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+// Text is an extract from The Canterbury Tales
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+// Full text at http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext00/cbtls12.txt
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+#include <avr/pgmspace.h>
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+
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+const char knightsTale[] PROGMEM= {
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+" THE KNIGHT'S TALE <1>\n"
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+"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"WHILOM*, as olde stories tellen us, *formerly\n"
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+"There was a duke that highte* Theseus. *was called <2>\n"
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+"Of Athens he was lord and governor,\n"
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+"And in his time such a conqueror\n"
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+"That greater was there none under the sun.\n"
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+"Full many a riche country had he won.\n"
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+"What with his wisdom and his chivalry,\n"
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+"He conquer'd all the regne of Feminie,<3>\n"
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+"That whilom was y-cleped Scythia;\n"
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+"And weddede the Queen Hippolyta\n"
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+"And brought her home with him to his country\n"
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+"With muchel* glory and great solemnity, *great\n"
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+"And eke her younge sister Emily,\n"
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+"And thus with vict'ry and with melody\n"
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+"Let I this worthy Duke to Athens ride,\n"
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+"And all his host, in armes him beside.\n"
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+"\n"
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+"And certes, if it n'ere* too long to hear, *were not\n"
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+"I would have told you fully the mannere,\n"
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+"How wonnen* was the regne of Feminie, <4> *won\n"
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+"By Theseus, and by his chivalry;\n"
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+"And of the greate battle for the nonce\n"
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+"Betwixt Athenes and the Amazons;\n"
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+"And how assieged was Hippolyta,\n"
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+"The faire hardy queen of Scythia;\n"
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+"And of the feast that was at her wedding\n"
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+"And of the tempest at her homecoming.\n"
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+"But all these things I must as now forbear.\n"
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+"I have, God wot, a large field to ear* *plough<5>;\n"
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+"And weake be the oxen in my plough;\n"
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+"The remnant of my tale is long enow.\n"
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+"I will not *letten eke none of this rout*. *hinder any of\n"
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+"Let every fellow tell his tale about, this company*\n"
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+"And let see now who shall the supper win.\n"
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+"There *as I left*, I will again begin. *where I left off*\n"
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+"\n"
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+"This Duke, of whom I make mentioun,\n"
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+"When he was come almost unto the town,\n"
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+"In all his weal, and in his moste pride,\n"
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+"He was ware, as he cast his eye aside,\n"
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+"Where that there kneeled in the highe way\n"
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+"A company of ladies, tway and tway,\n"
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+"Each after other, clad in clothes black:\n"
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+"But such a cry and such a woe they make,\n"
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+"That in this world n'is creature living,\n"
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+"That hearde such another waimenting* *lamenting <6>\n"
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+"And of this crying would they never stenten*, *desist\n"
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+"Till they the reines of his bridle henten*. *seize\n"
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+"\"What folk be ye that at mine homecoming\n"
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+"Perturben so my feaste with crying?\"\n"
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+"Quoth Theseus; \"Have ye so great envy\n"
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+"Of mine honour, that thus complain and cry?\n"
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+"Or who hath you misboden*, or offended? *wronged\n"
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+"Do telle me, if it may be amended;\n"
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+"And why that ye be clad thus all in black?\"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"The oldest lady of them all then spake,\n"
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+"When she had swooned, with a deadly cheer*, *countenance\n"
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+"That it was ruthe* for to see or hear. *pity\n"
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+"She saide; \"Lord, to whom fortune hath given\n"
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+"Vict'ry, and as a conqueror to liven,\n"
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+"Nought grieveth us your glory and your honour;\n"
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+"But we beseechen mercy and succour.\n"
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+"Have mercy on our woe and our distress;\n"
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+"Some drop of pity, through thy gentleness,\n"
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+"Upon us wretched women let now fall.\n"
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+"For certes, lord, there is none of us all\n"
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+"That hath not been a duchess or a queen;\n"
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+"Now be we caitives*, as it is well seen: *captives\n"
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+"Thanked be Fortune, and her false wheel,\n"
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+"That *none estate ensureth to be wele*. *assures no continuance of\n"
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+"And certes, lord, t'abiden your presence prosperous estate*\n"
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+"Here in this temple of the goddess Clemence\n"
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+"We have been waiting all this fortenight:\n"
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+"Now help us, lord, since it lies in thy might.\n"
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+"\n"
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+"\"I, wretched wight, that weep and waile thus,\n"
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+"Was whilom wife to king Capaneus,\n"
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+"That starf* at Thebes, cursed be that day: *died <7>\n"
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+"And alle we that be in this array,\n"
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+"And maken all this lamentatioun,\n"
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+"We losten all our husbands at that town,\n"
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+"While that the siege thereabouten lay.\n"
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+"And yet the olde Creon, wellaway!\n"
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+"That lord is now of Thebes the city,\n"
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+"Fulfilled of ire and of iniquity,\n"
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+"He for despite, and for his tyranny,\n"
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+"To do the deade bodies villainy*, *insult\n"
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+"Of all our lorde's, which that been y-slaw, *slain\n"
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+"Hath all the bodies on an heap y-draw,\n"
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+"And will not suffer them by none assent\n"
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+"Neither to be y-buried, nor y-brent*, *burnt\n"
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+"But maketh houndes eat them in despite.\"\n"
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+"And with that word, withoute more respite\n"
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+"They fallen groff,* and cryden piteously; *grovelling\n"
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+"\"Have on us wretched women some mercy,\n"
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+"And let our sorrow sinken in thine heart.\"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"This gentle Duke down from his courser start\n"
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+"With hearte piteous, when he heard them speak.\n"
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+"Him thoughte that his heart would all to-break,\n"
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+"When he saw them so piteous and so mate* *abased\n"
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+"That whilom weren of so great estate.\n"
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+"And in his armes he them all up hent*, *raised, took\n"
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+"And them comforted in full good intent,\n"
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+"And swore his oath, as he was true knight,\n"
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+"He woulde do *so farforthly his might* *as far as his power went*\n"
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+"Upon the tyrant Creon them to wreak*, *avenge\n"
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+"That all the people of Greece shoulde speak,\n"
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+"How Creon was of Theseus y-served,\n"
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+"As he that had his death full well deserved.\n"
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+"And right anon withoute more abode* *delay\n"
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+"His banner he display'd, and forth he rode\n"
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+"To Thebes-ward, and all his, host beside:\n"
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+"No ner* Athenes would he go nor ride, *nearer\n"
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+"Nor take his ease fully half a day,\n"
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+"But onward on his way that night he lay:\n"
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+"And sent anon Hippolyta the queen,\n"
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+"And Emily her younge sister sheen* *bright, lovely\n"
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+"Unto the town of Athens for to dwell:\n"
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+"And forth he rit*; there is no more to tell. *rode\n"
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+"\n"
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+"The red statue of Mars with spear and targe* *shield\n"
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+"So shineth in his white banner large\n"
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+"That all the fieldes glitter up and down:\n"
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+"And by his banner borne is his pennon\n"
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+"Of gold full rich, in which there was y-beat* *stamped\n"
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+"The Minotaur<8> which that he slew in Crete\n"
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+"Thus rit this Duke, thus rit this conqueror\n"
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+"And in his host of chivalry the flower,\n"
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+"Till that he came to Thebes, and alight\n"
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+"Fair in a field, there as he thought to fight.\n"
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+"But shortly for to speaken of this thing,\n"
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+"With Creon, which that was of Thebes king,\n"
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+"He fought, and slew him manly as a knight\n"
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+"In plain bataille, and put his folk to flight:\n"
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+"And by assault he won the city after,\n"
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+"And rent adown both wall, and spar, and rafter;\n"
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+"And to the ladies he restored again\n"
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+"The bodies of their husbands that were slain,\n"
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+"To do obsequies, as was then the guise*. *custom\n"
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+"\n"
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+"But it were all too long for to devise* *describe\n"
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+"The greate clamour, and the waimenting*, *lamenting\n"
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+"Which that the ladies made at the brenning* *burning\n"
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+"Of the bodies, and the great honour\n"
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+"That Theseus the noble conqueror\n"
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+"Did to the ladies, when they from him went:\n"
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+"But shortly for to tell is mine intent.\n"
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+"When that this worthy Duke, this Theseus,\n"
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+"Had Creon slain, and wonnen Thebes thus,\n"
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+"Still in the field he took all night his rest,\n"
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+"And did with all the country as him lest*. *pleased\n"
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+"To ransack in the tas* of bodies dead, *heap\n"
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+"Them for to strip of *harness and of **weed, *armour **clothes\n"
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+"The pillers* did their business and cure, *pillagers <9>\n"
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+"After the battle and discomfiture.\n"
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+"And so befell, that in the tas they found,\n"
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+"Through girt with many a grievous bloody wound,\n"
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+"Two younge knightes *ligging by and by* *lying side by side*\n"
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+"Both in *one armes*, wrought full richely: *the same armour*\n"
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+"Of whiche two, Arcita hight that one,\n"
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+"And he that other highte Palamon.\n"
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+"Not fully quick*, nor fully dead they were, *alive\n"
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+"But by their coat-armour, and by their gear,\n"
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+"The heralds knew them well in special,\n"
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+"As those that weren of the blood royal\n"
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+"Of Thebes, and *of sistren two y-born*. *born of two sisters*\n"
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+"Out of the tas the pillers have them torn,\n"
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+"And have them carried soft unto the tent\n"
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+"Of Theseus, and he full soon them sent\n"
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+"To Athens, for to dwellen in prison\n"
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+"Perpetually, he *n'olde no ranson*. *would take no ransom*\n"
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+"And when this worthy Duke had thus y-done,\n"
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+"He took his host, and home he rit anon\n"
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+"With laurel crowned as a conquerour;\n"
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+"And there he lived in joy and in honour\n"
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+"Term of his life; what needeth wordes mo'?\n"
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+"And in a tower, in anguish and in woe,\n"
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+"Dwellen this Palamon, and eke Arcite,\n"
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+"For evermore, there may no gold them quite* *set free\n"
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+"\n"
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+"Thus passed year by year, and day by day,\n"
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+"Till it fell ones in a morn of May\n"
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+"That Emily, that fairer was to seen\n"
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+"Than is the lily upon his stalke green,\n"
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+"And fresher than the May with flowers new\n"
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+"(For with the rose colour strove her hue;\n"
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+"I n'ot* which was the finer of them two), *know not\n"
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+"Ere it was day, as she was wont to do,\n"
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+"She was arisen, and all ready dight*, *dressed\n"
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+"For May will have no sluggardy a-night;\n"
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+"The season pricketh every gentle heart,\n"
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+"And maketh him out of his sleep to start,\n"
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+"And saith, \"Arise, and do thine observance.\"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"This maketh Emily have remembrance\n"
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+"To do honour to May, and for to rise.\n"
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+"Y-clothed was she fresh for to devise;\n"
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+"Her yellow hair was braided in a tress,\n"
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+"Behind her back, a yarde long I guess.\n"
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+"And in the garden at *the sun uprist* *sunrise\n"
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+"She walketh up and down where as her list.\n"
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+"She gathereth flowers, party* white and red, *mingled\n"
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+"To make a sotel* garland for her head, *subtle, well-arranged\n"
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+"And as an angel heavenly she sung.\n"
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+"The greate tower, that was so thick and strong,\n"
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+"Which of the castle was the chief dungeon<10>\n"
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+"(Where as these knightes weren in prison,\n"
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+"Of which I tolde you, and telle shall),\n"
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+"Was even joinant* to the garden wall, *adjoining\n"
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+"There as this Emily had her playing.\n"
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+"\n"
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+"Bright was the sun, and clear that morrowning,\n"
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+"And Palamon, this woful prisoner,\n"
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+"As was his wont, by leave of his gaoler,\n"
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+"Was ris'n, and roamed in a chamber on high,\n"
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+"In which he all the noble city sigh*, *saw\n"
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+"And eke the garden, full of branches green,\n"
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+"There as this fresh Emelia the sheen\n"
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+"Was in her walk, and roamed up and down.\n"
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+"This sorrowful prisoner, this Palamon\n"
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+"Went in his chamber roaming to and fro,\n"
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+"And to himself complaining of his woe:\n"
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+"That he was born, full oft he said, Alas!\n"
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+"And so befell, by aventure or cas*, *chance\n"
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+"That through a window thick of many a bar\n"
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+"Of iron great, and square as any spar,\n"
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+"He cast his eyes upon Emelia,\n"
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+"And therewithal he blent* and cried, Ah! *started aside\n"
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+"As though he stungen were unto the heart.\n"
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+"And with that cry Arcite anon up start,\n"
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+"And saide, \"Cousin mine, what aileth thee,\n"
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+"That art so pale and deadly for to see?\n"
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+"Why cried'st thou? who hath thee done offence?\n"
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+"For Godde's love, take all in patience\n"
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+"Our prison*, for it may none other be. *imprisonment\n"
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+"Fortune hath giv'n us this adversity'.\n"
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+"Some wick'* aspect or disposition *wicked\n"
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+"Of Saturn<11>, by some constellation,\n"
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+"Hath giv'n us this, although we had it sworn,\n"
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+"So stood the heaven when that we were born,\n"
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+"We must endure; this is the short and plain.\n"
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+"\n"
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+"This Palamon answer'd, and said again:\n"
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+"\"Cousin, forsooth of this opinion\n"
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+"Thou hast a vain imagination.\n"
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+"This prison caused me not for to cry;\n"
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+"But I was hurt right now thorough mine eye\n"
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+"Into mine heart; that will my bane* be. *destruction\n"
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+"The fairness of the lady that I see\n"
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+"Yond in the garden roaming to and fro,\n"
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+"Is cause of all my crying and my woe.\n"
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+"I *n'ot wher* she be woman or goddess, *know not whether*\n"
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+"But Venus is it, soothly* as I guess, *truly\n"
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+"And therewithal on knees adown he fill,\n"
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+"And saide: \"Venus, if it be your will\n"
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+"You in this garden thus to transfigure\n"
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+"Before me sorrowful wretched creature,\n"
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+"Out of this prison help that we may scape.\n"
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+"And if so be our destiny be shape\n"
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+"By etern word to dien in prison,\n"
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+"Of our lineage have some compassion,\n"
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+"That is so low y-brought by tyranny.\"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"And with that word Arcita *gan espy* *began to look forth*\n"
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+"Where as this lady roamed to and fro\n"
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+"And with that sight her beauty hurt him so,\n"
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+"That if that Palamon was wounded sore,\n"
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+"Arcite is hurt as much as he, or more.\n"
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+"And with a sigh he saide piteously:\n"
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+"\"The freshe beauty slay'th me suddenly\n"
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+"Of her that roameth yonder in the place.\n"
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+"And but* I have her mercy and her grace, *unless\n"
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+"That I may see her at the leaste way,\n"
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+"I am but dead; there is no more to say.\"\n"
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+"This Palamon, when he these wordes heard,\n"
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+"Dispiteously* he looked, and answer'd: *angrily\n"
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+"\"Whether say'st thou this in earnest or in play?\"\n"
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+"\"Nay,\" quoth Arcite, \"in earnest, by my fay*. *faith\n"
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+"God help me so, *me lust full ill to play*.\" *I am in no humour\n"
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+"This Palamon gan knit his browes tway. for jesting*\n"
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+"\"It were,\" quoth he, \"to thee no great honour\n"
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+"For to be false, nor for to be traitour\n"
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+"To me, that am thy cousin and thy brother\n"
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+"Y-sworn full deep, and each of us to other,\n"
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+"That never for to dien in the pain <12>,\n"
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+"Till that the death departen shall us twain,\n"
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+"Neither of us in love to hinder other,\n"
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+"Nor in none other case, my leve* brother; *dear\n"
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+"But that thou shouldest truly farther me\n"
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+"In every case, as I should farther thee.\n"
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+"This was thine oath, and mine also certain;\n"
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+"I wot it well, thou dar'st it not withsayn*, *deny\n"
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+"Thus art thou of my counsel out of doubt,\n"
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+"And now thou wouldest falsely be about\n"
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+"To love my lady, whom I love and serve,\n"
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+"And ever shall, until mine hearte sterve* *die\n"
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+"Now certes, false Arcite, thou shalt not so\n"
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+"I lov'd her first, and tolde thee my woe\n"
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+"As to my counsel, and my brother sworn\n"
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+"To farther me, as I have told beforn.\n"
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+"For which thou art y-bounden as a knight\n"
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+"To helpe me, if it lie in thy might,\n"
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+"Or elles art thou false, I dare well sayn,\"\n"
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+"\n"
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+"This Arcita full proudly spake again:\n"
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+"\"Thou shalt,\" quoth he, \"be rather* false than I, *sooner\n"
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+"And thou art false, I tell thee utterly;\n"
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+"For par amour I lov'd her first ere thou.\n"
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|
