book 3

, pr. 8, p. 81.)

I have seen the following elsewhere:

(1) Value not beauty, for it may be destroyed by a three days’ fever.

(See _Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 81.)

(2) There is no greater plague than the enmity of thy familiar friend.

(See _Chaucer’s_ translation, p. 77.)

* * * * *

Chaucer did not English Boethius second-hand, through any early French version, as some have supposed, but made his translation with the Latin original before him.

Jean de Méung’s version, the only early French translation, perhaps, accessible to Chaucer, is not always literal, while the present translation is seldom free or periphrastic, but conforms closely to the Latin, and is at times awkwardly literal. A few passages, taken haphazard, will make this sufficiently clear.

_Et dolor ætatem jussit inesse suam._ And sorou haþ comaunded his age to be in me (p. 4).

Et ma douleur {com}ma{n}da a vieillesse Entrer en moy / ains quen fust hors ieunesse.

_Mors hominum felix, quæ se nec dulcibus annis Inserit, et mæstis sæpe vocata venit._

Þilke deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben swete (i. _mirie_). but comeþ to wrecches often yclepid. (p. 4)

On dit la mort des ho{m}es estre eureuse Qui ne vie{n}t pas en saiso{n} pla{n}tureuse Mais des tristes mo{u}lt souue{n}t appellee Elle y affuit nue / seche et pelee.

_Querimoniam lacrymabilem._ Wepli compleynte (p. 5). Fr. ma complainte moy esmouuant a pleurs.

_Styli officio._ Wiþ office of poyntel (p. 5). Fr. (que ie reduisse) p{ar} escript.

_Inexhaustus._ Swiche . . . þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid (p. 5). Fr. inconsumptible.

_Scenicas meretriculas._ Comune strumpetis of siche a place þat men clepen þe theatre (p. 6). Fr. ces ribaudelles fardees.

_Præcipiti profundo._ In ouer-þrowyng depnesse (p. 7).

[L]As que la pensee de lomme Est troublee et plongie comme En _abisme precipitee_ Sa propre lumiere gastee.

_Nec pervetusta nec incelebris._ Neyþer ouer-oolde ne vnsolempne (p. 11). Fr. desquelz la memoire nest pas trop ancienne ou no{n} recitee.

_Inter secreta otia._ Among my secre restyng whiles (p. 14). Fr. entre mes secrettes {et} oyseuses estudes.

_Palatini canes._ Þe houndys of þe palays (p. 15). Fr. les chiens du palais.

_Masculæ prolis._ Of þi masculyn children (p. 37). Fr. de ta lignie masculine.

_Ad singularem felicitatis tuæ cumulum venire delectat._ It deliteþ me to comen now to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse (p. 37). Fr. Il me plait venir au singulier monceau de ta felicite.

_Consulare imperium._ Emperie of consulers (p. 51). Fr. le{m}pire consulaire.

_Hoc ipsum brevis habitaculi._ Of þilke litel habitacle (p. 57). Fr. de cest trespetit habitacle.

_Late patentes plagas._ Þe brode shewyng contreys (p. 60).

QVico{n}ques tend a gloire vaine Et le croit estre souueraine Voye _les regions pate{n}tes_ Du ciel . . . . . .

_Ludens hominum cura._ Þe pleiyng besines of men (p. 68).

Si quil tollist par doulz estude Des hommes la solicitude . .

_Hausi cœlum._ I took heuene (p. 10). Fr. ie . . . regarday le ciel.

_Certamen adversum præfectum prætorii communis commodi ratione suscepi._ I took strif aȝeins þe prouost of þe pretorie for comune profit (p. 15). Fr. ie entrepris lestrif a lencontre du prefect du parlement royal a cause de la commune vtilite.

_At cujus criminis arguimur summam quæris?_ But axest þou in somme of what gilt I am accused? (p. 17). Fr. Mais demandes tu la somme du pechie duquel pechie nous so{m}mes arguez?

_Fortuita temeritate._ By fortunouse fortune (p. 26). Fr. par fortuite folie.

_Quos premunt septem gelidi triones._ Alle þe peoples þat ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones (p. 55). Fr. ceulx de septentrion.

_Ita ego quoque tibi veluti corollarium dabo._ Ryȝt so wil I ȝeue þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune (p. 91). Fr. semblablement ie te donneray ainsi que vng correlaire.

_In stadio._ In þe stadie or in þe forlonge (p. 119). Fr. ou (for au) champ.

_Conjecto._ I coniecte (p. 154). Fr. ie coniecture.

_Nimium . . . adversari ac repugnare videtur._ It semeþ . . . to repugnen and to contrarien gretly. Fr. Ce semble chose trop contraire et repugnante.

_Universitatis ambitum._ Envirounynge of þe vniuersite (p. 165). Fr. lauironnement de luniuersalite.

_Rationis universum._ Vniuersite of resoun (p. 165). Fr. luniuersalite de Raison.

_Scientiam nunquam deficientis instantiæ rectius æstimabis._ Þou shalt demen [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ (p. 174). Fr. mais tu la diras plus droittement et mieulx science de instante p{re}sentialite non iamais defaillant mais eternelle.

Many of the above examples are very bald renderings of the original, and are only quoted here to show that Chaucer did not make his translation from the French.

Chaucer is not always felicitous in his translations:--thus he translates _clavus atque gubernaculum_ by _keye and a stiere_ (p. 103), and _compendium_ (gain, acquisition) by _abreggynge_ (abridging, curtailment), p. 151. Many terms make their appearance in English for the first time,--and most of them have become naturalized, and are such as we could ill spare. Some few are rather uncommon, as _gouernaile_ (gubernaculum), p. 27; _arbitre_ (arbitrium), p. 154. As Chaucer takes the trouble to explain _inestimable_ (inæstimabilis), p. 158, it could not have been a very familiar term.

Our translator evidently took note of various readings, for on p. 31 he notes a variation of the original. On p. 51 he uses _armurers_ (= armures) to render _arma_, though most copies agree in reading _arva_.

There are numerous glosses and explanations of particular passages, which seem to be interpolated by Chaucer himself. Thus he explains what is meant by the _heritage of Socrates_ (p. 10, 11); he gives the meaning of _coemption_ (p. 15); of _Euripus_ (p. 33); of the _porch_ (p. 166).[I-11] Some of his definitions are very quaint; as, for instance, that of Tragedy--‘_a dité of a prosperité for a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse_’ (p. 35). One would think that the following definition of Tragedian would be rather superfluous after this,--‘_a maker of dites þat hyȝten_ (are called) _tregedies_’ (p. 77).

_Melliflui . . . oris Homerus_

is thus quaintly Englished: _Homer wiþ þe hony mouþe, þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites_ (p. 153).

* * * * *

The present translation of the _De Consolatione_ is taken from Additional MS. 10,340, which is supposed to be the _oldest_ manuscript that exists in our public libraries. After it was all copied out and ready for press, Mr Bradshaw was kind enough to procure me, for the purpose of collation, the loan of the Camb. University MS. Ii. 3. 21, from which the various readings at the foot of the pages are taken.

Had I had an opportunity of examining the Cambridge MS. carefully throughout before the work was so far advanced, I should certainly have selected it in preference to the text now given to the reader. Though not so ancient as the British Museum MS., it is far more correct in its grammatical inflexions, and is no doubt a copy of an older and very accurate text.

The Additional MS. is written by a scribe who was unacquainted with the force of the final _-e_. Thus he adds it to the preterites of strong verbs, which do not require it; he omits it in the preterites of weak verbs where it is wanted, and attaches it to passive participles (of weak verbs), where it is superfluous. The scribe of the Cambridge MS. is careful to preserve the final _-e_ where it is a sign (1) of the definite declension of the adjective; (2) of the plural adjective; (3) of the infinitive mood; (4) of the preterite of weak verbs; (5) of present participles;[I-12] (6) of the 2nd pers. pret. indic. of strong verbs; (7) of adverbs; (8) of an older vowel ending.

The Addit. MS. has frequently _thilk_ (singular and plural), and _-nes_ (in _wrechednes_, &c.), when the Camb. MS. has _thilke_[I-13] and _-nesse_.

For further differences the reader may consult the numerous collations at the foot of the page.

If the Chaucer Society obtains that amount of patronage from the literary public which it deserves, but unfortunately has yet not succeeded in getting, so that it may be enabled to go on with the great work which has been so successfully commenced, then the time may come when I shall have the opportunity of editing the Camb. MS. of Chaucer’s Boethius for that Society, and lovers of Early English Literature will have two texts instead of one.

[Footnote I-11: See pages 39, 50, 61, 94, 111, 133, 149, 153, 159.]

[Footnote I-12: In the Canterbury Tales we find participles in _-yngë_.]

[Footnote I-13: It is nearly always _thilkë_ in the Canterbury Tales.]

APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION.

The last of the ancients, and one who forms a link between the classical period of literature and that of the middle ages, in which he was a favourite author, is Boethius, a man of fine genius, and interesting both from his character and his death. It is well known that after filling the dignities of Consul and Senator in the court of Theodoric, he fell a victim to the jealousy of a sovereign, from whose memory, in many respects glorious, the stain of that blood has never been effaced. The _Consolation of Philosophy_, the chief work of Boethius, was written in his prison. Few books are more striking from the circumstances of their production. Last of the classic writers, in style not impure, though displaying too lavishly that poetic exuberance which had distinguished the two or three preceding centuries, in elevation of sentiment equal to any of the philosophers, and mingling a Christian sanctity with their lessons, he speaks from his prison in the swan-like tones of dying eloquence. The philosophy that consoled him in bonds, was soon required in the sufferings of a cruel death. Quenched in his blood, the lamp he had trimmed with a skilful hand gave no more light; the language of Tully and Virgil soon ceased to be spoken; and many ages were to pass away, before learned diligence restored its purity, and the union of genius with imitation taught a few modern writers to surpass in eloquence the Latinity of Boethius. --(Hallam’s _Literature of Europe_, i. 2, 4th ed. 1854.)

The Senator Boethius is the last of the Romans whom Cato or Tully could have acknowledged for their countryman. As a wealthy orphan, he inherited the patrimony and honours of the Anician family, a name ambitiously assumed by the kings and emperors of the age; and the appellation of Manlius asserted his genuine or fabulous descent from a race of consuls and dictators, who had repulsed the Gauls from the Capitol, and sacrificed their sons to the discipline of the Republic. In the youth of Boethius the studies of Rome were not totally abandoned; a Virgil is now extant, corrected by the hand of a consul; and the professors of grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence, were maintained in their privileges and pensions by the liberality of the Goths. But the erudition of the Latin language was insufficient to satiate his ardent curiosity; and Boethius is said to have employed eighteen laborious years in the schools of Athens, which were supported by the zeal, the learning, and the diligence of Proclus and his disciples. The reason and piety of their Roman pupil were fortunately saved from the contagion of mystery and magic, which polluted the groves of the Academy, but he imbibed the spirit, and imitated the method, of his dead and living masters, who attempted to reconcile the strong and subtle sense of Aristotle with the devout contemplation and sublime fancy of Plato. After his return to Rome, and his marriage with the daughter of his friend, the patrician Symmachus, Boethius still continued, in a palace of ivory and [glass] to prosecute the same studies. The Church was edified by his profound defence of the orthodox creed against the Arian, the Eutychian, and the Nestorian heresies; and the Catholic unity was explained or exposed in a formal treatise by the _indifference_ of three distinct though consubstantial persons. For the benefit of his Latin readers, his genius submitted to teach the first elements of the arts and sciences of Greece. The geometry of Euclid, the music of Pythagoras, the arithmetic of Nicomachus, the mechanics of Archimedes, the astronomy of Ptolemy, the theology of Plato, and the logic of Aristotle, with the commentary of Porphyry, were translated and illustrated by the indefatigable pen of the Roman senator. And he alone was esteemed capable of describing the wonders of art, a sun-dial, a water-clock, or a sphere which represented the motions of the planets. From these abstruse speculations, Boethius stooped, or, to speak more truly, he rose to the social duties of public and private life: the indigent were relieved by his liberality; and his eloquence, which flattery might compare to the voice of Demosthenes or Cicero, was uniformly exerted in the cause of innocence and humanity. Such conspicuous merit was felt and rewarded by a discerning prince: the dignity of Boethius was adorned with the titles of consul and patrician, and his talents were usefully employed in the important station of master of the offices. Notwithstanding the equal claims of the East and West, his two sons were created, in their tender youth, the consuls of the same year. On the memorable day of their inauguration, they proceeded in solemn pomp from their palace to the forum amidst the applause of the senate and people; and their joyful father, the true Consul of Rome, after pronouncing an oration in the praise of his royal benefactor, distributed a triumphal largess in the games of the circus. Prosperous in his fame and fortunes, in his public honours and private alliances, in the cultivation of science and the consciousness of virtue, Boethius might have been styled happy, if that precarious epithet could be safely applied before the last term of the life of man.

A philosopher, liberal of his wealth and parsimonious of his time, might be insensible to the common allurements of ambition, the thirst of gold and employment. And some credit may be due to the asseveration of Boethius, that he had reluctantly obeyed the divine Plato, who enjoins every virtuous citizen to rescue the state from the usurpation of vice and ignorance. For the integrity of his public conduct he appeals to the memory of his country. His authority had restrained the pride and oppression of the royal officers, and his eloquence had delivered Paulianus from the dogs of the palace. He had always pitied, and often relieved, the distress of the provincials, whose fortunes were exhausted by public and private rapine; and Boethius alone had courage to oppose the tyranny of the Barbarians, elated by conquest, excited by avarice, and, as he complains, encouraged by impunity. In these honourable contests his spirit soared above the consideration of danger, and perhaps of prudence; and we may learn from the example of Cato, that a character of pure and inflexible virtue is the most apt to be misled by prejudice, to be heated by enthusiasm, and to confound private enmities with public justice. The disciple of Plato might exaggerate the infirmities of nature, and the imperfections of society; and the mildest form of a Gothic kingdom, even the weight of allegiance and gratitude, must be insupportable to the free spirit of a Roman patriot. But the favour and fidelity of Boethius declined in just proportion with the public happiness; and an unworthy colleague was imposed to divide and control the power of the master of the offices. In the last gloomy season of Theodoric, he indignantly felt that he was a slave; but as his master had only power over his life, he stood without arms and without fear against the face of an angry Barbarian, who had been provoked to believe that the safety of the senate was incompatible with his own. The Senator Albinus was accused and already convicted on the presumption of _hoping_, as it was said, the liberty of Rome.

“If Albinus be criminal,” exclaimed the orator, “the senate and myself are all guilty of the same crime. If we are innocent, Albinus is equally entitled to the protection of the laws.” These laws might not have punished the simple and barren wish of an unattainable blessing; but they would have shown less indulgence to the rash confession of Boethius, that, had he known of a conspiracy, the tyrant never should. The advocate of Albinus was soon involved in the danger and perhaps the guilt of his client; their signature (which they denied as a forgery) was affixed to the original address, inviting the emperor to deliver Italy from the Goths; and three witnesses of honourable rank, perhaps of infamous reputation, attested the treasonable designs of the Roman patrician. Yet his innocence must be presumed, since he was deprived by Theodoric of the means of justification, and rigorously confined in the tower of Pavia, while the senate, at the distance of five hundred miles, pronounced a sentence of confiscation and death against the most illustrious of its members. At the command of the Barbarians, the occult science of a philosopher was stigmatized with the names of sacrilege and magic. A devout and dutiful attachment to the senate was condemned as criminal by the trembling voices of the senators themselves; and their ingratitude deserved the wish or prediction of Boethius, that, after him, none should be found guilty of the same offence.

While Boethius, oppressed with fetters, expected each moment the sentence or the stroke of death, he composed in the tower of Pavia the _Consolation of Philosophy_; a golden volume not unworthy of the leisure of Plato or Tully, but which claims incomparable merit from the barbarism of the times and the situation of the author. The celestial guide, whom he had so long invoked at Rome and Athens, now condescended to illumine his dungeon, to revive his courage, and to pour into his wounds her salutary balm. She taught him to compare his long prosperity and his recent distress, and to conceive new hopes from the inconstancy of fortune. Reason had informed him of the precarious condition of her gifts; experience had satisfied him of their real value; he had enjoyed them without guilt; he might resign them without a sigh, and calmly disdain the impotent malice of his enemies, who had left him happiness, since they had left him virtue. From the earth, Boethius ascended to heaven in search of the SUPREME GOOD; explored the metaphysical labyrinth of chance and destiny, of prescience and free-will, of time and eternity; and generously attempted to reconcile the perfect attributes of the Deity with the apparent disorders of his moral and physical government. Such topics of consolation, so obvious, so vague, or so abstruse, are ineffectual to subdue the feelings of human nature. Yet the sense of misfortune may be diverted by the labour of thought; and the sage who could artfully combine in the same work the various riches of philosophy, poetry, and eloquence, must already have possessed the intrepid calmness which he affected to seek. Suspense, the worst of evils, was at length determined by the ministers of death, who executed, and perhaps exceeded, the inhuman mandate of Theodoric. A strong cord was fastened round the head of Boethius, and forcibly tightened till his eyes almost started from their sockets; and some mercy may be discovered in the milder torture of beating him with clubs till he expired. But his genius survived to diffuse a ray of knowledge over the darkest ages of the Latin world; the writings of the philosopher were translated by the most glorious of the English kings, and the third emperor of the name of Otho removed to a more honourable tomb the bones of a Catholic saint, who, from his Arian persecutors, had acquired the honours of martyrdom and the fame of miracles. In the last hours of Boethius, he derived some comfort from the safety of his two sons, of his wife, and of his father-in-law, the venerable Symmachus. But the grief of Symmachus was indiscreet, and perhaps disrespectful; he had presumed to lament, he might dare to revenge, the death of an injured friend. He was dragged in chains from Rome to the palace of Ravenna; and the suspicions of Theodoric could only be appeased by the blood of an innocent and aged senator.--Gibbon’s _Decline and Fall_, 1838, vol. vii. p. 45-52 (without the notes).

INDEX

_(Giving the first line of each Metre, the first words of each Prose, and the corresponding page of the translation)._

Book Metre Prose Page

I 1 -- Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi 4 „ -- 1 Hæc dum mecum tacitus ipse reputarem 5 „ 2 -- Heu, quam præcipiti mersa profundo 7 „ -- 2 Sed medicinæ, inquit, potius tempus est 8 „ 3 -- Tunc me discussa liquerunt nocte tenebræ 9 „ -- 3 Haud aliter tristitiæ nebulis dissolutis, hausi cœlum 10 „ 4 -- Quisquis composito serenus ævo 12 „ -- 4 Sentisne, inquit, hæc, atque animo illabuntur tuo? 13 „ 5 -- O stelliferi conditor orbis 21 „ -- 5 Hæc ubi continuato dolore delatravi 23 „ 6 -- Cum Phœbi radiis grave 25 „ -- 6 Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis rogationibus 26 „ 7 -- Nubibus atris 29 II -- 1 Posthæc paulisper obticuit 29 „ 1 -- Hæc cum superba verterit vices dextra 33 „ -- 2 Vellem autem pauca tecum fortunæ ipsius 33 „ 2 -- Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus 35 „ -- 3 His igitur si pro se tecum fortuna loqueretur 36 „ 3 -- Cum polo Phœbus roseis quadrigis 39 „ -- 4 Tum ego, Vera, inquam, commemoras 39 „ 4 -- Quisquis volet perennem 44 „ -- 5 Sed quoniam rationum jam in te mearum fomenta 45 „ 5 -- Felix nimium prior ætas 50 „ -- 6 Quid autem de dignitatibus, potentiaque disseram 51 „ 6 -- Novimus quantas dederit ruinas 55 „ -- 7 Tum ego, Scis, inquam, ipsa 56 „ 7 -- Quicumque solam mente præcipiti petit 60 „ -- 8 Sed ne me inexorabile contra fortunam 61 „ 8 -- Quod mundus stabili fide 62 III -- 1 Jam cantum illa finierat 63 „ 1 -- Qui serere ingenuum volet agrum 64 „ -- 2 Tum defixo paululum visu 64 „ 2 -- Quantas rerum flectat habenas 68 „ -- 3 Vos quoque, o terrena animalia 69 „ 3 -- Quamvis fluente dives auri gurgite 71 „ -- 4 Sed dignitates honorabilem reverendumque 72 „ 4 -- Quamvis se Tyrio superbus ostro 74 „ -- 5 An vero regna regumque familiaritas efficere potentem valent? 75 „ 5 -- Qui se volet esse potentem 77 „ -- 6 Gloria vero quam fallax sæpe, quam turpis est! 77 „ 6 -- Omne hominum genus in terris 78 „ -- 7 Quid autem de corporis voluptatibus loquar? 79 „ 7 -- Habet omnis hoc voluptas 80 „ -- 8 Nihil igitur dubium est, quin 80 „ 8 -- Eheu, quam miseros tramite devio 81 „ -- 9 Hactenus mendacis formam felicitatis ostendisse 82 „ 9 -- O qui perpetua mundum ratione gubernas 87 „ -- 10 Quoniam igitur quæ sit imperfecti 88 „ 10 -- Huc omnes pariter venite capti 94 „ -- 11 Assentior, inquam. 95 „ 11 -- Quisquis profunda mente vestigat verum 100 „ -- 12 Tum ego, Platoni, inquam, vehementer assentior 101 „ 12 -- Felix qui potuit boni 106 IV -- 1 Hæc cum Philosophia, dignitate 108 „ 1 -- Sunt etenim pennæ volucres mihi 110 „ -- 2 Tum ego, Papæ, inquam, ut magna promittis! 112 „ 2 -- Quos vides sedere celso 118 „ -- 3 Videsne igitur quanto in cœno probra volvantur 119 „ 3 -- Vela Neritii ducis 122 „ -- 4 Tum ego, Fateor, inquam, nec injuria dici video 123 „ 4 -- Quid tantos juvat excitare motus 130 „ -- 5 Hic ego, Video, inquam, quæ sit vel felicitas 131 „ 5 -- Si quis Arcturi sidera nescit 132 „ -- 6 Ita est, inquam. 133 „ 6 -- Si vis celsi jura tonantis 143 „ -- 7 Jamne igitur vides, quid hæc omnia quæ diximus, consequatur? 144 „ 7 -- Bella bis quinis operatus annis 147 V -- 1 Dixerat, orationisque cursum ad alia quædam 149 „ 1 -- Rupis Achæmeniæ scopulis, ubi versa sequentum 151 „ -- 2 Animadverto, inquam, idque uti tu dicis, ita esse consentio. 152 „ 2 -- Puro clarum lumine Phœbum 153 „ -- 3 Tum ego, En, inquam, difficiliori rursus ambiguitate confundor. 154 „ 3 -- Quænam discors fœdera rerum 159 „ -- 4 Tum illa, Vetus, inquit, hæc est de Providentia querela 161 „ 4 -- Quondam porticus attulit 166 „ -- 5 Quod si in corporibus sentiendis, quamvis 168 „ 5 -- Quam variis terras animalia permeant figuris! 170 „ -- 6 Quoniam igitur, uti paulo ante monstratum est 171

Appendix.--Ætas Prima 180 „ Balades de Vilage sanz Peinture 182

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

++[I]NCIPIT TABULA LIBRI BOICII DE CONSOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.

[_Additional MS. 10,340, fol. 3._]

[Sidenote: [fol. 3.]]

LIBER PRIMUS.

1 Carmina qui quondam studio flore{n}te p{er}egi. 2 Hic dum mecum tacitus. 3 Heu q{ua}m precipiti. 4 Set medicine inquit tempus. 5 Tunc me discussa. 6 Haut[C-1] aliter tristicie. 7 Quisquis composito. 8 Sentis ne inquit. 9 O stelliferi conditor orbis. 10 Hic ubi continuato dolore. 11 Cum phebi radijs. 12 Primu{m} igit{ur} pateris rogac{i}o{n}ib{us}. 13 Nubib{us} atris condita.

EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.

LIBER SECUNDUS.

1 Postea paulisper[C-2] conticuit. 2 Hec cum superba. 3 Uellem autem pauca. 4 Si quantas rapidis. 5 His igitur si {et} pro se. 6 Cum primo polo. 7 Tunc ego uera inq{ua}m. 8 Contraq{ue}. 9 Quisq{ui}s ualet p{er}hennem cantus. 10 Set cum racionu{m} iam in te. 11 Felix i{n} miru{m} iam prior etas. 12 Quid au{tem} de dignitatib{us}. 13 Nouim{us} quantos dederat. 14 Tu{m} ego scis inq{ua}m. 15 Quicu{n}q{ue} solam mente. 16 Set ne me inexorabile. 17 Q{uo}d mu{n}dus stabile fide.

EXPLICIT LIBER S{E}C{UN}DUS.

LIBER TERCIUS.

1 Iam tantu{m} illa. 2 Qui serere ingeniu{m}. 3 Tunc defixo paululu{m}. 4 Quantas reru{m} flectat. 5 Uos quoq{ue} terrena a{n}i{m}alia. 6 Qua{m}uis fluenter diues. 7 Set dignitatib{us}. 8 Qua{m}uis se tirio. 9 An uero regna. 10 Qui se ualet esse potentem. 11 Gloria uero q{uam} fallax. 12 Omne hominu{m} genus in terris. 13 Quid au{tem} de corporib{us}. 14 Habet hoc uoluptas. 15 Nichil igit{ur} dubiu{m} est. 16 Heu q{ue} miseros tramite. 17 Hacten{us} me{n}dacio forma{m}. 18 O qui p{er}petua. 19 Q{uonia}m igit{ur} qui scit. 20 Nunc omnes pariter. 21 Assencior inq{ua}m cuncta. 22 Quisq{ue} profunda. 23 Tunc ego platoni inq{ua}m. 24 Felix qui poterit.

EXPLICIT LIBER T{ER}CIUS.

LIBER QUARTUS.

1 Hec cum philosophia. 2 Sunt eteni{m} penne. 3 Tunc ego pape inq{uam}. 4 Quos uides sedere celsos. 5 Uides ne igitur quanto. 6 U[e]la naricij ducis. 7 Tunc ego fateor inq{ua}m. 8 Quid tantos iuuat. 9 Huic ego uideo inq{ua}m. 10 Si quis arcturi[C-3] sydera. 11 Ita est inq{ua}m. 12 Si uis celsi iura. 13 Iam ne igit{ur} uides. 14 Bella bis quinis.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.

INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.

1 Dixerat orac{i}onis q{ue} cursu{m}. 2 Rupis achemenie. 3 Animaduerto inq{ua}m. 4 Puro claru{m} lumine. 5 Tamen ego en inq{ua}m. 6 Que nam discors. 7 Tamen illa uetus. 8 Quonda{m} porticus attulit. 9 Quod si i{n} corporib{us}. 10 Qua{m} uarijs figuris. 11 Quonia{m} igit{ur} uti paulo ante.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUI{N}TUS {ET} ULTIMUS.

[Footnote C-1: MS. hanc.]

[Footnote C-2: MS. luper.]

[Footnote C-3: MS. arituri.]

[[pg 4]] [Headnote: BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 3 _b_.]]

*LIBER PRIMUS.

INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.

Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Boethius deplores his misfortunes in the following pathetic elegy.]

++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of sorouful matere. ¶ Þat whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery 4 v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ v{er}ray teers. ¶ At þe leest no drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses. þat þei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. þat is to seyne when I was exiled.

[Sidenote: ypalage antithesis]

þei þat weren glorie of 8 my youȝth whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now þe sorouful werdes of me olde man.

[Sidenote: Laments his immature old age.]

for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted by þe harmes þat I haue. {and} sorou haþ comau{n}ded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres 12 hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and þe slak[e] skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body.

[Sidenote: Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.]

þilk[e] deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches often 16 yclepid.

[Linenotes: 1 _of_--MS. of of. 2 _florysching_--floryssynge 3 _rendyng_--rendynge 4 _be_--ben 5 _wrecchednes_--wrecchednesse _teers_--teeres 6 _leest_--leeste _myȝt[e] ouer-come_--myhte ouercomen 8 _seyne when_--seyn whan 9 _youȝth_--MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe 10 _sorouful werdes_--sorful wierdes [i. fata] 12 _sorou_--sorwe _haþ_--MS. haþe _be_--ben 13 _hore_--hoore _ben_--arn _myne_--myn 14 _slak[e]_--slake _vpon_--of _emty_--emptyd _þilk[e]_--thilke 15 _welful_--weleful _comeþ not_--comth nat 16 _.i. mirie_--omitted]

¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ cruel to{ur}neþ awey fro wrecches {and} naieþ to closen wepyng eyen.

[Sidenote: When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius, but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.]

¶ While fortune vnfeiþful fauored[e] me 20 wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) þe sorouful houre þat is to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. ¶ But now for fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf draweþ 24 a long vnagreable dwellynges in me.

[Sidenote: Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm that hath thus fallen.]

¶ O ȝe my frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful: [[pg 5]] for he þat haþ fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree.

[Linenotes: 19 _tourneþ_--torneth _naieþ_--nayteth _wepyng_--wepynge 20 _While_--Whil _fauored[e]_--fauorede 21 _lyȝte_--lyhte _.s. temporels_--omitted _sorouful houre_--sorwful howr{e} 22 _seyne_--seyn _had[de]_--hadde _myne_--myn 23 _haþ_--MS. haþe _chaunged hir disceyuable_--chaungyd hyre deceyuable 24 _vnpitouse lijf_--vnpietous lyf]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.]

HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.

[Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman, and of great age.]

++IN þe mene while þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges 28 wiþ my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wiþ office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue þe heyȝt of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer þe comune 32 myȝt of men. wiþ a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiþ swiche vigoure {and} strenkeþ þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. þat men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere þat sche were of oure 36 elde.

[Sidenote: Her height could not be determined, for there were times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.]

þe stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to þe comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe heyȝte 40 of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche p{er}ced[e] þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyng was i{n} ydel.

[Sidenote: Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.]

¶ Hir cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delye þredes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. þe wyche 44 cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng to me þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forleten and dispised elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as 48 it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages.

[Sidenote: On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Π and on the upper Θ.]

¶ In þe neþerest[e] hem or bordure of þese cloþes me{n} redden [[pg 6]] ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijf actif. And abouen þ{a}t l{ett}re in þe heyȝest[e] bordure 52 a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf contemplatif.

[Linenotes: 26 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede _be_--ben 27 _haþ_--MS. haþe _not_--nat _stedfast_--stidefast 28 _In þe mene_--omitted _recorded[e]_--recordede 30 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh _stondyng above_--MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouen _heyȝt_--heyhte _my_--myn 31 _greet_--gret 32 _brennyng_--brennynge _clere seing_--cleer seynge 33 _swiche_--swych 34 _strenkeþ_--strengthe _it----emptid_--it myhte nat ben emted _Al_--alle 36 _wolde----trowe_--wolden nat trowen 37 _iugement_--Iuggement 38 _sumtyme_--somtyme _constreyned[e]_--constreynede _schronk_--MS. schronke, C. shronk 39 _lyche_--lyk 40 _semed[e]_--semede _touched[e]_--towchede 41 _when_--whan _hef_--MS. heued, C. hef _heyer_--hyere 42 _perced[e]_--percede _syȝt_--syhte _lokyng_--lookynge 44 _crafte_--craft 45 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen _owen hondes_--owne handes 46 _knew_--MS. knewe, C. knewh _selfe declaryng_--self declarynge _schewyng_--shewynge 47 _derkenes_--dirknesse _forleten_--forletyn 48 _dispised_--despised _had[de] duskid_--hadde dusked _dirkid_--derked 49 _by-smoked_--the smokede _neþerest[e]_--nethereste 50 _þese_--thise 51 _swiche_--omitted _gregkysche_--grekyssh{e} _signifieþ_--syngnifieth 52 _heyȝest[e]_--heyeste]

[Headnote: A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.]

[Sidenote: Between the letters were steps like a ladder.]

¶ And by-twene þese two l{ett}res þere weren seien degrees nobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wyche degrees men myȝt[en] clymbe fro þe neþemast[e] l{ett}re 56 to þe ouermast[e].

[Sidenote: Philosophy’s garments were tattered and torn, and pieces had been carried violently off.]

¶ Naþeles hondes of su{m} men hadde korue þ{a}t cloþe by vyolence {and} by strenkeþ. ¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche peces as he myȝte geet[e].

[Sidenote: In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a sceptre.]

¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide 60 woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde. {and} in hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þese poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued 64 and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen.

[Sidenote: Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 4.]]

¶ Who q{uo}d sche haþ suffred ap{ro}chen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis of siche a place þat *men clepen þe theatr{e}. ¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiþ no 68 remedies. but þei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wiþ swete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornes {and} prykkynges of talentȝ or affecciou{n}s wiche þat ben no þing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen þe 72 cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson.

[Sidenote: They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot free it from its malady.]

¶ For þei holden þe hertes of men i{n} usage. but þei ne delyuere not folk fro maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawen fro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable [[pg 7]] man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges 77 þe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously.

[Linenotes: 54 _by-twene þese_--bytwixen thise _þere_--ther _seien_--seyn 55 _nobly wrouȝt_--nobely ywroght _wyche_--whiche 56 _myȝt[en] clymbe_--myhten clymbyn _neþemast[e]_--nethereste 57 _ouermast[e]_--vppereste _sum_--some 58 _hadde korue_--hadden koruen _cloþe_--cloth _strenkeþ_--strengthe 59 _born_--MS. borne, C. born _away syche_--awey swiche 60 _geet[e]_--geten _forsaide_--forseide 61 _ber_--MS. bere, C. bar _bookes_--smale bookes _honde_--hand _lefte honde_--left hand 62 _ber_--MS. bere, C. baar _sauȝ þese_--say thise 63 _bedde_--bed _endytyng_--enditynge 64 _ameued_--amoued 65 _glowed[e]_--glowede _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath 66 _seek[e]_--sike _þise_--the _strumpetis_--strompetes 67 _siche_--swich _clepen_--clepyn 68 _only ne_--nat oonly ne _not his_--nat hise _no_--none 69 _wolde fede_--wolden feeden _norysche hem_--noryssyn hym 72 _ben_--ne ben _frutefiyng_--fructefiynge 73 _cornes plenteuouse_--corn plentyuos 74 _þe_ and _ne_--both omitted 75 _not_--nat _if ȝe_--MS. if þe, C. yif ye _hadde_--hadden 76 _vnkonnyng_--vnkunnynge 78 _peple_--poeple]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.]

[Sidenote: Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in Eleatic and Academic studies.]

¶ For-why in syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes weren no þing endamaged. ¶ But ȝe wiþdrawen me 80 þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles of Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece.

[Sidenote: She bids the syrens begone.]

¶ But goþ now raþer awey ȝe meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at þe laste. {and} suffreþ þis man to be cured {and} 84 heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful sciences.

[Sidenote: Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.]

¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wroþely þe chere adou{n}ward to þe erþe {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame þei passeden sorowfuly þe 88 þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged i{n} teres was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe what þat woman was of so i{m}perial auctorite.

[Sidenote: Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august dame.]

¶ I wex al a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my syȝt adoune in to þe 92 erþe. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don afterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun vpon þe vterrest[e] corner of my bedde.

[Sidenote: Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.]

{and} sche byholdyng my chere þat was cast to þe erþe heuy {and} 96 greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiþ þise wordes þ{a}t I schal sey þe p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my þouȝt.

[Linenotes: 79 _syche_--swhiche _myne_--myn 80 _weren_--ne weeren _ȝe_--ye 81 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath _ben_--be _scoles_--schooles 82 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth 83 _wyche_--whiche þat 85 _say_--seyn _notful_--noteful 86 _I-blamed_--Iblamyd 87 _wroþely_--wrothly _adounward_--downward 88 _redenesse_--rednesse _sorowfuly_--sorwfully 89 _þreschefolde_--thresshfold _syȝt_--syhte 90 _derked_--dyrked _myȝt[e]----knowe_--myhte nat knowen 91 _wex_--wax 92 _a-besid_--abaysshed _caste_--cast _adoune in to_--down to 93 _don_--MS. done 95 _vterrest[e] corner_--vttereste corner{e} _bedde_--bed 97 _compleinede_--compley[n]de 98 _sey_--seyen]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.]

HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.

[Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Drowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper clearness.]

++Allas how þe þouȝt of man dreint in ouer þrowyng depnesse dulleþ {and} forletiþ hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. 100 myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-oute{n} mesure. þ{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiþ worldly wyndes. [[pg 8]]

[Sidenote: Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden causes of nature.]

¶ Þis man þat su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} þe heuene was open 104 {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche paþes. {and} sauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne. {and} sauȝ þe sterres of þe colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} heuene vseþ wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. 108 ¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al þis by noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouer þis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyng wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien þe smoþe water of þe 112 see. {and} what spirit turneþ þe stable heuene. {and} whi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to falle in þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lusty houres of þe fyrste somer sesou{n} þat hiȝteþ {and} apparaileþ 116 þe erþe wiþ rosene floures. ¶ And who makeþ þat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle ȝeres fletiþ wiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis ma{n} was wont to telle þe dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid. 120

[Sidenote: But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to the ground.]

¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of lyȝt of hys þouȝt. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiþ heuy cheynes {and} bereþ his chere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and is constreyned to loke on foule erþe. 124

[Linenotes: 101 _gone_--goon 102 _bisines_--bysynesse _outen_--owte 103 _worldly_--wordely 104 _sumtyme_--whilom 105 _gone_--goon 106 _paþes_--paathes _sauȝ_--sawh _lyȝtnesse_--lythnesse _sunne_--sonne _sauȝ_--MS. sue, C. sawgh 107 _wyche_--which 108 _risorses_--recourses 111 _seche_--seken _sounyng_--sownynge 114 _ryseþ oute_--aryseth owt _falle_--fallen 115 _westren_--westrene 116 _fyrste_--fyrst 119 _eke_--ek 120 _dyuerses_--diuerse _yhid_--MS. yhidde 121 _lieþ_--lith _emptid_--emted 123 _adoune_--adown _greet[e] weyȝt_--grete weyhte 124 _loke----foule_--looken on the fool]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.]

SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.

[Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: More need of medicine than of complaint.]

++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more þen of compleynte. ¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng to me warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen saide.

[Sidenote: Philosophy addresses Boethius.]

