Boecius de consolacione philosophie

IAm cantum illa fimerat. cum me audiēdi aui∣dum stupentem{que} adhuc arrectis auribus. car∣minis mulcedo defixerat. Ita{que} paulo post. O inquam summum lassorū solamen ammorū. quā tu me etc (Book 3)

BY this she had ended her songe / whan the swetenes of her dite had thurgh per••d me that was desiro{us} of ••e••kenyng / And I astonyed had yet streyght myne eres. that is to seyn̄ to herkene the bet••e what she sholde seye So that a litell here after I sayd thus / O thou that arte souerayn̄ comfort of corages anguisshous. so thou haste re∣moūted & norisshed me with the weight of thy sentences & with delite of singyng / so that I trowe not that I be vn∣peregall to the strokes of fortune. As who saith I darre

wel now suffren all thassautes of fortune and wel defen∣de me from her. And tho remedies whiche that thou seydest here biforn̄ that weren right sharp / not only that I am not agrisen of hem now / but I desirous of hering axe greetly to heren the remedies. Then̄e sayde she thus. that feled I wel qd she whan that thou ententyf and stille. rauisshedest my wordes. And I abode til thou haddest suche habite of thy thought as thou hast now / or ellis til that I my selfe had maked it to the same habite / whiche that is a more vereye thing. And certes the remenant of thinges that been yet to seye ben suche / that first whan men taste hem. they ben by∣ting. but whan they ben receyued within a wight / thenne ben they swete. but for thou seyste that thou arte so desirous to herkene hem / with how grete brennyng woldest thou glo∣wen̄. if thou wistist whider I wold leden̄ the / whider is that qd I. To thilke verey ••lisfulnes qd she of whiche thyne herte dremeth / but for asmoche as thy sight is occupyed & distourbed of erthely thinges. thou maiste not yet sene thilk self welfulnes / do qd I & shewe me what thilk ve∣ry welfulnes is I pray the withouten taryeng. that wol I gladly done qd she for cause of the. but I woll first mar∣ken by wordes / And I wille enforcen̄ me to enformen̄ the thilk false cause of blisfulnes that thou more knowest / so that whan thou hast beholden thilke false goodes. & torned thyne eyen so to that other side thou may knowen the clere∣nes of very blisfulnes

Qui serere ingenium volet agrum. Liberat arua pri{us} fructib. Falce rubos silicem{que} resecat etc

WHo so wole sowe a felde plenteous / late him first de∣liueren it of thornes. And kerue a sondre with his hoke the busshes and the ferne. so that the corne comen heuy of ••eres and of greynes / hony is the more swete if mouthes haue firste tasted sauours that be wicke. The sterres shy∣nen more agreably / whan the wynde Nothus lecteth hys plungy blastes. And after that lucifer the day sterce hath chaced awaye the derke nyghte. the daye the fayrer ledeth the roosen hors of the sonne. And right so thou beholding firste the false goodes begynne to withdrawe thy necke fro therthely affeccions. And afterwardes the veraye goo∣des shullen entren into thy corages

Tum defixo paululum. visu & velud in augustam sue mentis sedem recepta si•• cepit. P. Omnis mortalium cura quos multipliciū studiorū. labor exercet etc

THe fastened she a lit••l the sight of her eyen. And she withdrewe her right as it were into the streyte sete of her thought. And biganne to speke right thus. Alle the a••res qd she of mortall folke whiche that trauai∣len̄ h••m in many maner studies goon certes by diuce wey∣••s. But natheles they enforcen hem all to comen onely to thende of blisfulnes / And blisfulnes is suche a good That who so hath goten it. he ne maye ouer that thynge more desire. And this thing forsothe is so souerayn good that hit conteyneth in him selfe all manere of goodes. to the whiche good if there failled ony thing. it mighte not been souerayn good / For then̄e were there som̄e good oure

of this souerayn good that mighte be desired. Nowe is it clere and certeyn that blisfulnes is a parfayte estate by the congregacion of alle goodes. the whiche blisfulnes as I haue sayd all mortal folke enforcen hem to gete by diuerce weyes. For why the couetise of euery good is naturelly planted in the hertes of men / But the myswandryng er∣rour / mysledeth hem into false goodes / Of the whiche men som of hem wenen that souerayn good be to lyuen̄ without nede of ony thing. And other men demen that souerayn good be right digne of reuerence / and enforcen hem to be reuerencid among her neyghbours by the honours that they haue goten. And som̄e folke there been that holden that right hye power be souerayne good / and enforcen hem for to reygnen̄. or els to Ioynen hem to hem that reygnen. & it semeth to other folke that noblesse of renomme be the souerayn good. and hasten hem to geten̄ hem glorious na∣me by the artes of warre or of peas. and many folke me∣suren and gessen that souerayne good be Ioye & gladnes And wenen that it be right blisful thing to plungen in voluptuous delites. And there bene som folke that entre∣changen the causes and the endes of these forsayd goodes And they that desiren richesses to haue power and delites or ellis they desire power for to haue moneye / or for cause of renomme. In these thinges & suche other is tourned alle thentencion of desiringes and werkes of men as thus. Noblesse & fauour of peuple whiche that yeueth to al men̄ as it semeth hem a maner clerenes of renōme. & wyff & children̄ that men desiren̄ for cause of delite and merines. But forsothe frendes ne shollen̄ not be rekenyd among the

goodes of fortune. but of vertue. For it is a ful holy ma∣ner thing / Al these other thinges forsoth be taken for cau∣se of power or ellis for cause of delite. Certes now am I re∣dy to referren the goodes of the body to th••se forsaide thyn∣ges abouen / For it semeth that strengthe & gretenes of bo∣dy yeuen power & worthines. and that beaute & swiftenes yeu••n glorie & renōme. and helth of body semeth to yeuen delite / In all these thinges hit semeth onely that blisful∣nes is desired / For why thilke thing that euery man̄ de∣s••reth most ouer all thinges. he demeth that it be souerayn good. But I haue diffined that blisfulnes is souerayne good / For whiche euery wight demeth that thilke astate that he des••reth ouer al thinges. that it be blisfulnes. now hast th••u th••n̄e b••••••••n̄ th•••• eyen almost al the pourpos••d forme of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of mankinde / That is to s••••ne ri∣chesse. h••n••ur••. po••••••r gl••rie and de••••••es. the whiche del••te only consi••••r••d h•• ••picurius. & iugg••d & establissh••d that delite is the s••u••ra••ne good / For as moche as alle other thinges as him th••ught b••reft away Ioye & myrth from the h••rte but I retorne again to the studies of men̄ of whi∣che men the corage. ••lway reherceth & seketh the souerain good Al ••e it so that it ••e with a d••••kid m••m••ne. but he note by which path •• right as a drōkenman̄ note nought by whi∣ch•• path ••e may retorne home to his ••••{us}. s••meth it then that fol•• forleyen & erren to ••nforcen hem to haue nede of nothing Certes ther is none other thing that may somoch {per}formen blisf••lnes, ••s an estate plente••{us} of al goodes that ne hath nede of none ot•••••• thing. but that is suffisan̄t of him selfe vnto him self. & folien suche folk then̄e that wenen that

thilke thing that is right good / that it is eke right wor∣thy of honour & of reuerence / Certes nay. for that thing nys neyther fowle ne worthy to be despised. that wel nygh al thentencion of mortal folke trauaillen to gete it. and power eke ought not to be rekened amonges goodes. what ellis / For it nys not to wene that thilke thing that is moost worthy of alle thinges be feble & without strongth And clerenes of renōme. ought that to ben despised. cer∣tes there maye noman̄ forsake / that al thing that is right exellent and noble that it ne semeth be right clere and re∣nomed. For certes it nedeth not to seye that blisfulnes be anguisshous ne drery ne subget to greuances ne sorwes Syn that in right litil thinges folke seken to haue and to vsen that may deliten hem / Certes these ben the thinges that men willen and desiren to geten / and for this cause desi∣ren they richesses. dignitees regnes. glorie / and delytes / For there by wenen they to han suffisan̄ce / honour / power re∣nōme / and gladnes. Thenne is it good that men seken̄ thus by so many diuerce studies / In whiche desire it may not lightlich be shewd / how grete is the strength of nature For howe so men haue dyuerce sentences and discordyn∣ges / Algates men accorden all in leuyng thende of good

Quantas rerū flectit habenas Natura potens quibus in∣mensum Legibus orbem pro••••da seruet. Stringat{que} ligans irresoluto Singula nexu. placet arguto Fi∣deliblentis promere cantu Quāuis peni pulchra le∣ones. Uincula gestent manibus{que} datas Captent escas metuāt crucē Soliti nbera ferre magistrū etc

IT liketh me to shewe by subtil songe with slacke & delitable sowne of strenges / howe that nature mighti∣ly enclineth & flit••ith the gouernement of thinges / and by suche lawes she pourueyable kepeth the grete worlde. & how she bynding restreyneth al thingis by a bonde that maye not be vnboūden / al be it so that the lion̄s of the coūtreye of Pene beren the fair cheynes & taken metes of the handes of folke that yeuen it h••m. and dreden her sturdy maistres of whiche they be wonte ••o suffre betinges / if that her horrible mowthes ben bledde. that is to seyn̄ of beestes deuoured. her corage of tyme passed that hath ben idle & rested repaireth ag••in. & they roren greuously & remembren on her nature / and slaken̄ her neckis from her cheynes vnboūde / and her maistre first to torn̄ with blody teth. assayeth the woode wratth••s of h••m. that is to seyne they freten her maister / & the Iang••ling birde that singith on the hye braūches / that is to seyne in the wode. & after is enclosed in a sireit cage Al thaugh the pleyng besinesse of men̄. yeue hem honyed drinkes & la••ge metes with swete studie / yet nat••••les yf thilke byrde skipping out of her strait cage. seeth the agre∣ble shadowes of the woodes •• she defouleth with her fete her mete yshadde / & seketh on mornyng only the wode & twy∣terith desiring the wode with her swet•• v••yse / the yerd of a tre that is haled a doune by myghty s••rength boweth redi∣ly the croppe a doun. but if that the hand that is bente lete it goon ageyne / Anone the croppe loketh vpright to the he∣uene. The sonne Phebus that falleth at euene in the wes∣tren̄ wawes retourneth aye••••e eftesones his carte by a pre∣uy path there as hit is wonte arise / alle thynges s••ken

ayen to her propre cours and all thinges reioysen on her retournyng agayn to her nature / ne none ordenan̄ce is be∣taken to thinges / but that hath Ioyned the ende to the be∣gynnyng. & hath made the cours of hit selfe stable that it change not fro his propre kinde