|
+"What wilt thou say? *thou wist it not right now* *even now thou\n"
|
|
|
+"Whether she be a woman or goddess. knowest not*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thine is affection of holiness,\n"
|
|
|
+"And mine is love, as to a creature:\n"
|
|
|
+"For which I tolde thee mine aventure\n"
|
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|
+"As to my cousin, and my brother sworn\n"
|
|
|
+"I pose*, that thou loved'st her beforn: *suppose\n"
|
|
|
+"Wost* thou not well the olde clerke's saw<13>, *know'st\n"
|
|
|
+"That who shall give a lover any law?\n"
|
|
|
+"Love is a greater lawe, by my pan,\n"
|
|
|
+"Than may be giv'n to any earthly man:\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore positive law, and such decree,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is broke alway for love in each degree\n"
|
|
|
+"A man must needes love, maugre his head.\n"
|
|
|
+"He may not flee it, though he should be dead,\n"
|
|
|
+"*All be she* maid, or widow, or else wife. *whether she be*\n"
|
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|
+"And eke it is not likely all thy life\n"
|
|
|
+"To standen in her grace, no more than I\n"
|
|
|
+"For well thou wost thyselfe verily,\n"
|
|
|
+"That thou and I be damned to prison\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetual, us gaineth no ranson.\n"
|
|
|
+"We strive, as did the houndes for the bone;\n"
|
|
|
+"They fought all day, and yet their part was none.\n"
|
|
|
+"There came a kite, while that they were so wroth,\n"
|
|
|
+"And bare away the bone betwixt them both.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore at the kinge's court, my brother,\n"
|
|
|
+"Each man for himselfe, there is no other.\n"
|
|
|
+"Love if thee list; for I love and aye shall\n"
|
|
|
+"And soothly, leve brother, this is all.\n"
|
|
|
+"Here in this prison musten we endure,\n"
|
|
|
+"And each of us take his Aventure.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Great was the strife and long between these tway,\n"
|
|
|
+"If that I hadde leisure for to say;\n"
|
|
|
+"But to the effect: it happen'd on a day\n"
|
|
|
+"(To tell it you as shortly as I may),\n"
|
|
|
+"A worthy duke that hight Perithous<14>\n"
|
|
|
+"That fellow was to the Duke Theseus\n"
|
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|
+"Since thilke* day that they were children lite** *that **little\n"
|
|
|
+"Was come to Athens, his fellow to visite,\n"
|
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|
+"And for to play, as he was wont to do;\n"
|
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|
+"For in this world he loved no man so;\n"
|
|
|
+"And he lov'd him as tenderly again.\n"
|
|
|
+"So well they lov'd, as olde bookes sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"That when that one was dead, soothly to sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"His fellow went and sought him down in hell:\n"
|
|
|
+"But of that story list me not to write.\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Perithous loved well Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And had him known at Thebes year by year:\n"
|
|
|
+"And finally at request and prayere\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Perithous, withoute ranson\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus him let out of prison,\n"
|
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|
+"Freely to go, where him list over all,\n"
|
|
|
+"In such a guise, as I you tellen shall\n"
|
|
|
+"This was the forword*, plainly to indite, *promise\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte Theseus and him Arcite:\n"
|
|
|
+"That if so were, that Arcite were y-found\n"
|
|
|
+"Ever in his life, by day or night, one stound* *moment<15>\n"
|
|
|
+"In any country of this Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he were caught, it was accorded thus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That with a sword he shoulde lose his head;\n"
|
|
|
+"There was none other remedy nor rede*. *counsel\n"
|
|
|
+"But took his leave, and homeward he him sped;\n"
|
|
|
+"Let him beware, his necke lieth *to wed*. *in pledge*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"How great a sorrow suff'reth now Arcite!\n"
|
|
|
+"The death he feeleth through his hearte smite;\n"
|
|
|
+"He weepeth, waileth, crieth piteously;\n"
|
|
|
+"To slay himself he waiteth privily.\n"
|
|
|
+"He said; \"Alas the day that I was born!\n"
|
|
|
+"Now is my prison worse than beforn:\n"
|
|
|
+"*Now is me shape* eternally to dwell *it is fixed for me*\n"
|
|
|
+"Not in purgatory, but right in hell.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! that ever I knew Perithous.\n"
|
|
|
+"For elles had I dwelt with Theseus\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-fettered in his prison evermo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then had I been in bliss, and not in woe.\n"
|
|
|
+"Only the sight of her, whom that I serve,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though that I never may her grace deserve,\n"
|
|
|
+"Would have sufficed right enough for me.\n"
|
|
|
+"O deare cousin Palamon,\" quoth he,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Thine is the vict'ry of this aventure,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full blissfully in prison to endure:\n"
|
|
|
+"In prison? nay certes, in paradise.\n"
|
|
|
+"Well hath fortune y-turned thee the dice,\n"
|
|
|
+"That hast the sight of her, and I th' absence.\n"
|
|
|
+"For possible is, since thou hast her presence,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art a knight, a worthy and an able,\n"
|
|
|
+"That by some cas*, since fortune is changeable, *chance\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou may'st to thy desire sometime attain.\n"
|
|
|
+"But I that am exiled, and barren\n"
|
|
|
+"Of alle grace, and in so great despair,\n"
|
|
|
+"That there n'is earthe, water, fire, nor air,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor creature, that of them maked is,\n"
|
|
|
+"That may me helpe nor comfort in this,\n"
|
|
|
+"Well ought I *sterve in wanhope* and distress. *die in despair*\n"
|
|
|
+"Farewell my life, my lust*, and my gladness. *pleasure\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas, *why plainen men so in commune *why do men so often complain\n"
|
|
|
+"Of purveyance of God*, or of Fortune, of God's providence?*\n"
|
|
|
+"That giveth them full oft in many a guise\n"
|
|
|
+"Well better than they can themselves devise?\n"
|
|
|
+"Some man desireth for to have richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"That cause is of his murder or great sickness.\n"
|
|
|
+"And some man would out of his prison fain,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in his house is of his meinie* slain. *servants <16>\n"
|
|
|
+"Infinite harmes be in this mattere.\n"
|
|
|
+"We wot never what thing we pray for here.\n"
|
|
|
+"We fare as he that drunk is as a mouse.\n"
|
|
|
+"A drunken man wot well he hath an house,\n"
|
|
|
+"But he wot not which is the right way thither,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to a drunken man the way is slither*. *slippery\n"
|
|
|
+"And certes in this world so fare we.\n"
|
|
|
+"We seeke fast after felicity,\n"
|
|
|
+"But we go wrong full often truely.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus we may sayen all, and namely* I, *especially\n"
|
|
|
+"That ween'd*, and had a great opinion, *thought\n"
|
|
|
+"That if I might escape from prison\n"
|
|
|
+"Then had I been in joy and perfect heal,\n"
|
|
|
+"Where now I am exiled from my weal.\n"
|
|
|
+"Since that I may not see you, Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"I am but dead; there is no remedy.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon that other side, Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"When that he wist Arcita was agone,\n"
|
|
|
+"Much sorrow maketh, that the greate tower\n"
|
|
|
+"Resounded of his yelling and clamour\n"
|
|
|
+"The pure* fetters on his shinnes great *very <17>\n"
|
|
|
+"Were of his bitter salte teares wet.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Alas!\" quoth he, \"Arcita, cousin mine,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all our strife, God wot, the fruit is thine.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou walkest now in Thebes at thy large,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of my woe thou *givest little charge*. *takest little heed*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mayst, since thou hast wisdom and manhead*, *manhood, courage\n"
|
|
|
+"Assemble all the folk of our kindred,\n"
|
|
|
+"And make a war so sharp on this country\n"
|
|
|
+"That by some aventure, or some treaty,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mayst have her to lady and to wife,\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom that I must needes lose my life.\n"
|
|
|
+"For as by way of possibility,\n"
|
|
|
+"Since thou art at thy large, of prison free,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art a lord, great is thine avantage,\n"
|
|
|
+"More than is mine, that sterve here in a cage.\n"
|
|
|
+"For I must weep and wail, while that I live,\n"
|
|
|
+"With all the woe that prison may me give,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke with pain that love me gives also,\n"
|
|
|
+"That doubles all my torment and my woe.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Therewith the fire of jealousy upstart\n"
|
|
|
+"Within his breast, and hent* him by the heart *seized\n"
|
|
|
+"So woodly*, that he like was to behold *madly\n"
|
|
|
+"The box-tree, or the ashes dead and cold.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then said; \"O cruel goddess, that govern\n"
|
|
|
+"This world with binding of your word etern* *eternal\n"
|
|
|
+"And writen in the table of adamant\n"
|
|
|
+"Your parlement* and your eternal grant, *consultation\n"
|
|
|
+"What is mankind more *unto you y-hold* *by you esteemed\n"
|
|
|
+"Than is the sheep, that rouketh* in the fold! *lie huddled together\n"
|
|
|
+"For slain is man, right as another beast;\n"
|
|
|
+"And dwelleth eke in prison and arrest,\n"
|
|
|
+"And hath sickness, and great adversity,\n"
|
|
|
+"And oftentimes guilteless, pardie* *by God\n"
|
|
|
+"What governance is in your prescience,\n"
|
|
|
+"That guilteless tormenteth innocence?\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet increaseth this all my penance,\n"
|
|
|
+"That man is bounden to his observance\n"
|
|
|
+"For Godde's sake to *letten of his will*, *restrain his desire*\n"
|
|
|
+"Whereas a beast may all his lust fulfil.\n"
|
|
|
+"And when a beast is dead, he hath no pain;\n"
|
|
|
+"But man after his death must weep and plain,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though in this worlde he have care and woe:\n"
|
|
|
+"Withoute doubt it maye standen so.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The answer of this leave I to divines,\n"
|
|
|
+"But well I wot, that in this world great pine* is; *pain, trouble\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! I see a serpent or a thief\n"
|
|
|
+"That many a true man hath done mischief,\n"
|
|
|
+"Go at his large, and where him list may turn.\n"
|
|
|
+"But I must be in prison through Saturn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke through Juno, jealous and eke wood*, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"That hath well nigh destroyed all the blood\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Thebes, with his waste walles wide.\n"
|
|
|
+"And Venus slay'th me on that other side\n"
|
|
|
+"For jealousy, and fear of him, Arcite.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I stent* of Palamon a lite**, *pause **little\n"
|
|
|
+"And let him in his prison stille dwell,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of Arcita forth I will you tell.\n"
|
|
|
+"The summer passeth, and the nightes long\n"
|
|
|
+"Increase double-wise the paines strong\n"
|
|
|
+"Both of the lover and the prisonere.\n"
|
|
|
+"I n'ot* which hath the wofuller mistere**. *know not **condition\n"
|
|
|
+"For, shortly for to say, this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetually is damned to prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"In chaines and in fetters to be dead;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Arcite is exiled *on his head* *on peril of his head*\n"
|
|
|
+"For evermore as out of that country,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor never more he shall his lady see.\n"
|
|
|
+"You lovers ask I now this question,<18>\n"
|
|
|
+"Who lieth the worse, Arcite or Palamon?\n"
|
|
|
+"The one may see his lady day by day,\n"
|
|
|
+"But in prison he dwelle must alway.\n"
|
|
|
+"The other where him list may ride or go,\n"
|
|
|
+"But see his lady shall he never mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now deem all as you liste, ye that can,\n"
|
|
|
+"For I will tell you forth as I began.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Arcite to Thebes comen was,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full oft a day he swelt*, and said, \"Alas!\" *fainted\n"
|
|
|
+"For see this lady he shall never mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly to concluden all his woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"So much sorrow had never creature\n"
|
|
|
+"That is or shall be while the world may dure.\n"
|
|
|
+"His sleep, his meat, his drink is *him byraft*, *taken away from him*\n"
|
|
|
+"That lean he wex*, and dry as any shaft. *became\n"
|
|
|
+"His eyen hollow, grisly to behold,\n"
|
|
|
+"His hue sallow, and pale as ashes cold,\n"
|
|
|
+"And solitary he was, ever alone,\n"
|
|
|
+"And wailing all the night, making his moan.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if he hearde song or instrument,\n"
|
|
|
+"Then would he weepen, he might not be stent*. *stopped\n"
|
|
|
+"So feeble were his spirits, and so low,\n"
|
|
|
+"And changed so, that no man coulde know\n"
|
|
|
+"His speech, neither his voice, though men it heard.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his gear* for all the world he far'd *behaviour <19>\n"
|
|
|
+"Not only like the lovers' malady\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Eros, but rather y-like manie* *madness\n"
|
|
|
+"Engender'd of humours melancholic,\n"
|
|
|
+"Before his head in his cell fantastic.<20>\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly turned was all upside down,\n"
|
|
|
+"Both habit and eke dispositioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of him, this woful lover Dan* Arcite. *Lord <21>\n"
|
|
|
+"Why should I all day of his woe indite?\n"
|
|
|
+"When he endured had a year or two\n"
|
|
|
+"This cruel torment, and this pain and woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"At Thebes, in his country, as I said,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a night in sleep as he him laid,\n"
|
|
|
+"Him thought how that the winged god Mercury\n"
|
|
|
+"Before him stood, and bade him to be merry.\n"
|
|
|
+"His sleepy yard* in hand he bare upright; *rod <22>\n"
|
|
|
+"A hat he wore upon his haires bright.\n"
|
|
|
+"Arrayed was this god (as he took keep*) *notice\n"
|
|
|
+"As he was when that Argus<23> took his sleep;\n"
|
|
|
+"And said him thus: \"To Athens shalt thou wend*; *go\n"
|
|
|
+"There is thee shapen* of thy woe an end.\" *fixed, prepared\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word Arcite woke and start.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Now truely how sore that e'er me smart,\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Quoth he, \"to Athens right now will I fare.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor for no dread of death shall I not spare\n"
|
|
|
+"To see my lady that I love and serve;\n"
|
|
|
+"In her presence *I recke not to sterve.*\" *do not care if I die*\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word he caught a great mirror,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saw that changed was all his colour,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saw his visage all in other kind.\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon it ran him ill his mind,\n"
|
|
|
+"That since his face was so disfigur'd\n"
|
|
|
+"Of malady the which he had endur'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"He mighte well, if that he *bare him low,* *lived in lowly fashion*\n"
|
|
|
+"Live in Athenes evermore unknow,\n"
|
|
|
+"And see his lady wellnigh day by day.\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon he changed his array,\n"
|
|
|
+"And clad him as a poore labourer.\n"
|
|
|
+"And all alone, save only a squier,\n"
|
|
|
+"That knew his privity* and all his cas**, *secrets **fortune\n"
|
|
|
+"Which was disguised poorly as he was,\n"
|
|
|
+"To Athens is he gone the nexte* way. *nearest <24>\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the court he went upon a day,\n"
|
|
|
+"And at the gate he proffer'd his service,\n"
|
|
|
+"To drudge and draw, what so men would devise*. *order\n"
|
|
|
+"And, shortly of this matter for to sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"He fell in office with a chamberlain,\n"
|
|
|
+"The which that dwelling was with Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"For he was wise, and coulde soon espy\n"
|
|
|
+"Of every servant which that served her.\n"
|
|
|
+"Well could he hewe wood, and water bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"For he was young and mighty for the nones*, *occasion\n"
|
|
|
+"And thereto he was strong and big of bones\n"
|
|
|
+"To do that any wight can him devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"A year or two he was in this service,\n"
|
|
|
+"Page of the chamber of Emily the bright;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Philostrate he saide that he hight.\n"
|
|
|
+"But half so well belov'd a man as he\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne was there never in court of his degree.\n"
|
|
|
+"He was so gentle of conditioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"That throughout all the court was his renown.\n"
|
|
|
+"They saide that it were a charity\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus would *enhance his degree*, *elevate him in rank*\n"
|
|
|
+"And put him in some worshipful service,\n"
|
|
|
+"There as he might his virtue exercise.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus within a while his name sprung\n"
|
|
|
+"Both of his deedes, and of his good tongue,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus hath taken him so near,\n"
|
|
|
+"That of his chamber he hath made him squire,\n"
|
|
|
+"And gave him gold to maintain his degree;\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke men brought him out of his country\n"
|
|
|
+"From year to year full privily his rent.\n"
|
|
|
+"But honestly and slyly* he it spent, *discreetly, prudently\n"
|
|
|
+"That no man wonder'd how that he it had.\n"
|
|
|
+"And three year in this wise his life be lad*, *led\n"
|
|
|
+"And bare him so in peace and eke in werre*, *war\n"
|
|
|
+"There was no man that Theseus had so derre*. *dear\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this blisse leave I now Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And speak I will of Palamon a lite*. *little\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"In darkness horrible, and strong prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"This seven year hath sitten Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Forpined*, what for love, and for distress. *pined, wasted away\n"
|
|
|
+"Who feeleth double sorrow and heaviness\n"
|
|
|
+"But Palamon? that love distraineth* so, *afflicts\n"
|
|
|
+"That wood* out of his wits he went for woe, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke thereto he is a prisonere\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetual, not only for a year.\n"
|
|
|
+"Who coulde rhyme in English properly\n"
|
|
|
+"His martyrdom? forsooth*, it is not I; *truly\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore I pass as lightly as I may.\n"
|
|
|
+"It fell that in the seventh year, in May\n"
|
|
|
+"The thirde night (as olde bookes sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all this story tellen more plain),\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it by a venture or destiny\n"
|
|
|
+"(As when a thing is shapen* it shall be), *settled, decreed\n"
|
|
|
+"That soon after the midnight, Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"By helping of a friend brake his prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"And fled the city fast as he might go,\n"
|
|
|
+"For he had given drink his gaoler so\n"
|
|
|
+"Of a clary <25>, made of a certain wine,\n"
|
|
|
+"With *narcotise and opie* of Thebes fine, *narcotics and opium*\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the night, though that men would him shake,\n"
|
|
|
+"The gaoler slept, he mighte not awake:\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus he fled as fast as ever he may.\n"
|
|
|
+"The night was short, and *faste by the day *close at hand was\n"
|
|
|
+"That needes cast he must himself to hide*. the day during which\n"
|
|
|
+"And to a grove faste there beside he must cast about, or contrive,\n"
|
|
|
+"With dreadful foot then stalked Palamon. to conceal himself.*\n"
|
|
|
+"For shortly this was his opinion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in the grove he would him hide all day,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the night then would he take his way\n"
|
|
|
+"To Thebes-ward, his friendes for to pray\n"
|
|
|
+"On Theseus to help him to warray*. *make war <26>\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly either he would lose his life,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or winnen Emily unto his wife.\n"
|
|
|
+"This is th' effect, and his intention plain.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I turn to Arcita again,\n"
|
|
|
+"That little wist how nighe was his care,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that Fortune had brought him in the snare.\n"
|
|
|
+"The busy lark, the messenger of day,\n"
|
|
|
+"Saluteth in her song the morning gray;\n"
|
|
|
+"And fiery Phoebus riseth up so bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the orient laugheth at the sight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And with his streames* drieth in the greves** *rays **groves\n"
|
|
|
+"The silver droppes, hanging on the leaves;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Arcite, that is in the court royal\n"
|
|
|
+"With Theseus, his squier principal,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is ris'n, and looketh on the merry day.\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to do his observance to May,\n"
|
|
|
+"Remembering the point* of his desire, *object\n"
|
|
|
+"He on his courser, starting as the fire,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is ridden to the fieldes him to play,\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of the court, were it a mile or tway.\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the grove, of which I have you told,\n"
|
|
|
+"By a venture his way began to hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"To make him a garland of the greves*, *groves\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it of woodbine, or of hawthorn leaves,\n"
|
|
|
+"And loud he sang against the sun so sheen*. *shining bright\n"
|
|
|
+"\"O May, with all thy flowers and thy green,\n"
|
|
|
+"Right welcome be thou, faire freshe May,\n"
|
|
|
+"I hope that I some green here getten may.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And from his courser*, with a lusty heart, *horse\n"
|
|
|
+"Into the grove full hastily he start,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a path he roamed up and down,\n"
|
|
|
+"There as by aventure this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Was in a bush, that no man might him see,\n"
|
|
|
+"For sore afeard of his death was he.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nothing ne knew he that it was Arcite;\n"
|
|
|
+"God wot he would have *trowed it full lite*. *full little believed it*\n"
|
|
|
+"But sooth is said, gone since full many years,\n"
|
|
|
+"The field hath eyen*, and the wood hath ears, *eyes\n"
|
|
|
+"It is full fair a man *to bear him even*, *to be on his guard*\n"
|
|
|
+"For all day meeten men at *unset steven*. *unexpected time <27>\n"
|
|
|
+"Full little wot Arcite of his fellaw,\n"
|
|
|
+"That was so nigh to hearken of his saw*, *saying, speech\n"
|
|
|
+"For in the bush he sitteth now full still.\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Arcite had roamed all his fill,\n"
|
|
|
+"And *sungen all the roundel* lustily, *sang the roundelay*<28>\n"
|
|
|
+"Into a study he fell suddenly,\n"
|
|
|
+"As do those lovers in their *quainte gears*, *odd fashions*\n"
|
|
|
+"Now in the crop*, and now down in the breres**, <29> *tree-top\n"
|
|
|
+"Now up, now down, as bucket in a well. **briars\n"
|
|
|
+"Right as the Friday, soothly for to tell,\n"
|
|
|
+"Now shineth it, and now it raineth fast,\n"
|
|
|
+"Right so can geary* Venus overcast *changeful\n"
|
|
|
+"The heartes of her folk, right as her day\n"
|
|
|
+"Is gearful*, right so changeth she array. *changeful\n"
|
|
|
+"Seldom is Friday all the weeke like.\n"
|
|
|
+"When Arcite had y-sung, he gan to sike*, *sigh\n"
|
|
|
+"And sat him down withouten any more:\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Alas!\" quoth he, \"the day that I was bore!\n"
|
|
|
+"How longe, Juno, through thy cruelty\n"
|
|
|
+"Wilt thou warrayen* Thebes the city? *torment\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! y-brought is to confusion\n"
|
|
|
+"The blood royal of Cadm' and Amphion:\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Cadmus, which that was the firste man,\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+const char knightsTale2[] PROGMEM= {
|
|
|
+"That Thebes built, or first the town began,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the city first was crowned king.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of his lineage am I, and his offspring\n"
|
|
|
+"By very line, as of the stock royal;\n"
|
|
|
+"And now I am *so caitiff and so thrall*, *wretched and enslaved*\n"
|
|
|
+"That he that is my mortal enemy,\n"
|
|
|
+"I serve him as his squier poorely.\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet doth Juno me well more shame,\n"
|
|
|
+"For I dare not beknow* mine owen name, *acknowledge <30>\n"
|
|
|
+"But there as I was wont to hight Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"Now hight I Philostrate, not worth a mite.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! thou fell Mars, and alas! Juno,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath your ire our lineage all fordo* *undone, ruined\n"
|
|
|
+"Save only me, and wretched Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus martyreth in prison.\n"
|
|
|
+"And over all this, to slay me utterly,\n"
|
|
|
+"Love hath his fiery dart so brenningly* *burningly\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-sticked through my true careful heart,\n"
|
|
|
+"That shapen was my death erst than my shert. <31>\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye slay me with your eyen, Emily;\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye be the cause wherefore that I die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all the remnant of mine other care\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne set I not the *mountance of a tare*, *value of a straw*\n"
|
|
|
+"So that I could do aught to your pleasance.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word he fell down in a trance\n"
|
|
|
+"A longe time; and afterward upstart\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon, that thought thorough his heart\n"
|
|
|
+"He felt a cold sword suddenly to glide:\n"
|
|
|
+"For ire he quoke*, no longer would he hide. *quaked\n"
|
|
|
+"And when that he had heard Arcite's tale,\n"
|
|
|
+"As he were wood*, with face dead and pale, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"He start him up out of the bushes thick,\n"
|
|
|
+"And said: \"False Arcita, false traitor wick'*, *wicked\n"
|
|
|
+"Now art thou hent*, that lov'st my lady so, *caught\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom that I have all this pain and woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art my blood, and to my counsel sworn,\n"
|
|
|
+"As I full oft have told thee herebeforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And hast bejaped* here Duke Theseus, *deceived, imposed upon\n"
|
|
|
+"And falsely changed hast thy name thus;\n"
|
|
|
+"I will be dead, or elles thou shalt die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou shalt not love my lady Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"But I will love her only and no mo';\n"
|
|
|
+"For I am Palamon thy mortal foe.\n"
|
|
|
+"And though I have no weapon in this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"But out of prison am astart* by grace, *escaped\n"
|
|
|
+"I dreade* not that either thou shalt die, *doubt\n"
|
|
|
+"Or else thou shalt not loven Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"Choose which thou wilt, for thou shalt not astart.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Arcite then, with full dispiteous* heart, *wrathful\n"
|
|
|
+"When he him knew, and had his tale heard,\n"
|
|
|
+"As fierce as lion pulled out a swerd,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide thus; \"By God that sitt'th above,\n"
|
|
|
+"*N'ere it* that thou art sick, and wood for love, *were it not*\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke that thou no weap'n hast in this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou should'st never out of this grove pace,\n"
|
|
|
+"That thou ne shouldest dien of mine hand.\n"
|
|
|
+"For I defy the surety and the band,\n"
|
|
|
+"Which that thou sayest I have made to thee.\n"
|
|
|
+"What? very fool, think well that love is free;\n"
|
|
|
+"And I will love her maugre* all thy might. *despite\n"
|
|
|
+"But, for thou art a worthy gentle knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And *wilnest to darraine her by bataille*, *will reclaim her\n"
|
|
|
+"Have here my troth, to-morrow I will not fail, by combat*\n"
|
|
|
+"Without weeting* of any other wight, *knowledge\n"
|
|
|
+"That here I will be founden as a knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And bringe harness* right enough for thee; *armour and arms\n"
|
|
|
+"And choose the best, and leave the worst for me.\n"
|
|
|
+"And meat and drinke this night will I bring\n"
