ^e dred of lesyngis makiþ him þat he [ 830] May in no parfyt selynesse be And ȝif to lese his ioye he set a myte Þan semyþ it þat ioye is worþ ful lite [ 833]

(120)

// Where-fore I wele defyne in þis manere [ 834] Þat trewely for ouȝt I can aspie Þere is no were wele in þis world here ffor o þou welkede serpent Ielusie [[lk may mean kk]] [ 837] Þou mys-be-leuyd enuyous folye Whi hast þou troylus mad to me vntrust Þat neuere ȝit a-gilt him þat I wist [ 840]

(121)

// Quod Pandarus þus fallyn is þis cas [ 841] What vnkele myn quod sche ho told him þis Whi doþ myn dere herte þus allas Ȝe wot ȝe nece myn what it is [ 844] I hope al schal ben wel þat is a-mis ffor ȝe may quenche al þis ȝif þat ȝow lyste And doþ riȝt so / for I holde it þe beste [ 847]

(122)

// So schal I do to morwe I-wis quod sche [ 848] And god to-forn so þat it schal suffyse To morwyn allas þat were a fayr quod he Nay nay it may not stondyn in þis wise [ 851] ffor nece myn þis writyn clerkis wise Þat peril is with dreching ¹ In I-drawe ¹ [[¹-¹ ing—drawe corrector]] Nay swich abydis ben not worþ an haue [ 854]

(123)

¶ Nece alle þynge haþ tyme I dar awowe [ 855] ffor whan a chambere / is a fere / or an halle It nediþ more sodeynly rescoue Þan to disputyn & axyn a-mongis alle [ 858] How is þis candele in þe straw falle A benedicite for al among þat fare Þe harm is don & farwel feldefare [ 861]

(124)

¶ And nece myn tak it not a gref [leaf 66, back] [ 862] Ȝif ȝe suffere hym al nyȝt in þis wo God helpe me so ȝe haddyn hym neuere lef Þat dar .I. seyn now þere is but we to [ 865] But .I. wot þat ȝe wil not don so Ȝe ben to wys to don swich folie To pupte his lyf al nyȝt in iupardie [ 868]

(125)

// Hadde I hym neuere lef bi god .I. wene [ 869] ne hadde .I. neuere þyng so lef quod sche Now be myn þrift quod he þat schal be sene ffor syþe ȝe make þis ensampele by me [ 872] Ȝif .I. al nyȝt wolde him in sorwe se ffor al þe tresor in þe toun of troye I preye to god neueremore haue .I. ioye [ 875]

(126)

¶ Now loke [[þa corrected]] þan ȝif ȝe þat ben his loue [ 876] Scholde put al nyȝt his lif in iupardye ffor þyng of nouȝt now be þe god a-boue Nouȝt onli þis delay comyth of folye [ 879] But of malice ȝif .I. schulde not lye What platly & ȝe suffere him in distresse [[stresse corrector]] Ȝe neyþer bounte don ne gentilnesse [ 882]

(127)

Quod Crisseyde wil ȝe don on þyng [ 883] And ȝe þerwith schal styntyn his disese Haue here & bere him þis blowe ryng ffor þere is noþyng myȝte him betere plese [ 886] Saue .I. myn self ne more his herte a-pese And sey myn dere herte þat his sorwe Is nedeles it schal be sene to morwe [ 889]

(128)

¶ A ryng quod he ȝe hasilwode is schake [ 890] Ȝa nece myn þat ryng muste han a ston Þat myȝte dede men a-lyue makyn And swich a ryng trowe .I. þat ȝe han non [ 893] Discrecioun out of ȝoure heuid is gon Þat fele .I. now quod he & þat is routhe O tyme lost wel mayst þou cursyn slouthe [ 896]

(129)

¶ Wot ȝe not wel þat nobele & hi corage [leaf 67] [ 897] Ne sorwith not ne styntiþ ek for lite But ȝif a fol were in no ieluse rage I nolde sette at hise sorwis a myte [ 900] But feste him with a fewe wordis white A noþer day whan þat I myȝte him fynde But þis þyng stant al in a noþer kynde [ 903]

(130)

// Þis is so gentil & so tendir of herte [ 904] Þat with his deþ he wele his sorwis wreke ffor trostyþ wel how sorwe þat him smerte He wele to ȝow no ielous wordis speke [ 907] And for þi nece or þat his herte breke So speke ȝoure self to him of þis matere ffor with a word ȝe may his herte stere [ 910]

(131)

¶ Now haue I told what peril he is in [ 911] And his comyng vn-wist to euery wiȝt And parde harm may here ben non ne syn I wele myn self ben with ȝow al þis nyȝt [ 914] Ȝe knowyn ek how he is ȝoure owene knyȝt And þat by ryȝt ȝe muste vp-on him trost And .I. al prest to feche him whan ȝow lest [ 917]

(132)

// Þis accident so petous was to here [ 918] And ek so lik a soþ at prime face And troilus hire knyȝt to here so dere His prime comyng & þe sekir place [ 921] Þat þow þat sche dede him as þo a grace Considerid alle þyngis as þei stode No wondir is / for sche dede al for gode [ 924]

(133)

¶ Crisseide answerede as wiseli god at reste [ 925] Myn sorwyn brynge as me is for him wo And Em I-wis fayn wolde I don þe beste Ȝif þat I hadde to don so [ 928] But whedyr þat ȝe dwelle or from hym go I am til god me betire mynde sende At dulcarnoun ryȝt at myn wittis ende [ 931]

(134)

¶ Quod Pandarus ȝa nece wele ȝe here [leaf 67, ba.] [ 932] Dulcarnoun clepid is flemyng of wrechis It semyþ hard for wrechis nil it lere ffor veray slouthe & oþere wilful techis [ 935] Þis seyd bi hem þat ben not worþ to fecchis But ȝe ben wis & þat ȝe han on honde Nis neyþer hard ne skilful to with-stonde [ 938]

(135)

// Þanne em quod sche doþ riȝt as ȝow list [ 939] But or he come I wele vp fyrst a-ryse And for þe loue of god siþe al myn trist Is on ȝow to & ȝe ben boþe wise [ 942] So werchiþ now in so discret a wise Þat I honour may haue & he plesaunce ffor I am here as in ȝoure gouernaunce [ 945]

(136)

¶ Þis is wel seid quod he myn necece dere [ 946] Þere good þrift on þat gentil wise herte But lith riȝt stile & takiþ him riȝt here It nediþ not no ferþere for him sterte [ 949] And eche of ȝow is oþeris sorwe smerte ffor loue of god & venus .I. þe herie ffor sone hope .I. we schuln ben alle merie [ 952]

(137)

// Þis troilus on knefs sone him sette [ 953] fful sobirli ryȝt by hire beddis hede And in his beste wise his ladi grette But lord so sche wex sodeynli rede [ 956] [blank line in the MS.] Sche coude not a word a-ryȝt out brynge So sodeynli for his sodeyn comynge [ 959]

(138)

¶ But pandarus þat so wel coude fele [ 960] In euery þyng to plese a-non be-gan And seide nece how wel lord can he knele Now for ȝoure trouthe sey ȝone gentil man [ 963] And with þat word he for a qwischin ran And seide kneliþ now whil þat ȝou lyst Þere god ȝoure hertis brynge sone at rest [ 966]

(139)

¶ Can .I. not seyn for sche bad him not rise [leaf 68] [ 967] Ȝif sorwe hire putte out of here remembrance Or eɫɫ þat sche tok it in þ^e wise Of deynte as for his obseruance [ 970] But wel fynde .I. sche dede him displesaunce Þat sche him kist al-þow sche sikyd sore And bad sitte doun with-outyn more [ 973]

(140)

// Quod pandarus now wil ȝe wel beginne [ 974] Now doþ him sitte goode nece dere Vp-on ȝoure beddis side al þere with-inne Þat ech of ȝow may þ^e bet oþer here [ 977] And with þat word he drow him to þe fere And tok a lyȝt & fond his cuntenaunce As for to loke vp-on an old romance [ 980]

(141)

¶ Cresseide þat was troilus ladi riȝt [ 981] And cler stod on a ground of sekirnesse Al þouȝte sche hire seruaunt & hire knyȝt Ne schulde of ryȝt non on-treuthe in hire gesse [ 984] Ȝit neuer-þeles considerid his distresse And þat loue is cause of swich folie Þus to him spak sche of þis Ielusie [ 987]

(142)

// Lo herte myn as wolde þe excellence [ 988] Of loue a-ȝenys þ^e whiche no wiȝt may Ne auȝte ek goodli makin resistence And ek be cause I felte wel & say [ 991] Ȝoure grete treuthe & seruyse eueryday And þat ȝoure herte al myn were soþ to seyne Þis drof me to rewe vp-on ȝoure peyne [ 994]

(143)

¶ And ȝoure goodnesse haue I founden alwey ȝite [ 995] Of which myn dere herte & al myn knyȝt I þanke it ȝow as fer as I haue wite Al .I. can not þanke so meche as it were riȝt [ 998] And .I. em for myn knowynge & myn myȝt Haue & haue schal how sore I smert Ben to ȝow trewe & hel with al myn myȝt [ 1001]

(144)

¶ And dredeles þat schal be founde a preue [lf 68, bk] [ 1002] But herte myn what is þis to seyne Schal wel be told so þat ȝe not ȝow greue Þow I to ȝow ryȝt on ȝoure self compleyne [ 1005] ffor þerwith mene .I. finally þe peyne Þat holdyþ ȝoure herte & myn in heuynesse ffulli to slen & euery wrong redresse [ 1008]

(145)

// Myn goode myn not I for whi ne how [ 1009] Þat ielousie allas þat wikede wiuere Þus causeles is cropin in to ȝow Þe harm of which I wolde fayn deliuere [ 1012] Allas þat he al hol or of him slyuere Schulde han here refut in so digne a place Þere Ioue him sone out of ȝoure herte a-race [ 1015]

(146)

¶ But o þou Ioue o autour of nature [ 1016] Is þis an honour to þyn deytee Þat folk ongilti suffere here Iniure And ho at giltif is al quit goþ he [ 1019] O were it lefful for to pleyne on þe Þat ondeseruyd suffered ielosye ffor þat I wolde vp-on þe pleyne & crye [ 1022]

(147)

// Ek al myn wo is þis þat folk ne vsyn [ 1023] To seyn rit þus ȝe ielousie is loue And woldyn a beschop venyn al excusyn ffor þat on greyn of loue is in it schoue [ 1026] But þat wot I by god þat sit a-boue Ȝif it be likere loue or hate or grame And aftyr þat it auȝte to bere his name [ 1029]

(148)

¶ But certeyn þere is sum maner Ielousie [ 1030] Is excusabele more þan sum I-wis As whan cause is & sum swich fantasie With pete so wel repressed is [ 1033] Þat it oneþe doþ or seyth a-mys But goodli drinkyþ vp al his distresse And þat excuse I for þe gentilnesse [ 1036]

(149)

¶ And sum so ful of furie is & dispit [leaf 69] [ 1037] Þat it surmountyþ his represcioun But herte myn ȝe be not in þat plite Þat þanke I god for which ȝoure passioun [ 1040] I wele not clepe it but illusioun Os abundaunce of loue & besi cure Þat doþ ȝoure herte þis disese endure [ 1043]

(150)

// Of which I am ful sori but not wroþ [ 1044] But for ȝoure deuer & ȝoure herteis reste Wheþer ȝe wolde be ordel or be oþ By sort or in what wise þat ȝow liste [ 1047] ffor loue of god let preue it for þe beste And ȝif þat I be giltyf do me deye Allas what myȝte I more don or seye [ 1050]

(151)

¶ With þat a fewe briȝte teris newe [ 1051] Out of hire eyȝin fellyn & þus sche seide Now god þou wost in þouȝt ne drede ontrewe To troilus was neuere ȝit crisseide [ 1054] With þat hire hed doun in þe bed sche leyde And with þe schete it wriȝ & sikede sore And held hire pes not on wod spak sche more [ 1057]

(152)

// But now help god to quenchin al þis sorwe [ 1058] So hope I þat he schal for he best may ffor I haue sen of a ful mysti morwe ffolwyn ful ofte a merie someris day [ 1061] And aftyr wyntyr folwyþ grene may ffolk sen alday & redyn ek in storijs Þat aftyr scharpe schouris ben victorijs [ 1064]

(153)

¶ Þis Troylus whan he þese wordis herde [ 1065] Haue ȝe no care him liste not to slepe Ek it þouȝte him þ^e strokis of a ȝerde To heryn or sen Crisseide his ladi wepe [ 1068] But wel he felt a-boute his herte crepe ffor euery ter which þat Crisseide a-sterte Þe crampe of deþ so streynede him bi þe herte [ 1071]

(154)

¶ And in his mynde he gan þe tyme acurse [lf 69, bk] [ 1072] Þat he come þere or þat he was borne ffor now is [[l by corrector]] And al þat labour þat he haþ don a-forene [ 1075] He wende it lost he þouȝte he was forlorne O Pandarus he þouȝte allas þe while Seruyþ of nouȝt so welleawoy þ^e while [ 1078]

(155)

// And þerwithal he heng a-doun his hed [ 1079] And fel on kneis & sorwefulli he syȝt What myȝte he seyn he felte he nas but ded ffor wroþ was he þat schulde his dayes lyȝt [ 1082] But na-þeles whan he speke myȝt Þus seide he god wot ȝit of þis game Whan al is wist ȝit am I not to blame [ 1085]

(156)

¶ Þerwith for sorwe so his herte schette [ 1086] Þat from his eiȝin fellyn not a tere And euery spirit his vigour in knette So þey astonyed & opressede were [ 1089] Þe fyllyng of his sorwe or of his fere Or ouȝt ell fled were out of tounne And doun he fel al sodeynliche on swounne [ 1092]

(157)

// Þis was non lityl sorwe for to se [ 1093] But al was hust for pandarus vp as faste O nece pes or we ben lost quod he Be not agast but serteynli at þe last [ 1096] ffor þis or þat he in-to bedde him cast And seide o þef is þis a mannys herte And of he rente al to his bare scherte [ 1099]

(158)

// And seyde nece but ȝe helpe vs now [ 1100] Allas ȝoure troilus is lorn I-wis so wolde I & I wiste how fful fayn quod sche allas þat I was born [ 1103] Ȝa nece wil ȝe pullyn out þe þorn Þat stikyþ in his herte quod pandare [[e corrected]] Sei al for-ȝoue & stynt is al þis fare [ 1106]

(159)

¶ Ȝe þat to me leuere were [leaf 70] [ 1107] Þan al þe good þe sunne a-boute goþ And þerwithal sche swor him in his ere I-wis myn dere herte I am not wroþ [ 1110] Haue here myn treuthe & many an oþer oþ Now speke to me for it am I crisseyde But al for nowt ȝit myȝte he not a-broyde [ 1113]

(160)

// Þerwith his pouse & paumys of hise hondis [ 1114] Þey gan to frote & wete his tempelis tweyne And to delyuere him from bittere bondis Sche ofte hym kyst & schortely for to seyne [ 1117] Hym to reuokyn sche dede al hire peyne So at þe laste he gan his breþ to drawe And of his swouȝ sone aftyr to dawe [ 1120]

(161)

¶ And gan bet mynde & resoun to him take [ 1121] But wondir sore he was a-bayst I-wis And with a sik whan he bet to a-wake He seide o merci god what þyng is þis [ 1124] Whi do ȝe with ȝoure seluyn þus a-mys Quod þo crisseide is þis a mannys game Wil Troilus don þus allas for schame [ 1127]

(162)

// And þerwithal hire arm ouer him sche leyde [ 1128] And al for-ȝaf & oftyn tyme him kyste He þankede hire & to hire spak & seyde As fel to purpos for his hertis rest [ 1131] And sche to þat answerde him as sche lest And with hire goodely wordis him disporte Sche gan & ofte his sorwis to comforte [ 1134]

(163)

// Quod pandarus for ouȝt I can espien [ 1135] Þis liȝt ne I seruyn here of nouȝt Lyȝt is not good for sike follys eyȝyn But for þ^e loue of god siþ^e ȝe ben brouȝt [ 1138] In þis good plit lat now non heuy þouȝt Ben hangynge in þ^e hertis of ȝow tweye And bar his cardele to þ^e chemeneye [ 1141]

(164)

// Sone aftyr þis þow it no nede were [ 1142] Whan sche sweche oþis as hire leste deuyse Hadde of hym take hire þouȝte þo no fere Ne cause ek non to bidde him þene rise [ 1145] Ȝit lasse þyng þan oþis may suffise In many cas for euery whit I-gesse Þat louyþ menyþ but gentilnesse [ 1148]

(165)

// But in effect sche wolde wete a-non [ 1149] Of what man & ek where & also why He ielous was siþe þere was cause non And ek þe signe þat he tok it bi [ 1152] Þat bad sche to telle hire besili Or eɫɫ serteyn sche bar him on honde Þat þis was don on maleys hire to fonde [ 1155]

(166)

¶ With-oute more schorteli for to seyne [ 1156] He muste obeyȝe on-to his ladijs heste And for þ^e lesse harm he muste feyne He seyde hire whan sche was at swich a feste [ 1159] Sche myȝte on him a lokid at þe leste Note I not what al þar I not [[1st e, was s]] reche As he þat nedis mot a cause fische [[isc corrected]] [ 1162]

(167)

// And sche answered him swete al were it so [ 1163] What harm was þat sithe I non euyl mene ffor bi þat god wrowte vs boþe to In alle þyng is myn entent clene [ 1166] Sweche argumentis ben not worþ a bene Wil ȝe þe childis ielous countyrfete Now were it worþi þat ȝe were bete [ 1169]

(168)

¶ Þo Troylus gan sorwefulli sike [ 1170] Lest sche were wrorþ him þouȝte his her[t]e deiede And seide allas vp-on mynne sorwys sike Haue merci swete herte myn Crisseyde [ 1173] And ȝif þat in þo wordis þat I seyde Be ony wrong I wele no more trespas Seith what ȝe wil I am al in ȝoure gras [ 1176]

(169)

¶ And sche answerede of gilt misericorde [leaf 71] [ 1177] Þis is to say þat I for-ȝif al þis And eueremore of þis nyȝt ȝow recorde And beþ wel war ȝe don nomore amys [ 1180] Nay dere herte myn quod he I-wis And now quod sche þat I haue don ȝow smerte ffor-ȝif it me myn owene swete herte [ 1183]

(170)

// Þis troylus with blisse of þat supp[r]isid [ 1184] Put al in goddis hond as he þat ment Noþyng but wel and sodeynli auysid He hyre in armys faste to him hent [ 1187] And Pandarus with a ful good entent Leyde him to slepe and seyde ȝif ȝe ben wise Swounyþ not now lest more folk a-ryse [ 1190]

(171)

// What myȝte or may þe seli larke seye [ 1191] Whan þat þ^e sperehauk haþ it in hire fote I can no more but of þese ilke tweye To whom þis tale seukere be or sote [ 1194] ffor þow þat I tarie a ȝir sumtyme .I. mote Aftyr myn autour tellyn hire gladnesse As wel as I haue told here heuynesse [ 1197]

(172)

// Cresseide wich þat felte hire þus I-take [ 1198] As writyn clelkis in here bokys olde Ryȝt as an aspis lef sche gan to quake Whan sche him felte hire in hise armys folde [ 1201] And Troilus al hot of caris colde Gan þynkyn þo þe bryȝte goddis seuene Þus sunderi Peynys bryngyn folk to heuene [ 1204]

(173)

¶ Þus troylus in his armys streyne hire gan [ 1205] And seyde o swete as euere mote .I. gon Now ben ȝe cauȝt now ben we but we tweyne Now ȝildyþ ȝow for oþer bote is non [ 1208] To þat Crisseyde answerde þus a-non Nad I or now myn swete herte dere Ben ȝolde I-wis .I. [[I corrected]] were now not here [ 1211]

(174)

O soþ it is seyd þat helid for to be [leaf 71, back] [ 1212] As of a feuere or oþer gret seknesse Men mustyn drynkyn as men may oftyn se fful bittere drynk & for to haue gladnesse [ 1215] Men drynkyn ofte peyne & gret distresse I mene it here as for þis auenture Þat þour a peyne haþ foundyn al his cure [ 1218]

(175)

// And now swetnesse semyþ more swete [ 1219] Þat bittyrnesse asayed was be-forn ffor out of wo in blisse now þey flete Non swich þey feltyn sithe þey were borne [ 1222] ² Now is this bet than bothe to ben lorn ffor love of god tak euery woman heede ² [[²-² by corrector]] To werkyn þus ȝif it come to þe nede [ 1225]

(176)

¶ Crisseide al quit from euery drede & tene [ 1226] As sche þat iuste cause hade him to trist Made him swich feste it ioye was to sene Whan sche his trouthe & clene entent wist [ 1229] And as a-boute a tre with manye a twist Be-trent & wryþe þ^e sote wode bynde Gan eche of hem in armys oþer wynde [ 1232]

(177)

// And as þe newe abasschit nyȝtyngale [ 1233] Þat styntyþ fyrst whan sche begynnyth synge Whan sche herith ony herde tale Or in þe heg ony wyȝt sterynge [ 1236] And aftyr sekyr doþ hire voys out rynge Ryȝt so crisseyde whan hire dred stynte Openid hire herte & tok him hire entente [ 1239]

(178)

¶ And riht as he þat sey his deþ schape [ 1240] And deye mot in ouȝt þat he may gesse And sodeynli rescous doþ him eschape And from his deþ is brouȝt in sekirnes [ 1243] ffor al þis world in swich present gladnes Was Troilus & haþ his ladi swete With werse hap god let vs neuere mete [ 1246]

(179)

¶ Hyre armys smale hire streyte bak & softe [leaf 72] [ 1247] Hire sidis longe fleschly sonoye & white He gan to stroke & good þrif bad ful ofte Hire snouwhite þrote hire bristis rounde & lite [ 1250] Þus in his heuene he gan hym to delite And þerwithal a þousent siþis hire kyste Þat what to done for ioye oneþe he wiste [ 1253]

(180)

// Þan seyde he þus o loue o charite [ 1254] Þyn modir ek citheria þe swet Aftyr þyn self next heried be sche Þens in meue I þe wel willy planete [ 1257] And next þat þermeneus I þe grete ffor neuere man was to ȝow god holde As .I. wich ȝe han brouȝt from caris colde [ 1260]

(181)

// Benyngne loue þou holy bond of þyngis [ 1261] Who-so wele grace & leste þe not honouryn Lo his desyr wele flen with-outyn wengis ffor noldist þou of bounte hem socouryn [ 1264] Þat seruyn best & most alwoy labouryn Ȝit were al lore þat dar I wel seyn sertis But ȝif þyn grace passid oure desertis [ 1267]

(182)

// And for þou me þat couþe lest deserue [ 1268] Of hem þat noumberede ben on-to þyn grace Hast holpin þere .I. likly was to steruyn And me ben I-stewid in so hi a plase [ 1271] Þat ilke bondis may no blisse pase I can no more but laude & reuerence Be to þi bounte & þyn excellence [ 1274]

(183)

// And þerwiþ-al Crisseyde a-non he kiste [ 1275] O which serteyn sche felte non disese And þus seyde he now wolde god I woste Myn herte swete how I ȝow myȝte plese [ 1278] What man quod he was euere þus at ese As I on wich þ^e fayreste & þe beste Þat euere I say deynyþ hire herte reste [ 1281]

(184)

¶ Here may men sen þat mercy passiþ ryȝt [leaf 72, back] [ 1282] Þ^e experience of þat felt ¹ by me ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] Þat am vn-worþi to so swete a wiȝt But herte myn of ȝoure benygnete [ 1285] So þynkiþ þat I onworþi be Ȝit mot I nedis a-mendin in sum wise Ryȝt þour þe vertu of ȝoure heye seruyse [ 1288]

(185)

// And for þe loue of god myn lady dere [ 1289] Siþe god haþ wrouȝt me for I schal ȝow serue As þus I mene wil ȝe ben myn stere To don me leue ȝif þat ȝow liste or sterue [ 1292] So techiþ me how þat I may deserue Ȝoure þank so þat þour myn ygnoraunce Ne do no þyng þat þow be displesaunce [ 1295]

(186)

¶ ffor certis frossche wemen lich wif [ 1296] Þis dar I seyn þat treuthe & diligence Þat schal ȝe fynde in me al myn lyue Ne I wele not serteyn breke ȝoure defence [ 1299] And ȝif I do present or in absence ffor loue of god let sle me with þe dede Ȝif þat .I. like vn-to ȝoure womanhede [ 1302]

(187)

// I-wis quod sche myn owene hertis lust [ 1303] Myn ground of ese & al myn herte dere Graunt merci for on þat is al myn trust But let vs falle a-woy from þis matere [ 1306] ffor it vnficeþ þis þat seid is here And at on word with-oute repentaunce Wel-come myn pes & myn sufficyaunce [ 1309]

(188)

¶ Of hire delit or ioyis on þe leste [ 1310] Were inpossibele to me [[e corrected]] to seye But iugiþ ȝe þat han ben at þe feste Of wich gladnesse ȝif þat þey luste pleye [ 1313] I can no more but þus þese ilke tweye Þat nyȝ be-twixe dred & sikirnesse ffelte in loue þe grete worþynesse [ 1316]

(189)

¶ O blisful nyȝt of hem ful longe I-sout [leaf 73] [ 1317] How blyþe on-to hem boþe to þow were Whi naddi swichon with soule I-bouȝt Ȝa or þe leste ioye þat was þere [ 1320] A-woy þou fole daunger & þou fere And lat hem in þis heuene blis dwelle Þat is so hey þat al ne can I telle [ 1323]

(190)

¶ But soþ is þow I can not tellyn al [ 1324] As can myn autour of his excellence Ȝit haue I seyd & god to-forn I schal In euery þyng al holly his sentence [ 1327] And ȝif þat I at louys reuerence Haue ony world en echid for þe beste Doþ ryȝt þerwith as ȝoure seluyn leste [ 1330]

(191)

¶ ffor myne wordis here & euery part [ 1331] I speke hem alle vndir correccioun Of ȝow þat felyng han in louis art And put it al in ȝoure discrecioun [ 1334] Tencrese & make diminucioun Of myn langage & þat I ȝow be-seche But now to purpos of myn raþere speche [ 1337]

(192)

// Þese ilke too þat ben in armys last [ 1338] So loþ to hem a sundir gon it were Þat iche from oþer wende ben bi-raft Or ellis lo þis was here moste fere [ 1341] Þat al þis þyng but nyce dremys were ffor wich ful oftyn eche of hem seyde ¹ o swete ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] Clippe eche ȝow þus or ich it mete [ 1344]

(193)

¶ And lord so he gan goodli on hire se [ 1345] Þat neuere his lok blynte from hire fase And seyde o dere herte may it be Þat be soþ þat we ben in þis plase [ 1348] Ȝa herte myn god þonke I of his grace Quod þo Crisseyde & þerwithal hire kyst Þat where his spryt was for ioye he nyst [ 1351]

(194)

¶ Þis Troylus ful oftyn hire eyȝin too [ 1352] Gan for to kissyn & seyde o eyȝyn clere It were ȝe þat wrouȝtyn me swich wo Ȝe vmbele nettis of myn ladi dere [ 1355] Þow þere be mercy wretyn in ȝoure chere God wot þat tixt is ful hard soþ to fynde How coude ye with-oute bond me bynde [ 1358]

(195)

// Þerwith he gan hire faste in armys take [ 1359] And wel an hunderid tymys gan he sike Now such soruful sikis as men make ffor wo or eɫɫ whan folk be sike [ 1362] But esie sikis swiche as ben to like Þat schewid is affeccioun with-inne Of whiche sykis coude he not blynne [ 1365]

(196)

¶ Sone aftyr þis þey spoke of sundery þyngis [ 1366] As fel to purpos of þis auenture And plenyngg entre-chaungedyn here ryngis Of wich I can not telle ne no scripture [ 1369] But wel I wol a broche of gold & asure In wich a rubie set was lyk an herte Crisseyde hym gaf / & stak it on his scherte [ 1372]

(197)

// Lord trowe ȝe a coueytous a wreche [ 1373] Þat blamyþ loue & holt of it dispit Þat of þo pans þat he can mokere & crache Was euere ȝit I-ȝeue hym swich delit [ 1376] As is in loue in on poynt in sum plyȝt Nay douteles for also god me saue So parfyt Ioye may non nygard haue [ 1379]

(198)

¶ Þey wele seyn þis but lord so þat þey lye [ 1380] Þo busy wrechis ful of wo & drede Þey calle loue a wodnesse or foly But it schal falle hem as I schal yow rede [ 1383] Þey schal for-go þe white & ek þe rede And leuyn in wo þat god ȝif hem myschaunce An euery louere in his treuthe auaunce [ 1386]

(199)

¶ As wolde god þo wrechis þat dispise [ 1387] Seruise of loue hadde eris as longe As hadde myda for his coueytise And þerto dronkyn hadde as hote & as stronge [ 1390] As Crassus dede for his affectis wronge To techin hem þat þey ben in þ^e vice And loueris nouȝt al-þow þey holde hem nyce [ 1393]

(200)

// Þese ilke to of wich þat I ȝow seye [ 1394] Whan þat here hertis wel a-seuride were Þo ben gon þey to spokyn & to pleye And ek rehersyn how & whanne & where [ 1397] Þey knowyn hem fyrst & eueri wo & fere Þat passid was but al swich heuynes I þanke it god was turned in-to gladnes [ 1400]

(201)

¶ And euere mo whan þat him leste to spekyn [ 1401] Of ony wo of swich a tyme a-gon With kissynge al þat take schulde breke And fallyn in a newe ioye a-non [ 1404] And dedyn al here myȝt sithe þey were on ffor to recoueren blisse & ben at ese And passed wo with ioye countre-pese [ 1407]

(202)

// Resoun wele not þat I speke on slepe [ 1408] for it acordyþ not to myn matere God wot þey take of þat ful litil kep But last þis nyȝt þat was to hem so dere [ 1411] Ne schulde in veyn ascape in no manere It ny was be-set in ioye & besines Of al þat sounyþ in-tyl gentilnes [ 1414]

(203)

// But whan þe cok come aftyr longere [ 1415] Gan on his brest to betyn & aftyr crowe And lucifer þe dayis massangere Gan for to rise & out hese bemys þrowe [ 1418] And aftyrward ros to hym þat coude it knowe ffortuna maior þat a-non cresseyde With herte sore to Troylus þus seyde [ 1421]

(204)

¶ Myn hertis lif myn plesaunce [ 1422] Þat I was born allas what me is wo Þat of vs mot make deseueraunce ffor tyme it is to ryse & henys go [ 1425] Oor ell I am lost for euere mo O nyȝt allas whi nyst þou ouer us houe As longe as almena lay be ioue [ 1428]

(205)

// O blake nyȝt as folk in bokis rede [ 1429] Þat schapyn art bi god þis world to hide At serteyn tymys with þyn derke wede Þat vndyr þat men myȝte in reste abyde [ 1432] Wel auȝten bestis pleyne & folk schide Þat þere as day with labour wolde vs breste Þat þus flest & deynyst vs not reste [ 1435]

(206)

¶ Þu dost allas ¹ alwoy þyn offyse ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] [ 1436] Þu rakele nyȝt þere god makere of kynde Þe for þyn haste & þyn vnkynde vice So faste ay to oure emesperie bynde [ 1439] Þat neueremore vndir þ^e ground þou wynde ffor now for þu hiest out of troye Haue I now forgon þus hastily myn Ioye [ 1442]

(207)

// Þis troylus þat with þo wordis felte [ 1443] As þouȝte him þo for pitous distresse Þ^e blodi teris from his herte melte As he þat neuere ȝit such heuynesse [ 1446] Asayed hadde out of so gret gladnesse Gan þerwithal Criseide his ladi dere In armys streyne & seyde in þis manere [ 1449]

(208)

¶ O cruel day a cursour of þ^e ioye [ 1450] Þat nyȝt & loue han stole & faste I-wryen Acursid be þyn comynge in-to troye ffor euerre hourre haþ on of þyne bryȝte eyȝyn [ 1453] Enuyous day lest þe so to espyen What hast þou lost whi sekyst þou þis plase Þere god þyn lyȝt so quenche for his grace [ 1456]

(209)

¶ Allas what han þese louerys þ^e agilt [leaf 75] [ 1457] Dispitous day þyn be þe pyne of helle ffor many louere hast þou slayn & wilt Þyn pouryng in wil nower let hem dwelle [ 1460] What proferist þow þyn lyth hire for to selle So selle it hem þat smale selis graue Ws nediþ not we wele no day haue [ 1463]

(210)

// And eke þe sunne titan gan he chide [ 1464] And seyde o fol wel may þe dispise Þat hast þe dawyng alnyȝt be þyn side And sufferyst hire to sone vp from þe ryse [ 1467] ffor to disese loueris in þis wyse What holde ȝow þere / þou & ek þyn morw I bidde god ȝeue ȝow boþe sorwe [ 1470]

(211)

¶ Þer-with ful sore he seyȝt & þus seyd [ 1471] Myn lady ryȝt & of myn wele or wo Þe welle & rote & goodly kyn Crisseyde And schal I ryse & schal I so go [ 1474] New fele I þat myn herte mot on to ffor how schulde I an our myn lyf saue Syn þat with ȝow is al þe lyf I haue [ 1477]

(212)

// What schal I don for certis I not how [ 1478] Ne whanne allas I schal þe tyme se Þat in þis plyȝt I may ben efte with ȝow And of myn lyf god wot how þat schal be [ 1481] Siþe þat desire ryȝt now so streynyþ me Þat I am ded a-non but I returne How schulde I longe allas from ȝow soiurne [ 1484]

(213)

¶ But neuere þe les myn owene ladi bryȝt [ 1485] Ȝ[i]t were it so þat I woste outerely Þat I ȝoure owene seruaunt & ȝoure knyȝt Were in ȝoure herte schet as formely [ 1488] As ȝe in myn þe whech þyng trewely Me leuere were þan þese wordis tweyne Ȝit schulde I bet enduryn al myn peyne [ 1491]

(214)

¶ So þat Cresseyde answeride & þat a-non [leaf 75, back] [ 1492] And with a sik sche seyde o herte dere Þe game I-wis so fer forþ now is gon Þat fyrst schal phebus falle from his spere [ 1495] And euery egele ben þe doūuys fere And euery rok out of his place stert Or Troylus out / of Cresseydis hert [ 1498]

(215)

// Ȝe ben so depe in-with myn herte graue [ 1499] Þat þow I wolde it turne out of myn þoȝut As wisely wery god myn soule saue To deyȝin in þe pleyne I coude notiȝt [ 1502] And for þ^e loue of god þat haþ us wrouȝt Let in ȝoure brayn non oþer fantasye So crepe þat is cause me to deye [ 1505]

(216)

¶ And ȝe me wolde han as faste in mynde [ 1506] As I haue ȝow þat wolde I ȝow be-seche And ȝif I woste soþly þat to fynde God myȝte not a poynt myne ioyes eche [ 1509] But herte myn with-oute more speche Beþ to me trewe or ellis it were reuthe ffor I am þyn bi god & be myn treuthe [ 1512]

(217)

// Beþ glad forþy & leuyth in sekirnesse [ 1513] Þis seide I neuere er þis ne schal to mo And ȝif to ȝow it were a gret gladnes To turne a-ȝen sone aftyr ȝe were go [ 1516] As fayn wolde I as ȝe it were so As wisely god myn herte brynge at rest And hym in armys tok & ofte kyst [ 1519]

(218)

¶ A-ȝen his wil syþe it mot nedis be [ 1520] Þis Troilus vp & faste hym clede And in his armys tok his ladi fre An hunderid tyme & on his woye him spede [ 1523] And with swich vois / as þow his herte blede He seide far wel dere herte swete Þere god vs graute sone ¹ for to mete ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] [ 1526]

(219)

¶ To which no word for sorwe sche answerde [leaf 76] [ 1527] So sore gan his partynge hire distreyne And troylus on to his paleys ferde As woo-be-gon as sche. was soþ to seyne [ 1530] So harde hym wrong of scharp desirie peyne ffor to ben eft þere he was in plesaunce Þat it may neuere out of his remembraunce [ 1533]

(220)

// Ho turnede to his rial paleys sone [ 1534] He softe in-to his bed gan for to slynke To slepe longe as he was wone to done But al for nouȝt he may wel ligge & wynke [ 1537] But slepe ne may þerin his herte synke Þynkynge how sche for whom desir him brende A þousent fold [[fold corrected]] was worþy / more þan he wende [ 1540]

(221)

¶ And in his þouȝt gan vp & doun to wende [ 1541] Hire wordis alle and euery cuntenance And formely in preysyng in his mynde Þe leste poynt þat to hym was plesaunce [ 1544] And verayly of þeilke remembraunce Desyr al newe hym brende & lust to brede Gan more þan erst & ȝit tok he non hede [ 1547]

(222)

// Criseyde also ryȝt in þ^e selue wise [ 1548] Of troylus gan here herte schette His worþynesse his lust his dedis wise His gentilnesse & how sche with hym mette [ 1551] Þankynge loue he so wel hire be-sette Desyrynge eft to han hire herte dere At swich a plyȝt sche durste make him chere [ 1554]

(223)

¶ Pandarus a morwe wich þat comyn was [ 1555] In [[n corrected]] to his nece & gan hire fayre grete Seyde al þis nyȝt so reynyd it allas Þat al myn dred is þat ȝe nece swete [ 1558] Han lityl leyser had / to slepe & mete Al nyȝt quod sche haþ reyn so don me wake Þat some of hem I trowe here heuedis ake [ 1561]

(224)

¶ And ner he come & seyde how stont it now [lf 76, bk] [ 1562] Þis merie morwe nece how can ȝe fare Crisseyde ansswerede neuere þe bet for ȝow ffor þat ȝe ben god ȝif ȝoure herte care [ 1565] God helpe me so ȝe can syre [[syre corrected]] al þis fare Trowe I quod sche for alle þese wordis white Who so seth ȝow / knowe ȝow ful lyte [ 1568]

(225)

// With þat sche gan hire face for to wrye [ 1569] With þ^e schete & wex for schame al red And pandarus gan in for to pryke And seyde nece ȝit þat schal be ded [ 1572] Haue here a swerd & smyte of myn hed With þat hise arm al sodeynly he þrest Vndir hire nekke & at þ^e laste hire kyst [ 1575]

(226)

¶ I passe al þat / swich chargith not to sey [ 1576] What god for-ȝaf his deþ & sche also ffor ȝaf / & with hire vnkele gan to pleye ffor oþer cause was þere non þan so [ 1579] But of þis þyng to þe effecte to go Whan tyme was hom to hire hous sche went And pandarus haþ fully his entent [ 1582]

(227)

// Now turne we a-ȝyn to troylus [ 1583] Þat resteles ful longe a bedde lay And priuyli sente aftyr pandarus To hym to come in al þ^e haste he may [ 1586] He com a-non / not onys seyde he na And troylus ful sobirly he grette And doun vp on his beddis syde him sette [ 1589]

(228)

¶ Þis troilus with al affeccioun [ 1590] Of frendis loue þat herte may deuyse To pandarus on kneis fel a-doun And er þat he wolde of þe place a-ryse [ 1593] He gan hym þanke in his beste wise An hunderid tyme & gan þ^e tyme blysse Þat he was born to brynge hym from distresse [ 1596]

(229)

¶ He seyde o frend of frendis aldyr best [leaf 77] [ 1597] Þat euere was þ^e soþe for to telle Þou hast in heuene brouȝt myn soule at rest ffrom flegetoun þ^e fery flod of helle [ 1600] Þat þow I myȝte a þousent tyme selle Vp-on a day myn lyf in þyn seruyse It myȝte not a mote in þat suffyse [ 1603]

(230)

// Þe sunne which þat al þe world may se [ 1604] Saw neuere ȝit myn lyf þat dar I lay So Inly fayr & goodli as is sche Whois I am al & schal tyl þat I day [ 1607] And þat I am þus ȝouris [[u corrector]] may I say Þat þankid be þ^e hye worþynes Of loue & ek þyn kynde besynes [ 1610]

(231)

¶ Þus hast þou me no lytil þyng I-ȝeue [ 1611] ffor which obligid be for ay Myn lyf / fro þour þyn helpe I leue Or ellys ded hade I ben manye a day [ 1614] And with þat word doun in his bed he lay And pandarus ful soberely hym herde Til al was sayd & þanne he þus answerde [ 1617]

(232)

// Myn dere frend if I haue don for þ^e [ 1618] In ony cas I wot it is me lef And am as glad as man may of it be God helpe me so but tak now not a gref [ 1621] Þat I schal seyn be war of þis myschef Þat þere as now / art / brouȝt // in to blisse Þat þou þyn self ne cause it not to mysse [ 1624]

(233)

¶ for of fortunys scharp aduersite [ 1625] Þe werste kynde / of infortune is þis A man to han ben in prosperite And it remembryn whan it passid is [ 1628] Þu art wys I-now forþi do not a-mys Be not to rakyl þow þou sytte warme ffor ȝif þou be certeyn it wol [[corrector]] þ^e harme [ 1631]

(234)

¶ Þou art at ese & hold þ^e wel þerinne [leaf 77, back] [ 1632] ffor al so seur as red is euery fyre As gret a craft is kepe wel as wynne Brydele al wey wel þyn speche & þyn desyr [ 1635] ffor wordelis ioye haldyþ not but a wyr Þat preue I wel it brestyþ al day so ofte fforþy nede is to werchyn with it softe [ 1638]

(235)

// Quod Troylus & god to-forne [ 1639] Myn dere frend þat I schal so me bere Þat in myn gylt þere schal no þyng be lorne Ne .I. wil not rakele as for to greuyn hire [ 1642] It nedyþ not þis þyng al day to tere ffor wistist þou myn herte wel pandare God wot of þis þou woldist litil care [ 1645]

(236)

¶ Þanne gan he telle hym of his gladde nyȝt [ 1646] And wherof fyrst his herte dredde & how And seyde frend as I am trewe knyȝt And be þat feyth I schal to god & ȝow [ 1649] I hadde it neuere half so ofte as now And ay þ^e more þat desyr me bityþ To louyn hire best þ^e more me delityth [ 1652]

(237)

// I not myn self not wisely what it is [ 1653] But now I fele a newe qualite Ȝa al a noþer þan I dede or þis Pandaris answered and seyde þus þat he [ 1656] Þat onys may in heuene blisse be He felyth oþere woyis dar I lay Þan ilke tyme he fyrst of herde it say [ 1659]

(238)

¶ Þis is a word for al þis troylus [ 1660] Was neuere ful to speke of þis matere And for-to preysyn vn-to pandarus Þ^e bounte of his ryȝte lady dere [ 1663] And Pandarus to þanke & make chere Þis tale ay was spannewe to be-gynne Til þat nyȝt departyd hem a twynne [ 1666]

(239)

¶ Sone aftyr þis for þat fortune it wolde [leaf 78] [ 1667] I-comyn was þ^e blysful tyme swete Þat Troylus was warnyd þat he schulde Þere he was erst Crisseyde his lady mete [ 1670] ffor whi he felte his herte in ioye flete And fayfully gan alle þ^e goddis [[ddi corrected]] herye And lat se now ȝif þat he can be merye [ 1673]

(240)

// And holdyn was þ^e forme & þ^e wyse [ 1674] Of hire comynge & ek of his also As it was erst which nedyþ not deuyse But pleynly to þ^e effectis for to go [ 1677] In ioye & seurete Pandarus hem to Abede brouȝt whan hem boþe lest And þus þey ben in quiete & in rest [ 1680]

(241)

¶ Not nedyþ it to ȝow sithe þey ben mette [[te added]] [ 1681] To axe at me ȝif þat þey blyþ^e were ffor ȝif it erst was wel þo wa it bette [[te added]] A þousent fold þis nedyþ not to enquyre [ 1684] A-gon was euery sorwe & euery fere And boþe Iwis þey hadde & so þey wende As meche ioye as herte may comprehende [ 1687]

(242)

// Þis nys no lytil þyng of for to sey [ 1688] Þis passeþ euery wyȝt forto deuyse ffor eche of hem gan oþeris lust obeye ffelicite which þat þese clerkys wise [ 1691] Comendyn so ne may not hire suffyse ² This passyth al that herte may bethynke This Ioye may not wretyn ben wyth ynke [ 1694]

(243)

¶ But crewel deth so wellowoy the stonnde ² [[²-² by corrector]] [ 1695] Gan for ta-proche as þey be sygnys knewe ffor whiche he in ȝouthe felte deþis wonde So wo has hem þat schongyn gan here hewe [ 1698] A day þey gan to despise al newe Calle it traytour enuyous & werse And bittyrly þ^e dayis lyȝt þey curse [ 1701]

(244)

¶ Quod Troylus allas now am I war [ 1702] Þat Pirus & þ^e swifte stede ire Wich þat drawyn forþ þ^e sunnys char Han gon sum bipaþ in dispit of me [ 1705] Þat makiþ it so sone day to be And for þ^e sunne hym hastyþ so to ryse Ne schal I neuere don hym sacrifise [ 1708]

(245)

// But nedis day departyn hem muste sone [ 1709] And whan here speche don was & here chere Þey twyn a-non as þey were wone to done And sette tyme of me-tyng eft in fere [ 1712] And manye a nyȝt þey wrouȝte in þis manere And þus fortune a tyme led in ioye Cresseyde & ek þis kyngis sone of Troye [ 1715]

(246)

¶ In suffisauns in blis & in segyngys [ 1716] Þis Troylus gan [[a alterd]] al his lyf to lede He spendyth iustyþ makyþ festyngys He ȝeuyth frely ofte & chaungyþ wede [ 1719] And held a-boute hym alwey out of drede A world of folk as come hym wel of kynde Þ^e frossest þe best he coude fynde [ 1722]

(247)

// Þat swich a vois of hym was & a steuene [ 1723] Þour-out þe world of honour & largesse Þat it vp rong ryȝt to þ^e ȝate of heuene And as in loue he was in swich gladnesse [ 1726] Þat in his herte he demyd as I gesse Þat þere ne is louere in þis world at ese So wel as he & so gan loue hym plese [ 1729]

(248)

¶ Þe godlyhid & bounte which þat kynde [ 1730] In ony oþer ladi at sette Can not þ^e mountenans of a knot onbynde Aboute his herte of al Crissides nette [ 1733] He was so harde I-maskid & I-knette Þat it ondon on ony maner syde Þat nyl not ben for nouȝt þat may betyde [ 1736]

(249)

¶ And by þe hond ful ofte he wolde take [leaf 79] [ 1737] Þis pandarus & in-to gardyn lede And swich a feste & swich a proces make Hym of Crisseyde & of hire womanhede [ 1740] And of hire beute þat with-outyn drede It was an heuene his wordis for to here And þanne wolde he synge in his manere [ 1743]

(250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.)

// Loue þat of erþe & se haþ gouernaunce [ 1744] Loue þat his hestis haþ in heuene hye Loue þat with an holsom allyaunce Hast pepelys ioyny as hym list hem seye [ 1747] Loue þat endytyþ lawe of cumpanye And coupelys doþ in vertu for to dwelle Bynd þis acord þat I haue told & telle [ 1750]

(251) (Troilus's Song. 2.)

¶ Þat þere þ^e world with fayth þat is onstabele [ 1751] Dyuersith so his stoundis concordyng Þat elementis þat ben so discordabele Hold in a bounde perpetuel duryng [ 1754] Þat Phebus may his rosi day forþ brynge And þat þe mone haþ lorschepe ouer þ^e nytyȝs Al þis doþ loue & heryed be his myȝtys [ 1757]

(252) (Troilus's Song. 3.)

// Þat þere þe se þat gredi is to flowyn [ 1758] Constreynyþ to a certeyn ende so His flodis þat so fersely þey ne growyn To drenchyn erþe & al for euere-mo [ 1761] And ȝif þat loue auȝte let his bridil go Al þat now louyth asundery schulde lepe And lost were al þat loue halt now to hepe [ 1764]

(253) (Troilus's Song. 4.)

¶ So wolde god þat auȝtour is of kynde [ 1765] Þat with his bounde loue of þis vertu lyst So serkelyn hertis alle & faste bynde Þat from his hond no wiȝt þe weye owt wyst [ 1768] And hertis colde hem wolde I þat he twyst To make hem loue & þat hem lust ay rewe And hertys sore & kepyn hem þat ben trewe [ 1771]

(254)

¶ In alle nedis for þe tounys werre [leaf 79, back] [ 1772] He was & ay þe fyrste in armys dede And serteynly but ȝif þat bokis erre Saue ector most I-dred of ony wyȝt [ 1775] And þis encres of hardynesse & myȝt Come hym of loue his ladyis þank to wyn Þat alteryd his spryt euere so with-in [ 1778]

(255)

// In tyme of trewe on haukynge wolde he ryde [ 1779] Or eɫɫ hunte bor bere or lioun Þ^e smale bestis let he go be syde Whan þat he com rydyng in to toun [ 1782] fful ofte his lady from hire wyndowe doun As frosch as facoun comyn out of mewe fful redi was his lady to saluwe [ 1785]

(256)

¶ And most of loue & vertu was his speche [ 1786] And in dispit hadde al wrechedenes And douteles non nede was hym beseche To honouryn hem þat haddyn worþines [ 1789] And esen hem þat weryn [[r later]] in distres And glad was he ȝif ony wyȝt wel ferde Þat lovere was whan he it wiste or herde [ 1792]

(257)

// ffor soþ to seyn he lorn hade euery wiȝt [ 1793] But ȝif he were in louys hey seruyse I mene folk þat ouȝt it ben of ryȝt And oueral þis so wel coude he deuyse [ 1796] Of sentement & in so vnkouþ wyse Al his aray þat euery louere þouȝte Þat al was wel what so he seyde or wrouȝt [ 1799]

(258)

¶ And þow þat he be comyn of blod real [ 1800] Hym lyst of pride at no whit for to chase Benygne he was to eche in general [[e al, alterd]] ffor which he gat hym þank in euery plase [ 1803] Þus wolde loue I-heryed be his grace Þat pride enuye yre & aueryce He gatt to fle & euery oþer vice [ 1806]

[Leaves 80 and 81 have been cut out of the Cambridge MS.]

[Campsall MS., leaf 69.]

[In this Book, the tags of the f, g, k, t of the MS. are not printed.]

(1) (Proem)

But al to litel weylawey þe whyle. [leaf 69] [ 1] Lasteth swych Ioye y-þonked be Fortune. That semeth trewest whanne she wole bygyle. And kane to foles so here song entune. [ 4] That she hem hent and blent traytour comune. And whan a wyght is from here whiel y-þrowe. Than laugheth she and maketh here þe mowe. [ 7]

(2)

From Troylus she gan here brighte face. [ 8] A-wey to wriþe. and tok of hym noon hede. But caste hym clene oute of his lady grace. And on here whiel she sette vp diomede. [ 11] For which ryþt now myn herte gynneth blede. And now my penne allas wiþ which I write. Quakeþ for drede of that I mot endite. [ 14]

(3)

For how Criseyde Troylus forsook. [ 15] Or at þe leste how þat she was vnkynde. Mot hennes forth ben matere of my book. As writen folk þorugh which it is in mynde. [ 18] Allas þat þey shulde euere cause fynde. To speke here harm and yf þey on here lye. y-wys hem self sholde han þe vilonye. [ 21]

(4) (Invocation)

O ye herynes nyghttes doughtren thre. [ 22] That endeles compleynes euere in pyne. Megera. Alete. and ek Thesyphone. Thow cruel Mars ek fader of Quyryne. [ 25] This ilke ferþe book me helpeth fyne. So þat þe losse of lyf and loue yfere. Of Troylus be fully shewed here. [ 28]

Explicit liber Tercius.

Incipit Quartus Liber.

(5) (The Story)

LIggynge yn ost as I haue seyd er þis. [ 29] The Grekys stronge a-boute Troye town. By-fel þat whanne þat Phebus shynyng is. Vp on þe brest of hercules lyoun. [ 32] That Ector with many a bold baroun. Caste on a day wiþ Grekes for to fighte. As he was woned to greue hem what he myghte. [ 35]

(6)

Not I how longe or short it was by-twene. [ 36] This purpos and þat day þey fighte mente. But on a day wel armed bryght and shene. Ector & many a worþi wight out wente. [ 39] wiþ spere on hond and bygge bowes bente. And in þe berd with-oute lenge lette. Here fomen in þe feld a-noon hem mette. [ 42]

(7)

The longe day wiþ speres faste y-grounde. [ 43] with arwes dartes swerdes maces fele. They fyghte and bryngen hors and man to grounde. And with here axes out þe braynes quelle. [ 46] But in þe last shour soth for to telle. The folk of Troye hem seluen so mysledden. That with þe worse at nyght homward þey fledden. [ 49]

(8)

At whiche day was taken Antenor. [ 50] Maugre Polydamas .or Monesteo. Santippe / Sarpedon / Polynestor. Polyte or eke þe Troian daun Rupheo. [ 53] And oþere lasse folk as Phebuseo. So þat for harm þat day þe folk of Troye. Dredden to lese a gret part of here Ioye. [ 56]

(9)

Of Pryamus was yeue at Grekes requeste. [ 57] A tyme of trewe and þo þey gonnen trete. Here prisoneres to chaungen most and leste. And for the surplus yeue sommes grete. [ 60] This þing a-noon was kouth in euery strete. Boþe in þassege / in towne and euery where. And with þe firste it cam to Calkas ere. [ 63]

(10)

Whan Calkas knew þis tretys sholde holde. [leaf 70] [ 64] In Consistorie a-mong þe Grekes soone. He gan in thrynge forth with lordes olde. And sette hym þere as he was woned to done. [ 67] And with a chaunged face hem bad a bone. For loue of god to don hym þat reuerence. To stynte noyse / and yeue hym audyence. [ 70]

(11)

Thanne seyde he þus / lo lordes myne I was. [ 71] Troian as it is knowen out of drede. And if þat yow remembre I am Calkas. That alderfirst yaf comfort to youre nede. [ 74] And told[e] wel how þat ye sholden spede. For dredles þorugh yow shal in a stounde. Ben Troye y-brend / and bete doun to grounde. [ 77]

(12)

And in what forme or for what manere wyse. [ 78] This town to shende / and al youre lust to acheue. Ye han er þis wel herd it me deuyse. This knowe ye my lordes as I leue. [ 81] And for þe Grekes weres me so leue. I com my-self in my propre persone. To teche in þis how yow was best to done. [ 84]

(13)

Hauynge vn-to my tresour ne my rente. [ 85] Right no resport / to respect of youre ese. Thus al my good I loste and to yow wente. wenyng in þis you lordes for to plese. [ 88] But al þat losse ne doth me no dishese. I vouche saf / as wysly haue I Ioye. For you to lese / al þat I haue in Troye. [ 91]

(14)

Saue of a doughter þat I lafte allas. [ 92] Slepynge at hom whanne out of Troye I sterte. O sterne and cruwel fader þat I was. How myght I haue yn þat so hard an herte. [ 95] Allas .I. ne hadde y-brought here in here sherte. For sorwe of which I wol not lyue to morwe. But yf ye lordes rewe vp-on my sorwe. [ 98]

(15)

For by þat cause I say no tyme er now. [leaf 70, back] [ 99] Here to delyuere I holden haue my pes. But now or neuere yif þat it lyke yowe. I may here haue right sone douteles. [ 102] O help and grace a-mong al þis pres. Rewe on þis olde caytyf in destresse. Syn I for yow haue al þis heuynesse. [ 105]

(16)

Ye haue now kaught & fetered in preson. [ 106] Troians y-nowe / and yf youre wille be. My chy[l]d with on may haue redempcion. Now for þe loue of god and of bounte. [ 109] On of so fele allas so yeue hym me. what nede were it þis preyere for to werne. Syn ye shul bothe han folk and town as yerne. [ 112]

(17)

On peril of my lyf I shal not lye. [ 113] Appollo hath me told it feythfully. I haue ek founden by astronomye. By sort and by augurye ek trewely. [ 116] I dar wel seye þe tyme is faste by. That fir and flaumbe on al þe toun shal sprede. And þus shal Troye turnen in asshen dede. [ 119]

(18)

For Certeyn Phebus and Neptainus boþe. [ 120] That maden þe walles of þe toun. Ben with þe folk of Troye alwey so wroþe. That þei wole brynge it to confusioun. [ 123] Right in despit of kyng lameadoun. By cause he nolde payen hem here hire. The town of Troye shal ben set on fire. [ 126]

(19)

Tellyng his tale alwey þis olde Greye. [ 127] Humble in speche and yn his lokynge eke. The salte terys from his eyen twye. Ful faste ronnen doun by eyther cheke. [ 130] So longe he gan of socour hem by-seche That for to helen hym of his sorwes sore. They yaf hym Antenor with-oute more. [ 133]

(20)

But who was glad y-nowh but Calkas þo. [leaf 71] [ 134] And of þis þing ful sone hise nedes leyde. On hem þat sholden for þe tretis go. And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde. [ 137] To bryng hem kyng Toas and Criseyde And whan Pryam his saue-gard sente. The Ambassiatours to Troye streyght þei wente. [ 140]

(21)

The cause y-told of here comynge. the olde. [ 141] Pryam þe kyng ful soone in general. Let here-vpon his Parlement to holde. Of which þe effect rehersen yow I shal. [ 144] Thembassadours ben answered for fynal. Theschaunge of Prisoners and al þis nede. Hem lykeþ wel. and forth in þey procede. [ 147]

(22)

This Troylus was present in þe place. [ 148] whan axed was for Antenor Criseyde. For which ful soone chaungen gan his face. As he þat with þo wordes wel neygh deyde. [ 151] But natheles he no word to it seyde. Lest men sholde his affeccioun espye. with mannes herte he gan hys sorwes drye. [ 154]

(23)

And ful of angwyssh and of grysly drede. [ 155] A-bod what lordes wolde vn-to it seye. And yf þey wolde graunte as god forbede. Theschaunge of here. þan þought he þynges tweye. [ 158] First how to saue here honour and what weye. He myghte best þeschaunge of here withstonde. Ful faste he cast how al þis myghte stonde. [ 161]

(24)

Loue hym made al prest to don hire byde. [ 162] And raþer dye þan she sholde gon. But resoun seyde hym on þat oþer syde. with-oute assent of here do not so. [ 165] Lest for þi werk she wolde be þi fo. And seyn þat þorugh þi medlyng is blowe. Yowre bothere loue þere it was erst vnknowe. [ 168]

(25)

For which he gan deliberen for þe beste. [leaf 71, back] [ 169] That þough þe lordes wolde þat she wente. He wolde late hem graunte what hem leste. And telle his lady fyrst what þat þey mente. [ 172] And whanne þat she hadde seyd hym here entente. Ther-after wolde he werken also blyue. Though al þe world ayen it wolde stryue. [ 175]

(26)

Ector which þat wel þe Grekis herde. [ 176] For Antenor how þey wolde han Criseyde. Gan it withstonde / and sobrely ans verede. Sires she nys no presoner he seyde. [ 179] I not on yow who þis charge leyde. But on my part ye may eft-sone hym telle. we vsen here no wommen for to selle. [ 182]

(27)

The noyse of peple vp stirte þanne at onys. [ 183] As breme as blase of straw y-set in fyre. For infortune it wolde for þe nonys. They sholde hire confusion desire. [ 186] Ector quod þey what gost may yow enspire. This womman þus to shilde & don vs lese. Daun Antenor / a wrong wey now ye chese. [ 189]

(28)

That is so wys / and ek so bold baroun. [ 190] And we han nede to folk as men may se. He is ek on þe grettest of þis stown. O. Ector lat þo fantasyes be. [ 193] O kyng Pryam quod þey þus seggen we. That al oure voys is to for-gon Criseyde. And to delyueren Antenor þey preyde. [ 196]

(29)

O Iuuenal lord trewe is þi sentence. [ 197] That liten weten folk what is to yerne. That þey ne fynde in here desir offence. For cloud of errour / lat hem not descerne. [ 200] what best is / and lo here an ensample as yerne. This folk desiren now delyueraunce. Of Antenor / þat brought hem to myschaunce. [ 203]

(30)

For after he was Traytour to the town. [leaf 72] [ 204] Of Troye. allas þey quyt hym out to raþe. O nyce world / lo þy dyscression. Criseyde which þat neuere dede hem skaþe. [ 207] Shal now no lengere in here blysse baþe. But Antenor he shal com hom to towne. And she shal out / þus seyden here and howne. [ 210]

(31)

For which was delibered by Par ¹ lement. ¹ [[¹-¹ later.]] [ 211] For Antenor to yelden vp Criseyde. And it pronuncede by þe precident. Al-þey þat Ector nay ful ofte preyede. [ 214] And fynaly what wyght þat it with-seyde. It was for nought it moste ben and sholde. For substaunce of þe parlement it wolde. [ 217]

(32)

Departed out of Parlement echone. [ 218] This Troylus with-oute wordes mo. Vn-to his chaumbre spede hym faste allone. But yf it were aman of his or two. [ 221] The whiche he bad out faste for to go. By cause he wolde slepe as he seyde. And hastely vp on his bed hym leyde. [ 224]

(33)

And as yn wynter leues ben by-raft. [ 225] Eche after oþer til þe tre be bare. So þat þer nys but bark and braunche y-laft. Lyth Troylus byraft of eche wel-fare. [ 228] I-bounde in þe blake bark of care. Disposed wod out of his wit to breyde. So sore hym sat þe chaungynge of Criseyde. [ 231]

(34)

He rist hym vp and euery dore he shette. [ 232] And wyndowe ek and þo þis sorweful man. Vp-on his beddes side a-doun hym sette. Ful lyk a ded ymage pale and wan. [ 235] And in his brest þe hepede wo bygan. Out brest / and he to werkyn in þis wyse. In his woodnesse. as I shal yow deuyse. [ 238]

(35)

Ryght as þe wylde bole by-gynneth sprynge. [leaf 72, back] [ 239] Now here now þere I-darted to þe herte. And of his deth roreth yn compleynynge. Righ so gan he aboute þe chaumbre sterte. [ 242] Smytyng his brest ay with his festes smerte. His hed to þe wal his body to þe grounde. Ful ofte he swapte him self to confounde. [ 245]

(36)

Hys eyen two for pite of his herte. [ 246] Out stremeden as swyfte welles tweye. The heyghe sobbes of his sorwes smerte. His speche hym rafte vnneþes myght he seye. [ 249] O deth / allas whi nyltow do me deye. A-cursed be þe day which þat nature. Shope me to ben a lyues creature. [ 252]

(37)

But after whan þe furye and þe rage. [ 253] whiche þat his herte twyste & faste þreste. By lengþe of tyme somwhat gan asswage. Vp on his bed he leyde hym down to reste. [ 256] But þo by-gonne his terys more out breste. That wonder is þe body may suffise. To half þis wo / which þat I yow deuyse. [ 259]

(38)

Thanne seyde he þus Fortune allas þe while. [ 260] what haue .I. don. what haue I þus a-gilt. How myghtestow for reuþe me by-gyle. Is þer no grace and shal I þus be spilt. [ 263] Shal þus Criseyde a-wey for þat þow wylt. Allas how maystow yn þin herte fynde. To ben to me þus cruel and vnkynde. [ 266]

(39)

Haue I þe nought honoured al my lyue. [ 267] As þow wel wost a-boue þe goddes alle. why wiltow me fro Ioye þus depryue. O. Troylus what may men þe now calle. [ 270] But wrecche of wrecches out of honour falle. In-to myserie yn which I wol by-wayle. Criseyde allas / til þat þe breth me fayle. [ 273]

(40)

Allas fortune yf þat my lyf yn Ioye. [leaf 73] [ 274] Displesed hadde vn-to thy foule enuye. why ne haddestow my fader kyng of Troye. By-raft þe lyf on don my breþeren deye. [ 277] Or slayn my-self / þat þus compleyne and crye. I combre world þat may of no þing serue. But euere dye / and neuere fully sterue. [ 280]

(41)

Yf þat Criseyde allone were me laft. [ 281] Nought rought I wheder þow woldest me stere. And here allas þan hastow me by-raft. But euere more lo þis is þi manere. [ 284] To reue a wyght þat most is to hym dere. To preue yn þat þi greful violence. Thus am I lost þere helpeth no defence. [ 287]

(42)

O verray lord of loue .o. god allas. [ 288] That knowest best myn herte & al my þought. what shal my sorwful lyf don in þis cas. Yf .I. for-go þat .I. so dere haue bought. [ 291] Syn ye Cryseyde and me han fully brought. In-to your grace and boþe oure hertes seled. How may ye suffre allas it be repeles. [ 294]

(43)

What I may don .I. shal whil I may dure. [ 295] On lyue in torment and yn cruwel peyne. This infortune. or þis disauenture. Allas as I was born y-wys compleyne. [ 298] Ne neuere wyl I seen it shyne or reyne. But ende I wil as Edippe yn derknesse. My sorwful lyf / and dyen in dystresse. [ 301]

(44)

O verray gost þat errest to and fro. [ 302] why nyltow fle out of þe wofulleste. Body. þat euere myght on grounde go. O soule lurkynge in þis wo vnneste. [ 305] Fle forth out of myn herte and lat it breste. And folwe alwey Criseyde þi lady dere. Thi righte place is now no lengere here. [ 308]

(45)

O wofulle eyen two syn youre desport. [leaf 73, back] [ 309] was al to seen Criseydes eyen bryght. what shal ye don but for my discomfort. Stondeth for nought / and wepen out youre sight. [ 312] Syn she is queynt þat wont was yow to lyght. In veyn fro þis forth haue I eyen tweyne. y-formed syn youre vertu is a-weye. [ 315]

(46)

O my Criseyde. o. lady souereyne. [ 316] Of þis woful soule. þat þus crieth. who shal now yeuen comfort to þe peyne. Allas no wight but when myn herte dyeth. [ 319] My spirit / which þat vn-to yow so hyeth. Receyue in gre / for þat shal ay yow serue. For-þi no fors is þough þe body sterue. [ 322]

(47)

O ye loueres þat heyhe vpon þe whiel. [ 323] Ben set. of Fortune yn good auenture. God leue þat ye fynde ay loue of stel. And longe mot youre lyf yn Ioye endure. [ 326] But whanne ye comen be my sepulture. Remembreth þat youre felawe resteþ þere. For I louede ek þough I vnworþi were. [ 329]

(48)

O olde vnholsom and mysbyleued man. [ 330] Calkas I mene. allas what eyleth the. To ben a Grek syn þou art born Troian. O calkas which þat wilt my bane be. [ 333] In cursed tyme was þow born for me. As wolde blysful Ioue for his Ioye. That I þe hadde where as I wolde in Troye. [ 336]

(49)

A þousand sykes hottere þan þe glede. [ 337] Out of his brest eche after oþer wente. Meddles with pleyntes newe his wo to fede. For which his woful terys neuere stente. [ 340] And shortly so his peynes hym to-rente. And wex so mat. þat Ioye nor penaunce. He feleth noon but lyth forth in a traunce. [ 343]

(50)

Pandare whiche þat in the parlement. [leaf 74] [ 344] Hadde herd what euery Burgeys & lord seyde. And how ful graunted was by on assent. For Antenor to yelden so Criseyde. [ 347] Gan wel neygh wod out of his wit to breyde. So þat for wo he nyste what he mente. But yn a res / to Troylus he wente. [ 350]

(51)

A certeyn knyght þat for þe tyme kepte. [ 351] The chaumbre dore vn-dede it hym a-noon. And Pandare þat ful tendreliche wepte. In-to þe derke chaumbre as stille as ony ston. [ 354] Toward þe bed gan softely to gon. So confus þat he nyst what to seye. For verray wo / his wit was neigh a-weye. [ 357]

(52)

And with his chere and lokyng al to-torn. [ 358] For sorwe of þis. and with his armes folden. He stod þis woful Troylus byforn. And on his pitous face he gan byholden. [ 361] But Lord so often gan his herte colde. Seyng his frend in wo / whos heuynesse. His herte slow as þought hym for distresse [ 364]

(53)

This woful wight / þis Troylus þat felte. [ 365] His frend Pandare y-comen hym to se. Gan as þe snow a-yen þe sonne melte. For wyych þis sorwful Pandare of pyte. [ 368] Gan for to wepe as tendrelyche as he. And specheles þus ben þis like tweye. That neyther myghte o word for sorwe seye. [ 371]

(54)

But at þe laste þis woful Troylus. [ 372] Ney ded for smert gan bresten out to rore. And with a sorwful noyse he seyde þus. Among his sobbes and his sikes sore. [ 375] Lo Pandare I am ded with-outen more. Hastow nought herd at parlement he seyde. For Antenor how lost is my Criseyde. [ 378]

(55)

This Pandarus ful dede and pale of hewe. [leaf 74, back] [ 379] Ful pytously answerede and seyde yis. As wysly were it fals as it is trewe. That I haue herd and wot al how it is. [ 382] O mercy god who wolde haue trowed þis. who wolde haue wend þat yn so lytel a þrowe. Fortune oure Ioye wolde han ouer-þrowe. [ 385]