Uos quo{que} o terrena animalia. tenui licet imagine. vestrū tamen principum sompniatis. Uerū{que} illum beatitudi••is finem. licet minime perspicaci etc

CErtes also ye men that ben erthely bestes dremen al way your begynnyng al thaugh it be with a thyn̄e ymagynacion. And by a maner thought al be it not cle∣rely ne perfightly. ye loken from a ferre to thilk veray fyn of blisfulnes. And therfore naturel entencion ledeth yow to thilke very good. But many maner errours mystour∣neth you therfro. Considere now if that be thilke thinges•• by whiche a man̄ weneth to gete him blisfulnes / yf that he may comen to thilke ende that he weneth to come to by na∣ture. for if that money honours or these other forseyde thin∣ges bringen to men suche a thing that no good ne faylle them ne semeth to faylle. certes then̄e wole I graūte that they be makid blisful by thinges that they haue goten / but if so be that thilk thinges ne mowen not {per}forme that they biheten̄ / & that ther be defante of many goodes / shewith hit not then clerely that false beaute of blisfulnes is knowen & atteynt in thilk thinges / first & forward thou thy self that haddest habondan̄ce of riches not long agoon. I axe the that in thabondan̄ce of al thilk riches thou were neu anguissho{us}

or sory in thy corage of ony wronge or greuance that betid∣de the in ony side. B. Certes quod I it ne remembrith me not / that ••uer I was so free of my thought. that I ne was alway in anguissh of somwhat. P. and wa•• that not qd she / for that the lackid somwhat that thou noldest not han lacked / or els thou haddest that. thou noldest han had. B right so it is qd I / P / then̄e desirest thou psence of that one & thabsence of that other. B. I graūte wel qd I. P Forsoth qd she then̄e nedeth there somwhat that euery man desireth / B / ye ther nedeth qd I. P / Certes qd she and he that hath lack or nede of ought. nys not in euery wey ••uf∣fisa••̄t to him self. B. No qd I / P. & thou qd she in alle the pl••nte of thy richesse haddest thilk lack of suffisan̄ce / B what els qd I. p / then̄e may not riches maken that a man̄ nys nedy ne that he be sufficient to him self. & yet that was it that they be••••ten as it s••med. & eke certes I trowe that this be gretly to considere that money hath not in his own̄ kinde that it ne may ben bynomen of hem that haue it mau∣gre hem •• b. I knowe it wel qd I •• p. why shuldest thou not beknowen it qd she whan euery day the strenger folk byne∣men it from the febler maugre hem / fro whens come ellis al these foreyn complayntes or quarels or pledinges / but for that men axen their money that hath b••n binomen hem by strengthe or by g••le. And alwaye maugre hem. b / right so is it qd I p. t••en̄e hath a man nede qd she to seken him fo∣reyn helpe •• by whiche he may defende his money. b / who may sa••e nay qd I. p. certes qd she. and him neded none helpe if he ne had no money that he might lese / b. that is doubte∣les qd I. P •• then̄e is this thing torned into the contrary

qd she / For riches that men wenen shold maken suffisan̄∣ce. they maken a man̄ rather haue nede of foreyn helpe / whi∣che is the maner or the gyse qd she that riches may dryuen a waye nede / riche folke maye they neyther haue honger ne thurst / These riche men may fele no colde on their lymmes in wynter / But thou wilt answere that ryche men haue ynough wherwith they maye staūchen̄ her henger & slaken their thurst & done away colde. In this wise may nede ben̄ comforted by richesse. but certes nede ne may not al vtterly be don awey. for if this nede that alwey is gaping & gredy be fulfilled with riches & ony other thing yet dwelleth then a nede that might be fulfilled / I holde me stil & tel not how that litil thing suffiseth to nature. But certes to auarice suffiseth not ynough of no thing / for syn that richesse ne may not all don̄ awey nede / & they maken their owne nede What may it then̄e be that ye wenen that richesses mowen̄ yeuen you suffisan̄ce

Quāuis fluēte diues auri gurgite Non expleturas cogat auarus opes Honoret{que} bacis colla rubri lito∣ris Rura{que} centeno scindat opinia boue etc

AL were it so that a noble couetous man̄ had a ry∣uer or a gutter fleting al of golde / yet sholde it neuer stan̄che his couetise. & al thaugh he had his necke chargid with precio{us} stones of the rede see. & thaugh he doo ere hys feldes plenteous with an honderd oxen. neu ne shall his byting besiues forleetten him while he liueth. ne the light ri∣chesses ne shal not beren him companye whan he is dede

Sed dignitates honorabilem reuerendum{que} cui {pro}ue∣nerint reddunt. Nam uis ea inest magistratibus. vt vtencium mentib virtutes inserant. vicia pellāt etc

BVt dignytees to whome they be comen. maken they him honourable and reuerent / han they not so grete strengthe that they maye putten vertu in hertes of folkes that vsen the lordship of hem. or els may they done awaye the vices / Certes they be not wonte to done awaye wicked∣nes / but they be wonte rather to shewe wickednes. & th••rof cometh it that I haue right grete disdayn̄ that dignitees ben yeuen to wicked m••n̄. For whiche thing Catullus clep••d a consul of rome that hight Nomyus / postome of bo••••he. as who s••ith he cleped him a congregacion of vices in his breste. as a postome is full of corrupcion / al were Nomyus sette in a chayer of dignite / Se••stow not th••nne h••w grete vilonyes dignit••es don•• to wicked men certes vnworthynes of wicked men̄ sholde be the l••ss•• s••••n if they nere renomed of none honours. Certes then thy s••lfe ne mightest not bee broughte with as many p••rils as thou mightest suffre that thou woldes•• bere the magistrate with d••••••rate•• that is to seyn̄ that for peril that might befalle the b•• offence of the Kyng theodryk. thou noldest not b•••• fe∣lawe in gouernance with decorate whan thou sawe t••••t he had wicked corage of a lichorouse shrewe & of an accusour Ne I maye not for suche honours iuggen hem worthy of reuerence that I deme & holde vnworthy to haue thilk same honours. now if thou sawe aman̄ that were fulfild of wise∣dom / certe•• thou ne mightest not deme that he were vnworthy

to the honour or els to the wisedom of whiche he is fulfilled B. no qd I / P / certes qd she dignitees ap{per}teynen {pro}per∣ly to vertue / & vertue transporteth dignite anon to thilke man̄ to whiche she her self is conioyned. & for asmoche as honours of peple ne may not make folk digne of honour It is wel sene clerly that they ne haue no {pro}pre beaulte of dignite. & yet men oughten take more hede in this. for if a wighte be in somoche the more outcast that he is dispised of most folk / so as dignite ne may not maken shrewes wor∣thy of no reuerence / then̄e maketh dignite shrewes / rather despised than preysed. the whiche shrewes dignite sheweth to moche folk / & forsoth not vnpunisshed / that is to s••yne that shrewes reuengen hem ayeinward vpon dignitee•• / for they yelden ayen to dignitees as grete guerdons / whan they bispotten & defoulen dignitees with her vilonye. and for asmoche as thou now knowest that thilk verey reuerēce ne may not comen by these shadowy transitory dignitees / vn∣derstonde now thus. that if a man̄ had vsed & had many maner dignitees of consules and were perauenture comen among stran̄ge nacions / shulde thilk honour maken hym worshipful & redoubted of stran̄ge folk / certes if that ho∣nour of peple were a naturel yefte to dignitees it ne might neuer cessen nowher among no maner folk to done his of∣fice. right as a fire in euery co••trey ne stinteth not to en∣chaufen & maken hote / But for as moche as for to ben ho∣nourable or reuerent ne cometh not to folke of her propre strengthe of nature but only of the false opinion of folke. That is to seyne that wenen that dignitees maken folke digne of honours / Anone therefore whan they comen there

as folke ne knowen not thilke dignitees her honours va∣nisshen aweye & that anone / But that is among strange folke maistow seyn̄. ne amonges hem there they were borne ne dured not thilke dignitees alwey. Certes the dignite of the prouostrye of rome was whilom a grete power / now is it nothing but an idle name. & the rente of the senato∣rie a greet charge / And if a wight whilome had thoffice to taken hede to the vitailles of the peple. as of corne and of other thinges he was holden amonges hem grete. But what thing is more now outcast that thilke prouostrie. as I haue seyde a litil here biforn̄ that thilke thing that hath no propre beaute of him self receyueth somtyme price and shynyng / & somtyme leseth it by thoppinion of vsauntes. Now if that dignitees than ne mowe not make folk dig∣ne of reuerence. & if that dignitees wexe fowle of her will by the filthe of shrewes. And if dignytees lesen her shy∣nyng by chaūgyng of tymes / & if they wexen fowle by es∣timacion of peple / what is hit that they han in h••m selfe of beaute that ought to be d••sired / As who seyth •• none / then̄e ne m••wen th••y yeuen no beaute of dignite to none other

