bibliotheca Augustana

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BIBLIOTHECA AUGUSTANA

Geoffrey Chaucer

1342/43 - 1400

	The Canterbury Tales Fragment VII The Tale of Melibee
――――――――――――――――――――――――――
	Heere bigynneth Chaucers Tale of Melibee.
967	A yong man called melibeus, myghty and
967	Riche, bigat upon his wyf, that called was prudence,
968	a doghter which that called was sophie.
968	Upon a day bifel that he for his desport is
969	Went into the feeldes hem to pleye. His wyf
969	And eek his doghter hath he left inwith his hous,
970	Of which the dores weren faste yshette. Thre
970	Of his olde foes han it espyed, and setten laddres
970	To the walles of his hous, and by wyndowes
971	been entred, and betten his wyf,
971	And wounded his doghter with fyve mortal
972	woundes in fyve sondry places, – this is to
972	Seyn, in hir feet, in hire handes, in hir erys, in
972	Hir nose, and in hire mouth, – and leften hire
973	For deed, and wenten awey.
973	Whan melibeus retourned was in to his hous,
973	And saugh al this meschief, he, lyk a mad man,
974	Rentynge his clothes, gan to wepe and crie.
974	Prudence, his wyf, as ferforth as she dorste,
975	Bisoghte hym of his wepyng for to stynte; but
975	Nat forthy he gan to crie and wepen
975	Evere lenger the moore.
976	This noble wyf prudence remembred
976	Hire upon the sentence of ovide, in his book
976	That cleped is the remedie of love, where as
977	He seith he is a fool that destourbeth the
977	Mooder to wepen in the deeth of hire child,
978	Til she have wept hir fille as for a certein tyme;
978	And thanne shal man doon his diligence with
978	Amyable wordes hire to reconforte, and preyen
979	Hire of hir wepyng for to stynte. For which
979	Resoun this noble wyf prudence suffred hir
979	Housbonde for to wepe and crie as for a certein
980	Space; and whan she saugh hir tyme, she
980	Seyde hym in this wise: allas, my lord, quod
980	She, why make ye youreself for to be
981	Lyk a fool? for sothe it aperteneth nat
982	To a wys man to maken swich a sorwe.
982	Youre doghter, with the grace of god, shal
983	Warisshe and escape. And, al were it so that
983	She right now were deed, ye ne oughte nat, as
984	For hir deeth, youreself to destroye. Senek
984	Seith: the wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort
985	for the deeth of his children; but,
985	Certes, he sholde suffren it in pacience as wel
985	As he abideth the deeth of his owene
986	Propre persone. –
986	This melibeus answerde anon, and
986	Seyde, what man, quod he, sholde of his
986	Wepyng stente that hath so greet a cause for
987	To wepe? jhesu crist, oure lord, hymself
988	Wepte for the deeth of lazarus hys freend.
988	Prudence answerde: certes, wel I woot attempree
988	wepyng is no thyng deffended to hym
988	That sorweful is, amonges folk in sorwe, but it
989	Is rather graunted hym to wepe. The apostle
989	Paul unto the romayns writeth, – man shal rejoyse
989	with hem that maken joye, and wepen
990	With swich folk as wepen. – ut though attempree
990	wepyng be ygraunted, outrageous
991	wepyng certes is deffended.
991	Mesure of wepyng sholde be considered,
992	after the loore that techeth us senek:
992	– whan that thy frend is deed, – quod he, – lat
992	Nat thyne eyen to moyste been of teeris, ne
992	To muche drye; although the teeris come to
993	Thyne eyen, lat hem nat falle; and whan thou
993	Hast forgoon thy freend, do diligence to gete
993	Another freend; and this is moore wysdom than
993	For to wepe for thy freend which that thou has
994	Lorn, for therinne is no boote. – and therfore,
994	If ye governe yow by sapience, put awey sorwe
995	Out of youre herte. Remembre yow that
995	Jhesus syrak seith, – a man that is joyous and
995	Glad in herte, it hym conserveth florissynge
995	In his age; but soothly sorweful herte
996	Maketh his bones drye. – he seith eek
996	Thus, that sorwe in herte sleeth ful many
997	A man. Salomon seith that right as motthes
997	In shepes flees anoyeth to the clothes, and
997	The smale wormes to the tree, right so anoyeth
998	Sorwe to the herte. Wherfore us oghte, as wel
998	In the deeth of oure children as in the los of
999	Oure othere goodes temporels, have pacience.
999	Remembre yow upon the pacient job. Whan
999	He hadde lost his children and his temporeel
999	Substance, and in his body endured and receyved
999	ful many a grevous tribulacion, yet
1000	Seyde he thus: – oure lord hath yeve it me;
1000	Oure lord hath biraft it me; right as oure lord
1000	Hath wold, right so it is doon; blessed
1001	Be the name of oure lord! –
1001	To thise forseide thynges answerde
1001	Melibeus unto his wyf prudence: alle thy
1001	Wordes, quod he, been sothe, and therto profitable;
1001	but trewely myn herte is troubled with
1001	This sorwe so grevously that I noot what to
1002	Doone.
1002	Lat calle, quod prudence, thy trewe
1002	Freendes alle, and thy lynage whiche that been
1002	Wise. Telleth youre cas, and herkneth what
1002	They seye in conseillyng, and yow governe after
1003	Hire sentence. Salomon seith, – werk alle thy
1003	Thynges by conseil, and thou shalt never repente.
1004	Thanne, by the conseil of his wyf prudence,
1004	This melibeus leet callen a greet congregacion
1005	Of folk; as surgiens, phisiciens, olde folk and
1005	Yonge, and somme of his olde enemys reconsiled
1005	as by hir semblaunt to his love and
1006	Into his grace; and therwithal ther
1006	Coomen somme of his neighebores that
1006	Diden hym reverence moore for drede than for
1007	Love, as it happeth ofte. Ther coomen also
1007	Ful many subtille flatereres, and wise advocatz
1008	lerned in the lawe.
1008	And whan this folk togidre assembled weren,
1008	This melibeus in sorweful wise shewed hem his
1009	Cas. And by the manere of his speche it
1009	Semed that in herte he baar a crueel ire, redy
1009	To doon vengeaunce upon his foes, and sodeynly
1010	desired that the werre sholde bigynne;