(56)

For yn þis world þere is no creature. [ 386] Als to my dom þat euere saw ruyne. Straungere þan þis þorugh cas or auenture. But who may al eschewe or al deuyne. [ 389] Swych is þis world. for-þi I þus defyne. Ne trust no wyght to fynden in Fortune. Ay proprete. his yeftes ben comune. [ 392]

(57)

But tel me þis whi þou art now so mad. [ 393] To sorwen þus. why listow in þis wyse. Syn þi desir al holly hastow had. So that by right it oughte y-now suffise. [ 396] But I þat neuere felte in my seruyse. A frendly chere or lokyng of an eye. Lat me þus wepe an wayle til I dye. [ 399]

(58)

And ouer al þis / as þow wel wost þi-selue. [ 400] This town is ful of ladyes al aboute. And to my dom fairere þan swych twelue. As euere she was shal I fynde yn som route. [ 403] Ye oone or two with-outen any doute. For-þi be glad myn owen dere broþer. If she be lost. we shul recouere anoþer. [ 406]

(59)

What god for-bede alwey þat eche plesaunce. [ 407] In o þyng were and noon oþer wyght. Yf oon kan synge a noþer kan wel daunce. Yf þis be goodly she is glad and lyght. [ 410] And þis is fayr and þat kan good aright. Ech for his vertu holden is for dere. Boþe heroner and faukon of ryuere. [ 413]

(60)

And ek as writ zauzis þat was ful wys. [leaf 75] [ 414] The newe loue out cacheth ofte þe olde. And vp-on newe cas lyth newe auys. Thenk ek þi self to saue þow art holde. [ 417] Swych fyr by proces shal of kynde colde. For syn it is but casuel plesaunce. Som cas shal putte it out of remembraunce. [ 420]

(61)

For al so seur as day cometh after nyght. [ 421] The newe loue / labour or oþer wo. Or ellys selde seynge of a wyght. Don olde affeccions al ouer go. [ 424] And for þi part þow shalt haue one of þo. To abrigge with þi bittre peynes smerte. Absence of here shal dryue here out of herte. [ 427]

(62)

This wordes seyde he for þe nones alle. [ 428] To helpe his frend lest he for sorwe deyde. For douteles to don his sorwe to falle. He rought not what vnthryf he seyde. [ 431] But Troylus þat neigh for sorwe deyde. Tok litel hed of al þat euere he mente. Oon eere it herde. at þe oþer out it wente. [ 434]

(63)

But at þe laste he answered and seyde a frend. [ 435] This lechecraft. or heled þus to be. were wel sittyng if þat I were a fende. To trassen here þat trewe is vnto me. [ 438] I pray to god lat þis consayl neuere þe. But do me rathere a-noon sterue right here. Er I þus do / as þow me woldest lere. [ 441]

(64)

She þat I serue ywys what so þow seye. [ 442] To whom myn her enhabyt is by right. Shal han me holly heres til þat I deye. For Pandarus syn þat I haue trouþe here hight. [ 445] I wol not ben vntrewe for no wyght. But as here man I wole ay lyue and sterue. And neuere oþer creature serue. [ 448]

(65)

And þere þow seyst thow shalt as faire fynde. [lf 75, bk] [ 449] As she. lat be / make no comparyson. To creature y-formed here by kynde. O leue Pandare in conclusion. [ 452] I wol not be of þyn opynyon. Towchyng al þis / for whiche I þe byseche. So hold þi pes / þow sleste me wiþ þi speche. [ 455]

(66)

Thow biddest me I sholde loue an oþer. [ 456] Al fresshly newe and lat Criseyde go. It lith not in my power leue broþer. And þough I myght I wil not do so. [ 459] But kanstow pleyen raket to and fro. Netle In. dokke out. now this / now þat Pandare. Now fowle falle here þat for þi wo [[hath is in corrector's hand.]] hath [[hath is in corrector's hand.]] care. [ 462]

(67)

Þow farest ek by me þow Pandarus. [ 463] As he þat whan a wyght is wo-by-gon. He cometh to hym a pas / and seyth right þus. Thenk not on smert. and þow shalt fele noon. [ 466] Thow most me first transmuwen in a ston. And reue me my passions alle. Er thow so lightly do my wo to falle. [ 469]

(68)

The deth may wel out of my brest departe. [ 470] The lyf. so longe may þis sorwe myne. But fro my sowle shal Criseyde darte. Out neuere mo / but down wiþ proserpyne. [ 473] whan I am ded I wol go wone in pyne. And þer I wol eternally compleyne. My wo / and how þat twynned be we tweyne. [ 476]

(69)

Thow hast here mad an argument for fyn. [ 477] How þat it sholde a lasse peyne be. Creseyde to for-gon for she was myn. And leue in ese and yn felicite. [ 480] whi gabbestow þat seydest þus to me. That hym is wors þat is fro wele y-þrowe. Than he hadde erst non of þat wele knowe. [ 483]

(70)

But tel me now syn þat þe thenketh so lyght. [leaf 76] [ 484] To chaungen so in loue ay to and fro. whi hastow not don bysyly þi myght. To chaungen here þat doth þe al þi wo. [ 487] Why neltow lete here fro þyn herte go. why nyltow loue an oþer lady swete. That may þin herte setten in quyete. [ 490]

(71)

If þow hast had in loue ay yet myschaunce. [ 491] And kanst it not out of þyn herte dryue. I þat leuede yn lust and in plesaunce. with here as muche as creature on lyue. [ 494] How sholde I þat foryete and þat so blyue. O where hastow ben hid so longe in muwe. That kanst so wel and formely arguwe. [ 497]

(72)

Nay god wot nought worth is al þi red. [ 498] For which / for what þat euere may by-falle. with-outen wordes mo I wol be ded. O. deth þat endere art of sorwes alle. [ 501] Com now / syn I so ofte after þe calle. For sely is þat deth soth for to seyne. That ofte ycleped cometh and endeth peyne. [ 504]

(73)

Wel wot I whil my lyf was in quyete. [ 505] Er þow me slowe .I. wolde haue yeuen here. But now þi comynge is to me so swete. That in þis world I no þing so desire. [ 508] O deth syn with þis sorwe I am a fyre. Thou oþer do me anoon yn þis teris drenche. Or with þi colde strok myn hete quenche. [ 511]

(74)

Syn þat þow sleest so fele in sondry wyse. [ 512] A-yens hire wil vnpreyed day and nyght. Do me at my requeste þis seruice. Delyuere now þe world so dostow right. [ 515] Of me þat am þe wofulleste wyght. That euere was for tyme is þat I sterue. Syn in þis world of right nought may .I. serue. [ 518]

(75)

This Troylus in teris gan distille. [leaf 76, back] [ 519] As licour of a lambyc ful faste. And Pandarus gan holde his tunge stille. And to þe ground his eyen doun he caste. [ 522] But naþeles þus þought he at þe laste. what parde raþer þan my felawe deye. Yet shal I som-what more vn-to it seye. [ 525]

(76)

And seyd frend syn þow hast swych distresse. [ 526] And syn þow list myn argumentȝ blame. why nylt þi self helpen don redresse. And with þy manhod letten al þis grame. [ 529] To rauysshe here. ne kanstow not for shame. And oþer lat here out of towne fare. Or hold here stille. and leue þi nyce fare. [ 532]

(77)

Artow in Troye and hast noon hardiment. [ 533] To take a womman which þat loueth þe. And wolde here seluen be of þyn assent. Now is not þis a nyce vanyte. [ 536] Rys vp anoon. and lat þis wepynge be. And kyth þow art a man for yn þis owre. I wil be ded or she shal bleuen oure. [ 539]

(78)

To this answerede hym Troylus ful softe. [ 540] And seyde parde leue broþer dere. Al þis haue I my self yet þought ful ofte. And more þyng þan þow deuysest here. [ 543] But whi þyng is laft þow shalt wel here. And whan þow me hast yeue an audience. Ther-after mayst þow telle aɫɫ þi sentence. [ 546]

(79)

Fyrst syn þow wost þis town hath al þis werre. [ 547] For rauysshyng of wommen so my myght. It sholde not be suffred me to erre. As it stant now / ne don so gret vnright. [ 550] I sholde han also blame of euery wyght. My fadres graunt yf þat I so withstode. Syn she is chaunged for þe townes goode. [ 553]

(80)

I haue ek þought so it were here assent. [leaf 77] [ 554] To aske hire at my fader of his grace. Thanne þenk I þis were here accusement. Syn wel I wot I may here not purchace. [ 557] For syn my fader in so heigh a place. As parlement hath here eschaunge enseled. He nyl for me his lettre be repeled. [ 560]

(81)

Ȝet drede I most here herte to pertourbe. [ 561] with violence yf I do swych a game. For yf I wolde it openly distourbe. It most ben disclaundre to here name. [ 564] And me were leuere ded þan here defame. As nold god but yf I sholde haue. Here honour leuere þan my lyf to saue. [ 567]

(82)

Thus am I lost for ought þat I kan se. [ 568] For certeyn is syn þat I am here knyght. I moste here honour leuere han þan me. In euery cas as louere oughte of right. [ 571] Thus am I with desir and reson twyght. Desir for to distourben here me redeth. And reson nyl not so myn herte dredeþ. [ 574]

(83)

Thus wepynge þat he koude neuere cesse. [ 575] He seyde allas how shal I wrecche fare For wel fele I alwey my loue encresse. And hope is lasse and lasse alwey Pandare. [ 578] Encressen ek þe causes of my care. So wel-a-wey whi nyl myn herte breste. For as in loue / þer is but litel reste. [ 581]

(84)

Pandare answerede frend þow mayst for me. [ 582] Don as þe list / but hadde ich it for hote. And þyn estat / she sholde go with me. Though al þis town criede on þis þyng by note. [ 585] I nold sette at al þat noyse a grote. For when men han wel cried þan wol þey rowne. A wonder last but .ix. nyght neuere yn towne. [ 588]

(85)

Deuyne not in reson ay so depe. [leaf 77, back] [ 589] Ne curteysly. but help þi self anoon. Bet is þat oþere þan þi self wepe. And namly syn ye two ben al oon. [ 592] Rys vp for by myn hed she shal not gon. And raþere be in blame a litel y-founde. Than sterue here as a gnat with-owte wounde. [ 595]

(86)

It is no shame to yow ne no vice. [ 596] Here to with-holden. þat ye loueth most. Paraunter she myght holden þe for nyce. To late here go þus. vn-to þe Grekes ost. [ 599] Thenk ek Fortune as wel þi seluen wost. Helpeþ hardy man to his emprise. And weyueth wrecches / for here cowardise. [ 602]

(87)

And þough þi lady wolde a litel here greue. [ 603] Thow shalt þi pes ful wel here-after make. But as for me certayn .I. kan not leue. That she wolde it as now for yuel take. [ 606] whi sholde þanne of fered þyn herte quake. Thenk ek how Parys hath þat is þi broþer. A loue. and whi shaltow not haue a noþer. [ 609]

(88)

And Troylus .o. þyng I dar þe swere. [ 610] That if Criseyde whiche þat is þi lef. Now loue þe as wel as þow dost here. God helpe me so she nyl not take a gref. [ 613] They þow do bote a-noon in þis myschef And yf she wilneth fro yow for to passe. Thanne is she fals / so loue here wel þe lasse. [ 616]

(89)

For-þi tak herte and þenk right as a kynght. [ 617] Thourgh loue is broken alday euery lawe. Kygh now sumwhat þi corage and þi myght. Haue mercy on þi self for ony awe. [ 620] Lat not þis wrecched wo þin herte gnawe. But manly set þe world on sixe and seuene. And yf þow deye a martir go to heuene. [ 623]

(90)

I wol my self be with þe at þis nede. [leaf 78] [ 624] Theygh ich and al my kyn vp-on a stonde. Shulle in a strete as dogges liggen dede. Thourgh girt with many a wyd and blody wounde. [ 627] In euery cas I wol a frend be founde. And yf þe lyst here steruen as a wrecche. A dieu. þe deuel spede hym þat recche. [ 630]

(91)

This Troylus gan with þo wordes to quyken. [ 631] And seyde frende graunt mercy ich assente. But certaynly þow mayst not me so pryken. Ne peyne noon ne may me so tormente. [ 634] That for no cas it is not myn entente. At short wordes þough I dyen sholde. To rauysshen hire / but yf here-self it wolde. [ 637]

(92)

Why so mene I quod Pandarus al þis day. [ 638] But tel me þanne / hastow here wel assayed. That sorwest þus / and he answered nay. wher-of artow quod Pandare þan a-mayed. [ 641] That nost not þat she wol ben euele apayed. To rauysshen here syn þow hast not ben þere. But if þat Ioue told it yn þin eere. [ 644]

(93)

For-thi rys vp as nought ne were a-noon. [ 645] And wassh þi face and to þe kyng þow wende. Or he may wondren whider þow art gon. Thow most with wysdom hym & othere blende. [ 648] Or vp-on cas he may after þe sende. Er þow be war and shortly broþer dere. Be glad / and lat me werke in þis matere. [ 651]

(94)

For I shal shappe it so sikerly [ 652] Thow shalt þis nyght som tyme in som manere. Com speke with þi lady preuely. And by here wordes ek and by here chere. [ 655] Thow shalt ful sone a-parceyue and wel here. Al here entente / and yn þis cas þe beste. And fare now wel / for in þis poynt I reste. [ 658]

(95)

The swyfte fame whiche þat false þynges. [leaf 78, back] [ 659] Egal reporteth lyk þe þynges trewe. was þorugh-out Troye y-fled with preste wynges. Fro man to man and made þis tale of newe. [ 662] How Calkas doughter with here brighte hewe. At parlement with-oute wordes more. I-graunted was yn chaunge of Antenore. [ 665]

(96)

The whiche tale a-noon right as Criseyde. [ 666] Had herd. she þat of here fader roughte. As in þis cas right nought ne whanne he deyde. Ful bysily to Iuppiter by-soughte. [ 669] yeue hym myschaunce þat þis tretis broughte. But shortly lest þis tales soth were. She dorste at no wyght asken it for fere. [ 672]

(97)

As she þat hadde here herte and al here mynde. [ 673] On Troylus y-set so wonder faste. That al þe world ne koude here loue vnbynde. Ne Troylus out of here herte caste. [ 676] She wol ben his whil þat here lyf may laste. And þus she brenneth boþe in loue and drede. That she nyste what was best to rede. [ 679]

(98)

But as men sen in towne and al aboute. [ 680] That wommen vsen frendes to visite. So to Criseyde of wommen come a rowte. For pitous Ioye and wenden here delite. [ 683] And with here tales dere ynowh a myte. These wommen whiche þat yn þe cite dwelle. Thei sette hem doun and seyde as I shal telle. [ 686]

(99)

Quod first þat oone .I. am glad trewely. [ 687] By-cause of yow þat ye shal youre fader se. A-noþer answered I-wys so am not .I. For al to litel hath she with vs be. [ 690] Quod þe þridde I hope y-wys þat she. Shal brynge vs þe pes on euery side. That whanne she gooth almyghti god here gyde. [ 693]

(100)

Tho wo[r]des and þo wommannyssh þynges./ [leaf 79] [ 694] She herd hem ryght as þough she þens were. For god it wot here herte on oþer þing is. Al-þough þe body sat a-mong hem þere. [ 697] Here aduertence is alwey ellys-where. For Troylus ful faste here herte soughte. with-outen word alwey on hym she þoughte. [ 700]

(101)

This wommen þat wenden here to plese. [ 701] A-boute nought gonne alle here tales spende. Swych vanite ne kan don hem non ese. As she þat al þis mene while brende. [ 704] Of oþer passion þan þat þey wende. So þat she felte almost here herte deye. For wo and wery of þat companye. [ 707]

[Stanza 102, l. 708-714, tho left out of the Compsall MS. and Harl. 2280, is partly in Boccaccio (see p. 196 of Mr. Rossetti's Filostrato and Troylus), and wholly in Cambr. Gg., Harl. 3943, &c.]

(103)

And thilke fooles sittynge here a-boute. [ 715] wende þat she wepte and syked sore. By cause þat [she] sholde out of þat route. Departe. and neuere pleye with hem more. [ 718] And þey þat hadde y-knowen here of yore. Seygh here so wepe and þoughte it kyndenesse. And eche of hem wepte eke for here distresse. [ 721]

(104)

And bisily þey gonnen here comforten. [ 722] Of þing god wot on which she litel þoughte. And with here tales wenden here disporten. And to be glad þey often here by-soughte. [ 725] But swich an ese þer-with þey here wroughte. Right as a man is esed for to fele. For ache of hed to clawen hym on his hele. [ 728]

(105)

But after al þis nyce vanyte. [ 729] They tok here leue and hom þey wenten alle. Cryseyde ful of sorwful pite. In to here chaumbre vp wente out of þe halle. [ 732] And on here bed she gan for ded to falle. In purpos neuere þennes for to ryse. And þus she wroughte as I shal yow deuyse. [ 735]

[The real Stanza 106, l. 736-742, is misplaced in the Campsall MS. & Harl. 2280 & 3943, and put after st. 107 (see p. 197, 198 of Mr. Rossetti's Filostrato and Troylus, Chaucer Soc.). But as the change may have been made by Chaucer, and as the changer has alterd the text (l. 750, 752, 764) to make the story right, I am obliged to have different stanzas for nos. 106-108, and different lines for nos. 736-756.]

(106)

Here ownded heer þat sonnyssħ was of hewe. [lf 79, bk] [ 736] She rente / and ek here fyngres longe and smale. She wrong ful ofte and bad god on here rewe. And with þe deth to don bote on here bale. [ 739] Here hewe whilom bryght þat þo was pale. Bar witnes of here wo and constreynte. And þus she spak sobbynge in here compleynte. [ 742]

(107)

Allas quod she out of þis regioun. [ 743] I woful wrecche and infortuned wight. And born in corsed constellacioun. Mot gon and þus departen fro my knyght. [ 746] wo worth allas þat ilke dayes lyght. On which I saw hym first with eyen tweyne. That causeth me and I hym al þis peyne [ 749]

(108)

Therwith þe terys from here eighen two. [ 750] Doun fille. as shour in aperiɫɫ swyþe. Here white brest she bet / and for þe wo. After þe deth she cried a þousand siþe. [ 753] Syn he þat wont here wo was for to lyþe. She mot for-gon. for which disauenture. She held here-self a forlost creature. [ 756]

(109)

She seyde how shal he do and I also. [ 757] How sholde I lyue / yf I from hym twynne. O dere herte ek þat I loue so. who shal þat sorwe sleen þat ye ben Inne. [ 760] O. Calkas fader thyn be al þis synne. O. moder myn þat cleped were Argyue. wo worth þat day þat þow me bere on lyue. [ 763]

(110)

To what fyn sholde I lyue and sorwen þus. [ 764] How sholde .I. a fyssħ with-oute water dure. what is Criseyde worth from Troylus. How sholde a plaunte or lyues creature. [ 767] Lyue with-oute his kynde noriture. For which ful oft a by-word here I seye. That roteles mot grene sone deye. [ 770]

(111)

I shal don thus syn neyþer swerd ne darte. [leaf 80] [ 771] Dar I noon handle for þe cruwelte. That ilke day þat I from hym departe. If sorwe of þat nyl not my bane be. [ 774] Than shal no mete or drynk come in me. Til I my soule out of my breste vnsheþe. And þus my-seluen wold I do to dethe. [ 777]

(112)

And Troylus my cloþes euerychone. [ 778] Shul blake ben yn tokenynge herte swete. That I am as out of þis world a-gon. That wont was yow to setten in quiete. [ 781] And of myn ordre ay til deth me mete. The obseruaunce euere yn youre absence. Shal sorwe ben. compleynte and abstinence. [ 784]

(113)

Myn herte and ek þe woful gost þer-Inne. [ 785] Biquethe I with youre spirit to compleyne. Eternally for þey shul neuere twynne. For þough in erthe twynned be we tweyne. [ 788] Yet in þe feld of pite out of peyne. That hight Elysos shul we ben y-fere. As Orpheus. and Erudice his fere. [ 791]

(114)

Thus herte myn for Antenor Allas. [ 792] I soone shal be chaunged as I wene. But how shul ye don yn þis sorwful cas. How shal youre tendre herte þis sustene. [ 795] But herte myn / for-yet þis sorwe and tene. And me also / for sothly for to seye. So ye wel fare / I recche not to deye. [ 798]

(115)

How myght it euere y-red ben or y-songe. [ 799] The pleynte þat she made in here distresse. I. not / but as for me my litel tonge. If I discreuen wolde here heuynesse. [ 802] It sholde make here sorwe seme lesse. Than þat it was / and chyldisshly deface. Here heyghe compleynte. and þerfore I it pace. [ 805]

(116)

Pandare which þat sent was from Troylus. [leaf 80, back] [ 806] Vn-to Criseyde / as ye han herd deuyse. That for þe beste it was accorded þus. And he ful glad to don hym þat seruice. [ 809] Vn-to Criseyde in a ful seere wyse. Ther as she lay in torment and in rage. Come here to telle al holly his message. [ 812]

(117)

And fond þat she here-seluen gan to trete. [ 813] Ful pitously / for with here salte terys. Here brest here face y-baþed was ful wete. The myghty tresses of here sonnyssh herys. [ 816] Vnbroyden / hangen al aboute here eris. which yaf hym verray signal of matere. Of deth / which þat here herte gan desire. [ 819]

(118)

Whan she hym saw she gan for sorwe a-noon. [ 820] Here tery face / a-twixe here armes hyde. For which þis Pandare is so wo-by-gon. That in þe hous he myghte vnneþe a-byde. [ 823] As he þat felte pyte on euery syde. For yf Criseyde hadde erst compleyned sore. Tho gan she pleyne a þousand tymes more. [ 826]

(119)

And in here aspre pleynt / þan she seyde. [ 827] Pandare first of Ioyes mo þan two. was cause causynge vn-to me Criseyde. That now transmuwed ben in cruel wo. [ 830] wher shal I seye to yow / wel come or no. That alderferst me brough[t] in-to seruise. Of loue / allas þat endeth in þis wyse. [ 833]

(120)

Endeth þanne loue in wo. ye er men lieth. [ 834] And alle worldly blysse as þenketh me. The ende of blisse ay sorwe it occupieth. And who þat troweth not þat it so be. [ 837] Lat hym vpon me woful wrecche y-se. That my self hate / and ay my birþe accurse. Felynge alwey fro wo I go to worse. [ 840]

(121)

Who-so me seth. he seth sorwe al at onys. [leaf 81] [ 841] Peyne / torment / pleynt / wo / and distresse. Out of my woful body / harm þer non is. As angwyssh / langour / cruel bitternesse. [ 844] A-noy / smert / drede / fury / and ek sikenesse. I trowe I-wys from heuene teris reyne. For pite of myn aspre and cruwel peyne. [ 847]

(122)

And þow my suster ful of discomfort. [ 848] Quod Pandarus / what þenkestow to do. whi ne hastow to þi-seluen som resport. wh[i] woltow þus þi-selue [allas] for-do. [ 851] Lef al þis wek and take now hede to. That I shal seyn / and herkene of good entente. This / which by me þi Troylus þe sente. [ 854]

(123)

Torned here þo Criseyde a wo makynge. [ 855] So gret þat it a deth was for to se. Allas quod she / what wordes may ye brynge. what wold my dere seyn to me. [ 858] which þat I drede neuere mo to se. wol ye haue pleynte or terys er I wende. I haue y-nowe yf he þer after sende. [ 861]

(124)

She was right swych to sen in hire visage. [ 862] As is þat wight þat men on bere bynde. Here face lyk a paradys þe ymage. was al I-chaunged in a-noþer kynde. [ 865] The pleye / þe laughtre / men was wont to fynde. In here / and ek here Ioyes euerychone. Ben fled / and þus lith now Criseyde allone. [ 868]

(125)

Aboute here eyen two a purpre ryng. [ 869] Bytrent / in sothfast tokenynge of here peyne. That to by-holde it was a dedly þing. For which Pandare myght not restreyne. [ 872] The terys from hise eyen for to reyne. But naþeles as he best myght he seyde. From Troylus / þis wordes to Criseyde. [ 875]

(126)

Lo Nece .I. trowe ye han herd al how. [leaf 81, back] [ 876] The kyng with oþere lordes for þe beste. Hath mad eschaunge of Antenor & yow. That cause is of þis sorwe and þis vnreste. [ 879] But how þis cas doth Troylus moleste. That may non erþely mannes tonge seye. For verray wo his wit is al a-wey. [ 882]

(127)

For which we han so sorwel he and I. [ 883] That in-to litel boþe it hadde vs slawe. But þurgh my conseyl þis day fynally. He somwhat is fro wepyng now wiþ-drawe. [ 886] It semeth me þat he desireth fawe. with yow to ben al nyght for to deuyse. Remede in þis / yf þer were any wyse. [ 889]

(128)

This short and pleyne þeffect of my message. [ 890] As ferforth as my wit may comprehende. For ye þat ben of torment in swych rage. May as to no long prologe as now entende. [ 893] And her-vpon ye may an answere hym sende. And for þe loue of god my Nece dere. So lef þis wo er Troylus be here. [ 896]

(129)

Gret is my wo quod she and sighed sore. [ 897] As she þat felt dedly sharpe distresse. But yet to me his sorwe is muche more. That loueth hym bet þan he hym self .I. gesse. [ 900] Allas for me bath he swych heuynesse. Kan he for me so pitously compleyne. I-wis this sorw doubleþ al my peyne. [ 903]

(130)

Greuous to me god wot is for to twynne. [ 904] Quod she / but yet it hardere is to me. To sen þat sorwe whiche þat he is Inne. For wel wot I it wole my bane be. [ 907] And deye I wole in certayn þo quod she. And bidde hym come er deth þat þus me treteth. Dryf out þe gost / which in myn herte he beteth. [ 910]

(131)

This wordes seyd / she on here armes two. [leaf 82] [ 911] Fil gruf / and gan to wepe pitously. Quod Pandarus allas whi do ye so. Syn ye wel wot þe tyme is faste by. [ 914] That he shal come / a-rys vp hastely. That he yow nat by-wopen þus ne fynde. But ye wol han hym wod out of his mynde. [ 917]

(132)

For wist he þat ye ferde in þis manere. [ 918] He wolde hym selue sle / and yf I wend. To han þis fare. he sholde not come here. For al þe good þat Pryam may despende. [ 921] For to what fyn he wolde a-noon pretende. That know .I. wel / and for-þi yet I seye. So lef þis sorwe / or platly he wole deye. [ 924]

(133)

And shappeth yow his sorwe for to a-bregge. [ 925] And nought encresse / leue Nece swete. Buth raþer to hym of flat þan egge. And with som wysdom ye his sorwes bete. [ 928] what helpeþ it to wepen ful a strete. Or þough ye boþe in salte teris drenche. Bet is a tyme of cure ay þan of pleynte. [ 931]

(134)

I mene þus. whan I hym here brynge. [ 932] Syn ye ben wyse and boþe of on assent. So shappeþ how distourbe þis goynge. Or come a-yen soone after ye be went. [ 935] wommen ben wyse in short auysement. And lat sen now how youre wit shal auayle. And what þat I may helpe / it shal not fayle. [ 938]

(135)

Go quod Criseyde and Vncle trewely. [ 939] I. shal don al my myght / me to restreyne. From wepyng in his sight and bysily. Hym for to glade .I. shal don al my peyne. [ 942] And in myn herte seken euery veyne. If to his sor þer may be founden salue. It shal not lakken certain on myn halue. [ 945]

(136)

Goth Pandarus and Troylus he soughte. [leaf 82, back] [ 946] Til in a temple he fond hym allone. As he þat of his lyf no lenger rowhte. But to þe petouse goddes euerychone. [ 949] Ful tendrely he preyde and made his mone. To don hym sone out of þis world to pace. For wel he þouhte þer was noon oþer grace. [ 952]

(137)

And shortly al þe soþe for to seye. [ 953] He was so fallen in despeyr þat day. That outrely he shop hym for to deye. For right þus was his argument alwey. [ 956] He seyde he nas but lorn waylawey. For al þat cometh / comth by necessite. Thus to be lorn it is my destyne. [ 959]

(138)

For certaynly þis wot I wel he seyde. [ 960] That for-sight of dyuyne purueyaunce. Hath seyn alwey me to for-gon Criseyde. Syn god seth euery þing out of doutaunce. [ 963] And hem desponeth þourgh his ordenaunce. In here merites soþly for to be. As they shul come by predestine. [ 966]

(139)

But naþeles allas whom shal I leue. [ 967] For þer ben clerkes grete many on. That destyne þorugh argumentȝ preue. And som men seyn þat nedly þer is noon. [ 970] But þat frechoys is yeuen vs euerychon. O. welaway so sley arn clerkes olde. That I not whos opynyoun I may holde. [ 973]

(140)

For so men seyn / yf god seth al byforn. [ 974] And god may not deceyued ben parde. Than mot it falle þey men hadde it swo. That purueyaunce hath seighen by-fore to be. [ 977] wherfor I seye þat from eterne yf he. Hath wyst byforn / oure þought ek as oure dede. we haue no fre choys as þese clerkes rede. [ 980]

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For oþer þought nor other dede also. [leaf 83] [ 981] Myght neuere be. but swych as purueyaunce. which may not ben deceyued neuere mo. Hath feled biforn / with-outen ignoraunce. [ 984] For yf þere myghte ben a variaunce. To wriþen out / fro goddes purueyinge. Ther nere no prescience of þyng comynge. [ 987]

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But it were raþere an opynyon. [ 988] Vncerteyn / and no stedefast forseynge. And certes þat were an abusion̄. That god shuld han no parfit cler witynge. [ 991] More þan we men þat han doutous wenynge. But swych an errour vp-on god to gesse. were fals & foul & corsed wykkednesse. [ 994]

(143)

Ek þis is an opynyon of somme. [ 995] That han here top ful heighe and smoþe y-shore. They seyn right þus þat þyng is not to come. For þat þe prescience hath seyghen by-fore. [ 998] That it shal come / but they seyn þat þerfore. That it shal come þerfore þe purueyaunce. wot it byforn with-outen ignoraunce. [ 1001]

(144)

And in þis manere þis necessite. [ 1002] Retorneth in his part contrarie a-gayn. For nedfully by-houeth it not to be. That þilke þinges fallen in certayn. [ 1005] That ben purueyed but nedely as þey seyn. Byhoueth it þat þinges whiche þat falle. That þey in certayn ben purueyed alle. [ 1008]

(145)

I mene as þough I laboured me in þis. [ 1009] To enqueren which þyng cause of which þyng be. As wheyþer þat þe prescience of god is. The certayn cause of þe necessite. [ 1012] Of þinges þat to comen ben parde. Or yf necessite of þing comynge. Be cause certeyn of þe purueyinge. [ 1015]

(146)

But now ne enforce .I. me nought in shewynge. [lf 83, bk] [ 1016] How þe ordre of causes stant / but wel wot .I. That it byhoueth þat þe byfallyng. Of þinges wyst byforn certeynly. [ 1019] Be necessarie / al seme it not þer-by. That prescience put fallyng necessarie. To thing to come al falle it foule or fayre. [ 1022]

(147)

For if þer sit a man yond on a see. [ 1023] Than by necessite byhoueth it. That certes þin opynyon soth be. That wenest or coniestest þat he sit. [ 1026] And ferþer-ouer now ayenward yit. Lo right so it is of þe part contrarie. As þus / nowe herkene / for I wol not tarie. [ 1029]

(148)

I seye þat yf the opynion of þe. [ 1030] Be soth / for þat he sit / þan seye I þis. That he mot sitten by necessite. And þus necessite in eyþer is. [ 1033] For yn hym nede of syttyng is y-wys. And nede of soth / and þus forsothe. Ter mot necessite ben in yow boþe. [ 1036]

(149)

But þou maist seyn þe man sit not þerfore. [ 1037] That þyn opynyon of his sittyng soth is. But raþer for þe man sit þer byfore. Therfore is þyn opynyon soth ywys. [ 1040] And I seye þough þe cause of soth of þis. Comth of his sittyng yet necessite. Is entrechaunged boþe in hym and þe. [ 1043]

(150)

Thus on þis same wyse out of doutaunce. [ 1044] I may wel make as it semeth me. My resonynge of goddes pourueyaunce. And of þe thinges / þat to comen be. [ 1047] By which reson men may wel y-se. That þilke thinges þat in erþe falle. That by necessite þey comen alle. [ 1050]

(151)

For al-though þat for thyng shal come y-wys. [leaf 84] [ 1051] Therfore it is purueyed certaynly. Nough þat it comth for it purueyed is. Yet naþeles byhoueth it nedfully. [ 1054] That þing to come be purueyed trewely. Or elles þinges þat puruey[e]d be. That þei by-tiden by necessite. [ 1057]

(152)

And þis suffiseth right y-now certeyn. [ 1058] For to destroye oure fre choys euery del. But now is þis abusion to seyn. That fallynge of þe thinges temporel. [ 1061] Is cause of godes prescience eternel. Now trewely þat is a fals sentence. That þing to come sholde cause his prescience. [ 1064]

(153)

What myght I wene and ich hadde swych a þought. [ 1065] But þat god purueyed þyng þat is to come. For þat it is to come and ellis nought. So myght I wene þat thinges alle and some. [ 1068] That whylom ben byfalle and ouer-come. Ben cause of þilke soueyren purueyaunce. That for-wot al with-outen ignoraunce. [ 1071]

(154)

And ouer al þis yet sey I more þerto. [ 1072] Right a whan I wot þer is a þing. I-wys þat þing mot nedefully be so. Ek right so whan I wot a þyng comynge. [ 1075] So mot it come / and þus þe byfallyng. Of þinges þat ben wyst by-fore þat tyde. They mowe not ben eschewed on no syde. [ 1078]

(155)

Thanne seyde he þus / almyghty Ioue in trone. [ 1079] That wost of alle þinge þe sothfastnesse. Rewe on my sorwe or do me deye sone. Or bryng Criseyde and me fro þis distresse. [ 1082] And whil he was in al þis heuynesse. Disputynge with hym self in þis matere. Com Pandare / and seyde as ye may here. [ 1085]

(156)

O myghti god quod Pandarus in Trone. [leaf 84, back] [ 1086] I who seygh euere a wysman faren so. whi Troylus what þenkestow to done. Hastow swych lust to ben þyn owen fo. [ 1089] what parde yet is not Criseyde a-go. why lust the so þyn self for-don for drede. That in þyn hed þyn eyghen semen dede. [ 1092]

(157)

Hastow not lyued many a yer byfore. [ 1093] wiþ-outen here / and ferd ful wel at ese. Artow for here and for noon oþer born. Hath kynde þe wrought al oonly here to plese. [ 1096] Lat be / and þenk right þus in [þi] disese. That in þe des right as þere fallen chaunces. Right so in loue / þere com and gon plesaunces. [ 1099]

(158)

And yet þis is a wonder most of alle. [ 1100] whi þow þus sorwest / syn þou nost not yet. Touchyng here goynge how þat it shal falle. Ne yf she kan here-seluen distorben it. [ 1103] Thow hast not yet assayed al here wit. A man may al by tyme his nekke bede. whan it shal of / and sorwen at þe nede. [ 1106]

(159)

For-þi take hede of þat þat I shal seye. [ 1107] I haue with here y-spoke and longe y-be. So as accorded was by-twyxe vs tweye. And euere-mo me þenketh þus þat she. [ 1110] Hath som-what in here hertes preuete. wher-with she kan yf I shal right a-rede. Distorbe al þis / of which þow art in drede. [ 1113]

(160)

For swych my counseyl is whan it is nyght. [ 1114] Thow to here go and make of þis an ende. And blissyd Iuno þourgh here grete myghte. Shal as I hope here grace vn-to vs sende. [ 1117] Myn herte seyth certeyn she shal not wende. And for-þi put þyn herte a whyle in reste. And hold þi purpos / for it is þe beste. [ 1120]

(161)

This Troylus answerede and sight sore. [leaf 85] [ 1121] Thow seyst right wel / & I wil do right so. And what hym lyste he seyde vn-to it more. And whan þat it was tyme for to go. [ 1124] Ful preuely hym-self with-outen mo. Vn-to here com as he was wont to done. And how þei wroughte .I. shal yow telle sone. [ 1127]

(162)

Soth it is whanne þey gonne first to mete. [ 1128] So gan þe peynes here hertes for to twyste. That neyþer of hem oþer myght grete. But hem in armes tok and after kyste. [ 1131] The lasse wofulle of hem boþe nyste. wher þat he was / ne myght .o. word out brynge. As I seyde erst / for wo and for sobbynge. [ 1134]

(163)

Tho woful teris þat þey leten falle. [ 1135] As bittre weren out of teris kynde. For peyne / as is ligne Aloes or galle. So bittre teris weep nought as I fynde. [ 1138] The woful myrra þought þe bark and rynde. That in þis world þer nys so hard an herte. That nolde han rewed on hire peynes smerte. [ 1141]

(164)

But whanne here woful wery gostes tweyne. [ 1142] Retorned ben þer as hem oughte dwelle. And þat som-what to wayken gan þe peyne. By lenthe of pleynte / and ebben gan þe welle. [ 1145] Of here teris and þe herte vnswelle. with broken voys al hoors for bright Criseyde. To Troylus þise ilke wordes seyde. [ 1148]

(165)

O Ioue I deye and mercy I be[se]che. [ 1149] Help Troylus / and þer-with-al here face. Vpon his brest she leyde / and lost speche. Here woful spirit from his propre place. [ 1152] Right with þe word / alwey vp poynt to pace. And þus she lith with hewes pale and grene. That whilom fressh and fairest was to sene. [ 1155]

(166)

This Troylus þat on here gan byholde. [leaf 85, back] [ 1156] Clepynge here name / and she lay as for ded. with-outen answere / and felte here lymes colde. Here eyen þrowen vpward to here hed. [ 1159] This sorwful man kan now noon oþer red. But ofte tyme here colde mouth he kyste. wher hym was wo / god and hym-self it wyste. [ 1162]

(167)

He rist hym vp and long streyght he hyre leyde. [ 1163] For signe of lyf / for ought he kan or may. Kan he noon fynde in no þing on Criseyde. For which his song fyl ofte his weylaway. [ 1166] But whan he sawgh þat specheles she lay. with sorwful voys and herte of blysse al bare. He seyde / how she was fro þis world y-fare. [ 1169]

(168)

So after þat he longe hadde here compleyned. [ 1170] His honde wrong / and seyde þat was to seye. And with his teris salte here brest byreyned. He gan þo teris wypen of ful dreye. [ 1173] And pitously gan for þe soule preye. And seyde o lord þat set art in þy Trone. Rewe ek on me for I shal folwe here sone. [ 1176]

(169)

She cold was and with-outen sentement. [ 1177] For I wot / for breth ne felte he noon. And þis was hym a preignant argument. That she was forth out of þis world a-gon. [ 1180] And whan he seygh þer was non oþer won. He gan here lymes dresse in swych manere. As men don hem þat shul be leyd on bere. [ 1183]

(170)

And after þis with sterne and cruwel herte. [ 1184] He swerd a-noon out of his shethe he twyghte. Hym self to alen / how sore þat hym smerte. So þat his sowle here sowe folwen myghte. [ 1187] Ther as þe dom of Mynos wolde it dyghte. Syn loue and cruwel Fortune it ne wolde. That in þis world he lenger lyuen sholde. [ 1190]

(171)

Thanne seyde he þus fulfilled of heigh desdayn. [leaf 86] [ 1191] O cruwel Ioue / and þow fortune aduerse. This al and som þat falsly haue slayn. Criseyde and syn ye may do me no werse. [ 1194] Fy on youre myght and werkes so diuerse. Thus cowardly / ye shul me neuere wynne. Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twynne. [ 1197]

(172)

For I þis world syn ye han slayn here þus. [ 1198] wol lete / and folowe here spirit lowe or hye. Shal neuere louere seyn þat Troylus. Dar not for fere with his lady dye. [ 1201] For certeyn I wole bere here companye. But syn ye wol not suffren vs y-fere. Yet suffreth þat oure soules ben yfere. [ 1204]

(173)

And þow Cite whiche þat I leue in wo. [ 1205] And þow Pryam and breþeren al yfere. And þow my moder farewel for now I go. And Attropes make redy þow my bere. [ 1208] And þow Criseyde / o swete herte dere. Receyue now my spirit wold he seye. with swerd at herte al redy for to deye. [ 1211]

(174)

But as god wolde of swough þer-with she abreyde. [ 1212] And gan to syke and Troylus she cride. And he answerde lady myn Cryseyde. Lyue ye yet / and let his swerd doun glide. [ 1215] Ye herte myn þat þanked be Cupide. Quod she / and þer-with-al she sore syghte. And he by-gan to glade here as he myghte. [ 1218]

(175)

Tok here in armes two and kyst here ofte. [ 1219] And here to glade he dide al his entente. For whicħ here gost / þat flekered ay on lofte. In-to here woful herte a-yen it wente. [ 1222] But at þe laste as þat here eyen glente. A-syde / a-noon she gan his swerd aspye. As it lay bare / and gan for fere crie. [ 1225]

(176)

And asked hym whi he hadde it out drawe. [lf 86, bk] [ 1226] And Troylus anoon þe cause tolde. And how hymself þer-with he wolde haue slawe. For which Criseyde vp on hym gan by-holde. [ 1229] And gan hym in here armes faste folde. And seyde o mercy god lo swych a dede. Allas how neigh we were boþe dede. [ 1232]

(177)

Thanne yf I ne hadde spoken as grace was. [ 1233] Ye wolden han slay youre self a-noon quod she. Ye douteles and she answerede allas. For by þat ilke lord þat mad me. [ 1236] I nolde a forlong wey on lyue han be. After youre deth / to han be crowned quene. Of al þe londes þe sonne on shyneth shene. [ 1239]

(178)

But with þis selue swerd whiche þat here is. [ 1240] My selue I wolde haue slayn quod she tho. But ho / for we han right ynow of þis. And late vs rise and streyght to bedde go. [ 1243] And þer lat vs speken of oure wo. For by þe morter which þat I se brenne. Knowe I right wel þat day is not fer henne. [ 1246]

(179)

Whanne þey were in here bed in armes folde. [ 1247] Nought was yt lyk þe nyghtes here by-forn. For pitously eche gan oþer byholde. As þei þat hadden al here blisse y-lorn. [ 1250] By-waylynge ay þe day þat þey were born. Til at þe last this sorwful wyght Criseyde. To Troylus þese ilke wordes seyde. [ 1253]

(180)

Lo nerte myn wel wot ye þis quod she. [ 1254] That yf a wyght alwey his wo compleyne. And sekeþ nought how holpen for to be. It is but folye and encres of peyne. [ 1257] And syn þat here assembled be we tweyne. To fynde bote of wo þat we be Inne. It were al tyme sone to by-gynne. [ 1260]

(181)

I am a womman as ful wel ye wot. [leaf 87] [ 1261] And as I am a-vised sodeynly. So wole .I. telle yow whil it is hot. Me þenketh þus þat neyther ye ne .I. [ 1264] Ought half þis wo to make skilfully. For there is art y-now for to redresse. That yet is mys / and slen þis heuynesse. [ 1267]

(182)

Soth is þe wo whiche þat we ben Inne. [ 1268] For ought I wot / for no þyng elles is. But for þe cause þat we sholden twynne. Considered al þer is nomore a-mys. [ 1271] But what is þanne a remede vn-to this. But þat we shape vs sone for to mete. This al and som my dere herte swete. [ 1274]

(183)

Now þat I shal wel bryngen it a-boute. [ 1275] To come a-yen soone after þat I go. Ther-of am I no manere thyng in doute. For dredles with-Inne a wowke or two. [ 1278] I shal ben here / and þat it may be so. By alle right and in a wordes fewe. I shal yow wel an hep of weyes shewe. [ 1281]

(184)

For which I wot not make long sermon. [ 1282] For tyme y-lost wol not recouered be. But I wol gon to my conclusyon. And to þe beste in ought þat I kan se. [ 1285] And for þe loue of god for-yeue it me. If I speke ought a-yen youre hertes reste. For trewely .I. speke it for þe beste. [ 1288]

(185)

Makynge alwey a protestacion. [ 1289] That now þese wordes whiche þat I shal seye. Nys but to shewe yow my mocion. To fynde vn-to oure helpe þe beste weye. [ 1292] And taketh it non oþer wyse .I. preye. For yn effect what so ye me comaunde. That wol I don / for þat is no demaunde. [ 1295]

(186)

Now herkeneth þis for ye han wel vnderstonde. [lf 87, bk] [ 1296] My goynge graunted is by parlement. So ferforth þat it may not be with-stonde. For al þis world as by my Iuggement. [ 1299] And syn þer helpeth noon a-visement. To letten it / lat it passe out of mynde. And lat vs shape a bettre wey to fynde. [ 1302]

(187)

The soþe is þat þe twynnynge of vs tweyne. [ 1303] wol vs dishese and cruwellyche anoye. But hym byhoueth som tyme han a peyne. That serueth loue / yf þat he wol haue Ioye. [ 1306] And syn I shal no ferþere out of troye. Than I may ryde a-yen on half a morwe. It ought þe lasse causen vs to sorwe. [ 1309]

(188)

So as .I. shal not so ben hid in muwe. [ 1310] That day by day myn owene herte dere. Syn ye wel wot þat it is now a truwe. Ye shul ful wel al myn estat y-here. [ 1313] And er þat truwe is don I shal ben here. And þanne haue ye boþe Antenor y-wonne. And me also / beth glad now yf ye konne. [ 1316]

(189)

And þenk right þus Criseyde is now a-gon. [ 1317] But what she shal come hastely a-yen. And whanne / allas / by god lo righ a-noon. Er dayes .x. þis dar I saufly seyn. [ 1320] And þanne at erst shal we ben so fayn. So as we shulle to-gederes euere dwelle. That al þis world ne myghte oure blysse telle. [ 1323]

(190)

I se þat ofte tyme þer as we ben now. [ 1324] That for þe beste oure conseyl for to hide. Ye speke not with me nor I with yow. In fourtenyght ne se yow go ne ryde. [ 1327] May ye not ten dayes þanne a-byde. For myn honour yn swych auenture. I-wys ye mowen ellys litel endure. [ 1330]

(191)

Ye knowe ek how þat al my kyn is here. [leaf 88] [ 1331] But yf þat onlyche it my fader be. And ek myn oþere þinges alle y-fere. And namelyche my dere herte ye. [ 1334] whom þat I nolde leuen for to se. For al þis world as wyd as it hath space. Or elles se ich neue[r] Ioues face. [ 1337]

(192)

Whi trowe ye my fader yn þis wyse. [ 1338] Coueyteth so to se me but for drede. Lest yn þis town þat folkes me dispise. By cause of hym / for his vnhappy dede. [ 1341] what wot my fader what lyf þat I lede. For and he wyste in Troy how wel I fare. Vs nedede for my wendyng nought to care. [ 1344]

(193)

Ye sen þat euery day ek more and more. [ 1345] Men trete of pees / and it supposed is. That men þe queene Eleyne shal restore. And Grekes vs restore þat is mys. [ 1348] So þough þere nere comfort noon but þis. That men purposen pes on euery syde. Ye may þe bettre at ese of herte a-byde. [ 1351]

(194)

For yf þat it be pes myn herte dere. [ 1352] The nature of þe pes mot nedes dryue. That men mose entrecomunen y-fere. And to and fro ek ryde and gon as blyue. [ 1355] Alday as þikke as ben flen from an hyue. And euery wight han liberte to bleue. wher as hym lyst þe bet wit-outen leue. [ 1358]

(195)

And þough so be þat pes þer may be noon. [ 1359] Yet hider þough þere neuere pes ne were. I moste come / for wheder sholde I gon. Or how myschaunce sholde I dwelle þere. [ 1362] A-mong þo men of armes euere in fere. For which as wysly god my soule rede. I kan not sen wher-of ye sholden drede. [ 1365]

(196)

Haue here a noþer wey if it so be. [leaf 88, back] [ 1366] That al þis þing ne may yow not suffice. My fader as ye knowen wel parde. Is old / and elde is ful of coueytise. [ 1369] And I right now haue founden al þe gyse. with-oute net wher-with I shal hym hente. And herkeneth how / if þat ye wole assente. [ 1372]

(197)

Lo Troylus men seyn þat ful hard it is. [ 1373] The wolf ful / and þe weþer hol to haue. This is to seyn þat men ful ofte y-wys. Mote spenden part / þe remenaunt for to saue. [ 1376] For ay with gold men may þe herte graue. Of hym þat set is [[first it]] vp-on coueitise. And how I mene .I. shal it yow deuyse. [ 1379]

(198)

The moble which þat I haue yn this town. [ 1380] Vn-to my fader shal I take and seye. That right for trust / and for sauacion. It sent is from a frend of his or tweye. [ 1383] The wheche frendes feruentlyche hym preye. To sende after more and þat in hye. whil þat þis town stant þus in Iupartie. [ 1386]

(199)

And þat shal ben an huge quantite. [ 1387] Thus shal I seyn but lest it folk aspie. This may be sent by no wyght but by me. I shal ek shewen hym yf pes by-tyde. [ 1390] what frendes ich haue on euery syde. Toward þe Court to don þe wraþe pace. Of Priamus / and don hym stonde in grace. [ 1393]

(200)

So þat for oþer o þyng and for oþer swete. [ 1394] I shal hym so enchaunten wiþ my sawes. That right in heuene his sowle-is shal he mete. For al Appollo and or his Clerkes lawes. [ 1397] Or calkullynge auayleth nought þre hawes. Desir of gold shal so his soule blynde. That as me lyst .I. shal wel make an ende. [ 1400]

(201)

And yf he wolde ought by hys sort it preue. [leaf 89] [ 1401] If þat I lye / in certayn I shal fonde. Distorben hym / and plukke hym by þe sleue. Makynge his sort / and beren hym on honde. [ 1404] He hath not wel þe goddes vnderstonde. For goddes speken in Amphibologies. And for a soth þey tellen .xx. lyes. [ 1407]

(202)

Eke drede fond first goddes .I. suppose. [ 1408] Thus shal I seyn / and þat is cowarde herte. Made hym a-mys þe goddes text to glose. whan he for fered out of his Delphos sterte. [ 1411] And but I make hym soone to conuerte. And don my red with-Inne a day or tweye. I wol to yow oblige me to deye. [ 1414]

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And trewelyche as wreten wel I fynde. [ 1415] That al þis þyng was seyd of good entent. And þat here herte trewe was and kynde. Towardes hym / and spak right as she mente. [ 1418] And þat she starf for wo neigh whan she wente. And was in purpos euere to be trewe. Thus writen þey þat of here werkes knewe. [ 1421]

(204)

This Troylus with herte and eerys spradde. [ 1422] Herde al þis þing deuysen to and fro. And verraylich hym semed þat he hadde. The same wit / but yet to late he[r] go. [ 1425] His herte mysforyaf [hym] euere mo. But fynally he gan his herte wreste. To trusten here / and tok it for þe beste. [ 1428]

(205)

For which þe grete furye of his penaunce. [ 1429] was queynt with hope / and þer-with hem bi-twene. By-gan for Ioye þe amorouse daunce. And as þe briddes whan þe sonne is she[ne]. [ 1432] Deliten in here song yn leues grene. Right so þe wordes þat þey spake y-fere. Deliten hem / and made hire hertes clere. [ 1435]

(206)

But nathles þe wendyng of Criseyde. [leaf 89, back] [ 1436] For al þis world may nought out of his mynde. For whiche ful ofte he pitously here preyde. That of here heste he might here trewe fynde. [ 1439] And seyde here certes yf ye be vnkynde. And but ye come at day set in-to Troye. Ne shal I neuere haue hele honour ne Ioye. [ 1442]

(207)

For al so soth as sonne vp rist on morwe. [ 1443] And god so wisly þow me woful wrecche. To reste brynge out of þis cruwel sorwe. I. wol my seluen sle yf þat ye drecche. [ 1446] But of my deth þough litel be to recche. Yet er þat ye me cause so to smerte. Dwelle raþere here myn owene swete herte. [ 1449]

(208)

For trewely myn owene lady dere. [ 1450] Tho sleyghtes yet þat I haue herd yow stere. Ful shaply ben to fayllen alle y-fere. For þus men seyn þat oon þenkeþ þe bere. [ 1453] But al a noþer þenketh h[i]s ledere. Youre sire is wys / and seyd is out of drede. Men may þe wyse at-renne but not a-rede. [ 1456]

(209)

It is ful hard to halten vn-espied. [ 1457] By-fore a crepul for he kan on þe craft. Youre fader is in sleyghte as Argus eyed. For al be þat his moeble is hym by-raft. [ 1460] His olde sleyghte is yet so with hym laft. Ye shal not blende hym for youre womanhede. Ne feyne a-right / and þat is alle my drede. [ 1463]

(210)

I not yf pes shal euere mo by-tyde. [ 1464] But pes / or no / for ernest ne for game. I. wot syn Calkas on þe Grekes syde. Hath ones ben / and lost so foule his name. [ 1467] He dar nomore come here a-yen for shame. For which þat weye for ought I kan espye. To trusten to / nys but a fantasye. [ 1470]

(211)

Ye shal ek sen yowre fader shal yow glose. [leaf 90] [ 1471] To ben a wyf / and as he kan wel preche. He shal som grek so prese and wel a-lose. That rauysshen he shal yow with his speche. [ 1474] Or do yow don by force as he shal teche. And Troylus of whom he nyl han rouþe. Shal causeles so steruen in his trouþe. [ 1477]

(212)

And ouer al þis youre fader shal [[first alal]] despise. [ 1478] Vs alle and seyn þis Cite nys but lorn. And þat þassege neuere shal aryse. For-why þe grekes han it alle sworn. [ 1481] Til we be slayn and doun oure walles torn. Al þus he shal you with his wordes fere. That ay drede I þat ye wol bleue þere. [ 1484]

(213)

Ye shul ek sen so mani a lusty knyght. [ 1485] A-mong þe Grekes ful of worþynesse. And eche of hem with herte wit and myght. To plesen yow don al his besynesse. [ 1488] That ye shul dullen of þe rudenesse. Of vs sely Troians / but yf rouþe. Remorde yow / or vertue of youre trouþe. [ 1491]

(214)

And þis to me so greuous is to þenke. [ 1492] That fro my brest it wole my soule rende. Ne dredles in me þer may not synke. A good opynyoun yf þat ye wende. [ 1495] For-why youre faderes sleyghte wole vs shende. And yf ye gon as I haue told yow yore. So þenk I am but ded with-oute more. [ 1498]

(215)

For which with humble trewe and pitous herte. [ 1499] A þousand tymes mercy I yow preye. So rewes on myn aspre peynes smerte. And doth somwhat / as þat I shal yow seye. [ 1502] And lat vs stele a-way by-twext vs tweye. And þenk þat folye is whan man may chese. For accident is substaunce ay to lese. [ 1505]

(216)

I mene þis þat syn we mowe er day. [leaf 90, back] [ 1506] wel stele a-way and ben to-gedre so. what nede were it to putten in assay. In cas ye sholde to youre fader go. [ 1509] If that ye myghte come a-yen or no. Thus mene I þat it were a gret folye. To putte þat sikernesse in Iupartie. [ 1512]

(217)

And vulgar[l]y to speken of substaunce. [ 1513] Of Tresour may we boþe with vs lede. Y-nowh / to lyue in honour and pleasaunce. Til in-to tyme þat we shul ben dede. [ 1516] And þus we may eschewen al þis drede. For euerych oþer wey ye kan recorde. Myn herte y-wys / may not ther-with acorde. [ 1519]

(218)

And hardely ne dredeth no pouerte. [ 1520] For I haue kyn / and frendes elles where. That þough we comen in oure bare sherte. Vs sholde neyþer lakke golde ne gere. [ 1523] But ben honoured while we dwelten þere. And go we a-noon for as yn myn entente. This is þe beste yf þat ye wole assente. [ 1526]

(219)

Criseyde with a syk right in þis wyse. [ 1527] Answered y-wys my dere herte trewe. we may wel stele a-way as ye deuyse. And fynde swyche vnthryfty weyes newe. [ 1530] But afterward ful sore it wole vs rewe. And helpe me god so at my most nede. As causeles ye suffren al þis drede. [ 1533]

(220)

For þilke day þat I for cherysshynge. [ 1534] Or drede of fader or of oþer wight. Or for estat / delit / or for weddynge. Be fals to yow my Troylus my knyght. [ 1537] Saturnus doughter Iuno þorugh here myght. As wod as Athamante do me dwelle. Eternaly in Stix þe put of helle. [ 1540]

(221)

And this on euery god celestial. [leaf 91] [ 1541] I swere it yow and ek on eche goddesse. On euery Nymphe and deite infernal. On satiry and fawny more lesse. [ 1544] That halue goddes ben of wildernesse. And Attropos my þred of lyf þow breste. If I be fals / now trowe me yf þow leste. [ 1547]

(222)

And þow Symoys þat as an arwe clere. [ 1548] Thorugh Troye rennest ay downward to þe see. Bere wittenesse of þis word þat seyd is here. That þilke day þat ich vntrewe be. [ 1551] To Troylus myn owen herte free. That þow retorne bakwarde to þi welle. And I wiþ body and soule synke in helle. [ 1554]

(223)

But þat ye speke alwey þus for to go. [ 1555] And leten alle youre frendes god for-bede. For ony womman þat ye sholden so. And namly syn Troye hath now swych nede. [ 1558] Of help and ek of o þyng taketh hede. If þis were wist my lif lay in balaunce. And your honour / god shilde vs fro myschaunce. [ 1561]

(224)

And yf so be þat pes her-after take. [ 1562] As alday happeþ after anger game. why lord þe sorwe and wo ye wolden make. That ye ne dorste come a-yen for shame. [ 1565] And er þat ye Iuparten so youre name. Beth nought to hasty in þis hote fare. For hasty man ne wanteth neuere care. [ 1568]

(225)

What trowe ye þat þe peple ek of al aboute. [ 1569] wolde of it seye / it is ful lyght to arede. They wolden seye / and swere it out of doute. That loue ne drof yow nought to don þis dede. [ 1572] But lust voluptuous / and coward drede. Thus were al lost y-wys myn herte dere. Yowre honour which þat now shyneth so clere. [ 1575]

(226)

And also þenketh on myn honeste. [leaf 91, back] [ 1576] That floureth yet how foule it sholde it shende. And with what filþe it spotted sholde be. If in þis forme I sholde with yow wende. [ 1579] Ne þough I lyuede vn-to þe worldes ende. My name sholde I neuere a-yenward wynne. Thus were I lost and þat were rouþe & synne. [ 1582]

(227)

And for-þi sle with reson al þis hete. [ 1583] Men seyn þe suffraunt ouercometh par de. Ek who-so wole han leef he leef mote lete. Thus makeþ vertue of necessite. [ 1586] By pacient and þenk þat lord is he. Of fortune ay þat nought wole of here recche. And she ne daunteth no wight but a wrecche. [ 1589]

(228)

And trusteþ þis þat certes herte swete. [ 1590] Er Phebus suster lucyna the shene. The leon passe out of þis ariete. I wol ben here with-outen ony wene. [ 1593] I mene as helpe me Iuno heuenes queene. The tenthe day / but yf þat deth me assayle. I wol yow sen with-outen ony fayle. [ 1596]

(229)

And now so þis be soth quod Troylus. [ 1597] I shal wel suffre vn-to the tenþe day. Syn þat I se þat nede it mot be þus. But for þe loue of god yf it be may. [ 1600] So lat vs stele pryuely a-way. For euere in oon as for to lyue in reste. Myn herte seyþ it wole ben þe beste. [ 1603]

(230)

O mercy god / what lyf is þis quod she. [ 1604] Allas ye sle me þus for verray tene. I se wel now þat ye mystrusten me. For by youre wordes it is wel I-sene. [ 1607] Now for þe loue of Cynthes þe shene. Mystrust me not þus causeles for routhe. Syn to be trewe I haue yow plyght my trouthe. [ 1610]

(231)

And thenketh wel þat som tyme it is wit. [leaf 91] [ 1611] To spende a tyme / a tyme for to wynne. Ne parde lorn am I nought fro yow yet. Though þat we ben a day or two a twynne. [ 1614] Dryf out þe fantasies yow wiþ-Inne. And trusteth me / and leueth ek youre sorwe. Or her my trouþe I wol not lyue til morwe. [ 1617]

(232)

For if ye wiste how sore it doth me smerte. [ 1618] Ye wolde cesse of þis for god þow wost. The pure spirit wepeþ in myn herte. To se yow wepen þat I loue most. [ 1621] And þat I mot gon to þe Grekes ost. Ye nere it þat I wist remedie. To com a-yeyn / right here I wolde dye. [ 1624]

(233)

But certes I am not so nyce a wyght. [ 1625] That I ne kan ymagynen a weye. To come a-yen þat day þat I haue hight. For who may holde þing þat wole a-way. [ 1628] My fader nought for al his queynte pley. And by my þryft my wendyng out of Troye. A-noþer day shal torne vs alle to Ioye. [ 1631]

(234)

For-thy with al myn herte I yow beseche. [ 1632] Yf þat yow lyst don ough for my preyere. And for þe loue which þat I loue yow eke. That er þat I departe fro yow here. [ 1635] That of þe good of comfort & a chere. I may you sen / þat [ye] may brynge at reste. Myn herte / which þat is o poyn to breste. [ 1638]

(235)

And ouer al þis I pray yow quod she þo. [ 1639] Myn owen hertes sothfast suffisaunce. Syn I am þyn al hool with-outen mo. That whil þat I am assent no plesaunce. [ 1642] Of oþere / do ye me fro youre remembraunce. For I am euere a-gast / for-whi men rede. That loue is þing ay ful of bysy drede. [ 1645]

(236)

For yn þis world / þer lyueth lady noon. [leaf 92, back] [ 1646] If þat ye were vntrewe as god defende. That so bytraysed were or wo bygon. As I þat al trouþe in yow entende. [ 1649] And douteles yf þat ych oþer wende. I nere but ded / and er ye cause fynde. For goddes loue / so beth me not vnkynde. [ 1652]

(237)

To þis answerede Troylus and seyde. [ 1653] Now god to whom þer nys no cause y-wrye. Me glad as wys I neuere vn-to Criseyde. Syn þilke day I saw here first with eye. [ 1656] was fals ne neuere shal til þat I dye. At short wordes wel ye may me leue. I kan no more / it shal be founde at preue. [ 1659]

(238)

Graunt mercy good myn y-wys quod she. [ 1660] And blysful Venus lat me neuere sterue. Er I may stonde of plesaunce in degre. To quyte hym wel þat so wel kan deserue. [ 1663] And whil þat my wit wol me conserue. I shal so don so trewe I haue yow founde. That ay honour to meward shal rebounde. [ 1666]

(239)

For trusteþ wel þat youre estat royal. [ 1667] Ne veyn delit / nor oonly worþinesse. Of yow in werre / or torney Marcial. Ne pompe aray / nobley or ek richesse. [ 1670] Ne made me to Rewe on youre distresse. But moral vertue grounded vpon trouþe. That was þe cause / I first hadde on yow rouþe. [ 1673]

(240)

Ek gentil herte and manhod þat ye hadde. [ 1674] And þat ye hadde as me þoughte in despit. Euery thing þat souned in-to badde. As rudenesse an pepelyssħ appetit. [ 1677] And þat yowre reson brydled youre delit. This made a-bouen euery creature. That I was youre and shal whil I may dure. [ 1680]

(241)

And this may lengthe of yeres not for-do. [leaf 93] [ 1681] Ne remuable fortune deface. But Iuppiter þat of his myght may do. The sorwful to be glad so yeue vs grace. [ 1684] Er nyghtes ten / to meten in þis place. So þat it may youre herte and myn suffice. And fareth now wel for tyme is þat ye ryse. [ 1687]

(242)

And after þat þey longe y-pleyned hadde. [ 1688] And ofte I-kyst and streyght in armes folde. The day gan ryse and Troylus hym cladde. And rowfullych his lady gan byholde. [ 1691] As he þat felte dethes cares colde. And to his grace he gan hym recomaunde. wher hym was wo / þis holde I no demaunde. [ 1694]

(243)

For mannes hed ymagynen ne kan. [ 1695] Nen-tendement considere / ne tonge telle. This cruwel peynes of þis sorwful man. That passen euery torment doun in helle. [ 1698] For he saugh þat she ne myghte dwelle. which þat his soule out of his herte rente. with-outen more out of þe chaumbre he wente. [ 1701]

Explicit liber Quartus.

[Harleian MS. 2280, on leaf 56, back.]

[The few tagd f, g, k, t's of the MS. are not printed in this Book.]

(1) (Proem)

¶ But al to litel walawey þe while [ 1] Lasteth swich Ioy I-thonked be fortune Þat semeth trewest when she wol bigyle and kan to fooles so hire song entune [ 4] Þat she hem hente and blente traitour comune And when a wight is from hire whiel Ithrowe Than laugheth she and maketh hym þe mowe [ 7]

(2)

¶ From Troilus she gan hire brighte face [ 8] awey to wrythe and took of hym non hede But cast hym clene oute of his lady grace And on hire whiel she sette up diomede [ 11] For whiche myn herte right now gynneth to blede And now my penne allas with which I wryte Quaketh for drede of þat [I] most endite [ 14]

(3)

¶ For how Criseyde Troilus for-soke [ 15] Or at þe leeste how þat she was vnkynde Moot hennes forth ben matere of my book As wryten folk thorugh which it is mynde [ 18] Allas þat they sholde euere cause fynde To speke hire harme and if they on hire lye I-wis hem self shold han þe vylenye [ 21]

(4) (Invocation)

¶ O ȝe herynes nyghttes doughtren thre [leaf 57] [ 22] Þat endeles compleynen euere in pyne Megera alete / and ek thesiphone Thow cruel mars ek fader to quyryne [ 25] Þis ilke ferthe book me helpeth fyne So þat þe los of lyf and loue y-fere Of Troilus be fully shewed heere [ 28]

Explicit. tercius liber

Incipit quartus liber.

