Three more parallel texts of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde from ms. LI in St. John's college, Cambridge; ms. no. 61 in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, and the Harleian ms. 1239 in the British museum; put forth by F.J. Furnivall ... with a note on Chaucer's borrowings from Benoît de Sainte-More by G.C. Macaulay ....

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Three more parallel texts of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde from ms. LI in St. John's college, Cambridge; ms. no. 61 in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, and the Harleian ms. 1239 in the British museum; put forth by F.J. Furnivall ... with a note on Chaucer's borrowings from Benoît de Sainte-More by G.C. Macaulay .... Chaucer, Geoffrey, -1400. Furnivall, Frederick James, 1825-1910. Macaulay, G. C. (George Campbell), 1852-1915. Benoît, de Sainte-More, active 12th century. 2 v. 26 x 34 cm. [London] Pub. for the Chaucer society by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & co., limited, and by H. Milford, Oxford university press, London and New York, 1894-95. Mode of access: Internet.

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THREE MORE PARALLEL TEXTS OF CHAUCER'S TROILUS AND CRISEYDE FROM MS. L1 IN ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; MS. NO. 61 IN CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, AND THE HARLEIAN MS. 1239 IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM

PUT FORTH BY F. J. FURNIVALL, M.A., TRIN. HALL, CAMBRIDGE HON. DR. PHIL. BERLIN

WITH A NOTE ON CHAUCER'S BORROWINGS FROM BENOÎT DE SAINTE-MORE BY G. C. MACAULAY, M.A., TRIN. COLL. CAMBRIDGE

[Title page for First Series Nos. LXXXVII and LXXXVIII]

PUBLISHED FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LIMITED, BROADWAY HOUSE, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. AND BY HUMPHREY MILFORD, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, AMEN CORNER, LONDON, E.C., AND IN NEW YORK

1894-1895

Chaucer's Troilus. [St. John's College, Cambridge, L. 1.] (1) (Proem.) THe dowble sorowe of Troilus to tellen. That was the kyng Priamus son of Troye. In lowynge how his auentures fellen. ffro wo to wele and after out of Ioye. My purpos is / or that I parte fro ye. Theisphone thow help me for tendite. Thise woful vers that wepen as I write. (2) (Invocation.) To the clepe I thow goddesse of torment. Thow cruel furye sorwynge euere in peyne. Help me þat am the sorwful Instrument. That helpith louers as I kan to pleyne. ffor wel it sit the sothe for to seyne. A woful wight to han a drery fere. And to a sorwful tale a sory chere. (3) ffor I þat god of loues seruantȝ serue. Ne dar to loue for myn vnliklynesse. Preien for sped al sholde .I. ther for sterue. Se fer am I from his help in dirknesse. But natheles yif this may don gladnesse. Vn to any louer and his cause auaile. Haue he my thonk / and myn be this trauaile. (4) But ye louers þat bathen in gladnesse. yif any drope of pite in yow be. Remembreth yow on passed heuynesse. That ye han felt / and on the aduersite. Of other folk / and thinketh how þat ye. Han felt þat loue dorste yow displese. Or ye han wonne hym with to gret an ese. (5) And preyeth for hem þat ben in the cas. Of Troilus. as ye may after heere. That loue hem brynge in heuenne to solas. And eke for me preyeth to god so deere. That I haue myght to schewe in som manere. Swich peyne and wo as loues folk endure. In Troilus vnsely auenture. (6) And biddeth ek for hem þat ben desespeyred. In loue / þat neuer nil recouered be. And ek for hem þat falsly ben apeyred. Thorw wikkyd tonges / be it he or she. Thus biddeth god for his benygnete. So graunte hem soone out of þis world to pace. That ben despeyred out of loues grace. (7) And biddeth ek for hem þat ben at ese. That god hem graunte ay good perseueraunce. And sende hem myght hir ladys so to plese. That it to loue be worschipp and plesaunce. ffor so hope I my soule best auaunce. To preye for hem þat loues seruantȝ be. And write hir wo and lyue in charite. (8) And for to haue of hem compassioun. As thogh I weere hir owne brother deere. Now herkneth with a good entencioun. ffor now wol I gon streyght to my matere. In which ye may the double sorwes heere. Of Troilus in louynge of Criseide. And how þat she for sook hym or she deyde. (9) (Story.) IT is wel wist how þat the grekys stronge. In armes with a thowsand shipes wente. To Troyewardes and the cite longe. Assegeden / wel x yer or they stente. And in diuerse wyse and oon entente. The Rauyssynge to wreken of Eleyne. By Parys don / they wroughten al hir peyne. (10) Now fil it so þat in the town ther was. Dwellynge a lord of gret auctorite. A gret deuyn þat cleped was calcas. That in science so expert was þat he. Knew wel þat Troye sholde destroied be. By answere of his god þat hight thus. Dann phebus or Appollo delphicus. (11) So when þat kalcas knew by calculynge. And ek by answere of this Appollo. That grekys sholden swich a poeple brynge. Thorw which þat Troye most be for do. He caste onon out of the town to go. ffor wel wist he by sort þat Troye sholde. Destroyed ben / ye wolde who so nolde. (12) ffor which for to departen softely. Took purpos ful this for knowynge wyse. And to þe grekys oost ful pryuyly. He stal anon and they in curteys wyse. Hym deden bothen worschipe and seruyse. In trust þat he hath konnynge hem to reede. In euery peril which þat is to drede. (13) The noyse vp ros whan it was first espied. Thorw al the town / and generaly was spoken. That kalcas traytour fled was and alied. Wyth hem of grece and casten to ben wroken. On hym þat falsly hadde his feyth so broken. And seyden he and al his kyn at ones. Ben worthi for to brennen fel and bones. (14) Now hadde calcas left in þis meschaunce. Al vnwist of this fals and wykked dede. His dowghtir which þat was in grete penaunce. ffor of hir lif sho was ful soore in drede. As sho þat nyste what was beste to rede. ffor bothe a wydewe was she and alone. Of any frende to whome she dorste hire mone. (15) Criseide was this lady name al ryght. As to my dom in al Troyes Citee. Nas non so fair for passyng euery wyght. So angelik was hire natif beaute. That lik a thyng inmortale semed she. As is an heuenyssh parfite creature. That down were sent in scornynge of nature. (16) This lady which þat herde al day at ere. Hir fadris shame / his falsnesse and treson. wel neygh out of hir wit for sorwe and fere. In widewis habit blak of samyt broun. On knees she fil biforn Ector adown. with pitous vois / and tendirly wepynge. Hys mercy bad hir siluen excusynge. (17) Now was this Ector pitous of nature. And saw þat she was sorwfully bigone. And þat she was so fair a creature. Of his goodnesse he gladede hir anone. And seide / lat yowre fadres treison agone. fforth with meschaunce / and ye yowre self in Ioye. Dwelleth with vs whil ȝow good list in Troye. (18) And al thonour þat men may don yow haue. As ferforth as yowr fadir dwelled heere. Ye shol han / and yowr body shal men saue. As fer as I may aught enquere and heere. And she hym thanked with ful humble cheere. And oftir wolde and it had ben his wille. And tooke hire leue and hom and held hir stille. (19) And in hir hous she abood wyth swich meyne. As til hir honour nede was to holde. And whil she was dwellynge in þat Cite. Kepte hir astate / and bothe of yonge and olde. fful wel beloued / and wel men of hir tolde. But wheithir þat sche children hadde or non. I rede it nat / ther for I late it gon. (20) The thinges fellen as they don of were. By twixen hem of Troye and grekes ofte. ffor som day boghten thei of Troye it dere. And eft þe grekes fownden no thing softe. The folk of Troye / and thus fortune on lofte. And wonder ofte The original words erased, under eft is written by a later hand. gan hem whielen bothe. Aftir hir cours / ay whil þat thei were wrothe. (21) But how this town com to destruccion. Ne falleth naught to purpos me to telle. ffor it were heere a long disgression. ffro my matere and yow to long to dwelle. But the troian gestes as they felle. In omer / or in dares / or in dite. who so þat kan may rede hem as they write. (22) But though þat grekes hem of Troye shetten. And hir Cite bysegede al a boute. Hir olde vsage nolde they nat letten. As for to honoure hir goddes ful deuoute. But aldermost in honour out of doute. They hadde a relik / het palladion. That was hire trust a bouen euerychon. (23) And so bifil whan comen was þe tyme. Of aperil / when clothed is þe mede. with newe grene of lusty veer the pryme. And swote smellen floures whyte and reede. In sondry wises shewed as I reede. The folk of Troye hir obseruaunces olde. Palladions feste for to holde. (24) And to þe temple in al hire beste wise. In general ther wente mony a wyght. To herknen of Palladion seruyse. And namely so mony a lusty knyght. So mony a lady fressh and mayden bryght. fful wel arayed bothe þe meste and þe leste. Ye bothe for the seson and the feeste. (25) A mong this oother folk was Criseida. In widwes habit blak / but natheles. Right as our first letter is now an .a. In beaute first so stood she makeles. Hir goodly lokynge gladede al þe prees. Nas neuir yit seyn thing / to ben preysed derre. Nor vnder kloude blake / so bright a sterre. (26) As was Criseyde as folk seyde euerychone. That hir beholden in hir blake wede. And yit she stood ful lowe and stil alone. Byhyndyn oother folk in litel brede. And ney þe dore. ay vndir shames drede. Symple of atir and debonar of chere. with ful assured lokynge and manere. (27) This Troilus as he was wont to gide. His yonge knyghtees ladde hem vp and down. In thilke large temple on euery syde. Biholdyng ay the ladyes of þe town. Now her now ther for no deuocion. Hadde he to non / to reuen hym his reste. But gan to preyse and lakken whom him leste. (28) And in his walke full faste he gan to wayten. yif knyght or squier of his compaygnye. Gan for to sike / or lete hise eyen bayten. On any woman þat he koude espye. He wolde smyle and holden it folie. And seye hym thus / god wote she slepth ful softe. ffor loue of the / whan thow tornest ful ofte. (29) I haue herd told pardieux of yowr lyuynge. Ye loueris / and yowr lewed obseruaunces. And which a labour folk han in wynnynge. Of loue / and in the kepynge which doutaunces. And whan yowr praye is lost wo and penanaunces. O. verray fooles nyce and blynde ben ye. Ther nys nat oon kan war by oother be. (30) And with þat word he gan caste vp the browe. Ascances lo / is this nat wisly spoken. At which the god of loue gan loken rowe. Right for despite / and shop for to ben wroken. And kidde anon his bowe nas nat broken. ffor sodeynly he hitte hym at the fulle. And yit as proud a pecok kan he pulle. (31) O blynde world .o. blynde entencion. How often falleth alle theffect contraire. Of surquidrie and foule presumpcion. ffor kaught is proud and kaught is debonaire. This Troilus is cloumben on the staire. And litil weneth þat he mot descenden. But alday faileth thing þat fooles wenden. (32) As proud bayard gynneth for to skippe. Out of the wey so priketh him his corn. Til he a lassh haue of þe longe whippe. Than thinketh he thought I praunce al beforn. ffirst in the trais ful fat and newe shorn. Yit am I but an hors and horses lawe. I mot endure and with my feeres drawe. (33) So ferde it by this fierse and proud knyght. Thought he a worthi kynges sone were. And wende no thing hadde had swich myght. Ayein his wil þat sholde his herte stiere yit with a look his herte wax a feere. That he þat now was most in pride aboue. wax sodeynly most subget vn to loue. (34) ffor thi ensaumple taketh of this man. Ye wise / proude / and worthy folkes alle. To scornen loue / which that so sone kan. The fredom of yowre hertes to hym thralle. ffor euere it was / and euere it shal be falle That loue is he þat al thynge may byndde. ffor may no man for do þe lawe of kynde. (35) That this be sothe hath prouede and doth yit. ffor this trow I ye knowen al or some. Men reden nat þat folk han gretter wit. Than they þat kan ben meste with loue Inome. And strangest folk ben ther with ouercome. The worthyeste and gretteeste of degree. This was and is and yit men shal it se. (36) And treweliche it sit wel to ben so. ffor alderwiseste han therwith ben plesed. And they þat haue ben aldermoste in wo. with loue haue ben conforted most and esed. And oft it hath þe cruel herte apesed. And worthi folk / maad worthier of name. And causeth most to dreden vice and shame. (37) Now sith it may nat goodly ben withstonde. And is a thing so vertuous in kynde. Refuseth nat to loue for to be bonde. Syn as hym seluen list he may yow bynde. The yerde is bet þat bowen wol and wynde. Than that þat brest / and therfor .I. yow reede. To folwen loue / þat yow so wel kan leede. (38) But for to tellen forth in special. As of this kynges sone of which I tolde. And leten oother thing collaterall. Of hym thenke I my tale forth to holde. Bothe of his Ioyes / and of his cares coolde. And al his werk / as touchyng this matere. ffor I it gan I wil ther to refere. (39) With in þe temple he wente hym forth pleyinge. This Troilus of euery wyght aboute. On this lady / and now on that lokynge. wher so she were of towne or of with oute. And vp on cas byfil þat thorw a route. His eye percede / and so depe it wente. Til on Criseyde it smot / and ther it stente. (40) And sodeynly he wax ther with astoned. And gan hir bet beholde in thrifty wyse. O mercy god thoughte he wher hastow woned. That art so fair and goodly to deuyse. Ther with his herte gan to sprede and ryse. And softe siked lest men myght hym heere. And caughte ayein his first pleying cheere. (41) She nas nat with the leeste of hir stature But al hir lymes so wele answerynge. weeren to wommanhod / þat creature. Nas neuere lasse mannyssh in semynge. And ek the pure wise of hir mouynge. Shewed wel þat men myght in hir gesse. Honour / estat and wommanly noblesse. (42) To Troilus right wonder wele with alle. Gan for to lyke hir moeuynge and hir cheere. which somdel deignous was / for she let falle. Hir look / a lite aside / in swiche manere. Ascaunces what may I nat stonden heere. And after þat hir lokynge gan she lyghte. That neuere thought hym sen so good a syghte. (43) And of hir look in hym ther gan to quyken. So gret desire / and swiche affeccioun. That in his hertes botine gan to stiken. Of hir / his fix and dep inpressioun. And though he erst had poured vp and downe. He was tho glade hise hornes in to shrynke. Vnnethes wiste he how to loke or wynke. (44) Lo he þat leet hym seluen so konnynge. And scorned hem þat loues peynes dryen. was ful vnwar þat loue hadde his dwellynge. with in the subtil stremes of hir eyne. That sodeynly hym thought he felte deyen. Right with hir look the spirit of his herte. Blissed be loue þat kan thus folk conuerte. (45) She this in blak likynge to troilus. Ouer al thing / he stood for to biholde. Ne his desir / ne wher for he stood thus. He neyther chere made ne word tolde. But fram a fer his manere for to holde. On oother thing som tyme his look he caste. And eft on hir / whil þat seruyse laste. (46) And aftir this nat fullische al a whaped. Out of the temple al esiliche he wente. Repentyng hym þat he hadde euere I Iaped. Of loues folk. lest fully the descente. Of scorn / fille on hym self. but whate he mente. Lest it weere wist on ony maner side. Hys wo he gan dissimulen and hide. (47) Whan he was fro the temple thus departed. He streyght anon vnto the paleys torneth. Right with hir look thorw shoten and thorw darted. Al feyneth he in lust þat he soiorneth. And al hys cheere and speche also he borneth. And ay of loues seruantȝ euery while. Hym selfe to wrye at hem he gan to smyle. (48) And seyde lord so ye lyue al in leste. Ye loueris / for the konnyngeste of yow. That seruyth most ententiflische and best. Hym tit as often harme ther of as prow. Yowr hire is quyt ageyn / ye god woot how. Naught wel / for wel / but scorn for good seruyse. In fayth yowre ordre is ruled in good wyse. (49) In noun certeyne ben alle yowre obseruaunces. But it a fewe sely poyntes be. Ne no thing axketh so gret attendaunces. As doth youre lay and that knowe alle ye. But þat is nat the worste as mote .I. the. But tolde I yow the werste poynte I leeue. Al seyde I sothe ye wolden at me greue. (50) But tak this þat the loueris ofte escue. Or elles don of good entencioun. fful ofte thy lady wol it mys construe. And deme it harm by hir opynioun. And yit yif she for oother enchesoun. Be wrothe than shaltow han a groyn anon. Lorde wel is hym that may ben of yow oon. (51) But for al this whan þat he say his tyme. He helde his pees / non oother boot hym gaynede. ffor loue be gan hise fetheres so to lyme. That wel vnnethe vntil his folk he faynede. That oother bisie nedes hym destreynede. ffor wo was hym that what to don he nyste. But bad his folk to gon wher þat hem liste. (52) And whan that he in chaumbre was allone. He down vp on his beddes feet hym sette. And first he gan to sike and efte to grone. And thought ay so on hir with outen lette. That as he sat and wook his spirit mette. That he hir saugh / and temple / and al the wise. Right of hir looke / and gan it newe auyse. (53) Thus gan he make a mirrour of his mynde. In which he say al holly hir figure. And þat he wel koude in his herte fynde. It was to hym a right good auenture. To loue swich oon / and yif he dede his cure. To seruen hir / yit myght he falle in grace. Or ellis for oon of hir seruantȝ pace. (54) Imaginynge that trauaylle nor grame. Ne myght for so goodly oon be lorne. As she / ne hym for his desir no shame. Al weere it wist / but in pris and vp borne. Of al loueris wel moore than byforne. Thus argumented he in begynnynge. Ful vnauysed of his wo commynge. (55) Thus tooke he purpos loues craft to suwe. And thought he wolde wirkyn pryuyly. ffirste to hiden his desir in muwe. ffrom euery wight I born al outerly. But he myghte oght recouered ben ther by. Remembryng hym / þat loue to wide I blowe. Yelt bitter fruyt / though swete seed be sowe. (56) And ouere al this muchel moore he thought. what for to speke / and what to holden inne. And what to arten hir to loue he soghte. And on a song anon ryght to begynne. And gan loud on his sorwe for to wynne. For with good hope he gan fullysche assente. Criscide for to loue and naught repente. (57) And of his song nat only the sentence. As writ myn auctour called lollius. But pleynly saue our tonges difference. I dar wel say in al þat Troilus. Seyde in his song / loo euery worde right thus. As .I. shal seyn / and who so list it heere. Lo next this verse ye may it fynden heere. (58) (Troilus's Song, from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) Yif no loue is o god what fele .I. so. And yif loue is / what thing and which is he. yif loue be good / from whennes comth my wo. yif it be wilke a wonder thinketh me. whenne euery torment and aduersite. That comth of hym may to me sauory thinke. ffor ay thurst I the moore þat ich it drynke. (59) (From Petrarch.) And yif þat at myn owne lust I brenne. ffrom whennes comyth my waylynge and my pleynte. yif harme agree me I wher to pleyne I thenne. I noot. / ne whi vnwery þat I feynte. O quyke deth / o swete harm so queynte. How may of the in me swich quantite. But yif that I consente þat it be. (60) (From Petrarch.) And yif þat I consente .I. wrongfully. Compleyne .I.-wis thus possed to and fro. Al steereles with Inne a boot am .I. A mydde the see betwixen wyndes two. That in contrarie stonden euer mo. Allas what is this wondir maladie. ffor hete of cold / for colde of hete I dye. (End of Troilus's Song from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) (61) And to the god of loue thus seyde he. with pitous vois / .a. lord now yowres is. Mi spirit which þat aught youres be. Yow thanke I lord þat han me brought to this. But wheither goddesse or womman .I.-wis. She be I not / which þat ye do me serue. But as hir man .I. wol ay lyue and sterue. (62) ye stonden in hir eyen myghtyly. As in a plase vnto your vertu digne. wherfore lorde yif my seruyse or .I. May liken yow / so beth to me benyngne. ffor myn estat roial here I resigne. In to hir hand / and with ful humble cheere. By come hir man as to my lady deere. (63) In hym ne deynede sparen blood real. The fir of loue / the wher fro god me blesse. Ne hym forbar in no degree for al. Hys vertu or his excellent prowesse. But held hym als his thral lowe in destresse. And brende hym so in sondry wisse ay newe. That sexty tyme a day he lost his hewe. (64) So mochel day fro day his owne thought. ffor lust to hir / gan quyken and encresce. That euerych oother charge he sette at nought. fforthy ful ofte his hoote fir to cesse. To sen hir goodly look / he gan to preese. ffor ther by to ben esed wel he wende. And ay the neer he was the moore he brende. (65) ffor ay the neer the fir the hotter is. This trow I knoweth al this compaignye. But wer he fer or neer I dar say this. By nyght or day for wisdom or folye. His herte which þat is his brestes ye. Was ay on hir þat fayrer was to seene. Than euere weere Eleyne or Polyxene. (66) Ek of the day ther passed naught an houre. That to hym self a thousande tyme he seyde. Good goodly to whom serue I laboure. As I best kan. now wold god Criseyde. Ye wolden on me rewe or þat I deyde. My dere herte allas myn heele and hewe. And lif is lost but ye wol on me rewe. (67) Alle oothre dredes weeryn from hym fleedde. Bothe of thassege and hys sauacioun. Ne in his desir non oothre fownes bredde. But argumentȝ to his conclusioun. That she on hym wold han compassioun. And he to ben hir man whil he may dure. Lo here is lif and from the deth his cure. (68) The sharpe shoures felle of armes proue. That Ector or hise oother brethren deden. Ne maade hym oonly ther for oonys moeue. And yit was he wher so men wente or ryden. ffownde on the beste / and langest tyme abyden. Ther peril was / and dede ek swich trauaile. In armes that to thynk it was maruayle. (69) But for non hate he to the grekys hadde. Ne also for the rescous of the town. Ne made hym thus in armes for to madde. But oonly lo / for this conclusioun. To liken hir the bet for his renoun. ffro day to day in armes so he spedde. That the grekys as the deth hym dredde. (70) And fro this forth tho refte hym loue hys slepe. And made his mete his foo / and ek hys sorwe. Gan multiplie / þat wo so took kepe. It shewede in his hewe on eue and morwe. Therfore a title he gan hym for to borwe. Of oother siknesse / list men of hym wende. That the hoote fir of loue hym brende. (71) And seyde he hadde a feuer and ferde amys. But how it was certeyne I kan nat seye. yif þat his lady vnderstood nat this. Or feynede hir she nyst / oon of the tweye. But wele rede I þat by no maner weye. Ne semede it as þat she of hym roughte. Or of his peyne. or what so euere he thoughte. (72) But than felte this Troilus swich wo. That he was wele ney wode / for ay his drede. was this. þat she som wight hadde loued so. That neuer of hym she wolde haue taken hede. ffor þat cause hym thought he felte his herte bleede. Ne of his wo ne durste he nat bygynne. To tellen hir / for al this worlde to wynne. (73) But when he hadde a space from his care. Thus to hym self ful ofte he gan to pleyne. He seyde o fool now artow in the snare. That whilom Iapedest at loues peyne. Now artow hente now gnawgh thy owne cheyne. Thow weere ay wont ich louer to reprehende. Of thing fro which thow kanst the naught defende. (74) What wol now euery louer seyne of the. Yif this be wist / but euere in thyn absence. Laughen in scorn and seyn lo ther goth he. That is the man of the gret sapience. That held vs loueris lest in reuerence. Now thonked god he may gon in the daunce. Of hem that loue list febly for tauaunce. (75) But .o. thow woful Troilus god wolde. Sith thow most louen thorw thy destyne. That thow byset weere on swich on þat sholde. Know al thy wo al lakked hir pite. But also cold in loue towardes the. Thy lady is as frost in wynter moone. And thow for don / as snowgh in fir is soone. (76) God wold I weere aryued in the port. Of deth / to which my sorwe wol me leede. A lord to me it weere a gret confort. Than weere I quyt of languyssynge in drede. ffor be my hidde sorwe I blowe on breede. I shal be Iaped ben a thousand tyme. More than þat fool of whos folye men ryme. (77) But now help god / and þe swete for whom. In pleyne kaught / þe neuer wyght so faste. O mercy der herte / and help me from. The deth / for I whil þat my lif may laste. More than my self wol loue yow to my laste. And with som frendly look / gladdeth me sweete. Thogh neuere no thing more ye me byhete. (78) Thise wordes and ful mony another to. He spak and callede euere in his compleynte. Hir name / for to tellen hir his wo. Til noy that he in salte teeris dreynte. Al was for naught she harde nat his pleynte. And whan þat he bethought on þat folye. A thousand fold his wo gan to multiplye. (79) By waylynge in his chaumbre thus allone. A frende of his þat called was Pandare. Come oonys in vnwar and herde hym grone. And saw his frende in swiche destresse and care. Allas quod he who causeth al this fare. O mercy god what vnhap may this meene. Han now thus sone grekys made yow leene. (80) Or hastow som remors of conscience. And art now falle in som deuocioun. And waylest for thy synne and thyn offence. And hast for ferde kaught attricioun. God saue hem þat byseged han oure town. That so konne leye oure Iolyte on presse. And brynge oure lusty folk to holynesse. (81) Thise wordes seyde he for the nones alle. That with swich thing / he myght hym angry maken. And with an angir don his sorwe falle. As for the tyme / and his corage awaken. But wel wist he as fer as tonges spaken. Ther nas no man of gretter hardynesse. Than he / no more desirede worthynesse. (82) That cas quod Troilus or what auenture. Hath gyded the to sen me languyssynge. That am refus of euery creture. But for the loue of god at my preyinge. Go henne away / for certes my deyinge. wol the disese and I mot nedes deye. Therfor go wey / ther nys no more to seye. (83) But yif thow weene I be thus sik for drede. It is naught so / and therfor scorn nought. Ther is a nother thing / .I. take of hede. wel more than aught þat grekys han yit wroght. which cause is of my deth for sorwe and thought. But thogh þat I now telle it the ne leste. Be thow naught wrothe I hide it for the beste. (84) This pandar þat wel neyght malt for wo and routhe. fful often seyde allas what may this be. Now frende quod he if euere loue or trouthe. Hath ben or this / bytwix the and me. Ne do thow neuer swich a cruelte. To hiden fro thi frende so gret a care. wostow nat wel þat it am I Pandare. (85) I wol parten with the al thi peyne. Yif it be so I do the no dyscomforte. [Over erasure.] As it is frendes ryght soth for to seyne. To entreparten wo as glad desporte. I haue and shal for trewe or fals report. In wrong / and ryght I loued the al my lyue Hyd nat thy wo fro me but tel it blyue. (86) Than gan this sorwful Troilus to sike. And seide hym thus / god leeue it be my beste. To telle it the / for sith it may the like. Yit wol I telle it the thought myn herte breste. And wel wot I thow mayst do me no reste. But list thow deme / I triste naught to the. Now herke frende for thus it stant with me. (87) Loue ayeins the which who so defendeth. Hym seluen most hym alderlest auayleth. with desespeire so sorwfull me offendeth. That streyght vnto the deth myn herte fayleth. Therto desire so brennyngly me assayleth. That to be slayne it weere a grettere Ioye. To me / than kyng of grece ben and Troye. (88) Suffiseth this my ful frende pandare. That I haue seyde for now wostow my wo. And for the loue of god my coold care. So hid it wel / .I. told neuere to mo. ffor harmys myghten folwen mo than two. Yif it weere wist / but be thow in gladnesse. And lat me sterue vnknowe of my destresse. (89) How hastow thus vnkyndlisch and longe. Hid this fro me / thow fool quod Pandarus. Paraunter thow mayst aftir swich oon longe. That myn auys anon may helpen vs. This weere a wonder thing quod Troilus. Thow koudest neuere in loue thi seluen wisse. How deuel maystow bryngen me to blisse.' (90) Ye Troilus now herke quod Pandare. Though .I. be nyce it happeth often so. That oon þat exces doth ful Iuele fare. By good conseil kan kepe his frende therfro. I haue my seluen seyne a blynd man go. Ther as he fel þat koude loken wyde. A fool may ek a wisman kyde. (91) A wheston is no keruynge Instrument. But yet it maketh sharpe keruynge toolis. And ther thow wost þat I haue aught myswente. Eschew thow þat / for swich thing / to the scole is. Thus often wise men ben war be foolis. Yif thow so do thy wite is wele by wared. By his contrarie is euery thyng declared. (92) ffor how myght euer swettnesse han ben knowe. To hym þat neuere tastede bitternesse. Ne no man wote what gladnesse is I trowe. That neuere was in sorwe / or som destresse. Ek white be blak / by shame ek worthynesse. Ech set by oother / mor for oother semyth. As men may sen and so the wise it demyth. (93) Syn thus of two contraries is oo loore. I þat haue in loue so ofte assayed. Greuaunces oughte konne / and wel the moore. Conseylen the of þat thow art amayed. And ek the noughte nat ben yuele apayed. Though I desire / with the for to bere. Thyn heuy charge / it shal the lasse dere. (94) I wot wel þat it fareth thus by me. As to thy brother Parys an hierdesse, which þat Icleped was Oenone. wrot in a compleynte of hir heuynesse. Ye say the lettre þat she wrot I gesse. Nay neuere yit I-wys quod Troilus. Now quod Pandare herkeneth it was thus. (95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st.) Phebus þat first fonde art of medycyne. Quod she / and kouth in euery wightes care. Remede and reed / by herbes he knewgh fyne. Yit to hym self / his konnyng was ful bare. ffor loue hadde hym so bounden in the snare. Al for the doughter of kyng Amete. That al hys craft ne koude hise sorwes beete. (96) Ryght so far .I. vnhappely for me. I loue oon best / and þat me smerteth soore. And yit paraunter kan I reden the. And nat my self / reprocue me na moore. I haue no cause I woot wel for to soore. As doth a hauk / þat listeth for to pley. But to thyn help yit som what kan I seye. (97) And of o thing right siker maystow be. That certein for to deyen in the peyne. That I shal neuere mo discoueren the. Ne by my trouthe I kepe nat restreyne. The fro thi loue / theygh þat it weere Eleyne. That is thy brother wif / if ich it wiste. Be what she be and loue hir as the liste. (98) Therfor as frende fullich in me assure. And tel me plat now what is tenchesoun. And fynaly cause of wo / þat ye endure. ffor douteth no thing myn entencoun. Nis nat to yow of reprehensioun. To speke as now / for no wight may byreue. A man to loue / til that hym list to leue. (99) And witeth wele þat bothe two ben vices. Mistrusten alle / or elles alle leue. But wele I wote / ye (sic) mene of it no vice is. ffor for to trusten som wight is a preue. Of trouthe / and forthi wold I fayn remeue. Thy wronge conceyte. and do þe som wight triste. Thy wo to telle / and tel me yif the liste. (100) The wise seith wo hym þat is allone. ffor and he falle / he hath non helpe to ryse. And sith thow hast a felowe tel thy moone. ffor this nys nat certeyne the nexte wyse. To wynnen loue / as techen vs the wyse. To wolow and wepe as Niobe the quyene. whos teeris yit in marbel ben Iseene. (101) Lat be thi wepyng and thi drerynesse. And lat vs lissen wo with oother speche. So may thi woful tyme seme lesse. Delite nat in wo thi wo to seche. As don thise fooles þat hir sorwes eche. with sorwe / whan they han mysauenture. And listen naught / to seche hem oother cure. (102) Men seyne to wrecche is consolacioun. To haue another felawe in his peyne. That oughte wel ben oure opynioun. ffor bothen thow and I of loue we pleyne. So ful of sorow am I soth for to seyne. That certeynly no moore harde grace. May sitte on me / for whi ther is no spase. (103) Yif god wile thow art nat agast of me. List I wolde of thy lady the bygile. Thow woost thy self whome þat I loue parde. As I best kan / gon sithen longe while. And sith thow wost I do it for no gile. And seist I am he that thow trustest moost. Tel me somewhat sith al my wo thow woost. (104) Yit Troilus for al this no worde seyde. But longe he lay as stille as he ded were. And aftir this with sikynge he abreyde. And to Pandarus vois he lente his ere. And vp hys eyen caste he þat in feere. was Pandarus. list þat in frenesye. He sholde falle / or ellis soone dye. (105) And cryde awake ful wonderlisch and sharpe. what slombrestow as in a litargie. Or artow like an asse to the harpe. That herith sown whan men the strenghes plye. But in his mynde of þat no melodye. May synken / hym to gladen for that he. So dul is / of his bestialite. (106) And with that Pandare of his wordes stente. And Trolus yit hym no worde answerde. ffor why to tellen was nat his entente. To neuer no man / for whom þat he so ferde. ffor it is seyde men maketh ofte a yerde. with which the maker is hym self Ibeeten. In sondry manere as thise wise treten. (107) And namelisch in his conseil tellynge. That toucheth loue / þat ought ben secree. ffor of hym self / it wole Inought out sprynge. But yif þat it the bet gouerned be. Ek som tyme it is a craft to seme flee. ffor thing / which in effect men honten faste. Al this gan Troilus in his herte caste. (108) But neuertheles / whan he hadde herd hym crye. Awake / he gan to siken wonder soore. And seyde / frende thought þat I stille lye. I nam nat deef / now pees and crye no moore. ffor I haue herde thy wordes and thy loore. But suffre me my meschief to bywalen. ffor thy prouerbes / may me naught auaylen. (109) ffor oother cure kanstow non for me. Ek I nil nat be cured I wol deye. what knowe I of the queene Niobe. Lat be thyne olde ensaumples I the preye. No quod Pandarus ther for I saye. Swich is delite of folis to beweepe. Hir wo / but seken boote they ne kepe. (110) Now knowe I yt (sic) ther resoun in the faylleth. But tel me if I wist what she weere. ffor whom þat the al this mysaunter ayleth. Dorst thow þat I tolde in hir ere. Thy wo / sith thow darst naught for feere. And hir bysought / on the to han som routhe. why nay quod he by god and bi my trouthe. (111) What nat as bisily quod Pandarus. As though myn owne lif laye on this nede. No certes brother quod this Troilus. And why / for that thow sholdest neuer spede. wostow þat wel / ye þat is out of drede. Quod Troilus / for al þat euere þe konne. She nyl to no swich wrechche as I ben wonne. (112) Quod Pandarus allas what may this be. That thow dispeirede art thus causeles. what lyueth naught thi lady bendiste. How wostow so þat thow art graceles. Swich euyl is nat alwey bootoles. why put nat inpossible thus thy cure. Sith thing / to come is ofte in auenture. (113) I graunte wel þat thow endurest woo. As sharp as doth he ticius in helle. whos stomak fowghles tyren euere mo. That heghten voltouris as bookes telle. But I may nat endure that thow dwelle. In so vnskylful an opynyoun. That of thy wo is no curacioun. (114) But oones nyltow for thy cowarde herte. And for thyn Ire and foolissħ willfulnesse. ffor wantrust / tellen of thy sorwes smerte. Ne to thyn owen help don bysynesse. As moche as speke a resoun moore or lesse. Bot list as he þat lest of nothing reche. what womman koude loue swiche a wrechche. (115) What may she demen oother of thy deth. Yif thow thus deye / and she not whi it is. But þat for feere is yolden vp thi brethe. For grekys han byseged vs I wis. Lorde which a thonk shaltow han of this. Thus wol she seyn and al the town at onys. The wrechch is ded / the deuyl haue his bonys. (116) Thow mayst allone here wepe and crye and knele. But loue a womman that she woot it noughte. And she wol quyte it that thow shalt nat feele. Vnknowe vnkist / and lost þat is vnsought. what many a man hath loue ful deere Ibought. Twenty wynter þat his lady wiste. That neuere yit his lady mouth he kiste. (117) What sholde he therfor falle in despayre. Or be recreaunte for his owne teene. Or slen hym self / al be his lady faire. Nay. nay. but euere in oon be fressch and grene. To serue and loue his deere hertees queene. And think it is a guerdoun hir to serue. A thousand fold moor than he kan desserue. (118) And of that word / took hede Troilus. And thoughte anon what folye he was Inne. And how that soth hym seide Pandarus. That for to sleyne hym self myght he nat wynne. But bothe don vnmanhed and a synne. And of his deth his lady naught to wite. ffor of his wo god woot she knewgh ful lite. (119) And with that thought he gan ful soore sike. And seide allas what is me best to do. To whom Pandare answerde yif the like. The best is þat thow telle me thi woo. And haue my trouthe but thow fynde it so. I be thi boote / or þat I be ful longe. To pieces do me drawe and sithen honge. (120) Ye so seystow quod Troilus tho allas. But god woot it is naught þe rather so. fful hard weere it to helpen in this cas. ffor wel fynde I þat fortune is my foo. Ne alle the men þat ryden konne or go. May of hir cruel whiel the harm withstonde. ffor as hir list she pleyth with fre and bonde. (121) Quod Pandarus than blamestow fortune. ffor thow art wroth / ye now at erst I se. wostow nat wel þat fortune ys comune. To euery manere wight in som degree. And yit thow hast this confort lo parde. That as hir Ioyes moten ouer gone. So mote hir sorwes passen euerychone. (122) ffor yif hir whiel stynt any thing to torne. Than cessed she fortune anon to be. Now sith hir whel be no wey may soiorne. what wostow yif hir mutabilite. Right as thy seluen list wil don be the. Or that she be nat fer fro thyn helpynge. Paraunter thow hast cause for to synge. (123) And therfore wostow what I the byseche. Lat be thy wo and tornynge to the gronde. ffor who so list haue helpyng of his leche. To hym byhoueth first vnwre his wonde. To Cerberus in helle / ay be I bownde. were it for my suster al thy sorwe. By my wil she sholde al be thyne to morwe. (124) Look vp I seye and telle me what sche is. Anon / that I may gon aboute thy nede. Knowe ich hir ought / for my loue tel me this. Than wolde I hopen rather for to spede. Tho gan the veyne of Troilus to blede. ffor he was hit / and wex al rede for shame. A ha quod Pandare her bygynneth game. (125) And with that word he gan hym for to shake. And seyde thef / thow shalt hir name telle. But tho gan sely Troilus for to quake. As thowgh men sholde han lad hym in to helle. And seyde allas of al my wo the welle. Than is my sweete foo called Criseyde. And wel ney with the word for fere he deyde. (126) And whan that Pandare harde hir name neuene. Lord he was glad / and seyde frende so dere. Now fare aright for Ioues name in heuene. Loue hath byset the wel / be of good chere. ffor of good name wisdom and manere. She hath Inought / and ek of gentilesse. Yf she be fayre thow wost thy self I gesse. (127) Ny neuere say a moore bountenous. Of hir astat / ne gladdere ne of speche. A frendlier / na moore gracious. ffor to do wel / ne lasse hadde nede to seche. what for to don / and al this bet to eche. In honour to as fayr as she may strechche. A kynges herte semyth by hirs a wrechche. (128) [[This stanza is scritten in the margin in a later hand.] And for thy look of good comfort thou be for certainly þe first poynt is this of noble courage, and well ordaine the to han peace within himself Iwis so oughtest þou for nought but good it is to loven well and in a worthy place men ought not clepe it happe but grace] (129) And also think / and therwith glade the. That sith thy lady vertuous is al. So folweth it þat ther is som pite. Amonges al this oothre in general. And forthi / see þat thow in special. Requere nat / þat is ayein hir name. ffor vertu strechchet nat hym self to shame. (130) But wel is me þat euere I was born. That thow byset art in so good a place. ffor by my trouthe in loue I durst haue sworn. The sholde neuere in loue han tid thus fayre a grace. And wostowe whi / for thow was wont to chace. At loue in scorn./ and for despit hym calle. Seint ydiot lord of this fooles alle. (131) How often hase thow made thy nyce Iapes. And seyde þat loues seruantz euerychone. Of nycete ben verray goddes apes. And som wolden muchche hir mete allone. Ligging a bedde and make hem for to grone. And som thow seydest hadde a blaunche feuere. And preidest god he sholde neuer keuere. (132) And som of hem toke on hem for the colde. More than Inogh / so seidestow ful ofte. And som han feyned ofte tyme and tolde. How þat they waken whan they slepen softe. And thus they wolde han brought hem self alofte. And natheles weere vndir at the laste. Thus seidestow and Iapedest ful faste. (133) Yit seidestow þat for the more part. Thise loueris wolde speke in general. And thoughten þat it was a sekir art. ffor faylyng / for tasayen ouer al. Now may I Iape of the if þat I shale. But natheles thowgh þat I sholde deye. That thow art non of tho I durste seye. (134) Now bet thy breste and say to god of loue. Thy grace lord / for now I me repente. Yif I mysspak / for now my self I loue. Thus seye with alle thy herte in good entente. Quod Troilus a lord I me consente. And preye to the my Iapes thow foryiue. And I shal neuere more whil I leue. (135) Thow seyst wel quod Pandarus and now I hope. That thow thi goddes wrathe hast al apesed. And sithen thow hast wopen mony a drope. And seyd swich thing wherwith thy god is plesed. Now wold neuere god but thow weere esed. And think wele she of whome rist al thy wo. Herafter may thy confort ben also. (136) ffor thilke grownde þat berth the wiedes wikke. Berth ek thise holsom herbes / as ful ofte. Next the foule nethel rough and thikke. The rose wexeth / swete / and smothe and softe. And next the valeye is the hil olofte. And next the dirke nyght the gladde morwe. And also Ioye is next the fyn of sorwe. (137) Now look þat a tempre be thy bridell. And for the beste ay suffre to the tide. Or ellis al oure labour is in ydell. He hasteth wel þat wisly kan abide. Be diligent and trewe and ay wel hide. Be lusty / fre perseuere / in thy seruyse. And al is wel yif thow worke in this wyse. (138) But he that parted is in euery plase. Is nowher hool / as writen clerkes wyse. what wonder is though swich oon hafe no grace. Ek wostow how it fareth of som seruyse. As plaunte a tre / or herbe in sondry wyse. And on the morwen pulle it vp as blyue. No wonder is though it may neuer thryue. (139) And sith þat god of loue hath the bistowed. In place digne / vnto thy worthynesse. Stonde faste / for to good port hastow rowed. And of thy self for any heuynesse. Hope alwey wele / for but yif drerynesse. Or ouer haste / oure bothe labour shende. I hope of this to maken a good ende. (140) And wostow why I am the lasse afered. Of this matere with my nece trete. ffor this haue I herd seyd of wyse lered. was neuer man nor womman yit bygete. That was vnapt to suffre loues hete. Celestial / or ellis loue of kynde. ffor thi som grace I hope in hir to fynde. (141) And for to spek of hir in special. Hir beaute to bythynken and hir yowthe. It sit hir naught to ben celestial. As yit / yif þat hir liste bothe and kouthe. But trewely it sate hir wel right nowthe. A worthy knyght to louen and cherice. And but she do I holde it for a vice. (142) Wherfor I am and wol be ay redy. To peyne me to don yow this seruyse. ffor bothe yow to plese this hope I. Hereaftirwarde / for ye ben bothe wyse. And konne a conseil kepe in swich a wyse. That no man shal the wiser of it be. And so we may ben gladed al thre. (143) Now by my trouthe I haue right now of the. A good conceyte / in my wit as I gesse. And what it is I wol now þat thow se. I thenke. sith þat loue of his goodnesse. Hath þe conuerted / out of wikkednesse. That thow shalt ben / the best post I leeue. Of al his lay / and moost his foos ay greue. (144) Ensaumple whi / se now yhe grete clerkes. That erren aldermoost ayein a lawe. And ben conuerted from hir wikked werkys. Thorwe grace of god / þat list hem to hym drawe. Thanne ern they folk / þat han most god in awe. And strengest feithed ben I vndirstonnde. And konne an errour alderbest withstonde. (145) Whan Troilus had herde Pandare assented. To ben his help in louynge of Cryseide. wax of his wo / as who sey vnturmented. But hotter wex his loue / and thanne he seyde. with sobre chere / although his herte pleyde. Now blisful venus helpe or that I sterue. Of the Pandare I nowe som thank deserue. (146) But deere frende how shal my wo be lesse. Til this be don / and good ek telle me this. How woltow seyne of me and my destresse. Lest she be wroth / this drede I moost Iwys. Or nil nat heere / or trowen how it is. Al this drede I / and ek for the manere. Of the hir em she nyl no swich thyng heere. (147) Quod Pandarus / thow hast a ful grete care. Lest þat the cherl may falle out of the moone. why lorde I hate of the / the nyce fare. why entermette of that thow hast to doone. ffor goddes loue I bidde the a boone. So lat malone. and it shal be thy beste. whi frende quod he now do right as the leste. (148) But herke Pandare o worde for I nolde. That thow in me wendest so gret folye. That to my lady I desiren sholde. That toucheth harm / or any vilenye. ffor dredeles me weere leuere dye. Than she of me aught ellis vndirstoode. But þat that myghte sownen into goode. (149) Tho lowgh this Pandare and anon answerde. And I thi borugh / for no wight doth but so. I roughte nat thought þat she stoode and herde. How þat thow seyst / but farwel I wol go. A dieu / be glad / god spede vs bothe two. yif me þis labour and this besynesse. And of my spede be thyne al þat swetneesse. (150) Tho troilus gan down on knees to falle. And Pandarus in his armes hente faste. And seyde / now fy on the grekis alle. yit parde god shal helpe vs at the laste. And dredeles yif þat my lif may laste. And god to forn lo som of hem shal smerte. And yit mathinketh this auaunt masterte. (151) Now Pandarus I kan no moore seye. But thow wis / thow woost / thow maist / thow art al. My lif my deth / hool in thyn honde I leye. Help now quod he / yis by my trouth I shal. God yelde the frende / and this in special. Quod Troilus þat thow me recomaunde. Til hir that may me to the deth comaunde. (152) This Pandarus tho desirous to serue. His ful frende / tho seyde in this manere. ffarwel / and thenk I wol thi thonk deserue. Haue her my trouth / and þat thow shalt wel heere. And wente his wey thinkyng on this matere. And how he best myght hir beseche of grace. And fynde a tyme therto and a place. (153) ffor euery wight þat hath a hous to fownde. Ne renneth naught the werke for to begynne. with rakel honde but he wol bide a stonde. And sende his hertes lyne out for withInne. Aldirfirst his purpos for to wynne. Al this Pandare in his herte thought. And caste his werke wel wisly or he wrought. (154) But Troilus lay tho no lenger downe. But vp anon vpon his steede bay. And in the felde he pleyed the lyon. who was that greke that with hym mette a day. And in town his maner tho forth ay. So goodly was / and gat hym so in grace. That ech hym loued that loked on his face. (155) ffor he bycome the frendliest wight. The gentileste / and ek the moost fre. The thriftiest / and oon the best knyght. That in his tyme was or myght be. Dede were his Iapes and his cruelte. His hye port / and his manere estraunge. And ech of tho gan for a vertu chaunge. (156) Now let vs stynte of Troilus a stownde. That fareth lik a man þat hurt is soore. And is somdel of akyng of his wowde. Ilessed wel / but heled no del moore. And as an esy pacient the loore. Abit / of hym that goth aboute his cure. And thus he drieth forth his auenture. Explicit liber primus. [MS. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 61.] (1) (Proem.) THe double sorwe of Troilus to tellen. That was the kyng Priamus sone of Troye. In louynge how his auentures fellen. ffro wo to wele and after out of Ioie. My purpos is er that I parte froye. Thesiphone thow help me for tendite. Thise woful vers that wepen as I write. (2) (Invocation.) To the clepe I thow goddesse of torment. Thow cruwel furie sorwynge euere yn peyne. Help me that am the sorwful Instrument. That helpeth loueres as I kan to pleyne. ffor wel sit it the sothe for to seyne. A woful wight to han a drery feere. And to a sorwful tale a sory chere. (3) ffor I that god of loues seruantȝ serue. Ne dar to loue for myn vnliklynesse. Preyen for speed al sholde .I. ther fore sterue. So fer am I from his help in derknesse. But natheles if this may don gladnesse. To any louere and his cause auaille. Haue he my thonk and myn be this trauaille. (4) But ȝe loueres that bathen in gladnesse. If any drope of pyte in ȝow be. Remembreth ȝow on passed heuynesse. That ȝe han felt. and on the aduersite. Of othere folk. and thynketh how that ȝe. Han felt that loue dorste ȝow displese. Or ȝe han wonne hym with to grete an ese. (5) And preieth for hem that ben in the cas. Of Troilus. as ȝe may after here. That loue hem brynge in heuene to solas. And ek for me preieth to god so dere. That I haue myght to shewe in som manere. Swiche peyne and wo. as loues. folk endure. In Troilus vnsely auenture. (6) And biddeth ek for hem that ben desespeired. In loue that neuere nyl recouered be. And ek for hem that falsly ben apeired. Thorugh wikked tonges be it he or she. Thus biddeth god for his benignite. To graunte hem soone owt of this world to pace. That ben desespeired out of loues grace. (7) And biddeth ek for hem that ben at ese. That god hem graunte ay good perseueraunce. And send hem myght hire ladies so to plese. That it to loue be worship and plesaunce. ffor so hope I my sowle best auaunce. To prey for hem that loues seruauntȝ be. And write hire wo and lyue in charite. (8) And for to haue of hem compassioun. As though I were hire owne brother dere. Now herkneth with a good entencioun. ffor now wil I gon streght to my matere. In which ȝe may the double sorwes here. Of Troilus in louynge of Criseyde. And how that she forsook hym er she deyde. (9) (Story.) YT is wel wist how that the grekes stronge. In armes with a thousand shippes wente. To Troiewardes and the Cite longe. Assegeden neigh ten ȝer er they stente. In diuerse wise and in oon entente. The rauysshyng to wreken of Eleyne. By Paris doun they wroughten al hir peyne. (10) Now fel it so that in the town ther was. Dwellynge a lord of gret auctorite. A gret deuyn that clepid was Calkas. That in science so expert was that he. Knewe wel that Troie sholde destroied be. By answere of his god that highte thus. Dann Phebus or Appollo Delphicus. (11) So whan this Calkas knewe by calkulynge. And ek by answer of this Appollo. That grekes sholden swich a peple brynge. Thorugh which that Troie moste ben for do. He caste anon oute of the town to go. ffor wel wiste he by sort that Troye sholde. Destroyed ben ȝe wolde who so nolde. (12) ffor which for to departen softely. Took purpos ful in this for knowynge wise. And to the grekes oost ful pryuely. He stal anon and they in curteys wise. Hym diden bothe worship an seruyce. In trust that he hath konnynge hem to rede. In euery peril which that is to drede (13) The noise vp ros whan it was first aspied. Thorugh al the town and generaly was spoken. That Calkas traitour fals fled was and allied. With hem of Grece and casten to be wroken. On hym that falsly hadde his feith so broken. And seyden he and al his kyn atones. Ben worthi to be brent felle and bones. (14) Now hadde Calkas lost in this meschaunce. Al vnwist of this false and wikked dede. His doughter which that was in gret penaunce. ffor of hire lif she was ful sore in drede. As she that nyst what was best to rede. ffor bothe a widewe was she and allone. Of any frend to whom she dorste hir mone. (15) Criseyde was this lady name a right As to my doom in al Troies Cite. Nas non so fair for passynge euery wight. So aungelik was hir natif beaute. That lik a thing inmortal semed she. As doth an heuenyssh perfit creature. That down were sent in scornynge of nature. (16) This lady which that alday herd at ere. Hire fadres shame his falsnesse and tresoun. wel neigh out of hir wit for sorwe and fere. In widewes habet large of Samyt broun. On knees she fil biforn Ector a down. with pitous vois and tendrely wepynge. His mercy bad hir seluen excusynge. (17) Now was this Ector pitous of nature. And saugh that she was sorwfully bigon. And that she was so faire a creature. Of his goodnesse he gladede hire anon. And seyde lat ȝoure fadres treson gon. fforth with meschaunce and ȝe ȝoure self in Ioie. Dwelleth with vs whil ȝow good list in Troie. (18) And al thonour that men may don ȝow haue. As ferforth as ȝoure fader dwelled here. Ȝe shul haue and ȝoure body shal men saue. As fer as I may ought enquere or here. And she hym thonked with ful humble chere. And ofter wolde and it hadde ben his wille. and took hire leue and hom and held hir stille. (19) And in hire hous she abood with swich meyne. As til hire honour nede was to holde. And whil she was dwellynge in that Cite. Kepte hir estat. and both of ȝonge and olde. fful wel biloued and wel men of hir tolde. But wheither that she children hadde or noon. I rede it naught ther fore I late it goon. (20) The thynges fellen as they don of werre. Bitwixen hem of Troie and grekes ofte. ffor som day boughten they of Troie it derre. And eft the grekes founden no thing softe. The folk of Troie and thus fortune on lofte. Now vp now down gan hem to whilen bothe. Aftir hir cours ay whil that thei were wrothe. (21) But how this town com to destruccion. Ne falleth naught to purpos me to telle. ffor it were a long disgression. ffro my matere and ȝow to long to dwelle. But the Troian gestes as they felle. In omer or in dares or in dite. who so that kan may reden hem as they write. (22) But though that grekes hem of Troie shetten. And hir Cite biseged al aboute. Hire olde vsage nolde they nat letten. As for to honour hir goddes ful deuoute. But aldirmost in honour out of doute. Thei hadde a relik heet Palladion. That was hire trist abouen euerichon. (23) And so bifel whan comen was the tyme. Of aperil whan clothed is the mede. with newe grene of lusty veer the pryme. And swote smellen floures white and rede. In sondry wises shewed as I rede. The folk of Troie hire obseruaunces olde. Palladions feste for to holde. (24) And to the temple in al hir beste wise. In general ther went many a wight. To herknen of Palladion the seruyce. And namely so many a lusty knyght. So many a lady fressh and mayden bright. fful wel arayed both moeste meyne and leste. ȝe both for the seson and the feste. (25) Among thise othere folk was Criseyda. In widewes habit but natheles. Right as oure first lettre is now an .A. In beaute first so stood she makeles. Hire goodly lokyng gladed al the prees. Nas neuere ȝet seyn thyng to ben preysed derre. Nor vnder cloude blak so bright a sterre. (26) As was Criseyde as folk euerichone. That hir behelden in hir blake wede. And ȝet she stood ful lowe and stille allone. Byhynden other folk in litel brede. And neiȝ the dore ay vndre shames drede. Simple of atire and debonaire of chere. with ful assured lokyng and manere. (27) This Troilus as he was wonte to gide. His ȝonge knyghtes lad hem vp and down. In thilke large temple on euery side. By holding ay the laddies of the town. Now here now there for no deuocion. Hadde he to non to reuen hym his reste. But gan to preisen and lakken whom hym leste. (28) And in his walke ful faste he gan to wayten. If knyght or squyer of his compaignie. Gan for to syke or lete his eighen baiten. Or any womman that he koude espye. He wolde smyle and halden it folye. And seyde hym thus god woot she slepeth softe. ffor loue of the whan thow turnest ful ofte. (29) I haue herd tolde perdieux of ȝoure lyuynge. Ȝe loueres and ȝoure obseruaunces. And which a labour folk han in wynnyng. Of loue and in kepyng which doutaunces. And whan ȝoure prey is lost woo and penaunces. O. veray fooles nyce and blynde be ȝe. Ther nys [n (nys) erased.] nat on kan war by other be. (30) And with that worde he gan caste vp the browe. Ascaunces loo is this naught wisely spoken. At which the god of loue gan loken rowe. Right for despit. and shope for to ben wroken. He kidde a non his bowe nas naught broken. ffor sodeynly he hitte hym atte fulle. And ȝet as proude a pekok kan he pulle. (31) O blynde worlde .o. blynde entencioun. How often falleth al the effect contraire. Of surquiderie and foule presumpcioun ffor kaught is proud and kauȝt is debonaire. This Troilus is clomben on the staire. And litel weneth that he moot descenden. But al day faileth thing that fooles wenden. (32) As proude bayard gynneth for to skippe. Out of the weye so pryketh hym his corn. Til he a lasshe haue of the longe whippe. Than thynketh he though I praunce al byforn. ffirst in the trays ful fat and new shorne. Ȝet am I but an hors and horses lawe. I moot endure and with my feres drawe. (33) So ferde it by this fierse and proude knyght. Though he a worthy kynges sone were. And wende no thing hadde had swiche myghte. Aȝeyns his wille that shuld his herte stere Ȝet with a look his herte wax a fere. That he that now was moost in pride aboue. wax sodeynly moost subgit vnto loue. (34) fforthy ensample taketh of this man. Ȝe wise proude and worthi folkes alle. To seruen loue which so soon kanne. The fredom of ȝoure hertes to hym thralle. ffor euere it was and euere it shal by falle. That loue is he that alle thing may bynde. ffor may no man for don the lawe of kynde. (35) That this be soth hath preued and doth ȝet. ffor this trowe I ȝe knowen alle or some. Men reden nat that folk han gretter witte. Than they that han be moste with loue ynome. And strengest folk bien ther with ouercome. The worthiest and grettest of degree. This was and is and ȝet men shalle it see. (36) And trewelich it set wel to be so. ffor alderwisest han ther with ben plesed. And they that han ben aldermost in wo. with loue han ben comforted moost and esed. And ofte it hath the cruel herte apesed. And worthi folk maad worthier of name. And causeth moost to dreden vice and shame. (37) And sith it may nat goodly ben with stonde. And is a thing so vertuouse in kynde. Refuseth nat to loue for to ben bonde. Syn as hym seluen liste he may ȝow blynde. Tho ȝerde is bet that bowen The n is erased in CCC. wole and wynde. Than that that brest and therfore .I. ȝow rede. To folowen hym that so wele kan ȝow lede. (38) But for to tellen forth in special. Of this kynges sone of which I tolde. And leten other thinges collateral. Of hym thenke I my tale forth to holde. Bothe of his Ioie and of his cares colde. And al his werk as touching this matere. ffor I it gan I wol therto refere. (39) With Inne the temple he wente hym forth pleyinge. This Troilus of euery wight aboute. On this lady and now on that lokynge. where so she were of town or with oute. And vp on cas bifelle that thorugh a route. His sighte procede and so depe it wente. Til on Criseyde it smote and ther it stente. (40) And sodeynly he wax ther with astoned. And gan hir bet biholde in thrifty wise. O mercy god thoughte he wher hastow woned. That art so feyre and goodly to deuise. Therwith his herte gan to sprede and rise. And softe sighed lest men myghte hym here. And cauȝt aȝeyn his firste pleyinge chere. (41) She nas nat with the leste of hire stature. But alle hire lymes so wel answerynge. weren to wommanhode that creature. was neuere lasse mannyssh in semynge. And ek the pure wise of hire meuynge. Shewed wel that man myght in hire gesse. Honour estat and wommanly noblesse. (42) To Troilus right wonder wel with alle. Gan for to like hire meuynge and hire chere. which somdel deignous was for she lete falle. Hire look a lite a side in swich manere. Ascaunces what may I nat stonden here. And after that hir lokynge gan she lighte. That neuere thoughte hym seen so good a syghte. (43) And of hire look in him ther gan to quyken. So grete desire and such affeccioun. Than in his herte botme gan to stiken. Of hir his fixe and depe impressioun. And though he erst hadde poured vp and down. He was tho glad his hornes in to shrinke. Unnethes wiste he how to loke or wynke. (44) Lo he that leet hym seluen so konnynge. And scorned hem that loues peynes dryen. was ful vnwar that loue hadde his dwellynge. with Inne the subtile stremes of hur eighen. That sodeynly hym thoughte he felte deyen. Right with hire look the spirit in his herte. Blissed be loue that kan thus folke conuerte. (45) She this in blak likynge to Troilus. Ouer al thing he stood for to biholde. Ne his desire ne wherfore he stood thus. He neither cher made ne worde tolde. But fram a fer his manere for to holde. On other thinges his look som tyme he caste. And ofte on hire while that seruyse laste. (46) And after this nat fullich al awhaped. Oute of the temple al esilich he wente. Repentynge hym that he hadde euere I iaped. Of loues folk. lest fully the descente. Of scorne fille on hym self. but what he mente. Lest it were wist on any manere syde. His woo he gan dissimulen MS. dissimilen. and hide. (47) Whan he was fro the temple thus deperted. He streght anon vnto his paleys torneth. Right with hire look thorugh shoten and thorugh darted. Al feyneth he in lust that he soiourneth. And alle his chere and speche also he borneth. And ay of loue seruantȝ euery while. Hym self to wrey at hem he gan to smyle. (48) And seyde lord so ȝe lyue al in lest. Ȝe loueres for the konnyngeste of ȝow. That seruen most ententiflich and best. Hym tit as often harm ther of as prowe. Ȝoure hire is quyt aȝeyn ȝe god woot howe. Nought wel for wel. but scorne for good seruyse. In feith ȝoure ordre is piled in good wise. (49) In veyn certeyn ben alle ȝoure obseruaunces. But if it a sely fewe pointes be. Ne no thing asketh so gret attendaunces. As doth ȝoure lay and that knowe alle ȝe. But that is nat the worste as mote .I. the. But tolde I ȝow the worste point I leue. Al seyde I soth ȝe wolden at me greue. (50) But take this that ȝe loueres ofte eschuwe. Or elles doon of good entencioun. fful ofte thi lady wol it mys construwe. And deme it harm in hire oppynyoun. And ȝet if she for other enchesoun. Be wroth than shaltow haue a groyne a non. Lord wele is hym that may of ȝow ben oon. (51) But for al this whan that he say his tyme. He held his pees non other boote hym gaygned. for loue bigan his fetheres so to lyme. That wel vnnethe vn til his folk he fayned. That other besy nedes hym destrayned. ffor wo was hym that what to doon hym nyst. But bad his folk to gon wher that hem liste. (52) And whan that he in the chambre was allone. He doun vp on his beddes feet hym sette. And first he gan to sike and efte to grone. And thought ay on hire so with outen lette. That as he satte and wooke his spirit mette. That he hire sauȝ and temple and alle the wise. Right of hire look and gan it newe a vise. (53) Thus gan he make a mirour of his mynde. In which he saugh al holy hire figure. And that he wel koude in his herte fynde. It was to hym a right good auenture. To loue swich oon and if he dede his cure. To seruen hir ȝet myghte he falle in grace. Or ellis for oon of hire seruantȝ pace. (54) Imagenynge that trauaille nor grace. Ne myghte for so goodly oon be lorne. As she. ne hym for his desire ne shame. Al were it wist but in pris and vp born. Of alle louers wel more than biforn. Thus argumented he in his gynnynge. fful vnauysed of his woo comynge. (55) Thus took he purpos loues crafte to suwe. And thoughte he wolde werken pryuely. ffirst to hiden his desire in muwe. ffrom euery wight yborn al outrely. But he myghte ought recouered be therby. Remembryng hym that loue to wide yblowe. Ȝeldeth bittre fruyt though swete seed be sowe. (56) And ouere al this ȝet muchel more he thoughte. What for to speke and what to holden Inne. And what to arten hire to loue he soughte. And on a songe a non right to bygynne. And gan loude on his sorwe for to wynne. ffor with good hope he gan fully assente. Criseyde for to loue and nought repente. (57) And of his songe naught only the sentence. MS. setence As writ myn auctour called Lollius. But pleinly saue oure tonges difference. I dar wel seyn in al that Troilus. Seyde in his songe loo euery word right thus. As .I. shal seyn. and who so list it here. Loo next this vers he may it fynde here. (58) (Troilus's Song, from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) If no loue is o god what fele .I. so. Cantieus Troili. And if loue is. what thinge and which is he. If loue be good from whennes commeth my woo. If it be wikke a wonder thynketh me. whenne euery torment and aduersite. that cometh of hym may to me sauory thinke. ffor ay thrust I the more that ich it drynke. (59) (From Petrarch.) And if that at myn owen lust I brenne. ffrom whennes cometh my waillynge and my pleynte. If harme a gree me wherto pleyne I thenne. I noot. ne whi vnwery that I feynte. O quik deth o swete harme so queynte. How may of the in me swich quantite. But if that I consente that it be. (60) (From Petrarch.) And if that I consente .I. wrongfully. Compleyne .I. wis thus possed to and fro. Al sterlees with Inne a boot am .I. Amydde the see bitwixen wyndes two. That Inne contrarie stonden euere mo. Allas what is this wondre maladie. ffor hote of colde for colde of hote I dye. (End of Troilus's Song from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) (61) And to the god of loue thus seyde he. with pitouse voise .o. lord now ȝoures is. My spirit which that oughte ȝoures be. Ȝow thanke I lord that han me broughte to this. But wheither goddesse or womman .I. wis. She be I note which that ȝe do me serue. But as hire man .I. wol ay lyue and sterue. (62) Ȝe stonden in hir eighen myghtily. As in a place vnto ȝoure vertue digne. wherfore lord if my seruice or .I. May liken ȝow so beth to me benigne. ffor myn estat roial I here resigne. In to hire honde and with ful humble chere. Bi come hir man as to my lady dere. (63) In hym ne deyned spare bloode roiale. The fyre of loue wherfro god me blisse. Ne him forbar in no degree for alle. His vertue or his excellent prowesse. But hilde hym as his thralle lowe in destresse. And bringe hym so in soundry wise ay newe. That sexti tyme a day he loste his hewe. (64) So muche day by day his owene thought. ffor lust to hire gan quiken and encresse. That euery other charge he sett at noughte. fforthi ful ofte his hote fire to cesse. To sen hire goodly loke he gan to presse. ffor ther by to ben esed wel he wende. And ay the ner he was the more he brende. (65) ffor ay the ner the fire the hatter is. This trowe I knoweth al this compaignye. But were he fer or ner I dar sey this. By nyght or day for wisdome or folye His herte which that is bresteȝ eighe. was ay on hire that fairer was to sene. Than euere were Eleyne or Polixene. (66) Ek of the day ther passed nouȝt an houre. That to hym self a thousand tyme he seyde. God goodly to whom serue I laboure. As I best kan. now wolde god Criseyde. Ȝe wolden on me rewe er that I deyde. My dere herte allas myn hele and hewe. And lif is lost but ȝe wol on me rewe. (67) Alle other dredres weren from him fledde. Both of thassege and his sauacioun. Nyn him desire noon other fewnes bredde. But argumentes to his conclusioun. That she of him wolde han compassioun. And he to ben hire man while he may dure. Lo here his lif and from the deth his cure. (68) The sharpe shoures fil of armes preue. That Ector or his other brother diden. Ne made hym only ther fore ones meue. And ȝet was he where so men wente or riden. ffounde on the beste and longest tyme abiden. Ther peril was and dide ek swich trauaille. In armes that to thenke it was merucille. (69) But for non hate he to the grekes hadde. Ne also for the rescouse of the towne. Ne made hym thus in armes for to madde. But only lo for this conclusioun. To liken hire the bet for his renoun. ffro day to day in armes so he spedde. That the grekes as the deth him dredde. (70) And fro this forth tho refte hym loue his slepe. And made his mete his foo Between the lines in a different hand. and ek his sorwe. Gan multiplie that who so tok kepe. It shewed in his hewe both eue and morwe. Thefor a title he gan him for to borwe. Of other siknesse lest men of hym wende. That the hote fire of loue hym brende. (71) And seyde he hadde a feuere and ferd amys. But how it was serteyn kan I nat seye. If that his lady vnderstood nat this. Or feynede hire she nyste on of the tweye. But wel I rede that by no manere wey. Ne semed it that she of hym roughte. Or of his peyne. or what so euere he thoughte. (72) But thanne felte this Troilus swich wo. That he was wel neigh wood for ay his drede. was this. that she som wight hadde loued so. That neuere of hym she wolde han taken hede. ffor which hym thoughte he felte his herte blede. Ne of his wo ne dorste he nat bygynne. To tellen hir. for al this worlde to wynne. (73) But whan he hadde a space from his care. Thus to hym self ful ofte he gan pleyne. He seyde o fool now artow in the snare. That whilom Iapedest at loues peyne. Now artow hente gnaw thin owen cheyne. Thow were ay wonte eche louere reprehende. Of thing fro which thow kanst the nat defende. (74) What wol now euery louere seyn of the. If this be wist but euere in thin absence. Laughen in scorne and seyn loo ther goth he. That is the man of so grete sapience. And held vs loueres leest in reuerence. Now thanked god he may gon in the daunce. Of hem that loue list fiebli for to auaunce. (75) But .o. thow woful Troilus god wolde. Sith thow most louen thorugh thi destine. That thow beset were on swich oon that sholde. Know al thi wo al lakked hir pitee. But also colde in loue towardes the. Thi lady is as frost in wynter moone. And thow fordon as snow in fire is soone. (76) God wold I were aryued in the porte. Of deth to which my sorwe wol me lede. A lord to me it were a grete comforte. Than were I quyte of languisshyng in drede. ffor by myn hidde sorwe I blowe on brede. I shal by Iaped ben a thousand tyme. More than that folk of whos folie men ryme. (77) But now help god and the swete for whome. I pleyne. I. kaught the neuere wight so faste. O mercy dere herte and help me from. The deth. for I while that my lyf may laste. More than my self wole loue ȝow to my laste. And with som frendly loke gladeth me swete. Though neuere more thing ȝe me heete. (78) Thise wordes and ful manye an other to. He spak and called euere in his compleynte. Hire name. for to tellen hire is wo. Til neiȝ that he in the salte teres dreynte. Al was for nought she herde nat his pleynte. And whan that he bythought on that folie. A thousand folde his wo gan multiplie. (79) By wayling in his chambre thus alle one. A frend of his that called was Pandare. Com oones in vnwar and herd hym groone. And say his frende in swich destresse and care. Allas quod he who causeth al this fare. O mercy god what vnhap may this meene. Han now thus soone grekes maad ȝow leene. (80) Or hastow some remors of conscience. And art now falle in deuocioun. And wailest for thi synne and thin offence. And hast for fered caught attricioun. God saue hem that biseged han oure towne. That so kan leye oure Iolite on presse. And bringe oure losty folk to holynesse. (81) This wordes seyde he for the nones alle. That with swich thinge he myght hym angry maken. And with angre don his wo to falle. As for the tyme and his corage awaken. But wel he wist after as tonges spaken. Ther nas a man of gretter hardinesse. Thanne he ne more desired worthinesse. (82) What cas quod Troilus and what auenture. Hath gided the to sen me lange wisshinge. That am refus of euery creature. But for the loue of god at my preyinge. Go hennes awey for certes my deyinge. wol the disese and I mot nedes deye. Therfore go wey ther is na more to seye. (83) But if thow wene I be thus sik for drede. It is naught so and therfore scorne nouȝt. Ther is a nother thing .I. take of hede. wel more than aught the grekes han ȝet wrought. which cause is of my deth for sorowe and thought. But though that I now telle it the no leste. Be thow nauȝt wroth I hide it for the beste. (84) This Pandare that neigh malt wo and routhe. fful ofte seyde allas what this be. Now frend quod he if euere loue or trouthe. Hath ben or is bitwixen the and me. Ne do thow neuere swich a crueltee To hiden fro thi frende so grete a care. wistow nauȝt wele that it am I Pandare. (85) I wol parten with the alle thi peyne. If it be so I do the no comforte. As it is frendes right soth for to seyne. To entreparten wo as glad desporte. I haue and shal for trewe or fals report. In wronge and right I loued the al my lyue Hid nat thi wo fro me but telle it bilyue. (86) Than gan this sorwful Troylus to syke. And seide hym thus god leue it be my beste. To telle it the for sith it may the like. Ȝet wol I telle it though myn herte breste. And wel woot I thow mayst do me no reste. But leste thow do me I truste nat to the. Now herke frende for thus it stant with me. (87) Loue aȝeins the which wo so defendeth. Hym seluen most hym alderlest auaylleth. with disespeyre so sorwfulli me offendeth. That streight vnto the deth myn herte failleth. Therto desire so brynnyngly me assailleth That to ben slayn it were a gretter Ioie. To me than kyng of grece ben and Troye. (88) Suffiseth this my fulle frende Pandare. That I haue seyde for now wostow my wo. And for the loue of god my cole care. So hide it wel .I. tolde it neuere to mo. ffor harmes myghten fallen mo than two. If it were wist but be thow in gladnesse. And lat me sterue vnknowe of my destresse. (89) How hastow thus vnkyndly and longe. Hid this fro me. thow fole quod Pandarus. Peraunter thow myghte after swich oon longe. That myn auys anoon may helpen vs. This were a wonder thing quod Troilus. Thow koudest neuere in loue thi seluen wisse. How deuel maistow brynge me to blisse. (90) Ȝe Troilus now herke quod Pandare. Though .I. be nyce it happeth often so. That oon that excesse doth ful yuele fare. By good counseil kan kepe his frende ther fro. I haue my self ek seyn a blynde man goo. Ther as he felle that couth loken wide. A fool may ek a wiseman oft gide. (91) A wheston is no keruyng instrument. But ȝet it maketh sharpe keruyng tolis. And there thow woost that I haue auȝt myswent. Eschuwe thow that. for swich to the scole is. Thus often wise men ben war by foolys. If thow do so thi wit is wel bewared By his contrarie is euery thyng declared. (92) for how myghte euere swetnesse nan ben knowe. To him that neuere tasted bitternesse. Ne no man may ben Inly glad I trowe. That neuere was in sorwe or som destresse. Eke with by blak by shame ek worthinesse. Ech set by other more for other semeth. As men may se and so the wyse it demeth. (93) Sith thus of contraries is o lore. I that haue in loue so ofte assayed. Greuances oughte konne and wel the more. Counseillen the of that thow art amayed. Ek the ne aughte nat ben yuel appayed. Though I desyre with the for to bere. Thyn heuy charge it shal the lasse dere. (94) I woot wel that it fareth thus be me. As to thi brother Paris and herdesse. with (sie) that Icleped was Oenone. wrote in a compleynte of hir heuynesse. Ȝee say the lettre that she wrote I gesse. Nay neuere ȝet ywys quod Troilus. Now quod Pandare herkne it was thus. (95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st.) Phebus that first fand art of medicyne. Quod she. and couthe in euery wightes care. Remedye and rede by herbes she knewe fyne. Ȝet to hym self his konnyng was ful bare. ffor loue hadde hym so bounden in a snare. Al for the doughter of the kyng amete. That alle his crafte ne koude his sorwes bete. (96) Right so fare .I. vnhapply for me. I loue one best and that me smerteth sore. And ȝet peraunter kan I redden the. And nat my selue repreue me na more. I haue no cause I woot wel for to sore. As doth an hauke that listeth for to pleye. But to thin helpe ȝet somwhat kan I seye. (97) And of o thyng right siker maistow be. That certein for to dyen in the peyne. That I shal neuere mo discoueren the. Ne by my trouthe I kepe nat restreyne. The fro thi loue theigh that it were Eleyn. That is thi brother wif if ich it wiste. Be what she be and loue hire as the liste. (98) Therfore as frende fullich in me asseure. But telle me plat what is theuchesoun. And finaly cause of wo that the endure. ffor douteth no thyng myn entencioun. Nis nat to ȝow of reprehencioun To speke as now for no wight may byreue. A man to loue tyl that hym list to leue. (99) And witteth wel that both two ben vices. Mistrusten alle or elles alle leue. But wel I woot ȝe menen of it no vice es. ffor to trusten som whight is a preue. Of trouth. and forthi wol I fayne remeue. Thi wronge conseyte. and do the som wyght triste. Thi wo to teel He. and tme if the liste. (100) The wise seith wo hym that is allone. ffor and he falle he hath non helpe to ryse. And sith thow hast a felawe tel thi mone. ffor this nys naught certein the nexte wyse. To wynnen loue as techen vs the wyse. To walwe and wepe as Nyobe the queene. whos teres ȝet in marble ben yseene. (101) Lat be thy wepyng and thi drerynesse. And lat vs lissen wo with oother speche. So may thy woful tyme seme lesse. Delyte nat in wo thi for to seche. As don thise foles that hire sorwes eche. with sorwe whan thei han mysauenture. And listen naught to seche hem other cure. (102) Men seyn to wrecche is consolacioun. To haue another felawe in hys peyne. That owghte wel ben oure opynyoun. ffor bothen thow and I of loue we pleyne. So ful of sorwe am I soth for to seyne. That certeinly namore harde grace. May sitte on me. for why ther is no space. (103) If god wol thow art nat agast of me. Lest I wolde of thi lady the bygyle. Thow woost thy self whom that I loue parde. As I beste kan. gon sithen longe while. And sith thow woost I do it for no wyle. And sith I am he that thow trusteth mooste. Telle me somwhat syn al my wo thow wooste. (104) Ȝet Troilus for al this no worde seyde. But longe he ley as stylle as he dede were. And after this with sikynge he abreyde. And to Pandarus vois he lente his ere. And vp hise eighen caste that in feere. was Pandarus. lest that he in frenesie. Sholde falle or elles soone dye. (105) And cryde awake ful wonderlich and sharpe. what slombrestow as in a litargie. Or artow lik an asse to the harpe. That hereth sown whan men the strynges pleye. But in his mynde of that no melodie. May sinken hym to gladen for that he. So dul ys of his bestialite. (106) And with that Pandare of his wordes stente. And Troilus ȝet hym no thyng answerde. ffor why to tellen nas nat his entente. To neuere no man for whom that he so ferde. ffor it is seyde man maketh ofte a ȝerde. with which the maker is hym self ybeten. In sondry manere as thise wyse treten. (107) And namlich in his counseil tellyng. That toucheth loue that ought ben secree. ffor of him self it wol ynough oute sprynge. But if that it the bet couered be. Ek som tyme it is a crafte to seme fle. ffro thyng whyche in effect men hunte faste. Al this gan Troilus in his herte caste. (108) But natheles whan he hadde herde hym crye. Awake{punctel} he gan to syken wonder soore. And seyde frende though that I stylle lye. I am nat deef now pees and crye namore. ffor I haue herd thi wordes and thi lore. But suffre me my meschief bywaille. ffor thi prouerbes may me naught auaille. (109) Nor other cure kanstow non for me. Ek I nyl nat ben cured I wol deye. what knowe I of the queene Nyobe. Lat be thyne olde ensaumples I the preye. No quod Pandarus therfore I seye. Swyche is delite of foles to bywepe. Hire wo. but seken bote they ne kepe. (110) Now knowe I that ther reson in the failleth. But telle me if I wiste what she were. ffor whom that the al this mysauenture ailleth. Dorste thow that I tolde in hire ere. Thi wo. sith thow darst naught thi self for feere. And hire bysoughte on the to han som routhe. why nay quod he by god and by my trouthe. (111) What nat as bisyly quod Pandarus. As though myn owene lyf lay on this nede. No certes brother quod Troilus. And whi for that thow scholdest neuere spede. wostow that wel ȝe that is out of drede. Quod Troilus for al that the konne. She nyl to noon swich wrecche as I ben wonne. (112) Quod Pandarus allas what may this be. That thow dispeired art thus causeles. what lyueth nat thi lady bendiste. How wostow so that thow art graceles. Swich yuel is nat alwey bootles. why put nat impossible thus thi cure. Syn thyng to come is oft in auenture. (113) I graunte wel that thow endurest wo. As sharp as dothe he Ticius in helle. whos stomak foughles tiren euere moo. That hightyn volturie as bokes telle. But I may nat endure that thow dwelle. In so vnskilful an oppynyoun. That of thi wo is no curacioun. (114) But oones nyltow for thy coward herte. And for thyn Ire and folissh wilfulnesse. ffor wantrust tellen of thy sorwes smerte. Ne to thyn owen help don bysynesse. As muche as speke a resoun moore or lesse. But list as he that lest of no thyng recche. what womman koude louen swich a wrecche. (115) What may she demem oother of thy deeth. If thow thus deye and she not why it is. But that for feere is ȝolden vp thy breth. ffor grekes han biseged vs I wys. Lord which a thonke than shaltow han of this. Thus wol she seyn and al the town attones. The wrecche is ded the deuel haue his bones. (116) Thow mayst allone here wepe and crye and knele. But loue a womman that she woot it nought. And she wol quyte that thow shalt nat fele. Unknow vnkist and lost that is vnsoughte. what may a man hath loue ful deere ybought. Twenty wynter that his lady wiste. That neuere ȝet his lady mouth kiste. (117) What sholde he therfore fallen in dispayre. Or be recreant for his owne tene. Or slen hym self al be his lady faire. Nay. nay. but euere in oon be fresshe and grene. To serue and loue his deer hertes queene. And thynk it is a guerdon hire to serue. A thousand fold moore than he kan deserue. (118) Of that word took hede Troilus. And thoughte a non what folie he was Inne. And how that sothe hym seyde Pandarus. That for to slen hym self myght he nat wynne. But bothe don vnmanhod and synne. And of his deth his lady naught to wite. ffor of his wo god woote she knewe ful lite. (119) And with that thought he gan ful sore syke. And seyde allas what is me beste to do. To whom Pandare answerde if the like. The beste is that thow telle me al thi wo. And haue my trouthe but thow it fynde so, I be thi boote er that it be ful longe. To pieces do me drawe and sithen honge. (120) Ȝe so thow seyst quod Troilus tho allas. But god woot it is naught the rather so. fful hard were it to helpen in this cas. ffor wel fynde I that fortune is my fo. Ne al the men that riden konne or go. May of hire cruel whiel the harme withstonde. ffor as hire list she pleyeth with free and bonde. (121) Quod Pandarus than blamestow fortune. ffor thow art wroth ȝe now at erst I see. woost thow nat wel that fortune is comune. To eueri manere wight in som degree. And ȝet thow hast this comfort lo perde. That as hire Ioies moten ouergone. So mote hire sorwes passen euerechone. (122) ffor if hire whiel stynte any thyng to torne. Than cessed she fortune anon to be. Now sith hire whiel by no way may soiourne. what woostow if hire mutabilite. Right as thy seluen list wol don by the. Or that she be naught fer fro thyn helpynge Paraunter thow haste cause for to synge. (123) And therfore wostow what I the biseche. Lat be thy wo and tornyng to the grounde. ffor who so list haue helyng of his leche. To hym byhoueth first vnwre his wownde. This line omitted in CCC MS. To Cerberus yn helle ay be I bounde. were it for my suster al thy sorwe. By my wil she sholde al be thyn to morwe. (124) Look vp I seye and telle me what she is. Anon that I may gon aboute thy nede. Knewe ich hire aught for my loue telle me this. Thanne wolde I hopen rather for to spede. Tho gan the veyne of Troilus to blede. ffor he was hit and wax al reed for shame. A ha quod Pandare here bygynneth game. (125) And with that word he gan hym for to shake. And seyde thef thow shalt hyre name telle. But tho gan sely Troilus for to quake. As though men sholde han led hym in to helle. And seyde allas of al my wo the welle. Thanne is my swete fo called Criseyde. And wel neigh with þe word for feere he deide. (126) And whann that Pandare herde hire name neuene. Lord he was glad and seyde frende so deere. Now fare aright for Ioues name in heuene. Loue hath byset the wel be of good cheere. ffor of good name and wisdome and manere. She hath ynough and ek of gentilesse. If she be fayre thow woost thy self I gesse. (127) Ne neuere saugh a more bountevous. Of hire estat. na gladder. ne of speche. A frendlyer na more gracious. ffor to do wel ne lasse hadde nede seche. what for to don and al this bette to eche. In honour to as fer as she may strecche. A kynges herte semeth by hyrs a wrecche. (128) [Thynne 1532, Fol. C. lxxv.] [And for thy loke of good comforte thou be [ed. 1542, Fol. clxxii. For certainly the first poynt is this [certaynly fyrst thys Of noble corage / and wele ordayne the [well A man to haue peace with him selfe ywis [wyth hym ywys So oughtest thou / for nought but good it is [, for / To louen wel / and in a worthy place The ought nat clepe it happe / but grace] [not , for /] [This stanza not in Caxton or Pynson.] (129) And also thynk and therwith glade the. That sith thy lady vertuous is al. So foloweth it that there is som pitee. Amonges alle thise other in general. And forthi se that thow in speciale. Requere naught that is aȝeyns hyre name. ffor vertue streccheth naught hym self to shame. (130) But wel is me that euere that I was borne. That thow biset art in so good a place. ffor by my trouthe in loue I dorste haue sworne. The sholde neuere han tid thus fayre a grace. And wostow why for thow were wonte to chace. At loue in scorn. and for despit hem calle. Seynt Idyot lord of thise foles alle. (131) How often hastow maad thi nyce Iapes. And seyde that loues seruantz euerichone. Of nycete ben verray goddes apes. And some wolde mucche hire mete allone. Liggyng a bedde and make hem for to grone. And som thow seydest hadde a blaunche feuere. And preydest god he sholde neuere keuere. (132) And som of hem took on hym for the colde. More than ynough so seydestow ful ofte. And som han feyned ofte tyme and tolde. How that they waken whan that thei slepen softe. And thus they wolde han brought hem self alofte. And natheles were vnder at the laste. Thus seydestow and Iapedest ful faste. (133) Ȝet seydestow that for the moore parte. Thise loueres wolden speke in general. And thoughten that it was a siker arte. ffor fallyng for tassain ouere al. Now may I Iape of the if that I shal. But natheles though that I sholde deye. That thow art non of tho I dorste say. (134) Now bet thi breste and sey to god of loue. Thy grace lord for now I me repente. If I myspak for now my self I loue. Thus sey with al thyn herte in good entente. Quod Troilus a lord I me consente. And preye to the my Iapes thow forȝiue. And I shal neuere more whyle I liue. (135) Thow seist wel quod Pandarus and now I hope. That thow the goddes wrathe hast al apesed. And sithen thow haste wopen many a drope. And seyde swych thyng wherwith thi god is plesed. Now wolde neuere god but thow were esed. And thynk wel she of whom rist al thi wo. Hereafter may thy comfort be also. (136) ffor thilke grownde that bereth the wedes wikke. Bereth ek thise holsom herbes as ful ofte. Next the foule netle rough and thikke. The rose waxeth swoote and smothe and softe. And nexte the valeye is the hulle olofte. And next the derk nyght the glade morwe. And also Ioie is next the fyn of sorwe. (137) Now loke that a tempre be thi bridel. And for the beste ay suffre to the tyde. Or elles al oure laboure is on ydel. He hasteth wel that wisely kan abyde. Be diligent and trewe and ay wel hide. Be lusty fre perseuere in thy seruyse. And al is wel if thow werke in this wyse. (138) But he that deperted is in eueri place. Is nowher hole as writen clerkes wyse. what wonder is though swich oon haue grace. Ek wostow how it fareth of som seruice. As plaunte a tree of herbe in sondry wyse. And on the morwe pulle it as blyue. No wonder is thought it may neuere thryue. (139) And sith that god of loue hath the bistowed. In place digne vnto thi worthinesse. Stonde faste for to good porte hastow rowed. And of thi self for any heuynesse. Hope alwey wel for but if drerinesse. Or ouere haste oure bothe labour shende. I hope of this to maken a goode ende. (140) And wostow why I am the lasse afered. Of this matere with my Nece trete. ffor this haue I herde seyde of wyse lered. was neuere man or womman ȝet bigete. That was vnapte to suffren lyues hete. Celestial. or elles loue of kynde. fforthy som grace I hope in hire fynde. (141) And for to speke of hire in specyal. Hire beaute to bithynken and hire youthe. It sit it naught to ben celestial. As ȝet though that hire liste bothe and kowthe. But trewely it sate hire wel right nowthe. A worthi knyght to louen and cherice. And but she do I holde it for a vice. (142) Wherfore I am and wol ben ay redy. To peyne me to do ȝow this seruyse. ffor bothe ȝow to plese thus hope I. Herafterward for ȝe ben both wyse. And konne it counseil kepe in swych a wyse. That no man schal the wiser of it be. And so we may ben gladed al thre. (143) And by my trouthe I haue right now of the. A good conceyte in my wit as I gesse. And what it is I wol now that thow se. I thenk. sith that loue of his goodnesse. Hath the conuerted out of wikkednesse. That thow shalt ben the best post I leue. Of al his lay and moost his foos to greue. (144) Ensample why se now thise wise clerkes. That erren aldermost aȝeyn a lawe. And ben conuerted from hire wikked werkes. Thorugh grace of god that list hem to hym drawe. Thanne arn thise folk that han moost god in awe. And strengest feythed ben I vndirstonde. And konne an errowre alderbest withstonde. (145) Whan Troilus hadde herde Pandare assented. To ben his help in louyng of Cryseyde. Weex of his wo as who seith vntormented. But hotter weex his loue and thus he seyde. with sobre chere although his herte pleyde. Now blisful venus help er that I sterue. Of the Pandare I mowe som thank deserue. (146) But deere frende how shal my wo be lesse. Til this be doon and good ek telle me this. How wiltow seyn of me and my destresse. Lest she be wrothe this drede I moost ywys. Or nyl nat here or trowen how it is. Alle this drede I. and eke for the manere. Of the hire Em she nyl no swich thyng here. (147) Quod Pandarus thow hast a ful grete care. Lest that the Cherl may falle oute of the moone. Whi lord I hate of the thi nyce fare. Whi entremete of that thow hast to doone. ffor goddes loue I bidde the a boone. So lat malone. and it shal be thi beste. whi frende quod he now do right as the leste. (148) But herk Pandare o word for I nolde. That thow in me wendest so grete folie. That to my lady I desiren sholde. That toucheth harm or any vilenye. ffor dredeles me were leuere dye. Than she of me aught elles vnderstode. But that that myghte sownen in to goode. (149) Tho lough this Pandare and anon answerde. And I thi borugh fy no wight doth but so. I roughte naught though that she stood and herde. How that thow seist. but farewel I wol go. A dieu be glad god spede vs bothe two. Ȝef me this labour and this bisynesse. And of my spede be thyn al that swetnesse. (150) Tho Troilus gan doun on knees to falle. And Pandare in his armes hente faste. And seyde now fy on the Grekes alle. Ȝet Pandare god shal helpe vs atte laste. And dredelees if that my lyf may laste. And god to forn lo som of hem shal smerte. And ȝet mathenketh that this auant me sterte. (151) Now Pandare I kan na more seye. But thow wis thow woost thow maist thow ar al. My lif my deth hole in thyn honde I leye. Help now quod he ȝis is my trowthe I shal. God ȝelde the frend and this in special. Quod Troilus that thow me recomande. To hire that to the deth me may comande. (152) This Pandarus tho desirous to serue. His fulle frende than seyde in this manere. ffarwell and thenk I wol thi thank deserue. Haue here my trowthe and that thow shalt wele here. And went his wey thenkyng on this matere. and how he best myghte hire biseche of grace. And fynde a tyme therto and a place. (153) ffor eueri wight that hath an hous to founde. Ne reynneth naught the werk for to bygynne. with rakel hond but he wol bide a stounde. And sende his hertes line out fro withInne. Aldirfirst his purpos for to wynne. Al this Pandare in his herte thoughte. And caste his werk ful wisely or he wroughte. (154) But Troilus lay tho no lenger down. But vp a non vpon his stede bay. And in the feld he pleyde tho leoun. who was that greke that with hym mette a day. And in the town his manere tho forth ay. Soo goodly was and gat hym so in grace. That ecch hym loued that loked on his face. (155) ffor he bicome the frendliest wight. The gentilest and ek the moost fre. The thriftiest and oon the best knyght. That in his tyme was or myght be. Dede were his Iapes and his cruelte. His heigh port and his manere estraunge. And ecche of tho gan for a vertue chaunge. (156) Now lat vs stynte of Troilus a stounde. That fareth like a man that hurte is soore. And is som deel of akyngge of his wownde. Ylissed wel but heeled no deel moore. And as an esy pacyent the loore. Abit of hym that gooth aboute his cure. And thus he dryeth forth his auenture. Explicit liber primus. [Harleian 1239.] (1) (Proem.) THe double sorow of Troilus to telle That was tho kynge Pryames sone of Troye In lofyng how hys Auentures ffelle Fro woo to wele and after owte of Ioye My purpos is or that I parte ȝow froye Thesiphone thow helpe me to endite Thes woofuɫɫ wers that wepen as I write (2) (Invocation.) To the clepe I thow goddes of torment Thow cruel furye sorowyng euer in peyne Helpe me that am that sorowful Instrument That helpes louers as I can for to pleyne For wele sittes hit tho sothe for to seyne A woofuɫɫ wyght to haue a drery fere And to a sorowfuɫɫ tale a sory chere (3) For I that god of love seruauntes serue Ne dar not to love for myne vnliklynesse Preyen for spede aɫɫ schulde .I. therfore sterue So ferre am I frome his helpe in derknnesse Botte natheles if thys may do gladnesse To any lover and hys cause availe Haue he thy þanke and myne be this travaile (4) Bot ye loueres that bathen in gladnesse Ȝif ony drope of pitee in ȝow bee Remembretħ ȝow on passed heuynesse That ȝe haue felte and of thaduersite Of other folke and thynketh how that ye Haue felte that loue durst ȝow displese Or ȝe haue wonne hym with to grete an ese (5) And prayes for hem that been in the cas Of troilus as ȝe may her-after here That loue hem bryng in heuen to solas And eke prayes to god that is so dere That I haue myght schewe in some manere Suche peyne and woo as loues folke endure In Troilus vncely aventure (6) And biddes hem that been dispeyred In loue that neuer wyll recouered be And eke for hem that falsly been appered Thorogh wykked tonges be hyt he or sche Thus byddes god for his benignite So grawnte hem sone owte of þis worlde to pace That been despered owte of loues grace (7) And eke byddeth for hem that been at ese That god hem grawnte aye gode perseuerawnce And sende hem myght here ladyes so to plese That it to loue bee worschipp and plesawnce For so hope I my sowle beste to avawnce To prey for hem that loues seruantes bee And wryte here woo and lyue in charite (8) And for to haue on hem compassioun As though I were here owne brother dere Now herkeneth with a gode intencioun For nowe wyle I go streight to my matere In whiche ȝe schuɫɫ the double sorowes here Of Troilus in louyng of Creseyde And how that sche forsoke hym or sche deyde (9) (Story.) IT ys wele wyst how that the grekes stronge In armes with a thowsand schyppes wente To Troyewardes and tho Citee longe Assegeden well ten ȝere or they stynte And in diuerse wyse and oone entente Tho Ravischyng to wreken of Eleyne By Paris done they wroghten al hir peyne (10) Now feɫɫ hit soo that in the towne there was Dwellyng a lorde of grete auctorite A grete divine that cleped was Calcas That in science soo expert was that he Knew weɫɫ that Troye schulde destroied bee By answere of hys god that hyght thus Dame Phebus or Apollo Delphicus (11) Soo whane that Calkas knewe by calkelyng And eke by answer of this Apollo That grekes schulde suche a peple bryng Thorogh whiche that Troie most bee for-doo He cast a-non owte of the towne to goo For wele wyst he by sorte that Troye schulde Destroyed bee ȝee wolde who-so nolde (12) For whiche for to depart schortly Toke purpos ffuɫɫ this forknowyng wise And to the grekes hoste fuɫɫ priuely He stale anon and they in curteys wise Hym diden bothe worschip and seruise In tryst that he has knowyng hem to rede In euery parell whiche that was to drede (13) The noyce vp rose whan it was fyrst aspied Thorogh all the towne and openly was spokyn That Calkas traytowre was fledde and allied With hem of grece and casten to be wrokyn On hym that falsly had his feyth so brokyn And seyden he and aɫɫ his kynne att onys Ben worthy for to brenne felle and bonys (14) Now had this Calkas loft in þis myschawnce Al vnwist of the false and wikked dede His doughter whiche that was in grete penawnce For of her lyf sche was ful ofte in drede As sche nyst what was best to rede For bothe a widowe was sche and allone Of ony frende to whome she durst her mone (15) Creseide was this lady name al ryght As to my dome in al Troies citee Vas noone so fayre for-passyng euery wight So angelik was her face [face later] her natif beaute That lyke a thinge Immortal semed sche As Is an heuenlyche parfite creature That downe were sent in scornyng of nature (16) This lady whiche that alday herde at eere Her fadres schame. his falsnes and tresoun Wel nygh owte of her witte for sorow and fere In widowes habite blak of Samyte browne On knees she felle before Ector a downe with pitous voys and tendrely wepyng His mercy badde herself excusyng (17) Now was this Ector pitows of nature And seyth that sche was so sorowfully begone And that sche was so feyre a creature Of his gudnes he gladed her annone. And seide lete ȝowre fadres treson̄ gon Forthe with myschance and ȝe ȝowre self in Ioye Dwellith with vs while ȝow gode lyst in Trye (18) And alle tho honowre that men may do ȝow haue Als ferforthe as ȝowre fader dwelled here Ȝe shul haue and ȝowre body schal men saue As far as I may augħt enquere and here And sche hym thankith with ful humbly chere And ofter wolde and hit had ben his wylle And toke her leue and home and helde her stylle (19) And in her hows sche abode with suche mene As tyl her honowre nede was to be holde And while sche was dwellyng in the Cite Kept here estate and bothe of ȝonge and olde Ful wel beloued and wel men of her tolde But whether that sche children had or noone I rede it not therfore I lat it gone (20) The thynges fellen as the do of werre Betwix hem of Troie and grekes ofte For som day bothe they of Troie at derre And eft the grekes fonde nothyng softe The folke of Troie and thus fortune on lofte And vnder eft gan hem to wele bothe Aftur her cowrse aye while they weren wrothe (21) But how this towne come to distruccion̄ Ne falleth noght to purpos me to telle For it were here a longe disgression̄ ffor my matere and ȝow longe to dwelle But the Troian Iestes as they felle In Omere or in Dares or in Dite who-so that can̄ may rede hem as thye write (22) But though that grekes hem of Troie schotten And her Cite beseged al a-bowte Her olde vsage nolde they noght letten As for to honowre her goddes ful devoute But aldermoste in honowre oute of doute Thei hade a relyk hight Palladion That was her trust abouen euerychone (23) And so befell whan comen was the tyme Of April whan clothed is the mede with newe grene of lusty were the prime And swete smellen flowres white and rede In sondry wyse schewed as I ȝow rede The folke of Troie her obseruaunce olde Palladions feste for to holde (24) And to the temple in al her best wise In general there went many a wyght To herken of Palladions seruise And namely so many a lusty knyght So many a mayden fresche and lady dere Ful wel arayed bothe tho moste and leste Ȝee bothe for the seson and the feste (25) Amonge these other folke was Creseida In widowes habite blake but natheles Right as owre fyrst lettre is now an A In bewte furst so stode sche makeles Here godely lokyng gladed al the prece Was neuer seyn thyng to been preised derre Ne vnder clowd blake so bright a sterre (26) As was Creseide as folke seyd euerychone That her behelden in here blak wede And ȝit sche stode ful stylle an lowe allone Behynde othere folke in lytel brede And nygh tho dore aye vnder schames drede Symple of attire and debonaire of chere with ful assured lokyng and manere (27) This Troilus as he was wonte to gyde His ȝonge knyghtes lade hem vpe and downe In thilk large temple on euery syde Beholdyng aye tho ladyes of the towne Nowe here now there for no deuocion̄ Had he to none to reven hym his reste Bot gan to prese and lake whom hym lyste (28) And in his walke ful fast he gan to wayten If knyght or squier of his companye Gan for to sike or lat his eyen bayten On any woman that he cowde aspye He wolde smyle and holde hit a folye And sey hym thus god wote sche slepes softe For loue of the whan thow turnest ful ofte (29) I haue herde telde pardieux of ȝowre lyvyng Ȝe louers and ȝowre lewde obseruance And whiche a labour folke haue in wynnyng Of loue and in tho keping of doutance And whane ȝowre pray is loste woo and penance O veray foles nyce and blynde been ȝee Ther ys not oone can war by other bee (30) And with that worde he gan caste vpe his browe Ascawnce loo is not this wele spoken At whiche the god of loue gan loken rowe Right for despite and hope for to be wroken He kydde a-noon his bowe was not tobroken ffor sodeinly he hit hym atte the fulle And ȝit as prowde a pecok gan he pulle (31) O. blynde worlde o blynde entencion̄ How often falles al tho effecte contraire Of surquidry and fowle presumpsion̄ For caught is proude and caught is debonaire This troilus is clomben on tho staire And litel wenes that he mot descenden̄ But alday failleth thyng that foles wenden̄ (32) As prowde bayarde gynnys for to skyppe Owte of the waye so prikketh hym his corne Tyl he a lasche haue of tho longe whippe Thane thenkith he though I prawnce al be-forne Fyrst in the trays ful fatte and new schorn ȝit am I bot an horse and horses lawe I most endure and with my ferys drawe (33) So farde hit by this ferse and prwde knyght Though he a worthy kyng sone were And wende nothyng had hade suche myght A-ȝen his wille that schulde his hert stere Ȝitte with a loke his herte wax on fire That he that nowe was moste in pride a-boue Wax sodeynly moste subget vn-to loue (34) For-thy ensample taketh of his man̄ Ȝe wise prowde and worthy folkes alle To scorne loue whiche that so soone can̄ Tho fredom of ȝowre hertys to hym thralle For euer yt was and euer his schal befalle That loue ys he that al thyng may bynde For may no man fordoo the lawe of kynde (35) That this be sothe has proued and dothe ȝit For this trow I ȝe knowen alle or some Men reden nat that folke haue gretter wit Thene they that haue ben most wyth loue I-nome And strengest folke therwith been ouercome Tho worthiest and grettest of degree This was and is and ȝit men schal hit see (36) And truly it sitte wel to be soo For alderwisest haue therwith been plesed And they that haue been aldermoste in woo With loue haue ben comforted moste and esed And ofte it has tho cruel herte appesed And worthy folke made worthier of name And causes moste to drede vice and schame (37) Now sithen it may not godely be withstonde And is a thyng so vertuows in kynde Refuses not to loue for to be bownde Syn as hym self lyst he may ȝow bynde Tho ȝerde is bette that bowe wolde and wynde Than that. that brest and therfor I ȝow reede To folowe loue that ȝow so wele can leede (38) But for to telle forthe in speciall As of this kynges sone of whiche I tolde And lette other thynges Collaturall Of hym thynke I. my tale forthe to holde Bothe of his Ioye and of his care colde And al his werke as towchyng this matere For I be-gan hit. I wyl therto refere (39) With-ynne the temple he went hym forthe pleyng This Troilus of euery wight a-bowte On this lady and nowe on that lokyng Whether so sche were of towne or of with-owte And vpon cas befeɫɫ that thorogh a rowte His eye perced and so depe it went That on Creseide it smote and there it stynte (40) And sodeinly he wax therwith astoned And gan her bettur beholde in thrifty wise O mercy god thought he where hastow wonned That art so fayre and godely to devise Therwith his hert began to sprede and rise And softly syke lest men myght hym here And caught ayen his first pleying chere (41) Sche was not with the leste of her stature But alle her lymmes so wele answeryng Weren to wommanhode þat Creature Nas neuer lasse mannysche in semyng And eke the pure wise of her moevyng Schewed wele tha[t] men myght in her gesse Honowre estate and womanly noblesse (42) Tho Troilus right wonder wele with alle Gan for to lyke her moeuyng and her chere Whiche somdel deignous was for sche lete falle Her loke a-side in suyche manere Ascawnce what may I not stonden here And after that her lokyng gan sche lyght That neuer thoght hym seen so gode a sight (43) And of her loke in hym ther gan to quycken So grete desire and suyche affeccion̄ That in his hertys botom it gan to stycken Of hir his fixe and depe Impression̄ And thogh he erst hade poured vp and downe He was tho gladde his hornes in to schrynke Vnnethes wiste he how to loke or wynke (44) Loo he that lette hym self so konnyng And scorned hem that loues peynes dryen was ful vnware that loue had his dwellyng with-ynne tho subtil stremes of here eyen That sodeinly hym thoght he felt dyen Right with hir loke tho spirit of his herte Blessed be loue that thus can folke conuerte (45) Sche this in blake lykyng to Troilus Ouer al thynge he stode for to beholde Ne his desire ne wherfore he stode thus He nether chere made ne worde tolde But from aferre his manere for to holde On other thynges some tyme his loke he caste And eft on hire while that tho serues laste (46) And after this nat fulliche al awhaped Owte of tho temple al esely he wente Repentyng hym that euery he had Iaped Of loues folke lest fully tho discente Of scorn fell on hym self bot what he mente Lest hit were wist on any maner syde His woo he gan dissimelyn̄ and hyde (47) Whan he was fro tho temple thus departed He streight a-non vnto the paleis turneth Right with her loke thorogh schot and thorogh darted Al feyneth he in lust that he soiorneth And al his chere and speche also he bourneth And aye of loues seruantes euery while Hym-self to wrye at hem he gan̄ to smyle (48) And seid lord soo ȝe lyue alle in lyst Ȝe louers for the konnyngest of ȝow That serues moste ententyfly and best Hym tyt as ofte harme therof as prow Ȝowre hire is quyt a-ȝein. ȝe god wote how Not wel for wel. bot scorne for gude servise In feith ȝowre ordre is reuled in gode wyse (49) In non certayn been alle ȝowre obseruance But hit a fewe cely poyntes bee Nor nothing axeth so grete attendance As dothe ȝowe lay and that knowe alle ȝe But that is not the warste as mote I the But tolde I ȝow, tho warste poynt I leue Al seid I sothe ȝe wolden at me greue (50) But take this that ȝe louers oft escheue Or elles doon hit of gude entencion̄ Ful ofte thy lady wyl hit mys construe And deme hit harme by here opynion̄ And ȝit if sche for other encheson̄ Be worthi than schal thow haue a grone a-non Lorde wele is hym that may of ȝow been oon (51) But for al this whan that he sawe his tyme He helde his pees noon other bote hym gayned For loue began̄ his fethures so to lyme That wel vnneth vntil his folke he feyned That other besy nedes hym distrened For woo was hym that what to doo he nyst But badde his folke to gon where that hem lyst (52) And whan that he in chambre was a-lone He downe vpon̄ his beddes fete hym sette And first he gan to syke and eft to grone And thoght aye soo on her withowten lette That as he satte and woke his spirit mette That he hir sawe and temple and al tho wise Right of her loke and gan hit newe a-vyse (53) Thus gan he make a mirrowr of his mynde In whiche he saw al holly her figure And that he cowde wel in his hert fynde It was to hym a right gude a-venture To loue suche oon and if he dide his cure To serue her ȝit myght he falle in g[r]ace Or elles for oon of hir seruaunce pace (54) Imaginyng that trauaile ne grace Ne myght for so godely oon lorne As sche ne hym for his desire noo schame Al were hit wist but in pris and vp borne Of alle louers wel more than be-forne Thus argumented he yn his ginnyng Ful vnavised of his woo comyng (55) Thus took he purpos loues craft to sewe [2 leaves, 36 stanzas, lines 379-630, missing from Harl. 1239. Sup∣plied from Addit. 12,044,] And thought he werkyn wolde preuyly First he hid his desir in mewe From euery wight I-born al ouerly [ouerly later.] But he myght aught recouered ben ther-by Remembryng hym þat loue to wide I-blowe Ȝelt bittir fruyt though swete seed be sowe (56) ¶ And ouyr al þis ȝit moche more he thought what for to spede and what for to holden ynne And what to arten what to loue he sought And on a song / anoon right to be-gynne And gan loude on his sorwe for to wynne For with good hope he gan fully assent Creseid for to loue and nought repent (57) ¶ And of this song nought only the sentence As writ myn auctor called lollius But pleynly saue oure tonge difference I dar wel seyn in al þat Troilus Seide in his song loo euery word right thus As I shal seyn and who so lust it here Loo next this vers he may [it] fynden here (58) (Troilus's Song, from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) ¶ If no loue is o god what fele y so And ȝif loue is what thyng and wheche is he Ȝif loue be good fro whennes cometh my wo Ȝif it be wykke a wondir thyngeth me whan euery torment and aduersite That cometh of it may to my sauour thynke For ay thrist I þe more þat I drynke (59) (From Petrarch.) ¶ And ȝif þat [at] myn owyne lust [I] brenne From whenues cometh my pleynyng and myn pleynt Þif harm agreue me wher-to pleyne I thenne I not ne whi vn-wery þat I feynt O quyk deth o swet harm so queynte How may of the / on me suche quantyte But if þat I consente þat it be (60) (From Petrarch.) ¶ And ȝif that I consente I wrongfully Compleyne y-wys thus possed to and fro Al stereles witħ-Inne a bot am I A-myd þe see be-twix wyndes too That in Contrary stonden euere moo Allas what is this wonder maladye For hete of cold / for cold of hete I deye (End of Troilus's Song from Petrarch's 88th Sonnet.) (61) [leaf 6, 10 stanzas, in before leaf 7 in Addit. 12,044.] And to the god of loue / thus seide he with petous vois o lord now ȝoures is Mi spirit wheche that / augħt ȝoures be Ȝow thanke I lord that han me brouħt to this But whedir goddes or womman I-wys She be / I nougħt wheche that ȝe do me serue But as hir man I wolde ay leue and sterue (62) ¶ Ȝe stonden in hir eyen mygħtily As in a place vn-to ȝou verri digne Wherfore lorde ȝif my seruyse or .I. May liken ȝow so betħ to me benyngne For myn estat Roial here I resigne In-to here hand and witħ [ful] humble chere By-come hir man as to my lady dere (63) ¶ In hym ne deignetħ spare blood Roial The fire of loue fro þe wheche god me blesse Ne hym for-barred in no degre for alle His vertu or his excellent prowesse But hold hym as his thralle lowe in distresse And brent hym so in sondri wise ay newe That sixti tyme a day he lost his hewe (64) So moche day be day his owyn thougħt For lust of hir gan quyken and encrece That euerycħ othir charge he sette at nougħt For-thi ful ofte his hoot fir to sece To sen hir goodly look he gan to prece For therbi to ben esid wel he wende And ay the nere he was the more he brendo (65) ¶ For ay þe nere the fere the hattere is This trowe I ./ knowitħ al this companye But were he fer or nere / I dar sey this Be nygħt or day / for wisdom or folie His herte wheche that is his brestis ye Was ay on hire that fairere was to sene Than euere was Eleyne or Pollixene (66) ¶ Eke of the day þar passid nougħ[t] half an hour That to hym self he A thousand tyme seide God goodly to whom I serue and labour As I best can now wolde gode Creseide Ȝe wolde on me rewe or that I deide My dere herte Allas myn hele and myn hewe And myn lif is lost but ȝe wole on me rewe (67) ¶ Alle other dedis weren from hym fledde Bothe of thassege and his sauacion Ne in him desir noon othir fownes bredde But argumentes to his conclusion̄ That she of hym wolde haue compassion̄ And he to ben hir man while he may dure Lo here is lif and from the detħ is cure (68) ¶ The sharpe shoures fel of armes preve That Ector or his othir bretheren deden Ne make hym ones therfore to meve And ȝit was he where men wentyn and reden Founden oon the best and lengest tyme a-biden There perile was and eek dede succħ trauaile In Armes that to thynke it was meruaile (69) ¶ But for oon hate he to the Grekes hadde Ne also for the rescous of the toun Ne made hym thus in armes for to madde But only loo for this conclusioun To liken hire the bette for his renoun From day to day in armes so he spedde That the grekes as detħ hym dredde (70) ¶ And from this fortħ tho reft hym loue his slepe And made hym mete his Foo And ek his sorwe Gan multeplie that who-so toke kepe It shewed in his hewe bothe eue and morwe Therfore a litel he gan hym to borwe Of othir seknesse lest men of hym wende That the hote fire of loue hym for-brende (71) ¶ And seide he hadde a feuere and ferde amys But how it was serteyn I can nougħt seye Ȝif that his ladi vndirstood nougħt this Or feyned hire she nyst oon of the tweye But wel y rede that be no manere weye Ne semed it that she on hym rougħt Nor of his peyne or what so euere he thought (72) ¶ But han felt this Troilus swiche woo That he was wol nygħt wood for ay his drede Was this that she some wigħt hadde loued soo That neuer of hym thougħt haue taken hede For wheche hym thougħt he felt his herte blede Nor of his woo ne durst he nat be-gynne To tellyn hir for al this world to wynne (73) ¶ But he hadde a space from his care Thus to hym self / ful ofte he gan to pleyne He seide o foole now art þow in the snare That whilom Iappedest at loues peyne Now art þow hent now gnawe þyn owyn cheyne Thow were ay wont eche louere reprehende Of thyng fro wheche thow canst the not defende (74) ¶ What wole now euery louere seyn of thee Ȝif this be wist but euere in þyn absence laugħen in Scorne and seyn lo there gotħ hee That is þe man of so gret sapience That helde vs louyers leest in reuerence Now thanked be god he may gon in þe daunce Of hem that loue lest febly for tenaunce (75) ¶ But o thow woful troylus god wolde Sithen þow most louen thorgħ thi destenye That thow bisette were on swyche on þat sholde Knowe al thi woo al lakked hir petee But also cold in lovue towardes thee Thi lady is as frost in wynter mone And thow for-doon as snowe in fir is soone (76) ¶ God wolde y were arryued in the port Of deth̄ to wh[i]che my sorewes wole me lede A lord to me it were a gret confort Thanne were I quyt of langusshyng in drede For be myn hed sorwe I blowe on brede I xal be Iaped be a thousand tyme More than that folk of whos foly men ryme (77) ¶ But now helpe god and she swete for whom Pleyne I caugh̄t neuer wigh̄t so faste O mercy dere herte and helpe from The deth̄ for I wole that my lyf laste More than my self I wole loue ȝow to my last And with̄ somme frendly look gladeth̄ me swete Though̄ neuer mor thyng ȝe me be-hete (78) ¶ These wordes and ful many an othir to He spak and called euere in his compleynt Hire name for to tellyn hir his wo Til nygh̄ þat he in salte teres dreynt Al was for nough̄t she herde not his pleynt And whanne þat he by-though̄t on that folye A thousand fold his wo gan multeplye (79) ¶ By walkyng in his chambre thus a-lone A frend of his that called was pandare Cam onys Inne on-war and herd hym grone And sigh̄ his frend in suech̄ distresse and care Allas quod he ho causeth̄ al this fare O mercy god what on-happe may this mene Han now þus sone grekes mad ȝow lene (80) ¶ Or hastow some remors of consyence And art now falle in som deuocioun And wailest for thy senne and thyn offence And hast for ferd caugh̄t attricioun God saue hem þat be-seged han our toun That so can leyn our Iolite on presse And bryng oure / lusty folk to holynesse (81) ¶ These wordes seyde he for the nones alle That with suych̄ thyng / he mygh̄t hym angry maken And with mavgry don his wo to falle As for the tyme and his corage awaken But wel he wyste as fer as tonges spaken Ther nas a man of grettere hardynesse Than he / ne more desired worthynesse (82) ¶ What cas quod Troylus or what auenture Hath gided the / to sen my langwysnesse That am the refuse of euery creature But for the loue of god / at my preynge Go hens awey / for certis my deyynge Whil the d[i]sese and I mot / nede deye Ther-fore go wey / there ne is no mor to seye (83) ¶ But ȝif thou wene I be þus seke for drede It is nough̄t so and þerfore scorne me nough̄t Ther is an other thyng / I take of hede Wel more than augh̄t / that Grekes han it wrough̄t Wheche cause is of my deth̄ / for sorwe and though̄t But though̄ þat I. / nowe tell it the in lest Be thou naugh̄t wroth̄ I hid it for the best (84) ¶ This Pandar that nygħ malt for woo and routhe Ful ofte seide allas what may this be Now frende quod he / ȝif euere loue or trouthe Hatħ ben or ys / be-twix the and me Ne do thow neuere / sweche a cruelte To hiden fro thi frend / so gret a care Wostow not wel / that I am Pandare (85) ¶ I wole parten witħ the / al thi peyne Ȝif it be so / I do the no counfort As it is frendes rigħt / sotħ for to seyn To entre partyng woo / as glad disport I haue and shal for trewe or fals report In wrong and rigħt I loued the al my lyve Hide not ȝour woo from me / but telle it blyve (86) ¶ Than gan this sorful Troylus to syke And seide hym thus god leue it be my beste To telle it thee for sitħ it may the lyke Ȝit wole I telle it thougħ myn herte breste But wel wot I thou mast don me no reste But lest þou deme I trist[e] not to the Now herkene frend for þus it stant witħ me (87) ¶ Loue ayens þe wheche who-so defendetħ Hym seluyn moost / hym seluyn aldirlest auayletħ Witħ despeir so soreweful me offendetħ That streigħt on-to detħ myn herte failletħ Þer-to desir so brennyngly me assailetħ That to ben slayn it were a grettere Ioye To me than kyng of Grece ben and of troye (88) ¶ Suffisetħ this my frend Pandare That I haue seid for now wostow my wo And for the loue of god my colde care So hide it wel I told it neuere to mo For harmes mygħt folewen mo than to Ȝif it were wist but be þow in gladnesse And let me sterue vn-knowe of my distresse (89) ¶ Hougħ hastow thus vnkendely and long Hid this fro me thou fool quod Pandarus Par auenture thow mygħt aftir siche on long That myn avys a-noon may helpen vs Þis were a wundyre thyng quod Troylus Thow coudest neuere in loue þi seluyn wisse How mygħt þow bryng me to blisse (90) ¶ Thow Troilus now herken quod Pandare Þow I be nyce it happetħ often so That on that exces doon ful euyl fare By good counseɫɫ can kepe his frend ther-fro I haue my self seen eek a blynd man go There as [he] fel that coude loken wyde A fool may eke a wyseman ofte gyde (91) A wheston is noo Kerving Instrument [Harl. 1239,] Bot ȝit hit makes scharpe keruyng toles And there thou wost that I haue aught myswent Escheue thou that for suche thing to the scole is Thus ought wyse men be war be folys If thou so do thi wit is wel bewared By his contrarie is euery thing declared (92) For how myght euer swetnes haue be knowe To hym that neuer tasted bitternesse Ne no man may be Inly gladde I trowe That neuer was in sorow or som destresse Eke white by blak by schame eke worthinesse Iche sette by other more for other semeth As men may se and so the wise it demeth (93) Syn this of too contraries is wo lore I that haue in loue so ofte assaied Greuances ought knowe and wel the more Conseillen the of that thow art a-mayed And eke the aught not ben yuel a-ppayed Thogh I desire with the for to bere Thyn heuy charge hit schal the lesse dere (94) I wot wel that it fareth thus by me As to thy brother Parys an hierdesse Which that I-cleped was Cenone Wrote in a compleynte of hire heuynesse Ȝe say tho lettre that she wrote I gesse Nay neuer ȝit ywys quod Troilus Now herkeneth quod Pandare it was thus (95) (Oenone's Letter to Paris. 1 st.) Phebus that first fonde art of medicine Quod sche and cowde in euery wightes care Remedie and rede by herbes he knew fine Ȝit to hym self his konnyng was ful bare For loue had hym so bownden in a snare Al for the doughter of kyng Amete That al his crafte ne cowde his sorowes bete (96) Right so fare I vnhappily for me I loue oon best and that me smarteth sore And ȝit paranter can I reden the And not my self reproue me no more I haue no cause I wote wel for to sore As dothe an hauke that lysteth for to playe But to thyn helpe somwhat can I saye (97) And of wo thing right siker maystow be That certeyne for to dye in the peyne That I schal neuer to moo discouer the Ne by my trouthe I kepe not restreyne The fro thi loue thogh that it were Eleyne That is thi brother wyf if I it wyste Be what sche be and loue her as the lyste (98) Therfore as frende fullyche in me assure And telle me plat now what is thencheson̄ And finaly cause of wo that ȝe endure For dowtes nothing myn entencion̄ Is not to yow of reprehencion̄ To speke as now for no wight may be-reve A man to loue til hym lyst to leve (99) And wittes wel bothe too been vices Mystrist alle or elles alle be-leve But wel I wote the meene of hit no vice is For to trusten sum man it is a proeue Of trouthe and for-thy wolde I fayne remoeve Thy wronge conceite and do the som wight truste Thy woo to telle and telle me ȝif the lyste (100) The wise seith woo hym that is allone For and he falle he has no helpe to rise And sitħ thou hast a felow telle thy mone For this is not certeyne the next vice To wynnen loue as techen vs tho wise To walow and wepe as nybo tho quene whos terys ȝit marble ben ysene (101) Lat be thi wepyng and thy drerinesse And lat vs lessen woo with otheres speche So may thy woful tyme seme lesse Delite not in woo þi woo seche As done thes foles that hir sorowes eche With sorowe when thay haue mysauenture And lyst not to sechen other cure (102) Men seyen to wreche is consolacion̄ To haue a-nother felow in his peyne That ought wel ben owre oppynion̄ For bothe thou and I of loue we pleyne So ful of sorow am I sothe for to seyne That certenly nomore harde grace May sitte on me for-why ther is no space. (103) If god wil thou art not a-gaste of me Lest I wolde of thy lady the begile Thou wottyst thi-self whom that I loue parde As I best can gon̄ sithen longe while And sithen thou wottist I do hit for no gyle And seyst I am he whom thou tristest most Telle me somwhat syn̄ al my woo thou wost (104) Ȝit Troilus for al this no worde seide But longe he lay as stylle as he dede were And after this with sikyng he a-breyde And to Pandarus voys he lent his ere And vp his eyen cast he that in fere Was Pandarus lest that in a frenesie He schulde falle or elles sone dye (105) And cryed awake ful wonderly and scharpe what slombrestow as yn a litargie Or artow lyke an asse to the harpe That herys sone whane men the strynges pley Bot in his mynde of that no melodie May synke in hym to gladen for that he So dulle is of his bestialite (106) And with that pandare of his wordes stynte And Troilus ȝit hym nothing answered For-thi to tellen was not his entente To neuer man̄ for whom he so farde For it is seide men maken oft a ȝarde With whiche tho maker is hym self beten̄ In sondry manere as tho wise treten̄ (107) And namely in his cownsel tellynge That touches loue that ought to been secree For of hym self it wyl noght owte springe Bo[t] if that hit tho better gouerned bee Eke somtyme it is craft to seme flee ffor thing which in effecte men hunte faste Alle this gan Troilus in his herte caste (108) But neuer the les whan he had herde hym crye A-wake. he gan to syke wonder sore And seid frende thogh that I stylle lye I am not defe now pes and crye no more For I haue harde thy prouerbes and thi lore Bot suffre me my myschef to bewayllen For thi prouerbes may me not a-vaillen (109) Nor other cure canstow noon for me Eke I wil not be cured I wil dye What know I of the quene Nyobe Let be thyn olde paroles I the praye No quod Pandare therfore I seye Suche is delite of foles to be-wepe Her woo but to seke bote thay ne kepe (110) Now know I that reson in the feileth Bot telle me if I wist what sche were For whom that al the this mysauenture ailleth Dorst thou that I tolde her in hir ere Thy woo sithen thow derst not thi-self for fere And hir besoght on the to haue som routhe Why nay quod he by god and by my trouthe (111) What not as bisely quod Pandarus As though myn owne lyf lay on this nede No certes brother quod this Troilus And why for that thou schuldest neuer spede Wostow that well. ȝe that is owte of drede Quod Troilus for al that euer ȝe konne Sche nyl to noon suche wrecche as I be wonne (112) Quod Pandarus allas what may this be That thou dispered art thus causeles what lyves not thy lady benedicite How wostow soo that thou arte graceles Suche evel is not alwey boteles Whi putte not Impossible thus thi cure Syn thing to come is oft in a-venture (113) I graunte wel that thou endurest woo As scharpe as dothe tho ticius in helle Whos stomak foules tyren euer moo That higħten vultures as bokes telle But I may not endure that thou dwelle In so vnskilfull an opinion̄ That of thi woo is no curacion̄ (114) But onys nyltow for thi coward hert And for thyn Ire and foly wilfulnes For wantrust tellen of thy sorowes smart Ne to thyn owne helpe doo besinesse As moche as speke a reson more or lesse Bo[t] lyest as he that lyst of nothing recche What woman̄ cowde loue suche a wrecche (115) What may sche deme other of thy dethe If thou thus dye and sche not why hit is Bot that for fere is ȝelden vp thy brethe For grekes han beseged hus Iwis Lord what a thonke schalt thou haue of this Thus wil sche sey and al tho town at onys Tho wrecche is dede tho devil haue his bones (116) Thou mayst allone here wepe erye and knele But loue a womman that sche wote it noght And sche wil quyte the that thou schalt not fele Vnknow vnkyst and lost that is not sowght What many a man̄ hathe loue ful dere bowght Twenty wintur that his lady wist That neuer ȝit his ladyes mothe he kyst (117) What schulde he therfore falle in dispeer Or be recreant for his owne tene Or slee hym self al be his lady faire Nay nay but euer in oon be fresche and grene To serue and loue his dere hertys quene And thynke it is a guerdon̄ hir to serue A thousand folde more then he can deserue (118) And of that worde toke hede Troilus And thoght a-non what foly he was Inne And how that sothe hym seid Pandarus That for to slee hym self myght he not wynne But bothe do vnmanhode and a synne And of his dethe his lady not to wyte For of his woo god wote sche knew ful lyte (119) And with that thoght he gan ful sore syke And seide allas what is me best to doo To whom Pandere answered if the lyke Tho best is that thou telle me al thi woo And haue my trouthe bot thou fynde it soo I be thy bote or that I be ful longe To peces do me drawe and sithen honge (120) Ȝee so seys thow quod Troilus tho allas But god wote it is not tho rather soo Ful hard were hit to helpe in this cas For wel fynde I that fortune is my foo Ne alle tho folke that ride can or goo May of hir cruel wele tho harme withstonde For as her list sche pleys with free and bonde (121) Quod Pandarus than blamestow fortune For thou art worthe ȝee now at erst I see Wotyst not thou wel that fortune is comune To euery maner wigħt in som degree And ȝit thou hast this comfort loo parde That as her ioyes mosten ouer gon̄ So mote here sorowes passen euery-chon̄ (122) For ȝif her whele stynt any thing to tourne Than cesed sche fortune a-non to bee Now sitħ her whele by no wey may soiourne What wostow ȝif her mutabilite Right as thiself lyst wole done by the Or that sche be not fer fro thin helpyng Perantur thou hast cause for to syng (123) And therfore mostow whate I the beseche Lat be thy woo and tornyng to the grounde For who-so list haue helyng of his leche To hym bihoues first vnwry his wounde To cerberus in helle aye be I bounde were hit for my sister all thy sorow Be my wille sche scholde be thyn to morow (124) Loke vp I say and telle me what sche is A-non that I may goo aboute thy nede Know I her ought for my loue telle me this Than wolde I hope the rather for to spede To gan the veyne of Troilus to spede For he was hitte and waxid al rede for schame A ha quod pandare here beginnes game (125) And with that worde he gan hy[m] for to schake And seide thef thou schalt her name telle But then gan cely Troilus for to quake As thogh men schulde haue ledde hym in to helle And seide allas of al my woo the welle Then is my swete foo called Creseide And welnygh with the worde for fere he deide (126) And whan that Pandare herde her name neuen Lord he was glade and seid frend so dere Now fare a-right for Ioves name in heuene Loue hathe besette the wel be of gode chere For of gode name wisdom and manere Sche has I-nogh and eke of gentilnesse If sche be faire thou wost thy-self I gesse (127) Ne neuer saw a more bountevous Of hir estate ne gladder ne of speche A frendelier ne a more gracious Forto doo wel ne lasse had ned to seche what forto done and al this bette to eche In honowre to as far as sche may streche A kynges hert semes by her a wreche (128) [And for-thi / looke of good confort that thou be [Harl. 2392,] for certenli / the firste poynt is this of noble corage / thou ordeyne the to haue pes / witħ thi seluen I-wis so ouhtest thou / for noght but good it is to louyn weel / & in a worthi place Men auħt not to clepe it hap / but grace] (129) And also thinke and ther-with glade the That sithen thi lady vertuous is al So folowith hit that there is som pitte A-monges alle these other in general And for-thy se that thou in special Requyre not that is a-ȝens her name For vertu streccheth not hym self to schame (130) [Addit. 