|
|
|
+"Enough for thee, and clothes for thy bedding.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if so be that thou my lady win,\n"
|
|
|
+"And slay me in this wood that I am in,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou may'st well have thy lady as for me.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon answer'd, \"I grant it thee.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus they be departed till the morrow,\n"
|
|
|
+"When each of them hath *laid his faith to borrow*. *pledged his faith*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"O Cupid, out of alle charity!\n"
|
|
|
+"O Regne* that wilt no fellow have with thee! *queen <32>\n"
|
|
|
+"Full sooth is said, that love nor lordeship\n"
|
|
|
+"Will not, *his thanks*, have any fellowship. *thanks to him*\n"
|
|
|
+"Well finden that Arcite and Palamon.\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite is ridd anon unto the town,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on the morrow, ere it were daylight,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full privily two harness hath he dight*, *prepared\n"
|
|
|
+"Both suffisant and meete to darraine* *contest\n"
|
|
|
+"The battle in the field betwixt them twain.\n"
|
|
|
+"And on his horse, alone as he was born,\n"
|
|
|
+"He carrieth all this harness him beforn;\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the grove, at time and place y-set,\n"
|
|
|
+"This Arcite and this Palamon be met.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then change gan the colour of their face;\n"
|
|
|
+"Right as the hunter in the regne* of Thrace *kingdom\n"
|
|
|
+"That standeth at a gappe with a spear\n"
|
|
|
+"When hunted is the lion or the bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And heareth him come rushing in the greves*, *groves\n"
|
|
|
+"And breaking both the boughes and the leaves,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thinketh, \"Here comes my mortal enemy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Withoute fail, he must be dead or I;\n"
|
|
|
+"For either I must slay him at the gap;\n"
|
|
|
+"Or he must slay me, if that me mishap:\"\n"
|
|
|
+"So fared they, in changing of their hue\n"
|
|
|
+"*As far as either of them other knew*. *When they recognised each\n"
|
|
|
+"There was no good day, and no saluting, other afar off*\n"
|
|
|
+"But straight, withoute wordes rehearsing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach of them holp to arm the other,\n"
|
|
|
+"As friendly, as he were his owen brother.\n"
|
|
|
+"And after that, with sharpe speares strong\n"
|
|
|
+"They foined* each at other wonder long. *thrust\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mightest weene*, that this Palamon *think\n"
|
|
|
+"In fighting were as a wood* lion, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And as a cruel tiger was Arcite:\n"
|
|
|
+"As wilde boars gan they together smite,\n"
|
|
|
+"That froth as white as foam, *for ire wood*. *mad with anger*\n"
|
|
|
+"Up to the ancle fought they in their blood.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this wise I let them fighting dwell,\n"
|
|
|
+"And forth I will of Theseus you tell.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The Destiny, minister general,\n"
|
|
|
+"That executeth in the world o'er all\n"
|
|
|
+"The purveyance*, that God hath seen beforn; *foreordination\n"
|
|
|
+"So strong it is, that though the world had sworn\n"
|
|
|
+"The contrary of a thing by yea or nay,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet some time it shall fallen on a day\n"
|
|
|
+"That falleth not eft* in a thousand year. *again\n"
|
|
|
+"For certainly our appetites here,\n"
|
|
|
+"Be it of war, or peace, or hate, or love,\n"
|
|
|
+"All is this ruled by the sight* above. *eye, intelligence, power\n"
|
|
|
+"This mean I now by mighty Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That for to hunten is so desirous --\n"
|
|
|
+"And namely* the greate hart in May -- *especially\n"
|
|
|
+"That in his bed there dawneth him no day\n"
|
|
|
+"That he n'is clad, and ready for to ride\n"
|
|
|
+"With hunt and horn, and houndes him beside.\n"
|
|
|
+"For in his hunting hath he such delight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That it is all his joy and appetite\n"
|
|
|
+"To be himself the greate harte's bane* *destruction\n"
|
|
|
+"For after Mars he serveth now Diane.\n"
|
|
|
+"Clear was the day, as I have told ere this,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Theseus, with alle joy and bliss,\n"
|
|
|
+"With his Hippolyta, the faire queen,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Emily, y-clothed all in green,\n"
|
|
|
+"On hunting be they ridden royally.\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the grove, that stood there faste by,\n"
|
|
|
+"In which there was an hart, as men him told,\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus the straighte way doth hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the laund* he rideth him full right, *plain <33>\n"
|
|
|
+"There was the hart y-wont to have his flight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And over a brook, and so forth on his way.\n"
|
|
|
+"This Duke will have a course at him or tway\n"
|
|
|
+"With houndes, such as him lust* to command. *pleased\n"
|
|
|
+"And when this Duke was come to the laund,\n"
|
|
|
+"Under the sun he looked, and anon\n"
|
|
|
+"He was ware of Arcite and Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That foughte breme*, as it were bulles two. *fiercely\n"
|
|
|
+"The brighte swordes wente to and fro\n"
|
|
|
+"So hideously, that with the leaste stroke\n"
|
|
|
+"It seemed that it woulde fell an oak,\n"
|
|
|
+"But what they were, nothing yet he wote*. *knew\n"
|
|
|
+"This Duke his courser with his spurres smote,\n"
|
|
|
+"*And at a start* he was betwixt them two, *suddenly*\n"
|
|
|
+"And pulled out a sword and cried, \"Ho!\n"
|
|
|
+"No more, on pain of losing of your head.\n"
|
|
|
+"By mighty Mars, he shall anon be dead\n"
|
|
|
+"That smiteth any stroke, that I may see!\n"
|
|
|
+"But tell to me what mister* men ye be, *manner, kind <34>\n"
|
|
|
+"That be so hardy for to fighte here\n"
|
|
|
+"Withoute judge or other officer,\n"
|
|
|
+"As though it were in listes royally. <35>\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon answered hastily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide: \"Sir, what needeth wordes mo'?\n"
|
|
|
+"We have the death deserved bothe two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Two woful wretches be we, and caitives,\n"
|
|
|
+"That be accumbered* of our own lives, *burdened\n"
|
|
|
+"And as thou art a rightful lord and judge,\n"
|
|
|
+"So give us neither mercy nor refuge.\n"
|
|
|
+"And slay me first, for sainte charity,\n"
|
|
|
+"But slay my fellow eke as well as me.\n"
|
|
|
+"Or slay him first; for, though thou know it lite*, *little\n"
|
|
|
+"This is thy mortal foe, this is Arcite\n"
|
|
|
+"That from thy land is banisht on his head,\n"
|
|
|
+"For which he hath deserved to be dead.\n"
|
|
|
+"For this is he that came unto thy gate\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide, that he highte Philostrate.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath he japed* thee full many year, *deceived\n"
|
|
|
+"And thou hast made of him thy chief esquier;\n"
|
|
|
+"And this is he, that loveth Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"For since the day is come that I shall die\n"
|
|
|
+"I make pleinly* my confession, *fully, unreservedly\n"
|
|
|
+"That I am thilke* woful Palamon, *that same <36>\n"
|
|
|
+"That hath thy prison broken wickedly.\n"
|
|
|
+"I am thy mortal foe, and it am I\n"
|
|
|
+"That so hot loveth Emily the bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"That I would die here present in her sight.\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore I aske death and my jewise*. *judgement\n"
|
|
|
+"But slay my fellow eke in the same wise,\n"
|
|
|
+"For both we have deserved to be slain.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This worthy Duke answer'd anon again,\n"
|
|
|
+"And said, \"This is a short conclusion.\n"
|
|
|
+"Your own mouth, by your own confession\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath damned you, and I will it record;\n"
|
|
|
+"It needeth not to pain you with the cord;\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye shall be dead, by mighty Mars the Red.<37>\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The queen anon for very womanhead\n"
|
|
|
+"Began to weep, and so did Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And all the ladies in the company.\n"
|
|
|
+"Great pity was it as it thought them all,\n"
|
|
|
+"That ever such a chance should befall,\n"
|
|
|
+"For gentle men they were, of great estate,\n"
|
|
|
+"And nothing but for love was this debate\n"
|
|
|
+"They saw their bloody woundes wide and sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"And cried all at once, both less and more,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Have mercy, Lord, upon us women all.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And on their bare knees adown they fall\n"
|
|
|
+"And would have kissed his feet there as he stood,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till at the last *aslaked was his mood* *his anger was\n"
|
|
|
+"(For pity runneth soon in gentle heart); appeased*\n"
|
|
|
+"And though at first for ire he quoke and start\n"
|
|
|
+"He hath consider'd shortly in a clause\n"
|
|
|
+"The trespass of them both, and eke the cause:\n"
|
|
|
+"And although that his ire their guilt accused\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet in his reason he them both excused;\n"
|
|
|
+"As thus; he thoughte well that every man\n"
|
|
|
+"Will help himself in love if that he can,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke deliver himself out of prison.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of women, for they wepten ever-in-one:* *continually\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke his hearte had compassion\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his gentle heart he thought anon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And soft unto himself he saide: \"Fie\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a lord that will have no mercy,\n"
|
|
|
+"But be a lion both in word and deed,\n"
|
|
|
+"To them that be in repentance and dread,\n"
|
|
|
+"As well as-to a proud dispiteous* man *unpitying\n"
|
|
|
+"That will maintaine what he first began.\n"
|
|
|
+"That lord hath little of discretion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in such case *can no division*: *can make no distinction*\n"
|
|
|
+"But weigheth pride and humbless *after one*.\" *alike*\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly, when his ire is thus agone,\n"
|
|
|
+"He gan to look on them with eyen light*, *gentle, lenient*\n"
|
|
|
+"And spake these same wordes *all on height.* *aloud*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The god of love, ah! benedicite*, *bless ye him\n"
|
|
|
+"How mighty and how great a lord is he!\n"
|
|
|
+"Against his might there gaine* none obstacles, *avail, conquer\n"
|
|
|
+"He may be called a god for his miracles\n"
|
|
|
+"For he can maken at his owen guise\n"
|
|
|
+"Of every heart, as that him list devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo here this Arcite, and this Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That quietly were out of my prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"And might have lived in Thebes royally,\n"
|
|
|
+"And weet* I am their mortal enemy, *knew\n"
|
|
|
+"And that their death li'th in my might also,\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet hath love, *maugre their eyen two*, *in spite of their eyes*\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-brought them hither bothe for to die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now look ye, is not this an high folly?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who may not be a fool, if but he love?\n"
|
|
|
+"Behold, for Godde's sake that sits above,\n"
|
|
|
+"See how they bleed! be they not well array'd?\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath their lord, the god of love, them paid\n"
|
|
|
+"Their wages and their fees for their service;\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet they weene for to be full wise,\n"
|
|
|
+"That serve love, for aught that may befall.\n"
|
|
|
+"But this is yet the beste game* of all, *joke\n"
|
|
|
+"That she, for whom they have this jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Can them therefor as muchel thank as me.\n"
|
|
|
+"She wot no more of all this *hote fare*, *hot behaviour*\n"
|
|
|
+"By God, than wot a cuckoo or an hare.\n"
|
|
|
+"But all must be assayed hot or cold;\n"
|
|
|
+"A man must be a fool, or young or old;\n"
|
|
|
+"I wot it by myself *full yore agone*: *long years ago*\n"
|
|
|
+"For in my time a servant was I one.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore since I know of love's pain,\n"
|
|
|
+"And wot how sore it can a man distrain*, *distress\n"
|
|
|
+"As he that oft hath been caught in his last*, *snare <38>\n"
|
|
|
+"I you forgive wholly this trespass,\n"
|
|
|
+"At request of the queen that kneeleth here,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke of Emily, my sister dear.\n"
|
|
|
+"And ye shall both anon unto me swear,\n"
|
|
|
+"That never more ye shall my country dere* *injure\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor make war upon me night nor day,\n"
|
|
|
+"But be my friends in alle that ye may.\n"
|
|
|
+"I you forgive this trespass *every deal*. *completely*\n"
|
|
|
+"And they him sware *his asking* fair and well, *what he asked*\n"
|
|
|
+"And him of lordship and of mercy pray'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he them granted grace, and thus he said:\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"To speak of royal lineage and richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though that she were a queen or a princess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Each of you both is worthy doubteless\n"
|
|
|
+"To wedde when time is; but natheless\n"
|
|
|
+"I speak as for my sister Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom ye have this strife and jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye wot* yourselves, she may not wed the two *know\n"
|
|
|
+"At once, although ye fight for evermo:\n"
|
|
|
+"But one of you, *all be him loth or lief,* *whether or not he wishes*\n"
|
|
|
+"He must *go pipe into an ivy leaf*: *\"go whistle\"*\n"
|
|
|
+"This is to say, she may not have you both,\n"
|
|
|
+"All be ye never so jealous, nor so wroth.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore I you put in this degree,\n"
|
|
|
+"That each of you shall have his destiny\n"
|
|
|
+"As *him is shape*; and hearken in what wise *as is decreed for him*\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo hear your end of that I shall devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"My will is this, for plain conclusion\n"
|
|
|
+"Withouten any replication*, *reply\n"
|
|
|
+"If that you liketh, take it for the best,\n"
|
|
|
+"That evereach of you shall go where *him lest*, *he pleases\n"
|
|
|
+"Freely without ransom or danger;\n"
|
|
|
+"And this day fifty weekes, *farre ne nerre*, *neither more nor less*\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach of you shall bring an hundred knights,\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed for listes up at alle rights\n"
|
|
|
+"All ready to darraine* her by bataille, *contend for\n"
|
|
|
+"And this behete* I you withoute fail *promise\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon my troth, and as I am a knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That whether of you bothe that hath might,\n"
|
|
|
+"That is to say, that whether he or thou\n"
|
|
|
+"May with his hundred, as I spake of now,\n"
|
|
|
+"Slay his contrary, or out of listes drive,\n"
|
|
|
+"Him shall I given Emily to wive,\n"
|
|
|
+"To whom that fortune gives so fair a grace.\n"
|
|
|
+"The listes shall I make here in this place.\n"
|
|
|
+"*And God so wisly on my soule rue*, *may God as surely have\n"
|
|
|
+"As I shall even judge be and true. mercy on my soul*\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye shall none other ende with me maken\n"
|
|
|
+"Than one of you shalle be dead or taken.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if you thinketh this is well y-said,\n"
|
|
|
+"Say your advice*, and hold yourselves apaid**. *opinion **satisfied\n"
|
|
|
+"This is your end, and your conclusion.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Who looketh lightly now but Palamon?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who springeth up for joye but Arcite?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who could it tell, or who could it indite,\n"
|
|
|
+"The joye that is maked in the place\n"
|
|
|
+"When Theseus hath done so fair a grace?\n"
|
|
|
+"But down on knees went every *manner wight*, *kind of person*\n"
|
|
|
+"And thanked him with all their heartes' might,\n"
|
|
|
+"And namely* these Thebans *ofte sithe*. *especially *oftentimes*\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus with good hope and with hearte blithe\n"
|
|
|
+"They take their leave, and homeward gan they ride\n"
|
|
|
+"To Thebes-ward, with his old walles wide.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"I trow men woulde deem it negligence,\n"
|
|
|
+"If I forgot to telle the dispence* *expenditure\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Theseus, that went so busily\n"
|
|
|
+"To maken up the listes royally,\n"
|
|
|
+"That such a noble theatre as it was,\n"
|
|
|
+"I dare well say, in all this world there n'as*. *was not\n"
|
|
|
+"The circuit a mile was about,\n"
|
|
|
+"Walled of stone, and ditched all without.\n"
|
|
|
+"*Round was the shape, in manner of compass,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full of degrees, the height of sixty pas* *see note <39>*\n"
|
|
|
+"That when a man was set on one degree\n"
|
|
|
+"He letted* not his fellow for to see. *hindered\n"
|
|
|
+"Eastward there stood a gate of marble white,\n"
|
|
|
+"Westward right such another opposite.\n"
|
|
|
+"And, shortly to conclude, such a place\n"
|
|
|
+"Was never on earth made in so little space,\n"
|
|
|
+"For in the land there was no craftes-man,\n"
|
|
|
+"That geometry or arsmetrike* can**, *arithmetic **knew\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor pourtrayor*, nor carver of images, *portrait painter\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus ne gave him meat and wages\n"
|
|
|
+"The theatre to make and to devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to do his rite and sacrifice\n"
|
|
|
+"He eastward hath upon the gate above,\n"
|
|
|
+"In worship of Venus, goddess of love,\n"
|
|
|
+"*Done make* an altar and an oratory; *caused to be made*\n"
|
|
|
+"And westward, in the mind and in memory\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Mars, he maked hath right such another,\n"
|
|
|
+"That coste largely of gold a fother*. *a great amount\n"
|
|
|
+"And northward, in a turret on the wall,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of alabaster white and red coral\n"
|
|
|
+"An oratory riche for to see,\n"
|
|
|
+"In worship of Diane of chastity,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath Theseus done work in noble wise.\n"
|
|
|
+"But yet had I forgotten to devise* *describe\n"
|
|
|
+"The noble carving, and the portraitures,\n"
|
|
|
+"The shape, the countenance of the figures\n"
|
|
|
+"That weren in there oratories three.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"First in the temple of Venus may'st thou see\n"
|
|
|
+"Wrought on the wall, full piteous to behold,\n"
|
|
|
+"The broken sleepes, and the sikes* cold, *sighes\n"
|
|
|
+"The sacred teares, and the waimentings*, *lamentings\n"
|
|
|
+"The fiery strokes of the desirings,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Love's servants in this life endure;\n"
|
|
|
+"The oathes, that their covenants assure.\n"
|
|
|
+"Pleasance and Hope, Desire, Foolhardiness,\n"
|
|
|
+"Beauty and Youth, and Bawdry and Richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Charms and Sorc'ry, Leasings* and Flattery, *falsehoods\n"
|
|
|
+"Dispence, Business, and Jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"That wore of yellow goldes* a garland, *sunflowers <40>\n"
|
|
|
+"And had a cuckoo sitting on her hand,\n"
|
|
|
+"Feasts, instruments, and caroles and dances,\n"
|
|
|
+"Lust and array, and all the circumstances\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Love, which I reckon'd and reckon shall\n"
|
|
|
+"In order, were painted on the wall,\n"
|
|
|
+"And more than I can make of mention.\n"
|
|
|
+"For soothly all the mount of Citheron,<41>\n"
|
|
|
+"Where Venus hath her principal dwelling,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was showed on the wall in pourtraying,\n"
|
|
|
+"With all the garden, and the lustiness*. *pleasantness\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor was forgot the porter Idleness,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor Narcissus the fair of *yore agone*, *olden times*\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor yet the folly of King Solomon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor yet the greate strength of Hercules,\n"
|
|
|
+"Th' enchantments of Medea and Circes,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor of Turnus the hardy fierce courage,\n"
|
|
|
+"The rich Croesus *caitif in servage.* <42> *abased into slavery*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus may ye see, that wisdom nor richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Beauty, nor sleight, nor strength, nor hardiness\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne may with Venus holde champartie*, *divided possession <43>\n"
|
|
|
+"For as her liste the world may she gie*. *guide\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo, all these folk so caught were in her las* *snare\n"
|
|
|
+"Till they for woe full often said, Alas!\n"
|
|
|
+"Suffice these ensamples one or two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Although I could reckon a thousand mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The statue of Venus, glorious to see\n"
|
|
|
+"Was naked floating in the large sea,\n"
|
|
|
+"And from the navel down all cover'd was\n"
|
|
|
+"With waves green, and bright as any glass.\n"
|
|
|
+"A citole <44> in her right hand hadde she,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on her head, full seemly for to see,\n"
|
|
|
+"A rose garland fresh, and well smelling,\n"
|
|
|
+"Above her head her doves flickering\n"
|
|
|
+"Before her stood her sone Cupido,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his shoulders winges had he two;\n"
|
|
|
+"And blind he was, as it is often seen;\n"
|
|
|
+"A bow he bare, and arrows bright and keen.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Why should I not as well eke tell you all\n"
|
|
|
+"The portraiture, that was upon the wall\n"
|
|
|
+"Within the temple of mighty Mars the Red?\n"
|
|
|
+"All painted was the wall in length and brede* *breadth\n"
|
|
|
+"Like to the estres* of the grisly place *interior chambers\n"
|
|
|
+"That hight the great temple of Mars in Thrace,\n"
|
|
|
+"In thilke* cold and frosty region, *that\n"
|
|
|
+"There as Mars hath his sovereign mansion.\n"
|
|
|
+"In which there dwelled neither man nor beast,\n"
|
|
|
+"With knotty gnarry* barren trees old *gnarled\n"
|
|
|
+"Of stubbes sharp and hideous to behold;\n"
|
|
|
+"In which there ran a rumble and a sough*, *groaning noise\n"
|
|
|
+"As though a storm should bursten every bough:\n"
|
|
|
+"And downward from an hill under a bent* *slope\n"
|
|
|
+"There stood the temple of Mars Armipotent,\n"
|
|
|
+"Wrought all of burnish'd steel, of which th' entry\n"
|
|
|
+"Was long and strait, and ghastly for to see.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thereout came *a rage and such a vise*, *such a furious voice*\n"
|
|
|
+"That it made all the gates for to rise.\n"
|
|
|
+"The northern light in at the doore shone,\n"
|
|
|
+"For window on the walle was there none\n"
|
|
|
+"Through which men mighten any light discern.\n"
|
|
|
+"The doors were all of adamant etern,\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-clenched *overthwart and ende-long* *crossways and lengthways*\n"
|
|
|
+"With iron tough, and, for to make it strong,\n"
|
|
|
+"Every pillar the temple to sustain\n"
|
|
|
+"Was tunne-great*, of iron bright and sheen. *thick as a tun (barrel)\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I first the dark imagining\n"
|
|
|
+"Of felony, and all the compassing;\n"
|
|
|
+"The cruel ire, as red as any glede*, *live coal\n"
|
|
|
+"The picke-purse<45>, and eke the pale dread;\n"
|
|
|
+"The smiler with the knife under the cloak,\n"
|
|
|
+"The shepen* burning with the blacke smoke *stable <46>\n"
|
|
|
+"The treason of the murd'ring in the bed,\n"
|
|
|
+"The open war, with woundes all be-bled;\n"
|
|
|
+"Conteke* with bloody knife, and sharp menace. *contention, discord\n"
|
|
|
+"All full of chirking* was that sorry place. *creaking, jarring noise\n"
|
|
|
+"The slayer of himself eke saw I there,\n"
|
|
|
+"His hearte-blood had bathed all his hair:\n"
|
|
|
+"The nail y-driven in the shode* at night, *hair of the head <47>\n"
|
|
|
+"The colde death, with mouth gaping upright.\n"
|
|
|
+"Amiddes of the temple sat Mischance,\n"
|
|
|
+"With discomfort and sorry countenance;\n"
|
|
|
+"Eke saw I Woodness* laughing in his rage, *Madness\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed Complaint, Outhees*, and fierce Outrage; *Outcry\n"
|
|
|
+"The carrain* in the bush, with throat y-corve**, *corpse **slashed\n"
|
|
|
+"A thousand slain, and not *of qualm y-storve*; *dead of sickness*\n"
|
|
|
+"The tyrant, with the prey by force y-reft;\n"
|
|
|
+"The town destroy'd, that there was nothing left.\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet saw I brent* the shippes hoppesteres, <48> *burnt\n"
|
|
|
+"The hunter strangled with the wilde bears:\n"
|
|
|
+"The sow freting* the child right in the cradle; *devouring <49>\n"
|
|
|
+"The cook scalded, for all his longe ladle.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor was forgot, *by th'infortune of Mart* *through the misfortune\n"
|
|
|
+"The carter overridden with his cart; of war*\n"
|
|
|
+"Under the wheel full low he lay adown.\n"
|
|
|
+"There were also of Mars' division,\n"
|
|
|
+"The armourer, the bowyer*, and the smith, *maker of bows\n"
|
|
|
+"That forgeth sharp swordes on his stith*. *anvil\n"
|
|
|
+"And all above depainted in a tower\n"
|
|
|
+"Saw I Conquest, sitting in great honour,\n"
|
|
|
+"With thilke* sharpe sword over his head *that\n"
|
|
|
+"Hanging by a subtle y-twined thread.\n"
|
|
|
+"Painted the slaughter was of Julius<50>,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of cruel Nero, and Antonius:\n"
|
|
|
+"Although at that time they were yet unborn,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet was their death depainted there beforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"By menacing of Mars, right by figure,\n"
|
|
|
+"So was it showed in that portraiture,\n"
|
|
|
+"As is depainted in the stars above,\n"
|
|
|
+"Who shall be slain, or elles dead for love.\n"
|
|
|
+"Sufficeth one ensample in stories old,\n"
|
|
|
+"I may not reckon them all, though I wo'ld.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The statue of Mars upon a carte* stood *chariot\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed, and looked grim as he were wood*, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And over his head there shone two figures\n"
|
|
|
+"Of starres, that be cleped in scriptures,\n"
|
|
|
+"That one Puella, that other Rubeus. <51>\n"
|
|
|
+"This god of armes was arrayed thus:\n"
|
|
|
+"A wolf there stood before him at his feet\n"
|
|
|
+"With eyen red, and of a man he eat:\n"
|
|
|
+"With subtle pencil painted was this story,\n"
|
|
|
+"In redouting* of Mars and of his glory. *reverance, fear\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now to the temple of Dian the chaste\n"
|
|
|
+"As shortly as I can I will me haste,\n"
|
|
|
+"To telle you all the descriptioun.\n"
|
|
|
+"Depainted be the walles up and down\n"
|
|
|
+"Of hunting and of shamefast chastity.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I how woful Calistope,<52>\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Dian aggrieved was with her,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was turned from a woman to a bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And after was she made the lodestar*: *pole star\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus was it painted, I can say no far*; *farther\n"
|
|
|
+"Her son is eke a star as men may see.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I Dane <53> turn'd into a tree,\n"
|
|
|
+"I meane not the goddess Diane,\n"
|
|
|
+"But Peneus' daughter, which that hight Dane.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I Actaeon an hart y-maked*, *made\n"
|
|
|
+"For vengeance that he saw Dian all naked:\n"
|
|
|
+"I saw how that his houndes have him caught,\n"
|
|
|
+"And freten* him, for that they knew him not. *devour\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet painted was, a little farthermore\n"
|
|
|
+"How Atalanta hunted the wild boar;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Meleager, and many other mo',\n"
|
|
|
+"For which Diana wrought them care and woe.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I many another wondrous story,\n"
|
|
|
+"The which me list not drawen to memory.\n"
|
|
|
+"This goddess on an hart full high was set*, *seated\n"
|
|
|
+"With smalle houndes all about her feet,\n"
|
|
|
+"And underneath her feet she had a moon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Waxing it was, and shoulde wane soon.\n"
|
|
|
+"In gaudy green her statue clothed was,\n"
|
|
|
+"With bow in hand, and arrows in a case*. *quiver\n"
|
|
|
+"Her eyen caste she full low adown,\n"
|
|
|
+"Where Pluto hath his darke regioun.\n"
|
|
|
+"A woman travailing was her beforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"But, for her child so longe was unborn,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full piteously Lucina <54> gan she call,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide; \"Help, for thou may'st best of all.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Well could he painte lifelike that it wrought;\n"