Quam••is se tirio superbus ostro Comeret & niueis lapillis Inuisus tamē omnib vigebat Luxurie ne∣ro semētis Sed quōdā dab inprob{us} uerēdis Patrib indecores curules Quis igitur putas beatos Quos miseri tribuunt honores etc

AL be hit so that the proud Nero with all his wode luxurie do kembe him and apparaylle him with fayr

purpures of Tyre & with white perles / algates yet thereof he hateful ••o alle folke / yet thi•• wicked Nero hadde grete lordship. & yaf whilome to the reuerent senatours the vn∣lordshipfull seetes of dignitees. vnlordshipfull seetes he clepeth here for that nero that was so wicked yaf tho dig∣nitees / who wolde then̄e resonably wenen th••t blisfulnesse were in ••uche honours. as ben yeuen by vicio{us} sherewes

An vero regna regum{que} familiaritas. efficere poten∣tem valent. Quidin. Quando eorum felicitas perpe∣tuo durat. Atqui plena est exemplorū vetustas etc

BVt regnes & familiaritees of kinges may they make aman̄ to ben mighty. b. how els. whan her blisfulnes dureth perpetuelly / but certes the olde age of tyme pass••d & eke of psent tyme now is ful of ensamples / how that kin∣ges ben chaūged into wretchednes out of her welfulnes / O a noble thing & a clere thing is power that ys not ••oūde mighty to kepe it self / & if that power of royames be auctour & maker of blisfulnes. if thilk power lacketh on any side Amenusith it not thilk blisfulnes and bringeth in wret∣chednesse. But yet al bee hit so that the royaumes of mā∣kinde stretchen brode / yet mote there nede been moche folke ouer whiche that euery kinge ne hath noo lordship ne com∣mandement / And certes vpon thilke side that power fail∣leth whiche that maketh folke blisfull. right on that sa∣me side. none power entreth vndernethe that maketh hem wretches / In this manere thenne mote Kynges han mo∣re porcion of wretchednesse thanne of welefulnesse. A

tyran̄t that was kyng of sesille that had assayed the pa∣ril of his astate shewed by simylitude the dredes of royau∣mes by gastnes of a swerde that henge ouer the heede of his famylier / what thing is then̄e this power that may not don̄ away the bytinges of besines. ne eschewe the prickis of drede And certes yet wolden they liuen in sikernesse. but they may not / And yet they glorifien hem in her power / holdest thou then̄e that thilk man̄ be mighty that thou seest that he wold done that he may not done. And holdestow hym a myghty man̄ that hath enuironned his sides with men̄ of armes or with sergeantes. And drede more hem that he makith agast than they drede him / And that is put in the ••andes of his seruaūtes for he sholde seme myghty / But of famyliers or seruan̄tes of kynges. why shold I telle the ony. syn that I my self haue shewed the that royames hem s••lfe b••ne full of f••blenes / The whiche famyliers c••rtes the royall power of kinges in hole estate and in estate abated throweth a doune / Nero constreyned Seneke hys famy∣lier and his maister to chesen ••n what d••th ••e wold dyen Autonyns com̄aunded that knighte•• slowen wyth her swerdes papynian his famylier / whiche papynyan̄ hadde ben long tyme mighty amonges hem of the court. And yet certes they wolden bothe haue renounced theire power. Of whiche two Seneke enforced hem to yeuen to Nero al his richesses. and also to haue goon̄ in to solitary exyle. But whan the grete wighte. That is to seye of lordes power or of fortune draweth hem that shall falle / neyther of h••m myghte done that he wold. That thynge ys then̄e thilk power that though men hane hyt / yet th••y bene agaste

And whan thou woldest haue it thou nart not siker. and if thou woldest forleten it thou maist not eschewen it / but whether suche men be frendes at nede as ben coūceilled by fortune / and not by vertue / Certes suche folke as weleful fortune maketh frendes / contrarious fortune maketh hem ennemyes. & what pestilence is more mighty for to anoye a wight than a famylier enemye

Qui se volet esse potentem Animos domet ille feroces Nec victa libidin•• colla Fedis submittat habenis Et enim licet indica longe Tell{us} tua iura cremiscat Et serinat vltima thile Tum atras pellere curas Miseras{que} fugare querelas Non posse potencia non

WHo so wole be mighty he mote daūten his cruel cora∣ges ne putte not his necke vnder the fowle regnes of lecherie / For al be it so that thy lordship stre••che so ferre that the coūtre of ynde quaketh at thy commandementes or at thy lawes / And the yle in the see that highte Tyle be thral to the / yet if thou maist not putten away thy fou∣le desires. and driuen oute from the wretched compleyn∣tes. certes it nys no power that thou hast

Gloria vero quam fallax sepe {quam} turpis est. vnde non iniuria tragicus exclamat. cros. azosa. myplocia etc Plures enim magnum sepe nomen falsis vulgi opi¦nionibus abstulere. Quo quid turpius excogitari po∣test. Nam qui falso predicantur. suis ipsi necesse est. laudibus erubescant etc

BVt gloire how fowle & deceyuable is it ofte. for whi∣che thing not vnskilfully a tragidien. that is to seyn̄. a maker of ditees that highten tragedies cryde and sayde. O glorie glorie qd he thou nart no thing ellis to thousandes of folkes but a greet sweller of eres. for many han had ful grete renom̄e by the false opinion of the peuple & what thing may be thought fowler than suche preysinges And if that folk han geten hem thanke or preysing by her desertes / what thing hath thilk price eched or encreced to the consciēce of wise folk that mesuren her good not by ru∣mour of the peple. but by the sothfastnes of consciēce. & if it seme a fayr thing a man̄ to han enc••••ced & sprad his na∣me / then̄e foloweth it that it is demed to be a foule thyng if it ne be sprad & encreaced. but as I sayd a litil here by¦forn̄ / that syn ther mote be nedes many folk to which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the renōme of a man ne may not comen. it befalleth 〈…〉〈…〉 that thou w••nest be glorio{us} & renomed semeth in the nexte partye of the ••rthes to be without glorie & renōme / & certes ••mong these thinges I trowe not that the price & the grace of the peple is eyther worthye to be remembrid ne cometh of wise Iugement / ne i•• f••rme p••rdurably. But now of this name of gentilnesse •• what man is he / that he ne may wel seen howe vayne and how flicting a thing it is / for if the name of gentilnesse be referred to renomme & clere∣nes of lignage / then̄e is g••ntil name but a foreyne thing That is to s••yen to hem that glorifien hem of their lignage For it semeth that gentilnesse be a maner preysing that cometh of the desertes of aūcetries. & if preysing maketh gentilnesse / then moten they nedes be gentil that ben praysed

For whiche thing it foloweth that if thou ne haue no gen∣tilesse of thy self that is to seyne price that cometh of thy deserte foreyne gentilnes ne maketh the not gentil / But certes if ther be ony good in gentilnes. I trowe it be a lon∣ly this. that it semeth that a maner necessite be Imposed to gentilmen̄ for that they ne sholde not outragen or forle∣uen fro the vertues of her noble kinrede

Omne hominum gen{us} in terris simili surgit ab ortu Un{us} enī rerū pater est. vnus cuncta ministrat etc

ALle the lignage of men̄ that ben in erthe ben of sem∣blable birthe. one allone is fader of thinges / one alo∣ne minystrith all thinges / he yaf to the sonne his beames He yaf to the mone her hornes / he yaf the men to the erthe•• He yaf the st••rres to the heuene / he enclosith with mēbris the soules that comen̄ from his hye sete / Then̄e comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. why noysen ye or bosten of your elders / For if ye loke your begynnyng & god youre fader Auctor. and youre maker th••nne is there none forlyued wight but if he norisshe his corage vnto vices. And for∣lete his propre birthe

Quid autem de corporis voluptatibus loquar••quarum appetencia quidē pleua est anxietatis etc

BVt what shal I saye of delites of the body of which delites the desiringes ben ful anguisshous / & the ful∣fillinges of hem been ful of penan̄ce. how grete sekenes and how grete sorwes vnsuffrable right as a maner fruyte of wickednes / but thilke del••tes ben they wonte to bryngen

to the bodies of folke that vsen̄ hem / Of whiche delites I note what Ioye may bene had of theire moeuyng. but this wote I wel that who so euer wole remēbre him of his lux∣uries / he shal wel vnderstande / that the yssues of delites be soroufull and sory. And if thilke delites mowen make folke blisful. then̄e by the same cause / beestes bene cleped blisful of whiche beestis all thentencion̄ hasteth to fulfille her bodily Iolyte. And the gladnes of wyff & childeren̄ were an honest thing / But it hath bene sayd that hyt is ouermoche ayenst kynde that children̄ haue bene founden̄ tor∣mentours to her faders. I note how many / of whiche chyl∣dren̄ howe biting is euery condicion̄ it nedeth not to tellen it the that haste er this tyme assayed it. and art yet now anguisshous. In this tyme approue I the sentence of my disciple Euridippis that sayd that he that hath no children̄ is welefull by fortune

Habet hoc voluptas oīs Stumulis agit fruent••s Apium{que} par volan••••um Ubi grata mella fudit Fugit et nimis t••naci Ferit icta corda morsu

EVery delite hath this •• that it anguissheth hem with prickes that vsen̄ it / It resembleth to these fleynge flyes that we clepen bees / that after that he hath shedde his agreable honyes. he fleeth away & stingeth the hertes of hem that bene smyten̄ with by••••ng ouer long holden

Nichil igitur dubium est. quin be ad beatitudinē vi•• qdam de••a sunt. Nec perducere quem{quam} eo valeāt. &c

