Nd Axeth Hem What Was To Done: And Thei Avised Were Sone, And Seide It Thoghte Hem For The Beste To Sette Ferst His Wif In Reste, And After Pleigne To The King Upon The Matiere Of This Thing. 1000 Tho Was This Wofull Wif Conforted Be Alle Weies And Desported, Til That Sche Was Somdiel Amended; And Thus A Day Or Tuo Despended, The Thridde Day Sche Goth To Pleigne With Many A Worthi Citezeine, And He With Many A Citezein. Whan Themperour It Herde Sein, And Knew The Falshed Of The Vice, He Seide He Wolde Do Justice: 1010 And Ferst He Let The Prestes Take, And For Thei Scholde It Noght Forsake, He Put Hem Into Questioun; Bot Thei Of The Suggestioun Ne Couthen Noght A Word Refuse, Bot For Thei Wolde Hemself Excuse, The Blame Upon The Duck Thei Leide. Bot Therayein The Conseil Seide That Thei Be Noght Excused So, For He Is On And Thei Ben Tuo, 1020 And Tuo Han More Wit Then On, So Thilke Excusement Was Non. And Over That Was Seid Hem Eke, That Whan Men Wolden Vertu Seke, Men Scholde It In The Prestes Finde; Here Ordre Is Of So Hyh A Kinde, That Thei Be Duistres Of The Weie: Forthi, If Eny Man Forsueie Thurgh Hem, Thei Be Noght Excusable. And Thus Be Lawe Resonable 1030 Among The Wise Jugges There The Prestes Bothe Dampned Were, So That The Prive Tricherie Hid Under Fals Ipocrisie Was Thanne Al Openliche Schewed, That Many A Man Hem Hath Beschrewed. And Whan The Prestes Weren Dede, The Temple Of Thilke Horrible Dede Thei Thoghten Purge, And Thilke Ymage, Whos Cause Was The Pelrinage, 1040 Thei Drowen Out And Als So Faste Fer Into Tibre Thei It Caste, Wher The Rivere It Hath Defied: And Thus The Temple Purified Thei Have Of Thilke Horrible Sinne, Which Was That Time Do Therinne. Of This Point Such Was The Juise, Bot Of The Duck Was Other Wise: For He With Love Was Bestad, His Dom Was Noght So Harde Lad; 1050 For Love Put Reson Aweie And Can Noght Se The Rihte Weie. And Be This Cause He Was Respited, So That The Deth Him Was Acquited, Bot For Al That He Was Exiled, For He His Love Hath So Beguiled, That He Schal Nevere Come Ayein: For Who That Is To Trowthe Unplein, He May Noght Failen Of Vengance. And Ek To Take Remembrance 1060 Of That Ypocrisie Hath Wroght On Other Half, Men Scholde Noght To Lihtly Lieve Al That Thei Hiere, Bot Thanne Scholde A Wisman Stiere The Schip, Whan Suche Wyndes Blowe: For Ferst Thogh Thei Beginne Lowe, At Ende Thei Be Noght Menable, Bot Al Tobreken Mast And Cable, So That The Schip With Sodein Blast, Whan Men Lest Wene, Is Overcast; 1070 As Now Fulofte A Man Mai Se: And Of Old Time How It Hath Be I Finde A Gret Experience, Wherof To Take An Evidence Good Is, And To Be War Also Of The Peril, Er Him Be Wo. Of Hem That Ben So Derk Withinne, At Troie Also If We Beginne, Ipocrisie It Hath Betraied: For Whan The Greks Hadde Al Assaied, 1080 And Founde That Be No Bataille Ne Be No Siege It Myhte Availe The Toun To Winne Thurgh Prouesse, This Vice Feigned Of Simplesce Thurgh Sleyhte Of Calcas And Of Crise It Wan Be Such A Maner Wise. An Hors Of Bras Thei Let Do Forge Of Such Entaile, Of Such A Forge, That In This World Was Nevere Man That Such An Other Werk Began. 1090 The Crafti Werkman Epius It Made, And Forto Telle Thus, The Greks, That Thoghten To Beguile The Kyng Of Troie, In Thilke While With Anthenor And With Enee, That Were Bothe Of The Cite And Of The Conseil The Wiseste, The Richeste And The Myhtieste, In Prive Place So Thei Trete With Fair Beheste And Yiftes Grete 1100 Of Gold, That Thei Hem Have Engined; Togedre And Whan Thei Be Covined, Thei Feignen Forto Make A Pes, And Under That Yit Natheles Thei Schopen The Destruccioun Bothe Of The Kyng And Of The Toun. And Thus The False Pees Was Take Of Hem Of Grece And Undertake, And Therupon Thei Founde A Weie, Wher Strengthe Myhte Noght Aweie, 1110 That Sleihte Scholde Helpe Thanne; And Of An Ynche A Large Spanne Be Colour Of The Pees Thei Made, And Tolden How Thei Weren Glade Of That Thei Stoden In Acord; And For It Schal Ben Of Record, Unto The Kyng The Gregois Seiden, Be Weie Of Love And This Thei Preiden, As Thei That Wolde His Thonk Deserve, A