¶ Art not þou he q{uo}d sche þat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiþ my 128 mylke {and} fostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þe syche armures þat ȝif þou þi self ne haddest first caste [[pg 9]] hem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in sykernesse 132 þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not.

[Sidenote: She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than from stupidity.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 4 _b_.]]

*Why art þou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer þat it were for schame. but it semeþ me þat astony{n}ge haþ opp{re}ssed þe.

[Sidenote: She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of a disordered mind.]

¶ And whan 136 sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office of tonge {and} al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon my brest {and} seide. ¶ Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche. ¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche þat is a comune 140 sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a litel forȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly reme{m}bren hym self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowe{n} me or now.

[Sidenote: To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and dries up his tears.]

{and} þat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. 144 þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel þinges ¶ Þise wordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garment yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat were ful of þe wawes of my wepynges. 148

[Linenotes: 125, 126 _þen_--than 127 _al_--alle _saide_--seyde 128 _sumtyme_--whilom _I-norschid_--MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed 129 _fostre[d]_--fostered _my_--myne 130 _Certys_--Certes _ȝaf_, yaf 131 _syche_--swiche _ȝif_--yif _caste_--C. cast 132 _away_--awey _schulden haue_--sholden han 133 _not be_--nat ben _Knowest þou_--knowestow 134 _art þou_--artow 136 _haþ_--MS. haþe 138 _tonge_--tunge _doumbe_--dowmb _honde_--hand 139 _Here_--her 140 _litargie whiche_--litarge which 141 _sekenes_--sykenesse 141, 143 _haþ_--MS. haþe 144 _done_--doon _wil wipe_--wol wypen 146 _garment_--garnement 147 _dried[e]_--dryede _were_--weeren 148 _ful_--fulle]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.]

TUNC ME DISCUSSA.

[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Her touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden light.]

++Þus when þat nyȝt was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre aȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and ryȝt by ensample as þe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is to 152 sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swifte wynde þat hyȝt chorus. {and} þat þe firmame{n}t stont derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and þat þe sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ sprad 156 vpo{n} erþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt borias sent out of þe kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þis [[pg 10]] nyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it away {and} descouereþ þe closed day. ¶ Þan schineþ pheb{us} yshaken wiþ 160 sodeyne lyȝt {and} smyteþ wiþ hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g eyen.

[Linenotes: 149 _when_--whan 150 _myn_--myne _repeyre_--repeyrede 151 _aȝeyne_--omitted _her firste_--hir fyrst 152 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hid _when_--whan 153 _sey_--seyn _when_--whan 154 _hyȝt_--heyhte _chorus_--MS. thorus _stont_--MS. stonde, C. stant 157 _þan_--thanne _wynde_--wynd _hyȝt_--hyhte 158 _sent_--isent 160 _þan_--thanne 161 _sodeyne_--sodeyn]

[Headnote: THE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.]

HAUT[1] ALITER TRISTICIE.

[Footnote 1: MS. hanc.]

[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: The clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be Philosophy.]

++Ryȝt so {and} none oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and} don awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} 164 receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my fyciscien. ¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my lokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos houses I hadde conuersed {and} haunted fro my ȝouþe. 168 {and} I seide þus.

[Sidenote: He addresses her.]

¶ O þou maistresse of alle uertues descendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comen in to þis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comen for þ{o}u art mad coupable wiþ me of fals[e] blames. 172

[Sidenote: She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that she is willing to share his misfortunes.]

¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake þe now. and scholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe charge þat þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten 176 wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat is i{n}nocent.

[Sidenote: She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new thing.]

¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as þouȝ þer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ For trowest þou þat philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed 180 i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] maneres.

[Sidenote: For before the age of Plato she contended against folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.]

¶ Haue I not stryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore þe age of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of foly {and} eke þe same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates 184 deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful deeþ in my presence.

[Sidenote: Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans and Stoics wanted to get a part.]

¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe h{er}itage is to seyne þe doctrine of þe whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of [[pg 11]] felicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people 188 of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many oþer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part þat is to seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to þe defence of his oppiniou{n} þe wordes of socrates. 192

[Sidenote: Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got possession of her.]

¶ Þei as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng þer aȝeins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloþes þat I hadde woue{n} wiþ myn handes. {and} wiþ þe cloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. þei 196 wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ he{m} euery dele.

[Sidenote: Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.]

In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as þer semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of myne habit.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 5.]]

þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens 200 {and} stoyciens my *familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me þoruȝ þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] multitude of hem.

[Sidenote: Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.]

¶ Þis is to seyne for þei semeden philosophres: þei weren p{ur}sued to þe deeþ 204 and slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilynge of anaxogore. ne þe empoysenyng of socrates. ne þe to{ur}mentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] straungers. ¶ Ȝit myȝtest þou haue knowe{n} þe senectiens {and} þe Canyos 208 {and} þe sorancis of wyche folk þe renou{n} is neyþer ouer oolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellys ne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ but oonly for þei weren enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke 212 to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtest not to wondre þouȝ þ{a}t I in þe bitter see of þis lijf be fordryuen wiþ tempestes blowyng aboute. [[pg 12]]

[Sidenote: It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked, who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no leader.]

in þe whiche te{m}peste þis is my most p{ur}pos þat is to seyn to displese 216 to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al be þe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned wiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by flityng errour folyly {and} lyȝtly.

[Sidenote: If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.]

¶ And if þei somtyme 220 maky{n}g an ost aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure leder draweþ to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} þei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker 224 fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed in syche a palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoying folye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] þinges. 228

[Linenotes: 163 _none oþer_--non oother _sorowe_--sorwe 165 _knowe_--knowen 166 _myne_--myn _festned[e]_--fastnede 170 _fro_--from 170, 171 _art þou_--artow 172 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked _fals[e]_--false 174 _parte_--parten 176 _nar[e]_--nere _sittyng_--sittinge 178 _þan_--thanne 179 _þing_--thing _q.d. non_--omitted 180 _trowest þou_--trowestow _alþerfirst_--alderfirst 181 _wicked[e]_--wikkede 182 _strife_--strif 183 _aȝeins_--ayenis _foolhardines_--foolhardinesse _foly_--folie 184 _eke_--ek 185 _deserued[e]_--desseruede 186 _wyche_--the which _seyne_--seyn 188 _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse 189 _oþer_--oothre 190 _go_--gon _eueryche_--euerich 191 _seyne_--seyn _to_--omitted _eueryche_--euerich 194 _tornen_--_read_ coruen, C. koruen 195 _wouen_--MS. wonne{n}, C. wouen 196 _arased_--arraced 197 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon 198 _dele_--del 199 _myche_--moche _semed[e]_--semede {and}--or 200 _myne_--myn _wenyng_--MS. wevyng, C. weninge 202 _þoruȝ_--thorw _wikked[e]_--wikkede _vnkunnyng[e]_--vnkunnynge 203 _seyne_--seyn þ{a}t 204 _semeden_--semede _pursued_--MS. pursuede, C. pursued 205 _slayn_--MS. slayne, C. slayn 207 [_weren_]--weeren 208 _myȝtest þou haue_--myhtestow han 209 _sorancis_--sorans _wyche_--which _is_--nis 210 _oolde_--MS. colde, C. old 211 _brouȝt[e]_--browhte 212 _enfourmed_--MS. vnfourmed, C. enformyd _my_--myne _vnlyke_--vnlyk 213 _wicked folk_--wikkede foolk{e} _auȝtest_--owhtest 214 _wondre_--wondren _bitter_--bittre 216 _displese_--displesen 217 _wikked[e]_--wikkede _schrews_--shrewes 218 _oost_--glossed _acies_ in C. _grete_--gret 219, 222 _leder_--leder{e} 220 _flityng_--fleetynge _lyȝtly_--lythly _if_--yif 221 _aȝeynest_--ayenis 222 _to----rycchesse_, to gydere hise rychesses _toure_--towr 224 _heyȝ_--heye 225 _al_--alle _ben_--omitted _stored_--warnestored 226 _syche_--swich _þat_--omitted 227 _scorne_--schorne 228 _rauiners----þinges_--rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges]

[Headnote: THE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.]

QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO.

[Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: He who hath triumphed over fate, and remained insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest thunderbolts.]

++Who so it be þat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng. þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e] wierdes {and} lokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace 232 of þe co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þe botme. ne schal not moeue þat man. ne þe vnstable mountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ oute þoruȝ hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey 236 of þonder lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures ne schal not mouene þat man.

[Sidenote: Fear not the tyrant’s rage.]

¶ Wherto þen wrecches drede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wode {and} felownes wiþ-outen ony strenkeþ.

[Sidenote: He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the tyrant.]

¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat. {and} 240 so schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt. [[pg 13]]

[Sidenote: He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges his own fetters.]

¶ But who so þat quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þat nis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man þat so doþ haþ cast awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and} 244 enlaceþ hym i{n} þe cheyne wiþ whiche he may be drawen.

[Linenotes: 229 _clere_--cleer 230 _lyuyng_--leuynge _haþ_--MS. haþe _vnderfote_--vndir-foot _prowed[e]_--prowde 231 _may----chiere_--may his cheere holde 232 _manace_--manesses 233 _þe_--þe see 235 _hyȝt_--hihte _veseuus_--MS. vesenus _wircheþ_--writith 236 _broken[e]_--brokene _smokyng_--smokynge 237 _smyte_--smyten 238 _Wherto þen_--wharto thanne 239 _felownes----ony_--felonos withowte any 241 _schalt þou desarmen_--shaltow deseruien 243 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast 244 _schelde_--sheld _remoeued fro_--remwed from 245 _whiche_--the which _be_--ben]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.]

SENTIS NE INQUIT.

[Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.]

++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt in þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. 248 Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þi wounde.

[Sidenote: Boethius complains of Fortune’s unrelenting rage.]

¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} 252 .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþ woode aȝeynes me.

[Sidenote: Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his prison?]

¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.).

[Sidenote: His library, his habit, and his countenance are all changed.]

¶ Is þis 256 þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt certeyne sege to þe i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou desputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan 260 myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face or [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.] my chere swiche as now.

¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þe secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my maners {and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre 264 of heuene.

[Sidenote: Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?]

[Interlinear: ironice] ¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist by þe mouþe of plato þis sentence.

[Sidenote: Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who study to be so.]

þat is to seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren 268 blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom [[pg 14]] gouerneden þilke þinges.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 5 _b_.]]

or ellys yif it so by-felle þat þe gouernours *of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes.

[Linenotes: 247 _Felest þou_--Felistow _ouȝt_--awht 248 _art þou_--artow 249 _wepest þou_--wepistow _spillest þou_--spillestow 252 _answered[e]_--answerede 255 _woode_--wood 257 _wyche_--which 258 _myne house þere_--myn hows ther 259 _desputest of[te]_--desputedest ofte 260 _þan_--thanne 261 _it_ and _þan_--both omitted 261, 262 _swiche_--swich 262 _souȝt[e]_--sowhte 263 _secretys_--secretȝ _my_--MS. me, C. my 264 _al_--alle 265 _gerdoun_--gerdouns 266 _enfourmedist_--conformedest 267 _mouþe_--mowht 268 _comunabletes_--comunalitees 270 _by-felle_--byfille 271 _in grete wisdomes_--to geten wysdom]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.]

[Sidenote: The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands of unprincipled citizens.]

¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same 272 plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire þe gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge 276 inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk.

[Sidenote: Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice (in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his retirement.]

¶ And þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng to put[te] furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe 280 among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t put[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþ me þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but þe comune studie of al goodenes.

[Sidenote: He sought to do good to all, but became involved in discord with the wicked.]

¶ And þer-of comeþ 284 it þat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres.

[Sidenote: Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger of the most powerful.]

¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþe of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for 288 saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt.

[Sidenote: He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of Triguilla.]

¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat made alwey assautes aȝeins þe p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out 292 hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe wronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by þe auctorite of me put aȝeins p{er}ils.

[Sidenote: He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor folk.]

þat is to seine put 296 myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þat þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey [[pg 15]] wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre.

[Linenotes: 272 _eke_--ek 275 _comune_--omitted _y-left_--MS. ylefte, C. yleft 276 _Citiȝenis_--citesenes _brynge inne_--bryngen in 278 _þerfore_--therfor _þilk_--thilke _desiryng_--desired 279 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth 280 _þo_--thilke 282 _put[te]_--putte 283 _brouȝt[e]_--ne browhte 284 _þe_--omitted _al goodenes_--alle goodnesse _comeþ_--comth 287, 288 _haþ_--MS. haþe 289 _saluacioun_--sauacioun 290 _þilk_--thilke _hyȝt[e]_--hyhte 290 _conigaste_--MS. coniugaste 292 _ofte_--ofte ek _ȝitte_--omitted 294 _bygon[ne]_--bygunne _done_--don 295 _couered_--MS. couerede, C. couered 296 _put_--MS. putte, C. put _seine_--seyn 297 _myne_--myn 298 _vnpunysched_--vnpunyssed 299 _myseses_--myseyses]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.]

[Sidenote: I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.]

¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe 300 fortunes {and} þe rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages.

[Sidenote: I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.]

as sory was I as þei þat suffred[e] þe harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of 304 gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede þat no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it 308 knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n} as who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue þe 312 ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._

[Sidenote: I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.]

¶ Whan it was in þe soure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n} þat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe p{ro}uince of 316 co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect.

[Sidenote: I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the palace (_Palatini canes_).]

¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse 320 of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is to seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem þat gapede{n}.

[Sidenote: I defended Albinus against Cyprian.]

¶ And for as myche as þe peyne 324 of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of Rome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s [[pg 16]] of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn 328 þat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self.

[Sidenote: For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at Court.]

but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat for þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no þing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers. 332 by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þe same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned.

[Linenotes: 300 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. weth drowh _ȝitte_--yit _wrong_--wronge 301 _rychesse_--richesses _þe_ (2)--omitted 302 _harmed eyþer_--harmyd or amenused owther 303 _tributis_--tributȝ _suffred[e]_--suffreden 304 _harme_--harm 305 _ȝere_--yer _hys_--hise 305, 306, 307 _corne_--corn 306 _schold[e] bie_--sholde byen 308 _But I withstod_--Boece withstood (MS. withstode) _com_--MS. come, C. com 311 _swiche_--swich 312 _bouȝt[e]_--bowhte _busshel_--bossel _most[e] ȝeue_--moste yeue 315 _inplitable_--vnplitable _seyn_--sayen 319 _ouercom_--MS. ouercome, C. ouer com 320 _counseiller_--consoler _rychesse_--rychesses 321 _whyche_--which 322 _wolde_--wolden 323 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. drowh 324 _myche_--moche 326 _punischen_--punisse 327 _putt[e]_--putte 328 _yseyn_--MS. yseyne 329 _greet[e]_--grete 330 _aughte be_--owhte be the _oþer_--oothre 333 _by þe whiche_--by which _þoruȝ þe_--thorw tho]

[Headnote: THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.]

[Sidenote: Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius, Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city on account of their many crimes.]

¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme was chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled 336 i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused me. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes 340 wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy houses.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 6.]]

*þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan þis was ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e] 344 but þat þei voided[e] þe citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheued wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis 348 cruelte.

[Sidenote: But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.]

For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyng of my name by þilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng deserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. 352 made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}).

[Sidenote: Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush for the baseness of the accusers.]

¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde nat fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused. ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. 356

[Linenotes: 335 _whiche_--the whiche _one_--oon _somtyme_--whilom 339 _sumtyme_--whilon 340 _go_--gon _her_--hir 341 _wiþ-outen_--withowte _wolde not_--nolden nat 342 _defended[e]_--defendedyn _by_--by the 343 _seyne_--seyn _seyntuaries_--sentuarye 344 _was_--omitted _comaunded[e]_--comaundede 345 _voided[e]_--voidede _certeyne_--certeyn 346 _men_--me _merken_--marke 347 _hoke of iren_--hoot yren 348 _þe_--omitted _myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben 349 _þilk_--thilke 350 _þilk[e]_--thilke 351 _be_--ben _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _haþ_--MS. haþe 354, 355 [_Certes----asshamyd_]--from C. 356 _auȝt[e]_--owte _haue had_--han had, MS. hadde]

[[pg 17]] [Headnote: THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.]

¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of what gilt .I. am accused.

[Sidenote: Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.]

men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie of þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here in what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed 360 þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou of þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to 364 þe (q. d. no{n}).

[Sidenote: It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has and will have its best interests always at heart.]

¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is to seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but þe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese. 368 ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat I haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat. and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ her decretȝ {and} hire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne 372 or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}).

[Sidenote: (Folly cannot change the merit of things.]

¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hym self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges.

[Sidenote: According to Socrates’ judgment it is not lawful to hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)]

¶ Ne .I. trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful 376 to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent[e] to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche 380 as folk þat ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it.

[Sidenote: Boethius determines to transmit an account of his prosecution to posterity.]

¶ I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of 384 Rome. What app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of.

[Sidenote: Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers had he been allowed the use of their confessions.]

Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at þe [[pg 18]] co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in 388 alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m} may men hopen.

[Sidenote: But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped for.]

Certys I wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom myȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered by þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was 392 accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis Canius answered[e] þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it. 396

[Linenotes: 357 _axest þou_--axestow 358 _seyne_--seyn _sauen_--saue 359 _desirest þou_--desires thow _here_--hereen 362 _maked_--MS. maken, C. makyd 363 _demest þou_--demestow 365 _wold_--MS. wolde, C. wold 366 _seyne_--seyn 367 _þat_--omitted _am_--I am 368 _be_--ben 369 _it_--it thanne _þan_--omitted 371 _þilk_--thilke 372 _her_--hir _hire_--hir _þouȝ_--thogh 373 _or_--and _seyne_--seyn 374 _lieth_--MS. lieþe, C. lieth 377 _assent[e]_--assente 381 _schollen_--shellen 382 {and}--{and} in 385 _speken_--speke 385-86 _of----lettres_--C. omits 386 _if_--yif 387 _had_--MS. hade, C. had 388 _myn_--myne 389 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath _grete_--gret _what_--omitted 390 _some_--som 391 _myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben _þan haue_--thanne han 392 _hyȝt[e]_--hyhte 394 _maked_--ymaked 395 _answered[e]_--answerede 396 _had[de]_--hadde]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.]

[Sidenote: It is not strange that the wicked should conspire against virtue.]

In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þat þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto 400 done.

[Sidenote: The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human nature.]

For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a meruaille.

[Sidenote: It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the eye of an Omniscient God.]

¶ How þat in þe p{re}se{n}t syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche 404 þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þi familers not vnskilfully axed þus.

[Sidenote: If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is none, whence arises good?]

¶ Ȝif god is. whennes comen wikked[e] þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes 408 comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat felonous folk þat now desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey bataile{n} 412 {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit hadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of þe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}.

[Sidenote: Boethius defends the integrity of his life.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 6 _b_.]]

¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde [[pg 19]] don or *seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. 417

[Sidenote: He defended the Senate at Verona.]

¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe kyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real 420 maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþ how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al þe senat.

[Sidenote: He spake only the truth, and did not boast.]

¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I auaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self. 424

[Sidenote: (Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving conscience.)]

¶ For alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. 428

[Linenotes: 397 _whiche_--which _sorwe_--sorw _haþ_--MS. haþe _witte_--wit 398 _schrewed[e]_--shrewede 399 _folies_--felonies _vertues_--vertu 400 _had[de]_--han 401 _done_--don _comeþ_--comth 402 _lyke to a_--lyk a 404 _syȝt_--syhte 405 _haþ_--MS. haþe 406 _innocent_--innocentȝ _whiche_--which 408 _wikked[e]_--wykkede 410 _bloode_--blod 411 _eke_--ek 412 _gone_--gon {and} _seyn_--seyen 413 _eke_--ek 414 _seyne_--seyn 415 _scholde_--sholden 416 _wele_--wel 417 _don_--MS. done, C. doon _seyn_--seyen 418 _þe_ (1)--omitted 419 _slauȝter_--slawhtre 420 _transporten vpon_--transpor vp 422 _grete_--gret _defended[e]_--deffendede 423 _seide soþe_--seye soth 424 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede 425 _when_--whan _preciouse_--presious]

[Headnote: OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.]

[Sidenote: But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer the punishment due to the blackest crime.]

I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie had[de] euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of 432 mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. þat is to seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee or compassiou{n}. 436

[Sidenote: Had he been accused of a design to burn temples, massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his accusers.]

¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused þat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed deeþ to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict.

[Sidenote: But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and condemned to death.]

¶ But 440 now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almost fyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and} bountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben 444 þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuer ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as [[pg 20]] myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee.

[Linenotes: 429 _in_--for 430 _vertue_--vertu 431 _had[de]_--hadde 432 _seyne_--seyn _myne_--myn _haþ_--MS. haþe 433 _witte_--wit _vncerteyne_--vncerteyn 434 _al_--alle _submytted[e]_--submittede 435 _seyne_--seyn _cheyned[e]_--enclinede 436 _had[de]_--hadde 438 _wicked_--wykkede _had[de]_--hadde 441 _almost_--almest 442 _þousand_--MS. þousas _wiþ outen_--withowte 444 _done_--doon 445 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 446 _ben_--be _swiche_--swich 447 _myn_ (_both_)--myne _swiche_--whiche _seyen_--sayen]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.]

[Sidenote: Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.]

þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it 448 wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on honde {and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute 452 þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. ne sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne þine eyen.

[Sidenote: He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim of Pythagoras,-- ἕπου Θεῷ.]

¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. 456 þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest 460 me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre chaumbre of myn house.

[Sidenote: His family and friends could clear him from all suspicion of the crime of sorcery.]

þat is to seye my wijf {and} þe co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ 464 hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen me taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame.

[Sidenote: Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.]

¶ For 467 þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tementȝ by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiþ þi techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners. ¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayle me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed 472 wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I haue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme.

[Linenotes: 448 _wolde_--wolden 449 _some_--som _beren_--baren _on honde_--an hand 450 _polute_--polut 451 _sacrelege_--C. _has_ sorcerie _as a gloss to_ sacrilege 453 _al_--alle 454 _had[de]_--hadde _byforne_--byforn 455 _drouppedest_--droppedest _myn_--myne 456 _þilk_--thilke 457 _seyne_--seyn _seruen_--serue _god_--godde 459 _helpe_--help _spirites_--spirite 460 _set_--MS. sette, C. set _syche_--swiche [_þou_]--thow 461 _lyke_--lyk 462 _house_--hows _seye_--seyn 463 _myn_--my 465 _owen_--owne _of al_--from alle _syche_--swich 467 _philosophie_--philosophre _feiþe_--feyth _grete_--gret 468 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 473 _myne_--myn 474 _þere_--ther _harme_--harm]

[[pg 21]] [Headnote: BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.]

þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement of myche folk ne loken no þing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe aue{n}t{ur}e 476 of fortune.

[Sidenote: Most people imagine that that only should be judged to be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with success.]

¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiþ. _Glosa._ ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} worþi to haue þat 480 p{ro}sperite.

[Sidenote: The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.]

and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to haue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke.

[Sidenote: [* Text begins again.]]

*{and} þer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of 484 al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink[e] ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of me. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of contrarious fortune is þis.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 7.]]

*þat whan þat ony blame is 488 laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þat he suffreþ.

[Sidenote: Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and reputation.]

¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men {and} despoiled from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name by gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis. 492

[Sidenote: The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.]

¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se þat euery lorel shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode 496 men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence 500 {and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere.

[Linenotes: 475 _myche_--moche 476 _þe[de]sertys_--the desertȝ 479 _Glosa_--glose 480 _good_--MS. goode, C. good _haue_--han 481 _so_--omitted in C. 481, 482 _haþ_--MS. haþe 483 _haue_--han 484 _Fyrste_--fyrst 485 _al_--alle _þink[e]_--thinke 488 _ony_--any 489 _laid_--MS. laide, C. leyd _haþ_--MS. haþe 490 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 491 _from_--of 494 _abounden_--habownden _gladnes_--gladnesse 495 _oute_--owt 496 _accusen_--accuse 497 _ben_--beth 501 _manere_--wise]

[Headnote: THE CRUEL CHANGES OF FORTUNE]

O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.

[Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Author of the starry sky, Thou, seated on high, turnest the spheres, and imposest laws upon the stars and planets.]

++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche þat art fastned to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest [[pg 22]] þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t þe 505 mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng wiþ alle þe bemes of þe sonne.

[Sidenote: The sun obscures the lesser lights, and quenches even the moon’s light.]

¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan þe mone 508 pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith hir lyȝtes.

[Sidenote: Thou raisest Hesperus to usher in the shades of night, and again causest him to be the harbinger of day, whence his name Lucifer.]

¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche þat in þe first[e] tyme of þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed cours. {and} 512 is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is þan cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter dwellyng in þe tyme of colde wynter þat makeþ þe leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte tides of þe 516 nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen.

[Sidenote: Thou controllest the changing seasons of the year.]

¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ] þo variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde bringeþ aȝein in þe first[e] somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat hyȝt[e] boreas 520 haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us} saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan þe sterre sirius eschaufeþ hym. 524

[Sidenote: All nature is bound by thy eternal law.]

¶ Þere nis no þing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat.

[Linenotes: 502 _whele_--whel _whiche_--which 503 _fastned_--yfastned _chayere_--chayer 504 _sweighe_--sweyh _constreinest_, MS. contreuiest, C. constreynest 506 _hir_--her{e} 508 _lasse_--lesse 510 _esperus whiche_--hesperus which 511 _first[e]_--fyrste _furþe_--forth 512 _eft_--est 514 _restreinest_--MS. restreniest 516 _to_--omitted 518 _attempre[þ] þo_--atempreth the _sesons_--sesoun _ȝere_--yer 519 _wynde bringeþ_--wynd brengeth 520 _wynde_--wynd _hyȝt[e]_--hihte 521 _reft_--MS. refte, C. reft _seyne_--seyn 522 _hyȝt_--hihte _arcturus_--MS. aritur{us} 523 _saw_--MS. saweþ, C. sawgh _hey[e]_--hyye 524 _hym_--hem _þere_--ther _þing_--thinge 525 _from_--fram _forleteþ hym of_--forleetheth þe werke of]

[Headnote: CONTRASTED WITH THE ORDER OF NATURE.]

[Sidenote: Why, then, leavest thou man’s actions uncontrolled?]

¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne ende. why refusest þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of men by dewe manere.

[Sidenote: Why should fickle fortune be allowed to work such mighty changes in the world?]

¶ Whi suffrest þ{o}u þat slidyng 528 fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges. so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissitȝ innocentȝ.

[Sidenote: The wicked are prosperous, while the righteous are in adversity.]

¶ And folk of wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers. {and} anoienge folk 532 treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy men. [[pg 23]] ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame {and} þe peyne of þe felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne 536 þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals colo{ur} ne a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan hem lyst to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne kynges. whiche þ{a}t 540 poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden.

[Sidenote: O thou that bindest the disagreeing elements, look upon this wretched earth, and, as thou dost govern the spacious heavens, so let the earth be firmly bound.]

¶ O þou what so euer þou be þat knyttes[t] alle bondes of þinges loke on þise wrecched[e] erþes. we men þat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we 544 ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou gouerno{ur} wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne {and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ whiche þou gouernest þe heuene þat is so large. 548

[Linenotes: 527 _refusest þou_--refowsestow 529 _to----þinges_--so grete entrechaunginges of thynges 531 _punissitȝ_--punysshe _wikked[e]_--wykkede 532 _heiȝe_--heer{e} 533 _in_--oon 534 {and}--omitted 536 _Ne þe forsweryng_--Ne forswerynge 537 _kembd_--MS. kembde, C. kembd 541 _wiþ[outen]_--withhowtyn 542 _knyttes[t]_--knyttest 543 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede 544 _a_ (2)--omitted 545 _þe_--this 546 _wiþdraw_--MS. wiþdrawe, C. withdrawh _þe_--thei 547 _forme_--ferme [_bonde_]--from C. _wiþ_--by]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY CONSOLES BOETHIUS,]

HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.

[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy consoles Boethius.]

++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out þise þinges sche wiþ hir chere peisible {and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes seide þ{us}. whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] 552 on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be þou fer fro þi contre.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 7 _b_.]]

þou nart *nat put out of it. but þou hast 556 fayled of þi weye {and} gon amys.

[Sidenote: She speaks to him of his country.]

¶ and yif þou hast leuer forto wene þan þou be put out of þi contre. þan hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony oþer wyȝt haþ.

[Linenotes: 550 _broken_--borken 552 _wist[e]_--wyste 553 _on-one_--anon 554 _wist[e]_--wyste _fer_--ferr{e} 555 _ne hadde_--nadde 557 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon 558 _leuer_--leuer{e} 558, 559 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 559 _haþ_--MS. haþe]

[Headnote: AND PROPOSES TO ADMINISTER REMEDIES.]

¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt[e] neuer haue don 560 þat to þe. [[pg 24]]

[Sidenote: She reminds him that he is a citizen of a country not governed by a giddy multitude, but εἷς κοίρανός ἐστιν, εἷς βασιλεύς.]

¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren þe contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god 564 þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of þe dwellyng of hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to his 568 iustice.

[Sidenote: The Commonwealth of Boethius.]

¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi Citee. in þe whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed þat what wyȝt þat haþ leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. þen ellys where: he may not be exiled 572 by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis no drede þat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who þat letteþ þe wille forto enhabit[e] þere. he forleteþ 576 also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke Citee.

[Sidenote: Philosophy says she is moved more by the looks of Boethius than by his gloomy prison.]

¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me nat so myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not raþer þe walles of þi librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt 580 wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe sete of þi þouȝt.

[Sidenote: Books are to be valued on account of the _thoughts_ they contain.]

In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is to sein þe sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of 584 þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. þou hast seid soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode dedys. þou hast seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges 588 þat be{n} knowe to alle folk.

[Sidenote: Boethius has rightfully and briefly recounted the frauds of his accusers.]

and of þe felonies {and} fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it semeþ þe haue I-touched it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten þo same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth [[pg 25]] in þe mouþe of þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou 593 hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of þe wrongful dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my blame.

[Sidenote: Thou hast, said Philosophy, bewailed the loss of thy good name, thou hast complained against Fortune, and against the unequal distribution of rewards and punishments.]

{and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune 596 þat is appaired. {and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in þe l{att}re ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat 600 gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But for þat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed þe. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee dyuersely

[Sidenote: Strong medicines are not proper for thee now, distracted by grief, anger, and sadness.]

¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt. myȝtyer 604 remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche we wil[e] vsen somedel lyȝter medicines.

[Sidenote: Light medicines must prepare thee for sharper remedies.]

So þat þilk[e] passiou{n}s þat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen woxe esy 608 {and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and} more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.

[Linenotes: 560 _myȝt[e]_--myhte _haue_--han _don_--MS. done, C. don 562 _born_--MS. borne, C. born 566 _hys_--hise _putte_--put 568 _be_--ben 571 _haþ_--MS. haþe 572 _house_--hows 574 [_and----clos_]--from C. 576 _wille_--wyl _enhabit[e]_--enhabyte 578 _seye_--sey _amoeueþ_--moueth 579 _myche_--mochel _owen_--owne _ne_ (2)--omitted 582 _putte_ (_both_)--put _somtyme_--whilom 585 _decertes_--desertes _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyde 586 _soþe_--soth 587 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 588 _opposed_--aposyd 599 _knowe_--knowyn 592 _be couth_--MS. be couth{e}, C. ben cowth 596 _wepen_--wopen 597 _laste_--last _eschaufed_--eschaufede 598 _not_--omitted 599 _ȝolde_--yolden 602 _many_--manye 604 _myȝtyer_--myhtyer{e} 605 _whiche_--which 606 _wil[e]_--wol _lyȝter_--lyhter{e} _þilk[e]_--thilke 607 _harde_--hard 608 _folowyng_--Flowyng _woxe_--wexen 610 _esier_--esyer{e}]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY QUESTIONS BOETHIUS.]

CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.

[Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: He who sows his seed when the sun is in the Sign of Cancer, must look for no produce.]

++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by þe beme of pheb{us}. þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} 612 þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre. Who so ȝeueþ þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes.

[Sidenote: Think not to ingather violets in the wintry and stormy season.]

yif þou wilt 616 gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode whan þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of þe wynde þat hyȝt aquilon

[Sidenote: If you wish for wine in autumn let the tendrils of the vine be free in the spring.]

Yif þou desirest or ¶ wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ a gloto{n}us hande [[pg 26]] to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe first 621 somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer ȝeuen his ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer.

[Sidenote: To every work God assigns a proper time, nor suffers anything to pass its bounds.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 8.]]

¶ God tokeniþ {and} assigneþ *þe tymes. ablyng hem 624 to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffreþ not stoundes whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined to be medeled to gidre

[Sidenote: Success does not await him who departs from the appointed order of things.]

¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. 628 he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys werkes.

[Linenotes: 612 _beme_--beemes _seyne_--seyn 614 _hys_--hise _refuse_--refusen 615 after _hem_ C. adds [s. corn] _lete hym gon_ (MS. _gone_)--lat hym gon 616 _or_--of _wilt gadre_--wolt gadery 618 _felde_--feeld _felnesse_--felnesses 619 _hyȝt_--hyhte 620 _hande_--hond 622 _haþ_--MS. haþe 625 _her propre_--heer{e} propres _not_--nat the 626 _haþ_--MS. haþe 627 _be medeled_--ben I-medled 628 _certeyne_--certeyn 629 _haþ_--MS. haþe]

[Headnote: DISCOVERS THE CAUSE OF HIS DISTEMPER.]

PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.

[Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy proposes to question Boethius.]

++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat of þi þouȝt by a fewe demaundes. so þat I may vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe 632 me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I schal answer{e}.

[Sidenote: _P._ Is the world governed by Chance?]

¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d sche þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any 636 gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}.

[Sidenote: _B._ By no means. The Creator presides over his own works.]

Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere þat so certeyne þinges scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk.

[Sidenote: I shall never swerve from this opinion.]

Ne neuer nas 640 ȝit day þat myȝt[e] putte me oute of þe soþenesse of þat sentence.

[Sidenote: _P._ Yes! Thou didst say as much when thou didst declare man alone to be destitute of divine care.]

¶ So is it q{uod} sche. for þe same þing songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and} byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of 644 god. ¶ For of alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}.

[Sidenote: Still thou seemest to labour under some defect even in this conviction.]

but how (.i. pape.). I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen þou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken 648 depper. I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. [[pg 27]]

[Sidenote: Tell me how the world is governed.]

but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche gouernailes takest þou hede þat it is gouerned.

[Sidenote: _B._ I do not thoroughly comprehend your question.]

¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe 652 .I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat ȝit answeren to þi demaundes.

[Sidenote: _P._ I was not deceived, then, when I said there was some defect in thy sentiment.]

¶ I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ su{m}what. by whiche þe maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi þouȝt. so 656 as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open.

[Sidenote: Tell me what is the chief end of all things; and whither all things tend.]

¶ But seye me þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of þi þinges. whider þat þe entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse 660 haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche þou wost wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded.

[Sidenote: _B._ God is the beginning of all things.]

I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] þat god is þe bygynnyng of al.

[Sidenote: _P._ How, then, art thou ignorant of their end?]

¶ And how may þis be 664 q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of þinges. þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of þinges.

[Sidenote: But it is the nature of these perturbations (which thou endurest) to unsettle men’s minds.]

but swiche ben þe customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} þis power þei han. þat þei may moeue a ma{n} fro 668 hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat þou woldest answere to þis.

[Sidenote: Dost thou remember that thou art a man?]

¶ Remembrest þou þat 672 þou art a man

[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly I do.]

¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre þat q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ What is man?]

_Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste þou not telle me þan q{uod} sche what þing is a man.

[Sidenote: _B._ If you ask me whether I am a rational and mortal creature, I know and confess I am.]

¶ Axest not me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a resonable best mortel. I 676 wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it.

[Sidenote: _P._ But dost thou not know that thou art more than this?]

¶ Wistest þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she.

[Linenotes: 630 _wolt þou_--woltow _stat_--estat 633 _atte_--at _wilt_--wolt 635 _worlde_--world _foolisshe_--foolyssh 636 _fortunes_--fortunows 638 _scholde_--sholden 639 _wot_--MS. wote, C. woot 641 _myȝt[e] putte_--myhte put 644 _put_--MS. putte 645 _doutest_--dowtedest 646 _how_--owh 647 _seek siþen_--syk{e} syn 648 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 649 _depper_--depper{e} _not what_--not ner{e} what 650 _siþen_--syn _worlde_--world 651 _takest þou_--takestow 658 _seye_--sey _remembrest þou_--remenbres thow _ouȝt_--omitted 659 _al_--alle 660 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde _herd told it_--herd yt toold 661 _haþ_--MS. haþe 663 _proceded_--procedeth _ansewered[e]_--answerede 664 _þe_--omitted _al_--alle 665 _siþen_--syn 668 _fro_--owt of 669 _seyne from_--seyn fro 672 _Remembrest þou_--Remenbresthow 674 _Maiste þou_--Maysthow 675 _þan_--þanne _þing_--thinge _Axest_--Axestow 677 _Wistest þou_--wystesthow 678 _þing_--thinge]

[[pg 28]] [Headnote: BOETHIUS NEEDS LIGHT REMEDIES.]

[Sidenote: _B._ No.]

No q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Now I know the principal cause of thy distemper.]

now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete ¶ Þou hast left forto 680 knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue pleynelyche knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe entre of recoueryng of þin hele.

[Sidenote: Thou hast lost the knowledge of thyself, thou knowest not the end of things, and hast forgotten how the world is governed.]

¶ Forwhy for þou art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng of þi self. forþi sorwest 684 þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest [þou] þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful for þou hast forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde 688 is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}.

[Sidenote: These are not only great occasions of disease, but also causes of death itself.]

þise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to deeþ

[Sidenote: I thank God that Reason hath not wholly deserted thee.]

¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of 692 heele þat nat{ur}e haþ not al forleten þe.

[Sidenote: I have some hope of thy recovery since thou believest that the world is under Divine Providence, for this small spark shall produce vital heat.]

