Boecius de consolacione philosophie

HEc cum philosophia dignitate vultus ••t oris grauitate seruata. leuiter suauiter{que} ceciniss••t. Tum ego non dum penitus insiti meroris oblit{us} etc (Book 4)

WHan philosophye hadd songen softly and delitably the forsayd thinges / kepyng the dignite of her chere and the weighte of her wordes / I thenne that ne hadd all vtterly foryeten the wepyng and the moeuyng that was sette in myn herte. forb••ake thentencion of her that entended yet to seyne som̄e other thinges / O quod I thou that ••rte gyderesse of veray light the thinge•• that thou hast sayd me hydderto been to me so clere and shewyng by the dyuyne lokyng of hem and by the reason•• that they ne mowen ben ouercomen. And thilke thinges that thou toldest me / all be hit so that I had whilome foryeten hem for the sorowe of the wronge that hath bee done to me / yet neuerthelesse

they ne weren not al vtterly vnknowen to me / But this same is namely a right grete cause of my sorowe. so that as the gouernour of thinges is good. yf that euyls mo∣wen bene by any weyes. or els if that euils passen without punysshing. the whiche thing only. hew worthy it is to ben wondred vpon / Thou considerest it well thy selfe cer∣taynly. But yet to this thing there is yet another thing y ioyned more to be wondred vpon. For felonye is Em∣perice & floureth full of richesses / and vertue nys not on∣ly withoute meedes. But it is caste vnder and fortroden vnder the feet of felonous folke / and it abieth the tormen∣tes in stede of wicked felon̄s. Of all whiche thinges th•••• is no wight may meruaillen ynough ne compleynen that suche thinges be done in the regne of god that all thyn∣ges wote and all thinges may and n•• wille not onely but good thinges. P. Thenne sayd she thus / Certes qd she that were a grete meruaille and an abasshing wyth oute ••nde / And well more horrible than all the monstres if hit were as thou w••••••st. That is to seyne that in the right ordeyne how•• of somoche a fader and an ordeygnour of meyne that the vessels that bene foule and vyle shuld bene h••noured and beried / and the preciouse vessele shuld ben defowl••d and vyle / but it is not soo. for if the thin∣ges that I ••••ue concluded a litell here be forne been̄ kepte hoole & vnaraced thou shalt wel know by thauctorite of god of the wh•••• regne I speke. That certes the good folk be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 myghty and shrewes bene alweye oute caste and fieble. Ne the vice•• be neuer moo withoute payne / ne the ver∣tue•• ne bee not withoute mede / and that blisfulnes cometh

alweye to good folke / and infortune cometh all weye to wicked folke. And thou shalt wel knowen many thyn∣ges of this kinde that shulle cessen thy pleyntes. & streng∣then̄ the with stidfast sadnesse. And for thou hast seen the forme of veray blisfulnes by me that haue whilom shewd it the. and thou hast knowen in wh••m bl••sfulnes is sette Al thing I treated. that trowe be necessarye to put forth I shal shewen the the way that shal bringen the ayeyne vn¦to thyne hous / And I shal fixe fethres in thy thought by whiche it maye arisen in height so that all tribulacion ydo ne aweye thou by my guidyng and by my path. and by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hooll and sound in to thy coūtreye

Sunt etenim penne volucres michi Que celsa con∣descendunt poli Quas sibi cum velox mens induit Terras perosa despicit Aeris inmensi superat globū Nubes primo tergum indet etc

THan for thy swifte fethres that sourmounten the heighte of the heuene / whan the swifte thoughte hath clothed hit in tho fethres. It dispiseth the hatefull erthes and surmoūteth the roundnesse of the grete ayer. and it seeth the cloudes behynde his back / and passith the heighte of the regyon of the fyre that enchau••••th by the swifte me∣ouyng of the firmament. til that he ariseth in to the how∣ses that beren the sterres. and ioyneth the weye wyth the sonne phebus and felaushippeth the waye of the old cold saturnus / and he ymaked a knight of the clere sterre / that

is to seyne. whan the thought is made goddes knighte by the seking of cl••re trouth to comen to the veray knowleche of god. And thilke soule renneth by the cercle of sterres in all the places there as the shynyng night is ypeynted That is to seyne the night that is cloudeles / for on nightis that be cloudeles. hit semed that the heuene were peynted with dyuerce ymages of sterres / And whan he hath done there ynough. he shal forl••ten the laste ••••uen / and he shalle presen and wo••den on the back of the swifte firmament & he s••••l be mak••d parfyt. ••f the worshipful light of God Th••re ••oldeth the lorde of thinges the ceptre of his mighte and attempr••th the gouernementes of the worlde / and the shynyng Iugge of thing••s / stable in him self gouerneth t•••• s••i••te ••a••te or wayne that is to seyn̄ the circuler mo••∣u••ng of the s••nne / And if thy wey ledeth the ayeine so t••at th••u ••e brought thider then̄e wiltow saye that ys the coūtrey•• t••••t thou requirest of whic••e thou ne haddest noo m••nde •• But now it remembr••th me wel. ••ere was I born̄ ••••••re wol I fasten my degre •• ••ere wol I dw••ll••. but if the liketh th••nne to loken on th•• derk••nesses of the erth / that thou ••••st forleten then̄e shalt thou sene t••••t th••se f••lonous ••••••an̄tes that the wretched people d••ede••h now / shullen bee ex••••ed from thil••e fayr countr••y••

Tum ego pape in{quam}. vt magna pronuctis. nec dubito qum possis efficere. tu modo quem ••xitaueris ne mo∣re ••is. Primum igitur inquit. bonis semper adesse po∣tencia. malos cunctis viribus esse desertos agnos••as. Licebit. Quorum quidem alterucrum etc

THen̄e sayde I thus. O I wondre me that thou behe∣test me so greet thinges. ne I ne doubte not. that thou ne maiste well parfourme that thou behetest / But I preye the this that thou ne tary not. to telle me thilk thin∣ges that thou haste meoued. Firste quod she thou muste nedes knowe that good folk bene alweye strong & mighty And the shrewes bene feble & deserte. and naked of alle strengthes. And of these thinges certes euerich of them is declared & shewed by other. for as goode and euyl ben two contraries if so be that good be stidfaste. then̄e sheweth the feblesse of euyl al openly / And if thou knowe clerely the freelnes of euil. the stidfastnes of good is knowen. but for as moche as the feyth of my sentence shal be the more ferme and haboūdante / I wol goon by that oo weye and by that other. and I wole conferme the thinges that b••ne pourposed nowe on this side and nowe on that side. Two thinges there ben in whiche theff••cte of al the dedes of man∣kinde standeth / That is to seyne will and power / And if that one of these two failleth / there nys no thing that may be done. For if that will lakketh there nys no wight that vndertaketh to doo that he wol not done / And if po∣wer failleth the wille nys but in ydell. & stant for nought and therof cometh it. that if thou s••e a wighte that wold geten that he may not geten̄ / thou maiste not doubte that power ne failleth him to hauen that he wold. B. This is open and clere quod I. ne it ne maye not ben denyed in no maner. P. & if thou s••e a wight qd she that hath done. that he wold done. thou nylt not doute / that he ne hath had power to done it / b / no qd I / p. & in that that euy wight may

in that men holden them myghty to done a thing. in somo∣che as a man is myghty to done a thing. in so moche men hold him mighty / and in that that he ne maye. in that m••n demen him to be feble / B / I confesse it wel qd I. P. Re∣membre the quod she that I haue gadred and shewed by for saide resons. that alle the entencion of the wille of man∣kynde / whiche that is lad by dyuerce studies hasteth to co∣men to bl••sfulnesse / B / It remembreth me well quod I that it hath ben shewed / Phīa. And recordeth the nought thenne qd she. that blisfulnesse is thilke same good that men requiren soo that whan blisfulnesse is required of al B. It recordeth me not quod I for I haue it alle weye in my memorie fixed / Phīa / Alle folke thenne quod she good and eke badd enforcen hem withoute diff••rence of en••encion to comen to good. B. This is veray consequence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I. P••ī••. And certayne is quod she that by geting of good ••ee men maked good. B. That is c••rtayn qd I. Phīa / Thenne get••n good men̄ that the•• desiren. B. So it semeth quod I / P. But wicked folke quod she if they geten the good that they desiren they ne mowen not be wicked / B. So it is qd I / P. Thenn•• so as that one and that other qd she desiren the good / & the good folke g••ten the good. and nought the wicked folke •• then̄e hyt is no doubte that the good folk ne be mighty & wicked folk be feble. B. Who so that euer doub••eth of this he ne maye not considere the nature of thinges ne the consequēce of re∣sons. P. And ouer this qd she if that ther ben two thyn∣ges that ••an oo same purpose by kynde. And that one of hem pursueth & {per}fourmeth that same thing by naturel office

