The works of our ancient, learned, & excellent English poet, Jeffrey Chaucer as they have lately been compar'd with the best manuscripts, and several things added, never before in print : to which is adjoyn'd The story of the siege of Thebes, by John Lidgate ... : together with The life of Chaucer, shewing his countrey, parentage, education, marriage, children, revenues, service, reward, friends, books, death : also a table, wherein the old and obscure words in Chaucer are explained, and such words ... that either are, by nature or derivation, Arabick, Greek, Latine, Italian, French, Dutch, or Saxon, mark'd with particular notes for the better understanding of their original.

The variaunce in Thebes among hemselfe.

For in the cite there was variaunce, That vnto him was a great mischance: For in his nede shortly he ne wist Vpon whom that he might trist, For they were nat all of one entent, Wherfore he hath for his counseil sent, All his lords, and the old Queene, Soch as he dempte that were pure & clene, Holle of one heart and not variable, Of old expert and alwey found stable, Requering hem because they were wise, All openly to tellen her auise, Where it were better pleinly in her sight, With his brother to treaten, or to fight? And some gaue a full blunt sentence, Which had of werre none experience, Said it was best and not ben aferde, To try his right manly with the swerde: And some also that were more prudent, Spake vnto him by good auisement, And list not spare but her conceite told, How it was best his couenant to hold, And to perfourme his hest made toforn To his Brother, lich as he was sworn, So y^• his word, the wors make him to spede, * Be not found variant from the dede, For none hatred rancour ne pride: And tho the Queene toke him out aside,