(5) (The Story)

Lyggynge in oost / as I haue seyde or þis [ 29] Þe grekes stronge a-boute Troye town Byfel / þat when þat phebus shynynge is Vp on the breste of herculis leoun [ 32] Þat Ector with ful many a bolde baroun Cast on a day with grekes for to fighte As he was wonte to greue hem what he myght [ 35]

(6)

¶ Not I how longe or short it was bitwene [ 36] Þis purpos / and þat day they fighten mente But on a day wel armed bryghte and shene Ector and many a worthi wight out wente [ 39] wit spere in honde and bigge bowes bente And in þe berde with-outen lenger lette Hire fomen in þe felde anon hem mette [ 42]

(7)

¶ Þe longe day with speres sharpe I-grounde [ 43] with arwes / dartes swerdes / maces felle They fighten and bryngen hors and man to grownde And with hire axes out þe braynes quelle [ 46] But in þe laste shoure soth for to telle Þe folk of Troie hem seluen so mysleden Þat with þe wors at nyght homward they fledden [ 49]

(8)

¶ At which day was taken antenor [ 50] Maugre Polidamas or monesteo Santippe sarpedon Polynestor Polite or ek þe Troian daun rupheo [ 53] And other lesse folk / as phebuseo So þat for harme þat day þe folk of Troie Dreden to lese a grete part of hire Ioye [ 56]

(9)

¶ Of Priamus was ȝeue a grek requeste [leaf 57, back] [ 57] A tyme of trew and þo they gonnen trete Hire prisoners to chaungen most and leste And for þe surplus ȝeuene sommes grete [ 60] Þis thynge a-non was with in euery strete Both in thessage and town and euery where And with þe firste it come to calkas ere [ 63]

(10)

¶ whan calkas knew þis tretis shold holde [ 64] In consistorie o-mange þe grekes soone He gan in thrynge forth with lordes olde And set hym there as he was wonte to done [ 67] And with a chaunged face hem bad a boone For loue of god to / don þat reuerence To stynte noyse and ȝeue hym audience [ 70]

(11)

¶ Than seyde he thus lo lordes myn ich was [ 71] Troian / as it is knowen of drede And if ȝow remembre I am kalkas / Þat alderfirste ȝaf confert to ȝoure nede [ 74] And tolde wel how þat ȝe shold spede For dredeles thorwgh ȝow shal in a stownde Ben Troie brente and betten down to grownde [ 77]

(12)

¶ And in what fere or in what manere wyse [ 78] Þis town shende and al ȝoure luste tacheue Ȝe han or this wel herde it me deuyse Þis knowe ȝe my lordes as I leue [i. credo] [ 81] And for þe grekes weren me so leue [i. cari] I com my self in my propre persone To teche in þis how ȝow was best to done [ 84]

(13)

¶ Hauynge to my tresour ne my rente [ 85] Right no resport / to respite of ȝour ese Þus al my goode I leste and to ȝow wente wynynge in þis ȝow lordes for to plese [ 88] But al þat los ne doth me no disese I vouche sauf / as wysly haue I Ioye For ȝow to leese alle þat I haue in Troye [ 91]

(14)

¶ Saue of a doughter that I lefte allas [ 92] Slepynge at home when out of Troie I sterte O sterne o cruel fader þat I was How myght I haue in þat so harde an herte [ 95] Allas I ne hadde brought hire in hire sherte For sorwe of which I wol nought lyue to morwe But if ȝe lordes rew vp-on my sorwe [ 98]

(15)

¶ For by þat cause I say no tyme or nowe [leaf 58] [ 99] Hire to deliuere ich holden haue my pees But now or neuere if it like ȝowe I may hire haue right soone douteles [ 102] O helpe and grace amonge al þis prees Rew up-on þis olde caytif in distresse Syn I thorwgh ȝow have al þis heuynesse [ 105]

(16)

¶ Ȝe haue now caught and fetered in prisoun [ 106] Troians I-nowe and If ȝoure willes be My childe with oon may han redempcion Now for þe loue of god and of bounte [ 109] Oon of so fele allas so ȝif hym me what nede were it this preyere for to werne Syn ȝe shul both han folk and town as ȝerne [ 112]

(17)

¶ On peril of my lif I shal nat lye [ 113] Appollo hath me told it feithfully, I haue ek founde by astronomye By sort and by augurye ek trewly [ 116] And dar wel seye the tyme is faste by Þat fir and flaumbe on al þe town shal sprede And þus shal Troie torne to asshen dede [ 119]

(18)

¶ For certeyn phebus and neptunus [[MS. neptimus]] bothe [ 120] Þat makkeden the walles of þe town Ben with þe folk of Troie alwey so wrothe Þat they wol brynge it to confusioun [ 123] Right in dispit of kynge lameadon By cause he nold payen hem here hire Þe town of Troie shal ben set on fyre [ 126]

(19)

¶ Tellynge his tale alway þis old greye [ 127] Humble in his speche and in his lokynge ek Þe salt teres from his eyen tweye Ful faste ronnen down by eyther cheeke [ 130] So longe he gan of socoure hem by-seke Þat for to hele hym of his sorwues soore They haue hym antenor with-outen more [ 133]

(20)

¶ But who was glad ynough but calkas þo [ 134] And of þis thynge ful soone his nedes layde On hem þat sholden for þe tretis go And hem for antenor ful oft preyde [ 137] To brynge hom kynge Tooas and cryseyde And whan Priam his saue garde sente Thembassadours to troie streught wente [ 140]

(21)

¶ The cause I-tolde of hire comynge the [leaf 56, back] [ 141] Priam þe kynge ful soone in general Let hire-vp-on his parlement to holde Of which theffect / rehercen ȝow I shal [ 144] Thembassatours ben answerde for fynal Theschaunge of prisoners and alle þis nede Hem lyketh wele and forth in they procede [ 147]

(22)

¶ This Troilus was present in þe place [ 148] whan axed was for antenor Criseyde For which ful soon chaungen gan his face as he þat with þo wordes wel neigh dyede [ 151] But natheles he no worde to hit seyde List men sholde his affeccion espye witht mannes herte he gan hys sorwes drye [ 154]

(23)

¶ And ful of angwisħ and of grisely drede [ 155] And what lordes wolde vn-to it seye And if they wolde graunte as god for-bede Theschaunge of hir þan thought he thynges tweye [ 158] First how to saue hire honour and what weye He myght best theschaunge of hire with-stonde Ful faste he caste how al thys myght stonde [ 161]

(24)

¶ Loue hym made al prest to don hyre bide [ 162] And rather dyen than she sholde go But reson seyde hym on þat other syde with-outen assente of hire ne do not so [ 165] leste for þi werke she wolde be þi fo And seyde þat thorwgh thy medlynge is Iblowe Ȝoure eyther loue þer it was erst vnknowe [ 168]

(25)

¶ For wich he gan deliberen for the beste [ 169] That though þe lordes wolde she wente He wolde lat hem graunte what hem liste And telle his lady firste what þat they mente [ 172] And whan þat she had seyde hym hire entente Ther-efter wolde he werken also blyue Theigh al þe world aȝeyn it wold stryue [ 175]

(26)

¶ Ector which þat wele þe grekes herde [ 176] For antenor how they wolde han Cryseyde Gan it with-stonde and sobrely answerde Sires she nys no prisoner he seyde [ 179] I not on ȝow who þis þat þis charge layde But on my part ȝe may eft sones hem telle we vsen here no wommen for to selle [ 182]

(27)

¶ The noyse of peple vp stirte thanne atones / [leaf 59] [ 183] As breme as blase of straw I-set on fyre For Infortune it wolde for the nones They sholden hire confusion desire [ 186] Ector quod they what gost may thow enspire Þis womman þus to shilde and don vs lese Daun antenor / a wrong wey now ȝe chese [ 189]

(28)

¶ Þat is so wis and eke so bolde baroun [ 190] And we han nede tolk as men may se He is ek on þe grettest of this town O Ector lat tho fantasyes be [ 193] O kynge priam quod they þus siggen we Þat al oure vois is to for-gon Criseyde And to delyueren antenor they preyde [ 196]

(29)

¶ O Iuuenal lorde trewe is thy sentence [ 197] Þat litel witen folk what is to ȝerne Þat they ne fynde in hire desire offence For cloude of errour ne lat hem disterne [ 200] what best is and lo here ensaumple as ȝerne Þis folk desiren now delyueraunce Of antenor þat brought hem to myschaunce [ 203]

(30)

¶ For he was after traitour to þe town [ 204] Of Troie allas they quite hym oute to rathe O nyce world / lo thy discrecioun Criseyde whiche þat neuere dide hem scathe [ 207] Shal now no longer in hire blisse bathe But antenor he shal com hom to towne And she shal out þus seyde here and howne [ 210]

(31)

¶ For whiche delibered was by parlemente [ 211] For antenor to ȝelden out Criseyde And pronounced by the president Al-theigh þat Ector nay ful oft preyde [ 214] And finaly what wight þat it with-seyde It was for nought it most ben and sholde For substaunce of þe parlement it wolde [ 217]

(32)

¶ Departed out of parlement echone [ 218] This Troilus with-outen wordes mo Vn-to his chaumbre spedde hym faste allone But if were aman of his or two [ 221] The whiche he bad out fast for to go By cause he wolde slepen as he seyde And hastely vp on his bed hym layde [ 224]

(33)

¶ And as in wynter leues ben byraft [leaf 59, back] [ 225] Eche efter other til þe tre be bare So þat þer nys but bark and braunche ylaft Lith Troilus byraft of eche welfare [ 228] Ybounden in þe blak bark of care Disposed wode out of his wit to brayde So soore hym sat þe chaungynge of Criseyde [ 231]

(34)

¶ He ryste hym up and euery dore he shette [ 232] And wyndow ek and tho þis sorwful man Vp on his beddes syde a-down hym sett Ful like a dede ymage pale and wan [ 235] And in his breste þe heped wo bygan Out brast / and he to werken in þis wyse In his wodenesse / as I shal ȝow deuyse [ 238]

(35)

¶ Right as þe wilde bole bigynneth sprynge [ 239] Now here now ther ydarted to þe herte And of his deth roreth in compleynnynge Right so gan he aboute þe chaumbre sterte [ 242] Smytynge his brest ay with his fistes smerte His hed to þe walle his body to þe grounde Ful ofte he swapte hym seluen to confounde [ 245]

(36)

¶ His eyen two for pite of herte [ 246] out stremeden as swyft welles tweye Þe heigh sobbes of his sorwes smerte His spech hym refte vnnethes myghte he seye [ 249] O deth allas why nyl-tow do me deye A-corsed be þat day whiche þat nature Shope me to ben a lyues creature [ 252]

(37)

¶ But efter when þe furie and al þe rage [ 253] which þat his herte twiste and fast threste By lenghe of tyme som what gan at-swage Vp on his bedde he layde hym down to reste [ 256] But þo bigan his teres more oute breste Þat wonder is þe body may suffise To half þis wo which þat I ȝow deuyse [ 259]

(38)

¶ Than seyde he þus fortune allas þe while [ 260] what haue I don what haue I þus a-gilt How myghtestow for routhe me by-gyle Is ther no grace and shal I þus be spilte [Sine causs.] [ 263] Shal þus Criseyde a-wey for þat thow wilt Allas how maistow in thyn herte fynde To ben to me þus cruel and vnkynde [ 266]

(39)

¶ Haue þe nought honoured al my lyue [leaf 60] [ 267] As thow wel woost a-boue þe goddes alle why wiltow me fro Ioie thus depryue O Troilus what may men þe now calle [ 270] But wrich of wriches out of honour falle Into miserie in whiche I wol biwaille Criseide allas / til þat þe breth me faille [ 273]

(40)

¶ Allas fortune if þat my life in Ioie [ 274] Displesed hadde vn-to thy foule enuye whi ne haddestow my fader kyng of Troye Byraft the life or don my bretheren dye [ 277] Or slayn my-self þat þus compleyne and crye I combre world þat may of no thynge serue But euere dye and neuere fully sterue [ 280]

(41)

¶ If þat Criseyde allone were me laft [ 281] Nought rought I whidere thow woldest me stere And hire allas than hastow me biraft But euere more lo þis is thy manere [ 284] To reue a wyght þat moost is to hym dere To preue in þat thi gerful violence Þus am I lost ther helpeth no defence [ 287]

(42)

¶ O verre lord o loue o god allas [ 288] Þat knowest best myn herte and alle my thought what shal my sorwful lyf don in þis cas If I for-go þat I so deere haue bought [ 291] Syn ȝe Criseyde and me han fully brought In to ȝour grace / and both oure hertes seled How may ȝe suffre / allas it be repeled [ 294]

(43)

¶ what I may don I shal whil I may dure [ 295] On lyue in torment and in cruel peyne Þis infortune or this disauenture Allone as I was borne I-wys compleyne [ 298] Ne neuere wol I sen it shyne or reyne But ende I wol as Edippe in derkenesse My sorwful lyf and dyen in distresse [ 301]

(44)

¶ O verrey goost þat errest to and fro [ 302] whi nyltow flen out of þe wofulleste Body / þat euere myght on grounde go O soule lurkynge in þis wo vnneste [.i. go out of þi nest] [ 305] Fle forth out of myn herte and lat it breste And folow alwey Criseyde þi lady deere Þi right place is now no longer here [ 308]

(45)

¶ O woful eyen two syn ȝoure disporte [leaf 60, back] [ 309] was al to sen Criseydes eyen bright what shal ȝe don but for my disconforte Stonden for naught and wepen out ȝour sighte [ 312] Syn she is queynte þat was ȝow to lighte In veyne fro þis forth haue ich eyen Tweye I-formed / Syn ȝoure vertu is a-weye [ 315]

(46)

¶ O my Criseyde o lady souerayne [ 316] Of þis woful soule þat þus cryeth Who shal now ȝeuen confort to þe peyne Allas no wight / but when myn herte dyeth [ 319] My spirit which þat so vn-to ȝow hyeth Receyue in gre / for þat shal ay ȝow serue For-thy no fors is thought þe body sterue [ 322]

(47)

¶ O ȝe louers þat heighe vp on þe whiel [ 323] Ben set of fortune in goode auenture God leue þat ȝe fynde ay loue of stiel And longe mote ȝoure lyf in Ioie endure [ 326] But when ȝe comen by my sepulture Remembreth þat ȝoure felowe resteth þere For I loued ek though ich vnworthy were [ 329]

(48)

¶ O olde vnholsom and myslyued man [ 330] Calkas I mene allas what ayled the To ben a greke / syn thow ert born troian O calkas which þat wolt my bane be [ 333] In cursed tyme was thow borne for me As wold blisful Iouo for his Ioie Þat I þe hadde wher I wold in Troie [ 336]

(49)

¶ A thousand sikes hottere þan þe glede [ 337] Out of his breste ech efter othere wente Medled with pleyntes now his wo to fede For which his woful teris neuere stente [ 340] And shortly so hise peynes hym to-rente And wax so maat þat Ioie or penaunce He feleth non but lith forth in a traunce [ 343]

(50)

¶ Pandare which þat in þe parlement [ 344] Adde harde / what euery lord and burges seyde And how ful graunted was by oon assente For antenor to ȝelden so Criseyde [ 347] Gan wel neigh woode out of his wit to breyde So þat for wo he nyste what he mente But in a rees to Troilus he wente [ 350]

(51)

¶ A certeyn knyght þat for þe tyme kepte [leaf 61] [ 351] Þe chaumbre dore vndid it hym anon And Pandare þat ful tendrelych wepte In to þe derke chaumbre as stille as stone [ 354] Towarde þe bedde gan softly to gon So confus þat he nyst what to seye For verray wo his wit was neigh awaye [ 357]

(52)

¶ And with his chere and lokynge al to-torn [ 358] For sorwe of þis and with his armes folden He stode þis woful Troilus biforn And on his pitous face he gan biholden [ 361] But lord so soft gan his herte colden Seynge his frend in wo whos heuynesse His herte slough as thoughte hym for distresse [ 364]

(53)

¶ Þis woful witht þis Troilus þat felte [ 365] his frend Pandare y-comen hym to se Gan as þe snow aȝein þe sonne melte For which þis sorwful Pandare of pite [ 368] Gan for to wepe as tendrelich as he And specheles this ben thise ilke tweye Þat neither myght a worde for sorw seye [ 371]

(54)

¶ But at þe laste this woful Troilus [ 372] Neigh ded for smerte gan bresten out to rore And with a sorwful noise he seyde thus Amang hise sobbes and his sikes sore [ 375] Lo Pandare I am ded with-outen more Hastow nat herd at parlement he seyde For antenor how loste is my Criseyde [ 378]

(55)

¶ Þis Pandarus ful ded and pale of hewe [ 379] Ful pitously answerde and seyde yis As wisly were it fals as it is trewe That I haue herde and woot al how it is [ 382] O mercy god who wold haue trowed þis who wold haue wende þat in so litel a throwe Fortune oure Ioie wold haue ouer throw [ 385]

(56)

¶ For in þis worlde ther is no creature [ 386] As to my dome þat euere saugh ruyne Straunger þen þis thorwgh cas or auenture But who may al eschue or al deuyne [ 389] Swich is þis world for-þi I þus deffyne Ne truste no wight to fynden in fortune Ay properte / hire ȝiftes ben comune [ 392]

(57)

¶ But tel me þis why thow ert now so mad [leaf 61, back] [ 393] To sorwen þus why listow in þis wyse Syn þi desire al holly hastow had So þat by right it ought ynough suffise [ 396] But I þat neuere felt in my seruyse A frendly chere or lokynge of an eye Lat me þus wepe and waylen til I dye [ 399]

(58)

¶ And ouer al þis as thow wel woost þi selue [ 400] Þis town is ful of ladis al aboute And to my doom fayrer þan swich twelue As euere she was / shal I fynden in som route [ 403] Ye oon or two with-outen any doute For-þi be glad myn owen deere brother If she be lost we shal recouere a-nother [ 406]

(59)

¶ what god forbede alwey þat ech plesaunce [ 407] In o thynge were and in noon other wight If on kan synge a nother kan wel daunce If þis be goodly she is glad and light [ 410] And þis is fair and þat kan goode a-right Ech for his vertu holden is for deere Both heroner and faucoun for ryuere [ 413]

(60)

¶ And ek as writ ȝauȝis þat was ful wis [ 414] Þe new loue oute chaceth oft þe olde And vp on newe cas lith a newe a-uys Thynke ek þi lif to sauen ertow holden [ 417] Swich fire by processe shal of kynde colden For syn it is but casuel plesaunce Som cas shal putte it oute of remembraunce [ 420]

(61)

¶ For also seur as day cometh after nyght [ 421] Þe new loue / labour or other wo Or elles selde seynge of a wight Don olde affeccions alle ouer go [ 424] And for þi part thow shal haue oon of two Tabrigge with þi bittre peynes smerte Absens of hire shal dryue hire out of herte [ 427]

(62)

¶ Þese wordes seyde he for þe noones alle [ 428] To helpe his frende list he for sorwe dyed For douteles to don his wo to falle He rought nought what vnthrift þat he seyde [ 431] But Troilus þat neigh for sorw dyed Took litel hede of alle þat euere he mente Oon ere it herde attother out it wente [ 434]

(63)

¶ But atte last answerde and seyde frende [leaf 62] [ 435] Þis lechecraft or heled thus to be were wel sittynge if þat I were a fend To traysen a wight þat trewe is vn-to me [ 438] I preye god let þis counseyle neuere I-the But do me rather sterue a-non right here Er I þus do as thow me woldest leere [ 441]

(64)

¶ She þat I serue I-wis what so thow seye [ 442] To whom myn herte enhabit is by right Shal han me holly hires til þat I dye For Pandarus syn I haue trowthe hire hight [ 445] I wol nat ben vntrow for no wight But as hire man I wole ay lyue and sterue And neuere other creature serue [ 448]

(65)

¶ And þer thow seist thow shalt as faire fynde [ 449] As she / lat be / make no comparisoun To creature yformed here by kynde O leue Pandare in conclusyoun [ 452] I wol not ben of thyn opynyoun Touchynge al þis for whiche I þe beseche So holde þi pees thow slest me with þi speche [ 455]

(66)

¶ Thow biddest me I sholde loue a nother [ 456] Alle freshly newe and lat Criseyde go It lith nat in my Power leeue brother And though .I myghte I wol not do so [ 459] But kanstow pleyen raket to and fro Nettle in dokke out now þis now þat Pandare Now foule falle hire for þi wo and care [ 462]

(67)

¶ Thow fairest ek by me thow Pandarus [ 463] As he þat whan a wight is wo-by-gon He cometh to hym a paas and seith right thus Thynke nat on smerte and thow shalt fele none [ 466] Thow moost me first transmuwen in a stoon And reue me my passiouns alle Er thow so lightly do my wo to falle [ 469]

(68)

¶ Þe deth may wel out of my brest departe [ 470] Þe lyf / so longe may þis sorw myne But fro my soule shal Criseydes darte Out neuer mo / but down with proserpyne [ 473] Whan I am dede I wol go wone in pyne And þer I wol eternaly compleyne My wo / and þat twynned be we tweyne [ 476]

(69)

¶ Thow hast here made an argument for fyne [lf 62, bk] [ 477] How þat it shold lasse peyne be Criseyde to for-gon for she was myne And lyued in ese and in felicite [ 480] why gabbestow þat seydest vn-to me Þat hym is wors þat is fro wel I-throwe Þan he hadde erst non of þat wele y-knowe [ 483]

(70)

¶ But tel me now syn þat the thynketh so lyght [ 484] To chaungen so in loue ay to and fro Why hastow nat doon bysily thy myghte To chaungen hire þat doth þe al þi wo [ 487] why nyltow lete hire fro þin herte I-go why nyltow loue a nother lady swete Þat may þin herte setten in quiete [ 490]

(71)

¶ If thow hast hadde in loue ay ȝet meschaunce [ 491] And kast it nought oute of thyn herte dryue I þat lyuede in luste and in plesaunce with hire as muche as creature on lyue [ 494] How shold I þat forȝete and þat so blyue O wher hastow ben so longe hyde in muwe Þat kanst so wel and formeliche argue [ 497]

(72)

¶ Nay god woote nought worthi is al þi reede [ 498] For which for what þat euere may be-falle With-outen wordes mo I wol be dede O deth þat endere ert of sorwes alle [ 501] Com now syn I so oft efter þe calle For sely is þat deth soft for to seyne That oft I-cleped cometh and endeth peyne [ 504]

(73)

¶ wel wote I whil my lif was in qui[e]te [ 505] Er thow me slewe I wolde haue ȝeuen hire But now þi comynge is to me so swete Þat in þis world I no thynge so desire [ 508] O deth syn with þi sorw I am a-fire Thow outher do me a-non in teres drenche Or with cold strooke myn heete quenche [ 511]

(74)

¶ Syn þat thow slest so fele in sondry wyse [ 512] Aȝeyns hire wil vn-preyed day and nyghte Do me at my requeste this seruyse Deliuere now þe world so dostow right [ 515] Of me / þat am þe wofullest wight Þat euere was / for tyme is þat I sterue Syn in þis world of nought may serue [ 518]

(75)

¶ This troilus in teres gan distille [leaf 63] [ 519] As licour out of a lambic ful faste And Pandarus gan hold his tonge stille And to þe grounde his eyen don he caste [ 522] But natheles thus thought he at þe laste what parde rather þan my felawe deye Ȝet shal I somwhat more vn-to hym seye [ 525]

(76)

¶ And seyd frende syn thow haste swich distresse [ 526] And syn þe list myn argumentȝ to blame why nyl thy seluen helpen don retresse And with þi manhod letten al þis grame [ 529] Go rauyshe hire ne kanstow nought for shame And outher lat hire out town faire Or hold hire stille and leue þi nyce fare [ 532]

(77)

¶ Artow in troye and hast non hardimente [ 533] To tak a womman which þat loueth the And wold hire seluen ben of thyn assente Now is nat þis a nyce vanyte [ 536] Rise vp a-non and lat þis wepynge be And right thow ert a man for in þis houre I wol ben dede or she bleuen oure [ 539]

(78)

¶ To this answerde hym Troylus ful soft [ 540] And seyde parde leue brother deere Al this haue I my self ȝet thought ful oft And more thynge þan thow deuysest here^hic [ 543] But why þis thynge is laft thow shalt wel here^audire And when thow me hast ȝeuen an audience Þer-efter maistow telle alle þi sentence [ 546]

(79)

¶ First syn thow woost þis town hath alle þis werre [ 547] For rauysshyng of wommen so by nyght It shold nought be suffred me to erre as it stant now / ne don so grete vnright [ 550] I sholde han also blame of euery wyght My fadres graunte If that I so with-stode Syn she is chaunged for þe townes goode [ 553]

(80)

¶ I haue ek thought so it were hire assente [ 554] To axe hire at my fader of his grace Þan thynke I thys were hire acusemente Syn wel I woot I may hire nought purchace [ 557] For syn my fader in so heigh a place As parlement / hath hire eschaunge enseled He nyl for me his lettre be repeled [ 560]

(81)

¶ Ȝet drede I most hire herte to [[p has a dash under, = per] p̄ertorbe [leaf 63, back] [ 561] with violence If I do swich a game For if I wolde it openly distorbe It moost be disclandre to hire name, [ 564] And me were leuere ded than hire defame As nold god but if I shold haue hire honour leuere þan my lif to saue [ 567]

(82)

¶ Þus am I lost for ought þat I kan se [ 568] For certein is syn þat I am hire kynyght I most hire honour leuere han þan me Iu euery cas as louers aught of righte [ 571] Þus am I in desire and reson twyght Desire for to distourben hire me redeth And reson nyl so myn herte dredeth [ 574]

(83)

¶ Þus wepynge þat he koude neuere cesse [ 575] He seyde allas how shal I wriche fare For wel fele I alway my loue encresce And hope is lasse and lasse alway Pandare [ 578] Encresen ek þe causes of my care So waylawey why nyl myn herte breste For as in loue þer is but litel rest [ 581]

(84)

¶ Pandare answerde frend thow mayst for me [ 582] Don as þe lest / but hadde ich it so hoote and thyn estate she sholde go with me Though al þis town cryed on þis thynge by note [ 585] I nold sette at al þat noyse a grote For when men han wel cryed þan wol they rowne Ek wonder last but ix nyght neuere in towne [ 588]

(85)

¶ Deuyne nat in reson ay so depe [ 589] Ne curtaisly but helpe þi self a-non Bet is þat othere þan þi seluen wepe And namely syn ȝe two ben al oone [ 592] Rise vp / for by myn hed she shal not gon And rather be in blame a lite I-founde Þan sterue here as a gnat with-outen wounde [ 595]

(86)

¶ It is no shame vn-to ȝow ne no vyce [ 596] Hire to with-holden þat ye loueth most Paraunter she myght holden þe for nyce To laten hire go þus vn-to þe grekes oost [ 599] Thynk ek fortune as wel þi-seluen wooste Helpeth hardy man vn-to his emprise And weyneth wreches for hire cowardyse [ 602]

(87)

¶ And though thy lady wolde a lite hire greue [leaf 64] [ 603] Thow shalt þiself þi pees here-efter make But as for me certein I kan not leeue Þat she wolde it a now for euel take [ 606] why shold þanne of fered thyn herte quake Thynk ek how Paris hath þat is þi brother A loue / and why shaltowe not haue a nothe [ 609]

(88)

¶ And Troylus o thynge I dar þe swere [ 610] Þat If Criseyde which þat is þi lief Now loueth þe as wel as thow dost hire God help me so she nyl not take a-gryefe [ 613] Theigh thow do boote o-non in þis meschief And if wilneth fro þe for to passe Thanne is she fals so loue hire wel þ^e lasse [ 616]

(89)

¶ For-þi take herte and thynk right as knyght [ 617] Thorwe loue is broken alday euery lawe Right now somwhat þi curage and þi myght haue mercy on þi self for any awe [ 620] lat not þis wreched wo thyne herte gnawe and manly set þe world on six and seuene And if thow deye a martyr go to heuene [ 623]

(90)

¶ I wol my self ben with þe at þis dede [ 624] Theigh ich and alle my kyn vp-on a stownde Shul in a strete as dogges liggen dede Thorwgh gyrt with many wyde and blody wounde [ 627] In euery cas I wol a frend ben founde And if þe list here steruen as a wreche A dieu / þe deuel spede hym þat it reche [ 630]

(91)

¶ This Troilus gan with wordes quykken [ 631] And seyde frende graunte mercy ich assente But certeynly thow maist not so me priken Ne peyne non ne may me so tormente [ 634] Þat for no cas it is not myn entente At shorte wordes though I dyen shold To rauysshen hire but If hire self it wolde [ 637]

(92)

¶ why so mene I quod Pandarus [ 638] But tel me þanne hastow hire wil asayde Þat sorwest þus and he answerde hym nay were-of ertow quod Pandare þanne amayed [ 641] Þat nost not þat she wol ben yuel apeyed To rauysshen hire syn thow hast nought ben þere But If þat Ioue told it in thyn ere [ 644]

(93)

¶ For-thy ris vp as nought ne were anon [leaf 64, back] [ 645] And wessh þi face and to þe kynge thow wende Or he may wondren wheder thow ert gon Thow most with wisdom hym and other blynde [ 648] Or vp-on cas he may efter the sende Er thow be war and shortly brother deere Be glad / and lat me werke in þis matere [ 651]

(94)

¶ For I shal shape it so þat sikerly [ 652] Thow shalt þis nyght somtyme in som manere Com speken with þi lady priuely And by hire wordes ek as by hire cheere [ 655] Thow shalt ful soone a-perceyue and wel here al hire entent and in þis cas þe beste And fare now wele for in this poynte I reste [ 658]

(95)

¶ The swifte fame which þat fals thynges [ 659] Egal reportehth like þe thynges trewe was thorugh-out Troye yfled with prest wynges Fro man to man and made þis tale al newe [ 662] How calkas doughter with hire bryght hewe At parlement with-outen wordes moore I-graunted was in chaunge of antenore [ 665]

(96)

¶ Þe which tale a-non right as Criseyde [ 666] Hadde herde she which þat of hir fader roughte As in þis cas right nought ne when he deyed Ful bisily to Iuppiter bisoughte [ 669] Ȝeue hym meschaunce þat þis tretis broughte But shortly lest this tales sothe were She dorst at no wight axen it for feere [ 672]

(97)

¶ As she þat hadde hire herte and al hire mynde [ 673] On Troilus ysette so wonder faste Þat al þis world ne myghte hire loue vnbynde Ne Troilus out of hire herte caste [ 676] She wol ben his wil þat hire lif may laste And she þus brenneth bothe in loue and drede So þat she nyste what was best to rede. [ 679]

(98)

¶ But as men seen in town and alle a-boute [ 680] Þat wommen vsen frendes to visite So to Criseyde of wommen com a route For pitous Ioie / and wenden hire delite [ 683] And with hire tales dere ynough a myte Þis wommen which þat in þe cite dwelle They set hem down and seyde as I shal telle [ 686]

(99)

¶ Quod firste þat oon I am glad trewly [leaf 65] [ 687] By-cause of ȝow þat shal ȝoure fader se A nother seyd I-wys so nam not I For to litel hath she with vs be [ 690] Quod tho þe thridde I hope I-wis þat she Shal brynge vs þe pees on euery syde Þanne when she goth al-myghty god hire gyde [ 693]

(100)

¶ Tho wordes and þo wommansshe thynges [ 694] She herde hem right as though she tennes were For god it woot hire herte on other thynges is Al though þe body sate a-mange hem there [ 697] Hire aduertens is alwey elles-where For Troilus ful fast hire soule soughte with-outen worde on hym alwey she thoughte [ 700]

(101)

¶ Thise wommen þat þus wenden hire to pleese [ 701] Aboute nought gonne al hire tales spende Swich vanite ne kan don hire non ese As she þat al þis mene while brende [ 704] Of other passioun þan they wende So þat she felt al-moost hire herte dye For wo and wery of þat compaignye [ 707]

(103)

¶ And þilke fooles sittynge hire a-boute [ 715] wenden þat she wepte and syked soore By cause þat shol out of þat route Departen / and neuere pleye wit hem more [ 718] And þey þat hadde y-knowen hire of yoore Seigh hire so wepe and thought it kyndenesse And ech of hem wepte eke for hire distresse [ 721]

(104)

¶ And bisily they gonnen hire conforten [ 722] Of thynge god woot on which she litel thoughte And wit hire tales wenden hire disporten And to be glad they oft hire bysoughte [ 725] But which an ese ther-with they hire wroughte Right as a man is esed for to feele For ach of hed to clowen hym on his heele [ 728]

(105)

¶ But efter al þis nyce vanite [ 729] They took hire leue and hom they wente alle Criseyde ful of sorwful pitee In to hire chaumbre vp wente out of þ^e halle [ 732] And on hire bed she gan for ded to falle In purpos neuere thennes for to rise And þus she wroughte as I shal ȝowe devyse [ 735]

(106)

¶ Hire ownded here þat sonnyssh was of hewe [lf 65, bk] [ 736] She rente / and ek hire fyngeres longe and smale She wronge ful oft / and bad god on hire rewe And with þe deth to don boote on hire bale [ 739] Hire hew whilom bright þat þo was pale Bar witnesse of hire wo and hire constreynte And þus she spake sobbynge in hire compleynte [ 742]

(107)

¶ Allas quod she out of this region [ 743] I woful wreche and infortuned wight And born in corsed constellacioun Moot goon / and þus departen fro my knyght [ 746] wo worth allas þat ilke dayes lyght On which I saugh hym first with eyen tweyne Þat causeth me / and ich hym al þis peyne [ 749]

(108)

¶ Þer-with þe teres from hire eyen two [ 750] Down fille / as shour in aperil swithe Hire white brest she bet and for þe wo Efter þe deth she cryed a thousand sythe [ 753] Syn he þat wont hire wo was for to lithe She moot for-gon for which disauenture She held hire self a forlost creature [ 756]

(109)

¶ She seyd how shal he doon and ich also [ 757] how shold I lyue if þat I fro hym twynne O deere herte ek þat I loue so who shal þat sorw alen þat ȝe ben Inne [ 760] O calkas fader thyn be al þis synne O moder myn þat cleped were argyue wo worth þat day þat thow me bere on lyue [ 763]

(110)

¶ To what fyn shold I lyue and sorwen þus [ 764] How shold a fissh with-outen water dure what is Criseyde worth from Troilus How shold a plaunte or lyues creature [ 767] Lyue / with-outen his kynde noriture For which ful oft a byworde here I seye Þat rootheles mot grene soon dye [ 770]

(111)

¶ I shal doon þus syn neither swerde ne darte [ 771] Dar I non handlee for the cruelte Þat ilk day þat I from ȝow departe If sorwe of þat nyl nat my bane be [ 774] Þanne shal no mete or drynk com in me Til I my soule out of my breste vnshethe And þus my-seluen wold I don to dethe [ 777]

(112)

¶ And Troilus my clothes euerychon [leaf 66] [ 778] Shal blake ben in tokennynge herte swete Þat I am out of þis worlde gon Þat wonte was ȝow to setten in quiete [ 781] And of myn ordre ay til deth me mete Þe obseruaunce euere in ȝoure absens Shal sorw ben compleynte and abstinence [ 784]

(113)

¶ Myn herte and ek þe woful goost þer-Inne [ 785] By-quethe I with ȝoure spirit to compleyne Eternaly for they shal neuere twynne For though in erith I-twynned be we tweyne [ 788] Ȝet in þe feld of pite out of peyne Þat height Elysos shal we ben I-feere As orpheus and Erudice his feere [ 791]

(114)

¶ Thus herte myn for antenor allas [ 792] I soone shal ben chaunged as I weene But how shul ȝe don in þis sorwful cas How shal ȝoure tendre herte þis sustene [ 795] But herte myne for-ȝet this sorw and teen And me also for sothly for to seye So ȝe wel fare I reche noughte to dye [ 798]

(115)

¶ How myght it euere yherd ben or ysonge [ 799] Þe pleynte þat she made in hire distresse I not / but as for me my litel tonge If discryuen wold hire heuynesse [ 802] It sholde Make hire sorwe seme lesse Þanne þat it was / and childisshly deface Hire heighe compleynte and þer-for ich it pace [ 805]

(116)

¶ Pandare which þat sente from Troilus [ 806] was vnto Criseyde as ȝe han herde deuyse Þat for þe beste it was a-corded thus And he ful glad to don hym þat seruyse [ 809] Vn-to Criseyde in a ful faire wyse Þer as she lay in torment and in rage Com hire to telle alle holly his message [ 812]

(117)

¶ And fonde þat she hire-seluen gan to trete [ 813] Ful pitously / for with hire salte teres Hire breste / hire face y-bathed was ful wete Þe myghty tresses of hire sonnysshe here [ 816] Vnbroiden hangen al a-boute hire eeres which ȝaf hym verray signal of matere Of deth which þat hire herte gan desire [ 819]

(118)

¶ when she hym saugh she gan for sorwe anon [lf 66, bk] [ 820] Hire tery face atwixe hire armes hyde For which þis Pandare is so wo-bigon Þat in þe hous he myght vnneth abyde [ 823] As he þat pite hadde on euery syde For if Criseide hadda erst compleyned soore Þo gan she pleyne a thousand tyme moore. [ 826]

(119)

¶ And in hire aspre pleynte þus she seyde [ 827] Pandare first of ioies moo þan two was cause causynge vn-to me Criseyde Þat now transmuwed ben in cruel wo [ 830] Ther shal I seye to ȝow wel com or no Þat aldirfirste me brought vn-to seruyse of loue / allas þat endeth in swich wyse [ 833]

(120)

¶ Endeth thanne loue in wo ȝe or men lieth [ 834] And and alle wordly blisse as thynketh me Þe ende of blisse ay sorw it ocupieth And who-so troweth not þat it so be [ 837] lat vp-on me woful wreche y-see Þat my-self hate and ay burthe a-corse Felynge alwey fro wikke I go to worse [ 840]

(121)

¶ who-so me seeth he seeth sorwe al atones [ 841] Peyne torment / pleynte / wo / distresse Out of my woful body harm þer non is As angwissh / langour / cruel / bitternesse [ 844] Anoy / smert / drede furye and ek sekenesse I trowe I-wis from teres reyne For pite of myn aspre and cruel peyne [ 847]

(122)

¶ And though my suster ful of disconfort [ 848] Quod Pandarus what thynkestow to doo why ne hastow to þi-seluen som reporte why wiltow þus þi self allas for-do [ 851] Leef al þis werk and take now hede to Þat I shal seyne / and herkene of goode entente Þis message whiche by me þi Troilus me sente [ 854]

(123)

¶ Torned hire tho Criseyde a wo makynge [ 855] So grete / þat it a deth was for to se Allas quod she what wordes may ȝe brynge what wol my deere herte seyne to me [ 858] which þat I drede neuere mo to se wol he han pleynte or teres or I wende I haue I-noughe If he ther-efter sende [ 861]

(124)

¶ She was right swich to seen in hire visage [leaf 67] [ 862] As is þat wight þat men on beere bynde Hire face like to paradis þe ymage was al chaunged in a nother kynde [ 865] Þe pleye þe laughtre men was wonte to fynde On hire / and ek hire Ioies euerychone Ben fled / and þus lith now Criseyde allone [ 868]

(125)

¶ Aboute hire eyen two purpre rynge [ 869] By-trent in sothfast toknynge of lyre peyne Þat to be-holde it was a dedely thynge For which Pandare myght not refreyne [ 872] Þe teres from his eyen for to reyne But nathales / as he best myght he seyde From Troilus / thise wordes to Criseyde [ 875]

(126)

¶ Loo nece I trowe ȝe han herde al howe [ 876] Þe kynge with other lordes for þe beste Hath made eschaunge of antenor and ȝowe Þat cause is of þis sorw and þis vnreste [ 879] But how þis cas doth Troilus moleste Þat may non erthly mannes tonge seye For verray wo his wit is alle a-weye [ 882]

(127)

¶ For which we han so sorwed he and I. [ 883] Þat in to litel both it hadde vs slawe But thorugh myn conseil þis day fynaly He somwhat is fro wepynge now with-drawe [ 886] And semeth me at he desireth fawe with ȝow to ben al nyght for to deuyse Remede in þis if ther any wyse [ 889]

(128)

¶ This shorte and pleyne þeffect of my message [ 890] As fer forth as my wit kan comprehende For ȝe þat ben of tormente in swich rage May to no longe prologe as now entende [ 893] And here-vp-on ȝe may answer to hym sende And for þe loue of god my nece deere So lef this wo or Troilus be heere [ 896]

(129)

¶ Gret is my wo quod she and sighte soore [ 897] As she þat feleth · dedely sharp distresse But ȝet to me is sorwe is muchel more Þat loue hym bet þan he hym self I gesse [ 900] Allas for me hath swich heuynesse kan he for me so pitously compleyne I-wis þis sorw dowbleth al my peyne [ 903]

(130)

¶ Greuous to me god woot for to twyne [leaf 67, back] [ 904] Quod she / but ȝet it hardere is to me To sen þat sorwe which þat he is Inne For wel wot I it wol my bane be [ 907] And dye I wol in certeyn tho quod she But bid hym come er deth þat þus me threteth Dryue out that gost which in myne herte he betheth [ 910]

(131)

¶ Þise wordes seyde she on hire armes two [ 911] Fil [[? MS. stil]] gruf and gan to wepen pitously Quod pandarus allas why do ȝe so Syn wel ȝe woote þe tyme is fast by [ 914] Þat he shal com aris vp hastely Þat he ȝow nat bywepen thus ne fynde But ȝe wol haue hym woode out of hys mynde [ 917]

(132)

¶ For wiste he þat ȝe ferde in þis manere [ 918] He wold hym seluen sle / and if I wende To han þis fare he shold nat com heere For al þe good þat priam may despende [ 921] For to what fyn he wold a-non pretende Þat knowe ich wel and for-þi ȝet I seye So lef þis sorwe or platly he wol dye [ 924]

(133)

¶ And shapeth ȝow his sorw for tabrigge [ 925] And nought encresce leue nece swete Beth rather to hym cause of flat than egge And with som wysdom ȝe his sorwe beete [ 928] what helpeth it to wexen ful a strete Or though ȝe bothe in salt terys dreynte Bet is a tyme of cure ay þan of pleynte [ 931]

(134)

¶ I mene thus when iche hym hyder brynge [ 932] Syn ȝe be wyse and both of oon assent So shapeth how destourbe ȝour goynge Or come aȝeyn soone efter ȝe be wente [ 935] Wommen ben wyse in short a-vysemente And lat sen how ȝoure wit shal now availe And what þat I may help it schal not faile [ 938]

(135)

¶ Go quod Criseyde and vncle trewly [ 939] I shal don al my myght me to restreyne From wepynge in his sight and bysily Hym for to glade I shal don al my peyne [ 942] And in myn herte seken euery veyne If to this soor there may be founden salue It shal not lakke certeyn on myn halue [ 945]

(136)

¶ Goth Pandarus and Troilus he soughte [leaf 68] [ 946] Til in a temple he fonde hym allone As he þat of his lif no lenger roughte But to þe pitouse goddes euerychon [ 949] Ful tenderly he preyde and made his mone To doon hym soon out of þis worlde to pace For wel he thoughte þer was no nother grace [ 952]

(137)

¶ And sothely al þe sothe for to seyne [ 953] He was so fallen in dispaire þat day Þat outrely he shope hym for [to] dye For righte þus was his argument alwey [ 956] He seyde he nas but lorn waylawey For al þat cometh comth by necessite Þus to ben lorne it is my desteyne [ 959]

(138)

¶ For certeynly þis woote I wel he sayde [ 960] Þat forsyght of deuyne puruyaunce Hathe seyn alwey me for to for-gon Criseyde Syn god seth euery thynge out of doutaunce [ 963] And hym disponeth thorwgh his ordinaunce In hire merites sothely for to be as they shul comen by predesteyne [ 966]

(139)

¶ But natheles allas whom shal I leue [ 967] For þer ben grete many oone That destyne thorwgh argumentȝ preue And som man seyn þat nedely þer is noon [ 970] But þat fre cloys [[for choys]] is ȝeuen vs euerichon O waylaway so sleighe ern clerkes olde Þat I nat whos opinion I may holde [ 973]

(140)

¶ For som men seyn If god seth al byforne [ 974] Ne god may not deseyued ben parde Than moot it fallen theigh men hadde it sworne Þat purueyaunce hath seyn be-for to be [ 977] wher-for I seye þat from eterne if he [.i. done] Hathe wiste by-forn our thought ek as oure dede we haue no fre choys as thise clekkes rede [ 980]

(141)

¶ For other thoughte nor other dede also [ 981] Myght neuere ben but swich as purueyaunce Which may nat ben deceyued neuere moo Hath feled by-forne with-outen ignoraunce [ 984] For if ther myght ben a variaunce To wrythen out fro goddes purueynge Ther ner no prescience of thynge comynge [ 987]

(142)

¶ But it were rather an opinyon [leaf 68, back] [ 988] Vncertein / and in no stedfast forseynge And certes þat were an abusyon Þat god shold han no parfit clere wetynge [ 991] More þan we men þat han doutes wenynge But swich an erroure vp-on god to gesse Were fals and foule and wikked corsednesse [ 994]

(143)

¶ Ek þis is an opinyon of some [ 995] Þat han hire top ful heigh and smothe I-shore They seyn right þus þat thynge is nat to comen For þat þe prescience hath seyne by-fore [ 998] Þat it shal come but they seyn þat ther-fore Þat it shal come ther-for þe purueyaunce woot it bifore with-outen ignorance [ 1001]

(144)

¶ And in þis manere þis necessite [ 1002] Retourneth in his part contrarye agayn For nedfully by-houeth it not to be That þilke thynges fallen in certeyn [ 1005] Þat ben purueyed / but nedly as they seyne Bihoueth it þat thynges which þat falle Þat þei in certein ben purueied alle [ 1008]

(145)

¶ I mene as though I laboured me in this [ 1009] To enqueren which thynge cause of whiche thynge be As whether þat þe prescience of god is The certein cause of þe necessite [ 1012] Of thynges þat to comen ben parde Or if necessite of thynge comynge Be cause certein of the purueyinge [ 1015]

(146)

¶ But now nen-force I me nat in shwynge [ 1016] How the ordre of causes stant / but wol woot I Þat it bihoueth that the bifallynge Of thynges wiste bifor certeinly [ 1019] Be necessarie al seme it nat ther-by That prescience put fallynge necessarie To thynge to come al falle it foule or faire [ 1022]

(147)

¶ For if þer sit a man ȝonde on a see [ 1023] Than by necessite bihoueth it Þat certes thyn opinioun soth be That wenest or coniectest þat he sit [ 1026] And further now ouer aȝeinwarde ȝit lo right so is it of þe part contrarie As thus nowe herkene for I wol nat tarie [ 1029]

(148)

¶ I sey þat if þe opinion of this [leaf 69] [ 1030] Be soth / for þat he sit than seye I this Þat he moot sitten by necessite And þus necessite in either is [ 1033] For in hym nede of sittynge is I-wis And in the / nede of soth and þis for soth Ther mot necessite ben in ȝow bothe [ 1036]

(149)

¶ Bot thow maist seyne þe man sit nat þere-fore [ 1037] Þat thyn opinioun of his sittynge sothe is But rather for the man sit there by-fore Þerfor is thyn opinioun soth y-wys [ 1040] And I seye though þe cause of soth of þis Cometh of his sittynge ȝet necessite Is entrechaunged both in hym and the [ 1043]

(150)

¶ Thus in this same wyse out of doutaunce [ 1044] I may wel maken as it semeth me My resonynge of goddes purueiaunce And of þe thynges þat to comen be [ 1047] By which reson men may wel y-see Þat thylk thynges þat in erthe falle Þat by necessite they comen alle [ 1050]

(151)

¶ For al-though þat for thynge shal come ywys [ 1051] Þer-for is it purueyed certeynly Nat þat it comes for it purueied is Ȝet natheles bihoueth it nedfully [ 1054] Þat thynge to come be purueied trewly Or elles thynges þat purueied be That they bitiden by necessite [ 1057]

(152)

¶ And þis sufficeth right y-nough certeyn [ 1058] For to discruye oure fre choys euery dele But now is this abusioun to seyne Þat fallynge of the thynges temporel [ 1061] Is cause of goddes prescience eternel Now trewly þat is a fals sentence Þat thynge to come sholde cause his prescience [ 1064]

(153)

¶ what myght I wene and I hadde swich a thought [ 1065] But þat god purueieth thynge þat is to come For þat is to come and elles nought So myght I wene þat þynges alle and sone [ 1068] Þat whilom ben bifalle and ouere-come Ben cause of thilke soueyren puruyaunce Þat for-woot alle with-outen ignoraunce [ 1071]

(154)

¶ And ouer al þis ȝet seye I moore herto [leaf 69, back] [ 1072] Þat right as when I woot there is o thynge Iwis þat thynge mot nedfully be so Ek right as when I woote a thynge comynge [i. euentus] [ 1075] So mot it come and þus þe bifallynge Of thynges þat ben wiste bi-fore þe tyde They mowe not ben eschued on no syde [ 1078]

(155)

¶ Þan seyde he þus almyghty Ioue in Trone [ 1079] Þat woost of al þis thynge þe sothfastnesse Rewe on my sorwe or do me dyen sone Or brynge Criseyde and me fro þis distresse [ 1082] And while he was in al þis heuynesse Disputynge with hym self in þis matere Com Pandare in / and seyde as ȝe may here [ 1085]

(156)

¶ O myghty god quod Pandarus in Trone [ 1086] I who say euere a wys man faren so whi Troilus what thynkestow to doon Hastow swich luste to ben thyn owne fo [ 1089] What parde ȝet is not Criseyde ago whi lust þe so þi self for-doon for drede Þat in thyn hed thy nene semen dede [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Hastow nought lyued many a ȝere by-forne [ 1093] with-outen hire and ferde ful wel atese Ertow for hire and for non other borne Hath kynde þe wroughte al oonly hire to plese [ 1096] lat be / and thynk right þus in thy disese Þat in þe dees right as þer fallen chaunces Right so in loue þere com and gon plesaunces [ 1099]

(158)

¶ And ȝet þis is a wonder moost of alle [ 1100] whi thow þus sorwest syn thow nost not ȝit Touchynge hire goynge how þat it shal falle Ne ȝif she kan hire self distourben it [ 1103] Thow hast nat ȝit assayed al hire wit A man may al by-tyme his nekke beede whan it shal of and sorwen at þe nede [ 1106]

(159)

¶ For-þi take hede of al þat I shal seye [ 1107] I haue with hire I-spoke and longe I-be So as a-corded was by-twyxe us twa And euer moo me thynketh þus þat she [ 1110] Hath somwhat in hire hert I preuete whar-with she can If I shal right arede Destourbe al þis of which thow ert in drede [ 1113]

(160)

¶ For which my conseil is whan it is nyght [leaf 70] [ 1114] Thow to hire go and mak of þis an ende And blisful Iuno thorwgh hire grete myghte Shal as I hope hire grace vnto vs sende [ 1117] Myn herte seith she shal nat wende And for-þi put thyn herte a qwhile in reste And hold þis purpos for it is þe beste [ 1120]

(161)

¶ This Troilus answerde and sighte soore [ 1121] Thow saist right wel and I wol doon right so And what hym liste he seyde vnto it moore And whan þat it was tyme for to go [ 1124] Ful preuely hym self with-outen mo Vn-to hire come as he was wonte to doon And how they wroughte I shal ȝow tellen soone [ 1127]

(162)

¶ Soth is than when they gonnen first to meete [ 1128] So gan the peyne hire hertes for to twyste Þat neither of hem myghte other grete But hem in armes tooke and efter kyste [ 1131] Þe lasse woful of hem both nyste wher þat he was ne myght o word out brynge As I seyde arst / for wo and for sobbynge [ 1134]

(163)

¶ Þe woful teres þat they leten falle [ 1135] As bittre wern out of teres kynde For peyne / as is ligne aloes or galle So bittre teres wepe noughte as I fynde [ 1138] Tho woful myrra [[? MS. a]] thorwgh þe barke and rynde Þat in þis world þer nys so hard an herte Þat nolde han rewed on hire peynes smerte [ 1141]

(164)

¶ But when hire woful wery gostes tweyne [ 1142] Retourned ben / ther as hem owen to dwelle And þat som what to woken gan þe peyne By lenghthe of pleynte and ebben gan the welle [ 1145] Of hire teres / and þe herte vnswelle With brokyn vois al hois for shright Criseyde To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde [ 1148]

(165)

¶ O Ioue I deye and mercy I biseche [ 1149] Helpe Troilus / and ther-with-al hire face Vp on his breste she leyde and lefte speche His woful spirit from his propre place [ 1152] Right with þe worde alwey o peynte to pace And þus she lith with hewes pale and grene Þat whilom fressh and fairest was to sene [ 1155]

(166)

¶ Thus Troilus þat on hire gan biholde [leaf 70, back] [ 1156] Clepynge hire name and she lay as for dede With-outen answere and felt hire lymes colde Hire eyen throwen vpwarde to hire hed [ 1159] This sorwful man kan now noon other rede But oft tyme hire cold mouthe he kyste Wher hym was wo god and hym self it wiste [ 1162]

(167)

¶ He rist hym vp and longe streught he hire layde [ 1163] For signe of lyf for ought he kan or may Kan he non fynde in no thynge on Criseyde For which his songe ful oft is walaway [ 1166] But when he saugh þat specheles she lay with sorwful vois and herte of blisse al bare He seyde how she was fro þis worlde y-fare [ 1169]

(168)

¶ So efter þat longe hadde hyre compleyned [ 1170] His hondes wronge and seyde þat was to seye And with hire teris salt hire breest by-reyned He gan tho teris wepen of ful dreye [ 1173] And pitously gan for she soule preye And seyde o lord þat ert in þi trone Rew ek on me for I shal folwe hir sone [ 1176]

(169)

¶ She colde was and with-outen sentemente [ 1177] For aught he woot for breth ne felt he non And þis was hym a preignant argument Þat she was forth out of þis world a-gone [ 1180] And when he sey þer was non other wone He gan hyre lymes dresse in swich manere As men don hem þat shal be layd on beere [ 1183]

(170)

¶ And efter þis with sterne and cruel herte [ 1184] His swerde anon out of his shethe he twyghte Hym self to slane how sore þat hym smerte So þat his soule hire soule folwen myghte [ 1187] Þer as dome of mynos wold it dighte Syn loue and cruel fortune it ne wolde Þat in þis world .he langer lyuen sholde [ 1190]

(171)

¶ Than seyde he þus fulfilld of heigh desdayn [ 1191] O cruel Ioue and thow fortune aduerse Þis al and som þat falsly haue ye slayn Criseyde / and syn ȝe may do me no werse [ 1194] Fy on ȝoure myght and werkes so dyuerse Þus cowardly ȝe shul me neuere wynne Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twynne [ 1197]

(172)

¶ For I þis world syn ȝe haue slayn hire thus [leaf 71] [ 1198] wol lete and folw hire spirit low or heye Shal neuere louer seyn That Troilus Dar not for with his lady dye [ 1201] For certein I wol bere hire companye But syn ȝe wol not suffure vs lyues here Ȝet suffreth þat our soules ben I-feere [ 1204]

(173)

¶ And thow cite which þat I lyue in wo [ 1205] And thow priam and bretheren alle I-fere And thow moder far wel for I go and attropes mak redy thow my beere [ 1208] And thow Criseyde o swete herte deere Receyue now my spirit wolde he seye With swerd at herte al redy for to dye [ 1211]

(174)

¶ But as god wold of swough ther-with she brayde [ 1212] And gan to sike and Troilus she cryede And he answerde lady myn Criseyde Lyue ȝe ȝit and lete his swerde down glide [ 1215] Ȝe herte myn þat thanked be cupide Quod she / and ther-with-al for sighte And he bigan to glad hire as he myghte [ 1218]

(175)

¶ Took hire in armes two and kyste hire ofte [ 1219] And hire to glade / he dide al his entente For which hire gooste þat fliked ay o lofte In-to hire woful herte aȝein it wente [ 1222] But at þe laste as þat hire eye glente a syde / anon she gan his swerde aspye As it lay bare / and gan for feere crie [ 1225]

(176)

¶ And asked hym whi he it hadde out drawe [ 1226] And Troilus a-non / þe cause hire tolde And how hym self þer-with he wolde han slawe For which Criseyde vp-on hym gan by-holde [ 1229] And gan hym in armes faste folde And seyde o mercy god lo which a dede Allas how neigh we weren bothe dede [ 1232]

(177)

¶ Thanne if I nadde I-spoken as grace was [ 1233] Ȝe wold han slayn ȝowre-self a-non quod she Ȝe douteles / and she answarde allas For by þat ilk lord that made me [ 1236] I nold a forlonge wey o lyue haue be After ȝour deth to han ben crowned quene Of al þat lond þe sonne on shyneth sheene [ 1239]

(178)

¶ But with this selue swerde which þat here is [lf 71, bk] [ 1240] My self I wolde han slayn quod she tho But hoo for we han right ynowgh of þis And lat vs rise and streughte to bedde go [ 1243] And þer lat vs speken of oure wo For by þe morter which þat I se brenne Know I ful wel þat day is not fere henne [ 1246]

(179)

¶ when they were in hire bedde in armes folde [ 1247] Naught was it like tho nyghtes here biforn For pitously ich other gan by-holde As they þat hadden al hire blisse y-lorn [ 1250] Bywaylynge ay þe day þat they were borne Til at þe laste þis sorwful wight Criseyde To Troilus þis ilke wordis seyde [ 1253]

(180)

¶ Loo herte myne wel woot ȝe þis quod she [ 1254] Þat if a wight alwey his wo compleyne And seketh naught how holpen for to be It is but folye and encresse of peyne [ 1257] And sin þat here assembled be we twyne To fynde boote of wo þat we ben Inne It were al tyme soone to bigynne [ 1260]

(181)

¶ I am a womman as ful wel ȝe woote [ 1261] And as I am auysed sodeynly So wol I telle ȝow whil it is hoote Me thynketh thus þat noither ȝe nor I [ 1264] Ought half þis wo to maken skilfully For þer is art y-nough for to redresse Þat ȝet is mys and slen þis heuynesse [ 1267]

(182)

¶ Soth is þe wo þe wriche þat wo ben Inne [ 1268] For aught I wot for no thynge elles is But for þe cause þat we sholden twynne Considered al þer nys nomore amys [ 1271] But what is thanne a remade vnto þis But þat we shape vs soone for to mete Þis al and som my deere herte I-wis [ 1274]

(183)

¶ Now þat I shal wele bryngen it aboute [ 1275] To com aȝein soon efter þat I go Ther-of am I no maner thynge in doute For dredeles with-In a wowke or two [ 1278] I shal ben here and þat it may be so By al right / and in a wordes fewe I shal ȝow wel an heepe of weyes shewe [ 1281]

(184)

¶ For which I wol nat mak longe sermon [leaf 72] [ 1282] For tyme I-loste may nought recouered be But I wol gon to my conclusion And in þe best in aught þat I kan see [ 1285] And for þe loue of god forȝeue it me If I speke aught aȝenis ȝoure hertes reste For trewely I speke it for þe beste [ 1288]

(185)

¶ Makynge alwey a protestacioun [ 1289] Þat now þis wordes which þat I shal seye Nys but to shewen ȝowe my mocioun To fynde vn-to oure help þe beste weye [ 1292] And taketh it non other-wyse I ȝow preye For in affecte what so ȝe me comaunde Þat wol I don for [þat] ys no demaunde [ 1295]

(186)

¶ Now herkeneth þis ȝe han wel vnderstonde [ 1296] My goynge graunted is by parlement So forforth þat it may not be withtstonde For al þis world as by my Iugement [ 1299] And syn ther helpeth non a-uysement T[o] letten it / lat it passe out of mynde And lat vs shape a better wey to fynde [ 1302]

(187)

¶ The sothe þe twynynge of vs twyne [ 1303] Wol us disese and crueliche a-noye But hym bihoueth som tyme han a peyne Þat serueth loue If þat he wol haue Ioye [ 1306] And syn I shal no forther out of Troie Þan I may ride aȝein on half a morwe It aught lasse causen vs to sorwe [ 1309]

(188)

So as I shal not so ben hidde in muwe [ 1310] Þat day by day myn swete herte deere Syn wel ȝe wot þat it is now a truwe Ȝe shal ful wel al myn estate yheere [ 1313] And er þat truwe is don I shal ben here And þanne haue ȝe bothe antenor ywonne and me also / beth glad now if ȝe konne [ 1316]

(189)

¶ And thynk right þus Criseyde is now agon [ 1317] But she shal com hastily aȝein And when allas bi god lo right a-non Er dayes ten þis dar I saufly seyne [ 1320] And þan at erste shal we be so feyne So as we shal to-gideres euere dwelle Þat al þis worlde ne myght oure blisse telle [ 1323]

(190)

¶ I see that oft tyme ther as we bene now [leaf 72, back] [ 1324] Þat for þe beste oure conseil for to hide Ȝe spek not with me nor I with ȝowe In fourtenyght / ne se ȝow go ne ride [ 1327] May ȝe nought ten dayes þanne abide For myn honour in swich an auenture I wys ȝe mowe elles lite endure [ 1330]

(191)

¶ Ȝe knewe eke how þat al my kyn is here [ 1331] But if þat onlich it my fader be And myn other thynges al I-feere And nameliche my deere herte ȝe [ 1334] whom þat I nolde leuen for to se For al þis world as wyde as it hath space Or elles se iche neuere Ioues face [ 1337]

(192)

¶ whi trow ȝe my fader in þis wyse [ 1338] Coueiteth so to se me but for drede Lest in this town þat folkes me despice Be cause of hym for his vnhappi dede [ 1341] what woot my fader what lyf þat I lede For if he wiste in Troie how wel I fare Vs neded for my wendynge nought care [ 1344]

(193)

¶ Ȝe seen þat euery day ek mor and more [ 1345] Men trete of pees and It supposed is Þat men þe queene Eleyne shal restore And grekes vs restoren þat is mys [ 1348] So thought þer nere comfort non but this Þat men purposen pees on euery syde Ȝe may þe bettre at ese of herte abyde [ 1351]

(194)

¶ For if þat it be pees myn herte deere [ 1352] Þe nature of þe pees moot nedes dryue Þat men most entrecommunen yfere And to and fro ek ride and gon as blyue [ 1355] Alday as thykke as been fleen from an hyue And euery wight han liberte to bleue whar as hym liste bet with-outen leue [ 1358]

(195)

¶ And though so be þat pees þer may be non [ 1359] Ȝet hider though ther neuer pees ne weere I most come / for whider shold I gone Or how meschaunce sholde I dwelle þere [ 1362] O-mange þe men of armes euere in feere For which as wysely god my soule rede I kan not sen where-of ȝe sholden drede [ 1365]

(196)

¶ Haue here a nother wey if it so be [leaf 73] [ 1366] Þat al þis thynge ne may not suffise My fader as ȝe knowen wele parde Is old / and elde is ful of coueityse [ 1369] And I right now haue founden al þe gyse With-outen net wher-with I shal hym hente And herkeneth how if þat ȝe wol assente [ 1372]

(197)

¶ Loo Troilus men seyne þat ful harde it is [ 1373] Þe wolf ful and þe wether hoole to haue Þis is to seyn þat men ful oft y-wis Moot spenden part þe remenaunte for to saue [ 1376] For ay with gold men may þe herte graue Of hym þat set is vp-on coueitise And how I mene I shal it ȝowe deuyse [ 1379]

(198)

¶ Þe moeble which þat I haue in þis town [ 1380] Vn-to my fader shal I take and seye Þat right for truste and for sauacioun It sent is from a frend of his or tweye [ 1383] Þe which frendes feruentliche hym preye To sende efter more and þat in heye Whil þat þis town stante þus in Iupartye [ 1386]

(199)

¶ And þat shal ben an huge quantite [// i. of golde] [ 1387] Þus shal I seyn / but list it folk aspied Þis may be sente bi no wight but by me I shal ek shewen hym if pees betyde [ 1390] what frendes þat ich haue on euery syde Towarde þe courte to don the wreth space Of Priamus / and don hym stonde in grace [ 1393]

(200)

¶ So what for o thynge and for other swete [ 1394] I shal hym so enchaunten with my sawes Þat right in heuene his soul-is shal he mete For alle appollo or his clerkes lawes [ 1397] Or kalkulynge auayleth nought thre hawes Desire of gold shal so his soule blynde Þat as me liste I shal wel make an ende [ 1400]

(201)

¶ And if he wol aught by his sorte it preue [ 1401] If that I lye / in certein I shal fynde Destourben hym and plukke hym by the sleue Makynge his sort / and beren hym on honde [ 1404] He hath not wele þe goddes vnderstonde For goddes speken in amphibelogies And for a soth they tellen twenty lyes [ 1407]

(202)

¶ Ek drede fond firste goddes suppose [leaf 72, back] [ 1408] thus shal I seyn / and þat his coward herte Made hym a-mys þe goddes text to glose When he for ferde out of delphos sterte [ 1411] And but I make hym soon to conuerte And don my rede with-Inne a day or tweye I wol to ȝow oblige me to deye [ 1414]

(203)

¶ And treweliche as writen wel I fynde [ 1415] That al þis thynge was seyde in goode entent And þat hire herte trewe was and kynde Towardis hym and spak right as she mente [ 1418] And þat she for wo neigh when she wente And was in purpos euere to be trewe Þus writen they þat of hire werkes knowe [ 1421]

(204)

¶ To Troilus with herte and eres spradde [ 1422] Herd al þis thynge deuysen to and fro And verliche it semed þat he hadde The self wit / but to late hire go [ 1425] His herte mysforȝafe hym euere mo And finaly he gan his herte wreste To trusten hire and toke it for þe beste [ 1428]

(205)

¶ For which þe grete furye of his penaunce [ 1429] was queynte with hepe and ther-with hem bytwene Bygan for Ioye thamarouse daunce And as the bryddes whan the sonne is shene [ 1432] Deliten in hire songe in leues grene Right so þe wordes þat they spak Ifeere Delites hem and made hire hertes chere [ 1435]

(206)

¶ But natheles the wendynge of Criseyde [ 1436] For al þis world may not out of his mynde For whiche ful oft he pitously hire preyde Þat of hire heste he may hire trewe fynde [ 1439] And seyde hire certes If ȝe be vnkynde And but ȝe come at day set in-to Troye Ne shal I neuere haue hele honour ne Ioye [ 1442]

(207)

¶ For also soth as sonne vp-rist o morwe [ 1443] And god so wysely thow me woful wreche To reste brynge out of þis cruel sorwe I wol my-seluen sla if þat ȝe drecche [ 1446] But of my deth / though litel be to recche Ȝet or þat ȝeue me causen so to smerte Dwelle rather here myn owen swete herte [ 1449]

(208)

¶ For trewely myn owene lady deere [leaf 74] [ 1450] Tho sleightes ȝit þat I haue herde ȝowe steere Ful shapely ben to faylen alle I-feere For þus men seith þat oon thynketh þe bere [ 1453] But al a-nother thynketh his ledere Ȝour sire is wis / and seyde is out of drede Men may the wise at-renne and nought atrede [ 1456]

(209)

¶ It is ful hard to halten vnspied [ 1457] Bifor a crepul. for he kan the craft Ȝoure fader is in sleighte as argus eyed For al be þat his mooble is hym by-raft [ 1460] His olde sleighte is ȝit so with hym laft Ȝe shal nat blynde hym for ȝowre wommanhede Ne feyne arighte and þat is alle my drede [ 1463]

(210)

¶ I not if pees shal euere mo bitide [ 1464] But pees or no for ernest ne for game I woot syn calkas on the grekes seyde Hath oones ben / and lost so foule his name [ 1467] He dar nomor com here aȝein for shame For whiche þat wey for aught I kan espye To trusten on nys but a fantasye [ 1470]

(211)

¶ Ȝe shal ek sen ȝour fader shal ȝow glose [ 1471] To ben a wife / and as he kan wel preche He shal som greke so preyse and wele alose Þat rauysshen he shal ȝow with his speche [ 1474] Or do ȝow don be force as he shal teche And Troilus of on whom ȝe nyl han routhe Shal causeles so steruen in his trouthe [ 1477]

(212)

¶ And ouer al þis ȝoure fader shal despise [ 1478] Vs alle / and seyn / þis cite nys but lorne And þat thassage neuere shal arise For-why þe grekes han it al sworne [ 1481] Tyl we be sleyne and down our walles torn And þus he shal ȝow with his wordes feere Þat ay drede I þat ȝe wol bleuen theere [ 1484]

(213)

¶ Ȝe shal ek seen so many a lusti knyght [ 1485] O-mange þe grekes ful of worthynesse And ech of hem with hert wit and myght To plesen ȝow don alle his bisynesse [ 1488] Þat ȝe shul dullen of the rudenesse Of vs cely Troians / but if routhe Remorde ȝow / or vertu of ȝoure trouthe [ 1491]

(214)

¶ And this to me so greuous is to thynke [leaf 74, back] [ 1492] Þat fro my breeste it wol my soule sende Ne dredeles in me ther may not synke A goode opynyoun If þat ȝe wende [ 1495] For-why ȝoure faderes sleighte wol vs shende And if ȝe gon as I haue told yore So thynke I nam but deede with-oute more [ 1498]

(215)

¶ For which with humble trewe and pitouse herte [ 1499] A thousand tyme mercy I ȝow preye So reweth on myn aspre peynes smerte And doth somwhat as þat I shal ȝow seye [ 1502] And lat vs stele awey by-twyxe vs tweye. And thynke þat foly is when man may cheese For accident his substaunce ay to lese [ 1505]

(216)

¶ I mene þis þat syn we mow or day [ 1506] wele stele away and ben to-gidere so what wit were it to putten in assay In cas ȝe sholdon to ȝoure fader go [ 1509] If þat ȝe myghten com aȝein or no Thus mene I that were a grete folye To puten þat sykernesse in iu-partye [ 1512]

(217)

¶ And vulgarly to speken of substaunce [ 1513] Of tresour may we bothe with vs lede I-noughe to haue in honour and plesaunce Til in-to tyme þat we shal be dede [ 1516] And þus we may esshuen al þis drede For euery other wey ȝe kan recorde Myn herte I-wis may þer-with nought a-corde [ 1519]

(218)

¶ And hardily ne dredeth no pouerte [ 1520] For I haue kyn and frendes elles-were Þat though we comen in oure bare sherte vs sholde neyther lakken golde ne gere [ 1523] But ben honoured whil we dwellen there And go we a-non for as in myn entente Þis is þe best if þat ȝe wol assente [ 1526]

(219)

¶ Cryseyde with a syk ryght in þis wyse [ 1527] Answerde I-wis my deere herte trewe we may wel stele a-way as ȝe deuyse And fynden swich vnthrifty wayes newe [ 1530] But efterward ful sore it wol vs rewe And help me god so at my most nede As causeles ȝe suffren alle this drede [ 1533]

(220)

¶ For thylke day þat I for cherisynge [leaf 75] [ 1534] Or drede of fader or of any other wight Or for estat delit or for weddynge Be fals to ȝow my Troilus my knyghte [ 1537] Saturnes doughter Iuno th[r]ough hyre myghte As wood as athamante do me dwelle Eternaliche in stix þe put of helle [ 1540]

(221)

¶ And þis on euery god celestial [ 1541] I swere it ȝow / and ek on ech goddesse On euery Nymphe and deyte infernal On satury and fawny more and lesse [ 1544] Þat halue goddes ben of wildernesse And attropos my thred of lif to-breste If I be fals now. trowe me if ȝow leste [ 1547]

(222)

¶ And thow symoys þat as an arwe clere [ 1548] Th[r]ough Troye rennest ay downwarde to þe se Ber witnesse of þis word þat seyde is here Þat thilke day þat ich vntrewe be [ 1551] To Troilus myn owen herte fre Þat thow retourne bakkwarde to thy welle And I with body and soule synk in helle. [ 1554]

(223)

¶ But þat ȝe spek away þus for to go [ 1555] And letten alle ȝoure frendes god forbede For any womman þat ȝe sholde so And namely syn Troye hath now swiche nede [ 1558] of help and ek of [o] thynge taketh hede If þis were wist my lif lay in balaunce And ȝoure honour god shilde vs fro myschaunce [ 1561]

(224)

¶ And if so be þat pees here-after take [ 1562] As alday happeth after anger game Why lord þe wo and sorwe ȝe wolden make Þat ȝe ne dorst come aȝeyne for shame [ 1565] And er þat iu-parten so ȝoure name Beth nought to hastif in þis hote fare For hastif man wanthe neuere care [ 1568]

(225)

¶ what trow ȝe ek þe peple alle aboute [ 1569] wold of it seye / it is a ful light tarede They wolden seye / and swere it oute of doute Þat loue ne drof ȝow nought to don þis dede [ 1572] But lust voluptuous and cowarde drede Thus were al loste I-wis my herte deere Ȝoure honour which þat now shyneth so cleere [ 1575]

(226)

¶ And also thynketh on myn honeste [leaf 75, back] [ 1576] Þat floureth ȝet how foul I shold it shende And with what filthe it spotted shold be If in þis fourme I shold with ȝow wende [ 1579] And though I lyued vn-to þe worldes ende My name shold I neuere a-ȝeynwarde wynne Þus were I lost and þat were routhe and synne [ 1582]

(227)

¶ And for-þi sle with reson al þis hete [ 1583] Men seyn the suffrant ouercometh parde Ek who-so wol han lief he lyfe moot leete Thus maketh vertue of necessite [ 1586] By paciens / and thynke þat lorde is he Of fortune ay that naught wol of hire reche And she ne doutheth no wight but o wreche [ 1589]

(228)

¶ And trusteth þis þat certes herte swete [ 1590] Er Phebus suster lucyus the shene Þe leon [.i. signum leonis] passe oute of this ariete [.i. signum arietis] I wol ben here with-outen any wene [ 1593] I mene as help me Iuno heuynesse queene Þe tenthe day but if þat deth messaile I wol ȝow sen with-outen any fayle [ 1596]

(229)

¶ And now so þis be soth quod Troilus [ 1597] I shal wel suffre vn-to þe tenthe day Syn that I se þat nede it mot be þus But for þe loue of god if it be may [ 1600] So lat vs stele pryuely a-way For euere in oone as for to lyue in reste Myn herte seith þat it wol be þe beste [ 1603]

(230)

¶ O mercy god what lyfe is þis quod she [ 1604] Allas ȝe sle me thus for verray tene I se wel now þat ȝe mystrusten me For by ȝoure wordes it is wel I-seene [ 1607] Now for þe loue of cynthia the sheene Mystruste me naught þus causeles for routhe Syn to be trew I haue ȝow plyght my trouth [ 1610]

(231)

¶ And thynketh wel þat som tyme it is wit [ 1611] To spende a tyme / a tyme for to wynne Ne parde lorne am I naught fro ȝow ȝit Though þat we ben a day or tweye a-twynne [ 1614] Dryfe oute þe fantasies ȝow fro with-Inne And trusteþ me and leueth ek ȝoure sorwe Or here my trouthe I wol nought lyue tyl morwe [ 1617]

(232)

¶ For if ȝe wiste how soore it doth me smerte [leaf 76] [ 1618] Ȝe wolde ceese of þis / for god thow wooste The pure spirit wepeth in myn herte To se ȝow wepen þat I loue most [ 1621] And þat I moot gon to þe grekes ost Ȝe nere it þat I wiste remedye To com a-ȝeyn right here I wolde dye [ 1624]

(233)

¶ But certes I am nought so nyce a wight [ 1625] Þat I ne kan ymagynen a way To come a-ȝeyn þat day þat I haue hight For who may holde a thynge þat wol awey [ 1628] My fader naught for al his queynte pleye And by my thrifte my wendynge out of troye A-nother day shal com vs al to Ioye [ 1631]

(234)

¶ For-þi with al myn herte I ȝow beseke [ 1632] If þat ȝow liste don ought for my preyere And for þat loue whiche þat I loue ȝow eke Þat er þat I departe fro ȝow here [ 1635] Þat of so goode a confort and a chere I may ȝow sen / þat ȝe may brynge at reste Myn herte whiche þat is a poynte to breste [ 1638]

(235)

¶ And ouer alle þis I preye quod she tho [ 1639] Myn own herte sothfaste suffisaunce Syn I am þin alle hole with-outen mo Þat whil þat I am absente no plesaunce [ 1642] Of other do me fro ȝoure remembraunce For I am euere a-gast for-why men rede Þat loue is thynge ay ful of bysy drede [ 1645]

(236)

¶ For in þis worlde ther lyueth lady noon [ 1646] If þat ȝe were vn-trewe as god defende Þat so be-traysed were or wo-by-gon As I þat al trouthe in ȝow entende [ 1649] And douteles if þat ich other wende I nere but ded / and er ȝe cause fynde For goddes loue so beth me nought vnkynde [ 1652]

(237)

¶ To þis answerde Troilus and seyde [ 1653] Now god to whom ther nys no cause ywrye Me glad / as wis I neuere vnto Cryseyde Syn thilke day I saugh hire first with eye [ 1656] Was fals / ne neuer shal tyl þat I deye At short wordes wele ȝe may me lette I kan no more it shal be founde at preue [ 1659]

(238)

¶ Graunte mercy goode myn I-wis quod she [lf 76, bk] [ 1660] And blisful venus lat me neuere sterue Er I may stounde of plesaunce in degre To quyte hym wel þat so wele kan deserue [ 1663] And whil þat god my wit wol me conserue I shal so don so trewe I haue ȝow founde Þat ay honour to me warde shal rebounde [ 1666]

(239)

¶ For trusteth þat ȝoure estat real [ 1667] Ne veyn delit / nor oonely worthinesse Of ȝow in werre or tournay marcial Ne pomp / array / nobley / or ek richsse [ 1670] Ne made me to rew on ȝoure destresse But moral virtue grounded vp-on trowthe Þat was þe cause I firste hadde on ȝow routhe [ 1673]

(240)

¶ Eke gentil herte and manhode þat ȝe hadde [ 1674] And þat ȝe hadde as me thought in despite Euery thynge þat souned in-to badde As rudenesse and poeplissh appetite [ 1677] And þat ȝoure reson brideled ȝoure delite Þis made abouen euery creature Þat I was ȝoure and shal whil I may dure [ 1680]

(241)

¶ And þis may lenght of ȝeres nought for-do [ 1681] Ne renuable fortune deface But Iuppiter þat of his myght may do Þe sorwful to be glad so ȝeue vs grace [ 1684] Er nyghtes x. to meten in this place So þat it may ȝoure herte and myn suffise And fareth now wel for [[tyme is, later, written in margin]] þat ȝe rise [ 1687]

(242)

¶ And after that they longe ypleyned hadde [ 1688] And oft kyste and streyte in armes folde Þe day gan ryse and Troilus hym cladde and rewfulliche his lady gan by-holde [ 1691] As he þat felte dethes cares colde And to hire grace he gan hym to recomaunde where he was wo þis holde I no demaunde [ 1694]

(243)

¶ For mannes hed ymagynen ne kan [ 1695] Ne mendement considere ne tonge telle Þe cruel peynes of þis sorwful man Þat passen euery torment down in helle [ 1698] For when he saugh þat she ne myght dwelle whiche þat his soule out of his herte rente with-outen more out of þe chaumber he wente [ 1701]

Explicit liber quartus

[Leaves 80 and 81 have been cut out of the Cambridge MS.]