1010	But nathelees, yet axed he hire conseil
1011	Upon this matiere. A surgien, by licence
1011	and assent of swiche as weren
1011	Wise, up roos, and to melibeus seyde as ye may
1012	Heere:
1012	Sire, quod he, as to us surgiens aperteneth
1012	that we do to every wight the beste that
1012	We kan, where as we been withholde, and to
1013	Oure pacientz that we do no damage; wherfore
1013	it happeth many tyme and ofte that whan
1013	Twey men han everich wounded oother, oon
1014	Same surgien heeleth hem bothe; wherfore
1014	Unto oure art it is nat pertinent to norice werre
1015	Ne parties to supporte. But certes, as to the
1015	Warisshynge of youre doghter, al be it so that
1015	She perilously be wounded, we shullen do so
1015	Ententif bisynesse fro day to nyght that with
1015	The grace of God she shal be hool and
1016	Sound as soone as is possible.
1016	Almoost right in the same wise the
1016	Phisiciens answerden, save that they seyden a
1017	Fewe woordes moore: that right as maladies
1017	Been cured by hir contraries, right so shul men
1018	Warisshe werre by vengeaunce.
1018	His neighebores ful of envye, his feyned
1018	Freendes that semeden reconsiled, and his flatereres
1019	maden semblant of wepyng, and empeireden
1019	and agreggeden muchel of this matiere
1019	in preisynge greetly melibee of myght, of
1019	Power, of richesse, and of freendes, despisynge
1020	The power of his adversaries, and seiden outrely
1020	that he anon sholde wreken hym on
1021	His foes, and bigynne werre.
1021	Up roos thanne an advocat that was
1021	Wys, by leve and by conseil of othere that were
1022	Wise, and seide: lordynges, the nede for
1022	Which we been assembled in this place is a ful
1023	Hevy thyng and an heigh matiere, by cause
1023	Of the wrong and of the wikkednesse that hath
1023	Be doon, and eek by resoun of the grete damages
1023	that in tyme comynge been possible to
1024	Fallen for this same cause, and eek by resoun
1024	Of the grete richesse and power of the parties
1025	Bothe; for the whiche resouns it were a
1026	Ful greet peril to erren in this matiere.
1026	Wherfore, melibeus, this is oure sentence:
1026	we conseille yow aboven alle thyng
1026	That right anon thou do thy diligence in
1026	Kepynge of thy propre persone in swich
1026	A wise that thou ne wante noon espie ne
1027	Wacche, thy persone for to save. And after
1027	That, we conseille that in thyn hous thou sette
1027	Sufficeant garnisoun so that they may as wel
1028	Thy body as thyn hous defende. But certes,
1028	For to moeve werre, ne sodeynly for to doon
1028	Vengeaunce, we may nat demen in so litel
1029	Tyme that it were profitable. Wherfore we
1029	Axen leyser and espace to have deliberacion in
1030	This cas to deme. For the commune proverbe
1030	Seith thus: – he that soone deemeth,
1031	Soone shal repente. – and eek men seyn
1031	That thilke juge is wys that soone under-
1032	Stondeth a matiere and juggeth by leyser; for
1032	Al be it so that alle tariyng be anoyful, algates it
1032	Is nat to repreve in yevynge of juggement ne
1032	In vengeance takyng, whan it is sufficeant
1033	And resonable. And that shewed oure lord
1033	Jhesu crist by ensample; for whan that the
1033	Womman that was taken in avowtrie was broght
1033	In his presence to knowen what sholde be doon
1033	With hire persone, al be it so that he wiste wel
1033	Hymself what that he wolde answere, yet ne
1033	Wolde he nat answere sodeynly, but he wolde
1033	Have deliberacion, and in the ground he wroot
1034	Twies. And thise causes weaxen deliberacioun,
1034	and we shal thanne, by the grace of
1034	God, conseille thee thyng that shal be profitable.
1035	n=11035>Up stirten thanne the yonge folk atones, and
1035	The mooste partie of that compaignye han
1035	Scorned this olde wise man, and bigonnen
1036	to make noyse, and seyden that
1036	Right so as, whil that iren is hoot, men
1036	Sholden smyte, right so men sholde wreken hir
1036	Wronges whil that they been fresshe and newe;
1036	And with loud voys they criden werre!
1037	Werre!
1037	Up roos tho oon of thise olde wise, and with
1037	His hand made contenaunce that men sholde
1038	Holden hem stille and yeven hym audience.
1038	Lordynges, quod he, ther is ful many a man
1038	That crieth – werre! werre! – that woot ful litel
1039	What werre amounteth. Werre at his bigynnyng
1039	hath so greet an entryng and so large, that
1039	Every wight may entre whan hym liketh, and
1040	Lightly fynde werre; but certes what ende
1040	That shal therof bifalle, it is nat light to
1041	Knowe. For soothly, whan that werre is
1041	Ones bigonne, ther is ful many a child
1041	Unborn of his mooder that shal sterve yong by
1041	Cause of thilke werre, or elles lyve in sorwe and
1042	Dye in wrecchednesse. And therfore, er that
1042	Any werre bigynne, men moste have greet conseil
1043	and greet deliberacion. And whan this
1043	Olde man wende to enforcen his tale by resons,
1043	Wel ny alle atones bigonne they to rise for to
1043	Breken his tale, and beden hym ful ofte his
1044	Wordes for to abregge. For soothly, he that
1044	Precheth to hem that listen nat heeren his
1045	Wordes, his sermon hem anoieth. For jhesus
1045	Syrak seith that musik in wepynge ia a noyous
1045	Thyng; this is to seyn: as muche availleth to
1045	Speken bifore folk to which his speche anoyeth,
1045	as it is to synge biforn hym that
1046	Wepeth. And whan this wise man
1046	Saugh that hym wanted audience, al
1047	Shamefast he sette hym doun agayn. For
1047	Salomon seith: ther as thou ne mayst have
1048	Noon audience, enforce thee nat to speke.
1048	I see wel, quod this wise man, that the commune
1048	proverbe is sooth, that – good conseil
1049	Wanteth whan it is moost nede. –
1049	Yet hadde this melibeus in his conseil many
1049	Folk that prively in his eere conseilled hym
1049	Certeyn thyng, and conseilled hym the contrarie
1050	in general audience.
1050	Whan melibeus hadde herd that the gretteste
1050	partie of his conseil weren accorded that
1050	He sholde maken werre, anoon he consented to
1050	Hir conseillyng, and fully affermed hire
1051	Sentence. Thanne dame prudence,
1051	Whan that she saugh how that hir
1051	Housbonde shoop hym for to wreken hym on
1051	His foes, and to bigynne werre, she in ful humble
1051	wise, whan she saugh hir tyme, seide to
1052	Hym thise wordes: my lord, quod she, I
1052	Yow biseche as hertely as I dar and kan, ne
1052	Haste yow nat to faste, and for alle gerdons, as
1053	Yeveth me audience. For piers alfonce seith,
1053	– whoso that dooth to thee oother good or harm,
1053	Haste thee nat to quiten it; for in this wise thy
1053	Freend wole abyde, and thyn anemy shal the
1054	Lenger lyve in drede. – the proverbe seith, – he
1054	Hasteth wel that wisely kan abyde, – and in
1055	Wikked haste is no profit.
1055	This melibee answerde unto his wyf prudence:
1055	I purpose nat, quod he, to werke by
1055	Thy conseil, for many causes and resouns.
1055	For certes, every wight wolde holde me
1056	Thanne a fool; this is to seyn, if I, for
1056	Thy conseillyng, wolde chaungen thynges
1056	That been ordeyned and affermed by so manye
1057	Wyse. Secoundely, I seye that alle wommen
1057	Been wikke, and noon good of hem alle. For – of
1057	A thousand men, – seith salomon, – I foond o
1057	Good man, but certes, of alle wommen, good
1058	Womman foond I nevere.– and also, certes,
1058	If I governed me by thy conseil, it sholde
1058	Seme that I hadde yeve to thee over me
1058	The maistrie; and God forbede that it so
1059	Weere! for jhesus syrak seith that – if the
1059	Wyf have maistrie, she is contrarious to hir
1060	Housbonde. – and salomon seith: – nevere in
1060	Thy lyf to thy wyf, ne to thy child, ne to
1060	Thy freend, ne yeve no power over thy-
1060	Self; for bettre it were that thy children aske
1060	Of thy persone thynges that hem nedeth, than
1060	Thou see thyself in the handes of thy
1061	Children. – and also if I wolde werke
1061	By thy conseillyng, certes, my conseil
1061	Moste som tyme be secree, til it were tyme
1061	That it moste be knowe, and this ne may noght
1062	Be. (car il est escript, la genglerie des
1062	Femmes ne puet riens celler fors ce qu' elle ne
1063	Scet. Apres, le philosophre dit, en mauvais
1063	Conseil les femmes vainquent les hommes: et
1063	Par ces raisons je ne dois point user de ton conseil.)
1064	n=11064>Whanne dame prudence, ful debonairly and
1064	With greet pacience, hadde herd al that hir
1064	Housbonde liked for to seye, thanne axed she
1064	Of hym licence for to speke, and seyde in this
1065	Wise: my lord, quod she, as to youre firste
1065	Resoun, certes it may lightly been answered.
1065	For I seye that it is no folie to chaunge conseil
1065	Whan the thyng is chaunged, or elles whan
1065	The thyng semeth ootherweyes than it
1066	Was biforn. And mooreover, I seye
1066	That though ye han sworn and bihight
1066	To perfourne youre emprise, and nathelees ye
1066	Weyve to perfourne thilke same emprise by
1066	Juste cause, men sholde nat seyn therfore that
1067	Ye were a liere ne forsworn. For the book
1067	Seith that – the wise man maketh no lesyng
1068	Whan he turneth his corage to the bettre. –
1068	And al be it so that youre emprise be establissed
1068	and ordeyned by greet multitude of folk,
1068	Yet that ye nat accomplice thilke ordinaunce,
1069	But yow like. For the trouthe of thynges and
1069	The profit been rather founden in fewe folk that
1069	Been wise and ful of resoun, than by greet multitude
1069	of folk ther every man crieth and clatereth
1069	what that hym liketh. Soothly swich multitude
1070	is nat hones. And as to the seconde
1070	Resoun, where as ye seyn that alle wommen
1070	Been wikke; save youre grace, certes ye despisen
1070	alle wommen in this wyse, and – he that
1070	Al despiseth, al displeseth, – as seith the
1071	Book. And senec seith that – whose
1071	Wole have sapience shal no man dispreyse,
1071	but he shal gladly techen the science
1072	That he kan withouten presumpcion or pride,
1072	And swiche thynges as he noght ne kan, he
1072	Shal nat been ashamed to lerne hem, and enquere
1073	of lasse folk than hymself. – and, sire,
1073	That ther hath been many a good womman,
1074	May lightly be preved. For certes, sire, oure
1074	Lord jhesu crist wolde nevere have descended
1074	To be born of a womman, if alle wommen hadden
1075	been wikke. And after that, for the grete
1075	Bountee that is in wommen, oure lord jhesu
1075	Crist, whan he was risen fro deeth to lyve,
1075	Appeered rather to a womman than to
1076	His apostles. And though that salomon
1076	seith that he ne foond nevere womman
1076	good, it folweth nat therfore that alle wommen
1077	ben wikke. For though that he ne foond
1077	No good womman, certes, many another man
1077	Hath founden many a womman ful good and
1078	Trewe. Or elles, per aventure, the entente of
1078	Salomon was this, that, as in sovereyn bounte,
1079	He foond no womman; this is to seyn, that ther
1079	Is no wight that hath sovereyn bountee save
1079	God allone, as he hymself recordeth in hys
1080	Evaungelie. For ther nys no creature so good
1080	That hym ne wanteth somwhat of the
1081	Perfeccioun of god, that is his makere.
1081	Youre thridde reson is this: ye seyn that
1081	If ye governe yow by my conseil, it sholde
1081	Seme that ye hadde yeve me the maistrie and
1082	The lordshipe over youre persone. Sire, save
1082	Youre grace, it is nat so. For if it so were that
1082	No man sholde be conseilled but oonly of hem
1082	That hadden lordshipe and maistrie of his persone,
1083	men wolden nat be conseilled so ofte.
