The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae', by Geoffrey Chaucer This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae' Author: Geoffrey Chaucer Editor: Richard Morris Release Date: February 12, 2013 [EBook #42083] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHIAE *** Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner, JackMcJiggins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [This text is intended for users whose text readers cannot use the "real" (Unicode/UTF-8) version of the file. Characters that could not be fully displayed have been "unpacked" and shown in brackets: [Gh] [gh] (yogh) [-h] [~u] (h with bar, u with tilde: both rare) [;] inverted semicolon (rare) All other bracketed letters or letter groups are in the original. Greek phrases in the Sidenotes have been transliterated and shown between #marks# as #hepou theō#. The "oe" ligature is shown as two letters, without further marking. Linenotes refer to the Cambridge MS.; see end of Introduction. "H." in the Linenotes is not explained; Skeat's edition of Chaucer's _Complete Works_ says that it refers to MS. Harley 2421. _Text format:_ In the printed book, line numbers were squeezed in wherever there was room. For the e-text, they have been regularized to the EETS-standard multiples of 4. Line divisions and page numbers were retained for use with the Index and linenotes, except that some very short words have been moved up or down to avoid awkward gaps. Headnotes have been moved to the nearest convenient line break. Italics representing expanded abbreviations are shown in b{ra}ces. Other italics are shown conventionally with _lines_. Superscripts are shown with ^ (caret); they always continue to the end of the word. Oversized initial letters are shown with double leading ++ as ++A. In the Appendix, decorative final letters are shown with single + as dar+, sprong+. Italic thorn (ž) and yogh ([gh]) seem to have been unavailable to the printer; both letters have been formatted to match the surrounding text. The inverted semicolon (rare) is shown in brackets as [;]. In the primary text, anomalous spellings with initial "u" or non-initial "v" are not individually noted. Other errors, whether corrected or not, are listed at the end of the e-text. For this e-text, Chaucer's translation of the _Consolatio_ is given twice: first as printed, with all notes and apparatus, and then as text alone.] Chaucer's Translation of BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHIĘ" EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY Extra Series, No. 5 1868 (Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., 1969) Price 40s. Chaucer's Translation of BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHIĘ" Edited From British Museum Additional MS. 10,340 Collated With Cambridge University Library MS. Ii.3.21 By RICHARD MORRIS _Published for_ THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY _by the_ OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS London New York Toronto First Published 1868 Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., and 1969 Extra Series, No. 5 Originally printed by Richard Clay & Sons Ltd., London and Bungay and now reprinted lithographically in Great Britain at the University Press, Oxford by Vivian Ridler Printer to the University INTRODUCTION. When master hands like those of Gibbon and Hallam have sketched the life of _Boethius_, it is well that no meaner man should attempt to mar their pictures. They drew, perhaps, the most touching scene in Middle-age literary history,--the just man in prison, awaiting death, consoled by the Philosophy that had been his light in life, and handing down to posterity for their comfort and strength the presence of her whose silver rays had been his guide as well under the stars of Fortune as the mirk of Fate. With Milton in his dark days, Boece in prison could say,-- 'I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied In liberty's defence, my noble task, Of which all Europe rings from side to side.' For, indeed, the echoes of Boethius, Boethius, rang out loud from every corner of European Literature. An Alfred awoke them in England, a Chaucer, a Caxton would not let them die; an Elizabeth revived them among the glorious music of her reign.[I-1] To us, though far off, they come with a sweet sound. 'The angelic' Thomas Aquinas commented on him, and many others followed the saint's steps. Dante read him, though, strange to say, he speaks of the Consolation as 'a book not known by many.'[I-2] Belgium had her translations--both Flemish[I-3] and French[I-4]; Germany hers,[I-5] France hers,[I-6] Italy hers.[I-7] The Latin editors are too numerous to be catalogued here, and manuscripts abound in all our great libraries. No philosopher was so bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of Middle-age writers as Boethius. Take up what writer you will, and you find not only the sentiments, but the very words of the distinguished old Roman. And surely we who read him in Chaucer's tongue, will not refuse to say that his full-circling meed of glory was other than deserved. Nor can we marvel that at the end of our great poet's life, he was glad that he had swelled the chorus of Boethius' praise; and 'of the translacioun of Boece de Consolacioun,' thanked 'oure Lord Ihesu Crist and his moder, and alle the seintes in heuen.' The impression made by Boethius on Chaucer was evidently very deep. Not only did he translate him directly, as in the present work, but he read his beloved original over and over again, as witness the following list, incomplete of course, of passages from Chaucer's poems translated more or less literally from the _De Consolatione_: [Footnote I-1: Other translations are by John Walton of Osney, in verse, in 1410 (Reg. MS. 18, A 13), first printed at Tavistock in 1525, and to be edited some time or other for the E.E.T.S. An anonymous prose version in the Bodleian. George Coluile, alias Coldewel, 1556; J. T. 1609; H. Conningesbye, 1664; Lord Preston, 1695, 1712; W. Causton, 1730; Redpath, 1785; R. Duncan, 1789; anon. 1792 (Lowndes).] [Footnote I-2: Dante, in his _Convito_, says, "Misimi a legger quello _non conosciuto da molti_ libro di Boezio, nel quale captivo e discacciato consolato s'avea."] [Footnote I-3: Printed at Ghent, 1485.] [Footnote I-4: By Reynier de Seinct Trudon, printed at Bruges, 1477.] [Footnote I-5: An old version of the 11th cent., printed by Graff, and a modern one printed at Nuremberg, 1473.] [Footnote I-6: By Jean de Méung, printed at Paris, 1494.] [Footnote I-7: By Varchi, printed at Florence, 1551; Parma, 1798.] I. LOVE. Wost thou nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, That who schal yeve a lover eny lawe, Love is a grettere lawe, by my pan, Then may be yeve to (of) eny erthly man? (_Knightes Tale, Aldine Series_, vol. ii. p. 36, 37.) But what is he žat may [gh]eue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe and a strengere to hym self žan any lawe žat men may [gh]euen. (_Chaucer's Prose Translation_, p. 108.) _Quis legem det amantibus? Major lex amor est sibi._ (Boeth., lib. iii. met. 12.) II. A DRUNKEN MAN. A dronke man wot wel he hath an hous, But he not[I-8] which the righte wey is thider. (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 39.) _Ry[gh]t as a dronke man not nat[I-9] by whiche paže he may retourne home to hys house._ (Chaucer's Trans., p. 67.) _Sed velut ebrius, domum quo tramite revertatur, ignorat._ (Boeth., lib. iii. pr. 2.) [Footnote I-8: The Harl. MS. reads _not nat_, to the confusion of the metre.] [Footnote I-9: = ne wot nat = knows not.] III. THE CHAIN OF LOVE. The firste moevere of the cause above, Whan he first made the fayre cheyne of love, Gret was theffect, and heigh was his entente; Wel wist he why, and what therof he mente; _For with that faire cheyne of love he bond The fyr, the watir, the eyr, and eek the lond In certeyn boundes, that they may not flee._ (_Knightes Tale_, p. 92.) That že world with stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges // žat the contraryos qualite of element[gh] holden amonge hem self aliaunce perdurable / žat phebus the sonne with his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / žat the mone hath commaundement ouer the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesperus the eue sterre hat[h] browt // žat že se gredy to flowen constreyneth with a certeyn ende hise floodes / so žat it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // žat is to seyn to couere alle the erthe // Al this a-cordaunce of thinges is bownden with looue / žat gouerneth erthe and see / and [he] hath also commaundement[gh] to the heuenes / and yif this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges žat now louen hem to-gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely and stryuen to fordoon the fasoun of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to-gideres poeples / ioygned with an hooly bond / and knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weere mankynde / yif thilke loue žat gouerneth heuene gouerned yowre corages /. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, bk. ii. met. 8.) Quod mundus stabili fide Concordes variat vices, Quod pugnantia semina Foedus perpetuum tenent, Quod Phoebus roseum diem Curru provehit aureo, Ut quas duxerit Hesperus Phoebe noctibus imperet, Ut fluctus avidum mare Certo fine coerceat, Ne terris liceat vagis Latos tundere terminos; _Hanc rerum seriem ligat, Terras ac pelagus regens, Et coelo imperitans amor._ Hic si fręna remiserit, Quicquid nunc amat invicem, Bellum continuo geret: Et quam nunc socia fide Pulcris motibus incitant, Certent solvere machinam. Hic sancto populos quoque Junctos foedere continet, Hic et conjugii sacrum Castis nectit amoribus, Hic fidis etiam sua Dictat jura sodalibus. O felix hominum genus, Si vestros animos amor, Quo cęlum regitur, regat. (_Boeth._, lib. ii. met. 8.) Love, that of erth and se hath governaunce! Love, that his hestes hath in hevene hye! Love, that with an holsom alliaunce Halt peples joyned, as hym liste hem gye! Love, that knetteth law and compaignye, And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle! (_Troylus & Cryseyde_, st. 243, vol. iv. p. 296.) That, that the world with faith, which that is stable Dyverseth so, his stoundes concordynge;-- That elementz, that ben so discordable, Holden a bond, perpetualy durynge;-- That Phebus mot his rosy carte forth brynge, And that the mone hath lordschip overe the nyghte;-- Al this doth Love, ay heryed be his myght! That, that the se, that gredy is to flowen, Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so Hise flodes, that so fiersly they ne growen To drenchen erth and alle for everemo; And if that Love aught lete his brydel go, Al that now loveth asonder sholde lepe, And lost were al that Love halt now to kepe. (_Ibid._ st. 244, 245.) IV. MUTABILITY DIRECTED AND LIMITED BY AN IMMUTABLE AND DIVINE INTELLIGENCE. That same prynce and moevere eek, quod he, Hath stabled, in this wrecched world adoun, Certeyn dayes and duracioun To alle that er engendrid in this place, Over the whiche day they may nat pace, Al mowe they yit wel here dayes abregge; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Than may men wel by this ordre discerne That thilke moevere stabul is and eterne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And therfore of his wyse purveaunce He hath so wel biset his ordenaunce, That spices of thinges and progressiouns Schullen endure by successiouns And nat eterne be, withoute any lye. (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92, 93.) Že engendrynge of alle žinges quod she and alle že progressiouns of muuable nature. and alle žat moeuež in any manere takiž hys causes. hys ordre. and hys formes. of že stablenesse of že deuyne žou[gh]t [and thilke deuyne thowht] žat is yset and put in že toure. žat is to seyne in že hey[gh]t of že simplicite of god. stablisiž many manere gyses to žinges žat ben to don. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, bk. iv. pr. 6, p. 134.) V. THE PART IS DERIVED FROM THE WHOLE, THE IMPERFECT FROM THE PERFECT. Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, That every partye dyryveth from his hool. For nature hath nat take his bygynnyng Of no partye ne cantel of a thing, But of a thing that parfyt is and stable, Descendyng so, til it be corumpable. (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92.) For al žing žat is cleped inperfit . is proued inperfit by že amenusynge of perfeccioun . or of žing žat is perfit . and her-of comež it . žat in euery žing general . yif žat . žat men seen any žing žat is inperfit . certys in žilke general žer mot ben somme žing žat is perfit. For yif so be žat perfeccioun is don awey . men may nat žinke nor seye fro whennes žilke žing is žat is cleped inperfit . For že nature of žinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of žinges amenused and inperfit . but it procediž of žingus žat ben al hool . and absolut . and descendež so doune in-to outerest žinges and in-to žingus empty and wiž-oute fruyt . but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne . žat yif žer be a blisfulnesse žat be frele and vein and inperfit . žer may no man doute . žat žer nys som blisfulnesse žat is sad stedfast and perfit.' (bk. iii. pr. 10, p. 89.) Omne enim quod imperfectum esse dicitur, id deminutione perfecti imperfectum esse perhibetur. Quo fit ut si in quolibet genere imperfectum quid esse videatur, in eo perfectum quoque aliquod esse necesse sit. Etenim perfectione sublata, unde illud, quod imperfectum perhibetur, extiterit, ne fingi quidem potest. _Neque enim ab diminutis inconsummatisque natura rerum cepit exordium, sed ab integris absolutisque procedens in hęc extrema atque effoeta dilabitur._ Quod si, uti paulo ante monstravimus, est quędam boni fragilis imperfecta felicitas, esse aliquam solidam perfectamque non potest dubitari. (_Boeth._, lib. iii. pr. 10.) VI. GENTILITY. For gentilnesse nys but renomé Of thin auncestres, for her heigh bounté Which is a straunge thing to thy persone. (_The Wyf of Bathes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 241.) For if že name of gentilesse be referred to renoun and clernesse of linage. žan is gentil name but a foreine žing. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 78.) _Quę_ [nobilitas], _si ad claritudinem refertur, aliena est._ (_Boethius_, lib. iii. pr. 6.) VII. NERO'S CRUELTY. No teer out of his eyen for that sighte Ne cam; but sayde, a fair womman was sche. Gret wonder is how that he couthe or mighte Be domesman on hir dede beauté. (_The Monkes Tale_, vol. iii. p. 217.) Ne no tere ne wette his face, but he was so hard-herted žat he my[gh]te ben domesman or iuge of hire dede beauté. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 55.) Ora non tinxit lacrymis, sed esse Censor extincti potuit decoris. (_Boethius_, lib. ii. met. 6.) VIII. PREDESTINATION AND FREE-WILL. In 'Troylus and Cryseyde' we find the following long passage taken from Boethius, book v. prose 2, 3. Book iv. st. 134, vol. iv. p. 339. (1) Syn God seth every thynge, out of doutaunce, And hem disponeth, thorugh his ordinaunce, In hire merites sothely for to be, As they shul comen by predesteyné 136 (2) For som men seyn if God seth al byforne, Ne God may not deseyved ben pardé! Than moot it fallen, theigh men hadde it sworne, That purveyaunce hath seyn befor to be, Wherfor I seye, that, from eterne, if he Hathe wiste byforn our thought ek as oure dede, We have no fre choys, as thise clerkes rede. 137 (3) For other thoughte, nor other dede also, Myghte nevere ben, but swich as purveyaunce, Which may nat ben deceyved nevere moo, Hath feled byforne, withouten ignoraunce; For if ther myghte ben a variaunce, To wrythen out fro Goddes purveyinge, Ther nere no prescience of thynge comynge; 138 (4) But it were rather an opinyon Uncertein, and no stedfast forseynge; And certes that were an abusyon That God shold han no parfit clere wetynge, More than we men, that han douteous wenynge, But swich an erroure upon God to gesse Were fals, and foule, and wikked corsednesse. 139 (5) They seyn right thus, that thynge is nat to come, For that the prescience hath seyne byfore That it shal come; but they seyn that therfore That it shal come, therfor the purveyaunce Woot it bifore, withouten ignorance. 140 (6) And in this manere this necessité Retourneth in his part contrarye agayn; For nedfully byhoveth it not to be, That thilke thynges fallen in certeyn That ben purveyed; but nedly, as they seyne, Bihoveth it that thynges, which that falle, That thei in certein ben purveied alle. 141 (7) I mene as though I labourede me in this, To enqueren which thynge cause of whiche thynge be; (8) As, whether that the prescience of God is The certein cause of the necessité Of thynges that to comen ben, pardé! Or, if necessité of thynge comynge Be cause certein of the purveyinge. 142 (9) But now nenforce I me nat in shewynge How the ordre of causes stant; but wel woot I That it bihoveth that the bifallynge Of thynges, wiste bifor certeinly, Be necessarie, al seme it nat therby That prescience put fallynge necessaire To thynge to come, al falle it foule or faire. 143 (10) For, if ther sit a man yonde on a see, [seat] Than by necessité bihoveth it, That certes thyn opinioun soth be, That wenest or conjectest that he sit; And, further over, now ayeinwarde yit, Lo right so is it on the part contrarie, As thus,--nowe herkene, for I wol nat tarie:-- 144 (11) I sey, that if the opinion of the Be soth for that he sit, than seye I this, That he moot sitten by necessité; And thus necessité in either is, For in hym nede of sittynge is, ywis, And in the, nede of soth; and thus forsoth Ther mot necessité ben in yow bothe. 145 (12) But thow maist seyne, the man sit nat therfore, That thyn opinioun of his sittynge sothe is; But rather, for the man sat there byfore, Therfor is thyn opinioun soth, ywys; And I seye, though the cause of soth of this Cometh of his sittynge, yet necessité Is interchaunged both in hym and the. 146 (13) Thus in the same wyse, out of doutaunce, I may wel maken, as it semeth me, My resonynge of Goddes purveiaunce, And of the thynges that to comen be; . . . 147 (14) For although that for thynge shal come, ywys, Therfor it is purveyed certeynly, Nat that it cometh for it purveied is; Yet, natheles, bihoveth it nedfully, That thynge to come be purveied trewly; Or elles thynges that purveied be. That they bitiden by necessité. 148 (15) And this sufficeth right ynough, certeyn, For to distruye oure fre choys everydele. (1) Quę tamen ille ab ęterno cuncta prospiciens providentię cernit intuitus, et suis quęque meritis prędestinata disponit. . . . . (_Boethius_, lib. v. pr. 2.)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . (2) Nam si cuncta prospicit Deus neque falli ullo modo potest, evenire necesse est, quod providentia futurum esse pręviderit. Quare si ab ęterno non facta hominum modo, sed etiam consilia voluntatesque pręnoscit, nulla erit arbitrii libertas; (3) Neque enim vel factum aliud ullum vel quęlibet existere poterit voluntas, nisi quam nescia falli providentia divina pręsenserit. Nam si res aliorsum, quam provisę sunt detorqueri valent, non jam erit futuri firma pręscientia; (4) Sed opinio potius incerta; quod de Deo nefas credere judico. (5) Aiunt enim non ideo quid esse eventurum quoniam id providentia futurum esse prospexerit; sed e contrario potius, quoniam quid futurum est, id divinam providentiam latere non possit. (6) Eoque modo necessarium est hoc in contrariam relabi partem; neque enim necesse est contingere quę providentur, sed necesse est quę futura sunt provideri. (7) Quasi vero quę cujusque rei causa sit, (8) Pręscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas providentię, laboretur. (9) At nos illud demonstrare nitamur, quoquo modo sese habeat ordo causarum, necessarium esse eventum pręscitarum rerum, etiam si pręscientia futuris rebus eveniendi necessitatem non videatur inferre. (10) Etenim si quispiam sedeat, opinionem quę eum sedere conjectat veram esse necesse est: at e converso rursus, (11) Si de quopiam vera sit opinio quoniam sedet eum sedere necesse est. In utroque igitur necessitas inest: in hoc quidem sedendi, at vero in altero veritatis. (12) Sed non idcirco quisque sedet, quoniam vera est opinio: sed hęc potius vera est, quoniam quempiam sedere pręcessit. Ita cum causa veritatis ex altera parte procedat, inest tamen communis in utraque necessitas. (13) Similia de providentia futurisque rebus ratiocinari patet. (14) Nam etiam si idcirco, quoniam futura sunt, providentur: non vero ideo, quoniam providentur, eveniunt: nihilo minus tamen a Deo vel ventura provideri, vel provisa evenire necesse est: (15) Quod ad perimendam arbitrii libertatem solum satis est. (lib. v. pr. 3.) See _Chaucer's Boethius_, pp. 154-6. IX. THE GRIEF OF REMEMBERING BYGONE HAPPINESS. For, of fortunes scharp adversité, The worste kynde of infortune is this, A man to han ben in prosperité, And it remembren, when it passed is. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 226, vol. iv. p. 291.) Sed hoc est, quod recolentem me vehementius coquit. Nam in omni adversitate fortunę infelicissimum genus est infortunii, fuisse felicem.[I-10] (_Boethius_, lib. ii. pr. 4.) [Footnote I-10: Cf. Dante, _Inferno_, V. 121. Nessun maggior dolore Che ricordarsi del tempo felice Nella miseria; e ciņ sa 'l tuo Dottore.] X. VULTURES TEAR THE STOMACH OF TITYUS IN HELL. ----Syciphus in Helle, Whos stomak fowles tyren everemo, That hyghten volturis. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, book i. st. 113, p. 140.) Že fowel žat hy[gh]t voltor žat etiž že stomak or že giser of ticius. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 107.) XI. THE MUTABILITY OF FORTUNE. For if hire (Fortune's) whiel stynte any thinge to torne Thanne cessed she Fortune anon to be. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. i. st. 122, p. 142.) If fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] žan to ben fortune. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 32.) (Compare stanzas 120, 121, p. 142, and stanza 136, p. 146, of 'Troylus and Cryseyde' with pp. 31, 33, 35, and p. 34 of Chaucer's Boethius.) At omnium mortalium stolidissime, si manere incipit, fors esse desistit. (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 1.) XII. WORLDLY SELYNESSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Imedled is with many a bitternesse. Ful angwyshous than is, God woote, quod she, Condicion of veyn prosperité! For oyther joies comen nought yfeere, Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 110, p. 258.) Že swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiž many[e] bitternesses. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 42.) --ful anguissous žing is že condicioun of mans goodes. For eyžer it comež al to-gidre to a wy[gh]t. or ellys it lastež not perpetuely. (_Ib._ p. 41.) Quam multis amaritudinibus humanę felicitatis dulcedo respersa est! (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.) Anxia enim res est humanorum conditio bonorum, et quę vel nunquam tota proveniat, vel nunquam perpetua subsistat. (_Ib._) O, brotel wele of mannes joie unstable! With what wight so thow be, or how thow pleye, Oither he woot that thow joie art muable, Or woot it nought, it mot ben on of tweyen: Now if he woot it not, how may he seyen That he hath veray joie and selynesse, That is of ignoraunce ay in distresse? Now if he woote that joie is transitorie, As every joie of worldly thynge mot fle, Thanne every tyme he that hath in memorie, The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he May in no parfyte selynesse be: And if to lese his joie, he sette not a myte, Than semeth it, that joie is worth ful lite. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 111, 112, vol. iv. p. 258.) (1) What man žat žis toumblyng welefulnesse leediž, eižer he woot žat [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. And yif he woot it not. what blisful fortune may žer be in že blyndenesse of ignoraunce. (2) And yif he woot žat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad žat he ne lese žat žing. žat he ne doutež nat but žat he may leesen it. . . . . . For whiche že continuel drede žat he haž ne suffriž hym nat to ben weleful. Or ellys yif he leese it he wene[ž] to be dispised and forleten hit. Certis eke žat is a ful lytel goode žat is born wiž euene hert[e] whan it is loost. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, pp. 43, 44.) (1) Quem caduca ista felicitas vehit, vel scit eam, vel nescit esse mutabilem. Si nescit, quęnam beata sors esse potest ignorantię in cęcitate? (2) Si scit, metuat necesse est, ne amittat, quod amitti posse non dubitat; quare continuus timor non sinit esse felicem. An vel si amiserit, negligendum putat? Sic quoque perexile bonum est, quod ęquo animo feratur amissum. (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.) XIII. FORTUNE. ----Fortune That semeth trewest when she wol bigyle, . . . . . . . . . . . . . And, when a wight is from hire whiel ithrowe, Than laugheth she, and maketh hym the mowe. (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 254, vol. iv. p. 299.) She (Fortune) vsež ful flatryng familarité wiž hem žat she enforcež to bygyle. (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 30.) .  .  .  .  .  .  . She lau[gh]ež and scornež že wepyng of hem že whiche she haž maked wepe wiž hir free wille  .  .  .  . Yif žat a wy[gh]t is seyn weleful and oueržrowe in an houre. (_Ib._ p. 33.) In book v., stanza 260, vol. v. p. 75, Chaucer describes how the soul of Hector, after his death, ascended 'up to the holughnesse of the seventhe spere.' In so doing he seems to have had before him met. 1, book 4, of Boethius, where the 'soul' is described as passing into the heaven's utmost sphere, and looking down on the world below. See _Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 110, 111. Ętas Prima is of course a metrical version of lib. ii. met. 5. Hampole speaks of the wonderful sight of the Lynx; perhaps he was indebted to Boethius for the hint. --(See _Boethius_, 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 ętatem jussit inesse suam._ And sorou haž 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, quę se nec dulcibus annis Inserit, et męstis sępe vocata venit._ Žilke deež of men is welful žat ne comež not in [gh]eres žat ben swete (i. _mirie_). but comež 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._ Wiž office of poyntel (p. 5). Fr. (que ie reduisse) p{ar} escript. _Inexhaustus._ Swiche . . . žat it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid (p. 5). Fr. inconsumptible. _Scenicas meretriculas._ Comune strumpetis of siche a place žat men clepen že theatre (p. 6). Fr. ces ribaudelles fardees. _Pręcipiti profundo._ In ouer-žrowyng 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._ Neyžer 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._ Že houndys of že palays (p. 15). Fr. les chiens du palais. _Masculę prolis._ Of ži masculyn children (p. 37). Fr. de ta lignie masculine. _Ad singularem felicitatis tuę cumulum venire delectat._ It delitež me to comen now to že singuler vphepyng of ži 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 žilke litel habitacle (p. 57). Fr. de cest trespetit habitacle. _Late patentes plagas._ Že 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._ Že pleiyng besines of men (p. 68). Si quil tollist par doulz estude Des hommes la solicitude . . _Hausi coelum._ I took heuene (p. 10). Fr. ie . . . regarday le ciel. _Certamen adversum pręfectum prętorii communis commodi ratione suscepi._ I took strif a[gh]eins že prouost of že 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 quęris?_ But axest žou 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 že peoples žat ben vndir že colde sterres žat hy[gh]ten že seuene triones (p. 55). Fr. ceulx de septentrion. _Ita ego quoque tibi veluti corollarium dabo._ Ry[gh]t so wil I [gh]eue že here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune (p. 91). Fr. semblablement ie te donneray ainsi que vng correlaire. _In stadio._ In že stadie or in že forlonge (p. 119). Fr. ou (for au) champ. _Conjecto._ I coniecte (p. 154). Fr. ie coniecture. _Nimium . . . adversari ac repugnare videtur._ It semež . . . to repugnen and to contrarien gretly. Fr. Ce semble chose trop contraire et repugnante. _Universitatis ambitum._ Envirounynge of že vniuersite (p. 165). Fr. lauironnement de luniuersalite. _Rationis universum._ Vniuersite of resoun (p. 165). Fr. luniuersalite de Raison. _Scientiam nunquam deficientis instantię rectius ęstimabis._ Žou shalt demen [it] more ry[gh]tfully žat it is science of presence or of instaunce žat neuer ne faylež (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_ (inęstimabilis), 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 žat endiž in wrechednesse_' (p. 35). One would think that the following definition of Tragedian would be rather superfluous after this,--'_a maker of dites žat hy[gh]ten_ (are called) _tregedies_' (p. 77). _Melliflui . . . oris Homerus_ is thus quaintly Englished: _Homer wiž že hony mouže, žat is to seyn. homer wiž že 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 _-yngė_.] [Footnote I-13: It is nearly always _thilkė_ 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 Hęc dum mecum tacitus ipse reputarem 5 " 2 -- Heu, quam pręcipiti mersa profundo 7 " -- 2 Sed medicinę, inquit, potius tempus est 8 " 3 -- Tunc me discussa liquerunt nocte tenebrę 9 " -- 3 Haud aliter tristitię nebulis dissolutis, hausi coelum 10 " 4 -- Quisquis composito serenus ęvo 12 " -- 4 Sentisne, inquit, hęc, atque animo illabuntur tuo? 13 " 5 -- O stelliferi conditor orbis 21 " -- 5 Hęc ubi continuato dolore delatravi 23 " 6 -- Cum Phoebi radiis grave 25 " -- 6 Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis rogationibus 26 " 7 -- Nubibus atris 29 II -- 1 Posthęc paulisper obticuit 29 " 1 -- Hęc cum superba verterit vices dextra 33 " -- 2 Vellem autem pauca tecum fortunę ipsius 33 " 2 -- Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus 35 " -- 3 His igitur si pro se tecum fortuna loqueretur 36 " 3 -- Cum polo Phoebus 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 ętas 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 pręcipiti 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 sępe, 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 quę 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 Hęc cum Philosophia, dignitate 108 " 1 -- Sunt etenim pennę volucres mihi 110 " -- 2 Tum ego, Papę, inquam, ut magna promittis! 112 " 2 -- Quos vides sedere celso 118 " -- 3 Videsne igitur quanto in coeno 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, quę 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 hęc omnia quę diximus, consequatur? 144 " 7 -- Bella bis quinis operatus annis 147 V -- 1 Dixerat, orationisque cursum ad alia quędam 149 " 1 -- Rupis Achęmenię scopulis, ubi versa sequentum 151 " -- 2 Animadverto, inquam, idque uti tu dicis, ita esse consentio. 152 " 2 -- Puro clarum lumine Phoebum 153 " -- 3 Tum ego, En, inquam, difficiliori rursus ambiguitate confundor. 154 " 3 -- Quęnam discors foedera rerum 159 " -- 4 Tum illa, Vetus, inquit, hęc 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.--Ętas 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. ¶ Žat whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me žinges to be writen. and drery 4 v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiž v{er}ray teers. ¶ At že leest no drede ne my[gh]t[e] ouer-come žo muses. žat žei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. žat is to seyne when I was exiled. [Sidenote: ypalage antithesis] žei žat weren glorie of 8 my you[gh]th whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now že sorouful werdes of me olde man. [Sidenote: Laments his immature old age.] for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted by že harmes žat I haue. {and} sorou haž comau{n}ded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres 12 hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and že slak[e] skyn tremblež vpon myn emty body. [Sidenote: Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.] žilk[e] deež of men is welful žat ne comež not in [gh]eres žat ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comež 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 _my[gh]t[e] ouer-come_--myhte ouercomen 8 _seyne when_--seyn whan 9 _you[gh]th_--MS. žo[gh]t, C. yowthe 10 _sorouful werdes_--sorful wierdes [i. fata] 12 _sorou_--sorwe _haž_--MS. haže _be_--ben 13 _hore_--hoore _ben_--arn _myne_--myn 14 _slak[e]_--slake _vpon_--of _emty_--emptyd _žilk[e]_--thilke 15 _welful_--weleful _comež not_--comth nat 16 _.i. mirie_--omitted] ¶ Allas allas wiž how deef an eere deež cruel to{ur}než awey fro wrecches {and} naiež to closen wepyng eyen. [Sidenote: When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius, but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.] ¶ While fortune vnfeižful fauored[e] me 20 wiž ly[gh]te goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) že sorouful houre žat is to seyne že deež had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. ¶ But now for fortune clowdy haž chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf drawež 24 a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. [Sidenote: Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm that hath thus fallen.] ¶ O [gh]e my frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] [gh]e me to be weleful: [[pg 5]] for he žat haž fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree. [Linenotes: 19 _tournež_--torneth _naiež_--nayteth _wepyng_--wepynge 20 _While_--Whil _fauored[e]_--fauorede 21 _ly[gh]te_--lyhte _.s. temporels_--omitted _sorouful houre_--sorwful howr{e} 22 _seyne_--seyn _had[de]_--hadde _myne_--myn 23 _haž_--MS. haže _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 že mene while žat I stille recorded[e] žise žinges 28 wiž my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wiž office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue že hey[gh]t of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer že comune 32 my[gh]t of men. wiž a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiž swiche vigoure {and} strenkež žat it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al were it so žat sche was ful of so greet age. žat men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere žat 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.] že stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to že comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] žat sche touched[e] že heuene wiž že hey[gh]te 40 of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche p{er}ced[e] že selue heuene. so žat že sy[gh]t of men lokyng was i{n} ydel. [Sidenote: Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.] ¶ Hir cložes weren maked of ry[gh]t delye žredes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. že wyche 44 cložes sche hadde wouen wiž hir owen hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng to me že beaute. že wiche cložes 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 Pi and on the upper Theta.] ¶ In že nežerest[e] hem or bordure of žese cložes me{n} redden [[pg 6]] ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. žat signifiež že lijf actif. And abouen ž{a}t l{ett}re in že hey[gh]est[e] bordure 52 a grekysche T. žat signifiež že lijf contemplatif. [Linenotes: 26 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede _be_--ben 27 _haž_--MS. haže _not_--nat _stedfast_--stidefast 28 _In že mene_--omitted _recorded[e]_--recordede 30 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh _stondyng above_--MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouen _hey[gh]t_--heyhte _my_--myn 31 _greet_--gret 32 _brennyng_--brennynge _clere seing_--cleer seynge 33 _swiche_--swych 34 _strenkež_--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 _sy[gh]t_--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 _nežerest[e]_--nethereste 50 _žese_--thise 51 _swiche_--omitted _gregkysche_--grekyssh{e} _signifiež_--syngnifieth 52 _hey[gh]est[e]_--heyeste] [Headnote: A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.] [Sidenote: Between the letters were steps like a ladder.] ¶ And by-twene žese two l{ett}res žere weren seien degrees nobly wrou[gh]t in manere of laddres. By wyche degrees men my[gh]t[en] clymbe fro že nežemast[e] l{ett}re 56 to že ouermast[e]. [Sidenote: Philosophy's garments were tattered and torn, and pieces had been carried violently off.] ¶ Naželes hondes of su{m} men hadde korue ž{a}t clože by vyolence {and} by strenkež. ¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche peces as he my[gh]te geet[e]. [Sidenote: In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a sceptre.] ¶ And forsože žis forsaide 60 woman ber bookes in hir ry[gh]t honde. {and} in hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sau[gh] žese poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued 64 and glowed[e] wiž 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 haž suffred ap{ro}chen to žis seek[e] man žise comune strumpetis of siche a place žat *men clepen že theatr{e}. ¶ Že wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiž no 68 remedies. but žei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wiž swete venym. ¶ Forsože žise ben žo žat wiž žornes {and} prykkynges of talent[gh] or affecciou{n}s wiche žat ben no žing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen že 72 cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. [Sidenote: They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot free it from its malady.] ¶ For žei holden že hertes of men i{n} usage. but žei ne delyuere not folk fro maladye. but if [gh]e muses hadde wiždrawen fro me wiž [gh]oure flateries. any vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable [[pg 7]] man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges 77 že peple. I wolde wene suffre že lasse greuously. [Linenotes: 54 _by-twene žese_--bytwixen thise _žere_--ther _seien_--seyn 55 _nobly wrou[gh]t_--nobely ywroght _wyche_--whiche 56 _my[gh]t[en] clymbe_--myhten clymbyn _nežemast[e]_--nethereste 57 _ouermast[e]_--vppereste _sum_--some 58 _hadde korue_--hadden koruen _clože_--cloth _strenkež_--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 _sau[gh] žese_--say thise 63 _bedde_--bed _endytyng_--enditynge 64 _ameued_--amoued 65 _glowed[e]_--glowede _haž_--MS. haže, C. hath 66 _seek[e]_--sike _žise_--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 _že_ and _ne_--both omitted 75 _not_--nat _if [gh]e_--MS. if že, 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 žing endamaged. ¶ But [gh]e wiždrawen me 80 žis man žat haž ben norysched in studies or scoles of Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. [Sidenote: She bids the syrens begone.] ¶ But gož now ražer awey [gh]e meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at že laste. {and} suffrež žis man to be cured {and} 84 heled by myne muses. žat is to say by notful sciences. [Sidenote: Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.] ¶ And žus žis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wrožely že chere adou{n}ward to že erže {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame žei passeden sorowfuly že 88 žreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom že sy[gh]t plonged i{n} teres was derked so žat I ne my[gh]t[e] not knowe what žat 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 sy[gh]t adoune in to že 92 erže. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don afterwarde. ¶ Žo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun vpon že vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. [Sidenote: Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.] {and} sche byholdyng my chere žat was cast to že erže heuy {and} 96 greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiž žise wordes ž{a}t I schal sey že p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my žou[gh]t. [Linenotes: 79 _syche_--swhiche _myne_--myn 80 _weren_--ne weeren _[gh]e_--ye 81 _haž_--MS. haže, C. hath _ben_--be _scoles_--schooles 82 _gož_--MS. gože, C. goth 83 _wyche_--whiche žat 85 _say_--seyn _notful_--noteful 86 _I-blamed_--Iblamyd 87 _wrožely_--wrothly _adounward_--downward 88 _redenesse_--rednesse _sorowfuly_--sorwfully 89 _žreschefolde_--thresshfold _sy[gh]t_--syhte 90 _derked_--dyrked _my[gh]t[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 že žou[gh]t of man dreint in ouer žrowyng depnesse dullež {and} forletiž hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. 100 myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiž wiž-oute{n} mesure. ž{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiž 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.] ¶ Žis man žat su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} že heuene was open 104 {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche pažes. {and} sau[gh] že ly[gh]tnesse of že rede sunne. {and} sau[gh] že sterres of že colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} heuene vsež wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. 108 ¶ Žis man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al žis by noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouer žis he was wont to seche že causes whennes že sounyng wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien že smože water of že 112 see. {and} what spirit turnež že stable heuene. {and} whi že sterre rysež oute of že reede eest. to falle in že westren wawes. and what attempriž že lusty houres of že fyrste somer sesou{n} žat hi[gh]tež {and} apparailež 116 že erže wiž rosene floures. ¶ And who makež žat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle [gh]eres fletiž wiž heuy grapes. ¶ And eke žis ma{n} was wont to telle že dyuerses causes of nature žat weren yhid. 120 [Sidenote: But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to the ground.] ¶ Allas now liež he emptid of ly[gh]t of hys žou[gh]t. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiž heuy cheynes {and} berež his chere enclined adoune for že greet[e] wey[gh]t. and is constreyned to loke on foule erže. 124 [Linenotes: 101 _gone_--goon 102 _bisines_--bysynesse _outen_--owte 103 _worldly_--wordely 104 _sumtyme_--whilom 105 _gone_--goon 106 _pažes_--paathes _sau[gh]_--sawh _ly[gh]tnesse_--lythnesse _sunne_--sonne _sau[gh]_--MS. sue, C. sawgh 107 _wyche_--which 108 _risorses_--recourses 111 _seche_--seken _sounyng_--sownynge 114 _rysež oute_--aryseth owt _falle_--fallen 115 _westren_--westrene 116 _fyrste_--fyrst 119 _eke_--ek 120 _dyuerses_--diuerse _yhid_--MS. yhidde 121 _liež_--lith _emptid_--emted 123 _adoune_--adown _greet[e] wey[gh]t_--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 žen of compleynte. ¶ Forsože žen sche entendyng to me warde wiž al že lokyng of hir eyen saide. [Sidenote: Philosophy addresses Boethius.] ¶ Art not žou he q{uo}d sche žat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiž my 128 mylke {and} fostre[d] wiž my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I [gh]af že syche armures žat [gh]if žou ži self ne haddest first caste [[pg 9]] hem away. žei schulden haue defendid že in sykernesse 132 žat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest žou me not. [Sidenote: She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than from stupidity.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 4 _b_.]] *Why art žou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer žat it were for schame. but it semež me žat astony{n}ge haž opp{re}ssed že. [Sidenote: She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of a disordered mind.] ¶ And whan 136 sche say me not oonly stille. but wiž-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 žat is a comune 140 sekenes to hertes žat ben desceiued. ¶ He haž a litel for[gh]eten hym self. but certis he schal ly[gh]tly reme{m}bren hym self. ¶ [Gh]if so be žat he haž 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} žat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. 144 žat ben derked by že cloude of mortel žinges ¶ Žise wordes seide sche. and wiž že lappe of hir garment yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen žat were ful of že wawes of my wepynges. 148 [Linenotes: 125, 126 _žen_--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 _[gh]af_, yaf 131 _syche_--swiche _[gh]if_--yif _caste_--C. cast 132 _away_--awey _schulden haue_--sholden han 133 _not be_--nat ben _Knowest žou_--knowestow 134 _art žou_--artow 136 _haž_--MS. haže 138 _tonge_--tunge _doumbe_--dowmb _honde_--hand 139 _Here_--her 140 _litargie whiche_--litarge which 141 _sekenes_--sykenesse 141, 143 _haž_--MS. haže 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.] ++Žus when žat ny[gh]t was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre a[gh]eyne her firste strenkež. and ry[gh]t by ensample as že sonne is hid when že sterres ben clustred. žat is to 152 sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiž cloudes by a swifte wynde žat hy[gh]t chorus. {and} žat že firmame{n}t stont derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and žat že sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So žat že ny[gh]t semež sprad 156 vpo{n} erže. ¶ Yif žan že wynde žat hy[gh]t borias sent out of že kaues of že contre of Trace betiž žis [[pg 10]] ny[gh]t. žat is to seyn chasiž it away {and} descouerež že closed day. ¶ Žan schinež pheb{us} yshaken wiž 160 sodeyne ly[gh]t {and} smytež wiž hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g eyen. [Linenotes: 149 _when_--whan 150 _myn_--myne _repeyre_--repeyrede 151 _a[gh]eyne_--omitted _her firste_--hir fyrst 152 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hid _when_--whan 153 _sey_--seyn _when_--whan 154 _hy[gh]t_--heyhte _chorus_--MS. thorus _stont_--MS. stonde, C. stant 157 _žan_--thanne _wynde_--wynd _hy[gh]t_--hyhte 158 _sent_--isent 160 _žan_--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.] ++Ry[gh]t so {and} none ožer wyse že cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and} don awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} 164 receyuede mynde to knowe že face of my fyciscien. ¶ So žat 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 [gh]ouže. 168 {and} I seide žus. [Sidenote: He addresses her.] ¶ O žou maistresse of alle uertues descendid fro že souereyne sete. Whi art žou comen in to žis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art žou comen for ž{o}u art mad coupable wiž 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 že now. and scholde I not parte wiž že by comune trauaille že charge žat žou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten 176 wiž-outen compaignie že wey of hym žat is i{n}nocent. [Sidenote: She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new thing.] ¶ Scholde I žan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as žou[gh] žer were byfallen a newe žing. q. d. non. ¶ For trowest žou žat philosophi be now alžerfirst 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 wiž ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore že age of my plato a[gh]eins že foolhardines of foly {and} eke že same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates 184 deserued[e] victorie of vnry[gh]tful deež in my presence. [Sidenote: Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans and Stoics wanted to get a part.] ¶ Že heritage of wyche socrates. že h{er}itage is to seyne že doctrine of že whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of [[pg 11]] felicite žat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan žat že people 188 of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many ožer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part žat is to seyne. žat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to že defence of his oppiniou{n} že 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.] ¶ Žei as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng žer a[gh]eins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cložes žat I hadde woue{n} wiž myn handes. {and} wiž že cloutes žat žei hadden arased oute of my cložes. žei 196 wenten awey wenyng žat I hadde gon wiž he{m} euery dele. [Sidenote: Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.] In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as žer semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of myne habit. [Sidenote: [* fol. 5.]] že folye of men wenyng žo epicuryens 200 {and} stoyciens my *familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me žoru[gh] že errour of že 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.] ¶ Žis is to seyne for žei semeden philosophres: žei weren p{ur}sued to že deež 204 and slayn. ¶ So yif žou hast not knowen že exilynge of anaxogore. ne že empoysenyng of socrates. ne že to{ur}ment[gh] of [gh]eno for žei [weren] straungers. ¶ [Gh]it my[gh]test žou haue knowe{n} že senectiens {and} že Canyos 208 {and} že sorancis of wyche folk že renou{n} is neyžer ouer oolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Že whiche men no žing ellys ne brou[gh]t[e] hem to že deež but oonly for žei weren enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke 212 to že studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forži žou au[gh]test not to wondre žou[gh] ž{a}t I in že bitter see of žis lijf be fordryuen wiž 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 že whiche te{m}peste žis is my most p{ur}pos žat is to seyn to displese 216 to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al be že oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned wiž no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by flityng errour folyly {and} ly[gh]tly. [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 žei somtyme 220 maky{n}g an ost a[gh]eynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure leder drawež to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} žei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we žat ben hey[gh] abouen syker 224 fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed in syche a palays. whider as žat chateryng or anoying folye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] žinges. 228 [Linenotes: 163 _none ožer_--non oother _sorowe_--sorwe 165 _knowe_--knowen 166 _myne_--myn _festned[e]_--fastnede 170 _fro_--from 170, 171 _art žou_--artow 172 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked _fals[e]_--false 174 _parte_--parten 176 _nar[e]_--nere _sittyng_--sittinge 178 _žan_--thanne 179 _žing_--thing _q.d. non_--omitted 180 _trowest žou_--trowestow _alžerfirst_--alderfirst 181 _wicked[e]_--wikkede 182 _strife_--strif 183 _a[gh]eins_--ayenis _foolhardines_--foolhardinesse _foly_--folie 184 _eke_--ek 185 _deserued[e]_--desseruede 186 _wyche_--the which _seyne_--seyn 188 _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse 189 _ožer_--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 _žoru[gh]_--thorw _wikked[e]_--wikkede _vnkunnyng[e]_--vnkunnynge 203 _seyne_--seyn ž{a}t 204 _semeden_--semede _pursued_--MS. pursuede, C. pursued 205 _slayn_--MS. slayne, C. slayn 207 [_weren_]--weeren 208 _my[gh]test žou haue_--myhtestow han 209 _sorancis_--sorans _wyche_--which _is_--nis 210 _oolde_--MS. colde, C. old 211 _brou[gh]t[e]_--browhte 212 _enfourmed_--MS. vnfourmed, C. enformyd _my_--myne _vnlyke_--vnlyk 213 _wicked folk_--wikkede foolk{e} _au[gh]test_--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 _ly[gh]tly_--lythly _if_--yif 221 _a[gh]eynest_--ayenis 222 _to----rycchesse_, to gydere hise rychesses _toure_--towr 224 _hey[gh]_--heye 225 _al_--alle _ben_--omitted _stored_--warnestored 226 _syche_--swich _žat_--omitted 227 _scorne_--schorne 228 _rauiners----žinges_--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 žat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng. žat haž put vnderfote že prowed[e] wierdes {and} lokiž vpry[gh]t vpon eyžer fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Že rage ne že manace 232 of že co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro že botme. ne schal not moeue žat man. ne že vnstable mountaigne žat hy[gh]t veseuus. žat wirchež oute žoru[gh] hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne že wey 236 of žonder ly[gh]t žat is wont to smyte hey[gh]e toures ne schal not mouene žat man. [Sidenote: Fear not the tyrant's rage.] ¶ Wherto žen wrecches drede [gh]e tyrauntes žat ben wode {and} felownes wiž-outen ony strenkež. [Sidenote: He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the tyrant.] ¶ Hope after no žing ne drede nat. {and} 240 so schalt žou desarmen že ire of žilke vnmy[gh]ty tyraunt. [[pg 13]] [Sidenote: He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges his own fetters.] ¶ But who so žat quakyng dredež or desirež žing žat nis not stable of his ry[gh]t. žat man žat so dož haž cast awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and} 244 enlacež hym i{n} že cheyne wiž whiche he may be drawen. [Linenotes: 229 _clere_--cleer 230 _lyuyng_--leuynge _haž_--MS. haže _vnderfote_--vndir-foot _prowed[e]_--prowde 231 _may----chiere_--may his cheere holde 232 _manace_--manesses 233 _že_--že see 235 _hy[gh]t_--hihte _veseuus_--MS. vesenus _wirchež_--writith 236 _broken[e]_--brokene _smokyng_--smokynge 237 _smyte_--smyten 238 _Wherto žen_--wharto thanne 239 _felownes----ony_--felonos withowte any 241 _schalt žou desarmen_--shaltow deseruien 243 _dož_--MS. dože, C. doth _haž_--MS. haže, 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 žou q{uod} sche žise žinges {and} entren žei ou[gh]t in ži corage. ¶ Art žou like an asse to že harpe. 248 Whi wepest žou whi spillest žou teres. ¶ Yif žou abidest after helpe of ži leche. že byhouež discouere ži wounde. [Sidenote: Boethius complains of Fortune's unrelenting rage.] ¶ Žo .I. žat hadde gadered strenkež in my corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nedež it [gh]itte q{uod} 252 .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} schewež it not ynou[gh] by hym self že scharpnes of fortune žat wexež woode a[gh]eynes me. [Sidenote: Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his prison?] ¶ Ne moeuež it nat že to seen že face or že man{er}e of žis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). [Sidenote: His library, his habit, and his countenance are all changed.] ¶ Is žis 256 že librarie wyche žat žou haddest chosen for a ry[gh]t certeyne sege to že i{n} myne house. ¶ Žere as žou desputest of[te] wiž me of že sciences of žinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was žan 260 myn habit swiche as it is now. was žan my face or [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.] my chere swiche as now. ¶ Whan I sou[gh]t[e] wiž že secretys of nature. whan žou enfo{ur}medest my maners {and} že resou{n} of al my lijf. to že ensaumple of že ordre 264 of heuene. [Sidenote: Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?] [Interlinear: ironice] ¶ Is nat žis že gerdou{n} žat I refere to že to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis žou enfo{ur}medist by že mouže of plato žis 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.] žat is to seyne žat co{m}mune žinges or comunabletes weren 268 blysful yif žei žat haden studied al fully to wisdom [[pg 14]] gouerneden žilke žinges. [Sidenote: [* fol. 5 _b_.]] or ellys yif it so by-felle žat že gouernours *of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes. [Linenotes: 247 _Felest žou_--Felistow _ou[gh]t_--awht 248 _art žou_--artow 249 _wepest žou_--wepistow _spillest žou_--spillestow 252 _answered[e]_--answerede 255 _woode_--wood 257 _wyche_--which 258 _myne house žere_--myn hows ther 259 _desputest of[te]_--desputedest ofte 260 _žan_--thanne 261 _it_ and _žan_--both omitted 261, 262 _swiche_--swich 262 _sou[gh]t[e]_--sowhte 263 _secretys_--secret[gh] _my_--MS. me, C. my 264 _al_--alle 265 _gerdoun_--gerdouns 266 _enfourmedist_--conformedest 267 _mouže_--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.] ¶ Žou saidest eke by že mouže of že same 272 plato žat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire že gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune ži{n}ges. for žat že gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in že hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citi[gh]enis 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 žerfore I folowynge žilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng to put[te] furže in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} žo žinges žat .I. hadde lerned of že 280 among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Žou {and} god ž{a}t put[te] žee in že žou[gh]tis of wise folk ben knowen wiž me žat no žing brou[gh]t[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but že comune studie of al goodenes. [Sidenote: He sought to do good to all, but became involved in discord with the wicked.] ¶ And žer-of comež 284 it žat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. žat ne my[gh]ten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. [Sidenote: Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger of the most powerful.] ¶ For žis libertee haž fredom of conscience žat že wražže of more my[gh]ty folk haž alwey ben despised of me for 288 saluac{i}ou{n} of ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of Triguilla.] ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wižstonde žilk man žat hy[gh]t[e] conigaste žat made alwey assautes a[gh]eins že p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. [gh]itte put of. or cast out 292 hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of že kynges hous bože of že wronges žat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by že auctorite of me put a[gh]eins p{er}ils. [Sidenote: He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor folk.] žat is to seine put 296 myne auctorite in peril for že wreched pore folke. žat že couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey [[pg 15]] wiž myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. [Linenotes: 272 _eke_--ek 275 _comune_--omitted _y-left_--MS. ylefte, C. yleft 276 _Citi[gh]enis_--citesenes _brynge inne_--bryngen in 278 _žerfore_--therfor _žilk_--thilke _desiryng_--desired 279 _put[te] furže_--putten forth 280 _žo_--thilke 282 _put[te]_--putte 283 _brou[gh]t[e]_--ne browhte 284 _že_--omitted _al goodenes_--alle goodnesse _comež_--comth 287, 288 _haž_--MS. haže 289 _saluacioun_--sauacioun 290 _žilk_--thilke _hy[gh]t[e]_--hyhte 290 _conigaste_--MS. coniugaste 292 _ofte_--ofte ek _[gh]itte_--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 [gh]itte fro ry[gh]t to wro{n}g. When I say že 300 fortunes {and} že rychesse of že people of že p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyžer 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 žei žat suffred[e] že harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan žat theodoric že kyng of 304 gothes in a dere [gh]ere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede žat no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} žat at a dere greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod žat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it 308 knowy{n}g al žis že kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} žat is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere žat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n} as who so bou[gh]t[e] a busshel corn he most[e] [gh]eue že 312 ky{n}g že fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ [Sidenote: I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.] ¶ Whan it was in že soure hungry tyme žere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n} žat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al že p{ro}uince of 316 co{m}paigne I took strif a[gh]eins že p{ro}uost of že pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And že kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it so žat že 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 že rychesse 320 of že whyche paulyn že houndys of že palays. žat is to seyn že officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} couetise ¶ [Gh]it drow I hym out of že Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem žat gapede{n}. [Sidenote: I defended Albinus against Cyprian.] ¶ And for as myche as že peyne 324 of že accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of Rome. I put[te] me a[gh]enis že hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s [[pg 16]] of že accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not žan ynought yseyn 328 žat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes a[gh]eins my self. [Sidenote: For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at Court.] but I aughte be more asseured a[gh]enis alle ožer folk žat for že loue of ry[gh]twisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no žing to my self to hem ward of že kynges halle .s. officers. 332 by že whiche I were že more syker. ¶ But žoru[gh] že same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. [Linenotes: 300 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. weth drowh _[gh]itte_--yit _wrong_--wronge 301 _rychesse_--richesses _že_ (2)--omitted 302 _harmed eyžer_--harmyd or amenused owther 303 _tributis_--tribut[gh] _suffred[e]_--suffreden 304 _harme_--harm 305 _[gh]ere_--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 _bou[gh]t[e]_--bowhte _busshel_--bossel _most[e] [gh]eue_--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 _ožer_--oothre 333 _by že whiche_--by which _žoru[gh] že_--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 že noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius žat somtyme was chased out of že 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 žat že Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem bože to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes 340 wiž-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement žei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy houses. [Sidenote: [* fol. 6.]] *žat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan žis was ap{er}ceiued to že kyng. he comaunded[e] 344 but žat žei voided[e] že citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned žat men scholde merken hem on že forheued wiž an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what žing semež že my[gh]t[e] be lykned to žis 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 žilk same day was receyued že accusyng of my name by žilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What may be seid herto. haž my studie {and} my konnyng deserued žus. or ellys že forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. 352 made žat hem ry[gh]tful 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 žis. [Certes alle hadde nat fortune ben asshamyd] žat i{n}nocence was accused. 355 [gh]it au[gh]t[e] sche haue had schame of že filže of myn accuso{ur}s. [Linenotes: 335 _whiche_--the whiche _one_--oon _somtyme_--whilom 339 _sumtyme_--whilon 340 _go_--gon _her_--hir 341 _wiž-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 _že_--omitted _my[gh]t[e] be_--myhte ben 349 _žilk_--thilke 350 _žilk[e]_--thilke 351 _be_--ben _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _haž_--MS. haže 354, 355 [_Certes----asshamyd_]--from C. 356 _au[gh]t[e]_--owte _haue had_--han had, MS. hadde] [[pg 17]] [Headnote: THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.] ¶ But axest žou 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 žat I wolde sauen že co{m}paignie of že senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest žou to here in what manere .I. am accused žat I scholde han distourbed 360 že accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he scholde han maked že senatours gilty a[gh]eins že kynges Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest žou of žis. schal .I. forsake žis blame žat I ne be no schame to 364 že (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. žat is to seyne že sauuaciou{n} of že senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne it. {and} žat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but že entent of že accusour to be destourbed schal cese. 368 ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie žan or a synne žat I haue desired že sauuaciou{n} of že ordre of že senat. and certys [gh]it hadde žilk same senat don by me žoru[gh] her decret[gh] {and} hire iugementys as žou[gh] it were a synne 372 or a felonie žat is to seyne to wilne že sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). [Sidenote: (Folly cannot change the merit of things.] ¶ But folye žat lieth alwey to hym self may not chaunge že merit of žinges. [Sidenote: According to Socrates' judgment it is not lawful to hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)] ¶ Ne .I. trowe not by že iugement of socrates ž{a}t it were leueful 376 to me to hide že sože. ne assent[e] to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of žis I put[te] it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to že iugeme{n}t of že {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of whiche žing al že ordinaunce {and} že sože for as moche 380 as folk žat 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 že l{ett}res falsly maked. by whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped že fredom of 384 Rome. What app{er}tenež me to speken žer-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 že fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at že [[pg 18]] co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Že whiche žing in 388 alle nedys haž grete strenkež. ¶ For what ož{er} fredo{m} may men hopen. [Sidenote: But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped for.] Certys I wolde žat some ož{er} fredom my[gh]t[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde žan haue answered by že wordes of a man žat hy[gh]t[e] Canius. for whan he was 392 accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son žat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked a[gh]eins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Žis Canius answered[e] žus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it žou haddest not wist it. 396 [Linenotes: 357 _axest žou_--axestow 358 _seyne_--seyn _sauen_--saue 359 _desirest žou_--desires thow _here_--hereen 362 _maked_--MS. maken, C. makyd 363 _demest žou_--demestow 365 _wold_--MS. wolde, C. wold 366 _seyne_--seyn 367 _žat_--omitted _am_--I am 368 _be_--ben 369 _it_--it thanne _žan_--omitted 371 _žilk_--thilke 372 _her_--hir _hire_--hir _žou[gh]_--thogh 373 _or_--and _seyne_--seyn 374 _lieth_--MS. lieže, 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 _haž_--MS. haže, C. hath _grete_--gret _what_--omitted 390 _some_--som 391 _my[gh]t[e] be_--myhte ben _žan haue_--thanne han 392 _hy[gh]t[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 žing sorwe haž not so dulled my witte ž{a}t I pleyne oonly žat schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies a[gh]eins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how žat žei may p{er}forme žinges žat žei had[de] hoped forto 400 done. [Sidenote: The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human nature.] For why. to wylne schrewednesse žat comež 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 žat in že p{re}se{n}t sy[gh]t of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche 404 žinges. as euery felonous man haž conceyued in hys žou[gh]t a[gh]eins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche žing oon of ži familers not vnskilfully axed žus. [Sidenote: If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is none, whence arises good?] ¶ [Gh]if god is. whennes comen wikked[e] žinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes 408 comen goode žinges. but al hadde it ben leueful žat felonous folk žat now desiren že bloode {and} že deež of alle goode men. {and} eke of al že senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom žei han seyn alwey bataile{n} 412 {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al že senat. [Gh]it hadde I not desserued of že fadres. žat is to seyne of že senatours žat žei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. [Sidenote: Boethius defends the integrity of his life.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 6 _b_.]] ¶ Žou remembrest wele as I gesse žat whan I wolde [[pg 19]] don or *seyn any žing. žou ži self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. 417 [Sidenote: He defended the Senate at Verona.] ¶ At že citee of verone wha{n} žat že kyng gredy of comune slau[gh]ter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al že ordre of že senat. že gilt of his real 420 maieste of že whiche gilt žat albyn was accused. wiž how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al že senat. [Sidenote: He spake only the truth, and did not boast.] ¶ Žou wost wel žat I seide sože. 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 wy[gh]t resceiuež p{re}ciouse renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiž že secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now žou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. 428 [Linenotes: 397 _whiche_--which _sorwe_--sorw _haž_--MS. haže _witte_--wit 398 _schrewed[e]_--shrewede 399 _folies_--felonies _vertues_--vertu 400 _had[de]_--han 401 _done_--don _comež_--comth 402 _lyke to a_--lyk a 404 _sy[gh]t_--syhte 405 _haž_--MS. haže 406 _innocent_--innocent[gh] _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 _že_ (1)--omitted 419 _slau[gh]ter_--slawhtre 420 _transporten vpon_--transpor vp 422 _grete_--gret _defended[e]_--deffendede 423 _seide sože_--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. žat is to seyne as myne accusyng haž. ¶ Žat ožer errour of 432 mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune žat is vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. žat is to seyne žat 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 žou[gh] I had[de] ben accused žat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys wiž wicked swerde. ¶ or žat .I. had[de] grayžed deež to alle goode men algatis že 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 že Citee of rome almost fyue-hundrež žousand pas. I am wiž outen defence dampned to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to že deež. for že studie {and} bountees žat I haue done to že senat. ¶ But o wel ben 444 žei worži of mercye (as who seiž nay.) žer my[gh]t[e] neuer [gh]it 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 že dignitee. [Linenotes: 429 _in_--for 430 _vertue_--vertu 431 _had[de]_--hadde 432 _seyne_--seyn _myne_--myn _haž_--MS. haže 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 _žousand_--MS. žousas _wiž outen_--withowte 444 _done_--doon 445 _my[gh]t[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.] že wiche dignite for žei wolde derken it 448 wiž medelyng of some felonye. žei beren me on honde {and} lieden. žat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience wiž sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys žou ži self žat art plaunted in me chacedest oute 452 že sege of my corage al couetise of mortal žinges. ne sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne žine eyen. [Sidenote: He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim of Pythagoras,-- #hepou Theō#.] ¶ For žou drouppedest euery day in myn eer{e}s {and} in my žou[gh]t žilk comaundement of pictogoras. 456 žat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of že foulest spirites. ¶ I žat žou hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence ž{a}t [žou] makedest 460 me lyke to god. and ouer žis že ry[gh]t clene secre chaumbre of myn house. [Sidenote: His family and friends could clear him from all suspicion of the crime of sorcery.] žat is to seye my wijf {and} že co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues fadir as wel holy as worži to ben reuerenced žoru[gh] 464 hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For žei žat accusen me taken of že philosophie feiže of so grete blame. [Sidenote: Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.] ¶ For 467 žei trowen žat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tement[gh] by cause žat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiž ži techynges. {and} enformed of ži maners. ¶ And žus it sufficež not only žat ži reuerence ne auayle me not. but [gh]if žat žou of ži fre wille ražer be blemissed 472 wiž myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to že harmes žat I haue žere bytydež [gh]it žis 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 _žilk_--thilke 457 _seyne_--seyn _seruen_--serue _god_--godde 459 _helpe_--help _spirites_--spirite 460 _set_--MS. sette, C. set _syche_--swiche [_žou_]--thow 461 _lyke_--lyk 462 _house_--hows _seye_--seyn 463 _myn_--my 465 _owen_--owne _of al_--from alle _syche_--swich 467 _philosophie_--philosophre _feiže_--feyth _grete_--gret 468 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 473 _myne_--myn 474 _žere_--ther _harme_--harm] [[pg 21]] [Headnote: BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.] žat že gessinge {and} že iugement of myche folk ne loken no žing to že[de]sertys of žinges but only to že 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 žat only swiche žinges ben p{ur}ueied of god. whiche žat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiž. _Glosa._ ¶ As žus žat yif a wy[gh]t haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} worži to haue žat 480 p{ro}sperite. [Sidenote: The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.] and who so haž aduersite he is a wikked man. {and} god haž forsake hym. {and} he is worži to haue žat aduersite. ¶ Žis is že opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. [Sidenote: [* Text begins again.]] *{and} žer of comež žat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of 484 al ži{n}g forsakež wrecches certys it greuež me to žink[e] ry[gh]t now že dyuerse sentences žat že poeple seiž of me. ¶ And žus moche I seye žat že laste charge of contrarious fortune is žis. [Sidenote: [* fol. 7.]] *žat whan žat ony blame is 488 laid vpon a caytif. men wenen žat he haž deserued žat he suffrež. [Sidenote: Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and reputation.] ¶ And I žat 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 semež žat I se že felonus couines of wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se žat euery lorel shapiž hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se žat goode 496 men ben ou{er}žrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben excited žerto by [gh]iftes. and i{n}nocent[gh] ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence 500 {and} žerfore me list to crien to god in žis manere. [Linenotes: 475 _myche_--moche 476 _že[de]sertys_--the desert[gh] 479 _Glosa_--glose 480 _good_--MS. goode, C. good _haue_--han 481 _so_--omitted in C. 481, 482 _haž_--MS. haže 483 _haue_--han 484 _Fyrste_--fyrst 485 _al_--alle _žink[e]_--thinke 488 _ony_--any 489 _laid_--MS. laide, C. leyd _haž_--MS. haže 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 žou maker of že whele žat berež že sterres. whiche žat art fastned to ži p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest že heuene wiž a rauyssyng sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest [[pg 22]] že sterres to suffren ži lawe. ¶ So ž{a}t že 505 mone somtyme schynyng wiž hir ful hornes metyng wiž alle že bemes of že sonne. [Sidenote: The sun obscures the lesser lights, and quenches even the moon's light.] ¶ Hir brožer hidež že sterres žat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan že mone 508 pale wiž hir derke hornes approchež že sonne. leesith hir ly[gh]tes. [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 žat že euesterre esperus whiche žat in že first[e] tyme of že ny[gh]t bryngež furže hir colde arysynges comež eft a[gh]eynes hir vsed cours. {and} 512 is pale by že morwe at že rysynge of že sonne. and is žan cleped lucifer. ¶ Žou restreinest že day by schorter dwellyng in že tyme of colde wynter žat makež že leues to falle. ¶ Žou diuidest že swifte tides of že 516 ny[gh]t when že hote somer is comen. [Sidenote: Thou controllest the changing seasons of the year.] ¶ Ži my[gh]t attempre[ž] žo variau{n}t[gh] sesons of že [gh]ere. so žat [gh]epherus že deboneire wynde bringež a[gh]ein in že first[e] somer sesou{n} že leues žat že wynde žat hy[gh]t[e] boreas 520 haž reft awey in autu{m}pne. žat is to seyne in že laste eende of somer. and že sedes žat že sterre žat hy[gh]t arctur{us} saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan že sterre sirius eschaufež hym. 524 [Sidenote: All nature is bound by thy eternal law.] ¶ Žere nis no žing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forletež 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 _furže_--forth 512 _eft_--est 514 _restreinest_--MS. restreniest 516 _to_--omitted 518 _attempre[ž] žo_--atempreth the _sesons_--sesoun _[gh]ere_--yer 519 _wynde bringež_--wynd brengeth 520 _wynde_--wynd _hy[gh]t[e]_--hihte 521 _reft_--MS. refte, C. reft _seyne_--seyn 522 _hy[gh]t_--hihte _arcturus_--MS. aritur{us} 523 _saw_--MS. sawež, C. sawgh _hey[e]_--hyye 524 _hym_--hem _žere_--ther _žing_--thinge 525 _from_--fram _forletež hym of_--forleetheth že werke of] [Headnote: CONTRASTED WITH THE ORDER OF NATURE.] [Sidenote: Why, then, leavest thou man's actions uncontrolled?] ¶ O žou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle žinges by certeyne ende. why refusest žou oonly to gouerne že werkes of men by dewe manere. [Sidenote: Why should fickle fortune be allowed to work such mighty changes in the world?] ¶ Whi suffrest ž{o}u žat slidyng 528 fortune turnež to grete vtter chaungynges of žinges. so žat anoious peyne žat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissit[gh] innocent[gh]. [Sidenote: The wicked are prosperous, while the righteous are in adversity.] ¶ And folk of wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in hei[gh]e chaiers. {and} anoienge folk 532 treden {and} žat vnry[gh]tfully in že nekkes of holy men. [[pg 23]] ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke dirkenesses. {and} že ry[gh]tful man beriž že blame {and} že peyne of že felowne. ¶ Ne že forsweryng ne 536 že fraude couered {and} kembd wiž a fals colo{ur} ne a-noyež not to schrewes. ¶ Že whiche schrewes whan hem lyst to vsen her strengže žei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem že souerayne kynges. whiche ž{a}t 540 poeple wiž[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 žou what so euer žou be žat knyttes[t] alle bondes of žinges loke on žise wrecched[e] eržes. we men žat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we 544 ben turmentid in že see of fortune. ¶ Žou gouerno{ur} wiždraw {and} restreyne že rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne {and} forme žise eržes stable wiž žilke [bonde] wiž whiche žou gouernest že heuene žat is so large. 548 [Linenotes: 527 _refusest žou_--refowsestow 529 _to----žinges_--so grete entrechaunginges of thynges 531 _punissit[gh]_--punysshe _wikked[e]_--wykkede 532 _hei[gh]e_--heer{e} 533 _in_--oon 534 {and}--omitted 536 _Ne že forsweryng_--Ne forswerynge 537 _kembd_--MS. kembde, C. kembd 541 _wiž[outen]_--withhowtyn 542 _knyttes[t]_--knyttest 543 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede 544 _a_ (2)--omitted 545 _že_--this 546 _wiždraw_--MS. wiždrawe, C. withdrawh _že_--thei 547 _forme_--ferme [_bonde_]--from C. _wiž_--by] [Headnote: PHILOSOPHY CONSOLES BOETHIUS,] HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: Philosophy consoles Boethius.] ++Whan I hadde wiž a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out žise žinges sche wiž hir chere peisible {and} no ži{n}g amoeued. wiž my compleyntes seide ž{us}. whan I say že q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] 552 on-one žat žou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer žine exile was: [gh]if ži tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be žou fer fro ži contre. [Sidenote: [* fol. 7 _b_.]] žou nart *nat put out of it. but žou hast 556 fayled of ži weye {and} gon amys. [Sidenote: She speaks to him of his country.] ¶ and yif žou hast leuer forto wene žan žou be put out of ži contre. žan hast žou put oute ži self ražer žen ony ožer wy[gh]t haž. [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 _haž_--MS. haže] [Headnote: AND PROPOSES TO ADMINISTER REMEDIES.] ¶ For no wy[gh]t but ži self ne my[gh]t[e] neuer haue don 560 žat to že. [[pg 24]] [Sidenote: She reminds him that he is a citizen of a country not governed by a giddy multitude, but #heis koiranos estin, heis basileus#.] ¶ For [gh]if žou remembre of what contre žou art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren že contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} žat is god 564 žat is lorde of ži contree. whiche žat reioisež hym of že dwellyng of hys Cite[gh]enis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of že whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by že bridel of hym and obeie to his 568 iustice. [Sidenote: The Commonwealth of Boethius.] ¶ Hast žou for[gh]eten žilke ry[gh]t olde lawe of ži Citee. in že whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed žat what wy[gh]t žat haž leuer founden žer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. žen ellys where: he may not be exiled 572 by no ry[gh]t fro žat place. ¶ For who so žat is co{n}tened in-wiž že paleis [{and} the clos] of žilke Citee. žer nis no drede žat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who žat lettež že wille forto enhabit[e] žere. he forletež 576 also to deserue to ben Cite[gh]ein of žilke Citee. [Sidenote: Philosophy says she is moved more by the looks of Boethius than by his gloomy prison.] ¶ So žat I seye žat že face of žis place ne amoeuež me nat so myche as žine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not ražer že walles of ži librarie apparailled {and} wrou[gh]t 580 wiž yvory {and} wiž glas žan after že sete of ži žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: Books are to be valued on account of the _thoughts_ they contain.] In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte žat žat makež bookes worži of p{ri}s or p{re}cious žat is to sein že sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of 584 ži dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. žou hast seid sože but after že multitude of ži goode dedys. žou hast seid fewe. {and} of že vnhonestee or falsnesse of žinges žat ben opposed a[gh]eins že. žou hast remembred žinges 588 žat be{n} knowe to alle folk. [Sidenote: Boethius has rightfully and briefly recounted the frauds of his accusers.] and of že felonies {and} fraudes of žine accuso{ur}s. it semež že haue I-touched it forsože ry[gh]tfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al my[gh]ten žo same žinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth [[pg 25]] in že mouže of že poeple ž{a}t knowež al žis. ¶ Žou 593 hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of že wrongful dede of že senat. ¶ And žou 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} žou hast wepen for že damage of ži renoune 596 žat is appaired. {and} ži laste sorwe eschaufed a[gh]eins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest žat gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche [gh]olde to že desertes of folk. {and} in že l{att}re ende of ži woode muse žou p{r}iedest ž{a}t žilke pees žat 600 gouernež že heuene scholde gou{er}ne že erže ¶ But for žat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed že. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen žee dyuersely [Sidenote: Strong medicines are not proper for thee now, distracted by grief, anger, and sadness.] ¶ As žou art now feble of žou[gh]t. my[gh]tyer 604 remedies ne schullen not [gh]it touchen že for whiche we wil[e] vsen somedel ly[gh]ter medicines. [Sidenote: Light medicines must prepare thee for sharper remedies.] So žat žilk[e] passiou{n}s žat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to ži žou[gh]t mowen woxe esy 608 {and} softe to receyue{n} že strenkež of a more my[gh]ty {and} more egre medicine by an esier touchyng. [Linenotes: 560 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _haue_--han _don_--MS. done, C. don 562 _born_--MS. borne, C. born 566 _hys_--hise _putte_--put 568 _be_--ben 571 _haž_--MS. haže 572 _house_--hows 574 [_and----clos_]--from C. 576 _wille_--wyl _enhabit[e]_--enhabyte 578 _seye_--sey _amoeuež_--moueth 579 _myche_--mochel _owen_--owne _ne_ (2)--omitted 582 _putte_ (_both_)--put _somtyme_--whilom 585 _decertes_--desertes _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyde 586 _sože_--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 _[gh]olde_--yolden 602 _many_--manye 604 _my[gh]tyer_--myhtyer{e} 605 _whiche_--which 606 _wil[e]_--wol _ly[gh]ter_--lyhter{e} _žilk[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 žat že heuy sterre of že cancre eschaufež by že beme of pheb{us}. žat is to seyne whan žat pheb{us} 612 že sonne is in že signe of že Cancre. Who so [gh]euež žan largely hys sedes to že feldes žat refuse to receiuen hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust žat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes. [Sidenote: Think not to ingather violets in the wintry and stormy season.] yif žou wilt 616 gadre violett[gh]. ne go žou not to že purp{er} wode whan že felde chirkynge agrisež of colde by že felnesse of že wynde žat hy[gh]t aquilon [Sidenote: If you wish for wine in autumn let the tendrils of the vine be free in the spring.] Yif žou desirest or ¶ wolt vsen grapes ne seke žou nat wiž a gloto{n}us hande [[pg 26]] to streine {and} p{re}sse že stalkes of že vine in že first 621 somer sesou{n}. for bachus že god of wyne haž ražer [gh]euen his [gh]iftes to autu{m}pne že latter ende of somer. [Sidenote: To every work God assigns a proper time, nor suffers anything to pass its bounds.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 8.]] ¶ God tokeniž {and} assignež *že tymes. ablyng hem 624 to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffrež not stoundes whiche žat hym self haž 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 forži he žat forletež certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}žrowyng wey. 628 he ne haž 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 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte 620 _hande_--hond 622 _haž_--MS. haže 625 _her propre_--heer{e} propres _not_--nat the 626 _haž_--MS. haže 627 _be medeled_--ben I-medled 628 _certeyne_--certeyn 629 _haž_--MS. haže] [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 žou suffre me to touche {and} assaie že stat of ži žou[gh]t by a fewe demaundes. so žat I may vnderstonde what be že manere of ži curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe 632 me q{uod} .I. atte ži wille what žou wilt. {and} I schal answer{e}. [Sidenote: _P._ Is the world governed by Chance?] ¶ Žo saide sche žus. whežer wenest žou q{uo}d sche ž{a}t žis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or elles wenest žou žat žer 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 žat so certeyne žinges scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel žat god maker {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of žis werk. [Sidenote: I shall never swerve from this opinion.] Ne neuer nas 640 [gh]it day žat my[gh]t[e] putte me oute of že soženesse of žat 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 že same žing songe žou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and} byweptest. žat only men weren put oute of že cure of 644 god. ¶ For of alle ožer žinges žou ne doutest nat žat žei 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 žat žou art seek. sižen žou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken 648 depper. I coniecte žat žere lakkež I not what. [[pg 27]] [Sidenote: Tell me how the world is governed.] but sey me žis. sižen žat žou ne doutest nat ž{a}t žis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiž swycche gouernailes takest žou hede žat it is gouerned. [Sidenote: _B._ I do not thoroughly comprehend your question.] ¶ vnnež q{uod} .I. knowe 652 .I. že sente{n}ce of ži q{ue}stiou{n}. so žat I ne may nat [gh]it answeren to ži 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 žat žere ne failež su{m}what. by whiche že maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to ži žou[gh]t. so 656 as že strengže of že paleys schynyng is open. [Sidenote: Tell me what is the chief end of all things; and whither all things tend.] ¶ But seye me žis reme{m}brest žou ou[gh]t what is že ende of ži žinges. whider žat že entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendež. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse 660 haž dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche žou wost wel whe{n}nes žat alle žinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded. [Sidenote: _B._ God is the beginning of all things.] I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] žat god is že bygynnyng of al. [Sidenote: _P._ How, then, art thou ignorant of their end?] ¶ And how may žis be 664 q{uod} sche žat sižen ž{o}u knowest že bygynnyng of žinges. žat žou ne knowest not what is že endyng of žinges. [Sidenote: But it is the nature of these perturbations (which thou endurest) to unsettle men's minds.] but swiche ben že customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} žis power žei han. žat žei may moeue a ma{n} fro 668 hys place. žat is to seyne from že stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys žei may not al arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde žat žou woldest answere to žis. [Sidenote: Dost thou remember that thou art a man?] ¶ Remembrest žou žat 672 žou art a man [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly I do.] ¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre žat q{uod} .I. [Sidenote: _P._ What is man?] _Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste žou not telle me žan q{uod} sche what žing 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. whežir žat be a resonable best mortel. I 676 wot wel {and} I confesse wel žat I am it. [Sidenote: _P._ But dost thou not know that thou art more than this?] ¶ Wistest žou neuer [gh]it žat žou were ony ožer žing q{uod} she. [Linenotes: 630 _wolt žou_--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 _my[gh]t[e] putte_--myhte put 644 _put_--MS. putte 645 _doutest_--dowtedest 646 _how_--owh 647 _seek sižen_--syk{e} syn 648 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 649 _depper_--depper{e} _not what_--not ner{e} what 650 _sižen_--syn _worlde_--world 651 _takest žou_--takestow 658 _seye_--sey _remembrest žou_--remenbres thow _ou[gh]t_--omitted 659 _al_--alle 660 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde _herd told it_--herd yt toold 661 _haž_--MS. haže 663 _proceded_--procedeth _ansewered[e]_--answerede 664 _že_--omitted _al_--alle 665 _sižen_--syn 668 _fro_--owt of 669 _seyne from_--seyn fro 672 _Remembrest žou_--Remenbresthow 674 _Maiste žou_--Maysthow 675 _žan_--žanne _žing_--thinge _Axest_--Axestow 677 _Wistest žou_--wystesthow 678 _žing_--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 ožer cause of ži maladie {and} žat ry[gh]t grete ¶ Žou hast left forto 680 knowe ži self what žou art. žoru[gh] whiche I haue pleynelyche knowen že cause of ži maladie. or ellis že entre of recoueryng of žin 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 žou art co{n}founded wiž for[gh]etyng of ži self. forži sorwest 684 žou žat žou art exiled of ži p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And for žou ne wost what is že ende of žinges. for[ži] demest [žou] žat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben my[gh]ty {and} weleful for žou hast for[gh]eten by whiche gouernement[gh] že worlde 688 is gouerned. ¶ Forži wenest žou žat žise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiž oute{n} gouerno{ur}. [Sidenote: These are not only great occasions of disease, but also causes of death itself.] žise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to deež [Sidenote: I thank God that Reason hath not wholly deserted thee.] ¶ But I žanke že auctour {and} že makere of 692 heele žat nat{ur}e haž not al forleten že. [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 ži hele. {and} žat is že sože sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of že worlde. [Sidenote: [* fol. 8 _b_.]] žat žou byleuest žat že gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput 696 to že folie *of žise happes auenterouses. but to že resou{n} of god ¶ And žer fore doute že nožing. For of žis litel spark žine 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 [gh]itte of fastere remedies 700 ¶ And že nature of žou[gh]tes disseiued is žis žat as ofte as žei casten aweye sože opyniou{n}s: žei cložen hem in fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] že derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexež vp. žat comfoundež že verray 704 insy[gh]t. {and} žat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to maken ži{n}ne {and} wayk by ly[gh]t {and} meenelyche remedies. so žat after žat že derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. žou mow[e] knowe že schynyng 708 of verray ly[gh]t. [Linenotes: 680 _hast left_--MS. haste lefte, C. hast left 681 _knowe_--knowen _pleynelyche knowen_--pleynly fwonde [= founde] 684 _sorwest žou_--sorwistow 686 _for[ži] demest [žou]_--For thy demesthow 687 _wikked_--MS. wilked, C. wykkyd 688 _worlde_--world 689 _wenest žou_--wenestow 690 _outen_--owte 693 _haž_--MS. haže _al_--alle 694 _ži_--thin 696 _vnderput_--vndyrputte 697 _to_ (2)--omitted 698 _fore_--for _nožing_--nothinge 699 _spark žine heet_--sparke thin hete 700 _muche_--meche 702 _aweye_--away 703 [_of----opyniouns_]--from C. 705 _insy[gh]t_--insyhte _say_--assaye 706 _ly[gh]t_--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.] ++ŽE sterres cou{er}ed wiž blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no ly[gh]t. [Sidenote: If the south wind renders the sea tempestuous, the waves, fouled with mud, will lose their glassy clearness.] [Gh]if že trouble wy{n}de žat hy[gh]t auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g že see medlež že 712 heete žat is to seyne že boylyng vp from že botme ¶ Že wawes ž{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to že fair[e] bry[gh]t[e] dayes wižstant anon že sy[gh]tes of men. by že filže {and} ordure žat is resolued. 716 {and} že fletyng streme žat roylež dou{n} dyuersely fro hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by že encountrynge of a stoon ž{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 forži yif žou wilt loken {and} demen sože wiž clere ly[gh]t. {and} holde že weye wiž a ry[gh]t paže. [Sidenote: Away with joy, fear, hope, and sorrow.] ¶ Weyue žou ioie. drif fro že drede. fleme žou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. [Sidenote: Let none of these passions cloud thy mind.] žat is to sein lat noon of žise four passiou{n}s ouer come že. 724 or blynde že. [Sidenote: Where these things control, the soul is bound by strong fetters.] for cloudy {and} dirke is žilk žou[gh]t {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as žise žinges regnen. EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS. [Linenotes: 710 _blak[e]_--blake 712 _stormynge_--turnyng 713 _from_--fro 714 _somtyme_--whilom 715 _lyke_--lyk _fair[e]----wižstant_ (MS. wižstante)--fayr{e} cleer{e} dayes {and} brihte withstand 716 _sy[gh]tes_--syhtes 717 _streme_--strem 718 _hey[gh]e_--hy 720 _from some_--fram som _wilt_--wolt 721 _sože_--soth _clere_--cleer _holde_--holden 722 _weye_--wey _paže_--paath 724 _come_--comen 725 _blynde_--blende _žilk_--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 žis she stynte a litel. and after žat she hadde gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she 728 seide žus. [Sidenote: Thou art, she says, affected by the loss of thy former fortune.] ¶ As who so my[gh]t[e] seye žus. After žise žinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse žat I was ententif to herkene hire. she bygan to speke in žis wyse. ¶ Yif 732 I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly že [[pg 30]] causes {and} že habit of ži maladie. žou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of ži ražer fortune. [Sidenote: It hath perverted thy faculties.] ¶ She žat ilke fortune only žat is chaunged as žou 736 feinest to že ward. haž p{er}uerted že clerenesse {and} že astat of ži corage. [Sidenote: I am well acquainted with all the wiles of that Prodigy (_i. e._ Fortune).] ¶ I vnderstonde že felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of žilke merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vsež ful flatryng familarite wiž hem 740 žat she enforcež to bygyle. so longe til žat she co{n}founde wiž vnsuffreable sorwe hem žat she haž left in despeir vnpurueyed. [Sidenote: Though she has left thee, thou hast not lost anything of beauty or of worth.] ¶ and if žou remembrest wel že kynde že maners {and} že desert of žilke fortune. žow 744 shalt wel knowe as in hir žou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair žing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don že remembren of žise žinges. [Sidenote: Thou wert once proof against her allurements.] ¶ For žou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir 748 wiž manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiž sentences žat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre. žat 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 bytidež nat wiž oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. and so is it byfallen žat žou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro že pees of ži žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: But with some gentle emollients I shall prepare thee for stronger medicines.] but now is tyme žat žou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable žinges. so žat whan 756 žei ben entred wiž i{n}ne že. 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 furže žerfore že suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche žat gož oonly že ry[gh]t wey whil she forsakež not myne 760 estatut[gh]. ¶ And wiž Rethorice com forže musice a damoisel of oure house žat syngež now ly[gh]ter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. [[pg 31]] [Sidenote: [* fol. 9.]] *what aylež že man. what is it žat haž cast že in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. 764 I trow[e] žat žou hast sen some newe žing {and} uncouže. [Sidenote: Thou thinkest that Fortune is changed towards thee.] ¶ Žou wenest žat fortune be chaunged a[gh]eins že [Sidenote: But thou art deceived.] ¶ But žou wenest wrong. yif žou [žat] wene. [Sidenote: In this misadventure of thine she hath preserved her constancy in changing.] Alwey žo ben hire maners. she haž ražer [kept] as to 768 že ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in že chaungyng of hyre self. ¶ Ry[gh]t swyche was she whan she flatered[e] že. {and} desseiued[e] že wiž vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse. [Sidenote: You have seen the double face of this blind divinity.] žou hast now knowen {and} ataynt 772 že doutous or double visage of žilke blynde goddesse fortune. ¶ She žat [gh]it couerež hir {and} wymplež hir to ožer folk. haž shewed hir euerydel to že. ¶ [Gh]if žou app{ro}uest hir {and} ženkest žat she is good. vse 776 hir maners {and} pleyne že nat. [Sidenote: If thou dost abhor her perfidy cast her off, for her sports are dangerous.] ¶ And if žou agrisest hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir žat pleyež so harmefully. for she žat is now cause of so myche sorwe to že. sholde be to že cause of pees {and} 780 [of] ioie. ¶ she haž forsaken že forsože. že whiche žat neuer man may be syker žat she ne shal forsake hym. _Glose._ ¶ But naželes some bookes han že text žus. For sože she haž forsaken že ne žer nis no man 784 syker žat she ne haž not forsaken. [Sidenote: Is that happiness which is so transient?] ¶ Holdest žou žan žilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to že žat 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 derworži to že. whiche žat nis not feižful forto dwelle. {and} whan she gož aweye žat 788 she bryngež a wy[gh]t in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat be wižholde{n} at a mans wille. she makež hym a wrecche whe{n} she dep{ar}tež fro hym. [Sidenote: What is she (Fortune) but the presage of future calamity?] ¶ What ožer žing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse [[pg 32]] žat is to comen. ne it ne suffriž nat oo[n]ly to loken 793 of žing žat is p{re}sent byforne že eyen of man. but wisdom lokež {and} mesurež že ende of žinges. [Sidenote: Her mutability should make men neither fear her threats nor desire her favours.] {and} že same chau{n}gyng from one to an ožer. žat is to seyne 796 fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makež žat že manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne že flatrynges of hir to ben desired. ¶ Žus atte že last it byhouež že to suffren wiž euene wille in pacience al žat is don 800 inwiž že floor of fortune. žat is to seyne in žis worlde. [Linenotes: 727 _she_ (2)--I 729 _my[gh]t[e] seye_--myht{e} seyn 730 _stynt[e]_--stynte 732 _hire_--here 733 _knowe vtterly_--knowen owtrely 734 _languissed_--languyssest 737 _haž_--MS. haže 738 _astat_--estat _felefolde_--feelefold 739 _colour_--colours _deceites_ (MS. decrites)--deceytes _merueillous_--meruayles 742 _haž_--MS. haže 743 _if_--yif 746 _any_ (MS. my)--any _žing_--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 furže_--MS. Come; C. Com now forth 760 _gož_--MS. gože 761 _com_--MS. come, C. com 762 _house_--hows _ly[gh]ter_--lyhter{e} 763 _prolaciouns_--p{ro}basyons _heuyer_--heuyer{e} _aylež_--eyleth 765 _trow[e]_--trowe _sen_--MS. sene, C. seyn _some_--som _žing_--thinge _uncouže_--vnkowth 766 _a[gh]eins_--ayein 767 _wenest_--weenes [_žat_]--C. that 768 _haž_--MS. haže [_kept_]--from C. 769 _stablenes in že_--stabylnesse standeth in the 770 _swyche_--swich 771 _vnleueful_--vnlefful 775 _haž_--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. _haž_--MS. haže 783 _text_--texte 784 _haž_--MS. haže 785 _forsaken_--forsake _Holdest žou_--holdestow 786 _žan_--thanne _preciouse_--p{re}syes 787 _derworži_--dereworthe _whiche_--which 788 _feižful_--feythfulle _gož_--MS. gože _aweye_--awey 790 _mans_--mannys 791 _when_--wan _žing_--thinge 793 _suffriž_--suffiseth 794 _of žing_--on thynge _byforne_--MS. byforne byforne _man_--a man 795 _mesurež_--amesureth 796 _from one_--fram oon _seyne_--seyn 797 _fro_--from _to_--into 799 _atte že last_--at the laste] [Headnote: PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.] [Sidenote: If you submit to her yoke you must patiently endure her inflictions.] ¶ Syžen žou hast oones put ži nekke vnder že [gh]okke of hir. for if žou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to fortune whiche žat žou hast chosen frely 804 to be ži lady [Sidenote: Impatience will only embitter your loss.] ¶ Art žou nat wrongful in žat {and} makest fortune wrože {and} asp{er}e by žin inpacience. {and} [gh]it žou mayst not chaungen hir. [Sidenote: You cannot choose your port if you leave your vessel to the mercy of the winds.] ¶ Yif žou co{m}mittest [{and}] bitakest ži sayles to že wynde. žou shalt 808 be shouen not žider žat žou woldest(:) but whider žat že wy{n}de shouež že ¶ Yif žou castest ži seedes in že feldes žou sholdest haue in mynde žat že [gh]eres ben ožer while plenteuous {and} ož{er} while bareyne. [Sidenote: You have given yourself up to Fortune; it becomes you therefore to obey her commands.] ¶ Žou 812 hast bytaken žiself to že gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forži it byhouež že to ben obeisaunt to že manere of ži lady. [Sidenote: Would you stop the rolling of her wheel?] and enforcest žou že to aresten or wižstonden že swyftnesse {and} že sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng 816 whele. [Sidenote: Fool! if Fortune once became stable she would cease to exist.] ¶ O žou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] žan to ben fortune. [Linenotes: 801 _seyne_--seyn _worlde_--world 802 _Syžen_--Syn _[gh]okke_--yok{e} 803 _if_--yif _write_--wryten 804 _whiche_--which 805 _lady_--ladye _Art žou_--Artow 806 _wrože_--wroth _žin_--thine 807 _chaungen_--chaunge 808 [_and_]--from C. 809 _žider_--thedyr _whider_--whedyr 811 _haue_--han 814 _manere_--maneres 815 {and}--omitted _wižstonden_--withholden 816 _sweyes_--swey[gh] 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 wiž a proude ry[gh]t hande haž turnid hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she farež lyke že maners 820 of že boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of že see ž{a}t ebbith {and} flowiž. {and} somtyme že streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on žat ožer. _Texte_ [Sidenote: She hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the captive.] ¶ She cruel fortune kastež adoune kynges žat somtyme weren 824 ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp že humble chere of hym žat is discomfited. [Sidenote: She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the wretched.] {and} she neyžer herež ne recchež of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde žat she lau[gh]ež {and} scornež že wepyng of hem že whiche 828 she haž maked wepe wiž 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.] ¶ Žus she pleyež {and} ž{us} she p{re}uež hir strengže {and} shewež a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}t[gh]. ¶ Yif žat a wy[gh]t is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}žrowe in an houre. 