12,044,not in Harl. 1239.] [¶ But wel is me / that euere that I was borne Þat thow bisette art / in so good a place For my trouthe / in loue I durst haue sworne The shuldest neuere / a tyd / thus faire a grace And wostow why / for thow were wond to chace At loue in scorne / and for despite hym calle Seynt Idiot / lorde of these fooles alle (131) ¶ How often hastow made / thy nece Iapes And seyde / that loues seruauntes euerychone Of nycete / ben verry goddes Apes Lyggyng a bedde / and make hem for to grone And somme wold meche / he meten al-on And somme thow seidist / hadde a blaunche feuere And preidest god / he shulde neuere keuere (132) [¶ And somme of hem / took on hym for the colde [Addit. 12,044,] More þanne I-now / so seydest þou ful ofte And somme han feyned oftyn tyme / and tolde How þat þey waken / whanne thei slepen softe And thus they wolde haue brougħt hem self a-lofte And nathelees / were vndir at the laste Thus seidest þou / and Impedist ful faste (133) ¶ Ȝyt seidest thow / that þe more part These loueres / wolde spekyn / in generaɫɫ And thougħten that is / was a sekir art For faylyng / for tassayen ouer aɫɫ Now may I Iape of the / ȝif þat y shaɫɫ But natheles / thougħ þat I sholde deye That þou art noon of thoo / I dar wel seye (134) ¶ Now bete thi brest / and sey to god of loue Thy grace lorde / for now y me repent Ȝif I mysspak / for now my self I loue Þus sey witħ al thyn herte / in good entent Quod Troylus / a lord I me repent And prey to the / my Iapes thow for-ȝeue And I schal neuere-more / whil I leue (135) ¶ Thow seist wel quod Pandarus / and now I hope That thow þi goddes wratthe hast al apesed And syn thow hast wepyn / many a drope And seide sweche thynk / wher-with þi god is plesed Wolde now neuere god / but þou were esed And thynk wel she / of whom a-rist al þi wo Here-aftir / may thi confort be also (136) [¶ For thilke ground / that bereth the weedes wykke Beretħ ek these blosmes / herbes as ful ofte [Addit. 12,044] Next the foule netle / rougħ and þikke The rose wexit sote. / smothe and softe And next þe valeye / is þe hiɫɫ a-lofte And next the derke nygħt / .the glad morwe And also Ioye is next / the fyn of sorwe (137) ¶ Now loke that / atempre be thy brydeɫɫ [Addit. 12,044,] And for the best / ay suffre to that tyde Or ellis al labour / is on ydeɫɫ He hastetħ wel / that wysely can a-byde Be diligent and trew / and ay wel hyde Be lusty free / perseuere in thi seruyse And al is wel / ȝif þou werche in this wyse (138) ¶ But he þat departid is / in euery place Is nougħ where hool / as wrytyn clerkys wyse What wondir is / thougħ suyche on haue no grace Eke wostow / how. it fareth of som seruyse As plant / a tre / or herbe in sondry wyse And on the morwe / pul it be-liue No wondir is / thougħ it may not thryue (139) ¶ And syn that god of loue / hatħ the be-stowed In place digne / on to þi wurthynesse Stond fast for to good port hast þou rowed And of thy self / for ony heuynesse Hope al-wey wel / for but ȝif drerynesse Or honure hast oure bothis labour shende I hope of this / to make a good ende] [Addit. 12,044 bit ends.] (140) And wotys thou not why I am the lesse a-ferde [Harl. 1239,] Of this matere with my nece to trete For this haue I ofte herde sey and lerede Was neuer man̄ nor woman̄ ȝit begete That was vnate to souffren loues hete Celestyal or elles loue of kynde For-thi som grace I hope in hir to fynde (141) And for to speke of her in special Hir bewte to bethenk and hir ȝouthe It sitte her noght to be celestial As ȝit thogh that hir lyst bothe and couthe Bot truly it sitte hir wel right vouthe A worthy knyght to loue and cherise And bot sche doo I holde hit for a vice (142) THerfore I am and wil be al redy To peyn me to do ȝow this servise For bothe ȝow to plese this hope I Herafterward for ȝe be bothe wise And can hit conseile kepe in suche wise That no man̄ schal tho wiser of hit be And so we may be glade alle thre (143) And be my trouthe I haue right now of the A gude conseit in my witte as I gesse And what it is I wil now that thou se I thinke that sithe loue of his godenesse Has the conuerted oute of wikkednesse That thou schalt be tho best post I weue Of alle his laye and moste his foos greue (144) Ensample why se now thees grete clerkes That aldermoste a-ȝen lawe Han ben conuerted from her wicked werkes Thorogh grace of god that lyst hem to hym drawe Than ar thoo folke that can moste gode in lawe And strengest feithed as I vnderstonde And konne an erroure alderbest withstonde (145) WHan Troilus had herd Pandare assented To be his helpe in louyng of Creseide Wax of his woo as who seis vnturmented Bot hotter wax his loue and than he seide With soure chere al-thoght his hert pleide Now blestful Venus helpe or that I sterve Of the Pandare I may som thanke deserue (146) But dere frende how schal my woo be lesse Til this be done and gud eke telle me this How wiltow sey of me and my distresse Lest sche be wrothe this drede I most yvis Or wil not here ne trowe what it is Allas this drede I and eke for the manere Of the hyre Eeme sche wil no suche thing here (147) QVod Pandarus thou hast a ful grete care Lest at the Churle falle owte of the mone Why lord I hate of the thi nyce fare Why entremete of that thou hast to done For goddes loue I bidde the a bone So lat me a-lone and hit schal be thi beste Why frende quod he now do right as the lyste (148) But herke Pandare wo worde for I nolde That thou wendest in me so grete folye That to my lady I desire schulde That towcheth harme or ony vilanye For dredeles me were leuer to dye Then sche of me ought elles vnderstode But that that myght sowne vnto gode (149) THenne lougħ Pandare and a-non answerede And I thy borogh. fy no wight dos bot soo I rought not thogh that sche stode and herde How that thou seist but fare-wel I wil goo A dieu be glad god spede vs bothe too Ȝeve me this laboure and this besinesse And of my spede be thine al the swetnesse (150) THo Troilus gan dovn on knees to falle And Pandare in his armes hent faste And seide now fy on tho grekes alle Ȝit parde god schal helpe at the laste And dredeles if that my lyf may laste And god to-forne loo som of hem schal smerte And ȝit me thinkes that this avant may sterte (151) Now Pandarus I can no more seye But thou wise. thou wost. thou mayst. thou arte aɫɫ My lif my dethe hole in thy honde I leye Helpe now quod he. ȝis by my trouthe I schal God ȝelde the frende as this in special Quod Troilus that thou me recommaunde Tyl hir that may me to the dethe commaunde (152) THis Pandarus tho desyrus to serue His ful frende tho seid in this manere Fare-wel and that I wil thy thanke deserue Haue her my trouthe and that thou schalt wel here And went his weye thinkyng on this matere And how he beste myght her beseche of grace And fynde a leyser therto and a space (153) For euery wight that has a hous to fovnde Ne renneth not tho warke for to begynne With rakel honde but he wil byde a stounde And sette hertis lyne oute fro with-Inne Alderfirst his purpos for to wynne Al this Pandare in his hert thought And caste his werke ful wisely or he wrought (154) BVt Troilus lay then no lenger downe Bot vp a-non vpon his stede bay And in tho felde he pleyde tho lyone Woo was tho greke that met with hym that day And in tho towne his manere to fore ay So godely was and gate hym so in grace That eche hym loued that loked in his face (155) For he be-come tho frendelist wight Tho gentillest and eke tho moste free Tho thryftiest and won the beste knyght That in his tyme was or myght bee Dede were his Iapes and his cruelte His higħ porte and his manere straunge And eche of hem gan to a vertu chaunge (156) Now Lat vs Stynt of Troilus a Stovnde That fares like a man̄ that hurt is sore And is somdel aking of his wovnde I-blessed wel but heled no del more And as an esy pacient the lore Abitte of hym that goth a-boute his cure. And thus he dries forthe his a-venture [End of Book I: no gap in MS.] Incipit prohemium secundi libri. (1) (Proem.) But of thise blake wawes for to sayle. O wynde o wynde the weder gynneth cleere. ffor in this se the boot hath swich trauaile. Of my comynge þat vnneth I it steere. This se clepe I the tempestous matere. Of desespoir that Troilus was inne. But now of hope the kalendes bygynne. (2) (Inuocacio.) O lady myn that called art Cleo. Thow be my speede from this forth and my muse. To ryme wel this book til I haue do. Me nedeth heere no oother art to vse. fforwhi to euery louer I me excuse. That of no sentement I this endite. But out of latyn into my tonge it write. (3) Wherfore .I. nyl haue neyther thonke ne blame. Of al this werke but prey ȝow mekely. Disblameth me yif any worde be lame. ffor as myn auctour seide so seye .I. Ek though I spake of loue vnfeelyngly. No wondir is / for it nothinge of new is. A blynde wight kan nat Iugen wel in hewis. (4) I knowe eke þat in forme of speche is chaunge. withinne a thowsand yer and wordes tho. That hadden pris / now wonder nyce and straunge. Vs thinketh hem / and yit they spake hem so. And spedde als wel in loue as men now do. Ek for to wynnen loue in sondry ages. In sondry londes sondry ben vsages. (5) And forthy yif it happe in any wyse. That here be any louere in this plase That herkneth as the story can deuyse. How Troilus com til his lady grace. And thenketh / so nolde I nat loue purchase. Or wondreth on his speche or his doinge. I not / but it is me no wondrynge. (6) ffor euery wight wiche that to Rome wente. Halt nat oo path nor alwey o manere. Ek in som londe wer al þe game schente. yif that men ferde in loue as men don heere. As thus / in opyn doing / or in chere. In visitynge / in forme / or seyde hir sawes. fforthi men seyn ech contre hath his lawes. (7) Ek scarsly ben ther in this plase iij. That in loue seyde lik / and don in al. ffor to thi purpos this may like the. And the right naught / yit al is seyd or shal. Ek som men graue in tree som in ston wal. As it bitit / but syn I haue bygonne. Myn auctour shal I folwen if I konne. Explicit prohemium secundi libri. Incipit liber secundus. (8) IN may that moder is of Monthes glade. That fresshe floures blewe / and white and rede. Ben quyke agayn þat wynter dede made. And ful of bawme / is fletynge euery mede. whan Phebus doth his bryght bemes sprede. Right in the white bole it so betidde. As I shal synge on mayes day the thridde. (9) That Pandarus for al hyse wyse speche. ffelte eek his parte of loues shotes keene. That koude he neuere so wele of louyng preche. It made his hew a day ful ofte grene. So shope it that hym fele þat day a teene. In loue / for weche for wo to bede he wente. And maade ar it was day ful mony a wente. (10) The swalowe proigne with a sorwfull lay. whan morwen come / gan make hir waymentynge. why she forschapen was / and euere lay. Pandare a bedde / half in a slomberynge. Til she so neght hym made hir cheterynge. How Tereux gan forth hir suster take. That with the noyse of hir he gan awake. (11) And gan to calle and drissed hym vp to rise. Remembryng hym his erand was to doone. ffro Troilus and ek his grete emprise. And caste and knewgh in good plit was the moone. To dou viage / and took his wey ful soone. Vnto his neces Paleys ther biside. Now Ianus god of entre thow hym gyde. (12) Whan he was come vnto hise nece plase. wher is my lady to hir folk / quod he. And they hym tolde / and he forth in gan pace. And fonde two oother ladies sete and she. withInne a paued parlour / and they thre. Herden a mayden reden hem the geste. Of the sege of thebes whil hem leste. (13) Quod Pandarus madame god yow se. with al your book / and al the compaignye. Ey vncle now welcome Iwys quod she. And vp she ros / and by the hond in hye. She took hym faste / and seyde this nyght thrye. To goode mote it torne / of yow I mette. And with þat worde she down on bench hym sette. (14) ye nece ye shal faren wel the bet. If god while al this yer quod pandarus. Bot I am soory þat I haue yow lete. To herken of yowr book / ye preisen thus. ffor goddes loue what seith it tel it vs. Is it of loue / o som good ye me leere. Vncle quod she yowr maistresse is nat heere. (15) With þat they gonnen laughe and tho she seyde. Thise romaunce is of thebes þat we rede. And we han herde how the kyng layus deyde. Thorw Edippus his sone and al þat deede. And her we stynten at this letteres rede. How the bysshop as the book can telle. Amphiorax fil thorw the grownde to helle. (16) Quod Pandarus al thise knowe I my selue. And al thassege of thebes and the care ffor herof ben ther maked bookes xij. But lat be this / and tel me how ye fare. Do wey yowr wympel and shewe yowre face bare. Do wey yowr booke / rys vp and lyt vs daunce. And lat vs don to may som obseruaunce. (17) I god forbede quod she be ye mad. Is þat a widwes lif so god yow saue. By god ye maken me right sore adrad. Ye beth so wilde it semeth as ye raue. It sate me wel bet ay in caue. To bidde and rede on holy seintes lyues. Lat maydens gon to daunce and yonge wyues. (18) As euere thryue I quod this Pandarus. Yit koude I telle a thing / to do yow pleye. Now vncle deere quod she telle it vs. ffor goddes loue is than the sege aweye. I am of Grekys fered so that I deye. Nay nay quod he as euere mote I thryue. It is a thing / wel bet than swich fyue. (19) Ye holy god quod she what thing is that. what bet than swiche fyue .I. nay Iwis. ffor al this worlde ne kan I rede what. It sholde ben / som Iape I trow is this. And but your seluen telle vs what it is. My wit is for tarede it al to leene. As helpe me god I not what ye meene. (20) And I yowr borwgh ne neuere shal quod he This thing be tolde to yow so mote I thryue. And whi so vncle myn whi so quod she. By God quod he þat wol I telle as blyue. ffor prouder womman is ther non o lyue. And ye it wist in al the town of Troye. I Iape naught / so euere haue I Ioye. (21) Tho gan she wondren more than byforn. A thousand folde / and down hir eyen caste. ffor neuere sith the tyme þat she was born. To knowe thing desired she so faste. And with a sik / she seyde hym at the laste. Now vncle myn I nil yow nat displese. Nor axen moore þat may do yow disese. (22) So after this with many wordes glade. And frendly talis and with mery cheere. Of þis and þat they pleyde and gonnen wade. In many a vnkouth glade and depe matere. As frendes don / whan they be met I feere. Til she gan axen hym how Ector ferde. That was the townes wal and grekys yerde. (23) fful wel I thonk it god quod Pandarus. Saue in his harm he hath a litel wownde. And ek his fressch brother Troilus. The wise worthy Ector þe secounde. In whom al vertu list abounde. As alle trouth and alle gentilnesse. wysdom / honour / fredam and worthynesse. (24) In good feith Em quod she that liketh me. They faren wel / god saue hem both two. ffor trewlische I holde it grete deynte. A kynges son in armes wel to do. And be of good condicions therto. ffor gret power and moral vertu heere. Is silde I seye in o person I feere. (25) In good feith that is soth quod Pandarus. But by my trouthe the kyng hath sones tweye. That is to meene Ector and troilus. That certeinly though þat I sholde deye. They ben as voide of vices dar I seye. As any men þat lyue vndir the sonne. Hir myght is wide I knowe / and what they konne. (26) Of Ector nedeth no thing for to telle. In al this worlde ther nys a bettre knyght. Than he that is of worthynesse welle. And he wel mor vertu hath than myght. This knoweth many a wys and worthy wyght. The same pris of Troilus I seye. So helpe me god I knowe nat swiche tweye. (27) By god quod she of Ector þat is soth. Of Troilus the same thing trow .I. ffor dredeles men telleth þat he doth. In armes / day by day so worthily. And bereth hym her at home so gentilly. To euery wight / þat al pris hath he. Of hem þat me were leuest preised be. (28) Ye seye right soth Iwys quod Pandarus. ffor yistirday who so hadde with hym ben. Myght han wondred vpon Troilus. ffor neuere yit so thikke a swarm of ben. No fleigh / as grekis for hym gonne flen. And thorw the feld in euery wightes Ere. Ther nas no crye / but Troilus is there. (29) Now her now ther he hunted hem so faste. Ther nas but grekys bloode and Troilus. Now hym he hurte / and hym al doun he caste. Ay wher he wente it was arayed thus. He was hir deth and sheld and lif for vs. That as that day ther durste non withstonde. whil þat he held his blody swerde in honde. (30) Therto he is the frendliest man. Of gret astat / þat euere I say my lyue. And wher hym list best felashipe kan. To which as hym thinketh able for to thryue. And with þat worde tho Pandarus as blyue. He took his leue and seyd .I. wol gon henne, Nay blame haf I my vncle quod she þenne. (31) What aileth yow to be thus weery soone. And namelisch of wommen wol ye so. Nay sitteth down by god I haue to don. with yow to spek of wisdom or ye go. And euery wight þat was aboute hem tho. That herde that / gan fer away to stonde. whil they two hadde al this matere on honde. (32) Whan þat hir tale al brought was to an ende. Of hir estat / and of hir gouernaunce. Quod Pandarus now is tyme to wende. But yit ariseth I seye lat vs daunce. And cast yowr widwes habit to meschaunce. what list yow thus yowr self to disfigure. Sith yow is tide so glade an auenture. (33) A wel bythought for loue of god quod she. Shal I nat witen what ye mene of this. No this thing / axeth leiser tho quod he. And ek me wolde muche greue Iwys. If I it tolde and ye it toke amys. yit were it bet my tonge for to stille. Than seye a soth þat weere ayein yowr wille. (34) ffor nece by the goddesse Mynerue. And Iupiter þat maketh the thonder rynge. And by the blisful venus that I serue. ye ben the womman in this world lyuynge. withouten paramours to my whitynge. That I best loue and lothest am to greue. And þat ye witen wel yowr self I leeue. (35) Iwis my vncle quod she graunt mercy. Yowr frendshipe haue I fownden euere yit. I am to na man holden trewely. So muche as yow and haue so litel quyt. And with the grace of god emforth my wit. As in my gilt I shal yow neuere offende. And yif I haue or this I wol amende. (36) But for the loue of god I yow biseche. As ye beu he that I loue moost and triste. Lat be to me yowr friende maner speche. And sey to me yowr nece what yow liste. And with that word hir vncle anon hir kiste. And seyde gladly leue nece dere. Tak it for good / that I shal sey yow here. (37) With that she gan hir look down for to caste. And Pandarus to koughe gan a lite. And seyd nece alwey to at the laste. How so it be þat som men hem delite. with subtil art hir talis for tendite. Yit for al that in hir entencoun. Hir tale is al for some conclusyoun. (38) And sithen thende is euery talis strengthe. And this matere is so byhouely. what shal I peynte or drawen it on lengthe. To yow þat ben my frende so feithfully. And with that worde he gan right inwardly. Byholden hir / and loken on hir face. And seyde / on swiche a Mirour god grace. (39) Than thought he thus if I my tale endite. Aught harde / or make a proces any while. She shal no sauour han therin but lite. And trowe I wolde hir in my wil bigile. ffor tendre wittes wenen al be wile. Wher as they kan nat pleynlisch vndirstonde. fforthy hir wit to seruen wol I fonde. (40) And loked on hir in a bisy wise. And she was war þat he bihelde hir so. And seyde lorde so faste ye mauyse. Sey ye me neuere or now / what sey ye no. Yis yis quod he / and bet wol ar I go. But be my trouthe I thoughte now yif ye. Be fortunat / for now men shal it se. (41) ffor to euery wight som goodly auenture. Som tyme is shape / if he it kan receyuen. And if þat he wol tak of it no cure. whan it comth / but wilfullisch it weynen. Lo neyther cas ne fortune hym deceyuen. But right his owne slouthe and wrechednesse. And swich a wight / is for to blame I gesse. (42) Good aventure o bele nece haue ye. fful lightly fownden and ye konne it take. And for the loue of god and ek for me. Cach it anon / list auenture slake. what sholde I lenger proces of it make. Yif me yowre hond / for in this world is non. yif þat yow list a wight so wel bygone. (43) And sith I speke of good entencoun. As .I. to yow haue tolde wel her biforn. And loue as wel your honour and renoun. As creature in al this worlde Iborn. By alle the oothes þat I haue to yow sworn. And ye be wroth therfore or wene I lye. Ne shal I neuere se yow eft with eye. (44) Beth naught a gast ne quakith naught wherto. Ne chaungeth naught for fere so yowre hewe. ffor hardely the werste of this is do. And though my tale as now be to yow newe. Yit trist alwey ye shal me fynde trewe. And were it thing / þat me thought vnsittynge. To yow wolde I non swiche talis brynge. (45) Now my good Em for goddes loue I praye. Quod she come of / and telle me what it is. ffor bothe I am agast what ye wol seye. And ek me longeth it to wit Iwys. ffor wheither it be wel or be amys. Sey on / lat me nat in this fere dwelle. So wil I don / now herkeneth I shal telle. (46) Now nece myn the kynges dere sone. The good wise worthy fresshe and fre. which alwey for to do wel is his wone. The noble Troilus so loueth the. That but ye helpe it wil his bane be. Lo here is al what sholde I moore seye. Do what yow list to mak hym liue or deye. (47) But yf ye late hym deyen I wol steruen. Haue here my trouth nece I nyl nat lyen. Al sholde I with this knyfe myn throte keruen. with þat the theeris brust out of his eyne And seyde / yif þat ye do vs bothe dyen. Thus giltiles / than han ye fysshed faire. what mende ye if that we bothe apaire. (48) Allas he which þat is my lord so deere. That trewe man / þat noble gentil knyght. That naught desireth but yowr frendly cheere. I se hym deyen ther he goth vpright. And hasteth hym with al his ful myght. ffor to be slayn if his fortune assente. Allas that god yow swich a beaute sente. (49) If it be so þat ye so cruel be. That of his deth ye listeth nat to reche. That is so trewe and worthi as we se. Na more than of a Iaper or a wreche. yif ye be swich yowr beaute may not streche. To make amendes / of so cruel a dede. Auysement is good byfore the nede. (50) Wo worth the faire gemme vertules. wo worth þat herbe also þat doth no boote. wo worth þat beaute þat is routheles. wo worth þat wight þat tret ich vndir foote. And ye þat ben of beaute crop and roote. And therwithal in yow ne be no routhe. Than is it harm that 'that' is written between the lines. ye lyuen be my trouthe. (51) And also thenk wel þat it is no gaude. ffor me were leuere thow and I and he. were hanged / than I shold ben his baude. Als hye as men myght on vs al se. Ich am thy em the shame were to me. As wele as the / yif þat I sholde assente. Thorw myn abit / þat he thyn honour schente. (52) Now vndirstond for I yow naught requere. To bynden yow to hym thorw no byheste. But oonly þat ye mak hym bettre cheere. Than ye haue don or this and moore feste. So þat his lif be sauyd at the leste. This al and som and pleynly oure entente. God help me so I neuere oother mente. (53) Lo this requeste is nat but skile Iwys. Ne doute of resoun parde is ther non. I sette the worst þat ye drede this. Men wolde wondren sen hym come and gon. Ther ayeins answere I thus anon. That euery wight but he be fool of kynde. wol deme it loue of frendshipe in his mynde. (54) What who wil demen though he se a man. To temple gon / þat he thymages eteth. Thenk ek / how wel and wisly þat he kan. Gouern hym self / þat he no thyng foryeteth. That wher he comth / he pris and thonk hym geteth. And ek therto he shal come her so selde. what force wher it / though al þe town behelde. (55) Swich loue of frendes regneth al this town. And wry yow in that mantel euer mo. And god so wys be my sauacioun. As I haue seyde yowr beste is for to do. But good nece alwey to stynte is wo. So lat yowr daunger sucred ben a lite. That of his deth ye be nat for to wite. (56) Criseide which þat herde hym in this wyse. Thoughte I shal feelen what he mene Iwys. Now Em quod she what wolde ye deuyse. what is yowr rede I sholde don of this. That is wel seyde quod he / certein best is. That ye hym loue ayein for his louynge. As loue for loue is skylful guerdonynge. (57) Thenk ek / how helde wasteth euery houre. In ech of yow a partye of beaute. And therfor or that age the deuoure. Go loue / for olde / ther wil no wight of the. Lat this prouerbe a loore vnto yow be. To lat war / quod beaute whan it paste. And elde daunteth daunger at the laste. (58) The kynges fool is wont to crien loude. whan hym thinketh a womman berth hir hye. So longe mote ye lyue and alle proude. To crowes feet growe vndir yowr eye. And sende yow than a Mirour in to prye. In weche that ye may se yowr face a morwe. I bidde wysshe yow no moore sorwe. (59) With this he stynte and caste adown the hede. And she bygan to breste a wep anon. And seide allas for wo whi nere I dede. ffor of this worlde the feith is al agon. Allas what sholden straunge to me don. whan he that for my beste frende I wende. Ret me to loue / and shold it me defende. (60) Allas I wolde han trusted douteles. That yif that I thorwe my disauenture. Hadde outher loued hym or Achilles. Ector / or any mannes creature. Ye nolde han had no mercy ne mesure. On me / but alwey had me in repreue. This fals worlde allas who may it leue. (61) What is this al the Ioye / and al the feste. Is this yowr rede / is this my blisful cas. Is this the verray mede of youre byheste. Is al this peynted proces seyde allas. Right for this fyn o lady myn pallas. Thow in this dredful cas for me purueye. ffor so astoned am I þat I dye. (62) With that she gan ful sorwfully to sike. A may it be no bet quod Pandarus. By god I shal no moore come her this wike. And god to forn / þat am mystrusted thus. I se wele þat ye sette lite of vs. Or of our deth / allas I woful wrechche. Myght he yit lyue of me were naught to rechche. (63) O cruel god .o. despitouse Marte. O furiis thre of helle on yow I crye. So lat me neuere out of this hous departe. yif þat I mente harm or vilenye. But sith I se my lorde moot nedes dye. And .I. with hym / here I me shryue and seye. That wikkedly ye don vs both dye. (64) But sith it liketh yow that .I. be ded. By neptimus sic. þat god is of the se. ffro this forth shal I neuere ete brede. Til I myn owen herte blood may se. ffor certein I wol deye als sone as he. And vp he stirte and on his weye he raughte. Til she agayn hym by the lappe kaughte. (65) Criseida which þat wel neght starf for fere. So as sche was the ferfulleste wight. That myght be / and herde ek with hir ere. And saugh the sorwful ernest of the knyght. And in his preyer ek non vnright. And for the harm ek þat myght falle moore. She gan to rew / and drede hir wonder soore. (66) And thought thus / vnhappes fallen thikke. Alday for loue / and in such maner cas. As men ben cruel in hemself and wikke. And yif this man sle her hymself allas. In my presence / it nyl be no solas. what men wolde of it deme I can nat seye. It nedeth me ful sleyghly for to pleye. (67) And with a sorwful sik she seyde thrye. A lorde what me is tid sory chaunce. ffor myn estat / lith in Iupartye. And ek myn Emes lif is in balaunce. But natheles with goddes gouernaunce. I shal so don / myn honour shal I kepe. And ek his lif / and stynte for to wepe. (68) Of harmes two the lesse is for to chese. Yit haue I leuere maken hym good chere. In honour / than myn Emes lif to leese. ye seyn / ye nothing ellis me requere. No wis quod he myn owne nece deere. Now wel quod she and I wol do my peyne. I shal myn herte ayein my lust constreyne. (69) But þat .I. nyl naught holden hym in honde. No loue a man ne kan I naght ne may. Ayeins mi wille / but ellis whil I fonde. Myn honour sauf / plese hym fro day to day. Ther to nolde I nat oonys haue seyde nay. But þat I drede as in my fantasye. But cesse cause ay cesseth maladye. (70) But here I make a protestacioun. That in this proces if ye depper go. That certeynly for no sauacioun. Of yow / though þat ye steruen bothe two. Thogh al the worlde on o day be my fo. Ne shal I neuere of hym han oother routhe. I graunte wel quod Pandare be my trowthe. (71) But may I trust wel to yow quod he. That of this thing / þat ye han hight me heere. Ye wol it holden trewely vnto me. Ye douteles quod she my vncle deere. Ne þat I shal han cause in this matere. Quod he to pleyne. or ofter yow to preche. why no parde / what nedeth moore speche. (72) Tho fille they in oother tales glade. Til at the laste / a good Em quod she tho. ffor loue of god weche þat vs bothe made. Tel me how first ye wisten of his wo. woot non of it but ye / he seyde no. kan he wel speke of loue quod she I prey. Tel me / for I the bet me shal purueye. (73) Tho Pandarus a litel gan to smyle. And seyde by my trouthe I shal yow telle. This oother day / nat gon ful longe while. with in the Paleys gardyn by a welle. Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle. Right for to speken of a ordenaunce. How we the grekis myghten disauaunce. (74) Sone aftir þat bygonne we to lepe. And casten with oure dartes to and fro. Til at the laste he seyde he wolde slepe. And on the gres adoun he leyde hym tho. And I afer / gan for to romen to and fro. Til þat I herde as þat I welk allone. How he bygan ful wofully to gronne. (75) Tho gan I stalke hym softely behynde. And sikirly the sothe for to seyne. As I kan clepe ayein now to my mynde. Right thus to loue he gan hym for to pleyne. He seyde lorde haue routhe on my peyne. Al haue I ben rebell in myn entente. Now. mea culpa. lorde I me repente. (76) O god that at disposicioun. Ledest the fyn by iuste purueyaunce. Of euery wight / my lough confessioun. Accepte in gre / and sende me swich penaunce. As liketh the / but from disesperaunce. Þat may my goste departe awey fro the. Thow be my shelde for thy benygnete. (77) For certes lord so soore hath sche me wownded. That stood in blak with lokynge of hir eyne. That to myn hertes botme it is Isounded. Thorugh which I woot that I moot nedes dyen. This is the worste I dar me naught bywryen. And wel the hatter ben the gledes rede. That men hem vren with ashen pale and deede. (78) With that he smot the hed adown anon. And gan to muttre I nat what trewely. And I with that gan stille awey to gon. And let therof as no thing wist hadde I. And com ageyn a non / and stoode hym by. And seide awake ye slepen al to longe. It semyth nat that loue doth yow longe. (79) That slepyn so that no man may yow wake. who sey euere or this so dul a man. Ye frend quod he do ye yowr hedes ake. ffor loue / and lat me lyuen as I kan. But though þat he for loue was pale and wan. yit made he tho as fressch a contenaunce. As though he sulde haue led the newe daunce. (80) This passed forth / til now this oother day. It fil þat I com romynge al allone. Into his chaumbre / and fond how that he lay. Vpon his bed / but man so soore groone. Ne herde I neuere / and what þat was his moone Ne wiste I nat / for as I was comynge. Al sodeynly he left his compleynnyge. (81) Of which I took / som what suspecioun. And ner I com / and fond he wepid soore. And god wis be my sauacioun. As neuere of thing / hadde I no routhe moore. ffor neyther with eggyng ne with no loore. Vnnethes myght MS. mynght I fro the deth hym kepe. That yit fele I myn herte for hym wepe. (82) And god wot þat neuere sith I was born. was I so besy no man for to preche. Ne neuere was to wyght so depe Isworn. Or he me tolde who myght ben his leche. But now to yow rehersen al his speche. Or alle his woful wordes for to sowne. Ne bid me naught / but ye wol se me swoune. (83) But for to saue his lif and elles nought. And to non harm of yow thus am I dryuen. And for the loue of god þat vs hath wrought. Swich cheere hym doth þat he and I may lyuen. Now haue I plat to yow myn herte Ishryuen. And sith ye woote þat myn entente is clene. Tak hede therof for I no yuel meene. (84) And right good thrifte I prey to god haue ye. That haue swich oon Icaught withoute net. And ye be wys / as ye be fair to se. wel in the rynge thanne is thi ruby set. Ther wher neuere two so wele mette. whan ye ben his alhoole as he is yowre. Ther myghty god graunt vs se that oure. (85) Nay therof spak I naught a ha quod she. As help me god ye shenden euery dele. A mercy deere nece anon quod he. what so I spak / I mente nat but wele. By Mars the god þat helmed is of stele. Now be nat wroth my blood my nece deere. Now wel quod she / foryeuen be hit heere. (86) With this he took his leue and home he wente. And lord so he was glad and wel bigon. Criseide a roos / no lengere she ne stente. But streght into hir closet went anon. And sette hir down as stille as any stoon. And euery worde gan vp and down to wynde. That he had seid / as it com hir to mynde. (87) And was somdel astoned in hir thought. Right for the newe cas / but whanne þat she. was ful avysed / tho fond she right nought. Of peril / whi she ought afered be. ffor man may loue of possibilite. A womman so / his herte may to breste. And she nat loue ayein / but yif hir liste. (88) But as she sat allone and thought thus. Ascry aroos at scarmuch al withoute. And men criden in the strete se Troilus. Hath right now put to flight the grekis route. with þat gan al hir meyne for to shoute. A go we se / caste vp the yates wydde. ffor thorw this strete he mot to Paleys ryde. (89) ffor oother wey is ther fro the yate non. Of Dardanus ther opyn is the cheynne. with þat com he and al his fook anon. An esy pace ryding in routes tweyne. Right as his happe day soth to seyne. ffor weche men seith may nat distorbed be. That shal bitiden of necessite / (90) This Troilus sat on his baye stede. Al armed saue his hede ful richely. And wownded was his hors and gan to bleede. On which he rode a pace ful softely. But swich a knyghtly sight trewely. As was on hym / was nat with oute faille. To loke on Mars þat god is of bataille. (91) So lik a man of armes and a knyght. He was to sen / fulfild of heygh prowesse. ffor bothe he hadde a body and a myght. To don þat thing / as well as hardynesse. And eke to sen hym in his gere hym dresse. So fressh / so yong / so worthy semed he. It was a heuene vpon hym for to se. (92) Hise helm to hewen was in twenty places. That by a tesseu heng / his bak byhynde. His sheld to dasshed was with swerdes and maces. In weche men myghtyn many a arwe fynde. That thrilled had horn and nerf and rynde. And ay the peple cried her comth oure Ioye. And next his brother. holder vp of Troye. (93) ffor whech he wax litel red for shame. whan he the poeple vpon hym herde crien. That to beholde it was a noble game. How sowbreliche he caste doun hise eyen. Criseida gan al hise cheere espien. And let so softe in hir herte synke. That to hir self she seyde who yaf me drynke. (94) ffor of hir owne thought she wax al rede. Remembrynge hir right thus / lo this is he. Swich as my vncle swerth he moot be ded. But I on hym have mercy and pete. And with that worde / for pure asshamed she. Gan in hir hed to pulle and þat as faste. whil he and al the poeple for by paste. (95) And gan to caste and rollen vp and down. withinne hir thought his excellent prowesse. And his estat / and also his renon. His wit / his shap / and ek his gentilesse. But most hir fauour was for his destresse. was al for hir / and thought it was a routhe. To slen swich on yif þat he mente trouthe. (96) Now myght som enuyous Iangle thus. Thise was a sodeyne loue how myght it be. That she so lightly loued Troilus. Right for the first sight / ye parde. Now who so seyde so / mot he neuere Ithe. ffor euery thing a gygnynge hath it nede. Or al be wrought withouten any drede. (97) ffor I sey nat that sche so sodeynly. Yaf hym hir loue / but þat she gan enclyne. To lik hym first / and I haue tolde yow why. And after that his manhed and his pyne. Made loue within hir for to myne. ffor which by proces and by good seruyse. He gat hir loue / and in no sodeyn wyse. (98) And also blisful venus wel arrayed. Sat in hir seuenthe hous of heuene tho. Disposed wele / and with aspectes payed. To helpyn sely Troilus of his wo. And soth to seyn she nas not al a foo. To Troilus in his Natiuite. God wot þat wel the sonner spede he. (99) Now lat vs stynte of Troilus a trowe. That rideth forth / and let vs torne faste. Vnto Criseide / þat heng hir hed ful lowe. Ther as she sat allone / and gan to caste. where on she wolde apoynte hir at the laste. yif it so weere hir Em ne wolde cesse. ffor Troilus vpon hir for to presse. (100) A lorde so she gan in hir herte arguwe. In this matere / of which I haue yow tolde. And what to don best were and what eschuwe. That plited she ful ofte in many folde. Now was hir herte warm now was it colde. And what she thought som what shal I write. As to myn auctour listeth for to tendite. (101) She thought first þat Troilus persone. She knew by sight / and ek his gentilesse And also thought it nere naught to doone. To graunt hym loue / yit ffor his worthynesse. It were honour with pleye and with gladnesse. In honeste with swiche a lorde to deele. ffor myn estat / and also for his hele. (102) Ek wel wot I my kynges sone is he. And sithen he haþ to seen me swich delite. Yif I wolde outrely his sight fle. Paraunter he myght haue me in despit. Thorw which I myghte stonde in worse plit. Now were I wis me hate to purchace. withoute nede / ther I may stonde in grace. (103) In euery thing I woot ther lith mesure. ffor though a man for bede dronkenesse. He naught forbed þat euery creature. Be drynkeles / for alwey as I gesse. Ek sith I woot for me is his destresse. I aught nat for þat thing hym despise. yif it be so he meneth in good wyse. (104) And ek .I. knowe of lange tyme agon. Hise thewes goode / and þat he nys nat nyce. Nauauntour seith men cleyn he is non. To wis is he to don so gret a vice. Ne also I nyl hym neuere so cherice. That he may make a uant be iuste cause. He shal me neuere bynde in swich a clause. (105) Now sette a cas the hardeste is Iwys. Men myghten demen þat he loueth me. what dishonour to myn estat is this. May ich hym lette of that / whi nay parde. I knowe also and alday here and se. Men louen a wommen al biside hir leue. And whan hem list no lengere lat hem leue. (106) Ek wot I wel he worthy is to haue. Of wommen in this world the thriftyeste. As ferforth as she may hir honour saue. ffor out and out he is the worthyeste. Saue oonly Ector which þat is the beste. And yit his lif lith al now in my cure. But swich is loue and ek myn auenture. (107) Ne me to loue a wonder is it naught. ffor wel wot I my self so god me spede. Al wolde I þat no man wist of my thought. I am oon of the fayreste out of drede. And goodlyest / who so taketh hede. And so men seyn in al the town of Troye. what wonder is thogh he of me haue Ioye. (108) I am myn owen womman wel at ese. I thank it god / as of myn estat. Right yong / and stonde vnteyd in lusty leese. withouten Ialousie or swich debate. Shal non housband sey to me chek mate. ffor either they ben ful of Ialousie. Or maisterful / or louen nouelrye. (109) What shal .I. don to what fyne lyue I thus. Shal I nat louen in cas be þat me liste. What pardieux I am nat Religius. And thought þat I myn herte sette at reste. vnwist / of hym / þat is þe worthyeste. And kepe alwey my honour and myn name. By alle right it may do me no schame. (110) But right as whan the sonne shyneth brighte. In March þat chaungeth ofte tyme his face. And that a cloude is put with wynd to flighte. whech ouersprat the sonne as for a space. A cloudy thought gan thorw hir soule pace. That ouerspradde hir brighte thoughtes alle. So þat for fere almost she gan to falle. (111) That thought was this allas sith I am fre. Sholde I now loue and put in Iupartye. My sikernesse / and thrallen liberte. Allas how durst I thynk that folye. May I nat wel by oother folk espie. Hir dridful Ioye / hir constreynte and hir peyne. Ther loueth non that she nath wex to pleyne. (112) ffor loue is yit the moste stormy lif. Right of hym self / þat euere was bigonne. ffor euere som mystrust or nyce stryf. Ther is in loue / som cloude is ouer þat sonne. Therto we wrechyd wemmen. nothing konne. whan vs is wo / but wepe and sitte and thynke. Oure wreche is this oure owne wo to drynke. (113) Also thise wikked tonges ben so preste. To speke vs harm / ek men ben so vntrewe. That right anon as cessed is hir liste. So cesseth loue / and forth to loue a newe. But harm Idon / is don whoso it rewe. ffor thogh thise men for loue hem first to rende. fful sharp bygynnynge{punctel} breketh ofte at ende. (114) How ofte tyme may men rede and sen. The tresoun þat to wommen hath be do. To what fyn is swich loue I kan nat sen. Or whar becomth it whan it is ago. Ther is no wight þat woot I trowe so. wher it becomth / lo no wight on it sporneth. That erst was no thing / into nought it torneth. (115) How bisy if I loue ek moste I be. To plesen hem þat Iangle of loue and dremen. And coye hem þat they seyn no harm of me. ffor though ther be no cause yit they semen. Al by for harm þat foolk hir frendes quemen. And who may stoppen euery wikked tonge. Or soun of belles whil þat they be ronge. (116) And after that hir thought began to cleere. And seide / he which þat nothing vndirtaketh. No thing acheueth / be hym loth or dere. And with another though hir herte quaketh. Than slepith hope / and after drede awaketh. Now hote / now cold / but thus bytwix tweye. She rist hir vp and wente for to pleye. (117) And doun the stayre anon right tho she wente. Into hir gardyn / with hir neces thre. And vp and down they maden many a wente. fflexippe / and she Tarbe and antigonee. To pleyne þat it Ioye was to se. And oother of hir wommen a grete route. Hir folwed in the gardyn al aboute. (118) This yerd was large and railed al thaleyes. And shadwed wel with blosmy bowes grene. Ibenched newe and sonded al the weyes. In which she walketh arm in arm bytweyne. Til at the last Antigone the shene. Gan on a Troian lay to syngen cleere. That it a heuene was hir vois to here. (119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.) Sho seyde .O. loue to whom I haue and shal. Ben humble / subgit / trew in myn entente. As I best can to whom lord yiue I al. ffor euere mo myn hertes lust to rente. ffor neuere yit thy grace no wight sente. So blisful cause / as me / my lif to leede. In al Ioye and seurte out of drede. (120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.) The blisful god hath me so wel biset. In loue Iwys / þat al that berith lif. Imagenen ne koude how to be bet. ffor lord with outen Ialousie and strif. I loue oon which is most ententif. To seruen wel / vnweery or vnfeyned. That euer was / and lest with harm destreyned. (121) As he that is the welle of worthynesse. Of treuth ground Mirour of goodlyhede. Of wit appollo / stoon of secrenesse. Of vertu roote / of lust fynder and hede. Thorw weche is alle sorwe fro me dede. Iwis I loue hym best / so doth he me. Now good thrifte haue he wherso þat he be. (122) Whom shold I thonken but yow god of loue. Of al this blisse / in which to bathe Igynne. And thonked be thow lord for that I loue. This is the right lyf þat I am Inne. To flemen alle manere vice and synne. This doth me so to vertue for tentende. That day by day I in my wil amende. (123) And who so seith þat for to loue is vice. Or thraldom / thogh he feele in it destresse. He outher is enuyous or right nyce. Or is vnmyghty / for his sherewednesse. To loue / lo wech maner folk I gesse. Defamen loue / as nothing of hym knowe. They speken but they benten neuere his bowe. (124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.) What is the sonne wors of kynde right. Though that a man for feblesse of hise eyen. May nat endure / on hym to se for bright. Or loue the wors though wrechches on it cryen. No wele is worth / þat may no sorwe dryen. And forthi who þat hath a hed of verre. ffor caste of stones wer hym in the werre. (125) But I with alle myn herte and al my myght. As I haue seide / wol loue vnto my laste. Mi deere herte / and al myn owene knyght. In weche myn herte grouen is so faste. And his in me / þat it shal euere laste. Al drede I first to loue hym to begynne. Now wot I wele ther is no perel Inne. [End of Antigone's Song of Love.] (126) And of hir song / right with that worde she stente. And therwithal / now nece quod Criseide. who made this songe now with so good entente. Antigone anon answerde and seide. Madame Iwis the goodliest Mayde. Of grete estat in al the town of Troye. And let hir lif in most honour and Ioye. (127) fforsoth so it semeth by hyr song Quod tho Criseide / and gan therwith to sike. And seid lord is ther swiche blisse amonge. This loueris / as þei konne faire endite. Yis wis quod fresshe Antigone the white. ffor al the folk þat han or ben on lyue. Ne konne wel the blisse of loue discryue. (128) But wene ye þat euery wrechche woot. The parfit blisse of loue / whi nay Iwys. They wenen al be loue yif oon be hoot. Do wey / do wey they wot no thing of this. Men mosten axe at seintes yif it is Aught fair in heuene / why for they kanu telle. And axeth fendes / is it foul in helle. (129) Criseida no thing therto hir answerede. But seide Iwis it wol be nyght as faste. But euery worde which þat she of hir herde. She gan to prenten in hir herte faste. And ay gan hir lasse for tagaste. Than it dide erst / and synken in hir herte. That she wax somwhat able to conuerte. (130) The dayes honour and the heuenes eye. The nyghtes fo / al this clepe I the sonne. Gan westren faste / and downwarde for to wrye. As he þat hadde his dayes cours Ironne. And white thinges gan to waxen donne. ffor lakke of light / and sterres for tapere. That she and al hir folk in wente I fere. (131) So when it liked hir to gon to reste. And voided weren / tho þat voiden oughte. She seyde þat to slepen wel hir liste. Hir wommen sone vnto hir bed hir broughte. whan al was hust tho lay sho stille and thoughte. Of al this thing / the manere and the wise. Reherse it nedeth naught / for ye ben wise. (132) A nyghtyngale vpon a cedre grene. Under the chamber walle ther as she lay. fful loude song ayein the moone sheene. Paraunter in his briddes wise a lay. Of loue / weche þat made his herte gay. Hym herkened she so long in good entente. That at the laste the dede slepe hir hente. (133) And as she slep anon right ther hir mette. How that an Egle fethered white as boon. Vnder hir breste his longe clowes sette. And out hir herte rente and that anon. And dide his herte into hir brest to gon. Of whech she naught agroos ne no thing smerte. And forth he fleght with herte left for herte. (134) Now lat hir slepe / and we oure tales holde. Of Troilus / þat is to Paleys riden. ffro the scarmuch of the. whiche I tolde. And in his chambre sit and hath abiden. Til two or thre of his messages yeden. ffor Pandarus / and soughten hym so faste. Til they hym fownde and brought hym at the laste. (135) This Pandarus com lepynge in at ones. And seyde thus / who hath ben wel Ibeete. To day / with swerdes. and with slynke stones. But Troilus / þat hath caught hym a hete. And gan to Iape and seyde lord ye sweete. But ris and lat vs soupe and go to reste. And he answerde / do we as the leste. (136) With al the haste goodly that they myght. They spedde hem fro the soper and to bedde. And euery wight out at the dore hym dyght. And where hym liste vpon his wey him spede. But Troilus þat thought his herte bleede. ffor wo / til þat he herde som tidynge. He seide / frend shal I now wepe or synge. (137) Quod Pandarus be stille and lat me slepe. And don thi hood thy nedes spedde be. And chese yif thow wolt daunce or synge or lepe. At short wordes thow shalt truste in me. Sire my nece wol don wel be the. And loue the best / by god and by my trouthe. But lakke of pursuyt make it in thy slouthe. (138) ffor thus ferforth I haue I thy werke bygonne. ffro day to day til this day by the morwe. Hir loue of frendshipe haue I to the wonne. And therto hath she leyd hir feith to borwe. Algate a foot is hameled of thy sorwe. what shold I long sermoun of it holde. As ye han herde bifore / al he hym tolde. (139) But right as floures thorw cold of nyghte. Iclosed / stoupen on hir stalkes lowe. Redressen hem ayein the sonne bright. And spreden in hir kynde cours by rowe. Right so gan tho hise eyen vp to throwe. This Troilus / and seyd o venus dere. Thy myght thi grace / Iheried be it heere. (140) And vnto Pandare he held vp bothe his hondes. And seide lord al thyn be þat I haue. ffor I am hool / al brosten ben my bondes. A thousand Troyes whoso þat me yaue. Ech after oother god so my soule saue. Ne myghten me so gladen / lo my herte. It spredith so for Ioye / it wol to sterte. (141) But lord how shal I don how shal I leuen. whan shal I next my dere herte se. How shal this longe tyme awey be dryuen. Til that thow be ayein at hir fro me. Thow maist answere abid / but he. That hongeth by the neke soth to seyne. In grete disese abideth for the peyne. (142) Al esily now for the loue of Marte. Quod Pandarus / for euery thing hath tyme. So longe abid til þat the nyght departe. ffor also seker as thow list her by me. And god to forn I wol be ther at prime. And for thi werke som what as I shal seye. Or on som oother wight this charge leye. (143) ffor parde god wot I haue euere yit. Be redy the to serue / and to this nyght. Haue I nat feyned / but emforth my wit. Don al thi lust / and shal with al my myght. Do now as I shal seyn / and fare aright. And if thow nylt / wit al thi self thi care. / On me is naught along thyn yuel fare. (144) I wot wel þat thow wisere art than .I. A thousand fold but yif .I. were as thow. God helpe me so / as I woold outrely. Of my owne hond write her right now. A lettre in weche I wolde hir tellen how. I ferde amys and hir biseche of routhe. Now help thiself and leeue it naught for slouthe. (145) And I my self shal therwith to hir gon. And whan thow wost I am with hir there. worth vpon a courcer right anon. Ye hardely right in the best geere. And rid forth by the place as naught ne weere. And thow shalt fynde vs if I may sittynge. At som wyndowe into the strete lokynge. (146) And yif the list than maistow vs salue. And vpon me make thy contenaunce. But by thy lif be war þat thow eschue. To tarien aught / god shelde vs fro meschaunce. Rid forth thy wey / and hold thi gouernaunce. And we wol spek of the somwhat I trowe. Whan thow art gon / to don thyne eris glowe. (147) Towehyng thi lettre thow art wis Inogh. I wot thow nylt it clerkissly endite. As make it with argumentȝ togh. Ne scryueynyssliche ne craftiliche thow wryte. Beblotte it with thi teeris ek a lite. And yif thow write a goodly word al softe. Though it be good reherce it naught to ofte. (148) ffor though the best harper vpon lyue. wolde on the best sonned Ioly harpe. That euere was / with al his fyngers fyue. Touch ay o strenge / or a werble harpe. were his nayles poynted neuere so sharpe. It sholde maken euery wight to dulle. To here his glee / and of his strokes fulle. (149) Ne Iompre ek no discordaunt thing Ifeere. As thus / to vsen termes of sik fisik. In loues termes holde of thi matere. The forme alwey / and do þat it be lik. ffor if a peyntour wolde peynte a pik. with asses fet and heuede it as a ape. It cordeth naught / so uere it but a Iape. (150) This conseil liked wel Troilus. But as a dred louer he seyd this. Allas. my dere brother Pandarus. I am ashamed for to write Iwys. Lest of myn Innocence I seide amys. Or that she nold it for despit reseyue. Than were I dede / ther myght it nothing weyue. (151) To that Pandare answerde yif the lest. Do þat I seye / and lat me therwith gon. ffor by þat lorde þat formed est and west. I hope of it to brynge answere anon. Right of hir hond / and yif that thow nylt non. Lat ben ./ and sory mote he ben his lyue. Ayeins thy lust þat helpith the to thryue. (152) Quod Troilus depardieux ich assente. Sith þat the list / I wol arise and write. And blisful god prey ich with good entente. The viage / and the lettre I shal endite. So spede it / and thow Minerua the white. Yif thow me wit my lettre to deuyse. And sette hym doun / and wrote right in this wyse. (153) (Troilus's Letter.) ffirst he gan hir his right lady calle. His hertes lif his lust / his sorwes leche. Hise blisse / and ek thise oother termes alle. That in swich cas the loueris alle seche. And in ful humble wise as in his speche. He gan hym recomande vnto hir grace. To telle al how it axeth muchel space. (154) And after this ful lowly he hir preyde. To be nat wroth / thogh he of his folye. So hrady was to hir to write and seide. That loue it made / or ellis moste he dye. And pitously gan mercy for to crye. And after þat he seide and leygh ful loude. Hym seluen was litel worth and lesse he koude. (155) And that she wolde han his konnyng excused. That litel was / and ek he dredde hir so. And his vnworthynesse he ay acused. And aftir that than gan he telle his wo. But þat was endles for ay and o. And how he wolde in trowth alwey hym holde. And redde it ouer and gan the lettre folde. (End of Troilus's Letter.) (156) And with his salte teeris gan he bathe. The ruby in his signet and it sette. Vpon the wax deliuerliche and rathe. Therwith a thowsand tymes or he lette. He kiste tho the lettre þat he shette. And seide Iwis a blisful destyne. The shapen is / my lady shal the se. (157) This Pandare vp therwith and þat bytyme. On morwe / and to his neces Paleys sterte. And seide slepe ye yit / and it is pryme. And gan to Iape and seide thus / myn herte. So fressh it is though loue do it smerte. I may nat slepyn neuere a Mayes morwe. I haue a Ioly wo a lusty sorwe. (158) Criseid whan þat she hir vncle herde. with dredful herte and desirous to heere. The cause of his comynge / thus answerde. Now by yowr fey myn vncle quod she deere. what maner wyndes gideth yow now heere. Tel vs yowr Ioly wo and yowr penaunce. How ferforth be ye put in loues daunce. (159) By god quod he I hopp alwey byhende. And she to laught / it thought hir herte brest. Quod Pandarus lok alwey þat ye fynde. Game in mi hood / but herkneth yif yow list. Ther is right now come into town a gest. A grek / espie and telleth newe thinges. For whi come I to telle yow tidynges. (160) Into the gardyn go we and ye shal heere. Al pryuyly of this / a longe sermon. with that they wenten arm in arm Ifeere. Into the gardyn fro the chaumber down. And whan þat he so far was / þat þe soun. Of þat he spak ther no man heren myghte. He seide hir thus / and out the letter plighte. (161) Lo he that is al holly yowres free. Hym recomandeth loughly to yowr grace. And sente yow this lettre her by me. Auyseth yow on it whan ye haue space. And of som goodly answere yow purchace. Or help me god so pleynly for to seyne. He may nat longe lyuen for the peyne. (162) fful dredfully tho gan she stonden stille. And took it naught / but al hir humble cheere. Gan for to chaunge / and seide script ne bille. ffor loue of god / þat toucheth swich matere. Ne brynge me non / and also vncle deere. To myn estat / haue moore rewarde I prey. Than to his lust / what shold I moore seye. (163) And lokith now yif this be resonable. And lettith naught for fauour ne for slouthe. To seyn a soth / now were it couenable. To myn estat / by god and by yowr trouthe. To takyn it / or to han of hym routhe. In harmynge of my self or in repreue. Ber it ayein for hym þat ye on leue. (164) This Pandarus gan on hir for to stare. And seide now is this þe most wonder. That sic. euery I later hand. say / lat be this nyce fare. To dethe mote I smyten be with thonder. If for the Cite which þat stondeth yonder. To yow a lettre wolde I brynge or take. To harm of yow / what list yow thus to make. (165) But thus ye faren wele neygh alle and some. That he þat most desireth yow to serue. Of hym ye rechche lest where he bycome. And whether þat he lyue or ellis sterue. But for al that / þat euere I may deserue. Refuseth it nat quod he and hente hir faste. And in hir bosom down the lettre he thraste. (166) And seide hir cast it awey anon. That folk may seyn / and gauren on vs tweye. Quod she I kan abide til they be gon. And gan to smyle / and seyde hym Em I preye. Swich answere as yow list yowr self purueye. ffor trewely I nyl no letter write. No than wol I quod he so ye endite. (167) Therwith she lough and seide go we dyne. And Pandare gan at hym self to Iape faste. And seide Nece I haue so grete a pyne. ffor loue that euerich oother day I faste. And gan hise beste Iapes forth to caste. And made hir so to laughe at his folye. That she for laughter wende for to dye. (168) And whan þat she was comen into halle. Now Em quod she we wol go dyne anon. And gan som of hir woumen for to calle. And streight into hir chaumbre gan she gon. But of hir bisynesse this was oon. Amonges oother thinges out of drede. fful pryuyly this lettre for to rede. (169) Auysed worde by worde in euery lyne. And fond no lakke / she thought he koude good. And vp it putte / and wente hir Inne to dyne. But Pandarus þat in a studye stode. Er he was war she tok hym by the hood. And seide ye were kaught or that ye wiste. I vouche saue quod he do what yow liste. (170) Tho wesshen they and sette hem down & ete. And after non ful sleyghly this Pandarus. Gan drawe hym to the wyndowe next the strete. And seyde Nece who hath arayed thus. The yonder hous þat stonden afor yin vs. which hous quod she . and gan for to byholde. And knewe it wele / and whos it was hym tolde. (171) And fillen forth in speche of thinges smale. And saten in the wyndowe bothe theyne. whan Pandarus saugh tyme to his tale. And say wel þat hir folk wer al aweye. Now nece myn tel on quod he I seye. How liketh yow the lettre þat ye woot. Kan he theron / for by my trouthe I not. (172) Therwith al rosy hewed tho wax she. And gan to home / and seide so I trowe. Aquyte wel for goddes loue quod he. My self to medes wol the lettre sowe. And held his hondes vp / and fel on knowe. Now good Nece be it neuere so lite. Yif me the labour it to sowe and plite. (173) Ye for I kan so write quod she tho. And ek I not what I sholde hym seye. Nay Nece quod Pandare sey nat so. Yit at the leste thonketh hym I preye. Of his good wil / o doth hym nat to deye. Now for the loue of god my nece deere. Refuseth nat at this tid my preyere. (174) Depardeeux quod she god leue al be wel. God help me so this is the first lettre. That euere I wrote / ye al or any del. And into a closet for to auyse hir bettre. She went allone / and gan hir herte vnfettre. Out of desdaignes prison but a lite. And sette hir down / and gan a lettre write. (175) Of which to telle in schort is myn entente. The effect / as fer / as I kan vndirstonde. She thonked hym of al þat he wel mente. Towardes hir / but holdein hym in honde. She nolde naught / ne mak hir seluen bonde. In loue / but as his suster hym to plese. She wolde ay fayn to don his herte an ese. (176) She shette it and to Pandare in gan gon. Ther as he sat and loked into strete. And down she sette hir by hym on a stoon. Of Iaspre / vpon a quyssen gold Ibeete. And seide as wisly help me god the grete. I neuere ded a thing with more peyne. Than writen this to which ye me constreyne. (177) And took it hym / he thonked hir and seyde. God wot of thing ful ofte loth bygonne. Comth ende good and nece myn Criseide. That ye to hym of hard now ben Iwonne. Oughte he be glad / by god and yonder sonne. ffor why men seith impressions lighte. fful lightly ben ay redy to the flighte. (178) But ye han pleid the tirant neght to lange. And hard was it yowr herte for to graue. Now stynt ye lenger on it honge. Al wolden ye the forme of daunger saue. But hasteth yow to don hym Ioye haue. ffor trusteth wel to longe Idon hardnesse. Causeth despit ful ofte for destresse. (179) And right as they declamed this matere. Lo Troilus right at the stretes ende. Com ridynge with his tente somme Ifeere. Al softely / and thidarward gan bende. Ther as they sete as was hys wey to wende. To paleis ward / and Pandare hym espied. And seide nece / se who comth her ride. (180) O fle nat in he seith vs I suppose. Lest he may thinken þat ye hym eschuwe. Nay nay quod she / and wex as rede as rose. with that he gan hir humblely saluwe. with dredful cheere and eft hise hewes muwe. And vp his look debonairly he caste. And bekked on Pandare / and forth he paste. (181) God wot yif he sat on his hors arighte. Or goodly was byseyn þat ilk day. God wote wher he was lik a manly knyght. what sholde .I. drecche or telle of his array. Criseide which þat al thes thinges say. To telle in schort / hir liked al in in partly erased and I written over it. feere. His persone / his array / his look / his cheere. (182) His goodly manere and his gentilesse. So wel / þat neuere sith þat she was born. Ne hadde she swich routhe of hise destresse. And how so she hath hard ben her byforn. To god hope she hath nowe kaught a thorn. She shal nat pulle it out this next wyke. God sende mo swiche thornes on to pyke. (183) Pandare which þat stood hir faste by. ffelte Iren hoot / and he bygan to smyte. And seyde Nece I prey yow hertely. Tel me / that I shal axen yow a lite. A womman þat were of his deth to white. withoute his gilt but for hir lakke of routhe. were it wel don / quod she nay be my trouthe. (184) God help me so quod he ye sey me soth. Ye felen wel yowr self þat I nat lye. Lo yond he rid / ye quod she so he doth. wel quod Pandare as I haue told yow thrye. Lat be yowr nyce shame and yowr folye. And speke with hym in esynge of his herte. Lat nycete nat do yow bothe smerte. (185) But thareon was to heuen and to doone. Considered al thing it may nat be. And whi / for speche and it weere to soone. To graunt hym yit so grete a liberte. ffor pleynly hir entente as seyde she. was for to loue hym vnwist if she myghte. And guerdon hym with no thing / but with syghte. (186) But Pandarus thought it shal nat be so. Yif þat I may / this nyce opynioun. Schal nat ben holden fully yeres two. what sholde I make of this a longe sermoun. He moste assente on that conclusioun. As for the tyme and when þat was eue. And al was wel he roos and tooke his leue. (187) And on his wey ful faste homwarde he spedde. And right for Ioye he felte his herte daunce. And Troilus he fonde allone abeedde. That lay as don the loueris in a traunce. By twyxen hope and derke desesperaunce. But Pandarus right at his in comynge. He song / as who seyþ sumwhat I brynge. (188) And seide who is in his bede so soone. Iburied thus / it am I thi frende quod he. who Troilus / nay help me so the moone. Quod Pandarus / thow shalt arise and se. A charme / þat was right now sent to the. The whech þat kan heelen the of thi accesse. So þat thow do forth with thy bysynesse. (189) Ye thorugh the myght of god quod Troilus. And Pandarus gan hym the lettre take. And seide parde god hath helpen vs. Haue heere a light and look / on al this blaake. lorde ofte gan the herte glade and quake. Of Troilus / whil þat he gan it reede. So as the wordes yaue hym hope and drede. (190) But fynaly he took al for the beeste. That she hym wrot / for somwhat he beheld. On which hym thought he myghte his herte reste. Al couered she the wordes vndir sheld. Thus to the moore worthy parte he held. That what for hope and Pandarus byheste. Hise grete wo / foryede he at the leeste. (191) But as we may al day oure seluen se. Thorugh moore wode or col the moore fir. Right so encresseth hope of what it be. Therwith ful ofte encressith ek desir. Or as an Ook comth of a litel spir. So thorugh this lettre which þat she hym sende. Encressen kan desir of weche he brende. (192) Therfor I sey alwey þat day and nyght. This Troilus gan to desiren moore. Than he dede erst / thorugh hope / and dede his myght. To presson on / as by Pandarus loore. And writen to hir of hise sorwes soore. ffro day to day / he let it nat refreyde. That by Pandare he som wrot or seyde. (193) And did also hise oother obseruaunces. That til a louere longeth in this caas. And after þat hise dees torned on chaunces. So was he outher glad or seide allas. And held after hise gistes ay his paas. And aftir swich answeres as he hadde. So weere / hise dayes sory outher gladde. (194) But to Pandarus alwey was hise recours. And pitously gan ay vnto hym pleyne. And hym bysoughte of reed som socours. And Pandarus þat sey his wood peyne. wex wel ney ded for routhe the soth to seyne. And bisyly with al hise herte easte. Som of hise wo to sleen and þat as faste. (195) And seyde lorde and frende and brother deere. God woot þat thy disese doth me wo. But woldist þou stynten al thise woful cheere. And by my trouthe or it be dayes two. And god to forn / yit shal I shape it so. That thow shalt com into a certein plase. Ther as thow maist thy seluen prey hir of grace. (196) And certeinly I not yif thow it woost. But tho that ben expert in loue it seye. It is oon of the thinges forthereth moost. A man to haue a leyser for to preye. And siker place is wo for to bywreye. ffor in good herte it moot sum routhe impresse. To heere and se the giltlesse in destresse. (197) Paraunter thinkestow thogh it be so. That kynde wolde hir don for to bygynne. To han a manere routhe vpon my wo. Seith daunger thow shal me neuere wynne. So rewlith her / hir hertes goost with Inne. That thoght she bende yit she stant on roote. What in effect is this vnto my boote. (198) Think her ayeins whan that the sturdy ook. On which men hakketh ofte for the nones. Receyued hath the happy fallynge strooke. The grete sweyght makith it come al at ones. As doon thise Rokkys or thise mylne stoones. ffor swifter cours comth thing / þat is of wighte. whan it descendith than done thinges lighte. (199) But reed þat boweth don for euery blaast. fful lightly cesse wynd it wol arise. But so wil nat an ook whan it is caste. It nedeth me nat longe the forbise. Men shal reioyssen of a grete Emprise. Acheued wel and stant withouten doute. Al han men ben the lenger ther aboute. (200) But Troilus now telle me yif the lest, A thing which þat I schal now axen the. which is thy brother þat thow louest best. As in thi verrey hertes pryuyte. Iwis my brother deiphebus quod he. Quod Pandarus / ar houres twyes xii. He shal the ese vnwist of it hym selue. (201) Now lat malone and werken as I may. Quod he / and to deiphebus wente he tho. which hadde his lord and gret frend ben ay. Saue Troilus no man he loued so. To telle in short withouten wordes mo. Quod Pandarus I prey yow þat ye be. ffrende to a cause which þat touchet me. (202) Yis parde quod deiphebus wel thow woost. In alle þat euere I may and god to fore. Al nere it but for man I loue moost. Mi brother Troilus but sey wherefore. It is / for sith the day þat I was bore. I nas / ne neuere mo to ben I thynke. Ayeins a thing þat myght the forthynke. (203) Pandare hym gan to thank and to hym seyde Lo sire I haue a lady in this town. That is my Nece and called is Criseide. which som men wolden do oppressioun. And wrongfully han hir possessioun. wherfore I of yowr lordshipe I yow biseche. To ben oure frend / withouten moore speche. (204) Deiphebus hym answerd o is nat this That thow spekist of to me thus straungely. Criseida my frend he seyd yis. Than nedeth quod deiphebus hardely. No moore of this for trusteth it wel þat I. wol ben hir chaumpioun with spore and yerde. I roughte nat thoght alle hir foos it herde. (205) But telle me how / thow woost of this matere. It myght best auaillen now lat se. Quod Pandarus yif ye my lorde so deere. wolden as now do this honour to me. And preyen hir to morwe. lo þat she. Come vnto yow / hir pleyntes to deuyse. Hir aduersarie wolde of it agrise. (206) And yif I moore dorste prey as now. And chargen yow to han so grete trauaille. To han som of yowr bretheren her with yow. That myghten in hir cause bet auaille. Than woot I wel she myghte neuere faylle. ffor to ben holpen / what at yowr instaunce. what with hir oothre frendes gouernaunce. (207) Deiphebus which þat comen was of kynde. To alle honour and boonte to consente. Answerde it shal be don and I kan fynde. Yit gretter help to this in myn entente. what wiltow seyne yif for Eleyne I sente. To speke of this / I trow it be the beste. ffor she may leden Parys as hir leste. (208) Of Ector which þat is my lord my brother. It nedeth prey hym frend to be. ffor I haue herde hym o tyme and ek other. Speken of Criseide swich honour þat he. May seyn no bet / swich hap to hym hath she. It nedeth naught hise helpis moore craue. He shal be swich right as we wol hym haue. (209) Speke thow thyself also to Troilus. On my byhalue and prey hym with vs dyne. Sire al this shal be don quod Pandarus. And took his leeue. and neuere gan to fyne. But to his Neces hous as streyght as lyne. He come./ and fond hir fro the mete arise. And sat hym down. and spak right in this wise. (210) He seyde o verray god. so haue I ronne. Lo Nece se ye nat how I sweete. I not whar ye the moore thonk me konne. Be ye nat war how false Poliphete. Is now aboute eftsoones for to pleete. And brynge on yow aduocacies newe. I no quod she / and chaunged al hir hewe. (211) What is he moore aboute me to drechche. And don me wronge what shal I doun allas. Yit of hym self ryght nothinge wolde I rechche. Nere it for antenor and eneas. That ben hise frendes in swich maner cas. But for the loue of god my vncle deere. No fors of that / lat hym haue al Ifeere. (212) Withouten þat I haue Inogh for vs. Nay quod Pandare / it shal nothing ben so. ffor I haue ben right now at deiphebus. At Ector / and myn oothre lordes mo. And shortly / maked ech of hem his fo. That by my thrift / he shal it neuere wynne. ffor aught he kan / whan þat so he bigynne. (213) And as they casten what was best to doone. Deiphebus of his owene curtasye. Com hir to preye in his propre persone. To holde hym on the morwe compaignye. At dyner / which she nolde nat denye. But goodly gan to his preyere obeye. He thonked hir / and wente vpon his weye. (214) Whan this was done this Pandare vp anon. To tellen in short / and forth he gan to wende. To Troilus as stille as any stoone. And al this thing / he tolde hym worde and ende. And how þat he Deiphbus gan to blende. And seide hym / now is tyme yif þat thow konne. To bere the wel to morwe and al is wonne. (215) Now speke / now prey / and pitously compleyne. Let nat for nyce / shame or drede or slouthe. Som tyme a man mot telle his owene peyne. Bileue it / and she shal han on the routhe. Thow shalt be saued by thi feyth in trouthe. But wel wot I þat thow art now in drede. And what it is I leye I kan arede. (216) Thow thinkest now how shal I don al this. ffor by my teres mosten folk espie That for hir loue is þat I fare amys. yit hadde I leuere vnwist for sorwe dye. Now think nat so / for thow doost gret folye. ffor I right now haue fownden o manere. Of slyght / for to coueren al thy cheere. (217) Thow shalt gon ouer nyght and þat bylyue. Vnto deiphebus hous as the to pleye. Thy maladye awey the bet to dryue. ffor why thow semest syk soth for to seye. Soone aftir þat down in the bed the leye. And sey thow maist no lenger vp endure. And lye right ther and byd thyn auenture. (218) Sey þat thi feuere is wont the for to take. The same tyme and lasten to o morwe. And lat see now how wele thow kanst it make. ffor parde sik is he þat is in sorwe. Go now farwel and venus her to borwe. I hope and thow this purpos holde ferme. Thi grace she shal the fully ther conferme. (219) Quod Troilus Iwys thow nedeles. Conseillest me / þat siklich I me feyne. ffor I am sik in ernest douteles. So þat wel nygh I sterue for the peyne. Quod Pandarus thow shalt the bettre pleyne. And hast the lasse ned to countrefete. ffor hym men demyth hoot þat men seen sweete. (220) Lo hold the at thy triste cloose and .I. Shal wel the deer vnto thy bowe dryue. Therwith he took his leue al softely. And Troilus to Paleis wente blyue. So glad ne was he neuere al his lyue. And to Pandarus reed gan alle assente. And to deiphebus hous at nyght he wente. (221) What nedeth yow tellen alle the cheere. That deiphebus vnto his brother maade. Or his accesse / or his siklich manere. How men gan hym with clothes for to laade. Whan he was leyd / and how men wolde hym glaade. But al for naught / he helde forth ay the wyse. That ye han herde Pandare or this deuyse. (222) But certeyn is or Troilus hym leyde. Deiphebus hadde preyd hym ouer nyght. To ben good frend and helpyng to Criseide. God woot þat he graunted anon ryght. To ben hir ful frende with al his myght. But swich a need was it to preye hym thenne. As for to bidde a wood man for to renne. (223) The morwen com and neghen gan the tyme. Of meltid. þat the fayre Queene Eleyne. Shoop hir to ben an houre after the pryme. with deiphebus / to whome she nolde feyne. But as is suster hoomly soth to seyne. She com to dyner in hir pleyne entente. But god and Pandare wist al what this mente. (224) Com ek Criseide al Innocent of this. Antigone hir suster tarbe also. But fle we now prolixite best is. ffor loue of god and lat vs faste go. Right to the effect withooten taalis mo. why al this folk assemblede in this place. And lat vs of hir saluynges pace. (225) Grete honour dede hym deiphebus certeyne. And fedde hym wel with alle þat myght like. But euermo allas was his refreyne. My goode brother Troilus the sike. Lyth yit / and therwithal he gan to sike. And aftir þat he peynede hym to glaade. Hem as he myght / and cheere good he maade. (226) Compleynede ek Eleyne of his siknesse. So feythfully / it pite was to heere. And euery wight gan wexen for accesse. A leche anon / and seyde in this manere. Men curen folk / this charme I wol the leere. But ther sat oon / al liste hir nat to teche. That thoughte / best koude I yit ben his leche. (227) After compleynte hym gonnen they to preyse. As folk don yit whan som wight hath bygonne. To preyse a man / and vp with pris hym reise. A thousand foold yit hiere thanne the sonne. He is þat kan / þat fewe lordes konne. And Pandarus of þat they wolde afferme. He naughte forgat hir preysynge to conferme. (228) Herde alwey this Criseide wel Inogh. And euery worde gan to notifie. ffor which with sobre chere hir herte lough. ffor who is it þat nolde hir glorifie. To mowen swich a knyght to lyue or dye. But alle passe I lest ye to longe dwelle. But for o fyn is al that euere I telle. (229) The tyme com fro dyner for to rise. And as hem oughte arisen euerychone. And gonne a while of this and that deuyse. But Pandarus brak al this speche anon. And seyde to deiphebus wol ye gon. Yif it yowr wille be as I yow preyde. To speke her of the nedes of Criseide. (230) Eleyne the which þat by the hond hir helde. Took first the taale / and seyde go we blyue. And goodly on Criseide she byhelde. And seide Iouis lat hym neuere thryue. That doth yow harm and bryng hym soone of lyue. And yeue me sorwe / but he shal it rewe. Yif þat I may / and al folk be trewe. (231) Tel thow thy Neces cas quod deiphebus. To Pandarus / for thow kanst best it telle. My lordes and my ladyes it stant thus. what sholde I lenger quod he do yow dwelle. He ronge hem out a proces lik a belle. Vnto hir foo / þat hight Poliphete. So heynous þat men myghte on it spete. (232) Answerde of this ech worse of hem than oother. And Poliphete they gonnen thus to warien. An honged be swich were he my brother. And so he shal / for it ne may nat varien. what sholde I lenger in this tale tarien. Pleynlich al atonys they hir highten. To be hir frend in al þat euere þai myghtyn. (233) Spak thanne Eleyne and seide Pandarus. woot ought my lord my brother this matere. I mene Ector / or woot it Troilus. He seyde ye / but wol ye now me heere. Me thinkith this sith þat Troilus is heere. It were good yif þat ye wolde assente. She told hir self hym al this or she wente. (234) ffor he wol haue the moore hir grief at herte. By cause lo þat she a lady is. And by yowr leeue / I wol but in right sterte. And do yow wite and þat anon Iwys. Yif þat he slepe / or wile aught heere of this. And in he lepe and seyde hym in his eere. God haue thy soule Ibrought haue I thy beere. (235) To smyle of this gan tho Troilus. And Pandarus with outen rekenynge. Out wente anon to eleyne and deiphebus. And seide hem / so ther be no taryinge. Ne moore prees / he wol wel þat ye brynge. Criseide my lady þat is here. And as he may endure he wol heere. (236) But wel ye woot the chaumbre nys but lite. And fewe folk may lightly make it warm. Now loketh ye for I wol han no wite. To brynge in prees þat myght don hym harme. Or hym disesen for my bettre arm. wher it be bet she abide til eft soonys. Now lokith ye þat knowen what to don is. (237) I sey for me best is as I kan knowe. That no wight in ne wende but we tweye. But it were I for I kan in a throwe. Reherse hir cas vnlik þat she kan seye. And aftir this she made hym oonys preye. To ben good lord in short and tak hir leeue. This may nat muchel of his ese hym reue. (238) And ek for she is straunge he wol forbere. His ese. which þat hym thar nat for yow. Ek oother thing / þat touchet naught to here. He wol yow telle / I wot it wel ryght now. That secret is / and for the towns prow. And they þat knowen nothing of his entente. withouten moore / to Troilus in they wente. Eleyne in al hir goodly softe wyse. Gan hym salue / and wommanly to pleye. And seide I wis ye mote algate arise. Now faire brother be al hool I preye. And gan hir arm right ouer his sholder leye. And hym with al hir wytte to reconforte. As she best koude she gan hym desporte. (240) So after this quod she we yow byseke. My deere brother deiphebus and .I. ffor loue of god / and so doth Pandare eke. To ben good lord and frend right hertly. Vnto Criseide which þat certeynly. Receyueth wrong / as woot wel her Pandare. That can hir cas wel bet than I declare. (241) This Pandarus gan newe his tonge affile. And al hir cas reherse and þat anon. whan it was seide sone after in a while. Quod Troilus as soone as I may gon. I wol right fayn with al my myght ben oon. Haue god my trouthe hir cause to sustene. Good thrift haue ye quod Elena the Queene. (242) Quod Pandarus yif it yowr wille be. That she may take hir leeue or þat she go. O ellis God forbede tho quod he. Yif þat ye vouch sauf for to do so. And with þat word quod Troilus ye two. Deiphebus and my suster lief and deere. To yow haue I to speke of o matere. (243) To ben auysed by yowr reed the bettre. And fond as hap was at his beddes hed. The copye of a tretys and a lettre. That Ector hadde hym sent to axen reed. Yif swich a man war worthy to ben ded. wot I nat who / but in a grislich wyse. He preyde hem faste / on it auyse. (244) Deiphebus gan this lettre vnfolde. In ernest gret{punctel} so dede Eleyne the Queene. And romynge outward fast it gonne byholde. Downward a steyre / and in an herber grene. This ilke thing / they redden hem bytwyne. And largely the mountenaunce of a houre. They gonne on it to reden and to poure. (245) Now lat hem rede and torn we anon. To Pandarus / þat gan ful faste prye. That al was wel / and out he gan to gon. Into the grette chaumbre and þat in hye. And seyde / god saue al this compaignye. Com Nece myn my lady Queene Eleyne. Abideth yow / and ek my lordes tweyne. (246) Rys take with yow youre Nece Antigone. Or whom yow list / or no fors hardily. The lasse presse the bet com forth with me. And loketh þat ye thonken humblely. Hem al thre / and whan ye may goodly. Yowr tyme se / takith of hem yowr leeue. List we to longe his restes hym byreeue. (247) Al Innocent of Pandarus entente. Quod tho Criseide go we vncle deere. And arm in arm Inward with hym she wente. Auysed wel hir wordes and hir cheere. And Pandarus in ernesful manere. Seide al folk / for goddes loue I preye. Stynteth right heere and softely ye pleye. (248) Auyseth yow what folk ben hir withInne. And in what plit oon is god hym amende. And inward thus ful softely bygynne. O Nece I coniure and heyly yow defende. Of his half / þat soule vs alle sende. And in vertue of Coronnes tweyne. Sle nat this man þat hath for yow this peyne. (249) Fy on the deuyl think which oon he is. And in what plit he lith com of anon. Think al swich taried tid but lost it nyis. That wol ye both. seyn whan ye ben oon. Secoundly ther yit dyuynyth non. Vpon yow two / com of now yif ye konne. whil folk is blent / lo al the tyme is wonne. (250) In titerynge and pursuyte and delayes. The folk deuyne at waggynge of a stre. That thogh ye wolde han after myrle dayes. Than dar ye naught and why / for she and she. Spak swich a word / thus loked he and he. Las tyme Ilost / .I. dar naught with yow deele. Com of therfore and bringeth hym to heele. (251) But now to yow ye loueris þat ben heere. was Troilus nat in a kankedort. That lay and myghte whisprynge of hem heere. And thought o lord right now rennyth my sort. ffully to deye / or han a non confort. And was the first tyme he shulde hir preye. Of loue / .a. myghty god what shal he seye. Explicit liber secundus. Incipit prohemmium secundi Libri. (1) (Proem.) Owt of thise blake wawes for to saylle. O wynde o wynde the weder gynneth clere. ffor in this see the bote hath swych trauaylle. Of my commyng that vnneth I it steere. this see clepe I the tempestous matere. Of disepeir that Troilus was Inne. But now of hope the kalendes bygynne. (2) (Invocation.) O lady myn that called art Cleo. Thow be my speed fro this forth and my Muse. To ryme wel this book til I haue do. Me nedeth here noon othere art to vse. fforwhi to euery louere I me excuse. That of no sentement I this endite. But out of latyn in my tonge it write. (3) Wherfore .I. nyl haue neither thank ne blame. Of al this werk but prey ȝow mekely. Disomblameth me if any word be lame. ffor as myn autour seyde so sey .I. Ek though I speeke of loue vnfelyngly. No wondre is for it no thyng of newe is. A blynde man kan nat Iuggen wel in hewis. (4) Ȝe knowe ek that in fourme of speche is chaunge. withInne a thousand ȝeer and wordes tho. That hadden pris. now wonder nyce and straunge. Us thenketh hem and ȝet thei spake hem so. And spedde as wel in loue as men now do. Ek for to wynnen loue in sondry ages. In sondry londes sondry ben vsages. (5) And forthi if it happe in any wyse. That here be any louere in this place. That herkneth as the storie wel deuise. How Troilus comme to his lady grace. And thenketh so nold I nat loue purchace. Or wondreth on his speche or his doynge. I noot but it is me wondryng. (6) ffor euery wight which that to rome wente. Halt nat o path or alwey o manere. Ek in som lond were al the game shente. If that they ferde in loue as men don here. As thus in opyn doyng or in chere. In visityng in forme or seyde hire sawes. fforthi men seyn ecche contree hath hise lawes. (7) Ek scarsly ben ther in this place thre. That haue in loue seide like an don in al. fforto thi purpos this may liken the. And the right nought ȝet al is seide or schal. Ek som men graue in tree som in stone wal. As it bitit. but syn I haue bigonne. Myn autour shal I folwen if I konne. Explicit prohemmium secundi Libri. Incipit liber secundus. (8) IN may that moder is of monthes glade. That fresshe floures blew and white and rede. Ben quike agayn that wynter dede made. And ful of bawme is fletyng euery mede. whan Phebus doth his bryght bemes sprede. Right in the white bole it so bitidde. As I shal synge on Mayes day the thrydde. (9) That Pandarus for al his wise speche. ffelt ek his parte of loues shotes keene. That koude he neuere so wel of louyng preche. It made his hewe a day ful ofte greene. So shope it hym fil that day a teene. In loue for which in wo to bedde he wente. And made er it was day ful many a wente. (10) The swalowe proigne with a sorowful lay. whan morwen come gan make hire waymentyng. whi she forshapen was and euer lay. Pandare a bedde half in a slombryng. Til she so neigh hym made hire cheteryng. How Tireux gan forth hire suster take. That with the noyse of hire he gan awake. (11) And gan to calle and dresse hym vp to ryse. Remembryng hym his erand was to doone. ffrom Troilus and ek his grete emprise. And caste and knewe in good plite was the moone. To doon viage and took his weye ful soone. Vnto his Neces Palays ther biside. Now Ianus god of entree thow hym gyde. (12) Whan he was come vnto his Neces place. wher is my lady to hire folk quod he. And they hym tolde. and he forth In gan pace. And fonde two othere ladys sete and she. withInne a paued perlour and they thre. Herden a mayden reden hem the geeste. Of the siege of Thebes while hem leste. (13) Quod Pandarus ma dame god ȝow see. with al ȝoure fayre book and al the faire compaignie. Ey vncle myn welcome Iwys quod she. And vp she roos and by the hond in hye. Sho took hym faste and seyde this nyght thrie. To good mot it turne of ȝow I mette. And with that word she doun on benche hym sette. (14) Ȝe Nece ȝee shal faren wel the bette. If god wol al this ȝeere quod Pandarus. But I am sory that I haue ȝow lette. To herken of ȝoure book ȝe preysen thus. ffor goddes loue what seith it telle it vs. Is it of loue o som good ȝe me leere. U[n]cle quod she ȝoure Maistresse is nat here. (15) With that thei gonnen laughe and tho she seyde. This romaunce is of Thebes that we rede. And we han herde how that kynge layus deyde. Thorugh Edippus his sone and al that dede. And here we stynten atte this lettres rede. How the bisshop as the book kan telle. Amphiorax fil thorugh the ground to helle. (16) Quod Pandarus al this knowe I my selue. And alle thassege of Thebes and the care. ffor herof ben ther maked bookes twelue. But lat be this and telle me how ȝe fare. Do wey ȝoure barbe and shewe ȝoure face bare. Do wey ȝoure book rys vp and lat vs daunce. And lat vs don to May som obseruance. (17) I god forbede quod she be ȝe madde. Is that a widewes lif so god ȝow saue. By god ȝe maken me ryght soore adradde. Ȝe ben so wylde it semeth as ȝe raue. It satte me wel bette ay in a Caue. To bidde and rede on hely seyntes lyues. Lat maydens gon to daunce and ȝonge wyues. (18) As euere thrif I quod this Pandarus. Ȝet koude I telle a thyng to doon ȝow pleye. Now Uncle deere quod she telle it vs. ffor goddes loue is than thassege aweye. I am of Grekes so fered that I deye. Nay nay quod he as euere mote I thryue. It is a thing wel bet thanne swyche fyue. (19) Ȝe holy god quod she what thyng is that. what bet than swych fyue .I. nay ywys. ffor al this world ne kan I reden what. It sholde ben som Iape I trowe is this. And but ȝoure seluen telle vs what is is. (sic.) My wit is for tarede it al to leene. As help me god I not nat what ȝe meene. (20) And I ȝoure borugh ne neuere shal for me. This thynge be tolde to ȝow as mote I thryue. And whi so vncle myn whi so quod she. By God quod he that wol I telle as blyue. ffor prudder womman is ther noon on lyue. And ȝe it wist in al the town of Troye. I iape nought as euere haue I Ioye. (21) Tho gan sche wondren moore than biforne. A thousand fold. and down hire eyghen caste. ffor neuere sith the tyme that she was borne. To knowe thyng desired she so faste. And with a syke she seyde hym atte laste. Now Uncle myn I nyl ȝow nought displese. Nor axen mere that may do ȝow disese. (22) So after this with many wordes glade. And frendly tales and with merie chiere. Of this and that they pleide and gonnen wade. In many an vnkoouthe gladde and depe matere. As frendes doon whan thei ben mette y fere. Tyl she gan axen hym how Ector ferde. That was the townes wal and grekes ȝerde. (23) fful wel I thonk it god quod Pandarus. Saue in his arme he hath a litel wownde. And ek his fresshe brother Troilus. The wise worthi Ector the secounde. In whom that alle vertue list habounde. As alle trouth and alle gentilesse. wisedom honour fredom and worthinesse. (24) In good feith Em quod she that liketh me. Thei faren wel god saue hem bothe two. ffor trewelich I holde it grete deynte. A kynges soone in armes wel to do. And ben of goode condiciouns therto. ffor grete power and morale vertue here. In selde yseyn in o persone y fere. (25) In good faith that is soth quod Pandarus. But by my trouthe the kyng hath sones tweye. That is to men Ector and Troilus. That certeynly though that I sholde deye. Thei ben as voide of vices dar I seye. As any men that lyuen vndre the sonne. Hire myght is wyde I knowe and what they konue. (26) Of Ector nedeth it namore for to telle. In al this world ther nys a bettre knyght. Than he that is of worthynesse welle. And he wel moore vertue hathe than myght. This knoweth many a wise and worthi wight. The same pris of Troilus I seye. God help me so I knowe nat swiche tweye. (27) By god quod she of Ector that is sooth. Of Troilus the same thyng trowe .I. ffor dredeles men tellen that he doth. In armes day by day so worthily. And bereth hym here atte home so gentily. To euen wight that alle pris hathe he. Of hem that me were leuest preysed be. (28) Ȝe sey right sooth ywys quod Pandarus. ffor ȝesterday who so hadde with hym ben. He myghte han wondred vpon Troilus ffor neuere ȝet so thikke a swarm of been. Ne fleigh as Grekes for hym gonne fleen. And thorugh the feld in eueri wightes eere. Ther nas no cry but Troilus is there. (29) Now here now ther he hunted hem so faste. Ther nas but Grekes blood and Troilus. Now hem he hurte and hem alle down he caste. Ay wher he wente it was arayed thus. He was hur deth and sheld and lif for vs. That as that day ther dorste non witstonde. whil that he held his blody swerd in honde. (30) Therto he is the frendliest man. Of grete estat that euere I saugh my lyue. And wher hym lest best felawship kan. To swich as hym thynketh able for to thryue. And with that word tho Pandarus as blyue. He took his leue and seyde .I. wol gon henne. Nay blame haue I myn Uncle quod she thenne (31) What aileth ȝow to be thus wery soone. Aud namlich of wommen wol ȝe so. Nay sitteth down by god I haue to doone. with ȝow to speke of wisdom er ȝe go. And eueri wight that was aboute hem tho. That herd that gan fer awey to stonde. whil they two hadde al that hem liste in honde. (32) Whan that hire tale alle brought was to an ende. Of hire estat and of hire gouernaunce. Quod Pandarus now is tyme I wende. But ȝet I say ariseth lat vs daunce. And cast ȝoure widewes habit to mischaunce. what list ȝow thus ȝoure self to disfigure. Sith thow is tid thus faire an auenture. (33) A wel bithought for loue of god quod she. Shal I nat witen what ȝe meene of this. No this thing axeth leyser tho quod he. And eke me wolde muche greue Iwys. If .I. it tolde and ȝe it toke amys. Ȝet were it bet my tonge for to stille. Then seye a soth that were aȝeyns ȝoure wille. (34) ffor Nece by the goddesse Mynerue. And Iupiter that maketh the thondre rynge. And by the blisful venus that I serue. Ȝe ben the womman in this world lyuyng. withouten paramour to my wyttyng. That I best loue and lothest am to greue. And that ȝe weten wel ȝoure self I leue. (35) Iwis vncle quod she grant mercy. Ȝoure frendshipe haue I founden euere ȝit. I am to no man holden trewely. So muche as ȝow and haue so litel quyt. And with the grace of god emforth my wit. As in my gylte I shall ȝow neuere offende. And if I haue er this I wol amende. (36) But for the loue of god I ȝow biseche. As ȝe ben he that I loue mooste and triste. Lat be to me ȝoure frende manere speche. And sey to me ȝoure Nece what ȝow liste. And with that word hire uncle anoon hire kiste. And seyde gladly leue Nece dere. Tak it for good that I shal sey ȝow here. (37) With that she gan hire eighen down to caste. And Pandarus to coghe gan a lite. And seyde Nece alwey lo to the laste. How so it be that som men hem delite. with subtyl art hire tales for to endite. ȝet for al that in hire entencioun. Hire tale is al for som conclusioun. (38) And sith thende is euery tales strengthe. And this matere is so bihouely. what sholde I poynte or drawen it on lengthe. To ȝow that ben my frend so feythfully. And with that word he gan right Inwardly. Byholden hire and loken on hire face And seyde on swiche a Mirour goode grace. (39) Than thought he thus if I my tale endite. Aught harde or make a processe any whyle. She shal no sauour haue therIn but lite. And trowe I wolde hire in my wille bigyle. ffor tendre wittes wenen al be wyle. There as thei kan nought pleynly vnderstonde. fforthi hire wit to seruen wol I fonde. (40) And loked on hire in a bysi wyse. And she was ware that he byhelde hire so. And seyde lord so fast ȝe mauise. Sey ȝe me neuere er now what sey ȝe no. Ȝif ȝys quod he and bet wole er I go. But be my trouthe I thought now if ȝe. Be fortunat. for now men shal it se. (41) ffor euery wight som goodly auenture. Som tyme is shape if he it kan receyuen. But if he wol take of it no cure. whan that it commeth but wilfully it weynen. Lo neyther cas ne fortune hym deceyuen. But ryght his verray slouthe and wrecchednesse. And swiche a wight is for to blame I gesse. (42) Good auenture o beele Nece haue ȝe. fful lightly founden and ȝe konne it take. And for the loue of god and ek of me. Cache it anon lest auenture slake. what sholde I lenger processe of it make. Ȝif me ȝoure honde for in this world is noon. If that thow list a wight so wel bygon. (43) And sith I speke of good entencioun. As .I. to ȝow haue told wel here byforn. And loue as wel ȝoure honour and renoun. As creature in al this world yborn. By alle tho othes that I haue ȝow sworn. And ȝe be wrooth therfore or wene I lye. Ne shal I neuere sen ȝow eft with eye. (44) Beth naught agast ne quaketh naught wherto. Ne chaungeth naught for feere so ȝoure hewe. ffor hardely þe werst of this is do. And though my tale as now be to ȝow newe. Ȝet trist alwey ȝe shal me fynde trewe. And were it thyng that me thoughte vnsittyng. To ȝow wolde I no swiche tales brynge. (45) And good Em for goddes loue I preye. Quod she come of and telle me what it is. For both I am agast what ȝe wol seye. And ek me longeth it to wite ywys. ffor whethir it be wel or be amys. Say on lat me nat in this feere dwelle. So wol I doon now herkeneth I shal telle. (46) Now Nece myn the kynges deere sone. The good wis worthi fresshe and free. which alwey for to don wel is his wone. The noble Troilus so loueth the. That but ȝe helpe it wol his bane be. Lo here is alle what sholde I moore sey. Doth what ȝow lest to make hym lyue or dey. (47) But if ȝe late hym deye I wol sterue. Haue here my trouthe Nece I nyl nat lyen. Al sholde I with this knyf my throte kerue. with that the teris breste oute of his eighen. And seide if that ȝe don vs bothe dyen. Thus giltles than haue ȝe fisshed fayre. what mende ȝe though that we booth appaire. (48) Allas he which that is my lord so deere. That trewe man that noble gentil knyght. That naught desireth but ȝoure frendly cheere. I se hym deyen ther he goth vpryght. And hasteth hym with al his ful myght. ffor to ben slayn if his fortune assente. Allas that god ȝow swich a beaute sente. (49) If it be so that ȝe so cruel be. That of his deth ȝow list nought to recche. That is so trewe and worthi as ȝe se. Namoore than of a Iaper or a wrecche. If ȝe be swich ȝoure beaute may nat strecche. To make amendes of so cruel a dede. Auysement is good byfore the nede. (50) Wo worth the faire gemme vertuelees. wo worth that herbe also that dooth no boote. wo worth that beaute that is routheeles. wo worth that wight that tret eche vndir foote. And ȝe that ben of beaute crop and roote. If therwith al in yow be no routhe. Than is it harme ȝe lyuen by my trouthe. (51) And also think wel that this is no gaude. ffor me were leuere thow and I and he. were hanged than I sholde ben his baude. As heigh as men myghte on vs alle ysee I am thyn Em the shame were to me. As wel as the if that I sholde assente. Thorugh myn abbet that he thyn honour shente. (52) Now vnderstonde for I ȝow nought requere. To bynde ȝow to hym thorugh no byheste. But only that ȝe make hym bettre chiere. Than ȝe han doon er this and moore feste. So that his lif be saued atte leeste. This al and somme and pleynly oure entente. God help me so I neuere other mente. (53) Lo this requeste is naught but skylle ywys. Ne doute of reson pardee is ther noon. I sette the worste that ȝe dredden this. Men wolde wondren sen hym com or goon. There aȝeins answere I thus anoon. That euery wight but he be fool of kynde. wol deme it loue of frendshipe in his mynde. (54) What who wold demen though he se a man. To temple go that he thymages eteth. Thenk ek how wel and wisely that he kan. Gouerne hym self that he nothyng forȝeteth. That where he commeth he pris and thank hym geteth. And ek therto he shal comme here so selde. what force were it though al the town byhelde. (55) Swych loue of frendes regneth al this towne. And wre ȝow in that mantel euere moo. And god so wys be my sauacioun. As I haue seyde ȝoure beste is to do soo. But alwey good Nece to stynte his woo. So lat ȝoure daunger sucred ben a lite. That of his deth ȝe be naught for to wite. (56) Criseyde which that herde hym in this wise. Thought I shal felen what he meneth ywis Now Em quod she what wolde ȝe deuise. what is ȝoure rede I sholde don of this. That is wele seyde quod he certein best is. That ȝe hym loue aȝeyn for his louynge. As loue for loue is skilful guerdonynge. (57) Thenk ek how elde wasteth euery houre. In eche of ȝow a partie of beautee. And therfore er that age the deuoure. Go loue. for olde ther wol no wight of the. Lat this prouerbe a loore vnto ȝow be. To late ywar quod beaute whan it paste. And elde daunteth daunger at the laste. (58) The kynges fool is wont to crien loude. whan that hym thinketh a womman berth hire heighe. So longe mote ȝe lyue and alle proude. Til crowes feet be growen vnder ȝoure eighe. And sende ȝow than a myrour in to prye. In which that ȝe may se ȝoure face a morwe. Nece I bidde wisshe ȝow namore sorwe. (59) With this he stynte and caste adown the hede. And she began to breste a wepe anoon. And seyde allas for wo why nere I deede. ffor of this world the feyth is al agoon. Allas what sholden straunge to me doon. when he that for my beste frende I wende. Ret me to loue and sholde it me defende. (60) Allas I wolde han trusted douteles. That if that I thorugh my disauenteur. Hadde loued outher hym or achilles. Ector or any mannes creature. Ȝe nolde han hadde no mercy ne mesure. On me. but alwey had me in repreue. That false worlde allas who may it leue. (61) What is this al the Ioye and alle the feste. Is this ȝoure reed is this my blisful cas. Is this the verray mede of ȝoure byheeste. Is al this paynted proces seyd allas. Right for this fy o lady myn pallas. Thow in this dredeful cas purueye. ffor so astoned am I that I deye. (62) Wyth that she gan ful sorwfully to syke. A may it be no bet quod Pandarus. By god I shal namore com here this wyke. And god aforn that am mystrusted thus. I se ful wel that ȝe sette lite of vs. Or of oure deth. allas I woful wrecche. Might he ȝet lyue of me is nought to recche. (63) O cruel god .o. dispitous Marte. O furies thre of helle on ȝow I crye. So lat me neuere out of this hous departe. If that I mente harm or any vilenye. But sith I se my lord mot nedes dye. And .I. with hym here I me shryue and seye. That wikkedly ȝe don vs bothe deye. (64) But sith it liketh ȝow that .I. be dede. By Neptimus sic. that god is of the see. ffro this forth shal I neuere eten brede. Til I myn owen herte blood may see. ffor certeyn I wol deye as soone as he. And vp he sterte and on his wey he raughte. Til she agayn hym by the lappe kaughte. (65) Criseyde which that wel neigh starf for feere. So as she was the ferfulleste wighte. That myghte be and herde ek with hire ere. And saugh the soruful ernest of the knyght. And in his preier ek saugh noon vnryght. And for the harm that myghte ek fallen moore. She gan to rewe and dredde hire wonder soore. (66) And thoughte thus vnhappes fallen thikke. Alday for loue and in swyche manere cas. As men ben cruel in hemself and wikke. And if this man sle here hymself allas. In my presence it wol be no solace. what men wolde of hit deme I kan nat seye. It nedeth me ful sleigly for to pleie. (67) And with a sorowful sike she sayde thrie. A lord what me is tid a sory chaunce. ffor myn estat lith now in Iupartie. And ek myn Emes lif is in balaunce. But Natheles with goddes gouernaunce. I shal so doon myn honour shal I kepe. And ek his lif and stynte for to wepe. (68) Of harmes two the lesse is for to chese. Ȝet haue I leuere maken hym good chere. In honour than myn Emes lyf to lese. ȝe seyn. ȝe nothyng elles me requere. No wis quod he myn owen Nece dere. Now wel quod she and I wol doon myn peyne. I shal myn herte aȝeins my luste constreyne. (69) But that .I. nyl nat halden hym in honde. Ne loue a man ne kan I naught ne may. Aȝeins my wyl but elles wol I fonde. Myn honour sauf plesen hym fro day to day. Therto nolde I nat ones han seyde nay. But that I dredde as in my fantasye. But cesse cause ay cesseth maladie. (70) And here I make a protestacioun. That in this proces if ȝe depper go. That certeynly for no saluacioun. Of ȝoure thought that ȝe steruen bothe two. Though al the world on a day be my fo. Ne shal I neuere of hym han other routhe. I graunte wel quod Pandare by my trowthe. (71) But may I truste wel therto quod he. That of this thyng that ȝe han highte me here. Ȝe wole it holden trewely vnto me. Ȝe doutelees quod she myn vncle deere. Ne that I shal han cause in this matere. Quod he to pleyn. or after ȝow to preche. why no perde what nedeth moore speche. (72) Tho fellen they in other tales glade. Tyl at the laste O good Em quod she tho. ffor his loue which that vs bothe made. Tel me how first ȝe wisten of his wo. woot noon of it but ȝe he seyde no. Kan he wel speke of loue quod she I preye Tel me for I the bet me shal purueye. (73) Tho Pandarus a litel gan to smyle. And seyde by my trouthe I shal ȝow telle. This other day naught gon ful longe while. In with the paleis gardyn by a welle. Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle. Right for to speken of an ordinaunce. How we the grekes myghten disauaunce. (74) Soon after that bigonne we to lepe. And casten with oure dartes to and fro. Tyl at the laste he seyde he wolde slepe. And on the gres adoun he leyde hym tho. And I therafter gan romen to and fro. Til that I herde as that I welk alone. How he bigan ful wofully to grone. (75) Tho gan I stalke hym softly byhynde. And sikirly the sooth for to seyne. As I kan clepe aȝein now to my mynde. Right thus to loue he gan hym for to pleyne. He seyde lord haue routhe vpon my peyne. Al haue I ben rebell in myn entente. Now. mea culpa. lord I me repente. (76) O god that at thi disposicioun Ledest the fyn by Iuste purueiaunce. Of euery wight my lowe confessioun. Accepte in gree and sende me swich penaunce. As liketh the but from disesperaunce. That may my goost departe awey fro the. Thow be my sheld for thi benignite. (77) ffor certes lord so soore hathe she me wounded. That stood in blak with lokyng of hire eyen. That to myn hertes botme it is ysounded. Thorugh which I woot that I moot nedes deyen. This is the werste I dar me nat bywreyen. And wel the hotter ben the gledes rede. That men hem wrien with asshen pale and dede. (78) With that he smote his hede down anon. And gan to motre I noot what trewely. And I with that gan stille awey to goon. And leet therof as no thinge wist had I. And com aȝein anon and stood hym by. And seyde awake ȝe slepen al to longe. It semeth nat that loue doth ȝow longe. (79) That slepen so that no man may ȝow wake. who sey euere or this so dul a man. Ȝe frend quod he do ȝe ȝoure hedes ake. ffor loue and lat me lyuen as I kanne. But though that he for wo was pale and wanne. Ȝet made he tho as fresshe a countenaunce. As though he sholde haue led the new daunce. (80) This passed forth til now this other day. It felte that I com romyng al allone. Into his chaumbre and fonde how that he lay. Vpon his bed but man so soore grone. Ne herde I neuere and what that was his mone. Ne wist I nought for as I was commyng Al sodeynly he lefte his complaynyng. (81) Of which I took somwat suspecioun. And ner I com and fonde he wepte soore. And god so wys be my sauacioun. As neuere of thyng hadde I no routhe moore. ffor neither with engyne ne with no loore. Unnethes myghte I fro the deth hym kepe. That ȝet fele I myn herte for hym wepe. (82) And god woot neuere sith that I was borne. was I so besy no man for to preche. Ne neuere was to wight so depe Isworn. Er he me told who myghte ben his leche. But now to ȝow rehercen al his speche. Or all his woful wordes for to sowne. Ne bid me naught but ȝe wol se me swowne. (83) But for to saue his lif and elles nought. And to noon harm of ȝow thus am I dryuen. And for the loue of god that vs hath wrought. Swiche cheer hym dooth that he and I may lyuen. Now haue I plat to ȝow myn herte shryuen. And sith ȝe woot that myn entent is cleen. Take heede therof for I non yuel meen. (84) And right good thrifte I prey to god haue ȝe. That han swich oon ykaught withouten net. And be ȝe wis as ȝe be faire to see. wel in the rynge than is the rubie set. Ther were neuere two so wel ymet. whan ȝe ben his al hool as he is ȝoure. Ther myghty god graunte vs see that houre. (85) Nay therof spak I nought ha ha quod MS. quo she. As helpe me god ȝe shenden euery deel. O mercy dere Nece anon quod he. what so I spak I mente naught but wel. By Mars the god that helmed is of steel. Now beth naught wrothe my blood my Nece dere. Now wel quod she forȝeuen be it here. (86) With this he took his leue and home he wente. And lord he was glad and wel bygon. Criseyde aros no lenger she no stente. But streght into hire closet wente anon. And set hire doun as stylle as any ston. And euery word gan vp and down to wynde. That he had seyde as it come hire to mynde. (87) And was somdel astoned in hire thoughte. Right for the newe cas but whan that she. was ful auysed tho fonde she right noughte. Of peril why she ought afered be. ffor man may loue of possibilite. A womman so his herte may to breste. And she naught loue aȝein but if hire liste. (88) But as she sat allone and thought thus. Ascry aros at scarmuch al withoute. And men criden in the strete se Troilus. Hath right now put to flighte the grekes route. with that gan al hire meigne for to shoute. A go we se. caste vp the ȝates wyde. For thorwgh this strete he moot to paleys ride. (89) ffor other wey is to the ȝate noon. Of Dardanus there opyn is the cheyne. with that comme he and al his folk anoon. An esy pas rydyng in routes tweyne. Right as his happy was sooth to seyne. ffor which men seyn may nought destroubed be. That shal bityden of necessitee. (90) This Troilus sat on his baye steede. Al armed saue his hede ful richely. And wownded was his hors and gan to blede. On which he rood a pas ful softely. But swich a knyghtly sighte trewely. As was on hym was nought withouten faille. To loke on Mars that god is of bataille. (91) So lik a man of armes and a knyght. He was to seen fulfilled of heigh prowesse. ffor bothe he hadde a body and a myght. To don that thing as wel as hardynesse. And ek to seen hym in his gere hym dresse. So fresshe so ȝong so weldy semed he. It was an heuen vpon hym for to see. (92) His helme to hewen was in twenty places. That by a tyssew heng his bak byhynde. His sheeld to dasshed was with swerdes and maces. In which men myght many an arwe fynde. That thirled hadde horn and nerf and rynde. And ay the peple cryde here cometh oure Ioye. And next his brother. holder vp of troye. (93) ffor which he wex a litel reed for shame. whan he the peple vpon hym herd cryen. That to byholde it was a noble game. How sobrelich he caste down his eyen. Criseyda gan al his chere aspien. And leet so softe in hire herte synken. That to hire self she seyde who ȝaf me drynken. (94) ffor of hire owen thought she wex al reed. Remembryng hire right thus lo this is he. which that myn vncle swerith he moot be deed. But I on hym haue mercy and pitee. And with that thought for pure ashamed she. Gan in hire hede to pulle and that as faste. whil he and alle the peple forby paste. (95) And gan to caste and rollen vp and down. with Inne hire thought his excellent prowesse. And his estat and also his renown. His wit his shap and ek his gentilesse. But moost hire fauour was for his distresse. was al for hire and thought it was a routhe. To sleen swich oon if that he mente trouthe. (96) Now myghte som envious Iangle thus. This was a sodeyn loue how myght it be. That she so lightly loued Troilus. Right for the first syght ȝe parde. Now who seith so mote he neuere ythe. ffor euery thyng a gynnyng hath it nede. Er al be wrought withowten any drede. (97) ffor I sey nought that she so sodeynly. Ȝaf hym hire loue but that she gan enclyne. To like hym first and I haue told ȝow whi. And after that his manhode and his pyne. Made loue withInne hire for to myne. ffor which by processe and by good seruyse. He gat hire loue and in no sodeyn wyse. (98) And also blisful venus wel arrayed. Sat in hire seuenthe hous of heuene tho. Disposed wel and with aspectes payed. To helpe sely Troilus of his woo. And soth to seyne she nas not al a foo. To Troilus in his natiuitee. God woot that wel the sonner spedde he. (99) Now lat vs stynte of Troilus a throwe. That rideth forth and lat vs torne faste. Unto Criseyde that heng hire hed ful lowe. Ther as she sat allone. and gan to caste. where on she wolde apoynte hire atte laste. If it so were hire Em ne wolde cesse. ffor Troilus vpon hire for to presse. (100) And lord so she gan in hire thoughte argue. In this matere. of which I haue ȝow tolde. And what to doone best were and what eschewe. That plited she ful ofte in many folde. Now was hire herte warm now was it colde. And what she thoughte somwhat shal I write. As to myn autour listeth for tendite. (101) She thought wel that Troilus persone. She knew by syghte and ek his gentilesse. And thus she seyde al were it nat to doone. To graunte hym loue that for his worthynesse. It were honour with pleye and with gladnesse. In honestee with swich a lord to deele. ffor myn estate and also for his heele. (102) Ek wel woot I my kynges sone is he. And sith he hath to se me swiche delite. If I wolde outreliche his sighte flee. Peraunter he myghte haue me in dispite. Thorugh whicche I myghte stonde in worse plite. Now were I wis me hate purchace. withouten nede ther I may stonde in grace. (103) In euery thyng I woot there lith mesure. ffor though a man forbede dronkenesse. He naught forbet that euery creature. Be drynkeles for alwey as I gesse. Ek sith I woot for me is his destresse. I ne aughte naught for that thing hym despise. Sith it is so he meneth in good wyse. (104) And eke .I. knowe of longe tyme agon. His thewes goode and that he is nat nyce. Nauantour seith men certein is he noon. To wise is he to doon so grete a vice. Ne als I nyl hym neuere so cherice. That he may make a vaunt by Iuste cause. He shal me neuere bynde in swiche a clause. (105) Now sette a caas the hardest is ywys. Men myghten demen that he loueth me. what dishonour were it vnto me this. May iche hym lette of that why nay parde. I knowe also and alday heere and se. Men louen wommen al biside hire leue. And whan hem leste namore lat hem byleue. (106) I thenk ek how he able is for to haue. Of al this ilk noble towne the thriftieste. To ben his loue so she hire honour saue. ffor oute and oute he is the worthieste. Saue only Ector which that is the beste. And ȝet his lif al lith now in my cure. But swich is loue and ek myn auenture. (107) Ne me to loue a wonder is it nought. ffor wel woote I my self so god me spede. Al wolde I that noon wiste of this thought. I am oon the faireste out of drede. And goodlieste who that taketh hede. And so men seyn in al the town of Troie. what wonder is though he of me haue Ioye. (108) I am myn owene womman wel atte ese. I thank it god as after myn estate. Right ȝonge and stonde vnteyde in lusty leese. withouten Ialousie or swiche debate. Shal noon housbond seyn to me chek mate. ffor either they ben ful of Ialousie. Or maisterfull or louen nouellerie. (109) What shal .I. doon to what fyn lyue I thus. Shal I nat loue in cas if that me leste. What pardeux I am naught religious. And though that I myn herte sette at reste. Upon this knyght that is the worthieste. And kepe alwey myn honour and my name. By alle right it may do me no shame. (110) But right as when the sonne shyneth bright. In marche that chaungeth ofte tyme his face. And that a cloude is put with wynde to flight. which ouersperat the sonne as for a space. A cloudy thought gan thorugh hire soule pace. That ouerspradde hire brighte thoughtes alle. So that for feere almoste she gan to falle. (111) That thought was this allas syn I am free. Sholde I now loue and put in Iupertie. My sikernesse and thrallen libertee. Allas how dorst I thenken that folie. May I naught wel in other folk aspie. Hire dredfull Ioye hire constreinte and hire peyne. Ther loueth noon that she nath wey to pleyne. (112) ffor loue is ȝet the moost stormy lyf. Right of hym self that euere was bigonne. ffor euere som mystrust and Nice strif. Ther is in loue som cloude is ouere that sonne. Therto we wrecched wommen. nothing konne. whan vs is wo but wepe and sitte and thinke. Oure wrecche is this oure owen wo to drynke. (113) Also this wikked tonges ben so preste. To speke vs harme ek men ben so vntrewe. That right anon as cessed is hire leste. So cesseth loue and forth to loue a newe. But harm ydoon is doon whoso it rewe. ffor though thise men for loue hem first to rende. fful sharp bygynnyg{punctel} breketh ofte at ende. (114) How ofte tyme hath it yknowen be. The tresoun that to wommen hath ben do. To what fyn is swich loue I kan nat see. Or wher bycommeth it whan that it is ago. Ther is no wight that woot I trowe so. where it bycommeth lo no wight on it sporneth. That erst was no thing in to nought it torneth. (115) How bisy if I loue ek most I be. To plesen hem that Iangle of loue and dremen. And coye hem they seye noon harme of me. ffor though ther be no cause ȝet hem semen. Al be for harm that folk hire frendes quemen. And who may stoppen euery wikked tonge. Or sown of belles whil that thei ben ronge. (116) And after that hire thought gan for to clere. And seide he which that nothing vndertaketh. No thyng nacheueth be hym looth or deere. And with an other thought hire herte quaketh. Than slepeth hope and after drede awaketh. Now hoot now colde but thus bitwixen tweye. She rist hire vp and wente here for to pleye. (117) Adown the steyre anon right tho she wente. Into the garden with hire Neces thre. And vp and down ther made many a wente. fflexippe she Tharbe and antigone. To pleyen that it Ioye was to see. And other of hire wommen a grete route. Hire foloweden in the garden al abowte. (118) This ȝerde was large and rayled alle thales. And shadewed wel with blosum bowes grene. And benched newe and sonded alle the weyes. In which she walketh arm in arm bitwene. Til atte the laste antigone the shene. Gan on a Troian songe to singen cleere. That it an heuen was hire vois to here. (119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.) She seyde .O. loue to whom I haue and shal. Ben humble subgit trewe in myn entente. As I best kan to ȝow lord ȝeue ich al. ffor euere mo myn hertes luste to rente. ffor neuere ȝet thi grace no wight sente. So blisful cause. as me my lif to lede. In alle Ioie and seurete oute of drede. (120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.) Ȝe blisful god han me so wel byset. In loue Iwys that al that bereth lif. ymagynen ne kouthen how to be bette. ffor lord withouten Ialousie or strif. I loue on which that moost is ententif. To seruen wel vnweri or vnfeyned. That euere was and leest with harm desteyned. (121) As he that is the welle of worthynesse. Of trouthe grownde Mirour of goodlichede. Of wit apollo stoon of sikernesse. Of vertue roote of lust fynder and hede. Thorugh which is alle sorwe fro me dede. Iwis I loue hym beste so doth he me. Now good thrifte haue he wherso that he be. (122) Whom shulde I thanken but ȝow god of loue. Of alle this blisse in which to bathe I gynne. And thanked be ȝe lord for that I lyue. This is the right lif that I am Inne. To flemen al manere vice and synne. This dooth me so to vertue for tendende. That day by day I in my wille amende. (123) And who seith that for to loue is vice. Or thraldom though he feele in it destresse. He outher is enuyous or right nyce. Or is vnmyghty for his shrewednesse. To louen. for swhich manere folk I gesse. Defamen loue. as nothing of it knewe. Thei speken but thei benten neuere his bowe. (124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.) What is the sonne wers of kynde right. Though that a man for feeblesse of his eighen. May nought endure on it to see for bright. Or loue the wers though wrecches on it crien. No wel is worth that may no sorwe dryen. And forthi who that hath an hed of verre. ffro caste of stones war hym in the werre. (125) But I with al myn herte and al my myghte. As I haue seyde wol loue vnto my laste. My deer herte and al myn owen knyghte. In which myn herte growen is so faste. And his in me. that it shal euere laste. Al dredde I first to loue hym to bigynne. Now woot I wel ther is no peril Inne. [End of Antigone's Song of Love.] (126) And of hir song right with that word she stente. And therwithal now Nece quod Cryseyde. who made this songe now with so good entente. Antygone answerde anoon and seyde. Madame-Iwys the goodlieste Mayde. Of gret estat in al the town of Troye. And let hire lif in moste honour and Ioye. (127) fforsothe so it semeth by hire songe. Quod tho Criseyde and gan therwith to sike. And seyde lord is ther swych blisse amonge. Thise loueres as they kan faire endite. Ȝe wis quod fresshe antigone the white. ffor alle the folk that han or ben on lyue. Ne konne wel the blisse of loue discryue. (128) But wene ȝe that euery wrecche woot. The parfite blisse of loue why nay Iwys. They wenen all be loue if oon be hoot. Do wey do wey they woot no thyng of this. Men moste axe at seyntes if it is. Aught faire in heuene why for they kan telle. And axen fendes is it foule in helle. (129) Criseyde vnto that purpos naught answerde. But seyde ywys it wille be nyght as faste. But euery word which that she of hire herde. She gan to prenten in hire herte faste. And ay gan loue lasse hire for tagaste. Than it dide erst and synken in hire herte. That she wex somwhat able to conuerte. (130) The dayes honour and the heuenes heye. The nyghtes foo al this clepe I the sonne. Gan westren faste and downward for to wrye. As he that hadde his dayes cours yronne. And white thynges wexen dymme and donne. ffor lakke of lyght and sterres for tapere. That she and alle hire folk In went yfeere. (131) So whan it liked hire to go to reste. And voided weren thei that voiden oughte. She seyde that to slepen wel hire leste. Hire wommen soon til hire bedde hire broughte. whan al was hust than lay she stille and thoughte. Of al this thing the manere and the wise. Reherce it nedeth nought for ȝe ben wise. (132) A nyghtyngale vpon a Cedir grene. Under the chambre wal ther as she ley. fful loude songe aȝein the moone shene. Peraunter in his briddes wise a lay. Of loue that made hire herte fressh and gay. That herkned she so longe in good entente. That at the laste the dede slepe hire hente. (133) And as she slep anon right tho hire mette. How that an Egle fethered whit as bon. Under hire brest his longe clawes sette. And oute hire herte he rente and that anone. And dide his herte into hire brest to gone. Of which she nought agroos ne nothyng smerte. And forth he fleigh with herte lefte for herte. (134) Now lat hire slepe and we oure tales holde. Of Troilus that is to paleis riden. ffro the scarmuch of the which I tolde. And in his chaumbre sit and hath abiden. Til two or thre of his messages ȝeden. ffor Pandarus and soughten hym ful faste. Til they hym founde and broughte hym at the laste. (135) This Pandarus come lepyng In attones. And seyde thus who hath ben wel Ibete. To day with swerdes. and with slyng stones. But Troilus that hath caught hym an hete. And gan to Iape and seyde lord so ȝe swete. But ris and lat vs soupe and go to reste. And he answerd hym do we as the leste. (136) With alle the haste goodly that they myghte. They spedde hem fro the soper vnto bedde. And euery wight out at the dore hym dyght. And where hym liste vpon his wey he spedde. But Troilus thoughte his herte bledde. ffor wo til that he herde som tydyng. He seyde frend shal I now wepe or syng. (137) Quod Pandarus ly stylle and lat me slepe. And don thyn hood thy nedes spedde be. And chese if thow wolt synge or daunce or lepe. At shorte wordes thow shal trowen me. Sire my Nece wol do wel by the. And loue the best by god and by my trouthe. But lakke of pursuyt make it in thi slouthe. (138) ffor thus farford I haue thi werk bigonne. ffro day to day til this day by the morwe. Hire loue of frendshipe haue I to the wonne. And also hath she leyde hire feyth to borwe. Algate a foot is hameled of thi sorwe. what sholde I lenger sermon of it holde. As ȝe han herde byfore and al he hym tolde. (139) But right as floures thorugh the colde of nyght. Iclosed stoupen on hire stalk lowe. Redressen hem aȝein the sonne bright. And spreden on hire kynde cours by rowe. Right so gan the his eighen vp to throwe. This Troilus and seyde O venus deere. Thi myght thi grace yheried be it here. (140) And to Pandare he held vp bothe his hondes. And seyde lord al thyn be that I haue. ffor I am hool and brosten ben myn bondes. A thousand Troyens who so þat me ȝaue. Ech after other god so wys me saue. Ne myghte me so gladen. lo myn herte. It spredeth so for Ioie it wol to sterte. (141) But lord how shal I doon how shal I lyuen. whan shal I next my decre herte see. How shal this longe tyme awey be dryuen. Til that thow be aȝein at hire fro me. Thow maist answer abide abide but he. That hangeth by the nekke soth to seyne. In grete disese abideth for the peyne. (142) Al esily now for the loue of Marte. Quod Pandarus for euery thing hath tyme. So longe abid til that the nyght departe. ffor also siker as thow list here by me. And god to forn I wyl be ther at pryme. And for thi werk som what as I shal seye. Or on som other wight this charge leye. (143) ffor pardee god woot I haue euere ȝit. But redy the to serue and to this nyght. Haue I naught fayned but euenforth my wit. Done al thi lust and shal with al my myght. Do now as I shal seyn and fare aright. And if thow nylt wite al thi self thi care. On me is nought alonge thyn yuel fare. (144) I woot wel that thow wiser art than .I. A thousand fold but if .I. were as thow. God help me so as I wolde outrely. Of myn owen honde write hire right now. A lettre in which I wolde hire tellen how. I ferd amys and hire biseche of routhe. Now help thi self and leue it nought for slouthe. (145) And I my self wol therwith to hire gon. And whan thow woost that I am with hire there. worth thow vpon a Courser right anon. Ȝe hardily right in thi beste gere. And ryde forth by the place as nought it were. And thow shal fynde vs if I may sittyng. At som wyndow into the strete lokyng. (146) And if the list than may thow vs salue. And vpon me make thow thi countenaunce. But by thi lif be war and faste eschue. To tarien ought god shilde vs fro meschaunce. Ride forth thi wey and holde thi gouernaunce. And we shal speek of the somwhat I trowe. Whan thow art gon to don thyn eris glowe. (147) Towchyng thi lettre though art wys ynough. I woot thow nylt it dygneliche endite. As make it with thise argumentes tough. Ne scryuenyssh or craftly thow it write. Biblotte it with thi teris ek a lite. And if thow write a goodly word al softe. Though it be good reherce it nought to ofte. (148) ffor though the beste harpour vpon lyue. Wolde on the beste sowned Ioly harpe. That euere was with alle his fyngres fyue. Touche ay o stryng or ay o werbul harpe. wer his nayles poynted neuere so sharpe. It sholde maken euery wight to dulle. To here his glee and of his strokes fulle. (149) Ne Iompre ek no disconcordant thyng yfeere. As thus to vsen termes of Phisik. In loues termes hold of thi matere. The forme alwey and do that it be lik. ffor if a peyntour wolde peynte a pyk. with asses feet and hedde it as an ape. It cordeth naught so uere it but a Iape. (150) This counseil liked wel vnto Troilus. But as a dredful louere he seyde this. Allas. my deere brother Pandarus. I am ashamed for to write ywys. Lest of myn Innocence I seyde amys. Or that she nolde it for despit receyue. Than were I ded ther myght il nothyng weyue. (151) To that Pandare answerid if the leste. Do that I seye and lat me therwith gon. ffor by that lord that formede est and weste. I hope of it to brynge answere anon. Of hire honde and if that thow nylt noon. Lat be. and sory mote he ben his lyue. Aȝeins thi lust that helpeth the to thryue. (152) Quod Troilus depardeux ich assente. Sith that the liste I wil arise and write. And blisful god prey ich with good entente. The viage and the lettre I shal endite. So spede it. and thow Minerua the white. yif thow me wit my lettre to deuyse. And sette hym down and wrote right in this wyse. (153) (Troilus's Letter.) ffirst he gan hire his right lady calle. His hertes lif his lust his sorwes leche. His blisse. and ek thise other termes alle. That in swich cas thise loueres alle seche. And in ful