and that other ne maye not done thilk office naturelle but foloweth by other manere / than is couenable to nature him that accomplissheth his pourpose kindly / & yet he ne accom∣plissheth not his owne purpose whether as these two demest thou for more myghtye. B. If that I coniecte qd I that thou woldest seye. Algates I desire yet to herken hit more plainly of the. P. Thou nylt not than denye quod she that the meouement of gooyng nys in men by kinde. B. Noo forsothe qd I. P. Ne thou doubtest not qd she that thilke naturell office of goyng ne be the office of fete / Boecius I ne doubte it not quod I. Philosophia. Than quod she if that a wighte bee mightye to meoue and gooth vp on his fete / & another to wh••m thilke naturele office of fete lakketh. enforseth him to go crepyng on his hand which of these two ought to be holden the more mighty by righte B. Knytt forth quod I the remenant / P / For no wight ne doubteth. that he that maye gone by naturel office of fe∣te ne be more myghty than he that ne maye not / But the souerayne good qd she. that is euen like purposed to the good and to the badde. the good folke seken it by naturel office of vertues / And shrewes enforcen hem to geten hit by dyuerce couetises of erthely thinges / whiche that nys noo naturell office to geten thilke souerayne good / Tro∣west thou that hit bee ony other wyse. Boecius. Naye qd I. for the consequeence is opene and shewyng of thinges that I haue graunted / that nedes good folke moten bene myghty. And shrewes moten bene feble and vnmyghty Philosophia / Thou rennest a ryghte by forne me quod she / And thys ys the Iuggement. That ys to seyn̄

I Iugge of right / as these leches ben wente to hopen of se∣ke folke whan they apperceyuen that nature is redressed & withstandeth to the maladie. but for I see the now all re∣dy to the withstanding / I shal shewe the more thilk and continuell reasons / For loke how gretly sheweth the feble∣nesse and infirmite of wicked folke that ne mowen not comen to h••r naturell entencion ledeth hem / And yet all moste thilke naturel entencion̄ constreyneth hem / & what were to demyn then̄e of shrewes / if thilke naturell helpe hadd forleten h••m / the whiche naturell helpe of entencion goth alwey biforn̄ hem / And is so grete that vnnethe hit may be ouercomen. Considere then̄e how grete defaute of po∣wer. & how grete feblesse ther is in wicked felonous folke As who seith the gret••er thing that is coueyted & the desir not acc••mplissh••d. of the lasse might is ••e that coueyteth it & may not accomplisshe. & for thy philosophie seith thus by souerain go••de. ne shrewes ne requiren not light m••des ne veyn̄ games whiche they ne may not folowen ne holden but they faillen of thilk somme of the height of thinges. that is to sayne souerayn̄ good / ne these wretches ne comen not to t••••ff••c••e of souerayne good. the whiche they enf••••cen hem only to geten̄ by nightes and by dayes •• in getyng of whi∣che good•• the strength of good folke is ••••l wel ysene. for right as thou mightest demen him mighty of goyng that gooth on his fe••te till he mighte comen to thilke place. fro the whiche place there ne laye noo weye f••rther to bee goone / ryghte so muste thou nedes demen̄ hym for right myghty whiche that geteth and a••teyneth to the ••nde of alle thinges whiche that been to desiren̄ by yonde•• the

whiche ende there nys noo thing to desire. of the whiche po∣wer of good folke. men maye conclude. that we wicked men semen to be bareyne and naked of alle strength. for why forleten they vertues and folowen vices. nys it not for that they ne knowen not the goodes / But what thing is more feble and more caytiue than is the blindnesse of Ignorance or ellis they knowen well whiche thinges they oughten folowe / but lechery and couetise ouerthroweth hem mystorned. And certes so dooth distemperan̄ce to feble men. that mowe not wrastelen ayeyne these vices / Ne knowe they not well that they forleten the good wilfully And tournen̄ hem wilfully to vices / And in this wyse they ne forleten not onely to be mighty. but they forleten all vtterly in any wise for to ben. For they that forl••ten the com̄une fyne. of alle thinges that bene. they forleten al¦so therwith all for to bene. And perau••nture hit shuld semen to som̄e folke that this were a meruaille to seyne. that shrewes whiche that conteynen the more {per}ties of men̄ ne bene not ne han no beyng / but nath••les hit is soo. and thus stante this thing for they that be shrewes / I denye not but that they be shrewes. but I denye simplie and playnly that they ne bee not. ne han noo beeyng. for right as thou mightest seyne of the careyne of a man that hyt were a deed man. so graūte I well forsothe that vycious folk ben wicked / but I ne maye not absolutely & simply graūt that they ben. For thilke thing that withholdeth or∣dre and kepith nature / thilke thing is & hath being / But what thing faileth that / that is to seye / he that forleteth na∣turel ordre / he forletith thilk being that is set in his nature

But thou wolt seyn̄ the shrewes mowen̄. certes that ne de∣nye y not / but certes her power ne descendeth not of strength but of feblesse. for they mowen done wickednesse / the whiche they ne myght not. if they mighten dwellen in the fourme and in the doyng of goode peple / and thilk power sheweth euydently that they mowen right nought. for so as I haue gadred & proued a litel here byforn̄. that euil is not / and so as shrewes. may only but shrewdnesse. This conclusion is all clere. that shrewes ne mowen right nought ne han no power / And for as moche as thou vnderstandest whi∣che is the strength of this power of shrewes / I haue diffi∣nisshed a litel here byforne. that nothing is so myghty as souerayne good. B. that is soth qd I / P. Is there ony wight then̄e qd she that weneth that men mowen done all thinges / B. noman̄ qd I. but he be out of his wi••te / P. But certes shrewes mowen done euil qd she. B. ye wold god qd I that they might done none / P / Thenne qd she so as he th••t is ••••ghty to done only good thinges maye done all thinges / And they that ben mighty to done euyll thinges. ne mowen not all thinges. then̄e is it open thing and manifeste that they that mowen done euil ben of lasse power And yet to proue this conclusion / there helpeth me I haue shewed here biforne. that all power is to be nom∣bred among thinges that men oughten to require. and I haue shewed that all thinge•• that oughten ben desired / be referred to god right as to a maner height of her na∣••ure. But for to mowen done euil & felonye ne maye not been referred ••o God / thenne is not euil of the nombre of thinges that oughten to been desired and required / then̄e

is it open & clere that the power ne the moeuyng of shrewes nys noo power. And of all these thinges it sheweth well that the good folk been certaynly mighty / And the shre∣wes doubtelesse vnmighty / And it is clere and open that thilke sentence of Plato is vereye and s••th. that seyth that onely wisemen̄ may done that they desiren. And shre∣wes mowen haunten̄ that hem liketh. but that they desiren That is to seyne to come to souerayne good. they ne han no power to accomplisshe that / For shrewes done what h••m luste / whan by tho thinges in whiche they d••l••ten / they we∣nen to atteyne to thilke good that they desiren / but they ne geten ne atteyne not thereto / For vices ne comen not to blisfulnesse

Quos vides sedere celsos solii culmine reges. Purpu∣ra claros nitente. septos tristib armis. Ore coruo cō∣minantes. rabie cordis anhelos. Dechat si quis super∣bis vam tegmina cult{us}. Iā videbit int{us} artas doīnos ferre ca••henas. Hīc enī libido usat. amdis corda vēnis Hīc flagellat ira mētē. fluct{us} turbida tollēs. Meror aut captos fatigat. aut spes lubrica torquet. Ergo cum ca∣put tot vnū cernas ferre tirānos. Non facit quod op∣tat īpe. dn̄is pressis īiquis

WHo soo that the couertures of her vayne apparaylles myghte stripen of these proude Kynges. that thou seest sitten an̄ hyghe in theire chayers glitteryng in shy∣nyng purpure enuironed with sorouful armures manas∣••ing with cruell mouth blowing by woodnesse of herte / He shuld seen that thilke lordes beren within her courai∣ges ful streit cheynes / for lechery tourmenteth hem on that

on side with gredy venymes and trowblable Ire that arai∣seth in hem the floode of troubl••nges tourmenteth on that other side her thought. or sorowe halt hem wery & ycaughte or slyding. & deceyuyng hope tourmenteth hem. And there fore sith thou seest one heed. that is to seyne one tiraūte beren so many tyran̄yes than ne doth thilk tyraūt not that he desireth sith he is caste down̄ with so many wicked lor∣des. that is to seyne so many vices that haue so wickedly lordshipps ouer him