832 [Linenotes: 819 _proude_--prowd _hande_--hand _haž_--MS. haže 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 _recchež_--rekkež _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede _harde_--hard 828 _lau[gh]ež_--lyssheth _wepyng_--wepynges 830 _strengže_--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 wiž žee a fewe žinges vsynge že wordes of fortune tak heede now ži self. yif ž{a}t she axež ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 9 _b_.]] *¶ O žou man wher fore makest žou me gilty by žine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges 836 haue I don že. [Sidenote: What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?] what goodes haue I byreft že žat weren žine. stryf or plete wiž me by fore what iuge žat žou wilt of že possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites [Sidenote: Can you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in his riches?] ¶ And yif žou maist shewe me žat euer any mortal man haž 840 receyued any of žese žinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. žan wol I graunt[e] frely žat [alle] žilke žinges were{n} žine whiche žat žou axest. [Sidenote: You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and encompassed you with affluence.] ¶ Whan žat nature brou[gh]t[e] že forže out of ži moder wombe. I receyued[e] že naked 844 {and} nedy of al žing. {and} I norysshed[e] že wiž my [[pg 34]] rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif žo{ru}[gh] my fauo{ur} to sustene že. ¶ And žat makež že now i{n}pacient a[gh]eins me. {and} I envirounde že wiž al že habundaunce {and} 848 shinyng of al goodes žat ben in my ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be thankful and complain not.] ¶ Now it lykež me to wiž drawe myne hande. žou hast had grace as he žat haž vsed of foreyne goodes. žou hast no ry[gh]t to pleyne že. as žou[gh] žou haddest vtterly lorn alle ži 852 žinges. whi pleynest žou žan. I haue don že no wrong. [Sidenote: Riches and honours are subject to me.] Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche ožer žinges ben of my ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: They are my servants, and come and go with me.] ¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. žei comen wiž me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel 856 affermen hardyly. žat yif žo žinges of whiche žou pleynest žat žou hast forlorn hadde ben žine. žou ne haddest not lorn he{m}. [Sidenote: Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?] ¶ shal I žan only be defended to vse my ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same with dark nights?] ¶ Certis it is leueful to že heuene to 860 make clere dayes. {and} after žat to keuere že same dayes wiž derke ny[gh]tes. [Sidenote: Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with flowers?] ¶ Že erže haž eke leue to apparaile že visage of že erže now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiž fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiž raynes {and} 864 wiž coldes. [Sidenote: The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.] ¶ Že see haž eke hys ry[gh]t to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiž smože water. {and} somtyme to be horrible wiž wawes {and} wiž tempestes. [Sidenote: Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of men?] ¶ But že couetyse of men žat may not be staunched 868 shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn žat stedfastnesse is vnkouž to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengže. [Sidenote: I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting what was low, and bringing down what was high.] {and} žis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne že whirly{n}g whele wiž že tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge 872 že lowest to že heyeste. {and} že heyest to že loweste. [Linenotes: 833 _plete_--pleten 834 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak 835 _makest žou_--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 _haž_--MS. haže 841 _žese_--tho _his_--hise 842 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te [_alle_]--from C. 845 _al žing_--alle thinges _norysshed[e]_--noryssede 846 _rychesse_--rychesses 848, 849 _al_--alle 848 _habundaunce_--abou{n}dau{n}ce 850 _wiž----hande_--withdrawen myn hand _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 851 _haž_--MS. haže 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 že_--coeu{er}yn tho 862 _derke_--dirk _erže_--yer _haž_--MS. haže 864 _confounde_--co{n}fownden 865 _haž_--MS. haže 866 _calme_--kalm 867 (2nd) _wiž_--omitted 869 _stedfast_--stidefast _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse 870 _vnkouž_--MS. vnkouže, 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.] worže vp yif žou wilt. so it be by žis lawe. žat žou ne holde not žat I do že wronge žou[gh] žou descende dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axež it. [Sidenote: Know you not the history of Croesus and of Paulus Ęmilius?] Wost žou 876 not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne žat žis rewlyche Cresus was cau[gh]t of Cirus {and} lad to že fijr to be brent. but žat a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene 880 žat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of ži mynde how žat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take že kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for že captiuitee of že 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 ožer žinges bywaylen že criinges of 884 Tragedies. but only že dedes of fortune. žat wiž an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}než že realmes of grete nobley ¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme žat endiž 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 žou 888 in grek whan žou were [gh]onge žat in že entre or in že seler of Iuppiter žer ben couched two tunnes. žat on is ful of good žat ožer is ful of harme. [Sidenote: What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?] ¶ What ry[gh]t hast žou to pleyne. yif žou hast taken more plenteuously 892 of že goode syde žat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro že. [Sidenote: My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.] What eke. yif my mutabilitee [gh]iuež že ry[gh]tful cause of hope to han [gh]it better ži{n}ges. [Sidenote: Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of humanity.] ¶ Naželes desmaie že 896 nat in ži žou[gh]t. and ž{o}u žat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by žine oonly p{ro}pre ry[gh]t. [Linenotes: 874 _worže_--worth _wilt_--wolt 876 _doun_--adou{n} _whanne_--wan _pleye_--pley _Wost žou_--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 _že_--omitted 887 _seyne_--seyn 890 _tunnes_--tonnes 891 _harme_--harm 892 _hast žou_--hasthow 893 _seyne_--seyn _rycchesse_--rychesses 894 _I be nat_--I ne be nat al 896 _better_--beter{e} 898 _lyue_--lyuen _žine_--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.] ++ŽOu[gh] plentee žat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiž ful horn. {and} wiždrawež nat hir hand. ¶ As 900 many recches as že see turnež vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiž rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many [[pg 36]] rycches as žer shynen bry[gh]t[e] sterres on heuene on že sterry ny[gh]t. [Gh]it for al žat 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 *žat god receyuež gladly her p{ra}yers {and} [gh]euež hem as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}ailež coueytous folk wiž noble or clere hono{ur}s. [gh]it semež hem haue I-gete nožing. 908 but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al žat žei han geten shewiž ožer gapinges. žat is to seye gapen {and} desiren [gh]it after moo rycchesse. [Sidenote: What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?] ¶ What brideles my[gh]ten wižholde to any certeyne ende že desordene 912 coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere že ražer ž{a}t it fletiž in large [gh]iftis: že more ay brennež in hem že žrest of hauyng. [Sidenote: He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth truly labour under poverty.] ¶ Certis he žat quakyng {and} dredeful wenež hym seluen nedy. he ne lyuež neu{er}e mo ryche. 916 [Linenotes: 899 _rycches_--rychesses 901 _recches_--rychesses _vpwardes_--vpward 902 _rauysshing_--rauyssynge 903 _rycches_--rychesses _bry[gh]t[e]_--bryhte _on_ (1)--in 904 _ny[gh]t_--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 _wižholde_--wytholden _certeyne_--certeyn 914 _žrest_--thurst 915 _dredeful_--dredful 916 _lyuež_--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.] ++Žerfore yif žat fortune spake wiž že for hir self in žis manere. For sože žou ne haddest [nat] what žou my[gh]test answere. and if žou hast any ži{n}g wherwiž. žou mayist ry[gh]tfully tellen ži co{m}pleynt. ¶ It 920 byhouež že to shewen it. {and} .I. wol [gh]eue že 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 žan žise ben faire žinges {and} enoyntid wiž hony swetnesse of rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while žei ben herd žei 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. žis is to seyn žat wrecches felen že harmes žat žei suffren more greuously žan že remedies or že delites of žise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so žat 928 whan žise žinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. že sorwe [[pg 37]] žat is inset greuež že žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: _P._ So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed as remedies, but as lenitives only.] Ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For žise ne ben [gh]it none remedies of ži maladie. but žei ben a manere norissinges of ži sorwe [gh]it rebel 932 a[gh]eyne ži curac{i}ou{n}. [Sidenote: When time serves, I will administer those things that shall reach the seat of your disease.] ¶ For whan žat tyme is. I shal moue swiche žinges žat p{er}cen hem self depe. [Sidenote: But you are not among the number of the wretched.] ¶ But naželes ž{a}t žou shalt not wilne to leten ži self a wrecche. ¶ Hast žou for[gh]eten že nou{m}bre {and} že 936 manere of ži 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 žat že souerayn men of že Citee toke{n} že in cure {and} kepynge whan žou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of že Citee. 940 ¶ And žou bygu{n}ne ražer to ben leef {and} deere žan forto ben a ney[gh]bo{ur}. že whiche žing is že most p{re}ciouse kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce žat may ben. ¶ Who is it žat ne seide žou nere ry[gh]t weleful 944 wiž so grete a nobley of ži fadres in lawe. [Sidenote: nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.] ¶ {And} wiž že chastite of ži wijf. {and} wiž že oportunite {and} noblesse of ži masculyn children. žat is to seyne ži sones {and} ou{er} al žis me lyst to passe of comune žinges. 948 ¶ How žou haddest in ži žou[gh]t dignitees žat weren warned to olde men. but it delitež me to comen now to že singuler vphepyng of ži welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal žinges may han any wey[gh]te or price of 952 welefulnesse. [Sidenote: Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?] ¶ My[gh]test žou euere for[gh]eten for any charge of harme žat my[gh]t[e] byfallen. že remembrau{n}ce of žilke day žat žou sey[e] ži two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad to gidre from žin house vndir so gret 956 assemble of senatours. {and} vndir že blyženesse of poeple. {and} whan žou say[e] hem sette in že court in her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Žou 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 žou sittyng bytwix ži two sones conseillers in že place žat hy[gh]t Circo. {and} fulfildest že abydyng of multitude of poeple žat was sprad about že wiž 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.] žo [gh]aue žou wordes of fortune as I trowe. žat is to seyne. žo feffedest žou fortune wiž glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] že {and} norsshed[e] že as hir owen delices. ¶ Žou hast 968 had of fortune a [gh]ifte žat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} žat she neu[er]e [gh]af to p{re}ue man [Sidenote: Will you therefore call Fortune to account?] ¶ Wilt žou žerfore leye a rekenyng wiž 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 haž now twynkeled first vpon že wiž a wykked eye. ¶ Yif žou considere 972 že nou{m}bre {and} že manere of ži blysses. {and} of ži sorwes. [Sidenote: [* fol. 10 _b_.]] *žou maist nat forsake žat žou nart [gh]it blysful. [Linenotes: 918 [_nat_]--from C. 919 _if_--yif 920 _mayist_--mayst _tellen_--defendyn 921 _[gh]eue_--yeuyn 922 _žan_--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 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein 934 _moue swiche_--moeue swych 938 _souerayn_--sou{er}ane 943 _ney[gh]bour_--neysshebo{ur} 944 _nere_--were 945 _nobley_--nobleye _fadres_--fadyr-is 947 _seyne_--seyn 948 _lyst_--lyste _passe of_--passen the 949 _žou[gh]t_--yowthe 950 _warned_--werned 952 _fruyt_--frute _price_--p{r}is 953 _My[gh]test žow_--myhtes-thow 954 _harme_--harm _my[gh]t[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 _hy[gh]t_--hihte 963 _of_ (1)--of the _about_--abowten 964 _wiž_--w{i}t{h} so 965 _[gh]aue_--MS. žan, C. yaue _of_--to 966 _seyne_--seyn 967 _accoied[e]_--acoyede 968 _norsshed[e]_--noryssede _owen_--owne _žou----of_--thow bar away of 969 _had_--MS. hadde _swiche_--swich 970 _preue_--pryue 971 _leye_--lye _haž_--MS. haže 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 žou žerfore wenest ži self nat weleful for žinges žat žo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Žer nis nat whi 976 žou sholdest wene ži self a wrecche. for žinges žat now semen soory passen also. ¶ Art žou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to že shadowe or tabernacle of žis lijf. [Sidenote: Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?] or trowest žou ž{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis 980 žinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissoluež že same man. žat is to seyne whan že soule dep{ar}tiž fro že body. For al žou[gh] žat yelde is žer any feiž žat fortunous žinges willen dwelle. [Sidenote: The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.] [gh]it naželes že last[e] day 984 of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deež to fortune. {and} also to žilke žat haž dwelt. [Sidenote: What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?] {and} žerfore what wenist žou žar recche yif žou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys ž{a}t she fortune forlete že i{n} fleenge awey. 988 [Linenotes: 978 _soory_--sorye _firste_--fyrst 979 _sodeyne_--sodeyn _shadowe_--shadwe 980 _stedfastnesse_--stedefastnesse 981 _swifte_--swyft _dissoluež_--dyssoluede 983 _al žou[gh] žat_--al ž{a}t thowgh _fortunous_--fortune 984 _willen dwelle_--wolen dwellyn _last[e]_--laste 986 _haž_--MS. haže _wenist žou_--weenestow 987 _žar 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 že sonne bygynnež to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. žan že sterre ydimmyd palež hir white cheres. by že flamus of že so{n}ne žat ouer comež že sterre ly[gh]t. ¶ Žis is to seyn whan že 992 sonne is risen že day sterre wexiž pale {and} lesiž hir ly[gh]t for že grete bry[gh]tnesse of že sonne. [Sidenote: Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly winds cause their beauty to fade.] ¶ Whan že wode wexež redy of rosene floures in že first somer sesou{n} žoru[gh] že breže of že wynde Zephirus žat wexež 996 warme. ¶ Yif že cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. žan gož awey že fayrnesse of žornes. [Sidenote: Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.] Ofte že see is clere {and} calme wižoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte že horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeuež boylyng tempestes 1000 {and} ouer whelwež že see. [Sidenote: If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory riches?] ¶ Yif že forme of žis worlde is so [[gh]eelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niž by so many entrechau{n}gynges. wilt žou ža{n} truste{n} in že trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt žou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. 1004 [Sidenote: All here below is unstedfast and unstable.] It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable žat no ži{n}g ž{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable. [Linenotes: 989 _his_--hyr 990 _žan_--thanne 991 _flamus_--flambes 995 _redy_--rody _rosene_--rosyn 997 _warme_--warm 998 _gož_--MS. gože, C. goth _fayrnesse_--fayrenesse 999 _clere_--cleer _calme_--kalm 1000 _wynde_--wynd 1001 _whelwež_--welueeth 1002 [_[gh]eelde_]--from C. 1003, 1004 _wilt žou_--wolthow 1003 _žan_--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.] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. O norice of alle uertues žou seist ful sože. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake že ry[gh]t[e] 1008 swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. žat is to seine. žat p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} soone. but žis is a žing žat gretly smertiž me whan it remembrež me. [Sidenote: It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds most to man's infelicity.] ¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune že 1012 most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han ben weleful. [Sidenote: _P._ Recollect that you have yet much affluence.] ¶ But žat žou q{uo}d she abaist žus že to{ur}ment of ži fals[e] opiniou{n} žat maist žou not ry[gh]tfully blamen ne aretten to žinges. as who seiž for žou [[pg 40]] hast [gh]itte many habundaunces of žinges. ¶ _Textus._ 1017 For al be it so žat že ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse moeuež že now. it is leueful žat žou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] žinges žou hast [gh]it plentee. 1020 [Sidenote: What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.] ¶ And žerfore yif žat žilke žing žat žou haddest for most p{re}cious in alle ži rycchesse of fortune be kept to že by že grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. Mayst žou ža{n} pleyne ry[gh]tfully vpon že myschief of fortune. 1024 syn žou hast [gh]it ži best[e] žinges. ¶ Certys [gh]it lyuež in goode poynt žilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde. [Sidenote: Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.] ¶ Symacus ži wyues fadir whiche žat is a man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. že whiche 1028 man žou woldest b[i]en redely wiž že pris of žin owen lijf. he byweylež že wronges žat men don to žee. {and} not for hym self. for he liuež in sykernesse of any sentence put a[gh]eins him. [Sidenote: Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her separation from you.] ¶ And [gh]it lyuež ži wif žat 1032 is attempre of witte {and} passyng ožer women in clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle že welle žat she lyuež loož of hir life. {and} kepiž to žee oonly hir goost. {and} 1036 is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of že ¶ In že whiche žing only I mot graunten žat ži 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 ži two sones conseillours of whiche as of children 1040 of hir age žer shinež *že lyknesse of že 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 sižen že souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues. [Linenotes: 1008 _sože_--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_--torment[gh] _fals[e]_--false 1016 _seiž_--MS. seiže, C. seyh 1017 _[gh]itte_--yit 1019 _leueful_--leefful 1020 _many[e] žinges_--manye grete thinges 1022 _alle_--al 1023 _že by_--the yit by 1024 _myschief_--meschef 1025 _best[e]_--beste 1026 _lyuež_--leueth _goode_--good 1027 _whiche_--which 1028 _al_--alle _of_ (2)--omitted 1029 _b[i]en_--byen _owen_--owne 1030 _byweylež_--bewayleth _don_--MS. done, C. don 1031 _liuež_--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 _sižen_--syn 1043 _folke_--folk] [Headnote: THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.] ¶ O how weleful art žou žou[gh] žou knowe ži goodes. 1044 ¶ But [gh]itte ben žer žinges dwelly{n}g to že wardes žat no [[pg 41]] man doutež žat žei ne ben more derworže to že žen žine owen lijf. [Sidenote: Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and hope of future felicity.] ¶ And forži drie ži teres for [gh]itte nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to že warde. ne ou{er} 1048 greet tempest haž nat [gh]it fallen vpon že. whan žat žin ancres cliue fast[e] žat neižer wole suffre že comfort of žis tyme p{re}sent. ne že 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 žat fast[e] mot[en] 1052 žei holden. ¶ For whiles žat žei halden. how so eu{er}e žat žinges ben. I shal wel fleten furže and eschapen. [Sidenote: But do you not see how low I am fallen?] ¶ But žou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and} aray žat me lakkež žat 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} foržered že q{uod} she. if žat žou anoie nat or forženke nat of al ži fortune. As who seiž. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted že so žat žou tempest nat že žus wiž al ži fortune. syn žou hast 1060 [gh]it ži best[e] žinges. [Sidenote: It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so many comforts.] ¶ But I may nat suffre žin delices. žat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for žat ožer lakkež somwhat to ži welefulnesse. [Sidenote: Every one, however happy, has something to complain of.] ¶ For what man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. žat he ne 1064 stryuež or pleynež on some half a[gh]eine že 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 žing is že condiciou{n} of mans goodes. ¶ For eyžer it comež al to gidre to a wy[gh]t. or ellys it lastež not p{er}petuely. 1068 [Linenotes: 1044 _art žou žou[gh]_--arthow yif 1045 _But [gh]itte_--for yit _dwellyng_--dwellyd _wardes_--ward 1046 _žat_--than _derworže_--dereworthe _žen žine_--than thin 1047 _[gh]itte_--yit 1049 _haž_--MS. haže _žin_--thyne 1050 _cliue fast[e]_--cleuen faste _wole suffre_--wolen suffren 1052 _fallen_--faylen _fast[e] mot[en]_--faste moten 1053 _holden_--halden 1054 _furže_--forth 1055 _mayst_--mayste _greet[e]_--grete 1058 _forženke_--forthinke 1061 _best[e]_--beste _suffre žin_--suffren thi 1063 _ožer_--ther 1064 _perfit_--parfyt 1065 _or_--and _some half a[gh]eine_--som halue ayen 1067 _mans_--mannes _comež al_--comth nat al 1068 _lastež_--last _perpetuely_--p{er}petuel] [Headnote: HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.] [Sidenote: One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.] ¶ For som man haž 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 žinges. žat hym were leuer žat 1072 he were vnknowe. [Sidenote: A third is blest with both advantages, but is unmarried.] and som ma{n} habundež bože i{n} rychesse {and} noblesse. but [gh]it he bywailež hys chast[e] lijf. for he haž 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 haž no children. {and} norisshež his 1076 ricchesse to že heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som man is gladded wiž children. but he wepiž ful sory for že trespas of his son or of his dou[gh]tir. [Sidenote: Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state of his fortune.] ¶ and for žis žer accordež no wy[gh]t ly[gh]tly to že condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. for alwey to euery man žere is i{n} mest somwhat 1081 žat vnassaiež he ne wot not or ellys he drediž žat he haž assaied. [Sidenote: The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and they are impatient if anything is untoward.] ¶ {And} adde žis also žat euery weleful man haž a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So žat but yif alle 1084 žinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is žrowe ado[-u]ne for euery lytel žing. [Sidenote: The happiness of the most fortunate depends on trifles.] ¶ And ful lytel žinges ben žo žat wiždrawen že so{m}me or že p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of 1088 blisfulnesse fro hem žat 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 žou wolde demen hem self to ben almost in heuene yif žei my[gh]ten atteyne to že leest[e] p{ar}tie of že remenaunt of ži fortune. ¶ Žis same place 1092 žat žou clepist exil is contre to hem žat enhabiten here. [Sidenote: Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art miserable.] {and} forži. Nožing wrecched. but whan žou wenest it [Sidenote: Every lot may be happy to the man who bears his condition with equanimity and courage.] ¶ As who seiž. žou[gh] ži self ne no wy[gh]t ellys nys no wrecche but whan he wenež 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 _haž_--MS. haže 1076 _maried_--ymaryed _his_--hise 1077 _ricchesse_--Rychesses _heires_--eyres _folk_--foolkys 1080 _žer_--ž{er} ne 1081 _mest_--omitted 1082 _vnassaiež_--vnassaied _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot 1083, 1084 _haž_--MS. haže 1084 _wel_--ful 1085 _fallen_--byfalle _wille_--wyl 1086 _none_--non _an-oone_--Anon _žrowe_--throwen 1087 _ado[-u]ne_--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 a[gh]einewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by že agreablete or by že egalite of hym žat suffrež it. ¶ What man is žat. žat is so weleful žat nolde chau{n}ge{n} 1100 his estat whan he haž lorn pacience. že swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiž many[e] bitternesses. že whiche welefulnesse al žou[gh] it seme swete {and} [[pg 43]] ioyeful to hym žat vsež it. [gh]it may it not be wiž-holden 1104 žat it ne gož away whan it wol. [Sidenote: How much is human felicity embittered!] ¶ Žan is it wel sen how wrecched is že blisfulnesse of mortel žinges. [Sidenote: It will not stay with those that endure their lot with equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.] žat neiž{er} it dwelliž p{er}petuel wiž hem žat euery fortune receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne delitež not in 1108 al. to hem žat 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 *[gh]e žan blisfulnesse oute of [gh]oure self. whiche žat is put in [gh]oure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}dež [gh]ow ¶ I shal shewe že shortly. že poynt of souereyne 1112 blisfulnesse. [Sidenote: Nothing is more precious than thyself.] Is žer any žing to že more p{re}ciouse žan ži self ¶ Žou wilt answere nay. [Sidenote: If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot deprive thee of it.] ¶ Žan if it so be žat žou art my[gh]ty ouer ži self žat is to seyn by tranquillitee of ži soule. žan hast žou žing i{n} ži power žat žou 1116 noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it že. [Sidenote: Happiness does not consist in things transitory.] {and} žat žou mayst knowe žat blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in žinges žat 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 žus 1120 yif blisfulnesse be že souereyne goode of nature žat liuež by resou{n} ¶ Ne žilke žing nis nat souereyne goode žat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more worži žing {and} more digne is žilke žing ž{a}t may nat be 1124 taken awey. [Sidenote: Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true happiness.] ¶ Žan shewiž it wele žat že vnstablenesse of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes. ¶ And [gh]it more ouer. [Sidenote: He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it is changeable or does not know it.] ¶ What man žat žis toumblyng welefulnesse leediž. eižer he woot žat 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 žer be in že blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot žat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad ž{a}t he ne lese 1132 žat žing. žat he ne doutež nat but žat he may leesen it. [Linenotes: 1098 _a[gh]einewarde al_--ayeinward alle 1099 _it_--hyt 1101 _whan_--what _haž_--MS. haže _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lost 1102 _yspranid_--spraynyd _bitternesses_--beternesses 1104 _hym_--hem _it_--hyt _be_--ben 1105 _gož_--MS. geže _wol_--woole _sen_--MS. sene 1107 _dwelliž_--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 seiž he mot ben alwey agast lest he leese žat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche že continuel drede žat he haž ne suffriž hym nat to ben 1136 weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke žat is a ful lytel goode žat is born wiž euene hert[e] whan it is loost. ¶ Žat is to seyne žat men don no more force. 1140 of že lost žan of že 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 žou ži self art he to who{m} it haž ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel žat že soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke 1144 syn it is clere. {and} certeyne žat fortunous welefulnesse endiž by že deež of že body. ¶ It may nat ben douted žat yif žat deež may take awey blysfulnesse žat al že kynde of mortal ži{n}g{us} ne descendiž in to wrecchednesse 1148 by že ende of že deež. [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 žat many a man haž sou[gh]t že fruit of blisfulnesse nat only wiž suffryng of deež. but eke wiž 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 my[gh]t[e] žan žis p{re}sent 1152 lijf make men blisful. syn žat whanne žilke self[e] lijf is endid. it ne makež folk no wrecches. [Linenotes: 1134 _it_--hyt _seiž_--MS. seiže, C. seyth 1135 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot _leese_ (2)--leese it _whiche_--which 1136 _haž_--MS. haže 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 _haž_--MS. haže 1143 _many[e]_--manye 1144 _mowen_--mowe _dien_--deyen 1145 _clere_--cleer _certeyne_--certeyn 1147 _al_--alle 1150 _haž_--MS. haže _fruit_--frut 1152 _my[gh]t[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 žat wil founden hym a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune 1156 wiž že loude blastes of že wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise že see manassynge wiž floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to bilde on že cop of že mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in že moyste sandes. ¶ For že fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}mentež že cop 1160 of že mou{n}tayngne wiž alle his strengžes. ¶ and že lowe see sandes refuse to beren že heuy wey[gh]te. [[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} forži yif žou wolt flee že p{er}ilous auenture žat is to seine of že worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn 1164 ži house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al žou[gh] že wynde troublyng že see žondre wiž ouerežrowynges ¶ Žou žat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by strengže of ži palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng 1168 že wodenesses and že Ires of že 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 _wey[gh]te_--wyhte 1163 _flee_--fleen 1164 _seine_--seyn 1165 _ži_--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 že noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to že. 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 žat že [gh]iftis of fortune nar[e] nat brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. [Sidenote: [* fol. 12.]] what is žer in hem žat may be žine *in any tyme. or ellis žat it nys foule if žat it be considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely. [Sidenote: Are riches precious in themselves, or in men's estimation?] ¶ Richesse ben žei 1176 p{re}ciouse by že nature of hem self. or ellys by že nature of že. [Sidenote: What is most precious in them, quantity or quality?] What is most worži of rycchesse. is it nat golde or my[gh]t of moneye assembled. [Sidenote: Bounty is more glorious than niggardliness.] ¶ Certis žilke golde {and} žilke moneye shinež {and} [gh]euež better 1180 renou{n} to hem žat dispenden it. žen to žilke folke žat mokeren it. [Sidenote: Avarice is always hateful, while liberality is praise-worthy.] For auarice makež alwey mokeres to be hated. {and} largesse makež folke clere of renou{n} ¶ For syn žat swiche ži{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o 1184 man to an ožer ne may nat dwellen wiž no man. [Sidenote: Money cannot be more precious than when it is dispensed liberally to others.] Certis žan is žilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in to ožer folk. {and} styntež to ben had by vsage of large [gh]euy{n}g of hym žat haž [gh]euen 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 že moneye žat is ouer-al in že world were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al ožer men [[pg 46]] to ben nedy as of žat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool žat is to seyn wiž-oute amenusynge fulfillež to gyder 1192 že heryng of myche folke. [Sidenote: Riches cannot be dispensed without diminution.] but Certys [gh]oure rycchesse ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiž-oute amenussyng ¶ And whan žei ben apassed. nedys žei maken hem pore žat forgon že 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 žise rycchesses. syn žat many folke [ne] may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man wiž-oute pouerte of al ožer folke. ¶ And že shynynge of ge{m}mes žat I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. drawež it nat 1200 že eyen of folk in to hem warde. žat is to seyne for že 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 žer were beaute or bounte in shynyng of stones. žilke clerenesse is of že stones hem self. {and} nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre 1204 gretly žat men merueilen on swiche žinges. ¶ For whi what žing is it žat yif it wa{n}tež moeuyng {and} ioynture of soule {and} body žat by ry[gh]t my[gh]t[e] semen a faire creature to hym žat haž 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 žat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a litel of že laste beaute of že worlde. žoru[gh] že entent of hir creato{ur} {and} žoru[gh] že distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. [gh]it for as myche as žei ben put vndir [gh]oure excellence. 1212 žei han not desserued by no weye žat [gh]e shullen merueylen on hem. [Sidenote: Doth the beauty of the field delight thee?] ¶ And že beaute of feeldes delitež it nat mychel vnto [gh]ow. [Sidenote: _B._ Why should it not? for it is a beautiful part of a beautiful whole.] _Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat 1215 deliten vs. syn žat it is a ry[gh]t fayr porciou{n} of že ry[gh]t fair werk. žat is to seyn of žis worlde. [Sidenote: Hence, we admire the face of the sea, the heavens, as well as the sun, moon, and stars.] ¶ And ry[gh]t so ben we gladed somtyme of že face of že see whan it is clere. And also merueylen we on že heuene {and} on že sterres. {and} on že sonne. {and} on že mone. [[pg 47]] [Sidenote: _P._ Do these things concern thee? darest thou glory in them?] _Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teinež q{uo}d she any of žilke 1221 žinges to že. whi darst žou glorifie že in že shynynge of any swiche žinges. [Sidenote: Do the flowers adorn you with their variety?] Art žou distingwed {and} embelised by že spryngyng floures of že first somer 1224 sesou{n}. or swelliž ži plente in fruytes of somer. whi art žou rauyshed wiž ydel ioies. [Sidenote: Why embracest thou things wherein thou hast no property?] why enbracest žou straunge goodes as žei weren žine. [Sidenote: Fortune can never make that thine which the nature of things forbids to be so.] Fortune shal neuer maken žat swiche žinges ben žine žat nature of žinges 1228 maked foreyne fro že. [Sidenote: The fruits of the earth are designed for the support of beasts.] ¶ Syche is žat wiž-oute{n} doute že fruytes of že erže owen to ben on že norssinge of bestes. [Sidenote: If you seek only the necessities of nature, the affluence of Fortune will be useless.] ¶ And if žou wilt fulfille ži nede after žat it suffisež to nature žan is it no nede 1232 žat žou seke after že sup{er}fluite of fortune. [Sidenote: Nature is content with a little, and superfluity will be both disagreeable and hurtful.] ¶ For wiž ful fewe žinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel žing nature halt hire appaied. {and} yif žou wilt achoken že fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wiž sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys žilke 1236 žinges ž{a}t žou wilt žresten or pouren in to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to že or ellis anoies. [Sidenote: Does it add to a man's worth to shine in variety of costly clothing?] ¶ Wenest žou eke žat it be a fair žinge to shine wiž dyuerse cložing. [Sidenote: The things really to be admired are the beauty of the stuff or the workmanship of it.] of whiche cložing yif že beaute be agreable 1240 to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on že nature of že matere of žilke cložes. or ellys on že werkeman žat wrou[gh]t[e] hem. [Sidenote: Doth a great retinue make thee happy?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 12 _b_.]] but al so a longe route of meyne. makiž žat 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.] že whiche seruauntes yif žei ben 1244 vicio[-u]s of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to že house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to že lorde hym self [Sidenote: If they be good, why should the probity of others be put to thy account?] ¶ {And} yif žei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in že nou{m}bre 1248 of ži rycchesse. [Sidenote: Upon the whole, then, none of those enjoyments which thou didst consider as thy own did ever properly belong to thee.] so ž{a}t by alle žise forseide žinges. it is clerly shewed žat neuer none of žilke žinges žat žou accou{m}ptedest for žin goodes nas nat ži goode. [Sidenote: If they be not desirable, why shouldst thou grieve for the loss of them?] ¶ In že whiche žinges yif žer be no beaute to ben desired. 1252 [Linenotes: 1172 _strenger_--strenger{e} _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond 1173 _nar[e]_--ne weere 1174 _be žine_--ben thyn 1175 _foule_--fowl 1176 _Richesse_--Rychessis 1178 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1179, 1180 _golde_--gold 1180 _better_--betere 1181 _žen_--thanne 1182 _mokeres_--mokereres 1183 _folke clere_--folk cler 1184 _swiche_--swich _from_--fram 1187 _styntež_--stenteth 1188 _haž_--MS. haže 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 _žise_--this _rycchesses_--rychesse [_ne_]--from C. 1198 _on_--o 1199 _wiž-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 _haž_--MS. haže 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 žou 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 _žin_--thine _goode_--good] [[pg 48]] [Headnote: RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.] whi sholdest žou be sory yif žou leese hem. or whi sholdest žou reioysen že to holden hem. [Sidenote: If they are fair by nature, what is that to thee?] ¶ For if žei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}tenež žat to že. [Sidenote: They would be equally agreeable whether thine or not.] for as wel sholde žei han ben faire by hem self. 1256 žou[gh] žei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle žin 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}cio[-u]s ne weren žei nat. for žat žei comen amonges ži rycchesse. but for žei semeden fair {and} p{re}cious. žerfore žou haddest leuer rekene hem 1260 amonges ži rycchesse. [Sidenote: What, then, is it we so clamorously demand of Fortune?] but what desirest žou of fortune wiž so greet a noyse {and} wiž so greet a fare [Sidenote: Is it to drive away indigence by abundance?] ¶ I trowe žou seke to dryue awey nede wiž habundaunce of žinges. [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 turnež to [gh]ow al in že 1264 contrarie. for whi certys it nediž of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen že dyuersite of preciouse ostelment[gh]. [Sidenote: They want most things who have the most.] and sože it is žat of many[e] žinges han žei nede žat many[e] žinges han. [Sidenote: They want the fewest who measure their abundance by the necessities of nature, and not by the superfluity of their desires.] {and} a[gh]eyneward of litel nediž 1268 hem žat mesuren hir fille after že nede of kynde {and} nat after že outrage of couetyse [Sidenote: Is there no good planted within ourselves, that we are obliged to go abroad to seek it?] ¶ Is it žan so žat ye men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in [gh]ow. For whiche [gh]e moten seken outwardes [gh]oure goodes in 1272 foreine {and} subgit žinges. [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 žan že condic{i}ou{n} of žinges turned vpso dou{n}. žat a man žat is a devyne beest by merit of hys resou{n}. žinkež žat hy{m} self nys neyžer fair ne noble. but if it be žoru[gh] 1276 possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. žat ne han no soules. [Linenotes: 1255 _fair_--fayr{e} _hire owen_--hyr owne 1256 _sholde_--sholden _self_--selue 1257 _žin 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 _sože_--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 ož{er} ži{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen beautes. but [gh]e men žat ben semblable to god by [gh]our{e} resonable žou[gh]t desiren to apparaille [gh]our{e} excellent 1280 kynde of že lowest[e] pinges. ne [gh]e ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g [gh]e don to [gh]oure 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 žat man kynde were moost worži {and} noble of any ožer eržely žinges. and [gh]e žresten adou{n} [gh]oure [[pg 49]] dignitees by-nežen že lowest[e] žinges. [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 žat al 1285 že good of euery žing be more p{re}ciouse žan is žilk žing whos žat že good is. syn [gh]e demen žat že foulest[e] žinges ben [gh]oure goodes. žanne summytten 1288 [gh]e {and} putten [gh]oure self vndir žo foulest[e] žinges by [gh]oure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And certis žis bitidiž nat wiž out [gh]our{e} desert. [Sidenote: Man only excels other creatures when he knows himself.] For certys swiche is že co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde žat oonly whan it haž knowyng of it 1292 self. žan passež it i{n} noblesse alle ožer žinges. [Sidenote: When he ceases to do so, he sinks below beasts.] and whan it forletiž že knowyng of it self. žan it is brou[gh]t bynežen alle beestes. [Sidenote: Ignorance is natural to beasts, but in men it is unnatural and criminal.] ¶ For-why alle ožer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem 1296 self. but whan žat men leten že knowyng of hem self. it comež 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 shewež že erro{ur} {and} že folie of [gh]ow men žat wenen žat ony žing may ben apparailled wiž straunge apparaillement[gh] ¶ but 1300 for-sože žat 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 wy[gh]t shynež wiž ži{n}ges žat ben put to hym. as žus. yif žilke žinges shynen wiž whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis žilke žinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiž whiche 1304 he is apparailled. [Sidenote: The thing covered still continues in its natural impurity.] ¶ But naželes že žing žat is couered {and} wrapped vndir žat dwellež in his filže. [Sidenote: I deny that to be a good which is hurtful to its owner.] and I denye žat žilke žing be good žat anoyež hym žat haž it. [Sidenote: Am I deceived in this? You will say no; for riches have often hurt their possessors.] ¶ Gabbe I of žis. žou wolt seye nay. 1308 ¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem žat han že rycchesse. [Sidenote: Every wicked man desires another's wealth, and esteems him alone happy who is in possession of riches.] ¶ Syn žat euery wicked shrew {and} for hys wickednesse že more gredy aftir ožer 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} weniž hym *only most worži žat haž 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.] ¶ žou žan žat so besy dredest now že swerde {and} že spere. yif žou haddest entred in že paže of žis lijf a voide wayfaryng man. žan woldest žou syng[e] 1316 by-fore že žeef. ¶ As who seiž a poure man žat berež no rycchesse on hym by že weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne žeues. for he haž 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} ry[gh]t clere is že blysfulnesse of 1320 mortal rycchesse. žat wha{n} žou hast geten it. žan hast žou lorn ži syke[r]nesse. [Linenotes: 1278 _hire owen_--hir owne 1281 _ne_ (2)--omitted _vndirstonde_--vndyrstondyn 1282 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret 1284 _ožer eržely_--oothre worldly _žresten_--threste 1285 _by-nežen_--by-nethe _if_--yif 1286 _good_--MS. goode, C. good _žing_--thinge _preciouse_--p{re}syos _žilk žing_--thilke thinge 1287 _že_ (2)--tho 1288 _summytten_--submitten 1289 _self_--seluen _foulest[e]_--fowleste 1290 _bitidiž_--tydeth 1291 _out_--owte _desert_--desertes 1292 _al_--alle 1293 _self_--selue 1294 _it is_--is it 1296 [_leuynge_]--from C. _hem_--hym 1297 _žat_--omitted 1298 _comež_--comth 1299 _žing_--thinge 1302 _put_--MS. putte, C. put 1303 _whiche_--which 1306 _filže_--felthe 1307 _žing_--thinge _good_--MS. goode, C. good 1308 _haž_--MS. haže 1309 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _že_--tho 1310 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _shrew_--shrewe 1311 _rycchesse_--rychesses 1312 _golde_--gold 1314 _haž_--MS. haže, C. hat _besy_--bysy _swerde_--swerd 1315 _paže_--paath 1316 _wayfaryng_--wayferynge _syng[e]_--synge 1317 _by-fore_--by-forn _seiž_--MS. seiže, C. seyth _poure_--pore _berež_--berth 1318 _boldly syng[e]_--boldely synge 1319 _haž_--MS. haže 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 že first age of men. žei helden hem apaied wiž že metes žat že trewe eržes brou[gh]ten 1324 furže. ¶ žei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem self wiž outerage. [Sidenote: With acorns they satisfied their hunger.] ¶ žei weren wont ly[gh]tly to slaken her hunger at euene wiž acornes of okes [Sidenote: They knew not Hypocras nor Hydromel.] ¶ žei ne couže nat medle že [gh]ift of bacus to že clere hony. 1328 žat is to seyn. žei couže make no piment of clarre. [Sidenote: They did not dye the Serian fleece in Tyrian purple.] ne žei couže nat medle že bri[gh]t[e] flies of že co{n}tre of siriens wiž že venym of tirie. žis is to seyne. žei couže nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiž že 1332 blode of a manar shelfysshe. žat men fynden in tyrie. wiž 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.] ¶ žei slepen holesom slepes vpon že gras. and dronken of že rynnyng watres. {and} laien vndir že shadowe of že hey[gh]e 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 [gh]it že heye see wiž oores or wiž shippes. ne žei ne hadden seyne [gh]itte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse [[pg 51]] in to dyuerse co{n}tres. [Sidenote: The warlike trumpet was hushed and still.] ¶ žo weren že 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 [gh]it 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 žei seien cruel woundes ne none medes 1344 ben of blood yshad [Sidenote: O that those days would come again!] ¶ I wolde žat oure tymes sholde turne a[gh]eyne to že oolde maneres. [Sidenote: The thirst of wealth torments all; it rages more fiercely than Ętna's fires.] ¶ But že anguissous loue of hauyng brennež in folke moore cruely žan že fijr of že Mou{n}taigne of Ethna žat euer brennež. 1348 [Sidenote: Cursed be the wretch who first brought gold to light.] ¶ Allas what was he žat first dalf vp že gobets or že wey[gh]tys of gold couered vndir erže. {and} že p{re}cious stones žat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious perils. žat is to seyne žat he žat 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 že p{re}ciousnesse of swyche haž many man ben in peril. [Linenotes: 1324 _eržes_--feeldes 1325 _furže_--forth _destroyed[e]_--dystroyede 1327 _her_--hyr _at_--MS. as, C. at _euene_--euen 1328 _couže_--cowde _medle_--medly _[gh]ift_--yifte _clere_--cleer 1329 _couže_--cowde _of_--nor 1330 _couže_--cowde _bri[gh]t[e] flies_--bryhte flee[gh]es 1331 _siriens_--Seryens _seyne_--seyn 1332 _couže_--cowde _dien_--deyen _flies_--fle[gh]es 1333 _blode_--blood _shelfysshe_--shyllefyssh 1334 _blode_--blood 1335 _holesom_--holsom _rynnyng watres_--rennynge wateres _shadowe_--shadwes _hey[gh]e_--heye 1337 _pyne_--pyn _no_ (2)--omitted [_ne_]--from C. _karf_--karue 1339 _hadden seyne [gh]itte_--hadde seyn yit 1341 _whist_--hust _blode yshed_--blod I-shad 1343 _whiche woodenesse_--whych wodnesse 1344 _seien_--say 1346 _turne a[gh]eyne_--torne ayein 1347 _folke_--folk 1348 _že_--omitted _euer_--ay 1351 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hydd 1352 _seyne_--seyn _he_ (2)--omitted 1354 _swyche_--swych thinge _haž_--MS. haže _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. že whiche [ye] men ž{a}t neižer knowen verray dignitee 1356 ne verray power areysen hem as heye as že heuene. [Sidenote: When they fall to the lot of a wicked man, they produce greater calamities than the flaming eruption of Ętna, or the most impetuous deluge.] že whiche dignitees {and} powers yif žei come to any wicked man žei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as dož že fla{m}me of že Mou{n}taigne 1360 Ethna whan že fla{m}me wit walwiž vp ne no deluge ne dož 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 remembriž wel as I trowe žat žilke dignitee žat men clepiž že emperie of {con}sulers že whiche žat somtyme was bygynnyng 1364 of fredom. ¶ [Gh]oure eldres coueiteden to han don a-wey žat dignitee for že p{r}ide of že conseilers. [Linenotes: 1355 _seyne_--seye 1358 _come_--comen 1359 _don_--MS. done, C. don _[as] greet[e]_--as grete 1360 _distruccioun_--destrucciou{n}s _dož_--MS. dože, C. doth _flamme_--flaumbe 1361 _flamme_--flawmbe _wit_--omitted 1362 _dož_--MS. dože, C. doth 1363 _clepiž_--clepyn 1364 _whiche_--whych _somtyme_--whilom 1366 _for_--MS. of, C. for] [[pg 52]] [Headnote: HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,] ¶ And ry[gh]t for že same p{r}ide [gh]oure eldres byforne žat tyme hadden don awey out of že Citee of rome že 1368 kynges name. žat is to seien. žei nolden haue no lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be ž{a}t dignitees {and} powers ben [gh]euen to goode men. že whiche žing is ful [gh]elde. what agreable ži{n}ges is žer in žo dignitees. 1372 or powers. but only že goodenes of folk žat 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 žerfore it is žus žat hono{ur} ne comež nat to vertue for cause of dignite. but a[gh]einward. hono{ur} comež to dignite by cause of vertue. [Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and desired?] but whiche is 1376 [gh]oure derworže power žat is so clere {and} so requerable [Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?] ¶ O [gh]e erželyche bestes considere [gh]e nat ouer whiche žing žat it semež žat [gh]e 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 žou say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} *ožer myse žat chalenged[e] to 1380 hymself ward ry[gh]t {and} power ouer alle ožer myse. how gret scorne woldest žou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So farež it by men. že body haž power ouer že body. [Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly may be the cause of death?] For yif žow loke wel vpon že body of a wy[gh]t what 1384 žing shalt žou fynde moore frele žan is mannes kynde. že whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiž bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiž že entryng of crepyng wormes in to že 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 žat may exercen or haunten any ry[gh]t vpon an ožer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{n} žinges žat ben lower žen že body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s [Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?] ¶ Mayst žou 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 žou remuen fro že estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a žou[gh]t žat 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 žat wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie žat was cast a[gh]eins žis tyraunt [Sidenote: Have you not read how Anaxarchus bit off his tongue and spat it in the face of Nicocreon?] ¶ But žis free man boot 1400 of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in že visage of žilke woode tyrau{n}te. ¶ So žat že to{ur}ment[gh] žat žis tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. žis 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 žing is it žat a man may don to an ožer man. žat he ne may receyue že same žing of ožer folke i{n} hym self. or žus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. žat folk ne may don hym že 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 žat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes žat herburghden in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of ercules žat 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] [gh]iue hys handes to ben bounden w{i}t{h} že cheynes of hem žat 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 žou žan žat he be my[gh]ty. žat may nat don a žing. žat ožer ne may don 1416 hym. žat he dož to ožer. [Sidenote: If powers and honours were intrinsically good, they would never be attained by the wicked.] {and} [gh]it more ou{er} yif it so were žat žise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden žei comen to shrewes. [Sidenote: An union of things opposite is repugnant to nature.] ¶ For contrarious žinges ne ben 1420 not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refusež žat contra[r]ious žinges 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 žat ry[gh]t wikked folk han dignitees ofte tymes. žan shewež it wel žat dignitees {and} powers 1424 ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn žat žei 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 že same žing may most digneliche Iugen {and} seyen of alle že [gh]iftis of fortune žat most plenteuously [[pg 54]] comen to shrewes. [Sidenote: We judge him to be valiant who has given evidence of his fortitude.] ¶ Of že whiche [gh]iftys I 1429 trowe žat it au[gh]t[e] ben considered žat no man doutiž žat he nis strong. in whom he seež strengže. {and} in whom žat swiftnesse is ¶ Sože it is žat he is swyfte. 1432 [Sidenote: So music maketh a musician, &c.] Also musyk makež musiciens. {and} fysik makež 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 že nature of euery žing makiž his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat ent{er}medled wiž že effect{is} of co{n}trarious žinges. 1436 [Linenotes: 1374 _comež_--comth 1375, 1376 _vertue_--vertu 1376 _comež_--comth _by_--for _whiche_--which 1377 _derworže_--dereworthe _clere_--cleer 1378 _whiche_--which 1379 _han_--MS. hanne, C. han 1380 _say[e]_--saye _mouse amongus_--mous amonges _myse_--mus[gh] 1382 _scorne_--scorn 1383 _haž_--MS. haže 1385 _mannes_--man 1386 _že----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 _ožer_--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. žeues, C. cheynes _had[de]_--hadde 1415 _somtyme_--whylom 1416 _žat----žing_--that hath no power to don a thinge _ožer_--oothre 1417 _hym_--in hym _dož_--MS. dože, C. doth _to ožer_--in oothre 1421 _togidres_--to-gider{e} 1423 _certeyne_--certein 1424 _tymes_--tyme 1425 _owen_--owne 1429 _whiche_--which 1430 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 1432 _Sože_--soth _swyfte_--swyft 1435 _is_--nis 1436 _effectis_--effect] [Headnote: POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.] ¶ And as of wil it chasež oute žinges žat 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] makež nat a ma{n} my[gh]ty ouer hym self. whiche žat vicious lustis 1440 holden destreined wiž cheins žat 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 žat ben [gh]euen to shrewed[e] folk nat oonly ne makiž hem nat digne. but it shewež ražer al openly žat žei ben vnworži {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 ž{us}. ¶ Certis for [gh]e han ioye to clepen žinges wiž fals[e] names. žat beren hem al in že co{n}t{ra}rie. že whiche names ben ful ofte reproued by že effect of že same žinges. [Sidenote: [* fol. 14.]] so žat *žise ilke rycchesse 1448 ne au[gh]ten nat by ry[gh]t to ben cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne au[gh]t[e] not ben cleped power. ne whiche dignitee ne au[gh]t[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 že laste I may conclude že same žinge of 1452 al že [gh]iftes of fortune in whiche žer nis no žing to ben desired. ne žat haž in hym self naturel bounte. ¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyžer žei ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey 1456 goode to who{m} žei 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 _au[gh]ten_--owhten _rycchesse_--rychesses 1450 _whiche_--swich _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 1451 _whiche_--swich _au[gh]t[e]_--owht 1453 _al_--alle 1454 _haž_--MS. haže 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 doń by že 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 že citee of Rome {and} made slen že 1460 senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slou[gh] hys brožer. {and} he was maked moyst wiž že blood of hys modir. žat is to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} že 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 žat he my[gh]t[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 [gh]itte neuerželes gouerned[e] žis Nero by Ceptre al že peoples 1468 žat phebus že sonne may seen comyng from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir že wawes. ¶ žat is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle že peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial žat že so{n}ne gož aboute from est to west ¶ And 1472 eke žis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle že peoples žat ben vndir že colde sterres žat hy[gh]ten že seuene triones. žis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle že poeples žat ben vndir že p{ar}ties of že norže. [Sidenote: He governed, too, the people in the torrid zone.] ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] 1476 alle že poeples žat že violent wynde Nothus scorchiž {and} bakiž že brennynge sandes by his drie hete. žat is to seyne. alle že poeples in že souže. [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. žat is to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe. [Linenotes: 1458 _greet[e]_--grete 1460 _letee_--let 1461 _somtyme slou[gh]_--whilom slow 1463 _let_--lette 1464 _where_--wher 1465 _half_--halue 1466 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 1467 _hire_--hyr 1468 _neuerželes_--natheles _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede _al_--alle 1469 _from_--fram _outerest_--owtereste 1470 _hidde_--hide 1471 _seyne_--seyn 1472 _gož_--MS. gože, C. goth 1473 _goueyrende_--gou{er}nyd 1474 _triones_--tyryones 1475 _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede 1476 _parties_--p{ar}ty _norže_--north _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede 1477 _wynde_--wynd _scorchiž_--scorklith 1479 _seyne_--seyn _souže_--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.] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. žou wost wel žiself žat že 1484 couetise of mortal žinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of žinges to done. as who seiž. [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. žat is to seyn. žat list žat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue žat lay now ful stille. ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For whiche men my[gh]ten 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 sože q{uo}d she. {and} žat is a žing žat may drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worži {and} noble of hir nature. but naželes it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as 1496 ben y-brou[gh]t to že ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. žat is to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred že comune žinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of že 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 žilke 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 žing is as žou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of astronomye žat al že envyronynge of že erže aboute ne halt but že resou{n} of a prykke at regard of že gretnesse 1504 of heuene. žat is to seye. žat yif žat žer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of že erže to že gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle žat erže [ne] helde no space [Sidenote: Ptolemy shows that only one-fourth of this earth is inhabited by living creatures.] ¶ Of že whiche litel regiou{n} of žis worlde 1508 že ferže partie is enhabitid wiž lyuyng beestes žat we knowen. as žou hast ži self lerned by tholome žat p{ro}uit[-h] 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 žou haddest wiž drawen {and} abated in ži žou[gh]te fro žilke ferže partie as myche space as že 1512 see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as že regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}strecchež. [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 _žou[gh]te_--thowht _myche_--moche 1513 [_the_]--from C. 1514 _myche space_--moche spaces] [[pg 57]] [Headnote: FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 14 _b_.]] žat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnnež sholde *žer dwellen a ry[gh]t streite place to že 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} [gh]e žan žat ben environed {and} closed wiž i{n}ne že leest[e] prikke of žilk prikke ženke [gh]e to manifesten [gh]oure renou{n} {and} don [gh]oure name to ben born forže. [Sidenote: What is there great in a glory so circumscribed?] but [gh]our{e} glorie žat is so narwe {and} so 1520 streyt yžronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinže 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 žis žer to žat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben 1524 enhabitid in že cloos of žilke litel habitacle. ¶ To že 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 že 1528 names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke že 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 že last[e] Certis in že tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writež in his book žat že renou{n} of že comune of 1532 Rome ne hadde nat [gh]itte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} že mou{n}taigne žat hy[gh]t Caucasus. {and} [gh]itte was žilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of že p{ar}thes. and eke of ožer folk enhabityng aboute. [Sidenote: How narrow, then, is that glory which you labour to propagate.] ¶ Sest žou 1536 nat žan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is žilke glorie žat [gh]e 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 žan že glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen žider as že fame of že name of Rome may nat clymben ne 1540 passen. [Sidenote: Customs and institutions differ in different countries.] ¶ And eke sest ž{o}u nat žat že 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 ž{a}t žilke žing žat so{m}men iugen worži of p{re}ysynge. ožer folk iugen žat it is worži of torment. 1544 [Linenotes: 1515 _seye_--seyn 1516 _streite_--streyt 1517 _žan_--thanne 1518 _inne_--in _leest[e]_--leste _žilk_--thilke _ženke [gh]e_--thinken ye 1520 _born forže_--MS. borne, C. born, forth _narwe_--narwh 1521 _streyt_--streyte _myche_--mochel 1522 _conteinže_--coueyteth 1525 _habitacle_--MS. habitache, C. habytacule 1529 [_nat_]--from C. 1531 _last[e]_--laste 1532 _writež_--writ 1533 _hadde_--hadden _[gh]itte_--omitted 1534 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte _žilk_--thikke 1535 _wexen_--waxen 1536 _Sest žou_--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 žer of comež žat žou[gh] a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise [[pg 58]] bryngen furže 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 žerfore euery man{er} man au[gh]te to ben 1548 paied of hys glorie žat is puplissed among hys owen ney[gh]bores. [Sidenote: But of how many personages, illustrious in their times, have the memorials been lost through the carelessness and neglect of writers.] ¶ And žilke noble renou{n} shal be restreyned wiž-i{n}ne že boundes of o maner folk but how many a man žat was ful noble in his tyme. haž že 1552 nedy {and} wrecched for[gh]etynge 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 žat certys žilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. že whiche writy{n}ges longe {and} derke elde dož aweye bože 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 [gh]e men semen to geten [gh]ow a p{er}durablete whan [gh]e ženke žat in tyme comyng [gh]oure fame shal lasten. [Sidenote: If you consider the infinite space of eternity you will have no reason to rejoice in this supposition.] ¶ But naželes yif žou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to že endeles space of eternite what žing hast žou by whiche žou 1560 maist reioysen že of lo{n}g lastyng of ži name. [Sidenote: If a _moment_ be compared with 10,000 years, there is a proportion between them, though a very small one.] ¶ For if žer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of že abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten žousand wynter. for as myche as bože žo spaces ben endid. ¶ For [gh]it haž že moment some 1564 porciou{n} of hit al žou[gh] 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 naželes žilke self nou{m}bre of [gh]eres. and eke as many [gh]eres as žer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to že p{er}durablete žat is een[de]les. [Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none between the infinite and finite.] ¶ For of 1568 žinges žat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges ž{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 ži is it al žou[gh] renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer že lyst to žinken 1572 were žou[gh]t by že regard of et{er}nite. žat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ry[gh]t nou[gh]t. [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 [gh]e men certys ne konne don no žing ary[gh]t. but [gh]if it be for že audience of poeple. [[pg 59]] {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} [gh]e forsaken že grete woržinesse of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} [gh]e seke{n} [gh]oure 1578 gerdou{n}s of že smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke. [Linenotes: 1545 _comež_--comth it 1547 _furže_--forth _manere_--maner 1548 _žerfore_--ther-for _au[gh]te_--owhte 1549 _paied_--apayed _hys owen_--hise owne 1550 _ney[gh]bores_--nesshebours _be_--ben 1552 _haž_--MS. haže 1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt 1556 _derke_--derk _dož aweye_--MS. dože, C. doth a-wey _her autours_--hir actorros 1557 _[gh]e_--yow _semen_--semeth 1558 _comyng_--to comynge 1559 _wilt_--wolt 1560 _whiche_--which 1563 _myche_--mochel 1564 _žo_--the _haž_--MS. haže _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} že ly[gh]tnesse 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 žere was a man žat had[de] assaied wiž striuyng wordes an ožer ma{n}. ¶ že whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude 1584 veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly že name of a philosopher. ¶ žis ražer man žat I speke of žou[gh]t[e] he wolde assay[e] where he žilke were a philosopher or no. [Sidenote: [* fol. 15.]] žat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred 1588 ly[gh]tly in pacience že wro{n}ges *žat 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.'] ¶ žis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge a[gh]eine {and} reioysynge of 1592 hym self seide at že last[e] ry[gh]t žus. ¶ vndirstondest žou nat žat I am a philosophere. [Sidenote: 'I might have believed it,' said the other, 'had you held your tongue.'] žat ožer man answered[e] a[gh]ein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif žou haddest holde{n} ži tonge 1596 stille. [Sidenote: What advantage is it to great and worthy men to be extolled after death?] ¶ But what is it to žise noble worži men. For certys of swyche folk speke .I. žat seken glorie wiž vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniž fame to swiche folk whan že body is resolued by že deež. atte 1600 že 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 žat men dien in al. žat is to seyne body {and} soule. že whiche žing oure resou{n} defendiž vs to byleuen žanne is žere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde žilke glorie ben. for he of 1604 who{m} žis glorie is seid to be nis ry[gh]t nou[gh]t 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 [gh]if že soule whiche žat haž in it self science of goode werkes vnbounden fro že p{r}isou{n} of že erže [[pg 60]] wendež frely to že heuene. dispisež it nou[gh]t žan alle 1608 eržely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioisež žat it is exempt from alle eržely žinges [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 _žou[gh]t[e]_--thowhte _assay[e]_--assaye 1588 _seyne_--seyn 1590 _feined[e]_--feynede 1592 _a[gh]eine_--ayein 1593 _last[e]_--laste _vndirstondest žou_--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 _žis_--thilke _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _nou[gh]t_--nawht 1606 _haž_--MS. haže 1608 _nou[gh]t žan_--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 žat wiž oueržrowyng žou[gh]t only sekež glorie of fame. {and} weniž žat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon že brode shewyng contreys of že heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} že streite sete of žis erže. {and} 1616 he shal be ashamed of že encres of his name. žat may nat fulfille že litel compas of že erže. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely [gh]ok of žis worlde. [Sidenote: Will splendid titles and renown prolong a man's life?] ¶ For al žou[gh] 1620 [ž{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples gož by dyuerse tonges. and al žou[gh] grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiž clere titles of hono{ur}s. [Sidenote: In the grave there is no distinction between high and low.] [gh]it naželes deež dispisež al heye glorie of fame. {and} deež wrappež 1624 to gidre že heye heuedes {and} že lowe {and} makež egal {and} euene že heyest[e] to že lowest[e]. [Sidenote: Where is the good Fabricius now?] ¶ where wone{n} now že bones of trewe fabricius. [Sidenote: Where the noble Brutus, or stern Cato?] what is now brutus or stiern Caton že žinne fame [gh]it lastynge 1628 of hir ydel names is markid wiž a fewe lettres. [Sidenote: Their empty names still live, but of their persons we know nothing.] but al žou[gh] we han knowe{n} že faire wordes of že fames of hem. it is nat [gh]euen to knowe he{m} žat ben dede {and} consumpt. [Sidenote: Fame cannot make you known.] Liggiž žanne stille al vtterly vnknowable 1632 ne fame ne makež [gh]ow nat knowe. and yif [gh]e wene to lyuen že leng{er} for wynde of [gh]oure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe [gh]ow. žan is že secunde deež dwellyng in [gh]ow. [Sidenote: It will be effaced by conquering Time, so that death will be doubly victorious.] _Glosa._ že first deež he clepiž 1636 here že dep{ar}tynge of že body {and} že soule. ¶ and [[pg 61]] že secunde deež he clepež as here. že styntynge of že 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 [_žat_]--from C. _ferne_--MS. serue, C. ferne _gož_--MS. gože, 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 _že_ (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 ž{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 ž{a}t she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} ž{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 ž{a}t .I. shal seye // [Sidenote: And what I say may perhaps appear paradoxical.] it is a wondyr ž{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 ž{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 ž{a}t vsen he{m} / the 1656 contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by ž^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 ž{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / ž{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 // ž{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 ž{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 ž^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges // [Sidenote: Elements, that by nature disagree, are restrained by concord.] ž{a}t the contraryos qualite of element[gh] 1680 holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / ž{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / ž{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.] ž{a}t ž^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende hise floodes / so ž{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // ž{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 / ž{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also {com}mau{n}dement[gh] 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 ž{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 ž{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 ž{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 / ž{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 ž{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow 1704 ž{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 ž{a}t .I. trowe nat now ž{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 ž{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 // ž{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan ž{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til ž{a}t thow haddest swych habyte 1716 of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl ž{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which ž{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 ž{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // ž{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 ž{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 ž{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.] ž{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 ž{a}t thow more knowest / so ž{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false 1736 goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to ž{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 žornes {and} kerue asondre wiž his hooke 1740 že bushes {and} že ferne so žat že 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 že more swete yif moužes han firste tastid sauoures ž{a}t ben wikke. [Sidenote: The stars shine all the clearer when the southern showery blasts cease to blow.] ¶ že sterres shynen more agreably whan že wynde Nothus letiž his 1744 ploungy blastes. [Sidenote: When Lucifer has chased away the dark night, then Phoebus mounts his gay chariot.] {and} aftir žat lucifer že day sterre haž chased awey že derke ny[gh]t. že day že feir{e}r lediž že rosene horse of že sonne. [Sidenote: So you, beholding the false felicity, and withdrawing your neck from the yoke of earthly affections, will soon see the sovereign good.] ¶ Ry[gh]t so žou byholdyng first že fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiždrawe ži nek[ke] 1748 fro že [gh]ok of eržely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde že verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to ži 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 _haž_--MS. haže 1746 _feirer_--fayrere 1747 _horse_--hors _Ry[gh]t_--And Ryht 1748 _fals[e]_--false _bygynne_--bygyn _wiždrawe_--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.] ++ŽO fastned[e] she a lytel že sy[gh]t of hir eyen {and} wiždrow hir ry[gh]t as it were in to že streite sete of hir 1752 žou[gh]t. {and} bygan to speke ry[gh]t ž{us}. [Sidenote: All the cares and desires of men seek one end--happiness.] Alle že cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche žat trauaylen hem i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. [Sidenote: [* fol. 15 _b_.]] ¶ But naželes žei 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 žat who so haž geten it he ne may ouer žat no žing more desiire. [Sidenote: It is the sovereign good, and comprehends all others. It lacks nothing, otherwise it could not be the supreme good.] and žis žing for sože is že souereyne good žat conteiniž in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to že whiche goode 1760 yif žere failed[e] any žing. it my[gh]t[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For žan were žere som goode out of žis ilke souereyne goode ž{a}t my[gh]t[e] ben desired. [Sidenote: Happiness is, therefore, that perfect state, in which all other goods meet and centre.] Now is it clere {and} certeyne ža{n} žat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat by že congregac{i}ou{n} 1764 of alle goodes. [Sidenote: It is the object which all men strive after.] ¶ že 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 že couetise of verray goode is naturely y-plaunted in že hertys of men. ¶ But že 1768 myswandryng erro{ur} myslediž 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 že whiche men some of hem wenen žat souereygne goode is to lyue wiž outen nede of any žing. {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. 1772 and some ožer men deme{n}. žat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ry[gh]t digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir ney[gh]bo{ur}s. by že hono{ur}s žat žei 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 žer ben žat halden žat 1776 ry[gh]t hey[gh]e power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem žat 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 semež to some ožer folk žat noblesse of renou{n} be že sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to 1780 geten glorious name by že 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 ž{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen žat it be ry[gh]t 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 žer ben folk žat enterchaungen že causes {and} že endes of žise forseide goodes as žei žat desire{n} rycchesse to [[pg 66]] han power {and} delices. Or ellis žei desiren power forto han moneye or for cause of renou{n}. [Sidenote: In all they do they have a particular end in view.] ¶ In žise žinges 1788 {and} i{n} swyche ožer žinges is to{ur}ned al že entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As žus. [Linenotes: 1751 _fastned[e]_--fastnede _wiždrow_--MS. wiždrowen, C. w{i}t{h} drowh 1752 _sete_--Cyte 1756 _enforced_--enforsen 1757 [_And blysfulnesse_]--from C. _goode_--good 1758 _so_--so ž{a}t _haž_--MS. haže 1759 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn 1760 _al_--alle _goode_--good 1761 _žere_--ther _failed[e]_--faylyde _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 1762 _žan_--thanne _žere_--ther _goode_--good _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn 1763 _goode_--good _my[gh]t[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 wiž outen_--lyuen w{i}t{h} owte 1772 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1773 _some_--som _goode be_--good ben 1774 _be_--ben 1775 _ney[gh]bours_--nesshebors 1776 _halden_--holden 1777 _hey[gh]e_--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 _ožer_--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 žat [gh]iuež as it semež a manere clernesse of renou{n}. [Sidenote: By others, wives and children are only desired as sources of pleasure.] ¶ and wijf {and} 1792 children žat 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 forsože frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened among že goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it is a ful holy man{er}e žing. [Sidenote: All else are desired either for the power or pleasure they afford.] alle žise ožer žinges forsože 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 že goodes of že body to žise forseide žinges abouen. [Sidenote: Strength and a good stature seem to give power and worthiness.] ¶ For it semež ž{a}t strengže {and} gretnesse of body [gh]euen power {and} 1800 woržinesse. [Sidenote: Beauty and swiftness give glory and fame; and health gives delight.] ¶ and žat beaute {and} swiftenesse [gh]euen noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semež [gh]iuen delit. [Sidenote: In all these happiness alone is sought.] ¶ In alle žise ži{n}g{us} it semež oonly žat 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 žilke žing žat euery 1804 man desirež moost ouer alle žinges. he demiž žat be že souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined žat blisfulnesse is že souereyne goode. for whiche euery wy[gh]t demiž žat žilke estat žat he desirež ouer alle žinges žat 1808 it be že 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 žou žan byforne [thy eyen] almost al že p{ur}posed forme of že welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. žat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delit[gh]. že whiche delit oonly considered 1812 Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. žat delit is že souereyne goode. for as myche as alle ožer žinges as hym žou[gh]t[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrže fro{m} že herte. [Sidenote: I now return to the inclinations and pursuits of mankind.] ¶ But I reto{ur}ne a[gh]eyne to že studies of meen. 1816 of whiche men že corage alwey rehersiž {and} seekež že [[pg 67]] souereyne goode of alle be it so ž{a}t it be wiž 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.] ¶ Ry[gh]t as a dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paže he may reto{ur}ne 1820 home to hys house. [Sidenote: Do they go astray who strive to keep themselves from want?] ¶ Semež it žanne žat folk folyen {and} erren žat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no žing [Linenotes: 1794 _shollen_--sholden 1795 _že_--tho 1796 _ožer_--oothre 1801 _swiftenesse_--sweftnesse 1803 _[gh]iuen_--MS. [gh]iuež, C. yeuen 1806, 1807 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 1807 _whiche_--whych 1809 _že_--omitted _žan byforne_--thanne byforn 1810 [_thy eyen_]--from C.; MS. _has_ [gh]euen a[gh]eyne _almost_--almest _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse 1811 _seyne rycchesse_--seyn Rychesses 1814 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good _myche_--moche _ožer_--oothre 1815 _žou[gh]t[e]_--thowhte _from_--fram 1816 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein 1818 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good _of_--omitted _alle_--al _derke_--dirkyd 1819 [_but----paath_]--from C. 1820 _dronke_--dronken _paže_--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 žer nys non ožer žing žat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} *of alle 1824 goodes žat ne haž nede of none ožer žing. but žat 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 žanne. žat wenen žat žilk žing ž{a}t is ry[gh]t goode. žat it be eke ry[gh]t worži of honour {and} of 1828 reuerence. [Sidenote: No; for that is not contemptible for which all men strive.] ¶ Certis nay. for žat žing nys neyžer foule ne worži to ben dispised žat al že entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten it. [Sidenote: Is not power to be reckoned amongst desirable goods?] ¶ And power au[gh]t[e] nat žat 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 žat žilke žing žat is most worži of alle žinges be feble {and} wiž out strengže {and} clernesse of renou{n} au[gh]te žat to ben dispised. [Sidenote: Fame also is to be regarded, for everything excellent is also shining and renowned.] ¶ Certys žer may no man forsake žat al žing žat is ry[gh]t excellent 1836 {and} noble. žat it ne semež to be ry[gh]t 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 nediž nat to seie. žat blisfulnesse be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn žat in ry[gh]t litel ži{n}g{us} folk seken to 1840 haue {and} to vsen žat may deliten hem. [Sidenote: Hence it is that mankind seek riches, &c., because by them they hope to get independence, honour, &c.] ¶ Certys žise ben že ži{n}ges žat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. and for žis cause desiren žei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and} delices ¶ For žerby wenen žei to han suffisau{n}ce 1844 hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse. [Sidenote: However varied their desires, _happiness_ is their sole pursuit.] ¶ žanne is it goode. ž{a}t men seken žus by so many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may ly[gh]tly be shew{e}d. how grete is že strengže 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 žat 1848 men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge že ende of goode. [Linenotes: 1823 _perfourny_--p{er}forme 1825 _haž_--MS. haže _none_--non 1827 _žilk_--thilke 1828 _goode_--good 1829 _foule_--fowl 1830 _al_--welneyh alle 1831 _trauaille_--trauaylen _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 1832 _be_--ben 1834 _out_--owte 1835 _au[gh]te_--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 likež me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiž slakke {and} delitable sou{n} of strenges how žat nature my[gh]ty enclinež 1852 {and} flittež gouernement[gh] of žinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiž že grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreinež alle žing{us} by a bonde žat 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 žat že liou{n}s of 1856 že contree of pene beren že fair[e] cheines. {and} taken metes of že handes of folk žat [gh]euen it hem. {and} dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche žei ben wont to suffren [betinges]. yif žat hir horrible moužes ben bi-bled. 1860 žat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passež žat haž ben ydel {and} rested. repairež a[gh]ein žat žei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. 1864 and hir maistre first to-teren wiž blody tože assaiež že woode wražžes of hem. ¶ žis is to sein žei 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 že Iangland brid žat syngiž on že heye braunches. žis is to sein in že wode {and} 1868 after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al žou[gh] [ž{a}t] že pleiyng besines of men [gh]euež hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes. wiž swete studie. ¶ [gh]it naželes yif žilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seež že 1872 agreable shadewes of že wodes. she defoulež wiž hir fete hir metes yshad {and} sekež mournyng oonly že wode {and} twitriž desirynge že wode wiž 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.] ¶ že [gh]erde of a tree žat is haled adou{n} by my[gh]ty 1876 strengže bowiž redely že croppe adou{n}. but yif žat že [[pg 69]] hande of hym žat it bente lat it gon a[gh]ein. ¶ An oon že crop lokež vp ry[gh]t 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.] ¶ že sonne phebus žat faillež at euene in že westrene wawes retorniž a[gh]ein 1880 eftsones his cart by a priue paže žere as it is wont aryse. [Sidenote: All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the source of order.] ¶ Alle žinges seken a[gh]ein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle žinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge a[gh]ein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to 1884 ži{n}ges but žat. [Sidenote: Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found, for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return from whence they came.] žat haž ioignynge že endynge to že bygynnynge. {and} haž makid že cours of it self stable žat it chaungež 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 _passež_--passed 1864 _from_--fram _vnbounden_--vnbownde 1865 _to-teren_--to-torn _tože_--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 _twitriž_--twiterith 1877 _croppe_--crop 1878 _hande_--hand _bente_--bent 1880 _faillež_--falleth 1881 _cart_--carte _a_--omitted _paže_--paath 1883 _of_--MS. of of 1885 _haž_--MS. haže _ioignynge_--Ioyned 1886 _haž_--MS. haže] [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 [gh]e men žat ben erželich{e} bestes dreme{n} 1888 alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al žou[gh] it be wiž a žinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner žou[gh]t al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly [gh]e looken from a fer til žilk 1891 verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and žerfore že naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledež [gh]ow to žilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niž [gh]ow žer 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 žat be žilke žinges by whiche a man weniž to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif žat he may comen 1896 to žilke ende žat he wenež 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 žat moneye or hono{ur}s or žise ožer forseide žinges bryngen to men swiche a žing žat no goode ne faille hem. ne semež faille. ¶ Certys žan wil I graunt[e] 1900 žat žei ben maked blisful. by žilke žinges žat žei 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 žat žilke ži{n}ges ne mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men žat žei by-heten {and} žat žer be defaute of many goodes. ¶ Shewež it nat žan clerely ž{a}t fals 1904 beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in žilke žinges. ¶ First {and} forward žou ži self žat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. [[pg 70]] [Sidenote: In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong or grievance?] ¶ I axe [gh]if žat in že haboundaunce of alle žilk[e] rycchesses 1908 žou were neuer anguissous or sory in ži corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce žat by-tidde že on any syde. [Linenotes: 1889 [_yowre bygynnynge_]--from C. _al_--MS. as, C. Al 1891 _from_--fram _til žilk_--to thylke 1892 _že_--omitted 1893 _žilk_--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 _žilk[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 remembrež me nat žat euere I was so free of my žou[gh]t. žat 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.] ž{a}t was žat žou lakkedest žat žou noldest han lakked. or ellys žou haddest žat žou noldest han had. [Sidenote: _B._ That's quite true.] ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} I žan. [Sidenote: _P._ Then you did desire the presence of the one and the absence of the other?] desiredest žou že p{re}sence of žat oon {and} že absence of žat ožer. 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 sože q{uod} she žan nediž žer somwhat žat euery man desirež. [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly he is.] [gh]e žer nediž q{uod} I. [Sidenote: _P._ If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?] ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he žat haž lakke or nede of a wy[gh]t 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} žou q{uo}d she in alle že plente of ži rycchesse haddest žilke 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.] ¶ žanne may nat rycchesse maken žat a man nis nedy. ne žat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} 1924 žat was it ž{a}t žei byhy[gh]ten as it semež. [Sidenote: Money may part company with its owner, however unwilling he may be to lose it.] ¶ and eke certys I trowe žat žis be gretly to consydere žat moneye ne haž nat in hys owen kynde žat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem žat 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 žou nat by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day že strenger folke by-nymen it fram že 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 žise foreine compleintes or quereles of 1932 plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for žat men axen a[gh]eine her moneye žat haž be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey maugre hem. [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true.] ¶ Ry[gh]t so it is q{uod} I. [Sidenote: _P._ Then a man needs the assistance of others in order to keep his riches.] žan q{uo}d she haž 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 _žat----lakkedest_--And was nat ž{a}t q{uod} she for ž{a}t the lacked som-what 1915 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had 1917 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te 1919 _haž_--MS. haže _a wy[gh]t_--awht 1921 _alle_--al 1922 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _lak_--lakke 1923 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1927 _haž_--MS. haže _owen_--owne 1930 _strenger folke by-nymen_--strenger{e} folk by-nemyn 1931 _fram_--fro _febler_--febeler{e} _Fro_--for 1933 _a[gh]eine_--ayeyn 1934 _haž_--MS. haže _be_--ben 1936 _haž_--MS. haže _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 nediž no helpe yif he ne hadde no moneye žat he my[gh]t[e] leese. [Sidenote: _B._ That is beyond all doubt.] ¶ žat 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.] žanne is žis ži{n}g turned in to že contrarie 1940 q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse žat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. žei maken a man ražer 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 že manere or že gise q{uod} she žat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk 1944 may žei neižer han hungre ne žrest. žise ryche men may žei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. [Sidenote: You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy these wants.] ¶ But žou wilt answere žat ryche men han y-nou[gh] wher wiž žei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her žrest 1948 {and} don awey colde. [Sidenote: By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot satisfy every want.] ¶ In žis 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 žou[gh] žis nede žat is alwey gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiž rycchesses. {and} axe 1952 any žing [gh]it dwellež žanne a nede žat my[gh]t[e] ben fulfilled. [Sidenote: A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has enough.] ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how žat litel žing suffisež to nature. but certys to auarice ynou[gh] ne suffisež no žinge. [Sidenote: If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think that they can supply all your necessities?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 17.]] *¶ For syn žat rychesse ne may nat 1956 al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it žanne be žat [gh]e wenen žat rychesses mowen [gh]eue{n} [gh]ow suffisau{n}ce. [Linenotes: 1938 _nediž no helpe_--nedede non help 1939 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 1940 _doutles_--dowteles 1941 _rycchesse_--Rychesses 1943 _helpe_--help _whiche_--whych 1944 _rycches_--Rychesse _dryuen_--dryue 1945 _hungre_--hungyr _žrest_--thurst 1946 _žei_--the _colde_--coold _in_--on 1947 _wilt answere_--wolt Answeren _y-nou[gh]_--y-now 1948 _žrest_--thurst 1949 _colde_--coold 1950 _nat_--omitted 1951 _outerly_--vtrely 1953 _my[gh]t[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 žat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer 1960 fletynge alle of golde [gh]itte 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 žou[gh] he hadde his nekke I-charged wiž p{re}ciouse stones of že rede see. {and} žou[gh] he do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiž an hundrež oxen neuere 1964 ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyuež. ne že ly[gh]t[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 _[gh]itte_--yit _staunche_--stau{n}chyn 1962, 1963 _žou[gh]_--thow 1964 _erye_--Ere _hundrež_--hundred 1965 _while_--whyl 1966 _ly[gh]t[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 žei ben comen make žei hym 1968 honorable {and} reuerent. [Sidenote: But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue in the heart?] han žei nat so grete strengže žat žei may putte vertues in že hertis of folk. žat vsen že lordshipes of hem. or ellys may žei don awey že vices. [Sidenote: So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render them more conspicuous.] Certys žei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. 1972 but žei ben wont ražer to shew[en] wikkednesses. [Sidenote: Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities given to wicked men.] {and} žer of comež it žat I haue ry[gh]t grete desdeyne. žat dignites ben [gh]euen ofte to wicked men. [Sidenote: Hence Catullus' resentment against Nonius, whom he calls the botch, or impostume of the State.] ¶ For whiche žing catullus clepid a consul of Rome žat 1976 hy[gh]t noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiž he clepiž hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were žis 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 žou nat žan how gret vylenye 1980 dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworžines of wikked men shold{e} ben že lasse ysen yif žei 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 žou ži self ne my[gh]test nat ben brou[gh]t wiž as many p{er}ils as žou 1984 my[gh]test suffren žat ž{o}u woldest bere ži magistrat wiž decorat. žat is to seyn. žat for no p{er}il žat my[gh]t[e] bifalle{n} že by že offence of že kyng theodorik žou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne 1988 žou say[e] žat 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 worži of reuerence žat I deme {and} holde vnworži to han žilke 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 žou saie a man žat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys žou ne my[gh]test nat demen ž{a}t he were vnworži to že [[pg 73]] hono{ur}. or ellys to že 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 transportež dignite anon to žilke 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 _comež_--comth _grete desdeyne_--gret desdaign 1976 _whiche_--which 1977 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte _nonius_--MS. vonn{us}, C. nomy{us} _boch_--MS. bože, C. boch _clepiž_--clepyd 1979 _nonius_--MS. uonn{us}, C. nomy{us} _set_--MS. sette, C. set 1980 _Sest žou_--Sesthow _žan_--thanne _vylenye_--fylonye 1981 _vnworžines_--vnworthynesse 1982 _ben_--be _ysen_--MS. ysene, C. I-sene 1984 _many_--manye 1985 _bere_--beren 1986 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 1987 _že_ (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 žat 2000 žei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And [gh]it men au[gh]ten take more hede in žis. [Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices the more conspicuous.] ¶ For if it so be žat he is most out cast žat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat maken shrewes worži of no reuerences. žan 2004 makež dignites shrewes more dispised žan p{re}ised. že whiche shrewes dignit[e] schewež 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 sože nat vnpunissed. žat is forto sein. žat shrewes reuengen hem a[gh]einward vpon dignites. for žei [gh]elden 2008 a[gh]ein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan žei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiž 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 žou mow[e] knowe žat žilke verray reuerence ne may nat comen by že shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. 2012 vndirstonde now žis. yif žat 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 žilke 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 žat honour of poeple were a naturel [gh]ifte to dignites. it ne my[gh]te neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office. [Linenotes: 2000 _clerly_--MS. clerkly, C. clerly 2002 _au[gh]ten----hede_--owhten taken mor heed 2002-3 _For----dignite_--For yif so be ž{a}t a wykkyd whyght be so mochel the fowler{e} {and} the moore owt cast ž{a}t he is despised of most folk so as dignete 2004-2007 _maken----sože_--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 _[gh]elden_--yilden 2009 _byspotten_--by-spetten 2010 _hire_--hyr 2011 _moche_--mochel _mow[e]_--mowe 2012 _že shadewy_--thyse shadwye 2013 _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond _žis_--thus 2014 _hadde_--had 2018 _[gh]ifte_--yift 2019 _folke_--foolk _done_--don] [Headnote: DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 17 _b_.]] ¶ Ry[gh]t as fire i{n} euery contre ne stintež 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 comež nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengže of nat{ur}e. but only of že fals[e] [[pg 74]] opiniou{n} of folk. žat is to sein. žat wenen žat dignites 2024 maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on žerfore whan žat žei comen žer as folk ne knowe{n} nat žilke dignites. her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} žat on oon. but žat is a-mong straung folk. maist žou sein. [Sidenote: Do they always endure in those places that gave birth to them?] but amo{n}g{us} 2028 hem žat žei weren born duren žilk[e] dignites alwey. [Sidenote: The Prętorate was once a great honour, but now it is only an empty name and a heavy expense.] ¶ Certys že dignite of že p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a grete power. now is it no žing but an ydel name. {and} že rente of že senatorie a g{r}et charge. 2032 [Sidenote: What is more vile than the office of the superintendency of provisions?] {and} yif a whi[gh]t somtyme hadde že office to taken he[de] to že vitailes of že poeple as of corne {and} what ožer žinges he was holden amonges grete. but what žing is more nowe out cast žanne žilke 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. žat žilke žing žat haž no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyuež somtyme pris {and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiž it by že 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 žat dignites žanne ne mowen 2040 nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif ž{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by že filže of shrewes. ¶ and yif žat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of tymes. and yif žei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of 2044 poeple. what is it žat žei han in hem self of beaute žat au[gh]te ben desired. as who seiž none. žanne ne mowen žei [gh]iuen no beaute of dignite to none ožer. [Linenotes: 2020 _enchaufen_--eschaufen 2021 _myche_--mochel 2022 _be_--ben 2023 _fals[e]_--false 2024 _žat_ (2)--omitted 2027 _her_--hyr _vanissen_--vanesshen 2028 _a-mong_--amonges _straung_--strau{n}ge _but_--ne 2029 _žat_--ther _duren žilk[e]_--ne duren nat thylke 2030 _somtyme_--whylom 2031 _grete_--gret 2032 _že_ (2)--omitted 2033 _somtyme_--whylom _že_--MS. že že 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 _haž_--MS. haže 2042 _filže_--felthe 2043 _žat_--omitted 2046 _au[gh]te_--owhte _none_--non 2047 _žei_--MS. [gh]e, 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 žat že proude nero wiž al his woode luxurie 2048 kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiž faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiž white perles. Algates [gh]itte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ žis is to seyn žat 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.] ¶ [gh]itte žis wicked Nero hadde gret 2052 lordship {and} [gh]af somtyme to že dredeful senatours že vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiž here fore žat Nero žat was so wikked [gh]af žo dignites. [Sidenote: Who then can think that felicity resides in honours given by vicious shrews?] who wolde žanne resonably wenen žat blysfulnesse 2056 were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben [gh]euen by vicious shrewes. [Linenotes: 2048 _al_ (2)--alle 2049 _kembed_--kembde _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede 2050 _[gh]itte_--yit 2053 _lordship_--lorshippe _[gh]af somtyme_--yaf whylom _dredeful_--reu{er}enc[gh] 2055 _fore_--for _[gh]af_--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 žei maken a ma{n} to ben my[gh]ty. [Sidenote: _B._ Why should they not if they are durable?] how ellys. ¶ whanne hir 2060 blysfulnesse durež 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 že olde age of tyme passež. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of ensau{m}ples how ž{a}t kynges žat 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 žing 2064 {and} a cler žing is power žat is nat founden my[gh]ty to kepe it self. [Sidenote: If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if it be defective.] ¶ And yif žat power of realmes be auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif žilke power lakkež on any side. amenusiž it nat žilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngež 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 žat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. [gh]it mot žer nede ben myche folk ouer whiche žat euery kyng ne haž no lordshipe no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon žilke syde žat 2072 power faillež whiche žat makiž folk blisful. ry[gh]t on žat same side nou{n}power entriž vndirnež žat makež hem wreches. [Sidenote: Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than of felicity.] ¶ In žis manere žanne moten kynges han more porciou{n} of wrechednesse žan of welefulnesse. 