[Two leaves, 80 and 81, have been cut out of this MS.]

[Camb. Univ. Libr. MS. Gg. 4. 27, leaf 82.]

(17)

¶ Of peril of myn self I schal not lye [ 113] Appollo haþ me told sekyrly I haue ek founde it be astronomye By sort & be augurye ek trewely [ 116] And dar wel seyn þe tyme is faste bye Þat fer & flaumme on al þe toun schal sprede And þus schal Troye turne tyl asschyn dede [ 119]

(18)

// ffor serteyn Phebus & Natyinus boþe [ 120] Þat madyn alle þ^e waɫɫ of þe toun Ben with þ^e folk of Troye alwoy so wroþe Þat þey wele bryngyn it to confusioun [ 123] Ryȝt in dispit of kyng lameodoun Be cause he nulde paye hem here here Þ^e toun of Troye schal be set on fere [ 126]

(19)

¶ Tellynge his tale alwey þis olde greye [ 127] Humbele in his speche & in his tellynge eke Þe salte terys from his eyȝyn tweye fful faste ronne doun on eyþer cheke [ 130] So longe he gan of mercy hem beseke Þat for to hele hym of his sorwys sore Þey ȝaf hym antenore with-outyn more [ 133]

(20)

// But who was glad I-now but calcas þo [ 134] And of his þyng his nede ful sone heleyde On hem þat schulde for þe tretys go And for antenore ful ofte preyede [ 137] To bryngyn hem kyng Toas & Crisseide And whan priam his saf cundwyt hem sent Þeem-bassatourys to Troye streyt þey went [ 140]

(21)

¶ Þ^e cause I-tolde of here comynge olde [ 141] Priam þ^e kyngys fulle sone in general Gan þere-vp-on his parlement to holde Of which þ^e effect rehersyn ȝow I schal [ 144] Þ^e embassadourys ben answerid for fenal Þ^e chaunge of presoneris & al þis nede Hem likiþ wel & forþ in þey procede [ 147]

(22)

¶ Þis Troilus was present In þe place [leaf 82, back] [ 148] Whan axed was for Antenore Crisseide ffor wich ful sone chaunge gan his face As he þat wel ny with þ^o wordis deyede [ 151] But naþeles [[þe corrected]] he no word to it seyde Lest men schulde his effeccioun espye With mannys herte he gan his sorwe drye [ 154]

(23)

// And ful of anguys & of gresely drede [ 155] A-bede what lordis wolde to it seye And ȝif þey wolde graunte as god forbede Þe schaunge of hire þanne þouȝte he þyngis tweye [ 158] ffyrst to saue hire honour & what weye He myȝte best þ^e grauntynge with-stonde Þis caste he þo how al þis myȝte stonde [ 161]

(24)

¶ Loue hym made al prest to don hire bide [ 162] Or raþere deyen þan sche schulde go But resoun seide hym on þat oþere syde With-oute asent of hire ne do not so [ 165] Lest for þyn werk sche wolde be þynn fo And seyn þat þour þyn medelyng is I-blowe Ȝoure boþeis loue þere it was erst onknowe [ 168]

(25)

ffor wich he gan deliberyn for þ^e beste [ 169] Þat þow þe lordis wolde þat sche wente He wolde let hem graunte what hem leste And telle his lady fyrst what þat þey mente [ 172] And whan þat sche hadde told hym hire entente Þeraftyr wolde werke also blyþe Þey al þe world a-ȝen it wolde stryue [ 175]

(26)

¶ Ector with þat wel þe grekis herde [ 176] ffor antenor how þey wolde han Criseyde Gan it withstonde and sobirly answerde Serys sche is no presoner he seyde [ 179] I not on ȝow who þat þis charge [[P r later]] leyde But for myn part ȝe may eft sone hem telle We vsyn here no woman for to selle [ 182]

(27)

¶ Þe noyse of peple vp sterte þanne atonys [leaf 83] [ 183] As breme as blase of strawe it set on fere for infortune wolde for þ^e nonys Þey schulde here confusioun desire [ 186] Ector quod þey what gost may ȝow enspire Þis woman þus to schide & doun vs lese Daun antenore a wrong woye now ȝe chese [ 189]

(28)

// Þat is so wis and ek so beld baroun [ 190] And we han nede of folk as men may se He ek is on þe gretteste of þis toun O Ector let sweche fantasijs be [ 193] O king Priam quod þey þus seyde we Þat oure acord is forto forgon Crisseide And to delyuere antenore þey preyede [ 196]

(29)

¶ O Iuuenal lord soþ is þyn sentence [ 197] Þat litil wetyn folk what is to ȝerne Þat þey ne fyndyn in here desyr offence ffor cloude of errour lat hem not desserne [ 200] What best is & lo here ensaumpele as ȝerne Þese folk desiryn now deliberaunce Of antenor þat brouȝte hem to myschaunce [ 203]

(30)

// ffor he was aftyr tretour to þey toun [ 204] Of troye allas þey quyt hym out to raþe But þus it fel ryȝt in conclusioun Crisseide wich þat neuere dede hem schaþe [ 207] Schal now no lengere in hyre blysse baþe But antenore he scnal come in to toune And sche schal out þus seyde here & hounne [ 210]

(31)

¶ ffor wich delyueryd was by a parlement [ 211] To ȝilde a-non for Antenore Crisseyde And it pronounced be þe president Al-þow þat ector nay ful ofte preyede [ 214] But fynally what wit þat it withseyde It was for nouȝt it muste ben an scholde ffor substaunce of þ^e parlement it wolde [ 217]

(32)

¶ DeparTed out of parlemen echon [leaf 83, back] [ 218] Þis troylus with-outyn wordis mo Into his chaubere spede him faste alon But it were a man of his or too [ 221] Þe whiche he dede out faste forto go Be cause he wolde slepyn as he seyde And hastely vp on his bed hym leyde [ 224]

(33)

// And as in wyntyr leuys ben beraffte [[eraffte corrected]] [ 225] Eche aftyr oþer tyl þ^e tre be bare So þat þere nys but bark & braunch I-laste Lyth troylus be-raft of eche wel-fare [ 228] I-boundyn in þe blak bark of care Disposid wod out of his wit to breyde So sore hym sat þe chaungynge of crisseyde [ 231]

(34)

¶ He rist hym vp & euery dore he schette [ 232] And wyndowe & / þo þis sorweful man Vp on his beddys side a-doun hym sette fful lyk a ded ymage pale & wan [ 235] And in his brest þe hepede wo by-gan Out breste / & he to werkyn on þis wyse In his distreste as I schal ȝow deuyse [ 238]

(35)

Ryȝt as þe wilde lole gynnyth sprynge [ 239] Now here now þere departid to þe herte And on his deþ ryȝt on compleynynge Ryȝt so gan he a-boute þe chaumbere sterte [ 242] Smytynge his brest ay with his festis smerte His hed to þ^e wal his bodi to þe grounde fful ofte he schop hym selue to confounde [ 245]

(36)

¶ His eyȝen too for pete of herte [ 246] So weptyn þat þey semyn weɫɫ tweye Þerwith þe sobbis of his sorwis smerte His speche hym rafte vn-neþe myȝte he seye [ 249] O deþ allas why nylt þou me to deye A-cursid he be þat day. with þat nature Schop me to ben almesse cryature [ 252]

(37)

¶ But aftyr whan al þis furye & al þis rage [leaf 84] [ 253] Whiche þat his herte twyste & faste þryst Be lenthe of tyme sumwhat gan a-swage Vp on his bed he leyde hym doun to rest [ 256] But þo be-gunne his teris more out to brest Þat wel oneþe þe body may suffyse To half þis wo which þat I ȝow deuyse [ 259]

(38)

// Þanne seyde he þus fortune allas þe while [ 260] What haue I don what haue haue I þus agylt How mayst þu þus for reuthe me begile Is þere no grace & schal I þus ben spylt [ 263] Schal þus Crisseyde allas for þat þou wylt Allas how mayst þou in þyn herte fynde To ben to me so crewel & onkynde [ 266]

(39)

¶ Haue I not honoured al myn lyue [ 267] As þou wel wost a-bouyn goddis alle Whi wilt þou þanne of ioye me depriue O Troylus what may me now þ^e calle [ 270] But wreche of wrechis out of honour falle In-to myn deþ in which I wele be-wayle Crisseide allas til þat þ^e breþ me fayle [ 273]

(40)

// Allas fortune ȝif þat myn lyf in foye [ 274] Displesid hadde on-to þyn foule envye Whi ne haddyst þou myn fadyr kyng of troye Be-reft þe lyf er þan myne breþeryn deye [ 277] Or slayn myn self þat þus compleyne & crye I combere world þat may of noþyng serue But alwey deþ & neuere fully sterwe [ 280]

(41)

¶ Ȝif þat Crisseide alone were me left [ 281] Nouȝt rouȝte I whedyr þat þou woldist me stere And hire allas þanne hast þou me be-reft But eueremore lo þis is þyn manere [ 284] To reue which þat most is to hym dere To preue in þat þyn gery violence Þus am I lost þere helpyth non defence [ 287]

(42)

O werray loue o lord o god allas [leaf 84] [ 288] Þat knowyn best myn herte & al myn þouȝt How schal myn reuful lyf don in þis cas Ȝif I forgo þat I so dere haue bouȝt [ 291] Syn ȝe Crisseyde & [[1 m corrected]] me han fully brouȝt In to ȝoure grace & boþe ȝoure hertys selid How may ȝe sufferyn þat it be repelyd [ 294]

(43)

// What schal I don I schal whil I may deure [ 295] In wo in turnement & in crewel peyne Þis infortune or þis mys-auenture Alone as I was born allas compleyne [ 298] Ne neuere whil I it sen schyne or reyne Ne heuenys lyȝt & þus I in derknes Myn woful lyf wele endyn for distresse [ 301]

(44)

¶ O werray gost þat erryst to & fro [ 302] Whi nylt þou fle out of þyn wofullest // Body þat myȝte on grounde go O soule lurkynge in þis wonest [ 305] ffle forþ a-non & do myn herte brest [[1, 307-322, by corrector]] And folwe alwoy crisseyde thyn lady deere Thyn righte place is no lengere here [ 308]

(45)

// What shulde ye don but for myn disconfort [ 309] Stondyn for nought & wepyn out ȝoure ye Syn sche is queynt that wont was yow to disport In vayn from this forth have I seyn twye [ 312] I for medycyn youre vertu is a-weye O crewel eyen sythyn that youre dispyt Was al to sen Crisseydes eyen bryght [ 315]

(46)

¶ O myn Crisseyde / o lady souereyne [ 316] O ye ilke woful soule that thus crieth Ho shal now yeuyn confort to myn peyne Allas not but whan myn herte deyeth [ 319] Myn spyrit which that so on-to you hyeth Resseyve in gre for that shal euere serve ffor-thy no fors whan that the body sterve [[1. 307-322, by corrector]] [ 322]

(47)

¶ O ȝe loueris þat hey vp on þ^e [whe corrected] whel [leaf 85] [ 323] Ben set of fortune in good auenture God leue ay þat ȝe fynde loue stel And longe mote ȝe in ioye endeure [ 326] And whan ȝe comyn to myn sepulture Re-membrith þat ȝoure felawe restyþ þere ffor I loued ek þow I onworþy were [ 329]

(48)

// O olde onholsom & mysbeleuyd man [ 330] Calcas I mene allas what aylyth þ^e To ben a grek syn þou art born troyan O calcas wych þat wilt myn bane be [ 333] In cursed tyme was þou born for me As wolde blysful ioue for his ioye Þat I þe hadde where I wolde in troye [ 336]

(49)

¶ An hunderid sikys hottere þan þ^e glede [ 337] Out of his bryst eche aftyr oþer went Medelid with pleyntis newe his wo to fede Þerwith his woful teris neuere stent [ 340] And schortly so his sorwis so to-rent And wex so mate þat ioye nor penaunce He felyth non but lyth forth in a trau[n]ce [ 343]

(50)

// Pandarus which þat in þ^e parlement [ 344] Hadde herd what euery lord & borwis seyde And how ful grauntid was by on asent for antenore to chaungyn so crisseyde [ 347] Gan wel ny wod out of his ¹ wit to breyde ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected, and then yde alterd to nt]] So þat for wo he nyste what he mente But in a res to troylus he wente [ 350]

(51)

¶ A certeyn knyght [[first, knyt]] þat for þ^e tyme kepte [ 351] Þe chaumbere dore vndyr hym a-non And Pandarus þat ful tenderely wepte In to þis derke chaumbere stylle as ston [ 354] Toward þ^e bed gan softely to gon So confeus þat he nyste what to seye ffor werray wo his wit was al aweye [ 357]

(52)

¶ But with his chere & lokyng al to-torne [leaf 85, back] [ 358] Ny ded [[MS. dede]] for wo & with his armys foldyn He stod þis sorweful Troilus a-forne And on his pitous face he gan be-holden [ 361] And lord so oftyn gan his herte coldyn Seinge his frend In woo whos heuynesse His herte slow as þouȝte hym for distresse [ 364]

(53)

Þis woful wiȝt þis troylus þat felt [ 365] His frend Pandarus was comyn him to se Gan as þ^e snow a-ȝen þ^e sunne to melt ffor which þis sorweful Pandarus of pete [ 368] Gan for to wepe as entirely as he And specheles þus ben þese ilke tweye Þat neyþer myȝte a word for sorwe seye [ 371]

(54)

¶ But at þ^e laste þis woful Troilus [ 372] ffor crewel smert gan brestyn out to rore And with sorweful noyse he seyde þus Among his sobbis & his sowis [[w corrected]] sore [ 375] Lo Pandare I am ded with-oute more Hast þow not herd at parlement he seyde ffor antenore how lost is myn Crisseyde [ 378]

(55)

// Þis pandarus ful ded & pale of hew [ 379] fful pittously / answerde & seyde þus As wisely were it fals at it is trewe Þat I haue herd we wote alle how it is [ 382] O mercy lord ho wolde a trowid þis Who wolde a went þat in so lytil a þrowe ffortune oure ioye wolde han ouer-throwe [ 385]

(56)

¶ O in þis world þere nys no cryature [ 386] As to myn dom þat euere sau ruyne Strengere þan þis þour cas or auenture But who may al eschewe or al deuyne [ 389] Wich is þis world forþy I þus defyne Ne trust ne wit to fyndyn in fortune Ay properete his ȝiftys [[s corrected from n]] ben comune [ 392]

(57)

¶ But telle me þis whi þu art now so mad [leaf 86] [ 393] To sorewe þus whi lyst þou in þis wise Syn þyn desyr al holly hast þou had So þat be ryȝt It auȝte I-now suffyse [ 396] But I þat neuere fond in myn seruyse A frendely cher or schaungyng of an eye Lat me þus wepe & wayle wil I deye [ 399]

(58)

// And oueral þis as þow wel wost þyn selue [ 400] Þis toun is ful of ladijs al aboute And to myn dom fayrere þan sweche tweine As euere sche was schal I fynde in a route [ 403] Ȝa to or þre with-outyn ony doute ffor-þy be glad myn owene dere broþer Ȝif sche be lost we schal rekeuere a noþer [ 406]

(59)

¶ What god forbede alwoy þat eche plesaunce [ 407] In o þyng were & in non oþer wiȝt What on can synge a noþer can wel daunce Ȝif þis is fayr sche þat can good & ryȝt [ 410] Ȝif þis is goodly þat is glad & lyȝt Iche for his vertu holdyn is for dere Boþe ² Goshauk ² [[²-² by corrector]] / & facoun of reuere [ 413]

(60)

// And ek as writ ȝanȝis þat was ful wise [ 414] Þ^e newe loue out schakyth ofte þ^e olde And vp-on newe cas lyth a newe auyse And þyng þyn lyf to saue or þou olde [ 417] Swich fyre be proces schal be kynde colde We schal sen it. is but aunsel plesaunce Sum cas schal putte it out of remembrance [ 420]

(61)

¶ ffor al so seur as day comyth aftyr nyȝt [ 421] Þ^e newe loue labour or oþer wo Or eɫɫ selde seinge of a wyȝt Don olde effecciounys alle ouergo [ 424] And for þi parte þou schat have on of tho To abregge þynne bittere peynys smerte Absence of hire schal dryue it out of herte [ 427]

(62)

¶ Þese wordis seyde he for þe nonys alle [leaf 86, back] [ 428] To helpe his frend lest he for sorwe deyede ffor douteles to make his sorwe to falle He rouȝte not what onþryft þat he seyde [ 431] But troylus þat ny for sorwe deyede Tok lytyl hed of al þat euere he ment On ere it herde at þ^e oþer out it went [ 434]

(63)

// But at þ^e laste he answerde & seyde frend [ 435] Þis lechecraft or helid þus to be Were wel sittynge ȝif þat I were a frend To trostyn hire þat trowis on to me [ 438] I preye god lat þis conseyl neuere be But do me raþere sterue a-non ryȝt here Or I do as þou woldyst me lere [ 441]

(64)

¶ Sche þat I serue I-wis what so þou seye [ 442] To whom myn herte enabitid is þour ryȝt Schal ha me holy his þat I deye What pandarus seþ I haue here be-hyȝt [ 445] I wele not ben ontrewe to no wyȝt But as hire man I wele ay leue & sterue And neuere oþer cryature serue [ 448]

(65)

// And þere þou seyst þou schat as fayre fynde [ 449] As sche let be mak non comparisoun To criateure I-formyd hire be kynde O leue Pandarus lef þyn conclusioun [ 452] I nyl not ben of þyn opynyoun To chonge þus for-þi I þe beseche So held þyn pes þou slest me with þyn speche [ 455]

(66)

¶ Þou biddyst me I schulde loue anoþer [ 456] Al fresschely newe & lete crysseyde go It leyth not in myn power leue broþer And þow I myȝte I nulde not don so [ 459] But canstu pleye raket to & fro Nettil in dokke out now þis now þat pandare Now foule falle hire for þyn wo þat care [ 462]

(67)

¶ Þow farst ek by me pandarus [leaf 87] [ 463] As he þat whan a man is wo-be-gon He come to him a pas & seyde þus Þynke not on smert & þou schat fele non [ 466] Þu muste me fyrst transmute in to a ston And reue me mynne pasciounys alle Or þow so lyȝtely do myn wo to falle [ 469]

(68)

// Myn deþ may wel out of myn brest departe [ 470] Þe lyf so longe may myn sorwe myne But fro myn soule schal crisseid darte Out neueremo but out with proserpyne [ 473] Whan I am ded I wele go wene in peyne And þere I wele eternally compleyne Þis wo / & þanne tweynnyd be we tweyne [ 476]

(69)

¶ Þou hast here mad an argument ful fyne [ 477] How þat I schulde allas pleyne me Crisseyde for to forgon for sche was myn And lyuyn in ese & in felicite [ 480] Whi gabbist þou þou seydist þus to me Þat him is wers þat is from wele I-þrowe Þan he hadde erst non of þat wele I-knowe [ 483]

(70)

// But sey me þis sithe þat þ^e þynkith so lyȝt [ 484] To chau[n]ge ay so in loue to & fro Why hast þou not busyed þyn myȝt To chongyn hire þat doþ þe al þis wo [ 487] Why nylt þou lette hire from þyn herte go Why nylt þou loue a noþer lady swete Þat may þyn herte sette / in quyete [ 490]

(71)

¶ Ȝif þou hast had in loue ay ȝit myschaunce [ 491] And canst it not ȝit from þyn herte dryf I þat hauede in loue & in plesaunce With hire as meche as cryatour on lyf [ 494] How schulde I þat forȝete & þat so blyf Or where hast þou ben hid so longe in mewe Þat canst so wel & formaly argewe [ 497]

(72)

¶ Nay Pandarus not worth is al þis red [leaf 87, back] [ 498] But douteles for ouȝt þat may be-falle With-outyn wordis mo I wele ben ded O deþ þat ender art of sorwis alle [ 501] Come now syn I so ofte aftyr þ^e calle ffor sely is þat deþ soþ for to seyn Þat ofte I-clepid comyþ & endith peyn [ 504]

(73)

// Wel I wot whil myn lyf was in quiete [ 505] Or deþ me slow I wolde a ȝeuyn here But now his comynge is to me so swete Þat in þis world I noþyng so desyre [ 508] O deþ sith þat with þis sorwe I am onfere Þou oþer do me a-non in teris drenche Or with pyn colde strok myn herte quenche [ 511]

(74)

¶ Sithe þat þou slest so fele in sundery wyse [ 512] A-ȝens here wil onpreyed day & nyȝt Do me at myn request þis seruyse Delyuere þ^e world þan dost þou gret ryȝt [ 515] Of me þat am þ^e wofuleste wyȝt Þat euere was for tyme is þat I sterwe Sithe in þis world of ryȝt nouȝt may I serue [ 518]

(75)

// Þis Troilus in teris gan distille [ 519] As licour out of a lambik ful faste And Pandarus gan helde his tunge stylle And to þ^e ground his eyȝeyn doun he cast [ 522] But na-þ^e-les þus þouȝte he at þe last What parde raþere þan my felawe deye Ȝit schal I more / sumwhat to hym seye [ 525]

(76)

¶ And seyde frend syn þow hast swich distresse [ 526] And sithe þ^e lust myn argument to blame Whi nylt þyn selue helpe to don redresse And with þyn manhod lettyn al þis grame [ 529] Go rauysch hire canst þou not for schame And oþer lat hire of þ^e toun fare Or hold hire stylle & lef þyn grete care [ 532]

(77)

¶ Art þou in troye & hast þou none hardy men [leaf 88] [ 533] A woman wich þat louyth þe And wolde hire self ben at þyn assen Now is þis not a nyse vanyte [ 536] Rys vp a-non & lat þis sorwe be And kyþe þou art a man for in þis houre I wele be ded or sche beleuyn oure [ 539]

(78)

// To þis answerde troylus ful softe [ 540] And seyde parde leue broþer dere Al þis haue I myn selue þouȝt ful ofte And more þyng þan þow demys here [ 543] But why þis þyng is lest þou schat wel here And whan þou me hast ȝeue an audience Þeraftyr mayst þou tellyn þyn sentence [ 546]

(79)

¶ fyrst syn þou wist þis toun haþ al þis werre [ 547] Of rauaschyng of wemen so by myȝt It schulde not be sufferid me to erre As it stont now ne don so gret onryȝt [ 550] I schulde also han blame of euery wyȝt Myn faderis graunt if þat I so with-stode Sithe sche is chaungid for þe tounys goode [ 553]

(80)

// I haue ek þouȝt ȝif it were hire asent [ 554] To aske hire myn fadyr of his grace Þan þynke I þis were hire acusament Syn wel I wot I may not hire purchase [ 557] ffor sen myn fadyr in so hey a plase As parlement haþ hire chaunge enselid He nil not for me his honour ben repelid [ 560]

(81)

¶ Ȝit drede I moste hire herte to perturbe [ 561] With vyolence ȝif I do swych a game ffor ȝif I wolde it opinly distorbe It mot ben disclaundyr to hire name [ 564] And were leuere ben ded þan hire defame As nolde god but ȝif I schulde haue Hyre honour leuere þan myn lyf to saue [ 567]

(82

Þus am I lost for ouȝt þat I can se [leaf 88, back] [ 568] ffor serteyn sithe þat I am hire knyȝt I haue honour leuere ȝit þan me Hadde in euery cas as louere ouȝte on ryȝt [ 571] Þus am I with desyr & resoun twyȝt Desyr for to disturbe hire men me redyth And resoun nyl not so myn [[y corrected]] herte drediþ [ 574]

(83)

// So wepynge þat he coude neuere to seche [ 575] He seyde allas how schal I wreche fare ffor wel fele I myn loue alwey encreseþ And hope is lasse & lasse alway pandare [ 578] Encresyn ek þ^e causis of myn care So welleawey whi nyl myn herte brest ffor whi in loue is litil hertis rest [ 581]

(84)

¶ Pandare answerede frend þou mayst for me [ 582] Don as þe lust but hadde I it so hote And þyn estat / sche schulde gon with me Þow al þis toun cryed on þis þyng with note [ 585] I nylde sette at al þe noyse a grote ffor whan men han wel cryed let hem roune ffor wondyr lestyþ but nyne dayis in tounne [ 588]

(85)

// Deuyne not in resoun ay so depe [ 589] Ne preciously but help þynself a-non Betere it is þat oþere þan þynself wepe And namelich syþe ȝe to ben alle on [ 592] Rys vp for be myn hod sche schal not gon And raþere be lytil in blame I-founde Þat sterue hire as a gnatte [[n alterd]] with-oute wonde [ 595]

(86)

¶ It is no iape / in myn dom ne vice [ 596] Hire to withholdyn þat ȝe louyn most Parauntyr sche / may holde þ^e for nyce To letyn hire gon / in-to þe grekys ost [ 599] Þynk how fortune / as wel þyn seluyn wost Helpith hardi / men to his empryse And fley from wrechis / for here cowardyse [ 602]

(87)

¶ And þow þyn ladi / wolde a litil hire greue [leaf 89] [ 603] Þou schat þyn pes / ful wel hereaftyr make And parauntyr / it wele be to hire leue Þat sche wolde it / as now for grif take [ 606] whi schulde þanne / for ferd þyn herte quake Þyng how þat parys / haþ þat is þyn broþer A loue & whi / schuldist not han anoþer [ 609]

(88)

// And troylus / on þyng I dare þ^e swere [ 610] Ȝif þat Crisseide / wich þat is þyn lyf Now louyth þ^e / as wel as þou dost hire God helpe me so / sche schal not take at gref [ 613] Þat þou do bote / a-non in þis myschif And ȝif sche / wele nedis fro þ^e passe Þanne is sche fals / so loue hire wel þ^e lasse [ 616]

(89)

¶ ffor whi tak herte / & þynk þus þat I a knyȝt [ 617] Þourw loue is broke / alday euery lawe Kiþ knowe sumwhat / þyn corage [[g, first d]] & þyn myȝt Haue mercy of / þyn self for ony awe [ 620] Let not þis wrechede / wo þyn herte gnawe But nameli set / þ^e world on sexe or seue And ȝif þou deye / a martyr go to heuene [ 623]

(90)

// I wele myn self / be with þ^e at þis dede [ 624] Þow I & al myn / kyn vp-on a stounde Schulde in strete / as doggis ligge dede Þourw gyrt with many / wid & blody wounde [ 627] In euery cas I wele / a frend ben founde And ȝif þe luste / here steruyn as a wreche Adew þe deuyl / haue hym þat reche [ 630]

(91)

¶ Þis Troilus gan / with þo wordis quikyn [ 631] And seyde frend / graunt merci I acente But serteynly / þow mayȝt me not so prikyn Ne peyne non / ne may me so turmente [ 634] Þat for no cas / it is not myn entente At schorte wordis / þow I deye schulde To rauasche hire / but ȝif hire self wolde [ 637]

(92)

¶ Pandare answerde of þat be as be may [leaf 89, back] [ 638] But tel me þan hast þow hire wel a-sayed Þat sorwist þus & he answerde nay Wherto quod pandarus art þou þus amayed [ 641] Þat wost not ȝif sche wolde ben euele apayed To rauasche hire sithe þou hast not ben þere But ony aungel told it þ^e in þyn ere [ 644]

(93)

// ffoþ rys vp as nouȝt ne were a-non [ 645] And wasch þyn face & to þ^e kyng þou wende Or he may wondere whedyr þou art þus gon Þou mayst with wisdam him & oþere blynde [ 648] or vp on a cas he may aftyr þe sende Ar þou be war & schortely broþer dere Be glad & lat vs werche in þis manere [ 651]

(94)

// ffor I schal schapyn it so þat sikirly [ 652] Þou schalt þis nyȝt sumtyme in summanere Come speke with þyn ladi preuyly And by hire wordis ek & by hire chere [ 655] Þou schal ful sone perseyue & wel here Al hire entent of þis cas þe beste And far now wel for in þis poynt I reste [ 658]

(95)

The swyfte fane with þat false þingis [ 659] Egal reportyth lik þe þyngis trewe wich þour-out Troye it fleþ with preste wyngis ffrom man to man & mad þis tale newe [ 662] How calcas douȝtyr with hire bryȝte hewe At parlement with-oute wordys more I-grauntid was in chaung for antenore [ 665]

(96)

¶ Þe which tale a-non ryȝt as Crisseide [ 666] Hadde herde sche þ^e wiche þat of hire fadyr rouȝte As in þis cas ryȝt nouȝt ne whan he deyede fful busili to Iubiter be-souȝte [ 669] Ȝif hym myschaunce þat þis tretys brouȝte But schortly ȝif þese talis soþe were Sche durste at no wiȝt axen it for fere [ 672]

(97)

¶ As sche þat hade hire herte & al hire mynde [leaf 90] [ 673] On Troilus be-set so wondyr faste Þat al þis world ne myȝte hire loue onbynde Ne Troylus out of hire herte caste [ 676] Sche wele ben his whil þat hire lyf caste And þus sche brennyt boþe in loue & drede So þat sche nyste what was best to rede [ 679]

(98)

// But as men seyn in tounnys al aboute [ 680] Þat wemen vsyn frendis to visite So to Crisseyde wemen come a route ffor pitouse ioye & wende hire to delite [ 683] And with here talis / dere I-now of a myte Þese wemen wich þat in þ^e cete dwelle Þey sette hem doun & seyde as I schal telle [ 686]

(99)

¶ Quod fyrst þat on I am glad trewely [ 687] Be cause of ȝow ȝe schal ȝoure fadir se A noþer seyde I-wis so am not I ffor alto litil haþ sche with vs be [ 690] Þe þrede answerede I hope I-wis þat sche Schal bryngyn vs to pes in euery side Þat whan sche goþ almyȝti god hire gide [ 693]

(100)

// Þo wordis & þo womanliche þyngis [ 694] Sche herde riȝt nouȝt þow sche þere were ffor al þis tyme hire þouȝt on oþer þyng is Al-þow þe bodi sat amongis hem þere [ 697] God wot hire aduertens is eɫɫ where ffor troilus hire soule ful faste sout With-outyn alwey on hym sche þouȝt [ 700]

(101)

¶ Þese wemen þat so wendyn hire to plese [ 701] A-boute nouȝt þus gunne here taɫ opende Swich vanyte can don hire non ese As sche þat al þis mene while brende [ 704] Of oþere passioun þan þey wende So þat sche wende a-non ryȝt for to deye ffor wo & wery of þat compaynye [ 707]

(102) [[This stanza is (partly) in Boocaccio, and in Harl. 3943: see our Filostrato and Troilus, p. 196.]]

¶ ffor wich myȝte sche no lengere to restreyne [lf 90, bk] [ 708] Here teris so gunne þei vp to welle Þat ȝeuyn signys of þ^e bittyr peyne In wich hire spirit was & muste dwelle [ 711] Remembrynge hire from heuene in-to wich helle Sche fallyn was sithe sche forgoþ þ^e syȝt Of Troylus hire owene hertys knyȝt [ 714]

(103)

// And þeilke folis sittynge hire a-boute [ 715] Wende þat sche wepte & syȝede sore Be cause þat sche schulde from þat route Departe & neuere pleye with hem more [ 718] And þey þat haddyn knowyn hire tofore Saw hire so wepe & þouȝte it kyndenesse And eche of hem wepte for distresse [ 721]

(104)

¶ ffor eche of heuyd to clawe hym on his hele [ 722] And busily þey gunne hire confortyn Of þyngis god wot sche gan not fele And with here wordis wendyn hire disportyn [ 725] And to be glad oftyn hire þey hortyn But swich an ese þerwith þey hyre wrouȝt Ryȝt as a man is esid þat felyth ryȝt nouȝt [ 728]

(105)

// But aftyr al þis nyse vanite [ 729] Þey toke here leue & hom þey wentyn alle Cresseyde ful of sorweful pete In-to þ^e chambe wente out of þ^e halle [ 732] And on hire bed for ded sche gan to falle In purpos neuere þens for to ryse And þus sche wrouȝt as I schal ȝow deuyse [ 735]

(106)

¶ Þ^e salte teris from hyre eyȝyn tweyn [ 736] Out ran as schour of aprille ful swyþe Hyre white brest sche bet & for þ^e peyne Aftyr þ^e deþ cryede a þousent sithe [ 739] Syn he þat wonyt was hire wo for to lyþe Sche mot forgon for which disauenture Sche held hire selue a for-lost creature [ 742]

(107)

¶ Hyre owene her þat sunneliche was of hewe [leaf 91] [ 743] Sche rente & ek hire fyngeris longe & smale Sche wrong ofte & bad god on hire rewe And with þ^e deþ don bote on hire bale [ 746] Hyre hew whilhom bryȝt þat þo was pale Bar witnesse of hire wo & hire constreynte And þus sche spak sobbynge in hire compleynte [ 749]

(108)

// Alle quod sche out of þis regioun [ 750] I woful wreche I onfortune wyȝt And born in cursede constolacioun Mot gon & þus departyn from myn knyȝt [ 753] Wo worþe þe dayy & namely þat nyȝt On wich I saw him fyrst with eyen tweyn Þat causith me & I hym al þis peyn [ 756]

[See p. 195.]

(109)

¶ What schal he don what scha I don also [ 757] How schal I leue ȝif þat I from him twynne O dere herte ek þat I loue so Ho schal þat sorwe sle þat ȝe ben inne [ 760] O Calcas fadir þyn be al þis synne And cursed be þat day which þat argyf Me on hire bodi bar to ben onlef [ 763]

(110)

// To what fyn schulde I leue or sorwe þus [ 764] How schulde fich withoute watyr deure What is Crisseyde worþ with-outyn Troylus How schulde a plante or oþer creature [ 767] Leuyn with-outyn his kynde nature ffor wych ful softe a biword here I seye Þat erbeles grene mot sone deye [ 770]

(111)

¶ I schal don þus siþyn noþer swerd ne darte [ 771] Dar I non handelyn for þ^e crewelte Þat ilke day I schal from Ȝow departe Ȝif sorwe of Þat nyl myn bane be [ 774] Þere schal no mete ne drynk come in me Troilus myn sorwe out of myn brest conueye And þus myn self wele I don to deye [ 777]

(112)

¶ And Troilus myne cloþis euerychone [leaf 91, back] [ 778] Schul blake ben in tokenynge herte swete Þat I am as out of þis world I-gone Þat woned was ȝow to holde in quiete [ 781] And of myn ordere til þat þey me mete Þ^e obseruance euere I in ȝoure absence Schal sorwyn ben compleynt & abstynence [ 784]

(113)

¶ Myn herte ek þ^e sorweful gost perin [ 785] Bequeþe I ȝoure spryȝt to compleyne Eternally for þey schal neuere twynne ffor-þy in erþe twynnede ben we tweyne [ 788] Ȝe in þ^e feld of pete out of peyne Þere Pluteo regnyth schal we ben in fere As Orpheus with erodice his fere [ 791]

(114)

¶ Þus herte myn for antenore allas [ 792] I sone schal be ȝoldyn as I wene But how schal ȝe don in þis woful cas How schal ȝoure tendere herte þis susteyne [ 795] But herte myn for-ȝet þis sorwe & tene And me also for soþly for to sey So ȝe wel fare I reche not to dey [ 798]

(115)

¶ How myȝte it euere red be or I-songe [ 799] Þe pleynt þat sche made in hire distresse I not but as for me myn litele tunge Ȝif I discriue wolde hire heuynesse [ 802] It schulde make hire sorwe to seme lesse Þanne as it was & child lichera deface Hire hye pleynt & þerfore I it pase [ 805]

[The next 4 stanzas are not in Gg. 4. 27.]

(120)

¶ Entendyth þan leue in wo or me hey [ 834] And euery wordely ioye as þynkyth me Þe ende of blys ay sorwe it ocupie And who-so trowyth not þat it so be [ 837] Let hym vp-on me woful wreche se Þat myn self hate & þat is lite fors ffelynge alwey from wikke I go to wors [ 840]

(121)

¶ Who so me seþ he seþ sorwe al at onys [leaf 92] [ 841] Peyne turnement wo & ek distresse Out of myn sorweful body harm þere non is As anguys langur crewel & bittyrnesse [ 844] Anoy smert dred furie & ek seknesse I trowe I-wis from heuene terys regne ffor pete of myn asper & crewel peyne [ 847]

(122)

// O myn sustyr ful of disconfort [ 848] Quod Pandarus what þynkyst þou to do Whi ne hast þou to þyn self sum report Whi wilt þou þus þyn self allas so fordo [ 851] Leue al þis werk & tak now hede þerto What I schal seyn & werkene of good entent Þis þat by me þin Troylus þe sent [ 854]

(123)

¶ Turnede hire þo Crisseyde & wo makynge [ 855] So gret þat it a day was for to se Allas quod sche what wordis may ȝe bryng What wil myn dere herte sendyn to me [ 858] Which þat I drede neueremore to se Whil he haue pleynt or terys or I wende I haue I-now ȝef þat he þeraftyr sende [ 861]

(124)

¶ Sche was ryȝh [[? MS. ryth]] swich to se in hire vesage [ 862] As is þ^e wyȝt þat men on bere bynde Hire fase lyk of radyis þ^e ymage Was al chaungid in-to a noþer kynde [ 865] Þ^e pley þe lauȝter men were wone to fynde In hire & oþere ioyes euerychon Ben fled & þus from hem sche lyþ a-lon [ 868]

(125)

¶ A-boute hire eyȝyn to purpure ryngis [ 869] Ben trent in soþfast tokenyng of hire peyne Þat to beholde it was a dedly þyng ffor wich pandare myȝte not restreyne [ 872] Þ^e teris from his eyȝyn for to reyne [[y, alterd from n]] But naþeles as he best myȝt he seyde ffrom Troilus þese wordys to Cresseyde [ 875]

(126)

¶ Lo nece trowe I wel ȝe han herd er þis [leaf 92, back] [ 876] Þe kynge with oþere lordis for þe beste Haþ mad þe eschaung for Antenore & ȝow Þat cause is of þis wo & þis onreste [ 879] But now þis cas doþ Troylus moleste Þat may non wordely mannys tunge sey As he þat schortely scharpith him to dey [ 882]

(127)

¶ ffor we han boþe sorwyd he & I [ 883] Þat in to lytil wol ner It hade vs slawe But þour myn conseyl þis day finally And sumwhat haþ from wepynge hym withdrare [ 886] And semyth þat he desiryth fawe With ȝow to be al nyȝt for to deuyse Remedi in þis ȝyf þere were ony wise [ 889]

(128)

¶ Þis is schort & pleyn þ^e effect of myn massage [ 890] And ek þe beste as myn wit can comprehende ffor ȝe þat ben in turnemen for swich a rage May now to no long prolong as now entende [ 893] And her-vpon ȝe may answere him sende And for þ^e loue of god myn nece dere So leuyth þis er Troylus be here [ 896]

(129)

¶ GRet is myn wo quod sche & syȝhynge sore [ 897] As sche þat felith dedely scharp distrese But ȝit to me his sorwe is meche more Allas for me hath he swich heuynesse [ 900] And for me cast in swich drerynesse Can he for me so pitously compleyne Now I-wis his sorwe doubelith al myn peyne [ 903]

(130)

¶ Greuous for me god wot is for to twynne [ 904] Quod sche but it hardere is to me To sen him in þat he is in ffor wel I wot It wele myn bane be [ 907] And deye I wolde in sertyn þ^e quod sche But bid him come or deþ þat þus me þretyth Dryf out þat gost þat in myn herte betyth [ 910]

(131)

¶ Þese seyde sche & on hire armys too [leaf 93] [ 911] fel grof & gan to wepe pitusely Quod Pandarus allas whi do ȝe so Sythe wel ȝe wot þ^e tyme is faste by [ 914] Þat he schal come arys vp softely Þat he ȝow not be-wepyn þus I-fynde But ȝe wele haue hym wod out of his mynde [ 917]

(132)

¶ ffor wiste he þat ȝe ferde in þis manere [ 918] He wolde hym self fle & ȝif I wende To haue þis fare he schal not comyn here ffor al þe good þat priam may dispende [ 921] ffor to what fyn he wolde a-non pretende Þat wot I wel & þerfore ȝit I sey Lat be þis sorwe or platly he wele dey [ 924]

(133)

¶ And schapyth ȝow his sorwe to abregge [ 925] And not to encrese o leue nece swete Be raþere cause to hym flat þan egge And with sum wisdom ȝe his sorwe bete [ 928] What helpith to wepe ful a strete Or þat ȝe boþe in salte teris drenk Betere is on tyme of cure þan ay in pleynt [ 931]

(134)

¶ I mene þus whan I hym hidir brynge [ 932] Sythe ȝe ben wis & boþe of on asent So schapyth to disturbe þis goinge Or come a-ȝen sone aftyr ȝe ben went [ 935] Whan men ben wise of schort auysement And let sen how ȝoure wit schal now a-vayle And þat þat I can helpe it schal not fayle [ 938]

(135)

¶ Go quod criseyde & vnkele trewely [ 939] I schal don al myn myȝt me to restreyne ffrom wepynge in his syȝt & besily Hym for to glade I schal don al myn peyne [ 942] And in myn herte sekyn euery veyne Ȝif to his sor þere may ben foundyn salue It schal not lak in serteyn on myn halue [ 945]

(136)

¶ GOþ pandarus & Troylus he southe [[outhe corrected]] [leaf 93, back] [ 946] Til in a temple he fond hym al-one As he þat of his lyf no þyng roughthe [[ghthe corrected]] But to þe pitouse goddis euerychone [ 949] fful tenderely he preyede & mad his mone To don hym sone out of þis world to pase ffor wel he þouȝte þer nas non oþer grace [ 952]

[The next 18 stanzas, 126 lines, about Free-Will, &c., are not in the Cambridge MS. or the long ledgerlike Harleian 1239, leaf 43, or the Harleian 2392, leaf 101, back. These 2 Harl. MSS. leave out also stanza 155, l. 1079-85, thus:—

Harl. 1239, leaf 43.

Be-sykyng hem to sende hym other grace Or fro thys worlde / to doon̄ hym̄ sone pace

O myghty gode / quod pandarus in Trone

Harl. 2392, leaf 101, back.

to doon him soone out of this word to pace for wul he thouhte / ther was non othir grace

O myhti god / quod Pandarus / in trone

Harl. 3943 has the 18 stanzas (see p. 205 of our Filos∣trato and Troilus), and so has Addit. MS. 12,044, Brit. Museum, on leaves 80-1. Harl. 4912 stops ct l. 686 of Bk IV, 'They set hem down̄ and seyde as I shaɫɫ telle.']

(155)

¶ Þanne seyde he þus al myȝty god in trone [ 1079] Þat wost of al þis þyng þ^e sothfast-nesse Rew on myn sorwe and do me deye sone Or bryng Crisseyde & me from þis distresse [ 1082] And whil he was in al þis heuynesse Disputynge with him self in þis matere Com pandarus & seyde as ȝe may here [ 1085]

(156)

¶ O myȝty god quod pandarus in trone [ 1086] Ey ho say euere a wysman faryn so Whi troilus what þynkist þow to done Hast þou swich wil to ben þyn owene fo [ 1089] [Blank line in MS.] Whi list þou fordon þyn self for drede Þat in þyn heuyd þyne eyȝyn semyn dede [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Hast þou not leuyd oftyn in þyn lyf be-forn [ 1093] With-outyn hire & ferd ful wel at ese Art þou for hire & for non oþer born Haþ kynde wrouȝt þ^e only hire to plese [ 1096] Canst þou non þynke þus in þyn disese Þat on þe deþ ryȝt as þere fallyn chaunce Ryȝt so in loue þere comyth & goþ plesaunce [ 1099]

(158)

¶ And ȝit þis is myn wondir Most of al [ 1100] Whi þou sorwist þus & wost not ȝit Touchynge hire goinge how þat it schal falle Ne ȝif sche can h[i]re self disturbin it [ 1103] Þu hast not ȝit asayed al hire wit A man may al be tyme his nekke bede Whan þ^e hed schal of & sorwyn at þ^e nede [ 1106]

(159)

¶ ffor-þi tak hed what I schal þe say [leaf 94] [ 1107] I haue with hire I-spoke & a-lone be So acord was be-twixe vs twey Þat eueremore me þynkyth þus þat sche [ 1110] Haþ sumwhat in hire hertys preuyte Wher-with sche can ȝif I schal ryȝt arede Stynt al þis þyng of which þou art in drede [ 1113]

(160)

¶ ffor why myn counseyl is whan it is nyȝt [ 1114] Þou to hire go & mak of þis an ende And blysful Ioue þour his grete myȝt Schal as I hope vn-to vs grace synde [ 1117] Myn herte seyth serteyn sche wele not wynde And for-þy put in þyn herte a while in prest And hold þis purpos for it is þe best [ 1120]

(161)

¶ Þis Troilis answerde & seyde sore [ 1121] Þow sest ryȝt wel & I wele don ryȝt so And what hym lyst he seyde to hym more But whan þat it was tyme for to go [ 1124] fful priuyly hym silf with-outyn mo Vn-to hire come as he was wone to done And how þey wrouȝte I schal ȝow telle sone [ 1127]

(162)

SOþ is þat whan þey gan ferst to mete [ 1128] Þey gunne þe sorwe of here hertys twiste Þat oþer [[scribe meant to put n before oþer, but mistook]] ⁿof hem oþer myȝte grete But hem in armys hent & ofte kyste [ 1131] Þe lesse woful of hem boþe nyste What for to done ne myȝte a word out brynge As I seyde erst for sorwe & for wepynge [ 1134]

(163)

¶ Þo woful teris þat þey letyn falle [ 1135] As bittere weryn out of teris kynde ffor peyne as is lignum aloes or galle So bittere teris wepyn not þour þe rynde [ 1138] Þe woful myrra wretyn as I fynde Þat in þis world þere nys so hard an herte Þat nulde an rewid of þere peynys smerte [ 1141]

(164)

¶ But whan here woful weri gostis tweyne [leaf 94, back] [ 1142] Turnede ben þere as hem auȝte to dwelle And þat sumwhat to lesse gan þ^e peyne Be leue of pleynt & ebbyn gan þ^e welle [ 1145] Of here terys & þe herte onswelle With brokyn woys al hors for feynt Crisseyde To Troilus þese ilke wordis seyde [ 1148]

(165)

// O Ioue I crie & mercy I be-seche [ 1149] Help troylus & þerwithal hire face Vp-on his brest sche leyde & loste speche Hire [[first, His]] woful spryt from his proper place [ 1152] Ryȝt with þ^e word a poynt to a pase And þus sche lyth with hewys pale & grene Þat whilehom frosche & fayre were to sene [ 1155]

(166)

¶ Þis troylus on hire gan be-holde [ 1156] Clepynge hire name & sche lay as for ded With-oute answere & felte hire semys colde Hire eyȝyn þrowyn vpward to hire heuyd [ 1159] Þis sorweful man can now no maner red But ofte tyme hire colde mout he kyste Wheþer hym was wo god & hym self wiste [ 1162]

(167)

// He rist hym vp & a long streyt he hire leyde [ 1163] ffor signe of lyf for ouȝt he can or may Can he not fynde in no cas of crisseyde ffor wich his song is ofte welleaway [ 1166] And whan he say þat specheles sce lay With sorweful voys & herte & blysse Al bare He seyde how þat sche from þis word was fare [ 1169]

(168)

¶ So aftyr þat he longe hire hade compleynyd [ 1170] And hondis wrong / & seyde þat was to sey And with hise [[first, hire]] teris salte hire bryst be-reynyd He gan þo teris wipyn of & dreye [ 1173] And pitously be gan for þ^e soule preye And seyde lord þat set art in þyn trone Rewe ek on me for I schal folwe sone [ 1176]

(169)

¶ Sche cold was & with-oute sentement [leaf 95] [ 1177] ffor ouȝt he woste & breth ȝit felte he non And þat was hym a preuaunt argument Þat sche was forth out of þis world l-gon [ 1180] And whan he say þere was non oþer won He gan hire lemys dresse in swich manere As men don folk þat schal ben leyd on bere [ 1183]

(170)

// And aftyr þis with sterne & crewel herte [ 1184] His swerd out of þ^e schede a-non it twyȝt Hym self to slen how sore þat hym smert So þat his soule here soule folwe myȝt [ 1187] Þere as þ^e dom of orynys wolde it dyȝt Syn loue & crew^el [[el, corrector]] fortune it ne wolde Þat in world no more leue ne schulde [ 1190]

(171)

¶ Þanne seyde he þus ful fyld of hey disdeyn [ 1191] On crewel Ioue and þou fortune aduerse Þis al and som þat falsely han ȝe slayn Crisseyde & syn ȝe can don me no werse [ 1194] ffy on ȝoure myȝt & on ȝoure werkys dyuerse Þus couardely ȝe schal me neuere wyn Þere schal no deþ me from myn lady twyn [ 1197]

(172)

// ffor in þis world sithe ȝe han slayn hire þus [ 1198] Wele lete & folwe hire spiryt forth in hye Schal louere neuere seyn þat troylus Dare not for fere with his lady deye [ 1201] ffor certayn I wele hire bere cumpanye But for ȝe wil not sufferin / vs leuyn here Ȝit sufferyth þat oure soulis ben in fere [ 1204]

(173)

// And þou cite wich þat I leue Inne in wo [ 1205] And þou Priame breþeren alle in fere And þow myn madyr farwel for I go Þow antropos þat art ful redy here [ 1208] And þow Crysseyde swete herte dere Resseyue now myn spryt wolde he sey With swerd at herte redy for to dey [ 1211]

(174)

¶ But as god wolde of swow þerwith sche brayd [lf 95, bk] [ 1212] And gan syhe & Troylus sche cryede And answerde herte myn Criseyde Leue ȝe ȝit & let his swerd doun glyde [ 1215] Ȝa herte myn I-thankede be cupide Quod sche & þerwith sche sore seyȝt And he be-gan confortyn hire as he myȝt [ 1218]

(175)

// Tok hire in armys too & kiste hire ofte [ 1219] And hire to glade he dede al his entent ffor whiche hire gost þat flekerede ay on loft Al softe to hire herte a-ȝyn it went [ 1222] So at þ^e laste as hire eyȝyn glent A-non sche gan his swerd aspie As it lay bare & gan for fere crye [ 1225]

(176)

¶ And axede hym whi he hade it drawe [ 1226] And troilus a-non þe cause tolde And how hym self he wolde þerwith a slawe ffor wich crisseyde vp on hym gan be-holde [ 1229] And gan hym in hire armys faste folde And seide o mercy god lo wich a drede Allas how nyȝ were we boþ^e dede [ 1232]

(177)

// Þanne ȝif I ne hadde speke as grase was [ 1233] Ȝe wolde a slayn ȝoure sylf a-non quod sche Ȝa douteles & sche answerde allas ffor by þat ilke lord þat made me [ 1236] I ne wolde a furlongwoy a-lyue a be Aftyr ȝoure deþ to a ben crounede quene Of al þ^e lond þe sunne on schynyth schene [ 1239]

(178)

¶ But with þis seluyn swerd whych þat here is [ 1240] Myn seluyn wolde I a slawe quod sche þo But ho for we haue ryȝt I-now of þis And lat vs ryse & streyȝt to bedde go [ 1243] And þere lat vs spekyn of oure wo ffor by þ^e percher which þat I se brenne I knowe wel þat day is not fer henne [ 1246]

(179)

¶ Whan þey weryn in bedde in armys foldyn [leaf 96] [ 1247] Nouȝt was it lyk þe nyȝtys þere by-fore ffor pitousely eche oþer gan be-holdyn As þey þat haddyn here ioyis alle bore [ 1250] Seyinge allas þat euere were þey bore Til at þ^e laste þis woful wyȝt Crisseyde To Troilus þese ilke wordis seyde [ 1253]

(180)

// O herte myn þis wote ȝe wel quod sche [ 1254] Þat alday / a wyȝt his wo compleyne And sekyth not how helpyn for to be It nys but foly / & encres of peyne [ 1257] And sithe þat here assembelyd be we tweyne To fynde bote of wo þat we ben inne It were al tyme sone to begynne [ 1260]

(181)

¶ I am a woman as ful wel ȝe wot [ 1261] And as I am a-vised sodeynly So wele I tellyn it ȝow whil it is hot Me þynkith þus þat oþer ȝe nor I [ 1264] Auȝte half þis wo to make / skilfully ffor þere is herte I-now for to redresse Þat ȝit is mys & slen þis heuynesse [ 1267]

(182)

So is þat wo þe wich þat we ben inne [ 1268] ffor ouȝt I wot for no þyng ellis is But for cause þat we schuln twynne Considerid al þere is no more a-mys [ 1271] But what is a remedie on-to þis But þat we schape vs sone for to mete Þis is and sum myn dere herte swete [ 1274]

(183)

¶ Now þat I schal wel bryngyn it a-boute [ 1275] To comyn a-ȝen sone aftyr þat I go Þerof am I no maner þyng in doute ffor dredeles þat in a wouke or to [ 1278] I schal ben here & þat it schal ben so [[later] may] By al ryȝt & in wordis fewe I schal ȝow wel an hep of woyes schewe [ 1281]

(184)

¶ ffor wich I nyl not make long sarmoun [leaf 96, back] [ 1282] ffor tyme I-lost may not recouerede ber But I wele go ryȝt to conclusyoun And to þe beste in ouȝt þat I can sen [ 1285] But for þ^e loue of god forȝeue it me Ȝif I speke ouȝt a-ȝen ȝoure hertis rest ffor trewely I speke it for þe best [ 1288]

(185)

// Makynge here a protestacioun [ 1289] Þat in effect þis þyng þat I schal say Nis but esschewe þus in mocyoun [[y alterd]] To fynde on-to ȝoure helpe þ^e beste wey [ 1292] And takyþ it not oþerwyse I prey ffor fynally what ȝe me comaunde Þat wele I don for þat is no demaunde [ 1295]

(186)

¶ Now herkenyth þis ȝe han wel vndyrstonde [ 1296] Myn goinge grauntyd is be parlement So fer þat it may not be withstonde ffor al þis world as be myn iugement [ 1299] And syn þere helpiþ non auysement To lette it let it passe out of mynde And let vs schape a bettere woye to fynde [ 1302]

(187)

// Þe soþe þis is þat twynnyng of vs tweyne [ 1303] Wil vs disese & crewelly ennoye But hym be-houyth sumtyme to haue peyne Þat seruyth loue ȝif he wele haue ioye [ 1306] And syn I schal no ferþere out of troye Þan I may ryde a-ȝen on hal a morwe It auȝte lesse causyn vs to sorwe [ 1309]

(188)

¶ So as I schal not now ben hed in mewe [ 1310] Þat day be day myne owene herte dere Syn wel ȝe wot it is now a trewe Ȝe schal ful wel al myn estat here [ 1313] And or þat trewe is don I schal ben here And þus have ȝe boþe antenore wonne And now beþ glad / ȝif þat ȝe now cunne [ 1316]

(189)

¶ And þynkith ryȝt þus crisseyde is not a-gon [leaf 97] [ 1317] But what sche schal comyn hasteliche a-geyn And whanne allas lo hasteliche a-non Or dayes ten þat dar I sauely seyn [ 1320] And þanne at erst schal ȝe ben so fayn Þat we schal eueremor to-gedere d[w]elle Þat al þis world / myȝte oure ioye telle [ 1323]

(190)

// I se þat oftyn þere þat as we ben now [ 1324] Þat for þe beste oure conseyl for to byde Ȝe speke not with me ne I with ȝow In fortune nyȝt to se ȝow gon ne ryde [ 1327] May ȝe not þan / ten dayis a-byde ffor myn honour / in swich auenture I-wis ȝe moun ell lityl endure [ 1330]

(191)

¶ Ȝe knowyn ek how þat al myn kyn is here [ 1331] Only but / if it myn fadidyr be And ek myne oþer þyngis alle in fere A namely myn dere herte ȝe [ 1334] Þat I nolde leuyn for to se ffor al þis world as meche as it haþ spase Ȝa eɫɫ se I neuere iouys face [[eɫɫ = ellis]] [ 1337]

(192)

// Why trowe ȝe myn fadyr in þis wise [ 1338] Coueytith to se me but for a drede Lest in þis toun þat folk me dispise Be cause of hym for his vn-happy dede [ 1341] What wot myn fadyr what lyf þat I lede ffor ȝif he wiste in Troye how wel I fare Vs nedith not for myn goinge ¹ to care ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [ 1344]

(193)

¶ Ȝe se ek euery day more & more [ 1345] Men trete of pes & it supposid is Þat men þe quen Elyne schal restore And grekys vs restoryn þat is mys [ 1348] So þow þere nere confort non but þis Þat men purposyn pes on euery syde Ȝe may þe bettire at ese of herte a-byde [ 1351]

(194)

¶ ffor ȝif þat it be pes myn herte dere [leaf 97, back] [ 1352] Þ^e nature of pes mot nedis dreyve Þat moste nedis / entere þerto in fere And to & fro ek rydyn & gon as blyue [ 1355] Alday as þikke / as ben from an heue And euery wyȝt haue liberteis to be-leue Where as hem lyst þey beþ with oþere leue [ 1358]

(195)

¶ And ȝif so be þat pes þere may ben non [ 1359] Ȝit hidir þow þere neuere pes were I muste com for whidir schulde I gon Or how myschaunse schulde I dwelle þere [ 1362] A-mong þe men of armys euere in fere ffor wich so wisely god myn soule rede I can not sen wherof ȝe schulde drede [ 1365]

(196)

¶ Haue here a noþer woye ȝif it so be [ 1366] Þat al þis þyng ne may ȝow not suffyse Myn fadir as ȝe knowe wel parde Is holden elde & ful of couetyse [ 1369] And I ryȝt now haue foundyn al þe gise With-outyn net / where I schal him hente And herkenyth now ȝif þat ȝe wele assente [ 1372]

(197)

¶ Lo Troylus men seyn þat hard it is [ 1373] Þe woful þe wheþer hol to haue [(*)] Þis is to seyne þat men ful ofte I-wis Mot spendyn part þe remenaunt of to haue [ 1376] ffor ay with gold men may þe herte graue Of hym þat set is vp-on coueytyse And how I mene I schal it ȝow deuyse [ 1379]

(198)

¶ Þ^e mobele wich þat I haue in þis toune [ 1380] Vn-to myn fadir I schal it take & say Þat riȝt for trust & for sauacyone I sent it to a frend of his or twey [ 1383] ffor wich frendis feruently hym prey To sendyn aftyr more & in hye Whil þat þis toun stant þus in iupardye [ 1386]

(199)

// And þat schal ben an heuge quantite [leaf 98] [ 1387] Þat schal I seyn best lest hym self aspiede Þis may ben sent be no wiȝt but bi me I schal ek schewyn hym ȝif þes betyde [ 1390] What frendis þat I haue on euery syde Toward þ^e cuntre to don þ^e wrethe pase Of Priamus & don hym stondyn in grase [ 1393]

(200)

// So what for on þyng & for oþer swete [ 1394] I schal hym so enchantyn with myne sawis Þat ryȝt in heuene his soule schal he mete ffor al appollo or hese clerkis lawys [ 1397] Or kakelyng avaylyth not þre hawis Desyre of gold schal so his soule [[soule, corrected]] blynde Þat as me lust I schal make an ende [ 1400]

(201)

¶ And ȝif he wolde ouȝt by his sort it preue [ 1401] Ȝif þat I [[m corrected]] may in certayn I schal fonde Disturbe hym & plokke hym bi þ^e sleue Makynge his sort or beryn hym on honde [ 1404] He haþ not wel þ^e goddesse vndirstonde ffor goddis spekyn in amphibologyis And for a soth þey telle þat lyie [[e is, corrected]] is [ 1407]

(202)

// Ek dred fond fyrst goddis I suppose [ 1408] Þus schal I seyn & ek his swerd he herde Made hym a-mys þ^e goddys text so glose Whan he for fer out of displese ⁴ sterede ⁴ [[⁴-⁴ corrector]] [ 1411] And but I make hym sone to conuerede [[ede, corrector]] And don myn red with-inne a day or twey I wele to ȝow oblige me to dey [ 1414]

(203)

¶ And trewely as writyn wel I fynde [ 1415] Þat al þis þyng was seyd in good entent And þat hire herte trewe was & kynde Towardis hym & spak ryȝt as sche ment [ 1418] And þat sche starf for wo ryȝt whan sche went And was in purpos euere to ben trewe Þus write þey þat hire werkis knewe [ 1421]

(204)

This Troilus with herte & eris spradde [leaf 96, back] [ 1422] herde al þis deuysyn to & fro And verrily hym semyd þat he hadde Þe seluyȝt but ȝit to latyn hire go [ 1425] His herte mys-for-ȝaf hym euere mo But fynnally he gan his herte wreste To trustyn hire & tok it for þ^e beste [ 1428]

(205)

¶ ffor wich þ^e grete furie of his penaunce [ 1429] Was queynt with hope & þerwith hem be-twene By-gunne for ioye þe amerous daunce And as þese briddis whan þ^e sunne is schene [ 1432] Delite in hire song in leuys grene Ryȝt so þ^e wordis þat ȝe knowen in feere [[nowen in feere, by corrector]] Delite hem & made here hertis clere [ 1435]

(206)

¶ But neuere þ^e les þ^e wyndyng of Crisseyde [ 1436] ffor al þis world may not out of his mynde ffor which ful ofte pitousely he preyede Þat of hire hest he myȝte hire trewe fynde [ 1439] And seyde hire certis ȝif ȝe ben on-kynde And but ȝe come at day set in troye Ne schal I neuere haue honour ne ioye [ 1442]

