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.

To the Readers.

AFter this Book was last Printed, I understood that Mr. Francis Thynn had a purpose, as indeed he hath when time shall serve, to set out Chaucer with a Comment in our Tongue, as the Italians have Petrark and others in their Lan∣guage. Whereupon, I purposed not to meddle any farther in this Work, altho some promise made to the contrary, but to referr all to him; being a Gentleman for that purpose inferiour to none, both in regard of his own Skill, as also of those helps left to him by his Father. Yet notwithstanding, Chaucer now being Printed again, I was willing, not only to help some Imperfections, but also to add some things; whereunto he did not only persuade me, but most kindly lent me his Help and Direction. By this means most of his old Words are restored; Proverbs and Sen∣tences marked; such Notes as were collected, drawn into bet∣ter order; and the Text by old Copies corrected.

But of some things I must advertise the Readers; as first, that in Chaucer they shall find the Proper Names oftentimes much differ∣ing from the Latin and Greek, from whence they are drawn; which they must not condemn in him as a fault: for both he, and other Poets, in Translating such Words from one Language into another, do use, as the Latins and Greeks do, the sundry Species of Metaplasmus: as Campaneus for Capaneus; Atheon for Acteon; Adriane for Ariadne. Which Chaucer doth in other Words also; as gon for begon; leve for beleve; peraunter for peradven∣ture; loveden for did love; woneden for did won, &c.

It is his manner likewise, imitating the Greeks, by two Nega∣tives to cause a greater Negation; as, I ne said none ill.

Also many times to understand his Verb; as, I not what men him call, for I know not, &c.

And, for the Author, to name some part of his Work; as, Argonauticon for Apollonius Rhodius. And that sometime in the Genitive Case, a former Substantive being understood: as, read Aeneidos: Metamorphoseos: for the Authors of those Works.

And for his Verses, altho in divers places they may seem to us to stand of unequal Measures; yet a skilful Reader, that can scan them in their nature, shall find it otherwise. And if a Verse here and there fall out a Syllable shorter or longer than another, I rather aret it to the negligence and rape of Adam Scrivener, that I may speak as Chaucer doth, than to any unconning or over-sight in the Author: for how fearful he was to have his Works mis∣written, or his Verse mismeasured, may appear in the End of his Fifth Book of Troylus and Creseide, where he writeth thus:

And for there is so great diversitie In English, and in writing of our tongue, So pray I God, that none miswrite thee, Ne thee mismetre for defaut of tongue, &c.

Moreover, whereas in the explanation of the old Words, sundry of their Significations by me given, may to some seem conjectural; yet such as understand the Dialects of our Tongue, especially in the North, and have knowledge in some other Languages, will judge otherwise: and for the satisfying of others, which want such skill, I have by these Characters a. g. l. i. f. d. b. notified to them from what Tongue or Dialect such Words are derived.

It were a Labour worth commendation, if some Scholar, that hath Skill and Leisure, would conferr Chaucer with those learned Authors, both in Greek and Latin, from whom he hath drawn many excellent things; and at large report such Histories, as in his Works are very frequent, and many of them hard to be found: which would so grace this Ancient Poet, that whereas divers have thought him unlearned, and his Writings mere Tri∣fles, it should appear, That besides the knowledge of sundry Tongues, he was a Man of great Reading and deep Judgment. This course I began in the former Impression, but here of purpose have left it off; as also the Description of Persons and Places, except some few of more worthy note; as a labour rather for a Commentor, for that it concerneth Matter, than for him that intendeth only the explaining of Words. And thus to con∣clude, I commit to your wonted Favour, this our Poet, and what here is done for the Poet's sake.