humble wise as in his speche. He gan hym recomaunde vnto hire grace. To telle alle how it axeth muchel space. (154) And after this ful lowely he hire preyde. To be nought wroth theigh he of his folie. So hardy was to hire to write and seyde. That loue it made or elles most he die. And pitousli gan mereye for to crye. And after that he seyde and leigh ful loude. Hym self was litel worth and lasse he koude. (155) And that she sholde han his konnyng excused. That litel was and ek he dredde hire soo. And his vnworthynesse ay he excused. And after that than gan he telle his woo. But that was endeles with outen hoo. And seyde he wolde in trouth alwey hym holde. And radde it ouer and gan the lettre folde. (End of Troilus's Letter.) (156) And with hise salte teris gan he bathe. The rubie in his signet and it sette. Vpon the wex deliuerliche and rathe. Therwith a thousand tymes er he lette. He kiste tho the lettre that he shette. And seyde lettre a blisful destine. The shapyn is my lady shal the see. (157) This Pandare toke the lettre and that by tyme. A morwe and to his Neces paleis sterte. And faste he swore that it was passed prime. And gan to Iape and seyde ywys myn herte. So fresshe it is although it sore smerte. I may naught slepe neuere a mayes morwe. I haue a Ioly wo and a lusty sorwe. (158) Criseyde whan that she hire vncle herde, with dredful herte and desirous to here. The cause of his commyng thus answerde. Now by ȝoure fey myn vncle quod she dere. what manere wyndes gydeth ȝow now here. Tel vs ȝoure Ioly wo and ȝoure penaunce. How ferforth be ȝe put in loues daunce. (159) By god quod he I hope alwey byhynde. And she to laughe it thought hire herte brest. Quod Pandarus loke alwey ȝe fynde. Game in myn hood but herkneth if ȝow lest. Ther is right now come into town a gest. A greek espie and telleth newe thinges. ffor which I come telle ȝow newe tydynges. (160) Into the gardyn go we and ȝe shal here. Al pryuely of this a longe sermoun. with that they wenten arm in arm yfecre. Into the gardyn from the chaumbre down. And whan that he so fer was that the sown. Of that he spak. no man heren myghte. He seyde hire thus and out the lettre plighte. (161) Lo he that is alle holy ȝoures free. Hym recomaundeth lowely to ȝoure grace. And sente ȝow this lettre here by me. Auyseth ȝow on it whan ȝe han space. And of som goodly answere ȝow purchace. Or helpe me god so pleynly for to seyn. He may nat longe lyuen for his peyne. (162) fful dredfully tho gan she stonden stylle. And took it naught but al hire humble chere. Gan for to chaunge and seyde scrit ne bille. ffor loue of god that toucheth swich matere. Ne brynge me noon. and also vncle deere. To myn estat haue more rewarde I preye. Than to his lust what sholde I more sey. (163) And loketh now if this be resonable. And letteth nought for fauour ne for slouthe. To seyn a sooth now were it couenable. To myn estat by god and by ȝoure trouthe. To taken it or to han of hym routhe. In harmyng of my self or in repreue. Ber it aȝein for hym that ȝe on leue. (164) This Pandarus gan on hire for to stare. And seyde now is this the grettest wondre. That euere I seigh lat be this nyce fare. To deth mot I smyten be with thondre If for the Citee whiche that stondeth ȝondre. wold I a lettre vnto ȝow brynge or take. To harm of ȝow what list ȝow thus it make. (165) But thus ȝe faren wel neigh alle and some. That he that moste desireth ȝow to serue. Of hym ȝe recche leest wher he bycome. And whethir that he lyue or elles sterue. But for al that that euer I may deserue. Refuse naught quod he and hente hire faste. And in hire bosom the lettre down he thraste. (166) And seyde hire now cast it awey anon. That folk may seen and gauren on vs tweye. Quod she I kan abyde til they be gon. And gan to smyle and seyde hym Em I preye. Swiche answere as ȝow list ȝoure self purueye. ffor trewely I nyl no lettre write. No than wol I quod he so ȝe endite. (167) Therwith she loughe and seyde go we dyne. And he gan at hym self to Iape faste. And seyde Nece I haue so grete a pyne. ffor loue that euerich other day I faste. And gan his beste Iapes forth to caste. And made hire so to laughe at his folye. That she for laughter wende for to dye. (168) And whan that she was comen into halle. Now Em quod she we wol go dyne anon. And gan some of hire wommen to hire calle. And streght into hire chambre gan she gon. But of hire besynesses this was on. Amonges othere thynges out of drede. fful pryuely this lettre for to rede. (169) Auysed word by word in euery lyne. And fonde no lakke she thoughte he koude good. And vp it putte and wente hire In to dyne. But Pandarus that in a studye stood. Er he was war she took by the hood. And seyde ȝe were caught er that ȝe wist. I vouche sauf quod he do what ȝou list. (170) Tho wesshen they and sette hem down and ete. And after Noon ful sleighly Pandarus. Gan drawe hym to the wyndowe next the strete. And seyde Nece who hath araied thus. The ȝonder hous that stant aforȝeyn vs. which hous quod she. and gan for to byholde. And knewe it wel and whos it was hym tolde. (171) And fillen forth in speche of thynges smale. And seten in the windowe bothe tweye. whan Pandarus saugh tyme vnto his tale. And saugh wel that hire folk weren alle aweye. Now Nece myn tel on quod he I seye. How liketh ȝow the lettre that ȝe woot. Kan he theron for by my trouthe I noot. (172) Therwith al rosy hewed tho wex she. And gan to homme and seyde so I trowe. Aquite hym wel for goddes loue quod he. My self to medes wol the lettre sowe. And held hise hondes vp and sat on knowe. Now good Nece be it neuere so lite. Ȝif me the labour it to sowe and plite. (173) Ȝe for I kan so writen quod she tho. And ek I noot what I sholde to hym seye. Nay Nece quod Pandare sey nat so. Ȝet at the lceste thonketh hym I preye. Of his good wille and doth hym nat to deye. Now for the loue of me my Nece deere. Refuseth nat at this tyme my prayere. (174) Depardieux quod she god leue al be wel. God help me so this is the first lettre. That euere I wroot ȝe al or any del. And into a closet for tauise hire bettre. She wente allone and gan hire herte vnfettre. Out of desdaynes prison but a lite. And sette hire down and gan a lettre write. (175) Of which to telle in short is myn entente. Theffect as fer as I kan vnderstonde. She thanked hym of al that he wel mente. Towardes hire but holden hym in honde. She nold nought ne make hire seluen bonde. In loue. but as his suster hym to plese. She wolde fayne to doon his herte an ese. (176) She shette it and into Pandare gan goon. Ther as he satte and loked into Strete. And down she sette hire by hym on a stoon. Of Iaspre. vpon a quysshyn gold ybete. And seyde as wisly help me god the grete. I neuere dide thing with more peyne. Than writen this to whiche ȝe me constreyne. (177) And took it hym he thonked hire and seyde. God woot of thyng ful often looth bygonne. Comth ende good and Nece myn Criseyde. That ȝe to hym of harde now ben ywonne. Oughte he be glad by god and ȝonder sonne. ffor whi men seith Impressiouns lighte. fful lightly ben ay redy to the flighte. (178) But ȝe han played tirant neigh to longe. And harde was it ȝoure herte for to graue. Now stynte that ȝe no lenger on it honge. Al wolde ȝe the forme of daunger saue. But hasteth ȝow to doon hym Ioye haue. ffor trusteth wel to longe ydoon hardynesse. Causeth despit ful often for destresse. (179) And right as they declamed this matere. Lo Troilus right at the stretes ende. Come rydyng with his tenthe somme yfere. Al softly and thiderward gan bende. Ther as they sete as was his way to wende. To paleis ward and Pandarus hym aspide. And seyde Nece I see who comth here ride. (180) O fle naught In he seeth vs I suppose. Lest he may thynken that ȝe hym eschewe. Nay nay quod she and wex as rede as rose. with that he gan hire humbly to salewe. with dredful chere and oft his hewes muwe. A up his look debonairly he caste. And bekkend on Pandare and forth he paste. (181) God woot if he sat on his hors aright. Or goodly was biseyn that ilke day. God woot whothir he was lik a manly knyght. what sholde .I. drecche or telle of his aray. Criseyde whiche that alle thise thynges say. To telle in short hire liked al in fere. His person his aray his look his chere. (182) His goodly manere and his gentilesse. So wel that neuere sith that she was born. Ne hadde she swych routh of his destresse. And how that she hathe harde ben here byforn. To god hope I she hath now kaught a thorn. She shal nat pulle it out this nexte wyke. God sende mo swich thornes on to pike. (183) Pandare which that stood hire fasteby. ffelte Iren hoot and he bygan to smyte. And seyde Nece I pray ȝow hertely. Telle me that I shal axen ȝow a lite. A womman that were of his deth to wite. withouten his gilt but for hire lakked routhe. were it wel doon quod she nay by my trouthe. (184) God help me so quod he ȝe sey me soth. Ȝe felen wel ȝoure self that I nought lye. Lo ȝonde he rit quod she ȝe so he doth. wel quod Pandare as I haue tolde ȝow thrie. Lat be ȝoure nyce shame and ȝoure folie. And spek with hym in esyng of his herte. Lat nycite nat do ȝow bothe smerte. (185) But theron was to heuen and to doone. Considered al thing it may nat be. And whi for shame and it were ek to soone. To graunten hym so grete a libertee. ffor pleynly hire entente as seyde she. was for to loue hym vnwist if she myghte. And guerdon hym with nothing but with sighte. (186) But Pandarus thought it shal nought be so. Ȝif that I may this nyce opynyoun. Shal nought be holden fully ȝeres two. what sholde I make of this a longe sermoun. He moste assente on that conclusioun. As for the tyme and whan that it was eue. And al was wel he roos and toke his leue. (187) And on his wey ful faste hamward he spedde. And right for Ioye he felte his herte daunce. And Troilus he fonde allon abedde. That lay as do thise louers in a traunce. Bitwixen hope and derk disesperaunce. But Pandarus right at his In commynge. He songe as who seyth somwhat I brynge. (188) And seyde who is in his bedde so soone. Iburied thus It am I frende quod he. who Troilus nay help me so the moone. Quod Pandarus thow shalt rise and see. A charme that was sent right now to the. The which kan helen the of thyn accesse. If thow do forth with al thi bisynesse. (189) Ȝe thorugh the myght of god quod Troilus. And Pandarus gan hym the lettre take. And seyde parde god hathe holpen vs. Haue here a light and loke on al this blake. But ofte gan the herte glade and quake. Of Troilus whil that he gan it rede. So as the wordes ȝaue hym hope or drede. (190) But finaly he took al for the beste. That she hym wroot for somwhat he byhelde. On which hym thoughte he myghte his herte reste. Al couered she tho wordes vnder shelde. Thus to the more worthi part he helde. That what for hope and Pandarus byheste. His grete wo forȝede he at the leste. (191) But as we may alday oure seluen see. Thorugh more wode or col the more fire. Right so encrees of hope of what it be. Therwith ful ofte encresseth ek desire. Or as an ook comth of a litel spire. So thorugh this lettre which that she hym sente. Encrescen gan desir of which he brente. (192) Wherfore I seye alwey that day and nyght. This Troilus gan to desiren moore. Thanne he did arst thorugh hope and did his myght. To preessen on as by Pandarus loore. And writen to hire of his sorwes soore. ffro day to day he leet it nought refreyde. That by Pandare he wroot somwhat or seyde. (193) And dide also other obseruaunces. That til a louere longeth in this cas. And after that thise dees torned on chaunces. So was he outher glad or seyde allas. And held after his gostes ay his pas. And after swiche answeres as he hadde. So were his dayes sory outher gladde. (194) But to Pandare alwey was his recours. And pitously gan ay tyl hym to pleyne. And hym bisoughte of reed and som socours. And Pandarus that sey his woode peyne. wex wel neigh ded for routhe sooth to seyne. And bisily with al his herte caste. Som of his wo to slen and that as faste. (195) And seyde lord and frend and brother dere. God woot that thi disese doth me wo. But wiltow stynten and al this woful cheere. And by my trouthe er it be dayes two. And god to forn ȝet shal I shape it so. That thow shalt comme into a certeyn place. There as thow mayst thi self hire preye of grace. (196) And certeynly I noot if thow it woost. But tho that ben expert in loue it seye. It is oon of the thynges forthereth most. A man to han a layser for to preye. And siker place his wo for to bywreye. ffor in good herte it mot som routhe impresse. To here and see the giltlees in distresse. (197) Peraunter thynkestow though it be so. That kynde wolde don hire to bygynne. To haue a manere vpon my woo. Seyth daunger nay thow shalt me neuere wynne. So reulith hire hir hertes gost withInne. That though she bende ȝeet she stant on roote. That in effect is this vnto my boote. (198) Thenk here aȝeins whan that the stordy ook. On which men hakketh ofte for the nones. Receyued hath the happy fallyng strook. The greet sweigh doth it to come al at ones. As don thise rokkes or thise Milnestones. ffor swifter cours comth thyng that is of wighte. whan it descendeth than don thynges lighte. (199) And reed that boweth down for euery blast. fful lightly cesse wynd it wol aryse. But so nyl nought an ook whan it is caste. It nedeth me nought the longe to forbise. Men shal reioissen of a grete empryse. Acheued wel and stant withouten doute. Al han men ben the lenger ther aboute. (200) But Troilus ȝet telle me if the lest. A thing now which that I shal axen the. which is thi brother that thow louest best. As in thi verray hertes priuetee. Iwis my brother Deiphebus quod he. Now quod Pandare ere houres twyes twelue. He shal the ese vnwist of hymselue. (201) Now lat malone and werken as I may. Quod he. and to Deiphebus wente he tho. which hadde his lord and grete frend ben ay. Saue Troilus no man he loued so. To telle in shorte withouten wordes mo. Quod Pandarus I pray ȝow that ȝe be. ffrend to a cause whiche that toucheth me. (202) Ȝis perde quod Deiphebus wel thow woost. In al that euere I may and god to fore. Al nere it but for man I loue moost. My brother Troilus but sey wherfore. It is for sith that day that I was bore. I nas ne neuere mo to ben I thynke. Aȝeins a thing that myghte the forthynke. (203) Pandare gan hym thanke and to hym seyde. Lo sire I haue a lady in this town. That is my Nece and called is Criseyde. which some men wolden don oppressioun. And wrongfully han hire possessioun. wherfore I of ȝoure lordship ȝow biseche. To ben oure frend withouten more speche. (204) Deiphebus hym answerde o is nat this. That thow spekest of to me thus straungely. Criseyda my frende he seyde this. Than nedeth quod Deiphebus hardyly. Namore to speke for trusteth wel that I. wol be hire champioun with spore and ȝerde. I roughte nought though alle hire foos it herde. (205) But telle me thow that woost al this matere. How I myght best auaylen now lat se. Quod Pandarus if ȝe my lord so dere. wolden as now do this honour to me. To preyen hire tomorwe. lo that she. Com vnto ȝow hire pleyntes to deuise. Hire aduersaries wolde of it agrise. (206) And ȝif I more dorste prey ȝow as now. And chargen ȝow to han so grete trauaille. To han som of ȝoure bretheren here with ȝow. That myghten to hire cause bet auaille. Than wot I wel she myght neuere faille. ffor to ben holpen what at ȝoure Instaunce. what with hire other frendes gouernaunce. (207) Deiphebus which that comen was of kynde. To alle honour and bounte to consente, Answerd it shal be don and I kan fynde. Ȝet grettere help to this in myn entente. what wiltow seyn if I for Eleyne sente. To speke of this I trowe it be the beste. ffor she may leden Paris as hire list. (208) Of Ector which that is my lord my brother. It nedeth naught to preye hym frend to be. ffor I haue herd hym o tyme and ek oother. Speke of Cryseyde swich honour that he. May seyn no bet swhich hap to hym hath she. It nedeth naught his helpes for to craue. He shal be swich right as we wol hym haue. (209) Speke thow thiself also to Troilus. On my byhalue and prey hym with vs dyne. Syre al this shal be don quod Pandarus. And took his leue. and neuere gan to fyne. But to his Neces hous as streyght as lyne. He come and fond hire fro the mete arise. And sette hym down. and spak right in this wise. (210) He seide o verray god. so haue I ronne. Lo Nece myn se ȝe nought how I swete. I not wheither ȝe the more thank me konne. Be ȝe naught war how false Poliphete. Is now aboute eftsones for to plete. And brynge on ȝow aduocacies newe. I no quod she and chaunged al hire hewe. (211) What is he more aboute me to drecche. And don me wrong what shal I doon allas. Ȝet of hym self nothing ne wolde I recche. Ner it for Antenor and Eneas. That ben his frendes in swiche manere cas. But for the loue of god myn vncle deere. Ne fors of that lat hym han al yfeere. (212) Withouten that I haue ynough for vs. Nay quod Pandare it shal nothing be so. ffor I haue ben right now at Deiphebus. At Ector and myn oother lordes moo. And shortly maked eche of hem his foo. That by my thrift he shal it neuere wynne. ffor aught he kan whan that so he bygynne. (213) And as thei casten what was best to doone. Deiphebus of his owen curteisie. Come hire to preye in his propre persone. To holde hym on the morwe compaignie. At dyner. which she nolde nought denye. But goodly gan to his preier obeye. He thonked hire and went vpon his weye. (214) Whan this was don this Pandare vp anon. To telle in short and forth gan for to wende. To Troilus as stille as any ston. And al this thyng he tolde hym worde and ende. And how that he Deiphebus gan to blende. And seyde hym now is tyme if that thow konne. To bere the wel tomorwe and al is wonne. (215) Now spek now prey now pitously compleigne. Lat nought for nyce shame or drede or slouthe Som tyme a man mot telle his owen peyne. Bileue it and she shal han on the routhe. Thow shalt be saued by thi feyth in trouthe. But wel woot I thow art nowe in drede. And what it is I leye I kan arede. (216) Thow thynkest now how sholde I don al this. ffor by my cheres mosten folk aspie. That for hire loue is that I fare amys. Ȝet hadde I leuere vnwist for sorwe dye. Now thynk nat so for thow dost grete folie. ffor I right now haue founden o manere. Of sleyghte. forto coueren al thi cheere. (217) Thow shalt gon ouer nyght and that blyue. Unto Deiphebus hous as the to pleye. Thi maladie awey the bet to dryue. ffor whi thow semest sik soth for to seye. And after that down in thi bed the leye. And sey thow mayst no lenger vp endure. And lie right there and bide thyn auenture. (218) Sey that thi feure is wont the for to take. The same tyme and lasten til a morwe. And lat se now how wel thow kanst it make. ffor perde sik is he that is in sorwe. Go now farwel and venus here to borwe. I hope and thow this purpos halde ferme. Thi grace she shal fully ther conferme. (219) Quod Troilus Iwis thow nedeles. Conseilest me that siklich I me feyne. ffor I am sik in ernest douteles. So that wel neigh I sterue for the peyne. Quod Pandarus thow shalt the bettre pleyne. And haste the lasse nede to countrefete. ffor hym men demen hoot that men seen swete. (220) Lo halde the at thi triste cloos and .I. Shal wel the deer vnto thi bowe dryue. Therwith he took his leue al softly. And Troilus to paleis wente blyue. So glad ne was he neuere in al his lyue. And to Pandarus reed gan al assente. And to Deiphebus hous at nyght he wente. (221) What nedeth ȝow to tellen al the cheere. That Deiphebus vnto his brother made. Or his accesse or his sikliche manere. How men gan hym with clothes for to lade. Whan he was leyde and how men wolde hym glade. But al for nought he held forth ay the wyse. That ȝe han herd Pandare er this deuyse. (222) But certayn is er Troilus hym leyde. Deiphebus had hym preied ouer nyght. To ben a frend and helpyng to Criseyde. God woot that he it graunted anon right. To ben hire fulle frend with al his myght. But swiche a nede was to preye hym thenne. As for to bidde a wood man for to renne. (223) The morwen come and neighen gan the tyme. Of meeltide that the faire queene Eleyne. Shapte hire to ben an houre after the prime. with Deiphebus to whom she nolde feyne. But as his suster homly soth to seyne. She come to dyner in hire pleyne entente. But god and Pandare wist al what this mente. (224) Com ek Criseyde al Innocent of this. Antigone hire suster Tarbe also. But fle we now prolixitee best is. ffor loue of god and lat vs faste go. Right to theffect withouten tales mo. whi al this folk assembled in this place. And lat vs of hire saluynges pace. (225) Grete honour did hem Deiphebus certeyn. And fedde hem wel with al that myghte like. But euere mo allas was his refreyn. My good brother Troilus the syke. Lith yet and therwith gan to sike. And after that he peyned hym to glade. Hem as he myghte and cheere good he made. (226) Compleyned ek Eleyne of his siknesse. So feythfully that pite was to here. And euery wight gan waxen for accesse. A leche anon and seyde in this manere. Men curen folk this charme I wol ȝow leere. But ther sat on al list hire nought to teche. That thoughte best koude I ȝet ben his leche. (227) After compleynte hym gonnen they to preyse. As folk don that whan som wight hath bygonne. To preise a man. and with pris hym reise. A thousand fold ȝet heigher than the sonne. He is he kan that fewe lordes konne. And Pandarus of that they wolde afferme. He naughte forgate hire preisynge to conferme. (228) Herde al this thyng Criseyde wel Inough. And euery word gan for to notifie. ffor which with sobre cheere hire herte lough. ffor who is that ne wolde hire glorifie. To mowen swich a knyght don lyue or dye. But al passe I list ȝe to longe dwelle. ffor for o fyn is al that euere I telle. (229) The tyme come fro dyner for to ryse. And as hem aughte arisen euerichone. And gonne a while of this and that deuise. But Pandarus brak al that speche anone. And seide to Deiphebus wol ȝe gone. If ȝoure wille be as I ȝow preyde. To speke here of the nedes of Criseyde. (230) Eleyne which that by the hond hire helde. Took first the tale and seyde go we blyue. And goodly on Criseyde she bihelde. And seyde Ioues lat hym neuere thryue. That doth ȝow harm and brynge hym soone of lyue. And ȝeue me sorwe but he shal it rewe. If that I may and alle folk be trewe. (231) Telle thow thi Neces cas quod Deiphebus. To Pandarus for thow kanst best it telle. My lordes and my ladys it stant thus. what sholde I lenger do ȝow duelle. He ronge hem oute a processe lik a belle. Upon hire foo that hight Poliphete. So heynous that men myghte on it spete. (232) Answerde of this eche werse of hem than other. And Poliphete they gonnen thus to warien. Anhonged by swich oon were he my brother. And so he shal for it ne may nought varien. what shold I lenger in this tale tarien. Pleynliche alle at ones they hire highten. To ben hire helpe in al that euere they myghten. (233) Spak than Eleyne and seyde Pandarus. woot ought my lord my brother this matere. I meene Ector or woot it Troilus. He seyde ȝe but wolle ȝe now me here. Me thynketh this sith that Troilus is here. It were good. if that ȝe wolde assente. She tolde hire self hym al this er she wente. (234) ffor he wol haue the more hir grief at herte. By cause lo that she a lady is. And by ȝoure leue I wol but in right sterte. And do ȝow wyte and that anon Iwys. If that he slepe. or wol ought here of this. And in he lepte and seyde hym in his ere. God haue thi soule Ibrought haue I thi beere. (235) To smylen of this gan tho Troilus. And Pandarus withouten rekenyng. Out wente anon to Eleyne and Deiphebus. And seyde hem so ther be no tarying. Ne moore prees he wol wel that ȝe bryng. Criseyda my lady that is here. And as he may enduren he wol here. (236) But wel ȝe woot the chaumbre is but lite. And few folk may lightly make it warme. Now loketh ȝe for I wol haue no wite. To brynge in prees that myghte don hym harme. Or hym disesen for my bettre arme. wher it be bet she bide til eft sonys. Now loketh ȝe that knowen what to doon is. (237) I sey for me best is as I kan knowe. That no wight in ne wente but ȝe tweye. But it were I for I kan in a throwe. Reherce hire cas vnlik that she kan seye. And after this she may hym ones preye. To ben good lord in shorte and take hire leue. This may nought michel of his ese hym reue. (238) And ek for she is straunge he wol forbere. His ese. which that hym thar nought for ȝow. Ek oother thing that toucheth nought to here. He wol me telle I woot it wel right now. That secrete is. and for the townes prow. And they that nothyng knewe of this entente. withouten more to Troilus In they wente. (239) Eleyne in al hire goodly softe wyse. Gan hym salue and wommanly to pleye. And seyde Iwys ȝe moste alweies arise. Now faire brother beth al hool I preye. And gan hire arm right ouer his shulder leye. And hym with al hire wit to reconforte. As she best koude she gan hym to disporte. (240) So after this quod she we ȝow biseke. My deere brother Deiphebus and .I. ffor loue of god and so doth Pandare eke. To ben good lord and frende right hertely. Unto Criseyde which that certeynly. Receyueth wronge as woot weel here Pandare. That kan hire cas wel bet than I declare. (241) This Pandarus gan newe his tong affile. And al hire cas reherce and that anon. whan it was seyde soone after in a while. Quod Troilus as sone as I may gon. I wol right fayn with al my myght ben oon. Haue god my trouthe hire cause to sustene. Good thrift haue ȝe quod Eleyne the queene. (242) Quod Pandarus and it ȝoure wille be. That she may take hire leue er that she go. O elles god forbede it tho quod he. If she voucheth sauf for to do so. And with that word quod Troilus ȝe two. Deiphebus and my suster lief and deere. To ȝow haue I to speke of o matere. (243) To ben auysed by ȝoure reed the bettre. And fond as hap was at his beddes hede. The copie of a tretys and a lettre. That Ector hadde hym sente to axen rede. If swych a man was worthi to ben dede. woot I nought who but in a grisely wise. He preyde hem anon on it auyse. (244) Deiphebus gan this lettre for tonfolde In ernest greet{punctel} so did Eleyne the queene. And romyng outward faste it gonne byholde. Downward a steire into an herber greene. This ilk thing they redden hem bitwene. And largely the mountance of an houre. Thei gonne on it to reden and to poure. (245) Now lat hem rede and torne we anon. To Pandarus that gan ful faste prye. That al was wel and out he gan to gon. Into the grete chaumbre and that in hye. And seyde god saue al this compaynye. Come Nece myn my lady queene Eleyne. Abideth ȝow and ek my lordes tweyne. (246) Rys take with ȝow ȝoure Nece Antigone. Or whom ȝow list or no force hardyly. The lesse prees the bet com forth with me. And loke that ȝe thonken humblely. Hem alle thre and whan ȝe may goodly. Ȝoure tyme se taketh of hem ȝoure leeue. Lest we to longe hise restes hym byreeue. (247) Al Innocent of Pandarus entente. Quod tho Criseyde go we vncle deere. And arm in arm Inward with hym she wente. Auysed wel hire wordes and hire cheere. And Pandarus in ernest ful manere. Seyde alle folk for godes loue I preye. Stynteth right here and softly ȝow pleye. (248) Aviseth ȝow what folk ben hire withInne. And in what plite oon is god hym amende. And Inward thus ful softly bygynne. Nece I coniure and heigly ȝow defende. On his half which that soule vs alle sende. And in the vertue of corones tweyne. Sle naught this man that hath for ȝow this peyne. (249) ffy on the deuel thynk which on he is. And in what plite he lith com of anon. Thynk al swich taried tyde but lost it nys. That wol ȝe bothe. seyn whan ȝe ben oon. Secoundely ther ȝet deuyneth noon. Upon ȝow two come of now if ȝe konne. while folk is blent lo al the tyme is wonne. (250) In titeryng and pursuyte and delayes. The folk deuynen at waggyng of a stree. And though ȝe wolde han after Mirye dayes. Than dar ȝe naught and whi for she and she. Spak swych a worde thus loked he and he. Las tyme Iloste .I. dar nought with ȝow dele. Com of therfore and bryngeth hym to hele. (251) But now to ȝow ȝe loueres that ben here. was Troilus nought in a kankedort. That lay and myghte whisprynge of hem here. And thoughte o lord right now rynneth my sorte. ffully to deye or han anon comfort. And was the firste tyme he shulde hire preye. Of loue .o. myghty god what shal he seye. Explicit Secundus liber. [BOOK II.] (1) (Proem) Owte of thes blake waves forto saille O wynde o wynde. tho weder gynnes clere For in this see tho bote hathe suche trauaille Of my konnyng that vnnethe I it stere This see clepe I tempestious matere Of dispere that Troilus was Inne But now of hope the kalendes bygynne (2) (Invocation) O Lady myne that cleped art Eleo Thou be my spede fro this forthe and my muse To ryme wel this boke til I haue doo Me nedis here noon other art to vse For-why to euery louer I me excuse That of no sentement I this endite But oute of latyn̄ in my tonge it write (3) WHerfore I wil haue nether thanke ne blame Of al this warke but pray ȝow mekely Disblames me if any worde be lame For as myne auctor seys so sey I Eke thogh I speke of loue vnfelyngly No wonder is for hit nothing of new ys A blynde knygħt can not wel Iuge in hewys (4) I knowe eke that in forme of speche is chaunge Wit-ynne a thowsand ȝere and wordes thoo That hadden pris now wonder nyce and straunge Hus thinkethe hem and ȝit they spake hem soo And spedde als wel in loue as men now doo Eke for to wynne loue in sondry ages In sondry landes sondry been vsage[s] (5) And for-thy ȝif hit happe in ony wise That here be ony louer in this place That herkens as tho story gan devise How Troilus kam to his lady grace And thinkes so nolde I not loue purchace Or wondres on his speche or his doynge I not bot it is to me noo wonderynge (6) For euery wight that to Rome wente Hald not wo patħ nor wo wey wo manere Eke in som londe were al tho game schente If that men̄ ferde in loue as men̄ done here As thus in open doyng or in chere In visityng in forme or seid in sawes For-thy men̄ seyn̄ eche contre has his lawes (7) EKe scarsely be ther in this place thre That han in loue seid like and done al For to thy purpose this may licken the And the right noght ȝit al is seide or schal Eke som men graue in tre som in ston wal As hit betydes sithen it is begonne Myn auctor schal I folowe if I konne [End of Proem.] (8) IN may that moder is of monethes glade That fresche flowres bleve white and rede Be quyk agayne that wynter dede made And ful of bawme is fletyng euery made Whan Phebus dos his bright bemes sprede Right in the white bole hit so betidde As I schal synge on mayes day tho thirde (9) THat Pandarus for al his vise speche Felt eke his part of loues schotes kene That cowde he neuer so wel of louyng preche It made hewe a day ful ofte grene So schope hit hym that day to falle a tene In loue for whiche in woo to bedde he wente And made or hit were day ful many a wente (10) THe swalowe proigned with a sorowful lay Whan moro kam gan make her wementyng Why sche forschapen was and eue[r] lay Pandare in bede half in a slomberyng Til sche so nygh hym made her chiteryng How Terous gan forthe her suster take That with tho noyce of her he gan to wake (11) ANd gan to calle and dresse hym to rise Remembring hym his erand was to done Frome Troilus and eke his grete emprise And cast and knew in gude plite was tho mone To do viage and toke his wey ful sone Vn-to his neces Paleys there beside Now Ianus god of entre thou hym gyde (12) WHan he was come vnto his nece place Where is my lady to here folke quod he And they hym tolde and he forthe in gan pace And fonde too other ladyes sette and sche Wiht-ynne a paved parlour and they thre Herden a mayde rede hem tho geste Of the sege of Thebes while hem lyst (13) Quod Pandare madame god ȝoiw saue & se With al ȝowre boke and al the companye Ey vncle now welcome y-wis quod sche And vpe sche ros and by tho honde in hie Sche toke hym faste and seide this nyghtes thre To gode mote hit torne of ȝou I mette And with that worde sche dovne on benche hym sette (14) Ȝe nece ȝe schal fare wel tho bette If god wil al this ȝere quod Pandarus Bot I am sory that I haue ȝou lette To herken of this boke ȝe preise thus For goddes loue what seys hit telle it vs Is hit of loue o som gode ȝe may lere Vncle quod sche ȝowre maistresse is not here (15) With that they gan laugh and sche seide This romans is of Thebes that we rede And we han herde how that kyng Layus dyde Thorugh Edippus his sone and al his dede And here we stynt at thes lettres red How tho bischope as the boke gan telle Amphiorax fel thorugh the grounde to helle (16) Quod Pandarus al this know I my self Of al thassege of Thebes and tho care For therof been ther maked bokes twelf But lat be this and telle me how ȝe fare Doo wey ȝoure wymple schewe ȝowre face bare Doo wey ȝowre boke rise vp and lette vs daunce And lat vs doo to may som obseruance (17) I god forbede quod sche be ȝe madde Is that a widowes lyf so god ȝou saue Be god ȝe make me right sore a-dradde Ȝe be so wilde it semethe that ȝe raue It sat me wel bette ay ben in a caue To bydde and rede on holy sainte lyues Let maydenes goo to daunce and ȝonge wiues (18) As euer thryve I quod Pandarus Ȝit cowde I telle a thing to doo pleye Now vncle dere quod sche telle it vs For godes loue is than tho sege a-weye I am of grekes ferde so that I dye Nay nay quod he as euer mote I thriue It is a thing wel bette than suche fyue (19) Ȝe holy god quod sche what thing is that What bette than suche fyve nay ywis For al this worlde ne can I rede what It schulde be som Iape I trowe it is And bot ȝowre seluen telle vs what hit ys My witte is for tared hit to lene As holpe me god I not nat what ȝe mene (20) And I ȝowre borow ne neuer schal quod he This thing be tolde to ȝow so mote I thryue And why so vncle myne why so quod sche Be god quod he that I wil telle as blyue For prudder woman̄ ys ther non on lyue And ȝe it wiste in al tho towne of Troie I iape not so euer haue I ioie (21) Then gan sche wonder more then be-fore A thousande folde and dovne her eyen caste For neuer sythen tho tyme that sche was bore To knowe thing desired sche so faste And with a syke sche seide hym atte tho laste Now vncle myne I wil ȝow not displese Nor axen that. that may do ȝow disese (22) So after this with many wordes glade And frenly tales and mery chere Of this and that they pleyden and gone wade In many an vnkouthe glade and depe matere As frendes done whan thay ben mette in fere Til sche be-gan̄ axen hym how Ector farde That was tho wal of Troie and grekes ȝarde (23) Ful wel I thanke it god quod Pandarus Saue in his arme he has a lityl wounde And eke his fr[e]sche brother Troilus Tho wyse worthy Ector tho seconde In whom that euery vertu lyste habounde As al trouthe and al worthinesse Wisdom honoure fredom and gentylnesse (24) In gode sethe eme that lykes me They faren wel god saue hem bothe too For truly I holde hit grete deynte A kynges son in armes wel to doo And be of goode condicions ther-to For grete power and moral vertu here Is seldom seyn in oo persone in fere (25) In gode fethe that ys sothe quod Pandarus Bo by trouthe the kyng has sones twene That is to mene Ector and Troilus That sarteinly though that I schulde dye They be as voide of vice dar I seye As any men̄ that lyue vnder tho sonne Her myght ys wyde knowe and what they konne. (26) Of Ector nedith nothing for to telle In al this worlde is not a bettur knyght Thenne he that is of worthines welle And he wel more vertu has thenne myght This knowis many a wise and worthy wight Tho same pris of Troilus I saye God helpe me I knowe not suche tweye (27) By god quod Sche of Ector that Is Sothe Of Troilus tho same thinge trow I For dredeles men tellen that he dothe In armes day by day so worthily And beris hym here at home so gentelly To euery wight that al price hase he Of hem that me were leuest preised be (28) Ȝe sey right sothe quod Pandarus For ȝisterday who-so had with hym been Might haue wondred vppon Tr[o]ilus For neuer ȝit so thikke a swarme of been̄ Ne flight as grekes fro hym gonne fleen̄ And thorogh tho felde in euery wightis ere Ther nas no crye but Troilus is there (29) Now here now there he huntted hem so faste Ther vas bot grekes blode and Troilus Now hem he hurte and hom al downe he caste Aye where he wente it was araied thus He was here dethe and schelde and lyf of hus That as that day ther durst noon hym with-stonde While that he helde his blody swerde in honde (30) THer-to he is tho frendelyest man̄ Of grete estate that euer I sawe my lyue And where hym lyste beste felischp kan To suche as hym thinkes alle for to thriue And with that worde then Pandarus as bliue Toke of hem leue and seid he wolde go henne Nay blame haue I myn vncle quod sche thenne (31) WHat eylleth ȝou to be thus wery soone And namely of wommen wil ȝe see Nay sittes downe be god I haue to doone With ȝow to speke of wisdom or ȝe goo And euery wight that was a-bowte hem too That herde that gan far a-way to stande While they too had al that hem lyst on hande (32) WHan that her tale al brought was to an ende Of her estate and of here gouernance Quod Pandarus now is it tyme I wende But ȝit I seye arise and lette vs daunce And caste ȝoure widoues habite to myschaunce what lyst ȝou thus ȝoure self to disfigure Sithyn ȝow is tyd so gladde an auenture (33) A wel bethoght for loue of god quod sche Schal I not witte what ȝe mene of this No this thing axes leyser quod he And eke me wolde myche greue ywis If I it tolde and ȝe hit toke a-mys Ȝit were it bettur my tonge for to stylle Than sey a sothe that were a-ȝenst ȝowre wille (34) For nece by tho goddes Mynerve And Iupiter that makes tho thondryng And by tho blisful Venus that I serve Ȝe be tho womman in this worlde lyuyng With-owten paramours to my wuttyng That I best loue and lothest am to greue And ȝe that witten wel ȝoure self I leue (35) I-wis vncle quod sche graunt mercy Ȝoure frendschipp haue I fonde euer ȝit I am to no man holden truly So myche as ȝow and haue so litel quyt And with tho grace of god enforthe my witte As in my gilt I schal ȝou neuer offende And if I haue or this I wil a-mende (36) Bvt for the Loue of god I ȝou Beseche As ȝe ben he that I most loue and truste Lat be to me this freinde maner spece And sey to me ȝoure nece what ȝe lyste And with that worde her vncle a-non her kyste And seyde gladly leue nece dere Take hit for gode that I schal sey ȝou here (37) With that sche gan her loke doun caste And Pandarus to coughe gan a lyte And seyd nece alwey lo to tho laste How-so hit be that som men hem delite With subtil arte her talis to endyte Ȝit for al that in her entencion̄ Her tale is al for som conclusion̄ (38) And sithen tho end is euery tales strenghe And this matere is so behouely What schulde I peynte or draw it on lenghe To ȝou that ben my frende so feithfully And with that worde he gan right Inwardly Beholde hir and loke in hir face And seide o suche a myrrour gode grace (39) Than thoght he thus if I my tale endite Aught harde or make a proces any while Sche schal no fauoure haue ther-ynne but lyte And trowe I wolde her in my wille begile For tendre wittes wenen al be wyle Where as they konne not pleinely vnderstonde For-thy her witte to serue wolde I fonde (40) And loked on her in a besy wise And sche was ware that he bihelde her soo And seide lord so fast ȝe me a-vise Sawe ȝe me neuer or nowe sey ȝe noo Ȝis ȝis quod he and bettur wil or I goo Bot be my trouthe I thought now if ȝe Be fortunate for nowe men schal hit se (41) FOr to euery wight som godely aventure Som tyme is schape if he can hit receyuen And if that he wil take of hit no cure Whan that hit commes bot wilfully hit weyuen Loo neyther cas ne fortune hym deceuen But right his owne slouthe and werecchednesse And suche a wight is for to blame I gesse (42) Gode a-venture o bele nece haue ȝe Ful lyghtly founde and ȝe konne hit take And for tho loue of a god and eke of me Katche it a-non lest a-uenture slake What schoulde I lenger proces to ȝow make Gif me ȝoure hande for in this worlde is noone If that ȝou lyst a wight so wel be-goone (43) And sithen I speke of gode entencion̄ As I to ȝou haue tolde here be-forone And loue as wel ȝowre honoure and renoun As creature in al this worlde borne By alle tho othes that I haue ȝow sworne And ȝe be wrothe therfore or wene I lye Ne schal I neuer se ȝou eft with eye (44) Bethe not a-gast ne quake not wherto Ne changes not for fere so ȝoure hewe For herdely tho warst of this is doo And thogh my tale as now be to ȝou newe Ȝit tryst alwey ȝe schal fynde me trewe And were it thing that me thought vnsittyng To ȝow wolde I no suche tales bryng (45) Now my gode Eme For goddes Loue I prey Quod sche come of and telle me what hit is For both I am a-gast what ȝe wil sey And eke hit me longes to witte ywis For whether it be wel or be amys Sey on let me not in this fere dwelle So wil I do now herken I schal telle (46) NOw nece myn̄ tho kynges dere sone Tho gode wise worthy freche and free Whiche for to do wel al-wey is his wone Tho noble Troilus so loues the That bot ȝe helpe it wil is bane be Loo here is al what schulde I more seye Doo what ȝow lyst to make hym lyue or dye (47) And if ȝe lat hym dye I wil sterue Haue here my troughe nece I wil not lyen Al schulde I with this knyf my hert kerue With that tho terys brest oute at his eyne And seide if ȝe do vs both dyene Thus gilteles thane haue ȝe fysched fere What mendes it ȝou though that we bothe apayre (48) ALlas he that is my lorde so dere That trewe man that noble gentil knyght That noght desires bot ȝowre frendely chere I se hym dye there he gos vpright And hastes hym with al his ful myght For to be slayne yf fortune wolde assente Allas that god ȝou suche a beaut[e] sente (49) Ȝif hit be so that ȝe so cruel be That of his dethe ȝe lyst not to recche That is so trewe and worthy as we se No more thenne of a Iaper or a wreche If ȝe be suche ȝour bewtee may not strecche To make mendes of so cruel dede Avisement is gode be-fore tho nede (50) Woo worthe tho faire gemme vertules Woo worthe that herbe also that dos no bote Woo worthe that bewte that is routheles Woo worthe that wight that tredes eche thing vnder fote And ȝe that ben so bewte crope and rote Ȝif therwith-al in ȝou ther be no bote Than is hit harme that ȝe lyuo by my trouthe (51) And also thinke wel that this is no gaude For me were leuer thou and I and he Were hanged than I schulde be his baude As hie as men̄ myght on vs alle see I am thyn Eme tho schame vere to me Als wel as to the if that I schulde assent Thorogh myn abette that thyn honoure wer schent (52) Now vnderstonde for I ȝou not require To bynde ȝow to hym thorogh no be-heste Bot only that ȝe make hym bettur chere Than ȝe haue done or this and more feste So that his lyf be saued atte tho leeste This al and som and pleynly owre entent God helpe me so I ner other ment (53) Loo this request is not bot siche ywis Ne doute of reson parde is ther non I swete tho warste that ȝe dredden this is Men wolde wonder to se hym come and goo There a-ȝenys answer I thus a-non That euery wight bot he be fole of kynde Will deme hit loue of frendschippe in his myndo (54) WHat who wil deme thogh He se a man̄ To temple go that he tho ymages eteth Thinke eke how wel and wisely that he can̄ Gouerne hym self that he no thing forgeteth That where he comes he pris and thanke hym getith And eke therto he schal come here so seelde What fors were hit if al tho towne beheelde (55) Suche loue of frendys regneth al this towne And wry ȝou in that mantel euermoo And god so wis be my sauacione As I haue seid ȝoure best ys so to doo But gode nece alwey to stynt his woo So lat ȝoure daunger sugred be a lite That of his dethe ȝe be not for to wite (56) Creseide which that herde hym in this wise Thoght I schal fele what ȝe mene of this Now eme quod sche what wolde ȝe deuise What is ȝoure rede I schal don of this That is wel seide certeine quod he best is That ȝe loue hym a-ȝen for his louyng As loue for loue skilful guerdonyng (57) THinke eke how elde wasteth euery hovre In eche of ȝou a party of bewte And therfore or age the deuoure Goo loue for olde ther wil no wight of the Lat this prouerbe a lore vn-to ȝou be To late yware quod bewte whan it paste And elde daunted daunger atte the laste (58) THo kynges fole is wont to crye lowde Whan that hym thynkes a womman beris hir hye So longe mote ȝe lyue and alle proude Til crowes fete ben waxen vnder ȝowre eye And sende ȝou thenne a myrrour in to prye In whiche that ȝe may see ȝoure face on morowe I bidde wische ȝow no more sorowe (59) With that he stynt and caste doune the hede And sche began to breste on and wepe a-non And seide allas for woo why wer I not dede For of this worlde tho fethe is al gon̄ Allas what schuld a strange vn-to mee doon̄ Whan he that for my beste frende I wende Redes me to loue and schulde hit me defende (60) ALLas I wolde haue trusted dovteles That if I thorogh my disauenture Had loued other hym or Achilles Ector or any mannes creature Ȝe wolde haue had no mercy nor mesure On me bot alway had me in reproue This fals wolde allas who may hit leue (61) WHat is this al tho Ioie and al tho feste Is this ȝowre rede is this my blestful cas Is this tho veray mede of beheste Is al this paynted proces seide allas Right for this fyne O lady myn pallas Thou in this dredeful cas for me purueye For so stonyed am I that I deye (62) With that sche gan ful sorowfully to syke A may it be no betur quod Pandarus By god I schal no more com here this weke And god be-fore that am mystrusted thus I se wel that ȝe sette lytel of hus Or of oure dethe allas I woful wreche Might he ȝit leue of me were not to recche (63) O Cruel dethe o dispitous Marte O furyes thre of helle on ȝou I crye So lat me neuer oute of this hous departe If that I ment harme or vilanye Bot sithen I see my lorde most nedes dye And I with hym here I me schryue and seye That wikkedly ȝe done hus bothe deye (64) But sithen it likes ȝou that I be dede By neptunus that god is of tho see From this forthe schal I neuer ete brede Tyl I myne owne herte blode see For certeyne I wil dye als sone as he And vpe stert and on his way he raught Tyl sche a-gayne hym by tho lappe caught (65) Creseide whiche that welnygh starued for fere So as sche was the ferfulleste wight That myght be and herd eke with hir ere And saw tho sorowful ernest of tho knyght And in his prayers eke sawe non vnright And for tho herme that myght eke falle more Sche gan to rewe and drede hir wonder sore (66) And thought thus vnhappes fallen thykke Alday for loue and in suche manere cas As men ben cruel in hemself and wykke And if this man slee here hym self allas In my presence it wil be no solas What men wolde of hit deme I can not seye Hit nedes me ful slighly for to playe (67) And with a sorowful sike sche seide thrys A lorde what me is tyd a sory chaunce For myne estate lyes in a Iupartys And eke myne Emes lyf as in balaunce But neuer tho les with gode gouernaunce I schal so do myne honoure schal I kepe And eke his lyf and stynt for to wepe (68) Of harmes too the lesse is for to chese Ȝit had I leuer make hym gude chere In honour thenne myne Emes lyf to lese Ȝe seyn̄ that nothing elles ȝe me require No ywis quod he myn̄ owne nece dere Now wel quod sche and I wil do my peyne I schal myn herte a-ȝeyne my luste constreyne (69) But that I wil not holde hym in honde Ne loue a man̄ ne can I not ne may A-ȝens my wille bot elles wil I fonde Myn honour saue plese hym fro day to day Therto nolde I nott ones haue seide nay Bot that I drede as in my fantasie But cesse cause ceseth maladie (70) But here I make a protestacion̄ That in this proces if ȝe depper goo That certenly for no saluacion Of ȝou thogh that ȝe sterue bothe too Thogh al tho worlde in o day be my foo Ne schal I neuer of hym haue other routhe I graunte wel quod Pander be my trouthe (71) Bot may I tryst wel to ȝou quod he That of this thing that ȝe haue heght me here Ȝe wil hit holde truly vnto me Ȝee doutles quod sche myn̄ vncle dere Nor that I schal haue cause in this matere Quod he to pleyne or ofter ȝou to preche Why no parde what nedes more speche (72) THen fellen they in other talkes that were glade Til at tho laste o gude Eme quod sche thoo For his loue that hus bothe made Telle me how fyrst ȝe wisten of his woo Wote noone of hit bot ȝe he seid noo Kan he wel speke of loue quod sche I preye Telle me for I tho bette schal me purueye (73) THenne Pandarus a lytel gan to smyle And seide by my trouthe I schal ȝou telle This other day not gone ful longe while With-ynne tho pales garden by a welle Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle Right for to speke of an ordinaunce How we tho grekes myght disauaunce (74) Sone after that be-gan he to lepe And casten with our dartes to and froo Til atte tho laste he seide he wolde slepe And on tho grece downe he leyd hym thoo And I aftur gan romen to and froo Til that I harde as that I welke allone He be-gan ful wofully to grone (75) THan gan I stalke hym softly behinde And sikerly tho sothe for to seyene As I can̄ clepe aȝene now to my mynde Right thus to loue he gan hym fore to pleyne Lorde haue routhe vpon̄ my peyne Al haue I ben rebelle in myne entente Now mea culpa lorde I me repente (76) O god that at thy disposicion̄ Ledest tho fyn̄ by Iust puruiaunce Of euery wight my low confession̄ Accepte in gree and sende me suche penaunce As likes the but from disesperaunce That may my goste departe a-way fro the Thou be my schelde for thy benignite (77) For certes lorde so sore has sche me wondede That stode in blake with lokyng of hir eyen That to my hertes bothome it is soundede Thorough whicħ I wot I moste nedes deyen This is tho worste I der me not bewryen And wel the hatter ben tho gledes rede That men̄ hem wryen with asches pale and dede (78) With that he smote his hede a-doune a-non̄ And gan to mottre I not what truly And I with that gan̄ stille a-way to gon̄ And lette ther-of as nothing wiste had I And kome a-geyn a-non and stode hym by And seide a-wake ȝe slepen al to longe Hit semes not that loue dos ȝou to longe (79) THat slepen so that no man may ȝou wake Who sawe euer or this so dulle a man̄ Ȝee frende quod he thogħ ȝoure hedes ake For loue and lat me lyuen as I can̄ But thogh that he for woo was pale and wan̄ Ȝit made he there as fresche a countenaunce As thogh he schulde haue ledde tho newe daunce (80) THis passed forthe til nowe this other day It fel that I come romyng al allone In-to his chambre and fonde how that he lay Vp-on his bedde but man so sore grone Ne herde I neuer and what was his mone Ne wiste I noght for as I was commyng Al sodeinly he lofte his compleynyng (81) OF whiche I toke somwhat Suspecion̄ And ner I come and founde he weped sore And god so wys by my sauacion̄ As neuer of thing had I no routhe more For neither with engyne ne with lore Vnnethes myght I fro dethe hym kepe That ȝit I fele myn herte for hym wepe (82) And god wote neuer sithen that I was born̄ Was I so besy a man for to preche Ne neuer was to wight so depe sworn̄ Or he me tolde who myght be his leche But now to ȝou reherce al this speche Or alle his woful wordes for to sowne Ne bidde me noght bot ȝe wil se me swoune (83) But for to saue his lyf and elles noght And to noon of ȝour harme thus am I dryuen And for tho loue of god that hus has wrought Suche chere hym dothe that he and I may lyuen Now haue I plat to ȝou my herte schryuen And sithen ȝe wote that myn entent ys clene Take hede therof for I non euel mene (84) And right gode thryft I prey to god haue ȝe That haue suche oon caught with-owten nette And be tho wise as ȝe be faire to see Wel is in tho rynge that Rubie is sette Were neuer too so wel y-mette Whan ȝe ben his al hole and he is ȝoures That myghty god vs graunte to se that houres (85) Nay therof spake I nott a ha quod sche As helpe me god ȝe schenden euery dele A mercy dere nece a-non quod he What-so I spake I ment nat but wele By Mars the god that helmed is with stele Now be not wrothe my blode my nece dere Now wel quod sche for-ȝeuen be it here (86) With this he toke his leue and whome he went A lorde so he was glade and wel begon̄ Creseide aros no lengar wolde sche stynt Bot streight in to hir closet went a-noon̄ And sette hir doune as stylle as any ston̄ And euery word gan̄ vpe and doune to wynde That he had seide as hit come her to mynde (87) And was somdele astonyd in her thoght Right for tho new cas but whan that sche Was ful auised then fonde sche Right noght Of parill why sche ought a-ferde bee For man̄ may loue of possibilite A woman so his herte may to-breste And sche not to loue a-ȝen bot if her lyste (88) But as sche satte allone and thoght thus Ascrye aros at scarmysche al with-owte And men cryed in tho strete see Troilus Has now putte to flight tho grekes rowte With that gan alle there men for to schoute A goo we see cast vpe the ȝates wyde For thorogh this strete he moste to paleys ryde (89) For other way is fro tho ȝate noon̄ Of dardanus there open̄ is the cheyne With that come he and alle his folke a-noon̄ An esy pace ridyng in rowtes towene Right as his happy day was sothe to seyne Fro whiche men seyn may not distourbed bee That schal be-tyde of necessitee (90) THis Troilus Satte Vpon His Bay Stede Al armed saue his hede ful richely And wounded was his hors and gan to blede On whiche he rod a pace ful softly But suche a knyghtly sight truly As was on hym was not with-owten faille To loke on Mars that god is of bataille (91) So like a man̄ of armes and a knyght He was to seen fulfilled of high prowesse For bothe he had a body and a myght To do a thing as wel as herdinesse And eke to seen hym in his gere to dresse So fresche so ȝonge so worthy semed hee Hit was a heuen vpon hym to see (92) His helme to-beton was in twenty places That by a tissue hing his bake behynde His schelde to-dasched was with swerde and maces In whiche men myghten many an arow fynde That thirled had nerf horne and rynde And euer tho peple cried here comes owre Ioie Next his brother halder vpe of Troie (93) For whiche he wax a rede for schame Whan he tho peple vpon hym herde cryen That to beholde hym it was noble game How soberly he caste downe his eyen Creseide gan al his chere aspien And lete it so soft in her herte synken That to her self sche seid who gaf me drynken (94) For of her owne thoght sche wax al rede Remembring hyr right thus lo this is he Whiche that myn vncle sweres he mote be dede Bot I on hym haue mercy and pitte And with that thoght for pure aschamed sche Gan in her hede to pulle and that as faste While he and alle tho peple forby paste (95) And gan to caste and rollen vp and doune With-ynne her thoght his excellent prowesse And his estate and also his renoune His witte his schappe and eke his gentylnesse Bo moste his fauoure was for his distresse Was al for here and thoght it was a routhe To slee suche on if that he mente bot trouthe (96) Now myght som envious Iangle thus That was a sodeyn loue how myght it bee That sche so lightly loued Troilus Right for tho first sight ȝe parde Now who so seide soo mote he neuer the For euery thing a gynnyng has hit nede Or al be wroght with-outen any drede (97) For I sey not that sche so sodenly Gaf hym her loue bot that sche gan encline To lyke hym first and I haue tolde ȝou why And after that his manhede and his pyne Made loue with-ynne her harte for to myne For whiche by proces and by gude seruise He gate her loue and in no sodeyne wise (98) And also blestfuɫɫ venus wel arayed Sat in hire seuenth hous of heuen tho Disposed wel and with aspectes paied To helpen sely Troilus of his woo And sothe sey sche was not al a foo To Troilus in his natiuite God wote that wel tho sonner spedde he (99) Now lat vs stynt of Troilus a Throwe That rides forthe [MS. forthe forthe] and lat vs turne faste Vnto Creseide that hyng her hed ful lowe There as sche sat allone and gan to caste Where there that sche wolde appointe her atte tho laste If it so were her Eme ne wolde sese For Troilus vpon her for to prese (100) And lord so sche gan̄ in her herte argue In this matere of whiche I haue ȝow tolde And what to do best were and what escheue That plited sche ful oft in many a folde Now was her harte warme now was it colde And what sche thoght somwhat schal I write As to myn auctor lysteth to endite (101) Sche thought wel that Troilus persone Sche knew by sight and eke his gentilnesse And thus sche seide al were it not to do To graunte hym loue ȝit for his worthinesse It were honour with pleye and with gladnesse In honeste with suche a lorde to dele For myn estate and also for his hele (102) EKe wel wot I my kynges sone is he And sithen he has to se me suche delite If I wolde vtturly his sight flee Paraunter he myght haue in dispite Thorogh whiche I myght stonde in worse plite Now were I wise me hate to purchace With-outen nede there I may stonde in grace (103) In euery thing I wot there lyes mesure For thogh a man̄ forbede dronkennesse He not forbedes that euery creature Be drynkeles for alway I gesse And sithen I wote for me is his distresse I aught not for that thing hym dispise Sithen it is soo he menes in gode wise (104) And eke I knowe of longe tyme a-goon His thewes gode and that he is not nyce Navantour seith men certein he nys noon To wise is he to do so grete a vice Ne als I nyl hym neuer so cherice That he may make a vant by Iust cause He schal me neuer bynde in suche a clause (105) Now sette a cas the herdeste is ywis Men myghten deme that he loues me What dishonour wer it vnto me this May I hym lette of that why nay parde I know also and al day here and see Men loue wommen al beside her leue And whan hem lyst no more lat hem leue (106) I thynk eke how he able is forto haue Of al this noble towne the thriftiest To be his loue so sche her honour saue For owte of dowte he is the worthiest Saue oonly Ector with that he is the best And ȝit his lyf now lyes al my cure But suche is loue and eke myn a-venture (107) Ne me to loue a wonder is hit noght For wel I wote my self so god me spede Al wolde I that no man̄ wiste of this thoght I am oon tho feirest oute of drede And godelyst who so takes hede And so men seyn̄ in al the tovne of Troie What wonder is thogh he of me haue Ioie. (108) I Am myne owne Womman wel at ese I thanke it god as after myn̄ estate Right ȝonge and stonde vntyed in lusty lese With-owte Iolousie or suche debate Schal no housbonde sey to me chek mate For ether they be ful of Ialousie Or maisterful or louen nouuelrie (109) WHat schal I doo to what fyn lyue I thus Schal I not loue in cas ȝif that me lyste What parde I am not religious And thogh that I myn̄ herte sette at reste Vpon this knyght that is tho worthieste And kepe away myn̄ honour and myn̄ name By al right it may do me no schame (110) But right as whan the sonne schines bright In marche that oft tyme chaunges his face And that a clowde is putte with wynde to flight Which ouer-sparth tho sonne as for a space A cloudy thoght gan thorogh her herte pace That ouer-spredde her bright thoghtes alle So that for fere almost sche gan to falle (111) THat thoght was this allas sithen I am free Schulde I now loue and putte in Iupartie My sikernesse and thrallen libertee Allas how dorste I thenke that folye May I not wel in other folke espie Her dredeful Ioye her constreint and her peyne Ther loues noon that sche ne has wey to pleyne (112) For loue is ȝit the moste stormy lyf Right of hym self that euer was begonne For euer some mystrust or nyce stryf Ther is in loue some cloude is ouer that sonne Therto we wrecche wommen nothing konne Whan hus is woo but wepe and sitte and thinke Owre wreche is this owre owne wo we drynke (113) ALso thes wicked tonges ben so preste To speke vs harme eke men be so vntrewe That right a-noon as cessed is her luste So ceses loue and forthe to loue a newe But harme y-doon is doon̄ who-so it rewe For thogh thes men for loue hem first to-rende Ful scharpe begynnyng brekes oft at ende (114) How often tyme has hit I-knowen been Tho treson tha[t] to wommen has be doo To what fyne is suche loue I can̄ not seen Or where becomes hit whan hit is goo Ther is no wight that wote I trowe soo Where it becomes loo no wight on hit sporneth That erst was no thing in-to noght it tourneth (115) How besy if I loue eke most I bee To plese hem that Iangle of loue and dremen And toye hem that they sey no harme of me For thogh ther be no cause ȝit hem semen Al be for harme that folke her frendes quemen And who may stoppen euery wicked tonge Or sowme of belles whenne that they ben ronge (116) And after that her thoght gan to clere And seide he which that nothing vndertaketh No thing acheves by hym lothe or dere And with an other thoght herte quaketh Thenne slepes hope and after drede a-waketh Now hote now colde bot thus be-twix twene Sche rises vp and went her for to pleyne (117) Adoune the Stayer a-non right there [MS. therere] sche wente In-to tho gardyne with her neces thre And vp and dovn the made many a wente Floxippe and sche Tarbe and Antigone To pleyen that it Ioye was to see And other of her wommen a grete rowte Her folowed in the gardyn al a-bowte (118) THis ȝerde was large and rayled alle tho aleys And schadoued wel with blosmed bowes grene I-benched wel and sanded new atte tho weyes In which sche walked arme in arme be-twene Til at tho laste Antigone the schene Gan on a trochan songe to singe clere That it a heuen was her voce to here (119) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 1.) Sche seide o loue to whome I haue and schal Ben humble subget trewe in myn entente As I best can̄ to ȝow lorde ȝeue yche aɫɫ For euer mo my hertes loue to-rente For neuer ȝit thy grace no wight sente So blisful cause has me my lyf to lede In al Ioie and seurte oute of drede (120) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 2.) Ȝe blisfull god han me so wel besette In loue ywis that al that beris lyf Ymagen me coude how to be bette For lord with-outen Ialousie or strif I loue oon which that is moste ententif Te serue wel vnwery and vnfeyned That euer was and leste with herme distrened (121) As he that is the welle of worthinesse Of trougthe grounde myrrour̄ of godelyhed Of witte Appollo stone of sikernesse Of vertue rote of lust fynder and hed Thorogh whiche is al my sorow fro me dede Ywis I loue hym best so dos he me Now gode thryfte haue he where-so that he be (122) WHome schulde I thanke bot ȝou god of loue Of al this blisse in whicħ I bathe begynne And thanked be ȝe lord for that I loue This is the right lyf that I am ynne To flemen alle maner vice and synne This dos me so to vertu for to entende That day by day in my wille I amende (123) And who that seis that for to loue is wice Or thraldam thoght he fele in hit distresse He other is envious or elles right nyce Or is vnmyghty for his schrewdnesse To loue for suche manere folke I gesse Diffamen loue as nothing of it knowe They speken but thay bent neuer his bowe (124) (Antigone's Song of Love. St. 6.) What is the sonne wars of kynde right Thogh that a man̄ for feblesse of his eyen May not endure on hit to seen for bright Or loue the warse though wrecches on hit cryen No wele is worthe that may no sorow dryen And for-thy he that has an hede of verre Fro caste of stones war hym in tho werre (125) But I with al my herte and al my myght As I haue seid wil loue vnto my laste My dere herte and al myn owne knyght In whicħe myn̄ herte growen is so faste And his in me that it schal neuer laste Al drede I first to loue hym to begynne Now wote I wel ther is no peril Inne [End of Antigone's Song of Love.] (126) And of Her song Right With that worde Sche Stynt And therwith-al now nece quod Creseide Who made this songe now with so gode entent Antigone answerede anon and seide Madam ywis the godeliest mayde Of grete estate in al the towne of troie And lette her lyf in moste honour and Ioie (127) For-sothe soo it semes by her songe Quod thenne Creseide an gan therwith to sike And seide lorde is there suche blisse a-monge Thes louers as they can̄ faire endite Ȝee ywis quod fresche Antigone the white For alle the folke that han or ben a-lyue Ne cowde wel the blisse of loue discryue (128) But wene ȝe that euery wrecche wote Tho parfite Llysse of loue nay ywis They wenen al be loue thoghe oon be hote Do wey do wey they wot no thing of this Men mosten aske at saintes ȝit it is Aught faire in heuen why for thay can̄ telle And askes fendes is it foule in helle. (129) Creseide vnto that purpos not answered But seide ywis it wil be nyght als faste But euery worde whiche that sche of hir' hard Sche gan to prente in hir' harte faste And aye gan̄ loue hir lesse to-agaste Than it dide erst and synken in hir' herte That sche vax somwhat able to conuerte (130) THo dayes honnour' and the heuens eye Tho nyghtes foo al this clepe I tho sonne Gan westren fast and douneward for to wrye As he that had his dayes course y-ronne And white thynges wexen dymme and donne For lacke of lyght and sterres for to appere That sche and alle here folke went ynue in fere (131) So whenne it lyked hir' to go to reste And voided weren thoo that voiden ought Sche seide that to slepe wel hir' lyste Her wommen sone in to her bede hir' brought Whan al wa[s] hust thenne lay sche stylle and thought Of al this thing the manere and the wise Reherse it nedes not for ȝe ben wise (132) A Nightyngale vpon a sedre grene Vnder tho chambre wal there that sche lay Ful lowde sange a-ȝen the mone schene Paraunter in his byrdes wise a lay Of loue that made herte fresche and gay That herkened sche so longe in gode entent That at tho last the dede slepe her hent (133) And as sche slepe a-non right tho her mette How that an egle federed white as bon̄ Vnder her breste hys longe clawes sette And oute her harte he rente and that a-non̄ And dide his herte in to her breste to gon̄ Of whiche sche noght agroos ne nothing smerte And forthe he flegh with herte loft for herte (134) Now lete her slepe and we owre tale holde Of Troilus that is to palys riden For tho scarmysche of tho whiche I tolde And in his chambre sitte and has a-biden Til too or there of his messages ȝeden For Pandarus and soughten hym so faste Til they hym fonde and brought hym at tho last (135) This Pandarus come leping in at oones And seid thus who has ben wel y-bette To-day with swerdes and with slynge stones But Troilus that has goten hym an hete And gan to Iape and seide lorde ȝe swete But rise and lat vs soupe and go to reste And he answered hym go we where the liste (136) With al the haste godely that they myght They spedde hem to tho souper and to bedde And euery wight with-owte the dore hem dight And where hem lyst vpon̄ here wey hem spedde But Troilus that thoght his herte bledde For wo til that he herde som tydynge He seid frende schal I now wepe or synge (137) Quod Pandarus be stille and lat me slepe And don̄ thy hode thy nedes spedde bee And chese if thou wilt synge daunce or lepe At schort wordes thou schalt trust in me Sir my nece wil do wel by the And loue the beste by god and by my trouthe But lake of poursuite make in thy slouthe (138) For thus ferforthe I haue thy werk begonne Fro day to day tyl this day be tho morowe Hir loue and frenschipe haue I to the wonne And therto has sche leyd her feith to borow Algate a fote is hameled of thy sorow What scholde I lenger sermon of hit holde As ȝe haue herde before he al hym tolde (139) But right as floures thorog the colde of nyght Closed stoupen on her stalke lowe Redressen hem a-ȝen the sonne bryght And spreden on her kynde course by rowe Right so gan tho his eyen vpe to throwe This Troilus and seide o venus dere Thy myght thy grace y-heried be hit here (140) And to Pander he hielde vp bothe his handes And seid lord al thyn be that I haue For I am hole and brasten been my bandes A thousand Troies who-so that me ȝaue Eche after other god so me wisse and saue Ne myght me so glade loo myn herte Hit spredes so for Ioye it wil oute-sterte (141) But lord how schal I do how schal I lyuen Whan schal I next my dere hert see How schal this longe tyme a-way be dryuen Til that thou be a-ȝen at her fro me Thou maist answere a-byde a-vide but he That hanges by tho nekke sothe to seyne In grete disese abides for tho peyne (142) Al esely now for tho loue of marte Quod Pandarus for euery thing has tyme So longe a-biede til that tho nyght departe For al so siker as thou lyest here by me And god be-fore I wil be there atte prime And for thy warke somwhat as I schal saye Or on som other wight this charge leye (143) For parde god wote I haue euere ȝit Been redy the to serue and to this nyght Haue I not fayned but eneforthe my witte Doon al thy luste and schal with al my myght Doo now as I schal sey and fare a-right And ȝif thou nylt. wite al thy self thy care On me is noght a-longe thyn euyl fare (144) I Wote wel that thou Wisar art than I A thousand folde but if I were as thou God helpe me soo as I wolde vtterly Right of myn owne honde write her right now A lettre in whiche I wolde her telle how I ferde a-mysse and beseche of routhe Now helpe thyself and leue it for no slouthe (145) And I myself schal ther-with to her gon̄ And whan thou wottest that I am with hir there Lepe thou vpon̄ a courser right a-non̄ Ȝe hardily right in thy beste gere And ride forthe by tho place as noght were And thou schalt fynde vs if I may sittyng At som wyndow in-to tho strete lokyng (146) And if the lyst thenne maist thou vs salue And vppon me make thy countenance But by thy lyf be war and fast escheue To tary ought god schilde hus fro myschance Ryde forthe thy wey and holde thy gouernance And we schal speke of the somwhat as I trowe Whan̄ thou art gone to do thyn eres glowe (147) Touching thy lettre thou arte wise ynough I wote thou nylt it deyneliche endite As make it with thes argumentis tough Ne scryuenysch or craftely thow write Biblotte it with thy terys eke a lite And thogh thou write a godely worde al softe If it be gode reherse hit noght to ofte (148) For though tho best harpe vp-on lyue Wolde on tho beste souned Ioly harpe That euer was with alle his fyngres fyue Touche ay oo streng or aye oo warble harpe. Where is nayles / poynted neuer so sharpe [At this line of the MS. a different handwriting begins.] Hit shulde make. euery whyght to dulle To here is glec. and of his strokes fulle (149) Ne Iompre eke. no discordant thing in fere Al thus to vsen. termes of phisyk In loues termes. holde of thy matere The fourme alway. and do that it be lyke For yif a payntur wolde peynt a pyke wyth asses fete. and hede it as an ape. It cordytħ not. soo where it but a Iape (150) THis conseil liked wel vn-to Troilus But as a dredful. louer he seid this Allas my dere brother Pandarus I am a-shamed. for to writte y-wys Lest of myn Innocence I seid amys Or that she nold it /. for despite Receyue Than wer I dede. there mygħt nothing it weyue (151) To that Pandare. answerde yif the liste Doo that I sey. and lat me therwytħ goon̄ And by that that lorde. fourmetħ est and west I hope of it. to bring bring / an answere a-noon̄ Of hir honde. and yif that thou nylt noon̄ lat be and sory mote he ben his lyue A-yens thy lust. that helpetħ the to thrive (152) Quod Troilus. depardieux I assent Syth that the list. I wole a-ryse and wrytte And blessful gode. I prey wyth gode entent The viage and the lettre I shal endite Soo spede it wele. and tho Minerva the white Yif thou me wytte. my lettre to devise And sette hym doun̄. and wrote [MS. wrohote] Ryghit in this wyse (153) (Troilus's Letter.) First He gan Her His Lady calle His hertis lyf / his lust. his sorowes leche His blisse. and eke this other termes alle That / in suche cause. thes louers alle seche And in ful humble wyse. as in his speche He gan hym. Recommande vn-to hir grace To telle al how. it axetħ moche space (154) And afftyr this. he lowly he hir preide To be not wrothe. thogħ he of his folye So hardy was. to hir to write and seide That loue it made. and elles must he dye And pitously. gan mercy for to crye And afftir that /. he seid and lied lowde hym self was litel wrotħe. and lesse he cowde (155) And that she sholde. han his commynge excused That litel was. and eke he drede hir soo And his wrothnes. ay he excused And afftyr that. gan he to calle his woo But that was endeles. wythouten̄ hoo and seid he wolde. alwey in trouthe hym holde and Rede it ouer. and gan the lettre folde (End of Troilus's Letter.) (156) And wyth his salte. teres gan [MS. gan teres] he bathe The ruby in his signet. and it sette Vpon̄ the wex. deliuerliche and rathe Therwytħ a thousand. tymes or he lette He kyssed the lettre. that he shette And seid lettre. O blesful destince The shapen is. my lady shal the see (157) This Pandarus. toke and that be tyme A morowe and to his. neces pales sterte And faste he swore. that it was passed prime And gan to Iape. and seid Y-Wys myn herte So fresscħ it is. al-thogħ it sore smerte I mey neuer slepe. a mays morowe I haue a Ioly woo. a lusty sorow (158) Creseide whan that. she hir vncle herde Wytħ dredful herte. and disirous to here The cause of his commynge. thus answerde Now be your fey. myn vncle quod she dere Whate maner wyndes. gydetħ you now here Telle vs your Ioly woo. and your penaunce How ferfortħ be ye. putte in loues davnce (159) By gode quod he. I hope alwey be-hynde And she to laugħ. it thougħt hir hert brest Quod Pandarus / loke alwey. that ye fynde Game in myn hode. but herkeneth yf you list Ther is Rygħt comen now. in-to tovne a geste A greke espie. and telleth new tithinges For wycħe I come. to bringe you tydinges (160) In-to the garden̄. goo we and he shal here Al priuely of this. a longe sermoun Wytħ that they went /. arme in arme y-fere In-to the garden. from the chambre dovn̄ And whan that he. so ferre was / that the sovn̄ Of that he spake. noman heren mygħt He seide her thus /. and oute the lettre plygħt (161) LOo he that is. al holy yours free Hym Recommandith. lowly to your grace And sent / you this lettre. here be me A-visetħ you on hit. whan he han space And of som godely. answere you purchace Or helpe me gode. so pleinely for to seyn̄ He may not longe. lyven for his peyne (162) And dredfully. tho gan she stonde stille And toke nogħt. but al hir humble chere Gan̄ for to change. and seid scrit ne bille For loue of gode. that touchetħ suche matere Ne bringe me none. and also vncle dere To myn estat. haue more Rewarde I preye Than to his lust. what sholde I more seye (163) And loketħ now. yif this be Resonable And let nogħt. for fauour ne for slouthe To seyn̄ a sothe. now were it conuenable To myn̄ estat. by gode and by your trouthe To taken hit /. or to han on hym routhe In harmyng of my-self / or in repreve Bere it a-yen̄. for hym that ye on̄ leve (164) This Pandarus. gan on̄ hir for to stare And seide now is this. the grettest wonder That euer I saw. let be this nece fare To dethe mote I smyten̄ been̄ wytħ thonder yif for the Cite wych that stondith yonder Wolde I a lettre. vn-to you bringe or take To harme of you. what lust ye thus it make (165) But thus ye faren. wel nygħt alle and some That ye that must / desireth you to serue Of hym to recche lest /. where he be-come And whedere that he. lyue or ellys sterue But for al that / that I may deserue Refusitħ it not /. quod he and hent / hert faste And in hir bosom. the lettre dovn he thriste (166) And seide her now. caste it alwey a-noon̄ That folke may see. and gavren on vs twey Quod she I can̄. a-bide til they be goon̄ And gan to smyle. and seyd Eme I prey Suche answere as you lyst. your self purvey For truly I nyl no lettre wryte No than wyl I. quod he so ye endite (167) Therwytħ sho lougħ. and seid go we dyne And he gan at hym-self. to Iapyn faste And seyde nece. I haue so gret a pyne For loue. that euery day other day fast And gan̄ his beste. Iapes forth to caste And made hir soo. to laugħ at his folye That she for laughter. wende for to dye (168) And whan that she was comen̄ in-to the halle Now Eme quod she. we wyl goo dyne a-non̄ And gan̄ som of hir women̄ to hir calle And streigħt in-to hir chambre gan̄ she gan̄ But of hir besines. this was oon A-monges other thinges. oute of drede Ful priuely. this lettre for to Rede (169) Avysed worde by worde. in euery lyne And fonde no lake. she thougħt he cowde his gode And vp it putte. and went hir in to dyne But Pandarus / that in a stody stode Er he was ware. she toke hym by the hode And seid ye were caught. er ye wyst I vouche sauf quod he. doo what ye lyst (170) Tho wysshen they. and sette hem dovn̄ to mete And aftyr noon̄. ful slyghly pandarus And gan̄ drawe hym to the wyndowe nexte the strete And seid Nece. who hatħ a-rayde thus The yonder hous / that stant a-for yen̄ vs Wycħ hous quod she. and gan̄ for to be-holde And knew it wele. and whos it was hym̄ tolde (171) And Fellen Forth. in speche of thinges Smale And setten in the. wyndow bothe twey Whan Pandarus saugh. tyme vn-to his tale And saugh wel. that her folke were a-weye Now nece myn̄. quod he telle on̄ I sey How liketh you. the lettre that ye wote Kan he ther-on̄. for by my trouthe I note (172) Therwyth al Rosy hewede tho wax she And gan̄ to homme. and seid so I troye A-quyte hym wel. for goddes loue quod he My-self to medes. wole the lettre sowe And helde his handis vp and satte on̄ knowe Now gode nece. be ye neuer so lite yeue me the labour. hit to sowe and plite (173) Yee for I can̄ soo. wryten̄ quod she tho And eke I note. what I shulde to hym seye Nay nece quod pandare. sey not soo yit at the leste. thanketh hym I prey Of his gode wylle. and do-the hym not to dye Now for the loue. of me my nece dere Refusitħ not. at this tyme my prayere (174) Bepardieux quod she. god leue al be wele God helpe me soo. this is the first lettre That euer I wrote ye al or any deel And in-to a closet. for to a-vise hir bettur She went a-non̄. and gan̄ hir hert vnfettur Oute of disdeydens. put a lite And sette hir dovn̄. and a lettre wryte (175) Of qwych to telle. in short myn̄ entent Theffect as fer. as I can̄ vndirstonde She thanked hym. of al that he wel mente Towardis hire but holden̄ hym in honde She wolde noght. ne hir self bonde In loue but as his suster hym to plese She wolde fayn̄. to doon̄ his hert an̄ ese (176) She shitte it. and in to Pandarus gan̄ gon̄ There as he satte. and loked in-to the strete And dovn̄ she sette hir. be hym̄ on̄ a ston̄ Of Iasper on a quessyhon̄ golde y-bete And seid as wysly. helpe me gode the grete I neuer did a thing. wyth more peyne Than wryten this. to wyche ye me constreyne (177) And toke it hym / he thonked hir and seide Gode wote of thing /. ful lothe ofte be-gonne Cometh ende gode. and nece myn̄ Creseide That ye to hym. of harde now ben y-wonne He ought be glade. by gode and yonder sonne For why men̄ seyn̄. Impressyons ligħt Ful lightly ben̄. ay Redy to the flyght (178) But ye han̄ pleide. the Tirant ny to longe And harde was it. your hert for to graue Now stynt that ye. no lenger on̄ hit honge Al wolde ye the fourme. of davnger save And hastyth you. to doon̄ hym Ioye haue For trusteth wel to longe y-dovn̄ hardnesse Causeth despite. ful ofte for distresse (179) And Rigħt as they declared this matere Loo Troilus Rigħt at the stretes ende Come Riding. wyth his tenteth some y fere Al softly and thitherwarde gan̄ bende There as they satte as whey his was to wende To paleys warde. and Pandarus hym espiede And seide nece. y sec who cometh here Ride (180) O Fleith note In. He seyth. vs I Suppose lest he may thinke. that ye hym estue Nay nay. quod she. and wax as Rede as Rose Wyth that he gan hir humble to salue Wyth dredful chere. and ofte his hewes newe And vp his looke. debonairely he caste And bekked on̄ pandare. and forthe he paste (181) Gode wot yif he. sat on̄ his hors aryght Or godely was besen. that ilke day Gode wote where he was. lyke a manly knygħt What shulde I drecche. or telle of his aray Creseide wyche. that al this thinges say To telle in shorte. hir liked al in fere his persone his aray. his loke his chere (182) His godely manere. and his gentilnesse So wel that neuer sith. that she was born̄ Ne hade she suche Routhe. of his distresse And how that she. hath ben harde herbeforn̄ To gode hope I. she hayth caught a thorn̄ She shall not pulle it. oute this nexte wyke Gode sende moo. suche thornes on̄ to pyke (183) Pandare wych. that stode hir faste by Felt Iren̄ hote. and he be-gan̄ to smyte And seid Nece I pray you hartely Telle me that I shal axen̄ you a lite A woman that were of his dethe to wytte Wythouten̄ his gilte. but for her lake of routhe Were it wel doon̄. quod she nay nay by my trouthe (184) God helpe me soo. quod he ye sey me southe ye felen̄ wel your self /. that I not lye loo yonde he rydith. quod she so he dothe Wele quod Pandare. as I haue tolde you thrye lat be your nyce. shame and your folye And speke wyth hym. in esyng of his hert lat nycete not doo. you bothe smerte (185) But theron̄ was to heuen̄ And to drone Considered al thing. it may not be And why for shame. and eke it were to soone To graunten̄ hym̄. so grete a liberte For pleinly al hir entent. as seid she was to loue hym. vnwyst yf she mygħt And guerdon̄ hym̄. wyth nothing but wyth sygħt (186) But pandarus thought it shal not be soo yif that I may. this nyce opinion̄ Shal not ben̄ holden̄. fully yer[e]s two What shulde I make. of this a longe sermon̄ he must assent. on̄ that conclusion̄ As for the tyme. and whan̄ that it was eve And al was wele. he ros and toke is leue (187) And on̄ his wey. ful fast homward he spedde And rygħt for Ioye. he felt his hert[e] davnce And Troilus he fonde. allone a-bedde That lay as doon. as thes louers in a traunce Be-twyxen hope. and derke disesperance But Pandarus. rygħt at his commyng he songe. as who seith. som-what I bringe (188) And seide. who is in his bedde so soone I-buryed thus. it am I. frende quod he Who Troilus. nay helpe me soo the mone Quod pandarus. thou shalt a-ryse and see A charme that was. now rygħt send to the The wyche can̄ helen̄. the of thyn accesse Yif thou doo forth. wyth al thy besinesse (189) Yee thurgħ the myght of gode quod Troilus And pandarus. gan hym the lettre take And seid pardieux. god hath holpen vs Haue here a lygħt. and loke on̄ this blake But ofte gan̄ the hert. to glade and quake Of Troilus. whille that he gan̄ it Rede Soo as the wordes. yaue hym hope and drede (190) [The usual colourd initial letter is omitted here.] but finially he toke. al for the beste That she hym wrote. for somwhat he behelde On̄ wycħ he thought. he myght his hert[e] Reste Al couerde she. the wordes vnder shelde Thus to the more worthy part he helde That what for hope. and pandarus byheste His grete whoo. foryede he atte leste (191) But as whe may. al day your self see Thurgħ more wode. or cole the more fyre Rygħt so encres of hope. of what it bee Therewyth ful ofte. encrecyth eke desire Or as an̄ ook. comyth of a litel spire Soo thurgħ this lettre. wych that she hym sende Encrecen̄ kan̄. desire of wyche he brende (192) [The usual colourd initial letter is omitted here.] wherfore I sey alway that day and nygħt This troilus gan̄ to desiren̄ more Than̄ he did erst. thurgħ hope and did his mygħt To presen hir oon̄. as pandarus lore And wryten̄ to hire. of his sorowes sore Fro day to day he lette it not refreide That by pandare. he wrot somwhat or seide (193) And did also his other obseruances That til a louer. longeth in this cas And afftyr this dees fellen̄ on̄ chances So whas he other glade. or seide allas And hielde afftyr. his gestes ay his pas And afftir suche answers as he hade Soo were his dees. sory or gladde (194) [The usual colourd initial letter is omitted here.] but to pandare alwey was Recours And pitously. gan̄ ay to hym to pleyne And hym bysought /. of Rede and som socoure And pandarus. that seigħt his wode peyne Wax wel nygħ dede. for routh sothe to seyne And besily wyth alle his hert[e] caste Som̄ of his woo. to sleen̄ and that as faste (195) And seid lorde and frende. and brother dere Gode wote [th overlined.] that thy disese. doothe me woo But wyltow styntyn̄. al this wooful chere And by my trouthe. or hit be dayes twoo And to-forn̄. yit shal I it shape soo That thou shalt come in to a certeine place There as thou maist. pray hir thi self of grace (196) [The usual large initial letter is omitted here.] and certeinly I note yif thou it wost But thoo that ben̄. expert in loue it sey It is oon̄ of the thinges. that further moost A man̄ to haue. a leser for to prey And a siker place. his woo for̄ to bewrey For in gode hert. it mot som routhe impresse To here and see. the giltles in distresse (197) Paranter thinkestow. thogħ it be soo That kynde wolde. doon̄ hir to be-gynne To han̄ a manere. Routhe vp-on̄ the woo Seyth daunger nay. thou shalt me neuer wynne So rulytħ hir. her hertis goste wythinne That thogħ she bent. yit she stant on̄ Rote What in effect. is this vn-to thy boote (198) THenke here a-geyns. Whan that sturdy ooke On wych men̄ hakke. ofte for the noons Receuyd hathe. the happy fallyng stroke The grete sweyght. dothe it come al at oones As doon̄ the Rokkes. and this mylstones For swyftetur cours. cometh thing that is of weight Whan̄ it descendeth. than̄ doon̄ thes thinges ligħt (199) But Reede that blowytħ doon̄. wytħ euery wynde Ful lygħtly cesse wynde. it wole aryse But soo wyl not an̄ hooke. whan it is caste Hit nedith me not. the longe to forvise Men shal reiosen. of a grete emprise Acheued wel. and stant wyth-outen̄ doute Al haue men̄ been. the lenger theraboute (200) But. Troilus yit telle me yf the liste A thing. now qwych. I schal axe the Wych is thy brother. that thou louest beste As in thy veray hertis. priuetee y-wys my dere brother. Deiphebus quod he Now quod pandare. or houres twyes twelue he shal the ese. vnwyst of hit hym selfue (201) Now lat malone . and werken̄ as I may Quod he . and to Depheibus went he tho whicħ hade his lorde . and grete frynde ben̄ ay Saue Troilus no man̄ . he loued soo To tellen in short / . wythouten̄ wordes moo Quod pandarus . I prey you that ye be (202) Yis parde quod Dephebus wel thou wost In al that euer I may . and gode to-forn̄ Al ner it but . for man̄ I loue most My brother Troilus . but sey me wherfore Hit is . for sitħ the day that I was bore I nas ne neuer . moo to ben I thenke Ayeins a thinge . that myght the forthenke (203) Pandare gan̄ hym thanke . and to hym seide Loo sir . I haue a lady in this tovn̄ That is my Nece . and calle is Creseide Wycħ som̄ men̄ wolde doovn oppression And wrongfully . han̄ her possession Wherfore of your lordshippe . I you beseche To been oure frynde . wytħouten more speche (204) Deiphebus hym answerde. o is not this That thou spakest of. to me this strangely Creseide my frende . pandare he seid sir yis Than neditħ. quod dephebus hardely No more to speke . for trustetħ wel that I Wole ben her Champion̄ . wyth spere and yerde I Rought not . thogħ al her foos it herde (205) But telle me thou . that wost al this matere how myght I best . a-vaillen now lat see Quod pandarus yif / . ye my lorde soo dere wolden as now . doo this honour to me To prayen her to-morow . loo that she Com vnto you . her pleintes to devise her Aduersaries wolden of hit agrise (206) And yf that more . I durst pray you as now And chargen you . to haue so grete trauaille To han̄ som of your brethern here with you That myghten to her cause. bette a-vaille Than wote I wel . she mygħt neuer faille For to ben holpen̄ . what at your instaunce what wyth here othere . fryndis gouernaunce (207) Dephebus qwyche that comen̄ was of / kynde To al honour and bounte . to consente. Answerde it shal be don̄ . and I kan̄ fynde yit grete helpe . to this in myn̄ entente What wyltow sey . yif I for Elen sent To speke of this . I trowe it be the beste For she may leden . Parys as her lyste (208) Of Ector wyche. that is my lorde my brother hit nedith noght. to prey hym frende to be For I haue herde hym. oo tyme and eke other Speke of Creside suche honour that he May sey no bette. suche happe to hym hath she hit nedith nogħt. his helpes for to craue he shal be. suche Ryght as we wole hym haue (209) Speke thou thiself / Also to Troilus On my by-halue. and prey hym with vs dyne Syr al this shal be doon̄ quod Pandarus And toke his leue. and neuer gan̄ to fyne But vn to his neces hous. as streght as lyne He come and fonde her. fro the mete a-rise And sette hym dovn̄. and spak Ryght in this wyse (210) He seide O veray god. so haue I Ronne Loo nece myn̄. see ye not how I swete I not whether ye me the more thonke konne Be ye noght ware. how fals poliphete Is now a-boute. efte sones for to plete And bringe on̄ you. aduocacies newe I no quod she. and changed al her hewe (211) What is he more a-boute me to drecche And doon̄ me wronge. what shal I doon̄ allas yit for my selfe. nothing nolde I recche Nere it for Antenor and Eneas That ben̄ his frendes in suche maner cas But for the loue of gode myn̄ vncle dere No fors for that. lat hym haue al in fere (212) Wythouten̄ that I haue y-nogħ for vs Nay quod Pandare. it shal nothinge be soo For I haue ben̄ Ryght now at deiphebus And Ector and myn other lordes moo And shortly maked. eche of hem̄ his foo That by my thryft. he shal it neuer wynne For aught he gan̄. whan so that he begynne (213) And as they easten̄ what was beste to doon̄ Deiphebus of his one curtesie Come hir to praye. in his propre persone To holden hym on the morow companye At dyner. wych she wolde not denye But godely gan̄ tyl is praire obeye he thonked her. and went vpon̄ his weye (214) Whan this was doon̄. this Pandarus vp a-non̄ To telle in short. ande forthe he gan to wende To troilus as stylle as any ston̄ And al this thinge. he tolde hym worde and ende And how that he. Deiphebus gan to blende And seide hym̄ now. is tyme yif thou konne To bere the wele. tomorow. and al is wonne (215) Now speke now pray. now pitously compleyne let not for nyce shame. or drede or slouthe Som tyme a man̄. mot telle his one peyne Byleve it. and she shal han on̄ the Routhe Thou shal be sauede. by thy feythe and trouthe But wel wote I. that thou arte now in drede And what it is. I ley I kan̄ a-rede (216) THou thinkest now. How Shulde I doon̄ al this For by my cheres. must folke espie That ffor hir loue. is that I fare a-mys yit hade I leuer. vnwyst for sorow dye Now thinke not soo. for thou doost grete folye For ryght now. I haue fonde oo manere Of sleight. for to eoueren al thy chere (217) Thou shalt goon̄ ouer nyght bylyve vn-to Dephebus hous. as the to pleye Thy malady a-wey. the bette to dryue For why thou semest. syke sothe to seye And afftyr that. dovn̄ in thy bedde the leye And sey thou maist. no lengur vp endure And lye there Ryght. and byde thyn a-venture (218) Sey that thy feuere. is wonte the for to take The same tyme. and lasten tyl a morowe And lat see now. how wel thou kanst it make For pardy syke is he. that is in sorowe Goo now farwel. and Venus here to borowe I hope and thou. this purpos holde ferme Thy grace she shal. fully there conferme (219) Qvod Troilus y-wys thou ned[e]les Conseillest me. that sykelych y me feyne For I am syke in ernest douteles So that wel nygh. [I] sterve for the peyne Quod Pandarus thou shalt the bettur pleyne And haste the lesse. nede to counterfete For hym men̄ demen̄ hote. that men seen swete (220) Loo holde the at thy tryst clos And I Shal wel the dere. vnto thy bowe dryue Therwyth he toke. his leue al softly And Troilus to paleys. went blyve So glade ne was he. neuer in al his lyue And to pandarus rede. gan̄ al assente And in-to Deiphebus. hous at nyght he wente (221) What nedyth you. to tellen̄ al the chere That deiphebus. vnto his brother made Or his accesse. or his sykelych manere how men̄ gan̄ hym̄. wyth clothes for to lade Whan̄ he was leyde. and how men̄ wolde hym̄ glade But al for noght. he helde forthe the wyse That ye han̄ herde. Pandare er this devise (222) But Certein is or Troilus hym̄ leyde Deiphebus hade y-prayde hym ouer nyght To bene a frende. and helping to Creseide Gode wote that he grauntede anon̄ Ryght To bene here frynde. wyth al his ful myght But suche a nede. was to prey hym̄ thenne As for to bidde. a wode man̄ for to Renne (223) The morow come. and nyghyn gan̄ the tyme Of meltyde. that the feir quene Eleyne Shope her to been. an̄ hour affter pryme Wyth deiphebus. to whom̄ she nolde not feyne But as his suster. homely sothe to seyne She come to dyner. in her pleyne entente But gode and pandare. Wyst al what this mente (224) Come Creseide eke. al innocent of this Ant-igone. hir suster Tharbe also But flee we now. prolixite best is For loue of gode. and lat vs streigħt / goo Ryght to theffecte. wythoute tales moo Why al this folke. assembled in this place And late vs of hir saluynges pace (225) Grete Honour Did hem Deiphebus certeine And fede hem wel. wyth al that myght lyke But euermor. allas was his Refreine My gode brother Troilus the syke lyeth yit. and therwyth-al he gan̄ to syke And afftyr that. he peyned hym to glade hem as he mygħt. and gode chere made (226) Compleyned eke. Eleyne of his syknes So feithfully. þat pites was to here And euery wyght gan̄. wexen for accesse A leche a-non̄. and seid in this manere Men curen folke. this charme I wole you lere But there satte oon̄. al lyst she noght to teche That thogħ best. cowder I yit been̄ his leche (227) After compleynt. hym gonnen̄ they to preise As folke doon̄ yit. whan̄ som wyght has be-gonne To preise a man̄ and wyth prys hym Reise A thousand folde. yit higher than̄ the sonne He is. he can̄ that fewe folkes konne And Pandarus. of that they wolde afferme he naught for-gat. her preisyng to conferme (228) Herd al this thing. Creseide wel y-nogħ And euery worde. gan̄ for to notifie For wych. wyth sobre chere hir hert[e] lougħ For who is that. ne wolde hir glorifie To mowen suche a knyght dovn̄ lyue or dye But al passe I. lest ye to longe dwelle For. for oo fyn̄. is al that euer I telle (229) The tyme come. fro dyner for to Ryse And as hem̄ ougħt. aryson̄ euerichon̄ And gonne a whyle. of this and that devise But pandarus. brake al this speche a-non̄ And seid to deiphebus. wole ye gon̄ yif your wyl be. as I you preide To speke here of nedes Creseide (230) Eleyne wych. that by the [the is overlined in the MS.] hande hir hielde Toke first the tale. and seide go we blyue And godely on̄ Creseide. she byhielde And seide Ioves. let hym̄ neuer thryve That douthe you harme. And brynge hym̄ sone of lyue And yif me sorow. but he shal it Rewe yif that I may. And al folke be trewe (231) Telle thou thy neces cas quod dephebus To Pandarus. for thou canste it / best it telle My lordes. and my ladyes it stant thus What sholde I lenger. quod he doo dwelle he ronge hem oute. a proces lyke a belle Vpon̄ hir foo. that higħt Poliphete So heynous. that men̄ myght on̄ it spete (232) Answerde of this. eche worse of hem then other And Poliphete. they gonnen̄ thus to warien̄ And honged be sucħe on̄. where he my brother And so he shal. for hit ne may noght varien̄ What shulde I lenger. in this tale tarien Pleinlych al at oones. they hir behighten̄ To been̄ hir helpe. in al that euer they mygħten̄ (233) Spake than Eleyne. and seide pandarus Wote not my lorde. my brother this matere I meen Ector. or wote it Troilus he seide ye. but wole ye now me here Me thinketh thus. sith that Troilus is here It were gode. yif that ye wolde assent She tolde hym̄ her self. al this er she wente (234) For He wole Haue. hir gref. the more at the herte Be cause loo. that she lady is And by your leue. I wole but Rygħt in sterte And do you wytte. and that a-non̄ y-wys yif that he slepe. or wole ought here of this And in he lepte. and seide hym in his ere Gode haue thy soule. I-brought haue I thy bere (235) To smyle of this. tho gan̄ Troilus And Pandarus wythouten̄ Rekennyng Oute wente a-non̄. to Eleyne and deiphebus And seid hem. so ther be no taryng Ne more prees. he wole wel that ye bringe Creseide my lady. that is here And as he may. enduren̄ he wole here (236) [The usual colourd initial is omitted here.] but wel wote I the chambre is but lyte And fewe. folke may make it lyghtly warme Now loketh ye. for I wole haue no wyte To bringe in prees. þat myghten doon̄ hym harme Or hym disesen for myn̄ better Arme Where it be bettur. she byde tyl eft soones Now loketh ye. that knowen what to don̄ is (237) I sey for me best is. as I kan̄ knowe That no wyght In. went but ye tweye But it where I. for I can in a throwe Reherse hir cause. vnlike that she can̄ seye And afftyr this she may hym oones preye To ben gode lorde. in short and take hir leue This may not mochel. of his ese hym reue (238) ¹and eke for she. is straunge he wole for-bere his ese. wych that. hym thar not for you Eke other thing. that touchet not to here That secrete is. and for the tovnes prowe he wole you telle I wote it wel ryght now And they that nothing knew of his entent wyth-outen̄ more. to Troilus in they wente (239) Eleyne in al her godely softly wyse Gan hym salue. and womanly to pleye And seid alweys. ye wyst ye must a-ryse Now fair brother. beth al hole I preye And gan̄ her arme. Rygħt ouer his shulder leye And hym wyth al her wytte. to Reconforte As she best couthe. she gan̄ hym to disporte (240) [The usual colourd initial is omitted here.] so afftyr this quod she we yow be-seche My dere brother. Deiphebus and .I. For loue of gode. and so dothe pandare eke To ben gode lorde. and frynde Ryght hertely Vn-to Creseide. wych that certeinly Receuith wronge. as wote wel here pandare That can̄ here cause. bette than̄ I declare (241) This Pandarus. gan̄ new his tonge affile And al her cas. Reherse. and that a-noon̄ Whan̄ it was seide soone afftyr in a while Quod Troilus. as sone as I may gon̄ I wole ryght fayn̄. wyth al my myght be oon̄ haue gode my trouthe. hir cause to susteyne Gode thryft haue ye. quod Eleyne the quene (242) ¹quod Pandarus and it your wylle be That she may take. hir leve er that she goo Or ellys gode for-bede it quod he yif that she vouche sauf. for to do soo And wyth that worde. quod Troilus ye two Deiphebus and my suster leve and dere To you haue I. to speke of oo matere (243) To Ben a-vised by your Rede the Bettur And fonde as hape was at his beddis hede The copie of a tretis. and a lettre That Ector had hym sent to axen Rede yif suche a man̄ was worthy for be dede Wote I not who. but in a grisly wyse he preide hem a-non̄. on̄ hit a-vise (244) Deiphebus gan̄ the lettre for to vnfolde In ernest grete. so did Eleyne the quene And Romyng faste. hit gonne to be-holde Dovnward a steyr. in-to an̄ herber grene This ilke thinge. they Redden̄ hem be-tweyn̄ And largely. the mountenance of an̄ houre They gonne on̄ it. to Reden̄ and to poure (245) Now lat hem Rede. and tourne we a-non̄ To pandarus. that gan̄ ful faste prye That al was wel. and oute he gan̄ to gon̄ In-to the grete chambre. that in hye And seid gode saue. al this Companye Come nece myn̄. my lady quene Elene A-bydeth you. so dothe my lordes tweyne (246) Rys. take wyth you. youre Nece Antigone Or whom you lust. or no fors hardely The lesse pres the bette. come forthe wyth me And loke that. thonken̄ humbly hem Al thre. and whan̄ ye may godely your tyme y-see. taketħ of hem̄ your leve lest we to longe. his restes hym byreve (247) Al innocent of pandarus entent Quod tho Creseide. goo we vncle dere And arme in Arme. inward wyth hym she went A-vised wel. hire wordes and hire chere And pandarus in ernestful manere Seid al folke. for goddes loue I prey Styntetħ ryght here. and softly you pleye (248) Aviseth you what folke . ben here wytħ-inne And in what plyte . oon̄ is gode hym̄ amende And inward thus . ful softly he gan̄ be-gynne Nece I coniure you . and hygly you defende On his by-halue . that soule vs al sende And in the vertu of the corownes tweyne Sle not this man̄ that hath for̄ you this peyne (249) Fy on̄ the [the overlined] devil wycħ on̄ his he And in what plyte . he lyeth com̄ of a-non̄ Thenke of suche taried . tide but lost is That wole ye seyn̄ . bothe whan̄ ye been̄ oon̄ Secondly . there yit deyuenytħ noon̄ Vpon̄ you two . come of now yif ye konne while folke is blent . loo al the tyme is wonne (250) In tyteryng poursuyte and dylayes The folke devyne . and waggen̄ at a stre And thogh ye wolde . han aftyr̄ mery dayes Than̄ dare ye nogħt . and why for she and she Spake suche a worde . thus loked he and he last tyme y-lost . I dare not wyth hym dele Come of therfore . and bringhet hym̄ to hele (251) But now to you . ye louers that ben̄ here Whas Troilus not in a kankedort That lay and myght . wysperyng of hem̄ here And thogħt. O lorde. Ryght now renneth my sort Fully to deye . or han̄ a-non̄ comfort And whas the first . tyme he shulde hire preye Of loue .O mygħty . gode What shal he seye [End of Book II.] Incipit prohemium tercii libri. (1) O blisful light of which the bemes cleerc. Adorneth al the thridde heuene faire. O sonnes lief o Ioues doughter deere. Plesaunce of loue o goodly debonayre. In gentil hertes ay redy to repaire. O verray cause of heele and of gladnesse. Iheried be thi myght and thy goodnesse. (2) In heuene and helle and salte see. Is felt thy myght / yif þat I whil decerne. As man brid / best / fisshe / herbe / and greene tree. The feele in tymes with vapour eterne. God loueth and to loue wol nat werne. And in this world no lyues creature. withouten loue is worth or may endure. (3) The Iouys first to thikke effectes glaade. Thorugh which þat thinges lyuen al and be. Commoeueden and amoreux hem maade. On mortal thing / and as yow lyst ay ye. Yeue hym in loue ay ese or aduersite. And in a thousand formes down hym sente. ffor loue in erthe / and whom yow list he hente. (4) The fierse Mars apaisen of his ire. And as yow list ye maken hertes digne. Algates hem þat ye wol sette a fire. They dreden shame / and vices they resigne. Ye don hem curteys ben ffresh and benygne. And heyghe and lowe after a wyght entendith. The Ioyes þat he hath / yowr myght it sendith. (5) Ye holden regne and hous in vnite. Ye sothfaste cause of frendship ben also. Ye know al thikke couered qualite. Of thinges which þat folkes wondre on so. whan they kan naught construe how it may Io. She louyth hym / or whi he louyth here. Al why this ffissh and naught þat cometh to were. (6) Ye folk a lawe han set in vniuerse. And this knowe I by hem þat louerys be. That who so stryueth with yow hath the werse. Now lady bright for thy benygnyte. At reuerence of hem þat seruen the. whos clerk I am so teche me to deuyse. Som Ioye of that is felt in thy seruyse. (7) Ye in my naked herte sentement. In hielde / and do me shewe of thy swetnesse. Caliope thi voys be now present. ffor now is need / sestow nat my destresse. How þat I mot telle a non right the gladnesse. Of Troilus to venus heryinge. To which gladnesse / who nede hath god hym brynge. Explicit prohemium. tercii libri. Incipit liber. tercius. (8) LAy al this meene while Troilus. Recordynge his lessoun in this manere. May fey thought he thus wole I sey and thus. That word is good / and this shal be my cheere. Thus wol I pleyne vnto my lady deere. This nyl I nat foryeten in no wyse. God leue hym werken as he kan deuyse. (9) And lord so þat his herte gan to quappe. Herynge hir com / and sor for to sike. And Pandarus þat ledde hir by the lappe. Com neer / and gan in at the curteyne pike. And seide god do boote on alle syke. Se who is heere yow comen to visite. Lo heere is she yt is yowr deth to wite. (10) Therwith it semede as he wepte almoost. ha.a.a. quod Troilus so reufully. wher me be wo / almyghte god thow woost. who is al there / I se naught trewly. Sire quod Criseide / it is Pandare and .I. Ye swete herte alas I may nat ryse. To knele / and do yow honour in som wyse. (11) And dressed hym vpward and she right tho. Gan bothe hir handes softe vpon hym leye. O for the loue of god / do ye nat so. To me quod she / I what is this to seye. Sire comen am I to ȝow for causes tweye. ffirst yow to thonke / and of youre lorship eke. Continuance I wolde yow byseke. (12) This Troilus þat herde this lady preye. Of lordshipe hym / wex neythir quyke ne dede. Ne myghte a word for shame to hir seye. Althogh men shulde smyten of his hede. But lord so he wax sodeynlich reede. And sire his lessoun þat he wende konne. To preyen hir was thorght his wit Ironne. (13) Criseide al this aspied wel Inogh. ffor she was wys and loued hym neuere the lasse. Al nere he malapert or made it togh. Or was to bold to synge a fool a masse. But whan his shame gan somwhat to passe. Hise wordes as I may my rymes holde. I wol yow telle as touchen bookes oolde. (14) In chaunged voys right for his verrey drede. which voys ek quook / and therto his manere. Goodly abayst and now his hewes reede. Now pale / vnto Criseide his lady dere. with look down caste / and humble yold cheere. Lo thalderfirste worde þat hym asterte. was twyes mercy mercy swete herte. (15) And stynte a while / and whan he myght out brynge. The nexte worde was god woot for I haue. As ferforthlisch as I haue hadde konnynge. Ben yowres al / god so my soule saue. And shal til þat I woful wight be graue. And thogh I dar ne kan vnto yow pleyne. Iwys I suffre nat the lasse peyne. (16) Thus muche as now .o. wommanlich wyf. I may out brynge / and yif this yow displese. That shal I wreke vpon myn owne lyf. Right soon I trowe / and do yowr herte an ese. yif with my deth yowre wreththe may apese. ffor sithen ye han herd me somwhat seye. Now rechche I neuere how soon þat I deye. (17) Therwith his manly sorwe to byholde. It myght haue maade a herte of stoon to rewe. And Pandare wepe as he to watir wolde. And Poked euere his nece newe and newe. And seide wo bigon ben hertes trewe. ffor loue of god make of this thing a ende. Or sle vs bothe atonys or we wende. (18) I what quod she by god and by my trouthe. I not nat what ye wilne þat I seye. I what quod he þat ye han on hym routhe. ffor goddes loue / and doth hym nat to deye. Now thame thus quod she I wolde hym preye. To telle me the fyn of his entente. Yit wiste I neuere wel what þat he mente. (19) What that I meene .o. swete herte dere. Quod Troilus .o. goodly fressh free. That with the stremys of yowr eyen cleere. Ye wolden frendly somtyme on me see. And thanne agreen þat I ben he. withouten braunche of vice in any wyse. In trouthe alwey / to don yow my seruyse. (20) As to my lady right and chief resort. With al my wit and alle my diligence. And I to han right as yow list confort. Vnder your yerde egal to myn offence. As deth / yif þat I breke your defence. And þat yow deigne me so muche honoure. Me to comanden aught in any houre. (21) And I ben yowr verray humble trewe. Secret / and in my peynes pacient. And euere mo desiren fresshly newe. To serue / and ben ay Ilyke diligent. And with good herte al holly yowr talent. Receyuen wel / how soore þat me smerte. Lo this mene I my owen swete herte. (22) Quod Pandarus lo here an hard requeste. And resonable a lady for to werne. Now Nece myn by Natal Iouis feeste. were .I. a god ye shulden sterue as yerne. That heren wel this man wil no thing yerne. But yowr honour / and sen hym almost sterue. And ben so loth to suffren hym yow serue. (23) With that she gan hir eyen on hym caste. fful esiliche / and ful debonairly. Auysing hir and hied nat to faste. with neuere a word / but seyde hym sobrely. Myn honour sauf I wel wel trewely. But in swich forme / as ye gan now devyse. Receyuen hym fully to my seruyse. (24) Bysechynge hym for goddes loue þat he. wolde in honour of trowthe and gentilesse. As I wel meene / ek meene wel to me. And my honour with wit and bisinesse. Ay kepe / and yif I may don hym gladnesse. ffrom hennes forth / Iwis I nyl nat feyne. Now beth al hool / no lenger ye ne pleyne. (25) But natheles this warne .I. yow quod she. A kynges son / althogh ye ben Iwys. Ye shal no moore haue souereignete. Of me in loue þan right in that cas is. Ny nyl forbere / yif þat ye don amys. To wreththe yow / and whil þat ye me serue. Cheryce yow / right aftir ye deserue. (26) And shortly deere herte and al my knyght. Beth glad / and draweth yow to lustynesse. And I shal trewly with al my ful myghte. Yowre bitter torn into swetnesse. If .I. be she þat may do yow gladnesse. For euery wo ye shul recouere a blisse. And hym in armes toke and gan hym kisse. (27) ffyl Pandarus on knees and vp hise eyen. To heuen threugh / and held hise hondes hye. O mortal god quod he þat maist nat dyen. Cupide I meene / of þis maist glorifie. And venus thowe maist maken melodye. withouten hond me semyth þat in towne. ffor this miracle Ich heere ech belle sowne. (28) But ho no more as now of this matere. ffor why this folk wol comen vp anon. That haue the lettre red lo I hem heere. But I conIure the Criseide and oon. And two the Troilus whan thow maist gon. That at myn hous ye ben at my warnynge. ffor I ful wel shal shape yowre comynge. (29) And esith ther yowre hertes right Inogh. And lat se which of yow shal bere the belle. To speke of loue aright / therwith he lough. ffor ther haue ye a leiser for to telle. Quod Troilus how longe swal I dwelle. Or this be don./ quod he whan thow maist rise. This thing shal be right as thow wolt deuyse. (30) With that Eleyne and also deiphebus. Tho comen vpward right at the steyres ende. And lord so tho gan gronen Troilus. His brother and his sister for to blende. Quod Pandarus it tyme is þat we wende. Take Nece myn yowr leue at al thre. And let hem speke and cometh forth with me. (31) She took hir leeue at hem ful thriftely. As she wel koude / and they hir reuerence. Vnto the fulle deden hardely. And speken wonder wel in hir absence. Of hir in preysynge of hir excellence. Hir gouernaunce / hir wit / and hir manere. Comendeden / it Ioye was to heere. (32) Now lat hir wende vnto hir owen plase. And torne we to Troilus ayein. That gan ful lightly of the lettre pace. That Deiphebus hadde in the gardyn seyn. And of Eleyne / and hym he wolde fayn. Delyuered ben / and seide þat hym leste. To slepe / and after talis han reste. (33) Eleyne hym kyste and took hir leue blyue. Deiphebus ek./ and hom wente euery wight. And Pandarus as faste as he may dryue. To Troilus tho com as lyne right. And on a paylet al þat gladde nyght. By Troilus he lay with blisful cheere. To tale / and wel was hem they were Ifeere. (34) Whan euery wight was voyded but they two. And al the dores weren faste Ishette. To telle in short withoute wordes mo. This Pandarus withouten any lette. Vp roos / and on his beddes side hym sette. And gan to speken in a sobre wyse. To Troilus as I shal yow deuyse. (35) Myn alderleuest lord and broothre deere. God woot and thow þat it sat me so soore. when I the say so languyssynge to yere. ffor loue / of which thi wo wax alwey moore. That I with al my myght and al my loore. Haue euere sithen do my bisynesse. To bringe the to Ioye out of destresse. (36) And haue it brought to swich plit as twow woost. So þat thorw me thow stondest now in weye. To faren wel / I sey it for no boost. And wostow why / for shame it is to seye. For the haue I bigonne a gamen pleye. which þat I neuere don shal eft for oother. Althogh he were a thowsand fold my brother. (37) That is to seyn / for the am I bicomen. Bytwixen game and ernest swich a meene. As maken wommen vnto men to comen. Thow woost thi seluen what I wolde meene. ffor the haue I myn Nece of vices cleene. So fully maad thy gentilesse triste. That al shal ben right as thy seluen liste. (38) But god þat al woot take I to witnesse. That neuere I this for coueitise wroughte. But only tabregge þat destresse. ffor which wel neygh thow deydest as me thoughte. But goode brother do now as the oughte. ffor goddes loue / and kepe hir out of blame. Sith thow art wys so kepe alwey hir name. (39) For wel thow woost the name yit of here. Amonge the people. as who sey halwed is. ffor neuere was ther wight I dar wel swere. That euere wiste þat she dede amys. But wo is me þat I þat cause al this. May thenken þat she is my Nece deere. And I hir Em and traytour ek Ifeere. (40) And were it wiste þat I thorugh myn engyn. Hadde in my Nece Iput this fantasie. To don thi lust and hoolly to ben thyn. whi al þe peeple walde vpon it crie. And seyn þat the worste trecherye. Dide in this cas / þat euere was bigonne. And she fordon / and thow right naught Iwonne. (41) Wherfor or I wol further gon a paas. The preyen ich eft althogh thow shuldest dye. That priuyte go with vs in this caas. That is to seyn / þat thow vs neuere wreye. And be noght wroth thoght I the often preye. To holden secre / swich an heigh matere. ffor skilfull is thow woost wele my prayere. (42) And thynke what wo ther hath bitid or this. ffor makynge of auauntes as men reede. And what meschaunce in this world yit ther is. ffor day to day right for þat wikked deede. ffor which this wyse clerkys þat been deede. han writen or this as men yit teche vs yonge. That first vertu is to kepe tonge. (43) And nere it þat .I. wilne as now tabregge. Defusioun of speche / .I. koude almoost. A thousand olde stories the alegge. Of womman lost. thorugh fals and foolis boost. Prouerbes kanst thy selue Inowe and woost. Ayeins þat vice / for to ben a labbe. Thogh men soth seide as often as they gabbe. (44) O tonge allas so often her byforn. Hath maade ful many lady bryght of hewe. Seyd waylowey þat day þat I was born. And many a maydes sorwe for to newe. And for the more part al is vntrewe. That men of boste yelpe / and it were broght to preue. Of kynde non auauntour is to leeue. (45) Auauntour and a liere al is oon. As thus I pose a womman graunteth me. Hir loue / and seyth þat oother the r in a later hand. wol she non. And I am sworn to holden it secree. And aftir .I. go telle it two or thre. I. wis .I. am auauntour / at the leeste. And liere / for I breke my byheeste. (46) (Much alterd in Caxton.) Now looke thanne / yif they ben aught to blame. Swich manere folk / what shal I clepe hem what. That hem auaunte of wemen and by name. That neuere yit be hight them this ne that. No knewe hem moore than myn olde hat. No wonder is so god me sende heele. Theygh wommen dreden with vs men to deele. (47) I sey nat this for no mystrust of yow. Ne for no wisman / but for foolis nyce. And for the harm þat in the world is now. As wel for folye ofte as for malice. ffor wel wot I in wyse folk þat vice. No womman drat / yif she be wel auysed. ffor wise ben / by foolis harm chastised. (48) But now to purpos leve brother deere. Haue al this thyng / þat I haue in mynde. And kepe the cloos / and be now of good cheere. ffor at thi day thow shal me trewe fynde. I shal thy proces sette in swich a kynde. And god toforn / þat it shal the suffise. ffor it shal ben right as thow wolt deuyse. (49) ffor wel I woot thow menest wel parde. Therfore I dar this fully vndirtake. Thow woost ek / what thi lady grauntede the. And day is set the chartres vp to make. Haue now good nyght / I may no lenger wake. And bid for me sith thow art now in blisse. That god me sende deth or soone lesse. (50) Who myghte tellen half the Ioye or feeste. whiche at the soule of Troilus tho felte. Herynge theffect of Pandarus byheste. His olde wo þat made his herte swelte. Gan tho for Ioye wasten and to melte. And al the richesse of his sikes sore. Atones fledde / he felte of hem no moore. (51) But right so as thise holtes and thise hayis. That han in wynter dede ben and drye. Reuesten hem in grene whan þat may is. whan euery lusti listeth best to pleye. Right in that selue wise soth to seye. wax sodeynly his herte ful of Ioye. That gladdere was ther neuere man in Troye. (52) And gan his look on Pandarus vp caste. fful sobrely / and frendly for to se. And seide frend in aperel the laste. As wele the woost yif it remembre the. How neygh the deth for wo thow fownde me. And how thow dedest al thy bysynesse. To knowe of me the cause of my destresse. (53) Thow woost how long þat ich forbar to seye. To the that art the man þat I beste triste. And peril non was it to the bywreye. That wiste I wele / but telle me yif the liste. Sith I so loth was þat thy self it wyste. How dorste I mo tellen of this matere. That quake now / and no man may vs heere. (54) But natheles by þat god I the swere. That as hym list may al this worlde gouerne. And yif I lye / achilles with his spere. Myn herte cleue / al were my lif eterne. As I am mortal. yif I late and yerne. wolde it bywreye / or dorste. or sholde konne. ffor al the good þat god maad vndir sonne. (55) That rather wolde I dye and determyne. As thinketh me now stokked in prison. In wrechednesse / in filthe and in vermyne. Captif to cruel kyng Agamenon. And this in al the templis of this town. Vpon the goddes alle I wol the swere. To morwe day / yif þat it liketh þe þe inserted by another hand. here. (56) And þat thow haste so muche Idon for me. That I ne may it neuere mo deserue. This knowe ich wel / al myght I now for the. A thousand tymes on a morwe sterue. .I. kan no more but I wol the serue. Right as thy sclaue whider so thow wende. For euere mo vnto my lyues ende. (57) But here with al myn herte I the byseche. That neuere in me thow deme swich folye. As I shal seyn / me thoughte by thy speche. Þat this which thow doost me for compaignye. I sholde wene it were a bauderye. I am nat wood al if I lewed be. It is nat oon þat woot I wele parde. (58) But he þat goth for golde or for Richesse. On swich messages / calle hym what the liste. And this þat þow doost kalle it gentilesse. Compassioun and feliship and triste. Depart it so / for wide where is wiste. How þat ther is diuersite required. Bytwixen thinges / like as I haue lered. (59) And þat knowe I think nat ne weene. That this seruys a shame be or Iape. I haue my faire suster Polixene. Cassandre / Eleyne. or any of the frape. Be she neuere so faire or wel Ishape. Telle me which thow wilt of euerychone. To han for thyn / and lat me thanne allone. (60) But sith thow haste Idon me þis seruyse. My lif to saue and for no hope of meede. So for the loue of god this grete Emprise. Parforme it out / for now is most nede. ffor heygh and logh withouten any drede. I wol alwey thyne hestes al kepe. Haue now good nyght / and lat vs bothe slepe. (61) Thus held hym ich of oother wel apayed. That al the worlde ne myght it bet amende. And on the morwe whan they were arayed. Ech to his owene nedes gan entende. But Troilus thoght as the fir he brende. ffor sharp desir of hope and of plesaunce. He naught forgat his wyse gouernaunce. (62) But in hym self with manhod gan restreyne. Eche rakel dede / and ech vnbridled cheere. That al tho / þat lyuen soth to seyne. Ne shold han wist by word or by manere. what þat he mente as touchynge this matere. ffrom euery wight as fer as is the cloude. He was so wel dissimulen he koude. (63) And al this while which þat I yow denyse. This was his lyf with alle his fulle myght. By day he was in martes heygh seruyse. This is to seyn. in armes as a knyght. And for the moore part the longe nyght. He lay and thought how þat he myght serue. Hys lady best / hir thonk for to deserue. (64) I nyl nat seyn that thogh he laye softe. That in his thoght he was somwhat disesed. And þat he torned on his pilwes ofte. And wolde of that he myssed han ben esed. But in swich cas men ben naught alwey plesed. ffor aught I wot no more than was he. That kan I deme of possibilite. (65) And certein is to purpos for to go. This mene while as writen is in geste. He say his lady som tyme and also. She with hym spake whan þat he dorste or leste. And by hir bothe auys as was the beste. Apointeden ful warly in this nede. In euery thing how they wolden procede. (66) But it was spoken in so short a wyse. In swych awayit alwey and in swich feere. List any wight deuynen or deuyse. wolde on this thing./ or to it leye an cere. That al this world. so lef to hem ne weere. As cupide wolde hem a space sende. To maken of hir speche aright a ende. (67) [Caxton leaves out St. 67-71.] But thilke litel þat they spake or wroghte. Hise wise gost took ay of al swich heede. It semed hir he wiste what she thoghte. withouten word / so þat ther was no nede. To bidde hym aught to don or aught forbede. ffor which hir thoght þat loue al come it late. Of alle Ioye hadde opned hir the yate. (68) And shortly of this proces for to pace. So wel his werk and wordes he bisette. That he so ful stood in his lady grace. That twenty thousand tymes or she lette. She thonked god she euere with hym mette. So koude he hym gouerne in swich seruyse. That al the world ne myght it bet deuyse. (69) ffor why hym him inserted in a later hand. fond she so discret in al. So secret / and of swich obeisaunce. That wel she felte he was to hir a wal. Of steel / and sheld from euery displeisaunce. That to ben in his good gouernaunce. So wise he was / she was no moore afered. I meene as fer / as oughte ben requered. (70) And Pandarus to quyk alwey this fir. was euere ylike prest and diligent. To ese his frend was set al his desir. He shof ay on / he to and fro was sent. He lettres bare whan Troilus was absente. That neuere wight as in his frendes nede. Ne bar hym bet to don his frend to spede. (71) But now paraunter som man wayten wolde. That euery word / or look / or sonde / or cheere. Of Troilus / þat I rehersen sholde. In al this while vnto his lady dere. I trowe it were a long thing for to heere. Or of what wight þat stant in swich disioynte. His wordes alle / or euery look to poynte. (72) ffor sothe I haue nat herd it don or this. In story non / ne no man here ich wene. And thogh I wolde I koude nat Iwys. ffor ther was som Epistel hem bitwene. That wolde as seyth my auctour wel contene. An hondred vers of which hym liste nat write. How sholde I than a lyne of hit endite. (73) But to the grete effect than seye I thus. That stondynge in concorde and in quyete. Thise ilk two Criseide and Troilus. As I haue seyd / and in this tyme swete. Saue only ofte myghte they nat meete. Ne leiser han hir speche to fullfille. That it bifell right as I shal yow telle. (74) That Pandarus which alwey dede his myghte. Right for the fyn þat I shal speke of heere. And for to bryngen to his hous som nyghte. His faire Nece and Troilus Ifeere. Where as at leiser al this heygh matere. Touchynge hir loue were at the fulle vp bownde. Hadde as hym thought a tyme to it fownde. (75) ffor he with gret deliberacioun. Hadde euery thing / þat herto myght auaille. fforncast / and put in execucioun. And neyther left for cost ne for trauaille. Come if hem list hem sholde no thing faille. And for to ben in aught espied ther. That thoughte he wel and impossibil weere. (76) Dredeles it cleere was in the wynde. Of euery pie / of euery lette game. Thus al is wel / for al this worlde is blynde. In this matere / bothe wild and tame. This tymber is al redy vp to frame. Vs lakkith naught / but that we weton wolde. A certein houre / in which she comen sholde. (77) And Troilus þat al this purueaunce. Knewgh at the fulle and wayted on it ay. Hadde here vpon eke / maad his ordenaunce. And fownde his cause / and therto al the aray. That yif þat he was myssed / nyght or day. Ther while he was abouten this seruyse. That he was gon to don his sacrefise. (78) And moste at swich a temple allone wake. Answered of appollo for to be. And first to sen the holy laurer quake. Or þat apollo spake out of the tree. To telle hym whan þat grekis sholden flee. And forthy lette hym no man god forbede. But prey appollo þat he wolde hym spede. (79) Now is ther litel moore for to doone. But Pandare vp and shortly for to seyne. Right soone vpon the chaungyng of the moone. whan lightles is the world a nyght or tweyne. And þat the wolkne shope hym for to reyne. He streyght a morwe vnto his Nece wente. Ye han wel herde the fyn of his entente. (80) Whan he was there he gan anon to pleye. As he was wont / and at hym self to Iape. And fynalich he swor and gan hir seye. By this and þat / she sholde hym naught escape. Ne make hym lenger after hir to kape. But certeynly she moste by hir leeue. Com soupyn in his hous with hym at eue. (81) At which she logh and gan hir faste excusen. And seyde / it reyneth. lo how sholde I gon. Lat be quod he / ne stonde nat thus to musen. This mot be don / ye shol be there anon. So at the laste herof they fille at oon. Or elles softe he swor hir in hir eere. He wolde neuere come ther she weere. (82) And she agayne gan to hym for to rowne. And axed hem / yif Troilus was there. He swor hir nay / for he was out of towne. And seide Nece I pose that he were. Ye thorste neuere han the moore feere. ffor rather than men sholde hym ther espie. Me were leuer a thousand foolde dye. (83) Nat liste myn Auctour fully to declare. what þat she thoght whan he seyde so. That Troilus was out of towne Ifaare. As yif he seid soth therof or no. But þat she graunted with hym for to go. Withoute a wayt syn þat he hir bisoughte. And as his Nece obeyed as hir oughte. (84) But natheles yit gan she hym biseche. Al theygh with hym to gon it was no fere. ffor to be war of gosissh poeples speche. That dremen thinges which þat neuere were. And wel auyse hem whom he broughte there. And seide hym Em. syn I most on yow triste. Loke al be wel / for I do þat yow liste. (85) He swor hir this by stokkys and by stoones. And by the goddes þat in heuen dwelle. Or ellis were hym leuere fel and boones. with Pluto kyng as depe bein in helle. As Tantalus / what shold I longe telle. whan al was wele he roos and took his leeue. And she to soper com whan it was eue. (86) With a certein of hir owne men. And with hir fair Nece Antigone. And oother of hir wommen ix or x. But who was glad now. who as trowen ye. But Troilus / þat stod and myght it se. Thorwe out a litel wyndowe in a stuwe. Ther he byshet / syn mydnyght was in muwe. (87) Vnwist of euery wight but of Pandare. But now to purpos whan þat she was come. with alle Ioye and al frendes fare. Hir Em anon in armes hath hir nome. And after to the soper alle and some. whan tyme was to soper they hem sette. God woot ther was no deynte for to fette. (88) And after soper gonnen they to ryse. At ese wel with hertes frissh and glade. And wel was hym þat koude best deuyse. To liken hir. or þat hir laughen made. He song / she pleyde. he tolde tale of wade. But at the laste as euery thing hath ende. She toke hir leue. and nedes wolde wende. (89) But .o. fortune executrice of wierdes. O. Influences of thise heuenes hye. Soth is þat vndir god ye ben oure hierdes. Thogh to vs beestes ben the causes wrye. This mene I now for she gan homward hye. But execut was al biside hir leeue. The goddes wil / for which she moste bleue. (90) The bente moone with hir hornes paale. Saturne and Ioue in cancro Ioyned weere. That swich a reyn from heuene gan avale. That euere I maner womman þat was theere. Hadde of þat smoky reyn a varrey feere. At which Pandare tho logh and seide thenne. Now were it tyme a lady to gon henne. (91) But good Nece yif I myghte euere plese. Yow any thing / than prey ich yow quod he. To don myn herte as now so grete an ese. As for to dwele hir al this nyght with me. ffor Nece this yowre owen hous parde. Now by my trowthe / I sey it nat a game. To wende as now / to me it weere a shame. (92) Criseide which þat koude as muche good. As half a world / took hede of this preyere. And syn it roon / and al was on a flood. She thought as good chepe may I dwellen here. And graunte it gladly with a frendes cheere. And haue a thank / as grucche and thanne abide. ffor hom to gon / it may nat wel bitide. (93) I wol quod she my vncle leef and deere. Syn þat yow list it skile is to be so. I am right gladde with yow dwellen heere. I seyde but a game I wold go. Iwys grannt mercy Nece quod he tho. were it a game or no / soth for to telle. Now am I glad syn þat ye wol dwelle. (94) Thus al is wel / but þo bygan aryght. The newe daunce / and