(207)

¶ ffor also sone as sonne rist vp on morwe [ 1443] And so wisely þow me woful wreche To reste brynge out of þis crewel sorwe I wele myn selue sle ȝif þat ȝe dreche [ 1446] But of myn deþ þow litil be to reche Ȝit or þat ȝe me cause so to smerte Dwelle raþere here myn owe dere herte [ 1449]

(208)

¶ ffor trewely myn owene ladi dere [ 1450] Þe sleiyes ȝit þat I here stire fful schaply ben to faylyn alle in fere And þus men sen þat on þynkith þe bere [ 1453] But al a noþer þynkyth his ledere Ȝoure syre is wys & seyd is out of drede Men may þe wise at rennyn & not at rede [ 1456]

(209)

¶ It is ful hard to haltyn on-aspyed [leaf 99] [ 1457] To-forn a crepil for he can þe craft Ȝowre fadir is in flyȝt as argus I-ȝede ffor al be þat his mebil is hym be-raft [ 1460] His olde sleyȝt is ȝit so with hym left Ȝe schal not blynde him for ȝoure womanhed Ne feynyn a-ryȝt & þat is al myn dred [ 1463]

(210)

// I not ȝif þis pes schal euere betyde [ 1464] ffor pes or non for ernest or for game I wot syn calcas on þe grekys syde Haþ onys ben & lost so foule his name [ 1467] He dare no more come here for schame ffor which ¹ that // ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] for ouȝt I can asspie To trustyn on it is but folye [ 1470]

(211)

¶ Ȝe schal ek sen ȝoure fadyr schal ȝow glose [[ose, che, corrector]] [ 1471] To ben a wif & as he can wel preche [[ose, che, corrector]] He schal þat grek preyse & wel a-lose Þat he rauassch schal ȝow with his speche [ 1474] Or don ȝow don be fors as he schal teche And on troylus whan ȝe nyl haue reuthe ² I schal ben ful wo by god & by myn trouthe ² [[²-² by corrector]] [ 1477]

(212)

// And ouer þis ȝoure fadir schal despise [ 1478] Vs alle & seyn þis cete is but lorn And þat þe sege neuere schal a-ryse ffor-þy þe grekys hauyn it alle I-sworn [ 1481] Til we be slayn & doun oure waɫɫ torn And þus he schal ȝow with hise wordis fere And ay drede I ȝe wele be-leue þere [ 1484]

(213)

¶ Ȝe schal ek sen so manye a lusty knyȝt [ 1485] A-mong þe grekys ful of worþynes And eche of hem with herte wit & myȝt To plesyn ȝow don al here [[here, corrector]] buxsomnes [ 1488] Þat ȝe schul dullyn of þe reudenes Of vs sely Troilus but ȝif reuthe Remoue ȝow aȝyn al of ȝoure treuthe [ 1491]

(214)

¶ And þis to me so greuous is to þynke [leaf 99, back] [ 1492] Þat from myn brest it wele þ^e soule rende But dredles in me þere can not synke O good opinyoun ȝif þat ȝe wende [ 1495] ffor whi ȝoure faderys sleyt wele ȝow schende And ȝif ȝe gon as I haue ȝow told ȝore So þynke I may but dey^e [[y^e, corrected]] with-outyn more [ 1498]

(215)

// ffor which with vmbele trewe & pitous herte [ 1499] A þousent tymys mercy I ȝow preye So rewith on myne asper peynys smerte And doþ come what as þat I schal ȝow seye [ 1502] And lat vs stele awoy a-twixe vs tweye And þyng þat foly is whan men may chese ffor accident his substaunce ay to lese [ 1505]

(216)

¶ I mene þus syn we now or day [ 1506] Wele stele away & ben to-gedere so What wit were þat ȝow to puttyn in a-say In cas þey schuldyn to ȝoure fadir go [ 1509] Ȝif þat ȝe myȝtyn comyn aȝen or no Þus mene I þat it were a gret foly To putte þat sekirnes in iupardy [ 1512]

(217)

And wolgaly to speke of substaunce [ 1513] Of tresore may we boþe with vs lede I-now to leue in honour & plesaunce Tyl in-to tyme þat we schul be dede [ 1516] And þus may we eschewyn al þis drede ffor euerych oþer which ȝe can recorde Myn herte I-wis may not þerwith acorde [ 1519]

(218)

¶ And hardeli dredyth non pouert [ 1520] ffor I haue kyn & frendis eɫɫ where Þat thow [[thow corrected]] we comyn in oure bare schert We schul noþer lakke gold ne gere [ 1523] But ben honoured whil we dwelle þere And go we a-non for as myn entent Þis is þ^e beste ȝif ȝe wele assent [ 1526]

(219)

CRisseyde with a syk ryȝt in þis wise [leaf 100] [ 1527] Answerede I-wis myn dere herte trewe We may wel stele away as we deuyse Or fyndyn sweche onþrifty woyes newe [ 1530] But aftyrward ful sore it wele vs rewe And help me god so at myn moste nede As causeles ȝe suffere al þis drede [ 1533]

(220)

¶ ffor ilke day þat for cherisyng [ 1534] Or dred of fadyr or of ony oþer wyȝ Or for estat delyȝt or for weddyng Ben fals to ȝow myn Troilus myn knyȝt [ 1537] Saturnys douȝtyr iuno þour hire myȝt As wode achamaunt do me dwelle Eternally ¹ with-in ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] þe pit of helle [ 1540]

(221)

¶ And þis on euery god celestial [ 1541] I [[s, corrector]] swere it ȝow & ek on eche goddesse Þat euery nemphe or deþ enfernal On satarye & fany more & lesse [ 1544] Þat half goddis ben of wildirnesse And antropos myn þred only to-breste Ȝif I be fals now trowe me ȝif þou leste [ 1547]

(222)

¶ And ȝow symoys þat as an arwe schere [ 1548] Þour Trowe rennyst dounward to þ^e se se Bere witnesse of þis word [[d, corrected]] þat I seye here Þat ilke day þat I vn-trewe be [ 1551] To troylus myn owene herte fre [[re, thyn, corrected]] Þat þey returne bakward in to thyn [[re, thyn, corrected]] welle And I with body & soule synke in-to helle [ 1554]

(223)

¶ But þat ȝe speke swoy þus to go [ 1555] And lete alle oure frendis god forbede ffor ony woman þat ȝe schuldyn so And namely sithe troye haþ now swich nede [ 1558] Of helpe & ek of on þyng takyþ hede Ȝif þis were wist myn lyf leye in balaunce And ȝoure honour god schylde vs from myschaunce [ 1561]

(224)

¶ And ȝif so be þat pes hereaftyr take [leaf 100, back] [ 1562] As alday happith aftyr angir game Whi lord þ^e sorwe þat ȝe wolde make Þat ȝe ne durstyn comyn a-ȝyn for schame [ 1565] And er þat ȝe enpartyn so ȝoure name Beþ not to hastyþ in þis hote fare ffor hastyf man wantede neuere care [ 1568]

(225)

¶ What trowe ȝe þ^e pepele ek al aboute [ 1569] Wolde of it seyn it is ful lyȝt torede Þey woldyn seyn & sweryn out of doute Þat loue ne drof ȝow not to do þat dede [ 1572] But lust volupteuous & ek coward drede Þus were al lost I-wis myn herte dere Ȝoure honour wich þat now schynyth so clere [ 1575]

(226)

¶ And also þynkyth on myn honeste [ 1576] Þat flourith ȝit how foule I schulde it schende And with what folye it spoylid schulde be Ȝif in þis forme I schulde with ȝow wynde [ 1579] Ne þow I leuede in-to þis worldis ende Myn name schulde I neuere aȝinward wyn Þis were al lost & þat were reuthe & syn [ 1582]

(227)

¶ And for-þi sle with resoun al þis hete [ 1583] Aȝen sorwe þe sufferaunt ouercomyth parde Ek ho so wele haue leue leue mote lete Þis makyth vertu of necessite [ 1586] Beþ pacient & þynkith þat lord is he Of fortune ay þat nouȝt wele of hire reche And so ne dauntyth no wyȝt but a wreche [ 1589]

(228)

¶ And trustyth þis þat sertis herte swete [ 1590] Or phebus systyr lucyna þ^e schene Þe lyoun passe out of þis aryete I wele ben here with-outyn ony wene [ 1593] I me^ne as helpe me Iuno heuen quene Þe tente day but ȝif deth me asayle I wele ȝow sen with-outyn ony fayle [ 1596]

(229)

And now so þis be soth quod Troilus [leaf 101] [ 1597] I schal wel suffere vn-to þ^e tente day Syn þat I se þat it muste ben þus But for þe loue of god ȝif it be may [ 1600] So lat vs stelyn priuyly away ffor euere in on as for to leue in rest Myn herte seyth þat it wele ben þe best [ 1603]

(230)

¶ O mercy god what lyf is þis quod sche [ 1604] Allas ȝe sle me þus for verray tene I se wel now þat ȝe mistrostyn [[rostyn, corrected]] me ffor by ȝoure wordis it is wel I-sene [ 1607] Now for þe loue of synthea þe schene Mistruste me not þus causeles [[u, corrector]] for reuthe Syn to ben trewe I haue plyȝt ȝow myn treuthe [ 1610]

(231)

¶ And þynkyth ek þat sumtyme it is wit [ 1611] To spende a tyme a tyme for to wyn Ne parde lorn am I not for ȝow ȝit Þouȝ þat we ben a day or too a-twyn [ 1614] Dryueþ out þe fantasyis ȝow with-in And trostyþ me & leuyth ek ȝoure sorwe Or here myn treuthe I wele not leue to morwe [ 1617]

(232)

¶ ffor ȝif ye wiste how sore it doþ me smert [ 1618] Ȝe wolde [[c, corrected]] chese of þis for god þou wist Þ^e pore spyryt wepith in myn herte To se ȝow wepe þat I loue most [ 1621] And þat I mote gon to þe Grekys ost Ȝa / nere it þat I nyste remedye To come a-ȝyn ryȝt here wolde I dye [ 1624]

(233)

But certis I am not so nyse a wiȝt [ 1625] Þat I ne can / Imagyn alway To come a-ȝyn / þat day þat I haue hyȝt ffor who may / heldyn þat wele a-way [ 1628] Myn fadyr not / for his queynte play And be myn þryft myn wendyng out of troye A noþer day schal turne vs alle to Ioye [ 1631]

(234)

¶ ffor-þy with al myn herte I ȝow be-seche [leaf 101, back] [ 1632] Ȝif þat ȝe luste don ony þyng for myn preyere And for þe loue wich I loue ȝow ek Þat ar I departe from ȝow here [ 1635] Þat of so good confort & chere I may ȝow se þat ȝe may brynge at reste Myn herte which þat is o poynt to breste [ 1638]

(235)

¶ And ouer al þis I prey ȝow quod sche þo [ 1639] Myn owene herte soþfast sufficiaunce Sithyn I am þyn al hol with-outyn mo Þat whil þat I am absence no plesaunce [ 1642] Of oþere do me from ȝoure remembraunce ffor I am euere a-gast for whi men rede Þat loue is þyng ay ful of busy drede [ 1645]

(236)

¶ ffor in þis world þere lyuyth lady non [ 1646] Þif þat ȝe were ontrewe god ¹ defende ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] Þat be-trayed were or wo-begon As I þat al treuthe in ȝow entende [ 1649] And douteles ȝif þat I oþer wende I were but ded & ȝif ȝe cause fynde ffor goddis loue beþ no more onkynde [ 1652]

(237)

¶ To þis leue Troilus answerde & seyde [ 1653] Now god to whom þere is no þouȝt I-wrie Me glade as wis I neuere to Crisseyde Sin þeilke day I sey here ferst with eye [ 1656] Was ² neuere fals ne schal tyl that I deye ² [[²-² by corrector]] As schorte wordis wel ȝe may me leue I can nomore it schal be founde at preue [ 1659]

(238)

GRaunt mercy Iwis goode myn quod sche [ 1660] And blysful venus let me neuere sterue Oor I may stonde of plesaunse in degre To quyte hym wel þat so wel can deserue [ 1663] And whil þat god myn wit wele me conserue I schal so don so trewe I haue ȝow founde Þat ay honour to meward schal rebounne [ 1666]

[Leaf 102 is cut out of the MS.]

[Campsall MS, on leaf 93.]

[The MS. tagd f, g, k, t, are not printed in this book.]

Incipit Liber. quintus.

(1) (Proem)

A Prochen gan the fatal destyne. [[Teseide IX. i.]] [ 1] That Ioues hath in disposicioun. And to yow angry Parcas sustren þre. Comytted to don execucion. [ 4] For which Criseyde moste out of þe toun. And Troylus shal dwelle forth yn pyne. Til Lachesis his þreed no lengere twyne. [ 7]

(2) (The Story) [leaf 93, back]

The goldtressed Phebus heighe on lofte. [[Teseide II. i.]] [ 8] Thries hadde al with his bemes clere. The snowes molte / and Zephirus as ofte. Y-brought a-yen þe tendre leues grene. [ 11] Syn þat þe sone of Ecuba the queene. By-gan to loue here first for whom his sorwe. was al þat she departe sholde o morwe. [ 14]

(3)

Ful redy was at Pryme Dyomede. [ 15] Criseyde vn-to þe Grekes ost for to lede. For sorwe of which she felte here herte blede. As she þat nyst what was best to rede. [ 18] And trewely as men in bokes rede. Men wyst neuere womman han þe care. Ne was so loth out of [a] town to fare. [ 21]

(4)

This Troylus with-outen red or lore. [ 22] As man þat hath his Ioyes ek forlore. was waytynge on his lady eueremore. As she þat was þe soþfast crop and more. [ 25] Of al his lust / or Ioyes here byfore. But Troylus farewel now al þi Ioye. For shaltow neuere sen here eft in Troye. [ 28]

(5)

Soth is þat whil he bod in þis manere. [ 29] He gan his wo ful manly for to hyde. That wel vneþe it sene was in his chere. But at þe yate þere she sholde oute ryde. [ 32] with certeyn folk / he houede here tabyde. So wo bygon al wolde he nought hym pleyne. That on his hors vnneþe he sat for peyne. [ 35]

(6)

For Ire he quok so gan his herte gnawe. [ 36] whan Diomede on hors gan hym dresse. And seyde vn-to hym-self þis ilke sawe. Allas quod he þus foul a wrecchednesse. [ 39] why suffre ich it / whi nyl ich do it redresse. were it not bet at onys for to dye. Than eueremore in langour þus to drye. [ 42]

(7)

Whi nyl .I. make at onys ryche and pore. [leaf 94] [ 43] To haue y-nowh to done er þat she go. why nyl I brynge al Troye vpon a rore. Whi nyl I slen þis Diomede also. [ 46] why nyl I raþere wiþ a man or two. Stele here a-way / whi wole I þis endure. whi nyl I helpen to myn owene cure. [ 49]

(8)

But whi he nolde don so fel a dede. [ 50] That shal I seyn and why hym lyst it spare. He hadde in herte alweys a manere drede. Lest þat Cryseyde yn rumour of þis fare. [ 53] Sholde han ben slayn / lo this was al his care. And elles certeyn as I seyde yore. He hadde it don with-outen wordes more. [ 56]

(9)

Criseyde whan she redy was to ryde. [ 57] Ful sorwfully she sight and seyde allas. But forth she mot for ought þat may bytyde. And forth she right ful sorwfully a pas. [ 60] Ther nys non oþer remedye yn þis cas. what wonder is þat þough here sore smerte. whan she forgoth here owene swete herte. [ 63]

(10)

This Troylus yn wyse of curtasie. [ 64] with hauk on hond and with an huge route. Of knyghtes / rod and dide here compaynye. Passynge al þe valey fer with-oute. [ 67] And ferþere wold han ryden out of doute. Ful fayn / and wo was hym to gon so sone. But torne he moste / and it was ek to done. [ 70]

(11)

And right with þat was Antenor I-come. [ 71] Out of þe Grekes ost and euery wyght. was of it glad / and seyde he was wel-come. And Troylus / al nere his herte lyght. [ 74] He peynede hym with al his fulle myght. Hym to with-holde of wepynge at þe leste. And Antenor he kyste and made feste. [ 77]

(12)

And þer-with-al he moste his leue take. [leaf 94, back] [ 78] And caste his eye vpon here pitously. And ner he rod his cause for to make. To take here by þe hond al sobrely. [ 81] And lord so she gan wepen tendrely. And he ful softe and sleyghly gan here seye. Now hold yowre day / and doth me not to deye. [ 84]

(13)

With þat his courser torned he al a-boute. [ 85] with face pale / and vn-to Diomede. No word he spak ne non of al his route. Of which þe sone of Tydeus toke hede. [ 88] As he þat koude more þan þe Crede. In swych a craft / and by þe reyne here hente. And Troylus to Troye homwarde he wente. [ 91]

(14)

This Diomede þat ladde here by þe bridel. [ 92] whan þat he saw þe folk of Troye a-weye. Thoughte / al my labour shal not ben on ydel. If that I may for somwhat shal I seye. [ 95] For at þe worste it may yet shorte oure weye. I haue herd seyd ek tymes twyes twelue. He is a fool þat wole for-yete hym-selue. [ 98]

(15)

But naþeles þis þoughte he wel ynowh. [ 99] That certaynly I am a-boute nought. If that I speke of loue or make it tough. For douteles yf she haue in here thought. [ 102] Hym þat I gesse / he may not ben y-brough[t]. So sone awey / but I shal fynde a mene. That she shal not as yet wete what I mene. [ 105]

(16)

This Diomede as he þat koude his good. [ 106] whan þis was don gan fallen forth in speche. Of þis and þat / and asked whi she stood. In swych desese / and gan here ek byseche. [ 109] That yf þat he encrese myghte or eche. with ony þing / here ese þat she sholde. Comaunde it hym / and seyde he don it wolde. [ 112]

(17)

For trewely he swor here as a knyght. [leaf 95] [ 113] That þere nas þing with whiche he myght here plese. That he nolde don his peyne and al his myght. To don it / for to don here herte an ese. [ 116] And preyde here / she wolde here sorwe apese. And seyde y-wys we grekes kon haue Ioye. To honouren yow / as wel as folk of Troye. [ 119]

(18)

He seyde ek þus / I wot yow þenketh straunge. [ 120] No wonder is / for it is to yow newe. Thaqueyntaunce of þese Troians to chaunge. For folk of Grece þat ye neuere knewe. [ 123] But wolde neuere god but [if] as trewe. A Grek / ye shulde a-mong vs alle fynde As ony Troian is / and ek as kynde. [ 126]

(19)

An by þe cause I swor yow right lo now. [ 127] To ben youre frend and helply to my myght. And for þat more acqueyntaunce ek of yow. Haue ich had þan a-noþer straungere wight. [ 130] So fro þis forth I pray yow day and nyght. Comaundeth me how sore þat me smerte. To don al þat may like to youre herte. [ 133]

(20)

And þat ye me wolde as youre broþer trete. [ 134] And take not my frendship in despit. And þough youre sorwes be for þinges grete. Not I not whi / but out of more respit. [ 137] Myn herte hath for to amenden it gret delit. And yf I may youre harmes not redresse. I am right sory for youre heuynesse. [ 140]

(21)

And þough ye troians wiþ vs Grekes wroþe. [ 141] Han many a day be / alwey yet parde. O. god of loue in soth we seruen boþe. And for þe loue of god my lady fre. [ 144] whom so ye hate as beth not wroth wiþ me. For trewely þer kan no wight yow serue. That half so loth yowre wraþþe wolde deserue. [ 147]

(22)

And nere it þat we been so neigh þe tente. [leaf 95, back] [ 148] Of Calkas / which þat sen vs boþe may. I wolde of þis yow telle al myn entente. But þis enseled til a noþer day. [ 151] yeue me youre hond / I am and shal ben ay. God help me so whil þat my lyf may dure. youre owene a-boue enery creature. [ 154]

(23)

Thus seyde I neuere er now to womman borne. [ 155] For god myn herte as wysly glade so. I louede neuer womman here byforn. As paramours ne neuere shal no mo. [ 158] And for þe loue of god beth not my fo. Al kan I not to yow my lady dere. Compleyne a-ryght / for I am yet to lere. [ 161]

(24)

And wondreþ not myn owen lady bryght. [ 162] Though þat I speke of loue to you þus blyue. For I haue herd of þis of many a wyght. Hath loued þyng he neuere saugh his lyue. [ 165] Ek I am not of power for to stryue. A-yens þe god of loue / but hym obeye. I wole alwey / and mercy I yow preye. [ 168]

(25)

Ther ben so worþi knyghtes in þis place. [ 169] And ye so feyr þat euerich of hem alle. wol peynen hym to stonden in youre grace. But myght[e] me so fair a grace falle. [ 172] That ye me for your seruaunt wolde calle. So lowly ne so trewely you to serue. Nil noon of hem / as I shal til I sterue. [ 175]

(26)

Criseide vn-to þat purpos litel answerde. [ 176] As she þat was with sorwe oppressed so. That in effect she nought his tales herde. But her & þere / now here a word or two. [ 179] Hire þought here sorwful hert brast a-two. For whan she gan here fader fer aspye. wel neigh doun on here hors she gan to sye. [ 182]

(27)

But natheles she þonked Diomede. [leaf 96] [ 183] Of al his trauayle and his goode chere. And þat hym lyst his frendship here to bede. And she accepteth it in goode manere. [ 186] And wold do fayn þat is hym lef and dere. And trusten hym she wolde and wel she myghte. As seyde she / and from hire hors she a-lighte. [ 189]

(28)

Here fader hath here in his armes nome. [ 190] And tweynty tyme he kyste his doughter swete. And seyde .o. dere doughter myn wel come. She seyde ek she was fayn with hym to mete. [ 193] And stod forth mewet / mylde / and mansuete. But here I leue here with here fader dwelle. And forth I wole of Troylus yow telle. [ 196]

(29)

To Troye is come þis woful Troylus. [ 197] In sorwe / abouen alle sorwes smerte. with felon lok / and dispitous. Tho sodeynly doun from his hors he sterte. [ 200] And þorugh his paleys with a swollen herte. To chambre he went / of no þing toke he hede. Ne noon to hym dar speke a word for drede. [ 203]

(30)

And þere his sorwes þat he spared hadde. [ 204] He yaf an yssue large / and deth he cride. And in his þrowes frenetyk and madde. He curssed Ioue / Appollo / and ek Cupide. [ 207] He curssed Ceres / Bacus / and Cipryde. His burþe / hym self / his fate / and ek nature. And saue his lady / euery creature. [ 210]

(31)

To bedde he goth and weyleth þere and torneth. [ 211] In furye / as doth he Ixion in helle. And in þis wyse he neigh til day soiourneth. But þo by-gan a lytel his herte vnswelle. [ 214] Thorugh teris which þat gonnen vp to welle. And pitously he cride vp-on Criseyde. And to hym-self right þus he spak and seyde. [ 217]

(32)

Where is myn owene lady lief and dere. [leaf 96, back] [ 218] where is here white brest wher is it where. where ben here armes an here eyen clere. That yesternygħt þis tyme wiþ me were. [ 221] Now may .I. wepe allone many a tere. And graspe a-boute I may / but in þis place. Saue a pilwe I fynde / nought tenbrace. [ 224]

(33)

How shal I do / whan shal she com a-yen. [ 225] I not / allas / whi let ich here to go. As wolde god Ich hadde as þo be sleyn. O. herte myn Criseyde o swete fo. [ 228] O. lady myn þat I loue and no mo. To whom for eueremo myn herte I dowe. Se how I deye ye nyl me not rescowe. [ 231]

(34)

Who seeth yow now my right lode-sterre. [ 232] who sit right now or stant in yowre presence. who kan conforten now youre hertes werre. Now I am gon / whom yeue ye audience [ 235] who speketh for me right now in myn absence. Allas no wight / and þat is al my care. For wel wot .I. as yuele as I ye fare. [ 238]

(35)

How shulde I þus .x. dayes ful endure. [ 239] whan I þe firste nyght haue al þis tene. How shal she don ek sorwful creature. For tendresse how shal she þis sustene. [ 242] Swich wo for me / .o. pitous / pale / & grene. Shal ben youre fresshe wommanlyche face. For langour / er ye torne in-to þis place. [ 245]

(36)

And whan he fiɫɫ in ony slomerynges. [ 246] Anoon by-gonne he sholde for to grone. And dremen of þe dredfulleste þinges. That myghte ben / as mete as he were allone. [ 249] In place horrible / makynge ay his moone. Or meten þat he was a-monges alle. His enemys / and in here hondes falle. [ 252]

(37)

And ther-with-al his body sholde sterte. [leaf 97] [ 253] And wiþ þe stert al sodeynlych a-wake. And swich a tremor fele a-boute his herte. That of þe feer his body sholde quake. [ 256] And þer-with-al he sholde a noyse make. And seme as þough he sholde falle depe. From heighe a lofte / and þan he wolde wepe. [ 259]

(38)

And rewen on hym self so pytously. [ 260] That wonder was to here his fantasye. A-nother tyme he sholde myghtily. Conforte hym self / and seine it was folye. [ 263] So causeles swych drede for to drye. And eft bygynne his aspre sorwes newe. That euery man myghte on his sorwes rewe. [ 266]

(39)

Who koude telle a-right or ful discryue. [ 267] His wo / his pleynte / his langour & his peyne. Nought al þe men þat han or ben on lyue. Thow redere mayst þy self ful wel deuyne. [ 270] That swych a wo my wit kan not defyne. On ydel for to write it sholde .I. swynke. whan þat my wit is wery it to þenke. [ 273]

(40)

On heuene yet þe sterres were sene. [ 274] Al þough ful pale. y-woxen was þe moone. And whiten gan the Orisonte shene. Al Estward / as it wonted is to done. [ 277] And Phebus with his rosy carte sone. Gan after þat to dresse hym vp to fare. whan Troylus hath sente after Pandare. [ 280]

(41)

This Pandare þat of al þe day bi-forn. [ 281] Ne myght haue comen Troylus to se. Al-þough he on his hed it hadde I-sworn. For with þe kyng Pryam alday was he. [ 284] So that it lay not in his liberte. No wher to gon / but on þe morwe he wente. To Troylus / whan þat he for hym sente. [ 287]

(42)

For in hys herte he koude wel dyuyne. [leaf 97, back] [ 288] That Troilus al nyght for sorwe wook. And þat he wolde telle hym of his peyne. This knew he wel y-nough with-oute book. [ 291] For whicħ to chaumbre streyght þe wey he took. And Troylus þo sobrelyche he grette. And on þe bed ful soone he gan hym sette. [ 294]

(43)

My Pandarus quod Troylus þe sorwe. [ 295] which þat I drye I may not longe endure. I trowe I shal not lyue til to morwe. For whiche I wolde alwey on auenture. [ 298] To þe deuysen of my sepulture. The forme / and of my moeble þow dispone. Right as þe semeth best is for to done. [ 301]

(44)

But of þe fyr / and flaumbe funeral. [ 302] In whiche my body brenne shal to glede. And of þe feste / and pleyes palestral. At my vigile I pray þe take good hede. [[here alterd to hede]] [ 305] Þat al be wel / and offre mars my stede. My swerd / myn helm and leue broþer dere. My sheld to Pallas yef þat shyneth clere. [ 308]

(45)

The poudre in which myn herte y-brend shal torne. [ 309] That prey I þe þow take and it conserue. In a vessel þat men clepeþ an vrne. Of gold / and to my lady þat I serue. [ 312] For loue of whom þus pitously I sterue. So yeue it here and do me þis plesaunce. To preyen here to kepe it for a remembraunce. [ 315]

(46)

For wel I fele by my maladye. [ 316] And by my dremes now and yore a-go. Al certeynly þat I mot nedes dye. The owle ek which þat hatte Escaphilo. [ 319] Hath after me shright alle þis nyghtes two. And god Mercurye of me now woful wrecche. The soule gide / and whan þe lyst it fecche. [ 322]

(47)

Pandare answerde / and seyde Troylus. [leaf 98] [ 323] My dere frend / as I haue told þe yore. That it is folye for to sorwen þus. And causeles for whiche I kan nomore. [ 326] But who so wole not trowen rede ne lore. I kan not seen in hym no remedye. But late hym worþe with his fantasye. [ 329]

(48)

But Troylus I pray þe telle me nowe. [ 330] If þat þow trowe er þis þat ony wyght. Hath loued paramours as wel as þow. Ye god wot / and fro many a worþi knyght. [ 333] Hath his lady gon a fourtenyght. And he not yet made haluendel þe fare. what nede is þe / to maken al þis care. [ 336]

(49)

Syn day by day þow mayst þi-seluen see. [ 337] That from his loue / or elles from his wyf. A man mot twynnen of necessite. Ye þough he loue here as his owene lif. [ 340] Yet nyl he with hym self þus maken stryf. For wel þow wost my leue broþer dere. That alwey frendes may nought ben y-fere. [ 343]

(50)

How don þis folk þat seen here loues wedded. [ 344] By frendes myght / as it by-tyt ful ofte. And sen hem in here spouses bed y-bedded. God wot þey take it wysly faire and softe. [ 347] For-why good hope halt vp here herte .o. lofte. And for þey kan a tyme of sorwe endure. As tyme hem hurt / a tyme doth hem cure. [ 350]

(51)

So sholdestow endure / and late slyde. [ 351] The tyme / and fond to ben glad and lyght. Ten dayes nys so longe not tabyde. And syn she þe to come hath byhyght. [ 354] She nyl not here hestes breken for no wight. For drede þe not þat she nyl fynden weye. To come a-yen my lyf þat dorst I leye. [ 357]

(52)

Thy sweuenes ek and [al] swicħ fantasye. [leaf 98, back] [ 358] Dryf out and lat hem faren to myschaunce. For þei proceden of þi malencolye. That doth þe fele in slep al þis penaunce. [ 361] A straw for alle sweuenes signifiaunce. God helpe me so I counte hem not a bene. Ther wot no man aright what dremes mene. [ 364]

(53)

For prestes of þe temple tellen þis. [ 365] That dremes ben þe reuelacions. Of goddes / and as wel þey telle y-wys. That þey ben Infernals illusions. [ 368] And leches seynt / þat of complexions. Proceden þei / or fast / or glotonye. who wot in soth þus what þey signifie. [ 371]

(54)

Ek oþere seyn þat þorugh Impressions. [ 372] As yf a wight hath faste a þing in mynde. That þer-of cometh swicħ auysions. And oþere seyn as þey in bokes fynde. [ 375] That after tymes of þe yer by kynde. Men dreme / and þat theffect goth by þe mone. But lef no drem / for / it is nought to done. [ 378]

(55)

Wel worth of dremes ay þese olde wyues. [ 379] And treweliche ek augurye of þis foweles. For fere of which men wenen lese here lyues. As Rauenes qualm / or shrykyng of þese owlys. [ 382] To trowen on / it boþe fals and foule is. Allas / allas so noble a creature. As is a man shad drede swicħ ordure. [ 385]

(56)

For which wiþ al myn herte .I. þe beseche. [ 386] vn-to þi-self þat al þis þow for-yeue. And rys vp now with-oute more speche. And lat vs caste how forth may best be dreue. [ 389] This tyme / and ek how fresshly we may leue. whan þat she cometh the which shal be righ sone. God help me so þe beste is þus to done. [ 392]

(57)

Rys lat vs speke of lusti lyf in Troye. [leaf 99] [ 393] That we han lad / and forth þe tyme dryue. And ek of tyme comynge vs reioye. That bryngen shal oure blysse now so blyue. [ 396] And langour of þese twyes dayes fyue. we shal þer-with so fo[r]ȝete oure oppresse. That vnneþe it don shal vs duresse. [ 399]

(58)

This town is ful of lordes al a-boute. [ 400] And trewes lasten al þis mene while. Go we pleye vs in som lusty rowte. To sarpedon / not hens but a myle. [ 403] And þus þow shalt þe tyme wel bygile. And dryue it forth vn-to þat blisful morwe. That þow here se þat cause is of þi sorwe. [ 406]

(59)

Now rys my dere broþer Troylus. [ 407] For certes it noon honour is to the. To wepe / and in þi bed to Iowken þus. For trewely of o þing þow trust to me. [ 410] If þow þus ligge a day or two or þre. The folk wol wene þat þou for cowardyse. The feynest syk / and þat þow dar not ryse. [ 413]

(60)

This Troylus answered o broþer dere. [ 414] This knowen folk þat han y-suffred peyne. That þough he wepe / and make sorwful chere. That feleth harm and smert yn euery veyne. [ 417] No wonder is / and þough I euere pleyne. Or alwey wepe I am no þing to blame. Syn I haue lost þe cause of al my game. [ 420]

(61)

But syn of fyn force I mot a-ryse. [ 421] I shal a-ryse as soone as euere I may. And god to whom myn herte I sacrefise. So sende vs hastely þe tenþe day. [ 424] For was þere neuere foule so fayn of may. As I shal ben whan þat she comeþ in Troye. That cause is of my torment and my Ioye. [ 427]

(62)

But whider is þi red quod Troylus. [leaf 99, back] [ 428] That we may pley vs best in al þis town. By god my conseyl is quod Pandarus. To ryde and pley vs with kyng Sarpedoun. [ 431] So longe of þis þey speken vp and doun. Til Troylus gan at þe laste assente. To ryse / and forth to Sarpedoun þey wente. [ 434]

(63)

This Sarpedoun as he þat honourable. [ 435] was euere his lyue / and ful of heigh prowesse. with al þat myghte y-serued ben on table. That deynte was al cost it gret richesse. [ 438] He fedde hem day by day þat swich noblesse. As seyden boþe þe meste and [ek] þe leste. was neuere er þat day wyst at ony feste. [ 441]

(64)

Nor in þis world þer is noon Instrument. [ 442] Delicious / þorugh wynd / or touche / or corde. As fer as ony wyght hath euere y-went. That tonge telle or herte may recorde. [ 445] That as þat feste it nas wel herd accorde. Ne of ladyes ek so fayr a companye. On daunce / er þo was neuere y-seyn with eye. [ 448]

(65)

But what auayleth þis to Troylus. [ 449] That for his sorwe no þing of it roughte. For euere in oon his herte pitous. Ful bysily Criseyde his lady soughte. [ 452] On here was euere al þat his herte thoughte. Now þis now þat so faste ymagynynge. That glad y-wys kan hym no festenynge. [ 455]

(66)

These laydyes ek þat at þis feste ben. [ 456] Syn þat he saw his lady was a-weye. It was his sorwe vpon hem for to sen. Or for to here ony Instrumentȝ so pleye. [ 459] For she þat of his herte bereth þe keye. was absent / lo þis was his fantasye. That no wight sholde make melodye. [ 462]

(67)

Nor ther nas houre in al þe day or nyght. [leaf 100] [ 463] whan he was þere as no wight myght [hym] here. That he ne seyde o lufsom lady bryght. How haue ye faren syn þat ye were þere. [ 466] wel-come y-wys myn owene lady dere. But welaway al þis nas but a maze. Fortune his howue entendeth bet to glaze. [ 469]

(68)

The lettres ek þat she of old[e] tyme. [ 470] Had hym y-sent / he wolde allone rede. An hundred sithe a-twixen noon and pryme. Refigurynge here shap / & here womanhede. [ 473] wiþ-inne his herte / and euery word and dede. That passed was / and þus he drof to an ende. The ferþe day / and seyde he wolde wende. [ 476]

(69)

And seyde leue broþer Pandarus. [ 477] Intendestow þat we shul here bleue. Til Sarpedoun wol forth congeyen vs. Yet were it fairer þat we tok oure leue. [ 480] For godes loue lat vs now sone at eue. Oure leue take / and homward lat vs torne. For trewely I wol not þus soiourne. [ 483]

(70)

Pandare answered be we comen heder. [ 484] To fecchen fyr and rennen hom a-yen. God helpe me so I kan not tellen whider. we myghten gon / yf I shal sothly seyn. [ 487] Ther ony wyght is of vs more fayn. Than Sarpedoun / and yf we hens hye. Thus sodeynly / I holde it vilonye. [ 490]

(71)

Syn þat we seyden / þat we wold bleue. [ 491] wiþ hym a wowke / and now þus sodeynly. The ferthe day to take of hym oure leue. He wolde wondren on it trewely. [ 494] Lat vs holde forth oure purpos fermely. And syn þat ye bihighten hym to byde. Hold forward now / and after lat vs ryde. [ 497]

(72)

Thus Pandarus with al peyne and wo. [leaf 100, back] [ 498] Made hym to dwelle / and at þe wykes end. Of Sarpedoun / þei toke here leue þo. And on here wey þey spedden hem to wende. [ 501] Quod Troylus now god me grace sende. That I may fynde at myn hom comynge. Criseyde comen / and þer-wiþ gan he synge. [ 504]

(73)

Ye haselwode þoughte þis Pandare. [ 505] And to hym self ful sobrelich he seyde. God wot refreyden may þis hote fare. Er Calkas sende Troylus Cryseyde. [ 508] But naþeles he Iaped þus and seyde. And swor y-wys his herte hym wel byhight. She wolde come as soone as euere she myghte. [ 511]

(74)

Whan þey vn-to þe paleys were ycomen. [ 512] Of Troylus / þei down of here hors a-light. And to þe chambre here wey þan han þei nomen. And in-to tyme þat gan to nyghte. [ 515] They spaken of Criseyde þe brighte. And after þis whan þat hem boþe leste. Thei spedde hem fro þe soper vn-to reste. [ 518]

(75)

O morwe as soone as day bygan to clere. [ 519] This Troylus gan of his slep tabreyde. And to Pandare his owene broþer dere. For loue of god ful pitously he seyde. [ 522] So go we seen þe paleys of Criseyde. For syn we yet may haue nomore feste. So lat vs seen here paleys at þe leste. [ 525]

(76)

And þer-with-al his meyne for to blende. [ 526] A cause he fond in towne for to go. And to Criseyde hous þei gonnen wende. But lord þis sely Troylus was wo. [ 529] Hym þoughte his sorweful herte brast a-two. Fo[r] whan he saugh here dorres sperid alle. wel neigh for sorwe a-down he gan to falle. [ 532]

(77)

Ther'with whan he was ware and gan by-holde. [leaf 101] [ 533] How shet was euery wyndowe of þe place. As frost hym þoughte his herte gan to colde. For which with chaunged deedlych pale face. [ 536] with-outen word he forth by-gan to pace. And as gold wolde he gan so faste ryde. That no wight of his contenaunce aspide. [ 539]

(78)

Than seyde he þus .o. paleys desolat. [ 540] O. hous of housses whilom best y-hight. O. paleys empty and disconsolat. O. þou lanterne of which queynt is þe light. [ 543] O. Paleys whilom day þat now art nyght. wel oughtestow to falle and I to dye. Syn she is went þat wont was vs to gye. [ 546]

(79)

O Paleys whilom crowne of houses alle. [ 547] Enlumyned wiþ þe sonne of alle blysse. O. ryng fro which þe ruby is out falle. O. cause of wo þat cause hast ben of blysse. [ 550] Yet syn I may no bet fayn wold I kysse. Thi colde dores dorst I for þis route. And fare-wel shryne of whom þe seynt is oute. [ 553]

(80)

Ther-with he caste on Pandarus his eye. [ 554] with chaunged face. and pitous to byholde. And whan he myght his tyme a-right aspye. Ay as he rod to Pandarus he tolde. [ 557] His newe sorwe and ek his Ioyes olde. So pitously and with so dede an hewe. That euery wight myghte on his sorwe rewe. [ 560]

(81)

Fro þensforth he rideth vp and down. [ 561] And euery þing cam hym to remembraunce. As he rod forth by places of the toun. In whiche he whilom hadde al his plesaunce. [ 564] Lo yende saugh I myn owene lady daunce. And in þat temple with here eyen clere. Me kaught first my right lady dere. [ 567]

(82)

And yender haue I herd ful lustily. [leaf 101, back] [ 568] My dere herte laughe and yender pleye. Saugh I here ones ek ful blysfully. And yender ones to me gan she seye. [ 571] Now goode swete / loue me wel I preye. And yond so goodly gan she me byholde. That to þe deth myn herte is to here holde. [ 574]

(83)

And at þat corner in þe yonder hous. [ 575] Herde I myn alderleuest lady dere. So wommanly wiþ voys melodious. Syngen so wel / so goodly and so clere. [ 578] That in my soule yet me þenketh I here. The blisful soun / and in þat yonder place. My lady first me tok vn-to here grace. [ 581]

(84)

Þanne þought he þus / o blisful lord Cupide. [ 582] whanne I þe proces haue in memorie. How þow me hast waryed on euery syde. Men myght a book mak of it lyk a storie. [ 585] what nede is þe to seke on me victorie. Syn I am þyn / and holly at þi wille. what Ioye hastow þyn owene folk to spille. [ 588]

(85)

Wel hastow lord y-wroke on me þin Ire. [ 589] Thow myghty god and dredful for to greue. Now mercy lord / þow wostwel I desire. Thi grace most of alle lustes leeue. [ 592] And leue and deye I wol [in] þi byleeue. For which I naxe in guerdon but a bone. That þow Criseyde a-yen me sende soone. [ 595]

(86)

Distreyne here herte as faste to retorne. [ 596] As þow dost myn to longen here to se. Than wot I wel þat she nyl not soiourne. Now blisful lorde so cruwel þow ne be. [ 599] Vn-to þe blod of Troye I preye þe. As Iuno was vn-to þe blood Thebane. For which þe folk of Thebes caught here bane. [ 602]

(87)

And after þis he to þe yates wente. [leaf 102] [ 603] There as Criseyde out rood a ful good paas. And vp and doun þer made he many a went. And to hym self ful ofte he seyde allas. [ 606] From hens rood my blysse and my solas. As wolde blisful god now for his Ioye. I myghte here seen a-yen come in Troye. [ 609]

(88)

And to þe yonder hill I gan here gyde. [ 610] Allas / and þere I tok of here my leue. And yond I saugh here to hire fader ryde. For sorwe of which myn herte shal to-cleue. [ 613] And heder hom I com whan it was eeue. And here I dwelle out-cast from alle Ioye. And shal til I may se here eft in Troye. [ 616]

(89)

And of hym-self ymagyned he ofte. [ 617] To ben defet / and pale / and woxen lesse. Than he was wont / and þat men seyde softe. what may it be / who kan þe soþe gesse. [ 620] whi Troylus hath al þis heuynesse. And al þis nas but his malencolye. That he hadde of hym-self swich fantasye. [ 623]

(90)

Anoþer tyme ymagynen he wolde. [ 624] That euery wight þat wente by þe weye. Had of hym rouþe / and þat þei seyen sholde. I am right sory Troylus wol deye. [ 627] And thus he drof a day yet forth or tweye. As ye haue herd swych lyf right gan he lede. As he þat stood by-twixen hope and drede. [ 630]

(91)

For which hym liked yn hise songes shewe. [ 631] Thencheson of his wo as he best myghte. And make a song of wordes but a fewe. Somwhat his woful herte for to lyghte. [ 634] And whan he was from euery mannes sighte. with soft voys / he of his lady dere. That was absent gan to syngen as ye may here. [ 637]

(92) (Troylus's Song for Cressid)

O sterre of which I lost haue al þe light. [leaf 102, back] [ 638] with herte sor / wel oughte I to be-wayle. That euere derk in torment nyght by nyght. Toward my deth with wynd in stere I sayle. [ 641] For which þe tenþe nyght if þat I fayle. Thi gydyng of þi bemes bright an houre. My ship and me Carybdes wol deuoure. [ 644]

(93)

This song when he þus songen hadde soone. [ 645] He fyl a-yen in-to his sikes olde. And euery nyght as was his wone to done. He stod þe bryght mone to beholde. [ 648] And al his sorwe he to þe mone tolde. And seyde I-wys whan þow art horned newe. I shal be glad yf al þe world be trewe. [ 651]

(94)

I saugh þin hornes olde ek by þe morwe. [ 652] whan hens rod my ryght lady dere. That cause is of my torment and my sorwe. For whiche o bright lathona þe clere. [ 655] For loue of god ren fast a-boute þi spere. For whanne þyn hornes newe gynne sprynge. Than shal [s]he come þat may me blisse brynge. [ 658]

(95)

The dayes more / and lengere euery nyght. [ 659] Than þei be wont to be hym þoughte þo. And þat þe sonne wente his course vnright. By lenger wey / þan it is wont to go. [ 662] And seyde I-wys me dredeþ euere mo. The sonnes sone Pheton be on lyue. And þat his fadres cart a-mys he dryue. [ 665]

(96)

Vpon þe walles faste ek wolde he walke. [ 666] And on þe Grekes ost he wolde se. And to hym self right þus he wolde talke. Lo yender is myn owene lady fre. [ 669] Or elles yonder þere þo tenten be. And þen[ne]s comth þis Eyr þat is so soote. That in my soule I fele it doth me bote. [ 672]

(97)

And hardely this wynd þat more and more. [leaf 103] [ 673] Thus stoundemele encreseth in my face. It is of my ladyes depe sikes sore. I preue it þus for in noon oþere place. [ 676] Of al þis town / saue onlyche in þis space. Feele I no wynd þat sowneth so lyk peyne. It seyth allas / why twynned be we tweyne. [ 679]

(98)

This longe tyme he dryueth forth right þus. [ 680] Til fully passed was þe nynþe nyght. And ay by syde hym was þis Pandarus. That bysily dide alle his fulle myght. [ 683] Hym to comforte / and make his herte lyght. Yeuynge hym hope alwey þe tenþe morwe. That she shal come / and stynte al his sorwe. [ 686]

(99)

Vp-on þe toþer side ek was Criseyde. [ 687] with wommen fewe among þe Grekes stronge. For whiche ful ofte a day allas she seyde. That I was born wel may myn herte longe. [ 690] After my deth for now lyue I to longe. Allas and I ne may it not amende. For now it is wors þan euere yet I wende. [ 693]

(100)

My fader nyl for no þing do me grace. [ 694] To goon a-yen for ought I kan hym queme. And yf so be þat I my terme passe. My Troylus shal in his herte deme. [ 697] That I am fals and so it may wel seme. Thus shal I haue vnþank on euery side. That I was born so weylawey þe tyde. [ 700]

(101)

And yf þat I me put in Iupartie. [ 701] To stele awey by nyghte an it by-falle. That [I] be caught / I shal be hold a spie. Or elles to þis drede I most of alle. [ 704] yf in þe hondes of som wreche I falle. I am but lost al be myn herte trewe. Now myghty god / þow on my sorwe rewe. [ 707]

(102)

Ful pale y-woxen was hire brighte face. [leaf 103, back] [ 708] Her lymes lene / as she þat al þe day. Stod whan she dorste / and loked on þe place. The[r] she was born / and she dwelt hadde ay. [ 711] And al þe nyght wepynge allas she lay. And þus despeired out of alle cure. She ladde here lyf / þis woful creature. [ 714]

(103)

Ful ofte a day she syked for destresse. [ 715] And in here-self she wente ay portraynge. Of Troylus þe gret[e] worþinesse. And alle his goodly wordes recordynge. [ 718] Syn first þat day here loue bygan to sprynge. And þus she sette here ful herte a-fyre. Thorugh remembraunce of þat she gan desire. [ 721]

(104)

In al þis world þer nys so cruwel herte. [ 722] That here had herd compleyne in here sorwe That nolde han wopen for here peynes smerte. So tendrely she wepte boþe eue and morwe. [ 725] Here nedede no teris for to borwe. And þis was yet þe worste of al here peyne. Ther was no wight to whom she dorste hire pleyne. [ 728]

(105)

Ful rowfully she loked vp-on Troye. [ 729] Byheld þe toures heyghe and ek þe halles. Allas quod she þe plesaunce and þe Ioye. The whiche þat now al torned in to galle ys. [ 732] Haue I had ofte with-Inne þo yonder wallys Of Troylus / what dost[ow] now she seyde. Lord whe[þe]r yet þou þenke vp-on Criseyde. [ 735]

(106)

Allas .I. ne hadde trowed on yowre lore. [ 736] And went with yow as ye me radde er þis. Thanne had I now not siked half so sore. who myght haue seyd þat I had don a-mys. [ 739] To stele a-wey with swich on as he is. But al to late cometh þe letuarye. Whan men þe cors vn-to þe graue carye. [ 742]

(107)

To late is now to speke of þis matere. [leaf 104] [ 743] Prudence allas / oon of þyn eyen two. Me lakked alwey er þat I cam here. On tyme y-passed wel remembred me. [ 746] And present tyme ek koude I wel y-se. But futur tyme er I was in þe snare. Koude I not seen / þat causeþ now my care. [ 749]

(108)

But naþeles bytyde what bityde. [ 750] I shal to morwe at nyght by Eat or west. Out of þis ost stelen on som manere syde. And go with Troylus wher as hym lest. [ 753] This purpos wol I holde and þis is best. No fors of wykked tonges Ianglerye. For euere on loue han wrecches had enuye. [ 756]

(109)

For who so wold of euery word take hede. [ 757] Or rewelyn hym by euery wightes wit. Shal he neuere þryue out of drede. For þat þat somme han blamed euere yit. [ 760] Lo oþer manere folk commenden it. And as for me for al swych variaunce. Felicite clepe I my suffisaunce. [ 763]

(110)

For which wiþ-outen ony wordes moo. [ 764] To Troye I wole as for my conclusion. But god it wot er fully monthes two. She was ful fer fro þat entencion. [ 767] For boþe Troylus and Troye toun. Shal knotles thorugh out here herte slyde. For she wol take a purpos for tabyde. [ 770]

(111)

This Diomede of whom yow telle I gan. [ 771] Gooth now with-Inne hym self ay arguynge. with al þe sleighte and al þat euere he kan. How he may best with short taryinge. [ 774] In-to his net Criseydes herte brynge. To þis entent he koude neuere fyne. To fysshen here / he leyde out hook and lyne. [ 777]

(112)

But naþeles wel in his herte he þoughte. [leaf 104, back] [ 778] That she nas nat wiþ-oute a loue in troye. For neuere sithen he here þen[ne]s broughte. Ne koude he sen her laughen or make Ioye. [ 781] He nyste how best here herte for tacoye. But for to assaye he seyde it nought ne greueth. For he þat nought nassayeth nought nacheueth. [ 784]

(113)

Yet seide he to hym self vpon a nyght. [ 785] Now am I not a fool þat wot wel how. Hire wo / for loue is [of] a noþer wight. And here-vp-on to gon assaye here nowe. [ 788] I may wel wite it nyl not ben my prow. As wys[e] folk in bokes it expresse. Men shal not wowe a wight in heuynesse. [ 791]

(114)

But who-so myghte wynnen swych a flour. [ 792] From hym / for whom she morneth nyght and day. He myghte seyn he were a conquerour. And right a-noon as he þat bold was ay. [ 795] Thoughte in his herte / happe how happe may. Al sholde I deye .I. wole here herte seche. I. shal no more lesen but my speche. [ 798]

(115)

This Diomede as bokes vs declare. [ 799] was in his nedes prest and corageus. With sterne voys and myghty lymes square. Hardy / testyf / strong and cheualrous. [ 802] Of dedes lyk his fader Tideus. And som men seyn he was of tunge large. And heyr he was of Calydoyne and Arge. [ 805]

(116)

Criseyde mene was of here stature. [ 806] Therto of shap / of face / and ek of chere. Ther myght[e] ben no fayrer creature. And oft[e] tyme þis was here manere. [ 809] To gon y-tressed with hire heerys clere. Doun by hire coler at here bak byhynde. which with a þred of gold she wold[e] bynde. [ 812]

(117)

And saue here browes Ioyneden y-fere. [leaf 105] [ 813] Ther nas no lak in ought I kan espyen. But for to speke[n] of hire eyen clere. Lo trewely þei writen þat here syen. [ 816] That Paradys stood formede in here eyen. And with here riche beaute euere more. Strof loue in here / ay which of hem was more. [ 819]

(118)

She sobre was / ek symple and wys with-al. [ 820] The beste y-norisshed ek þat myghte be. And goodly of here speche in general. Charitable / estatlyche / lusty & fre. [ 823] Ne neuere mo ne lakkede here pyte. Tendre herted / slydynge of corage. But trewely I kan not telle here age. [ 826]

(119)

And Troylus wel woxen was in highte. [ 827] And complet formed by proporcion. So wel þat kynde it not amenden myghte. Yong / fresche / strong / and hardy as lyon. [ 830] Trewe as stel in ech condicion. On of þe beste enteched creature. That is or shal whil þat þe world may dure. [ 833]

(120)

And certaynly in storye it is founde. [ 834] That Troylus was neuere vn-to no wight. As in his tyme in no degre secounde. In dorryng don þat longeth to a knyght. [ 837] Al myghte a Geaunt passen hym of myght. His herte ay wiþ þe firste and wiþ þe beste. Stod paregal / to dorre don that hym leste. [ 840]

(121)

But for to tellen forþ of Diomede. [ 841] It fil þat after on þe tenþe day. Syn þat Criseyde out of þe Cite yede. This Diomede as fressħ as braunche in may. [ 844] Com to þe tente þere a[s] Calkas lay. And feyned hym with Calkas han to doon. But what he mente I shal yow telle soone. [ 847]

(122)

Criseyde at shorte wordes for to telle. [leaf 105, back] [ 848] welcomed hym / and doun hym by here sette. And he was ethe y-nowh to maken dwelle. And after þis with-outen more lette. [ 851] The spices and þe wyn men forth hem fette. And forth þei speke of þis and þat y-fere. As frendes don / of which som shal ye here. [ 854]

(123)

He gan first fallen of þe werre in speche. [ 855] By-twyxen hem / and þe folk of Troye toun. And of þassege he gan here ek byseche. To telle hym what was here opynyoun. [ 858] Fro þat demaunde he so descendeth doun. To asken here / yf þat here straunge þoughte. The Grekes gyse / and werkes þat þey wroughte. [ 861]

(124)

And whi here fader tarieth so longe. [ 862] To wedden here vn-to som worthi wight. Criseyde þat was in here peynes stronge. For loue of Troylus here owene knyght. [ 865] As fer forth as she konnynge hadde or myght. Answered hym þo / but as of his entente. It semed not she wist[e] what he mente. [ 868]

(125)

But naþeles þis ilke Diomede. [ 869] Gan in hym self assure & þus he seyde. If ich a-right haue taken of yow hede. Me þenketh þus .o. lady myn Criseyde. [ 872] That syn .I. first hond on youre brydel leyde. Whan ye out come of Troye by þe morwe. Ne koude I neuere sen yow but in sorwe. [ 875]

(126)

Kan I not seyn what may þe cause be. [ 876] But if for loue of som Troian it were. The whicħ right sore wolde a-þynken me. That ye for ony wight þat dwelleth þere. [ 879] Sholde spille a quarter of a tere. Or pitously youre-seluen so bygile. For dredles it is nought worth þe while. [ 882]

(127)

The folk of Troye as who seyth alle and some. [leaf 106] [ 883] In preson ben / as ye youre-seluen see. Fro þen[ne]s shal not oon on lyue come. For al þe gold by-twixen sonne and se. [ 886] Trusteth wel / and vnderstondeth me. Ther shal not on to mercy gon on lyue. Al were he lord of worldes twyes fyue. [ 889]

(128)

Swych wreche on hem for fecchyng of Eleyne. [ 890] Ther shal be take / er þat we hen[ne]s wende. That Manes which þat goddes ben of peyne. Shal ben agast / þat Grekes wol hem shende. [ 893] And men shul drede vn-to þe worldes ende. From hen[ne]s forth þe rauesshynge of a queene. So cruel shal our wreche on hem ben sene. [ 896]

(129)

And but yf Calkas lede vs with ambages. [ 897] That is to seyn with dowble wordes sleye. Swich as men clepe a word with two visages. Ye shul wel knowen þat I nought ne lye. [ 900] And al þis þing right sen it with youre ye. And þat a-noon ye nyl not trowe how soone. Now taketh heed for it is for to done. [ 903]

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What wene ye youre wyse fader wolde. [ 904] Han yeuen Antenor for yow anoon. If he ne wiste þat þe Cite sholde. Destroyed ben / whi nay so mote I gon. [ 907] He knew ful wel þer shal not skapen on. That Troian is / and for þe gre[te] fere. He dorste not ye dwelte lengere þere. [ 910]

(131)

What wole ye more lufsom lady dere. [ 911] Lat Troye an Troian fro youre herte pace. Dryf out þat bittre hope and make good chere. And clepe a-yen þe beaute of youre face. [ 914] That ye with salte terys so deface. For Troye is brough in swych a Iupartie. That it to saue is now no remedye. [ 917]

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And þenketh wel ye shal in Grekes fynde [leaf 106, back] [ 918] A more parfit loue er it be nyght. Than ony Troian is & more kynde. And bet to seruen yow wol don his myght. [ 921] And yf ye vouche sauf my lady bryght. I. wol ben he to seruen yow my selue. Ye leuere þan þe lord of Greces twelue. [ 924]

(133)

And with þat word he gan to waxen red. [ 925] And in his speche a litel wight he quok. And cast a litel wight a-syde his hed. And stynte a while / and afterward a-wook. [ 928] And sobrelycħ on here he þrew his look. And seyde I am al be it yow no Ioye. As gentil man as ony wight in Troye. [ 931]

(134)

For yf my fader Tideus he seide. [ 932] I-lyued hadde / .I. hadde ben er þis. O. Calydoyne and arge / a kyng Criseyde. And so hope I / þat I shal yet y-wys. [ 935] But he was slayn / allas þe more harm is. Vn-happyly at Thebes al to raþe. Polymyte and many a man to skathe. [ 938]

(135)

But herte myn / syn þat I am youre man. [ 939] And ben þe ferste of whom .I. seche grace. To seruen you as hertely as I kan. And euere I shal whil I to lyuen haue space. [ 942] So er þat I departe out of þis place. Ye wol me graunte þat I may to morwe. At bettre leyser tel[len] yow my sorwe. [ 945]

(136)

What shold I telle his wordes þat he seyde. [ 946] He spak y-now for o day at þe meste. It preueth wel / he spak so þat Criseyde. Graunted on þe morwe at his requeste. [ 949] For to speke with hym at þe leste. So þat he nolde speke of swych matere. And þus she to hym seyde as ye may here. [ 952]

(137)

As she þat hadde here herte on Troylus. [leaf 107] [ 953] So faste / þat þere may non it arace. And straungely she spak and seyde þus. O. Diomede .I. loue þat ilke place. [ 956] Ther I was born / and Ioues for his grace. Deliuere it soone of al þat doth it care. God for þi might so leue it wel to fare. [ 959]

(138)

That Grekes wolde here wraþþe on Troye wreke. [ 960] If þat þei myghte .I. knowe it wel y-wys. But it shal not bifallen as ye speke. And god to-forn / and ferþer ouer þis. [ 963] I wot my fader wys and redy is. And þat he me hath bought as ye me tolde. So dere / I am þe more vn-to hym holde. [ 966]

(139)

That Grekes ben of heigh condicion. [ 967] I wot ek wel / but certeyn men shal fynde. As worþi folk with-Inne Troye town. As konnyng / as parfit / and as kynde. [ 970] As ben bi-twyxen Orcades an Inde. And that ye koude wel youre lady serue. I trowe ek wel here þank for to deserue. [ 973]

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But as to speke of loue y-wys she seyde. [ 974] I hadde a lord to whom I wedded was. The whos myn hert al was til þat he deyde. And oþer loue as helpe me here Pallas. [ 977] Ther in myn herte nys / ne neuere was. And þat ye ben of noble and heigh kynrede. I have wel herd it tellen out of drede. [ 980]

(141)

And þat doth me to han so gret a wonder. [ 981] That ye wole scornen ony womman so. Ek god wot loue and I be fer a-sonder. I am disposed bet so mot I go. [ 984] Vn-to my deth to pleyne and maken wo. What I shal after done .I. kan not seye. But trewely as yet me lyst not to pleye. [ 987]

(142)

Myn herte is now yn tribulacion. [leaf 107, back] [ 988] And ye in armes ben day by day. Here-after whan ye wonnen han þe town. Paraunter þanne so it happen may. [ 991] That whan I se þat I neuere er say. Than wole I werke þat I neuere wroughte. This word to yow y-nough suffisen oughte. [ 994]

(143)

To morwe ek wole .I. speke with yow fayn. [ 995] So þat ye touchen nought of þis matere. And whan yow lyst / ye may com here a-yeyn. And er ye gon þus muche I seye yow here. [ 998] As helpe me Pallas with heres clere. If þat I sholde of any Grek han rouþe. It shulde be youre-seluen by my trouþe. [ 1001]

(144)

I sey not þerfore þat I wol yow loue. [ 1002] Ne sey not nay / but in conclusion. I mene wel by god þat sit a-boue. And þer-with she cast here ey down. [ 1005] And gan to syke & seyde .o. Troylus & Troye town. Yet bidde I god in quiete and in reste. I may yow sen / or do myn herte breste. [ 1008]

(145)

But in effect and shortly for to seye. [ 1009] This Diomede as fresshly newe a-yen. Gan pressen on / and faste here mercy preye. And after þis þe soþe for to seyn. [ 1012] Here gloue he tok of wich he was ful fayn. And fynally whan it was woxen eeue. And al was wel / he ros and tok his leeue. [ 1015]

(146)

The bryghte Venus folewede and ay taughte. [ 1016] The wey / there brode Phebus doun a-lighte. And Cynthea here charhors ouer raughte. To whirle out of þe lyon yf she myghte. [ 1019] And sygnyfer his candeles shewed bryghte. when þat Criseyde vn-to here bedde wente. In-with here fadres faire bryghte tente. [ 1022]

(147)

Retornyng in here soule ay vp and doun. [leaf 106] [ 1023] The wordes of þis sodeyn Diomede. His gret estat and peril of þe toun. And þat she was allone & hadde nede. [ 1026] Of frendes help / and þus by-gan to brede. The cause whi þe soþe for to telle. That sche tok fully purpos for to dwelle. [ 1029]

(148)

The morwe come / and gostly for to speke. [ 1030] This Diomede is come vn-to Criseyde. And shor[t]ly lest [þat] ye my tales breke. So wel for hym self he spak and seyde. [ 1033] That alle here sore sykes a-doun he leyde. And fynally þe soþe for to seyne. He reste here of þe grete of al here peyne. [ 1036]

(149)

And after þis the story telleth vs. [ 1037] That she hym yaf þe fayre baye stede. The which he onys wan of Troylus. And ek a broche and þat was litel nede. [ 1040] That Troylus was / she yaf þis Diomede. And ek þe bet from sorwe hym to releue. She made hym were a pencel of here sleue. [ 1043]

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I fynde ek in storyes ellys where. [ 1044] whan þorugh þe body hurt was Diomede. Of Troylus / þo wepte she many a tere. whan þat she saugh his wyde wowndes blede. [ 1047] And þat she tok to [kepen] hym good hede. And for to helen hym of his sorwes smerte. Men seyn I not þat she yaf hym here herte. [ 1050]

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But trewely þe story telleth vs. [ 1051] Ther made neuere womman more wo. Than she / whan þat she falsede Troylus. She seyde allas / for now is clene a-go. [ 1054] My name of trouþe in loue for euere mo. For I haue falsede on þe gentilest. Thas euere was and on þe worþyest. [ 1057]

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Allas of me vn-to þe worldes ende. [leaf 108, back] [ 1058] Shal neyþer ben y-writen nor I-songe. No good wood / for these bokes wol me shende. O. rolled shal I ben on many a tonge. [ 1061] Thorugh-ought þe world my belle shal be ronge. And wommen most wol hate me of alle. Allas þat swych a cas me sholde falle. [ 1064]

(153)

Thei wol seyn in as muche as in me is. [ 1065] I haue hem don dishonour weylawey. Al be I not þe firste þat dide amys. what helpeth þat to do my blame a-wey. [ 1068] But syn I se þer is no bettre way. And þat to late is now me to rewe. To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. [ 1071]

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But Troylus syn I no beter may. [ 1072] And syn þat þus departen ye and .I. Yet preye I god so yeue yow right good day. As for þe gentileste trewely. [ 1075] That euere I say to seruen feyþfully. And best kan ay his lady honour kepe. And with þat word she brast a-non to wepe. [ 1078]

(155)

And certes yow to haten shal I neuere. [ 1079] And frendes loue þat shal ye han of me. And my good word al myghty leuen euere. And trewely I wolde sory be. [ 1082] For to sen yow in aduersite. And giltles I wot wel I yow leue. And al shal passe / and þus take I my leue. [ 1085]

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But trewely / how longe it was by-twene. [ 1086] That she for-sok hym for þis Diomede. Ther is noon auctor telleth it I wene. Tak euery man now to hise bokes hede. [ 1089] He shal no terme fynd out of drede. For þough he gan to wowe here soone. Er he here wan / yet was þere more to done. [ 1092]

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Ne me ne lyst þis sely womman chyde. [ 1093] Ferþere þan þis story wol deuyse. Here name allas is punysshed so wyde. That for here gilt it out I-now suffise. [ 1096] And yf I myght excuse here ony wyse. For she sory was for here vntrouþe. I-wys .I. wolde excuse here yet for rouþe. [ 1099]

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This Troylus as I by-forn haue tolde. [ 1100] Thus dryueth forth as wel as he hath myght. But often was his herte hot and cold. And namely þat ilke nynþe nyght. [ 1103] which on þe morwe she hadde hym byhight. To come a-yeyn / god wot ful litel reste. Hadde he þat nyght / no þing to slepe hym leste. [ 1106]

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The laurer crowned / Phebus with his hete. [ 1107] Gan yn his course ay vpward as he wente. To warmen of þe Est See þe wawes wete. And Nisus doughter song with fressh entente. [ 1110] whan Troylus his pandare after sente. And on þe walles of þe toun þey pleyde. To loke if þey kan sen ought [of] Criseyde. [ 1113]

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Til it was noone þei stoden for to se. [ 1114] who þat þer come / and euery maner wight. That kam fro fer / þei seyden it was she. Til þat þei koude knowen hym a-right. [ 1117] Now was here herte dul / now was it light. And thus by-Iaped stonden for to stare. A-boute nought þis Troylus and Pandare. [ 1120]

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To Pandarus þis Troylus þo seyde. [ 1121] For ought .I. wot by-for noon sykerly. In-to þis town ne cometh nought Criseyde. She hath y-now to done hardyly. [ 1124] To twynnen from hire fader so trowe .I. Here olde fader wole yet make here dyne. Er that she go / god yeue hys herte pyne. [ 1127]

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Pandare answered it may wel be certeyn. [leaf 109, back] [ 1128] And for-þi lat vs dyne / .I. þe byseche. And after noon þanne mayst þou come a-yen. And hom þei go / wiþ-oute more speche. [ 1131] And comen a-yen but longe may þey seche. Er þat þei fynde þat þei after cape. Fortune hem boþe þenketh for to Iape. [ 1134]

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Quod Troylus I se wel now þat she. [ 1135] Is taried with here olde fader so. That er she come it wol neygh euen be. Come forth .I. wole vn-to þe yate go. [ 1138] This porterys ben vnkonnynge euere-mo. And I wol don hem holde vp þe yate. As nought ne were{punctel} al-þough she come late. [ 1141]

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The day goth faste / and after þat come eeue. [ 1142] And yet com nought to Troylus Criseyde. He loketh forth by hegge / by tree / by greue And fer his hed ouer þe wal he leyde. [ 1145] And at þe laste he torned hym and seyde. By god I wot his menynge now Pandare. Almost y-wys al newe was my care. [ 1148]

(165)

Now douteles þis lady kan here good. [ 1149] I. wot she meneth ryden pryuely. I. comende hire wysdom by myn hood. She wol not maken peple nicely. [ 1152] Gaure on here whan þat she comth / but softely. By nyghte in to þe toun / she þenketh ryde. And dere broþer þenk not to longe to abyde. [ 1155]

(166)

We han not ellys to don y-wys. [ 1156] And Pandarus / now woltow trowen me. Haue here my trouþe I se here / yond she is. Heue vp þyn eyen man / maystow not se. [ 1159] Pandare answerede / nay so mot I þe. Al wrong by god what seystow man wher arte. That I se yond nys but a fare carte. [ 1162]

(167)

Allas þow seist right soth quod Troylus. [leaf 110] [ 1163] But hardely it is not al for nought. That in myn herte I now reioyse þus. It is a-yen som good I haue a-þought. [ 1166] Not I not how / but syn þat I was wrought. Ne felt I swich a confort dar I seye. She comth to nyght / my lyf þat dorste I leye. [ 1169]

(168)

Pandare answered it may be wel y-nowh. [ 1170] And held with hym of al þat euere he seyde. But in his herte he þoughte and softe lough. And to hym self ful sobrely he seyde. [ 1173] From haselwode þere Ioly Robyn pleyde. Shal come al þat þat þow abydest here. Ye fare-wel al þe snow of fern[e] yere. [ 1176]

(169)

The wardeyn of þe yates gan to calle. [ 1177] The folk which þat with-oute þe yates were. And bad hym dryuen In here bestes alle. Or al þe nyght þey most b[l]euen þere. [ 1180] And fer with-Inne þe nyght with many a tere. This Troylus gan homward for to ryde. For wel he seth it helpeth nought tabyde. [ 1183]

(170)

But naþeles he gladed hym yn þys. [ 1184] He þoughte he mysacounted hadde his day. And seyde .I. vnderstonde haue al a-mys. For þilke nyght .I. last Cryseyde say. [ 1187] She seyde .I. shal ben here yf þat I may. Er þat þe mone .o. dere herte swete. The Lyon passe / out of þis Ariete. [ 1190]

(171)

For which she may yet holden al here byheste. [ 1191] And on þe morwe vn-to þe yate he wente. And vp and down by west & ek by Este. Vp on þe walles made he many a wente. [ 1194] But al for nought his hope alwey hym blente. For which at nyght yn sorwe and sykes sore. He wente hym hom with-outen ony moore. [ 1197]

(172)

This hope al clene out of his herte is fledde. [lf 110, bk] [ 1198] He nath wher-on now lengere for to honge. But for þe peyne hym þoughte his herte bledde. So were hise þrowes sharpe and wonder stronge. [ 1201] For when he saugh þat she abood so longe. He nyst what he Iuggen of it myght. Syn she hath broken þat she hym byhyght. [ 1204]

(173)

The þridde / ferþe / fyfthe sixte day. [ 1205] After þo dayes / ten / which I [of] tolde. By-twyxen hope and drede his herte lay. Yet som-what trustynge on here hestes olde. [ 1208] But whan he saugh she nolde he[re] terme holde. He kan now sen noon oþer remedye. But [for to] shape hym soone for to dye. [ 1211]

(174)

Ther-with þe wykked spyrit god vs blesse. [ 1212] which þat men clepeth þe wode Ialousye. Gan yn hym crepe yn al þis heuynesse. For whiche by cause he wold soone dye. [ 1215] He ne eet ne dronk / for his malencolye. And ek from euery compaignye he fledde. This was þe lyf / þat al þe tyme he ledde. [ 1218]

(175)

He so defet was þat no maner man. [ 1219] Vnneþe myght hym knowe þer he wente. So was he lene and þer-to pale and wan. And feble þat he walketh by potente. [ 1222] And with his Iire he þus hym seluen shente. And who so asketh hym wher-of hym smerte. He seyde his harm was al a-boute his herte. [ 1225]

(176)

Pryam ful ofte and ek his moder dere. [ 1226] His breþeren and his sustren gonne hym freyne. why he so sorwful was in al his chere. And what þyng was þe cause of al his peyne. [ 1229] But al for nought / he nolde his cause pleyne. But seyde he felte a greuous maledye. A-boute his herte / and fayn he wolde dye. [ 1232]

(177)

So on a day he leyde hym doun to slepe. [leaf 111] [ 1233] And so by-fel þat yn his slep hym þoughte. That in a fforest faste he welk to wepe. For loue of here þat hym þese peynes wroughte. [ 1236] And vp and doun as he þe forest soughte. He mette he saugh a bor with tuskes grete. That slepte a-yeyn þe bryghte sonnes hete. [ 1239]

(178)

And by þis bor faste in his armes folde. [ 1240] Lay kyssyng ay his lady bryght Criseyde. For sorwe of which whan he it gan byholde. And for despit out of his slep he breyde. [ 1243] And loude he cride on Pandarus & seyde. O. Pandarus now know I crop and roote. I. nam but ded þer nys non oþer bote. [ 1246]

(179)

My lady bryght Criseyde hath me bytrayed. [ 1247] In whom I trusted most of ony wight. She ellis where hath now here herte a-payed. The blysful goddes þorugh here grete myght. [ 1250] Han in my drem y-shewed it ful right. Thus yn my drem / Criseyde I haue byholde. And al þis þing to Pandarus he tolde. [ 1253]

(180)

O my Criseyde allas what subtilte. [ 1254] what newe lust / what beaute / what science. what wratthe of Iust[e] cause haue ye to me. what gilt of me what fel experience. [ 1257] Hath fro me raft / allas þyn aduertence. O. trust .o. feyth .o. depe aseuraunce. who hath me reft Criseyde al my plesaunce. [ 1260]

(181)

Allas whi leet I you from hennes go. [ 1261] For which wel neigh out of my wit I breyde. who shal now trowen on ony oþes mo. God wot I wende. o. lady bright Criseyde. [ 1264] That euery word was gospel þat ye seyde. But who may bet bigile yf hym lyste. Than he on whom men weneth best to triste. [ 1267]

(182)

What shal .I. don my Pandarus allas. [leaf 111, back] [ 1268] I fele now so sharpe a newe peyne. Syn þat þer is no remedye in þis cas. That bet were it I with myn hondes tweyne. [ 1271] My-seluen slowh / alwey þan þus compleyne. For þorugh my deth my wo shold han an ende. Ther euery day with lyf my self I shende. [ 1274]

(183)

Pandare answerede and seyde allas þe while. [ 1275] That .I. was born / haue I not seyd er þis. That dremes many a maner man bygyle. And why for men expounden hem a-mys. [ 1278] How dastow seyn þat fals þi lady is. For ony drem right for þyn owene drede. Lat be þis þought þow kanst no dremes rede. [ 1281]

(184)

Paraunter þere þow dremest of þis bor. [ 1282] It may so be þat it may signyfie. Hire fader which þat old is & ek hor. A-yen þe sonne lith o poynt to dye. [ 1285] And she for sorwe gynneth wepe and crye. And kysseth hym þere he lyth on þe grounde. Thus shuldestow þi drem a-righ expounde. [ 1288]

(185)

How myght I þan do quod Troylus. [ 1289] To knowe of þis / ye were it neuere so lite. Now seystow wysly quod þis Pandarus. My reed is þis syn þow kan wel endite. [ 1292] That hastely þow a lettre here write. Thorugh which þow shalt wel brynge it a-boute. To knowe a soth of þat þou art in doute. [ 1295]

(186)

And se now why / for þis I dar wel seyn. [ 1296] That if so is þat she vntrewe be. I kan not trowen þat she wol write a-yen. And yf she write / þow shalt ful soone see. [ 1299] As wheyþer she hath ony liberte. To come a-yen / or ellys yn som clause. And yf she be let she wol assigne a cause. [ 1302]

(187)

Thow hast not wreten here syn þat she wente. [leaf 1] [ 1303] Nor she to þe / and þis I dorste leye. The may swych cause ben in here entente. That hardely þow wolt þi-seluen seye. [ 1306] That here a-bod þe beste is for yow tweye. Now write here þanne and þow shalt fele soone. A soþe of al þere is no more to done. [ 1309]

(188)

Accorded ben to this conclusioun. [ 1310] And þat a-noon þese ilke lordes two. And hastely sit Troylus a-doun. And rolleþ yn his herte to and fro. [ 1313] How he may best discryuen here his wo. And to Criseyde his owene lady dere. He wrot right þus and seyde as ye may here. [ 1316]

(189) (Troylus's Letter to Criseyde)

Right fresshe flour / whos I ben haue and shal. [ 1317] with-outen part of ellis where seruise with herte / body / lyf / lust / þought / and al. I. woful wight / in euery humble wyse. [ 1320] That tonge telle / or herte may deuyse. As ofte as matere occupieþ place. Me recomaunde vn-to youre noble grace. [ 1323]

(190)

Liketh it yow to wite swete herte. [ 1324] As ye wel know how longe tyme a-gon. That ye me lafte yn aspre peynes smerte. whan þat ye went of which yet bote noon. [ 1327] Haue I noon had / but euere wers bygon. Fro day to day / am I and so mot dwelle. while it yow lyst / of wele and wo my welle. [ 1330]

(191)

For which to yow with dredful herte trewe. [ 1331] I wryte as he þat sorwe dryfth to wryte. My wo þat euery houre encreseth newe. Compleynynge as I dar / or kan endite. [ 1334] And þat defaced is / þat may ye wyte. The terys which þat fro myn eyen reyne. That wolde speke / yf þat þey koude and pleyne. [ 1337]

(192) (Troylus's Letter to Criseyde, continued.)