HOw is it no doubte then̄e these weyes ne ben a ma∣ner of mysledinges to blisfulnes / ne that they ne mowen̄ not leden folke thider as they biheten to leden hem. But with how grete harmes these forseyde weyes ben enla∣ced / I shall shewe the shortly / For why if thou enforcest the tassemble moneye. thou muste byreuen him his moneye that hath it. And if thou wilt shynen in dignytees thou muste bisechen and supplyen hem that yeuen tho dignitees And if thou coueytest by honour to gone bifore other folk Thou shalt defoule thy self thurgh humblesse of axyng / if thou desirest power / thou shalt by awaytes of thy subge••tis anoyously be caste vnder by many perils. Axestow gloyre thou shalt ben so distraite by aspre thinges that thou shalt forgone sikernes. And if thou woldest laden thy lyfe in delites. euery wight shall dispysen̄ the and forleten the as thou that arte thrall to thing that is righte foule & bru∣tell / that is to seyne seruaūt to thy body / Now is it then̄e well y sene howe litil & how brutell possession. they coueyten that putten̄ the goodes of the body aboue her owne reson / for maistow surmoūten these olifaūtes in gretnes or in weight of body / or maistow be strenger than the bull. Maistow be swifter than the tigre. Beholde the spaces and the stable∣nes and the swift cours of heuene / And stynte somtime to wondren on foule thinges. the whiche heuene certes nys not rather for these thinges to be wondred vpon than for the resone by whiche it is gouerned / But the shynyng of thy forme. That is to seyne the beaulte of thy body / howe swiftly passing is it and howe transitorie. Certes it is more flittyng than the mutabilite of floures of the somer

season. For so as aristotle tellith that if that men had ey∣en of a beest that highte l••nx. so that the loking of folke might percen thurgh the thinges that withstonden it / who so loked thenne in thentrailles of the body of Altibiadis that was ful feyre in the superficie without / it shuld seme right foule / And for thy if thou semest faire. thy nature ne maketh not that / but the deceyuan̄ce of feblenes of the eyen that loken. But preyse the goodes of the body asmoch as euer the liste so that thou knowe algates that what so it be. that is to seyn̄ of the goodes of the body. whiche that thou wondrest vpon. may ben destroyed or els dissolued by the heete of a feuer of thre dayes / Of whiche forsaide thinges I may reducen this shortly in a ••umme that these worldly goodes whiche that ne mowen yeuen that they behighten ne ben not parfit by the congregacion of all goodes. that they ne ben not weye•• ne pat••es that bringen men to blisfulnes ne maken men to be blisful

Heu {quam} miseros tramite deuios. Abducit ignorancia Non aurum in viridi. queritis arbore. Nec vi••e gem∣mas carpitis. No•• altis laqueos montibus abditis Ut pisce ditetis dapes etc

ALlas whiche ••o••••e and whiche ign••ran̄ce misledeth wandringe wretches fro the path of verey good / cer∣tes ye seken no gold in grene trees / Ne ye ne gaderen not preciouse stones in vynes / Ne ye ne hyden not your gyn̄es in hye montaignes to cacchen fysshe. of the whiche ye maye maken ryche feestes / And yf yow lyke to hunte to roes

ye ne goo not to the fordes of the water that hight Tyrene And ouer this men knowe wel the krikes & the cauernes of the see yhid in the flodes. & knowen eke whiche water is moost plenteous of white perles. & knowen whiche water haboūdeth most of rede purpure / that is to seyn̄ of a maner shelfissh with whiche men dyen purpure. & knowen which strondes haboūden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes that hight echynnes. But folk suffren hem self to bene so blynd that hem ne recchen not to knowe where thilke goo∣des bene y hyd whiche that they coueyten. but plungen hem in erthe & seken there thilk good that surmounteth the he∣uen̄ that bereth the sterres / what prayer may I maken that be digne to the nyce thoughtes of men̄. But I praye that they coueyten richesse & honours / so that what they haue go∣ten tho false goodes with grete trauaille that ther by they mowen knowen the verey goodes

Hactenus mendacis formā felicitatis ostendisse suf∣ficerit. q si perspicaciter intuearis. ordo est deinceps que sit vera demonstrare At{que} video ing. Nec opibus sufficienciam. nec regnis potenciam etc

IT suffisith that I haue shewed hiderto the forme of fals welefulnes so that if thou loke clerely the ordre of myn̄ entencōn requireth from hensforth to shewe the ve∣ray welefulnes / B / forsoth qd I. I see wel now that suf∣fisan̄ce may not come by richesse / ne power by royames / ne re∣uerēces by dignites / ne gentilnes by gloire / ne ioye by deli∣tes. P. & hast thou wel knowe qd she the causes why it is so

B. Certes me thinketh qd I that I see hem right as hit were thurgh a litil clifte / but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of the. P. Certes qd she the reson is al redy For thilk thing that simply is one thing withoute any deuision / the errour & folie of mankinde deuideth & de{per}teth it & mysledeth it & transporteth from veray & {per}fyt good to goodes that be fals & vnparfyt / But sey me this wenest thou that he that hath nede of power that him ne lacketh no thing. B nay qd I / P / Certes qd she thou seist a righte For if so be that there is a thing that in ony partie be fie∣bler of power / Certes as in that it mote nedes be nedy of fo∣reyn helpe. b / right so it is qd I. p / suffisance & power ben of one kinde / b. so semeth qd I. p. and demest thou qd she that a thing that is of this manere / that is to s••ye suffi∣san̄t and mighty. ought ben despised / or ••llis that hit bee right digne of reuerence aboue all thinges. B / certes qd I it is no d••u••te that it is right worthy to be reuerenced P / l••te vs ••••den qd she reuerence to suffisance & to power so that we demen that these thre thinges be al one thyng B / ••erte•• qd I late v•• adden it if we wil graūte the soth P / what demes•• thou qd she / thenne i•• that a derke thing and not noble. that is suffisan̄t reuerent / and myghty o•• els that it i•• right noble and right cl••re by celeb••et••••f of renōme. Considere thenne qd she as we han graunt•••• h••re biforn̄ that he that ne hath no nede of no thing and is most mighty & most digne of honour / if him nedeth ony c••er••nes of renōme •• whiche clerenes he might not graūten of him selfe •• so for lacke of thilke clerenes he myghte se∣men the fiebler ••n ony side or the more outecaste Glese

That is to saye nay / For who so that is suffisan̄t. mighty and reuerent / clerenes of renōme foloweth of the forsaide thinges / he hath it all redy of his ••uffisan̄ce. B. I maye not quod I denye it but I mote graunten as hit is that this thing be right celebrable by clerenes of renōme and noblesse. P. Thenne foloweth qd she that we adden clere∣nes of renomme to the forsaid thynges so that there bee amongis hem no difference. Boece / This is a consequence quod I / Philosophia This thing then̄e quod she that ne hath nede of no foreyn̄ thing and that maye do all thing by his strengthis / and that is noble and honourable. is it not a mery thing & Ioyeful. B. but whens quod I that ony sorowe myghte come to this thing that is suche / certes I may not thinke / Philosophia Thenne mote we graūten quod she that this thyng be full of gladnes. yf the fore sayde thing••s be sothe / And certes also mote we graunten that suffisan̄ce. power noblesse. reuerence and gladnes bee onely dyuerce by names but her substan̄ce hath no dyuer∣site / B. Hit mote nedely be so qd I / Philosophia Thilke thing then̄e qd she that is one & s••mple in his nature / the wickednes of men de{per}teth it & deuideth it / & whan they en∣forcen hem to geten partye of a thing that ne hath no parte They ne geten hem neyther thilk partye that nys none / ne the thing all hole that they desire not. Boece. In whiche manere quod I. Philosophia Thilke man̄ quod she that secheth richesse to sleen pouerte. he ne trauailleth him not for to gete power / for he hath leuer be derk & vyle. & eke with∣draweth from him self many naturel delites for he nolde lese the money that he hath assemblid / but certes in this maner

he ne geteth him noo suffisance that power forletteth and that molest pricketh / And that filth maketh outcaste. & that derkenes hydeth. And certes he that desireth onely power wasteth and scatterith richesse & despiseth delice•• / & ••ke honour that is without power. ne he ne preyseth glorie nothing. Certes this seest thou well that many thinges faillen to him. For he hath som tyme defaute of many ne∣cessitees and many anguisshes biten him. And he maye not done tho defautes away. he forle••teth ••o be myghty and that is the thing that he moost desireth. And right thus maye I make semblable reasons of honour and of glorie & of delices / for so euery of these forsaide thinges is the same that these other thinges ben / that is to seyne al one thyng Who so that ••uer seketh to geten that one of these / and not that other. he ne geteth not that he desireth. B / what saistow then̄e if that a man̄ coueyte to g••ten al these thinges to gi∣der P. Certes qd she I weld saye th••t he w••ld geten him souerayn blisfulnes. but that shal he not finde in th••o thinges that I haue shewd that mowe not yeu••n that they be••eten. B. Certes no qd I. P•• Then̄e qd she ne shullen men not by no weye seken blisfulnes in suche thinges as men w••nen that they ne mowen gyuen but one thing sin∣glerly of al that men seken. b•• I gra••••e wel qd I ne none sother thing may be sayd. P. now hastow then̄e qd she the forme and the cause of false welfulnes. Now torne and flitte agayn to thy thoughte •• for there shal thou seen anon thilk verey blisfulnes that I haue behight the / B / Certes quod I h••t is c••ere and open though hit were to a blind man̄. And that shewdist thou me a litel here biforn̄ whan

thou enforcedest the to shewe me the causes of the false wele∣fulnes / For but if I be begyled then̄e is thilke the veraye blisfulnes and parfyte that parfitely maketh a man suf∣fisaunt. myghty honourable / noble. and full of gladnes And for thou shalt well knowe that I haue well vnder∣standen these thinges within my herte / I knowe wel that thilke blisfulnes that men veryly yeuen one of the forsaid thinges syn they bene al one. I know doubteles that thilk thing is ful of blisfulnes. P / O my norye qd she by this opynyon I seye that thou arte blisfull. if thou putte this therto that I shal seyne / B / what is that qd I. P. trowest thou that there be ony thyng in this erthely mortall tom∣bling thinges that may bringen this estate / B. Certes qd I. I trow it not / and thou hast shewed me well that ouer thilke good ther nys noo thing more to ben desired / P / These thinges then̄e qd she / that is to seyne erthely suffi∣san̄ce & power & suche thinges erthely. they semen likenes of veray good / or els it semeth that they yeuen to mortal folk a maner of goodnes that ne be not parfyte / but thilk good that is veray & {per}fite. that may they not yeuen / B. I accorde me well qd I / P / then̄e qd she for as moche as thou hast knowen whiche is thilke very blisfulnes / and eke whiche thilke thinges ben that lyen falsely blisfulnes. that ys to seye that by deceyte semen verey goodes. Now behoueth the to knowe whens & where thou mowe seke thilke very blisful∣nes. B. Certes quod I that desire I gretely & haue abiden a long tyme to herkene hit. P. But for as moche qd she as it liketh to my disciple Plato in his book of in thymeo that right in litil thinges men shuld biseche the help of god