1083	For soothly thilke man that asketh conseil of
1083	A purpos, yet hath he free choys wheither he
1084	Wole werke by that conseil or noon. And as
1084	To youre fourthe resoun, ther ye seyn that the
1084	Janglerie of wommen kan hyde thynges that
1084	They wot noght, as who seith that a womman
1085	Kan nat hyde that she woot; sire, thise wordes
1085	Been understonde of wommen that been
1086	Jangleresses and wikked; of whiche
1086	Wommen men seyn that thre thynges
1086	Dryven a man out of his hous, – that is to seyn,
1087	Smoke, droppyng of reyn, and wikked wyves,
1087	And of swiche wommen seith salomon that – it
1087	Were bettre dwelle in desert than with a woman
1088	that is riotous. – and sire, by youre leve,
1089	That am nat I; for ye han ful ofte assayed my
1089	Grete silence and my grete pacience, and eek
1089	How wel that I kan hyde and hele thynges that
1090	Men oghte secreely to hyde. And soothly, as
1090	To youre fifthe resoun, where as ye seyn that
1090	In wikked conseil wommen venquisshe men,
1090	God woot, thilke resoun stant heere in
1091	No stede. For understoond now, ye
1092	Asken conseil to do wikkednesse; and if
1092	Ye wole werken wikkednesse, and youre wif
1092	Restreyneth thilke wikked purpos, and overcometh
1093	yow by reson and by good conseil,
1093	Certes youre wyf oghte rather to be preised
1094	Than yblamed. Thus sholde ye understonde
1094	The philosophre that seith, – in wikked conseil
1095	Wommen venquisshen hir housbondes. – and
1095	Ther as ye blamen alle wommen and hir resouns,
1095	I shal shewe yow by manye ensamples
1095	That many a womman hath ben ful good, and
1095	Yet been, and hir conseils ful hoolsome
1096	And profitable. Eek som men han seyd
1096	That the conseillynge of wommen is
1097	Outher to deere, or elles to litel of pris. But al
1097	Be it so that ful many a womman is badde, and
1097	Hir conseil vile and noght worth, yet han men
1097	Founde ful many a good womman, and ful discret
1098	and wis in conseillynge. Loo, jacob, by
1098	Good conseil of his mooder rebekka, wan the
1098	Benysoun of ysaak his fader, and the lordshipe
1099	Over alle his bretheren. Judith, by hire good
1099	Conseil, delivered the citee of bethulie, in
1099	Which she dwelled, out of the handes of olofernus,
1099	that hadde it biseged and wolde have al
1100	Destroyed it. Abygail delivered nabal hir
1100	Housbonde fro david the kyng, that wolde
1100	Have slayn hym, and apaysed the ire of the
1100	Kyng by hir wit and by hir good conseillyng.
1101	hester, by hir good conseil,
1101	Enhaunced greetly the peple of God in
1102	The regne of assuerus the kyng. And the
1102	Same bountee in good conseillyng of many a
1103	Good womman may men telle. And mooreover,
1103	Whan oure lord hadde creat adam, oure
1104	Forme fader, he seyde in this wise: – it is nat
1104	Good to been a man alloone; make we to
1105	Hym an helpe semblable to hymself. – heere
1105	May ye se that if that wommen were nat
1105	Goode, and hir conseils goode and profitable,
1106	oure lord God of hevene wolde
1106	Nevere han wroght hem, ne called hem
1107	Help of man, but rather confusioun of man.
1107	And ther seyde oones a clerk in two vers,
1107	– What is bettre than gold? jaspre. What is
1108	Bettre than jaspre? wisedoom. And what is
1108	Better than wisedoom? womman. And what is
1109	Bettre than a good womman? nothyng. – and,
1109	Sire, by manye of othre resons may ye seen
1109	That manye wommen been goode, and hir
1110	Conseils goode and profitable. And therfore,
1110	sire, if ye wol triste to my conseil, I shal
1110	Restoore yow youre doghter hool and
1111	Sound. And eek I wol do to yow so
1111	Muche that ye shul have honour in this
1112	Cause.
1112	Whan melibee hadde herd the wordes of his
1113	Wyf prudence, he seyde thus: I se wel that
1113	The word of salomon is sooth. He seith that
1113	– Wordes that been spoken discreetly by ordinaunce
1113	been honycombes, for they yeven swetnesse
1113	to the soule and hoolsomnesse to the
1114	Body. – and, wyf, by cause of thy sweete
1114	Wordes, and eek for I have assayed and preved
1114	Thy grete sapience and thy grete trouthe, I wol
1115	Governe me by thy conseil in alle thyng.
1115	Now, sire, quod dame prudence, and syn
1115	Ye vouche sauf to been governed by my conseil,
1115	I wol enforme yow how ye shul governe
1115	Yourself in chesynge of youre conseillours.
1116	ye shul first in alle youre werkes
1116	Mekely biseken to the heighe God that
1117	He wol be youre conseillour; and shapeth yow
1117	To swich entente that he yeve yow conseil and
1118	Confort, as taughte thobie his sone: – at alle
1118	Tymes thou shalt blesse god, and praye hym
1118	To dresse thy weyes, and looke that alle thy
1119	Conseils been in hym for everemoore. – seint
1119	Jame eek seith: – if any of yow have nede of
1120	Sapience, axe it of god. – and afterward
1120	Thanne shul ye taken conseil in youreself, and
1120	Examyne wel youre thoghtes of swich thyng
1120	As yow thynketh that is bes for youre
1121	Profit. And thanne shul ye dryve fro
1121	Youre herte thre thynges that been contrariouse
1122	to good conseil; that is to seyn, ire,
1123	Coveitise, and hastifnesse.
1123	First, he that axeth conseil of hymself, certes
1123	He moste been withouten ire, for manye
1124	Causes. The firste is this: he that hath greet
1124	Ire and wratthe in hymself, he weneth alwey
1125	That he may do thyng that he may nat do.
1125	And secoundely, he that is irous and
1126	Wrooth, he ne may nat wel deme; and
1126	He that may nat wel deme, may nat wel
1127	Conseille. The thridde is this, that he that is
1127	Irous and wrooth, as seith senec, ne may nat
1128	Speke but blameful thynges, and with his
1128	Viciouse wordes he stireth oother folk to angre
1129	And to ire. And eek, sire, ye moste dryve
1130	Coveitise out of youre herte. For the aposthe
1130	seith that coveitise is roote of alle
1131	Harmes. And trust wel that a coveitous
1131	Man ne kan noght deme ne thynke, but
1132	Oonly to fulfille the ende of his coveitise; and
1132	Certes, that ne may nevere been accompliced;
1132	For evere the moore habundaunce that he hath
1133	Of richesse, the moore he desireth. And, sire,
1133	Ye moste also dryve out of youre herte hastifnesse;
1134	for certes, ye ne may nat deeme for
1134	The beste by a sodeyn thought that falleth in
1134	Youre herte, but ye moste avyse yow on it
1135	Ful ofte. For, as ye herde her biforn, the
1135	Commune proverbe is this, that – he that
1136	Soone deemeth, soone repenteth. – sire,
1137	Ye ne be nat alwey in lyk disposicioun;
1137	For certes, somthyng that somtyme semeth to
1137	Yow that it is good for to do, another tyme it
1138	Semeth to yow the contrarie.
1138	Whan ye han taken conseil in youreself, and
1138	Han deemed by good deliberacion swich thyng
1139	As yow semeth bes, thanne rede I yow that
1140	Ye kepe it secree. Biwrey nat youre conseil
1140	To no persone, but if so be that ye wenen
1140	Sikerly that thurgh youre biwreyyng youre
1140	Condicioun shal be to yow the moore profitable.
1141	for jhesus syrak seith, – neither
1141	To thy foo, ne to thy frend, discovere nat
1142	Thy secree ne thy folie; for they wol yeve yow
1142	Audience and lookynge and supportacioun in
1142	Thy presence, and scorne thee in thyn absence.
1143	– another clerk seith that – scarsly
1143	Shaltou fynden any persone that may kepe conseil
1144	secrely. – the book seith, – whil that thou
1144	Kepest thy conseil in thyn herte, thou kepest
1145	It in thy prisoun; and whan thou biwreyest
1145	Thy conseil to any wight, he holdeth
1146	Thee in his snare. – and therfore yow
1146	Is bettre to hyde youre conseil in youre
1146	Herte than praye him to whom ye han biwreyed
1146	Youre conseil that he wole kepen it cloos and
1147	Stille. For seneca seith: – if so be that thou
1147	Ne mayst nat thyn owene conseil hyde, how
1147	Darstou prayen any oother wight thy conseil
1148	Secrely to kepe? – but nathelees, if thou wene
1148	Sikerly that the biwreiyng of thy conseil to a
1148	Persone wol make thy condicion to stonden in
1148	The bettre plyt, thanne shaltou tellen hym thy
1149	Conseil in this wise. First thou shalt make no
1149	Semblant wheither thee were levere pees or
1149	Werre, or this or that, ne shewe hym nat thy
1150	Wille and thyn entente. for trust wel that
1150	Comunli thise conseillours been flatereres,
1151	namely the conseillours of grete
1152	Lordes; for they enforcen hem alwey
1152	Rather to speken plesante wordes, enclynynge
1152	To the lordes lust, than wordes that been trewe
1153	Or profitable. And therfore men seyn that the
1153	Riche man hath seeld good conseil, but if he
1154	Have it of hymself.
1154	And after that thou shalt considere thy
1155	Freendes and thyne enemys. And as touchynge
1155	thy freendes, thou shalt considere which
1155	Of hem been moost feithful and moost wise
1155	And eldest and most approved in conseillyng;
1156	and of hem shalt thou aske
1157	Thy conseil, as the caas requireth. I
1157	Seye that first ye shul clepe to youre conseil
1158	Youre freendes that been trewe. For salomon
1158	Seith that – right as the herte of a man deliteth in
1158	Savour that is soote, right so the conseil of trewe
1159	Freendes yeveth swetnesse to the soule – he
1159	Seith also, – ther may no thyng be likned to the
1160	Trewe freend; for certes gold ne silver ben nat
1160	So muche worth as the goode wyl of a
1161	Trewe freend. – and eek he seith that
1161	– A trewe freend is a strong deffense;
1161	Who so that it fyndeth, certes he fyndeth a
1162	Greet tresour. – thanne shul ye eek considere
1162	If that youre trewe freendes been discrete and
1162	Wise. For the book seith, – axe alwey thy conseil
1163	of hem that been wise. – and by this same
1163	Resoun shul ye clepen to youre conseil of youre
1163	Freendes that been of age, swiche as han seyn
1163	And been expert in manye thynges and been
1164	Approved in conseillynges. For the book seith