Sacrifice Unto Minerve, 1120 The Pes To Kepe In Good Entente, Thei Mosten Offre Er That Thei Wente. The Kyng Conseiled In This Cas Be Anthenor And Eneas Therto Hath Yoven His Assent: So Was The Pleine Trowthe Blent Thurgh Contrefet Ipocrisie Of That Thei Scholden Sacrifie. The Greks Under The Holinesse Anon With Alle Besinesse 1130 Here Hors Of Bras Let Faire Dihte, Which Was To Sen A Wonder Sihte; For It Was Trapped Of Himselve, And Hadde Of Smale Whieles Twelve, Upon The Whiche Men Ynowe With Craft Toward The Toun It Drowe, And Goth Glistrende Ayein The Sunne. Tho Was Ther Joie Ynowh Begunne, For Troie In Gret Devocioun Cam Also With Processioun 1140 Ayein This Noble Sacrifise With Gret Honour, And In This Wise Unto The Gates Thei It Broghte. Bot Of Here Entre Whan Thei Soghte, The Gates Weren Al To Smale; And Therupon Was Many A Tale, Bot For The Worschipe Of Minerve, To Whom Thei Comen Forto Serve, Thei Of The Toun, Whiche Understode That Al This Thing Was Do For Goode, 1150 For Pes, Wherof That Thei Ben Glade, The Gates That Neptunus Made A Thousend Wynter Ther Tofore, Thei Have Anon Tobroke And Tore; The Stronge Walles Doun Thei Bete, So That In To The Large Strete This Hors With Gret Solempnite Was Broght Withinne The Cite, And Offred With Gret Reverence, Which Was To Troie An Evidence 1160 Of Love And Pes For Everemo. The Gregois Token Leve Tho With Al The Hole Felaschipe, And Forth Thei Wenten Into Schipe And Crossen Seil And Made Hem Yare, Anon As Thogh Thei Wolden Fare: Bot Whan The Blake Wynter Nyht Withoute Mone Or Sterre Lyht Bederked Hath The Water Stronde, Al Prively Thei Gon To Londe 1170 Ful Armed Out Of The Navie. Synon, Which Mad Was Here Aspie Withinne Troie, As Was Conspired, Whan Time Was A Tokne Hath Fired; And Thei With That Here Weie Holden, And Comen In Riht As Thei Wolden, Ther As The Gate Was Tobroke. The Pourpos Was Full Take And Spoke: Er Eny Man May Take Kepe, Whil That The Cite Was Aslepe, 1180 Thei Slowen Al That Was Withinne, And Token What Thei Myhten Wynne Of Such Good As Was Sufficant, And Brenden Up The Remenant. And Thus Cam Out The Tricherie, Which Under Fals Ypocrisie Was Hid, And Thei That Wende Pees Tho Myhten Finde No Reles Of Thilke Swerd Which Al Devoureth. Fulofte And Thus The Swete Soureth, 1190 Whan It Is Knowe To The Tast: He Spilleth Many A Word In Wast That Schal With Such A Poeple Trete; For Whan He Weneth Most Beyete, Thanne Is He Schape Most To Lese. And Riht So If A Womman Chese Upon The Wordes That Sche Hiereth Som Man, Whan He Most Trewe Appiereth, Thanne Is He Forthest Fro The Trowthe: Bot Yit Fulofte, And That Is Rowthe, 1200 Thei Speden That Ben Most Untrewe And Loven Every Day A Newe, Wherof The Lief Is After Loth And Love Hath Cause To Be Wroth. Bot What Man That His Lust Desireth Of Love, And Therupon Conspireth With Wordes Feigned To Deceive, He Schal Noght Faile To Receive His Peine, As It Is Ofte Sene. Forthi, My Sone, As I Thee Mene, 1210 It Sit The Wel To Taken Hiede That Thou Eschuie Of Thi Manhiede Ipocrisie And His Semblant, That Thou Ne Be Noght Deceivant, To Make A Womman To Believe Thing Which Is Noght In Thi Bilieve: For In Such Feint Ipocrisie Of Love Is Al The Tricherie, Thurgh Which Love Is Deceived Ofte; For Feigned Semblant Is So Softe, 1220 Unethes Love May Be War. Forthi, My Sone, As I Wel Dar, I Charge Thee To Fle That Vice, That Many A Womman Hath Mad Nice; Bot Lok Thou Dele Noght Withal. Iwiss, Fader, Nomor I Schal. Now, Sone, Kep That Thou Hast Swore: For This That Thou Hast Herd Before Is Seid The Ferste Point Of Pride: And Next Upon That Other Side, 1230 To Schryve And Speken Overthis Touchende Of Pride, Yit Ther Is The Point Seconde, I Thee Behote, Which Inobedience Is Hote. This Vice Of Inobedience Ayein The Reule Of Conscience Al That Is Humble He Desalloweth, That He Toward His God Ne Boweth After The Lawes Of His Heste. Noght As A Man Bot As A Beste, 1240 Which Goth Upon His Lustes Wilde, So Goth This Proude Vice Unmylde, That He Desdeigneth Alle Lawe: He Not What Is To Be Felawe, And Serve May He Noght For Pride; So Is He Badde