|
|
|
+"With many a florin he the hues had bought.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now be these listes made, and Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That at his greate cost arrayed thus\n"
|
|
|
+"The temples, and the theatre every deal*, *part <55>\n"
|
|
|
+"When it was done, him liked wonder well.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"But stint* I will of Theseus a lite**, *cease speaking **little\n"
|
|
|
+"And speak of Palamon and of Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"The day approacheth of their returning,\n"
|
|
|
+"That evereach an hundred knights should bring,\n"
|
|
|
+"The battle to darraine* as I you told; *contest\n"
|
|
|
+"And to Athens, their covenant to hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath ev'reach of them brought an hundred knights,\n"
|
|
|
+"Well-armed for the war at alle rights.\n"
|
|
|
+"And sickerly* there trowed** many a man, *surely <56> **believed\n"
|
|
|
+"That never, sithen* that the world began, *since\n"
|
|
|
+"For to speaken of knighthood of their hand,\n"
|
|
|
+"As far as God hath maked sea and land,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was, of so few, so noble a company.\n"
|
|
|
+"For every wight that loved chivalry,\n"
|
|
|
+"And would, *his thankes, have a passant name*, *thanks to his own\n"
|
|
|
+"Had prayed, that he might be of that game, efforts, have a\n"
|
|
|
+"And well was him, that thereto chosen was. surpassing name*\n"
|
|
|
+"For if there fell to-morrow such a case,\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye knowe well, that every lusty knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That loveth par amour, and hath his might\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it in Engleland, or elleswhere,\n"
|
|
|
+"They would, their thankes, willen to be there,\n"
|
|
|
+"T' fight for a lady; Benedicite,\n"
|
|
|
+"It were a lusty* sighte for to see. *pleasing\n"
|
|
|
+"And right so fared they with Palamon;\n"
|
|
|
+"With him there wente knightes many one.\n"
|
|
|
+"Some will be armed in an habergeon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a breast-plate, and in a gipon*; *short doublet.\n"
|
|
|
+"And some will have *a pair of plates* large; *back and front armour*\n"
|
|
|
+"And some will have a Prusse* shield, or targe; *Prussian\n"
|
|
|
+"Some will be armed on their legges weel;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some have an axe, and some a mace of steel.\n"
|
|
|
+"There is no newe guise*, but it was old. *fashion\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed they weren, as I have you told,\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach after his opinion.\n"
|
|
|
+"There may'st thou see coming with Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Licurgus himself, the great king of Thrace:\n"
|
|
|
+"Black was his beard, and manly was his face.\n"
|
|
|
+"The circles of his eyen in his head\n"
|
|
|
+"They glowed betwixte yellow and red,\n"
|
|
|
+"And like a griffin looked he about,\n"
|
|
|
+"With kemped* haires on his browes stout; *combed<57>\n"
|
|
|
+"His limbs were great, his brawns were hard and strong,\n"
|
|
|
+"His shoulders broad, his armes round and long.\n"
|
|
|
+"And as the guise* was in his country, *fashion\n"
|
|
|
+"Full high upon a car of gold stood he,\n"
|
|
|
+"With foure white bulles in the trace.\n"
|
|
|
+"Instead of coat-armour on his harness,\n"
|
|
|
+"With yellow nails, and bright as any gold,\n"
|
|
|
+"He had a beare's skin, coal-black for old*. *age\n"
|
|
|
+"His long hair was y-kempt behind his back,\n"
|
|
|
+"As any raven's feather it shone for black.\n"
|
|
|
+"A wreath of gold *arm-great*, of huge weight, *thick as a man's arm*\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his head sate, full of stones bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of fine rubies and clear diamants.\n"
|
|
|
+"About his car there wente white alauns*, *greyhounds <58>\n"
|
|
|
+"Twenty and more, as great as any steer,\n"
|
|
|
+"To hunt the lion or the wilde bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And follow'd him, with muzzle fast y-bound,\n"
|
|
|
+"Collars of gold, and torettes* filed round. *rings\n"
|
|
|
+"An hundred lordes had he in his rout* *retinue\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed full well, with heartes stern and stout.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"With Arcita, in stories as men find,\n"
|
|
|
+"The great Emetrius the king of Ind,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a *steede bay* trapped in steel, *bay horse*\n"
|
|
|
+"Cover'd with cloth of gold diapred* well, *decorated\n"
|
|
|
+"Came riding like the god of armes, Mars.\n"
|
|
|
+"His coat-armour was of *a cloth of Tars*, *a kind of silk*\n"
|
|
|
+"Couched* with pearls white and round and great *trimmed\n"
|
|
|
+"His saddle was of burnish'd gold new beat;\n"
|
|
|
+"A mantelet on his shoulders hanging,\n"
|
|
|
+"Bretful* of rubies red, as fire sparkling. *brimful\n"
|
|
|
+"His crispe hair like ringes was y-run,\n"
|
|
|
+"And that was yellow, glittering as the sun.\n"
|
|
|
+"His nose was high, his eyen bright citrine*, *pale yellow\n"
|
|
|
+"His lips were round, his colour was sanguine,\n"
|
|
|
+"A fewe fracknes* in his face y-sprent**, *freckles **sprinkled\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte yellow and black somedeal y-ment* *mixed <59>\n"
|
|
|
+"And as a lion he *his looking cast* *cast about his eyes*\n"
|
|
|
+"Of five and twenty year his age I cast* *reckon\n"
|
|
|
+"His beard was well begunnen for to spring;\n"
|
|
|
+"His voice was as a trumpet thundering.\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his head he wore of laurel green\n"
|
|
|
+"A garland fresh and lusty to be seen;\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his hand he bare, for his delight,\n"
|
|
|
+"An eagle tame, as any lily white.\n"
|
|
|
+"An hundred lordes had he with him there,\n"
|
|
|
+"All armed, save their heads, in all their gear,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full richely in alle manner things.\n"
|
|
|
+"For trust ye well, that earles, dukes, and kings\n"
|
|
|
+"Were gather'd in this noble company,\n"
|
|
|
+"For love, and for increase of chivalry.\n"
|
|
|
+"About this king there ran on every part\n"
|
|
|
+"Full many a tame lion and leopart.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this wise these lordes *all and some* *all and sundry*\n"
|
|
|
+"Be on the Sunday to the city come\n"
|
|
|
+"Aboute prime<60>, and in the town alight.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Theseus, this Duke, this worthy knight\n"
|
|
|
+"When he had brought them into his city,\n"
|
|
|
+"And inned* them, ev'reach at his degree, *lodged\n"
|
|
|
+"He feasteth them, and doth so great labour\n"
|
|
|
+"To *easen them*, and do them all honour, *make them comfortable*\n"
|
|
|
+"That yet men weene* that no mannes wit *think\n"
|
|
|
+"Of none estate could amenden* it. *improve\n"
|
|
|
+"The minstrelsy, the service at the feast,\n"
|
|
|
+"The greate giftes to the most and least,\n"
|
|
|
+"The rich array of Theseus' palace,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor who sate first or last upon the dais.<61>\n"
|
|
|
+"What ladies fairest be, or best dancing\n"
|
|
|
+"Or which of them can carol best or sing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or who most feelingly speaketh of love;\n"
|
|
|
+"What hawkes sitten on the perch above,\n"
|
|
|
+"What houndes liggen* on the floor adown, *lie\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all this now make I no mentioun\n"
|
|
|
+"But of th'effect; that thinketh me the best\n"
|
|
|
+"Now comes the point, and hearken if you lest.* *please\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The Sunday night, ere day began to spring,\n"
|
|
|
+"When Palamon the larke hearde sing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Although it were not day by houres two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet sang the lark, and Palamon right tho* *then\n"
|
|
|
+"With holy heart, and with an high courage,\n"
|
|
|
+"Arose, to wenden* on his pilgrimage *go\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the blissful Cithera benign,\n"
|
|
|
+"I meane Venus, honourable and digne*. *worthy\n"
|
|
|
+"And in her hour <62> he walketh forth a pace\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the listes, where her temple was,\n"
|
|
|
+"And down he kneeleth, and with humble cheer* *demeanour\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+const char knightsTale3[] PROGMEM= {
|
|
|
+"And hearte sore, he said as ye shall hear.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Fairest of fair, O lady mine Venus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Daughter to Jove, and spouse of Vulcanus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou gladder of the mount of Citheron!<41>\n"
|
|
|
+"For thilke love thou haddest to Adon <63>\n"
|
|
|
+"Have pity on my bitter teares smart,\n"
|
|
|
+"And take mine humble prayer to thine heart.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! I have no language to tell\n"
|
|
|
+"Th'effecte, nor the torment of mine hell;\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine hearte may mine harmes not betray;\n"
|
|
|
+"I am so confused, that I cannot say.\n"
|
|
|
+"But mercy, lady bright, that knowest well\n"
|
|
|
+"My thought, and seest what harm that I feel.\n"
|
|
|
+"Consider all this, and *rue upon* my sore, *take pity on*\n"
|
|
|
+"As wisly* as I shall for evermore *truly\n"
|
|
|
+"Enforce my might, thy true servant to be,\n"
|
|
|
+"And holde war alway with chastity:\n"
|
|
|
+"That make I mine avow*, so ye me help. *vow, promise\n"
|
|
|
+"I keepe not of armes for to yelp,* *boast\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor ask I not to-morrow to have victory,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor renown in this case, nor vaine glory\n"
|
|
|
+"Of *prize of armes*, blowing up and down, *praise for valour*\n"
|
|
|
+"But I would have fully possessioun\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Emily, and die in her service;\n"
|
|
|
+"Find thou the manner how, and in what wise.\n"
|
|
|
+"I *recke not but* it may better be *do not know whether*\n"
|
|
|
+"To have vict'ry of them, or they of me,\n"
|
|
|
+"So that I have my lady in mine arms.\n"
|
|
|
+"For though so be that Mars is god of arms,\n"
|
|
|
+"Your virtue is so great in heaven above,\n"
|
|
|
+"That, if you list, I shall well have my love.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thy temple will I worship evermo',\n"
|
|
|
+"And on thine altar, where I ride or go,\n"
|
|
|
+"I will do sacrifice, and fires bete*. *make, kindle\n"
|
|
|
+"And if ye will not so, my lady sweet,\n"
|
|
|
+"Then pray I you, to-morrow with a spear\n"
|
|
|
+"That Arcita me through the hearte bear\n"
|
|
|
+"Then reck I not, when I have lost my life,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though that Arcita win her to his wife.\n"
|
|
|
+"This is th' effect and end of my prayere, --\n"
|
|
|
+"Give me my love, thou blissful lady dear.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"When th' orison was done of Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"His sacrifice he did, and that anon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full piteously, with alle circumstances,\n"
|
|
|
+"*All tell I not as now* his observances. *although I tell not now*\n"
|
|
|
+"But at the last the statue of Venus shook,\n"
|
|
|
+"And made a signe, whereby that he took\n"
|
|
|
+"That his prayer accepted was that day.\n"
|
|
|
+"For though the signe shewed a delay,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet wist he well that granted was his boon;\n"
|
|
|
+"And with glad heart he went him home full soon.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The third hour unequal <64> that Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Began to Venus' temple for to gon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Up rose the sun, and up rose Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the temple of Dian gan hie.\n"
|
|
|
+"Her maidens, that she thither with her lad*, *led\n"
|
|
|
+"Th' incense, the clothes, and the remnant all\n"
|
|
|
+"That to the sacrifice belonge shall,\n"
|
|
|
+"The hornes full of mead, as was the guise;\n"
|
|
|
+"There lacked nought to do her sacrifice.\n"
|
|
|
+"Smoking* the temple full of clothes fair, *draping <65>\n"
|
|
|
+"This Emily with hearte debonnair* *gentle\n"
|
|
|
+"Her body wash'd with water of a well.\n"
|
|
|
+"But how she did her rite I dare not tell;\n"
|
|
|
+"But* it be any thing in general; *unless\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet it were a game* to hearen all *pleasure\n"
|
|
|
+"To him that meaneth well it were no charge:\n"
|
|
|
+"But it is good a man to *be at large*. *do as he will*\n"
|
|
|
+"Her bright hair combed was, untressed all.\n"
|
|
|
+"A coronet of green oak cerriall <66>\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon her head was set full fair and meet.\n"
|
|
|
+"Two fires on the altar gan she bete,\n"
|
|
|
+"And did her thinges, as men may behold\n"
|
|
|
+"In Stace of Thebes <67>, and these bookes old.\n"
|
|
|
+"When kindled was the fire, with piteous cheer\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto Dian she spake as ye may hear.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"O chaste goddess of the woodes green,\n"
|
|
|
+"To whom both heav'n and earth and sea is seen,\n"
|
|
|
+"Queen of the realm of Pluto dark and low,\n"
|
|
|
+"Goddess of maidens, that mine heart hast know\n"
|
|
|
+"Full many a year, and wost* what I desire, *knowest\n"
|
|
|
+"To keep me from the vengeance of thine ire,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Actaeon aboughte* cruelly: *earned; suffered from\n"
|
|
|
+"Chaste goddess, well wottest thou that I\n"
|
|
|
+"Desire to be a maiden all my life,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor never will I be no love nor wife.\n"
|
|
|
+"I am, thou wost*, yet of thy company, *knowest\n"
|
|
|
+"A maid, and love hunting and venery*, *field sports\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to walken in the woodes wild,\n"
|
|
|
+"And not to be a wife, and be with child.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nought will I know the company of man.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now help me, lady, since ye may and can,\n"
|
|
|
+"For those three formes <68> that thou hast in thee.\n"
|
|
|
+"And Palamon, that hath such love to me,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke Arcite, that loveth me so sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"This grace I pray thee withoute more,\n"
|
|
|
+"As sende love and peace betwixt them two:\n"
|
|
|
+"And from me turn away their heartes so,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all their hote love, and their desire,\n"
|
|
|
+"And all their busy torment, and their fire,\n"
|
|
|
+"Be queint*, or turn'd into another place. *quenched\n"
|
|
|
+"And if so be thou wilt do me no grace,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or if my destiny be shapen so\n"
|
|
|
+"That I shall needes have one of them two,\n"
|
|
|
+"So send me him that most desireth me.\n"
|
|
|
+"Behold, goddess of cleane chastity,\n"
|
|
|
+"The bitter tears that on my cheekes fall.\n"
|
|
|
+"Since thou art maid, and keeper of us all,\n"
|
|
|
+"My maidenhead thou keep and well conserve,\n"
|
|
|
+"And, while I live, a maid I will thee serve.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The fires burn upon the altar clear,\n"
|
|
|
+"While Emily was thus in her prayere:\n"
|
|
|
+"But suddenly she saw a sighte quaint*. *strange\n"
|
|
|
+"For right anon one of the fire's *queint\n"
|
|
|
+"And quick'd* again, and after that anon *went out and revived*\n"
|
|
|
+"That other fire was queint, and all agone:\n"
|
|
|
+"And as it queint, it made a whisteling,\n"
|
|
|
+"As doth a brande wet in its burning.\n"
|
|
|
+"And at the brandes end outran anon\n"
|
|
|
+"As it were bloody droppes many one:\n"
|
|
|
+"For which so sore aghast was Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"That she was well-nigh mad, and gan to cry,\n"
|
|
|
+"For she ne wiste what it signified;\n"
|
|
|
+"But onely for feare thus she cried,\n"
|
|
|
+"And wept, that it was pity for to hear.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therewithal Diana gan appear\n"
|
|
|
+"With bow in hand, right as an hunteress,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide; \"Daughter, stint* thine heaviness. *cease\n"
|
|
|
+"Among the goddes high it is affirm'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"And by eternal word writ and confirm'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou shalt be wedded unto one of tho* *those\n"
|
|
|
+"That have for thee so muche care and woe:\n"
|
|
|
+"But unto which of them I may not tell.\n"
|
|
|
+"Farewell, for here I may no longer dwell.\n"
|
|
|
+"The fires which that on mine altar brenn*, *burn\n"
|
|
|
+"Shall thee declaren, ere that thou go henne*, *hence\n"
|
|
|
+"Thine aventure of love, as in this case.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word, the arrows in the case* *quiver\n"
|
|
|
+"Of the goddess did clatter fast and ring,\n"
|
|
|
+"And forth she went, and made a vanishing,\n"
|
|
|
+"For which this Emily astonied was,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide; \"What amounteth this, alas!\n"
|
|
|
+"I put me under thy protection,\n"
|
|
|
+"Diane, and in thy disposition.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And home she went anon the nexte* way. *nearest\n"
|
|
|
+"This is th' effect, there is no more to say.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The nexte hour of Mars following this\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite to the temple walked is\n"
|
|
|
+"Of fierce Mars, to do his sacrifice\n"
|
|
|
+"With all the rites of his pagan guise.\n"
|
|
|
+"With piteous* heart and high devotion *pious\n"
|
|
|
+"Right thus to Mars he said his orison\n"
|
|
|
+"\"O stronge god, that in the regnes* old *realms\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Thrace honoured art, and lord y-hold* *held\n"
|
|
|
+"And hast in every regne, and every land\n"
|
|
|
+"Of armes all the bridle in thine hand,\n"
|
|
|
+"And *them fortunest as thee list devise*, *send them fortune\n"
|
|
|
+"Accept of me my piteous sacrifice. as you please*\n"
|
|
|
+"If so be that my youthe may deserve,\n"
|
|
|
+"And that my might be worthy for to serve\n"
|
|
|
+"Thy godhead, that I may be one of thine,\n"
|
|
|
+"Then pray I thee to *rue upon my pine*, *pity my anguish*\n"
|
|
|
+"For thilke* pain, and thilke hote fire, *that\n"
|
|
|
+"In which thou whilom burned'st for desire\n"
|
|
|
+"Whenne that thou usedest* the beauty *enjoyed\n"
|
|
|
+"Of faire young Venus, fresh and free,\n"
|
|
|
+"And haddest her in armes at thy will:\n"
|
|
|
+"And though thee ones on a time misfill*, *were unlucky\n"
|
|
|
+"When Vulcanus had caught thee in his las*, *net <69>\n"
|
|
|
+"And found thee ligging* by his wife, alas! *lying\n"
|
|
|
+"For thilke sorrow that was in thine heart,\n"
|
|
|
+"Have ruth* as well upon my paine's smart. *pity\n"
|
|
|
+"I am young and unconning*, as thou know'st, *ignorant, simple\n"
|
|
|
+"And, as I trow*, with love offended most *believe\n"
|
|
|
+"That e'er was any living creature:\n"
|
|
|
+"For she, that doth* me all this woe endure, *causes\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne recketh ne'er whether I sink or fleet* *swim\n"
|
|
|
+"And well I wot, ere she me mercy hete*, *promise, vouchsafe\n"
|
|
|
+"I must with strengthe win her in the place:\n"
|
|
|
+"And well I wot, withoute help or grace\n"
|
|
|
+"Of thee, ne may my strengthe not avail:\n"
|
|
|
+"Then help me, lord, to-morr'w in my bataille,\n"
|
|
|
+"For thilke fire that whilom burned thee,\n"
|
|
|
+"As well as this fire that now burneth me;\n"
|
|
|
+"And do* that I to-morr'w may have victory. *cause\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine be the travail, all thine be the glory.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thy sovereign temple will I most honour\n"
|
|
|
+"Of any place, and alway most labour\n"
|
|
|
+"In thy pleasance and in thy craftes strong.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in thy temple I will my banner hong*, *hang\n"
|
|
|
+"And all the armes of my company,\n"
|
|
|
+"And evermore, until that day I die,\n"
|
|
|
+"Eternal fire I will before thee find\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke to this my vow I will me bind:\n"
|
|
|
+"My beard, my hair that hangeth long adown,\n"
|
|
|
+"That never yet hath felt offension* *indignity\n"
|
|
|
+"Of razor nor of shears, I will thee give,\n"
|
|
|
+"And be thy true servant while I live.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now, lord, have ruth upon my sorrows sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"Give me the victory, I ask no more.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The prayer stint* of Arcita the strong, *ended\n"
|
|
|
+"The ringes on the temple door that hong,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke the doores, clattered full fast,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of which Arcita somewhat was aghast.\n"
|
|
|
+"The fires burn'd upon the altar bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"That it gan all the temple for to light;\n"
|
|
|
+"A sweete smell anon the ground up gaf*, *gave\n"
|
|
|
+"And Arcita anon his hand up haf*, *lifted\n"
|
|
|
+"And more incense into the fire he cast,\n"
|
|
|
+"With other rites more and at the last\n"
|
|
|
+"The statue of Mars began his hauberk ring;\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that sound he heard a murmuring\n"
|
|
|
+"Full low and dim, that saide thus, \"Victory.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"For which he gave to Mars honour and glory.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus with joy, and hope well to fare,\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite anon unto his inn doth fare.\n"
|
|
|
+"As fain* as fowl is of the brighte sun. *glad\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon such strife there is begun\n"
|
|
|
+"For thilke* granting, in the heav'n above, *that\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte Venus the goddess of love,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Mars the sterne god armipotent,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Jupiter was busy it to stent*: *stop\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that the pale Saturnus the cold,<70>\n"
|
|
|
+"That knew so many of adventures old,\n"
|
|
|
+"Found in his old experience such an art,\n"
|
|
|
+"That he full soon hath pleased every part.\n"
|
|
|
+"As sooth is said, eld* hath great advantage, *age\n"
|
|
|
+"In eld is bothe wisdom and usage*: *experience\n"
|
|
|
+"Men may the old out-run, but not out-rede*. *outwit\n"
|
|
|
+"Saturn anon, to stint the strife and drede,\n"
|
|
|
+"Albeit that it is against his kind,* *nature\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all this strife gan a remedy find.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"My deare daughter Venus,\" quoth Saturn,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"My course*, that hath so wide for to turn, *orbit <71>\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath more power than wot any man.\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine is the drowning in the sea so wan;\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine is the prison in the darke cote*, *cell\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine the strangling and hanging by the throat,\n"
|
|
|
+"The murmur, and the churlish rebelling,\n"
|
|
|
+"The groyning*, and the privy poisoning. *discontent\n"
|
|
|
+"I do vengeance and plein* correction, *full\n"
|
|
|
+"I dwell in the sign of the lion.\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine is the ruin of the highe halls,\n"
|
|
|
+"The falling of the towers and the walls\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon the miner or the carpenter:\n"
|
|
|
+"I slew Samson in shaking the pillar:\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine also be the maladies cold,\n"
|
|
|
+"The darke treasons, and the castes* old: *plots\n"
|
|
|
+"My looking is the father of pestilence.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now weep no more, I shall do diligence\n"
|
|
|
+"That Palamon, that is thine owen knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"Shall have his lady, as thou hast him hight*. *promised\n"
|
|
|
+"Though Mars shall help his knight, yet natheless\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte you there must sometime be peace:\n"
|
|
|
+"All be ye not of one complexion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That each day causeth such division,\n"
|
|
|
+"I am thine ayel*, ready at thy will; *grandfather <72>\n"
|
|
|
+"Weep now no more, I shall thy lust* fulfil.\" *pleasure\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I stenten* of the gods above, *cease speaking\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Mars, and of Venus, goddess of love,\n"
|
|
|
+"And telle you as plainly as I can\n"
|
|
|
+"The great effect, for which that I began.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Great was the feast in Athens thilke* day; *that\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke the lusty season of that May\n"
|
|
|
+"Made every wight to be in such pleasance,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all that Monday jousten they and dance,\n"
|
|
|
+"And spenden it in Venus' high service.\n"
|
|
|
+"But by the cause that they shoulde rise\n"
|
|
|
+"Early a-morrow for to see that fight,\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto their reste wente they at night.\n"
|
|
|
+"And on the morrow, when the day gan spring,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of horse and harness* noise and clattering *armour\n"
|
|
|
+"There was in the hostelries all about:\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the palace rode there many a rout* *train, retinue\n"
|
|
|
+"Of lordes, upon steedes and palfreys.\n"
|
|
|
+"There mayst thou see devising* of harness *decoration\n"
|
|
|
+"So uncouth* and so rich, and wrought so weel *unkown, rare\n"
|
|
|
+"Of goldsmithry, of brouding*, and of steel; *embroidery\n"
|
|
|
+"The shieldes bright, the testers*, and trappures** *helmets<73>\n"
|
|
|
+"Gold-hewen helmets, hauberks, coat-armures; **trappings\n"
|
|
|
+"Lordes in parements* on their coursers, *ornamental garb <74>;\n"
|
|
|
+"Knightes of retinue, and eke squiers,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nailing the spears, and helmes buckeling,\n"
|
|
|
+"Gniding* of shieldes, with lainers** lacing; *polishing <75>\n"
|
|
|
+"There as need is, they were nothing idle: **lanyards\n"
|
|
|
+"The foamy steeds upon the golden bridle\n"
|
|
|
+"Gnawing, and fast the armourers also\n"
|
|
|
+"With file and hammer pricking to and fro;\n"
|
|
|
+"Yeomen on foot, and knaves* many one *servants\n"
|
|
|
+"With shorte staves, thick* as they may gon**; *close **walk\n"
|
|
|
+"Pipes, trumpets, nakeres*, and clariouns, *drums <76>\n"
|
|
|
+"That in the battle blowe bloody souns;\n"
|
|
|
+"The palace full of people up and down,\n"
|
|
|
+"There three, there ten, holding their questioun*, *conversation\n"
|
|
|
+"Divining* of these Theban knightes two. *conjecturing\n"
|
|
|
+"Some saiden thus, some said it shall he so;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some helden with him with the blacke beard,\n"
|
|
|
+"Some with the bald, some with the thick-hair'd;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some said he looked grim, and woulde fight:\n"
|
|
|
+"He had a sparth* of twenty pound of weight. *double-headed axe\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus was the halle full of divining* *conjecturing\n"
|
|
|
+"Long after that the sunne gan up spring.\n"
|
|
|
+"The great Theseus that of his sleep is waked\n"
|
|
|
+"With minstrelsy, and noise that was maked,\n"
|
|
|
+"Held yet the chamber of his palace rich,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that the Theban knightes both y-lich* *alike\n"
|
|
|
+"Honoured were, and to the palace fet*. *fetched\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus is at a window set,\n"
|
|
|
+"Array'd right as he were a god in throne:\n"
|
|
|
+"The people presseth thitherward full soon\n"
|
|
|
+"Him for to see, and do him reverence,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke to hearken his hest* and his sentence**. *command **speech\n"
|
|
|
+"An herald on a scaffold made an O, <77>\n"
|
|
|
+"Till the noise of the people was y-do*: *done\n"
|
|
|
+"And when he saw the people of noise all still,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus shewed he the mighty Duke's will.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The lord hath of his high discretion\n"
|
|
|
+"Considered that it were destruction\n"
|
|
|
+"To gentle blood, to fighten in the guise\n"
|
|
|
+"Of mortal battle now in this emprise:\n"
|
|
|
+"Wherefore to shape* that they shall not die, *arrange, contrive\n"
|
|
|
+"He will his firste purpose modify.\n"
|
|
|
+"No man therefore, on pain of loss of life,\n"
|
|
|
+"No manner* shot, nor poleaxe, nor short knife *kind of\n"
|
|
|
+"Into the lists shall send, or thither bring.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor short sword for to stick with point biting\n"
|
|
|
+"No man shall draw, nor bear it by his side.\n"
|
|
|
+"And no man shall unto his fellow ride\n"
|
|
|
+"But one course, with a sharp y-grounden spear:\n"
|
|
|
+"*Foin if him list on foot, himself to wear. *He who wishes can\n"
|
|
|
+"And he that is at mischief shall be take*, fence on foot to defend\n"
|
|
|
+"And not slain, but be brought unto the stake, himself, and he that\n"
|
|
|
+"That shall be ordained on either side; is in peril shall be taken*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thither he shall by force, and there abide.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if *so fall* the chiefetain be take *should happen*\n"
|
|
|
+"On either side, or elles slay his make*, *equal, match\n"
|
|
|
+"No longer then the tourneying shall last.\n"
|
|
|
+"God speede you; go forth and lay on fast.\n"
|
|
|
+"With long sword and with mace fight your fill.\n"
|
|
|
+"Go now your way; this is the lordes will.\n"
|
|
|
+"The voice of the people touched the heaven,\n"
|
|
|
+"So loude cried they with merry steven*: *sound\n"
|
|
|