{and} I haue g[r]ete norissinges of þi hele. {and} þat is þe soþe sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 8 _b_.]]

þat þou byleuest þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput 696 to þe folie *of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe resou{n} of god ¶ And þer fore doute þe noþing. For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal shine.

[Sidenote: But as this is not the time for stronger remedies, and because it is natural to embrace false opinions so soon as we have laid aside the true, from whence arises a mist that darkens the understanding, I shall endeavour therefore to dissipate these vapours so that you may perceive the true light.]

¶ But for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies 700 ¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte as þei casten aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray 704 insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies. so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. þou mow[e] knowe þe schynyng 708 of verray lyȝt.

[Linenotes: 680 _hast left_--MS. haste lefte, C. hast left 681 _knowe_--knowen _pleynelyche knowen_--pleynly fwonde [= founde] 684 _sorwest þou_--sorwistow 686 _for[þi] demest [þou]_--For thy demesthow 687 _wikked_--MS. wilked, C. wykkyd 688 _worlde_--world 689 _wenest þou_--wenestow 690 _outen_--owte 693 _haþ_--MS. haþe _al_--alle 694 _þi_--thin 696 _vnderput_--vndyrputte 697 _to_ (2)--omitted 698 _fore_--for _noþing_--nothinge 699 _spark þine heet_--sparke thin hete 700 _muche_--meche 702 _aweye_--away 703 [_of----opyniouns_]--from C. 705 _insyȝt_--insyhte _say_--assaye 706 _lyȝt_--lyhte 708 _don_--MS. don{e} _mow[e]_--mowe]

[[pg 29]] [Headnote: HE IS NOT TO TAKE HIS LOSSES TO HEART.]

NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.

[Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]]

[Sidenote: Black clouds obscure the light of the stars.]

++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no lyȝt.

[Sidenote: If the south wind renders the sea tempestuous, the waves, fouled with mud, will lose their glassy clearness.]

Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g þe see medleþ þe 712 heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme ¶ Þe wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to þe fair[e] bryȝt[e] dayes wiþstant anon þe syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure þat is resolued. 716 {and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by þe encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some roche. 720

[Sidenote: If thou wouldst see truth by the clearest light, pursue the path of right.]

¶ And forþi yif þou wilt loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt. {and} holde þe weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe.

[Sidenote: Away with joy, fear, hope, and sorrow.]

¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che.

[Sidenote: Let none of these passions cloud thy mind.]

þat is to sein lat noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. 724 or blynde þe.

[Sidenote: Where these things control, the soul is bound by strong fetters.]

for cloudy {and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise þinges regnen.

EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.

[Linenotes: 710 _blak[e]_--blake 712 _stormynge_--turnyng 713 _from_--fro 714 _somtyme_--whilom 715 _lyke_--lyk _fair[e]----wiþstant_ (MS. wiþstante)--fayr{e} cleer{e} dayes {and} brihte withstand 716 _syȝtes_--syhtes 717 _streme_--strem 718 _heyȝe_--hy 720 _from some_--fram som _wilt_--wolt 721 _soþe_--soth _clere_--cleer _holde_--holden 722 _weye_--wey _paþe_--paath 724 _come_--comen 725 _blynde_--blende _þilk_--thilke]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY EXHIBITS TO BOETHIUS THE WILES OF FORTUNE.]

INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.

POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT.

[Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy exhorts Boethius not to torment himself on account of his losses.]

++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she 728 seide þus.

[Sidenote: Thou art, she says, affected by the loss of thy former fortune.]

¶ As who so myȝt[e] seye þus. After þise þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to herkene hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif 732 I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe [[pg 30]] causes {and} þe habit of þi maladie. þou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi raþer fortune.

[Sidenote: It hath perverted thy faculties.]

¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou 736 feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe astat of þi corage.

[Sidenote: I am well acquainted with all the wiles of that Prodigy (_i. e._ Fortune).]

¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem 740 þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde wiþ vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left in despeir vnpurueyed.

[Sidenote: Though she has left thee, thou hast not lost anything of beauty or of worth.]

¶ and if þou remembrest wel þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune. þow 744 shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don þe remembren of þise þinges.

[Sidenote: Thou wert once proof against her allurements.]

¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir 748 wiþ manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre. þat is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n}

[Sidenote: But sudden change works a great alteration in the minds of men, hence it is that thou art departed from thy usual peace of mind.]

¶ But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne 752 bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro þe pees of þi þouȝt.

[Sidenote: But with some gentle emollients I shall prepare thee for stronger medicines.]

but now is tyme þat þou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable þinges. so þat whan 756 þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes.

[Sidenote: Approach then, Rhetoric, with thy persuasive charms, and therewith let Music also draw near.]

¶ Com nowe furþe þerfore þe suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil she forsakeþ not myne 760 estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. [[pg 31]]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 9.]]

*what ayleþ þe man. what is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. 764 I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and} uncouþe.

[Sidenote: Thou thinkest that Fortune is changed towards thee.]

¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe

[Sidenote: But thou art deceived.]

¶ But þou wenest wrong. yif þou [þat] wene.

[Sidenote: In this misadventure of thine she hath preserved her constancy in changing.]

Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer [kept] as to 768 þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e] þe. {and} desseiued[e] þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse.

[Sidenote: You have seen the double face of this blind divinity.]

þou hast now knowen {and} ataynt 772 þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir to oþer folk. haþ shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat she is good. vse 776 hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat.

[Sidenote: If thou dost abhor her perfidy cast her off, for her sports are dangerous.]

¶ And if þou agrisest hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat pleyeþ so harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so myche sorwe to þe. sholde be to þe cause of pees {and} 780 [of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe whiche þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake hym. _Glose._ ¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe ne þer nis no man 784 syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken.

[Sidenote: Is that happiness which is so transient?]

¶ Holdest þou þan þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen.

[Sidenote: Is the attendance of Fortune so dear to thee, whose stay is so uncertain, and whose removal causes such grief?]

{and} is p{re}sent fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis not feiþful forto dwelle. {and} whan she goþ aweye þat 788 she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche whe{n} she dep{ar}teþ fro hym.

[Sidenote: What is she (Fortune) but the presage of future calamity?]

¶ What oþer þing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse [[pg 32]] þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken 793 of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but wisdom lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges.

[Sidenote: Her mutability should make men neither fear her threats nor desire her favours.]

{and} þe same chau{n}gyng from one to an oþer. þat is to seyne 796 fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat þe manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of hir to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe to suffren wiþ euene wille in pacience al þat is don 800 inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to seyne in þis worlde.

[Linenotes: 727 _she_ (2)--I 729 _myȝt[e] seye_--myht{e} seyn 730 _stynt[e]_--stynte 732 _hire_--here 733 _knowe vtterly_--knowen owtrely 734 _languissed_--languyssest 737 _haþ_--MS. haþe 738 _astat_--estat _felefolde_--feelefold 739 _colour_--colours _deceites_ (MS. decrites)--deceytes _merueillous_--meruayles 742 _haþ_--MS. haþe 743 _if_--yif 746 _any_ (MS. my)--any _þing_--thinge 747 _trauaile_--travaylen _don_--do _remembren of_--remenbre on 748 [_and despysen_]--from C. 749 _was_--omitted 750 _were_--weren 751 _myne_--myn _seyne_--sayn 752 _sudeyne_--sodeyn 753 _outen_--owte 757 _inne_--in _mow----weye_--mowe maken way 758 _strenger_--strengere _Com nowe furþe_--MS. Come; C. Com now forth 760 _goþ_--MS. goþe 761 _com_--MS. come, C. com 762 _house_--hows _lyȝter_--lyhter{e} 763 _prolaciouns_--p{ro}basyons _heuyer_--heuyer{e} _ayleþ_--eyleth 765 _trow[e]_--trowe _sen_--MS. sene, C. seyn _some_--som _þing_--thinge _uncouþe_--vnkowth 766 _aȝeins_--ayein 767 _wenest_--weenes [_þat_]--C. that 768 _haþ_--MS. haþe [_kept_]--from C. 769 _stablenes in þe_--stabylnesse standeth in the 770 _swyche_--swich 771 _vnleueful_--vnlefful 775 _haþ_--MS. had, C. hat 776 _good_--MS. goode, C. god 777 _agrisest_--MS. agrised, C. agrysyst 778 _fals[e]_--false 780 _myche_--mochel 781 [_of_]--from C. _haþ_--MS. haþe 783 _text_--texte 784 _haþ_--MS. haþe 785 _forsaken_--forsake _Holdest þou_--holdestow 786 _þan_--thanne _preciouse_--p{re}syes 787 _derworþi_--dereworthe _whiche_--which 788 _feiþful_--feythfulle _goþ_--MS. goþe _aweye_--awey 790 _mans_--mannys 791 _when_--wan _þing_--thinge 793 _suffriþ_--suffiseth 794 _of þing_--on thynge _byforne_--MS. byforne byforne _man_--a man 795 _mesureþ_--amesureth 796 _from one_--fram oon _seyne_--seyn 797 _fro_--from _to_--into 799 _atte þe last_--at the laste]

[Headnote: PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.]

[Sidenote: If you submit to her yoke you must patiently endure her inflictions.]

¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely 804 to be þi lady

[Sidenote: Impatience will only embitter your loss.]

¶ Art þou nat wrongful in þat {and} makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin inpacience. {and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir.

[Sidenote: You cannot choose your port if you leave your vessel to the mercy of the winds.]

¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest [{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt 808 be shouen not þider þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest þi seedes in þe feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben oþer while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne.

[Sidenote: You have given yourself up to Fortune; it becomes you therefore to obey her commands.]

¶ Þou 812 hast bytaken þiself to þe gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt to þe manere of þi lady.

[Sidenote: Would you stop the rolling of her wheel?]

and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng 816 whele.

[Sidenote: Fool! if Fortune once became stable she would cease to exist.]

¶ O þou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune.

[Linenotes: 801 _seyne_--seyn _worlde_--world 802 _Syþen_--Syn _ȝokke_--yok{e} 803 _if_--yif _write_--wryten 804 _whiche_--which 805 _lady_--ladye _Art þou_--Artow 806 _wroþe_--wroth _þin_--thine 807 _chaungen_--chaunge 808 [_and_]--from C. 809 _þider_--thedyr _whider_--whedyr 811 _haue_--han 814 _manere_--maneres 815 {and}--omitted _wiþstonden_--withholden 816 _sweyes_--sweyȝ 818 _cesed[e]_--cesede]

[[pg 33]] [Headnote: THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.]

HEC CUM SUPERBA.

[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]

[Sidenote: Fortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of Euripus.]

++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners 820 of þe boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. _Texte_

[Sidenote: She hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the captive.]

¶ She cruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren 824 ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble chere of hym þat is discomfited.

[Sidenote: She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the wretched.]

{and} she neyþer hereþ ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche 828 she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille.

[Sidenote: Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is hurled from happiness into adversity.]

¶ Þus she pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝt is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre. 832

[Linenotes: 819 _proude_--prowd _hande_--hand _haþ_--MS. haþe 820 _lyke_--lik 821 _arme_--arm 822 _streme_--strem 823 _one_--o 821 _adoune_--adown _somtyme_--whilom 825 _ydred_ (MS. _ydredde_)--ydrad _humble_--vmble 827 _reccheþ_--rekkeþ _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede _harde_--hard 828 _lauȝeþ_--lyssheth _wepyng_--wepynges 830 _strengþe_--strengthes]

[Headnote: PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.]

VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.

[Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of Fortune.]

++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge þe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t she axeþ ryȝt.

[Sidenote: Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 9 _b_.]]

*¶ O þou man wher fore makest þou me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges 836 haue I don þe.

[Sidenote: What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?]

what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren þine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þou wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites

[Sidenote: Can you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in his riches?]

¶ And yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ 840 receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan wol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges were{n} þine whiche þat þou axest.

[Sidenote: You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and encompassed you with affluence.]

¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þe forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked 844 {and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my [[pg 34]] rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to sustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunce {and} 848 shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt.

[Sidenote: Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be thankful and complain not.]

¶ Now it lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace as he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi 852 þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong.

[Sidenote: Riches and honours are subject to me.]

Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my ryȝt.

[Sidenote: They are my servants, and come and go with me.]

¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel 856 affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þou pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne haddest not lorn he{m}.

[Sidenote: Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?]

¶ shal I þan only be defended to vse my ryȝt.

[Sidenote: Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same with dark nights?]

¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to 860 make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe same dayes wiþ derke nyȝtes.

[Sidenote: Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with flowers?]

¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile þe visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} 864 wiþ coldes.

[Sidenote: The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.]

¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and} somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes.

[Sidenote: Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of men?]

¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched 868 shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesse is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe.

[Sidenote: I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting what was low, and bringing down what was high.]

{and} þis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g whele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge 872 þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and} þe heyest to þe loweste.

[Linenotes: 833 _plete_--pleten 834 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak 835 _makest þou_--makes thow 836 _wronges_--wro{n}ge 837 _don_--MS. done, C. don _byreft_--MS. byrefte, C. byreft 838 _stryf_--MS. stryue, C. stryf _plete_--pleten _by fore_--by forn 839 _wilt_--wolt _rycchesse_--rychesses 840 _shewe_--shewyn _euer_--eu{er}e _haþ_--MS. haþe 841 _þese_--tho _his_--hise 842 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te [_alle_]--from C. 845 _al þing_--alle thinges _norysshed[e]_--noryssede 846 _rychesse_--rychesses 848, 849 _al_--alle 848 _habundaunce_--abou{n}dau{n}ce 850 _wiþ----hande_--withdrawen myn hand _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 851 _haþ_--MS. haþe 852 _vtterly_--outrely _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn. 853 _don_--MS. done, C. don 854 _Ricches_--Rychesses 858 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn 859 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn 860 _vse_--vsen 861 _keuere þe_--coeu{er}yn tho 862 _derke_--dirk _erþe_--yer _haþ_--MS. haþe 864 _confounde_--co{n}fownden 865 _haþ_--MS. haþe 866 _calme_--kalm 867 (2nd) _wiþ_--omitted 869 _stedfast_--stidefast _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse 870 _vnkouþ_--MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowth _Swyche_--Swych 871 _pley[e]_--pleye 872 _whele_--wheel _glade_--glad _chaunge_--chaungy{n}]

[[pg 35]] [Headnote: BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.]

[Sidenote: Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport requires it.]

worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þou ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it.

[Sidenote: Know you not the history of Crœsus and of Paulus Æmilius?]

Wost þou 876 not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be brent. but þat a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene 880 þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde how þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe self[e] kyng.

[Sidenote: What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of Fortune?]

What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of 884 Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley ¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse.

[Sidenote: Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of Jove’s palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other of woes?]

Lernedest nat þou 888 in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þe seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat on is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme.

[Sidenote: What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?]

¶ What ryȝt hast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously 892 of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe.

[Sidenote: My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.]

What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause of hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges.

[Sidenote: Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of humanity.]

¶ Naþeles desmaie þe 896 nat in þi þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt.

[Linenotes: 874 _worþe_--worth _wilt_--wolt 876 _doun_--adou{n} _whanne_--wan _pleye_--pley _Wost þou_--wistesthow 877 _kyng_ (1)--the kyng _lyndens_--lydyens 878 _byforne_--byforn 880 _reyne descended[e]_--rayn dessendede _from_--fro 881 _rescowed[e]_--rescowede 882 _take_--takyn 885 _an_--a 886 _þe_--omitted 887 _seyne_--seyn 890 _tunnes_--tonnes 891 _harme_--harm 892 _hast þou_--hasthow 893 _seyne_--seyn _rycchesse_--rychesses 894 _I be nat_--I ne be nat al 896 _better_--beter{e} 898 _lyue_--lyuen _þine_--thin]

[Headnote: THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.]

SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.

[Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Though Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.]

++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiþ ful horn. {and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As 900 many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many [[pg 36]] rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe sterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to 904 wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.

[Sidenote: Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still cry for more.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 10.]]

¶ And al be it so *þat god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ noble or clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. 908 but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þei han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapen {and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse.

[Sidenote: What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?]

¶ What brideles myȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene 912 coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest of hauyng.

[Sidenote: He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth truly labour under poverty.]

¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ hym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche. 916

[Linenotes: 899 _rycches_--rychesses 901 _recches_--rychesses _vpwardes_--vpward 902 _rauysshing_--rauyssynge 903 _rycches_--rychesses _bryȝt[e]_--bryhte _on_ (1)--in 904 _nyȝt_--nyhtes 905 _wope wrecched[e]_--wepe wrecchede 906 _her_--hir _ful_--fool 907 _muche_--meche _folk_--men 908 _haue_--hauen _I-gete_--I-getyn 909 _her_--hir 910 _seye_--seyn 911 _rycchesse_--rychesses 912 _wiþholde_--wytholden _certeyne_--certeyn 914 _þrest_--thurst 915 _dredeful_--dredful 916 _lyueþ_--leueth]

[Headnote: BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.]

HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.

[Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: If Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your complaint.]

++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in þis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þi{n}g wherwiþ. þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It 920 byhoueþ þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to tellen it.

[Sidenote: _B._ What you have said is very specious, but such discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.]

¶ Certeynely q{uod} I þan þise ben faire þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben 924 deliciouse.

[Sidenote: They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has made in the heart.]

¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat þei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delites of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat 928 whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. þe sorwe [[pg 37]] þat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt.

[Sidenote: _P._ So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed as remedies, but as lenitives only.]

Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. but þei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel 932 aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}.

[Sidenote: When time serves, I will administer those things that shall reach the seat of your disease.]

¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe.

[Sidenote: But you are not among the number of the wretched.]

¶ But naþeles þ{a}t þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self a wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe nou{m}bre {and} þe 936 manere of þi welefulnesse.

[Sidenote: I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;]

I holde me stille how þat þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and} kepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of þe Citee. 940 ¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere þan forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful 944 wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe.

[Sidenote: nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.]

¶ {And} wiþ þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and} noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi sones {and} ou{er} al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. 948 ¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat weren warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of 952 welefulnesse.

[Sidenote: Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?]

¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for any charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret 956 assemble of senatours. {and} vndir þe blyþenesse of poeple. {and} whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere [[pg 38]] of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of 960 eloquence.

[Sidenote: When in the circus you satisfied the expectant multitude with a triumphal largess?]

whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. {and} fulfildest þe abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þe wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. 964

[Sidenote: By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.]

þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat is to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þe {and} norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast 968 had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to p{re}ue man

[Sidenote: Will you therefore call Fortune to account?]

¶ Wilt þou þerfore leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune.

[Sidenote: She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that you are still happy.]

she haþ now twynkeled first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere 972 þe nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi sorwes.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 10 _b_.]]

*þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful.

[Linenotes: 918 [_nat_]--from C. 919 _if_--yif 920 _mayist_--mayst _tellen_--defendyn 921 _ȝeue_--yeuyn 922 _þan_--thanne _ben_--bet (= beth) 923 _swetnesse_--swetenesse 924 _while_--whil _herd_--MS. herde 926 _harme_--harm 928 _mowe_--mowen 929 _soun[e]_-sowne 930 _inset_--MS. insette, C. inset 932 _sorwe_--sorwes 933 _aȝeyne_--ayein 934 _moue swiche_--moeue swych 938 _souerayn_--sou{er}ane 943 _neyȝbour_--neysshebo{ur} 944 _nere_--were 945 _nobley_--nobleye _fadres_--fadyr-is 947 _seyne_--seyn 948 _lyst_--lyste _passe of_--passen the 949 _þouȝt_--yowthe 950 _warned_--werned 952 _fruyt_--frute _price_--p{r}is 953 _Myȝtest þow_--myhtes-thow 954 _harme_--harm _myȝt[e] byfallen_--myhte befalle 955 _sey[e]_--saye 956 _from_--fro _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret 958 _say[e]_--saye _sette_--set _her_--heer{e} 961 _bytwix_--bytwyen 962 _hyȝt_--hihte 963 _of_ (1)--of the _about_--abowten 964 _wiþ_--w{i}t{h} so 965 _ȝaue_--MS. þan, C. yaue _of_--to 966 _seyne_--seyn 967 _accoied[e]_--acoyede 968 _norsshed[e]_--noryssede _owen_--owne _þou----of_--thow bar away of 969 _had_--MS. hadde _swiche_--swich 970 _preue_--pryue 971 _leye_--lye _haþ_--MS. haþe 972 _wykked_--wyckede 973 _blysses_--blysse 974 _forsake_--forsakyn _nart_--art _blysful_--blysseful]

[Headnote: ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.]

[Sidenote: These evils that you suffer are but transitory.]

For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þinges þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi 976 þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now semen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þis lijf.

[Sidenote: Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?]

or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis 980 þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same man. þat is to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunous þinges willen dwelle.

[Sidenote: The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.]

ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day 984 of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also to þilke þat haþ dwelt.

[Sidenote: What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?]

{and} þerfore what wenist þou þar recche yif þou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she fortune forlete þe i{n} fleenge awey. 988

[Linenotes: 978 _soory_--sorye _firste_--fyrst 979 _sodeyne_--sodeyn _shadowe_--shadwe 980 _stedfastnesse_--stedefastnesse 981 _swifte_--swyft _dissolueþ_--dyssoluede 983 _al þouȝ þat_--al þ{a}t thowgh _fortunous_--fortune 984 _willen dwelle_--wolen dwellyn _last[e]_--laste 986 _haþ_--MS. haþe _wenist þou_--weenestow 987 _þar recche_--dar recke 988 _awey_--away]

[[pg 39]] [Headnote: MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.]

CUM PRIMO POLO.

[Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: The stars pale before the light of the rising sun.]

++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd paleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe so{n}ne þat ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe 992 sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir lyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne.

[Sidenote: Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly winds cause their beauty to fade.]

¶ Whan þe wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somer sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ 996 warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes.

[Sidenote: Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.]

Ofte þe see is clere {and} calme wiþoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes 1000 {and} ouer whelweþ þe see.

[Sidenote: If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory riches?]

¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde is so [ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many entrechau{n}gynges. wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. 1004

[Sidenote: All here below is unstedfast and unstable.]

It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable þat no þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable.

[Linenotes: 989 _his_--hyr 990 _þan_--thanne 991 _flamus_--flambes 995 _redy_--rody _rosene_--rosyn 997 _warme_--warm 998 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth _fayrnesse_--fayrenesse 999 _clere_--cleer _calme_--kalm 1000 _wynde_--wynd 1001 _whelweþ_--welueeth 1002 [_ȝeelde_]--from C. 1003, 1004 _wilt þou_--wolthow 1003 _þan_--thanne _trublynge_--towmbly{n}ge 1004 _in flittyng_--on flettynge 1005 _It is_--is it 1006 _no_--ne _stable_--estable]

[Headnote: MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.]

TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M.

[Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.]

++ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e] 1008 swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. þat is to seine. þat p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} soone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it remembreþ me.

[Sidenote: It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds most to man’s infelicity.]

¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe 1012 most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han ben weleful.

[Sidenote: _P._ Recollect that you have yet much affluence.]

¶ But þat þou q{uo}d she abaist þus þe to{ur}ment of þi fals[e] opiniou{n} þat maist þou not ryȝtfully blamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou [[pg 40]] hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶ _Textus._ 1017 For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee. 1020

[Sidenote: What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.]

¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest for most p{re}cious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept to þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. Mayst þou þa{n} pleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune. 1024 syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit lyueþ in goode poynt þilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde.

[Sidenote: Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.]

¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. þe whiche 1028 man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owen lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. {and} not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any sentence put aȝeins him.

[Sidenote: Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her separation from you.]

¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat 1032 is attempre of witte {and} passyng oþer women in clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ looþ of hir life. {and} kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. {and} 1036 is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot graunten þat þi welefulnesse is amenused.

[Sidenote: Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 11.]]

¶ What shal I seyn eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children 1040 of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte of hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir.

[Sidenote: And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life; you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all men value more than life.]

and siþen þe souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues.

[Linenotes: 1008 _soþe_--soth _Ne I may_--Ne I ne may 1009 _seine_--seyn 1011 _a_--omitted _gretly_--gretely 1012 _aduersitees_--adu{er}syte 1013 _most_--mooste 1014 _abaist_--abyest 1015 _tourment_--tormentȝ _fals[e]_--false 1016 _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyh 1017 _ȝitte_--yit 1019 _leueful_--leefful 1020 _many[e] þinges_--manye grete thinges 1022 _alle_--al 1023 _þe by_--the yit by 1024 _myschief_--meschef 1025 _best[e]_--beste 1026 _lyueþ_--leueth _goode_--good 1027 _whiche_--which 1028 _al_--alle _of_ (2)--omitted 1029 _b[i]en_--byen _owen_--owne 1030 _byweyleþ_--bewayleth _don_--MS. done, C. don 1031 _liueþ_--leueth 1033 _witte_--wyt _women_--wymmen 1034 _shortly_--shortely 1035 _lyke_--lik _welle_--wel 1036 _hir life_--this lyf 1037 _maat_--maad 1038 _whiche_--weche 1039 _amenused_--amenyssed _seyn_--(MS. seyne) seyn 1041 _lyknesse_--lykenesse _witte_--wyt 1042 {and} (1)--or _eldefadir_--eldyr fadyr _siþen_--syn 1043 _folke_--folk]

[Headnote: THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.]

¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes. 1044 ¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwelly{n}g to þe wardes þat no [[pg 41]] man douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þen þine owen lijf.

[Sidenote: Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and hope of future felicity.]

¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ou{er} 1048 greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þis tyme p{re}sent. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passen ne to falle{n}.

[Sidenote: _B._ I hope these will never fail me.]

¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I þat fast[e] mot[en] 1052 þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so eu{er}e þat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen.

[Sidenote: But do you not see how low I am fallen?]

¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and} aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me. 1056

[Sidenote: _P._ I should think that I had made progress if you did not repine so at your fate.]

¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forþered þe q{uod} she. if þat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As who seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þou tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast 1060 ȝit þi best[e] þinges.

[Sidenote: It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so many comforts.]

¶ But I may nat suffre þin delices. þat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for þat oþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse.

[Sidenote: Every one, however happy, has something to complain of.]

¶ For what man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. þat he ne 1064 stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee of his estat.

[Sidenote: The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does come.]

¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciou{n} of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not p{er}petuely. 1068

[Linenotes: 1044 _art þou þouȝ_--arthow yif 1045 _But ȝitte_--for yit _dwellyng_--dwellyd _wardes_--ward 1046 _þat_--than _derworþe_--dereworthe _þen þine_--than thin 1047 _ȝitte_--yit 1049 _haþ_--MS. haþe _þin_--thyne 1050 _cliue fast[e]_--cleuen faste _wole suffre_--wolen suffren 1052 _fallen_--faylen _fast[e] mot[en]_--faste moten 1053 _holden_--halden 1054 _furþe_--forth 1055 _mayst_--mayste _greet[e]_--grete 1058 _forþenke_--forthinke 1061 _best[e]_--beste _suffre þin_--suffren thi 1063 _oþer_--ther 1064 _perfit_--parfyt 1065 _or_--and _some half aȝeine_--som halue ayen 1067 _mans_--mannes _comeþ al_--comth nat al 1068 _lasteþ_--last _perpetuely_--p{er}petuel]

[Headnote: HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.]

[Sidenote: One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.]

¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed of hys vngentil lynage.

[Sidenote: Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is surrounded by indigence.]

{and} som man is renomed of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so grete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat 1072 he were vnknowe.

[Sidenote: A third is blest with both advantages, but is unmarried.]

and som ma{n} habundeþ boþe i{n} rychesse {and} noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e] lijf. for he haþ no wijf. [[pg 42]]

[Sidenote: This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their evil ways.]

¶ and som man is wel {and} selily maried but he haþ no children. {and} norissheþ his 1076 ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for þe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir.

[Sidenote: Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state of his fortune.]

¶ and for þis þer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. 1080 for alwey to euery man þere is i{n} mest somwhat þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat he haþ assaied.

[Sidenote: The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and they are impatient if anything is untoward.]

¶ {And} adde þis also þat euery weleful man haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle 1084 þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þrowe adoũne for euery lytel þing.

[Sidenote: The happiness of the most fortunate depends on trifles.]

¶ And ful lytel þinges ben þo þat wiþdrawen þe so{m}me or þe p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of 1088 blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat.

[Sidenote: How many would think themselves in heaven if they had only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!]

¶ How many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to ben almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e] p{ar}tie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place 1092 þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabiten here.

[Sidenote: Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art miserable.]

{and} forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þou wenest it

[Sidenote: Every lot may be happy to the man who bears his condition with equanimity and courage.]

¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt ellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a 1096 wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage.

[Linenotes: 1069 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1070 _renomed_--renowned 1072 _angre for_--Angwysshe of _leuer_--leu{er}e 1074 _chast[e]_--caste 1075, 1076 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1076 _maried_--ymaryed _his_--hise 1077 _ricchesse_--Rychesses _heires_--eyres _folk_--foolkys 1080 _þer_--þ{er} ne 1081 _mest_--omitted 1082 _vnassaieþ_--vnassaied _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot 1083, 1084 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1084 _wel_--ful 1085 _fallen_--byfalle _wille_--wyl 1086 _none_--non _an-oone_--Anon _þrowe_--throwen 1087 _adoũne_--adou{n} 1090 _wolde_--wolden 1095 _it_--hyt _who_--ho 1096 _no_--a]

[Headnote: THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.]

CONTRAQ{UE}.

[Sidenote: When patience is lost then a change of state is desired.]

++And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe agreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it. ¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chau{n}ge{n} 1100 his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses. þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete {and} [[pg 43]] ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden 1104 þat it ne goþ away whan it wol.

[Sidenote: How much is human felicity embittered!]

¶ Þan is it wel sen how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges.

[Sidenote: It will not stay with those that endure their lot with equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.]

þat neiþ{er} it dwelliþ p{er}petuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in 1108 al. to hem þat ben anguissous.

[Sidenote: Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that felicity which is to be found within yourselves?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 11 _b_.]]

¶ O ye mortel folkes what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche þat is put in ȝoure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}deþ ȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne 1112 blisfulnesse.

[Sidenote: Nothing is more precious than thyself.]

Is þer any þing to þe more p{re}ciouse þan þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay.

[Sidenote: If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot deprive thee of it.]

¶ Þan if it so be þat þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee of þi soule. þan hast þou þing i{n} þi power þat þou 1116 noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe.

[Sidenote: Happiness does not consist in things transitory.]

{and} þat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel.

[Sidenote: If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.]

¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir þus 1120 yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat liueþ by resou{n} ¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereyne goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more worþi þing {and} more digne is þilke þing þ{a}t may nat be 1124 taken awey.

[Sidenote: Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true happiness.]

¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer.

[Sidenote: He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it is changeable or does not know it.]

¶ What man þat þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat 1128 [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.

[Sidenote: If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the blindness of his ignorance?]

¶ And yif he woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot þat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þ{a}t he ne lese 1132 þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it.

[Linenotes: 1098 _aȝeinewarde al_--ayeinward alle 1099 _it_--hyt 1101 _whan_--what _haþ_--MS. haþe _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lost 1102 _yspranid_--spraynyd _bitternesses_--beternesses 1104 _hym_--hem _it_--hyt _be_--ben 1105 _goþ_--MS. geþe _wol_--woole _sen_--MS. sene 1107 _dwelliþ_--dureth 1109 _folkes_--folk{e} 1110 _oute_--owt 1112 _shortly_--shortely 1114 _wilt_--MS. wilte, C. wolt _if_--yif 1117 _by-nyme_--be-neme 1118 _blisfulnesse [ne]_--blyssefulnesse ne 1120 _to gidir_--to gidere 1121, 1122 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 1125 _wele_--wel 1126 _receyue_--resseyuen 1129 [_it_]--from C. _it_--hyt 1130 _be_--ben 1131 _blyndenesse_--blyndnesse]

[[pg 44]] [Headnote: RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.]

[Sidenote: If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.]

¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest he leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þe continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben 1136 weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a ful lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force. 1140 of þe lost þan of þe hauynge.

[Sidenote: Since thou art convinced of the soul’s immortality, thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity, that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of misery.]

¶ And for as myche as þou þi self art he to who{m} it haþ ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel þat þe soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke 1144 syn it is clere. {and} certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse endiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben douted þat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þe kynde of mortal þi{n}g{us} ne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse 1148 by þe ende of þe deeþ.

[Sidenote: But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity, by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.]

¶ And syn we knowen wel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng of peynes {and} to{ur}mentes.

[Sidenote: How then can this present life make men truly happy, since when it is ended they do not become miserable?]

how myȝt[e] þan þis p{re}sent 1152 lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e] lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.

[Linenotes: 1134 _it_--hyt _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth 1135 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot _leese_ (2)--leese it _whiche_--which 1136 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1137 _ellys_--omitted _wene_--weneth 1138 _hit_--omitted 1139 _goode_--good _born_--MS. borne, C. born _hert[e]_--herte 1140 _seyne_--seyn _don_--MS. done, C. do _force_--fors 1142 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1143 _many[e]_--manye 1144 _mowen_--mowe _dien_--deyen 1145 _clere_--cleer _certeyne_--certeyn 1147 _al_--alle 1150 _haþ_--MS. haþe _fruit_--frut 1152 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 1153 _make_--maken _self[e]_--selue]

[Headnote: RICHES HAVE NO INTRINSIC VALUE.]

QUISQUIS UOLET[2] P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS.

[Footnote 2: MS. ualet.]

[Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: He who would have a stable and lasting seat must not build upon lofty hills; nor upon the sands, if he would escape the violence of winds and waves.]

++What maner man stable {and} war þat wil founden hym a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune 1156 wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to bilde on þe cop of þe mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in þe moyste sandes. ¶ For þe fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}menteþ þe cop 1160 of þe mou{n}tayngne wiþ alle his strengþes. ¶ and þe lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte. [[pg 45]]

[Sidenote: If thou wilt flee perilous fortune, lay thy foundation upon the firmer stone, so that thou mayst grow old in thy stronghold.]

{and} forþi yif þou wolt flee þe p{er}ilous auenture þat is to seine of þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn 1164 þi house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ ouereþrowynges ¶ Þou þat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by strengþe of þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng 1168 þe wodenesses and þe Ires of þe eir.

[Linenotes: 1155, 1156, 1157 _wil_--wole 1156 _be cast_--MS. be caste, C. ben cast 1157 _wynde_--wynd 1158 _eschewe_--eschewen 1160 _fel[le]_--felle 1161 _his_--hise 1162 _lowe_--lavse _see_--omitted _refuse_--refusen _weyȝte_--wyhte 1163 _flee_--fleen 1164 _seine_--seyn 1165 _þi_--thin _lowe stoone_--lowh stoon 1167 _welful_--weleful 1169 _wodenesses_--woodnesses]

[Headnote: GLORY NOT IN RICHES; THEY ADD NOTHING TO VIRTUE.]

SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE.

[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: It is now time to use stronger medicines, since lighter remedies have taken effect.]

++But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to þe. I trowe it were tyme to vsen a litel strenger medicynes.

[Sidenote: What is there in the gifts of Fortune that is not vile and despicable?]

¶ Now vndirstonde 1172 here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 12.]]

what is þer in hem þat may be þine *in any tyme. or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely.

[Sidenote: Are riches precious in themselves, or in men’s estimation?]

¶ Richesse ben þei 1176 p{re}ciouse by þe nature of hem self. or ellys by þe nature of þe.

[Sidenote: What is most precious in them, quantity or quality?]

What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it nat golde or myȝt of moneye assembled.

[Sidenote: Bounty is more glorious than niggardliness.]

¶ Certis þilke golde {and} þilke moneye shineþ {and} ȝeueþ better 1180 renou{n} to hem þat dispenden it. þen to þilke folke þat mokeren it.

[Sidenote: Avarice is always hateful, while liberality is praise-worthy.]

For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be hated. {and} largesse makeþ folke clere of renou{n} ¶ For syn þat swiche þi{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o 1184 man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ no man.

[Sidenote: Money cannot be more precious than when it is dispensed liberally to others.]

Certis þan is þilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in to oþer folk. {and} stynteþ to ben had by vsage of large ȝeuy{n}g of hym þat haþ ȝeuen it. 1188

[Sidenote: If one man’s coffers contained all the money in the world, every one else would be in want of it.]

{and} also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men [[pg 46]] to ben nedy as of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge fulfilleþ to gyder 1192 þe heryng of myche folke.

[Sidenote: Riches cannot be dispensed without diminution.]

but Certys ȝoure rycchesse ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng ¶ And whan þei ben apassed. nedys þei maken hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses.

[Sidenote: O the poverty of riches, that cannot be enjoyed by many at the same time, nor can be possessed by one without impoverishing others!]

¶ O streite {and} 1196 nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne] may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man wiþ-oute pouerte of al oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge of ge{m}mes þat I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. draweþ it nat 1200 þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne for þe beaute.

[Sidenote: The beauty of precious stones consists only in their brightness, wherefore I marvel that men admire that which is motionless, lifeless, and irrational.]

¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte in shynyng of stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones hem self. {and} nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre 1204 gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For whi what þing is it þat yif it wa{n}teþ moeuyng {and} ioynture of soule {and} body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen a faire creature to hym þat haþ a soule of resou{n}. 1208

[Sidenote: Precious stones are indeed the workmanship of the Creator, but their beauty is infinitely below the excellency of man’s nature.]

¶ For al be it so þat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent of hir creato{ur} {and} þoruȝ þe distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. ȝit for as myche as þei ben put vndir ȝoure excellence. 1212 þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe shullen merueylen on hem.

[Sidenote: Doth the beauty of the field delight thee?]

¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ it nat mychel vnto ȝow.

[Sidenote: _B._ Why should it not? for it is a beautiful part of a beautiful whole.]

_Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat deliten vs. syn þat it is a ryȝt fayr porciou{n} of þe ryȝt 1216 fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis worlde.

[Sidenote: Hence, we admire the face of the sea, the heavens, as well as the sun, moon, and stars.]

¶ And ryȝt so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan it is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene {and} on þe sterres. {and} on þe sonne. {and} on þe mone. [[pg 47]]

[Sidenote: _P._ Do these things concern thee? darest thou glory in them?]

_Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teineþ q{uo}d she any of þilke 1221 þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge of any swiche þinges.

[Sidenote: Do the flowers adorn you with their variety?]

Art þou distingwed {and} embelised by þe spryngyng floures of þe first somer 1224 sesou{n}. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of somer. whi art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies.

[Sidenote: Why embracest thou things wherein thou hast no property?]

why enbracest þou straunge goodes as þei weren þine.

[Sidenote: Fortune can never make that thine which the nature of things forbids to be so.]

Fortune shal neuer maken þat swiche þinges ben þine þat nature of þinges 1228 maked foreyne fro þe.

[Sidenote: The fruits of the earth are designed for the support of beasts.]

¶ Syche is þat wiþ-oute{n} doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe norssinge of bestes.

[Sidenote: If you seek only the necessities of nature, the affluence of Fortune will be useless.]

¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi nede after þat it suffiseþ to nature þan is it no nede 1232 þat þou seke after þe sup{er}fluite of fortune.

[Sidenote: Nature is content with a little, and superfluity will be both disagreeable and hurtful.]

¶ For wiþ ful fewe þinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel þing nature halt hire appaied. {and} yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wiþ sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys þilke 1236 þinges þ{a}t þou wilt þresten or pouren in to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies.

[Sidenote: Does it add to a man’s worth to shine in variety of costly clothing?]

¶ Wenest þou eke þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse cloþing.

[Sidenote: The things really to be admired are the beauty of the stuff or the workmanship of it.]

of whiche cloþing yif þe beaute be agreable 1240 to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of þe matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat wrouȝt[e] hem.

[Sidenote: Doth a great retinue make thee happy?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 12 _b_.]]

but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ þat a blisful *man.

[Sidenote: If thy servants be vicious, they are a great burden to the house, and pernicious enemies to the master of it.]

þe whiche seruauntes yif þei ben 1244 vicioũs of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to þe house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to þe lorde hym self

[Sidenote: If they be good, why should the probity of others be put to thy account?]

¶ {And} yif þei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in þe nou{m}bre 1248 of þi rycchesse.

[Sidenote: Upon the whole, then, none of those enjoyments which thou didst consider as thy own did ever properly belong to thee.]

so þ{a}t by alle þise forseide þinges. it is clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat þou accou{m}ptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode.

[Sidenote: If they be not desirable, why shouldst thou grieve for the loss of them?]

¶ In þe whiche þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired. 1252

[Linenotes: 1172 _strenger_--strenger{e} _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond 1173 _nar[e]_--ne weere 1174 _be þine_--ben thyn 1175 _foule_--fowl 1176 _Richesse_--Rychessis 1178 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1179, 1180 _golde_--gold 1180 _better_--betere 1181 _þen_--thanne 1182 _mokeres_--mokereres 1183 _folke clere_--folk cler 1184 _swiche_--swich _from_--fram 1187 _stynteþ_--stenteth 1188 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1189 _world_--worlde 1190 _al_--alle 1191 _al hool_--omitted 1193 _myche folke_--moche folk{e} _rycchesse_--rychesses 1194 _myche_--moche 1196 _forgon_--MS. forgone 1197 _þise_--this _rycchesses_--rychesse [_ne_]--from C. 1198 _on_--o 1199 _wiþ-oute_--with-owten _al_--alle _folke_--folk{e} 1200 _preciouse_--p{re}syous 1201 _in_--omitted _warde_--ward _seyne_--seyn 1202 _beaute_ (1)--beautes _For_--but 1203 _in_--in the 1204 _whiche_--which 1207 _ioynture_--Ioyngture 1208 _faire_--fayr _haþ_--MS. haþe 1210 _laste_--last _worlde_--world 1212 _myche_--mochel 1213 _desserued_--MS. desseyued, C. desseruyd _weye_--wey _shullen_--sholden 1215 _mychel_--mochel 1217 _fair werk_--fayr{e} werke _worlde_--world 1219 _clere_--cler 1222 _darst þou glorifie_--darsthow gloryfyen 1225 _in_--in the 1229 _Syche_--Soth 1230 _on_--to 1231, 1235, 1237 _wilt_--wolt 1238 _shullen_--shollen 1239 _fair_--fayre 1240 _whiche_--which 1242 _werkeman_--werkman 1246 _house_--hows _lorde_--lord 1248 _goodenes_--goodnesse 1250 _shewed_--I-shewyd _none_--oon 1251 _þin_--thine _goode_--good]

[[pg 48]] [Headnote: RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]

whi sholdest þou be sory yif þou leese hem. or whi sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem.

[Sidenote: If they are fair by nature, what is that to thee?]

¶ For if þei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}teneþ þat to þe.

[Sidenote: They would be equally agreeable whether thine or not.]

for as wel sholde þei han ben faire by hem self. 1256 þouȝ þei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle þin rycchesse.

[Sidenote: They are not to be reckoned precious because they are counted amongst thy goods, but because they seemed so before thou didst desire to possess them.]

¶ For-why faire ne p{re}cioũs ne weren þei nat. for þat þei comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair {and} p{re}cious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem 1260 amonges þi rycchesse.

[Sidenote: What, then, is it we so clamorously demand of Fortune?]

but what desirest þou of fortune wiþ so greet a noyse {and} wiþ so greet a fare

[Sidenote: Is it to drive away indigence by abundance?]

¶ I trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce of þinges.

[Sidenote: But the very reverse of this happens, for there is need of many helps to keep a variety of valuable goods.]

¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe 1264 contrarie. for whi certys it nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse ostelmentȝ.

[Sidenote: They want most things who have the most.]

and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat many[e] þinges han.

[Sidenote: They want the fewest who measure their abundance by the necessities of nature, and not by the superfluity of their desires.]

{and} aȝeyneward of litel nediþ 1268 hem þat mesuren hir fille after þe nede of kynde {and} nat after þe outrage of couetyse

[Sidenote: Is there no good planted within ourselves, that we are obliged to go abroad to seek it?]

¶ Is it þan so þat ye men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in ȝow. For whiche ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in 1272 foreine {and} subgit þinges.

[Sidenote: Are things so changed and inverted, that god-like man should think that he has no other worth but what he derives from the possession of inanimate objects?]

¶ So is þan þe condic{i}ou{n} of þinges turned vpso dou{n}. þat a man þat is a devyne beest by merit of hys resou{n}. þinkeþ þat hy{m} self nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ 1276 possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules.

[Linenotes: 1255 _fair_--fayr{e} _hire owen_--hyr owne 1256 _sholde_--sholden _self_--selue 1257 _þin rycchesse_--thyne rychesses 1259 _amonges_--among{e} 1259, 1261 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1259 _fair_--fayr{e} 1260 _leuer rekene_--leu{er}e rekne 1262 _greet_ (2)--grete 1265, 1267 _many[e]_--manye 1267 _soþe_--soth 1272 _outwardes_--owtward 1276 _fair_--fayr{e} _if_--yif]

[Headnote: IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN.]

[Sidenote: Inferior things are satisfied with their own endowments, while man (the image of God) seeks to adorn his nature with things infinitely below him, not understanding how much he dishonours his Maker.]

¶ And certys al oþ{er} þi{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by ȝour{e} resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝour{e} excellent 1280 kynde of þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g ȝe don to ȝoure creato{ur}.

[Sidenote: God intended man to excel all earthly creatures, yet you debase your dignity and prerogative below the lowest beings.]

for he wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi {and} noble of any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adou{n} ȝoure [[pg 49]] dignitees by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges.

[Sidenote: In placing your happiness in despicable trifles, you acknowledge yourselves of less value than these trifles, and well do you merit to be so esteemed.]

¶ For if þat al 1285 þe good of euery þing be more p{re}ciouse þan is þilk þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat þe foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten 1288 ȝe {and} putten ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by ȝoure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ out ȝour{e} desert.

[Sidenote: Man only excels other creatures when he knows himself.]

For certys swiche is þe co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it 1292 self. þan passeþ it i{n} noblesse alle oþer þinges.

[Sidenote: When he ceases to do so, he sinks below beasts.]

and whan it forletiþ þe knowyng of it self. þan it is brouȝt byneþen alle beestes.

[Sidenote: Ignorance is natural to beasts, but in men it is unnatural and criminal.]

¶ For-why alle oþer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem 1296 self. but whan þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self. it comeþ hem of vice.

[Sidenote: How weak an error is it to believe that anything foreign to your nature can be an ornament to it.]

but how brode sheweþ þe erro{ur} {and} þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony þing may ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but 1300 for-soþe þat may nat be don.

[Sidenote: If a thing appear beautiful on account of its external embellishments, we admire and praise those embellishments alone.]

for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ þi{n}ges þat ben put to hym. as þus. yif þilke þinges shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis þilke þinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiþ whiche 1304 he is apparailled.

[Sidenote: The thing covered still continues in its natural impurity.]

¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is couered {and} wrapped vndir þat dwelleþ in his filþe.

[Sidenote: I deny that to be a good which is hurtful to its owner.]

and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ hym þat haþ it.

[Sidenote: Am I deceived in this? You will say no; for riches have often hurt their possessors.]

¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay. 1308 ¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe rycchesse.

[Sidenote: Every wicked man desires another’s wealth, and esteems him alone happy who is in possession of riches.]

¶ Syn þat euery wicked shrew {and} for hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes rycchesse wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or 1312 p{re}cious stones. [[pg 50]]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 13.]]

{and} weniþ hym *only most worþi þat haþ hem

[Sidenote: You, therefore, who now so much dread the instruments of assassination, if you had been born a poor wayfaring man, might, with an empty purse, have sung in the face of robbers.]

¶ þou þan þat so besy dredest now þe swerde {and} þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe paþe of þis lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e] 1316 by-fore þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ no rycchesse on hym by þe weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben robbed.

[Sidenote: O the transcendant felicity of riches! No sooner have you obtained them, than you cease to be secure.]

¶ O preciouse {and} ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of 1320 mortal rycchesse. þat wha{n} þou hast geten it. þan hast þou lorn þi syke[r]nesse.

[Linenotes: 1278 _hire owen_--hir owne 1281 _ne_ (2)--omitted _vndirstonde_--vndyrstondyn 1282 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret 1284 _oþer erþely_--oothre worldly _þresten_--threste 1285 _by-neþen_--by-nethe _if_--yif 1286 _good_--MS. goode, C. good _þing_--thinge _preciouse_--p{re}syos _þilk þing_--thilke thinge 1287 _þe_ (2)--tho 1288 _summytten_--submitten 1289 _self_--seluen _foulest[e]_--fowleste 1290 _bitidiþ_--tydeth 1291 _out_--owte _desert_--desertes 1292 _al_--alle 1293 _self_--selue 1294 _it is_--is it 1296 [_leuynge_]--from C. _hem_--hym 1297 _þat_--omitted 1298 _comeþ_--comth 1299 _þing_--thinge 1302 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 1303 _whiche_--which 1306 _filþe_--felthe 1307 _þing_--thinge _good_--MS. goode, C. good 1308 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1309 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _þe_--tho 1310 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _shrew_--shrewe 1311 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1312 _golde_--gold 1314 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hat _besy_--bysy _swerde_--swerd 1315 _paþe_--paath 1316 _wayfaryng_--wayferynge _syng[e]_--synge 1317 _by-fore_--by-forn _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth _poure_--pore _bereþ_--berth 1318 _boldly syng[e]_--boldely synge 1319 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1320 _preciouse_--p{re}cyos _clere_--cler 1321 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1322 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn]

[Headnote: THE GOLDEN AGE.]

FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS.

[Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Happy was the first age of men. They were contented with what the faithful earth produced.]

++Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem apaied wiþ þe metes þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten 1324 furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem self wiþ outerage.

[Sidenote: With acorns they satisfied their hunger.]

¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken her hunger at euene wiþ acornes of okes

[Sidenote: They knew not Hypocras nor Hydromel.]

¶ þei ne couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus to þe clere hony. 1328 þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre.

[Sidenote: They did not dye the Serian fleece in Tyrian purple.]

ne þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe co{n}tre of siriens wiþ þe venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei couþe nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiþ þe 1332 blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in tyrie. wiþ whiche blode men deien purper.

[Sidenote: They slept upon the grass, and drank of the running stream, and reclined under the shadow of the tall pine.]

¶ þei slepen holesom slepes vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng watres. {and} laien vndir þe shadowe of þe heyȝe 1336 pyne trees.

[Sidenote: No man yet ploughed the deep, nor did the merchant traffick with foreign shores.]

¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne hadden seyne ȝitte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse [[pg 51]] in to dyuerse co{n}tres.

[Sidenote: The warlike trumpet was hushed and still.]

¶ þo weren þe cruel 1340 clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille.

[Sidenote: Bloodshed had not yet arisen through hateful quarrels.]

ne blode yshed by egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers.

[Sidenote: Nothing could stimulate their rage to engage in war, when they saw that wounds and scars were the only meeds.]

for wherto or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen armes. whan þei seien cruel woundes ne none medes 1344 ben of blood yshad

[Sidenote: O that those days would come again!]

¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres.

[Sidenote: The thirst of wealth torments all; it rages more fiercely than Ætna’s fires.]

¶ But þe anguissous loue of hauyng brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe fijr of þe Mou{n}taigne of Ethna þat euer brenneþ. 1348

[Sidenote: Cursed be the wretch who first brought gold to light.]

¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or þe weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. {and} þe p{re}cious stones þat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious perils. þat is to seyne þat he þat hem first vp dalf. he 1352 dalf vp a p{re}cious peril.

[Sidenote: It has since proved perilous to many a man.]

for-whi. for þe p{re}ciousnesse of swyche haþ many man ben in peril.

[Linenotes: 1324 _erþes_--feeldes 1325 _furþe_--forth _destroyed[e]_--dystroyede 1327 _her_--hyr _at_--MS. as, C. at _euene_--euen 1328 _couþe_--cowde _medle_--medly _ȝift_--yifte _clere_--cleer 1329 _couþe_--cowde _of_--nor 1330 _couþe_--cowde _briȝt[e] flies_--bryhte fleeȝes 1331 _siriens_--Seryens _seyne_--seyn 1332 _couþe_--cowde _dien_--deyen _flies_--fleȝes 1333 _blode_--blood _shelfysshe_--shyllefyssh 1334 _blode_--blood 1335 _holesom_--holsom _rynnyng watres_--rennynge wateres _shadowe_--shadwes _heyȝe_--heye 1337 _pyne_--pyn _no_ (2)--omitted [_ne_]--from C. _karf_--karue 1339 _hadden seyne ȝitte_--hadde seyn yit 1341 _whist_--hust _blode yshed_--blod I-shad 1343 _whiche woodenesse_--whych wodnesse 1344 _seien_--say 1346 _turne aȝeyne_--torne ayein 1347 _folke_--folk 1348 _þe_--omitted _euer_--ay 1351 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hydd 1352 _seyne_--seyn _he_ (2)--omitted 1354 _swyche_--swych thinge _haþ_--MS. haþe _ben_--be]

[Headnote: OF DIGNITIES AND POWERS.]

QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}.

[Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: But why should I discourse of dignities and powers which (though you are ignorant of true honour and real power) you extol to the skies?]

++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. þe whiche [ye] men þ{a}t neiþer knowen verray dignitee 1356 ne verray power areysen hem as heye as þe heuene.

[Sidenote: When they fall to the lot of a wicked man, they produce greater calamities than the flaming eruption of Ætna, or the most impetuous deluge.]

þe whiche dignitees {and} powers yif þei come to any wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as doþ þe fla{m}me of þe Mou{n}taigne 1360 Ethna whan þe fla{m}me wit walwiþ vp ne no deluge ne doþ so cruel harmes.

[Sidenote: You remember that your ancestors desired to abolish the Consular government (the commencement of the Roman liberty), because of the pride of the Consuls; as their ancestors before for the same consideration had suppressed the title of King.]

¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel as I trowe þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie of {con}sulers þe whiche þat somtyme was bygynnyng 1364 of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han don a-wey þat dignitee for þe p{r}ide of þe conseilers.

[Linenotes: 1355 _seyne_--seye 1358 _come_--comen 1359 _don_--MS. done, C. don _[as] greet[e]_--as grete 1360 _distruccioun_--destrucciou{n}s _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth _flamme_--flaumbe 1361 _flamme_--flawmbe _wit_--omitted 1362 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth 1363 _clepiþ_--clepyn 1364 _whiche_--whych _somtyme_--whilom 1366 _for_--MS. of, C. for]

[[pg 52]] [Headnote: HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,]

¶ And ryȝt for þe same p{r}ide ȝoure eldres byforne þat tyme hadden don awey out of þe Citee of rome þe 1368 kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þ{a}t dignitees {and} powers ben ȝeuen to goode men. þe whiche þing is ful ȝelde. what agreable þi{n}ges is þer in þo dignitees. 1372 or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem.

[Linenotes: 1368 _don_--MS. done, C. don 1369 _seien_--seyn 1370 _lenger_--lenger{e} _kyng_--kynge 1371 _whiche_--which 1373 _folk_--foolkys]

[Headnote: FOR THEY FALL TO THE LOT OF THE WICKED.]

[Sidenote: Virtue is not embellished by dignities, but dignities derive honour from virtue.]

¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ur} ne comeþ nat to vertue for cause of dignite. but aȝeinward. hono{ur} comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue.

[Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and desired?]

but whiche is 1376 ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere {and} so requerable

[Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?]

¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche þing þat it semeþ þat ȝe han power.

[Sidenote: If thou sawest a mouse assuming command over other mice, wouldst thou not almost burst with laughter?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 13 _b_.]]

¶ Now yif þou say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} *oþer myse þat chalenged[e] to 1380 hymself ward ryȝt {and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So fareþ it by men. þe body haþ power ouer þe body.

[Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly may be the cause of death?]

For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt what 1384 þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde. þe whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of crepyng wormes in to þe priuetees of mennes bodyes.

[Sidenote: But how can any man obtain dominion over another, unless it be over his body, or, what is inferior to his body,--over his possessions, the gifts of Fortune?]

¶ But wher shal 1388 men fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any ryȝt vpon an oþer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s

[Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?]

¶ Mayst þou euer haue 1392 any comaundement ouer a fre corage

[Sidenote: Can you disturb a soul consistent with itself, and knit together by the bond of reason?]

¶ Mayst þou remuen fro þe estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a þouȝt þat is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}. ¶ As somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of 1396 corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment [[pg 53]] to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen folk þat wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie þat was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt

[Sidenote: Have you not read how Anaxarchus bit off his tongue and spat it in the face of Nicocreon?]

¶ But þis free man boot 1400 of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in þe visage of þilke woode tyrau{n}te. ¶ So þat þe to{ur}mentȝ þat þis tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. þis wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues.

[Sidenote: What is it that one man can do to another that does not admit of retaliation?]

¶ But what 1404 þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he ne may receyue þe same þing of oþer folke i{n} hym self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. þat folk ne may don hym þe same.

[Sidenote: Busiris used to kill his guests, but at last himself was killed by Hercules, his guest.]

¶ I haue herd told of 1408 busirides þat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of ercules þat was hys gest

[Sidenote: Regulus put his Carthaginian prisoners in chains, but was afterwards obliged to submit to the fetters of his enemies.]

¶ Regulus had[de] taken in bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres. 1412 but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to ben bounden w{i}t{h} þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de] somtyme ou{er}comen.

[Sidenote: Is he mighty that dares not inflict what he would upon another for fear of a requital?]

¶ Wenest þou þan þat he be myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don 1416 hym. þat he doþ to oþer.

[Sidenote: If powers and honours were intrinsically good, they would never be attained by the wicked.]

{and} ȝit more ou{er} yif it so were þat þise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden þei comen to shrewes.

[Sidenote: An union of things opposite is repugnant to nature.]

¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben 1420 not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ þat contra[r]ious þinges ben yioigned.

[Sidenote: But as wicked men do obtain the highest honours, it is clear that honours are not in themselves good, otherwise they would not fall to the share of the unworthy.]

¶ And so as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk han dignitees ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees {and} powers 1424 ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes.

[Sidenote: The worst of men have often the largest share of Fortune’s gifts.]

¶ And certys þe same þing may most digneliche Iugen {and} seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune þat most plenteuously [[pg 54]] comen to shrewes.

[Sidenote: We judge him to be valiant who has given evidence of his fortitude.]

¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I 1429 trowe þat it auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ þat he nis strong. in whom he seeþ strengþe. {and} in whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is swyfte. 1432

[Sidenote: So music maketh a musician, &c.]

Also musyk makeþ musiciens. {and} fysik makeþ phisiciens. {and} rethorik rethoriens.

[Sidenote: The nature of everything consists in doing what is peculiar to itself, and it repels what is contrary to it.]

¶ For whi þe nature of euery þing makiþ his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat ent{er}medled wiþ þe effect{is} of co{n}trarious þinges. 1436

[Linenotes: 1374 _comeþ_--comth 1375, 1376 _vertue_--vertu 1376 _comeþ_--comth _by_--for _whiche_--which 1377 _derworþe_--dereworthe _clere_--cleer 1378 _whiche_--which 1379 _han_--MS. hanne, C. han 1380 _say[e]_--saye _mouse amongus_--mous amonges _myse_--musȝ 1382 _scorne_--scorn 1383 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1385 _mannes_--man 1386 _þe----slayn_--the whiche men wel ofte ben slayn 1388 _mennes bodyes_--mannes body 1391 _lower_--lower{e} _whiche_--the which 1395 _stedfast_--stidefast 1396 _somtyme_--whylom 1399 _whiche_--which 1401 _owen_--owne 1406 _receyue_--resseyuen _oþer_--oothre 1408 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde, C. herd told 1409 _hys_--hise _herburghden_--herberweden 1410 _slayn_--sleyn 1411 _had[de]_--hadde 1413 _most[e]_--moste 1414 _bounden_--bownde _cheynes_--MS. þeues, C. cheynes _had[de]_--hadde 1415 _somtyme_--whylom 1416 _þat----þing_--that hath no power to don a thinge _oþer_--oothre 1417 _hym_--in hym _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth _to oþer_--in oothre 1421 _togidres_--to-gider{e} 1423 _certeyne_--certein 1424 _tymes_--tyme 1425 _owen_--owne 1429 _whiche_--which 1430 _auȝt[e]_--owhte 1432 _Soþe_--soth _swyfte_--swyft 1435 _is_--nis 1436 _effectis_--effect]

[Headnote: POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.]

¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it ben contrarie

[Sidenote: Riches cannot restrain avarice. Power cannot make a man master of himself if he is the slave of his lusts.]

¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne auarice vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a ma{n} myȝty ouer hym self. whiche þat vicious lustis 1440 holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat ben vnbounden.

[Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon base men do not make them worthy, but rather expose their want of merit.]

{and} dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e] folk nat oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ raþer al openly þat þei ben vnworþi {and} vndigne. 1444

[Sidenote: Why is it so? ’Tis because you give false names to things. You dignify riches, power, and honours, with names they have no title to.]

¶ And whi is it þ{us}. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye to clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in þe co{n}t{ra}rie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued by þe effect of þe same þinges.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 14.]]

so þat *þise ilke rycchesse 1448 ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee.

[Sidenote: In fine, the same may be said of all the gifts of Fortune, in which nothing is desirable, nothing of natural good in them, since they are not always allotted to good men, nor make them good to whom they are attached.]

¶ And at þe laste I may conclude þe same þinge of 1452 al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis no þing to ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte. ¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey 1456 goode to who{m} þei be{n} y-ioigned.

[Linenotes: 1437 _oute_--owt 1441 _ben_--be 1442 _shrewed[e]_--shrewede 1446 _fals[e]_--false _al_--alle 1447 _whiche_--which 1449 _auȝten_--owhten _rycchesse_--rychesses 1450 _whiche_--swich _auȝt[e]_--owhte 1451 _whiche_--swich _auȝt[e]_--owht 1453 _al_--alle 1454 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1455 _sene_--I-seene]

[[pg 55]] [Headnote: NERO’S CRUELTY.]

NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT.

[Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: We know what ruin Nero did.]

++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}s weren doñ by þe Emp{er}oure Nero.

[Sidenote: He burnt Rome, he slew the conscript fathers, murdered his brother, and spilt his mother’s blood.]

¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome {and} made slen þe 1460 senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer. {and} he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} þe body of his modir to seen where he was conceiued.

[Sidenote: He looked unmoved upon his mother’s corpse, and passed judgment upon her beauty.]

{and} he loked[e] on euery 1464 half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute.

[Sidenote: Yet this parricide ruled over all lands, illumined by the sun in his diurnal course, and controlled the frozen regions of the pole.]

¶ And ȝitte neuerþeles gouerned[e] þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples 1468 þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial þat þe so{n}ne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And 1472 eke þis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones. þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben vndir þe p{ar}ties of þe norþe.

[Sidenote: He governed, too, the people in the torrid zone.]

¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] 1476 alle þe poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ {and} bakiþ þe brennynge sandes by his drie hete. þat is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe.

[Sidenote: But yet Nero’s power could not tame his ferocious mind.]

[but yit ne myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of 1480 this wykkyd nero /

[Sidenote: It is a grievous thing when power strengthens the arm of him whose will prompts him to deeds of cruelty.]

Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe.

[Linenotes: 1458 _greet[e]_--grete 1460 _letee_--let 1461 _somtyme slouȝ_--whilom slow 1463 _let_--lette 1464 _where_--wher 1465 _half_--halue 1466 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 1467 _hire_--hyr 1468 _neuerþeles_--natheles _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede _al_--alle 1469 _from_--fram _outerest_--owtereste 1470 _hidde_--hide 1471 _seyne_--seyn 1472 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth 1473 _goueyrende_--gou{er}nyd 1474 _triones_--tyryones 1475 _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede 1476 _parties_--p{ar}ty _norþe_--north _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede 1477 _wynde_--wynd _scorchiþ_--scorklith 1479 _seyne_--seyn _souþe_--sowth 1479-81 [_but----it is_]--MS. _has_: but ne how greuous fortune is 1482 _swerde_--swerd]

[[pg 56]] [Headnote: THE LOVE OF GLORY.]

TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M.

[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ Thou knowest that I did not covet mortal and transitory things.]

++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe 1484 couetise of mortal þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of þinges to done. as who seiþ.

[Sidenote: I only wished to exercise my virtue in public concerns, lest it should grow feeble by inactivity.]

I desired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne 1488 sholde not elden. þat is to seyn. þat list þat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his 1492 goode gouernement.

[Sidenote: _P._ A love of glory is one of those things that may captivate minds naturally great, but not yet arrived at the perfection of virtue.]

¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d she. {and} þat is a þing þat may drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir nature. but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as 1496 ben y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred þe comune þinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of þe comune.

[Sidenote: But consider how small and void of weight is that glory.]

for se now {and} considere how 1500 litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie.

[Sidenote: Astronomy teaches us that this globe of earth is but a speck compared with the extent of the heavens, and is as nothing if compared with the magnitude of the celestial sphere.]

¶ Certeine þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute ne halt but þe resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse 1504 of heuene. þat is to seye. þat yif þat þer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde no space

[Sidenote: Ptolemy shows that only one-fourth of this earth is inhabited by living creatures.]

¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde 1508 þe ferþe partie is enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned by tholome þat p{ro}uitħ it.

[Sidenote: Deduct from this the space occupied by seas, marshes, lakes, and deserts, and there remains but a small proportion left for the abode of man.]

¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe 1512 see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as þe regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}streccheþ.

[Linenotes: 1487 _desired[e]_--desyr{e} 1489 _wex olde_--wax old 1492 _whiche_--which _speke_--spekyn 1496 _tollen_--MS. tellen, C. tollen 1497 _ful[le]_--fulle 1501 _al prise_--alle prys 1505 _seye_--seyn 1507 _wolde_--woldyn _alle_--al [_ne_]--from C. 1510 _lerned_--ylerned 1512 _þouȝte_--thowht _myche_--moche 1513 [_the_]--from C. 1514 _myche space_--moche spaces]

[[pg 57]] [Headnote: FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 14 _b_.]]

þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ sholde *þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of 1516 men.

[Sidenote: And do you, who are confined to the least point of this point, think of nothing but of blazing far and wide your name and reputation?]

{and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ i{n}ne þe leest[e] prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don ȝoure name to ben born forþe.

[Sidenote: What is there great in a glory so circumscribed?]

but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and} so 1520 streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinþe it in largesse {and} in greet doynge.

[Sidenote: Even in this contracted circle, there is a great variety of nations, to whom not only the fame of particular men, but even of great cities, cannot extend.]

And also sette þis þer to þat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben 1524 enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe 1528 names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen.

[Sidenote: In the time of Marcus Tullius the fame of Rome did not reach beyond Mount Caucasus.]

¶ At þe last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writeþ in his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of 1532 Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was þilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes. and eke of oþer folk enhabityng aboute.

[Sidenote: How narrow, then, is that glory which you labour to propagate.]

¶ Sest þou 1536 nat þan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie.

[Sidenote: Shall the glory of a Roman citizen reach those places where the name even of Rome was never heard?]

May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider as þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne 1540 passen.

[Sidenote: Customs and institutions differ in different countries.]

¶ And eke sest þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge hem self.

[Sidenote: What is praise-worthy in one is blame-worthy in another.]

so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen worþi of p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. 1544

[Linenotes: 1515 _seye_--seyn 1516 _streite_--streyt 1517 _þan_--thanne 1518 _inne_--in _leest[e]_--leste _þilk_--thilke _þenke ȝe_--thinken ye 1520 _born forþe_--MS. borne, C. born, forth _narwe_--narwh 1521 _streyt_--streyte _myche_--mochel 1522 _conteinþe_--coueyteth 1525 _habitacle_--MS. habitache, C. habytacule 1529 [_nat_]--from C. 1531 _last[e]_--laste 1532 _writeþ_--writ 1533 _hadde_--hadden _ȝitte_--omitted 1534 _hyȝt_--hyhte _þilk_--thikke 1535 _wexen_--waxen 1536 _Sest þou_--sestow 1538 _shew_--shewe 1539 _singlere_--singler]

[Headnote: FAME IS NOT ETERNAL.]

[Sidenote: It is not the interest of any man who desires renown to have his name spread through many countries.]

¶ and þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise [[pg 58]] bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many manere peoples.

[Sidenote: He ought, therefore, to be satisfied with the glory he has acquired at home.]

¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben 1548 paied of hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen neyȝbores.

[Sidenote: But of how many personages, illustrious in their times, have the memorials been lost through the carelessness and neglect of writers.]

¶ And þilke noble renou{n} shal be restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but how many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe 1552 nedy {and} wrecched forȝetynge of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey.

[Sidenote: But writings do not preserve the names of men for ever.]

¶ Al be it so þat certys þilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe {and} derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. 1556

[Sidenote: But perhaps you suppose that you shall secure immortality if your names are transmitted to future ages.]

but ȝe men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe þenke þat in tyme comyng ȝoure fame shal lasten.

[Sidenote: If you consider the infinite space of eternity you will have no reason to rejoice in this supposition.]

¶ But naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to þe endeles space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou 1560 maist reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name.

[Sidenote: If a _moment_ be compared with 10,000 years, there is a proportion between them, though a very small one.]

¶ For if þer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for as myche as boþe þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some 1564 porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be.

[Sidenote: But this number of years, multiplied by whatever sum you please, vanishes when compared with the infinite extent of eternity.]

¶ But naþeles þilke self nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to þe p{er}durablete þat is een[de]les.

[Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none between the infinite and finite.]

¶ For of 1568 þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende may be maked no {com}parysou{n}].

[Sidenote: Hence it is, that Fame (however lasting), compared with eternity, will seem absolutely nothing.]

¶ And for þi is it al þouȝ renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken 1572 were þouȝt by þe regard of et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt.

[Sidenote: But yet you do good from no other view than to have the empty applause of the people, foregoing the pleasures of a good conscience in order to have the insignificant praises of other people.]

¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. [[pg 59]] {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse 1577 of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke.

[Linenotes: 1545 _comeþ_--comth it 1547 _furþe_--forth _manere_--maner 1548 _þerfore_--ther-for _auȝte_--owhte 1549 _paied_--apayed _hys owen_--hise owne 1550 _neyȝbores_--nesshebours _be_--ben 1552 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt 1556 _derke_--derk _doþ aweye_--MS. doþe, C. doth a-wey _her autours_--hir actorros 1557 _ȝe_--yow _semen_--semeth 1558 _comyng_--to comynge 1559 _wilt_--wolt 1560 _whiche_--which 1563 _myche_--mochel 1564 _þo_--the _haþ_--MS. haþe _some_--som 1566 _self_--selue 1567 _be_ (2)--ben 1568 _een[de]les_--endeles 1569 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked [_but----comparysoun_]--from C. 1573 _by_--to]

[Headnote: VANITY REPROVED.]

[Sidenote: This silly vanity was once thus ingeniously and pleasantly rallied.]

¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of whiche 1580 p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} myrily swiche vanite.

[Sidenote: A certain man, who had assumed the name of a philosopher through a love of vain-glory, was told by a man of humour that he could prove he was a philosopher by bearing patiently the injuries offered him.]

somtyme þere was a man þat had[de] assaied wiþ striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude 1584 veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe name of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of þouȝt[e] he wolde assay[e] where he þilke were a philosopher or no.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 15.]]

þat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred 1588 lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges *þat weren don vnto hym.

[Sidenote: After counterfeiting patience for a while, the sophist said to the other, ‘You must surely confess that I am a philosopher.’]

¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and} reioysynge of 1592 hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest þou nat þat I am a philosophere.

[Sidenote: ‘I might have believed it,’ said the other, ‘had you held your tongue.’]

þat oþer man answered[e] aȝein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n} þi tonge 1596 stille.

[Sidenote: What advantage is it to great and worthy men to be extolled after death?]

¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men. For certys of swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniþ fame to swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe deeþ. atte 1600 þe last[e].

[Sidenote: If body and soul die, then there can be no glory; nor can there be when he (to whom it is ascribed) does not exist.]

¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is to seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n} defendiþ vs to byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie ben. for he of 1604 who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no wise.

[Sidenote: But if the soul is immortal when it leaves the body, it takes no thought of the joys of this world.]

and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of goode werkes vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe [[pg 60]] wendeþ frely to þe heuene. dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle 1608 erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioiseþ þat it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith / thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this world]. 1612

[Linenotes: 1580 _whiche_--swych 1581 _scorned[e]_--scornede 1582 _swiche_--swych _somtyme_--whilom 1583 _had[de]_--hadde 1584 _whiche_--which _proude_--prowd 1586 _speke_--spak 1587 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte _assay[e]_--assaye 1588 _seyne_--seyn 1590 _feined[e]_--feynede 1592 _aȝeine_--ayein 1593 _last[e]_--laste _vndirstondest þou_--vndyrstondow 1594 _answered[e]_--answerde 1595 _had[de]_--hadde 1596 [_yt_]--from C. 1601 _last[e]_--laste 1602 _seyne_--seyn 1604 _for_ (2)--whan 1605 _þis_--thilke _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _nouȝt_--nawht 1606 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1608 _nouȝt þan_--nat thanne 1610 _from_--fro 1610-1612 [_as----world_]--from C.]

[Headnote: DEATH PUTS AN END TO RENOWN.]

QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.

[Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]

[Sidenote: Let him who seeks fame, thinking it to be the sovereign good, look upon the broad universe and this circumscribed earth; and he will then despise a glorious name limited to such a confined space.]

++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie of fame. {and} weniþ þat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng contreys of þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and} 1616 he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may nat fulfille þe litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde.

[Sidenote: Will splendid titles and renown prolong a man’s life?]

¶ For al þouȝ 1620 [þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ by dyuerse tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiþ clere titles of hono{ur}s.

[Sidenote: In the grave there is no distinction between high and low.]

ȝit naþeles deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and} deeþ wrappeþ 1624 to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal {and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e].

[Sidenote: Where is the good Fabricius now?]

¶ where wone{n} now þe bones of trewe fabricius.

[Sidenote: Where the noble Brutus, or stern Cato?]

what is now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit lastynge 1628 of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres.

[Sidenote: Their empty names still live, but of their persons we know nothing.]

but al þouȝ we han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of hem. it is nat ȝeuen to knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and} consumpt.

[Sidenote: Fame cannot make you known.]

Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly vnknowable 1632 ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene to lyuen þe leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe ȝow. þan is þe secunde deeþ dwellyng in ȝow.

[Sidenote: It will be effaced by conquering Time, so that death will be doubly victorious.]

_Glosa._ þe first deeþ he clepiþ 1636 here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and [[pg 61]] þe secunde deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of þe renoune of fame.[3]

[Linenotes: 1615 _Lete_--Lat _loke_--looken 1616 _sete_--Cyte 1617 _be_--ben 1619 _vpon_--vp 1620 _and dedely_--in the dedly 1621 _y-spradde_--ysprad [_þat_]--from C. _ferne_--MS. serue, C. ferne _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth 1622 {and} (2)--or 1623 _shyne_--shynen _clere_--cler 1624 _al_--alle 1626 _heyest[e]_--heyoste _lowest[e]_--loweste 1628 _stiern_--MS. sciern, C. stierne 1632 _consumpt_--{con}sumpte 1634 _lenger_--longer{e} 1637 _þe_ (1)--omitted 1639 _renoune_--renou{n}]

[Footnote 3: The next three chapters are from the Camb. MS.]

[Headnote: ADVERSE FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.]

[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.

[Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: ‘But do not believe,’ said Philosophy, ‘that I am an implacable enemy to Fortune.]

++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she 1640 þ{a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune //

[Sidenote: This inconstant dame sometimes deserves well of men, when she appears in her true colours.]

yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt / 1644 {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat þ{a}t .I. shal seye //

[Sidenote: And what I say may perhaps appear paradoxical.]

it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle /

[Sidenote: That is, that adverse fortune is more beneficial than prosperous fortune.]

{and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune 1648 p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} //

[Sidenote: The latter lies and deceives us, the former displays her natural inconstancy.]