What Iuggest thou that be now to done so that we maye deserue to finde the sete of thilke souerayne good. B. cer∣tes quod I. I deme that we sholde clepen to the fader of alle goodes / For withouten him nys there nothing foūden a right / P. Thou saist right quod she. and began anon̄ to singen right thus

O qui perpetua mundum racione gubernas Terrarum celi{que} sator. qui tempus ab euo Ire iubes. stabilis{que} manens. das cuncta moueri Quem non externe pepulerunt fingere cause

O Thou fader souerayne and creatour of heuen and of erthes / that gouernest this worlde by perdurable rea∣son / Thou comandest the tymes to goon̄ syn that aage had begynnyng. Thou that dwellist thy self stidfaste & stable and yeuest alle other thinges to be moeuid. ne foreyn cau∣ses necessed the neuer to compowne werke of flotering ma∣ter / but onely the fourme of souerayn̄ good ysette with in the withoute enuye / that meeuyd the frely that thou arte alther feyrest bering the fayr world in thy thought four∣medest this world to the likenesse semblable of that fayre world in thy thoughte. Thou deawese all thinges on thy souerayne examplir and commandest th••t this worlde per∣fytly ymaked haue frely and absolute his parfyte {per}ties Thou byndest the elementes by nombres {pro}porcienables that the cold thinges mowen accorde with the hoote thinges. And the drye thinges with the moiste. that the fire that is pured ne flee not ouer hye / ne that the heuynes ne drawe

not adoun̄ ouer lowe the erthes that ben plunged in waters Thou knyttest to gyder the meene soule of treble kinde mo∣euyng all thinges / and deuidest hit by nomb••e according And whan it is thus deuided it hath assemblid a moe∣uyng into two ro••des / it goth to torne agayn to him self And enuyron̄eth a ful depe thoughte / and torneth the he∣uene by semblable ymage. Thou by euen like causes enhaū∣cest the soules and the lesse lyues & abling hem to heighte by lighte waynes or cartes. Thou sowest hem into heuene and into erthe / and whan they be conuerted to the by thy benigne lawe / thou makest hem retorne ayen to the by ayen leding fire. O fader yeue thou to the thought ••o styen vp into thy streyte sete / & graūte him to enuyrōne the welle of good. And the lighte yfoūde graunte him to fixen the cle∣re sightes of his corage in the. And shatre thou & to breke the weightes & the cloudes of erthely heuinesse / & shyne thou by thy brightnes / for thou art clerenes. thou art pes••ble r••s∣te to debonair folke / thou thy self art begyn̄yng. ••erer / leder path & terme to loke on the / that is our ende

Quoniam igitur qu•• sit inperfecti. que eciam perfecti f••rmam vidisti. Nunc demonscrandum reor. quo nā hec felicitatis perfectio constituta sit. In quo illud pri∣mum arbitror inquirendum etc

For asmoch then̄e as thou hast seen whiche is the four∣me of good / that nys not {per}fyt / & the forme of good whiche that is {per}fyt. now trow I that it were good to shewe in what this {per}feccion of blisfulnes is sett / & in this thing

I trowe that we shall first enquere for to weten yf that ony suche maner good as thilke good as thou haste diffinis∣shed a litill here biforne. That is to seyne souerayn good maye bee founde in the nature of thynges / For that vaynt ymaginacion̄ of thoughte ne deceyue vs not and putt vs oute of the sothfastnes of thilke thing that is submytted to vs. But it maye not be denyed that thilk ne is / and that is righte as a welle of all goodes. For alle thyng that is clep••d inparfite is proued inparfite by the amenu∣sing of perfeccion of thing that is parfite / And here of cometh it that in euery thing ge••eral yf that men seen eny thing that is inparfite. Certes in thilke thing generall there mote be som̄e thing that is parfite / For if so be that perfeccion is done awaye / men maye not thinke ne saye from whens thilke thing is that is cleped inparfite / for the nature ne toke not her beg••nnyn•• of thinges amenu∣sed and inparfite / but hit procedeth of thinges. that bene all ••ooll absolute And d••scend••th so downe in to th•• vt∣tr••s•• thing••s and in to thinges empty and with oute fruyte / But as I haue shewd a litill here biforne that yf that there be a ••lisfulnes that be frele & veyne and inpfite th••re maye noo man doubte that there nys som̄e blisfulnes that there is sad stedfast & parfite / B. Thys is concluded qd I fermely & sothfastly. P. But considere also qd she in whom this blisfulnes inhabiteth / The com̄une accorde & conceyte of the corage of men proueth & graūteth that god pr••••ce of all thinges is good. For so as nothing maye be thoughte better than god. hit maye not bene doubted thenne that b31e that no thyng nys better than he nys good

Certes reason̄ sheweth that god is so good that it proued by veraye force that parfyte good is in him / For if God nys suche he ne maye not been̄ prince of alle thing / for cer∣tes somthing possessing in it self parfyte good sholde bee more worthy than god. And it shuld semen that thilk thing were first and older than god. For we haue shewd ap{per}tely that alle thinges that ben parfyt ben first. or thin∣ges that ben imparfyte. And for thy for as moche as that my resone or my processe ne goo not aweye withoute an ende / we owen̄ to graūten that the souerayne good is right∣full of souerayne parfyte good. And we haue estabilis∣shed that the souerayne good is veray blisfulnesse. thenne mote it nedes bee that veray blisfulnesse is sette in souerain good. B / This take I wel qd I / ne this ne may not be withsayd in noo manere / P. But I praye the quod she See nowe howe thou maist prouen holyly / and withouten corrupcion̄. this that we haue seyd that the souerayn god is full of right s••u••rayne good. B. In whiche manere quod I. P. Wenestow ought quod she that the fader of alle thinges haue taken thilke souerayne good ony where oute of him selfe. of whiche souerayne good men proueth that he is full. righte as thou mightest thinken that god that hath blisfulnesse in him selfe / and thilk blisfulnesse that is in him were dyuerce in substan̄ce / For if thou we∣ne that god hath receyued thilke good oute of him selfe Thou mais•• wene that he that yaf thilke good to God be more worthy than God / But I am beknowe and con∣fesse & that right dignely that god is right worthy aboue al thinges. & if so be that this good be in him by nature

but that is dyuerce from him by wenyng reson syn we spe∣ken of god prynce of alle thinges. feyne who so feyne may Who was he that conioyned these thinges to gyder. and eke atte laste s••e wel that a thing that is dyuerce fro ony thing that t••ilke thing nys not that same thing for which it is vnderst••nden to bene diuerce. thenne foloweth hit well that thilke thing / that by his nature is dyuerce from souerayne good. that thing is not souerayne good But certes it were a felonous cursednes to thinken that of hym that noo thyng nys more worth. For all waye of alle thynges the name of hem ne maye not bene better than her begynner. For whiche I maye concluden by right veraye reson. that thilke that is begynnyng of alle thin∣g••s / thilke same thing is souerayne god in his substan̄ce B. Th••u hast sayd rightfully quod I •• Philosophia / but we haue graunted quod she that the s••uerayne good ys blisfulnes. B. That is s••the quod I. ••. Thenne qd she we moten nedes graunten and con••••ssen that thilke same souerayn good be god. B. Certes quod I•• I ne may not denye ne withstande the resons purposed. And I see w••ll that hit foloweth by strengthe of the pr••mysses. P / lo∣••e nowe qd she if this bee proued yet more f••rmely thus. That there ne mowen not bene two souerayne goodes that ben dyuerce among hem self / For certes the goodes that ben dyuerce among hem self. that one is not th••t the other is. Then̄e ne mowen neyth••r of hem be parfyte / so as eyther of ••••m lacketh to other / but that / that nys not {per}fyte. men may seen ap••rtly that it nys not souerayne / The thinges then that be soueraynly good ne mowe by no wey be d••••ce