+"God save such a lord that is so good,\n"
|
|
|
+"He willeth no destruction of blood.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Up go the trumpets and the melody,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the listes rode the company\n"
|
|
|
+"*By ordinance*, throughout the city large, *in orderly array*\n"
|
|
|
+"Hanged with cloth of gold, and not with sarge*. *serge <78>\n"
|
|
|
+"Full like a lord this noble Duke gan ride,\n"
|
|
|
+"And these two Thebans upon either side:\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And after rode the queen and Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And after them another company\n"
|
|
|
+"Of one and other, after their degree.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus they passed thorough that city\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the listes came they by time:\n"
|
|
|
+"It was not of the day yet fully prime*. *between 6 & 9 a.m.\n"
|
|
|
+"When set was Theseus full rich and high,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hippolyta the queen and Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And other ladies in their degrees about,\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the seates presseth all the rout.\n"
|
|
|
+"And westward, through the gates under Mart,\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite, and eke the hundred of his part,\n"
|
|
|
+"With banner red, is enter'd right anon;\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the selve* moment Palamon *self-same\n"
|
|
|
+"Is, under Venus, eastward in the place,\n"
|
|
|
+"With banner white, and hardy cheer* and face *expression\n"
|
|
|
+"In all the world, to seeken up and down\n"
|
|
|
+"So even* without variatioun *equal\n"
|
|
|
+"There were such companies never tway.\n"
|
|
|
+"For there was none so wise that coulde say\n"
|
|
|
+"That any had of other avantage\n"
|
|
|
+"Of worthiness, nor of estate, nor age,\n"
|
|
|
+"So even were they chosen for to guess.\n"
|
|
|
+"And *in two ranges faire they them dress*. *they arranged themselves\n"
|
|
|
+"When that their names read were every one, in two rows*\n"
|
|
|
+"That in their number guile* were there none, *fraud\n"
|
|
|
+"Then were the gates shut, and cried was loud;\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Do now your devoir, younge knights proud\n"
|
|
|
+"The heralds left their pricking* up and down *spurring their horses\n"
|
|
|
+"Now ring the trumpet loud and clarioun.\n"
|
|
|
+"There is no more to say, but east and west\n"
|
|
|
+"In go the speares sadly* in the rest; *steadily\n"
|
|
|
+"In go the sharpe spurs into the side.\n"
|
|
|
+"There see me who can joust, and who can ride.\n"
|
|
|
+"There shiver shaftes upon shieldes thick;\n"
|
|
|
+"He feeleth through the hearte-spoon<79> the prick.\n"
|
|
|
+"Up spring the speares twenty foot on height;\n"
|
|
|
+"Out go the swordes as the silver bright.\n"
|
|
|
+"The helmes they to-hewen, and to-shred*; *strike in pieces <80>\n"
|
|
|
+"Out burst the blood, with sterne streames red.\n"
|
|
|
+"With mighty maces the bones they to-brest*. *burst\n"
|
|
|
+"He <81> through the thickest of the throng gan threst*. *thrust\n"
|
|
|
+"There stumble steedes strong, and down go all.\n"
|
|
|
+"He rolleth under foot as doth a ball.\n"
|
|
|
+"He foineth* on his foe with a trunchoun, *forces himself\n"
|
|
|
+"And he him hurtleth with his horse adown.\n"
|
|
|
+"He through the body hurt is, and *sith take*, *afterwards captured*\n"
|
|
|
+"Maugre his head, and brought unto the stake,\n"
|
|
|
+"As forword* was, right there he must abide. *covenant\n"
|
|
|
+"Another led is on that other side.\n"
|
|
|
+"And sometime doth* them Theseus to rest, *caused\n"
|
|
|
+"Them to refresh, and drinken if them lest*. *pleased\n"
|
|
|
+"Full oft a day have thilke Thebans two *these\n"
|
|
|
+"Together met and wrought each other woe:\n"
|
|
|
+"Unhorsed hath each other of them tway* *twice\n"
|
|
|
+"There is no tiger in the vale of Galaphay, <82>\n"
|
|
|
+"When that her whelp is stole, when it is lite* *little\n"
|
|
|
+"So cruel on the hunter, as Arcite\n"
|
|
|
+"For jealous heart upon this Palamon:\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor in Belmarie <83> there is no fell lion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That hunted is, or for his hunger wood* *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"Or for his prey desireth so the blood,\n"
|
|
|
+"As Palamon to slay his foe Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"The jealous strokes upon their helmets bite;\n"
|
|
|
+"Out runneth blood on both their sides red,\n"
|
|
|
+"Sometime an end there is of every deed\n"
|
|
|
+"For ere the sun unto the reste went,\n"
|
|
|
+"The stronge king Emetrius gan hent* *sieze, assail\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon, as he fought with Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And made his sword deep in his flesh to bite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And by the force of twenty is he take,\n"
|
|
|
+"Unyielding, and is drawn unto the stake.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the rescue of this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"The stronge king Licurgus is borne down:\n"
|
|
|
+"And king Emetrius, for all his strength\n"
|
|
|
+"Is borne out of his saddle a sword's length,\n"
|
|
|
+"So hit him Palamon ere he were take:\n"
|
|
|
+"But all for nought; he was brought to the stake:\n"
|
|
|
+"His hardy hearte might him helpe naught,\n"
|
|
|
+"He must abide when that he was caught,\n"
|
|
|
+"By force, and eke by composition*. *the bargain\n"
|
|
|
+"Who sorroweth now but woful Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"That must no more go again to fight?\n"
|
|
|
+"And when that Theseus had seen that sight\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the folk that foughte thus each one,\n"
|
|
|
+"He cried, Ho! no more, for it is done!\n"
|
|
|
+"I will be true judge, and not party.\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite of Thebes shall have Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"That by his fortune hath her fairly won.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Anon there is a noise of people gone,\n"
|
|
|
+"For joy of this, so loud and high withal,\n"
|
|
|
+"It seemed that the listes shoulde fall.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"What can now faire Venus do above?\n"
|
|
|
+"What saith she now? what doth this queen of love?\n"
|
|
|
+"But weepeth so, for wanting of her will,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that her teares in the listes fill* *fall\n"
|
|
|
+"She said: \"I am ashamed doubteless.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Saturnus saide: \"Daughter, hold thy peace.\n"
|
|
|
+"Mars hath his will, his knight hath all his boon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And by mine head thou shalt be eased soon.\"\n"
|
|
|
+" The trumpeters with the loud minstrelsy,\n"
|
|
|
+"The heralds, that full loude yell and cry,\n"
|
|
|
+"Be in their joy for weal of Dan* Arcite. *Lord\n"
|
|
|
+"But hearken me, and stinte noise a lite,\n"
|
|
|
+"What a miracle there befell anon\n"
|
|
|
+"This fierce Arcite hath off his helm y-done,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on a courser for to shew his face\n"
|
|
|
+"He *pricketh endelong* the large place, *rides from end to end*\n"
|
|
|
+"Looking upward upon this Emily;\n"
|
|
|
+"And she again him cast a friendly eye\n"
|
|
|
+"(For women, as to speaken *in commune*, *generally*\n"
|
|
|
+"They follow all the favour of fortune),\n"
|
|
|
+"And was all his in cheer*, as his in heart. *countenance\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of the ground a fire infernal start,\n"
|
|
|
+"From Pluto sent, at request of Saturn\n"
|
|
|
+"For which his horse for fear began to turn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And leap aside, and founder* as he leap *stumble\n"
|
|
|
+"And ere that Arcite may take any keep*, *care\n"
|
|
|
+"He pight* him on the pummel** of his head. *pitched **top\n"
|
|
|
+"That in the place he lay as he were dead.\n"
|
|
|
+"His breast to-bursten with his saddle-bow.\n"
|
|
|
+"As black he lay as any coal or crow,\n"
|
|
|
+"So was the blood y-run into his face.\n"
|
|
|
+"Anon he was y-borne out of the place\n"
|
|
|
+"With hearte sore, to Theseus' palace.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then was he carven* out of his harness. *cut\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a bed y-brought full fair and blive* *quickly\n"
|
|
|
+"For he was yet in mem'ry and alive,\n"
|
|
|
+"And always crying after Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus, with all his company,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is come home to Athens his city,\n"
|
|
|
+"With alle bliss and great solemnity.\n"
|
|
|
+"Albeit that this aventure was fall*, *befallen\n"
|
|
|
+"He woulde not discomforte* them all *discourage\n"
|
|
|
+"Then said eke, that Arcite should not die,\n"
|
|
|
+"He should be healed of his malady.\n"
|
|
|
+"And of another thing they were as fain*. *glad\n"
|
|
|
+"That of them alle was there no one slain,\n"
|
|
|
+"All* were they sorely hurt, and namely** one, *although **especially\n"
|
|
|
+"That with a spear was thirled* his breast-bone. *pierced\n"
|
|
|
+"To other woundes, and to broken arms,\n"
|
|
|
+"Some hadden salves, and some hadden charms:\n"
|
|
|
+"And pharmacies of herbs, and eke save* *sage, Salvia officinalis\n"
|
|
|
+"They dranken, for they would their lives have.\n"
|
|
|
+"For which this noble Duke, as he well can,\n"
|
|
|
+"Comforteth and honoureth every man,\n"
|
|
|
+"And made revel all the longe night,\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the strange lordes, as was right.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor there was holden no discomforting,\n"
|
|
|
+"But as at jousts or at a tourneying;\n"
|
|
|
+"For soothly there was no discomfiture,\n"
|
|
|
+"For falling is not but an aventure*. *chance, accident\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor to be led by force unto a stake\n"
|
|
|
+"Unyielding, and with twenty knights y-take\n"
|
|
|
+"One person all alone, withouten mo',\n"
|
|
|
+"And harried* forth by armes, foot, and toe, *dragged, hurried\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke his steede driven forth with staves,\n"
|
|
|
+"With footmen, bothe yeomen and eke knaves*, *servants\n"
|
|
|
+"It was *aretted him no villainy:* *counted no disgrace to him*\n"
|
|
|
+"There may no man *clepen it cowardy*. *call it cowardice*\n"
|
|
|
+"For which anon Duke Theseus *let cry*, -- *caused to be proclaimed*\n"
|
|
|
+"To stenten* alle rancour and envy, -- *stop\n"
|
|
|
+"The gree* as well on one side as the other, *prize, merit\n"
|
|
|
+"And either side alike as other's brother:\n"
|
|
|
+"And gave them giftes after their degree,\n"
|
|
|
+"And held a feaste fully dayes three:\n"
|
|
|
+"And conveyed the kinges worthily\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of his town a journee* largely *day's journey\n"
|
|
|
+"And home went every man the righte way,\n"
|
|
|
+"There was no more but \"Farewell, Have good day.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Of this bataille I will no more indite\n"
|
|
|
+"But speak of Palamon and of Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Swelleth the breast of Arcite and the sore\n"
|
|
|
+"Increaseth at his hearte more and more.\n"
|
|
|
+"The clotted blood, for any leache-craft* *surgical skill\n"
|
|
|
+"Corrupteth and is *in his bouk y-laft* *left in his body*\n"
|
|
|
+"That neither *veine blood nor ventousing*, *blood-letting or cupping*\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor drink of herbes may be his helping.\n"
|
|
|
+"The virtue expulsive or animal,\n"
|
|
|
+"From thilke virtue called natural,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor may the venom voide, nor expel\n"
|
|
|
+"The pipes of his lungs began to swell\n"
|
|
|
+"And every lacert* in his breast adown *sinew, muscle\n"
|
|
|
+"Is shent* with venom and corruption. *destroyed\n"
|
|
|
+"Him gaineth* neither, for to get his life, *availeth\n"
|
|
|
+"Vomit upward, nor downward laxative;\n"
|
|
|
+"All is to-bursten thilke region;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nature hath now no domination.\n"
|
|
|
+"And certainly where nature will not wirch,* *work\n"
|
|
|
+"Farewell physic: go bear the man to chirch.* *church\n"
|
|
|
+"This all and some is, Arcite must die.\n"
|
|
|
+"For which he sendeth after Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Palamon, that was his cousin dear,\n"
|
|
|
+"Then said he thus, as ye shall after hear.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Nought may the woful spirit in mine heart\n"
|
|
|
+"Declare one point of all my sorrows' smart\n"
|
|
|
+"To you, my lady, that I love the most:\n"
|
|
|
+"But I bequeath the service of my ghost\n"
|
|
|
+"To you aboven every creature,\n"
|
|
|
+"Since that my life ne may no longer dure.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas the woe! alas, the paines strong\n"
|
|
|
+"That I for you have suffered and so long!\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas the death, alas, mine Emily!\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas departing* of our company! *the severance\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas, mine hearte's queen! alas, my wife!\n"
|
|
|
+"Mine hearte's lady, ender of my life!\n"
|
|
|
+"What is this world? what aske men to have?\n"
|
|
|
+"Now with his love, now in his colde grave\n"
|
|
|
+"Al one, withouten any company.\n"
|
|
|
+"Farewell, my sweet, farewell, mine Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And softly take me in your armes tway,\n"
|
|
|
+"For love of God, and hearken what I say.\n"
|
|
|
+"I have here with my cousin Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Had strife and rancour many a day agone,\n"
|
|
|
+"For love of you, and for my jealousy.\n"
|
|
|
+"And Jupiter so *wis my soule gie*, *surely guides my soul*\n"
|
|
|
+"To speaken of a servant properly,\n"
|
|
|
+"With alle circumstances truely,\n"
|
|
|
+"That is to say, truth, honour, and knighthead,\n"
|
|
|
+"Wisdom, humbless*, estate, and high kindred, *humility\n"
|
|
|
+"Freedom, and all that longeth to that art,\n"
|
|
|
+"So Jupiter have of my soul part,\n"
|
|
|
+"As in this world right now I know not one,\n"
|
|
|
+"So worthy to be lov'd as Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That serveth you, and will do all his life.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if that you shall ever be a wife,\n"
|
|
|
+"Forget not Palamon, the gentle man.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word his speech to fail began.\n"
|
|
|
+"For from his feet up to his breast was come\n"
|
|
|
+"The cold of death, that had him overnome*. *overcome\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet moreover in his armes two\n"
|
|
|
+"The vital strength is lost, and all ago*. *gone\n"
|
|
|
+"Only the intellect, withoute more,\n"
|
|
|
+"That dwelled in his hearte sick and sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"Gan faile, when the hearte felte death;\n"
|
|
|
+"Dusked* his eyen two, and fail'd his breath. *grew dim\n"
|
|
|
+"But on his lady yet he cast his eye;\n"
|
|
|
+"His laste word was; \"Mercy, Emily!\"\n"
|
|
|
+"His spirit changed house, and wente there,\n"
|
|
|
+"As I came never I cannot telle where.<84>\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore I stent*, I am no divinister**; *refrain **diviner\n"
|
|
|
+"Of soules find I nought in this register.\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne me list not th' opinions to tell\n"
|
|
|
+"Of them, though that they writen where they dwell;\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite is cold, there Mars his soule gie.* *guide\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I speake forth of Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Shriek'd Emily, and howled Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Theseus his sister took anon\n"
|
|
|
+"Swooning, and bare her from the corpse away.\n"
|
|
|
+"What helpeth it to tarry forth the day,\n"
|
|
|
+"To telle how she wept both eve and morrow?\n"
|
|
|
+"For in such cases women have such sorrow,\n"
|
|
|
+"When that their husbands be from them y-go*, *gone\n"
|
|
|
+"That for the more part they sorrow so,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or elles fall into such malady,\n"
|
|
|
+"That at the laste certainly they die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Infinite be the sorrows and the tears\n"
|
|
|
+"Of olde folk, and folk of tender years,\n"
|
|
|
+"In all the town, for death of this Theban:\n"
|
|
|
+"For him there weepeth bothe child and man.\n"
|
|
|
+"So great a weeping was there none certain,\n"
|
|
|
+"When Hector was y-brought, all fresh y-slain,\n"
|
|
|
+"To Troy: alas! the pity that was there,\n"
|
|
|
+"Scratching of cheeks, and rending eke of hair.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Why wouldest thou be dead?\" these women cry,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"And haddest gold enough, and Emily.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"No manner man might gladden Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Saving his olde father Egeus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That knew this worlde's transmutatioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"As he had seen it changen up and down,\n"
|
|
|
+"Joy after woe, and woe after gladness;\n"
|
|
|
+"And shewed him example and likeness.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Right as there died never man,\" quoth he,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"That he ne liv'd in earth in some degree*, *rank, condition\n"
|
|
|
+"Right so there lived never man,\" he said,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"In all this world, that sometime be not died.\n"
|
|
|
+"This world is but a throughfare full of woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"And we be pilgrims, passing to and fro:\n"
|
|
|
+"Death is an end of every worldly sore.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And over all this said he yet much more\n"
|
|
|
+"To this effect, full wisely to exhort\n"
|
|
|
+"The people, that they should them recomfort.\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus, with all his busy cure*, *care\n"
|
|
|
+"*Casteth about*, where that the sepulture *deliberates*\n"
|
|
|
+"Of good Arcite may best y-maked be,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke most honourable in his degree.\n"
|
|
|
+"And at the last he took conclusion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That there as first Arcite and Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Hadde for love the battle them between,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in that selve* grove, sweet and green, *self-same\n"
|
|
|
+"There as he had his amorous desires,\n"
|
|
|
+"His complaint, and for love his hote fires,\n"
|
|
|
+"He woulde make a fire*, in which th' office *funeral pyre\n"
|
|
|
+"Of funeral he might all accomplice;\n"
|
|
|
+"And *let anon command* to hack and hew *immediately gave orders*\n"
|
|
|
+"The oakes old, and lay them *on a rew* *in a row*\n"
|
|
|
+"In culpons*, well arrayed for to brenne**. *logs **burn\n"
|
|
|
+"His officers with swifte feet they renne* *run\n"
|
|
|
+"And ride anon at his commandement.\n"
|
|
|
+"And after this, Duke Theseus hath sent\n"
|
|
|
+"After a bier, and it all oversprad\n"
|
|
|
+"With cloth of gold, the richest that he had;\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the same suit he clad Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his handes were his gloves white,\n"
|
|
|
+"Eke on his head a crown of laurel green,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his hand a sword full bright and keen.\n"
|
|
|
+"He laid him *bare the visage* on the bier, *with face uncovered*\n"
|
|
|
+"Therewith he wept, that pity was to hear.\n"
|
|
|
+"And, for the people shoulde see him all,\n"
|
|
|
+"When it was day he brought them to the hall,\n"
|
|
|
+"That roareth of the crying and the soun'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then came this woful Theban, Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"With sluttery beard, and ruggy ashy hairs,<85>\n"
|
|
|
+"In clothes black, y-dropped all with tears,\n"
|
|
|
+"And (passing over weeping Emily)\n"
|
|
|
+"The ruefullest of all the company.\n"
|
|
|
+"And *inasmuch as* the service should be *in order that*\n"
|
|
|
+"The more noble and rich in its degree,\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus let forth three steedes bring,\n"
|
|
|
+"That trapped were in steel all glittering.\n"
|
|
|
+"And covered with the arms of Dan Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon these steedes, that were great and white,\n"
|
|
|
+"There satte folk, of whom one bare his shield,\n"
|
|
|
+"Another his spear in his handes held;\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+const char knightsTale4[] PROGMEM= {
|
|
|
+"The thirde bare with him his bow Turkeis*, *Turkish.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of brent* gold was the case** and the harness: *burnished **quiver\n"
|
|
|
+"And ride forth *a pace* with sorrowful cheer** *at a foot pace*\n"
|
|
|
+"Toward the grove, as ye shall after hear. **expression\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The noblest of the Greekes that there were\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon their shoulders carried the bier,\n"
|
|
|
+"With slacke pace, and eyen red and wet,\n"
|
|
|
+"Throughout the city, by the master* street, *main <86>\n"
|
|
|
+"That spread was all with black, and wondrous high\n"
|
|
|
+"Right of the same is all the street y-wrie.* *covered <87>\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon the right hand went old Egeus,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on the other side Duke Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"With vessels in their hand of gold full fine,\n"
|
|
|
+"All full of honey, milk, and blood, and wine;\n"
|
|
|
+"Eke Palamon, with a great company;\n"
|
|
|
+"And after that came woful Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"With fire in hand, as was that time the guise*, *custom\n"
|
|
|
+"To do th' office of funeral service.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"High labour, and full great appareling* *preparation\n"
|
|
|
+"Was at the service, and the pyre-making,\n"
|
|
|
+"That with its greene top the heaven raught*, *reached\n"
|
|
|
+"And twenty fathom broad its armes straught*: *stretched\n"
|
|
|
+"This is to say, the boughes were so broad.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of straw first there was laid many a load.\n"
|
|
|
+"But how the pyre was maked up on height,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke the names how the trees hight*, *were called\n"
|
|
|
+"As oak, fir, birch, asp*, alder, holm, poplere, *aspen\n"
|
|
|
+"Willow, elm, plane, ash, box, chestnut, lind*, laurere, *linden, lime\n"
|
|
|
+"Maple, thorn, beech, hazel, yew, whipul tree,\n"
|
|
|
+"How they were fell'd, shall not be told for me;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the goddes* rannen up and down *the forest deities\n"
|
|
|
+"Disinherited of their habitatioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"In which they wonned* had in rest and peace, *dwelt\n"
|
|
|
+"Nymphes, Faunes, and Hamadryades;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the beastes and the birdes all\n"
|
|
|
+"Fledden for feare, when the wood gan fall;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the ground aghast* was of the light, *terrified\n"
|
|
|
+"That was not wont to see the sunne bright;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the fire was couched* first with stre**, *laid **straw\n"
|
|
|
+"And then with dry stickes cloven in three,\n"
|
|
|
+"And then with greene wood and spicery*, *spices\n"
|
|
|
+"And then with cloth of gold and with pierrie*, *precious stones\n"
|
|
|
+"And garlands hanging with full many a flower,\n"
|
|
|
+"The myrrh, the incense with so sweet odour;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how Arcita lay among all this,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor what richess about his body is;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how that Emily, as was the guise*, *custom\n"
|
|
|
+"*Put in the fire* of funeral service<88>; *appplied the torch*\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how she swooned when she made the fire,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor what she spake, nor what was her desire;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor what jewels men in the fire then cast\n"
|
|
|
+"When that the fire was great and burned fast;\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how some cast their shield, and some their spear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of their vestiments, which that they wear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And cuppes full of wine, and milk, and blood,\n"
|
|
|
+"Into the fire, that burnt as it were wood*; *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the Greekes with a huge rout* *procession\n"
|
|
|
+"Three times riden all the fire about <89>\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon the left hand, with a loud shouting,\n"
|
|
|
+"And thries with their speares clattering;\n"
|
|
|
+"And thries how the ladies gan to cry;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how that led was homeward Emily;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how Arcite is burnt to ashes cold;\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor how the lyke-wake* was y-hold *wake <90>\n"
|
|
|
+"All thilke* night, nor how the Greekes play *that\n"
|
|
|
+"The wake-plays*, ne keep** I not to say: *funeral games **care\n"
|
|
|
+"Who wrestled best naked, with oil anoint,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor who that bare him best *in no disjoint*. *in any contest*\n"
|
|
|
+"I will not tell eke how they all are gone\n"
|
|
|
+"Home to Athenes when the play is done;\n"
|
|
|
+"But shortly to the point now will I wend*, *come\n"
|
|
|
+"And maken of my longe tale an end.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"By process and by length of certain years\n"
|
|
|
+"All stinted* is the mourning and the tears *ended\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Greekes, by one general assent.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then seemed me there was a parlement\n"
|
|
|
+"At Athens, upon certain points and cas*: *cases\n"
|
|
|
+"Amonge the which points y-spoken was\n"
|
|
|
+"To have with certain countries alliance,\n"
|
|
|
+"And have of Thebans full obeisance.\n"
|
|
|
+"For which this noble Theseus anon\n"
|
|
|
+"Let* send after the gentle Palamon, *caused\n"
|
|
|
+"Unwist* of him what was the cause and why: *unknown\n"
|
|
|
+"But in his blacke clothes sorrowfully\n"
|
|
|
+"He came at his commandment *on hie*; *in haste*\n"
|
|
|
+"Then sente Theseus for Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"When they were set*, and hush'd was all the place *seated\n"
|
|
|
+"And Theseus abided* had a space *waited\n"
|
|
|
+"Ere any word came from his wise breast\n"
|
|
|
+"*His eyen set he there as was his lest*, *he cast his eyes\n"
|
|
|
+"And with a sad visage he sighed still, wherever he pleased*\n"
|
|
|
+"And after that right thus he said his will.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The firste mover of the cause above\n"
|
|
|
+"When he first made the faire chain of love,\n"
|
|
|
+"Great was th' effect, and high was his intent;\n"
|
|
|
+"Well wist he why, and what thereof he meant:\n"
|
|
|
+"For with that faire chain of love he bond* *bound\n"
|
|
|
+"The fire, the air, the water, and the lond\n"
|
|
|
+"In certain bondes, that they may not flee:<91>\n"
|
|
|
+"That same prince and mover eke,\" quoth he,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Hath stablish'd, in this wretched world adown,\n"
|
|
|
+"Certain of dayes and duration\n"
|
|
|
+"To all that are engender'd in this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"Over the whiche day they may not pace*, *pass\n"
|
|
|
+"All may they yet their dayes well abridge.\n"
|
|
|
+"There needeth no authority to allege\n"
|
|
|
+"For it is proved by experience;\n"
|
|
|
+"But that me list declare my sentence*. *opinion\n"
|
|
|
+"Then may men by this order well discern,\n"
|
|
|
+"That thilke* mover stable is and etern. *the same\n"
|
|
|
+"Well may men know, but that it be a fool,\n"
|
|
|
+"That every part deriveth from its whole.\n"
|
|
|
+"For nature hath not ta'en its beginning\n"
|
|
|
+"Of no *partie nor cantle* of a thing, *part or piece*\n"
|
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|
+"But of a thing that perfect is and stable,\n"
|
|
|
+"Descending so, till it be corruptable.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore of His wise purveyance* *providence\n"
|
|
|
+"He hath so well beset* his ordinance,\n"
|
|
|
+"That species of things and progressions\n"
|
|
|
+"Shallen endure by successions,\n"
|
|
|
+"And not etern, withouten any lie:\n"
|
|
|
+"This mayst thou understand and see at eye.\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo th' oak, that hath so long a nourishing\n"
|
|
|
+"From the time that it 'ginneth first to spring,\n"
|
|
|
+"And hath so long a life, as ye may see,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet at the last y-wasted is the tree.\n"
|
|
|
+"Consider eke, how that the harde stone\n"
|
|
|
+"Under our feet, on which we tread and gon*, *walk\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet wasteth, as it lieth by the way.\n"
|
|
|
+"The broade river some time waxeth drey*. *dry\n"
|
|
|
+"The greate townes see we wane and wend*. *go, disappear\n"
|
|
|
+"Then may ye see that all things have an end.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of man and woman see we well also, --\n"
|
|
|
+"That needes in one of the termes two, --\n"
|
|
|
+"That is to say, in youth or else in age,-\n"
|
|
|
+"He must be dead, the king as shall a page;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some in his bed, some in the deepe sea,\n"
|
|
|
+"Some in the large field, as ye may see:\n"
|
|
|
+"There helpeth nought, all go that ilke* way: *same\n"
|
|
|
+"Then may I say that alle thing must die.\n"
|
|
|
+"What maketh this but Jupiter the king?\n"
|
|
|
+"The which is prince, and cause of alle thing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Converting all unto his proper will,\n"
|
|
|