al the feste agayne. But Pandarus if goodly hadde hee [see in later hand over erasure.] myghte. He wolde han hied hir to bedde fayne. And seyde lorde this is a huge rayne. This were a wedir for to slepyn Inne. And that I rede vs soone to bigynne. (95) And Nece woot ye where I shal yow leye. For þat we shal nat liggen for asonder. And for ye nether shullen dar I seye. Heeren noyse of reynes nor of thonder. By god right in my lite closet yonder. And I wol in þat outter house allone. Ben wardeyn of yow wommen euerychone. (96) And in this myddel chaumbre that ye se. Shal yowre wommen slepyn wel and softe. And al withInne shal yowr seluen be. And yif ye liggen wel to nyght com ofte. But carith nought what wedir is o lofte. The wyn anon / and whan so that yow liste. Than is it tyme for to gon to reste. (97) Ther was no moore / but heraftir soone. They voyde dronke / and trauers drawe anon. Gan euery wight þat hadde nat to doone. Moore in the place / out of the chaumbre gon. And alweye in this meene while it ron. And blewgh therwith so wonderliche loude. That wel neygh no man heeren oother koude. (98) Tho Pandarus hir em right as hym oughte. with womman swich as were hir most aboute. fful glade vnto hir beddesside hir brought. And took his leeue./ and gan ful lowe lowte. And seide / her at this closet dore withoute. Right ouerthwart yowre wommen liggen alle. That whom yow list of hem ye may hir calle. (99) So whan þat she was in the closet leyde. And alle hir wommen forth by ordinaunce. A bedde weren / ther as I haue seyd. There was no moore to skippen ne to traunce. But beden gon to bedde with meschaunce. yif any man was steryng any where. And lat hem slepyn þat in bedde weere. (100) But Pandarus þat wel koude ech a del. The olde daunce / and euery poynt therInue. whan þat he sey þat al thing was wele. He thought he wolde vpon his werke bygynne. And gan the stewe dore al softe vnpynne. And stille as stoone withouten lenger lette. By Troilus adown right he hym sette. (101) And shortly to the poynt right for to gon. Of al this thing he tolde hym worde and ende. And seide mak the redy right anon. ffor thow shal into heuen blisse wende. Now seint venus thow me grace sende. Quod Troilus. for neuere yit no nede. Hadde ich or now./ ne hal in later hand over erasure. ne haluendel the drede. (102) Quod Pandarus ne dred the neuer a del. ffor it shal ben right as thow wolt desire. So thryue I this nyght shal I mak it wel. Or casten al the gruel in the fire. Yit blisful venus this nyght thow me inspire. Quod Troilus / as wis as .I. the serue. And euere bet and bet shal til I sterue. (103) An yif ich hadde o venus ful of myrthe. Aspectis badde. of Mars or of saturne. Or thow combust / or lete were in my burthe. Thy fader pray ich al that harm desturne. Of grace / and þat I glad ayein may turne. ffor loue of hym thow louedest in the shawe. I meene Adon þat with the boor was slawe. (104) O Ioue ek for the loue of fayre Europe. The which in forme of bole awey thow fette. Now help .o. mars thow with thi blody cope. ffor loue of Cipris thow me naught ne lette. O phebus think whan Dane hir seluen shette. Vnder the barke / and laurer wax for drede. Yit for hir loue .o. help now at this nede. (105) Mercurie for the loue of hierse eke. ffor which pallas was with aglauros wrothe. Now helpe / and ek diane I the biseke. That this viagge be nat to the loth. O fatal sustren / wiche or any cloth. Me shapyn was / my destyne me sponne. So helpith to this werke þat is bigonne. (106) Quod Pandarus thow wrechched Mouses herte. Artow agast so / þat she wil the bite. why don this furred cloke vpon thy sherte. And folowe me / for I wol han the wyte. But bid and lat me gon biforn a lite. And with that word he gan vndo a trappe. And Troilus he broughte in by the lappe. (107) The stierne wynd so loude gan it route. That no wyght oother noyse myght heere. And they þat leyen at the dore withoute. fful sikirly they slepten alle Ifeere. And Pandarus with a ful sobre cheere. Goth to the dore anon withoute lette. Ther as they leye /. and softelisch it shette. (108) And as he come ayeinward pryuyly. His Nece awook / and asked who goth there. My deere Nece quod he it am .I. Ne wondreth naught ne haue of it no feere. And nere he com / and seyde hir in hir erere. No word for loue of god I yow biseche. Lat no wight rise and heeren of oure speche. (109) What which wey be ye comen bendiste. Quod she / and how thus vnwist of hem alle. Here at this lite trappe dore quod he. Quod tho Criseide / lat me som wight calle. I god forbede þat it shulde falle. Quod Pandarus / þat ye swich folie wroughte. They myght demen þat they neuere er thoughte. (110) It nys nat good a slepynge hownde to wake. Ne yiue a wight a cause to deuyne. Yowre wommen slepyn alle I vndirtake. So þat for hem the house men myght myne. And slepyn wollen til the sonne shyne. And whanne my tale Ibrought is to a ende. Vnwist right as I cam so wole I wende. (111) Now Nece myn ye shal wel vndirstonde. Quod he / so as ye wommen demen alle. That for to holden longe a man in honde. And hym hir lief and deere herte calle. And maken hym at howue aboue a calle. I meene as loue a nother in this meene while. Sche doth hir self a shame and hym a gile. (112) Now wherby þat I telle yow alle this. Ye woot yowr self as wele as any wyght. How þat yowr loue all fully graunted is. To Troilus the worthieste knyght. Oon of this world / and therto trouthe Iplyght. That but it were on hym alonge / ye nolde. Hym neuer falsen while ye lyuen sholde. (113) Now stant it thus þat syn I fro yow wente. This Troilus right platly for to seyn. Is thorwgh a goter by a pryue wente. Into my chaumbre come in al this reyne. Vnwist of euery manere wight certeyn. Saue of my selue as wisly haue I Ioye. And by þat feyth I shal Pryam of Troye. (114) And he is come in swich peyne and destresse. That but he be al fully wood by this. He sodeynly moot falle into woodnesse. But if god help and cause why this is. He seith hym tolde is of a frende of his. How þat ye shulden looue on hatte horaste. ffor sorwe of which this nyght shal ben his laste. (115) Criseide which þat al this wonder herde. Gan therwith al aboute hir herte colde. And with a sik she sodeynly answerde. Allas I wende who so talis tolde. My deere herte wolde me nat holde. So lightly fals / allas conceytes. wronge. what harm they don / for now lyue I to longe. (116) Horaste allas and falsen Troilus. I knowe hym nat god helpe me so quod she. Allas what wikked spirit tolde hym thus. Now certes Em tomorwe and I hym se. I shal of þat als ful excusen be. As euere dide womman yif hym lyke. And with that word she gan ful soore sike. (117) O god quod she so wordly selynesse. which clerkes callen fals felicite. Imedled is with many a bitternesse. fful angwisshous. than is / god woot quod she. Condicioun of veyn prosperite. ffor either Ioyes comen naught Ifeere. Or ellis no wight / hath hem alwey heere. (118) O brotel wele o wordly Ioye vnstable. with what wyght so thow be or how thow pleye. Either he woot þat thow Ioye art muable. Or woot it naught / it mote ben oon of tweye. Now if he woot it naught how may he seye. That he hath verrey Ioye and selynesse. That is of ignoraunce ay in dirknesse. (119) Now if he woot þat Ioye is transitorie. As euere Ioye of worldly thing / moot flee. Than euere tyme he þat hath in memorie. The drede of leesynge makith hym þat he. May in no parfit selynesse be. And yif to leese his Ioye he set a myte. Than semeth þat Ioye is worth ful lite. (120) Wherefore I wol deffyne in this manere. That trewely for aught I kan espie. Ther is no verrey wele in this world heere. But .o. thow wikked serpent Ialousie. Thow mysbyleued and enuyous folie. why hastow Troilus made to me vntriste. That neuere yit agilte hym þat I wiste. (121) Quod Pandarus thus fallen is this case. why vncle myn quod she who tolde hym this. why doth my deere herte thus allas. Ye wot ye nece myn quod he what is. I hope al shal be wele þat is amys. ffor ye may quenche al this yif þat yow leste. And doth right so / for I holde it the be te. (122) So shal I don tomorwe Iwys quod she. And god to forn. so þat it shal suffise. To morwe allas / þat were a fayre quod he. Nay nay it may not stonden in this wyse. ffor Nece thus writen clerkes wyse. That peril is with drechchynge in Idrawe. Nay swich aboodes ben nat worth an hawe. (123) Nece al thing / hath tyme I dar avowe. ffor whan a chaumbre afire is or an halle. Wel more nede is it sodeynly to rescowe. Than to despute and axe amonges alle. How is this candel in the straw Ifalle. A bendiste / for al among this fare. The harm is don. and fare wel feldefare. (124) And Nece myn take it nat agrief. Yif þat ye suffer hym al nyght in this wo. God help me so ye hadde hym neuere lief. That dar I seyn. now ther is but we two. But wel I woot þat ye wel nat do so. Ye ben to wys to don so grete folie. To putte his lif al nyght in Iupartie. (125) Hadde ich hym neuere lief / by god I weene. Ye hadde neuere thing / so lief quod she. Now by my thrift quod he þat shal be seene. ffor syn ye maken this ensaumple of me. Yif ich al nyght wolde hym in sorwe se. ffor al the tresor in the town of Troye. I bidde god I neuere mot haue Ioye. (126) Now look thanne if ye þat ben his loue. Shal putte his lif al nyght in Iupartye. ffor thing of naught / now by þat god aboue. Nat oonly this delay comth of folie. But of malice / yif I shal nat lye. what platly / and ye suffre hym in destresse. Ye neyther wisdom don ne gentilesse. (127) Quod tho Criseide wol ye don o thing. And ye therwith shal stynten his disese. Haue her and berith hym this blewe ring. ffor ther nys no thyng / myght hym better plese. Saue I my self. ne moore his herte apese. And seye my deere herte þat is sorwe. Is causeles / þat shal be sen tomorwe. (128) A ryng / quod he. ye haselwodes shaken. Ye Nece myn þat ryng moste haue a stoon. That myghte dede men o lyue maken. And swicħ a rong trowe I þat ye haue non. Discrecioun out of yowr hed is gon. That fele I now quod he and þat is routhe. O tyme Ilost wel maystow corsen slouthe. (129) Wot ye nat wel þat noble and heygh corage. Ne sorweth nat or stynteth ek for lite. But if a fool were a Ialous rage. I nolde setten at his sorwe a myte. But feffe hym with a fewe wordes whyte. Another day then þat I myght hym fynde. But this thing stant al in a nother kynde. (130) This is so gentil and so tendre of herte. That with the deth he wol his sorwe wreke. ffor trusteth wel how soore þat he smerte. He wol to yow no Ialous wordes speke. And forthy Nece or yt his herte breke. So speke yowr self to hym. of this matere. ffor with o word ye may his herte steere. (131) Now haue I told what peril he is Inne. And his comyng / vnwist is to euere wight. And parde harm may ther be non ne synne. I wol my self ben with yow al this nyght. Ye knowe ek how it is yowre owen knyght. And þat by right ye moste vpon hym triste. And I al prest to fechche hym whenne yow liste. (132) This accident so pitous was to heere. And ek so lik a soth at pryme face. And Troilus hir knyght to hir so deere. Hise pryue comynge and the siker place. That thogh þat she dede hym as tho a grace. Considered al thinges as they stoode. No wonder is / syn she dide al for goode. (133) Criseide answerde as wysly god at reste. My soule brynge / as me is for hym wo. And Em Iwys fayn wolde I don the beste. Yif þat ich hadde a grace to do so. But wheither þat ye dwelle or for hym go. I am til god me bettre mynde sende. At dulearnoun right at my wittes ende. (134) Quod Pandarus ye Nece wol ye heere. Dulcarnon called is fleemynge of wrechches. It semyth hard for wrechches wol nat leere. ffor verray slouth and oother wilful techches. This seide by hym þat ben nat worth to fechches. But ye ben wys / and this matere on honde. Nis neythir hard / ne skilful to withstonde. (135) Than Em quod she doth herof as yow liste. But or he com I wol vp first arise. And for the loue of god syn al my triste. Is on yow to / and ye ben bothe wise. So werkith now in so discret a wise. That ich honour may han and he plesaunce. ffor I am here as in yowr gouernaunce. (136) That is wel seyde quod he my Nece deere. Ther good thirft on þat wise gentil herte. But liggith stille. and takith hym ryght heere. It nedeth naught no further for hym sterte. And ech of yow ese oothre sorwes smerte. ffor loue of god / and venus I the herye. ffor soone hope I we shullen al be merye. (137) This Troilus ful soon on knowe hym sette. fful sobrely / right by hir beddes hed. And in his beste wyse his lady grette. But lord so she wax sodeynlich reede. Ne thogh men sholden smyten of hir hede. She myghte nat a word aryght out brynge. So sodeynly / for his sodeyn comynge. (138) But Pandarus þat so wel koude feele. In euery thing / to pleye anon bygan. And seide Nece se how this lorde kan knele. Now for yowr trowthe I seth this gentil man. And with þat worde / he for a cosshon ran. And seide knelith now whil þat yow leste. Ther god yowr hertes brynge soone at reste. (139) Kan I nat seyn / for she bad hym nat rise. yif sorwe it putte out of hir remembraunce. Or ellis þat she took it in the wise. Of dewete / as for his obseruaunce. But wel wot I she dide hym this plesaunce. That she hym kiste / altheygh she syghte soore. And bad hym sitte adown withoute moore. (140) Quod Pandarus now wol ye wel bigynne. Now doth hym sitten good Nece deere. Vpon yowre beddes side al ther withInne. That ech of yow the bet may oother heere. And with þat worde he drogh hym to the feere. And tok a light / and fond his contenance. As for to look vpon an old romaunce. (141) Criseide þat was Troilus lady right. And cleere stood on a grownde of sikernesse. Al thogh she hir seruaunt and hir knyght. Ne sholde of right no vntrowth in hir gesse. Yit natheles considered hys destresse. And þat loue is in cause of swiche folie. Thus to hym spake she of his Ialousie. (142) Lo herte myn / as wolde the excellence. Of loue / ayeins the which þat no man may. Ne oughte ek goodly maken resistence. And ek / bycause I felte wel and say. Yowre grete trouthe and seruyse euery day. And þat yowr herte al myn was soth to seyne. This drof me for te rewe vpon yowre peyne. (143) And yowr goodnesse haue I fownden alwey yit. Of which my deere herte and al my knyght. I thonk it yow as fer as I haue wit. Al kan I naught so muche as it were right. And I emforth my connynge and my myght. Haue and ay shal how soore þat me smerte. Ben to yow trewe. and hool with al myn herte. (144) And dredeles this shal be fownde at preue. But herte myn what al this is to seyne. Shal wel be told / so þat ye nat yow greue. Thogh I to yow right on yowre self compleyne. ffor therwith mene I fynaly the peyne. That halt yowr herte and myn in heuynesse. ffully to slen / and euery wronge redresse. (145) My goode myn / not I for why ne how. That Ialousie. allas / þat wykkid wyuere. So causeles is cropen into yow. The harm of which I wolde fayn delyuere. Allas þat he al hool or of hym slyuere. Sholde han his refut in so digne a place. Ther Ioue hym soon oute of yowr herte arace. (146) But .o. thow Ioue .o. auctour of nature. Is this an honour to thy deyte. That folk vngiltif. suffren here iniure. And he þat giltif is al quyt goth he. O were it leueful for to pleyne on the. That vndeserued suffrest Ialousie. And that I wolde vpon the pleyne and crye. (147) Ek al my wo is this þat folk now vsen. To seyn right thus / that Ialousie is loue. And wolde a busshel venym al excusen. ffor þat o greyn of loue is in it shoue. But þat wot heygh god þat sit aboue. yif it be liker loue / or hate and grame. And after that it oughte bere his name. (148) But cerTein is som maner Ialousie. Is excusable moor than som Iwis. As whan cause is / and som swich fantasie. with piete so wel repressed is. Þat it vnneth doth or seith amys. But goodly drynketh vp al his destresse. And that excuse I for the gentilesse. (149) And som so ful of furye is despit. That it sourmonteth his repressyoun. But herte myn ye ben nat in þat plit. That thanke I god / for which yowr passioun. I wil nat calle it but illusioun. Of habundaunce of loue and bisy cure. That doth yowr herte this disese endure. (150) Of which I am right sory but nat wrothe. But for my deuoir and yowr hertes reste. wher so yow liste by ordal or by oth. By sort / or in what wyse so yow leste. ffor loue of god lat proeue it for the beste. And yif þat I be giltif do me deye. Allas what myghte I mor don or seye. (151) With that a fewe brighte teeris newe. Oute of hir eyen fille and thus she seyde. Now god thow woost in thoght ne dede vntrewe. To Troilus was neuere yit Criseide. With that hir hed down in the bed she leyde. And with the shete it wreygh and syghte soore. And held hir pees naught o word spak she moore. (152) But now help god to qwenche al this sorwe. So hope I þat he shal / for he best may. ffor I haue seyn of a ful mysty morwe. ffolwen ful ofte a merye someres day. And aftir wynter foloweth grene may. Men sen al day and reden ek in storise. That after sharpe shoures ben victories. (153) This Troilus when he hir wordes herde. Haue ye care hym liste nat to slepe. ffor it thoughte hym no strokes of a yerde. To here or seyn Criseide his lady wepe. But wel he felte aboute his herte crepe. ffor euery teere which that Criseide asterte. The Craumpe of deth to streyne hym by the herte. (154) And in his mynde he gan the tyme acorse. Or he come ther / or that he was born. ffor now is wikke Itorned into worse. And al the labour he hath don biforn. He wende it lost / he thoghte he nas but lorn. O Pandarns thoghte he allas thy wyle. Serueth of naught / so weylowey the whyle. (155) And therwithal he heng adown the hed. And fel on knees / and sorwfullisch he sighte. what myght he seyn he felt he nas but ded. ffor wrothe was she þat sholde his sorwes lighte. But natheles whan þat he spekyn myghte. Than seid he thus / god wot þat of this game. whan al is wist / thanne am I nat to blame. (156) Therwith the sorwe so his herte shette. That from hise eyen fil ther naught a teere. And cuery spirit his vigour in knette. So they astoned or oppressed weere. The felynge of sorwe or of his feere. Or of aught ellis. fled was out of towne. And downe he fil al sodeynly a swowne. (157) This was no litel sorwe for to se. For al was hust / and Pandare vp as faste. O nece pes / or we ben lost quod he. Beth nat agast / but alwey at the laste. ffor this or þat. he into the bedde hym caste. And seide thef is this a mannys herte. And of he rente al to his bare sherte. (158) And seide Nece but ye help vs now. Iwis yowr owen Troilus is lorn. Allas so wolde I and I wist how. Allas so wolde I and I wist how. fful fayn quod she / allas þat I was born. Ye Nece myn wol ye pullen out the thorn. That stykith in his herte quod Pandare. Sey al foryiue / and stynt is al his fare. (159) Ye þat to me quod she ful leuere weere. Than al the good the sonne aboute goth. And therwithal she swor hym in his cere. Iwis my dere herte I am nat wrothe. Haue her my trouth and many another ooth. Now speke to me. for it am I Criseide. But al for naught / yit myghte nat abreyde. (160) Therwith his pous and paumes of his hondes. They gan to frote / and ek his templis tweyne. And to deliueren hym fro bittre bondes. She ofte hym kiste / and shortly for to seyne. Hym to reuoken she did alle hir peyne. And at the laste. he gan his breth to drawe. And of his swough / soone after þat adawe. (161) And gan bet mynde and reson to hym take. But wonder soore he was abaist Iwys. And with a sik whan he gan bet awake. He seide o mercy god what thing is this. why do ye with your seluen thus amys. Quod tho Criseide. is this a mannes game. what Troilus wol ye do thus for shame. (162) And therwithal hir arm ouer hym she leyde. And al foryaf / and ofte tyme hym kyste. He thonked hir / and to hir spake and seyde. As fil to purpos for his hertes reste. And she to þat answerde hym as hir leste. And with hir goodly wordes hym desporte. She gan / and ofte hise sorwes to comforte. (163) Quod Pandarus for aught I kan espien. I nor this candel seruen here of naught. Lyght is nat good for sik folkes yen. But for the loue of god syn ye ben broughte. In thus good plit / lat now non heuy thoghte. Ben hangynge in the hertes of yow tweye. And bare his candel to the chymenaye. (164) Soone aftir this though it no nede were. whan she swiche oothes as hir liste deuyse. Hadde of hem take / hir thought tho no feere. Ne cause ek non. to bidde hym thennes ryse. Yit lasse thing / than oothes may suffise. In many a cas. for euery wight I gesse. That loueth wel / meneth but gentilesse. (165) But in effect she wolde wit anon. Of what man / and ek wher and also why. He Ialous was / syn ther was cause non. And ek the signe. þat he tok it by. This bad she hym to telle hir bisyly. Or ellis certein she bar hym on honde. That this was don for malice hir to fonde. (166) Withoute moore shortly for to seyne. He moste obeie vnto his lady heeste. And for the lasse harm he most feyne. He seide hir whan sho was at swiche a feste. She myght on hym han loked at the leeste. Not I nat what al deere Inogh a risshe. As he þat nedes moste a cause fisshe. (167) Criseide answerde sweete al were it so. what harm was þat syn I no yuel meene. ffor by þat god þat wroght vs bothe two. In alle thing is myn entente cleene. Swiche argumentȝ ne ben nat worth a beene. wil ye the childissh Ialousie contrefete. Now weere it worthy þat ye were Ibeete. (168) Tho Troilus gan sorwfully to sike. List she be wroth hym thoght his herte deyde. And seide allas / vpon my sorwes sike. Haue mercy sweete herte myn Criseide. And yif þat in tho wordes þat I seyde. Be any wronge I wil no more trespace. Doth what yow leste I am al in yowr grace. (169) Criseide answerde of gilt misericorde. This is to seyn / þat I foryiue al this. And euer mo on this nyght yow recorde. And beth wel war ye don no moore amys. Nay deere herte myn quod he Iwys. And now quod she þat I haue don yow smerte. fforyiue it me myn owene sweete herte. (170) This Troilus with blysse of þat supprised Putte al in goddes honde / as he þat mente. No thing but wel / and sodeynly auysed. He hir in armes faste to hym hente. And Pandarus with a ful good entente. Layde hym to slepe / and seyde if ye ben wise. Swowneth nat now list moore folk aryse. (171) What myghte or may the sely larke seye. when þat the sperhauk hath it in his foot. I kan no moore / but of this ilk tweye. To whom this tale sucre be or soot. Thogh þat I tarie a yer som tyme I moot. After my auctour telle of hir gladnesse. As wel as I haue tolde hir heuynesse. (172) Criseide which þat felt hir thus Itake. As writen clerkys in hir bookes oolde. Right as an aspis lief she gan to quake. whan she hym felte hir in armes folde. And Troilus al hool of cares colde. Gan thanken tho the bryghte goddes vij. Thus sondry peynes bryngen folk in heuene. (173) This Troilus in armes gan hir streyne. And seide o sweete as euere mote I gon. Now be ye kaught / now is ther but we tweyne. Now yeldeth yow / for oother boote is non. To that Criseide answerde thus anon. Ne hadde I or now my sweete herte deere. Ben yolde / Iwys I were now nat here. (174) O soth is seide þat heled for to be. As of a feuere. or oother gret siknesse. Men moste drynke / as men may al day se. fful bitter drynke / and for to han gladnesse. Men drynken ofte peyne and gret destresse. I meene it heere / as for this auenture. That thorwgh a peyne hath fownden now his cure. (175) And now swetnesse semyth moore swete. Than bitternesse assayed was biforn. ffor out of wo in blisse now they fleete. Non swich they felten syn they were born. Now is this bet than bothe to belorn. ffor loue of god take euery womman hede. To werkyn thus when it comth to the nede. (176) Criseide al quyt from euery drede and teene. As she þat Iuste cause hadde hym to triste. Made hym swich feste / it Ioye was to seene. whan she his trouth and cleene entent wiste. And as aboute a tree with many a twiste. Bytrent and with the swoote wodebynde. Gan ech of hem in armes oother wynde. (177) And as the newe abaysed nyghtyngale. That stynteth first whan she bigynneth synge. whan þat she herith any hierde tale. Or in the hegges any wight sterynge. And aftir seker doth his voys out rynge. Right so Criseide whan hir drede stente. Opened hir herte and tolde al hir entente. (178) And right as he þat seith his deth Ishapen. And deyen moste in aught þat he may gesse. And sodeynly rescous doth hym eschapen. And from his deth is brought in sikernesse. ffor alle this world in swich present gladnesse. Is Troilus / and hath his lady sweete. with worse hap god lat vs neuere meete. (179) Hir armes smale / hir streyghte bak and softe. Hir sydes longe / flessly smothe and white. He gan to stroke / and good thrift bad ful ofte. Hir snowissh throte. hir brestes rounde and lite. Thus in this heuene he gan hym to delite. And therwithal a thowsande tyme hir kiste. That what to don for Ioye vnnethe he wiste. (180) Than seide he thus .o. loue .o. charite. Thy modir ek Citherea the sweete. After thi self nexte heried be she. Venus mene I / the wel willy Planete. And nexte yow ymeneus .I. the grete. ffor neuere man was to yow goddes holde. As I þat ye han broght fro cares colde. (181) Benygne loue thow holy bond of thinges. who so wol grace / and liste yow naught honouren. Lo his desir wol flee without wynges. And noldestow of bounte hem socouren. That seruen best / and moste alwey labouren. Yit were al lost / þat dar I wel seyn certes. But yif thy grace passed oure desertes. (182) And for thow me þat coude lest deserue. Of hem þat nowmbred ben vnto thi grace. Hast holpen / ther I likly was to sterue. And by me bistowed in so heygh a place. That thilke boundes may no blisse pace. I kan no moore but laude and reuerence. Be to thy bounte and thyn excellence. (183) And therwith Criseide anon he kiste. Of which certein she felte no disese. And thus seide he / now wolde god I wiste. Myn herte sweete / how I yow myght plese. what man quod he was euere thus at ese. As I on whom the fayrest and the beste. That euery say deyneth hir herte reste. (184) Here may men se þat mercy passeth right. The experience of this is felte in me. That am vnworthy to yow lady bright. But herte myn of yowr benygnite. So thinketh thogh þat I vnworthy be. Yit moot I nede amenden in som wyse. Right thorgh the vertu of your heygh seruyse. (185) And for the loue of god my lady deere. Syn god hath wrought me for I shal yow serue. As thus / he wol þat ye ben my steere. To don me lif if þat yow list or sterue. So techet me how þat I may deserue. Yowr thonk / so þat I thorugh my ignoraunce. Ne do no thing þat do yow displesaunce. (186) ffor certes fresshe wommanlich wyf. This dar I seyn / þat trouth and diligence. That shal ye fyndyn in me al my lif. Ne I wil nat certeyn breken your defence. And if I do present or in absence. ffor loue of god let sle me with the dede. yif þat it like vnto yowr wommanhede. (187) Iwys quod she myn owene hertes lust. My grownde of ese . and al my herte deere. Gramercy / for on þat is al my trust. But lat vs falle awey fro this matere. ffor this suffiseth which þat seyde is heere. And at o word with outen repentance. welcome my knyght / my pees / my suffisance. (188) Of hir delit . or Ioyes oon the leeste. were impossible to my wit to seye. But Iuggeth ye þat han ben at the feeste. Of swhich gladnesse / if þat hem list pleye. I kan no moore / but this ilke tweye. That nyght bitwixen drede and sikernesse. They felte in loue the grete worthynesse. (189) O blisful lyght of hem so longe Isought. How blithe vnto hem bothe two thow weere. why ne hadde ich swich oon with my soule I bought. Ye or the leeste Ioye þat was there. Awey thow foul daunger and thow feere. And lat hem in this heuene blisse dwelle. This is so heygh þat no man kan it telle. [St. 190-1 are made 201-2 in Harl. MS. 1239, St. John's MS., and Caxton's text. Harl. 2302 (lf. 75, bk.), Addit. 12,044 (lf. 59, bk.), and Corpus 61 have em here.] (190) But how al thoght I kan nat tellen al. As kan my auctour of his excellence. Yit haue I seyd and god toforn and shal. In euery thing the gret of his sentence. And yif þat I. at loues reuerence. Haue any thing in eched for the beste. Dothe therwithal right as yowr seluen liste. (191) ffor myne wordes heere and euery parte. I speke hem alle vndir correccioun. Of yow / þat feelyng han in loues arte. And putte hem hool and yowr discrecioun. Tencresce or make diminucioun. Of my lange / and þat I yow biseche. But now to purpos of my rather speche. (192) Thise ilk two þat ben in armes laft. So loth to hem asonder gon it weere. That ech from oother wende ben byraft. Or ellis lo this was hir most feere. List al this thing / but nyce dremys weere. ffor which ful ofte ech of hem seyde o swete. Clippe ich yow thus / or elles ich it meete. (193) And lord so he gan goodly on hir see. That neuere his look ne blente from hir face. And seide o deere herte may it be. That this be soth þat ye ben in thise plase. Ye herte myn. god thonk I of his grace. Quod tho Criseide / and hirwithal hym kyste. That where his spirit was for Ioye he nyste. (194) This Troilus ful ofte hir eyen two. Gan for to kisse / and seyde o eyen cleere. It war ye þat wroughten me this wo. Ye humble nettes of my lady deere. Though ther be mercy writen in yowr cheere. God wot the text ful hard is sothe to fynde. How koude ye withoute bond me bynde. (195) Therwith he gan hir faste in armes take. And wel a thouusand tymes gan he sike. Nat swich sorwful sikes as men make. ffor sorwe / or elles whan þat folk ben sike. But esy sikes swich as ben to like. That shewed his affeccion withInne. Of swich sikes koude he nat blyne. (196) Soone aftir this they spake of sondry thinges. As fil to purpos for hir auenture. And pleying entrechaungeden hir rynges. Of which I kan nat tellen no scripture. But wel I wot a broch gold and asure. In which a ruby set was lik a herte. Criseida him yaf / and stak it on his sherte. (197) Lord trowen ye a coueitous or a wrechche. That blameth loue / and halt of it despit. That of the pans þat he kan mokre and kechche. was euer yit Iyiue hym swich delit. As is in loue in o point in som plit. Nay douteles / for also god me saue. So parfit Ioye may no nigard haue. (198) They wol sey yis / but lord so þat thei lye. Tho bisy wrechches ful of wo and drede. They clepyn loue a woodnesse or folye. But it shal falle hem as I shal yow rede. They shal forgon the white and ek the rede. And lyue in wo / ther god yif hem meschaunce. And euery louere in his trouthe auaunce. (199) As wolde god thise wrechches þat despise. Seruyse of loue / hadde eris also longe. As hadde Mida ful of coueytise. And therto dronken hadde as hoote and stronge. As crassus dide for hise affectes wronge. To techen hem þat couetise is vice. And loue is vertu thogh men halde it nyce. (200) Thise ilke two of which þat I yow seye. whan hir hertes ful assured weere. Tho gonnen they to speke and to pleye. And ek rehersyn how / and whan and wheere. They knewe hem first and euery wo and feere. That passed was / but al þat heuynesse. I thonked god was torned to gladnesse. (201) And euere mo whan þat hem fil to speke. Of any wo / of which a tyme agon. with kyssynge al þat tale sholde breke. And fallen in a newe Ioye anon. And deden al hir myght syn they where oon. ffor to recoueren blysse and ben at esye. And passed wo with Ioye countrepeyse. (202) Reson wol nat þat I speke of slep. ffor it acordeth naught to my matere. God woot they toke of hit ful litel kep. But list this nyght þat was to hem so deere. Ne sholde in veyn eschap in no manere. It was biset in Ioye and besynesse. Of al þat souneth into gentilesse. (203) Whan þat the Cok comune astrologer. Gan on his brest / to beete and after crowe. And lucifer the dayes messager. Gan for to rise / and oute hir stremyes throwe. And estward ros to hym þat koude it knowe. ffortuna maior þat anon Criseide. with herte soore to Troilus thus seyde. (204) Myn hertes lif my trust and my plesaunce. That I was born allas what me is wo. That day of vs moot maken disseueraunce. ffor tyme it is to rise and hennes go. Or ellis I am lost for euer mo. O nyght allas / why nyltow ouer vs houe. As longe / as whan Almena lay by Ioue. (205) O blake nyght as folk in bookes reede. That shapen art by god / this world to hide. At certein tymes with thy blake weede. That vndir that men myght in rest abide. wel outen bestes pleyne. and folk the chide. That there as day with labour wolde vs breste. That thow thus fleest / and deynes vs nat reste. (206) Thow doost allas to shortly thy office. Thow rakel nyght / ther god makere of kynde. ffor thow so downward hasteth of malice. The corse / and to oure emyspye bynde. That neuer mo vnder the grownde thow wynde. ffor thorugh thy rakel lying out of Troye. Haue I forgon thus hastely my Ioye. (207) This Troilus þat with tho wordes felte. As thoughte hym tho. for pitous destresse. The blody teeris from his herte melte. As he þat neuere yit swich heuynesse. Assayed hadde out of so gret gladnesse. Gan therwithal Criseide his lady deere. In armes streyne / and seid in this manere. (208) O cruel day accusour of the Ioye. That loue and nyght han stole and faste Iwryen. Acorsed be thi comynge into Troye. ffor euery bore hath oon of thy bryght eyen. Enuyous day what list the to espien. what hastow lost / what sekist thow this plase. Ther god thy light so quenche for his grace. (209) Allas what han thise loueris the agilt. Despitous day / thyn be the pyne of helle. ffor mony louere hastow slayn and wilt. Thy pourynge in wol no wher late hem dwelle. what profrestow thy light her for to selle. Go selle it hem þat smale seelis graue. we wil the naught / vs nedeth no day haue. (210) And ek the sonne titan wolde he chide. And seyd o fool wel may men the despise. That hast al nyght the dawynge by thy side. And suffrest hir so soone vp fro the rise. ffor to disesen loueris in thise wise. what holde thy bed ther thow and ek thy morwe. I prey to god so yiue yow bothe sorwe. (211) Therwith ful soore he sight and thus he seyde. My lady right. and of my wele and wo. The verray roote / .o. goodly myn Criseide. And shal.I arise / allas and shal I so. Now feele I þat myn herte moot a two. ffor how shuld I my lyue an houre saue. Syn þat with yow is al the lif Ich haue. (212) What shal I don / for certes I not how. Ne whanne allas I may the tyme se. That in this plit I may ben eft with yow. And of my lif / god wot I shal be. Syn þat desir right now so streyneth me. That I am dede anon but I retorne. How sholde I longe allas fro yow soiorne. (213) But natheles my owne lady bright. Yit were it so þat I wist outrely. That I yowr owene seruant and yowr knyght. were in yowre herte Ishet as fermely. As ye in myn / the which thing trewely. Me leuere were / than this worldes tweyne. Yit sholde I bet enduren al my peyne. (214) To þat Cryseide answerde thus anon. And with a sik she seyde .o. herte deere. The game Iwys so ferforth now is gon. That erst shal Phebus fallen fro his speere. And euerich egle ben the haukes feere. And euery Roche out of his place sterte. Ar Troilus out of Criseide herte. (215) Ye ben so deepe In with my herte Igraue. That thogh I wolde it torne out of my thoghte. As wysly verray god my soule haue. To deyen in the peyne I koude noght. And for the loue of god þat vs hath wroghte. Lat in yowr brayn non oother fantasie. So crepe / þat it cause me to dye. (216) An þat ye me wolde han as faste in mynde. As I haue yow / þat wold I yow biseche. And yif I wist sothly þat to fynde. God myghte nat a poynt my Ioyes eche. But herte myn withoute moore speche. Beth to me trowe / or ellis wher it routhe. ffor I am thyn by god and by my trowthe. (217) Beth glad forthy and lyue in sekernesse. Thus seyd I neuer or now ne shal to mo. And yif to yow it were a gret gladnesse. To torne ayein son aftir þat ye go. As fayn wolde I as ye it were so. As wysly god my herte brynge at reste. And hym in armes tok and ofte kiste. (218) Ayein his wil syn it moot nedes be. This Troilus vp ros and faste hym cledde. And in his armes took his lady free. An hundreth tyme / and on his way hym spedde. And with swich voys as thoght his herte blede. He seide fare wele dere herte swette. Ther god vs graunt sounde and soone mette. (219) To which no worde for sorwe she ne answerde. So soore gan his partyng hir destreyne. And Troilus vnto his plays ferde. As wobigon as she was soth to seyne. So harde hym wrong / of sharp desir the peyne. ffor to ben eft ther he was in plesaunce. That it may neuere out of his remembrance. (220) Retorneth to his real paleys soone. He softe into his bed gan to for slynke. To slepe longe as he was wont to doone. But al for naught he may wel ligge and wynke. But slepe ne may ther in his herte synke. Thynkyng how sho for whom desir hym brende. A thousand fold was worth moore than he wende. (221) And in this thought gan vp and down to wynde. Hir wordes alle and euery contenaunce. And fermelisch enpressen in his mynde. The leste poynt þat to hym was plesaunce. And verrelich of thilke remembrance. Desir al new hym brende . and lust to breede. Gan moor than erst / and yit took he no heede. (222) Criseide also right in the selue wyse. Of Troilus gan in hir herte shette. His worthynesse / his lust / his dedes wyse. His gentilesse . and how she with hym mette. Thonkynge lone / he so wel hir bisette. Desiringe eft to han hir herte deere. In swich a plit she dorste mak hym cheere. (223) Pandare of morwe which þat comen was. Vnto his Nece / and gan hir faire greete. Seide / al this nyght so reyned it allas. That al my drede is þat ye Nece sweete. Han litel leiser had to slepe and meete. Al nyght quod he so reyn hath don me wake. That som of vs for god hir hede may ake. (224) And nere he come and seide how stant it now. This bright morwe Nece how kan ye fare. Criseide answerde neuere the bet for yow. ffox þat ye ben / god yiue yow herde care. God help me so ye caused al this fare. Trow I quod she / for al yowr wordes white. O who so seth yow knoweth yow ful lite. (225) With þat she gan hir face for to wrye. with the shete / and wax for shame al reed. And Pandarus gan vndir for to prye. And seide Nece / if þat I shal be ded. Haue her a swerde / and smyteth of my heed. with that his arm al sodeynly he threste. Vndir hir nekke / and at the laste hir kiste. (226) Passe al þat which nedeth naugh to seye. what god foryaf his deth / an she also. fforyaf and with hir vncle gan to pleye. ffor oother cause was ther non than so. But of this thing / right to theffect to go. wen tyme was hom to hir house she wente. And Pandarus hath hoolly his entente. (227) Now torne we ayein to Troilus. That resteles ful longe a bedde lay. And pryuyly sente aftir Pandarus. To hym to come in al the haste he may. He come anon / nat onys seyd he nay. And Troilus ful sobrelich he grette. And down vpon his biddesside hym sette. (228) This Troilus with al the affeccioun. Of frendes loue / þat herte may deuyse. To Pandarus / on knowes fel adown. And or þat he wolde of the plase rise. He gan hym thonken in his beste wyse. A thousand tyme / and gan the day to blisse. That he was born / to brynge hym fro destresse. (229) And seide .o. frend of frendes the alderbeste. That euere was / the soth for to telle. Thow hast in heuene Ibrought my soule at reste. ffro flagitoun the feery flood of helle. That thought I myght a thousand tymes selle. Vpon a day / my lif in thy seruyse. It myght nat a moote in þat suffise. (230) The sonne which þat al the world may se. Say neuere yit my lif þat dar I leye. So Inly fair / and goodly as is she. whos I am al / and shal til þat I deye. And þat I thus am hyrs dar I seye. That thonked be the heygh worthynesse. Of loue / and ek thy kynde bisynesse. (231) Thus hastow me no litel thinge Iyiue. ffor which to the obliged be for ay. My lif / and why / for thorugh thy helpe I lyue. Or ellis ded hadde I ben mony a day. And with that word down in his bed he lay. And Pandarus ful sobrelich hym herde. Til al was seyde / and thanne he thus answerde. (232) My deere frend yif I haue don for the. In any cas / god woot it is me lief. And am as gladde as man may of it be. God help me so / but take it naught a grief. ffor loue of god be war of this myschief. That ther as now thow brought art in thy blisse. That thow thy self ne cause it nat to mysse. (233) ffor of fortunes sharp aduersite. The worste kynde of infortune is this. A man to han ben in prosperite. And it remembreth whan it passed is. Thart wyse Inogh forthy do nat amyse. Be nat to rakel thogh thowe sitte warme. ffor yif thow be certein it wil the harme. (234) Thow art at ese / and holde the wel þerInne. ffor also seur as reed is euery fire. As gret a craft is kepe wel as wynne. Bridle alwey wel thy speche and thy desire. ffor worldly Ioy halt nat but by a wire. That proeueth wel it brest alday so ofte. fforthy nede is to wirken with it softe. (235) Quod Troilus / I hope and god biforn. My deere frend / þat I shal so me bere. That in my gylt ther shal no thing be lorn. Ne I wol nat rakly as for to greuen here. It nedeth nat this matere of to over an erasure. tere. ffor wistestow my herte wel Pandare. By god of this thow woldest litel care. (236) Tho gan he telle hym of hise glade nyght. And whereof first hys herte drede and how. And seyde frende / as I am trewe knyght. And by þat feith I shal to god and yow. I hadde it neuere half so hoote as now. And ay the more yt sic. desir me biteth. To loue hir beste the moore it me deliteth. (237) I not my self nat wisly what it is. But now I feele a newe qualite. Ye al a nother than I dede or þis. Pandare answerde and seide thus þat he. That oonys may in heuene blis be. He feeleth oother weyes dar I leye. Than thilk tyme he first herde of it seye. (238) This is a worde for al / this Troilus. was neuere ful to speke of this matere. And for to preyse vnto Pandarus. The bounte of his right lady deere. And Pandarus to thanke and maken cheere. This tale was ay spannew to bygynne. Til at the nyght departed hem atwynne. (239) Soone after this / for þat fortune it wolde. Icomen was the blisful tyme sweete. That Troilus was warned þat he sholde. Ther he was erst Criseide his lady meete. ffor which he felte his herte in Ioye fleete. And feithfully gan alle the goddes herye. And lat se now / yif that he kan be merye. (240) And holden was the forme and al the wise. Of hir commynge / and ek of his also. As it was erst / which nedith naught deuyse. But pleynly to the effect right for to go. In Ioye and suerte Pandarus hem two. Abedde broughte / whan hem bothe liste. And thus they ben in quiete and in reste. (241) Nat nedith it to yow syn they ben met. To ax at me / yif þat they blithe weere. ffor yif it erst was wele tho was it bet. A thousand fold / this nedeth nat enqueere. Agon was euery drede and euery feere. And bothe Iwys they hadde / and so they wende. As muche Ioye as herte may comprende. (242) This nys no litel thing of for to seye. This passeth euery wit for to deuyse. ffor eche of hem gan oothres lust obeye. ffelicite wiche at this clerkis wyse. Comenden so / ne may nat hir suffise. This Ioye may nat writen be with Inke. This passeth al / þat herte may bithynke. (243) But cruel day so weylawey the stownde. Gan for to taproche / as they by signes knewe. ffor which hem thoughte feelen dethes wownde. So wo was hem þat chaungen gan hir hewe. And day they gonnen to despise al newe. Callynge it traytour enuyous and worse. And bitterly the dayes light they corse. (244) Quod Troilus allas now am I war. That pirora and the swifte steedes thre. which þat drawen forth the sonnes char. Han gon som bipath in dispit of me. That maketh it so soone day to be. And for the sonne hym hasteth thus to rise. Ne shal I neuere don hym sacrifise. (245) But nedes day departe hem moste soone. And whan hir speche Idon was and hir cheere. They twynne anon / as they ben wont to don. And setten tyme of metynge eft Ifere. And many a nyght they wroght in this manere. And thus fortune a tyme ledde in Ioye. Criseide / and ek this kynges sone of Troye. (246) In suffisaunce / in blisse / and in syngynges. This Troilus gan al hise lif to lede. He spendith / Iousteth / makith festynges. He yeueth frely ofte. and chaungeth weede. And helde aboute hym ay withouten drede. A world of folk / as kam hym wele of kynde. The fressheste / and the beste he koude fynde. (247) That swich a voys of hym was and a steuene. Thorwghout the worlde of honour and largesse. That it vp rong / vnto the yate of heuene. And as in loue he was in swich gladnesse. That in his herte he demed as I gesse. That ther nys louere in this world at ese. So wel as he / and thus gan loue hym plese. (248) The goodlihede or bounte which þat kynde. In any oother lady hadde Iset. Kan nat the mountenaunce of a knotte vnbynde. Aboute his herte of al Criseides net. He was so narwe Imasket and Iknet. That it vndon on any maner side. That nyl nat ben for aught þat may bitide. (249) And by the hond ful ofte he wolde take. This Pandarus and into gardyn leede. And swich a feeste and swich a proces make. Hym of Criseide / and of hir wommanhede. And of hir beaute / þat withouten drede. It was an heuene his wordes for to here. And thanne he wolde synge in this manere. (250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.) Loue þat of erthe and see hath gouernaunce. [Cantus troili] Loue þat hise hestes hath in heuenes hye. Loue which þat with an holsom alliance. Halt peoples Ioygned as hym list hem gye. Loue þat enditeth lawe of compaignye. And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle. Bynd this acord þat I haue told and telle. (251) (Troilus's Song. 2.) That þat the world with feith þat is sic vnstable. Dyuerseth so hise stowndes concordynge. That elementȝ þat ben so discordable. Holde in a bond perpetuely durynge. That phebus moote his roosy day forth brynge. And þat the moone hath lordshippes ouer the nyghtes. Al this doth loue. ay heried be hise myghtes. (252) (Troilus's Song. 3.) That þat the see that gredy is to flowen. Constreyneth to a certein ende so. His floodes / þat so fiersly they ne growen. To drenchen erthe and alle for euer mo. And yif þat loue aught let his bridel go. Al þat now loueth asonder shal lepe. And lost were al þat loue halt now to hepe. (253) (Troilus's Song. 4.) So wolde god þat auctour is of kynde. That with his bond loue of his vertu liste. To cerclen hertes alle and faste bynde. That from his bond no wight the wey out wiste. And hertes colde hem wolde I þat he twiste. To make hem loue / and þat hem liste ay rewe. And hertes soore / and kepe hem þat be trewe. (254) In alle nedes for the townes werre. He was / and ay the first in armes dight. And certeinly but yif þat bookes erre. Saue Ector moost Idrede of any wight. And this Encres of hardinesse and myght. Com hym of loue. his lady thonk to wynne. That altered his spirit so withInne. (255) In tyme of trewe. on hawkynde wolde he ride. Or ellis hont / boor. bere. or lyon. The smale beestes leet he gon biside. And whan þat he com rydyng into town. fful ofte his lady from hir wyndow down. As fresshe as faucon comen out of muwe. fful redy was hym goodly to saluwe. (256) And moost of loue and vertu was his speche. And in despit hadde alle wrechchednesse. And douteles no nede was hym biseche. To honouren hem þat hadden worthynesse. And esen hem þat weren in destresse. And glad was he if any wight wel farde. That louere was. wan it wiste or harde. (257) ffor soth to seyn he lost held euery wight. But yif he were in loues heygh seruyse. I. meene folk þat oughte it ben of ryght. And ouer al this so wel koude he deuyse. Of sentement / and in so vnkouth wyse. Alle his array / þat euery louere thoughte. That al was wel what so he seyde or wroughte. (258) And thogh that he be come of blood royal. Hym liste of pryde at no wight for to chace. Benygne he was to ech in general. ffor which he gat hym thonk in euery place. This wolde loue Iheried be his grace. That pride / enuye / and ire and auarice. He gan to fle. and euerich oother vice. (259) Yow lady bright the doughter to dyone. Thy blynde and wynged sone ek daun kupide. Yow sustres ix ek þat by Elicone. In hill parnaso lysten for tabide. That ye thus fer han deyned me to gide. I kan na moore / but syn þat ye wol wende. Ye heried ben for ay withouten ende. (260) Thowrgh yow haue I seyd fully in my song. The effect and Ioye of Troilus seruyse. Al be that ther was som disese among. As to my auctour listeth to deuyse. Mi thridde book now end ich in this wyse. And Troilus in lust and in quiete. Is with Criseide his owne herte swete. Explicit liber tercius. Incipit Prohemmium Tercii Libri. (1) O Blisful light of which the bemes clere. Adorneth al the thridde heuen faire. O sonnes lief .o. Ioues doughter deere. Plesance of loue .o. goodly debonaire. In gentil hertes ay redy to repaire. O veray cause of heele and of gladnesse. Iheryed be thy myghte and thi goodnesse. (2) In heuene and helle in erthe and salte see. Is felt thi myght if that I wel descerne. As man brid beste fisshe herbe and grene tree. They fele in tymes with vapour eterne. God loueth and to loue wol nought werne. And in this worlde no lyues creature. withouten loue is worth or may endure. (3) Ȝe Ioues first to thilk effectes glade. Thorugh which that thynges lyuen alle and be. Comended and amorous hem made. On mortal thyng and as ȝow list ay ȝe. Ȝeue hym in loue ese or aduersitee. And in a thousand formes down hym sente. ffor loue in erthe and whom ȝow liste he hente. (4) Ȝe fierse Mars apaisen of his Ire. And as ȝow list ȝe maken hertes digne. Algates hem that ȝe wol sette a fyre. They dreden shame and vices they resygne. Ȝe do hem corteys be fresshe and benigne. And heighe or lowe after a wight entendeth. The Ioies that he hath ȝoure myght it sendcth. (5) Ȝe holden regne and hous in vnitee. The sothfaste cause of frendchipe ben also. Ȝe knowe al thilk couered qualitee. Of thynges which that folk on wondren so. whan they kan nought construe how it may Io. She loueth hym or whi he louethe here. As whi this fissh and naught that comth to were. (6) Ȝe folke a lawe han sette in vniuerse. And this knowe I by hem that louers be. That who so stryueth with ȝow hath the werse. Now lady bryght for thi benignite. At reuerence of hem that seruen the. whos clerc I am so techeth me deuyse. Som Ioye of that is felt in thi seruyse. (7) Ȝe in my naked herte sentement. In hielde and do me shewe of thy swetnesse. Caliope thi vois be now present. ffor now is nede sestow nought my destresse. How I mot telle anon right the gladnesse. Of Troilus to venus heryng. To which who nede hath god hym brynge. Explicit Prohemmium. Tercii Libri. Incipit liber. Tercius. (8) LAy al this mene while Troilus. Recordyng his lesson in this manere. Mafay thoughte he thus wol I sey and thus. Thus wole I pleyne vnto my lady dere. That word is good and this shal be my cheere. This nyl I nought forȝeten in no wise. God leue hym werken as he kan deuyse. (9) And lord so that his herte gan to quappe. Heryng hire come and shorte for to sike. And Pandarus that ledde hire by the lappe. Com ner and gan In at the Curtyn pike. And seyde god do boot on alle syke. So who is here ȝow comen to visite. Lo here is she that is ȝoure deth to wite. (10) Therwith it semed as he wepte almoste. Ha a quod Troilus so roufully. wher me be wo .o. myghty god thow wooste. who is al ther I se nought trewely. Sire quod Criseyde it is Pandare and .I. Ȝe swete herte allas I may nought rise. To knele and do ȝow honour in som wyse. (11) And dressed hym vpward and she right tho. Gan bothe hire hondes softe vpon hym leye. O for the loue of god de ȝe nought so. To me quod she I what is this to seye. Sire comen am I to ȝow for causes tweye. ffirst ȝow to thouke and of ȝoure lordshipe eke. Continuance I wolde ȝow biseke. (12) This Troilus that herde his lady preye. Of lordshipe hym wax neither quyk ne dede. Ne myghte o word for shame to it seye. Although men sholde smyten of his hede. But lord so he wex sodeynliche rede. And fro his lessoun that he wende konne. To preyen hire is thorugh his wit Ironne. (13) Criseyde al this aspied wel ynough. ffor she was wis and loued hym neuere the lasse. Al ner he malapert or made it tough. Or was to bold to synge a fool a masse. But whan his shame gan somwhat to passe. His resons as I may my rymes holde. I ȝow wol telle as techen bokes olde. (14) In chaunged vois right for his verray drede. which vois ek quook and therto his manere. Goodly abaist and now his hewes rede. Now pale vnto Criseyde his lady dere. with look down caste and humble Iȝolden chere. Lo the alderfirst word that hym asterte. was twyes mercy mercy swete herte. (15) And stynte a while and whan he myghte oute brynge. The nexte word was god woot for I haue. As feithfully as I haue had konnynge. Ben ȝoures al god so my soule saue. And shal til that I woful wight be graue. And though I dar ne kan vnto pleyne. Iwis I suffre nought the lasse peyne. (16) Thus muche as now .a. wommanliche wif. I may oute brynge and if this ȝow displese. That shal I wreke vpon myn owen lif. Right soone I trowe and do ȝoure herte an ese. If with my deth ȝoure herte may apese. But syn that ȝe han herde me somwhat seye. Now recche I neuere how so one that I deye. (17) Therwith his manly sorwe to biholde. It myghte han made an herte of stoon to rewe. And Pandare vep as he to water wolde. And poked euere his Nece new and newe. And seyde wo bygone ben hertes trewe. ffor loue of god make of this thinge an ende. Or sle vs both at ones er that ȝe wende. (18) I what quod she by god and by my trouthe. I not nat what ȝe wilne that I seye. I what quod he that ȝe han on hym routhe. ffor goddes loue and doth hym nought to deye. Now thanne thus quod she I wolde hym preye. To telle me the fyn of his entente. Ȝet wist I neuere wel what that he mente. (19) What that I mene .o. swete herte deere. Quod Troilus .o. goodly fresshe free. That with the stremes of ȝoure eyen cleere. Ȝe wolde somtyme frendely on me see. And thanne agreen that I may ben he. withouten braunche of vice on any wise. In trouthe alwey to don ȝow my seruise. (20) As to my lady right and chief resorte. With al my wit and al my diligence. And to han right as ȝow list comforte. Vnder yowre yerde egal to myn offence. [Omitted in CCC.] As deth if that I breke ȝoure defence. And that ȝe deigne me so muche honoure. Me to comanden aught in any houre. (21) And I to ben ȝoure verray humble trewe. Secrete and in myn paynes pacient. And euere mo desiren fresshly newe. To seruen and ben ay ylike diligent. And with good herte al holly ȝoure talent. Receyuen wel how sore that me smerte. Lo this mene I myn owen swete herte. (22) Quod Pandarus lo here an harde requeste. And resonable a lady for to werne. Now Nece myn by Natal Ioues feste. were .I. a god ȝe sholden sterue as ȝerne. That heren wel this man wol no thing ȝerne. But ȝoure honour and sen hym almoste sterue. And ben so loth to suffren hym ȝow serue. (23) With that she gan hire eyen on hym caste. fful esily and ful debonairlye. Auysyng hire and hied nought to faste. with neuere a word but seyde hym softely. Myn honour sauf I wol wel trewely. And in swiche forme as he gan now deuyse. Receyuen hym fully to my seruyse. (24) Bysechyng hym for goddes loue that he. wolde in honour of trouthe and gentilesse. As I wel mene eke menene wel to me. And myn honour with wit and bisynesse. Ay kepe. and if I may don hym gladnesse. ffrom hennesforth Iwys I nyl nought feyne. Now beth al hool no lenger ȝe ne pleyne. (25) But natheles this warne .I. ȝow quod she. A kynges sone although ȝe be ywys. Ȝe shal namore han souereignete. Of me in loue than right in that cas is. Ne nyl forbere if that ȝe don amys. To wratthe ȝow and whil that ȝe me serue. Chericen ȝow right after ȝe disserue. (26) And shortly deer herte and al my knyght. Beth glad and draweth ȝow to lustinesse. And I shal trewely with al my myght. Ȝoure bittre tornen al into swetenesse. If .I. be she that may ȝow do gladnesse. ffor euery wo ȝe shal recouere a blisse. And hym in armes took and gan hym kisse. (27) ffil Pandarus on knees and vp eyen. To heuen threw and held hise hondes highe. Immortal god quod he that mayst nought deyen. Cupide I mene of this mayst glorifie. And venus thow mayst maken melodie. withouten honde me semeth that in the towne. ffor this merueille ich here eche belle sowne. (28) But ho namore as now of this matere. ffor whi this folk wol comen vp anon. That han the lettre redde lo I hem here. But I conIure the Criseyde an oon. And to thow Troilus whan thow mayst goon. That at myn hous ȝe ben at my warnyng. ffor I ful well shal shape ȝoure commyng. (29) And eseth there ȝoure hertes right ynough. And lat se which of ȝow shal bere the belle. To speke of loue aright therwith he lough. ffor ther haue ȝe a leiser for to telle. Quod Troilus how longe shalle I dwelle. Er this be don. quod he whan thow mayst ryse. This thyng shal be right as I ȝow deuyse. (30) With that Eleyne and also Deiphebus. Tho comen vpward right at the steires ende. And lord so thanne gan gronen Troilus. His brother and his suster for to blende. Quod Pandarus it tyme is that we wende. Tak Nece myn ȝoure leue at alle thre. And lat hem speke and comth forth with me. (31) She took hire leue at hem ful thriftily. As she wel koude and they hire reuerence. Unto the fulle diden hardyly. And wonder wel speken in hire absence. Of hire in preysing of hire excellence. Hire gouernaunce hire wit and hire manere. Comendede Ioie [A gap in the MS. between Comendede and Ioie] was to hire. (32) Now lat hire wende vnto hire owen place. And torne we to Troilus aȝein. That gan ful lightly of the lettre pace. That Deiphebus hadde in the gardyn seyn. And of Eleyne and hym he wolde feyn. Deliuered ben and seyde that hym leste. To slepe and after tales han reste. (33) Eleyne hym kiste and took hire leue blyue. Deiphebus ek. and hom wente euery wight. And Pandarus as faste as he may dryue. To Troilus tho come as lyne right. And on a paillet al that glade nyght. By Troilus he lay with mery chere. To tale and wel was hem they were yfeere. (34) Whan euery wight was voided but they two. And alle the dores weren faste yshette. To telle on short withouten wordes no. This Pandarus withouten any lette. Up roos and on his beddes syde hym sette. And gan to speken in a sobre wyse. To Troilus as I shal ȝow deuyse. (35) Myn alderleuest lord and brother deere. God woot and thow that it sat me so soore. when I the saugh so langwisshyng to ȝere. ffor loue of which thi wo waxeth alwey moore. That I with al my myghte and al my loore. Haue euere sithen don my bisynesse. To brynge the to Ioye out of distresse. (36) And haue it broughte to swich plit as thow wooste. So that thorugh me thow stondest now in weye. To faren wel. I sey it for no boste. And wostow whi for shame it is to seye. For þe haue I bigonne a gamen pleye. which that I neuere do shal eft for other. Although he were a thousand fold my brother. (37) That is to seye for the am I bicomen. Bitwixen game and ernest swich a meene. As maken wommen vnto men to comen. Al sey I nought thow wost wel what I meene. ffor the haue I my Nece of vices cleene. So fully maad thi gentileste triste. That al ben shal right as thiseluen liste. (38) But god that al woot take I to witnesse. That neuere I this for coueitise wroughte. But oonly for tabregge that distresse. ffor which wel neigh thow deidest as me thoughte. But good brother do now as the oughte. ffor goddes loue. and kepe hire out of blame. Syn thow art wys and saue alwey hire name. (39) ffor wel thow woost the name as ȝet of hire. Among the peeple. as who seyth halwed is. ffor that man is vnbore I dar wel swere. That euere wiste that she dide amys. But wo is me that I that cause al this. May thynken that she is my Nece deere. And I hire Em and Traitour eke yfeere. (40) And were it wist that I thorugh myn engyn. Hadde in myn Nece yput this fantasie. To doon thi lust and holly to ben thyn. whi al the world vpon it wolde crie. And seyn that I the werste trecherie. Dide in this cas that euere was bigonne. And she forlost and thow right nought ywonne. (41) Wherfore er I wol ferthere gon a pas. Ȝet eft I the biseche and fully seye. That priuete go with vs in this cas. That is to seyn that thow vs neuere wreye. And be nought wrothe though I the ofte preye. To holden secree swich an heigh matere. For skilfull is thow woost wel my praiere. (42) And thynk what wo ther hath bitid er this. ffor makyng of auautȝ as men rede. And what meschaunce in this world ȝet ther is. ffro day to day right for that wikked dede. ffor which thise wise clerkes that ben dede. Han euere thus prouerbed to vs ȝonge. That firste vertue is to kepe tonge. (43) And nere it that .I. wilne as now tabregge. Diffusioun of speche .I. koude almoost. A thousand olde stories the allegge. Of wommen lost. thorugh fals and foles bost. Prouerbes kanst thi self and woost. Aȝeins that vice for to ben a labbe. Al seyde men soth as often as thei gabbe. (44) O tonge allas so often here byforne. Hastow made many a lady bright of hewe. Seyde weilaway the day that I was borne. And many a maydes sorwe for to newe. And for the more part al is vntrewe. That men of ȝelp and it were broughte to preue. Of kynde non auauntour is to leue. (45) Auauntour and a lyere al is on. As thus I pose a womman graunte me. Hire loue and seith that other wol she non. And I am sworn to holden it secree. And after .I. go telle it two or thre. I. wis .I. am auauntour at the leeste. And a lyere for I breke my biheste. (46) (Much alterd in Caxton.) Now loke thanne if they be nought to blame. Swich manere folk what shal I clepe hem what. That hem auaunte of wommen and by name. That ȝet bihyghte hem neuere this ne that. Ne knewe hem more than myn olde hat. No wonder is so god me sende hele. Though womman dreden with vs men to dele. (47) I sey nought this for no mistruste of ȝow. Ne for no wise men but for foles nyce. And for the harm that in the werld is now. As wel for folie ofte as for malice. ffor wel woot I in wise folk that vice. No womman drat if she be wel awised ffor wyse ben by foles harm chastised. (48) But now to purpos leue brother deere. Haue al this thyng that I haue seyde in mynde. And kepe the clos and be now of good cheere. ffor at thi day thow shalt me trewe fynde. I shal thi processe set in swych a kynde. And god toforn that it shal the suffise. ffor it shal be right as thow wolt deuyse. (49) ffor wel I woot thow menest wel parde. Therfore I dar this fully vndertake. Thow woost ek what thi lady graunted the. And day is set the chartres vp to make. Haue now good nyght I may no lenger wake. And bid for me syn thow art now in blysse. That god me sende deth or soon lisse. (50) Who myghte tellen half the Ioie or feste. whiche that the soule of Troilus tho felte. Heryng theffect of Pandarus byheste. His olde wo that made his herte swelte. Gan tho for Ioie wasten and to melte. And al the richesse of hise sikes sore. Atones fledde he felte of hem namore. (51) But right so as thise holtes and thise hayis. That han in wynter dede ben and drye. Reuesten hem in grene when that may is. whan euery lusty liketh best to pleye. Right in that selue wise soth for to seye. wax sodeynliche his herte ful of Ioie. That gladder was ther neuere man in Troie. (52) And gan his look on Pandarus vp caste. fful sobrely and frendly for to se. And seyde frende in April the laste. As wel thow woost if it remembre the. How neigh the deth for wo thow fownde me. And how thow dedest al thi bisynesse. To knowe of me the cause of my destresse. (53) Thow woost how longe ich it forbar to seye. To the that art the man that I best triste. And peril non was it to the bywreye. That wist I wel. but telle me if the liste. Sith I so loth was that thi self it wiste. How dorst I mo tellen of this matere. That quake now and no wight may vs here. (54) But natheles by that god I the swere. That as hym list may al this world gouerne. And if I lye achilles with his spere. Myn herte cleue. al were my lif eterne. As I am mortal. if I late or ȝerne. wolde it bewreye. er dorst. or sholde konne. ffor al the good that god made vnder sonne. (55) That rather dey I wolde and determyne. As thynketh me now stokked in prisone. In wrecchidnesse in filthe and in vermyne. Caytif to cruel kyng Agamenoun. And this in all the temples of this town. Upon the goddes alle I wol the swere. To morwe day. if that it liketh the here. (56) And that thow hast so muche Ido for me. That I ne may it neuere more diserue. This know I wel al myghte I now for the. A thousand tymes on a morwe sterue. .I. kan namore but that I wol the serue. Right as thi sclaue whider so thow wende. ffor euere more vnto my lyues ende. (57) But here with al myn herte I the biseche. That neuere in me thow deme swich folie. As I shal seyne me thoughte by thi speche. That this which thow me doste for compaignie. I sholde wene it were a bauderye. I am nought wood al if I lewed be. It is nought so that woot I wel parde. (58) But he that gooth for gold or for ricchesse. On swich message calle hym what the liste. And this that thow doost calle it gentilesse. Compassioun and felawship and triste. Deperte it so. for wyde wher is wiste. How that ther is diuersite requered. Bytwixen thynges lik as I haue lered. (59) And that thow knowe I thynke nought ne wene. That this seruise a shame be or Iape. I haue my faire suster Polixene. Cassandre Eleyne. or ony of the frape. Be she neuere so faire or wel yshape. Tel which thow wilt of euerychone. To han for thyn and lat me thanne allone. (60) But sith that thow hast don me this seruyse. My lif to saue and for non hope of mede. So for the loue of god this grete emprise. Perfourme it out. for now is most nede. ffor heigh and lough withowten any drede. I wol alwey thyn hestes alle kepe. Haue now good nyght and lat vs bothe slepe. (61) Thus helde hym eche of other wel apayed. That al the world ne myghte it bet amende. And on the morwen whan they were arayed. Eche to his owen nedes gan entende. But Troilus though as the fire he brende. ffor sharpe desire of hope and of plesaunce. He nought forgate his good gouernaunce. (62) But in hym self with manhode gan restreyne. Eche racle dede and ech vnbridled cheer. That alle tho that lyuen soth to seyne. Ne sholde han wist by word or by manere. what that he mente as touchyng this matere. ffrom euery wight as fer as is the cloude. He was so wel dissimilen he koude. (63) And alle the while which that I ȝow deuyse. This was his lif with all his fulle myght. By day he was in Martes heigh seruyse. This is to seyn. in armes as a knyght. And for the more parte the longe nyght. He lay and thoughte how that he myght serue. His lady best hire thonke for to disserue. (64) Nil I naught swere although he lay softe. That in his thought he nas somwhat disesed. Ne that he torned on his pilwes ofte. And wold of that hym missed han ben sesed. But in swiche cas men is nought alwey plesed. ffor aught I woot namore than was he. That kan I deme of possibilitee. (65) But certeyn is to purpos for to go. That in this which as writen is in geeste. He say his lady som tyme and also. She with hym spak whan that she dorst or leste. And by hire bothe auys as was the beste. Apoynteden full warly in this nede. So as they durste how they wolde procede. (66) But it was spoken in so shorte a wise. In swich a wait alwey and in swich feere. Lest any wight deuynen or deuyse. wold of hem two. or to it laye an ere. That al this world. so leef to hem ne were. As that cupide wolde hem grace sende. To make of hire speche aright an ende. (67) [Caxton leaves out St. 67-71. Harl. 1293 (lf. 24, bk.) and 2932 (lf. 59, bk.) have em.] But thilke litel that they spake or wroughte. Hise wise goost took ay of al swych heede. It semed hire he wist what she thoughte. withouten word. so that it was no nede. To bidde hym ought to doon or ought forbeede. ffor which he thought that loue al come it late. Of al Ioie hadde opned hire the ȝate. (68) And shortly of his processe for to pace. So wel his werk and wordes he bisette. That he so ful stood in his lady grace. That twenty thousand tymes er she lette. She thonked god that euere she with hym mette. So koude he hym gouerne in swich seruyse. That al the world ne myght it bet auyse. (69) ffor whi she fonde hym so discrete in al. So secrete and of swiche obeisaunce. That wel she felte he was to hire a wal. Of stiel. and sheld from euery displesaunce. That to ben in his good gouernaunce. So wis he was. she was namore afered. I mene as fer as oughte ben requered. (70) And Pandarus to quike alwey the fire. was euere ylike prest and diligent. To ese his frende was sette al his desire. He shof ay on. he to and fro was sente. He lettres bare whan Troilus was absente. That neuere man as in his frendes nede. Ne bar hym bette than he withouten drede. (71) But now parauntour som man wayten wolde. That euery word. or soonde. or look. or cheere. Of Troilus that I rehercen sholde. In al this while vnto his lady deere. I trowe it were a longe thyng for to here. Or of what wight that stant in swich disioynte. Hise wordes alle or euery look to poynte. (72) ffor sothe I haue naught herd it don er this. In story non ne no man here I wene. And though I wolde I koude nought ywys. ffor ther was som Epistel hem bitwene. That wolde as seyth myn autour wel contene. Neigh half this book of which hym liste nought write. How sholde I thanne a lyne of it endite. (73) But to the grete effect than sey I thus. That stondyng in concord and in quiete. This ilk two Criseyde and Troilus. As I haue tolde and in this tyme swete. Saue only often myghte they nought mete. Ne leiser haue hire speches to fulfille. That it bifel right as I shal ȝow telle. (74) That Pandarus that euere dide his myght. Right for the fyn that I shal speke of here. As for to bryngen to his hows som nyght. His faire Nece and Troilus yfere. Wher as at leiser al this heighe matere. Touchyng here loue were at the fulle vp bounde. Hadde out of doute a tyme to it founde. (75) ffor he with grete deliberacioun. Hadde euery thyng that herto myght auaille. fforncast and put in execucioun. And neither left for cost ne for trauaile. Come if hem list hem sholde no thyng faille. And for to ben in ought aspied there. That wiste he wel and Impossible were. (76) Dredeles it clere was in the wynde. From euere pie and euery lette game. Now al is wel for al the world is blynde. In this matere both fremed and tame. This tymbur is al redy vp to frame. Us lakketh nought but that we witen wolde. A certeyn houre in which she comen sholde. (77) And Troilus that al this purueiaunce. Knew at the fulle and waited on it ay. Hadde here vp made grete ordinaunce. And found his cause. and theto his aray. If that he were missed nyght or day. Ther while he was aboute this seruyse. That he was gon to don his sacrifise. (78) And moste at swich a temple allone wake. Answerd of Apollo for to be. And first to sen the holy laurer quake. Er that Apollo spake oute of the tree. To telle hym next whan grekes sholde flee. And forthy lette hym no man god forbede. But prey apollo helpen in this nede. (79) Now is ther litel more for to doone. But Pandare vp and shortly for to seyne. Right sone vpon the chaungynge of the moone. whan lightles is the world a nyght or tweyne. And that the wolken shop hym for to reyne. He streght o morwe vnto his Nece wente. Ȝe han wel herd the fyn of his entente. (80) Whan he was come he gan anon to pleye. As he was wont and of hym self to Iape. And finaly he swore and gan hire sey. By this and that she sholde nought escape. Ne lenger don hym after hire to cape. But certeynly she most by hire leue. Come soupen in his hous with hym at eue. (81) At swich she lough and gan hire faste excuse. And seyde. it reyneth. lo how sholde I gon. Lat be quod he ne stant nought thus to muse. This moot be don ȝe shal be ther anon. So at the laste herof they fille aton. Or elles softe he swore hire in hire ere. He nolde neuere comen ther she were. (82) Soone after this she to hym gan to rowne. And axed hym if Troilus were there. He swore hire nay for he was oute of towne. And seyde Nece I pose that he were. Ȝow thruste neuere han the more fere. ffor rather than men myghte hym ther aspie. Me uere leuere a thousand fold to dye. (83) Nought list myn autour fully to declare. what that she thoughte whan that he seyde so. That Troilus was out of towne yfare. As if he seyde therof soth or no. But that withowten await with hym to go. She graunted hym sith he hire that bisoughte. And as his Nece obeyed as hire oughte. (84) But natheles ȝet gan she hym biseche. Although with hym to gon it was no fere. ffor to ben war of goosissh poeples speche. That dremen thynges whiche as neuere were. And wel auyse hym whom he broughte there. And seyde hym Em. syn I moste on ȝow triste. Loke al be wel and do now as ȝow liste. (85) He swore hire ȝes by stokkes and by stones. And by the goddes that in heuene dwelle. Or elles were hym leuere soule and bones. with Pluto kyng as depe ben in helle. As Tantalus what sholde I more telle. whan al was wel he roos and took his leue. And she to soper come whan it was eue. (86) With a certein of hire owen men. And with hire faire Nece Antigone. And other of hire wommen nyne or ten. But who was glad now. who as trowe ȝe. But Troilus that stood and myght it se. Thorughoute a litel wyndow in a stuwe. Ther he bishette syn mydnyght was in mewe. (87) Unvist of euery wight but of Pandare. But to the point. now whan that she was com. with a Ioie and alle frendes fare. Hire Em anon in armes hath hire nome. And after to the soper alle and some. whan tyme was ful softe they hem sette. God woot ther was no deynte for to fette. (88) And after soper gonnen they to rise. Atese wel with herte fresshe and glade. And wel was hym that koude best deuyse. To liken hire. er that hire laughen made. He songe she pleyde. he tolde tale of wade. But at the laste as euery thyng hath ende. She took hire leue. and nedes wolde wende. (89) But .of. fortune executrice of wyerdes. O. Influences of thise heuenes hye. Soth is that vnder god ȝe ben oure hierdes. Though to vs bestes ben the causeȝ wrie. This mene I now for she gan hamward hye. But execut was al bisyde hire leue. At the goddes wil. for which she moste bleue. (90) The bente Moone with hire hornes pale. Saturne and Ioue in Cancro Ioyned were. That swych a reyn from heuen gan auale. That euery maner womman that was there. Hadde of that smoky reyn a verray feere. At which Pandare tho lough and seyde thenne. Now were it tyme a lady to gon henne. (91) But good Nece If I myghte euere plese. Ȝow any thyng than prey ich ȝow quod he. To don myn herte as now so grete an ese. As for to dwelle here al this nyght with me. ffor whi this is ȝoure owen hous parde. ffor by my trouthe I sey it nought a game. To wende as now it were to me a shame. (92) Criseyde which that koude as muche good. As half a world took hede of his preier. And syn it ron. and al was on a flod. She thoughte as good chepe may I dwellen here. And graunte it gladly with a frendes chere. And haue a thonk as grucche and thanne abide. ffor hom to gon it may nought wel bitide. (93) I wol quod she myn vncle lief and deer. Syn that ȝow list it skile is to be so. I am right glad with ȝow to dwellen here. I seyde but a game I wolde go. I wys graunte mercy Nece quod he tho. were it a game or no soth for to telle. Now am I glade syn that ȝow list to dwelle. (94) Thus al is wel. but tho bigan aright. The newe Ioie and al the feste agayn. But Pandarus if goodly hadde he myght. He wolde han hyed hire to bed fayn. And seyde lord this is an huge rayn. This wee a weder for to slepen Inne. And that I rede vs soone to bygynne. (95) And Nece woot ȝe wher I wol ȝow leye. ffor that we shul nat liggen far asonder. And for ȝe neither shullen dar I seye. Heren noyse of reyne nor of thonder. By god right in myn litel closet ȝonder. And I wol in that outer hous allone. Be wardein of ȝoure wommen euerichone. (96) And in this myddel chaumbre that ȝe se. Shul ȝoure wommen slepen wel and softe. And there I seyde shal ȝoure seluen be. And if ȝe liggen wel to nyght com ofte. And careth nought what weder is alofte. The wyn anon and whan so that ȝow leste. So go we slepe .I. trowe it be the beste. (97) Ther nys no more but hereafter soone. The voide dronke and trauers drawe anon. Gan euery wight that hadde nought to done. More in the place out of the chaumbre gon. And euere mo so sterneliche it ron. And blewe therwith so wondirliche loude. That wel neigh no man heren other koude. (98) Tho Pandarus hire Em right as hym oughte. with wommen swiche as were hire most aboute. fful glad vnto hire beddes syde hire broughte. And took his leue. and gan ful lowe loute. And seyde here at this closet dore withoute. Right ouere thwart ȝoure wommen ligen alle. That whom ȝow list of hem ȝe may here calle. (99) So whan that she was in the closet leyde. And alle hire wommen forth by ordinaunce. Abedde weren. ther as I haue seyde. There was nomore to skippen nor to traunce. But boden go to bedde with meschaunce. If any wight was steryng any where. And lat hem slepen that abedde were. (100) But Pandarus that wel koude eche a deel. Tholde daunce. and euery point therInne. whan that he sey that al thyng was wel. He thought he wolde vpon his werk bigynne. And gan the stuwe doore al softe vnpynne. As stille as stoon withouten lenger lette. By Troilus adown right he hym sette. (101) And shortly to the point right for to gon. Of al this werk he tolde hym worde and ende. And seyde make the redy right anon. ffor thow shalt into heuene blisse wende. Now blisful venus thow me grace sende. Quod Troilus. for neuere ȝet no nede. Hadde ich er now. ne haluendel the drede. (102) Quod Pandarus ne drede the neuere a decl. ffor it shal be right as thow wolt desire. So thryue I this nyght shal I make it weel. Or casten al the gruwel in the fire. Ȝet blisful venus this nyght thow me enspire. Quod Troilus. as wys as .I. the serue. And euere bet and bet shal til I sterue. (103) As if ich hadde O Venus ful of myrthe. Aspectes badde. O Mars or of saturne. Or thow combust or let were in my birthe. Thy fader prey al thilke harm disturne. Of grace and that I glad aȝein may turne. ffor loue of hym thow louedest in the shawe. I meene adoun that with the boor was slawe. (104) Ioue ek for the loue of faire Europe. The which in forme of bole awey thow fette. Now help .o. Mars thow with thi blody cape. ffor loue of Cipres thow me nought ne lette. O Phebus thynk whan dane hire seluen shette. Under the bark and laurer wax for drede. ȝet for hire loue .o. help now at this nede. (105) Mercurie for the loue of hierse ek. ffor which Pallas was with Aglawros wroth. Now help and ek Diane I the biscke. That this viage be nought to the looth. O fatal sustren which er any clothe. Me shapen was. my destine me sponne. So helpeth to this werk that is bygonne. (106) Quod Pandarus thow wrecched mouses herte. Artow agast. so that she wol the bite. Wy don this furred cloke vpon thy sherte. And folwe me for I wol haue the wite. But bide and lat me gon biforn a lite. And with that word he gan vndon a trappe. And Troilus he brought In by the lappe. (107) The sterne wynd so loude kan to route. That no wight oother noise myghte heere. And they that layen at the dore withoute. fful sikerly they slepten alle yfere. And Pandarus with a ful sobre cheere. Goth to the dore anon withouten lette. There as they laye. and softely it shette. (108) And as he com aȝeynward pryuely. His Nece awook and axed who goth there. My dere Nece quod he it am .I. Ne wondreth nought / ne haue of it no fere. And ner he com and seyde hire in hire ere. No word for loue of god I ȝow biseche. Lat no wight risen and heren of oure speche. (109) What which wey be ȝe comen benedicite. Quod she and how vnwist of hem alle. Here at this secre trapdore quod he. Quod tho Criseyde lat me som wight calle. I god forbede that it sholde falle. Quod Pandarus that ȝe swich folye wrought. They myght demen thyng they neuere er thought. (110) It is nought good a slepyng hounde to wake. Ne ȝeue a wight a cause for to deuyne. Ȝoure wommen slepen alle I vndertake. So that for hem the hous men myghte myne. And slepen wollen til the sonne shyne. And whan my tale brought is to an ende. Unwist right as I com so wol I wende. (111) Now Nece myn ȝe shul wel vnderstonde. Quod he so as ȝe wommen demen alle. That for to holde in loue a man in honde. And hym hire lief and deere herte calle. And maken hym in howue aboue a calle. I meene as loue another in this meene while. She doth hire self a shame and hym a gyle. (112) Now wherby that I telle ȝow al this. Ȝe woot ȝoure self as wel as any wight. How that ȝoure loue al fully graunted is. To Troilus the worthiest knyght. Oon of this world and therto trouthe yplight. That but it were on hym alonge ȝe nolde. Hym neuere falsen while ȝe lyuen sholde. (113) Now stant it thus that sith I fro ȝow wente. This Troilus right platly for to seyn. Is thorugh a goter by a pryue went. Into my chaumbre come in al this reyn. Unwist of euery manere wight certeyn. Saue of my self as wisly haue I Ioye. And by the feith I shal Priam of Troie. (114) And he is come in swich peyne and distresse. That but he be al fully wood by this. He sodeynly mot falle into wodenesse. But if god helpe and cause whi this is. He seith hym tolde is of a frende of his. How that ȝe sholden louen oon that hatte Horaste. ffor sorwe of which this nyght shal ben his laste. (115) Criseyde which that alle this wonder herde. Gan sodeynly aboute hire herte colde. And with a sike she sorwfully answerde. Allas I wende who so tales tolde. My deere herte wolde me nought holde. So lightly fals allas conceytes. wronge. what harm they don. for now lyue I to longe. (116) Horaste allas and falsen Troilus. I knowe hym nowt god helpe me so quod she. Allas what wikked spirit tolde hym thus. Now certes Em tomorwe and I hym se. I shal therof as ful excusen me. As euere dide womman if hym like. And with that word she gan ful soore sike. (117) O god quod she so worldly selynesse. which clerkes callen fals felicitee. Imedled is with many a bitternesse. fful angwissous. than is god woot quod she. Condicioun of veyn prosperitee. ffor either Ioies comen nought yfeere. Or elles no wight hathe hem alwey here. (118) O brotel wele of mannes Ioie vnstable. with what wight so thow be or how thow pleye. Either he woot that thow Ioie art muable. Or woot it nought. it mot ben oon of tweye. Now if he woot it nought how may he seye. That he hath verray Ioie and selynesse. That is of ignoraunce ay in derknesse. (119) Now if ȝe woot that Ioie is transitorie. As euery Ioie of worldly thyng mot flee. Than euery tyme he that hath in memorie. The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he. May in no perfit selynesse be. And if to lese his Ioie he sette a myte. Than semeth it that Ioie is worth but lite. (120) Wherfore I wol diffyne in this matere. That trewely for aught I kan espie. Ther is no werray weele in this world heere. But .o. thow wikked serpent Ialousie. Thow mysbyleued and enuyous folie. why hastow Troilus made to me vntriste. That neuere ȝet agylt hym that I wiste. (121) Quod Pandarus thus fallen is this cas. wy Uncle myn quod she who tolde hym this. why doth my decre herte thus allas. Ȝe woot ȝe Nece myn quod he what is. I hope al shal be wel that is amys. ffor ȝe may quenche al this if that ȝow liste. And doth right so. for I holde it the beste. (122) So shal I do tomorwe ywys quod she. And god to forn. so that it shal suffise. To morwe allas. that were a faire quod he. Nay nay it may nat stonden in this wise. ffor Nece myn thus writen clerkes wise. That peril is with drecchyng In ydrawe. Nay swiche abodes beth nought worth an hawe. (123) Nece al thyng hath tyme I dar avowe. ffor whan a chaumbre afire is or an halle. Wel more nede is it sodeynly rescowe. Than to disputen and asxe amonges alle. How the candele in the straw is falle. A benedicite for al amonge that fare. The harm is don. and fare wel feldefare. (124) And Nece myn ne take it naught agrief. If that ȝe suffre hym al nyght in this wo. God helpe me so ȝe hadde hym neuere lief. That dar I seyn. now ther is but we two. But wel I woot that ȝe wol nat do so. Ȝe ben to wys to doon so grete folie. To putte his lif al nyght in Iupertie. (125) Hadde I hym neuere lief by god I weene. Ȝe hadde neuere thyng so lief quod she. Now by my thrift quod he that shal be seene. ffor syn ȝe make this ensaumple of me. If ich al nyght wolde hym in sorwe se. ffor al the tresour in the town of Troie. I bidde god I neuere mote haue Ioie. (126) Now loke thanne if ȝe ben his loue. Shul putte his lif al night in Iupertie ffor thyng of nought now by that god aboue. Naught oonly this delay comth of folie. But of malice. if that I shal naught lie. what platly and ȝe suffre hym in destresse. Ȝe neyther bounte don ne gentilesse. (127) Quod tho Criseyde wol ȝe don o thyng. And ȝe therwith shal stynte al his disese. Haue heere and bereth hym this blewe ryng. For ther is no thyng myghte hym bettre plese. Saue I my self. ne more hys herte apese. And sey my deere herte that his sorwe. Is causeles that shal be sene tomorwe. (128) A ryng quod he. ȝe haselwodes shaken. Þe Nece myn that ryng moste han a stoon. That myht dede men alyue maken. And swiche a ryng trowe I that ȝe haue non. Discrecioun out of ȝoure hedes gon. That fele I now quod he and that is routhe. O tyme Ilost wel maistow corsen slouthe. (129) Woot ȝe not wel that noble and heigh corage. Ne sorweth nought ne stynteth ek for lite. But if a fool were in a Ialous rage. I nolde setten at his sorwe a myte. But feffe hym with a fewe wordes white. Anothir day whan that I myghte hym fynde. But this thynge stant al in another kynde. (130) This is so gentil and so tendre of herte. That with his deth he wol his sorwes wreke. ffor trusteth wel how sore that hym smerte. He wol to ȝow no Ialous wordes speke. And forthi Nece er that his herte breke. So speke ȝoure self to hym. of this matere. ffor with a word ȝe may his herte stere. (131) Now haue I tolde what perile he is Inne. And his comynge vnwist is to euery wight. Ne parde harm may ther be non ne synne. I wol my self be with ȝow al this nyght. Ȝe knowe ek how it is ȝoure owen knyght. And that bi right ȝe moste vpon hym triste. And I prest to fecche hym whan ȝow liste. (132) This accident so pitous was to here. And ek so like a sooth at prime face. And Troilus hire knyght to hir so deer. His priue commyng and the siker place. That though that she did hym as thanne a grace. Considered alle thynges as they stoode. No wonder is. syn she did al for goode. (133) Criseyde answerde as wisly god at reste. My soule brynge. as me is for hym wo. And Em Iwis fayn wolde I don the beste. If that ich a grace hadde for to do so. But whether that ȝe dwelle or for hym go. I am til god me bettre mynde sende. A dulcarnoun right at my wittes ende. (134) Quod Pandarus ȝee Nece wol ȝe here. Dulcarnoun called is flemyng of wrecches. It semeth hard for wreeches wol nought lere. ffor verray slouthe or other wilfull tecches. This is seyde by hem that beth nought worth two fecches. But ȝe ben wis and that we han on honde. Nis noither hard ne skilful to withstonde. (135) Than Em quod she doth herof as ȝow liste. But er he come I wil first vp arise. And for loue of god syn al my triste. Is on ȝow two. and ȝe beth both wise. So werketh now in so discrete a wise. That I may haue honour and he plesaunce. ffor I am here al in ȝoure gouernaunce. (136) That is wel seyde quod he my Nece deere. Ther good thrift on that wise gentile herte. But liggeth stille. and taketh hym right here. It nedeth nought no ferther for hym sterte. And ech of ȝow eseth otheres sorwes smerte. ffor loue of god. and venus I the herye. ffor soone hope I we shul ben alle merye. (137) [Not in Harl. 1239.] This Troilus ful soone on knewes hym sette. fful sobrely right be hyre beddes hede. And in his best wyse his lady grette. But lord so she wex sodeynlich rede. Ne though men sholde smyten of hire hede. She kouth nought a word aright out brynge. So sodeynly. for his sodeyn commyng. (138) But Pandarus that so wel koude feele. In euery thyng to pleye anon bigan. And seyde Nece se how this lord kan knele. Now for ȝoure trouth se this gentil man. And with that word he for a quysshen ran. And seyde kneleth now while that ȝow leste. Þere god ȝoure hertes brynge soone at reste. (139) Kan I naught seyn. for she bad hym nought rise. If sorwe it putte out of hire remembraunce. Or elles that she took it in the wise. Of dewete. as for his obseruaunce. But wel fynde I she dede hym this plesaunce That she hym kiste although she siked sore. And bad hym sitte adown withouten more. (140) Quod Pandarus now wol ȝe wel bigynne. Now doth hym sitte goode Nece deere. Upon ȝoure beddes syde al ther withInne. That eche of ȝow the bet may heere. And with that word he drow hym to the feer. And took a light and fonde his contenaunce. As for to looke vpon an old romaunce. (141) Criseyde that was Troilus lady right. And clere stood on a grounde of sikernesse. Al thoughte she hire seruant and hire knyght. Ne sholde of right non vntrouthe in hire gesse. Ȝet natheles considered his distresse. And that loue is in cause of swich folie. Thus to hym spak she of his Ialousie. (142) Lo herte myn as wolde the excellence. Of loue. aȝeins the which that noman may. Ne oughte ek goodly make resistence. And ek bycause I felte wel and say. Ȝoure grete trouthe and seruise euery day. And that ȝoure herte al myn was soth to seyne. This drof me for to rewe vpon ȝoure peyne. (143) And ȝoure goodnesse haue I founden alwey ȝit. Of which my deer herte and al my knyght. I thonke it ȝow as fer as I haue wit. Al kan I nought as muche as it were right. And I emforth my connyng and my might. Haue and ay shal how sore that me smerte. Ben to ȝow trewe. and hool with al myn herte. (144) And dredeles that shal be founde at preue. But herte myn what al this is to seyne. Shal wel be tolde so that ȝe nought ȝow greue. Though I to ȝow right on ȝoure self compleyne. ffor therwith mene I fynaly the peyne. That halt ȝoure herte and myn in heuynesse. ffully to slen and euery wronge redresse. (145) My good myn noot I for why ne how. That Ialousie. allas. that wikked wyuere. Thus causeles is cropen into ȝow. The harm of which I wold fayn delyuere. Allas that he al hool or of hym slyuere. Shuld han his refut in so digne a place. Ther Ioue hym soone out of ȝoure herte arace. (146) Rut .o. thow Ioue .o. autour of nature. Is this an honour to thi deyte. That folk vngiltif. suffren hire Iniure. And who that giltif is al quyt goth he. O were it leful for to pleyn on the. That vndeserued suffrest Ialousie. Of that I wolde upon the pleyne and crie. (147) Ek al my wo is this that folk now vsen. To seyn right thi [gap here] Ialousie is loue. And wolde a busshe [gap here] enyn al excusen. ffor that o greyn of loue is on it shoue. But that woot heigh god that sit aboue. If it be likkere loue or hate or grame. And after that it oughte bere his name. (148) But certeyn is som manere Ialousie. Is excusable more than som Iwys. As whan cause is and som swich fantasie. with piete so wel repressed is. That it vnnethe doth or seyth amys. But goodly drynketh vp al his distresse. And that excuse I for the gentilesse. (149) And seme so ful of furie is and despit. That it sourmounteth his repressioun. But herte myn ȝe be nat in that plit. That thonke I god for which ȝoure passioun. I wol nought calle it but illusioun. Of habundaunce of loue and besy cure. That doth ȝoure herte this disese endure. (150) Of which I am right sory but nought wrothe. But for my deuour and ȝoure hertes reste. wher so ȝow list by ordal or by othe. By sort or in what wise so ȝow leste. ffor loue of god lat preue it for the beste. And if I be giltif do me deye. Allas what myght I more don or seye. (151) With that a fewe brighte teris newe. Owte of hire eighen fille and thus she seyde. Now god thow woost in thought ne dede vntrewe. To Troilus I was neuere ȝet Criseyde. With that here heede down in the bedde she leyde. And with the sheete it wreigh and sighte soore. And held hire pees nought o word spak she more. (152) But now help god to quenchen al this sorwe. So hope I that he shal for he best may. ffor I haue seyn of a ful Misty morwe. ffolowen ful ofte a myrie someris day. And after wynter foloweth grene may. Men sen alday and reden ek in stories. That after sharpe shoures ben victories. (153) [Caxton leaves out St. 153-160, and Harl. 2392 (leaf 71, back) has them.] This Troilus whan he hire wordes herde. Haue ȝe no care hym list nought to slepe. ffor it thought hym no strokes of aȝerde. To heere or seen Criseyde his lady wepe. But wel he felt aboute his herte crepe. ffor eueri tere which that Criseyde asterte. The crampe of deth to streyne hym by the herte. (154) And in his mynde he gan the tyme a corse. That he come there and that that he was born. ffor now is wikke torned into worse. And al that labour he hathe don byforn. He wende it lost he thoughte he nas but lorn. O Pandarus thoughte he allas thi wile. Serueth of nought so weylaway the while. (155) And therwithal he heng adown the hede. And fil on knees and sorwfully he sighte. what myghte seyn he felte he nas but dede. ffor wroth was she that sholde hise sorwes lighte. But natheles whan that he speken myghte. Than seyde he thus god woot that of this game. whan al is wist than am I nought to blame. (156) Therwith the sorwe so his herte shette. That from his eyen fil ther nought a tere. And euery spirit his vigour in knette. So they astoned or oppressed were. The felyng of his sorwe or of his fere. Or of aught elles. fled were oute of towne. And down he fel al sodeynly a swowne. (157) This was no litel sorwe for to se. But al was hust and Pandare vp as faste. O Nece pes or we be lost quod he. Beth naught agast. but certeyn at the last. ffor this or that. he into bed hym caste. And seyde o thef is this a mannes herte. And of he rente al to his bare sherte. (158) And seyde Nece but ȝe helpe vs now. Allas ȝoure owen Troilus is lorn. Iwis so wolde I and I wiste how. fful fayn quod she allas that I was born. Ȝee Nece wol ȝe pullen out the thorn. That stiketh in his herte quod Pandare. Sey al forȝeue and stynte al this fare. (159) Ȝe that to me quod she ful leuere were. Than al the good the sonne aboute gooth. And therwithal she swere hym in his ere. Iwys my deer herte I am nought wroth. Haue here my trouthe and many an other othe. Now speke to me. for it am I Criseyde. But al for nought ȝit myght he nought abreyde. (160) Therwith his pous and paumes of his hondes. They gan to frote. and wete his temples tweyne. And to deliueren hym fro bittre bondes. She ofte hym kiste and shortly for to seyne. Hym to reuoken she did al hire peyne. And at the laste. he gan his brethe to drawe. And of his swough sone after that adawe. (161) And gan bet mynde and reson to hym take. But wonder soore he was abayst Iwis. And with a sike whan he gan bet awake. He seyde o mercy god what thyng is this. why do ȝe with ȝoure seluen thus amys. Quod tho Criseyde. is this a mannes game. what Troilus wol ȝe do thus for shame. (162) And therwithal hire arme ouere hym she leyde. And al forȝaf and ofte tyme hym keste. He thonked hire. and to hire spak and seyde. As fil to purpos for his herte reste. And she to that answerde hym as hire leste. And with hire goodly wordes hym disporte. She gan and ofte his sorwes to comforte. (163) Quod Pandarus for aught I kan aspien. This light ner I ne seruen here of nought. Light is nought good for sik folkes yen. But for the loue of god syn ȝe ben brought. In thus good plit lat now no heuy thought. Ben hangyng in the hertes of ȝow tweye. And bare the candale to the chymeney. (164) Soone after this though no nede were. whan she swiche othes as hire leste deuyse. Hadde of hym take hire thoughte tho no fere. Ne cause ek non. to bidde hym thennes rise. Ȝet lasse thyng than othes may suffise. In many a cas. for euery wyght I gesse. That louethe wel menethe but gentilesse. (165) But in effect she wolde wite anon. Of what man and ek wheer and also why. He Ialous was. syn ther was cause non. And eke the sygne. that he took it by. She badde hym that to telle hire bisily. Or elles certeyn she bare hym on honde. That this was don of malice hire to fonde. (166) Withouten more shortly for to seyne. Hym most obeye unto his lady heste. And for the lasse harm he moste feyne. He seyde hire whan she was at swiche a feste. She myght on hym han loked at the leste. Noot I nought what al deere ynough a rysshe. As he that nedes most a cause fisshe. (167) And she answerde swete al were it so. what harm was that syn I non yvel Imene. ffor by that god that bought vs bothe two. In al thyng is myn entente cleene. Swiche argumentes ne ben naught worth a beene. wol ȝe the childissh Ialous contrefete. Now were it worthi that ȝe were ybete. (168) Tho Troilus gan sorwfully to sike. Lest she be wrothe hym thoughte his herte deyde. And seyde allas vpon my sorwes sike. Haue mercy swete herte myn Criseyde. And if that in tho wordes that I seyde. Be any wrong I wol no more trespace. Doth what ȝow list I am al in ȝoure grace. (169) And she answerde of gilt misericorde. That is to seyn that I forȝeue al this. And euere more on this nyght ȝow recorde. And beth wel war ȝe do namore amys. Nay dere herte myn quod he Iwys. And now quod she that I haue don ȝow smerte. fforȝeue it me myn owene swete herte. (170) This Troilus with blisse of that supprised. Putte al in goddes hand as he that mente. No thyng but wele and sodeynly auysed. He hire in armes faste to hym hente. And Pandarus with a ful good entente. Leyde hym to slepe. and seyde if ȝe be wise. Swouneth nought now lest more folk arise. (171) What myghte or may the sely larke seye. whan that the sperhauk hath hym in his foot. I kan namore of thise ilke tweye. To whom this tale sucre be or soot. Though that I tarie a ȝer som tyme I moot. After myn autour tellen hire gladnesse. As wel as I haue told hire heuynesse. (172) Criseyde which that felte hire thus Itake. As writen clerkes in hire bokes olde. Right as an aspes leef she gan to quake. whan she hym felte hire in his armes folde. But Troilus al hool of cares colde. Gan thanken tho the blisful goddes seuene. Thus sondry peynes bryngen folk in heuene. (173) This Troilus in armes gan hire streyne. And seyde o swete as euere mot I gon. Now be ȝe kaught. now is ther but we tweyne. Now ȝeldeth ȝow for other bote is ther non. To that Criseyde answerde thus anon. Ne hadde I er now my swete herte deere. Ben ȝold I sic. was I were now nought heere. (174) O sooth is seyde that helede for to be. As of a feure. or other gret siknesse. Men most drynke as men may ofte se. fful bittre drynke and for to han gladnesse. Men drynken oft peyne and grete distresse. I mene it here as for this auenture. That thorugh a peyne hath founden al his cure. (175) And now swetnesse semeth more swete. That bitternesse was assaied byforn. ffor out of wo in blisse now they flete. Non swich they felten syn they were born. Now is this bet than bothe two be lorn. ffor loue of god take euery womman heede. To werken thus if it comth to the neede. (176) Criseyde al quyt from euery drede and tene. As she that Iuste cause hadde hym to triste. [This line left out in CCC MS.] whan she his trouthe and clene entente wiste. And as aboute a tree with many a twiste. Bytrent and writhe the swote wodebynde. Gan eche of hem in armes other wynde. (177) And as the newe abaysed nyghtyngale. That stynteth first whan she bygynneth to synge. whan that she hereth any herde tale. Or in the hegges any wyght stirynge. And after siker doth hire vois out rynge. Right so Criseyde whan hire drede stente. Opned hire herte and tolde hym hire entente. (178) And right as he that seth his deth yshapen. And dyen mot in ought that he may gesse. And sodeynly rescous doth hym escapen. And from his deth is brought in sykernesse. ffor al this world in swych present gladnesse. was Troilus and hath his lady swete. with worse happe god lat vs neuere mete. (179) Hire armes smale hire streghte bak and softe. Hire sydes longe. flesshy smothe and white. He gan to stroke and good thrifte bad ful ofte. Hire snowisshe throte. hire brestes rounde and lite. Thus in this heuene he gan hym to delite. And therwithal a thousand tyme hire kiste. That what to don for Ioie vnnethe he wiste. (180) Than seyde he thus .o. loue .o. charite. Thi moder ek Citheria the swete. After thi selve next heried be she. Uenus mene I the wel willy planete. And next that Imeneus .I. the grete. ffor neuere man was to ȝow goddes holde. As I which ȝe han brought fro cares colde. (181) Benigne loue thow holly bonde of thynges. whoso wol grace and liste the nought honouren. Lo his desire wol fle withouten wynges. ffor noldestow of bownte hem socouren. That seruen best and moste alwey labouren. Ȝet were al lost that dar I wel seyn certes. But if thi grace passed oure desertes. (182) And for thow me that leest koude disserue. Of hem that noumbred ben vnto thi grace. Hast holpen ther I likly was to sterue. And me bistowed in so heigh a place. That thilke boundes may no blisse pace. I kan namore but laude and reuerence. Be to thy bounte and thyn excellence (183) And therwithal Criseyde anon he kiste. Of which certein she felte no disese. And thus seyde he now wolde god I wiste. Myn herte swete . how I ȝow myght plese. what man quod he was euere thus at ese. As I on which the faireste and the beste. That euere I say deyneth hire herte reste. (184) Here may men seen that mercy passeth right. Thexperience of that is felte in me. That am vnworthi to so swete a wight. But herte myn of ȝoure benignite. So thynk that though that I vnworthi be. Ȝet mot I nede amenden in som wyse. Right thorugh the vertue of ȝoure heigh seruyse. (185) And for the loue of god my lady deere. Syn god hath wrought me for I shall ȝow serue. As thus I mene ȝe wol ȝe be my steere. To do me lyue if that ȝow liste or sterue. So techeth me how that I may disserue. Ȝoure thonk . so that thorugh myn ignoraunce. Ne do no thing that ȝow be displesaunce. (186) ffor certes fresshe wommanlich wif. This dar I seye that trouth and diligence. That shal ȝe fynden in me al my lif. Ny wol certein breken ȝoure defence. And if I do present or in absence. ffor loue of god lat sle me with the dede. If that it like vnto ȝoure wommanhede. (187) Iwys quod she myn owen hertes list. My grounde of ese . and al myn herte deere. Gramercy for on that is al my triste. But lat vs falle awey fro this matere. ffor it suffiseth this that seyde is heere. And at o word withouten repentaunce. welcome my knyght my pees my suffisaunce. (188) Of hire delite . or Ioies oon the leeste. were impossible to my wit to seye. But Iuggeth ȝe that han ben at the feste. Of swich gladnesse if that hem liste pleye. I kan namore but thus thise ilke tweyne. That myght bitwien drede and sikernesse. ffelten in loue the grete worthynesse. (189) O blisful nyght of hem so longe Isoughte. How blithe vnto hem bothe two thow weere. why nad I swich oon with my soule yboughte. Þe or the leeste Ioie that was theere. Awey thow foule daunger and thow feere. And lat hem in this heuene blisse dwelle. That is so heigh that al ne kan I telle. (190) But sooth is though I kan nat tellen al. As kan myn autour of his excellence. Yet haue I seyde and god toforn and shal. In euery thynge al holly his sentence. And if that ich at loues reuerence. Haue eny word In eched for the beste. Doth therwithal right as ȝoure seluen leste. (191) ffor myn wordes heere and euery parte. I speke hem alle vnder correccioun. Of ȝow that felyng han in loues arte. And putte it al in ȝoure discrecioun. To encresse or maken dymyncioun. Of my langage and that I ȝow biseche. But now to purpos of my rather speche. (192) Thise ilke two that ben in armes lafte. So loth to hem asonder gon it were. That eche from other wenden ben birafte. Or elles lo this was hir mooste feere. That al this thyng but nyce dremes were. ffor which ful ofte ech of hem seyde o swete. Clippe ich ȝow thus or elles I it meete. (193) And lord so he gan goodly on hire se. That neuere his look ne bleynte from hire face. And seyde o deere herte may it be. That it be soth that ȝe ben in this place. Ȝee herte myn. god thank I of his grace. Quod tho Criseyde and therwithal hym kiste. That where his spirit was for Ioie he nyste. (194) This Troilus ful ofte hire eyen two. Gan for to kisse and seyde o eyen clere. It weren ȝe that wroughte me swiche wo. Þe humble nettes of my lady deere. Though ther be mercy writen in ȝoure cheere. God woot the text ful hard is soth is to fynde. How koude ȝe withouten bonde me bynde. (195) Therwith he gan hire faste in armes take. And wel an hondred tymes gan he syke. Naught swich sorwfull sikes as men make. ffor wo or elles when that folk ben sike. But esy sykes swiche as ben to like. That shewed his affeccioun withInne. Of swich sikes koude he nought blynne. (196) Soone after this they spake of sondry thynges. And fel to purpos of this auenture. And pleyinge entrechaunged hire rynges. Of whiche I kan nought tellen no scripture. But wel I woot a broche gold and asure. In which a rubye set was lik an herte. Criseyde hym ȝaf and stake it on his sherte. [MS. h sherte] (197) Lord trowe ȝe a coueytous or a wrecche. That blameth loue and halt of it despite. That of tho pans that he kan mokre and tecche. was euere ȝit yȝeuen hym swich delite. As is in loue in o poynt in som plite. Nay douteles. for also god me saue. So perfit Ioie may no nygard haue. (198) They wol seyn ȝis but lord so they lye. Tho besy wrecches ful of wo and drede. Thei callen loue a woodnesse or folie. But it shall falle hem as I shal ȝow rede. They shal forgon the white and ek the rede. And lyue in wo that god ȝeue hem meschaunce. And euery louere in his trouthe auaunce. (199) As wold god tho wrecches that dispise. Seruise of loue hadde erys also longe. As hadde Mida ful of coueytise. And therto dronken hadde as hoot and stronge. As Crassus didde for his affectis wronge. To techen hem that they ben in the vice. And loueres nought although they holde hem nyce. (200) Thise ilke two of whom that I ȝow seye. whan that hire hertes wel assured were. Tho gonne they to speken and to pleye. And ek rehercen how and whan and where. Thei knewe hem first and euery wo or feere. That passed was but al swiche heuynesse. I thank it god was torned to gladnesse. (201) And euere mo when that hem fel to speke. Of any thyng of swich a tyme agoon. with kissyng al that tale sholde breke. And fallen in newe Ioye anoon. And diden al hire myght syn they were oon. ffor to recoueren blisse and ben at eise. And passed wo with Ioie contrepeise. (202) Resoun wol nought that I speke of slepe. ffor it acordeth nought to my matere. God woot they took of that ful litel kepe. But list this nyght that was to hem so deere. Ne sholde in veyn escape in no manere. It was byset in Ioie and bisynesse. Of al that souneth into gentilesse. (203) But whan the cok comune astrologer. Gan on his brest to bete and after crowe. And lueyfer the dayes messanger. Gan for to rise and oute hire bemes throwe. And estward roos to hym that koude it knowe. ffortuna Maior that anoon Criseyde. with herte soor to Troilus thus seyde. (204) Myn hertes lif my triste al my plesaunce. That I was born allas what me is wo. That day of vs moot make disseueraunce. ffor tyme it is to ryse and hennes go. Or ellis I am loste for euere mo. O nyght allas why nyltow ouere vs houe. As longe as whan Almena lay by Ioue. (205) O blake nyght as folk in bokes rede. That shapen art by god this world to hide. At certeyn tymes wyth thi derke wede. That vnder that men myghte in reste abide. wel oughten bestes pleyne. and folk the chide. That there as day wyth labour wolde vs breste. That thow thus fleest. and deynest vs nought reste. (206) Thow doost allas so shortly thyn office. Thow rakle nyght ther god maker of kynde. The for thyn haste and vnkynde vice. So faste ay to oure hemysperie bynde. That neuere more vnder the grounde thow wynde. ffor now for thow so hiest out of Troie. Haue I forgon thus hastili my Ioie. (207) This Troilus that with tho wordes felte. As thoughte hym tho. for pietous distresse. The blody teris from his herte melte. As he that neuere ȝet swich heuynesse. Assayed hadde out of so grete gladnesse. Gan therwithal Criseyde his lady deere. In armes streyne and seyde in this manere. (208) O cruel day accusour of the Ioie. That nyght and loue han stole and faste Iwryen. Acorsed be thi comyng into Troye. ffor euery bore hathe oon of thi bryghte yen. Enuyous day what liste the so to spien. what hastow lost why sekes thow this place. Ther god thi light so quenche for his grace. (209) Allas what haue thise loueris the agylte. Dispitous day thyn be the peyne of helle. ffor many a louere hastow slayn and wilte. Thy pourynge In wol nowher lat hem dwelle. what profrestow thi light here for to selle. Go selle it hem that smale selys graue. we wol the nought. vs nedeth no day haue. (210) And ek the sonne titan gan he chide. And seyde o fool wel may men the dispise. That haste the dawyng al nyght by thi syde. And suffrest hire so soone vp fro the rise. ffor to disese loueris in this wyse. what holde ȝoure bed ther thow and ek thi morwe. I bidde god so ȝeue ȝow bothe sorwe. (211) Therwith ful soore he syghte and thus he seyde. My lady right. and of my wele or wo. The welle and roote .o. goodly Criseyde. And shal I rise allas and shal I so. Now fele I that myn herte moot a two. ffor how sholde I my lif an houre saue. Syn that with ȝow is al the lyf ich haue. (212) What shal I don for certes I not how. Ne whan allas I shal the tyme see. That in this plite I may ben eft with ȝow. And of my lif god woot how that shal be. Syn that desire right now so biteth me. That I am dede anon but I retourne. How sholde I longe allas fro ȝow soiourne. (213) But natheles myn owen lady bright. were it so that I wiste outrely. That I ȝoure humble seruant and ȝoure knyght. were in ȝoure herte Iset so fermely. As ȝe in myn the which thyng trewely. Me leuere were than thise worldes tweyne. Ȝet sholde I bet enduren al my peyne. (214) To that Criseyde answerde right anon. And with a sike she seyde .o. herte deere. The game ywys so ferforth now is gon. That first shal Phebus fallen fro his spere. And euerich Egle ben the dowues feere. And euerich roche oute of his place sterte. Er Troilus oute of Criseydes herte. (215) Ȝe ben so depe In with myn herte graue. That though I wolde it torne out of my thoughte. As wisly verray god my soule saue. To dyen in the peyne I koude nought. And for the loue of god that vs hathe wrought. Lat in ȝoure brayn non other fantasie. So crepe that it cause me to dye. (216) And that ȝe me wolde han as faste in mynde. As I haue ȝow. that wolde I ȝow biseche. And if I wiste sothely that to fynde. God myght nought a poynt my Ioies eche. But herte myn withouten more speche. Beth to me trewe or ellis were it routhe. ffor I am thyn by god and by my trouthe. (217) Beth glad forthy and lyue in sikernesse. Thus seyde I neuere er this ne shal to mo. And if to ȝow it were a grete gladnesse. To torne aȝeyn soone after that ȝe go. As fayn wolde I as ȝe it were so. As wisly god myn herte brynge to reste. And hym in armes toke and ofte keste. (218) Agayns his wille sith it mot nedes be. This Troilus vp ros and faste hym cledde. And in his armes took his lady free. An hondred tyme. and on his wey hym spedde. And with swiche wordes as his herte bledde. He seyde fare wel my dere herte swete. Ther god vs graunte sownde and soone to mete. (219) To wich no word for sorwe she answerde. So soore gan his partyng hire distreyne. And Troilus vnto his paleys ferde. As wobygon as she was soth to seyne. So harde hym wronge of sharp desire the peyne. ffor to ben eft there he was in plesaunce. That it may neuere out of his remembraunce. (220) Retorned to his real paleys soone. He softe into his bedde gan for to slynke. To slepe longe as he was wonte to doone. But al for nought he may wel ligge and wynke. But slepe ne may ther in his herte synke. Thynkyng how she for whom desire hym brende. A thousand fold was worth more than he wende. (221) And in his thought gan vp and downe to wynde. Hire wordes alle and euery countenaunce. And fermely impressen in his mynde. The leeste point that to him was plesaunce. And verraylich of thilk remembraunce. Desire al newe hym brende . and lust to brede. Gan more than erst . and ȝet took he non hede. (222) Criseyde also right in the same wyse. Of Troilus gan in hire herte shette. His worthynesse . his lust hise dedes wise. His getilesse . and how she with hym mette. Thonkyng loue she so wel hire bisette. Desiryng ofte to han hire herte deere. In swich a plite she dorste make hym cheere. (223) Pandare o morwe which that comen was. Unto his Nece and gan hire faire grete. Seyde . al this nyght so reyned it allas. That al my drede is that ȝe Nece swete. Han litel laiser hadde to slepe and mete. Al nyght quod he hath reyn so do me wake. That som of vs I trowe hire hedes ake. (224) And ner he com and seyde how stant it now. This mury morwe Nece how kan ȝe fare. Criseyde answerde neuere the bet for ȝow. ffox that ȝe ben . god ȝeue ȝoure herte kare. God help me so ȝe caused al this fare. Trowe I quod she . for al ȝoure wordes white. O who so seeth ȝow knoweth ȝow ful lite. (225) With that she gan hire face for to wrye. with the shete and wax for shame al reede. And Pandarus gan vnder for to prie. And seyde Nece if that I shal be dede. Haue here a swerde and smyten of myn hede. with that his arm al sodeynly he thriste. Under hire nekke and at the laste hire kyste. (226) [Not in MS. CCC] I passe al þat which chargeth nought to seye. what god for-yaf his deth an she al so. For-yaf and with here vncle gan for to pleye. For oþer cause was þer noon but so. But of þis þing right to þe effect to go. whan tyme was hom til here hous she wente. And Pandarus hath fully his entente. [Not in MS. CCC] (227) Now torne we aȝeyn to Troilus. That resteles ful longe a bedde laye. And pryuely sente after Pandarus. To hym to com in al the haste he maye. He com anon nought ones seyde he nay. And Troilus ful sobrely he grette. And down vpon the beddes syde hym sette. (228) This Troilus with al thaffeccioun. Of frendes loue that herte may deuyse. To Pandarus on knowes fil adown. And er that he wolde out of the place arise. He gan hym thonken in his beste wise. An hondred sythe he gan the tyme blesse. That he was born to brynge hym fro destresse. (229) He seyde .o. frend of frendes the alderbeste. That euere was the sothe for to telle. Thow hast in heuene ybroughte my soule at reste. ffro flegtoun the fery flood of helle. That though I myght a thousand tymes selle. Upon a day my lif in thi seruise. It myght naught a moote in that suffise. (230) The sonne which that al the worlde may se. Saugh neuere ȝet my lif that dar I leye. So Inly faire and goodly as is she. whos I am al and shal tyl that I deye. And that I Troilus am hires dar I seye. That thanked be the heighe worthynesse. Of loue . and ek thi kynde bysynesse. (231) Thus hastow me no litel thing yȝiue. ffor whi to the obliged be for ay. My lif and whi for thorugh thyn helpe I lyue. Or elles dede hadde I ben many a day. And with that word down in his bedde he lay. And Pandarus ful sobrely hym herde. Til al was seyde and than he hym answerde. (232) My deere frend if I haue don for the. In any cas god wot it is me lief. And am as glad as man may of it be. God help me so . but take now nat a grief. That I shal seyn be war of this meschief. That there as thow now brought art in thy blisse. That thow thi self ne cause it nat to misse. (233) ffor of fortunes sharpe aduersitee. [l. 1-4, Boethius, & Dante] The worste kynde of Infortune is this. A man to han ben in prosperitee. And it remembren whan it passed is. Thart wis ynough forthi do nat amys. Be naught to rakel theigh thow sette warme. ffor if thow be certeyn it wol the harme. (234) Thow arte at ese and holde the wel therInne. ffor also seure as reed is euery fire. As gret a craft is kepe wel as wynne. Bridle alwey wele thi speche and thi desire. ffor worldly Ioie halt nought but by a wire. That preueth wel it brest al day so ofte. fforthi nede is to werken with it softe. (235) Quod Troilus I hope and god toforne. My deere frend that I shal so me beere. That in my gylte ther shal no thyng be lorn. Ny nyl nought rakle as for to greuen heere. It nedeth naught this matere ofte teere. For wystestow myn herte wel Pandare. God woot of this thow woldest litel care. (236) Tho gan he telle hym of his glade nyght. And wherof first his herte dred and how. And seyde frende as I am trewe knyght. And by that feythe I shal to god and ȝow. I hadde it neuere half so hote as now. And ay the more that desire me biteth. To loue hire best the more it me deliteth. (237) I not my self naught wisly what it is. But now I feele a newe qualitee. Ȝee al a nother than I didde ar this. Pandare answerd and seyde thus that he. That ones may in heuenes blisse be. He feleth other weyes dar I leye. Than thilke tyme he first herde of it seye. (238) This is a word for al that Troilus. was neuere ful to speke of this matere. And for to preisen vnto Pandarus. The bounte of his righte lady deere. And Pandarus to thanke and maken cheere. This tale ay was spanne newe to bygynne. Til that the nyght departed hem atwynne. (239) Soon after this for that fortune it wolde. Icomen was the blisful tyme swete. That Troilus was warned that he sholde. There he was erst Criseyde his lady mete. ffor which he felte his herte in Ioie flete. And feithfully gan alle the goddes herie. And lat se now if that he kau be merie. (240) And holden was the forme and al the wise. Of hire commyng. and of his also. As it was erst which nedeth nought deuyse. But pleynly to theffect right for to go. In Ioie and suerte Pandarus hem two. Abedde brought whan that hem bothe leste. And thus they ben in quyete and in reste. (241) Nought nedeth it ȝow syn they ben mette. To axe at me if that they blithe were. ffor if it arst was wel tho was it bette. A thousand folde this nedeth nought enquere. Ago was euery sorwe and euery feere. And bothe ywys they hadde and so they wende. As muche Ioie as herte may comprende. (242) This is no litel thyng of for to seye. This passeth euery wit for to deuyse. ffor ich of hem gan otheres luste obeye. ffelicite which that thise clerkes wise. Comenden so. ne may nought here suffise. This Ioie may nought I writen be with Inke. This passeth al that herte may bythynke. (243) But cruel day so wailaway the stounde. Gan for taproche as they by sygnes knewe. ffor which hem thoughte feelen dethis wownde. So wo was hem that changen gan hire hewe. And day they gonnen to despise al newe. Callyng it traitour enuyous and worse. And bitterly the dayes light thei corse. (244) Quod Troilus now am I war. That Piros and tho swifte steedes thre. which that drawen forth the sonnes char. Han gon som bipath in dispit of me. That maketh it so soone day to be. And for the sonne hym hasteth thus to rise. Ne shal I neuere don hire sacrifise. (245) But nedes day depert hem moste soone. And whan hire speche don was and hire cheere. They twynne anon as they were wont to doone. And setten tyme of metyng eft yfeere. And many a nyght they wroughte in this manere. And thus fortune a tyme ledde in Ioie. Criseyde and ek this kynges sone of Troie. (246) In suffisaunce in blisse and in singynges. This Troilus gan al his lif to lede. He spendeth lolteth maketh festynges. He ȝeueth frely ofte. an chaungeth wede. And held aboute hym alwey out of drede. A world of folk. as com hym wel of kynde. The fresshest and the beste he koude fynde. (247) That swich a vois was of hym and a steuene. Thorughoute the worlde of honour and largesse. That it vp ronge vnto the ȝates of heuene. And as in loue he was in swiche gladnesse. That in his herte he demed as I gesse. That ther nys louere in this world at ese. So wel as he and thus gan loue hym plese. (248) The goodlihede or beaute which that kynde. In any other lady hadde ysette. Kan nought the montance of a knotte vnbynde. Aboute his herte of al Criseydes nette. He was so narwe ymasked and yknette. That it vndon on any manere syde. That nyl naught ben for aught that may bitide. (249) And by the hond ful ofte he wolde take. This Pandarus and into gardyn lede. And swich a feste and swich a processe make. Hym of Criseyde and of hire womanhede. And of hire beaute that withouten drede. It was an heuene his wordes for to here. And thanne he wolde syuge in this manere. (250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.) Loue that of erthe and se has gouernaunce. [Canticus Troili] Loue that his hestes hath in heuene hye. Loue that with an holsom alliaunce. Halt peples Ioyned as hym lest hem gye. Loue that knetteth lawe of compaignie. And couples douth in vertue for to dwelle. Bynd this acorde that I haue tolde and telle. (251) (Troilus's Song. 2.) That that the worlde with feith which that is stable. Diuerseth so his stowndes concordyng. That elementȝ that ben so discordable. Holden a bonde perpetuely duryng. That Phebus mote his rosy day forth bryng. And that the mone hath lordshipe ouer the nyghtes. Al this doth loue. ay heried be his myghtes. (252) (Troilus's Song. 3.) That that the se that gredy is to flowen. Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so. His flodes that so fiersly they ne growen. To drenchen erthe and al for euere mo. And if that loue aught lete his bridel go. Alle that now loueth asondre sholde lepe. And lost were al that loue halt now to hepe. (253) (Troilus's Song. 4.) So wolde god that autour of his kynde. That with his bonde loue of his vertue liste. To cerclen hertes alle and faste bynde. That from his bonde no wight the wey oute wiste. And hertes colde hem wolde I that he twiste. To make hem loue. and that hem liste ay rewe. Or hertes sore and kepe hem that ben trewe. (254) In alle nedes for the townes werre. He was and ay the first in armes dyght. And certeynly but if that bokes erre. Saue Ector most ydred of any wight. And this encresse of hardynesse and myght. Com hym of loue. his ladies thank to wynne. That altered his spirit so withInne. (255) [Caxton puts st. 255 after 259. Harl. 1239 has it here.] In tyme of trewe. on haukyng wolde he ride. Or elles honte. boor. beer. or lyoun. The smale bestes leet he gon biside. And whan that he come ridyng into town. fful ofte his lady from hire wyndow down. As fresshe as faukoun comen out of mewe. fful redy was hym goodly to saluwe. (256) And moost of loue and vertue was his speche. And in despit hadde alle wrecchednesse. And douteles no nede was hym biseche. To honouren hem that hadde worthynesse. And esen hem that weren in destresse. And glad was he if any wyght wel ferde. That louere was. whan he it wiste or herde. (257) ffor soth to seyne he lost helde euery wyght. But if he were in loues heigh seruise. I. mene folk that oughte it ben of right. And ouere al this so wele koude he deuyse. Of sentement. and in so vnkoude wise. Al his array. that euery louere thoughte. That al was wel what so he seyde or wroughte. (258) And though that he be com of blood roial. Hym liste of pride at no wight for to chace. Benigne he was to ech in general. ffor which he gate hym thanke in euery place. Thus wolde loue yheried be his grace. That pride and Ire Enuye and Auarice. He gan to fle. and eueriche other vice. (259) Thow lady bryght the doughter to Dyone. [id est venns] Thy blynde and wynged sone ek daun Cupide. Ȝee sustren nyne ek that by Elicone. In hil pernaso listen for tabide. That ȝe thus fer han deyned me to gyde. I kan namore but syn that ȝe wol wende. Ȝe heried ben for ay withouten ende. (260) Thorugh ȝow haue I seyde fully in my songe. Theffect and Ioie of Troilus seruise. Al be that ther was som disese amonge. As to myn autour listeth to deuise. My thridde boke now ende ich in this wyse. And Troilus in luste and in quiete. Is with Criseyde his owen herte swete. [End of Book III., but no break is in the MS.] [BOOK III.] (1) [Proem.] O Blessfful Lygħt of wyche the Bemes Clere Adournetħ . al the thred heuen̄ faire O sonnes lyf .o Ioves doughter dere Plesaunce of love .O godely debouaire In gentyl hertis Redy to Repaire O verray cause of hele . and of gladnesse Y-heried be. thy myght and thy godnesse (2) In heuen̄ and helle . in erthe and salt[e] see ys felt thy mygħt. of that I wole discerne As man̄ birde best . fyssħ herbe and grene tre The fele tymes wytħ . vapour eterne Gode louetħ and to loue . Wyl not werne And in this worlde . no lyues creature Wyth-outen̄ loue . is worthe or may endure (3) Yee Ioves fyrst . to thilk effectes glade Thurgh wych that thinges lyven al and bee Comenden and amoroux hem made On mortal thinges . and as you lyst ay ye Yeue hem in loue. ese or Aduersitee And in thousand fourmes dovn̄ hem sente For̄ loue in erthe and whom you lyst he hente (4) Yee fierse mars . apaisen of his Ire And as you lyst ye maken̄ hertes digne Algates hem . that ye wole sette a fire They dreden̄ shame . and vices they Resigne ye doon̄ hem̄ curteys . fressħ ben̄ and benigne And higħ or lowe . after̄ wyght entendytħ The Ioies that he hatħ your myght it sendith (5) Yee holden̄ Reigne. and hous in vnite ye sothfaste cause. of frensshippe ben̄ alsoo ye knowen̄ al thilk. couerd qualitee Of thinges wyche. that folke on̄ whondren̄ soo Whan they can̄ noght. construe how it may Ioo She loueth hym. or why he loueth here As why this ffyssħ and noght that cometh to were (6) Yee folke a lawe. han sette in vniuerse And this knowe. I be hem that louers bee That who-so stryveth. wyth you hath the werse Now lady brygħt. for thy benignite At reuerence of hem̄. that serven̄ the Whos clerke I am. so techyth me to devise Som Ioye of that. is felt in this seruise (7) Yee in maked hertis. sentement / In hielde / and doo me shewe of thy swettenesse Calyope thy voyce. be now presente For now is nede. seystow. not my distresse how I moot telle / a-non̄ Ryght the gladenesse Of Troilus. to Venus Heringe To wyche. who neditħ hath. god hym bringe Explicit / perhenni tercij Libri Incipit liber. tercius. (8) LAy Al this While the seid Troilus Recordyng his lesson. in this manere May fay thogħt he. thus wyl I sey & thus That wole pleyne. vn-to my lady dere That worde is gode. and thus shal be my chere This nyl I not. forgeten̄ in no wysen̄ Gode leve hym werken̄ as he can̄ devise (9) And Lord So that His Hert[e] gan̄ to qwappe heryng hire come. and short[e] gan̄ to syke And pandarus. that lede hir by thy lappe Come nere and gan̄. In at the curteyn And seide. gode do boote on̄ al syke She who is here. yoū comen̄ to visite Loo here is she. that is youre dethe to wyte (10) Therwyth it semed. as he wepte almost A. ha. quod Troilus so Rewfully were me be wo .O myghty gode thou wost who is al there. I sey not trewly Sir quod Creseide. it is Pandare and I Ye swete hert. allas I may not ryse To knele. and do you honour in som̄ wyse (11) And dressed hym̄ vpward. and she Ryght thoo Gan̄ bothe her handes. softe vpon̄ hym̄ leye O for the loue of gode. doo ye not soo To me quod she. I what is this to seye Sir comen̄ am I. to you for causes tweye First you to thanke. and of your lordshippe eke Continuaunce. I wolde you beseche (12) This Troilus that herde his lady prey Of lordssyppe. hym wax neither quyk ne dede No worde myght /. for shame to hit sey Al-thougħ men̄ sholden̄. smyte of his hede But lorde so he wax. sodeinlych Rede And seid his lesson̄. that he wende konne To preyen̄ hir. is thorougħ his wytte y-Ronne (13) Creseide al this espied wel y-nougħ For she was wyse. and loued hym neuer the lesse Al nere he malapert /. or made it tougħ Or was to bolde. to synge a fool a messe But whan̄ his shame. gan somwhat to passe his Resons as I may. my Rymes holde y wole you telle. as techen̄ bokes olde (14) IN changed voyce. Ryght for his verray drede wyche voyce eke qwoke. and therto his manere Godely abasshed. and now his hewes Rede Now pale. vnto Creseide his lady dere wyth loke dovn̄ cast. and humble y-yolden̄ chere loo aldirfirst worde. that hym̄ asterte was twyes mercy. mercy swete herte (15) And stynt a while / and whan̄ he myght bringe The next worde. was gode wote for I haue As feithfully. as I haue hade konnyng Ben youres al. god so my soule saue And shal til that. I wooful. wyght be graue And thogħ I ne dar. ne kan̄ vnto pleyne I-wys I souffre. nougħt the lesse peyne (16) Thus moche as now. O womanlyche wyf I may oute bringe. and yf this you displese That shal I wreke vpon̄ myn̄ owne lyf Ryght soone I trowe. and doon̄ your hert an̄ ese yif wyth my dethe. your hert[e] may appese For syn̄ that ye. han herde me somwhat seye Now Recche. I neuer. how soone that I deye (17) Therwyth his manly. sorowes to be-holde hit myght han̄ made. an̄ hert of ston̄ to rewe And Pandarus wept /. as he to water wolde And poked euer. his nece newe and newe And seide wobegon̄. ben̄ hertes trewe For loue of gode. make of this thinge an ende Or slee vs bothe. at oones or ye wende (18) I What quod She. by gode and by my trouth I note neuer what. ye wyl that I sey y what quod he. that ye han̄ on̄ hym̄ routhe For goddes loue. and doon̄ hym̄ not to dye Now thus quod she. I wolde hym̄ prey To telle me the fyn̄. of his entent yit wyst I neuer wel. what he ment (19) What that I meen̄ .O swete hert[e] dere Quod Troilus .o. ffresshe. godely. free That wyth the stremes. of your eyen clere ye wolde somtyme. frendly on̄ me see And that ye souffren̄. that I may be he wythouten̄ braunche. of vice in ony wyse In trouthe to doon̄. to you my seruise. [Yow for to serue lyke as ye wyl deuyse.