2076 [Linenotes: 2060 _my[gh]ty_--MS. vnmy[gh]ty, C. myhty 2062 _passež_--passed _of_ (2)--omitted 2063 _kynges žat han_--kynges ben 2066 _kepe_--kepen 2067 _maker_--maker{e} 2069 _yif_--yit _realmes_--the Reaumes 2070 _stretchen_--strechchen _myche_--moche 2071 _haž_--MS. haže 2073 _whiche_--whych 2074 _vndirnež_--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 žat was kyng of sisile žat had[de] assaied že p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude že dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde žat heng ouer že heued of his familier. [Sidenote: What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do away with care or fear?] what žing is žan žis power žat 2080 may nat don awey že bytynges of besines ne eschewe [[pg 76]] že prikkes of drede. [Sidenote: Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they glory in their power.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 18.]] and certys [gh]it wolden žei lyuen *in sykernesse. but žei may nat. and [gh]it žei glorifien hem in her power [Sidenote: Is he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?] ¶ Holdest žou žan žat žilk[e] man 2084 be my[gh]ty žat ž{o}u seest žat he wolde don žat 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 žou žan hym a my[gh]ty man žat haž environed hise sydes wiž men of armes or seruauntes {and} dredež more [hem] žat he makež agast. 2088 žen žei dreden hym. {and} žat is put in že handes of hise seruaunt[gh]. for he sholde seme my[gh]ty but of familiers [or] seruaunt[gh] 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 že any žing. syn žat I my self haue shewed že žat 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.] že whiche familiers certis že real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] žrowež 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 deež he wolde deien. [Sidenote: Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by the swords of his soldiers.] ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] žat kny[gh]tis slowen wiž her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful my[gh]ty a-monges hem of že courte. [Sidenote: Yet both would have given up all they possessed.] and [gh]it certis žei wolde bože 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 [gh]iue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan že grete wey[gh]t. žat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune 2104 drawež hem žat sholden falle. neyžer of hem ne my[gh]t[e] do žat he wolde. [Sidenote: What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?] what žing is žanne žilke power žat žou[gh] men han it žat žei ben agast. ¶ {and} whan žou woldest han it žou nart nat siker. ¶ And 2108 yif žou woldest forleten it žou mayst nat eschewen it. [Sidenote: No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on prosperity instead of virtue.] ¶ But whežir 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 makež frendes. contrarious fortune [[pg 77]] makež hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is 2113 more my[gh]ty forto anoye a wi[gh]t žan 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 _[gh]it_--yif _glorifien_--gloryfye 2084 _žilk[e]_--thylke 2087 _haž_--MS. haže _environed_--enuyrownede 2088 [_hem_]--from C. 2089 _žen_--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_--ž{a}t hadde ben longe 2100 _courte_--court _wolde_--wolden 2101 [_two_]--from C. _enforced[e]_--enforcede 2102 _[gh]iuen_--yeuen _his_--hyse 2104 _wey[gh]t_--weyhte 2105 _sholden_--sholen 2106 _my[gh]t[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 my[gh]ty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir 2116 že 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 žat ži lordship[e] strecche so fer žat že contre Inde quakiž at ži comaundement. or at ži lawes. {and} žat že leest isle in že see žat hy[gh]t tile be žral to že ¶ [gh]it yif žou mayst 2120 nat pute{n} awey ži foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro že wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no power žat žou hast. [Linenotes: 2115 _wolde ben_--wole be 2116 _put[te]_--putte 2117 _lordship[e]_--lordshype 2119 _comaundement_--comau{n}dement[gh] _leest isle_--last Ile 2120 _hy[gh]t_--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--#ō doxa doxa myrioisi dź brotōn, ouden gegōsi bioton ōnkōsas megan#, 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 žing nat vnskilfully a tregedien žat is to sein a maker of dites žat hy[gh]ten tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. žou nart no žing ellys to žousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. 2128 for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by že fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple. [Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the prejudices of the vulgar?] and what žing may ben žou[gh]t fouler žen swiche p{re}isynge [Sidenote: Those that are undeservedly praised ought to blush for shame.] for žilk[e] folk žat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. žei 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 žat folk han gete{n} hem žank or p{re}ysyng by her desertes. what žing haž žilk pris echid or encresed to že conscience of wise folk ž{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by že rumo{ur} of že poeple. but by že sožefastnesse 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 žing a man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. žan folwež it. žat it is demed to ben a foule žinge 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 žat syn žer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk že renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfallež žat he žat žou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiž in že nexte p{ar}ties of že erže to ben wiž out glorie. {and} wiž 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 žise žinges I ne trowe nat žat že p{r}is {and} grace of že poeple nis neižer worži *to ben remembrid ne comež of wise iugement. ne is ferm p{er}durably. [Sidenote: How empty and transitory are titles of nobility!] ¶ But now of žis name of gentilesse. 2148 what man is it žat ne may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a žing it is. [Sidenote: Gentility is wholly foreign to renown, and to those who boast of noble birth.] ¶ For if že name of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. žan is gentil name but a for[e]ine žing. žat is to sein to 2152 hem žat glorifien hem of hir linage. [Sidenote: Nobility is fame derived from the merits of one's ancestors.] ¶ For it semež žat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge žat comež of decert of auncestres. [Sidenote: If praise can give nobility they are noble who are praised.] ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makež gentilesse žan moten žei nedes be gentil žat 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 žing it folwež. žat yif žou ne haue no gentilesse of ži self. žat is to sein pris ž{a}t comež of ži deserte foreine gentilesse ne makež že 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 žer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al 2160 oonly žis. žat it semež as žat a maner necessitee be imposed to gentil men. for žat žei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro že 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 _žen_--thanne _žilk[e]_--thylke 2133 _or_--of 2134 _haž_--MS. haže _žilke_--thylke 2139 _foule žinge_--fowl thing 2140 _ne_--{and} _byforne_--byforn 2144 _parties_--partye _erže_--Erthes _out_--owte 2145 _out_--owhte 2148 _ferm_--ferme 2149 _veyne_--veyn 2150 _if_--yif 2154 _comež of_--comth of the 2157 _whiche_--which 2158 _pris_--preys _comež_--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 že linage of men žat ben i{n} erže ben of semblable 2164 burže. [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 žinges. On alone minyst[r]ež alle žinges. ¶ He [gh]af to že sonne hys bemes. he [gh]af to že moone hir hornes. [Sidenote: The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with stars.] he [gh]af že men to že erže. he [gh]af že sterres to že heuene. [Sidenote: He breathed into man the breath of life.] ¶ he enclosež 2168 wiž membres že soules žat comen fro hys heye sete. [[pg 79]] [Sidenote: All men spring from this illustrious source.] ¶ žanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. [Sidenote: Why then do they boast of pedigree?] whi noysen [gh]e or bosten of [gh]oure eldris [Sidenote: He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his noble origin.] ¶ For yif žou look[e] [gh]oure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god [gh]oure aucto{ur} {and} 2172 [gh]oure makere. žan is žer no forlyued wy[gh]t but [gh]if he norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre burže. [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 že desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} že 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 ry[gh]t as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben žilke delices wont to 2180 bryngen to že bo[d]ies of folk žat 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 žis woot I wel žat who so euere wil remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. 2184 žat že 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 žilke delices mowen make folk blisful. žan by že same cause moten žise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of whiche bestes al že entenc{i}ou{n} hastež 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 že gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest žing. but it haž ben seid. žat it is ouer myche a[gh]eins kynde žat 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 nedež nat to tellen it že žat hast or žis tyme assaied it. {and} art [gh]it now anguysso{us}. [Sidenote: I approve of this opinion of Euripides, that he who is childless is happy in his misfortune.] In žis approue I že sentence of my disciple Euridippus. žat seide žat he 2196 žat haž 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. _haž_--haže _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2191 _myche_--mochel 2192 _many_--manye 2196 _Euridippus_--Eurydyppys; _read_ Euripides 2197 _haž_--MS. haže] [[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 haž žis. žat it anguissež hem wiž prikkes ž{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 resembliž to žise flying flyes žat we clepen been. žat aftre žat že bee haž shed hys agreable 2200 honies he fleež awey {and} styngež že hertes of he{m} žat ben ysmyte wiž bytynge ouer longe holdynge. [Linenotes: 2198 _Euery_--MS. Ouery, C. Every 2198, 2200 _haž_--MS. haže _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 žan ž{a}t žise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne žat žei ne 2204 mowe nat leden folke žider as žei byheten to lede{n} hem. [Sidenote: These false ways are perplexed with many evils, as I shall presently show thee.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 19.]] ¶ But wiž how grete harmes žise *forseide weyes ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe že shortly. [Sidenote: Do you want to amass wealth, then you must take it from your neighbours.] ¶ For whi yif žou enforcest že to assemble moneye. žou most by-reuen 2208 hym his moneye žat haž it. [Sidenote: Would you shine in dignities, then you must beg for them and disgrace yourself by a humiliating supplication.] and yif žou wilt shynen wiž dignites. žou most bysechen {and} supplien hem žat [gh]iue{n} žo dignitees. ¶ And yif žou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore ožer folk ž{o}u shalt defoule ži 2212 self by hu{m}blesse of axing. [Sidenote: If power be your ambition, you expose yourself to the snares of inferiors.] yif žou desiryst power. žou shalt by awaites of ži subgit[gh] 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 žou glorie ž{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre žinges žat žou 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 žou wilt leden ži lijf in delices. euery whi[gh]t shal dispisen že {and} forleten že as žou žat art žral to žing žat is ry[gh]t foule {and} brutel. žat is [to] sein seruau{n}t to ži body. [Sidenote: They build upon a weak foundation that place bodily delights above their own reason.] ¶ Now is it žan wel yseen 2220 how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} žei coueiten žat putten že goodes of že body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}. [Sidenote: Can you surpass the elephant in bulk, or the bull in strength?] ¶ For mayst žou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} žise olifuńt[gh] in gretnesse or wey[gh]t of body. Or mayst žou ben strenger žan že 2224 bole. [Sidenote: Art thou swifter than the tiger?] Mayst žou ben swifter žan že tigre. [Sidenote: Behold the immense extent of the heavens and cease to admire vile or lesser things.] biholde že spaces {and} že stablenesse {and} že swyfte cours of že [[pg 81]] heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule žinges. [Sidenote: Admire what is still more admirable, the consummate wisdom that governs them.] že whiche heuene certys nis nat ražer for žise 2228 žinges to ben wondred vpon. žan for že resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned. [Sidenote: How fleeting is beauty!] but že shynynge of ži forme žat is to seien že beaute of ži body. how swiftly passyng is it {and} how transitorie. [Sidenote: It fades sooner than the vernal flowers.] ¶ Certis it is more flittynge 2232 žan že mutabilite of floures of že 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 tellež žat yif žat men hadden eyen of a beest žat hi[gh]t lynx. so žat že lokyng of folk my[gh]t[e] percen žoru[gh] že žinges ž{a}t wižstonden it. who so lokid 2236 žan in že entrailes of že body of alcibiades žat was ful fayr in že sup{er}fice wiž oute. it shulde seme ry[gh]t foule. [Sidenote: Thy nature does not make thee seem beautiful, but the imperfect view of thy admirers.] {and} for ži yif žou semest faire. ži nature ne makiž nat žat. but že desceiuau{n}ce of že fieblesse of že 2240 eyen žat loken. [Sidenote: Prize bodily perfections as much as you will, yet a three days' fever will destroy them.] ¶ But p{re}ise že goodes of ži body as moche as euer že list. so žat žou know[e] algates žat what so it be. žat is to seyn of že goodes of ži body whiche žat ž{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or 2244 dessolued by že hete of a feuere of žre dayes. ¶ Of alle whiche forseide žinges I may reduce{n} žis 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.] ¶ žat žise worldly goodes whiche žat ne mowen nat [gh]iuen žat žei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by 2248 že congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. žat žei ne ben nat weyes ne pažes žat 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 _haž_--MS. haže _wilt_--wolt 2211 _[gh]iuen_--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 _whi[gh]t_--wyht 2219 _foule_--fowl [_to_]--from C. 2220 _yseen_--seen 2221 _brutel_--brotel 2222 _owen_--owne 2224 _wey[gh]t_--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 _hi[gh]t_--hyhte _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 2237 _alcibiades_--MS. alcidiades 2238 _fayr_--fayr{e} _že_--omitted _shulde_--sholde 2239 _foule_--fowl _faire_--fayr _ne_--omitted 2240 _desceiuaunce of že fieblesse_--deceyuable or the feblesse 2242 _moche_--mochel _know[e]_--knowe 2243 _že_--omitted _ži 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 myslediž 2252 wandryng wrecches fro že paže of verrey good. [Sidenote: Ye do not seek gold upon trees nor diamonds from the vine.] ¶ Certis [gh]e ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne [gh]e ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in že vines. [[pg 82]] [Sidenote: Ye lay not your nets to catch fish upon the lofty hills.] ne [gh]e ne hiden nat [gh]oure gynnes in hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes to kachen 2256 fisshe of whiche [gh]e may maken ryche festes. [Sidenote: The hunter goes not to the Tyrrhene waters to hunt the roe.] and yif [gh]ow lykež to hunte to roos. [gh]e ne gon nat to že foordes of že water žat hy[gh]t tyrene. [Sidenote: Men know where to look for white pearls, and for the fish that yields the purple dye.] {and} ouer žis men knowen wel že crikes {and} že cau{er}nes of že see yhidd in že 2260 floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundež most of rede purpre. žat 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 žat hy[gh]ten 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 žat hem ne recchiž nat to knowe where žilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche žat žei 2268 coueiten but ploungen hem in erže {and} seken žere žilke goode ž{a}t so{ur}mou{n}tež že heuene žat berež že sterres. [Sidenote: What doom do the silly race deserve?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 19 _b_.]] ¶ what *p{re}yere may I make žat be digne to že nice žou[gh]tis 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 žat žei coueite{n} 2272 rycches {and} hono{ur}s so žat whan žei han geten žo false goodes wiž greet trauayle žat žerby žei mowe knowen že verray goodes. [Linenotes: 2252 _whiche_ (_both_)--whych 2253 _paže_--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 suffisiž žat I haue shewed hider to že forme of 2276 false wilfulnesse. so žat yif žou look[e] now clerely že ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeriž from hennes forže to shewe{n} že 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 žat 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 žou wel knowen q{uo}d she že cause whi it is. Certis me semež q{uod} .I. žat .I. se hem ry[gh]t as žou[gh] it were žoru[gh] 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 že. Certys q{uod} she že 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 žilk žing žat symply is on žing wiž outen ony diuisiou{n}. že errour {and} folie of mankynde departež 2288 {and} diuidiž it. {and} mislediž it {and} t{ra}nsportež from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes žat ben false {and} inp{er}fit. [Sidenote: Does that state which needs nothing stand in need of power?] ¶ But seye me žis. wenest žou žat he žat haž nede of power žat hy{m} ne lakkež no žing. [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 žou seist ary[gh]t. For yif so be ž{a}t žer is a žing žat 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 žat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine helpe. ¶ Ri[gh]t so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power 2296 ben žan of on kynde ¶ So semež it q{uod} I. [Sidenote: _P._ Are power and sufficiency to be despised? Are they not rather worthy of universal respect?] ¶ And demyst žou q{uo}d she žat a žing žat is of žis manere. žat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} my[gh]ty au[gh]t[e] to ben dispised. or ellys ž{a}t it be ry[gh]t digne of reuerences abouen 2300 alle žinges. [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 žat it nis ry[gh]t worži to ben reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she žan adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power ¶ So žat we demen žat žise žre žinges ben alle o žing. [Sidenote: _B._ I see no objection to that view.] ¶ Certis 2304 q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten že sože. [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 žou žan q{uo}d she is žat a dirke žing {and} nat noble žat is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} my[gh]ty. or ellys 2307 žat is ry[gh]t clere {and} ry[gh]t noble of celebrete of renou{n}. [Linenotes: 2256 _hey[gh]e_--the hyye _kachen_--kachche 2257 _fisshe_--fyssh 2258 _hunte_--honte _roos_--Rooes 2259 _hy[gh]t_--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 _žilk_--thylke _on_--o 2290 _goode_--good 2291 _seye_--sey _haž_--MS. haže 2294 _fieble_--febler{e} 2295 _most[e]_--mot 2296 _helpe_--help 2297 _on_--o 2298 _demyst žou_--demesthow 2299 _seine_--seyn _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 2300 _reuerences_--Reu{er}ence 2302 _nis ry[gh]t_--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 žan q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne. žat he žat ne haž ne[de] of no žing {and} is most my[gh]ty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediž any clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he my[gh]t[e] nat 2312 graunten of hym self. ¶ So žat for lakke of žilke clerenesse he my[gh]t[e] seme febler on any syde or že more outcaste. _Glosa._ žis is to seyne nay. [[pg 84]] [Sidenote: He that is sufficiently mighty and esteemed will have necessarily an illustrious name.] ¶ For who so žat is suffisau{n}t my[gh]ty {and} reuerent. clernesse of 2316 renou{n} folwež of že forseide žinges. he haž 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. žat žis žing be ry[gh]t celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore Renown differs in no wise from the three above-mentioned attributes.] ¶ žan 2320 folwež it q{uo}d she žat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to že žre forseide žinges. so žat žer ne be amonges hem no difference. {and} žis 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?] žis žing žan q{uo}d she žat ne haž no nede of no foreine 2324 žing. {and} žat may don alle žinges by his strengžes. {and} žat is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat žat a myrie žing {and} a ioyful. [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot conceive how such a one can have grief or trouble.] _boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I ž{a}t any sorow my[gh]t[e] comen to žis žing žat is swiche. ¶ Certys 2328 I may nat žinke. [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._ ¶ žanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} she žat žis žing be ful of gladnesse yif že žorseide žinges be sože. ¶ And also certys mote we graunten. žat suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben 2332 only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce haž 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._ žilke žinge žan q{uo}d she žat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. [Sidenote: [* fol. 20.]] že wikkednesse of men departiž it *diuidiž it. {and} 2336 whan žei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a žing žat ne haž no part. žei ne geten hem neižer žilk[e] p{ar}tie žat nis none. ne že žing al hole žat žei 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._ žilke man q{uo}d she žat 2340 sekež rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauaylež hym nat to for to gete power for he haž leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke wiždrawež from hym selfe many naturel delit[gh] for he nolde lesen že moneye žat he haž 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 žis manere he ne getiž hym nat [[pg 85]] suffisaunce žat power forletiž. {and} žat moleste p{re}kež. {and} žat filže makež outcaste. {and} žat derknesse hidež. [Sidenote: He who only aims at power squanders his riches, and despises delights and honours unaccompanied by power.] and certis he ž{a}t desirež only power he wastiž {and} 2348 scatriž rychesse {and} dispisež delices {and} eke hono{ur} žat is wiž out power. ne he ne p{re}isež glorie no žing. [Linenotes: 2310 _haž_--MS. haže 2312 _whiche_--whych _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 2314 _clerenesse_--clernesse _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _febler_--the febeler{e} 2315 _seyne_--seyn 2317 _haž_--MS. haže 2324 _haž_--MS. haže 2325 _his_--hyse 2326 _myrie_--mery 2327 _wenest_--whennes 2328 _sorow my[gh]t[e]_--sorwe myhte 2329 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te 2331 _be_--ben _also certys_--certes also 2333 _haž_--MS. haže 2334 _nedely_--nedly 2335 _žinge_--thing 2337 _gete_--geten 2338 _haž_--MS. haže _žilk[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 _delit[gh]_--delices _lesen_--lese _haž_--MS. haže 2346 _prekež_--prykketh 2347 _derknesse_--dyrknesse 2349 _scatriž_--schatereth _delices_--delyc[gh] 2350 _wiž out_--w{i}t{h} owte] [Headnote: OF FALSE FELICITY.] ¶ Certys žus seest žou wel žat many ži{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he haž 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 žo defautes awey. he forletež to ben my[gh]ty. {and} žat is že žing žat he most desirež. [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} ry[gh]t žus may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie 2356 {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of žise forseide žinges is že same žat žise ožer žinges ben. žat is to sein. al oon žing. who so žat euer sekež to geten žat oon of žise {and} nat žat ožer. he ne getež nat žat he 2360 desirež. [Sidenote: _B._ What then if a man should desire to gain them all at once?] _Boice._ ¶ what seist žou žan yif žat a man coueitež to geten alle žise žinges 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 žat he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes. but žat shal he nat fynde in žo žinges 2364 žat .I. haue shewed žat ne mowe nat [gh]euen žat žei 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?] ¶ žan q{uod} she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche žinges as men wenen žat žei ne mowe 2368 [gh]euen but o žing senglely of alle ž{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 sožer žing 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 žou žan q{uo}d she že forme {and} že causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} 2372 flitte že eyen of ži žou[gh]t. for žere shalt žou seen an oon žilk verray blysfulnesse ž{a}t I haue byhy[gh]t žee. [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. žou[gh] žat it were to a blynde man. {and} žat shewedest žou me [ful wel] a 2376 lytel her byforne. whan žou enforcedest že to shewe me [[pg 86]] že causes of že 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. žan is žilke že verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse žat p{er}fitly makiž a man suffisau{n}t. my[gh]ty. hono{ur}able noble. 2380 {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for žou shalt wel knowe žat I haue wel vndirstonden žise žinges wiž i{n}ne myne herte. I knowe wel žilke blisfulnesse žat may verrayly [gh]euen on of že forseide žinges syn žei ben al oon .I. knowe 2384 douteles žat žilke žing is že 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 žis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I sey[e] žat žou art blisful yif žou putte žis žer to žat I shal seine. [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] what is žat q{uo}d .I. [Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).] ¶ Trowest žou žat 2388 žer be any žing in žis eržely mortal toumblyng žinges žat may bryngen žis 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} žou hast shewed me wel žat ouer žilke goode žer is no žing 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._ žise žinges žan 2392 q{uo}d she. žat is to seyne eržely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche žinges eyžer žei semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it semež žat žei [gh]euen to mortal folk a maner of goodes žat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But žilke 2396 goode žat is verray {and} p{er}fit. žat may žei nat [gh]euen. [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.] žan q{uo}d she for as moche as žou hast knowen whiche is žilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche žilke žinges ben žat lien 2400 falsly blisfulnesse. žat is to seyne. žat by desceit seme{n} verray goodes. [Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]] ¶ Now byhouež že to knowe{n} *whennes {and} where žou mowe seek[e] žilke verray blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I žat 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 likež to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo. žat in ry[gh]t lytel žinges men sholde bysechen že helpe of god. ¶ what iugest žou žat be 2408 [now] to done so žat we may deserue to fynde že sete of [[pg 87]] žilke souereyne goode. [Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.] _B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme žat we shulle clepen to že fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For wiž outen hym nis žer no žing founden ary[gh]t. [Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--] žou seist 2412 a-ry[gh]t q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ry[gh]t žus. [Linenotes: 2351 _many_--manye 2352 _haž_--MS. haže _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 _sožer_--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 _žis_--thise 2390 _nat_--nawht 2393 _seyne_--sey 2395 _[gh]euen_--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 žou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of eržes žat gouernest žis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} žat comaundist že tymes for to gon from tyme žat age had[de] 2416 bygy{n}ny{n}g. žou žat dwellest ži self ay stedfast {and} stable {and} [gh]iuest alle ožer žinges 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 že neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but only že forme of souereyne 2420 goode y-set wiž i{n}ne [že] wiž outen envie žat moeued[e] že 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.] žou žat art alžerfairest beryng že faire worlde in ži žou[gh]t. formedest žis worlde to že likkenesse semblable of žat faire worlde in ži žou[gh]t. žou drawest 2424 alle žinges of ži souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist žat žis 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.] ¶ žou byndest že element[gh] by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. žat že colde žinges 2428 mowen accorde wiž že hote žinges. {and} že drye ži{n}ges wiž že moyst žinges. [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,] žat že fire žat is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne žat že heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n} ouer lowe že eržes žat ben plounged in že watres. 2432 [Linenotes: 2415 _worlde_--world 2416 _from----age_--from syn ž{a}t age _had[de]_--hadde 2417 _stedfast_--stedefast 2418 _ožer_--oothre 2419 _forein_--foreyne _werke_--werk 2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset _wiž inne_--w{i}t{h} in [_že_]--the _wiž outen_--w{i}t{h} owte _moeued[e]_--moeuede 2422 _alžerfairest_--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.] ¶ žou knyttest to-gidre že mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle žinges. {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 žus diuided it haž assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It gož to to{ur}ne 2436 a[gh]ein to hym owen self. {and} environež a fulle deep [[pg 88]] žou[gh]t. {and} to{ur}niž že heuene by semblable ymage. [Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.] žou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest že soules {and} že lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by ly[gh]t[e] cartes. 2440 [Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.] žou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erže. {and} whan žei ben conuertid to že by ži benigne lawe. ¶ žou makest hem retorne a[gh]eine to že by a[gh]ein ledyng fijr. [Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy august throne.] ¶ O fadir yif žou to ži žou[gh]t to stien vp in to ži streite sete. 2444 {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune že 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} že ly[gh]te yfounde graunte hym to ficchen že clere sy[gh]tes of hys corage in že. ¶ And scatre žou {and} to-breke [thow] že wey[gh]tes {and} že cloudes of eržely heuynesse. 2448 {and} shyne žou by ži bry[gh]tnes. [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 žou art clernesse žou art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ žou ži self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. berere. ledere. paž {and} t{er}me to loke on že [žat] is oure ende. _Glose._ 2452 [Linenotes: 2435 _haž_--MS. haže 2436 _gož_--MS. gože 2437 _owen_--C. omits 2438 _tourniž_--MS. to{ur}niže 2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke 2440 _ly[gh]t[e]_--lyhte 2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge 2444 _yif_--yiue _ži streite_--the streyte 2445 [_hym_]--from C. 2446 _ly[gh]te_--lyht 2448 [_thow_]--from C. 2449 _bry[gh]tnes_--bryhtnesse 2451 _paž_--MS. paže; paath 2452 [_žat_]--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 žan as žou hast seyn. whiche is že forme of goode žat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is že forme of goode žat is p{er}fit. now trowe I žat it were goode to shewe in what žis 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 žis žing I trowe žat we sholden first enquere forto witen yif žat any swiche manere goode as žilke goode žat žou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. žat is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in že nature 2460 of žinges. For žat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of žou[gh]t ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of že sožefastnesse of žilke žinge žat is su{m}myttid to vs. žis is to seyne. but it may nat ben denoyed žat žilke goode ne is. 2464 ¶ and žat it nis ry[gh]t as a welle of alle goodes. [Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all other good.] ¶ For al žing žat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. is proued i{n}p{er}fit by že [[pg 89]] amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of žing žat 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 comež it. žat in euery žing general. yif žat. 2468 žat men seen any žing žat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in žilke general žer mot ben so{m}me žing žat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so be žat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat žinke nor seye fro whe{n}nes žilke žing is žat 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 že nature of žinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of žinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediž of ži{n}g{us} žat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendež so doune in to outerest žinges {and} in to ži{n}g{us} empty {and} 2476 wiž 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. žat yif žer be a blisfulnesse žat be frele {and} vein {and} inp{er}fit. žer may no man doute. žat žer nys som blisfulnesse žat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. žis is concludid 2480 q{uo}d I fermely {and} sožefastly. [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 žis blisfulnesse enhabitež. že co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of že corages of men p{ro}uež {and} grauntež žat god p{r}ince of alle ži{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 žing ne may ben žou[gh]t bettre žan god. it may nat ben douted žan žat [he ž{a}t] no žing is bettre. žat he nys good. [Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and (2) that the sovereign good exists in him.] ¶ Certys resou{n} shewež žat god is so goode žat it p{ro}uež by verray force žat 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 žinges. for certis som žing possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more žan god. {and} [it] sholde seme žat žilke žing were first 2492 {and} elder žan god. [Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the imperfect;] ¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly žat alle žinges žat ben p{er}fit. ben first or žinges žat 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 _žis is to seyne_--C. omits 2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed _goode_--good 2465 _of_--MS. of of 2466 _al žing_--alle thing 2468 _her of comež_--ther of comht 2470 _somme_--som 2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don 2473 _token_--took 2475 _hool_--hoole 2476 _doune_--down 2477 _wiž oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut 2480 _stedfast_--stydefast 2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely _sožefastly_--sothfastly 2486 [_he žat_]--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 ži for as moche as [that] my resou{n} or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wižoute an ende. we 2496 ou[gh]t[e] to graunten žat že souereyne god is ry[gh]t 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 žat že souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. žan mot it nedes ben [ž{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. 2500 _B._ žis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne žis ne may nat be wižseid 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 že q{uo}d she see now how žou mayst preuen holily {and} wiž-oute{n} corrupciou{n} žis žat I haue seid. žat že souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of 2504 souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest žou ou[gh]t q{uo}d she žat žis p{r}ince of alle žinges haue ytake žilke souereyne good any where žan of hym self. ¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}uež žat he is ful 2508 ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test žinken. žat god žat haž blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} žat ilke blisfulnesse žat 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 žou wene žat god haue receyued žilke good oute of hy{m} self. žou 2512 mayst wene žat he žat [gh]af žilke good to god. be more goode žan is god. [Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more excellent than God.] ¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse {and} žat ry[gh]t dignely žat god is ry[gh]t worži abouen alle žinges. [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 žat žis good be in hym by 2516 nature. but žat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle žinges feyne who so feyne may. who was he žat [hath] co{n}ioigned žise diu{er}s žinges 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 že last[e] se 2520 wel žat o žing žat is diu{er}s from any žing. žat žilke žing nis nat žat same žing. 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.] žan folwež it. žat žilke ži{n}g žat by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. žat žat 2524 žing 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 žat were a felonous corsednesse to žinken žat of hym. žat no žing nis more worže. [Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than its origin.] For alwey of alle žinges. že nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better žan his bygy{n}nyng. 2528 [Linenotes: 2495 [_that_]--from C. 2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses 2497 _ou[gh]t[e]_--owen 2498 _goode_--good 2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good 2500 [_žat----is_]--from C. _yset_--MS. ysette, C. set 2501 _be_--ben _wižseid_--MS. wižseide, C. withseid 2503 _wiž-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte 2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good [_In----I_]--from C. 2506 _ou[gh]t_--awht 2507 _žan of_--owt of 2508 _whiche_--whych _souereyne goode_--souereyn good 2509 _haž_--MS. haže 2510 _žat 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 ry[gh]t uerray resou{n}. [[pg 91]] žat žilke žat is bygynnyng of alle žinges. žilke same žing is good in his substaunce. [Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!] _B._ žou hast seid ry[gh]tfully 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 žat 2532 souereyne good is blysfulnes. žat is sože q{uo}d .I. žan q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen žat žilke 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 wižstonde že resou{n}s p{ur}posed. 2536 and I see wel žat it folwež by strengže of že 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 žis be proued [yit] more fermely žus. ¶ žat žer ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes žat 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.] žat on is nat žat žat ožer is. žan [ne] mowen neižer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyžer of hem lakkiž to ožir. [Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.] but žat žat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly žat it nis nat souereyne. [Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.] že žinges žan žat 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 žat blisfulnesse {and} god ben [the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be žat souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No 2548 žing q{uo}d I nis more sožefast žan žis ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more worži žing žan 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 žise žinges žan q{uo}d she. ry[gh]t as žise geometriens whan žei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2552 ben wont to brynge{n} in žinges žat žei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide žinges. ry[gh]t so wil I [gh]eue že 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 že getynge of blisfulnesse men ben 2556 maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ žan is it manifest {and} open žat by že 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,] ry[gh]t as by že getynge of iustice . . . {and} by že getyng of sapience žei ben maked wise. 2560 [Linenotes: 2529 _whiche_--whych 2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 2533 _sože_--soth 2534 _mote_--moten 2539 [_yit_]--from C. 2541 _is_ (1)--nis _ožer_--othre [_ne_]--from C. 2546 _conclude_--concluded 2547 [_the_] from C. _goode_--good _be_--ben 2549 _sožefast_--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.] ¶ Ry[gh]t so nedes by že semblable resou{n} wha{n} žei han getyn [[pg 92]] diuinite žei 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.] žan is euery blisful man god. ¶ But certis by nature. žer nys but oon god. but by že p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite žere ne lettež ne 2564 disturbež no žing žat žer ne ben many goddes. ¶ žis is q{uo}d .I. a faire žing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as ž{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no žing nis fairer. 2568 žan is že žing žat by resou{n} sholde ben added to žise forseide žinges. what žing 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 semež žat blisfulnesse conteniž many žinges. it were forto witen whežir [ž{a}t] alle žise žinges 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 žilke ži{n}g{us} be swyche žat it acomplise by hy{m} self že substaunce of blisfulnesse. so žat alle žise ožer žinges 2576 ben referred and brou[gh]t to blisfulnesse. žat is to seyne as to že chief of hem. [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.] ¶ I wolde q{uo}d I žat žou makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what žou seist. {and} žat žou recordest me že forseide žinges. [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. žat blisfulnesse is goode. [gh]is forsože q{uo}d .I. {and} žat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde žan q{uo}d she žilke goode žat is maked blisfulnes to alle že forseide žinges. ¶ For žilke same blisfulnesse žat is 2584 demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. žilke 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 žou žan of alle žise žinges. žat is to seyne. suffisance power 2588 {and} žise ožer žinges. ben žei žan as membris of blisfulnesse. or ben žei referred {and} brou[gh]t to souereyne good. ¶ Ry[gh]t as alle žinges žat ben brou[gh]t to že chief of hem. [Linenotes: 2563 _oon_--o 2564 _lettež_--let 2566 _faire_--fayr 2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme 2572 [_žat_]--from C. 2573 _maner_--maner{e} _by_--be 2574 [_of_]--from C. 2575 _swyche_--swych 2576 _ožer_--oothr{e} 2577 _seyne_--seyn 2578 _chief_--chef 2581 _goode [gh]is_--good ys 2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good 2583 _goode_--good 2585 _self_--selue 2588 _žise_--C. omits _seyne_--seyn 2589 _ožer_--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 žou p{ur}posest to [[pg 93]] seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene žat žou 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 žus že discressiou{n} of žis questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif al žise žinges q{uo}d she weren membris to felicite. žan weren žei diu{er}se žat oon fro žat ožer. 2596 ¶ And swiche is že nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. žat 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 haž wel ben shewed her byforne. žat alle žise žinges ben alle on žing. žan ben žei none membris q{uo}d 2600 she. [Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]] for ellys it sholde seme žat blisfulnesse were conioigned *al of one membre alone. but žat is a ži{n}g žat may nat ben doon. [Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the sequel.] žis žing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide to herkene že remenaunt of že 2604 questiou{n}. [Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by Good, as the rule and square.] žis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. žat alle ožer žinges ben referred {and} brou[gh]t to goode. [Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they are esteemed a good.] ¶ For žerfore is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good. {and} forži is power requered. for men trowen also 2608 žat it be goode. and žis same žing mowe we žinken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit. [Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.] žan is souereyne good že soume {and} že cause of alle žat au[gh]t[e] be desired. [Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or appearance, can never be desired.] forwhi žilke žing žat wiž-holdež 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} že contrarie. For žou[gh] žat žinges by hir nature ne ben nat goode algates yif men wene žat žei be{n} goode [gh]it ben 2616 žei desired as žou[gh] [ž{a}t] žei were verrayly goode. [Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all things that we desire.] {and} žerfore is it žat men au[gh]te{n} to wene by ry[gh]t žat bounte be souereyne fyn {and} že cause of alle žinges žat ben to requeren. [Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is itself what we chiefly want.] ¶ But certis žilke ž{a}t is cause for whiche 2620 men requeren any žing. ¶ it semež žat žilke same žing 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 žus yif žat a wy[gh]t wolde ryde for cause of hele. he ne desirež nat so mychel že moeuyng to ryden as že 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 žan 2624 syn žat alle žinges ben requered for že grace of good. žei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more žan že 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 žat blysfulnesse is žat žing for whiche žat alle žise ožer žinges ben desired. 2628 žan is it žus žat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and} desired ¶ By whiche žing it shewež clerely žat good {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} že same substaunce. [Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.] ¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore žat men my[gh]t[en] discorden 2632 in žis. [Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are identical and inseparable.] _p._ {and} we han shewed žat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse is al oon žing [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.] ¶ žat is sože q{uod} .I. [Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that of the Supreme Good.] žan mowe we conclude sikerly ž{a}t že substaunce of god is set in žilke same good {and} in noon ožer place. 2636 [Linenotes: 2591 _brou[gh]t_--MS wrou[gh]t, C. browht 2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne 2594 _Take_--tak 2596 _fro_--from 2597 _swiche_--swhych 2600 _on žing_--othing 2602 _one_--on 2603 _ben doon_--be don 2604 _herkene_--herknen 2605 _clere_--cler _ožer_--oothre 2606 _goode_--good 2609 _goode_--good _mowe_--mowen 2617 [_žat_]--from C. _were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche 2618 _žerfore_--therfor _au[gh]ten_--owhten 2619 _alle_--alle the 2620 _whiche_--whych 2623 _mychel_--mochel 2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge 2626 [_nat_]--from C. 2628 _ožer_--oothr{e} 2630 _clerely_--clerly _good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse 2631 _oone_--oon 2632 _my[gh]t[en]_--myhten 2634 _oon_--oo _sože_--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 Comež alle to-gidre now [gh]e žat ben ycau[gh]t {and} ybounde wiž wicked[e] cheines by že deceiuable delit of eržely žinges inhabytynge in [gh]oure žou[gh]t. here shal ben že reste of [gh]oure laboures. here is že hauene 2640 stable in peisible quiete. žis al oone is že open refut to wreches. [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss upon the Text.] _Glosa._ žis is to seyn. žat [gh]e žat ben combred {and} deceyued wiž worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comež now to žis souereyne good žat is god. žat is refut to hem žat 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 že žinges žat že ryuere Tagus [gh]iuež [gh]ow wiž his golden[e] grauels. or ellys alle že žynges žat že ryuere herm{us}. [gh]iuež wiž his rede brynke. or žat yndus [gh]iuež žat is nexte že hote 2648 p{ar}tie of že worlde. žat medelež že grene stones (smaragd{e}) wiž že white (margarits). ne sholde nat cleren že lokynge of [gh]oure žo[gh]t. but hiden ražer [gh]oure blynde corages wiž 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 žat 2652 likež [gh]ow here {and} excitiž {and} moeuež [gh]oure žou[gh]tes. že erže haž noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but že [[pg 95]] shynyng by že whiche že heuene is gouerned {and} whennes žat it haž hys strengže žat chasež že derke 2656 oueržrowyng of že 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 žilke ly[gh]t of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine žat že white bemes of že 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 _žynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges _hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus 2648 _nexte_--next 2649 _worlde_--world 2654, 2656 _haž_--MS. haže 2654 _hys_--hyse 2656 _chasež že 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 žise žinges ben 2660 strongly bounden wiž ry[gh]t ferme resou{n}s. [Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully know what this good is?] how mychel wilt žou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif žat žou knowe what žilke 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 wiž outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to 2664 knowe also to-gidre god žat 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 ž{a}t shal I do že by verray resou{n}. [Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]] yif žat žo žinges žat 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._ žei dwellen graunted 2668 to že q{uo}d .I. žis is to seyne as who seiž .I. graunt ži 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 že q{uo}d she žat že žinges žat ben requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for žei ben diu{er}se žat 2672 oon fro žat ožer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to ožer. žei ne han no power to bryngen a good ž{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 žan atte arst ben žei verray good whan žei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in 2676 to oon wirchy{n}g. so žat žilke žing žat is suffisaunce. žilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and} mirže. [Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be classed among desirable things?] ¶ And forsože but alle žise ži{n}ges ben alle o same žing žei ne han nat wher by žat žei mowen ben 2680 put in že nou{m}bre of žinges. žat au[gh]ten ben requered or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may žer 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._ že žinges žan q{uo}d she žat ne ben none goodes whan žei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan žei [[pg 96]] bygynnen to ben al o žing. žan ben žei goodes. ne 2685 comiž it hem nat žan by že getynge of unite žat žei ben maked goodes. [Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.] _b._ so it semež 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 žing žat is good q{uo}d she grauntest žou žat 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 _ožer_--oothre _eche_--ech 2675 _absolute_--absolut _atte arst_--at erste 2676 _al_--alle _a_--O 2677 _to_--omitted _wirchyng_--wyrkynge 2678 _žilk_--thilke 2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put _au[gh]ten_--owhten 2684 _none_--no 2685 _al o_--alle oon 2686 _comiž_--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).] ¶ žan mayst žou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} žat oon {and} good ben o same žing. ¶ For of žinges [of] whiche žat že effect nis nat naturely diuerse 2692 nedys že substaunce mot ben o same žinge. [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 žou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. žat al žing žat is haž so longe his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it 2696 forletiž 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.] ¶ Ry[gh]t as in beestes q{uod} she. whan že soule {and} že 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 žat oon fram ž{a}t ožir. žan shewež it wel žat it is a dede ži{n}g. {and} žat 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} že body of a wy[gh]t while it dwellež in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} of membris it is wel seyn žat it is a figure of 2705 mankynde. and yif že partyes of že body ben [so] diuide[d] {and} disseuered žat oon fro žat ožir žat žei destroien vnite. že body forletiž to ben žat it was byforne. 2708 ¶ And who so wolde renne in že same manere by alle žinges he sholde seen žat wiž outen doute euery žinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forletiž to ben oon it diež {and} p{er}issiž. [Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.] _boice._ 2712 whan I considre q{uo}d I many žinges I see noon ož{er}. [Linenotes: 2690 _mayst žou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten 2692 [_of_]--from C. 2695 _al_--alle _haž_--MS. haže 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 žer any žing žanne q{uo}d she žat in as moche as it lyuež naturely. žat forletiž že appetit or talent of 2715 hys beynge. {and} desirež to come to deež {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 že beestes žat han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne fynde no žing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiž out forže. žat forletiž or dispisež to lyue {and} to dure{n} 2720 or žat wole his žankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For euery beest trauaylež hy{m} to defende {and} kepe že sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} eschewež deež {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. žat is 2724 to seyn žat I am in a doute of swiche žinges as herbes or trees žat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han whežer žei 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 žer of žar že 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 žise herbes {and} žise trees. žei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place žei 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} ožir 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 ž{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 ž{a}t / ž{a}t is co{n}uenient to hym {and} trauaylith ž{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 / ž{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 ž{a}t thilke thing / ž{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is / ž{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} ž{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of 2748 wode // {and} ž{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 ž{a}t ne wot wel ž{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 ž{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn ž{a}t that is hirs / ž{a}t is to seyn ž{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 _žing_--beest _out forže_--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 _ožir_--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 ž{a}t is acordynge 2764 {and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges ž{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 ž{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges ž{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem ž{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 [fleet[-h]] {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 ž{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 ž{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e} breth in slepynge ž{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 ž{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 ž{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 ž{a}t ž{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 ž{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 ž{a}t ben creat of hym / this ž{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 ž{a}t desiret[-h] to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth to ben oon // For yif ž{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 sot[-h] 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 [žow] maist descryuen ryht thus // Good is thilke thing ž{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 ž{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 ž{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 ž{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. žo 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 sot[-h] 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 ž{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 [že] syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth to [že] 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} ž{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 že 2864 sooth of any thing ž{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse ž{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 ž{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al ž{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges ž{a}t ben foryetyn. 2872 [Linenotes: 2838 _his_--H. žis _that_--H. {and} ž{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. žyng{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._]] *že seconde tyme. žat is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by že co{n}tagio[-u]s coniuncc{i}ou{n} of že body wiž 2876 že soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded by že charge {and} by že 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 žan sayde she žus. ¶ If žou look[e] q{uo}d she firste že žinges žat žou hast graunted it ne shal nat 2880 ben ry[gh]t feer žat žou ne shalt remembren žilke žing žat [[pg 102]] žou seidest žat žou nistest nat. [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] what žing q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ It was, by what power the world is governed.] ¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she žat žis 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 remembriž it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse 2884 wel žat I ne wist[e] it nat ¶ But al be it so žat I se now fro{m} afer what žou p{ur}posest ¶ Algates I desire [gh]it to herkene it of že more pleynely. [Sidenote: _P._ You acknowledged a little while ago that this world was governed by God?] ¶ žou ne wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne žat men 2888 sholden doute žat žis 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 [gh]itte doute I it nau[gh]t. ne I nil neuer wene žat it were to doute. as who seiž. but I wot wel žat god gouernež žis worlde. ¶ And I shal 2892 shortly answere že by what resou{n}s I am brou[gh]t to žis. [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.] ¶ žis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne my[gh]ten neuer han ben assembled in o forme. but yif žere ne were oon žat conioigned so many[e 2896 diu{er}se] žinges. ¶ And že same diuersite of hire natures žat so discordeden žat oon fro žat ožer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} že ži{n}ges žat ben co{n}ioigned. yif žere ne were oon žat contened[e] žat he haž 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 že certein ordre of nature ne sholde. nat brynge furže so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites. yif žere ne were oon žat were ay stedfast dwellynge. 2904 žat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] žise diuersites of moeuynges. [Sidenote: This Being, the creator and ruler of all things, I call God.] ¶ and žilke žinge what so euer it be. by whiche žat alle žinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe hym god žat is a worde žat 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.] žan seide she. syn žou felest žus žise žinges q{uo}d she. I trowe žat I haue lytel more to done. žat žou my[gh]ty of wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones ži 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 _[gh]itte doute_--yit ne dowte _nil_--nel 2892 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot 2892, 2894 _worlde_--world 2893 _answere_--answeren 2894 _many_--manye 2895 _my[gh]ten_--myhte 2896 _žere_--ther _many[e]_--manye 2897 [_diuerse_]--from C. _hire_--hir 2898 _most[e]_--moste 2900 _žere_--ther _contened[e]_--contenede _haž_--MS. haže 2902 _furže_--forth _ordinee moeuynge_--ordene moeuynges 2904 _žere_--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 že žinges žat 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 žat 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 žat god is {and} žilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsože q{uo}d I. {and} žat to gouerne žis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he 2916 neuer han nede of none helpe fro wižoute. [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. [gh]is žus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: And he directs all things by himself alone?] ¶ žan ordeynež he by hym self al oon alle žinges q{uo}d 2920 she. [Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be gainsaid.] žat 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 žat god is že same good. ¶ It reme{m}brež me wel q{uo}d I. ¶ žan ordeinež he alle žinges by žilke goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to 2924 ben good gouernež alle ži{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere by whiche žat že edifice of žis worlde is ykept stable {and} wiž 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 žat žou woldest seyne žus. Al be it so žat it were by a žinne 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 žou leedest nowe more ententifly žine eyen to loken že verray goodes ¶ but naželes že žinges žat I 2932 shal telle že [gh]it ne shewež nat lasse to loken. [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] what is žat 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} žat ry[gh]tfully žat god gouernež alle žinges by že keye of his goodnesse. ¶ And alle žise same žinges as I [haue] 2936 tau[gh]t že. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen to goode žer may no man doute{n}. žat žei ne ben gouerned uoluntariely. {and} žat žei ne conuerten [hem] nat of her owe{n} wille to že 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 _naželes_--nat[h]les 2935 _ry[gh]tfully_--MS. on ry[gh]tfully 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 žei žat 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 že realme ne sholde not seme blisful [gh]if žere were a [gh]ok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne že sauynge of 2944 obedient žinges ne sholde nat be. [Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything that follows the dictates of nature that seeks to counteract the will of God?] žan is žere no žing q{uo}d she ž{a}t kepiž hys nature[;] žat enforcež hym to gone a[gh]eyne 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 žat any ži{n}g enforced[e] hym to wižstonde god. my[gh]t[e] it auayle at 2948 že laste a[gh]eyns hym žat we han g{ra}unted to ben al my[gh]ty by že ry[gh]t of blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al outerly it ne my[gh]t[e] nat auaylen hym. [Sidenote: Then there is nothing that either will or can withstand this supreme good?] žan is žere no žing q{uo}d she žat eyžer wol or may wižstonde to žis 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.] ¶ žan is žilke že souereyne good q{uo}d she žat alle ži{n}g{us} gouernež strongly {and} ordeynež 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.] ža{n} seide I žus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in že endes or in že 2956 so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s žat žou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued. ¶ But žilke wordes žat ž{o}u vsest deliten me moche more. ¶ So at že last[e] fooles žat so{m}tyme renden greet[e] žinges au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of hem 2960 self. [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss.]] ¶ žat is to seyne ž{a}t we fooles žat rep{re}henden wickedly že ži{n}g{us} žat touchen goddes gouernaunce we au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I žat seide god refusež oonly že werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiž 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._ žou hast wel herd q{uo}d she že fables of že poetes. how že geauntes assailden že heuene wiž že goddes. but for sože že debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so as it was worži. žat is to seyne distroied[e] že 2968 geauntes. as it was worži. ¶ But wilt žou žat we ioygnen togedre žilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele of sože [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.] ¶ Do q{uo}d I as že list. [Sidenote: _P._ Is God omnipotent?] wenest žou q{uo}d she 2972 žat god ne is almy[gh]ty. no man is in doute of it. [[pg 105]] [Sidenote: _B._ No one doubts it.] Certys q{uo}d I no wy[gh]t ne defendiž it if he be in hys mynde. [Linenotes: 2941 _her_--hyr 2943 _realme_--Reaume _seme_--semen 2945 _žere_--ther 2947 _gone a[gh]eyne_--goon ayein 2948 _enforced[e]_--enforcede _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _auayle_--auaylen 2949 _a[gh]eyns_--a-yenis 2951 _outerly_--owtrely _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _auaylen_--MS. aualeyne, C. auaylen _hym_--hem _žere_--ther 2952 _wol_--wole _wižstonde_--w{i}t{h}-stondyn _žis souereyne_--his sou{er}eyn 2955 _softly_--softtely 2957 _sommes_--somme [_the_]--from C. 2959 _last[e]_--laste 2960 _greet[e]_--grete 2960, 2963 _au[gh]ten_--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 _sože_--soth _list_--liste 2973 _is_ (1)--be _man_--omitted _is_ (2)--nis 2974 _defendiž_--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 žat is al my[gh]ty žere nis no žing žat he ne may do. [Sidenote: _B._ He can doubtless do all things.] žat is sože q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ May God do evil?] May god done yuel 2976 q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: _B._ No.] nay for sože q{uo}d. I. [Sidenote: _P._ Is evil nothing, since God, who is almighty, cannot do it?] ¶ žan is yuel no žing q{uo}d she. ¶ Syn žat he ne may not done yuel žat may done alle žinges. [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 žou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys pleyest žou or deceiuest žou me. žat hast so wouen me 2980 wiž ži resou{n}s. že house of didalus so entrelaced. žat it is vnable to ben vnlaced. žou žat ožer while entrest žere žou issest {and} ožer while issest žere žou entrest. ne fooldest žou 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 žou bygu{n}ne atte blisfulnesse ž{o}u seidest žat it is souereyne good. {and} seidest žat it is set in souereyne god. {and} žat 2988 god is že ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche žou [gh]af[e] me as a couenable [gh]ifte. žat is to seyne ž{a}t no wy[gh]t nis blisful. but yif he be good al so žer wiž [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 žat že forme of goode is že substaunce of god. {and} 2992 of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest ž{a}t žilke same oone is žilke same goode žat is requered {and} desired of al že kynde of žinges. [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} žou p{ro}euedest in disputynge žat god gouernež alle [the] žinges of že worlde by že gouernementys 2996 of bountee. {and} seydest žat alle žinges wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest žat že nature of yuel nis no žing. [Sidenote: These truths you established by forcible and natural arguments, and by no strained and far-fetched reasons.] {and} žise žinges ne shewedest žou nat wiž no resou{n}s ytake fro wižoute but by proues in cercles {and} 3000 homelyche knowen. ¶ že whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir feiž {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of ožer. žan seide she žus. [Sidenote: _P._ I have not deluded you, for by the Divine aid we have accomplished our chief task.] I ne scorne že nat ne pleye ne desseyue že. but I haue shewed to že žinge žat is grettest ouer [[pg 106]] alle žinges by že [gh]ifte of god žat we some tyme prayden 3005 [Linenotes: 2975 _žere_--ther 2976 _do_--C. omits _sože_--soth _done_--don 2978, 2979 _done_--don 2980 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen 2981 _house_--hows 2983 _žere_ (_both_)--ther 2987 _atte_--at 2988 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 2989 _ful[le]_--fulle _whiche_--which _[gh]af[e]_--yaue 2990 _[gh]ifte_--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 _že žinge_--the the thing 3005 _[gh]ifte_--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 žis is že forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. žat is swiche žat it ne slydež nat in to outerest foreine žinges. ne ne rec[e]yuež no st{ra}nge žinges in hym. 3008 [Sidenote: Parmenides says of the Deity that _God is like a well-rounded sphere_.] but ry[gh]t as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of žilke deuyne substaunce. he seide žus žat žilke deuyne substaunce tornež že worlde {and} žilke cercle moeueable of žinges while žilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiž it self wiž outen 3012 moeuynge. [Sidenote: He causes the moving globe to revolve, but is himself immovable.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 24.]] žat *is to seyne žat it ne moeuiž neuere mo. {and} [gh]itte it moeuež alle ožer žinges. [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-želes yif I [haue] stered resou{n}s žat ne ben nat taken fro wiž oute že compas of že žinge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s 3016 žat ben bystowed wiž i{n}ne žat compas žere nis nat whi žat žou sholde[st] merueylen. sen žou hast lerned by že sentence of plato žat nedes že wordes moten ben cosynes to žo žinges of whiche žei speken. 3020 [Linenotes: 3006 [_the_]--from C. 3007 _swiche_--swich 3009 _parmaynws_--a p{ar}manides 3011 _worlde_--world 3012 _while_--whil _wiž outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3013 _seyne_--seyn 3014 _[gh]itte_--yit _ožer_--oothre 3015 [_haue_]--from C. 3016 _whiche_--which 3017 _wiž inne_--w{i}t{h} in 3020 _cosynes_--MS. conceyued, C. cosynes _žo_--že _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 žat man žat may seen že clere welle of good. blisful is he žat may vnbynde hym fro že bonde of heuy erže. [Sidenote: The Thracian poet, consumed with grief for the loss of his wife, sought relief from music.] ¶ že poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] žat somtyme hadde ry[gh]t greet sorowe for že deež 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 žat 3024 he hadde maked by hys wepely songes že wodes meueable to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked že ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked že hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe. 3028 {and} had[de] maked žat že hare was nat agast of že hounde whiche žat was plesed by hys songe. [Sidenote: But the songs that did all things tame, could not allay their master's ardent love.] so žat whane že most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende že entrailes of his brest. ne že songes žat hadde ouer [[pg 107]] comen alle žinges ne my[gh]ten 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 že godes žat were{n} cruel to hym. he wente hym to že 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} žere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng 3036 of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song in wepynge alle žat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of že noble welles of hys modir calliope že goddesse. [Sidenote: In songs dictated both by grief and love, he implored the infernal powers to give him back his Eurydice.] {and} he song wiž as mychel as he my[gh]t[e] of 3040 wepynge. {and} wiž as myche as loue žat doubled[e] his sorwe my[gh]t[e] [gh]euen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te. ¶ And he commoeuede že helle {and} requered[e] {and} sou[gh]te by swete p{re}iere že lordes of soules in helle 3044 of relesynge. žat is to seyne to [gh]elden hym hys wif. [Sidenote: Cerberus, Hell's three-headed porter, stood amazed;] ¶ Cerberus že porter of helle wiž his žre heuedes was cau[gh]t {and} al abaist for že new[e] songe. [Sidenote: the Furies, tormentors of guilty souls, did weep;] {and} že žre goddesses furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies žat to{ur}mente{n} 3048 {and} agaste{n} že soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for pitee. [Sidenote: Ixion, tormented by the revolving wheel, found rest;] žan was nat že heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by že ou{er}žrowi{n}g whele. [Sidenote: Tantalus, suffering from a long and raging thirst, despised the stream;] ¶ And tantalus žat was destroied by že woodnesse of longe 3052 žrust dispisež že flodes to drynke. [Sidenote: and the greedy vulture did cease to eat and tear the growing liver of Tityus.] že fowel žat hy[gh]t voltor žat etiž že stomak or že giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe žat 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 _žat_ (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 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _[gh]euen_--yeue _teche_--thechen _in----herte_--omitted 3043 _commoeuede_--MS. comaunded, C. co{m}moeuede 3044 _sou[gh]te_--by-sowhte 3045 _[gh]elden_--yilden 3046 _his_--hise 3047 _cau[gh]t_--MS. cau[gh]te, C. cawht _new[e] songe_--newe song 3049 _anoye----sorweful_--anoy woxen soruful 3050 _žan_--tho ne 3051 _whele_--wheel 3053 _žrust_--thurst _hy[gh]t_--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 že laste že 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 haž welle I-bou[gh]t 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 žis. {and} couenaunt 3060 in že [gh]ifte. ž{a}t is to seyne. žat til he be out of helle yif he loke byhynden hym [ž{a}t] hys wijf shal come{n} a[gh]eine 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 žat may [gh]eue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to 3064 hym self žan any lawe ž{a}t men may [gh]euen. [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 že termes of že ny[gh]t. žat is to seyne at že 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.] ¶ žis fable app{er}teinež to [gh]ow alle who so euer desirež or sekiž to lede his žou[gh]te in to že souereyne day. žat 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 žat eu{er}e be so ouer 3072 come{n} žat he fycche hys eyen in to že put[te] of helle. žat is to seyne who so settež his žou[gh]tes in eržely žinges. al žat euer he haž drawen of že noble good celestial he lesiž it whan he lokež že helles. žat is to 3076 seyne to lowe žinges of že erže. EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS. [Linenotes: 3056 _Atte_--At _lorde_--lord 3057 _cried[e]_--cryde 3058 _yif[e]_--yiue 3059 _haž_--MS. haže _welle_--wel _faire_--C. omits _songe_--song 3060 _wil putten_--wol putte 3062 _byhynden_--by-hynde [_žat_]--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 _žou[gh]te_--thowht 3071 _clerenes[se]_--clernesse 3072 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn god 3073 _put[te]_--putte 3074 _settež_--sette 3075 _haž_--MS. haže] [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 že forseide žinges kepynge že dignitee of hir choere in že wey[gh]te of hir wordes. I žan žat ne hadde 3080 nat al out{er}ly for[gh]eten že wepyng {and} mournyng žat was set in myne herte for-brek že entenc{i}ou{n} of hir žat entended[e] [gh]itte to seyne ož{er} žinges. [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. žou žat art gideresse of verray ly[gh]te že žinges žat žou 3084 hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere {and} so shewyng [[pg 109]] by že deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by ži resou{n}s žat žei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. [Sidenote: Through the oppression of grief I had forgotten these truths, but was not wholly ignorant of them.] ¶ And žilke ži{n}g{us} žat žou toldest me. al be it so žat I hadde som tyme 3088 fo[r][gh]eten hem for [the] sorwe of že wronge žat haž ben don to me. [gh]it naželes žei 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 žis same is namly a gret cause of my sorwe. žat so as že gouernoure of žinges is goode. 3092 yif žat yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif žat yuelys passen wiž outen punyssheinge. [Sidenote: This, to say the least, is astonishing.] že whiche žinge oonly how worži it is to ben wondred vpon. žou considerest it weel ži 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 [gh]itte to žis 3096 žing žere is an ožer žing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. ¶ For felonie is emperisse {and} flowrež ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wiž outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir že feet of felonous 3100 folk. {and} it abiež že 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 žing žer nis no wy[gh]t žat [may] merueyllen ynou[gh] ne compleyne žat swiche žinges ben don in že regne of god žat alle žinges woot. 3104 and alle žinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode žinges. [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.] ¶ žan seide she žus. certys q{uo}d she žat were a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wižouten ende. {and} wel more horrible žan alle monstres yif it were as 3108 ž{o}u wenest. žat is to sein. žat in že ry[gh]t ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. žat že vesseles žat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed {and} heried. and že 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 že žinges žat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole [[pg 110]] {and} vnraced. žou shalt wel knowe by že auctorite of god. of že whos regne I speke žat certys že good[e] 3116 folk ben alwey my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble. [Sidenote: that vice never passes unpunished, nor virtue goes unrewarded;] ne že vices ben neu{e}re mo wiž outen peyne[;] ne že vertues ne ben nat wiž outen mede. [Sidenote: that happiness attends good men, and misfortune falls to the lot of the wicked.] and žat blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comež 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 žou shalt wel knowe many[e] žinges of žis kynde ž{a}t sholle cessen ži pleyntes. {and} stedfast že wiž 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 žou hast seyn že forme of že verray blisfulnesse by me žat 3124 [haue] somtyme I-shewed it že. And žou hast knowen i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle žinges I treted ž{a}t I trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] furže ¶ I shal shewe že. že weye žat shal brynge že a[gh]eyne vnto ži 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 fežeres in ži žou[gh]t by whiche it may arysen in hey[gh]te. so žat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey žou by my gidyng & by my paže {and} by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to ži 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 _ly[gh]te_--lyht 3085 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seid [_me_]--from C. 3086 _ži_--the 3087 _mowe_--mowen 3088 _som tyme_--whilom 3089 [_the_]--from C. _wronge_--wrong _haž_--MS. haže 3090 _don_--MS. done, C. don _were_--weeren 3091 _namly_--namely 3092 _goode_--good 3094 _wiž outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3095 _žinge_--thing 3097 _žere_--ther _ben ywondred_--be wondryd 3098 _flowrež_--MS. folwež, C. flowrith 3099 _rycchesse_--Rychesses _vertues_--vertu _wiž outen_--w{i}t{h} owte 3101 _in sted_--in stide 3102 _wicked_--wikkede _al[le]_--alle _žing_--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 _že_--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 _wiž 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] furže_--putten forth 3128 _weye_--wey _brynge_--bryngen _ži house_--thin hows 3129 _ficche_--fycchen 3130 _arysen_--areysen _don_--MS. done, C. ydoń 3131 _paže_--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 Phoebus' radiant path, or accompanying cold and aged Saturn, or riding, as a soldier, with Mars.] ++I Haue for sože swifte fežeres žat surmou{n}ten že hey[gh]t of že heuene whan že swifte žou[gh]t haž cložed it self. in žo fežeres it dispisež že hat[e]ful eržes. {and} surmou{n}tež že hey[gh]enesse of že greet[e] eyir. {and} it seiž že 3136 cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passež že hey[gh]t of že regiou{n} of že fire žat eschaufiž by že swifte moeuyng of že firmament. til žat she a-reisiž hir in til že houses ž{a}t beren že sterres. {and} ioygnež hir weyes wiž že sonne [[pg 111]] phebus. {and} felawshipež že weye of že olde colde 3141 saturnus. and she ymaked a kny[gh]t of že clere sterre. [Sidenote: [Chaucer's Gloss.]] žat is to seyne žat že soule is maked goddys kny[gh]t by že sekyng of treuže to comen to že 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 žilke soule renne[ž] by že cercle *of že sterres in alle že places žere as že shynyng ny[gh]t is depeynted. žat is to seyne že ny[gh]t žat is cloudeles. for on ny[gh]tes žat ben cloudeles it semež as že heuene were peynted wiž 3148 dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan že soule haž gon ynou[gh] she shal forleten že last[e] poynt of že heuene. [Linenotes: 3133 _hey[gh]t of že heuene_--heyhte of heuene 3134 _haž_--MS. haže 3136 _hey[gh]enesse----eyir_--Rou{n}dnesse of the grete ayr _seiž_--seth 3137 _hir_--his 3138 _fire_--Fyr _eschaufiž_--MS. eschaufiže 3139 _she_--he _hir_--hym 3140 _hir_--his 3141 _weye_--wey _že----saturnus_--MS. saturnus že olde colde 3142 _saturnus_--sat{ur}nis _she_--he 3143 _soule_--thowght 3144 _treuže_--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 _haž_--MS. haže 3150 _že 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 že bak of že swifte firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of že dredefulle 3152 clerenesse of god. ¶ žere haldež že lorde of kynges že ceptre of his my[gh]t {and} atte{m}p{er}ež že gouernementes of žis worlde. [Sidenote: Here the great Judge, standing in shining robes, firmly guides his winged chariot, and rules the tumultuous affairs of the world.] {and} že shynynge iuge of žinges stable i{n} hy{m} self gouernež že swifte carte. žat is to seyne že 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 ži weye ledež že a[gh]eyne so žat žou be brou[gh]t žider. žan wilt žou seye now žat žat is že contre žat žou requeredest of whiche žou ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbrež 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 že lyke žan to loken on že derkenesse of že erže žat žou hast for-leten. žan shalt žou seen žat žise felonous tyrauntes žat že wrecched[e] poeple dredež 3164 now shule ben exiled from žilke faire contre. [Linenotes: 3151-2 _she_--he 3152-3 _of že----of god_--of the worshipful lyht of god 3153 _žere haldež_--ther halt 3155 _žis 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.] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. [owh] I wondre me žat žou by-hetest me so grete žinges. ne I ne doute nat žat ž{o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme žat žou by-hetest. but I preie že 3168 oonly žis. žat žou ne tarie nat to telle me žilke žinges žat žou 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 žou most nedes knowen. ž{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} my[gh]ty. and že shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked 3172 of alle strengžes. [Sidenote: These assertions do mutually demonstrate each other.] and of žise žinges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by ož{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 žat goode be stedfast. ža{n} shewež že 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 žou knowe clerely že freelnesse of yuel. že 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 že fey of my sentence shal be že more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I wil goon by žat oon wey {and} by žat ožer {and} I wil conferme 3180 že žinges žat ben p{ur}posed now on žis side {and} now on ž{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 žinges žer ben in whiche že effect of alle že dedes of man kynde standiž. žat is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif žat oon of žise two faylež 3184 žere nis no žing žat 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 žat wil lakkež žere nys no wy[gh]t žat vndirtakež to done žat he wol not don. and yif power faylež že wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nau[gh]t. [Sidenote: Hence, if you see a person desirous of getting what he cannot procure, you are sure he lacks power to obtain it.] and žer of comež it žat yif žou se a 3188 wy[gh]t žat wolde gete{n} žat he may nat geten. žou mayst nat douten žat power ne faylež hy{m} to haue{n} žat he wolde. ¶ žis 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 žou se a wy[gh]t q{uo}d 3192 she. žat haž don žat he wolde don ž{o}u nilt nat douten žat he ne haž 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 žat. žat euery wy[gh]t may. in žat žat men may holden hym my[gh]ty. as who seiž i{n} as moche as a man is my[gh]ty [[pg 113]] to done a žing. in so moche men halden hy{m} my[gh]ty. 3197 and in žat žat he ne may. in žat 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?] Remembriž že q{uo}d she žat I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s 3200 žat al že entenc{i}ou{n} of že wil of ma{n}kynde whiche žat is lad by diuerse studies hastiž to comen to blisfulnesse. ¶ It reme{m}brež me wel q{uo}d I žat 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 _žere_--ther 3185 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3186 _done_--don 3187 _wille_--wil 3188 _comež_--comht 3189 _mayst_--MS. mayste, C. mayst 3191 _clere_--cler 3192 _denyed_--denoyed 3193-4 _haž_--MS. haže 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 že, 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} recordež že nat žan q{uo}d she. žat blisfulnesse is 3204 žilke same goode žat men requeren. [Sidenote: [* fol. 25 _b_.]] so žat whan žat blisfulnesse is requered *of alle. žat goode [also] is requered {and} desired of al. It recordež 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 žan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} wiž oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. žat 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 žat by že gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. 3212 [Sidenote: _B._ It is most certain.] žis is certeyne q{uo}d. I. [Sidenote: _P._ Do good men, then, get what they desire?] ¶ žan geten goode men žat žei desiren. [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.] so semež 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 žei geten že goode žat žei desire{n} žei [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?] ¶ žan so as 3216 žat oon {and} žat ožer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} že goode folk geten good {and} nat že wicked folk ¶ žan nis it no doute žat že goode folk ne ben my[gh]ty {and} že 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 žat euer q{uo}d I 3220 doutež of žis. he ne may nat considre že nature of ži{n}ges. ne že consequence of resou{n}. and ouer žis 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 žat žer ben two žinges žat han o same 3223 p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} žat one of he{m} p{ur}suež {and} p{er}formež žilke same žinge by naturel office. {and} žat ožer ne may nat done žilk naturel office. but folwež by ožer manere žan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym žat acomplisiž hys p{ur}pos kyndely. {and} [gh]it he ne acomplisiž [[pg 114]] nat hys owen purpos. whežer of žise two demest 3229 žou for more my[gh]ty. [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate your meaning more clearly.] ¶ yif žat I coniecte q{uo}d .I. žat žou wilt seye algates. [gh]it I desire to herkene it more pleynely of že. [Sidenote: _P._ The motion of walking is natural to man? And this motion is the natural office of the feet? Do you grant this?] žou nilt nat žan denye q{uo}d she žat že 3232 moeueme{n}t[gh] of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for sože q{uo}d I. ne žou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she ž{a}t žilke naturel office of goynge ne be že 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.] žan q{uo}d she yif žat a wy[gh]t be my[gh]ty to 3236 moeue {and} gož vpon hys feet. and anožer to whom žilke naturel office of feet lakkež. enforcež hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. ¶ whiche of žise two au[gh]te to ben holden more my[gh]ty by ry[gh]t. knyt furže že remenaunt 3240 q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wy[gh]t ne doutež žat he žat may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more my[gh]ty žan he žat 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 že souereyne good q{uo}d she žat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to že good folk {and} to 3244 badde. že good folke seken it by naturel office of uertues. {and} že shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise of eržely žinges. whiche žat nis no naturel office to geten žilke same souereyne goode. 3248 [Sidenote: Do you think otherwise?] trowest žou žat it be any ožer 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 že co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of žinges žat I haue graunted. ¶ žat nedes goode folk moten ben my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes feble {and} vnmy[gh]ty. [Sidenote: _P._ You rightly anticipate me; for it is a good sign, as physicians well know, when Nature exerts herself and resists the malady.] ¶ žou rennest ary[gh]t 3252 byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} žis is že iugement žat is to seyn. ¶ I iuge of že ry[gh]t as žise leches ben wont forto hopen of seke folk whan žei ap{er}ceyuen žat nature is redressed {and} wižstondež to že maladie. [Sidenote: But, as you are so quick of apprehension, I shall continue this mode of reasoning.] ¶ But for I 3256 see že now al redy to že vndirstandynge I shal shewe že more žilke {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 shewiž že feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]] folke. žat ne mowen nat come to žat hire naturel 3260 entenc{i}ou{n} ledež hem. {and} [gh]itte almost žilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreinež hem. ¶ and what wer{e} to deme žan of shrewes. yif žilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten hem. ¶ že whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} gož alwey 3264 byforne hem. {and} is so grete žat vnnež 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 žan how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse žere is in grete felonous folk as who seiž že gretter ži{n}ges žat ben coueited {and} že desire 3268 nat accomplissed of že lasse my[gh]t is he žat coueitež it {and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forži philosophie seiž žus 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 ly[gh]t[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche žei ne may nat 3272 folwen ne holden. but žei fayle{n} of žilke some of že hey[gh]te of žinges žat is to seyne souereyne good. ne žise wrecches ne comen nat to že effect of souereyne good. [Sidenote: [* fol. 26.]] *že whiche žei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by ny[gh]tes 3276 {and} by dayes. [Sidenote: The good attain the end of their desires, and therein their power is manifested.] ¶ In že getyn[g] of whiche goode že strengže 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 ry[gh]t so as ž{o}u my[gh]test demen hym my[gh]ty of goynge žat gož on hys feet til he my[gh]t[e] come to žilke place fro že whiche 3280 place žere ne lay no wey foržer to be gon. Ry[gh]t so most žou nedes demen hym for ry[gh]t my[gh]ty žat getiž {and} atteiniž to že ende of alle žinges žat ben to desire. by-[gh]onde že whiche ende žat žer nis no žing to desire. 3284 [Linenotes: 3226 _žilk_--thilke 3229 _owen_--owne 3231 _wilt_--wolt _herkene_--herkne 3232 _pleynely_--pleynly _denye_--denoye 3233 _moeuement[gh]_--Moeuement 3237 _gož_--MS. gože _hys_--hise 3238 _gone_--goon 3239 _hys_--hise _whiche_--which 3240 _more_--the Moore _furže_--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 _žilk_--thilke 3262 _deme_--demen 3263-4 _helpe_--help 3264 _whiche_--which _gož_--MS. gože 3265 _grete_--gret _vnnež_--vnnethe _be ouercomen_--ben ou{er}come 3267 _žere_--ther _grete_--wikkede 3268 _žinges_--thing _ben_--is 3271 _Sherewes ne requere_--ne shrewes ne requeren 3272 _ly[gh]t[e]_--lyhte _veyne_--veyn _nat_--omitted 3276 _whiche_--which 3277 _getyn[g]_--getinge _whiche goode_--which good 3278 _ysen_--MS. and C. ysene 3279 _gož_--MS. gože 3280 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 3281 _žere_--ther _lay_--laye _foržer_--forthere _be_--ben 3283 _desire_--desired 3284 _žat_--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 žat wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle strengže. [Sidenote: Wherefore do they leave virtue, and follow vice? Is it because they are ignorant of good?] For whi forleten žei v{er}tues {and} folwen vices. nis it nat for žat žei ne knowen nat že 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 žing is more feble {and} more caitif žan is že [[pg 116]] blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys žei knowen ful wel whiche žinges žat žei au[gh]ten to folwen ¶ but lecherye {and} couetise oueržrowež hem mysturned. [Sidenote: And so, indeed, weak-minded men are overpowered by intemperance, for they cannot resist vicious temptations.] ¶ and certis 3292 so dož distemp{er}aunce to feble men. žat ne mowe{n} nat wrastle a[gh]eins že 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 žei nat žan wel žat žei foreleten že good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to vices. ¶ And in žis wise žei ne forleten nat 3296 oonly to ben my[gh]ty. but žei forleten al outerly in any wise forto ben [Sidenote: For those who neglect the common end of all beings, cease to exist.] ¶ For žei žat forleten že comune fyn of alle žinges žat ben. žei for-leten also žerwiž 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 žat 3300 žis were a merueile to seyne žat shrewes whiche žat contienen že more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge. ¶ but naželes it is so. {and} žus stant žis žing [Sidenote: That the wicked are bad I do not deny--but I do not admit that they have any real existence.] for žei žat ben shrewes I denye nat žat žei ben shrewes. 3304 but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly žat žei [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 ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test seyn of že careyne of a man žat it were a ded man. ¶ but žou ne my[gh]test 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 sože žat vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and} symplely žat žei ben. [Sidenote: That thing exists that preserves its rank, nature, and constitution, but when it loses these essentials it ceases to be.] ¶ For žilk žing žat wiž holdež ordre {and} kepiž nature. žilk žing is {and} haž 3312 beynge. but žat žing žat failež of žat. žat is to seyne he ž{a}t forletiž naturel ordre he for-letiž žilk beyng žat 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 žou wolt sein žat shrewes mowen. ¶ Certys žat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys 3316 hir power ne descendež nat of strengže but of feblesse. [Sidenote: They can do evil, but this they could not do, if they retained the power of doing good.] for žei mowen don wickednesses. že whiche žei ne my[gh]ten nat don yif žei my[gh]te{n} dwelle in že forme {and} in že doynge of goode folke. [[pg 117]] [Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.] ¶ And žilke power 3320 shewež ful euydently žat žei ne mowen ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. [Linenotes: 3285 _whiche_--the which _žat_--ž{a}t the 3286 _ben_--be 3291 _au[gh]ten to folwen_--owhten folwe 3293 _dož_--MS. dože, 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 _žilk_--thilke 3312 _haž_--MS. haže 3313 _žat_ (1)--what _seyne_--seyn 3314 _žilk_--thilke 3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 3316 _denye_--denoye 3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3319 _my[gh]ten_ (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 žat yuel is nau[gh]t. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly but shrewednesse. žis conclusiou{n} is al clere. žat 3324 shrewes ne mowen ry[gh]t 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 žou vndirstonde whiche is že strengže žat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn žat no žing nis so my[gh]ty as souereyne good [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.] ¶ žat is 3328 sože 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 žer any wy[gh]t žan q{uo}d she žat weniž žat men mowen don alle žinges. [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 doń yuel q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.] ¶ [gh]e wolde god q{uo}d I žat žei ne my[gh]te{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.] žat q{uo}d she so as he žat is my[gh]ty to done oonly but good[e] žinges may don alle žinges. and žei žat ben my[gh]ty to done 3336 yuel[e] žinges ne mowen nat alle žinges. žan is žis open žing {and} manifest žat žei ž{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 [gh]itte to p{ro}ue žis conclusiou{n} žere helpež me žis žat I haue shewed here byforne. žat al 3340 power is to be nou{m}bred amonge žinges žat men au[gh]ten requere. {and} haue shewed žat alle ži{n}ges žat au[gh]ten ben desired ben referred to good ry[gh]t as to a manere hey[gh]te 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. žan nis nat yuel of že nou{m}bre of žinges žat au[gh]te{n}. [Sidenote: [* fol. 26 _b_.]] *be desired. but al power au[gh]t[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ žan is it open {and} cler žat že power ne že 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 žise žinges it shewež wel žat že goode folk ben certeynly my[gh]ty. {and} že shrewes ben [[pg 118]] douteles vnmy[gh]ty [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 žat žilke sentence of plato is uerray {and} sože. ž{a}t seyž žat oonly 3352 wiseme{n} may [doon] žat žei desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten žat hem lykež. but žat žei desiren žat is to seyne to comen to souereyne good žei ne han no power to acomplissen žat. [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 žat hem 3356 list whan by žo žinges in whiche žei deliten žei wenen to atteyne to žilke good žat žei desiren. but žei ne geten ne atteynen nat žer 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 _žat is_--of this 3327 _here_--her 3328 _nis_--is 3329 _sože_--soth 3329, 3330 [_and thilke----quod I_]--from C. 3334 _don_--MS. done, C. don _none žat_--non thanne 3335 _done_--doon _good[e]_--goode 3336 _don_--MS. done, C. don _done_--don 3337 _yuel[e]_--yuele _žis_--it 3338 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3339 _[gh]itte_--yit _žere_--ther 3340 _shewed here byforne_--Ishewed her by-forn _al_--alle 3341 _amonge_--among 3344 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3346 _au[gh]ten be_--owhte ben 3347 _al_--alle _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 3351 _clere_--cler 3352 _sože_--soth _žat seyž_--MS. but siže, C. ž{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 žat že couertures of her veyn apparailes my[gh]t[e] strepen of žise proude kynges žat žou seest sitten on hey[gh]e in her chayeres glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wiž sorweful arm{ur}es 3364 manasyng wiž cruel mouže. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. ¶ He sholde se žan žat ilke lordes beren wiž i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormentiž he{m} on žat oon syde wiž gredy venyms {and} 3368 troublable Ire žat araisež in hem že floodes of troublynges tourmentiž vpon žat ožer side hir žou[gh]t. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycau[gh]t. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmentiž 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 žerfore syn žou seest on heed. 3372 žat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis. ža{n} ne dož žilk tyraunt nat žat he desiriž. syn he is cast doune wiž so many[e] wicked lordes. žat is to seyn wiž so many[e] vices. žat han so wicked lordshipes 3376 ouer hym. [Linenotes: 3361-63 _her_--hir 3362 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 3363 _hey[gh]e_--heygh 3364 _sorweful_--sorwful 3365 _mouže_--Mowth 3366 _se_--seen _ilke_--thilke 3368 _on_--in 3369 _hem_--hym 3371 _disseyuyng_--deceyuynge 3373 _seyne_--seyn _bere_--beeren 3373-75-76 _many[e]_--manye 3373 _tyrauntis_--tyranyes 3374 _dož_--MS. dože _žilk_--thilke 3375 _doune_--down _wicked_--wikkede 3376 _wicked_--wikkedly] [[pg 119]] [Headnote: THEY DO NOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT.] VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO. [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: See you not in how great and filthy a mire the wicked wallow?] ++SEest žou nat žan in how gret filže žise shrewes ben ywrapped. {and} wiž whiche cleernesse žise good folk shynen. [Sidenote: This is a proof that good folks do not go unrewarded, nor do the evil-doers escape punishment.] In žis shewež it wel žat to good folk ne 3380 lakkež neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken neuer mo to{ur}mentis. [Sidenote: Every action is done for a certain end, and that end is the reward of the action.] for of alle žinges žat ben ydon žilke žing for whiche any žing is doon. it semež as by ry[gh]t žat žilke žing be že mede of žat. as žus. ¶ yif a 3384 man rennež in že stadie or in že forlonge for že corone. žan liež že mede in že corone for whiche he rennež. [Sidenote: But Happiness is that good for which all things are done. Therefore happiness is the reward which all the human race seek as the reward of their actions.] ¶ And I haue shewed žat blisfulnesse is žilke same good for whiche žat alle ži{n}g{us} ben don. žan is žilke 3388 same good p{ur}posed to že werkes of mankynde ry[gh]t as a comune mede. [Sidenote: This good is inseparable from the virtuous, therefore virtue can never want its reward.] whiche mede ne may ben disseuered fro good folk. for no wy[gh]t as by ry[gh]t fro žennes forže ž{a}t hym lakkiž goodnesse ne shal ben cleped good. 3392 For whiche žing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne forsaken hem neuer mo. [Sidenote: Evil men may rage as they please against the good, but the crown of the wise shall not fall nor fade.] For al be it so žat sherewes waxen as wood as hem list a[gh]eynes good[e] folk. [gh]itte neuer že les že corone of wise men ne shal nat fallen 3396 ne faden. [Sidenote: The wickedness of another cannot deprive a virtuous soul of its own honour.] ¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymež nat fro že corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. [Linenotes: 3379 _whiche_--which 3380 _good_--goode 3381 _ne_ (2)--omitted 3383 _whiche_--which 3385 _forlonge_--forlong 3386-88-90 _whiche_--which 3391 _forže_--forth 3393 _whiche_--which _good[e]_--goode 3395 _wood_--woode _good[e]_--goode 3396 _les_--leese _ne_--omitted 3398 _good[e]_--goode] [Headnote: THE REWARD OF THE GOOD.] [Sidenote: If a man pride himself on the possession of an advantage received from another, he may be deprived of it, either by the giver or by others.] but yif žat any wy[gh]t reioisež hem of goodnesse žat žei had[de] taken fro wižoute. as who seiž yif [ž{a}t] any 3400 wy[gh]t had[de] hys goodnesse of any ožer man žan of hym self. certys he žat [gh]af hym žilke goodnesse or ellys som ožer wy[gh]t my[gh]t[e] bynym[e] it hym. [Sidenote: But, as the reward of the virtuous is derived from virtue, a man cannot lose this meed unless he ceases to be virtuous.] but for as moche as to euery wy[gh]t hys owen p{ro}pre bounte 3404 [gh]euež hy{m} hys mede. žan at arst shal he faylen of mede whan he forletiž to ben good. [Sidenote: Lastly, since a reward is desired because it is supposed to be a good, can we believe that he who is capable of good is deprived of the recompence?] {and} at že laste so as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen žat žei ben good[e]. who is he žat wolde deme žat he žat is ry[gh]t [[pg 120]] my[gh]ty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. 3409 [Sidenote: What reward shall he receive?