On Every Side, And Is That Selve Of Whom Men Speke, Which Wol Noght Bowe Er That He Breke. I Not If Love Him Myhte Plie, For Elles Forto Justefie 1250 His Herte, I Not What Mihte Availe. Forthi, My Sone, Of Such Entaile If That Thin Herte Be Disposed, Tell Out And Let It Noght Be Glosed: For If That Thou Unbuxom Be To Love, I Not In What Degree Thou Schalt Thi Goode World Achieve. Mi Fader, Ye Schul Wel Believe, The Yonge Whelp Which Is Affaited Hath Noght His Maister Betre Awaited, 1260 To Couche, Whan He Seith "Go Lowe," That I, Anon As I May Knowe Mi Ladi Will, Ne Bowe More. Bot Other While I Grucche Sore Of Some Thinges That Sche Doth, Wherof That I Woll Telle Soth: For Of Tuo Pointz I Am Bethoght, That, Thogh I Wolde, I Myhte Noght Obeie Unto My Ladi Heste; Bot I Dar Make This Beheste, 1270 Save Only Of That Ilke Tuo I Am Unbuxom Of No Mo. Whan Ben Tho Tuo? Tell On, Quod He. Mi Fader, This Is On, That Sche Comandeth Me My Mowth To Close, And That I Scholde Hir Noght Oppose In Love, Of Which I Ofte Preche, Bot Plenerliche Of Such A Speche Forbere, And Soffren Hire In Pes. Bot That Ne Myhte I Natheles 1280 For Al This World Obeie Ywiss; For Whanne I Am Ther As Sche Is, Though Sche My Tales Noght Alowe, Ayein Hir Will Yit Mot I Bowe, To Seche If That I Myhte Have Grace: Bot That Thing May I Noght Enbrace For Ought That I Can Speke Or Do; And Yit Fulofte I Speke So, That Sche Is Wroth And Seith, "Be Stille." If I That Heste Schal Fulfille 1290 And Therto Ben Obedient, Thanne Is My Cause Fully Schent, For Specheles May Noman Spede. So Wot I Noght What Is To Rede; Bot Certes I May Noght Obeie, That I Ne Mot Algate Seie Somwhat Of That I Wolde Mene; For Evere It Is Aliche Grene, The Grete Love Which I Have, Wherof I Can Noght Bothe Save 1300 My Speche And This Obedience: And Thus Fulofte My Silence I Breke, And Is The Ferste Point Wherof That I Am Out Of Point In This, And Yit It Is No Pride. Now Thanne Upon That Other Side To Telle My Desobeissance, Ful Sore It Stant To My Grevance And May Noght Sinke Into My Wit; For Ofte Time Sche Me Bit 1310 To Leven Hire And Chese A Newe, And Seith, If I The Sothe Knewe How Ferr I Stonde From Hir Grace, I Scholde Love In Other Place. Bot Therof Woll I Desobeie; For Also Wel Sche Myhte Seie, "Go Tak The Mone Ther It Sit," As Bringe That Into My Wit: For Ther Was Nevere Rooted Tre, That Stod So Faste In His Degre, 1320 That I Ne Stonde More Faste Upon Hire Love, And Mai Noght Caste Min Herte Awey, Althogh I Wolde. For God Wot, Thogh I Nevere Scholde Sen Hir With Yhe After This Day, Yit Stant It So That I Ne May Hir Love Out Of My Brest Remue. This Is A Wonder Retenue, That Malgre Wher Sche Wole Or Non Min Herte Is Everemore In On, 1330 So That I Can Non Other Chese, Bot Whether That I Winne Or Lese, I Moste Hire Loven Til I Deie; And Thus I Breke As Be That Weie Hire Hestes And Hir Comandinges, Bot Trewliche In Non Othre Thinges. Forthi, My Fader, What Is More Touchende To This Ilke Lore I You Beseche, After The Forme That Ye Pleinly Me Wolde Enforme, 1340 So That I May Myn Herte Reule In Loves Cause After The Reule. Toward This Vice Of Which We Trete Ther Ben Yit Tweie Of Thilke Estrete, Here Name Is Murmur And Compleignte: Ther Can Noman Here Chiere Peinte, To Sette A Glad Semblant Therinne, For Thogh Fortune Make Hem Wynne, Yit Grucchen Thei, And If Thei Lese, Ther Is No Weie Forto Chese, 1350 Wherof Thei Myhten Stonde Appesed. So Ben Thei Comunly Desesed; Ther May No Welthe Ne Poverte Attempren Hem To The Decerte Of Buxomnesse Be No Wise: For Ofte Time Thei Despise The Goode Fortune As The Badde, As Thei No Mannes Reson Hadde, Thurgh Pride, Wherof Thei Be Blinde. And Ryht Of Such A Maner Kinde 1360 Ther Be Lovers, That Thogh Thei Have Of Love Al That Thei Wolde Crave, Yit Wol Thei Grucche Be Som Weie, That Thei Wol Noght To Love Obeie Upon The Trowthe, As Thei Do Scholde; And If Hem Lacketh That Thei Wolde, Anon Thei Falle In Such A Peine, That Evere Unbuxomly Thei Pleigne Upon Fortune, And Curse And Crie, That Thei Wol Noght Here Hertes Plie 1370 To Soffre Til It Betre Falle. Forthi