+"From which it is derived, sooth to tell\n"
|
|
|
+"And hereagainst no creature alive,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of no degree, availeth for to strive.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then is it wisdom, as it thinketh me,\n"
|
|
|
+"To make a virtue of necessity,\n"
|
|
|
+"And take it well, that we may not eschew*, *escape\n"
|
|
|
+"And namely what to us all is due.\n"
|
|
|
+"And whoso grudgeth* ought, he doth folly, *murmurs at\n"
|
|
|
+"And rebel is to him that all may gie*. *direct, guide\n"
|
|
|
+"And certainly a man hath most honour\n"
|
|
|
+"To dien in his excellence and flower,\n"
|
|
|
+"When he is sicker* of his goode name. *certain\n"
|
|
|
+"Then hath he done his friend, nor him*, no shame *himself\n"
|
|
|
+"And gladder ought his friend be of his death,\n"
|
|
|
+"When with honour is yielded up his breath,\n"
|
|
|
+"Than when his name *appalled is for age*; *decayed by old age*\n"
|
|
|
+"For all forgotten is his vassalage*. *valour, service\n"
|
|
|
+"Then is it best, as for a worthy fame,\n"
|
|
|
+"To dien when a man is best of name.\n"
|
|
|
+"The contrary of all this is wilfulness.\n"
|
|
|
+"Why grudge we, why have we heaviness,\n"
|
|
|
+"That good Arcite, of chivalry the flower,\n"
|
|
|
+"Departed is, with duty and honour,\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of this foule prison of this life?\n"
|
|
|
+"Why grudge here his cousin and his wife\n"
|
|
|
+"Of his welfare, that loved him so well?\n"
|
|
|
+"Can he them thank? nay, God wot, neverdeal*, -- *not a jot\n"
|
|
|
+"That both his soul and eke themselves offend*, *hurt\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet they may their lustes* not amend**. *desires **control\n"
|
|
|
+"What may I conclude of this longe serie*, *string of remarks\n"
|
|
|
+"But after sorrow I rede* us to be merry, *counsel\n"
|
|
|
+"And thanke Jupiter for all his grace?\n"
|
|
|
+"And ere that we departe from this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"I rede that we make of sorrows two\n"
|
|
|
+"One perfect joye lasting evermo':\n"
|
|
|
+"And look now where most sorrow is herein,\n"
|
|
|
+"There will I first amenden and begin.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Sister,\" quoth he, \"this is my full assent,\n"
|
|
|
+"With all th' advice here of my parlement,\n"
|
|
|
+"That gentle Palamon, your owen knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That serveth you with will, and heart, and might,\n"
|
|
|
+"And ever hath, since first time ye him knew,\n"
|
|
|
+"That ye shall of your grace upon him rue*, *take pity\n"
|
|
|
+"And take him for your husband and your lord:\n"
|
|
|
+"Lend me your hand, for this is our accord.\n"
|
|
|
+"*Let see* now of your womanly pity. *make display*\n"
|
|
|
+"He is a kinge's brother's son, pardie*. *by God\n"
|
|
|
+"And though he were a poore bachelere,\n"
|
|
|
+"Since he hath served you so many a year,\n"
|
|
|
+"And had for you so great adversity,\n"
|
|
|
+"It muste be considered, *'lieveth me*. *believe me*\n"
|
|
|
+"For gentle mercy *oweth to passen right*.\" *ought to be rightly\n"
|
|
|
+"Then said he thus to Palamon the knight; directed*\n"
|
|
|
+"\"I trow there needeth little sermoning\n"
|
|
|
+"To make you assente to this thing.\n"
|
|
|
+"Come near, and take your lady by the hand.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte them was made anon the band,\n"
|
|
|
+"That hight matrimony or marriage,\n"
|
|
|
+"By all the counsel of the baronage.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus with alle bliss and melody\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath Palamon y-wedded Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"And God, that all this wide world hath wrought,\n"
|
|
|
+"Send him his love, that hath it dearly bought.\n"
|
|
|
+"For now is Palamon in all his weal,\n"
|
|
|
+"Living in bliss, in riches, and in heal*. *health\n"
|
|
|
+"And Emily him loves so tenderly,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he her serveth all so gentilly,\n"
|
|
|
+"That never was there worde them between\n"
|
|
|
+"Of jealousy, nor of none other teen*. *cause of anger\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus endeth Palamon and Emily\n"
|
|
|
+"And God save all this faire company.\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+const char knightsTale5[] PROGMEM= {
|
|
|
+" THE KNIGHT'S TALE <1>\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"WHILOM*, as olde stories tellen us, *formerly\n"
|
|
|
+"There was a duke that highte* Theseus. *was called <2>\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Athens he was lord and governor,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his time such a conqueror\n"
|
|
|
+"That greater was there none under the sun.\n"
|
|
|
+"Full many a riche country had he won.\n"
|
|
|
+"What with his wisdom and his chivalry,\n"
|
|
|
+"He conquer'd all the regne of Feminie,<3>\n"
|
|
|
+"That whilom was y-cleped Scythia;\n"
|
|
|
+"And weddede the Queen Hippolyta\n"
|
|
|
+"And brought her home with him to his country\n"
|
|
|
+"With muchel* glory and great solemnity, *great\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke her younge sister Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus with vict'ry and with melody\n"
|
|
|
+"Let I this worthy Duke to Athens ride,\n"
|
|
|
+"And all his host, in armes him beside.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And certes, if it n'ere* too long to hear, *were not\n"
|
|
|
+"I would have told you fully the mannere,\n"
|
|
|
+"How wonnen* was the regne of Feminie, <4> *won\n"
|
|
|
+"By Theseus, and by his chivalry;\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the greate battle for the nonce\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixt Athenes and the Amazons;\n"
|
|
|
+"And how assieged was Hippolyta,\n"
|
|
|
+"The faire hardy queen of Scythia;\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the feast that was at her wedding\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the tempest at her homecoming.\n"
|
|
|
+"But all these things I must as now forbear.\n"
|
|
|
+"I have, God wot, a large field to ear* *plough<5>;\n"
|
|
|
+"And weake be the oxen in my plough;\n"
|
|
|
+"The remnant of my tale is long enow.\n"
|
|
|
+"I will not *letten eke none of this rout*. *hinder any of\n"
|
|
|
+"Let every fellow tell his tale about, this company*\n"
|
|
|
+"And let see now who shall the supper win.\n"
|
|
|
+"There *as I left*, I will again begin. *where I left off*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Duke, of whom I make mentioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"When he was come almost unto the town,\n"
|
|
|
+"In all his weal, and in his moste pride,\n"
|
|
|
+"He was ware, as he cast his eye aside,\n"
|
|
|
+"Where that there kneeled in the highe way\n"
|
|
|
+"A company of ladies, tway and tway,\n"
|
|
|
+"Each after other, clad in clothes black:\n"
|
|
|
+"But such a cry and such a woe they make,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in this world n'is creature living,\n"
|
|
|
+"That hearde such another waimenting* *lamenting <6>\n"
|
|
|
+"And of this crying would they never stenten*, *desist\n"
|
|
|
+"Till they the reines of his bridle henten*. *seize\n"
|
|
|
+"\"What folk be ye that at mine homecoming\n"
|
|
|
+"Perturben so my feaste with crying?\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Quoth Theseus; \"Have ye so great envy\n"
|
|
|
+"Of mine honour, that thus complain and cry?\n"
|
|
|
+"Or who hath you misboden*, or offended? *wronged\n"
|
|
|
+"Do telle me, if it may be amended;\n"
|
|
|
+"And why that ye be clad thus all in black?\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The oldest lady of them all then spake,\n"
|
|
|
+"When she had swooned, with a deadly cheer*, *countenance\n"
|
|
|
+"That it was ruthe* for to see or hear. *pity\n"
|
|
|
+"She saide; \"Lord, to whom fortune hath given\n"
|
|
|
+"Vict'ry, and as a conqueror to liven,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nought grieveth us your glory and your honour;\n"
|
|
|
+"But we beseechen mercy and succour.\n"
|
|
|
+"Have mercy on our woe and our distress;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some drop of pity, through thy gentleness,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon us wretched women let now fall.\n"
|
|
|
+"For certes, lord, there is none of us all\n"
|
|
|
+"That hath not been a duchess or a queen;\n"
|
|
|
+"Now be we caitives*, as it is well seen: *captives\n"
|
|
|
+"Thanked be Fortune, and her false wheel,\n"
|
|
|
+"That *none estate ensureth to be wele*. *assures no continuance of\n"
|
|
|
+"And certes, lord, t'abiden your presence prosperous estate*\n"
|
|
|
+"Here in this temple of the goddess Clemence\n"
|
|
|
+"We have been waiting all this fortenight:\n"
|
|
|
+"Now help us, lord, since it lies in thy might.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"I, wretched wight, that weep and waile thus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was whilom wife to king Capaneus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That starf* at Thebes, cursed be that day: *died <7>\n"
|
|
|
+"And alle we that be in this array,\n"
|
|
|
+"And maken all this lamentatioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"We losten all our husbands at that town,\n"
|
|
|
+"While that the siege thereabouten lay.\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet the olde Creon, wellaway!\n"
|
|
|
+"That lord is now of Thebes the city,\n"
|
|
|
+"Fulfilled of ire and of iniquity,\n"
|
|
|
+"He for despite, and for his tyranny,\n"
|
|
|
+"To do the deade bodies villainy*, *insult\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all our lorde's, which that been y-slaw, *slain\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath all the bodies on an heap y-draw,\n"
|
|
|
+"And will not suffer them by none assent\n"
|
|
|
+"Neither to be y-buried, nor y-brent*, *burnt\n"
|
|
|
+"But maketh houndes eat them in despite.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word, withoute more respite\n"
|
|
|
+"They fallen groff,* and cryden piteously; *grovelling\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Have on us wretched women some mercy,\n"
|
|
|
+"And let our sorrow sinken in thine heart.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This gentle Duke down from his courser start\n"
|
|
|
+"With hearte piteous, when he heard them speak.\n"
|
|
|
+"Him thoughte that his heart would all to-break,\n"
|
|
|
+"When he saw them so piteous and so mate* *abased\n"
|
|
|
+"That whilom weren of so great estate.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his armes he them all up hent*, *raised, took\n"
|
|
|
+"And them comforted in full good intent,\n"
|
|
|
+"And swore his oath, as he was true knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"He woulde do *so farforthly his might* *as far as his power went*\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon the tyrant Creon them to wreak*, *avenge\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the people of Greece shoulde speak,\n"
|
|
|
+"How Creon was of Theseus y-served,\n"
|
|
|
+"As he that had his death full well deserved.\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon withoute more abode* *delay\n"
|
|
|
+"His banner he display'd, and forth he rode\n"
|
|
|
+"To Thebes-ward, and all his, host beside:\n"
|
|
|
+"No ner* Athenes would he go nor ride, *nearer\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor take his ease fully half a day,\n"
|
|
|
+"But onward on his way that night he lay:\n"
|
|
|
+"And sent anon Hippolyta the queen,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Emily her younge sister sheen* *bright, lovely\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the town of Athens for to dwell:\n"
|
|
|
+"And forth he rit*; there is no more to tell. *rode\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The red statue of Mars with spear and targe* *shield\n"
|
|
|
+"So shineth in his white banner large\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the fieldes glitter up and down:\n"
|
|
|
+"And by his banner borne is his pennon\n"
|
|
|
+"Of gold full rich, in which there was y-beat* *stamped\n"
|
|
|
+"The Minotaur<8> which that he slew in Crete\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus rit this Duke, thus rit this conqueror\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his host of chivalry the flower,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that he came to Thebes, and alight\n"
|
|
|
+"Fair in a field, there as he thought to fight.\n"
|
|
|
+"But shortly for to speaken of this thing,\n"
|
|
|
+"With Creon, which that was of Thebes king,\n"
|
|
|
+"He fought, and slew him manly as a knight\n"
|
|
|
+"In plain bataille, and put his folk to flight:\n"
|
|
|
+"And by assault he won the city after,\n"
|
|
|
+"And rent adown both wall, and spar, and rafter;\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the ladies he restored again\n"
|
|
|
+"The bodies of their husbands that were slain,\n"
|
|
|
+"To do obsequies, as was then the guise*. *custom\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"But it were all too long for to devise* *describe\n"
|
|
|
+"The greate clamour, and the waimenting*, *lamenting\n"
|
|
|
+"Which that the ladies made at the brenning* *burning\n"
|
|
|
+"Of the bodies, and the great honour\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus the noble conqueror\n"
|
|
|
+"Did to the ladies, when they from him went:\n"
|
|
|
+"But shortly for to tell is mine intent.\n"
|
|
|
+"When that this worthy Duke, this Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Had Creon slain, and wonnen Thebes thus,\n"
|
|
|
+"Still in the field he took all night his rest,\n"
|
|
|
+"And did with all the country as him lest*. *pleased\n"
|
|
|
+"To ransack in the tas* of bodies dead, *heap\n"
|
|
|
+"Them for to strip of *harness and of **weed, *armour **clothes\n"
|
|
|
+"The pillers* did their business and cure, *pillagers <9>\n"
|
|
|
+"After the battle and discomfiture.\n"
|
|
|
+"And so befell, that in the tas they found,\n"
|
|
|
+"Through girt with many a grievous bloody wound,\n"
|
|
|
+"Two younge knightes *ligging by and by* *lying side by side*\n"
|
|
|
+"Both in *one armes*, wrought full richely: *the same armour*\n"
|
|
|
+"Of whiche two, Arcita hight that one,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he that other highte Palamon.\n"
|
|
|
+"Not fully quick*, nor fully dead they were, *alive\n"
|
|
|
+"But by their coat-armour, and by their gear,\n"
|
|
|
+"The heralds knew them well in special,\n"
|
|
|
+"As those that weren of the blood royal\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Thebes, and *of sistren two y-born*. *born of two sisters*\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of the tas the pillers have them torn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And have them carried soft unto the tent\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Theseus, and he full soon them sent\n"
|
|
|
+"To Athens, for to dwellen in prison\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetually, he *n'olde no ranson*. *would take no ransom*\n"
|
|
|
+"And when this worthy Duke had thus y-done,\n"
|
|
|
+"He took his host, and home he rit anon\n"
|
|
|
+"With laurel crowned as a conquerour;\n"
|
|
|
+"And there he lived in joy and in honour\n"
|
|
|
+"Term of his life; what needeth wordes mo'?\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a tower, in anguish and in woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"Dwellen this Palamon, and eke Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"For evermore, there may no gold them quite* *set free\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus passed year by year, and day by day,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till it fell ones in a morn of May\n"
|
|
|
+"That Emily, that fairer was to seen\n"
|
|
|
+"Than is the lily upon his stalke green,\n"
|
|
|
+"And fresher than the May with flowers new\n"
|
|
|
+"(For with the rose colour strove her hue;\n"
|
|
|
+"I n'ot* which was the finer of them two), *know not\n"
|
|
|
+"Ere it was day, as she was wont to do,\n"
|
|
|
+"She was arisen, and all ready dight*, *dressed\n"
|
|
|
+"For May will have no sluggardy a-night;\n"
|
|
|
+"The season pricketh every gentle heart,\n"
|
|
|
+"And maketh him out of his sleep to start,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saith, \"Arise, and do thine observance.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This maketh Emily have remembrance\n"
|
|
|
+"To do honour to May, and for to rise.\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-clothed was she fresh for to devise;\n"
|
|
|
+"Her yellow hair was braided in a tress,\n"
|
|
|
+"Behind her back, a yarde long I guess.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the garden at *the sun uprist* *sunrise\n"
|
|
|
+"She walketh up and down where as her list.\n"
|
|
|
+"She gathereth flowers, party* white and red, *mingled\n"
|
|
|
+"To make a sotel* garland for her head, *subtle, well-arranged\n"
|
|
|
+"And as an angel heavenly she sung.\n"
|
|
|
+"The greate tower, that was so thick and strong,\n"
|
|
|
+"Which of the castle was the chief dungeon<10>\n"
|
|
|
+"(Where as these knightes weren in prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of which I tolde you, and telle shall),\n"
|
|
|
+"Was even joinant* to the garden wall, *adjoining\n"
|
|
|
+"There as this Emily had her playing.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Bright was the sun, and clear that morrowning,\n"
|
|
|
+"And Palamon, this woful prisoner,\n"
|
|
|
+"As was his wont, by leave of his gaoler,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was ris'n, and roamed in a chamber on high,\n"
|
|
|
+"In which he all the noble city sigh*, *saw\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke the garden, full of branches green,\n"
|
|
|
+"There as this fresh Emelia the sheen\n"
|
|
|
+"Was in her walk, and roamed up and down.\n"
|
|
|
+"This sorrowful prisoner, this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Went in his chamber roaming to and fro,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to himself complaining of his woe:\n"
|
|
|
+"That he was born, full oft he said, Alas!\n"
|
|
|
+"And so befell, by aventure or cas*, *chance\n"
|
|
|
+"That through a window thick of many a bar\n"
|
|
|
+"Of iron great, and square as any spar,\n"
|
|
|
+"He cast his eyes upon Emelia,\n"
|
|
|
+"And therewithal he blent* and cried, Ah! *started aside\n"
|
|
|
+"As though he stungen were unto the heart.\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that cry Arcite anon up start,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide, \"Cousin mine, what aileth thee,\n"
|
|
|
+"That art so pale and deadly for to see?\n"
|
|
|
+"Why cried'st thou? who hath thee done offence?\n"
|
|
|
+"For Godde's love, take all in patience\n"
|
|
|
+"Our prison*, for it may none other be. *imprisonment\n"
|
|
|
+"Fortune hath giv'n us this adversity'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Some wick'* aspect or disposition *wicked\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Saturn<11>, by some constellation,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath giv'n us this, although we had it sworn,\n"
|
|
|
+"So stood the heaven when that we were born,\n"
|
|
|
+"We must endure; this is the short and plain.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon answer'd, and said again:\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Cousin, forsooth of this opinion\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou hast a vain imagination.\n"
|
|
|
+"This prison caused me not for to cry;\n"
|
|
|
+"But I was hurt right now thorough mine eye\n"
|
|
|
+"Into mine heart; that will my bane* be. *destruction\n"
|
|
|
+"The fairness of the lady that I see\n"
|
|
|
+"Yond in the garden roaming to and fro,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is cause of all my crying and my woe.\n"
|
|
|
+"I *n'ot wher* she be woman or goddess, *know not whether*\n"
|
|
|
+"But Venus is it, soothly* as I guess, *truly\n"
|
|
|
+"And therewithal on knees adown he fill,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide: \"Venus, if it be your will\n"
|
|
|
+"You in this garden thus to transfigure\n"
|
|
|
+"Before me sorrowful wretched creature,\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of this prison help that we may scape.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if so be our destiny be shape\n"
|
|
|
+"By etern word to dien in prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of our lineage have some compassion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That is so low y-brought by tyranny.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word Arcita *gan espy* *began to look forth*\n"
|
|
|
+"Where as this lady roamed to and fro\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that sight her beauty hurt him so,\n"
|
|
|
+"That if that Palamon was wounded sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite is hurt as much as he, or more.\n"
|
|
|
+"And with a sigh he saide piteously:\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The freshe beauty slay'th me suddenly\n"
|
|
|
+"Of her that roameth yonder in the place.\n"
|
|
|
+"And but* I have her mercy and her grace, *unless\n"
|
|
|
+"That I may see her at the leaste way,\n"
|
|
|
+"I am but dead; there is no more to say.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon, when he these wordes heard,\n"
|
|
|
+"Dispiteously* he looked, and answer'd: *angrily\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Whether say'st thou this in earnest or in play?\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Nay,\" quoth Arcite, \"in earnest, by my fay*. *faith\n"
|
|
|
+"God help me so, *me lust full ill to play*.\" *I am in no humour\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon gan knit his browes tway. for jesting*\n"
|
|
|
+"\"It were,\" quoth he, \"to thee no great honour\n"
|
|
|
+"For to be false, nor for to be traitour\n"
|
|
|
+"To me, that am thy cousin and thy brother\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-sworn full deep, and each of us to other,\n"
|
|
|
+"That never for to dien in the pain <12>,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that the death departen shall us twain,\n"
|
|
|
+"Neither of us in love to hinder other,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor in none other case, my leve* brother; *dear\n"
|
|
|
+"But that thou shouldest truly farther me\n"
|
|
|
+"In every case, as I should farther thee.\n"
|
|
|
+"This was thine oath, and mine also certain;\n"
|
|
|
+"I wot it well, thou dar'st it not withsayn*, *deny\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus art thou of my counsel out of doubt,\n"
|
|
|
+"And now thou wouldest falsely be about\n"
|
|
|
+"To love my lady, whom I love and serve,\n"
|
|
|
+"And ever shall, until mine hearte sterve* *die\n"
|
|
|
+"Now certes, false Arcite, thou shalt not so\n"
|
|
|
+"I lov'd her first, and tolde thee my woe\n"
|
|
|
+"As to my counsel, and my brother sworn\n"
|
|
|
+"To farther me, as I have told beforn.\n"
|
|
|
+"For which thou art y-bounden as a knight\n"
|
|
|
+"To helpe me, if it lie in thy might,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or elles art thou false, I dare well sayn,\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Arcita full proudly spake again:\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Thou shalt,\" quoth he, \"be rather* false than I, *sooner\n"
|
|
|
+"And thou art false, I tell thee utterly;\n"
|
|
|
+"For par amour I lov'd her first ere thou.\n"
|
|
|
+"What wilt thou say? *thou wist it not right now* *even now thou\n"
|
|
|
+"Whether she be a woman or goddess. knowest not*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thine is affection of holiness,\n"
|
|
|
+"And mine is love, as to a creature:\n"
|
|
|
+"For which I tolde thee mine aventure\n"
|
|
|
+"As to my cousin, and my brother sworn\n"
|
|
|
+"I pose*, that thou loved'st her beforn: *suppose\n"
|
|
|
+"Wost* thou not well the olde clerke's saw<13>, *know'st\n"
|
|
|
+"That who shall give a lover any law?\n"
|
|
|
+"Love is a greater lawe, by my pan,\n"
|
|
|
+"Than may be giv'n to any earthly man:\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore positive law, and such decree,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is broke alway for love in each degree\n"
|
|
|
+"A man must needes love, maugre his head.\n"
|
|
|
+"He may not flee it, though he should be dead,\n"
|
|
|
+"*All be she* maid, or widow, or else wife. *whether she be*\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke it is not likely all thy life\n"
|
|
|
+"To standen in her grace, no more than I\n"
|
|
|
+"For well thou wost thyselfe verily,\n"
|
|
|
+"That thou and I be damned to prison\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetual, us gaineth no ranson.\n"
|
|
|
+"We strive, as did the houndes for the bone;\n"
|
|
|
+"They fought all day, and yet their part was none.\n"
|
|
|
+"There came a kite, while that they were so wroth,\n"
|
|
|
+"And bare away the bone betwixt them both.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore at the kinge's court, my brother,\n"
|
|
|
+"Each man for himselfe, there is no other.\n"
|
|
|
+"Love if thee list; for I love and aye shall\n"
|
|
|
+"And soothly, leve brother, this is all.\n"
|
|
|
+"Here in this prison musten we endure,\n"
|
|
|
+"And each of us take his Aventure.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Great was the strife and long between these tway,\n"
|
|
|
+"If that I hadde leisure for to say;\n"
|
|
|
+"But to the effect: it happen'd on a day\n"
|
|
|
+"(To tell it you as shortly as I may),\n"
|
|
|
+"A worthy duke that hight Perithous<14>\n"
|
|
|
+"That fellow was to the Duke Theseus\n"
|
|
|
+"Since thilke* day that they were children lite** *that **little\n"
|
|
|
+"Was come to Athens, his fellow to visite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to play, as he was wont to do;\n"
|
|
|
+"For in this world he loved no man so;\n"
|
|
|
+"And he lov'd him as tenderly again.\n"
|
|
|
+"So well they lov'd, as olde bookes sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"That when that one was dead, soothly to sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"His fellow went and sought him down in hell:\n"
|
|
|
+"But of that story list me not to write.\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Perithous loved well Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And had him known at Thebes year by year:\n"
|
|
|
+"And finally at request and prayere\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Perithous, withoute ranson\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus him let out of prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"Freely to go, where him list over all,\n"
|
|
|
+"In such a guise, as I you tellen shall\n"
|
|
|
+"This was the forword*, plainly to indite, *promise\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte Theseus and him Arcite:\n"
|
|
|
+"That if so were, that Arcite were y-found\n"
|
|
|
+"Ever in his life, by day or night, one stound* *moment<15>\n"
|
|
|
+"In any country of this Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he were caught, it was accorded thus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That with a sword he shoulde lose his head;\n"
|
|
|
+"There was none other remedy nor rede*. *counsel\n"
|
|
|
+"But took his leave, and homeward he him sped;\n"
|
|
|
+"Let him beware, his necke lieth *to wed*. *in pledge*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"How great a sorrow suff'reth now Arcite!\n"
|
|
|
+"The death he feeleth through his hearte smite;\n"
|
|
|
+"He weepeth, waileth, crieth piteously;\n"
|
|
|
+"To slay himself he waiteth privily.\n"
|
|
|
+"He said; \"Alas the day that I was born!\n"
|
|
|
+"Now is my prison worse than beforn:\n"
|
|
|
+"*Now is me shape* eternally to dwell *it is fixed for me*\n"
|
|
|
+"Not in purgatory, but right in hell.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! that ever I knew Perithous.\n"
|
|
|
+"For elles had I dwelt with Theseus\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-fettered in his prison evermo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then had I been in bliss, and not in woe.\n"
|
|
|
+"Only the sight of her, whom that I serve,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though that I never may her grace deserve,\n"
|
|
|
+"Would have sufficed right enough for me.\n"
|
|
|
+"O deare cousin Palamon,\" quoth he,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Thine is the vict'ry of this aventure,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full blissfully in prison to endure:\n"
|
|
|
+"In prison? nay certes, in paradise.\n"
|
|
|
+"Well hath fortune y-turned thee the dice,\n"
|
|
|
+"That hast the sight of her, and I th' absence.\n"
|
|
|
+"For possible is, since thou hast her presence,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art a knight, a worthy and an able,\n"
|
|
|
+"That by some cas*, since fortune is changeable, *chance\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou may'st to thy desire sometime attain.\n"
|
|
|
+"But I that am exiled, and barren\n"
|
|
|
+"Of alle grace, and in so great despair,\n"
|
|
|
+"That there n'is earthe, water, fire, nor air,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor creature, that of them maked is,\n"
|
|
|
+"That may me helpe nor comfort in this,\n"
|
|
|
+"Well ought I *sterve in wanhope* and distress. *die in despair*\n"
|
|
|
+"Farewell my life, my lust*, and my gladness. *pleasure\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas, *why plainen men so in commune *why do men so often complain\n"
|
|
|
+"Of purveyance of God*, or of Fortune, of God's providence?*\n"
|
|
|
+"That giveth them full oft in many a guise\n"
|
|
|
+"Well better than they can themselves devise?\n"
|
|
|
+"Some man desireth for to have richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"That cause is of his murder or great sickness.\n"
|
|
|
+"And some man would out of his prison fain,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in his house is of his meinie* slain. *servants <16>\n"
|
|
|
+"Infinite harmes be in this mattere.\n"
|
|
|
+"We wot never what thing we pray for here.\n"
|
|
|
+"We fare as he that drunk is as a mouse.\n"
|
|
|
+"A drunken man wot well he hath an house,\n"
|
|
|
+"But he wot not which is the right way thither,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to a drunken man the way is slither*. *slippery\n"
|
|
|
+"And certes in this world so fare we.\n"
|
|
|
+"We seeke fast after felicity,\n"