Uides ne igitur quanto inceno probra voluantur. q probitas luce resplendeat. in quo perspicuum est nū{quam} bonis premia. num{quam} sua sceleribus deesse supplicia. Uerū ••tenim que geruntur. illud propter que vnaq{que} res geritur euisdē rei premium esse etc

SEstow not than in how greet fil••h these shrewes ben ywrapped. And with whiche clerenesse these good folk shynen / In this sheweth it well that to good folke ne lakketh neuer moo her medes / ne shrewes lakken neuer moo tourmentes / For of alle thinges that be done. thilke thyng for whyche ony thing is done. It semeth as by righte that thilke thing bee the mede of ••hat / As thus / yf a man ren̄eth in the stady or in the for••••ng for the crowne / then̄e lieth the mede in the crowne fo•• whiche he renneth. & I haue shewed that bl••sfulnes is thilke same good for whiche that al thinges ben done. then̄e is thilk same good purposed to the werkes of mankinde. right a a commune mede•• whiche mede ne may not be disseuered from good folk

For no wighte as by right from thensforth that him l••c∣keth goodnesse ne shal be cleped good. For whiche thing folk of goode maners her medes ne forsaken hem neuer mo For al ••e it so that shrewes waxen as woode as hem lust ayenst good folke. yet neuertheles the crowne of wisemen̄ ne shall not fallen ne faden̄ for foreyne shrewdnesse. ne bynym̄en not fro the corage of goode peple her propre honour But if ony wight reioysed him of goodnesse. that he had taken fro without. As who seith if a man̄ had his good∣nesse of ony other man̄ than̄ of him self. certes he that yaf him thilke goodnesse. or els som̄e other wight mighte by∣neme it him / But for as moche as to euery wighte hys propre bounte yeueth him his mede / thenne at erste shalle he faillen of mede. whan he forleteth to bee good / And ••••te laste so as all mede•• ben required. for men wenen that ••hey be good / who is he that nolde deme. that he that ys ryghte mighty of good were parteles of mede. And of what mede shall he be reguerdon••d. Certes of right fayr mede. & right grete abouen alle medes. Remembre the of thilk no∣ble corallarie that I yafe the a litell here byforne / and ga∣dere it to g••dre in this manere. So as God him self ys blisfulnesse. then̄e is it clere & certayn that all goode people ben maked blisfull / for they ben good. And thilke peple that ben blisfull. it accordeth and is couenable to be god∣des. then̄e is the mede of peple suche / that no day ne shal en∣peyren it ne no wickednesse shal dyrken hit / ne power of no wight ne shal not amenuse hit / That is to seyne that ben̄ maked goddes / & sith it is thus that goode men̄ ne fai∣len neuer moo of her mede / certe•• noman̄ ne may doubte of

the vndepartable peyne of shrewes. that is to seyne that the peyne of shrewes departeth not from hem selfe neuer moo For so as good & euil and payne and medes be contra∣rie. hit mote nedes be / that right as we see betiden in guer∣done of good that also mote the payne of the euil answere by the contrarye partyes to shrewes / Nowe than so as boū∣te and prowesse bene mede to good folke / also is shrewd∣nesse it selfe tourmente to shrewes / Then̄e who so euer ys entetched and defouled with payne / he ne doubteth not. that he is entetched and defouled with euyl / If shrewes than wollen preysen hem selfe / maye hit semen to hem that they ben withouten partye of tourment sith they ben suche / that the vtterest wickednes / that is to s••ye wicked ••hewe•• whiche is the vtterest & worst kinde of shrewdnesse ne de∣••ouleth ne entetcheth not hem onely / but enfecteth & enue∣nymeth greetly. And also loke on shrewes / that ben the contrary partye of good men / howe grete payne felowship∣peth & fouleth hem. For th•••• hoste lerned a litell here by forn̄ that alle thing that is and h••th beyng. is one / and thilk same one is good / than is this the conseq••ence / that h••t semeth well that alle thing that is and bath beeyng 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good / That is to seyne / as who seith. that beeyng and vnyte and goodnesse is all one. An•• in this maner it foloweth than that alle thing that failleth to bee good / it seynteth for to be and for to b••n ••ny maner beyng. where fore ••it is th••t shrewes stynten̄ for to be that they weren. But thilke other fourme of mankynde. That is to seyne the fourme of the body withoute sheweth that these shrewes w••ren whilome men̄ •• where fore whan they bene peruerted

and tourned into malice / Certes thenne they han forlorn̄ the nature of mankinde / but so a•• onely bounte and pro∣wesse maye enhaunsen euery man. ouer men / thenne mote it nedes bee that shrewes whiche that shrewdnesse hath caste oute / of the condicion of mankynde / ben put vnder the me∣rite and deserte of men / thenne betideth it that if thou seest a wighte whiche that is transfourmed into vices. thou maiste not wen•• that he bee a man. For if he bee ardaūte in Auarice and that he bee a rauenour by violence of fo∣reyne richesse. thou shalt seyne that he is like a wolfe / and if he bee felonnous and withouten reste / and excercise his tonge to chidynges / thou shalt liken him to the hoūde / and if he bee a preuy awaitour hid / and rei••yssith him to ra∣uisshe by wyle•• / thou shalt seyne him like to the fox wh••l∣pis / And if he bee distempred and quaketh for I•••• / Men shalle wenen that he bereth the couraige of a Lyon. And if he bee dredefull and fleying and dredeth thin∣ges whiche that ne oughten not to bee dredd / men shalle hold him like to the Herte. And if he bee slowe and astonyed and latche. men shalle hold hym like to an asse And if he be lighte and vnste••faste of couraige and chaungeth ay his studies / men shalle hold him like to the briddes. And if he bee plounged in foule. and vnclene luxuries / he is withholden in the foule delices of the fowle sowe. Thenne fosowith hit. that he that forleteth bounte / and prowesse. he forleteth to bee a man̄ / sith he ne maye not passen in the condicion of God / he is tourned in to a beeste

Uela naricij ducis ¶Et vagas pelago rates ¶Eurus appulit insule Pulchra qua residens dea Solis edi∣ta seīe ¶Miscet hospitib nouis Tacta carmine pocula Quos vt in varios modos ¶Uertit herbipotens man{us}

••Vrus the winde ariued the sailes of Vlix••s Duke of the contreye of narice. & his wandring shippes by the see in the fair Ile there as circes the fair goddesse dough∣ter of the sonne dwellith that medleth to her newe gestes drinkes that be touchede & maked with enchantements. & after that her hand mighty ouer the h••rbes. had chaūged her gestes into diuerce maners. that one of hem is couered his face with the fourme of a bore / that other is chaūged into a lyon of the coūtre of marmorik & his teth waren. that other o•• ••em is newly chaūged into a wo••f & hewleth whan he wolde we••e / that other gooth debonarrly in to the hous as a tigre •• of ynde / but al be it so that the godh••d of mercury th••t is cleped the b••••d of a••chadie hath had mercy of vl••••es the due beseged with diue••ce euil•• & hath vn∣bounden him from pestilence of his os••e••se. Algates the ro∣we••s & the maron̄ers ••adden by this drawen into her mou∣thes & dronken the wicked drinkes. they that were waxen as swyne •• hidden by this chan̄ge her mete of bred for to eten accornes of okes. None of t••er lymmes ne dwelleth with hem ••ooll / but they han loste the voice and the body. onely her thoughte dwelleth with hem stable that wepeth and bewailleth the monstruous chaunge that they s••ffren O ••uer lighte hand as whoo seyth / O feble and lighte ys the band of Cyrcesse the enchaunteresse that chaungeth

the bodies of folkes into bestes. to regarde and comparison of mutacion that is maked by vices. ne the herbes of cir∣tes. ne be not mighty. For al be it so that they maye chaū∣gen the lymmes of the bodies. Algates yet they ne maye not chaungen the hertes. For within is hid the strengthe and the vigour of men in the secre tour of her hertes / that is to seyn̄ the strength of reason. but thilk venymes of vi∣ces to drawen to hem a man more mightily than̄ the venim of the enchaūteresse Cirtes. for vices ben so cruel that they passen and thurgh persen the corage within. and thaugh they annoye not the body. yet vices wooden to destroye men by wounde of thoughte

Tum ego fatror in{quam}. nec iniuria dici video viciosos tam et si humani corporis speciem seruant. inbeluas tamen animorū qualitate mutari. Sed quorū atrox scelerata{que} mens bonorum pernicie seuit. idipsum eis licere voluissem. Nec licet inquit vti etc