If Thou Amonges Alle Hast Used This Condicioun, Mi Sone, In Thi Confessioun Now Tell Me Pleinly What Thou Art. Mi Fader, I Beknowe A Part, So As Ye Tolden Hier Above Of Murmur And Compleignte Of Love, That For I Se No Sped Comende, Ayein Fortune Compleignende 1380 I Am, As Who Seith, Everemo: And Ek Fulofte Tyme Also, Whan So Is That I Se And Hiere Or Hevy Word Or Hevy Chiere Of My Lady, I Grucche Anon; Bot Wordes Dar I Speke Non, Wherof Sche Myhte Be Desplesed, Bot In Myn Herte I Am Desesed: With Many A Murmur, God It Wot, Thus Drinke I In Myn Oghne Swot, 1390 And Thogh I Make No Semblant, Min Herte Is Al Desobeissant; And In This Wise I Me Confesse Of That Ye Clepe Unbuxomnesse. Now Telleth What Youre Conseil Is. Mi Sone, And I Thee Rede This, What So Befalle Of Other Weie, That Thou To Loves Heste Obeie Als Ferr As Thou It Myht Suffise: For Ofte Sithe In Such A Wise 1400 Obedience In Love Availeth, Wher Al A Mannes Strengthe Faileth; Wherof, If That The List To Wite In A Cronique As It Is Write, A Gret Ensample Thou Myht Fynde, Which Now Is Come To My Mynde. Ther Was Whilom Be Daies Olde A Worthi Knyht, And As Men Tolde He Was Nevoeu To Themperour And Of His Court A Courteour: 1410 Wifles He Was, Florent He Hihte, He Was A Man That Mochel Myhte, Of Armes He Was Desirous, Chivalerous And Amorous, And For The Fame Of Worldes Speche, Strange Aventures Forto Seche, He Rod The Marches Al Aboute. And Fell A Time, As He Was Oute, Fortune, Which May Every Thred Tobreke And Knette Of Mannes Sped, 1420 Schop, As This Knyht Rod In A Pas, That He Be Strengthe Take Was, And To A Castell Thei Him Ladde, Wher That He Fewe Frendes Hadde: For So It Fell That Ilke Stounde That He Hath With A Dedly Wounde Feihtende His Oghne Hondes Slain Branchus, Which To The Capitain Was Sone And Heir, Wherof Ben Wrothe The Fader And The Moder Bothe. 1430 That Knyht Branchus Was Of His Hond The Worthieste Of Al His Lond, And Fain Thei Wolden Do Vengance Upon Florent, Bot Remembrance That Thei Toke Of His Worthinesse Of Knyhthod And Of Gentilesse, And How He Stod Of Cousinage To Themperour, Made Hem Assuage, And Dorsten Noght Slen Him For Fere: In Gret Desputeisoun Thei Were 1440 Among Hemself, What Was The Beste. Ther Was A Lady, The Slyheste Of Alle That Men Knewe Tho, So Old Sche Myhte Unethes Go, And Was Grantdame Unto The Dede: And Sche With That Began To Rede, And Seide How Sche Wol Bringe Him Inne, That Sche Schal Him To Dethe Winne Al Only Of His Oghne Grant, Thurgh Strengthe Of Verray Covenant 1450 Withoute Blame Of Eny Wiht. Anon Sche Sende For This Kniht, And Of Hire Sone Sche Alleide The Deth, And Thus To Him Sche Seide: "Florent, How So Thou Be To Wyte Of Branchus Deth, Men Schal Respite As Now To Take Vengement, Be So Thou Stonde In Juggement Upon Certein Condicioun, That Thou Unto A Questioun 1460 Which I Schal Axe Schalt Ansuere; And Over This Thou Schalt Ek Swere, That If Thou Of The Sothe Faile, Ther Schal Non Other Thing Availe, That Thou Ne Schalt Thi Deth Receive. And For Men Schal Thee Noght Deceive, That Thou Therof Myht Ben Avised, Thou Schalt Have Day And Tyme Assised And Leve Saufly Forto Wende, Be So That At Thi Daies Ende 1470 Thou Come Ayein With Thin Avys. This Knyht, Which Worthi Was And Wys, This Lady Preith That He May Wite, And Have It Under Seales Write, What Questioun It Scholde Be For Which He Schal In That Degree Stonde Of His Lif In Jeupartie. With That Sche Feigneth Compaignie, And Seith: "Florent, On Love It Hongeth Al That To Myn Axinge Longeth: 1480 What Alle Wommen Most Desire This Wole I Axe, And In Thempire Wher As Thou Hast Most Knowlechinge Tak Conseil Upon This Axinge." Florent This Thing Hath Undertake, The Day Was Set, The Time Take, Under His Seal He Wrot His Oth, In Such A Wise And Forth He Goth Hom To His Emes Court Ayein; To Whom His Aventure Plein 1490 He Tolde, Of That Him Is Befalle. And Upon That Thei Weren Alle The Wiseste Of The Lond Asent, Bot Natheles Of On Assent Thei Myhte Noght Acorde Plat, On Seide This, An Othre That. After The Disposicioun Of Naturel Complexioun To Som Womman It Is Plesance, That To An Other Is Grevance; 1500 Bot Such A Thing In Special, Which To Hem Alle In General Is Most Plesant, And Most Desired Above Alle Othre And Most Conspired, Such O Thing Conne Thei Noght Finde Be Constellacion Ne Kinde: And Thus Florent Withoute Cure Mot Stonde Upon His Aventure, And Is Al Schape Unto The Lere, As In Defalte Of His Answere. 