Yow first biseche .I. that youre eyen clere. [leaf 112, back] [ 1338] To look on þis / defouled ye not holde. And ouer al þis þat ye my lady dere. Wol vouche-sauf þis lettre to by-holde. [ 1341] And by þe cause ek of [my] cares colde. That sleþ my wit / yf ought amys masterte. For-yeue it me / myn owene swete herte. [ 1344]

(193)

Yf ony seruant dorste or oughte of ryght. [ 1345] Vp-on hys lady pytously compleyne. Than wene .I. þat ich ought be þat wyght. Considered þis þat ye þese moneþes tweyno. [ 1348] Han taried / þere ye seyden soth to seyne. But ten dayes ye nolde in ost soiourne. But yn two moneþes yet ye not retorne. [ 1351]

(194)

But for as muche as I mot nedes lyke. [ 1352] Al þat yow lyst I dar not pleyne more. But humbely with sorwful sykes syke. Yow wryte ich myne vnresty sorwes sore. [ 1355] Fro day to day desyryng euere more. To knowen fully yf it youre wil [it] were. How ye han ferd and don whyl ye be þere. [ 1358]

(195)

The whos wel-fare / and hele ek god encresse. [ 1359] In honour swych þat vpward in degre. It growe alwey / so þat it neuere cesse. Right as youre herte ay kan my lady fre. [ 1362] Deuyse / I prey god so mot it be. And graunte it þat ye soone on me rewe. As wysly as yn al I am yow trewe. [ 1365]

(196) (Troilus's Letter continued)

And yf ȝow lyketh knowen of þe fare. [ 1366] Of me / whos wo þer may no wight discryue. I. kan no more but chyste of euery care. At writynge of þis lettre I was on lyue. [ 1369] Al redy out my woful gost to dryue. which I delaye and holde hym yet in honde. Vpon þe sight of matere of youre sonde. [ 1372]

(197)

Myn eyen two yn veyn with which .I se. [leaf 117] [ 1373] Of sorweful teres salte / arn woxen wellys. My song yn pleynte of myn aduersite. My good yn harme / myn ese ek woxen helle ys. [ 1376] My Ioye yn wo / I kan sey yow nought ellys. But turned ys / for which my lyf I warye. Euerych Ioye or ese in his contrarye. [ 1379]

(198)

Which with youre comynge hom a-yen to Troye. [ 1380] ye may redresse and more a þousand sithe. Than euere ych hadde encressen yn me Ioye For was þere neuere herte yet so blythe. [ 1383] To han his lyf / as I shal ben as swythe. As I yow se / and þough no manere routhe. Commeue yow / yet þynketh on youre trouþe. [ 1386]

(199)

And yf so be my gilt hath deth deserued. [ 1387] Or yf you lyst no manere vp-on me se. In guerdon yet of þat I haue you serued. Biseche I yow myn hertes lady fre. [ 1390] That here-vpon ye wolden wryte me. For loue of god my righte lode sterre. There deth may make an ende of al my werre. [ 1393]

(200) (Troilus's Letter continued)

If oþer cause aught dothe yow for to dwelle. [ 1394] That with youre lettre ye me recomforte. For þough to me youre absence is an helle. wit pacience I wole my wo comporte. [ 1397] And with youre lettre of hope I wol desporte. Now writeth swete / and lat me þus not pleyne. with hope / er deth delyuere me fro peyne. [ 1400]

(201)

Ywys myn owene dere herte trewe. [ 1401] I wot þat whan ye next vp-on me se. So lost haue I myn hele and ek myn hewe. Criseyde shal nought konne knowe me. [ 1404] I-wys myn hertes day my lady fre. So thursteth ay myn herte to biholde. Youre beaute / þat my lyf vnneþe I holde. [ 1407]

(202)

I sey no more al haue .I. for to seye. [leaf 117, back] [ 1408] To you wel more þan I telle may. But we-eþer þat ye do me lyue or deye. Yet pray I god so yeue yow right good day. [ 1411] And fareth wel goodly fayre fresshe may. As ye þat lyf or deth me may comaunde. And to youre trouthe ay I me recomaunde. [ 1414]

(203)

With hele swych but þat ye yeuen me. [ 1415] The same hele / I shal noon hele haue. In you lyth whan yow lyst þat it so be. The day yn which me cloþen shal my graue. [ 1418] In yow my lyf / in yow myght for to saue. Me from dyshese of alle peynes smerte. And fare now wel myn owene swete herte. [ 1421]

[Letter ends]

(204)

This lettre forth was sent vn-to Criseyde. [ 1422] Of which here answere yn effect was þis. Ful pytously she wrote a-yen and seyde. That al so soone as þat she myght y-wys. [ 1425] She wolde come / and mende al þat was mys. And fynally she wrot and seyde hym þanne. She wolde come ye but she nyst whanne. [ 1428]

(205)

But yn here lettre made she swych festes. [ 1429] That wonder was and swereth she loueth hym best. Of which he fond but botmeles byhestes. But Troylus þow mayst now Est or west. [ 1432] Pype yn an Iuy lef yf þat þe lest. Thus goth þe world god shylde vs fro myschaunce. And euery wight þat meneth trouþe auaunce. [ 1435]

••••06)

Encresen gan þe wo fro day to nyght. [ 1436] Of Troylus / for taryinge of Criseyde. And lessen gan his hope and ek his myght. For which al doun he yn his bed hym leyde. [ 1439] He ne eet / ne dronk / ne slep / ne word seyde. Ymagynynge ay þat she was vnkynde. For which wel neigh he wax out of his mynde. [ 1442]

(207)

This drem of which .I. told haue ek by-forn. [leaf 114] [ 1443] May neuere ek out of his remembraunce. He þought ay wel he hadde his lady lorn. And þat Ioues of his purueyaunce. [ 1446] Hym shewed hadde in sleep þe signyfyaunce. Of hire vntroþe and here disauenture. And þat þe bor was shewed hym yn figure. [ 1449]

(208)

For which he for Sibille his suster sente. [ 1450] That called was cassandre ek al a-boute. And al his drem he tolde here er he stente. And here bisoughte assoylen hym þe doute. [ 1453] Of þe stronge bor with tuskes stoute. And fynally with-Inne a lytel stounde. Cassandre hym gan right þus hys drem expounde. [ 1456]

(209)

She gan first smyle / and seyde o broþer dere. [ 1457] If þow a soth of þis desirest knowe. Thow most a fewe of olde storyes here. To purpos / how þat ffortune ouer-þrowe. [ 1460] Hath lordes olde / þorugh which with-inne a þrowe. Thow wel þis bor shalt knowe & ek of what kynde. He comen is / as men yn bokes fynde. [ 1463]

(210)

Diane whicħ þat [wroth] was and yn Iire [ 1464] For Grekes nolde don here sacrifice. Ne encens vp on here Auter sette a fyre. She for þat Grekes gonne here so dispise. [ 1467] wrak here in a wonder cruwel wyse. For with a bor as grete as oxe yn stalle. She made vp frete here corn and vynes alle. [ 1470]

(211)

To sle þis bor was al þe contre reysed. [ 1471] A-monges which þer com þis bor to se. A mayde / on of þis world beste y-preysed. And meleagre lord of þat contre. [ 1474] He louede so þis fresshe mayde fre. That with his manhod er he wolde stente. This boor he slow and here þe hed he sente. [ 1477]

(212)

Of wich as olde bokes tellen vs. [leaf 114, back] [ 1478] Ther ros a contek / and a gret enuye. Of þis lord descendede Tydeus. By ligne or ellys olde bokes lye. [ 1481] And how þis Meleagree gan to dye. Thorugh his moder / wol I yow not telle. For al to longe were it for to dwelle. [ 1484]

(213)

She told ek how Tydeus er she stente. [ 1485] Vn-to þe strong Cite of Thebes. To cleyme kyngdom of þe Cite wente. For his felawe daun Polymytes. [ 1488] Of which þe broþer daun Ethyocles. Ful wrongfully of Thebes held þe strenghþe. This told she by proces al þe lengþe. [ 1491]

(214)

She told ek / how Hemonydes asterte. [ 1492] whan Tydeus slowh fyfty knyghtes stoute. She told ek al þe prophesies by herte. And how þat seuene kynges with here route. [ 1495] Bysegeden þe Cite al aboute. And of þe holy serpent / and þe welle. And of þe furyes al she gan hym telle. [ 1498]

[Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.]

Associat profugum Tideo primus Polimitem. Tidea legatum doceat insideas-que secundus. Tercius hemoduden canit & vates latitantes. Quartus habet Reges ineuntes prelia septem. Mox furie lenne quinto narratur & anguis. Archimori bustum; sexto ludique leguntur.

Dat graios Thebes et vatem septimus vmbris. Octano cecidit Tideus spes vita Pelasgis. Ypomedon nono moritur cum Parthonopea. Flumine percussus. Decimo capaneus superatur. Vndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres. Argiua flentem narrat duodenus & ignem.

(215)

Of Archymoris burynge and þe pleyes. [leaf 115] [ 1499] And how Amphiorax ful þorugh þe grounde. How Tydeus was slayn lord of Argeys. And ypomedon y lytel stounde. [ 1502] was dreynt and ded Parthonope of wounde. And also how Cappaneus þe proude. with þonder dynt was slayn þat cryde loude. [ 1505]

(216)

She gan ek telle hym how þat eyþer broþer. [ 1506] Ethyocles and Polymyte also. At a Scarmycħ eche of hem slowh oþer. And of Argyues wepynge and here wo. [ 1509] And how þe town was brent she told ek þo. And so descendeth doun from gestes olde. To Diomede and þus she spak and tolde. [ 1512]

(217)

This ilke bor by-tokneth Diomede. [ 1513] Tydeus sone / þat doun descended is. Fro Meleagree þat made þe bor to blede. And þi lady wher þat she be y-wys. [ 1516] This Dyomede here herte hath and she is. wep if þow wolt or leef for out of doute. This Diomede is Inne and þow art oute. [ 1519]

(218)

Thow seyst nat soth quod he þou sorceresse. [ 1520] with al þi fals gost of prophesie. Thow wenest ben a grete deuyneresse. Now seystow not þis fol of fantasye. [ 1523] Peyneth here on ladyes for to lye. A-wey quod he þer Ioues yeue the sorwe. Thow shalt be fals paraunter yet to morwe. [ 1526]

(219)

As wel þou myghtest lyen on Alceste. [ 1527] That of creatures but men lye. That euere weren kyndest and þe beste. For whanne hire housbonde was In Iupartie. [ 1530] To dye hym self but yf she wolde dye. She ches for hym to dye and go to helle. And starf a-noon / as vs þe bokes telle. [ 1533]

(220)

Cassandre goth / and he with cruwel herte. [leaf 115, back] [ 1534] For-yat his wo / ffor angre of here speche. And from his bed al sodeynly he sterte. As þough al hol hym hadde made a leche. [ 1537] And day by day he gan enquere & seche. A sooþ of þis / with al his fulle cure. And þus he drieth forth his auenture. [ 1540]

(221)

Fortune whiche þat permutacion. [ 1541] Of þinges hath / as it is here commytted. Thorugh purueyaunce / and disposicion. Of heyghe Ioue as regnes shal ben fletted. [ 1544] Fro folk yn folk / or whan þey shal ben smytted. Gan pulle a-wey þe feþeres out of Troye. Fro day to day / til þei ben bare of Ioye. [ 1547]

(222)

Among al þis þe fyn of þe parodye. [ 1548] Of Ector gan approchen wonder blyue. The fate wold his soule sholde vnbodye. And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryue. [ 1551] A-yeyns which fate helpeth not to stryue. But on a day to fyghten gan he wende. At which allas he caught his lyues ende. [ 1554]

(223)

For which me þenketh euery manere wight. [ 1555] That haunteth armes oughte to by-waylle. The deth of hym þat was so noble a kn[y]ght. For as he drough a kyng by thauentaylle. [ 1558] Vn-war of þis Achille þorugh þe mayle. And þorugh þe body gan hym for to ryue. And þus þis worþi knyght was brought of lyue. [ 1561]

(224)

For whom as olde bokes tellen vs. [ 1562] was mad swych wo / þat tonge may it not telle. And namely þe sorwe of Troylus. That next hym was of worþinesse welle. [ 1565] And yn þis wo gan Troylus to dwelle. That what for sorwe / and loue and [for] vnreste. Ful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. [ 1568]

(225)

But natheles though he gan hym dispeyre. [leaf 116] [ 1569] And dradde ay þat his lady was vntrewe. yet ay on here his herte gan repeyre. And as þese loueres don he soughte ay newe. [ 1572] To gete a-yen Criseyde bryght of hewe. And in his herte he wente here excusynge. That Calkas causede al here taryinge. [ 1575]

(226)

And ofte tyme he was yn purpos gret. [ 1576] Hym self lyk a Pylgrym to degyse. To sen here but he may not contrefete. To ben vnknowen / of folk þat weren wyse. [ 1579] Ne fynde excuse a-right þat may suffise. yf he among þe Grekes knowen were. For which he wep ful ofte many a tere. [ 1582]

(227)

To here he wrot yet ofte tyme al newe. [ 1583] Ful pitously he lefte it nought for slouþe. Bisechyng here syn þat he was trewe. That she wolde come ayeyn & holde here trowþe. [ 1586] For which Criseyde vp-on a day for rouþe. I take it so / towchynge þis matere. wrot hym a-yeyn and seyde as ye may here. [ 1589]

(228) (Criseyde's Letter to Troylus)

Cupides sone / ensample of goodlihede. [ 1590] O. swerd of knyghthod / sours of gentilesse. How myght a wyght in torment and in drede. And heeeles / yow sende as yet gladnesse. [ 1593] I herteles .I. syke I yn distresse. Syn ye with me nor I with yow may dele. Yow neyþer sende ich herte may nor hele. [ 1596]

(229)

Youre lettres ful þe papir al y-pleynted. [ 1597] Conseyued hath myn hertes pite. I haue ek seyn wiþ terys al depeynted. youre lettre / and how þat ye requeren me. [ 1600] To come a-yen / which yet may not be. But why / lest þis lettre founden were. No mencion ne make I now for fere. [ 1603]

(230) (Criseyde's Letter continued)

Greuous to me god wot is youre vnreste. [leaf 116, back] [ 1604] Youre haste and þat þe goddes ordenaunce. It semeth not ye take it for þe beste. Nor oþer þyng nys not yn youre remembraunce. [ 1607] As þenketh me but oonly youre plesaunce. But beth not wroth / and þat I yow byseche. For þat I tarye / is al for wykked speche. [ 1610]

(231)

For I haue herd wel more þan I wende. [ 1611] Towchynge vs two / how þynges han y-stonde. which I shal with dissimulynge amende. And beth nought wroth I haue eke vnderstonde. [ 1614] Ye ne don but holden me in honde. But now no fors I kan not in yow gesse. But alle trouþe and alle gentilesse. [ 1617]

(232)

Come I wole but yet in swich disioynt. [ 1618] I stonde as now þat what yer or what day. That þis shal be þat kan I not apoynte. But yn effect I prey yow as I may. [ 1621] Of youre good word and of yowre frendship ay. For trewely whil [þat] my lyf may dure. As for a frend ye may in me assure. [ 1624]

(233)

Yet preye I yow an yuyl þat ye ne take. [ 1625] That it is short which þat I to yow write. I dar not þere I am wel lettres make. Ne neuere yet ne koude I wel endite. [ 1628] Of gret effect men write yn place lite. Thentent is al / and nought þe lettres space. And fareþ now wel god haue you in his grace. [ 1631]

(234)

This lettre þis Troylus þoughte al straunge. [ 1632] whan he it saugh / and sorwefully he sighte. Hym þoughte it lyk a kalendes of chaunge. But fynally he ful ne trowen myghte. [ 1635] That she now wolde hym holden þat she highte. For wiþ ful yuel wil lyst hym to leue. That loueth wel yn swich cas þough hym greue. [ 1638]

(235)

But naþeles men seyn þat at the laste. [leaf 117] [ 1639] For ony þing men shal þe sothe se. And swych a cas by-tidde & þat as faste. That Troylus wel vnderstod þat she. [ 1642] Nas not so trewe / as þat here oughte be. And fynally he wot now out of doute. That al is lost þat he hath gon a-boute. [ 1645]

(236)

Stod on a day in his malencolye. [ 1646] This Troylus and yn suspecion. Of here for whom he wende for to dye. And so bifel þat þorugh-out Troye town. [ 1649] As was þe gyse y-bore was vp and down. A manere cote arm[ur]e as seyth þe storye. Byfore Deiphebe yn signe of his victorye. [ 1652]

(237)

The which cote as telleþ lollius. [ 1653] Deiphebe it had y-rent from Diomede. The same day / and whan þis Troylus. It saugh he gan to taken of it hede. [ 1656] Auysyng of þe lengthe and of þe brede. And al þe werk / but as he gan byholde. Ful sodeynly his herte gan to colde. [ 1659]

(238)

As he þat on þe coler fond with-Inne. [ 1660] A broch þat he Criseyde yaf þat morwe. That she from Troye moste nedes twynne. In remembraunce of hym / and of his sorwe. [ 1663] And she hym leyde a-yen here feyth to borwe. To kepe it ay / but now ful wel he wiste. Hys lady nas no lengere on to tryste. [ 1666]

(239)

He goth hym forth hom / & gan ful soone sende. [ 1667] For Pandarus and al þis newe chaunce. And of þis broche he told hym word and ende. Compleynynge of here hertes variaunce. [ 1670] His longe loue / his trouþe and his pennaunce. And after deth with-outen wordes more. Ful faste he cride his reste hym to restore. [ 1673]

(240)

Thanne spak he þus .o. lady myn Criseyde. [lf 117, bk] [ 1674] wher is youre feyth and wher is youre byheste. wher is youre loue / wher is youre trouþe he seyde. Of Diomede haue ye now al þis feste. [ 1677] Allas I wolde haue trowed at þe leste. That syn ye nolde yn trouþe to me stonde. That ye þus nolde han holden me in honde. [ 1680]

(241)

Who shal now trowe on any oþer mo. [ 1681] Allas I neuere wolde han wend er þis. That ye Criseyde koude han chaunged so. No but I hadde a-gylt or don amys. [ 1684] So cruwel wende I not / youre herte y-wys. To sle me þus / allas youre name of trouþe. Is now for-don and þat is al my rouþe. [ 1687]

(242)

Was þere noon oþer broche yow lyste lete. [ 1688] To feffe with youre newe loue quod he. But þilke broche þat I with terys wete. yow yaf / as for a remembraunce of me. [ 1691] Non oþer cause allas ne hadde ye. But for despit / and ek for þat ye mente. Al outrely to shewe youre entente. [ 1694]

(243)

Through which I se þat clene out of youre mynde. [ 1695] Ye han me cast / and I ne kan nor may. For al þis world / with-Inne myn herte fynde. To vnlouen yow a quarter of a day. [ 1698] In Cursed tyme I born was weylaway. That ye þat do me al this wo endure. Yet loue I best of ony creature. [ 1701]

(244)

Now god quod he me sende yet þe grace. [ 1702] That I may meten with þis Diomede. And trewely yf I haue myght and space. Yet shal I make I hope his sides blede. [ 1705] O god quod he þat oughtest taken hede. To forþeren trouthe / and wronges to punyce. why nyltow don a vengeaunce on þis vice. [ 1708]

(245)

O Pandarus that in dremes for to triste. [leaf 118] [ 1709] Me blamed hast / and wont art ofte vp breyde. Now maystow se þi selue yf þat þow lyst. How trewe is now þi nece bryght Cryseyde. [ 1712] In sondry formes god it wot he seyde. The goddes shewen boþe Ioye and tene. In slep and by my drem it is now sene. [ 1715]

(246)

And certaynly wiþ-oute more speche. [ 1716] From hen[ne]sforth as ferforth as I may. Myn owene deth yn armes wol I seche. I recche not how soone by þis day. [ 1719] But trewely Criseyde swete may. whom I haue ay with al my myght I-serued. That ye þus don / I haue it nought deserued. [ 1722]

(247)

This Pandarus þat alle þese þynges herde. [ 1723] And wist wel he seyde a soth of þis. He nought a word a-yen to hym answerede. For sory of his frendes sorwe he is. [ 1726] And shamed / for his Nece hath don a-mys. And stant a-stoned of þese causes tweye. As stille as ston a word ne koude he seye. [ 1729]

(248)

But at þe last þus he spak and seyde. [ 1730] My dere broþer I may þe do nomore. what shuld I seyn I hate y-wys Criseyde. And god wot I wol hate here eueremore. [ 1733] And þat þou me bysoughtest don of yore. Hauynge to myn honour ne my reste. Right no reward I dede al þat þe leste. [ 1736]

(249)

If .I. dede ougħt þat myght lyken þe. [ 1737] It is me lef / and of þis treson now. God wot þat it a sorwe is vn-to me. And dredles for hertes ese of yow. [ 1740] Right fayn wolde I amende it wist I how. And fro þis world almyghti god I preye. Delyuere here soone .I. kan nomore seye. [ 1743]

(250)

Gret was the sorwe / and pleynt of Troylus. [lf 118, bk] [ 1744] But forth his cours fortune ay gan to holde. Criseyde loueth þe sone of Tideus. And Troylus mot wepe in cares colde. [ 1747] Swich is þis world who-so it kan biholde. In eche estat is litel hertes reste. God leue vs for to take it for þe beste. [ 1750]

(251)

In many cruwel batayle out of drede. [ 1751] Of Troylus / þis ilke noble knyght. As men may in þese olde bokes rede. was sene his knyghthod and his grete myght. [ 1754] And dredles his yre day and nyght. Ful cruwel[y] þe Grekes ay aboughte. And alwey most þis Diomede he soughte. [ 1757]

(252)

And ofte tyme I fynde þat þey mette. [ 1758] with blody strokes and with wordes grete. Assayinge how here speres were whette. And god it wot with many a cruwel hete. [ 1761] Gan Troylus vpon his helm to bete. But naþeles fortune it nought ne wolde. Of oþeres hond þat eyther deyen sholde. [ 1764]

(253)

And yf I hadde y-taken for to wryten. [ 1765] The armes of þis ilke worthi man. Than wold I of hise battayles endite[n]. But for þat I to write first bygan. [ 1768] Of his loue I haue seyd as I kan. Hese worþi dedes who-so list hem here. Red dares / he kan telle hem alle y-fere. [ 1771]

(254)

Bysechynge euery lady bryght of hewe. [ 1772] And euery gentil womman what she be. That al be þat Criseyde was vntrewe. That for þat gylt She be not wroth with me. [ 1775] Ye may here gilt in oþere bokes se. And gladlyer .I. wol write yf yow leste. Penelopees trouthe and goode Alceste. [ 1778]

(255)

Ne I sey not this / al only for þese men. [leaf 119] [ 1779] But most for wommen þat by-traysed be. Thourgh false folk / god yeue hem sorwe amen. That with here grete wit / and subtiltee. [ 1782] By-trayse yow / and þis commeueth me. To speke / and yn effect yow alle I preye. Beth war of men / and herkeneth what I seye. [ 1785]

(256)

Go litel bok / go litel myn Tregedie. [ 1786] Ther god þi makere yet er þat he dye. So sende myght to make yn som comedye. But litel bok no makyng þow nenuye. [ 1789] But subgit be to alle poesye. And kys þe steppes þere as þow seest pace. Virgile. Ouyde. Omer. Lukan. & Stace. [ 1792]

(257)

And for þer is so gret dyuersite. [ 1793] In Englyssħ / and yn wrytyng of oure tonge. So preye I god þat noon myswryte þe. Ne þe mysmetre for defaute of tonge. [ 1796] And red wher so þou be or elles songe. That þow be vnderstonde god beseche. But yet to purpos of my raþere speche. [ 1799]

(258)

The wraþe as I began yow for to seye. [ 1800] Of Troylus / þe Grekes boughten dere. For þousandys hese hondes maden deye. As he þat was with-outen ony pere. [ 1803] Saue Ector yn his tyme as I kan here. But weylaway saue only goddes wille. Dispitously hym slowh þe fiers Achille. [ 1806]

(259)

And whan þat he was slayn yn þis manere. [ 1807] His lighte gost ful blysfully is went. Vp to þe holwghnesse of þe seuenþe spere. In conuers lettynge euery element. [ 1810] And þere he saugh with ful auysement. Th erratyk sterres herkenynge Armonye. with sownes ful of heuenyssh melodye. [ 1813]

(260)

And doun from þens faste he gan auyse. [leaf 119, back] [ 1814] This litel spot of erþe þat with þe se. Enbraced is / and fully gan despise. This wrecched world / and held al vanite. [ 1817] To respect of þe pleyn felicite. That is yn heuene aboue / and at þe laste. Ther he was slayn / his lokyng doun he caste. [[Addit. 12,044 ends here.]] [ 1820]

(261)

And yn hym self he lough right at þe wo. [ 1821] Of hem þat wepten for his deth so faste. And dampned al oure werk þat folweth so. The blynde lust þe which may not laste. [ 1824] And shuld al oure herte on heuene caste. And forth he wente shortly for to telle. Ther as Mercurye sorted hym to dwelle. [ 1827]

(262)

Swich fyn hath lo þis Troylus for loue. [ 1828] Swych fyn hath al his grete worþynesse. Swich fyn hath his estat real aboue. Swich fyn his lust / swich fyn hath his noblesse. [ 1831] Swych fyn hath false worldes brotelnesse. And þus by-gan his louynge of Criseyde. As I haue told / and yn þis wyse he deyde. [ 1834]

(263)

O yonge fresshe folkes he or she. [ 1835] In which þat loue / vp groweth with youre age. Repeyreth hom from worldly vanyte. And of youre herte vp casteth þe visage. [ 1838] To thilke god þat after his ymage. Yow made / and thynketh al nys but a fayre. This world / þat passeth soone as floures fayre. [ 1841]

(264)

And loueth hym þe which þat right for loue. [ 1842] Vpon a cros oure soules for to beye. First starf / and ros / and sit yn heuene a-boue. For he nyl falsen no wight dar I seye. [ 1845] That wole his herte al holly on hym leye. And syn he best to loue is / and most meke. what nedeth feyned loues for to seke. [ 1848]

(265)

Lo here of Payens corsed olde vyces. [leaf 120] [ 1849] Lo here what alle hire goddes may auaylle. Lo here þese wrecched worldes appetites. Lo here þe fyn and guerdon for trauayle. [ 1852] Of Ioue / appollo / of mars / of swych rascaylle. Lo here þe forme of olde clerkes speche. In poetrie / yf [ye [[hole in MS.]] ] here bokes seche. [ 1855]

(266)

O moral Gower þis boke I directe. [ 1856] To þe / and the Philosophical Strode. To vouchen sauf / per nede is to corecte. Of your benygnitees and zeles garde. [ 1859] And to þat sothfast Crist þat starf on rode. With al myn herte of mercy euere I preye. And þe lord right þus I speke and seye. [ 1862]

(267)

Thou / oon / and two / and þre / eterne on lyue. [ 1863] That regnest ay / yn thre / and two / and oon. [[l. 1863-5 from Dante]] Vncircumscript and al mayst circumscryue. Vs from visible and Inuysible foon. [ 1866] Defende / and to þi mercy eurychon. So make vs Iesus for thi grace digne. For loue of mayde and moder thyn benigne. Amen.

Explicit liber Troili et Criseide.

[Harleian MS. 2280, leaf 77.]

(1) (Proem)

A prechen gan þe fathel destynei [ 1] That Ioues hath in dispossisioun And to ȝow angry parcas sustren thre Comitteth to don execucioune [ 4] For whiche Criseyde most out of þe towne And Troilus shal dwellen forth in peyne Til lathesis his thred no longer twyne. [ 7]

(2) (The Story)

¶ Þe gold tressed phebus heigh on loft. [ 8] Thries hadde alle with his bemes clere Þe snowes molte and ȝephirus as ofte Ybrough[t] aȝeyn þe tender leues grene [ 11] Syn þat the sone [Troilus] of ecuba þe queene By-gan to loue hire [.i. Criseyde] firste for whom his sorwe was alle þat she departe sholde a morwe [ 14]

(3)

¶ Ful redy was at prime Dyomede [ 15] Criseyde vn-to þe grekes oste to lede For sorwe of which she felt hire herte blede as she þat nyste what was best to rede [ 18] And trewly as men in bokes rede Men wiste neuer womman han þe care Ne was so loth out of a town to fare [ 21]

(4)

¶ This Troilus with-outen reed or lore [ 22] as man þat hath his Ioyes ek fore was waythynge on his lady euere more As she þat was sothfaste crop and moore [ 25] Of his lust and Ioyes here-to-fore But Troylus now fare wel al thy Ioye For shaltow neuere se hire eft in Troye [ 28]

(5)

¶ Soth is þat while he bode in þis manere [ 29] He gan his wo ful manly for to hyde Þat wel vnnethes it sene was in his chere But at þe ȝate ther she sholde oute ryde [ 32] with certeyn folk he houed hire tabide So by-gan al wolde he nought hym pleyne Þat on his hors vnneth he sat for pyne [ 35]

(6)

¶ For ire he quook so gan his herte gnawe [ 36] when dyomede on hors gan hym dresse And seyde vn-to hym self þis ilke sawe Allas quod he þus foule a wrechedenesse [ 39] whi suffre ich it whi nyl ich it redresse were it not bet at oones for to dye Þan euere more in langoure þus to crye [ 42]

(7)

¶ why nyl I make stones rich and pore [leaf 77, back] [ 43] To haue Inough to done or þat she go whi nyl I brynge alle Troie vp on a rore whi nyl I slen þis dyomede al so [ 46] whi nyl I rather with a man or two Stele hire a-wey whi wol þis endure whi nyl holpen to myn swene cure [ 49]

(8)

¶ But whi he nolde don so fel a dede [ 50] Þat shal I seyn and whi hym liste it spare He hadde in herte alweyes a manere drede Lyste þat Criseyde in Rumour of þis fare [ 53] Shold han ben slayn / lo þis was al hise care and elles certeyn as I seyde yore He hadde it done with-outen wordes more [ 56]

(9)

¶ Criseyde when she redy was to ride. [ 57] Ful sorwfully she sighte and seyde allas But forth she mot for ought at may bitide And forth she rite ful sorwfully a pas [ 60] Ther is non other remedie in þis cas Þat wonder is though þat hyre soore smerte when she for-gothe hire owen swete herte [ 63]

(10)

¶ This Troilus in wyse of curteysie [ 64] with hauke on hond and with an huge route Of knyghtes / rood and dide hyre compaynye Passynge alle the valeye fer with oute [ 67] And ferther wold han riden out of doute Ful fayn / and wo was hym to gon so soone But torne he moste and it was eke to done [ 70]

(11)

¶ And right with þat was antenor ycome [ 71] Oute of þe grekes oste and euery wight was of it glad / and seyde he was welcome And Troilus al nere his herte lighte [ 74] He peyned hym with his ful myghte Hym to with-holde of wepynge at þe leeste And antenor he kyste and made feeste [ 77]

(12)

¶ And ther-with-al he most his leue take [ 78] And caste his eye vp on hire pitously And neer he rood his cause for to make To take hire by the honde al sobrely [ 81] And lord so she gan wepen tendrely And [he] ful soft and sleighely gan hire seye Now hold ȝoure day and do me not to dye [ 84]

(13)

¶ with þat his curser turned he aboute [leaf 78] [ 85] with face and vnto dyomede No worde he spak ne non of al his route Of whiche the sone of Tideus tooke hede [ 88] As he þat couthe moore þan þe crede In swiche a craft and by the reyne hire hynte And Troilus to troye homwarde he wente. [ 91]

(14)

¶ This Dyomede þat ledde hyre by þe bridel [ 92] when þat he saugh þe folk of troye awaye Thoughte al my laboure shal not be vn hydel If þat y may for somwhat shal I seye [ 95] For at þe werste it may ȝit shorte oure weye I haue herde he seyde ek tymes twyes twelue He is a fool þat wol for-ȝete hyme-selue [ 98]

(15)

¶ But naþeles þis thoughte he wel ynoughe [ 99] Þat certeinliche I am aboute noughte If þat I speke of loue or mak it tough For douteles If she haue in hire thoughte [ 102] Hym þat I gesse he may not ben y-brought So soone aweye but I shal fynde a meene Þat she nat wit as ȝet shal what I meene [ 105]

(16)

¶ This Dyomede as he þat koude his goode [ 106] when þis was don gan fallen forth in speche Of þis and þat and aixed whi she stood In swiche disese and gan hire ek by-seche [ 109] Þat if þat he encresse mynght or eche with any thyng hyre ese þat she sholde Comaunde it hym and seyde he don it wolde [ 112]

(17)

¶ For treweliche he swor hire as a knyghte [ 113] Þat ther nas thyng with whiche he myght hire plese Þat he nolde don his peyne and al his myght To don it for to don hire hert an ese [ 116] And preyde hire she wold hire sorwe apese And seyde I-wis we grekes kan haue Ioye To honouren ȝow / as wel [as] folk of Troye [ 119]

(18)

¶ He seyde ek thus I woot ȝow thynketh straunge [ 120] No wonder is for it is to ȝowe newe Thaqueyntaunce of þis Troyans to chaunge For folk of grece þat ȝe neuere knewe [ 123] But wold neuere god / but if as trew A greke / ȝe shold amang vs al fynde As any troyan is / and ek as kynde [ 126]

(19)

¶ And by the I swor ȝow right lo now [leaf 78, back] [ 127] To ben ȝoure frend and helply to my myghte And for þat more aqueyntaunce ek of ȝow haue ich had than a nother straunger wight [ 130] So fro this forth I preye ȝow day and nyght Comaundeth me how sore þat me smerte To don al þat may like vn-to ȝoure herte [ 133]

(20)

¶ And þat ȝe me wolde as ȝoure brother trete [ 134] And taketh nought my frendeschipe in despit And though ȝoure sorwes ben for thynges grete Not I nat whi but out of more respit [ 137] Myn herte hath for tamende it grete delit And if I may ȝoure harmes nat redresse I am right sory for ȝoure heuynesse [ 140]

(21)

¶ For though ȝe troians with us grekes wroth [ 141] Han many a day ben alwey ȝet parde O god of loue in soth we seruen both And for þe loue of god my laydy fre [ 144] whom so ȝe hate as beth not wroth with me For trewely þer kan no wight ȝow serue That half so loth ȝoure wreth wold disserue [ 147]

(22)

¶ And ner it þat we ben so neigh the tente [ 148] Of calkas which þat sen vs both may I wold of thys ȝow telle alle myn entente But this enseled til a nother day [ 151] Ȝeue me ȝoure honde I am and shal ben ay God helpe me so whil þat my lif may dure Ȝoure owen abouen euery creature [ 154]

(23)

¶ Þus seyde I neuere or now to womman borne [ 155] For god myn herte as wisly glade so I loued neuer womman here be-forne as paramoures / ne neuere shal no mo [ 158] And for þe loue of god beth not my fo Al kan I nought to ȝow my lady deere Compleyne aright for I am ȝit to leere [ 161]

(24)

¶ And wondreth nought myn owen lady bryght [ 162] Though þat I speke of loue to ȝow þus blyue For I haue herde or this of many a wight Hath loued thynge he neuere saugh his lyue [ 165] Ek I am not of power for to stryue Aȝenis the god of loue but hym obeye I wol alwey and mercy I ȝow preye [ 168]

(25)

¶ Ther ben so worthy knyghtes in þis place [leaf 79] [ 169] And ȝe so faire þat euerich of hem alle wol peynen hym to stonden in ȝoure grace But myght me so faire a grace falle [ 172] Þat ȝe me for ȝoure seruaunt wold calle So lawely ne so trewely ȝow serue Nyl non of hym / as I shal til I sterue [ 175]

(26)

¶ Criseyde vnto þat purpos lite answerde [ 176] As she þat was with sorwe oppressed so Þat in affect she nought his tales herde But here and þer now here a worde or two [ 179] Hire thought hire sorwful herte braste a-two For when she gan hire fader fer espie wel neigh down of hire hors she gan to sye [ 182]

(27)

¶ But natheles she thonked dyomede [ 183] Of alle his trauaile and his goode chere And þat hym liste his frenchep hyre to bede And she accepteth it in goode manere [ 186] And wol do fayne þat is hym lief and deere And trusten hym she wolde and wel she myghte As seyde she / and from hire hors shalighte [ 189]

(28)

¶ Hire fader hath hire in his armes ynome [ 190] And twenty tyme he kyste his doughter swete And seyde / o dere doughter myn welcome She seyde ek she was fayn with hym to mete [ 193] And stood forth muwet mylde and mansuete But here I leue hire with hire fader dwelle And forth I wol of Troilus ȝow telle [ 196]

(29)

¶ To troye is come this woful Troylus [ 197] In sorwe a-bouen alle sorwes smerte with felon look and face dispitouse Þo sodeynly doun from his hors he sterte [ 200] And thorwgh his payleys with a swollen herte To chaumbre he wente of no thyng took he hede Ne non to hym dar speke a worde for drede [ 203]

(30)

¶ And ther his sorwes þat he spared hadde [ 204] He ȝaf an issue large and deth he cried And in hise throwes feruentike and made He curseth Ioue. appollo and ek cupide [ 207] He curseth Ceres / bacus. and cipride His byrthe / hym self / his fate and ek nature And saue his lady euery creature [ 210]

(31)

¶ To bedde he goth and weyleth ther and torneth [leaf 79, bk] [ 211] In furie as doth he Ixion in helle And in this wyse he neigh til day soiourneth But tho bigan his herte a lite vnswelle [ 214] Thorugh teres whiche þat gonnen vp to welle And pitously he cried vp on Criseyde And to hym-self right þus he spake and seyde [ 217]

(32)

¶ Where is myn swene lady lief and deere [ 218] Where is hire white breste where is it where Where ben hir armes and hire eyen clere Þat ȝesternyght this tyme with me were [ 221] Now may I wepe allone many a tere And graspe aboute I may / but in þis place Saue a pilwo I fynde naught tenbrace [ 224]

(33)

¶ How shal I don when shal she com aȝein [ 225] I not / allas / whi leete ich hire to go As wold god. ich hadde as tho ben sleyne O herte myn Criseyde o swete fo [ 228] O lady myn that I loue and namo To whom for euere mo myn herte I dowe Se how I dye ȝe nyl me not rescowe [ 231]

(34)

¶ Whe seth ȝow now my right lode-sterre [ 232] who sit right now or stante in ȝoure presence who kan conforten nowe ȝoure hertes werre Now I am gon whom ȝeue ȝe audiens [ 235] who speken for me right now in myn absens allas now wight and þat is al my care For wel woot I as yuel as I ȝe fare [ 238]

(35)

¶ How shold I þus ten dayes fulle endure [ 239] when I the firste nyght haue al this tene How she don ek sorwful creature For tendrenesse / how shal she this sustene [ 242] Swiche for me o pitous pale grene Shal ben ȝoure fresche wommanliche face For langour er ȝe torne vn-to this place [ 245]

(36)

¶ And when he fille in any sloumberynges [ 246] Anon by-gynne he shold for to grone And dremen of þe dredefulleste thynges Þat myght ben / as mete he were allone [ 249] In place horrible makynge ay his mone Or meten þat he was o-manges alle his enemys / and in hire honde falle [ 252]

(37)

¶ And ther-with-alle his body sholde sterte [leaf 80] [ 253] And with þe sterte alle sodeynliche a-wake And swiche a tremour fele a-boute his herte Þat of þe fere his body sholden quake [ 256] And ther-with-al he sholde a noyse make And senne as though he shold fal depe From heigh of loft and þan he wold wepe [ 259]

(38)

¶ And rewen on hym self so pitously [ 260] Þat wonder was to here hise fantasye Another tyme he sholde myghtely Conforte hym self and seine it was folie [ 263] So causeles / whiche drede for to drye And eft bygynne his aspre sorwes newe Þat euery man myghte in his sorwes rewe [ 266]

(39)

¶ Who koude telle arighte or ful discryue [ 267] His wo / his pleynt / his langoure and his pyne Nought al þe men þat han or ben on lyue Thow redere · maist thi-self fulle wele deuyne [ 270] Þat swich a wo my wit kan not defyne On ydel for to write it shold ȝowynke when þat my wit is wery it to thynke [ 273]

(40)

¶ On heuene ȝet þe sterres waren seene [ 274] Al though ful pale ywoxen was þe moone And whiten gan the orisoune sheene Al Esturwarde / as it wonte is to done [ 277] And Phebus with his rosi carte soone Gan efter þat to dresse hym vp to fare When Troilus hath sente efter Pandare [ 280]

(41)

¶ This Pandare þat of al þe day byforne [ 281] Ne myght han comen Troilus to see Al-though he on his hed it hadde sworne For witht þe kynge Priam alday was he [ 284] So þat it lay nought in his liberte Nower to gon but on þe morwe he wente To Troilus / when þat he for hym sente [ 287]

(42)

¶ For in his herte he koude wel deuvne [ 288] Þat Troilus al nyght for sorw wooke And þat he wold telle hym of his pyne Þis knew he wele ynowgh with-outen booke [ 291] For which to chaumbre streght þe wey he tooke And Troilus tho sobrelich he grete And on þe bed ful soone he gan hym sette [ 294]

(43)

¶ My Pandarus quod Troilus the sorwe [ 295] which þat I drye I may not longe endure I trow I shal not lyuen til to morwe For whiche I wolde alweys on auenture [ 298] To the deuysen of my sepulture Þe fourme / and of my moble thow dispone Right as the semeth best is to done [ 301]

(44)

¶ But of þe fir and flaumbe funeral [ 302] In which my body brennen shal to glede And of þe feste and pleyes palestral At my vigile I preye the take gode hede [ 305] Þat þat be wel. and offre mars my stede My swerd. my helme And leeue brother deere My shelde to palas ȝef þat shyneth clere [.i. dea.] [ 308]

(45)

¶ The poudre in whch myn herte ybrend shal turne [ 309] Þat preye I the thow tak and it conserue In a vesseɫɫ þat men clepeth a vrne Of gold / and to my lady þat I serue [ 312] For loue of whom þus pitouslyche I sterue So ȝeue it hire and do me þis plesaunce To preyen hire kepe it for a remembraunce [ 315]

(46)

¶ For wel I fele by my maladye [ 316] And by my dremes now and yoore a-go Al certeinly that I mot nedes dye The owle ek which þat hette esciphilo [ 319] hath efter me shright al þis nyghtes two And god mercurie of me now woful wreche Þe soule gide and when þe list it fecche [ 322]

(47)

¶ Pandare answerde and seyde Troilus [ 323] My deere frende as I haue told þe yoore Þat it is folie for to sorwen thus And causels / for whiche I kan namore [ 326] But who so wol / nat trowen rede ne lore I kan not sen in hym no remedie But lat hym worchen with his fantasie [ 329]

(48)

¶ But Troilus I preye the telle me nowe [ 330] If þat thow trowe er þis þat any wight Hath loued paramours as wel as thow Ȝe god woot and fro many a worthy knyght [ 333] Hath his lady gon a fourtenyghte And not ȝit made haluendel þe care What nede is þe to maken alle this fare [ 336]

(49)

¶ Syn day by day thow maist thy-seluen see [leaf 81] [ 337] Þat from his loue / or elles from his wyf A man mot twynnen of necessite Ȝe though he loue hire as his owen life [ 340] Þet nyl he thus with hym self þus mak stryf For wel thow woost my leue brother deere Þat alwey frendes may nought ben I-feere [ 343]

(50)

¶ How don þis folk þat seen hire loues wedded [ 344] By frendes myght / as [it] bitit ful ofte And sen hem in hire spouses bed y-bedded God woot / they take it wysely faire and soft [ 347] For-whi goode hope halt vp hire herte o loft And for they kan a tyme of sorwe endure As tyme hem hurt. a tyme doth hem cure [ 350]

(51)

¶ So sholdestow endure and laten slyde [ 351] Þe tyme / and fonde to be glad and light Ten dayes nys so longe nought tabide And syn she the to comen hath behight [ 354] She nyl hire hest breken for no wight For drede þe nought þat she nyl fynden weye To come aȝein / my lif þat dorst I leye [ 357]

(52)

¶ Thy sweuenes ek and alle swich fantasie [ 358] Dryue oute / and late hem faren to myschaunce For they procede of thy malycolye Þat doth the feele in slepe al þis penaunce [ 361] a straw for alle sweuenes signifiaunce God help me so I counte hem nought a bene Ther woot no man a right what dremes [[re alterd]] mene [ 364]

(53)

¶ For prestes of þe temple tellen þis [ 365] that dremes ben the reuelacions Of goddes / and as wel they telle ywis Þat they ben Infernals illusions [ 368] And leches seyn þat of complexions Proceden they / or fast / or glotonye who woot in soth þus what they signifie [ 371]

(54)

¶ Ek oother seyn þat thorwgh impressions [ 372] As if a wight hath fast a thynge in mynde Þat þer-of commeth swiche auysions And oother seyn as they in bokes fynde [ 375] Þat efter tymes of þe ȝere by kynde Men dreme and þat þefect goth by þ^e moone But leue no dremen. for it is nought to done [ 378]

(55)

¶ Wel worth of dremes ay this old vyues [leaf 81, back] [ 379] And treweliche ek augurye of thise fowelis For fere of which men wenen leese hire lyues As rauenes qualm / or schrychynge of thise owlis [ 382] To trowen on it both fals and foul is Allas allas so noble a creature As is a man / shal dreden swich ordure [ 385]

(56)

¶ For which with alle myn herte I þe beseche [ 386] Vn-to þi-self þat alle þis thow foryiue And ryse now up with-outen more speche And lat vs cast how forth may best be dryue [ 389] Þis tyme / and ek how fresshly we may lyue when þat she cometh / þe whiche shal be right soone God help me so thy best is thus to doon [ 392]

(57)

¶ Ris lat vs speke of lusty lif in Troye [ 393] Þat we han led / and forth the tyme dryue And ek of tyme comynge vs reioye Þat bryngen shal oure blisse now so biliue [ 396] And langour of þis twye dayes fyue we shal þer-with so forȝete oure oppresse Þat wel vnneth it don shal vs duresse [ 399]

(58)

¶ Þis town is ful of lordes alaboute [ 400] And trewes lasten al þis mene qwyle Go we pleye vs in som lusty route To sarpeden / not hennes but a myle [ 403] And þus thow shalt þe tyme wel bygile And dryue it forth / vn-to þat blisful morw Þat thow hire se þat cause is of þi sorwe [ 406]

(59)

¶ Now ris my dere brother Troilus [ 407] For certes it non honur is to the To wepe / and in thy bed to Iouken þus For trewliche of o thynge trust to me [ 410] If thow þus ligge a day or two. or thre Þe folk wol wene þat thow for cowardyse The feynest sik / and þat thow darst not rise [ 413]

(60)

¶ This Troilus answarde o brother deere [ 414] Þis knowen folk þat han suffred pyne Þat though he wepe and make sorwful cheere Þat feeleth harm and smert in euery veyne [ 417] No wonder is / and though ich euere pleyne Or alwey wepe / I nam no thynge to blame Syn I haue lost þe cause of al my game [ 420]

(61)

¶ But syn of fyne force I moot a-ryse [leaf 84] [ 421] I shal a-ryse as soone as euer y may And god to whom myn herte I sacrifise So send vs hastely the tenthe day [ 424] For was ther neuere fowl so fayn of may As I shal ben / when þat she cometh in troye Þat cause is of my tormente and my Ioye [ 427]

(62)

¶ But whider is þi reed quod Troilus [ 428] Þat we may pleye vs best in al this town By god my conseile is quod Pandarus To ryde and pleyne vs with kynge Sarpedoun [ 431] So longe of þis they speken vp and down Til Troilus gan at þe last to assente To ryse / and forth to Sarpedon they wente [ 434]

(63)

¶ This Sarpedoun as he þat honourable [ 435] was euere hys lyue / and ful of heigh prowesse with al þat myght yserued ben on table Þat deynte was / al cost it grete rychesse [ 438] He fed hym day by day þat swich a noblesse As seyden bothe þe meest and ek the leeste was neuere er þat day wiste at any feeste [ 441]

(64)

¶ Nor in þis world ther is noon Instrumente [ 442] Delicious / thorugh wynde or touch on corde As fer as any wight hath euer wente Þat tonge telle or herte may recorde [ 445] Þat at þat feste it nas wel herd a-corde N of ladyes ek so faire a compaignye On daunce / er tho / was neuere yseyn with eye [oculo] [ 448]

(65)

¶ But what auailleth þis To troylus [ 449] Þat for his sorwe / no thynge of it roughte For euere in oon as herte pietus Ful bisily Criseyde his lady soughte [ 452] On hire was euere al þat his herte thoughte Now þis now that so faste ymagynynge Þat glad y-wis kan hym no feestynge [ 455]

(66)

¶ Thise laydyes ek þat at þis feeste ben [ 456] Seyn þat he saugh his lady was aweye It was his sorwe vp-on hem for to sen Or for to here on Instrumentȝ so pleye [ 459] For she þat of his herte bereth þe keye was absente / lo þis was his fantasie Þat no wight solde maken melodye [ 462]

(67)

¶ Nor ther nas houre in al þe day or nyghte [leaf 82, back] [ 463] when he was ther / as nought myght hym here Þat he ne seyde o lufsom lady bryghte How haue ȝe farne syn þat ȝe were here [ 466] welcom ywys myn owen lady deere But walaway al this nas boot a maze Fortune his howen entended bet to glaze [ 469]

(68)

¶ Þe lettres ek þat she of olde tyme [ 470] Hadde hym sente / he wold allone rede An hondreth sythe attwexen none and prime Refigurynge hire shap hire wommanhede [ 473] with-Inne his herte and euery worde or dede Þat passed was / and þus he droofe tanende Þe ferth day / and seyde he wolde wende [ 476]

(69)

¶ And seyde leue brother Pandarus [ 477] Intendestow þat we shal here bleue. Til Sarpedon wol forth congeyen vs Ȝet were it fayrer þat we toke oure leue [ 480] For goddes loue lat vs now soone at eue Oure leue take and hamwarde lat vs torne For trewely I nyl not thus soiorne [ 483]

(70)

¶ Pandare answerde / be we comen hyder [ 484] To fecchen fir / and rennen hom aȝein God help me so I kan tellen whider we myghte goon / If I shal sothely seyn [ 487] Ther any wight is of vs moore feyn Than Sarpedon / and we hennes hye Thus sodeynly / I holde it vilenye [ 490]

(71)

¶ Syn þat we seyden þat we wold bleue [ 491] with hym a wowke / and now þus sodeynly Þe ferth day / to take of hym oure leue He wold wondren on it trewly [ 494] Lat vs holden forth oure purpos fermely And sen þat ȝe byhighten hym to bide Holde forward now / and efter lat vs ride [ 497]

(72)

¶ This Pandarus with al peyne and wo [ 498] Made hym to dwelle / and at þe wekes end Of Sarpedon / they tok hire leue tho And hire weye they spedden hem to wende [ 501] Quod Troilus / now lorde me grace sende Þat I may fynden at myn home comynge Criseyde comen / and þer-with gan he synge [ 504]

(73)

¶ Ȝe hastow thought this Pandare [leaf 83] [ 505] And to hym self ful softly he seyde God woot refreyden may this hoot fare Er Calkas sende Troilus Criseyde [ 508] But natheles he iapet þus and seyde And swor I-wis / his herte hym wel bihighte She wold com as soone as euere she myghte [ 511]

(74)

¶ When they vn-to þe peleys were ycomen [ 512] Of Troilus / they doun of hors alighte And to þ^e chaumbre hire wey than han they nomen And in to tyme þat it gan to nyghte [ 515] They spaken of Criseyde the brighte And efter þis when þat hem both liste They spedde hem fro þe soper vn-to reste [ 518]

(75)

¶ O morw as soone as day bigan to clere [ 519] This Troilus gan of his slepe to breyde And to Pandare his owen brother deere For loue of god ful pitously he preyed [ 522] As go we sene þe paleys of Criseyde For syn we ȝit may haue namoore feeste So lat vs seen hire paleys at þe leste [ 525]

(76)

¶ And ther-with-alle his menyȝe for to blende [ 526] A cause he fonde in towne for to go And to Criseydes hous they gonnen wende But lord þis cely Troilus was wo [ 529] Hym thought his sorwful herte braste a two For when he saugh hire dorres spered alle wel neigh for sorwe a doun he gan to falle [ 532]

(77)

¶ Ther-with when he was ware and gan biholde [ 533] How shet was euery wyndow of þe place As frost hym thoughte his gan to colde For which with chaunged deellich pale face [ 536] with-outen word he forth bygan to pace And as god wolde he gan so faste ryde Þat no wight of his contenaunce espied [ 539]

(78)

¶ Than seyde he þus .o paleys desolat [ 540] O hous of housses whylom beste yhight O paleys empti and disconsolat O thow lanterne of which queynte is þ^e light [ 543] O payleys whilom day þat now ert nyght wel oughtestow to falle and I to dye Syn she is wente þat wonte was vs to gye [ 546]

(79)

¶ O paleys whilom crowne of houses alle [leaf 83, back] [ 547] Enlumyned with sonne of alle blisse O rynge fro which þe ruby is out falle O cause of wo. þat cause hast ben of blisse [ 550] Ȝit syn I may no bet fayn wold I kysse Þe cold dors / dorst I for þis route And fare wel shryne of which þ^e seint is oute [ 553]

(80)

¶ Ther-with he caste on Pandarus his ye [ 554] with chaunged face / and pitous to beholde And when he myght his tyme a right espie ay as he rode to Pandarus he told [ 557] His new sorwe / and ek his Ioyes olde So pitously and with so dede an hewe Þat euery wight myght on his sorwes rewe [ 560]

(81)

¶ Fro tennes forth he rydeth vp and down [ 561] And euery thynge com hym to remembraunce As he rode forth by þe places of þe town In which he whilom had alle his plesaunce [ 564] Lo ȝonder saugh ich myn owen lady daunce And in þat temple with hire eyen clere Me caught firste my right lady deere [ 567]

(82)

¶ And ȝonder haue I herd ful lustili [ 568] My deere herte laugh and ȝonder pleye Saugh ich hire oones ek ful blisfully And ȝonder oones to me gan she seye [ 571] Now goode swete loue me wel I preye And ȝonder so gladly gan she me be-holde Þat to þe deth myn herte is to hir holde [ 574]

(83)

¶ And at þat corner in þe ȝonder place [ 575] herde I myn alderleuest lady deere So wommanly with vois melodyous Syngen so wel / so goodely and so clere [ 578] Þat in my soule ȝit me thynketh ich here Þe blisful sown / and in þat ȝonder place My lady first me tooke vnto hire grace [ 581]

(84)

¶ Than thought he thus O blisful lord cupide [ 582] When þe processe haue in memorye how thow me hast weryed on euery syde Men myght a book mak of it lyk a story [ 585] What nede is þe to seke on me victorye Syn I am thyn and holly at þi wille what Ioye hastow thyn swene folk to spille [ 588]

(85)

¶ Wel hastow ywroke on me thyn Ire [leaf 84] [ 589] Thow myghty god and dredeful for to greue Now mercy god thow woost wel I desire Thy grace / moost of alle lustes leeue [ 592] And lyue and dye I wol in thi beleue For which I naxe in guerdon but a boone Þat thowe Criseyde aȝein me sende soone [ 595]

(86)

¶ Destreyne hire herte as fast to retourne [ 596] As thow doost myn / to longen hire to see Þan woot I wel þat she nyl naught soiourne Now blisful lorde so cruwel thow ne be [ 599] Vn-to þe blode of Troye I preye þe as Iuno was vn-to þe blode Thebane For which þe folk of thebes caught hire bane [ 602]

(87)

¶ And efter this he to þe ȝates wente [ 603] Þer as Criseyde oute rode a ful goode pace And vp and doun þer made he many a wente And to hem self ful oft he seyde allas [ 606] Fro hennes rod my blisse and my solas As wold blisful god now for his Ioye I myght hire seen aȝein com in to Troye [ 609]

(88)

¶ And to þe ȝonder hiɫɫ I gan hire gyde [ 610] Allas / and ther I took of hire my leeue And ȝonde I saugh hire to hire fader ryde For sorwe of which myn herte shal to-cleue [ 613] And hider hom I com when it was eue And here I dwelle out cast from alle Ioye And shal til I may seen her eft in troye [ 616]

(89)

¶ And of hym-self ymagyned he oft [ 617] To ben defet / and pale and waxen lesse Than he was wont / and þat men seyde softe what may it be / who kan þe soth gesse [ 620] Whi Troylus hath alle þise heuynesse And al this nas but his malencolye Þat he hadde of hym-self swich fantasye [ 623]

(90)

¶ Another tyme ymagynen he wolde [ 624] Þat euery wyght þat wente by þe weye Hadde of hym routhe and at they seyne schold I am right sory Troilus wol deye [ 627] And þus he drof a day ȝit forth or tweye As ȝe han herde swich lyf right gan he lede As he þat stood bitwixen hope and drede [ 630]

(91)

¶ For whic[h] hym liked in his songes shew [leaf 84, bk] [ 631] Thenecheson of his wo as he best myghte And made a song of wordes but a fewe Somwhat his woful herte for to lighte [ 634] And when he was from euery mannes sighte with soft vois / he of his lady deere That absent was / gan synge as ȝe may here [ 637]

[C]antus Troili [in margin] (92)

¶ O sterre of which I lost haue alle þe lighte [ 638] with herte soore wel oughte I to bewaylle Þat euere derk in tormente nyght by nyght Towarde my deth / with wynde in steere I saylle [ 641] For whiche þe tenthe nyght If þat I faile Þe gidynge of þi bemes bright an houre My ship and me Caribdes wol deuoure [ 644]

(93)

¶ Þis songe when he þus songen hadde soone [ 645] He fel aȝein in to his sikes olde And euery nyght as was his wone to doone He stood þe bryght mone to be-holde [ 648] And al his sorwe he to þe moone tolde And seyde I-wis / when thow ert horned newe I shal be glad / if alle þe world be trewe [ 651]

(94)

¶ I saugh thyne hornes old ek by þe morw [ 652] When hennes rode my right lady deere Þat cause is of my torment and my sorwe For which o bryght latona the cleere [ 655] For loue of god renne fast aboute thy spere For when thyne hornes new gynnen sprynge Þan shal she come þat may my blisse brynge [ 658]

(95)

¶ The dayes moore and longer euere nygh [ 659] Þan þey ben wonte te be hym thought tho And þat þe sonne wente his course vnright By longer weye þan it was wonte to go [ 662] And seyde I-wis me dredeth euere moo The sonnes sone / Pheton be on lyue And þat his fader carte a-mys he dryue [ 665]

(96)

¶ Vp on the walles fast ek wold he walke [ 666] And on þe grekes Oost he wold se And to hym self right þus he wold talke Lo ȝonder is myn swene lady free [ 669] Or elles ȝonder ther the tentes bee And thennes cometh this eyr þat is so soot Þat in my soule I feele it doth me boote [ 672]

(97)

¶ And hardyly þis wynde þat moore and moore [leaf 85] [ 673] Þus stoundemele encresseth in my face Is of my ladys depe sykes sore I preue it thus / for in noon nother place [ 676] Of al this town / saue oonly in þis space Feele I no wynde / þat souneth so lyke peyne It seith allas / whi twynned be we tweyne [ 679]

(98)

¶ This longe tyme he dryueth forth right þus [ 680] Tiɫɫ fully passed was the nynthe nyght And ay by syde hym was Pandarus Þat bisily dide al his ful myght [ 683] Hym to conforth and mak his herte light Ȝeuynge hym hope alweye þe tenthe morwe Þat she shal come and stenten al his sorwe [ 686]

(99)

¶ Vp on þat other syde eke was Crisseyde [ 687] with wommen few / omange þe grekes stronge For which ful oft a day / allas she seyde Þat I was borne / wel may myn herte longe [ 690] after my deth / for now lyue I to longe Allas / and I ne may it not amende For now is wers þan euere ȝit I wende [ 693]

(100)

¶ My fader nyl for thynge do me grace [ 694] To gon aȝein / for nought I kan hym queme And if so be þat I my terme pace My Troilus shal in his herte deme [ 697] Þat I am fals / and so it may wel seme Þus shal ich haue vnthonke on euery syde Þat I was borne / so walawey þe tyde [ 700]

(101

¶ And if þat I me put in Iupartye [ 701] To stele awey by nyght / and it be-falle Þat I be caught / I shal be hold a spye Or elles lo / þis drede I moost of alle [ 704] If in þe hondes of som wreche I falle I nam but lost / al be myn herte trewe Now myghty god thow on my sorwe rewe [ 707]

(102)

¶ Ful pale ywoxen was hire bright face [ 708] Hire lymes lene / as she þat al þe day Stood when þat she dorste / and loked on þe place Ther she was borne / and she dwelt had ay [ 711] And al þe nyght wepynge allas she lay And þus despeyred oute of alle cure She ledde hire lyf this woful creature. [ 714]