THenne sayd I thus I confesse and am aknowe it qd I. ne I ne see not that men may seye / as by right that shrewes ben chaūged into beestes. by the qualite of her soules / al be it so that they kepen yet the forme of the body of mākinde. but I wold not of shrewes of whiche the thought cruel & wood woodeth alweye to the destruccion of good men / that it were leful to hem to done that. certes qd she ne it is not leful to hem as I shal wel shewe the in couenable place. but natheles if so were that thilk that men wene ben leueful to shrewes were bynomen hem. so that th••y ne might

not anoyen̄ or done harme to good men / Certes a greet partye of the payne / to shrewes shuld bene alleged & rele∣ued / For al be it soo that it ne seme credible thing pera∣uenture to sem̄e folk. that it mote nedes be that the shrewes ben more wretches and sely whan they maye ful done and parfourme that they coueyten / than if they mighte not ac∣complisshe that they coueyten. For if soo be that it be wret∣chednesse to wilnen to done euil / than is it more wretched∣nesse to mowen done euil. withoute whiche mowyng the wretched wille shulde languisshe withoute effecte. Th••n̄e s••th euery of th••se thinges hath his ••retchednesse that ys to seyne wille to done e••ill. and mowing to d••ne euil. it mote nedes be that they shrewes be constreyned by the vn∣sel••nesse that willen and mowen and performen felonyes and shrewdnesse. B / I accorde me qd I. ••ut I desire gret∣ly that shrewes loste sene thilke vn••elynesse. That is to seyne that shrewes were dispoyled of mowing to do euyl P / So shullen they quod she soner per••••en••ure than thou woldest. or s••ner than they hem s••lfe we••e. For th••re nys nothing so late in so short b••ūdes of this l••fe that is long to abide. namelich to a corage inmortal. of wh••che shrewes the grete hope and high compassing of shrewdnesse is o••t destroyed. by a soden ende / or they be ware And that thing est••b••is••heth to shrewes. the ende of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sherewdnesse / for if that shrewdnesse makith wretches. th••n moste he nedes be moost wretche / that longest is a shrewe / the w••iche wicked shrewes wold I demyn aldermost caytifs and vnsely if her shrewdnesse ne were finisshed atte leste wey by the vt∣terest d••th •• for yf I haue concluded sothe of the vnselinesse

of shrewdnesse than sheweth hit clerely that thilke wret∣chednesse is withouten ende / the whiche is certayne to bee perdurable / B. Certes quod I this conclusion is hard & wonderful to graūte. But I knowe well that it accordeth moche to thinges that I haue graūted here bi••orn̄. Phīa. Thou haste quod she right estymacion of thie / But wh•• so euer wene that hit be an hard thing to accorde him to a conclulion. hit is right that he shewe that som̄e of the pre∣mysses ben fals / or ellis he moost shewe that the collacion of proposicions nys not spedeful to a necessarye conclusion And if it be not so / but that the premysses be graūted ther nys not why he shuld haue the argument / for this thing that I shall telle nowe. ne shal not seme lasse wonderfull but of thinges that ben taken / also it is necessarye / as who seith / it foloweth of that. whiche that is purposed bi••••rne B. What is that quod I. P / Certes quod she / that y•• / that these wicked shrewes b••e more blisfull or ellis lasse wretches. that abyen the tourmentes that they haue deser∣ued. than if no payne of Iustice ne chastised hem. ne thi•• ne seye I not now for that any man̄ myghte thinke that the manere of men that arn shrewes bene corriged & chas∣tiged by vengean̄ce / and that they bene broughte to the right weye by the drede of tourmente. ne for that they yeuen to other folkes exsample to fleen fro vices / But I vnder∣stande it yet in another manere. that shrewes bee more vn∣sely whan they bee not punisshed / Al be hit soo that ther ne be had noo reson of lawe of correccion ne none exsample of loking / B / And what manere shall that bee qd I other than had be told here biforn̄ / P. Haue wee not graunted

then̄e qd she. that goode folke ben blisful / and shrewes be wretches / B. Yi•• qd I. P / then̄e qd she yf ony goode we∣re added to the wretchednes of any wight nys he not m••∣re blisful than he that ne hath no medeling of good in his solitary wretchednesse. B. so semeth it qd I. P. & what saistow thenne qd she / of thilke wretche that lacketh alle goodes / so that no good is medeled in his wretchednesse for whiche he is a wretche / that ther be yet another euil an∣nexed and knytt to him / shall not men demen him more vnsely than̄ thilke wretche of whiche the vnse••inesse is re∣leued by the participacion of som̄e good. B / whi shulde he not qd I. P. thenne certes qd she han shrewes whan they be punysshed somwhat of good annexed to her shrewdnes Tha•• i•• to seyne the same peyne that they suffren / that ys good by the reson of Iustice. and whan thilke same shre∣we•• es••ap••n withoute tourmente / thenne han they yet som what m••re of ••uil yet ouer the wickednesse that they han doon. that i•• to seyne defaute of peyne the which thou haste graūted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 euyl for the desert•• of felonye. b. I ne may not denye it quod I. Phīa. Moche more thenne quod she ben shrewes vnsely •• whan they bee wrongfully deliuered from peyne. than whan they bee punysshed by rightfull vengean∣ce•• But this is open thing and clere that hit y•• ryght that shrewes bee punysshed. and hit is wickednesse and wronge whan they ••sca••en vnpunysshed. Boecius / Who mygh••e denye hit quod I. Phīa. But quod she maye ony man̄ denye that alle that is right ne ys good. And ••••so the cont••arie that all that is wroong is wicked. Boeciu••. Ce••tes quod I these thinges bee clere ynough

And that we han concluded here by forn̄ / But I pray the telle me if thou accordest to leten no torment to the sowles after that the body is ended with the deth / that is to seyn̄ Vnderstandestow ought that soules han any tourment af∣ter the deth of the body. P. Certes quod she & that righte greet. Of whiche soules quod she I trowe that som̄e bene tourmented by asprenesse of peyne. And sowles I trowe bee excercised by a purgyng mekenesse. but it is not my conseylle to determyne of these peynes / But I haue tra∣uailled and told yet hidderto for thou shuldest knowen that the mowing of shrewes. whiche mowyng the semeth to bene vnworthy nys noo mowyng / And eke of shrewes of whiche thou pleynedest. that they ne were not punysshed that thou woldest see / or they ne were neuer moo withoute the tourmentes of her wickednesse. And of the licence of mowyng to done euil. that thou preydeste that it might sone bee ended. And that thou woldest feyne lernen that hyt shuld not long endure / And that shrewes bee more vn∣sely if they were of lenger during / and moost vnsely yf they were perdurable / And after this I haue shewed the that more vnsely bene shrewes whan they escapen without her rightfull payne. than whan they bee punysshed wyth rightfull vengeance / And of this sentence foloweth hyt that then̄e be shrewes constreyned atte laste with greuous tourmentes whan men wene that they be not punisshed. B Whan I considere this resons quod I / I ne trowe not that men seye ony thing more verily. & yf I tourne ayeyne to the studies of men̄ who is he to whom I shuld seme that he ne shuld not onely leuen these thynges but gladdely

herken h••m / P. Certes qd she so it is / but men maye not / for they han there eyen̄ so wont to the derkenesse of erthely thinges. that they ne may not liften̄ vp to the light of cle∣re stedfastnes. but they be like to briddes of whiche the night lightneth her lokinges. and the day blindeth hem. for whan men loken not the ordre of thinges but her lustes or talētes They wene that eyther the leue of mowyng to do wickednes or ellis the escaping withouten̄ payne be welefull. But considere the Iuggement of the perdurable lawe. for if thou conferme thi couraige to the beste thinges / thou ne hast noo mede of no Iugge to yeue the price or mede / for thou hast ioy∣ned th•• self to the moost exellent thing. And if thou ha∣ue enc••••••••d the studice to the wicked thinges ne seke no fore••n•• wreker oute of thy selfe / For thou thi selfe haste thri••t thi self •• in the wicked thinges like as thou migh∣test loken by dyuerce tymes the foule erthe and the heuene And that all other thinges stinten̄ fro withoute / so that thou ne saye no thinges more. thenne shuld it seme to the as by only reson of loking that thou were now in the ster∣res and now in the erth. But the people ne loketh not on these thinges. what then̄e. shal we than approchen vs to h••m that I haue shewed that they bee l••ke to beestes / and wilte thou s••ye of this yf that a man̄ had a•••• forlorn̄ his sight And hadd all foryeten that he eu•••• s••we And wened that noo thing ne failled him. of the perfecci••n of man∣kynde. Nowe thenne wee whiche that myghten̄ sene the sa∣m•• ••••ynges wold wee not s••yne and wene. that he we∣re ••lynd Ne also ne accordeth not the people to that that I shalle ••••yne the whiche thing ye fasteyned by a strong