1510 This Knyht Hath Levere Forto Dye Than Breke His Trowthe And Forto Lye In Place Ther As He Was Swore, And Schapth Him Gon Ayein Therfore. Whan Time Cam He Tok His Leve, That Lengere Wolde He Noght Beleve, And Preith His Em He Be Noght Wroth, For That Is A Point Of His Oth, He Seith, That Noman Schal Him Wreke, Thogh Afterward Men Hiere Speke 1520 That He Par Aventure Deie. And Thus He Wente Forth His Weie Alone As Knyht Aventurous, And In His Thoght Was Curious To Wite What Was Best To Do: And As He Rod Al One So, And Cam Nyh Ther He Wolde Be, In A Forest Under A Tre He Syh Wher Sat A Creature, A Lothly Wommannysch Figure, 1530 That Forto Speke Of Fleisch And Bon So Foul Yit Syh He Nevere Non. This Knyht Behield Hir Redely, And As He Wolde Have Passed By, Sche Cleped Him And Bad Abide; And He His Horse Heved Aside Tho Torneth, And To Hire He Rod, And There He Hoveth And Abod, To Wite What Sche Wolde Mene. And Sche Began Him To Bemene, 1540 And Seide: "Florent Be Thi Name, Thou Hast On Honde Such A Game, That Bot Thou Be The Betre Avised, Thi Deth Is Schapen And Devised, That Al The World Ne Mai The Save, Bot If That Thou My Conseil Have." Florent, Whan He This Tale Herde, Unto This Olde Wyht Answerde And Of Hir Conseil He Hir Preide. And Sche Ayein To Him Thus Seide: 1550 "Florent, If I For The So Schape, That Thou Thurgh Me Thi Deth Ascape And Take Worschipe Of Thi Dede, What Schal I Have To My Mede?" "What Thing," Quod He, "That Thou Wolt Axe." "I Bidde Nevere A Betre Taxe," Quod Sche, "Bot Ferst, Er Thou Be Sped, Thou Schalt Me Leve Such A Wedd, That I Wol Have Thi Trowthe In Honde That Thou Schalt Be Myn Housebonde." 1560 "Nay," Seith Florent, "That May Noght Be." "Ryd Thanne Forth Thi Wey," Quod Sche, "And If Thou Go Withoute Red, Thou Schalt Be Sekerliche Ded." Florent Behihte Hire Good Ynowh Of Lond, Of Rente, Of Park, Of Plowh, Bot Al That Compteth Sche At Noght. Tho Fell This Knyht In Mochel Thoght, Now Goth He Forth, Now Comth Ayein, He Wot Noght What Is Best To Sein, 1570 And Thoghte, As He Rod To And Fro, That Chese He Mot On Of The Tuo, Or Forto Take Hire To His Wif Or Elles Forto Lese His Lif. And Thanne He Caste His Avantage, That Sche Was Of So Gret An Age, That Sche Mai Live Bot A While, And Thoghte Put Hire In An Ile, Wher That Noman Hire Scholde Knowe, Til Sche With Deth Were Overthrowe. 1580 And Thus This Yonge Lusti Knyht Unto This Olde Lothly Wiht Tho Seide: "If That Non Other Chance Mai Make My Deliverance, Bot Only Thilke Same Speche Which, As Thou Seist, Thou Schalt Me Teche, Have Hier Myn Hond, I Schal Thee Wedde." And Thus His Trowthe He Leith To Wedde. With That Sche Frounceth Up The Browe: "This Covenant I Wol Allowe," 1590 Sche Seith: "If Eny Other Thing Bot That Thou Hast Of My Techyng Fro Deth Thi Body Mai Respite, I Woll Thee Of Thi Trowthe Acquite, And Elles Be Non Other Weie. Now Herkne Me What I Schal Seie. Whan Thou Art Come Into The Place, Wher Now Thei Maken Gret Manace And Upon Thi Comynge Abyde, Thei Wole Anon The Same Tide 1600 Oppose Thee Of Thin Answere. I Wot Thou Wolt Nothing Forbere Of That Thou Wenest Be Thi Beste, And If Thou Myht So Finde Reste, Wel Is, For Thanne Is Ther Nomore. And Elles This Schal Be My Lore, That Thou Schalt Seie, Upon This Molde That Alle Wommen Lievest Wolde Be Soverein Of Mannes Love: For What Womman Is So Above, 1610 Sche Hath, As Who Seith, Al Hire Wille; And Elles May Sche Noght Fulfille What Thing Hir Were Lievest Have. With This Answere Thou Schalt Save Thiself, And Other Wise Noght. And Whan Thou Hast Thin Ende Wroght, Com Hier Ayein, Thou Schalt Me Finde, And Let Nothing Out Of Thi Minde." He Goth Him Forth With Hevy Chiere, As He That Not In What Manere 1620 He Mai This Worldes