But I haue well concluded that blisfulnesse and God been̄ the souerayne good. for whiche hit mote nedes been that souerayne blisfulnesse is souerayne dignite. B. Noo thing quod I i•• more sothfaste than this / ne more ferme by reason̄ ne a more worthy thing than god maye not be concluded. Phīa. Vpon these thinges thenne qd she right as these geometriciens whan they haue shewed theire propo∣sicions been wonte to bringen in thinges that they clepen porrismes or declaracions of forsayde thinges / right so wole I yeue the here as a corallarye or a mede of Crowne. For why for as moche as by the getyng of bl••sfulnesse men been maked blisfull / And blisfulnesse ys dignite / then̄e hit is manifeste and open that by the getyng of digny∣te men been maked blisfull right as by the getyng of Iustice. And by the getyng of sapyence they bee maked wyse / right so nedes by the semblable reason̄ whan they haue goten dyuynyte th••y ••••e m••ad Goddes / Thenne is euery blisfull man̄ a God. But certes by nature there nys but one God. But by the participacion of dyuinyte there ne letteth ne distourbeth noo thing that there ne bee many Goddes / B. This is quod I a fayre thing and a pre∣cious. clepe hit as thou wilt bee hit Corallarie or porrisme or mede of Crowne or declaring / Phīa / Certes quod she no thing nys fayrer than is the thing that by reson shold bee added to these forsayd thinges / B. What thing qd I. Phīa / So quod she as it semeth that blisfulne•• con∣teyneth many thinges / it were for to weten whether that alle these thinges maken or conioynen as a manere body of blisfulnesse by the dyuersite of parties of membres

or els if ony of all these thinges be suche that it accompli∣ce by him selfe the substan̄ce of blisfulnes. so all these other thinges bene referred and brought to blisfulnes. that is to seye as to the chief of hem. B. I wold qd I that thou madest me clerely to vnderstande what thou seyste & what thou recordest me the forsayd thinges / P / haue I not iug∣ged qd she that blisfulnes is good / B. yes forsoth qd I and that souerayne good. P / Adde thenne qd she thilke good that is made blesfulnes to alle the forsayd thinges For thilke same blisfulnes that is demed to be souerayn suffisan̄ce. thilke self is souerayn power / souerayn reuerēce Souerayne cl••ren••s or noblesse and souerayn d••lite / what sayste thou thenne of alle these thinges. that is to seye suf∣fisan̄ce. power and these other thinges / b••ne th••y thenne as membres of blisfulnes / or bene they referred & broughte to souerayne good / right as all thinges ••hat ben b••ought to the chief of ••em. B. I vnderstande well quod I what thou purposest to seke. but I desire for to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that thou shewe it to me. P. Take now thus the dis••rec••on of this question qd she / If alle thes•• thynges qd s••e weren mem∣bres to felicite / then̄e weren they dyuerce that one from that other / and suche is the nature of partyes or of membres / that dyuerce membres compowne a body / Bo••cius / Certes quod I. Hit hath well bee shewed here by forne that alle these thynges bene alle one thyng / Philosophia / Thenne bene they noo membres quod she. For ellis hyt shold seme that blesfulnes were coioyned all of one memb••e allone. But that is a thyng whyche maye not be done Bo••cius. Thys thyng•• quod I then̄e is not doubtous

But I abide to herkne the remenan̄t of thy question. P. This is open & clere qd she that al other thinges be refer∣rid and brought to good. For therfore is suffisan̄ce re∣quyred. For hit is demed for to been good / And for thy is power required. For men trowen also. that hyt be good / And this same thyng mowen wee thinken and coniecten / of reuerence. of noblesse / and of delite. Thenne is souerayne good the somme and the cause of alle that ought to be desired. For why thilke thing that withhol∣deth no good in it self / ne semblance of good / it ne may not wel in no maner be desired ne required / and the con∣trarie / For thaugh that thinges by her nature ne been not good. Al ga••es if men wenen̄ that they been̄ good / yet ben they desired as th••ugh they weren̄ verilich good. And th••r¦fore it is sayd that men ought to wene by right that boū∣te bee the souerayne fyne and the cause of alle the thinges that been to requiren̄. But certes thilke that is cause for whiche men requyren̄ ony thing / hit semeth that thilk sa∣me thing bee moost desired / As thus. yf that a wighte wolde riden for cause of hele. he ne desireth not so mochell the mo••uyng to riden as the effecte of his helthe. Nowe thenne syn̄ that alle thinges been̄ required for the grace of good. they ne bee not desired of alle folke more thanne the same good / But wee haue graunted that blisfulnes ys that same thing for whiche that alle these other thyn∣ges been̄ desired. Thenne is hit thus that certes onely blisfulnesse is required and desired. by whiche thyng it sheweth clerely that of good and blisfulnesse is al one and the same substan̄ce. B. I see not quod I wherefore

that men myght discorden̄ in this. Philosophia / And we han shewde that god and veray blisfulnes is al one thing Boece. That is soth qd I. P. Then̄e mowe we conclude sikerly / that the substan̄ce of good is sette in thilke same god & in none other place

Nunc omnes pariter venite capti Quos fallax ligat inprobis c••tems Terrenas habitans libido mentes Hoc erit vobis requies laborum Hic port{us} placida ma∣nens qete Hoc pateris vnum miseris asilum etc

COmeth all to gyder nowe ye that ben yc••ught and bounde with wickid cheynes by the deceyuable delyte of erthely thinges inhabiting in your th••ught. h••re shalbe the r••ste of youre laboure. here is the han••n s••able in quyete p••sible / This all one is the ••p••n r••••ute to wretches / that is to s••••••e that ye that be comb••ed & deceyued with worldly aff••ccions cometh now to this souereyn go••d that is god That is refute to hem that willen comen to him. Alle the thinges that the ryuer Tagus yeueth you with his gol∣den grauels / or els all the thinges that the ryuer Hermus yeueth with his rede brynke. or that Indus yeueth that is ne••t the ••oote partye of the worlde that medleth the grene stones with the whyte / ne shold not cleren the lokyng of youre thoughte / but hiden rather youre blynde corage with in her derk••••••s / All that liketh you here and exciteth & moeueth youre thoughtes. the erthe hath norisshed it with in his lowe caues. But the shynyng by whiche the heuen is gouerned and whens that his strength that escheueth

the derke ouerthrowyng of the soule. & who so euer maye knowen thilke lighte of blisfulnes. he will seyne that the white beames of the sonne ne be not clere

Assencior in{quam} cuncta enim firmissimis nexa racioni¦bus constant. Tum illa. Quanti inquit estimabas si bonum ipsum quid sit agnosceres. Infinito in{quam}. Si quidem michi pariter domim quo{que} qui bonum est etc

BOece / I assente me qd I / for al thinges ben strong∣ly boūden with righte ferme resons / P. How moche wilt thou preysen it qd she. if that thou know what thilk good is / B. I will preyse it qd I by price withoute ende yf it shal betide me to know also to gider god that is good P. Certes qd she that shall I doo the by veray reason. yf that tho thinges that I haue co••cluded a litell here biforne dwellen onely in her graūtyng / B / They dwellen graun∣ted to the quod I. that is to seyne as who seith I graūte to thy forsayd conclusions / P / I haue shewd the qd she that the thinges that bene required of many folke ne ben not vereye goodes ne parfyte for they bene dyuerce that one from that other / and so as eche of hem is lackyng to other they ne han noo power to bringe a good that is full & abso∣lute. But thenne at erst bene they verey good / whan they bene gadred to gyder al into one forme and into one wer∣kyng. so that thilke thing that is ••uffisan̄t / thilk same by power. and reuerence & noblesse & myrthe / And forsoth but if all thise thinges be al one same thing. they ne han not wherby that they mowe be put in the nombre of thinges

that ought to be required & desired. b. It is shewd qd I Ne herof may ther noman̄ doubten. p. the thinges then̄e qd she that ne ben none goodes whan they ben diuerce. & whan they begyn̄en to be al one thing / thenne ben they goodes / ne cometh hit not then̄e by the getyng of vnyte that they bee maked goodes / b / so semeth it qd I / p / but al thing that is good qd she. graūte stow that hit be good by the {per}tici∣pacion of good or noo. b. I graūte qd I. p. Then̄e mostow graūten qd she by semblable reason that one & good be one same thing. for of thinges of whiche theffecte nis not na∣turelly d••uce / nedes their substan̄ce mus•• be one same thing B / I ne maye not denye it qd I. p. b••stow not knowen wel qd she that all thing that is / hath so long his dwel∣ling & his substan̄ce as long as it is one. but whan hit forletteth to ben one hit muste nedes dyen and corrump••n to gyder. b. In whiche manere qd I. p. right as in bes••es qd she whan the soule and the body been conioyned in one and dwellen to gyder. hit is cleped a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 / And whan her vnyte i•• d••stroyed by the dysseueran̄ce that one from that other / th••nne sheweth hit well. that hit is a dede thing And hit is noo lenger noo bees•••• / And the body of a wighte while hit dwelleth in one fourme by coniunccion of memb••••s. hit is well seyne. that hit ys a fygure of mankynde / And if the partyes of the body bee denyed and dyss••uerid that one from that other that they destroie the vnyte. the body forleteth to bee that hit was byforne And whoo so wold renne in the same manere by alle thynge••. he shuld sene that with oute doubte euery thyng is in hys substannce / as longe as hyt ys one