foundment of reason. That is to seyne that more vnsely bene they that done wrong to other folke than they that the wrong suffre. B / I wold here thilke same reason quod I / P / Denyest thou quod she that alle shrewes ne bene worthy to han tourmente. B / Naye quod I / P. But qd she I am certayne by many reasons that shrewes bene vn∣sely / B. It accordeth quod I. Phīa. Thenne ne doubtest thou not quod she. that thilke folke that bene worthy of tourment that they ne bee wretches / B / It accordeth well quod I / P / If thou were then̄e sette a Ingge or a knower of thinges whether trowestow that men shuld tourmen∣ten hem that hath doo wrong or ellis hem that suffred the wroong. B. I doubte not quod I that I nold doo suf∣fisan̄t satisfaccion / to hem that haue suffred wrong by the sorowe of hem that hath done wroong / Phīa. Thenne se∣meth hit quod she that the doer of wroong is more wret∣che than he that suffred the wroong. Boccius / That folo∣weth well quod I / Phīa / Thenne quod she by these cau∣ses and by other causes that bee enforced by the same roote that filth or synne by the propre nature of hit maketh hem wretches / And hit sheweth well that th•• wrong that men done nys not the wretchednesse of him that the wronge re∣ceyueth / but the wretchidnesse of him that doth the wrong But certes quod she these oratours / or ellis these aduoca∣tes done alle the contrarye for they enforcen hem to commo∣eue the Iugges that han pyte of hem that han ••uffred and receyued the thinges whiche that ben greuouse and aspre And yet men shuld haue more rygtfully pyte of hem that done the greuaunces and the wroonges / The whiche

shrewes hit were a more couenable thyng that the accu∣sours or the Aduocates not wroth but piteous and debo∣nair ledden shrewes whiche that han doon wroong to the Iuggemēt. like as men leden seke men̄ to the leche. for that they shulden seken oute the ••aladie of synne by torment / And by this couenan̄te eyther thentent of the Aduoca∣tes shuld cessen̄ in all. or els if thoffice of the aduocates wolde better preufi••en to men. It shuld be tourned in to the habite of accusacion / That ys to seyn̄ they shuld accu∣se shrewes and not excuse hem. And eke the shrewes hem selfe it were leuefull to hem to sene at ony clifte / the ver∣tue whiche that they han forleten / And that they sawen that they shuld putte adowne the filthes of her vices. by the tou••men••es of peynes they ne oughten not ryght for the recompensacion for to gete hem boute and prowesse / whi∣che that they han loste. demen̄ and holden that thilke pey∣nes weren̄ tourmentes to hem / And eke they welden refu∣se the attendence of her aduocates and taken̄ h••m to her Iu∣ges and her accusours. For the whiche but betideth that as to the wyse folk there nys no place leten to h••te / that ys to seyne. that hate ne hath no place amonges wis••men̄ / for noo wighte wole haten good men̄. But if he were ouer moche a foole / And for to haten shre••es. hit is noo re∣son / for right as languysshyng ys maladie of body / right so been vices and synne maladie of couraige / And so as wee ne demen nought that they whiche that been seke of theire body. been worthy to been hated but rather worthy of py••e. Well more worthy not to been hated. But for to been hadd in pyte. been they of the whyche the

thought is constreyned by felonous wickednesse. that ys more cruel than ony languisshing of body

Quid tantos iuuat excitare motus Et propria fatū sollicitare manu Si mortem petitis. propinquat ipsa Sponte sua volucres nec remoratur equos Quos serpens. leo. tigris vrsus. aper etc

WHat deliteth you to exciten so greet meouynges of hatredes & hasten̄ & busien the fatall disposicion of youre deth with youre propre handes. that is to seyn̄ by ba∣tailles or contectes. For if ye axen the deth / hit hasteth him of his owne will / ne deth ne tarieth not his swifte horse. And the men that the serpentis and the lyon and the tigre and the bere & the bore seken to sleen with her t••th yet thilk same men̄ seken to sleen euerich of hem other with swerde. loo for these maners been diuerce and discordant they moeuen vnrightfull oostes and cruell batailles and wilnen to perisshe by enterchaūgyng dartes. but the reason of the cruelte is not ynough rightful. wil tow than yelden a couenable guerdon to the desertes of men. loue rightfully good men & haue pyte of shrewes

Sic ego in{quam} que sit vel felicitas vel miseria in ipsis proborum at{que} improborū meritis constituta. {sed} in hac ipsa fortuna popilari etc

THis I see wel quod I eyther what blisfulnesse. or els what vnselinesse is establisshed in the desertes of

good men and of shrewes. but in this ilke fortune of the peple I see somwhat of good & somwhat of euil / for no wi∣seman had not leuer be exiled pore and nedy and name∣les than for to dwellen in his Cite and flouren of richesse and be redoutable of honour and strong of power. For in this wise more clerely and witnesfully is thoffice of wyse men̄ treated than the blisfulnesse of power & gouernours is / as it were shad amonges the peples that be neyghbours and subgittis. sith that namely prison / lawe & these other tormentes of lawful peynes be rather owed to felono{us} Ci∣tezenes. For the whiche felonous Citezeines the peynes be establisshed more than for goode peple. B. Thenne I mer∣uaile greetly qd I whi that the thinges be so mysse entre∣chaūged that tormentes of felonyes pressen & confounden good peple. and shrewes rauesshen medes of vertue. & been in honours & grete estates. And I desire eke for to weten of the / what semeth the to be the reson of this so wrongful a confusion / For I wold wonder well the lasse / if I tro∣wed that al thinges were medled with fortunouse happe But now crepith & encresith myne astonyengis God go∣uernour of thinges that so as God yeueth ofte tymes to goode men goodes & myrthes. and to shrewes euils & a••pre thinges. & yeueth ayein to goode folke ••ordnesse & to shre∣wes he graūteth hem her wille / & that they des••ren̄ / what dif∣ference may ther be betwene. that that god doth. & happe of fortune. yf men knowe not the cause whi it is / P / Ne hit is no meruaile quod she / thaugh that men wenen̄ that ther be som̄e what foliss•• and confuse whan the reason of the or∣de•• is vnknowen. but all thaugh that thou ne knowe not

the cause of so grete a disposicion. Natheles for as moche as god the goode gouernour attempreth and gouerneth the worlde. ne doubte ye not that al thinges ben̄ done a right

Si quis arturi sidera nescit. Lassant{que} crebris pulsib a••ra. Propinqua summo cardine labi. Nemo miratur flamina chori. Cur legat tardus plaustra boetes. Li∣tus frementi tundere fluctu. Mergat{que} seras equore flāmas. Nec nimis durā frigore molem. Cur nimis s••eleres explicet ortus. Feruente phebi soliner estu. Legem stup••bit etheris alti. Hic e••im causas cernere promptum. Palleant plene cornua lune etc

WHo so that knowe not the ster••es of Arture torned to the souerayne centre or point. That is to seyn̄ tor∣ned nigh to the souerayn pole of the firmament / and wote not whi the sterre Boetes passeth or gadereth his waynes and drencheth his late flambes in the see. And why that Boetes the sterre vnfoldeth his ouerswift arisinges then̄e shall he wondren of the lawe of the high ayer. And eke if that he ne knowe not whi that the hornes of the ful mo∣ne waxen pale & infecte by the boūdes of the derk night / and how the mone derk & confuse discouereth the sterres that she had couered by her clere visage / The comune errour moe∣ueth folkes & maketh wery her basins of brasse by thilke strokes / that is to sey that ther is a maner peple that hight Coribandes that wenen that whan the mone is in the eclip∣se that hit bee enchaunted. And therfore for to rescowe the Mone / they beten her basyns wyth thilke strookes

Ne noo man ne wondreth whan the blastes of the wynde chorus beten the strondes of the see by quaking flodes / Ne noo man̄ ne wondreth whan the weight of the snowe har∣ded by the colde is resolued by the brennyng hete of phebus the sonne / For here seen men redily the causes. but the cau∣ses yhidde that is to seyn̄ in heueue troublen the brestes of men / the meouable peple is astonyed of alle thinges that comen sield & sedenly in your age / but the troubly errour of oure ignorance depted fro vs so that if they wisten̄ the cau∣se why that suche thinges betiden. certes they shulden cesse to seme wondres