For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe {con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she 1652 sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge //

[Sidenote: That deceives us, this instructs us; that, by a fallacious show of good, enslaves the mind; this, by the knowledge of her fickleness, frees and absolves it.]

the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} the beaute of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the 1656 contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse //

[Sidenote: The one is wavering and incapable of reflection, the other is staid and wise through experience of adversity.]

the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge 1659 of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte //

[Sidenote: Lastly, prosperous fortune leads men astray. Adversity teaches them wherein real happiness consists.]

at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / 1664 {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke /

[Sidenote: It renders us no inconsiderable service in enabling us to recognize our true friends.]

weenesthow thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / þ{a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune 1668 hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the [[pg 62]] certeyn vysages {and} ek the dowtos visages of thy felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / she took awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // 1672

[Sidenote: At what price would you not have bought this knowledge in your prosperity?]

now whan thow wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy verray freendes //

[Sidenote: Complain not, then, of loss of wealth, since thou hast found infinitely greater riches in your true friends.]

now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse 1676 .I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.

[Headnote: ALL THINGS BOUND BY THE CHAIN OF LOVE.]

QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.

[Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: This world, by an invariable order, suffers change.]

++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges //

[Sidenote: Elements, that by nature disagree, are restrained by concord.]

þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ 1680 holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt // 1684

[Sidenote: The sea is thus kept within its proper bounds.]

þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn to cou{er}e alle the erthe //

[Sidenote: This concord is produced by love, which governeth earth and sea, and extends its influence to the heavens.]

Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges 1688 is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also {com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes /

[Sidenote: If this chain of love were broken all things would be in perpetual strife, and the world would go to ruin.]

{and} yif this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely 1692 {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges //

[Sidenote: Love binds nations together, it ties the nuptial knot, and dictates binding laws to friendship.]

this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages 1696 of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes //

[Sidenote: Men were truly blest if governed by this celestial love!’]

O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /

EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.

[Linenote: 1690 _hath_--H. he hath]

[[pg 63]] [Headnote: BOETHIUS IS COMFORTED BY PHILOSOPHY’S SONG.]

INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3^_us_.

IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy now ended her song.]

++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse 1700 of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous of herkninge /

[Sidenote: I was so charmed that I kept a listening as if she were still speaking.]

{and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde seye //

[Sidenote: At last I said, O sovereign comforter of dejected minds, how much hast thou refreshed me with the energy of thy discourse, so that I now think myself almost an equal match for Fortune and able to resist her blows.]

so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow 1704 þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So thow hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as 1708 who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro hyr //

[Sidenote: I fear not, therefore, thy remedies, but earnestly desire to hear what they are.]

{and} tho remedies whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren ryht sharpe Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. desiros 1712 of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes //

[Sidenote: _P._ When I perceived that, silent and attentive, you received my words, I expected to find such a state of mind in you, or rather, I created in you such an one.]

than seyde she thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan þ{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow haddest swych habyte 1716 of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl þ{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which þ{a}t is a moore verray thing{e} //

[Sidenote: What remains to be said is of such a nature that when it is first tasted it is pungent and unpleasant, but when once swallowed it turns sweet, and is grateful to the stomach.]

And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges þ{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst 1720 whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they swete //

[Sidenote: But because you say you would now gladly hear, with what desire would you burn if you could imagine whither I am going to lead you?]

but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow 1724 glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the //

[Sidenote: _B._ Whither is that, I pray?]

whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ To that true felicity, of which you seem to have but a faint foretaste.]

to thilke verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth //

[Sidenote: But your sight is clouded with false forms, so that it cannot yet behold this same felicity.]

but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by 1728 Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse //

[Sidenote: _B._ Show me, I pray, that true happiness without delay.]

do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the [[pg 64]] w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge //

[Sidenote: _P._ I will gladly do so at your desire, but I will first describe that false cause (of happiness), so that you may be better able to comprehend the exact model.]

þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she / 1732 for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by wordes / {and} I wol enforcen me to enformen the // thilke false cause of blysfulnesse þ{a}t thow more knowest / so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false 1736 goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]

[Linenotes: 1702 _streyhte_--H. strenghed 1712 _am nat_--H. nam nought 1718 _had[de]_--H. hade 1734 _wol_--H. shall{e} 1739 _wil_--wole _felde_--feeld]

[Headnote: AWAY WITH FALSE FELICITY!]

[Sidenote: * Here the Add. MS. begins again.]

*QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.

[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: He who would sow seed must first clear the ground of useless weeds, so that he may reap an abundant harvest.]

¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of þornes {and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke 1740 þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins.

[Sidenote: Honey tastes all the sweeter to a palate disgusted by offensive flavours.]

hony is þe more swete yif mouþes han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke.

[Sidenote: The stars shine all the clearer when the southern showery blasts cease to blow.]

¶ þe sterres shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his 1744 ploungy blastes.

[Sidenote: When Lucifer has chased away the dark night, then Phœbus mounts his gay chariot.]

{and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe rosene horse of þe sonne.

[Sidenote: So you, beholding the false felicity, and withdrawing your neck from the yoke of earthly affections, will soon see the sovereign good.]

¶ Ryȝt so þou byholdyng first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] 1748 fro þe ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage.

[Linenotes: 1740 _delyuer_--delyuere _of_--fro _hooke_--hook 1741 _bushes_--bosses _ferne_--fern _corne_--korn 1743 _firste_--fyrst _wikke_--wyckyd 1744 _wynde_--wynd _his_--hise 1745 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1746 _feirer_--fayrere 1747 _horse_--hors _Ryȝt_--And Ryht 1748 _fals[e]_--false _bygynne_--bygyn _wiþdrawe_--w{i}t{h} drawen _nek[ke]_--nekke 1749 _afterwarde_--afft{er}ward 1750 _entre_--entren]

[Headnote: THE DESIRE OF THE TRUE GOOD.]

TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.

[Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Philosophy, with a serious air, and appearing to recollect herself, and to rouse up all her faculties, thus began.]

++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow hir ryȝt as it were in to þe streite sete of hir 1752 þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt þ{us}.

[Sidenote: All the cares and desires of men seek one end--happiness.]

Alle þe cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 15 _b_.]]

¶ But naþeles þei enforced hem *to comen oonly to on 1756 ende of blisfulnesse [[pg 65]]

[Sidenote: True happiness is that complete good which, once obtained, leaves nothing more to be desired.]

[And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer þat no þing more desiire.

[Sidenote: It is the sovereign good, and comprehends all others. It lacks nothing, otherwise it could not be the supreme good.]

and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat conteiniþ in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode 1760 yif þere failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For þan were þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben desired.

[Sidenote: Happiness is, therefore, that perfect state, in which all other goods meet and centre.]

Now is it clere {and} certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat by þe congregac{i}ou{n} 1764 of alle goodes.

[Sidenote: It is the object which all men strive after.]

¶ þe whiche blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by dyuerse weyes.

[Sidenote: A desire of the true good is a natural instinct, but error misleads them to pursue false joys.]

¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode is naturely y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe 1768 myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ hem in to fals[e] goodes.

[Sidenote: Some, imagining the supreme good to consist in lacking nothing, labour for an abundance of _riches_; others, supposing that this good lies in the _reverence_ and _esteem_ of their fellow men, strive to acquire honourable positions.]

¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat souereygne goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing. {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. 1772 and some oþer men deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe hono{ur}s þat þei han ygeten

[Sidenote: There are some, again, who place it in supreme _power_, and seek to rule, or to be favoured by the ruling powers.]

¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat 1776 ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat regnen.

[Sidenote: There are those who fancy _fame_ to be the height of happiness, and seek by the arts of war or peace to get renown.]

¶ And it semeþ to some oþer folk þat noblesse of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to 1780 geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees.

[Sidenote: Many there are who believe nothing to be better than _joy_ and _gladness_, and think it delightful to plunge into luxury.]

and many folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit.

[Sidenote: Some there are who use these causes and ends interchangeably, as those who desire riches as a means of getting power; or who desire power in order to get money or renown.]

¶ And 1784 þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes {and} þe endes of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to [[pg 66]] han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto han moneye or for cause of renou{n}.

[Sidenote: In all they do they have a particular end in view.]

¶ In þise þinges 1788 {and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As þus.

[Linenotes: 1751 _fastned[e]_--fastnede _wiþdrow_--MS. wiþdrowen, C. w{i}t{h} drowh 1752 _sete_--Cyte 1756 _enforced_--enforsen 1757 [_And blysfulnesse_]--from C. _goode_--good 1758 _so_--so þ{a}t _haþ_--MS. haþe 1759 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn 1760 _al_--alle _goode_--good 1761 _þere_--ther _failed[e]_--faylyde _myȝt[e]_--myhte _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 1762 _þan_--thanne _þere_--ther _goode_--good _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn 1763 _goode_--good _myȝt[e]_--myhte 1764 _certeyne_--certein 1766 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _folke_--foolk 1767 _goode_--good 1769 _fals[e]_--false 1770 _souereygne goode is_--sou{er}eyn good be 1771 _lyue wiþ outen_--lyuen w{i}t{h} owte 1772 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1773 _some_--som _goode be_--good ben 1774 _be_--ben 1775 _neyȝbours_--nesshebors 1776 _halden_--holden 1777 _heyȝe_--heyh _to_--omitted _goode_--good 1780 _goode_--good 1781 _or_--{and} 1782 _folke_--folk _goode_--good 1783 _be_--by 1784 [_thynge_]--from C. 1786 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1787 _delices_--delytes 1789 _oþer_--oothre _al_--alle 1790 [_of_]--from C.]

[Headnote: FRIENDSHIP A SACRED THING.]

[Sidenote: Nobility and popular favour are sought after by some in order to become famous.]

¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}.

[Sidenote: By others, wives and children are only desired as sources of pleasure.]

¶ and wijf {and} 1792 children þat men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse.

[Sidenote: Friendship must not be reckoned among the goods of fortune, but among those of virtue, for it is a very sacred thing.]

¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it is a ful holy man{er}e þing.

[Sidenote: All else are desired either for the power or pleasure they afford.]

alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe 1796 ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit.

[Sidenote: The goods of the body fall under the same predicament.]

¶ Certis now am I redy to referen þe goodes of þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen.

[Sidenote: Strength and a good stature seem to give power and worthiness.]

¶ For it semeþ þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and} 1800 worþinesse.

[Sidenote: Beauty and swiftness give glory and fame; and health gives delight.]

¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ ȝiuen delit.

[Sidenote: In all these happiness alone is sought.]

¶ In alle þise þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat blisfulnesse is desired.

[Sidenote: What a man most wishes for, that he esteems the supreme good, which, as we have defined, is happiness.]

¶ For-whi þilke þing þat euery 1804 man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse is þe souereyne goode. for whiche euery wyȝt demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer alle þinges þat 1808 it be þe blisfulnesse.

[Sidenote: Thou hast now before thee a view of human felicity (falsely so called), that is, riches, honours, power, glory, and delight, which last _Epicurus_ considered as the sovereign good.]

¶ Now hast þou þan byforne [thy eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe whiche delit oonly considered 1812 Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat delit is þe souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as hym þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe herte.

[Sidenote: I now return to the inclinations and pursuits of mankind.]

¶ But I reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. 1816 of whiche men þe corage alwey rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe [[pg 67]] souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be wiþ a derke memorie [but he not by whiche paath].

[Sidenote: Their minds are bent upon the chief good, and are ever seeking it with a darkened understanding, like a drunken man, who cannot find his way home.]

¶ Ryȝt as a dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne 1820 home to hys house.

[Sidenote: Do they go astray who strive to keep themselves from want?]

¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen {and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no þing

[Linenotes: 1794 _shollen_--sholden 1795 _þe_--tho 1796 _oþer_--oothre 1801 _swiftenesse_--sweftnesse 1803 _ȝiuen_--MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen 1806, 1807 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 1807 _whiche_--whych 1809 _þe_--omitted _þan byforne_--thanne byforn 1810 [_thy eyen_]--from C.; MS. _has_ ȝeuen aȝeyne _almost_--almest _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse 1811 _seyne rycchesse_--seyn Rychesses 1814 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good _myche_--moche _oþer_--oothre 1815 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte _from_--fram 1816 _aȝeyne_--ayein 1818 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good _of_--omitted _alle_--al _derke_--dirkyd 1819 [_but----paath_]--from C. 1820 _dronke_--dronken _paþe_--paath 1821 _home_--hym]

[Headnote: ALL SEEK THE CHIEF GOOD.]

[Sidenote: By no means. No state is happier than that in which a man is above want, and independent of others.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 16.]]

¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} *of alle 1824 goodes þat ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self.

[Sidenote: Are they guilty of folly that seek esteem and reverence?]

and foleyen swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing þ{a}t is ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of 1828 reuerence.

[Sidenote: No; for that is not contemptible for which all men strive.]

¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule ne worþi to ben dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten it.

[Sidenote: Is not power to be reckoned amongst desirable goods?]

¶ And power auȝt[e] nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes

[Sidenote: Why not? For that is not an insignificant good which invests a man with authority and command.]

what ellis. 1832 for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most worþi of alle þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and} clernesse of renou{n} auȝte þat to ben dispised.

[Sidenote: Fame also is to be regarded, for everything excellent is also shining and renowned.]

¶ Certys þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is ryȝt excellent 1836 {and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and} renomed.

[Sidenote: We hardly need say that happiness is not an unjoyous and melancholy state, for in the pursuit of the smallest matters men seek only pleasure.]

¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn þat in ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to 1840 haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten hem.

[Sidenote: Hence it is that mankind seek riches, &c., because by them they hope to get independence, honour, &c.]

¶ Certys þise ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and} delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce 1844 hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse.

[Sidenote: However varied their desires, _happiness_ is their sole pursuit.]

¶ þanne is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d. how grete is þe strengþe of nature. [[pg 68]]

[Sidenote: However various men’s opinions are respecting happiness, all agree in pursuing it as the end of their actions and desires.]

¶ For how so þat 1848 men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende of goode.

[Linenotes: 1823 _perfourny_--p{er}forme 1825 _haþ_--MS. haþe _none_--non 1827 _þilk_--thilke 1828 _goode_--good 1829 _foule_--fowl 1830 _al_--welneyh alle 1831 _trauaille_--trauaylen _auȝt[e]_--owhte 1832 _be_--ben 1834 _out_--owte 1835 _auȝte_--owhte 1836 _al_--alle 1837 _be_--ben _clere_--cleer 1843 _rycches_--Rychesses 1846 _goode_--good 1847 _be_--ben 1848 _grete_--gret 1849 _algates_--Allegates 1850 _goode_--good]

[Headnote: OF NATURE’S LAWS.]

Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.

[Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: I will now sing of Nature’s laws, by which the universe is governed.]

++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and} delitable sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ 1852 {and} flitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde þat may nat be vnbounden.

[Sidenote: [j]] [Sidenote: The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper’s lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive, and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.]

¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of 1856 þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines. {and} taken metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and} dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to suffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. 1860 þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested. repaireþ aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. 1864 and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþe assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þei freten hir maister.

[Sidenote: [ij]] [Sidenote: If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her food, and pine for the beloved woods.]

¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wode {and} 1868 after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t] þe pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif þilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe 1872 agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe wode {and} twitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys.

[Sidenote: [iij]] [Sidenote: The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.]

¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty 1876 strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe [[pg 69]] hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.

[Sidenote: [iiij]] [Sidenote: Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.]

¶ þe sonne phebus þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein 1880 eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont aryse.

[Sidenote: All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the source of order.]

¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to 1884 þi{n}ges but þat.

[Sidenote: Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found, for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return from whence they came.]

þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable þat it chaungeþ nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.

[Linenotes: 1851 _shew[e]_--shewe 1854 _whiche_--MS. swiche, C. whyche _worlde_--world 1856 _be_--ben _vnbounden_--vnbownde 1857 _fair[e]_--fayr{e} 1860 [_betinges_]--from C. 1862 _passeþ_--passed 1864 _from_--fram _vnbounden_--vnbownde 1865 _to-teren_--to-torn _toþe_--toth 1867 _Iangland_--Iangelynge 1869 _streit_--streyht 1870 _pleiyng_--MS. pleinyng, C. pleyynge _besines_--bysynesse _honied[e]_--honyede 1872 _oute_--owt 1873 _agreable_--agreables 1874 _fete_--feet 1875 _twitriþ_--twiterith 1877 _croppe_--crop 1878 _hande_--hand _bente_--bent 1880 _failleþ_--falleth 1881 _cart_--carte _a_--omitted _paþe_--paath 1883 _of_--MS. of of 1885 _haþ_--MS. haþe _ioignynge_--Ioyned 1886 _haþ_--MS. haþe]

[Headnote: THE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.]

VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.

[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 16 _b_.]]

*++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} 1888 alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner þouȝt al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk 1891 verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer fro.

[Sidenote: Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?]

¶ Considere now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man weniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen 1896 to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by nature

[Sidenote: If riches and honours and the like make men happy, so that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured by these acquisitions.]

¶ For yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer forseide þinges bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille hem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] 1900 þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei han geten.

[Sidenote: But if these things cannot make good what they promise, if there still be something to be desired, then they are delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.]

¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals 1904 beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke þinges. ¶ First {and} forward þou þi self þat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. [[pg 70]]

[Sidenote: In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong or grievance?]

¶ I axe ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses 1908 þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce þat by-tidde þe on any syde.

[Linenotes: 1889 [_yowre bygynnynge_]--from C. _al_--MS. as, C. Al 1891 _from_--fram _til þilk_--to thylke 1892 _þe_--omitted 1893 _þilk_--thylke 1895 _be_--by 1896 _gete_--geten 1899 _swiche_--swych _goode_--good 1900 _wil_--wole _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te 1904 _many_--manye _clerely_--clerly _fals_--false 1905 _knowe_--knowen 1908 _þilk[e]_--thylke]

[Headnote: NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.]

[Sidenote: _B._ I must confess that I cannot remember ever being wholly free from some trouble or other.]

¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I was so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of 1912 somwhat.

[Sidenote: _P._ That was because something was absent which you did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.]

þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest han lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest han had.

[Sidenote: _B._ That’s quite true.]

ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then you did desire the presence of the one and the absence of the other?]

desiredest þou þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer. 1916

[Sidenote: _B._ I confess I did.]

I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Every man is in need of what he desires.]

for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer somwhat þat euery man desireþ.

[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly he is.]

ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I.

[Sidenote: _P._ If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?]

¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he þat haþ lakke or nede of a wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self. 1920

[Sidenote: _B._ No.]

no q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?]

{and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ What then if I did?]

¶ what ellis q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all want, although this was what they seemed to promise.]

¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a man nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} 1924 þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ.

[Sidenote: Money may part company with its owner, however unwilling he may be to lose it.]

¶ and eke certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye ne haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem þat han it maugre hem.

[Sidenote: _B._ I confess that’s true.]

¶ I by-knowe 1928 it wel q{uod} I

[Sidenote: _P._ It ought to be confessed when every day we see _might_ prevailing over _right_.]

¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen it fram þe febler maugre hem.

[Sidenote: From whence springs so much litigation, but from this, that men seek to recover their own of which they have been unjustly deprived?]

¶ Fro whennes comen ellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of 1932 plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneye þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey maugre hem.

[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true.]

¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then a man needs the assistance of others in order to keep his riches.]

þan q{uo}d she haþ a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by 1936 whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I.

[Linenotes: 1913 _þat----lakkedest_--And was nat þ{a}t q{uod} she for þ{a}t the lacked som-what 1915 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 1917 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te 1919 _haþ_--MS. haþe _a wyȝt_--awht 1921 _alle_--al 1922 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _lak_--lakke 1923 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1927 _haþ_--MS. haþe _owen_--owne 1930 _strenger folke by-nymen_--strenger{e} folk by-nemyn 1931 _fram_--fro _febler_--febeler{e} _Fro_--for 1933 _aȝeine_--ayeyn 1934 _haþ_--MS. haþe _be_--ben 1936 _haþ_--MS. haþe _helpe_--help 1937 _say_--sey]

[[pg 71]] [Headnote: RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]

[Sidenote: If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need of this help?]

¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe yif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese.

[Sidenote: _B._ That is beyond all doubt.]

¶ þat is doutles q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then the very reverse of what was expected (from riches) takes place? For riches add to a man’s necessities.]

þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie 1940 q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede of foreine helpe.

[Sidenote: Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?]

¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod} she þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk 1944 may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche men may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.

[Sidenote: You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy these wants.]

¶ But þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ þei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest 1948 {and} don awey colde.

[Sidenote: By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot satisfy every want.]

¶ In þis wise may nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al out{er}ly be don awey.

[Sidenote: Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with riches, yet some cravings will remain.]

for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe 1952 any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled.

[Sidenote: A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has enough.]

¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how þat litel þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ ne suffiseþ no þinge.

[Sidenote: If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think that they can supply all your necessities?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 17.]]

*¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat 1956 al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeue{n} ȝow suffisau{n}ce.

[Linenotes: 1938 _nediþ no helpe_--nedede non help 1939 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 1940 _doutles_--dowteles 1941 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1943 _helpe_--help _whiche_--whych 1944 _rycches_--Rychesse _dryuen_--dryue 1945 _hungre_--hungyr _þrest_--thurst 1946 _þei_--the _colde_--coold _in_--on 1947 _wilt answere_--wolt Answeren _y-nouȝ_--y-now 1948 _þrest_--thurst 1949 _colde_--coold 1950 _nat_--omitted 1951 _outerly_--vtrely 1953 _myȝt[e] ben_--myhte be 1957 _rychesse_--Rychesses]

QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.

[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: The rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest content.]

++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer 1960 fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise.

[Sidenote: Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him company.]

¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-charged wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere 1964 ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym [[pg 72]] compaignie whanne he is dede.

[Linenotes: 1960 _riuer_--a Ryu{er} 1961 _alle_--al _golde_--gold _ȝitte_--yit _staunche_--stau{n}chyn 1962, 1963 _þouȝ_--thow 1964 _erye_--Ere _hundreþ_--hundred 1965 _while_--whyl 1966 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte _shal_--shol 1967 _dede_--ded]

[Headnote: OF DIGNITIES.]

SET DIGNITATIB{US}.[4]

[Footnote 4: Read _dignitates_.]

[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: It may be said that _dignities_ confer honour on their possessors.]

++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym 1968 honorable {and} reuerent.

[Sidenote: But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue in the heart?]

han þei nat so grete strengþe þat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsen þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þe vices.

[Sidenote: So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render them more conspicuous.]

Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. 1972 but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses.

[Sidenote: Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities given to wicked men.]

{and} þer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne. þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men.

[Sidenote: Hence Catullus’ resentment against Nonius, whom he calls the botch, or impostume of the State.]

¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat 1976 hyȝt noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee.

[Sidenote: The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if they were in more obscure situations.]

Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye 1980 dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of wikked men shold{e} ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed of none hono{ur}s.

[Sidenote: Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?]

¶ Certys þou þi self ne myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou 1984 myȝtest suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ decorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n} þe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne 1988 þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe {and} of an acusor.

[Sidenote: Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of esteem.]

¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and} holde vnworþi to han þilke same hono{ur}s.

[Sidenote: If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.]

¶ Now yif 1992 þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þou ne myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe [[pg 73]] hono{ur}. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.

[Sidenote: _B._ I could not do otherwise.]

No q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever transfers to her votaries.]

¶ Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen 1996 p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ dignite anon to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned.

[Linenotes: 1969 _make_--maken 1969 _grete_--gret 1972 [_ne_]--from C. _ben_--be 1972, 1973 _wikkednesses_--wykkydnesse 1973 _to_--omitted _shew[en]_--shewen 1974 _comeþ_--comth _grete desdeyne_--gret desdaign 1976 _whiche_--which 1977 _hyȝt_--hyhte _nonius_--MS. vonn{us}, C. nomy{us} _boch_--MS. boþe, C. boch _clepiþ_--clepyd 1979 _nonius_--MS. uonn{us}, C. nomy{us} _set_--MS. sette, C. set 1980 _Sest þou_--Sesthow _þan_--thanne _vylenye_--fylonye 1981 _vnworþines_--vnworthynesse 1982 _ben_--be _ysen_--MS. ysene, C. I-sene 1984 _many_--manye 1985 _bere_--beren 1986 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 1987 _þe_ (2)--omitted 1988 _whanne_--whan 1989 _say[e]_--saye _had[de]_--hadde 1994 _demen_--deme 1995 _whiche_--which 1996 _quod she_--omitted 1997 _vertue_--vertu _uertue_--vertu 1998 _whiche_--whych]

[Headnote: DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.]

[Sidenote: Honours conferred by the populace do not make men worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.]

¶ And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat 2000 þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit men auȝten take more hede in þis.

[Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices the more conspicuous.]

¶ For if it so be þat he is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan 2004 makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan p{re}ised. þe whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folk

[Sidenote: Nor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by their contagious villanies.]

¶ {and} for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden 2008 aȝein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie.

[Sidenote: These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him their respect?]

¶ And for as moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerence ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. 2012 vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and} hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of 2016 straunge folk

[Sidenote: If respect were an attribute of honour it would infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an attribute of fire.]

¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were a naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.

[Linenotes: 2000 _clerly_--MS. clerkly, C. clerly 2002 _auȝten----hede_--owhten taken mor heed 2002-3 _For----dignite_--For yif so be þ{a}t a wykkyd whyght be so mochel the fowler{e} {and} the moore owt cast þ{a}t he is despised of most folk so as dignete 2004-2007 _maken----soþe_--maken shrewes digne of Reu{er}ence the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne makith dignete shrewes rather so moche mor{e} despised than preysed {and} forsothe 2008 _ȝelden_--yilden 2009 _byspotten_--by-spetten 2010 _hire_--hyr 2011 _moche_--mochel _mow[e]_--mowe 2012 _þe shadewy_--thyse shadwye 2013 _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond _þis_--thus 2014 _hadde_--had 2018 _ȝifte_--yift 2019 _folke_--foolk _done_--don]

[Headnote: DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 17 _b_.]]

¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to 2020 enchaufen {and} *to ben hote.

[Sidenote: Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is, among foreign nations.]

but for as myche as forto be holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengþe of nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] [[pg 74]] opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites 2024 maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites. her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is a-mong straung folk. maist þou sein.

[Sidenote: Do they always endure in those places that gave birth to them?]

but amo{n}g{us} 2028 hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey.

[Sidenote: The Prætorate was once a great honour, but now it is only an empty name and a heavy expense.]

¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel name. {and} þe rente of þe senatorie a g{r}et charge. 2032

[Sidenote: What is more vile than the office of the superintendency of provisions?]

{and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] to þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer þinges he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more nowe out cast þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie

[Sidenote: That which hath no innate beauty must lose its splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning it.]

¶ And as I haue 2036 seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris {and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of vsaunces.

[Sidenote: If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion, what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or what dignity can they confer on others?]

¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen 2040 nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif þ{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ and yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of 2044 poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beaute þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne ne mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.

[Linenotes: 2020 _enchaufen_--eschaufen 2021 _myche_--mochel 2022 _be_--ben 2023 _fals[e]_--false 2024 _þat_ (2)--omitted 2027 _her_--hyr _vanissen_--vanesshen 2028 _a-mong_--amonges _straung_--strau{n}ge _but_--ne 2029 _þat_--ther _duren þilk[e]_--ne duren nat thylke 2030 _somtyme_--whylom 2031 _grete_--gret 2032 _þe_ (2)--omitted 2033 _somtyme_--whylom _þe_--MS. þe þe 2034 _corne_--corn _what_--omitted 2035 _more nowe_--now more 2036 _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast 2037 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _here byforne_--her by-forn _haþ_--MS. haþe 2042 _filþe_--felthe 2043 _þat_--omitted 2046 _auȝte_--owhte _none_--non 2047 _þei_--MS. ȝe, C. they _none_--non]

QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.

[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Nero, though invested with the purple and adorned with pearls, was hated by all men.]

++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie 2048 kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat al was he by-hated [[pg 75]] of alle folk.

[Sidenote: Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the dishonoured seats of dignity.]

¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret 2052 lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þo dignites.

[Sidenote: Who then can think that felicity resides in honours given by vicious shrews?]

who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse 2056 were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious shrewes.

[Linenotes: 2048 _al_ (2)--alle 2049 _kembed_--kembde _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede 2050 _ȝitte_--yit 2053 _lordship_--lorshippe _ȝaf somtyme_--yaf whylom _dredeful_--reu{er}encȝ 2055 _fore_--for _ȝaf_--yaf]

[Headnote: KINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.]

AN UERO REGNA.

[Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _P._ Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a man mighty?]

++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a ma{n} to ben myȝty.

[Sidenote: _B._ Why should they not if they are durable?]

how ellys. ¶ whanne hir 2060 blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely

[Sidenote: _P._ Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of fortune.]

but certys þe olde age of tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse.

[Sidenote: O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is too weak to preserve itself!]

¶ O a noble þing 2064 {and} a cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty to kepe it self.

[Sidenote: If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if it be defective.]

¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on any side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ 2068 in wrechednesse.

[Sidenote: But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.]

but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer nede ben myche folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat 2072 power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hem wreches.

[Sidenote: Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than of felicity.]

¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han more porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. 2076

[Linenotes: 2060 _myȝty_--MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty 2062 _passeþ_--passed _of_ (2)--omitted 2063 _kynges þat han_--kynges ben 2066 _kepe_--kepen 2067 _maker_--maker{e} 2069 _yif_--yit _realmes_--the Reaumes 2070 _stretchen_--strechchen _myche_--moche 2071 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2073 _whiche_--whych 2074 _vndirneþ_--vndyr-nethe]

[Headnote: POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.]

[Sidenote: Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition, exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.]

¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaied þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þe heued of his familier.

[Sidenote: What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do away with care or fear?]

what þing is þan þis power þat 2080 may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe [[pg 76]] þe prikkes of drede.

[Sidenote: Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they glory in their power.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 18.]]

and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen *in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifien hem in her power

[Sidenote: Is he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?]

¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man 2084 be myȝty þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may nat don.

[Sidenote: Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power depends solely upon his numerous retinue?]

¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty man þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. 2088 þen þei dreden hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers [or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges.

[Sidenote: Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!]

¶ what sholde I telle þe any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes 2092 hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.

[Sidenote: Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are incident.]

þe whiche familiers certis þe real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}.

[Sidenote: Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the manner of his death.]

¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what 2096 deeþ he wolde deien.

[Sidenote: Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by the swords of his soldiers.]

¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat knyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝty a-monges hem of þe courte.

[Sidenote: Yet both would have given up all they possessed.]

and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe 2100 han renou{n}ced her power.

[Sidenote: Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them to choose their fate.]

of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe grete weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune 2104 draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne myȝt[e] do þat he wolde.

[Sidenote: What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?]

what þing is þanne þilke power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶ {and} whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And 2108 yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it.

[Sidenote: No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on prosperity instead of virtue.]

¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue.

[Sidenote: Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of thy familiar friend?]

Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune [[pg 77]] makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is 2113 more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy.

[Linenotes: 2077 _had[de]_--hadde 2078 _shewid[e]_--shewede 2079 _realmes_--Reaumes _swerde_--swerd _heng_--MS. henge, C. heng 2081 _besines_--bysynesse 2083 _ȝit_--yif _glorifien_--gloryfye 2084 _þilk[e]_--thylke 2087 _haþ_--MS. haþe _environed_--enuyrownede 2088 [_hem_]--from C. 2089 _þen_--than 2091 [_or_]--from C. 2092 _realmes_--Reames 2093 _feblenesse_--feblesse 2094 _real_--Ryal 2095 [_ofte_]--from C. _constreined[e]_--co{n}streynede 2096 _his_ (1)--hyr _seneca_--Senek 2097 _comaundid[e]_--comau{n}dede 2098 _her_--hyr 2099 _whiche_--which _had[de] ben long_--þ{a}t hadde ben longe 2100 _courte_--court _wolde_--wolden 2101 [_two_]--from C. _enforced[e]_--enforcede 2102 _ȝiuen_--yeuen _his_--hyse 2104 _weyȝt_--weyhte 2105 _sholden_--sholen 2106 _myȝt[e]_--myhte]

[Headnote: GLORY IS DECEPTIVE.]

QUI SE UALET[5] ESSE POTENTEM.

[Footnote 5: Read _uolet_]

[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: He who would obtain sovereign power must obtain conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.]

++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir 2116 þe foule reines of lecherie.

[Sidenote: Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.]

for al be it so þat þi lordship[e] strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in þe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst 2120 nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no power þat þou hast.

[Linenotes: 2115 _wolde ben_--wole be 2116 _put[te]_--putte 2117 _lordship[e]_--lordshype 2119 _comaundement_--comau{n}dementȝ _leest isle_--last Ile 2120 _hyȝt_--hyhte 2121 _puten_--putten _derk[e]_--dyrke 2122 _oute_--owt]

[Headnote: GENTILITY IS FOREIGN TO RENOWN.]

GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.

[Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: How deceptive and deformed a thing is glory! Well did the Tragedian exclaim--ὦ δόξα δόξα μυρίοισι δὴ βροτῶν, οὐδὲν γεγῶσι βίοτον ὤγκωσας μέγαν, for the undeserving have been crowned with glory and renown by popular and erring opinion.]

++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for 2124 whiche þing nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no þing ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. 2128 for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple.

[Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the prejudices of the vulgar?]

and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler þen swiche p{re}isynge

[Sidenote: Those that are undeservedly praised ought to blush for shame.]

for þilk[e] folk þat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges. 2132

[Sidenote: If a wise man gets well-merited praise it does not add to his felicity.]

{and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed to þe conscience of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple. but by þe soþefastnesse 2136 of conscience.

[Sidenote: If it be a good thing to spread abroad one’s fame, it must be dishonourable not to do so.]

{and} yif it seme a fair þing a man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ it. þat it is demed to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be [[pg 78]] ysprad ne encresed.

[Sidenote: But a good name cannot penetrate everywhere, and the most illustrious names must be unknown to the greatest part of the world.]

but as I seide a litel her byforne. 2140 þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he þat þou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ 2144 out renou{n}.

[Sidenote: The favour of the people is worth but little as it is seldom judicious and never permanent.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 18 _b_.]]

¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise þinges I ne trowe nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer worþi *to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is ferm p{er}durably.

[Sidenote: How empty and transitory are titles of nobility!]

¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. 2148 what man is it þat ne may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a þing it is.

[Sidenote: Gentility is wholly foreign to renown, and to those who boast of noble birth.]

¶ For if þe name of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan is gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to 2152 hem þat glorifien hem of hir linage.

[Sidenote: Nobility is fame derived from the merits of one’s ancestors.]

¶ For it semeþ þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge þat comeþ of decert of auncestres.

[Sidenote: If praise can give nobility they are noble who are praised.]

¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ gentilesse þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. 2156

[Sidenote: Then if thou hast no nobility of thy own, thou canst not derive any splendour from the merits of others.]

For whiche þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse of þi self. þat is to sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat gentil.

[Sidenote: If there be any good in nobleness of birth, it consists alone in this, that it imposes an obligation upon its possessors not to degenerate from the virtues of their ancestors.]

¶ But certis yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al 2160 oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed to gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro þe uertues of hire noble kynrede.

[Linenotes: 2124 _foule_--fowl 2125 _whiche_--whych 2126 _maker_--maker{e} _cried[e]_--cryde 2127 _he_--she 2128 _sweller_--sweller{e} 2129 _many[e]_--manye _had_--MS. hadde, C. had _fals[e]_--false 2130 _fouler_--fowler{e} 2131 _þen_--thanne _þilk[e]_--thylke 2133 _or_--of 2134 _haþ_--MS. haþe _þilke_--thylke 2139 _foule þinge_--fowl thing 2140 _ne_--{and} _byforne_--byforn 2144 _parties_--partye _erþe_--Erthes _out_--owte 2145 _out_--owhte 2148 _ferm_--ferme 2149 _veyne_--veyn 2150 _if_--yif 2154 _comeþ of_--comth of the 2157 _whiche_--which 2158 _pris_--preys _comeþ_--comth 2160 _goode_--good _in_ (2)--omitted 2161 _maner_--maner{e}]

OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.

[Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]

[Sidenote: All men have the same origin.]

++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable 2164 burþe.

[Sidenote: They have one father and one king, who gave the moon her horns, and adorned the sun with his rays.]

On al one is fadir of þinges. On alone minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe sonne hys bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes.

[Sidenote: The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with stars.]

he ȝaf þe men to þe erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene.

[Sidenote: He breathed into man the breath of life.]

¶ he encloseþ 2168 wiþ membres þe soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. [[pg 79]]

[Sidenote: All men spring from this illustrious source.]

¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed.

[Sidenote: Why then do they boast of pedigree?]

whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris

[Sidenote: He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his noble origin.]

¶ For yif þou look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} 2172 ȝoure makere. þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre burþe.

[Linenotes: 2166 _hys_--hyse 2167 _hir_--hyse 2169 _fro hys_--fram hyse 2170 _seed_--sede 2171 _bosten_--MS. voscen, C. bosten 2172 _look[e]_--loke]

[Headnote: SENSUAL PLEASURES FULL OF ANXIETY.]

QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.[6]

[Footnote 6: Read _corporis voluptatibus_.]

[Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: But what shall I say with respect to sensual pleasures, the desire of which is full of anxiety, and the enjoyment of them full of repentance?]

++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e 2176 delices þe desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce.

[Sidenote: What diseases and intolerable pains (the merited fruits of vice) are these delights wont to bring upon those who enjoy them!]

¶ How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ryȝt as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to 2180 bryngen to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem.

[Sidenote: I am unable to see what joy is to be found in the gratification of them.]

¶ Of whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir moeuyng.

[Sidenote: The remembrance of criminal indulgence brings with it bitter remorse.]

¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. 2184 þat þe issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory.

[Sidenote: If such things make men happy, then may brutes attain to felicity, since by their instinct they are urged to satisfy their bodily delights.]

¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk blisful. þan by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille 2188 hire bodyly iolyte.

[Sidenote: A wife and children do not always bring happiness, for some have found tormentors in their own offspring.]

and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest þing. but it haþ ben seid. þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. 2192 ¶ Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nedeþ nat to tellen it þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}.