(103)

¶ Ful oft a day she sighte ek for destresse [leaf 85, back] [ 715] And in hire-self she wente ay portreynge Of Troilus the grete worthinesse And alle his goodely wordes recordynge [ 718] Syn first þe day hire loue bigan to sprynge And þus she sette hire woful herte afire Thorugh remembraunce of þat she gan desire [ 721]

(104)

¶ In al þis world ther nys so cruwel herte [ 722] That hire hadde herd compleyne in hire destresse Þat nold han wopen for hire peynes smerte So tendrely she wepte bothe eue and morwe [ 725] Hire neded non teris for to borwe And þus was ȝet the werste of al hyre peyne Ther was no wight to whom she dorst hire pleyne [ 728]

(105)

¶ Ful Ioyful she loked vp on troye [ 729] By-helde þe toures heigh and ek þe hallis Allas quod she the plesaunce and þe Ioye The which that now al tourned in-to galle is [ 732] Haue ich hadde oft with-Inne þo ȝonder wallis O Troilus what dostow now she seyde Lord whether thow thy[n]ke ȝet vp-on Criseyde [ 735]

(106)

¶ Allas I madde ytrowed on ȝoure lore [ 736] And wente with ȝow / as ȝe me redde or this Thanne hadde I now not siked half so sore who myght han seyde þat I had don a-mys [ 739] To stele away with swich oon as he is But al to late cometh the latuarye when men the cors vn-to the graue [carye] [ 742]

(107)

¶ To late is now to speke of þat matere [ 743] Prudens allas oon of thyn eyn thre Me lakked alwey er þat I com here On tyme presente wel remembred me [ 746] And present tyme ek koude ich wel ysee But future tyme er I was in þe snare Koude I not sen þat causeth now my care [ 749]

(108)

¶ But natheles bitide what bitide [ 750] I shal to morw at nyght by est or weste Out of þis oost stele in som manere syde And gon with Troilus wher as hym leste [ 753] This purpos wol I hold and this is beste No fors of wikked tonges Ianglerye For euere on loue han wreches hadde envye [ 756]

(109)

¶ For who so wole of euery worde tak hede [leaf 86] [ 757] Or rulen hym by euery wightes wit Ne shal he neuere thryuen out of drede For þat at som men blamen euere ȝit [ 760] loo other maner folk comenden it And as for me for alle swich variaunce Felicite clepe I my suffisaunce [ 763]

(110)

¶ For which with-outen any wordes moo [ 764] To Troye I wol as for conclusion But god it woot er fully monthes two She was ful fer fro þat entencioun [ 767] For both Troilus and Troyes town Shal knotles thorugh-out hir herte slyde For she wol take a purpos for tabide [ 770]

(111)

¶ This Dyomede of whom ȝow telle I gan [ 771] Goth now with-Inne hym self ay arguynge with al þe sleughte / and alle þat euere he kan How he may best with shortest taryinge [ 774] In to his net Criseydes herte brynge To þis entente he koude neuere fyne To fisshen hire he layde out hook and lyne [ 777]

(112)

¶ But natheles wel in his herte he thoughte [ 778] Þat she nas nat with-out a loue in Troye For neuere sithen he hire thennes broughte Ne koude he sen hire laughe or maken Ioye [ 781] He nyst how best hire for tacoie But for tassie he seyde nought it ne greueth For he þat nought nasayeth nought nacheueth [ 784]

(113)

¶ Ȝet sayde he to hymself vp-on a nyght [ 785] Now am I nought a fool þat woot wel how Hire wo for loue his of a nother wight And hire-vp-on to gon asaye hire nowe [ 788] I may wel wete it nyl not ben my prow For wyse folk in bokes it expresse Men shal nought wowe a wight in heuynesse [ 791]

(114)

¶ But who-so myght wynnen swich a floure [ 792] From hym for whom she morneth nyght and day He myght seyn he were a conqueroure And right anon as he þat bolde was ay [ 795] Thought in his herte happe how happe may Al shold I dye I wol hire herte seche I shal namore lesen but my speche [ 798]

(115)

¶ This Dyomede as bokes us declare [leaf 86, back] [ 799] was in his nedes prest and corageus witht stierne vois / and myghty lymes square Hardy / testis / strong / and chiualrus [ 802] Of dedes like his fader tydeus And som men seyn he was of tonge large And heire he was of Calidoyne and arge [ 805]

(116)

¶ Criseyde men was of hire stature [ 806] Ther-to of shap / of face / and ek cheere Þer myght be no fairer creature And oft tyme this was hire manere [ 809] To gon ytressed with hire heres clere Doun by hire coler at hire bak by-hynde with which a threde of gold she wold bynde [ 812]

(117)

¶ And saue hire browes Ioyneden Ifeere [ 813] Þar nas no lakke in ought I kan espien But for to speken of hyre eyen clere Loo trewely they writen þat hire syen [ 816] Þat paradys stood formed in hire yen And hire riche beaute euere more Strof loue in hire / ay whiche of hem was moore [ 819]

(118)

¶ She sobre was / ek symple and wyse wiþ alle [ 820] Þe best y-norissed ek þat myght be And goodely of hire speche in general Cherytable estatliche lusty / and free / [ 823] Ne neuere moo ne lakked hire pyte Tendre herted / slidynge of corage But trewly I kan not telle hire age [ 826]

(119)

¶ And Troilus wel woxen was in heighte [ 827] And complet formed by proporcioun So wel þat kynde it nought amenden myght Yongh fresshe / strong / and hardy as lyon [ 830] Trew as steele in ech condicioun On the best enteched creature Þat is or shal / while þat þe world may dure [ 833]

(120)

¶ And certeinly in story it is y-founde [ 834] Þat Troilus was neuere vn-to no wight As in his tyme in no degre secunde In duryng do þat longeth to a knyghte [ 837] Al myght a geaunt passen hym of myght His herte ay with þe firste and with þe beste Stod paregal to durre to do þat hym leste [ 840]

(121)

¶ But for to tellen forth of Dyomede [leaf 87] [ 841] It fel þat efter on þat tenthe day Syn þat Criseyde out of þe Cite ȝode This Dyomede as fressh as braunche in may [ 844] Com to þe tente ther as Crisseyde lay And feyned hym with Calkas han to doon But what he mente I shal ȝow tellen soone [ 847]

(122)

¶ Criseyde at shorte wordes for to telle [ 848] welcom hym / and doun by hire hym sette And he was ethe y-nough to maken dwelle And efter þis with-outen longe lette [ 851] Þe spices and þe wyn men forth hym fette And forth they speke of þis and þat yfeere As frendes don / of whiche som shal ȝe here [ 854]

(123)

¶ He gan firste to fallen of þe werre in speche [ 855] By-twyxen hem / and þe folk of Troye toun And of thassege he gan hire ek be-seche To telle him what was hire opynyoun [ 858] Fro þat demaunde he so descendeth doun To axen hire / if þat hire straunge thought Þe grekis gyse / and werkes þat they wroughte [ 861]

(124)

¶ And whi hire fader tarieth so longe [ 862] To wedden hire / vn-to som worthy wighte Crisede þat was in hire peynes stronge For loue of Troilus hire swene kynghte [ 865] As fer forthe as she konnynge hadde or myght Answerde hym tho / but as of his entente It semed not she wiste what he mente [ 868]

(125)

¶ But natheles this ilke Dyomede [ 869] Gan in hym self asseure / and thus he seyde If ich arighte haue taken of ȝow hede Me thynketh this o lady myn Crisseyde [ 872] Þat syn I firste honde on ȝoure bridel layde when ȝe out com of Troye by þe morwe Ne koude I neuere sen ȝow but in sorwe [ 875]

(126)

¶ Kan I not seyn / what may þe cause be [ 876] But if for loue of som Troyan it were Þe which right soore woolde a-thynken me Þat ȝe for any wighte þat dwelleth there [ 879] Sholden spille a quarter of a teere Or pitously ȝoure-seluen so bygile For dredeles it is nought worth the while [ 882]

(127)

¶ The folk of Troye as who seith alle and some [leaf 87, back] [ 883] In prison ben / as ȝe ȝoure-seluen see For thennes shal not oon on lyue come For al þe gold atwixen sonne and see [ 886] Trusteth wel and vnderstondeth me Þer shal not oon to mercy gon on lyue Al were he lord of worldeles twyes fyue [ 889]

(128)

¶ Swich wreche on hem for fecchynge of Eleyne [ 890] Þer shal ben take er þat we hennes wende Þat manes which þat goddes ben of pyne Shal ben agaste þat grekes wol hem shende [ 893] And men shul drede vn-to þe worldes ende From hennes forth to rauysshen any queene So cruel shal our wreche on hem be seene [ 896]

(129)

¶ And but if Calkas lede vs with ambages [ 897] Þat is to seyn with dowble wordes sleye Swich as men clepe a worde with two visages Ȝe shal wel knowen þat I nought ne lye [ 900] And al this thynge right syn it with ȝoure ye And þat anoon / ȝe nyl not trow how soone Now taketh hede / for it is for to doone [ 903]

(130)

¶ what wene ȝe ȝoure wyse fader wolde [ 904] Haue ȝeuen antenor for ȝow o-noon If he ne wiste þat þe Cite sholde Destrued ben / why nay so mot I gon [ 907] He knewe ful wel ther not scapen oon Þat Troian is / and for þe grete feere he dorst not ȝe dwelt longer there [ 910]

(131)

¶ What wol ȝe moore lufsom lady deere [ 911] Late Troye and Troian fro ȝoure herte pace Dryue oute þat bittre hope and make goode shere And clepe aȝein þe beaute of ȝoure face [ 914] Þat ȝe with salt teeris so deface For Troye is brought in swich a Iupartye Þat it to saue is now no remedye [ 917]

(132)

¶ And thenketh wel ȝe shal in grekes fynde [ 918] A moore parfite loue / or it be nyght Thanne any Troian is / and moore kynde And bet to seruen ȝow wol don his myght [ 921] And if ȝe vowche saufe my lady bryghte I wol ben he to seruen ȝow me-selfue Ȝe leuere þan ben a lord of grekes Twelue [ 924]

(133)

¶ And with þat worde he gan to wexen rede [leaf 88] [ 925] And in his speche a litel wight he quooke And caste a-side a litel wight his hed And stynte a while / and efter-warde he wooke [ 928] And sobreliche on hire he threw his looke and seyde I am / al be it ȝow no Ioye As gentil man / as any wighte in Troie [ 931]

(134)

¶ For if my fader Tydeus he seyde [ 932] Yliued hadde / ich hadde ben or this Of Calidoyne and arge a kyng Criseyde And so hope I þat I shal ȝit ywys [ 935] But he was slayne allas þe moore harme is Vnhapplye at Thebes al to rathe Polymyte and many a man to scathe [ 938]

(135)

¶ But herte myn syn þat I am ȝoure man [ 939] And ben þe firste / of whom I seche grace To serue ȝow as hertly as I kan And euere shal. while I to lyue haue spece [ 942] So er þat I departe out of þis place Ȝe wol me graunte þat I may to morwe At better layser telle ȝow my sorwe [ 945]

(136)

¶ What sholde I telle hise wordes þat he seyde [ 946] He spake I-nowgh for a day atte meeste It preuet wel / he spak so þat Criseyde Graunted on þe morwe at his requeste [ 949] For to speken with hym atte leste So þat he nold speke of swiche matere And þus she to hym seyde / as ȝe mow here [ 952]

(137)

¶ As she þat hadde hire herte on Troilus [ 953] So faste // þat ther may it noon arace And straungely she spak and seyde þus O Diomede I loue þat ilke place [ 956] Þer I was borne / and Ioues for his grace Delyuere it soone / of alle þat doth it care God for þi myght so lene it wel to fare [ 959]

(138)

¶ That grekes wolde hire wrath on Troye wreke [ 960] If þat they myght / I know it wel ywis But It schal nought byfallen as ȝe speke And god to-forne / and ferther ouer this [ 963] I woot my fader wyse and redy is And þat he me hath bought as ȝe me tolde Soo deere / I am þe more vn-to hym holde [ 966]

(139)

¶ Þat grekes ben of heigh condicioun [leaf 88, back] [ 967] I wot ek wel but certein men shal fynde As wory folk with-Inne Troye town As konnynge and as parfite and as kynde [ 970] As ben betwyxen Orcades and Inde And that ȝe koude wele ȝoure lady serue I trow ek wel hire thenke for to desserue [ 973]

(140)

¶ But as to speke of loue I-wis she seyde [ 974] I had a lord to whom I wedded was The whos myn herte al was til þat he sayde And other loue as help me now pallas [ 977] Ther in myn herte nys ne neuere was And þat ȝe ben of noble and heigh kynrede I haue wel now herd it tellen out of drede [ 980]

(141)

¶ And þat doth me to han so grete a wonnder [ 981] That ȝe wol scornen any womman so Ek god woot loue and I ben fer a sonder I am disposed but so mot I go [ 984] Vn-to my deth to pleyne and maken wo what I shal efter don I kan not seye But trewlich as ȝet me luste not pley [ 987]

(142)

¶ Myn herte is now in tribulacion [ 988] And ȝe in armes bysi day and day Here-efter when ȝe wonnen han þe town Paraunter than so it happen may [ 991] Þat when I se þat I neuere er say Thanne wol I werk þat I neuere wroghte Þis word to ȝow ynough suffisen oughte [ 994]

(143)

¶ To morwe eke wol I speke with ȝow fayne [ 995] So þat ȝe touchen nought of þis matere And when ȝow luste ȝe may com here aȝeynne And er ȝe gon thus muche I seye ȝow here [ 998] As helpe me pallas with hire eres clere If þat I sholde of any greke han routhe It shold be ȝoure-seluen be my trouthe [ 1001]

(144)

¶ I say not þer-fore þat I wol ȝow loue [ 1002] Ny say not nay but in conclusioun I mene wele by god that sitt a-boue And þer-with-al she caste hire eyen down [ 1005] And gan to syke and seyde o Troilus town Ȝit bid I god in quiete and in reste I may ȝow sen or do myn herte breste [ 1008]

(145)

¶ But in affect and shortly for to seyne [leaf 89] [ 1009] Þis Diomede alle fresshly newe aȝein Gan presen on and fast hyre mercy preye And efter þis the soth for to seyne [ 1012] Hire gloue he toke of wiche he was ful fayne And finaly when it was woxen eue And alle was wel / he roos and tooke his leue [ 1015]

(146)

Þe bright venus folwed and ay taughte [ 1016] Þe wey Ther brode Phebus doun a-lighte And Cynthea hire char hors ouer raughte To whirle out of þe leon if she myghte [ 1019] And signifer his candels sheweth brighte when þat Criseyde vn-to hire bedde wente In-with hire fadres faire bryghte tente [ 1022]

(147)

¶ Retournynge in hir soule ay vp and doun [ 1023] Þe wordes of þis sodeyn diomede his grete estate and peril of the town And þat she was allon and hadde nede [ 1026] Of frendes help and þus bygan to brede Þe cause whi þe soth for to telle Þat sche tok fully þe purpos for to dwelle [ 1029]

(148)

¶ The morwen com and gostly for to speke [ 1030] Þis Diomede is com vn-to Criseyde And shortly liste þat ȝe my tale So wel he for hym self spake and seyde [ 1033] Þat alle hire sykes soore adown he layde And finaly þe sothe for to seyne He ref hire of þe grete of al hire peyne [ 1036]

(149)

¶ And efter þis þe storye telle vs [ 1037] Þat she him ȝaf þe faire bay steede The whiche he ones wan of Troilus And eke a broch and þat was litel nede [ 1040] That Troilus was / she ȝaf þis Diomede And ek þe bet from sorw hym to releue She made hym were a pensel of hire sleue [ 1043]

(150)

¶ I fynde ek in þe stories elles where [ 1044] when thorugh þe body hirte was Dyomede Of Troilus / þo wepte she many a teere When þat she saugh hise wyde woundes blede [ 1047] And þat she toke to kepen hym good hede And for to helen hym of his sorwes smerte Men seyn I not þat she ȝaf hym hire herte [ 1050]

(151)

¶ But trewelyche the storye telleth vs [leaf 89, back] [ 1051] Ther made neuere womman more wo Than she when þat she falsed Troylus She allas for now is clene ago [ 1054] My name of trouthe in loue for euere mo For I haue falsed oon the gentileste Þat euere was / and oon the worthyeste [ 1057]

(152)

¶ Allas of me vn-to the wordes ende [ 1058] Shal noither ben y-writen nor y-song No good worde / for this boks wol me shende O rolled schal I ben on many a tonge [ 1061] Thorugh-out þe wold my bel schal be ronge And wommen most wol haten me of alle Allas þat swich a cas me sholde falle [ 1064]

(153)

¶ They wol seyn in as muche as in me is [ 1065] I haue hem don deshonoure walaway Al be I not þe firste þat dide amys what helpeth þat to don my blame away [ 1068] But syn I se þer is no better way And þat to late is now for me to rewe To dyomede algate I wol be trewe [ 1071]

(154)

¶ But Troilus syn I no bettre may [ 1072] And syn þat þus departen ȝe and I Ȝet preye god so ȝeue ȝow right good day as for þe gentileste trewely [ 1075] Þat euere y say to seruen faithfully And beste kan ay his honour kepe And witht þat word she braste anon to wepe [ 1078]

(155)

¶ And certes ȝow to haten shal I neuere [ 1079] And frendes loue / þat shal ȝe han of me And my good worde / al shold I lyue euere And trewly I wol sory be [ 1082] For to sen ȝow in aduersite And giltelees I wot wel I ȝow leeue But alle shal passe and þus tak I my leue [ 1085]

(156)

¶ But trewly how longe it was betweyne [ 1086] Þat she forsoke hym for this Dyomede Ther is non auctour telleth it I wene Tak euery man now to his bokes hede [ 1089] He shal no terme fynden out of drede For though þat he bigan to wow hire soone Er he hire wan ȝet was there more to doone [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Ne me ne list this sely womman chyde [leaf 90] [ 1093] For-ther þanne the storie wol deuyse Hire name allas is punyshed so wyde That for hire gilte it ought y-nough suffise [ 1096] And if I myght excuse hire any wyse For she sory was for vntrouthe I-wis I wold excuse hire ȝet for routhe [ 1099]

(158)

¶ This Troilus I before haue told [ 1100] Þus dryueth forth as wel as he hathe myght But oft was his herte hote and colde And namely þat ilke nynthe nyght [ 1103] whiche on þe morwe she hadde hym by-hight To com aȝeyn god woot ful litel reste hadde he þat nyght no thynge to slepe hym liste [ 1106]

(159)

¶ The laurer crowned phebus with his hete [ 1107] Gan in his cours ay vpwarde as he wente To war men of þe est se þe wawes wete And nysus doughter song with fressh entente [ 1110] When Troilus his Pandare efter sente And on þe walles of þe town þei pleyde To loke if they kan sen ought of Criseydo [ 1113]

(160)

¶ Til it was none they stood for to se [ 1114] who ther come and euery manere wight Þat com fro fer they seyden it was she Til þat thei koude knowen hym aright [ 1117] Now was his herte dul / now was it light And thus bi-Iaped stonden for to starei Aboute nought this Troilus and Pandare [ 1120]

(161)

¶ To Pandarus This Troilus tho seyde [ 1121] For ought I woot by-for noon sykerly In to þis town ne cometh not here Criseide She hath y-nough to don hardily [ 1124] To wynnen from hire fader so trow I Hire olde fader wol ȝet make hire dyne Er þat she go. god ȝeue his herte pyne [ 1127]

(162)

¶ Pandare answarde it may wel be certein [ 1128] And for-thy lat vs dyne I the beseche And after noon than maistow com Aȝein And hom they go with-outen moore speche [ 1131] And comen aȝein / but longe may they seche Er þat thei fynde þat they efter cape Fortune hem both thenketh for to Iape [ 1134]

(163)

¶ Quod Troilus I se wel now that she [leaf 90, back] [ 1135] Is taried with hire olde fader so Þat er she come it wol neigh euen be Come forth I wol vnto ȝe ȝate go [ 1138] Thise portours ben vnkonnynge euere mo And I wol don hem holden vp the ȝate As nought ne were al-though she come late [ 1141]

(164)

¶ The day goth fast and efter þat cometh eue [ 1142] And ȝet com nought To Troilus Criseyde He loketh forth by hegg by tre by greue And fer his hed ouer þe walle he layde [ 1145] And at þe laste he torned hym and seyde By god I wot hire menynge now pandare Al-moost I-wys al new is my care [ 1148]

(165)

¶ Now douteles this lady kan hire good [ 1149] I wote she meneth riden priuely I comende hire wysdom by myn hode She wol not maken peple nycely [ 1152] Gaure on hire when þat she comth [[overline but here: P later]] softly By nyght in to the town she thenketh ride And dere brother thenke not longe tabide [ 1155]

(166)

¶ We han nought elles for to don I-wys [ 1156] And Pandarus now woltow trowen me Haue here my trouthe I se hire ȝonde she is Heue vp thyn eyen man maistow not se [ 1159] Pandare answerde nay so moot I the Al wronge by god what seistow man wher arte Þat I se ȝond is but a fare carte [ 1162]

(167)

¶ Allas thow saist right soth quod Troilus [ 1163] But hardely it is not al for nought Þat in myn herte I now reIoysse thus It is aȝeins som good I haue a thought [ 1166] Not I not how / but sen þat I was wroughte Ne felt I swich a confort dar I seye She comth to nyght my life þat dorste I laye [ 1169]

(168)

¶ Pandare answerd it may be wel ynough [ 1170] And helde with hym of al þat euer he seyde But in his herte he thought and softly lough And to hym self sobreliche he seyde [ 1173] From haselwodde ther Iolye robin pleyde Shal com al þat thow abydest here And fare wel al the snowgh of fernyere [ 1176]

(169)

¶ The wardeyn of þe ȝates gan to calle [leaf 91] [ 1177] Þe folk which þat with-oute þe ȝates were And bad hem dryuen in hire bestes alle Or al þe nyght they most bleuen there [ 1180] And fer wiþ-Inne nyght wiþ many a teere This Troilus gan homwarde for to ride For wel he seth it helpeth nought tabyde [ 1183]

(170)

¶ But natheles he gladded hym in this [ 1184] He thoughte he mysacounted hadde his day And seyde I vnderstonde I haue al amys For þilke nyght I laste Criseyde seye [ 1187] She seyde I shal ben here If þat I may Er þat þe moone o deere herte swete The leon̄ passe oute of this ariete [ 1190]

(171)

¶ For which she may ȝet holde al hire biheste [ 1191] And on þe morwe vn-to þe ȝate he wente And vp and down by weste and ek bi este Vp on the walles made he many a wente [ 1194] But al for nought / his hope alwey hym blente For which at nyght in sorwes and sikes sore He wente hym home with-outen any moore [ 1197]

(172)

¶ His hope al clene out of his herte fledde [ 1198] He nath wher-on now longer for to honge But for þe peyne hym thought his hert bledde So were his throwes sharpe and wonder stronge [ 1201] For when he saugh þat she aboode so longe He nyste what he Iuggen of it myghte Syn she hath broken þat she hym byhighte [ 1204]

(173)

¶ The / thridde / ferthe / fyfte / sexte day [ 1205] After þo dayes ten. of whiche I tolde Betwixen hope and drede his hert lay Ȝet somwhat trusten on hire hestes olde [ 1208] But when he saugh she nold hire terme holde He kan now sen non other remedye But for to shape hym sone for to dye [ 1211]

(174)

¶ Ther-with þe wykked spirit god vs blisse [ 1212] whiche þat men clepeth wode Ialousie Gan in hym crepe in al þis heuynesse For whiche be cause he wold soone dye [ 1215] He ne ete ne dranke for his melencolye And ek from euery compaynye he fledde This was þe lyf þat al þe tyme he ledde [ 1218]

(175)

¶ He so defet was that no maner man [leaf 91, back] [ 1219] Vnneth hym myght knowen there he wente So was he leen and ther-to pale and wan And fieble þat he walketh by potente [ 1222] And with his Ire he thus hym seluen shente But who-so axed hym wher-of hym smerte He seyde his harme was al aboute his herte [ 1225]

(176)

¶ Priam ful ofte and ek his moder deere [ 1226] His bretheren and his sustren gonne hym freyne Whi he so sorwful was in al his cheere And what thyng was þe cause of al his peyne [ 1229] But al for nought he nold his cause pleyne But seyde he felte a greuous maladye Aboute his herte / and fayne he wolde dye [ 1232]

(177)

¶ So on a day he layde hym down to slepe [ 1233] And so byfel þat in his slepe hym thoughte Þat a forest faste he welke to wepe For loue of hire þat hym thise peynes wroughte [ 1236] And vp and doun as he þat forest soughte He mette he saugh a boor with tuskes grete Þat slepte aȝein the brighte sonnes hete [ 1239]

(178)

¶ And by þis boor fast in hir armes folde [ 1240] Lay kyssyng ay his lady bright Criseyde For sorw of which whan he gan biholde And for despit out of his slepe he breyde [ 1243] And loude he criede on Pandarus and seyde O Pandarus now know I crope and roote I nam bot ded ther is non other boote [ 1246]

(179)

¶ My lady bryghte Criseyde hath me bytrayed [ 1247] In whom I trusted moost of any wighte She elles where hath now hire herte apeyde Þe blisful goddes thorwgh hire grete myghte [ 1250] han in my drem y-shewed it ful righte Þus in my drem Criseyde haue I biholde And al þis thynge to Pandarus he tolde [ 1253]

(180)

¶ O my Criseyde allas what subtilite [ 1254] what new luste what beaute / whate science what wrathe of Iuste cause have ȝe to me what gilte of me what fel experience [ 1257] hath fro me raft allas thyn aduertence O trust / o feith / o depe eseuraunce who hath me reft Criseyde al my plesaunce [ 1260]

(181)

¶ Allas whi lett ich ȝow from hennes go [leaf 92] [ 1261] For which wel neigh out of my wit I breyde who shal now trowe on any othes moo God woot I wende o lady bright Criseyde [ 1264] Þat euery word was gospel þat ȝe seyde But who may beste bigile If hym liste Þan he on whom men weneth best to triste [ 1267]

(182)

¶ what shal I don my Pandarus allas [ 1268] I fele nowe so sharpe a new peyne Syn þat ther is no remedye in þis cas Þat bet were it I with myn hondes tweyne [ 1271] My-seluen slewe alwey þan thus to pleyne For thorwgh þe deth my wo shold haue an ende Þat euery day with lif my self I shende [ 1274]

(183)

¶ Pandare answerde and seyde allas þe while [ 1275] Þat I was born haue I not seyde or this Þat dremes many a maner man bigiles And whi for folk expounden hem amys [ 1278] How darstow seyn þat fals thy lady is For any dreme / right for thyn owen drede Lat be þis thought thow kanst no dremes rede [ 1281]

(184)

¶ Paraunter ther thow dremest of þis boor [ 1282] It may so be þat it may signifye Hire whiche þat old is and ek hoor Aȝein þe sonne lyth o poynte to dye [ 1285] And she for sorwe gynneth wepte and crye And kysseth hym þer he lyth on þe grounde Þus sholdestow thy dreme aright expounde [ 1288]

(185)

¶ How myght than don quod Troilus [ 1289] To know of this ȝe were it neuere so lite Now seystow wisely quod this pandarus My rede is þis syn thow kanst wel endite [ 1292] Þat hastily a letre thow hire write Thorugh whiche thow shalt wel bryngen it aboute To knowe a soth of þat thow ert in doute [ 1295]

(186)

And se now why for this I dar wel seyn [ 1296] Þat if so is þat she vntrewe be I kan not trowen þat wol write aȝein And if she write thow shal ful soon se [ 1299] As whether she hath any liberte To come aȝein or elles in som clause If she be let she wol asigne a cause [ 1302]

(187)

¶ Thow hast not writon hire syn þat she wente [leaf 92, back] [ 1303] Nor che to þe / and this I dorst laye Ther may swich cause ben in hire entente Þat hardily thow wolt thy-seluen seye [ 1306] Þat hire abood þe best is for ȝow tweyne Now write hire than and thow shal fele soone A sothe of al ther is na moore to doon [ 1309]

(188)

¶ Acorded ben to þis conclusion [ 1310] And þat anon thise ilke lordes two And hastily sit Troilus a doun And rolleth in his herte to and fra [ 1313] How he may best descryuen hire his wo And to Criseyde his owen lady deere He wrote righte right thus and seyde as may here [ 1316]

(189) [Epistola Tr]oili [[in margin]]

¶ Right fresshe floure whos I ben haue and shal [ 1317] with-outen part of elles where seruyse with herte body lyf lust thought and alle I woful wight in euerych humble wyse [ 1320] Þat tonge telle or herte may deuyse As oft as matere occupieth place Me recomaunde vn-to ȝoure noble grace [ 1323]

(190)

¶ Liketh ȝow to wyten swete herte [ 1324] As ȝe wel knowe how longe tyme agon Þat ȝe me left in aspre peynes smerte when that ȝe wente of which boote non [ 1327] Haue I non had / but euere wors bigoon Fro day to day am I and so mot dwelle while it ȝow liste of wele and wo my welle [ 1330]

(191)

¶ For which to ȝow with dredeful herte trewe [ 1331] I write / as he þat sorwe drifth to write My wo þat euery houre encresseth new Compleynynge as I dar or kan endite [ 1334] And þat defaced is þat may ȝe wite Þe teres which þat fro myn eyen reyne They wolden speke If þat they koude and pleyne [ 1337]

(192)

¶ Ȝow first beseche I þat ȝoure eyen clere [ 1338] To look on þis defouled ȝe nat hold And ouer al þis þat ȝe my lady dere Wol vouch-saufe this letre to be-holde [ 1341] And by þe cause ek of my cares colde Þat sleth my wit if ought amys masterte For-ȝeue it me myn owen swete herte [ 1344]

(A leaf out of Harl. 2280.)

(205)

¶ But in hire letre made she swich feeste [leaf 93] [ 1429] Þat wonder was and swerth she loueth hym beste Of which he fonde boot botmeles biheste But troilus thou maist now est or weste [ 1432] Pipe in an Iuy leefe if þat the leste thus goth þe world god shilde vs fro meschaunce And euery wight þat meneth trouthe ¹ auance ¹ [[¹-¹ late]] [ 1435]

(206)

¶ Encressen gan the wo fro day to nyght [ 1436] Of Troilus / for tarrynge of Criseyde And lessen gan his hope and ek his myght For which al doun he in his bed hym layde [ 1439] He ne ete / ne / dronk / ne slepe / ne worde seyde Ymagynynge ay þat she was vnkynde For which wel neigh he wex out of his mynde [ 1442]

(207)

¶ This dreme of which I tolde haue ek biforne [ 1443] May neuere come out of his remembraunce He thought ay wel he had his lady lorne And þat Ioues of his purueiaunce [ 1446] Hym shewed hadde in slepe the signifiaunce Of hire vntrouth and his disauenture And þat þe boor was shewed hym in figure [ 1449]

(208)

¶ For which he for sibille his suster sente [ 1450] Þat called was cassandre al aboute and al his dreme he told hire or he stente And hire bysought assoylen hym the doute [ 1453] Of þe stronge boor with tuskes stoute And finaly with-Inne a litel stounde Cassandre by-gan right thus his dreme expounde [ 1456]

(209)

¶ She gan first smyle and seyde brother deere [ 1457] If thow a soth of this desirest knowe Thow most a fewe of oldde stories here To purpos how þat fortune ouer-throwe [ 1460] Hath lordes old / thorwgh which with-Inne a trowe Thow wel þis boor shalt know and of what kynde he comen is / as men in bokes fynde [ 1463]

(210)

¶ Diane which þat wroth was and in Ire [ 1464] For grekes nold don hire sacrifise Nencens vp on hire auter sette a fire So for þat greekes gonne hire so despise [ 1467] Wrak hir in a wonder cruwel wyse For with a boor as grete as ox in stalle She made vp frete hire corne and vynes alle [ 1470]

(211)

¶ To sle þis boor was al þe contre raysed [leaf 93, back] [ 1471] O-manges which ther come þis boor to se A maide on of þis worlde þe best preysed And melage lorde of that contre [ 1474] He loued so this fresshe mayden free Þat with his manhode or he wolde stente Þis boor he slough and hire þe hed he sente [ 1477]

(212)

¶ Of which as old bokes tellen vs [ 1478] Ther roos a contek and a grete enuye And of this lorde descended Tideus By ligne / or elles old bokes lye [ 1481] And how this meleagre gan to dye Thorwgh his moder wol I ȝow nought telle For al to long it were for to dwelle [ 1484]

(213)

¶ She told ek how Tideus or she stente [ 1485] Vn-to þe stronge cite of thebes To cleymen kyngdom of the cite wente For his felawe daun Polimytes [ 1488] Of whiche the brother daun Ethiocles Ful wrongfully of thebes held þe strenghthe This told she by proces al bi lengthe [ 1491]

(214)

¶ She told ek how hemonydes asterte [ 1492] when Tideus slough fifty knygthes stoute She told ek al þe prophecies by herte And how þat vij kynges with hire route [ 1495] Be-segeden the Cite alle a-boute And of þe holy serpent and the welle And of þe furies al she gan hym telle [ 1498]

[Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.]

¶ Associat profugum Tideo primus polymytem Tidea legatum docet insidiasque secundus Tercius Hemoduden canit & vates latitantes Quartus habet reges ineuntes prelia septem Mox furie lenne quinto narrantur & anguis Archimori bustum sexto ludusque leguntur

Dat grayos thebes & vatem septimus vmbris Octauo cecidit Tideus spes vita pelasgis Ypomedon nono moritur cum parthonopes Fulmine percussus decimo Cappaneus superatur Vndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres Argiua flentem narrat duodenus & ignem

(215)

¶ Of archimoris burynge and þe pleyes [leaf 94] [ 1499] And how amphiorax fil thorwgh þe grounde How tideus was slayn lord of argeyes And how ypomedon in litel stounde [ 1502] was dreynt / and ded parthonopo of wounde Also how cappaneus the proude With thonder dynt was slayn þat cried loude [ 1505]

(216)

¶ She kan ek telle hym how þat either brother [ 1506] Ethiocles and Polymyte also At a scarmyche ech of hem slough other And of argyues wepynge and hire wo [ 1509] And how the town was brente she told ek tho And so descendeth doun from gestes olde To diomede / and þus she spak and tolde [ 1512]

(217)

¶ This ilke boor bitokneth diomede [ 1513] Tideus sone / that doun descended is Fro meleagre þat made þe boor to blede And thy lady wher-so she be y-wis [ 1516] This dyomede hire herte hath and she is wepe if thow wolt or lefe for out of doute This Diomede is Inne and thow ert oute [ 1519]

(218)

¶ thow saist nat soth quod he thow sorceresse [ 1520] with al thi fals goost of prophecie Thow wenest ben a grete deuineresshe Now sestow nat þis fool of fantasie [ 1523] Peyneth hire on ladys for to lye Awey quod he ther Ioues ȝeue the sorwe Thow shalt be fals paraunter ȝet to morwe [ 1526]

(219)

¶ As wel thow myghtest lyen on alceste [ 1527] Þat was of creatures ben men lye That euer wern kyndest and þe beste For when hire housbonde was in Iupartye [ 1530] To dye hym self / but if she wold dye So ches for hym to dye and gon to helle And starf anon / as vs þe bokes telle [ 1533]

(220)

¶ Cassandre goth and he wit cruel herte [ 1534] Forȝat his wo / for angre of hire speche And from his bed al sodeynly he sterte As though al hool hym hadd ymade leche [ 1537] And day by day he gan enquere and seche A soth of this with al his ful cure And thus he drieth forth his auenture [ 1540]

(221)

¶ Fortune which that permutacioun [leaf 94, back] [ 1541] Of thynges hath as it is here committed Thorwgh purueiaunce and disposicioun Of heigh Ioue as regne shal ben fletted [ 1544] Fro folk in folk / or when they shal ben smitted Gan pul awey þe fetheres bright of troie Fro day to day til they ben bare of Ioie [ 1547]

(222)

¶ Amange al this þe fyne of the Parodye [.i. duracion] [ 1548] Of Ector / gan a prophecie wonder blyue The fate wold his soule shold vnbodye And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryue [ 1551] Aȝeins which fate hym helpeth not to stryue But on a day to fighten gan he wende At which allas he caughte his lyues ende [ 1554]

(223)

¶ For which me thenketh euery manere witht [ 1555] Þat haunteth armes ought to bewayle Þe deth of hym þat was so noble a knyght For as he drough a kynge by thauantaile [ 1558] vnder of this achilles thorwgh þe maylle And thorwgh þe body gan hym for to ryue And þus the worthy knyght was brought of lyue [ 1561]

(224)

¶ For when as old bokes tellen vs [ 1562] was made swiche wo þat tonge it may not telle And namely the sorwe of Troilus Þat next hym was of worthinesse welle [ 1565] And in þis wo gan Troilus to dwelle Þat what for sorwe and loue and for vnreste Ful oft a day he bad his herte breste [ 1568]

(225)

¶ But natheles though he gan hym despaire [ 1569] And drede ay þat his lady was vntrewe Ȝet ay on hire his herte gan repaire And as þis louers don he sought ay newe [ 1572] To gete aȝein Criseyde bright of hewe And in his herte he wente hire excusynge Þat Calkas caused alle hire taryinge [ 1575]

(226)

¶ And oft tyme he was in purpos grete [ 1576] Hym seluen like a pilgrym to degyse To sen hire / but he may not conterfete To ben vnknowen [[Ist n alterd from o]] of folk þat weren wyse [ 1579] Ne fynde excuse aright þat may suffise If he o-mange the grekes knowen weere For whiche he wepte ful oft and many a teere [ 1582]

(227)

¶ To hire he wroot ȝet oft tyme al newe [leaf 95] [ 1583] Ful pitously he left it nought for slouthe Besechynge hire syn þat he was trewe Þat she wol come aȝein and hold hir trouthe [ 1586] For which Criseyde vp-on day for routhe I take it so touchynge al þis matere wroot hym aȝein and seyde as ȝe may here [ 1589]

(228)

¶ Cupides sone ensaumple of goodlyhede [Litera Criseydis [later]] [ 1590] O swerde of knyghod sours of gentilesse How myght a wight in tormente and in drede and heleles thow sende as ȝet gladnesse [ 1593] I herteles I sik I in destresse Syn ȝe with me nor I with ȝow may dele Ȝow neither sende iche herte may nor hele [ 1596]

(229)

¶ Ȝour letres ful þe papir al ypleynted [ 1597] Conceyued hath myn hertes pite I haue ek seyn [with] teeris alle depeynted Ȝoure letre / and how þat ȝe requeren me [ 1600] To come aȝein / which ȝet ne may not be But whi liste þat þis letre founden were No mencion ne make I nowe for fere [ 1603]

(230) (Criseyde's Letter continued)

¶ Greuous to me god woot is ȝoure vnreste [ 1604] Ȝoure haste / and þat þe goddes ordinaunce It semeth nat ȝe take it for the beste Nor other thyng nys in ȝoure remembraunce [ 1607] As thenketh me but oonly ȝoure plesaunce But beth not wroth and þat I ȝow beseche For þat I tarye is al for wikked speche [ 1610]

(231)

¶ For I haue herde weI more than I wende [ 1611] Touchynge vs two how thynges han ystonde whiche I shal with dissimulynge amende And beth not wroth I haue ek vnderstonde [ 1614] How ȝe ne don but holden me in honde But now no fors I kan not in ȝow gesse But al trowthe and al gentilesse [ 1617]

(232)

¶ Com I wole / but ȝet in swich disioynte [ 1618] I stonde as now þat what ȝere or what day Þat þis shal be þat kan I nought a-poynte But in effect I preye ȝow as I may [ 1621] Of ȝour good word and of ȝoure frendschip ay For trewly while þat my lif may dure as for a frend ȝe may in me assure [ 1624]

(233)

¶ Ȝet preye ioh ȝow an euyl ȝe it take [leaf 95, back] [ 1625] Þat it is short which þat I to ȝow write I dar not ther I am wele letres make Ne neuere ȝet ne koude I wel endite [ 1628] Ek grete effect men write in place lite The entente is alle and not letres space And farth now wel god haue you in his grace [ 1631]

(234)

¶ This Troilus þis letre thought al straunge [ 1632] When he it saugh and sorwfullyche he sigchte Hym thought it like a kalendas of chaunge But finaly he ful ne trowen myghte [ 1635] Þat she ne wold hym holden þat she hyghte For with ful yuel wil list hym to leue Þat louet wel in swich cas though hym greue [ 1638]

(235)

¶ But natheles men seyn þat at þe laste [ 1639] For any thyng men shal the soth see And swich a cas bited and þat as faste That Troilus wel vnderstood þat she [ 1642] Nas not so kynde as þat hire oughte be And finaly he woot now out of doute Þat al is lost þat he hath ben a-boute [ 1645]

(236)

¶ Stood on a day in his malencolye [ 1646] Þis Troilus / and in suspicioun Of hire / for whom he wende for to dye And so bifel þat thorwgh-out Troie town [ 1649] as was þe gyse I-born was vp and down A manere cote armur as seith þe storie Biforn deiphebe in signe of his victorie [ 1652]

(237)

¶ Þe which cote as telleth lollius [ 1653] Deiphebe it hadde rent fro diomede Þe same day / and when þis Troilus It saugh he gan to taken of it hede [ 1656] Auysinge of þe lenghte and of þe brede And al þe werke but as he gan bihold Ful sodeynli his herte gan to colde [ 1659]

(238)

¶ As he þat on þe coler fonde with-Inne [ 1660] A broche þat he Criseyde ȝaf þat morwe Þat she from Troie most nedes twynne In remembraunce of hym and of his sorwe [ 1663] And she hym layde aȝein hire feith to borwe To kepe it ay / but now ful wel he wiste His lady nas no langer on to truste [ 1666]

(239)

¶ He goth hym hom and gan ful soone sende [leaf 96] [ 1667] For Pandarus and al þis new chaunce And of þis broche he told hym word and ende Compleynynge of hire herte variaunce [ 1670] His longe loue his trouth and his pennaunce And efter deth with-outen wordes moore Ful fast he cried his rest hym to restoore [ 1673]

(240)

¶ Þan spak he thus o lady myn Criseide [ 1674] wher is ȝoure feith and wher is ȝoure biheste Wher is ȝour loue where is ȝoure trouth he seyde Of diomede haue now al þis feeste [ 1677] Allas I wold han trowed at þe leeste Þat syn ȝe nold in trouthe to me stonde Þat ȝe thus nold han holden me in honde [ 1680]

(241)

¶ who shal now trow on any othes mo [ 1681] Allas I neuere wold han wende or this Þat ȝe Criseide koude han chaunged so Ne but I hadde a-gilt and don amys [ 1684] So cruel wende I nought ȝoure herte I-wys To sle me þus / allas ȝoure name of trouthe Is now for-don / and þat is al my routhe [ 1687]

(242)

¶ was ther non other broch ȝow list lete [ 1688] To feffe with ȝoure newe loue quod he But þilk broch þat I with teris wete Ȝow ȝaf / as for a remembraunce of me [ 1691] Non other cause allas ne hadde ȝe But for despit / and ek for that ȝe mente Al outerly to shewen ȝoure entente [ 1694]

(243)

¶ Thorwgh which I se that clene out of ȝoure mynde [ 1695] Ȝe han me caste / and I ne kan nor may For al þis world with-Inne myn herte fynde To vnlouen ȝow a quarter of a day [ 1698] In corsed tyme I borne was walawey Þat ȝow þat dothe me al þis wo endure Ȝet loue I best of any creature [ 1701]

(244)

¶ Now god quod he me sende ȝet þe grace [ 1702] Þat I may meten with this Diomede And trewly if I haue myghte and space Ȝet shal I make I hope his sides blede [ 1705] O god quod he þat oughtest taken hede To ferthren trouthe and wronges to punice whi nyl to don a vengeaunce of þis vice [ 1708]

(245)

¶ O Pandarus þat in dremes for to truste [leaf 96, back] [ 1709] Me blamed hast and wonte oft ert vpbreyde Now maistow sen þi self if þat the liste How trew is now thi nece bright Criseide [ 1712] In sondry formes god it woot he seyde Þe goddes shewen both ioye and teene In slepe and by dreme it is now seene [ 1715]

(246)

¶ And certeinly with-outen more speche [ 1716] From hennes forth as fer-forth as I may Myn owen deth in armes wol I seche I recch nat how sone be þe day [ 1719] But trewly Criseyde swete may whom I haue ay with al my myght serued Þat ȝe þus don I haue it not deserued [ 1722]

(247)

¶ This Pandarus þat al þise thynges herde [ 1723] And wist wel he seyde a soth of þis He nought a word aȝein to hym answarde For sory of his frendes sorwe he is [ 1726] And shamed for his nece hath don amys And stont astoned of thise causes twye As stille as stone a word ne koude not seye [ 1729]

(248)

¶ But at þe laste þus he spak and seyde [ 1730] My brother deere I may do the namore what shold I seyn I hate I-wis Criseyde And god woot I wol hat hire euere more [ 1733] And þat thow me bisoughtest don of yore Hauyngnge vn-to myn honour ne my reste Right no rewarde I dide al þat the leste [ 1736]

(249)

¶ If I dide ought þat myght lyken the [ 1737] It is me liefe and of this treson now God woot þat it a sorwe is vnto me And dredeles for hertes ese of ȝow [ 1740] Right faine I wolde amende it wiste I how And fro þis worlde almyghty I preye Deliuer hire soone I kan na mor seye [ 1743]

(250)

¶ Grete was þe sorwe and pleynte of Troilus [ 1744] But forth hire cours fortune ay gan to holde Criseyde loueth þe sone of tydeus And Troilus mot wepe in cares colde [ 1747] Swich is þis world who-so it kan biholde In ech estat is litel hertes reste God lene vs for to take it for the beste [ 1750]

(251)

¶ In many cruel bataille out of drede [leaf 97] [ 1751] Of Troilus this ilke noble knyghte As men in this olde bokes rede Was seen his knyghthod and his grete myghte [ 1754] And dredeles his ire day and nyghte Ful cruely þe grekes ay aboughte But alwey moost þis diomede he soughte [ 1757]

(252)

¶ And oft tyme I fynde þat they mette [ 1758] with blody strokes and with wordes grete Assayinge how hire speres weren whette And god it woot with many a cruel hete [ 1761] Gan Troilus vp on his helm bete But natheles fortune it nought ne wold Of otheres honde þat either dyen sholde [ 1764]

(253)

¶ And if I hadde taken for to write [ 1765] Þe armes of this ilke worthi man Þan wold Ich of his batailles endite But for þat I to writen first bygan [ 1768] Of his loue I haue seyde as I kan His worthy dedes who lest hem here Red dares he kan telle hem al Ifeere [ 1771]

(254)

¶ Besechynge euery lady bright of hewe [ 1772] And euery gentil womman what she be Þat al be þat Criseyde was vntrewe Þat for þat gilt she be not wroth with me [ 1775] Ȝe many hire gilt in otheres bokes se And gladlier I wol write If ȝow leste Penelopes trouthe and good alceste [ 1778]

(255)

¶ Ny sey nat this al only for thise men [ 1779] But moost for wommen þat betraised be Thorwgh fals folk god ȝeue hem sorwe ameN Þat with hire grete wit and subtilite [ 1782] Betraise ȝow / and þis commeueth me To spek in affect ȝow al I preye Be war of men and herknet what I seye [ 1785]

(256)

¶ Go litel bok go litel myn tregedie [ 1786] ther god thy maker ȝet er þat he dye So sende myght to make in som comedye But litel book no makynge thow nenvye [ 1789] But subgit be to alle poesie And kysse þe steppes whar as thow seest space Virgile / Ouyde / Omer Lucan and stace [ 1792]

(257)

¶ And for ther is so grete dyuersite [leaf 97, back] [ 1793] In Englissh and in writynge of our tonge So preye I to god þat non myswrite the Ne the mysmetere for tefaute of tonge [ 1796] And red wher-so thow be or elles songe Þat thow be vnderstonde god I beseche But ȝet to purpos of my rather speche [ 1799]

(258)

¶ The wrath as I bigan ȝow for to seye [ 1800] Of Troilus / the grekes boughten deere For thousandes his hondes maden dye As he þat was with-outen any peere [ 1803] Saue Ector in his tyme as I kan here But walawey saue only goddes wille Dispitously hym slough the fiers achille [ 1806]

(259)

¶ And when þat he was slayn in þis manere [ 1807] His light gost ful blisfully is wente Vp to holughnesse of the seuenthe spere In conuers letynge euerych elemente [ 1810] and ther he saugh with ful avysemente The erratyk sterres herkenynge armonye With sownes ful of heuenyssh melodie [ 1813]

(260)

¶ And down from thennes faste he gan auyse [ 1814] This litel spot of erth þat with þe se Enbraced is and fully gan despice This wreched world and helde al vanyte [ 1817] To respect / of þe pleyne felicite Þat is in heuene aboue / and at þe laste ther he slayn his lokynge down he caste [ 1820]

(261)

¶ And in hym self he lough right at þe wo [ 1821] Of hem þat wepten for his deth so faste And dampned al our werk þat folweth so The blynde luste þe which þat may not laste [ 1824] And sholden al oure herte on heuene caste And forth he wente shortly for to telle Þer as mercurie sorted hym to dwelle [ 1827]

(262)

¶ Swich fin hath lo this Troilus for loue [ 1828] Swich fyn hath al his grete worthynesse Swich fyn hath his estat real aboue Swich fyn his luste swich fyn hath his noblesse [ 1831] Swich fyn hath fals worldes brotelnesse And thus bigan his louynge of Criseyde As I haue tolde and in this wise he deyed [ 1834]

(263)

¶ O ȝonge fresshe folkes he or she [leaf 98] [ 1835] In which þat loue vp groweth with ȝoure age Repeireth hom fro wordly vanyte And of ȝoure herte vp casteth þe visage [ 1838] To thilke god þat efter his ymage Ȝow made / and thynketh al nys but a faire Þis worlde þat passeth soon as flours faire [ 1841]

(264)

¶ And loueth hym þe which right for loue [ 1842] Vp on a crois oure soules for to beye First starffe and roos and sitt in heuen above For he nyl falsen no wight dar I seye [ 1845] Þat wol his herte alle holly on hym leye And syn he best to loue is and most meke what nedeth feyned loues for to seke [ 1848]

(265)

¶ Lo here of payens corsed old rites [ 1849] Lo here what alle hire goddes may auaille Lo here þis wreched worldes appetites Lo here þe fyre and guerdon for trauaille [ 1852] Of Ioue appollo of mars of swich rescaille Lo here þe forme of olde clerkes speche In poetrie if ȝe hire bokes seche [ 1855]

(266)

¶ O moral Gower this boke I directe [ 1856] To the / and þe philosophical strode To vouchen sauf ther nede is to correcte Of ȝoure benignites and ȝeles good [ 1859] And to þat sothfast criste þat sterf on roode With al myn herte of mercy euere I preye And to þe lord right þus speke and seye [ 1862]

(267)

¶ Thow oon and two and thre eterne on lyue [ 1863] That regnest ay in iij. and ij. and oon Vncircumscript and al maist circumscriue Vs from visible and invisible foon [ 1866] Defende / and to thi mercy euerichon So mak vs iesus [[MS. iħc]] for thy mercy digne For loue of maide and moder thyn benigne

Explicit liber Troili et Criseydis

AMEN:

[End of the MS.]

[Camb. Univ. Libr. MS. Gg. 4. 27, leaf 103: leaf 102 has been cut out of the MS.]

(6)

¶ ffor yre he quok so gan his herte gnawe [ 36] Whan diomede on horse gan hyr [[r, corrected]] dresse And seyde to hym self þis ilke sawe Allas quod he þus foul a wrechedenes [ 39] Whi suffere I it whi nyl I it [[I it, corrector]] redresse Were it not bet at onys for to deye Þan eueremore þus langurynge to drye [ 42]

(7)

// Whi nyl I make at onys ryche or pore [ 43] To haue I-now to don or þan sche go Whi nyl I brynge al Troye vp on a rore Whi nyl I sle þis diomede also [ 46] Whi nyl I raþere with a man or to Stele hire a-way whi wil I [[wil I, corrector]] þis endure Whi nyl I helpyn to myn owene cure [ 49]

(8)

¶ But whi he nolde do so fel a dede [ 50] Þat schal I say & whi hym liste it spare He hadde in herte alwoy a maner drede Lest Crisseide in rumur of þis fare [ 53] Scholde a be slayn lo þis was al his care And eɫɫ serteyn as I seyde to-fore [[eɫɫ = ellis]] He hadde it do with-oute wordis more [ 56]

(9)

// Criseyde whan þat sche was redi for to ryde [ 57] fful sorwefully sche syhede & seyde allas But forth [[rth, corrector]] sche muste for ouȝt þat may be-tyde And forthe sche rauȝt ful sorwefully apas [ 60] And ofte sche syhede & seyde allas What wondyr ist þow þat hire sore smert Whan sche for-goþ hire owene dere hert [ 63]

(10)

¶ Þis Troylus in wise of curteysye [ 64] With hauk & hound & with an heuge route Of knyȝtis rede & dede hire cumpany Passynge al þe valey fer with-oute [ 67] And ferþere wolde han redyn with-outyn doute fful fayn & wo was hym to gon so sone But turne he muste & ek it was to done [ 70]

(11)

¶ And ryȝt with þat was antenore I-come [leaf 103, back] [ 71] Ouȝt of grekis ost & euery wiȝt Was of it glad & seyde he was wolcome And Troilus al nere his herte lyȝt [ 74] He peynyde hym with al his fulle myȝt Hym to withholde of wepynge at þe leste And antenore kyste & made feste. [ 77]

(12)

// And here with al he muste his leue take [ 78] And caste his eyȝyn vp on hym pitousely And ner he rod his cause for to make And tok hire by þe hond al soberely [ 81] And lord so he gan wepyn tenderely And he ful softe & slyly gan hire sey Now help þis day & do me not to dey. [ 84]

(13)

¶ With þat his coursir turnede hym aboute [ 85] With face pale & on-to diome[de] No word he spak ne non of al his rout Of which þe sone [[o, corrected]] of Tideus tok hede [ 88] As he þat coude more þan þe crede IN swich a craft & bi þe [[r, first v]] reyne he hent And Troilus to Troyeward hom he went. [ 91]

(14)

// Þis diomede þat lad hire bi þe bridil [ 92] Whan þat he say þe folk of troye awoye Þouȝte al myn trauayl schal not ben ydil Ȝif þat I may for sumwhat schal I seye [ 95] ffor at þe werste it may ȝit schorte myn woye I haue herd seyd ek be tymys twiis & twelue He is a fol þat wele for-ȝete hym selue. [ 98]

(15)

¶ But na-þeles þus þouȝte he wel I-now [ 99] Þat certeynly I am a-boute nouȝt Ȝif þat I speke of loue & make it tow ffor douteles ȝif sche haue in hire þouȝt [ 102] Hym þat I gesse he may not ben I-bouȝt So a-way but I schal fynde a mene Þat sche not wete schal / as ȝit what I mene. [ 105]

(16)

¶ Þis diomede as he þat coude his good [leaf 104] [ 106] Whan tyme was gan falle forth in speeche Of þis & þat & axede why sche stode In swich de-sese & gan hire ek be-seche [ 109] Ȝif þat by encres myȝte or eche With ony þyng hire ese þat sche schulde Comaundyn it hym & he don it wolde [ 112]

(17)

¶ ffor treweliche he swor hire as a knyȝt [ 113] Þat þere was þyng with which he myȝte hire plese Þat he nyl don his herte & al his myȝt To don it for to don his herte an ese [ 116] And preyede sche wolde hire sorwe pese And seyde I-wis we grekys can haue ioye To honoure ȝow as wel as folk in troye [ 119]

(18)

¶ He seyde ek þus I wot ȝow þynkiþ straunge [ 120] No wondyr is for it is to ȝow newe Þe aqueyntau[n]se of þis Troylus for to chaunge ffor folk of grece þo ȝe neuere knewe [ 123] But wolde neuere god but as [[s, corrector]] trewe A grek ȝe schulde a-mongis vs alle fynde As ony troyan is & ek as kynde. [ 126]

(19)

¶ And bi þe cause I swor ȝow ryȝt lo now [ 127] To ben ȝoure frend & helpyn to myn myȝt And for þe more aqueyntauns ek of ȝow Haue I had / þanne anoþer straungere wyȝt [ 130] So from þis forth I prey ȝow day & nyȝt Comaundith it me so sore so me smert To don al þat may like to ȝoure hert. [ 133]

(20)

¶ And þat ȝe woldyn me as ȝoure broþer trete [ 134] And takyth not myn frenschepe in dispyȝt And þow ȝoure sorwe be for þyngis grete Not I not whi but out of more respyt [ 137] Myn herte haþ to amendyn it gret delyȝt And ȝif I may ȝoure harmys not redresse I am ryȝt sory for ȝoure heuynesse. [ 140]

(21)

¶ ffor þow þe troyanys with þ^e grekis wroþe [lf 104, bk] [ 141] Han manyaday ben alwey ȝit parde On good loue in soþ we were beþe And for þe loue of god myn lady fre [ 144] Whom so ȝe hate as beþ not wroþ with me ffor trewely þere can no wyȝt ȝow serue Þat half so soþ ȝoure wrethe wolde deserue. [ 147]

(22)

¶ And nere it þat we ben so ner þe tent [ 148] Of calcas which þat sen vs boþe may I wolde of þis telle ȝow of al myn entent But be þis enselyd / tyl a noþer day [ 151] Ȝif me ȝoure honde / I am & schal ben ay God helpe me so whil þat myn lyf may dure Ȝoure owyn a-bouyn euery criature. [ 154]

(23)

¶ Þus seyde I neuere er now to woman born [ 155] ffor god myn herte as wisely glade so I louede neuere woman here be-forn As paramour ne neuere schal no mo [ 158] And for þe loue of god beþ not myn fo Al can I not to ȝow myn lady dere Compleyne aryȝt for I am ȝit to lere. [ 161]

(24)

¶ And wonderith nouȝt myn owene lady bryȝt [ 162] Þow I speke to ȝow of loue þus blyue ffor I haue herd or þis of manye a wyȝt He louede þyng he saw neuere in his lyue [ 165] ffor I am not of power for to stryue Aȝens þe god of loue but hym obeye I wele alwey & mercy I ȝow preye. [ 168]

(25)

¶ Þere ben so worþy knyȝtis in þis place [ 169] And ȝe so fayr þat eueryche of hem alle Wele peynyn hem to stondyn in ȝoure grace But myȝte me so fayr a grace falle [ 172] Þat ȝe me for ȝoure seruaunt wolde calle So louely ne so trewely ȝow serue Nil non of hem as I schal til I sterue. [ 175]

(26)

¶ Crisseyde vn-to þat purpos litil answerde [leaf 106] [ 176] As sche þat was with sorwe opressed so Þat sche in effectis sche not his talys herde But here & þere now here a word or to [ 179] Hire þouȝte hire sorweful herte brast oto Whan sche gan hire fadyr fer asspye Wel ny doun of hire hors sche gan to sye. [ 182]

(27)

¶ But naþeles sche þankede dyomede [ 183] Of al his trauayle & his goode chere And þat him lust his frenschepe here to bede And sche acceptid it in good manere [ 186] [. . . . . . . no gap in the MS.] And trostyn hym sche wolde & wel sche myȝt Asyde & from hire hors sche a-lyȝt. [ 189]

(28)

¶ Hire fadir haþ hire in his armys nome [ 190] And xx^ti time he kyste his douȝtir swete And seyde o dere douȝter myn wolcome Sche seyde ek sche was fayn with hym to mete [ 193] [A blank line in the MS.] But here I lete hire with hire fadyr dwelle And forth I wele of troylus ȝow telle [ 196]

(29)

TO Troye is comyn þis woful troylus [ 197] In sorwe a-boue alle sorwis smert With feloun lok & fase dispetous Is sodeynly from his hors [[I, corrected]] I-stert [ 200] And þour his paleys with a sorweful hert To chambere he wente of non [[of non m, corrected]] man tok he hede Ne non to hym dar speke a word for drede [ 203]

(30)

¶ And þere his sorwis þat he sparyd hadde [ 204] He ȝaf an isseu large & loude he cryede And in his þrowys frentyk he made He cursede Ioue appollo & cupide [ 207] He cursede seres Bacus & Cypride His burħ hymself his stat & ek nature And saue his lady euery creature. [ 210]

(31)

¶ To bede he goþ & walwith þere & turnyth [lf 105, bk] [ 211] In furie as ³ thow he leye in helle ³ [[³-³ by corrector]] And þis wise he ny til day soiornyth But þo be-gan a lityl his herte vnswelle [ 214] Þour teris wich þat gan vp te welle And pitousli he cryede vp-on crisseyde And to hym self þus he spak & seyde [ 217]

(32)

¶ Where is myn owene lady leue & dere [ 218] Where is hire white brest where is it where Where ben hire armys & hire eyen clere Þat ȝistyr nyȝt þis tyme with me were [ 221] Now may I wepe alone manye a tere And graspe a-boute I may but in þis place Saue a pilwe fynde not to embrase [ 224]

(33)

¶ How schal I don whanne schal sche comyn a-ȝen [ 225] I not allas whi let I hire to gon As wolde god I hadde as þo ben slayn O herte myn Criseide o swete fo [ 228] O lady myn þo I loue & no mo To whom for eueremor myn herte is holde And þus he pleynyd & ferþere more he tolde [ 231]

(34)

¶ Who sey ȝow now myn ryȝte lodis sterre [ 232] Who sit ryȝt now or stont in ȝoure presense Who can conforte now ȝoure hertis werre Whan I am gon ho ȝeuyth ȝow audience [ 235] Who spekith for me ryȝt now in myn absense Allas no wiȝt & þat is al myn care ffor wel I wot as iuele as I ȝe fare [ 238]

(35)

¶ How schal I þus ful ten dayis endure [ 239] Whan I þe ferste nyȝt haue al ȝis tene How schal sche do ek sorweful cryature ffor tendirnesse how schal sche ek susteyne [ 242] Whiche for me o pitous pale & grene Schal ben ȝour frosche womanliche fase ffor longyng or ȝe turne vn-to þis plase [ 245]

(36)

¶ And whan he fel in ony slomberyng [leaf 106] [ 246] A-non begynne ¹ he schulde for to grone ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] And dremyn of þe dredfuleste þynge Þat myȝte ben þat mette he þere a-lone [ 249] In plase oribele makynge haþ his mone Or metyn þat he was a-mongis alle Hise enemyis & in here hondis falle. [ 252]

(37)

// And þerwithal his body schulde sterte [ 253] And with þe stert al sodeynly a-wake And swich a tremour fel a-boute his herte Þat of þe fer þe body schulde quake [ 256] ² And for that fer anon he dede a-wake ² [[²-² by a corrector]] And semyn þanne as he schulde falle depe ffrom hye on loft & þanne wolde he wepe. [ 259]

(38)

¶ And rewyn on hym self so pitousli [ 260] Þat wondir was to hire his fantasye A noþer tyme he schulde myȝtily Conforte him self & sey it were folye [ 263] So causeles swich drede for to drye And eft be-gan his asper sorwe newe Þat euery man myȝt on his sorwe rewe [ 266]

(39)

// Ho so wil telle / aryȝt or ful discrye [ 267] His wo his pleynt his langure & his pyne Not alle þe men þat han or ben on lyue Þu redere wel þou mayȝ þyn self deuyne [ 270] Þat swich a wo myn wit can not defyne In ydil for to write [[ȝ. corrector]] ȝit schulde I swynke Whan þat myn wit is wery it to þynke [ 273]

(40)

¶ On heuene ȝit þe sterris were sene [ 274] Al-þow ful pale wexen gan þe mone And whityn gan eche oryȝonte schene Al est-ward as it was wone to done [ 277] And phebus with his rosy carte sone Gan aftyr to dresse hym vp to fare Whan Troilus haþ sent aftyr pandare [ 280]

(41)

¶ Þis Pandare þat of al þe day be-forn [leaf 106, back] [ 281] Ne myȝte a come Troilus for to se Al-þow he on his heuyd it hadde sworyn ffor with þe kyng Priame alday was he [ 284] So þat it lay not in his liberte Nowher to gon but on þe morwe he went To Troylus whan þat he for hym sent [ 287]

(42)

// ffor in his herte he coude wel deuyne [ 288] Þat Troilus alnyȝt for sorwe wok And þat he wolde tellyn hym of his pyne Þis knew he wel I-now with-oute bok [ 291] ffor which þe woye streyt to his chambir tok And Troilus sobereliche grette And on þe bed ful sone he gan hym sette [ 294]

(43)

¶ Myn pandarus quod Troilus þe sorwe [ 295] Which þat I drie may not longe endure I trowe I schal not leuyn tyl to morwe ffor which I wolde alwoy on auenture [ 298] To deuyse of myn sepulture Þe forme & of myn moble þou dispone Ryȝ as þe semyst best is for to done [ 301]

(44)

// But of þe fyr & flambe feuneral [ 302] In wich myn body brenne schal to glede And of þe feste & pleyes palestral At myn vigile I preye ȝow takyth hede [ 305] Þat it be wel & offere mars myn stede Myn swerd myn helm & leue broþer dere Myn child to paɫɫ ȝif þat schynyth clere [ 308]

(45)

¶ Þe poudir wich myn herte brent schal turne [ 309] Þat preye I þe þou take & ek conserue In a vessel þat men callyn vrne Of gold & to myn lady þat I serue [ 312] ffor loue of whom þus pitously I sterue. So ȝeue it hire & do hire þis plesaunce To prey hire kepe it for a remembraunce [ 315]

(46)

¶ ffor wel I fele be myn malady [leaf 107] [ 316] An myne dremys now & ȝore agon Þat serteynly I mot nedis deye Þe owle ek wich þat hiȝte eschaphilo [ 319] Haþ aftyr me schriht alle þese nyȝtis too [[too, corrected]] And god mercurye on me now woful wreche Þe soule gyde & whan ȝe luste it feche. [ 322]

(47)

PAndarus answerde & seyde troilus [ 323] Myn dere frend as I haue told þe ȝore Þat it is foly for to sorwe þus And causeles for which I can no more [ 326] But who so wele not trowe red ne lore I can in hym sen no remedy But let hym wercħyn with his fantasy [ 329]

(48)

¶ But Troylus I preye þe telle me now [ 330] Ȝif þat þow or I or ony wyȝt Haþ louyd paramour as wel as ȝow Ȝa god wot * so haþ many a worþi knyȝt [ 333] Haþ his lady forgon a fortenyȝt And he not ȝit made haluyndel þe fare What nediþ it þ^e / to make al þis [[c, corrected]] care. [ 336]

(49)

¶ Syn day be day / þow mayȝt þyn seluyn se [ 337] Þat from his loue / or eɫɫ from his wif A man mot twynnyn / of necescite Ȝa þow he loue hire / as as his owene lyf [ 340] Ȝit nyl he with hym self / make þis stryf ffor wel þow wist / myn owene lady dere Þat alwey frendis / may not ben in fere [ 343]

(50)

¶ How don þese folk / þat sen here louys weddit [ 344] Be fryndis myȝt / & as it be-tydyth ofte And sen hem in here . spousis bed . ben beddit God wot þey takyn it wisely & softe [ 347] ffor whi good hope / holt vp here herte on lofte And for þey can a tyme / of sorwe endure As tyme hem hirt / a tyme doþ hem cure [ 350]

(51)

¶ So schuldist þow endure & let slyde [leaf 107, back] [ 351] Þe tyme & fonde to ben glad & lyȝt Ten dayis is not so longe to on-byde And sithe sche to come haþ be-hyȝt [ 354] Sche nyl hire heste brekyn for no wyȝt ffor dred þe not þat sche ne wil fynde way To comyn a-ȝen myn lyf þanne durste I lay. [ 357]

(52)

// Þynne swenys ek & al þyn fantasye [ 358] Dryf owt & lat hem faryn to myschaunce ffor þey procedyn of þyn malencoly Þat doþ þe fele in slep al þis penaunce [ 361] A straw for alle sweuenys signefyaunce God help me so I counte hem not a bene Þere wot no man a-ryȝt ¹ what ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] dremys mene [ 364]

(53)

¶ ffor pristis of þe tempele tellyn þis [ 365] Þat dremys ben þ^e reuelaciouns Of goddis & as wel þey tellyn Iwis Þat þey ben enfernal illusionys [ 368] And lechis seyn þat of complexiounnys Procedyn þey or fast or glotenye Who wot in soþ þus / what þey signefye. [ 371]

(54)

// Ek oþere seyn þour enpressiounnys [ 372] As ȝif a ² whiȝt ² [[²-² corrected]] haþ fast a þyng in mynde Þat þere comyth sweche auisiounys And oþere seyn þat þey in bokys fynde [ 375] Þat aftyr tymys of ȝer be kynde Men dremyn & þat effectis gon bi þe mone But leue no drem for it is not to done. [ 378]