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 27.]] *{and} of what mede shal he be gerdoned. [Sidenote: Certainly the fairest and richest of all rewards.] certys of ry[gh]t faire mede {and} ry[gh]t greet abouen alle medes. [Sidenote: Call to mind that excellent corollary I have already given thee, and reason thus:--] ¶ Remembre že of žilk noble corolarie žat I [gh]af že a lytel here byforne. 3412 {and} gadre it to gidre in žis manere. [Sidenote: Since the supreme good is happiness, it follows that all good men are happy in as much as they are good; but if they are happy they must become as it were gods.] so as god hym self is blisfulnesse. žan is it clere {and} certeyn. žat alle good folk ben makid blisful for žei ben good[e]. and žilke folk žat ben blisful it accordiž {and} is couenable to ben 3416 godde[s]. [Sidenote: The reward (_i. e._ divinity) of the righteous is such that no time can impair it, no power can diminish it, nor can any wickedness obscure it.] žan is že mede of goode folk swiche. žat no day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal endirken it. ne power of no wy[gh]t ne shal nat amenusen it žat is to seyn to ben maked goddes. [Sidenote: Since, then, happiness belongs to good men, punishment inseparably attends the wicked.] ¶ and syn it is 3420 žus žat goode men ne faylen neuer mo of hir{e} medes. [Linenotes: 3399 _reioisež_--reioyse _hem_--hym _žei had[de]_--he hadde 3400 [_žat_]--from C. 3401 _had[de]_--hadde 3402 _self_--MS. selk 3403 _my[gh]t[e] bynym[e]_--myhte be-nyme 3404 _owen_--owne 3406 _laste_--last 3408 _good[e]_--goode _wolde_--nolde 3409 _goode_--good _of_ (2)--of the 3411 _greet_--grete 3412 _here byforne_--her by-forn 3413 _god_--good 3414 _is_ (1)--his _clere_--cleer 3415 _good[e]_--goode 3417 _godde[s]_--goddes _swiche_--swich 3418 [_ne_]--from C. _endirken_--derken] [Headnote: VIRTUE EXALTS MANKIND.] ¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of že vndep{ar}table peyne of shrewes. ¶ žat is to seyn žat že peyne of shrewes ne dep{ar}tiž nat from hem self neuer mo. 3424 [Sidenote: For since _good_ and _evil_ are contraries, so are _rewards_ and _punishments_.] ¶ For so as goode {and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben contrarie it mot nedes ben ž{a}t ry[gh]t as we seen by-tiden in gerdou{n} of goode. [Sidenote: It is evident that rewards follow good actions, and punishments attend evil actions; then as virtue itself is the reward of the virtuous, so vice is the punishment of the vicious.] žat also mot že peyne of yuel answer{e} by že contrarie partye to shrewes. now žan so 3428 as bounte {and} prowesse ben že medes to goode folk. also is shrewednesse it self torment to shrewes [Sidenote: He who is punished with pain and uneasiness knows that he is afflicted with evil.] ¶ žan who so žat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiž yuel. [Sidenote: If, then, the wicked did rightly understand themselves they would perceive that they are not exempted from punishment.] yif shrewes wolen žan p{re}isen hem self may it semen 3432 to hem žat žei ben wiž oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. [Sidenote: Since vice, the extreme and worst kind of evil, not only afflicts them, but infects and entirely pollutes them.] syn žei ben swiche žat že [vtteriste wikkednesse / ž{a}t is to seyn wikkede thewes / which ž{a}t is the] out{er}este {and} že w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliž nat ne 3436 entecehiž nat hem oonly but infectiž {and} enuenemyž he{m} gretely [Sidenote: But contemplate the punishment of the wicked.] ¶ And al so loke on shrewes žat ben že contrarie p{ar}tye of goode men. how grete peyne felawshipež [[pg 121]] {and} folwež hem. [Sidenote: You have been taught that _unity_ is essential to being and is good--and all that have this unity are good; whatsoever, then, fails to be good ceases to exist.] ¶ For žou hast lerned a litel 3440 here byforn žat al ži{n}g žat is {and} haž beynge is oon. {and} žilke same oon is good. žan is žis consequence žat it semež wel. žat al žat is {and} haž bey{n}ge is good. žis is to seyne. as who seiž žat beynge {and} vnite {and} 3444 goodnesse is al oon. {and} in žis manere it folwež žan. žat al žing žat failež to ben good. it styntiž forto be. {and} forto haue any beynge. [Sidenote: So that it appears that evil men must cease to be what they were.] wher fore it is žat shrewes stynten forto ben žat žei weren. [Sidenote: That they were once men, the outward form of the body, which still remains, clearly testifies.] but žilke ožer forme 3448 of mankynde. žat is to seyne že forme of že body wiž oute. shewiž [gh]it žat žise shrewes were somtyme men. [Linenotes: 3422 _wise man_--wysman _že_--omitted _vndepartable_--MS. vndirp{ar}table, C. vndepartable 3423 _of_ (1)--of the 3428 _answere_--answery _že_--omitted 3434 [_vtteriste----is the_]--from C. 3438 _gretely_--gretly 3439 _grete_--gret 3441 _al_--alle _haž_--MS. haže 3443 _al_--alle _haž_--MS. haže 3446 _al_--alle 3447 _haue_--han 3448 _stynten_--MS. styntent 3450 _were somtyme_--weeren whilom] [Headnote: HE WHO CEASES TO BE VIRTUOUS CEASES TO BE A MAN.] [Sidenote: Wherefore, when they degenerate into wickedness they lose their human nature.] ¶ wher fore whan žei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to malice. certys žan han žei forlorn že nature of mankynde. 3452 [Sidenote: But as virtue alone exalts one man above other men, it is evident that vice, which divests a man of his nature, must sink him below humanity.] but so as oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse euery man ouer ožer men. žan mot it nedes be žat shrewes whiche žat shrewednesse haž cast out of že condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir že merite {and} 3456 že deserte of men. [Sidenote: You cannot, therefore, esteem him to be a man whom you see thus transformed by his vices.] žan bitidiž it žat yif žou seest a wy[gh]t žat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. žou ne mayst nat wene žat he be a man. [Sidenote: The greedy robber, you will say, is like a _wolf_.] ¶ For [gh]if he [be] ardaunt in auarice. {and} žat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of 3460 foreine rychesse. žou shalt seyn žat he is lyke to a wolf. [Sidenote: He who gives no rest to his abusive tongue, you may liken to a _hound_.] {and} yif he be felonous {and} wiž out reste {and} ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. žou shalt lykene hym to že hounde. [Sidenote: Does he delight in fraud and trickery? then is he like young _foxes_.] {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} 3464 reioysež hym to rauysshe by wyles. žou shalt seyne hym lyke to že fox whelpes. [Sidenote: Is he intemperate in his anger? then men will compare him to a raging _lion_.] ¶ And yif he be distempre {and} quakiž for ire men shal wene žat he berež že corage of a lyou{n}. [Sidenote: If he be a coward, he will be likened to a _hart_.] {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge 3468 and dredež žinges žat ne au[gh]ten nat ben dred. men shal holde hym lyke to že h{er}te. [[pg 122]] [Sidenote: If he be slow, dull, and lazy, then is he like an _ass_.] {and} yif he be slowe {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyuež as an asse. [Sidenote: Is he fickle and inconstant? Then is he like a _bird_.] {and} yif he be ly[gh]t {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungež ay his 3472 studies. he is lickened to briddes. [Sidenote: Doth he wallow in filthy lusts? Then doth he roll himself in the mire like a nasty _sow_.] ¶ {and} yif he be plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wižholden in že foule delices of že foule soowe. [Sidenote: It follows, then, that he who ceases to be virtuous, ceases to be a man; and, since he cannot attain divinity, he is turned into a beast.] ¶ žan folwež it žat he žat forletiž bountee {and} prowesse. he forletiž to 3476 ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to že condic{i}ou{n} of god. he is tourned in to a beest. [Linenotes: 3452 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn 3453 _as_--omitted _enhawnse_--enhawsen 3455 _whiche_--which _haž_--MS. haže 3459 [_be_]--from C. 3464 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hidd 3465 _seyne_--seyn 3468 _dredeful_--dredful 3469 _ben_--to ben _dred_--MS. dredde, C. dredd 3470 _holde_--holden _lyke_--lyk _herte_--hert _slowe_--slowh 3472 _vnstedfast_--vnstidefast _his_--hise 3475 _žan_--MS. žat, C. thanne 3477 _passe_--passen] [Sidenote: [* fol. 27 _b_.]] *V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS. [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Ulysses was driven by the eastern winds upon the shores of that isle where Circe dwelt, who, having entertained her guests with magic draughts, transformed them into divers shapes--one into a boar, another into a lion;] ++Evrus že wynde aryuež že sayles of vlixes duc of že contre of narice. {and} hys wandryng shippes by že 3480 see in to že isle žere as Circe že fayre goddesse dou[gh]ter of že sonne dwellež žat medlyž to hir newe gestes drynkes žat ben touched {and} maked wiž enchau{n}tment[gh]. {and} after žat hir hande my[gh]ty of že herbes 3484 had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to dyuerse maneres. žat oon of hem is couered his face wiž forme of a boor. žat ožer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of že contre of marmorike. {and} his nayles {and} his teže wexen. [Sidenote: some into howling wolves, and others into Indian tigers.] ¶ žat 3488 ožer of hem is newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and} howeliž whan he wolde wepe. žat ožer gož debonairly in že house as a tigre of Inde. [Sidenote: But Mercury, the Arcadian god, rescued Ulysses from the Circean charms. Yet his mariners, having drunk of her infected drinks, were changed to swine, and fed on acorns.] but al be it so žat že godhed of mercurie žat is cleped že bride of arcadie haž 3492 had mercie of že duc vlixes byseged wiž diu{er}se yueles {and} haž vnbounden hym fro že pestilence of hys oosteresse algates že rowers {and} že maryners hadden by žis ydrawen in to hir moužes {and} dronken že wicked[e] 3496 drynkes žei žat were woxen swyne hadden by žis [[pg 123]] chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto ete acorns of ookes. [Sidenote: All traces of the human form were lost, and they were bereft of speech.] non of hir lymes ne dwelliž wiž he{m} hoole. but žei han lost že voys {and} že body. [Sidenote: Their souls, unchanged, bewailed their dreadful fate.] Oonly hir{e} žou[gh]t 3500 dwellež wiž hem stable ž{a}t wepiž {and} bywailiž že monstruous chaungynge žat žei suffren. [Sidenote: O most weak, are Circe's powers compared with the potency of vice, to transform the human shape!] ¶ O ouer ly[gh]t hand. as who seiž. ¶ O feble {and} ly[gh]t is že hand of Circes že enchaunteresse žat chaungež že bodies of folk 3504 in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n} žat is makid by vices. [Sidenote: Circe's herbs may change the body, but cannot touch the mind, the inward strength of man.] ne že herbes of circes ne ben nat my[gh]ty. for al be it so žat žei may chau{n}gen že lymes of že body. ¶ algates [gh]it žei may nat chau{n}ge že 3508 hertes. for wiž inne is yhid že strengže {and} že vigour of me{n} in že secre toure of hire hertys. žat is to seyn že strengže of resou{n}. [Sidenote: But vice is more potent than Circe's poisonous charms.] but žilke uenyms of vices to-drawen a man to hem more my[gh]tily žan že venym of 3512 circes. [Sidenote: Though it leaves the body whole, it pierces the inner man, and inflicts a deadly wound upon the soul.] ¶ For vices ben so cruel žat žei percen {and} žoru[gh] passen že corage wiž i{n}ne. {and} žou[gh] žei ne anoye nat že body. [gh]itte vices wooden to distroien men by wounde of žou[gh]t. 3516 [Linenotes: 3479 _aryuež_--aryuede _vlixes_--MS. vluxies, C. vlixes 3481 _Circe_--Circes 3483 _enchauntment[gh]_--enchauntement[gh] 3484 _hande_--hand _of_--ou{er} 3485 _had[de]_--hadde _gestes_--MS. goostes, C. gestes 3486 _boor_--boer{e} 3488 _his_ (1)--hise _his teže_--hise teth 3489 _newliche_--neweliche 3490 _gož_--MS. gože 3491 _house_--hows 3492 _bride_--bryd _haž_--MS. haže 3493 _mercie_--MS. mercurie, C. mercy 3494 _haž_--MS. haže 3495 _oosteresse_--oostesse 3496 _wicked[e]_--wikkede 3497 _were woxen swyne_--weeren wexen swyn 3498 _chaunged_--Ichaunged _brede_--bred _forto_--MS. {and} forto _ete acorns_--eten akkornes 3499 _hoole_--hool 3501 _wepiž_--MS. kepiž, C. weepith 3502 _monstruous_--MS. monstronous, C. Monstruos 3504 _Circes_--MS. Cirtes _folk_--folkys 3509 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd 3515 _wooden_--MS. wolden, C. wooden] [Headnote: THE WICKED ARE TORMENTED BY A THREEFOLD WRETCHEDNESS.] TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _B._ I confess that vicious men are rightly called beasts.] ++Žan seide I žus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne I ne se nat žat men may seyn as by ry[gh]t. [Sidenote: They retain the outward form of man, but the qualities of their souls prove them to be beasts.] ž{a}t shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to beestes by že qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so ž{a}t žei kepen [gh]itte 3520 že forme of že body of mankynde. [Sidenote: I wish, however, that the wicked were without the power to annoy and hurt good men.] but I nolde nat of shrewes of whiche že žou[gh]t cruel woodež alwey in to destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. žat it wer{e} leueful to hem to done žat. [Sidenote: _P._ They have no power, as I shall presently show you.] ¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat leueful 3524 to hem as I shal wel shewen že in couenable place. [Sidenote: But were this power, which men ascribe to them, taken away from the wicked, they would be relieved of the greatest part of their punishment.] ¶ But naželes yif so were žat žilke žat me{n} wene{n} ben leueful for shrewes were bynomen hem. so žat žei ne [[pg 124]] my[gh]ten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men. ¶ Certys 3528 a gret p{ar}ty of že peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged {and} releued. [Sidenote: The wicked are more unhappy when they have accomplished their evil designs than when they fail to do so.] ¶ For al be it so ž{a}t žis ne seme nat credible žing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk [gh]it mot it nedes be žat shrewes ben more wrecches {and} vnsely. 3532 whan žei may don {and} p{er}forme žat žei coueiten [than yif they myhte nat complyssen ž{a}t they coueyten]. [Sidenote: If it is a miserable thing to will evil, it is a greater unhappiness to have the power to execute it, without which power the wicked desires would languish without effect.] ¶ For yif so be žat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] žan is it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. 3536 wiž oute whiche moeuyng že wrecched wille sholde languisshe wiž oute effecte. [Sidenote: Since, then, each of these three things (_i. e._ the will, the power, and the accomplishment of evil) hath its misery, therefore a threefold wretchedness afflicts those who both will, can, and do commit sin.] ¶ žan syn žat eueryche of žise žinges haž hys wrecchednesse. žat is to seyne wil to done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes 3540 be. žat žei (shrewes) ben constreyned by žre vnselynesses žat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen felonyes {and} shrewednesses. [Sidenote: _B._ I grant it--but still I wish the vicious were without this misfortune.] ¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I desire gretely žat shrewes losten sone žilke vnselynesses. 3544 žat is to seyne žat shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng to don yuel. [Sidenote: _P._ They shall be despoiled of it sooner than you wish perhaps, or than they themselves imagine.] ¶ so shulle{n} žei q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: [* fol. 28.]] sonnere p{er}auenture žen ž{o}u woldest *or sonnere žen žei hem self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. [Sidenote: In the narrow limits of this life, nothing, however tardy it appears, can seem to an immortal soul to have a very long duration.] ¶ For 3548 žere nis no žing so late in so short bou{n}des of žis lijf žat is longe to abide. namelyche to a corage inmortel. [Sidenote: The great hopes, and the subtle machinations of the wicked, are often suddenly frustrated, by which an end is put to their wickedness.] Of whiche shrewes že grete hope {and} že heye co{m}passy{n}g{us} of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a 3552 sodeyne ende or žei ben war. {and} žat žing establiž to shrewes že ende of hir shrewednesse. [Sidenote: If vice renders men wretched, the longer they are vicious the longer must they be miserable.] ¶ For yif žat shrewednesse makiže wrecches. žan mot he nedes be most wrecched žat lengest is a shrewe. [Sidenote: And they would be infinitely wretched if death did not put an end to their crimes.] že whiche 3556 wicked shrewes wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} caytifs yif žat hir shrewednes ne were yfinissed. at že [[pg 125]] leste weye by že outerest[e] deež. [Sidenote: It is clear, as I have already shown, that eternal misery is infinite.] for [yif] I haue concluded sože of že vnselynesse of shrewednesse. žan shewež 3560 it clerely žat žilke shrewednesse is wiž outen ende že whiche is certeyne to ben p{er}durable. [Sidenote: _B._ This consequence appears to be just, but difficult to assent to.] ¶ Certys q{uo}d I žis [conclusion] is harde {and} wonderful to graunte. ¶ But I knowe wel žat it accordež moche to [the] ži{n}ges žat I 3564 haue graunted her byforne. [Sidenote: _P._ You think rightly; but if you cannot assent to my conclusion you ought to show that the premises are false, or that the consequences are unfairly deduced; for if the premises be granted, you cannot reject the inferences from them.] ¶ žou hast q{uo}d she že ry[gh]t estimac{i}ou{n} of žis. but who so euere wene žat it be an harde žing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ry[gh]t žat he shewe žat so{m}me of že p{re}misses ben fals. or 3568 ellys he mot shewe žat že colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and yif it be nat so. but žat že p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted žer nis nat whi he sholde blame že argument. [Sidenote: What I am about to say is not less wonderful, and it follows necessarily from the same premises.] for žis žing žat 3572 I shal telle že nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful. [Linenotes: 3517 _aknowe_--aknowe it 3518 _seyn_--sayn 3523 _good[e]_--goode 3524 _done_--don 3526 _ben_--be 3527 _for_--to 3528 _my[gh]ten_--myhte _don_--MS. done, C. doon _harme_--harm 3529 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret 3533-36 _don_--MS. done, C. doon 3533-34 [_than----coueyten_]--from C. 3537 _moeuyng_--mowynge _wille_--wil 3539 _haž_--MS. haže _seyne_--seyn 3540 _done_ (1)--doon _moeuynge to done_--Mowynge to don _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot 3544 _gretely_--gretly 3545 _seyne_--seyn _were_--weeren _moeuyng_--mowynge 3548 _wenen_--weene _to lakken----yuel_--omitted 3549 _žere_--ther _so_ (2)--the 3550 _longe_--long 3552 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses _often_--ofte 3558 _shrewednes_--shrewednesse _yfinissed_--fynyshed 3559 _weye_--wey _outerest[e]_--owtteryste [_yif_]--from C. 3560 _sože_--soth 3561 _clerely_--cleerly 3563 [_conclusion_]--from C. _harde_--hard 3564 [_the_]--from C. 3567 _harde_--hard 3568 _fals_--false 3573 _nowe_--now] [Headnote: THE WRETCHEDNESS OF THE WICKED IS DIMINISHED BY PUNISHMENT.] but of že žinges žat ben taken al so it is necessarie as who so seiž it folwež of žat whiche žat is p{ur}posed byforn. [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] what is žat q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ That the wicked who have been punished for their crimes, are happier than if justice had allowed them to go unpunished.] ¶ certys q{uo}d she žat is 3576 žat ž{a}t žise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys lasse wrecches. žat byen že tourmentes žat žei han deserued. žan yif no peyne of Iustice ne chastied[e] hem. [Sidenote: I do not appeal to popular arguments, that punishment corrects vice, that the fear of chastisement leads them to take the right path, and that the sufferings of evil-doers deter others from vice, but I believe that guilty men, unpunished, become much more unhappy in another way.] ne žis ne seye I nat now for žat any man my[gh]t[e] 3580 ženk[e] žat že maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} chastised by veniaunce. {and} žat žei ben brou[gh]t to že ry[gh]t wey by že drede of že tourment. ne for žat žei [gh]euen to ožer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} vices. ¶ But 3584 I vndirstonde [gh]itte [in] an ožer manere žat shrewes ben more vnsely whan žei ne ben nat punissed al be it so žat žere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. ne none ensample of lokynge. [Sidenote: _B._ In what way do you mean?] ¶ And what manere 3588 shal žat ben q{uo}d I. oužer žan haž ben told here [[pg 126]] byforn [Sidenote: _P._ Are not good people happy, and evil folk miserable?] ¶ Haue we nat graunted žan q{uo}d she žat good[e] folk ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.] [gh]is q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ If good be added to the wretchedness of a man, will not he be happier than another whose misery has no element of good in it?] [thanne q{uod} she] [gh]if žat any good were 3592 added to že wrecchenesse of any wy[gh]t. nis he nat more blisful žan he žat ne haž no medelyng of goode in hys solitarie wrecchednesse. [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.] so semež it q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ And if to the same wretched being another misery be annexed, does not he become more wretched than he whose misery is alleviated by the participation of some good?] and what seyst žou žan q{uo}d she of žilke wrecche žat lakkež alle 3596 goodes. so žat no goode nis medeled in hys wrecchednesse. {and} [gh]itte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche he is a wrecche žat žer be [gh]itte anožer yuel anexid {and} knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely 3600 žan žilke wrecche of whiche že vnselynesse is re[le]ued by že p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode. [Sidenote: _B._ He does.] whi sholde he nat q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ When evil men are punished they have a degree of good annexed to their wretchedness, to wit, the punishment itself, which as it is the effect of justice is good.] ¶ žan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan žei ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. 3604 žat is to seyne že same peyne žat žei suffren whiche žat is good by že resou{n} of Iustice. [Sidenote: And when these wretches escape punishment something more of ill (_i. e._ exemption from punishment) is added to their condition.] And whan žilke same shrewes ascapen wiž outen tourment. žan han žei somwhat more of yuel [gh]it ouer že wickednesse 3608 žat žei han don. žat is to seye defaute of peyne. whiche defaute of peyne žou hast graunted is yuel. [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it.] ¶ For že desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Much more unhappy are the wicked when they enjoy an unmerited impunity than when they suffer a lawful chastisement.] ¶ Moche more žan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely 3612 whan žei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. žan whan žei bež punissed by ry[gh]tful vengeaunce. [Sidenote: It is just to punish evil-doers, and unjust that they should escape punishment.] but žis is open ži{n}g {and} clere žat it is ry[gh]t žat shrewes ben punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong žat žei 3616 escapin vnpunissed. [Sidenote: _B._ Nobody denies that.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 28 _b_.]] ¶ who my[gh]t[e] denye *žat q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Everything, too, which is just is good; and, on the contrary, whatsoever is unjust is evil.] but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. žat al žat is ry[gh]t nis good. {and} also že contrarie. žat alle žat is wrong nis wicked. [[pg 127]] [Sidenote: _B._ These are just inferences from our former premises.] certys q{uo}d I žise žinges ben clere ynou[gh]. {and} 3620 žat we han concludid a litel here byforn{e}. [Sidenote: But is there any punishment for the soul after death of the body?] but I p{re}ye že žat žou telle me yif žou accordest to leten no to{ur}ment to že soules aftir žat že body is dedid by že deže. žis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest žou ou[gh]t žat soules han 3624 any to{ur}ment after že deže of že body. [Sidenote: _P._ Yes, and great ones too. Some punishments are rigorous and eternal.] ¶ Certis q{uo}d she [gh]e {and} žat ry[gh]t grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I trowe žat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by asprenesse of peyne. [Sidenote: Others have a corrective and purifying force, and are of finite duration.] {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a 3628 p{ur}ging mekenesse. [Sidenote: But this is not to our purpose.] but my conseil nys nat to determyne of žis peyne. but I haue trauayled and told it hider to. [Sidenote: I want you to see that the power of the wicked is in reality nothing, that the wicked never go unpunished; that their licence to do evil is not of long duration, and that the wicked would be more unhappy if it were longer, and infinitely wretched if it were to continue for ever.] ¶ For žou sholdest knowe žat že mowynge [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge že semež to 3632 ben. vnworži nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of whiche žou pleynedest žat žei ne were nat punissed. žat žou woldest seen žat žei ne weren neuer mo wiž outen že torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of že licence 3636 of mowynge to done yuel. žat žou p{re}idest žat it my[gh]t[e] sone ben endid. {and} žat žou woldest fayne lerne. žat it ne sholde nat longe endure. {and} žat shrewes ben more vnsely yif žei were of lenger duryng. 3640 {and} most vnsely yif žei weren p{er}durable. [Sidenote: After this I showed that evil men are more unhappy, having escaped punishment, than if justly chastised.] {and} after žis I haue shewed že žat more vnsely ben shrewes whan žei escapen wiž oute ry[gh]tful peyne. žan whan žei ben punissed by ry[gh]tful uengeaunce. [Sidenote: Wherefore when they are supposed to get off scot-free they suffer most grievously.] and of žis sentence 3644 folwež it žat žan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiž most greuous tourment. whan men wene žat žei ne ben nat ypunissed. [Sidenote: _B._ Your reasoning appears convincing and conclusive. But your arguments are opposed to current opinions, and would hardly command assent, or even a hearing.] whan I considre ži resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. ne trowe nat žat men seyn any žing more verrely. {and} 3648 yif I to{ur}ne a[gh]eyn to že studies of men. who is [he] to who{m} it sholde seme žat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n} žise žinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. [Sidenote: _P._ It is so. For those accustomed to the darkness of error cannot fix their eyes on the light of perspicuous truth, like birds of night which are blinded by the full light of day.] Certys q{uo}d she so it is. but men may nat. for žei han hire eyen so [[pg 128]] wont to derkenesse of eržely žinges. žat žei may nat 3653 liften hem vp to že ly[gh]t of clere sožefastnes. ¶ But žei ben lyke to briddes of whiche že ny[gh]t ly[gh]tnež hyre lookyng. {and} že day blyndež hem. [Sidenote: They consider only the gratification of their lusts, they think there is happiness in the liberty of doing evil and in exemption from punishment.] for whan men loken 3656 nat že ordre of žinges but hire lustes {and} talent[gh]. žei wene žat ožir že leue or že mowynge to done wickednesse or ellys že escapi{n}g wiž oute peyne be weleful. [Linenotes: 3575 _who so seiž_--ho seyth _whiche_--which 3578 _byen_--a-byen 3579 _chastied[e]_--chastysede 3580 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 3581 _ženk[e]_--thinke 3584 _[gh]euen_--MS. [gh]euene, C. yeuen _fleyen_--flen 3585 _[gh]itte_--yif [_in_]--from C. 3588 _none_--non 3589 _oužer_--oother _haž_--MS. haže _ben_--be _told_--MS. tolde, C. told 3591 _good[e]_--goode 3592 [_thanne----she_]--from C. 3594 _blisful_--weleful _haž_--MS. haže 3594-97 _goode_--good 3598 _alle_--al _whiche_--which 3600 _knyt_--knytte 3601 _re[le]ued_--releued 3602 _goode_--good 3605 _seyne_--seyn 3606 _whiche_--which 3607 _outen_--owte 3609 _don_--MS. done _seye_--seyn 3610 _whiche_--which 3611 _desert_--deserte 3614 _bež_--MS. beže, C. ben 3615 _clere_--cler 3617 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 3618 _is ry[gh]t nis_--MS. nis ry[gh]t is 3619 _alle_--al _nis wicked_--is wykke 3621 _here_--her 3623 _dedid_--endyd _deže_--deth 3624 [_is_]--from C. _ou[gh]t_--awht 3625 _deže_--deth 3626 _grete_--gret 3628 _be_--ben 3629 _determyne_--determenye 3630 _peyne_--peynes _told_--MS. tolde 3632 [_.i. myght_]--from C. 3632-34 _whiche_--which 3633 _eke_--ek 3635 _seen_--seyn 3637 _done_--don 3638 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _fayne lerne_--fayn lernen 3639 _endure_--dur{e} 3645 _atte_--at the _laste_--MS. žast, C. laste 3647 _resouns_--resoun 3649-50 [_he_]--from C. 3651 _eke_--ek 3653 _derkenesse_--derknesse 3654 _clere sožefastnes_--cleer sothfastnesse 3655 _whiche_--which 3658 _ožir_--eyther _done_--don 3659 _escaping_--schapynge] [Headnote: VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD.] [Sidenote: Do you attend to the eternal law written in your own heart. Conform your mind to what is good, and you will stand in no need of a judge to confer a reward upon you--for you have it already in the enjoyment of the best of things (_i. e._ virtue).] but co{n}sider{e} že iugement of že p{er}durable lawe. for if 3660 žou conferme ži corage to že beste žinges. žou ne hast no nede to no iuge to [gh]iue{n} že p{r}is or meede. for žou hast ioigned ži self to že most excellent žing. [Sidenote: If you indulge in vice, you need no other chastisement--you have degraded yourself into a lower order of beings.] and yif žou haue enclined ži studies to že wicked žinges. ne 3664 seek no foreyn wrekere out of ži self. for žou ži self hast žrest že in to wicked žinges. ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test loken by dyuerse tymes že foule erže {and} že heuene. {and} žat alle ožer žinges stynten fro wiž oute. so žat 3668 žou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no žing more. žan sholde it semen to že as by only resou{n} of lokynge. žat žou were in že sterres. {and} now in že erže. [Sidenote: The multitude doth not consider this.] but že poeple ne lokež nat on žise žinges. [Sidenote: What then? Shall we take them as our models who resemble beasts?] what 3672 žan shal we žan app{ro}chen vs to hem žat I haue shewed žat žei ben lyke to že bestes. (q. d. no{n}) [Linenotes: 3662 _to_ (1)--of 3665 _foreyn_--foreyne 3666 _žrest_--thryst _wicked_--wikke 3669 [_nere----erthe_]--from C. _heuene_--C. heuenene _say[e]_--C. saye 3672 _on_--in 3674 _lyke_--lyk _q. d._--MS. q{uo}d] [Headnote: THE WICKED NEED PITY.] [Sidenote: If a man who had lost his sight, having even forgotten his blindness, should declare that his faculties were all perfect, shall we weakly believe that those who retain their sight are blind?] ¶ And what wilt žou seyne of žis ¶ yif žat a man hadde al forlorn hys sy[gh]t. {and} had[de] for[gh]eten žat he 3676 euer saw {and} wende ž{a}t no žing ne fayled[e] hym of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we žat my[gh]ten sen že same žing wolde we nat wene žat he were bly{n}de (q. d. sic). [Sidenote: The vulgar will not assent to what I am going to say, though supported by conclusive arguments--to wit, that persons are more unhappy that do wrong than those who suffer wrong.] ne also ne accordež nat že poeple to žat I shal 3680 seyne. že whiche žing is susteyned by a stronge foundement of resou{n}s. žat is to seyn žat more vnsely ben žei žat don wrong to ožer folk. žen žei žat že wrong [[pg 129]] suffren. [Sidenote: _B._ I would willingly hear your reasons.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 29.]] ¶ I wolde heren žilke *same resou{n}s q{uo}d I 3684 [Sidenote: _P._ Do you deny that every wicked man deserves punishment?] ¶ Deniest žou q{uo}d she žat alle shrewes ne ben worži to han to{ur}ment. [Sidenote: _B._ No, I do not.] nay q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ I am satisfied that impious men are in many ways miserable.] but q{uo}d she I am certeyne by many resou{n}s žat shrewes ben vnsely. [Sidenote: _B._ They are so.] it accordež q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Then those that deserve punishment are miserable.] žan [ne] dowtest žou nat q{uo}d she žat 3688 žilke folk žat ben worži of to{ur}ment žat žei ne ben wrecches. [Sidenote: _B._ I admit it.] It accordež wel q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ If you were a judge, upon whom would you inflict punishment? upon the wrong-doer, or upon the injured?] yif žou were žan q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of žinges. whežer trowest žou ž{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym žat haž 3692 don že wronge. or hym žat haž suffred že wronge. [Sidenote: _B._ I should not hesitate to punish the offender as a satisfaction to the sufferer.] I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. žat I nolde don suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n} to hym žat had[de] suffred že wrong by že sorwe of hym žat had[de] don že wronge. [Sidenote: _P._ Then you would deem the injuring person more unhappy than he who had been wronged?] ¶ žan 3696 semež it q{uo}d she žat že doar of wrong is more wrecche žan he žat haž suffred že wrong. [Sidenote: _B._ That follows naturally.] žat folwež wel q{uo}d [I]. [Sidenote: _P._ From this then, and other reasons of like nature, it seems that vice makes men miserable, and an injury done to any man is the misery of the doer, and not of the sufferer.] žan q{uo}d she by žise causes {and} by ožer causes žat ben enforced by že same roate žat filže or synne by 3700 že p{ro}pre nature of it makež men wretches. {and} it shewež wel žat že wrong žat me{n} don nis nat že wrecchenesse of hym žat receyuež že wrong. but že wrecchednesse of hym žat dož že wronge [Sidenote: But our advocates think differently--they try to obtain pity for those that have suffered cruelty and oppression;] ¶ but certys 3704 q{uo}d she žise orato{ur}s or aduocat[gh] don al že contrarie for žei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue že iuges to han pite of he{m} žat han suffred {and} resceyued že žinges žat ben greuous {and} aspre. [Sidenote: but the juster pity is really due to the oppressors, who ought, therefore, to be led to judgment as the sick are to the physician, not by angry but by merciful and kind accusers, so that, by the physic of chastisement, they may be cured of their vices.] {and} [gh]itte men sholden more ry[gh]tfully 3708 han pitee on hem žat don že greuaunces {and} že wronges. že whiche shrewes it were a more couenable žing žat že accuso{ur}s or aduocat[gh] not wrože but pitous {and} debonaire ladden že shrewes žat han don wro{n}g to 3712 že Iugement. ry[gh]t as men leden seke folk to že leche. [Linenotes: 3675 _wilt žou seyne_--woltow seyn 3676 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. for-lorn _sy[gh]t_--syhte _had[de]_--hadde 3677 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh _fayled[e]_--faylede 3678 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen 3679 _žing_--thinges _q. d._--MS. q{uod} 3681 _whiche_--which 3683 _don_--MS. done, C. don _ožer_--oothr{e} 3688 [_ne_]--from C. 3691 _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset _whežer_--omitted 3692 _tourment[e]_--tormenten 3692-3 _haž_--MS. haže 3693 _wronge_ (2)--wrong 3695 _had[de]_--hadde 3696 _had[de]_--hadden _wronge_--wrong 3697 _doar_--doere 3698 _haž_--MS. haže 3699 [_I_]--from C. [[_word moved to l. 3698_]] 3700 _ben_--ben of _roate_--Roote 3703-4 _but----wronge_--omitted 3704 _dož_--MS. dože 3711 _wrože_--wroth 3712 _že_--tho _don_--MS. done, C. don 3713 _seke_--syke] [Headnote: THE DUTY OF ADVOCATES.] for žat žei sholden seken out že maladies of synne by to{ur}ment[gh]. [[pg 130]] [Sidenote: I would not have the guilty defrauded by their advocates. Their duty is to accuse, and not to excuse offenders.] and by žis couenaunt eyžer že entent of že defendo{ur}s or aduocat[gh] sholde fayle {and} cesen in al. or 3716 ellys yif že office of aduocat[gh] wolde bettre p{ro}fiten to men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to že habit of accusac{i}ou{n}. žat is [to] s[e]yn žei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and} nat excuse hem. [Sidenote: Were it permitted the wicked to get a slight view of virtue's beauty, which they have forsaken, and could they be persuaded of the purifying effects of lawful chastisement, they surely would not consider punishment as an evil, but would willingly give themselves up to justice and refuse the defence of their advocates.] {and} eke že shrewes hem self. [gh]it it were 3720 leueful to hem to seen at any clifte že vertue žat žei han forleten. {and} sawen žat žei sholde putten adou{n} že filžes of hire vices by [the] to{ur}ment[gh] of peynes. žei ne au[gh]ten nat ry[gh]t for že reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten 3724 hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche žat žei han lost demen ne holden žat žilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem. {and} eke žei wolden refuse že attendau{n}ce of hir aduocat[gh] {and} taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. 3728 [Sidenote: The wise hate nobody, only a fool hates good men; and it is as irrational to hate the wicked.] for whiche it bytidež [ž{a}t] as to že wise folk žer nis no place ylete to hate. žat is to seyn. žat hate ne haž no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wy[gh]t wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a 3732 fole. ¶ and forto haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}. [Sidenote: Vice is a sickness of the soul, and needs our compassion, and not our hate, for the distempers of the soul are more deplorable than those of the body, and have more claims upon our compassion.] ¶ For ry[gh]t so as languissing is maladie of body. ry[gh]t so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as we ne deme nat žat žei žat ben seek of hire body ben 3736 worži to ben hated. but ražer worži of pite. wel more worži nat to ben hated. but forto ben had in pite ben žei of whiche že žou[gh]tes ben constreined by felonous wickednesse. žat is more cruel ža{n} any languissinge of 3740 body. [Linenotes: 3715 _tourment[gh]_--torment _že_ (2)--omitted 3719 _[to] s[e]yn_--to seyn 3722 _sawen_--sawh _sholde_--sholden 3723 [_the_]--from C. 3724 _au[gh]ten_--owhte 3725-29 _whiche_--which 3729 _bytidež_--MS. byndež, C. bytidith [_žat_]--from C. 3730 _ylete_--I-leten 3731 _haž_--MS. haže 3732 _wolde_--nyl _moche_--mochel 3733 _fole_--fool 3736 _seek_--syke] [Headnote: THE FOLLY OF WAR.] QUID TANTOS IUUAT. [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: What frenzy causes man to hasten on his fate, that is, by war or by strife.] ++What delitež it [gh]ow to exciten so grete moewynges of hatredes {and} to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} of [gh]oure deež wiž [gh]oure p{ro}pre handes. žat is 3744 to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. [Sidenote: If death is desired he delays not to come.] for yif [gh]e axen že deež it hastisiž hym of hys owen wille. ne deež ne [[pg 131]] tariež nat hys swifte hors. [Sidenote: Why do they who are exposed to the assaults of beasts of prey and venomous reptiles seek to slay each other with the sword.] and [the] men žat že serpent[gh] {and} že lyou{n}s. {and} že tigre. {and} že beere {and} že 3748 boore seken to sleen wiž her teže. [gh]it žilke same men seken to sleen eueryche of hem ožer wiž swerde. [Sidenote: Lo! their manners and opinions do not accord, wherefore they engage in unjust wars, and fiercely urge on each other's destiny.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 29 _b_.]] loo for her man{er}s ben *diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ žei moeuen vnry[gh]tful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne 3752 to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes. [Sidenote: But this is no just reason for shedding blood.] but že resou{n} of cruelte nis nat ynou[gh] ry[gh]tful. [Sidenote: Wouldst thou reward each as he deserves? Then love the good as they deserve, and have pity upon the wicked.] wilt žou žan [gh]elden a couenable gerdou{n} to že desertes of men ¶ Loue ry[gh]tfully goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes. 3756 [Linenotes: 3743 [_the_]--from C. 3745 [_by_]--from C. 3746 _hastisiž_--hasteth _owen wille_--owne wyl 3747 [_the_]--from C. 3749 _boore_--boor _teže_--teth 3750 _swerde_--swerd 3751 _her_--hir 3752 _wilne_--wylnen 3753 _enterchaungynge_--entrechaungynges] [Headnote: THE OPERATIONS OF CHANCE.] HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _B._ I see plainly the nature of that felicity which attends the virtues of the good, and of the misery that follows the vices of the wicked.] ++Žus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyžer what blisfulnesse or ellys what vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in že desertys of goode men {and} of shrewes. [Sidenote: But in Fortune I see a mixture of good and evil. The wise man prefers riches, &c., to poverty, &c.] ¶ but in žis ilke fortune of poeple I see somwhat of goode. {and} somwhat of 3760 yuel. for no wise man haž nat leuer ben exiled pore {and} nedy {and} nameles. žan forto dwellen in hys Citee {and} flouren of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. {and} stronge of power [Sidenote: And wisdom appears more illustrious, when wise men are governors and impart their felicity to their subjects; and when imprisonment, torture, &c., are inflicted only upon bad citizens.] for in žis wise more clerely {and} 3764 more witnesfully is že office of wise men ytretid whan že blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it were yshad amonges poeples žat ben ney[gh]boures {and} subgit[gh]. syn žat namely prisou{n} lawe {and} žise ožer 3768 to{ur}ment[gh] of lawful peynes ben ražer owed to felonous Cite[gh]eins. for že whiche felonous Cite[gh]eins žo peynes ben establissed. žan for goode folk. [Sidenote: Why, then, should things undergo so unnatural a change? Why should the worthy suffer and the vicious receive the reward of virtue?] ¶ žan I m{er}ueile me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [ž{a}t] že žinges ben so mys 3772 entrechaunged. žat to{ur}ment[gh] felounes pressen {and} confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis. [[pg 132]] [Sidenote: I should like to hear the reason of so unjust a distribution.] and I desire eke to wite{n} of že. what semež že to ben že 3776 resou{n} of žis so wrongful a confusiou{n} [Sidenote: I should not marvel so much if _Chance_ were the cause of all this confusion.] ¶ For I wolde wondre wel že lasse yif I trowed[e] žat alle žise žinges were medeled by fortuouse hap. [Sidenote: But I am overwhelmed with astonishment when I reflect, that God the director of all things thus unequally distributes rewards and punishments.] ¶ But now hepež {and} encresež myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of žinges. 3780 žat so as god [gh]euež ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes {and} myržes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre žinges. {and} [gh]euež a[gh]eynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to shrewes [he] g{ra}untež hem her wille {and} žat žei desiren. 3784 [Sidenote: What difference is there, then, unless we know the cause, between God's proceedings and the operations of Chance?] what difference žan may žer be bitwixen ž{a}t žat god dož. {and} že hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat že cause whi žat [it] is. [Sidenote: _P._ It is not at all surprising that you think you see irregularities, when you are ignorant of that order by which God proceeds.] it nis no merueile q{uo}d she žou[gh] žat men wenen žat žer be somwhat folysche and confus 3788 whan že resou{n} of že order is vnknowe. [Sidenote: But, forasmuch as God, the good governor, presides over all, rest assured that all things are done rightly and as they ought to be done.] ¶ But alle žou[gh] žou ne know nat že cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}. naželes for as moche as god že good[e] gouernour attemprež {and} gouernež že world. ne doute že nat žat 3792 alle žinges ne ben doon ary[gh]t. [Linenotes: 3760 _goode_--good 3761 _haž_--MS. haže _nat_--omitted _leuer_--leu{er}e 3762 _žan_--MS. žat, C. than 3763 _redoutable_--MS. redentable, C. redowtable 3764 _stronge_--strong _clerely_--clerly 3766 [_the_]--from C. 3767 _ney[gh]boures_--nesshebors 3769 _lawful_--laweful 3771 _goode_--good 3772 [_žat_]--from C. 3775 _grete_--gret 3776 _to witen_--forto weten 3778 _trowed[e]_--trowede _alle_--al 3779 _were_--weeren _fortuouse_--fortunous 3780 _myne_--myn 3781 _good[e]_--goode 3782 _yuel_--yuelis 3783 _hardnesse_--hardnesses 3784 [_he_]--from C. _wille_--wyl 3785 _difference_--MS. differenee 3786 _dož_--MS. dože _hap_--happe 3787 [_it_]--from C. _it_--ne it 3788 _confus_--confuse 3789 _alle_--al 3791 _good[e]_--goode 3793 _ne_--omitted] [Headnote: THE HIDDEN CAUSES OF THINGS.] SI QUIS ARCTURI[8] SYDERA. [Footnote 8: MS. arituri] [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: He who knows not that the Bear is seen near the Pole, nor has observed the path of Boötes, will marvel at their appearance.] ++Who so žat ne knowe nat že sterres of arctour yto{ur}ned neye to že souereyne contre or point. žat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to že souereyne pool of že 3796 firmament {and} woot nat whi že sterre boetes passež or gaderiž his wey[n]es. {and} drenchež his late flaumbes in že see. {and} whi žat boetes že sterre vnfoldiž his ouer swifte arisynges. žan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of že lawe of že 3800 heye eyre. [Sidenote: The vulgar are alarmed when shadows terrestrial obscure the moon's brightness, causing the stars to be displayed.] {and} eke if žat he ne knowe nat why žat že hornes of že ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} infect by že bou{n}des of že derke ny[gh]t ¶ and how že moene dirk {and} confuse discouerež že sterres. žat she had[de] [[pg 133]] ycouered by hir clere visage. [Sidenote: Thinking the eclipse the result of enchantment, they sought to destroy the charms by the tinkling of brazen vessels or cymbals.] že co{m}mune errour moeuež 3805 folk {and} makiž wery hir bacines of bras by žikke strookes. žat is to seyne žat žer is a maner poeple žat hy[gh]t[e] coribandes žat wenen žat whan že moone is in 3808 že eclips žat it be enchau{n}tid. and žerfore forto rescowe že moone žei betyn hire basines wiž žikke strokes. [Sidenote: Yet none marvel when the north-west wind renders the sea tempestuous; nor when vast heaps of congealed snow are melted by the warm rays of the sun, because the causes are apparent.] ¶ Ne no man ne wondrež whan že blastes of že wynde chorus betyn že strondes of že see by quakynge floodes. 3812 ne no man ne wondrež whan že wey[gh]te of že snowe yhardid by že colde. is resolued by že brennynge hete of phebus že sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly že causes. [Sidenote: Things whose causes are unknown disquiet the human mind.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 30.]] but že *causes yhid žat is to seye in heuene 3816 trouble že brestes of men. [Sidenote: The fickle mob stands amazed at every rare or sudden phenomenon.] ¶ že moeueable poeple is a-stoned of alle žinges žat comen selde {and} sodeynely in oure age. [Sidenote: Fear and wonder, however, soon cease when ignorance given place to certain knowledge.] but yif že troubly errour of oure ignora{n}ce departid[e] from vs. so žat we wisten že causes whi žat 3820 swiche žinges bitiden. certys žei sholde{n} cesse to seme wondres. [Linenotes: 3794 _arctour_--MS. aritour 3795 _neye_--neygh 3796 _seyne_--seyn _neye_--nygh 3797-99 _boetes_--MS. boeces, C. boetes 3798 _his_ (1)--hise _wey[n]es_--weynes 3802 _ful[le]_--fulle 3804 _had[de]_--hadde 3806 _bacines_--MS. batines _žikke_--MS. žilke, C. thilke 3807 _seyne_--seyn 3808 _hy[gh]t[e]_--hihte 3809 _eclips_--eclypse 3812 _chorus_--MS. thorus, C. chorus 3813 _snowe_--sonwh = snowh 3815 _here_--her _redyly_--redely 3816 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hid _seye_--seyn 3817 _trouble_--trowblen 3820 _departid[e] from_--departede fro] [Headnote: FIVE GREAT QUESTIONS.] ITA EST INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _B._ So it is. But as thou hast promised to unfold the hidden causes of things, and unveil things wrapt up in darkness; I pray thee deliver me from my present perplexity, and explain the mystery I mentioned to you.] ++Žvs is it q{uo}d I. but so as žou hast [gh]euen or byhy[gh]t me to vnwrappe{n} že hidde causes of žinges ¶ and 3824 to discoueren me že resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye že žat žou diuise {and} Iuge me of žis matere. {and} žat žou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For žis miracle or žis wondre troublež me ry[gh]t gretely. [Sidenote: _P._ You ask me to declare to you the most intricate of all questions, which I am afraid can scarce be answered.] {and} žan she a 3828 litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ žou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle žing. žat is grettest of alle žinges žat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to že whiche questiou{n} vnnež[e]s is žere au[gh]t ynow to lauen it. as who seiž. vnnežes is žer 3832 suffisauntly any žing to answere p{er}fitly to ži questiou{n}. [Sidenote: For the subject is of such a kind, that when one doubt is removed, innumerable others, like the heads of the hydra, spring up.] ¶ For že matere of it is swiche žat whan oon doute is [[pg 134]] determined {and} kut awey žer wexe{n} ožer doutes wiž-outen nou{m}bre. ry[gh]t as že heuedes waxen of ydre že 3836 serpent žat hercules slou[gh]. [Sidenote: Nor would there be any end of them unless they were restrained by a quick and vigorous effort of the mind.] ¶ Ne žere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif žat a wy[gh]t co{n}streined[e] žo doutes. by a ry[gh]t lyuely {and} a quik fire of žou[gh]t. žat is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengže of witte. [Sidenote: The question whereof you want a solution embraces the five following points: 1. Simplicity, or unity of Providence. 2. The order and course of Destiny.] ¶ For in 3840 žis matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of že simplicite of že p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of že ordre of destine. [Sidenote: 3. Sudden chance. 4. Prescience of God, and divine predestination. 5. Free-will.] {and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of že knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of že lyberte of fre wille. 3844 že whiche žing žou ži self ap{er}ceiust wel of what wey[gh]t žei ben. but for as mochel as že knowynge of žise žinges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to že medicine to že. al be it so žat I haue lytel tyme to don it. [Sidenote: I will try to treat of these things:--] [gh]it naželes I wole 3848 enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al žou[gh] že norissinges of dite of musike delitež že žow most suffren. {and} forberen a litel of žilk delite while žat I weue (contexo) to že resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likež 3852 to že q{uo}d I so do. [Sidenote: Resuming her discourse as from a new principle, Philosophy argued as follows:--] ¶ žo spak she ry[gh]t a[s] by an ožer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide žus. [Sidenote: The generation of all things, every progression of things liable to change, and everything that moveth, derive their causes, order, and form from the immutability of the divine understanding.] ¶ že enge{n}drynge of alle žinges q{uo}d she {and} alle že progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle ž{a}t moeuež in any manere takiž hys 3856 causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of že stablenesse of že deuyne žou[gh]t [Sidenote: Providence directs all things by a variety of means.] [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] žat is yset {and} put in že toure. žat is to seyne in že hey[gh]t of že simplicite of god. stablisiž many manere gyses to žinges žat 3860 ben to don. [Sidenote: These means, referred only to the divine intelligence, are called Providence; but when contemplated in relation to the things which receive motion and order from them, are called Destiny.] ¶ že whiche manere whan žat men loken it i{n} žilke pure clerenesse of že deuyne i{n}telligence. it is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan žilke manere is referred by me{n} to žinges žat it moeuež {and} disponež žan [[pg 135]] of olde men. it was cleped destine. [Linenotes: 3823 _byhy[gh]t_--by-hyhte 3824 _hidde_--hyd 3826 _preye_--p{re}ey _diuise_--deuyse 3827 _do_--don 3828 _gretely_--gretly 3829 [_what_]--from C. 3832 _žere au[gh]t_--ther awht 3834 _swiche_--swych _oon_--o 3835 _wižouten noumbre_--w{i}t{h}-owte nowmbyr 3836 _waxen_--wexen 3837 _žere_--ther 3838 _constreined[e]_--constreynede 3839 _lyuely_--lyfly 3840 _witte_--wit 3843 _hap_--happe 3845 _wey[gh]t_--wyht 3848 _wole_--wol 3850 _žow_--MS. now, C. ž{o}u _most suffren_--MS. moste to souereyne; C. most suffren 3851 _žilk_--thilke 3853 _žo_--so _spak_--MS. spake, C. spak _a[s]_--as 3856 _alle_--al 3858 [_and----thowht_]--from C. _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset 3859 _toure_--towr _seyne_--seyn _hey[gh]t_--heyhte 3861 _don_--done 3862 _clerenesse_--klennesse] [Headnote: OF FATE AND PROVIDENCE.] [Sidenote: Reflection on the efficacy of the one and the other will soon cause us to see their differences.] ¶ že whiche 3865 žinges yif žat any wy[gh]t lokež wel in his žou[gh]t. že strengže of žat oon {and} of žat ožer he shal ly[gh]tly mowen seen žat žise two žinges ben diuers. [Sidenote: Providence is the divine intelligence manifested in the disposition of worldly affairs.] ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce 3868 is žilke deuyne resou{n} žat is establissed in že souereyne p{r}ince of žinges. že whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponiž alle žinges. [Sidenote: Destiny or Fate is that inherent state or condition of movable things by means whereof Providence retains them in the order in which she has placed them.] but destine is že disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable žinges. by že whiche disposic{i}ou{n} 3872 že p{ur}ueaunce knytež alle žinges in hire ordres. [Sidenote: Providence embraces all things, although diverse and infinite; but Fate gives motion to every individual thing, and in the place and under the form appropriated to it.] ¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbracež alle ži{n}ges to hepe. al žou[gh] žat žei ben dyuerse {and} al žou[gh] žei ben wiž outen fyn. but destynie dep{ar}tež {and} ordeynež alle žinges singlerly 3876 {and} diuidež. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}tiž [as] žus. [Sidenote: So that the explication of this order of things wrapt up in the divine intelligence is Providence; and being unfolded according to time and other circumstances, may be called Fate.] so žat že vnfoldyng of temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in že lokyng of že deuyne žou[gh]t ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} žilke same 3880 assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat žat ben called destine. [Sidenote: Though these things appear to differ, yet one of them depends on the other, for the order of Fate proceeds from the unity of Providence.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 30 _b_.]] {and} al be *it so žat žise žinges ben dyuerse. [gh]itte naželes hangež žat oon on žat ožer. forwhi že ordre destinal p{ro}cediž of že 3884 simplicite of purueaunce. [Sidenote: For as a workman, who has formed in his head the plan of a work which he is desirous to finish, executes it afterwards, and produces after a time all the different parts of the model which he has conceived;] for ry[gh]t as a werkma{n} žat ap{er}ceiuež in hys žou[gh]t že forme of že žing žat he wil make moeuež že effect of že werke. {and} lediž žat he had[de] loked byforne in hys žou[gh]t symply {and} p{re}sently 3888 by temp{or}el žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: so God in the plan of his Providence disposes everything to be brought about in a certain order and in a proper time;] ¶ Certys ry[gh]t so god disponiž in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably že žinges žat ben to done. but he amynistrež in many maneres {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. žilke same žinges 3892 žat he haž disponed žan whežir žat destine be excercised. [Linenotes: 3872 _cleuynge_--clyuynge 3875 _wiž outen fyn_--Infynyte 3876 _singlerly_--syngulerly 3877 _in_ (3)--MS. {and}, C. in 3878 _departiž_--omitted [_as_]--from C. _so žat_--lat 3884 _on_--of 3886 _wil_--wol 3888 _had[de]_--hadde _symply_--symplely 3889 _žou[gh]t_--ordinau{n}ce 3890 _singlerly_--syngulerly _stably_--stablely 3893 _haž_--MS. haže] [Headnote: PROVIDENCE CONTROLS FATE.] [Sidenote: and afterwards, by the ministry of Fate, he accomplishes what he has planned, conformably to that order and that time.] eyžer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunte[gh] to že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys [[pg 136]] by že celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by že vertue 3897 of aungels. or ellys by že dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle že destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open 3900 žing žat že p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple forme of žinges to done. {and} že moeueable bonde {and} že temp{or}el ordynaunce of žinges whiche žat že deuyne simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haž ordeyned to done. žat is 3904 destine. [Sidenote: So then, however Fate be exercised, it is evident that things subject to Destiny are under the control of Providence, which disposes Destiny.] For whiche it is žat alle žinges žat ben put vndir destine ben certys subgit[gh] to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir. [Sidenote: But some things under Providence are exempt from the control of Fate; being stably fixed near to the Divinity himself, and beyond the movement of Destiny.] ¶ But so{m}me žinges ben put vndir purueaunce žat 3908 so{ur}mounten že ordinaunce of destine. {and} žo ben žilke žat stably ben yficched ney to že first godhed žei so{ur}mou{n}ten že ordre of destinal moeuablite. [Sidenote: For even, as among several circles revolving round one common centre, that which is innermost approaches nearest to the simplicity of the middle points, and is, as it were, a centre, round which the outward ones revolve;] ¶ For ry[gh]t as cercles žat to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or 3912 about a poynt. žilke cercle žat is inrest or moost wiž-ynne ioinež to že symplesse of že myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a poynt to žat ožer cercles žat tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. [Sidenote: whilst the outermost, revolving in a wider circumference, the further it is from the centre describes a larger space--but yet, if this circle or anything else be joined to the middle point, it is constrained to be immovable.] ¶ and žilke žat is outerest compased by 3916 larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is foržest fro že mydel symplicite of že poynt. and yif žer be any ži{n}g žat knyttež {and} felawshippež hym selfe to žilke mydel poynt it is constreyned 3920 in to symplicite. žat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete. {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. [Sidenote: By parity of reason, the further anything is removed from the first intelligence, so much the more is it under the control of Destiny;] ¶ Ry[gh]t so by semblable resou{n}. žilke žinge žat dep{ar}tiž firžest fro že first žou[gh]t of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid 3924 to grettere bondes of destine. [Sidenote: and the nearer anything approaches to this Intelligence, the centre of all things, the more stable it becomes, and the less dependent upon Destiny.] and in so moche is že žing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axež {and} holdež hym ner to žilke Centre of žinges. žat is to [[pg 137]] seyne god. [Linenotes: 3894 _eyžer_--owther _seruaunte[gh]_--MS. seruaunce[gh] 3895 _somme_--som 3896 _al_--alle 3897 _moeuyng_--moeuynges 3900 _ywouen_--MS. ywonnen, C. ywouen _or_--{and} 3902 _bonde_--bond 3904 _haž_--MS. haže 3905 _whiche_--which 3912 _as_--as of 3913 _about_--a-bowte _inrest_--innerest 3917 _larger_ (1)--a large 3918 _mochel_--moche _foržest_--ferther{e} 3920 _selfe_--self 3921 _[vn]moeueablete_--vnmoeuablete 3922 _ceseth_--MS. fleže, C. cesith 3923 _žinge_--thing 3924 _of_--MS. to, C. of 3926 _lovs_--laus 3927 _ner_--ner{e}] [Headnote: DESTINY RULES NATURE.] [Sidenote: And if we suppose that the thing in question is joined to the stability of the supreme mind, it then becomes immovable, and is beyond the necessity and power of destiny.] ¶ and if že žinge cleuež to že stedfastnesse 3928 of že žou[gh]t of god. {and} be wiž oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mountež že necessite of destyne. [Sidenote: As reasoning is to the understanding, as that which is produced to that which exists of itself, as time to eternity, as the circle to the centre, so is the movable order of Fate to the stable simplicity of Providence.] žan ry[gh]t swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} of žing žat is engendred to žing žat is. {and} of tyme to 3932 eternite. {and} of že cercle to že Centre. ry[gh]t so is že ordre of moeueable destine to že stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce. [Sidenote: Destiny rules nature.] ¶ žilke ordinaunce moeuež že heuene {and} že sterres {and} attemprež že elyment[gh] to gider 3936 amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformež hem by enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and žilke same ordre newež a[gh]ein alle žinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. žat is 3940 to sein. male {and} female. [Sidenote: It controls the actions of men by an indissoluble chain of causes, and is, like their origin, immutable.] and žis ilke ordre co{n}streynež že fortunes {and} že dedes of men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). že whiche destinal causes whanne žei passen oute fro že bygynnynges 3944 of že vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be žat žei ne be nat mutable. [Sidenote: Thus, then, are all things well conducted, since that invariable order of cause has its origin in the simplicity of the Divine mind, and by its inherent immutability exercises a restraint upon mutable things, and preserves them from irregularity.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 31.]] {and} žus ben že žinges ful wel ygouerned. yif žat že symplicite dwelly{n}ge *in že deuyne žou[gh]t shewež furže že ordre of causes. vnable to 3948 be I-bowed. {and} žis ordre constreynež by hys p{ro}pre stablete že moeueable žinges. or ellys žei sholde fleten folily [Sidenote: To those who understand not this order, things appear confused--nevertheless, the proper condition of all things directs and inclines it to their true good.] for whiche it is žat alle žinges semen to be confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} 3952 žilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naželes že p{ro}pre manere of euery žing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. [Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not even by the wicked, who, in seeking for felicity, are led astray by crooked error.] for žere nis no žinge don for cause of yuel. ne žilke žing žat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel 3956 že whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}niž he{m}. [Linenotes: 3928 _seyne_--seyn _žinge cleuež_--thing clyueth _stedfastnesse_--stydefastnesse 3930 _swiche_--swych 3931 [_it_]--from C. 3932 _to_ (2)--MS. of, C. to 3937 _enterchaungable_--MS. enterchau{n}gyngable, C. entrechaungeable 3939 _a-doune_--a-down _sembleables_--semblable 3942 _bonde_--bond 3943 _ben vnbounden_--be vnbownde 3944 _oute_--owt 3948 _furže_--forth 3949 _I-bowed_--MS. vnbounde{n}, C. I-bowed 3950 _sholde_--sholden 3951 _whiche_--which 3952 _mowe_--mowen 3956 _wicked[e]_--wykkede 3957 [_ful_]--from C. 3958 _goode_--good] [[pg 138]] [Headnote: NOTHING DONE FOR EVIL'S SAKE.] [Sidenote: But the order proceeding from the centre of supreme goodness does not mislead any.] ¶ Ne že ordre comynge fro že poynt of souereyne goode ne declinež nat fro hys bygynnynge. [Sidenote: But you may say, what greater confusion can there be than that both prosperous and adverse things should at times happen to good men, and that evil men should at one time enjoy their desires and at another be tormented by hateful things.] but žou mayst sein 3960 what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} žan ž{a}t goode men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. ¶ and shrewes also han now žinges žat žei desiren. [Sidenote: Are men wise enough to discover, whether those whom they believe to be virtuous or wicked, are so in reality?] {and} now ži{n}ges žat žei haten ¶ whežer men 3964 lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of žou[gh]t. as who seiž. ben men now so wise. žat swiche folk as žei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes ž{a}t it mot nedes ben žat folk ben swiche as žei wenen. [Sidenote: Opinions differ as to this matter. Some who are deemed worthy of reward by one person, are deemed unworthy by another.] but in žis manere že domes 3968 of men discorden. žat žilke men ž{a}t so{m}me folk demen worži of mede. ožer folk demen hem worži of to{ur}ment. [Sidenote: But, suppose it were possible for one to distinguish with certainty between the good and the bad?] but lat vs graunt[e] I pose žat som man may wel demen or knowen že goode folk {and} že badde. [Sidenote: Then he must have as accurate a knowledge of the mind as one has of the body.] May he žan 3972 knowen {and} seen žilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages. as it haž ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiž may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s 3976 {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q' non). [Sidenote: It is miraculous to him who knows it not, why sweet things are agreeable to some bodies, and bitter to others; why some sick persons are relieved by lenitives and others by sharper remedies.] ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem žat ne knowe{n} it nat. ¶ As who seiž. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem žat ne knowe{n} it nat. whi žat swete 3980 žinges [ben] couenable to some bodies žat ben hool {and} to some bodies bittre žinges ben couenable. {and} also whi žat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} ly[gh]t medicines [{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] 3984 [Sidenote: It is no marvel to the leech, who knows the causes of disease, and their cures.] but naželes že leche ž{a}t knowež že manere {and} že attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne merueilež of it no žing. [Sidenote: What constitutes the health of the mind, but goodness? And what are its maladies, but vice?] but what ožer žing semež hele of corages but bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what ožer žing semež maladie 3988 of corages but vices. [Sidenote: Who is the preserver of good, or the driver away of evil, but God, the physician of souls, who knows what is necessary for men, and bestows it upon them?] who is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of [[pg 139]] žou[gh]tes. že whiche god wha{n} he haž by-holden from že heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knowež what is 3992 couenable to euery wy[gh]t. {and} lenež hem žat he wot [žat] is couenable to hem. [Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel--_the order of destiny_--wrought by the wisdom of God, and marveled at by ignorant men.] Loo here of comež {and} here of is don žis noble miracle of že ordre destinal. [Linenotes: 3959 _goode_--good 3960 _declinež_--MS. enclinež, C. declynyth 3961 _wors_--worse 3962 _somme tyme_--somtyme 3965 _swiche_--swych 3967 _goode_--good _mot_--moste 3971 _graunt[e]_--graunte 3973 _inrest_--Inneryste 3974 _haž_--MS. haže _said_--MS. saide, C. seyd 3975 _determine_--det{er}minen 3978 [_ne_]--from C. _vnlyke_--vn-lyk 3979 _lyke_--lik 3981 [_ben_]--from C. _hool_--hoole 3984 [_and----medicynes_]--from C. 3991 _haž_--MS. haže 3993 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot 3994 [_žat_]--from C. 3995 _don_--MS. done, C. don _miracle_--MS. mirache, C. myracle _ordre_--MS. ordre of] [Headnote: GOD THE SOUL'S PHYSICIAN.] whan god žat alle knowež dož swiche žing. of whiche 3996 žing [žat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned [Sidenote: But, now let us notice a few things concerning the depth of the Divine knowledge which human reason may comprehend.] but forto constreine as who seiž ¶ But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe žinges of že deuyne depnesse že whiche žat mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. [Sidenote: The man you deem just, may appear otherwise to the omniscient eye of Providence.] ¶ žilk man žat žou wenest 4000 to ben ry[gh]t Iuste {and} ry[gh]t kepyng of eq{u}ite. že contrarie of žat semež to že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce žat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier tellež žat že victories cause liked[e] to že goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to 4004 cato{u}n. [Sidenote: When you see apparent irregularities--unexpected and unwished for--deem them to be rightly done.] žan what so euer žou mayst seen žat is don in žis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is že ry[gh]t[e] ordre of žinges. but as to ži wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}. [Sidenote: Let us suppose a man so well behaved, as to be approved of God and man--but not endowed with firmness of mind, so that the reverses of fortune will cause him to forgo his probity, since with it he cannot retain his prosperity.] but I suppose žat som man be so wel yžewed. 4008 žat že deuyne Iugement {and} že Iugeme{n}t of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage [žat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by že 4012 whiche he ne may nat wižholden fortune. [Sidenote: A wise Providence, knowing that adversity might destroy this man's integrity, averts from him that adversity which he is not able to sustain.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 31 _b_.]] ¶ žan že wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god sparež hym že whiche man{er}e adu{er}site *my[gh]t[e] enpeyren. ¶ For žat god wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom žat trauayl 4016 nis nat couenable. [Sidenote: Another man is thoroughly virtuous, and approaches to the purity of the deity--him Providence deems it an injustice to oppress by adversity, and therefore exempts him even from bodily disease.] ¶ An ož{er} man is p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so žat že p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen žat it were a felony žat he were touched wiž any aduersites. so žat he ne 4020 wil nat suffre žat swiche a man be moeued wiž any [[pg 140]] manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. že adu{er}sites comen nat (he seide in grec[;]) žere ž{a}t uertues han edified že bodie 4024 of že holy man. [Sidenote: Providence often gives the direction of public affairs to good men, in order to curb and restrain the malice of the wicked.] and ofte tyme it bitidež žat že so{m}me of žinges žat ben to don is taken to good folk to gouerne. for žat že malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid. [Sidenote: To some is given a mixture of good and evil, according to what is most suitable to the dispositions of their minds.] {and} god [gh]euež {and} dep{ar}tiž to ožer 4028 folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir že qualite of hire corages {and} remordiž som folk by adu{er}sites. [Sidenote: Upon some are laid moderate afflictions, lest they wax proud by too long a course of prosperity.] for žei ne sholden nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse. [Sidenote: Others suffer great adversities that their virtues may be exercised, and strengthened by the practice of patience.] {and} ožer folk he suffrež to ben 4032 trauayled wiž harde žinges. ¶ For žat žei sholden conferme že vertues of corage by že vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce. [Sidenote: Some fear to be afflicted with what they are able to endure. Others despise what they are unable to bear; and God punishes them with calamities, to make them sensible of their presumption.] and ožer folke dreden more žen žei au[gh]ten že wiche žei my[gh]t[en] wel beren. {and} žilke folk god 4036 lediž in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful žinges. [Sidenote: Many have purchased a great name by a glorious death.] ¶ And many ožer folk han bou[gh]t honorable renoune of žis worlde by že pris of glorious deež. [Sidenote: Others by their unshaken fortitude, have shown that virtue cannot be overcome by adversity.] and som men žat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by 4040 tourment han [gh]euen ensample to ožer folk žat vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. [[Transcriber's Note: The sidenote "Others despise what they are unable to bear" does not correspond to anything in the text. Skeat's edition includes the phrase "and somme dispyse that they mowe nat beren" (Book IV, Prose 6: _Ita Est Inquam_).]] [Linenotes: 3996 _alle_--al _dož_--MS. dože _whiche_--which 3997 [_žat_]--from C. 3999 _mans_--mannes 4000 _žilk_--thilke 4004 _liked[e]_ (_both_)--lykede 4005 _is don_--MS. is to don 4006 [_world_]--from C. _ry[gh]t[e]_--ryhte 4007 _wicked[e]_--wykkede 4010 _vnstedfast_--vnstydefast 4011 [_žat_]--from C. _wolde_--wol 4015 _manere_--man _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 4016 _wil_--wol 4018 _neye_--negh 4021 _wil_--wol _swiche_--swych 4022 _manere_--bodyly 4022-3 [_the----me_]--from C. 4023 _že aduersites----nat_--omitted 4024 _žere_--omitted 4026 _don_--done _to_ (2)--MS. so _to good----gouerne_--to gou{er}ne to goode folk 4028 _ožer_--oothr{e} 4030 _som_--some 4031 _sholden_--sholde 4033 _conferme_--confermen 4034 _corage_--corages 4036 _my[gh]t[en]_--myhten 4037 _hem_--hym _sorweful_--sorwful 4038 _ožer_--oothr{e} 4039 _worlde_--world _of_ (2)--of the 4041 _ožer_--othr{e}] [Headnote: HOW PROVIDENCE DEALS WITH MANKIND.] [Sidenote: These things are done justly, and in order, and are for the good of those to whom they happen.] ¶ and of alle žise žinges žer nis no doute ž{a}t žei ne ben don ry[gh]tfully {and} ordeinly to že p{ro}fit of hem to whom we 4044 seen žise žinges bitide. [Sidenote: From the same causes it happens, that sometimes adversity and sometimes prosperity falls to the lot of the wicked.] ¶ For certys žat aduersite comež some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme žat žei desiren it comež of žise forseide causes [Sidenote: None are surprised to see bad men afflicted--they get what they deserve.] {and} of sorweful žinges žat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne 4048 wondrež. For alle me{n} wenen žat žei han wel deserued it. [Sidenote: Their punishment, too, may cause amendment, or deter others from like vices.] {and} žei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche shrewes že to{ur}ment som tyme agastež ožer to done [[pg 141]] folies. {and} som tyme it amendež hem žat suffren že 4052 to{ur}mentis. [Sidenote: When the wicked enjoy felicity--the good should learn how little these external advantages are to be prized, which may fall to the lot of the most worthless.] ¶ And že p{ro}sp{er}ite žat is [gh]euen to shrewes shewež a grete argument to good[e] folk what žing žei sholde demen of žilk wilfulnesse že whiche p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. [Sidenote: Another reason for dispensing worldly bliss to the wicked is, that indigence would prompt naturally violent and rapacious minds to commit the greatest enormities.] in že whiche 4056 žing I trowe žat god dispensiž. for p{er}auenture že nature of som man is so oueržrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable žat že nedy pouerte of hys house-hold my[gh]t[e] ražer egren hym to done felonies. [Sidenote: Their disease God cures by the medicine of money.] and to že maladie 4060 of hym god puttiž remedie to [gh]iuen hym rychesse. [Sidenote: Some men will cease to do wrong for fear, lest their wealth be lost through their crimes.] {and} som ožer man byholdiž hys conscience defouled wiž synnes {and} makiž co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of hym self ¶ and drediž p{er}auenture žat hys blisfulnesse 4064 of whiche že vsage is ioyful to hym žat že lesynge of žilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} žerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediž to lese hys fortune. he forletiž hys wickednesse. 4068 [Sidenote: Upon others unmerited happiness is conferred, which at last precipitates them into deserved destruction.] to ožer folk is welefulnesse y[gh]eue{n} vnworžily že whiche oueržrowež hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} žat žei han deserued. [Sidenote: To some there is given the power of chastisement, in order both to exercise the virtues of the good and to punish the wicked.] and to som ožer folk is [gh]euen power to punisse{n}. for žat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} 4072 ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes. [Sidenote: For as there is no alliance between good and bad, so neither can the vicious agree together.] ¶ For so as žer nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self [Sidenote: And how should they? Their vices make them at war with themselves, rending and tearing their consciences, and there is scarce anything they do, but what afterwards they disapprove of.] {and} whi nat. for shrewes 4076 discorde{n} of hem self by her vices že whiche vices al to renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme žinges že whiche žinges whan žei han don hem. žei demen žat žo žinges ne sholde nat han ben don. [Sidenote: Hence arises a signal miracle brought about by Providence--that evil men have often made wicked men good.] for whiche žinge 4080 žilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haž maked oft[e] tyme [fair{e}] miracle so ž{a}t shrewes han maked oftyme [[pg 142]] shrewes to ben good[e] men. [Sidenote: For these latter having suffered injuries from the former, have become virtuous, in order that they might not resemble those whom they so detested.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 32.]] for whan žat som shrewes *seen žat žei suffren wrongfully felonies of ožer shrewes 4084 žei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem žat anoien hem. {and} retournen to že fruit of uertue. when žei studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} žat žei han hated. [Linenotes: 4046 _comež_--comth _some_ (_both_)--som _žat žei_--MS. žei žat, C. ž{a}t that they 4047 _comež_--comth _sorweful_--sorwful 4050 _wicked_--wykkede _merite_--MS. u{er}ite, C. m{er}yte 4051 _ožer_--oothr{e} _done_--don 4052 _folies_--felonies 4054 _grete_--gret _good[e]_--goode 4055 _sholde_--sholden _žilk_--thilke 4056 _serue_--seruen _whiche_--which 4057 _dispensiž_--MS. dispisiž, C. dispensith 4059 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 4060 _done_--don 4061 _rychesse_--Rychesses 4065 _whiche_--which 4068 MS. wrongly inserts _welefulnesse_ after _wickednesse_ 4069-71 _ožer_--oothr{e} 4073 _good[e]_--goode 4074 _none_--non 4075 _good[e]_--goode 4076 _accorden_--acordy 4078 _don_--MS. done, C. don _oft[e]_--ofte 4079 _don_--MS. done, C. don 4080 _sholde_--sholden _whiche žinge_--which thing 4081 _haž_--MS. haže _oft[e]_--ofte 4082 [_faire_]--from C. _oftyme_--omitted 4083 _good[e]_--goode 4085 _hat[e]_--hate _anoien_--anoyeden 4087 _studien_--omitted _vnlyke_--vnlyk] [Headnote: EVIL IS OVERRULED FOR GOOD.] [Sidenote: It is only the Divine power that can turn evil to good, overruling it for his own purposes.] ¶ Certys žis only is že deuyne my[gh]t to že whiche my[gh]t 4088 yueles ben žan good. whan it vsež žo yueles couenably {and} drawež out že effect of any good. as who seiž žat yuel is good oonly by že my[gh]t of god. for že my[gh]t of god ordeynež žilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiž 4092 alle žinges. so žat what wy[gh]t [ž{a}t] dep{ar}tiž fro že resou{n} of že ordre whiche žat is assigned to hym. algates [gh]it he slidež in to an ož{er} ordre. [Sidenote: Nothing occurs by the caprice of chance in the realms of Divine Providence.] so žat nožing nis leueful to folye in že realme of že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. 4096 as who seiž no žing nis wižouten ordinaunce in že realme of že deuyne purueaunce. [Sidenote: Since God is the governor of all things, it is not lawful to man to attempt to comprehend the whole of the Divine economy, or to explain it in words.] ¶ Syn žat že ry[gh]t strong[e] god gouerniž alle žinges in žis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne 4100 vnfolden by worde alle že subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of že deuyne entent. [Sidenote: Let it suffice to know that God orders all things for the best.] for oonly it au[gh]t[e] suffice to han loked žat god hym self makere of alle natures ordeyniž and dressiž alle žinges to good. [Sidenote: And while he retains things created after his own likeness conformably to his goodness, he banishes evil by the cause of destiny out of his empire.] while 4104 žat he hastiž to wižhalden že žinges žat he haž maked in to hys semblaunce. žat is to seyn forto wižholden žinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chasež oute al yuel of že boundes of hys co{m}munalite by že 4108 ordre of necessite destinable. [Sidenote: So that those evils which you seem to see are only imaginary.] For whiche it folwež žat yif žou loke že p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge že žinges žat men wenen ben haboundaunt in eržes. žou ne shalt not seen in no place no žing of yuel. [Sidenote: But you are exhausted and weary with the prolixity of my reasoning, and look for relief from the harmony of my verse.] ¶ but I se now žat 4112 žou art charged wiž že wey[gh]te of že questiou[n] {and} [[pg 143]] wery wiž lengže of my resou{n}. {and} žat žou abidest som swetnesse of songe. [Sidenote: Take, then, this draught, with which when refreshed, you may more strongly proceed to higher matters.] tak ža{n} žis drau[gh]t {and} whan žou art wel refresshed {and} refet žou shalt ben more stedfast 4116 to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s. [Linenotes: 4089-90 _good_--goode 4092 _žilk_--thilke 4093 [_žat_]--from C. 4094 _že_ (2)--thilke _whiche_--which 4096 _realme_--Reame 4099 _strong[e]_--stronge _worlde_--world 4100 _no_--omitted _witte_--wit 4101 _worde alle_--word al 4102 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 4104 _good while_--goode wyl 4105 _haž_--MS. haže 4108 _of_ (1)--fro 4109 _whiche_--which 4111 _ben haboundaunt_--ben out{ra}ious / or habowndant 4115 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak 4116 _refet_--refect _shalt ben_--shal be _stedfast_--stydefast] [Headnote: LOVE TEMPERS ALL THINGS.] SI UIS CELSI IURA. [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: If thou wouldst explore the laws of the high Thunderer, behold the lofty heavens, where, bound by fixed laws, the stars keep their ancient peace.] ++Yif žou wolt demen in ži pur{e} žou[gh]t že ry[gh]tes or že lawes of že heye žund[ere]re. žat is to seyne of god. loke žou {and} bihold že hey[gh]tes of souereyne heuene. 4120 ¶ žere kepen že sterres by ry[gh]tful alliaunce of žinges hir olde pees. [Sidenote: There the rosy Sun does not invade the moon's colder sphere. Nor doth the Bear stray from his appointed bounds, to quench his light in the western main.] že sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiž nat že colde cercle of že moone. ¶ Ne že sterre yclepid že bere. ž{a}t encliniž hys rauyssynge 4124 courses abouten že souereyne hey[gh]t of že worlde. ne že same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in že depe westerne see. ne coueitiž nat to dy[gh]en hys flaumbes in že see of [the] occian. al žou[gh] he see ožer sterres yplounged 4128 in to že see. [Sidenote: Vesper always makes its wonted appearance at eve. Lucifer ushers in the morn.] ¶ And hesperus že sterre bodiž {and} telliž alwey že late ny[gh]tes. And lucifer že sterre bryngež a[gh]eyne že clere day. [Sidenote: So mutual love moves all things, and from the starry region banishes all strife.] ¶ And žus makiž loue enterchaungeable že p{er}durable courses. {and} žus 4132 is discordable bataile yput oute of že contre of že sterres. [Sidenote: This concord in equal measures tempers the elements, so that the moist atoms war no more with the dry, nor heat with cold contends; but the aspiring flame soars aloft, while down the heavy earth descends.] žis accordaunce atte{m}prež by euene-lyke manere[s] že elementes. žat že moyste žinges striuen nat wiž že drye žinges. but [gh]iuen place by stoundes. and žat že 4136 colde žinges ioynen hem by feiž to že hote žinges. {and} žat že ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist in to hey[gh]te. {and} že heuy eržes aualen by her wey[gh]tes. [Sidenote: By these same causes the flowing year yields sweet smells in the warm spring-tide; the hot summer ripens the corn.] ¶ by žise same cause že floury yere [gh]eldež swote smellys in že fyrste somer sesou{n} 4140 warmynge. {and} že hote somer dryež že cornes. [Sidenote: Autumn comes crowned with plenty, and winter wets the earth with showers.] {and} autumpne comež a[gh]eyne heuy of apples. and že fletyng [[pg 144]] reyne bydewež že wynter. žis attemp{er}aunce noryssiž {and} brynggež furže al žinge žat brediž lyfe in žis 4144 worlde. [Sidenote: These changes give life and growth to all that breathe; and at last by death efface whatever has had birth.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 32 _b_.]] ¶ and žilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hidež {and} bynymež {and} drenchež vndir že last[e] deže alle *žinges yborn. [Sidenote: Meanwhile the world's Creator, the Source of all, the Lawgiver, the wise Judge, sits above equitably directing all things.] ¶ Amonges žise žinges sittež že heye makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe 4148 {and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerniž {and} encliniž že bridles of žinges. [Sidenote: Those things which have been set in motion by him are also checked and forced to move in an endless round, lest they go from their source, and become chaotic.] {and} žo žinges žat he stirež to don by moeuynge he wiždrawež {and} arestiž {and} affermiž že moeueable or wandryng žinges. ¶ For [gh]if žat he ne 4152 clepiž nat a[gh]ein že ry[gh]t goynge of žinges. {and} [gh]if žat he ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined že žinges ž{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. žei sholde deperten from hir welle. žat is 4156 to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. žat is to sein to{ur}nen in to nau[gh]t. [Sidenote: This love is common to all things, and all things tend to good; so, urged by this, they all revert to that First Cause that gave them being.] ¶ žis is že co{m}mune loue of alle žinges. {and} alle ži{n}ges axen to be holden by že fyn of good. For ellys ne my[gh]ten žei nat lasten yif žei ne 4160 come nat eftesones a[gh]eine by loue retourned to že cause žat haž [gh]euen he{m} beynge. žat is to seyn to god. [Linenotes: 4118 _žou wolt_--ž{o}u wys wilt 4119 _žund[ere]re_--thonderer{e} _seyne_--seyn 4120 _bihold_--MS. biholde, C. byhold 4122 _rody_--MS. redy, C. rody _fire_--Fyr 4123 _cercle_--clerke 4125 _courses_--cours _hey[gh]t_--heyhte 4127 _westerne_--westrene _dy[gh]en_--deeyn 4128 [_the_]--from C. _he see_--MS. it sewe, C. he see _ožer_--oothr{e} 4131 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein 4133 _oute_--owt 4134 _euene-lyke manere[s]_--euenelyk maneres 4135 _striuen_--stryuynge _nat_--omitted 4136 _but_--omitted 4138 _ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist_--lyhte fyr arysith 4140 _yere_--[gh]er 4142 _comež a[gh]eyne_--comth ayein 4143 _reyne_--reyn 4144 _furže al žinge_--forth alle thing _brediž lyfe_--berith lyf 4145 _worlde_--world _žilk_--thilke 4146 _last[e] deže_--laste deth 4147 _yborn_--MS. yborne, C. I-born 4148 _lorde_--lord 4149 _wise_--wys 4150 _stirež_--sterith _don_--gon 4151 _že_--omitted 4153 _clepiž_--klepede 4154 _constreyned[e]_--constreynede _roundenesse_--Rowndnesses 4156 _sholde_--sholden 4158 _tournen_--torne _of_--to 4159 _be_--ben 4161 _eftesones a[gh]eine_--eft sones ayein 4162 _haž_--MS. haže] [Headnote: ALL FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.] IAM NE IGITUR UIDES. [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _P._ Do you see what follows from our arguments?] ++Sest žou nat žan what žing folwež alle že žinges žat I haue seid. [Sidenote: _B._ What is it?] what žing q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ That all fortune is good.] ¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4164 outerly žat al fortune is good. [Sidenote: _B._ How can that be?] and how may žat be q{uo}d .I. [Sidenote: _P._ Since all fortune, whether prosperous or adverse, is for the reward of the good or the punishment of the bad, all fortune is good which is either just or useful.] ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is [gh]iuen eižer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of 4168 ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ žan is alle fortune [[pg 145]] good. že whiche fortune is certeyne žat it be eižer ry[gh]tful or p{ro}fitable. [Sidenote: But let us put this opinion among those positions which thou saidst were not commonly believed by the people.] ¶ For sože žis is a ful verray resou{n} 4172 q{uo}d I. and yif I considere že p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} že destine žat žou tau[gh]test me a litel here byforne žis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like vnto že lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges žilk[e] žinges of 4176 whiche žou seidest a litel here byforne žat žei ne were nat able to ben ywened to že poeple. [Sidenote: _P._ Why so?] ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: _B._ Because it is a common expression that _the fortune of such a one is bad_.] for žat že comune worde of men mysusiž q{uo}d I. žis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [ž{a}t] 4180 že fortune of som wy[gh]t is wicked. [Linenotes: 4163 _žing_--thinge 4165 _outerly_--al owtrely _al_--alle 4166-7 [_alle----aspre_]--from C. 4169 _goode_--good 4174 _here byforne_--her by-forn 4175 _stedfast_--stydefast 4176 _noumbre_--nowmbren _žilk[e]_--thilke 4177 _here byforne_--her by-forn 4178 _ywened_--weened 4179 _worde_--word] [Headnote: PUNISHMENT IS BENEFICIAL.] [Sidenote: _P._ Do you wish me to conform for awhile to the language of the people, lest we should seem to depart too much from the popular mode of expression?] wilt žou žan q{uo}d she žat I p{ro}che a litel to že wordes of že poeple so it seme nat to hem žat I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro že vsage of man kynde. [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.] as žou wolt q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Is everything profitable that is good?] ¶ Demest 4184 žou nat q{uo}d she žat al žing žat p{ro}fitiž is good. [Sidenote: _B._ Yes, certainly.] [gh]is q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ That which exercises or corrects is profitable?] certis žilk žing žat ex{er}cisiž or corigiž profitiž. [Sidenote: _B._ It is.] I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore it is good?] žan is it good q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.] whi nat q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ This is the fortune of the virtuous who combat with adversity, or of those who, relinquishing vice, pursue the path of virtue?] but žis is že fortune [q{uod} she] of 4188 hem žat eižer ben put in vertue {and} batailen a[gh]eins aspre žinges. or ellys of hem žat eschewen {and} declinen fro vices {and} taken že weye of vertue. [Sidenote: _B._ It is.] ¶ žis ne may nat I denye q{uo}d I [Sidenote: _P._ The vulgar regard that prosperity which is bestowed as a reward on the good to be beneficial, and they believe those calamities by which the wicked are punished as the most miserable things that can be imagined.] ¶ But what seist žou of že myrye 4192 fortune žat is [gh]euen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniž ou[gh]t že poeples žat it is wicked. nay forsože q{uo}d I. but žei demen as it sože is žat it is ry[gh]t good. ¶ And what seist žou of žat ožer fortune q{uo}d she. žat al žou[gh] it 4196 be aspre {and} restreiniž že shrewes by ry[gh]tful tourment. weniž ou[gh]t že poeple ž{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But že poeple demiž žat it be most wrecched of alle žinges žat may ben žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: But in following the popular opinion, let us beware of being involved in some new and incredible consequence.] war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she 4200 lest žat we in folwyng že opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed {and} co{n}cluded žing žat is vnable to be wened to [[pg 146]] že poeple. [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?] what is žat q{uo}d I [Sidenote: _P._ We have decided that the fortune of the virtuous or of those growing up in virtue must needs be good--but that the fortune of the wicked must be most wretched.] ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it folwež or comež of žinges ž{a}t ben graunted žat alle 4204 fortune what so euer it be. of hem žat eyžer ben i{n} possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in že purchasynge of vertue. žat žilke fortune is good. ¶ And žat alle fortune is ry[gh]t wicked to hem žat 4208 dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiž. {and} žus wenež nat že poeple. [Linenotes: 4180 [_žat_]--from C. 4181 _wicked_--wykkede 4182 _proche_--aproche 4185 _al_--alle 4186 _žilk_--thilke 4188 [_quod she_]--from C. 4191 _weye_--wey 4193 _deuiniž_--demyth 4194 _ou[gh]t_--awht 4195 _sože_--soth 4198 _ou[gh]t_--awht 4199 _be_--is 4204 _comež_--comth 4206 [_or----vertu_] from C. 4208 _wicked_--wykkede] [Headnote: THE FORTUNE OF THE VIRTUOUS IS GOOD.] [Sidenote: _B._ That's true, though none dare acknowledge it.] ¶ žat is sože q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so žat noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. [Sidenote: _P._ Why so? The wise man ought not to be cast down, when he has to wage war with Fortune, no more than the valiant man ought to be dismayed on hearing the noise of the battle.] ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. [Sidenote: [* fol. 33.]] For ry[gh]t as no strong man ne semež nat to 4212 abassen or disdaigne{n} as *ofte tyme as he herež že noise of že bataile. ne also it ne semež nat to že wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to že strif of fortune. [Sidenote: The dangers of war enable the one to acquire more glory, and the difficulties of the other aid him to confirm and improve his wisdom.] for bože to žat on man {and} eke to žat ož{er} 4216 žilke difficulte is že matere to žat oon man of encrese of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to žat ožer man to conferme hys sapience. žat is to seine že asprenesse of hys estat. [Sidenote: Thus virtue, in its literal acceptation, is a power that, relying on its own strength, overcomes all obstacles.] ¶ For žerfore is it called uertue. for žat it susteniž {and} 4220 enforcež by hys strengžes žat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by aduersites. [Sidenote: You, who have made so much progress in virtue, are not to be carried away by delights and bodily lusts.] ¶ Ne certys žou žat art put in že encrese or in že hey[gh]t of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiž delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust. [Sidenote: You must engage in a fierce conflict with every fortune--with adversity, lest it dismay you--with prosperity, lest it corrupt you.] ¶ žou sowest 4224 or plauntest a ful egre bataile in ži corage a[gh]eins euery fortune. for žat že sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de že nat. ne žat že myrye fortune ne corrumpe že nat. [Sidenote: Seize the _golden mean_ with all your strength. All below or above this line is a contemptible and a thankless felicity.] ¶ Occupy že mene by stedfast strengžes. for al žat euer is vndir 4228 že mene. or ellys al žat ou{er}-passež že mene despisež welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiž. it is vicious {and} ne haž no mede of hys trauaile. [Sidenote: The choice of fortune lies in your own hands, but remember that even adverse fortune, unless it exercises the virtues of the good or chastises the wicked, is a punishment.] ¶ For it is set in [gh]our{e} hand. as who seiž it liež in [gh]our{e} power what fortune [gh]ow is 4232 leuest. žat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune žat semež sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat že good [[pg 147]] folk. ne chastisiž že wicked folk. it punissež. [Linenotes: 4210 _sože_--soth 4211 _confessen_--co{n}fesse 4212 _no strong_--the stronge 4213 _abassen_--abayssen 4215 _oft[e]_--ofte 4219 _seine_--seyn 4223 _hey[gh]t_--heyhte 4224 _welken_--wellen 4226 _confounde_--MS. co{n}fou{n}ded, C. confownde 4227 _Occupy_--Ocupye 4228 _stedfast_--stydefast 4230 _haž_--MS. haže 4231 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 4232 _liež_--lith 4233 _seyne_--seyn 4234 _sharpe_--sharp] [Headnote: WE CHOOSE OUR OWN FORTUNE.] BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}. [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Atrides carried on a ten years' war to punish the licentious Paris.] ++ŽE wrekere attrides ¶ žat is to seyne agamenon žat 4236 wrou[gh]t[e] {and} continued[e] že batailes by ten [gh]ere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by že destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie že loste chambres of mariage of hys brožer žis is to seyn žat [he] agamenon wan a[gh]ein Eleine žat 4240 was Menelaus wif his brožer. [Sidenote: With blood he purchased propitious gales for the Grecian fleet, by casting off all fatherly pity, and sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia to the vengeance of Diana.] In že mene while žat žilke agamenon desired[e] to [gh]euen sailes to že grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bou[gh]t[e] a[gh]ein že wyndes by blode. he vncložed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} že sory p{re}st 4244 [gh]iuež in sacrifiynge že wreched kuyttyng of žrote of že dou[gh]ter. ¶ žat is to sein žat agamenon lete kuytte{n} že žrote of hys dou[gh]ter by že prest. to maken alliaunce wiž hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiž whiche he 4248 my[gh]t[e] wende to troie. [Sidenote: Ulysses bewailed his lost mates, devoured by Polyphemus, but, having deprived the Cyclop of his sight, he rejoiced to hear the monster's roar.] ¶ Itakus žat is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn že whiche felawes že fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naželes 4252 polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage [gh]eld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. žis is to seyn žat vlixes smot oute že eye of poliphem{us} žat stod in hys forhede. [Linenotes: 4236 _seyne_--seyn 4237 _wrou[gh]t[e]_--wrowhte _continued[e]_--continuede _[gh]ere_--[gh]er 4238 _purged[e]_--purgede 4240 [_he_]--from C. _wan_--MS. wanne, C. wan 4242 _desired[e]_--desirede 4243 _bou[gh]t[e]_--bowhte _blode_--blod 4244 _vncložed[e]_--vnclothede _as_--of 4245 _kuyttyng_--MS. knyttyng, C. kuttynge 4246 _lete_--let _kuytten_--MS. knytte{n}, C. kuttyn 4248 _haue_--han 4249 _my[gh]t[e] wende_--myhte wenden 4250 _bywept[e]_--by-wepte _ylorn_--MS. ylorne, C. y-lorn 4251 _fiers[e]_--feerse _had[de]_--hadde 4253 _[gh]eld_--yald 4254 _sorowful_--sorwful _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot 4255 _oute_--owt _stod_--MS. stode, C. stood _forhede_--forehed] [Headnote: THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.] for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} 4256 wepyng {and} blynde. [Sidenote: Hercules is renowned for his many labours, so successfully overcome.] ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile [Sidenote: He overthrew the proud Centaurs;] he dawntede že proude Centauris half hors half man. [Sidenote: he slew the Nemean lion and wore his skin as a trophy of his victory;] {and} he rafte že despoylynge fro že cruel lyou{n} žat is to seyne he slou[gh] že lyou{n} {and} [[pg 148]] rafte hy{m} hys skyn. [Sidenote: he smote the Harpies with his arrows;] he smot že brids žat hy[gh]te{n} 4261 arpijs [in že palude of lyrne] wiž certeyne arwes. [Sidenote: he caried off the golden apples of the Hesperides, and killed the watchful dragon;] he rauyssed[e] applis fro že wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was že more heuy for že golde[ne] 4264 metal. [Sidenote: he bound Cerberus with a threefold chain;] He drou[gh] Cerberus že hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. [Sidenote: he gave the body of proud Diomede as food for the tyrant's horses;] he ouer-comer as it is seid haž put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ žis is to sein. žat hercules slou[gh] diomedes {and} made his hors 4268 to etyn hym. [Sidenote: he slew the serpent Hydra;] and he hercules slou[gh] Idra že serpent {and} brend[e] že venym. [Sidenote: he caused Achelous to hide his blushing head within his banks;] and achelaus že flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. žis is to sein žat achelaus couže transfigure 4272 hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fau[gh]t wiž orcules at že laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. [Sidenote: he left Antęus dead upon the Lybian shore;] [Sidenote: [* fol. 33 _b_.]] ¶ And [he] hercules 4276 *cast[e] adou{n} Antheus že geaunt in že strondes of libye. [Sidenote: he appeased Evander's wrath by killing Cacus;] {and} kacus apaised[e] že wražžes of euander. žis is to sein žat hercules slou[gh] že Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wiž žat deež že wražže of euander. [Sidenote: he slew the Erymanthean boar;] ¶ And 4280 že bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiž scomes že sholdres of hercules. že whiche sholdres že heye cercle of heuene sholde žreste. [Sidenote: and bore the weight of Atlas upon his shoulders.] {and} že laste of his labo{ur}s was žat he sustened[e] že heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. [Sidenote: These labours justly raised him to the rank of a god.] {and} he 4284 deserued[e] eftsones že heuene to ben že pris of his laste trauayle [Sidenote: Go then, ye noble souls, and follow the path of this great example.] ¶ Gož now žan [gh]e stronge men žere as že heye weye of že grete ensample ledež [gh]ou. ¶ O nice men whi nake [gh]e [gh]oure bakkes. as who seiž. [Sidenote: O ye slothful ones, wherefore do ye basely fly!] ¶ O [gh]e 4288 slowe {and} delicat men whi fley [gh]e aduersites. {and} ne [[pg 149]] fy[gh]te{n} nat a[gh]eins hem by vertue to wynnen že mede of že heuene. [Sidenote: He who conquers earth doth gain the heavens.] for že erže ouer-come{n} [gh]euež že sterres. ¶ žis is to seyne žat whan žat eržely lust is ouer-comen. 