[Sidenote: I approve of this opinion of Euripides, that he who is childless is happy in his misfortune.]

In þis approue I þe sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he 2196 þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.

[Linenotes: 2173 _is_--nis 2176 _delices_--delites _body_--bodye 2177 _anguisse_--Angwyssh 2178 _grete_--gret 2179 _sekenesse_--sykenesse _grete sorwes_--gret soruwes 2180 _fruit_--frut 2182 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 2183 _wil_--wole 2184 _hys_--hyse 2185 _sorowful_--sorwful _sory_--sorye 2186 _make_--makyn 2189 [_and_]--from C. 2190 [_an_]--from C. _haþ_--haþe _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2191 _myche_--mochel 2192 _many_--manye 2196 _Euridippus_--Eurydyppys; _read_ Euripides 2197 _haþ_--MS. haþe]

[[pg 80]] [Headnote: NO HAPPINESS IN EXTERNAL THINGS.]

HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.

[Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Pleasure leaves a pain behind it.]

++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes þ{a}t vsen it.

[Sidenote: The bee gives us agreeable honey, but try to hold it, and it quickly flies, leaving its sting behind.]

¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe bee haþ shed hys agreable 2200 honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes of he{m} þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge.

[Linenotes: 2198 _Euery_--MS. Ouery, C. Every 2198, 2200 _haþ_--MS. haþe _shed hys_--shad hyse]

[Headnote: MEN ARE LED ASTRAY BY IGNORANCE.]

NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.

[Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: It appears then that happiness is not to be found in the above-mentioned external things.]

++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne 2204 mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to lede{n} hem.

[Sidenote: These false ways are perplexed with many evils, as I shall presently show thee.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 19.]]

¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise *forseide weyes ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly.

[Sidenote: Do you want to amass wealth, then you must take it from your neighbours.]

¶ For whi yif þou enforcest þe to assemble moneye. þou most by-reuen 2208 hym his moneye þat haþ it.

[Sidenote: Would you shine in dignities, then you must beg for them and disgrace yourself by a humiliating supplication.]

and yif þou wilt shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien hem þat ȝiue{n} þo dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk þ{o}u shalt defoule þi 2212 self by hu{m}blesse of axing.

[Sidenote: If power be your ambition, you expose yourself to the snares of inferiors.]

yif þou desiryst power. þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast vndir many p{er}iles.

[Sidenote: Do you ask for glory, to be distracted by vexations and so lose all security.]

axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre þinges þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. 2216

[Sidenote: Do you prefer a voluptuous life? Think then that all men will despise him who is a thrall to his body.]

¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in delices. euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat art þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to] sein seruau{n}t to þi body.

[Sidenote: They build upon a weak foundation that place bodily delights above their own reason.]

¶ Now is it þan wel yseen 2220 how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}.

[Sidenote: Can you surpass the elephant in bulk, or the bull in strength?]

¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in gretnesse or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe 2224 bole.

[Sidenote: Art thou swifter than the tiger?]

Mayst þou ben swifter þan þe tigre.

[Sidenote: Behold the immense extent of the heavens and cease to admire vile or lesser things.]

biholde þe spaces {and} þe stablenesse {and} þe swyfte cours of þe [[pg 81]] heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule þinges.

[Sidenote: Admire what is still more admirable, the consummate wisdom that governs them.]

þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise 2228 þinges to ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned.

[Sidenote: How fleeting is beauty!]

but þe shynynge of þi forme þat is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly passyng is it {and} how transitorie.

[Sidenote: It fades sooner than the vernal flowers.]

¶ Certis it is more flittynge 2232 þan þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}.

[Sidenote: For, as Aristotle says, if a man were lynx-eyed and could look into the entrails of Alcibiades (so fair outwardly) he would find all foul and loathsome.]

For so as aristotil telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe lokyng of folk myȝt[e] percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who so lokid 2236 þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was ful fayr in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt foule.

[Sidenote: Thy nature does not make thee seem beautiful, but the imperfect view of thy admirers.]

{and} for þi yif þou semest faire. þi nature ne makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of þe fieblesse of þe 2240 eyen þat loken.

[Sidenote: Prize bodily perfections as much as you will, yet a three days’ fever will destroy them.]

¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body as moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat what so it be. þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or 2244 dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in a so{m}me.

[Sidenote: Worldly goods do not give what they promise, do not comprise every good, are not the paths to felicity, nor can of themselves make any one happy.]

¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by 2248 þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne ben nat weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to ben blysful.

[Linenotes: 2203 _nis_--is 2204 _mysledyng_--mysledynges 2205 _folke_--folk 2208 _enforcest_--MS. enforced, C. enforcest 2209 _haþ_--MS. haþe _wilt_--wolt 2211 _ȝiuen_--yeuen 2212 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon _by-fore_--byforn _shalt_--shal 2213 _by_--thorw 2214 _by_--be _be_--ben 2216 _destrat_--MS. destralle, C. destrat _forgone_--forgoon 2217 _wilt_--wolt 2218 _whiȝt_--wyht 2219 _foule_--fowl [_to_]--from C. 2220 _yseen_--seen 2221 _brutel_--brotel 2222 _owen_--owne 2224 _weyȝt_--weyhty _strenger_--strenger{e} 2225 _swifter_--swyfter{e} _biholde_--by-hold 2227 _stynte_--stynt 2228 _whiche_--whych 2230 _whiche_--wych 2231 _seien_--seyn 2234 _as_--omitted 2235 _hiȝt_--hyhte _myȝt[e]_--myhte 2237 _alcibiades_--MS. alcidiades 2238 _fayr_--fayr{e} _þe_--omitted _shulde_--sholde 2239 _foule_--fowl _faire_--fayr _ne_--omitted 2240 _desceiuaunce of þe fieblesse_--deceyuable or the feblesse 2242 _moche_--mochel _know[e]_--knowe 2243 _þe_--omitted _þi body whiche_--the body whych 2247 _a_--omitted]

[Headnote: MEN PURSUE FALSE JOYS.]

HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.

[Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Alas! how through folly and ignorance do men stray from the path of true happiness!]

++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ 2252 wandryng wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good.

[Sidenote: Ye do not seek gold upon trees nor diamonds from the vine.]

¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne ȝe ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. [[pg 82]]

[Sidenote: Ye lay not your nets to catch fish upon the lofty hills.]

ne ȝe ne hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen 2256 fisshe of whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes.

[Sidenote: The hunter goes not to the Tyrrhene waters to hunt the roe.]

and yif ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe ne gon nat to þe foordes of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene.

[Sidenote: Men know where to look for white pearls, and for the fish that yields the purple dye.]

{and} ouer þis men knowen wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe 2260 floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundeþ most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre.

[Sidenote: They know where the most delicate of the finny race abound and where the fierce sea-urchin is to be found.]

{and} knowen 2264 whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes þat hyȝten echynnys.

[Sidenote: But where the Sovereign Good abides blinded mortals never know, but plunge into the earth below to look for that which has its dwelling in the heavens.]

but folk suffren hem self to ben so blynde þat hem ne recchiþ nat to knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei 2268 coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere þilke goode þ{a}t so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe sterres.

[Sidenote: What doom do the silly race deserve?]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 19 _b_.]]

¶ what *p{re}yere may I make þat be digne to þe nice þouȝtis of men.

[Sidenote: May they pursue such false joys, and having obtained them, too late find out the value of the true.]

but I p{re}ye þat þei coueite{n} 2272 rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo false goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe knowen þe verray goodes.

[Linenotes: 2252 _whiche_ (_both_)--whych 2253 _paþe_--paath _good_--goode 2254 _golde_--gold]

[Headnote: THE INSUFFICIENCY OF WORLDLY BLISS.]

HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.

[Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _P._ I have been describing the form of counterfeit happiness, and if you have considered it attentively I shall proceed to give you a perfect view of the true.]

++IT suffisiþ þat I haue shewed hider to þe forme of 2276 false wilfulnesse. so þat yif þou look[e] now clerely þe ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeriþ from hennes forþe to shewe{n} þe verray wilfulnesse.

[Sidenote: _B._ I now see that there is no sufficiency in riches, no power in royalty, no esteem in dignities, nor nobility in renown, nor joy in carnal pleasures.]

¶ For q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] se wel now þat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by richesse. ne 2280 power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne gentilesse by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast þou wel knowen q{uo}d she þe cause whi it is. Certis me semeþ q{uod} .I. þat .I. se hem ryȝt as þouȝ it were þoruȝ a litel [[pg 83]] clifte.

[Sidenote: I have a glimpse of the cause of all this, but I should like a more distinct view.]

but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of 2285 þe. Certys q{uod} she þe resou{n} is al redy

[Sidenote: _P._ The cause is obvious--for that which is by nature one and indivisible human ignorance separates and divides, and reverses the true order of things.]

¶ For þilk þing þat symply is on þing wiþ outen ony diuisiou{n}. þe errour {and} folie of mankynde departeþ 2288 {and} diuidiþ it. {and} mislediþ it {and} t{ra}nsporteþ from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes þat ben false {and} inp{er}fit.

[Sidenote: Does that state which needs nothing stand in need of power?]

¶ But seye me þis. wenest þou þat he þat haþ nede of power þat hy{m} ne lakkeþ no þing.

[Sidenote: _B._ I should say no. _P._ Right! That which wants power needs external aid.]

Nay q{uo}d 2292 .I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she þou seist aryȝt. For yif so be þ{a}t þer is a þing þat in any p{ar}tie be fieble of power.

[Sidenote: _B._ That is true! _P._ Sufficiency and power therefore are of one nature. _B._ It seems so indeed.]

Certis as in þat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine helpe. ¶ Riȝt so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power 2296 ben þan of on kynde ¶ So semeþ it q{uod} I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Are power and sufficiency to be despised? Are they not rather worthy of universal respect?]

¶ And demyst þou q{uo}d she þat a þing þat is of þis manere. þat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} myȝty auȝt[e] to ben dispised. or ellys þ{a}t it be ryȝt digne of reuerences abouen 2300 alle þinges.

[Sidenote: _B._ They are doubtless highly estimable. _P._ Add respect to sufficiency and power, and consider all three as one and the same thing.]

¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute þat it nis ryȝt worþi to ben reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she þan adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power ¶ So þat we demen þat þise þre þinges ben alle o þing.

[Sidenote: _B._ I see no objection to that view.]

¶ Certis 2304 q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten þe soþe.

[Sidenote: _P._ But can that be obscure and ignoble which possesses three such attributes? is it not noble and worthy of a shining reputation?]

what demest þou þan q{uo}d she is þat a dirke þing {and} nat noble þat is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} myȝty. or ellys þat is ryȝt clere {and} ryȝt noble of celebrete of renou{n}. 2308

[Linenotes: 2256 _heyȝe_--the hyye _kachen_--kachche 2257 _fisshe_--fyssh 2258 _hunte_--honte _roos_--Rooes 2259 _hyȝt_--hyhte 2260 _crikes_--brykes _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hyd 2261, 2262 _whiche_--whych 2263 _shelfisshe_--shelle fysh 2264, 2265 _whiche_--whych 2264 _dien_--deyen 2265 _of_--w{i}t{h} 2266 _echynnys_--MS. ethynnys, C. Echynnys 2268 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd 2270 _goode_--good 2271 _make_--maken 2273 _rycches_--Rychesse 2277 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse _look[e]_--loke _clerely_--clerly 2279 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse _For_--For-sothe [_I._]--from C. 2280 _richesse_--Rychesses 2281 _realmes_--Reames 2287 _þilk_--thylke _on_--o 2290 _goode_--good 2291 _seye_--sey _haþ_--MS. haþe 2294 _fieble_--febler{e} 2295 _most[e]_--mot 2296 _helpe_--help 2297 _on_--o 2298 _demyst þou_--demesthow 2299 _seine_--seyn _auȝt[e]_--owhte 2300 _reuerences_--Reu{er}ence 2302 _nis ryȝt_--is ryht 2304 _alle_--al 2305 _willen_--wolen 2306 _dirke_--dyrk 2308 _clere_--cler _of celebrete_--by celebryte]

[Headnote: THE UNITY OF TRUE FELICITY.]

[Sidenote: He who is most powerful and worthy of renown--if he lack fame which he cannot give to himself, must (by this defect) seem in some measure more weak and abject.]

¶ Considere þan q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne. þat he þat ne haþ ne[de] of no þing {and} is most myȝty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediþ any clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he myȝt[e] nat 2312 graunten of hym self. ¶ So þat for lakke of þilke clerenesse he myȝt[e] seme febler on any syde or þe more outcaste. _Glosa._ þis is to seyne nay. [[pg 84]]

[Sidenote: He that is sufficiently mighty and esteemed will have necessarily an illustrious name.]

¶ For who so þat is suffisau{n}t myȝty {and} reuerent. clernesse of 2316 renou{n} folweþ of þe forseide þinges. he haþ it alredy of hys suffisaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it, for reputation seems inseparable from the advantages you have just mentioned.]

boice. I may nat q{uo}d I denye it. ¶ But I mot graunten as it is. þat þis þing be ryȝt celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse.

[Sidenote: _P._ Therefore Renown differs in no wise from the three above-mentioned attributes.]

¶ þan 2320 folweþ it q{uo}d she þat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to þe þre forseide þinges. so þat þer ne be amonges hem no difference. {and} þis is a consequente q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: And if any one then stands in need of no external aid, can have all he wants, and is illustrious and respected--is not his condition very agreeable and pleasant?]

þis þing þan q{uo}d she þat ne haþ no nede of no foreine 2324 þing. {and} þat may don alle þinges by his strengþes. {and} þat is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat þat a myrie þing {and} a ioyful.

[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot conceive how such a one can have grief or trouble.]

_boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I þ{a}t any sorow myȝt[e] comen to þis þing þat is swiche. ¶ Certys 2328 I may nat þinke.

[Sidenote: _P._ It must then be a state of happiness; and we may also affirm that sufficiency, power, nobility, differ only in name, but not in substance.]

_P._ ¶ þanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} she þat þis þing be ful of gladnesse yif þe þorseide þinges be soþe. ¶ And also certys mote we graunten. þat suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben 2332 only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce haþ no diu{er}site.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is a necessary consequence.]

_Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ The depravity of mankind then divides that which is essentially indivisible; and, seeking for a part of that which has no parts, they miss the entire thing which they so much desire.]

_P._ þilke þinge þan q{uo}d she þat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 20.]]

þe wikkednesse of men departiþ it *diuidiþ it. {and} 2336 whan þei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a þing þat ne haþ no part. þei ne geten hem neiþer þilk[e] p{ar}tie þat nis none. ne þe þing al hole þat þei ne desire nat.

[Sidenote: _B._ How is that?]

_.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ He that seeks riches in order to avoid poverty, is not solicitous about power; he prefers meanness and obscurity, and denies himself many natural pleasures that he may not lessen his heaps of pelf.]

_p._ þilke man q{uo}d she þat 2340 sekeþ rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayleþ hym nat to for to gete power for he haþ leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke wiþdraweþ from hym selfe many naturel delitȝ for he nolde lesen þe moneye þat he haþ assembled. 2344

[Sidenote: He who lacks power, is pricked with trouble, and rendered an outcast and obscure by his sordid ways, does not possess sufficiency.]

but certis in þis manere he ne getiþ hym nat [[pg 85]] suffisaunce þat power forletiþ. {and} þat moleste p{re}keþ. {and} þat filþe makeþ outcaste. {and} þat derknesse hideþ.

[Sidenote: He who only aims at power squanders his riches, and despises delights and honours unaccompanied by power.]

and certis he þ{a}t desireþ only power he wastiþ {and} 2348 scatriþ rychesse {and} dispiseþ delices {and} eke hono{ur} þat is wiþ out power. ne he ne p{re}iseþ glorie no þing.

[Linenotes: 2310 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2312 _whiche_--whych _myȝt[e]_--myhte 2314 _clerenesse_--clernesse _myȝt[e]_--myhte _febler_--the febeler{e} 2315 _seyne_--seyn 2317 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2324 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2325 _his_--hyse 2326 _myrie_--mery 2327 _wenest_--whennes 2328 _sorow myȝt[e]_--sorwe myhte 2329 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te 2331 _be_--ben _also certys_--certes also 2333 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2334 _nedely_--nedly 2335 _þinge_--thing 2337 _gete_--geten 2338 _haþ_--MS. haþe _þilk[e]_--thilke 2339 _none_--non _hole_--hool 2340 _whiche_--whych 2341 _rychesse_--Rychesses _fleen_--MS. sleen, C. flen 2342 _leuer_--leu{er} 2343 _vile_--vyl _selfe_--self 2344 _delitȝ_--delices _lesen_--lese _haþ_--MS. haþe 2346 _prekeþ_--prykketh 2347 _derknesse_--dyrknesse 2349 _scatriþ_--schatereth _delices_--delycȝ 2350 _wiþ out_--w{i}t{h} owte]

[Headnote: OF FALSE FELICITY.]

¶ Certys þus seest þou wel þat many þi{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he haþ somtyme faute of many necessites. 2352

[Sidenote: Such a one must be subject to many anxieties.]

{and} many anguysses biten hym

[Sidenote: And when he cannot get rid of these evils he ceases to have what he most desired--power.]

¶ {and} whan he may nat don þo defautes awey. he forleteþ to ben myȝty. {and} þat is þe þing þat he most desireþ.

[Sidenote: In the same way honour, glory, and pleasure, are all inseparable; he that seeks one without the other will fail to obtain his desires.]

{and} ryȝt þus may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie 2356 {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of þise forseide þinges is þe same þat þise oþer þinges ben. þat is to sein. al oon þing. who so þat euer sekeþ to geten þat oon of þise {and} nat þat oþer. he ne geteþ nat þat he 2360 desireþ.

[Sidenote: _B._ What then if a man should desire to gain them all at once?]

_Boice._ ¶ what seist þou þan yif þat a man coueiteþ to geten alle þise þinges to gider.

[Sidenote: _P._ He would then indeed desire perfect felicity--but can he ever expect to find it in the acquisitions above mentioned, which do not perform what they promise?]

_P._ Certys q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie þat he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes. but þat shal he nat fynde in þo þinges 2364 þat .I. haue shewed þat ne mowe nat ȝeuen þat þei by-heten.

[Sidenote: _B._ No, surely!]

_boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then happiness is not to be sought in these things which are falsely supposed capable of satisfying our desires?]

¶ þan q{uod} she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche þinges as men wenen þat þei ne mowe 2368 ȝeuen but o þing senglely of alle þ{a}t me{n} seken.

[Sidenote: _B._ I confess it, and nothing can be more truly affirmed than this.]

I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat ben said.

[Sidenote: Turn your mind’s eye upon the reverse of all this _false felicity_ and you will perceive _the true happiness_.]

_P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme {and} þe causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} 2372 flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere shalt þou seen an oon þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is very clear, and I had a complete view of it when you explained to me the causes of its counterfeit.]

_b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to a blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a 2376 lytel her byforne. whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me [[pg 86]] þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse

[Sidenote: True felicity consists in a state of sufficiency, of power, and honour--as well as of a shining reputation and every desirable pleasure: and I must confess that true felicity is that which is bestowed by these advantages, as they are in reality all one and the same.]

¶ For but yif I be by-giled. þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty. hono{ur}able noble. 2380 {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel knowe þat I haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte. I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen on of þe forseide þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe 2384 douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle of blysfulnesse.

[Sidenote: _P._ O my nursling, how happy are you in this conviction, provided you add but one limitation.]

_P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I shal seine.

[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

what is þat q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).]

¶ Trowest þou þat 2388 þer be any þing in þis erþely mortal toumblyng þinges þat may bryngen þis estat.

[Sidenote: _B._ I think not; for nothing can be desirable beyond such a state of perfection.]

Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat. {and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer is no þing more to ben desired.

[Sidenote: _P._ These imperfect things above mentioned only confer the shadow of the supreme good, or at most only an imperfect felicity, but they cannot bestow true and perfect happiness.]

_P._ þise þinges þan 2392 q{uo}d she. þat is to seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche þinges eyþer þei semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to mortal folk a maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke 2396 goode þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen.

[Sidenote: _B._ I quite agree with you.]

_boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then, knowing the difference between true and false felicity you must now learn where to look for this supreme felicity.]

þan q{uo}d she for as moche as þou hast knowen whiche is þilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien 2400 falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit seme{n} verray goodes.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]]

¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n} *whennes {and} where þou mowe seek[e] þilke verray blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly {and} 2404 haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it.

[Sidenote: _P._ But, as Plato says that even in the least things the Divine assistance ought to be implored, what ought we do, to render us worthy of so important a discovery as the true source and seat of the sovereign good?]

¶ But for as moche q{uo}d she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo. þat in ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou þat be 2408 [now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of [[pg 87]] þilke souereyne goode.

[Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.]

_B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme þat we shulle clepen to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden aryȝt.

[Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--]

þou seist 2412 a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus.

[Linenotes: 2351 _many_--manye 2352 _haþ_--MS. haþe _faute_--defaute 2353 _may_--ne may 2354 _don_--MS. done, C. don 2356 _make_--maken 2357 _forseide_--MS. sorseide 2363 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn 2365 _mowe_--mowen 2368 _wenen_--wene _mowe_--mowen 2370 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te _soþer_--sother{e} 2371 _said_--MS. saide, C. sayd 2376 [_ful wel_]--from C. 2377 _byforne_--by-forn 2378 _blysfulnesse_--MS. blyndenesse, C. blysfulnesse 2385 _of_--omitted 2386 _nurry_--norye 2387 _sey[e]_--seye 2388 _seine_--seyn 2389 _þis_--thise 2390 _nat_--nawht 2393 _seyne_--sey 2395 _ȝeuen_--yeue 2397 _goode_--good 2399 _whiche_--which 2401 _seyne_--seyn 2402 _knowen_--knowe 2403 _seek[e]_--seke 2405 _herkene_--herknen 2407 _sholde_--sholden 2408 _bysechen_--by-shechen _helpe_--help 2409 [_now_]--from C. 2410 _souereyne goode_--verray good 2411 _shulle_--shollen _to_--omitted 2413 _on-one_--anon]

[Headnote: IN SEEKING SUPREME FELICITY THE DIVINE AID IS TO BE INVOKED.]

O QUI PERPETUA.

[Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: O Father and Maker of heaven and earth, by whose eternal reason the world is governed, and by whose supreme command Time flows from the birth of ages, Thou, firm and unchanged thyself, makest all things else to move!]

++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat gouernest þis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist þe tymes for to gon from tyme þat age had[de] 2416 bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast {and} stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued.

[Sidenote: Thy sovereign will to floating matter gave its various forms, impelled by no exterior causes, but by the Idea of the Best in thy great mind conceived void of malice.]

ne forein causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but only þe forme of souereyne 2420 goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie þat moeued[e] þe frely.

[Sidenote: Fairest thyself bearing the world’s figure in thy thought, thou didst create the world after that prototype, and dost draw all things from the image of the fair Supreme, and dost command that this world should have perfect parts.]

þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse semblable of þat faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest 2424 alle þinges of þi souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and} absolut hyse p{er}fit parties.

[Sidenote: By harmonious measures thou dost bind fast the elements, so that there is no discordance between things cold and hot, or between the moist and the dry.]

¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges 2428 mowen accorde wiþ þe hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges wiþ þe moyst þinges.

[Sidenote: That the fire may not fly too high, and that weight may not press the earth and water lower than they are now placed,]

þat þe fire þat is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n} ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. 2432

[Linenotes: 2415 _worlde_--world 2416 _from----age_--from syn þ{a}t age _had[de]_--hadde 2417 _stedfast_--stedefast 2418 _oþer_--oothre 2419 _forein_--foreyne _werke_--werk 2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset _wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in [_þe_]--the _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte _moeued[e]_--moeuede 2422 _alþerfairest_--alderfayrest 2422-24-26 _worlde_--world 2423 _likkenesse_--lyknesse 2426 _and absolut_--C. omits 2427 _hyse_--hys 2430 _fire_--fyr _fleye_--fle 2431 _drawe_--drawen]

[Headnote: GOD IS THE FOUNTAIN OF FELICITY.]

[Sidenote: thou didst join the Middle Soul (of a threefold nature) moving all things, and then by agreeing numbers didst resolve it.]

¶ þou knyttest to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle þinges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge.

[Sidenote: When that is done, cut into two orbs, it moves about returning to itself, and then encompassing the profound mind doth by that fair idea turn the heaven.]

¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne 2436 aȝein to hym owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep [[pg 88]] þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene by semblable ymage.

[Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.]

þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and} þe lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. 2440

[Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.]

þou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei ben conuertid to þe by þi benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng fijr.

[Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy august throne.]

¶ O fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete. 2444 {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good.

[Sidenote: Let them behold the fountain of all good. Dispel the mists of sense, remove the weights of earth-born cares, and in thy splendour shine (in our minds).]

{and} þe lyȝte yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes of hys corage in þe. ¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke [thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of erþely heuynesse. 2448 {and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes.

[Sidenote: For thou art ever clear, and to the good art peace and rest. He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, path and goal, combined!]

for þou art clernesse þou art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe [þat] is oure ende. _Glose._ 2452

[Linenotes: 2435 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2436 _goþ_--MS. goþe 2437 _owen_--C. omits 2438 _tourniþ_--MS. to{ur}niþe 2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke 2440 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte 2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge 2444 _yif_--yiue _þi streite_--the streyte 2445 [_hym_]--from C. 2446 _lyȝte_--lyht 2448 [_thow_]--from C. 2449 _bryȝtnes_--bryhtnesse 2451 _paþ_--MS. paþe; paath 2452 [_þat_]--that]

[Headnote: GOD THE SUPREME GOOD.]

QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.[7]

[Footnote 7: Read que sit.]

[Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Now that thou hast had a faithful representation of future felicity as well as of the true happiness, I shall show thee in what the Perfection of Happiness consists.]

++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe forme of goode þat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now trowe I þat it were goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is 2456 set.

[Sidenote: Our best plan will be to inquire whether there be in nature such a good as thou hast lately defined, lest we be deceived by the vanity of Imagination and be carried beyond the truth of the matter subjected to our inquiry.]

{and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first enquere forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke goode þat þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in þe nature 2460 of þinges. For þat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe soþefastnesse of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne. but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. 2464 ¶ and þat it nis ryȝt as a welle of alle goodes.

[Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all other good.]

¶ For al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. is proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe [[pg 89]] amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing þat is p{er}fit.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 21.]]

[Sidenote: When we say that a thing is _imperfect_ we assert that there is something else of its kind _perfect_.]

{and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468 þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so be þat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke nor seye fro whe{n}nes þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. 2472

[Sidenote: Nature takes not her origin from things diminished and imperfect; but, proceeding from an entire and absolute substance, descends into the remotest and most fruitless things.]

¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediþ of þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ so doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} 2476 wiþ oute fruyt.

[Sidenote: If there be an imperfect and fading felicity there must also be one stable and perfect.]

but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne. þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and} inp{er}fit. þer may no man doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. þis is concludid 2480 q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly.

[Sidenote: But now consider wherein this felicity resides. That God is the governor of all things is proved by the universal opinion of all men.]

_P._ But co{n}sidere also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men p{ro}ueþ {and} graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is 2484 good.

[Sidenote: For since nothing may be conceived better than God, then He who has no equal in goodness must be good.]

¶ For so as no þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he þ{a}t] no þing is bettre. þat he nys good.

[Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and (2) that the sovereign good exists in him.]

¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit 2488 goode is in hym.

[Sidenote: If it were not so He could not be the Ruler of all things, for there would be some other being excelling him who possesses the supreme good and who must have existed before Him.]

¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne may nat ben p{r}ince of alle þinges. for certis som þing possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were first 2492 {and} elder þan god.

[Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the imperfect;]

¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat alle þinges þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit.

[Linenotes: 2453 _whiche_--which 2454-55-56-58-59 _goode_--good 2454 _whiche_--whych 2457 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 2460 _seine_--seyn _souereyne goode_--souereyn good _be founden_--ben fownde 2461 _veyne_--veyn 2463 _þis is to seyne_--C. omits 2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed _goode_--good 2465 _of_--MS. of of 2466 _al þing_--alle thing 2468 _her of comeþ_--ther of comht 2470 _somme_--som 2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don 2473 _token_--took 2475 _hool_--hoole 2476 _doune_--down 2477 _wiþ oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut 2480 _stedfast_--stydefast 2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely _soþefastly_--sothfastly 2486 [_he þat_]--from C. _is bettre_--nis bettr{e} 2488-89-91 _goode_--good 2489 _swiche_--swych 2492 [_it_]--from C. _seme_--semen 2493 _elder_--elder{e}]

[Headnote: GOD THE SOURCE OF TRUE FELICITY.]

[Sidenote: wherefore, that our reasonings may not run on with infinity, we must confess that the Supreme God is full of perfect and consummate good.]

¶ And for þi for as moche as [that] my resou{n} or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an ende. we 2496 ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of souereyne p{er}fit goode. [[pg 90]]

[Sidenote: And as we have seen that the perfect good is true happiness, it follows that the true felicity resides in the Supreme Divinity.]

and we han establissed þat þe souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. 2500 _B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne may nat be wiþseid in no manere.

[Sidenote: But let us see how we can firmly and irrefragably prove that the Supreme God contains in his own nature a plenitude of perfect and consummate good.]

¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now how þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis þat I haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of 2504 souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of alle þinges haue ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self. ¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful 2508 ryȝt as þou myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} þat ilke blisfulnesse þat is in hym were diu{er}s in substaunce.

[Sidenote: If you think that God has received this good from without, then you must believe that the giver of this good is more excellent than God the receiver.]

¶ For yif þou wene þat god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou 2512 mayst wene þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more goode þan is god.

[Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more excellent than God.]

¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse {and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle þinges.

[Sidenote: But if this supreme good is in Him by nature, and is nevertheless of a different substance, we cannot conceive, since God is the author of all things, what could have united these two substances differing one from another.]

¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by 2516 nature. but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne who so feyne may. who was he þat [hath] co{n}ioigned þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre.

[Sidenote: Lastly, a thing which essentially differs from another cannot be the same with that from which it is supposed to differ.]

{and} eke at þe last[e] se 2520 wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke þing nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} to ben diu{er}s.

[Sidenote: Consequently, what in its nature differs from the chief good cannot be the supreme good.]

þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. þat þat 2524 þing nys nat souereyne good.

[Sidenote: But it would be impious and profane thus to conceive of God, since nothing can excel Him in goodness and worth.]

but certys þat were a felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing nis more worþe.

[Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than its origin.]

For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better þan his bygy{n}nyng. 2528

[Linenotes: 2495 [_that_]--from C. 2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses 2497 _ouȝt[e]_--owen 2498 _goode_--good 2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good 2500 [_þat----is_]--from C. _yset_--MS. ysette, C. set 2501 _be_--ben _wiþseid_--MS. wiþseide, C. withseid 2503 _wiþ-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte 2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good [_In----I_]--from C. 2506 _ouȝt_--awht 2507 _þan of_--owt of 2508 _whiche_--whych _souereyne goode_--souereyn good 2509 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2510 _þat ilke_--thilke 2511 _were_--weren 2514 _goode_--worth 2517 _from_--fro [_hym_]--from C. 2518 _feyne_--faigne 2519 _feyne_--feigne [_hath_]--from C. 2520 _last[e]_--laste 2521 _o_--a 2522 _whiche_--whych 2524 _from_--fro 2527 _nis_--is 2528 _better_--bettre]

[Headnote: THERE CANNOT BE TWO CHIEF GOODS.]

[Sidenote: We may therefore conclude that the Author of all things is really and substantially the supreme Good.]

¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}. [[pg 91]] þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same þing is good in his substaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!]

_B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ But you have owned that true felicity is the sovereign good; then you must also grant that God is that true felicity.]

_P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she þat 2532 souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d .I. þan q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat þilke same souereyne goode be god.

[Sidenote: _B._ Your conclusions follow from your premises.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 21 _b_.]]

¶ Certys *q{uo}d .I. I ne may nat denye ne wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. 2536 and I see wel þat it folweþ by strengþe of þe p{re}misses.

[Sidenote: _P._ Let us see whether we cannot prove this more convincingly by considering it in this view, that there cannot be two sovereign goods which differ in themselves.]

¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued [yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem 2540 self.

[Sidenote: For it is plain that of the goods that differ one cannot be what the other is; wherefore neither of them can be perfect where one wants the other.]

þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan [ne] mowen neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to oþir.

[Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.]

but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly þat it nis nat souereyne.

[Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.]

þe þinges þan þat ben 2544 souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse.

[Sidenote: But it has been shown that God and happiness are the chief good, wherefore the sovereign felicity and the Supreme Divinity are one and the same.]

¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben [the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No 2548 þing q{uo}d I nis more soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god may nat ben concluded.

[Sidenote: Following then the examples of geometricians who deduce their consequences from their propositions, I shall deduce to thee something like a corollary as follows:--]

_P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2552 ben wont to brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune.

[Sidenote: Because by the attainment of felicity men become happy, and as felicity is the same as Divinity itself, therefore by the attainment of Divinity men are made happy.]

For whi. for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben 2556 maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is it manifest {and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men ben makid blisful.

[Sidenote: But as by the participation of justice or of wisdom men become just or wise,]

ryȝt as by þe getynge of iustice . . . {and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben maked wise. 2560

[Linenotes: 2529 _whiche_--whych 2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2533 _soþe_--soth 2534 _mote_--moten 2539 [_yit_]--from C. 2541 _is_ (1)--nis _oþer_--othre [_ne_]--from C. 2546 _conclude_--concluded 2547 [_the_] from C. _goode_--good _be_--ben 2549 _soþefast_--sothfast _ferme_--MS. forme, C. ferme 2552 _proposiciouns_--MS. p{ro}porsiou{n}s, C. p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2553 _porismes_--MS. poeismes, C. porysmes 2554 _wil_--wole]

[Headnote: THE HAPPY MAN IS A GOD.]

[Sidenote: so by partaking of Divinity they must necessarily, and by parity of reason, become gods.]

¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n} wha{n} þei han getyn [[pg 92]] diuinite þei ben maked goddys.

[Sidenote: Every happy man then is a god. But by nature there is only _One_; but by participation of Divine essence there may be many gods.]

þan is euery blisful man god. ¶ But certis by nature. þer nys but oon god. but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne 2564 disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many goddes. ¶ þis is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. 2568 þan is þe þing þat by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: But as happiness seems to be an assemblage of many things, ought we not to consider whether these several things constitute conjointly the body of happiness, or whether there is not some one of these particular things that may complete the substance or essence of it, and to which all the rest have a relation?]

¶ So q{uo}d she as it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges. it were forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or 2572 conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it acomplise by hy{m} self þe substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise oþer þinges 2576 ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne as to þe chief of hem.

[Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.]

¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what þou seist. {and} þat þou recordest me þe forseide þinges.

[Sidenote: _P._ As you grant that happiness is a good, you may say the same of all the other goods; for perfect sufficiency is identical with supreme felicity; so is supreme power, likewise high rank, a shining reputation, and perfect pleasure.]

¶ Haue I nat 2580 iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis forsoþe q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d she þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide þinges. ¶ For þilke same blisfulnesse þat is 2584 demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke self is souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse or noblesse {and} souereyne delit.

[Sidenote: What say you, then; are all these things, sufficiency, power, and the rest, to be considered as constituent parts of felicity? or are they to be referred to the sovereign good as their source and principal?]

what seist þou þan of alle þise þinges. þat is to seyne. suffisance power 2588 {and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as membris of blisfulnesse. or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne good. ¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem.

[Linenotes: 2563 _oon_--o 2564 _letteþ_--let 2566 _faire_--fayr 2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme 2572 [_þat_]--from C. 2573 _maner_--maner{e} _by_--be 2574 [_of_]--from C. 2575 _swyche_--swych 2576 _oþer_--oothr{e} 2577 _seyne_--seyn 2578 _chief_--chef 2581 _goode ȝis_--good ys 2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 2583 _goode_--good 2585 _self_--selue 2588 _þise_--C. omits _seyne_--seyn 2589 _oþer_--oothre]

[Headnote: GOOD, THE RULE AND SQUARE OF THINGS DESIRABLE.]

[Sidenote: _B._ I see what you are aiming at, and I am desirous to hear your arguments.]

b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to [[pg 93]] seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. 2593

[Sidenote: _P._ If all these things were members of felicity, they would differ one from another, for it is the property of diverse parts to compose one body.]

_p._ Take now þus þe discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d she weren membris to felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. 2596 ¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. þat dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body.

[Sidenote: But it has been well shown that all these things are the same and do not differ--therefore they are not parts, for if they were, happiness might be made up of one member--which is absurd and impossible.]

¶ Certis q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben shewed her byforne. þat alle þise þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei none membris q{uo}d 2600 she.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]]

for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were conioigned *al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g þat may nat ben doon.

[Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the sequel.]

þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide to herkene þe remenaunt of þe 2604 questiou{n}.

[Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by Good, as the rule and square.]

þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat alle oþer þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode.

[Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they are esteemed a good.]

¶ For þerfore is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good. {and} forþi is power requered. for men trowen also 2608 þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we þinken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit.

[Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.]

þan is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat auȝt[e] be desired.

[Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or appearance, can never be desired.]

forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no 2612 good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat wel in no manere be desired ne requered.

[Sidenote: On the contrary, things not essentially good are desired because they appear to be real goods.]

{and} þe contrarie. For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben nat goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben 2616 þei desired as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode.

[Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all things that we desire.]

{and} þerfore is it þat men auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of alle þinges þat ben to requeren.

[Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is itself what we chiefly want.]

¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for whiche 2620 men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same þing be most desired.

[Sidenote: If a man desire to ride on account of health--it is not the ride he wants so much as its salutary effects.]

as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde for cause of hele. he ne desireþ nat so mychel þe moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. [[pg 94]]

[Sidenote: Since all things are sought after for the sake of Good, they cannot be more desirable than the good itself.]

Now þan 2624 syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good. þei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same good

[Sidenote: It has been shown that all the aforesaid things are only pursued for the sake of happiness--hence it is clear that good and happiness are essentially the same.]