—Caxton.] (20) As to my lady Ryght. and chief Resort Wyth al my wytte. al my diligence And I to han. Ryght as you lyst comfort Vnder your yerde. egal to myn offense As dethe if that. I breke your defense And that ye deyne. me so mochel honoure Me to commanden. aught in any houre (21) And I to be your verray humble trewe Secret. and in my peynes pacient And euer moo. desiren fressħly newe To serven̄ and ben̄. y-lyke diligent And wyth gode hert al holy your talent Receyue in gre. how sore that me smert loo this meen̄. I. myn̄ owne swete herte (22) Qvod pandarus. loo here and herde Request And Raisnoble. a lady for to werne Now nece myn̄. by natal Ioves feste Were I a god ye shulden sterue as yerne That heren̄ wel. this man̄ wole nothing yerne But your honour. and seen̄ hym̄ almost sterue And ben̄ so lothe. to souffren̄ hym you to serve [a blank line in MS.] (23) Wyth that she gan̄. he eyen̄ on̄ hym̄ to caste Ful esely and ful debonairly A-vising hire. and hied not to fast wyth neuer a worde. but seid hym̄ ful softly Myn̄ honour sauf. I wole wyl trewly And in suche fourme. as he gan̄ now devise Receyue hym̄ fully vn-to my seruise [3 blank lines in MS.] (24) Be-sychyng hym̄ for goddes loue that he wolde in honour of trouthe. and gentilnesse As I wyl meen̄. eke meen̄ wele to me And myn̄ honour. wyth wytte besinesse Ay kepe. and yif I may dovn̄ hym̄ gladnesse Fro henforth y-wys. I nyl not feyne Now beth al hoole. no lenger ye ne pleyn [2 blank lines in MS.] (25) But natheles. this warn̄ I you quod she A kinges sone al-thogħ ye be ywys ye shal haue no more soueraintee Of me in loue. than ryght in this cas is Nyl not forbere. if that ye doon̄ a-mys To whrathen̄ you. that whiles ye me serue Cherice you Ryght aftyr ye deserve (26) And Shortly Dere hert /. And al my Knygħt Beth glade. and draweth you to lustynesse And I shal trewly. wyth al my ful mygħt Your bettur tournen. al in-to swettenesse Yif I be she. that may do you gladnesse For euery woo. ye shal recouur a blisse And hym in Armes toke. and kan̄ hym kysse (27) Fyl pandarus. on̄ knees and vp his eyen̄ To heuen̄ he threwe. and hielde his handes hye Immortal god. quod he / that mayst not dyen̄ Cupide I meen̄. of this maist glorifie And venus thou. maist maken̄ melodie Wythouten̄ honde. me semeth that in tovne For this miracle. I here eche belle sowne (28) But hoo na more. os now of this matere For-why this folke. wyl come vp a-non̄ That han the lettre Redde. loo I hem here But I coniure the. Creseide and oon̄ And two thou Troilus. whan̄ thou maist goon̄ That at myn̄ hous. ye ben̄ at myn̄ warnynge For I wel shal shape. your commynge [1 line blank in MS.] (29) And esetħ there your Hertis Rygħt y-nougħ And lat see wych . of you shal bere the belle To speke of loue . and Ryght therwyth he lougħ For there haue ye . a leyser for to telle Quod Troilus . how longe shal it dwelle Ar this by doon̄ . quod he whan̄ thou maist Ryse This thing shal be /. Rygħt as I you devise (30) Wyth that / Eleyne . and also Deiphebus Tho comen̄ vpward . at the staiyr ende And lord so than̄ gan Troilus growen̄ his brother and his suster for to blende Quod Pandarus it is tyme that we wende Take nece myn̄ . your leue at al thre And lat hem speke . and commeth forthe wytħ me (31) SHe toke Hir Leue . at hem ful thriftfully As she wel cowde . and they hir Reuerence Vn-to the fulɫ dyden̄ . hardely And wonder wele . spaken̄ in hir absence Of hir . in preysyng . of hir excellence hir gouernaunce . wytte and hir manere Comendeden̄ . it Ioye was to here [1 line blank in MS.] (32) Now Lat Hir Wende . to Hir owne place And tourne we . to Troilus a-geyn̄ That gan̄ ful ligħtfully . of the lettre pace That Deiphebus hade in the gardeyn̄ seyn̄ And of Eleyne . and hym wolde feyn̄ Deliuered ben̄ . and seid that hym liste To slepe . and after tales han̄ a reste [1 line blank in MS.] (33) ELeyne Hym Kyste . and toke Hir leve Blyue Deiphebus eke . and home went euery wygħt And pandarus as faste . as he may dryve To troilus . tho come as lyne Rygħt And on̄ a palete . al that glade nygħt By troilus he lay . wyth mery chere To tale . and wel . whas hem . they were in fere (34) WHan euery Wyght was voyded but they two [A third hand∣writing begins here.] And all the dorres weren fast y-shette To telle in shorte with-outen wordes moo Thys Pandarus with-outen ony lette Vp Roos and on hys beddes syde hym sette An gan to spekyn in a soubur wyse To troilus as I shal þou devyse (35) Myn alderlyuyst lord and brother dere Gode wote and thou that it satte me so sore Whan I the saw so languyssħing to yere For loue of wycħe thy wo wex euer more That I wyth al my mygħt And Al my lore Haue euer sythen doon my besynesse To bringe the to Ioye oute of distresse (36) And haue y-brougħt it to sucħ plite as thou wost So thurgħt me thou stondest now in wey To faren wele I sey it for no boost And wostow why . for shame it is to seye For the haue I a game bygonne to pleye wycħ that I neuer . eft shal do for other Al-thogħ he were a thousand tymes my brother (37) THat is to say for the am I becomen Betwyx game and ernest suche a meen As maken wommen vn-to men to comen Al sey I nogħt. thou wost wele what I meen For the haue I my Nece of vices clene So fully made thy gentylnesse to trust That al shal be Rygħt as thy selfe lust (38) But god that al wot take I to wytnesse That neuer I thy for couytyse wrougħt But oonly for to a-brege that distresse For wyche ful nygħt thou deydest as me thogħt But now gud brother doo as the ought For goddes loue and kepe hire oute of blame [Line 266 is omitted in MS. Harl. 1239, but a blank is left for it.] (39) For wel thou wost the name as it of hire A-monge the Pepul as who seyth halowed is For that man is vnbore I dare wel swere That euer wyst that she dide a-mys But wo is me that I that cause al this May thynken that she is my nece dere And I hir Eme. and traitour eke in fere (40) And were it wyst that I thurgħ myn engyn̄ Had in myn Nece y-put thy fantasie [Line 276 is omitted in MS. Harl. 1239. No blank is left.] Why al þe worlde wolde vpon hit crie And seyen that I the warst trecherye Did in thys cas that euer was be-gonne And she fordonne And thou Rygħt nogħt y-wonne (41) Wherfore ar I wole ferther goon a paas Yit eft I the besyche and fully seye That pryuyte goo wyth vs in this cas That is to seyn that thou vs neuer wrye And be not wrogħt thogħ I the ofte preye To holden secree suche an higħ matere For skilful is thou wost wel my prayer [1 blank line in MS.] (42) And thynke what woo ther hath by-tyd er thys For makyng of a-vauntes as men Rede And that myschance in this worlde yit ther is Fro day to day Rygħt for that wycked dede For wych thes wyse clerkes that bene dede Han euer thys prouerbe to vs yonge That þe ffyrst vertu is. to kepe his tonge (43) And ner that it I wyl as now tabbregge Diffusion̄ of speche .I. cowde Almost A thousand olde storyes the a-lege Of wommen̄ lost. thorogh false and fools boost Prouerbes cast thi selfe y-now And wost A-geins that vice for to ben A labbe Al seyde men̄ sothe. as often̄ As thai gabbe (44) O tonge allas. so often herebeforn̄ Hastow made many a lady bryght of hewe Seyd welaway the day that I was born̄ And many a maydens sorow for to new And for the more part al is vntrewe That men of yelpe and it were brogħt to preue Of kynde noon a-vauntour is to leue (45) A vauntour And a lyer al is oon̄ As thus I poose . a womman graunte me Hyr loue . and seytht other wyl she non̄ And I am sworn̄ to holden it secree And aftyr I goo telle it two or thre I-wys I am vauntour at the leste And a lyer for I breke my heste (46) (Much alterd in Caxton.) Now loke thenne yf they be aught to blame Swycħ maner folke what shaɫ I calle hem what That hem a-vaunte of wommen and by name There thai behight hem neuer this ne that Ne knowe hem more . than myn olde hatte No wondyr ys so . gode me sende hele Thogħ women̄ drede . wytħ vs men̄ to dele (47) I say not thys . for no mystrust of ȝou Ne for no wyse man̄. but for folys nyce And for the harme . that in this world is now As wel for folye . oft as for malice For wel wot I . in wyse folke that vice No woman̄ drat yf she be wel a-visede For wyse men̄ been by folys harme chastised (48) But now to purpos . leue brother dere Haue this thing . that I haue seyde in mynde And kepe the clos . and be now of gode chere For at thi day . thou shalt me trewe fynde I shal thi proces sette . in suche A kynde And god toforn̄. that it shal the suffyce For it shal been . Rygħt as thou wylt devise (49) For wel wote I thou menest wel parde Ther-for I dare this fully vndyr-take Thou wost eke what. thi ladi graunted the And day is sette . the charters vp to make Haue now gode nygħt I may no lengur wake And bidde for me . syn thou Art now in blisse That gode me sende dethe or soone lysse (50) Who mygħt tellen half the Ioye or feste Wyche that the soule . of Troylus tho felte Herynge the effecte of Pandarus byheste His olde woo . that made his herte swelte Gan tho for Ioye to wasten̄ and to melte And aɫɫ the rychesse . of his sykes sore At oones fledde . he felte of hem no more (51) Ryght so As thes holtes And thes hayes That han in wynter . dede byn̄ And drye Revesten̄ hem . in grene whan that may is Whan euery lusty lustetħ best pleye Ryght in that sewe . wyse sothe to say Wax sodeinlycħ his hert[e] ful of Ioye That gladder was . ther neuer man̄ in Troye (52) And gan His Loke on Pandarus to caste Fuɫ souburly And frendly on̄ to see And seyd frynd in Apryl the laste As wel thou wost yf it remembre the How mygħt the dethe . for wo thou fonde me And how thou didest Al thi besinesse To know of me . the cause of my dystresse (53) Thou wost how longe .I hit for-bare to sey To the that Art. the man that I most truste And peryl was it non . to the to be-wrey That wyst I wel but telle it yf the lyst Syth I so lotħ was . that thi self it wyst How durst I moo tellen of thys matere That quake now . And no wygħt may vs here (54) But natheles by that god I the swere That as hym lyst may Al this worlde gouerne And yf I lye Achilles with his spere Myn hert cleue al ware my lyue eterne As I am mortal yif I lete or yerne Wolde it by-wrye or drust or shulde konne For Alɫ the gode . that gode made vndyre sonne (55) That Radyr dye I wolde and determine As thinketh me . now stocked in pryson̄ In wrechednes . in fylthe And in wermyne Captyf to cruel kynge Agamenōn̄ And thus in alle the temples of this tovn̄ Vpon the goddes Alle I wolde the swere To morow day yf that the lyketħ here (56) And that thou hast . y-doon so moche for me That I neuermore it may deserue This know I wel . Al myght I now for the A thousand tymes on A morow sterve I kan no more but that I wol the serue Ryght As thou sclave whider so thou wende For euermore vn-to my lyues ende (57) But here with al myn hert I the be-syche That neuer in me . thou deme such folye As I shal seyn . my thougħt by thy speche That this wycħ . thou me doust for companye I shuld wene . it wer a bauderye Y Am nowght wode . al yf I lewde be It is not so . that wote I wyl pardee (58) But he that gothe for golde or for Ryghtchesse On suche message calle hym what the lyst And thys that thou doest calle it gentylnesse Compassyon of ffellysshyp And trist Depart it soo for wyde wher is wyst How ther is diuersite required Be-twyxen thinges lyke as I haue lered (59) And that thou knowe . I thinke not ne wene That this seruise A shame or be Iape I haue my fayre Sustyr Pollexene Cassandre Eleyne or ony of the frape Be she nende so fayr or wele y-shape Telle me wych . thou wylt of euerychone To han for thyn . And lat me thenne A-lonne (60) But sytħ thou hast don me this seruise My lyue to saue And for non̄ hope of mede So for the loue of gode this grete impryse Parfourme it oute for now is most nede For hygħ and low with-outen̄ drede I wole Alway thyn hestes kepe Haue now gode nygħt . And lat vs Alle slepe (61) THus Hielde hym eche of other wel apayed That alle the worlde . ne mygħt it bet Amende And on the morow . when they wher A-reyd Eche to his one . nedes gan entende But Troylus thogħt as the fyre he brent For sharpe desyre . of hope & of plesaunce He nought for-gate . his gode gouernaunce (62) But in hymself wyth manhode gan Restreyne Eche racle dede . And eche vnbrideled chere That Alle . tho that lyuen̄ certeyne Ne sholde an wyste . by worde or by manere What that he mente . as touching this matere From euery whyght as fer as is the clowde He whas . so wele dissemilen he cowde (63) And alle the wyle . wyche that I you devise This whas his lyue . whytħ alɫ his myght By day he whas . in martes hygħ seruise That is to sey in Armes as a knyght And for the more part . the longe nyght. He lay and thogħt . how that myght serue Hys lady best hire thonke for to deserue (64) Wyl I not swere Al-thogħ he lay softe That in his thoght he was sumwhat dysesed Ne that he turnytħ . on his pyllous ofte And wolde of that he myssed haue ben essed But in suche cas . men ben not Al-wey plesed For augħt I wote . namore than whas he This kan I deme . of possibilite (65) But certeyn is to purpos for to goo That in this while . As wrytten is in geste He saugħ his lady . somtym And Also She wytħ hym spake whan that she durst & liste And by her broder A-vyce As whas the best Appointed ful warly in this nede So as thay durst . how þat they wolde procede (66) But it was spokyn . in so short A wyse In sucħ a-wayte And in sucħ fere Lest any whygħt deuynen or deuise Wolde of hem two . or to hit leye A nere That al the world so lief to hem ne were As that Cupide / wolde hem grace sende To make of hire Porpos Rygħt an ende (67) [Caxton leaves out St. 67-71. Harl. 1293 (lf. 24, bk.) and 2932 (lf. 59, bk.) have em.] But tillȝ . litel that thai spake or wrogħt His wyse gost toke ay of Al swycħ hiede Hire semed hit . he wyst what she tougħt Wyth-outen̄ worde so . that it was no nede To bidde hym augħt to doo or ougħt for-bede For wyche she thouȝgħt . that loue al come it late Of al Ioye . hade opened hir the yate (68) And shortly of this proces for to passe So wel his werke . and wordes he bysette That he so ful stode in his lady grace That twenty thousand tymes or she lette She thonked gode . she euer wyth hym mette So kowde he hym gouerne in suche seruise That Alle the worlde ne cowde it bot A-vyse (69) For why sho fonde hym so discret in al So secret and of suche of obeyssance That wel she felte . he was to hir a wal Of stele And shelde from euery dysplesance That to be in hys gouernance gode So wyse he was she nas namore afered I meen as fer . as ougħt ben Required (70) And Pandarus to quyl-ke alway the Fyre Was euer y-lyke prest And diligent To ese his frende was sette al his dysyr He shoof ay on̄ he too And fro was sent He lettres bare whan Troylus was Absent That neuer man as in his frendys nede Ne bare hym bet than he wytħ-outen̄ drede (71) But now p[ar]aunter . som men wayten wolde That euery worde . or soonde looke or chere Of Troylus . that I Rehersen sholde In al thys whyle vn-to his lady dere I trowe it were . A longe thinke for to hyre Or of what whyght that stant in syche dysyointe Hys wordes alle euery loke to poynte (72) For southe I haue not herde it doon or this In story noon . ne no man here I weyne And thogħ I wolde . y cowde not y-wys For ther was som epistil hem by-twene That wolde as seyth myn Auctor wel contene Nygħ halfe this boke . of wycħ hym lyst nat wrytte How shulde I than of hit a lyne endite (73) But to the grete effecte than sey I thus That stondyng in concorde And quiete Thes ylke two Creseyde and Troylus As I haue tolde . And in this tyme swete Saue oonly often mygħt they not meete Ne leyser haue hir speches to fulfille That byfel hit Rygħt as I shal you telle (74) This Pandarus that euer did his mygħt Ryght for the fyn that I shal telle here As for to bringe to his hous som nygħt Hys fayre Nyce and Troylus infere Where as at leyser al this hygħ matere Touching hir loue . were at the ful vp bounde hade oute of doute . a tyme of hit y-founde (75) For he wytħ gret deliberacion had euery thing that therto myght a-vaylle Forncast and putte in execucion And neyther lefte . for coste ne for trauaille Come hif hym list . hem shulde no thing faille And for to ben . in aught espied there That wyst he wel an Impossible it were (76) And dredles it clere was in the wynde Of euery pye . and euery let game Now al his wel . for al the worlde his blynde In this matere bothe wylde and tame This tymbre is al Redi vp to frame Vs lakketħ not but that we weten wolde A certeyn houre . in wyche she come sholde (77) And Troylus that al this purviance Knewe at the ful. and wayted on it ay Had hervpon eke made grete ordinance And fonde his cause ther-to. and his aray And yf that he where myssed nyght or day Ther while he was a-bouten this seruise That he was goon. to doon his sacryfice (78) And most at suche a temple wake allone Answerd of Appollo for to be An fyrst to see the holy laurer quake Er that Appollo spake oute of tree To telle hym nexte. whan grekes shulde flee And for-thy let hym no man god forbede But pray Appollo. that he helpe in this nede (79) Now is ther lityl more to Doon But pandare vp And shortly to seyn Ryght sone vpon the changging of the mone Whan lygħtles is the worlde A nyght or twene And that the welken shope hym for to Reyne And streyght A morowe vnto his nece wente Ye haue wel herde the fyn of his entente (80) When he was come. he gan A-non to pleye As he was wont. And of hym self to Iape And finially he swore And gan hir seye By this And that. she shulde hym not scape Ne lenger hym doon after hir to gape But certeinly she must by hyr leve Come soupen in his house wytħ hym at eve (81) At wyche she lought And gan hir fast excuse And seyd it Reineth. loo how shulde I goon Lat be quod he ne stande not thus to muse This moot be doon. ye shal be there A-noon So At the last her-of they fylt at oon Or ellys softe. he swore hire in hir ere He shulde comen neuer ther as she were (82) Sone Aftyr this. she to hym gan Rowne And axed hym. yif Troylus where there He swore hir nay fore he was oute of toūn̄e And seyd nece I pose that he where there You thurst han neuer more fere For rather than myght hym ther espye Me wher leuer A thousand folde to dye (83) Now lyst myn Auctor fully to declare What that she tought. whan he seyd soo That Troylus whas oute of she tovne y-fare And yf he seyd soutħ therof or noo But that wythoute a-wayte wytħ hym to goo She graunted hym syth he hyr that be-sought And As his Nece. obeyd as hyr ought (84) But natheles yit gan she hym be-syche Al-though wyth hym to gon it were no fere For to be whare of gosisshe peples speche That dremen thinges whicħ that neuer were And whel A-vyse hym. whom he brought there And seyd hym Eme syn I most on you trust loke al be whel. And doo now As you lust (85) He swore here yis . by stokkes And by stones And by the goddes . that in heuen̄ dwellen̄ Or ellys wher hym leuer felle And bones Wytħ pluto kying as depe ben in helle As Tantalus what sholde I more telle whan he whas wel . he Roos And toke his leue And she to souper . come whan it whas eve (86) Wyth a certayn of hyr one men̄ And wytħ hyr fayr Nece Antigone And other of hir fayr wommen .ix. or ten̄ But who whas gladde . now as trow ye But Troylus that stode . And myght it see Thurgħ-oute a litel wyndow in a stewe Ther he by-shette sy[n] mydnyght was in mewe (87) Vnwyst of euery wyght but of Pandare But to the point . now whan she whas comen Wytħ Alle Ioye And Alle frendys fare Hire Eme A-non̄ in harmes hatħ he nome And aftyr to the soupeyr Alle And some Whan tyme whas ful softe they hym sette Gode wote ther whas no deynte for to fette (88) And afftyr souper gonnen thei to Ryse At ese wel wytħ hertes Fressħ And glade And wel was hym that best cowde a-vyse To liken hir or that hir laughen made He songe she pleyde he tolde A tale of wade But at the last as euery thinge hathe ende She toke hir leue . And nedes wolde she wende (89) But O fortune executrice of wyerdes O influence of the euyn hye Sothe is that vndir god ye ben our hierdes Thought ben to vs best is ben the causes wrye This meene I now for she gan now homward hie But execute was Al beside hir leve The goddes wylle . for wych she most beleue (90) The bent mone . wyth hir hornes pale Saturne And Iove in cancro Ioned were That suche A Rayne fro heuen gan a-vale That euery manere woman that was there hadde of the smoky Reyne a verray ferre At qwycħ Pandare tho lought & seyd thenne Now were it tyme a lady to gonne henne (91) But gud Nece if I myght euer plese you any thing . than pray I quod he To doon̄ myn hert . as now so grete an ese As for to dwelle . here al nygħt with me For why this is . youre one hous pardee And by my trougħt . I sey it not a game To wende as now / it where a shame (92) Creseyde wycħ that gowde as moche gowde As halfe a worlde toke hede of his prayere And sitħ it Roon And All was on̄ a flode She thougħt A gode chepe may I dwelle here And graunted it gladly with a frendis chere And haue a thonke . as gruche . thenne a-byde For home to gonne . it may not wel betyde (93) I wole quod she myn̄ vncle lief and dere Syn that you lyst. it skylle is to be soo I am Ryght gladde. wytħ you to dwelle here I seyde but a game. I wolde goo y-wys graunted mercy. nece quod he tho were it a game. nor southe for to tellen̄ Now am I gladde. syn that you lust to dwellen̄ (94) Thus al is wel. but tho be-gan a-Ryght The newe Ioye and alle þe feste a-gein But Pandarus. if godely had he mygħt He wolde han hied hir to bedde fayn̄ And seyd lord this. is an huge Rayn̄ This were a wheder to slepen̄ inne And that I Rede vs sone to be-gynne (95) And Nece woot ye where I wold you leye For that ye shal not liggen fer a-sonder And for ye neither. shullen dar̄ I seye Here noyse of Raynes ne of thonder By god rygħt in my litil closet yonder And I wolde in that vtter̄ hous allone Be wardeyn̄ ouer your wommen̄ euerychone (96) And in this mydil chambre that ye see Shal your̄ wommen slepen̄ wel & softe And there I seyd shal your seluen̄ bee And yf ye ligge wel to nygħt come ofte And caretħ not what wheder̄ is a-lofte To wyn̄ a-non̄. And whan so that you liste Than is it tyme for̄ to gon̄ to Rest (97) Ther is namore but herafter soone Thei dranke voyded and trauars drewe anon̄ Gan euery wyght that had not to do More in the place out of the chambre gon̄ And euermore so sternliche it Roon̄ And blewe der-wyth. so wondirlich lowde That wel nygh noman̄ heren other̄ cowde (98) Tho pandarus hir Eme Ryght as hym ougħte wytħ women̄ suche as was her most a-boute Ful glade vn-to her beddes syde hir brought And toke his leue And gane ful lowe lowte And seyd her at the closet dore wytħ-owte Rytħ ouerthwart your wommen̄ lyggen alle That whom ye lust of hem ye may calle (99) Soo whan that she was in the closed lede And alle hir̄ wommen̄ forth by ordinance A bedde weren ther as I haue seyde There was no more to skippen ne to daunce But bidden to goo to bedde wytħ myschaunce yif any wygħt were stiring any where And lat hem slepe. that a-bedde were (100) But Pandarus that wel cowde eche a del The olde daunce and euery point ther[i]nne Whan þat he sawgħ that alle þing whas wel He thought he wolde vp-on̄ his werk beginne And gan the stew dore al softe vn-pynne And stille as stone wyth-outen lenger lette And down by Troilus dovn Ryght he hym sette (101) And shortly to the point Ryght for to gon̄ Of al this werk he tolde hym worde and ende And seyd make the Redy Ryght A-non̄ For to shat in-to heuene blisse wende Now blesful Venus /. thou me grace sende Quod Troylus for neuer yit noo nede had I er now. ne haluendel the drede (102) Quod Pandarus ne drede the neuer a dele For it shal by Ryght as thou lyst desire So thryvn I this nygħt shal I make it wel Or casten al the gruel in the fyre Yit blesful Venus this myght thou me Enspire Quod Troylus. as wys as I the serue And euer bet And bet shal tyl I sterue (103) And yf had O Venus ful of myght Aspectes bade. of mars or of saturne Or thou combust. or let wer in my byrth Thy ffadyr pray al thilke harme disturne Of grace And that I glade ayen my turne For loue of hym thou louedest in the shawe Y meen Adon̄. that wytħ the bore was slawe (104) O Iove for the loue of fayr Europe The qwyche in fourme of bole Awey thou fette Now helpe O Mars thou wytħ thy blody cope For loue of Cyphres thou me naught ne lette O phebus. thinke whan dane her seluen̄ shete Vnder the barke of laurer wexe for-drede Yit for hir. O helpe now at this nede. (105) Mercurie for the loue of hierse eke For qwycħ pallas was wyth aglauros wrougħt Now helpe eke diane I the besyche That this viage be not to the lougħt O fatal sustren. qwycħ or Any clothe Me shapen was my desteyne me sponne So helpetħ to this werke that is be-gonne (106) Qvod pandarus thou Wreched mouses Herte Ar-tow a-gast. so that she wole the byte [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] And folow me for I woll han the wytte But A-byde And let me gon̄ by-for a lite And wyth that worde he gan̄ vn-don̄ a trappe And Troylus he brought in by the lappe (107) The steirne wynde so lowde gan to Rowte That no wyght other noyse myght here And thei lat leyn. at the dore wyth-oute Ful sikerly. thei slepten al in fere And pandarus with a ful soubre chere Gothe to the dore A-non̄ with-outen̄ lette There as they lay. And softly hit shette (108) And as he come a-yen̄ward pryuely His Nece a-woke. And asked ho goth dere My dere nece quod he it am I Ne wonder notħ. ne haue it no fere And ner he come. and seyd her in here ere No word for loue of god I you beseche Lat no wygħt Rysen to here of oure speche (109) What wycħ way be ye come benedicite Quod she and how vnwyst of hem alle Here at this secre trappe dore quod he Quod tho Creseyde. lat me som wyght calle I gode forbede that it shulde falle Quod Pandarus that ye suche folye wrougħt Thei myght deme þing that thei neuer thougħt (110) Hit is not gode A sleping hounde to wake And a yeue a wyght cause to devyne Your' wommen slepen alle I vndyr-take And slepen̄ wole tyl that sonne shynne So that for them the hous men̄ mygħt myne And whan my tale y-brought is to A nende Vn-wyst Ryght as I come so wyl I wende (111) Now nece myn. ye shul wel vndir-stonde Quod he so as ye women̄ demen̄ alle That for to holde longe a man in hande And hym hir loue. and dere hert calle And maken hym. an hove a-boue a calle I meen̄ as loue. a nother in this meen while She dothe hir selfe a shame And hym begyle (112) Now wherby that I telle you Alle this ye wote your selfe as wol as any wygħt how that your loue al fully graunted is To Troilus the worthiest knyght On of the worlde. and ther-to trought y-plygħt That but it were on̄ hym a-longe ye wolde hym neuer falsen while that ye lyven sholde (113) Now stant it thus that sytħ I fro you went This troilus Ryght platly for to seyn̄ Is thorougħ A goter by a pryue went In-to my chambre comen̄ in al this reyn̄ Vn-wyst of euery maner wyght certeyn̄ Saue of my self. as wis haue I loye And by the feytħ. I shal pryam of Troye (114) And he is come in syche peyne And distresse That but he be as fully wode by this So sodenily mot falle in-to A wodnesse But yif ye helpe. And cause why is this he seid hym-self tolde is of a frende of his how þat he shulde louen̄ oon̄ atte horaste For sorogħ of wycħ this nygħt shal ben his laste (115) CReseide Wyoħ that this Wonder Herde Gan sodenily a-boute her herte colde And wyth a syke. she sorowfully Answerde Allas I wolde haue wende wo tales tolde My dere hert wolde me not holde So lyghtly fals Allas conceytys wronge what harme thei doone for now lyve I to longe (116) HOraste Allas. And falsen Troylus I knowe hym nowgħt. gode helpe me quod she Allas qwat wycked spirit tolde hym thus Now certes Eme to-morow and I hym see I shal therof. as fully excusen me And euery did womman̄ yif hym lyke And wytħ that worde she gan ful sore syke (117) O gode quod she. so wordly selynesse wyche clerkes callen fals felicite y-medlid wyth many a bitternesse Ful Anguysshous that is god wote quod she Condicion̄ of veyne prosperite For eyther Ioyes comen not in fere Or ellys no wyght hath hem alwey here (118) O brotel wele of mannes Ioye vnstable wytħ what that thou be or how thou play Eyther ha whote that thou Ioye arte muable Or woot it not. it moot ben oon of twey Now yf he wotte it nogħt how may he seye That he hath verray Ioye and selynesse That is of ignoraunce ay in derkenesse (119) Now yif he woot that Ioye is transitorie As euery Ioye of wordly thing moot flee Than euery tyme he that hath in memorie The drede of lesing. makytħ hym that he May in no parfite selynesse bee And yif to lese his Ioye he sette a myte Than semetħ it that Ioie is wortħ for lite (120) Wherfore I wole diffyne in this manere That truly for aught I can espie There is no verray wele in this world here But O thou wycked serpent Ialousie Thou misbeleved envyous folye Why hastow made Troilus to me vntriste That neuer yit a-gilte hym that I wyste (121) Quod Pandarus this fallen is the cas Why vncle myn̄ quod she whoo tolde hym thus Why douthe my dere hert thus allas Ye whot ye nece myn quod he what is I hope al shal be wel that is-amys For ye may quenche al this if that ye list And dothe rygħt so. I holde it for the best (122) SO shal I do to-morow y-wys quod she And gode to-forne. so that it shal suffice To-morow quod he allas that where a faire Nay nay it may not stonde in this wyse For Nece myn̄ thus writen̄ clerkes wyse That peril is wyth drechyn̄g in y-drawe Nay swycħ a-bodes ben not wortħ an hawe (123) Nece al thinge hatħ tyme I dar a-vowe For whan a chambre a-fire is or an halle Wel more is nede hit sodeinly Rescow Than to disputen̄ And axe a-monges alle how is this candele In the strawe falle A benedicite a-monges alle this fare The harme is doon̄ and fare wel felde-fare (124) And nece myn ne take Hit to no gryef yif ye hym souffre al this nygħt in this woo Gode helpe me soo he hade hym neuer lief That dar I sey now ther is but we too But wel I wote. that ye wyl not do soo Ye been to wysen̄ to doon̄ so grete folye To putte his lyfe al nyght in iupardie (125) Hadde I hym neuer lyef by godde I wene ye hadde neuer þing quod she so lyef Now by my thryft / quod he that shal be seen For syn ye make this ensample by me yf I wolde hym al nygħt in sorow see For Al the tresoure in the tovne of Troye I pray gode I neuer moot haue Ioye (126) Now loke ye that bene his loue Shul putte his lyfe al nyght in [Iu]partie For thing of noght now by that god a-boue Not oonly this delay cometh of folie But of malice if that I shal not lye what platly And yf ye souffre hym in distresse Ye neither bounte. doon̄ ne gentilnesse (127) Quod tho Creseide wyl ye do o thinge And ye therwyth. shal stynt Al his desesse haue here and bereth hym this blew rynge For ther is no thing myght bettur hym plese Saue I my self ne more his hert appesse And sey my dere hert that his sorow Is causeles that shal be seen to-morowe (128) A Ring quod he hasilwode shaken Ye nece myne that Ring mote haue a stone That mygħt dede men̄ a-lyue maken And suche a ringe trow I that ye haue non̄ Dyscrecion̄ ys oute of your hede y-gon̄ That fele I now quod he and that is routhe O tyme l-lost. wel maistow cursen slouthe (129) Wote ye not wel. that noble and hie corage Ne soroutħ not ne styntetħ eke for lite But yf a foule were in Ialouse rage I nolde setten. At his sorow a myte But fefe hym wyth a fewe wordes white A-noither dai whan that ye myght hym fynde But this thinge. stant al in A-nother kynde (130) This so gentil and so tendre of herte That wytħ his dethe he wole his sorowes werke For trusteth wele how sorow that hym smert he wole to you no Ialous wordes speke And for-thy nece er that his hert breke So speke your selfe to hym of this matere For wytħ a worde ye may his hert stere (131) Now haue I tolde what peril that he is ine And his commynge vnwyst of euery wyght Ne parde harme may ther noon be ther-in I wole my selfe be wyth you al this nygħt Ye know eke how he is your one knyght And that by Rygħt ye most vpon̄ hym trust And I al prest to fecche hym whan ye lust (132) This accident so pitous whas to here And eke so like a sothe at prime face And troylus hir knyght to hir so dere his priue commynge and eke siker place That thogħt that she did hym as thanne grace Considered al thinges as they stode No wonder nas syn she did al for gode (133) CReseide Answerde as Wysly god at Reste My soule bringe as me is for hym woo And Eme y-wys fayn wolde I do the best Yf I had grace for to do soo But wether that ye dwelle or for hym goo I am til god me bettur mynde sende At dulcarnon̄ Rygħt at my wyttes ende id est fuga miserorum. (134) Qvod pandarus ye Nece wole ye here Dulcarnon̄ is called flemynge of wrecches hit semeth hard for wrecches wole not lere For verray slouthe or othere wylful tacches This seid by hem that be not worthe two fecches But ye be wyse and that ye han̄ on̄ hande Nis neiter skylful ne hard to wythstonde (135) Than Eme quod she. dothe her-of as ye lyst But or he come I wyl vp fyrst a-rise And for the loue of god. syn̄ al my triste Is on you two And ye ben bothe wyse So werketħ now. in so discrete a wyse That I honour may haue and he plesaunce For I ham here al in your gouernaunce (136) That is wele seide quod he my nece dere There gode thryft on that wyse gentil herte But liggetħ stille and takyth hym Ryght here hit nedytħ not no ferther for hym sterte And eche of you ese other sorowes smerte For the loue of gode and venus I the herie For sone hope I. we shul be al merye (137) [¶ This Troylus ful sone on knes him sette [Addit. 12,044,] Ful sobirly rigħt be here beddes heed And his beste wyse his lady grette But lord so she wex sodeynly reed Ne thougħ men shulde smyte of hir heed She coude nougħt / a word a rigħt outbryng So sodeynly for his sodeyn comyng] (138) But Pandarus that so wel koude fele In euery thing to play a-non̄ be-gan̄ And seyd nece how this lord can knele Now for your trouthe se this gentil man̄ And wyth that worde. he for a qwessyon̄ Ran̄ And seid knelyth now while that you liste There gode your hertes bringe sone to Reste (139) Kan I nougħt sey for she bad hym not ryse yif sorow it putte oute of Remembrance Or ellis that she toke it in the wyse Of dewte as for his obseruance But wyle I fynde she did hym this plesaunce That she hym kyssed thougħ she syked sore And bade hym sitte a-dovn̄ wyth̄outen̄ more (140) Quod Pandarus now wole ye wele be-gynne Now dothe hym sette. gode nece dere vpon̄ your beddys syde al there wytħ-inne That eche of you the better may other here And wytħ that worde he drowe hym to the fyre And toke a lyght ande fonde his countenaunce As for to loke vpon̄ an olde Romaunce (141) Creseide that was Troylus lady Rygħt And clere stode vpon̄ a grounde of sykernesse Al thought she hir seruaunt and hir knyght Ne sholde of trouthe noon̄ vnrygħt in hir gesse yit natheles considered his distresse And that is in cause of suche folye Thus to hym spake she of his Ialousie (142) Loo hert myn as wolde the excellence Of loue a-geyn the wycħ that noman̄ may Ne ougħte eke godly maken resistence And eke by-cause I felte wel and say Youre grete trouthe and seruise euery day And that your hert al myn̄ was sothe to seyn̄ This drof me to Rewe vp-on̄ your peyn̄ (143) And your godnesse haue I euer fonde yit Of wych my dere hert And al my knyngħt I thanke yit you as fer as I haue wytte Al kan I not as moche as it were ryght And I henforth my konnynge And my myght Haue And Ay shal how sore that me smerte Ben to you trewe. and hoole wytħ al my herte (144) And dredles that shal be fonde at preue But herte myn what al this is to seyn Schal wel be tolde so that ye nought you greue Though I to you Rygħt on your selfe compleyn For ther-wytħ mene I finially the peyne That shal your herte and myn̄ in heuinesse Fully to sleen. and euery wrong Redresse (145) My gode hert myn̄. not I for why ne how That Ialousy. allas that wykked wyuere Thus causeles. is cropen in-to you The harme of wycħ I wolde fayne delyuere Allas that he al hoole. or of hym slyuer Shulde haue is refute in so digne a place There Iove hym soone oute of youre herte arace (146) But o thou Iove. o Auctor of nature Is this an honour to thy deite That folke vngylty. souffren hir Iniure And who that gyltyf is. al quyte gothe he O were it lyefful for to pleyne on the That vndeserued. souffrest Ialousye Of that I wolde. vpon̄ the peyne and crie (147) Eke al my who. is this that folke now vsen̄ To seyn ryght thus. that Ialousye is love And wolden a busshel of women al excusen For that oo greyne of love is in it shove But that wote higħ Iove that sitte a-boue yif it be lyker loue. or hate or grame And afftyr that it ought to bere hir name (148) But certeyn southe. som maner Ialousie Is excusable. more than some y-wys As whan cause is. and some syche fantasie wytħ pytye so wel Repressed is That it vnneth dothe or seyth a-mys But godly drynketh vp al is distresse And that excuse. I for gentilnesse (149) And some ful of furie is and dispite That hit sourmontetħ his oppression̄ But herte myn ye be not in that plyte That I thanke god. for wycħ your passion̄ I wole not calle it but illusion̄ Of habundaunce of loue [and bysy cure [Not in Harl. 1239.]] That dothe your herte this dissese endure (150) Of qwych I am Ryght sory but not wrothe But for my deuoir and your hertes Reste where so you lyst. by ordal or by othe By sorte. or in what wyse so that you lyst For the loue of gode lete preue it for the best And yif I be gylty. doon me dye Allas what I more doon or seye (151) Wythe that a fewe bryght terys newe Oute of hir eyne fillen and thus she saide Now god thou wost. in thought ne dede vntrewe To troilus was neuer yit Creseide Wytħ that hir hede. dovn in the bedde she lede And wytħ the shete. It wryed and syked sore And hield hir pes no worde spake she no more (152) But now Helpe god to quenche al this sorow So hope I that. he shal for he best may For I haue seyn. of a ful mysty morow Follow ful ofte. a mery somers day And afftyr wynter foloyth grene may For men seyn al day. and Rede eke in storys That aftyr sharpe schoures ben victories (153) [Caxton leaves out St. 153-160. Harl. 1239 (leaf 29, bk.) & 2392 (leaf 71, back) have em.] This Troilus whan he. hir wordes herde Haue ye no care. hym lust not for to slepe For it thought hym no stroykes of ayrde To here or see. his lady Creseyde wepe But wel he felt a-boute his hert crepe For euery tere wycħ. that Creseyde asterte The crampe of dethe. to strayn hym to the herte (154) And in his mynde. he gan the tyme a-curse That euer he come there or that he was borne For now is wyke. turned in-to worse And al the labour. that he hath don̄ be-forn̄ He went it lost. he thogħt it nas but lorn̄ O pandarus thogħt. he allas the while Seruyth of noght. soo whelaway the while (155) And thus wyth-al he hyng a-doun his hede And felle on kneys. and sorowfully he seyde What myght he sey. he nas but dede For wrothe whas she. that shulde his sorowes [lyghte [Not in Harl. 1230.]] But natheles. whan that he speke myght Than seyde he thus gode whote that of his game whan al is wyste. than am I not to blame (156) Therwyth the sorow so in his herte shette That from his eyen fel ther not a tere But euery spirit. his vigour in knytte As they astoned. or oppressed were The felyng of his sorow or of his feere Or of ougħt ellys fledde was oute of tovne And sodenily. dovne he fyl in sovne (157) This was no litel sorow for to see For al was hussħt. And Pandarus vp as fast O nece pes. or we be lost quod he Beth not a-gast. but alwey at the last For this or that. he hym in-to the bedde cast And seyd thef this is a mannys hert And of he Rente. al to his bare sherte (158) And seyd nece. but ye helpe vs now y-wys your owne Troylus is lorn̄ Allas so wolde I and I wyst how Ful fayn̄ quod she. Allas that I was born̄ Ye Nece wole ye pulle oute the thorn̄ That styketh in his hert quod Pandare Sey al foryeuen. And stynt al this fare (159) Ye that to me. quod she ful leuere were Than al the gode. the sonne a-boute gothe And ther-wyth-al she swore hym in his ere y-wys my dere herte. I am not wrothe Haue here my trouhetħ. And many other̄ othe Now speke wyth me. for it am I Creseyde But al for noght. yit myght he not a-breyde (160) Therewyth his pounce. and pames of his hondes They gan to frote. and eke his temples twene And to delyuer hym. fro bitter bondes She ofte hym kyssed. and shortly for to seyn hym to Rouoke. she did al hir payne So at the laste. he gan̄ his brethe drawe And of his sowne. sone aftyr̄ to A-dawe (161) And gane bettur mynde and Reson̄ to hym take But wonder sore he was a-bayst y-wys And wyth a syke he gan bet a-wake And seyd O mercy. god what thing is this why do ye wyth your seluen thus A-mys Quod tho Creseyde. is this a mannys game what Troylus wyl ye doo thus for shame (162) And therwytħ-al hir harme on hym she lede And al foryaf. and ofte tyme hym kyste he thonked hir. and to hir spake and seyd As fyl to purpos. for his hertes Reste And she to that answerde as hir lyste And wyth hir godely wordes hym to the disporte She gan̄ and ofte his sorowes to comforte (163) Quod Pandarus for augħt I can̄ espien̄ This lyght and I serue here of nogħt Lyght is not gode for seke mennys eyen But for the loue of gode syn that ye be brougħt In this gude plyte. lat now no heuy thogħt Be hangyn̄ in the hertes of you tweye And bare his candel. vnto the Chemeneye (164) Sone aftyr this. thogħt it no nede were whan she suche othes. as hir lyste devyse Hade taken of hym. hyr thogħt tho no feere Ne cause eke noon thennes to bydde hym Ryse Yit lasse thing than othes may suffyse In many a cas. for euery wight I gesse That loueth wele. menetħ but gentylnesse (165) But in effecte. she wolde wete a-non̄ Of what man̄. and eke and also why He Ialousie was. sithe he cause noon̄ And eke the signe. why he toke it by Thus bade she hym to telle hir besyly Or ellys certeine she bare hym on honde That it was doon̄ for malice hir to fonde (166) Wythouten more. shortly for to seyn he most obeye. vn-to his lady heste And for the lesse harme he most feyne He seid whan that she whas at suche a feste She myght on hym. haue lokede at the leste Note I note what al derith now a Risshen As he that nedith. muste a cause fysshen (167) Creseyde answerd. swete al were it soo what harme whas. I noon euyl meene For by that gode that [that overlined later.] bought vs bothe two In al thing is myn entent clene Swych Argumentis be not worth a bene wyl ye the childes Ialousie countrefete Now were it worthy that ye were y-bete (168) Tho Troylus gan̄ sorowfully to syke Lest she were wrothe. hym thogħt his hert died And seyd allas vpon̄ my sorowes syke Haue mercy my swete herte Creseide And yf in the wordes that I seyd Be any wronge I wole no more trespase Doo what you lust I am al in your grace (169) Creseid Answerde of gilt mysericorde This is to sey . that I foryeue al this And euere more on this nyght you Recorde And bethe wele ware . ye do no more A-mys Nay dere hert myn quod he y-wys And now quod she syn [I] haue doon̄ you smerte Foryeue it me myn owne dere herte (170) This Troilus wyth Blisse of that Supprised Putte al in goddes hande. as he that mente Nothing but wel and sodenily a-vised He hir in harmes / fast to hym hente And pandarus wyth a ful gode entente leyde hym to slepe. and seyd yf ye be wyse Soneth not now . lest moo folke a-ryse (171) What mygħt or may . the sely lark sey whan the sparhake . hathe it in his fote I can no more. but of this tweye To whome this tale. sucre be or sote Thogh that I tarye. a yere som tyme I moote Afftyr myn auctor. tel of hir gladnesse As wel as I haue . doon̄ tele her hevinesse (172) Creseide thus felte that she was y-take As wryten clerkes in hir bokes olde Ryght as an aspen leef . she gan to quake whan she hym felte . in hir armes folde And Troylus . al hole of cares colde Gan thanken tho . the brygħt goddes seven Thus thorogħ sondry peyns . bringe folke to heuen (173) This troylus in armes gan her strayn And seyd O swete as euer mot I gon Now be ye caugħt. now is ther but we tweyn Now yeldytħ you. for other bote is non̄ To that Creseide / answerd thus a-non Ne had or now. my swete hert dere Ben yolden y-wys. I nad not now ben here (174) O sothe is seide. that heled for to bee As of a feuer. or other grete sikenes Men must drynken. as men now alday see Ful bitter drynke. and for to haue gladnes Men drynken ofte peyne. and grete distresse I meen it here. as for this aventure That thurgħ a peyne. hatħ fonde now is cure (175) And now swete Nece. now semetħ more swete That bitternesse. assaide was to-forn̄ For oute of woo / in blisse now they flete Noon suche they felte. sith that they wer born̄ Now is this bette. than bothe to be lorn For the loue of gode. take euery woman hede To werken thus. whan it comyth to the nede (176) Creseide al quite from euery drede or teene As she that Ioust cause. hadde hym to truste Made hym suche fest. that Ioie it was to seen whan she his trouthe. and clene entent wyste And as a-boute a tree wyth many a twyste Be-trente and wryth. the sote wodebynde Gan eche of hem. other in armes wynde (177) And as the new a-bassed Nigħtingale That stinteth first whan she beginneth to synge Whan that she beryth any hierde tale Or in the hegge any wyght steryng And aftir siker. dothe hir voyce out Ringe Ryght so Creseide / whan hir drede stynte Opened hir hert. and tolde al hir entente (178) And Ryght as he. that saw his dethe shapen And die must in augħt that he gan gesse And sodenily Rescous dothe hym escapen And from his dethe / is brogħt in sykernesse For this worlde. in swycħ present gladnesse Is Troilus / and hath his lady swete Wyth worse happe. gode let vs neuer mete (179) Hir Armes Smale. Hir streight Backe and Softe hir sides longe flesshly smothe and white he gan to stroke. And gode thrifte bade ful ofte hir snow white throgħt. hir brestes Rounde and lite Thus in this heuen̄. he gan̄ hym delite And therwyth Al. A thousande tymes hir kyste That what to doon̄ for Ioye vnnethe he wyste (180) Than̄ seide he thus .o lyf of charite Thy moder eke. Athera the swete After thy selfe. heried next be she Venus meen I. þe welwylly planete And next you. ymenus the grete For neuer man̄ whas to you goddes more holde Than I that he ye han̄ broght from cares colde (181) Benigne loue . thou holy bonde of thinges who-so wyl grace . and lyst the not honour loo his desir wyl flee . wyth-outen̄ wynges And noldestow . of bounte hym socoure That serven best . and moste alwey laboure yit where al lost . that dar I wel sey certeys But yif thy grace . passe oure desertes (182) And for-yeue me . that cowde lest deserue Of hem that noumbrede been̄ vnto thy grace hast holpen̄ . there I lykly whas to sterue And me bystowede . in so higħ a place That ilke boundes . may no blisse passe I can̄ nomore but laude & Reuerence Be to thy bounte . And to thy excellence (183) And therwythaule . Creseide a-non̄ he kyste Of qwych certein she felt no disesse And thus seide he . wolde gode I wyste Myn̄ hert swete . how I you myght plese What man̄ quod he . whas euer thus at ese As I on̄ home . the fairst and the beste That euer I saw . deynetħ hir hert to Reste (184) Here may meen seen that mercy passith rigħt The experience of this . is felte in me That am vnworthy . vn-to you lady brigħt But hert myn̄ . of your benignite So thinketħ . thougħ I vnworthy bee yit must nedes . a-mende in som wyse Right thurgħ the vertue . of your seruise (185) And for the loue of gode . my lady dere Sith gode hatħ wrought me you to serue As thus he wyll . how that ye be my stere To doo me lyve . if that ye lust or sterve So techith me . how that I may deserve your thonke . so that [. . . . . no gap] [no gap . . . . ] do you displesance (186) For certes . fresshe womanlich wyf This dar I seyn̄ . that trouhte And diligence That shal ye fynde in me al my lift Ne I wole not certein breke your defense And yf I doo . presente or in absence For loue of gode . lat sle me with that dede yif that it like . vnto your womanhede (187) I-wys quod she . myn̄ owne hertis truste My grounde of ese . and al myn̄ hert dere Granmercy for on̄ you . is al my truste But let vs falle . a-way fro this matere For this soufficetħ wyche that seide is here And at oo worde . wyth-oute repentaunce welcome my knygħt my pes . my soufficiance (188) Of her delite . or Ioyes oon̄ of the leste where impossible . to my wytte to say But Iugeth ye that haue been at the feste In suche gladnesse . yif that hem lust to pley I can̄ no more . but thus . this ilke twey That nygħt by-twyx . drede and sikernesse They felte in loue / the grete worthinesse (189) O blisful nygħt. of hem̄ so longe ysought How blithe vnto hem bothe to you were why nade I. suche oon̄. wyth my soule bought ye or the leste Ioye. that was there A-wey thou foule. daunger and thou fere And let hem. in this heven̄ blisse dwelle That so higħ is. that no man̄ can̄ it telle [St. 190-1 are made 201-2 in Harl. MS. 1239, St. John's MS., and Caxton's text. Harl. 2392 (lf. 75, bk.), Addit. 12,044 (lf. 59, bk.), and Corpus 61 have em here.] (190) But how al thogħ. I can̄ not alle As can̄ myn̄ auctor. of his excellence yit haue I seide. and god to-forn̄ shal In euery thing. the grete of his sentence And yif that I that loue Reuerence haue ony thing /. in ėched for the beste Doth therwythaule. Ryght as your self lyste (191) For my wordes here. and euery parte I speke hem alle vnder correction̄ Of you that felyng. haue in loues arte And putte hem̄. hole in your discrecion̄ Tencrece. or make dimunucion̄ Of my langage. and that I you beseche But now to purpos. of my Rather speche (192) This ilke two. that been̄ in arme lefte So lothe to hem. a-sonder gone it were That eche from. other wende be byrefte Or ellys loo. this was hir moste fere lest al this thinges. but dremes were For wycħ ful ofte. eche of hem seide o swete Clippe I you thus or elles I hit mete (193) And lorde so he gan godely on̄ her see That euer his eye. blent from hir face And seide o dere hert / may it bee That this be sothe. that ye be in this place Yee hert myn̄. gode thonke I of his grace Quod tho Creseide. and therwytħ-al hym kyste That were is spirit. was for Ioye he nyste (194) This troilus ful ofte hir eyen twoo Gan for to kysse. and seid o eyen̄ clere hit were ye. that wroughten me this whoo Ye humble nettes. of my lady dere Thogħ ther be mercy. wryten̄ in your chere Gode wote that tixite. ful harde is sothe to fynde How cowde ye me. wyth-outen̄ bonde bynde (195) Therwytħ he gan̄ hir faste in armes take And wel a thousand tymes. gan̄ he sike Noo suche sorowful sikes. as men̄ make For sorwe. or elles whan that folke been̄ sike But esy sikes. suche as been̄ to like that sweyd his affection̄ wythinne Of wych sykes. cowde he not blynne (196) Sone affter this spake they of sundry thinges And fel to purpos. of her [her overlined later.] a-venture And pleying. enchaunged hir ringes Of wych I can̄ not telle no scripture But wel I wote. a broche golde and asure Creseide hym yafe. and stake it on̄ his sherte In wych a rubye. was sette like an̄ herte (197) Lorde trowe ye. a couetours wreche That blametħ loue. and halt of hit despite That of the peynes. that he gan moke [? MS. moker] and teche was euer rigħt yit. yeue hym suche delite As in loue. a poynt in som plite Nay doutles. for as gode me saue So parfit Ioye. may no negarde haue (198) They wyl sey yis. but lorde so they lye Thoo besy wreches. ful of who and drede The[y] clepen̄ loue. a wodenesse for folye But it shal fal hem. as I shal a-Rede They shal for-goo. the white and eke the Rede And lyue in who. there gode yeue hem̄ mysschance And euery louer. in his trouthe avance (199) [¶ As wolde god the wrecches that despise [Addit. 12,044,] Seruyse of loue / hadde erys also longe As hadde Mida for his coueytise And þerto dronken hadde / as hoot and as stronge As Crassus dede / for his affectes wronge To techen hem / þat þei ben in the vice And loueres naugħt / al-thougħ þei helde hem nyce] (200) This ilke two of wyche I you seye whan̄ that hir hertes / bothe assured were Than gonne they. to speke and pleye And eke reherson̄. how and when and where They knew hem first. but euer in woo and feere That passed was. but al their besinesse I-thonked gode. was tourned to gladnesse (201) And euer more whan̄ that they fille to speke Of any woo. of suche. a tyme y-gonne Wytħ kyssyng / al that tale shulde breke And fallen̄ in a new Ioye a-non̄ And diden al hir mygħt. sith they were oon̄ For to Recouuere blisse and been̄ at ese And passed woo / wyth Ioye countrepese (202) Reson̄ wyl not. that I speke of slepe For it acorditħ not. to my matere Gode woote they toke / of that ful litel kepe But leste [? MS. leste] this nygħt. that was to hem so dere Ne shulde in vayne / escape in no manere hit was bysette. in Ioye and besinesse. Of al that sovneth in-to gentilnesse (203) [Stanzas 190 (But how al-thogh) and 191 (For my wordes here) follow here in Harl. 1239 and the St. John's MS.] Whan that the Cok comune Astrologer Gan on̄ his brest. bete. and afftyr crowe And lucifer the dayes messanger Gan for to rise. and oute her stremes throwe And estward Roos. to hym that cowde it knowe Fortuna maior. that a-noon̄ Creseide wyth hert sore. to Troilus thus seide (204) Myn hertis lyf / my trust and my plesaunce That I was born̄. allas what me is woo That day of vs. must make disseueraunce For tyme it is. to Ryse and hens goo Or elles I am. but lost for euermoo O nyght allas. why nylt thou houer vs houe As longe whan Almena. lay by Ioue (205) O blake nygħt. as folke in bokes rede That shapen art. by gode this worlde to hide At certein tymes. wyth thy blake wede That vnder that. men myght in Rest a-bide wele outen̄ bestes. to pleyn and folke to chide That dere as day. wolde vs with labour breste That thou thus fleest. and deynetħ vs to Reste (206) Thou doost allas. to shortly thyn̄ office Thou Rakel nyght. there gode maker of kynde For thou soo dovnwarde. hastest of malice The course. and to our emysperie bynde That neuer moo. vnder the grounde thou wynde For thurgħ thy Rakel hying oute of Troie haue I for-gon̄. thus hastely my Ioye (207) THis troilus. that wyth tho wordes felte As thought hym tho. for pitous distresse The blody teres. from his hert melte As he that neuer. yit suche heuinesse Assaide hade. oute of so grete gladnesse Gan̄ therwythalle Creseide. his lady dere In Armes streyne. and seid in thus manere (208) O cruel day. accuser of the Ioye That loue and nygħt. haue stolen and fast wryen̄ Accursed bee. thy commyng in-to troye For euery bore. hath oon̄. of thy bryght eyen̄ Envioous day. what lust the so tespien what hastow lost. what sekestow in this place So gode the ligħt. quenche for his grace (209) Allas what haue. thes louers the agilte Dispitous day. thyn̄ [be the] peyne of helle For many a louere. hastow sleen̄ and wylte Thy pourynge. in wyl nowher lat hem dwelle what proferest thou. thy lyght here for to selle Goo selle hit hem. that smale. seles graue we wyl the nougħt. vs nedith no day haue (210) And eke the same. tyme than wolde he chide And seide o foole. wyl may men̄ the despise That hast al nyght. the dawnynge by thy syde And souffrest hir. so soone vp fro the rise For to dissesen louers. in this wyse what holde Inne thy hede. there thou and eke thy morowe And pray to gode soo. yeue you bothe sorowe (211) Therwyth ful sore. he siked and thus seide My lady Rygħt. and of me wele and woo The verray Rote .o godely myn̄ Creseide And shal I Rise. allas and shal I soo Now fele I that. myn̄ hert moot a-two For how shulde I. my lyfe an houre saue Sith that wytħ you. is al the lyf I haue (212) What shal I do. for certeys I not how Ne whan̄ allas. I may the tyme see That in this place. I may be efte with you And of my lyf. gode wote how that shal bee Syn that desire Right now so streynetħ me That I am dede. a-non̄ but I Recourne how shul I longe. allas fro you soiourne (213) But natheles myn̄ owne lady bryght yit where it soo. that I wyst vutterly That I your owne seruant. and your knygħt Where in your herte. shitte as fermely As ye in myn̄. the wych thing trewly Me leuer were. than these worldes tweyne Yit shulde I bet endure my peyne (214) To that Creseide answerde thus a-non̄ And wyth a sike. she seide hert dere The game y-wys. so forforthe is goon̄ That erst shal phebus. falle fro his spere And euery Egle. be the hawkes fere And euery Roche. oute of his place sterte Or troilus oute. of Creseides hert (215) Ȝee be so depe. wyth-inne my hert Al-thougħ I wolde. tourne of my thought As wysly. verray gode. my soule saue To dye in the peyne. I cowde nought And for the loue of gode. that vs hath wrought lat in your brayne other fantasie So crepe that hit. cause me to dye (216) And that ye me Wolde. haue as faste in mynde As I haue you. that cowde I you besyche And yf I wyst. sothely that to fynde Gode mygħt not a poynt my Ioyes eche But hert myn̄. wythouten more speche Be to me trewe. or elles were it routhe For I am thyn. by gode and by my trouthe (217) Betħ glade for-thy. and lyfe in sikernesse Thus seide I neuer. or now. ne shal to moo And yf to you. it were a grete gladnesse To tourne a-yen̄. soone afftyr that ye goo As ffayne wolde I. as ye that it were soo As wysly gode. myn̄ hert bringe at Reste And hym in armes. toke and ofte kyste (218) Ayeine his wylle. sith it mot nedes bee This Troilus vp Ros. and fast hym cledde And in his armes toke his lady free An hundred tymes. and on̄ his wey hym spedde And wyth suche voyce. as thogħ his hert bledde he seide faireth wele. dere hert swete There gode vs graunte. sounde and sauf to mete (219) To wycħe no worde. for sorow she answerde So sore gan̄ his partynge. her distreyne And Troilus vn-to his paleys ferde And woo-be-gon̄. as she was sothe to seyne So harde hym wronge. of sharpe desire the peyne For to been efte. there he was in plesaunce That hit may neuer. oute of his Rememberance (220) Retourned to his paleys Royal soone he softe in-to his bedde gan̄ slynke To slepe longe. as he was wont to doone But al for nygħt. he may lye wel and wynke But slepe ne may ther. in his hert synke Thinking how she. for whome desire hym̄ brende A thousande tyme. was wortħ more than he wende (221) And in his thougħt gan̄ vp and dovn̄ to wynde The leest poynt . that to hym was plesaunce And fermelycħ . impressynge in his mynde The leste point . that to hym was plesaunce And verray . of ilke Remembraunce Desir al new . hym brende and lust to brede Gan̄ more than̄ erst . and yit toke he noon̄ heede (222) Creseide also . Rygħt in the selfe wyse Of Troilus . gan̄ in hir hert shitte his worthinesse . his lust his dedes wyse his gentilnesse . and how she with hym mette Thankinge loue . he so wel hir by-sette Disiringe efte . to haue hyr hert dere In suche a plyte . she durst make hym̄ chere (223) Pandare a morowen̄ . wyche that comen̄ was Vn-to his Nece . and gan̄ her faire grete Seide al this nygħt . so Reyned it allas That al my drede is . that ye my nece swete haue litel leyser . hade to slepe and mete Al nygħt quod he . hath Reyn̄ so doon̄ me wake That som of vs. for gode his hede may ake (224) And ner he come . and seide how stant it now This bright morowe. Nece how can̄ ye fare Creseide answerde . neuer the bete for you Fox that ye bee . gode yeue you harde care Gode helpe me soo . ye causede al this fare Thogħ I quod she . for alle youre wordes whyte who-so seytħ you . knowytħ you ful lite (225) Wytħ that She gan̄ . hir Face For to wryen̄ wyth the shete . and wax for shame al Rede And pandarus . gan vndyr for to pryen̄ And seide nece . if that I shal be dede haue here a swerde / . and smyte of my hede wyth that his harme . al sodenily he thruste Vnder hir neke . and at the last hir kyste (226) I passe al that . wych nedith not to seyn̄ What gode foryaue . his dethe and she also For-yaue / and with hir vncle gan̄ to pleyen̄ For other cause . was ther noon̄ but soo But of this thinge . Rygħt to the effecte to goo whan tyme was . home to hir house she wente And pandarus . hath holy hir entent (227) Now tourne we a-geyne to Troilus That Resteles . ful longe . a bedde lay And pryuely sent . after Pandarus To hym to come . in al haste he may he come a-noon̄ . not oones seid he nay And Troilus ful sikerly . he grete And dovn̄ vp-on̄ his beddes hede hym sette (228) This Troilus wyth al the effection̄ Of frendes loue . that hertes mowe devise To pandarus . on̄ knees felle a-dovn̄ And or that he . wolde of the place a-Rise he gan̄ hum̄ thonken̄ . in his best wyse A thousand tyme . and gan̄ [t]he day blisse That he was born̄ . to bringe hym̄ fro distresse (229) And seide o frende . of frendes alder best That euer was . the sothe for to telle Thou haste in heuen̄ . my soule brought to Reste From conciton̄ . the fyrye flode of helle That thogħ I myght a thousande tymes selle Vpon̄ a day . my lyf in thy seruise he moght not a mote in tha souffice (230) The sonne with that aɫɫ the worlde may see [A fresh handwriting begins here.] Seygħ neuer my lyfe yet der I say So Inly faire and godeli is sche Whos I am and schaɫɫ tiɫɫ þat I deye Than that I am heers may iche bodei seye That thanked bee the heygh worthynesse Of loue and eke and eke thei kynde besinesse (231) This hastow me no litiɫɫ thinge yeve For wiche to the obliged be for aye My life for wher for througħ thyne helpe I liue Or els dede had I been̄ many a day And with that worde downe in his bedde he lay And Panderus fuɫɫ soberly him herde Tiɫɫ aɫɫ was sayde and thus him answerd (232) My dere frende yef I have doon̄ for the In any caas god wote it is me lyfe And am as gladde as may of hit bee God helpe me so but take itt not on greefe For the love of god be ware of this myscheffe That there as thou art brought now yin þi blisse And thou thei selfe cause hit not to mysse (233) For O fortune scharpe aduersite [l. 1-4, Boethiue and Dante.] The worst kynde of fortune is this A man to have be in prosperite And hit remembryng whan it Passid is Thou art wysse I-nough there-fore do not amys Be not rakyɫɫ thogh that thou sitte warme For ief thou bee serten it woɫɫ the harme (234) Thou art at ese And Holde the nowe there-yn For also soure as rede is euery fire As grette crafte is to kepe weɫɫ as wynne Bridiɫɫ aɫɫwey weɫɫ thei speche and thei desir For worldly ioye hange not but by a wyre That preuyth weɫɫ itt brekit aɫɫ day so ofte For-thei nede is to pley with hit softe (235) Quod troylus I hope and god be-forn̄ Mi dere frende I hope me so to bere That my gilt ther schaɫɫ no thing be lorn̄ Ne I wiɫɫ rakle as for to wrathin here Hit nedith not thus mantene ofte to stere For wistow myn̄ hert weɫɫ Pandare Bi god of thus thou wolst lituɫɫ care (236) Tho gan he teɫɫ hym selfe of his gladde nyght And where-of his hart drede and howe And saide frende as I am trewe knytħ And by that feithe I shaɫɫ to god & you I had hit neuer halfe so hote as nowe And ay the more desire bidteħ To love here best the more hit me delitetħ (237) I not my selfe wisly what it is But nowe I fele a newe qualite Ye aɫɫ a-nodur than I dide or this Pander answered and saide thus þat he That ons may in heven̄ blisse be He felith othir wayis der I lay Than thilke tyme he herde furst of hit sai (238) This is o Worde for aɫɫ this Troyllus Was neuer fuɫɫ to speke of this mater and for to present vp to Pandarus The bountte of his ladi dere [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] His tale was euer spanne newe to be-gynne Till that nyght parted hem A-twynne (239) Soone aftur this for that fortune wolde I-come was the blisfuɫɫ tyme swete That troyllus was warnid that he shulde There he was erst Creysed his ladi mete For whiche he felte for yoie is hert flete and feithfully can̄ aɫɫ the goddis herye And lette se nowe ieff he can be merye (240) And holdn̄ was the forme & aɫɫ the wise Of heire comyng. & his aɫɫ-so As wast erst wiche neded not deuise But playnli to the fecte for to go In yoie and seurte Panderus hem two A-bedde browght when hem bothe liste And thus they be in quiette and in reste (241) Nath nedith to you seth thei be mette To Axe of me yef thei blithe were Ief erst was weɫɫ tho was bette A thousant folde this nede not to enquere A-goo was euery sorowe and fere And botħ I-wis thei hadde & so thei wentte As moche yoye as tonge coude teɫɫ or sende (242) This is no litiɫɫ thyng for to sei This passit euery witte to deuise For eche of hem can othur lust Areye Felicite the wiche that this clerkis wise Comenden soo ne may not here souffise This Ioie may not writtyn be with ynke This passith aɫɫ that aney hert may thynke (243) But crueɫɫ dai so well-a-way the stounde Gan for to Proche as bi Syngnis knewe For wiche hem thougħt thei felt dethis wonde So woo was them that Changing was there hewe And dai thei can̄ dispisin newe Callyng hit traytour enuyous & worse And bitturly the dais light thei coursse (244) Quod troylus alas nowe I ware That Pireys swifte stede thre Whiche that drawun forthe the sonnis chare haue gon̄ som̄ bi-path in dispite of me That makith it sone dai for to be And for the sone him hastith for to Rise Ne shaɫɫ I neuer do him sacrifis (245) But nedus dai depart he must sone And whan here sp[e]che donne was & hir scher Thei tweyne a-none as thei be wont to donne And settyn tyme of metyng efte in fere And maney a nyght the wrought yn this maner And thus fortune in a tyme ledde in Ioye Creseide and eke this kyngis sone of Troye (246) In sufficiaunt in blisse & in singinges Tis Troilus gan aɫɫ his life lede He spendith Ioustith and makith festinges ye yeuith frely and ofte changit wedis And hielde a-boute hym ay with-outh drede A worde of folke as com hym weɫɫ of kynde The fairist & the best that he coude fynde (247) That suche A voice of hym was & a steuen̄ [? MS. stonen̄] Throught aɫɫ the worlde of honoure & largesse That it vp ronge in-to the yeate of heuen̄ And as in love he was in souche gladnes That in his herte he demd as I gesse That there is louer in this worlde at ese So weɫɫ as he and thus can loue hym Plese (248) The godely hede or beuate wiche that kynde In any othir ladi had I-sette Can not the mountaunce of a knot on-binde A-boute his hert of Cressettis nette He was so narowe machid and knette That it vndur in any maner side That nil not be for aught that may be-tide (249) And bi the honde ful ofte he wolde take This Pandarus and in-to garden lede And suche a fest and Proces make hym of Creyseide and of hir womanhede & of hir beute with-outh drede hit was an heuen̄ his worde to here And than he wolde singe in this maner (250) (Troilus's Song of Love, 1; adapted from Boethius.) Love that on̄ see and of erthe goueraunce Loue that his hestis hath in heuen̄ heye Loue that with a holesome alliaunce halt peples Ioynyd as hym lust hem gye Loue that kennyth lawe of companye And couples doth in vertu to dweɫɫ [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] (251) (Troilus's Song. 2.) That þe worlde with feyth wiche þat is stabuɫɫ Diuerseth soe his stoundis concordyng That elementȝ that byn discordabuɫɫ Holdith A-boute perpetueɫɫ doyng That phebus mote forthe his rosi dai brynge And that the mone hath lordeschipe ouer the [nyghtes] Aɫɫ this dothe loue y-heride be his myghtes (252) (Troilus's Song. 3.) That that the see þat gredi is to flowyng Constreynyth to a serten ende soo [Leaf 34 bk. of Harl. 1239 ends with lines 1758-9, and leaf 35 begins with the same in the former hand, and with a few differences in the spelling:—"That that the See / that gredy ys to flowyn Constreyneth to a certein ende soo."] his flodes that so fersly they ne grevyn̄ [in the old hand again.] To drenchen erthe and euer more moo And yif that loue. ouguħt hys brydyl goo Al that loueth / a-sonder shal lepe And lost were aɫɫ / that loue holt now to kepe (253) (Troilus's Song. 4.) So wolde gode that Auctor is of kynde That with hys bonde. lowe of hys vertu lyst To cheryssone hertes. and alle fast bynde That from̄ hys bonde they wey no wygħt oute wyste And hertes tolde hem. wolde I that he twyste To make hem loue / and that hem̄ lyst ay Rewe On̄ hertes and kepe hem̄ that ben̄ trewe (254) In alle nedes. for the tovnes werre he was and ay. the fyrst in armes dygħt And certeinly but yif that bokes erre Save Ector most in drede of any wygħt And thys encreyse of hardynesse and mygħt Com hym of loue. hys lady thonke to wynne That haltred hatħ. hys sprite with-ynne (255) [Caxton puts St. 255 after 259. Harl. 1239 has it here.] In tyme of trew. on̄ haukynge wolde he Ryde Or ellys hunte boor. beere or lyoun The smale bestes. lete he goo besyde And whaan that he / com Rydynge in-to tovne Full ofte hys lady. From̄ a wyndow dovne As fressħ as faucoun. cometh oute of mewe Ful gladly was. hym Redy to salewe (256) And moste of vertu and loue was hys speche And in despite. hade he al wrechydnesse And doutles no nede. was hym beseche To honour hem̄ that hade worthinesse And hesen̄ hem that were in distresse And glade was he. yif any wyght wel ferde That louer was whan he it wyst or herde (257) For sothe to seyne. he lost helde euery wyght But yif he were in loues. hygħ seruise I meen̄ folke that oughtene it be be Rygħt And ouer aɫɫ thys so wel he cowde devise Of sentement and in-to vncoutħ wyse Al hys aray. that euery louer thougħte That al was wel what-soo he seide or wrogħt (258) Al-tho he be come of blode Ryal hym lyst at pryde not for to chase Benigne he was to eche in general For wych he gat hym thonke in euery place This wolde loue / y-heryed by hys grace That Pryde Envie Ire And auarice he gan to fle / and euery other vice (259) Thou lady bryght / the doughter of dyon̄ Thy blynde and wynged sone eke daine [Or dame] Cupide your sustrene nyne [MS. ix.] eke that at Elykone In hil parnaso listene for tabide That ye dus ferre haue dyned me to gyde I cane no more. but syth that ye wyl wende Ye heried be. for ay wyth-oute ende (260) Thurgħ you haue I seide fully in my songe The effecte and Ioye of Troylus seruise Al be that ther was. som̄ disese amonge As to myne Auctor listeth to devise My fierde booke ende. this wyse And Troilus in luste and quiete Is wyth Creseide hys one lady swete Explicit Liber iiij^t^us Prohennium sic quarti libri. (1) (Proem) But al to litel weylawey the while. Lasteth swich Ioye Ithonked be fortune. That semeth trewist whan she wil bigile. And gan to fooles so hir song entune. That she hem hent and blent traitour comune. And whan a wight is from hir weele Ithrowe. Than laugeth she / and maketh hym a mowe. (2) ffrom Troilus she gan hir bright face. Awey to wrythe / and took of hym no heede. But caste hem clene out of his lady grace. And on hir wheel / she sette vp diomede. ffor which right now myn herte gynneth bleede. And now myn penne allas with which I write. Quaketh / for drede of þat I moste endite. (3) ffor how Criseide Troilus forsook. Or at the leeste how þat sho was vnkynde. Moot hennesforth ben mater of my book. As writen folk / thorwe which it is in mynde. Allas þat they sholde euere cause fynde. To speke hir harm / and yif they on hir lye. Iwis hem self sholde han the vilanye. (4) (Invocation) O ye herynes nyghtes doughtren iij. That endeles compleynen euere in pyne. Megera / Alete and ek Thesiphone. Thow cruel Mars ek fader to quyryne. This ilke ferthe book me helpeth fyne. So þat the lose of lyue and loue Ifeere. Of Troilus / be fully shewed here. Incipit Liber Quartus. (5) (The Story) LIggynge in ost as I haue seide or this. The grekys strounge abouten Troye toun. Bifil þat whan þat Phebus shynnynge is. Vpon the brest of hercules lyon. That Ector with ful many a bold baroun. Caste on a day with grekys for to fighte. As he was wont / to greue hem what he myghte. (6) Not I how longe or how short it was bitweyne. This purpos / and þat day thei issen mente. But on a day wel armed bright and sheene. with spere in honde and bigge bowes bente. Ector and many a worthy wight out wente. And in the berd anon withouten lette. Hir fomen in the felde hem faste mette. (7) The longe day with speris sharp Igrownde. with arwes / dartes / swerdes / maces felle. They fighte / and bryngen hors a man to grownde. And with hir axes out the braynes quelle. But in the laste shour soth for to telle. The folk of Troye hemseluen so myssledden. That with the worste at nyght homward they fledden. (8) At which day was taken Antenor. Maugre Polidamas .or Monestio. Sartippe Sarpedon or Polynestor. Polyte or ek the troian daun Rupheo. And oothre lasse folk as Phebuseo. So þat for harm þat day þe folk of Troye. Dredden to leese a gret part of hyr Ioye. (9) But natheles a trewe was ther take. At gret requeste / and tho they gonnen trete. Of prisoners a chaunge for to make. And for tho surplis yiuen sommes grete. This thing anon was kouth in euery strete. Bothe in thasage / in towne / and euery where. And with the first it com to calkas eere. (10) When kakkas knew this tretis sholde holde. In Consistorie among the grekis soone. He gan in thryngen forth with lordes olde. And sette hym there as he was wont to donne. And with a chaunged face hem bad a boone. ffor loue of god / to don þat reuerence. To stynt noyse / and yiue hym audyence. (11) Than seide he thus / lo lordes myn ich was. Troian / as it is knowen out of drede. And if þat yow remembre I am kalkas. That aldirfirst yaf confort to yowr nede. And tolde wel how þat ye sholden spede. ffor dredeles thorwgh yow shal in a stounde. Ben Troye Ibrend / and beten down to grownde. (12) And in what forme / or in what manere wyse. This towne to shende / and al yowr liste tacheue. Ye han or this wel herde me yow deuyse. This knowen ye my lordes as I leeue. And for the grekys weren me so leeue. I com my self in my propre personne. To teche in this how yow was beste to doone. (13) Hauynge vnto my tresour ne my rente. Right no resport to respect of your ese. Thus al my good I lefte and to yow wente. wenynge in this my lordis yow to plese. But al this loos ne doth me no disese. I vouchesaue as wisly haue I Ioye. ffor yow to leese al þat I haue in Troye. (14) Saue of a doughter þat I left allas. Slepynge at hom / whan out of Troye I sterte. O stierne and cruel fader þat ich was. How myghte ich haue in that so harde an herte. Allas .I. ne hadde Ibroughte hir in hir bar sherte. ffor sorwe of which I wil nat lyue til morwe. But yif ye lordes rewe vpon my sorwe. (15) ffor by þat cause I say no tyme or now. Hir to deliuere / ich holden haue my pees. But now or neuere yif it lyke yow. I may hir han right soone douteles. O help and grace amonges al this prees. Rewe on this olde kaytif in destresse. Syn I thorwgh yow haue al this heuynesse. (16) Ye han now kaught and fetred in prison. Troians Inowe / and yif your willes be. My childe with oon may han redempcion. Now for the loue of god and of bounte. Oon of so feele allas so yiue hym me. what nede were it this preyere for to werne. Syn ye shal bothe han folk and town as yerne. (17) On peril on my lif I shal nat lye. Appollo hath me tolde it feithfully. I haue ek fownde it by astronomye. By sort and by augurie ek trewely. And dar wele seyn the tyme is faste by. That fir and flaumbe on al the town shal sprede. And thus shal Troye torne in assen dede. (18) ffor certein Phebus and Neptimus bothe. They makeden the walles of the town. Ben with the folk of Troye alwey so wrothe. They wol eft brynge it to confusioun. Right for despit of kyng lameadon. Bycause he nolde payen hem hir hire. The town shal yit be set upon a fire. (19) Tellynge his tale alwey this olde Greye. Humble in his speche and in his lokynge eke. The salte teeris from his eyen tweye. fful faste ronnen down by eyther cheeke. So longe he gan of socour hem beseke. That for to heele hym of hise sikes soore. They yaue hym Attenor withouten moore. (20) But who was glad Inogh but kalkas tho. And of this thyng / ful soone hise nedes leyde. On hem þat sholden for the tretis go. And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde. To bryggen hem kyng Thoas and Criseide. And whan Priam his saue garde sente. The Embassedours / to Troye streyghe they wente. (21) The cause tolde of hir comynge. the olde. Priam the kyng ful soone in general. Let her vpon his parlement to holde. Of which the effect rehersen yow I shal. The Embassedours ben answerde for fynal. Theschaunge of prisoners and al this nede. Hem liketh wel. and forth in they procede. (22) This Troilus was present in the place. whan axed was for antenor Criseide. ffor which ful soone chaungen gan his face. As he þat with tho wordes wel ney deide. But natheles he no word to it seide. Liste men sholde his affeccioun espie. with mannes herte he gan his sorwe drye. (23) And ful of angwissch and of grysly drede. Abood what oother lordes wolde seye. And yif they graunte as god forbede. Theschaunge of hir /. than thought he thynges tweye. ffirst to saue hir honour and what weye. He myght best theschaunge of hir withstonde. fful faste he caste how al this myght stonde. (24) Loue hym made al prest to don hir bide. Or rather deyen than she shulde go. But reson seyde hym on þat oother syde. without assent of hir ne do nat so. Yif thow debate it liste she be thy foo. And seyn þat thorwgh thi medelynge is Iblowe. Yowre bother loue ther it was erst vnknowe. (25) Of which he gan deliberen for the beste. That though the lordes wolde al she wente. He wolde late hem graunte what hem liste. And telle his lady first what they mente. And whan þat she hadde seide hym hir entente. Theraftir wolde he werken also bylyue. Theygh al the world ayein it wolde stryue. (26) Ector which þat wel the grekys herde. ffor Antenor how they wolde han Criseide. Gan it withstonde / and sobrelich answerde. Sire she nys no prisoner he seyde. I not on yow who þat this charge leyde. But on my parte ye may eftsoone hem telle. we ne vsen her no wymmen for to selle. (27) The noyse of poeple vp sterte than at onys. As breme / as blase of straw Iset on fire. ffor in fortnne it wolde for the nonys. They sholden hir confusioun desire. Ector quod they what goost may yow enspire. This womman thus to shilde and don vs leese. Daun Antenor / a wrong weye now ye cheese. (28) That is so wys / and ek so bold baroun. And we han nede of folk as men may se. He is eke oon the grettest of this towne. O. Ector lat tho fantasies be. O kyng Priam quod they thus syggen we. That al oure voys is to forgon Criseide. And to deliueren antenor they preyde. (29) O Iuuenal lord soth it is thy sentence. That litel witen folk what is to yerne. That they ne fynde in hir desir offence. ffor cloude of errour lat hem nat discerne. what best / and lo her ensaumple as yerne. This folk desiron now deliuerance. Of Antenor / þat broughte hem to meschance. (30) ffor he was after traytour to þat town. Of Troye / allas they quyte hym to rathe. O nyce world / lo thy discrecioun. Criseide which þat neuere dede hem scathe. Shal now no lenger in hir blisse bathe. But Antenor he shal com hom to towne. And she shal out thus seiden heere and howne. (31) ffor which delivered was by parlament ffor Antenor to yelden out Criseide. And hit pronouncede by the president. Altheygh þat Ector nay ful ofte preyde. What fynaly what wight þat it withseide. It was for naught / it moste ben and sholde. ffor substaunce of the parlement it wolde. (32) Departed out of parlament echone. This Troilus withoute wordes mo. Into his chaumbre spedde hym faste allone. But yif it were a man of his or two. The whiche he bad out faste for to go. Bycause he wolde slepyn as he seyde. And hastely vpon his bedde hym leyde. (33) And as in wynter leuys ben biraft. Ech aftir oother til the tre be bare. So þat ther nys but barke and braunch Ilaft. Lith Troilus biraft of ech welfare. Ibounden in the blake barke of care. Disposed wood out of his wit to breyde. So soore hym sat the chaungynge of Criseide. (34) He rist vp and euery dore he shette. And wyndow ek / and tho this sorwful man. Vpon his beddesside adown hym sette. fful like a ded ymage pale and wan. And in his brest the heped wo bigan. Out breste / and he to werken in this wyse. In his woodnesse. as I shal yow dewyse. (35) Right as the wylde boole bygynneth sprynge. Now her now there Idarted to the herte. And of hise wo rorith in compleynige. Right so gan he abouthe chaumbre sterte. Smytynge his brest ay with his fistes smerte. His hed to the wal his body to the grounde. fful ofte he swapte himseluen to confounde. (36) Hise eyen two for piete of herte. Out stremeden as swifte welles tweye. The heyghe sobbes of hise sorwes smerte. His speche hym refte vnnethes myght he seye. O deth allas / whi nyltow do me dye. Acorsed be that day whiche þat nature. Shoop me to ben a lyues creature. (37) But aftir whan the furye and alle this rage. which þat his herte twiste and faste threste. By lengthe of tyme somwhat gan aswage. Vpon his bed he leyde hym don to reste. But tho biganne hise teeris moore out breste. That wondir is the body may suffise. To half this wo which þat I yow deuyse. (38) Than seide he thus / fortune allas the while. what haue .I. don / what haue I thus agilt. How myghtestow for routhe me bigile. Is ther no grace / and shal I thus be spilt. Shal thus Criseide awey / for that thow wilt. Allas how maystow in thy herte fynde. To ben to me thus cruel and vnkynde. (39) Haue I the naught honoured al my lyue. As thow wel woste aboue the goddes alle. why wiltow me fro Ioye thus depryue. O. Troilus what may men the calle. But wrechche of wrechches out of honour falle. Into miserie / in which I wol bywaille. Criseide allas / til þat the breth me faille. (40) Allas fortune yif þat my lif in Ioye. Displesed hadde vnto thy foul enuye. why ne haddestowe my fadir kynge of Troye. Biraft the lif / or don my brothren dye. Or slayn myself þat thus compleyne and crye. I combre world þat may of no thing serue. But alwey dye / and neuere fuly sterue. (41) Yif þat Criseide allone were me laft. Nought rought I whiderward thow woldest me steere. And hir allas than hastow me byraft. But euere mo lo this is thy manere. So reue a wight þat most is to hym deero. To proeue in that thy gerful violence. Thus am I lost ther helpith no defence. (42) O verrey lord. o loue .o. god allas. Thow knowest best myn herte and al my thoughte. what shal my sorowful lif don in this cas. Yif .I. forgo þat .I. so deere haf boughte. Syn ye Criseide and me han fully broughte. Into yowr grace / and both oure hertes seled. originally seyled How may ye suffre / allas it be repeled. (43) What shal I don .I. shal while I may dure. On lyue / in torment and in cruel peyne. This infortune. or this disauenture. Allone as I was born Iwys compleyne. Ne neuere wol I sen it shynne or reyne. But ende I wole as Edippe in dirknesse. My sorwful lyf and deyn for destresse. (44) O veery goost þat errest to and fro. why nyltow fleen out of the wofulleste. Body / þat euere myghte on grownde go. O soule lorkynge in this wo vnneste. file forth out of my herte and lat it breste. And folwe alwey Criseide thy lady deere. Thy right place is now no lengere heere. (45) O woful eyen two syn yowr desport. was al to seen Criseides eyen bryghte. what shal ye don / but for my desconfort. Stondeth for naught / and wepyn out yowr syghte. Syn sho is queynt þat wont was yow to lighte. In veyn fro this forth haue ich eyen tweye. Iformed syn yowr vertu is aweye. (46) O my Criseide. o. lady souereyne. Of thilk woful soule. þat thus cryeth. who shal now yiue comforth to the peyne. Allas no wight / but whan my herte dieth. My spirit which þat so vnto yow hyeth. Resceyue in gre / for þat shal ay yow serue. fforthy no fors is whan the body sterue. (47) O ye loueris þat heyghe vpon the wheele. Ben set / of fortune in good auenture. God leeue þat ye fynde ay loue of steele. And longe mote yowr lif in Ioye endure. But whan ye comen by my sepulture. Remembrith þat yowr felawe restith here. ffor I loued ek / thogh ich vnworthy weere. (48) O olde vnholsom and myslyued man. Kalkas I meene. allas what eyled the. To ben a grek syn thow art born troian. O kalkas which þat wilt my bane be. In corsed tyme was thow born for me. As wolde blisful Ioue for his Ioye. That I the hadde where I wolde in Troye. (49) A thowsand sikes hotter than the gleede. Out of his brest ech after oother wenten. Medled with pleyntes newe his wo to feede. ffor which his woful teeris neuere stenten. And shortly so his peynes hym to renten. And wax so maat . þat Ioye nor penaunce. He feelith non but lith forth in a traunce. (50) Pandare which þat at the parlament. Had herd what euery lord and burges seide. And how ful graunted was by oon assent. ffor antenor to yilden so Criseide. Gan wel neygh wood out of his wit to breyde. So þat for wo he nyste what he mente. But in a rees / to Troilus he wente. (51) A certein knyght þat for the tyme kepte. The chaumbre dore vndide it hym anon. And Pandare þat tendirliche wepte. Into this dirke chaumbre stille as stoon. Toward the bed gan softely to gon. So confus þat he nyste what to seye. ffor verray wo hys wit was neygh aweye. (52) And with hise chere and lokynge al totorne. ffor sorwe of this . and with his armes folden. He stood this woful Troilus biforn. And on his pitous face he gan biholden. But lorde so ofte gan his herte colden. Seying his frende in wo / whos heuynesse. His herte slough / as thoughte hym for destresse. (53) This woful wight this Troilus þat felte. Hys frende Pandare Icomen hym to se. Gan as the snowgh ayein the sonne melte. ffor which this sorwful Pandare of pite. Gan for to wepe as tendreliche as he. And specheles thus ben thise ilke tweye. That neyther myght o word for sorwe seye. (54) But at the laste this woful Troilus. Neygh ded for smert gan bresten out to roore. And with a sorwful noyse he seyd thus. Amonge his sobbes and hise sikes soore. Lo Pandare I am ded withoute moore. Hastow nat herde at parlement he seyde. ffor antenor how lost is my Criseide. (55) This Pandarus ful dede and pale of hewe. fful pitously answerde and seide yis. As wisly were it fals as it is trewe. That I haue herde / and wot al how it is. O mercy god who wolde han trowed this. who wolde haue wende þat in so litel a throwe. ffortune oure Ioye wolde han ouerthrowe. (56) ffor in this world ther nys no creature. As to my dome þat euere sawgh ruyne. Straunger than this / thorwgh cas or auenture. But who may al eschue or al deuyne. Swich is this world / forthy I thus deffyne. Ne trust no wight to fynden in fortune. Ay proprete /. hir yiftes ben commu[n]e. (57) But tel me this whi thow art so mad. To sorwen thus / why listow in this wise. Syn thy desire al holly hastow had. So þat by right it ought Inought suffise. But þat neuere felte in my seruyse. A frendly cheere / or lookynge of an eye. Lat me thus wepe and waillen til I dye. (58) And ouer al this as thow wel wost thyselue. This town is ful of ladyes al aboute. And to my dome fayrer than swiche than xij. As euere sho was shal I fynde in som route. Ye oon or two withouten any doute. fforthy be glade my owen deere brothir. Yif she be lost. we shal recouere a nothir. (59) What god forbede alwey þat ich plesaunce. In o thing / were and in no oother wight. Yif oon kan synge another can wel daunce. Yif this be goodly þat is glade and lighte. And this fayre and þat kan good aryght. Ech for his vertu holden is for deere. Both heroner and faucon for ryuere. (60) And ek as writ zanzis þat was ful wyis. The newe loue out chasseth often olde. And vpon newe cas lieth newe auys. Thynk ek thy lif to sauen arttow holde. Swich fir by proces moot of kynde coolde. ffor syn it is but casuel plesaunce. Som cas shal putte it out of remembraunce. (61) ffor also seur as day comth after nyght. The newe loue labour or oother wo. Or ellis selde seying of a wight. Don olde affeccions alle ouere go. And for thy part / thow shalt han oon of tho. Tabregge with thi bittre peynes smerte. Absence of hir shal dryue hir out of herte. (62) Thise wordes seide he for the nones alle. To help his frend / list he for sorwe deyde. ffor douteles to don hise wo to falle. He rought nat what vnthrift þat he seyde. But Troilus þat ney for sorwe deyde. Took litel hede of al þat euere he mente. Oon ere it herde. at oother out it wente. (63) But at the last he answerde / and seide frende. This lechecraft. or heled thus to be. were wel sittyng yif þat I were a fende. To traysen hir þat trewe is vnto me. I prey god lat this conseil neuere the. But do me rather sterue anon ryght heere. Or I so do as thow me woldest leere. (64) She þat I serue Iwys what so thow seye. To whom myn herte anhabit is bi right. Shal han me holly heres over erasure til þat I deye. What Pandarus syn I haue hir bihight. I whil nat ben vntrewe for no wight. But as hir man I whil ay lyue and sterue. And neuere oothre creature serue. (65) And ther thow seist thow shalt as faire fynde. As she / lat be make no comparisoun. To creature Iformed her by kynde. O leue Pandare in conclusioun. I wil nat ben of thy opynioun. Towchynge al this forthy I the biseche. So holde thy pees / thow sleeste me with thy speche. (66) Thow biddest me I sholde loue another. Al fresshly newe and lat Criseide go. It lith nat in my power leue brother. And thought I myght I wolde nat do so. But kanstow pleyn raket to and fro. Netle in / dookke out / now this now that Pandare. Now fowle falle hir þat for thy wo þat care. (67) Thow farest ek by me thow Pandarus. As he / þat whan a man is wo bigon. He comth to hym a pas / and seyth over ensure. right thus. Thynk nat on smert. and thow shalt feele non. Thow most me first transmewen in a stoon. And reue me my passions alle. Or thow so lightly do me wo to falle. (68) The deth may wel out of my brest departe. The lyf / so longe may this sorwe myne. But fro my soule shal Criseides darte. Out neuere mo / but down with proserpine. whan I am dede I wol go wone in pyne. And ther I wol eternaly compleyne. This wo / and how þat twynned be we tweyne. (69) Thow hast her mad an argument for fyn. How þat it sholde a lesse peyne be. Criseide to forgon for she was myn. And lyuede in ese and in felicite. why gabbestow that seides thus to me. That hym is worse þat is fro wele Ithrowe. Than he hadde erst non of þat wele Iknowe. (70) But sey me this syn þat the thinketh so light. To chaunge so in loue ay to and fro. why hastow nat don bisyly thi myght. To chaungen hir þat doth the al thi wo. Why nyltow late hir from thi herte go. why nyltow loue another lady sweete. That may thyne herte setten in quyete. (71) Yif thow hast had in loue ay meschaunce. And kanst it naught yit fro thyn herte dryue. I þat leuede in lust and in plesaunce. with hir / as muche as creature on lyue. How sholde I þat foryete and þat so blyue. Or where hastow ben hid so longe in muwe. That kanst so wele and formaly arguwe. (72) Nay Pandarus naught worth is al thy red. But douteles for aught þat may bifalle. without wordes mo I wol be ded. O. deth þat endere art of sorwes alle. Com now / syn I so ofte after the calle. ffor sely is that deth soth for to seyne. That ofte Iclipid comth and endith peyne. (73) Wel wot I whil my lif was in quyete. Or deth me slowe .I. wolde han yiuen hire. But now is comyng to me so sweete. That in this world I no thinge so desire. O deth syn with this sorwe I am on fire. Thow outher do me anon over erasure. in teeris dreuche. Or with thy colde stroke myn hete quenche. (74) Syn þat thow slest so fele in sondry wyse. Ayeins hir wil vnpreyed day and nyght. Do me at my requeste this seruyse. Deliuere now the world thanne dostow right. Of me that am the wofulleste wyght. That euere was / for tyme is þat I sterue. Syn in this worlde of right naught may .I. serue. (75) This Troilus in teris gan destille. As licour out of a lambek ful faste. And Pandarus gan holde his tonge stille. And to the grownd his eyen down he caste. But natheles thus thought he at the laste. what parde rather than my felawe deye. Yit shal I somwhat moore vnto hym seye. (76) And seide frend syn thow haste swich destresse. And syn the list myn argumentȝ to blame. why nylt thyseluen help to don redresse. And with thy manhed letten al this grame. To rauysshe hir. ne kanstow nat for shame. And outher lat hir out of town fare. Or holde hir stille / and lef this nyce care. (77) Artow in Troye and hast nat hardement. To take a womman which þat loueth the. And wolde hir seluen ben of thy assent. Now is nat this a nyce vanite. Rys vp anon / and lat this sorwe be. And kith thow art a man / for in this houre. I wil ben ded or she shal bleuen oure. (78) To this answerde hym Troilus ful softe. And seide parde leue brother deere. Al this haue I my self Ithought ful ofte. And moore thing / than thow deuysest heere. But why this thing is left thow shalt wel heere. And whan thow me hast yiuen a audience. Therafter maist ow telle al thy sentence. (79) ffirst syn thow wost this town hath al this werre. ffor rauyssynge of women so by nyght. sic It shulde nat ben suffered me to erre. As it stant now / ne don so gret vnright. I sholde han also blame of euery wight. My faderis graunt yif þat I so withstoode. Syn she is chaunged for the townes goode. (80) I haue thought so it were hir assent. To axe hir at my fadir of his grace. Than think I this were hir accusement. Syn wel I wote I may hir naught purchace. ffor syn my fadir in so heyght a place. As parlament / hath hir eschaunge enseled. He nyl for me his honour be repeled. (81) Yit drede I most hir herte to perturbe. with violence / yif I do swich a game. ffor yif I wolde yt opynly disturbe. it moste ben disclaunder to hir name. And me were leuer be ded than hir defame. As nolde god but yif I sholde haue. Hir honour leuere than my lif to saue. (82) Thus am I lost for aught þat I kan se. ffor certein is syn þat I am hir knyght. I haue hir honour leuere yit than me. And in euery cas as louere ought of Right. Thus am I with desir and reson twyght. Desir for to destorben hir me redith. And reson nyl nat so myn herte dredith. (83) Thus wepynge þat he koude neuere cesse. He seide allas how shal I wreche fare. ffor wele fele I alwey my loue encresse. And hope is lasse / and lasse alwey Pandare. Encressen ek the causes of my care. So weylawey why nyl myn herte breste. ffor why in loue is litel hertes reste. (84) Pandare answerde / frende thow maist for me. Don as the list / but hadde ich it so hoote. And thyn estat she sholde go with me. Though al this town cride on this thing by note. I nolde sette at al the noyse a grote. ffor whan men han wel cried than lat hem rowne. ffor wonder last but .ix. nyght neuere in towne. (85) Deuyne nat in resoun ay so deepe. Ne preciously / but helpe thy selue anon. Bet is þat oother than thi selue weepe. And namely syn ye two ben al oon. Rys vp for by my hed she shal nat gon. And rather be a lite in blame Ifownde. Than sterue here as a gnat withoute wownde. (86) It is no rape in my dom ne no vice. Hir to withholden. þat the louest moost. Paraunter she may holden the for nyce. To late hir go thus. to the grekys oost. Thynk ek fortune as wel thy seluen woost. Audaces fortuna Iuuat Helpith hardy man to his Emprise. And fleeth fro wrechches hir cowardise. (87) And though thy lady wolde a lite hir greue. Thow shalt thy pees ful wel hiraftir make. But as for me certein .I. kan nat leeue. That she wolde it as now for yuel take. why sholde thanne of ferd thy herte quake. Thynk how þat paris hath þat is thy broether. A loue / and why shaltow nat haue another. (88) And Troylus .o. thing I dar the sweere. That yif Criseide which þat is thy lief. Now loueth yow / as wel as thow dost heere. God helpe me so she nyl nat take a grief. Theygh thow do boote anon in this myschief. And yif sho wilneth fro the forth to passe. Thanne is she fals / so loue hir wel the lasse. (89) fforthy take hede and think thus a kynght. Thorwg loue is broken alday euery lawe. Kith now somwhat thy corage and thy myghte. Haue mercy on thy self for any awe. Lat nat this wrechched wo thyn herte gnawe. But manly set the world on sex and seuene. And yif thow deye a martir go to heuene. (90) I wil my self ben with the at this dede. Though ich and al my kyn vpon a stownde. Shulle in a strete as dogges liggen dede. Thorwgh girt with many a wid and bloody wonde. over erasure. In euery cas I wol a frende ben fownde. And yif the liste her steruen as a wreche. A dieu. the deuyl haue hym þat rechche. (91) This Troilus gan with tho wordes quyken. And seide frend Gramercy ich assente. But certein thow maist nat so me pryken. Ne peyne non may me nat so tormente. That for no cas it nys not myn entente. At short wordes thought I deyen sholde. Ne rauisshe hir but yif hirselu it wolde. (92) Pandare answerde / of þat be as be may. But telle me thanne hastow hir wil assayed. That sorwest thus / and he answerde nay. wherof artow quod Pandare thanne amayed. That nost nat that she wol ben yuele apayed. To rauysshe hir / syn thow hast nat ben there. But any aungel tolde it in thyn ere. (93) fforthy ris vp as naught ne were anon. And wassh thy face / and to kynge thow wende. Or he may wondren why thow art thus gon. Thow most with wisdom hym and oother blende. Or vpon cas he may aftir the sende. Or thow be war / and shortly brother deere. Be glad and lat me werke in this matere. (94) ffor I shal shape it so þat sikirly. Thow shalt this nyght som tyme in som manere. Come spekyn with thy lady pryuyly. And by hir wordes ek and by hir cheere. Thow shalt ful soone aparceyue and wel heere. Al hir entente and of this case the beste. And fare now wele for in this poynt I reste. (95) The swifte fame which þat fals thinges. Egal reporteth lik the thynges trewe. was thorwghout Troye Ifled with prest wynges. ffro man to man and made this tale al newe. How Kalkas doughter with hir bryght hewe. At parlement withoute wordes moore. Igraunted was in change of antenore. (96) The which tale anon right as Criseide. Hadde hard / she which þat of hir fadir roughte. As in this cas right naught ne whan he deide. fful bisily to Iupiter bysoughte. yiue hym meschaunce þat this tretys broughte. But shortly list thise tales soth weere. She dorste at no wight axen it for feere. (97) As she þat hadde hir herte and al hir mynde. On Troilus biset so wonder faste. That al thise world ne myghte hir loue vnbynde. Ne troilus out of hir herte caste. She wil ben hise while þat hir lyf may laste. And thus she brenneth bothe in loue and drede. So þat she nyste what was beest to reede. (98) But as men sen in townes al abouute. That wommen vsen frendes to visite. So to Criseide of wemen com a route. ffor pitous Ioye and wenden hir delite. And with hir tales dere Inoght a myte. This wommen which þat in the Cite dwelle. They sette hem down and seide as I shal telle. (99) Quod first þat oon .I. am glad trewely. Bycause of yow þat shal yowr fader se. Another seide Iwys so nam nat .I. ffor al to lite hath she with vs be. The thridde answerde I hope Iwys þat she. Shal bryngen vs the pes on euery side. That whan she goth almyghty god hir gide. (100) The wordes and the wommannysse thynges./ She herde ryght as thogh sho thennes wheere. For al this while hir herte on oother thyng is. Although the body sate among hem theere. God wot hir aduertence is elliswhere. ffor Troilus ful faste hir sowle sought. withoute word alwey on hym she thoughte. (101) Thise wommen þat so wenden hir to plese. Aboute naught thus gonne hir tales spende. Swich vanite ne can do hir no ese. As she þat al this mene while brende. Of oother passioun than they wende. So þat she wende anon right for to dye. ffor wo and wery of þat compaignye. (102) ffor which no lenger myghte she restreyne. Hir teeris so they gonnen vp to welle. That yauen signes of the bittre peyne. In which hir spirit was and moste dwelle. Remembryg hir fro heuen into whiche helle. She fallen was / syn she forgothe the syghte. Of Troilus and sorwfully she sighte. (103) And thilke fooles sittynge hir aboute. wenden þat she wepte and sighte soore. Bycause þat she sholde from þat route. Beparte sic / and neuere pleye with hem moore. And they þat hadde knowen hir of yoore. Saye hir so weepe and thought it kyndenesse. And ech of hem wep ek for hir destresse. (104) And bisily they gonnen hir conforten. Of thing god wot on which she litel thoughte. And with hir wordes wenden hir desporten. And to be glad they often hir bisought. But swich an ese therwith they hir wrought. Right as a man is esed for to feele. ffor ach of hed / to clawen hym on his heele. (105) But after al thys nyce vanyte. They took ther leue and hom they wenten alle. Criseid ful of sorowful pytee. Into the chaumbre vp wente out of the halle. And on hir bed for ded she gan to falle. In purpos neuere thennes for to rise. And thus she wroughte as I shal yow deuyse. (106) Hir ownded her þat snowyssh was of hewe. She rente / and ek hir fyngrys longe and smale. She wrong ful ofte and badde god hir rewe. And with the deth do boote vpon hir bale. Hir hewe whilom bright þat tho was pale. Bar witnesse of hir wo and hir constreynte. And thus she spak / sobbynge in hir compleynte. (107) Allas quod she out of this Regioun. I woful wrechche / and infortuned wight. And born in cursed constellacioun. Mot gon / and thus departen fro my knyght. wo worth þat day and namely þat nyght. On which I saugh hym first with eyen tweyne. That causeth me and Ich hym al thys peyne. (108) [This stanza comes after 105 in St. John's MS. The salte teeris from hir eyne tweyne. Out ronne / as shoure in april swithe. Hir white breste she bet / and for the peyne. Aftir the deth she cried a thowsand sythe. Syn he þat wont hir wo was for to lythe. She mot forgon / for which disauenture. She held hirself / a forlost creature. (109) What shal he don what shal I do also. How shal I lyue yif þat I from hym twynne. O deere herte ek þat I loue so. who shal þat sorwe sle þat ye ben Inne. O. Kalkas fader thyn be al thyis synne. And corsed be þat day which that argyue. Me of hir body bar to ben on lyue. (110) To what fyne sholde I lyue and sorwen thus. How shulde a fissh without watir dure. what is Criseide worth from Troilus. How sholde a plaunte or oother creature. Lyue / withoute his kynde noriture. ffor which ful ofte a byword here I seye. That ertheles mot grene soone deye. (111) I shal don thus syn noother swerde ne darte. Dar I non handle for the cruelte. That ilke day I shal from yow departe. yif sorwe of þat nyl nat my ban be. Ther shal no mete or drynke come in me. Til I my sowle out of my breste vnshethe. And thus myseluen wol I do to deth. (112) And Troilus / my clothes euerychon. Shul blak ben / in tokenynge herte sweete. That I am out of this world agon. That wont was yow to holden in quyete. And of my ordre til þat deth me meete. The obseruances euere in yowr absence. Shal sorwe ben. comyleynte and abstinence. (113) Myn herte and ek the woful goost therInne. Byquethe I with yowr spirit to compleyne. Eternaly / for they shul neuere twynne. ffor theygh in erthe Itwynned be we tweyne. Yit in the feld of pite out of peyne. Ther pluto regneth shal we ben Ifeere. As Orpheus. with erudice his feere. (114) Thus herte myn for Antenor allas. I soone shal ben yolden as I weene. But how shal ye don in this woful cas. How shal yowr tendre herte thys sustene. But herte myn foryete this sorwe and teene. And me also for sothly for to seye. So ye wel fare I rechche nat to deye. (115) How myghte it euere al red ben or Isonge. The pleynte þat she maad in hir destresse. I. not but as for me my litel tonge. Yif I discryue wolde hir heuynesse. It make shold hir sorwe seme lesse. Than it was / and childisshly deface. Hir heyghe compleynte / and therfor ich it pace. (116) Pandare which þat sent fro Troilus. Was to Criseide / has ye han herde deuyse. That for the best it was acorded thus. And he ful glade to don hym this seruyse. Vnto Criseide in a ful secre wyse. Ther as she lay in torment and in rage. Com hir to telle al holly this message. (117) And fonde that she hirseluen gan to trete. fful pitously / for with hir salte teeris. Hir breste / hir face / Ibathed was ful weete. The myghty tresses of hir sonnyssh heeris. Vnbroiden / hongynge al aboute hir eeris. which yaf hym verray signal of matire. Of deth / which þat for wo she gan desire. (118) Whan she hym saugh / she gan for shame anon. Hir teery face atwixe hir armes hide. ffor whiche this Pandare is so wobigon. That in the chambre he myght vnnethe abide. As he þat pite felte on euery syde. ffor yif Criseide hadde erst compleyned soore. Tho gan she pleyne a thowsand tymes moore. (119) And in hir aspre pleynte thus she seyde. Myn Em Pandare of Ioyes mo than two. was cause causynge first to me Criseide. That now transmuwed ben in cruel wo. wher shal I seyn to yow welcome or no. Þat alderfyrst me broughte into seruyse. Of loue allas þat endith in swiche wyse. (120) Endith thanne loue in wo / ye or men lieth. And euery wordly Ioye as thinketh me. The ende of loue ay sorwe it occupieth. And who so troweth naught þat it so be. Lat hym vpon me woful wrecche Ise. That my selfe hate and ay my burthe acorse. ffelyng alwey fro wikke I go to worse. (121) Whoso me seth . he seth sorwe al atonys. Peyne / torment / pleynte / wo / destresse. Out of my sorwful body harm ther non is. As angwysse / langour / cruel bitternesse. Anoy / smert / drede / furie / and ek siknesse. I trowe Iwys from heuene teeris reyne. ffor pite of myn aspre and cruel peyne. And thow my suster ful of disconforte. Quod Pandarus what thinkestow to do. why ne hastow to thyseluen som resport. why wiltow thus thyselue allas fordo. Lef al this werke / and take now hede to. What I shal seyn / and herkne of good entente. This þat by me thy Troilus the sente. (123) Tornede hir tho Criseide a wo makynge. So gret / þat it a deth was for to se. Allas quod she what wordes may ye brynge. what will my deere herte seyn to me. which þat I drede neuere mo to se. wil he han pleynte of teeris or I wende. I haue Inowe yif he ther after sende. (124) She was right swich to sen in hir visage. As is þat wight þat men on beer bynde. Hir face lik of Paradis the ymage. was al Ichaunged in another kynde. The pley / the laughtere men was wont to fynde. In hir and oother Ioyes euerychone. Ben fled / and thus for hem she lith allone. (125) Aboute hir eyen two a purpre rynge. Bytrent / in sothfast tokenynge of hir peyne. That to be holde it was a dedly thing. ffor which Pandare myght nat restreyne. The teeris from his eyne for to reyne. But netheles as he best myght he seyde. ffor Troilus thise wordes to Criseide. (126) Lo Nece .I. trowe wel ye han hard al how over erasure. The kynge with oothre lordes for the beste. Hath mad theschaunge of antenor and yow. That cause is of this wo and this vnreste. But how this cas doth Troilus moleste. That may no wordly mannys tonge seye. As he þat shortly shapith hym to deye. (127) ffor which we han so sorwed he and I. That into litel bothe it hadde vs slawe. But thorugh my conseil this day fynaly. He somwhat hath fro wepynge hym withdrawe. And semyth me þat he desireth fawe. with yow to ben al nyght for to deuyse. Remedy in this / yif ther where any wyse. (128) This short and pleyne theffect of my message. As ek the beste / as my wit kan comprehende. ffor ye ben of torment in swiche rage. May to no long prologe as now entende. And hervpon ye may answere hym sende. And for the loue of god my Nece deere. So lef this wo or Troilus be heere. (129) Gret is my wo quod she and syght soore. As she þat felith dedly sharp destresse. But yit to me is sorwe is muche moore. That loue hym bet than he hym self .I. gesse. Allas for me hath he swich heuynesse. Kan he for me so pitously compleyne. Now wys his sorwe doubleth al my peyne. (130) Greuous to me god wot is for to twynne. Quod she / but yit it hardere is to me. To sen hym in þat wo þat he is Inne. ffor wel I wot it wel my bane be. And deye I wol in certeyn tho quod she. But bid hym come / or deth þat thus me threteth. Dryue out þat goost / which in myn hert he beteth. (131) Thise wordes seid she on hir armes two. ffil gruf / and gan to wepon pitously. Quod Pandarus allas whi do ye so. Syn wel ye woot the tyme is fast by. That he shal com / aris vp softly. That he yow naught bywopyn thus Ifynde. But ye wol han hym wood out of his mynde. (132) ffor wiste he þat ye ferde in this manere. He wolde hymseluen sle / and yif I wende. To han thise fare. he sholde nat come heere. ffor al þat good þat priam may dispende. ffor to what fyn he wolde anon pretende. That wot .I. wel and therfore yit I seye. Lat be this sorwe / or platly he wol deye. (133) And shapith yow his sorwe for tabregge. And naught encresse o leue Nece sweete. Beth rather to hym cause of flat than egge. And with som wisdom ye his sorwe beete. what helpith it to wepyn ful a strete. Or though ye bothe in salte teeris dreynte. Bet is a tyme of cure ay than of pleynte. (134) I meene thus. whan ich hym hedir brynge. Syn ye ben wise and bothe of oon assente. So shapith how destorbe this goynge. Or com ayein soone aftir ye ben wente. wommen ben wyse of short auysement. And lat sen how yowr wit shal now auaille. And þat that I kan helpe it shal nat faile. (135) Go quod Criseide and vncle trewely. I. shal don al my myght me to restreyne. ffro wepyng in his syght and bisily. Hym for to glade .I. shal don al my peyne. And in my herte sekyn euery veyne. Yif to this soore ther may ben fownden salue. It shal nat lakke certein on my halue. (136) Goth Pandarus and Troilus he soughte. Til in a Temple he fownde hym al allone. As he þat of his lif no lenger roughte. But to the pitous goddes euerychone. fful tendirly he preyde and made his moone. To don hym soone out of this worlde to pace. ffor wel he thoughte ther nas no oother grace. (137) And shortly al the sothe for to seye. He was so fallen in despair þat day. That outrely he shop hym for to deye. ffor right thus was his argumentȝ alwey. He seide I am but lorn so weylaway. ffor al þat comth by necessite. Thus to be lorn it is my destyne. (138) ffor certeinly this wot I wel he seyde. That for sighte of dyuine purueaunce. Hath seyn alwey me to forgon Criseide. Syn god seth euery thyng / out of dotaunce. And hem disponyth thorugh his ordinance. In hir merites sothly for to be. As they shul comen by predestyne. (139) But natheles allas whom shal I leeue. ffor ther ben grete clerkes many on. That destyne thurgh argumentȝ preeue. And som men seyn þat nedly ther nys noon. But þat fre choys is yiuen euerychone. O. weilawey so sleyght arn clerkes olde. That I not whos opynioun I may holde. (140) ffor some men seyn / yif god seth al biforn. Ne god may nat desceyued ben parde. Than mot it fallen thought men hadde it sworn. That purueaunce hath seyn biforn to be. wherfore I seye þat from eterne yif he. Hath wist biforn / oure thought ek as oure dede. we han no fre choys as these clerkes rede. (141) ffor oother thought nor oother dede also. Myght neuere ben /. but swich as purueaunce. which may nat ben deceyued neuere mo. Hath feled biforn withouten ignoraunce. ffor yif ther myght ben a variaunce. To writhen out fro goddes purueynge. Ther nere no prescience of thing comynge (142) But it were rather an opynyoun. Vnstidefast / and no certein forseying. And certes þat were an abusioun. That god shuld han no parfit cler wytynge. Mor than we men þat han doutous wenynge. But swich a Errour vpon god to gesse. were fals and foul / and wykked korsednesse. (143) Ek this is an opynyon of som. That han hir top ful heyghe and smothe Ishore. They seyn right thus / þat thing nys nat to come. ffor that the prescience hath seyn it bifore. That it shal come / but they seyn þat therefore. That it shal come therfore the purueaunce. wot it biforn withouten ignoraunce. (144) And in this manere this necessite. Retorneth in his part contrarie again. ffor nedfully bihoueth it nat to be. That thilke thynges fallen in certain. That ben purueied / but nedly as they seyne. Bihoueth it that thynges whiche þat falle. That they in certein ben purueid alle. (145) I mene as though I laboured me in this. To enqueren which thing cause of which thing be. As wheither the presciense of god is. The certein cause of the necessite. Of thinges þat to comen ben parde. Or yif necessite of thing comynge. Be cause certein of the purueynge. (146) But now no enforce .I. me naught in shewinge. How the ordre of causes stant / but wel wot .I. That it bihoueth þat the bifallynge. Of thinges wist biforn certeynly. Be necessarie / al seme it nat therby. That prescience put fallynge necessaire. last three letters over erasure. To thing to com al falle it foul or faire. (147) ffor yif ther sit a man yonde on a see. Than by necessite bihouit it. That certes thyn opynyon soth be. That wenest or coniectest þat he sit. And forther ouer now ayeinward yit. Lo right so is it of the part contrarie. As thus / now herkne for I wol nat tarie. (148) I seye þat if the opynyoun of the. Be sothe for þat he sit than sey I this. That he mot sitten by necessite. And thus necessite in either is. ffor in hym nede of sittynge is Iwys. And in the nede of soth / and thus forsothe. Ther mot necessite ben in yow bothe. (149) But thow maist seyn the man sit nat therfore. That thin opynyoun of his sitting sothe is. But rather for the man sit ther bifore. Therfor is thyn opinioun soth Iwis. And I sey though the cause of soth of this. Komth of his sittynge / yit necessite. Is entrechaunged bothe in hym and the. (150) Thus in this same wyse out of dotaunce. I may wel maken as it semeth me. My resonynge of goddes purueaunce. And of the thinges þat to comen be. By which resoun men may wel Ise. That thiulke thinges þat in erth falle. That by necessite they comen alle. (151) ffor although þat for thing shal com Iwys. They ben purueid certeinly. Nat þat it komth for it purueid is. Yit natheles bihoueth it nedully. That thing to com / be purueid trewely. Or ellis thinges þat purueied be. That they bitiden by necessite. (152) And this suffiseth right Inough certein. ffor to destroye oure fre choes euery del. But now is this abusioun to seyn. That fallyth of the thinges temporel. Is cause of goddes prescience eternal. Now trewely þat is a fals sentence. That thing to come shulde cause his prescience. (153) What myghte I wene and I hadde swich a thoughte. But þat god purueith thing þat is to come. ffor þat is to come and ellis naught. So myghte I wene þat thinges alle and some. That whilom ben bifalle and ouercome. Ben cause of thilke souoreyn purueaunce. That forwot al withouten ignoraunce. (154) And ouer al this yit seye I more þerto. That right as whan I wot ther is a thing. Iwis þat thing mot nedfully be so. Ek right so whan I wot a thing commyng. So mot it come / and thus the bifallynge. Of thinges þat ben wist beforn the tide. They may nat ben eschuwed on my syde. (155) Than seide he thus almyghty Ioue in trone. That woost of al this thing sothfastnesse. Rewe on my sorwe / and do me deyen soone. Or bryng Criseide and me from this destresse. And whil he was in al this heuynesse. Disputyng with hym self in this matere. Come Pandare in / and seide as ye shal heere. (156) O myghty god quod Pandarus in trone. I who sey euere a wis man faren so. why Troilus what thinkestow to don. Hastow swich list to ben thy owen fo. what parde yit nis nat Criseide ago. why list the so thy self fordon for drede. That in thyn hede thy eyen semen dede. (157) Hastow nat lyued of thy lyf biforn. withouten hir and ferd ful wele at ese. Artow for hir and for non other born. Hath kynde Iwrought the ooly hir to plese. Kanstow nat thinken thus in thy disese. That in the dyse right as ther fallen chaunces. In loue also ther com and gon plesaunces. (158) And yit this is my wonder most of alle. why thow thus sorwest / syn thow nast nat yit. Towchyng hir goynge how þat it shal falle. Ne yif she kan hirself destorbent it. Thow hast nat yit assayed al hir wit. A man may al bytyme his nekke beede. whan it shal of / and sorwen at the neede. (159) fforthy take hede what þat I shal the seye. I haue with hir Ispoke and longe Ibe. So as acorded was bytwixe vs tweye. And euere mo me thinketh thus þat she. Hath somwhat in hir hertes pryuyte. wharwith she kan yif I shal rigght arede. Stynt al this thing of which thow art in drede. (160) ffor which my conseil is whan it is nyght. Thow to hir go and make of this a ende. And blisful Iono thorwgh hir grete myght. Shal as I hope hir grace vnto vs sende. Myn herte seith certeyn she shal nat wende. And forthy put thy herte a while in reste. And hold thy purpos for it is the beste. (161) This Troilus answerde and syght soore. Thow seist right wel and I wil don right so. And what hym liste and seide to hym moore. But whan þat it was tyme for to go. fful pryuyly hymself withoute mo. Vnto hir com / as he was wont to doone. And how he wroughte .I. shal yow tellen soone. (162) Soth it is þat whan they gonnen first to meete. So gan the sorwe hir hertes for to twiste. That neither of hem oother myghte greete. But hem in armes hente and softe kiste. The lasse woful of hem bothe nyste. what for to don ne myght .a. worde out brynge. As I seide erst for wo and for sobbynge. (163) Tho woful teeris þat thei leten falle. As bittre weren out of teeris kynde. ffor peyne / as in ligne aloes or galle. So bittre teeris wep nat thurght the rynde. The woful Mirra writen as I fynde. That in this world ther nys so hard a herte. That nolde han rewed on hir peynes smerte. (164) But whan hir woful wery goostes tweyne. Retorned ben ther as hem oughte dwelle. And that somwhat to weiken gan the peyne. By over erasure lenght of pleynte and ebben gan the welle. Of hir teeris / and the herte vnswelle. with broken voys al hoors forshright Criseide. To Troilus thise ilke wordes seide. (165) O loue I deye and mercy I beseche. Help Troilus / and therwithalle hir face. Vpon hise breste she leide and lost speche. Hir woful spirit from his propre place. Right with the world o point alwey to pace. And thus she lith with hewes pale and greene. That whilom fressh and fairest was to seene. (166) This Troylus þat on hir gan biholde. Klepynge hir name / and she lay as for dede. withoute answere / and felte hir lymes colde. Hir eyen throwen vpward to hir hed. This sorweful man kan now no maner red. But ofte tyme hir colde mouth he kyste. wher hym was wo god and hymself it wiste. (167) He rist hym vp and long streight he hir leide. ffor signe of lif for aught he kan or may. Kan he non fynde in no cas on Criseide. ffor which is song ful ofte is weloway. And whan he saught þat specheles she lay. with sorful voys and herte of bliss al bare. He seyde how she was fro this world Ifare. (168) So after þat he longe hadde hir compleyned. Hise hondes wrong / and seid þat was to seye. And with his teeris salte his breste bireyned. He gan the teeris wipen of and dreye. And pitously gan for the soule preye. And seide lord þat set art in thy trone. Rewe ek on me for I shal foolwe hir soone. (169) She cold was and withouten sentement. ffor aught he wiste and breth ne felte he non. And þat was hym a preignant argument. That she was forth out of this world agon. And whan he saught ther was no oother won. He gan hir lymes dresse in swiche manere. As men don folk / þat shul ben layd on beere. (170) And aftir this with sterne and cruel herte. His swerd anon out of the shethe he twighte. Himself to slen how soore þat it smerte. So þat his soule hir sowle folwe myghte. Ther as the dome of Minos wolde it dyghte. Syn loue and cruel fortune it ne wolde. That in this world he lengere lyuen sholde. (171) Than seide he thus fulfild of heygh desdayn. O cruel Ioue / and thow fortune aduerse. This al and som þat falsly han the slayn. Criseide / and syn ye kan do me no werse. ffy on yowr myght and werkes so diuerse. Thus cowardly ye shal me neuere wynne. Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twynne. (172) ffor I this world syn ye han slayn hir thus. wol lete / and folowe hir spirit forth in hye. Schal neuere louer seyn þat Troilus. Dar nat for feere with his lady deye. ffor certein I wol bere hir compaignye. But syn ye nyl nat suffre vs lyuen heere. Yit suffreth þat oure soules ben Ifeere. (173) And thow Cite which þat I lyue in wo. And thow Priam and brethren al I feere. And thow my modir farewel for I go. Thow Attrepos þat is ful redy heere. And thow Criseide sweete herte deere. Reseyue now my spirit wolde he seye. with swerde at herte al redy for to deye. (174) But as god wolde of swought therwith shebreide. And gan to sike and Troilus she cride. And he answerde herte myn Criseide. Lyue ye yit and let his swerd down glide. Ye herte myn Ithonked be Cipride. Quod she / and therwithal she soore sighte. And he bigan conforte hir as he myghte. (175) Tok hir in armes two and kiste hir ofte. And hir to glade he dede al his entente. ffor which hir goost þat flikered ay on lofte. Ayein into hir herte al softe wente. So at the laste as þat hir eye glente. Aside / anon she gan his swerd espie. As it lay bare / and gan for feere crye. (176) And axed hym why he it hadde out drawe. And Troilus anon the case tolde. And how hymself he wolde therwith aslawe. ffor which Criseide vpon hym gan biholde. And gan hym in hir armes faste folde. And seide o mercy god lo which a dede. Allas how neye we were bothe dede. (177) Thanne yif I nadde spoke as grace was. Ye wolde han slayn yowr self a non quod she. Ye doutles / and she answerd allas. ffor by þat ilk lorde þat made me. I nolde a forlong wey on lyue han be. After yowr deth / to han ben crowned queene. Of al the lond the sonne on schyneth sheene. (178) But with this selue swerd which þat her is. My selue / I wolde han slayn over erasure quod she tho. But ho / for we han right Inoght of this. And late vs rise and streight to bed go. And there lat vs spekyn of oure wo. ffor by the morter which þat I se brenne. Knowe I ful wel þat day is nat fer henne. (179) Whan they were in hir bed in armes folden. Noght was it lik the nyghtes her biforn. ffor pitously ech oother gan biholden. As they þat hadde hir Ioyes alle lorn. Seying allas that euere they were born. Til at the laste this woful wight Criseide. To Troilus thise ilke wordes seide. (180) Lo herte myn wel wot ye this quod she. That yif a wight alwey his wo compleyne. And sekith naught how holpen for to be. It nys but folye and encrees of peyne. And syn þat here assembled be we tweyne. To fynde boote of wo þat we ben Inne. It were al tyme soone to bygynne. (181) I am a woman as ful wel ye woot. And as I am auysed sodeynly. So wol .I. telle it yow whil it is hoot. Me thinketh thus / þat nouther ye nor .I. Oughte half this wo to maken skilfully. ffor ther is art Inought for to redresse. That yit is mys / and slen this heuynesse. (182) Soth is that wo the which þat we be Inne ffor aught I woot / for nothing ellis Is. But for the cause þat we shullen twynne. Considered al / ther nys no moore amys. But what is thanne a remedy vnto this. But þat we shape vs soone for to meete. Thus al and som my dere herte sweete. (183) Now þat I shal wel bryngen it aboute. To come ayein soone aftir þat I go. Therof am I no maner thing in doute. ffor dredeles withInne a wowke or two. I shal ben heere / and þat it may ben so. By alle right / and in a wordes fewe. I shal yow wel a hep of weyes shewe. (184) ffor which I nyl nat maken long sermoun. ffor tyme Ilost may nat recouered be. But I wol go right to conclusioun. And to the beste in aught þat I kan se. And for the loue of god foryiue it me. Yif I speke aught ayeines your hertes reste. ffor trewely .I. seye it for the beste. (185) Makyng alwey a protestacioun. That in effect this thing þat I shal seye. Nys but to shewen yow my mocioun. To fynde vnto oure help the beste weye. And takith it non oother weys .I. preye. ffor fynaly what so ye me comaunde. That wol I don / for þat is no demaunde. (186) Now herkneth this / for ye han wel vndirstonde. My goinge granted is by parlement. So fertforth þat it may nat ben withstonde. ffor alle this world as by my Iugement. And syn ther helpith non auysement. To leten it / lat it passe out of mynde. And lat vs shape a bettre wey to fynde. (187) The soth is this / that twynnynge of vs tweyne. wol vs disese and cruelich anoye. But hym bihoueth som tyme han a peyne. That serueth loue / if þat he wol han Ioye. And syn I shal no ferther out of Troye. Than I may ride ayein on half a Morwe. It oughte lasse causen vs to sorwe. (188) So as .I. shal nat so ben hid in Muwe. That day by day myn owen herte deere. Syn wel ye wot þat it is now a truwe. Ye shal ful wel al myn estat Iheere. And or þat trewe is don I shal ben heere. And thus han ye bothe Antenor Iwonne. And me also / beth glad now yif ye konne. (189) And think right thus Criseide is now agon. But what she shal come hastely ayein. And whanne allas / by god over erasure lo right anon. Or dayes .x. that dar I safly seyne. And thanne at erst shal ye ben so feyne. That we shul eueremo to geddere dwelle. That al this world ne myght oure Ioye telle. (190) I sei þat often ther as we ben now. That for the beste oure conseil for to hide. Ye spekyn naught with me nor I with yow. In fourtenyght / ne se yow go ne ride. May ye naught x dayes thanne abide. ffor myn honour in swich an auenture. Iwys ye mowen ellis lite endure. (191) Ye knowe ek how þat al my kynne is heere. Oonly / but yif it my fader be. And ek myn oothre thinges al Ifeere And namely my dere herte ye. whom þat I nolde leuen for to se. ffor al this world as muche as it hath space. Or elles se ich neuer Ioues face. (192) Why trowe ye my fader in this wyse. Coueityth so to se me but for drede. List in this town þat folkes me despise. Bycause of hem / for his vnhappy dede. what wot my fadir what lyf þat I lede. ffor yif he wiste in Troye how wel I fare. Vs neded for my going naught to care. (193) Ye sen þat euery day ek moore and moore. Men trete of pees and it suposed is. That men over erasure the queene Eleyne shal restore. And grekys vs restoren þat is mys. So though ther nere confort non but this. That men purposen pes on euery side. Ye may the better at ese of herte abide. (194) ffor yif þat it be pees myn herte deere. The nature of the pees mot nedes dryue. That men moste entrecommen Ifeere. And to and fro ek ride and go as blyue. Al day as thikke as ben flen from a hyue. And euery wight han liberte to bleue. wher as him liste / the bet withouten leeue. (195) And though so be þat pees ther may be non. Yit hider / though ther neuere pees ne weere. I moste come / for whider shuld I gon. Or how meschaunce shulde I dwellen theere. Among tho men of armes euere in feere. ffor which so wysly god my soule rede. I kan nat sen wherof ye shulden drede. (196) Haue here another wey yif it so be. That al this thing ne may yow nat suffise. Mi fader as ye knowen wel parde. Is olde / and elde is ful of coueitise. And I right now haue fownden al the gyse. withouten net / wherwith I shal hym hente. And herkneth how yif þat ye wol assente. (197) Loo Troilus men seith þat harde it is. The wolf ful and the whether hool to haue. This is to seyn þat men ful ofte Iwis. Mote spenden part the remanaunt for to saue. ffor ay with gold men may the herte graue. Of hym þat set is vpon coueitise. And how I meene .I. shal it yow deuyse. (198) The moeble which þat I haue in this town. Vnto my fader shal I take and seye. That right for trist and for sauacion. It sent is from a frend of his or tweye. The which frendes feruently hym preye. To senden aftir more and þat in hye. whil þat this town stant thus in Iupartie. (199) And þat shal ben a huge quantite. Thus shal I seyn is / but lest it folk espide. This may be sent by no wight but by me. I shal ek shewen hym yif pees bitide. what frendes þat I haue on euery side. Toward the court / to don the wrathe pace. Of Priamus / and don hym stonde in grace. (200) So what for o thing / and for oother sweete. I shal hym so enchaunten with my sawes. That right in heuene his soule shal he meete. ffor al appollo and or hise clerkes lawes. Or Calkulyng auaileth thre hawes. Desir of gold shal so his soule blende. That as me list .I. shal wele make a ende. (201) And yif he wolde aught by his sort it preue. Yif þat I lye / in certein I shal fonde. Destourben hym and plukke hym by the sleue. Makynge his sort / or beryn hym on honde. He hath nat wel the goddes vndirstonde. ffor goddes spekyn in amphibologies. And for a soth they tellen .xx. lyes. (202) Ek drede fond first goddes .I. suppose. Thus shal I seyn / and ek his coward herte. Made hym amys the goddes text to glose. whan he for fered out of delphos sterte. And but I make hym soone to conuerte. And don my red withInne a day or tweye. I wil to yow oblige me to deye. (203) And trewelisch is writen wel I fynde. Þat al this thing was seide of good entente. And þat hir herte trewe was an kynde. Towardis hym / and spak right as she mente. And þat she sterf for wo neygh whan she wente. And was in purpos euere to ben trewe. Thus writen they þat of hir werkes knewe. (204) Thise Troilus with herte and eris spradde. Herde al this thing deuysen to and fro. And verraylisch hym semed þat he hadde. The selue wit / but yit to lete hir go. His herte mys foryaf hym euere mo. But fynaly he gan his herte wreste. To tristen hir / and took it for the beste. (205) ffor which the grete furie of his penaunce. was queynt with hope and therwith hem bitweene. Bygan for Ioye thamourouse daunce. And as the briddes whan the sonne is shynne. Deliten in hir song in leuis greene. Right so the wordes þat they spake Ifeere. Delited hem / and made hir hertes cleere. (206) But natheles the wendynge of Criseide. ffor al this world ne may out of his mynde. ffor which ful ofte ful pitousliche hir preide. That of hir heste he myght hir trewe fynde. And seid hir certes yif ye ben vnkynde. And but ye come at day set into Troye. Ne shal I neuere haue heele honour ne Ioye. (207) ffor also sothe as sonne vprist a morwe. And god so wisly thow me woful wrechche. At reste brynge / out of this cruel sorwe. I. wil my self sle yif þat ye drechche. But of my deth though litel be to rechche. Yit or þat ye me causen so to smerte. Dwel rather her myn owene deere herte. (208) ffor trewely myn owne lady deere. Tho sleightes yit þat ich yow heere stere. fful shaply ben to faillen alle Ifere. And thus men seith þat oon thinketh the beere. But al another thinketh his ledere. Yowr sire is wise / and seid is out of drede. Men may the wyse atrenne and naught atrede. (209) It is ful hard to halten vnespied. Byfore a crepil for he can the craft. Yowre fader is in sleyght as Argus eyed. ffor al be þat his moeble is hym biraft. His olde sleyghte is yit so with hym laft. Ye shal nat blende hym for your wommanhede. Ne feyne aright and þat is al my drede. (210) I not yif pees shal euere mo bitide. But pees or no / for ernest ne for game. I. wote syn kalkas on the grekys side. Hath oonys ben / and lost so foule his name. He dar no moore com her agayne for shame. ffor which þat wey for oughte I kan espie. To trusten on is but fantasie. (211) Ye shal ek sen yowr fader shal yow glose. To ben a wyf and as he kan wel preche. He shal som greke so preyse and wel alose. That rauysshen he shal yow with his speche. Or do yow don by force as he shal teche. And Troilus of whom he nyl haue routhe. Shal causeles so steruen in his trouthe. (212) And ouer al this yowr fader shal despise. Vs alle / and seyn this Cite nys but lorn. And þat the sege neuere shal arise. ffor why the grekis han it alle sworn. Til we be slayne / and down oure walles torn. And thus he shal yow with his wordes feere. That ay drede I þat ye wel bleuen there. (213) Ye shal ek sen so many a lusty knyght. Amonge the grekys ful of worthynesse. And ech of hem with herte wit and myght. To plesen yow don al his besynesse. That ye shul dullen of the rudynesse. Of vs sely Troians but yif routhe. Remorde yow / or vertu of yowr trouthe. (214) And this to me so greuous is to thinke. And fro my brest it wol the soule rende. And dredeles in me ther kan not synke. A good opynyoun yif þat ye wende. ffor why your fadris sleyghte wol vs blende. And yif ye gon as I haue told yow yoore. So think I nam but ded withoute moore. (215) ffor which with humble trewe and pitous herte. A thousand tymes mercy I yow preye. So reweth on myne asprie peynes smerte. And doth somwhat as þat I shal yow seye. And lat vs stele aweye bitwixe vs tweye. And think þat folye is whan men may cheese. ffor accident is substance ay to leese. (216) I meene thus þat syn we mowe or day. wel stele awey and ben togedir so. what wit were it to putten in assay. In cas ye sholden to your fadir go. Yif þat ye myghten come ayein or no. Thus mene I þat it weere a grete folye. To putte þat sekirnesse in Iupartye. (217) And vulgarly to spekyn of substaunce. Of tresour / may we bothe with vs leede. Inogh / to lyue in honour and pleasaunce. Til into tyme þat we shal be deede. And thus we may eschuen al this dreede. ffor euerich other wey ye can recorde. Myn herte Iwis may therwith nat acorde. (218) And hardely ne dredeth no pouerte. ffor I haue kyn and frendes elliswheere. That though we comen in oure bare sherte. Vs sholde neither lakken golde ne geere. But ben honured whil we dwelten theere. And go we anon / for as in myn entente. Thise is the beste yif þat we sic wol assente. (219) Criseide hym with a sik right in this wyse. Answered / Iwis my deere herte trewe. we may wele stele awey as ye deuyse. And fyndyn swich vnthrifty weyes newe. But aftirward ful soore it wol vs rewe. And help me god so at my moste nede. As causcles ye suffren al this drede. (220) ffor thilke day þat I for cherysshynge. Or drede or fadir / or for oother wyght. Or for estat / delite / or for weddynge. Be fals to yow my Troilus my knyght. Saturnes doughter Iuno thorwgh hir myght. As wood as Athamante do me dwelle. Eternalisch in Stix the put of helle. (221) And this on euerich god celestial. I swere it yow / and ek on iche goddesse. On euery nimphe and deyte infernal. On satiry and fauny moore and lesse. That halue goddes ben on wildernesse. And antropos my thred of lyf to breste. Yif I be fals / now trowe me yif yow leste. (222) And thow Symoys þat as an arwe cleere. In marain: Parcas. cloto. lathesis. antropos Thorwgh Troye ay rennest downward to the see. Ber witnesse of this word þat seide is heere. That thilke day þat ich vntrewe be. To Troilus myn owene herte fre. That thow retorne bakward to thy welle. And I with body and soule synke in helle. (223) But þat ye speke alwey thus for to go. And leten al your frendes god forbeede. ffor any womman þat ye sholde so. And namely syn Troye hath now swiche nede. Of help / and ek of on thing taketh heede. yif this were wist my lyf lay in balaunce. And your honour / god shild vs fro meschaunce. (224) And yif so be þat pees hereaftir take. As alday happith aftir angur game. why lord the sorwe and wo ye woldem sic make. That ye ne dorste come ayein for shame. And or þat ye Iuparten so your name. Beth naught to hastif in this hoote faare. ffor hastif man ne wanteth neuere care. (225) What trowen ye the people ek al aboute. wolde of it seye / it is ful light tarede. They wolden seyn and swere it out of doute. That loue ne drof yow naught to do this dede. But lust voluptuous / and coward drede. Thus were al lost Iwis myn herte deere. Yowr honour which þat now shynneth so cleere. (226) And also thinketh on myn oneste. originally honesty; the h is erased. That floureth yit / how foule I sholde it shende. And with what filthe it spotted shold be. yif in this forme I sholde with yow wende. Ne though I lyue le vnto the wordes sic ende. My name sholde I neuere ayeinward wynne. Thus were I lost / and þat were routhe and synne. (227) And forthy sle with resoun al this heete. Men seyn the suffrant ouercomth parde. Ek whoso wol han lef / he lef mot leete. Thus maketh vertu of necessite. By pacience / and think þat lorde is he. Of fortune ay / þat naught wol of hir rechche. And she ne daunteth ne wight but a wrechche. (228) And tristeth this þat certes herte sweete. Or phebus sustur lucyna the sheene. The lyoun passe out of this ariete. I wil ben here withouten any weene. I meene as help me Iuno heuenes queene. The tenthe day / but yif þat deth masayle. I wil yow sen withouten any faile. (229) And now so this be sothe quod Troilus. I shal wel suffre vnto the tenthe day. Syn þat I se þat nede it moot be thus. But for the loue of god yit if it be may. So lat vs stelen pryuylich away. ffor euere in oon as for to lyue in reste. Myn herte seth þat it wol be the beste. (230) O mercy god what lyf is this quod she. Allas ye sle me thus for verray teene. I se wel now þat ye mystrusten me. ffor by yowr wordes it is wel Iseene. Now for the loue of Cinthea the sheene. Mistrust me naught thus causeles for routhe. Syn to be trewe I haue yow plyght my trouthe. (231) And thinketh wel þat somtyme it is wit. To spende a tyme / a tyme for to wynne. Ne parde lorn am I nat fro yow yit. Though þat we ben a day or two atwynne. Drif out the fantasies yow withInne. And trusteth me / and leueth ek yowr sorwe. Or her my trouthe I wil nat lyue til morwe. (232) ffor yif ye wiste how soore it doth me smerte. Ye wolde cesse of this / for god thow woost. The pure spirit wepith in myn herte. To sen yow wepen þat I loue moost. And þat I mot gon to the grekys oost. Ye nere it þat I wiste remedye. To come ayen / right here I wolde dye. (233) But certes I am nat so nyce a wight. That I ne kan ymaginen a way. To come ayein þat day þat I haue hight. ffor who may holde a thing þat wol awey. Mi fadir naught for alle his queynte play. And by my thrift my wendynge out of Troye. Another day shal torne vs alle to Ioye. (234) fforthy with alle myn herte I yow biseke. Yif þat yow liste don aught for my preyere. And for þat loue which þat I loue yow eke. That or þat I departe fro yow heere. That of so good a confort and a cheere. I may yow sen / þat ye may brynge at reste. Myn herte which þat is a over erasure. point to breste. (235) And ouer al this I prey yow quod she tho. Myn owne hertes sothfaste suffisaunce. Syn I am thyn al hool withoute mo. That whil þat I am absent no plesaunce. Of oother / do me fro yowr remembrance. ffor I am euere a gast / forwhy men reede. That loue is thing / ay ful of bisy drede. (236) ffor in this world ther lyueth lady non. Yife þat ye were vntrewe as god defende. That so bitreised were or wo bigon. As I þat al trouthe in yow entende. And douteles yif þat I oother wende. I ner but dede / and or ye cause fynde. ffor goddes loue / so beth me naught vnkynde. (237) To this answerde Troilus and seide. Now god to whom ther nys no thought I wrye. Me glade / as wis I neuere vnto Criseide. Syn thilk day I saught hir first with eye. was fals / ne neuere shal til þat I dye. At shorte wordes wel ye may me leeue. I kan no more / it shal ben fownden at preue. (238) Gramercy good myn Iwys quod she. And blisful venus lat me neuere sterue. Or I may stonde of plesaunce in degre. To quyte hym wel / þat so wel kan deserue. And whil þat god my wit wel me conserue. I shal so don so trewe I haue yow fownde. That ay honour to meward shal rebounde. (239) ffor trusteth wel þat yowr estat real. Ne veyn delite / nor oonly worthynesse. [In margin: Iudus ad honorem Marlis] Of yow in werre or torney Marcial. Ne pompe array / noblay nor ek richesse. Ne made me to rewe on yowr destresse. But moral vertu grownded vpon trouthe. That was the cause I first hadde on yow routhe. (240) Ek gentil herte and manhod that ye hadde. And that ye hadde as me thought in despit. Euery thing þat sowned into badde. As rudynesse and poeplissh appetit. And þat yowr resoun bridlit yowr delite. This made abouen euery erature. That I was yowre and shal whil I may dure. (241) And this may lenghte of yeris naught fordo. Ne remuable fortune deface. But Iupiter þat of his myght may do. The sowrful to be glad / so yiue vs grace. Or nyghtes x. to meten in this place. So þat it may yowre herte and myn suffise. And fare now wel / for tyme is þat ye rise. (242) But after þat they longe Ipleyned hadde. And ofte kist and streyte in armes folde. The day gan rise and Troilus hym cladde. And rewfully his lady gan biholde. As he þat felte dethes cares colde. And to hir grace he gan hym recomaunde. wher hym was wo this holde I no demaunde. (243) ffor mannes hed ymaginen ne kan. Nentendement considere or tonge telle. The cruel peynes of this woful man. That passen euery torment down in helle. ffor when he saught þat she ne myght dwelle. which þat is soule out of his herte rente. withoute moore out of the chaumbre he wente. Explicit liber quartus. [BOOK IV.] (1) (Proem) But al to litel weylaway the whyle. Lasteth swich Ioie ythonked be fortune. That semeth trewest whan she wol bygyle. And kan to fooles so hire songe entune. That she hem hent and blent tratoure comune. And whan a wight is from hire whiel ythrowe Than laugheth she and maketh hym the mowe. (2) ffrom Troilus she gan hire brighte face. Awey to writh. and toke of hym non heede. But caste hym clene oute of his lady grace. And on hire whiel she sette vp Diomede. ffor which myn herte right now gynneth blede. And now my penne allas with which I write. Quaketh for drede of that I moste endite. (3) ffor how Criseyde Troilus forsook. Or at the leeste how that she was vnkynde. Moot hennesforth ben matere of my book. As writen folk thorugh which it is [in] mynde. Allas that they sholde euere cause fynde. To speke hire harm and if they on hire lye. Iwis hem self sholde han the vilanye. (4) (Invocation) O ȝe herynes nyghtes doughtren thre. That endeles compleignen euere in pyne. Megera. Alete. and ek Thesiphone. Thow cruel Mars ek fader to Quyryne. This ilk ferth book me helpeth fyne. So that the losse of lyue and loue yfeere. Of Troilus be fully shewed heere. Explicit liber Tercius. Incipit Liber Quartus. (5) (The Story) LIggyng in oost as I haue seyde er this. The grekys stronge aboute Troie town. Byfel that whan that Phebus shynyng is. Upon the breste of Erculus lyoun. That Ector with ful many a bolde Baroun. Caste on a day with Grekes for to fighte. As he was wont to greue hem what he myghte. (6) Not I how longe or short it was bitwene. This purpos and that day they fighten mente. But on a day wel armed brighte and shene. Ector and many a worthi wight out wente. with spere in honde and bigge bowes bente. And in the berde withouten lenger lette. Hire fomen in the felde anon hem mette. (7) The longe day with speres sharpe Igrounde. with arwes dartes swerdes maces felle. They fighten and bringen hors and man to grounde. And with hire axes out the braynes quelle. But in the laste shoure soth for to telle. The folk of Troie hemseluen so mysledden That with the wors at nyght homward they fledden. (8) At which day was taken Antenore. Maugre Polydamas .or Monesteo. Stantippe Sarpedon Polynestore. Polite or ek the Troian daun Rupheo. And other lasse folk as Phebuseo. So that for harm that day the folk of Troie. Dredden to lese a gret part of hire Ioie. (9) Of priamus was ȝeue a greke requeste. A tyme of trewe and tho they gonnen trete. Hire prisoners to chaungen meste and leste. And for the surplus ȝeuen sommes grete. This thing anon was couth in euery strete. Bothe in thassege in town and euery where. And with the firste it com to Calkas ere. (10) Whan Calkas knew this tretis sholde holde. In consistorie amonge the grekes soone. He gan In thringe forth with lordes olde. And sette hym there as he was wonte to doone. And with a chaunged face hem bad a boone. ffor loue of god so don that reuerence. To stynte noyse and ȝeue hym audience. (11) Than seyde he thus lo lordes myn ich was. Troian and it is knowen out of drede. And if that ȝow remembre I am Calkas. That alderfirst ȝaf comfort to ȝoure nede. And tolde wel how that ȝe shulden spede. ffor dredeles thorugh ȝow shal in a stownde. Ben Troie ybrend and beten down to grownde. (12) And in what fourme or in what manere wise. This towne to shende and al ȝoure lust tacheue. Ȝe han er this wel herde it me deuyse. This knowe ȝe my lordes as I leue. And for the Grekis weren me so leeue. I com my self in my propre persone. To teche in this how ȝow was best to doone. (13) Hauyng vnto my Tresore ne my rente. Right no resport to respect of ȝoure ese. Thus al my good I leeste and to ȝow wente. wenyng in this ȝow lordes for to plese. But al tha los ne doth me no disese. I vouchesauf as wisly haue I Ioie. ffor ȝow to lese al that I haue in Troie. (14) Saue of a doughter that I lefte allas. Slepyng at home whanne out of Troie I sterte. O sterne o cruel fader that I was. How myghte I haue in that so harde an herte. Allas .I. ne hadde Ibroughte hire in hire sherte. ffor sorwe of whiche I wol nought lyue to morwe. But if ȝe lordes rewe vpon my sorwe. (15) ffor by that cause I say no tyme er now. Hire to deliueren ich holden haue my pees. But now or neuere if that it like ȝow. I may hire haue right soone doughteles. O help and grace amonges al this prees. Rewe on this olde Caytyf in destresse. Syn I thorugh ȝow haue al this heuynesse. (16) Ȝe haue now kaught and fetered in prisoune. Troians ynowe and if ȝoure willes be. My childe with oon may han redempcioun. Now for the loue of god and of bounte. Oon of so fele allas so ȝif hym me. what nede were it this preiere for to werne. Syn ȝe shul bothe han folk and town as ȝerne. (17) On peril of my lif I shal nat lye. Appollo hath me tolde it feithfullye. I haue ek founde it be astronomye. By sort and by augurye ek trewelye. And dar wel say the tyme is faste by. That fire and flaumbe on al the town shal sprede. And thus shal Troie torne to asshen dede. (18) ffor certein Phebus and Neptimus bothe. That makeden the walles of the town. Ben with the folk of Troie alwey so wrothe. That they wol brynge it to confusioun. Right in despit of kyng Lameadoun. Bycause he nolde payen hem here hire. The town of Troie shal ben sette on fire. (19) Tellyng his olde tale alwey this olde greye. Humble in his speche and in his lokyng eke. The salte teris from his eyen tweye. fful fast ronnen down by either cheke. So longe he gan of socour hem biseke. That for to hele hym of his sorwes soore. They ȝaue hym Antenor withouten moore. (20) But who was glad ynough but Calkas tho. And of this thyng ful soone hise nedes leyde. On hem that sholden for the tretis go. And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde. To bryngen home kyng Toas and Criseyde. And whan Priame his saue garde sente. Thembassadours to Troie streight they wente. (21) The cause Itolde of hire comyng. the olde. Priam the kyng ful soone in generale. Let her vpon his perlement to holde. Of which theffect rehercen ȝow I shal. Thembassadours ben answerd for fynal. Theschaunge of Prisoners and al this nede. Hem likethe wel. and forth In they procede. (22) This Troilus was present in the place. whan axed was for Antenor Criseyde. ffor which ful soone chaungen gan his face. As he that with tho wordes wel neigh deyde. But natheles he no worde to it seyde. List men sholde his affeccioun espye. with mannes herte he gan his sorwes drye. (23) And ful of angwissh and of grisly drede. Abode what lordes wolde vnto it seye. And if they wolde graunte as god forbede. Theschaunge of hire. than thoughte he thynges tweye. ffor how to saue hire honour and what weye. He myghte best theschaunge of hire withstonde. fful faste he caste how al this myghte stonde. (24) Loue hym made al prest to don hire byde. And rather dyen than she sholde go. But resoun seyde hym on that other syde. withouten assent of hire no nat so. Lest for thi werk she wolde be thy fo. And seyn that thorugh thy medlynge is Iblowe. Ȝoure bother loue ther it was erst vnknowe. (25) ffor which he gan deliberen for the beste. That though the lordes wolde that she wente. He wolde lat hem graunte what hem leste. And telle his lady first what that they mente. And whan that she hadde seyde hym hire entente. Therafter wolde he werken also blyue. Theigh al the world aȝeyn it wolde stryue. (26) Ector which that wel the grekis herde. ffor Antenor how they wolde han Criseyde. Gan it withstonde and sobrely answerde. Syres she nys no prisonere he seyde. I not on ȝow who that this charge leyde. But on my part ȝe may eftsones hem telle. we vsen here no wommen for to selle. (27) The noyse of peple vp stirte thanne at ones. As breme as blase of straw Isette on fire. ffor infortune it wolde for the nones. They sholden hire confusioun desire. Ector quod they what goost may ȝow enspyre. This womman thus to shilde and don vs leese. Daun antenor a wronge wey now ȝe chese. (28) That is so wys and ek so bold baroun. And we han nede to folk as men may se. He is ek on the grettest of this town. O. Ector lat tho fantasies be. O kyng Priam quod they thus sygge we. That al oure vois is to forgon Criseyde. And to deliueren Antenor they preyde. (29) O Iuuenal lord trewe is thy sentence. That litel wyten folk what is to ȝerne. That they ne fynde in hire desire offence. ffor cloude of errour lat hem discerne. what best is and lo here ensample as ȝerne. This folk desiren now deliueraunce. Of Antenor that brought hem to meschaunce. (30) For he was after traitour to the town. Of Troye. allas they quyte hym out to rathe. O Nyce world lo thy discrecioun. Criseyde which that neuere dide hem scathe. Shal now no lenger in hire blisse bathe. But Antenor he shal com hom to towne. And she shal out thus seyde here howne. (31) ffor which delibered was by perlement. For Antenor to ȝelden out Criseyde. And it pronounced by the president. Altheigh that Ector nay ful ofte preyde. And fynaly what wight that it withseyde. It was for nought it moste ben and sholde. ffor substaunce of the Perlement it wolde. (32) Deperted out of Parlement echone. This Troilus withouten wordes mo. Unto his chambre spedde hym faste allone. But if it were aman of his or two. The which he bad oute faste for to go. Bycause he wolde slepen as he seyde. And hastily vpon his bedde hym leyde. (33) And as in wynter leues ben birafte. Ech after other til the tree be bare. So that ther nys but bark and braunche Ilafte. Lith Troilus byraft of eche welfare. Ibounden in the blake bark of care. Disposed wood out of his wit to breyde. So sore hym sat the chaungynge of Criseyde. (34) He rist hym vp and euery dore he shette. And wyndow ek and tho this sorwful man. Upon his beddes syde adown hym sette. fful lik a dede ymage pale and wan. And in his brest the heped wo bygan. Out breste and he to werken in this wise. In his woodnesse. as I shal ȝow deuyse. (35) Right as the wylde bole bygynneth sprynge. Now her now ther Idarted to the herte. And of his dethe roreth in compleynynge. Right so gan he aboute the chaumbre sterte. Smytyng his brest ay with his fistes smerte. His hede to the wal his body to the grounde. fful ofte he swapte hymseluen to confounde. (36) His eyen two for pite of herte. Out stremeden as swifte welles tweye. The heighe sobbes of his sorwes smerte. His speche hym refte vnnethes myghte he seye. O deth allas why nyltow do me deye. Acorsed be that day which that nature. Shope me to ben a lyues creature. (37) But after whan the furie and alle the rage. whiche that his herte twiste and fast threste. By lengthe of tyme somwhat gan aswage. Upon his bedde he leyde hym down to reste. But tho bygonne his teeris more out breste. That wonder is the body may suffise. To half this wo which that I ȝow douyse. (38) Than seyde he thus fortune allas the while. what haue .I. don. what haue I thus agylte. How myghtestow for rowthe me bygile. Is ther no grace and shal I thus be spilte. Shal thus Creiseyde awey for that thow wilte. Allas how maistow in thyn herte fynde. To ben to me thus cruwel and vnkynde. (39) Haue I the nought honoured al my lyue. As thow wel woost aboue the goddes alle. whi wiltow me fro Ioie thus depriue. O. Troilus what may men now the calle. But wrecche of wrecches out of honour falle. Into miserie in which I wol bewaille. Creiseyde allas til that the brethe me faille. (40) Allas fortune if that my lif in Ioie. Displesed hadde vnto thi foule enuye. why ne haddestow my fader kyng of Troye. Byraft the lif or don my bretheren dye. Or slayn myself that thus compleyne and crye. I combre world that may of no thyng serue. But euere dye and neuere fulli sterue. (41) If that Criseyde allone were me laft. [MS. last (sic.)] Nought roughte I whider thow woldest me steere. And here allas than hastow me biraft. But euere more lo this is thi manere. To reue a wight that most is to hym deere. To preue in that thi serful violence. Thus am I lost ther helpeth no diffence. (42) O verrey lord of loue .o. god allas. That knowest best myn herte and alle my thoughte. what shal my sorwful lif don in this cas. If .I. forgo that so deere haue boughte. Syn ȝe Criseyde and me han fully broughte. Into ȝoure grace and bothe oure hertes seled. How may ȝe suffre allas it be repeled. (43) What I may don .I. shal while I may dure. On lyue in torment and in cruwel peyne. This infortune. or this disauenture. Allone as I was born Iwys compleyne. Ne neuere wol seen it shyne or reyne. But ende I wol as Edippe in derkenesse. My sorwful lif and dyen in distresse. (44) O wery goost that errest to and fro. why nyltow fleen out of the wofulleste. Body. that euere myghte on grounde go. O soule lurkynge in this wo vnneste. file forth out of myn herte and lat it breste. And folowe alwey Criseyde thi lady dere. Thi righte place is now no lenger here. (45) O woful eyen two syn ȝoure disport. was al to sen Criseyde eyen brighte. what shol ȝe don but for my discomfort. Stonden for naught and wepen out ȝoure sighte. Syn she is queynt that wont was ȝow to lighte. In vayn fro this forth haue ich eyen tweye. Ifourmed syn ȝoure vertue is aweye. (46) O my Criseyde. o. lady souereigne. Of this woful soule. that thus crieth. who shal now ȝeuen comfort to the peyne. Allas no wight but whan myn herte dieth. My spirit which that so vnto ȝow hieth. Receyue in gree for that shal ay ȝow serue. fforthi no forse is though the body sterue. (47) O ȝe loueris that heigh vpon the whiel. Ben set. of fortune in good auenture. God leue that ȝe fynde ay loue of stiel. And longe mote ȝoure lif in Ioie endure. But whan ȝe comen by my sepulture. Remembreth that ȝoure felawe resteth there. ffor I loued ek though ich vnworthi were. (48) O oold vnholsom and myslyued man. Calkas I mene. allas what eiled the. To ben a Greke syn thow art born Troian. O Calkas which that wolt my bane be. In corsed tyme was thow born for me. As wolde blisful Ioue for his Ioie. That I the hadde wher I wolde in Troie. (49) A thousand sikes hotter than the gleede. Out of his brest ech after other wente. Medled with pleyntes new his wo to feede. ffor which his woful teris neuere stente. And shortly so his peynes hym to rente. And wex so mate that Ioie or penaunce. He felethe non but lith forth in a traunce. (50) Pandare whiche that in the parlement. Hadde herde what euery lord and burgeys seyde. And how ful graunted was by oon assent. ffor Antenor to ȝelden so Criseyde. Gan wel neigh wood out of his witte to breyde. So that for wo he nyste what he mente. But in a rees to Troilus he wente. (51) A certeyn knyght that for the tyme kepte. The chambre door vndid it hym anon. And Pandare that fu tendreliche wepte. Into the derke chambre as stille as ston. Toward the bedde gan softely to gon. So confus that he nyst what to seye. ffor verray wo his wit was neigh aweye. (52) And with his chiere and lokyng al totorne. ffor sorwe of this . and with his armes folden. He stood this woful Troilus byforne. And on his pitous face he gan byholden. But lord so ofte gan his herte colden. Seyng his frend in wo whos heuynesse. His herte slough as thoughte hym for destresse. (53) This woful wight this Troilus that felte. His frend Pandare ycomen hym to se. Gan as the snowe aȝeyn the sonne melte. For which this sorwful Pandare of pitee. Gan for to wepe as tendreliche as he. And specheles thus ben thise ilke tweye. That neither myghte o word for sorwe seye. (54) But at the laste this woful Troilus. Neigh ded for smert gan bresten out to rore. And with a sorwful noise he seyde thus. Amonge hise sobbes and his sikes sore. Lo Pandare I am ded withouten more. Hastow nat herde at parlement he seyde. ffor Antenore how lost is my Criseyde. (55) This Pandarus ful dede and pale of hewe. fful pitously answerde and seyde ȝis. As wisly were it fals as it is trewe. That I haue herd and woot al how it is. O mercy god who wolde haue trowed this. who wolde haue wende that in so litel a throwe. ffortune oure Ioie wold han ouerethrowe. (56) ffor in this worlde ther is no creature. As to my dome that euere saw ruyne. Straunger than this thorugh cas or auenture. But who may all eschue or al deuyne. Swich is this world. forthi I thus diffyne. Ne trost no wight to fynden in fortune. Ay propretee hire ȝiftes ben comune. (57) But telle me this whi thow art now so mad. To sorwen thus. whi listow in this wise. Syn thi desire al holly hastow had. So that by right it oughte ynough suffise. But I that neuere felte in my seruyse. A frendly cheere or lokyng of an eye. Lat me thus wepe an wailen til I deye. (58) And ouere al this as thow wel woost thiselne. This town is ful of ladys al aboute. And to my doom fairer than swich twelue. As euere she was shal I fynde in som route. Ȝee on or two withouten any doute. fforthi be glad myn owen deere brother. If she be lost. we shal recouere an other. (59) What god forbede alwey that eche plesaunce. In o thing were and in non other wight. If oon kan synge an other kan wel daunce. If this be goodly she is glad and light. And this is faire and that kan good aright. Eche for his vertue holden is for deere. Both heroun and faucoun for ryuere. (60) And ek as writ zanzis that was ful wys. The newe loue out chaceth ofte the olde. And vpon newe cas lith newe awys. Thenk ek thi lif to sauen artow holde. Swich fir by processe shal of kynde colde. ffor syn it is but casuel plesaunce. Som cas shal putte it oute of remembraunce. (61) ffor also scure as day comth after nyght. The newe loue labour or oother wo. Or elles selde seynge of a wight. Don olde affecciouns alle ouere go. And for thi part thow shalt haue oon of tho. Tabregge with thi bittre peynes smerte. Absence of hire shal dryue hire oute of herte. (62) Thise wordes seyde he for the nones alle. To help his frend lest he for sorwe deyde. ffor douteles to don his wo to falle. He rought nought what vnthrift that he seyde. But Troilus that neigh for sorwe deyde. Took litel heede of al that euere he mente. Oon ere it herde. at oothir out it wente. (63) But at the laste he answerde and seyde frende. This lechecraft. or heeled thus to be. were wel sittyng if that I were a fende. To traysen a wight that trewe is vnto me. I pray god lat this conseil neuere ythe. But do me rather sterue anon right here. Er I thus do as thow me woldest leere. (64) She that I serue Iwis what so thow seye. To whom myn herte enhabit is by right. Shal han me holy hires til that I deye. ffor Pandarus syn I haue trouthe hire hight. I wol nat ben vntrewe for no wight. But as hire man I wol ay lyue and sterue. And neuere other creature serue. (65) And ther thow seist thow shalt as faire fynde. As she, lat be make no comparisoun. To creature yformed here by kynde. O leue Pandare in conclusioun. I wol nat be of thyn opynyoun. Touchyng al this for which I the biscche. So holde thi pees thow sleest me with thi speche. (66) Thow biddest me I shulde loue an other. Al fresshly newe and lat Criseyde go. It lith nat in my power leeue brother. And though I myght I wol nat do so. But kanstow playen raket to and fro. Nittle in. dok out. now this now that Pandare. Now foul falle hire for thi wo and care. (67) Thow farest ek by me thow Pandarus. As he that whan a wight is wo bygon. He cometh to hym a pass and seith right thus. Thynk nat on smerte and thow shalt fele non. Thow moost me first transmewen in a ston. And reue me my passions alle. Er thow so wightly do my wo to falle. (68) The deth may wel out of brest deperte. The lif. so longe may this sorwe myne. But fro my soule shal Criseydes darte. Out neuere mo but down with proserpyne. whan I am dede I wol go wonne in pyne. And ther I wol eternaly compleyne. My wo and how that twynned be we tweyne. (69) Thow hast here made an argument for fyne. How that it sholde lasse peyne be. Criseyde to forgon for she was myne. And lyued in ese and in felicite. whi gabbestow that seydest vnto me. That hym is wors that is fro wel ythrowe. Than he hadde erst noon of that wel yknowe. (70) But telle me now syn that the thynketh so light. To changen so in loue ay to and fro. whi hastow nat don bisily thi myght. To chaungen hire that doth the al thi wo. Why nyltow lete hire fro thyn herte go. whi nyltow loue an othere lady swete. That may thyn herte sette in quiete. [71-76 wanting in C.C.C. MS.] (77) Artow in Troie and hast non hardymente. To take a womman which that loueth the. And wolde hire seluen of thyn assente. Now is nat this a nyce vanitee. Ris vp anon. and lat this wepyng be. And kith thow art a man for in this houre. I wol ben dede or she shal bleuen oure. (78) To this answerde hym Troilus ful softe. And seyde perde leue brother deere. Al this haue I my self ȝet thought ful ofte. And more thyng than thow deuysest here. But whi this thyng is laft thow shalt wel here. And whan thow me hast ȝeue an audience. Therafter maystow telle al thi sentence. (79) ffirst syn thow woost this town hath al this werre. ffor rauysshyng of wommen so by myghte. It sholde nought be suffred me to erre. As it stant now ne don so grete vnrighte. I sholde han also blame of euery wight. My fadres graunt if that I so withstoode. Syn she is chaunged for the townes goode. (80) I haue ek thought so it were hire assent. To axe hire at my fader of his grace. Than thynke I this were hire accusement. Syn wel I woot I may hire nought purchace. ffor syn my fader in so heigh a place. As parlement hath hire eschaunge enseled. He nyl for me his lettre be repeled. (81) Ȝet drede I mooste hire herte to pertorbe. with violence if I do swich a game. ffor if I wolde it openly destorbe. It mooste be disclaimdre to hire name. And me were leuere ded than hire diffame. As nold god but if I sholde haue. Hire honour leuere than my lif to saue. (82) Thus am I lost for aught that I kan see. ffor certeyn is syn that I am hire knyght. I moste hire honour leuere han than me. In euery cas as louere aught of right. Thus am I with desir and reson twight. Desir for to destourben hire me redeth. And reson nyl nat so myn herte dredeth. (83) Thus wepyng that he koude neuere cesse. He seyde allas how shal I wrecche fare. ffor wel fele I alwey my loue encresse. And hope is lasse and lasse alway Pandare. Encressen ek the causes of my care. So weilaway whi nyl myn herte breste. ffor as in loue ther is but litel reste. (84) Pandare answerde frend thow maiste for me. Don as the liste but hadde ich it so hoote. And thyn estat she sholde go with me. Though al this town cride on this thyng by note. I nold sette at al that noys a grote. ffor whan men han wel cryde than wol they rowne. Ek wonder last but nyne nyght neuere in towne. (85) Deuyne not in resoun ay so depe. Ne corteisly. but help thi selue anon. Bet is that othere than thi seluen wepe. And namly syn ȝe two ben al on. Ris vp for by myn hed she shal not goon. And rather be in blame a lite Ifounde. Than sterue here as a gnat withouten wounde. (86) It is no shame vnto ȝow no vice. Hire to witholden. that ȝe loue moost. Peraunter she myghte holde the for nyce. To laten hire go thus. vnto the grekis oost. Thenk ek fortune as wel thi seluen woost. Helpeth hardy man vnto his enprise. And weyueth wrecches for hire cowardise. (87) And though thy lady wolde a lite hire greue. Thow shalt thi self thi pees hereafter make. But as for me certeyn .I. kan nat leue. That she wolde it as now for yuel take. whi sholde thanne of fered thyn herte quake. Thenk ek how Paris hath that is thi brother. A loue. and whi shaltow nat haue another. (88) And Troilus .o. thyng I dar the swere. That if Criseyde which that is thi lief. Now loueth the as wel as thow dost here. God help me so she nyl nat take a grief. Theigh thow do boote anon in this meschief. And if she wilneth fro the for to passe. Thanne is she fals so loue hire wel the lasse. (89) fforthi take herte and thynk right as a kynght. Thorugh loue is broken al day euery lawe. Kith now somwhat thi corage and thi myght. Haue mercy on thi self for eny awe. Lat nat this wrecchede wo thyn herte gnaw. But manly sette the world on sex an seuene. And if thow deye a martyr go to heuene. (90) I wol my self ben with the at this dede. Theigh ich and al my kyn vpon a stownde. Shulle in a strete as dogges liggen dede. Thorugh girt with many a wide and blody wownde. In euery cas I wol a frende be founde. And if the list here steruen as a wrecche. A dieu. the deuel spede hym that recche. (91) This Troilus gan with tho wordes quyken. And seyde frend graunt mercy ich assente. But certeynly thow maist nat so me priken. Ne peyne non ne may me so tormente. That for no cas it is nat myn entente. At shorte wordes though I deyen sholde. To rauysshen hire but if hireself it wolde. (92) Whi so mene I quod Pandarus al this day. But telle me thanne hastow hire wil assayed. That sorwest thus and he answerde hym nay. wherof artow quod Pandare thanne amayed. That nost nat that she wol ben yuele appayed. To rauysshen hire syn thow hast nought ben there. But if that Ioue told it in thyn ere. (93) fforthi ris vp as nought ne were anon. And wasshe thi face and to the kyng thow wende. Or he may wondren whider thow art goon. Thow most with wisdom hym and othere blende. Or vpon cas he may after the sende. Er thow be war and shortly brother deere. Be glad and lat me werke in this matere. (94) ffor I shal shape it so that sikerly. Thow shalt this nyght som tyme in som manere. Com speken with thi lady pryuely. And by hire wordes ek as by hire cheere. Thow shalt ful sone aperceyue and wel here. All hire entente and in this cas the beste. And fare now wel for in this point I reste. (95) The swifte fame which that false thynges. Egal reporteth lik the thynges trewe. was thorughout Troie yfled with preste wynges. ffro man to man and made this tale al newe. How Calkas doughter with hire bright hewe. At parlement withouten wordes more. Ygraunted was in chaunge of Antenore. (96) The which tale anon right as Criseyde. Hadde herde she which that of hire fader roughte. As in this cas right nought ne whan he deyde. fful bisily to Iupiter bisoughte. Ȝe hem meschaunce that this tretis broughte. But shortly lest thise tales sothe were. She dorst at no wight asken it for fere. (97) As she that hadde hire herte and al hire mynde. On Troilus Iset so wonder faste. That al this world ne myghte hire loue vnbynde. Ne Troilus out of hire herte caste. She wol ben his while that hire lif may laste. And thus she brynneth both in loue and drede. So that she nyste what beste was to reede. (98) But as men seen in towne and al aboute. That wommen vsen frendes to visite. So to Criseyde of wommen com a route. ffor pitous Ioie and wenden hire delite. And with hire tales deere ynough a myte. Thise wommen which that in the Cite dwelle. They sette hem down and seyde as I shall telle. (99) Quod first that oon .I. am glad trewely. Bycause of ȝow that shal ȝoure fader see. Another seyde ywis so nam nat I. ffor al to litel hath she with vs be. Quod tho the thridde I hope ywis that she. Shal bryngen vs the pees on euery syde. That whan she goth almyghty god hire gide. (100) Tho wordes and tho wommanysshe thynges. She herde hem right as though she thennes were. ffor god it woot hire herte on othir thynges is. Although the body satte amonge hem there. Hire aduertence is alwey elleswhere. ffor Troilus ful faste hire soule soughte. withouten worde on hym alwey she thoughte. (101) Thise wommen that thus wenden hire to plese. Aboute naught gonne alle hire tales spende. Swich vanyte ne kan don hire non ese. As she that al this mene while brende. Of other passioun than that they wende. So that she felte almost hire herte deye. ffor wo and wery of that compaignie (102) [Stanza 102 not in C. C. C. MS.] (103) And thilke fooles sittynge hire a boute. wenden that she wepte and siked sore. Bycause that she sholde out of that route. Deperten and neuere pleye with hem more. And they that hadde yknowen hire of ȝore. Seigh hire so wepe and thoughte it kyndenesse. And eche of hem wepte eke for hire destresse. (104) And bisyly they gonnen hire comfort. Of thyng god woot on which she litel thoughte. And with hire tales wenden hire disporten. And to be glad they ofte hire bysoughte. But swiche an ese therwith they hire wroughte. Right as a man is esed for to feele. ffor ache of hed to clawen hym on his heele. (105) But after al this nyce vanyte. They toke hire leue and home they wenten alle. Criseyde ful of sorweful piete. Into hire chambre vp went out of the halle. And on hire bed she gan for ded to falle. In purpos neuere thennes for to rise. And thus she wroughte as I shal ȝow deuyse. (106) Hire ownded heer that sonnysshe was of hewe. She rente and ek hire fyngeres longe and smale. She wrong ful oste and bad god on hire rewe. And with the deth to doon boote on hire bale. Hire hew whilom bright that tho was pale. Bar witnesse of hire wo and hire constreynte. And thus she spak sobbyng in hire compleynte. (107) Allas quod she out of this regioun. I woful wrecche and infortuned wight. And born in corsed constellacioun. Moot goon and thus deperten from my knyght. wo worth allas that ilke dayes light. On which I saugh hym first with eyen tweyne. That causeth me and ich hym al this peyne. (108) Therwith the teris hire eyen two. Down falle. as shoure april swithe. Hire white brest she bette and for the wo. After the deth she cryed a thousand sithe. Syn he that wonte hire wo was for to lithe. She moot forgon. for which disauenture. She held hireself a forlost creature. (109) She seyde how shal he don and ich also. How sholde I lyue if that I from hym twynne. O deere herte eke that I loue so. who shal that sorwe slen that ȝe ben Inne. O. Calkas fader thyn be al this synne. O. moder myn that cleped were Argyue. wo worth that day that thow me bere on lyue. (110) To what fyn sholde I lyue and sorwen thus. How sholde a fisshe withouten water dure. what is Criseyde worth from Troilus. How sholde a plaunte or lyues creature. Lyue withouten his kynde noriture. ffor which ful ofte a byword here I seye. That rootles moot grene soone deye. (111) I shal doon thus syn neither swerde ne darte. Dar I noon handle for the crueltee. That ilke day that I from ȝow departe. If sorwe of that nyl nat my bane be. Thanne shal no mete or drynke come in me. Til I my soule of my breste vnshethe. And thus myseluen wol I don to dethe. (112) And Troilus my clothes euerychon. Shul blake ben in tokennyng herte swete. That I am as out of this world agon. That wonte was ȝow to setten in quiete. And of myn ordre ay til deth me mete. The obseruance euere in ȝoure absence. Shal sorwe ben. compleynt and abstinence. (113) Myn herte and ek the woful goost therInne. Byquethe I with ȝoure spirit to compleyne. Eternaly for they shal neuere twynne. ffor though in erthe ytwynned be we tweyne. Ȝet in the feld of piete out of peyne. That heighte Elisos shal we ben yfeere. As Orpheus. and Erudice his fere. (114) Thus herte myn for Antenor allas. I soone shal be chaunged as I wene. But how shul ȝe don in this sorwful cas. How shal ȝoure tendre herte this sustene. But herte myn forȝete this sorwe and tene. And me also for sothely for to seye. So ȝe wel fare I recche naught to deye. (115) How myghte it euere yred ben or ysonge. The pleynte that she made in hire destresse. I. not but as for me my litel tonge. If I discryuen wolde hire heuynesse. It sholde make hire sorwe seme lesse. Than that it was and childisshly deface. Hire heigh compleynte. and therfore ich it pace. (116) Pandare which that sent from Troilus. Was vnto Criseyde as ȝe han herde deuyse. That for the beste it was acorded thus. And he ful glad to doon hym that seruyse. Unto Criseyde in a ful secree wise. Ther as she lay in torment and in rage. Come hire to telle alle hooly his message. (117) And fond that she hireseluen gan to trete. fful pitously for with hire salte teris. Hire brest hire face ybathed was ful wete. The myghty tresses of hire sonnysshe heeris. Unbroiden hangen al aboute hire eeris. which ȝaf hym verray signal of matire. Of deth which that hire herte gan desire. (118) Whan she hym saugh she gan for sorwe anon. Hire tery face atwixe hire armes hide. ffor which this Pandare is so wobygon. That in the hous he myghte vnnethe abyde. As he that pitie felt on euery syde. ffor if Criseyde hadde erst compleyned soore. Tho gan she pleyne a thousand tymes more. (119) And in hire aspre pleynte thus she seyde. Pandare first of Ioies mo than two. was cause causyng vnto me Criseyde. That now transmewed ben in cruel wo. wher shal I seye to ȝow welcom or no. That alderfirst me broughte vnto seruyse. Of loue allas that endeth in swich wise. (120) Endeth thanne loue in wo. ȝe or men lieth. And al worldly blisse as thynketh me. The ende of blisse ay sorwe it occupieth. And who so troweth nat that it so be. Lat hym vpon me woful wrecche ysee. That my self hate and ay my burthe acorse. ffelyng alwey fro wyk I go to worse. (121) Whoso me seeth . he seeth sorwe al atonys. Peyne torment pleynte wo distresse. Out of my woful body harm ther noon is. As angwissh langour cruel bitternesse. Anoy smerte drede fury and ek siknesse. I trowe ywys from heuene teeris reyne. ffor pite of myn aspre and cruel peyne. (122) And thow my suster ful of discomfort. Quod Pandarus what thynkestow to do. whi ne hastow to thyseluen som resport. whi wiltow thus thiself allas fordo. Leef al this werke and take now heede to. That I shal seyne and herkne of good entente. This message which by me thi Troilus the sente. (123) Tornede hire tho Criseyde a wo makynge. So grete that it a deth was for to see. Allas quod she what wordes may ȝe brynge. Than wol my deere herte seyn to me. which that I drede neuere mo to see. wol he han pleynte or teris er I wende. I haue ynough if he ther after sende. (124) She was right swiche to seen in hire visage. As is that wight that men on beere bynde. Hire face lik of Paradys the ymage. was al ychaunged in another kynde. The pleye the laughter men was wont to fynde. On hire an ek hire Ioies euerichone. Ben fled and thus lith now Criseyde allone. (125) Aboute hire eyen two purpre rynge. Bytrent in sothfast tokenyng of hire peyne. That to biholde it was a dedely thyng. ffor which Pandare myghte nat restreyne. The teeris from hise eighen for to reyne. But natheles as he best myghte he seyde. ffram Troilus thise wordes to Criseyde. (126) Lo Nece .I. trow ȝe han herd al how. The kyng with othere lordes for the beste. Hath made eschaunge of Antenor and ȝow. That cause is of this sorwe and this vnreste. But how this cas dooth Troilus moleste. That may non erthely mannes tonge seye. ffor verray wo his wit is al aweye. (127) ffor which we han so sorwed he and I. That into litel bothe it hadde vs slawe. But thorugh my conseyl this day finaly. He somwhat is fro wepynge now withdrawe. And semeth me that he desireth fawe. with ȝow to ben al nyght for to deuyse. Remedie in this if ther were any wyse. (128) This shorte and pleyn theffect of my message. As ferforth as my wit kan comprehende. ffor ȝe that ben of torment in swich rage. May to no longe prologe as now entende. And herevpon ȝe may answere hym sende. And for the loue of god my Nece deere. So leue this wo er Troilus be here. (129) Grete is my wo quod she and sighte soore. As she that feleth dedly sharp distresse. But ȝit to me his sorwe is muchel more. That loue hym bette than he hym self .I. gesse. Allas for me hath he swich heuynesse. Kan he for me so pitously compleyne. Iwis this sorwe doubleth al my peyne. (130) Greuouse to me god woot is for to twynne. Quod she but ȝet it harder is to me. To sen that sorwe which that he is Inne. ffor wel woot I it wol my bane be. And deye I wolde in certeyn tho quod she. But bid hym come er deth that thus me threteth. Dryue ouȝt that goost which in myn herte he beteth. (131) Thise wordes seyde she on hire armes two. ffil gruf and gan to wepen pitously. Quod Pandarus allas whi do ȝe so. Syn wel ȝe woot the tyme is fast by. That he shal come aris vp hastily. That he ȝow nat bywopen thus ne fynde. But ȝe wole haue hym wood out of his mynde. (132) ffor wiste he that ȝe ferde in this manere. He wolde hymseluen sle and if I wende. To han this fare. he sholde nat come here. ffor al the good that Priam may dispende. ffor to what fyn he wolde anon pretende. That knowe ich wel and forthi ȝet I seye. So lef this sorwe or platly he wol deye. (133) And shapeth ȝow his sorwe for tabregge. And nought encresse leeue Nece swete. Beth rather to hym cause of flat than egge. And with som wisdom ȝe his sorwes bete. what helpeth it to wepen ful a strete. Or though ȝe bothe in salte teeris dreynte. But is a tyme of cure ay than of pleynte. (134) I mene thus. whan ich hym hider brynge. Syn ȝe be wise and bothe of oon assente. So shapeth how destourbe ȝoure goynge. Or come aȝeyn soon after ȝe be wente. women ben wise in short auysemente. And lat sen how ȝoure wit shal now auaille. And what that I may helpe it shal nat faille. (135) Go quod Criseyde and Uncle trewely. I. shal don al my myght me to restreyne. ffrom wepyng in his sighte and bisily. Hym for to glade .I. shal don al my peyne. And in myn herte seken euery veyne. If to this sore ther may be fonden salue. It shal nat lakke certeyn on my halue. (136) Gothe Pandarus and Troilus he soughte. Til in a temple he fonde hym al allone. As he that of his lif no lenger roughte. But to the pitouse goddes euerichone. fful tendrely he preyed and made his mone. To doon hym sone out of this worlde to pace. ffor wel he thoughte ther was non other grace. (137) And shortly al the sothe for to seye. He was so fallen in despeir that day. That outrely he shope hym for to deye. ffor right thus was his argument alway. He seyde he nas but lorn weylaway. ffor al that comth comth by necessitee. Thus to ben lorn it is my destinee. (138) ffor certeynly this wot I wel he seyde. That for sight of diuine purueyaunce. Hathe seyn alwey me to forgone Criseyde. Syn god seeth euery thyng out of doutaunce. And hem disponyth thorugh his ordinaunce. In hire merites sothely for to be. As they shul comen by predestyne. (139) But natheles allas whom shal I leeue. ffor ther ben grete clerkes many oon. That destyne thorugh argumentes preue. And som men seyn that nedely ther is noon. But that fre chois is ȝeuen vs euerychon. O. welaway so sleighe arn Clerkes olde. That I not whos opynyoun I may holde. (140) ffor som men seyn if god seth al biforn. Ne god may nat deceyued ben parde. Than moot it fallen theigh men hadde it sworn. That purueiance hath seyn byfore to be. wherfore I sey that from eterne if he. Hath wist byforn oure thought ek as oure dede. we han no fre chois as thise clerkes rede. (141) ffor other thought nor other dede also. Myghte neuere ben but swich as purueyaunce. which may nat ben deceyued neuere mo. Hath feled byforn withouten ignoraunce. ffor yf ther myghte ben a variaunce. To writhen out fro goddis purueyinge. Ther nere no prescience of thyng commyng. (142) But it were rather an opynyoun. Uncerteyn and no stedfaste for seynge. And certes that were an abusioun. That god sholde han no parfit clere wytynge. More than we men that han doutous wenynge. But swich an errour vpon god to gesse. were fals and foule and wikked corsednesse. (143) Ek this is an opynyoun of some. That han hire top ful heighe and smothe yshore. They seyn right this that thyng is nat to come. ffor that the prescience hath seyn byfore. That it shal come but they seyen that therfore. That it shal come therfore the purueyaunce. woot it byforn withouten ignoraunce. (144) And in this manere this necessite. Retorneth in his parte contrarie agayne. ffor nedfully byhoueth it nat to bee. That thilke thynges fallen in certayne. That ben purueyed but nedly as they sayne. Byhoueth it that thynges whiche that falle. That they in certayn ben purueyed alle. (145) I mene as though I laboured me in this. To enqueren which thyng cause of which thyng be. As wheither that the prescience of god is. The certeyn cause of the necessite. Of thynes sic that to comen ben parde. Or if necessite of thyng comynge. Be cause certeyn of the purueyinge. (146) But now nenforce .I. me nat in shewynge. How the ordre of causes stant but wel woot .I. That it byhoueth that the byfallyng. Of thynges wiste byfor certeynly. Be necessarie al seme it nat therby. That prescience putte fallynge necessaire. To thyng to come al falle it foule or faire. (147) ffor if ther sitte a man ȝond on a see. Than by necessite bihoueth it. That certes thyn opynyoun sooth be. That wenest or coniectest that he sit. And further ouere now aȝeyinward ȝit. Lo right so is it of the parte contrarie. As thus nowe herkne for I wol nat tarie. (148) I sey that if the opynyoun of the. Be soth for that he sitte than sey I this. That he mot siten by necessite. And thus necessite in eyther is. ffor in hym nede of sittynge is ywys. And in the ned of soth and thus forsoth. There mote necessite ben in ȝow bothe. (149) But thow mayst seyn the man sit nat therfore. That thyn opynyoun of his sittynge soth is. But rather for the man sit ther byfore. Therfore is thyn opynyoun sothe ywis. And I seye though the cause of soth of this. Comth of his sittyng ȝet necessite. Is entrechaunged both in hym and the. (150) Thus in the same wise out of doutaunce. I may wel maken as it semeth me. My resonyng of goddes purueyaunce. An of the thynges that to comen be. By which resoun men may wel yse. That thilke thynges that in erthe falle. That by necessite they comen alle. (151) ffor although that for thynge shal come ywys. Therfore is it purueyed certeynly. Nat that it comth for it purueyed is. Ȝet natheles bihoueth it nedfully. That thing to come be purueyde trewely. Or elles thynges that purueyed be. That they bitiden by necessite. (152) And this suffiseth right ynough certeyn. ffor to destruye oure fre chois euery del. But now is this abusioun to seyn. That fallyng of the thynges temporel. Is cause of goddes prescience eternel. Now trewely that is a fals sentence. That thyng to come sholde cause his prescience. (153) What myght I wene and I hadde swiche a thought. But that god purueyeth thyng that is to come. ffor that it is to come and ellis nought. So myghte I wene that thynges alle and some. That whilom ben byfalle and ouercome. Ben cause of thilk souereyne purueyaunce. That for woot al withouten ignoraunce. (154) And ouere al this ȝet sey I more herto. That right as whan I wot ther is a thyng. Iwys that thyng moot nedfully be so. Ek right so whan I woot a thyng comyng. So mot it come and thus the bifallyng. Of thynges that ben wist bifore the tyde. They mowe nat ben eschued on no syde. (155) Thanne seyde he thus almyghty Ioue in Trone. That woost of al thyng the sothefastnesse. Rewe on my sorwe or do me deyen sone. Or bryng Criseyde and me fro this destresse. And whil he was in al this heuynesse. Disputyng with hym self in this matere. Com Pandare in and seyde as ȝe may here. (156) O myghty god quod Pandarus in Trone. I who say euere a wis man faren so. whi Troilus what thinkestow to doone. Hastow swich lust to ben thyn owen fo. what perde ȝet is nat Criseyde ago. whi luste the so thi self fordoon for drede. That in thyn hed thyne eyen semen dede. (157) Hastow nat lyued many a ȝer byforn. withouten hire and ferd ful wel atese. Artow for hire and for noon other born. Hath kynde the wroughte al only hire to plese. Lat be and thynk right thus in thi disese. That in the dees right as ther fallen chaunces. Right so in loue ther come and gon plesaunces. (158) And ȝet this is a wonder moste of alle. whi thow thus sorwest syn thow nost nat ȝit. Touchyng hire goyng how that it shal falle. Ne ȝif she kan hireself destourben it. Thow hast nat ȝet assayed al hire wit. A man may al bytyme his nekke beede. whan it shal of and sorwen at the nede. (159) fforthi tak hede of that I shal seye. I haue with hire yspoke and longe ybe. So as acorded was bitwixe vs tweye. And euere mor me thynketh thus that she. Hath somwhat in hire hertes priuete. wherwith she kan if I shal right arede. Destourben al this of which thow art in drede. (160) ffor which my counseil is whan it is nyght. Thow to hire go and make of this an ende. And blisful Iuno [MS. Jame or Jaino] thorugh hire gret myght. Shal as I hope hire grace vs [sic] to vs sende. Myn herte seyth certeyn she shal nat wende. And forthi put thyn herte a while in reste. And holde this purpos for it is the beste. (161) This Troilus answerd and sighte soore. Thow seist right wel and I wol don right so. And what hym liste he seyde vnto it more. And whan that it was tyme for to go. fful pryuely hymself withouten mo. Unto hire com as he was wont to doone. And how they wroughte .I. shal ȝow tellen soone. (162) Soth is that whan they gonnen first to mete. So gan the peyne hire hertes for to twiste. That neyther of hem other myght grete. But hem in armes toke and after kiste. The lasse woful of hem bothe nyste. wher that he was ne myghte .o. word out bryng. As I seyde erst for wo and for sobbyng. (163) Tho woful teeris that they leten falle. As bittre weren oute of teris kynde. ffor peyne as in ligne aloes or galle. So bittre teeris weep nought as I fynde. The woful Mirra thorugh the bark and rynde. That in this world ther nys so harde an herte. That nolde han rewed on hire peynes smerte. (164) But whan hire wofulle weri goostes tweyne. Retourned ben ther as hem owe to dwelle. And that somwhat to wayken gan the peyne. By lengthe of pleynte and ebben gan the welle. Of hire teeris and the herte vnswelle. with broken vois al hoors forshright Criseyde. To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde. (165) O Ioue I deye and mercy I beseche. Help Troilus and therwithal hire face. Upon his brest she leyde and lost speche. Hire woful spirit from his propre place. Right with the word alwey o poynt to pace. And thus she lith with hewes pale and grene. That whilom fresshe and fairest was to sene. (166) This Troilus that on hire gan biholde. Clepyng hire name and she lay as for dede. withouten answere and felte hire lymes colde. Hire eyen throwen vpward to hire hede. This sorwful man kan now noon other rede. But ofte tyme hire colde mowthe he kiste. wher hym was wo god and hymself it wiste. (167) He rist hym vp and long streight he hire leyde. ffor signe of lif for aught he kan or may. Kan he non fynde nothyng of Criseyde. ffor which his song ful ofte is weylaway. But whan he saugh that specheles she lay. with sorweful vois and herte of blisse al bare. He seyde how she was fro this world yfare. (168) So after that he longe hadde hire compleyned. His hondes wrong and seyde that was to seye. And with hise teeris salt hire brest byreyned. He gan tho teeris wypen of ful dreye. And pitously gan for the soule preye. And seyde o lord that set art in thi trone. Rewe ek on me for I shal folwe hire sone. (169) She colde was and withouten sentement. ffor aught he woot for breth ne felte he non. And this was hym a pregnant argument. That she was forth out of this world agon. And whan he say ther was non other woon. He gan hire lymes dresse in swiche manere. As men don hem that shal ben layde on beere. (170) And after this with sterne and cruel herte. His swerde anon out of his shethe he twighte. Hymself to slen how sore that hym smerte. So that his soule hire soule folwen myghte. Ther as the doom of Mynos wolde it dighte. Syn loue and cruel fortune it no wolde. That in this world he lenger lyuen sholde. (171) Than seyde he thus fulfillid of heigh desdayn. O cruel Ioue and thow fortune aduerse. This al and som that falsly haue ȝe slayn. Criseyde and syn ȝe may do me no werse. ffy on ȝoure myghte and werkes so dyuerse. Thus cowardly ȝe shul me neuere wynne. Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twynne. (172) ffor I this world syn ye haue slayn hire thus. wol lete and folwe hire spirit low or hye. Shal neuere louere seyn that Troilus. Dar nat for fere with his lady dye. ffor certeyn I wol beere hire compaignie. But syn ȝe wol nat suffre vs lyuen here. Ȝet suffreth that oure soules ben yfere. (173) And thow Cite which that I lyue in wo. And thow Priam and bretheren al yfeere. And thow my Moder farwel for I go. And Atropes make redy thow my beere. And thow Criseyde o swete herte deere. Receyue now my spirit wolde he seye. with swerde at herte al redy for to deye. (174) But as god wolde of swough therwith shabreyde. And gan to sike and Troilus she cride. And he answerde lady myn Criseyde. Lyue ȝe ȝeet and leet his swerde down glide. Ȝe herte myn that thonked be Cupide. Quod she and therwith al she soore syghte. And he bigan to glad hire as he myghte. (175) Took hire in armes two and kiste hire ofte. And hire to glade he did al his entente. ffor which hire goost that flikered ay o lofte. Into hire woful herte aȝeyn it wente. But at the laste as hire eye glente. Asyde anon she gan his swerde espie. As it lay bare and gan for fere crye. (176) And asked hym whi he it hadde out drawe. And Troilus anon the cause hire tolde. And how hymself therwith he wolde han slawe. ffor which Criseyde vpon hym gan biholde. And gan hym in hire armes faste folde. And seyde o mercy god lo which a dede. Allas how neigh we weren bothe dede. (177) Than if I nadde spoken as grace was. Ȝe wolde han slayn ȝoure self anon quod she. Ȝee douteles and she answerde allas. ffor by that ilke lord that made me. I nolde a forlonge wey on lyue haue be. After ȝoure deth to han ben crowned Queene. Of al that londe the sonne on shyneth sheene. (178) But with this selue swerde that here is. My selue I wolde han slayn quod she tho. But hoo for we han right ynough of this. And lat vs rise and streght to bedde go. And ther lat vs speken of oure wo. ffor by the morter which that I se brenne. Knowe I ful wel that day is nat far henne. (179) Whan they were in hire bed in armes folde. Naught was it lik tho nyghtes hire byforn. ffor pitously ech other gan byholde. As they that hadden al hire blisse ylorn. Bywaylinge ay the day that they were born. Til at the laste this sorwful wight Criseyde. To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde. (180) Lo herte myn wel woot ȝe this quod she. That if a wight alwey his wo compleyne. And seketh nought how holpen for to be. It nys but folie and encresse of peyne. And syn that here assembled be we tweyne. To fynde boote of wo that we ben Inne. It were al tyme soone to bygynne. (181) I am a womman as ful wel ȝe woot. And as I am awysed sodeynly. So wol .I. telle ȝow whil it is hoot. Me thynketh thus that nouther ȝe nor I. Ought half this wo to maken skilfully. ffor ther is art ynough for to redresse. That ȝet is mys and slen this heuynesse. (182) Swich is the wo that we ben Inne. ffor aught I woot for nothyng ellis is. But for the cause that we sholden twynne. Considered al ther nys namore amys. But what is thanne a remede vnto this. But that we shape vs soone for to meete. This al and som my deere herte sweete. (183) Now that I shal wel bryngen it aboute. To come aȝeyn soone after that I go. Therof am I no manere thyng in doute. ffor dredeles withInne a wowke or two. I shal ben here and that it may be so. By alle right and in a wordes fewe. I shal ȝow wel an heepe of weyes shewe. (184) ffor which I wol nat make longe sermoun. ffor tyme ylost may nought recouered be. But I wol gon to my conclusioun. And to the beste in aught that I kan see. And for the loue of god forȝeue it me. If I speke aught aȝeyns ȝoure hertes reste. ffor trewely .I. speke it for the beste. (185) Makyng alwey a protestacioun. That now thise wordes which that I shal seye. Nis but to shewen ȝow my mocioun. To fynde vnto oure helpe the beste weye. And taketh it non other wise .I. preye. ffor in effect what so ȝe me comaunde. That wol I don for that is no demaunde. (186) Now herkneth this ȝe han wel vnderstonde. My goyng graunted is by parlement. So ferforth that it may nat be withstonde. ffor al this world as by my Iugement. And syn ther helpeth non auisement. To letten it lat it passe out of mynde. And lat vs shape a bettre wey to fynde. (187) The soth is the twynnyng of vs tweyne. wol vs disese and cruelich anoye. But hym byhoueth som tyme han a peyne. That serueth loue if that he wol haue Ioye. And syn I shal no ferther out of Troie. Than I may ride aȝeyn on half a morwe. It oughte lesse causen vs to sorwe. (188) So as .I. shal not so ben hid in muwe. That day by day myn owne herte deere. Syn wel ȝe woot that it is now a trewe. Ȝe shal ful wel al myn estat yheere. And er that trewe is doon I shal ben heere. And thanne haue ȝe both Antenore ywonne. And me also beth glad now if ȝe konne. (189) And thenk right thus Criseyde is now agon. But what she shal come hastiliche aȝeyn. And whanne allas lo right anon. Er dayes ten this dar I saufly seyn. And than at erste shal we be so feyn. So as we shal to gideres euere dwelle. That al this world ne myghte oure blisse telle. (190) I se that ofte tyme there as we ben now. That for the beste oure counseyl for to hide. Ȝe spek nat with me nor I with ȝow. In fourtenyght ne se ȝow go ne ride. May ȝe naught ten dayes thanne abide. ffor myn. honour in swich an auenture. Iwys ȝe mowen ellis lite endure. (191) Ye knowe ek how that al my kynne is heere. But if that onliche it my fader be. And ek myn othere thynges alle yfeere. And nameliche my deere herte ȝe. whom that I nolde leuen for to se. ffor al this world as wyde as it hath space. Or ellis se iche neuere Ioues face. (192) Whi trowe ȝe my fader in this wise. Coueyteth to se me but for drede. Lest in this town that folkes me despise. Bycause of hym for his vnhappy dede. what woot my fader what lif that I lede. ffor if he wiste in Troie how wel I fare. Us nedeth for my wendyng nought care. (193) Ȝe sen that euery day ek more and more. Men trete of pees and it supposid is. That men the queene Eleyne shal restore. And grekis vs restoren that is mys. So though ther nere comforte non but this. That men purposen pees on euery syde. Ȝe may the bettre at ese of herte abyde. (194) ffor if that it be pees myn herte deere. The nature of the pees moot nedes dryue. That men moost entrecomunen yfeere. And to and fro ek ride and gon as blyue. Alday as thikke as been fleen from an hyue. And euery wight han liberte to bleue. where as hym liste the bet withouten leue. (195) And though so be that pees ther may be non. Ȝet hider though ther pees neuere ne were. I most come for whider sholde I gon. Or how meschaunce sholde I dwelle there. Among tho men of armes euere in feere. ffor which as wisly god my soule rede. I kan nat sen wherof ȝe sholden drede. (196) Haue here another wey if it so be. That al this thyng ne may ȝow nat suffise. My fader as ȝe knowen wel parde. Is olde and elde is ful of coueytise. And I right now haue founden al the gise. withouten nette wherwith I shal hym hente. And herkeneth now if that ȝe wol assente. (197) Lo Troilus men seyn that ful harde it is. The wolf ful and whether hool to haue. This is to seyn that men ful ofte Iwys. Mote spenden parte the remenant for to saue. ffor ay with gold men may the herte graue. Of hym that set is vpon coueytise. And how I mene .I. shal it ȝow deuyse. (198) The moeble which that I haue in this town. Unto my fader shal I take and sey. That right for trust and for sauacioun. It sent is from a frende of his or tweye. The which frendes feruentliche hym praye. To senden after more and that in hie. whil that this town stant thus in Iupartie. (199) And that shal ben an huge quantite. Thus shal I seyn and that his cowarde herte. Made hym amys the goddes texte to glose. When he for fered out of Delphos sterte. And but I make hym soon to conuerte. And don my rede withInne a day or tweye. I wol to ȝow oblige me to deye.

[Stanzas 200-202 not in C. C. C. MS.]

(203) And treweliche as writen wel I fynde. That al this thyng was seyde of good entente. And that hire herte trewe was and kynde. Towardes hym and spak right as she mente. And that she starf for wo neigh whan she wente. And was in purpos euere to be trewe. Thus writen they that of hire werkes knewe. (204) This Troilus with herte and erys spradde. Herde al this thyng deuysen to and fro. And verreliche it semed that he hadde. The selue wit but ȝet to late hire go. His herte mys forȝat hym euere mo. But fynaly he gan his herte wreste. To trusten hire and took it for the beste. (205) ffor which the grete furie of his penaunce. was queynt with hope and therwith hem bitwene. Bigan for Ioie thamorouse daunce. And as the briddes whanne the sonne is shene. Deliten in hire songe in leues grene Right so the wordes that they spake yfeere. Delited hem and made hire hertes clere. (206) But natheles the wendyng of Criseyde. ffor al this world may nat out of his mynde. ffor which ful ofte he pitously hire preyde. That of hire heste he myghte hire trewe fynde. And seyde hire certes if ȝe be vnkynde. And but ȝe come at day sette into Troye. Ne shal I neuere haue hele honour ne Ioye. (207) ffor also soth as sonne vprist o morwe. And god so wisly thow me woful wrecche. To reste brynge out of this cruel sorwe. I. wol my seluen sle if that ȝe drecche. But of my though litel be to recche. Ȝet er that ȝe me causen so to smerte. Dwelle rather here myn owen swete herte. (208) ffor trewely myn owne lady deere. Tho sleghtes ȝet that I haue herde ȝow stere. fful shaply ben to faylen alle yfeere. ffor thus men seyth that on thenketh the beere. But al another thenketh his ledere. Ȝoure syre is wys and seyde is oute of drede. Men may the wise atrenne and naught atrede. (209) It is ful hard to halten vnespied. Byfore a Crepel for he kan the crafte. Ȝoure fader is in sleght as Argus eyed. ffor Albe that his moeble is hym birafte. His olde sleighte is ȝet with hym lafte. ȝe shal nat blende hym for ȝoure wommanhede. Ne feyne aright and that is al my drede. (210) I not if pees shal euere mo bitide. But pees or no for ernest ne for game. I. woot syn Calkas on the grekis syde. Hath ones ben and lost so foule his name. He dar nomore come here aȝeyn for shame. ffor which that wey for aught I kan espie. To trusten on nys but a fantasie. (211) Ȝe shal ek sen ȝoure fader shal ȝow glose. To ben a wif and as he kan wel preche. He shal som greke so preyse and wel allose. That rauysshen he shal ȝow with his speche. Or do ȝow don by force as he shal teche. And Troilus of whom ȝe nyl han routhe. Shal causeles so steruen in his trouthe. (212) And ouere al this ȝoure fader shal despise. Us alle and seyn this Cite nys but lorne. And that thassege neuere shal aryse. ffor whi the gekis sic han it alle sworne. Til we be slayn an down oure walles torne. And thus he shal ȝow with his wordes fere. That ay drede I that ȝe wol bleuen there. (213) Ȝe shal ek seen so many a lusty knyghte. Amonge the grekis ful of worthynesse. And ech of hem with herte wit and myghte. To plesen ȝow don al his bisynesse. That ȝe shul dullen of the rudenesse. Of vs sely Troians but if routhe. Remorde ȝow or vertue of ȝoure trouthe. (214) And this to me so greuouse is to thynke. That fro my breste it wol my soule rende. Ne dredeles in me ther may nat synke. A good opynyoun if that ȝe wende. ffor whi ȝoure fadres sleghte wel vs shende. And if ȝe gon as I haue told ȝow ȝore. So thenk I nam but dede withoute more. (215) ffor which with humble trewe and pitous herte. A thousand tymes mercy I ȝow preye. So rueth on myn aspre peynes smerte. And doth somwhat as that I shal ȝow seye. And lat vs stele awey bitwixe vs tweye. And thynk that folie is whan man may chose. ffor accident his substaunce ay to lese. (216) I mene thus that syn we mowe er day. wel stele awey and ben togidere so. what wit were it to putten in assay. In cas ȝe sholden to ȝoure fader go. If that ȝe myghten come aȝeyn or no. Thus mene I that were a grete folie. To putte that sikernesse in Iupertie. (217) And vulgarly to speken of substaunce. Of tresour may we bothe with vs lede. Inough to lyue in honour and plesaunce. Til into tyme that we shal ben dede. And thus we maye eschuen al this drede. For euerich other wey ȝe kan recorde. Myn herte ywys may therwith naught acorde. (218) And hardily ne dredeth no pouertee. For I haue kyn and frendes elleswhere. That though we comen in oure bare sherte. Us shold neyther lakken gold ne gere. But ben honured while we dwelten there. And go we anon for as in myn entente. This is the beste if that ȝe wolle assente. (219) Criseyde with a sike right in this wise. Answerde ywys my deere herte trewe. we may wele stele awey as ȝe deuyse. And fynden swich vnthrifty weyes newe. But afterward ful soore it wol vs rewe. And helpe me god so at my mooste nede. As causeles ȝe suffren al this drede. (220) ffor thilk day that I for cherisyng. Or drede of fader or for any other wight. Or for estat delit or for weddyng. Be fals to ȝow my Troilus my knyght. Saturnes doughter Iuno thorugh hire myght. As wood as athamante do me dwelle. Eternalich in stix the put of helle. (221) And thus on euery god celestial. I swere it ȝow and ek on eche goddesse. On euery Nymphe and deite infernal. On satiry and fawny more and lesse. That halue goddes ben of wildrenesse. And Attrepos my thred of lif to breste. If I be fals now trowe me if ȝow leste. (222) And thow Symois that as an arwe clere. Thorugh Troie rennest ay downward to the se. Ber witnesse of this word that seyde is here. That thilke day that ich vntrewe be. To Troilus myn owene herte fre. That thow retourne bakward to thi welle. And I with body and soule synke in helle. (223) But that ȝe speke awey thus for to go. And leten alle ȝoure frendes god forbede. ffor any womman that ȝe sholden so. And namly syn Troie hath now swich nede. Of help and ek of o thyng taketh hede. If this were wist my lif lay in balaunce. And ȝoure honour god shilde us fro meschaunce. (224) And if so be that pees heere after take. As alday happeth after anger game. whi lord the sorwe and wo ȝe wolden make. That ȝe ne dorste come aȝeyn for shame. And er that ȝe Iuperten so ȝoure name. Beth naught to hastif in this hoote fare. ffor hastif man ne wanteth neuere care. (225) What trowe ȝe the peple ek al aboute. wolde of it seye it is ful light tarede. They wolden seye and swere it out of doute. That loue ne drof ȝow naught to don this dede. But lust volumptuous and coward drede. Thus were al lost ywys myn herte deere. Ȝoure honour which that now shyneth so clere. (226) And also thynketh on myn honeste. That floureth ȝet how foule I sholde it shende. And with what felthe it spotted sholde be. If in this forme I sholde with ȝow wende. Ne though I lyued vnto the werldes ende. My name sholde I neuere aȝeynward wynne. Thus were I loste and that were routhe and synne. (227) And forthi sle with resoun al this hete. Men seyn the suffrant ouercomith parde. Ek whoso wole han lief he lief moot lete. Thus meketh vertue of necessite. By pacience and thynk that lord is he. Of fortune ay that naught wole of hire recche. And she ne daunteth no wight but a wrecche. (228) And trusteth this that certes herte swete. Er Phebus suster lucina the sheene. The leoun passe out of this Ariete. I wol ben here withouten any wene. I mene as helpe me Iuno heuenes quene. The tenthe day but if that deth messaile. I wol ȝow sen withouten any faille. (229) And now so this be soth quod Troilus. I shal wel suffre vnto the tenthe day. Syn that I se that nede it mot be thus. But for the loue of god if it be may. So late vs stelen priuelich away. ffor euere in oon as for to lyue in reste. Myn herte seyth that it wol be the beste. (230) O mercy god what lif is this quod she. Allas ȝe sle me thus for verray tene. I se wel now that ȝe mystrusten me. ffor by ȝoure wordes it is wel yseene. Now for the loue of Cinthia the sheene. Mistrusteth me nought thus causeles for routhe. Syn to be trewe I haue ȝow plight my trouthe. (231) And thynketh wel that som tyme it is wit. To spende a tyme a tyme for to wynne. Ne parde lorn am I naught fro ȝow ȝit. Though that we ben a day or two atwynne. Drif out tho fantasies ȝow with Inne. And trusteth me and leueth ek ȝoure sorwe. Or here my trouthe I wol naught lyue tyl morwe. (232) ffor if ȝe wiste how soore it doth me smerte. Ȝe wolde cesse of this for god thow woste. The pure spirit wepeth in myn herte. To se ȝow wepen that I loue moste. And that I mot gon vnto the grekis ooste. Ȝe nere it that I wiste remedie. To come aȝeyn right here I wolde dye. (233) But certes I am naught so nyce a wight. That I ne kan ymaginen a wey. To come aȝeyn that day that I haue hight. ffor who may holde a thing that wole awey. My fader naught for al his queynte pley. And by my thrift my wendyng out of Troie. Another day shal torne vs alle to Ioie. (234) fforthi with al myn herte I ȝow biseke. If that ȝow list don oughte for my preyere. And for that loue which that I loue ȝow eke. That er that I deperte fro ȝow here. That of so good a confort and a cheere. I may ȝow sen that ȝe may brynge at reste. Myn herte which that is o poynt to breste. (235) And ouere al this I prey ȝow quod she tho. Myn owene hertes sothfast suffisaunce. Syn I am thyn al hole withouten mo. That whil that I am absent no plesaunce. Of oother do me fro ȝoure remembraunce. ffor I am euere agast forwhy men rede. That loue is thyng ay ful of bisy drede. (236) ffor in this world ther lyueth lady non. If that ȝe were vntrewe as god defende. That so bitraised were or wo bigone. As I that alle trouthe in ȝow entende. And douteles if that ich other wende. I ner but dede and er ȝe cause fynde. ffor goddes loue so beth me naught vnkynde. (237) To this answerde Troilus and seyde. Now god to whom ther nys no cause ywrye. Me glad as wys I neuere vnto Criseyde. Syn thilk day I saugh hire first with ye. was fals ne neuere shal til that I dye. At shorte wordes wel ȝe may me leue. I kan na more it shal be founde at preue. (238) Grant mercy goode myn Iwys quod she. And blisful venus lat me neuere sterue. Er I may stonde of plesaunce in degree. To quyte hym wel that so wel kan deserue. And while that god my wit wol me conserue. I shal so don so trewe I haue ȝow founde. That ay honour to meward shal rebounde. (239) ffor trusteth wel that ȝoure estat roiale. Ne veyn delite nor only worthinesse. Of ȝow in werre or torney Marciale. Ne pompe array nobleye or ek richesse. Ne made me to rewe on ȝoure destresse. But moral vertue grounded vpon trouthe. That was the cause I first hadde on ȝow routhe. (240) Eke gentil herte and manhode that ȝe hadde. And that ȝe hadde as me thoughte in despit. Euery thyng that souned into badde. As rudenesse and poeplissh appetit. And that ȝoure resoun bridlede ȝoure delit. This made abouen euery creature. That I was ȝoure and shal while I may dure. (241) And this may lengthe of ȝeres naught fordo. Ne remuable fortune deface. But Iuppiter that of his myght may do. The sorwful to be glad so ȝeue vs grace. Or nyghtes ten to meten in this place. [MS. pace] So that it may ȝoure herte and myn suffise. And fareth now wel for tyme is that ȝe rise. (242) And after that they longe ypleyned hadde. And ofte ykist and streite in armes folde. The day gan rise and Troilus hym cladde. And rowfullich his lady gan byholde. As he that felt dethes cares colde. And to hire grace he gan hym recomaunde. wher he was wo this holde I no demaunde. (243) ffor mannes hed ymagynen ne kan. Nentendement considere ne tonge telle. This cruele peynes of this sorwful man. That passen euery torment down in helle. ffor whan he saugh that she ne myghte dwelle. which that his soule out of his herte rente. withouten more out of the chaumbre he wente. Explicit Liber Quartus. [BOOK IV.] (1) (Proem) BVt a Litel Welaway the Whyle Lastitħ swych a Ioye y-thanked be fortune That semest trewest whan she wyl bygyle And gan̄ foles. soo her songe entune That she hem blent / traitour comune And whan a wyght is from̄ the whele y-throwe Than̄ laugheth she / and makyth hym̄ mowe (2) From̄ Troilus she gan̄ hir bright face A-wey to wrye and toke of hym̄ no hede But cast hym̄ clene oute of hys lady grace And on̄ hyr whele. she sette vp diomede For wych Ryght now my hert gynneth blede And now my penne. Allas. with wych I wryte Quakyth for drede. of that y must endite (3) For how Creseide Troilus forsoke Or at the lest. how that she was vnkynde Mote hens been̄ fortħ / matere of my boke As wryten̄ folke. thoro wych it is in mynde Allas that thay shulde. euer cause fynde To speke hyr harme. and yf they on̄ hyr lye I-wys hem seluen shulde haue the vylanye (4) O ye herynes in thys doughters thre That endles. compleynynge euer in peyne Mygera. Alece. and eke Thesiphone Thou cruel gode. eke fadur to quereyne Thys fyfte and laste boke. me helpytħ to dyffyne So that the loos of lyf. and loue in fere Of Troilus be fully s[he]wed Rygħt here Lv̄t (or Lr̄t) Sic explicit Liber quartus. (5) (The Story) LIggyng in Hoste as I haue tolde or thys The Grekys stronge A-boute Troyes tovn̄ Byfel that whan̄ that Phebus shynynge is Vpon̄ the brest of hercules of lyon̄ That Ector wytħ ful many A bolde baron̄ Cast on̄ a day wyth grekes for to fyght As he was wonte to greue hem̄ whan̄ he mygħt (6) Not I longe or short it was be-twene This purpos And the day they fyghten̄ mente But on̄ a day. wel armed bryght and shene wyth spere in hande. and bigge bowes bente [These lines inverted in Harl. 1239.] Ector and many worthy wygħt oute wente¹ And in the berde a-non̄ wythouten̄ lette her fommen on̄ the felde faste they mette (7) The longe day with speres sharpe y-grounde with arowes dartes swerdes maces [? MS. mates] felle They fygħt And bring hors And man̄ to grounde And with her Axes on̄ her braynes quelle But in the last oure the soutħ for to telle The folke of Troye. so mys hym̄ self ledden̄ That with the worse. homward anyght they fledden̄ (8) At Whiche day was taken̄ Antenor Palidomas And also Menestes Santipe Sarpedon̄ Polinestor Polite and eke the troian̄ dan̄ Ruphes And other lee folk as phebuosos For al Ector so that the folk of Troye Drede the lese a gret part of hir loye (9) To pryamus whas yeven̄ at his Requeste A tyme of trew. And tho they gan̄ to trete hir prysonners to chaungen̄ mest and leste And for to sourplus yeuen̄ sommes grete This this thing was cowde a-non̄ in euery strete Bothe in thassege in tovne and euery where And with the first. it com̄ to Calcas ere (10) Whan̄ Calcas knewe this traitte shulde falle I consistorye a-monges the grekes soone he gan̄ in thringe. fortħ with lordes olde And sette hym there as he was wont to donne And with a ianged face he badde a bone For loue of gode to that Reuerence To stynte noyse And yeue hym Audience (11) Than̄ seide he thus. loo lordes Icħ was Troian̄ as it is knowen̄ oute of drede And yif that ye Remembre I am Calcas That altherfist. yaf comfort to your nede And tolde wel how that ye shulden spede For dredles thoro you shal in a stounde Be troye ybrent. and betyn̄ dovn̄ to grounde (12) Or in what fourme or in what maner wyse This toune to shende. and al your lyst to cheue Ye haue me herde or this you devise This knowen̄ ye. my lordes as I leue [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] I come my-selfen̄ in my propre persone To teche in this how you is best to doone (13) Having vnto my treysour And my Rente Rygħt no Resport. to Respecte of your ese Thus al my gode. I lefte and to you wente wenynge in this my lordes you to plese But Al this losse dothe me no disese I vouchesaf. as wysly I haue ioye For you to lose al that I haue in troye (14) Saue a dougħter that I lefte Allas Sleping At home whan̄ oute of troye I sterte O sterne O cruel fadur that I was how myght I haue in that so harde an̄ herte Allas I ne hade brought hir in hir sherte For sorow of wych I wyl not lyue to morow But yif ye my lordes Rewe on̄ my sorow (15) For by that [that overlined later.] cause I sawe now tyme or now For to deliueren Ich [MS. Ioh] holde haue my pees For now or neuer yif it like you I may hyr haue Ryght soone or doutles O helpe And grace a-monge al this prees Rewe on̄ this olde Kaytyf in distresse Sithen I thurgħ you haue Al this distresse (16) Ȝee haue now caugħt and fetred in pryson̄ Troyans y-now. And yif your wylles be My chylde wych. may haue Redempcion Now for the loue of gode and of bounte Oon̄ of so fele Allas so yeue hym me What nede were it. this prayer where to werne Syn̄ ye shal haue. bothe folkis And tovne as yerne (17) On peryl on̄ my lyf hit shal not lye Apollo hatħ me folde. feythfully I haue eke founden̄. by Astronymye By sorte And of Augury trewly And dar wel I say that tyme is faste by That fyre And fflame on̄ Al that the tovn̄ shal sprede And thus shal Troye turne in to Asshen̄ dede (18) For certein Phebus And neptunus Also That maden the [the over line.] walles of the tovne Ben̄ Alwey wyth folke of Troye to wrothe They wyll it eft. bringe to confusion̄ Ryght for despite of kynge lamedon̄ Be cause ne nolde paye hem hyr hyre The tovne shal yit be sette vppon̄ a fyre (19) Tellyng this tale Alwey this olde grey Humble in his speche And in his loke eke The salt terys from̄ hys eyen̄ tweyn̄ Ful fast ran̄ dovn̄. by eyther cheke So longe he gan̄. of socour hem by-seche That for to hele hym̄. of hys sykes sore They yafe hym̄ Antenor wythouten more (20) But who was glade y-nough but Calcas tho And of this thinges ful sone his nedes glade On hem that shulde for tretys goo And hem ful ofte specyally preyde For Antenor to bringe home Creseide And whan̄ pryam̄ his sone gan̄ sende Thambassedours streyght to Troye wende (21) The cause y-tolde of hyr commynge the olde Pryam̄ the kynge. ful sone in general lete hervpon̄ hys parlement to holde Of wych theffecte to you Rehersyn shal Them-bassadours ben̄ Answerd for final Theschange of prysonners And Al this nede hem̄ lyketh wel. and forthe in̄ they procede (22) This troilus was present in this place Whan̄ axed was Antenor for Creseide For wych ful soon̄ changen̄ gan̄ his face As he that wyth the wordes wel nygh deyde But natheles he to hit no worde sede Lest men̄ shulde his Affection̄ espie With mannes hert he gan̄ his sorowes drye (23) And fuɫɫ of Anguyssħ And of grysly drede A-bode what other lordes wolde sey And yf they wolde graunte as god forbede Theschange of hyr than̄ thogh he thinges twey First how to saue hir honour And in that wey Myght best theschange of hir withstonde Ful faste he caste how al this myght stande (24) loue hym̄ made Al prest to doon̄ hyr byde Or Rather dyen̄ than̄ she shulde goo But Reson̄ seide hym̄ on̄ that other syde With-outen̄ the Assent of hyr do not soo yif you debate it lest she be thy foo And sey that thurgħ thy medelynge is y-blow your brother loue ther it was erst vnknowe (25) For wyche he gan̄ delybren̄ for the best That thogh the lordes wolden̄ that she wente he wolde lete hem̄. graunte what hem̄ lyste And telle hys lady fyrst what that they mente And whan̄ that she hade seide hym̄ hir entente Ther-After wolde he werken̄ Also blyue Thogħ Al the worlde a-yeine it wolde stryue (26) Ector wyche that Wele the grekys Herde For Antenor how they wolde haue Creseyde Gan it withstonde. And soubrely answerde I not who on̄ you thys charge leyde [These lines inverted in Harl. 1239.] Syres she is no prysonner he seide¹ But on̄ my parte. ye efte-sone hym telle Whe vsen̄ here / no womān for to selle (27) The noyse of the peple / than̄ vpstynt At onys As breme as blasse / of sorow. y-sette A-fyre For Infortune / it wolde for the nones They shulde hyr confusyon̄ desyre Ector quod they / what gost may you enspire This womman thus to shelde and doon vs lese Dain [or Dam] Antenor / A wronge wey ye chese (28) That so wyse / And eke so boulde a baroun̄ And whe haue nede. of folkis as men̄ may see He is eke oon̄. the grettest of this tovn̄ O ector. lat that fantasye bee O kynge Pryam̄. thus sey we That al oure voyce. is for to goon̄ Creseide And to delyueren Antenor they preyde (29) O Iuuenal lord. ful sothe is thy sentence That litel folkis wote what is to yerne That the ne fynde. in hyre desyre offence For cloude of errour let hem̄ to dyscerne what best is / loo / ensanple here as yerne This folkis desyren. now deliueraunce Of Antenor / that brougħt hem̄ to myschaunce (30) For he was Aftyr traitor to the tovn̄ Of troye. Allas they quytte hym̄ oute to Rathe O nyce worlde. loo thy dyscrecyon̄ Creseide wyche. that neuer dyde hym̄ scathe Shal now lenger in hyr blysse bathe But Antenor he shal come home to tovn̄ And she shal oute thus seyde here and hown̄ (31) For wyche delyuerid was by parlement For Antenor to yelden̄ oute Creseide And hit pronounced by the presedente Al-thogħ that Ector nay ful ofte preyde What finially what wyght so it wythseide It whas for nought. it was and shulde For substaunce of the parlement it wolde (32) Departed oute of parlement echone This troilus wyth wordes moo In-to his chaumbre. spede hym̄ fast allon̄ But if it were a man̄ of his or two The wyche he bade oute faste for to goo Be-cause he wolde slepen̄ as he seyde And hastely vpon̄ his bedde hym̄ leide (33) And as in wynter leves ben̄ berafte Eche Aftyr other tyl the tre be bare So that ther is but barke & braunche y-lefte Lythe Troilus byrafte of eche welfare y-bounden̄ in the blake barke of care Disposed wode oute of his witte to breyde So sore hym̄ satte the exchange of Creseide (34) He Ryseth hym vp and euery doure he shette And wyndow eke. And tho this sorowful man̄ Vppon his beddes syde dovn̄ hym̄ sette Ful like a pale. ymage dede and wan̄ And in hys brest the heped woo began̄ Oute to braste. And he wrought in this wyse In hys wodenesse. as I shal you devyse (35) Rygħt as the wylde bole gynnyth to springe Now here now there y-darted to the herte And of his dethe Roreth a complenynge Ryght so gan̄ he A-boute the chaumbre sterte Smytyng his brestes. ay with his fystes smerte his hede to the walle his body dovn̄ to the grovnde Ful ofte he swapped hymself to comfunde (36) His eyen two for pitee of herte Oute stremeden̄ as swyfte welles tweye The sobbes of his sorowes smerte his speche hym Rafte vnnethes mygħt he seye O dethe Allas why nyltow do my deye O-cursed be / that day that nature Shope me to be a lives creature (37) But afftyr whan̄ Al this furye And this Rage wyche that his herte twyst and faste thriste By lengthe of tyme / somwhat gan̄ asswage Vpp-on̄ his bedde he leyde hym̄ dovn̄ to Reste But tho gan̄ his terys more oute breste That Wondir is the body may suffice To haue this woo wyche I you devise (38) Than̄ seide he thus fortune allas the whyle What haue I doon̄ what haue I thus a-gylte how myghtstow for Routhe me by-gyle Is ther no grace And shal I thus by spilt Thus shaɫɫ Creseide Awey for that thou wylte Allas how maystow in thyn hert fynde To be to me thus cruel And this vnkynde [St. 40 followes here in the MS.] (39 : put as 40 in Harl. 1239) Haue I the not honoured al my lyue [Between lines 267 & 268, Harl, 1239 has, by mistake, a line made up of 268 & 269: "As thou wyl woste from Ioye thus me depryus."] As thou [As thou in another hand?] wel wost / a-boue the goddes Alle why wyltow from̄ Ioye thus me depryue O. troylus what may men̄ / now the calle But wreche of wrecches / oute of honour falle In-to miserye in wyche I wole bewaille Creseide Allas / tyl that my breith me faille (40 : put as 39 in the MS.) [Late sidenote: This Stanza misplaced in Pynsons Edition.] Allas fortune in that my lyf in Ioye Displesed hade vnto thy foule enfie Wy nadestow my fadur kyng of Troye Byrafte thy lyf or doon̄ my brethern̄ dye Or slayn̄ my-selfen̄ that thus complen̄ and crye I combre the worlde that may no thing deserue But Alwey dye / and neuer fully sterve [See st. 39, which follows here in the MS.] (41) Ȝif that Creseide / allone where me lefte Now Routħ I wyderward thou stere And hyr Allas / than hastow me berafte But euermo loo / this is thy manere To Reue A wyght. that most to hym̄ is dere To preue in that / thy grevyl violence Thus am I lost thus helpeth no defence (42) O verray lord. of loue O god allas That knowyst best / my hert and al my thought what shal my sorowfulɫ hert / doon̄ in this cas Yif I forgoo that so dere I haue bougħt Syn ye Creseide. And me haue fully brougħt Into your grace and bothe your hertis seled how may ye souffre. allas it be Repelled (43) What shaɫɫ I don̄ .I shal whilles y may dure On lyue in tourment And in cruel [peyne] Thys infortune or this disaventure Allas Allone ay as I was born̄. y-wys compleyne Ne neuer wyl I see it shyne or Reyne Ne see no lyght And thus in derkenesse My sorowful lyfe wyl enden̄ in distresse (44) O Wery gost that errest too And froo Wy nyltow flee / oute of the sorowfullest Body. that euer myght. on̄ grounde goo O soule lourkynge in this wrecchydnesse Fle fourutħ oute of my hert and let it brest And folow Alway Creseide my lady dere Thy Ryght is now no lenger to ben̄ here (45) O woful eyen̄ too / syn̄ your disport was al to seen̄ Creseides eyen̄ brygħt what shal ye doon̄ / but for my disconfort Stondyn̄ for nogħt And wepen̄ oute your sygħt Syn̄ she is queynte. that you was wont to lygħt In veyne from̄ this forth / haue I eyen̄ tweye y-fourmed syn̄. your vertue is Aweye (46) O my Creseide. o lady souerayn̄ O that woful soule. that thus cryetħ who shal now yeue / confort to your peyne Allas no wygħt / but when̄ my hert dyeth My spirit wycħ / that soo to you hyetħ Receyuetħ in gre. for that I shal you serve For now no force is / thogh the body sterue (47) O ye louers that hye vpon̄ the whele Ben̄ sette of fortune in gode Auenture Gode leue that ye fynde ay leue of stele And longe mote ye. in Ioye endure And whan̄ ye come by my sepulture Remembreth that youre felaw Restetħ there For I loued eke / thogh I vnworthy were (48) o [The initial letter is 1, but there is a small o by the side of it.] Calcas vnholsom And mysleved man̄ Calcas I meen̄ / Allas what ailletħ the To ben̄ A greke sitħ thou art born̄ Troyan̄ O Calkas wycħ that wylt my bane bee In cursed tyme were born̄ thou for me As wolde blysfuɫɫ Ioue for his [his ocerlined later.] Ioye That I the hadde where that I wolde in Troye. (49) a thosand sykes . hotter than̄ the glede Oute of his breste / ecħ after other wente Medled with pleynte / new his woo to fede Therwytħ his wofuɫɫ terys neuer stynte And shortly soo his sorowes hym̄ to-Rente And wax so mate / that ioye ne penaunce he felitħ noone / but lietħ forth in a traunce (50) Pandare wycħ that in the parlement hade herde what euery lord and burges seide And how fuɫɫ graunted was by on̄ Assente For Antenor to chaunge soo Creseide Gan̄ wel nygħ oute of his wytte to breide So that for whoo / he nyst what he mente But in a Res // to Troilus he wente (51) A certeine knyght / that for the tyme kepte This chaumbre doure vndide hit hym anon̄ And pandare that ful tenderly wepte Into his derke chaumbre / as stylle as any ston̄ Toward the bedde / gan̄ softely gon̄ So confuse / that he nyst what to seye For verray woo / his witte was al awey (52) But wyth his chere and lokyng al to-torn̄ [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] he stode this sorofuɫɫ Troilus beforn̄ And on̄ his pitous face he gan̄ beholden̄ And lord so often̄ gan̄ his hert to colden Seyng his frynde in whoo whos hevinesse his hert slougħ / as thougħt for distresse (53) This wofuɫɫ wygħt thus Troilus that Felte his frende pandare / y-comen̄ hym to see Gan as the snowe a-yenist the sonne melte For wycħ this wofull pandare of pitee Gan̄ for to wepe / as tendurly as he And spechles thus / been̄ this ylke tweye That neither mygħt a worde for sorwo seye (54) But at the last this wofull Troilus For cruel hert / gan̄ bresten̄ oute to Rore And with a soroufuɫɫ noyse he seyd thus A-monges his sobbes / and sykes sore Loo pandare I am̄ dede wythouten̄ more Hastow not herde / in parlement he seyde For Antenor / how lost is my Creseide (55) This Pandare ful dede and pale of hewe Ful pitously / answerde / and seid yis As wysly were it fals as it is trewe That I haue herde at parlement how it is And how ffor Antenor lost my Creseide is who wolde haue wende / that in so a litel throwe Fortune our ioye wolde haue ouer-throwe (56) O in this worlde / is no creature As to my dome / that euer sawe Ruyne Strenger then this thoro cas or A-venture But who may alle ecchewe or diuine Suche is this worlde therfore I this diffine Ne trust no wygħt / to fynden̄ in fortune Ay proprete her yiftes been̄ commune (57) But telle me thus / why Artow now thus made To sorowen thus why lyestow in this wyse Syn̄ thy desyre / al holy as thou hadde So that by rygħt. it ougħt y-now souffice But I that neuer fonde in my seruyse A frendely chere or castyng of any eye Lat me thus wepe and weyle tyl that I dye (58) And ouer al this as thou wel woste thiselue This toune is fuɫ of ladys aɫɫ A-boute And to my dome / fairer than̄ suche twelue As euer she was shal I fynde in a Route Yee two or three wythouten̄ doute For-thy by gladde / myn̄ one dere brother yif she be lost . we shul Recouure an̄ other (59) What gode for-bede / alwey that Iche plesaūn̄ce In one thinge were and in non̄ other wygħt What oon̄ can̄ synge / A nother can̄ wel daunce Yif this is faire she that can̄ gode arygħt Yif this by godely . thus is she gladde and lygħt Eche for his vertue. holden̄ is full dere Bothe heyroner and faucon̄ for Ryuer (60) And eke as wryte / Zanzis that was ful wyse The newe loue / oute chaseth ofte the olde And vpon̄ new caas / lyeth new a-vise And thinke thy lyf / to sauen̄ art thou holden̄ Swycħ fyre of proces / shal by kynde colde For syn̄ it is / but casuel plesaunce Som cas shal put it oute of Remembraunce (61) For also sure as day cometħ aftyr nygħt The new loue chasetħ labour or other woo Or elles sielde / seyng of a wyght Doon̄ olde affections / alle ouer goo And for thy part / thou shalt haue oone or twoo Tabbreggen̄ with thy bettur peynes smerte Absence of hyr shal dryue hyr oute of herte (62) These wordes seide he for the nones Alle To helpe hys frynde / lest he for sorow dye For doutles to make hys sorowes falle He Rougħt noutħ what vnthryfte he seide But Troilus that nygħ / the sorow dyede Toke litel hyede. of al that euer he mente That oon̄ ere herde / At another it went oute (63) But At the last he Answerde And seid freynde Thys lechecrafte or heled thus to bee Were wele sitting / yf that I were A fynde To traisen̄ hyr / that trew is vnto me I pray gode lete / this counsel neuer thee But do me sterue / Rather Anon̄ here Or I so doo As thou woldest me lere (64) She that [that overlined later.] I serue what so thou seye To whom̄ myn̄ herte inhabite is by Rygħt Shaɫɫ haue me holy / heres tyl that I dye What pandarus / syn I haue hyr byhygħt I wole not been̄ / vntrew for no wygħt But As hyr man̄ I wyl Ay lyue And sterue And neuer other creature serue (65) And there thou saist / thou shalt As fayre fynde As she lat bee / make no comparyson̄ To creature yfourmed hyr by kynde O leue Pandare / in conclusion̄ I wole not been̄ / of thyn̄ opinion̄ Touchynge Al thys / therefore I the bescche To holden̄ thy pees / thou sleest me with thy speche (66) Thou biddest me / that I shulde loue A-nother̄ As fressħly new / And lat Creseide goo It lietħ not in my pouer leue brother And thougħ I mygħt / I wolde not do soo But kanstetow pleyn̄ / Raket to And froo Oute netel in doke / now thys now that pandare Now foule falle hyr̄ / that for thy woo has care (67) Thou farest eke by me thou pandarus As he that whan̄ / A man̄ is woo be-goon̄ He cometħ to hym̄ / A pas And seitħ Rygħt Rygħt thus Thenke not on̄ smerte / And thou shal feyle non̄ Thou must be fyrst / transmuen̄ As A ston̄ And Reue me my passyons Alle Or thou so lightly do me woo to falle (68) The detħ may wel oute of my brest departe The lyf so longe / may this sorwo myne But fro my soule / shal Creseides darte Oute neuer-moo / but doon̄ wytħ proserpine whan̄ I am dede / I wyl goo lyue in pyne And the I wole eternable compleyne Thys whoo And how that twynned be we tweyne (69) Thou hast here made An̄ Argument ful fyne How that it shulde / A lesse peyne bee Creseide to for-goo / for she was myne And lyued in ese / And in felicite why gabbestow / that seide thus to me That hym is worse / that is fro wele I-throwe Than he had erste / noon̄ I-wele I-knowe (70) But sey me thys syn ye that thynke so lygħt To chaunge so ay / in loue to and froo Why hastow not / doon̄ besyly thy mygħt To chaunge hyr that dothe the Al thy woo Why nyltow let hyr from̄ thy hert goo why nylthou Love / A-nother Lady swete That may thyn hert / setten̄ in qiyete (71) Ȝif thou hast hade / in love ay suche myschaunce And canst it not / from̄ thy hert dryue I that lyued in lust & plesaunce with hyr As moche As creature on lyue How shulde I that foryet And that as blyue O where hastow ben̄ hyde so longe in mewe That canst so wele / and fourmable Argue (72) Nay pandarus nougħt wortħ is Al thy Rede But doutles for ougħt / that may befalle with wordes moo I wole be dede O detħ that ender / Art of sorowes Alle Come now sithen̄ / so ofte After the I calle For Sely is that dethe / sothe for to Seyn̄ That ofte I-cleped / cometh And endyth peyne (73) Wel wote I [whil] my lyf was in quiete Or dethe me slough .I. wolde haue yiven̄ hyre But now [thy] commynge is to me so swete That in thys worlde / nothing I so desire O dethe syn with thys sorow I Am on fyre Thou ougħt me a-non̄ / in terys drenche Or wytħ thy coulde / stroke my hert quenche (74) Syn that thou sleest / so many in sondry wyse A-yens her wylle vnpreyde day And nygħt Doo me / At Request / thys servise Deliuere now / the worlde than doost thou Rygħt Of me that am / the woofullest whygħt That euer was / for tyme is that I sterve Syth in thys worlde of notħinge may I serue (75) Thus Troilus / in terys can̄ distille As licour of lambek / ful faste And pandarus. gan̄ holden̄ hym̄ stille And to the grovnde / dovn̄ hys eyen̄ caste But natles / thus thougħt he At leste what parde Rather / than̄ my felaw dye yit shalt som̄-what / more to hym̄ seye (76) And seide frende / sythe thou hast suche distresse And sithen̄ thou list myn̄ Argumentis to blame why nyltow thy-selfen̄ helpe to Redresse And with thy manhode / letten Al thys grame Goo Ravissħ her / ne canstow not for shame And outher lette hyr / oute of tovne to fare Or olde hyr stylle / and leve thys nyce care (77) Art thou in Troye. and hast noon̄ hardiment To take a woman. wych that loueth the And wolde hyr selfe ben̄ of thyn Assent Now is not thys / A nyce vanite Ryse vp anon̄ / and let thys sorow bee And kyde thou Art a mon̄ for in thys hour I wole be dede / or she shal beleven our (78) To thys Answerd hym Troy[lu]s ful softe And seide parde. leve brother dere Al thys haue I my selfe thought ful ofte And more thing than thou devised here And why thys thing is lefte thou shal wele here And whan̄ thou me [me and an over∣lined later.] hast yeue an [me and an over∣lined later.] Audience Ther-after maistow. telle al thy sentence (79) Fyrst sitħ thou woost thys tovn̄ hath Al thys werr For Rauysshing of women̄ / so be myght hit shulde not ben souffred me to erre As it stont now or don̄ so grete vnrygħt I shulde haue blame / as moche as Any wygħt My fadres graunt yif I so withstode Syn she is so chaunged for the tovnes gode (80) I haue eke thougħt so it were hyr Assent To Axe of my fadur of hys grace Than thynke I thys were Accusement Syn̄ wol I wote I may hyr not purchace For sith my fadur / in so hygħ a place As parlement hath hyr eschaunge seled he nyl for me hys honour bee Repeled (81) Yit drede I moste hyr hert to perturbe with violence yif I do suche A game [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] hit moste be sclaunder to hyr name And me were leuer deye than hyr dyffame As nolde gode / but yf I shulde haue Hyr honnour leuer / than my selfe saue (82) Thus am I lost for ougħt that I can̄ see For certeine sitħ. I am hyr knygħt I haue hyr honour / leuer yit than me And in euery cas / As louer ougħt of Rygħt Thus am I with desire And loue twygħt Desire for to distourben̄ hyr me Redytħ And Reson wyl not so my hert dredytħ (83) Thus wepinge / that he cowde neuer cese He seide Allas / how shal I wreche fare For wele wote I Alwey now my loue tencrece And hope is lasse And lasse Alwey pandare Encrecen eke / the causes of my care So welaway. why nyl my hert breste For while I lyue is litel hertis Reste (84) Pandare Answerde / frende thou maist for me Doone As the list / but hade I hit so hote And thin estate / she shulde goo with me Thogħ Al thys tovn̄ cryed on̄ it be note I nolde sette / Al that noyse at a grote For when̄ men̄ haue / wel cried than̄ lette he Rovn̄ For whonder lastetħ / but ix nygħt neuer in tovn̄ (85) Devyne not in Reson̄ ay so depe Ne precyously / but helpe thyselfe anon̄ Bet is that other / than thy selfe wepe And namely sitħ ye be bothe oon̄ Ryse vp for by hede myn̄ she shal not goon̄ And Rather by a litel / in blame founde Than̄ sterve here As A knatte with-oute wounde (86) Hit is no Rape in my dome. ne no vice Hyr to with-holden̄ / that thou louest most Parauntere she may holden̄ the for nyce To let hyr goo / thus to the grekys hoste Thenke eke fortune as wel thy-self wost helpith hardy man̄ / to hys Empryse And fleeth from̄ wrecches for hyr cowardise (87) And thogħ thy lady. wolde a litel hyr greue Then̄ shalt thyn pees / ful wele herafter make But As for me / certein I can̄ not leve That she wolde As now for euel take why shulde than̄ / of ferde thyn̄ hert quake Thenke how that parys / hath that is thy brother A loue / And why shalt not thou haue a nother (88) And Troilus O thing I dare wel swere That yf that Creseide. wych that is thy leffe Now loueth the / As wel as thou doost here Gode helpe me so / she nyl not take in greffe Thogħ thou doo / but Anon̄ in thys myschyeff And yf she wylnetħ / fro the for to passe Than she is fals / so loue here wele the lasse (89) For-thy take hert / And thinke thus A knygħt Thurgħ loue is broke euery law Alday kythe now somwat thy coryage and thy mygħt haue mercy on̄ thy self / for Any way lat not thys wrecchyd / woo thyn hert gnawe [This line is repeated in Harl. 1239.] But manly sette / the worlde on̄ syx And seven̄ And yf thou dye A martyr goo to heven̄ (90) I wyl my seluen / be wyth the At thys dyde Thogh I And Al my kyn vpon̄ a stonde Shul in a strete As dogges lygge dede Thurgħ gyrt with many A depe and blody wounde In euery cas. I wyl A frynde be fonde And yf the lyst here sterue As A wreche A dieu / the deuel haue hym that Reche (91) This Troilus gan̄ with that worde quykyn̄ And seid graunt mercy Ich Assente But certeinly / thou may me not so prechen Ne peyne me may / so tourment That for no cas / it is not myn̄ entent At short wordes / thogħ I dyen̄ shulde To Ravissħ her / but if herselfe wolde (92) Pandare answerd / of that be As it may But telle than how / hastow hyrselfe Assaide That sorowyst thus / and he Answerde nay wher-of Artow / quod he thus Amayede That noost not / if she wyl be evil paide To Ravissħ her / syn thou hast not ben there But Any Angil. tolde it in thyn ere (93) For-thy Ryse vp / As noght ne were A-non̄ And wassħ thy face / And to thy kynge thou wende Or he may wonder / why thou art thus goon̄ Thou must wyth wysdom̄. hym and other blende Or vpon̄ cas / he may Afftyr the sende Er thou were ware / And shortly brother dere Be glade and let me. werke in thys matere (94) For I shal shape it soo / that sykerly Thou shalt thys nygħt / som tyme in som manere Come speke wyth thy lady / pryuely And by her wordes / eke and by hyre chere Thou shalt fulɫ sone / parceuyn and wel here Al hyr entent / And of thys cas the best And fare now wele. for in thys cas I rest (95) The swyft fame. wych that false thinges Egal Reportetħ / the thinges trewe was thurgħ flede / wytħ prest wynges Fro man̄ to man̄ / And made thys tale new How Calcas dougħter / wyth hyr bryght hew At parlement / wytħ-oute wordes moo I-grauntede was / in chaunge for antenor (96) The wyche tale Anon̄ as Creseide Hade herde. she with that of her fadyr thougħt As in thys cas / Ryght noght ne whan he deide Ful besyly to Iupiter / she besought To yeue hym myschaunce / that this traitte brought But shortly lest / these tales sothe were She dorst of no wygħt / axen̄ it for fere (97) As she that hade her thought and al hyr mynd On troilus by-sette / so wonder faste That Al thys worlde / ne mygħt hyr loue vnbynde Ne troilus oute of her hert cast She wole been̄ hys / wyth that hyre lyfe may last And thus she brenneth / bothe in loue and drede So that she nyst / what was best to Rede (98) But As men̄ seyn / in tovnes al aboute That women̄ vsen̄ / fryndes to visite So to Creseide / of women̄ come a Route For pitous Ioye / and wenden̄ her delite And wyth hyr tales / dere ynogh a myte Thes women̄ that in the Cite dwelle They sette hem̄ dovn̄ / and seide as I shal you telle (99) Quod fyrst that oone / I am glade trewly Be-cause of you / that shal your fadyr see A-noither saide / ywys so nam not I For al to litel / hath she wyth vs bode The thirde Aunswerde / I hope ywys that she Shal bringe vs / to pees on̄ euery side That whan she gothe / Almyghty gode hyr gyde (100) Tho wordes / and tho womannyssh thinges She herde as thogħ / she thennes were For Al thys whyle / her hert on̄ other thing is Al-thogħ the body / sat a-monge them̄ there Gode wote hyr aduertence / was elles-where For troilus ful fast hyr soule sougħt with-oute wordes moo / Alwey on̄ hym she thougħt (101) These wommen that wenden̄ hyr so to plese A-boute nougħt / they gan̄ her tales spende Swych vanite / can doon̄ her non̄ ese As she that al thys / meen̄ tyme brende Of other passion̄ / than̄ that thay wende So that she wende / anon̄ Rygħt for to die For woo and wery / of that companye (102) For wych no lenger / she myght restreyne her teres soo / they gonn̄ vp to welle That yafe signes / of the bitter peyne In wych hyr spiritt /. was and must dwelle Remembryng hyr / from̄ heven̄ in wych helle She fallen̄ was / sith she forgotħt the sight Of troilus and sorowfully the sygħt (103) And thilke foles / sittinge hyr a-boute wenden̄ that she wepte and syghed sore Be-cause that she / wolde from the Route Depart and neuer pley wyth hym more And they that hade / knowen̄ hyr of yore Sey hyr so wepe / and thought it kyndnesse And eche of hem / wept eke for hyr distresse (104) And besyly / they gon̄ hyr conforten̄ Of thinge gode wote / that she ful litel thoght And wyth hyr / wordes wenden̄ hyr disporten̄ And to be glade / ful often̄ hyr by-sought But wych an ese / ther-wyth they hyr wrought Ryght as a man̄. is esed to fele For Ache of hede / to clawe hym on the hele (105) But aftyr Al thys nyce vanite They token̄ hyr leue / and whome wenten̄ alle Creseide ful of sorowful pitee Into the chaumbre / vp wente the halle And on̄ hyr bede / for dede she gan̄ to falle In purpos there / neuer for to Ryse And thus she wrought As I shal you devise (106) [St. 108 'The salt terys' follows here in the MS., leaf 41, foot.] Here clere Here / that sonnyssħ was of hewe She Rente / And eke her longe fyngres smale She wrange ful ofte / And bade on̄ hyr Rewe And with the dethe / doo bote on̄ hir bale Hyr hew whylom brygħt / that tho was pale Bare wyttenesse of hyr wo And hir constreynt And thus she spake sobbynge in hir compleynt (107) Allas quod she / oute of hys Regyon̄ I wooful wreche / and infortuned wygħt And born̄ in cursed constillacion̄ Mote goon̄ / And thus departen̄ from̄ my knygħt woo worth that day / And namly that nygħt On̄ wych I saw hym / fyrst with eyen tweyn̄ That causeth me / and Ich hym al thys peyne (108) The salt terys / from̄ heyen̄ tweyn̄ Oute Ronne / as shour in Apryl swytħ Hyr whyte brest / she bette and for the peyne Afftyr the deyth / she cryed A thousande sithe Syn that he wonte / was hyr woo to lieth She must forgoon̄ / for suche disauenture She hielde herself / a forlost creature [Sce St. 106.] (109) What shal he doon̄ / what shal I doo Also How shal I lyue / yif that from̄ hym̄ I twynne A dere hert eke / that I loue soo whoo shal that sorow / sleen̄ that ye been̄ inne O calcas fadyr / thyn be Al thys synne And cursed bee that day wych that Agryue Me of hyr body / bare to been̄ a-lyue (110) To what fyn shulde I / lyue And sorowen̄ thus How shulde a fyssħ / with-oute water dure what is Creseide worth from̄ Troilus how shul A plaunte / or other creature lyue wyth-oute / hys kynde nature For wych ful ofte / a byworde here I seye That erthles / mote gryne soone deye (111) I shal doo thus / sitħ neither swerde ne darte Dare I noon̄ handle / for the cruelte That ylke day / I shal from you departe yif sorow of that / nyl not my bane be There shal no mete / or drynke come in me Tyl I my soule / oute of my brest vnbrethe And thus my-seluen̄ / wol I doo to dethe (112) And Troilus my clothes euerychone Shullen̄ blake bee / in tokenyng hert swete That I am as oute / of thy world ygoon̄ That wont was you / to holden̄ in quiete And of myn ordre / til that dethe me mete The obseruaunce / euer in your Absence Shal sorow bee / compleynt And Abstinence (113) Myn hert And eke / the wooful gost therinne Bequethe I / wyth youre spirit to compleyne Eternally / for they shul neuer twynne For theight in erthe / twynned be we tweyne Yit in the fielde / of pitee oute of peyne There pluto Reyneth / shal we been in fere As Orpheus / wyth erudices fere (114) Thus hert myn / for Antenor Allas I soone shal be yolden̄ as I weyne But how shuld ye doon̄ / in thys wooful cas how shal your tendur hert thys sustene But hert myn̄ / for-yete sorow And tene And me Also / for sothely for to sey Soo yee welfare / I reche not for to dey (115) How myght it euer Al Redde been̄ or ysonge The pleinte that she / made in hyr distresse I not / but As for me my litel tonge yif I discreven̄ wolde / her hevinesse hit shulde make / her sorow seme lesse Than that it was / And chyldysshly deface her hygħ compleinte / And therfore I it pace (116) PAndare Wycħ / that sent from Troilus Was to Creseide as ye han herde deuyse That for the best /. it was Accorded thus And he ful glade / to doon̄ hym thys seruyse Vnto Creseide / in A ful secre wyse There she lay / in tourment and in Rage Cam her to telle / holy hys message (117) And fonde that she her-seluen̄ gan̄ to trete Ful pitously / for hyr salt terys Hyr brest hyr face / I-bathed was ful wete The myghty tresses / of hyr sonnyasħ heres Vnbreden̄ hanggyn / al aboute hyr eres wych yafe hym signal matere Of dethe / wych that woo she gan̄ desire (118) Whan she hym sagħ / she gan̄ for shame a-non̄ Her ytery face / a-twyx hyr Armes / hyde For wyche / thys pandare is so woobegon̄ That in chaumbre / he myght vnnethe Abyde As he that pitee felte on euery syde For yif Creseide / hade erst complened hyr sore Tho gan̄ she pleyn̄ / a thousande tymes more (119) And in hyr aspre / pleynte thus she seide Myn Eme pandare / of Ioyes moo than woo was causing first to me Creseide That now transmued / ben̄ in cruel woo wheyther shal I say welcome or noo That Althyrfyrst / me brought in-to seruyse Of loue / Allas that endith in suche wyse (120) Endith than loue in woo / ye ar men̄ lieth And euery worldes Ioye As thynketh me Thende of blisse / ay sorow it occupieth And who so troweth not / that it so be lete hym vpon̄ / me wooful wreche see That my selfe hate / And ay my birth Acurse Felyng Alwey fro wyk I goo to worse (121) Who-so me seyth / seeth sorow al at onys Peyne tourment pleinte woo distresse Oute of my sorowful body / harme ther non̄ is As Anguyssh langour / cruel bitternesse A-noye smerte / drede furye And eke sikenesse I trowe ywys / from heuen teres Reyen For pitee of my Aspre And cruel peyne (122) And thow my suster / ful of disconfort Quod pandarus what thenkyst why nastow to thyself som Resport Why wyltow thus / Allas thyself for-doo Leue Al thys werke / And take now hedde too What I shal sey / And herkyn of gode entent Thys that by me / thy Troilus the sente (123) Tourned hir tho Creseide A woo makyng Soo gret that it / A dethe was for to see Allas quod she / what wordes may ye brynge what wyl my dere hert sey to me wych that I drede / more to see wyl ye haue pleynt / or terys or y wende I haue ynogh / yif ther After sende (124) She was Ryght such / to seen̄ in hir visage As is that wyght / that men̄ on̄ bere bynde hyr face like / of paradise thymage whas al y-chaunged in-to a-nother kynde The pleye the laugħter / that men̄ was wont to fynde In hyr and other Ioyes euerychon̄ Ben̄ flede And thus for hem she lieth Allone (125) Aboute hir eyne twoo a purpur Rynge Be-trente in sothfastenes / tokenynge of hyr peyne That to be-holde / it was A dedlyng thinge For wycħ Pandare / myght not Restreyne The terys from hys eyen̄ for to Reyne But natheles / as he best myght he seyde From Troilus / thes wordes to Creseide (126) LOs nece I trowe wele / ye han herde al how The kynge with outher / lordes for the best hathe made thys chaunge / of.Antenor And you That cause is of / thys woo and thys vnrest But how thys cas / Dothe Troilus maleste That may not wordly / mannes tonge sey As he that shortly / shapyth hym to dey (127) For wych we han / so sorowed he And I That in-to litel / bothe it hade vs slawe But thurgh my counseyl / thys day finially He somwat hath / fro weping hym with-drawe And semeth me / that he desireth fawe Wyth you to been̄ / Al nyght for to devise Remedie of this / yif there were in Any wyse (128) This short And pleyn̄ / the effect of my message And eke the best As my witte may comprehende For ye that been̄ / of tourment in suche Rage May to no longe / prologe As now entende And her-vpon̄ / he may hym answer And sende And for the loue of god / my nece dere So leue thys woo / or Troilus be here (129) Grete is my woo / quod she And sighed sore As she that feleth / dedly sharp distresse But yit to me / hys sorow is mochel more That loue hym bete / than he hym selfe I gesse Allas for me / hath he sucħ hevinesse Kan̄ he for me / so pitously compleyne y-wys hys sorow / doubleth Al my peyne (130) Greuous for me / gode wote is for to twynne Quod she / but yit it harder is to me To seen̄ hym in that woo / that he is inne For wyl I wote / it wyl my bane bee And dye I wyl / in certeine quod she But hym come / or dethe thus me thretitħ Dryue oute that goost / wycħe in my hert betitħ (131) Thes wordes seide she / on hyr Armes twoo Ful gruf / And gan to wepen̄ pitously Quod Pandarus / Allas why doo ye soo Syn wel ye woot / the tyme is faste by That he shal come / A-ryse vp softly That he you naught / be-wepen thus fynde But he wyl han hym / wode oute of hys mynde (132) For wyst he that / ye ferde in thys manere he wolde hym-self slee / And yif I wende To han thys fare / he shulde not come here For Al the golde that P[r]yam may dispende For to what fyn / he wolde A-non̄ pretende That wote I wele · And therfore yit I sey lat be thys sorow or platly / he wole dey (133) And shapith you thus / sorow for to a-brege And not to encrece / O leef nece dere And beyth to hym Rather / cause of flat than egge And wyth som wysdom / ye hys sorow bete What helpith it / to wepen ful A strete Or thogħ ye bothe / in salt terys drent Bet is a tyme / of cure than of pleynt (134) I meen thys / whan I hym Hyder Bringe Syn ye been wyse and bothe of Assent Soo shapith how / to distourbe thys goyng Or come A-yen̄ / soone After ye been̄ went women bene wyse / of short A-visement And lat see now / how shal your wytte A-vaylle And that / that I can̄ helpe / yt shal not faille (135) Goo quod Creseide and Vncle trewly I wyl doon̄ Al my myght me to Restreyne For weping in hys sigħt And bysily Hym for to glade .I shal doo al my peyne And in myn hert / seken̄ euery veyne Yif to thys sore / may be founden̄ salue hit shal not lackyn / certein on̄ my behalue (136) [The large initial letter is B, but there is a small g by the side of it.] goth Pandarus And Troilus he sougħt Tyl in a temple / he fonde hym Al Allone As he that of hys lyue no more Rougħt But to the pitous / goddys euerychone He fast made hys compleynt And hys moon̄ Be-sykyng hem to sende hym other grace Or fro thys worlde / to doon̄ hym̄ sone pace [Harl. 1239 omits from here to st. 156.] (137) [And shortely alle þe soþe for to seye [Addit. 12,044,] He was so fallen in despeire that day That vtterly he shope hym for to deye For riȝhte thus was his argumente aɫɫ daye He seide he nas but lorne weylaweye For alle that comytħ comythe by necessite Thus to be lorne it is my destenye (138) For certeynly this wote I wele he seide That / for-sighte of dyuyne purveaunce Hathe seene alle-wey me to for-gone Criseide Syn god sethe euery thynge oute of doutance And hem dispositħ þoroughe his ordenaunce In hir merites sothly for to be As they schal turnen by predestyne (139) But / naþeles who Allas schaɫɫ I leue For þer ben grete clerkys many one That / destinye þorouȝe argumentes preue And some men seyne þat nedely þere is none But þat free chois is ȝeuen vs euerycheone O weylaway so slye arne clerkes olde That I note whos oppinion I may holde (140) For some men seyne if god seetħ aɫɫ byforne Ne god may not bene disceyued parde Þen mote I fallen þouȝe men had it sworne That purveaunce hathe sene to-fore to be wherfore ·I· sey þat frome eterne yf he Hathe wiste byforne or þouȝte eke as oure dede we haue no chois free · as þese clerkis rede· (141) [For other thougħt nor oþer dede also [Addit. 12,044,] Miȝte never bene but swiche as purveaunce whiche may not be desceyued nevere moo Hathe felid biforne with-oute ignoraunce For it þere myȝte be a varyaunce To writhen oute for goddis puru[e]ynge Þere nere no prescience of þinge comynge (142) But / it were raþere an oppynyoun̄ Vncerteyne and no stedefaste for-seynge And certes þat were an abusioun̄ That god schulde haue no parfite witynge More þan we men þat haue doue-to-vs wenynge But swiche an erroure vpon̄ god to dresse where fals and foule wicked cursynesse (143) Eke this ys an oppinioun̄ of somme That haue hir Toppe fulle highe and smothe y-shore They seyne riȝte þus þat þinge is not to come For þat þe pres[i]ence hathe seene to-fore Þat is · schal come but they seyne þat þerfore That it schaɫɫ com þerfore þe purveaunce wote it / by-forne with-oute ignoraunce (144) And in this manere þis necessite Retournetħ in his parte contrarie a-geyne For nedefuɫɫ be-houetħ it not for to be That þilke þinges fallen in certeyne That bene purveide but nedely as þey seyne Bihouetħ it þat þinges whiche þat falle That þey in certeyne be purveide alle (145) [I mene as þouȝe I laboured me in þis [Addit. 12,C44.] To enquere whiche þinge cause of which þinke he As wheþer þat þe prescience of god ys Þe certeyne cause of þe necessite Of thynges þat to comen ben parde As yf necessite of thynges comynge Be cause certeyne of the purveynge (146) But nowe for I me nowȝte in swewynge How the ordre of Cause stonte but wele wote I That I bihouetħ þat þe bifallynge Of þinges wiste before certeinly The necessarie alle seme it not / þere-by That prescience putt / fallynge necessarie To þinge to come be it foule or faire (147) For yf þer sitte a man ȝonde on a see Then by necessite bihouetħ it / That certes þine oppinion sothe be þat weneste or coneteste þat he sitt And ferþere-ouere nowe ageynwarde yitt / Loo riȝte so is it of þe parte contrarie As þus nowe herken for I nyl not tarie (148) I seye þat yf þe oppinioun of the Be sothe for þat he sit / þen sey ·I· þis· That he mote sitten by necessite And þus necessite in eyþer ys For in hym nede of syttyng ys I-wys And in þe nede of sothe & þus for-sothe Þer mote necessite bene in you bothe (149) [But þou mayste see þe man sitt not þerfore [Addit. 12,044.] That in oppinioūn̄ of his sittynge sothe ys But rather for þe man sitt / þere byfore Þerfore ys þine oppynyoūn̄ sothe y-wys And I· seye you · þe cause of sothe of this Cometħ of hys sittynge ȝitt / necessite ys entrechaunged bothe in hym and the (150) Thus in þis same wise oute of doutaunce I may wele make as it semytħ me My resonynge of goddis purveaunce And of þo thynge þat in erthe falle By swiche resoun men may wel y-see That þese þinges that in erthe falle That by necessite þey comen alle (151) ¶ For al̄l̄-thougħ þat for thynge schal̄l̄ come y-wys Therfore as it purveide certeynly Nouȝte þat it / cometħ for it purveide ys Ȝitt naþeles by-houetħ it nedefully That þinge to come be purveide truly Or elles þynges þat purveide be That þei · be-tyden by necessite (152) And þus suffisithe riȝte ynouȝe certeyne For to distroye oure free choyce euere dele But nowe ys this abusioūn̄ to seyne That / fallynge of these thynges tempereɫɫ ys cause · of goddys prescience eternel Nowe trewly · þat is a fals sentence That þinge to come schulde cause his prescience (153) What myȝte I wene yf I hade swiche a þoughte [Addit. 