1164	That – in olde men is the sapience, and in longe
1165	Tyme the prudence. – and tullius seith that
1165	– Grete thynges ne been nat ay accompliced by
1165	Strengthe, ne by delivernesse of body, but by
1165	Good conseil, by auctoritee of persones, and by
1165	Science; the whiche thre thynges ne been nat
1165	Fieble by age, but certes they enforcen
1166	And encreescen day by day. – and
1166	Thanne shul ye kepe this for a general
1166	Reule: first shul ye clepen to youre conseil a
1167	Fewe of youre freendes that been especiale;
1167	For salomon seith, – manye freendes have thou,
1167	But among a thousand chese thee oon to be
1168	Thy conseillour. – for al be it so that thou first
1168	Ne telle thy conseil but to a fewe, thou mayst
1169	Afterward telle it to mo folk if it be nede. But
1169	Looke alwey that thy conseillours have thilke
1169	Thre condiciouns that I have seyd bifore, that
1169	Is to seyn, that they be trewe, wise, and of
1170	Oold experience. And werke nat alwey in
1170	Every nede by oon counseillour allone; for somtyme
1170	bihooveth it to been conseilled by
1171	Manye. For salomon seith, – salvacion
1171	Of thynges is where as ther been manye
1172	Conseillours. –
1172	Now, sith that I have toold yow of which
1172	Folk ye sholde been conseilled, now wol I
1173	Teche yow which conseil ye oghte to eschewe.
1173	First, ye shul eschue the conseillyng of fooles;
1173	For salomon seith, – taak no conseil of a fool,
1173	For he ne kan noght conseille but after his
1174	Owene lust and his affeccioun. – the book
1174	Seith that – the propretee of a fool is this: he
1174	Troweth lightly harm of every wight, and lightly
1175	Troweth alle bountee in hymself. – thou shalt
1175	Eek eschue the conseillyng of alle flatereres,
1175	Swiche as enforcen hem rather to preise youre
1175	Persone by flaterye than for to telle yow
1176	The soothfastnesse of thynges. Wherfore
1176	tullius seith, – amonges alle the
1176	Pestilences that been in freendshipe the gretteste
1176	is flaterie. – and therfore is it moore nede
1176	That thou eschue and drede flatereres than any
1177	Oother peple. The book seith, – thou shalt
1177	Rather drede and flee fro the sweete wordes of
1177	Flaterynge preiseres than fro the egre wordes
1178	Of thy freend that seith thee thy sothes. – salomon
1178	seith that – the wordes of a flaterere is a
1179	Snare to cacche with innocentz. – he seith also
1179	That – he that speketh to his freend wordes of
1179	Swetnesse and of plesaunce, setteth a net biforn
1180	his feet to cacche hym. – and therfore
1180	Seith tullius, – enclyne nat thyne eres to flatereres,
1180	ne taak no conseil of the wordes
1181	Of flaterye. – and caton seith, – avyse
1181	Thee wel, and eschue the wordes of swetnesse
1182	and of plesaunce. – and eek thou shalt
1182	Eschue the conseillyng of thyne olde enemys
1183	That been reconsiled. The book seith that – no
1183	Wight retourneth saufly into the grace of his
1184	Olde enemy. – and isope seith, – ne trust nat
1184	To hem to whiche thou hast had som tyme
1184	Werre or enemytee, ne telle hem nat thy
1185	Conseil. – and seneca telleth the cause why:
1185	– it may nat be. – seith he, – that where greet
1185	Fyr hath longe tyme endured, that ther
1185	Ne dwelleth som vapour of warmness.
1186	– and therfore seith salomon, – in
1187	Thyn olde foo trust nevere. – for sikerly,
1187	Though thyn enemy be reconsiled, and maketh
1187	thee chiere of hymylitee, and lowteth to
1188	Thee with his heed, ne trust hym nevere. For
1188	Certes he maketh thilke feyned humilitee moore
1188	For his profit than for any love of thy persone,
1188	By cause that he deemeth to have victorie over
1188	Thy persone by swich feyned contenance, the
1188	Which victorie he myghte nat have by strif or
1189	Werre. And peter alfonce seith, – make no
1189	Felawshipe with thyne olde enemys; for if thou
1189	Do hem bountee, they wol perverten it into
1190	Wikkednesse. – and eek thou most eschue
1190	The conseillyng of hem that been thy servantz
1190	and beren thee greet reverence, for
1190	Peraventure they seyn it moore for drede
1191	Than for love. And therfore seith a philosophre
1191	in this wise: ther is no wight
1191	Parfitly trewe to hym that he to soore dredeth.
1192	– and tullius seith, ther nys no myght
1192	So greet of any emperour that longe may endure,
1192	but if he have moore love of the peple
1193	Than drede. – thou shalt also eschue the conseiling
1193	of folk that been dronkelewe, for they
1194	Ne kan no conseil hyde. For salomon seith,
1194	– ther is no privetee ther as regneth dronkenesse.
1195	– ye shul also han in suspect the conseillyng
1195	of swich folk as conseille yow o thyng
1195	Prively, and conseille yow the contrarie
1196	Openly. For cassidorie seith that – it
1196	Is a manere sleighte to hyndre, whan he
1196	Sheweth to doon o thyng openly and werketh
1197	Prively the contrarie. – thou shalt also have
1197	In suspect the conseillyng of wikked folk, for
1197	The book seith, – the conseillyng of wikked folk
1198	Is alwey ful of fraude. – and david seith, – blisful
1198	is that man that hath nat folwed the con –
1199	Seilyng of shrewes. – thou shalt also eschue
1199	The conseillyng of yong folk, for hir conseil is
1200	Nat rype.
1200	Now, sire, sith I have shewed yow of
1200	Which folk ye shul take youre conseil, and of
1200	Which folk ye shul folwe the conseil,
1201	now wol I teche yow how ye shal
1201	Examyne youre conseil, after the doctrine
1202	of tullius. In the examynynge thanne
1202	Of youre conseillour ye shul considere manye
1203	Thynges. Alderfirst thou shalt considere that
1203	In thilke thyng that thou purposest, and upon
1203	What thyng thou wolt have conseil, that verray
1203	Trouthe be seyd and conserved; this is to seyn,
1204	Telle trewely thy tale. For he that seith fals
1204	May nat wel be conseilled in that cas of which
1205	He lieth. And after this thou shalt considere the
1205	Thynges that acorden to that thou purposest for
1205	To do by thy conseillours, if resoun accorde
1206	therto; and eek if thy myhgt may
1206	Atteine therto; and if the moore part and
1206	The bettre part of thy conseillours acorde therto,
1207	Or noon. Thanne shaltou considere what
1207	Thyng shal folwe of that conseillyng, as hate,
1207	Pees, werre, grace, profit, or damage, and
1208	Manye othere thynges. And in alle thise
1208	Thynges thou shalt chese the beste, and weyve
1209	Alle othere thynges. Thanne shaltow considere
1209	of what roote is engendred the matiere of
1209	Thy conseil, and what fruyt it may conceyve
1210	And engendre. Thou shalt eek considere
1210	Alle thise causes, fro whennes they been
1211	Sprongen. And whan ye han examyned
1211	youre conseil, as I have seyd, and
1211	Which partie is the bettre and moore profitable,
1211	and han approved it by manye wise folk
1212	And olde, thanne shaltou considere if thou
1212	Mayst parfourne it and maken of it a good
1213	Ende. For certes, resoun wol nat that any
1213	Man sholde bigynne a thyng, but if he myghte
1214	Parfourne it as hym oghte; ne no wight sholde
1214	Take upon hym so hevy a charge that he
1215	Myghte nat bere it. For the proverbe seith,
1215	– he that to muche embraceth, distreyneth
1216	litel. – and catoun seith, – assay
1216	To do swich thyng as thou hast power to
1216	Doon, lest that the charge oppresse thee so
1216	Soore that thee bihoveth to weyve thyng that
1217	Thou hast bigonne. – and if so be that thou
1217	Be in doute wheither thou mayst parfourne a
1217	Thing or noon, chese rather to suffre than bigynne.
1218	and piers alphonce seith, – if thou hast
1218	Myght to doon a thyng of which thou most
1219	Repente, it is bettre nay than ye. – this is
1219	To seyn, that thee is bettre holde thy tonge
1220	Stille than for to speke. Thanne may ye understonde
1220	by strenger resons that if thou hast
1220	Power to parfourne a werk of which thou shalt
1220	Repente, thanne is it bettre that thou suffre
1221	than bigynne. Wel seyn they that
1221	Defenden every wight to assaye a thyng
1221	Of which he is in doute wheither he may parfourne
1222	it or noon. And after, whan ye han
1222	Examyned youre conseil, as I have seyd biforn,
1222	And knowen wel that ye may parfourne youre
1222	Emprise, conferme it thanne sadly til it be at
1223	And ende.
1223	Now is it resoun and tyme that I shewe yow
1223	Whanne and wherfore that ye may chaunge
1224	Youre conseillours withouten youre repreve.
1224	Soothly, a man may chaungen his purpos and
1224	His conseil if the cause cesseth, or whan a newe
1225	Caas bitydeth. For the lawe seith that – upon
1225	Thynges that newely bityden bihoveth
1226	Newe conseil. – and senec seith, – if thy
1226	Conseil is comen to the eeris of thyn enemy,
1227	chaunge thy conseil. – thou matst also
1227	Chaunge thy conseil if so be that thou fynde
1227	That by errour, or by oother cause, harm or
1228	Damage may bityde. Also if thy conseil be
1228	Dishonest, or ellis cometh of dishonest cause,
1229	Chaunge thy conseil. For the lawes seyn that
1229	– alle bihestes that been dishoneste been of no
1230	Value – ; and eek if so be that it be inpossible,
1230	or may nat goodly be parfourned
1231	Or kept.
1231	And take this for a general reule, that
1231	Every conseil that is affermed so strongly that
1231	It may nat be chaunged for no condicioun that
1231	May bityde, I seye that thilke conseil is wikked.
1232	n=11232>This melibeus, whanne he hadde herd the
1232	Doctrine of his wyf dame prudence, answerde
1233	In this wyse: dame, quod he, as yet into
1233	This tyme ye han wel and covenably taught me
1233	As in general, how I shal governe me in the
1233	Chesynge and in the withholdynge of my conseillours.
1234	but now wolde I fayn that ye wolde
1235	Condescende in especial, and telle me how liketh
1235	yow, or what semeth yow, by oure conseillours
1235	that we han chosen in oure present
1236	nede.