(55)

¶ Who [[o, corrected]] worþi of dremys / alle þese olde wyuys [ 379] And trewelyche augery of þese olde foulis ffor fere of whiche men wene [[wene, corrected]] lese here lyuys And rauenys qualme & strichinge of þese oules [ 382] To trowe on it / boþe fals & foul is Allas ⁵ allas so noble a creature ⁵ [[⁵-⁵ corrected]] As is a man schal dredyn swich ordure [ 385]

(56)

¶ ffor which with [[with, overline, later]] al myn herte I þe be-seche [ 386] On-to þyn self þat al þis þow for-ȝif And rys now vp with-oute more speche And lat vs cast how we may best forþ dryf [ 389] Þis tyme & how froschely we may lyf Til þat sche come & þat may ben ryȝt sone God help me so / best is þus to done [ 392]

(57)

¶ Rys lat vs speke / of lusty lyf in troye [ 393] Þat we han led / & forth þe tyme dreue And ek of tyme comynge / vs þe ioye Þat bryngyn schal oure blysse now so blyue [ 396] And langur of þese / twyis dais fyue We schal þerwith forȝetyn oure opresse Þat wel oneþe it schal don vs duresse. [ 399]

(58)

¶ Þis toun is ful of lordis al aboute [ 400] And treus lestith al þis mene while Go we pley vs in sum lusty route To Sarpedoun not henys but a myle [ 403] And þus þou schalt þe tyme wel be-gyle And dryue it forth on to þat blysful morwe Þat þow hire se þat cause is of ² thyn ² [[²-² corrected]] sorwe [ 406]

(59)

¶ Now rys vp myn dere broþer Troylus [ 407] ffor certis it is non honour on-to þe To wepe & in þyn bed to iouke þus ffor trewelich of on þyng truste me [ 410] ³ Yef that thow leve a dayor too or thre ³ [[³-³ by later hand]] Þe folk wele seyn þat þow for cowardyse Þe feynyst sek .& þat þou darst not ryse. [ 413]

(60)

THis Troylus answerde & seyde o pandare broþer [ 414] Þis knowyn folk þat han sufferyd peyne Þat þow he wepe & & make sorweful chere Þat felyth iuyl & smert in euery veyne [ 417] No wondir is al-þow I euere pleyne Or alwoy wepe I am no þyng to blame Syn I haue lost þe cause of al myn fame [ 420]

(61)

¶ But syn of fyn force I mot a-ryse [leaf 106, back] [ 421] I schal a-ryse as sone as euere I may And god to hom myn here I sacrifise So synde vs hastileche þe tenthe day [ 424] ffor was þere ¹ neuere foul so fayn of may ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] As I schal ben whan sche comyth to Troye Þat cause is of myn turnent & of myn Ioye [ 427]

(62)

// But wheþer / is þyn red quod Troylus [ 428] Þat we may pleye vs best in al þis toun By god myn conseyl is quod Pandarus To ryde & pley vs with kyng Sarpedoun [ 431] So longe of þis spoke þey vp & doun Til Troylus gan at þe laste a-sente To ryse & forth to sarpedoun þey wente [ 434]

(63)

¶ Þis Sarpedoun as he þat honurabele [ 435] Euere his lyf & ful of hey largesse With al þat myȝte ben seruyd on tabele Þat deynte was al coste it gret richesse [ 438] He fed hem day be day þat swich nobelesse As seyden boþe meste & ek þere leste Was neuere or þat day sen at ony feste [ 441]

(64)

// Nor in þis world þere is non instrewment [ 442] Delicious þour wynd or cours or corde As fer as euery wiȝt haþ euere went Þat tunge telle or herte may recorde [ 445] Þat at þe ferste / it was wel herd recorde Ne of ladyis ek / so fayr a cumpanye On daunce or þis was neuere sen with eye [ 448]

(65)

¶ But what vaylyde þis to Troylus [ 449] Þat for his sorwe no þyng of it rouȝte ffor euere in on / his herte pitous fful busyly Crisseyde / his lady souȝte [ 452] On hire was euere / al his herte þouȝte Now þis now þat / so faste ymagynyng Þat gladyn I-wis / can hym no festyng [ 455]

(66)

¶ Þese ladyis ek þat at þe feste ben [leaf 109] [ 456] Sen þat he seyth his lady was a-way It was his sorwyn on hem for to sen Or for to here on Instrument to play [ 459] ffor sche þat of his herte beryth þe kay Was absent lo þis was his fantasy Þat no wyȝt schulde make melody. [ 462]

(67)

// Ne þere nas oure in al þe day ne nyȝt [ 463] Whan he was þere þat no man myȝt hym here Þat he ne seyde a lessoum lady bryȝt How haue ȝe fare sythe ȝe were here [ 466] Wolcome I-wys myn owene lady dere But welleaway at þis nas but a mase ffortune his enmy entendit but to glase. [ 469]

(68)

¶ Þe letterys ek þat sche ¹ oftyn tyme ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [ 470] Hadde sent / he wolde alle one rede An hunderyd siþe / be-twixe none & prime Refuguryn hire schap / hyre womanhede [ 473] With-inne his herte euery word & dede Þat passed was & þus he drof to an ende Þe ferþe day & þens wolde he wende. [ 476]

(69)

// And seyde leue broþer Pandarus [ 477] Entendist þow þat we schal here be-leue Tyl sarpedoun wele hene cunge vs Ȝit were it fayrere þat we toke oure leue [ 480] ffor goddys loue let vs nou sone at eue Oure leue take & homward let vs turne ffor trewely I nyl not þus soiorne [ 483]

(70)

¶ Pandarus answerede wele we þus [ 484] To feche ffire & renne hom a-ȝen God helpe me so I can not tellyn whidir We myȝtyn gon ȝif / I schulde sauely seyn [ 487] Þere euery whit is / of vs more fayn Þan serpedoun [[MS. serpedoun]] & ȝif we henys hye Þus sodeynly I holde it vilonye [ 490]

(71)

¶ Syn þat ȝe seyde we wolde be-leue [leaf 109, back] [ 491] With hym a wouke & now þus sodeynly Þe ferþe day to take of hym oure leue He wele wondere on it trewely [ 494] Lat vs holde oure purpos frendely And syn þat we behyȝtyn hire to a-byde Hold forward now & aftyr lat vs ryde [ 497]

(72)

// Þus pandarus with al peyne & wo [ 498] Madyn hym to dwelle & at þe woukis ende Of þis Sarpedoun / þey toke here leue þo And on here weye þey speddyn hem to wende [ 501] Qud Troilus now lord me grase synde Þat I may fynde at myn homcomyng Crisseide comyn & þerwith gan he syng [ 504]

(73)

¶ Ȝa hasilwode / pouȝte þis Pandare [ 505] And to hym self / þus softely he seyde God wot refreyne / may þis hote fare Or calcas sende / Troilus Crisseide [ 508] But neuerles he Iapede þus & seyde He swor I-wis his herte him wel be-hyȝte Sche wolde come as sone as euere sche myȝte. [ 511]

(74)

// Whan þey on to here paleys were come [ 512] Troilus & he doun of here hors alyȝt And to þe chaumbere þe woye haue þey nome And on to tyme þat it gan on to nyȝt [ 515] Þey spekyn of crisseyde þe bryȝt And aftyr þis what þat hem boþe lyst Handyn soppid þey speddyn hem on to rest [ 518]

(75)

¶ On morwe as sone as day be-gan to clere [ 519] Þis Troilus gan of his slep to a-breyde And to Pandarus his owene broþer dere ffor loue of god ful pitously he preyede [ 522] Go we sen þe paleys [[s, corrected]] of Crisseyde But syn we ȝit may haue no more feste So lat vs sen hire / paleys at þe leste [ 525]

(76)

¶ And þerwithal his meyne for to blynde [leaf 110] [ 526] A cause he fond in to toune for to go And to Crisseidis hous he gan wende But lord þis sely troilus was wo [ 529] Hym þouȝte his sorweful herte brast on to ffor whan he say hire doris sperede alle Wol nygh for sorwe doun gan he falle [ 532]

(77)

// Þerewith whan he was war / & gan be-holde [ 533] How schet was euery wyndowe of þe place As frost him þouȝte his herte gan to colde ffor which pale dedlych was his face [ 536] With-outyn word / he forþ be-gan to pase And as god wolde / he gan so faste ryde Þat no whit of his cuntenauns asspiede [ 539]

(78)

¶ Þanne seyde he þus O paleys desolat [ 540] O hous of housis whilhom best I-hiȝt O paleys emty & disconsolat O þu lantern of wich queynt is þe lyȝt [ 543] O paleys whilhom day þat nou art nyȝt Wel auȝtist þow to falle & to deye Syn sche is went þat wone was þe to geye. [ 546]

(79)

// O paleys whilhom croun of housis alle [ 547] Enlumynyd with þ^e forme of alle blys O ryng of wich þe ruby is out falle O cause of wo þat cause haþ ben of blys [ 550] Ȝa syn I may no bet fayn wolde I kys Þese colde doris durste I for þe route And far wel schryne of which þe seynt is oute [ 553]

(80)

¶ And þerwith he caste on pandare his eye [ 554] With schaungynge face & pitous to beholde And whan he myȝte his tyme a-ryȝt a-spye Ay as he rod to pandaris he tolde [ 557] His newe sorwe & ek his Ioyes olde So pitously & with so pale an hewe Þat euery wiȝt / myȝt on his sorwe rewe [ 560]

(81)

¶ ffrom þens forth þey redyn vp & doun [leaf 110, back] [ 561] And euery þyng come hym to remembraunce As he rod forbi placis in þe toun In which he whilhom hadde his pleasaunse [ 564] Lo ȝondyr say I last myn ladi daunce And in þat temple with hire eyȝen clere Me cauȝte ferst myn ryȝte lady dere. [ 567]

(82)

// And ȝondyr haue I herd ful lustyly [ 568] Myn dere herte lauȝe & ȝondyr play Saw I hire onys ek ful busily Now goode swete loue me wel I pray [ 571] Ȝondyr onys to me gan sche say And ȝondir so godly gan sch[e] me be-holde Þat to þe deþ myn herte is to hire holde [ 574]

(83)

¶ And at þat corner in þe ȝondyr hous [ 575] Herde I aldyr louelyest lady dere So womanly with voys melidious Synge so wel so godly & so clere [ 578] Þat in myn soule ȝit me þynkith I here Þe blisful soun & in þat ȝondir plase Myn lady fyrst me tok on-tyl hyre grace [ 581]

(84)

// Þanne þouȝte he þus a blysful lorde cupid [ 582] Whan I þyn proces haue in myn memorye How þou hast me weryed in e euery syde Men myȝte a bok make of it lyk a storye [ 585] What ist þe to seke on me victory Syn I am al holy at þyn wille What Ioye hast þou þynne owene folk to spille [ 588]

(85)

¶ Wel hast þou lord I-wroke on me þyn yre [ 589] Þow myȝty god & dredful for to greue Now mercy lord þow wost wel I desyre Þyn grace lord most of alle lustys leue [ 592] And lyf & deþ I wil in þe be-leue ffor which I ne axe en gardoun but on bone Þat þow me sende Crisseyde a-ȝen sone [ 595]

(86)

¶ Distreyne hyre herte as faste to retorne [leaf 111] [ 596] As þow dedyst myn to longyn hire to se Þanne wot I wel þat sche nyl not soiourne Now blysful lord so crewel þu ne be [ 599] Vn-to þe blod of Troye I preye þe As I[u]no was was vn-to þe blod Theban ffor which þe folk of Troye cauȝt here ban [ 602]

(87)

// And aftyr þis on to þe gate he went [ 603] Þere as crisseyde out rod a ful god pas And vp & doun þere made he manye a went And to hym self ful ofte he seyde allas [ 606] ffrom henys rod myn blys & myn solas As wolde blysful god now for his ioye I myȝt hire sen a-ȝen comyn in to troye [ 609]

(88)

¶ And to ȝondir hil I gan hire gyde [ 610] Allas & þere I tok of hire myn leue And ȝonde I say hyre to hire fadyr ryde ffor sorwe of which myn herte wil to-cleue [ 613] And hom hidir I com whan it was eue And here I dwelle cast out from alle ioye And schal tyl I may sen hire eft in troye [ 616]

(89)

// And of hym self ymagined he ofte [ 617] To ben defect pale & waxe lasse Þan he was wont & þat men seydyn softe What may it be ho can þ^e soþe gesse [ 620] Whi troylus haþ al þis heuynesse Al þis nas not his malencoly Þat he hadde of hym self swich fantasy [ 623]

(90)

¶ A noþer tyme ymagyne he wolde [ 624] Þat euery wiȝt þat wente by þe wey Hadde of hym reuthe and þat þey seyn schulde I am ryȝt sory Troylus wil deye [ 627] And þus he drof a day forth or twey As ȝe han herd swich lyf gan he lede As he þat stod a-twixe hope & drede [ 630]

(91)

¶ ffor which he likid in hise songis to schewe [lf 111, bk] [ 631] Þe enchesoun of his wo / as he best myȝt And mad a song of wordis but a fewe Sumwhat his woful herte for to lyȝt [ 634] And whan he was from euery mannys syȝt With softe voys he of his lady dere Þat absent was may synge as þe may here [ 637]

(92)

¶ O sterre of which I lost haue al þe lyȝt [ 638] With herte sor wel auȝte I to be-wayle Þat euere I lyue in turnement nyȝt be nyȝt Toward myn deþ with wynd on sterid I sayle [ 641] ffor which þe tente nyȝt ȝif I fayle Þe gydynge of þynne bemys bryȝte an oure Myn schyp & me Carybdes wole deuoure [ 644]

(93)

¶ Þis song whan he hade songe also sone [ 645] He fel a-ȝen in-to his sikys olde And euery nyȝt as was his wone to done He stod þe bryȝte mone to be-holde [ 648] And al his sorwe on-to þe mone tolde And seyde whan þow art hornede newe I schal be glad ȝif al þe world be trewe [ 651]

(94)

¶ I say þynne hornys olde by þe morwe [ 652] Whan henys rod myn bryȝte lady dere Þat cause is of myn turnent & myn sorwe ffor wich o bryȝte latona þe ¹ clere ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [clere] [ 655] ffor loue of god ren faste a-boute þyn spere And whanne þyne hernys newe be-gynne to springe Þanne schal sche come þat may myn blysse brynge [ 658]

(95)

¶ Þe day is more & lengere euery nyȝt [ 659] Þan þey ben wone to be hym þouȝte þo And þat þe sunne wente his cours on-ryȝt Be lengere weye þan it was wone to go [ 662] And seyde I-wis me dredyþ eueremo Þat þe sonnes sone Phecon be on lyue And þat his fadiris carte a-mys he dryue [ 665]

(96)

¶ Vp on þe waɫɫ faste ek wolde he walk [leaf 112] [ 666] And on þe grekis ofte wolde he se And to hym self ryȝt þus he wolde talke Lo ȝondyr is myn owene lady fre [ 669] Or eɫɫ ȝondyr þere þe tentis be And þenys comyth þis eyr þat is so swote Þat in myn soule I fele it doþ me bote [ 672]

(97)

¶ And hardely þe wynd þat more & more [ 673] Þus stormyal encresith in ¹ myn face ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] Is of myne ladijs sykys sore I preue it þus for in non oþer space [ 676] Of al þis toun saue only in þis plase ffele I no wynd þat sounyth so lych peyne It seyth allas whyn twynnyd be we tweyne [ 679]

(98)

¶ Þis longe tyme be dryuyth forth ryȝt þus [ 680] Til fully passid was þe nynnte ryȝt And ay be syde hym was þis pandarus And besyly dede al his fulle myȝt [ 683] Hym to conforte & maken his herte lyȝt Ȝeuynge hym hope alwey þe tente morwe Þat sche schal come & styntyn al his sorwe [ 686]

(99)

Up on þat oþer syde ek was Crisseyde [ 687] With wemen fewe a-mong þe grekys stronge ffor which ful ofte a day allas sche seyde Þat I was born wil may ² myn herte longe ² [[²-² corrector]] [ 690] Aftyr myn day / for now leue ³ I to ³ [[³-³ corrector]] longe Allas & I ne may it not amende ffor now is wers þan euere ȝit I wende. [ 693]

(100)

¶ Myn fadyr wil for no þyng don me grace [ 694] To gon a-ȝen for nouȝt þat I may queme And ȝif it so be þat I myn terme pase Myn Troilus schal in his herte deme [ 697] Þat I am fals & so it may wel seme Þus schal I haue on-þank on euery syde Þat I was boryn so welleaway þe tyde [ 700]

(101)

¶ And ȝif þat I me putte in iupardye [leaf 112, back] [ 701] To stele a-way be nyȝt & it so falle Þat I be cauȝt I schal be holde a spye Or eɫɫ lo þis drede I most of alle [ 704] Ȝif in þe hondis of sum wreche I falle I am but lost al be myn herte trewe Now myȝty god þou on myn sorwe rewe [ 707]

(102)

// fful pale I-waxen was hire bryȝte face [ 708] Here lemys lene as sche þat al þe day Stod whan sche durste & lokede on to þe plase Þere sche was boryn & þere sche dwellyd hadde ay [ 711] And al þe nyȝt wepynge al as sche lay

[No gap in the MS.]

(103)

And þus sche sette hyre woful herte on ¹ fyre ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] Þour remembraunce of þat sche gan desyre. [ 721]

(104)

¶ In al þis world þere nys so crewel herte [ 722] Þat hire hade herd compleyne / in hire sorwe Þat wholde a wepid for hire peynys smerte So tendyrly sche wepid boþe eue & morwe [ 725] Hire nedit none teris for to borwe And þis was ȝit werst of al hire peyne Þere nas no wiȝt to whom sche durste hire compleyne. [ 728]

(105)

// fful reufully sche lokede vp on troye [ 729] Be-hild þe tourys hye & ek þe waɫɫ Allas quod sche þe plesaunse & þe ioye Þe whiche now al turnyd in-to galle is [ 732] Haue I ofte had with-inne zone wallis O Troilus what dost þou now sche seyde Lord wheþer þou þynke ȝit on Crisseyde [ 735]

(106)

¶ Allas þat I ne hadde trowid on ȝoure lore [ 736] And wente with ȝow as ȝe redde me or þis Þanne hadde I not sikyd half so sore Who myȝte a seyd þat I hadde don a-mys [ 739] To stele a-wey / with swich on as he is But al to late comyth þe letewarye Whan men þ^e dede cors on-to þe graue carye [ 742]

(107)

¶ To late is now to speke of þis matere [leaf 113] [ 743] Prudence allas on of þynne eyen þre Me lakkid alway er þan I cam here On tyme passid wel remembrid me [ 746] And present tyme ek coude I wel se But er þat tyme þat I was in þ^e snare Coude I not sen þat causeþ now myn care [ 749]

(108)

¶ But neuer-þeles be-tyde what be-tyde [ 750] I schal to morwe at nyȝt ben est or west Out of þis ostel in sum maner syde And gon with Troilus þere þat hym good lest [ 753] Þis purpos wele I holde & þis is best Nofors of wekede tongis iangelerye ffor euere of loue han wrechis had enuye [ 756]

(109)

¶ ffor ho-so wele of euery word take hed [ 757] Or reule hym be euery wiȝtis wit He schal neuere þryuyn out of drede ffor þat þat somen blame euere ȝit [ 760] Lo oþere manyr folk comendyn it And as for me for al swich varyaunce ffelicite clepe .I. myn sufficiaunce [ 763]

(110)

¶ ffor which I wele with-oute wordis mo [ 764] To Troye I wil as for conclusioun But god it wot er fully monythis to Sche was ful fer from þat entencioun [ 767] ffor boþe Troilus & Troye toun Schal knotteles þour hire herte glyde ffor sche wele take a purpos al be syde [ 770]

(111)

This dyomede of which I telle ȝow gan [ 771] Goþ now with hym seluyn arguynge With al þe sleyȝte & al þat euere he can How he may best with schort taryinge [ 774] In-to his net Crisseydis herte brynge To his entent he coude neuere fyne To fysshyn [[y••shyn, both, corrected]] hire he leyde both [[y••shyn, both, corrected]] hok or lyne [ 777]

(112)

¶ But neuer-þe-les wel in his herte he þouȝte [lf 113, bk] [ 778] Þat sche was not with-oute a loue in troye ffor neuere sithe he hire þens brouȝte Ne coude hyre se lauȝhe ne make ioye [ 781] He nyste how best hire herte ta-coye But for to a-saye ȝiftys he ȝeuyth ffor he þat nouȝt a-sayeþ nouȝt ne cheuyth [ 784]

(113)

¶ Ȝit seyde he to hym self vp-on a-nyȝt [ 785] Now am I not a fol þat wot wel how Hire wo is for loue of a noþer wiȝt And her-vp-on to gon a-say hire now [ 788] I may wel wete it nyl not be myn prow ffor wise folk in bokis it expres Men schal not wowe a wyȝt in heuynes [ 791]

(114)

¶ ffor ho so myȝte wynne swich a flour [ 792] ffrom him for whom sche mournyth nyȝt & day He myȝte seyn he were a conquerour And ryȝt a-non as he þat bold was ay [ 795] Þouȝte in herte happe how happe may Al schulde I deye I schulde hire herte seche I schal no more lese but myn speche [ 798]

(115)

¶ Þis Diomede as bokis vs declare [ 799] Was in hise nedis prest & coraieous With sterne voye & myȝti lemys square Hardy testyf strong & cheualrous [ 802] Of dedis lik his fadyr Thedeous And some men was here of tunge large And eyþer it was of / calidoyne & arge [ 805]

(116)

¶ Crisseyde mene was of stateure [ 806] And þerto schap of face & eke of chere Þere myȝte ben no fayrere creature And ofte tyme þis was hire manere [ 809] To gon trussid with hire here clere Doun by hire bak at hire coler be-hynde Which with a þred of gol sche wolde it bynde [ 812]

(117)

¶ And saf here browis ioynyd in fere [leaf 114] [ 813] Þere nas no lak in ouȝt I can asspyen But for to spekyn of hire eyȝyn clere So trewely þey wotyn þat hire seyen [ 816] Þat paradys stod formyd in hire eyen And with hire / swich beute euere more Strof in hire ay / which of hem were more [ 819]

(118)

Versus Sobria simplicitas sonus pudor arida nunquam Versus. Poscente poetas gracia fandi leuis // Sche sobere was ek symple & stille with-al [ 820] Þe beste I-norschid ek þat myȝte be And godly of hire speche in general Scharite abele statlyche lyȝt lusti & fre [ 823] Ne neueremore ne lakkede hire pete. Tendyr herte slydyng of corage But trewely I can not telle hire age [ 826]

(119)

Versus Troilus in spacium surgentes explicat artus Versus Mente gigas etate puer m[i]xxt[us]que vigore Versus Nulli-que secundus audendo virtutis opis // And troilus wel waxen was in hyȝte [ 827] And couplid formyd be proporcioun So wel þat kynde it nouȝt a-monde myȝt [cave] Ȝong frosch strong as lyoun [ 830] Trewe as stel in eche condicioun On of þe beste entechede criature Þat is or schal whil al þe world may deure. [ 833]

(120)

¶ And serteynly in stori as it is founde [ 834] Þat Troilus was neuere on-to no wyȝt As in his tyme in no degre secounde In dorynge to do þat longith to a knyȝt [ 837] Al myȝte a geaunt passyn hym of myȝt His herte as with þe ferste & with þ^e beste Stod to ¹ dore don / what hym leste. ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] [ 840]

(121)

¶ But for to telle forth of diomede [leaf 114, back] [ 841] It fel þat aftyr on þe tente day Syn Crisseyde out of þe cete ȝede Þis diome[de] as frosch as rose in may [ 844] Come to þe tente þere as calcas lay And fynede hym with Calcas to haue to done But what he mente I schal ȝow telle sone [ 847]

(122)

// Crisseyde at schorte wordis for to telle [ 848] Welcomede hym & doun by hire sette And as he eþe I-now to mowe dwelle And aftyr þis woþ longe lette [ 851] Þe spicis & þe wyn men forth hem fette And forþ þey spekyn of þis & þat in fere As frendys don of which som schal ȝe here [ 854]

(123)

¶ He gan fyrst fallyn of þe werre in speche [ 855] Be-tweþe hem & þe folk of troye toun And of [[p. for þ]] passage he gan hyre ek be-seche To telle hym what was his opynyoun [ 858] ffrom þat demaunde he forth dissendiþ doun To axen hire ȝif þat hire straunge þouȝt Þe grekys gise & werkys þat þey wrouȝt [ 861]

(124)

// And whi here fadir tarieþ so longe [ 862] To weddyn hire to sum worþi wiȝt Crisseide þat was in here peynys stronge ffor loue of Troilus hyre owene kn̄yt [ 865] As fer forth as [s]he knowynge hadde or myȝt Answerede hym but of his entent It semede not what he ment [ 868]

(125)

¶ But neuer þe les þis ilke diomede [ 869] Gan hym selue answere & þus he seyde Ȝif I aryȝt haue takyn of ȝow hede Me þynkiþ þis o ladi myn crisseyde [ 872] Þat syn I fyrst hond on ȝoure brydil leyde Whan he out of troye come be þe morwe Ne coude I neuere se ȝow but in sorwe [ 875]

(126)

¶ Can I not sen what may þe cause ben [leaf 115] [ 876] But ȝif for loue of som Troyan it were Þe whiche ryȝt sore wolde aþynkyn me Þat ȝe for ony wiȝt þat dwellyn þere [ 879] Scholde spille a quarter of a tere [No gap in the MS.] ffor dredeles it nys not worth þ^e while [ 882]

(127)

ffor folk of troye as wis sithe alle an som [ 883] In presoun ben as ȝe ȝoure seluyn se Nor þens schal not on on lyue comyn ffor al þe good be-twixe sünne & se [ 886] Trostiþ wel & vndirstondiþ me Þere schal not on for mercy gon on lyue Al were he lord of worldis twyis fyue. [ 889]

(128)

¶ Swich fechyng ¹ hom of Eleyne ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] [ 890] Þere schal be take er þan we henys wynde Þat mannes which þat goddis ben of peyne Schal ben a-gast þat grekys wil hem sende [ 893] And men schul drede vnto þ^e worldis ende ffrom henys forþ to rauych ony quene So crewel schal oure wreche on hem ben sene. [ 896]

(129)

// And but ȝif Calcas lede vs with a[m]bages [ 897] Þat is to seyne with doubele wordis slye Which as men clepe a word with twey vesagis Ȝe schal wel knowe þat I not lye [ 900] And al þis þyng ryȝt sen it with ȝoure eye And þat a-non ȝe nyl not trowe how sone Now takyth hed for it nys not to done [ 903]

(130)

¶ What wene ȝe þat ȝoure fadir wolde [ 904] Haue ȝouyn antenore for ȝow a-non Ȝif he ne woste þat þe cete schulde Distroyed ben whi nay so mote I gon [ 907] He knew ful wel þere scal not schappyn on Þat Troyan is & for þ^e grete fere He durste ȝow lete / no lengere dwelle þere [ 910]

(131)

¶ What wele ȝe more louesum ladi dere [leaf 115, back] [ 911] Lat troye & troyan oute of ȝoure herte pase Drif out þat bittir hope & make good chere And clepe a-ȝen þe beute of ȝoure face [ 914] Þat ȝe with salte teris so deface ² yow heere ² [[²-² by corrector]] ffor Troye is brouȝt in swich a iupardi Þat is to seyne is now no remedy [ 917]

(132)

// And þynkiþ wel ȝe schal in grekys fynde [ 918] A more parfyȝt loue or be myȝt Þan ony troyan is & more kynde And bet to seruyn ȝow wele don his myȝt [ 921] I wele ben he to seruyn ȝow myn selleue [[line 922 is want∣ing in the MS.]] Ȝa leuere þan ben kyng of grecis. vij. [A blank line in the MS.] [ 924]

(133)

¶ And with þat word he gan to wexen red [ 925] And in his speche a lityl he quok And caste a-syde a lite with his hed And stynte a while & aftyrward a-wok [ 928] And sobirly on hire dede þrowe his lok And seyde I am al be it to ȝow no ioye As gentil man as ony wyt in troye [ 931]

(134)

// ffor ȝif myn fadyr Thedeus he seyde [ 932] I-leuid hadde I hadde ben er þis Of al calidrion & arge a kyng Crisseide And so I hope & þat I schal I-wis [ 935] But he was slain allas more harm is Vnhappi at Thedes al to rathe Polymyȝt & many man al to skaþe [ 938]

(135)

¶ But herte myn syn I am ȝoure man [ 939] And ben þ^e fyrste of whom I seche grace And serue ȝow as hertely as I can And euere schal whil myn lyf haue spase [ 942] So er þat I departe out of þis place Þat ȝe me grauntyþ þat I may to morwe At bettere leyser telle ȝow al myn sorwe [ 945]

(136)

¶ What schulde I telle þe wordis & þ^e sorwe [leaf 116] [ 946] He spak I-now for on day at þ^e meste It preuyth he spak so þat Crisseyde Grauntyd on þe morwe at his requeste [ 949] ffor to speke with hym at þe leste So þat he nolde speke of swich matere And þus sche seyde to hym as ȝe schul here [ 952]

(137)

AS sche þat hire herte on troilus [ 953] So faste hadde set þat þere myȝt non arase And straungely sche spak & seyde þus O Diomede I loue þat ilke place [ 956] Þere I was born & ioue for his grace Deliuere it sone of alle þat don it care God for þyn myȝt so leue it wel to fare [ 959]

(138)

¶ Þat grekis wolde hire wrethe [[r, later]] on troye wreke [ 960] Ȝif þat þey myȝte I knowe it wel I-wis But I[t] schal not be-fallyn þat ȝe speke And god to-forn & ferþere ouer þis [ 963] I wot myn fadir wis & redi is And he me haþ bouȝt as ȝe me tolde So dere I am þe more to hym holde [ 966]

(139)

¶ Grekis ben of [[of, overline, later]] hey condicioun [ 967] I wot ek wel but sertein men schal fynde As worþi folk with-inne troye toun As cunnyng as þarfit & as kynde [ 970] As ben be tweþe orchades & ynde And þat ȝe couþe wel ȝoure ladi serue I trowe it wel hire þank for to deserue [ 973]

(140)

¶ But as ȝe speke of loue I-wis sche seyde [ 974] I hadde a lord to whom I weddid was Whos myn herte was tyl þat he deyede And oþer loue as helpe me now Pallas [ 977] Þere in myn herte nys ne neuere nas And þat ȝe ben of nobil & hy kenrede I haue wel herd it telle out of drede [ 980]

(141)

¶ And don me han so gret a wondir [leaf 116, back] [ 981] Þat ȝe wele scornyn ony woman so Ek good loue & I / ben fer a sundir I am disposed bet so mote I go [ 984] Vn-to myn deþ to pleynyn & make wo What I schal aftyr don can I not say But trewely as ȝit luste me no play [ 987]

(142)

¶ Myn herte is now in tribulacioun [ 988] And ȝe in armys besi day be day Here-aftyr whan ȝe wonyn haue þe toun Parauenture þanne so it happyn may [ 991] Þat whanne I se / þat neuere ȝit ne say Þanne wil I werke þat I neuere ne wrouȝte Þis is word I-now for ȝow / suffiseþ it nouȝt [ 994]

(143)

¶ To morwe wele I ek speke with ȝow fayn [ 995] So þat ȝe touche not of þis matere And whan ȝe leste ȝe may come aȝeyn And er ȝe gon þus meche I sey ȝow here [ 998] As helpe me pallas with hire eyyn clere Þat ȝif I schulde of ony grek han [[h, corrected]] reuthe It schulde be ȝoure sylf be myn treuthe [ 1001]

(144)

¶ I sey not þerfore þat I wele ȝow loue [ 1002] Ne I sey not nay but in conclusioun I mene wel bi god þat sit a-boue And þerwithal sche cast hire eyȝyn doun [ 1005] And gan to sike & seyde o troye toun Ȝit bidde I god / in quyete & in reste I may þe sen / or do myn herte breste [ 1008]

(145)

¶ But in effect & soþli for to seyen [ 1009] Þis diome[de] al newely now a-ȝen Gan ¹ mersi presyn here to preye ¹ [[¹-¹ by corrector]] But aftyr þis þ^e soþe for to seyn [ 1012] Hire gloue he tok of whiche he was ful fayn And fynally whan it was waxen eue And al was wel he ros & tok his leue [ 1015]

(146)

¶ THe bryȝte Venus folwede ay & tauȝte [leaf 117] [ 1016] Þe way / þe brode phebus doun a-lyȝte And synthea hire char hors ouer rauȝte To whirle out of þe lyoun ȝif sche myȝte [ 1019] And signifer hire candelis schewede bryȝt Whan þat Cresseyde vn-to hire reste went With-inne hire faderis fayre bryȝte tent [ 1022]

(147)

// Returnynge in hire soule vp & doun [ 1023] Þe wordis of þis sodeyn diomede His grete estat & peril of þe toun And þat sche was a-lone & hadde nede [ 1026] Of frendis helpe & þus be-gan to brede Þe causis wich soþ for to telle Þat sche tok fully purpos for to dwelle [ 1029]

(148)

¶ Þe morwe com & gostly for to speke [ 1030] Þis diomede is comyn to Crisseyde And schortly lest þat sche myn tale breke So wel for hymself he spak & seyde [ 1033] Þat alle hire sikis sore doun he leyde And finally þe soþe for to seyn He reuyth hire þe grete of al hire peyn [ 1036]

(149)

// And aftyr þis þe story tellyth þus [ 1037] Þat he hire ȝaf þ^e fayre baye stede Þe whiche he onys wan of Troylus A-ȝen a broche þat was lityl nede [ 1040] Þat Troilus [[o, later]] was / sche ȝaf þis diomede An þe bet of sorwe / him to releue Sche made hym to were a pensel of hire sleue [ 1043]

(150)

¶ I fynde ek in storyies eɫɫ where [ 1044] Þat þour þe body gert was diomede Of Troilus / þo wep sche manye a tere Whan þat sche saw hise wide wondis blede [ 1047] And þat sche tok hym to kepe good hede And for to hele hym / of hise sorwis smert Men sen not þat / sche ȝaf hym hyre herte [ 1050]

(151)

¶ But trewely þe story tellyth þus [leaf 117, back] [ 1051] Þere made neuere woman more wo Þan sche whan sche falsede troilus Sche seyde allas for now clene a-go [ 1054] I mene of treuthe / for now & euere mo ffor I haue falsed on þe gentilleste Þat euere was born & on þe worþyeste [ 1057]

(152)

¶ Allas of me vn-to þe worldis ende [ 1058] Schal noþer ben wretyn noþer I-songe No good word for bokys wele me schende On rolled schal I ben in manye a tonge [ 1061] Þour þe world no belle schal be ronge O wemen most / wele hatyn me of alle Allas þat swich a cas me schulde be-falle [ 1064]

(153)

¶ Þey wele seyn in as meche as in me is [ 1065] I haue hem don dishonour & velony Al be I not þ^e ferste þat dede a-mis What helpith þat to don myn blame a-way [ 1068] But syn I se þere is no betere way And þat to late it is now for to rewe To diomede algate I wele be trewe [ 1071]

(154)

¶ But Troilus sin I no betere may [ 1072] And syn þat þe departyn þus & I Ȝit preye I god so ȝeue ȝou god day As for þe gentilleste trewely [ 1075] Þat euere I say to serue feyithfully And best can ay his honour wel kepe And with þat word sche brast on for to wepe [ 1078]

(155)

¶ And sertis ȝow ne hatyn schal I neuere [ 1079] And frendis loue þat I schal haue of me And myn godde word al myȝty leuyn euere And trewely I wolde sory be [ 1082] ffor to se ȝow in aduersite And gilteles I wot I ȝow leue But al schal passe & þus take I myn leue [ 1085]

(156)

¶ But trewely longe it was be-twene [leaf 118] [ 1086] Þat sche for-sok him for þis diomede Þere nyis non autour tellyþ it I wene Take euery man now to hise bokys hede [ 1089] He schal non terme fynde out of drede But þow he gan to wowe hire sone Or he hire wan ȝit was þere more to done [ 1092]

(157)

¶ Ne me ne leste þis sely woman chide [ 1093] fferþere þan þ^e story wele deuyse Hire name allas is ponschede to wyde Þat for hire gilt it auȝte I-now suffyse [ 1096] And ȝif I myȝte excuse hire ony wise ffor sche so sory was for hire ontreuthe I-wis I wilde excuse hire for reuthe [ 1099]

(158)

THis Troilus as I be-fore haue told [ 1100] Þis drieeth as wel as he haþ myȝt But ofte was his herte hot & cold And namely þat ilke tenthe nyȝt [ 1103] Which on þe morwe sche haþ hym be-hyȝt To comyn aȝyn god wot ful litil reste Hadde he þat nyȝt no þyng to slepe hym leste [ 1106]

(159)

¶ Þe laurer crounnede phebus with his hete [ 1107] Gan in his cours vpward whan he went To warmyn of þe est þe waɫɫ wete And nysus is douȝtyr song with frosch entent [ 1110] Whan Troilus aftyr his pandarus sent And on þe wal of þe toun þey pleyede To loke ȝif he can ougȝt sen of Crisseyde [ 1113]

(160)

¶ Til it was non þey stode for to se [ 1114] Who þat þere come & euery maner wyȝt Þat come from fer þey seydyn it was sche Til þat þey coude knowyn hym a-ryȝt [ 1117] Now was his herte dul now was it lyȝt And þus beiapid stodeþey for to stare Abouȝte nouȝt Troylus & Pandare [ 1120]

(161)

¶ To Pandarus þis Troilus þus seyde [leaf 118, back] [ 1121] ffor ouȝt I wot bi-fore non sikirly In-to þis toun ne comyth not Crisseyde Sche haþ I-now to done hardily [ 1124] To wyndyn from hire fadir so trowe I Hire olde fadir wele makyn hire dyne Er þan sche go god ȝif his herte pyne [ 1127]

(162)

// Pandarus answerde it may wel ben serteyn [ 1128] ffor-þi lat vs dyne & þe be-seche And aftyr non þanne mayst þou comyn a-ȝen And hom þey gon with-outyn more speche [ 1131] And comyn a-geyn but longe may þey seche Er þat þey fynde þat þey aftyr gape ffortune hem boþe þynkyþ for to iape [ 1134]

(163)

¶ Quod Troilus I se wel now þat sche [ 1135] Is taried with hire [[first, his]] olde fadyr so Er þan sche come it wele ner euyn be Come forþ I wele vn-to þe ȝate go [ 1138] Þese porterys ben vncunnynge eueremo And I wele don hem holdyn vp þe ȝate as nouȝt ne were ȝif þat sche come late [ 1141]

(164)

// Þe day goþ faste & aftyr þat comyth euene [ 1142] And ȝit come not to Troilus Crisseyde He lokede forþ by hegis by treis be grene And ouer þe waɫɫ his hed he leyde [ 1145] And at þe laste he turnede hym & seyde By god I wot hire menyng pandare Al most I-wis was now al myn care [ 1148]

(165)

¶ Now douȝteles þis ladi can hire good [ 1149] I wot sche menyth to ryde priuyly I commende hire wisdom by myn hod Sche nyl not make þe puple nysely [ 1152] Gauryn on hire whan sche comyth but softely Be nyȝt in-to þe toun sche þynkyth ryde And dere broþer þynkith not longe to a-byde [ 1155]

(166)

¶ We haue not eɫɫ for to done I-wis [leaf 11] [ 1156] And Pandarus wilt þow trowe me Haue here myn treuthe I se hire ȝondir sche is Heue vp þynne eyȝyn man mayst þu not sen [ 1159] Pandarus answerede nay so mote I þe Al wrong bi god what seyst þou man where arte Þat I se ȝondir is but a fare carte [ 1162]

(167)

Allas þou seyst ful soþ quod Troilus [ 1163] But hardili it is al for nouȝt Þat in myn herte I-now reioye þus It is a-ȝen sum goode I haue a þouȝt [ 1166] Not I not how but syn þat I was wrouȝt Ne felte I swiche a confort soþ to seyne Sche comyth to nyȝt myn lyf I durste leyne [ 1169]

(168)

¶ Pandarus answerde it may be wel I-now [ 1170] And held with hym of al þat euere he seyde But in his herte he þouȝte & softe low And to hym self ful soberely he seyde [ 1173] ffram hasil wode þere ioly robyn pleyede Schal come al þat þow abydyst here Ȝa farwel al þe snow of fernere [ 1176]

(169)

// Þe wardeyn of þe ȝatis gan to calle [ 1177] Þe folk wich þat ouer þe ȝatis were And bad hem driue in here bestis alle Or al þat nyȝt muste hem bleue þere [ 1180] an fer with-inne nyȝt with manye a tere Þis Troilus gan homward for to ryde ffar wel sey he it helpiþ not to a-bide [ 1183]

(170)

¶ But neuer-þe-les he gladede hym in þis [ 1184] And seyde he mystondit hadde his day And seyde vndirstonde haue I a-mys ffor þeilke nyȝt I last Crisseide say [ 1187] Sche seyde I schal be þere ȝif þat I may Er þat mone / O dere herte swete Þe lyoun passe out of þat aryete [ 1190]

(171)

¶ ffor which sche ȝit may holde al hire heste [lf 119, bk] [ 1191] And on þe morwyn vnto þe ȝatis he went And vp & doun he west & ek he est Vp on þ^e waɫɫ made he manye a went [ 1194] But al for nouȝt his hope alwey hym blent ffor whiche at nyȝt with sorwe & sikis sore He wente hym hom with-outyn ony more [ 1197]

(172)

// His hope al clene out of his herte fledde [ 1198] He ne haþ no lengere wheron for to honge But for þe peyne hym þouȝte his herte bledde So weryn hise þrowis scharpe & wondyr stronge [ 1201] ffor whan he say þat sche a-bod so longe He nyste what to iugen of it myȝt Syn sche haþ brokyn þat sche hym be-hyȝt [ 1204]

(173)

¶ Þe þredde day þ^e forþe þe fifte þe sexte day [ 1205] Aftyr þe dayis ten þe whiche I tolde Be-twixe hope & dred his herte lay Ȝit sumwhat trostynge on hire hestis olde [ 1208] But whan he say sche nolde here hestis holde He can not sen non oþer remedy But for to schape hym sone for to dey [ 1211]

(174)

// Þerwiþ þe wekede sprit god vs blys [ 1212] Which þat men clepyn wode Ielosye Gan in hym crepe in as his heuynesse ffor cause of which he wolde sone deye [ 1215] He noþer et ne drank for his malencoly And ek from euery companye he fledde Þis was þe lyf þat al þis tyme he ledde [ 1218]

(175)

¶ He so disfigured was þat no maner man [ 1219] Vn-neþe myȝte hym knowe wher he wente So was he lene & þerto pale & wan And febele þat he walkede by potent [ 1222] And with his yre he þus hym seluyn schent But who so axe hym wherof hym smert He seyde his harm was al aboute his hert [ 1225]

(176)

¶ Priam ful ofte & ek his modir dere [leaf 120] [ 1226] Hise breþeren his sisteren gon hym frayn Whi he sorweful was in al hise chere And with þat þyng was cause of al his payn [ 1229] But al for nouȝt he nolde his cause playn But seyde he felte a greuous maledy A-boute his herte & sone he wolde dey [ 1232]

(177)

// So on a day he leyde hym doun to slepe [ 1233] And so be-fel þat in his slep hym þouȝte Þat in a forest faste he walkede to wepe ffor loue of hyre þat hym þis peyne wrouȝte [ 1236] And vp & doun as he þe forest souȝte He mette he say a bor with toschhis grete Þat slep a-ȝen þe bryȝte sunnys hete [ 1239]

(178)

¶ And bi þis bor faste in hyre armys ¹ ffolde ¹ [[¹-¹ corrected]] [ 1240] Lay kyssynge ay his ladi Crisseyde ffor sorwe of wich whan he gan hire be-holde And for dispit out of his slep he breyde [ 1243] And loude he criede o pandaris he seyde O pandarus now knowe I crop & rote I am but ded þere is non oþer bote [ 1246]

(179)

// Myn lady bryȝt Crisseyde haþ me be-trayed [ 1247] In whom I trostede most of ony wyȝt Sche ell wher haþ now hire herte apayed Þe blisful goddis þour here grete myȝt [ 1250] Han in myn drem schewid it ful ryȝt Þus in myn drem Crisseyde haue I beholde And al þis þyng to pandarus he tolde [ 1253]

(180)

¶ O myn Crisseyde allas what suptilite [ 1254] What lust what beute what sience What wreþe of iuste cause haue ȝe to me What gilt of me what fel experience [ 1257] Haþ from me raft allas ȝoure aduertence O trust of fayth o depe assuraunce Ho haþ me raft crisseyde al my plesaunse [ 1260]

(181)

¶ Allas whi let I hire henys from me go [leaf 120, back] [ 1261] Wo schal wol nyh out of myn wit me brayde Who schal now trowe on ony oþis mo But wel I wende O lady bryȝt Crisseyde [ 1264] Þat euery word was gospel þat sche seide But who may bet begile ȝif sche luste Þan þey on whom men wenyn best to truste [ 1267]

(182)

// What schal I don myn pandarus allas [ 1268] I fele now so scharpe a newe peyne Syn þat þere lyþ no remedie in þis cas But best were it I with myne hondis tweyne [ 1271] Myn self to sle þan þus alwoy to pleyne ffor þour þe deþ myn wo schal han an ende Þere euery day with lyf myn seluyn I schynde [ 1274]

(183)

¶ Pandarus answerde & seyde allas þe while [ 1275] Þat I was born haue I not seyd or þis Þat dremys manye a man be-gile And whi for folk expoungyn hem a-mys [ 1278] How durstist þow seyn þat fals þyn lady is ffor ony drem ryȝt for þyn owene drede Let be þis þouȝt þou canst no dremys rede [ 1281]

(184)

// Perauenture þere þou dremyst of þis bor [ 1282] It may so be þat it may signefye Hire fadir which þat old is & hor A-ȝen þe sunne lyth a poynt to deye [ 1285] And for sorwe sche gynnyth wepe & crye And hym kysseþ þere he lyth on þ^e gronde Þus schuldist þow þynne dremys a-ryȝt expounde [ 1288]

(185)

¶ How myȝte I þanne don quod Troilus [ 1289] To knowe of þis ȝe were it neuere so lite Now seyst þu wisely quod þis pandarus Myn red is syn þou canst wel endite [ 1292] Þat hastily a lettere þow here [[here corrected]] Þour which þow schat wel bryngyn it aboute To knowyn a soþ þere þow art now in doute [ 1295]

(186)

¶ And se now why for þis dar I wel seeyn [leaf 121] [ 1296] Þat ȝit so is þat sche ontrewe be I can not trowe sche wele wryte a-ȝen And ȝif þat sche write þow schat sone se [ 1299] As wheþer sche haþ ony liberte To comyn a-ȝen or eɫɫ in sum clause Ȝif sche be lettid sche wele a-sygne a cause [ 1302]

(187)

// Þow hast not wrete to hyre syn þat sche went [ 1303] Ne sche to þe & þis I durste ley Þere may swich cause be in hire entent Þat hardily þou wylt þyn seluyn sey [ 1306] Þat hire abod best is for ȝow twey Now write to hire þan & þou schat fele sone [[le sone corrected]] Asay of alle þere is no more to done [ 1309]

(188)

¶ A-corded þey ben to þis conclusioun [ 1310] And þat a-non þese ilke lordis too And hastyli sit Troilus a-doun And royled in herte to & fro [ 1313] How he may best discryuyn hyre his wo And to Crisseyde his owene lady dere He wrot ryȝt þus & seyde as ȝe schul here [ 1316]

(189) (Troylus's Letter to Criseyde)

// Ryȝt frosche flour whos I haue ben & schal [ 1317] With-oute part of ellys where seruyse With herte body lyf lust þouȝt & al I woful wiȝt in euery vmbele wise [ 1320] Þat tonge telle or herte may deuyse As ofte as mater ocupieþ plase Me recommende on-to ȝoure nobele grace [ 1323]

(190)

// Lykyth it ȝow to wetene swete herte [ 1324] As ȝe wel knowe how longe tyme a-gon Þat ȝe me lefte in asper peynys smerte Whan þat ȝe wente of which ȝit but non [ 1327] Haue I non had but euere werse be-gon From day to day lyn & so mot dwelle Wil it ȝow lust of wele & wo myn welle [ 1330]

(191)

¶ Which to ȝow with dredful herte drewe [lf 121, bk] [ 1331] I write as he þat sorwe dryuyth To wryte Myn wo þat euery our encreseþ newe Compleynynge as I can or dar endite [ 1334] And þat defasid is þat may ȝe weiȝte With Teris whiche þat from mynne eyen reyne Þat woldyn spekyn ȝif þat þey couþe pleyne [ 1337]

(192) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde, continued.)

// Ȝow fyrst be-seche I þat with ȝoure eyen clere [ 1338] To lokyn on þis lettere ¹ that ȝe vn-folde ¹ [¹-¹ corrector]] And ouer al þis þat ȝe myn lady dere Wele vouche-saf þis lettere to beholde [ 1341] And bi þe cause ek of myne caris colde Þat sleth myn wit þat ouȝt a-mys me asterte ffor-ȝeue it me myn owene swete herte [ 1344]

(193)

¶ Ȝif ony seruaunt durste or auȝte of ryȝt [ 1345] Vp-on his lady pitously compleyne Þanne wene I þat I auȝte ben þat wiȝt Considerid þis þat ȝe þese moneþis tweyne [ 1348] Han taried þere ȝe seyde soþ to seyne But dayes ten ȝe woldyn in heste soiourne But in to monythis ȝit ȝe not retourne [ 1351]

(194)

// But for as meche as me muste nedis like [ 1352] Al þat ȝow lust I dar not pleyne more But humili with sorweful sikis I sike Ȝite wite I myn onreste & myne sorwis sore [ 1355] ffrom day to day desirynge euere more To knowe fully ȝif ȝoure wille it were How ȝe han ferd & don whil ȝe ben þere [ 1358]

(195)

¶ Whos wel-fare & ese god encrese [ 1359] In honour swich þat vpward in degre It growe al wey so þat it neuere sere Ryȝt as ȝoure herte ay can ladi fre [ 1362] Deuyse I preye to god so mote it be And grante it þat ȝe sone vp-on me rewe As wisely as I am in alle þynge to ȝow trewe [ 1365]

(196) (Troylus's Letter to Criseyde, continued.)

¶ And ȝif ȝow likyth to knowyn of þe fare [leaf 122] [ 1366] Of me whos wo þere may no wiȝt descryue I can no more but cheste of euery care At þe writyng of þis lettere I was on lyue [ 1369] Al redy out myn woful gost to dryue Whiche I delaye & holde him ȝit in honde Vp-on þe syȝt of mater of ȝoure sonde [ 1372]

(197)

// Myne eyȝyn to I veyn with whiche I se [ 1373] Of sorweful teris salte aryn waxen well Myn song in pleynt of myn aduersite Myn good in-to harm myn ioye ek waxen helle is [ 1376] Myn myrthe In-to wo I can sey ȝow not ell But turnyd is for which myn lyf I warie Euery ioye or ese is in his contrarye [ 1379]

(198)

¶ Whiche with ȝoure comynge a-ȝen hom to Troye [ 1380] Ȝe may redresse & more a þousent siþe Þan euere I hadde encresyn in me ioye ffor was þere neuere herte ȝit so blyþe [ 1383] To haue his lyf as I schal be as swyþe As I ȝow se / & þow no maner routhe Remeue ȝow ȝit þynk vp-on ȝoure treuthe [ 1386]

(199)

// And ȝif so be myn gylt haue deþ deseruyd [ 1387] Or if ȝe lust no more vp-on me se In guerdoun ȝit þat I haue ȝow seruyd Be-seche I ȝow myn hertis ladi fre [ 1390] Þat here-vp-on ȝe wolde wryte to me ffor loue of god myn ryȝte lode sterre Þat deþ may make an ende of al myn werre [ 1393]

(200) (Troylus's Letter to Criseyde, continued.)

¶ Ȝif oþer cause doþ ȝou ouȝt to dwelle [ 1394] Þat with ȝoure lettere ȝe me reconforte ffor þow to me ȝoure absence be an helle With pacience I wele myn wo comporte [ 1397] And with ȝoure lettere of loue I wil disporte Now writyth swete let me not compleyne With hope or deþ delyuere ¹ me from this peyne ¹ [[¹-¹ by a corrector]] [ 1400]

(201)

¶ I-wis myn owene dere herte trewe [leaf 122, back] [ 1401] I wot þan whan ȝe next vp-on me se So lost haue I myn hele & ek myn hewe Crisseyde schulde not cunne knowe me [ 1404] I-wis myn hertis day myn ladi fre So trustyth ay myn herte to by-holde Ȝoure beute þat myn silf vn-neþe I holde [ 1407]

(202)

// I sey no more al haue I for to sey [ 1408] To ȝow wel more þan I telle may But weþer ȝe do me leue oþer deye I preye god so ȝeue ȝow ryȝt good day [ 1411] And farwel goodly fayre frossche may As sche þat lyf or deþ me may comaunde And to ȝoure hertis pete / ay I me recommaunde [ 1414]

(203)

¶ Which hele which þat but ȝe ȝeuyn me [ 1415] Þe same hele I schal non hele haue In ȝow lyth whan ȝow lyste þat it so be Þe day on which me cloþyn schal myn graue [ 1418] In ȝow myn lyf lyth holly for to saue Me from desesis from alle peynys smert And fareþ now wel myne owene swete hert. [ 1421]

[Letter ends]

(204)

// Þis lettere forþ was sent on to Crisseyde [ 1422] Of wich in effect hire answere was þis fful pitously sche wrot a-ȝen & seyde Þat also sone as þat sche myȝte I-wis [ 1425] Sche wolde come & mende al þat was a-mys And finally sche wrot & seyde hym þan Sche wolde come ȝa but sche nyste neuere whan [ 1428]

(205)

¶ But in hire lettere made sche sweche festis [ 1429] Þat wondyr was & swerith sche louyth hym best Of which he fond but bottemeles behestis But Troilus þou mayt now est or west [ 1432] Pypyn in yuy lef / ȝif þat þou lest Þus goþ þ^e world god schilde vs from mys-schaunce And euery wiȝt þat menyth / treuthe a-vaunce [ 1435]

(206)

¶ Encresyn gan þe wo from day to nyȝt [leaf 123] [ 1436] Of Troilus for taryinge of crisseyde And lessyn gan his hope & ek his myȝt ffor which al doun he in þ^e bed hym leyde [ 1439] He net ne drank ne no word he ne seyde ymaginyng þat sche was vn-kynde ffor which wel nyh he wex out of his mynde [ 1442]

(207)

// Þis drem of which I told haue ek by-fore [ 1443] May neuere out of his remembraunce He þouȝte ay wel he hadde his lady lorn And þat þat Iouys hadde of his puruyaunce [ 1446] Hym schewid in slep þ^e signyfiaunce Of hire ontreuthe & his disauenture And þat þis boþe was schewid in figure [ 1449]

(208)

¶ ffor which for sibile his sustyr he sente [ 1450] Þat callid was cassaundere al a-boute And al his drem he tolde hire or he stente And hire be-souȝte to a-soylyn hym þat doute [ 1453] Of þ^e stronge bor with his toschhis stoute And fynally withinne a lytil stounde Cassaundere hym gan ryȝt þus expounde [ 1456]

(209)

// Sche gan fyrst smyle & seyde o broþer dere [ 1457] Ȝif þou a soþe of þis desirist to knowe Þow a fewe / of olde storyis here To purpos / how þat fortune ouer þrowe [ 1460] Haþ lordis olde þour which with-inne a þrowe Þow wel þis forn. schalt knowe & of what kynde He comyn is as men in bokys fynde [ 1463]

(210)

¶ Dyane which þat wroþ was in yre [ 1464] ffor grekys wolde not hire sacrifise Þe ensens vp-on hyre auter settyn a fyre Sche for þat grekys gan hire so dispise [ 1467] Wrok hire in a wondyr crewel wise ffor with a bor as gret as oxe in stalle Sche made vp frete here corn & vynys alle [ 1470]

(211)

// To sle þis bor was al þe cuntre reysed [leaf 123, back] [ 1471] A-mong whiche þere come þis for to se A mayde on of þis world þe beste I-preysede And meleagre lord of þat cuntre [ 1474] He louede so þis frossche mayde fre Þat with his manhod or he wolde stynt Þe bor he slow & hire þe hed he sent [ 1477]

(212)

// Of whiche as olde bokys tellyn vs [ 1478] Þere ros a contek & gret enuye And of þis lord dessendede thidius Be lyue or olde bokys lye [ 1481] But how þis Mellager dude dye Of hire modir wil I ȝow not telle ffor to longe it were for vs to dwelle [ 1484]

(213)

¶ Sche tolde ek how Cithideus or sche stente [ 1485] On to þe stronge sete of thebes To cleymyn kyndom of þe cete went ffor his falawe dan polymites [ 1488] Of which þe broþer dan Etthiocles fful wrongfully of thebes held þ^e strenthe Þus told sche be proces al on lenthe [ 1491]

(214)

// Sche tolde ek how hermoneades a-stert [ 1492] Whan thedeus slow fifty knyȝtis stoute Sche tolde ek al þe profecy be herte And how þat seuene kyngis on a route [ 1495] Besegede þ^e cete al a-boute And of holy serpent & þ^e welle And of furies also sche gan hym telle [ 1498]

[Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.]

Versus Associat profi thedeus prinnus polimite Versus Thidea legatum docet incidias-que secundus Versus Tercius sinoduden canes & vates latitantes Versus Quartus habet reges in-euntees prelia septem Versus Mox furie lenne quinto narratur in anguis ¶ Archi-mosi bustum sexto ludi-que leguntur [leaf 124]

Dat graios Thebes & vatem septimus Vmbris Octauo cecidit thedeus spes vita pelasgis Ypominon nono moritur cum parte-nopea Fulmine percussus decimo cappanius superatur Vndecimo [[MS. s for o]] sese perimunt per vulnera fratres Argina flentem narrat duodenus & ignem

(215)

// Of arichmoure brenynge & þe pleyes [ 1499] And how anphiorax fel þour grounde How Tideus was slayn lord of Argeys And how ypomidoun with blody wounde [ 1502] And parthonope in litil stounde Ben slayn & how cappaneus þ^e proude With þondirdent was slayne & cryede loude [ 1505]

(216)

¶ Sche gan hym ek tellyn how eyþer broþer [ 1506] Ethiocles & pollinute also At a scharmoth eche of hem slow oþer And of arthmes wepynge & hire wo [ 1509] And how þe toun was brend sche tolde hym þo And so dissendiþ he doun from gestis olde To Diomede & þus sche spak & tolde [ 1512]

(217)

// Þis ilke bor be-tokenyth Diomede [ 1513] Thedeus sone þat doun dissendid is ffrom meliagre þat made þ^e bor to blede And þyn lady where-so sche be I-wys [ 1516] Þis Diomede hire herte haþ & sche his Wepe ȝif þou wilt or lef / for out of doute Þis diomede is inne & þow art oute [ 1519]

(218)

¶ Þow seyst not soþ quod he þou sercheresse [ 1520] Wyþ al þyn false gost of professye Þow wenyst to be a gret deuyneresse Now sest not þis fool of fantasye [ 1523] Paynyth hire on ladiis for to lye A-woy quod he þere iouus ȝeue þe sorwe Þow schalt ben fals parauntyr er to morwe [ 1526]

(219)

¶ As wel þow myȝtist lyen on altest [leaf 124, back] [ 1527] Þat was of criaturis but men lye Þat ewere were þe kyndest & þe best Þat whan hire hosbande was in iupardie [ 1530] To deye hym self But ȝif sche wolde deye Sche ches deþ & ek to gon to helle And starf a-non as vs þe bokys telle [ 1533]

(220)

¶ Cassaundere goþ / & he for crewel herte [ 1534] ffor-ȝat he wo for angir of hire speche And from his bed al sodeynly he sterte As þow hym al hol hym hadde mad a leche [ 1537] And day be day he gan enquere & seche A soþ of his wit al his fulle cure And þus he dryuyth forth his auenture [ 1540]

(221)

FOrtune þat with permutacioun [ 1541] His wille haþ as it is here knyttid Be puruyaunce & dispocicioun Of heye ioue as regnes schal be kyttid [ 1544] ffor folk in folk or whan þey schal ben flittid Can pulle awoy þ^e federis bryȝte of troye ffrom day to day til þey be in were of ioye [ 1547]

(222)

A-mong al þis þe fyn of þe parodye [ 1548] Of ector gan aprochyn wondir blyue Þe face wolde his soule schulde on-bodye And schape hadde a mene it out to dryue [ 1551] Aȝens whiche face hym helpyth not to stryue But on a day to fyȝtyn gan he wynde At þe whiche he cauȝte his lyuys ende [ 1554]

(223)

¶ ffor which me þynkeþ euery maner wiȝt [ 1555] Þat hancory harmys auȝte to biwayle Þe day of hym þat was so nobel a knyȝt ffor as he drow a knyȝt be þe auentayle [ 1558] On-war of his Achilles þour þe mayle Lenne þour þe body gan hym for to ryue And þus þis worþi knyȝt was brouȝt of lyue [ 1561]

(224)

¶ ffor which as olde bokys tellyn vs [leaf 125] [ 1562] Was mad swich wo þat tonge may not telle And namely þe sorwyn of troilus Þat next him was of worþinesse þe welle [ 1565] And in þis wo gan Troilus to dwelle Þat what for sorwe & loue & for vnrest fful oft [[t, corrector]] on day he bad his herte brest [ 1568]

(225)

¶ But neuer-þe-les þow he gan hym self dispaire [ 1569] And drede þat his lady was vn-trewe Ȝit in his herte gan repayre And as þese loueris don he souȝte anewe [ 1572] To gete aȝen Crisseyde bryȝt of hewe And in his herte he wente hire excusynge Þat Calcas causede al hire tarying [ 1575]

(226)

¶ And ofte tyme he was in purpos gret [ 1576] Hym selue lyk a pilgrym to disgise To sen hire but he may not counterefete To ben ouknowe of folk þat were wyse [ 1579] Ne fynde excuse aryȝt þat may suffyse Ȝif he a-mong þe grekys knowe were ¶ ffor whiche he wepte ful ofte manye a tere [ 1582]

(227)

To hire he wrot ful ofte tyme al newe [ 1583] fful pitously he lefte not for þe slouthe Be-sechyng hire þat syn þat he was trewe Þat sche wolde come ageyn & holde hyre trouthe [ 1586] ffor whiche crisseyde vp-on a day for routhe I tok it so touchynge al þis matere Wrot hym a-geyn & seyde as ȝe may here [ 1589]

(228) (Criseyde's Letter to Troylus)

Cupidis sone en-saumpele of godly-hede [ 1590] O swerd of knythod ground of gentilles How myȝte a wyȝt in turnement & in drede And heleles ȝow sende ȝit gladnesse [ 1593] I herde telle in seek & in distresse Syn ȝe with me / ne I with ȝow may dele Ȝow noþer sende / .I. may herte ne hele [ 1596]

(229)

¶ Ȝoure letteris of paper ful I-peynted [leaf 125, back] [ 1597] Conseyuyd haþ myn hertis pete I haue ek sen with terys al depeyntid Ȝoure lettere & how þat ȝe requeryn me [ 1600] To come a-geyn whiche may not ¹ ȝet be ¹ [[¹-¹ corrector]] But whi lest þis lettere fonde were Non menoioun make I now for fere [ 1603]

(230) (Criseyde's Letter continued)

// Greuous to me god wot is ȝoure vnrest [ 1604] Ȝoure haste & at þ^e goddis ordenaunce It semyth not ȝe takyn it for þe beste Nor oþer þyng is in ȝoure remembr[a]unce [ 1607] As þynkyþ me but only ȝoure plesaunce But beþ not wroþ & þat I ȝow be-seche ffor þat I tarie is al for wekede speche [ 1610]

(231)

¶ ffor I haue herd wel more þan I wende [ 1611] Touchinge vs to how þyngis han I-stounde Whiche I schal with dishomblynge a-mende And be not wroþ I haue ek vndirstonde [ 1614] How ȝe ne don but holdyn me in honde But now nofors I can not in ȝow gesse But alle treuthe & al gentillesse [ 1617]

(232)

// Come I wolde But ȝit in swich disioynt [ 1618] I stonde as now but what ȝer or what day Þat þis schal ben þat can I not a-poynt But in effect I prey ȝow as I may [ 1621] Of ȝoure goode & of ȝoure frenschep ay But trewely whil þat myn lyf may dure As for a frend ȝe may en me assure [ 1624]

(233)

¶ Ȝit preye I ȝow on euyl ȝe ne take [ 1625] Þat it is schort whiche þat I to ȝow wryȝte I dar not þere I am wel letteris make Ne neuere ȝit ne couþe wel endite [ 1628] Ek gret effectis men write in space lite Þe centence is al & not þ^e letterys spase And farith now wel god haue ȝow in his grace [ 1631]

(234)

¶ Troylus þis lettere þouȝte al strong [leaf 126] [ 1632] Whan he it sey & sorwefully he sight Hym þouȝte it lik a kalandis of chung But fynnally he ful ne trowe myȝte [ 1635] Þat sche ne wolde holde hym þat sche hyȝt ffor which with euelle wil luste hym to leue Þat louyȝt wel in swich cas þow hym greue [ 1638]

(235)

// But neuer-þe-les men seyn at þe last [ 1639] ffor ony þyng men schal þe soþe se And siche be-tyd & þat also fast Þat Troilus wel vndirstant þat sche [ 1642] Nas not so kynde as þat hire auȝte to be And finally he wot now out of doute Þat al is lost þat he haþ ben a-boute [ 1645]

(236)

¶ Stod on a day in his malencoly [ 1646] Þis Troilus & ine suspeciounne Of hire for whom he wende for to deye And so be-fel þat þour troye toune [ 1649] As was þ^e gise was boryn vp & dounne A naue of cotearmure as seyth þ^e storye Be-fore Deiphebe in signe of his victorye [ 1652]

(237)

// Þe whiche cote as tellyth lollyus [ 1653] Deyphebe it hadde I-rent from diomede Þe same day & whan þis Troilus It saw he gan to takyn of it hede [ 1656] Auysynge of þ^e lenthe & of þ^e brede And al þe werk but as he gan beholde fful sodeynleche his herte be-gan to colde [ 1659]

(238)

¶ As he þat on þe coler fond with-inne [ 1660] A broche þat he ȝaf þat morwe Þat sche from troye muste nedis twynne In remembraunce of hym & of his sorwe [ 1663] And sche hym ledde a-ȝen hire feþ to borwe To kepyn it ay but now ful wel he wiste His lady was no lengere on to triste [ 1666]

(239)

¶ He goþ hym hom & gan ful sone sende [leaf 126, back] [ 1667] ffor Pandarus & al þis newe chaunce And of þis broche he told hym word & ende Compleynynge of his hertis varyaunce [ 1670] His longe loue his trouthe & his penaunce And aftyr day with-oute wordis more fful faste he cryede his reste hym to restore [ 1673]

(240)

// Þanne spak he þus o lady bryȝt Crisseyde [ 1674] Where is ȝoure fayth & where is ȝoure beheste Where is ȝoure loue where is ȝoure trouthe he seyde Of diamede haue now al þis feste [ 1677] Allas I wolde a trowed at þe leste Þat syn ȝe nolde in [[in corrected]] trouthe to me stonde Þat ȝe þus nolde haue holdyn me in honde [ 1680]

(241)

¶ Who schal now trowe on ony oþis mo [ 1681] Allas I neuere wolde han wend or þis Þat ȝe Cresseide wolde a chaunged so No but I hadde gilt & don a-mys [ 1684] So crewel wende I not ȝoure hert had be I-wis To sle me þus allas ȝoure name of trouthe Is [[s corrected]] now fordon & þat is al myn routhe [ 1687]

(242)

// Was þere non oþer broche ȝow leste lete [ 1688] To feffe [[ffe corrected]] with ȝoure newe loue qud he But þat ilke broche þat I with terys wete Ȝow ȝaf as for a remembraunce of me [ 1691] Non oþer cause allas ne haddyn ȝe But for dispit & ek for þat ment At vttyrly to schewyn ȝoure entent [ 1694]

(243)

¶ Þour whiche I se þat clene out of ȝoure mynde [ 1695] Ȝe han me cast & I ne can ne may ffor al þis world with-inne myn herte fynde To vn-loue ȝow a quarter of a day [ 1698] In cursede tyme I born was weyleaway Þat ȝe þat don me al þis wo endure Ȝit loue I ȝow best of ony creature [ 1701]

[Leaves 127-131, the end of Troylus and the beginning of the Canterbury Tales, have been cut out of this Cambridge MS., Gg. 4. 27.]