Joie Atteigne: For If He Deie, He Hath A Peine, And If He Live, He Mot Him Binde To Such On Which Of Alle Kinde Of Wommen Is Thunsemlieste: Thus Wot He Noght What Is The Beste: Bot Be Him Lief Or Be Him Loth, Unto The Castell Forth He Goth His Full Answere Forto Yive, Or Forto Deie Or Forto Live. 1630 Forth With His Conseil Cam The Lord, The Thinges Stoden Of Record, He Sende Up For The Lady Sone, And Forth Sche Cam, That Olde Mone. In Presence Of The Remenant The Strengthe Of Al The Covenant Tho Was Reherced Openly, And To Florent Sche Bad Forthi That He Schal Tellen His Avis, As He That Woot What Is The Pris. 1640 Florent Seith Al That Evere He Couthe, Bot Such Word Cam Ther Non To Mowthe, That He For Yifte Or For Beheste Mihte Eny Wise His Deth Areste. And Thus He Tarieth Longe And Late, Til That This Lady Bad Algate That He Schal For The Dom Final Yive His Answere In Special Of That Sche Hadde Him Ferst Opposed: And Thanne He Hath Trewly Supposed 1650 That He Him May Of Nothing Yelpe, Bot If So Be Tho Wordes Helpe, Whiche As The Womman Hath Him Tawht; Wherof He Hath An Hope Cawht That He Schal Ben Excused So, And Tolde Out Plein His Wille Tho. And Whan That This Matrone Herde The Manere How This Knyht Ansuerde, Sche Seide: "Ha Treson, Wo Thee Be, That Hast Thus Told The Privite, 1660 Which Alle Wommen Most Desire! I Wolde That Thou Were Afire." Bot Natheles In Such A Plit Florent Of His Answere Is Quit: And Tho Began His Sorwe Newe, For He Mot Gon, Or Ben Untrewe, To Hire Which His Trowthe Hadde. Bot He, Which Alle Schame Dradde, Goth Forth In Stede Of His Penance, And Takth The Fortune Of His Chance, 1670 As He That Was With Trowthe Affaited. This Olde Wyht Him Hath Awaited In Place Wher As He Hire Lefte: Florent His Wofull Heved Uplefte And Syh This Vecke Wher Sche Sat, Which Was The Lothlieste What That Evere Man Caste On His Yhe: Hire Nase Bass, Hire Browes Hyhe, Hire Yhen Smale And Depe Set, Hire Chekes Ben With Teres Wet, 1680 And Rivelen As An Emty Skyn Hangende Doun Unto The Chin, Hire Lippes Schrunken Ben For Age, Ther Was No Grace In The Visage, Hir Front Was Nargh, Hir Lockes Hore, Sche Loketh Forth As Doth A More, Hire Necke Is Schort, Hir Schuldres Courbe, That Myhte A Mannes Lust Destourbe, Hire Body Gret And Nothing Smal, And Schortly To Descrive Hire Al, 1690 Sche Hath No Lith Withoute A Lak; Bot Lich Unto The Wollesak Sche Proferth Hire Unto This Knyht, And Bad Him, As He Hath Behyht, So As Sche Hath Ben His Warant, That He Hire Holde Covenant, And Be The Bridel Sche Him Seseth. Bot Godd Wot How That Sche Him Pleseth Of Suche Wordes As Sche Spekth: Him Thenkth Welnyh His Herte Brekth 1700 For Sorwe That He May Noght Fle, Bot If He Wolde Untrewe Be. Loke, How A Sek Man For His Hele Takth Baldemoine With Canele, And With The Mirre Takth The Sucre, Ryht Upon Such A Maner Lucre Stant Florent, As In This Diete: He Drinkth The Bitre With The Swete, He Medleth Sorwe With Likynge, And Liveth, As Who Seith, Deyinge; 1710 His Youthe Schal Be Cast Aweie Upon Such On Which As The Weie Is Old And Lothly Overal. Bot Nede He Mot That Nede Schal: He Wolde Algate His Trowthe Holde, As Every Knyht Therto Is Holde, What Happ So Evere Him Is Befalle: Thogh Sche Be The Fouleste Of Alle, Yet To Thonour Of Wommanhiede Him Thoghte He Scholde Taken Hiede; 1720 So That For Pure Gentilesse, As He Hire Couthe Best Adresce, In Ragges, As Sche Was Totore, He Set Hire On His Hors Tofore And Forth He Takth His Weie Softe; No Wonder Thogh He Siketh Ofte. Bot As An Oule Fleth Be Nyhte Out Of Alle Othre Briddes Syhte, Riht So This Knyht On Daies Brode In Clos Him Hield, And Schop His Rode 1730 On Nyhtes Time, Til The Tyde That He Cam There He Wolde Abide; And Prively Withoute Noise He Bringth This Foule Grete Coise To His Castell In Such A Wise That Noman Myhte Hire Schappe Avise, Til Sche Into The Chambre Cam: Wher He His Prive Conseil Nam Of Suche Men As He Most Troste, And Tolde Hem That He Nedes Moste 1740 This Beste Wedde To His Wif, For Elles Hadde He Lost His Lif. The Prive Wommen Were Asent, That Scholden Ben Of His Assent: Hire Ragges Thei Anon Of Drawe, And, As It Was That Time Lawe, She Hadde Bath, Sche Hadde Reste, And Was Arraied To The Beste. Bot With No Craft Of Combes Brode Thei Myhte Hire Hore Lockes Schode, 1750 And Sche Ne Wolde Noght Be Schore For No Conseil, And Thei Therfore, With Such Atyr As Tho Was Used, Ordeinen That It Was Excused, And Hid So Crafteliche Aboute, That Noman Myhte Sen Hem Oute. Bot When Sche Was Fulliche Arraied And Hire Atyr Was Al Assaied, Tho Was Sche Foulere On To Se: Bot Yit It May Non Other Be, 1760 Thei Were Wedded In The Nyht; So Wo Begon Was Nevere Knyht As He Was Thanne Of Mariage. And Sche Began To Pleie And Rage, As Who Seith, I Am Wel Ynowh; Bot He Therof Nothing Ne Lowh, For Sche Tok Thanne Chiere On Honde And Clepeth Him Hire Housebonde, And Seith, "My Lord, Go We To Bedde, For I To That Entente Wedde, 1770 That Thou Schalt Be My Worldes Blisse:" And Profreth Him With That To Kisse, As Sche A Lusti Lady Were. His Body Myhte Wel Be There, Bot As Of Thoght And Of Memoire His Herte Was In Purgatoire. Bot Yit For Strengthe Of Matrimoine He Myhte Make Non Essoine, That He Ne Mot Algates Plie To Gon To Bedde Of Compaignie: 1780 And Whan Thei Were Abedde Naked, Withoute Slep He Was Awaked; He Torneth On That Other Side, For That He Wolde Hise Yhen Hyde Fro Lokynge On That Foule Wyht. The Chambre Was Al Full Of Lyht, The Courtins Were Of Cendal Thinne, This Newe Bryd Which Lay Withinne, Thogh It Be Noght With His Acord, In Armes Sche Beclipte Hire Lord, 1790 And Preide, As He Was Torned Fro, He Wolde Him Torne Ayeinward Tho; "For Now," Sche Seith, "We Ben Bothe On." And He Lay Stille As Eny Ston, Bot Evere In On Sche Spak And Preide, And Bad Him Thenke On That He Seide, Whan That He Tok Hire Be The Hond. He Herde And Understod The Bond, How He Was Set To His Penance, And As It Were A Man In Trance 1800 He Torneth Him Al Sodeinly, And Syh A Lady Lay Him By Of Eyhtetiene Wynter Age, Which Was The Faireste Of Visage That Evere In Al This World He Syh: And As He Wolde Have Take Hire Nyh, Sche Put Hire Hand And Be His Leve Besoghte Him That He Wolde Leve, And Seith That Forto Wynne Or Lese He Mot On Of Tuo Thinges Chese, 1810 Wher He Wol Have Hire Such On Nyht, Or Elles Upon Daies Lyht, For He Schal Noght Have Bothe Tuo. And He Began To Sorwe Tho, In Many A Wise And Caste His Thoght, Bot For Al That Yit Cowthe He Noght Devise Himself Which Was The Beste. And Sche, That Wolde His Hertes Reste, Preith That He Scholde Chese Algate, Til Ate Laste Longe And Late 1820 He Seide: "O Ye, My Lyves Hele, Sey What You List In My Querele, I Not What Ansuere I Schal Yive: Bot Evere Whil That I May Live, I Wol That Ye Be My Maistresse, For I Can Noght Miselve Gesse Which Is The Beste Unto My Chois. Thus Grante I Yow Myn Hole Vois, Ches For Ous Bothen, I You Preie; And What As Evere That Ye Seie, 1830 Riht As Ye Wole So Wol I." "Mi Lord," Sche Seide, " Grant Merci, For Of This Word That Ye Now Sein, That Ye Have Mad Me Soverein, Mi Destine Is Overpassed, That Nevere Hierafter Schal Be Lassed Mi Beaute, Which That I Now Have, Til I Be Take Into My Grave; Bot Nyht And Day As I Am Now I Schal Alwey Be Such To Yow. 1840 The Kinges Dowhter Of Cizile I Am, And Fell Bot Siththe Awhile, As I Was With My Fader Late, That My Stepmoder For An Hate, Which Toward Me Sche Hath Begonne, Forschop Me, Til I Hadde Wonne The Love And Sovereinete Of What Knyht That In His Degre Alle Othre Passeth Of Good Name: And, As Men Sein, Ye Ben The Same, 1850 The Dede Proeveth It Is So; Thus Am I Youres Evermo." Tho Was Plesance And Joye Ynowh, Echon With Other Pleide And Lowh; Thei Live Longe And Wel Thei Ferde, And Clerkes That This Chance Herde Thei Writen It In Evidence, To Teche How That Obedience Mai Wel Fortune A Man To Love And Sette Him In His Lust Above, 1860 As It Befell Unto This Knyht. Forthi, My Sone, If Thou Do Ryht, Thou Schalt Unto Thi Love Obeie, And Folwe Hir Will Be Alle Weie. Min Holy Fader, So I Wile: For Ye Have Told Me Such A Skile Of This Ensample Now Tofore, That I Schal Evermo Therfore Hierafterward Myn Observance To Love And