Ita est in{quam}. sed cum tui muneris sit latenti rerum causas euoluere uelatas{que} caligine explicare raciones Queso vti hinc decernas. {quam} hoc me miraculum max∣ime perturbat. edisseras. Tum illa paulisper etc

THus it is qu••d I. but so as thou haste yeuen or by∣highte me to vnwrappe the hydd causes of thinges and to discouere me the reasons couered with derkenesse I pray the that thou deuise & iugge me of this matier. & that thou doo me to vnderstande hit / For this myracle of this wondre troubleth me right greetly. And thenne she a litel what smylyng saide. Thou clepest me quod she to telle that is greetest of alle thinges. that mowen bene ax∣ed / And to the whiche question vnnethe is there ought ynough to lauen hyt / As whoo seyth. Vnnethe is there ony thing to answere perfytely to thy question / For the matere of h•••• ys suche. that whan do doubte is determined

and cutte aweye / there waxen other doubtes without nom∣bre / right as the heedes of Idre the serpent waxen the whi∣che serpent Hercules slough / ne there ne were noo manere ne none ende / but if a wighte constreyned the doubtes by a right liuely and quyk fire of thoughte. That is to seyn̄ by vigour and strengthe of witte / For in this matiere men weren wonte to maken questyons of the simplicite of the purueance of god and of the ordre of destyne and of sodeyne happe. and of knowyng of predestinacion dyuyne And of the liberte of frewille / The whiche thinges thou thi selfe apperceyuedest well of what weighte they ben. but for as moche as the knowynges of these thinges is a ma∣ner porcion or medycine to the / al bee hit soo that I haue li∣tell tyme to doon̄ hit / yet neuertheles I wold enforcen me to shewen̄ som̄e what of hit / But al thaugh the norisshin∣ges of dite of musike deliteth the / thou muste suffren and forberen a litell of thilke delite. while that I wene to th•• resons knytt by ordre. B / As it liketh to the quod I so do Phīa / Tho spacke she right as by another bygynnyng & sayde right thus. The engendryng of all thinges quod she and all the progressions of meouable nature / and al that meoueth in ony maner. taketh his causes / his ordre and his fourmes of the stablenesse of dyuine thought / And thilke dyuine thoughte that is sette and put in the toure That is to seyne. in the heighte of the simplicite of God Stablissheth many maner guises to the thinges that been to doon̄. The whiche maner whan that men loken it in the pure clennesse of the dyuine Intelligence ys cleped pour∣ueyannce. But whan thilke manere ys referred by

men to thinges that hit meoueth or disponeth than of olde men hit was cleped destenye. the whiche thinges if that ony whighte loketh well in his thoughte / the strength of that one and of that other he shall lightly mowe sene. that these two thinges bene dyuerce. For pourueyance ys thilke dyuyne reason / that is establisshed in the souerayn prynce of thinges / the whiche pourueyance disponeth alle thinges. But certes destenye is the disposicion and the ordenaunce cle••yng to meouable thinges / by the whiche disposicion the pourueyan̄ce knitteth alle thinges in her or∣dre. For pourueyance enbraseth alle thinges to heepe all th••ugh they bee dyuerce / and al thaugh they bee Infinite But desteny certayn departeth and ordeyneth alle thyn∣ges singlerly and dyuydeth in me••uyng in places. in for∣mes / in tymes as thus. late the vnfolding of temporal or∣denaūce assembled and coned in the loking of the dyui∣ne thought bee cleped purueyance. and thilk same assem∣bling & o••nyng dyuided and vnfolden late that bee cal∣led destenye. And al be hit soo that these thinges ben dy∣uers yet neuertheles hanged that one of that other. for why the ordre destynale procedeth of the simplicite of purueyan̄ce For right as a w••rkman perceyueth in his thoughte the fourme of a thing that ••e wole make and meoueth the effecte of the w••rk / And ledeth that ••e ••••d loked beforn̄ in his thought simply & presently by corp••ral ordenan̄ce. c••••tes right so god in his purueyance disponeth singlerly & s••ably the thinges that bee to don / but he administreth in maners & in diuers times by desteny thilke same thinges that ••e hath disponed then̄e whether destenye bee excercised

eyther by som̄e dyuyne spirites seruauntes to the dyuyne puruean̄ce / or els by som soule. or els by al nature seruyng to god / or els by the celestial moeuinges of sterres / or ellis by the vertue of angelles. or els by dyuerce subtilite of de∣uils / or els by ony of hem. or els by hem all / the destinall ordenan̄ce is wouen and accomplisshed. Certes it is open thing that the puruean̄ce is an vnmeouable & simple forme of thinges to done / And the meonable bonde & the tempo∣ral ordenan̄ce of thingis whiche that th•• dyuine simplicite of purueance hath ordeyned to done that is desteyne / For whiche it is that al thingis that ben put vnder desteyne ben certes subgi••ttes vnto puruean̄ce. to whiche pur••ean̄ce destenye it self is subgiect & vnder / but som̄e thinges been put vnder purueance that surm••ūten the ordinan̄ce of des∣tine. and tho ben thilke that stably ben fix••d nigh to the first godhed they surmoūten the ordre of destynale moua∣blete. For righte as cercles tornen̄ aboute a same centre or aboute a poynte / thilk c••rcle that is Innerest or most with in / he ioyneth to the simplesse of the myddel / & is as it were a centre or a poynte to that other cercles that tornen aboute him. & thilk that is vtterest compassed by a larger enuiro∣nyng is vnfold by larger spaces / in somoche as it is fer∣therest fro the middelest simplicite of the point. & if ther be ony thing that knitteth & felaushippeth him self to thilk middel point / it is {con}streyned into simplicite. that is to sey into vn∣mouablete. & it cessith to ben shad & to flitte diusly / right so by semblable reson thilk thing that de{per}teth fortherest fro the first thought of god •• it is vnfolden & also submitted to gret∣ter bondes of destyne / and in somoch is the thing more free

and lowse fro dignite / as it axeth and holdeth nerre to thilke Centre of thinges. That is to seyne to god. And if the thing cleueth to the stedfastnesse of the thoughte of god and bee withoute meouyng. certes it ••urmounteth the n••cessite of destenye / Then̄e ••uche comparison as is ski∣ling to vnderstanding and of thing that was engen∣dred to thing that is of tyme to eternite. And of the cer∣cle to the centre right so is the ordre of meouable destyne to to st••ble simplicite of pourueyance / Thilk ordenance meo∣ueth the heuen and the sterres and attemprith the elemen∣t••s to g••dre among hem self. and transformeth hem by en••r••••h••ungeable mutacion. And thilke same ordre ne∣weth a••eyne alle thinges growing & falling a downe by semblab••e progressions of sedes and of sexus / That is to s••••n̄ male and female. And thi•• ilk ordre constreyneth the f••r••un•••• & the dedes of men̄ by a bande of causes not able to bee vn••ounden. The whiche destynale causes whan they pas••••n oute fro the begynnynges of vnmeouable pouruey∣a••̄ce 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mo••e nedes bee that they ne bee not mutable. A•• thus. bee the thinges well gouerned if that the simplicite dwellin•• in the dyuyne thoughte sheweth forth the ordre ••f c••uses vnable to bee ••owed. And this ordre constrey∣neth by the ••ropre stable••e the meouable t••inges or els they shulden fl••••e fo••••ly. For whiche hit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that thinges semen confuse and trowblye to vs men̄. For wee ne mowen not considere thilke ordenaunce. Neuertheles the propre ma∣n••re of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hing dressing him to god disponeth hem all •• For there nys noo thing done for euyll. for thilke thing that is dene by wicked folk nys not done for euil / the

whiche shrewes as I haue shewd ful plenteously seke good But wicked errour mystorneth hem / ne the ordre comyng fro the point of souerain good ne enclineth not fro his by∣gyn̄yng / but thou maist saye what vnrest may ben a wors confusion then̄e that goode men han somtime aduersite and somtime {pro}sperite / & shrewes han now also thinges that they desiren & now thinges that they haten / wheder men lyue now in suche hol••nesse of thought. As who seith. be men now so wise / that suche folk as they demen to ••e good folk or shre∣wes. that it mote nedes be that folk be suche as they wenen But in this maner domes of men discorden / that thilke men̄ that som̄e folk demen worthy of mede. other folk deme hem worthy of torment / but ••ate vs graūte I suppose that som man̄ may wel deme or knowe the goode peple & the bad May he then̄e knowe & see thilk Innerest attem{per}an̄ce of co∣rage as it hath be wont to be seyd of bodies / as who seyth May a man̄ speken̄ of complexions & attemperan̄ce of bo∣dies / ne it ne is not / as who seith but it is lik a meruaile or a miracle to hem that ne knowen it not. whi that swete thinges be couenable to som bodies that ben hole / & to som̄e peple bitter thinges be couenable. & also whi som people ben holpen with light medicines / & som̄e peple ben̄ holpen̄ wyth bittir medicines / but natheles tho that knowen̄ the maner & the actemperan̄ce of hele & of maladie ne meruaileth it noo thing / but what other thing semeth helth of corages but bounte / and what other thing semeth maladie of courai∣ge but vices / Who is els keper of good and driuer awey of euyll / but God the gouernour and lether of though∣••es. The whiche God whan he hath beholden̄ from the