1236	My lord, quod she, I biseke yow in al
1236	Humblesse that ye wol nat wilfully replie agayn
1236	My resouns, ne distempre youre herte, thogh I
1237	Speke thyng that yow displese. For God woot
1237	That, as in myn entente, I speke it for youre
1237	Beste, for youre honour, and for youre profite
1238	Eke. And soothly, I hope that youre benyngnytee
1239	wol taken it in pacience. Trusteth me
1239	Wel, quod she, that youre conseil as in this
1239	Caas ne sholde nat, as to speke properly, be
1239	Called a conseillyng, but a mocioun or a moevyng
1240	of folye, in which conseil ye han
1241	Erred in many a sondry wise.
1241	First and forward, ye han erred in
1242	Th' assemblynge of youre conseillours. For ye
1242	Sholde first have cleped a fewe folk to youre
1242	Conseil, and after ye myghte han shewed it
1243	To mo folk, if it hadde been nede. But certes,
1243	Ye han sodeynly cleped to youre conseil a greet
1243	Multitude of peple, ful chargeant and ful anoyous
1244	for to heere. Also ye han erred, for theras
1244	Ye sholden oonly have cleped to youre conseil
1245	Youre trewe frendes olde and wise. Ye han
1245	Ycleped straunge folk, yonge folk, false flatereres,
1245	And enemys reconsiled, and folk that
1246	Doon yow reverence withouten love.
1246	And ekk also ye have erred, for ye han
1246	Broght with yow to youre conseil ire, coveitise,
1247	And hastifnesse, the whiche thre thinges been
1247	Contrariouse to every conseil honest and profitable;
1248	the whiche thre thinges ye han nat
1248	Anientissed or destroyed hem, neither in youreself,
1249	ne in youre conseillours, as yow oghte.
1249	Ye han erred also, for ye han shewed to youre
1249	Conseillours youre talent and youre affeccioun
1250	To make werre anon, and for to do vengeance.
1250	They han espied by youre wordes to
1251	What thyng ye been enclyned; and
1251	Therfore han they rather conseilled
1252	Yow to youre talent that to youre profit.
1252	Ye han erred also, for it semeth that yow
1252	Suffiseth to han been conseilled by thise
1253	Conseillours oonly, and with litel avys,
1253	Whereas in so greet and so heigh a nede
1253	It hadde been necessarie mo conseillours
1253	And moore deliberacion to parfourne youre emprise.
1254	ye han erred also, for ye ne han nat
1254	Examyned youre conseil in the forseyde manere,
1255	ne in due manere, as the caas requireth.
1255	Ye han erred also, for ye han maked no division
1255	bitwixe youre conseillours; this is to
1255	Seyn, bitwixen youre trewe freendes and
1256	Youre feyned conseillours; ne ye han
1256	Nat knowe the wil of youre trewe
1257	Freendes olde and wise; but ye han cast alle
1257	Hire wordes in an hochepot, and enclyned
1257	Youre herte to the moore part and to the gretter
1258	Nombre, and there been ye condescended.
1258	And sith ye woot wel that men shal alwey
1258	Fynde a gretter nombre of fooles than of wise
1259	Men, and therfore the conseils that been at
1259	Congregaciouns and multitudes of folk, there as
1259	Men take moore reward to the nombre than to
1260	The sapience of persones, ye se wel that in
1260	Swiche conseillynges fooles han the maistrie.
1261	Melibeus answerde agayn, and seyde,
1262	I graunte wel that I have erred; but there
1262	As thou hast toold me heerbiforn that he nys
1262	Nat to blame that chaungeth his conseillours in
1263	Certein caas and for certeine juste causes, I am
1263	Al redy to chaunge my conseillours right as thow
1264	Wolt devyse. The proverbe seith that – for
1264	To do synne is mannyssh, but certes for to persevere
1265	longe in synne is werk of the devel. –
1265	To this sentence answered anon dame
1266	Prudence, and seyde: examineth,
1266	Quod she, youre conseil, and lat us see
1266	The whiche of hem han spoken most resonably
1267	And taught yow best conseil. And for as
1267	Muche as that the examynacion is necessarie,
1267	Lat us bigynne at the surgiens and at the phisiciens,
1268	that first speeken in this matiere. I sey
1268	Yow that the surgiens and phisiciens han
1268	Seyd yow in youre conseil discreetly, as hem
1269	Oughte; and in hir speche seyden ful wisely
1269	That to the office of hem aperteneth to doon to
1269	Every wight honour and profit, and no wight
1270	For to anoye; and after hir craft to doon greet
1270	Diligence unto the cure of hem which
1271	That they han in hir governaunce.
1271	And, sire, right as they han answered
1272	Wisely and discreetly, right so rede I that they
1272	Been heighly and sovereynly gerdoned for hir
1273	Noble speche; and eek for they sholde do the
1273	Moore ententif bisynesse in the curacion of
1274	Youre doghter deere. For al be it so that they
1274	Been youre freendes, therfore shal ye nat suffren
1275	that they serve yow for noght, but ye
1275	Oghte the rather gerdone hem and shewe
1276	Hem youre largesse. And as touchynge
1276	The proposicioun which that the phisiciens
1277	encreesceden in this caas, this is to seyn.
1277	That in maladies that oon contrarie is warisshed
1278	By another contrarie, I wolde fayn knowe hou
1278	Ye understonde thilke text, and what is youre
1279	Sentence.
1279	Certes, quod melibeus, I understonde
1280	It in this wise: that right as they han
1280	Doon me a contrarie, right so sholde I
1281	Doon hem another. For right as they
1281	Han venged hem on me and doon me wrong,
1281	Right so shal I venge me upon hem and doon
1282	Hem wrong; and thanne have I cured oon contrarie
1283	by another.
1283	Lo, lo, quod dame prudence, how lightly
1283	Is every man enclined to his owene desir and
1284	To his owene plesaunce! certes, quod she,
1284	The wordes of the phisiciens ne sholde nat
1285	Han been understonden in thys wise. For
1285	Certes, wikkednesse is nat contrarie to wikkednesse,
1285	ne vengeance to vengeaunce, ne
1285	Wrong to wrong, but they been semblable.
1286	and therfore o vengeaucne is
1286	Nat warisshed by another vengeaunce,
1287	Ne o wroong by another wroong, but everich
1288	Of hem encreesceth and aggreggeth oother.
1288	But certes, the wordes of the phisiciens sholde
1289	Been understonden in this wise: for dood and
1289	Wikkednesse been two contraries, and pees and
1289	Werre, vengeaunce and suffraunce, discord and
1290	Accord, and manye othere thynges. But certes,
1290	Wikkednesse shal be warisshed by goodnesse,
1290	Discord by accord, werre by pees, and
1291	So forth of othere thynges. And heerto
1291	Accordeth seint paul the apostle in
1292	Manye places. He seith: – ne yeldeth nat
1292	Harm for harm, ne wikked speche for wikked
1293	Speche; but do wel to hym that dooth thee
1294	Harm, and blesse hym that seith to thee harm.
1294	And in manye othere places he amonesteth pees
1295	And accord. But now wol I speke to yow of
1295	The conseil which that was yeven to yow
1295	By the men of lawe and the wise
1296	Folk, that seyden alle by oon accord,
1297	As ye han herd bifore, that over alle
1297	Thynges ye shal doon youre diligence to kepen
1297	Youre persone and to warnestoore youre hous;
1297	And seyden also that in this caas yow oghten
1297	For to werken ful avysely and with greet deliberacioun.
1298	and, sire, as to the firste point, that
1299	Toucheth to the kepyng of youre persone, ye
1299	Shul understonde that he that hath werre
1299	Shal everemoore mekely and devoutly
1300	Preyen, biforn alle thynges, that jhesus
1300	Crist of his mercy wol han hym in his
1300	Proteccion and been his sovereyn helpyng at
1301	His nede. For certes, in this world ther is no
1301	Wight that may be conseilled ne kept sufficeantly
1301	Withouten the kepyng of oure lord jhesu
1302	Crist. To this sentence accordeth the prophete
1303	david, that seith, – if God ne kepe the
1304	Citee, in ydel waketh he that it kepeth. –
1304	Now, sire, thanne shul ye committe the kepyng
1304	of youre persone to youre trewe freendes,
1305	That been approved and yknowe, and
1305	Of hem shul ye axen help youre persone
1305	For to kepe. For catoun seith: – if thou hast
1306	Nede of help, axe it of thy freendes; for ther
1306	Nys noon so good a phisicien as thy trewe
1307	Freend. – and after this thanne shul ye kepe
1307	Yow fro alle straunge folk, and fro lyeres, and
1308	Have alwey in suspect hire compaignye. For
1308	Piers alfonce seith, – ne taak no compaignye by
1308	The weye of a straunge man, but if so be that
1309	Thou have knowe hym of a lenger tyme. And
1309	If so be that he falle into thy compaignye
1310	Paraventure, withouten thyn assent, enquere
1310	thanne as subtilly as thou mayst of
1310	His conversacion, and of his lyf bifore, and feyne
1310	Thy wey; seye that thou wolt thider as thou
1311	Wolt nat go; and if he bereth a spere, hoold
1311	Thee on the right syde, and if he bere a swerd,
1312	Hoold thee on the lift syde. – and after this
1312	Thanne shul ye kepe yow wisely from all swich
1312	Manere peple as I have seyd bifore, and hem
1313	And hir conseil eschewe. And after this
1314	Thanne shul ye kepe yow in swich manere
1314	That, for any presumpcion of youre strengthe,
1314	That ye ne dispise nat, ne accompte nat the
1314	Myght of youre adversarie so litel, that ye lete
1314	The kepyng of youre persone for youre
1315	Presumpcioun; for every wys man
1316	Dredeth his enemy. And salomon
1317	Seith: – weleful is he that of alle hath drede;
1317	For certes, he that thurgh the hardynesse of
1317	His herte, and thurgh the hardynesse of
1317	Hymself, hath to greet presumpcioun, hym shal
1318	Yvel bityde. – thanne shul ye everemoore contrewayte
1319	embusshementz and alle espiaille.