To His Obeissance 1870 The Betre Kepe: And Over This Of Pride If Ther Oght Elles Is, Wherof That I Me Schryve Schal, What Thing It Is In Special, Mi Fader, Axeth, I You Preie. Now Lest, My Sone, And I Schal Seie: For Yit Ther Is Surquiderie, Which Stant With Pride Of Compaignie; Wherof That Thou Schalt Hiere Anon, To Knowe If Thou Have Gult Or Non 1880 Upon The Forme As Thou Schalt Hiere: Now Understond Wel The Matiere. Surquiderie Is Thilke Vice Of Pride, Which The Thridde Office Hath In His Court, And Wol Noght Knowe The Trowthe Til It Overthrowe. Upon His Fortune And His Grace Comth "Hadde I Wist" Fulofte Aplace; For He Doth Al His Thing Be Gesse, And Voideth Alle Sikernesse. 1890 Non Other Conseil Good Him Siemeth Bot Such As He Himselve Diemeth; For In Such Wise As He Compasseth, His Wit Al One Alle Othre Passeth; And Is With Pride So Thurghsoght, That He Alle Othre Set At Noght, And Weneth Of Himselven So, That Such As He Ther Be Nomo, So Fair, So Semly, Ne So Wis; And Thus He Wolde Bere A Pris 1900 Above Alle Othre, And Noght Forthi He Seith Noght Ones "Grant Mercy" To Godd, Which Alle Grace Sendeth, So That His Wittes He Despendeth Upon Himself, As Thogh Ther Were No Godd Which Myhte Availe There: Bot Al Upon His Oghne Witt He Stant, Til He Falle In The Pitt So Ferr That He Mai Noght Arise. And Riht Thus In The Same Wise 1910 This Vice Upon The Cause Of Love So Proudly Set The Herte Above, And Doth Him Pleinly Forto Wene That He To Loven Eny Qwene Hath Worthinesse And Sufficance; And So Withoute Pourveance Fulofte He Heweth Up So Hihe, That Chippes Fallen In His Yhe; And Ek Ful Ofte He Weneth This, Ther As He Noght Beloved Is, 1920 To Be Beloved Alther Best. Now, Sone, Tell What So Thee Lest Of This That I Have Told Thee Hier. Ha, Fader, Be Noght In A Wer: I Trowe Ther Be Noman Lesse, Of Eny Maner Worthinesse, That Halt Him Lasse Worth Thanne I To Be Beloved; And Noght Forthi I Seie In Excusinge Of Me, To Alle Men That Love Is Fre. 1930 And Certes That Mai Noman Werne; For Love Is Of Himself So Derne, It Luteth In A Mannes Herte: Bot That Ne Schal Me Noght Asterte, To Wene Forto Be Worthi To Loven, Bot In Hir Mercy. Bot, Sire, Of That Ye Wolden Mene, That I Scholde Otherwise Wene To Be Beloved Thanne I Was, I Am Beknowe As In That Cas. 1940 Mi Goode Sone, Tell Me How. Now Lest, And I Wol Telle Yow, Mi Goode Fader, How It Is. Fulofte It Hath Befalle Or This Thurgh Hope That Was Noght Certein, Mi Wenynge Hath Be Set In Vein To Triste In Thing That Halp Me Noght, Bot Onliche Of Myn Oughne Thoght. For As It Semeth That A Belle Lik To The Wordes That Men Telle 1950 Answerth, Riht So Ne Mor Ne Lesse, To Yow, My Fader, I Confesse, Such Will My Wit Hath Overset, That What So Hope Me Behet, Ful Many A Time I Wene It Soth, Bot Finali No Spied It Doth. Thus May I Tellen, As I Can, Wenyng Beguileth Many A Man; So Hath It Me, Riht Wel I Wot: For If A Man Wole In A Bot 1960 Which Is Withoute Botme Rowe, He Moste Nedes Overthrowe. Riht So Wenyng Hath Ferd Be Me: For Whanne I Wende Next Have Be, As I Be My Wenynge Caste, Thanne Was I Furthest Ate Laste, And As A Foll My Bowe Unbende, Whan Al Was Failed That I Wende. Forthi, My Fader, As Of This, That My Wenynge Hath Gon Amis 1970 Touchende To Surquiderie, Yif Me My Penance Er I Die. Bot If Ye Wolde In Eny Forme Of This Matiere A Tale Enforme, Which Were Ayein This Vice Set, I Scholde Fare Wel The Bet. Mi Sone, In Alle Maner Wise Surquiderie Is To Despise, Wherof I Finde Write Thus. The Proude Knyht Capane S 1980 He Was Of Such Surquiderie, That He Thurgh His Chivalerie Upon Himself So Mochel Triste, That To The Goddes Him Ne Liste In No Querele To Beseche, Bot Seide It Was An Ydel Speche, Which Caused Was Of Pure Drede, For Lack Of Herte And For No Nede. And Upon Such Presumpcioun He Hield This Proude Opinioun, 1990 Til Ate Laste Upon A Dai, Aboute Thebes Wher He Lay, Whan It Of Siege Was Belein, This Knyht, As The Croniqes Sein, In Alle Mennes Sihte There, Whan He Was Proudest In His Gere, And Thoghte How Nothing Myhte Him Dere, Ful Armed With His Schield And Spere As He The