|
|
|
+"But we go wrong full often truely.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus we may sayen all, and namely* I, *especially\n"
|
|
|
+"That ween'd*, and had a great opinion, *thought\n"
|
|
|
+"That if I might escape from prison\n"
|
|
|
+"Then had I been in joy and perfect heal,\n"
|
|
|
+"Where now I am exiled from my weal.\n"
|
|
|
+"Since that I may not see you, Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"I am but dead; there is no remedy.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon that other side, Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"When that he wist Arcita was agone,\n"
|
|
|
+"Much sorrow maketh, that the greate tower\n"
|
|
|
+"Resounded of his yelling and clamour\n"
|
|
|
+"The pure* fetters on his shinnes great *very <17>\n"
|
|
|
+"Were of his bitter salte teares wet.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Alas!\" quoth he, \"Arcita, cousin mine,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all our strife, God wot, the fruit is thine.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou walkest now in Thebes at thy large,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of my woe thou *givest little charge*. *takest little heed*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mayst, since thou hast wisdom and manhead*, *manhood, courage\n"
|
|
|
+"Assemble all the folk of our kindred,\n"
|
|
|
+"And make a war so sharp on this country\n"
|
|
|
+"That by some aventure, or some treaty,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mayst have her to lady and to wife,\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom that I must needes lose my life.\n"
|
|
|
+"For as by way of possibility,\n"
|
|
|
+"Since thou art at thy large, of prison free,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art a lord, great is thine avantage,\n"
|
|
|
+"More than is mine, that sterve here in a cage.\n"
|
|
|
+"For I must weep and wail, while that I live,\n"
|
|
|
+"With all the woe that prison may me give,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke with pain that love me gives also,\n"
|
|
|
+"That doubles all my torment and my woe.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Therewith the fire of jealousy upstart\n"
|
|
|
+"Within his breast, and hent* him by the heart *seized\n"
|
|
|
+"So woodly*, that he like was to behold *madly\n"
|
|
|
+"The box-tree, or the ashes dead and cold.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then said; \"O cruel goddess, that govern\n"
|
|
|
+"This world with binding of your word etern* *eternal\n"
|
|
|
+"And writen in the table of adamant\n"
|
|
|
+"Your parlement* and your eternal grant, *consultation\n"
|
|
|
+"What is mankind more *unto you y-hold* *by you esteemed\n"
|
|
|
+"Than is the sheep, that rouketh* in the fold! *lie huddled together\n"
|
|
|
+"For slain is man, right as another beast;\n"
|
|
|
+"And dwelleth eke in prison and arrest,\n"
|
|
|
+"And hath sickness, and great adversity,\n"
|
|
|
+"And oftentimes guilteless, pardie* *by God\n"
|
|
|
+"What governance is in your prescience,\n"
|
|
|
+"That guilteless tormenteth innocence?\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet increaseth this all my penance,\n"
|
|
|
+"That man is bounden to his observance\n"
|
|
|
+"For Godde's sake to *letten of his will*, *restrain his desire*\n"
|
|
|
+"Whereas a beast may all his lust fulfil.\n"
|
|
|
+"And when a beast is dead, he hath no pain;\n"
|
|
|
+"But man after his death must weep and plain,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though in this worlde he have care and woe:\n"
|
|
|
+"Withoute doubt it maye standen so.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The answer of this leave I to divines,\n"
|
|
|
+"But well I wot, that in this world great pine* is; *pain, trouble\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! I see a serpent or a thief\n"
|
|
|
+"That many a true man hath done mischief,\n"
|
|
|
+"Go at his large, and where him list may turn.\n"
|
|
|
+"But I must be in prison through Saturn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke through Juno, jealous and eke wood*, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"That hath well nigh destroyed all the blood\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Thebes, with his waste walles wide.\n"
|
|
|
+"And Venus slay'th me on that other side\n"
|
|
|
+"For jealousy, and fear of him, Arcite.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I stent* of Palamon a lite**, *pause **little\n"
|
|
|
+"And let him in his prison stille dwell,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of Arcita forth I will you tell.\n"
|
|
|
+"The summer passeth, and the nightes long\n"
|
|
|
+"Increase double-wise the paines strong\n"
|
|
|
+"Both of the lover and the prisonere.\n"
|
|
|
+"I n'ot* which hath the wofuller mistere**. *know not **condition\n"
|
|
|
+"For, shortly for to say, this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetually is damned to prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"In chaines and in fetters to be dead;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Arcite is exiled *on his head* *on peril of his head*\n"
|
|
|
+"For evermore as out of that country,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor never more he shall his lady see.\n"
|
|
|
+"You lovers ask I now this question,<18>\n"
|
|
|
+"Who lieth the worse, Arcite or Palamon?\n"
|
|
|
+"The one may see his lady day by day,\n"
|
|
|
+"But in prison he dwelle must alway.\n"
|
|
|
+"The other where him list may ride or go,\n"
|
|
|
+"But see his lady shall he never mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now deem all as you liste, ye that can,\n"
|
|
|
+"For I will tell you forth as I began.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Arcite to Thebes comen was,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full oft a day he swelt*, and said, \"Alas!\" *fainted\n"
|
|
|
+"For see this lady he shall never mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly to concluden all his woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"So much sorrow had never creature\n"
|
|
|
+"That is or shall be while the world may dure.\n"
|
|
|
+"His sleep, his meat, his drink is *him byraft*, *taken away from him*\n"
|
|
|
+"That lean he wex*, and dry as any shaft. *became\n"
|
|
|
+"His eyen hollow, grisly to behold,\n"
|
|
|
+"His hue sallow, and pale as ashes cold,\n"
|
|
|
+"And solitary he was, ever alone,\n"
|
|
|
+"And wailing all the night, making his moan.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if he hearde song or instrument,\n"
|
|
|
+"Then would he weepen, he might not be stent*. *stopped\n"
|
|
|
+"So feeble were his spirits, and so low,\n"
|
|
|
+"And changed so, that no man coulde know\n"
|
|
|
+"His speech, neither his voice, though men it heard.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his gear* for all the world he far'd *behaviour <19>\n"
|
|
|
+"Not only like the lovers' malady\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Eros, but rather y-like manie* *madness\n"
|
|
|
+"Engender'd of humours melancholic,\n"
|
|
|
+"Before his head in his cell fantastic.<20>\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly turned was all upside down,\n"
|
|
|
+"Both habit and eke dispositioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of him, this woful lover Dan* Arcite. *Lord <21>\n"
|
|
|
+"Why should I all day of his woe indite?\n"
|
|
|
+"When he endured had a year or two\n"
|
|
|
+"This cruel torment, and this pain and woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"At Thebes, in his country, as I said,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a night in sleep as he him laid,\n"
|
|
|
+"Him thought how that the winged god Mercury\n"
|
|
|
+"Before him stood, and bade him to be merry.\n"
|
|
|
+"His sleepy yard* in hand he bare upright; *rod <22>\n"
|
|
|
+"A hat he wore upon his haires bright.\n"
|
|
|
+"Arrayed was this god (as he took keep*) *notice\n"
|
|
|
+"As he was when that Argus<23> took his sleep;\n"
|
|
|
+"And said him thus: \"To Athens shalt thou wend*; *go\n"
|
|
|
+"There is thee shapen* of thy woe an end.\" *fixed, prepared\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word Arcite woke and start.\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Now truely how sore that e'er me smart,\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Quoth he, \"to Athens right now will I fare.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor for no dread of death shall I not spare\n"
|
|
|
+"To see my lady that I love and serve;\n"
|
|
|
+"In her presence *I recke not to sterve.*\" *do not care if I die*\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word he caught a great mirror,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saw that changed was all his colour,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saw his visage all in other kind.\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon it ran him ill his mind,\n"
|
|
|
+"That since his face was so disfigur'd\n"
|
|
|
+"Of malady the which he had endur'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"He mighte well, if that he *bare him low,* *lived in lowly fashion*\n"
|
|
|
+"Live in Athenes evermore unknow,\n"
|
|
|
+"And see his lady wellnigh day by day.\n"
|
|
|
+"And right anon he changed his array,\n"
|
|
|
+"And clad him as a poore labourer.\n"
|
|
|
+"And all alone, save only a squier,\n"
|
|
|
+"That knew his privity* and all his cas**, *secrets **fortune\n"
|
|
|
+"Which was disguised poorly as he was,\n"
|
|
|
+"To Athens is he gone the nexte* way. *nearest <24>\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the court he went upon a day,\n"
|
|
|
+"And at the gate he proffer'd his service,\n"
|
|
|
+"To drudge and draw, what so men would devise*. *order\n"
|
|
|
+"And, shortly of this matter for to sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"He fell in office with a chamberlain,\n"
|
|
|
+"The which that dwelling was with Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"For he was wise, and coulde soon espy\n"
|
|
|
+"Of every servant which that served her.\n"
|
|
|
+"Well could he hewe wood, and water bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"For he was young and mighty for the nones*, *occasion\n"
|
|
|
+"And thereto he was strong and big of bones\n"
|
|
|
+"To do that any wight can him devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"A year or two he was in this service,\n"
|
|
|
+"Page of the chamber of Emily the bright;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Philostrate he saide that he hight.\n"
|
|
|
+"But half so well belov'd a man as he\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne was there never in court of his degree.\n"
|
|
|
+"He was so gentle of conditioun,\n"
|
|
|
+"That throughout all the court was his renown.\n"
|
|
|
+"They saide that it were a charity\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus would *enhance his degree*, *elevate him in rank*\n"
|
|
|
+"And put him in some worshipful service,\n"
|
|
|
+"There as he might his virtue exercise.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus within a while his name sprung\n"
|
|
|
+"Both of his deedes, and of his good tongue,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus hath taken him so near,\n"
|
|
|
+"That of his chamber he hath made him squire,\n"
|
|
|
+"And gave him gold to maintain his degree;\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke men brought him out of his country\n"
|
|
|
+"From year to year full privily his rent.\n"
|
|
|
+"But honestly and slyly* he it spent, *discreetly, prudently\n"
|
|
|
+"That no man wonder'd how that he it had.\n"
|
|
|
+"And three year in this wise his life be lad*, *led\n"
|
|
|
+"And bare him so in peace and eke in werre*, *war\n"
|
|
|
+"There was no man that Theseus had so derre*. *dear\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this blisse leave I now Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"And speak I will of Palamon a lite*. *little\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"In darkness horrible, and strong prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"This seven year hath sitten Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Forpined*, what for love, and for distress. *pined, wasted away\n"
|
|
|
+"Who feeleth double sorrow and heaviness\n"
|
|
|
+"But Palamon? that love distraineth* so, *afflicts\n"
|
|
|
+"That wood* out of his wits he went for woe, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke thereto he is a prisonere\n"
|
|
|
+"Perpetual, not only for a year.\n"
|
|
|
+"Who coulde rhyme in English properly\n"
|
|
|
+"His martyrdom? forsooth*, it is not I; *truly\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore I pass as lightly as I may.\n"
|
|
|
+"It fell that in the seventh year, in May\n"
|
|
|
+"The thirde night (as olde bookes sayn,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all this story tellen more plain),\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it by a venture or destiny\n"
|
|
|
+"(As when a thing is shapen* it shall be), *settled, decreed\n"
|
|
|
+"That soon after the midnight, Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"By helping of a friend brake his prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"And fled the city fast as he might go,\n"
|
|
|
+"For he had given drink his gaoler so\n"
|
|
|
+"Of a clary <25>, made of a certain wine,\n"
|
|
|
+"With *narcotise and opie* of Thebes fine, *narcotics and opium*\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the night, though that men would him shake,\n"
|
|
|
+"The gaoler slept, he mighte not awake:\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus he fled as fast as ever he may.\n"
|
|
|
+"The night was short, and *faste by the day *close at hand was\n"
|
|
|
+"That needes cast he must himself to hide*. the day during which\n"
|
|
|
+"And to a grove faste there beside he must cast about, or contrive,\n"
|
|
|
+"With dreadful foot then stalked Palamon. to conceal himself.*\n"
|
|
|
+"For shortly this was his opinion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in the grove he would him hide all day,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the night then would he take his way\n"
|
|
|
+"To Thebes-ward, his friendes for to pray\n"
|
|
|
+"On Theseus to help him to warray*. *make war <26>\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly either he would lose his life,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or winnen Emily unto his wife.\n"
|
|
|
+"This is th' effect, and his intention plain.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now will I turn to Arcita again,\n"
|
|
|
+"That little wist how nighe was his care,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till that Fortune had brought him in the snare.\n"
|
|
|
+"The busy lark, the messenger of day,\n"
|
|
|
+"Saluteth in her song the morning gray;\n"
|
|
|
+"And fiery Phoebus riseth up so bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"That all the orient laugheth at the sight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And with his streames* drieth in the greves** *rays **groves\n"
|
|
|
+"The silver droppes, hanging on the leaves;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Arcite, that is in the court royal\n"
|
|
|
+"With Theseus, his squier principal,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is ris'n, and looketh on the merry day.\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to do his observance to May,\n"
|
|
|
+"Remembering the point* of his desire, *object\n"
|
|
|
+"He on his courser, starting as the fire,\n"
|
|
|
+"Is ridden to the fieldes him to play,\n"
|
|
|
+"Out of the court, were it a mile or tway.\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the grove, of which I have you told,\n"
|
|
|
+"By a venture his way began to hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"To make him a garland of the greves*, *groves\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it of woodbine, or of hawthorn leaves,\n"
|
|
|
+"And loud he sang against the sun so sheen*. *shining bright\n"
|
|
|
+"\"O May, with all thy flowers and thy green,\n"
|
|
|
+"Right welcome be thou, faire freshe May,\n"
|
|
|
+"I hope that I some green here getten may.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And from his courser*, with a lusty heart, *horse\n"
|
|
|
+"Into the grove full hastily he start,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a path he roamed up and down,\n"
|
|
|
+"There as by aventure this Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Was in a bush, that no man might him see,\n"
|
|
|
+"For sore afeard of his death was he.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nothing ne knew he that it was Arcite;\n"
|
|
|
+"God wot he would have *trowed it full lite*. *full little believed it*\n"
|
|
|
+"But sooth is said, gone since full many years,\n"
|
|
|
+"The field hath eyen*, and the wood hath ears, *eyes\n"
|
|
|
+"It is full fair a man *to bear him even*, *to be on his guard*\n"
|
|
|
+"For all day meeten men at *unset steven*. *unexpected time <27>\n"
|
|
|
+"Full little wot Arcite of his fellaw,\n"
|
|
|
+"That was so nigh to hearken of his saw*, *saying, speech\n"
|
|
|
+"For in the bush he sitteth now full still.\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Arcite had roamed all his fill,\n"
|
|
|
+"And *sungen all the roundel* lustily, *sang the roundelay*<28>\n"
|
|
|
+"Into a study he fell suddenly,\n"
|
|
|
+"As do those lovers in their *quainte gears*, *odd fashions*\n"
|
|
|
+"Now in the crop*, and now down in the breres**, <29> *tree-top\n"
|
|
|
+"Now up, now down, as bucket in a well. **briars\n"
|
|
|
+"Right as the Friday, soothly for to tell,\n"
|
|
|
+"Now shineth it, and now it raineth fast,\n"
|
|
|
+"Right so can geary* Venus overcast *changeful\n"
|
|
|
+"The heartes of her folk, right as her day\n"
|
|
|
+"Is gearful*, right so changeth she array. *changeful\n"
|
|
|
+"Seldom is Friday all the weeke like.\n"
|
|
|
+"When Arcite had y-sung, he gan to sike*, *sigh\n"
|
|
|
+"And sat him down withouten any more:\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Alas!\" quoth he, \"the day that I was bore!\n"
|
|
|
+"How longe, Juno, through thy cruelty\n"
|
|
|
+"Wilt thou warrayen* Thebes the city? *torment\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! y-brought is to confusion\n"
|
|
|
+"The blood royal of Cadm' and Amphion:\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Cadmus, which that was the firste man,\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+const char knightsTale6[] PROGMEM= {
|
|
|
+"That Thebes built, or first the town began,\n"
|
|
|
+"And of the city first was crowned king.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of his lineage am I, and his offspring\n"
|
|
|
+"By very line, as of the stock royal;\n"
|
|
|
+"And now I am *so caitiff and so thrall*, *wretched and enslaved*\n"
|
|
|
+"That he that is my mortal enemy,\n"
|
|
|
+"I serve him as his squier poorely.\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet doth Juno me well more shame,\n"
|
|
|
+"For I dare not beknow* mine owen name, *acknowledge <30>\n"
|
|
|
+"But there as I was wont to hight Arcite,\n"
|
|
|
+"Now hight I Philostrate, not worth a mite.\n"
|
|
|
+"Alas! thou fell Mars, and alas! Juno,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath your ire our lineage all fordo* *undone, ruined\n"
|
|
|
+"Save only me, and wretched Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus martyreth in prison.\n"
|
|
|
+"And over all this, to slay me utterly,\n"
|
|
|
+"Love hath his fiery dart so brenningly* *burningly\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-sticked through my true careful heart,\n"
|
|
|
+"That shapen was my death erst than my shert. <31>\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye slay me with your eyen, Emily;\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye be the cause wherefore that I die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all the remnant of mine other care\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne set I not the *mountance of a tare*, *value of a straw*\n"
|
|
|
+"So that I could do aught to your pleasance.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"And with that word he fell down in a trance\n"
|
|
|
+"A longe time; and afterward upstart\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon, that thought thorough his heart\n"
|
|
|
+"He felt a cold sword suddenly to glide:\n"
|
|
|
+"For ire he quoke*, no longer would he hide. *quaked\n"
|
|
|
+"And when that he had heard Arcite's tale,\n"
|
|
|
+"As he were wood*, with face dead and pale, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"He start him up out of the bushes thick,\n"
|
|
|
+"And said: \"False Arcita, false traitor wick'*, *wicked\n"
|
|
|
+"Now art thou hent*, that lov'st my lady so, *caught\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom that I have all this pain and woe,\n"
|
|
|
+"And art my blood, and to my counsel sworn,\n"
|
|
|
+"As I full oft have told thee herebeforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"And hast bejaped* here Duke Theseus, *deceived, imposed upon\n"
|
|
|
+"And falsely changed hast thy name thus;\n"
|
|
|
+"I will be dead, or elles thou shalt die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou shalt not love my lady Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"But I will love her only and no mo';\n"
|
|
|
+"For I am Palamon thy mortal foe.\n"
|
|
|
+"And though I have no weapon in this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"But out of prison am astart* by grace, *escaped\n"
|
|
|
+"I dreade* not that either thou shalt die, *doubt\n"
|
|
|
+"Or else thou shalt not loven Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"Choose which thou wilt, for thou shalt not astart.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Arcite then, with full dispiteous* heart, *wrathful\n"
|
|
|
+"When he him knew, and had his tale heard,\n"
|
|
|
+"As fierce as lion pulled out a swerd,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide thus; \"By God that sitt'th above,\n"
|
|
|
+"*N'ere it* that thou art sick, and wood for love, *were it not*\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke that thou no weap'n hast in this place,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou should'st never out of this grove pace,\n"
|
|
|
+"That thou ne shouldest dien of mine hand.\n"
|
|
|
+"For I defy the surety and the band,\n"
|
|
|
+"Which that thou sayest I have made to thee.\n"
|
|
|
+"What? very fool, think well that love is free;\n"
|
|
|
+"And I will love her maugre* all thy might. *despite\n"
|
|
|
+"But, for thou art a worthy gentle knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And *wilnest to darraine her by bataille*, *will reclaim her\n"
|
|
|
+"Have here my troth, to-morrow I will not fail, by combat*\n"
|
|
|
+"Without weeting* of any other wight, *knowledge\n"
|
|
|
+"That here I will be founden as a knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"And bringe harness* right enough for thee; *armour and arms\n"
|
|
|
+"And choose the best, and leave the worst for me.\n"
|
|
|
+"And meat and drinke this night will I bring\n"
|
|
|
+"Enough for thee, and clothes for thy bedding.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if so be that thou my lady win,\n"
|
|
|
+"And slay me in this wood that I am in,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou may'st well have thy lady as for me.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon answer'd, \"I grant it thee.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus they be departed till the morrow,\n"
|
|
|
+"When each of them hath *laid his faith to borrow*. *pledged his faith*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"O Cupid, out of alle charity!\n"
|
|
|
+"O Regne* that wilt no fellow have with thee! *queen <32>\n"
|
|
|
+"Full sooth is said, that love nor lordeship\n"
|
|
|
+"Will not, *his thanks*, have any fellowship. *thanks to him*\n"
|
|
|
+"Well finden that Arcite and Palamon.\n"
|
|
|
+"Arcite is ridd anon unto the town,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on the morrow, ere it were daylight,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full privily two harness hath he dight*, *prepared\n"
|
|
|
+"Both suffisant and meete to darraine* *contest\n"
|
|
|
+"The battle in the field betwixt them twain.\n"
|
|
|
+"And on his horse, alone as he was born,\n"
|
|
|
+"He carrieth all this harness him beforn;\n"
|
|
|
+"And in the grove, at time and place y-set,\n"
|
|
|
+"This Arcite and this Palamon be met.\n"
|
|
|
+"Then change gan the colour of their face;\n"
|
|
|
+"Right as the hunter in the regne* of Thrace *kingdom\n"
|
|
|
+"That standeth at a gappe with a spear\n"
|
|
|
+"When hunted is the lion or the bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And heareth him come rushing in the greves*, *groves\n"
|
|
|
+"And breaking both the boughes and the leaves,\n"
|
|
|
+"Thinketh, \"Here comes my mortal enemy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Withoute fail, he must be dead or I;\n"
|
|
|
+"For either I must slay him at the gap;\n"
|
|
|
+"Or he must slay me, if that me mishap:\"\n"
|
|
|
+"So fared they, in changing of their hue\n"
|
|
|
+"*As far as either of them other knew*. *When they recognised each\n"
|
|
|
+"There was no good day, and no saluting, other afar off*\n"
|
|
|
+"But straight, withoute wordes rehearsing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach of them holp to arm the other,\n"
|
|
|
+"As friendly, as he were his owen brother.\n"
|
|
|
+"And after that, with sharpe speares strong\n"
|
|
|
+"They foined* each at other wonder long. *thrust\n"
|
|
|
+"Thou mightest weene*, that this Palamon *think\n"
|
|
|
+"In fighting were as a wood* lion, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And as a cruel tiger was Arcite:\n"
|
|
|
+"As wilde boars gan they together smite,\n"
|
|
|
+"That froth as white as foam, *for ire wood*. *mad with anger*\n"
|
|
|
+"Up to the ancle fought they in their blood.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this wise I let them fighting dwell,\n"
|
|
|
+"And forth I will of Theseus you tell.\n"
|
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|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The Destiny, minister general,\n"
|
|
|
+"That executeth in the world o'er all\n"
|
|
|
+"The purveyance*, that God hath seen beforn; *foreordination\n"
|
|
|
+"So strong it is, that though the world had sworn\n"
|
|
|
+"The contrary of a thing by yea or nay,\n"
|
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|
+"Yet some time it shall fallen on a day\n"
|
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|
+"That falleth not eft* in a thousand year. *again\n"
|
|
|
+"For certainly our appetites here,\n"
|
|
|
+"Be it of war, or peace, or hate, or love,\n"
|
|
|
+"All is this ruled by the sight* above. *eye, intelligence, power\n"
|
|
|
+"This mean I now by mighty Theseus,\n"
|
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|
+"That for to hunten is so desirous --\n"
|
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|
+"And namely* the greate hart in May -- *especially\n"
|
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|
+"That in his bed there dawneth him no day\n"
|
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|
+"That he n'is clad, and ready for to ride\n"
|
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+"With hunt and horn, and houndes him beside.\n"
|
|
|
+"For in his hunting hath he such delight,\n"
|
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|
+"That it is all his joy and appetite\n"
|
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|
+"To be himself the greate harte's bane* *destruction\n"
|
|
|
+"For after Mars he serveth now Diane.\n"
|
|
|
+"Clear was the day, as I have told ere this,\n"
|
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|
+"And Theseus, with alle joy and bliss,\n"
|
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|
+"With his Hippolyta, the faire queen,\n"
|
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|
+"And Emily, y-clothed all in green,\n"
|
|
|
+"On hunting be they ridden royally.\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the grove, that stood there faste by,\n"
|
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|
+"In which there was an hart, as men him told,\n"
|
|
|
+"Duke Theseus the straighte way doth hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"And to the laund* he rideth him full right, *plain <33>\n"
|
|
|
+"There was the hart y-wont to have his flight,\n"
|
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|
+"And over a brook, and so forth on his way.\n"
|
|
|
+"This Duke will have a course at him or tway\n"
|
|
|
+"With houndes, such as him lust* to command. *pleased\n"
|
|
|
+"And when this Duke was come to the laund,\n"
|
|
|
+"Under the sun he looked, and anon\n"
|
|
|
+"He was ware of Arcite and Palamon,\n"
|
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|
+"That foughte breme*, as it were bulles two. *fiercely\n"
|
|
|
+"The brighte swordes wente to and fro\n"
|
|
|
+"So hideously, that with the leaste stroke\n"
|
|
|
+"It seemed that it woulde fell an oak,\n"
|
|
|
+"But what they were, nothing yet he wote*. *knew\n"
|
|
|
+"This Duke his courser with his spurres smote,\n"
|
|
|
+"*And at a start* he was betwixt them two, *suddenly*\n"
|
|
|
+"And pulled out a sword and cried, \"Ho!\n"
|
|
|
+"No more, on pain of losing of your head.\n"
|
|
|
+"By mighty Mars, he shall anon be dead\n"
|
|
|
+"That smiteth any stroke, that I may see!\n"
|
|
|
+"But tell to me what mister* men ye be, *manner, kind <34>\n"
|
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|
+"That be so hardy for to fighte here\n"
|
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|
+"Withoute judge or other officer,\n"
|
|
|
+"As though it were in listes royally. <35>\n"
|
|
|
+"This Palamon answered hastily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide: \"Sir, what needeth wordes mo'?\n"
|
|
|
+"We have the death deserved bothe two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Two woful wretches be we, and caitives,\n"
|
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|
+"That be accumbered* of our own lives, *burdened\n"
|
|
|
+"And as thou art a rightful lord and judge,\n"
|
|
|
+"So give us neither mercy nor refuge.\n"
|
|
|
+"And slay me first, for sainte charity,\n"
|
|
|
+"But slay my fellow eke as well as me.\n"
|
|
|
+"Or slay him first; for, though thou know it lite*, *little\n"
|
|
|
+"This is thy mortal foe, this is Arcite\n"
|
|
|
+"That from thy land is banisht on his head,\n"
|