1319	For senec seith that – the wise man that
1320	Dredeth harmes, eschueth harmes, ne
1320	He ne falleth into perils that perils eschueth.
1321	– and al be it so that it seme that
1321	Thou art in siker place, yet shaltow alwey do
1322	Thy diligence in kepynge of thy persone; this
1322	Is to seyn, ne be nat necligent to kepe thy persone,
1322	nat oonly for thy gretteste enemys, but
1323	Fro thy leeste enemy. Senek seith: – a man
1323	That is well avysed, he dredeth his leste enemy.
1324	– ovyde seith that – the litel wesele
1324	Wol slee the grete bole and the wilde
1325	Hert. – and the book seith, – a litel
1325	Thorn may prikke a kyng ful soore, and
1326	An hound wol holde the wolde boor. – but
1326	Nathelees, I sey nat thou shalt be so coward
1327	That thou doute ther wher as is no drede. The
1327	Book seith that – somme folk han greet lust to
1327	Deceyve, but yet they dreden hem to be deceyved.
1328	– yet shaltou drede to been empoisoned,
1328	and kepe the from the compaignye of
1329	Scorneres. For the book seith, – with scorneres
1329	make no compaignye, but flee hire
1330	Wordes as venym. –
1330	Now, as to the seconde point, where
1330	As youre wise conseillours conseilled yow to
1331	Warnestoore youre hous with gret diligence,
1331	I wolde fayn knowe how that ye understonde
1332	Thilke wordes and what is youre sentence.
1332	Melibeus answerde, and seyde, certes, I understande
1332	it in this wise: that I shal warne –
1332	Stoore myn hous with toures, swiche as han
1332	Castelles and othere manere edifices, and armure,
1333	and artelries; by whiche thynges I may
1333	My persone and myn hous so kepen and deffenden
1333	that myne enemys shul been in drede
1334	Myn hous for to approche.
1334	To this sentence answerde anon prudence:
1334	Warnestooryng, quod she, of heighe toures
1334	And of grete edifices apperteyneth somtyme
1335	to pryde. And eek men make
1335	Heighe toures, and grete edifices with
1335	Grete costages and with greet travaille; and
1335	Whan that they been accompliced, yet be they
1335	Nat worth a stree, but if they be defended by
1336	Trewe freendes that been olde and wise. And
1336	Understoond wel that the gretteste and strongeste
1336	garnysoun that a riche man may have, as
1337	Wel to kepen his persone as his goodes, is
1337	That he be biloved with hys subgetz and with
1338	His neighebores. For thus seith tullius, that
1338	– ther is a manere garnysoun that no man may
1339	Vanquysse ne disconfite, and that is a lord to
1339	Be biloved of his citezeins and of his
1340	Peple. –
1340	Now, sire, as to the thridde point,
1340	Where as youre olde and wise conseillours
1340	Seyden that yow ne oghte nat sodeynly ne
1341	Hastily proceden in this nede, but that yow
1341	Oghte purveyen and apparaillen yow in this caas
1342	With greet diligence and greet deliberacioun;
1342	Trewely, I trowe that they seyden right wisely
1343	And right sooth. For tullius seith: – in every
1343	Nede, er thou bigynne it, apparaille thee with
1344	Greet diligence. – thanne seye I that in vengeance-
1344	takyng, in were, in bataille, and
1345	In warnestooryng, er thow bigynne, I
1345	Rede that thou apparaille thee therto,
1346	And do it with greet deliberacion. For tul
1346	Lius seith that – longe apparaillyng biforn the
1347	Bataille maketh short victorie. – and cassidorus
1347	seith, – the garnysoun is stronger, whan
1348	It is longe tyme avysed. –
1348	But now lat us speken of the conseil that
1348	Was accorded by youre neighebores, swiche
1349	As doon yow reverence withouten love,
1349	Youre olde enemys reconsiled, youre flatereres,
1350	that conseilled yow certeyne
1350	Thynges prively, and openly conseilleden
1351	Yow the contrarie; the yonge folk also, that
1351	Conseilleden yow to venge yow, and make
1352	Werre anon. And certes, sire, as I have seyd
1352	Biforn, ye han greetly erred to han cleped
1353	Swich manere folk to youre conseil, which
1354	Conseillours been ynogh repreved by the re
1355	Souns aforeseyd. But nathelees, lat us now
1355	Descende to the special. Ye shuln first
1356	Procede after the doctrine of tullius.
1356	Certes, the trouthe of this matiere, or of
1357	This conseil, nedeth nat diligently enquere;
1357	For it is wel wist whiche they been that han
1358	Doon to yow this trespas and vileynye, and
1358	How manye trespassours, and in what manere
1358	They han to yow doon al this wrong and al this
1359	Vileynye. And after this, thanne shul ye examyne
1359	the seconde condicion which that the
1360	Same tullius addeth in this matiere. For tullius
1360	put a thyng which that he clepeth
1361	– consentynge – ; this is to seyn, who been
1361	They, and which been they and how
1361	Manye, that consenten to thy conseil in thy
1362	Wilfulnesse to doon hastif vengeance. And
1362	Lat us considere also who been they, and how
1362	Manye been they, and whiche been they, that
1363	Consenteden to youre adversaries. And certes,
1363	As to the first poynt, it is wel knowen whiche
1363	Folk been they that consenteden to youre hastif
1364	Wilfulnesse; for trewely, alle tho that conseilleden
1364	yow to maken sodeyn were ne been nat
1365	Youre freendes. Lat us now considere whiche
1365	Been they that ye holde so greetly youre
1366	Freendes as to youre persone. For al
1366	Be it so that ye be myghty and riche,
1367	Certes ye ne been but allone, for certes ye ne
1368	Han no child but a doghter, ne ye ne han
1368	Brotheren, ne cosyns germayns, ne noon oother
1369	Neigh kynrede, wherfore that youre enemys
1369	For drede wholde stinte to plede with yow, or
1370	To destroye youre persone. Ye knowen also
1370	That youre richesses mooten been dispended
1371	in diverse parties, and whan
1371	That every wight hath his part, they ne
1371	Wollen taken but litel reward to venge thy
1372	Deeth. But thyne enemys been thre, and they
1372	Han manie children, bretheren, cosyns, and
1373	Oother ny kynrede. And though so were that
1373	Thou haddest slayn of hem two or tree, yet
1373	Dwellen ther ynowe to wreken hir deeth and
1374	To sle thy persone. And though so be that
1374	Youre kynrede be moore siker and stedefast
1375	Than the kyn of youre adversarie, yet nathelees
1375	youre kynrede nys but a fer kynrede;
1376	they been but litel syb to yow,
1376	And the kyn of youre enemys been ny
1376	Syb to hem. And certes, as in that, hir condicioun
1377	is bet than youres. Thanne lat us considere
1377	also if the conseillung of hem that conseilleden
1377	yow to taken sodeyn bengeaunce,
1378	Wheither it accorde to resoun. And certes, ye
1379	Knowe wel – nay. – for, as by right and resoun,
1379	Ther may no man taken vengeance on no wight
1380	But the juge that hath the jurisdiccioun of it,
1380	Whan it is graunted hym to take thilke vengeance
1380	hastily or attemprely, as the lawe
1381	Requireth. And yet mooreover of thilke
1381	Word that tullius clepeth – consentynge,
1382	– thou shalt considere if thy myght and
1382	Thy power may consenten and suffise to thy
1383	Wilfulnesse and to thy conseillours. And certes
1384	Thou mayst wel seyn that – nay. – for sikerly,
1384	as for to speke proprely, we may do
1384	No thyng, but oonly swich thyng as we may
1385	Doon rightfully. And certes rightfully ne mowe
1385	Ye take no vengeance, as of youre
1386	Propre auctoritee. Thanne mowe ye
1386	Seen that youre power ne consenteth
1387	Nat, ne accordeth nat, with youre wilfulnesse.
1387	Lat us now examyne the thridde point, that
1388	Tullius clepeth – consequent. – thou shal understonde
1388	that the vengeance that thou purposest
1389	for to take is the consequent; and
1389	Therof folweth another vengeaunce, peril, and
1389	Werre, and othere damages withoute nombre,
1390	Of whiche we be nat war, as at this tyme.
1390	And as touchynge the fourthe point,
1391	That tullius clepeth – engendrynge, –
1391	Thou shalt considere that this wrong
1391	Which that is doon to thee is engendred of the
1392	Hate of thyne enemys, and of the vengeance-
1392	Takynge upon that wolde engendre another
1392	Vengeance, and muchel sorwe and wastynge
1393	Of richesses, as I seyde.
1393	Now, sire, as to the point that tullius clepeth
1394	– causes, – which that is the laste point, thou
1394	Shalt understonde that the worng that thou hast
1395	Receyved hath certeine causes, whiche that
1395	Clerkes clepen oriens and efficiens, and causa
1395	Longinqua and causa propinqua, this is
1396	To seyn, the fer cause and the ny cause.
1396	The fer cause is almyghty god, that is
1397	Cause of alle thynges. The neer cause is thy
1399	Thre enemys. the cause accidental was hate.
1399	The cause material been the fyve woundes of
1400	Thy doghter. The cause formal is the manere
1400	Of hir werkynge that broghten laddres
1401	And cloumben in at thy wyndowes.
1401	The cause final was for to sle thy doghter.
1402	it letted nat in as muche as in hem was.