¶ But we han graunted þat blysfulnesse is þat þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben desired. 2628 þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and} desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} þe same substaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.]

¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat men myȝt[en] discorden 2632 in þis.

[Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are identical and inseparable.]

_p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse is al oon þing

[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that of the Supreme Good.]

þan mowe we conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is set in þilke same good {and} in noon oþer place. 2636

[Linenotes: 2591 _brouȝt_--MS wrouȝt, C. browht 2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne 2594 _Take_--tak 2596 _fro_--from 2597 _swiche_--swhych 2600 _on þing_--othing 2602 _one_--on 2603 _ben doon_--be don 2604 _herkene_--herknen 2605 _clere_--cler _oþer_--oothre 2606 _goode_--good 2609 _goode_--good _mowe_--mowen 2617 [_þat_]--from C. _were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche 2618 _þerfore_--therfor _auȝten_--owhten 2619 _alle_--alle the 2620 _whiche_--whych 2623 _mychel_--mochel 2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge 2626 [_nat_]--from C. 2628 _oþer_--oothr{e} 2630 _clerely_--clerly _good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse 2631 _oone_--oon 2632 _myȝt[en]_--myhten 2634 _oon_--oo _soþe_--soth 2635 _mowe_--mowen 2636 _set_--MS. sette, C. set]

[Headnote: GOD A HAVEN OF REST.]

NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.

[Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Come hither, all ye that are captives--bound and fettered with the chains of earthly desires;--come to this source of goodness, where you shall find rest and security.]

++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and} ybounde wiþ wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in ȝoure þouȝt. here shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene 2640 stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to wreches.

[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.]

_Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred {and} deceyued wiþ worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat is refut to hem þat 2644 wolen come to hym.

[Sidenote: Not the gold of Tagus or of Hermus, nor the gems of India, can clear the mental sight from vain delusions, but rather darken it.]

_Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or ellys alle þe þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his rede brynke. or þat yndus ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote 2648 p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene stones (smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat cleren þe lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne hire dirkenesse

[Sidenote: Such sources of our delight are found in the earth’s gloomy caverns,--but the bright light that rules the heavens dispels the darkness of the soul.]

¶ Alle þat 2652 likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ ȝoure þouȝtes. þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe [[pg 95]] shynyng by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and} whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe þat chaseþ þe derke 2656 ouerþrowyng of þe soule.

[Sidenote: He who has seen this light will confess that the beams of the sun are weak and dim.]

¶ And who so euer may knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat þe white bemes of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer.

[Linenotes: 2638 _wicked[e]_--wyckyde 2639, 2640 _here_--her 2640 _hauene_--MS. heuene, C. hauene 2641 _al oone_--allone 2643 _worldly_--worldely 2645 _come_--comyn 2646 _golden[e] grauels_--goldene grauayles 2647 _þynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges _hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus 2648 _nexte_--next 2649 _worlde_--world 2654, 2656 _haþ_--MS. haþe 2654 _hys_--hyse 2656 _chaseþ þe derke_--eschueth the dyrke 2657 _euer_--C. omits 2658 _seine_--seyn]

[Headnote: MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]

ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.

[Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I assent, and am convinced by the force of your arguments.]

++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben 2660 strongly bounden wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s.

[Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully know what this good is?]

how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif þat þou knowe what þilke goode is.

[Sidenote: _B._ I should value it infinitely if at the same time I might attain to the knowledge of God, who is the sovereign good.]

I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to 2664 knowe also to-gidre god þat is good.

[Sidenote: _P._ I shall elucidate this matter by incontrovertible reasons if thou wilt grant me those things which I have before laid down as conclusions.]

¶ certys q{uo}d she þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]]

yif þat þo þinges þat I haue conclude[d] a litel her by *forne dwellen oonly in hir first[e] graunty{n}g.

[Sidenote: _B._ I grant them all.]

_Boice._ þei dwellen graunted 2668 to þe q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi forseide conclusiou{n}s.

[Sidenote: _P._ Have I not shown that the things which the majority of mankind so eagerly pursue are not true and perfect goods, for they differ from one another; and because where one of them is absent the others cannot confer absolute happiness (or good)?]

¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d she þat þe þinges þat ben requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei ben diu{er}se þat 2672 oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful {and} absolute.

[Sidenote: Have I not shown, too, that the true and chief good is made up of an assemblage of all the goods in such a way, that if sufficiency is an attribute of this good, it must at the same time possess power, reverence, &c.]

¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good whan þei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in 2676 to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing þat is suffisaunce. þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and} mirþe.

[Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be classed among desirable things?]

¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o same þing þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben 2680 put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges. þat auȝten ben requered or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may þer no man douten.

[Sidenote: While these things differ from one another they are not goods; but as soon as they become one then they are made goods.--Do not they owe their being good to their unity?]

_p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne ben none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei [[pg 96]] bygynnen to ben al o þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne 2685 comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite þat þei ben maked goodes.

[Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.]

_b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do you confess that everything that is good becomes such by the participation of the sovereign good or no?]

but alle þing þat is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} 2688 of good or no.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]

¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I.

[Linenotes: 2660 _assent[e]_--assente 2662 _mychel_--mochel 2663 _goode_--good 2664 _price_--prys 2669 _is_--omitted _seyne_--seyn 2671 _folke_--folkes 2673 _oþer_--oothre _eche_--ech 2675 _absolute_--absolut _atte arst_--at erste 2676 _al_--alle _a_--O 2677 _to_--omitted _wirchyng_--wyrkynge 2678 _þilk_--thilke 2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put _auȝten_--owhten 2684 _none_--no 2685 _al o_--alle oon 2686 _comiþ_--comth 2689 _graunt[e]_--graunte]

[Headnote: UNITY NECESSARY TO EXISTENCE.]

[Sidenote: _P._ Then you must own that unity and good are the same (for the substance of those things must be the same, whose effects do not naturally differ).]

¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing. ¶ For of þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse 2692 nedys þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge.

[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot gainsay it.]

I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do you not perceive that everything which exists is permanent so long as it preserves its unity--but as soon as it loses this, it is dissolved and annihilated?]

¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it 2696 forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre.

[Sidenote: _B._ How so?]

¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ In the animal creation as long as the soul and the body are united and conjoined in one, this being is called an animal or beast, but when the union is dissolved by the separation of these, the animal perishes and is no longer a beast.]

¶ Ryȝt as in beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule {and} þe body ben co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a 2700 beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce þat oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a dede þi{n}g. {and} þat it is no lenger no beste.

[Sidenote: The same may be said of man and all other things; they subsist while unity is preserved, but as soon as that is destroyed the things themselves lose their existence.]

{and} þe body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} 2704 of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a figure of mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so] diuide[d] {and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei destroien vnite. þe body forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. 2708 ¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same manere by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery þinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forletiþ to ben oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ.

[Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.]

_boice._ 2712 whan I considre q{uo}d I many þinges I see noon oþ{er}.

[Linenotes: 2690 _mayst þou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten 2692 [_of_]--from C. 2695 _al_--alle _haþ_--MS. haþe 2696, 2697 _oone_--oon 2698 _whiche_--which 2703 _dede_--ded _lenger_--lenger{e} _beste_--beest 2704 _while_--whil _oon_--oo 2706 _[so] diuide[d]_--so deuydyd 2709 _so_--omitted 2713 _many_--manye]

[Headnote: NATURE SUSTAINS VEGETATION.]

[Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything which acts naturally that forgoes this desire of existence and wishes for death and corruption?]

¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as moche as it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of 2715 hys beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. [[pg 97]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I do not find any creature endowed with volition, which, of itself and without constraint, renounces or despises life and self-preservation or willingly hastens to destruction.]

¶ yif I considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} 2720 or þat wole his þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to defende {and} kepe þe sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}.

[Sidenote: But with regard to herbs and trees, I am doubtful whether I ought to have the same opinion of them, for they have no sensitive soul, nor any natural volition like animals.]

_b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. þat is 2724 to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes or trees þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han wheþer þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren.

[Sidenote: _P._ There is no cause for doubt in respect to these.]

¶ Certis 2728 q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute.

[Sidenote: Herbs and trees first choose a convenient place to grow in, where, agreeably to their respective natures, they are sure to thrive, and are in no danger of perishing; for some grow on plains, some on mountains, &c.; and if you try to transplant them, they forthwith wither and die.]

¶ Now look vpon þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire 2732 nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n} mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._] [{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos 2736 in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any wyht enforce hym to beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //

[Sidenote: To everything that vegetates, nature gives what is needful for its subsistence, and takes care that they should not perish before their time.]

For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t / þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they 2740 han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen //

[Sidenote: Need I tell you that plants are nourished by their roots (which are so many mouths hid in the earth), and diffuse strength throughout the whole plant, as through their marrow?]

what woltow seyn of this / þ{a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged 2743 w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as}) hyr wode {and} hyr bark /

[Sidenote: And further, it is admirably contrived that the pith, the most tender part of plants, is hid in the middle of the trunk, surrounded with hard and solid wood, and with an outer coat of bark to ward off the storms and weather.]

{and} what woltow seyn of this þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is / þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} þ{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of 2748 wode // {and} þ{a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis the destemprau{n}ce of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren [[pg 98]] harm /

[Sidenote: Admire, too, the diligence of nature in propagating plants by a multiplicity of seeds, which are as a foundation for a building, not to remain for a time, but as it were for ever.]

{and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} 2752 pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man þ{a}t ne wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and} edyfice for to duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto duren p{er}durablely by generacyou{n} //

[Sidenote: Things inanimate incline to what is most suitable to their beings, and to preserve continuance.]

{and} the thinges ek 2756 þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} of hyr beynge {and} endurynge //

[Sidenote: For why should the flame mount upwards by lightness, and the earth tend towards its centre by gravity (weight), unless these motions were agreeable to their respective natures?]

For wher for elles berith 2760 lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth the erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and thilke moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem //

[Linenotes: 2718 _willynge_--wylnynge _or_--{and} 2719 _þing_--beest _out forþe_--owte forth 2720 _lyue_--lyuen 2723 _of lijf_--of hys lyf 2726 _soule_--sowles 2727 _appetite_--appetites 2729 _look_--loke 2730 _waxen firste_--wexen fyrst 2733, 2734 _some_--som 2734 _oþir_--oothre 2753 _pupllisen_--H. publisshen) 2755 _edyfice_--MS. edyfite _a tyme_--H. oon) tyme 2758 _that_--H. omits _hirs_--H. his]

[Headnote: THE LOVE OF LIFE IS INSTINCTIVE.]

[Sidenote: Whatever is agreeable to the nature of a thing preserves it. So what is contrary to its nature destroys it.]

{and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge 2764 {and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes {and} enemys corompen hem //

[Sidenote: Dense bodies, such as stones, resist an easy separation of parts; whereas the particles of liquid or flowing things, such as air and water, are easily separated and soon reunited.]

{and} yit the harde thinges as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge 2768 þ{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem þ{a}t brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} 2772 sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben arraced //

[Sidenote: Fire avoids and utterly refuses any such division.]

but fyr [fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} /

[Sidenote: I am not now treating of the voluntary motion of a conscious soul, but of the natural intention and instinct.]

ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n} 2776 of thinges //

[Sidenote: We swallow our meat without thinking of it, and we draw our breath in sleep without perception.]

As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete þ{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e} breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt //

[Sidenote: The love of life in animals is not derived from an intellectual will, but from natural principles implanted in them.]

For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of 2780 hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle // but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} //

[Sidenote: For the will, induced by powerful reasons, sometimes chooses and embraces death, although nature dreads and abhors it.]

For certes thorw constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith // that is to seyn [[pg 99]] as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som 2785 cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //

[Sidenote: And, on the contrary, we see that concupiscence (by which alone the human race is perpetuated) is often restrained by the will.]

And som tyme we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / 2788 destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} / by the whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd the longe durablete of mortal thinges //

[Sidenote: Self-love possessed by every creature is not the product of volition, but proceeds from a natural impression or intention of nature.]

And thus 2792 this charite and this Loue þ{a}t eu{er}y thing hath to hym self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle / but of the entenciou{n} of natur{e} //

[Sidenote: Providence has implanted in all created things an instinct, for the purpose of self-preservation, by which they desire to prolong existence to its utmost limits.]

For the puruyance of god hat yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is 2796 a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen //

[Linenotes: 2774 [_fleeth_]--from H. 2775 _weleful_--H. wilfull{e} 2779 _slepyt_--H. slepe{n} 2788 _seeth_--H. seen) _wil_--H. will{e} 2792 _And_--H. as 2796 _hat_--H. haue]

[Headnote: THE WILL IS SUPERIOR TO INSTINCT.]

[Sidenote: Doubt not, therefore, that everything which exists desires existence and avoids dissolution.]

For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren 2800 naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} //

[Sidenote: _B._ You have made those things perfectly plain and intelligible, which before were obscure and doubtful.]

B // now confesse I. wel q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly / w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the thinges that whylom semeden 2804 vncerteyn to me /

[Sidenote: _P._ That which desires to subsist desires also to retain its unity for if this be taken away it cannot continue to exist.]

P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng þ{a}t desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht //

[Sidenote: _B._ That is very true!]

that 2808 is sotħ q{uod} I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ All things then desire one thing--unity.]

Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges oon //

[Sidenote: _B._ They do.]

.I. assente q{uod} .I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ Unity then is the same as good.]

{and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she that thilke same oon is thilke that is good //

[Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]

B // ye forsothe q{uod} I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ Thus all things desire good--and it is one and the same good that all creatures desire.]

Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren 2812 good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth //

[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true. For either all things must be reduced to nothing (or have no relation to anything else), and, destitute of a head, float about without control or order; or if there be anything to which all things tend, that must be the supreme good.]

Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and} 2816 browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif [[pg 100]] ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden {and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of 2820 alle goodes /

[Sidenote: _P._ I rejoice greatly, my dear pupil, that you so clearly apprehend this truth, of which but just now you were ignorant.]

P /. thanne seyde she thus // O my norry q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // For thow hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse // that is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben 2824 descouered to the / in that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow wystest nat a lytel her by-forn //

[Sidenote: _B._ What was that?]

what was th{a}t q{uod} I. //

[Headnote: THE END OF ALL THINGS.]

[Sidenote: _P._ The _End of all things_. And this is what every one desires; but we have shown that _good_ is the thing desired by all, therefore _Good_ is the _End of all things_.]

That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was the ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing þ{a}t 2828 eu{er}y wiht desireth // and for as mochel as we han gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle / thanne moten we nedes confessun / that good is the fyn of alle thinges. 2832

[Linenotes: 2800 _the_--H. þo 2806 _perdurablely_--H. p{er}durably 2807 _destroied_--H. destrued 2811 _thilke_ (1)--H. ilke 2818 _heued or elles_--H. hede or els 2820 _hyen_--H. hyen) to _moste_--H. must]

[Headnote: TRUTH INTUITIVE.]

QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE.

[Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]]

[Sidenote: He who seeks truth with deep research and is unwilling to go wrong, should collect his slumbering thoughts, and turn the inner light upon the soul itself.]

++WHo so that sekith sotħ by a deep thoght And coueyteth nat to ben deseyuyd by no mys-weyes // lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne hym self / the Lyht of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein enclynynge 2836 in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys thowhtes /

[Sidenote: The knowledge that he seeks without he will find treasured up in the recesses of the mind.]

And lat hym techen his corage that he hath enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / al þ{a}t he compaseth or sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte //

[Sidenote: The light of Truth will disperse Error’s dark clouds, and shine forth brighter than the sun.]

And thanne thilke thing that the 2840 blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth //

[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]]

Glosa // who so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth 2843 in his thowht / {and} wol nat be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s / that goon amys fro the trouthe // lat hym wel examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e} {and} the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones examine {and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} 2848 or that he deme // and lat hym techen his sowle that it [[pg 101]] hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche y-hyd w{i}t{h} in it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to ben in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of 2852 his mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [þe] syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth to [þe] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth /

[Sidenote: For when the body enclosed the soul and cast oblivion o’er its powers it did wholly exterminate the heaven-born light.]

For certes the body bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd 2856 owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng //

[Sidenote: The germs of truth were latent within, and were fanned into action by the gentle breath of learning.]

For certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth w{i}t{h} in yowr{e} corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by the wynde {and} by the blastes of doctryne //

[Sidenote: Were not truth implanted in the heart, how could man distinguish right from wrong?]

For wher{e} 2860 for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne wyl the ryhtes whan ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} þ{a}t the noryssynges of resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e} herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen þe 2864 sooth of any thing þ{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse þ{a}t weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche sothfastnesse lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght //

[Sidenote: So, if what Plato taught is true, ‘to learn is no other than to remember what had been before forgotten.’]

{and} yif 2868 so be þ{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al þ{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges þ{a}t ben foryetyn. 2872

[Linenotes: 2838 _his_--H. þis _that_--H. {and} þ{a}t 2841 _blake_--H. blak _hadde y-couered_--H. had cou{er}ed 2842 _lyhten_--H. light 2843 _dep[e]_--C. dep, H. depe 2847 _thing_--H. þyng{es} 2863 _depthe_--H. depe 2864 [_is_]--from H. _sholden_--H. shulde 2867 _nature[l]_--H. nat{ur}ell{e}]

[Headnote: THE WORLD GOVERNED BY GOD.]

TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M.

[Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I am quite of Plato’s opinion, for you have now a second time recalled these things to my remembrance which had been forgotten, first by the contagious union of soul and body, and afterwards by the pressure of my afflictions.]

++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for thow remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit]

[Sidenote: [*_Addit. MS. 10,340, fol. 23._]]

*þe seconde tyme. þat is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by þe co{n}tagioũs coniuncc{i}ou{n} of þe body wiþ 2876 þe soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded by þe charge {and} by þe burden of my sorwe.

[Sidenote: _P._ If you will reflect upon the concessions you have already made, you will soon call to mind that truth, of which you lately confessed your ignorance.]

¶ And þan sayde she þus. ¶ If þou look[e] q{uo}d she firste þe þinges þat þou hast graunted it ne shal nat 2880 ben ryȝt feer þat þou ne shalt remembren þilke þing þat [[pg 102]] þou seidest þat þou nistest nat.

[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

what þing q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ It was, by what power the world is governed.]

¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she þat þis worlde is gouerned.

[Sidenote: _B._ With regard to that, I own I confessed my ignorance, but though I now remotely see what you infer, yet I wish for further explanation from you.]

Me remembriþ it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse 2884 wel þat I ne wist[e] it nat ¶ But al be it so þat I se now fro{m} afer what þou p{ur}posest ¶ Algates I desire ȝit to herkene it of þe more pleynely.

[Sidenote: _P._ You acknowledged a little while ago that this world was governed by God?]

¶ þou ne wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne þat men 2888 sholden doute þat þis worlde is gouerned by god.

[Sidenote: _B._ I still cling to this opinion, and will give you my reasons for this belief.]

¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne ȝitte doute I it nauȝt. ne I nil neuer wene þat it were to doute. as who seiþ. but I wot wel þat god gouerneþ þis worlde. ¶ And I shal 2892 shortly answere þe by what resou{n}s I am brouȝt to þis.

[Sidenote: The discordant elements of this world would never have assumed their present form unless there had been a wise Intelligence to unite them; and even after such a union, the joining of such opposites would have disunited and ruined the fabric made up of them, had not the same conjoining hand kept them together.]

¶ þis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne myȝten neuer han ben assembled in o forme. but yif þere ne were oon þat conioigned so many[e 2896 diu{er}se] þinges. ¶ And þe same diuersite of hire natures þat so discordeden þat oon fro þat oþer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} þe þi{n}ges þat ben co{n}ioigned. yif þere ne were oon þat contened[e] þat he haþ co{n}ioigned 2900 {and} ybounde.

[Sidenote: The order that reigns throughout nature could not proceed so regularly and uniformly if there were not a Being, unchangeable and stedfast, to order and dispose so great a diversity of changes.]

ne þe certein ordre of nature ne sholde. nat brynge furþe so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites. yif þere ne were oon þat were ay stedfast dwellynge. 2904 þat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] þise diuersites of moeuynges.

[Sidenote: This Being, the creator and ruler of all things, I call God.]

¶ and þilke þinge what so euer it be. by whiche þat alle þinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe hym god þat is a worde þat is vsed to alle folke. 2908

[Sidenote: _P._ As thy sentiments on these points are so just I have but little more to do--for thou mayest be happy and secure, and revisit thy own country.]

þan seide she. syn þou felest þus þise þinges q{uo}d she. I trowe þat I haue lytel more to done. þat þou myȝty of wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones þi contre.

[Linenotes: 2875, 2877 _lost[e]_--loste 2878 _burden_--burdene 2879 _look[e]_--looke 2880 _firste_--fyrst 2883 _whiche_--which _gouerment_--gou{er}nement _worlde_--wordyl 2885 _wist[e]_--wiste 2887 _pleynely_--pleynly 2888 _here byforne_--her byforn 2889 _worlde is_--world nis 2890 _ȝitte doute_--yit ne dowte _nil_--nel 2892 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot 2892, 2894 _worlde_--world 2893 _answere_--answeren 2894 _many_--manye 2895 _myȝten_--myhte 2896 _þere_--ther _many[e]_--manye 2897 [_diuerse_]--from C. _hire_--hir 2898 _most[e]_--moste 2900 _þere_--ther _contened[e]_--contenede _haþ_--MS. haþe 2902 _furþe_--forth _ordinee moeuynge_--ordene moeuynges 2904 _þere_--ther _stedfast_--stidefast 2905 _ordeyned[e]_--ordeynede _disposed[e]_--disponede 2907 _whiche_--which _ben_--be _ylad_--MS. yladde, C. I-ladd 2908 _worde_--word _folke_--foolk 2911 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse]

[Headnote: GOD IS ALL-SUFFICIENT.]

[Sidenote: But let us reflect a little more upon these matters.]

¶ But lat vs loken þe þinges þat we han p{ur}posed her-byforn. [[pg 103]]

[Sidenote: Did we not agree that _Sufficiency_ is of the nature of true happiness?]

¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} she 2913 þat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse.

[Sidenote: And have we not seen that God is that true felicity, and that He needs no external aid nor instruments?]

{and} we han accorded þat god is {and} þilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsoþe q{uo}d I. {and} þat to gouerne þis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he 2916 neuer han nede of none helpe fro wiþoute.

[Sidenote: For if he should, he would not be self-sufficient.]

for ellys yif he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde not haue [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. ȝis þus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: And he directs all things by himself alone?]

¶ þan ordeyneþ he by hym self al oon alle þinges q{uo}d 2920 she.

[Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be gainsaid.]

þat may nat ben denied q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ I have shown that God is the chief good; God must, therefore, direct and order all things by _good_, since he governs them by himself, whom we have proved to be the _supreme good_, and he is that helm and rudder, by which this machine of the world is steadily and securely conducted.]

¶ And I haue shewed þat god is þe same good. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I. ¶ þan ordeineþ he alle þinges by þilke goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to 2924 ben good gouerneþ alle þi{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere by whiche þat þe edifice of þis worlde is ykept stable {and} wiþ oute corumpynge

[Sidenote: _B._ I entirely agree to this, and partly anticipated your remarks.]

¶ I accorde me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here byforn 2928 þat þou woldest seyne þus. Al be it so þat it were by a þinne suspeciou{n}.

[Sidenote: _P._ I believe it; for your eyes are now more intent upon these great truths relating to true felicity; but what I am going to say is not less open to your view.]

I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as I trowe þou leedest nowe more ententifly þine eyen to loken þe verray goodes ¶ but naþeles þe þinges þat I 2932 shal telle þe ȝit ne sheweþ nat lasse to loken.

[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

what is þat q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ As we believe that God governs all things by his goodness, and that all things have a natural tendency towards the _good_, can it be doubted but that they all voluntarily submit to the will and control of their ruler?]

¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} þat ryȝtfully þat god gouerneþ alle þinges by þe keye of his goodnesse. ¶ And alle þise same þinges as I [haue] 2936 tauȝt þe. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen to goode þer may no man doute{n}. þat þei ne ben gouerned uoluntariely. {and} þat þei ne conuerten [hem] nat of her owe{n} wille to þe wille of hire ordeno{ur}. 2940

[Linenotes: 2912 _han_--ha 2913 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2916 _worlde_--world 2917 _none helpe_--non help 2918 _had[de]_--hadde _helpe_--help 2919 [_no_]--from C. 2920 _al oon_--allone 2921 _ben denied_--be denoyed 2924, 2926 _whiche_--which 2925 _ben_--be 2926 _worlde_--world 2928 _gretly_--gretely _here_--her 2929 _seyne_--seye 2931 _nowe_--now 2932 _naþeles_--nat[h]les 2935 _ryȝtfully_--MS. on ryȝtfully 2936 [_haue_]--from C. 2938 _goode_--good 2939 [_hem_]--from C. 2940 _nat_--omitted _her_--hir _owen_--owne _wille_ (_both_)--wil _hire_--hyr]

[Headnote: ALL THINGS SUBMIT TO GOD.]

as þei þat ben accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} {and} her kyng. [[pg 104]]

[Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be otherwise. There would be no safety for those who obey, if the discord of a portion were allowed.]

¶ It mot nedys be so q{uo}d. I.

[Sidenote: [* Fol. 23 _b_.]]

*¶ For þe realme ne sholde not seme blisful ȝif þere were a ȝok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne þe sauynge of 2944 obedient þinges ne sholde nat be.

[Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything that follows the dictates of nature that seeks to counteract the will of God?]

þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þ{a}t kepiþ hys nature[;] þat enforceþ hym to gone aȝeyne god.

[Sidenote: _B._ No.]

¶ No q{uo}d. I.

[Sidenote: _P._ If there should be any such, it could not prevail against him, who is supremely happy and consequently omnipotent.]

¶ And if þat any þi{n}g enforced[e] hym to wiþstonde god. myȝt[e] it auayle at 2948 þe laste aȝeyns hym þat we han g{ra}unted to ben al myȝty by þe ryȝt of blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al outerly it ne myȝt[e] nat auaylen hym.

[Sidenote: Then there is nothing that either will or can withstand this supreme good?]

þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þat eyþer wol or may wiþstonde to þis 2952 souereyne good.

[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing, certainly.]

¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I

[Sidenote: _P._ It is then the supreme good that governs and orders all things powerfully and benignly.]

¶ þan is þilke þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat alle þi{n}g{us} gouerneþ strongly {and} ordeyneþ hem softly.

[Sidenote: _B._ I am delighted with your _conclusions_, but much more with your _language_; so that fools may be ashamed of their objections to the divine government.]

þa{n} seide I þus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in þe endes or in þe 2956 so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s þat þou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued. ¶ But þilke wordes þat þ{o}u vsest deliten me moche more. ¶ So at þe last[e] fooles þat so{m}tyme renden greet[e] þinges auȝte{n} ben asshamed of hem 2960 self.

[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]]

¶ þat is to seyne þ{a}t we fooles þat rep{re}henden wickedly þe þi{n}g{us} þat touchen goddes gouernaunce we auȝte{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I þat seide god refuseþ oonly þe werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiþ nat 2964 of he{m}.

[Sidenote: _P._ You have read the Poets’ fables, how the Giants stormed heaven--how they were repulsed and punished according to their deserts; but may we not compare our reasons together, for by so doing some clear spark of truth may shine forth?]

_p._ þou hast wel herd q{uo}d she þe fables of þe poetes. how þe geauntes assailden þe heuene wiþ þe goddes. but for soþe þe debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so as it was worþi. þat is to seyne distroied[e] þe 2968 geauntes. as it was worþi. ¶ But wilt þou þat we ioygnen togedre þilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele of soþe

[Sidenote: _B._ As you please.]

¶ Do q{uo}d I as þe list.

[Sidenote: _P._ Is God omnipotent?]

wenest þou q{uo}d she 2972 þat god ne is almyȝty. no man is in doute of it. [[pg 105]]

[Sidenote: _B._ No one doubts it.]

Certys q{uo}d I no wyȝt ne defendiþ it if he be in hys mynde.

[Linenotes: 2941 _her_--hyr 2943 _realme_--Reaume _seme_--semen 2945 _þere_--ther 2947 _gone aȝeyne_--goon ayein 2948 _enforced[e]_--enforcede _myȝt[e]_--myhte _auayle_--auaylen 2949 _aȝeyns_--a-yenis 2951 _outerly_--owtrely _myȝt[e]_--myhte _auaylen_--MS. aualeyne, C. auaylen _hym_--hem _þere_--ther 2952 _wol_--wole _wiþstonde_--w{i}t{h}-stondyn _þis souereyne_--his sou{er}eyn 2955 _softly_--softtely 2957 _sommes_--somme [_the_]--from C. 2959 _last[e]_--laste 2960 _greet[e]_--grete 2960, 2963 _auȝten_--owhten 2961 _seyne_--seyn 2965 _of hem_--of it _herd_--MS. herde, C. herd 2967 _disposed[e]_--desposede 2968 _seyne distroied[e]_--seyn destroyede 2971 _swiche_--swych _some_--som 2972 _soþe_--soth _list_--liste 2973 _is_ (1)--be _man_--omitted _is_ (2)--nis 2974 _defendiþ_--dowteth]

[Headnote: EVIL HAS NO EXISTENCE.]

[Sidenote: _P._ If he is almighty, there are, then, no limits to his power?]

but he q{uo}d she þat is al myȝty þere nis no þing þat he ne may do.

[Sidenote: _B._ He can doubtless do all things.]

þat is soþe q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ May God do evil?]

May god done yuel 2976 q{uo}d she.

[Sidenote: _B._ No.]

nay for soþe q{uo}d. I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Is evil nothing, since God, who is almighty, cannot do it?]

¶ þan is yuel no þing q{uo}d she. ¶ Syn þat he ne may not done yuel þat may done alle þinges.

[Sidenote: _B._ Dost thou mock me or play with me, leading me with thy arguments into an inextricable labyrinth, and enclosing me in a wonderful circle of Divine Simplicity?]

scornest þou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys pleyest þou or deceiuest þou me. þat hast so wouen me 2980 wiþ þi resou{n}s. þe house of didalus so entrelaced. þat it is vnable to ben vnlaced. þou þat oþer while entrest þere þou issest {and} oþer while issest þere þou entrest. ne fooldest þou nat to gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a 2984 maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of symplicite deuyne.

[Sidenote: For thou didst first begin with happiness, and didst say that it was the sovereign good, and that it resided in God; then, that God was that _Good_ and the perfection of happiness; and, hence, thou didst infer that nobody could be happy unless he became likewise a God.]

¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan þou bygu{n}ne atte blisfulnesse þ{o}u seidest þat it is souereyne good. {and} seidest þat it is set in souereyne god. {and} þat 2988 god is þe ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche þou ȝaf[e] me as a couenable ȝifte. þat is to seyne þ{a}t no wyȝt nis blisful. but yif he be good al so þer wiþ

[Sidenote: Again, thou saidst that the very form of good was the substance whereof God and happiness were composed, and that it was the object and desire of all things in nature.]

{and} seidest eke þat þe forme of goode is þe substaunce of god. {and} 2992 of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest þ{a}t þilke same oone is þilke same goode þat is requered {and} desired of al þe kynde of þinges.

[Sidenote: Thou didst prove that God rules the world by his goodness, and that all things willingly obeyed him; and that evil has no existence.]

{and} þou p{ro}euedest in disputynge þat god gouerneþ alle [the] þinges of þe worlde by þe gouernementys 2996 of bountee. {and} seydest þat alle þinges wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest þat þe nature of yuel nis no þing.

[Sidenote: These truths you established by forcible and natural arguments, and by no strained and far-fetched reasons.]

{and} þise þinges ne shewedest þou nat wiþ no resou{n}s ytake fro wiþoute but by proues in cercles {and} 3000 homelyche knowen. ¶ þe whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir feiþ {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of oþer. þan seide she þus.

[Sidenote: _P._ I have not deluded you, for by the Divine aid we have accomplished our chief task.]

I ne scorne þe nat ne pleye ne desseyue þe. but I haue shewed to þe þinge þat is grettest ouer [[pg 106]] alle þinges by þe ȝifte of god þat we some tyme prayden 3005

[Linenotes: 2975 _þere_--ther 2976 _do_--C. omits _soþe_--soth _done_--don 2978, 2979 _done_--don 2980 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen 2981 _house_--hows 2983 _þere_ (_both_)--ther 2987 _atte_--at 2988 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 2989 _ful[le]_--fulle _whiche_--which _ȝaf[e]_--yaue 2990 _ȝifte_--yift _seyne_--seyn 2992, 2994 _goode_--good 2993 _oone_--oon 2994 _al_--alle 2996 [_the_]--from C. 2998 _ybeyen_--obeyen 2999 _no_ (2)--none 3000 _ytake_--I-taken 3001 _homelyche_--hoomlich 3002 _eueriche_--eu{er}ich [_of_]--from C. 3004 _þe þinge_--the the thing 3005 _ȝifte_--yift _some tyme prayden_--whilom preyeden]

[Headnote: GOD IS LIKE A SPHERE.]

[Sidenote: I have proved to you that it is an essential property of the Divine nature not to go out of itself, nor to receive into itself anything extraneous.]

¶ For þis is þe forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. þat is swiche þat it ne slydeþ nat in to outerest foreine þinges. ne ne rec[e]yueþ no st{ra}nge þinges in hym. 3008

[Sidenote: Parmenides says of the Deity that _God is like a well-rounded sphere_.]

but ryȝt as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of þilke deuyne substaunce. he seide þus þat þilke deuyne substaunce torneþ þe worlde {and} þilke cercle moeueable of þinges while þilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiþ it self wiþ outen 3012 moeuynge.

[Sidenote: He causes the moving globe to revolve, but is himself immovable.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 24.]]

þat *is to seyne þat it ne moeuiþ neuere mo. {and} ȝitte it moeueþ alle oþer þinges.

[Sidenote: If I have chosen my arguments from the subjects within range of our discussion, do not let that surprise you, for, as Plato has taught us, there ought to be an alliance between the words and the subject of discourse.]

but na-þeles yif I [haue] stered resou{n}s þat ne ben nat taken fro wiþ oute þe compas of þe þinge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s 3016 þat ben bystowed wiþ i{n}ne þat compas þere nis nat whi þat þou sholde[st] merueylen. sen þou hast lerned by þe sentence of plato þat nedes þe wordes moten ben cosynes to þo þinges of whiche þei speken. 3020

[Linenotes: 3006 [_the_]--from C. 3007 _swiche_--swich 3009 _parmaynws_--a p{ar}manides 3011 _worlde_--world 3012 _while_--whil _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3013 _seyne_--seyn 3014 _ȝitte_--yit _oþer_--oothre 3015 [_haue_]--from C. 3016 _whiche_--which 3017 _wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in 3020 _cosynes_--MS. conceyued, C. cosynes _þo_--þe _whiche_--which]

[Headnote: THE POWER OF MUSIC.]

FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A.

[Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Happy is he that hath seen the lucid spring of truth! Happy the man that hath freed himself from terrestrial chains!]

++Blisful is þat man þat may seen þe clere welle of good. blisful is he þat may vnbynde hym fro þe bonde of heuy erþe.

[Sidenote: The Thracian poet, consumed with grief for the loss of his wife, sought relief from music.]

¶ þe poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] þat somtyme hadde ryȝt greet sorowe for þe deeþ of hys wijf.

[Sidenote: His mournful songs drew the woods along; the rolling rivers ceased to flow; the savage beasts became heedless of their prey; the timid hare was not aghast at the hound.]

aftir þat 3024 he hadde maked by hys wepely songes þe wodes meueable to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked þe ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked þe hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe. 3028 {and} had[de] maked þat þe hare was nat agast of þe hounde whiche þat was plesed by hys songe.

[Sidenote: But the songs that did all things tame, could not allay their master’s ardent love.]

so þat whane þe most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende þe entrailes of his brest. ne þe songes þat hadde ouer [[pg 107]] comen alle þinges ne myȝten nat assuage hir lorde 3033 orpheus.

[Sidenote: He bewailed the cruelty of the gods above, and descended to Pluto’s realm.]

¶ He pleyned[e] hym of þe godes þat were{n} cruel to hym. he wente hym to þe houses of helle

[Sidenote: There he struck his tuneful strings and sang, exhausting all the harmonious art imparted to him by his mother Calliope.]

{and} þere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng 3036 of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song in wepynge alle þat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of þe noble welles of hys modir calliope þe goddesse.

[Sidenote: In songs dictated both by grief and love, he implored the infernal powers to give him back his Eurydice.]

{and} he song wiþ as mychel as he myȝt[e] of 3040 wepynge. {and} wiþ as myche as loue þat doubled[e] his sorwe myȝt[e] ȝeuen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te. ¶ And he commoeuede þe helle {and} requered[e] {and} souȝte by swete p{re}iere þe lordes of soules in helle 3044 of relesynge. þat is to seyne to ȝelden hym hys wif.

[Sidenote: Cerberus, Hell’s three-headed porter, stood amazed;]

¶ Cerberus þe porter of helle wiþ his þre heuedes was cauȝt {and} al abaist for þe new[e] songe.

[Sidenote: the Furies, tormentors of guilty souls, did weep;]

{and} þe þre goddesses furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies þat to{ur}mente{n} 3048 {and} agaste{n} þe soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for pitee.

[Sidenote: Ixion, tormented by the revolving wheel, found rest;]

þan was nat þe heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by þe ou{er}þrowi{n}g whele.

[Sidenote: Tantalus, suffering from a long and raging thirst, despised the stream;]

¶ And tantalus þat was destroied by þe woodnesse of longe 3052 þrust dispiseþ þe flodes to drynke.

[Sidenote: and the greedy vulture did cease to eat and tear the growing liver of Tityus.]

þe fowel þat hyȝt voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe þat it nil etyn ne tyren no more.