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|
+"For which he hath deserved to be dead.\n"
|
|
|
+"For this is he that came unto thy gate\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide, that he highte Philostrate.\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath he japed* thee full many year, *deceived\n"
|
|
|
+"And thou hast made of him thy chief esquier;\n"
|
|
|
+"And this is he, that loveth Emily.\n"
|
|
|
+"For since the day is come that I shall die\n"
|
|
|
+"I make pleinly* my confession, *fully, unreservedly\n"
|
|
|
+"That I am thilke* woful Palamon, *that same <36>\n"
|
|
|
+"That hath thy prison broken wickedly.\n"
|
|
|
+"I am thy mortal foe, and it am I\n"
|
|
|
+"That so hot loveth Emily the bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"That I would die here present in her sight.\n"
|
|
|
+"Therefore I aske death and my jewise*. *judgement\n"
|
|
|
+"But slay my fellow eke in the same wise,\n"
|
|
|
+"For both we have deserved to be slain.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This worthy Duke answer'd anon again,\n"
|
|
|
+"And said, \"This is a short conclusion.\n"
|
|
|
+"Your own mouth, by your own confession\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath damned you, and I will it record;\n"
|
|
|
+"It needeth not to pain you with the cord;\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye shall be dead, by mighty Mars the Red.<37>\n"
|
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|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The queen anon for very womanhead\n"
|
|
|
+"Began to weep, and so did Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"And all the ladies in the company.\n"
|
|
|
+"Great pity was it as it thought them all,\n"
|
|
|
+"That ever such a chance should befall,\n"
|
|
|
+"For gentle men they were, of great estate,\n"
|
|
|
+"And nothing but for love was this debate\n"
|
|
|
+"They saw their bloody woundes wide and sore,\n"
|
|
|
+"And cried all at once, both less and more,\n"
|
|
|
+"\"Have mercy, Lord, upon us women all.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"And on their bare knees adown they fall\n"
|
|
|
+"And would have kissed his feet there as he stood,\n"
|
|
|
+"Till at the last *aslaked was his mood* *his anger was\n"
|
|
|
+"(For pity runneth soon in gentle heart); appeased*\n"
|
|
|
+"And though at first for ire he quoke and start\n"
|
|
|
+"He hath consider'd shortly in a clause\n"
|
|
|
+"The trespass of them both, and eke the cause:\n"
|
|
|
+"And although that his ire their guilt accused\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet in his reason he them both excused;\n"
|
|
|
+"As thus; he thoughte well that every man\n"
|
|
|
+"Will help himself in love if that he can,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke deliver himself out of prison.\n"
|
|
|
+"Of women, for they wepten ever-in-one:* *continually\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke his hearte had compassion\n"
|
|
|
+"And in his gentle heart he thought anon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And soft unto himself he saide: \"Fie\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a lord that will have no mercy,\n"
|
|
|
+"But be a lion both in word and deed,\n"
|
|
|
+"To them that be in repentance and dread,\n"
|
|
|
+"As well as-to a proud dispiteous* man *unpitying\n"
|
|
|
+"That will maintaine what he first began.\n"
|
|
|
+"That lord hath little of discretion,\n"
|
|
|
+"That in such case *can no division*: *can make no distinction*\n"
|
|
|
+"But weigheth pride and humbless *after one*.\" *alike*\n"
|
|
|
+"And shortly, when his ire is thus agone,\n"
|
|
|
+"He gan to look on them with eyen light*, *gentle, lenient*\n"
|
|
|
+"And spake these same wordes *all on height.* *aloud*\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"The god of love, ah! benedicite*, *bless ye him\n"
|
|
|
+"How mighty and how great a lord is he!\n"
|
|
|
+"Against his might there gaine* none obstacles, *avail, conquer\n"
|
|
|
+"He may be called a god for his miracles\n"
|
|
|
+"For he can maken at his owen guise\n"
|
|
|
+"Of every heart, as that him list devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo here this Arcite, and this Palamon,\n"
|
|
|
+"That quietly were out of my prison,\n"
|
|
|
+"And might have lived in Thebes royally,\n"
|
|
|
+"And weet* I am their mortal enemy, *knew\n"
|
|
|
+"And that their death li'th in my might also,\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet hath love, *maugre their eyen two*, *in spite of their eyes*\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-brought them hither bothe for to die.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now look ye, is not this an high folly?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who may not be a fool, if but he love?\n"
|
|
|
+"Behold, for Godde's sake that sits above,\n"
|
|
|
+"See how they bleed! be they not well array'd?\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus hath their lord, the god of love, them paid\n"
|
|
|
+"Their wages and their fees for their service;\n"
|
|
|
+"And yet they weene for to be full wise,\n"
|
|
|
+"That serve love, for aught that may befall.\n"
|
|
|
+"But this is yet the beste game* of all, *joke\n"
|
|
|
+"That she, for whom they have this jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Can them therefor as muchel thank as me.\n"
|
|
|
+"She wot no more of all this *hote fare*, *hot behaviour*\n"
|
|
|
+"By God, than wot a cuckoo or an hare.\n"
|
|
|
+"But all must be assayed hot or cold;\n"
|
|
|
+"A man must be a fool, or young or old;\n"
|
|
|
+"I wot it by myself *full yore agone*: *long years ago*\n"
|
|
|
+"For in my time a servant was I one.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore since I know of love's pain,\n"
|
|
|
+"And wot how sore it can a man distrain*, *distress\n"
|
|
|
+"As he that oft hath been caught in his last*, *snare <38>\n"
|
|
|
+"I you forgive wholly this trespass,\n"
|
|
|
+"At request of the queen that kneeleth here,\n"
|
|
|
+"And eke of Emily, my sister dear.\n"
|
|
|
+"And ye shall both anon unto me swear,\n"
|
|
|
+"That never more ye shall my country dere* *injure\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor make war upon me night nor day,\n"
|
|
|
+"But be my friends in alle that ye may.\n"
|
|
|
+"I you forgive this trespass *every deal*. *completely*\n"
|
|
|
+"And they him sware *his asking* fair and well, *what he asked*\n"
|
|
|
+"And him of lordship and of mercy pray'd,\n"
|
|
|
+"And he them granted grace, and thus he said:\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"\"To speak of royal lineage and richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Though that she were a queen or a princess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Each of you both is worthy doubteless\n"
|
|
|
+"To wedde when time is; but natheless\n"
|
|
|
+"I speak as for my sister Emily,\n"
|
|
|
+"For whom ye have this strife and jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye wot* yourselves, she may not wed the two *know\n"
|
|
|
+"At once, although ye fight for evermo:\n"
|
|
|
+"But one of you, *all be him loth or lief,* *whether or not he wishes*\n"
|
|
|
+"He must *go pipe into an ivy leaf*: *\"go whistle\"*\n"
|
|
|
+"This is to say, she may not have you both,\n"
|
|
|
+"All be ye never so jealous, nor so wroth.\n"
|
|
|
+"And therefore I you put in this degree,\n"
|
|
|
+"That each of you shall have his destiny\n"
|
|
|
+"As *him is shape*; and hearken in what wise *as is decreed for him*\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo hear your end of that I shall devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"My will is this, for plain conclusion\n"
|
|
|
+"Withouten any replication*, *reply\n"
|
|
|
+"If that you liketh, take it for the best,\n"
|
|
|
+"That evereach of you shall go where *him lest*, *he pleases\n"
|
|
|
+"Freely without ransom or danger;\n"
|
|
|
+"And this day fifty weekes, *farre ne nerre*, *neither more nor less*\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach of you shall bring an hundred knights,\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed for listes up at alle rights\n"
|
|
|
+"All ready to darraine* her by bataille, *contend for\n"
|
|
|
+"And this behete* I you withoute fail *promise\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon my troth, and as I am a knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That whether of you bothe that hath might,\n"
|
|
|
+"That is to say, that whether he or thou\n"
|
|
|
+"May with his hundred, as I spake of now,\n"
|
|
|
+"Slay his contrary, or out of listes drive,\n"
|
|
|
+"Him shall I given Emily to wive,\n"
|
|
|
+"To whom that fortune gives so fair a grace.\n"
|
|
|
+"The listes shall I make here in this place.\n"
|
|
|
+"*And God so wisly on my soule rue*, *may God as surely have\n"
|
|
|
+"As I shall even judge be and true. mercy on my soul*\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye shall none other ende with me maken\n"
|
|
|
+"Than one of you shalle be dead or taken.\n"
|
|
|
+"And if you thinketh this is well y-said,\n"
|
|
|
+"Say your advice*, and hold yourselves apaid**. *opinion **satisfied\n"
|
|
|
+"This is your end, and your conclusion.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Who looketh lightly now but Palamon?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who springeth up for joye but Arcite?\n"
|
|
|
+"Who could it tell, or who could it indite,\n"
|
|
|
+"The joye that is maked in the place\n"
|
|
|
+"When Theseus hath done so fair a grace?\n"
|
|
|
+"But down on knees went every *manner wight*, *kind of person*\n"
|
|
|
+"And thanked him with all their heartes' might,\n"
|
|
|
+"And namely* these Thebans *ofte sithe*. *especially *oftentimes*\n"
|
|
|
+"And thus with good hope and with hearte blithe\n"
|
|
|
+"They take their leave, and homeward gan they ride\n"
|
|
|
+"To Thebes-ward, with his old walles wide.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"I trow men woulde deem it negligence,\n"
|
|
|
+"If I forgot to telle the dispence* *expenditure\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Theseus, that went so busily\n"
|
|
|
+"To maken up the listes royally,\n"
|
|
|
+"That such a noble theatre as it was,\n"
|
|
|
+"I dare well say, in all this world there n'as*. *was not\n"
|
|
|
+"The circuit a mile was about,\n"
|
|
|
+"Walled of stone, and ditched all without.\n"
|
|
|
+"*Round was the shape, in manner of compass,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full of degrees, the height of sixty pas* *see note <39>*\n"
|
|
|
+"That when a man was set on one degree\n"
|
|
|
+"He letted* not his fellow for to see. *hindered\n"
|
|
|
+"Eastward there stood a gate of marble white,\n"
|
|
|
+"Westward right such another opposite.\n"
|
|
|
+"And, shortly to conclude, such a place\n"
|
|
|
+"Was never on earth made in so little space,\n"
|
|
|
+"For in the land there was no craftes-man,\n"
|
|
|
+"That geometry or arsmetrike* can**, *arithmetic **knew\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor pourtrayor*, nor carver of images, *portrait painter\n"
|
|
|
+"That Theseus ne gave him meat and wages\n"
|
|
|
+"The theatre to make and to devise.\n"
|
|
|
+"And for to do his rite and sacrifice\n"
|
|
|
+"He eastward hath upon the gate above,\n"
|
|
|
+"In worship of Venus, goddess of love,\n"
|
|
|
+"*Done make* an altar and an oratory; *caused to be made*\n"
|
|
|
+"And westward, in the mind and in memory\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Mars, he maked hath right such another,\n"
|
|
|
+"That coste largely of gold a fother*. *a great amount\n"
|
|
|
+"And northward, in a turret on the wall,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of alabaster white and red coral\n"
|
|
|
+"An oratory riche for to see,\n"
|
|
|
+"In worship of Diane of chastity,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath Theseus done work in noble wise.\n"
|
|
|
+"But yet had I forgotten to devise* *describe\n"
|
|
|
+"The noble carving, and the portraitures,\n"
|
|
|
+"The shape, the countenance of the figures\n"
|
|
|
+"That weren in there oratories three.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"First in the temple of Venus may'st thou see\n"
|
|
|
+"Wrought on the wall, full piteous to behold,\n"
|
|
|
+"The broken sleepes, and the sikes* cold, *sighes\n"
|
|
|
+"The sacred teares, and the waimentings*, *lamentings\n"
|
|
|
+"The fiery strokes of the desirings,\n"
|
|
|
+"That Love's servants in this life endure;\n"
|
|
|
+"The oathes, that their covenants assure.\n"
|
|
|
+"Pleasance and Hope, Desire, Foolhardiness,\n"
|
|
|
+"Beauty and Youth, and Bawdry and Richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Charms and Sorc'ry, Leasings* and Flattery, *falsehoods\n"
|
|
|
+"Dispence, Business, and Jealousy,\n"
|
|
|
+"That wore of yellow goldes* a garland, *sunflowers <40>\n"
|
|
|
+"And had a cuckoo sitting on her hand,\n"
|
|
|
+"Feasts, instruments, and caroles and dances,\n"
|
|
|
+"Lust and array, and all the circumstances\n"
|
|
|
+"Of Love, which I reckon'd and reckon shall\n"
|
|
|
+"In order, were painted on the wall,\n"
|
|
|
+"And more than I can make of mention.\n"
|
|
|
+"For soothly all the mount of Citheron,<41>\n"
|
|
|
+"Where Venus hath her principal dwelling,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was showed on the wall in pourtraying,\n"
|
|
|
+"With all the garden, and the lustiness*. *pleasantness\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor was forgot the porter Idleness,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor Narcissus the fair of *yore agone*, *olden times*\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor yet the folly of King Solomon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor yet the greate strength of Hercules,\n"
|
|
|
+"Th' enchantments of Medea and Circes,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor of Turnus the hardy fierce courage,\n"
|
|
|
+"The rich Croesus *caitif in servage.* <42> *abased into slavery*\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus may ye see, that wisdom nor richess,\n"
|
|
|
+"Beauty, nor sleight, nor strength, nor hardiness\n"
|
|
|
+"Ne may with Venus holde champartie*, *divided possession <43>\n"
|
|
|
+"For as her liste the world may she gie*. *guide\n"
|
|
|
+"Lo, all these folk so caught were in her las* *snare\n"
|
|
|
+"Till they for woe full often said, Alas!\n"
|
|
|
+"Suffice these ensamples one or two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Although I could reckon a thousand mo'.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The statue of Venus, glorious to see\n"
|
|
|
+"Was naked floating in the large sea,\n"
|
|
|
+"And from the navel down all cover'd was\n"
|
|
|
+"With waves green, and bright as any glass.\n"
|
|
|
+"A citole <44> in her right hand hadde she,\n"
|
|
|
+"And on her head, full seemly for to see,\n"
|
|
|
+"A rose garland fresh, and well smelling,\n"
|
|
|
+"Above her head her doves flickering\n"
|
|
|
+"Before her stood her sone Cupido,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his shoulders winges had he two;\n"
|
|
|
+"And blind he was, as it is often seen;\n"
|
|
|
+"A bow he bare, and arrows bright and keen.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Why should I not as well eke tell you all\n"
|
|
|
+"The portraiture, that was upon the wall\n"
|
|
|
+"Within the temple of mighty Mars the Red?\n"
|
|
|
+"All painted was the wall in length and brede* *breadth\n"
|
|
|
+"Like to the estres* of the grisly place *interior chambers\n"
|
|
|
+"That hight the great temple of Mars in Thrace,\n"
|
|
|
+"In thilke* cold and frosty region, *that\n"
|
|
|
+"There as Mars hath his sovereign mansion.\n"
|
|
|
+"In which there dwelled neither man nor beast,\n"
|
|
|
+"With knotty gnarry* barren trees old *gnarled\n"
|
|
|
+"Of stubbes sharp and hideous to behold;\n"
|
|
|
+"In which there ran a rumble and a sough*, *groaning noise\n"
|
|
|
+"As though a storm should bursten every bough:\n"
|
|
|
+"And downward from an hill under a bent* *slope\n"
|
|
|
+"There stood the temple of Mars Armipotent,\n"
|
|
|
+"Wrought all of burnish'd steel, of which th' entry\n"
|
|
|
+"Was long and strait, and ghastly for to see.\n"
|
|
|
+"And thereout came *a rage and such a vise*, *such a furious voice*\n"
|
|
|
+"That it made all the gates for to rise.\n"
|
|
|
+"The northern light in at the doore shone,\n"
|
|
|
+"For window on the walle was there none\n"
|
|
|
+"Through which men mighten any light discern.\n"
|
|
|
+"The doors were all of adamant etern,\n"
|
|
|
+"Y-clenched *overthwart and ende-long* *crossways and lengthways*\n"
|
|
|
+"With iron tough, and, for to make it strong,\n"
|
|
|
+"Every pillar the temple to sustain\n"
|
|
|
+"Was tunne-great*, of iron bright and sheen. *thick as a tun (barrel)\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I first the dark imagining\n"
|
|
|
+"Of felony, and all the compassing;\n"
|
|
|
+"The cruel ire, as red as any glede*, *live coal\n"
|
|
|
+"The picke-purse<45>, and eke the pale dread;\n"
|
|
|
+"The smiler with the knife under the cloak,\n"
|
|
|
+"The shepen* burning with the blacke smoke *stable <46>\n"
|
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|
+"The treason of the murd'ring in the bed,\n"
|
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|
+"The open war, with woundes all be-bled;\n"
|
|
|
+"Conteke* with bloody knife, and sharp menace. *contention, discord\n"
|
|
|
+"All full of chirking* was that sorry place. *creaking, jarring noise\n"
|
|
|
+"The slayer of himself eke saw I there,\n"
|
|
|
+"His hearte-blood had bathed all his hair:\n"
|
|
|
+"The nail y-driven in the shode* at night, *hair of the head <47>\n"
|
|
|
+"The colde death, with mouth gaping upright.\n"
|
|
|
+"Amiddes of the temple sat Mischance,\n"
|
|
|
+"With discomfort and sorry countenance;\n"
|
|
|
+"Eke saw I Woodness* laughing in his rage, *Madness\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed Complaint, Outhees*, and fierce Outrage; *Outcry\n"
|
|
|
+"The carrain* in the bush, with throat y-corve**, *corpse **slashed\n"
|
|
|
+"A thousand slain, and not *of qualm y-storve*; *dead of sickness*\n"
|
|
|
+"The tyrant, with the prey by force y-reft;\n"
|
|
|
+"The town destroy'd, that there was nothing left.\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet saw I brent* the shippes hoppesteres, <48> *burnt\n"
|
|
|
+"The hunter strangled with the wilde bears:\n"
|
|
|
+"The sow freting* the child right in the cradle; *devouring <49>\n"
|
|
|
+"The cook scalded, for all his longe ladle.\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor was forgot, *by th'infortune of Mart* *through the misfortune\n"
|
|
|
+"The carter overridden with his cart; of war*\n"
|
|
|
+"Under the wheel full low he lay adown.\n"
|
|
|
+"There were also of Mars' division,\n"
|
|
|
+"The armourer, the bowyer*, and the smith, *maker of bows\n"
|
|
|
+"That forgeth sharp swordes on his stith*. *anvil\n"
|
|
|
+"And all above depainted in a tower\n"
|
|
|
+"Saw I Conquest, sitting in great honour,\n"
|
|
|
+"With thilke* sharpe sword over his head *that\n"
|
|
|
+"Hanging by a subtle y-twined thread.\n"
|
|
|
+"Painted the slaughter was of Julius<50>,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of cruel Nero, and Antonius:\n"
|
|
|
+"Although at that time they were yet unborn,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet was their death depainted there beforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"By menacing of Mars, right by figure,\n"
|
|
|
+"So was it showed in that portraiture,\n"
|
|
|
+"As is depainted in the stars above,\n"
|
|
|
+"Who shall be slain, or elles dead for love.\n"
|
|
|
+"Sufficeth one ensample in stories old,\n"
|
|
|
+"I may not reckon them all, though I wo'ld.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The statue of Mars upon a carte* stood *chariot\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed, and looked grim as he were wood*, *mad\n"
|
|
|
+"And over his head there shone two figures\n"
|
|
|
+"Of starres, that be cleped in scriptures,\n"
|
|
|
+"That one Puella, that other Rubeus. <51>\n"
|
|
|
+"This god of armes was arrayed thus:\n"
|
|
|
+"A wolf there stood before him at his feet\n"
|
|
|
+"With eyen red, and of a man he eat:\n"
|
|
|
+"With subtle pencil painted was this story,\n"
|
|
|
+"In redouting* of Mars and of his glory. *reverance, fear\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"Now to the temple of Dian the chaste\n"
|
|
|
+"As shortly as I can I will me haste,\n"
|
|
|
+"To telle you all the descriptioun.\n"
|
|
|
+"Depainted be the walles up and down\n"
|
|
|
+"Of hunting and of shamefast chastity.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I how woful Calistope,<52>\n"
|
|
|
+"When that Dian aggrieved was with her,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was turned from a woman to a bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And after was she made the lodestar*: *pole star\n"
|
|
|
+"Thus was it painted, I can say no far*; *farther\n"
|
|
|
+"Her son is eke a star as men may see.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I Dane <53> turn'd into a tree,\n"
|
|
|
+"I meane not the goddess Diane,\n"
|
|
|
+"But Peneus' daughter, which that hight Dane.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I Actaeon an hart y-maked*, *made\n"
|
|
|
+"For vengeance that he saw Dian all naked:\n"
|
|
|
+"I saw how that his houndes have him caught,\n"
|
|
|
+"And freten* him, for that they knew him not. *devour\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet painted was, a little farthermore\n"
|
|
|
+"How Atalanta hunted the wild boar;\n"
|
|
|
+"And Meleager, and many other mo',\n"
|
|
|
+"For which Diana wrought them care and woe.\n"
|
|
|
+"There saw I many another wondrous story,\n"
|
|
|
+"The which me list not drawen to memory.\n"
|
|
|
+"This goddess on an hart full high was set*, *seated\n"
|
|
|
+"With smalle houndes all about her feet,\n"
|
|
|
+"And underneath her feet she had a moon,\n"
|
|
|
+"Waxing it was, and shoulde wane soon.\n"
|
|
|
+"In gaudy green her statue clothed was,\n"
|
|
|
+"With bow in hand, and arrows in a case*. *quiver\n"
|
|
|
+"Her eyen caste she full low adown,\n"
|
|
|
+"Where Pluto hath his darke regioun.\n"
|
|
|
+"A woman travailing was her beforn,\n"
|
|
|
+"But, for her child so longe was unborn,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full piteously Lucina <54> gan she call,\n"
|
|
|
+"And saide; \"Help, for thou may'st best of all.\"\n"
|
|
|
+"Well could he painte lifelike that it wrought;\n"
|
|
|
+"With many a florin he the hues had bought.\n"
|
|
|
+"Now be these listes made, and Theseus,\n"
|
|
|
+"That at his greate cost arrayed thus\n"
|
|
|
+"The temples, and the theatre every deal*, *part <55>\n"
|
|
|
+"When it was done, him liked wonder well.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"But stint* I will of Theseus a lite**, *cease speaking **little\n"
|
|
|
+"And speak of Palamon and of Arcite.\n"
|
|
|
+"The day approacheth of their returning,\n"
|
|
|
+"That evereach an hundred knights should bring,\n"
|
|
|
+"The battle to darraine* as I you told; *contest\n"
|
|
|
+"And to Athens, their covenant to hold,\n"
|
|
|
+"Hath ev'reach of them brought an hundred knights,\n"
|
|
|
+"Well-armed for the war at alle rights.\n"
|
|
|
+"And sickerly* there trowed** many a man, *surely <56> **believed\n"
|
|
|
+"That never, sithen* that the world began, *since\n"
|
|
|
+"For to speaken of knighthood of their hand,\n"
|
|
|
+"As far as God hath maked sea and land,\n"
|
|
|
+"Was, of so few, so noble a company.\n"
|
|
|
+"For every wight that loved chivalry,\n"
|
|
|
+"And would, *his thankes, have a passant name*, *thanks to his own\n"
|
|
|
+"Had prayed, that he might be of that game, efforts, have a\n"
|
|
|
+"And well was him, that thereto chosen was. surpassing name*\n"
|
|
|
+"For if there fell to-morrow such a case,\n"
|
|
|
+"Ye knowe well, that every lusty knight,\n"
|
|
|
+"That loveth par amour, and hath his might\n"
|
|
|
+"Were it in Engleland, or elleswhere,\n"
|
|
|
+"They would, their thankes, willen to be there,\n"
|
|
|
+"T' fight for a lady; Benedicite,\n"
|
|
|
+"It were a lusty* sighte for to see. *pleasing\n"
|
|
|
+"And right so fared they with Palamon;\n"
|
|
|
+"With him there wente knightes many one.\n"
|
|
|
+"Some will be armed in an habergeon,\n"
|
|
|
+"And in a breast-plate, and in a gipon*; *short doublet.\n"
|
|
|
+"And some will have *a pair of plates* large; *back and front armour*\n"
|
|
|
+"And some will have a Prusse* shield, or targe; *Prussian\n"
|
|
|
+"Some will be armed on their legges weel;\n"
|
|
|
+"Some have an axe, and some a mace of steel.\n"
|
|
|
+"There is no newe guise*, but it was old. *fashion\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed they weren, as I have you told,\n"
|
|
|
+"Evereach after his opinion.\n"
|
|
|
+"There may'st thou see coming with Palamon\n"
|
|
|
+"Licurgus himself, the great king of Thrace:\n"
|
|
|
+"Black was his beard, and manly was his face.\n"
|
|
|
+"The circles of his eyen in his head\n"
|
|
|
+"They glowed betwixte yellow and red,\n"
|
|
|
+"And like a griffin looked he about,\n"
|
|
|
+"With kemped* haires on his browes stout; *combed<57>\n"
|
|
|
+"His limbs were great, his brawns were hard and strong,\n"
|
|
|
+"His shoulders broad, his armes round and long.\n"
|
|
|
+"And as the guise* was in his country, *fashion\n"
|
|
|
+"Full high upon a car of gold stood he,\n"
|
|
|
+"With foure white bulles in the trace.\n"
|
|
|
+"Instead of coat-armour on his harness,\n"
|
|
|
+"With yellow nails, and bright as any gold,\n"
|
|
|
+"He had a beare's skin, coal-black for old*. *age\n"
|
|
|
+"His long hair was y-kempt behind his back,\n"
|
|
|
+"As any raven's feather it shone for black.\n"
|
|
|
+"A wreath of gold *arm-great*, of huge weight, *thick as a man's arm*\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his head sate, full of stones bright,\n"
|
|
|
+"Of fine rubies and clear diamants.\n"
|
|
|
+"About his car there wente white alauns*, *greyhounds <58>\n"
|
|
|
+"Twenty and more, as great as any steer,\n"
|
|
|
+"To hunt the lion or the wilde bear,\n"
|
|
|
+"And follow'd him, with muzzle fast y-bound,\n"
|
|
|
+"Collars of gold, and torettes* filed round. *rings\n"
|
|
|
+"An hundred lordes had he in his rout* *retinue\n"
|
|
|
+"Armed full well, with heartes stern and stout.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"With Arcita, in stories as men find,\n"
|
|
|
+"The great Emetrius the king of Ind,\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon a *steede bay* trapped in steel, *bay horse*\n"
|
|
|
+"Cover'd with cloth of gold diapred* well, *decorated\n"
|
|
|
+"Came riding like the god of armes, Mars.\n"
|
|
|
+"His coat-armour was of *a cloth of Tars*, *a kind of silk*\n"
|
|
|
+"Couched* with pearls white and round and great *trimmed\n"
|
|
|
+"His saddle was of burnish'd gold new beat;\n"
|
|
|
+"A mantelet on his shoulders hanging,\n"
|
|
|
+"Bretful* of rubies red, as fire sparkling. *brimful\n"
|
|
|
+"His crispe hair like ringes was y-run,\n"
|
|
|
+"And that was yellow, glittering as the sun.\n"
|
|
|
+"His nose was high, his eyen bright citrine*, *pale yellow\n"
|
|
|
+"His lips were round, his colour was sanguine,\n"
|
|
|
+"A fewe fracknes* in his face y-sprent**, *freckles **sprinkled\n"
|
|
|
+"Betwixte yellow and black somedeal y-ment* *mixed <59>\n"
|
|
|
+"And as a lion he *his looking cast* *cast about his eyes*\n"
|
|
|
+"Of five and twenty year his age I cast* *reckon\n"
|
|
|
+"His beard was well begunnen for to spring;\n"
|
|
|
+"His voice was as a trumpet thundering.\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his head he wore of laurel green\n"
|
|
|
+"A garland fresh and lusty to be seen;\n"
|
|
|
+"Upon his hand he bare, for his delight,\n"
|
|
|
+"An eagle tame, as any lily white.\n"
|
|
|
+"An hundred lordes had he with him there,\n"
|
|
|
+"All armed, save their heads, in all their gear,\n"
|
|
|
+"Full richely in alle manner things.\n"
|
|
|
+"For trust ye well, that earles, dukes, and kings\n"
|
|
|
+"Were gather'd in this noble company,\n"
|
|
|
+"For love, and for increase of chivalry.\n"
|
|
|
+"About this king there ran on every part\n"
|
|
|
+"Full many a tame lion and leopart.\n"
|
|
|
+"And in this wise these lordes *all and some* *all and sundry*\n"
|
|
|
+"Be on the Sunday to the city come\n"
|
|
|
+"Aboute prime<60>, and in the town alight.\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"This Theseus, this Duke, this worthy knight\n"
|
|
|
+"When he had brought them into his city,\n"
|
|
|
+"And inned* them, ev'reach at his degree, *lodged\n"
|
|
|
+"He feasteth them, and doth so great labour\n"
|
|
|
+"To *easen them*, and do them all honour, *make them comfortable*\n"
|
|
|
+"That yet men weene* that no mannes wit *think\n"
|
|
|
+"Of none estate could amenden* it. *improve\n"
|
|
|
+"The minstrelsy, the service at the feast,\n"
|
|
|
+"The greate giftes to the most and least,\n"
|
|
|
+"The rich array of Theseus' palace,\n"
|
|
|
+"Nor who sate first or last upon the dais.<61>\n"
|
|
|
+"What ladies fairest be, or best dancing\n"
|
|
|
+"Or which of them can carol best or sing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Or who most feelingly speaketh of love;\n"
|
|
|
+"What hawkes sitten on the perch above,\n"
|
|
|
+"What houndes liggen* on the floor adown, *lie\n"
|
|
|
+"Of all this now make I no mentioun\n"
|
|
|
+"But of th'effect; that thinketh me the best\n"
|
|
|
+"Now comes the point, and hearken if you lest.* *please\n"
|
|
|
+"\n"
|
|
|
+"The Sunday night, ere day began to spring,\n"
|
|
|
+"When Palamon the larke hearde sing,\n"
|
|
|
+"Although it were not day by houres two,\n"
|
|
|
+"Yet sang the lark, and Palamon right tho* *then\n"
|
|
|
+"With holy heart, and with an high courage,\n"
|
|
|
+"Arose, to wenden* on his pilgrimage *go\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the blissful Cithera benign,\n"
|
|
|
+"I meane Venus, honourable and digne*. *worthy\n"
|
|
|
+"And in her hour <62> he walketh forth a pace\n"
|
|
|
+"Unto the listes, where her temple was,\n"
|
|
|
+"And down he kneeleth, and with humble cheer* *demeanour\n"
|
|
|
+};
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
+void setup() {
|
|
|
+ int i=0;
|
|
|
+ uint8_t c;
|
|
|
+ Serial.begin(9600);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale2+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale3+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale4+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale5+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+ do {
|
|
|
+ c = pgm_read_byte(knightsTale6+i);
|
|
|
+ if (c) Serial.write(c);
|
|
|
+ i++;
|
|
|
+ } while (c);
|
|
|
+}
|
|
|
+void loop() {
|
|
|
+}
|
Bill Westfield