12,044.] But god þat purveytħ thynge þat is to come For that is to come and ellys nouȝte So myȝte I wene þat thynges alle and some That whilome bene be-falle and ouere-come Bethe cause of thilke souereyne purveaunce Þat for-wote alle withouten ignoraunce (154) And ouere alle this ȝitt / sey I more þerto Þat / riȝte as whan I· wote there ys no thynge Y-wys þat thynge mote nedefully be so Eke riȝte so when I wote þere is a thynge So mote it come and so by fallyng Of thynges þat be wyste before that tyde They mowe not bene eschewed on no wise syde (155) Then seide he þus almyȝti one in trone That woste of alle this thynge the sothefastnes Rewe on my sorowe or do me deie sone Or brynge Criseide and me fro þis distresse And while he was in aɫɫ thys heuynesse Disputynge witħ hym self in thys matere Came Pandar in and seid as ȝe may here] (156) O myghty gode / quod pandarus in Trone [Harl. 1239.] Ey who saw euer / A wysman̄ faren̄ soo Why Troilus what thinkestow to doon̄ Hastow suche lust / to bee thyn oone foo what parde yit / is not Creseide A-goo why lyst the soo / for-doon̄ thyselven̄ for drede That in thyn hede / thyn eyen̄ semen̄ dede (157) Hastow not lyued / al thy lyue beforn̄ Wythouten̄ hyr / and ferd ful wele at ese Art for hyr / and for noon̄ other born hath kynde the wrought hir oonly for to plese Canstow not thynken̄ / thus in thys wyse That on the thys / Ryght As ther fallen̄ chaunces In loue Also / ther come And goo plesaunce[s] (158) And yit thys my wonder most of alle why thou thus sorowyst / syn thou nost not yit Touching hyr goyng how it shal falle Ne yf she ben hir-selfe / distourben̄ hit Thou hast not yit Assaide al hir witte A man̄ may al betyme / hys necke bede whan it shal of / and sorowen At the nede (159) For-thy take hede / what I shal the sey I haue wyth hir y-spoke / And long y-bee Soo As accorded was / betwyx vs twey And euermore / me thynketh thus that she hath som-what in hir [hir overlined later.] hertis priuyte Wher-with she can / yf I shal Ryght a-Rede Stint Al thys thinge / of wych thou Art in drede (160) For wych my counseil is whan it is nyght Thou to hir goo / And make of thys an ende And blisful ynow [for Juno] thurgh hir grete myght Shal as I hope / hir grace vn-to us sende Myn̄ hert seyth certaine / she shal not wende And for-thy putte thy hert a whyle in Reste And holde thy purpos / for it is the beste (161) Thys Troilus Answerd / and sighed sore Thou seyst Ryght weɫɫ / And I wyl doo Ryght soo And what hym lyst / he seide to hym more But whan̄ that it was / tyme for to goo Ful pryuely hym-self wythouten̄ moo Vnto hyr come / As he was wont to doon̄ And how he wrought / I shal you telle soon̄ (162) Sothe is it Whan they gan̄ fyrst to mete Than gan̄ the sorow / hir hertis for to twyste That neither of hem other myght grete But hem in Armes / hente And softe kyste The lesse wooful / of hem bothe nyste what forto doon̄ / ne mygħt A worde oute brynge As I seide erst / for sorow And for sobbing (163) The wooful terys / that they letten̄ falle As bitter were oute of terrys kynde For peyne As / is lygne Aloes or galle So bitter terys / wepte not thurgh thy Rynde The wooful Mirra / written̄ as I fynde That in thys worlde nys so herde And hert That nolde han Rewed vpon̄ hir peynes smert (164) But whan̄ hir wooful gestes tweyne Retourned been̄ / there as hem ought to dwelle And that somwhat / to waken̄ gan̄ the peyne By lenghte of pleynte And ebben gan̄ the welle Of hir terys and the [the overlined later; and euen as I added at the end.] hertis vnswelle And thus she lieth / wyth hewes pale and grene That whylom̄ / was ful fair and fressh to seen̄ (165) [Syon ·I· deie and mercie I beseche [Addit. 12,044,] Helpe troilus and þerwitħalle hir face Vpon his breste sche leide and loste speche Hir woofuɫɫ spirit / frome hir propre place Ryȝte witħ þe worde alle weye vpon po[i]nte to face And þus sche liethe witħ hewes pale and grene That whilom fresshe and faireste was to sene] (166) This Troilus / that gan̄ on̄ hyr beholde Clepping hir name / And she lay for dede with[outen] answere / And felte hir lymmys colde her [eyen] trowen̄ vpward to hir hede Thys sorowful man̄ / kan̄ now no manere Rede But ofte tyme / hir colde mouthe he kyste wher hym was woo / god and hym-selue it wyste (167) He Ryst hym vp / and streyght longe hir leyde For signe of lyue / for ought he can̄ or may Can̄ he not fynde / in no cas on̄ Creseide For wych hys songe / ful ofte is welaway And whan̄ he saugh / that specheles she lay wyth sorowful voys / And hert of blysse Al bare how seid how that she was / oute of thys worlde fare (168) Soo Afftyr that / he had hir longe compleyned hys handys wrange / And seide that was to say And wyth hys terys salt her brest be Reyned And gan̄ tho terys / wypen̄ of And drye And pitously gan̄ for the soule preye And seide lord / that sette Art in thy Trone Rewe eke on me / for I shal folowe hir soone (169) She colde was / And wyth-oute sentemente For ought he wyst / And breith felte he non̄ And that was hym a prygnant Argument That she oute of thys worlde ys goon̄ And whan he saw / ther was non̄ other won̄ And gan̄ hyr lymmys / dressħ in suche manere As men̄ doon̄ folk / that shulde be leyde manere [for on bere] (170) And Afftyr thys wyth sterne And cruel herte hys swerde A-non̄ / oute of the sheyth he twyght hym self to sleen̄ / how sore that hym it [it overlined] smert Soo that hys soule / hir soule folow myght There As the doom̄ / of mynos wolde it dyght Syn loue And cruel / fortune it ne wolde That in thys worlde / nomore he lyuen̄ shulde (171) Than seide he thus / fulfilled of hygħ disdeyne O cruel Ioue / And thou fortune Aduerse Thys Al And som̄ / that falseley han ye slayn̄ Creseide / And syn ye can̄ doo me no worse Fy on̄ your myght / And werkes so diuerse Thus cowardly / ye shaɫɫ me neuer wynne Ther shal noo detħ / me fro my lady twynne (172) For in thys World / Syn̄ he haue sleyn̄ Hyr thus wyl lete And folow / hyr spirit forthe in hie Shal neuer louer / sey that troilus Dar not for fere / wyth hys lady dye For certeine I wyl / bere hyr companye But sith ye nyl not / souffre vs lyuen here [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] (173) And thou Citee / wych that I lyfe in woo And thou pryam / And brethern̄ Al in fere And thou my modyr / fareth wel for I wyl goo And Attropos / make Redy thou my bere And thou my Creseide / swete lady dere Receyue now my spirit wolde he seye with swerd At herte / Redy for to dye (174) But as [as overlined.] gode wolde / of swought ther-wyth shabreide And gan̄ to syke / And troilus she criede And he Answerd hert myn̄ Creseide lyue ye yit / And let hys swerd oute glide Yee hert myn̄ y-thonked be Cupide Quod she / And therwyth-Al she sighed And he be-gan̄ / comfort hir as he mygħt (175) Toke hir in Armes twoo / and kyssed hir ofte And hir to glade / he dide al his entent For wych hys gost that flykereth ay on̄ lofte Ayen in-to hir hert / al softe wente So that at laste / as hir eyne glente A-syde a-non̄ / she gan̄ hys swerde espie And it lay bare / and gan for ferd to crye (176) And axed hym why he it hade oute drawe And Troilus a-non̄ / the cause tolde And how hymselfe / ther-wyth he wolde haue slawe For wych Creseide / on̄ hym̄ can tho beholde [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] And seide O mercy gode wyche A drede Allas how nygh / we were bothe dede (177) Thanne yf I ne hade / spoke as / grace was Ye wolde haue sleyn your selfe a-non̄ quod she Yee doutles / And she answerd allas For by that ylke lorde / that made me I nolde a forlonge wey / on̄ lyue han̄ bee Afftyr your dethe / to haue be crowned quene For al the londe / the sonne shyneth shene (178) But wyth the selfe swerde / wych that here is My selfe I wolde / haue slayn̄ quod she tho But hoo / for whe haue Ryght y-now of thys And lat vs Ryse / and streyght to bedde goo And there let vs / speken̄ of oure woo For by the morter / wycħ / that I see there brenne Know I wele / that day is not for henne (179) Whenne they were in bedde in hir Armes folden̄ Nought was it like / the nyghtes here beforn̄ For pitously eche / other gan̄ beholden̄ As they that hade / for Ioyes alle y-lorn̄ Seying Allas that they were born̄ Tyl at the last / thys wooful wyght Creseide To troilus / thes ylke wordes seide (180) Loo hert myn̄ wel wote ye thus quod she That yf a wyght / alwey hys woo compleyne And sekyth not / how helpen̄ for to bee hit nys but folye / And encres of peyne Syn̄ that here / assembled be we tweyne To fynde boute of woo / that we ben̄ Inne hit were Also tyme sone for to be-gynne (181) I Am A woman as Wel I wote And as I am A-vised sodenily Soo wyl I telle / you while it is whote Me thinketh thus / that neither ye ner I Ought haue this woo / maken̄ skylfully For ther is hert / y-nougħ for to Redresse That yit is mys / And slen̄ thys hevinesse (182) Swych is woo / that we ben̄ Inne For ought I woote / for nothing elles is But for the cause / that we anon̄ shal twynne Considered al / ther is namore a-mys But what is thenne / A Remedie vnto thys And that whe shape / vs sone for to mete Thys al and som / my dere hert swete (183) Now I shal brynge / it wel A-boute To come A-yen̄ / soone Aftyr I am goon̄ Ther-of am̄ I / no manere thinge in doute For dredles / wythine a weke or twoo I wyl been̄ here / And that it may be soo By al Rygħt / and in a wordes fewe I shal you wele / and hepe of weys shewe (184) For wych I wyl not / make longe sermon̄ For tyme y-lost / may not Recouuered bee But I wyl goo / to Ryght conclusion̄ And to the beste / in aught that I kan̄ see But for the loue of gode / foryeue it me yif I speke augħt / ayens your hertis Reste For trewly / I speke hit as / for the beste (185) Make here I shal A protestacion̄ That doutles / thys thing / that in effect I sey Nys nat but to make you / my mocion̄ To fynde vnto / your helpe the next weye And takyth it not / other-wyse I you prey For in effect / what ye wyl me comawnde I wyl it doo / for that is no demawnde (186) Now herkenyth me / as ye han vndirstonde My wenddyng graunted / is / by parlement So ferforth that it may not be wyth-stonde For al thys worlde / as by my Iugement And syn̄ ther helpith non̄ A-visement As in thys cas / lat dryue it oute of mynde And lat vs fonde / a bettyr way to fynde (187) To sothe is that / the [t]wynnyng of vs tweyne Ful cruelly / oure hertis wolde a-noye But hym be-houyth / som tyme to haue a peyne That serueth loue / of he wolde haue Ioye And syn I shal / no ferther oute of Troye That I may Ryde / ayen̄ in halfe a morowe hit ought the lasse / to causyn̄ vs to sorowe (188) Syn̄ that I shal not / so be hidde in mewe That day by day / myn̄ one hert dere Considereth now / that tyme it is of trewe Ye may not faille / of myn̄ estat to-here Or that trew be don̄ I shal ben̄ here And thus haue ye / bothe Antenor y-wonne And me Also / beth glade now yf ye konne (189) And thynke Ryght thus / Creseide is now agon̄ But what she shal / come soone a-yein̄ And whan̄ allas / by gode Ryght a-non̄ Or dayes ten̄ / thys / aaufly dar I seyne And that at erst / shal ye ben̄ so fayne That I may haue / a liberte to dwelle That al thys worlde / ne cowde our Ioyes telle (190) I seen̄ that often / ther as We be Ryght now Of pourviaunce / our counseil for to hide Ye speke not with me / ner I with you In fourtenyght / ne see you goo ne Ryde May ye nought ten̄ / dayes than̄ abyde For myn̄ honour / in swych an Aventure Ye mowen elles / y-wys / litel endure (191) Ȝe knowen̄ eke wele / that al myn̄ kyn̄ is here Al holy but yf it my fadyr bee And eke myn̄ other thinges / al in fere A namly my dere hert yee whom I not leue for to see For al thys worlde / as brode As it hath space And elleys come I neuer oute of thys place (192) Why gesse ye / my fadyr in thys wyse Coueiteth soo to see / me but for drede lest in thys tovne / that folkes me despice Be cause of hym / that doon̄ hath suche a dede For what woote ye / what lyue ys that I lyde And yf ye wyst / in Troye how wel I fare Vs nedytħ not for my wendyng for to care (193) Ȝee seen̄ eke that euery day more and more Men̄ trete of pees / And it supposed is That men̄ the quene Eleyne shal Restore And greykys Repairen / that is mys So thogh ther confort non̄ but thys That men̄ supposen̄ / pees on̄ euery syde Ye may the bettur / At ese of hert Abyde (194) And yf that it bee / pees my dere hert The nature of thys pees most nedys dryue That men̄ must entercomne in-fere And to and fro / Ryde eke And goo as blyue As thykke al day / as been̄ fleen̄ from̄ an̄ hyue [MS. lyue] And euery wyght haue lyberty to be-leue where as hym best lyst wyth-oute leue (195) And yf it so be / that pees ther may be non̄ Yit hider though pees / ther neuer were I mooste come / or whider shulde I goon̄ Or how myschaunce / shulde I dwelle dere In hoste amonge / the grekys euer in fere hit nyl not bee / and gode soo wysly Rede My soule / as ye haue cause noon̄ to drede (196) Haue here a noiter cause yf it so bee That of al thy thing / ne can̄ not you souffice My fadir as ye knowen̄ wel parde Is wolde / and olde is ful of couetise And I Ryght now / haue founde a new gyse wyth-oute nette / wherwyth I shal hym hente And herkenyth now / yif that ye wyl Assente (197) But dere Troilus / men̄ seyn̄ that harde it is The wol ful / and wheither hole to haue This is / to seyn̄ / that men ful ofte ywys Mote spende part / the Remanant to save For ay wyth golde / men̄ may thert grave Of hym that sette is / vppon̄ couetyse And how I meen̄ / I shal you it devise (198) The moeble wych / that I haue in thys tovn̄ Vnto my fadyr / shal I take and sey That Ryght for trust and saluacion̄ hit seynt is from a frende of hys or twey The wych frende besyly hym gan preye To sende Aftyr more and that in hie while that thys tovn̄ / stant thus in Iupartie (199) And that shal bee / an̄ huge quantite Thus shal I sey / lest folk it espied Thys may be sent / by none but me I shal eke wele / shewe hym yf pees bytyde What frendes / that I haue on̄ euery syde To doo the wrathe / of pryamus to passe Towardys hym / and don̄ hym stonde in grace (200) Soo what for oo thing and for other swete I shal hym soo / enchaunte with my sawes That Ryght in heven̄ / hys soule shal he mete For al Appollo / or hys clerkys lawes Or calculing / availeth not thre hawes Desire of golde / shal hye soule blende That as me lyst / I shal wele make ande ende (201) Now yf he wolde ought / by hys shorte it preve Yif thys be les / certeine I shal fonde Distourben hym̄ / and plucke hym by the sleue In myddys hys werk / or bere hym̄ fast on honde That he hath not / the godes vndirstonde For goodes speken̄ / in Amphilogies And for oo sothe / they tellen̄ tweynty lyes (202) Eke drede fonde goddes / I suppose Thus shal I seyn / and that is coward herte Made hym a-mys / the goddes texte to glose Whan̄ he from̄ Delphos / to the grekys sterte And but I make hym / sone to conuerte And doo my Rede / wyth-in day or tweyn̄ I wyl to you / oblyge me for to deyne (203) And trewly I wrytte as I fynde That al thys she seyd / of gode entent And that hir hert / trewe was [and] kynde Towardes hym / and spake Ryght as she ment And that she starf nye / for who whan̄ that she went And was in purpos / euer for to be trewe Thus wryten̄ thoo / that euer the Iestes knewe (204) Thys Troilus / wyth eres and hert y-sprade herde al thys thinge / devisen to and froo And veraly hym̄ semede that he hadde The same witte / but yit to let hyr goo hys hert mys / foryaf hym euermoo But finially / he gan̄ hys hert wrest To trusten̄ hir / And toke hit for the best (205) The wych the grete furye of hys penaunce Was queynt wyth hope / and therwyth hem̄ betwene Be-gan for Ioye / thamarouse daunce And as the birdes / whan the sone is shyne Deliten̄ in hyr songe / a-monge the leues grene Ryght soo the wordes / that they spaken in fere Delited hem̄ / and hir hertis clere (206) But nathles / thys wendyng of Creseide For al thys worlde / ne may oute of hys mynde For qwych ful ofte / he pitously hir preyde That of hir heest he myght her trewe fynde And seide certes yif ye be vnkynde And but ye come / at the day sette in Troye Shal I neuer / as in thys worlde haue Ioye (207) For Also sothe / as sonne vpryst on̄ morowe And gode soo wysly / thou me wooful wreche To reste brynge / oute of thys cruel sorow I wyl my selfen̄ [sle] / yf that ye drecche But of my dethe / though litel be to Recche Yit or that ye me causyn̄ so to smerte So Dwellen here / myn̄ one dere hert (208) For trewly / myn̄ one lady dere The sleightes yit / that I haue herde you stere Ful shaply bee / to faille al in fere For thus men̄ seyn̄ / that oon̄ thinketh the bere But al anoither / thenkyth the leedere Your fadyr ys wyse / and seide is oute of drede Men̄ may the wyse / oute-Renne but not oute-Ryde (209) Hit is ful herde / to halten̄ vn-Aspied Beforn̄ A crepul / for he can̄ the crafte Your fadyr ys / in sleyigħt As Argus eyed For Al be that / hys moeble hym berafte Hys olde sleyght / is so yit so with hym lafte Ye shal not blende hym / for your whoman̄hede Ne feyne a-Ryght / And that is al my drede (210) I note yf pees / shal euer more betyde But pees or now / for ernest or for game I woote syn̄ Calcas / on̄ the grekys syde hath onys ben̄ / And lost soo foule hys name he dar no more come here ayen̄ for shame For wycħ that wey / for ought I can̄ espie To trusten̄ on̄ / is but A fantasie (211) Ȝe shal eke seen̄ / your fadyr shal you glose To ben̄ a wyf / And as he can wele preche he shal som greke / so preise And wel alose That Ravissħ you / he shal with hys speche Or doon̄ you doon̄ / by force As he shal teche And Troilus on̄ hom / he wyl haue routhe Shal causeles soo / sterue in hys trouthe (212) And vndyr thys your fadyr shal despise Vs alle / And sey thys Citee is but lorn̄ And that siege / shal neuer a-ryse For why the grekys / haue it alle sworn̄ Til whe be slayn̄ / And doon̄ your walles torn̄ And thus he shal you / wyth hys wordes fere That ay drede I. ye wyl beleuen̄ there (213) Ȝe shal seen eke / so many a lusty knyght A-monge the grekys / ful of worthinesse And eche of hem / with witte And herde of mygħt To plesen̄ you / doon̄ Al theyr besinesse That ye shal dullen̄ / of the Rudnesse Of vs sely / Troyans but yf Ruthe Remorde you / or vertu of your trouthe (214) And thys to me / so greuous ys to thenke That from my brest / it wyl the soule Rende Ne dredles in me ther can̄ not synke A gode opinion̄ / if that ye wende For why your fadyrs / sleightes wyl vs shende And yf ye gon̄ / as I haue tolde you yore So thenke I am / but dede with-oute more (215) For wych wyth humble trewe And pitous hert A thousand tymes / mercy I you prey Soo Rewyth on̄ me Aspre peynes smerte And doth somwhat / as that I shal you sey And lete vs stele / A-wey by-twyx vs twey And thenke that folye is / syn̄ man̄ may chese For Accident / his substance for to lese (216) I meen̄ thus / that sithen̄ we mow or day wel stele a-way and be to-gedur so what witte where it to putte in assay In cas ye shulden̄ / to your fadyr goo yif that ye myght / come ayen̄ or noo Thus meen̄ I / that it were a grete folye To putte that sikernesse in Iupardie (217) And vulgor[l]y / to speken̄ of substance Of tresour may we / bothe with vs lede Y-nogh to lyue in honour And pleasance Tyl vnto tyme // we shal be dede And thus we may / eschuen̄ al the drede For euery other way / ye kan̄ Recorde Myn hert y-wys / may therwyth not accorde (218) And hardly / ne dredyth no pouerte For I haue kyn̄ / and frendes ellyswere That whe thogh comen̄ in your bare sherte Vs shulde noither lake / golde ne gere But be honoured / while that we dwelled there Anon̄ goo we forth in myn̄ entente Thys ys the best / yf that ye wyl Assente (219) Creseide wyth a syke Ryght in thys wyse Responsio Creseide Answerd ywys / my dere hert trewe whe may stele A-way as ye devise Or fynde suche vnthryfty weys newe But Afftyrward it wolde ful sore vs Rewe And helpe me gode / so at my most nede As causeles ye souffren̄ al thys drede (220) For thylke day. that I for cherysshyng Nota primum Or for drede of fadyr / or other wyght Or of estate / delite or for weddyng Be false to you / my Troilus my knyght Saturnus doughter Iuvo thorogh hyr myght As wode as Athemante do me dwelle Eternally in Stix / the pitte of helle (221) And thys on̄ euery gode celestial I swere it you / And eke And eche godesse On̄ euery Nymphe / And dette infernal On̄ satury And fawny / more And lesse That half goddes / ben̄ of wyldernesse And Attrapos / my threde of lyf to breste yif I be false / now trowyth me yf you lyste (222) And thou Symoys / As an arow clere Thorogh Troye Ay Reinest doonward to the see Bere wyttenesse of thys worde / that seide is here That ylke day / that I vntrew bee To troilus / myn̄ one hert free That you Retourne / bacward to thy welle And I wyth body / And soule synke in-to helle (223) But that ye speke / alwy thus for to goo And letten̄ alle / your frendes gode forbede For any woman̄ / that ye shulde doo soo A[nd] namly whyle Troye hathe suche nede Of helpe / And eke of oo thing take hede yif thys were wyst / my lyf lay in balance And your honour / gode shield vs fro myschance (224) And yf so bee / that pees herafter take As alday happith / aftyr Angur game why lorde the woo / and sorowe wolde make That ye ne durst / come a-yen̄ for shame And or ye empeiren̄ soo your name Beth not to hasty / in thys hote fare For hasty man̄ / wanted neuer care (225) What trowe ye / the peple al a-boute Wolde of yt sey / it ys ful lygh to Rede They wolde sey / and swere it oute of doute That loue ne drof you / not to that dede But lust voluptuous / and coward drede Thus were al lost / y-wys myn̄ hert dere Your honour / wych that shyneth now so clere (226) And Also thynketh on̄ myn̄ honeste That floureth yit / how foule I shulde it shende And wyth that filthe / spotted shulde it bee yif in thys fourme / I shulde forth wyth you wende Ne thogh I lyued vnto the worldes ende My name shulde I [not] /. ayenward wynne Thus were I lost / And that were Rothe And synne (227) And forthy slee wyth Reson̄ al thys hete Men seyn̄ the souffrant / ouercometh parde Eke [who]so wele haue / leef he moote lete Thys makyth vertue of necessete Be pacient / and thenke / that lord is he Of fortune Ay / that noght wyl of hyr Reche And she ne daunteth / nothing but a wreche (228) And trusteth thus / that certes hert swete Or Phebus suster / lucina the shene The lyon passe / oute of hys ariete I wyl ben̄ here / wythoute drede or wene I meen̄ as helpe me Iuvo heuenes quene The tenthe day / but yf dethe massaile I wyl you seen / wythoute any faille (229) And now so thys be trewe quod troilus Troylus I shal welle souffre vn-to the tenthe [MS. x] day Syn that I see / that nedys it must be thus But for the loue [of] gode yf it be may So lete vs stele pryuely awey And euer in oon̄ / as euer to lyue in Reste Myn̄ hert seith / that it wyl be the beste Creseide (230) O mercy gode / what lyue is thys quod she Allas ye slee me thus for verray tene I see wyl now / that ye mystrusten̄ me For by your wordes / it is ful wyl y-seen̄ Now for the loue of Cinthea the shene Mistruste me not / thus causeles for Routhe Syn to be trewe / I haue you plyght my trouthe (231) And thynketh wel somtyme it is witte To spende a tyme / A tyme for to wynne Ne parde lorn̄ I nam̄ not from̄ you yit Thogh that we bee / a day or two a twynne Dryue oute your fantasie / you wythinne And truste me / and leue eke your sorow Or here my trouthe / I wyl not lyue to-morow (232) For yf ye wyste / he sore it dothe me smerte Ye wolde cese of thys / for gode thou woost The pure spirit / wepith in my hert To se you wepen̄ / that I loue moost And that I moot / goon̄ to the grekys hoste Ye ner it that / I wist Remedie To come a-yen̄ / Ryght here I wolde deye (233) But certes I am not so nyce A wygħt That I ne can̄ / ymagin a way To come a-yen / that day that / I haue hyght For who may holde / A thing that wyl away My fadyr noght / for al is queynt play And by my thryfte / my wendyng oute of Troye A-noither day shal turne vs al to Ioye (234) For-thy wyth al my hert I you beseche Yif that you lust / doon̄ ought At my prayer̄ And for that loue / wych that I loue you eke That or I depart / from̄ you here And of so gode / A comfort and a chere I may you seen̄ / that ye may bringe at Reste Myn hert wych / that is poynt to breste (235) And ouer Al thys I pray you quod she thoo Myn̄ one hertis sothfast soufficiance Syn̄ I am yowres / al hole wyth-oute moo That whyle I am Absent no plesance Of other woman̄ / do me from your Rememberance For I am euer a-gast / for-why men̄ Rede That loue is thing ay ful of besy drede (236) For in thys worlde / ther lyueth lady non̄ yif that ye were vntrew as gode defende That so be-traysed wher / or whoo beegon̄ As I that alɫ trothe in you entende And dredles / yf that I other wende I ner but dede / And her ye cause fynde For goddys loue / so bethe me [not] vnkynde (237) To thys Answered Troilus and seide Now gode to whom / ther is no thing ywys Me glade as wys / I neuer but Creseide Syn thylke day / I saw hir first with eye was false / ne neuer shal tyl that I dye At short wordes / wel ye may me leue I can̄ no more / it shal be founde at preve (238) Graunt mercy god myn̄ Iwys quod she And blisful venus / lat me neuer sterue Or I may stonde / in plesaunce or degree To quite hem wele / that so wel can̄ deserue And while that god / my witte wylle conserue I shal don soo / I haue yow trew so founde That ay myn̄ honour to meward shal Rebounde (239) For trusteth wele / that your estat Ryal Ne veyn̄ delite / nor oonly worthinesse Of you in were / or tourney marcial Ne pompe Aray / noblesse nor̄ eke Rychesse Ne made me to Rewe / on̄ your distresse But moral vertu / grounted vpon̄ trouthe That was the cause / I first had on̄ you Routhe (240) Eke gentyl hert / and manhode that he hade And that he hade / as me thought in despite Euery thing that sovned in-to badde As Rudnesse And peplyssħ appetite And that your Reson̄ vndelith your delite This made a-bouen̄ euery creature That I was your / and shal whyl I may dure (241) And thys may lenghe / of yeres not for-doo Ne Remuable / fortune deface But Iupiter / that of hys myght may doo The sorowful to be glade / so yeue vs grace Or nyghtes ten̄ / to meten̄ in thys place Soo that it may your hert [and] myn̄ souffice And far now wele / for tyme is that ye Ryse (242) But Afftyr that they longe pleyned hade And ofte ykyst / and streyght in Armes holde The [day] gan̄ Ryse / and Troilus hym cledde And Rewfully / hys lady can̄ beholde As [he] that felte / dethes cares colde And to hir grace / he gan̄ hym recommande Wher hym̄ was woo / thys holde I no demande (243) For manes hede / ymagyn ne kan̄ Nentendement considered / or tonge telle The cruel peynes / of thys wooful man̄ That passen̄ euery / tourment doon̄ in helle For whan̄ he saw / she ne myght dwelle whiche that hys soule / oute of hys body Rente wyth-oute more oute of the chaumbre went Incipit Liber. quintus. (1) (Proem) Aprochen gan the fatal destyne. [Teseide IX. i.] That Ioues hath in disposicioun. And to yow angry parcas sustrein iij. Commytteth to don execucion. ffor which Criseid moste out of the town. And Troilus shal dwellen forth in pyne. Til lathesis his thred no lengere twyne. (2) (The Story) The goldtressed phebus heyght on lofte. [Teseide II. i.] Thries hadde al with hir bemys cleene. The snowes melte / and ȝephirus as ofte. Ibrought ayein the tendre leues greene. Syn þat the sone of Ecuba the queene. Bigan to loue hir first for wham his sorwe. was al þat she departe sholde amorwe. (3) fful redy was at pryme diomede. Criseid vnto the grekis oost to leede. ffor sorwe of which she felte hir herte bleede. As she þat nyste what was best to reede. And trewely as men in bookys reede. Men wiste neuere womman han the care. Ne was so loth out of a town to fare. (4) This Troilus withouten reed or lore. As man þat hath hise Ioyes ek forlore. was waytinge on his lady euere moore. As she þat was the sothfast crop and more. Of al his lust / or Ioyes hir bifore. But Troilus now farewel al thy Ioye. ffor shaltow neuere sen hir eft in Troye. (5) Soth is þat whil he bood in this manere He gan his wo ful manly for to hide. That wel vnnethe it sene was in his cheere. But at the yate ther she sholde out ride. with certein folk he houed hir tabide. So wo bigon / al wolde he naught him pleyne. That on his hors vnneth he sat for peyne. (6) ffor ire he quok / so gan his herte gnawe. whan Diomede on his hors gan hym dresse. And seid vnto hymself this ilke sawe. Allas quod he thus foul a wrechchednesse. why suffre ich it / why nyl it ich redresse. were it nat bet atonys for to dye. Than euere moore in langour thus to drye. (7) Why nyl .I. make atonys riche and poore. To han Inoght to doone or þat she go. why nyl I brynge al Troye vpon a roore. Why nyl I slen this Diomede also. why nyl I rather with a man or two. Stele hir awey / why wol ich this endure. why nyl ich helpyn to myn owne cure. (8) But why he nolde don so fel a dede. That shal I seyn / and why hym liste it spare. He hadde in herte alweyes a manere drede. Liste þat Criseide in rumour of this fare. Sholde han ben slayn / lo this was al his care. And ellis certein as I seide yoore. He hadde it don withouten wordes moore. (9) Criseide whan she was redy to ride. fful sorwfully she sighte and seide allas. But forth she mot for aught þat may bitide. Ther nys no oother remedy in this cas. And forth she rit ful sorwfullische a pas. what wonder is though þat hir soore smerte. whan she forgoth hir owene deere herte. (10) This Troilus in wise of curtasie. with hauk on honde / and with a huge route. Of knyghtes / rod and dide hir compaygnye. Passynge al the valeye fer withoute. And forthere wolde han riden out of doute. fful fayn / and wo was hym to gon so soone. But torne he moste / and it was ek to doone. (11) And right with þat was Antenor Icome. Out of the grekes oost / and euery wight. was of it glade / and seide he was welcome. And Troilus / al nere his herte light. He peyned hym with al his ful myght. Hym to withholde of wepynge at the leeste. And Antenor he kiste and made feest. (12) And therwithal he moste his leue take. And caste his eye / vpon hir pitously. And nere he rod his cause for to make. To take hir by the honde al sobrely. And lord so she gan wepyn tendirly. And he ful softe and sleyghly gan hir seye. Now hold your day and doth me nat to deye. (13) With that his courser torned he aboute. with face pale / and vnto Diomede. No word he spak ne non of al his route. Of which the sone of Tideus tooke heede. As he þat koude more than the crede. In swich a craft / and by the reyne hir hente. And Troilus to Troye homwarde he wente. (14) This Diomede þat ledde hir by the bridell. whan þat he saught the folke of Troye aweye. Thoughte al my labour shal nat ben on ydel. yif þat I may for somwhat shal I seye. ffor at the worste / it may yit shourt oure weye. I haue herd seyd ek tymes twyes xij. He is a fool þat wol foryete hymselue. (15) But natheles thus thoughte he wel Inoght. That certeinlisch I am aboute naught. yif þat I speke of loue or make it thought. ffor douteles yif she haue in hir thought. Hym þat I gesse he may nat ben Ibrought. So soone awey / but I shal fynde a meene. That she nat wite as yit shal what I meene. (16) This Diomede as he þat koude his good. whan tyme was / gan fallen forth in speche. Of this and þat / and axed why she stood. In swich disese / and gan hir ek biseche. That yif þat he encresce myght or eche. with any thing / hir ese þat she sholde. Comaunde it hym / and seide he don it wolde. (17) ffor trewelisch he swor hir as a knyght. That ther nys thing / with whiche he myght hir plese. That he nyl don his herte and al his myghte. To don it / for to don hir herte et ese. And preyde hir she wolde hir sorwe apose. And seide Iwis we grekys kan haue Ioye. To honouren—Troye over erasure. honowren yow as wel as folk of Troye. honouren—Troye over erasure. (18) He seide ek thus / I wot yow thinketh straunge. No wonder is / for it is to yow newe. Tha queyntaunce of thise Troians to chaunge. ffor folk of Grece þat ye neuere knewe. But wolde neuere god / but yif as trewe. A grek ye sholde amonge vs al fynde. As any Troian es / and ek as kynde. (19) And by the cause I swer yow right lo now. To be your frend and helply to my myght. And for that moore aquentance ek of yow. Haue ich had / than another straunger wight. So fro this forth I prey yow day and nyght. Comandeth me how soore þat me smerte. To don al þat may like vnto your herte. (20) And that ye me wolde as youre brother trete. And takith naught / my frendshipe in despit. And though yowr sorwes ben for thinges grete. Not I nat why / but of on moore respit. Myn herte hath for tamende it gret delit. And yif I may yowr harmes nat redresse. I am right soory / for yowre heuynesse. (21) ffor though ye Troians with vs grekis wrothe. Han long Iben / alwey yit parde. O. god of loue in soth we seruen bothe. And for the loue of god my lady fre. whom so ye hate as beth nat wroth with me. ffor trewely ther kan no wight yow serue. That half so loth yowre wraththe wolde deserue. (22) And nere it þat we ben so neyght the tente. Of Kalkas / which þat sen vs bothe may. I wolde of this yow telle al myn entente. But this enselid til another day. yif me yowr honde I am and shal be ay. God help me so whil þat my lyf may dure. yowre owene abouen euery creature. (23) Thus seide I neuere or now to woman born. ffor god myn herte as wysly glade so. I louede neuer womman her biforn. As paramours ne neuere shal no mo. And fore the loue of god beth naught my fo. Al kan I naught to yow my lady deere. Compleyne aright / for I am yit to leere. (24) And wondreth nanght myn owene lady bryght. Though þat I speke of loue to yow thus blyue. ffor I haue herde or this of mony a wight. Hath loued thing he neuer say his lyue. Nor I nam nat of power for to stryue. Ayeins the god of loue / but hym obeye. I wol alwey / and mercy I yow preye. (25) Ther ben so worthy knyghtes in this place. And ye so fair / þat euerich of hem alle. wol peynen hem to stonden in yowr grace. But myght me so fair a grace falle. That ye me for yowr seruant wolde calle. So lowghly ne so trewely yow serue. Nil non of hem / as I shal til I sterue. (26) Criseide vnto this purpos lite answerde. As she þat was with sorwe oppressed so. That in effect she naught his tales herde. But her and ther / now here a word or two. Hir thought hir sorwful herte brast atwo. ffor whan she gan hir fader fer espie. wel neygh down of hir hors she gan to sye. (27) But natheles she thonked Diomede. Of al his trauaile and his good cheere. And þat hym liste his frendshipe hir to bede. And she accepteth hit in good manere. And wol do fayn þat is hym lef and deere. And trusten hym she wolde and wel she myght. As seide she and from hyr hors shalighte. (28) Hir fadir hath hir in hise armes nome. And xx tyme he kiste his doughter sweete. And seide .o. deere doughter myn welcome. She seide ek she was fayn with hym to meete. And stood forth Muwet / mylde and mansuete. But here I leue hir with hir fader dwelle. And forth I wol of Troilus yow telle. (29) To Troye is come this woful Troilus. In sorwe / abouen alle sorwes smerte. with feloun look / and face dispitus. Tho sodeynly down from his horse he sterte. And thorwgh his Paleys with a swollen herte. To chaumbre wente / of no wight took he heede. Ne non to hym dar speke a worde for drede. (30) And there hise sorwes þat he spared hadde. He yaf an issue large and deth he cride. And in his throwes frenetik and madde. He corseth Ioue / appollo and ek Cupide. He corset Ceres / Bacus and Cipride. His burthe / hymself / his fate and ek nature. And saue his lady euery creature. (31) To bedde he goth and whieleth there and torneth. In furie / as dostow Ixion in helle. And in this wyse / he neygh til day soiourneth. But tho bigan his herte a lite vnswelle. Thorugh teeris which þat gonnen vp to welle. And pitously he cride vpon Criseide. And to hymself right thus he spak and seyde. (32) Where is myn owne lady lef and deere. wher is hir white brest wher is it where. where ben hir armes and hir eyen cleere. That yisternyght this tyme with me weere. Now may .I. wepe allone many a teere. And graspe aboute I may but in this place. Saue a pilwe I fynde naught tenbrace. (33) How shal I don whan shal she come ayein. I not allas / why lat ich hir to go. As wolde god ich hadde as tho ben slayn. O. herte myn Criseide o swete fo. O. lady myn þat I loue and no mo. Tho whom for euere mo myn herte I dowe. Se how I deye / ye nyl me nat rescowe. (34) Who seth yow now my right lode sterre. who sit or stant right now in yowr presence. who kan conforten now yowr hertes werre. Now I am gon whom yiue ye audience. who spekith for me right now in myn absence. Allas no wight and þat is alle my care. ffor wel .I. wot as yuele as I ye fare. (35) How shulde I þus .x. dayes ful endure. whan I the firste nyght haue al this teene. How shal she don ek sorful creature. ffor tendrenesse / how shal she ek sustene. Swich wo for me / .o. pitous pale and greene. Shal ben yowr fresshe wommanlisch face. ffor longynge / er ye torne into this place. (36) And whan he fille in any slomberynges. Anon bigynne he wolde for to grone. And dremen of the dredfulleste thinges. That myght ben / as meete he were allone. In place orible / makynge ay his moone. Or meten that he was amonges alle. His enemys / and in hir hondes falle. (37) And therwithal his body shulde sterte. And with the sterte al sodeynly awake. And swiche a tremour fele aboute his herte. That of the feere hys body shulde quake. And therwithal he sholde a noyse make. And seme as thought he sholde fallen depe. ffrom heyghe oloft / and thanne he wolde wepe. (38) And rewen on hymself so pitously. That wondir was to heere his fantasie. Another tyme he sholde myghtily. Conforte hymself / and seyn it was folye. So causeles swich drede for to drye. And eft bygynne his aspre sorwes newe. That euery man myghte on his sorwe rewe. (39) Who koude telle aright or ful descryue. His wo / his pleynte / his langour and his pyne. Naught alle the men þat han or ben on lyue. Thow redere maist thyself ful wel deuyne. That swich a wo my wit kan nat defyne. On ydel for to write it sholde .I. swynke. whan þat my wit is weery it to thynke. (40) On heuene yit the sterres weren seene. Although ful pale . Iwoxen was the moene. And whyten gan the Orisonte sheene. Al estward / as it wont is for to doone. And phebus with his rosy carte soone. Gan aftir that to dresse hym vp to faare. whan Troilus hath sent aftir Pandare. (41) This Pandare that of al the day biforn. Ne myghte han comen Troilus to se. Although he on his hed it hadde Isworn. ffor with the kyng Priam al day was he. So þat it lay nat in his liberte. Nowher to gon / but on the morwe he wente. To Troilus whan þat he for hym sente. (42) ffor in his herte he koude wel deuyne. That Troilus al nyght for sorwe wook. And þat he wolde telle hym of his pyne. This kneught wel Inough withoute book. ffor which to chaumbre streyght the wey he took. And Troilus tho sobreliche he grette. And on the bed ful soone he gan hym sette. (43) Quod Troilus my Pandarus the sorwe. which þat I drie / I may nat longe endure. I trowe I shal nat lyuen til tomorwe. ffor which I wolde alweys on auenture. To the deuysen of my sepulture. The forme / and of my moeble thow dispone. Right as the semyth beest is for to doone. (44) But of the fir and flaumbe funerral. In which my body brennen shal to gleede. And of the feste and pleyes palestral. At my vigile / I pray the take good heede. That þat be wel / and offre Mars my steede. My swerd / myn helm / and leeue brother deere. My swerd to Pallas yif þat shynneth cleere. (45) The poudre in which myn herte Ibrend shal torne. That preye ich the thow take and it conserue. In a vessell þat men clepith a vrne. Of gold / and to my lady þat I serue. ffor loue of whom thus pitousliche I sterue. So yiue it hire / and do me this plesaunce. And preye hir kepe it for a remembraunce. (46) ffor wel I fele by my maladye. And by my dremys now and yore ago. Al certeinly / þat I mot nedes dye. The owle ek which þat hete Escaphilo. Hath aftir me shright alle these nyghtes two. And god Mercurie of me now woful wrechche. The soule gide / and whan the liste it fechche. (47) Pandare answerde / and seide Troilus. My deere frende as I haue told the yore. That it is folie for to sorwen thus. And causeles / for which I kan no moore. But whoso wol nat trowen red ne loore. I kan nat sen in hym no remedye. But lat hym wort t added in later hand. hen with his fantasie. (48) But Troilus I prey the telle me now. yif þat thow trowe / or this þat any wight. Hath loued paramours as wel as thow. Ye god wot / and fro many a worthy knyght. Hath hise lady gon a fourtenyght. And he nat yit made hauel sic. del the fare. what nede is the to maken al this care. (49) Syn day by day thow maist thyseluen se. That from his loue / or ellis from his wyf. A man mot twynnen of necessite. Ye though he loue hir as his owne lif. Yit nyl he with hymself thus maken strif. ffor wel thow wost my leeue brother deere. That alwey frendes may nat ben Ifeere. (50) How don this folk þat sen hir loues wedded. By frendes myght as it bitit ful ofte. And sen hem in hir spouses bed Ibedded. God woot they take it wysly fayre and softe. fforwhy good hope halt vp hir herte .o.lofte. And for they kan a tyme of sorwe endure. As tyme hem hert a tyme doth hem cure. (51) So sholdestow endure and laten slyde. The tyme and fownd to be glad and lyght. X dayes nys so longe naught tabide. And syn she the to comen hath bihight. She nyl hir heste brekyn for no wight. ffor drede the naught þat she nyl fynden weye. To come ayein my lif þat dorste I leye. (52) Thy sweuenes ek and al swich fantasie. Drif out / and lat hem faren to meschaunse. ffor they proceden of thy malencolye. That doth the feele in slepe al this penaunce. A straw for alle sweuenes signefiaunce. God help me so I counte hem naught a beene. Ther wot no man of right what dremes meene. (53) ffor prestes of the temple tellen this. That dremys ben the reuelaciouns. Of goddes / and as wel they telle Iwys. That they ben infernals illusiouns. And leches seyn þat of complexiouns. Proceden they / or fast or glotonye. who wot in soth thus what they signyfie. (54) Ek oothre seyn þat thorugh impressiouns. As yif a wight hath faste a thing in mynde. That therof comen swich auisiouns. And oothre seyn as they in bookys fynde. That aftir tymes of the yer be kynde. Men dreme / and þat theffect goth by the moone. But lef no dreme / for it is naught to doone. (55) Wel worthe of dremes ay thise olde wyues. And trewelisch ek augurie of thise foolis. ffor fere of which men wenen lese hir lyues. As rauenes qualin / or shrichyng of thise oules. To trowen on it both fals and foul is. Allas allas so noble a creature. As is a man / shal dreden swich ordure. (56) ffor which with al myn herte .I. the biseche. vnto thyself þat al this thow foryiue. And ris now vp withoute more speche. And lat vs caste how forth may beste be dryue. This tyme / and ek how fresshly we may lyue. whan þat she comth / the which shal be right soone. God help me so thy best is thus to doone. (57) Ris lat vs speke of lusty lif in Troye. That we han led / and forth the tyme dryue. And ek of tyme comyng vs reioye. That bryngen shal oure blisse now so blyue. And langour of thies twyes dayes v. we shal therwith so foryete oure oppresse. That vel vnnethe it don shal vs duresse. (58) This town is ful of lordes alboute. And trewes lasten al this meene while. Gowe pleye vs in som lusty route. To sarpedon nat hennes but a Mile. And thus thow shalt the tyme wel bigile. And dryue it forth vnto þat blisful morwe. That thow hir se þat cause is of thy sorwe. (59) Now ris my deere brother Troilus. ffor certis it non honour is to the. To wepe and in thy bed to Iouken thus. ffor trewelische of on thyng trust me. yif thow thus ligge a day or two or thre. The folk wol seyn þat thow for cowardise. The feynest sik / and þat thow darst nat rise. (60) This Troilus answerde o brother deere. This knowen folk þat han Isuffered peyne. That though he wepe and make sorwful cheere. That felith harm and smert in euery veyne. No wondir is / and though ich euere pleyne. Or alwey wepe I nam nothing to blame. Syn I haue lost the cause of al my game. (61) But syn of fyn force I mot arise. I shal arise as soone as euere I may. And god to whom myn herte I sacrifise. So sende vs hastely the tenthe day. ffor was ther neuere fowel so fayn of May. As I shal ben / whan þat she comth to Troye. That cause is of my torment and my Ioye. (62) But whider is thy red quod Troilus. That we may pleye vs beste in al this town. By god my Conseil is quod Pandarus. To ride and pleye vs with kyng sarpedoun. So longe of this they spaken vp and down. To Troilus gan at the laste assente. To rise / and forth to Sarpedoun they wente. (63) This Sarpedoun as he þat honorable. was euere his lyue / and ful of heygh largesse. with al þat myghte Iserued ben on table. That deynte was / al coste it grete richesse. He fedde hym day by day / þat swich noblesse. As seyden bothe the meste and ek the leste. was neuere or þat day wist at any feste. (64) Nor in this world ther is no Instrument. Delicious / thorwgh wynd or touche or corde. As fer as euery wight hath euere wente. That tonge telle or herte may recorde. That at the feste it nas wel herd acorde. Nof ladys ek so fair a compaignye. On daunce / or tho was neuere er seyn with eye. (65) But what auaileth this to Troilus. That for his sorwe nothing of it roughte. ffor euere in oon his herte pietus. fful bisily Criseide his lady soughte. On hir was euere al that his herte thoughte. Now this / now that so faste ymagnynge. That glade Iwys kan hym no festeyinge. (66) Thise ladys ek / þat at the feste ben. Syn þat he saugh his lady was aweye. It was his sorwe opon hem for to sen. Or for to heere on Instrument so pleye. ffor she þat of his herte berth the keye. was absent / lo this was hys fantasie. That no wight shuld maken melodye. (67) Nor ther nys houre of al the day or nyght. whan he was there as no wight myght hym heere. That he ne seide / o lufsom lady bright. How han ye faren syn þat ye were heere. welcome Iwys myn owene lady deere. Bur welawey al this nas but a maze. ffortune his howue intendede bet to glaze. (68) The lettres ek / þat she of olde tyme. Hadde hym sente / he wolde allone rede. An hondred sithe / atwixen non and pryme. Refigurynge hir shap / hir wommanhede. WithInne his herte / and euere word or dede. That passed was / and thus he drof tanende. The ferthe day / and thennes wolde he wende. (69) And seide leue brother Pandarus. Intendestow þat we shal here bleue. Til Sarpedoun wil forth conieyen vs. Yit were it fairere / þat we took oure leue. ffor goddes loue / lat vs now soone at eue. Oure leue take / and homward lat vs torne. ffor treweliche I nyl nat this soiourne. (70) Pandare answerde / be we comen hider. To fechchen fyr and rennen hom agayne. God help me so I kan nat tellen whider. we myghte gon / yif I shal sothely seyne. Ther any wight is of vs more fayn. Than Sarpedoun / and yif we hennes hye. Thus sodeynly / y holde it vileynye. (71) Syn þat we seyden þat we wolde bleue. with hym a wowke / and now thus sodeynly. The ferthe day to take of hym oure leue. He wolde wondren on it trewely. Lat vs holde oure purpos fermaly. And sithen þat we behighten hym to bide. Hold forward now and after lat vs ride. (72) Thus Pandarus with alle peyne and wo. Made hym to dwelle / and at the wikes ende. Of Sarpedon they tooke hire leeue tho. And on hir wey they spedden hem to wende. Quod Troilus / now lord me grace sende. That I may fynden at myn home comynge. Criseide comen / and therwith gan he synge. (73) Ye haselwode thoughte this Pandare. And to hymself ful softelich he seyde. God wot refreynden may this hoote faare. Or Kalkas sende Troilus Criseide. But natheles he Iaped thus and seide. And swor Iwys his herte hym wel bihighte. She wolde come as soone as euere she myghte. (74) Whan they to the Paleys were Icomen. Of Troilus / they down of hors alighte. And to the chaumbre hir wey than han they nome. And into tyme þat it gan to nyghte. They gonne speken of Criseide the brighte. And after this whan þat hem bothe leste. They spedde hem fro the soper vnto reste. (75) O morwe as soone as day bigan to cleere. This Troilus gan of his slep tabreide. And to Pandarus his owene brother deere. For loue of god ful pitoushiche sic he seyde. Go we sen the Paleys of Criseide. ffor syn we yit may han no moore feste. So lat vs sen hir paleys at the leste. (76) And therwithal his Meigne for to blende. A cause he fownd in towne for to go. And to Criseides hous they gonne wende. But lord this sely Troilus was wo. Hym thoughte his sorwful herte brast atwo. ffor whan he saugh hir dores spedred alle. wel nygh for sorwe adown he gan to falle. (77) Therwith whan he was war and gan biholde. How shet was euery wyndowe of the place. As frost hym thoughte his herte gan to colde. ffor which with a chaunged dedlych over erasure pale face. withoute worde he forthby gan to pace. And as god wolde he gan so faste ride. That no wight of his contenaunce espide. (78) Than seide he thus .O. paleys disolat. O. hous of houses whilom best Ihight. O. paleys empty and disconsolat. O. thow lanterne of which queynt is the light. O. Paleys whilom day þat now art nyght. wel oughtestow to falle and I to dye. Syn she is went þat wont was vs to gye. (79) O paleys whilom crowne of houses alle. Enlumyned with sonne of alle blisse. O. ryng fro which the ruby is out falle. O. cause of wo þat cause hath ben of lisse. Yit syn I may no bet fayn wolde I kysse. Thi colde dores / dorst I for this route. And farewel shryne of which the seynt is oute. (80) Therwith he caste on Pandarus his eye. with chaunged face . and pitous to byholde. And whan he myghte his tyme aright espye. Ay as he rod to Pandarus he tolde. His newe sorwe and ek his Ioyes olde. So pitously and with so ded an hewe. That eueri over erasure wight myght on his sorwe rewe. (81) ffro thennesforth he rideth vp and down. And euery thing com hym to remembraunce. As he rod forby places of the town. In which he whilom hadde al his plesaunce. Lo yondir saugh ich last my lady daunce. And in þat temple with hir eyen cleere. Me kaughte first my righte lady deere. (82) And yondir haue ich herd ful lustely. My deere herte laughe / and yonder pleye. Saugh ich hir onys ek ful blisfully. And yonder oonys to me gan she seye. Now goode sweete loue me wel I preye. And yond so goodly gan she me biholde. That to the deth myn herte is to hir holde. (83) And at that corner in the yonder hous. Herde I myn alderleuest lady deere. So wommanly with voys melodious. Syngen so wel / so goodly and so cleere. That in my saule yit me thinketh ich heere. The blisful sown / and in þat yonder place. My lady first me took vnto hir grace. (84) Than thoughte he thus / o blisful lord Cupide. whan I the proces haue in my momorie. How thow me hast werried on euery side. Men myghte a book make of hit / lik a storie. what nede is the to seke on me victorie. Syn I am thyn / and holly at thy wille. what Ioye over erasure hast thow over erasure thyn owene folk to spille. (85) Wel hastow lord Iwroke on me thyn Ire. Thow myghty god and dredful for to greue. Now mercy lord thow woste wel I desire. Thy grace / most of alle lustes leeue. And leue and deye I wole in thy bileue. ffor which I naxe in guerdon but o boone. That thow Criseide ayein me sende soone. (86) Destreyne hir herte as faste to retourne. As thow dost myn to longen hir to se. That wot I wel þat she nyl so soiourne. Now blisful god so cruel thow ne be. Vnto the blood of Troye I preye the. As Iuno was vnto the blood thebane. ffor which the folk / of thebes kaught hir bane. (87) And aftir this he to the yates wente. There as Criseide outrod a ful good pas. And vp and down ther made he many a wente. And to hymself ful ofte he seide allas. ffrom hennes rod my blis and my solas. As wolde blisful god now for his Ioye. I myghte hir sen ayein come into Troye. (88) And to the yonder hil I gan hir gide. Allas / and there I took of hir my leue. And yond I saugh hir to hir fadir ride. ffor sorwe of which myn herte wol to cleeue. And hider hom I kome whan it was eue. And here I dwelle out cast from al Ioye. And shal til I may sen hir eft in Troye. (89) And of hymself ymagined he ofte. To ben deffet / and pale and waxen lesse. Than he was wont / and þat men seiden softe. what may it be / who kan the sothe gesse. why Troilus hath al this heuynesse. And al this nas but his melencolye. That he hadde of hymself swich fantasie. (90) Another tyme / ymaginen he wolde. That euery wight þat wente by the weye. Hadde of hym routhe / and þat they seyn sholde. I am right sory Troilus wol deye. And thus he drof a day forth or tweye. As ye han herd / swich lif gan he lede. As he þat stood bitwixen hope and drede. (91) ffor which hym liked in his songes shewe. Thencheson of his wo as he best myghte. And make a song of wordes but a fewe. Somwhat his woful herte for to lighte. And whan he was from euery mannes sighte. with softe voys he of his lady deere. That absent was gan synge as ye may heere. (92) (Troylus's Song for Cressid) O sterre of which I lost haue al the light. Cantus troili with herte soore wel aught I to biwaille. That euere dirk in torment nyght by nyght. Toward my deth with wynd in steere I saylle. ffor which the tenthe nyght yif þat I faylle. The gidynge of thy bemes bright an houre. Mi ship and me caribdis wol deuoure. (93) This song when he thus songen hadde soone. He fil ayein into hise sikes olde. And euery nyght / as he was over erasure wonte to doone. over erasure He stood the bryght moone to biholde. And al his sorwe he to the moone tolde. And seide Iwis whan thow art horned newe. I shal be glad yif al the world be trewe. (94) I saugh thyne hornes olde by the morwe. whan hennes rood my right lady deere. That cause is of my torment and my sorwe. ffor which o bryght latona the cleere. corr. from cheere ffor loue of god ren faste aboute thy speere. ffor whan thyne hornes newe gynne sprynge. Than shal she come þat over erasure may my over erasure blisse brynge. (95) The dayes moore / and lenger euery nyght. Than they ben wont to ben hym thought tho. And þat sonne wente his cours vnright. By lengere wey than it was wont to go. And seide Iwis me dredeth euer mo. The sonnes sone Pheton be on lyue. And þat his fadir carte amys he dryue. (96) Vpon the walles faste ek wolde he walke. And on the grekys oost he wolde se. And to hymself right thus he wolde talke. Lo yonder is myn owene lady fre. Or elles yonder ther the tentes be. And thennes comth this Eir þat is so swoote. That in my soule I feele it doth me boote. (97) And hardely this wynd þat moore and moore. Thus stowndmely encresceth in my face. Is of my ladis depe sykes soore. I preue it thus / for in no oother space. Of al this town / saue only in this place. ffele I no wynd þat souneth so like peyne. It seyth allas why twynned be we tweyne. (98) This longe tyme he dryueth forth right thus. Til fully passed was the nynthe nyght. And ay biside hym was this Pandarus. That bisily dide al his fulle myght. Hym to conforte / and make his herte light. Yiuynge hym hope alwey the tenthe morwe. That she shal come / and stynten al his sorwe. (99) On þat oother side was Criseide. with wommen fewe among / the grekys stronge ffor which ful ofte a day allas she seide. That I was born / wel may myn herte longe. After my deth / for now lyue I to longe. Allas / and I ne may it nat amende. ffor now is wors than euere yit I wende. (100) My fadir nyl for nothyng don me grace. To goon ayein / for naught I kan hym queme. And yif so be þat I my terme pace. My Troilus shal in his herte deme. That I am fals / and so it may wel seme. Thus shal I han vnthank on euery side. That I was born so welowey the tide. (101) And yif þat I me putte in Iupartye. To stele awey be nyght and it byfalle. That I be kaught / I shal be holde espie. Or ellis lo this drede I most of alle. yif in the hondes of som wrechche I falle. I nam but lost / al be my herte trewe. Now myghty god / thow on my sorwe rewe. (102) fful pale Iwaxen was hir bright face. Hir lymes lene / as she þat alle the day. Stood whan she dorste and lokede on the place. Wher she was born / and ther she dweld hadde ay. And alle the nyght wepynge allas she lay. And thus despeired out of alle cure. She ledde hir lyf this woful creature. (103) fful ofte a day she syghte ek for destresse. And in hirself she wente ay portreyinge. Of Troilus / the grete worthynesse. And alle his goodly wordes recordynge. Syn first that day hir loue bygan to sprynge. And thus she sette hir woful herte in fyre. Throwgh Remembraunce / of þat she gan desire. (104) In al this world ther nys no cruel herte. That hir hadde herd compleynen in hir sorwe. That nolde han wepen for hir peynes smerte. So tendrely / she wepte bothe eue and morwe. Hir neded non teeris for to borwe. And this was yit the worste of al hir peyne. Ther nys no wight to whome she dorste hir pleyne. (105) fful rewfully she lokede vpon Troye. Bihold the toures heyghe and ek the walles. Allas quod she the plesaunce and the Ioye. The which þat now al torned into galle is. Haue ich had ofte within tho yonder wallis. O Troilus what dostow now she seide. Lord wheither thow yit think vpon Criseide. (106) Allas .I. ne hadde Itrowed on youre loore. And went with yow as ye me rede or this. Than hadde I now nat siked half so soore. who myght haue seide þat I hadde don amys. To stele awey with swich oon as he is. But al to late comth the letuarie. Whan men the cors vnto the graue carie. (107) To late is now to speke of that matere. Prudence allas / oon of thyn eyen iij. Me lakked alwey / or þat I com heere. On tyme Ipassed wel remembred me. And present tyme ek koude ich wel see. But futur tyme or I was in the snare. Koude I nat se / þat causeth now my care. (108) But natheles bitide what bitide. I shal tomorwe at nyght by est or west. Out of this oost stelen in som maner side. And gon with Troilus wher as hym leste. This purpos wol I holde and þat is beste. No fors of wykked tonges Ianglerye. ffor euere in loue han wrechches had enuye. (109) ffor woso wol of euery word take hede. Or rulen hym by euery wightes wit. Ne shal he neuere thryuen out of drede. ffor þat that som men blamen euere yit. Lo oother maner folk comenden it. And as for me / for alle swich variaunce. ffelicite clepe I my suffisaunce. (110) ffor which withouten any wordes mo. To Troye I wole as for conclusion. But god it wot or fully monthes two. She was ful fer fro þat entencioun. ffor bothen Troilus and Troyes town. Shal knotteles thorwghout hir herte slyde. ffor she wol take a purpos for tabide. (111) This Diomede of whom yow telle I gan. Goth now with hymseluen arguynge. with al the sleyght and al þat euere he kan. How he may best with shortest taryinge. Into his net / Criseides herte brynge. To this entente he koude neuere fyne. To ffisshen hir he leyde out hook and lyne. (112) But natheles wel in his herte he thoughte. That she nas nat withoute a loue in Troye. ffor neuere sythen he hir thennes broughte. Ne koude he sen hir laugh and maken Ioye. He nyste how best hir herte for tacoye. But for to assaye he seide it naught ne greueth. ffor he þat naught nasayeth naught nacheueth. (113) Yit seide be to hymself vpon a nyght. Now am I nat a fool þat wot wel how. Hir wo for loue is of another wight. And hervpon to gon assay hir now. I may wel wite it nyl nat ben my prow. ffor wyse folk in bookes it expresse. Men shal nat wowe a wight in heuynesse. (114) But whoso myghte wynnen swich a flour. ffrom hym / for whom she morneth nyght and day. He myghte seyn he were a conquerour. And right anon as he þat bold was ay. Thought in his herte happe how happe may. Al sholde I deye .I. wol hir herte seche. I. shal no moore lese but my speche. (115) This Diomede as bookys vs declare. was in his nedes prest and corageus. With styerne voys and myghty lymes square. Hardy / testif / strong / and chiualrus. Of dedes / lyk his fader Tideus. And som men seyn he was of tonge large. And heir h erased he was of Calidoyne and arge. (116) Criseide mene was of hir stature. Therto of shap / of face and ek of chere. Ther myghte be no fayrer creature. And ofte tyme this was hir manere. To gon Itressed with hir heris clere. Down by hir coler at hir bak bihynde. which with a thred of golde she wolde bynde. (117) And saue hir browes Ioyneden Ifeere. Ther nas no lakke in aught I kan espien. But for to speken of hir eyen cleere. Lo trewely they writen þat hir seyen. That Paradys stood formed in hir eyen. And with riche beauute euere moore. Strof loue in hir ay / which of hem was moore. (118) She sobre was ek symple and wys withal. The beste Inorisshed ek / þat myghte be. And goodlisch of hir speche in general. Charitable / estalische lusty fre. Ne neuere mo ne lakkede hir pite. Tendre herted slydynge of corage. But trewely I kan nat telle hir age. (119) And Troilus wel waxen was on highte. And complet formed by proporcioun. So wel þat kynd it naughte amende myghte. Yong / fressh / strong / and hardy as lyoun. Trewe as stele in ech condicioun. Oon of the beste entechched creature. That is or shal whil þat the worlde may dure. (120) And certeinlisch in storie / it is Ifounde. That Troilus was neuere vnto no wight. As in his tyme / in no degre seconde. Endurynge doth þat longeth to a knyght. Al myghte a geant passen hym of myght. His herte ay with the first and with the beste. Stood parigal to dor don þat hym leste. (121) But for to tellen forth of Diomede. It fil þat aftir on the tenthe day. Syn þat Criseide out of the cite yede. This Diomede as fressh as braunche in may. Com to the tente ther as Kalkas lay. And feyned hym with kalkas han to doone. But what he mente I shal yow telle soone. (122) Criseide at shorte wordes for to telle. welcomed hym and down hym by hir sette. And he was ethe Inought to maken dwelle. And aftir this withoute longe lette. The spices and the wyn men forth hem fette. And forth they speke of this and that Ifeere. As frendes don / of which som shal ye heere. (123) He gan first fallen of the werre in speche. Bitwixen hem / and the folk of Troye town. And of thasege / he gan hir ek biseche. To telle hym what was hir opynyoun. ffro þat demande he so descendith down. To axen hir yif þat hir straunge thoughte. The grekis gise and werkis þat they wroghte. (124) And why hir fadir tarieth so longe. To wedden hir vnto som worthy wight. Criseide þat was in hir peynes stronge. ffor loue of Troilus hir owene knyght. As ferforth as she konnynge hadde or myght. Answerde hym tho / but as of his entente. It semed nat she wiste what he mente. (125) But natheles this ilke Diomede. Gan in hymself asseure and thus he seyde. yif ich aright haue taken of yow heede. Me thinkith thus .o. lady my Criseide. That syn .I. first hond on yowr bridel leyde. Whan ye out come of Troye by the morwe. Ne koude I neuere sen yow but in sorwe. (126) Kan I nat seyn what may the cause be. But yif for loue of som Troiayn it weere. The which right soore wolde athinken me. That ye for any wight þat dwelleth there. Sholden spille a quarter of a tere. Or pitously yowrseluen so bygile. ffor dredeles it is nat worth the while. (127) The folk of Troye as who seith al and some. In prison ben / as ye yowrseluen se. Ne thenues shal nat oon on lyue come. ffor al the gold atwixen soone and see. Trusteth wel and vndirstondeth me. Ther shal nat oon to mercy gon on lyue. Al were he lord of worldes twyes fyue. (128) Swich wrech on hem for fecchinge of Eleyne. Ther shal ben take / or þat hennes wende. That manes whiche goddes ben of peyne. Shal ben agast þat grekis wol hem shende. And men shal drede vnto the wordes ende. ffrom hennesforth to rauysshen any queene. So cruel shal oure wreche on hem be seene. (129) And but yif Kalkas lede vs with ambages. That is to seyn with double wordes slye. Swich as men clepe a word with tho visages. Ye shal wel knowen þat I naught ne lye. And al this thing right sen it with yowr eye. And þat anon / ye nyl nat trowe how soone. Now taketh hede / for it is for to doone. (130) What wene ye yowr wyse fadir wolde. Haue ȝeuen antenor for yow anon. yif he ne wiste þat the Cite sholde. Destroyed ben / why nay so mote I gon. He knew ful wel ther shal nat shapen oon. That Troian is / and for the grete feere. He durst nat þat written between the lines. ye dwelde lengere þere. (131) What wol ye moore lufsom lady deere. Lat Troye and Troian fro yowre herte pace. Drif out þat bittre hope and make good cheere. And clepe ayein the beaute of yowr face. That ye with salte teeris so deface. ffor Troye is broughte in swich a Iupartye. That it to saue is now no remedye. (132) And thinketh wel ye shal in grekis fynde. A moore parfit loue or it be nyght. Than any Troian is / and moore kynde. And bet to seruen yow wol don his myght. And yif ye vouchesauf / my lady bright. I. wol ben he to seruen yow myseluen. Ye leuere than be kyng of Grecis xij. (133) And with that worde he gan to waxen red. And in his speche a litel wight he quook. And caste aside a litel wyght his hed. And stynte a while / and aftirwarde awook. And sowbrelich on hir he threwgh his look. And seide I am al be it yow no Ioye. As gentil man as any wight in Troye. (134) ffor yif my fadir Tideus he seyde. Ilyued hadde / .Ich hadde ben or this. Of Calidoygne and arge a kyng Criseide. And so hope I þat I shal yit Iwys. But he was slayn allas the moore harm is. Vnhappely at Thebes al to rathe. Polymyte and many a man to scathe. (135) But herte myn syn þat I am yowr man. And ben the first of whom .I. seche grace. To serue yow as hertely as I kan. And euere shal while I to lyue haue space. So or þat I departe out of this place. That ye me graunt þat I may tomorwe. At bettre leiser telle yow my sorwe. (136) What sholde I telle hise wordes þat he seyde. He spak Inought for o day at the meeste. It preueth wel / he spak so þat Criseide. Graunted on the morwe at this requeeste. ffor to speken with hym at the leeste. So þat he nolde speke of swich matere. And thus she to hym seide as ye may heere. (137) As she þat hadde hir herte on Troilus. So faste / þat ther may it non arace. And straungely she spak and seyde thus. O. Diomede .I. loue þat ilke place. Ther I was born / and Ioues for his grace. Deliuere it soone of al þat doth it care. God for thy might so leue it wel to faare. (138) That grekis wolde hir wraththe on Troye wreke Yif þat they myght .I. knowe it wel Iwys. But it shal nat bifallen as ye speke. And god toforn / and forthere of this. I wot my fadir wis and redy is. And þat he me hath bought as ye me tolde. So deere / I am the moore vnto hym holde. (139) That Grekis ben of heyght condicioun. I wot ek wel / but certein men shal fynde. As worthy folk / withInne Troye towne. As konnynge / and as parfite and as kynde. As ben bitwixen Orcades and Inde. And þat ye konne wel yowr lady serue. I trow it wel / hir thank for to deserue. (140) But as to speke of loue Iwys she seide. I hadde a lord to whom I wedded was. The whos myn herte al was / til þat he deide. And oother loue as help me now Pallas. Ther in myn herte nys / ne neuere was. And þat ye ben of noble and heygh kynrede. I haue wel herd it tellen out of drede. (141) And þat doth me to han so grete a wonder. That ye wol scornen any womman so. Ek god wot loue / and I ben fer asonder. I am disposed bet so mote I go. Vnto my deth to pleyne and maken wo. What I shal aftir don can .I. not seye. But trewelisch as yit me list nat pleye. (142) Myn herte is now in tribulacioun. And ye in armes bysi day bi day. Herafter whan ye wonnen han the town. Paraunter then so it happen may. That whan I se þat I neuere yit say. Than wol I werke þat I neuere wroghte. This worde to yow Inough suffisen oughte. (143) To morwe ek wole .I. speken with yow fayn. So þat ye towchene naught of this matere. And whan yow liste ye may come here ayein. And or ye go thus muche I seye yow heere. As help me Pallas with hir heris cleere. Yif þat I sholde on any greke han routhe. It sholde be yowreseluen be my trouthe. (144) I seyn nat therfore þat I wol yow loue. Ny sey nat nay but in conclusioun. I meene wel be god þat sit aboue. And therwithal she caste hir eyen down. And gan to sike / and seide .o. Troye town. Yet bidde I god in quiete and in reste. I may the sen / or do myn herte breste. (145) But in effect and schortly for to seye. This Diomede al fressly newe / ayein. Gan pressen on and faste hir mercy preye. And aftir this the sothe for to seyn. Hir gloue he took of which he was ful feyn. And fynaly / whan it was vaxen eue. And al was wel he roos and took his leue. (146) The bryght venus folwede and ay taughte. The wey / ther brode Phebus down alighte. And Cinthea hir charhors ouerraughte. To whirle out of the leoun if she myghte. And signifer hise candeles sheweth brighte. when þat Criseide vntil hir reste wente. Inwith hir fadris faire brighte tente. (147) Retornynge in hir soule ay vp and down. The wordes of this sodeyn Diomede. His grete estat and perel of the town. And þat she was allone and hadde nede. Of frendes help / and thus bigan to breede. The causes why / the soth for to telle. That she took / fully purpos for to dwelle. (148) The morwen come and gostly for to speke. This diomede is come vnto Criseide. And shortly list þat ye my tale breke. So wel he for hymseluen spake and seide That al hir sikes soore adown he leyde. And fynaly the sothe for to seyne. He refte hir of the grete of al hir peyne. (149) And aftir this the storie tellith vs. That she hym yaf the faire baye steede. The which he onys wan of Troilus. And ek a broche / and þat was litel nede. That Troilus was / she yaf this Diomede. And ek the bet from sorwe hym to releue. She made hym were a Pencel of hir sleue. (150) I fynde ek in stories elliswhere. whan thorwgh the body hurt was Diomede. Of Troilus / tho wep she many a teere. whan þat she saugh hise wyde wowndes blede. And that she took to kepyn hym good heede. And for to hele hym of his sores smerte. Men seyn I not / þat she yaf hym hir herte. (151) But trewely the Storie tellith vs. Ther made neuere woman moore wo. Then she / whan þat she falsed Troilus. She seide allas for now is clene ago. My name of trouthe in loue for euermo. ffor I haue oon the gentileste. Thas euere was / and on the worthieste. (152) Allas of me / vnto the worldes ende. Shal neither ben Iwriten nor Isonge. No good wood / for thise bookis wol me shende. O. rolled shal I ben of mony a tonge. Thorwghout this world my belle shal be ronge. And womman most wol hate me of alle. Allas þat swich a cas me sholde falle. (153) They wol seyn in as muche as in me is. I haue hem don dishonour weylawey. Al be I nat the firste þat dide amys. what helpith that to don my blame awey. But syn I se ther nys no written between the lines. bettre wey. And þat to late it is now for to rewe. To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. (154) But Troilus syn I no bettre may. And syn þat thus departen ye and .I. Yit preye I god to yiue yow written between the lines. right good day. As for the gentilest trewely. That euere I say to seruen feithfully. And best kan ay his lady honour kepe. And with þat word she brast anon to wepe. (155) And certes yow ne haten shal I neuere. And frendes loue þat shal ye han of me. And my good word al sholde I lyuen euere. And trewelisch I wolde soory be. ffor to sen yow in aduersite. And gilteles I wot wel I yow leeue. And al shal passe and thus take I my leeue. (156) But treweliche how longe it was bytweene. That she forsook hym for this Diomede. Ther nys no auctour tellith it I weene. Take euery man now to his bookis heede. He shal no terme fynden out of drede. ffor though þat he bigan te wowe hir soone. Er he hir wan yit was ther moore to doone. (157) Ne me ne list this sely womman chide. ffurther than the storye wol deuyse. Hir name allas is punysshed so wide. That for hir gilt it ought Inoght suffise. And yif I myght excuse hir any wyse. ffor she so soory was for hir vntrowthe. Iwis .I. wolde excuse hir yit for routhe. (158) This Troilus as I byfore haue tolde. Thus dryueth forth as wel as he has myghte. But often was his herte hoot and colde. And namelich þat ilke tenthe nynght. sic. which on the morwen she hadde hym bihighte. To come ayein / god wot ful litel reste. Hadde he þat nyght / nothing to slep hym leste. (159) The laurer crowned Phebus with his heete. Gan in his cours ay vpward as he wente. To warmen of the est See the wawes weete. And Nisus doughter song with fressh entente. whan Troilus his Pandare aftir sente. And on the walles of the town they pleyde. To loke yif they kan sen ought of Criseide. (160) Til it was non they stoden for to se. who þat ther come / and euery maner wight. That com fro fer / they seyden it was she. Til þat they kouden knowen hym aryght. Now was his herte dul now was it lighte. And thus biIaped stonden for to staare. Aboute naught this Troilus and Pandare. (161) To Pandarus this Troilus tho seide. ffor aught .I. wot bifor non sikirly. Into this town ne comth naught Criseide. She hath Inough to doone hardily. To twynnen from hir fadir so trow .I. Hir olde fadir wol yit make hir dyne. Or þat she go / god yiue his herte pyne. (162) Pandare answerd it may wel be certein. And forthy / lat vs dyne .I. the biseche. And aftir non / thow maistowe come ayein. And home they gon without moore speche. And come ayein / but longe may they seche. Or they fyndyn þat they aftir cape. ffortune hem bothe thinketh for to Iape. (163) Quod Troilus I se wel now þat she. Is taried with hir olde fadir so. That er she come it wel neygh euene be. Com forth .I. wole vnto the yate go. Thise porters be vnkonnynge euere mo. And I wol don hem holden vp the yate. As naugh ne weere{punctel} although she com late. (164) The day goth faste / and aftir þat com eue. And yit com naugh to Troilus Criseide. He loketh forth by hegges by tre by greue. And fer his heuede ouer the walle he leide. And at the laste he torned hym and seide. By god I wot hir menyng now Pandare. Almost Iwis al newe was my care. (165) Now douteles this lady kan hir good. I. wot she meneth riden pryuyly. I. comende hir wysdom by my hood. She nil nat maken poeple nycely. Gaure on hir whan she comth but softely. By nyght into the town she thinketh ride. And deere brother think nat longe tabyde. (166) We han nat ellis for to doone Iwys. And Pandarus now wiltow trowen me. Haue hir my trouthe I se hir yond she is. Heue vp thyn eyen man maistow nat se. Pandare answerd nay so mot I the. Al wrong by god what seistow man wher arte. That I se yond nys but a fare carte. (167) Allas thow seist ful sothe quod Troilus. But hardely it nys nat al for naught. That in myn herte I now reioysse thus. It is ayeins som good I haue a thought. But I not how / but syn þat I was wrought. Ne felt I swich a confort soth to seye. She comth to nyght my lif þat dorste I leye. (168) Pandare answerde it may ben wel Inough. And held with hym of alle þat euere he seyde. But in his herte he thoughte and softely lough. And to hym ful sobreliche he seide. ffrom hesel wode ther Ioly robyn pleide. Shal com al þat that thow abidest heere. Ye farewel al the snought of ferne yere. (169) The wardeyn of the yates gan to calle. The folk / which þat withoute with between the lines. the yates weere. And bad hem dryuen In hir bestes alle. Or al the nyght they mosten bleuen there. And fer in the nyght with many a teere. This Troilus gan homward for to ride. ffor wel he seth it helpith naught tabide. (170) But natheles he gladede hym in this. He thoughte he mysacounted had his day. And seide .I. vndirstonden haue amys. ffor thilke nyght .I. laste Criseide say. She seide .I. shal be hir yif þat I may. Or þat the moone .o. deere herte sweete. The lyoun passe out of his ariete. (171) ffor which she may yit holde hir biheste. And on the morwe vnto the yate he wente. And vp and down by west and ek by este. Vpon the wallis made he many a wente. But al for naught his hope alwey hym blente. ffor which at nyght in sorwe and sikes soore. He wente hym hom withouten any moore. (172) His hope al clene out of his herte fledde. He ne hath wheron now lenger for to honge. But for the peyne hym thoughte his herte bleede. So were his throwes sharp and wondir stronge. ffor whan he saugh þat she abood so longe. He nyste what he Iugen of it myght. Syn she hath brokyn þat she hym bihight. (173) The thridde / ferthe / fifte / sixte day. After tho dayes x of which I tolde. Bitwixen hope and drede his herte lay. Yit somwhat tristynge in hir hestes olde. But whan he saugh she nolde hir terme holde. He kan now sen noon oother remedye. But for to shape hym soone for to dye. (174) Therwith the wikked spirit god vs blesse. which þat men clepith wood Ialousie. Gan in hym crepe in al his heuynesse. ffor which bycause he wolde sone dye. He ne et / ne dronk / for his malencolie. And ek from euery compaignye he fledde. This was the lif / þat al this tyme he ledde. (175) He so defet was þat no maner of man. Vnnethe hym myght knowe ther he wente. So was he leene / and therto pale and wan. And fieble þat he walkith by potente. And with his Ire he thus hymseluen shente. And whoso axed hym wherof hym smerte. He seide his harm was al aboute his herte. (176) Priam ful ofte and ek / his moder deere. His brethen and hise sustren gonne hym freyne. why he so sorwful was in al hise cheere. And what thing was the cause of al his peyne. But al for naught he nolde his cause pleyne. But seide he felte a greuous maladye. Aboute his herte / and fayn he wolde dye. (177) So on a day he leide hym down to slepe. And so bifil þat in his slepe he thoughte. That in a forest faste he welke to wepe. ffor loue of hir þat hym this peyne wroughte. And vp and down as he the forest soughte. Hym mette he say a boor with tuskes grete. That-slep ayein the bryghte sonnes heete. (178) And by this boor faste in hir armes folde. Lay kissynge ay his lady bright Criseide. ffor sorwe of which whan he it gan biholde. And for despite / out of his slep he breide. And loude he cried on Pandarus and seide. O. Pandarus now knowe I crop and roote. I. nam but ded / ther nys no oother boote. (179) My lady bright Criseide hath me bitraiede. In whom I trusted most of any wight. She elliswhere hath now hir herte apaiede. The blisful goddes thurght hir grete myght. Han in my dreme Ishawed it ful right. Thus in my dreme Criseide haue I biholde. And al this thing / to Pandarus he tolde. (180) O my Criseide allas what subtilite. what newe lust / what beaute / what science. what wraththe of Iuste cause han ye te me. what gilt of me what fel experience. Hath from me reft / allas thyn aduertence. O. trust .o. feith .o. depe aseurance. who hath me reft Criseide al my plesaunce. [Stanzas 177-182 not in C. C. C. MS.] (181) Allas why let I yow from hennes go. ffor which wel neyght out of my wit I breide. who shal now trowe on any oothes mo. God wot I wende. o. lady bright Criseide. That euery word was gospel þat ye seide. But who may bet bigile yif hym liste. Than he on whom men weneth beste to triste. (182) What shal .I. don my Pandarus allas. I fele now so sharp a newe peyne. Syn þat ther lith no remedy in this cas. That bet were it I with my hondes tweyne. Myseluen slow / alwey than thus to pleyne. ffor thorwgh the deth my wo sholde haue a ende. Ther euery day with lif myselue I shende. (183) Pandare answerd and seide allas the while. That .I. was born / haue I nat seide or this. That dremys many a maner man bygile. And why / for folk expound originally expounden. hem amys. How darstow seyn þat fals thy lady is. ffor any drem / right for thy owene drede. Lat be this thought thow kanst no dremys rede. (184) Peraunter ther thow dremyst of this boor. It may so ben þat it may signifie. Hir fadir which þat olde is and ek hoor. Ayein the sonne lith vp sic point to dye. And she for sorwe gynnyth wepe and crye. And kisseth hym ther he lith on the grownde. Thus sholdestow thy dremys ryght expownde. (185) How myghte I than don quod Troilus. To knowe of this / ye were it neuer so lite. Now seistow wisly quod this Pandarus. My red is this / syn thow kanst wel endite. That hastily a lettre thow hir write. Thorwgh which thow shalt bryngen it aboute. To knowe a soth ther thow art in doute. (186) And se now why / for this I dar wel seyn. That yif so is þat she vntrewe be. I kan not trowen she wol write ayein. And yif she write thow shalt ful soone se. As wheither she hath any liberte. To come ayein / or ellis in som clause. Yif she be let she wol assigne a cause. (187) Thow hast nat writen hir syn þat she wente. Nor she to the / and this I durste leye. Ther may swich cause ben in hir entente. That hardely thow wolt thyseluen seye. That hir abood the beste is for yow tweye. Now write hir than / and thow shalt feele soone. A soth of this ther nys no moore to doone. (188) Acorded ben to this conclusioun. And þat anon thise ilke lordes two. And hastily sit Troilus adown. And rolleth in his herte to and fro. How he may beste discryuen hir this wo. And to Criseide is owene lady deere. He wrot right thus / and seide as ye shal heere. (189) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde) Right fresshe flour whos I ben haue and shal. withouten part of elliswhere seruise. litera Troili with herte / body / lif / lust / thought and al. I. woful wight in euerich humble wyse. That tonge telle or herte may deuyse. As ofte as matere occupieth place. Me recomaunde vnto yowr noble grace. (190) Liketh yow to wetyn sweete herte. As ye wel knowe how longe tyme agon. That ye me left in aspre peynes smerte. whan þat ye wente / of which yit boote non. Haue I non hadde / but euere wors bigon. ffro day to day am I / and so mot dwelle. whil it yow list of wele and wo my welle. (191) ffor which to yow with dredful herte trewe. I write / as he þat sorwe drifth to write. My wo / þat euerich houre encrescith newe. Compleynig as I dar / or kan endite. And þat it defaced is þat may ye wite. The teeris which þat fro myn eyen reyne. MS. þeyne That wolden speke yif þat they koude and pleyne. (192) Yow first biseche .I. þat yowr eyen cleere. To loke on this defouled ye nat holde. And ouere al this þat ye my lady deere. Wol vouchesauf this lettre to biholde. And by the cause ek of my cares colde. That sleth my wit / yif ought amys masterte. fforyiue it me myn owne sweete herte. (193) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde, continued) Yif any seruant dorste or oughte of right. Vpon his lady pitously compleyne. Than wene .I. þat ich oughte ben þat wight. Considered this þat ye thise monthes tweyne. Han taried / ther ye seyden soth to seyne. But daies x. ye nolde in oost soiourne. But in two Monthes yit ye nat retorne. (194) But for as muche as me mot nedes like. Al þat yow list / I dar nat pleyne moore. But humblely with sorwful sykes sike. Yow write ich myn vnrest sorowes soore. ffro day to day desiringe euere moore. To knowen fully yif yowre wille it were. How ye han ferd / and don whyl ye be there. (195) The whos welfare and hele ek god encrese. In honour swich þat vpward in degree. It groue alwey / so þat it neuere cesse. Right as yowre herte ay kan my lady free. Deuyse I prey to god so mote it be. And graunte þat ye soone upon me rewe. Als wisly as in al I am to yow trewe. (196) And yif yow liketh knowen of the fare. Of me / whos wo ther may no wit descryue. I. kan no moore but chiste of euery care. At writynge of this lettre I was on lyue. Al redy out of my woful gost to dryue. which I delaye and holde hym yit in honde. Vpon the sighte of matere of yowre sonde. (197) (Troilus's Letter continued) Myn eyen two in veyn with whiche .I. see. Of sorwful teris salt arn woxen wellis. My song / in pleynte of myn aduersite. My good in harm myn ese ek woxen helle is. My Ioye in wo I kan seye yow naught ellis. But torned is / for which my lif I warie. Euerych Ioye or ese in his contrarie. (198) Which with yowre comynge home ayein to Troye. ye may redresse / and moore a thousand sithe. Than euerych hadde / encressen in me Ioye. ffor was ther neuere herte yit so blithe. To han hys lif / as I shal ben as swithe. As I yow see / and though no maner routhe. Commoue yow / yit thinketh on yowr trouthe. (199) And yif so be my gilt hath deth deserued. Or yif yow list no moore vpon me se. In guerdon yit of þat I haue yow serued. Biseche I yow myn hertes lady free. That hervpon ye wolden writen me. ffor loue of god / my right lood sterre. That deth may make an ende vpon my werre. (200) Yif oother cause aught do yow for to dwelle. That with yowr lettre ye me reconforte. ffor though to me yowr absence is an helle. with pacience I wol my wo conporte. And with yowre lettre of hope I wol desporte. Now writeth sweete / and lat me thus nat pleyne. with hope or deth delyuereth me fro peyne. (201) (Troilus's Letter continued) Iwis myn owene deere herte trewe. I wot þat whan ye nexte vpon me se. So lost haue I myn hele and ek myn hewe. Criseide shal nat konne knowen me. Iwys myn hertes day my lady free. So thursteth ay myn herte to biholde. Yowre beaute / þat my lif vnnethe I holde. (202) I sey na moore / al haue .I. for to seye. To yow / wel moore than I tellen may. But wheither þat ye do me lyue or deye. Yit prey I god so yiue yow right good day. And fareth wel goodly faire fresshe may. As she þat lif or deth me may comande. And to yowre trouth ay I me recomande. (203) With heele swich þat but ye yiuen me. The same heele / I shal non heele haue. In yow lieth whan yow list þat it so be. The day / on which me clothen shal my graue. In yow my lif / in yow myght for to saue. Me from disese / of alle peynes smerte. And fare now wel myn owene sweete herte. le vostre T. [Letter ends.] (204) This lettre forth was sent vnto Criseide. Of which hir answere in effect was this. Ful pitously she wrot ayein and seide. That also soone as þat she myght Iwys. She wolde come / and mende al þat was mys. And fynaly she wrot and seide hym thanne. She wolde come / ye but she nyste whanne. (205) But in hir lettre made she swiche festes. That wonder was / and swerth she loueth hym best. Of which he fond but butmeles bihestes. But Troilus thow maist now est or west. Pipe in any yuy lief yif þat the lest. Thus goth the world god shilde vs fro meschaunce. And euery wight þat meneth trouthe auaunce. (206) Encressen gan the wo fro day to nyght. Of Troilus / for taryinge of Criseide. And lassen gan his hope and ek his myght. ffor which al down he in his bed hym leide. He ne et / ne dronk / ne slep / ne word seide. Ymagynynge ay þat she was vnkynde. ffor which wel neygh he wex out of his mynde. (207) This drem / of which .I. tolde haue ek byforn. May neuere come out of his remembraunce. He thought ay wel he hadde his lady lorn. And þat that Ioues of hise purueiaunce. Hym shewed hadde in slep the signefiaunce. Of hir vntrowthe / and his disauenture. And that this boor was shewed hym in figure. (208) ffor which he for Sibile hys suster sente. That called was Cassandre ek al aboute. And al his drem he tolde hir or he stynte. And hir bisought assoillen hym the doute. Of the stronge boor with tuskes stoute. And fynaly withInne a litel stownde. Cassandre hym gan right thus his drem expownde. (209) She gan first smyle / and seide o brother deere. Yif thow a soth of this desirest knowe. Thow moste a fewe of olde stories heere. To purpos how þat fortune ouirthrowe. Hath lordes olde / thorwgh wiche withIn a trowe. Thow wel this boor shal knowe and of what kynde. He comen is / as men in bookes fynde. (210) Diane which þat wroth was and in Ire. ffor grekis nolden don hir sacrifise. Ne encens vpon hir auter sette afire. She for þat grekis gonne hir so despise. wrak hir in a wonder cruel wyse. ffor with a boor as gret as oxe in stalle. She made vp frete here corn and vynes alle. (211) To sle this boor was al the contre reised. Amonges whiche ther com this boor to se. A mayde / oon of this world the best Ipreysed. And Meleagre lord of þat cuntre. He loued so this fressh mayde fre. That with his manhod or he wolde stente. This boor he slought / and hir the hed he sente. (212) Of which as olde bookis tellen vs. Ther ros a contek / and a gret enuye. And of this lorde descended Tideus. By lygne / or ellis olde bookis lye. But how this Meleagre gan to dye. Thorwgh his modir / wol I yow nat telle. ffor al to longe it were for to dwelle. (213) She tolde ek how Tideus or she stente. Vnto the strong Cite of Thebes. To cleymen kyngdom of the Cite wente. ffor his felawe daun Polimytes. Of which the brother daun Ethiocles. fful wrongfully of Thebes held the strenght. This told she by proces al by lenghte. (214) She tolde ek how Hemonydes asterte. whan Tideus slough fifty knyghtes stoute. She tolde ek alle the prophecies by herte. And how that vij kynges with hir route. Bisegeden the Cite al aboute. And of the holy serpent and the welle. And of the furies al she gan hym telle. [Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.] Associat profugum tideo primus Polimitem. Tidea legatum docet insideasque secundus. Tercius heumoduden canit et vates latitantes. Quartus habet Reges in euntes prelia septem. Mox furie lenne quinto narratur et anguis. Archemori bustum{punctel} sexto ludyque leguntur. Dat graios thebes et vatem septimus vnbris. sic Octauo cecidit tideus spes vita pelasgis. Ypomedon nono moritur cum parthonopea. Fulmine percussus. Decimo cappaneus superatur. Vndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres. Argiua fientem narrat duodenus et ignem. (215) Of archimoris burynge and the pleyes. And how Amphiorax fil thorwgh the grownde. How Tideus was slayn lord of Argeys. And how ypomedon with blody wownde. And ek Parthonope in litel stownde. Ben slayn / and how Cappaneus the proude. with thonder dynt was slayn þat cride loude. (216) She gan ek telle hym how þat aither brother. Ethiocles / and Polimite also. At a scarmuche ech of hem slough oother. And of Argiues wepynge and hir wo. And how the town was brent she tolde ek tho. And so descendith down fro gestes olde. To Diomede / and thus she spak and tolde. (217) This ilke boor betokeneth Diomede. Tideus sone / þat down descended is. ffro Meleagre / þat made the boor to bleede. And thy lady wher she be Iwys. This Diomede hir herte hath and sho his. wep if thow wolt or lef for out of doute. This Diomede is Inne and thow art oute. (218) Thow seyst nat soth quod he thow sorcerisse. with al thy fals gost of prophecie. Thow wenest ben a gret deuynerisse. Now sestow nat this fool of fantasie. Peyneth hir on ladyes for to lye. Awey quod he ther Ioues yiue the sorwe. Thow shalt ben fals paraunter yit to morwe. (219) Als wel thow myghtest lyen on alceste. That was of al creature but men lye. That euere weren kyndest and the beste. ffor whan hir housband was in Iupartye. To deye hymself but if she wolde dye. She ches to dye and ek to gon to helle. And starf anon / as vs the bookys telle. (220) Cassandre goth and he with cruel herte. fforȝat his wo for angre of hir speche. And from his bed al sodeynly he sterte. As though al hool hym hadde made a leche. And day by day he gan enquere and seche. A soth of this with alle his ful cure. And thus he drieth forth his auenture. (221) ffortune which þat permutacioun. Of thinges hath / as it is committed. By purueaunce and disposicioun. Of heygh Ioue / as regnes shal be flitted. ffro folk in folk / or whan they shal ben flitted. Gan pulle awey / the fetheris bryght of Troye. ffro day to day til they ben bare of Ioye. (222) Among al this the fyn of the Parodye. Of Ector / gan aprochen wonder blyue. The fate wolde his soule sholde vnbodye. And shapen hadde a Meene it out to dryue. Ayein which fate him helpeth not to stryue. But on a day to fyghten gan he wende. At which allas he kaughte hys lyues ende. (223) ffor which me thinketh euery maner wyght. That haunteth armes / oughte to biwaille. The deth of hym þat was so noble a knyght. ffor as he drough a kyng by thauentaille. Vnwar of this / Achilles thorgh the maille. And thorugh the body gan hym for to ryue. And thus this worthy knyght was brough of lyue. (224) ffor whom as olde bookis tellen vs. was made swich wo / þat tonge it may nat telle. And namely the sorwe of Troilus. That nexte hym was of worthynesse welle. And in this wo gan Troilus to dwelle. That what for sorwe and loue and for vnreste. fful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. (225) But natheles though he gan hym despeire. And drede þat his lady was vntrewe. yit ay on hir his herte gan repeire. And as this loueris don he sought ay newe. To gete ayeind Criseide bright of hewe. And in his herte he wente hir excusynge. That Kalkas caused al hir taryinge. (226) And ofte tyme was in purpos gret. Hymseluen lik a pilgrym to degise. To sen hir / but he may nat contrefete. To ben vnknowe of folk þat weren wise. Ne fynde excuse aright þat may suffise. yif he among the grekis knowen weere. ffor which he wep ful ofte and mony a teere. (227) To hir he wrot yit oft tyme al newe. fful pitously / he lefte it nat for slouthe. Bisechinge hir þat syn þat he was trewe. That she wol come ayein and holde hir trouth. ffor whieh Criseide vpon a day for routhe. I take it so towchinge al this matere. wrot hym ayein and seide as ye may heere. (228) (Criseyde's Letter to Troilus) Cupides sone ensaumple of goodlihede. O. swerd of knyghthede sours of gentilesse. litera Criseidis How myght a wight in torment and in drede. And heleles / yow sende as yit gladnesse. I herteles .I. sike I in destresse. Syn ye with me nor I with yow may deele. Yow neither sende ich herte may ne hele. (229) Yowre lettres ful the papir al Ipleynted. Conceyued hath myn hertes piete. I haue ek seyn with teeris al depaynded. yowre lettre and how þat ye requiren me. To come ayein / which yit ne may nat be. But why / last þat this lettre fownden weere. No mencioun ne make I now for feere. (230) Greuous to me god wot in yowre vnreste. Yowre haste and þat the goddes ordinance. It semyth nat ye take it for the beste. Nor oother thing nys in youre remembrance. As thinketh me but oonly yowre plesaunce. But beth nat wrothe and þat I yow biseche. ffor þat I tarie / is al for wykked speche. (231) (Criseyde's Letter continued) ffor I haue herd wel moore than I wende. Touchynge vs two / how thinges han Istonde. which I shal with dissimulynge amende. And beth nat wroth I haue ek vndirstonde. how ye ne don but holden me in honde. But now no fors I kan nat in yow gesse. But alle trouthe and alle gentilesse. (232) Come I wole but yit in swich disioynte. I stonde as now þat what yer or what day. That this shal ben / þat kan I naught poynte. But in effect I preye yow as I may. Of yowr good word / and of yowr frendshipe ay. ffor trewely whil þat my lif may dure. As for a frend ye may in me assure. (233) Yit prey ich yow on yuel ye ne take. That it is short which þat I to yow write. I dar nat ther r added by later hand. I am wel lettres make. Ny neuere yit koude ek wel endite. Ek grete effect men write in place lite. Thentente is al and nat the lettre space. And fareth now wel god haue yow in his grace. [Letter ends.] (234) This Troilus this lettre thoughte al straunge. whan he it saugh / and sorwfully he sighte. Hym thoughte it lik a kalendes of chaunge. But fynaly he ful ne trowen myghte. That she ne wolde hym holden þat she highte. ffor with ful yeuel wil liste hym to leue. That loueth wel / in swiche cas though hym greue. (235) But natheles men seith þat at the laste. ffor ony thing men shal the sothe se. And swich a cas bitide and þat as faste. That Troilus / wel vndirstode þat she. Nas nat so kynde / as þat hir ought be. And finaly he now wot out of doute. That al is lost þat he has ben aboute. (236) Stood on a day in his malencolie. This Troilus and in suspicioun. Of hir / for whom he wende for to dye. And so bifel þat thorwghout Troye town. As was the gise Iborn was vp and down. A maner cote armure as seith the storie. Biforn Deiphebe in signe of his victorie. (237) The wiche cote as telleth lollius. Deiphebe it hadde Irent fro Diomede. The same day / and whan this Troilus. It saugh / he gan to taken of it heete. Auysynge of the lengthe and of the brede. And al the werk / but as he gan biholde. fful sodeynliche his herte gan to colde. (238) As he þat on the coler fond withInne. A broche / þat he Criseide yaf þat morwe. That she from Troye moste nedes twynne. In remembrance of hym and of his sorwe. And she hym leide ayein hir feith to borwe. To kepe it ay / but now ful wel he wiste. Hys lady was no lenger on to triste. (239) He goth hym hom and gan ful soone sende. ffor Pandarus / and al this newe chaunce. And of this broche he tolde hym worde and ende. Compleyinge sic of hir hertes variaunce. Hys longe loue / hys trouthe and his penaunce. And aftir deth withouten wordes moore. fful faste he cride his reste hym to restore. (240) Than spake he thus .o. lady bright Criseide. wher is yowre feith / and wher is yowre biheste. wher is yowre loue / wher is yowr trouth he seide. Of Diomede haue ye now al this feste. Allas I wolde han trowed at the leste. That syn ye nolde in trouthe to me stonde. That ye thus nolde han holden me in honde. (241) Who shal now trowe on any oothes mo. Allas I noldde neuere han wende or this. That ye Criseide koude han chaunged so. Ne but I hadde agilt and don amys. So cruel wende I nat yowre herte Iwis. To sle me thus / allas yowre name of Trouthe. Is now fordon and þat is al my routhe. (242) Was ther no nother broche yow liste lete. To feffe with yowre newe loue quod he. But thilk broch þat I with teeris weete. yow yaf / as for a remembraunce of me. Non oother cause allas ne hadden ye. But for despit and ek for þat ye mente. Al outrely to shewen yowre entente. (243) Thorwgh which I se þat clene out of youre mynde. Ye han me caste and I ne kan nor may. ffor al this world / withInne myn herte fynde. To vnlouen yow a quarter of a day. In corsed tyme I born was weilaway. That yow þat don me al this wo endure. Yit loue I best of any creature. (244) Now god quod he me sende yit the grace. That I may meten with this Diomede. And trewely yif I haue myght and space. Yit shal I mak I hope his sides bleede. O god quod he þat oughtest taken heede. To furthren trouth / and wronges to punyce. why nyltow don a vengeance of this vice. (245) O Pandare þat in dremis for to triste. Me blamed hath / and wont art ofte vpbreide. Now maistow sen thyself yif þat the liste. How trewe is now thy Nece bright Criseide. In sondre formes god it wot he seide. The goddes shewen both Ioye and teene. In slep / and in my drem it is now seene. (246) And certeinly withoute moore speche. ffrom hennesforth as ferforth as I may. My owene deth in armes wol I seche. I recheche nat how soone be the day. But trewely Criseide sweete may. whom I haue ay with al my myght Iserued. That ye thus don I ne haue it nat deserued. (247) This Pandarus þat alle this thinges herde. And wiste wel he seide a soth of this. He nat a word ayein to hym answerde. ffor sory of his frendes sorwe he is. And shamed for his Nece hath don amys. And stant astoned of thise causes tweye. As stille as stoon a worde ne koude he seye. (248) But at the laste thus he spake and seide. My brother deere I may the do no moore. what sholde I seye I hate Iwys Criseide. God wot I wol hate hir euere moore. And þat thow me besougtest don of yoore. Hauynge vnto myn honour ne my reste. Right no reward I dede al þat the leste. (249) Yif .I. dede aught þat myght liken the. It is me leef and of this tresoun now. God wot þa it a sorwe is vnto me. And dredeles for hertes ese of yow. Right fayn amende it wold wold—how over erasure. I wist I how. And fro this world almyghty god I preye. Deliuere me soone .I. kan no moore seye. (250) Gret was the sorwe and pleynte of Troilus. But forth hir cours fortune ay gan to holde. Criseide loueth the sone of Tideus. And Troilus mot wepe in cares colde. Swich is this world woso it kan biholde. That in ich estat is litel hertes reste. God leue vs for to take it for the beest. (251) In many cruel bataille out of drede. Of Troilus / this ilke noble knyght. As men may in thise olde bookes rede. was seen his kynyghthod and his grete myght. And dredeles his Ire day and nyght. fful cruely the grekis ay aboughte. And alwey most this Diomede he soughte. (252) And ofte tyme I fynde þat they mette. with blody strokes and with wordes grete. Assayinge how hir speris weren whette. And god it wot with many cruel hete. Gan Troilus vpon his helm to beete. But natheles fortune it naught ne wolde. Of oothris hond þat eythir deye sholde. (253) And yif I hadde Itaken for to writen. The armes of thise ilke worthy man. Thanne wolde I of his batailles enditen. But forth þat I to writen first bigan. Of his loue I haue seide as I can. Hise worthy dedes woso list hem heere. Red dares / he kun telle hem alle Ifeere. (254) Bisechinge euery lady bright of hewe. And euery gentil woman what she be. That al be þat Criseide was vntrewe. That for þat gilt ye be nat wroth with me. Ye may hir gilt in oother bookis se. And gladlier .I. wol write yif yow leste. Penelopes trouthe and good alceste. (255) Ny sey nat this al only for thise men. But most for wommen that bitraysed be. Thorugh fals folk / god yiue hem sorwe amen. That with hir grete wit and subtilite. Bi traise yow / and þat commoueth me. To speke / and in effect yow alle I preye. Beth war of men and herkeneth what I seye. (256) Go litel book / go litel myn Tragedye. Ther god thy makere yit or þat he dye. So sende myght to make in som Comedye. But litel book no makynge thow nenuye. But subgit be to alle poesie. And kys the steppes wher as thow sest space. Virgile / Ouide / Omer / lucan /. and stace. (257) And for ther is so gret diuersite. In Inglisshe / and in writynge of oure tonge. So prey to god / þat non myswrite the. Ne the mysmetre for defaute of tonge. And red wherso thow be or ellis songe. That thow be vndirstonde god biseche. But yit to purpos of my rather speche. (258) The wrechche as I bigan yow for to seye. Of Troilus / the grekis boughten deere. ffor thousandes hise handes maden deye. As he þat was withouten any peere. Saue Ector in his tyme as I kan heere. But weylawey / saue only goddes wille. fful pitously hym slough the fierse Achille. (259) And whan þat he was slayn in this manere. His lighte goost ful blisfully is went. Into the holwenesse of the viij speere. In conuers letynge euerich Element. And ther he saugh with ful auysement. The erratyk sterres herknynge Ermonye. with sounes ful of heuenyssh melodye. (260) And down from thennes faste he gan auyse. This litel spot with erthe þat with the se. Enbraced is / and fully gan despise. This wrechched world / and held al vanyte. To respect of the pleyn felicite. That is in heuene aboue / and at the laste. Ther he was slayn / his lokynge down he caste. (261) And in hymself he lough right at the wo. Of hem þat wepen for his deth so faste. And dampned al oure werk / þat folweth so. The blynde lust / the which ne may nat laste. And sholden al oure herte on heuene caste. And forth he wente shortly for to telle. Ther as Mercurie sortede hym to dwelle. (262) Swich fyn hath lo this Troilus for loue. Swich fyn hath al his grete worthynesse. Swich fyn hath his estat real aboue. Swich fyn his lust / swich fyn hath his noblesse. Swych fyn hath false worldes brutelnesse. And thus bigan his louynge of Criseide. As I haue told / and in this wise he deide. Incipit Liber. Quintus. (1) (Proem) AProchen gan the fatal destyne. [Teseide IX. i.] That Ioues hath in disposicioun. And to ȝow Angry Parcas sustren thre. Committeth to don execucioun. ffor which Criseyde moste oute of the towne. And Troilus shal dwellen forth in pyne. Til Lathesis his threde no lenger twyne. (2) (The Story) The goldtressed Phebus heighe on lofte. [Teseide II. i.] Thrieȝ hadde al with hise bemes clere. The snowes molte and ȝepherus as ofte. Ibroughte aȝeyn the tendre leues grene. Syn that the sone I Troilus of Ecuba the queene. Bigan to loue hire first for whom his sorwe. was al that she deperte sholde amorwe. (3) fful redy was at prime Diomede. Criseyde vnto the grekis oost for to lede. ffor sorwe of which she felt hire herte blede. As she that nyste what was best to rede. And trewely as men in bokes rede. Men wiste neuere womman han the care. Ne was so loth out of a town to fare. (4) This Troilus withouten reed or loore. As man that hath hise Ioies ek forlore. was waytyng on his lady euere more. As she that was sothefast crop and more. Of al his lust or Ioies heretofore. But Troilus now far wel al thi Ioie. ffor shaltow neuere sen hire eft in Troie. (5) Soth is that while he bood in this manere. He gan his wo ful manly for to hide. That wel vnnethe it sene was in his chere. But at the ȝate ther she sholde out ride. with certeyn folk he houed hire tabide. So wo bigon al wolde he naught hym pleyne. That on his hors vnnethe he sat for peyne. (6) ffor Ire he quook so gan his herte gnawe. whan Diomede on hors gan hym dresse. And seyde to hymself this ilke sawe. Allas quod he thus foule a wrecchednesse. whi suffre ich it whi nyl ich it redresse. were it nat bet atones for to dye. Than euere more in langour thus to crye. (7) Whi nyl .I. make atones riche and pore. To haue Inough to doone er that she go. why nyl I brynge al Troie vpon a roore. Whi nyl I slen this Diomede also. why nyl I rather with a man or two. Stele hire away whi wol I this endure. whi nyl I helpen to myn owen cure. (8) But why he nolde don so fel a dede. That shal I seyn and whi hym liste it sparre. He hadde in herte alweyes a manere drede. List that Criseyde in rumour of this fare. Sholde han ben slayn lo this was al his care. And ellis certeyn as I seyde ȝore. He hadde it don withouten wordes more. (9) Criseyde whan she redy was to ride. fful sorwfully she sighte and seyde allas. But forth she moot for aught that may bitide. And forth she rit ful sorwfully a pas. Ther is non other remedie in this cas. what wonder is though that hire sore smerte. whan she forgoth hire owen swete herte. (10) This Troilus in wise of curteysie. with hauke on honde and with an huge route. Of knyghtes rood and did hire companye. Passyng al the valeye fer withoute. And ferther wolde han riden oute of doute. fful fayn and wo was hym to gon so sone. But torne he moste and it was ek to done. (11) And right with that was Antenor ycome. Out of the grekis ooste and euery wight. was of it glad and seyde he was welcome. And Troilus al nere his herte light. He peyned hym with al his fulle myght. Hym to withholde of wepyng atte leeste. And Antenor he kiste and made feste. (12) And therwithal he moste his leue take. And caste his eye vpon hire pitously. And neer he roode his cause for to make. To take hire by the honde al sobrely. And lord so he gan wepen tendrely. And he ful softe and sleighly gan hire seye. Now holde ȝoure day and do me nat to deye. (13) With that his courser torned he aboute. with face pale and vnto Diomede. No word he spak ne non of al his route. Of which the sone Diomede of Tideus took hede. As he that koude more than the Crede. In swich a craft and by the reyne hire hente. And Troilus to Troie homward he wente. (14) This Diomede that ledde hire by the bridel. whan that he saugh the folke of Troie aweye. Thoughte al my labour shal nat ben on ydel. If that I may for somwhat shal I seye. For at the werste it may ȝet shorte oure weye. I haue herde seyd ek tymes twelue. He is a fool that wole forȝete hymselue. (15) But natheles this thoughte he wel ynough. That certeynlich I am aboute nought. If that I speke of loue or make it tough. ffor douteles if she haue in hire thought. Hym that I gesse he may nat ben ybrought. So soon awey but I shal fynde a meene. That she naught wite as ȝet shal what I mene. (16) This Diomede as he that koude his good. whan this was don gan fallen forth in speche. Of this and that and axed whi she stoode. In swich disese and gan hire ek biseche. That if that he encresse myghte or eche. with any thyng hire ese that she sholde. Comaunde it hym and seyde he don it wolde. (17) ffor treweliche he swore hire as a knyght. That ther nas thyng with which he myghte hire plese. That he nolde don his peyne al his myghte. To don it for to don hire herte an ese. And preyde hire she wolde hire sorwe apese. And seyde Iwis we Grekis kan haue Ioie. To honouren ȝow as wel as folk of Troie. (18) He seyde ek thus I woot ȝow thynketh straunge. Ne wonder is for it is to ȝow newe. Thaquayntaunce of thise Troians to chaunge. ffor folk of Grece that ȝe neuere knewe. But wold neuere god but if as trewe. A greke ȝe sholde among vs alle fynde. As any Troian is and ek as kynde. (19) An by the cause I swore ȝow right lo now. To ben ȝoure frende and helply to my myght. And for that more aquayntaunce ek of ȝow. Haue ich hadde than another straunger wight. So fro this forth I pray ȝow day and nyght. Comaundeth me how soore that me smerte. To don al that may like vnto ȝoure herte. (20) And that ȝe me wolde as ȝoure brother trete. And taketh naught my frenshipe in despite. And though ȝoure sorwes be for thynges grete. Not I nat whi but oute of more respite. Myn herte hathe for tamende it grete delite. And if I may ȝoure harmes nat redresse. I am right sory for ȝoure heuynesse. (21) ffor though ȝe Troians with vs grekes wrothe. Han many a day ben alwey ȝet parde. O. god of loue in soth we seruen bothe. And for the loue of god my lady fre. whom so ȝe hate as beth nat wroth with me. ffor trewely ther kan no wyght ȝow serue. That half so loth ȝoure wratthe wold disserue. (22) And nere it that we ben so neigh the tente. Of Calcas which that sen vs both may. I wolde of this ȝow telle al myn entente. But this enseled til anothir day. Ȝeue me ȝoure honde I am and shal ben ay. God helpe me so while that my lyf may dure. Ȝoure owene abouen euery creature. (23) Thus seyde I neuere er now to womman born. ffor god myn herte as wisly glade so. I loued neuer womman here biforn. As paramours ne neuere shal no mo. And for the loue of god beth nat my fo. Al kan I naught to ȝow my lady deere. Compleyne aright for I am ȝet to leere. (24) And wondreth nought myn owen lady bright. Though that I speke of loue to ȝow thus blyue. ffor I haue herde er this of many a wight. Hath loued thyng he neuere saigh his lyue. Ek I am nat of power for to stryue. Aȝeyns the god of loue but hym obeye. I wole alwey and mercye I ȝow preye. (25) Ther ben so worthi knyghtes in this place. And ȝe so fayre that euerich of hem alle. wol peynen hym to stonden in ȝoure grace. But myght me so faire a grace falle. That ȝe me for ȝoure seruant wolde calle. So lowely ne so trewely ȝow serue. Nil non of hem as I shal til I sterue. (26) Criseyde vnto that purpos lite answerde. As she that was with sorwe oppressed so. That in effect she naught hise tales herde. But her and ther now here a word or two. Hire thoughte hire sorwful herte brast atwo. ffor whan she gan hire fader fer espie. wel neigh down of hire hors she gan to sye. (27) But natheles she thonketh Diomede. Of alle his trauaile and his good cheere. And that hym list his frendshipe hire to bede. And she accepteth it in good manere. And wol do fayn that is hym lief and dere. And tristen hym she wolde and wel she myght. As seyde she and from hire hors shalight. (28) Hire fader hathe hire in hise armes nome. And twenty tyme he kiste his doughter sweete. And seyde .o. deere doughter myn welcome. She seyde ek she was fayn with hym to mete. And stood forth muwet milde and mansuete. But here I leue hire with hire fader dwelle. And forth I wol of Troilus ȝow telle. (29) To Troie is come this woful Troilus. In sorwe abouen alle sorwes smerte. with feloun look and face dispitouse. Tho sodeynly doun from his hors he sterte. And thorugh his paleis with a swollen herte. To chaumbre he wente of nothyng took he hede. Ne non to hym dar speke a word for drede. (30) And ther his sorwes that he spared hadde. He ȝaf an issue large and deth he criede. And in his throwes frenetik and madde. He corseth Ioue Appollo and ek Cupide. He corseth Ceres Bacus and Cipride. His burthe hymself his fate and ek nature. And saue his lady euery creature. (31) To bedde he gothe and weyleth ther and torneth. In furie as dothe he in helle. And in this wise he neigh til day soiorneth. But tho bigan his herte a lite vnswelle. Thorugh teris which that gounen vp to welle. And pitously he cryde vpon Criseyde. And to hymself right thus he spak and seyde. (32) Wher is myn owene lady lief and deere. wher is hire white brest wher is it where. wher ben hire armes and hire eyen cleere. That ȝesternyght this tyme with me were. Now may .I. wepe allone many a teere. And graspe aboute I may but in this place. Saue a Pilowe I fynde naught tenbrace. (33) How shal I do whan shal she come aȝeyn. I not allas whi lete ich hire to go. As wolde god ich hadde as tho ben sleyn. O. herte myn Criseyde O swete fo. O. lady myn that I loue and na mo. To whom for euermo myn herte I dowe. Se how I dey ȝe nyl me nat rescowe. (34) Who seth ȝow now my right lode sterre. who sit right now or stant in ȝoure presence. who kan conforten now ȝoure hertes werre. Now I am gon whome ȝeue ȝe audience. who speketh for me right now in myn absence. Allas no wight and that is al my care. ffor wel woot .I. as yuele as I ȝe fare. (35) How sholde I thus ten dayes ful endure. whan I the firste nyght haue alle this tene. How shal she don ek sorwful creature. ffor tendernesse how shal she this sustene. Swich wo for me .o. pitous pale grene. Shal ben ȝoure fresshe wommanliche face. ffor langoure er ȝe torne vnto this place. (36) And whan he fille in any slomberynges. Anon bygynne he sholde for to grone. And dremen of the dredefulleste thynges. That myght ben as mete he were allone. In place horrible makyng ay his mone. Or meten that he was amonges alle. His enemys and in hire hondes falle. (37) And therwith al his body sholde sterte. And with the sterte al sodeynliche awake. And swiche a tremour fele aboute his herte. That of the fere his body sholde quake. And therwithal he sholde a noyse make. And seme as though he sholde falle depe. ffrom heighe olofte and thanne he wolde wepe. (38) And rewen on hymself so pitously. That wonder was to here his fantasie. Another tyme he sholde myghtyly. Conforte hymself MS. hymself and seine it was folie. So causeles swich drede for to drye. And eft bygynne his aspre sorwes newe. That euery man myght on his sorwes rewe. (39) Who koude telle aright or ful discryue. His wo his pleynt his langoure and in pyne. Naught alle the men that han or ben on lyue. Thow redere maist thiself ful wel deuyne. That swich a wo my wit kan nat diffyne. On ydel for to write it sholde .I. swynke. whan that my wit is wery it to thynke. (40) On heuene ȝet the sternes waren seene. Although ful pale . ywoxen was the moone. And whiten gan the orisente shene. Al estward as it wont is to doone. And Phebus with his rosy carte soone. Gan after that to dresse hym vp to fare. whan Troilus hath sent after Pandare. (41) This Pandare that of al the day biforn. Ne myghte han comen Troilus to se. Although he on his hed it hadde sworne. ffor with the kyng Priam alday was he. So that it lay nought in his libertee. Nowher to gon but on the morwe he wente. To Troilus whan that he for hym sente. (42) ffor in his herte he koude wel deuyne. That Troilus for sorwe al nyght wooke. And that he wolde telle hym of his pyne. This knewe he wel ynough withoute booke. ffor which to chaumbre stregh the wey he tooke. And Troilus tho sobrelich he grette. And on the MS. th bed ful sone he gan hym sette. (43) My Pandarus quod Troilus the sorwe. which that I drye I may nat longe endure. I trowe I shal nat lyuen til tomorwe. ffor which I wolde alweys on auenture. To the deuysen of my sepulture. The fourme and of my moeble thow dispone. Right as the semeth best is for to done. (44) But of the fir and flaumbe funeral. In which my body brynnen shal to glede. And of the feste and pleyes palestral. At my vigile I prey the tak good hede. That that be wel and offre Mars my steede. My swerde myn helm and leue brother deere. My swerde to pallas ȝef that shyneth cleere. (45) The Poudre in which myn herte ybrend shal torne. That preye I the thow take and it conserue. In a vessell that men clepeth an vrne. Of gold and to my lady that I serue. ffor loue of whom thus pitouslich I sterue. So ȝeue it hire and do me this plesaunce. To preyen hire to kepe it for a remembraunce. (46) ffor wele I fele by my maladie. And by my dremes now and ȝore ago. Al certeynly that I mot nedes dye. The owle which that hette Escaphilo. Hath after me sright al thise nyghtes two. And god Mercurye of me now woful wrecche. The soule gyde and whan the liste it fecche. (47) Pandare answerde and seyde Troilus. My deere frende as I haue tolde the ȝore. That it is folye for to sorwen thus. And causeles for which I kan namore. But whoso wil nought trowen reede ne loore. I kan nat sen in hym no remedie. But lat hym worthen with his fantasie. (48) But Troilus I prey the tel me now. If that thow trowe er this that any wight. Hath loued paramours as wel as thow. Ȝe god woot and fro many a worthi knyght. Hath his lady gon a fourtenyght. And he nat ȝet made haluendel the fare. what nede is the to maken al this care. (49) Syn day by day thow maist thiseluen se. That from his loue or ellis from his wif. A man mote twynnen of necessite. Ȝe though he loue hire as his owene lif. Ȝet nele he with hymself thus maken strif. ffor wel though woost my leue brother deere. That alwey frendes may nat ben yfeere. (50) How don this folk that seen hire loues wedded. By frendes myght as it bitit ful ofte. And sen hem in hire spouses bed ybedded. God woot they take it wisly faire and softe. fforwhi good hope halt vp hire herte .o.lofte. And for they kan a tyme of sorwe endure. As tyme hem hurt a tyme doth hem cure. (51) So sholdestow endure and laten slide. The tyme and fonde to ben glad and lighte. Ten dayes nys so longe nought tabide. And sen she the to comen hath bihyghte. She nyl hire heste breken for no wighte. ffor drede the nat that she nyl fynden weye. To come aȝein my lif that dorste I leye. (52) Thy swennes ek and al swich fantasie. Drif out and lat hem faren to meschaunce. ffor they procede of thi malencolie. That dothe the fele in slepe al this penaunce. A strawe for alle sweuenes signifiaunce. God helpe me so I counte hem nought a bene. Ther woot no man aright what dremes mene. (53) ffor prestes of the temple tellen this. That dremes ben the reuelaciouns. Of goddes and as wel they telle ywis. That they ben infernals Illusiouns. And leches seyne that of complexiouns. Proceden they or fast or glotonye. who woot in soth thus what thei signifie. (54) Ek oother seyn that thorugh impressiouns. As if a wight hath faste a thyng in mynde. That therof cometh swiche auysiouns. And other seyn as they in bokes fynde. That after tymes of the ȝere by kynde. Men dreme and that theffect goth by the moone. But leue no dreme for it is nought to doone. (55) Wel worthe of dremes ay thise olde wiues. And treweliche ek augurye of thise fowles. ffor fere of which men wenen lese here lyues. As Rauenes qualyn or shrichyng of thise owles. To trowen on it bothe fals and foul es. Allas allas so noble a creature. As is a man shal dreden swiche ordure. (56) ffor which with al myn herte .I. the biseche. Unto thiself that al this thow forȝyue. And ris now vp withowten more speche. And lat vs caste how forth may best be dryue. This tyme and ek how fresshely we may lyue. whan that she comth the which shal be right soone. God helpe me so the beste is thus to doone. (57) Ris lat vs speke of lusty lif in Troie. That we han ledde and forth the tyme dryue. And ek of tyme comyng vs reioie. That bryngen shal oure blisse now so blyue. And langour of thise twyes dayes fyue. we shal therwith so forȝete oure oppresse. That wel vnneth it don shal vs duresse. (58) This town is ful of lordes al aboute. And trewes lasten al this mene while. Go we pleye vs in som lusty route. To Sarpedoun nat hennes but a myle. And thus thow shalt the tyme wel bygile. And dryue it forth vnto that blisful morwe. That thow hire se that cause is of thi sorwe. (59) Now rise my deere brother Troilus. ffor certes it non honour is to the. To wepe and in thi bedde to Iouken thus. ffor trewelich of o thyng truste to me. If thow thus ligge a day or two or thre. The folk wol wene that thow for cowardise. The feynest sik and that thow darst nat rise. (60) This Troilus answerde o brother deere. This knowen folk that han ysuffred peyne. That though he wepe and make sorwful cheere. That feleth harm and smerte in euery veyne. No wonder is and though ich euere pleyne. Or alwey wepe I am no thyng to blame. Syn I haue loste the cause of al my game. (61) But syn of fyn force I mot arise. I shal arise as soone as euere I may. And god to whom myn herte I sacrifice. So sende vs hastely the tenthe day. ffor was ther neuere fowel so fayn of May. As I shal ben whan that she comth in Troie. That cause is of my torment and my Ioie. (62) But whider is thi reed quod Troilus. That we may pleye vs best in al this town. By god my conseil is quod Pandarus. To ride and pleye vs with kyng Sarpedoun. So longe of this they speken vp and down. Til Troilus gan at the laste assente. To rise and forth to Sarpedoun they wente. (63) This Sarpedoun as he that honourable. was euere his lyue and ful of heigh prowesse. with al that myghte yserued ben on table. That deynte was al coste it grete Richesse. He fedde hem day by day that swich noblesse. As seyden bothe the mooste and ek the leeste. was neuere ere that day wist at any feste. (64) Nor in this world ther is non Instrument. Delicious thorugh wynde or touche of corde. As fer as any wight hath euere ywent. That tonge telle or herte may recorde. That at that feste it nas wel acorde. Ne of ladys ek so faire a compaignie. On daunce er tho was neuere Iseye with Ie. (65) But what auaileth this to Troilus. That for his sorwe nothyng of it roughte. For euere in on his herte pietous. fful bisyly Criseyde his lady soughte. On hire was euere al that his herte thoughte. Now this now that so faste ymagenynge. That glade Iwis kan hym no festenynge. (66) Thise ladies ek that at this feste ben. Syn that he saugh his lady was aweye. It was his sorwe vpon hem for to sen. Or for to here on Instrumentes to pleye. ffor she that of his herte berth the keye. was absent lo this was his fantasie. That no wight sholde maken melodie. (67) Nor ther nas houre in al the day or nyght. whan he was there as nought myghte hym heere. That he ne seyde o lufsome lady bryght. How haue ȝe faren syn that ȝe were there. welcome ywis myn owne lady deere. But weylaway al this nat but a Maze. ffortune his howue entended bet to glaze. (68) The lettres ek that she of olde tyme. Hadde hym ysent he wolde allone rede. An hondred sithe atwixen noon and prime. Refiguryng hire shap hire wommanhede. withInne his herte and euery word or dede. That passed was and thus he drof tanende. The ferthe day and seyde he wolde wende. (69) And seyde leue brother Pandarus. Intendestow that we shal here bleue. Til Sarpedoun wol forth congeyen vs. Ȝet were it fairer we toke oure leue. ffor goddes loue lat vs now soone at eue. Oure leue take and homward lat vs torne. ffor treweliche I nyl nat thus soiourne. (70) Pandare answerde be we comen hider. To fecchen fire and rennen home aȝein. God help me so I kan nat tellen whider. we myght gon if I shal sothly seyn. Ther any wight is of vs more feyn. Than Sarpedoun and if we hennes hye. Thus sodeynly I holde it vilanye. (71) Syn that we seyden that we wolde bleue. with hym a wowke and now thus sodeynly. The ferth day to take of hym owre leue. He wolde wondren on it trewely. Lat vs holden forth oure purpos fermely. And syn that ȝe bihighten hym to bide. Holde forward now and after lat vs ride. (72) This Pandarus with al peyne and wo. Made hym to dwelle and at the wikes ende. Of Sarpedoun they toke hire leue tho. And on hire wey they spedden hem to wende. Quod Troilus now lord me grace sende. That I may fynde at myn home comyng. Criseyde comen and therwith gan he syng. (73) Ȝe haselwode thoughte this Pandare. And to hymself ful softeliche he seyde. God woot refreyden may this hote fare. Er Calkas sende Troilus Criseyde. But natheles he Iaped thus and seyde. And swor ywys his herte hym wel bihighte. She wolde come as soone as euere she myghte. (74) Whan they vnto the paleys were ycomen. Of Troilus they doun alighte. And to the chambre hire wey than they nomen. And into tyme that it gan to nyghte. They spaken of Criseyde the brighte. And after this whan that hem bothe leste. They spedde hem fro the soper vnto reste. (75) On morwe as soone as day bygan to clere. This Troilus gan of his slepe tabrayde. And to Pandare his owen brother deere. ffor loue of god ful pitously he sayde. As go we sen the palais of Criseyde. ffor syn we ȝet may haue namore feste. So lat vs sen hire paleys atte leeste. (76) And therwithal his meyne for to blende. A cause he fond in town for to go. And to Criseydes hous they gonnen wende. But lord this sely Troilus was wo. Hym thoughte his sorwful herte braste atwo. For whan he saugh hire dores spered alle. wel neigh for sorwe adoun he gan falle. (77) Therwith whan he was war and gan biholde. How shet was euery wyndow of the place. As frost hym thoughte his herte gan to colde. ffor which with chaunged dellich sic pale face. withouten word he forthby gan to pace. And as god wholde he gan so faste ride. That no wight of his contenance espide. (78) Than seide he thus .o. paleys desolat. O. hous of houses whilom best I hight. O. paleys empty and disconsolat. O. thow lanterne of which queynt is the light. O. Paleys whilom day that now art nyght. wel oughtestow to falle and I to dye. Syn she is wente that wont was vs to gye. (79) O Paleis whilom Crowne of paleis alle. Enlumyned with sonne of alle blisse. O. ryng fro which the rubie is out falle. O. cause of wo that cause hast ben of lisse. Ȝet syn I may no bet fayn wolde I kisse. The colde dores dorste I for this route. And farwel shryne of which the seynt is oute. (80) Therwith he caste on Pandarus his eye. with chaunged face . and pitous to biholde. And whan he myghte his tyme aright aspie. Ay as he roode to Pandarus he tolde. His newe sorwe and ek hise Ioies olde. So pitously and with so dede an hewe. That euery wight myghte on his sorwe rewe. (81) Fro thennesforth he rideth vp and down. And euery thyng come hym to remembraunce. As he rood forby places of the town. In which he whilom hadde al his plesaunce. Lo ȝonder saugh ich myn owene lady daunce. And in that temple with hire eyen clere. Me kaught first my righte lady dere. (82) And ȝonder haue I herde ful lustyly. My dere herte laugh and ȝonder pleye. Saugh ich hire ones ek ful blisfully. And ȝonder ones to me gan she seye. Now goode swete loue me wel I preye. And ȝond so goodly gan she me biholde. That to the deth myn herte is to hire holde. (83) And at that corner in the ȝonder hous. Herde I myn alderleuest lady deere. So wommanly with vois melodious. Syngen so wel so goodly and so cleere. That in my soule ȝet me thynketh ich here. The blisful sown and in that ȝonder place. My lady first me took vnto hire grace. (84) Thanne thoughte he thus o blisful lord Cupide. whan I the processe haue in memorie. How thow me hast wereyed on euery syde. Men myght a book make of it lik a storie. what nede is the to seke on me victorie. Syn I am thyn and holly at thi wille. what Ioie has thow thyn owen folk to spille. (85) Wel hastow lord ywroke on me thyn Ire. Thow myghty god and dredefull for to greue. Now mercy lord thow woost wel I desire. Thi grace moost of alle lustes leeue. And lyue and dye I wol in thy byleue. ffor which I naxe in guerdoun but a bone. That thow Criseyde aȝein me sende sone. (86) Distreyne