high toure of his pouruean̄ce / he knoweth what is couena∣ble to eny wighte / and leneth hem that he wote well that is couenable to hem. lo herof cometh and herof is done this myracle of the ordre destynable / whan god that all knoweth dooth suche thing of whiche thing vnknowyng folk ben̄ astonyed. but for to constreyne as who seith but for to comprehende and telle a fewe thinges of the dyuine dep∣nesse / the whiche that mannys reason maye vnderstande. Thilk man̄ that thou wenest to bene right Iuste & righte kepyng of equite. the contrarye of that semeth to the dy∣uine pouruean̄ce that all wote / A••d lucan my familier tellith that the vyctoriouse cause liked to the goddes / and the causes ouercomen liketh to Caton̄ / Thenne what soo euer thou maiste sene that is done in this world vnhoped or ellis vnknowen̄ / certes hit is the righte ordre of thinges But as to thy wicked opynyon / hit is a confusion / but I suppose that som̄e man̄ be so wele thewed that the dyuyne Iuggement and the Iuggement of mankynde accorden hem to geder of him / but he is so vnstidfaste of courage. that if ony aduersite come to him / he wole forleten perauenture to contynue Innocencie / by the whiche he ne maye not wyth∣holden fortune / then̄e the wise dispensacion̄ of god spareth him the whiche man aduersite might enpey••en. for that god wille not him to trauaille / to whom that trauaile nys not couenable. Another man̄ is parfyte in all vertues and y•• an holy man and nygh to god so that the pourueance of god wold deme that it were a felonye that he were tow∣ched with ony aduersitees. so that he wole not suffre that suche a man̄ be with ony bodily maladye meoued. But

so as sayde the philosophre / the more excellent is by me sayde in grete that vertues han edefied the body of the holy man / & ofte tyme it betideth that the sōme of thinges that bene to done is taken to gouerne to good f••lk. for that the malice habondan̄t of shrewes shuld bene abated / and God ye∣ueth and departeth to other folk prosperitees & aduersite∣es medeled to heepe after the qualite of her couraigis / and remordeth som̄e folke by aduersitees. for they ne shuld not waxen prowde by long welefulnesse / and other folk he suf∣freth to bee trauailled with hard thinges for that they shuld confermen the vertues of couraige by the excercitaci∣on of vsage of pacience. And other folke d••eden more than they oughten the whiche they myghten well beren / & som̄e dispise that they mowe not bere. And thilk folke god le∣deth into experience of hem self by aspre & sorouful thinges And many other folke haue brought honourable renom̄es of this world by the price of glorious deeth. And som̄e men that ne mowe not bene ouercomen by tourment. han ye¦uen ensample to other folke that vertue may not bene ouer∣comen by aduersitees / And of all these thinges there nys noo doubte that they ne bene done rightfully and ordeynly to the parfyte good of hem to whom wee sene these thyn∣ges betyde. For certes that aduersitees cometh somtyme to shrewes / and somtyme that they desiren hit cometh of these forsaid causes & of sorouful thinges that betiden to shrewes Certes noo man ne wondreth / for al men wene that they han deserued hit. and that they ben of wicked merite. of whiche shrewes the tourmente agasteth somtyme other to done felonyes / and somtyme it amendeth hem that suffreth

the tormentes / & the prosperite that is yeuen to shrewes. she∣weth a grete argumēt ••o goode peple / what thing they shulde demen of thilke welfulnes. which {pro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes / in which thing I trow that god dispēseth For {per}auenture the nature of som man is so outhrowing to euil & so vncouenable that the nedy pouert of his houshold might rather agreue him to done felonies. & to the maladie of him god putteth remedie to yeuen him richesse. & som̄e other man̄ beholdeth his consciēce defouled with syn̄es and maketh com{per}ison of this fortune & of him self / & dredeth {per}auenture that the blisfulnes of whiche the vsage is Ioy∣ful to him. & the l••sing of thilk blisfulnes ne be not sorou∣ful to him / & therfore he wolde chaūge his maners. & for he dredeth to lese his fortune he forleteth his wickednesse. to other folkes welfulnesse is ••euen vnworthily / the whiche ouerthroweth hem into destruccion̄ that they han deserued. & to som other folke is yeuen power to punisshen for that hit shalbe cause of continuacion & e••cercising to goode folke & cause of torment to shrewe••. for as there n••s none allian̄ce b••twix goode folk & shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowe not ac∣corden among hem self / And whi not. for that shrewes dis••orden of h••m self by her vices. the whiche vices all to renden her conscience•• and done oftyme thinges the whiche thinges whan they han done hem / they deme that tho thinges ne shuld not han be done. for which thing the souerain pur∣ueance hath maked oftyme miracle. so that shrewes han maked shrewes to ben goode men / for whan that som shre∣wes seen that they suffre wrongfully felonies of other shre∣wes / they waxen eschau••ed in to hate of hem that annoyed

hem and retournen to the fruyte of vertue. than they studi∣en to be vnlike to hem that they han hated. Certes onely is this the dyuine might. to the whiche might. euils ben than good whan it vsith the euils couenably & draweth out the effecte of ony good / as who seith that euil is good on̄e•••• to the might of god. for the might of god ordeyneth th•••••• euil to good / for one ordre enbraceth al thinges / so that what wight de{per}teth from the reson of thilke ordre that is assig∣ned to him. algates yet he slideth into another ordre. so that nothing is leueful to folie in the royame of diuyne purue∣ance. as who seith nothing is without ordenance in the roy∣ame of diuine purueance / sith that the right stronge god gouerneth al thinges in this worlde. for it is not leuefull for men̄ to comphende by witte ne vnfolden by worde al the subtil ordenance & the disposicion of the diuine entent / for only it ought to suffise to han loked that god him self ma∣ker of al natures ordeyneth al thingis to good while that he hasteth to withholde the thingis that he hath maked into his semblan̄ce that is to seye fo••to withholden the thingis into good. for he him self is good / he chasith out al euils fro the boūde of his cominaltees by the ordre of the necessite desty∣nable / for which it folweth that if thou loke the purueance ordening the thingis that men̄ wenen be outrageo{us} or habon∣dant in erthes thou shalt not seen in no place no thing of euil. but I see now that thou art charged with the weighte of the question & wery with length of my reson & that thou ••bidest som swetenes of songe. take then̄e this draught. & whan thou art wel refresshed & refecte. thou shalt bee more stedfaste to stye into higher questions or thinges

Si vis celsi iura tonantis. Pura solers cernere mēte Aspice summi culmina celi. Illic iusto federe rerum. Ueterem seruant sidera pacem etc