[Linenotes: 3022 _vnbynde_--vnbyndyn _bonde_--bondes 3023 [_orpheus_]--from C. _somtyme_--whilom 3024 _sorowe_--sorwe 3028 _dredles_--dredeles _to herkene_--forto herknen 3029 _had[de]_--hadde 3030 _þat_ (2)--omitted 3031 _most[e]_--moste 3032 _hadde_--hadden 3033 _assuage_--asswagen _lorde_--lord 3034 _pleyned[e]_--pleynede _godes_--heuene goodes 3035 _wente_--MS. wenten, C. wente 3036 _tempred[e] hys_--temprede hise 3037 _of hys_--C. omits _spak_--MS. spakke, C. spak _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge 3038 _alle_--al 3039 _oute_--owt _goddesse_--goddes 3040 _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge _mychel_--mochel 3041 _myche_--moche _doubled[e]_--dowblede 3042 _myȝt[e]_--myhte _ȝeuen_--yeue _teche_--thechen _in----herte_--omitted 3043 _commoeuede_--MS. comaunded, C. co{m}moeuede 3044 _souȝte_--by-sowhte 3045 _ȝelden_--yilden 3046 _his_--hise 3047 _cauȝt_--MS. cauȝte, C. cawht _new[e] songe_--newe song 3049 _anoye----sorweful_--anoy woxen soruful 3050 _þan_--tho ne 3051 _whele_--wheel 3053 _þrust_--thurst _hyȝt_--hihte 3054 _fulfilled_--fulfyld 3055 _songe_--song]

[Headnote: FIX NOT THE THOUGHTS ON EARTHLY THINGS.]

[Sidenote: At length Pluto himself relented, crying out, ‘We are overcome! Let us give him back his wife, he hath well won her by his song.]

¶ Atte þe laste þe lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued 3056 to misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d he. yif[e] we to orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye he haþ welle I-bouȝt hir by his faire songe {and} his ditee. [[pg 108]]

[Sidenote: But we will lay this injunction upon him. Till he escape the infernal bounds, he shall not cast a backward look.’]

but we wil putte{n} a lawe in þis. {and} couenaunt 3060 in þe ȝifte. þ{a}t is to seyne. þat til he be out of helle yif he loke byhynden hym [þ{a}t] hys wijf shal come{n} aȝeine to vs

[Sidenote: But, who shall give a lover any law? Love is a greater law than may be given to any earthly man.]

¶ but what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to 3064 hym self þan any lawe þ{a}t men may ȝeuen.

[Sidenote: Alas! having left the realms of night, Orpheus cast a look behind and lost his too-much-loved Euridice.]

¶ Allas whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at þe termes of þe nyȝt. þat is to seyne at þe last[e] boundes of helle. Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} 3068 lost[e] hir {and} was deed.

[Sidenote: This fable belongs to all you, whose minds would view the Sovereign Good.]

¶ þis fable app{er}teineþ to ȝow alle who so euer desireþ or sekiþ to lede his þouȝte in to þe souereyne day. þat is to seyne to clerenes[se] of souereyne goode.

[Sidenote: For he who fixes his thoughts upon earthly things and low, must lose the noble and heaven-imparted Good.]

¶ For who so þat eu{er}e be so ouer 3072 come{n} þat he fycche hys eyen in to þe put[te] of helle. þat is to seyne who so setteþ his þouȝtes in erþely þinges. al þat euer he haþ drawen of þe noble good celestial he lesiþ it whan he lokeþ þe helles. þat is to 3076 seyne to lowe þinges of þe erþe.

EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS.

[Linenotes: 3056 _Atte_--At _lorde_--lord 3057 _cried[e]_--cryde 3058 _yif[e]_--yiue 3059 _haþ_--MS. haþe _welle_--wel _faire_--C. omits _songe_--song 3060 _wil putten_--wol putte 3062 _byhynden_--by-hynde [_þat_]--from C. 3063 _to_--vn-to 3064 _gretter_--gret 3066 _were al most_--weren almest 3067 _last[e]_--laste 3068 _loked[e] abakwarde_--lookede abacward 3069 _lost[e]_--loste 3070 _þouȝte_--thowht 3071 _clerenes[se]_--clernesse 3072 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn god 3073 _put[te]_--putte 3074 _setteþ_--sette 3075 _haþ_--MS. haþe]

[Headnote: THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 24 _b_.]]

*INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS.

HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}.

[Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: When P. with grace and dignity had poured forth her songs, I, not quite quit of my load of grief, interrupted her as she was continuing her discourse.]

++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably þe forseide þinges kepynge þe dignitee of hir choere in þe weyȝte of hir wordes. I þan þat ne hadde 3080 nat al out{er}ly forȝeten þe wepyng {and} mournyng þat was set in myne herte for-brek þe entenc{i}ou{n} of hir þat entended[e] ȝitte to seyne oþ{er} þinges.

[Sidenote: All your discourses, O my conductress to the true light! have been very clear and unanswerable, both by the divine testimony which they carry along with them, and by thy irrefragable arguments.]

¶ Se q{uo}d I. þou þat art gideresse of verray lyȝte þe þinges þat þou 3084 hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere {and} so shewyng [[pg 109]] by þe deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by þi resou{n}s þat þei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen.

[Sidenote: Through the oppression of grief I had forgotten these truths, but was not wholly ignorant of them.]

¶ And þilke þi{n}g{us} þat þou toldest me. al be it so þat I hadde som tyme 3088 fo[r]ȝeten hem for [the] sorwe of þe wronge þat haþ ben don to me. ȝit naþeles þei ne were nat alouterly vnknowen to me.

[Sidenote: The principal cause of my trouble is this--that, whilst the absolute Ruler of all things is goodness itself, evil exists and is allowed to pass unpunished.]

but þis same is namly a gret cause of my sorwe. þat so as þe gouernoure of þinges is goode. 3092 yif þat yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge.

[Sidenote: This, to say the least, is astonishing.]

þe whiche þinge oonly how worþi it is to ben wondred vpon. þou considerest it weel þi self certeynly.

[Sidenote: Moreover, while _vice_ flourishes _virtue_ is not only unrewarded, but trampled under foot by base and profligate men, and suffers the punishment due to impiety.]

but ȝitte to þis 3096 þing þere is an oþer þing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. ¶ For felonie is emperisse {and} flowreþ ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wiþ outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir þe feet of felonous 3100 folk. {and} it abieþ þe to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of wicked felou{n}s

[Sidenote: Here is cause for wonderment, since such things are possible under the government of an omniscient and omnipotent God, who wills nothing but what is the best.]

¶ Of al[le] whiche þing þer nis no wyȝt þat [may] merueyllen ynouȝ ne compleyne þat swiche þinges ben don in þe regne of god þat alle þinges woot. 3104 and alle þinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode þinges.

[Sidenote: _P._ It were indeed, not only marvellous, but also horribly monstrous, if, in the well-regulated family of so great a master, the worthless vessels should be honoured and the precious ones be despised:--but it is not so.]

¶ þan seide she þus. certys q{uo}d she þat were a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wiþouten ende. {and} wel more horrible þan alle monstres yif it were as 3108 þ{o}u wenest. þat is to sein. þat in þe ryȝt ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. þat þe vesseles þat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed {and} heried. and þe p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled 3112 {and} vyle. but it nis nat so.

[Sidenote: For if the conclusions we have come to, be sound and irrefragable, we must confess that under God’s rule the _good_ are always powerful and mighty, and the _wicked_ weak and contemptible;]

For yif þe þinges þat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole [[pg 110]] {and} vnraced. þou shalt wel knowe by þe auctorite of god. of þe whos regne I speke þat certys þe good[e] 3116 folk ben alwey myȝty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble.

[Sidenote: that vice never passes unpunished, nor virtue goes unrewarded;]

ne þe vices ben neu{e}re mo wiþ outen peyne[;] ne þe vertues ne ben nat wiþ outen mede.

[Sidenote: that happiness attends good men, and misfortune falls to the lot of the wicked.]

and þat blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comeþ 3120 alwey to wicked folke.

[Sidenote: These and many other truths of like nature shall be proved to thee, and shall put an end to thy complaints, and strengthen thee with firmness and solidity.]

¶ And þou shalt wel knowe many[e] þinges of þis kynde þ{a}t sholle cessen þi pleyntes. {and} stedfast þe wiþ stedfast saddenesse.

[Sidenote: Having shown you a picture of true felicity, and wherein it resides, I shall now trace out the way which will lead you to your home.]

¶ And for þou hast seyn þe forme of þe verray blisfulnesse by me þat 3124 [haue] somtyme I-shewed it þe. And þou hast knowen i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle þinges I treted þ{a}t I trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] furþe ¶ I shal shewe þe. þe weye þat shal brynge þe aȝeyne vnto þi house 3128

[Sidenote: I will give your soul wings to soar aloft, so that all tribulation being removed, you may, under my guiding, by my road, and with my vehicle, return whole and sound into your own country.]

{and} I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt by whiche it may arysen in heyȝte. so þat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey þou by my gidyng & by my paþe {and} by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to þi contre. 3132

[Linenotes: 3078 _softly_--softely 3080 _choere in_--cheere {and} 3082 _set_--MS. sette, C. set _myne_--Myn _for-brek_--MS. for-breke, C. Forbrak 3083 _entended[e]_--entendede 3084 _lyȝte_--lyht 3085 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seid [_me_]--from C. 3086 _þi_--the 3087 _mowe_--mowen 3088 _som tyme_--whilom 3089 [_the_]--from C. _wronge_--wrong _haþ_--MS. haþe 3090 _don_--MS. done, C. don _were_--weeren 3091 _namly_--namely 3092 _goode_--good 3094 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3095 _þinge_--thing 3097 _þere_--ther _ben ywondred_--be wondryd 3098 _flowreþ_--MS. folweþ, C. flowrith 3099 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _vertues_--vertu _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3101 _in sted_--in stide 3102 _wicked_--wikkede _al[le]_--alle _þing_--thinges 3103 [_may_]--from C. 3104 _don_--MS. done, C. doon 3105 _wool_--wole _goode_--good 3107 _grete_--gret _enbaissynge_--enbasshinge 3108 _alle_--al 3109 _ordeyne house_--ordenee hows 3111, 3113 _vyle_--vyl 3112 _heried_--he heryed _sholde_--sholden 3113 _þe_--tho 3114 _here byforne_--her byforn _kept_--MS. kepte, C. kept 3116 _good[e]_--goode 3117 _alwey_ (2)----_feble_--alwey owt cast {and} feble 3118, 3119 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3119 _vertues_--vertuus 3122 _many[e]_--manye _sholle cessen_--shollen cesen 3123 _stedfast----stedfast_--strengthyn the w{i}t{h} stidfast 3124 _seyn_--MS. seyne, C. seyn 3125 [_haue_]--from C. _somtyme_--whilom 3126 _set_--MS. sette, C. I-set 3127 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth 3128 _weye_--wey _brynge_--bryngen _þi house_--thin hows 3129 _ficche_--fycchen 3130 _arysen_--areysen _don_--MS. done, C. ydoñ 3131 _paþe_--paath _shalt mowen_--shal mowe 3132 _sounde_--sownd]

[Headnote: VIRTUE NEVER GOES UNREWARDED.]

SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: I have nimble wings that enable the mind to rise from earth to heaven, to leave the clouds behind, to pass the region of perpetual flame, and to reach the starry mansion, journeying either by Phœbus’ radiant path, or accompanying cold and aged Saturn, or riding, as a soldier, with Mars.]

++I Haue for soþe swifte feþeres þat surmou{n}ten þe heyȝt of þe heuene whan þe swifte þouȝt haþ cloþed it self. in þo feþeres it dispiseþ þe hat[e]ful erþes. {and} surmou{n}teþ þe heyȝenesse of þe greet[e] eyir. {and} it seiþ þe 3136 cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passeþ þe heyȝt of þe regiou{n} of þe fire þat eschaufiþ by þe swifte moeuyng of þe firmament. til þat she a-reisiþ hir in til þe houses þ{a}t beren þe sterres. {and} ioygneþ hir weyes wiþ þe sonne [[pg 111]] phebus. {and} felawshipeþ þe weye of þe olde colde 3141 saturnus. and she ymaked a knyȝt of þe clere sterre.

[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s Gloss.]]

þat is to seyne þat þe soule is maked goddys knyȝt by þe sekyng of treuþe to comen to þe verray knowlege of 3144 god.

[Sidenote: Through every sphere she (the mind) runs where night is most cloudless and where the sky is decked with stars, until she reaches the heaven’s utmost sphere--]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 25.]]

and þilke soule renne[þ] by þe cercle *of þe sterres in alle þe places þere as þe shynyng nyȝt is depeynted. þat is to seyne þe nyȝt þat is cloudeles. for on nyȝtes þat ben cloudeles it semeþ as þe heuene were peynted wiþ 3148 dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan þe soule haþ gon ynouȝ she shal forleten þe last[e] poynt of þe heuene.

[Linenotes: 3133 _heyȝt of þe heuene_--heyhte of heuene 3134 _haþ_--MS. haþe 3136 _heyȝenesse----eyir_--Rou{n}dnesse of the grete ayr _seiþ_--seth 3137 _hir_--his 3138 _fire_--Fyr _eschaufiþ_--MS. eschaufiþe 3139 _she_--he _hir_--hym 3140 _hir_--his 3141 _weye_--wey _þe----saturnus_--MS. saturnus þe olde colde 3142 _saturnus_--sat{ur}nis _she_--he 3143 _soule_--thowght 3144 _treuþe_--trowthe _knowlege_--knoleche 3145 _soule_--thoght 3146 _depeynted_--painted 3149-50 _and whan----she shal_--{and} whanne he hath I-doon ther{e} I-nowh he shal 3149 _haþ_--MS. haþe 3150 _þe last[e]----heuene_--the laste heuene]

[Headnote: VICE IS ALWAYS PUNISHED.]

[Sidenote: then pressing on she shall be prepared to see the true Source of Light, where the great King of kings bears his mighty sceptre, and holds the reins of the universe.]

{and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on þe bak of þe swifte firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of þe dredefulle 3152 clerenesse of god. ¶ þere haldeþ þe lorde of kynges þe ceptre of his myȝt {and} atte{m}p{er}eþ þe gouernementes of þis worlde.

[Sidenote: Here the great Judge, standing in shining robes, firmly guides his winged chariot, and rules the tumultuous affairs of the world.]

{and} þe shynynge iuge of þinges stable i{n} hy{m} self gouerneþ þe swifte carte. þat is to seyne þe 3156 circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne.

[Sidenote: If you at length shall arrive at this abode, you will say this is my country--here I was born--and here will I abide.]

{and} yif þi weye ledeþ þe aȝeyne so þat þou be brouȝt þider. þan wilt þou seye now þat þat is þe contre þat þou requeredest of whiche þou ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbreþ me wel 3160 here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil I dwelle.

[Sidenote: And should you deign to look on the gloomy earth, you’ll see those tyrants, the fear of wretched folk, banished from those fair realms.]

but yif þe lyke þan to loken on þe derkenesse of þe erþe þat þou hast for-leten. þan shalt þou seen þat þise felonous tyrauntes þat þe wrecched[e] poeple dredeþ 3164 now shule ben exiled from þilke faire contre.

[Linenotes: 3151-2 _she_--he 3152-3 _of þe----of god_--of the worshipful lyht of god 3153 _þere haldeþ_--ther halt 3155 _þis worlde_--the world 3156 _carte_--cart or wayn 3157 [_the_]--from C. 3159 _whiche_--which 3161 _here_ (1, 2, 3)--her _born_--MS. borne, C. born _wil_ (1)--wol _wil_ (2)--wole 3162 _lyke_--liketh _derkenesse_--dyrknesses 3164 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede 3165 _shule_--shollen _from_--fro]

[[pg 112]] [Headnote: THE GOOD ARE ALWAYS STRONG.]

TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}.

[Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ Ah! thou promisest me great things indeed!--but without delay, satisfy the expectations you have raised.]

++ÞAnne seide I þus. [owh] I wondre me þat þou by-hetest me so grete þinges. ne I ne doute nat þat þ{o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme þat þou by-hetest. but I preie þe 3168 oonly þis. þat þou ne tarie nat to telle me þilke þinges þat þou hast meoued.

[Sidenote: _P._ You must first be convinced that the good are always strong and powerful and the wicked destitute of strength.]

first q{uo}d she þou most nedes knowen. þ{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} myȝty. and þe shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked 3172 of alle strengþes.

[Sidenote: These assertions do mutually demonstrate each other.]

and of þise þinges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by oþ{er}.

[Sidenote: For since good and evil are contrary, if good be powerful evil must be impotent.]

¶ For so as good {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be þat goode be stedfast. þa{n} sheweþ þe fieblesse of yuel al openly. 3176

[Sidenote: And if the frailty of evil is known, the strength and stability of good must also be known to you.]

and yif þou knowe clerely þe freelnesse of yuel. þe stedfastnesse of goode is knowen.

[Sidenote: But to convince you I shall proceed to prove it from both these principles, establishing these truths, by arguments drawn first from one of these topics and then from the other.]

but for as moche as þe fey of my sentence shal be þe more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I wil goon by þat oon wey {and} by þat oþer {and} I wil conferme 3180 þe þinges þat ben p{ur}posed now on þis side {and} now on þ{a}t syde.

[Sidenote: Two things are necessary to every action--the Will and the Power; if either be wanting, nothing can be effected.]

¶ Two þinges þer ben in whiche þe effect of alle þe dedes of man kynde standiþ. þat is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif þat oon of þise two fayleþ 3184 þere nis no þing þat may be don.

[Sidenote: A man can do nothing without the concurrence of his will, and if power faileth the will is of no effect.]

for yif þat wil lakkeþ þere nys no wyȝt þat vndirtakeþ to done þat he wol not don. and yif power fayleþ þe wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nauȝt.

[Sidenote: Hence, if you see a person desirous of getting what he cannot procure, you are sure he lacks power to obtain it.]

and þer of comeþ it þat yif þou se a 3188 wyȝt þat wolde gete{n} þat he may nat geten. þou mayst nat douten þat power ne fayleþ hy{m} to haue{n} þat he wolde. ¶ þis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat ben denyed in no manere.

[Sidenote: And if you see another do what he had a mind to do, can you doubt that he had the power to do it?]

and yif þou se a wyȝt q{uo}d 3192 she. þat haþ don þat he wolde don þ{o}u nilt nat douten þat he ne haþ had power to done it.

[Sidenote: _B._ No, surely. _P._ A man, then, is esteemed powerful in respect of what he is able to do, and weak in relation to what he is unable to perform.]

no q{uo}d. I. and in þat. þat euery wyȝt may. in þat þat men may holden hym myȝty. as who seiþ i{n} as moche as a man is myȝty [[pg 113]] to done a þing. in so moche men halden hy{m} myȝty. 3197 and in þat þat he ne may. in þat men demen hym to ben feble.

[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

I confesse it wel q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do you remember that I proved that the will of man, following different pursuits, seeks happiness only?]

Remembriþ þe q{uo}d she þat I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s 3200 þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of þe wil of ma{n}kynde whiche þat is lad by diuerse studies hastiþ to comen to blisfulnesse. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I þat it hath ben shewed.

[Linenotes: 3166 [_owh_]--from C. 3171 _good[e]_--goode _strong[e]_--stronge 3172 _desert_--dishert 3173 _eueryche_--eu{er}ich 3175 _goode_--good 3176 _stedfast_--stidefast 3177 _freelnesse_--frelenesse _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse 3178 _goode_--good 3180 _oon_--oo _wil_ (2)--wole 3185-6 _þere_--ther 3185 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3186 _done_--don 3187 _wille_--wil 3188 _comeþ_--comht 3189 _mayst_--MS. mayste, C. mayst 3191 _clere_--cler 3192 _denyed_--denoyed 3193-4 _haþ_--MS. haþe 3193 _don_ (_both_)--MS. done, C. doon 3194 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had _done_--doon 3196 _as moche_--so moche 3197 _done_--doon _moche_--mochel _halden_--halt 3201 _whiche_--which 3202 _lad_--MS. ladde, C. lad 3203 _it hath ben_--MS. I herde þe, C. it hath ben]

[Headnote: THE IMPOTENCY OF THE WICKED.]

[Sidenote: Do you recollect too, that it has been shown that happiness is the supreme good of men--and all desire this good, since all seek happiness?]

{and} recordeþ þe nat þan q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is 3204 þilke same goode þat men requeren.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 25 _b_.]]

so þat whan þat blisfulnesse is requered *of alle. þat goode [also] is requered {and} desired of al. It recordeþ me wel q{uo}d I. for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie.

[Sidenote: All men, then, good and bad, seek to acquire good?]

alle 3208 folk þan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} wiþ oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. þat is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: And it is certain that when men obtain good they become good?]

and certeyne is q{uo}d she þat by þe gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. 3212

[Sidenote: _B._ It is most certain.]

þis is certeyne q{uo}d. I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do good men, then, get what they desire?]

¶ þan geten goode men þat þei desiren.

[Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.]

so semeþ it q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ If evil men obtain the good, they can be no longer evil?]

but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d she yif þei geten þe goode þat þei desire{n} þei [ne] mowen nat ben wicked.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]

so is it q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Since then both parties pursue the good, which only the virtuous obtain, we must believe that good men are powerful, and that the wicked are weak and feeble?]

¶ þan so as 3216 þat oon {and} þat oþer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} þe goode folk geten good {and} nat þe wicked folk ¶ þan nis it no doute þat þe goode folk ne ben myȝty {and} þe wicked folk ben feble.

[Sidenote: _B._ None can doubt this, save such as either consider not rightly the nature of things, or are incapable of comprehending the force of any reasoning.]

¶ who so þat euer q{uo}d I 3220 douteþ of þis. he ne may nat considre þe nature of þi{n}ges. ne þe consequence of resou{n}. and ouer þis q{uo}d she.

[Linenotes: 3205-6 _goode_--good 3206 [_also_]--from C. 3207 _al_--alle _It----I_--it ne recordeth me nat q{uod} I 3210-12(1)-15 _goode_--good 3214 _wicked[e]_--wikkede 3215 [_ne_]--from C. 3216 _mowen_--mowe 3217 [_quod she_]--from C. 3218 _wicked_--wilk{e} (? wikke) 3220 _wicked_--wikkede]

[Headnote: THE WICKED DO NOT SEEK ARIGHT THE SUPREME GOOD.]

[Sidenote: _P._ If two beings have the same end in view--and one of them accomplishes his purpose by the use of natural means, while the other not using legitimate means does not attain his end--which of these two is the most powerful?]

¶ yif þat þer ben two þinges þat han o same 3223 p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} þat one of he{m} p{ur}sueþ {and} p{er}formeþ þilke same þinge by naturel office. {and} þat oþer ne may nat done þilk naturel office. but folweþ by oþer manere þan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym þat acomplisiþ hys p{ur}pos kyndely. {and} ȝit he ne acomplisiþ [[pg 114]] nat hys owen purpos. wheþer of þise two demest 3229 þou for more myȝty.

[Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate your meaning more clearly.]

¶ yif þat I coniecte q{uo}d .I. þat þou wilt seye algates. ȝit I desire to herkene it more pleynely of þe.

[Sidenote: _P._ The motion of walking is natural to man? And this motion is the natural office of the feet? Do you grant this?]

þou nilt nat þan denye q{uo}d she þat þe 3232 moeueme{n}tȝ of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soþe q{uo}d I. ne þou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she þ{a}t þilke naturel office of goynge ne be þe office of feet.

[Sidenote: _B._ I do.]

I ne doute it nat q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ If, then, he who is able to use his feet walks, whilst another lacking this power creeps on his hands--surely he that is able to move naturally upon his feet is more powerful than he who cannot.]

þan q{uo}d she yif þat a wyȝt be myȝty to 3236 moeue {and} goþ vpon hys feet. and anoþer to whom þilke naturel office of feet lakkeþ. enforceþ hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. ¶ whiche of þise two auȝte to ben holden more myȝty by ryȝt. knyt furþe þe remenaunt 3240 q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wyȝt ne douteþ þat he þat may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more myȝty þan he þat ne may nat

[Sidenote: _P._ The good and bad seek the supreme good: the good by the natural means of virtue--the wicked by gratifying divers desires of earthly things (which is not the natural way of obtaining it).]

¶ but þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to þe good folk {and} to 3244 badde. þe good folke seken it by naturel office of uertues. {and} þe shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise of erþely þinges. whiche þat nis no naturel office to geten þilke same souereyne goode. 3248

[Sidenote: Do you think otherwise?]

trowest þou þat it be any oþer wyse.

[Sidenote: _B._ The consequence is plain, and that follows from what has been granted--that the good are powerful, while the wicked are feeble.]

nay q{uo}d .I. for þe co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of þinges þat I haue graunted. ¶ þat nedes goode folk moten ben myȝty. {and} shrewes feble {and} vnmyȝty.

[Sidenote: _P._ You rightly anticipate me; for it is a good sign, as physicians well know, when Nature exerts herself and resists the malady.]

¶ þou rennest aryȝt 3252 byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} þis is þe iugement þat is to seyn. ¶ I iuge of þe ryȝt as þise leches ben wont forto hopen of seke folk whan þei ap{er}ceyuen þat nature is redressed {and} wiþstondeþ to þe maladie.

[Sidenote: But, as you are so quick of apprehension, I shall continue this mode of reasoning.]

¶ But for I 3256 see þe now al redy to þe vndirstandynge I shal shewe þe more þilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.

[Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and almost compels them; what would become of them without this natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible?]

¶ For loke now how gretly shewiþ þe feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]] folke. þat ne mowen nat come to þat hire naturel 3260 entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ hem. {and} ȝitte almost þilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreineþ hem. ¶ and what wer{e} to deme þan of shrewes. yif þilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten hem. ¶ þe whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} goþ alwey 3264 byforne hem. {and} is so grete þat vnneþ it may be ou{er}comen.

[Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.)]

¶ Considre þan how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse þere is in grete felonous folk as who seiþ þe gretter þi{n}ges þat ben coueited {and} þe desire 3268 nat accomplissed of þe lasse myȝt is he þat coueiteþ it {and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forþi philosophie seiþ þus by souereyne good.

[Sidenote: The wicked seek after no trivial things--which they fail to obtain; but they aspire in vain to the sovereign good, which they endeavour day and night to obtain.]

¶ Sherewes ne requere nat lyȝt[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche þei ne may nat 3272 folwen ne holden. but þei fayle{n} of þilke some of þe heyȝte of þinges þat is to seyne souereyne good. ne þise wrecches ne comen nat to þe effect of souereyne good.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 26.]]

*þe whiche þei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by nyȝtes 3276 {and} by dayes.

[Sidenote: The good attain the end of their desires, and therein their power is manifested.]

¶ In þe getyn[g] of whiche goode þe strengþe of good folk. is ful wel ysen.

[Sidenote: For as you deem him a good walker that goes to the end of his journey, so you must esteem him powerful that attains his desires, beyond which there is nothing to desire.]

For ryȝt so as þ{o}u myȝtest demen hym myȝty of goynge þat goþ on hys feet til he myȝt[e] come to þilke place fro þe whiche 3280 place þere ne lay no wey forþer to be gon. Ryȝt so most þou nedes demen hym for ryȝt myȝty þat getiþ {and} atteiniþ to þe ende of alle þinges þat ben to desire. by-ȝonde þe whiche ende þat þer nis no þing to desire. 3284

[Linenotes: 3226 _þilk_--thilke 3229 _owen_--owne 3231 _wilt_--wolt _herkene_--herkne 3232 _pleynely_--pleynly _denye_--denoye 3233 _moeuementȝ_--Moeuement 3237 _goþ_--MS. goþe _hys_--hise 3238 _gone_--goon 3239 _hys_--hise _whiche_--which 3240 _more_--the Moore _furþe_--forth 3242 _gone_--gon 3245 _good_--goode 3246 _uertues_--vertuus 3247 _whiche_--which 3248 _goode_--good 3253 _byfore_--by-forn 3254 _forto_--to 3255 _seke_--sike 3259 _wicked_--wikkede 3260 _come_--comyn 3261 _þilk_--thilke 3262 _deme_--demen 3263-4 _helpe_--help 3264 _whiche_--which _goþ_--MS. goþe 3265 _grete_--gret _vnneþ_--vnnethe _be ouercomen_--ben ou{er}come 3267 _þere_--ther _grete_--wikkede 3268 _þinges_--thing _ben_--is 3271 _Sherewes ne requere_--ne shrewes ne requeren 3272 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte _veyne_--veyn _nat_--omitted 3276 _whiche_--which 3277 _getyn[g]_--getinge _whiche goode_--which good 3278 _ysen_--MS. and C. ysene 3279 _goþ_--MS. goþe 3280 _myȝt[e]_--myhte 3281 _þere_--ther _lay_--laye _forþer_--forthere _be_--ben 3283 _desire_--desired 3284 _þat_--omitted]

[Headnote: THE WICKED HAVE NO REAL EXISTENCE.]

[Sidenote: Wicked men, then, are destitute of those powers which the good so amply possess.]

¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude þat wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle strengþe.

[Sidenote: Wherefore do they leave virtue, and follow vice? Is it because they are ignorant of good?]

For whi forleten þei v{er}tues {and} folwen vices. nis it nat for þat þei ne knowen nat þe goodes. 3288

[Sidenote: What is more weak and base than the blindness of ignorance? Or do they know the way they ought to follow, but are led astray by lust and covetousness?]

¶ But what þing is more feble {and} more caitif þan is þe [[pg 116]] blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys þei knowen ful wel whiche þinges þat þei auȝten to folwen ¶ but lecherye {and} couetise ouerþroweþ hem mysturned.

[Sidenote: And so, indeed, weak-minded men are overpowered by intemperance, for they cannot resist vicious temptations.]

¶ and certis 3292 so doþ distemp{er}aunce to feble men. þat ne mowe{n} nat wrastle aȝeins þe vices

[Sidenote: Do they willingly desert Good and turn to Evil? If they do so, they not only cease to be powerful, but even cease to exist.]

¶ Ne knowen þei nat þan wel þat þei foreleten þe good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to vices. ¶ And in þis wise þei ne forleten nat 3296 oonly to ben myȝty. but þei forleten al outerly in any wise forto ben

[Sidenote: For those who neglect the common end of all beings, cease to exist.]

¶ For þei þat forleten þe comune fyn of alle þinges þat ben. þei for-leten also þerwiþ al forto ben.

[Sidenote: You may marvel that I assert that the wicked, the majority of the human race, have no existence--but it is, however, most true.]

and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk þat 3300 þis were a merueile to seyne þat shrewes whiche þat contienen þe more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge. ¶ but naþeles it is so. {and} þus stant þis þing

[Sidenote: That the wicked are bad I do not deny--but I do not admit that they have any real existence.]

for þei þat ben shrewes I denye nat þat þei ben shrewes. 3304 but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly þat þei [ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge.

[Sidenote: You may call a corpse a dead man, but you cannot with propriety call it a man.]

for ryȝt as þou myȝtest seyn of þe careyne of a man þat it were a ded man. ¶ but þou ne myȝtest nat symplely callen it a man. 3308

[Sidenote: So the vicious are profligate men, but I cannot confess they absolutely exist.]

¶ So graunt[e] I wel for soþe þat vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and} symplely þat þei ben.

[Sidenote: That thing exists that preserves its rank, nature, and constitution, but when it loses these essentials it ceases to be.]

¶ For þilk þing þat wiþ holdeþ ordre {and} kepiþ nature. þilk þing is {and} haþ 3312 beynge. but þat þing þat faileþ of þat. þat is to seyne he þ{a}t forletiþ naturel ordre he for-letiþ þilk beyng þat is set in hys nature.

[Sidenote: But, you may say that the wicked have a _power_ to act, nor do I deny it; but their power is an effect of weakness.]

but þou wolt sein þat shrewes mowen. ¶ Certys þat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys 3316 hir power ne descendeþ nat of strengþe but of feblesse.

[Sidenote: They can do evil, but this they could not do, if they retained the power of doing good.]

for þei mowen don wickednesses. þe whiche þei ne myȝten nat don yif þei myȝte{n} dwelle in þe forme {and} in þe doynge of goode folke. [[pg 117]]

[Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.]

¶ And þilke power 3320 sheweþ ful euydently þat þei ne mowen ryȝt nauȝt.

[Linenotes: 3285 _whiche_--the which _þat_--þ{a}t the 3286 _ben_--be 3291 _auȝten to folwen_--owhten folwe 3293 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth 3394 _wrastle_--wrastlen 3295 _vilfully_--wilsfully 3297 _outerly_--owtrely 3301 _seyne_--seyen 3304-5 _denye_--denoye 3305 _sey[e] symplely_--seye sympeli 3306 [_ne_]--from C. 3307 _seyn_--seyen 3309 _graunt[e]_--graunte 3311-12 _þilk_--thilke 3312 _haþ_--MS. haþe 3313 _þat_ (1)--what _seyne_--seyn 3314 _þilk_--thilke 3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 3316 _denye_--denoye 3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3319 _myȝten_ (1)--myhte _dwelle_--dwellin 3320 _goode_--good]

[Headnote: POWER, AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE CHIEF GOOD.]

[Sidenote: For as evil is nothing, it is clear that while the wicked can only do evil they can do nothing.]

¶ For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn þat yuel is nauȝt. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{n} is al clere. þat 3324 shrewes ne mowen ryȝt nat to han power.

[Sidenote: That you may understand the force of this power, I have proved that nothing is more powerful than the sovereign good.]

and for as moche as þou vndirstonde whiche is þe strengþe þat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn þat no þing nis so myȝty as souereyne good

[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

¶ þat is 3328 soþe q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ And that supreme good can do no evil?]

[{and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel //

[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly not.]

Certes no q{uod} I]

[Sidenote: _P._ Is there any one who thinks that man can do all things?]

¶ Is þer any wyȝt þan q{uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don alle þinges.

[Sidenote: _B._ No sane man can think so.]

No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte.

[Sidenote: _P._ But men may do evil.]

¶ but 3332 certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{uo}d she.

[Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.]

¶ ȝe wolde god q{uo}d I þat þei ne myȝte{n} don none.

[Sidenote: _P._ Since he that can do good, can do all things, and he that has power to do evil cannot do all things, therefore the evil-doers are less powerful.]

þat q{uo}d she so as he þat is myȝty to done oonly but good[e] þinges may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben myȝty to done 3336 yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open þing {and} manifest þat þei þ{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of lasse power.

[Sidenote: Let me add too that _power_ is one of the things to be desired, and that all such things are to be referred to the chief good (the perfection of their nature).]

and ȝitte to p{ro}ue þis conclusiou{n} þere helpeþ me þis þat I haue shewed here byforne. þat al 3340 power is to be nou{m}bred amonge þinges þat men auȝten requere. {and} haue shewed þat alle þi{n}ges þat auȝten ben desired ben referred to good ryȝt as to a manere heyȝte of hyr nature.

[Sidenote: But the power of doing evil has no relation to that Good, therefore it is not desirable; but as all power is desirable, it is clear that the ability to do evil is not power.]

¶ But for to mowen don yuel {and} 3344 felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. þan nis nat yuel of þe nou{m}bre of þinges þat auȝte{n}.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 26 _b_.]]

*be desired. but al power auȝt[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ þan is it open {and} cler þat þe power ne þe moeuyng of shrewes 3348 nis no powere.

[Sidenote: It clearly follows from this reasoning, that the good only are powerful while the vicious are feeble.]

{and} of alle þise þinges it sheweþ wel þat þe goode folk ben certeynly myȝty. {and} þe shrewes ben [[pg 118]] douteles vnmyȝty

[Sidenote: And Plato’s opinion is hereby verified that the _wise_ only have the power to do what they desire; the wicked may follow the dictates of their lusts, but their great aim and desire, _i. e._ HAPPINESS, they can never attain.]

¶ And it is clere {and} open þat þilke sentence of plato is uerray {and} soþe. þ{a}t seyþ þat oonly 3352 wiseme{n} may [doon] þat þei desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten þat hem lykeþ. but þat þei desiren þat is to seyne to comen to souereyne good þei ne han no power to acomplissen þat.

[Sidenote: The wicked may gratify their desires, thinking to attain the chief good (for which they wish), but they can never possess it, for impiety and vice can never be crowned with happiness.]

¶ For shrewes don þat hem 3356 list whan by þo þinges in whiche þei deliten þei wenen to atteyne to þilke good þat þei desiren. but þei ne geten ne atteynen nat þer to. ¶ for vices ne comen nat to blisfulnesse. 3360

[Linenotes: 3324 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses _clere_--cleer 3325 _nat----power_--nawht ne han no power 3326 _whiche_--which _þat is_--of this 3327 _here_--her 3328 _nis_--is 3329 _soþe_--soth 3329, 3330 [_and thilke----quod I_]--from C. 3334 _don_--MS. done, C. don _none þat_--non thanne 3335 _done_--doon _good[e]_--goode 3336 _don_--MS. done, C. don _done_--don 3337 _yuel[e]_--yuele _þis_--it 3338 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3339 _ȝitte_--yit _þere_--ther 3340 _shewed here byforne_--Ishewed her by-forn _al_--alle 3341 _amonge_--among 3344 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3346 _auȝten be_--owhte ben 3347 _al_--alle _auȝt[e]_--owhte 3351 _clere_--cler 3352 _soþe_--soth _þat seyþ_--MS. but siþe, C. þ{a}t seyth 3353 [_doon_]--from C. 3355 _seyne_--seyn 3357 _whiche_--which]

[Headnote: THE WICKED ARE UNHAPPY.]

QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS.

[Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Whosoever might strip of their purple coverings, proud kings, who, surrounded by their guards, sit on lofty thrones, and whose stern looks wear fierce threatenings, and boiling breasts breathe fury; would see those mighty lords inwardly fettered, and tormented by lust, passion, grief, and delusive hopes.]

++Who so þat þe couertures of her veyn apparailes myȝt[e] strepen of þise proude kynges þat þou seest sitten on heyȝe in her chayeres glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wiþ sorweful arm{ur}es 3364 manasyng wiþ cruel mouþe. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. ¶ He sholde se þan þat ilke lordes beren wiþ i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormentiþ he{m} on þat oon syde wiþ gredy venyms {and} 3368 troublable Ire þat araiseþ in hem þe floodes of troublynges tourmentiþ vpon þat oþer side hir þouȝt. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycauȝt. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmentiþ hem.

[Sidenote: Since, then, so many tyrants bear sway over one head--that lord, oppressed by so many masters (i. e. vices), is weak and feeble, and his actions are not obedient to his will.]

And þerfore