1402	But for to speken of the fer cause, as to what
1402	Ende they shul come, or what shal finally bityde
1402	Of hem in this caas, ne kan I nat deeme but
1403	By conjectynge and by supposynge. For we
1403	Shul suppose that they shul come to a wikked
1404	Ende, by cause that the book of decrees seith,
1404	– seelden, or with greet peyne, been causes
1404	Ybroght to good ende whanne they been baddely
1405	bigonne. –
1405	Now, sire, if men wolde axe me why that
1405	God suffred men to do yow this vileynye, certes,
1405	I kan nat wel answere, as for no soothfastnesse.
1406	for th' apostle seith that – the
1406	Sciences and the juggementz of oure
1407	Lord God almyghty been ful depe; ther may
1407	No man comprehende ne serchen hem suffisantly.
1408	– nathelees, by certeyne presumpciouns
1409	and conjectynges, I holde and bileeve
1409	That god, which that is ful of justice and of
1409	Rightwisnesse, hath suffred this bityde by juste
1410	Cause resonable.
1410	Thy name is melibee, this is to seyn,
1411	– a man that drynketh hony. – thou hast
1411	Ydronke so muchel hony of sweete temporeel
1411	richesses, and delices and honours of
1412	This world, that thou art dronken, and hast
1413	Forgeten jhesu crist thy creatour. Thou ne
1413	Hast nat doon to hym swich honour and reverence
1414	as thee oughte, ne thou ne hast nat
1414	Wel ytaken kep to the wordes of ovide, that
1415	Seith, – under the hony of the goodes of
1415	The body is hyd the venym that sleeth
1416	The soule – and salomon seith, – if thou
1416	Hast founden hony, ete of it that suffiseth;
1417	for if thou ete of it out of mesure, thou
1418	Shalt spewe, – and be nedy and povre. And
1418	Peraventure crist hath thee in despit, and hath
1418	Turned awey fro thee his face and his eeris of
1419	Misericorde; and also he hath suffred that thou
1419	Hast been punysshed in the manere that thow
1420	Hast ytrespassed. Thou hast doon
1421	Synne agayn oure lord crist; for certes,
1421	The three enemys of mankynde, that is to
1422	Seyn, the flessh, the feend, and the world,
1422	Thou hast suffred hem entre in to thyn herte
1423	Wilfully by the wyndowes of thy body, and
1423	Hast nat defended thyself suffisantly agayns
1423	Hire assautes and hire temptaciouns, so that they
1424	Han wounded thy soule in fyve places; this is
1424	To seyn, the deedly synnes that been entred into
1425	Thyn herte by thy fyve wittes. And in the
1425	Same manere oure lord crist hath woold and
1425	Suffred that thy three enemys been entred
1426	into thyn house by the wyndowes,
1426	And han ywounded thy doghter in the
1427	Forseyde manere.
1427	Certes, quod melibee, I se wel that ye
1427	Enforce yow muchel by wordes to overcome
1427	Me in swich manere that I shal nat venge me
1428	Of myne enemys, shewynge me the perils and
1428	The yveles that myghten falle of this vengeance.
1429	but whoso wolde considere in alle
1429	Vengeances the perils and yveles that myghte
1430	Sewe of vengeance-takynge, a man wolde
1430	Nevere take vengeance, and that were
1431	Harm; for by the vengeance-takynge
1431	Been the wikked men dissevered fro the
1432	Goode men, and they that han wyl to do wikkednesse
1432	restreyne hir wikked purpos, whan
1432	They seen the punyssynge and chastisynge of
1433	The trespassours.
1433	(et a ce respont dame prudence, certes,
1433	Dist elle, je t' ottroye que de vengence vient
1434	Molt de maulx et de biens; mais vengence
1434	N' appartient pas a un chascun fors seulement
1434	Aux juges et a ceulx qui ont la juridicion sur
1435	Les malfaitteurs.) and yet seye I moore, that
1435	Right as singuler persone synneth in
1436	Takynge vengeance of another man,
1436	Right so synneth the juge if he do no
1437	Vengeance of hem that it han disserved. For
1437	Senec seith thus: – that maister, – he seith, – is
1438	Good that proveth shrewes. – and as cassidore
1438	seith, – a man dredeth to do outrages
1438	Whan he woot and knoweth that it despleseth
1439	To the juges and the sovereyns. – and another
1439	Seith, – the juge that dredeth to do right, maketh
1440	men shrewes. – and seint paul the apostle
1440	seith in his epistle, whan he writeth unto
1440	The romayns, that – the juges beren nat
1441	The spere withouten cause, but they
1441	Beren it to punysse the shrewes and mysdoers,
1442	and for to defende the goode men. If ye
1442	Wol thanne take vengeance of youre enemys, ye
1442	Shul retourne or have youre recours to the juge
1443	That hath the jurisdiccion upon hem, and he
1443	Shal punysse hem as the lawe axeth and requireth.
1444	A! quod melibee, this vengeance liketh
1445	Me no thyng. I bithenke me now and take
1445	Heede how fortune hath norissed me fro my
1445	Childhede, and hath holpen me to passe
1446	Many a stroong paas. Now wol I assayen
1446	hire, trowynge, with goddes help,
1446	That she shal helpe me my shame for to
1447	Venge.
1447	Certes, quod prudence, if ye wol werke
1447	By conseil, ye shul nat assaye fortune by
1448	No wey, ne ye shul nat lene or bowe unto
1449	Hire, after the word of senec; for – thynges that
1449	Been folily doon, and that been in hope of
1450	Fortune, shullen nevere come to good ende. –
1450	And, as the same senec seith, – the moore cleer
1450	And the moore shynyng that fortune is, the
1450	Moore brotil and the sonner broken she
1451	Is – . Trusteth nat in hire, for she nys
1452	Nat stidefast ne stable; for whan thow
1452	Trowest to be moost seur or siker of hire help,
1453	She wol faille thee and deceyve thee. And
1453	Where as ye seyn that fortune hath norissed
1454	Yow fro youre childhede, I seye that in so
1454	Muchel shul ye the lasse truste in hire and in
1455	Hir wit. For senec seith, – what man that is
1455	Norissed by fortune, she maketh hym
1456	A greet fool. – now thanne, syn ye desire
1456	and axe vengeance, and the vengeance
1456	that is doon after the lawe and bifore
1457	The juge ne liketh yow nat, and the vengeance
1457	That is doon in hope of fortune is perilous and
1458	Uncertein, thanne have ye noon oother remedie
1458	but for to have youre recours unto the sovereyn
1458	juge that vengeth alle vileynyes and
1459	Wronges. And he shal venge yow after that
1460	Hymself witnesseth, where as he seith, – leveth
1460	the vengeance to me, and I shal
1461	Do it. –
1461	Melibee answerde, if I ne venge me
1462	Nat of the vileynye that men han doon to me,
1462	I sompne or warne hem that han doon to me
1462	That vileynye, and alle othere, to do me another
1463	Vileynye. For it is writen, – if thou take no
1463	Vengeance of an oold vileynye, thou sompnest
1464	Thyne adversaries to do thee a newe vileynye. –
1464	And also for my suffrance men wolden do
1464	Me so muchel vileynye that I myghte neither
1465	Bere it ne susteene, and so sholde I
1466	Been put and holden overlowe. For
1466	Men seyn, – in muchel suffrynge shul
1466	Manye thynges falle unto thee whiche thou
1467	Shalt nat mowe suffre. –
1467	Certes, quod prudence, I graunte yow
1468	That over – muchel suffraunce is nat good. But
1468	Yet ne folweth it nat therof that every persone
1468	To whom men doon vileynye take of it vengeance;
1469	for that aperteneth and longeth al
1469	Oonly to the juges, for they shul venge the
1470	Vileynyes and injuries. And therfore tho two
1470	Auctoritees that ye han seyd above been
1471	Oonly understonden in the juges. For
1471	Whan they suffren over-muchel the
1471	Wronges and the vileynyes to be doon withouten
1472	punysshynge, the sompne nat a man
1472	Al oonly for to do newe wronges, but they
1473	Comanden it. Also a wys man seith that the
1473	Juge that correcteth nat the synnere comandeth
1474	and biddeth hym do synne. – and the juges
1474	And sovereyns myghten in hir land so muchel
1475	Suffre of the shrewes and mysdoeres that they
1475	Sholden, by swich suffrance, by proces of
1475	Tyme wexen of swich power and myght that
1475	They sholden putte out the juges and the
1476	Sovereyns from hir places, and atte laste
1477	Maken hem lesen hire lordshipes.
1477	But lat us now putte that ye have leve to
1478	Venge yow. I seye ye been nat of myght and
1479	Power as now to venge yow; for if ye wole
1479	Maken comparisoun unto the myght of youre
1479	Adversaries, ye shul fynde in manye thynges
1479	That I have shewed yow er this that hire condicion
1480	is bettre than youres. And therfore
1480	Seye I that it is good as now that ye suffre
1481	and be pacient.