And whan it forleteth to be one it deyeth and perissheth B / whan I considere qd I many thinges I see none other P / Is ther ony thing qd she that in as moche as it liueth naturelly that forleteth the talente or the appetite of his be∣yng & desireth to come to deth & to corrupcion / B / if y con∣sidere qd I the beestis that han ony maner nature of wil∣ling & of nylling. I ne finde noo beste but if it be constrey∣ned frowithoutforth. that forleteth or despiseth the enten∣cion to lyuen & to duren. or that will his thankes hasten him to deyen. for euery beste trauailleth him to defende and kepe the saluacion of hys lyf and escheweth deth & destruc∣cion. but certes I doubte me of herbes & of trees that ne han no feling sowlis ne no naturell workinges seruyng to ap∣petites as beestes han. whether they han appetite to dwellen and to duren. P / Certes qd she therof dar the not doubte Nowe loke vpon the herbes and trees for they wexen firste in suche places as bene couenable to hem. In whiche places they mowe not deyen ne dryen as long as her nature may defenden hem. For som̄e of hem wexen in feeldes and som̄e wexen in montaignes / And other wexe in mareys & other cleuen on rockes / and somme wexen plenteous in sondes And if ony wyght enforce hem to bere hem in to other pla∣ces. they wexen drye. For Nature yeueth to euery thing that is conuenyent to him / And trauaylleth that they ne deye as long as they han power to dwellen and to liuen What wylt thou seyne of this. that they drawen all her nourisshinges by her rotes / ryght as they hadden her mow∣thes yplunged within the erthes and sheden by her mary∣es her wood and her barke / And what wilt thou seyne

of this that thilk thing that is right softe as the marye is. that is alweye hidde in the seete within / and that it is defended fro withoute by stedefastnes of wode / And that the vtterest barke is put ayenst the distemperan̄ce of the he∣uene as a defendour myghty to suffren harme / and thus certes maistow well sene / how grete is the diligence of na∣ture / for alle thinges reuoluen and publisshen hem wyth seed ymulteplied. ne there nys noman̄ that ne wote well that they ne been right as a fondement and edifice for to duren not only for a tyme / but right as for to duren per∣durably by generacion. And the thinges eke that men ne wenen ne haue no soules / ne desire they not by semblable re∣son to kepen that is his / that is to seyn̄ that is accordyng to her nature in conseruacion of her beyng and enduring For wherfore ell••s berith lightnes the flambes vp. And the weighte presseth the erthe a downe / but for as moche as thilke places and thilke mo••uynges bee couenable to eue∣rich of hem / And forsothe euery thing kepith thilke that is accordyng and propre to him right as t••inges that ben contrarious and enemyes corrumpen h••m. And yet the harde thinges as stones cleuen and holden their parti∣es to gyder right faste and harde and defenden h••m in with∣stonding that they ne departen̄ lightly and yeuen place to h••m that beeken̄ or deu••den hem. But nath les they retour∣nen̄ ayeme soone in to the same thynges from whens they bee ar••••••d / But fire fleeth and refuseth alle dyuysion Ne I ne trete not nowe here of wilfull mo••uynges of the sowle that ys knowyng. but of naturell entencion of thynges. As thus / ryghte as wee swolowen the mete

that we receyuen. and ne thinke not on hit. And as we drawe oure breth in slepyng that we wyte not while wee slepen. For certes in the beestes the loue of her lyuynges ne of her beeinges ne cometh not of the wilnyngis of the soule. but of the bigynnynges of nature. for certes thurgh constreynyng causes. wille desireth and embraceth full ofte tymes the deth that nature dredeth. That is to seyne as thus / That a man̄ maye bee constreyned so by som cau∣se that his wille desireth and taketh the deeth / which that nature hateth and dredeth ful sore / And som̄e tyme wee seen̄ the contrarie / as thus / that the wille of a wighte dis∣tourbeth and constrayneth that. that nature alweye desi∣reth and requireth / That is to seye the werkes of genera∣cion. by the whiche generacion onely dwellith and is sus∣teyned the longe durabilite of mortal thingis / As thus This charite and this loue that euery thing hath to him self ne cometh not of the moeuyng of the sowle / but of the entencion of nature. For the pourueance of god hath ye∣uen to thinges that bene create of him this. that is a full grete cause to lyuen and to duren for whiche they desiren naturelly her life. as long as euer they mowen̄ / for whiche thou maiste not dreden by noo manere that alle thynges that ben any where. that they ne requiren naturelly the fer∣me stablenes of perdurable dwellyng and eke the schewing of destruccion / Boecius / Now confesse I well quod I that I see well nowe certainly withouten doubte the thynges that semeden vncertayne to me. P. But quod she thilke thing that desireth to be and dwelle perdurably. he desi∣reth to bene one / For if that one were destroyed / certis

beyng shulde there none dwellen to no wight. B / that is soth qd I. P. Then̄e qd she desiren alle thinges one / B. I assente qd I / P. Aud I haue sh••wd qd she that ilke same one is thilk that is good // B / ye forsoth qd I. P / Alle thinges then̄e qd she requiren good. And thilke maistow discriuen thus / Good is thilk thing that euery wight des••reth / B / th••re ne may be thought nomore v••reye thing qd I. for eyther alle thinges be referred & brought to nought and floteren withoute gouernour dispoylled of one as of her propre heed or els if there be ony thing to whiche that alle thinges tenden and hy••n to. that thyng muste be the souerayn good of alle good••••. P / thenne sayde she thus. O my no••y qd s••e / I haue grete gl••d••es of the For thou h••s••e fired in thy herte the m••ddell s••tl••fas••nes That is to s••yn̄ the pricke / but this t••ing hath bee dys••••∣u••••d to them that thou seydest. that thou wistes•• not a li∣••••l here biforn̄. B / what is that quod I. P That thou ne wistes•• not qd she whi••he was the ende of thinges / And c••rtes that is the thing that 〈…〉〈…〉 and for as mo••••e as we 〈…〉〈…〉 t••ilk thing that is des••red of alle th••n̄e mote wee ned••s conf••ssen̄ that good to th•• fyne of alle thing••s

Qinsquis profunda mente vestigat verū. ••upit{que} nul∣lis ille demis fall••. In se reuoluat intum lucem visus Long••s{que} in o••bem cogat inflectens motus. Ammū{que} ••••ce at q••••dq••••d e••••ra moli••ur. Sins recrusū possi∣dere thesa••••••s. Dudum qin acra te••it erroris nubes. Lucebi•• ipso perspicacius phebo etc

WHo so seketh sothe. by a depe thoughte. and coueyteth to been deceyued by noo mysweyes / lete him rollen and treden with in him selfe. the lighte of his Inward sight. and lete him gaderen ayen enclinyng into a compas the longe moeuynges of his thoughtes. and lete him te∣chen his corage. that he hath enclosed and hydd in hys tresours / al that he hath compassed or sought frowithoute And then̄e thilke thing that the black cloudes of errour whilom had couerid shal lighte more clerely than phebus him self ne shyneth / Glosa. who so wol seke the depe groū∣des of soth in his thoughte. & wole not be deceyued by false pposicions that gon amys from the trouth. lete him wel ex∣amyne & rolle within him self the nature & {pro}pretees of the thing / And lete him yet eftsones examyne and rollen his thoughtes by goode deliberacion or that he deme. And late him techen̄ his sowle. that hit hath by naturel princy∣plis kind••lich yhidd with in hit selfe alle the trouthe the whiche he ymagyneth to been in thinges withoute / And thenne all the derkenes of his mysknowyng shalle seen̄ more euydently to the sight of his vnderstonding than the sonne ne semeth to the sighte withoute forth. For certes the body bringyng the weighte of foryetyng ne hath not chaced oute of your thought all the clerenes of your kno∣wyng. for certaynly the seed of soth holdeth and cleueth within youre corage / And it is awaked and excited by the wyndes and by the blastes of doctrine / for wherfore els demen ye of youre owne will the rightes whan ye be axed But if so were that the norisshing of reson ne lyued y••plunged in the depe of youre herte. That is to seyne howe

shold men demen the ••oth of ony thing that were axed. & if ther nere a rote of sothfastnes that were yplunged and hyd in naturel principles. the whiche sothfastnes liued within the depnes of the thoughte / And if so be that the muse & the doctrine of Plato ••ingeth soth. Al that euery wight lerneth / he ne doth nothing ellis then̄e but recordeth as men recorden thinges that ben foryeten

Tum ego platonj in{quam} vehementer assencior. Nam me horum iam secundo commemoras primum quod memoriam corporea contagione. Dehinc cum mero∣ris mole {pro}rsus amisi. Tum illa. Si priora inquit cō∣fess•• respicias. ne illud quidem long••••s abierit etc

THen̄e sayd I thus. i. b / I accorde me gretly to Pla∣to. for thou recordest and remembres•• me these thyn∣g••s yet the seconde tyme / that is to seye firste whan I lefte m•• memorie by the contrario{us} coniunccion of the body with the sowle. And ••••tesones afterward whan I leste it con∣founded by the charge & by the burthen of my sorowe. P. & then̄e saide she thus / yf thou seke qd she firste the thingis that thou hast graūted it ne shal not ben right ferre then̄e that thou ne shalt remembren thilk thing that thou seydest that thou nyseest not. B / what thing qd I. P. by why∣che gouernement qd she that thi•• worlde is gouerned. B Me remembreth it wel qd I / And I confesse well that I ne wis•• it not. but al be it so that I see now from a fer what thou purposest / Algates I desire yet to herkne of the more plem••••ch P / thou ne w••ndest qd she a litel here bifor••̄

that men shulde doubte that this worlde is gouerned by god B. Certes quod I ne yet ne doubte I it not / ne I nyl ne∣uer wene that it were doubte. As who seith. But I wote well that god gouerneth this worlde / And I shal short∣ly answeren the by what resons. I am brought to this / this world quod I of so many dyuerce and contrarious par∣tyes ne might neuer han ben assembled in one forme but if there were one. that conioyned so many dyuerce thynges. And the same dyuersite of her natures that so discorden that one from that other. muste departen and vnioyne the thinges that ben conioyned and yboūde / ne the certayn or∣dre of nature ne sholde not bringe forth so ordeyne moeuyn∣ges / by places / by times. by doynges by spaces by qualitees If ther ne were one that were ay stedfaste dwellinge that ordeyned and disponed these dyuersitees of mo••uynges. And thilk thing what someuer it be / by whiche that alle thinges ben y maked and led I clepe him god that is a worde that is vsed to alle folke. P. Then̄e sayde she. syn thou felest thus these thinges qd she. I trowe that I haue litel more to doon / that thou mighty of welefulnes hook & sound ne see eftesones thy coūtre / But lete vs loken the thinges that wee haue pourposed here byforne / haue I not nombred & sayd qd she that suffisan̄ce is in blisfulness•• / And we haue accorded that god is thilke same bl••sful∣nes. b / yes forsothe qd I / p / & that to gouerne this world qd she ne shal he neuer haue nede of none helpe fro without For els if he had nede of ony helpe. he ne sholde not haue no f••l suffisan̄ce. B / yes thus it mote nedes be qd I / P. Then̄e ordeyned he by him self allone alle thinges qd she