If thou wise wolt demen in thi pure thought the righ∣tes or the lawes of the high thonder. that is to sey of god. loke thou & beholde the heightes of the souerayn heuen there ••••pe•• the sterres by rightful a••••an̄ce of thinges her ol∣de pe••s. the son̄e meoued b•• his rody fire / ne distourbeth not the co••••e cer••le of the mone•• ne the sterre cleped the beer that en••••••neth his rauisshing courses aboute the soueram height of this worlde. nys neuer w••sshen in the depe westren se••. ne to ••••••••eth not to dien his flambes in the see of the occian. Al th••ugh ••e see other sterres ploūged in the see. & that the s••••••re ••••spe•••••• bodeth & telleth alwey the late nightes / & lu∣cife•• t•••• se••r•••• bringeth ayein the clere daye. And thus 〈…〉〈…〉 entr••chaūgeable {per}durable courses. & thus ys 〈…〉〈…〉 put out of the coūtre of ster••es. this ac∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 actempreth by mane••s euenlike the elementes / that th•• moys•• t••inges striuyng with the drie thinges y••ue pla∣ce b•• s••oūdes & that the col••e thinges ioynen hem by ••••ith to t•••• hote thingis & that the ••ight fire ariseth into the height and the heu•• e••thes aualen by her weightes. by these same causes the floury yere yeldeth sw••te smelles in the first somer season warming / & the hote somer drieth the cornes / And Autūpne cometh a••eme ••••uye of apples / And the fleting ra••ne b••d••weth this wynter. This actemperan̄ce norissheth & bryngeth forth all thing that bereth lyfe in this world And thilke same actemperannce rauesshyng. hydeth

and bynymmeth & drencheth vnder last deth / all thinges that ben born̄ / among these thinges s••cteth the high maker king & lord / welle & begynnyng lawe & wise iugge to done equite. & gouerneth & enclineth the brideles of thinges / and tho thinges that he stereth to gone by meouyng he wyth∣draweth & aresteth & affermeth the meouabletees or wan∣dringes. for if that he ne called not ayeyn the right going of thynges. & if that he ne constreyned hem not eftsones into roūdes enclined. the thinges that ben now continued by stable ordonan̄ce they shulden de{per}te from her welle / That is to seyne fro her begyn̄yng / & fallen that is to seye tour∣nen into nought. This is the com̄une loue to all thinges And all thinges axen to bee holden by the fyne of good. for els ne myghten they not lasten / if they ne come not eft∣sones ayeyn by loue retorned to the cause that hath yeu••n hem beyng. that is to seyne god

Iam ne igitur vides quid hec omnia que diximus consequantur. Quid nam inquit. Omnem inquit etc

••Estow not than what thing foloweth al the thingis that I haue sayde. B / what thing qd I / P. Certes qd she al vtterly that al fortune is good / B / And how may that be qd I / P / now vnderstande qd she / so as alle fortune whether so it be ioyful fortune or aspre fortune / ys eyther yeuen by cause of guerdonyng / or els of excercising of good folk or bicause to punissh or ellis to chastisen the shrewes. then̄e fortune is good. the whiche fortune is cer∣tayne that hit bee eyther rightfull or ellis proufitable / B.

Forsoth this is a ful very reson qd I / & if I considere the puruean̄ce & the destine that thou taughtest me a litil here biforn̄ / this sentence is sustened by stidfast resons. but if it ••••ke to the late vs nōbre hem amōg thilk thinges of which thou seidest a litil here bifore that they ne were not able to be wened to the peple. p / whi so qd she. b / for the comune worde of men qd I vsith amysse the maner speche of fortune. & seye of tyme that fortune of som wight is wicked. p / wil••ow then̄e qd she that I approche alitil to the wordes of the peple so that it seme not to hem that I be oumoch de{per}ted as fro the vsage of mākinde / b. as thou wilt qd I / P. wenestow not qd she that al thing that {pro}fiteth is goode. b / yis qd I p. certes al thing that excercith or cor••igith. it {pro}fiteth. B I confesse wel qd I. p. then is it goode qd she / b / whi not qd I / p / but this is the fortune qd she of h••m that eyther be put in vertu / & bat••ilen ayenst aspre thingis. or els of hem that enclinen & declinen fro vices & taken the wey of vertue b. this ne may I not denye qd I / p but what s••istow of the mery fortune that is yeuen to goode peple in guerdon / demeth ought the peple that it be wicked. b. nay fors••th qd I but they deme as it is sothe •• that it is right good. p. what seist th••u of the other fortune qd she / that al thaugh that it bee aspre & restreyneth the shrewes by righ••ful tormēt / weneth ought the peple that it be good / b. nay qd I / but the peple demeth that it is most wretched of alle thinges that may bee thoughte. Phīa. Ware nowe and loke well quod she leste we in folowing the oppinion of the people. haue confes∣sed and concluded thyng whiche that ys vnable to ben wened to the people / Boecius. What ys that quod I

P. Certes qd she it foloweth or cometh of thingis that ben graūted that al fortune what so euer it be. of hem that ey∣ther be in possession of vertu / or els in the purchasing of ver∣tue. that thilk fortune is good. & that al fottune is right wicked to hem that dwelle in shrewdnes. As who seith / & thus weneth not the peple. B. that is soth qd I. albe it so that noman dar confesse it ne knowe / P. why so qd she / for right as a strong man̄ ne semeth. not to abasshen / or disdai∣nen as oftyme as he hereth the noise of the bataile. Ne also it semeth not to the wiseman to beren it greuously as ofte as he is led into strif of fortune / for both to that one man & eke to thilk other / thilk difficulte is the mater to that one man of encrease of his glorio{us} renom̄e. & to that other man to conserue his sapiēce. that is to seye to the asprenes of his estate. for therfore is it called vertu / for that it susteneth & enforceth by his s••rengthes / so that it nys not oucomen by aduersitees. ne certes thou that art put in encrease or in the height of vertu / ne hast not comen to fleten / with delices. & forto walken in bodily lust. thou sowest or plantest a full egre bataile in thy corage ayenst euery fortune. for that the sorouful fortune confonde the not. ne that the mery fortune ne corrūpe the not / occupye the meane by stedfast strengthes For al that euer is vnder the meane / or al that ouerpassith the meane dispiseth welfulnes / As who seith. it is vicio{us} And ne hath no mede of his trauaile / for it is sett in your hande. As who seith it lieth in your power. what fortune you is leueste. that is to seye good or euil / for all fortune that semeth sharp or aspre. if it ne excercise not the good folk ne chastiseth the wicked folk it punysseth

Bella bis binis operatus annis. Ultor atrides phri∣gierumis. Fratris amissos thalamos piauit. Ille dn̄ gaye dare vela classi. Optat & vētos redimit eruore &c

THe wreker atrides that is to seyne Agamenon that wrought & continued the batailes by ten yere / recoue∣red & purged in wreking by the destruccion of Troye. the lost chambres of mariage in his brother / that is to seye that Agamenon wan ayein Elene that was menela{us} wyf his b••oder. in the meane while that thilk agamenon desired to yeuen sailes to the grekes nauie / & brought ayein the wyn∣des by blod. he vnclothed him of pite of fader. and the sory prest yeueth in sacrefiing the wretched kicting of the throte of the doughter / that is to seye that agamenon lete kitte the throte of his doughter by the prest to maken alian̄ce wyth hi•• goddes / & forto han winde with whiche he might ween∣den to troye / Itac{us} that is to seye vlixes bewept his felaws y••••••n̄. the whiche f••laws the fiers peliphem{us} ligging in his grete caue had freten̄ & dreynt in his empty wombe / But natheles poliphemus wood for his blinde visage yealde to vlires ioye by his sorouful teeres. that is to seye that vlix∣es smote out the eye of p••l••phem{us} that stode in the forheed for whiche vlixes had ioye whan he say poliphem{us} weping & blinde. Hercu••••s is celeb••able for his harde trauaile. he daū∣ted the proude centaurus half hors half man / & b••rafte the dispoyling fro the cruel lyon. that is to seye he slough the ho•• & birafte h••m his s••yn̄e / he smote the ••••iddes that hight a••pyes with certayn arows. he rauisshed apples fro the wa∣king dragon̄. & his hande was the more heuy for the golden

metal. he drough cerber{us} the hoūde of hell by the triple cheynes He ouercomer as it is sayd hath putte an vnmeke lord fodder to his cruel hors. that is to seye hercules slough dy∣omedes & made his hors to freten him / & he hercules slough Idra the serpent & brent the venym. And achile{us} the flood defouled in his forhede dreynt his shamefast visage i•• hys stron̄des / that is to seye that achileus coude transfigure him self into dyuerse likenesse / And as he faught with hercu∣les atte last he torned him into a bulle. & hercules brake of one of his hornes. & he for shame hid him in his riuer. & ouer that he hercules caste adoun̄ Antheus the geant in the strondes of libie / And cacus appaysed the wrathes of ••u∣ander / that is to seye that hercules slough the monstre cac{us} & appeased with that deth the wrath of euander. & the br••s∣teled boor marked with vomes the shulders of hercules the whiche shulders the hye cercle of heuen shulde thrist. And the last of his labours was that he sustened the heuen vpon his neck. vnbowed & he deserued eftsones the h••uen to bee the last ende of trauaile / goth now then ye strong men̄ ther as the grete ensample ledeth you. o nyce men̄ why make ye your backes / As who seith. O ye slowe & delicate men̄. whi see ye aduer••itees & ne fighten not ayenst hem by ver∣tue to wynnen the mede of heuen. For the mede ouercomen yeueth the sterres / That is to seyn̄ that whan that erthely lust is ouercomen. a man̄ is maked worthy to the heuen

Explicit liber quartus ¶Incipit liber quintus