hire herte as faste to retorne. As thow doost myn to longen hire to see. Than woot I wel that she nyl naught soiorne. Now blisful lord so cruel thow ne be. Unto the bloode of Troie I prey the. As Iuno was vnto the blood Thebane. ffor which the folk of Thebes caughte hire bane. (87) And after this he to the ȝates wente. Ther as Criseyde out rood a ful good paas. And vp and down ther made he many a wente. And to hym self ful ofte he seyde allas. ffro hennes rood my blisse and my solas. As wolde blisful god now for his Ioie. I myghte hire sen aȝein come into Troie. (88) And to the ȝonder hille I gan hire gyde. Allas and ther I took of hire my leue. And ȝond I saugh hire to hire fader ride. ffor sorwe of which myn herte shal to cleue. And hider home I com whan it was eue. And here I dwelle out caste from al Ioie. And shal til I may sen hire eft in Troie. (89) And of hymself ymagened he ofte. To ben defet and Pale and waxen lesse. Than he was wont and that men seyden softe. what may it be who kan the sothe gesse. whi Troilus hathe al this heuynesse. And al this nas but his malencolie. That he hadde of hymself swich fantasie. (90) Another tyme ymaginen he wolde. That euery wight that wente by the weye. Hadde of hym routhe and thay seyn sholde. I am right sory Troilus wol deye. And thus he drof a day ȝet forth or tweye. As ȝe haue herde swich lif right gan he lede. As he that stood bitwixen hope and drede. (91) ffor whiche hym likede in his songes shewe. Thenchesoun of his wo as he beste myghte. And made a songe of wordes but a fewe. Somwhat his woful herte for to lighte. And whan he was from euery mannes syghte. with soft vois he of his lady deere. That absent was gan synge as ȝe may heere. (92) (Troylus's Song for Cressid) O sterre of which I lost haue al the light. Canticus Troili with herte soore wel oughte I to biwaille. That euere derk in torment nyght by nyght. Toward my deth with wynd in steere I saille. ffor which the tenthe nyght if that I faille. The gydyng of thi bemes bright an houre. My shippe and me Carikdis wol deuoure. (93) This song when he thus songen hadde soone. He fil aȝeyn into hise sikes olde. And euery nyght as was his wone to doone. He stood the brighte moone to byholde. And al his sorwe he to the moone tolde. And seyde ywis whan thow art horned newe. I shal be glad if al the world be trewe. (94) I saugh thyn hornes olde ek by the morwe. whan hennes rood my right lady dere. That cause is of my torment and my sorwe. ffor which o brighte latona the clere. ffor loue of god ren faste aboute thy spere. ffor whan thyne hornes newe gynnen sprynge. Than shal she come that may my blisse brynge. (95) The dayes moore and lenger euery nyghte. Than they ben wont to ben hym thoughte tho. And that the sonne went his cours vnrighte. By lenger weye than it was wont to do. And seyde ywis me dredeth euere mo. The sonnes sone Pheton be on lyue. And that his fader carte amys he dryue. (96) Vpon the walles faste ek wolde he walke. And on the grekis oost he wolde se. And to hymself right thus he wolde talke. Lo ȝonder is myn owene lady free. Or ellis ȝonder ther tho tentes be. And thennes comth this Eyre that is so soote. That in my soule I fele it doth me boote. (97) And hardily this wynde that more and moore. Thus stoundemele encresseth in my face. Is of my ladis depe sikes soore. I preue it thus for in noon othere place. Of al this town saue onliche in this space. ffele I no wynde that sowneth so like peyne. It seyth allas whi twynned be we tweyne. (98) This longe tyme he dryueth forth right thus. Til fully passed was the nynthe nyghte. And ay bisyde hym was this Pandarus. That bisily did al his ful myghte. Hym to conforte and make his herte lighte. Ȝeuyng hym hope alwey the tenthe morwe. That she shal come and stynten al his sorwe. (99) Vpon that other syde ek was Criseyde. with wommen fewe among the Grekis stronge. ffor whiche ful ofte a day allas she seyde. That I was born wel may myn herte longe. After my deth for now lyue I to longe. Allas and I ne may it nat amende. ffor now is wors than euere ȝet I wende. (100) My fader nyl for nothyng do me grace. To gon aȝeyn for naught I kan hym queme. And if so be that I my terme pace. My Troilus shal in his herte deme. That I am fals and so it may wel seme. Thus shal ich haue vnthonke on euery side. That I was born so weilaway the tide. (101) And if that I me putte in Iupertie. To stele awey by nyght and it bifalle. That I be kaught I shal be holde a spie. Or elles lo this drede I moost of alle. If in the hondes of som wrecche I falle. I nam but lost al be myn herte trewe. Now myghty god thow on my sorwe rewe. (102) fful pale ywexen was hire brighte face. Hire lymes lene as she that al the day. Stood whan she dorste and loked on the place. Ther she was born and she dwelt hadde ay. And al the nyght wepyng allas she lay. And thus despeired out of al cure. She ladde hire lif this woful creature. (103) fful ofte a day she sighte ek for destresse. And in hireself she wente ay purtrayng. Of Troilus the grete worthynesse. And al his goodly wordes recordyng. Syn first that day hire loue bigan to spring. And thus she sette hire woful herte afire. Thorugh remembraunce of that she gan desire. (104) In al this world ther nys so cruel herte. That hire hadde herde compleynen in hire sorwe. That nolde han wepen for hire peynes smerte. So tendrely she wepte bothe eue and morwe. Hire neded none teris for to borwe. And this was ȝet the werste of alle hire peyne. Ther was no wight to whom she dorste hire pleyne. (105) fful rowfully she loked vpon Troie. Bihelde the toures heigh and ek the halles. Allas quod she the plesance and the Ioie. The which that now al torned into galle es. Haue ich had ofte withInne the ȝonder walles. O Troilus what dostow now she seyde. Lord wheyther thow ȝet thenke vpon Criseyde. (106) Allas .I. ne hadde trowed on ȝoure loore. And went with ȝow as ȝe me redde er this. Than hadde I now nat siked half so soore. we myghte haue seyde that I hadde don amys. To stele awey with swich oon as he ys. But alle to late comth the letwarie. Whan men the cors to graue carie. (107) To late is now to speke of that matere. Prudence allas oon of thyne eyen thre. Me lakked alwey er that I come here. On tyme ypassed wel remembred me. And present tyme ek koud ich wel Ise. But future tyme er I was in the snare. Koude I nat sen that causeth now my care. (108) But natheles bityde what bityde. I shal to morwe at nyght by est or west. Out of this oost stele on some manere syde. And gon with Troilus where as hym lest. This purpos wol ich holde and this is best. No fors of wikked tonges Ianglerie. ffor euere on loue han wrecches hadde enuye. (109) ffor whoso wol of euery word take hede. Or reulen hym by euery wightes wit. Ne shal he neuere thryuen out of drede. For that that sommen blamen euere ȝit. Lo other manere folk comenden it. And as for me for al swich variaunce. ffelicite elepe I my suffisaunce. (110) ffor which withouten any wordes mo. To Troie I wole as for conclusioun. But god it wot er fully monthes two. She was ful fer fro that entencioun. ffor bothe Troilus and Troie town. Shal knotteles thorughout hire herte slide. ffor she wol take a purpos for tabyde. (111) This Diomede of whom ȝow telle I gon. Goth now withInne hymself ay arguyng. with al the slegthe and al that euere he kan. How he may best with shortest tarying. Into his net Criseydes herte bryng. To this entent he koude neuere fyne. To fisshen hire he leyde out hook and lyne. (112) But natheles wel in his herte he thoughte. That she nas nat withoute a loue in Troie. ffor euere sythen he hire thennes broughte. Ne koude he sen hire laughe or maken Ioie. He nyst how best hire herte for tacoye. But for tasay he seyde naught it ne greueth. ffor he that naught nasaieth naught nacheueth. (113) Ȝet seide he to hymself vpon a nyght. Now am I nat a fool that woot wel how. Hire wo for loue is of another wight. And hereupon to gon assaye hire now. I may wel wit it nyl nat ben my prow. ffor wise folk in bookes it expresse. Men shal nat wowe a wight in heuynesse. (114) But whoso myghte wynnen swich a floure. ffrom hym for whom she morneth nyght and day. He myghte seyn he were a conqueroure. And right anon as he that bold was ay. Thoughte in his herte happe how happe may. Al sholde I dye .I. wol hire herte seche. I. shal namore lesen but my speche. (115) This Diomede as bokes vs declare. was in his nedes prest and corageous. With sterne vois and myghty lymes square. Hardy testif strong and Chiualerous. Of dedes lik his fader Tideus. And som men seyn he was of tonge large. And heir he was of Calydoigne and arge. (116) Criseyde mene was of hire stature. Therto of shap of face and ek of cheere. Ther myghte ben no fairere creature. And ofte tymes this was hire manere. To gon ytressed with hire heres clere. Doun by hire coler at hire bak byhynde. which with a thred of gold she wolde bynde. (117) And saue hire browes Ioyneden yfere. Ther nas no lakke in aught I kan espien. But for to speken of hire eyen cleere. Lo trewely they writen that hire syen. That Paradis stood formed in hire eyen. And with hire riche beaute euere more. Strof loue in hire ay which of hem was more. (118) She sobre was ek symple and wys withal. The best ynorisshed ek that myghte be. And goodly of hire speche in general. Charitable estatlich lusty fre. Ne neuere mo ne lakked hire pite. Tendre herted slydynge of corage. But trewely I kan nat telle hire age. (119) And Troilus wel woxen was in highte. And complet formed by proporcioun. So wel that kynde it nought amenden myght. Ȝong fressh strong and hardy as lyoun. Trewe as steel in ich condicioun. Oon of the beste entecched creature. That is or shal whil that the world may dure. (120) And certeynly in storye it is yfounde. That Troilus was neuere vnto no wight. As in this tyme in no degree secounde. In duryng don that longeth to a knyght. Al myghte a geant passen hym of myght. His herte ay with the first and with the beste. Stood peregal to durre don that hym leste. (121) But for to tellen forth of Diomede. It fel that after on the tenthe day. Syn that Criseyde oute of the Citee ȝede. This Diomede as fressh as braunche in May. Come to the tente ther as Calkas lay. And feyned hym with Calkas han to doone. But what he mente I shal ȝow tellen soone. (122) Criseyde at shorte wordes for to telle. welcomed hym and down hym by hire sette. And he was ethe ynough to maken dwelle. And after this withouten longe lette. The spices and the wyne men forth hem fette. And forth they speke of this and that yfeere. As frendes don of which som shal ȝe heere. (123) He gan first fallen of the werre in speche. Bitwixen hem and the folk of Troie town. And of thassege he gan hire ek biseche. To tellyn hym what was hire opynyoun. ffro that demaunde he so descendeth down. To axen hire if that hire straunge thoughte. The grekis gise and werkes that they wroughte. (124) And whi hire fader tarieth so longe. To wedden hire vnto som worthy wight. Criseyde that was in hire peynes stronge. ffor loue of Troilus hire owen knyght. As ferforth as she konnyng hadde or myght. Answerde hym so but as of his entente. It semed nat she wiste what he mente. (125) But natheles this ilk Diomede. Gan in hymself assure and thus he seyde. If ich a right haue taken of ȝow hede. Me thynketh thus .o. lady myn Criseyde. That syn .I. first hond on ȝoure bridel leyde. Whan ȝe out come of Troie by the morwe. Ne koude I neuere sen ȝow but in sorwe. (126) Kan I nat seyn what may the cause be. But if for loue of som Troian it were. The which right sore wolde athynken me. That ȝe for any wight that dwelleth there. Sholden spille a quarter of a tere. Or pitously ȝoureseluen so bigile. For dredeles it is nought worth the while. (127) The folk of Troie as who seyth alle and some. In prisoun ben as ȝe ȝoureseluen se. ffor thennes shal nat oon lyue come. ffor al the gold atwixen sonne and se. Trusteth wel and vnderstondeth me. Ther shal nat oon to mercy gon on lyue. Al were he lord of worldes twies fyue. (128) Swiche wreche on hem for fecchynge of Eleyne. Ther shal ben take er that we hennes wende. That manes whiche that goddes ben of peyne. Shal ben agast that grekes wol hem shende. And men shul drede vnto the worldes ende. ffrom hennesforth to rauysshen any queene. So cruel shal oure wreche on hem be seene. (129) And but if Calkas lede vs with ambages. That is to seyn with double wordes slye. Swiche as men clepen a word with two wisages. Ȝe shal wel knowen that I naught ne he. And al this thynge right sen it with ȝoure eye. And that anon ȝe nyl nat trowe how sone. Now taketh hede for it is for to doone. (130) What wene ȝe ȝoure wise fader wolde. Han ȝeuen Antenor for ȝow anon. If he ne wiste that the Cite sholde. Destroied ben whi nay so mote I gon. He knew ful wel ther shal nat scapen oon. That Trian is and for the grete feere. He dorst nat ye dwelte lenger there. (131) What wol ȝe more lufsom lady deere. Lat Troie and Troian fro ȝoure herte pace. Drif oute that bittre hope and make good cheere. And clepe aȝeyn the beaute of ȝoure face. That ȝe with salte teris so deface. ffor Troie is brought in swich a Iupertie. That it to saue is now no remedie. (132) And thenketh wel ȝe shal in Grekis fynde. A moore perfit loue er it be nyght. Than any Troian is and more kynde. And bet to seruen ȝow wol don his myght. And if ȝe vouchesauf my lady bright. I. wol ben he to seruen ȝow myselue. Ȝe leuere than be lord of Greces twelue. (133) And with that word he gan to waxen rede. And in his speche a litel wight he quoke. And caste asyde a litle wight his hede. And stynte a while and afterward he woke. And sobreliche on hire he threw his loke. And seyde I am al be it ȝow no Ioie. As gentil man as any wight in Troie. (134) For of sic my fader Tideus he seyde. Ilyued hadde ich hadde ben er this. Of Calydoyne and arge a kyng Criseyde. And so hope I that I shal ȝet Iwis. But he was slayn allas the more harm is. Vnhappily at Thebes al to rathe. Polymyte and many a man to scathe. (135) But herte myn syn that I am ȝoure man. And ben the first of whom .I. seche grace. To serue ȝow as hertely as I kan. And euere shal whil I to lyue haue space. So er that I deperte out of this place. Ȝe wol me graunte that I may tomorwe. At bettre leyser tellen ȝow my sorwe. (136) What sholde I telle his wordes that he seyde. He spak Inough for o day at the meeste. It preueth wel he spak so tha sic Criseyde. Graunted on the morwe at his requeste. ffor to speken with hym at the leeste. So that he nolde speke of swiche matere. And thus to hym she seyde as ȝe mowe here. (137) As she that hadde hire herte on Troilus. So faste that ther may it non arace. And strangely she spak and seyde thus. O. Diomede .I. loue that ilk place. Ther I was born and Ioues for his grace. Delyuere it soone of alle that doth it care. God for thy myghte so leue it wel to fare. (138) That grekis wolde hire wrath on Troie wreke. If that they myght .I. knowe it wel Iwis. But it shal naught byfallen as ȝe speke. And god toforn and forther ouere this. I woot my fader wys and redy is. And that he me hath bought as ȝe me tolde. So deere I am the more vnto hym holde. (139) That grekis ben of heigh condicioun. I woot ek wel but certeyn men shal fynde. As worthi folk withInne Troie town. As konnyng and as perfit and as kynde. As ben bitwixen Orkadas and Inde. And that ȝe koude wel ȝowre lady serue. I trowe ek wel hire thank for to deserue. (140) But as to speke of loue ywis she seyde. I hadde a lord to whom I wedded was. The whos myn herte al was til that he deyde. And other loue as help me now pallas. Ther in myn herte nys ne neuere was. And that ȝe ben of noble and heigh kynrede. I haue wel herde it tellen oute of drede. (141) And that doth me to han so grete a wonder. That ȝe wol scornen any womman so. Ek god woot loue and I ben fer ysonder. I am disposed bet so mot I go. Unto my deth to pleynen and maken wo. What I shal after don .I. kan nat seye. But trewelich as ȝet me list nat pleye. (142) Myn herte is now in tribulacioun. And ȝe in armes bisy day by day. Herafter whan ȝe wonnen han the town. Peraunter so it happen may. That whan I se that I neuere er say. Than wol I werk that I neuere wroughte. This word to ȝow ynough suffisen oughte. (143) To morwe ek wol .I. speken with ȝow fayn. So that ȝe touchen naught of this matere. And whan ȝow list ȝe may come here aȝayn. And er ȝe gon thus muche I sey ȝow here. As help me pallas with hire heres clere. If that I sholde of any greke han routhe. It sholde be ȝoureseluen by my trouthe. (144) I say nat therfore that I wol ȝow loue. Ny say nat nay but in conclusioun. I mene wel by god that sit aboue. And therwithal she caste hire eyen down. And gon to sike and seyde .O. Troie town. Ȝet bidde I god in quiete and in reste. I may ȝow sen or do myn herte breste. (145) But in effect and shortly for to seye. This Diomede al fresshly newe aȝeyn. Gan presen on and faste hire mercy preye. And after this the sothe for to seyn. Hire gloue he took of which he was ful feyn. And finaly whan it was woxen eue. And al was wel he roos and toke his leue. (146) The brighte venus folwede and ay taughte. The wey ther brede Phebus down alighte. And Cynthea hire charehors ouerraughte. To whirle out of the leoun if she myghte. And signifer hise candels sheweth brighte. whan that Criseyde vnto hire bedde wente. Inwith hire fadres faire brighte tente. (147) Retornyng in hire soule ay vp and down. The wordes of this sodeyn Diomede. His grete estat and perel of the town. And that she was allone and hadde nede. Of frendes help and thus bygan to brede. The cause whi the sothe for to telle. That she took fully purpos for to dwelle. (148) The morwen com and gostly for to speke. This Diomede is come vnto Criseyde. And shortly list that ȝe my tale breke. So wel he for hymself spak and seyde. That alle hire sikes soore adown he leyde. And finaly the soth for to seyne. He refte hire of the grete of alle hire peyne. (149) And after this the storie telleth vs. That she hym ȝaf the faire baye stede. The which he ones wan of Troilus. And ek a broche and that was litel nede. That Troilus was she ȝaf this Diomede. And ek the bet from sorwe hym to releue. She made hym were a pencel of hire sleue. (150) I fynde ek in stories elleswhere. whan thorugh the body hurt was Diomede. Of Troilus tho wepte she many a teere. whan that she saugh hise wyde wowndes blede. And that she took to kepen hym good hede. And for to helen hym of his sorwes smerte. Men seyen I not that she ȝaf hym hire herte. (151) But trewely the storie telleth vs. Ther made neuere woman moore wo. Than she whan that she falsed Troilus. She seyde allas for now is clene ago. My name of trouthe in loue for eueremo. For I haue falsed oon the gentileste. That euere was and oon the worthiest. (152) Allas of me vnto the worldes ende. Shal neyther ben ywriten nor ysonge. No good wood for thise bokes wol me shende. O. rolled shal I ben on many a tonge. Thorughoute the world my belle shal be ronge. And wommen moost wol haten me of alle. Allas that swich a cas me sholde falle. (153) Thei wol seyen in as muche as in me is. I haue hem don dishonour weylaway. Al be I nat the first that dide amys. what helpeth that to don my blame awey. But syn I se ther is no bettre way. And that to late is now for me to rewe. To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. (154) But Troilus syn I no bettre may. And syn that thus deperten ȝe and .I. Ȝet prey I god so ȝeue ȝow right good day. As for the gentileste trewely. That euere I say to seruen feythfully. And beste kan ay his lady honour kepe. And with that word she braste anon to wepe. (155) And certes ȝow ne haten shal I neuere. And frendes loue that shal ȝe han of me. And my good word al sholde I lyuen euere. And trewely I wolde sory be. fforto seen ȝow in aduersitee. And gilteles I woot wel I ȝow leue. But al shal passe and thus take I my leue. (156) But trewely how longe it was bytwene. That she forsoke hym for this Diomede. Ther is non autour telleth it I wene. Take euery man now to hise bokes heede. He shal no terme fynden out of drede. ffor though that he bigan to wowe hire soone. Er he hire wan ȝet was ther more to doone. (157) Ne me ne list this sely womman chyde. fforther than the storye wol deuyse. Hire name allas is punysshed so wide. That for hire gilte it oughte ynough suffise. And if I myghte excuse hire any wise. ffor she so sory was for hire vntrouthe. Iwis .I. wolde excuse hire ȝet for routhe. (158) This Troilus as I byfore haue tolde. Thus driueth forth as wel as he hath myghte. But oft was his herte hoot and colde. And namly that ilk nynthe nyghte. which on the morwe she hadde hym bihighte. To com aȝeyn god woot ful litel reste. Hadde he that nyght nothyng to slepe hym leste. (159) The laurer crowned Phebus with his heete. Gan in his course ay vpward as he wente. To warmen of the Est see the wawes weete. And nysus doughter song with fressh entente. whan Troilus his Pandare after sente. And on the walles of the town they pleyde. To loke if they kan sen aught of Criseyde. (160) Tyl it was noon they stoden for to se. who that ther come and euery mane wight. That com fro fer they seyden it was she. Til that thei koude knowen hym aright. Now was his herte dul now was it light. And thus byIaped stonden for to stare. Aboute naught this Troilus and Pandare. (161) To Pandarus this Troilus tho seyde. ffor aught .I. woot byfor noon sikirly. Into this town ne comth nat here Criseyde. She hath ynough to doon hardyly. To wynnen from hire fader so trowe .I. Hire olde fader wol ȝet make hire dyne. Er that she go god ȝeue hys herte pyne. (162) Pandare answerede it may wel be certeyn. And forthi lat vs dyne .I. the byseche. And after noon than maystow come aȝeyn. And hom they go withoute more speche. And comen aȝeyn but longe may they seche. Er that they fynde that they after cape. ffortune hem bothe thenketh for to Iape. (163) Quod Troilus I se wel now that she. Is taried with hire olde fader so. That er she come it wol neigh euen be. Com forth .I. wole vnto the ȝate go. Thise porters ben vnkonnyng euere mo. And wol don hem holden vp the ȝate. As naught ne were although she come late. (164) The day goth faste and after that come eue. And ȝet come nought to Troilus Criseyde. He loketh forth by hegge by tre by greue. And fer his hede ouere the walle he leyde. And at the laste he torned hym an seyde. By good I woot hire menyng now Pandare. Almoost ywys al new was my care. (165) Now douteles this lady kan hire goode. I. woot she meneth riden pryuely. I. comende hire wisdome by myn hoode. She wol nat maken peple nycely. Gaure on hire whan that she comth but softly. By nyghte into the town she thenketh ride. And deere brother thynke not longe tabide. (166) We han naught elles for to don ywis. And Pandarus now woltow trowen me. Haue here my trouthe I se hire ȝond she is. Heue vp thyn eyen man maistow nat se. Pandare answerede nay so mote I the. Al wronge by god what saistow man where arte. That I se ȝond nys but a fare carte. (167) Allas thow seyst right soth quod Troilus. But hardily it is naught al for nought. That in myn herte I now reioysse thus. It is aȝeyns som good I haue a thought. Not I nat how but syn that I was wrought. Ne felte I swich a comfort dar I seye. She comth to nyght my lif that dorste I leye. (168) Pandare answerde it may be wel ynough. And helde with hym of alle that euere he seyde. But in his herte he thought and softe lough. And to hymself ful sobreliche he seyde. ffrom haselwode there Ioly Robyn pleyde. Shal come al that thow abidest heere. Ȝe fare wel al the snough of farnȝere. (169) The warden of the ȝates gan to calle. The folk which that withoute the ȝates were. And bad hem dryuen in hire bestes alle. Or all the nyght they moste bleuen there. And fer withInne the nyght with many a teere. This Troilus gan homward for to ride. ffor wel he seth it helpeth naught tabide. (170) But natheles he gladed hym in this. He thought he miscounted hadde his day. And seyde .I. vnderstonde haue al amys. For thilk nyght .I. last Criseyde say. She seyde .I. shal ben here if that I may. Er that the moone .o. deere herte swete. The leoun passe out of this ariete. (171) ffor which she may ȝet holde al hire byheste. And on the morwe vnto the ȝate he wente. And vp and down by west and ek by este. Upon the walles made he many a wente. But al for nought his hope alwey hym blente. ffor which at nyght in sorwe and sikes sore. He wente hyym home withouten any more. (172) His hope al clene out of his herte fledde. He nath wheron now lenger for to honge. But for the peyne hym thoughte his herte bledde. So were hise throwes sharpe and wonder stronge. ffor whan he saugh that she abood so longe. He nyst what he Iuggen of it myghte. Syn she hath broken that she hym bihighte. (173) The thridde ferth fifte sexte day. After tho dayes ten of which I tolde. Bitwixen hope and drede his herte lay. Ȝet somwhat trustyng on hire hestes olde. But whan he saugh she nolde hire terme holde. He kan now sen non other remedie. But for to shape hym soon for to dye. (174) Therwith the wikked spirit god vs blesse. which that men clepeth the woode Ialousie. Gan in hym crepe in al this heuynesse. ffor which by cause he wolde soone dyne. He ne ete ne drank for his malencolye. And ek from euery compaignye he fledde. This was the lif that al the tyme he ledde. (175) He so defet was that no manere man. Unneth hym myghte knowen ther he wente. So was he lene and therto pale and wanne. And feble that he walketh by potente. And with his Ire he thus hymselue shente. And whoso axed hym wherof hym smerte. He seyde his harm was al aboute his herte. (176) Priam ful ofte and ek his moder deere. Hise bretheren and his sustren gon hym freyne. whi he sorwful was in al his cheere. And what thyng was the cause of al his peyne. But al for naught he nolde his cause pleyne. But seyde he felte a greuouse maladie. Aboute his herte and fayn he wolde dye. [Stanzas 177-182 not in C. C. C. MS.] (183) Pandare answerde and seyde allas the whiles. That .I. was born haue I nat seyde er this. That dremes many a maner man bigiles. And whi for folk expounden hem amys. How darstow seyn that fals thy lady ys. ffor any dreme right for thyn owene drede. Lat be this thought thow kanst no dremes rede. (184) Peraunter ther thow dremest of this boor. It may so be that it may signifie. Hire fader which that old is and ek hoor. Aȝeyn the sonne lith o poynt to dye. And she for sorwe gynneth wepe and crie. And kisseth hym ther he lith on the grounde. Thus sholdestow thi dreme aright expounde. (185) How myghte I than don quod Troilus. To knowe of this ȝee were it neuere so lite. Now seystow wisly quod this Pandarus. My rede is this syn thow kanst wel endite. That hastily a lettre thow hire write. Thorugh which thow shalt wel byngyn sic it aboute. To know a soth of that thow art in doute. (186) And se now whi for this I dar wel seyn. That if so is that she vntrewe be. I kan nat trowen that she wol write aȝeyn. And if she write thow shalt fulsone yse. As wheither she hath any liberte. To come aȝeyn or ellis in som clause. If she be lette she wol assigne a cause. (187) Thow hast nat writen hire syn that she wente. Nor she to the and this I dorste lay. Ther may swich cause ben in hire entente. That hardily thow wolt thiseluen say. That hire abode the best is for ȝow tway. Now write hire thanne and thow shalt feele sone. A soth of al ther is namore to done. (188) Acorded ben to this conclusioun. And that anon thise ilke lordes two. And hastily sit Troilus adown. And rolleth in his herte to and fro. How he may best discryuen hire his wo. And to Criseyde his owen lady deere. He wrot right thus and seyde as ȝe may here. (189) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde) Right fresshe floure whos I ben haue and shal. withouten parte of elleswhere seruyse. litera Troili with herte body lif lust thought and al. I. woful wyght in euerich humble wise. That tonge telle or herte may deuyse. As ofte as matere occupieth place. Me recomaunde vnto ȝoure noble grace. (190) Liketh ȝow to witen swete herte. As ȝe wel knowe how longe tyme agon. That ȝe me lefte in aspre peynes smerte. whan that ȝe wente of which boot non. Haue I non had but euere wors bigon. ffro day to day am I and so mot dwelle. while it ȝow list of wel and wo my welle. (191) ffor which to ȝow with dredful herte trewe. I write as he that sorwe drifth to write. My wo that euerich houre encresseth newe. Compleynyng as I dar er kan endite. And that defaced is that may ȝe wite. The teris whiche that fro myn eyen reyne. That wolden speke if that they koude and pleyne. (192) Ȝow first biseche .I. that ȝoure eyen clere. To loke on this defouled ȝe nat holde. And ouere al this that ȝe my lady deere. Wol vouchesauf this lettre to byholde. And by the cause ek of my cares colde. That sleth my wit if aught amys masterte. fforȝeue it me myn owen swete herte. (193) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde, continued) If any seruant dorst or oughte of right. Upon his lady pitously compleyne. Thanne wene .I. that ich oughte be that wight. Considered this that ȝe thise monthes tweyne. Han taried ther ȝe seyden soth to seyne. But dayes ten ȝe nolde in oost soiourne. But in two monthes ȝet ȝe nat retourne. (194) But for as muche as me moot nedes like. Al that ȝow liste I dar nat pleyne moore. But humbly with sorwful sikes sike. Ȝow write ich myn vnresty sorwes soore. ffro day to day desiryng euere moore. To knowen fully if ȝoure wille it weere. How ȝe han ferde and don while ȝe be theere. (195) The whos welfare and hele ek god encresse. In honour swich that vpward in degree. It grewe alwey so that it neuere cesse. Right as ȝoure herte ay kan my lady free. Deuyse I prey to god so moot it be. And graunte it that ȝe soone vpon me rewe. As wisly as in al I am ȝow trewe. (196) And if ȝow liketh knowen of the fare. Of me. whos wo ther may no wit discryne. I. kan namore but chiste of euery care. At wrytyng of this lettre I was on lyue. Al redy out my woful gost to dryue. which I delaye and holde hym ȝet in honde. Upon the sighte of matere of ȝoure sonde. (197) (Troilus's Letter continued) Myn eyen two in weyn with which .I se. Of sorwful teris salte arn waxen welles. My songe in pleynte of myn aduersitee. My god in harm myn ese ek woxen helle is. My Ioie in wo I kan sey ȝow naught ellis. But torned is for which my lif I warie. Eueriche Ioie or ese in his contrarie. (198) Which with ȝoure commyng home aȝeyn to Troie. Ȝe may redresse and more a thousand sithe. Than euere ich hadde encressen in me Ioie. ffor was ther neuere herte ȝet so blithe. To han his lif as I shal ben as swithe. As I ȝow se and though no manere routhe. Commeue ȝow ȝet thynketh on ȝoure trouthe. (199) And if so be my gilt hath deth deserued. Or if ȝow list namore vpon me se. In guerdoun ȝet of that I haue ȝow serued. Byseche I ȝow myn owen lady free. That herevpon ȝe wolden write me. ffor loue of god my right lode sterre. There deth may make an ende of al my werre. (200) If other cause aught doth ȝow for to dwelle. That with ȝoure lettre ȝe me recomforte. ffor though to me ȝoure absence is an helle. with pacience I wol my wo comporte. And with ȝoure lettre of hope I wol desporte. Now writeth swete and lat me thus nat pleyne. with hope or deth deliuereth me fro peyne. (201) (Troilus's Letter continued) Iwis myne owene deere herte trewe. I woot that whan ȝe next vpon me se. So loste haue I myn hele and ek myn hewe. Criseyde shal nought konne knowen me. Iwys myn hertes day my lady free. So thursteth ay myn herte to byholde. Ȝoure beute that my lif vnnethe I holde. (202) I say namore al haue .I. for to seye. To ȝow wel more than I telle may. But wheither that ȝe do me lyue or deye. Ȝet praye I god so ȝeue ȝow right good day. And fareth wel goodly faire fresshe may. As ȝe that lif or dethe [an erasure here.] may me comande. And to ȝoure trouthe ay me recomande. (203) With hele swich that but ȝe ȝeuen me. The same hele I shal none hele haue. In ȝow lith whan ȝow liste that it so be. The day in which me clothen shal my graue. In in ȝow my lif in ȝow myght for to saue. Me fro disese of alle peynes smerte. And far now wel myn owen swete herte. le vostre T. [Letter ends.] (204) This lettre forth was sent vnto Criseyde. Of which hire answere in effect was this. fful pitously she wroot aȝeyn and seyde. That also sone as that she myghte ywys. She wolde come and mende al that was mys. And fynaly she wroot and seyde hym thenne. She wolde come ȝe but she nyst whenne. (205) But in hire lettre made she swich festes. That wonder was and swerth she loueth hym beste. Of which he fonde but botmeles bihestes. But Troilus thow maist now est or west. Pipe in an Iuy lef if that the lest. Thus goth the world god shilde vs fro meschaunce. And euery wight that meneth trouthe auaunce. (206) Encressen gan the wo fro day to nyght. Of Troilus for tarying of Criseyde. And lessen gan his hope and ek his myght. ffor which al down he in his bed hym leyde. He ne eet ne dronk ne slep MS. sleple ne worde seyde. Ymagynyng ay that she was vnkynde. ffor which wel neigh he wex out of his mynde. (207) This dreme of which .I. tolde haue ek byforn. May neuere come out of his remembraunce. He thought ay wel he hadde his lady lorn. And that Ioues of his purueyaunce. Hym shewed hadde in slepe the signifiaunce. Of hire vntrouthe and his disauenture. And that the boor was shewed hym in figure. (208) ffor which he for Sibille his suster sente. That called was Cassandre ek al aboute. And al his dreme he tolde hire er he stente. And hire bisoughte assoilen hym the doute. Of the stronge boor with tuskes stoute. And fynaly withInne a litel stounde. Cassandre hym gan right thus his dreme expounde. (209) She gan first smyle and seyde o brother deere. If thow a soth of this desirest knowe. Thow most a fewe of olde stories heere. To purpos how that fortune ouerthrowe. Hath lordes olde thorugh which withInne a throwe. Thow wel this boor shalt knowe and of what kynde. He comen is as men in bokes fynde. (210) Diane which that wroth was and in Ire. ffor grekis nolde don hire sacrifice. Ne encens vpon hire auter sette afire. She for that grekis gonne hire so despise. wrak hire in a wonder cruel wise. ffor with a boor as grete as ox in stalle. She made vp frete hire cornes and vynes alle. (211) To sle this boor was al the contre raysed. Amonge which ther come this boor to se. A mayde oon of this world the beste ypreysed. And Meleagre lord of that contree. He loued so this fresshe mayden free. That with his manhod er he wolde stente. This boor he slough and hire the hed he sente. (212) Of which as olde bokes tellen vs. Ther ros a contek and a grete enuye. And of this lord descended Tideus. By ligne or ellis olde bookes lye. But how this Meleagre gan to dye. Thorugh his moder wol I naught telle. ffor al to longe it were to dwelle. (213) She tolde ek how Tideus er she stente. Unto the stronge Citee of Thebes. To cleymen kyngdome of the Citee wente. ffor his felaw daun Polymytes. Of which the brother daun Ethiocles. fful wrongfully of Thebes held the strengthe. This tolde she by processe al by lengthe. (214) She tolde ek how Hemonydes asterte. whan Tideus slough fifty knyghtes stoute. She tolde ek alle the prophecyes by herte. And how that seuen kynges with hire route. Bysegeden the Citee al aboute. And of the holy Serpent and the welle. And of the furies al she gan hym telle. [Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.] Associat profugum Tideo primus polymytem. Tidea legatum docet Insidias-que secundus. Tercius hemoduden canit et vates latitantes. Quartus habet Reges Ineuntes prelia septem. Mox furie lenne quinto narratur et anguis. MS. aguis Archymory bustum sexto ludique leguntur. Dat Grayos Thebes et vatem septimus vmbris. Octauo cecidit Tideus spes vita pelasgis. Ypomedon nono moritur cum Parthonopea. ffulmine percussus. decimo Capaneus superatur. Undecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres. Argiua flentem narrat duodenus et ignem. (215) Of Archymoris burying and the pleyes. And how Amphiorax fil thorugh the grounde. How Tideus was sleyn lord of Argeyes. And how ypomedoun a litel stounde. was dreynt and dede Parthonope of wownde. And also how Capaneus the proude. with thonder dynt was slayn that cride loude. (216) She gan ek telle hym how that eyther brother. Ethiocles and polymyte also. At a scarmuche ech of hem slough othere. And of argyues wepynge and hire wo. And how the town was brent she tolde ek tho. And so descendeth down from gestes olde. To Diomede and thus she spak and tolde. (217) This ilke boor bitokneth Diomede. Tideus sone that down descended is. ffro Meleagre that made the boor to blede. And thy lady wherso she be ywis. This Diomede hire herte hathe and she his. wepe if thow wolt or lef for out of doute. This Diomede is Inne and thow art oute. (218) Thow seyst nat soth quod he thow sorceresse. with al thy fals goost of prophecye. Thow wenest ben a grete deuyneresse. Now sestow nat this fool of fantasie. Peyneth hire on ladys for to lye. Awey quod he ther Ioues ȝeue the sorwe. Thow shalte be fals peraunter ȝet to morwe. (219) As wel thow myghtest lien on alceste. That was of creatures but men lye. That euere weren kyndest and the beste. ffor whan hire housbonde was in Iupertye. To dye hym self but if she wolde dye. She ches for hym to dye and gon to helle. And starf anon as vs the bokes telle. (220) Cassandre goth and he with cruel herte. fforȝat his wo for angre of hire speche. And from his bedde al sodeynly he sterte. As though al hool hym hadde ymad aleche. And day by day he gan enquere and seche. A sooth of this with al his ful cure. And thus he drieth forth his auenture. (221) ffortune which that permutacioun. Of thynges hath as it is hire comitted. Thorugh purueyaunce and disposicioun. Of heigh Ioue as regnes shal be flitted. ffro folk in folk ar when they shal be smytted. Gan pulle awey the fetheres brighte of Troie. ffro day to day til they ben bare of Ioie. (222) Among al this the fyn of the Parodie. Of Ector gan aprochen wonder blyue. The fate wolde his soule sholde vnbodye. And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryue. Aȝeyns which fate hym helpeth nat to stryue. But on a day to fighten gan he wende. At which allas he caught his lyues ende. (223) ffor whiche me thynketh euery manere wight. That haunteth armes oughte to biwaille. The deth of hym that was so noble a knyght. ffor as he drough a kyng by thauentaille. Unwar of this Achilles thorugh the maille. And thorugh the body gan hym for to ryue. And thus the worthi knyght was brought of lyue. (224) ffor whom as holde bokes tellen vs. was made swich wo that tonge it may nat telle. And namely the sorwe of Troilus. That next hym was of worthynesse welle. And in this wo gan Troilus to dwelle. That what for sorwe and loue and vnreste. fful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. (225) But natheles though he gan hym dispaire. And dradde ay that his lady was vntrewe. Ȝet ay on hire his herte gan repaire. And as thise loueres don he soughte ay newe. To gete aȝeyn Criseyde brighte of hewe. And in his herte he wente hire excusyng. That Calkas caused al hire tariyng. (226) And ofte tyme he was in purpos grete. Hymself like a Pilgrym to desgise. To seen hire but he may nat contrefete. To ben vnknowen of folk that weren wise. Ne fynde excuse aright that may suffise. If he amonge the grekis knowen were. ffor which he wep ful ofte and many a tere. (227) To hire he wroot ȝet ofte tyme al newe. fful pitously he lefte it nought for slouthe. Bisechyng hire syn that he was trewe. That she wol come aȝeyn and holde hire trouthe. ffor which Criseyde vpon a day for routhe. I take it so touchyng this matere. wrote hym aȝeyn and seyde as ȝe may here. (228) (Criseyde's Letter to Troilus) Cupides sone ensample of goodly heede. O. swerde of knyghthode sours of gentilesse. litera Criseyde How myght a wight in torment and in drede. And heleles ȝow sende as ȝet gladnesse. I herteles .I. sik I in destresse. Syn ȝe with me nor I with ȝow may dele. Ȝow neyther sende ich herte may nor hele. (229) Ȝoure lettres ful the papir al ypleynted. Conceyued hath myn hertes pietee. I haue ek seyn with teris al depeynted. Ȝoure lettre and how that ȝe requeren me. To come aȝeyn which ȝet ne may nat be. But whi list that this lettre founden were. No mencioun ne make I now for feere. (230) Greuouse to me god woot is ȝoure vnreste. Ȝoure haste and that the goddes ordinaunce. It semeth nat ȝe take it for the beste. Nor other thyng nys in ȝoure remembraunce. As thynketh me but only ȝoure plesaunce. But beth nat wroth and that I ȝow biseche. ffor that I tarie is al for wikked speche. (231) (Criseyde's Letter continued) ffor I haue herde wel moore than I wende. Touchyng vs two how thynges han ystonde. which I shal with dissymelyng amende. And beth nat wroth I haue ek vnderstonde. How ȝe ne do but holden me in honde. But now no force I kan nat in ȝow gesse. But al trouthe and MS. and and alle gentilesse. (232) Come I wole but ȝet in swich disioynte. I stonde as now that what ȝer or what day. That this shal be that kan I naught apoynte. But in effecte I pray ȝow as I may. Of ȝoure good word and of ȝoure frendship ay. ffor trewely while that my lif may dure. As for a frend ȝe may in me assure. (233) Ȝet preye ich ȝow an yuel ȝe ne take. That it is short which that I to ȝow write. I dar nat ther I am wel lettres make. Ne neuere ȝet koude I wel endite. Ek grete effect men write in place lite. Thentente is al and nat lettres space. And fareth now wel god haue ȝow in his grace [Letter ends.] (234) This Troilus this lettre thoughte al straunge. whan he it saugh and sorwfullich he sighte. Hym thoughte it lik a kalendes of chaunge. But fynaly he ful ne trowen myghte. That she ne wolde hym holden that she hyghte. For with ful yuel wille list hym to leue. That loueth wel in swiche cas though hym greue. (235) But natheles men seyen that at the laste. ffor any thyng men shal the sooth se. And swich a cas bitidde and as faste. That Troilus wel vnderstode that she. Nas nought so kynde as that hire oughte be. And fynaly he woot now out of doute. That al is lost that he hath ben aboute. (236) Stood on a day in his malencolie. This Troilus and in suspecioun. Of hire for whom he wende for to dye. And so bifel that thorughoute Troye town. As was the gise Iborn was vp and down. A manere cote armure as seith the storie. Byforn Deiphebe in signe of his victorie. (237) The whiche cote as telleth Lollius. Deiphebe it hadde rent fro Diomede. The same day and whan this Troilus. It saugh he gan to taken of it hede. Auysyng of the lengthe and of the brede. And al the werk but as he gan byholde. fful sodeynly his herte gan to colde. (238) As he that on the coler fonde withInne. A broche that he Criseyde ȝat that morwe. That she from Troie moste nedes twynne. In remembraunce of hym and of his sorwe. And she hym leyde aȝeyn hire feith to borwe. To kepe it ay but now ful wel he wiste. His lady nas no lenger on to triste. (239) He goth hym home and gan ful soone sende. ffor Pandarus and al this newe chaunce. And of this broche he tolde hym worde and ende. Compleynyng of hire hertes variaunce. His longe loue his trouthe and his penaunce. And after deth withouten wordes moore. fful faste he cride his reste hym to restore. (240) Than spak he thus .o. lady my Criseyde. where is ȝoure feith and where is ȝoure biheste. where is ȝoure loue where is ȝoure trouthe he seyde. Of Diomede haue ȝe now al this feeste. Allas I wolde han trowed atte leeste. That syn ȝe nolde in trouthe to me stonde. That ȝe thus nolde han holden me in honde. (241) Who shal now trowe on any othes mo. Allas I neuere wolde han wende er this. That ȝe Criseyde koude han chaunged so. Ne but I hadde agilt and don amys. So cruel wende I nought ȝoure herte ywis. To sle me thus allas ȝoure name of trouthe. Is now fordon and that is al my routhe. (242) Was ther non other broche ȝow liste lete. To feffe with ȝoure newe loue quod he. But thilk broch that I with teris wete. Ȝow ȝaf as for a remembraunce of me. Non other cause allas ne hadde ȝe. But for despit and ek for that ȝe mente. Al outrely to shewen ȝoure entente. (243) Thorugh which I se that clene out of ȝoure mynde. Ȝe han me caste and I ne kan nor may. ffor al this world MS. word withInne myn herte fynde. To vnlouen ȝow a quarter of a day. In corsed tyme I born was weilaway. That ȝow that doon me al this wo endure. Ȝet loue I beste of any creature. (244) Now god quod he me sende ȝet the grace. That I may meten with this Diomede. And trewely if I haue myght and space. Ȝet shal I make I hope his sydes blede. O god quod he that oughtest taken heede. To fortheren trouthe and wronges to punyce. whi nyltow don a vengeaunce of this vice. (245) O Pandarus that in dremes forto triste. Me blamed haste and wont art oft vpbreyde. Now maistow se thiself if that the liste. How trewe is now thi Nece brighte Criseyde. In sondry formes god it woot he seyde. The goddes shewen bothe Ioie and tene. In slepe and by my dreme it is now sene. (246) And certeynly withouten moore speche. ffrom hennesforth as ferforth as I may. Myn owen deth in armes wol I seche. I recche nat how soone be the day. But trewely Criseyde swete may. whom I haue ay with al my myghte yserued. That ȝe thus doon I haue it nat deserued. (247) This Pandarus that al thise thynges herde. And wiste wel he seyde a sothe of this. He nought a word aȝeyn to hym answerde. ffor sory of his frende sorwe he is. And shamed for his Nece hath don amys. And stante astoned of thise causes tweye. As stille as ston a word ne kowde he seye. (248) But at the laste thus he spak and seyde. My brother deer I may do the namore. what sholde I seyen I hate ywys Criseyde. And god woot I wol hate hire euermore. And that thow me bisoughtest don of ȝoore. Hauyng vnto myn honour ne my reste. Right no rewarde I dide al that the liste. (249) If .I. dide aught that myghte liken the. It is me lief and of this tresoun now. God woot that it a sorwe is vnto me. And dredeles for hertes ese of ȝow. Right fayn I wolde amende it wiste I how. And fro this world almyghty god I preye. Deliuere hire soon .I. kan namore seye. (250) Grete was the sorwe and pleynte of Troilus. But forth hire cours fortune ay gan to holde. Criseyde loueth the sone of Tideus. And Troilus moot wepe in cares colde. Swich is this world who so it kan byholde. In ech estat is litel hertes reste. God leue vs for to take it for the beste. (251) In many cruel bataille oute of drede. Of Troilus this ilke noble knyght. As men may in this olde bokes rede. was seen his knyghtehode and his grete myghte. And dredeles his Ire day and nyghte. fful cruwely the grekis ay aboughte. And alwey moost this Diomede he soughte. (252) And ofte tyme I fynde that they mette. with blody strokes and with wordes grete. Assayinge how hire speres weren whette. And god it woot with many a cruel hete. Gan Troilus vpon his helm to bete. But natheles fortune it naught no wolde. Of oothers honde that eyther deyen sholde. (253) And if I hadde ytaken for to write. The armes of this ilke worthi man. Than wolde ich of his batailles endite. But for that I to writen first bigan. Of his loue I haue seyde as I kan. Hise worthi dedes whoso list hem heere. Rede dares he kan telle hem alle Ifeere. (254) Bysechyng euery lady bright of hewe. And euery gentil womman what she be. That al be that Criseyde was vntrewe. That for that gilte she be nat wrothe with me. Ȝe may hire giltes in other bokes se. And gladlier .I. wol write if ȝow leste. Penolopes trouthe and good alceste. (255) Ne sey nat this al oonly for thise men. But moost for wommen that bitraised be. Thorugh fals folk god ȝeue hem sorwe amen. That with hire grete and sublilite. sic Bytraise ȝow and this commeueth me. To speke and in effect ȝow alle I preye. Beth war of men and herkneth what I seye. (256) Go litel boke go litel myn tregedye. Ther god thi makere ȝet er that he dye. So sende myght to make in some comedye. But litel book no makyng thow nenvie. But subgit be to alle Poyesye. And kis the steppes where as thow seest space. Uirgile . Ouide . Omer . Lucan . and Stace. (257) And for ther is so grete diuersite. In Englissh and in writyng of oure tonge. So prey I to god that non myswrite the. Ne the this mysmetre for defaute of tonge. And red wherso ȝow be or elles songe. That thow be vnderstonde god biseche. But ȝet to purpos of my rather speche. (258) The wrath as I bigan ȝow for to seye. Of Troilus the grekis boughten deere. For thousandes hise hondes maden deye. As he that was withouten any peere. Saue Ector in his tyme as I kan heere. But weilawey saue only goddes wille. Despitously hym slough the fierse Achille. (259) And whan that he was slayn in this manere. His lighte goost ful blisfully is went. Up to the holughnesse of the seuenthe spere. In conuers letyng euerich element. And ther he saugh with ful auysement. The erratik sterres herkenyng armonye. with sownes ful of heuenyssh melodie. (260) And down from thennes faste he gan auyse. This litel spot of erthe that with the se. Embraced is and fully gan despise. This wrecched world and held al vanite. To respect of the pleyn felicite. That is in heuene aboue and at the laste. Ther he was slayn his lokyng down he caste. (261) And in hymself he lough right at the wo. Of hem that wepten for his deth so faste. And dampned al oure werk that foloweth so. The blynde lust the which that may nat laste. And sholden al oure herte on heuen caste. And forth he wente shortly for to telle. Ther as Mercurye sorted hym to dwelle. (262) Swich fyn hath lo this Troilus for loue. Swiche fyn hath al his grete worthynesse. Swiche fyn hath his estat real aboue. Swich fyn his lust swich fyn hath his noblesse. Swych fyn hath false worldes brotelnesse. And thus bigan his louyng of Criseyde. As I haue told and in this wise he deyde. [BOOK V.] (1) (Proem: as the last Stanza of Book IV.) AProchen̄ gan̄ / the face of destyne [Teseide IX. i.] That Iovys hath / in disposicion̄ And to you Angry / parcas Sustren̄ thre Commytted to doon execucion̄ For wych Creseyde / mote oute of the tovn̄ And Troilus shal dwelle forthe in peyne Tyl lathesys hys threde / no lenger twyne Explicit .ij.^da pars .V.^ti Libri. (2) (The Story) THe goldetressed Phebus Hyght on̄ lofte [Teseide II. i.] Thryes hade / al wyth hys bemes clere The snowes molte / And Ziphirus as ofte I-brought a-yen̄ / the tendre leues grene Syn̄ that the sone / of Ecuba the quene Began loue hir first / for whom̄ hys sorowe was al that she depart shulde on̄ morowe (3) Ful Redy was at pryme dyomede Creseide vnto / the grekys hooste to lede For sorow of wych / she felt hir hert blede As she that nyst / what was best to Rede And trewly as men̄ in bokes Rede Men wist neuer woman̄ haue the care Ne was so lothe / oute of the tovn̄ to fare (4) Thys Troylus wyth-oute Rede or lore As man̄ that hath / hys Ioyes eke for-lore was waityng on̄ / hys lady euermore As she that was / sothfaste Rote and more Of al hys lust / Ioyes eke byfore But Troilus farwel / now al thy ioye For shalt thou neuer see hyr efte in Troye (5) Sothe is whyle he abode in thys manere he gan̄ hys woo / ful manly for to hide That wel vnneth hit seen̄ was in hys chere But at the yate / there she shulde oute Ryde wyth certein folk / he houed hir to abide Soo woobegon̄ / al wolde hym not pleyne Than on̄ hys hors / vnnethe he sate for peyne (6) For Ire he quoke / so gan̄ hys hert to gnawe whan̄ Diomede / on̄ hors gan̄ hir distresse And seide vnto / hym-self thys Ilke sawe Allas quod he / thus foule a wrecchedinesse Why souffre I hit / why nyl not I hit Redresse Were it not bette / at onys for to dye Than̄ euermore / in langour thus to drye (7) Why nyl I make it / onys Ryche or poure To haue ynogh / to doon̄ or that she goo why nyl I bringe / al Troye vpon̄ a Rore Why nyl I slee / thys Dyomede also Why nyl I Rather wyth a man̄ or twoo Stele hyr awey / why wyl I thus endure Why nyl I helpe / to myn̄ one cure (8) But Why he nolde / doo so felle a dede That shal I seyn̄ / and why hym lyst spare he hade in hert alway a maner drede lest that Creseide / in Rumour of thys fare Shulde haue be slayn̄ / loo thys was of hys care And elles certeine as I seyde yore he hade hit doon̄ / wythoute wordes more (9) CReseyde whan̄ that / she was Redy to Ryde Ful sorowfully she syght and seyde allas But forthe she moste / for aught that may betyde And forthe she went / ryght sobrely a pas Ther is non̄ other Remedy in thy cas what wonder is / thogh she sore smerte whan she forgoth / hir one dere herte (10) Thys Troilus in wise of curtesie wyth hauke on̄ honde / and with a huge Route Of knygħtes Rode / and did hir companye Passing Al the wey / fer wyth-oute And further wolde / haue Ryden̄ oute of doute Ful fayn̄ / and woo was hym to goo so soone But turne he muste / and eke it was to doone (11) And Ryght wyth [that] was Antenor I-come Oute of the grekys hoste / and euery wygħt was of it glade / And seide he was welcome And Troilus / al ner his hert lyght he peyned hym / wyth al is ful myght Hym to wyth-olde / fro weping At the leste And Antenor he kyssed and made feste (12) And herwythaule / he muste hys leue take And caste hys eye / vpon̄ hyr pitously And ner he Rode / and gan̄ hym cause make To take hyr by the hande / al sobrely And lorde soo she can̄ wepe tendrely And he ful softe / and slyghly gan̄ hir seye Now holde your day / and doo me not to deye (13) Wyth thys hys courser / tourned he A-boute with face pale / And vnto Dyomede No worde he spake / ne non̄ of al hys Route Of wych the sone of Thydeus toke hede As he that cowde / more than the crede I swych a crafte / And by the Reyne hir hente And Troilus homward / to Troye wente (14) Thys Dyomede that ladde hyr by the brydyl whan that he saught / the folke of Troye away Thought al my labour / shal not ben̄ in Idel yf that I may / for somwhat shal I say For At the worst / it may hit short your way And eke I haue / herde sey tymes twelue he is A foule / that ay foryeteth hym-selue (15) But nathlees thys thought he wele ynogħ That certainly / I am but noght yif that I speke of loue / or make it tough For douteles yf she haue / in hir thought hym that I gesse / he may not be wrought So soone Away / but I shal fynde a meen̄ That she nat wit / As yit shal what I meen̄ (16) Thys Dyomede / as he that cowde hys gode whan tyme was / gan̄ falle forthe in speche Of thys and that / and axed why she stode I swyche disese / and gan̄ hir eke beseche That yf that he / encrecen̄ myght or ecche wyth any thinge / hir ese ande that she wolde Comande it hym / and seide he doon̄ it wolde (17) For truly he seyde / And swore hir As A knyght That ther nas thing / with wych he myght hir plese That he nyl doon̄ his hert and al his myght To doon̄ it for to doon̄ hir hert an ese And preyd hir she wolde / hir hert Appese And seyd ywys / we grekys can̄ haue Ioye To honour you / as wel as folk of Troye (18) he seyde eke thus / I wote ye thinke straunge No wonder is / for that is you newe Thacquayntance of thys Troians to chaunge For folke of grece / that yit ye neuer knewe But wolde neuer gode / but yif as trewe A greke a-monge / vs alle ye shulde fynde As Any Troyan / is and eke as kynde (19) And by that cause / I swere you Ryght loo now To bee your frynde / and helping to my myght And for that more / Acquayntance eke of you haue I hade / than A-nother straunge wyght So fro thys / forth / I pray you day and nyght Commandeth me how sore that it me smerte To doon̄ al that / that may lyke to your herte (20) And that ye me wolde / as your brother trete And takyth not my frensschyp in despite And though your sorowes / ben̄ for causes grete Ne wote I not why / but oute of more Respite Myn̄ hert hath tamende it / grete delite And yf I may / your harmes not Redresse Than am I sory / for your hevinesse (21) For though the Troyans / with vs grekys wrothe haue ben̄ many day / alwey yit pardee O gode of love / in sothe we serven̄ bothe And for the loue [of] gode my lady free whom soo ye hate / and bethe not wrothe with me For truly ther can̄ no wyght you serue That halfe soo lothe / youre wrouthe wolde deserue (22) And ner it that / we ben̄ so nygħ the tente Of Calcas wych that seyn̄ vs bothe may I wolde you telle of thys al myn̄ entente But that enseelled / til a noither day yefe me your hande / I haue and shal ben̄ ay Gode helpe me soo / while that my lyfe may dure your owne / abouen̄ any creature (23) Thys seyde I neuer / or now to woman̄ born̄ For gode myn̄ herte / as / wysly glade soo I loued neuer woman̄ herbeforn̄ As paramoures / ne neuer shal no moo And for the loue of gode / beth not my foo Al can̄ I not to you my lady dere Compleyne a-Ryght for I am yit to lere (24) And wondryth not [not overlined later.] my lady bryght Thogh that I speke of loue / to you thus blyue For I haue herd / or thys many a wyght hath loued thing / he neuer saw hys lyue Nor I am not a power for to stryue A-yenst the gode / of loue but hym to obeye I wolde alwey / and mercy I you preye (25) Ther ben̄ so worthy / knyghtes in thys place And ye so faire / that euerich of hem̄ alle wole peyne hym̄ to stonde in youre grace But myght me so faire a grace be-falle That ye me for your servant wolde calle So lowly ne so trewly you to serue Nyl noon̄ of hem / as I shal tyl I sterue (26) CReseide vnto that purpos lytel Answerde As she that was / with sorow oppressed soo That in effect / she nought hys tales herde But here and there / now here A worde or twoo Hir thought hir sorowful hert / brast on̄ twoo For whan̄ she gan̄ / hir fadres tent Aspie whel nyghg dovn̄ / of hir hors she gan̄ to sye (27) But nathlees / she thanked Dyomede Of al hys trauaille / and hys gode chere And that hym lyst / hys frendchippe hir to bede And she Accepted hit in gode manere And wil doo fayn̄ / that hym ys leue an dere And trusten̄ hym / she wolde for wel she myght As seide she / and from̄ hir hors shalyght (28) Hir fadir hath hir / in his Arme nome And twenty tyme / he kyste his doughter swete And seide O doughter dere / myn̄ welcome She seide she was / glade with hym to mete And stode forth / mewet And mansuete But here I leue hir / with hir fadyr dwelle And forthe I wole / of Troilus you telle (29) To Troie is comen / wooful Troilus In sorow allone / And sorowes smerte with felon̄ loke / and face dispotous Tho sodenily / dovn̄ from his hors he sterte And thugh his paleys / with a folowen herte To chaumbre went / of no wyght toke he hede Ne noon̄ to hym / a worde dar speke for drede (30) And there hys sorowes / that he spared hade He yaue hym yssue / large and dethe he cryede And in this sorowes / frantyk and made [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] He cursed teres / bachus and Cupide hys birth hym selfe / hys face and eke nature And saue hys lady / euery creature (31) To bedde he gothe / and weylleth there and turneth In furye as dothe / the Tucius in helle And he thys wyse / nygħ to day soiourneth But tho began / hys hert a lite vnswelle Thurgh terys / wych that gan̄ vp to welle And pitously he cryed vp-on̄ Creseide And tyl hym-selfe Ryght thus he spake & seide (32) Where is myn̄ one lady lief and dere where is here white / breste where is it where where ben̄ hir Armes / And hir eyen̄ clere That yesterday / thys tyme wyth me were Now may I wepe / allone many a tere And graspe Aboute I may but in thys place Saue a pilow / I can̄ not fynde tenbrace (33) [How schal I done when schal sche come a-yene I note allas why lett I. hir to goo [Addit. MS. 12,044,] As wolde god I had as þo ben slayne O. herte myne Criseide O swete foo O lady myne þat I loue and no moo To whome for euermore myne herte I dowe See howe I deie ȝe me not rescowe] (34) Whoo seyth you now my Ryghtfull lode-sterre why sitte Ryght now / or stant in your presence who can̄ conforten̄ / now your hertis werre Now I am goon̄ / whom̄ yeue ye Audience who speketh for me / Ryght now in myn Absence Allas noo wyght / And that is al my care For wel wote I / as euel as I ye fare (35) How shulde I thus / ten dayes ful endure whan I the first nyght / haue al thys tene How shal ye / eke sorowful creature For tendrenesse / how shal ye eke sustene Such [wo] for me o pitous pale and grene Shal be here fressh womanly face For longgyng / or that she tourne in-to this place (36) And whan he fel in Any slombrynges A-non̄ bygynne / he shulde to grone And dreme of dredfullest thinges That myghten̄ / as mete her where allone In place orible / makyng ay thys mone Or meten that / he was a-monges Alle hys enemys / in hir hondes like to falle (37) And therwythalle / hys / body shulde sterte And with a sterte / al sodenily a-wake And swych a tremour / falle aboute his herte That wyth the drede / his hert shulde quake And therwythalle he shulde a noyse make As thogh / he shulde falle depe From hye on̄ lofte / And than̄ he wolde wepe (38) And Rewen̄ on̄ hymself so pitously That wonder was / to here hys fantasie A-nother tyme / he shulde mygħtily Comfort hym selfe / and seyn̄ it was folye Soo causeles suche drede and woo to drye And efte began̄ hys Aspres new That euery wyght / myght on̄ hys sorewes Rewe (39) Who cowde telle a-Ryght / or ful discryue hys who hys pleynt / his langour and his peyne Not alle the folkis / that haue or ben̄ a-lyue Thou Rather maist / thiself ful wel diuine That suche a woo / my witte can̄ not diffine On̄ ydel to writte / yit shulde I swynke Syn that my witte / is wery it to thinke (40) On̄ heuen̄ yit / the sterres werre y-seen̄ Al-though ful pale / y-woxen̄ was the mone And whiten̄ gan̄ / thorisent shene Al estwarde / as it wont is to donne And phebus with / hys Rosy carte soone Gan̄ afftyr that / to dressen̄ hym to fare whan̄ Troilus hadde sente / after pandare (41) Thys Pandare that al the day beforn̄ Ne myght han comen̄ / Troilus to see Al-though that he / on̄ his hede hade sworn̄ For wyth the kynge pryam al day was he Soo that it lay / not in his libertee Now here to gon̄ / but on̄ the morow he wente To troilus whan that he for hym sente (42) For in his herte / he cowde wele diuine That Troilus al nyght / for sorow woke And that he wolde / telle hym of hys pyne Thys knewe he wele / ynogh with-oute boke For wycħ to chaumbre / streyght the weye he toke And Troilus / ful sobrely he grete And on̄ hys bedde / ful soone he gan̄ hym sette (43) My pandare quod Troilus the sorow wych that I drye / may not longe endure I trow I shal not / lyue vnto morow For wych I wolde / alwey on̄ a-venture To the devisen̄ / of my sepulture And of my moeble / the fourme thou dispone Ryght as the semeth / best is for to doone (44) But of the fire / and flame funeral I wyche my body / brennen shal to glede And of the festes / and pleys palestrial At my vigil / I prey the take gode hede That al be wele / and offre mars my stede My swerde my helme / and leue brother dere My shelde to Pallas / yeue that shyneth clere (45) The pouder in Wych my hert I-brent shal turne That prey I the / thou take and it conserue In a vessel that men̄ / clepith an̄ vrne Of golde / And to my lady that I serue For loue of whom / thus pitously I sterue Soo yeue it hir / and Do me thus plesance To prey hir to kepe / it for a Rememberance (46) For wele I fele by my maladie And by my dremes now / and yore a-goo That certeinly / I must nedles dye The oule eke wych / that hyght Eschaphiloo hath aftyr me shryght / al this nyghtes twoo And gode mercurie / of me wooful wreche The soule gyde / And whan the lust it fecche (47) Pandare Answerd / and seid Troilus My dere frende / as I haue tolde the yore That it is folye / for to sorowen̄ thus And causeles / for wych I can̄ nomore But who so nyl not / trowen̄ Rede ne lore I can not seyn̄ / in hym no Remedie But let hym worthen̄ / wyth his fantasie (48) But Troilus I prey the telle me now yif thou trowe or thys / that ony wyght haue loued paramoures / as wel as thou Ye gode wote and fro many A worthy knyght hath his lady goon̄ a fourthynyght And he not yit / made haluendel the fare what cause hastow / to make al thys care (49) Syn day by day thou may thy-self see That from̄ hys loue / or elles from̄ hys wyfe A man mote twynne / of necessite Ye though he loue hir / as his one lyf Yit nyl he wyth hym self thus make stryfe For wel thou woste / my leue brother dere That alwey fryndys / may not be in fere (50) How doon̄ thys folk that seen̄ hir loues wedded By fryndes myght / as it betyt ful ofte And seen̄ hem̄ / in hir spouses bed I-beddede Gode wote they take it / wysly fayr and softe Forwhy gode hope / holt vp hir hert on̄ lofte And for they konne a tyme / of harde endure A tyme hem hurt / a tyme doth than̄ hem̄ cure (51) So sholdestow / endure and lat it slyde The tyme / and fonde to be glade and lyght Ten dayes nys not / so longe tabyde And syn she the / to comen̄ hath behyght She nyl hir heste / breken̄ for no wyght For drede the nought / that she fynde a way To come a-yen̄ / my lyf that durst I ley (52) Thy swyuenes eke and al suche fantasie Dryue oute and lat hem̄ fare vnto myschance For they proceden̄ / of thy malencolye That dothe the fele / in slepe and suche penaunce A Strawe for a swyuen̄ signifiance Gode helpe me soo / I counte hem̄ not a ben̄ Ther wote no man̄ a-Ryght / what that they meen̄ (53) For prestes of the temple tellen̄ thys That dremes ben̄ the Reuelacions Of goddes and as thay tellen̄ y-wys That that / they ben infernal illusions And leches seyn̄ / that of complections Proceden̄ they / or faste / or glotonye Who wote in sothe / thus what they signifie (54) EKe other sey / that thurgh inpressiouns As yf A wyght / haue faste a thinge in mynde That therof cometh / swycħ a-visiouns And other sey / as they in bokes fynde That Aftyr tymes / of the yere by kynde Men̄ dremen̄ / And that the effecte gothe by the mone But leue no dreme / for nought it is / to doon̄ (55) Wel worth of dremes / thes wolde wyses As Ravenes qualme / or shrykung of thes oules And trulych eke Augurye of thys foules For feer of wych / meen̄ wenen̄ to lese hir wyues To trowen̄ on̄ it bothe / fals and foole is Allas Allas / so noble A Creature As is a man̄ / shal drede swycħ ordure (56) For wych wyth al my hert I the beseche vnto thyself / that al thys thou for-yeue And Ryse now vp / wythoute more speche And lat vs cast / how forth may beste be dryne Thys tyme and eke / how fresshly we may lyue whan that she commeth / the wych shal be Ryght soone Gode helpe me soo / the best is thus to doone (57) Rise lat vs speke / of lusty lyf in Troye That whe han̄ ledde / and forthe the tyme dryue And eke of tyme / commyng vs Reioye That bringe shal our blisse now so blyue And langour of thys dayes twyes fyue we shal ther-wyth / further or oppresse That wel vnnethe / it shal doon̄ vs duresse (58) Thys tovn̄ is ful / of lordes al aboute And trewes lastith / al thys meene while Go we pley vs / in som lusty Route To sarpedon̄ / not hens half a myle And thus thou shalt / the tyme wel bygyle And dryue it forthe tyl on̄ the blesful morowe That she shal come / that cause is of thy sorowe (59) Now ryse my faire brother Troilus For certis it non̄ honouur / it is to the To wepe and in thy bedde to Iowren thus And trewlych of oo thing trust thou me yif thou thus ligge / A day or two or thre The folk wole seyn̄ / that thou for cowardise The feynest syke / And that thou darst not Ryse (60) Thys Troilus Answerd / o brother dere This knowen̄ folke / that han endurede peyne That thogh he wepe / or make a sory chere That feleth harme / and smert in euery veyne No wonder is / and thogħ [thogħ in margin.] Or Alwey wepe / I Am nothing to blame Syn̄ I haue lost / the cause of alle my game (61) But sithen̄ of fyn̄ force / I mote A-Ryse I shal a-ryse / as soone as euer I may And gode to whom / myn̄ hert I sacryfice So sende vs hastely / the tenteth day For was ther neuer / folkis so fayne of may As I shal ben̄ / whan̄ that she cometh in Troye That cause is / of my tourment and my Ioye (62) But whider is thy Rede / quod Troilus That whe may pley vs / beste in al thys tovn̄ By gode my counseyle is / quod pandarus To Ryde And pleye vs / wyth kynge Sarpedon̄ So longe they spaken̄ / of thys vp and dovn̄ Tyl At the leste / Troilus gan̄ Assente To Ryse / and forthe to Sarpedon̄ they wente (63) Thys Sarpedon̄ / As he that honorable was euer hys lyue / and ful of hygh largesse with al that myght / y-served be on table That dente was / al coste it grete Rycchesse he fedde hem / day by day that suche noblenesse As seiden̄ bothe / the meste And eke the leste was neuer sayn̄ / or that day At the feste (64) Nor in thys worlde / is non̄ instrument Delicious thurgh wynde / or touche on̄ corde As ferre any wyght / hath euery y-went That tonge telle / or hert may Recorde That At the feste / it nas wel her[d] Accorde Nof ladyes / eke / so feyre companye On daunce / or thoo nas neuer seyen̄ with eye (65) But what availleth / this to Troilus That for his sorow / nothing of hit Rought For euer in oon̄ / his hert pitous Ful besely / Creseyde hys lady sought On̄ hir was euer / Al that his hert thoght Now thys now that / so fast ymagynyng That glade y-wys / can̄ hym not festynge (66) T[h]ese ladyes eke / that At the fest ben̄ Syn̄ that he saugh. hys lady was a-way hit was his sorow / vpon̄ hem̄ for to seen̄ Or for to here / on Instrumentis so to pleye For she that of his hert beryth the keye was Absente / lo thys was his fantasie That no wyght / shulde make melodie (67) Nor there nas houre / in al the day or nyght whan he was there As no man̄ myght hym̄ here That he ne seyde / O lufsom̄ lady bryght how han ye han fare / syn̄ that ye wheyr here welcome ywys myn̄ one lady dere But welaway / al thys nas but a mase Fortune is owne / intendethe bet to gase (68) The lettres that she eke / of olde tyme hade hym y-sent / he wolde allone Rede An hundred sithe / betwyx noone of pryme Refiguryng hir shappe / on̄ hir womanhede Wythin hys hert / in euery worde And dede That passed was / And thus he drof tanende The ferth daye / And thennes wolde he wende (69) And seide leif brother pandarus Intendestow / that whe shal here bylyue Tyl Sarpedon̄ / wyl forthe congen̄ vs Yit were it fayrer / that we toke our leue For goddys loue / lat vs now soone at eve Oure leue take / and homward let vs turne For trewly I can̄ not thus soiorne (70) Pandare answerde be we comen̄ hider To feche fyr / And Renne home ageyn̄ Gode helpe me soo / I can̄ not tellen̄ whider whe myghten̄ goon̄ / yf I shal sothely seyn̄ There any wyght / is of vs more fayn̄ Than̄ Serpedon̄ / and yf we hennes hie Thus sodenily / I ho[l]de it vylanye (71) Syn that we seyd / that we wolde bleue whyth hym A woke / and now thus sodenily The first day / to take of hym̄ our leue he wolde wondren̄ on̄ it trewly lat vs holde our purpos fermely And sithen̄ that he that hyght hym for tabyde holde forward now / and aftyr lat vs Ryde (72) Thus Pandare with al peyne and whoo Made hym to dwelle / and At the wekes ende Of Sarpedon̄ they toke leue to goo And on̄ hir weye / thei spedden̄ hem to wende Quod Troilus / now gode me grace sende That I may fynde At my home commyng Creseide I-come / And ther-with gan̄ to singe (73) Ye haliswode / thought y-wys Pandare And to hym selfe / Al softely he seyde wote gode Refreyde / may al thys hote care Or Calcas sende / Troilus Creseyde But nathles / he Iapith forthe And pleyde And swore y-wys / hert hym wel be-hyght She wolde come / As soone As euer she myght (74) Whan vn-to they paleys they [they overlined later.] were ycomen̄ Of Troilus / tho doun of hors they lyght And to the chaumbre / her wey han they nomen̄ And vn-to the tyme / hit gan̄ to nyght They speken of Creseyde / the bryght And afftyr thys / whan that hem bothe liste They spedden̄ hem̄ / from̄ souper vnto Reste (75) On morowe As soone / As day began̄ to clere Thys Troilus / gan̄ of his slepe tabreide And to Pandarus / his one brother dere For loue of gode / ful pitously he seyde As go we seen̄ the paleys of Creseyde For syn̄ we may / haue non̄ other feste Soo lat vs seen̄ / hir paleys At the leste (76) And therwythalle his meyne for to blende A cause he fonde / in tovn̄ for to goo And to Creseides hous they gon̄ wende But lord thys sely Troilus was ful woo [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] For whan̄ he sawe / hir dores spered alle whel nygh A-dovn̄ / for sorow he gan̄ to falle (77) And eke whan he / was ware gan̄ be-holde how shitte was euery / wyndow of the place As frost hym thought / his hert gan̄ to colde For wych wyth chaunged / dedely pale face wyth-oute worde / he for-by by-gan̄ to pace And as gode wolde / so faste he gan to ryde That no wyght / of his contenance Aspiede (78) Than seyd he thus / o place desolate O hous of houses / whylom best ylyght O paleys empty / And disconsolate O thy lanterne / of wych quenchyd is thy lyght O paleys whylom / day that now Art nyght wel ougħtestow / to falle and I to dye Syn she is went / that wont was vs to guye (79) O paleys whylom / crowne of houses alle Enlumynde wyth sonne / of alle blisse O Rynge fro wych / the Ruby is oute falle O cause of woo / that cause hast ben̄ of blys Bete syn I may not bet / I wolde yit kysse Thy colde dores durst I for thys Route And farewel shryne / of wych the sent is oute (80) Therwyth he cast / on pandarus hys eye Wyth changede face / And pitous to beholde Ay as he Rode / to pandarus he tolde And whan̄ he myght hys tyme A-Ryght beholde hys newe sorowes / And eke hys Ioyes olde So pitously And wyth so dede A hewe That euery wyght [myght] on̄ his sorowes Rewe (81) FRo thensforth / he Rydeth vp and dovn̄ And euery thinge / come hym to Remembrance As he Rode forby / places of tovn In wyche he whylom / hade hys plesance loo yonder saugħ I last my lady daunce And [in] that temple / wyth hir eyen̄ clere Me caught first / my Rygħt lady dere (82) And yonder haue I herde ful lustyly My dere hert laugħ / and yonder pley Saw I hir onys / eke ful besely And yonder onys / eke ful besely Now gode swete / loue me wel I prey And yonder so godely / gan̄ she me beholde That to the dethe / my hert is to hyr holde (83) And at [At overlined.] that corner / in the yonder hous herde I myn̄ / Alderleuest lady dere So womanly / wyth voys melodius Syngen̄ so wel / so godely And so clere That in my soule / yit thinketh me [I] here The blysful sovn̄ / And [in] that yonder place My lady fyrst / me toke vnto hir grace (84) Than̄ thought he thus / o blisful Cupide what I the proces / haue in my memorye How thou me hast / weryede euery syde Men̄ myght A boke make / lyke story what nede is the / to seke on me victorye Syn̄ I am̄ alwey / At thin one wille what Ioye hastow / thin one folke to spille (85) Wel hastow lorde / y-wroke on̄ me thyn̄ Ire Thou myghtful gode / And dredful for to greue Now mercy lorde / thou wost wyl I desire Thy grace moost / of alle lustes leef And lyue And dye / I wole in thy beleue For wyche I ne axe / in guerdon̄ but A boon̄ That thou Creseide / ayen̄ me sende soone (86) Distreyne hir herte / As fast to Retourne As thou doost myn̄ to longgyn̄ hir to see Than wote I wele / she nyl not longe soiorne Now blisful lorde / so cruel thou ne bee Vnto the blode / of Troye I prey the As Iuvo was / vnto the blode thebane For wych the folke / of thebes caught hir bane (87) And afftyr thys he to the yates wente There as Creseyde oute rode a ful gode pas And vp and dovn̄ there made he many a wente And to hym self / ful ofte he seyde allas From hennes Rode my blys and my solas And wolde blysful gode now for hys Ioye I myght [hir] seen̄ commyng / in-to Troye (88) And to yonder hille / I gan̄ hir guyde Allas And there I toke of hir my leue And yonder I sawe hyr to hyr fadyr Ryde For sorow of wych / my hert wole to-cleve And hyder home I come whant it was eve And here I dwelle / oute caste from̄ alle Ioye And shal tyl I may / seen̄ hir efte in Troye (89) And of hym-self ymagined he ful ofte To ben̄ defect / and pale and waxen̄ lesse Than̄ he was wont / and that men̄ seyd soft what may it be / who may the sothe gesse why Troilus / hath al thys hevinesse And thys nas but hys malyncolye That he hade of hym-self / suche fantasie (90) Anoither tyme ymagyn̄ he wolde That euery wyght that went by the weye hade of hym Routhe / And that they seyn̄ shulde I am̄ ryght sory That Troylus wyl dye And thys he drof forthe A day or twey As ye han herde / such lyf Ryght can̄ he lede As he that stode / betwyx hope And drede (91) For wych he lyked in hys songes shewe Thentencion̄ of hys woo / as he best myght And made A songe / of wordes but a fewe Somwhat hys wooful / hert for to lyght And whan̄ he was / from̄ euery mannes syght wyth softe voys / he of hys lady dere That Absent was gan̄ singe as He may here (92) (Troylus's Song for Cressid) O sterre of wych / lost haue I the lyght wyth hert sore / wel ought I to be-waille That euer derke / in tourment nyght by nyght Towarde my dethe with wynde in stere I saille For wych if that / the tentyth nyght I faille The guyding of thy bemes bryght an̄ houre My shippe And me / karybdys wyl deuoure (93) Thys songe whan̄ he hade songen̄ sone he fil ayen̄ vnto hys sikes olde And euery nyght as he was wonte to don̄ he stode the bryght mone to beholde And al hys sorow to the mone he tolde And seyde y-wys / whan̄ thou Art horned newe I shal be glade / yf al the worlde be trewe (94) I saugh thyn̄ hornes / olde by the morowe whan hennes Rode my Ryght lady dere That causes al my tourment And my sorowe By lenger way / than / it was wont to dooun̄ And seyde ywys me dredith euermor For whan̄ tyn̄ hornes / new ben̄ sprongen̄ Than̄ shal she come / that may me blisse bringe (95) The dayes more / and lenger euery nyght Than they be wont to be he thought thoo And that the sonne went hys cours vnRyght [vn overlined.] By lenger wey than̄ it was wont to doone And seyde ywys me dredyth euer mor The sonnes sone / pheton̄ be on̄ lyue And that is fadir cart Amys he dryue (96) Opon̄ the walles / faste he wolde falke And on̄ the grekys coste / he wolde see And to hym selfe / Ryght thus he wolde talke loo yonder is my lady fair and free Or elles yonder / ther thoo tentes bee And thennes cometh / thys Air that is so sote That in my soule / I fele dothe me bote (97) And hardely thys wynde that more and more Thys stoundemele encreceth in my face Is of my ladyes / depe sykes sore I preue it thus / for in noon̄ other place Of al thys tovn̄ / sauf oonly in thys space Fele I no wynde / þat sovneth so lyke peyne hit seyth Allas / why twynned be we tweyne (98) Thys longe tyme / he dryueth forth Ryght thus Tyl fully passed / was the nynte nygħt And ay besyde hym / was thys pandarus That besely dide al hys myght hym to comfort And make hys hert lyght Yeving hym hope / Alwey the tentith morowe That she shal come / And stynte Al hys sorowe (99) Opon̄ that other syde Was eke Creseyde wyth women fewe A-monge the grekys stronge For wych ful ofte A day Allas she seyde That I was born̄ / wel may myn̄ hert longe Afftyr my deth / for now lyfe I to longe Allas And I ne may / not it Amende For now is worse / than euer yit I wende (100) My fadyr wyl / for nothing do me grace To goon̄ A-yen̄ / for nothing I can̄ hym queme And yf so be / that terme of me passe My Troilus shalt / in hys hert deme That I am fals / And so it may wel seme Thus shal I haue vnthank on̄ euery syde That I was born̄ / so welawey the tyde (101) And yf that I putte me in Iupartie To stele Away / by nyght And it befalle That I be caught / I shal ben̄ holde A spie Or loo thys drede I moost of Alle Yif in the hondes / of som wreche I falle I nam but lost / Al be myn̄ herte trewe Now myghty gode / thou on̄ my sorow Rewe (102) Ful pale y-woxen̄ / was hyr brygħt face hir lymmes lene / As she that Al the day Stofte [? MS.] when̄ she durst / And loked on̄ the place There she was born̄ / And there she dwelt hade Ay And Al the nygħt / weping Allas she lay And thus despired / oute of Al Cure She ledde hyr / lyf thys woful Creature (103) Ful ofte A day / she sighed for distresse And in hir-self / she went portrayng Of Troilus / the grete worthinesse And Alle hys godely / wordes Recordyng Syn̄ first that day / hir loue began̄ to springe And thus she sette / hir wooful hert Afyre Thurgħ Rememberance / of that she can̄ desyre (104) In al thys worlde / nys so cruel herte That hade hir herde / complayn̄ in hir sorowe That nolde han̄ wepte / for hir peynes smerte So tendrely / she wepte bothe eve And morowe hir nedith no terys / for to borowe And thys was yit / the worst of al hir peyne Ther was no wyght / to whom she durst hir pleyn̄ (105) For Rewfullych / she loked vpon̄ Troye Be-hielde the toures / hie and eke the hawlys Allas / quod she the plesance And the Ioye The wych / that now turned in to galle is haue I hade ofte / wythin the yonder wallys O Troylus what dostow now she seyde Lord whetwyx thou / thinke yit vpon̄ Creseyde (106) Allas I ne hade [trowed] on̄ youre lore And weynt with you / As ye me Redde or thys Than hade I not now / sighed half so sore who myght han̄ seyde / that I hade dovn Amys But stele Away / wyth suche oon̄ As he is But al to late / cometh the letuarye Whan̄ men̄ the corse vnto the grave carye (107) To late is now to speke of that matere Prudence Allas / oon̄ of thyn̄ eyen̄ thre Me lackede Alwey / or that I come here On tyme passede / wel Remembre I me And present tyme / eke cowde wel I seye But future tyme / or I was in the snare Cowde I not seyn̄ / that causeth now my care (108) But nathles / Betyde What Betyde I shal tomorow At nyght by est or west Oute of thys hoste / stele in som̄ manere syde And wyth Troilus gan̄ goo / As hym were lyste Thys purpos wole I holde / And thys is beste No force of wycked tonges Iangelorye For euer in loue / wrecches haue envye (109) For who so wyl of euery worde take hede Or Reule hym by euery whyghtes witte Ne shal he neuer thryven̄ oute of drede For that that som men̄ blamen̄ euer yit loke other manere folke commenden̄ hit And as for me / for Al suche varyance Felicite clepe I my soufficiance (110) For wych with-oute [oute overlined.] wordes moo To Troye I wyl as for conclusion̄ But gode it wote / or monethes fully twoo She was ful ferre / fro that entencion̄ For bothe Troilus / and Troies tovn̄ Shal knotles thurhgħ / oute hir herte slyde For she wyl take / a purpos for tabyde (111) Thys Dyomede of hom you I telle gan̄ Gothe now with-ine hym self ay arguyng wyth al the sleyght and al that euer he can̄ how he may beste / with shortes taryng Into hys nette / Creseides hert brynge To thys entent / cowde he neuer fyne To fysshen̄ hyr / he leyde oute hoke and lyne (112) But nathles / wel in hys hert he thought That she nas not / with-oute a loue in Troye For euer sithen̄ / that he hir hens brought Ne cowde he see hir / laugħ ne make Ioye he nyst how beste / hir hert for to Coye But for to Assaye / he seide it not ne greuyth For he that noght / assaithe noght acchiveth (113) Ȝit seyde he to hym selfe vpon̄ a nyght Now am I not a foole / that wote wel how hyr woo fir loue / is of A noither wyght And hervpon̄ / to gon̄ Assaye hir newe I may wel witte / it wyl not by my prowe For wise folk / in bokes it expresse Men̄ wyl not wow / a wyght in hevinesse (114) But who-so myght / wynne suche A floure From hym for whom / she mourneth nyght and day he myght sey / he were A conquerour And Ryght A-non̄ / As he that bolde was Ay Thought in hys hert / happe what happe may Al sholde I dey / I wole hire hert seche I shal no more lese / but myn̄ owne speche (115) Thys Dyomede / As vs bokes declare was in hys nedys / prest and eke couragyous With sterne voys / and myghty lymmes square hardy testyfe / strong and chiualerous Of dedys like / hys fadyr Thideus And som men̄ seyn̄ / he was of tonge large And lord he was / of Calidoignne And Arge (116) CReseyde mene was / of hir stature Therto of shappe / of face and eke of chere Ther myghte be / no fairer Creature And ofte tymes / thys was hir manere To goon̄ in-tressede / with hir heres clere Doune by hir coloure / At hir backe by-hynde wycħ with a threde / of golde she wolde bynde (117) And saue hir browes Ioned in fere Ther was no lake / in ougħt I can̄ aspien̄ But for to speke of hir eyen̄ clere loo trewly wryten̄ / tho that hyr seyn̄ That paradys stoude fourmed in hyr eyne And wyth Ryche beute euermore Stroue loue in hyr Ay wych of hem̄ was more (118) She sobre was / eke simple and wise withale The best y-norysshid that mygħt bee And godelicħ in speche al general Charitable / estalicħ lusty and free Ne neuer moo / ne laked hir pitee Thendere hertede / slydynge of coryage But trewly / I can̄ not telle hir Age (119) And Troilus wel woxen̄ was in heygħt And complet fourmed by proporcion̄ So wel that kynde / it not Amende mygħt Yonge Fressħ / stronge / hard as a lyon̄ Trewe as stele / in eche condicion̄ Oon̄ of the best / entechede creature That is or shal / while that world may dure (120) And certeinly in story it is fonde That Troilus was / neuer to no wygħt As in hys tyme / in no degre seconde In duryn̄g doone / that longeth to a knygħt Al myght A Ieant / passe hym of mygħt his hert Ay with the first And with the beste Stode paregal to dur hir what hym̄ lyst (121) But for to telle fourthe of Dyomede hit fyll that Afftyr / on̄ the tentetħ day Syn̄ that Creseyde oute of the Citee yede Thys Dyomede as fressħ as braunche in may Come to the tente / there As Calkas lay And feyned hym with Calkas / haue to doone But what he ment / I shal you tellen̄ soone (122) CReseide at shorte / wordes for to telle welcomed hym / and dovn̄ hym̄ by hir sette And it was eitħe y-now / to make dwelle And after thys / wythoute lenger lette The spices and the wyn̄ / men̄ fortħ hym fette And forth they speken̄ / of thys and that in fere As frendes doon̄ / of wycħ / som̄ shal ye here (123) Began̄ first fallen̄ / of the werre in specħe Be-twyxen̄ hem̄ / and folk of Troie tovn̄ And of the tasseiage / he gan̄ hir eke by-seche To tellen̄ hym̄ / what was hir opinion̄ Fro that demande / he soo descended dovn̄ To Axen̄ hyr / if that hir straunge thougħt The grekes guyse / And werkes that they wrougħt (124) And why hir fadyr / taried so longe To wedden̄ hir vnto / som̄ worthy knygħt Creseide that was / in hir peynes stronge For loue of Troilus / hir one knygħt As ferfortħ as she / connynge hade or mygħt Answerd hym tho / but of hys entente hit semed not / she wist what he mente (125) But nathles / thys ilke dyomede Gan̄ in hym selfe / Assure and thus he seyde yif ycħ a-Rygħt / haue taken̄ of you hede Me thynketħ / thus lady myn̄ Creseyde That syn̄ I first / honde on̄ your brydel leyde Whan̄ ye oute come / of Troie by the morowe Ne cowde I neuer / see you but in sorowe (126) Can I not Seyn̄ What the cause may bee But yif for loue / of som̄ Troian̄ it were The whycħ Rygħt sore wolde a-thynken̄ [me] That ye for any wygħt / that dwelleth there Shulden̄ spille / a quarter of A tere Or pitously / your-seluen̄ so begyle For dredles yt is not / worth the while (127) The folke of Troie as who seith al and some In̄ pryson̄ bee / As ye your-seluen see Nor thennes shalt / not A lyue come For Al the golde / bytwyx londe And see Trustetħ wele / and vndirstondith me Ther shal [not] oon̄ / to mercy goon̄ on lyue Al were he lorde / of worldes fyue (128) Suche wreche on̄ hem̄ / for fecching of Eleyn Ther shal be take / or that we hennes wende That names / wycħ that goddes ben̄ of peyn̄ Shul ben a-gaste / that grekes wolle hem̄ shende And men̄ shul drede / vnto the worldes ende From̄ henfortħ to Ranysshen̄ any queyn̄ So cruel shal our wreke / on̄ hem̄ [ben] seen̄ (129) And but if Calcas / lede vs by ambages That is to seye / wytħ double wordes sly Sucħ as men clepen̄ / a word with two visages Ye shal wel knowe / that I nogħt lye And al thys thinge seen it were your eye And that a-non̄ / ye nyl not trow how sonne Now taketħ hede / for it is for to dōōn̄e (130) What wene ye / your wyse fadyr wolde Han̄ yeuen̄ Antenor / for you anon̄ yif ye ne wiste / that the Citee shulde Distrowed be / why nay so mote I gon̄ he knowe ful wel / ther not scapen̄ oon̄ That Troian is / And for the grete fere he durst not ye dwelled / no lenger there (131) What wole ye more / louesom lady dere let Troy and Troyan̄ / from your hert passe Dryue oute the bitter hope / and make gode chere And clepe Ayen̄ / the beaute of your face That ye wytħ salt terys so deface For Troye is brougħt / in suche a Iupardie That is to save / is now [no] Remedie (132) And thenketh wel / ye shul in grekys fynde More parfit loue / or it be nygħt Than̄ Any Troyan̄ is / and more kynde And bet to serven̄ you wol doon hys myght And yf ye vouche-saufe / my lady brygħt I wole be he to serve you my selfe Ye leuer than̄ be kyng of greces twelue (133) And wytħ that worde / he gan to waxen Rede And in hys speche / a litel wygħt he quoke And cast a-syde / a litel whygħt hys hede And stynt A while / and aftyrwarde awoke And soubrely / on̄ hir he threw hys loke And seide I am / al be it you no Ioye As gentil a mān̄ / as any wygħt in Troye (134) For [yf] my fadyr Thideus he seyde Y-leued had / I hade y-ben̄ or thys Of Calidoign̄e / And Arge / a kynge Creseyde And so hope I / that I shal y[e]t y-wys But he was slayn̄ / the more harme is Vn-happly / a Thebes al to Rathe Polymytes / And many a man to scathe (135) But hert myn̄ / syn̄ that I am̄ your one man̄ And bethe the first / of whome I seche grace To serve you as hertely as I can̄ And euer shal while / I to lyue haue space So or that I depart / oute of thys place That ye me graunte / that I may tomorowe At bettur leyser / telle you of my sorowe (136) What shulde I telle / the wordes that he seyde he spake ynougħ / for oo day At the leste hit preuetħ wele / he spake soo that Creseide Graunted on̄ the morowe / At hys Requeste For to speke with hym / At the leste Soo that he nolde / speke of suche matere And thus she to hym / seyd as ye may here (137) As she that hade hir hert on̄ Troilus Soo faste that non̄ mygħt it arrace And straungely spake she / And seyd thus O Dyomede I loue that ylke place There I was born̄ / And Ioves for hys grace Deliuere it soone / of al that dothe it care Gode for hys mygħt / so leue it wele to fare (138) That grekes wolde / hir wrathe on̄ Troye wreken̄ yif that they mygħt / I knowe it wele ywys But it shal not fallen̄ as ye speken̄ And gode to-forn̄ / And further ouer thys I wote my fader / wys And redy is And that ye haue me bougħt / As ye me tolde So dere I am̄ the more vnto hym̄ holde (139) That grekys ben̄ of higħ condicion̄ I wote eke wele / but certeine men̄ shal fynde As worthy folke / withine Troye tovn̄ As konnyng As parfit / And as kynde As ben̄ betweyn̄ / Orkades and Inde And that ye cowde / wel your lady serve I trowe it wele / hir thonke for to deserve (140) But as to speke of loue ywys she seyde I hadde a lorde / to whome I wedded was The whos myn̄ hert / Al was tyl that he dyed And other loue As helpe me now Pallas Ther in my hert nys / ne neuer was And that ye be / of noble and hygħ kynrede I haue wel herde it / tellen̄ oute of drede (141) And that [that overlined later.] doth me / to haue so grete wonder That ye wyl scorn̄ any womman̄ soo Eke gode wote loue / And I ben fore A-sondre I am̄ disposed bete / so mote I goo Vnto my dethe / to pleyne / and make woo What shal I afftyr / doon̄ I can̄ not seyn̄ But trewly as yit / me lysteth not to pley (142) Myn̄ hert is now / in tribulacion̄ And ye in harmes / besy day by day herafter whan̄ ye wonnen̄ haue the tovn̄ Paraunter than / it shapen̄ may That whan̄ I see / that I neuer say Than̄ shal I werke / that I neuer wrougħt This worde to you / y-nougħ soufficen ought (143) To morowe eke wyl I speken̄ wyth you fayn̄ So that ye speken̄ / nogħt of thys matere And whan̄ ye lyst / ye may come here A-gayn̄ And Ar ye goon̄ / thus moche I sey you here As helpe me pallas / with hir erys clere yf I shulde / of ony greke haue Routhe It shulde be your-selven̄ by my trouthe (144) I sey not therfore / that I wyl you loue Ne sey not nay / but in conclusion̄ I meen̄ wel by gode / that sitte a-boue And therwyth-Al she caste hir eyen̄ dovn̄ And gan̄ to syke / And seyde O Troye tovn̄ Yit bidde I godde in quiete And in Reste I may you seen / or doo my hert breste (145) But in effect Al shortly to sey Thys Dyomede as fressħly new a-yon̄ Gan̄ presen̄ on̄ / And fast hir mercy prey And afftyr thys to sothe afftyr to seyen̄ hir gloue he toke / of wycħ he was ful fayn̄ And finially / whan̄ it was woxen̄ eve And al was wele / he Roos and toke hys leue (146) The brygħt venus / folowed and ay taugħt The wey there brode / phebus dovn̄ a-lygħt And Cinthea / hir chare-hors ouer Rougħt The whirle oute / the lyon̄ yf she mygħt And signifer hys candeles / shewyth brygħt Whan̄ that Creseyde / vnto hir bedde wente In-wytħ hir fadres brygħt tente (147) Retournyng in hir soule vp and dovn̄ The wordes of thys sodein Dyomede hys grete estat And peryl of the tovn̄ And that she was / Allone and hade nede Of frendes helpe / And thus began̄ to brede The cause why / the sothe for to telle That she toke purpos / for to dwelle (148) The morowe come / and gostely for to speke Thys Dyomede commen is / vnto Creseyde And shortly leste ye my tale breke So wel he for hym selfe / spake and seyde That Alle hir sykes / sore dovn̄ he leyde And finially / the sothe for to seyn̄ he Refte hir of the grete / of al hir peyne (149) And afftyr thys / the story telleth vs That she hym yaf / the fayr bay stede The wych of hym / onys whan Troylus And eke a broche that was ful lytel nede That Troilus was / she yaf thys Dyomede And eke the bette / from̄ sorow hym̄ to Releue She made hym were / a pensel of hir sleue (150) I fynde eke / in the story elles where whan̄ thurgħ the body / hurt was Dyomede Of Troilus / tho wepte she many a tere whan̄ that she sawe / hys wyde woundes blede And that she toke / to kepen̄ hym gode hede And for to hele hym / of hys sorowes smerte Men̄ seyn̄ I not / that she yaf hym hir herte (151) But therwytħ the story telleth vs There made neuer woman more woo Than̄ she / whan that she falsed Troilus Quod she Allas / for now is clene A-goo My name of trouthe / in loue for euermoo For I haue falsed / oon̄ the gentillest Thas euer was / And oon̄ the worthiest (152) a l las of me / vnto the worldes ende Shal neither bee / y-wryten̄ nor y-songe No gode worde / for thys boke wyl me shende Or Rolled shalle I be on̄ many A tonge Thurgħ-oute the worlde / my belle shal be Ronge And wommen wyl hate me moste of alle Allas that suche A cas shulde me byfalle (153) They Wyl seyn̄ / in As moche in me is I haue hem doon̄ dishonour whelaway Al be I not the first that dide A-mys what helpith yit to doon̄ my blame a-wey But syn I seyn̄ / ther is no bettur away And to late is now for me to Rewe [Omitted in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] (154) But Troilus syn I no bettur may And sithen̄ that thus / departen̄ ye And I yit prey I gode / so yiete you Rygħt gode day As for the gentillest trewly That euer I say / to serven̄ feytħfully And best can̄ Ay / hys lady honour kepe And with that worde / she brast vnto wepe (155) And certeys you / ne haten̄ shal I neuer And frendys loue / that shal ye haue of me And my gode worde / Al shuld I lyue euere And trewly I wolde sory be For to seen̄ you in Aduersite And gylteles / I wote wel I you leue And al shal passe / And thus make I my leue (156) But trewly how longe / it was betwene That she forsoke hym̄ / for thys Diomede Ther is non̄ Auctor / telleth it I wene Take euery man̄ / to hys bokes hede he shal no terme fynde oute of drede For thougħ that he began̄ to wowe hir soone Er he hir wanne / yit was ther more to doone (157) Ne me ne lyst / thys sely womman chyde Further than the story wyl devise hir name Allas / ys punysshyd so wyde That of hir gilte / it ougħt y-now suffice And yf I myght / excusen hir Any wyse For she so sory was / for hir vntrouthe I-wys I wolde / excuse hir yit for Routhe (158) Thys Troilus as he beforn̄ haue tolde Thus dryveth forthe / As wel as he had mygħt But ofte was hys hert colde And hote And namly that ylke tentyth nygħt Wycħ in the morow / she hade hym byhygħt To come a-yen̄ / gode wote ful litel Reste Hedde he that nyght / nothing slepe hym lyste (159) The laurer crovned / phebus with hys hete Gan in hys cours / vpwarde as he wente To warmen̄ of the est see / the wawes wete And Nysus dougħter / songe with ffressħ entent whan Troilus / hys pandare Aftyr sente And on̄ the walles / of the tovn̄ the pleyde To loke yf they / can̄ seen̄ ougħt of Creseide (160) Tyl it was noone / they stoden̄ for to see who that ther come / And euery manere wyght That come fro fere / they seyden̄ it was she Tyl that they cowde / Knowen̄ hem arygħt Now was is hert / double now was it lygħt And thus beiapede / stoden̄ for to stare A-boute nought / thys Troylus And Pandare (161) To pandare thys Troylus tho seyde For Augħt I wote / before noone sykerly In-to thys tovn̄ / ne cometh not Creseyde She hath ynow to doo sykerly To wynne fro hyr fadyr so wene I her olde fadyr / wyl yit make hir dyne Er that she goo gode yeue hys hert pyne (162) Pandare Answerd it may wel be certein And for-thy let vs dyne I the beseche And Afftyr noone / thou maist come A-yen̄ And home they goo / with-oute more speche And come Ayen̄ / but longe they may seche Er that they finde / that they Afftyr gape Fortune hem bothe / thinketh for to Iape (163) Quod Troylus I see wel now that see Is taryed with / hir olde fadyr soo That er she come / it wyl nygħ even̄ be Come fortħ I wyl / to the yate goo Thes porters ben̄ vnkonnynge euermoo And I wyl doon̄ hem̄ / holde vp the yate As nogħt ne were / Al-thogħ she come late (164) The day gotħ faste / And Aftyrward cometħ eve And yit cometh not / to Troilus Creseyde he loketh forth / by hegge by tree And greue And ferre hys hede / ouer the walle he leyde And At the laste / he tourned hym And seyde By gode I wote / hyr menynge quod pandare Almoste y-wys / Al newe was Al my care (165) Now douteles thys lady can̄ hir gode I wote she meneth / Ryden̄ pryuely I commende hir wysdom̄ / by my hode She wyl not maken̄ / peple nycely Gaure on̄ hir / whan she cometħ but softely By nygħt in-to the tovn / she thinketh Ryde And dere brother / ne thinke longe tabyde (166) We haue not ellys / to Doon̄ y-wys And pandarus / wyltow now trowe me haue here my trouth / I see hir yonde she is heue vp thyn eyen̄ / may thou not see Pandare Answerde / nay so mote I the Al wronge by gode what seestow man̄ where Arte That I see yonde / nys but A fayre carte (167) Allas thou seyst / ful sothe quod Troilus But hardely / it is nogħt al for nogħt That in my hert / I Reiose now thus hit is a-yenst / som gode I haue A-thougħt But I not how / but syn̄ that I was wrought Ne felte I suche / A conforte suth to sey She cometħ to-nyght / my lyf that durst I ley (168) Pandare Answerd / it may be wel y-nougħ And hiel with hym / of al that euer he seyde But in hys herte / he thougħt and softe lougħ And to hym selfe / ful sobrely he seyde From̄ hasylwode / there Ioly Robbyn̄ pleyde Shal come al that / thou abidest here Ye farelwel al the froste of feruere (169) The warden̄ of the yates gan̄ to calle The folke wycħ that / wyth-oute the yates were And bade hem dryven̄ / In her bestes Alle Or al the nyght / the moste beleue there And fer wyth-in / the nyght with many A tere Thys Troylus / gan̄ homward for to Ryde For wele he seyth / it helpitħe not tabyde (170) But nathles / he gladded hem̄ in thus he thougħt he mys accompted had hys day And seyde I vndyrstonden̄ haue a-mys For thylke nyght / that I last Creseyde say She seyde .I. shal be here / yf that I may Or that the mone / O dere hert swete The lyon̄ passe / oute of thys Aryete (171) For Wycħ she may / yit holde al hyr byeste And on̄ the morowe / he to the yate Went And vp And dovn̄ / by west And eke by est Vpon̄ the walles / made he many a wente But Al for nougħt / hys hope Alwey hym̄ blente For wych At nygħt / in sorowes And sykes sore he wente hym home / with-houten̄ any more (172) Hys hope al clene / oute of hys hert fledde he nathe wherin̄ / now lengur for to longe But for the peyne hym / thougħt hys hert bledde So were hys throwes / sharpe And wondur stronge For whan he saw / that she A-boode so longe he nyst what he iugen̄ of it mygħt Syth she hath broken̄ / that she hym behygħt (173) The thryde forthe / fyfte syxte day Aftyr tho dayes / ten of wych I tolde Betwyxen̄ hope / And drede hys hert lay yit somwhat trusten / on̄ hir hestes olde But whan̄ he sawe / she nolde hir terme holde he can̄ now seen̄ / noon̄ other Remedie But for to shape / hym soone for to dye (174) Ther-with the wycked spirit gode vs blesse wyche that men clepe / the wode Ialosie Gan in hym crepe / in al hys hevinesse For wych by cause / he wolde soone dye he ete ne dranke / for hys malyncolye And eke from̄ euery companye he fledde Thys was lyf / that al the tyme he leyde (175) He so defeit was / that no manere mane Vnnethe myght hym̄ / knowe there he wente Soo was he leene / And Also pale and whan̄ And feble that he / walked wyth a potente And with hys Ire / he thus hym self shente But who so axede hym / wherof he smerte he seyde hys harme / was al a-boute his herte (176) Pryam ful ofte / And eke hys moder dere hys brethern̄ And hys sustres / gan̄ hym freyne Why he sorowful was / in al hys chere And what thinge was / the cause of al hys peyne But Al for nougħt / he nolde hys cause pleyne But seyde he felte / a greuous maladye A-boute hys hert / And fayne he wolde dye (177) Soo on̄ A day he leyde hym̄ dovn̄ to slepe And so befelle in his slepe / hym thougħt That in a forest / faste he welk to wepe For loue of hyr / that hym thys peyne wrought And vp And dovn̄ / as he the forest sougħte hym mette he sawe / A boor with tuskes grete That slepe Ayen̄ / the brygħt sonnes hete (178) And by thys boor / fast in armes folde lay kyssynge ay / hys lady brygħt Creseyde For sorow of wych / whan he it gan̄ beholde And for despite / oute of hys slepe he breyde And lowde he cryede / on pandarus and seyde O pandarus now knowe I knope and Rote I nam but dede / ther nys noon other bote (179) My lady bryght / Creseyde hathe me betrayed In whom I trusted / most of Any wyght She elles where / hath now hyr hert apayede The blysful goddes / thurgħ hyr grete mygħt han in my dreme / y-shewyd it ful Ryght Thus in my dreme / Creseyde I haue beholde And al thing / to pandarus he tolde (180) O my Creseyde / Allas what subtilitee what new lust what new beaute what wrathe of Iust / cause han ye to me what gylte of me / what felle experience hath fro me Rafte / Allas thyn Aduertence O truste / O feyth / o depe Asurance who hath me Rafte / Creseyde al my plesance (181) Allas why let I you / from̄ hennes goo For wych wel nygh / oute of my witte I [witte I overlined.] breyde who shal nowe trowe / on any wothes moo Gode wote I wende / O lady bryght lady Crescyde That euery worde / was gospel that ye seyde But who may bete / begyle if that hym lyste Than he on̄ whome / men̄ weneth best to truste (182) What shal I doon̄ my pandarus Allas I fele now soo sharpe And newe peyne Syn that ther lyeth / no Remedye in thys cas That bete were hit / with myn̄ own̄ hondes tweyn̄ My self I slougħ / than Alwey thus to pleyne For thurgh the dethe / my woo shulde haue an̄ ende That euery day / my self with lyf I shende (183) Pandare Answerde And seyde Allas the whyle That I was born̄ / haue I not seyde or thys That dremes may a maner man̄ begyle And why for folke expounen̄ hem̄ Amys How darstow sey / that fals thy lady is For any dreme / Rygħt for thyn one drede let be thus thougħt / thou canst not dremes Rede (184) Peraunter there thou dremest of thys boor hit may so ben̄ / that it may signifie hir fadyr wycħ / that olde is And eke hore A-yenst the sonne / lygħt in poynt to dye And she for sorow / gynneth wepe And crye And kysseth hym / there he lyetħ on̄ the grovnde Thus shuldestow / thy dreme A-Ryght expounede (185) How myght I than quod Troilus To know of thys / ye were it neuer so lyte Now seystow wysly quod pandarus My Rede is thys / sith thou canst welɫ endite That hastely A lettre thou hir wrytte Thurgh wych thou shalt / bringe it wel A-boute To know A sooth / of wych thou Art in doute (186) And see now why / for thys I dar wel seyn̄ That if so is / that she vntrew be I can̄ not trowen̄ / she wyl wryten̄ a-yen̄ And yf she wryte / thou shalt Ryght soon̄ see As whether she hatħ / any libertee To come A-yen̄ / or elles in som clause Yif she be lete / she wole assygne A clause (187) Thou hast not wryten̄ hir syn she wente Nor she to the / and that [that overlined] durst I leye There may suche cause / be in hyr entente That hardely / thou wylt thy self seye That hyr abode the best is for you tweye Now write I hir than̄ And shalt fele soonne A sothe of al / there nys no more to doone (188) Accordede ben̄ to thys conclusion̄ And that a-non̄ / thes ylke lordes twoo And hastely / satte Troilus A-doovn̄ And Rolletħ in hys hert to And froo How he may best / discryven̄ hir hys woo And to Creseyde / his one lady dere He wrote Rygħt thus / And seyde as ye may here (189) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde) Rygħt fressh flour Whos I been̄ haue And shal Wythouten part / of elles where seruise wyth hert. body / lyf / lust and al Litera Troili I wooful wyght / in euery humble wyse That tonge telle / or hert may deuyse As oft as matere / occupieth place Me recomaunde / vnto your noble grace (190) And like it you / to witen̄ swete hert As ye wel know / how longe tyme a-gon̄ That ye me lefte / in aspre peynes smerte whan that ye went / of wych yit boote noon̄ Haue I yit hade / but euer worse begon̄ Fro day to day / I am And so / mote dwelle while it you list / of wele and woo me welle (191) For wych to you / whyth dredful hert trewe I write as he that sorow dryueth to wryte My woo that euery houre encrecith newe Complenynge as I can̄ and dar endite And that defacede is / that may wite The terys wycħ / that fro myn̄ eyen̄ tweyn̄ That wolden̄ speke / yf that they cowde and pleyn̄ (192) You first beseche / I that your eyen̄ clere To loke on̄ hys defouled / ye not holde And ouer al thys / that ye my lady dere Wyl vouch-saufe / thys lettre to beholde And by the cause eke / of my cares colde That sleeth my witte / if aught amys masterte For-yeue it me myn̄ / owne swete hert (193) (Troilus's Letter to Criseyde, continued) Yif any seruant / durst or augħt A-Rygħt Vpon̄ hys lady / pitously compleyne Than wene I that I ougħt be that whyght Considered thys / that ye thys monethes tweyne han taryed / there ye seyde sothe to seyne But dayes ten / ye nolde in host soiourne But in two monethes / yit ye not Retourne (194) And for as moche / as me mote nedys lyke Alle that you lust / I dar not pleyne more But humbly / wyth sorowful sykes syke You write I myn̄ vnresty / sorowes sore Fro day to day / desiring euermore To knowen̄ fully / yif your wille it were how ye han ferde / and don̄ while ye ben̄ there (195) The whos welfare and hele eke and encrece In honour suche / that vpward in the gre hit grow alwey / soo that it neuer cese Ryght As your hert / can̄ ay my lady free Devise I prey gode / so mote it be And graunt it soone / that ye vpon̄ me Rewe As wisly as in al / I am vnto you trewe (196) And yf it lyke you to know of the fare Of me whos woo / ther may no wyght discryue I can̄ no more / but cheste of euery care At wrytynge of thys lettre I was on̄ lyue Al Redy oute / my wooful gost to dryue wyche I delay / and holde hym yit in honde Vpon the sygħt / of matere of your sonde (197) (Troilus's Letter continued) Myn eyen̄ twoo / in veyne wyth wych I see Of sorowfulle terys / salte ar woxen̄ welles My songe my pleynt / of myn̄ aduersite My good in harme / myn̄ ese eke woxen̄ helle is My Ioye in who / I can̄ sey you not ellys But tournede is / for wych my lyf I warye Euery Ioye / or ese in hys contrarie (198) Nych With your commynge / A-yen̄ to Troye ye may Redresse And more thousand sithe Than̄ euer I hade / encrecen̄ in my Ioye For was ther neuer / her[te] yit so blithe To haue hys lyf / as I shal ben̄ as swyth As I you see / And though no manere Routhe Come in you / yit thenkyth on̄ your trouthe (199) And yf so be / my gilt dethe haue deserued Or yf you lust / no more vp-on̄ me see In guerdon yit / of that I haue you¹ serued [you overlined; first deserued] I Be-seche you / myn̄ one lady free That thervpon̄ ye wolde write me For loue of gode / my Ryght lode stere That dethe may make / an ende of al my were (200) Yif other cause / Aught dothe you for to dwelle That with your lettre / ye me Reconfort For though to me / your Absence is an helle wyth pacience y wyl / my woo conforte And wyth your lettre / of hope I wyl disport Now writeth swete / And lat me thus not pleyne wyth hope or dethe / deliuereth me from̄ peyne (201) (Troilus's Letter continued) I-wys myn̄ one dere hert trewe I wote that whan̄ ye me next see So lost haue I myn̄ hele And eke myn̄ ewe Creseyde shal not knowe me I-wys myn̄ hertis day my lady fre Soo thrusteth ay my hert to beholde Your beaute / that vnnethe my lyf I holde (202) I sey no more / al haue I for to sey To you wel more than I tellen̄ may But whetwyx that ye do me lyue or dey yit prey I gode / so yeue you Ryght gode day And fareth wel godely feyr fressh may As she that lyf / or deth me may commaunde And to your trouthe / ay I me Recommaunde (203) Wyth hele swych / but that ye yeuen̄ me The same hele / I shal noon̄ hele haue In you lieth whan ye list that it so be The day on wyche / me clothen̄ shal my graue In you my lif / in your myght for to save Me from̄ disese / of alle peynes smerte And fare now wele / myn̄ one swete herte [Letter ends.] (204) Thys lettre forth / was sent vnto Creseyde Of wych hir Answere / in effect was thys Ful pitously / she wrote A-yen̄ and seyde That al so sone / As / she myght ywys She wolde come / And mende that was A-mys And finially she wrote hym and seyde thanne She wolde come / ye but she nyst whanne (205) But in hir lettre / made she festes That wonder was / And swerith she loues hym best Of wych he fonde / but bottomles behestes Tut Troilus thou maist / now est or west Pype in an Ivy lef / yf that the list Thus gothe the worlde / And shel vs from̄ mischance And euery wyght / that meneth treuthe Avanche (206) Encrecen gan̄ / the woo fro day to nyght Of Troilus / for taring of Creseyde And lassen̄ gan̄ hys hope / And eke hys myght For wych a-doon̄ in hys bedde hym ledde Ne note ne dranke / ne slepe ne worde ne seyde Imagenynge ay that she was vnkynde For wych wel nygh he wex oute of hys mynde (207) Thys dreme of wych I haue tolde eke be-forn̄ May neuer come oute of hys Remeberance he thynketh Alwey / he hade hys lady lorn̄ And that Ioves of hys purpiance Hym̄ swede hade in slepe the signifiance Of hyr vntrouthe / And of hys disaventure And that the boor was shewed hym in figure (208) For wych he for Gibile hys suster sente That called was Cassandre eke Al aboute And al hys dreme he tolde hyr Ar he stynte And hir besoughte / Assoilen hym the doute Of the stronge boor with hys tuskes stoute And finially with-in a litel stounde Cassandre hym gan̄ Ryght thus hys dreme expounde (209) She gan̄ first smyle / And seyd o brother dere Yif thou a sothe / of thys desirest know Thou most a few / of olde storyes here To purpos how that fortune ouer-throwe [Left out in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] Thou wel thys boor / shal know And what kynde He comen̄ is As men in bokes fynde (210) Dyane Wych / that wrouthe And in Ire For goddes nolde / hir doon̄ sacryfyce Nencence vpon / hir Atter sette Afyre She for the grekys gonne hir so despise wrake Ire in a wonder cruel wyse For wyth a bore / As grete As oxe in stalle She made vp frete / hir corn̄ and vynes Alle (211) To slee thys boor / was Al the contre Reysed A-monges wych ther com thys boor to see A mayde / oon̄ of thys worlde y-preysede And Meliagre / lord of that contre he loued soo / thys ffresshe mayde fre That with hys manhode / or he wolde stynte Thys boor he slough / And hir the hede he sente (212) Of wych / as olde bokes tellen̄ vs Ther Rose A contek / And grete envie And of thys lord descended Thydeus By lygne / And elles olde bokes lye But how thys Meliagre gan̄ to dye Thurgh hys moder / wil I not you telle For Al to longe / it were for to dwelle (213) She tolde eke how Thideus or she stynte Vnto the stronge Citee of Thebes To clammen kyngdom̄ of the Citee wente For hys felawe / Dam polymytes Of wych the brother / Dam Ethiocles Ful wrongfully / of Thebes hielde the strengħte Thys tolde she by proces al by lenghe (214) She tolde hym how homonydes asterte whan Thydeus slough fyfty knyghtes stoute She tolde eke / alle the prophecies by herte And how / .vii. knyghtes wyth hir Route Bysegeden the Cite Al a-boute And yf the holy / serpent And the welle And of the furyes alle / she gan̄ hym telle [Argument of the 12 Books of Statius's Thebais.] Associat profugum / Thideo primus polimitem Thydea ligatum / docet insidias-que secundus Tercius homededen / canit et vates latitantes Quartus habet Reges / ineuntes prelia septem̄ Mox furie lennie quinto narratur et Anguis Archemory bustum / sexto ludique leguntur Dat grayos thebes / et vatem septimus vmbris Octauo cecidit / Thydeus spes vita phalesgis ypomedon̄ nono / moritur cum partonepea Fulmine percussus / Decimo cappaneus superatur Vndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres Argyua flentem narrat duodonus et ignem (215) Of Archymorys / buriynge of the pleys And how Amphorax / felle thurgh the grounde How Thideus was slayn̄ / lord of Argyes And how ypomedon / in litel stounde was dede And dreynt / parthenope of wounde And eke how kynge / cappaneus the proude Wyth thondre dynte / was slayn̄ that cryed lovde (216) She gan̄ eke telle hym / how that eyther brother Ethiocles And polomyte Also At A scarmyssħ / eche of hem slough other And of Argyves / weping And hir woo And how the tovn̄ was brent she tolde eke Also And so descendeth dovn̄ from̄ gestes olde To Dyomede / And thus she spake And tolde (217) Thys ylke boor / betokeneth Dyomede Thydeus sone / that descended dovn̄ ys Fro meliagre / that made the boor to blede And thy lady where she be Ywys Thys Dyomede / hir hert [hath] And she hys wepe yf thou wylt / or lef for oute of doute Thys Dyomede / Is inne and thou Art oute (218) Thou seyst not sothe / quod he thou sorceresse with al thy fals gost of prophecyes Thou wenest be a grete diuineresse Now seest now / thys foole of fantasies Peyneth hir / on̄ ladyes for to lye A-wey quod he there Ioues yeue the sorowe Thou shalt ben̄ fals paraunter yit to morowe (219) Alswel thou myghtest lyen on̄ Alceste That was creature but men lye That euer wheren̄ / kyndest and the beste For whan̄ hir vsbonde / was in Iupartie To dye hymself / but yf she wolde dye She chees for hym / to dye and goo to helle And starf anon̄ / as vs the bokes telle (220) Cassandre goth / And he with cruel hert For-yat hys woo / ffor Angre of hyr speche And from hys bedde / Al sodeinly he sterte As thogh / al hool hym hade made a leche And day by day / he gan̄ enquere And seche A sothe of thys / with al hys ful cure And thus he dryveth forthe hys Aventure (221) Fortune [-tune overlined later.] wych that permutacion̄ Of thinges hath / as hit is committed By purpiance / And disposicion̄ Of high Iuves / as Reignes shal be flitted Fro folk in folk / or whan̄ they shal be smitted Gan pulle awey / the ffetheres bryght of Troye From day to day / tyl they be bare of Ioye (222) Among al thys / the fyn̄ of the paradoie Of Ector gan̄ / approchen̄ wonder blyue The face wolde / hys soule shulde vnbodye And shapen̄ hade / a meen̄ hit oute to dryue A-yens wych face hym helpeth not to stryue But on̄ a day. to fyghten̄ gan̄ he wende At wych Allas he caught hys lyues ende (223) For wych me thynketh euery manere wygħt That haunteth Armes oughte to be-wayle The dethe of hym that was so noble a knygħte For as he drowe / A kynge by the ventaille Vnware of this / Achilles thurgħt the maille And thurght the bodi / gan̄ him for to Ryve And thus this worthy knight was brogħt / of lyue (224) For whom as olde bokes tellen̄ vs Was made suche woo / that tonge it may not telle And nameli / this sorowfull Troilus That next hym was / of wurthines the welle And in this woo / gan̄ troillus to dwelle That what for sorow / loue and for vnreste Full ofte a day / he bad his hert breste (225) But natheles / thurgh he gan̄ hym dispeir And dredde that his Lady was vntrewe Yit ay on hir / his hert gan̄ Repaire And as thes louer / doon̄ he sough alle newe To gete ageyn / Creseide bright of hewe And in his hert / he wente hir excusinge That Calkas caused / al hir taryinge. (226) And often̄ tymes he was in purpos grete Hym selfe like a pilgrime / to disgise To seen hir / but he may not contrefete To be vnknowen̄ / of folke that weren̄ wise Ne fynde excuse / a-Right that may souffise Yif he a-monge the grekes knwen̄ were For whiche he wepte / ful ofte and many a tere (227) To hir he wrote / ful ofte tyme al newe Ful pitousli / he left it for no slouthe Besechinge hir / that sithen he was trewe That she wolde come / ayen̄ and holde hir trouthe For whicħ Creseide / vpon̄ a day for Routhe I take hit soo / touchinge alle this matere wrote him ayen̄ / and seide as ye may here (228) (Criseyde's Letter to Troilus) Cupides sone / ensample of godelyhede O. swerd of knyghthode / cours of gentilnesse Howe myght a wight / in tourment and drede And heleles / you sende as yit gladnesse I hertles / I sike I / in distresse Syn ye withe me / ne I withe you may dele You neither sen I / hert may nor hele (229) Youre lettres full / the papere al I-pleynted Conceyued hath / my hertis pitee I haue eke seen̄ / withe terys al depaynted Þoure lettre / and how that / ye requeren me To come ayen̄ / which yit ne may not bee But whi / lest that this lettre yfounde were No mencion̄ make I now for fere. (230) Greuous to me / god wote is your vnreste Þoure haste / and that the goddes ordinaunce Hit semeth noght / ye take it for the best Nor other thinge / is in youre Remembraunce As thinkithe me / but oonly youre plesaunce But beth not wroothe . and that I you beseche For that I tarye / is alle for wikked speche (231) (Criseyde's Letter continued) For I haue herde wel more that I wende Touchinge vs too / how thinges han̄ I-stonde Whiche I shaɫɫ / withe dissymelinge amende And bethe not Wrothe / I haue eke vnderstonde How ye ne doon̄ / but holden̄ me on honde But nowe no force / I can̄ not in you gesse But aɫɫ treuth / and eke aɫɫ gentelnesse (232) Come I wilɫ but yit in swicħ disioynt I stonde as now þat what yere or day That this shall be / that can I not appoynt But in effecte / y pray yow as I may Of your gode worde / And frendchype ay For truly while that my lyf may dure As for a frende / ye may in me Assure (233) Yit pray I you / on̄ euyl ye ne take That it is shorte / wych that I to you wryte I dar not there I am wel lettres make Ne neuer yit / cowde I wel endite Eke grete Affecte / men̄ write in place lite Then̄ entent is al / And not lettres space And fareth now wel / god haue you in hys grace. [Letter ends.] (234) Thys Troilus / thys lettre thougħt al straunge Whan he yt saugh / And sorowfully sygħt hym thougħt it like / a kalendes of a chaunge But finially / he fulɫ ne trowen̄ mygħt That she ne wolde hym holde as she hygħt For wycħ ffull evyl wyl lyst hym to leve That louetħ wel / in suche cas thogħ hym greve (235) But natles men̄ seyn At the laste For Any thinge / men̄ shal the sothe see And suche A cas betyde And that as faste [Left out in Harl. 1239. No gap for it.] Nas not so kynde / as that hir ougħt to bee And finially he wote now oute of doute That al is loste / that he hath gon̄ A-boute (236) Stode on̄ a day / in hys malyncolye Thys troilus / And in suspecion̄ Of hir for whom̄ / he wende for to dye And so befelle / that thorogh Troye tovn̄ As was the gyse / born was vp and dovn̄ A manere Cote Armere as seyth the storye Beforn̄ Dephebe / in sygne of hys victorye (237) The wyche Cote / as telleth lollius Deiphebus it hade Rente fro Dyomede The same day / And whan Thys troilus hit saugħ / he gan̄ to take of hit hede A-vising of the lengetħ And of the breyde And al the werke / but as he gan̄ beholde Ful sodeinly / hys hert gan̄ to colde (238) As he that on̄ the coler fonde with-ine A broche that he / Creseyde yaf that morow That she from̄ Troye / must nedeles twynne In Remememberance / of hym And of hys sorow And she hym leyde / hir feyth to borow To kepe it ay / but now fulɫ wel he wyst Hys lady vas no lenger on̄ to truste (239) [The usual large Initial letter is omitted here.] he gothe hym whome and gan̄ ful sone sende For pandarus / and al thys newe chaunce And of thys broche / he tolde hym worde and ende Compleynynge / of hir hertis variance hys longe loue / hys trouthe And hys penance And afftyr dethe wyth-oute wordes more Ful fast he cryede / hys Reste to hym Restore (240) Than spake he thus / o lady myn̄ Creseyde where is your feytħ / And where is your beheste where is your loue / were is your trouthe he seyde Of Dyomede / haue ye now al thys feste Allas I wolde / han̄ trowed atte leste That sythe he nolde / in trouthe to me stonde That ye thus nolde / halden̄ me in honde (241) Who shal now trowe on̄ any othes moo Allas I wolde / neuer wened or thys That ye Creseyde cowde han changede soo Ne but I hade A-gylte and dovn̄ A-mys Soo cruel Wende I not your Hert ywys To slee me thus / allas your name of trouthe Is now fordovn̄ / and that is al my Routhe (242) Was there non̄ other broche / you liste lete To feffe with your / new loue quod he But thilke broche / that I with terys Wete you yaf as for A Rememberance of me Non̄ other cause / allas ne had ye But for despite / and eke for that ye mente Alɫ bitterly to shew / your entente (243) Thurgh wycħ I see / that clene oute of your mynde Ye han me caste / and I ne can̄ nor may For al thys worlde / with-ine my hert fynde To vnlouen̄ you / a quarter of a day In cursed tyme / I born̄ was welaway That ye that doo me / al this [this overlines] world endure yit loue I beste / of any creature (244) Now gode quod he / me sende yit thy grace That I may mete with thys Dyomede And trewly yf I may haue mygħt and space yit shal I make / I hope hys sydes blede O gode quod he / that oughtest take hede To further trouthe / And wronges to punyce Wy nyl thou / doo a Vengeance of thys vice (245) O Pandare that in dremes for to truste Me blamed hast / And wont oft vpbreyde Now maistow seen̄ / thisel / yf that the liste how trewe is now thy nece brygħt Creseyde In sondry fourmes / gode yt wote he seyde The goddes shewen̄ / bothe Ioye And tene In slepe / And by my / dreme it is now seene (246) And certeinly / with-oute more speche From̄ henforth / as ferforth as I may Myn̄ one dethe / in Armes wol I seche I Recche not how soone / by the day But trewly / Creseyde swete may Whom I haue ay / with al my mygħt yseruede That ye thus doovn̄ / I haue it not deservede (247) This pandarus that aɫɫ thes thinges herde And wyst wel he seyde A sothe of thys he not a worde / ayen̄ to hym answerde For sory of hys frendes sorow he is And shamed / for hys nyce hath doon̄ A-mys And stant A-stoned / of thes cases tweye As stylle as ston̄ / a worde ne cowde he seye (248) But at the last / thus spake he and seyde My brother dere / I may doo þe nomore what sholde I seyn̄ / I hate ywys Creseide And gode wote I wyl / hate hir euermore And that thou me / besoughtest of youre Hauynge vnto my honour and my reste Ryght no Rewarde / I dide al that the liste (249) Yif I dide ougħt / that myght liken̄ the It is my lief / and of thys treson̄ now Gode wote that it a sorow is vnto me And dredles / for hertes ese of you Ryght fayn̄ I wolde / a-mende wyst I how And fro thys worlde / almygħty gode I pray Deliuer hir soone / I can̄ nomore seyn̄ (250) Grete was the sorow / And pleynt of Troylus But forthe hir cours / ay fortune gan̄ to holde Creseyde loueth / the sone of Thideus And Troilus mote wepe in cares colde Suche is the Worlde / Who-so can̄ it beholde That in suche thinge / is litel hertis Reste God leve vs / for to take it for the beste (251) In many cruel bataille oute of drede Of Troilus thus ylke noble knygħte As men̄ may in thys olde [olde overlined.] bokes Rede Was seen̄ hys knygħthode / And hys grete myght And dredles hys Ire / day and nygħt Ful cruelly thy grekys ay a-boughte And alwey most / thys Dyomede he sougħt (252) And ofte tyme I fynde that they mete With blody strokes / and with wordes grete Assaing / how hir speres weren̄ whette And gode wote / with many cruel hete Gan̄ Troilus vpon̄ / hys helme to bete But natlees fortune / hit ne wolde Of others hande / that either dyen̄ shulde (253) And yf I hade taken̄ for to write Tharmes of thys ylke Worthy man̄ Than wolde I of his batailles endite But for that I to writen̄ first I began̄ Of hys loue / I haue seyd as I can̄ Hys worthy dedes who-so lust hem̄ here Rede Dares / he can̄ telle aɫɫ in fere (254) Beseching euery lady / bryght of hewe And euery gentilwoman̄ what she be That al be it / Creseyde was vntrewe That for that gilt / ye be not wrothe with me Ye may hir gilt / in other bokes see And gladelyer wole I / write yf that ye lyst Penelopes trouthe and gode Alceste (255) Ne sey I not thus / oonly for thys men̄ But most for women̄ / that betrayed be Thurgħ fals folk / gode yeue hem̄ sorow Amen̄ That hir grete witte / and subtelte Betrayeth so you and thus comeuethe me To speke and in effecte / I you al pray Beware of men̄ / and herken̄ what I seye (256) Goo litel boke my litel Targedye sic There gode thy makere / yit or that he deye Soo sende mygħt / to make in comedie Som̄ litel boke / causink noon̄ envie But subget to [to overlined.] be / to al posye And kysse the stappes / where as thou seest space Virgile . Ouyde . Omer / Lucan and stace (257) And for there is so grete diuersitee In englissħ / and in writinge of your tonge So prey to gode / that noon̄ myswrite the Ne the mysmetre / for defaute of tonge And Redde whersoo thou bee or elles songe That thou be vnderstonde / gode I beseche But yit to purpos / of my Rather speche (258) The wrathe / as I be-gan̄ you for to seye Of Troilus the grekes boughten̄ dere For thousandes / hys hondes maden̄ dye As he that was wythouten̄ any pere Save Ector in hys tyme as I can̄ here But welaway / wyth-oute goddes wille Ful pitously / hym slough the fiers Acchille (259) [The usual large initial letter is wanting here, and in the margin is nota.] And whan̄ that he was slayn̄ in thys manere hys lyght goost ful blisfully wente Vp to the holownesse / of the seuentħ spere. In conuers lotyng · euerich element / And there he saugh with fuɫɫ a-visemente Therratyk sterres herkenynge hermonye With sovnes fuɫɫ / of heuenesse melodie (260) And dovn̄ fro thennes fast he can̄ Avise Thys litel spotte of erthe / that with the see Enbraced is / and fully gan̄ devise Thys wrechyd worlde And hield al vanite To Respecte of that pleine felicite That is in heuen̄ A-boue and at laste There he was slayn̄ / hys lokynge dovn̄ he caste [Addit. 12,044 ends here.] (261) And hym self lougħ Ryght at the woo Of hem̄ that wepten̄ / for hys deth so faste And dam̄pned alle / oure werkes that folowyth soo The blynde lust / the wycħ may not laste And shulden̄ al oure hert in heuen̄ caste And forth he wente / shortly for to telle There as mercurye / shortetħ hym to dwelle (262) Swych fyn̄ hath loo / thys Troilus for loue Suche fyn̄ hath alle / hys grete worthynesse Swycħ fyn̄ hatħ hys estat ryal a-boue Suche fyn̄ hys lust / suche fyn hys noblesse Swycħ fyn̄ hatħ / worldes brotelnesse And thus be-gan̄ / hys loving of Creseyde As I haue tolde / and in thys wyse he dyede