B. That maye not be denyed qd I. P. And I haue shewd that god is the same good / B / It remembreth me well qd I / P / Th••nne orde••neth he all t••i••g••s by thilk good qd she / syn he whiche we han acorded to be good. go∣uerneth alle thinges by him selfe. And he is a keye and a steyre by whiche the edyfice of this worlde is kept stable and withoute c••r••umping. B / I accorde me gretely qd I. And I haue apperceyued a litil h••re biforn that thou wol••est saye thus / All were it so that it were by a thynne suspecion. P / I trowe well qd she / For as I trowe / thou ledeste nowe m••re enten••••sly thyne e••e to loken the vereye goodes. But na••h••les the thing that I shall telle th••. yet n•• sheweth not lasse to loke•• / B / What is that quod I P / So as men ••rowe qu••d she and that rightfully that god goue••neth alle thing••s by the ke••e of his goodnes. And all th••s•• same thinges that I haue t••••ghte the has∣ten hem b•• naturelle entencion to come to good / there maye noo man̄ doubten that they ne ben gouerned v••s••••nt••ryly / And that the•• n•• conu••r••en hem of her owen good wille to her ordeynour / As that they been according & enclinyng to h••r gouernour & to her king / B. It mote nedes be soo qd I. for the royame ne shuld not seme bl••sful if ther were a yok of misdrawingis in diuerce p••••es ne the sauyng of obedient thinges ne shold not be 〈…〉〈…〉 th••r nothing qd she that kepeth his nature that enforce••h him to goone a••••nst god / B. no qd I. P. & if that ony thing enforced him to withstande god. might it auailen at l••s•• ••y••n him t••at we haue graūted to be almighty by the right of blisful∣nes. B. c••rtes qd I al vtterly it ne might not auaile him

P. Then̄e is there nothing qd she that eyther may or wil withstonden to his souerain god / B / I trowe not qd I P. then̄e qd she is thilke the soueraine god that al thin••ges gouerneth strongly & ordeyne••h hem softly. B thenne sayd I thus I delite me qd I. not only in thendes or in the som̄e of the resons that thou hast concluded & {pro}ued / but thilke wordes that thou vsest deliten̄ me moche more. So that atte laste fooles that somtyme r••nden grete thinges oughten̄ be ashamed of hem self. that is to s••yne that wee fooles that reprehenden wickedly the thinges that touchen goddes gouernance / we oughten ben ashamed of our selfe As I that sayde that god refuseth only the werk••s of men̄ & ne entermeteth not of it. P / thou h••st wel herd qd she the fables of the poetes. how the Gean̄tes assaileden heuene with the god••es / but forsothe the debonair force of god dis∣posed hem as it was worthy / that is to seyn̄ destroyed the gean̄ts as it was worthy / But wilt thou that we reioy∣nen to geder thilk same resons / for perauēture of suche con∣iunccion maye sterten vp som̄e fayr sparke of sothe. B. do qd I as the liste. Phīa. wenestow qd she that god ne bee almighty. B. noman̄ is in doubte of it certes quod I. P No wight ne doubteth it. if he be in his mynde qd she. but he that is almighty ther nis nothing that he ne may. B That is soth qd I / P / may god do euil qd she. B / Nay forsoth qd I. P. Then̄e is euil nothing qd she / sith that he may done none euil that may done al thinges. b. scornest thou me qd I or els pleyestow or deceyuestow me that hast so won̄en me with thy resons. the ho{us} of dedal{us} so entrelaced that it is vnable to be vnlaced that thou otherwhile entrest

there thou yssuest / and other while issuest there thou entrest Ne foldest thou not to geder by replicacion of wordes a ma∣ner wonderfull cercle or enuiron̄yng of the simplicite diui∣ne / for certes a litil here biforn̄ whan thou began at blisful∣nes. thou seydest that it is souerayn good. & that God is the blisfulnes / for whiche thou yaf me as a couenable yeft that is to seyn̄ that no wight nys blisful but if he be good also therwith. & seydest eke that the forme of good is the substan̄ce of god & of blisfulnes. & saidest that thilk one Is thilk same go••d that is required & desired of all the kinde of thinges. & thou {pro}uedest in disputing that god go∣uerneth al the thinges of the worlde / by the gouernance of boūte. & se••dest that all thinges wolde obeyen to him / & s••y∣dest that the nature of euill is noo thing. •• th••se thinges shewdest thou not with no res••ns taken fro without but by proues in cercles and homelich knowen. The whiche {pro}ues drawen to hem selfe her feyth and h••r accorde eu••rich ••f hem of other / P / Thenne sayd she thus / I ne s••orne not. ne pley•• / ne deceyue the. But I haue shewd the t••ing that ys grettest ouer al thinges by the yefte of g••d that we why∣lome p••ayden. For this is the fourme of dyu••ne substan∣ce th••t is suche that hit ne slydeth not i••to vtter••st foreyn thinges. ne receyueth not no stran̄ge t••inges in him. But right as Permemdes seyde in greke of thilk dyuine sub∣stan̄ce •• He sayd thus•• that thilke dyuyne substan̄ce tour∣neth the worlde and the moeuable cercle of thinges / whyle thilke dyuyne substan̄ce kepeth hit selfe withouten moe∣uynges / that is to seyne that he moeueth neuer moo / & yet hit moeueth alle other thynges / But natheles yf I haue

styred resons that be not taken fro withoute the compas of the thing of the whiche we treten̄ / But reasons that been bistowed within compas there nys not why thou sh••ldest meruaillen̄ / sith thou hast lerned by the sentence of Plato That nedes the wordes mote been̄ cosins to the thynges of whiche they speken

Felix qui potuit bom. Fontem visere lucidum Felix qui potuit grauis. Terre soluere vincula Quondam funera coniugis. Uates treicius gemens Post{quam} flebilib modis. Siluas currere mobiles Amnes stare coegerat. Iunxit{que} intrepidum latus Seuis cerua leonibz. Nec visum timuit lep{us} &c

BLysfull is that man that may s••e the cl••re welle of good / Blisfull is he that maye vnbinde him from the heuy bondes of therthe. The poete of Trace Orph{us} th••t whilome had right grete s••rowe for the deth of his wyff After that he hadd maked by his wepyngly songes the wodes moeuable to renne / And had maked the ryuers to stonde stille. And had maked the h••rtes and the hyn∣des to Ioynen dredeles her sides to cruell lyon̄s for to her∣kene his songe / And had maked that the hare was not agaste of the hound whiche ples••d by his songe. so whan the moost ardan̄t loue of his wyfe brente the entrailles of his breste / Ne the songes that hadden ouercomen alle thyn∣ges ne mighte not aswagen her lord Orpheus. he pleyned hym of the heuene Goddes whiche that were cruell to hym he wente him to the howses of the Helle. And he temp∣rid his blandysshing songes by resownyng of strenges

And spack and songe in wepyng all that euer he hadd receyued and lauid oute of the noble welles of his moder Calliope the goddesse. And he sange with as moche as h•• myght of wepyng / and with as moche as loue that doub∣led his sorow myghte yeuen him and teche hym. and com∣moeued the helle. and required and bis••ughte by swete prayer. ••he lordes of sowl••s in helle of relecyng. That ys to s••ye to yelden him his wyff / Cerberus the porter of helle with his thre heedes was caught and all abassh••d of the n••we songe / And the thre goddesses Furyes and venge∣resses of felonyes that tourmenten and agas••en the foules by anoye woxen sorouful and sory and teer••s wepten for p••te. T•••• wa•• not th•• h••••d of Ixion tourmented by the ou••rthrowyng wh••l•• •• And Tan••••••••s that was d••stroy∣••d by the wooden••s of longe thurs••e. d••spis••d the floodes to drynke / The ••oule that highte vul••ur that eteth th•• s••omake or the gys••r of Tycius is so fulfill••d ••f his son∣ge. that yt nyl ••t••n n•• tyr••n no more. Acte l••ste the Lord and Iugge of sowles was m••ou••d to mys••••••c••rdyes an•• ••r••ed wee b••ne oue••comen quod ••e / y••ue we to Orpheus his wyff to bere him company•• / he hath well yboughte her by his songe and his di••••es / But wee wille putten a lawe in this. and couenan̄te in the yefte. Th••t is to s••yn̄ that til he be oute of helle / yf he loke behynde him / that hys wyf shal comen agayne vnto v•• / but what is he that may yeue a lawe to louers. loue is a gretter lawe and a stren∣ger to ••im self than ony lawe that men may yeuen / Allas whan Orpheus and his wyf were all most at the termys of the nighte •• That is to seyne at the laste boundes of hell••

Orpheus loked bacward on Erudice his wyf and loste her and was ded / This fable apperteyneth to you alle. who so euer desireth or seketh to lede his thoughte in to the souerayne day. that is to seye to clerenes of souerayn good For who so euer be so ouercomen that he fixe his eyen in to the pit of helle. that is to seyn̄ who so sett his thoughtes in erthely thinges all that euer he hath drawen of the noble good celestial he leseth hit whan he loketh the helles. this is to seyne into lowe thinges of the erthe

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