4292 a man is maked worži to že heuene. EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS. [Linenotes: 4256 _saw_--say 4258 _hard[e] trauaile_--harde trauayles _dawntede_--MS. dawnded, C. dawntede 4259 _half_--MS. hals _rafte_--byrafte _fro_--from 4260 _seyne_--seyn 4261 _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot 4262 [_in----lyrne_]--from C. 4263 _rauyssed[e]_--rauysshede 4266 _seid_--MS. seide, C. sayd _haž_--MS. haže 4267 _lorde_--lord 4269 _etyn_--freten 4270 _brend[e]_--brende _flode defouled[e]_--flood defowlede 4271 _forhede dreint[e]_--forhed dreynte 4273 _lykenesse_--lyknesses 4274 _turnid[e]_--tornede 4275 _brak_--MS. brake, C. brak _hys_--hise 4276 [_he_]--from C. 4278-80 _apaised[e]_--apaysede 4281 _bristled[e]_--brystelede _marked[e]_--markede 4282 _cercle_--clerke 4283 _žreste_--thriste 4285 _deserued[e]_--deseruede 4286 _Gož_--MS. Gože _žere_--ther 4287 _weye_--way 4288 _nake_--MS. make, C. nake 4289 _slowe_--MS. slou[gh], C. slowe _fley_--flee 4292 _seyne_--seyn] [Headnote: THE EXISTENCE OF CHANCE.] INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS. DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM. [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]] [Sidenote: When Philosophy had thus spoken, and was about to discuss other matters I interrupted her.] ++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] že cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me ož{er} žinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. [Sidenote: _B._ Thy exhortation is just and worthy of thy authority, but thou saidst that the question of the Divine Superintendence or Providence is involved with many others--and this I believe.] žan seide I. Certys ry[gh]tful is žin amonestyng {and} ful 4296 digne by auctorite. but žat žou seidest som tyme žat že questiou{n} of že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wiž many ožer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by že same žinge. [Sidenote: I am desirous, however, of knowing whether there be such a thing as _Chance_, and what thou thinkest it is.] but I axe yif žat žou wenest žat hap 4300 be any žing in any weys. {and} if žou wenest žat hap be any [thing] what is it. [Sidenote: _P._ I hasten to fulfil my promise and to show the road to your own country.] žan q{uo}d she. I haste me to [gh]elden {and} assoilen že to že dette of my byheste {and} to shewen {and} opnen že wey by whiche wey žou maist 4304 come a[gh]ein to ži contre. [Sidenote: But although these things you question me about are profitable to know, yet they lead us a little out of our way.] ¶ but al be it so žat že žinges whiche žat žou axest b{e}n ry[gh]t p{ro}fitable to knowe. [gh]itte ben žei diuers somwhat fro že paže of my purpos. [Sidenote: And by straying from the path you may be too fatigued to return to the right road.] And it is to douten žat žou ne be maked weery by 4308 mysweys so žat žou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} že ry[gh]t weye. [Sidenote: _B._ Don't be afraid of that, for it will refresh me as much as rest to know these things in which I am delightfully interested.] ¶ Ne doute že žer-of no žing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen žilke žinges to-gidre in že whiche žinges I delite me gretly. žat shal ben to me in stede of reste. 4312 Syn it nis nat to douten of že žinges folwy{n}ge whan euery side of ži disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiž. žan seide she. žat manere wol I don že. {and} byga{n} to speken ry[gh]t žus [[pg 150]] [Sidenote: _P._ I will then comply with thy requests.] ¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4316 yif any wy[gh]t diffinisse hap in žis manere. žat is to seyn. [Linenotes: 4294 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd _že_--by 4297 _som tyme_--whilom 4298 _že_ (2)--thy 4300 _žinge_--thing 4302 [_thing_]--from C. 4303 _[gh]elden_--yilden _assoilen_--MS. assailen, C. assoylen _byheste_--byhest 4304-6 _whiche_--which 4306 _ben_--MS. b{e}n{e} 4307 _paže_--paath 4312 _stede_--styde 4314 _disputisoun_--disputaciou{n} _be_--han ben _stedfast_--stydefast 4317 _seyn_--seyng] [Headnote: DEFINITION OF CHANCE.] [Sidenote: If we define Chance to be an event produced by an unintelligent motion, and not by a chain or connection of causes, I should then affirm that Chance is nothing and an empty sound.] žat hap is bytidynge y-brou[gh]t forže by foelyshe moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme žat hap nis ry[gh]t nau[gh]t in no wise. and I deme al 4320 outerly žat hap nis ne dwelliž but a voys. ¶ As who seiž. but an ydel worde wiž outen any significac{i}ou{n} of žing summittid to žat vois. [Sidenote: What room is there for folly and disorder where all things are restrained by order, through the ordinance of God?] for what place my[gh]t[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn žat 4324 god lediž {and} streyniž alle žinges by ordre. [Sidenote: For it is a great truth that nothing can spring out of nothing.] ¶ For žis sentence is verray {and} sože žat no žinge ne haž his beynge of nou[gh]t. to [the] whiche sentence none of žise olde folk ne wižseide neuere al be it so žat žei ne 4328 vndirstoden ne moeueden it nau[gh]t by god p{r}ince {and} gynner of wirkyng. but žei casten as a manere foundement of subgit material. žat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}. [Sidenote: Now, if anything arises without the operation of a cause, it proceeds from nothing.] {and} [gh]if žat ony žinge is woxen or comen 4332 of no causes. žan shal it seme žat žilke žinge is comen or woxen of nou[gh]t. [Sidenote: But if this is impossible, then there can be no such a thing as Chance, as we have defined it.] but yif žis ne may nat ben don. žan is it nat possible žat žere haž ben any swiche žing as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. [Sidenote: _B._ Is there nothing, then, that may be called Chance or Fortune?] ¶ How shal 4336 it žan ben q{uo}d I. nis žer žan no žing žat by ry[gh]t may be cleped eyžer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune. [Sidenote: Is there nothing (hid from the vulgar) to which these words may be applied?] [Sidenote: [* fol. 34.]] or is žer ou[gh]t al *be it so žat it is hidd fro že poeple to whiche žise wordes ben couenable. [Sidenote: _P._ Aristotle defines this matter with much precision and probability.] Myn aristotul q{uo}d 4340 she. in že book of his phisik diffinissež žis žing by short resou{n} and ney[gh]e to že sože. [Sidenote: _B._ How?] ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ So often as a man does anything for the sake of any other thing, and another thing than what he intended to do is produced by other causes, that thing so produced is called _Chance_.] ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any žing for grace of any ožer žing. {and} an ožer žinge žan žilke 4344 žing žat men ententen to doon bytidež by som[e] causes it is ycleped hap{pe}. [Sidenote: As if a man trench the ground for tillage and find gold, then this is believed to happen by chance, although it is not so.] ¶ Ry[gh]t as a man dalf že erže by cause of tylienge of že felde. {and} fond žere a gobet of [[pg 151]] golde by-doluen. žan wenen folk žat it is fallen by fortunous 4348 bytydyng. but for sože it nis nat for nau[gh]t for it haž hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes že cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiž to han maked hap{pe}. [Sidenote: For if the tiller had not ploughed the field, and if the hider of the gold had not concealed it in that spot, the gold had not been found.] ¶ For yif že tilier in že erže ne delue nat in že felde. and yif 4352 že hider of že golde ne hadde hidd že golde in žilke place. že golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. [Sidenote: These, then, are the causes of a fortuitous acquisition which proceeds from a conflux of encountering causes, and not from the intention of the doer.] žise ben žan že causes of že abreggynge of fortune hap. že whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comež of causes encountrynge 4356 {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by že entenc{i}ou{n} of že doer. [Sidenote: For neither the hider of the gold nor the husbandman intended or understood that the gold should be found.] ¶ For neižer že hider of že gold. ne že deluer of že felde ne vndirstanden nat žat že golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. [Sidenote: But it happened by the concurrence of these two causes that the one did dig where the other had hidden the money.] it bytidde 4360 {and} ran to-gidre žat he dalf žere as žat ožer hadde hidd že golde. [Sidenote: Chance, then, is an unexpected event, by a concurrence of causes, following an action designed for a particular purpose.] Now may I žus diffinissen hap{pe}. ¶ Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in žinges žat ben don for som ožer žinge. but žilke ordre p{ro}cedynge 4364 by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. [Sidenote: This concurrence of causes proceeds from that order which flows from the fountain of Providence and disposes all things as to place and time.] whiche žat descendež fro že wel of purueaunce žat ordeinež alle žinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makež žat že causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre. 4368 [Linenotes: 4318 _forže_--forth 4322 _worde_--word 4323 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 4324 _left_--lefte 4325 _streyniž_--constreynyth 4326 _sože_--soth _no žinge_--nothing _haž_--MS. haže 4327 [_the_]--from C. 4330 _gynner_--bygynner{e} 4331 [_the_]--from C. 4332 _[gh]if_--MS. [gh]it, C. yif _žinge_--thing 4335 _žat----ben_--ž{a}t hap be _haž_--MS. haže _swiche_--swych 4338 _happe_--hap 4339 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidd 4340 _whiche_--which 4342 _ney[gh]e_--nehg _whiche_--which 4343 _don_--MS. done, C. don 4344 _žinge_--thing 4345 _som[e]_--some 4346 _happe_--hap 4347 _of_ (1)--to _fond_--MS. fonde, C. fownde 4348 _golde_--gold _fallen_--byfalle 4349 _for_ (2)--of 4350 _haž_--MS. haže _hys_--hise 4351 _happe_--hap 4352 _tilier_--tylyer{e} _delue_--dolue 4353 _hider_--hyder{e} _golde_--gold _hidd_--MS. hidde 4353-4 _golde_--gold 4354 _had[de]_--hadde 4355 _fortune_--fortuit _whiche_--which 4356 _fortune_--fortuit _comež_--comth 4357 _flowyng_--MS. folwyng, C. flowynge _selfe_--self 4358 _doer_--doer{e} _hider_--hider{e} 4359 _deluer_--deluer{e} _felde_--feeld _vndirstanden_--vndirstoden 4360 _golde_--gold 4361 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hyd 4362 _happe_ (_both_)--hap 4365 _whiche_--which 4366 _descendež_--MS. defendež, C. descendith _wel_--welle] RUPIS ACHEMENIE. [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Where the flying Parthian doth pierce his pursuers with his shafts, there from the Achemenian heights flow the Tigris and Euphrates, but soon their streams divide and flow into separate channels.] ++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in že kragges of že roche of že contre of achemenye žer{e} as že fleenge [batayle] ficchiž hire dartes reto{ur}nid in že brestes of hem žat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre 4372 že same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. [[pg 152]] [Sidenote: But should they unite again, in the impetuous stream, boats, ships, and trees would be all intermingled, whirled about; and blind Chance seems to direct the current's course.] and yif žei comen to-gidre {and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. žan moten žilke žinges fletyn to-gidre whiche žat že water of že 4376 entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}gež že shippes {and} že stokkes araced wiž že flood moten assemble. {and} že watres ymedlyd wrappiž or impliež many fortunel happes or maneres. [Sidenote: But the sloping earth, the laws of fluids, govern these things.] že whiche wandryng happes naželes žilke enclinyng 4380 lowenes of že erže. {and} že flowynge ordre of že slidyng water gouerniž. [Sidenote: So though Chance seems to wander unrestrained, it is nevertheless curbed and restrained by Divine Providence.] ¶ Ry[gh]t so fortune žat semež as [žat] it fletiž wiž slaked or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriž bridles žat is to seyn to ben gouerned 4384 {and} passež by žilke lawe. žat is to sein by že deuyne ordinaunce. [Linenotes: 4369 [_and_]--from C. _a_--oo 4371 [_batayle_]--from C. 4373 _že_--tho 4374 _to-gidre_--to-gyderes 4376 _whiche_--which 4377 _flode_--flod 4378 _assemble_--assemblyn 4380 _enclinyng_--declynynge 4381 _lowenes_--lownesse 4383 [_žat_]--from C. _vngouerned[e]_--vngou{er}nede 4385 _že_--thilke] [Headnote: ON FREE WILL.] A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _B._ Is there any _free-will_ in this chain of cohering causes?] ++Žis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel žat it is ry[gh]t as žou seist. but I axe yif žer be any liberte 4388 or fre wil in žis ordre of causes žat cliue{n} žus to-gidre in hem self. [Sidenote: Or doth the _chain of destiny_ constrain the motions of the human mind?] ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif žat že destinal cheine co{n}streiniž že moeueuynge of že corages of me{n}. [Sidenote: _P._ There is a freedom of the will possessed by every rational being.] yis q{uo}d she žer is liberte of fre wille. ne žer 4392 ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} žat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. [Sidenote: A rational being has judgment to judge of and discern everything.] ¶ For euery žing žat may naturely vsen resou{n}. it haž doom by whiche it discerniž {and} demiž euery žing. [Sidenote: Of himself he knows what he is to avoid or to desire. He seeks what he judges desirable, and he shuns what he deems should be avoided.] ¶ žan knowež it by it self žinges žat be{n} 4396 to fleen. {and} žinges žat ben to desiren. {and} žilk žing žat any wy[gh]t demež to ben desired ž{a}t axež or desirež he {and} fleež [thilke] žing žat he trouež ben to fleen. [Linenotes: 4389 _or_--of 4390 _hem_--hym 4392 _yis_--MS. yif, C. yis 4392-94 _wille_--wil 4395 _whiche_--which 4397 _žilk_--thilke 4399 [_thilke_]--from C.] [Headnote: PROVIDENCE SEES ALL THINGS.] [Sidenote: A rational being possesses, then, the liberty of choosing and rejecting.] ¶ wher-fore in alle žinges ž{a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is 4400 libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. [Sidenote: This liberty is not equal in all beings.] ¶ But I ne ordeyne nat. as who seiž. I ne graunte nat žat žis lib{er}tee be euene like in alle žinges. [Sidenote: In heavenly substances, as spirits, &c., judgment is clear, and the will is incorruptible, and has a ready and efficacious power of doing things which are desired.] forwhi in že souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. [Sidenote: [* fol. 34 _b_.]] žat is to *seyn in spirit[gh] ¶ Iugement is 4404 more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} haž my[gh]t [[pg 153]] redy to speden žinges žat ben desired. [Sidenote: The souls of men must needs be more free when employed in the contemplation of the Divine Mind, and less so when they enter into a body, and still less free when enclosed and confined in earthly members; but the most extreme servitude is when they are given over to vice and wholly fallen from their proper reason.] ¶ But že soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan žei loken hem in že speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of že deuyne žou[gh]t. {and} 4408 lasse free whan žei sliden in to že bodies. {and} [gh]it lasse free whan žei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in eržely membris. but že last[e] seruage is whan žat žei ben [gh]eue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro že possessiou{n} of 4412 hire p{ro}pre resou{n} [Sidenote: For at once they are enveloped by the cloud of ignorance and are troubled by pernicious desires, by yielding to which they aid and increase that slavery which they brought upon themselves, and thus even under the liberty proper to them, they remain captives.] ¶ For after žat žei han cast aweye hir eyen fro že ly[gh]t of že souereyn sožefastnesse to lowe žinges {and} dirke ¶ Anon žei dirken by že cloude of ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talent[gh]. to že 4416 whiche talent[gh] whan žei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. žei hepen {and} encresen že seruage whiche žei han ioigned to hem self. and in žis manere žei ben caitifs fro hire p{ro}pre libertee. [Sidenote: Yet the eye of Providence, beholding all things from eternity, sees all this and disposes according to their merit all things as they are predestinated.] že whiche žinges naželes že lokynge of 4420 že deuyne purueaunce seež ž{a}t alle žinges byholdež {and} seež fro et{er}ne. and ordeynež hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as žei ben p{ro}destinat. [Sidenote: He, as Homer says of the sun, _sees and hears all things_.] {and} it is seid in grek. žat alle žinges he seež {and} alle žinges he herež. 4424 [Linenotes: 4405 _haž_--MS. haže 4411 _last[e]_--laste 4412 _fro_--from 4415 _cloude_--clowdes 4418 _whiche_--which 4423 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd] PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE. [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: The sweet-tongued Homer sings of the sun's pure light. Yet the sun's beams cannot pierce into the inner bowels of the earth, nor into the depths of the sea.] ++HOmer wiž že hony mouže. žat is to seyn. homer wiž že swete dites syngež žat že sonne is cleer by pure ly[gh]t. naželes [gh]it ne may it nat by že inferme ly[gh]t of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} že inwarde entrailes of 4428 že erže. or ellys of že see. [Sidenote: But God, the world's maker, beholding from on high, has his vision impeded neither by earth nor cloud.] ¶ so ne seež nat god makere of že grete worlde to hym žat lokež alle žinges from on heye ne wižstandiž nat no žinges by heuynesses of erže. ne že ny[gh]t ne wižstondež nat to hy{m} by že blake 4432 cloudes. [Sidenote: At a glance he sees all events, present, past, and future.] ¶ žilke god seež i{n} o strook of žou[gh]t alle žinges žat ben or weren or schullen come. [Sidenote: God, then, that alone sees all things, may indeed be called the true Sun.] ¶ and žilke god for he lokež {and} seež alle žinges al oon. žou maist [[pg 154]] seyn žat he is že verray sonne. 4436 [Linenotes: 4425 _mouže_--Mowth 4428 _percen_--MS. p{er}te{n}, C. p{er}cen _inwarde_--inward 4430 _worlde_--world _on heye_--an hegh 4431 _nat_--omitted 4434 _schullen come_--shollen comyn 4435 _al oon_--alone] [Headnote: GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND MAN'S FREE WILL.] TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _B._ I am distracted by a more difficult doubt than ever.] ++ŽAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute žan I was. what doute is žat q{uo}d she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche žinges žou art troubled. [Sidenote: God's foreknowledge seems to me inconsistent with man's free-will.] It semež q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien 4440 gretly žat god knowež byforn alle žinges. {and} žat žer is any fredom of liberte. [Sidenote: For if God foresees all things, and cannot be deceived, then that which Providence hath foreseen must needs happen.] for yif so be žat god lokež alle žinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. žan mot it nedes ben žat alle 4444 žinges bytyden že whiche žat že purueaunce of god haž sein byforn to comen. [Sidenote: If God from eternity doth foreknow not only the works, but the designs and wills of men, there can be no liberty of will--nor can there be any other action or will than that which a Divine and infallible Providence hath foreseen.] ¶ For whiche yif žat god knowež by-forn nat oonly že werkes of men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. žan ne shal žer be no 4448 liberte of arbitre. ne certys žer ne may ben noon ožer dede ne no wille but žilke whiche že deuyne purueaunce žat ne may nat ben desseiued haž feled byforn [Sidenote: For if things fall out contrary to such foreseeing, and are wrested another way, the prescience of God in regard to futurity would not be sure and unerring--it would be nothing but an uncertain opinion of them: but I take it to be impious and unlawful to believe this of God.] ¶ For yif žat žei my[gh]ten wryžen awey in ožer manere žan žei 4452 ben purueyed. žan ne sholde žer ben no stedfast p{re}science of žinge to comen but ražer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. že whiche žinge to trowen on god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. [Sidenote: Nor do I approve of the reasoning made use of by some. For they say that a thing is not necessarily to happen because God hath foreseen it, but rather because it is to happen it cannot be hid from the divine Providence.] ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat žilk 4456 same resou{n}. as who seiž I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat žilke same resou{n} by whiche žat som men wenen žat žei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten že knot of žis questiou{n}. ¶ For certys žei seyn ž{a}t žing nis nat to 4460 come for žat že purueaunce of god haž seyn it byforn{e}. žat is to comen but ražer že cont{ra}rie. ¶ And žat is žis žat for žat že žing is to comen žat žerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro že purueaunce of god. 4464 [Sidenote: [* fol. 35.]] [Sidenote: Now by this reason necessity appears to change sides. For it is not necessary that the things which are foreseen should happen, but it is necessary that the things which are to befall should be foreseen.] *{and} in žis manere žis necessite slydiž a[gh]ein in to že [[pg 155]] contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhouež [nat] nedes žat žinges bytiden žat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / ž{a}t thinges ž{a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it 4468 were yt{ra}uailed. [Sidenote: As if the question was, which was the cause of the other--_prescience_ the cause of the necessity of future events, or the _necessity_ the cause of the prescience of future events?] as who seiž. žat žilke answere p{ro}cediž ry[gh]t as žou[gh] men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren že whiche žing is cause of whiche žinges. as whežer že p{re}science is cause of že necessite of žinges to 4472 comen. or ellys žat že necessite of ži{n}ges to comen is cause of že purueau{n}ce. [Sidenote: But I will prove that, however the order of causes may stand, the event of things foreseen is necessary, although prescience doth not seem to impose a necessity upon future things to fall out.] ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now to shewe{n} it žat že bytidyng of žinges y-wist byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere žat že ordre of 4476 causes haž it self. al žou[gh] žat it ne seme nat žat že p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of žinges to comen. [Sidenote: For if a man sit--the belief in the sitting is true; and, on the other hand, if the opinion is true of his sitting, he must needs sit.] ¶ For certys yif žat any wy[gh]t sittež it byhouež by necessite žat že oppiniou{n} be sože of hym 4480 ž{a}t coniectiž žat he sittež. and a[gh]einward. al so is it of že contrarie. yif že oppiniou{n} be sože of any wy[gh]t for žat he sittež it byhouež by necessite žat he sitte [Sidenote: In both cases there is a necessity--in the latter that the person sits--in the former, that the opinion concerning the other is true.] ¶ žan is here necessite in žat oon {and} in ž{a}t ožer. for in žat 4484 oon is necessite of sittynge. [Sidenote: But the man does not sit because the opinion of his sitting is true, but the opinion is true because the action of his being seated was antecedent in time.] {and} certys in žat ožer is necessite of sože but žerfore ne sittež nat a wy[gh]t for žat že oppiniou{n} of sittyng is sože. but že oppiniou{n} is ražer sože for žat a wy[gh]t sittež by-forn. [Sidenote: So that although the cause of truth arises from the sitting, there is a common necessity in both.] and žus al 4488 žou[gh] ž{a}t že cause of sože comež of [že] syttyng. and nat of že trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates [gh]itte is žer comune necessite in žat oon {and} in žat ožer. [Sidenote: Thus may we reason concerning Providence and future events.] ¶ žus shewež it ž{a}t I may make semblable skils of že p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god 4492 {and} of žinges to come. [Sidenote: For allowing things are foreseen because they are to happen, and that they do not befall because they are foreseen, it is necessary that future events should be foreseen of God, or if foreseen that they should happen; and this alone is sufficient to destroy all idea of _free-will_.] ¶ For al žou[gh] for žat žat žinges ben to comen. žer-fore ben žei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for žei ben p{ur}ueid. žer-fore ne bytide žei nat. [gh]it naželes byhouež it by necessite žat eižer že žinges to comen 4496 ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys žat že žinges žat ben p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And žis [[pg 156]] žing oonly suffisež I-nou[gh] to distroien že fredome of oure arbitre. žat is to seyn of oure fre wille [Sidenote: But it is preposterous to make the happening of temporal things the cause of eternal prescience, which we do in imagining that God foresees future events because they are to happen.] ¶ But now 4500 [certes] shewež it wel how fer fro že sože {and} how vp so dou{n} is žis žing žat we seyn žat že bytidinge of temp{or}el žinges is že cause of že eterne p{re}science. ¶ But forto wenen žat god p{ur}ueiž [the] žinges to comen. 4504 for žei ben to comen. what ožer žing is it but forto wene žat žilke žinges žat bitiden som tyme ben causes of žilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce žat is i{n} god. [Sidenote: And, moreover, when I know that anything exists, it is necessary for my belief that it should be.] ¶ And her-to I adde [gh]itte žis žing žat ry[gh]t as whan žat I woot 4508 žat o žing is it byhouež by necessite žat žilke self žing be. [Sidenote: So also when I know that an event shall come to pass, it must needs happen.] {and} eke žat whan I haue knowe žat any ži{n}ge shal bitiden so byhouež it by necessite ž{a}t žilk[e] same žing bytide. [Sidenote: The event, therefore, of a thing foreseen must befall.] so folwež it žan žat že bytydynge of že 4512 žinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. [Sidenote: Lastly, if a person judge a thing to be different to what it is--this is not knowledge, but a false opinion of it, and far from the true knowledge.] ¶ And at že last[e] yif žat any wy[gh]t wene a žing to ben ožer weyes žan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro že sože of 4516 science. [Linenotes: 4437 _harde_--hard 4445 _haž_--MS. haž{e} 4446 _whiche_--which 4450 _wille_--wil _whiche_--which ž{a}t 4451 _haž_--MS. haže 4453 _stedfast_--stydefast 4454-55 _žinge_--thing 4455 _on_--of 4456 _žilk_--thilke 4458 _whiche_--which 4459 _knot_--knotte 4461 _come_--comyn _haž_--MS. haže 4464 _hyd_--MS. hydde, C. hidde 4466 [_nat_]--from C. 4467-8 [_but----yporueyid_]--from C. 4471 _žinges_--thing 4477 _haž_--MS. haže 4480-82 _sože_--soth 4486 _sože_--sooth 4487 _sože_--soth 4488 _sože_--sooth 4489 _sože comež_--sooth comth [_že_]--from C. 4490 _comune_--MS. comme, C. comune 4493 _come_--comyn 4494 _to_--omitted 4494-95 _purueid_--MS. p{ur}ueide, C. p{ur}ueyid 4498 [_.s._]--from C. 4499 _fredome_--freedom 4500 _wille_--wil 4501 [_certes_]--from C. 4504 _purueiž_--MS. p{ur}ueiže [_the_]--from C. 4506 _bitiden_--bytydden _som tyme_--whilom 4509 _o_--a _self_--selue 4510 _žinge_--thing 4511 _žilk[e]_--thilke 4513 _žinge_--thing 4514 _last[e]_--laste 4515 _nys_--is] [Headnote: FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN WILL.] [Sidenote: If, therefore, a thing be so to happen that the event of it is neither necessary nor certain, how can any one foresee what is to happen?] ¶ wher-fore yif any žing be so to comen so žat že bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] ž{a}t žilke žing is to come. [Sidenote: For as pure knowledge has no element in it of falsehood, so what is comprehended by true knowledge cannot be otherwise than as comprehended.] ¶ For ry[gh]t as science ne may nat be medelyd wiž falsnesse. 4520 as who seiž žat yif I woot a žing. it ne may nat be fals žat I ne woot it. ¶ Ry[gh]t so žilk žing žat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon ož{er} weyes žan [as] it is conceiued. [Sidenote: Hence it is that true knowledge cannot err, because everything must precisely be what true knowledge perceives it to be.] For žat is že cause 4524 whi žat science wa{n}tiž lesynge. as who seiž. whi žat witynge ne receyuež nat lesynge of žat it woot. ¶ For it byhouež by necessite žat euery ži{n}ge [be] ry[gh]t as science co{m}p{re}hendiž it to be. [Sidenote: What follows, then? How does God foreknow these uncertain contingencies?] what shal I žan sein. ¶ In 4528 whiche man{er}e knowež god byforn že žinges to comen. ¶ yif žei ne be nat certeyne. [[pg 157]] [Sidenote: For if he thinks that a thing will inevitably happen, which possibly may not, he is deceived--but this is sheer blasphemy.] ¶ For yif žat he deme žat žei ben to comen vneschewably. [Sidenote: [* fol. 35 _b_.]] {and} so may be žat it is possible žat žei ne shulle{n} *nat comen. god is 4532 desseiued. but nat only to trowen žat god is desseiued. but for to speke it wiž mouže it is a felonous sy{n}ne. [Sidenote: But if God discerns that just as things are to come they shall come; if he knows that they may or may not come, what sort of prescience is this, which comprehends nothing certain, nothing invariable?] ¶ But yif žat god woot žat ry[gh]t so as žinges ben to comen. so shulle žei comen. so žat he wit[e] egaly. as 4536 who seiž indifferently žat žinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is žilke p{re}science žat ne comp{re}hendiž no certeyne žinge ne stable. [Sidenote: Or how does divine prescience differ from human opinion, if He hath an uncertain judgment of things, whereof the events are uncertain and unfixed?] or ellys what difference is žer bytwixe že p{re}science. {and} žilke iape-worži 4540 dyuynynge of Tiresie že diuino{ur} žat seide. ¶ Al žat I seie q{uo}d he eyžer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how moche is worže že diuyne p{re}science more žan že oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be žat it 4544 demež že žinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of že whiche domes of men že bytydynge nis nat certeyne. [Sidenote: But if there can be no uncertainty in his knowledge, who is the source of all certainty; the event of all things which he foreknows must be fixed and inevitable.] ¶ But yif so be ž{a}t noon vncerteyne žinge may ben in hym žat is ry[gh]t certeyne welle of alle žinges. ža{n} is že 4548 bytydynge certeyne of žilke žinges whiche he haž wist byforn fermely to come{n}. [Sidenote: Whence it follows that men have no freedom in their designs and actions; because the Divine Mind, endowed with an infallible foresight, constrains and binds them to a certain event.] For whiche it folwež žat že fredom of že co{n}seils {and} of že werkes of mankynde nis non syn žat že žou[gh]t of god seež alle žinges w{i}t{h} outen 4552 erro{ur} of falsnesse byndež {and} co{n}streiniž hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] ži{n}g be on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. žat is to seyn. žat žer nis no fre wille. žan shewež it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} 4556 how grete damages žer folwen of žinges of mankynde. [Linenotes: 4518 _it_--hit 4519 [_byforn_]--from C. 4522 _fals_--false 4523 [_nat_]--from C. _ben_--MS. by, C. ben 4524 _žan [as] it is_--MS. žan it is be 4527 [_be_]--from C. 4529 _whiche_--which 4534 _mouže_--Mowth 4536 _shulle_--shullyn _wit[e]_--wite 4538 _don_--MS. done, C. y-doon 4543 _moche_--mochel _worže_--worth 4549 _haž_--MS. haže 4550 _whiche_--which 4551 _mankynde_--man-kynd 4554 [_this_]--from C. 4555 _grauntid_--ygraunted] [Headnote: FATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE.] ¶ For in ydel ben žer žan p{ur}posed and byhy[gh]t medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn žat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haž nat deserued 4560 hem. žat is to seyn neižer mede nor peyne. [Sidenote: Rewards and punishments now deemed just and equitable, will be considered most unjust, when, it is allowed, that mankind are not prompted by any will of their own, to either virtue or vice, but in all their actions are impelled by a fatal necessity.] ¶ And it sholde seme žan žat žilke žinge is alžer worste whiche žat is nowe demed. for alž{er} moste iuste {and} moste [[pg 158]] ry[gh]tful. žat is to seyn žat shrewes ben punyssed. or 4564 ellys ž{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. že whiche folk syn žat že p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to ž{a}t oon ne to žat ožer. žat is to seyn. nežer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreinež hem certeyne necessite of žinges 4568 to comen. [Sidenote: Nor would there be such things as virtue or vice, but such a medley of the one and the other as would be productive of the greatest confusion.] ¶ žanne ne sholle{n} žer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde ražer ben co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes medlid wižoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And [gh]itte žer folwež an ožer i{n}co{n}uenient of že whiche žer 4572 ne may ben žou[gh]t ne more felonous ne more wikke. [Sidenote: And from this it will follow--that since all order comes of Divine Providence, and that there is no freedom of the human will, that also our vices must be referred to the author of all good--which is a most impious opinion.] {and} žat is žis žat so as že ordre of žinges is yledd {and} comež of že purueaunce of god. ne žat no žing nis leueful to že conseils of mankynde. as who seiž žat 4576 men han no power to done no žing. ne wilne no žing. žan folwež it žat oure vices ben refferred to že mak[er]e of alle good. as who seiž žan folwež it. žat god au[gh]t[e] han že blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniž by 4580 necessite to don vices. [Sidenote: Then is it useless to hope for anything from God, or to pray to him.] žan nis žer no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. [Sidenote: For why should men do either, when all they can desire is irreversibly predestined?] ¶ For what sholde any wy[gh]t hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn žat že ordenaunce of destine whiche žat ne 4584 may nat ben enclined. knyttež {and} streiniž alle žinges žat men may desire{n}. [Sidenote: Hope and prayer being thus ineffectual, all intercourse is cut off between God and man.] ¶ žan sholde žere be don awey žilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. žat is to seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. [Sidenote: By reverent and humble supplication we earn divine grace, a most inestimable favour, and are able to associate with the Deity, and to unite ourselves to the inaccessible light.] but by že p{re}is of ry[gh]tfulnesse 4588 {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue že gerdou{n} of že deuyne grace whiche žat is inestimable. žat is to sein žat it is so grete žat it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised. {and} žis is oonly že manere. žat is to seyen hope {and} 4592 prayeres. for whiche it semež žat [men] mowen speken wiž god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned [[pg 159]] to žilk clernesse žat nis nat app{ro}ched no ražer or žat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. [Sidenote: If men believe that hope and prayer have no power because of the necessity of future events, by what other way can we be united, and hold fast to the sovereign Lord of all things?] And yif men 4596 ne wene [nat] žat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengžes. by že necessite of žinges to comen y-resceiued. what ži{n}g is žer žan by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to žilke souereyne p{r}ince of žinges. [Sidenote: Wherefore mankind must be dissevered and disunited from the source of its existence, and shrink from its beginning.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 36.]] ¶ For 4600 whiche it byhouež by necessite žat že lynage of mankynde as *žou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. žat is to seien god. 4604 [Linenotes: 4558 _medes of_--Meedes to 4560 _haž_--MS. haže 4562 _alžer worste whiche_--alderworst which 4563 _nowe_--MS. newe, C. now _alžer moste iuste_--alder moost Iust _moste_--most 4565-67 _good[e]_--goode 4566 _wille_--wil [_ne_]--from C. 4571 _wižoute_--w{i}t{h}-owten 4573 _žou[gh]t_--thoght 4574 _yledd_--MS. yledde, C. yled 4575 _comež_--comth 4577 _done_--doon 4578 _mak[er]e_--maker{e} 4579 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 4584 _whiche_--which 4588 _preis_--prys _ry[gh]tfulnesse_--Rihtwessenesse 4589 _deserue_--desseruyn 4590 _deuyne_--MS. deuynes, C. dyuyne 4590-93 _whiche_--which 4591 _grete_--gret 4593 [_men_]--from C. _speken_--speke 4595 _žilk_--thilke 4596 _emprenten_--impetrent 4597 [_nat_]--from C. [_hope_]--from C. 4601 _whiche_--which 4602 _byforne_--by-forn] [Headnote: THE UNKNOWN CANNOT BE DESIRED.] QUE NAM DISCORS [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Say what discordant cause looses the bonds of things?] ++What discordable cause haž to-rent {and} vnioigned že byndyng or že alliaunce of žinges. žat is to seyne že coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man. [Sidenote: What power doth make these two great truths (_i. e._ Providence and Free-will) contend, which when separate are plain and clear, but united appear dark and perplexed?] ¶ whiche god haž establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} žise two sožefast 4608 or verray žinges. žat is to sein bytwixen že p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} fre wille. žat žei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne žat žei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but žer nis no discorde to [tho] verray 4612 žinges. but žei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. [Sidenote: The mind of man encumbered by the earthly body, can never, with her cloudy sight, discover the subtle and close bonds of things.] but že žou[gh]t of man co{n}founded {and} oueržrowen by že dirke membris of že body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. žat is to seyn by že vigo{ur} of hys insy[gh]t while 4616 že soule is in že body knowen že žinne subtil knyttynges of žinges. [Sidenote: But why does man burn with ardour to learn the hidden notes of truth?] ¶ But wherfore eschaufiž it so by so grete loue to fynden žilke note[s] of sože y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) žat is to sein wherfore eschaufiž že žou[gh]t of man by so 4620 grete desir to knowen žilke notificac{i}ou{n}s žat ben yhidd vndir že couerto{ur}s of sože. [Sidenote: Why gropes he for he knows not what? None seek to know what is known.] woot it ou[gh]t žilke žinges žat it anguissous desirež to knowe. as who seiž nay. [[pg 160]] ¶ For no man ne trauailež forto witen žinges žat he woot. 4624 {and} žerfore že texte seiž žus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]lež to wyten žinges y-knowe. [Sidenote: If he knows them not, what does he so blindly seek?] and yif 4628 žat he ne knowež hem nat. what sekiž žilke blynde žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: Who wishes for things he hath never known?] what is he žat desirež any žinge of whiche he woot ry[gh]t nat. as who seiž who so desiriž any žing nedis som what he knowež of it. or ellys he ne couže 4632 nat desire it. or who may folwen žinges žat ne ben nat ywist [Sidenote: Or if he seek, where shall he find them? Or if he find, how shall he be sure that he has found what he sought for?] ¶ and žou[gh] [ž{a}t] he seke žo žinges where shal he fynde{n} hem. what wy[gh]t žat is al vnknowynge {and} ignoraunt may knowe že forme žat is yfounde. [Sidenote: The pure soul that sees the divine thought, knows all the secret chains of things.] ¶ But 4636 whan že soule byholdež {and} seež že heye žou[gh]t. žat is to seyn god. žan knowež it to-gidre že so{m}me {and} že singularites. žat is to seyn že p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self. [Sidenote: Yet, though now hidden in its fleshly members, it hath some remembrance of its pure state--it retains the sums of things, but has lost their particulars.] ¶ But now while že soule is hidd in že 4640 cloude {and} in že derknesse of že membris of že body. it ne haž nat al for[gh]eten it selfe. but it wižholdež že so{m}me of žinges {and} lesiž že singularites. [Sidenote: He who seeks truth is not in either circumstance (_i. e._ seeking for what he knows or knows not), he knoweth not all things, nor hath he wholly forgotten all.] žan who so žat sekež soženesse. he nis in neiž{er} noužir habit. for 4644 he not nat alle ne he ne haž nat alle for-[gh]eten. [Sidenote: But he ponders on what he knows, that he may add those things that he hath forgotten to those that he retains.] ¶ But [gh]itte hym remembriž že so{m}me of žinges žat he wižholdež {and} axež cou{n}seil {and} tretiž depelyche ži{n}ges ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] žat is to sein že grete so{m}me in 4648 hys mynde. [_textus_] so žat he mowe adden že p{ar}ties žat he haž for[gh]eten. to žilke žat he haž wižholden. [Linenotes: 4605 _haž_--MS. haže 4606 _seyne_--seyn 4607 _whiche_--which 4608 _haž_--MS. haže _grete_--gret _sožefast_--soothfast 4610 _wille_--wil 4612 _discorde_--discord [_tho_]--from C. 4613 _cleuen_--clyuen 4615 _dirk[ed]_--derkyd 4616 _while_--whil 4617 _knowen_--knowe 4619-21 _grete_--gret _note[s]_--notes 4619 _sože_--soth 4621 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. Ihyd 4622 _sože_--sooth _žinges_--thing 4625 [_Glosa_]--from C. 4630 _žinge_--thing _whiche_--which 4631 _woot_--not _nat_--nawht 4632 _couže_--kowde 4634 [_žat_]--from C. _where_--wher 4635 _what_--MS. žat, C. what _vnknowynge_--vnkunnynge 4639 _eueryche_--eu{er}ych 4640 _while_--whil _že_--MS. že že _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidde 4641 _derknesse_--derkenesse 4642 _haž_--MS. haže _selfe_--self 4644 _noužir habit_--nother habite 4645 _alle_ (_both_)--al _haž_--MS. haže 4648 [_Glosa_]--from C. 4649 [_textus_]--from C. 4650 _haž_ (_both_)--MS. haže] [[pg 161]] [Headnote: ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROVIDENCE.] TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST. [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: _P._ This is the old objection against Providence, so ably handled by Cicero in his _Book of Divination_; and you yourself have anxiously discussed it.] ++Žanne seide she. žis is q{uo}d she že olde questiou{n} of že p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he 4652 deuided[e] že deuinac{i}ou{n}s. žat is to sein in hys booke žat he wroot of deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly žis questiou{n}. {and} žou ži self hast sou[gh]t it mochel {and} outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. [Sidenote: But neither of you have offered a satisfactory solution of the difficulty.] but [gh]it ne haž it nat ben determined 4656 ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow. [Sidenote: The cause of this mystery is that the human understanding cannot conceive the simplicity of the divine prescience, for if it were possible to comprehend this, every difficulty would at once disappear.] ¶ And že cause of žis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte is for žat že moeuynge of že resou{n} of mankynde ne may nat moeue{n} to. žat is to sein applien or ioygnen to 4660 že simplicite of že deuyne p{re}science. ¶ že whiche symplicite of že deuyne p{re}science [gh]if žat men [myhten thinken it in any maner{e} / ž{a}t is to seyn / ž{a}t yif men] my[gh]te žinken {and} co{m}p{re}henden že žinges as god seež hem. 4664 žan ne sholde žer dwellen outerly no doute. [Sidenote: I shall, therefore, try to explain and solve this difficult question.] že whiche resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I shal assaie at že laste to shewen {and} to speden. [Sidenote: [* fol. 36 _b_.]] ¶ whan I haue *firste [yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to žo resou{n}s by whiche ž{o}u 4668 art ymoeued. [Sidenote: I ask, then, why you do not approve the reasoning of such as think--that Prescience does not obstruct the liberty of the will, because it is not the necessitating cause of future events?] ¶ For I axe whi ž{o}u wenest žat žilk[e] resou{n}s of hem žat assoilen žis questiou{n} ne ben nat spedeful ynou[gh] ne sufficient že whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or že whiche resou{n} for žat it demiž žat že p{re}science nis nat 4672 cause of necessite to žinges to comen. žan ne wenež it nat žat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. [Linenotes: 4653 _deuided[e]_--deuynede _booke_--book 4654 _moeued[e]_--moeuede 4655 _sou[gh]t_--I-sowht 4656 _long[e]_--longe _haž_--MS. haže 4657 _yspedd_--MS. yspedde, C. Isped _fermely_--MS. feruently, C. fermely 4658 _derkenesse_--dirknesse [_of this_]--from C. 4662-3 [_myhten----men_]--from C. 4663 _my[gh]te_--myhten 4667 _firste_--fyrst 4668 [_yspendyd and_]--from C. _žo_--the _whiche_--which 4669 _art_--MS. arte _žilk[e]_--thilke 4671 _spedeful_--spedful 4672 _whiche_--which 4674 _wille_--wyl] [Headnote: NECESSITY AND PRESCIENCE.] [Sidenote: Do you draw an argument of the necessity of future events, from any other topic than this,--that those things which are foreknown must of necessity happen?] for ne drawest žou nat argumentes from ellys where of že necessite of žinges to comen. As who seiž 4676 any ožer wey žan žus. but žat žilke žinge[s] žat že p{re}scie{n}ce woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. žat is to seyn žat žei moten bitide. [Sidenote: If divine prescience imposes no necessity upon future things, must not the issue of things be voluntary, and man's will free and unconstrained?] ¶ But žan yif žat p{re}science ne puttež no necessite to žinges to comen. as žou ži self 4680 hast confessed it {and} byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. ¶ what [[pg 162]] cause [or what] is it. as who seiž žere may no cause be. by whiche žat že endes (exitus) uoluntarie of žinges my[gh]ten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. [Sidenote: For argument sake let us suppose there is no prescience, would, then, the events which proceed from free-will alone be under the power of necessity?] ¶ For 4684 by grace of possessiou{n}. so žat žou mowe že better vndirstonde žis žat folwež. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) žat žer ne be no p{re}science. žan axe I q{uo}d she in as moche as app{er}teniž to žat. sholde žan žinges žat 4688 comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite. [Sidenote: _B._ No.] {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ Let us, then, admit Prescience, but that it imposes no necessity on what is to happen; the freedom of the will would still remain entire and absolute.] žan a[gh]einward q{uo}d she. I suppose žat žere be p{re}science but žat ne puttež no necessite to žinges. žan trowe I žat žilk self fredom 4692 of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. [Sidenote: But although Prescience, you may say, is not the necessary cause of future events, yet it is a sign that they shall necessarily happen, and hence it follows that, although there were no prescience, future events would still be an inevitable necessity.] but žou wolt sein žat al be it so žat p{re}science nis nat cause of že necessite of bitidynge to žinges to comen. ¶ Algates [gh]itte it is a signe ž{a}t že žinges ben 4696 to bytiden by necessite. by žis manere žan al žou[gh] že p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. [gh]it algate or at že lest[e] wey. it is certeyne žing žat že e{n}dys {and} že bitydynges of žinges to come{n} sholde ben necessarie. 4700 [Sidenote: For the sign of a thing is not really the thing itself, but only points out what the individual is.] ¶ For euery sygne shewež {and} signifiež oonly what že žing is ¶ but it ne makiž nat že žing žat it signifiež. [Sidenote: Wherefore, it must be first proved that everything happens by necessity before we can conclude that prescience is a sign of that necessity.] ¶ For whiche it byhouež firste to shewen žat no žing ne bitidiž [ž{a}t it ne bytydith] by necessite. so žat it 4704 may apere ž{a}t že p{re}scie{n}ce is signe of žis necessite [Sidenote: For if there be no necessity, prescience cannot be the sign of that which has no existence.] ¶ or ellys yif žere nere no necessite. certys žilke p{re}science ne my[gh]t[e] nat ben signe of žinge žat nis nat. [Linenotes: 4677 _žinge[s]_--thinges 4683 _whiche_--which 4685 _better_--beter{e} 4688 _moche_--mochel 4689 _frewille_--free wyl 4691 _žat ne_--žat is ne 4692 _žat_--MS. žan _žilk self_--thilke selue 4693 _wille_--wil 4699 _lest[e]_--leeste 4700 _sholde_--sholden 4703 _whiche_--which _firste_--fyrst 4704 [_žat----bytydith_]--from C. 4707 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte _žinge_--thing] [Headnote: NOT ALL THINGS CONTROLLED BY NECESSITY.] [Sidenote: The assertion that nothing happens but by necessity, must be proved by arguments drawn from causes connected and agreeing with this necessity, and not from signs or foreign causes.] ¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne žat že preue of žis 4708 susteniž by stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiž oute. but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But žou mayst sein how may it be žat že žinges ne bitiden nat 4712 žat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ry[gh]t as we [[pg 163]] trowen žat žo žinges whiche žat že p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [ž{a}t] ne sholde we nat demen. but ražer al žou[gh] [žat] žei schal bitiden. 4716 [gh]it ne haue žei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. {and} žis maist žou ly[gh]tly ap{er}ceyue{n} by žis žat I shal seyn. [Sidenote: We see many things when they are done before our eyes; such as a charioteer driving his chariot, and other things of like nature.] but we seen many žinges whan žei ben don byforn oure eyen ry[gh]t as men seen že karter worken in že 4720 to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by žis manere as who seiž mayst žou vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere ožir werkeme{n}. [Sidenote: Now, is there any necessity which compels these things to be done?] ¶ Is žere žanne any necessite as who seiž in oure lokynge 4724 [ž{a}t] constreinež or compelliž any of žilke žinges to ben don so. [Sidenote: _B._ No. For if all things were moved by compulsion--the efforts of art would be vain and fruitless.] b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in veyne were alle že effect of crafte yif žat alle žinges weren moeued by constreynynge. žat is to seyn by constreynynge 4728 of oure eyen or of oure sy[gh]t. [Sidenote: _P._ The things, then, which are done are under no necessity that they should be done; then first before they were done, they were under no necessity of coming to pass; wherefore some things happen, the event of which is unconstrained by necessity.] _P._ žise ži{n}g{us} žan q{uo}d she žat whan men don hem ne han non necessite žat men don hem. eke žo same žinges first or žei be don. žei ben to comen wiž out necessite. [Sidenote: [* fol. 37.]] for whi 4732 žer ben so{m}me žinges to bytide of whiche že endys {and} že bitidynges of hem ben absolut *{and} quit of alle necessite. [Sidenote: These things therefore, although foreknown, have free events: for as the knowledge of present things imposes no necessity upon things which are now done, so neither does the foreknowledge of futurities necessitate the things which are to come.] for certys I ne trowe nat žat any man wolde seyn žis. žat žo žinges žat men don now ž{a}t žei ne weren 4736 to bitiden. first or žei were ydon ¶ and žilk same žinges al žou[gh] ž{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn. [gh]itte žei han fre bitidynges. for ry[gh]t as science of žinges p{re}sent ne bryngež in no necessite to žinges 4740 [ž{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden [Sidenote: But you may doubt whether there can be any certain prescience of things, of which the event is not necessitated: for here there seems to be an evident contradiction.] but žou mayst seyn žat of žilke same it is ydouted. as whežer žat of žilke žinges žat ne han non endes {and} 4744 bytidynges necessaryes yif žer-of may ben any p{re}science [Linenotes: 4708 _nowe_--now 4709 _susteniž_--ysustenyd _stedfast_--stydefast _ladd_--MS. ladde, C. lad 4714 _whiche_--which 4715 [_žat_]--from C. _sholde_--sholden 4716 _demen_--MS. denyen [_žat_]--from C. 4717 _necessite_--MS. necessites 4721 _hys_--hise 4725 [_žat_]--from C. 4727 _veyne_--veyn _alle_--al _crafte_--craft 4729 _žise_--MS. žise žise, C. the 4732 _wiž out_--w{i}t{h}-owte 4733 _bytide_--bytyden _whiche_--which 4737 _were_--weeren _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon _žilk_--thilke 4741-2 [_žat----thinges_]--from C. 4744 _endes_--issues] [[pg 164]] [Headnote: THE NATURE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE.] [Sidenote: If things are foreknown, you may contend they must necessarily happen; and if their event is not necessary, they cannot be foreseen, because true knowledge can comprehend nothing but what is absolutely certain.] ¶ For certys žei seme to discorde. for žou wenest žat yif žat žinges ben yseyn byforn žat necessite folwež hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite failež hem žei ne 4748 my[gh]ten nat ben wist byforn. {and} žat no žinge ne may ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne. [Sidenote: And if things uncertain in their events are foreseen as certain, this knowledge is nothing more than a false opinion.] {and} yif žo žinges žat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. [Sidenote: For it is very remote from true knowledge to judge of things otherwise than they really are.] it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat 4752 sožefastnesse of science [{and} ž{o}u weenyst ž{a}t it be diu{er}se fro the hoolnesse of science / ž{a}t any man sholde deme a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. [Sidenote: The cause of this error is that men imagine that their knowledge is wholly derived from the nature of the things known, whereas it is quite the reverse.] and že cause of žis errour is. žat of alle že žinges žat euery 4756 wy[gh]t haž yknowe. žei wenen žat žo žinges ben y-knowe al oonly by že strengže {and} by že nature of že žinges žat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al že contrarie. for alle žat eu{er}e is yknowe. [Sidenote: Things are not known from their inherent properties, but by the faculties of the observer.] it is ražer comp{re}hendid {and} 4760 yknowe{n} nat after his strengež {and} hys nature. but after že faculte žat is to seyn že power {and} [the] nature of hem žat knowen. [Sidenote: The roundness of a body affects the sight in one way, and the touch in another.] {and} for žat žis shal mowe shewen by a short ensample že same roundenes of a body .O. ožer 4764 weyes že sy[gh]t of že eye knowež it. {and} ožer weyes že touchi{n}g. [Sidenote: The eye, from afar, darts its rays upon the object, and by beholding it comprehends its form.] že lokynge by castynge of his bemes waitež {and} seež fro afer alle že body to-gider wiž oute mouynge of it self. [Sidenote: But the object is not distinguished by the touch unless the hand comes in contact with it and feels it all round.] but že touchinge cliuiž {and} conioignež to že 4768 rounde body (orbi) {and} mouež abouten že environynge. {and} comp{re}hendiž by p{ar}ties že roundenesse. [Linenotes: 4746 _seme_--semyn _discorde_--discorden 4749 _žat_--yif 4753-5 [_and----self_]--from C. 4757 _haž_--MS. haže 4760 _alle_--al 4763 _mowe_--mowen 4764 _roundenes_--Rowndnesse 4765 _sy[gh]t_--sihte 4767 _alle_--al 4769 _abouten_--abowte 4770 _roundenesse_--Rowndnesse] [Headnote: SENSE, REASON, AND INTELLIGENCE.] [Sidenote: Man himself is surveyed in divers ways--by the senses, by the imagination, by reason, and by the intelligence (of the Deity).] ¶ and že man hym self ožer weies wyt byholdiž hym. {and} ož{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} ožer weyes resou{n}. {and} 4772 ožer weyes intelligence. [Sidenote: The senses take note of his material figure--the imagination considers the form alone, exclusive of the matter.] ¶ For že wit co{m}p{re}he{n}diž fro wiž outen furže že figure of že body of že man. žat is establissed in že matere subiect. But že ymaginac{i}ou{n} [comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / 4776 [Sidenote: Reason transcends the imaginations, and examining existences in general discovers the particular species, but the eye of Intelligence soars still higher; for, going beyond the bounds of what is general, it surveys the _simple forms_ themselves, by its own pure and subtle thought:] Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] {and} co{m}p{re}hendež [[pg 165]] by an vniuersel lokynge že co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em) žat is in že singuler peces. ¶ But že eye of intelligence is hey[gh]er for it so{ur}mou{n}tež že envirounynge of že 4780 vniu{er}site {and} lookež ouer žat by pure subtilite of žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: in which this is chiefly to be considered, that the higher power of perception embraces the lower; but the inferior cannot attain to the energy of the superior:] žilk same symple forme of man žat is p{er}durably in že deuyne žou[gh]t. in whiche žis au[gh]t[e] gretely to ben considered žat že heyest strengže to co{m}prehenden žinges 4784 enbracež {and} conteynež že lower[e] strengže [but the lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e} strengthe]. [Sidenote: for the senses cannot go beyond the perception of matter; the imagination cannot comprehend existences in general, nor can the reason conceive the simple form.] for wit ne may no žinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of matere. ne že ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokež nat že vniuerseles 4788 speces. ne resou{n} ne takež nat že symple forme. so as i{n}telligence takež it. [Sidenote: But the Intelligence looking down (as from above) and having conceived the form, discerns all things that are below it, and comprehends what does not fall within the reach of the other faculties of the mind.] but že intelligence žat lokež al abouen whan it haž co{m}p{re}hendid že forme it knowež {and} demež alle že žinges žat be{n} vndir žat forme. but 4792 she knowež he{m} vndir žilke manere in že whiche it comp{re}hendiž žilke same symple forme žat ne may neuer be knowen to non of žat ožer. žat is to seyn to non of žo žre forseide strengžes of že soule. [Sidenote: Without the aid of those faculties Intelligence comprehends things _formally_ (_i. e._ by beholding their simple forms) by one effort of mind.] for it 4796 knowež že vniuersite of resou{n} {and} že figure of že ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} že sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} žou wenest ž{a}t it be diuerse fro že hoolnesse of science. žat any man sholde deme a žing to ben ož{er}weyes žan it is 4800 it self {and} že cause of žis erro{ur} {et}c'. {vt sup}ra. by wit. [Sidenote: Reason, without the aid of Imagination and Sense, in considering things in general, comprehends all imaginable and sensible things.] ne it ne vsež nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne of wit wiž oute forže but it byholdež alle žinges so as I shal seye. by a strok of žou[gh]t formely wiž oute disco{ur}s 4804 or collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokež any žing vniu{er}sel it ne vsež nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and} algates [gh]it [it] co{m}prendiž že žinges ymaginable {and} sensible. [Sidenote: For instance, reason defines her general conceptions thus:--] [Sidenote: [* fol. 37 _b_.]] for resou{n} is she žat *diffinissež že vniuersel 4808 of hir conseite ry[gh]t žus. [[pg 166]] [Sidenote: Man is a rational two-footed animal, which, though it be a general idea, yet every one knows that man thus defined is perceived both by the imagination and the senses, notwithstanding that in this instance reason does not make use of imagination or the senses, but of her own rational conception.] ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so žat žis knowynge [is] vniuersel. [gh]it nys žer no wy[gh]t žat ne woot wel. žat a ma{n} is [a thing] ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and žis same co{n}siderež wel 4812 resou{n}. but žat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte. but it lokiž it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. [Sidenote: The imagination also, although it derives its power of seeing and forming figures from the senses, yet in the absence and without the use of the senses it considers and comprehends all sensible things by its own imaginative power.] ¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n} al be it so. žat it takež of wit že bygyny{n}g{us} to seen {and} to formen že figures. algates al žou[gh] žat wit 4816 ne ware not p{re}sent. [gh]it it envirouniž {and} co{m}p{re}hendiž alle žinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge. but by resou{n} ymaginatif. [Sidenote: Do not you see that men attain to the knowledge of things more by their own faculties, than by the inherent property of things?] ¶ sest žou nat žan žat alle že žinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir 4820 power. žan žei don of [the] faculte or of power of žinges žat ben yknowen. [Sidenote: Nor is it unreasonable that it should be so--for since every judgment is the act of the person judging; every one must needs do his own work by the help of his own faculties, and not by the aid of foreign power.] ne žat nis no wronge. for so as euery iugement is že dede or že doynge of hym žat demež. It 4823 byhouež žat euery wy[gh]t p{er}forme že werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n} nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power. [Linenotes: 4774 _fro wiž outen furže_--w{i}t{h} owte forth 4776-7 [_comprehendith----ymaginacioun_]--from C. 4777 _comprehendež_--MS. co{m}p{re}hendynge 4778 _an_--omitted 4780 _hey[gh]er_--heyer{e} 4783 _whiche_--which _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte 4784 _heyest_--heyiste 4785 _lower[e]_--lower{e} 4785-7 [_but----strengthe_]--from C. 4787 _wit_--witte _oute_--owt 4791 _haž_--MS. haže 4793 _whiche_--which 4795-6 _non_--none 4796 _strengžes_--thinges 4798-4801 _and žou----vt supra_--omitted 4805 _collacioun_--MS. callac{i}ou{n}, C. collaciou{n} 4806 _wit_--witte 4810 [_is_]--from C. 4813 _witte_--wit 4821 _don_--MS. done, C. doon [_the_]--from C. 4822 _yknowen_--Iknowe] _no wronge_--nat wrong 4824 _werke_--werk 4825 _forein_--foreyne] [Headnote: HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUTWARD THINGS IS GAINED.] QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT. [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Fallacious and obscure was the lore of the Stoics,] ++ŽE porche žat is to sein a gate of že toune of athenis žer as philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. {and} žilke porche brou[gh]t[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful 4828 derke in hire sentences. ž{a}t is to sein philosophers žat hy[gh]ten stoiciens. [Sidenote: who taught that images of things obvious to the senses were imprinted on the mind by external objects, and that the soul is at first like a mirror or a clean parchment, free from figures and letters.] žat wenden žat ymages [{and}] sensibilites žat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n} of sensible žinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules 4832 fro bodies wiž oute forže. ¶ As who seiž žat žilke stoiciens wenden ž{a}t že soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene p{ar}chemyn. so žat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro žinges fro wiž oute in to 4836 soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ry[gh]t as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen l{ett}res emp{re}ntid in že smoženesse or in že plainesse of že table of wex. or in p{ar}chemyn žat ne haž no figure [[pg 167]] [ne] note in it. [Sidenote: But if the mind is passive in receiving the impressions of outward objects, whence proceeds the knowledge by which the mind comprehends all things?] _Glosa._ But now arguiž boece a[gh]eins žat 4841 oppiniou{n} {and} seiž žus. but yif že žriuyng soule ne vnplitiž no žing. žat is to sein ne dož no žing by hys p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffriž {and} liež subgit to že 4844 figures {and} to že notes of bodyes wiž oute forže. {and} [gh]eldež ymages ydel {and} veyne in že manere of a mirour. whennes žriuež žan or whennes comež žan žilke knowyng in oure soule. žat discerniž {and} byholdež 4848 alle žinges. [Sidenote: Whence its force to conceive individual existences, to separate those things when known, to unite divided things, and to choose and change its path, soaring to the highest and descending to the lowest things--and returning to itself, to confute false things by the true?] and whennes is žilke strengže žat byholdež že syngulere žinges. or whennes is že strengže žat dyuydež žinges yknowe. {and} žilke stre{n}gže žat gaderež to-gidre že žinges deuided. {and} že strengže žat 4852 chesež hys entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heuež vp že heued. žat is to sein žat it heuež vp že ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to ry[gh]t heye žinges. {and} som tyme it discendiž in to ry[gh]t lowe žinges. {and} whan it retourniž in to hym 4856 self. it rep{re}uiž {and} destroiež že false žinges by že trewe žinges. [Sidenote: This cause is more efficacious and powerful to see and to know things, than that cause which receives the characters impressed like servile matter.] ¶ Certys žis strengže is cause more efficient {and} mochel more my[gh]ty to seen {and} to knowe žinges. žan žilke cause žat suffriž and resceyuež že 4860 notes {and} že figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere [Sidenote: Yet the sense in the living body excites and moves the mental powers; as when the light striking the eyes causes them to see, or as the voice rushing into the ear excites hearing.] algates že passiou{n} žat is to seyn že suffraunce or že wit i{n} že quik[e] body gož byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng že strengžes of že žou[gh]te. ry[gh]t so as whan žat 4864 clerenesse smytež že eyen {and} moeuiž hem to seen. or ry[gh]t so as voys or soune hurtliž to že eres {and} co{m}moeuiž hem to herkne. [Sidenote: Then is the force of thought excited; it calls forth the images within itself, and adds to them the outward forms, blending external images with the counterparts concealed within.] žan is že stre{n}gže of že žou[gh]t ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepež furže že semblable 4868 moeuynges že speces žat it halt wiž i{n}ne it self. {and} addiž žo speces to že notes {and} to že žinges wiž out forže. {and} medelež že ymages of žinges wiž out forže to že forme[s] yhid wiž i{n}ne hym self. 4872 [Linenotes: 4827 _hadde_--hadden _dispoyten_--desputen 4828 _brou[gh]t[e]_--browhte 4830 [_and_]--from C. 4837 _inprentid_--aprentyd 4838 _some tyme_--somtyme _swift_--swyfte 4840 _haž_--MS. haže 4843 _vnplitiž_--vnpleyteth _dož_--MS. dože 4845 _že_--tho 4863 _quik[e]_--qwyke _gož_--MS. gože 4864 _žou[gh]te_--thoght 4865 _clerenesse_--cleernesse 4866 _soune_--sown 4868 _furže_--forth 4870 _out_--owte 4871 _out forže_--owte forth 4872 _forme[s]_--formes _yhid_--I-hidde] [[pg 168]] [Headnote: INTELLIGENCE A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE.] Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}. [Sidenote: [* fol. 38.]] *QUESTIO. [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]] [Sidenote: Although there are in objects certain qualities which strike externally upon the senses, and put their instruments in motion; although the passive impression upon the body precedes the action of the mind,] ++But what [yif] žat in bodies to be{n} feelid žat is to sein in že takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly žinges. and al be it so žat že qualites of bodies ž{a}t ben 4875 obiect fro wiž oute forže moeuen {and} entalenten že instrumentes of že wittes. [Sidenote: and although the former rouses the latter to action, yet if in the perception of bodily things, the soul is not by the impression of external things made to know these things, but by its own power judgeth of these bodily impressions,] and al be it so žat že passiou{n} of že body žat is to seyn že witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiž furže že dede of 4880 že žou[gh]t in hym self. {and} moeuež {and} exitež in žis mene while že formes ž{a}t resten wiž in forže. and yif žat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat ytau[gh]t or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe žise žinges. 4884 but demiž {and} knowež of hys owen strengže že passiou{n} or suffrau{n}ce subiect to že body. [Sidenote: how much more shall those pure spiritual beings (as God or angels) discern things by an act of their understanding alone, without the aid of impressions from external objects?] Moche more žan žoo žinges žat ben absolut {and} quit fram alle talent[gh] or affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen 4888 nat in discernynge žinges obiect from wiž oute forže. but žei accomplissen {and} speden že dede of hir žou[gh]t [Sidenote: For this reason, then, there are several sorts of knowing distributed among various beings.] by žis resou{n}. ¶ žan žere comen many manere knowynges to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g substaunces. [Sidenote: For sense (or sensation) destitute of all other knowledge is allotted to those creatures that have no motion, as shell-fish.] for že wit 4892 of že body že whiche witte is naked {and} despoyled of alle ožer knowynges. žilke witte comež to bestes žat ne mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne žere. as oystres {and} muscles {and} ožer swiche shelle fysshe of že see. 4896 ž{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed to roches. [Sidenote: But imagination is given to such brutes capable of motion, and having in some degree the power of desiring or refusing.] but že ymaginac{i}ou{n} comež to remuable bestes žat seme{n} to han talent to fleen or to desiren any žinge. [Sidenote: Reason, however, is the attribute of man alone, as Intelligence is that of God.] but resou{n} is al only to že lynage of mankynde ry[gh]t as i{n}telligence is oonly že 4900 deuyne nature. [Sidenote: Hence His (i. e. God's) knowledge exceeds all other, comprehending both what belongs to His own nature, and what is comprehended by all inferior creatures.] of whiche it folwež žat žilke knowyng is more worže žan [th]is[e] ožer. syn it knowež by hys p{ro}pre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiž it ne [[pg 169]] knowež nat al oonly žat app{er}teiniž p{ro}prely to hys 4904 knowynge. but it knowež že subgit[gh] of alle ožer knowynges. [Linenotes: 4873 [_yif_]--from C. 4878 [_or the_]--from C. _suffraunce_--MS. suffisau{n}ce, C. suffraunce 4879-80 [_goth----suffraunce_]--from C. 4883 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd 4887 _quit_--quite 4888 _hys_--hise 4889 _discernynge_--MS. discryuyng, C. discernynge _from_--fro 4893-94 _witte_--wit 4895 _mowen_--mowe _here ne žere_--her {and} ther 4901 _whiche_--which 4902 _[th]is[e] ožer_--thise oothr{e}] [Headnote: THE POWERS OF SENSE AND IMAGINATION.] [Sidenote: But how shall it be then, if sense and imagination oppose reason, affirming that the general idea of things, which reason thinks it so perfectly sees, is nothing?] but how shal it žan be yif žat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} stryuen a[gh]eins resonynge {and} sein žat of žilke vniuersel žinges. žat resou{n} wenež to seen žat it nis 4908 ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. [Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and imagination cannot be general.] for wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn žat žat. žat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel. žan is eižer že iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne žat žer nis no žinge sensible. or ellys for žat resou{n} woot 4912 wel žat many žinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. žan is že co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals whiche žat lookež {and} co{m}p{re}hendiž. žat žat is sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. [Sidenote: But if reason should answer to this--that in her idea of what is general she comprehends whatever is sensible and imaginable; but as to the senses and imagination, they cannot attain to the knowledge of what is general, since their knowledge is confined to material figures; and therefore in all real knowledge of things we must give the greatest credit to that faculty which has a more steadfast and perfect judgment of things.] and [gh]if žat resou{n} 4916 wolde answeren a[gh]ein to žise two žat is to sein to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein žat sožely she hir self. žat is to seyn žat resou{n} lokež {and} comp{re}hendiž by resou{n} of vniuersalite. bože žat žat is sensible {and} žat 4920 žat is ymaginable. {and} žat žilke two žat is to seyn wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} nat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for žat že knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} 4924 že bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of že knowyng of žinges men au[gh]ten ražer [gh]eue credence to že more stedfast {and} to že more p{er}fit iugement. [Sidenote: In a controversy of this kind ought not we, who possess faculties of reason, &c., to side with reason and espouse her cause?] In žis manere stryuynge žan we žat han strengže of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge 4928 {and} of wit žat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde ražer p{re}ise že cause of resou{n}. as who seiž žan že cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}. [Linenotes: 4907 _a[gh]eins_--ayein 4908 _vniuersel_--vniu{er}sels 4911 [_soth_]--from C. 4914 _fals whiche_--false which 4917 _wit_--witte 4918 _sožely_--soothly 4923 _knowynge_--knowy 4926 _[gh]eue_--yeuen _stedfast_--stidefast 4930 [_and_]--from C. 4931 _or_--{and} of] [Headnote: REASON SHOULD SUBMIT TO INTELLIGENCE.] [Sidenote: The case is entirely similar when human reason thinks the Divine Intelligence cannot behold future events in any other way than she herself is capable of perceiving them.] semblable žinge is it žat že resou{n} of mankynde 4932 ne wenež nat žat že deuyne intelligence byholdež or knowež žinges to comen. but ry[gh]t as že resou{n} of mankynde knowež hem. [Sidenote: For thus you argue:-- What things are not necessitated cannot be foreknown; therefore there is no prescience of these things, for, if there were, everything would be fixed by an absolute necessity.] for žou arguist {and} seist žus. žat yif it ne seme nat to men žat so{m}me žinges han certeyne [[pg 170]] {and} necessarie bytidynges. žei ne mowen nat ben wist 4937 byforn certeynely to bytiden. ža{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science of žilke žinges. {and} yif we trowen žat p{re}science ben in žise žinges. žan is žer no žinge žat it ne 4940 bitidiž by necessite. [Sidenote: If it were possible to enjoy the intelligence of the Deity, we should then deem it right that sense and imagination should yield to reason, and also judge it proper that human reason should submit to the Divine Intelligence.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 38 _b_.]] but certys yif we my[gh]te{n} han že iugeme{n}t of že deuyne žou[gh]t as we *ben p{ar}son{er}s of resou{n}. ry[gh]t so as we han demed. it byhouež žat ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} wit ben byneže resou{n}. ry[gh]t so wolde 4944 we deme{n} žat it were ry[gh]tful žing žat ma{n}s resou{n} au[gh]t[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneže že deuyne žou[gh]t. [Sidenote: Let us, therefore, strive to elevate ourselves to the height of the supreme intelligence--there shall reason see what she cannot discover in herself; and that is in what manner the prescience of God sees and defines all things; although they have no certain event; and she will see that this is no mere conjecture, but rather simple, supreme, and unlimited knowledge.] for whiche žat yif we mowen. as who seiž. žat yif žat we mowe{n} I conseil[e] žat we enhanse vs in 4948 to že hey[gh]t of žilke souereyne i{n}telligence. for žere shal resou{n} wel seen žat žat it ne may nat by-holden in it self. and certys žat is žis in what manere že p{re}science of god seež alle žinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al žou[gh] žei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne žis is non 4953 oppiniou{n} but it is ražer že simplicite of že souereyn science žat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiži{n}ne no boundes. [Linenotes: 4938 [_ther_]--from C. 4939 _trowen_--trowe 4942 _parsoners_--parsoneres 4945 _mans_--mannes 4946 _au[gh]t[e]_--owte 4947 _whiche_--which 4948 _žat yif_--yif ž{a}t 4949 _hey[gh]t_--heihte _žere_--ther 4952 _žou[gh]_--MS. žou[gh]t 4955 _no_--none] QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS. [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] [Sidenote: Various are the shapes of created beings. Some creep along the ground and trace the dust in furrows as they go;] ++ŽE bestes passen by že eržes by ful dyuerse figures 4956 for so{m}me of hem han hir bodies strau[gh]t {and} crepe{n} in že dust {and} drawen after he{m} a t{ra}is or a forghe contynued. žat is to sein as addres or snakes. [Sidenote: others with nimble wings float through the air;] and ožer bestes by [the] wandryng ly[gh]tnesse of hir 4960 wenges beten že wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} že spaces of že longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. [Sidenote: some with their feet impress the ground, or tread lightly o'er the meads, or seek the shady grove.] and ožer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes i{n} že erže wiž hir goynge or wiž her feet. or to gone eyže[r] 4964 by že grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder že wodes. [Sidenote: Though we see an endless variety of forms, yet all are prone; to the earth they bend their looks, increasing the heaviness of their dull sense.] {and} al be it so ž{a}t žou seest žat žei alle discorden by [[pg 171]] dyuerse formes. algate hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuiež hir{e} dulle wittes. [Sidenote: Man alone doth raise aloft his noble head; light and erect he spurns the earth.] Onlyche že lynage of man heuež heyest hys 4968 hey[gh]e heued {and} stondež ly[gh]t wiž hys vpry[gh]t body {and} byholdež že erže vndir hym. [Sidenote: Thou art admonished by this figure then, unless by sense deceived, that whilst taught by thy lofty mien to look above, thou shouldst elevate thy mind lest it sink below its proper level.] [and] but-[gh]if žou eržely man wexest yuel oute of ži witte. žis figure amonestež že ž{a}t axest že heuene wiž ži ry[gh]t[e] visage. {and} hast areised 4972 ži forhede to beren vp on heye ži corage so žat ži žou[gh]t ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen žat ži body is so heye areised. [Linenotes: 4957 _somme_--som 4959 _forghe contynued_--forwh Ikonntynued _addres_--nadris 4960 [_the_]--from C. 4963 _hem_--hem self _stappes_--steppis 4964 _or to gone_--{and} to gon _eyže[r]_--eyther 4965 [_elles_]--from C. 4967 [_faces_]--from C. _algate_--algates _enclini[n]g_--enclynyd 4968 _Onlyche_--Oonly _heyest_--heyeste 4970 _erže_--erthes 4971 _oute_--owt _witte_--wit 4972 _ry[gh]t[e]_--ryhte _hast_--MS. haže, C. hast 4973 _forhede_--foreheuyd _on heye_--a heygh 4974 _foot sen_--foote syn] [Headnote: DEFINITION OF ETERNITY.] PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A. QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE. [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]] [Sidenote: Since everything which is known is not, as I have shown, perceived by its own inherent properties, but by the faculties of those comprehending them, let us now examine the disposition of the Divine nature.] ++ŽEr-fore žan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne žat 4976 al žinge žat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature p{ro}pre. but by že nature of he{m} žat comp{re}henden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as who seiž lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche ž{a}t že 4980 estat is of že deuyne substaunce so žat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. [Sidenote: All rational creatures agree in affirming that God is eternal.] že comune iugement of alle creatures resonables žan is žis žat god is eterne. lat vs considere ža{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys žat shal 4984 shewen vs to-gidre že deuyne nature {and} že deuyne science [Sidenote: And eternity is a full, total, and perfect possession of a life which shall never end. This will appear more clearly from a comparison with temporal things.] ¶ Eternite žan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al togidre of lijf interminable {and} žat shewež more clerely by že co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of temp{or}el žinges. 4988 [Sidenote: Temporal existence proceeds from the past to the present, and thence to the future.] for al žing žat lyuež in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} p{ro}cediž fro preterit[gh] in to fut{ur}es. žat is to sein. fro tyme passed in to tyme comynge. [Sidenote: And there is nothing under the law of time, which can at once comprehend the whole space of its existence.] ne žer nis no žing establissed i{n} tyme žat may enbracen to-gidre al že space of hys lijf. 4992 [Linenotes: 4977 _al žinge_--alle thinges 4979 _moche_--mochel 4980 _loken_--loke _whiche_--which 4981 [_ek_]--from C. 4987 _clerely_--cleerly 4989 _al_--alle] [Headnote: THE WORLD IS NOT ETERNAL.] [Sidenote: Having lost _yesterday_ it does not as yet enjoy _to-morrow_; and as for _to-day_ it consists only in the present transitory moment.] for certys [gh]it ne haž it nat taken že tyme of že morwe. {and} it haž lost žat of [gh]ister-day. and certys in že lijf of žis day [gh]e ne lyuen no more but ry[gh]t as in žis moeueable [[pg 172]] {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. [Sidenote: Whatever, therefore, is subjected to a temporal condition, as Aristotle thought of the world, may be without beginning and without end; and although its duration may extend to an infinity of time, yet it cannot rightly be called eternal: for it doth not comprehend at once the whole extent of its infinite duration, having no knowledge of things future which are not yet arrived.] žan žilke žinge žat suffriž 4996 temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]žough{e} žat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne žough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle demde of že worlde. and al žou[gh] žat že lif of it be strecchid wiž infinite of tyme. [Sidenote: [* fol. 39.]] [gh]it al*gates nis it no 5000 swiche žing žat men my[gh]ten trowen by ry[gh]t žat it is eterne. for al žou[gh] žat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace že space of life infinite. [gh]it algates ne [em]bracež it nat že space of že lif alto-gidre. for it ne haž nat že fut{ur}es 5004 žat ne ben nat [gh]it. ne it ne haž no lenger že p{re}t{er}it[gh] žat ben ydon or ypassed. [Sidenote: For what is eternal must be always present to itself and master of itself, and have always with it the infinite succession of time.] but žilke žing žan žat haž {and} co{m}prehendiž to-gidre alle že plente of že lif i{n}terminable. to whom žere ne failiž nat of že fut{ur}e. 5008 {and} to whom žer nis nat of že p{re}t{er}it escapid nor ypassed. žilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ry[gh]t to ben eterne. and it byhouež by necessite žat žilke žinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as 5012 who seiž alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so my[gh]ty žat al by ry[gh]t at hys plesaunce. {and} ž{a}t he haue al p{re}sent že infinit of že moeuable tyme. [Sidenote: Therefore some philosophers, who had heard that Plato believed that this world had neither beginning nor end, falsely concluded, that the created universe was coeternal with its Creator.] wherfore som men trowe{n} wrongefully žat whan žei heren žat it semid[e] 5016 to plato žat žis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne žat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. žei wenen i{n} žis man{er}e žat žis worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiž his makere. as who seiž. žei wenen žat žis worlde {and} 5020 god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful wenynge. [Sidenote: But it is one thing to be conducted through a life of infinite duration, which was Plato's opinion of the world, and another thing to comprehend at once the whole extent of this duration as present which, it is manifest, can only belong to the Divine mind.] for ožer žing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato graunted[e] to že worlde. {and} ožer žing is it to embracen to-gidre alle že p{re}sence to že lif 5024 interminable. že whiche žing it is clere {and} manifest žat it is p{ro}pre to že deuine žou[gh]t. [[pg 173]] [Sidenote: Nor ought it to seem to us that God is prior to and more ancient than his creatures by the space of time, but rather by the simple and undivided properties of his nature.] ne it ne sholde nat semen to vs žat god is elder žan žinges žat ben ymaked by quantite of tyme. but ražer by že p{ro}prete of hys 5028 symple nature. [Sidenote: The infinite progression of temporal things imitates the ever-present condition of an immovable life:] for žis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el žinges folwiž žis p{re}sentarie estat of že lijf i{n}moeueable. [Linenotes: 4993-4 _haž_--MS. haže 4993 _že_ (2)--to 4994 _žat_--the tyme 4997 _a[l]žoughe_--al-thogh [_it_]--from C. 4999 _worlde_--world 5001 _swiche_--swych 5002 _eterne_--from C., MS. eternite 5003 _life_--lyf 5004-5-6 _haž_--MS. haže 5006 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon 5007 _alle_--al 5008-9 _nat_--nawht 5010 _žilk[e]_--thilke _or_--{and} 5014 _by_--be 5016 _semid[e]_--semede 5017 _worlde_--world _had[de]_--hadde 5018 _haue_--han 5019-20 _worlde_--world 5022 _yladd_--MS. yladde, C. I-lad 5023 _worlde_--world 5024 _embracen_--enbrace _alle_--al _presence to_--p{re}sent of 5025 _clere_--cleer] [Headnote: GOD IS ETERNAL.] [Sidenote: and since it cannot copy nor equal it from an immovable and simply present state, it passes into motion and into an infinite measure of past and future time.] {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n} it ne ben euene lyke to it. for že inmoeueablete. žat is 5032 to seyn žat is i{n} že eternite of god. ¶ it failež {and} fallež in to moeuynge fro že simplicite of [the] p{re}sence of god. {and} disencresiž to že infinite quantite of fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. [Sidenote: But since it cannot possess at once the whole extent of its duration, yet, as it never ceases wholly to be, it faintly emulates _that_ whose perfection it can neither attain nor express, by attaching itself to the present fleeting moment, which, because it resembles the durable present time, imparts to those things that partake of it an appearance of existence.] {and} so as it ne may nat han togidre 5036 al že plente of že lif. algates [gh]itte for as moche as it ne cesiž neuere forto ben in som manere it semež somde[l] to vs žat it folwiž {and} resembliž žilke žing ž{a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. {and} byndež it 5040 self to som manere p{re}sence of žis litel {and} swifte moment. že whiche p{re}sence of žis lytele {and} swifte moment. for žat it berež a manere ymage or lykenesse of že ay dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it grauntež to 5044 swiche manere žinges as it bitidiž to žat it semež hem žat žise žinges han ben {and} ben [Sidenote: But as it cannot stop or abide it pursues its course through infinite time, and by gliding along it continues its duration, the plenitude of which it could not comprehend, by abiding in a permanent state.] {and} for [ž{a}t] že p{re}sence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle žer-for [it] rauyssid[e] {and} took že infinit[e] wey of tyme. žat 5048 is to seyn by successiou{n}. {and} by žis man{er}e it is ydon. for žat it sholde continue že lif in goynge of že whiche lif it ne my[gh]t[e] nat embrace že plente in dwellynge. [Sidenote: If we would follow Plato in giving things their right names, let us say that God is _eternal_ and the world _perpetual_.] {and} for ži yif we willen putte worži name[s] to žinges 5052 {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn ža{n} sožely žat god is et{er}ne. {and} žat že worlde is p{er}petuel. [Sidenote: His knowledge, surpassing the progression of time, is ever present, containing the infinite space of past and future times, and embraces in his clear insight all things, as if they were now transacting.] žan syn žat euery iugeme{n}t knowež {and} comp{re}hendiž by hys owen nature žinges žat ben subiect vnto hym. žere is sožely 5056 al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. {and} že science of hym žat ouer-passež alle temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t [[pg 174]] dwelliž in že symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embracež {and} considerež alle že infinit spaces of tymes 5060 p{re}terit[gh] {and} fut{ur}es {and} lokež in žis symple knowynge alle žinges of p{re}t{er}it ry[gh]t as žei weren ydoon p{re}sently ry[gh]t now [Sidenote: Prescience is, then, a foreknowledge, not of what is to come, but of the present and _never-failing now_ (in which God sees all things as if immovably present).] [Sidenote: [* fol. 39 _b_.]] ¶ yif žou wolt žan ženke {and} avise{n} že p{re}science by whiche it knowež al[le] ži{n}ges *žou ne 5064 shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of žinges to comen. [Linenotes: 5032 _lyke_--lyk 5034 [_the_]--from C. 5039 _somde[l]_--somdel 5040 _fulfille_--fullfyllen 5041 _litel_--from C., MS. lykly 5042 _whiche_--which _lytele_--from C., MS. lykly 5046 _ben_ (1)--yben [_žat_]--from C. 5047 _swiche_--swych 5048 [_it_]--from C. 5051 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte 5052 _willen putte_--wollen putten _name[s]_--names 5053 _sožely_--sothly 5054 _worlde_--world 5055 _owen_--owne 5056 _sožely_--sothly 5057 _al-wey_--al-weys 5058 _alle_--al _moe[ue]ment_--moeueme{n}t 5063 _ženke_--thinken _avisen_--auyse 5064 _whiche_--which _al[le]_--alle] [Headnote: DEFINITION OF PRESCIENCE.] but žou shalt deme{n} [it] more ry[gh]tfully žat it is science of presence or of instaunce žat neuer ne faylež. [Sidenote: Therefore _foreknowledge_ is not so applicable a term as _providence_--for God looks down upon all things from the summit of the universe.] for whiche it nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde ražer 5068 be cleped purueaunce žat is establissed ful fer fro ry[gh]t lowe žinges. {and} byholdež from a-fer alle žinges ry[gh]t as it were fro že heye hey[gh]te of žinges. [Sidenote: Do you think that God imposes a necessity on things by beholding them? It is not so in human affairs.] whi axest žou žan or why disputest žou žan žat žilke žinges ben don by 5072 necessite whiche žat ben yseyen {and} yknowen by že deuyne sy[gh]t. syn žat for sože men ne maken nat žilke ži{n}ges necessarie. whiche žat že[i] seen be ydoon in hir{e} sy[gh]t. [Sidenote: Does your view of an action lay any necessity upon it?] for addiž ži byholdynge any necessite to žilke 5076 žinges žat žou byholdest p{re}sent. [Sidenote: _B._ No.] ¶ Nay q{uo}d I. [Sidenote: _P._ By parity of reason it is clear that whilst you see only some things in a limited instant, God sees all things in his ever-present time.] _p._ Certys žan yif men my[gh]te maken any digne comparisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of že p{re}sence diuine. {and} of že p{re} of mankynde. ry[gh]t so as [gh]e seen so{m}me žinges in žis 5080 temp{or}el presente. ry[gh]t so seež god alle žinges by hys eterne p{re}sent. [Sidenote: His Divine prescience therefore does not change the nature of things--but only beholds those things as present to him which shall in time be produced.] ¶ wherfore žis dyuyne p{re}science ne chaungež nat že nature ne že p{ro}prete of žinges but byholdež swyche žinges present to hym ward. as žei 5084 shollen bytiden to [gh]ow ward in tyme to come. [Sidenote: Nor does he judge confusedly of them, but knows at one view what will necessarily and what will not necessarily happen.] ne it ne co{n}foundež nat že Iugement[gh] of žinges but by of sy[gh]t of hys žou[gh]t he knowež že žinges to comen as wel 5087 necessarie as nat necessarie. ry[gh]t so as whan [gh]e seen togidre a man walke on že erže {and} že sonne arysen in [the] heuene. al be it so žat [gh]e seen {and} byholde{n} žat oon {and} žat ožer to-gidre. [gh]it naželes [gh]e demen {and} [[pg 175]] discerne žat žat oon is uolu{n}tarie {and} žat ožer is necessarie. 5092 [Linenotes: 5066 _shalt_--shal [_it_]--from C. 5068 _whiche_--which 5074-76 _sy[gh]t_--syhte 5075 _whiche_--which _že[i]_--they 5085 _come_--comyn 5086 _of sy[gh]t_--O syhte 5087 _he knowež_--MS. repeats 5090 [_the_]--from C. 5092 _discerne_--discernen] [Headnote: THE NATURE OF DIVINE PRESCIENCE.] [Sidenote: The eye of God, seeing all things, doth not alter the properties of things, for everything is present to him, though its temporal event is future.] ¶ Ry[gh]t so žan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge alle ži{n}ges vndir hym ne troublež nat že qualite of žinges žat ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as to že condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for sože žei ben fut{ur}e. 5096 [Sidenote: When God knows that anything is to be, he knows at the same time that it is not under the necessity of being--but this is not conjecture, but certain knowledge founded upon truth.] for whiche it folwiž žat žis nis non oppiniou{n}. but ražer a stedfast knowyng ystrengežed by soženes. žat whan žat god knowež any žinge to be he ne vnwoot nat žat žilke žinge wantež necessite to be. žis is to seyn žat 5100 whan žat god knowež any žinge to bitide. he woot wel žat it ne haž no necessite to bitide. [Sidenote: If you insist that _what God foresees shall and must happen; and that which cannot do otherwise than happen, must needs happen_, and so bind me to admit a necessity, I must confess that things are under such a restraint; but it is a truth that we scarce can comprehend, unless we be acquainted with the Divine counsels.] {and} yif ž{o}u seist here žat žilke žinge žat god seež to bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who seiž it mot bitide. ¶ and žilke 5104 žinge žat žat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by necessite. and žat žou streine me to žis name of necessite. certys I wol wel confessen {and} byknowe a žinge of ful sadde trouže. but vnnež shal žere any wy[gh]t [mowe] 5108 seen it or comen žer-to. but yif žat he be byholder of že deuyne žou[gh]te. [Sidenote: For I will answer you thus. That the thing which is to happen in relation to the Divine knowledge is necessary; but, considered in its own nature, seems free and absolute.] ¶ for I wol answer{e} že žus. žat žilke žinge žat is future whan it is referred to že deuyne 5111 knowy{n}g žan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre {and} absolut from alle necessite. [Sidenote: There are two kinds of necessity--one simple; as men must necessarily die--the other is conditional, as if you know a man walks he must necessarily walk--for that which is known cannot be otherwise than what it is apprehended to be.] for certys žer ben two maneres of necessites. žat oon necessite is symple as žus. žat it byhouež by necessite žat alle men be mortal 5116 or dedely. an ož{er} necessite is condicionel as žus. yif žou wost žat a man walkiž. it byhouež by necessite žat he walke. žilke žinge žan žat any wy[gh]t haž yknowe to be. it ne may ben non ožer weyes žan he knowež it to be. 5120 [Linenotes: 5093 [_the_]--from C. 5097 _whiche_--which 5098 _stedfast_--stidefast _soženes_--sothnesse 5102 _haž_--MS. haže 5104 _bitide_--bide 5108 _sadde_--sad _vnnež_--vnnethe [_mowe_]--from C. 5109 _comen_--come 5110 _žou[gh]te_--thoght _answere_--answeren 5113 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen [_is_]--from C. 5117 _dedely_--dedly 5119 _haž_--MS. haže] [Headnote: PRESCIENCE AND NECESSITY.] [Sidenote: But this condition does not infer the absolute necessity, for the nature of the thing itself does not here constitute the necessity, but the necessity arises from the conjunction of the condition.] ¶ but žis condicioun ne drawež nat wiž hir žilke necessite symple. For certys žis necessite condicionel. že p{ro}pre nature of it ne makež it nau[gh]t. but že adiecc{i}ou{n} [[pg 176]] of že condic{i}ou{n} makiž it. [Sidenote: No necessity compels a man to walk who does so willingly, but it must be necessary that he walk when he does step forward.] for no necessite ne constreynež 5124 a man to [gon / ž{a}t] goož by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it so žat whan he goož žat it is necessarie žat he goož. [Sidenote: So everything that is present to the eye of Providence must assuredly be, although there is nothing in its own nature to constitute that necessity.] ¶ Ry[gh]t on žis same manere žan. yif žat že p{ur}ueaunce of god seež any žing p{re}sent. [Sidenote: [* fol. 40.]] žan mot žilke *žinge be 5128 by necessite. al žou[gh] žat it ne haue no necessite of hys owen nature. [Sidenote: Since God beholds all future events proceeding from free-will as actually present--these events in relation to Divine sight are necessary--yet in relation to themselves they are absolutely free.] but certys že fut{ur}es žat bytyden by fredom of arbitre god seež hem alle to-gidre p{re}sent[gh]. žise žinges žan [yif] žei ben referred to že deuyne sy[gh]t. 5132 žan ben žei maked necessarie to že condic{i}ou{n} of že deuyne knowynge. but certys yif žilke žinges ben considred by hem self žei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne forleten nat ne cesen nat of že liberte of hire owe{n} 5136 natur{e}. [Sidenote: All things which God foresees shall surely come to pass; but some of these things proceed from free-will, which although they happen,] žan certys wiž outen doute alle že žing{us} shollen be doon whiche žat god woot by-forn žat žei ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of [free] arbitre or of fre wille. žat al be it so žat žei bytiden. 5140 [Linenotes: 5121 _condicioun_--from C., MS. _necessite_ 5123 _nau[gh]t_--nat 5125 [_gon žat_]--from C. _wille_--wil 5128 _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot 5131 _present[gh]_--p{re}sent 5132 [_yif_]--from C. _sy[gh]t_--syhte 5137 _wiž outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte 5138 _whiche_--which 5139 _somme_--som 5140 [_free_]--from C.] [Headnote: PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN INTENTIONS.] [Sidenote: yet do not thereby change their nature, as before they happened they had it in their power not to happen.] [gh]it algates ne lese žei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne beynge. by že whiche first or žat žei were doon žei hadden power nat to han bitidd. [Sidenote: But it is a thing of no moment then, whether things are necessary in their own nature or not, since by the condition of the Divine knowledge they fell out as if they were necessitated.] _Boece._ what is žis to seyn ža{n} q{uo}d I. žat žinges ne ben nat necessarie by 5144 hire p{ro}pre nature. so as žei comen in alle maneres in že lykenesse of necessite by že condic{i}ou{n} of že deuyne science. [Sidenote: _P._ The difference is explained in the instances lately given you, of the man walking, &c.] {Ph}ilosoph{ie}. žis is že difference q{uo}d she. žat žo žinges žat I p{ur}posed[e] že a litel here byforn. žat 5148 is to seyn že sonne arysynge {and} že man walkynge žat žerwhiles žat žilke žinges ben ydon. žei ne my[gh]ten nat ben vndon. [Sidenote: The event of the former was necessary before it befell, whereas that of the latter was altogether free.] naželes žat oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite žat it was ydon. but nat žat 5152 ož{er}. ry[gh]t so it is here žat že žinges žat god haž p{re}sent. wiž outen doute žei shulle ben. but so{m}me of hem descendiž [[pg 177]] of že nature of žinges as že sonne arysynge. {and} so{m}me descendiž of že power of že doers as že man 5156 walkynge. [Sidenote: _B._ Then I did not go from the truth when I said that some things referred to the Divine knowledge are necessary, while considered in themselves they are not under the bond of necessity.] ¶ žan seide I. no wronge žat yif žat žise žinges ben referred to že deuyne knowynge žan ben žei necessarie. {and} yif žei ben considered by he{m} selfe žan ben žei absolut from že bonde of necessite. [Sidenote: In the same way everything that is an object of sense is _general_ when considered in relation to reason--but particular when considered by itself.] ry[gh]t so [as] 5160 alle žinges žat appierež or shewež to že wittes yif žou referre it to resou{n} it is vniuersel. {and} yif žou referre it or look[e] it to it self. žan is it sy{n}guler. [Sidenote: But you may say--If I am able to change my purpose I can deceive providence by changing that which she hath foreseen I would do.] but now yif žou seist žus ž{a}t yif it be in my power to chaunge 5164 my p{ur}pose. žan shal I voide že p{ur}ueaunce of god. whan žat p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged žo žinges žat he knowež byforn. žan shal I answere že žus [Linenotes: 5141 _ne_ (2)--C. in 5142 _whiche_--which _were doon_--weeryn Idoon 5143 _bitidd_--MS. bitidde, C. bityd 5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede 5150 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon _my[gh]ten_--myhte 5151 _vndon_--MS. vndone, C. vndoon 5151-2 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon 5152 _byhoued[e]_--houyd 5153 _haž_--MS. haže 5154 _wiž outen_--with-owte _shulle_--shollen 5156 _doers_--doeres 5157 _wronge_--wrong 5159 _selfe_--self 5160 _from_--fro _bonde_--bond [_as_]--from C. 5163 _look[e]_--loke 5166 _žo_--the] [Headnote: GOD'S KNOWLEDGE FIXED AND UNCHANGED.] [Sidenote: _P._ You may perhaps alter your purpose--but as providence takes note of your intentions, you cannot deceive her; for you cannot escape the divine prescience though you have the power, through a free-will, to vary and diversify your actions.] ¶ Certys žou maist wel chaungen ži p{ur}pos but for as 5168 mochel as že p{re}sent soženesse of že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce byholdež žat žou mayst chau{n}ge{n} ži p{ur}pose. {and} whežir žou wolt chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward žat žou tourne it. ž{o}u maist nat eschewen že deuyne 5172 p{re}science ry[gh]t as žou ne mayst nat fleen že sy[gh]t of že p{re}sent eye. al žou[gh] žat žou tourne ži self by ži fre wille in to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}. [Sidenote: But you may say--Shall the divine knowledge be changed according to the mutability of my disposition, and the apprehensions of the Deity fluctuated with my changing purposes?] ¶ But žou mayst seyn a[gh]eyne how shal it žan be. shal nat že dyuyne science 5176 ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan žat I wol o žing now {and} now an ožer. {and} žilke p{re}science ne semež it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges. as who seiž. ne shal it nat seme to vs žat že deuyne 5180 p{re}science enterchaungež hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so žat it knowe so{m}me tyme o žing {and} so{m}me tyme že contrarie. [Sidenote: No, indeed! The view of the Deity foreruns every future event, and brings it back into the presence of his own knowledge, which does not vary, as you imagine, to conform to your caprices, but remaining fixed, at once foresees and comprehends all your changes.] ¶ No for sože. [q{uod} I] for že deuyne sy[gh]t 5183 rennež to-forne {and} seež alle fut{ur}es {and} clepež hem a[gh]ein {and} reto{ur}niž hem to že p{re}sence of hys p{ro}pre knowynge. [[pg 178]] ne he ne entrechaungež nat [so] as žou wenest že stoundes of forknowyng [as] now žis now žat. but he ay dwellynge comiž byforn {and} enbracež at o strook 5188 alle ži mutac{i}ou{n}s. [Sidenote: This faculty of comprehending and seeing all things as present, God does not receive from the issue of futurities, but from the simplicity of his own nature.] and žis p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden {and} to sen alle žinges. god ne haž nat take{n} it of že bitydynge of žinges forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite. [Linenotes: 5169 _soženesse_--sothnesse 5170 _chaungen_--chaunge 5173 _sy[gh]t_--syhte 5175 _wille_--wyl 5177 _wol_--wole 5179 _enterchaunge_--MS. enterchau{n}gyng, C. entrechau{n}ge 5181 _hys_--hise 5182 _somme_ (1)--su{m} _somme_ (2)--som 5183 _sy[gh]t_--syhte 5184 _to-forne_--to-forn 5186 [_so_]--from C. 5187 [_as_]--from C. 5188 _comiž_--comth 5190 _haž_--MS. haže] [Headnote: AN ANSWER TO FORMER OBJECTIONS.] [Sidenote: Here, then, is an answer to your former objection--that it is folly to think that our future actions and events are the causes of the prescience of God.] ¶ and her by is assoiled žilke žing žat žou 5192 puttest a litel her byforne. žat is to seyne žat it is vnworži žinge to seyn žat oure futures [gh]euen cause of že science of god [Sidenote: For the Divine mind, embracing and comprehending all things by a present knowledge, plans and directs all things and is not dependent upon futurity.] [Sidenote: [* fol. 41 _b_.]] ¶ For c{er}tys *žis strengže of že deuyne science whiche žat enbracež alle žinge by his p{re}sentarie 5196 knowynge establissež manere to alle ži{n}g{us} {and} it ne awiž nat to lattere žinges. [Sidenote: Since no necessity is imposed upon things by the Divine prescience, there remains to men an inviolable freedom of will.] {and} syn žat žise žinges ben žus. žat is to seyn syn žat necessite nis nat in žinges by že deuyne p{re}science. žan is žer fredom of 5200 arbitre. žat dwellež hool {and} vnwemmed to mortal men. [Sidenote: And those laws are just which assign rewards and punishments to men possessing free-will.] ne že lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly meedes {and} peynes to že willynges of men žat ben vnbounde {and} quit of alle necessite. [Sidenote: Moreover, God, who sits on high, foreknows all things, and the eternal presence of his knowledge concurs with the future quality of our actions, dispensing rewards to good and punishments to evil men.] ¶ And god byholder {and} forwiter of 5204 alle žinges dwelliž aboue {and} že p{re}sent eternite of hys sy[gh]t rennež alwey wiž že dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to good[e] men. {and} tourment[gh] to wicked men. [Sidenote: Nor are our hopes and prayers reposed in, and addressed to God in vain, which when they are sincere cannot be inefficacious nor unsuccessful.] ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne ben 5208 žer nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. žat ne mowen nat ben vnspedful ne wiž oute effect whan žei ben ry[gh]tful [Sidenote: Resist and turn from vice--honour and love virtue, exalt your mind to God (the truest hope), offer up your prayers with humility.] ¶ wižstond žan {and} eschewe žou vices. worshippe {and} loue žou vertus. areise ži corage to ry[gh]tful hoopes. 5212 [gh]elde žou humble p{re}iers an hey[gh]e. [Sidenote: If you are sincere you will feel that you are under an obligation to lead a good and virtuous life, inasmuch as all your actions and works are done in the presence of an all-discerning Judge.] grete necessite of prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to [gh]ow yif [gh]e nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn žat [gh]e worchen {and} doon. žat is to seyn [gh]oure dedes {and} [gh]oure workes 5216 by-fore že eyen of že Iuge žat seež {and} demež alle [[pg 179]] žinges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.] EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}. [Linenotes: 5193 _seyne_--seyn 5196 _whiche_--which 5198 _awiž_--oweth 5199 _žat is to----prescience_--omitted 5203 _vnbounde_--vnbownden _quit_--quite 5206 _sy[gh]t_--sihte 5207 _good[e]_--goode 5211 _wižstond_--MS. wižstonde, C. withstond 5213 _an hey[gh]e_--a heygh _grete_--Gret 5215 _worchen_--workyn 5216 {and} (2)--or 5217 _by-fore_--by-forn 5218 [_To whom----Amen_]--from C.; MS. reads _et cetera_ after 'žinges.' C. ends with the following rubric: Explicit expliceat luder{e} scriptor eat Finito libro sit laus {et} gloria {Christ}o Corpore scribentis sit gr{ati}a cunctipotentis] [[pg 180]] [Headnote: ĘTAS PRIMA.] APPENDIX. [_Camb. Univ. MS._ Ii. 3. 21, _fol._ 52 _b_.] Chawc{er} vp-on this fyfte met{ur} of the second book ++A Blysful lyf a paysyble {and} a swete Ledden the poeples in the former age They helde hem paied of the fructes ž{a}t žey ete Whiche ž{a}t the feldes yaue hem by vsage 4 They ne weer{e} nat forpampred w{i}t{h} owtrage Onknowyn was ž^e quyerne {and} ek the melle They eten mast hawes {and} swych pownage And dronken wat{er} of the colde welle 8 ¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded w{i}t{h} ž^e plowh But corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hond Že which they gnodded {and} eete nat half .I.-nowh No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond 12 No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde Vn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyne No man yit in the morter spices grond To clarre ne to sawse of galentyne 16 ¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litester{e} Ne knewh / the fles was of is former hewe No flessh ne wyste offence of egge or sper{e} No coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe 20 No ship yit karf the wawes grene {and} blewe No Marchau{n}t yit ne fette owt-landissh war{e} No batails trompes for the werres folk ne knewe Ne towres heye {and} walles rownde or square 24 ¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreye [[pg 181]] Ther lay no p{ro}fyt ther was no rychesse [Sidenote: [fol. 53.]] But corsed was the tyme .I. dar+ wel seye Ž{a}t men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse 28 To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesse {And} in že Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhte Allas than sprong+ vp al the cursydnesse Of coueytyse ž{a}t fyrst owr sorwe browhte 32 ¶ Thyse tyrau{n}t[gh] put hem gladly nat in pres No places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynne Ther pou{er}te is as seith diogenes Ther as vitayle ek is so skars {and} thinne 36 Ž{a}t nat but mast or apples is ther Inne But ž{er} as bagges ben {and} fat vitaile Ther wol they gon {and} spar{e} for no synne W{i}t{h} al hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle 40 ¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non halles In kaues {and} wodes softe {and} swete Sleptin this blyssed folk+ w{i}t{h}-owte walles On gras or leues in p{ar}fyt Ioye reste {and} quiete 44 No down of fetheres ne no bleched shete Was kyd to hem but in surte they slepte Hir hertes weer{e} al on w{i}t{h}-owte galles Eu{er}ych of hem his feith to oother kepte 48 ¶ Vnforged was the hawberke {and} the plate Ž^e lambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyse Hadden no fantesye to debate But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce 52 No p{r}ide non enuye non Auaryce No lord no taylage by no tyranye Vmblesse {and} pes good feith the emp{er}ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 ¶ Yit was nat Iuppit{er} the lykerous [[pg 182]] Ž{a}t fyrst was fadyr of delicasie Come in this world ne nembroth desyrous To regne had nat maad his towres hye 60 Allas allas now may [men] wepe And crye For in owr{e} dayes nis but couetyse Dowblenesse {and} tresou{n} {and} enuye Poyson {and} manslawhtr{e} {and} mordre in sondry wyse 64 [Linenotes: 39, 40 MS. transposes the lines 44 _On_--MS. Or 56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.] [Headnote: BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINTURE.] CAUS{ER} / BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINT{UR}E ¶ This wrecched worlde-is t{ra}nsmutaciou{n} As wele / or wo / now poeer{e} {and} now hono{ur} W{i}t{h}-owten ordyr or wis descresyou{n} Gou{er}ned is by fortunes errour 4 But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr+ Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye [Sidenote: [fol. 53 _b_.]] Iay tout p{er}du mou{n} temps {et} mou{n} labour For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 8 ¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resou{n} To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr+ So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vp {and} down I-tawht me for to knowe in an howr 12 But trewely no fors of thi reddowr+ To hym ž{a}t ou{er} hym self hath the maystrye My suffysau{n}ce shal be my socour+ For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye 16 ¶ O socrates ž{o}u stidfast chau{m}pyou{n} She neu{er} myht[e] be thi tormentowr Thow neu{er} dreddest hyr opp{re}ssyou{n} Ne in hyr cher{e} fownde thow no sauour+ 20 Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour+ And ž{a}t hir most[e] worshipe is to lye I knew hir ek a fals dissimulour+ For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 24 [[pg 183]] LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE A PLEINTIF. ¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt wene {And} he ž{a}t hath hym self hat suffisaunce Whi seysthow tha{n}ne y am [to] the so kene Ž{a}t hast thy self owt of my gou{er}nau{n}ce 28 Sey thus grau{n}t m{er}cy of thyn habou{n}dau{n}ce That thow hast lent or this why wolt ž{o}u stryue What woost thow yit how y the wol auau{n}ce {And} ek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue 32 ¶ I haue the tawht deuisyou{n} by-twene Frend of effect+ {and} frende of cowntenau{n}ce The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene Ž{a}t cureth eyen derkyd for penau{n}ce 36 Now se[st] thow cleer ž{a}t weere in ignorau{n}ce Yit halt thin ancre {and} yit thow mayst aryue Ther bownte berth the keye of my substau{n}ce {And} ek ž{o}u hast thy beste frende alyue 40 ¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigne Syn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesau{n}ce Wolthow thanne make a statute on žy quyene Ž{a}t .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynau{n}ce 44 Thow born art in my regne of varyau{n}ce Abowte the wheel w{i}t{h} oother most thow dryue My loore is bet than wikke is thi greuau{n}ce {And} ek žou hast thy beste frende a-lyue 48 [Linenotes: 37 _se[st]_--partly erased and _ist_ written on it in a later hand. 41 _igne_ of _sustigne_ is in a later hand.] LE RESPOU{N}CE DU PLEINTIF COU{N}TR{E} FORTUNE. [Sidenote: [fol. 54.]] ¶ Thy loor{e} y dempne / it is adu{er}syte My frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesse Ž{a}t .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to the Tak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on p{re}sse 52 The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse P{re}nostik is thow wolt hir+ towr+ asayle Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse [[pg 184]] In general this rewle may nat fayle 56 LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE COU{N}TR{E} LE PLEINTIF ¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte For .I. the lente a drope of my rychesse And now me lykyth to w{i}t{h}-drawe me Whi sholdysthow my realte ap{re}sse 60 The see may ebbe {and} flowen moor{e} or lesse The welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayle Ryht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesse In general this rewle may nat fayle 64 LE PLEINTIF ¶ Lo excussyou{n} of the maieste Ž{a}t al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesse That same thinge fortune clepyn ye Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse 68 The heuene hath p{ro}prete of sykyrnesse This world hath eu{er} resteles trauayle Thy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sse In general this rewele may nat fayle 72 LENUOY DE FORTUNE ¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowr{e} gentilesses Lat nat this man on me thus crye {and} pleyne And .I. shal quyte yow yowr{e} bysynesse At my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne 76 Ž{a}t but yow lest releue hym of hys peyne Preyeth hys best frend of his noblesse That to som beter{e} estat he may attayne * * * * * * * * * _CHAUCER'S TEXT ONLY_ The following section contains the text alone of Chaucer's translation of _De Consolatione Philosophiae_, without the editor's annotations. It is followed by the Glossarial Index. 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}.]] ++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of sorouful matere. ¶ Žat whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me žinges to be writen. and drery v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiž v{er}ray teers. ¶ At že leest no drede ne my[gh]t[e] ouer-come žo muses. žat žei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. žat is to seyne when I was exiled. žei žat weren glorie of my you[gh]th whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now že sorouful werdes of me olde man. for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted by že harmes žat I haue. {and} sorou haž comau{n}ded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and že slak[e] skyn tremblež vpon myn emty body. žilk[e] deež of men is welful žat ne comež not in [gh]eres žat ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comež to wrecches often yclepid. ¶ Allas allas wiž how deef an eere deež cruel to{ur}než awey fro wrecches {and} naiež to closen wepyng eyen. ¶ While fortune vnfeižful fauored[e] me wiž ly[gh]te goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) že sorouful houre žat is to seyne že deež had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. ¶ But now for fortune clowdy haž chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf drawež a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. ¶ O [gh]e my frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] [gh]e me to be weleful: for he žat haž fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree. HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS. [Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]] ++IN že mene while žat I stille recorded[e] žise žinges wiž my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wiž office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue že hey[gh]t of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer že comune my[gh]t of men. wiž a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiž swiche vigoure {and} strenkež žat it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al were it so žat sche was ful of so greet age. žat men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere žat sche were of oure elde. že stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to že comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] žat sche touched[e] že heuene wiž že hey[gh]te of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche p{er}ced[e] že selue heuene. so žat že sy[gh]t of men lokyng was i{n} ydel. ¶ Hir cložes weren maked of ry[gh]t delye žredes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. že wyche cložes sche hadde wouen wiž hir owen hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng to me že beaute. že wiche cložes a derkenes of a forleten and dispised elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages. ¶ In že nežerest[e] hem or bordure of žese cložes me{n} redden ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. žat signifiež že lijf actif. And abouen ž{a}t l{ett}re in že hey[gh]est[e] bordure a grekysche T. žat signifiež že lijf contemplatif. ¶ And by-twene žese two l{ett}res žere weren seien degrees nobly wrou[gh]t in manere of laddres. By wyche degrees men my[gh]t[en] clymbe fro že nežemast[e] l{ett}re to že ouermast[e]. ¶ Naželes hondes of su{m} men hadde korue ž{a}t clože by vyolence {and} by strenkež. ¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche peces as he my[gh]te geet[e]. ¶ And forsože žis forsaide woman ber bookes in hir ry[gh]t honde. {and} in hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sau[gh] žese poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued and glowed[e] wiž cruel eyen. ¶ Who q{uo}d sche haž suffred ap{ro}chen to žis seek[e] man žise comune strumpetis of siche a place žat men clepen že theatr{e}. ¶ Že wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiž no remedies. but žei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wiž swete venym. ¶ Forsože žise ben žo žat wiž žornes {and} prykkynges of talent[gh] or affecciou{n}s wiche žat ben no žing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen že cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. ¶ For žei holden že hertes of men i{n} usage. but žei ne delyuere not folk fro maladye. but if [gh]e muses hadde wiždrawen fro me wiž [gh]oure flateries. any vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges že peple. I wolde wene suffre že lasse greuously. ¶ For-why in syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes weren no žing endamaged. ¶ But [gh]e wiždrawen me žis man žat haž ben norysched in studies or scoles of Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. ¶ But gož now ražer awey [gh]e meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at že laste. {and} suffrež žis man to be cured {and} heled by myne muses. žat is to say by notful sciences. ¶ And žus žis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wrožely že chere adou{n}ward to že erže {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame žei passeden sorowfuly že žreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom že sy[gh]t plonged i{n} teres was derked so žat I ne my[gh]t[e] not knowe what žat woman was of so i{m}perial auctorite. ¶ I wex al a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my sy[gh]t adoune in to že erže. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don afterwarde. ¶ Žo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun vpon že vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. {and} sche byholdyng my chere žat was cast to že erže heuy {and} greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiž žise wordes ž{a}t I schal sey že p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my žou[gh]t. HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO. [Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]] ++Allas how že žou[gh]t of man dreint in ouer žrowyng depnesse dullež {and} forletiž hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiž wiž-oute{n} mesure. ž{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiž worldly wyndes. ¶ Žis man žat su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} že heuene was open {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche pažes. {and} sau[gh] že ly[gh]tnesse of že rede sunne. {and} sau[gh] že sterres of že colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} heuene vsež wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. ¶ Žis man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al žis by noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouer žis he was wont to seche že causes whennes že sounyng wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien že smože water of že see. {and} what spirit turnež že stable heuene. {and} whi že sterre rysež oute of že reede eest. to falle in že westren wawes. and what attempriž že lusty houres of že fyrste somer sesou{n} žat hi[gh]tež {and} apparailež že erže wiž rosene floures. ¶ And who makež žat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle [gh]eres fletiž wiž heuy grapes. ¶ And eke žis ma{n} was wont to telle že dyuerses causes of nature žat weren yhid. ¶ Allas now liež he emptid of ly[gh]t of hys žou[gh]t. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiž heuy cheynes {and} berež his chere enclined adoune for že greet[e] wey[gh]t. and is constreyned to loke on foule erže. SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS. [Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]] ++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more žen of compleynte. ¶ Forsože žen sche entendyng to me warde wiž al že lokyng of hir eyen saide. ¶ Art not žou he q{uo}d sche žat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiž my mylke {and} fostre[d] wiž my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I [gh]af že syche armures žat [gh]if žou ži self ne haddest first caste hem away. žei schulden haue defendid že in sykernesse žat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest žou me not. Why art žou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer žat it were for schame. but it semež me žat astony{n}ge haž opp{re}ssed že. ¶ And whan sche say me not oonly stille. but wiž-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 žat is a comune sekenes to hertes žat ben desceiued. ¶ He haž a litel for[gh]eten hym self. but certis he schal ly[gh]tly reme{m}bren hym self. ¶ [Gh]if so be žat he haž knowe{n} me or now. {and} žat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. žat ben derked by že cloude of mortel žinges ¶ Žise wordes seide sche. and wiž že lappe of hir garment yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen žat were ful of že wawes of my wepynges. TUNC ME DISCUSSA. [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] ++Žus when žat ny[gh]t was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre a[gh]eyne her firste strenkež. and ry[gh]t by ensample as že sonne is hid when že sterres ben clustred. žat is to sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiž cloudes by a swifte wynde žat hy[gh]t chorus. {and} žat že firmame{n}t stont derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and žat že sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So žat že ny[gh]t semež sprad vpo{n} erže. ¶ Yif žan že wynde žat hy[gh]t borias sent out of že kaues of že contre of Trace betiž žis ny[gh]t. žat is to seyn chasiž it away {and} descouerež že closed day. ¶ Žan schinež pheb{us} yshaken wiž sodeyne ly[gh]t {and} smytež wiž hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g eyen. HAUT ALITER TRISTICIE. [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] ++Ry[gh]t so {and} none ožer wyse že cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and} don awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} receyuede mynde to knowe že face of my fyciscien. ¶ So žat 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 [gh]ouže. {and} I seide žus. ¶ O žou maistresse of alle uertues descendid fro že souereyne sete. Whi art žou comen in to žis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art žou comen for ž{o}u art mad coupable wiž me of fals[e] blames. ¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake že now. and scholde I not parte wiž že by comune trauaille že charge žat žou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten wiž-outen compaignie že wey of hym žat is i{n}nocent. ¶ Scholde I žan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as žou[gh] žer were byfallen a newe žing. q. d. non. ¶ For trowest žou žat philosophi be now alžerfirst assailed i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] maneres. ¶ Haue I not stryuen wiž ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore že age of my plato a[gh]eins že foolhardines of foly {and} eke že same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates deserued[e] victorie of vnry[gh]tful deež in my presence. ¶ Že heritage of wyche socrates. že h{er}itage is to seyne že doctrine of že whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of felicite žat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan žat že people of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many ožer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part žat is to seyne. žat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to že defence of his oppiniou{n} že wordes of socrates. ¶ Žei as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng žer a[gh]eins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cložes žat I hadde woue{n} wiž myn handes. {and} wiž že cloutes žat žei hadden arased oute of my cložes. žei wenten awey wenyng žat I hadde gon wiž he{m} euery dele. In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as žer semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of myne habit. že folye of men wenyng žo epicuryens {and} stoyciens my familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me žoru[gh] že errour of že wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] multitude of hem. ¶ Žis is to seyne for žei semeden philosophres: žei weren p{ur}sued to že deež and slayn. ¶ So yif žou hast not knowen že exilynge of anaxogore. ne že empoysenyng of socrates. ne že to{ur}ment[gh] of [gh]eno for žei [weren] straungers. ¶ [Gh]it my[gh]test žou haue knowe{n} že senectiens {and} že Canyos {and} že sorancis of wyche folk že renou{n} is neyžer ouer oolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Že whiche men no žing ellys ne brou[gh]t[e] hem to že deež but oonly for žei weren enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke to že studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forži žou au[gh]test not to wondre žou[gh] ž{a}t I in že bitter see of žis lijf be fordryuen wiž tempestes blowyng aboute. in že whiche te{m}peste žis is my most p{ur}pos žat is to seyn to displese to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al be že oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned wiž no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by flityng errour folyly {and} ly[gh]tly. ¶ And if žei somtyme maky{n}g an ost a[gh]eynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure leder drawež to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} žei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we žat ben hey[gh] abouen syker fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed in syche a palays. whider as žat chateryng or anoying folye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] žinges. QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO. [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] ++Who so it be žat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng. žat haž put vnderfote že prowed[e] wierdes {and} lokiž vpry[gh]t vpon eyžer fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Že rage ne že manace of že co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro že botme. ne schal not moeue žat man. ne že vnstable mountaigne žat hy[gh]t veseuus. žat wirchež oute žoru[gh] hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne že wey of žonder ly[gh]t žat is wont to smyte hey[gh]e toures ne schal not mouene žat man. ¶ Wherto žen wrecches drede [gh]e tyrauntes žat ben wode {and} felownes wiž-outen ony strenkež. ¶ Hope after no žing ne drede nat. {and} so schalt žou desarmen že ire of žilke vnmy[gh]ty tyraunt. ¶ But who so žat quakyng dredež or desirež žing žat nis not stable of his ry[gh]t. žat man žat so dož haž cast awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and} enlacež hym i{n} že cheyne wiž whiche he may be drawen. SENTIS NE INQUIT. [Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]] ++FElest žou q{uod} sche žise žinges {and} entren žei ou[gh]t in ži corage. ¶ Art žou like an asse to že harpe. Whi wepest žou whi spillest žou teres. ¶ Yif žou abidest after helpe of ži leche. že byhouež discouere ži wounde. ¶ Žo .I. žat hadde gadered strenkež in my corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nedež it [gh]itte q{uod} .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} schewež it not ynou[gh] by hym self že scharpnes of fortune žat wexež woode a[gh]eynes me. ¶ Ne moeuež it nat že to seen že face or že man{er}e of žis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). ¶ Is žis že librarie wyche žat žou haddest chosen for a ry[gh]t certeyne sege to že i{n} myne house. ¶ Žere as žou desputest of[te] wiž me of že sciences of žinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was žan myn habit swiche as it is now. was žan my face or my chere swiche as now. [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.] ¶ Whan I sou[gh]t[e] wiž že secretys of nature. whan žou enfo{ur}medest my maners {and} že resou{n} of al my lijf. to že ensaumple of že ordre of heuene. [Interlinear: ironice] ¶ Is nat žis že gerdou{n} žat I refere to že to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis žou enfo{ur}medist by že mouže of plato žis sentence. žat is to seyne žat co{m}mune žinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif žei žat haden studied al fully to wisdom gouerneden žilke žinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle žat že gouernours of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes. ¶ Žou saidest eke by že mouže of že same plato žat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire že gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune ži{n}ges. for žat že gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in že hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citi[gh]enis ne scholde not brynge inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk. ¶ And žerfore I folowynge žilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng to put[te] furže in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} žo žinges žat .I. hadde lerned of že among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Žou {and} god ž{a}t put[te] žee in že žou[gh]tis of wise folk ben knowen wiž me žat no žing brou[gh]t[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but že comune studie of al goodenes. ¶ And žer-of comež it žat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. žat ne my[gh]ten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. ¶ For žis libertee haž fredom of conscience žat že wražže of more my[gh]ty folk haž alwey ben despised of me for saluac{i}ou{n} of ry[gh]t. ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wižstonde žilk man žat hy[gh]t[e] conigaste žat made alwey assautes a[gh]eins že p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. [gh]itte put of. or cast out hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of že kynges hous bože of že wronges žat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by že auctorite of me put a[gh]eins p{er}ils. žat is to seine put myne auctorite in peril for že wreched pore folke. žat že couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey wiž myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. ¶ Neuer man drow me [gh]itte fro ry[gh]t to wro{n}g. When I say že fortunes {and} že rychesse of že people of že p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyžer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages. as sory was I as žei žat suffred[e] že harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan žat theodoric že kyng of gothes in a dere [gh]ere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede žat no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} žat at a dere greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod žat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it knowy{n}g al žis že kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} žat is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere žat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n} as who so bou[gh]t[e] a busshel corn he most[e] [gh]eue že ky{n}g že fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ ¶ Whan it was in že soure hungry tyme žere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n} žat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al že p{ro}uince of co{m}paigne I took strif a[gh]eins že p{ro}uost of že pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And že kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it so žat že coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect. ¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome že rychesse of že whyche paulyn že houndys of že palays. žat is to seyn že officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} couetise ¶ [Gh]it drow I hym out of že Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem žat gapede{n}. ¶ And for as myche as že peyne of že accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of Rome. I put[te] me a[gh]enis že hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s of že accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not žan ynought yseyn žat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes a[gh]eins my self. but I aughte be more asseured a[gh]enis alle ožer folk žat for že loue of ry[gh]twisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no žing to my self to hem ward of že kynges halle .s. officers. by že whiche I were že more syker. ¶ But žoru[gh] že same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. ¶ Of že noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius žat somtyme was chased out of že kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused me. al be it so žat že Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem bože to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes wiž-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement žei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy houses. žat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan žis was ap{er}ceiued to že kyng. he comaunded[e] but žat žei voided[e] že citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned žat men scholde merken hem on že forheued wiž an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what žing semež že my[gh]t[e] be lykned to žis cruelte. For certys žilk same day was receyued že accusyng of my name by žilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What may be seid herto. haž my studie {and} my konnyng deserued žus. or ellys že forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. made žat hem ry[gh]tful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}). ¶ Was not fortune asshamed of žis. [Certes alle hadde nat fortune ben asshamyd] žat i{n}nocence was accused. [gh]it au[gh]t[e] sche haue had schame of že filže of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ But axest žou in so{m}me of what gilt .I. am accused. men seyne žat I wolde sauen že co{m}paignie of že senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest žou to here in what manere .I. am accused žat I scholde han distourbed že accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he scholde han maked že senatours gilty a[gh]eins že kynges Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest žou of žis. schal .I. forsake žis blame žat I ne be no schame to že (q. d. no{n}). ¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. žat is to seyne že sauuaciou{n} of že senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne it. {and} žat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but že entent of že accusour to be destourbed schal cese. ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie žan or a synne žat I haue desired že sauuaciou{n} of že ordre of že senat. and certys [gh]it hadde žilk same senat don by me žoru[gh] her decret[gh] {and} hire iugementys as žou[gh] it were a synne or a felonie žat is to seyne to wilne že sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). ¶ But folye žat lieth alwey to hym self may not chaunge že merit of žinges. ¶ Ne .I. trowe not by že iugement of socrates ž{a}t it were leueful to me to hide že sože. ne assent[e] to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of žis I put[te] it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to že iugeme{n}t of že {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of whiche žing al že ordinaunce {and} že sože for as moche as folk žat ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it. ¶ I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching že l{ett}res falsly maked. by whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped že fredom of Rome. What app{er}tenež me to speken žer-of. Of whiche l{ett}res že fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at že co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Že whiche žing in alle nedys haž grete strenkež. ¶ For what ož{er} fredo{m} may men hopen. Certys I wolde žat some ož{er} fredom my[gh]t[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde žan haue answered by že wordes of a man žat hy[gh]t[e] Canius. for whan he was accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son žat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked a[gh]eins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Žis Canius answered[e] žus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it žou haddest not wist it. In whiche žing sorwe haž not so dulled my witte ž{a}t I pleyne oonly žat schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies a[gh]eins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how žat žei may p{er}forme žinges žat žei had[de] hoped forto done. For why. to wylne schrewednesse žat comež p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a meruaille. ¶ How žat in že p{re}se{n}t sy[gh]t of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche žinges. as euery felonous man haž conceyued in hys žou[gh]t a[gh]eins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche žing oon of ži familers not vnskilfully axed žus. ¶ [Gh]if god is. whennes comen wikked[e] žinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes comen goode žinges. but al hadde it ben leueful žat felonous folk žat now desiren že bloode {and} že deež of alle goode men. {and} eke of al že senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom žei han seyn alwey bataile{n} {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al že senat. [Gh]it hadde I not desserued of že fadres. žat is to seyne of že senatours žat žei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Žou remembrest wele as I gesse žat whan I wolde don or seyn any žing. žou ži self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. ¶ At že citee of verone wha{n} žat že kyng gredy of comune slau[gh]ter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al že ordre of že senat. že gilt of his real maieste of že whiche gilt žat albyn was accused. wiž how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al že senat. ¶ Žou wost wel žat I seide sože. ne I auaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self. ¶ For alwey when any wy[gh]t resceiuež p{re}ciouse renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiž že secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now žou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. 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. žat is to seyne as myne accusyng haž. ¶ Žat ožer errour of mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune žat is vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. žat is to seyne žat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee or compassiou{n}. ¶ For al žou[gh] I had[de] ben accused žat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys wiž wicked swerde. ¶ or žat .I. had[de] grayžed deež to alle goode men algatis že sentence scholde han punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. ¶ But now I am remewed fro že Citee of rome almost fyue-hundrež žousand pas. I am wiž outen defence dampned to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to že deež. for že studie {and} bountees žat I haue done to že senat. ¶ But o wel ben žei worži of mercye (as who seiž nay.) žer my[gh]t[e] neuer [gh]it non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel že dignitee. že wiche dignite for žei wolde derken it wiž medelyng of some felonye. žei beren me on honde {and} lieden. žat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience wiž sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys žou ži self žat art plaunted in me chacedest oute že sege of my corage al couetise of mortal žinges. ne sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne žine eyen. ¶ For žou drouppedest euery day in myn eer{e}s {and} in my žou[gh]t žilk comaundement of pictogoras. žat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of že foulest spirites. ¶ I žat žou hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence ž{a}t [žou] makedest me lyke to god. and ouer žis že ry[gh]t clene secre chaumbre of myn house. žat is to seye my wijf {and} že co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues fadir as wel holy as worži to ben reuerenced žoru[gh] hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For žei žat accusen me taken of že philosophie feiže of so grete blame. ¶ For žei trowen žat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tement[gh] by cause žat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiž ži techynges. {and} enformed of ži maners. ¶ And žus it sufficež not only žat ži reuerence ne auayle me not. but [gh]if žat žou of ži fre wille ražer be blemissed wiž myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to že harmes žat I haue žere bytydež [gh]it žis encrece of harme. žat že gessinge {and} že iugement of myche folk ne loken no žing to že[de]sertys of žinges but only to že aue{n}t{ur}e of fortune. ¶ And iugen žat only swiche žinges ben p{ur}ueied of god. whiche žat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiž. _Glosa._ ¶ As žus žat yif a wy[gh]t haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} worži to haue žat p{ro}sperite. and who so haž aduersite he is a wikked man. {and} god haž forsake hym. {and} he is worži to haue žat aduersite. ¶ Žis is že opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. {and} žer of comež žat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of al ži{n}g forsakež wrecches certys it greuež me to žink[e] ry[gh]t now že dyuerse sentences žat že poeple seiž of me. ¶ And žus moche I seye žat že laste charge of contrarious fortune is žis. žat whan žat ony blame is laid vpon a caytif. men wenen žat he haž deserued žat he suffrež. ¶ And I žat 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. ¶ Certys me semež žat I se že felonus couines of wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se žat euery lorel shapiž hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se žat goode men ben ou{er}žrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben excited žerto by [gh]iftes. and i{n}nocent[gh] ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence {and} žerfore me list to crien to god in žis manere. O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS. [Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]] ++O žou maker of že whele žat berež že sterres. whiche žat art fastned to ži p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest že heuene wiž a rauyssyng sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest že sterres to suffren ži lawe. ¶ So ž{a}t že mone somtyme schynyng wiž hir ful hornes metyng wiž alle že bemes of že sonne. ¶ Hir brožer hidež že sterres žat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan že mone pale wiž hir derke hornes approchež že sonne. leesith hir ly[gh]tes. ¶ And žat že euesterre esperus whiche žat in že first[e] tyme of že ny[gh]t bryngež furže hir colde arysynges comež eft a[gh]eynes hir vsed cours. {and} is pale by že morwe at že rysynge of že sonne. and is žan cleped lucifer. ¶ Žou restreinest že day by schorter dwellyng in že tyme of colde wynter žat makež že leues to falle. ¶ Žou diuidest že swifte tides of že ny[gh]t when že hote somer is comen. ¶ Ži my[gh]t attempre[ž] žo variau{n}t[gh] sesons of že [gh]ere. so žat [gh]epherus že deboneire wynde bringež a[gh]ein in že first[e] somer sesou{n} že leues žat že wynde žat hy[gh]t[e] boreas haž reft awey in autu{m}pne. žat is to seyne in že laste eende of somer. and že sedes žat že sterre žat hy[gh]t arctur{us} saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan že sterre sirius eschaufež hym. ¶ Žere nis no žing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forletež hym of hys p{ro}pre estat. ¶ O žou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle žinges by certeyne ende. why refusest žou oonly to gouerne že werkes of men by dewe manere. ¶ Whi suffrest ž{o}u žat slidyng fortune turnež to grete vtter chaungynges of žinges. so žat anoious peyne žat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissit[gh] innocent[gh]. ¶ And folk of wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in hei[gh]e chaiers. {and} anoienge folk treden {and} žat vnry[gh]tfully in že nekkes of holy men. ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke dirkenesses. {and} že ry[gh]tful man beriž že blame {and} že peyne of že felowne. ¶ Ne že forsweryng ne že fraude couered {and} kembd wiž a fals colo{ur} ne a-noyež not to schrewes. ¶ Že whiche schrewes whan hem lyst to vsen her strengže žei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem že souerayne kynges. whiche ž{a}t poeple wiž[outen] noumbre dreden. ¶ O žou what so euer žou be žat knyttes[t] alle bondes of žinges loke on žise wrecched[e] eržes. we men žat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we ben turmentid in že see of fortune. ¶ Žou gouerno{ur} wiždraw {and} restreyne že rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne {and} forme žise eržes stable wiž žilke [bonde] wiž whiche žou gouernest že heuene žat is so large. HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] ++Whan I hadde wiž a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out žise žinges sche wiž hir chere peisible {and} no ži{n}g amoeued. wiž my compleyntes seide ž{us}. whan I say že q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] on-one žat žou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer žine exile was: [gh]if ži tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be žou fer fro ži contre. žou nart nat put out of it. but žou hast fayled of ži weye {and} gon amys. ¶ and yif žou hast leuer forto wene žan žou be put out of ži contre. žan hast žou put oute ži self ražer žen ony ožer wy[gh]t haž. ¶ For no wy[gh]t but ži self ne my[gh]t[e] neuer haue don žat to že. ¶ For [gh]if žou remembre of what contre žou art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren že contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} žat is god žat is lorde of ži contree. whiche žat reioisež hym of že dwellyng of hys Cite[gh]enis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of že whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by že bridel of hym and obeie to his iustice. ¶ Hast žou for[gh]eten žilke ry[gh]t olde lawe of ži Citee. in že whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed žat what wy[gh]t žat haž leuer founden žer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. žen ellys where: he may not be exiled by no ry[gh]t fro žat place. ¶ For who so žat is co{n}tened in-wiž že paleis [{and} the clos] of žilke Citee. žer nis no drede žat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who žat lettež že wille forto enhabit[e] žere. he forletež also to deserue to ben Cite[gh]ein of žilke Citee. ¶ So žat I seye žat že face of žis place ne amoeuež me nat so myche as žine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not ražer že walles of ži librarie apparailled {and} wrou[gh]t wiž yvory {and} wiž glas žan after že sete of ži žou[gh]t. In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte žat žat makež bookes worži of p{ri}s or p{re}cious žat is to sein že sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of ži dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. žou hast seid sože but after že multitude of ži goode dedys. žou hast seid fewe. {and} of že vnhonestee or falsnesse of žinges žat ben opposed a[gh]eins že. žou hast remembred žinges žat be{n} knowe to alle folk. and of že felonies {and} fraudes of žine accuso{ur}s. it semež že haue I-touched it forsože ry[gh]tfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al my[gh]ten žo same žinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth in že mouže of že poeple ž{a}t knowež al žis. ¶ Žou hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of že wrongful dede of že senat. ¶ And žou hast sorwed for my blame. {and} žou hast wepen for že damage of ži renoune žat is appaired. {and} ži laste sorwe eschaufed a[gh]eins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest žat gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche [gh]olde to že desertes of folk. {and} in že l{att}re ende of ži woode muse žou p{r}iedest ž{a}t žilke pees žat gouernež že heuene scholde gou{er}ne že erže ¶ But for žat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed že. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen žee dyuersely ¶ As žou art now feble of žou[gh]t. my[gh]tyer remedies ne schullen not [gh]it touchen že for whiche we wil[e] vsen somedel ly[gh]ter medicines. So žat žilk[e] passiou{n}s žat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to ži žou[gh]t mowen woxe esy {and} softe to receyue{n} že strenkež of a more my[gh]ty {and} more egre medicine by an esier touchyng. CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT. [Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]] ++Whan žat že heuy sterre of že cancre eschaufež by že beme of pheb{us}. žat is to seyne whan žat pheb{us} že sonne is in že signe of že Cancre. Who so [gh]euež žan largely hys sedes to že feldes žat refuse to receiuen hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust žat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes. yif žou wilt gadre violett[gh]. ne go žou not to že purp{er} wode whan že felde chirkynge agrisež of colde by že felnesse of že wynde žat hy[gh]t aquilon ¶ Yif žou desirest or wolt vsen grapes ne seke žou nat wiž a gloto{n}us hande to streine {and} p{re}sse že stalkes of že vine in že first somer sesou{n}. for bachus že god of wyne haž ražer [gh]euen his [gh]iftes to autu{m}pne že latter ende of somer. ¶ God tokeniž {and} assignež že tymes. ablyng hem to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffrež not stoundes whiche žat hym self haž deuided {and} co{n}streined to be medeled to gidre ¶ And forži he žat forletež certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}žrowyng wey. he ne haž no glade issue or ende of hys werkes. PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}. [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] ++FIrst wolt žou suffre me to touche {and} assaie že stat of ži žou[gh]t by a fewe demaundes. so žat I may vnderstonde what be že manere of ži curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe me q{uod} .I. atte ži wille what žou wilt. {and} I schal answer{e}. ¶ Žo saide sche žus. whežer wenest žou q{uo}d sche ž{a}t žis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or elles wenest žou žat žer be i{n} it any gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}. Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere žat so certeyne žinges scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel žat god maker {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of žis werk. Ne neuer nas [gh]it day žat my[gh]t[e] putte me oute of že soženesse of žat sentence. ¶ So is it q{uod} sche. for že same žing songe žou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and} byweptest. žat only men weren put oute of že cure of god. ¶ For of alle ožer žinges žou ne doutest nat žat žei nere gouerned by reso{n}. but how (.i. pape.). I wondre gretly certes whi žat žou art seek. sižen žou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken depper. I coniecte žat žere lakkež I not what. but sey me žis. sižen žat žou ne doutest nat ž{a}t žis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiž swycche gouernailes takest žou hede žat it is gouerned. ¶ vnnež q{uod} .I. knowe .I. že sente{n}ce of ži q{ue}stiou{n}. so žat I ne may nat [gh]it answeren to ži demaundes. ¶ I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche žat žere ne failež su{m}what. by whiche že maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to ži žou[gh]t. so as že strengže of že paleys schynyng is open. ¶ But seye me žis reme{m}brest žou ou[gh]t what is že ende of ži žinges. whider žat že entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendež. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse haž dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche žou wost wel whe{n}nes žat alle žinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded. I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] žat god is že bygynnyng of al. ¶ And how may žis be q{uod} sche žat sižen ž{o}u knowest že bygynnyng of žinges. žat žou ne knowest not what is že endyng of žinges. but swiche ben že customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} žis power žei han. žat žei may moeue a ma{n} fro hys place. žat is to seyne from že stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys žei may not al arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde žat žou woldest answere to žis. ¶ Remembrest žou žat žou art a man ¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre žat q{uod} .I. _Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste žou not telle me žan q{uod} sche what žing is a man. ¶ Axest not me q{uod} I. whežir žat be a resonable best mortel. I wot wel {and} I confesse wel žat I am it. ¶ Wistest žou neuer [gh]it žat žou were ony ožer žing q{uod} she. No q{uod} .I. now wot I q{uod} she ožer cause of ži maladie {and} žat ry[gh]t grete ¶ Žou hast left forto knowe ži self what žou art. žoru[gh] whiche I haue pleynelyche knowen že cause of ži maladie. or ellis že entre of recoueryng of žin hele. ¶ Forwhy for žou art co{n}founded wiž for[gh]etyng of ži self. forži sorwest žou žat žou art exiled of ži p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And for žou ne wost what is že ende of žinges. for[ži] demest [žou] žat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben my[gh]ty {and} weleful for žou hast for[gh]eten by whiche gouernement[gh] že worlde is gouerned. ¶ Forži wenest žou žat žise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiž oute{n} gouerno{ur}. žise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to deež ¶ But I žanke že auctour {and} že makere of heele žat nat{ur}e haž not al forleten že. {and} I haue g[r]ete norissinges of ži hele. {and} žat is že sože sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of že worlde. žat žou byleuest žat že gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput to že folie of žise happes auenterouses. but to že resou{n} of god ¶ And žer fore doute že nožing. For of žis litel spark žine heet of lijf schal shine. ¶ But for as muche as it is not tyme [gh]itte of fastere remedies ¶ And že nature of žou[gh]tes disseiued is žis žat as ofte as žei casten aweye sože opyniou{n}s: žei cložen hem in fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] že derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexež vp. žat comfoundež že verray insy[gh]t. {and} žat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to maken ži{n}ne {and} wayk by ly[gh]t {and} meenelyche remedies. so žat after žat že derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. žou mow[e] knowe že schynyng of verray ly[gh]t. NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA. [Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]] ++ŽE sterres cou{er}ed wiž blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no ly[gh]t. [Gh]if že trouble wy{n}de žat hy[gh]t auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g že see medlež že heete žat is to seyne že boylyng vp from že botme ¶ Že wawes ž{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to že fair[e] bry[gh]t[e] dayes wižstant anon že sy[gh]tes of men. by že filže {and} ordure žat is resolued. {and} že fletyng streme žat roylež dou{n} dyuersely fro hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by že encountrynge of a stoon ž{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some roche. ¶ And forži yif žou wilt loken {and} demen sože wiž clere ly[gh]t. {and} holde že weye wiž a ry[gh]t paže. ¶ Weyue žou ioie. drif fro že drede. fleme žou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. žat is to sein lat noon of žise four passiou{n}s ouer come že. or blynde že. for cloudy {and} dirke is žilk žou[gh]t {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as žise žinges regnen. EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS. INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS. POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT. [Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]] ++After žis she stynte a litel. and after žat she hadde gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she seide žus. ¶ As who so my[gh]t[e] seye žus. After žise žinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse žat I was ententif to herkene hire. she bygan to speke in žis wyse. ¶ Yif I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly že causes {and} že habit of ži maladie. žou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of ži ražer fortune. ¶ She žat ilke fortune only žat is chaunged as žou feinest to že ward. haž p{er}uerted že clerenesse {and} že astat of ži corage. ¶ I vnderstonde že felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of žilke merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vsež ful flatryng familarite wiž hem žat she enforcež to bygyle. so longe til žat she co{n}founde wiž vnsuffreable sorwe hem žat she haž left in despeir vnpurueyed. ¶ and if žou remembrest wel že kynde že maners {and} že desert of žilke fortune. žow shalt wel knowe as in hir žou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair žing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don že remembren of žise žinges. ¶ For žou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir wiž manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiž sentences žat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre. žat is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} ¶ But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne bytidež nat wiž oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. and so is it byfallen žat žou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro že pees of ži žou[gh]t. but now is tyme žat žou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable žinges. so žat whan žei ben entred wiž i{n}ne že. it mow make weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes. ¶ Com nowe furže žerfore že suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche žat gož oonly že ry[gh]t wey whil she forsakež not myne estatut[gh]. ¶ And wiž Rethorice com forže musice a damoisel of oure house žat syngež now ly[gh]ter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. what aylež že man. what is it žat haž cast že in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. I trow[e] žat žou hast sen some newe žing {and} uncouže. ¶ Žou wenest žat fortune be chaunged a[gh]eins že ¶ But žou wenest wrong. yif žou [žat] wene. Alwey žo ben hire maners. she haž ražer [kept] as to že ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in že chaungyng of hyre self. ¶ Ry[gh]t swyche was she whan she flatered[e] že. {and} desseiued[e] že wiž vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse. žou hast now knowen {and} ataynt že doutous or double visage of žilke blynde goddesse fortune. ¶ She žat [gh]it couerež hir {and} wymplež hir to ožer folk. haž shewed hir euerydel to že. ¶ [Gh]if žou app{ro}uest hir {and} ženkest žat she is good. vse hir maners {and} pleyne že nat. ¶ And if žou agrisest hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir žat pleyež so harmefully. for she žat is now cause of so myche sorwe to že. sholde be to že cause of pees {and} [of] ioie. ¶ she haž forsaken že forsože. že whiche žat neuer man may be syker žat she ne shal forsake hym. _Glose._ ¶ But naželes some bookes han že text žus. For sože she haž forsaken že ne žer nis no man syker žat she ne haž not forsaken. ¶ Holdest žou žan žilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to že žat shal passen. {and} is p{re}sent fortune derworži to že. whiche žat nis not feižful forto dwelle. {and} whan she gož aweye žat she bryngež a wy[gh]t in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat be wižholde{n} at a mans wille. she makež hym a wrecche whe{n} she dep{ar}tež fro hym. ¶ What ožer žing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse žat is to comen. ne it ne suffriž nat oo[n]ly to loken of žing žat is p{re}sent byforne že eyen of man. but wisdom lokež {and} mesurež že ende of žinges. {and} že same chau{n}gyng from one to an ožer. žat is to seyne fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makež žat že manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne že flatrynges of hir to ben desired. ¶ Žus atte že last it byhouež že to suffren wiž euene wille in pacience al žat is don inwiž že floor of fortune. žat is to seyne in žis worlde. ¶ Syžen žou hast oones put ži nekke vnder že [gh]okke of hir. for if žou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to fortune whiche žat žou hast chosen frely to be ži lady ¶ Art žou nat wrongful in žat {and} makest fortune wrože {and} asp{er}e by žin inpacience. {and} [gh]it žou mayst not chaungen hir. ¶ Yif žou co{m}mittest [{and}] bitakest ži sayles to že wynde. žou shalt be shouen not žider žat žou woldest(:) but whider žat že wy{n}de shouež že ¶ Yif žou castest ži seedes in že feldes žou sholdest haue in mynde žat že [gh]eres ben ožer while plenteuous {and} ož{er} while bareyne. ¶ Žou hast bytaken žiself to že gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forži it byhouež že to ben obeisaunt to že manere of ži lady. and enforcest žou že to aresten or wižstonden že swyftnesse {and} že sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng whele. ¶ O žou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] žan to ben fortune. HEC CUM SUPERBA. [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.] ++Whan fortune wiž a proude ry[gh]t hande haž turnid hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she farež lyke že maners of že boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of že see ž{a}t ebbith {and} flowiž. {and} somtyme že streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on žat ožer. _Texte_ ¶ She cruel fortune kastež adoune kynges žat somtyme weren ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp že humble chere of hym žat is discomfited. {and} she neyžer herež ne recchež of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde žat she lau[gh]ež {and} scornež že wepyng of hem že whiche she haž maked wepe wiž hir free wille. ¶ Žus she pleyež {and} ž{us} she p{re}uež hir strengže {and} shewež a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}t[gh]. ¶ Yif žat a wy[gh]t is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}žrowe in an houre. VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA. [Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]] ++CErtis I wolde plete wiž žee a fewe žinges vsynge že wordes of fortune tak heede now ži self. yif ž{a}t she axež ry[gh]t. ¶ O žou man wher fore makest žou me gilty by žine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges haue I don že. what goodes haue I byreft že žat weren žine. stryf or plete wiž me by fore what iuge žat žou wilt of že possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites ¶ And yif žou maist shewe me žat euer any mortal man haž receyued any of žese žinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. žan wol I graunt[e] frely žat [alle] žilke žinges were{n} žine whiche žat žou axest. ¶ Whan žat nature brou[gh]t[e] že forže out of ži moder wombe. I receyued[e] že naked {and} nedy of al žing. {and} I norysshed[e] že wiž my rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif žo{ru}[gh] my fauo{ur} to sustene že. ¶ And žat makež že now i{n}pacient a[gh]eins me. {and} I envirounde že wiž al že habundaunce {and} shinyng of al goodes žat ben in my ry[gh]t. ¶ Now it lykež me to wiž drawe myne hande. žou hast had grace as he žat haž vsed of foreyne goodes. žou hast no ry[gh]t to pleyne že. as žou[gh] žou haddest vtterly lorn alle ži žinges. whi pleynest žou žan. I haue don že no wrong. Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche ožer žinges ben of my ry[gh]t. ¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. žei comen wiž me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel affermen hardyly. žat yif žo žinges of whiche žou pleynest žat žou hast forlorn hadde ben žine. žou ne haddest not lorn he{m}. ¶ shal I žan only be defended to vse my ry[gh]t. ¶ Certis it is leueful to že heuene to make clere dayes. {and} after žat to keuere že same dayes wiž derke ny[gh]tes. ¶ Že erže haž eke leue to apparaile že visage of že erže now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiž fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiž raynes {and} wiž coldes. ¶ Že see haž eke hys ry[gh]t to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiž smože water. {and} somtyme to be horrible wiž wawes {and} wiž tempestes. ¶ But že couetyse of men žat may not be staunched shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn žat stedfastnesse is vnkouž to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengže. {and} žis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne že whirly{n}g whele wiž že tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge že lowest to že heyeste. {and} že heyest to že loweste. worže vp yif žou wilt. so it be by žis lawe. žat žou ne holde not žat I do že wronge žou[gh] žou descende dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axež it. Wost žou not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne žat žis rewlyche Cresus was cau[gh]t of Cirus {and} lad to že fijr to be brent. but žat a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene žat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of ži mynde how žat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take že kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for že captiuitee of že self[e] kyng. What ožer žinges bywaylen že criinges of Tragedies. but only že dedes of fortune. žat wiž an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}než že realmes of grete nobley ¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme žat endiž in wrechednesse. Lernedest nat žou in grek whan žou were [gh]onge žat in že entre or in že seler of Iuppiter žer ben couched two tunnes. žat on is ful of good žat ožer is ful of harme. ¶ What ry[gh]t hast žou to pleyne. yif žou hast taken more plenteuously of že goode syde žat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro že. What eke. yif my mutabilitee [gh]iuež že ry[gh]tful cause of hope to han [gh]it better ži{n}ges. ¶ Naželes desmaie že nat in ži žou[gh]t. and ž{o}u žat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by žine oonly p{ro}pre ry[gh]t. SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS. [Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]] ++ŽOu[gh] plentee žat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiž ful horn. {and} wiždrawež nat hir hand. ¶ As many recches as že see turnež vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiž rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many rycches as žer shynen bry[gh]t[e] sterres on heuene on že sterry ny[gh]t. [Gh]it for al žat mankynde nolde not cesce to wope wrecched[e] pleyntes. ¶ And al be it so žat god receyuež gladly her p{ra}yers {and} [gh]euež hem as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}ailež coueytous folk wiž noble or clere hono{ur}s. [gh]it semež hem haue I-gete nožing. but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al žat žei han geten shewiž ožer gapinges. žat is to seye gapen {and} desiren [gh]it after moo rycchesse. ¶ What brideles my[gh]ten wižholde to any certeyne ende že desordene coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere že ražer ž{a}t it fletiž in large [gh]iftis: že more ay brennež in hem že žrest of hauyng. ¶ Certis he žat quakyng {and} dredeful wenež hym seluen nedy. he ne lyuež neu{er}e mo ryche. HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE. [Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]] ++Žerfore yif žat fortune spake wiž že for hir self in žis manere. For sože žou ne haddest [nat] what žou my[gh]test answere. and if žou hast any ži{n}g wherwiž. žou mayist ry[gh]tfully tellen ži co{m}pleynt. ¶ It byhouež že to shewen it. {and} .I. wol [gh]eue že space to tellen it. ¶ Certeynely q{uod} I žan žise ben faire žinges {and} enoyntid wiž hony swetnesse of rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while žei ben herd žei ben deliciouse. ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. žis is to seyn žat wrecches felen že harmes žat žei suffren more greuously žan že remedies or že delites of žise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so žat whan žise žinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. že sorwe žat is inset greuež že žou[gh]t. Ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For žise ne ben [gh]it none remedies of ži maladie. but žei ben a manere norissinges of ži sorwe [gh]it rebel a[gh]eyne ži curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ For whan žat tyme is. I shal moue swiche žinges žat p{er}cen hem self depe. ¶ But naželes ž{a}t žou shalt not wilne to leten ži self a wrecche. ¶ Hast žou for[gh]eten že nou{m}bre {and} že manere of ži welefulnesse. I holde me stille how žat že souerayn men of že Citee toke{n} že in cure {and} kepynge whan žou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of že Citee. ¶ And žou bygu{n}ne ražer to ben leef {and} deere žan0 forto ben a ney[gh]bo{ur}. že whiche žing is že most p{re}ciouse kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce žat may ben. ¶ Who is it žat ne seide žou nere ry[gh]t weleful wiž so grete a nobley of ži fadres in lawe. ¶ {And} wiž že chastite of ži wijf. {and} wiž že oportunite {and} noblesse of ži masculyn children. žat is to seyne ži sones {and} ou{er} al žis me lyst to passe of comune žinges. ¶ How žou haddest in ži žou[gh]t dignitees žat weren warned to olde men. but it delitež me to comen now to že singuler vphepyng of ži welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal žinges may han any wey[gh]te or price of welefulnesse. ¶ My[gh]test žou euere for[gh]eten for any charge of harme žat my[gh]t[e] byfallen. že remembrau{n}ce of žilke day žat žou sey[e] ži two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad to gidre from žin house vndir so gret assemble of senatours. {and} vndir že blyženesse of poeple. {and} whan žou say[e] hem sette in že court in her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Žou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of eloquence. whan žou sittyng bytwix ži two sones conseillers in že place žat hy[gh]t Circo. {and} fulfildest že abydyng of multitude of poeple žat was sprad about že wiž large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. žo [gh]aue žou wordes of fortune as I trowe. žat is to seyne. žo feffedest žou fortune wiž glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] že {and} norsshed[e] že as hir owen delices. ¶ Žou hast had of fortune a [gh]ifte žat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} žat she neu[er]e [gh]af to p{re}ue man ¶ Wilt žou žerfore leye a rekenyng wiž fortune. she haž now twynkeled first vpon že wiž a wykked eye. ¶ Yif žou considere že nou{m}bre {and} že manere of ži blysses. {and} of ži sorwes. žou maist nat forsake žat žou nart [gh]it blysful. For if žou žerfore wenest ži self nat weleful for žinges žat žo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Žer nis nat whi žou sholdest wene ži self a wrecche. for žinges žat now semen soory passen also. ¶ Art žou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to že shadowe or tabernacle of žis lijf. or trowest žou ž{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis žinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissoluež že same man. žat is to seyne whan že soule dep{ar}tiž fro že body. For al žou[gh] žat yelde is žer any feiž žat fortunous žinges willen dwelle. [gh]it naželes že last[e] day of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deež to fortune. {and} also to žilke žat haž dwelt. {and} žerfore what wenist žou žar recche yif žou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys ž{a}t she fortune forlete že i{n} fleenge awey. CUM PRIMO POLO. [Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]] ++Whan phebus že sonne bygynnež to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. žan že sterre ydimmyd palež hir white cheres. by že flamus of že so{n}ne žat ouer comež že sterre ly[gh]t. ¶ Žis is to seyn whan že sonne is risen že day sterre wexiž pale {and} lesiž hir ly[gh]t for že grete bry[gh]tnesse of že sonne. ¶ Whan že wode wexež redy of rosene floures in že first somer sesou{n} žoru[gh] že breže of že wynde Zephirus žat wexež warme. ¶ Yif že cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. žan gož awey že fayrnesse of žornes. Ofte že see is clere {and} calme wižoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte že horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeuež boylyng tempestes {and} ouer whelwež že see. ¶ Yif že forme of žis worlde is so [[gh]eelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niž by so many entrechau{n}gynges. wilt žou ža{n} truste{n} in že trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt žou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable žat no ži{n}g ž{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable. TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. O norice of alle uertues žou seist ful sože. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake že ry[gh]t[e] swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. žat is to seine. žat p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} soone. but žis is a žing žat gretly smertiž me whan it remembrež me. ¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune že most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han ben weleful. ¶ But žat žou q{uo}d she abaist žus že to{ur}ment of ži fals[e] opiniou{n} žat maist žou not ry[gh]tfully blamen ne aretten to žinges. as who seiž for žou hast [gh]itte many habundaunces of žinges. ¶ _Textus._ For al be it so žat že ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse moeuež že now. it is leueful žat žou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] žinges žou hast [gh]it plentee. ¶ And žerfore yif žat žilke žing žat žou haddest for most p{re}cious in alle ži rycchesse of fortune be kept to že by že grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. Mayst žou ža{n} pleyne ry[gh]tfully vpon že myschief of fortune. syn žou hast [gh]it ži best[e] žinges. ¶ Certys [gh]it lyuež in goode poynt žilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde.¶ Symacus ži wyues fadir whiche žat is a man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. že whiche man žou woldest b[i]en redely wiž že pris of žin owen lijf. he byweylež že wronges žat men don to žee. {and} not for hym self. for he liuež in sykernesse of any sentence put a[gh]eins him. ¶ And [gh]it lyuež ži wif žat is attempre of witte {and} passyng ožer women in clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle že welle žat she lyuež loož of hir life. {and} kepiž to žee oonly hir goost. {and} is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of že ¶ In že whiche žing only I mot graunten žat ži welefulnesse is amenused. ¶ What shal I seyn eke of ži two sones conseillours of whiche as of children of hir age žer shinež že lyknesse of že witte of hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir. and sižen že souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues. ¶ O how weleful art žou žou[gh] žou knowe ži goodes. ¶ But [gh]itte ben žer žinges dwelly{n}g to že wardes žat no man doutež žat žei ne ben more derworže to že žen žine owen lijf. ¶ And forži drie ži teres for [gh]itte nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to že warde. ne ou{er} greet tempest haž nat [gh]it fallen vpon že. whan žat žin ancres cliue fast[e] žat neižer wole suffre že comfort of žis tyme p{re}sent. ne že hope of tyme comynge to passen ne to falle{n}. ¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I žat fast[e] mot[en] žei holden. ¶ For whiles žat žei halden. how so eu{er}e žat žinges ben. I shal wel fleten furže and eschapen. ¶ But žou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and} aray žat me lakkež žat ben passed awey fro me. ¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} foržered že q{uod} she. if žat žou anoie nat or forženke nat of al ži fortune. As who seiž. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted že so žat žou tempest nat že žus wiž al ži fortune. syn žou hast [gh]it ži best[e] žinges. ¶ But I may nat suffre žin delices. žat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for žat ožer lakkež somwhat to ži welefulnesse. ¶ For what man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. žat he ne stryuež or pleynež on some half a[gh]eine že qualitee of his estat. ¶ For whi ful anguissous žing is že condiciou{n} of mans goodes. ¶ For eyžer it comež al to gidre to a wy[gh]t. or ellys it lastež not p{er}petuely. ¶ For som man haž grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed of hys vngentil lynage. {and} som man is renomed of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so grete angre for nede of žinges. žat hym were leuer žat he were vnknowe. and som ma{n} habundež bože i{n} rychesse {and} noblesse. but [gh]it he bywailež hys chast[e] lijf. for he haž no wijf. ¶ and som man is wel {and} selily maried but he haž no children. {and} norisshež his ricchesse to že heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som man is gladded wiž children. but he wepiž ful sory for že trespas of his son or of his dou[gh]tir. ¶ and for žis žer accordež no wy[gh]t ly[gh]tly to že condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. for alwey to euery man žere is i{n} mest somwhat žat vnassaiež he ne wot not or ellys he drediž žat he haž assaied. ¶ {And} adde žis also žat euery weleful man haž a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So žat but yif alle žinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is žrowe ado[-u]ne for euery lytel žing. ¶ And ful lytel žinges ben žo žat wiždrawen že so{m}me or že p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse fro hem žat ben most fortunat. ¶ How many men trowest žou wolde demen hem self to ben almost in heuene yif žei my[gh]ten atteyne to že leest[e] p{ar}tie of že remenaunt of ži fortune. ¶ Žis same place žat žou clepist exil is contre to hem žat enhabiten here. {and} forži. Nožing wrecched. but whan žou wenest it ¶ As who seiž. žou[gh] ži self ne no wy[gh]t ellys nys no wrecche but whan he wenež hym self a wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage. CONTRAQ{UE}. ++And a[gh]einewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by že agreablete or by že egalite of hym žat suffrež it. ¶ What man is žat. žat is so weleful žat nolde chau{n}ge{n} his estat whan he haž lorn pacience. že swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiž many[e] bitternesses. že whiche welefulnesse al žou[gh] it seme swete {and} ioyeful to hym žat vsež it. [gh]it may it not be wiž-holden žat it ne gož away whan it wol. ¶ Žan is it wel sen how wrecched is že blisfulnesse of mortel žinges. žat neiž{er} it dwelliž p{er}petuel wiž hem žat euery fortune receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne delitež not in al. to hem žat ben anguissous. ¶ O ye mortel folkes what seke [gh]e žan blisfulnesse oute of [gh]oure self. whiche žat is put in [gh]oure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}dež [gh]ow ¶ I shal shewe že shortly. že poynt of souereyne blisfulnesse. Is žer any žing to že more p{re}ciouse žan ži self ¶ Žou wilt answere nay. ¶ Žan if it so be žat žou art my[gh]ty ouer ži self žat is to seyn by tranquillitee of ži soule. žan hast žou žing i{n} ži power žat žou noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it že. {and} žat žou mayst knowe žat blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in žinges žat ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel. ¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir žus yif blisfulnesse be že souereyne goode of nature žat liuež by resou{n} ¶ Ne žilke žing nis nat souereyne goode žat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more worži žing {and} more digne is žilke žing ž{a}t may nat be taken awey. ¶ Žan shewiž it wele žat že vnstablenesse of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes. ¶ And [gh]it more ouer. ¶ What man žat žis toumblyng welefulnesse leediž. eižer he woot žat [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. ¶ And yif he woot it not. what blisful fortune may žer be in že blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot žat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad ž{a}t he ne lese žat žing. žat he ne doutež nat but žat he may leesen it. ¶ As whoo seiž he mot ben alwey agast lest he leese žat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche že continuel drede žat he haž ne suffriž hym nat to ben weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke žat is a ful lytel goode žat is born wiž euene hert[e] whan it is loost. ¶ Žat is to seyne žat men don no more force. of že lost žan of že hauynge. ¶ And for as myche as žou ži self art he to who{m} it haž ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel žat že soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke syn it is clere. {and} certeyne žat fortunous welefulnesse endiž by že deež of že body. ¶ It may nat ben douted žat yif žat deež may take awey blysfulnesse žat al že kynde of mortal ži{n}g{us} ne descendiž in to wrecchednesse by že ende of že deež. ¶ And syn we knowen wel žat many a man haž sou[gh]t že fruit of blisfulnesse nat only wiž suffryng of deež. but eke wiž suffryng of peynes {and} to{ur}mentes. how my[gh]t[e] žan žis p{re}sent lijf make men blisful. syn žat whanne žilke self[e] lijf is endid. it ne makež folk no wrecches. QUISQUIS UOLET P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS. [Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]] ++What maner man stable {and} war žat wil founden hym a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune wiž že loude blastes of že wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise že see manassynge wiž floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to bilde on že cop of že mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in že moyste sandes. ¶ For že fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}mentež že cop of že mou{n}tayngne wiž alle his strengžes. ¶ and že lowe see sandes refuse to beren že heuy wey[gh]te. {and} forži yif žou wolt flee že p{er}ilous auenture žat is to seine of že worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn ži house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al žou[gh] že wynde troublyng že see žondre wiž ouerežrowynges ¶ Žou žat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by strengže of ži palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng že wodenesses and že Ires of že eir. SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] ++But for as moche as že noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to že. I trowe it were tyme to vsen a litel strenger medicynes. ¶ Now vndirstonde here al were it so žat že [gh]iftis of fortune nar[e] nat brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. what is žer in hem žat may be žine in any tyme. or ellis žat it nys foule if žat it be considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely. ¶ Richesse ben žei p{re}ciouse by že nature of hem self. or ellys by že nature of že. What is most worži of rycchesse. is it nat golde or my[gh]t of moneye assembled. ¶ Certis žilke golde {and} žilke moneye shinež {and} [gh]euež better renou{n} to hem žat dispenden it. žen to žilke folke žat mokeren it. For auarice makež alwey mokeres to be hated. {and} largesse makež folke clere of renou{n} ¶ For syn žat swiche ži{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o man to an ožer ne may nat dwellen wiž no man. Certis žan is žilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in to ožer folk. {and} styntež to ben had by vsage of large [gh]euy{n}g of hym žat haž [gh]euen it. {and} also yif al že moneye žat is ouer-al in že world were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al ožer men to ben nedy as of žat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool žat is to seyn wiž-oute amenusynge fulfillež to gyder že heryng of myche folke. but Certys [gh]oure rycchesse ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiž-oute amenussyng ¶ And whan žei ben apassed. nedys žei maken hem pore žat forgon že rycchesses. ¶ O streite {and} nedy clepe I žise rycchesses. syn žat many folke [ne] may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man wiž-oute pouerte of al ožer folke. ¶ And že shynynge of ge{m}mes žat I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. drawež it nat že eyen of folk in to hem warde. žat is to seyne for že beaute. ¶ For certys yif žer were beaute or bounte in shynyng of stones. žilke clerenesse is of že stones hem self. {and} nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre gretly žat men merueilen on swiche žinges. ¶ For whi what žing is it žat yif it wa{n}tež moeuyng {and} ioynture of soule {and} body žat by ry[gh]t my[gh]t[e] semen a faire creature to hym žat haž a soule of resou{n}. ¶ For al be it so žat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a litel of že laste beaute of že worlde. žoru[gh] že entent of hir creato{ur} {and} žoru[gh] že distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. [gh]it for as myche as žei ben put vndir [gh]oure excellence. žei han not desserued by no weye žat [gh]e shullen merueylen on hem. ¶ And že beaute of feeldes delitež it nat mychel vnto [gh]ow. _Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat deliten vs. syn žat it is a ry[gh]t fayr porciou{n} of že ry[gh]t fair werk. žat is to seyn of žis worlde. ¶ And ry[gh]t so ben we gladed somtyme of že face of že see whan it is clere. And also merueylen we on že heuene {and} on že sterres. {and} on že sonne. {and} on že mone. _Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teinež q{uo}d she any of žilke žinges to že. whi darst žou glorifie že in že shynynge of any swiche žinges. Art žou distingwed {and} embelised by že spryngyng floures of že first somer sesou{n}. or swelliž ži plente in fruytes of somer. whi art žou rauyshed wiž ydel ioies. why enbracest žou straunge goodes as žei weren žine. Fortune shal neuer maken žat swiche žinges ben žine žat nature of žinges maked foreyne fro že. ¶ Syche is žat wiž-oute{n} doute že fruytes of že erže owen to ben on že norssinge of bestes. ¶ And if žou wilt fulfille ži nede after žat it suffisež to nature žan is it no nede žat žou seke after že sup{er}fluite of fortune. ¶ For wiž ful fewe žinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel žing nature halt hire appaied. {and} yif žou wilt achoken že fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wiž sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys žilke žinges ž{a}t žou wilt žresten or pouren in to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to že or ellis anoies. ¶ Wenest žou eke žat it be a fair žinge to shine wiž dyuerse cložing. of whiche cložing yif že beaute be agreable to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on že nature of že matere of žilke cložes. or ellys on že werkeman žat wrou[gh]t[e] hem. but al so a longe route of meyne. makiž žat a blisful man. že whiche seruauntes yif žei ben vicio[-u]s of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to že house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to že lorde hym self ¶ {And} yif žei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in že nou{m}bre of ži rycchesse. so ž{a}t by alle žise forseide žinges. it is clerly shewed žat neuer none of žilke žinges žat žou accou{m}ptedest for žin goodes nas nat ži goode. ¶ In že whiche žinges yif žer be no beaute to ben desired. whi sholdest žou be sory yif žou leese hem. or whi sholdest žou reioysen že to holden hem. ¶ For if žei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}tenež žat to že. for as wel sholde žei han ben faire by hem self. žou[gh] žei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle žin rycchesse. ¶ For-why faire ne p{re}cio[-u]s ne weren žei nat. for žat žei comen amonges ži rycchesse. but for žei semeden fair {and} p{re}cious. žerfore žou haddest leuer rekene hem amonges ži rycchesse. but what desirest žou of fortune wiž so greet a noyse {and} wiž so greet a fare ¶ I trowe žou seke to dryue awey nede wiž habundaunce of žinges. ¶ But certys it turnež to [gh]ow al in že contrarie. for whi certys it nediž of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen že dyuersite of preciouse ostelment[gh]. and sože it is žat of many[e] žinges han žei nede žat many[e] žinges han. {and} a[gh]eyneward of litel nediž hem žat mesuren hir fille after že nede of kynde {and} nat after že outrage of couetyse ¶ Is it žan so žat ye men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in [gh]ow. For whiche [gh]e moten seken outwardes [gh]oure goodes in foreine {and} subgit žinges. ¶ So is žan že condic{i}ou{n} of žinges turned vpso dou{n}. žat a man žat is a devyne beest by merit of hys resou{n}. žinkež žat hy{m} self nys neyžer fair ne noble. but if it be žoru[gh] possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. žat ne han no soules. ¶ And certys al ož{er} ži{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen beautes. but [gh]e men žat ben semblable to god by [gh]our{e} resonable žou[gh]t desiren to apparaille [gh]our{e} excellent kynde of že lowest[e] pinges. ne [gh]e ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g [gh]e don to [gh]oure creato{ur}. for he wolde žat man kynde were moost worži {and} noble of any ožer eržely žinges. and [gh]e žresten adou{n} [gh]oure dignitees by-nežen že lowest[e] žinges. ¶ For if žat al že good of euery žing be more p{re}ciouse žan is žilk žing whos žat že good is. syn [gh]e demen žat že foulest[e] žinges ben [gh]oure goodes. žanne summytten [gh]e {and} putten [gh]oure self vndir žo foulest[e] žinges by [gh]oure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And certis žis bitidiž nat wiž out [gh]our{e} desert. For certys swiche is že co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde žat oonly whan it haž knowyng of it self. žan passež it i{n} noblesse alle ožer žinges. and whan it forletiž že knowyng of it self. žan it is brou[gh]t bynežen alle beestes. ¶ For-why alle ožer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem self. but whan žat men leten že knowyng of hem self. it comež hem of vice. but how brode shewež že erro{ur} {and} že folie of [gh]ow men žat wenen žat ony žing may ben apparailled wiž straunge apparaillement[gh] ¶ but for-sože žat may nat be don. for yif a wy[gh]t shynež wiž ži{n}ges žat ben put to hym. as žus. yif žilke žinges shynen wiž whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis žilke žinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiž whiche he is apparailled. ¶ But naželes že žing žat is couered {and} wrapped vndir žat dwellež in his filže. and I denye žat žilke žing be good žat anoyež hym žat haž it. ¶ Gabbe I of žis. žou wolt seye nay. ¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem žat han že rycchesse. ¶ Syn žat euery wicked shrew {and} for hys wickednesse že more gredy aftir ožer folkes rycchesse wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or p{re}cious stones. {and} weniž hym only most worži žat haž hem ¶ žou žan žat so besy dredest now že swerde {and} že spere. yif žou haddest entred in že paže of žis lijf a voide wayfaryng man. žan woldest žou syng[e] by-fore že žeef. ¶ As who seiž a poure man žat berež no rycchesse on hym by že weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne žeues. for he haž nat wher-of to ben robbed. ¶ O preciouse {and} ry[gh]t clere is že blysfulnesse of mortal rycchesse. žat wha{n} žou hast geten it. žan hast žou lorn ži syke[r]nesse. FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]] ++Blysful was že first age of men. žei helden hem apaied wiž že metes žat že trewe eržes brou[gh]ten furže. ¶ žei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem self wiž outerage. ¶ žei weren wont ly[gh]tly to slaken her hunger at euene wiž acornes of okes ¶ žei ne couže nat medle že [gh]ift of bacus to že clere hony. žat is to seyn. žei couže make no piment of clarre. ne žei couže nat medle že bri[gh]t[e] flies of že co{n}tre of siriens wiž že venym of tirie. žis is to seyne. žei couže nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiž že blode of a manar shelfysshe. žat men fynden in tyrie. wiž whiche blode men deien purper. ¶ žei slepen holesom slepes vpon že gras. and dronken of že rynnyng watres. {and} laien vndir že shadowe of že hey[gh]e pyne trees. ¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf [gh]it že heye see wiž oores or wiž shippes. ne žei ne hadden seyne [gh]itte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse in to dyuerse co{n}tres. ¶ žo weren že cruel clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille. ne blode yshed by egre hate ne hadde nat deied [gh]it armurers. for wherto or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen armes. whan žei seien cruel woundes ne none medes ben of blood yshad ¶ I wolde žat oure tymes sholde turne a[gh]eyne to že oolde maneres. ¶ But že anguissous loue of hauyng brennež in folke moore cruely žan že fijr of že Mou{n}taigne of Ethna žat euer brennež. ¶ Allas what was he žat first dalf vp že gobets or že wey[gh]tys of gold couered vndir erže. {and} že p{re}cious stones žat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious perils. žat is to seyne žat he žat hem first vp dalf. he dalf vp a p{re}cious peril. for-whi. for že p{re}ciousnesse of swyche haž many man ben in peril. QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}. [Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]] ++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. že whiche [ye] men ž{a}t neižer knowen verray dignitee ne verray power areysen hem as heye as že heuene. že whiche dignitees {and} powers yif žei come to any wicked man žei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as dož že fla{m}me of že Mou{n}taigne Ethna whan že fla{m}me wit walwiž vp ne no deluge ne dož so cruel harmes. ¶ Certys ye remembriž wel as I trowe žat žilke dignitee žat men clepiž že emperie of {con}sulers že whiche žat somtyme was bygynnyng of fredom. ¶ [Gh]oure eldres coueiteden to han don a-wey žat dignitee for že p{r}ide of že conseilers. ¶ And ry[gh]t for že same p{r}ide [gh]oure eldres byforne žat tyme hadden don awey out of že Citee of rome že kynges name. žat is to seien. žei nolden haue no lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be ž{a}t dignitees {and} powers ben [gh]euen to goode men. že whiche žing is ful [gh]elde. what agreable ži{n}ges is žer in žo dignitees. or powers. but only že goodenes of folk žat vsen hem. ¶ And žerfore it is žus žat hono{ur} ne comež nat to vertue for cause of dignite. but a[gh]einward. hono{ur} comež to dignite by cause of vertue. but whiche is [gh]oure derworže power žat is so clere {and} so requerable ¶ O [gh]e erželyche bestes considere [gh]e nat ouer whiche žing žat it semež žat [gh]e han power. ¶ Now yif žou say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} ožer myse žat chalenged[e] to hymself ward ry[gh]t {and} power ouer alle ožer myse. how gret scorne woldest žou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So farež it by men. že body haž power ouer že body. For yif žow loke wel vpon že body of a wy[gh]t what žing shalt žou fynde moore frele žan is mannes kynde. že whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiž bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiž že entryng of crepyng wormes in to že priuetees of mennes bodyes. ¶ But wher shal men fynden any man žat may exercen or haunten any ry[gh]t vpon an ožer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{n} žinges žat ben lower žen že body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s ¶ Mayst žou euer haue any comaundement ouer a fre corage ¶ Mayst žou remuen fro že estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a žou[gh]t žat is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}. ¶ As somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen folk žat wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie žat was cast a[gh]eins žis tyraunt ¶ But žis free man boot of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in že visage of žilke woode tyrau{n}te. ¶ So žat že to{ur}ment[gh] žat žis tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. žis wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. ¶ But what žing is it žat a man may don to an ožer man. žat he ne may receyue že same žing of ožer folke i{n} hym self. or žus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. žat folk ne may don hym že same. ¶ I haue herd told of busirides žat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes žat herburghden in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of ercules žat was hys gest ¶ Regulus had[de] taken in bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres. but sone after he most[e] [gh]iue hys handes to ben bounden w{i}t{h} že cheynes of hem žat he had[de] somtyme ou{er}comen. ¶ Wenest žou žan žat he be my[gh]ty. žat may nat don a žing. žat ožer ne may don hym. žat he dož to ožer. {and} [gh]it more ou{er} yif it so were žat žise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden žei comen to shrewes. ¶ For contrarious žinges ne ben not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refusež žat contra[r]ious žinges ben yioigned. ¶ And so as I am in certeyne žat ry[gh]t wikked folk han dignitees ofte tymes. žan shewež it wel žat dignitees {and} powers ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn žat žei suffren hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes. ¶ And certys že same žing may most digneliche Iugen {and} seyen of alle že [gh]iftis of fortune žat most plenteuously comen to shrewes. ¶ Of že whiche [gh]iftys I trowe žat it au[gh]t[e] ben considered žat no man doutiž žat he nis strong. in whom he seež strengže. {and} in whom žat swiftnesse is ¶ Sože it is žat he is swyfte. Also musyk makež musiciens. {and} fysik makež phisiciens. {and} rethorik rethoriens. ¶ For whi že nature of euery žing makiž his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat ent{er}medled wiž že effect{is} of co{n}trarious žinges. ¶ And as of wil it chasež oute žinges žat to it ben contrarie ¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne auarice vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makež nat a ma{n} my[gh]ty ouer hym self. whiche žat vicious lustis holden destreined wiž cheins žat ne mowen nat ben vnbounden. {and} dignitees žat ben [gh]euen to shrewed[e] folk nat oonly ne makiž hem nat digne. but it shewež ražer al openly žat žei ben vnworži {and} vndigne. ¶ And whi is it ž{us}. ¶ Certis for [gh]e han ioye to clepen žinges wiž fals[e] names. žat beren hem al in že co{n}t{ra}rie. že whiche names ben ful ofte reproued by že effect of že same žinges. so žat žise ilke rycchesse ne au[gh]ten nat by ry[gh]t to ben cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne au[gh]t[e] not ben cleped power. ne whiche dignitee ne au[gh]t[e] nat ben cleped dignitee. ¶ And at že laste I may conclude že same žinge of al že [gh]iftes of fortune in whiche žer nis no žing to ben desired. ne žat haž in hym self naturel bounte. ¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyžer žei ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey goode to who{m} žei be{n} y-ioigned. NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT. [Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]] ++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}s weren doń by že Emp{er}oure Nero. ¶ He letee brenne že citee of Rome {and} made slen že senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slou[gh] hys brožer. {and} he was maked moyst wiž že blood of hys modir. žat is to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} že body of his modir to seen where he was conceiued. {and} he loked[e] on euery half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette his face. but he was so hard herted žat he my[gh]t[e] ben domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. ¶ And [gh]itte neuerželes gouerned[e] žis Nero by Ceptre al že peoples žat phebus že sonne may seen comyng from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir že wawes. ¶ žat is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle že peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial žat že so{n}ne gož aboute from est to west ¶ And eke žis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle že peoples žat ben vndir že colde sterres žat hy[gh]ten že seuene triones. žis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle že poeples žat ben vndir že p{ar}ties of že norže. ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] alle že poeples žat že violent wynde Nothus scorchiž {and} bakiž že brennynge sandes by his drie hete. žat is to seyne. alle že poeples in že souže. [but yit ne myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of this wykkyd nero / Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. žat is to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe. TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. žou wost wel žiself žat že couetise of mortal žinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of žinges to done. as who seiž. I desired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne sholde not elden. žat is to seyn. žat list žat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue žat lay now ful stille. ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For whiche men my[gh]ten speke or write{n} of his goode gouernement. ¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For sože q{uo}d she. {and} žat is a žing žat may drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worži {and} noble of hir nature. but naželes it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as ben y-brou[gh]t to že ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. žat is to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred že comune žinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of že comune. for se now {and} considere how litel {and} how voide of al prise is žilke glorie. ¶ Certeine žing is as žou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of astronomye žat al že envyronynge of že erže aboute ne halt but že resou{n} of a prykke at regard of že gretnesse of heuene. žat is to seye. žat yif žat žer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of že erže to že gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle žat erže [ne] helde no space ¶ Of že whiche litel regiou{n} of žis worlde že ferže partie is enhabitid wiž lyuyng beestes žat we knowen. as žou hast ži self lerned by tholome žat p{ro}uit[-h] it. ¶ yif žou haddest wiž drawen {and} abated in ži žou[gh]te fro žilke ferže partie as myche space as že see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as že regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}strecchež. žat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnnež sholde žer dwellen a ry[gh]t streite place to že habitaciou{n} of men. {and} [gh]e žan žat ben environed {and} closed wiž i{n}ne že leest[e] prikke of žilk prikke ženke [gh]e to manifesten [gh]oure renou{n} {and} don [gh]oure name to ben born forže. but [gh]our{e} glorie žat is so narwe {and} so streyt yžronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinže it in largesse {and} in greet doynge. And also sette žis žer to žat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben enhabitid in že cloos of žilke litel habitacle. ¶ To že 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 že names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke že fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen. ¶ At že last[e] Certis in že tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writež in his book žat že renou{n} of že comune of Rome ne hadde nat [gh]itte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} že mou{n}taigne žat hy[gh]t Caucasus. {and} [gh]itte was žilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of že p{ar}thes. and eke of ožer folk enhabityng aboute. ¶ Sest žou nat žan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is žilke glorie žat [gh]e t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie. May žan že glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen žider as že fame of že name of Rome may nat clymben ne passen. ¶ And eke sest ž{o}u nat žat že maners of diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge hem self. so ž{a}t žilke žing žat so{m}men iugen worži of p{re}ysynge. ožer folk iugen žat it is worži of torment. ¶ and žer of comež žat žou[gh] a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise bryngen furže ne sprede{n} his name to many manere peoples. ¶ And žerfore euery man{er} man au[gh]te to ben paied of hys glorie žat is puplissed among hys owen ney[gh]bores. ¶ And žilke noble renou{n} shal be restreyned wiž-i{n}ne že boundes of o maner folk but how many a man žat was ful noble in his tyme. haž že nedy {and} wrecched for[gh]etynge of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey. ¶ Al be it so žat certys žilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. že whiche writy{n}ges longe {and} derke elde dož aweye bože he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. but [gh]e men semen to geten [gh]ow a p{er}durablete whan [gh]e ženke žat in tyme comyng [gh]oure fame shal lasten. ¶ But naželes yif žou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to že endeles space of eternite what žing hast žou by whiche žou maist reioysen že of lo{n}g lastyng of ži name. ¶ For if žer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of že abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten žousand wynter. for as myche as bože žo spaces ben endid. ¶ For [gh]it haž že moment some porciou{n} of hit al žou[gh] it a litel be. ¶ But naželes žilke self nou{m}bre of [gh]eres. and eke as many [gh]eres as žer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to že p{er}durablete žat is een[de]les. ¶ For of žinges žat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges ž{a}t han ende may be maked no {com}parysou{n}]. ¶ And for ži is it al žou[gh] renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer že lyst to žinken were žou[gh]t by že regard of et{er}nite. žat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ry[gh]t nou[gh]t. ¶ But [gh]e men certys ne konne don no žing ary[gh]t. but [gh]if it be for že audience of poeple. {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} [gh]e forsaken že grete woržinesse of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} [gh]e seke{n} [gh]oure gerdou{n}s of že smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke. ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} že ly[gh]tnesse of whiche p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} myrily swiche vanite. somtyme žere was a man žat had[de] assaied wiž striuyng wordes an ožer ma{n}. ¶ že whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly že name of a philosopher. ¶ žis ražer man žat I speke of žou[gh]t[e] he wolde assay[e] where he žilke were a philosopher or no. žat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred ly[gh]tly in pacience že wro{n}ges žat weren don vnto hym. ¶ žis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge a[gh]eine {and} reioysynge of hym self seide at že last[e] ry[gh]t žus. ¶ vndirstondest žou nat žat I am a philosophere. žat ožer man answered[e] a[gh]ein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif žou haddest holde{n} ži tonge stille. ¶ But what is it to žise noble worži men. For certys of swyche folk speke .I. žat seken glorie wiž vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniž fame to swiche folk whan že body is resolued by že deež. atte že last[e]. ¶ For yif so be žat men dien in al. žat is to seyne body {and} soule. že whiche žing oure resou{n} defendiž vs to byleuen žanne is žere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde žilke glorie ben. for he of who{m} žis glorie is seid to be nis ry[gh]t nou[gh]t in no wise. and [gh]if že soule whiche žat haž in it self science of goode werkes vnbounden fro že p{r}isou{n} of že erže wendež frely to že heuene. dispisež it nou[gh]t žan alle eržely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioisež žat it is exempt from alle eržely žinges [as wo seith / thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this world]. QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE. [Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]] ++Who so žat wiž oueržrowyng žou[gh]t only sekež glorie of fame. {and} weniž žat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon že brode shewyng contreys of že heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} že streite sete of žis erže. {and} he shal be ashamed of že encres of his name. žat may nat fulfille že litel compas of že erže. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely [gh]ok of žis worlde. ¶ For al žou[gh] [ž{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples gož by dyuerse tonges. and al žou[gh] grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiž clere titles of hono{ur}s. [gh]it naželes deež dispisež al heye glorie of fame. {and} deež wrappež to gidre že heye heuedes {and} že lowe {and} makež egal {and} euene že heyest[e] to že lowest[e]. ¶ where wone{n} now že bones of trewe fabricius. what is now brutus or stiern Caton že žinne fame [gh]it lastynge of hir ydel names is markid wiž a fewe lettres. but al žou[gh] we han knowe{n} že faire wordes of že fames of hem. it is nat [gh]euen to knowe he{m} žat ben dede {and} consumpt. Liggiž žanne stille al vtterly vnknowable ne fame ne makež [gh]ow nat knowe. and yif [gh]e wene to lyuen že leng{er} for wynde of [gh]oure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe [gh]ow. žan is že secunde deež dwellyng in [gh]ow. _Glosa._ že first deež he clepiž here že dep{ar}tynge of že body {and} že soule. ¶ and že secunde deež he clepež as here. že styntynge of že renoune of fame. [SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA. [Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]] ++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she ž{a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit som-tyme it by-falleth ž{a}t she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} ž{a}t is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt / {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat ž{a}t .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr ž{a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle / {and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme ž{a}t contraryos fortune p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} // 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 sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // 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 ž{a}t vsen he{m} / the contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by ž^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse // the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte // 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 / {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke / weenesthow thanne ž{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / ž{a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the 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 // 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 // ž{a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse .I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses ž{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes. QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE. [Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]] ++THat ž^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges // ž{a}t the contraryos qualite of element[gh] holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / ž{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / ž{a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt // ž{a}t ž^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende hise floodes / so ž{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // ž{a}t is to seyn to cou{er}e alle the erthe // Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / ž{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also {com}mau{n}dement[gh] to the heuenes / {and} yif this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges ž{a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue ž{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages / EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_. INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3._^us_ IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT. [Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]] ++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me ž{a}t was desirous of herkninge / {and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / ž{a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde seye // so ž{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow ž{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 ž{a}t .I. trowe nat now ž{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro hyr // {and} tho remedies whyche ž{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 of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // than seyde she thus // ž{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan ž{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til ž{a}t thow haddest swych habyte of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl ž{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which ž{a}t is a moore verray thing{e} // And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges ž{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // ž{a}t fyrst whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they swete // but for thow seyst ž{a}t thow art so desirous to herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the // whydyr{e} is ž{a}t q{uod} .I. // to thilke verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse // do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // ž{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she / 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 ž{a}t thow more knowest / so ž{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to ž{a}t oother syde / thow mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //] QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM. [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]] ¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of žornes {and} kerue asondre wiž his hooke že bushes {and} že ferne so žat že corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins. hony is že more swete yif moužes han firste tastid sauoures ž{a}t ben wikke. ¶ že sterres shynen more agreably whan že wynde Nothus letiž his ploungy blastes. {and} aftir žat lucifer že day sterre haž chased awey že derke ny[gh]t. že day že feir{e}r lediž že rosene horse of že sonne. ¶ Ry[gh]t so žou byholdyng first že fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiždrawe ži nek[ke] fro že [gh]ok of eržely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde že verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to ži corage. TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}. [Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]] ++ŽO fastned[e] she a lytel že sy[gh]t of hir eyen {and} wiždrow hir ry[gh]t as it were in to že streite sete of hir žou[gh]t. {and} bygan to speke ry[gh]t ž{us}. Alle že cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche žat trauaylen hem i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. ¶ But naželes žei enforced hem to comen oonly to on ende of blisfulnesse [And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode žat who so haž geten it he ne may ouer žat no žing more desiire. and žis žing for sože is že souereyne good žat conteiniž in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to že whiche goode yif žere failed[e] any žing. it my[gh]t[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For žan were žere som goode out of žis ilke souereyne goode ž{a}t my[gh]t[e] ben desired. Now is it clere {and} certeyne ža{n} žat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat by že congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. ¶ že whiche blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by dyuerse weyes. ¶ For-whi že couetise of verray goode is naturely y-plaunted in že hertys of men. ¶ But že myswandryng erro{ur} myslediž hem in to fals[e] goodes. ¶ of že whiche men some of hem wenen žat souereygne goode is to lyue wiž outen nede of any žing. {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. and some ožer men deme{n}. žat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ry[gh]t digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir ney[gh]bo{ur}s. by že hono{ur}s žat žei han ygeten ¶ {and} some folk žer ben žat halden žat ry[gh]t hey[gh]e power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem žat regnen. ¶ And it semež to some ožer folk žat noblesse of renou{n} be že sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to geten glorious name by že artes of werre or of pees. and many folke mesuren {and} gessen ž{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen žat it be ry[gh]t blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit. ¶ And žer ben folk žat enterchaungen že causes {and} že endes of žise forseide goodes as žei žat desire{n} rycchesse to han power {and} delices. Or ellis žei desiren power forto han moneye or for cause of renou{n}. ¶ In žise žinges {and} i{n} swyche ožer žinges is to{ur}ned al že entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As žus. ¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche žat [gh]iuež as it semež a manere clernesse of renou{n}. ¶ and wijf {and} children žat men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. ¶ But forsože frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened among že goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it is a ful holy man{er}e žing. alle žise ožer žinges forsože ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit. ¶ Certis now am I redy to referen že goodes of že body to žise forseide žinges abouen. ¶ For it semež ž{a}t strengže {and} gretnesse of body [gh]euen power {and} woržinesse. ¶ and žat beaute {and} swiftenesse [gh]euen noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semež [gh]iuen delit. ¶ In alle žise ži{n}g{us} it semež oonly žat blisfulnesse is desired. ¶ For-whi žilke žing žat euery man desirež moost ouer alle žinges. he demiž žat be že souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined žat blisfulnesse is že souereyne goode. for whiche euery wy[gh]t demiž žat žilke estat žat he desirež ouer alle žinges žat it be že blisfulnesse. ¶ Now hast žou žan byforne [thy eyen] almost al že p{ur}posed forme of že welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. žat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delit[gh]. že whiche delit oonly considered Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. žat delit is že souereyne goode. for as myche as alle ožer žinges as hym žou[gh]t[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrže fro{m} že herte. ¶ But I reto{ur}ne a[gh]eyne to že studies of meen. of whiche men že corage alwey rehersiž {and} seekež že souereyne goode of alle be it so ž{a}t it be wiž a derke memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. ¶ Ry[gh]t as a dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paže he may reto{ur}ne home to hys house. ¶ Semež it žanne žat folk folyen {and} erren žat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no žing ¶ Certys žer nys non ožer žing žat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} of alle goodes žat ne haž nede of none ožer žing. but žat it is suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self. and foleyen swyche folk žanne. žat wenen žat žilk žing ž{a}t is ry[gh]t goode. žat it be eke ry[gh]t worži of honour {and} of reuerence. ¶ Certis nay. for žat žing nys neyžer foule ne worži to ben dispised žat al že entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten it. ¶ And power au[gh]t[e] nat žat eke to be rekened amonges goodes what ellis. for it nys nat to wene žat žilke žing žat is most worži of alle žinges be feble {and} wiž out strengže {and} clernesse of renou{n} au[gh]te žat to ben dispised. ¶ Certys žer may no man forsake žat al žing žat is ry[gh]t excellent {and} noble. žat it ne semež to be ry[gh]t clere {and} renomed. ¶ For certis it nediž nat to seie. žat blisfulnesse be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn žat in ry[gh]t litel ži{n}g{us} folk seken to haue {and} to vsen žat may deliten hem. ¶ Certys žise ben že ži{n}ges žat men wolen {and} desyren to geten. and for žis cause desiren žei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and} delices ¶ For žerby wenen žei to han suffisau{n}ce hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse. ¶ žanne is it goode. ž{a}t men seken žus by so many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may ly[gh]tly be shew{e}d. how grete is že strengže of nature. ¶ For how so žat men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge že ende of goode. Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT. [Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]] ++IT likež me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiž slakke {and} delitable sou{n} of strenges how žat nature my[gh]ty enclinež {and} flittež gouernement[gh] of žinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiž že grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreinež alle žing{us} by a bonde žat may nat be vnbounden. [Sidenote: [j]] ¶ Al be it so žat že liou{n}s of že contree of pene beren že fair[e] cheines. {and} taken metes of že handes of folk žat [gh]euen it hem. {and} dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche žei ben wont to suffren [betinges]. yif žat hir horrible moužes ben bi-bled. žat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passež žat haž ben ydel {and} rested. repairež a[gh]ein žat žei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. and hir maistre first to-teren wiž blody tože assaiež že woode wražžes of hem. ¶ žis is to sein žei freten hir maister. [Sidenote: [ij]] ¶ And že Iangland brid žat syngiž on že heye braunches. žis is to sein in že wode {and} after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al žou[gh] [ž{a}t] že pleiyng besines of men [gh]euež hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes. wiž swete studie. ¶ [gh]it naželes yif žilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seež že agreable shadewes of že wodes. she defoulež wiž hir fete hir metes yshad {and} sekež mournyng oonly že wode {and} twitriž desirynge že wode wiž hir swete voys. [Sidenote: [iij]] ¶ že [gh]erde of a tree žat is haled adou{n} by my[gh]ty strengže bowiž redely že croppe adou{n}. but yif žat že hande of hym žat it bente lat it gon a[gh]ein. ¶ An oon že crop lokež vp ry[gh]t to heuene. [Sidenote: [iiij]] ¶ že sonne phebus žat faillež at euene in že westrene wawes retorniž a[gh]ein eftsones his cart by a priue paže žere as it is wont aryse. ¶ Alle žinges seken a[gh]ein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle žinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge a[gh]ein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to ži{n}ges but žat. žat haž ioignynge že endynge to že bygynnynge. {and} haž makid že cours of it self stable žat it chaungež nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde. VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA. [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]] ++CErtis also [gh]e men žat ben erželich{e} bestes dreme{n} alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al žou[gh] it be wiž a žinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner žou[gh]t al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly [gh]e looken from a fer til žilk verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and žerfore že naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledež [gh]ow to žilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niž [gh]ow žer fro. ¶ Considere now yif žat be žilke žinges by whiche a man weniž to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif žat he may comen to žilke ende žat he wenež to come by nature ¶ For yif žat moneye or hono{ur}s or žise ožer forseide žinges bryngen to men swiche a žing žat no goode ne faille hem. ne semež faille. ¶ Certys žan wil I graunt[e] žat žei ben maked blisful. by žilke žinges žat žei han geten. ¶ but yif so be žat žilke ži{n}ges ne mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men žat žei by-heten {and} žat žer be defaute of many goodes. ¶ Shewež it nat žan clerely ž{a}t fals beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in žilke žinges. ¶ First {and} forward žou ži self žat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. ¶ I axe [gh]if žat in že haboundaunce of alle žilk[e] rycchesses žou were neuer anguissous or sory in ži corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce žat by-tidde že on any syde. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembrež me nat žat euere I was so free of my žou[gh]t. žat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of somwhat. ž{a}t was žat žou lakkedest žat žou noldest han lakked. or ellys žou haddest žat žou noldest han had. ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} I žan. desiredest žou že p{re}sence of žat oon {and} že absence of žat ožer. I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I. for sože q{uod} she žan nediž žer somwhat žat euery man desirež. [gh]e žer nediž q{uod} I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he žat haž lakke or nede of a wy[gh]t nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self. no q{uod} .I. {and} žou q{uo}d she in alle že plente of ži rycchesse haddest žilke lak of suffisaunce. ¶ what ellis q{uod} .I. ¶ žanne may nat rycchesse maken žat a man nis nedy. ne žat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} žat was it ž{a}t žei byhy[gh]ten as it semež. ¶ and eke certys I trowe žat žis be gretly to consydere žat moneye ne haž nat in hys owen kynde žat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem žat han it maugre hem. ¶ I by-knowe it wel q{uod} I ¶ whi sholdest žou nat by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day že strenger folke by-nymen it fram že febler maugre hem. ¶ Fro whennes comen ellys alle žise foreine compleintes or quereles of plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for žat men axen a[gh]eine her moneye žat haž be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey maugre hem. ¶ Ry[gh]t so it is q{uod} I. žan q{uo}d she haž a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediž no helpe yif he ne hadde no moneye žat he my[gh]t[e] leese. ¶ žat is doutles q{uod} .I. žanne is žis ži{n}g turned in to že contrarie q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse žat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. žei maken a man ražer han nede of foreine helpe. ¶ whiche is že manere or že gise q{uod} she žat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk may žei neižer han hungre ne žrest. žise ryche men may žei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. ¶ But žou wilt answere žat ryche men han y-nou[gh] wher wiž žei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her žrest {and} don awey colde. ¶ In žis wise may nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al out{er}ly be don awey. for žou[gh] žis nede žat is alwey gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiž rycchesses. {and} axe any žing [gh]it dwellež žanne a nede žat my[gh]t[e] ben fulfilled. ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how žat litel žing suffisež to nature. but certys to auarice ynou[gh] ne suffisež no žinge. ¶ For syn žat rychesse ne may nat al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it žanne be žat [gh]e wenen žat rychesses mowen [gh]eue{n} [gh]ow suffisau{n}ce. QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES. [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] ++Al were it so žat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer fletynge alle of golde [gh]itte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise. ¶ And žou[gh] he hadde his nekke I-charged wiž p{re}ciouse stones of že rede see. {and} žou[gh] he do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiž an hundrež oxen neuere ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyuež. ne že ly[gh]t[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym compaignie whanne he is dede. SET DIGNITATIB{US}. [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] ++Bvt dignitees to whom žei ben comen make žei hym honorable {and} reuerent. han žei nat so grete strengže žat žei may putte vertues in že hertis of folk. žat vsen že lordshipes of hem. or ellys may žei don awey že vices. Certys žei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. but žei ben wont ražer to shew[en] wikkednesses. {and} žer of comež it žat I haue ry[gh]t grete desdeyne. žat dignites ben [gh]euen ofte to wicked men. ¶ For whiche žing catullus clepid a consul of Rome žat hy[gh]t noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiž he clepiž hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were žis noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee. Sest žou nat žan how gret vylenye dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworžines of wikked men shold{e} ben že lasse ysen yif žei nere renomed of none hono{ur}s. ¶ Certys žou ži self ne my[gh]test nat ben brou[gh]t wiž as many p{er}ils as žou my[gh]test suffren žat ž{o}u woldest bere ži magistrat wiž decorat. žat is to seyn. žat for no p{er}il žat my[gh]t[e] bifalle{n} že by že offence of že kyng theodorik žou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne žou say[e] žat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe {and} of an acusor. ¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem worži of reuerence žat I deme {and} holde vnworži to han žilke same hono{ur}s. ¶ Now yif žou saie a man žat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys žoune my[gh]test nat demen ž{a}t he were vnworži to že hono{ur}. or ellys to že wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled. No q{uod} .I. ¶ Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transportež dignite anon to žilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned. ¶ And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly žat žei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And [gh]it men au[gh]ten take more hede in žis. ¶ For if it so be žat he is most out cast žat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat maken shrewes worži of no reuerences. žan makež dignites shrewes more dispised žan p{re}ised. že whiche shrewes dignit[e] schewež to moche folk ¶ {and} for sože nat vnpunissed. žat is forto sein. žat shrewes reuengen hem a[gh]einward vpon dignites. for žei [gh]elden a[gh]ein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan žei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiž hire vylenie. ¶ And for as moche as žou mow[e] knowe žat žilke verray reuerence ne may nat comen by že shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. vndirstonde now žis. yif žat 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 žilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of straunge folk ¶ Certys yif žat honour of poeple were a naturel [gh]ifte to dignites. it ne my[gh]te neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office. ¶ Ry[gh]t as fire i{n} euery contre ne stintež nat to enchaufen {and} to ben hote. but for as myche as forto be holden honorable or reuerent ne comež nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengže of nat{ur}e. but only of že fals[e] opiniou{n} of folk. žat is to sein. žat wenen žat dignites maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on žerfore whan žat žei comen žer as folk ne knowe{n} nat žilke dignites. her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} žat on oon. but žat is a-mong straung folk. maist žou sein. but amo{n}g{us} hem žat žei weren born duren žilk[e] dignites alwey. ¶ Certys že dignite of že p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a grete power. now is it no žing but an ydel name. {and} že rente of že senatorie a g{r}et charge. {and} yif a whi[gh]t somtyme hadde že office to taken he[de] to že vitailes of že poeple as of corne {and} what ožer žinges he was holden amonges grete. but what žing is more nowe out cast žanne žilke p{ro}uostrie ¶ And as I haue seid a litel here byforne. žat žilke žing žat haž no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyuež somtyme pris {and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiž it by že opiniou{n} of vsaunces. ¶ Now yif žat dignites žanne ne mowen nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif ž{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by že filže of shrewes. ¶ and yif žat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of tymes. and yif žei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of poeple. what is it žat žei han in hem self of beaute žat au[gh]te ben desired. as who seiž none. žanne ne mowen žei [gh]iuen no beaute of dignite to none ožer. QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO. [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] ++Al be it so žat že proude nero wiž al his woode luxurie kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiž faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiž white perles. Algates [gh]itte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ žis is to seyn žat al was he by-hated of alle folk. ¶ [gh]itte žis wicked Nero hadde gret lordship {and} [gh]af somtyme to že dredeful senatours že vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiž here fore žat Nero žat was so wikked [gh]af žo dignites. who wolde žanne resonably wenen žat blysfulnesse were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben [gh]euen by vicious shrewes. AN UERO REGNA. [Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]] ++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may žei maken a ma{n} to ben my[gh]ty. how ellys. ¶ whanne hir blysfulnesse durež p{er}petuely but certys že olde age of tyme passež. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of ensau{m}ples how ž{a}t kynges žat han chaunged in to wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse. ¶ O a noble žing {and} a cler žing is power žat is nat founden my[gh]ty to kepe it self. ¶ And yif žat power of realmes be auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif žilke power lakkež on any side. amenusiž it nat žilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngež in wrechednesse. but yif al be it so žat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. [gh]it mot žer nede ben myche folk ouer whiche žat euery kyng ne haž no lordshipe no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon žilke syde žat power faillež whiche žat makiž folk blisful. ry[gh]t on žat same side nou{n}power entriž vndirnež žat makež hem wreches. ¶ In žis manere žanne moten kynges han more porciou{n} of wrechednesse žan of welefulnesse. ¶ A tyraunt žat was kyng of sisile žat had[de] assaied že p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude že dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde žat heng ouer že heued of his familier. what žing is žan žis power žat may nat don awey že bytynges of besines ne eschewe že prikkes of drede. and certys [gh]it wolden žei lyuen in sykernesse. but žei may nat. and [gh]it žei glorifien hem in her power ¶ Holdest žou žan žat žilk[e] man be my[gh]ty žat ž{o}u seest žat he wolde don žat he may nat don. ¶ And holdest žou žan hym a my[gh]ty man žat haž environed hise sydes wiž men of armes or seruauntes {and} dredež more [hem] žat he makež agast. žen žei dreden hym. {and} žat is put in že handes of hise seruaunt[gh]. for he sholde seme my[gh]ty but of familiers [or] seruaunt[gh] of ky{n}ges. ¶ what sholde I telle že any žing. syn žat I my self haue shewed že žat realmes hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse. že whiche familiers certis že real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] žrowež adou{n}. ¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what deež he wolde deien. ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] žat kny[gh]tis slowen wiž her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful my[gh]ty a-monges hem of že courte. and [gh]it certis žei wolde bože han renou{n}ced her power. of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to [gh]iue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan že grete wey[gh]t. žat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune drawež hem žat sholden falle. neyžer of hem ne my[gh]t[e] do žat he wolde. what žing is žanne žilke power žat žou[gh] men han it žat žei ben agast. ¶ {and} whan žou woldest han it žou nart nat siker. ¶ And yif žou woldest forleten it žou mayst nat eschewen it. ¶ But whežir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue. Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune makež frendes. contrarious fortune makež hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is more my[gh]ty forto anoye a wi[gh]t žan a familier enemy. QUI SE UALET ESSE POTENTEM. [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] ++Who so wolde ben my[gh]ty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir že foule reines of lecherie. for al be it so žat ži lordship[e] strecche so fer žat že contre Inde quakiž at ži comaundement. or at ži lawes. {and} žat že leest isle in že see žat hy[gh]t tile be žral to že ¶ [gh]it yif žou mayst nat pute{n} awey ži foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro že wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no power žat žou hast. GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX. [Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]] ++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for whiche žing nat vnskilfully a tregedien žat is to sein a maker of dites žat hy[gh]ten tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. žou nart no žing ellys to žousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by že fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple. and what žing may ben žou[gh]t fouler žen swiche p{re}isynge for žilk[e] folk žat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. žei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges. {and} yif žat folk han gete{n} hem žank or p{re}ysyng by her desertes. what žing haž žilk pris echid or encresed to že conscience of wise folk ž{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by že rumo{ur} of že poeple. but by že sožefastnesse of conscience. {and} yif it seme a fair žing a man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. žan folwež it. žat it is demed to ben a foule žinge yif it ne be ysprad ne encresed. but as I seide a litel her byforne. žat syn žer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk že renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfallež žat he žat žou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiž in že nexte p{ar}ties of že erže to ben wiž out glorie. {and} wiž out renou{n}. ¶ and certis amo{n}ges žise žinges I ne trowe nat žat že p{r}is {and} grace of že poeple nis neižer worži to ben remembrid ne comež of wise iugement. ne is ferm p{er}durably. ¶ But now of žis name of gentilesse. what man is it žat ne may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a žing it is. ¶ For if že name of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. žan is gentil name but a for[e]ine žing. žat is to sein to hem žat glorifien hem of hir linage. ¶ For it semež žat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge žat comež of decert of auncestres. ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makež gentilesse žan moten žei nedes be gentil žat ben p{re}ysed. For whiche žing it folwež. žat yif žou ne haue no gentilesse of ži self. žat is to sein pris ž{a}t comež of ži deserte foreine gentilesse ne makež že nat gentil. ¶ But certis yif žer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al oonly žis. žat it semež as žat a maner necessitee be imposed to gentil men. for žat žei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro že uertues of hire noble kynrede. OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS. [Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]] ++Al že linage of men žat ben i{n} erže ben of semblable burže. On al one is fadir of žinges. On alone minyst[r]ež alle žinges. ¶ He [gh]af to že sonne hys bemes. he [gh]af to že moone hir hornes. he [gh]af že men to že erže. he [gh]af že sterres to že heuene. ¶ he enclosež wiž membres že soules žat comen fro hys heye sete. ¶ žanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. whi noysen [gh]e or bosten of [gh]oure eldris ¶ For yif žou look[e] [gh]oure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god [gh]oure aucto{ur} {and} [gh]oure makere. žan is žer no forlyued wy[gh]t but [gh]if he norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre burže. QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS. [Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]] ++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e delices že desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} že fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce. ¶ How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ry[gh]t as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben žilke delices wont to bryngen to že bo[d]ies of folk žat vsen hem. ¶ Of whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir moeuyng. ¶ But žis woot I wel žat who so euere wil remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. žat že issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory. ¶ And yif žilke delices mowen make folk blisful. žan by že same cause moten žise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of whiche bestes al že entenc{i}ou{n} hastež to fulfille hire bodyly iolyte. and že gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest žing. but it haž ben seid. žat it is ouer myche a[gh]eins kynde žat children han ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. ¶ Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nedež nat to tellen it že žat hast or žis tyme assaied it. {and} art [gh]it now anguysso{us}. In žis approue I že sentence of my disciple Euridippus. žat seide žat he žat haž no children is weleful by i{n}fortune. HABET HOC UOLUPTAS. [Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]] ++Euery delit haž žis. žat it anguissež hem wiž prikkes ž{a}t vsen it. ¶ It resembliž to žise flying flyes žat we clepen been. žat aftre žat že bee haž shed hys agreable honies he fleež awey {and} styngež že hertes of he{m} žat ben ysmyte wiž bytynge ouer longe holdynge. NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST. [Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]] ++Now nis it no doute žan ž{a}t žise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne žat žei ne mowe nat leden folke žider as žei byheten to lede{n} hem. ¶ But wiž how grete harmes žise forseide weyes ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe že shortly. ¶ For whi yif žou enforcest že to assemble moneye. žou most by-reuen hym his moneye žat haž it. and yif žou wilt shynen wiž dignites. žou most bysechen {and} supplien hem žat [gh]iue{n} žo dignitees. ¶ And yif žou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore ožer folk ž{o}u shalt defoule ži self by hu{m}blesse of axing. yif žou desiryst power. žou shalt by awaites of ži subgit[gh] anoyously be cast vndir many p{er}iles. axest žou glorie ž{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre žinges žat žou shalt forgone sykernesse. ¶ And yif žou wilt leden ži lijf in delices. euery whi[gh]t shal dispisen že {and} forleten že as žou žat art žral to žing žat is ry[gh]t foule {and} brutel. žat is [to] sein seruau{n}t to ži body. ¶ Now is it žan wel yseen how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} žei coueiten žat putten že goodes of že body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}. ¶ For mayst žou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} žise olifuńt[gh] in gretnesse or wey[gh]t of body. Or mayst žou ben strenger žan že bole. Mayst žou ben swifter žan že tigre. biholde že spaces {and} že stablenesse {and} že swyfte cours of že heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule žinges. že whiche heuene certys nis nat ražer for žise žinges to ben wondred vpon. žan for že resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned. but že shynynge of ži forme žat is to seien že beaute of ži body. how swiftly passyng is it {and} how transitorie. ¶ Certis it is more flittynge žan že mutabilite of floures of že som{er} sesou{n}. For so as aristotil tellež žat yif žat men hadden eyen of a beest žat hi[gh]t lynx. so žat že lokyng of folk my[gh]t[e] percen žoru[gh] že žinges ž{a}t wižstonden it. who so lokid žan in že entrailes of že body of alcibiades žat was ful fayr in že sup{er}fice wiž oute. it shulde seme ry[gh]t foule. {and} for ži yif žou semest faire. ži nature ne makiž nat žat. but že desceiuau{n}ce of že fieblesse of že eyen žat loken. ¶ But p{re}ise že goodes of ži body as moche as euer že list. so žat žou know[e] algates žat what so it be. žat is to seyn of že goodes of ži body whiche žat ž{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or dessolued by že hete of a feuere of žre dayes. ¶ Of alle whiche forseide žinges I may reduce{n} žis shortly in a so{m}me. ¶ žat žise worldly goodes whiche žat ne mowen nat [gh]iuen žat žei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by že congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. žat žei ne ben nat weyes ne pažes žat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to ben blysful. HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE. [Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]] ++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediž wandryng wrecches fro že paže of verrey good. ¶ Certis [gh]e ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne [gh]e ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in že vines. ne [gh]e ne hiden nat [gh]oure gynnes in hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes to kachen fisshe of whiche [gh]e may maken ryche festes. and yif [gh]ow lykež to hunte to roos. [gh]e ne gon nat to že foordes of že water žat hy[gh]t tyrene. {and} ouer žis men knowen wel že crikes {and} že cau{er}nes of že see yhidd in že floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundež most of rede purpre. žat is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre. {and} knowen whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes žat hy[gh]ten echynnys. but folk suffren hem self to ben so blynde žat hem ne recchiž nat to knowe where žilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche žat žei coueiten but ploungen hem in erže {and} seken žere žilke goode ž{a}t so{ur}mou{n}tež že heuene žat berež že sterres. ¶ what p{re}yere may I make žat be digne to že nice žou[gh]tis of men. but I p{re}ye žat žei coueite{n} rycches {and} hono{ur}s so žat whan žei han geten žo false goodes wiž greet trauayle žat žerby žei mowe knowen že verray goodes. HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}. [Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]] ++IT suffisiž žat I haue shewed hider to že forme of false wilfulnesse. so žat yif žou look[e] now clerely že ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeriž from hennes forže to shewe{n} že verray wilfulnesse. ¶ For q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] se wel now žat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by richesse. ne power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne gentilesse by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast žou wel knowen q{uo}d she že cause whi it is. Certis me semež q{uod} .I. žat .I. se hem ry[gh]t as žou[gh] it were žoru[gh] a litel clifte. but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of že. Certys q{uod} she že resou{n} is al redy ¶ For žilk žing žat symply is on žing wiž outen ony diuisiou{n}. že errour {and} folie of mankynde departež {and} diuidiž it. {and} mislediž it {and} t{ra}nsportež from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes žat ben false {and} inp{er}fit. ¶ But seye me žis. wenest žou žat he žat haž nede of power žat hy{m} ne lakkež no žing. Nay q{uo}d .I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she žou seist ary[gh]t. For yif so be ž{a}t žer is a žing žat in any p{ar}tie be fieble of power. Certis as in žat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine helpe. ¶ Ri[gh]t so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power ben žan of on kynde ¶ So semež it q{uod} I. ¶ And demyst žou q{uo}d she žat a žing žat is of žis manere. žat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} my[gh]ty au[gh]t[e] to ben dispised. or ellys ž{a}t it be ry[gh]t digne of reuerences abouen alle žinges. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute žat it nis ry[gh]t worži to ben reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she žan adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power ¶ So žat we demen žat žise žre žinges ben alle o žing. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten že sože. what demest žou žan q{uo}d she is žat a dirke žing {and} nat noble žat is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} my[gh]ty. or ellys žat is ry[gh]t clere {and} ry[gh]t noble of celebrete of renou{n}. ¶ Considere žan q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne. žat he žat ne haž ne[de] of no žing {and} is most my[gh]ty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediž any clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he my[gh]t[e] nat graunten of hym self. ¶ So žat for lakke of žilke clerenesse he my[gh]t[e] seme febler on any syde or že more outcaste. _Glosa._ žis is to seyne nay. ¶ For who so žat is suffisau{n}t my[gh]ty {and} reuerent. clernesse of renou{n} folwež of že forseide žinges. he haž it alredy of hys suffisaunce. boice. I may nat q{uo}d I denye it. ¶ But I mot graunten as it is. žat žis žing be ry[gh]t celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. ¶ žan folwež it q{uo}d she žat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to že žre forseide žinges. so žat žer ne be amonges hem no difference. {and} žis is a consequente q{uo}d .I. žis žing žan q{uo}d she žat ne haž no nede of no foreine žing. {and} žat may don alle žinges by his strengžes. {and} žat is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat žat a myrie žing {and} a ioyful. _boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I ž{a}t any sorow my[gh]t[e] comen to žis žing žat is swiche. ¶ Certys I may nat žinke. _P._ ¶ žanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} she žat žis žing be ful of gladnesse yif že žorseide žinges be sože. ¶ And also certys mote we graunten. žat suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce haž no diu{er}site. _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I. _P._ žilke žinge žan q{uo}d she žat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. že wikkednesse of men departiž it diuidiž it. {and} whan žei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a žing žat ne haž no part. žei ne geten hem neižer žilk[e] p{ar}tie žat nis none. ne že žing al hole žat žei ne desire nat. _.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. _p._ žilke man q{uo}d she žat sekež rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauaylež hym nat to for to gete power for he haž leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke wiždrawež from hym selfe many naturel delit[gh] for he nolde lesen že moneye žat he haž assembled. but certis in žis manere he ne getiž hym nat suffisaunce žat power forletiž. {and} žat moleste p{re}kež. {and} žat filže makež outcaste. {and} žat derknesse hidež. and certis he ž{a}t desirež only power he wastiž {and} scatriž rychesse {and} dispisež delices {and} eke hono{ur} žat is wiž out power. ne he ne p{re}isež glorie no žing. ¶ Certys žus seest žou wel žat many ži{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he haž somtyme faute of many necessites. {and} many anguysses biten hym ¶ {and} whan he may nat don žo defautes awey. he forletež to ben my[gh]ty. {and} žat is že žing žat he most desirež. {and} ry[gh]t žus may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of žise forseide žinges is že same žat žise ožer žinges ben. žat is to sein. al oon žing. who so žat euer sekež to geten žat oon of žise {and} nat žat ožer. he ne getež nat žat he desirež. _Boice._ ¶ what seist žou žan yif žat a man coueitež to geten alle žise žinges to gider. _P._ Certys q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie žat he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes. but žat shal he nat fynde in žo žinges žat .I. haue shewed žat ne mowe nat [gh]euen žat žei by-heten. _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I. ¶ žan q{uod} she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche žinges as men wenen žat žei ne mowe [gh]euen but o žing senglely of alle ž{a}t me{n} seken. I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no sožer žing ne may nat ben said. _P._ ¶ Now hast žou žan q{uo}d she že forme {and} že causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} flitte že eyen of ži žou[gh]t. for žere shalt žou seen an oon žilk verray blysfulnesse ž{a}t I haue byhy[gh]t žee. _b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. žou[gh] žat it were to a blynde man. {and} žat shewedest žou me [ful wel] a lytel her byforne. whan žou enforcedest že to shewe me že causes of že false blysfulnesse ¶ For but yif I be by-giled. žan is žilke že verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse žat p{er}fitly makiž a man suffisau{n}t. my[gh]ty. hono{ur}able noble. {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for žou shalt wel knowe žat I haue wel vndirstonden žise žinges wiž i{n}ne myne herte. I knowe wel žilke blisfulnesse žat may verrayly [gh]euen on of že forseide žinges syn žei ben al oon .I. knowe douteles žat žilke žing is že fulle of blysfulnesse. _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by žis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I sey[e] žat žou art blisful yif žou putte žis žer to žat I shal seine. what is žat q{uo}d .I. ¶ Trowest žou žat žer be any žing in žis eržely mortal toumblyng žinges žat may bryngen žis estat. Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat. {and} žou hast shewed me wel žat ouer žilke goode žer is no žing more to ben desired. _P._ žise žinges žan q{uo}d she. žat is to seyne eržely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche žinges eyžer žei semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it semež žat žei [gh]euen to mortal folk a maner of goodes žat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But žilke goode žat is verray {and} p{er}fit. žat may žei nat [gh]euen. _boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I. žan q{uo}d she for as moche as žou hast knowen whiche is žilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche žilke žinges ben žat lien falsly blisfulnesse. žat is to seyne. žat by desceit seme{n} verray goodes. ¶ Now byhouež že to knowe{n} whennes {and} where žou mowe seek[e] žilke verray blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I žat desijr I gretly {and} haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it. ¶ But for as moche q{uo}d she as it likež to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo. žat in ry[gh]t lytel žinges men sholde bysechen že helpe of god. ¶ what iugest žou žat be [now] to done so žat we may deserue to fynde že sete of žilke souereyne goode. _B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme žat we shulle clepen to že fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For wiž outen hym nis žer no žing founden ary[gh]t. žou seist a-ry[gh]t q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ry[gh]t žus. O QUI PERPETUA. [Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]] ++O žou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of eržes žat gouernest žis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} žat comaundist že tymes for to gon from tyme žat age had[de] bygy{n}ny{n}g. žou žat dwellest ži self ay stedfast {and} stable {and} [gh]iuest alle ožer žinges to ben moeued. ne forein causes necesseden že neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but only že forme of souereyne goode y-set wiž i{n}ne [že] wiž outen envie žat moeued[e] že frely. žou žat art alžerfairest beryng že faire worlde in ži žou[gh]t. formedest žis worlde to že likkenesse semblable of žat faire worlde in ži žou[gh]t. žou drawest alle žinges of ži souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist žat žis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and} absolut hyse p{er}fit parties. ¶ žou byndest že element[gh] by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. žat že colde žinges mowen accorde wiž že hote žinges. {and} že drye ži{n}ges wiž že moyst žinges. žat že fire žat is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne žat že heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n} ouer lowe že eržes žat ben plounged in že watres. ¶ žou knyttest to-gidre že mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle žinges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge. ¶ And whan it is žus diuided it haž assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It gož to to{ur}ne a[gh]ein to hym owen self. {and} environež a fulle deep žou[gh]t. {and} to{ur}niž že heuene by semblable ymage. žou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest že soules {and} že lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by ly[gh]t[e] cartes. žou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erže. {and} whan žei ben conuertid to že by ži benigne lawe. ¶ žou makest hem retorne a[gh]eine to že by a[gh]ein ledyng fijr. ¶ O fadir yif žou to ži žou[gh]t to stien vp in to ži streite sete. {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune že welle of good. {and} že ly[gh]te yfounde graunte hym to ficchen že clere sy[gh]tes of hys corage in že. ¶ And scatre žou {and} to-breke [thow] že wey[gh]tes {and} že cloudes of eržely heuynesse. {and} shyne žou by ži bry[gh]tnes. for žou art clernesse žou art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ žou ži self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. berere. ledere. paž {and} t{er}me to loke on že [žat] is oure ende. _Glose._ QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT. [Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]] ++FOr as moche žan as žou hast seyn. whiche is že forme of goode žat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is že forme of goode žat is p{er}fit. now trowe I žat it were goode to shewe in what žis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is set. {and} in žis žing I trowe žat we sholden first enquere forto witen yif žat any swiche manere goode as žilke goode žat žou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. žat is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in že nature of žinges. For žat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of žou[gh]t ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of že sožefastnesse of žilke žinge žat is su{m}myttid to vs. žis is to seyne. but it may nat ben denoyed žat žilke goode ne is. ¶ and žat it nis ry[gh]t as a welle of alle goodes. ¶ For al žing žat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. is proued i{n}p{er}fit by že amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of žing žat is p{er}fit. {and} her of comež it. žat in euery žing general. yif žat. žat men seen any žing žat is i{n}p{er}fit certys in žilke general žer mot ben so{m}me žing žat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so be žat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat žinke nor seye fro whe{n}nes žilke žing is žat is cleped inperfit. ¶ For že nature of žinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of žinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediž of ži{n}g{us} žat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendež so doune in to outerest žinges {and} in to ži{n}g{us} empty {and} wiž oute fruyt. but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne. žat yif žer be a blisfulnesse žat be frele {and} vein {and} inp{er}fit. žer may no man doute. žat žer nys som blisfulnesse žat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. žis is concludid q{uo}d I fermely {and} sožefastly. _P._ But co{n}sidere also q{uo}d she in wham žis blisfulnesse enhabitež. že co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of že corages of men p{ro}uež {and} grauntež žat god p{r}ince of alle ži{n}g{us} is good. ¶ For so as no žing ne may ben žou[gh]t bettre žan god. it may nat ben douted žan žat [he ž{a}t] no žing is bettre. žat he nys good. ¶ Certys resou{n} shewež žat god is so goode žat it p{ro}uež by verray force žat p{er}fit goode is in hym. ¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne may nat ben p{r}ince of alle žinges. for certis som žing possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more žan god. {and} [it] sholde seme žat žilke žing were first {and} elder žan god. ¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly žat alle žinges žat ben p{er}fit. ben first or žinges žat ben inperfit. ¶ And for ži for as moche as [that] my resou{n} or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wižoute an ende. we ou[gh]t[e] to graunten žat že souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of souereyne p{er}fit goode. and we han establissed žat že souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. žan mot it nedes ben [ž{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. _B._ žis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne žis ne may nat be wižseid in no manere. ¶ But I p{re}ie že q{uo}d she see now how žou mayst preuen holily {and} wiž-oute{n} corrupciou{n} žis žat I haue seid. žat že souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest žou ou[gh]t q{uo}d she žat žis p{r}ince of alle žinges haue ytake žilke souereyne good any where žan of hym self. ¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}uež žat he is ful ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test žinken. žat god žat haž blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} žat ilke blisfulnesse žat is in hym were diu{er}s in substaunce. ¶ For yif žou wene žat god haue receyued žilke good oute of hy{m} self. žou mayst wene žat he žat [gh]af žilke good to god. be more goode žan is god. ¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse {and} žat ry[gh]t dignely žat god is ry[gh]t worži abouen alle žinges. ¶ And yif so be žat žis good be in hym by nature. but žat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle žinges feyne who so feyne may. who was he žat [hath] co{n}ioigned žise diu{er}s žinges to-gidre. {and} eke at že last[e] se wel žat o žing žat is diu{er}s from any žing. žat žilke žing nis nat žat same žing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} to ben diu{er}s. žan folwež it. žat žilke ži{n}g žat by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. žat žat žing nys nat souereyne good. but certys žat were a felonous corsednesse to žinken žat of hym. žat no žing nis more worže. For alwey of alle žinges. že nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better žan his bygy{n}nyng. ¶ For whiche I may concluden by ry[gh]t uerray resou{n}. žat žilke žat is bygynnyng of alle žinges. žilke same žing is good in his substaunce. _B._ žou hast seid ry[gh]tfully q{uo}d .I. _P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she žat souereyne good is blysfulnes. žat is sože q{uo}d .I. žan q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen žat žilke same souereyne goode be god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I ne may nat denye ne wižstonde že resou{n}s p{ur}posed. and I see wel žat it folwež by strengže of že p{re}misses. ¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif žis be proued [yit] more fermely žus. ¶ žat žer ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes žat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem self. žat on is nat žat žat ožer is. žan [ne] mowen neižer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyžer of hem lakkiž to ožir. but žat žat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly žat it nis nat souereyne. že žinges žan žat ben souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse. ¶ But I haue wel conclude žat blisfulnesse {and} god ben [the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be žat souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No žing q{uo}d I nis more sožefast žan žis ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more worži žing žan god may nat ben concluded. _P._ vpon žise žinges žan q{uo}d she. ry[gh]t as žise geometriens whan žei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s ben wont to brynge{n} in žinges žat žei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide žinges. ry[gh]t so wil I [gh]eue že here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune. For whi. for as moche as by že getynge of blisfulnesse men ben maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ žan is it manifest {and} open žat by že gety{n}g of diuinite men ben makid blisful. ry[gh]t as by že getynge of iustice . . . {and} by že getyng of sapience žei ben maked wise. ¶ Ry[gh]t so nedes by že semblable resou{n} wha{n} žei han getyn diuinite žei ben maked goddys. žan is euery blisful man god. ¶ But certis by nature. žer nys but oon god. but by že p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite žere ne lettež ne disturbež no žing žat žer ne ben many goddes. ¶ žis is q{uo}d .I. a faire žing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as ž{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no žing nis fairer. žan is že žing žat by resou{n} sholde ben added to žise forseide žinges. what žing q{uo}d .I. ¶ So q{uo}d she as it semež žat blisfulnesse conteniž many žinges. it were forto witen whežir [ž{a}t] alle žise žinges maken or conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle žilke ži{n}g{us} be swyche žat it acomplise by hy{m} self že substaunce of blisfulnesse. so žat alle žise ožer žinges ben referred and brou[gh]t to blisfulnesse. žat is to seyne as to že chief of hem. ¶ I wolde q{uo}d I žat žou makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what žou seist. {and} žat žou recordest me že forseide žinges. ¶ Haue I nat iuged q{uo}d she. žat blisfulnesse is goode. [gh]is forsože q{uo}d .I. {and} žat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde žan q{uo}d she žilke goode žat is maked blisfulnes to alle že forseide žinges. ¶ For žilke same blisfulnesse žat is demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. žilke self is souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse or noblesse {and} souereyne delit. what seist žou žan of alle žise žinges. žat is to seyne. suffisance power {and} žise ožer žinges. ben žei žan as membris of blisfulnesse. or ben žei referred {and} brou[gh]t to souereyne good. ¶ Ry[gh]t as alle žinges žat ben brou[gh]t to že chief of hem. b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what žou p{ur}posest to seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene žat žou shewe it me. _p._ Take now žus že discressiou{n} of žis questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif al žise žinges q{uo}d she weren membris to felicite. žan weren žei diu{er}se žat oon fro žat ožer. ¶ And swiche is že nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. žat dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I it haž wel ben shewed her byforne. žat alle žise žinges ben alle on žing. žan ben žei none membris q{uo}d she. for ellys it sholde seme žat blisfulnesse were conioigned al of one membre alone. but žat is a ži{n}g žat may nat ben doon. žis žing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide to herkene že remenaunt of že questiou{n}. žis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. žat alle ožer žinges ben referred {and} brou[gh]t to goode. ¶ For žerfore is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good. {and} forži is power requered. for men trowen also žat it be goode. and žis same žing mowe we žinken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit. žan is souereyne good že soume {and} že cause of alle žat au[gh]t[e] be desired. forwhi žilke žing žat wiž-holdež no good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat wel in no manere be desired ne requered. {and} že contrarie. For žou[gh] žat žinges by hir nature ne ben nat goode algates yif men wene žat žei be{n} goode [gh]it ben žei desired as žou[gh] [ž{a}t] žei were verrayly goode. {and} žerfore is it žat men au[gh]te{n} to wene by ry[gh]t žat bounte be souereyne fyn {and} že cause of alle žinges žat ben to requeren. ¶ But certis žilke ž{a}t is cause for whiche men requeren any žing. ¶ it semež žat žilke same žing be most desired. as žus yif žat a wy[gh]t wolde ryde for cause of hele. he ne desirež nat so mychel že moeuyng to ryden as že effect of his heele. Now žan syn žat alle žinges ben requered for že grace of good. žei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more žan že same good ¶ But we han graunted žat blysfulnesse is žat žing for whiche žat alle žise ožer žinges ben desired. žan is it žus žat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and} desired ¶ By whiche žing it shewež clerely žat good {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} že same substaunce. ¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore žat men my[gh]t[en] discorden in žis. _p._ {and} we han shewed žat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse is al oon žing ¶ žat is sože q{uod} .I. žan mowe we conclude sikerly ž{a}t že substaunce of god is set in žilke same good {and} in noon ožer place. NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C. [Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]] ++O Comež alle to-gidre now [gh]e žat ben ycau[gh]t {and} ybounde wiž wicked[e] cheines by že deceiuable delit of eržely žinges inhabytynge in [gh]oure žou[gh]t. here shal ben že reste of [gh]oure laboures. here is že hauene stable in peisible quiete. žis al oone is že open refut to wreches. _Glosa._ žis is to seyn. žat [gh]e žat ben combred {and} deceyued wiž worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comež now to žis souereyne good žat is god. žat is refut to hem žat wolen come to hym. _Textus._ ¶ Alle že žinges žat že ryuere Tagus [gh]iuež [gh]ow wiž his golden[e] grauels. or ellys alle že žynges žat že ryuere herm{us}. [gh]iuež wiž his rede brynke. or žat yndus [gh]iuež žat is nexte že hote p{ar}tie of že worlde. žat medelež že grene stones (smaragd{e}) wiž že white (margarits). ne sholde nat cleren že lokynge of [gh]oure žo[gh]t. but hiden ražer [gh]oure blynde corages wiž i{n}ne hire dirkenesse ¶ Alle žat likež [gh]ow here {and} excitiž {and} moeuež [gh]oure žou[gh]tes. že erže haž noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but že shynyng by že whiche že heuene is gouerned {and} whennes žat it haž hys strengže žat chasež že derke oueržrowyng of že soule. ¶ And who so euer may knowen žilke ly[gh]t of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine žat že white bemes of že sonne ne ben nat cleer. ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice. [Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]] ++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle žise žinges ben strongly bounden wiž ry[gh]t ferme resou{n}s. how mychel wilt žou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif žat žou knowe what žilke goode is. I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by price wiž outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to knowe also to-gidre god žat is good. ¶ certys q{uo}d she ž{a}t shal I do že by verray resou{n}. yif žat žo žinges žat I haue conclude[d] a litel her by forne dwellen oonly in hir first[e] graunty{n}g. _Boice._ žei dwellen graunted to že q{uo}d .I. žis is to seyne as who seiž .I. graunt ži forseide conclusiou{n}s. ¶ Haue I nat shewed že q{uo}d she žat že žinges žat ben requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for žei ben diu{er}se žat oon fro žat ožer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to ožer. žei ne han no power to bryngen a good ž{a}t is ful {and} absolute. ¶ But žan atte arst ben žei verray good whan žei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in to oon wirchy{n}g. so žat žilke žing žat is suffisaunce. žilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and} mirže. ¶ And forsože but alle žise ži{n}ges ben alle o same žing žei ne han nat wher by žat žei mowen ben put in že nou{m}bre of žinges. žat au[gh]ten ben requered or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may žer no man douten. _p._ že žinges žan q{uo}d she žat ne ben none goodes whan žei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan žei bygynnen to ben al o žing. žan ben žei goodes. ne comiž it hem nat žan by že getynge of unite žat žei ben maked goodes. _b._ so it semež q{uo}d .I. but alle žing žat is good q{uo}d she grauntest žou žat it be good by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of good or no. ¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I. ¶ žan mayst žou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} žat oon {and} good ben o same žing. ¶ For of žinges [of] whiche žat že effect nis nat naturely diuerse nedys že substaunce mot ben o same žinge. I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. ¶ Hast žou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. žat al žing žat is haž so longe his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it forletiž to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre. ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. ¶ Ry[gh]t as in beestes q{uod} she. whan že soule {and} že body ben co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce žat oon fram ž{a}t ožir. žan shewež it wel žat it is a dede ži{n}g. {and} žat it is no lenger no beste. {and} že body of a wy[gh]t while it dwellež in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} of membris it is wel seyn žat it is a figure of mankynde. and yif že partyes of že body ben [so] diuide[d] {and} disseuered žat oon fro žat ožir žat žei destroien vnite. že body forletiž to ben žat it was byforne. ¶ And who so wolde renne in že same manere by alle žinges he sholde seen žat wiž outen doute euery žinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forletiž to ben oon it diež {and} p{er}issiž. _boice._ whan I considre q{uo}d I many žinges I see noon ož{er}. ¶ Is žer any žing žanne q{uo}d she žat in as moche as it lyuež naturely. žat forletiž že appetit or talent of hys beynge. {and} desirež to come to deež {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. ¶ yif I considere q{uod} I že beestes žat han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne fynde no žing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiž out forže. žat forletiž or dispisež to lyue {and} to dure{n} or žat wole his žankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For euery beest trauaylež hy{m} to defende {and} kepe že sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} eschewež deež {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}. _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. žat is to seyn žat I am in a doute of swiche žinges as herbes or trees žat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han whežer žei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she ne žer of žar že nat doute. ¶ Now look vpon žise herbes {and} žise trees. žei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place žei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} ožir waxen i{n} mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._] [{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos in sondes / {and} yif ž{a}t any wyht enforce hym to beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye // For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing ž{a}t / ž{a}t is co{n}uenient to hym {and} trauaylith ž{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen // what woltow seyn of this / ž{a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as}) hyr wode {and} hyr bark / {and} what woltow seyn of this ž{a}t thilke thing / ž{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is / ž{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} ž{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of wode // {and} ž{a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis the destemprau{n}ce of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren harm / {and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man ž{a}t ne wot wel ž{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} // {and} the thinges ek ž{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn ž{a}t that is hirs / ž{a}t is to seyn ž{a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} of hyr beynge {and} endurynge // For wher for elles berith 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 // {and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke ž{a}t is acordynge {and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges ž{a}t ben contraryes {and} enemys corompen hem // {and} yit the harde thinges as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge ž{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges ž{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem ž{a}t brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben arraced // but fyr [fleet[-h]] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} / ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the sowle ž{a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n} of thinges // As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete ž{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e} breth in slepynge ž{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt // For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle // but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} // For certes thorw constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful ofte tyme / the deth ž{a}t natur{e} dredith // that is to seyn as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which ž{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore // And som tyme we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / destorbeth {and} constreyneth ž{a}t ž{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 // And thus this charite and this Loue ž{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} // For the puruyance of god hat yeuen to thinges ž{a}t ben creat of hym / this ž{a}t is a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen // For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} // 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 vncerteyn to me / P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng ž{a}t desiret[-h] to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth to ben oon // For yif ž{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht // that is sot[-h] q{uod} I. // Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges oon // .I. assente q{uod} .I. // {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she that thilke same oon is thilke that is good // B // ye forsothe q{uod} I. // Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren good // And thilke good thanne [žow] maist descryuen ryht thus // Good is thilke thing ž{a}t euery wyht desireth // Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and} browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif ther be any thinge / to which ž{a}t alle thinges tenden {and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of alle goodes / 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 descouered to the / in that thow seydyst ž{a}t thow wystest nat a lytel her by-forn // what was th{a}t q{uod} I. // That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was the ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing ž{a}t 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. QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE. [Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]] ++WHo so that sekith sot[-h] 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 in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys thowhtes / And lat hym techen his corage that he hath enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / al ž{a}t he compaseth or sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne thilke thing that the blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth // Glosa // who so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth 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} or that he deme // and lat hym techen his sowle that it 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 his mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [že] syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth to [že] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth / For certes the body bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng // 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 // For wher{e} for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne wyl the ryhtes whan ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} ž{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 že sooth of any thing ž{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse ž{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 // {and} yif so be ž{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al ž{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges ž{a}t ben foryetyn. TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]] ++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for thow remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit] že seconde tyme. žat is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by že co{n}tagio[-u]s coniuncc{i}ou{n} of že body wiž že soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded by že charge {and} by že burden of my sorwe. ¶ And žan sayde she žus. ¶ If žou look[e] q{uo}d she firste že žinges žat žou hast graunted it ne shal nat ben ry[gh]t feer žat žou ne shalt remembren žilke žing žat žou seidest žat žou nistest nat. what žing q{uo}d I. ¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she žat žis worlde is gouerned. Me remembriž it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse wel žat I ne wist[e] it nat ¶ But al be it so žat I se now fro{m} afer what žou p{ur}posest ¶ Algates I desire [gh]it to herkene it of že more pleynely. ¶ žou ne wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne žat men sholden doute žat žis worlde is gouerned by god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne [gh]itte doute I it nau[gh]t. ne I nil neuer wene žat it were to doute. as who seiž. but I wot wel žat god gouernež žis worlde. ¶ And I shal shortly answere že by what resou{n}s I am brou[gh]t to žis. ¶ žis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne my[gh]ten neuer han ben assembled in o forme. but yif žere ne were oon žat conioigned so many[e diu{er}se] žinges. ¶ And že same diuersite of hire natures žat so discordeden žat oon fro žat ožer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} že ži{n}ges žat ben co{n}ioigned. yif žere ne were oon žat contened[e] žat he haž co{n}ioigned {and} ybounde. ne že certein ordre of nature ne sholde. nat brynge furže so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites. yif žere ne were oon žat were ay stedfast dwellynge. žat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] žise diuersites of moeuynges. ¶ and žilke žinge what so euer it be. by whiche žat alle žinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe hym god žat is a worde žat is vsed to alle folke. žan seide she. syn žou felest žus žise žinges q{uo}d she. I trowe žat I haue lytel more to done. žat žou my[gh]ty of wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones ži contre. ¶ But lat vs loken že žinges žat we han p{ur}posed her-byforn. ¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} she žat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse. {and} we han accorded žat god is {and} žilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsože q{uo}d I. {and} žat to gouerne žis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he neuer han nede of none helpe fro wižoute. for ellys yif he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde not haue [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. [gh]is žus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I. ¶ žan ordeynež he by hym self al oon alle žinges q{uo}d she. žat may nat ben denied q{uo}d I. ¶ And I haue shewed žat god is že same good. ¶ It reme{m}brež me wel q{uo}d I. ¶ žan ordeinež he alle žinges by žilke goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to ben good gouernež alle ži{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere by whiche žat že edifice of žis worlde is ykept stable {and} wiž oute corumpynge ¶ I accorde me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here byforn žat žou woldest seyne žus. Al be it so žat it were by a žinne suspeciou{n}. I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as I trowe žou leedest nowe more ententifly žine eyen to loken že verray goodes ¶ but naželes že žinges žat I shal telle že [gh]it ne shewež nat lasse to loken. what is žat q{uo}d I. ¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} žat ry[gh]tfully žat god gouernež alle žinges by že keye of his goodnesse. ¶ And alle žise same žinges as I [haue] tau[gh]t že. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen to goode žer may no man doute{n}. žat žei ne ben gouerned uoluntariely. {and} žat žei ne conuerten [hem] nat of her owe{n} wille to že wille of hire ordeno{ur}. as žei žat ben accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} {and} her kyng. ¶ It mot nedys be so q{uo}d. I. ¶ For že realme ne sholde not seme blisful [gh]if žere were a [gh]ok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne že sauynge of obedient žinges ne sholde nat be. žan is žere no žing q{uo}d she ž{a}t kepiž hys nature[;] žat enforcež hym to gone a[gh]eyne god. ¶ No q{uo}d. I. ¶ And if žat any ži{n}g enforced[e] hym to wižstonde god. my[gh]t[e] it auayle at že laste a[gh]eyns hym žat we han g{ra}unted to ben al my[gh]ty by že ry[gh]t of blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al outerly it ne my[gh]t[e] nat auaylen hym. žan is žere no žing q{uo}d she žat eyžer wol or may wižstonde to žis souereyne good. ¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I ¶ žan is žilke že souereyne good q{uo}d she žat alle ži{n}g{us} gouernež strongly {and} ordeynež hem softly. ža{n} seide I žus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in že endes or in že so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s žat žou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued. ¶ But žilke wordes žat ž{o}u vsest deliten me moche more. ¶ So at že last[e] fooles žat so{m}tyme renden greet[e] žinges au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of hem self. ¶ žat is to seyne ž{a}t we fooles žat rep{re}henden wickedly že ži{n}g{us} žat touchen goddes gouernaunce we au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I žat seide god refusež oonly že werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiž nat of he{m}. _p._ žou hast wel herd q{uo}d she že fables of že poetes. how že geauntes assailden že heuene wiž že goddes. but for sože že debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so as it was worži. žat is to seyne distroied[e] že geauntes. as it was worži. ¶ But wilt žou žat we ioygnen togedre žilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele of sože ¶ Do q{uo}d I as že list. wenest žou q{uo}d she žat god ne is almy[gh]ty. no man is in doute of it. Certys q{uo}d I no wy[gh]t ne defendiž it if he be in hys mynde. but he q{uo}d she žat is al my[gh]ty žere nis no žing žat he ne may do. žat is sože q{uo}d I. May god done yuel q{uo}d she. nay for sože q{uo}d. I. ¶ žan is yuel no žing q{uo}d she. ¶ Syn žat he ne may not done yuel žat may done alle žinges. scornest žou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys pleyest žou or deceiuest žou me. žat hast so wouen me wiž ži resou{n}s. že house of didalus so entrelaced. žat it is vnable to ben vnlaced. žou žat ožer while entrest žere žou issest {and} ožer while issest žere žou entrest. ne fooldest žou nat to gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of symplicite deuyne. ¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan žou bygu{n}ne atte blisfulnesse ž{o}u seidest žat it is souereyne good. {and} seidest žat it is set in souereyne god. {and} žat god is že ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche žou [gh]af[e] me as a couenable [gh]ifte. žat is to seyne ž{a}t no wy[gh]t nis blisful. but yif he be good al so žer wiž {and} seidest eke žat že forme of goode is že substaunce of god. {and} of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest ž{a}t žilke same oone is žilke same goode žat is requered {and} desired of al že kynde of žinges. {and} žou p{ro}euedest in disputynge žat god gouernež alle [the] žinges of že worlde by že gouernementys of bountee. {and} seydest žat alle žinges wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest žat že nature of yuel nis no žing. {and} žise žinges ne shewedest žou nat wiž no resou{n}s ytake fro wižoute but by proues in cercles {and} homelyche knowen. ¶ že whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir feiž {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of ožer. žan seide she žus. I ne scorne že nat ne pleye ne desseyue že. but I haue shewed to že žinge žat is grettest ouer alle žinges by že [gh]ifte of god žat we some tyme prayden ¶ For žis is že forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. žat is swiche žat it ne slydež nat in to outerest foreine žinges. ne ne rec[e]yuež no st{ra}nge žinges in hym. but ry[gh]t as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of žilke deuyne substaunce. he seide žus žat žilke deuyne substaunce tornež že worlde {and} žilke cercle moeueable of žinges while žilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiž it self wiž outen moeuynge. žat is to seyne žat it ne moeuiž neuere mo. {and} [gh]itte it moeuež alle ožer žinges. but na-želes yif I [haue] stered resou{n}s žat ne ben nat taken fro wiž oute že compas of že žinge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s žat ben bystowed wiž i{n}ne žat compas žere nis nat whi žat žou sholde[st] merueylen. sen žou hast lerned by že sentence of plato žat nedes že wordes moten ben cosynes to žo žinges of whiche žei speken. FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A. [Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]] ++Blisful is žat man žat may seen že clere welle of good. blisful is he žat may vnbynde hym fro že bonde of heuy erže. ¶ že poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] žat somtyme hadde ry[gh]t greet sorowe for že deež of hys wijf. aftir žat he hadde maked by hys wepely songes že wodes meueable to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked že ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked že hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe. {and} had[de] maked žat že hare was nat agast of že hounde whiche žat was plesed by hys songe. so žat whane že most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende že entrailes of his brest. ne že songes žat hadde ouer comen alle žinges ne my[gh]ten nat assuage hir lorde orpheus. ¶ He pleyned[e] hym of že godes žat were{n} cruel to hym. he wente hym to že houses of helle {and} žere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song in wepynge alle žat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of že noble welles of hys modir calliope že goddesse. {and} he song wiž as mychel as he my[gh]t[e] of wepynge. {and} wiž as myche as loue žat doubled[e] his sorwe my[gh]t[e] [gh]euen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te. ¶ And he commoeuede že helle {and} requered[e] {and} sou[gh]te by swete p{re}iere že lordes of soules in helle of relesynge. žat is to seyne to [gh]elden hym hys wif. ¶ Cerberus že porter of helle wiž his žre heuedes was cau[gh]t {and} al abaist for že new[e] songe. {and} že žre goddesses furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies žat to{ur}mente{n} {and} agaste{n} že soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for pitee. žan was nat že heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by že ou{er}žrowi{n}g whele. ¶ And tantalus žat was destroied by že woodnesse of longe žrust dispisež že flodes to drynke. že fowel žat hy[gh]t voltor žat etiž že stomak or že giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe žat it nil etyn ne tyren no more. ¶ Atte že laste že lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued 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 haž welle I-bou[gh]t hir by his faire songe {and} his ditee. but we wil putte{n} a lawe in žis. {and} couenaunt in že [gh]ifte. ž{a}t is to seyne. žat til he be out of helle yif he loke byhynden hym [ž{a}t] hys wijf shal come{n} a[gh]eine to vs ¶ but what is he žat may [gh]eue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to hym self žan any lawe ž{a}t men may [gh]euen. ¶ Allas whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at že termes of že ny[gh]t. žat is to seyne at že last[e] boundes of helle. Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} lost[e] hir {and} was deed. ¶ žis fable app{er}teinež to [gh]ow alle who so euer desirež or sekiž to lede his žou[gh]te in to že souereyne day. žat is to seyne to clerenes[se] of souereyne goode. ¶ For who so žat eu{er}e be so ouer come{n} žat he fycche hys eyen in to že put[te] of helle. žat is to seyne who so settež his žou[gh]tes in eržely žinges. al žat euer he haž drawen of že noble good celestial he lesiž it whan he lokež že helles. žat is to seyne to lowe žinges of že erže. EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS. INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS. HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}. [Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]] ++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably že forseide žinges kepynge že dignitee of hir choere in že wey[gh]te of hir wordes. I žan žat ne hadde nat al out{er}ly for[gh]eten že wepyng {and} mournyng žat was set in myne herte for-brek že entenc{i}ou{n} of hir žat entended[e] [gh]itte to seyne ož{er} žinges. ¶ Se q{uo}d I. žou žat art gideresse of verray ly[gh]te že žinges žat žou hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere {and} so shewyng by že deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by ži resou{n}s žat žei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. ¶ And žilke ži{n}g{us} žat žou toldest me. al be it so žat I hadde som tyme fo[r][gh]eten hem for [the] sorwe of že wronge žat haž ben don to me. [gh]it naželes žei ne were nat alouterly vnknowen to me. but žis same is namly a gret cause of my sorwe. žat so as že gouernoure of žinges is goode. yif žat yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif žat yuelys passen wiž outen punyssheinge. že whiche žinge oonly how worži it is to ben wondred vpon. žou considerest it weel ži self certeynly. but [gh]itte to žis žing žere is an ožer žing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. ¶ For felonie is emperisse {and} flowrež ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wiž outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir že feet of felonous folk. {and} it abiež že to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of wicked felou{n}s ¶ Of al[le] whiche žing žer nis no wy[gh]t žat [may] merueyllen ynou[gh] ne compleyne žat swiche žinges ben don in že regne of god žat alle žinges woot. and alle žinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode žinges. ¶ žan seide she žus. certys q{uo}d she žat were a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wižouten ende. {and} wel more horrible žan alle monstres yif it were as ž{o}u wenest. žat is to sein. žat in že ry[gh]t ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. žat že vesseles žat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed {and} heried. and že p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled {and} vyle. but it nis nat so. For yif že žinges žat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole {and} vnraced. žou shalt wel knowe by že auctorite of god. of že whos regne I speke žat certys že good[e] folk ben alwey my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble. ne že vices ben neu{e}re mo wiž outen peyne[;] ne že vertues ne ben nat wiž outen mede. and žat blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comež alwey to wicked folke. ¶ And žou shalt wel knowe many[e] žinges of žis kynde ž{a}t sholle cessen ži pleyntes. {and} stedfast že wiž stedfast saddenesse. ¶ And for žou hast seyn že forme of že verray blisfulnesse by me žat [haue] somtyme I-shewed it že. And žou hast knowen i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle žinges I treted ž{a}t I trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] furže ¶ I shal shewe že. že weye žat shal brynge že a[gh]eyne vnto ži house {and} I shal ficche fežeres in ži žou[gh]t by whiche it may arysen in hey[gh]te. so žat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey žou by my gidyng & by my paže {and} by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to ži contre. SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}. [Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]] ++I Haue for sože swifte fežeres žat surmou{n}ten že hey[gh]t of že heuene whan že swifte žou[gh]t haž cložed it self. in žo fežeres it dispisež že hat[e]ful eržes. {and} surmou{n}tež že hey[gh]enesse of že greet[e] eyir. {and} it seiž že cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passež že hey[gh]t of že regiou{n} of že fire žat eschaufiž by že swifte moeuyng of že firmament. til žat she a-reisiž hir in til že houses ž{a}t beren že sterres. {and} ioygnež hir weyes wiž že sonne phebus. {and} felawshipež že weye of že olde colde saturnus. and she ymaked a kny[gh]t of že clere sterre. žat is to seyne žat že soule is maked goddys kny[gh]t by že sekyng of treuže to comen to že verray knowlege of god. and žilke soule renne[ž] by že cercle of že sterres in alle že places žere as že shynyng ny[gh]t is depeynted. žat is to seyne že ny[gh]t žat is cloudeles. for on ny[gh]tes žat ben cloudeles it semež as že heuene were peynted wiž dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan že soule haž gon ynou[gh] she shal forleten že last[e] poynt of že heuene. {and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on že bak of že swifte firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of že dredefulle clerenesse of god. ¶ žere haldež že lorde of kynges že ceptre of his my[gh]t {and} atte{m}p{er}ež že gouernementes of žis worlde. {and} že shynynge iuge of žinges stable i{n} hy{m} self gouernež že swifte carte. žat is to seyne že circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne. {and} yif ži weye ledež že a[gh]eyne so žat žou be brou[gh]t žider. žan wilt žou seye now žat žat is že contre žat žou requeredest of whiche žou ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbrež me wel here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil I dwelle. but yif že lyke žan to loken on že derkenesse of že erže žat žou hast for-leten. žan shalt žou seen žat žise felonous tyrauntes žat že wrecched[e] poeple dredež now shule ben exiled from žilke faire contre. TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}. [Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]] ++ŽAnne seide I žus. [owh] I wondre me žat žou by-hetest me so grete žinges. ne I ne doute nat žat ž{o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme žat žou by-hetest. but I preie že oonly žis. žat žou ne tarie nat to telle me žilke žinges žat žou hast meoued. first q{uo}d she žou most nedes knowen. ž{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} my[gh]ty. and že shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked of alle strengžes. and of žise žinges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by ož{er}. ¶ For so as good {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be žat goode be stedfast. ža{n} shewež že fieblesse of yuel al openly. and yif žou knowe clerely že freelnesse of yuel. že stedfastnesse of goode is knowen. but for as moche as že fey of my sentence shal be že more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I wil goon by žat oon wey {and} by žat ožer {and} I wil conferme že žinges žat ben p{ur}posed now on žis side {and} now on ž{a}t syde. ¶ Two žinges žer ben in whiche že effect of alle že dedes of man kynde standiž. žat is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif žat oon of žise two faylež žere nis no žing žat may be don. for yif žat wil lakkež žere nys no wy[gh]t žat vndirtakež to done žat he wol not don. and yif power faylež že wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nau[gh]t. and žer of comež it žat yif žou se a wy[gh]t žat wolde gete{n} žat he may nat geten. žou mayst nat douten žat power ne faylež hy{m} to haue{n} žat he wolde. ¶ žis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat ben denyed in no manere. and yif žou se a wy[gh]t q{uo}d she. žat haž don žat he wolde don ž{o}u nilt nat douten žat he ne haž had power to done it. no q{uo}d. I. and in žat. žat euery wy[gh]t may. in žat žat men may holden hym my[gh]ty. as who seiž i{n} as moche as a man is my[gh]ty to done a žing. in so moche men halden hy{m} my[gh]ty. and in žat žat he ne may. in žat men demen hym to ben feble. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. Remembriž že q{uo}d she žat I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s žat al že entenc{i}ou{n} of že wil of ma{n}kynde whiche žat is lad by diuerse studies hastiž to comen to blisfulnesse. ¶ It reme{m}brež me wel q{uo}d I žat it hath ben shewed. {and} recordež že nat žan q{uo}d she. žat blisfulnesse is žilke same goode žat men requeren. so žat whan žat blisfulnesse is requered of alle. žat goode [also] is requered {and} desired of al. It recordež me wel q{uo}d I. for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie. alle folk žan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} wiž oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. žat is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I. and certeyne is q{uo}d she žat by že gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. žis is certeyne q{uo}d. I. ¶ žan geten goode men žat žei desiren. so semež it q{uo}d I. but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d she yif žei geten že goode žat žei desire{n} žei [ne] mowen nat ben wicked. so is it q{uo}d .I. ¶ žan so as žat oon {and} žat ožer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} že goode folk geten good {and} nat že wicked folk ¶ žan nis it no doute žat že goode folk ne ben my[gh]ty {and} že wicked folk ben feble. ¶ who so žat euer q{uo}d I doutež of žis. he ne may nat considre že nature of ži{n}ges. ne že consequence of resou{n}. and ouer žis q{uo}d she. ¶ yif žat žer ben two žinges žat han o same p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} žat one of he{m} p{ur}suež {and} p{er}formež žilke same žinge by naturel office. {and} žat ožer ne may nat done žilk naturel office. but folwež by ožer manere žan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym žat acomplisiž hys p{ur}pos kyndely. {and} [gh]it he ne acomplisiž nat hys owen purpos. whežer of žise two demest žou for more my[gh]ty. ¶ yif žat I coniecte q{uo}d .I. žat žou wilt seye algates. [gh]it I desire to herkene it more pleynely of že. žou nilt nat žan denye q{uo}d she žat že moeueme{n}t[gh] of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for sože q{uo}d I. ne žou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she ž{a}t žilke naturel office of goynge ne be že office of feet. I ne doute it nat q{uo}d .I. žan q{uo}d she yif žat a wy[gh]t be my[gh]ty to moeue {and} gož vpon hys feet. and anožer to whom žilke naturel office of feet lakkež. enforcež hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. ¶ whiche of žise two au[gh]te to ben holden more my[gh]ty by ry[gh]t. knyt furže že remenaunt q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wy[gh]t ne doutež žat he žat may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more my[gh]ty žan he žat ne may nat ¶ but že souereyne good q{uo}d she žat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to že good folk {and} to badde. že good folke seken it by naturel office of uertues. {and} že shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise of eržely žinges. whiche žat nis no naturel office to geten žilke same souereyne goode. trowest žou žat it be any ožer wyse. nay q{uo}d .I. for že co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of žinges žat I haue graunted. ¶ žat nedes goode folk moten ben my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes feble {and} vnmy[gh]ty. ¶ žou rennest ary[gh]t byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} žis is že iugement žat is to seyn. ¶ I iuge of že ry[gh]t as žise leches ben wont forto hopen of seke folk whan žei ap{er}ceyuen žat nature is redressed {and} wižstondež to že maladie. ¶ But for I see že now al redy to že vndirstandynge I shal shewe že more žilke {and} continuel resou{n}s. ¶ For loke now how gretly shewiž že feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked folke. žat ne mowen nat come to žat hire naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledež hem. {and} [gh]itte almost žilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreinež hem. ¶ and what wer{e} to deme žan of shrewes. yif žilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten hem. ¶ že whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} gož alwey byforne hem. {and} is so grete žat vnnež it may be ou{er}comen. ¶ Considre žan how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse žere is in grete felonous folk as who seiž že gretter ži{n}ges žat ben coueited {and} že desire nat accomplissed of že lasse my[gh]t is he žat coueitež it {and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forži philosophie seiž žus by souereyne good. ¶ Sherewes ne requere nat ly[gh]t[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche žei ne may nat folwen ne holden. but žei fayle{n} of žilke some of že hey[gh]te of žinges žat is to seyne souereyne good. ne žise wrecches ne comen nat to že effect of souereyne good. že whiche žei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by ny[gh]tes {and} by dayes. ¶ In že getyn[g] of whiche goode že strengže of good folk. is ful wel ysen. For ry[gh]t so as ž{o}u my[gh]test demen hym my[gh]ty of goynge žat gož on hys feet til he my[gh]t[e] come to žilke place fro že whiche place žere ne lay no wey foržer to be gon. Ry[gh]t so most žou nedes demen hym for ry[gh]t my[gh]ty žat getiž {and} atteiniž to že ende of alle žinges žat ben to desire. by-[gh]onde že whiche ende žat žer nis no žing to desire. ¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude žat wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle strengže. For whi forleten žei v{er}tues {and} folwen vices. nis it nat for žat žei ne knowen nat že goodes. ¶ But what žing is more feble {and} more caitif žan is že blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys žei knowen ful wel whiche žinges žat žei au[gh]ten to folwen ¶ but lecherye {and} couetise oueržrowež hem mysturned. ¶ and certis so dož distemp{er}aunce to feble men. žat ne mowe{n} nat wrastle a[gh]eins že vices ¶ Ne knowen žei nat žan wel žat žei foreleten že good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to vices. ¶ And in žis wise žei ne forleten nat oonly to ben my[gh]ty. but žei forleten al outerly in any wise forto ben ¶ For žei žat forleten že comune fyn of alle žinges žat ben. žei for-leten also žerwiž al forto ben. and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk žat žis were a merueile to seyne žat shrewes whiche žat contienen že more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge. ¶ but naželes it is so. {and} žus stant žis žing for žei žat ben shrewes I denye nat žat žei ben shrewes. but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly žat žei [ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge. for ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test seyn of že careyne of a man žat it were a ded man. ¶ but žou ne my[gh]test nat symplely callen it a man. ¶ So graunt[e] I wel for sože žat vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and} symplely žat žei ben. ¶ For žilk žing žat wiž holdež ordre {and} kepiž nature. žilk žing is {and} haž beynge. but žat žing žat failež of žat. žat is to seyne he ž{a}t forletiž naturel ordre he for-letiž žilk beyng žat is set in hys nature. but žou wolt sein žat shrewes mowen. ¶ Certys žat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys hir power ne descendež nat of strengže but of feblesse. for žei mowen don wickednesses. že whiche žei ne my[gh]ten nat don yif žei my[gh]te{n} dwelle in že forme {and} in že doynge of goode folke. ¶ And žilke power shewež ful euydently žat žei ne mowen ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. ¶ For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn žat yuel is nau[gh]t. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly but shrewednesse. žis conclusiou{n} is al clere. žat shrewes ne mowen ry[gh]t nat to han power. and for as moche as žou vndirstonde whiche is že strengže žat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn žat no žing nis so my[gh]ty as souereyne good ¶ žat is sože q{uo}d .I. [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel // Certes no q{uod} I] ¶ Is žer any wy[gh]t žan q{uo}d she žat weniž žat men mowen don alle žinges. No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte. ¶ but certys sherewes mowen doń yuel q{uo}d she. ¶ [gh]e wolde god q{uo}d I žat žei ne my[gh]te{n} don none. žat q{uo}d she so as he žat is my[gh]ty to done oonly but good[e] žinges may don alle žinges. and žei žat ben my[gh]ty to done yuel[e] žinges ne mowen nat alle žinges. žan is žis open žing {and} manifest žat žei ž{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of lasse power. and [gh]itte to p{ro}ue žis conclusiou{n} žere helpež me žis žat I haue shewed here byforne. žat al power is to be nou{m}bred amonge žinges žat men au[gh]ten requere. {and} haue shewed žat alle ži{n}ges žat au[gh]ten ben desired ben referred to good ry[gh]t as to a manere hey[gh]te of hyr nature. ¶ But for to mowen don yuel {and} felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. žan nis nat yuel of že nou{m}bre of žinges žat au[gh]te{n}. be desired. but al power au[gh]t[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ žan is it open {and} cler žat že power ne že moeuyng of shrewes nis no powere. {and} of alle žise žinges it shewež wel žat že goode folk ben certeynly my[gh]ty. {and} že shrewes ben douteles vnmy[gh]ty ¶ And it is clere {and} open žat žilke sentence of plato is uerray {and} sože. ž{a}t seyž žat oonly wiseme{n} may [doon] žat žei desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten žat hem lykež. but žat žei desiren žat is to seyne to comen to souereyne good žei ne han no power to acomplissen žat. ¶ For shrewes don žat hem list whan by žo žinges in whiche žei deliten žei wenen to atteyne to žilke good žat žei desiren. but žei ne geten ne atteynen nat žer to. ¶ for vices ne comen nat to blisfulnesse. QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS. [Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]] ++Who so žat že couertures of her veyn apparailes my[gh]t[e] strepen of žise proude kynges žat žou seest sitten on hey[gh]e in her chayeres glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wiž sorweful arm{ur}es manasyng wiž cruel mouže. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. ¶ He sholde se žan žat ilke lordes beren wiž i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormentiž he{m} on žat oon syde wiž gredy venyms {and} troublable Ire žat araisež in hem že floodes of troublynges tourmentiž vpon žat ožer side hir žou[gh]t. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycau[gh]t. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmentiž hem. And žerfore syn žou seest on heed. žat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis. ža{n} ne dož žilk tyraunt nat žat he desiriž. syn he is cast doune wiž so many[e] wicked lordes. žat is to seyn wiž so many[e] vices. žat han so wicked lordshipes ouer hym. VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO. [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]] ++SEest žou nat žan in how gret filže žise shrewes ben ywrapped. {and} wiž whiche cleernesse žise good folk shynen. In žis shewež it wel žat to good folk ne lakkež neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken neuer mo to{ur}mentis. for of alle žinges žat ben ydon žilke žing for whiche any žing is doon. it semež as by ry[gh]t žat žilke žing be že mede of žat. as žus. ¶ yif a man rennež in že stadie or in že forlonge for že corone. žan liež že mede in že corone for whiche he rennež. ¶ And I haue shewed žat blisfulnesse is žilke same good for whiche žat alle ži{n}g{us} ben don. žan is žilke same good p{ur}posed to že werkes of mankynde ry[gh]t as a comune mede. whiche mede ne may ben disseuered fro good folk. for no wy[gh]t as by ry[gh]t fro žennes forže ž{a}t hym lakkiž goodnesse ne shal ben cleped good. For whiche žing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne forsaken hem neuer mo. For al be it so žat sherewes waxen as wood as hem list a[gh]eynes good[e] folk. [gh]itte neuer že les že corone of wise men ne shal nat fallen ne faden. ¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymež nat fro že corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. but yif žat any wy[gh]t reioisež hem of goodnesse žat žei had[de] taken fro wižoute. as who seiž yif [ž{a}t] any wy[gh]t had[de] hys goodnesse of any ožer man žan of hym self. certys he žat [gh]af hym žilke goodnesse or ellys som ožer wy[gh]t my[gh]t[e] bynym[e] it hym. but for as moche as to euery wy[gh]t hys owen p{ro}pre bounte [gh]euež hy{m} hys mede. žan at arst shal he faylen of mede whan he forletiž to ben good. {and} at že laste so as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen žat žei ben good[e]. who is he žat wolde deme žat he žat is ry[gh]t my[gh]ty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. {and} of what mede shal he be gerdoned. certys of ry[gh]t faire mede {and} ry[gh]t greet abouen alle medes. ¶ Remembre že of žilk noble corolarie žat I [gh]af že a lytel here byforne. {and} gadre it to gidre in žis manere. so as god hym self is blisfulnesse. žan is it clere {and} certeyn. žat alle good folk ben makid blisful for žei ben good[e]. and žilke folk žat ben blisful it accordiž {and} is couenable to ben godde[s]. žan is že mede of goode folk swiche. žat no day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal endirken it. ne power of no wy[gh]t ne shal nat amenusen it žat is to seyn to ben maked goddes. ¶ and syn it is žus žat goode men ne faylen neuer mo of hir{e} medes. ¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of že vndep{ar}table peyne of shrewes. ¶ žat is to seyn žat že peyne of shrewes ne dep{ar}tiž nat from hem self neuer mo. ¶ For so as goode {and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben contrarie it mot nedes ben ž{a}t ry[gh]t as we seen by-tiden in gerdou{n} of goode. žat also mot že peyne of yuel answer{e} by že contrarie partye to shrewes. now žan so as bounte {and} prowesse ben že medes to goode folk. also is shrewednesse it self torment to shrewes ¶ žan who so žat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiž yuel. yif shrewes wolen žan p{re}isen hem self may it semen to hem žat žei ben wiž oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. syn žei ben swiche žat že [vtteriste wikkednesse / ž{a}t is to seyn wikkede thewes / which ž{a}t is the] out{er}este {and} že w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliž nat ne entecehiž nat hem oonly but infectiž {and} enuenemyž he{m} gretely ¶ And al so loke on shrewes žat ben že contrarie p{ar}tye of goode men. how grete peyne felawshipež {and} folwež hem. ¶ For žou hast lerned a litel here byforn žat al ži{n}g žat is {and} haž beynge is oon. {and} žilke same oon is good. žan is žis consequence žat it semež wel. žat al žat is {and} haž bey{n}ge is good. žis is to seyne. as who seiž žat beynge {and} vnite {and} goodnesse is al oon. {and} in žis manere it folwež žan. žat al žing žat failež to ben good. it styntiž forto be. {and} forto haue any beynge. wher fore it is žat shrewes stynten forto ben žat žei weren. but žilke ožer forme of mankynde. žat is to seyne že forme of že body wiž oute. shewiž [gh]it žat žise shrewes were somtyme men. ¶ wher fore whan žei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to malice. certys žan han žei forlorn že nature of mankynde. but so as oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse euery man ouer ožer men. žan mot it nedes be žat shrewes whiche žat shrewednesse haž cast out of že condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir že merite {and} že deserte of men. žan bitidiž it žat yif žou seest a wy[gh]t žat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. žou ne mayst nat wene žat he be a man. ¶ For [gh]if he [be] ardaunt in auarice. {and} žat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of foreine rychesse. žou shalt seyn žat he is lyke to a wolf. {and} yif he be felonous {and} wiž out reste {and} ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. žou shalt lykene hym to že hounde. {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} reioysež hym to rauysshe by wyles. žou shalt seyne hym lyke to že fox whelpes. ¶ And yif he be distempre {and} quakiž for ire men shal wene žat he berež že corage of a lyou{n}. {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge and dredež žinges žat ne au[gh]ten nat ben dred. men shal holde hym lyke to že h{er}te. {and} yif he be slowe {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyuež as an asse. {and} yif he be ly[gh]t {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungež ay his studies. he is lickened to briddes. ¶ {and} yif he be plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wižholden in že foule delices of že foule soowe. ¶ žan folwež it žat he žat forletiž bountee {and} prowesse. he forletiž to ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to že condic{i}ou{n} of god. he is tourned in to a beest. V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS. [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]] ++Evrus že wynde aryuež že sayles of vlixes duc of že contre of narice. {and} hys wandryng shippes by že see in to že isle žere as Circe že fayre goddesse dou[gh]ter of že sonne dwellež žat medlyž to hir newe gestes drynkes žat ben touched {and} maked wiž enchau{n}tment[gh]. {and} after žat hir hande my[gh]ty of že herbes had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to dyuerse maneres. žat oon of hem is couered his face wiž forme of a boor. žat ožer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of že contre of marmorike. {and} his nayles {and} his teže wexen. ¶ žat ožer of hem is newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and} howeliž whan he wolde wepe. žat ožer gož debonairly in že house as a tigre of Inde. but al be it so žat že godhed of mercurie žat is cleped že bride of arcadie haž had mercie of že duc vlixes byseged wiž diu{er}se yueles {and} haž vnbounden hym fro že pestilence of hys oosteresse algates že rowers {and} že maryners hadden by žis ydrawen in to hir moužes {and} dronken že wicked[e] drynkes žei žat were woxen swyne hadden by žis chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto ete acorns of ookes. non of hir lymes ne dwelliž wiž he{m} hoole. but žei han lost že voys {and} že body. Oonly hir{e} žou[gh]t dwellež wiž hem stable ž{a}t wepiž {and} bywailiž že monstruous chaungynge žat žei suffren. ¶ O ouer ly[gh]t hand. as who seiž. ¶ O feble {and} ly[gh]t is že hand of Circes že enchaunteresse žat chaungež že bodies of folk in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n} žat is makid by vices. ne že herbes of circes ne ben nat my[gh]ty. for al be it so žat žei may chau{n}gen že lymes of že body. ¶ algates [gh]it žei may nat chau{n}ge že hertes. for wiž inne is yhid že strengže {and} že vigour of me{n} in že secre toure of hire hertys. žat is to seyn že strengže of resou{n}. but žilke uenyms of vices to-drawen a man to hem more my[gh]tily žan že venym of circes. ¶ For vices ben so cruel žat žei percen {and} žoru[gh] passen že corage wiž i{n}ne. {and} žou[gh] žei ne anoye nat že body. [gh]itte vices wooden to distroien men by wounde of žou[gh]t. TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]] ++Žan seide I žus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne I ne se nat žat men may seyn as by ry[gh]t. ž{a}t shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to beestes by že qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so ž{a}t žei kepen [gh]itte že forme of že body of mankynde. but I nolde nat of shrewes of whiche že žou[gh]t cruel woodež alwey in to destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. žat it wer{e} leueful to hem to done žat. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat leueful to hem as I shal wel shewen že in couenable place. ¶ But naželes yif so were žat žilke žat me{n} wene{n} ben leueful for shrewes were bynomen hem. so žat žei ne my[gh]ten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men. ¶ Certys a gret p{ar}ty of že peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged {and} releued. ¶ For al be it so ž{a}t žis ne seme nat credible žing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk [gh]it mot it nedes be žat shrewes ben more wrecches {and} vnsely. whan žei may don {and} p{er}forme žat žei coueiten [than yif they myhte nat complyssen ž{a}t they coueyten]. ¶ For yif so be žat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] žan is it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. wiž oute whiche moeuyng že wrecched wille sholde languisshe wiž oute effecte. ¶ žan syn žat eueryche of žise žinges haž hys wrecchednesse. žat is to seyne wil to done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes be. žat žei (shrewes) ben constreyned by žre vnselynesses žat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen felonyes {and} shrewednesses. ¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I desire gretely žat shrewes losten sone žilke vnselynesses. žat is to seyne žat shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng to don yuel. ¶ so shulle{n} žei q{uo}d she. sonnere p{er}auenture žen ž{o}u woldest or sonnere žen žei hem self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. ¶ For žere nis no žing so late in so short bou{n}des of žis lijf žat is longe to abide. namelyche to a corage inmortel. Of whiche shrewes že grete hope {and} že heye co{m}passy{n}g{us} of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a sodeyne ende or žei ben war. {and} žat žing establiž to shrewes že ende of hir shrewednesse. ¶ For yif žat shrewednesse makiže wrecches. žan mot he nedes be most wrecched žat lengest is a shrewe. že whiche wicked shrewes wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} caytifs yif žat hir shrewednes ne were yfinissed. at že leste weye by že outerest[e] deež. for [yif] I haue concluded sože of že vnselynesse of shrewednesse. žan shewež it clerely žat žilke shrewednesse is wiž outen ende že whiche is certeyne to ben p{er}durable. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I žis [conclusion] is harde {and} wonderful to graunte. ¶ But I knowe wel žat it accordež moche to [the] ži{n}ges žat I haue graunted her byforne. ¶ žou hast q{uo}d she že ry[gh]t estimac{i}ou{n} of žis. but who so euere wene žat it be an harde žing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ry[gh]t žat he shewe žat so{m}me of že p{re}misses ben fals. or ellys he mot shewe žat že colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and yif it be nat so. but žat že p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted žer nis nat whi he sholde blame že argument. for žis žing žat I shal telle že nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful. but of že žinges žat ben taken al so it is necessarie as who so seiž it folwež of žat whiche žat is p{ur}posed byforn. what is žat q{uo}d I. ¶ certys q{uo}d she žat is žat ž{a}t žise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys lasse wrecches. žat byen že tourmentes žat žei han deserued. žan yif no peyne of Iustice ne chastied[e] hem. ne žis ne seye I nat now for žat any man my[gh]t[e] ženk[e] žat že maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} chastised by veniaunce. {and} žat žei ben brou[gh]t to že ry[gh]t wey by že drede of že tourment. ne for žat žei [gh]euen to ožer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} vices. ¶ But I vndirstonde [gh]itte [in] an ožer manere žat shrewes ben more vnsely whan žei ne ben nat punissed al be it so žat žere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. ne none ensample of lokynge. ¶ And what manere shal žat ben q{uo}d I. oužer žan haž ben told here byforn ¶ Haue we nat graunted žan q{uo}d she žat good[e] folk ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. [gh]is q{uo}d I. [thanne q{uod} she] [gh]if žat any good were added to že wrecchenesse of any wy[gh]t. nis he nat more blisful žan he žat ne haž no medelyng of goode in hys solitarie wrecchednesse. so semež it q{uo}d I. and what seyst žou žan q{uo}d she of žilke wrecche žat lakkež alle goodes. so žat no goode nis medeled in hys wrecchednesse. {and} [gh]itte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche he is a wrecche žat žer be [gh]itte anožer yuel anexid {and} knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely žan žilke wrecche of whiche že vnselynesse is re[le]ued by že p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode. whi sholde he nat q{uo}d I. ¶ žan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan žei ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. žat is to seyne že same peyne žat žei suffren whiche žat is good by že resou{n} of Iustice. And whan žilke same shrewes ascapen wiž outen tourment. žan han žei somwhat more of yuel [gh]it ouer že wickednesse žat žei han don. žat is to seye defaute of peyne. whiche defaute of peyne žou hast graunted is yuel. ¶ For že desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. ¶ Moche more žan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely whan žei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. žan whan žei bež punissed by ry[gh]tful vengeaunce. but žis is open ži{n}g {and} clere žat it is ry[gh]t žat shrewes ben punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong žat žei escapin vnpunissed. ¶ who my[gh]t[e] denye žat q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. žat al žat is ry[gh]t nis good. {and} also že contrarie. žat alle žat is wrong nis wicked. certys q{uo}d I žise žinges ben clere ynou[gh]. {and} žat we han concludid a litel here byforn{e}. but I p{re}ye že žat žou telle me yif žou accordest to leten no to{ur}ment to že soules aftir žat že body is dedid by že deže. žis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest žou ou[gh]t žat soules han any to{ur}ment after že deže of že body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she [gh]e {and} žat ry[gh]t grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I trowe žat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by asprenesse of peyne. {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a p{ur}ging mekenesse. but my conseil nys nat to determyne of žis peyne. but I haue trauayled and told it hider to. ¶ For žou sholdest knowe žat že mowynge [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge že semež to ben. vnworži nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of whiche žou pleynedest žat žei ne were nat punissed. žat žou woldest seen žat žei ne weren neuer mo wiž outen že torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of že licence of mowynge to done yuel. žat žou p{re}idest žat it my[gh]t[e] sone ben endid. {and} žat žou woldest fayne lerne. žat it ne sholde nat longe endure. {and} žat shrewes ben more vnsely yif žei were of lenger duryng. {and} most vnsely yif žei weren p{er}durable. {and} after žis I haue shewed že žat more vnsely ben shrewes whan žei escapen wiž oute ry[gh]tful peyne. žan whan žei ben punissed by ry[gh]tful uengeaunce. and of žis sentence folwež it žat žan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiž most greuous tourment. whan men wene žat žei ne ben nat ypunissed. whan I considre ži resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. ne trowe nat žat men seyn any žing more verrely. {and} yif I to{ur}ne a[gh]eyn to že studies of men. who is [he] to who{m} it sholde seme žat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n} žise žinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. Certys q{uo}d she so it is. but men may nat. for žei han hire eyen so wont to derkenesse of eržely žinges. žat žei may nat liften hem vp to že ly[gh]t of clere sožefastnes. ¶ But žei ben lyke to briddes of whiche že ny[gh]t ly[gh]tnež hyre lookyng. {and} že day blyndež hem. for whan men loken nat že ordre of žinges but hire lustes {and} talent[gh]. žei wene žat ožir že leue or že mowynge to done wickednesse or ellys že escapi{n}g wiž oute peyne be weleful. but co{n}sider{e} že iugement of že p{er}durable lawe. for if žou conferme ži corage to že beste žinges. žou ne hast no nede to no iuge to [gh]iue{n} že p{r}is or meede. for žou hast ioigned ži self to že most excellent žing. and yif žou haue enclined ži studies to že wicked žinges. ne seek no foreyn wrekere out of ži self. for žou ži self hast žrest že in to wicked žinges. ry[gh]t as žou my[gh]test loken by dyuerse tymes že foule erže {and} že heuene. {and} žat alle ožer žinges stynten fro wiž oute. so žat žou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no žing more. žan sholde it semen to že as by only resou{n} of lokynge. žat žou were in že sterres. {and} now in že erže. but že poeple ne lokež nat on žise žinges. what žan shal we žan app{ro}chen vs to hem žat I haue shewed žat žei ben lyke to že bestes. (q. d. no{n}) ¶ And what wilt žou seyne of žis ¶ yif žat a man hadde al forlorn hys sy[gh]t. {and} had[de] for[gh]eten žat he euer saw {and} wende ž{a}t no žing ne fayled[e] hym of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we žat my[gh]ten sen že same žing wolde we nat wene žat he were bly{n}de (q. d. sic). ne also ne accordež nat že poeple to žat I shal seyne. že whiche žing is susteyned by a stronge foundement of resou{n}s. žat is to seyn žat more vnsely ben žei žat don wrong to ožer folk. žen žei žat že wrong suffren. ¶ I wolde heren žilke same resou{n}s q{uo}d I ¶ Deniest žou q{uo}d she žat alle shrewes ne ben worži to han to{ur}ment. nay q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she I am certeyne by many resou{n}s žat shrewes ben vnsely. it accordež q{uo}d I. žan [ne] dowtest žou nat q{uo}d she žat žilke folk žat ben worži of to{ur}ment žat žei ne ben wrecches. It accordež wel q{uo}d I. yif žou were žan q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of žinges. whežer trowest žou ž{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym žat haž don že wronge. or hym žat haž suffred že wronge. I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. žat I nolde don suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n} to hym žat had[de] suffred že wrong by že sorwe of hym žat had[de] don že wronge. ¶ žan semež it q{uo}d she žat že doar of wrong is more wrecche žan he žat haž suffred že wrong. žat folwež wel q{uo}d [I]. žan q{uo}d she by žise causes {and} by ožer causes žat ben enforced by že same roate žat filže or synne by že p{ro}pre nature of it makež men wretches. {and} it shewež wel žat že wrong žat me{n} don nis nat že wrecchenesse of hym žat receyuež že wrong. but že wrecchednesse of hym žat dož že wronge ¶ but certys q{uo}d she žise orato{ur}s or aduocat[gh] don al že contrarie for žei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue že iuges to han pite of he{m} žat han suffred {and} resceyued že žinges žat ben greuous {and} aspre. {and} [gh]itte men sholden more ry[gh]tfully han pitee on hem žat don že greuaunces {and} že wronges. že whiche shrewes it were a more couenable žing žat že accuso{ur}s or aduocat[gh] not wrože but pitous {and} debonaire ladden že shrewes žat han don wro{n}g to že Iugement. ry[gh]t as men leden seke folk to že leche. for žat žei sholden seken out že maladies of synne by to{ur}ment[gh]. and by žis couenaunt eyžer že entent of že defendo{ur}s or aduocat[gh] sholde fayle {and} cesen in al. or ellys yif že office of aduocat[gh] wolde bettre p{ro}fiten to men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to že habit of accusac{i}ou{n}. žat is [to] s[e]yn žei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and} nat excuse hem. {and} eke že shrewes hem self. [gh]it it were leueful to hem to seen at any clifte že vertue žat žei han forleten. {and} sawen žat žei sholde putten adou{n} že filžes of hire vices by [the] to{ur}ment[gh] of peynes. žei ne au[gh]ten nat ry[gh]t for že reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche žat žei han lost demen ne holden žat žilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem. {and} eke žei wolden refuse že attendau{n}ce of hir aduocat[gh] {and} taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. for whiche it bytidež [ž{a}t] as to že wise folk žer nis no place ylete to hate. žat is to seyn. žat hate ne haž no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wy[gh]t wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a fole. ¶ and forto haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}. ¶ For ry[gh]t so as languissing is maladie of body. ry[gh]t so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as we ne deme nat žat žei žat ben seek of hire body ben worži to ben hated. but ražer worži of pite. wel more worži nat to ben hated. but forto ben had in pite ben žei of whiche že žou[gh]tes ben constreined by felonous wickednesse. žat is more cruel ža{n} any languissinge of body. QUID TANTOS IUUAT. [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]] ++What delitež it [gh]ow to exciten so grete moewynges of hatredes {and} to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} of [gh]oure deež wiž [gh]oure p{ro}pre handes. žat is to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. for yif [gh]e axen že deež it hastisiž hym of hys owen wille. ne deež ne tariež nat hys swifte hors. and [the] men žat že serpent[gh] {and} že lyou{n}s. {and} že tigre. {and} že beere {and} že boore seken to sleen wiž her teže. [gh]it žilke same men seken to sleen eueryche of hem ožer wiž swerde. loo for her man{er}s ben diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ žei moeuen vnry[gh]tful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes. but že resou{n} of cruelte nis nat ynou[gh] ry[gh]tful. wilt žou žan [gh]elden a couenable gerdou{n} to že desertes of men ¶ Loue ry[gh]tfully goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes. HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]] ++Žus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyžer what blisfulnesse or ellys what vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in že desertys of goode men {and} of shrewes. ¶ but in žis ilke fortune of poeple I see somwhat of goode. {and} somwhat of yuel. for no wise man haž nat leuer ben exiled pore {and} nedy {and} nameles. žan forto dwellen in hys Citee {and} flouren of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. {and} stronge of power for in žis wise more clerely {and} more witnesfully is že office of wise men ytretid whan že blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it were yshad amonges poeples žat ben ney[gh]boures {and} subgit[gh]. syn žat namely prisou{n} lawe {and} žise ožer to{ur}ment[gh] of lawful peynes ben ražer owed to felonous Cite[gh]eins. for že whiche felonous Cite[gh]eins žo peynes ben establissed. žan for goode folk. ¶ žan I m{er}ueile me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [ž{a}t] že žinges ben so mys entrechaunged. žat to{ur}ment[gh] felounes pressen {and} confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis. and I desire eke to wite{n} of že. what semež že to ben že resou{n} of žis so wrongful a confusiou{n} ¶ For I wolde wondre wel že lasse yif I trowed[e] žat alle žise žinges were medeled by fortuouse hap. ¶ But now hepež {and} encresež myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of žinges. žat so as god [gh]euež ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes {and} myržes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre žinges. {and} [gh]euež a[gh]eynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to shrewes [he] g{ra}untež hem her wille {and} žat žei desiren. what difference žan may žer be bitwixen ž{a}t žat god dož. {and} že hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat že cause whi žat [it] is. it nis no merueile q{uo}d she žou[gh] žat men wenen žat žer be somwhat folysche and confus whan že resou{n} of že order is vnknowe. ¶ But alle žou[gh] žou ne know nat že cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}. naželes for as moche as god že good[e] gouernour attemprež {and} gouernež že world. ne doute že nat žat alle žinges ne ben doon ary[gh]t. SI QUIS ARCTURI SYDERA. [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]] ++Who so žat ne knowe nat že sterres of arctour yto{ur}ned neye to že souereyne contre or point. žat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to že souereyne pool of že firmament {and} woot nat whi že sterre boetes passež or gaderiž his wey[n]es. {and} drenchež his late flaumbes in že see. {and} whi žat boetes že sterre vnfoldiž his ouer swifte arisynges. žan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of že lawe of že heye eyre. {and} eke if žat he ne knowe nat why žat že hornes of že ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} infect by že bou{n}des of že derke ny[gh]t ¶ and how že moene dirk {and} confuse discouerež že sterres. žat she had[de] ycouered by hir clere visage. že co{m}mune errour moeuež folk {and} makiž wery hir bacines of bras by žikke strookes. žat is to seyne žat žer is a maner poeple žat hy[gh]t[e] coribandes žat wenen žat whan že moone is in že eclips žat it be enchau{n}tid. and žerfore forto rescowe že moone žei betyn hire basines wiž žikke strokes. ¶ Ne no man ne wondrež whan že blastes of že wynde chorus betyn že strondes of že see by quakynge floodes. ne no man ne wondrež whan že wey[gh]te of že snowe yhardid by že colde. is resolued by že brennynge hete of phebus že sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly že causes. but že causes yhid žat is to seye in heuene trouble že brestes of men. ¶ že moeueable poeple is a-stoned of alle žinges žat comen selde {and} sodeynely in oure age. but yif že troubly errour of oure ignora{n}ce departid[e] from vs. so žat we wisten že causes whi žat swiche žinges bitiden. certys žei sholde{n} cesse to seme wondres. ITA EST INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]] {Ž}vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as žou hast [gh]euen or byhy[gh]t me to vnwrappe{n} že hidde causes of žinges ¶ and to discoueren me že resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye že žat žou diuise {and} Iuge me of žis matere. {and} žat žou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For žis miracle or žis wondre troublež me ry[gh]t gretely. {and} žan she a litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ žou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle žing. žat is grettest of alle žinges žat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to že whiche questiou{n} vnnež[e]s is žere au[gh]t ynow to lauen it. as who seiž. vnnežes is žer suffisauntly any žing to answere p{er}fitly to ži questiou{n}. ¶ For že matere of it is swiche žat whan oon doute is determined {and} kut awey žer wexe{n} ožer doutes wiž-outen nou{m}bre. ry[gh]t as že heuedes waxen of ydre že serpent žat hercules slou[gh]. ¶ Ne žere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif žat a wy[gh]t co{n}streined[e] žo doutes. by a ry[gh]t lyuely {and} a quik fire of žou[gh]t. žat is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengže of witte. ¶ For in žis matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of že simplicite of že p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of že ordre of destine. {and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of že knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of že lyberte of fre wille. že whiche žing žou ži self ap{er}ceiust wel of what wey[gh]t žei ben. but for as mochel as že knowynge of žise žinges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to že medicine to že. al be it so žat I haue lytel tyme to don it. [gh]it naželes I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al žou[gh] že norissinges of dite of musike delitež že žow most suffren. {and} forberen a litel of žilk delite while žat I weue (contexo) to že resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likež to že q{uo}d I so do. ¶ žo spak she ry[gh]t a[s] by an ožer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide žus. ¶ že enge{n}drynge of alle žinges q{uo}d she {and} alle že progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle ž{a}t moeuež in any manere takiž hys causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of že stablenesse of že deuyne žou[gh]t [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] žat is yset {and} put in že toure. žat is to seyne in že hey[gh]t of že simplicite of god. stablisiž many manere gyses to žinges žat ben to don. ¶ že whiche manere whan žat men loken it i{n} žilke pure clerenesse of že deuyne i{n}telligence. it is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan žilke manere is referred by me{n} to žinges žat it moeuež {and} disponež žan of olde men. it was cleped destine. ¶ že whiche žinges yif žat any wy[gh]t lokež wel in his žou[gh]t. že strengže of žat oon {and} of žat ožer he shal ly[gh]tly mowen seen žat žise two žinges ben diuers. ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce is žilke deuyne resou{n} žat is establissed in že souereyne p{r}ince of žinges. že whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponiž alle žinges. but destine is že disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable žinges. by že whiche disposic{i}ou{n} že p{ur}ueaunce knytež alle žinges in hire ordres. ¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbracež alle ži{n}ges to hepe. al žou[gh] žat žei ben dyuerse {and} al žou[gh] žei ben wiž outen fyn. but destynie dep{ar}tež {and} ordeynež alle žinges singlerly {and} diuidež. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}tiž [as] žus. so žat že vnfoldyng of temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in že lokyng of že deuyne žou[gh]t ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} žilke same assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat žat ben called destine. {and} al be it so žat žise žinges ben dyuerse. [gh]itte naželes hangež žat oon on žat ožer. forwhi že ordre destinal p{ro}cediž of že simplicite of purueaunce. for ry[gh]t as a werkma{n} žat ap{er}ceiuež in hys žou[gh]t že forme of že žing žat he wil make moeuež že effect of že werke. {and} lediž žat he had[de] loked byforne in hys žou[gh]t symply {and} p{re}sently by temp{or}el žou[gh]t. ¶ Certys ry[gh]t so god disponiž in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably že žinges žat ben to done. but he amynistrež in many maneres {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. žilke same žinges žat he haž disponed žan whežir žat destine be excercised. eyžer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunte[gh] to že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys by že celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by že vertue of aungels. or ellys by že dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle že destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open žing žat že p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple forme of žinges to done. {and} že moeueable bonde {and} že temp{or}el ordynaunce of žinges whiche žat že deuyne simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haž ordeyned to done. žat is destine. For whiche it is žat alle žinges žat ben put vndir destine ben certys subgit[gh] to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir. ¶ But so{m}me žinges ben put vndir purueaunce žat so{ur}mounten že ordinaunce of destine. {and} žo ben žilke žat stably ben yficched ney to že first godhed žei so{ur}mou{n}ten že ordre of destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ry[gh]t as cercles žat to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or about a poynt. žilke cercle žat is inrest or moost wiž-ynne ioinež to že symplesse of že myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a poynt to žat ožer cercles žat tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. ¶ and žilke žat is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is foržest fro že mydel symplicite of že poynt. and yif žer be any ži{n}g žat knyttež {and} felawshippež hym selfe to žilke mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. žat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete. {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. ¶ Ry[gh]t so by semblable resou{n}. žilke žinge žat dep{ar}tiž firžest fro že first žou[gh]t of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid to grettere bondes of destine. and in so moche is že žing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axež {and} holdež hym ner to žilke Centre of žinges. žat is to seyne god. ¶ and if že žinge cleuež to že stedfastnesse of že žou[gh]t of god. {and} be wiž oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mountež že necessite of destyne. žan ry[gh]t swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} of žing žat is engendred to žing žat is. {and} of tyme to eternite. {and} of že cercle to že Centre. ry[gh]t so is že ordre of moeueable destine to že stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce. ¶ žilke ordinaunce moeuež že heuene {and} že sterres {and} attemprež že elyment[gh] to gider amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformež hem by enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and žilke same ordre newež a[gh]ein alle žinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. žat is to sein. male {and} female. and žis ilke ordre co{n}streynež že fortunes {and} že dedes of men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). že whiche destinal causes whanne žei passen oute fro že bygynnynges of že vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be žat žei ne be nat mutable. {and} žus ben že žinges ful wel ygouerned. yif žat že symplicite dwelly{n}ge in že deuyne žou[gh]t shewež furže že ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed. {and} žis ordre constreynež by hys p{ro}pre stablete že moeueable žinges. or ellys žei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is žat alle žinges semen to be confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} žilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naželes že p{ro}pre manere of euery žing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. for žere nis no žinge don for cause of yuel. ne žilke žing žat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel že whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}niž he{m}. ¶ Ne že ordre comynge fro že poynt of souereyne goode ne declinež nat fro hys bygynnynge. but žou mayst sein what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} žan ž{a}t goode men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. ¶ and shrewes also han now žinges žat žei desiren. {and} now ži{n}ges žat žei haten ¶ whežer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of žou[gh]t. as who seiž. ben men now so wise. žat swiche folk as žei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes ž{a}t it mot nedes ben žat folk ben swiche as žei wenen. but in žis manere že domes of men discorden. žat žilke men ž{a}t so{m}me folk demen worži of mede. ožer folk demen hem worži of to{ur}ment. but lat vs graunt[e] I pose žat som man may wel demen or knowen že goode folk {and} že badde. May he žan knowen {and} seen žilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages. as it haž ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiž may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q' non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem žat ne knowe{n} it nat. ¶ As who seiž. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem žat ne knowe{n} it nat. whi žat swete žinges [ben] couenable to some bodies žat ben hool {and} to some bodies bittre žinges ben couenable. {and} also whi žat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} ly[gh]t medicines [{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] but naželes že leche ž{a}t knowež že manere {and} že attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne merueilež of it no žing. but what ožer žing semež hele of corages but bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what ožer žing semež maladie of corages but vices. who is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of žou[gh]tes. že whiche god wha{n} he haž by-holden from že heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knowež what is couenable to euery wy[gh]t. {and} lenež hem žat he wot [žat] is couenable to hem. Loo here of comež {and} here of is don žis noble miracle of že ordre destinal. whan god žat alle knowež dož swiche žing. of whiche žing [žat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiž ¶ But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe žinges of že deuyne depnesse že whiche žat mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. ¶ žilk man žat žou wenest to ben ry[gh]t Iuste {and} ry[gh]t kepyng of eq{u}ite. že contrarie of žat semež to že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce žat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier tellež žat že victories cause liked[e] to že goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to cato{u}n. žan what so euer žou mayst seen žat is don in žis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is že ry[gh]t[e] ordre of žinges. but as to ži wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}. but I suppose žat som man be so wel yžewed. žat že deuyne Iugement {and} že Iugeme{n}t of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage [žat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by že whiche he ne may nat wižholden fortune. ¶ žan že wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god sparež hym že whiche man{er}e adu{er}site my[gh]t[e] enpeyren. ¶ For žat god wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom žat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An ož{er} man is p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so žat že p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen žat it were a felony žat he were touched wiž any aduersites. so žat he ne wil nat suffre žat swiche a man be moeued wiž any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. že adu{er}sites comen nat (he seide in grec[;]) žere ž{a}t uertues han edified že bodie of že holy man. and ofte tyme it bitidež žat že so{m}me of žinges žat ben to don is taken to good folk to gouerne. for žat že malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid. {and} god [gh]euež {and} dep{ar}tiž to ožer folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir že qualite of hire corages {and} remordiž som folk by adu{er}sites. for žei ne sholden nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse. {and} ožer folk he suffrež to ben trauayled wiž harde žinges. ¶ For žat žei sholden conferme že vertues of corage by že vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce. and ožer folke dreden more žen žei au[gh]ten že wiche žei my[gh]t[en] wel beren. {and} žilke folk god lediž in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful žinges. ¶ And many ožer folk han bou[gh]t honorable renoune of žis worlde by že pris of glorious deež. and som men žat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by tourment han [gh]euen ensample to ožer folk žat vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle žise žinges žer nis no doute ž{a}t žei ne ben don ry[gh]tfully {and} ordeinly to že p{ro}fit of hem to whom we seen žise žinges bitide. ¶ For certys žat aduersite comež some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme žat žei desiren it comež of žise forseide causes {and} of sorweful žinges žat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne wondrež. For alle me{n} wenen žat žei han wel deserued it. {and} žei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche shrewes že to{ur}ment som tyme agastež ožer to done folies. {and} som tyme it amendež hem žat suffren že to{ur}mentis. ¶ And že p{ro}sp{er}ite žat is [gh]euen to shrewes shewež a grete argument to good[e] folk what žing žei sholde demen of žilk wilfulnesse že whiche p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. in že whiche žing I trowe žat god dispensiž. for p{er}auenture že nature of som man is so oueržrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable žat že nedy pouerte of hys house-hold my[gh]t[e] ražer egren hym to done felonies. and to že maladie of hym god puttiž remedie to [gh]iuen hym rychesse. {and} som ožer man byholdiž hys conscience defouled wiž synnes {and} makiž co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of hym self ¶ and drediž p{er}auenture žat hys blisfulnesse of whiche že vsage is ioyful to hym žat že lesynge of žilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} žerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediž to lese hys fortune. he forletiž hys wickednesse. to ožer folk is welefulnesse y[gh]eue{n} vnworžily že whiche oueržrowež hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} žat žei han deserued. and to som ožer folk is [gh]euen power to punisse{n}. for žat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes. ¶ For so as žer nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self {and} whi nat. for shrewes discorde{n} of hem self by her vices že whiche vices al to renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme žinges že whiche žinges whan žei han don hem. žei demen žat žo žinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche žinge žilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haž maked oft[e] tyme [fair{e}] miracle so ž{a}t shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan žat som shrewes seen žat žei suffren wrongfully felonies of ožer shrewes žei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem žat anoien hem. {and} retournen to že fruit of uertue. when žei studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} žat žei han hated. ¶ Certys žis only is že deuyne my[gh]t to že whiche my[gh]t yueles ben žan good. whan it vsež žo yueles couenably {and} drawež out že effect of any good. as who seiž žat yuel is good oonly by že my[gh]t of god. for že my[gh]t of god ordeynež žilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiž alle žinges. so žat what wy[gh]t [ž{a}t] dep{ar}tiž fro že resou{n} of že ordre whiche žat is assigned to hym. algates [gh]it he slidež in to an ož{er} ordre. so žat nožing nis leueful to folye in že realme of že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. as who seiž no žing nis wižouten ordinaunce in že realme of že deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn žat že ry[gh]t strong[e] god gouerniž alle žinges in žis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle že subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of že deuyne entent. for oonly it au[gh]t[e] suffice to han loked žat god hym self makere of alle natures ordeyniž and dressiž alle žinges to good. while žat he hastiž to wižhalden že žinges žat he haž maked in to hys semblaunce. žat is to seyn forto wižholden žinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chasež oute al yuel of že boundes of hys co{m}munalite by že ordre of necessite destinable. For whiche it folwež žat yif žou loke že p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge že žinges žat men wenen ben haboundaunt in eržes. žou ne shalt not seen in no place no žing of yuel. ¶ but I se now žat žou art charged wiž že wey[gh]te of že questiou[n] {and} wery wiž lengže of my resou{n}. {and} žat žou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak ža{n} žis drau[gh]t {and} whan žou art wel refresshed {and} refet žou shalt ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s. SI UIS CELSI IURA. [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]] ++Yif žou wolt demen in ži pur{e} žou[gh]t že ry[gh]tes or že lawes of že heye žund[ere]re. žat is to seyne of god. loke žou {and} bihold že hey[gh]tes of souereyne heuene. ¶ žere kepen že sterres by ry[gh]tful alliaunce of žinges hir olde pees. že sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiž nat že colde cercle of že moone. ¶ Ne že sterre yclepid že bere. ž{a}t encliniž hys rauyssynge courses abouten že souereyne hey[gh]t of že worlde. ne že same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in že depe westerne see. ne coueitiž nat to dy[gh]en hys flaumbes in že see of [the] occian. al žou[gh] he see ožer sterres yplounged in to že see. ¶ And hesperus že sterre bodiž {and} telliž alwey že late ny[gh]tes. And lucifer že sterre bryngež a[gh]eyne že clere day. ¶ And žus makiž loue enterchaungeable že p{er}durable courses. {and} žus is discordable bataile yput oute of že contre of že sterres. žis accordaunce atte{m}prež by euene-lyke manere[s] že elementes. žat že moyste žinges striuen nat wiž že drye žinges. but [gh]iuen place by stoundes. and žat že colde žinges ioynen hem by feiž to že hote žinges. {and} žat že ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist in to hey[gh]te. {and} že heuy eržes aualen by her wey[gh]tes. ¶ by žise same cause že floury yere [gh]eldež swote smellys in že fyrste somer sesou{n} warmynge. {and} že hote somer dryež že cornes. {and} autumpne comež a[gh]eyne heuy of apples. and že fletyng reyne bydewež že wynter. žis attemp{er}aunce noryssiž {and} brynggež furže al žinge žat brediž lyfe in žis worlde. ¶ and žilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hidež {and} bynymež {and} drenchež vndir že last[e] deže alle žinges yborn. ¶ Amonges žise žinges sittež že heye makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe {and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerniž {and} encliniž že bridles of žinges. {and} žo žinges žat he stirež to don by moeuynge he wiždrawež {and} arestiž {and} affermiž že moeueable or wandryng žinges. ¶ For [gh]if žat he ne clepiž nat a[gh]ein že ry[gh]t goynge of žinges. {and} [gh]if žat he ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined že žinges ž{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. žei sholde deperten from hir welle. žat is to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. žat is to sein to{ur}nen in to nau[gh]t. ¶ žis is že co{m}mune loue of alle žinges. {and} alle ži{n}ges axen to be holden by že fyn of good. For ellys ne my[gh]ten žei nat lasten yif žei ne come nat eftesones a[gh]eine by loue retourned to že cause žat haž [gh]euen he{m} beynge. žat is to seyn to god. IAM NE IGITUR UIDES. [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]] ++Sest žou nat žan what žing folwež alle že žinges žat I haue seid. what žing q{uo}d I. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she outerly žat al fortune is good. and how may žat be q{uo}d .I. ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is [gh]iuen eižer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ žan is alle fortune good. že whiche fortune is certeyne žat it be eižer ry[gh]tful or p{ro}fitable. ¶ For sože žis is a ful verray resou{n} q{uo}d I. and yif I considere že p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} že destine žat žou tau[gh]test me a litel here byforne žis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like vnto že lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges žilk[e] žinges of whiche žou seidest a litel here byforne žat žei ne were nat able to ben ywened to že poeple. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. for žat že comune worde of men mysusiž q{uo}d I. žis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [ž{a}t] že fortune of som wy[gh]t is wicked. wilt žou žan q{uo}d she žat I p{ro}che a litel to že wordes of že poeple so it seme nat to hem žat I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro že vsage of man kynde. as žou wolt q{uo}d I. ¶ Demest žou nat q{uo}d she žat al žing žat p{ro}fitiž is good. [gh]is q{uo}d I. certis žilk žing žat ex{er}cisiž or corigiž profitiž. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. žan is it good q{uo}d she. whi nat q{uo}d I. but žis is že fortune [q{uod} she] of hem žat eižer ben put in vertue {and} batailen a[gh]eins aspre žinges. or ellys of hem žat eschewen {and} declinen fro vices {and} taken že weye of vertue. ¶ žis ne may nat I denye q{uo}d I ¶ But what seist žou of že myrye fortune žat is [gh]euen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniž ou[gh]t že poeples žat it is wicked. nay forsože q{uo}d I. but žei demen as it sože is žat it is ry[gh]t good. ¶ And what seist žou of žat ožer fortune q{uo}d she. žat al žou[gh] it be aspre {and} restreiniž že shrewes by ry[gh]tful tourment. weniž ou[gh]t že poeple ž{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But že poeple demiž žat it be most wrecched of alle žinges žat may ben žou[gh]t. war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she lest žat we in folwyng že opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed {and} co{n}cluded žing žat is vnable to be wened to že poeple. what is žat q{uo}d I ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it folwež or comež of žinges ž{a}t ben graunted žat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem žat eyžer ben i{n} possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in že purchasynge of vertue. žat žilke fortune is good. ¶ And žat alle fortune is ry[gh]t wicked to hem žat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiž. {and} žus wenež nat že poeple. ¶ žat is sože q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so žat noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. For ry[gh]t as no strong man ne semež nat to abassen or disdaigne{n} as ofte tyme as he herež že noise of že bataile. ne also it ne semež nat to že wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to že strif of fortune. for bože to žat on man {and} eke to žat ož{er} žilke difficulte is že matere to žat oon man of encrese of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to žat ožer man to conferme hys sapience. žat is to seine že asprenesse of hys estat. ¶ For žerfore is it called uertue. for žat it susteniž {and} enforcež by hys strengžes žat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by aduersites. ¶ Ne certys žou žat art put in že encrese or in že hey[gh]t of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiž delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust. ¶ žou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in ži corage a[gh]eins euery fortune. for žat že sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de že nat. ne žat že myrye fortune ne corrumpe že nat. ¶ Occupy že mene by stedfast strengžes. for al žat euer is vndir že mene. or ellys al žat ou{er}-passež že mene despisež welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiž. it is vicious {and} ne haž no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in [gh]our{e} hand. as who seiž it liež in [gh]our{e} power what fortune [gh]ow is leuest. žat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune žat semež sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat že good folk. ne chastisiž že wicked folk. it punissež. BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}. [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]] ++ŽE wrekere attrides ¶ žat is to seyne agamenon žat wrou[gh]t[e] {and} continued[e] že batailes by ten [gh]ere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by že destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie že loste chambres of mariage of hys brožer žis is to seyn žat [he] agamenon wan a[gh]ein Eleine žat was Menelaus wif his brožer. In že mene while žat žilke agamenon desired[e] to [gh]euen sailes to že grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bou[gh]t[e] a[gh]ein že wyndes by blode. he vncložed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} že sory p{re}st [gh]iuež in sacrifiynge že wreched kuyttyng of žrote of že dou[gh]ter. ¶ žat is to sein žat agamenon lete kuytte{n} že žrote of hys dou[gh]ter by že prest. to maken alliaunce wiž hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiž whiche he my[gh]t[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus žat is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn že whiche felawes že fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naželes polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage [gh]eld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. žis is to seyn žat vlixes smot oute že eye of poliphem{us} žat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} wepyng {and} blynde. ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede že proude Centauris half hors half man. {and} he rafte že despoylynge fro že cruel lyou{n} žat is to seyne he slou[gh] že lyou{n} {and} rafte hy{m} hys skyn. he smot že brids žat hy[gh]te{n} arpijs [in že palude of lyrne] wiž certeyne arwes. he rauyssed[e] applis fro že wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was že more heuy for že golde[ne] metal. He drou[gh] Cerberus že hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haž put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ žis is to sein. žat hercules slou[gh] diomedes {and} made his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slou[gh] Idra že serpent {and} brend[e] že venym. and achelaus že flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. žis is to sein žat achelaus couže transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fau[gh]t wiž orcules at že laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adou{n} Antheus že geaunt in že strondes of libye. {and} kacus apaised[e] že wražžes of euander. žis is to sein žat hercules slou[gh] že Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wiž žat deež že wražže of euander. ¶ And že bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiž scomes že sholdres of hercules. že whiche sholdres že heye cercle of heuene sholde žreste. {and} že laste of his labo{ur}s was žat he sustened[e] že heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. {and} he deserued[e] eftsones že heuene to ben že pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Gož now žan [gh]e stronge men žere as že heye weye of že grete ensample ledež [gh]ou. ¶ O nice men whi nake [gh]e [gh]oure bakkes. as who seiž. ¶ O [gh]e slowe {and} delicat men whi fley [gh]e aduersites. {and} ne fy[gh]te{n} nat a[gh]eins hem by vertue to wynnen že mede of že heuene. for že erže ouer-come{n} [gh]euež že sterres. ¶ žis is to seyne žat whan žat eržely lust is ouer-comen. a man is maked worži to že heuene. EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS. INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS. DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM. [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]] ++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] že cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me ož{er} žinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. žan seide I. Certys ry[gh]tful is žin amonestyng {and} ful digne by auctorite. but žat žou seidest som tyme žat že questiou{n} of že deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wiž many ožer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by že same žinge. but I axe yif žat žou wenest žat hap be any žing in any weys. {and} if žou wenest žat hap be any [thing] what is it. žan q{uo}d she. I haste me to [gh]elden {and} assoilen že to že dette of my byheste {and} to shewen {and} opnen že wey by whiche wey žou maist come a[gh]ein to ži contre. ¶ but al be it so žat že žinges whiche žat žou axest b{e}n ry[gh]t p{ro}fitable to knowe. [gh]itte ben žei diuers somwhat fro že paže of my purpos. And it is to douten žat žou ne be maked weery by mysweys so žat žou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} že ry[gh]t weye. ¶ Ne doute že žer-of no žing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen žilke žinges to-gidre in že whiche žinges I delite me gretly. žat shal ben to me in stede of reste. Syn it nis nat to douten of že žinges folwy{n}ge whan euery side of ži disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiž. žan seide she. žat manere wol I don že. {and} byga{n} to speken ry[gh]t žus ¶ Certys q{uo}d she yif any wy[gh]t diffinisse hap in žis manere. žat is to seyn. žat hap is bytidynge y-brou[gh]t forže by foelyshe moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme žat hap nis ry[gh]t nau[gh]t in no wise. and I deme al outerly žat hap nis ne dwelliž but a voys. ¶ As who seiž. but an ydel worde wiž outen any significac{i}ou{n} of žing summittid to žat vois. for what place my[gh]t[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn žat god lediž {and} streyniž alle žinges by ordre. ¶ For žis sentence is verray {and} sože žat no žinge ne haž his beynge of nou[gh]t. to [the] whiche sentence none of žise olde folk ne wižseide neuere al be it so žat žei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nau[gh]t by god p{r}ince {and} gynner of wirkyng. but žei casten as a manere foundement of subgit material. žat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}. {and} [gh]if žat ony žinge is woxen or comen of no causes. žan shal it seme žat žilke žinge is comen or woxen of nou[gh]t. but yif žis ne may nat ben don. žan is it nat possible žat žere haž ben any swiche žing as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it žan ben q{uo}d I. nis žer žan no žing žat by ry[gh]t may be cleped eyžer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune. or is žer ou[gh]t al be it so žat it is hidd fro že poeple to whiche žise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul q{uo}d she. in že book of his phisik diffinissež žis žing by short resou{n} and ney[gh]e to že sože. ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d I. ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any žing for grace of any ožer žing. {and} an ožer žinge žan žilke žing žat men ententen to doon bytidež by som[e] causes it is ycleped hap{pe}. ¶ Ry[gh]t as a man dalf že erže by cause of tylienge of že felde. {and} fond žere a gobet of golde by-doluen. žan wenen folk žat it is fallen by fortunous bytydyng. but for sože it nis nat for nau[gh]t for it haž hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes že cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiž to han maked hap{pe}. ¶ For yif že tilier in že erže ne delue nat in že felde. and yif že hider of že golde ne hadde hidd že golde in žilke place. že golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. žise ben žan že causes of že abreggynge of fortune hap. že whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comež of causes encountrynge {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by že entenc{i}ou{n} of že doer. ¶ For neižer že hider of že gold. ne že deluer of že felde ne vndirstanden nat žat že golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytidde {and} ran to-gidre žat he dalf žere as žat ožer hadde hidd že golde. Now may I žus diffinissen hap{pe}. ¶ Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in žinges žat ben don for som ožer žinge. but žilke ordre p{ro}cedynge by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche žat descendež fro že wel of purueaunce žat ordeinež alle žinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makež žat že causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre. RUPIS ACHEMENIE. [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]] ++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in že kragges of že roche of že contre of achemenye žer{e} as že fleenge [batayle] ficchiž hire dartes reto{ur}nid in že brestes of hem žat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre že same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. and yif žei comen to-gidre {and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. žan moten žilke žinges fletyn to-gidre whiche žat že water of že entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}gež že shippes {and} že stokkes araced wiž že flood moten assemble. {and} že watres ymedlyd wrappiž or impliež many fortunel happes or maneres. že whiche wandryng happes naželes žilke enclinyng lowenes of že erže. {and} že flowynge ordre of že slidyng water gouerniž. ¶ Ry[gh]t so fortune žat semež as [žat] it fletiž wiž slaked or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriž bridles žat is to seyn to ben gouerned {and} passež by žilke lawe. žat is to sein by že deuyne ordinaunce. A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]] ++Žis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel žat it is ry[gh]t as žou seist. but I axe yif žer be any liberte or fre wil in žis ordre of causes žat cliue{n} žus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif žat že destinal cheine co{n}streiniž že moeueuynge of že corages of me{n}. yis q{uo}d she žer is liberte of fre wille. ne žer ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} žat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery žing žat may naturely vsen resou{n}. it haž doom by whiche it discerniž {and} demiž euery žing. ¶ žan knowež it by it self žinges žat be{n} to fleen. {and} žinges žat ben to desiren. {and} žilk žing žat any wy[gh]t demež to ben desired ž{a}t axež or desirež he {and} fleež [thilke] žing žat he trouež ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle žinges ž{a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. ¶ But I ne ordeyne nat. as who seiž. I ne graunte nat žat žis lib{er}tee be euene like in alle žinges. forwhi in že souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. žat is to seyn in spirit[gh] ¶ Iugement is more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} haž my[gh]t redy to speden žinges žat ben desired. ¶ But že soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan žei loken hem in že speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of že deuyne žou[gh]t. {and} lasse free whan žei sliden in to že bodies. {and} [gh]it lasse free whan žei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in eržely membris. but že last[e] seruage is whan žat žei ben [gh]eue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro že possessiou{n} of hire p{ro}pre resou{n} ¶ For after žat žei han cast aweye hir eyen fro že ly[gh]t of že souereyn sožefastnesse to lowe žinges {and} dirke ¶ Anon žei dirken by že cloude of ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talent[gh]. to že whiche talent[gh] whan žei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. žei hepen {and} encresen že seruage whiche žei han ioigned to hem self. and in žis manere žei ben caitifs fro hire p{ro}pre libertee. že whiche žinges naželes že lokynge of že deuyne purueaunce seež ž{a}t alle žinges byholdež {and} seež fro et{er}ne. and ordeynež hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as žei ben p{ro}destinat. {and} it is seid in grek. žat alle žinges he seež {and} alle žinges he herež. PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE. [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]] ++HOmer wiž že hony mouže. žat is to seyn. homer wiž že swete dites syngež žat že sonne is cleer by pure ly[gh]t. naželes [gh]it ne may it nat by že inferme ly[gh]t of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} že inwarde entrailes of že erže. or ellys of že see. ¶ so ne seež nat god makere of že grete worlde to hym žat lokež alle žinges from on heye ne wižstandiž nat no žinges by heuynesses of erže. ne že ny[gh]t ne wižstondež nat to hy{m} by že blake cloudes. ¶ žilke god seež i{n} o strook of žou[gh]t alle žinges žat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and žilke god for he lokež {and} seež alle žinges al oon. žou maist seyn žat he is že verray sonne. TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M. [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]] ++ŽAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute žan I was. what doute is žat q{uo}d she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche žinges žou art troubled. It semež q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien gretly žat god knowež byforn alle žinges. {and} žat žer is any fredom of liberte. for yif so be žat god lokež alle žinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. žan mot it nedes ben žat alle žinges bytyden že whiche žat že purueaunce of god haž sein byforn to comen. ¶ For whiche yif žat god knowež by-forn nat oonly že werkes of men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. žan ne shal žer be no liberte of arbitre. ne certys žer ne may ben noon ožer dede ne no wille but žilke whiche že deuyne purueaunce žat ne may nat ben desseiued haž feled byforn ¶ For yif žat žei my[gh]ten wryžen awey in ožer manere žan žei ben purueyed. žan ne sholde žer ben no stedfast p{re}science of žinge to comen but ražer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. že whiche žinge to trowen on god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat žilk same resou{n}. as who seiž I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat žilke same resou{n} by whiche žat som men wenen žat žei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten že knot of žis questiou{n}. ¶ For certys žei seyn ž{a}t žing nis nat to come for žat že purueaunce of god haž seyn it byforn{e}. žat is to comen but ražer že cont{ra}rie. ¶ And žat is žis žat for žat že žing is to comen žat žerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro že purueaunce of god. {and} in žis manere žis necessite slydiž a[gh]ein in to že contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhouež [nat] nedes žat žinges bytiden žat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / ž{a}t thinges ž{a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it were yt{ra}uailed. as who seiž. žat žilke answere p{ro}cediž ry[gh]t as žou[gh] men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren že whiche žing is cause of whiche žinges. as whežer že p{re}science is cause of že necessite of žinges to comen. or ellys žat že necessite of ži{n}ges to comen is cause of že purueau{n}ce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now to shewe{n} it žat že bytidyng of žinges y-wist byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere žat že ordre of causes haž it self. al žou[gh] žat it ne seme nat žat že p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of žinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif žat any wy[gh]t sittež it byhouež by necessite žat že oppiniou{n} be sože of hym ž{a}t coniectiž žat he sittež. and a[gh]einward. al so is it of že contrarie. yif že oppiniou{n} be sože of any wy[gh]t for žat he sittež it byhouež by necessite žat he sitte ¶ žan is here necessite in žat oon {and} in ž{a}t ožer. for in žat oon is necessite of sittynge. {and} certys in žat ožer is necessite of sože but žerfore ne sittež nat a wy[gh]t for žat že oppiniou{n} of sittyng is sože. but že oppiniou{n} is ražer sože for žat a wy[gh]t sittež by-forn. and žus al žou[gh] ž{a}t že cause of sože comež of [že] syttyng. and nat of že trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates [gh]itte is žer comune necessite in žat oon {and} in žat ožer. ¶ žus shewež it ž{a}t I may make semblable skils of že p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god {and} of žinges to come. ¶ For al žou[gh] for žat žat žinges ben to comen. žer-fore ben žei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for žei ben p{ur}ueid. žer-fore ne bytide žei nat. [gh]it naželes byhouež it by necessite žat eižer že žinges to comen ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys žat že žinges žat ben p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And žis žing oonly suffisež I-nou[gh] to distroien že fredome of oure arbitre. žat is to seyn of oure fre wille ¶ But now [certes] shewež it wel how fer fro že sože {and} how vp so dou{n} is žis žing žat we seyn žat že bytidinge of temp{or}el žinges is že cause of že eterne p{re}science. ¶ But forto wenen žat god p{ur}ueiž [the] žinges to comen. for žei ben to comen. what ožer žing is it but forto wene žat žilke žinges žat bitiden som tyme ben causes of žilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce žat is i{n} god. ¶ And her-to I adde [gh]itte žis žing žat ry[gh]t as whan žat I woot žat o žing is it byhouež by necessite žat žilke self žing be. {and} eke žat whan I haue knowe žat any ži{n}ge shal bitiden so byhouež it by necessite ž{a}t žilk[e] same žing bytide. so folwež it žan žat že bytydynge of že žinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. ¶ And at že last[e] yif žat any wy[gh]t wene a žing to ben ožer weyes žan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro že sože of science. ¶ wher-fore yif any žing be so to comen so žat že bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] ž{a}t žilke žing is to come. ¶ For ry[gh]t as science ne may nat be medelyd wiž falsnesse. as who seiž žat yif I woot a žing. it ne may nat be fals žat I ne woot it. ¶ Ry[gh]t so žilk žing žat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon ož{er} weyes žan [as] it is conceiued. For žat is že cause whi žat science wa{n}tiž lesynge. as who seiž. whi žat witynge ne receyuež nat lesynge of žat it woot. ¶ For it byhouež by necessite žat euery ži{n}ge [be] ry[gh]t as science co{m}p{re}hendiž it to be. what shal I žan sein. ¶ In whiche man{er}e knowež god byforn že žinges to comen. ¶ yif žei ne be nat certeyne. ¶ For yif žat he deme žat žei ben to comen vneschewably. {and} so may be žat it is possible žat žei ne shulle{n} nat comen. god is desseiued. but nat only to trowen žat god is desseiued. but for to speke it wiž mouže it is a felonous sy{n}ne. ¶ But yif žat god woot žat ry[gh]t so as žinges ben to comen. so shulle žei comen. so žat he wit[e] egaly. as who seiž indifferently žat žinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is žilke p{re}science žat ne comp{re}hendiž no certeyne žinge ne stable. or ellys what difference is žer bytwixe že p{re}science. {and} žilke iape-worži dyuynynge of Tiresie že diuino{ur} žat seide. ¶ Al žat I seie q{uo}d he eyžer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how moche is worže že diuyne p{re}science more žan že oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be žat it demež že žinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of že whiche domes of men že bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be ž{a}t noon vncerteyne žinge may ben in hym žat is ry[gh]t certeyne welle of alle žinges. ža{n} is že bytydynge certeyne of žilke žinges whiche he haž wist byforn fermely to come{n}. For whiche it folwež žat že fredom of že co{n}seils {and} of že werkes of mankynde nis non syn žat že žou[gh]t of god seež alle žinges w{i}t{h} outen erro{ur} of falsnesse byndež {and} co{n}streiniž hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] ži{n}g be on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. žat is to seyn. žat žer nis no fre wille. žan shewež it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} how grete damages žer folwen of žinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben žer žan p{ur}posed and byhy[gh]t medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn žat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haž nat deserued hem. žat is to seyn neižer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme žan žat žilke žinge is alžer worste whiche žat is nowe demed. for alž{er} moste iuste {and} moste ry[gh]tful. žat is to seyn žat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys ž{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. že whiche folk syn žat že p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to ž{a}t oon ne to žat ožer. žat is to seyn. nežer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreinež hem certeyne necessite of žinges to comen. ¶ žanne ne sholle{n} žer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde ražer ben co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes medlid wižoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And [gh]itte žer folwež an ožer i{n}co{n}uenient of že whiche žer ne may ben žou[gh]t ne more felonous ne more wikke. {and} žat is žis žat so as že ordre of žinges is yledd {and} comež of že purueaunce of god. ne žat no žing nis leueful to že conseils of mankynde. as who seiž žat men han no power to done no žing. ne wilne no žing. žan folwež it žat oure vices ben refferred to že mak[er]e of alle good. as who seiž žan folwež it. žat god au[gh]t[e] han že blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniž by necessite to don vices. žan nis žer no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. ¶ For what sholde any wy[gh]t hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn žat že ordenaunce of destine whiche žat ne may nat ben enclined. knyttež {and} streiniž alle žinges žat men may desire{n}. ¶ žan sholde žere be don awey žilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. žat is to seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. but by že p{re}is of ry[gh]tfulnesse {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue že gerdou{n} of že deuyne grace whiche žat is inestimable. žat is to sein žat it is so grete žat it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised. {and} žis is oonly že manere. žat is to seyen hope {and} prayeres. for whiche it semež žat [men] mowen speken wiž god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned to žilk clernesse žat nis nat app{ro}ched no ražer or žat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. And yif men ne wene [nat] žat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengžes. by že necessite of žinges to comen y-resceiued. what ži{n}g is žer žan by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to žilke souereyne p{r}ince of žinges. ¶ For whiche it byhouež by necessite žat že lynage of mankynde as žou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. žat is to seien god. QUE NAM DISCORS [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]] ++What discordable cause haž to-rent {and} vnioigned že byndyng or že alliaunce of žinges. žat is to seyne že coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man. ¶ whiche god haž establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} žise two sožefast or verray žinges. žat is to sein bytwixen že p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} fre wille. žat žei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne žat žei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but žer nis no discorde to [tho] verray žinges. but žei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but že žou[gh]t of man co{n}founded {and} oueržrowen by že dirke membris of že body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. žat is to seyn by že vigo{ur} of hys insy[gh]t while že soule is in že body knowen že žinne subtil knyttynges of žinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiž it so by so grete loue to fynden žilke note[s] of sože y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) žat is to sein wherfore eschaufiž že žou[gh]t of man by so grete desir to knowen žilke notificac{i}ou{n}s žat ben yhidd vndir že couerto{ur}s of sože. woot it ou[gh]t žilke žinges žat it anguissous desirež to knowe. as who seiž nay. ¶ For no man ne trauailež forto witen žinges žat he woot. {and} žerfore že texte seiž žus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]lež to wyten žinges y-knowe. and yif žat he ne knowež hem nat. what sekiž žilke blynde žou[gh]t. what is he žat desirež any žinge of whiche he woot ry[gh]t nat. as who seiž who so desiriž any žing nedis som what he knowež of it. or ellys he ne couže nat desire it. or who may folwen žinges žat ne ben nat ywist ¶ and žou[gh] [ž{a}t] he seke žo žinges where shal he fynde{n} hem. what wy[gh]t žat is al vnknowynge {and} ignoraunt may knowe že forme žat is yfounde. ¶ But whan že soule byholdež {and} seež že heye žou[gh]t. žat is to seyn god. žan knowež it to-gidre že so{m}me {and} že singularites. žat is to seyn že p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self. ¶ But now while že soule is hidd in že cloude {and} in že derknesse of že membris of že body. it ne haž nat al for[gh]eten it selfe. but it wižholdež že so{m}me of žinges {and} lesiž že singularites. žan who so žat sekež soženesse. he nis in neiž{er} noužir habit. for he not nat alle ne he ne haž nat alle for-[gh]eten. ¶ But [gh]itte hym remembriž že so{m}me of žinges žat he wižholdež {and} axež cou{n}seil {and} tretiž depelyche ži{n}ges ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] žat is to sein že grete so{m}me in hys mynde. [_textus_] so žat he mowe adden že p{ar}ties žat he haž for[gh]eten. to žilke žat he haž wižholden. TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST. [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]] ++Žanne seide she. žis is q{uo}d she že olde questiou{n} of že p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he deuided[e] že deuinac{i}ou{n}s. žat is to sein in hys booke žat he wroot of deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly žis questiou{n}. {and} žou ži self hast sou[gh]t it mochel {and} outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. but [gh]it ne haž it nat ben determined ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow. ¶ And že cause of žis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte is for žat že moeuynge of že resou{n} of mankynde ne may nat moeue{n} to. žat is to sein applien or ioygnen to že simplicite of že deuyne p{re}science. ¶ že whiche symplicite of že deuyne p{re}science [gh]if žat men [myhten thinken it in any maner{e} / ž{a}t is to seyn / ž{a}t yif men] my[gh]te žinken {and} co{m}p{re}henden že žinges as god seež hem. žan ne sholde žer dwellen outerly no doute. že whiche resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I shal assaie at že laste to shewen {and} to speden. ¶ whan I haue firste [yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to žo resou{n}s by whiche ž{o}u art ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi ž{o}u wenest žat žilk[e] resou{n}s of hem žat assoilen žis questiou{n} ne ben nat spedeful ynou[gh] ne sufficient že whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or že whiche resou{n} for žat it demiž žat že p{re}science nis nat cause of necessite to žinges to comen. žan ne wenež it nat žat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. for ne drawest žou nat argumentes from ellys where of že necessite of žinges to comen. As who seiž any ožer wey žan žus. but žat žilke žinge[s] žat že p{re}scie{n}ce woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. žat is to seyn žat žei moten bitide. ¶ But žan yif žat p{re}science ne puttež no necessite to žinges to comen. as žou ži self hast confessed it {and} byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. ¶ what cause [or what] is it. as who seiž žere may no cause be. by whiche žat že endes (exitus) uoluntarie of žinges my[gh]ten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For by grace of possessiou{n}. so žat žou mowe že better vndirstonde žis žat folwež. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) žat žer ne be no p{re}science. žan axe I q{uo}d she in as moche as app{er}teniž to žat. sholde žan žinges žat comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite. {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d I. žan a[gh]einward q{uo}d she. I suppose žat žere be p{re}science but žat ne puttež no necessite to žinges. žan trowe I žat žilk self fredom of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. but žou wolt sein žat al be it so žat p{re}science nis nat cause of že necessite of bitidynge to žinges to comen. ¶ Algates [gh]itte it is a signe ž{a}t že žinges ben to bytiden by necessite. by žis manere žan al žou[gh] že p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. [gh]it algate or at že lest[e] wey. it is certeyne žing žat že e{n}dys {and} že bitydynges of žinges to come{n} sholde ben necessarie. ¶ For euery sygne shewež {and} signifiež oonly what že žing is ¶ but it ne makiž nat že žing žat it signifiež. ¶ For whiche it byhouež firste to shewen žat no žing ne bitidiž [ž{a}t it ne bytydith] by necessite. so žat it may apere ž{a}t že p{re}scie{n}ce is signe of žis necessite ¶ or ellys yif žere nere no necessite. certys žilke p{re}science ne my[gh]t[e] nat ben signe of žinge žat nis nat. ¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne žat že preue of žis susteniž by stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiž oute. but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But žou mayst sein how may it be žat že žinges ne bitiden nat žat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ry[gh]t as we trowen žat žo žinges whiche žat že p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [ž{a}t] ne sholde we nat demen. but ražer al žou[gh] [žat] žei schal bitiden. [gh]it ne haue žei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. {and} žis maist žou ly[gh]tly ap{er}ceyue{n} by žis žat I shal seyn. but we seen many žinges whan žei ben don byforn oure eyen ry[gh]t as men seen že karter worken in že to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by žis manere as who seiž mayst žou vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere ožir werkeme{n}. ¶ Is žere žanne any necessite as who seiž in oure lokynge [ž{a}t] constreinež or compelliž any of žilke žinges to ben don so. b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in veyne were alle že effect of crafte yif žat alle žinges weren moeued by constreynynge. žat is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of oure sy[gh]t. _P._ žise ži{n}g{us} žan q{uo}d she žat whan men don hem ne han non necessite žat men don hem. eke žo same žinges first or žei be don. žei ben to comen wiž out necessite. for whi žer ben so{m}me žinges to bytide of whiche že endys {and} že bitidynges of hem ben absolut {and} quit of alle necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat žat any man wolde seyn žis. žat žo žinges žat men don now ž{a}t žei ne weren to bitiden. first or žei were ydon ¶ and žilk same žinges al žou[gh] ž{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn. [gh]itte žei han fre bitidynges. for ry[gh]t as science of žinges p{re}sent ne bryngež in no necessite to žinges [ž{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden but žou mayst seyn žat of žilke same it is ydouted. as whežer žat of žilke žinges žat ne han non endes {and} bytidynges necessaryes yif žer-of may ben any p{re}science ¶ For certys žei seme to discorde. for žou wenest žat yif žat žinges ben yseyn byforn žat necessite folwež hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite failež hem žei ne my[gh]ten nat ben wist byforn. {and} žat no žinge ne may ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne. {and} yif žo žinges žat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat sožefastnesse of science [{and} ž{o}u weenyst ž{a}t it be diu{er}se fro the hoolnesse of science / ž{a}t any man sholde deme a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and že cause of žis errour is. žat of alle že žinges žat euery wy[gh]t haž yknowe. žei wenen žat žo žinges ben y-knowe al oonly by že strengže {and} by že nature of že žinges žat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al že contrarie. for alle žat eu{er}e is yknowe. it is ražer comp{re}hendid {and} yknowe{n} nat after his strengež {and} hys nature. but after že faculte žat is to seyn že power {and} [the] nature of hem žat knowen. {and} for žat žis shal mowe shewen by a short ensample že same roundenes of a body .O. ožer weyes že sy[gh]t of že eye knowež it. {and} ožer weyes že touchi{n}g. že lokynge by castynge of his bemes waitež {and} seež fro afer alle že body to-gider wiž oute mouynge of it self. but že touchinge cliuiž {and} conioignež to že rounde body (orbi) {and} mouež abouten že environynge. {and} comp{re}hendiž by p{ar}ties že roundenesse. ¶ and že man hym self ožer weies wyt byholdiž hym. {and} ož{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} ožer weyes resou{n}. {and} ožer weyes intelligence. ¶ For že wit co{m}p{re}he{n}diž fro wiž outen furže že figure of že body of že man. žat is establissed in že matere subiect. But že ymaginac{i}ou{n} [comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] {and} co{m}p{re}hendež by an vniuersel lokynge že co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em) žat is in že singuler peces. ¶ But že eye of intelligence is hey[gh]er for it so{ur}mou{n}tež že envirounynge of že vniu{er}site {and} lookež ouer žat by pure subtilite of žou[gh]t. žilk same symple forme of man žat is p{er}durably in že deuyne žou[gh]t. in whiche žis au[gh]t[e] gretely to ben considered žat že heyest strengže to co{m}prehenden žinges enbracež {and} conteynež že lower[e] strengže [but the lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e} strengthe]. for wit ne may no žinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of matere. ne že ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokež nat že vniuerseles speces. ne resou{n} ne takež nat že symple forme. so as i{n}telligence takež it. but že intelligence žat lokež al abouen whan it haž co{m}p{re}hendid že forme it knowež {and} demež alle že žinges žat be{n} vndir žat forme. but she knowež he{m} vndir žilke manere in že whiche it comp{re}hendiž žilke same symple forme žat ne may neuer be knowen to non of žat ožer. žat is to seyn to non of žo žre forseide strengžes of že soule. for it knowež že vniuersite of resou{n} {and} že figure of že ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} že sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} žou wenest ž{a}t it be diuerse fro že hoolnesse of science. žat any man sholde deme a žing to ben ož{er}weyes žan it is it self {and} že cause of žis erro{ur} {et}c'. {vt sup}ra. by wit. ne it ne vsež nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne of wit wiž oute forže but it byholdež alle žinges so as I shal seye. by a strok of žou[gh]t formely wiž oute disco{ur}s or collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokež any žing vniu{er}sel it ne vsež nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and} algates [gh]it [it] co{m}prendiž že žinges ymaginable {and} sensible. for resou{n} is she žat diffinissež že vniuersel of hir conseite ry[gh]t žus. ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so žat žis knowynge [is] vniuersel. [gh]it nys žer no wy[gh]t žat ne woot wel. žat a ma{n} is [a thing] ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and žis same co{n}siderež wel resou{n}. but žat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte. but it lokiž it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n} al be it so. žat it takež of wit že bygyny{n}g{us} to seen {and} to formen že figures. algates al žou[gh] žat wit ne ware not p{re}sent. [gh]it it envirouniž {and} co{m}p{re}hendiž alle žinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge. but by resou{n} ymaginatif. ¶ sest žou nat žan žat alle že žinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir power. žan žei don of [the] faculte or of power of žinges žat ben yknowen. ne žat nis no wronge. for so as euery iugement is že dede or že doynge of hym žat demež. It byhouež žat euery wy[gh]t p{er}forme že werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n} nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power. QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT. [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]] ++ŽE porche žat is to sein a gate of že toune of athenis žer as philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. {and} žilke porche brou[gh]t[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences. ž{a}t is to sein philosophers žat hy[gh]ten stoiciens. žat wenden žat ymages [{and}] sensibilites žat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n} of sensible žinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules fro bodies wiž oute forže. ¶ As who seiž žat žilke stoiciens wenden ž{a}t že soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene p{ar}chemyn. so žat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro žinges fro wiž oute in to soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ry[gh]t as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen l{ett}res emp{re}ntid in že smoženesse or in že plainesse of že table of wex. or in p{ar}chemyn žat ne haž no figure [ne] note in it. _Glosa._ But now arguiž boece a[gh]eins žat oppiniou{n} {and} seiž žus. but yif že žriuyng soule ne vnplitiž no žing. žat is to sein ne dož no žing by hys p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffriž {and} liež subgit to že figures {and} to že notes of bodyes wiž oute forže. {and} [gh]eldež ymages ydel {and} veyne in že manere of a mirour. whennes žriuež žan or whennes comež žan žilke knowyng in oure soule. žat discerniž {and} byholdež alle žinges. and whennes is žilke strengže žat byholdež že syngulere žinges. or whennes is že strengže žat dyuydež žinges yknowe. {and} žilke stre{n}gže žat gaderež to-gidre že žinges deuided. {and} že strengže žat chesež hys entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heuež vp že heued. žat is to sein žat it heuež vp že ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to ry[gh]t heye žinges. {and} som tyme it discendiž in to ry[gh]t lowe žinges. {and} whan it retourniž in to hym self. it rep{re}uiž {and} destroiež že false žinges by že trewe žinges. ¶ Certys žis strengže is cause more efficient {and} mochel more my[gh]ty to seen {and} to knowe žinges. žan žilke cause žat suffriž and resceyuež že notes {and} že figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere algates že passiou{n} žat is to seyn že suffraunce or že wit i{n} že quik[e] body gož byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng že strengžes of že žou[gh]te. ry[gh]t so as whan žat clerenesse smytež že eyen {and} moeuiž hem to seen. or ry[gh]t so as voys or soune hurtliž to že eres {and} co{m}moeuiž hem to herkne. žan is že stre{n}gže of že žou[gh]t ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepež furže že semblable moeuynges že speces žat it halt wiž i{n}ne it self. {and} addiž žo speces to že notes {and} to že žinges wiž out forže. {and} medelež že ymages of žinges wiž out forže to že forme[s] yhid wiž i{n}ne hym self. Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}. QUESTIO. [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]] ++But what [yif] žat in bodies to be{n} feelid žat is to sein in že takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly žinges. and al be it so žat že qualites of bodies ž{a}t ben obiect fro wiž oute forže moeuen {and} entalenten že instrumentes of že wittes. and al be it so žat že passiou{n} of že body žat is to seyn že witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiž furže že dede of že žou[gh]t in hym self. {and} moeuež {and} exitež in žis mene while že formes ž{a}t resten wiž in forže. and yif žat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat ytau[gh]t or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe žise žinges. but demiž {and} knowež of hys owen strengže že passiou{n} or suffrau{n}ce subiect to že body. Moche more žan žoo žinges žat ben absolut {and} quit fram alle talent[gh] or affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen nat in discernynge žinges obiect from wiž oute forže. but žei accomplissen {and} speden že dede of hir žou[gh]t by žis resou{n}. ¶ žan žere comen many manere knowynges to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g substaunces. for že wit of že body že whiche witte is naked {and} despoyled of alle ožer knowynges. žilke witte comež to bestes žat ne mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne žere. as oystres {and} muscles {and} ožer swiche shelle fysshe of že see. ž{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed to roches. but že ymaginac{i}ou{n} comež to remuable bestes žat seme{n} to han talent to fleen or to desiren any žinge. but resou{n} is al only to že lynage of mankynde ry[gh]t as i{n}telligence is oonly že deuyne nature. of whiche it folwež žat žilke knowyng is more worže žan [th]is[e] ožer. syn it knowež by hys p{ro}pre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiž it ne knowež nat al oonly žat app{er}teiniž p{ro}prely to hys knowynge. but it knowež že subgit[gh] of alle ožer knowynges. but how shal it žan be yif žat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} stryuen a[gh]eins resonynge {and} sein žat of žilke vniuersel žinges. žat resou{n} wenež to seen žat it nis ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. for wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn žat žat. žat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel. žan is eižer že iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne žat žer nis no žinge sensible. or ellys for žat resou{n} woot wel žat many žinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. žan is že co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals whiche žat lookež {and} co{m}p{re}hendiž. žat žat is sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. and [gh]if žat resou{n} wolde answeren a[gh]ein to žise two žat is to sein to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein žat sožely she hir self. žat is to seyn žat resou{n} lokež {and} comp{re}hendiž by resou{n} of vniuersalite. bože žat žat is sensible {and} žat žat is ymaginable. {and} žat žilke two žat is to seyn wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} nat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for žat že knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} že bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of že knowyng of žinges men au[gh]ten ražer [gh]eue credence to že more stedfast {and} to že more p{er}fit iugement. In žis manere stryuynge žan we žat han strengže of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge {and} of wit žat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde ražer p{re}ise že cause of resou{n}. as who seiž žan že cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}. semblable žinge is it žat že resou{n} of mankynde ne wenež nat žat že deuyne intelligence byholdež or knowež žinges to comen. but ry[gh]t as že resou{n} of mankynde knowež hem. for žou arguist {and} seist žus. žat yif it ne seme nat to men žat so{m}me žinges han certeyne {and} necessarie bytidynges. žei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to bytiden. ža{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science of žilke žinges. {and} yif we trowen žat p{re}science ben in žise žinges. žan is žer no žinge žat it ne bitidiž by necessite. but certys yif we my[gh]te{n} han že iugeme{n}t of že deuyne žou[gh]t as we ben p{ar}son{er}s of resou{n}. ry[gh]t so as we han demed. it byhouež žat ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} wit ben byneže resou{n}. ry[gh]t so wolde we deme{n} žat it were ry[gh]tful žing žat ma{n}s resou{n} au[gh]t[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneže že deuyne žou[gh]t. for whiche žat yif we mowen. as who seiž. žat yif žat we mowe{n} I conseil[e] žat we enhanse vs in to že hey[gh]t of žilke souereyne i{n}telligence. for žere shal resou{n} wel seen žat žat it ne may nat by-holden in it self. and certys žat is žis in what manere že p{re}science of god seež alle žinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al žou[gh] žei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne žis is non oppiniou{n} but it is ražer že simplicite of že souereyn science žat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiži{n}ne no boundes. QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS. [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]] ++ŽE bestes passen by že eržes by ful dyuerse figures for so{m}me of hem han hir bodies strau[gh]t {and} crepe{n} in že dust {and} drawen after he{m} a t{ra}is or a forghe contynued. žat is to sein as addres or snakes. and ožer bestes by [the] wandryng ly[gh]tnesse of hir wenges beten že wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} že spaces of že longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. and ožer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes i{n} že erže wiž hir goynge or wiž her feet. or to gone eyže[r] by že grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder že wodes. {and} al be it so ž{a}t žou seest žat žei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuiež hir{e} dulle wittes. Onlyche že lynage of man heuež heyest hys hey[gh]e heued {and} stondež ly[gh]t wiž hys vpry[gh]t body {and} byholdež že erže vndir hym. [and] but-[gh]if žou eržely man wexest yuel oute of ži witte. žis figure amonestež že ž{a}t axest že heuene wiž ži ry[gh]t[e] visage. {and} hast areised ži forhede to beren vp on heye ži corage so žat ži žou[gh]t ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen žat ži body is so heye areised. PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A. QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE. [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]] ++ŽEr-fore žan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne žat al žinge žat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature p{ro}pre. but by že nature of he{m} žat comp{re}henden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as who seiž lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche ž{a}t že estat is of že deuyne substaunce so žat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. že comune iugement of alle creatures resonables žan is žis žat god is eterne. lat vs considere ža{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys žat shal shewen vs to-gidre že deuyne nature {and} že deuyne science ¶ Eternite žan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al togidre of lijf interminable {and} žat shewež more clerely by že co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of temp{or}el žinges. for al žing žat lyuež in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} p{ro}cediž fro preterit[gh] in to fut{ur}es. žat is to sein. fro tyme passed in to tyme comynge. ne žer nis no žing establissed i{n} tyme žat may enbracen to-gidre al že space of hys lijf. for certys [gh]it ne haž it nat taken že tyme of že morwe. {and} it haž lost žat of [gh]ister-day. and certys in že lijf of žis day [gh]e ne lyuen no more but ry[gh]t as in žis moeueable {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. žan žilke žinge žat suffriž temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]žough{e} žat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne žough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle demde of že worlde. and al žou[gh] žat že lif of it be strecchid wiž infinite of tyme. [gh]it algates nis it no swiche žing žat men my[gh]ten trowen by ry[gh]t žat it is eterne. for al žou[gh] žat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace že space of life infinite. [gh]it algates ne [em]bracež it nat že space of že lif alto-gidre. for it ne haž nat že fut{ur}es žat ne ben nat [gh]it. ne it ne haž no lenger že p{re}t{er}it[gh] žat ben ydon or ypassed. but žilke žing žan žat haž {and} co{m}prehendiž to-gidre alle že plente of že lif i{n}terminable. to whom žere ne failiž nat of že fut{ur}e. {and} to whom žer nis nat of že p{re}t{er}it escapid nor ypassed. žilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ry[gh]t to ben eterne. and it byhouež by necessite žat žilke žinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as who seiž alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so my[gh]ty žat al by ry[gh]t at hys plesaunce. {and} ž{a}t he haue al p{re}sent že infinit of že moeuable tyme. wherfore som men trowe{n} wrongefully žat whan žei heren žat it semid[e] to plato žat žis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne žat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. žei wenen i{n} žis man{er}e žat žis worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiž his makere. as who seiž. žei wenen žat žis worlde {and} god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful wenynge. for ožer žing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato graunted[e] to že worlde. {and} ožer žing is it to embracen to-gidre alle že p{re}sence to že lif interminable. že whiche žing it is clere {and} manifest žat it is p{ro}pre to že deuine žou[gh]t. ne it ne sholde nat semen to vs žat god is elder žan žinges žat ben ymaked by quantite of tyme. but ražer by že p{ro}prete of hys symple nature. for žis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el žinges folwiž žis p{re}sentarie estat of že lijf i{n}moeueable. {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n} it ne ben euene lyke to it. for že inmoeueablete. žat is to seyn žat is i{n} že eternite of god. ¶ it failež {and} fallež in to moeuynge fro že simplicite of [the] p{re}sence of god. {and} disencresiž to že infinite quantite of fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. {and} so as it ne may nat han togidre al že plente of že lif. algates [gh]itte for as moche as it ne cesiž neuere forto ben in som manere it semež somde[l] to vs žat it folwiž {and} resembliž žilke žing ž{a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. {and} byndež it self to som manere p{re}sence of žis litel {and} swifte moment. že whiche p{re}sence of žis lytele {and} swifte moment. for žat it berež a manere ymage or lykenesse of že ay dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it grauntež to swiche manere žinges as it bitidiž to žat it semež hem žat žise žinges han ben {and} ben {and} for [ž{a}t] že p{re}sence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle žer-for [it] rauyssid[e] {and} took že infinit[e] wey of tyme. žat is to seyn by successiou{n}. {and} by žis man{er}e it is ydon. for žat it sholde continue že lif in goynge of že whiche lif it ne my[gh]t[e] nat embrace že plente in dwellynge. {and} for ži yif we willen putte worži name[s] to žinges {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn ža{n} sožely žat god is et{er}ne. {and} žat že worlde is p{er}petuel. žan syn žat euery iugeme{n}t knowež {and} comp{re}hendiž by hys owen nature žinges žat ben subiect vnto hym. žere is sožely al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. {and} že science of hym žat ouer-passež alle temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t dwelliž in že symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embracež {and} considerež alle že infinit spaces of tymes p{re}terit[gh] {and} fut{ur}es {and} lokež in žis symple knowynge alle žinges of p{re}t{er}it ry[gh]t as žei weren ydoon p{re}sently ry[gh]t now ¶ yif žou wolt žan ženke {and} avise{n} že p{re}science by whiche it knowež al[le] ži{n}ges žou ne shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of žinges to comen. but žou shalt deme{n} [it] more ry[gh]tfully žat it is science of presence or of instaunce žat neuer ne faylež. for whiche it nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde ražer be cleped purueaunce žat is establissed ful fer fro ry[gh]t lowe žinges. {and} byholdež from a-fer alle žinges ry[gh]t as it were fro že heye hey[gh]te of žinges. whi axest žou žan or why disputest žou žan žat žilke žinges ben don