1481	Forthermoore, ye knowen wel that
1481	After the comune sawe, – it is a woodnesse a
1481	Man to stryve with a strenger or a moore
1482	Myghty man than he is hymself; and for to
1482	Stryve with a man of evene strengthe, that is
1482	To seyn, with as strong a man as he is, it is
1483	Peril; and for to stryve with a weyker man, it
1484	Is folie. – and therfore sholde a man flee stryvynge
1485	as muchel as he myghte. For salomon
1485	Seith, – it is a greet worshipe to a man to
1486	Kepen hym fro noyse and stryf. – and
1486	If it so bifalle or happe that a man of
1486	Gretter myght and strengthe than thou art do
1487	Thee grevaunce, studie and bisye thee rather
1487	To stille the same grevaunce than for to venge
1488	Thee. For senec seith that – he putteth hym in
1488	Greet peril that stryveth with a gretter man
1489	Than he is hymself. – and catoun seith, – if a
1489	Man of hyer estaat or degree, or moore myghty
1489	Than thou, do thee anoy or grevaunce, suffre
1490	Hym; for he that oones hath greved thee,
1490	May another tyme releeve thee and
1491	Helpe. – yet sette I caas, ye have bothe
1492	Myght and licence for to venge yow, I
1492	Seye that ther be ful manye thynges that shul
1493	Restreyne yow of vengeance-takynge, and
1493	Make yow for to enclyne to suffre, and for to
1493	Han pacience in the wronges that han been
1494	Doon to yow. First and foreward, if ye wole
1494	Considere the defautes that been in youre
1495	Owene persone, for whiche defautes God hath
1495	Suffred yow have this tribulacioun, as I
1496	Have seyd yow heer-biforn. For the
1496	Poete seith that – we oghte paciently
1496	Taken the tribulacions that comen to us, whan
1496	We thynken and consideren that we han disserved
1497	to have hem. – and seint gregorie
1497	Seith that – whan a man considereth wel the
1498	Nombre of his defautes and of his synnes, the
1498	Peynes and the tribulaciouns that he suffreth
1499	Semen the lesse unto hym; and in as muche
1499	As hym thynketh his synnes moore hevy and
1500	Grevous, in so muche semeth his peyne
1501	The lighter and the esier unto hym. –
1501	Also ye owen to enclyne and bowe youre
1501	Herte to take the pacience of oure lord jhesu
1502	Crist, as seith seint peter in his epistles.
1502	Jhesu crist, – he seith, – hath suffred for us and
1502	Yeven ensample to every man to folwe and
1503	Sewe hym; for he dide nevere synne, ne nevere
1504	cam ther a vileyns word out of his mouth.
1504	Whan men cursed hym, he cursed hem noght;
1504	And whan men betten hym, he manaced hem
1505	Noght. – also the grete pacience which the
1505	Seintes that been in paradys han had in tribulaciouns
1505	that they han ysuffred, withouten
1506	Hir desert or gilt, oghte muchel stiren
1507	Yow to pacience. Forthermoore ye
1508	Sholde enforce yow to have pacience, considerynge
1508	that the tribulaciouns of this world but
1508	Litel while endure, and soone passed been and
1509	Goon, and the joye that a man seketh to have
1509	By pacience in tribulaciouns is perdurable,
1510	After that the apostle seith in his epistle. The
1510	Joye of god, he seith, is perdurable,
1511	That is to seyn, everelastynge. Also
1511	Troweth and bileveth stedefastly that he
1511	Nys nat wel ynorissed, ne wel ytaught, that kan
1511	Nat have pacience, or wol nat receyve pacience.
1512	for salomon seith that – the doctrine
1513	And the wit of a man is knowen by pacience. –
1513	And in another place he seith that – he that is
1514	Pacient governeth hym by greet prudence. –
1514	And the same salomon seith, – the angry and
1514	Wrathful man maketh noyses, and the pacient
1515	Man atempreth hem and stilleth. – he seith
1515	Also, – it is moore worth to be pacient
1516	Than for to be right strong; and he
1516	That may have the lordshipe of his
1516	Owene herte is moore to preyse than he that
1517	By his force or strengthe taketh grete citees. –
1517	And therfore seith seint jame in his epistle that
1518	– pacience is a greet vertu of perfeccioun. –
1518	Certes, quod melibee, I graunte yow,
1518	Dame prudence, that pacience is greet vertu
1519	Of perfeccioun; but every man may nat have
1520	The perfeccioun that ye seken; ne I nam
1521	Nat of the nombre of right parfite men,
1521	For myn herte may nevere been in pees
1522	Unto the tyme it be venged. And al be it so
1522	That it was greet peril to myne enemys to do
1523	Me a vileynye in takynge vengeance upon me,
1523	Yet tooken they noon heede of the peril, but
1524	Fulfilleden hir wikked wyl and hir corage.
1524	And therfore me thynketh men oghten nat
1524	Repreve me, though I putte me in a litel peril
1525	For to venge me, and though I do a greet
1525	Excesse, that is to seyn, that I venge
1526	Oon outrage by another.
1526	A, quod dame prudence, ye seyn
1527	Youre wyl and as yow liketh, but in no caas
1527	Of the world a man sholde nat doon outrage
1528	Ne excesse for to vengen hym. For cassidore
1528	Seith that – as yvele dooth he that vengeth hym
1529	By outrage as he that dooth the outrage. – and
1529	Therfore ye shul venge yow after the ordre of
1529	Right, that is to seyn, by the lawe, and noght
1530	By excesse ne by outrage. And also, if ye
1530	Wol venge yow of the outrage of youre adversaries
1530	in oother manere than right comandeth,
1531	ye synne. And therfore seith senec
1531	That – a man shal nevere vengen shrewednesse
1532	by shrewednesse. – and if ye seye that
1532	Right axeth a man to defenden violence by violence,
1533	and fightyng by fightyng, certes ye seye
1533	Sooth, whan the defense is doon anon withouten
1533	intervalle or withouten tariyng or delay,
1534	for to deffenden hym and nat for to
1535	Vengen hym. And it bihoveth that a man
1535	Putte swich attemperance in his deffense
1536	that men have no cause ne matiere
1536	to repreven hym that deffendeth
1536	Hym of excesse and outrage, for ellis were it
1537	Agayn resoun. Pardee, ye knowen wel that
1537	Ye maken no deffense as now for to deffende
1538	Yow, but for to venge yow; and so seweth
1538	It that ye han no wyl to do youre dede attemprely.
1539	and therfore me thynketh that pacience
1539	is good; for salomon seith that – he that
1540	Is nat pacient shal have a greet harm. –
1540	Certes, quod melibee, I graunte yow that
1540	Whan a man is inpacient and wrooth, of that
1540	That toucheth hym noght and that aperteneth
1540	Nat unto hym, though it harme hym, it
1541	Is no wonder. For the lawe seith that
1541	– he is coupable that entremetteth hym or
1541	Medleth with swych thyng as aperteneth nat
1542	Unto hym. – and salomon seith that – he that
1542	Entremetteth hym of the noyse or strif of another
1542	man is lyk to hym that taketh an hound
1543	By the eris. – for right as he that taketh a
1543	Straunge hound by the eris is outherwhile biten
1544	With the hound, right in the same wise is it
1544	Resoun that he have harm that by his inpacience
1544	medleth hym of the noyse of another
1545	Man, wheras it aperteneth nat unto hym. But
1545	Ye knowen wel that this dede, that is to seyn,
1545	My grief and my disese, toucheth me
1546	Right ny. And therfore, though I be
1547	Wrooth and inpacient, it is no merveille.
1547	And, savynge youre grace, I kan nat seen that it
1547	Myghte greetly harme me though I tooke vengeaunce.
1548	for I am richer and moore myghty
1549	Than myne enemys been; and wel knowen ye
1549	That by moneye and by havynge grete possessions
1549	been alle the thynges of this world governed.
1550	and salomon seith that – alle
1551	Thynges abeyen to moneye. –
1551	Whan prudence hadde herd hir housbonde
1551	avanten hym of his richesse and of his
1551	Moneye, dispreisynge the power of his adversaries,
1552	she spak, and seyde in this wise:
1552	Certes, deere sire, I graunte yow that ye been
1553	Riche and myghty, and that the richesses been
1553	Goode to hem that han wel ygeten hem and wel
1554	Konne usen hem. For right as the body of a
1554	Man may nat lyven withoute the soule, namoore
1555	May it lyve withouten temporeel goodes. And
1555	By richesses may a man gete hym grete
1556	Freendes. And therfore seith pamphilles:
1556	– if a net – herdes doghter, – seith
1556	He, – be riche, she may chesen of a thousand
1557	Men which she wol take to hir housbonde;
1557	For, of a thousand men, oon wol nat forsaken
1558	Hire ne refusen hire. – and this pamphilles
1558	Seith also: – if thow be right happy – that is to
1558	Seyn, if thou be right riche – thou shalt fynde
1559	A greet nombre of felawes and freendes. And
1559	If thy fortune change that thou wexe povre,
1560	Farewel freendshipe and felaweshipe; for thou
1560	Shalt be alloone withouten any compaignye,
1560	But if it be the compaignye of povre
1561	Folk. – and yet seith this pamphilles
1561	Moreover that – they that been thralle and
1561	Bonde of lynage shullen been maad worthy and
1562	Noble by the richesses. – and right so as by
1562	Richesses ther comen manye goodes, right so
1562	By poverte come ther manye harmes and
1563	Yveles. For greet poverte constreyneth a man
1564	To do manye yveles. And therfore clepeth
1565	Cassidore poverte the mooder of ruyne, that
1565	Is to seyn, the mooder of overthrowynge
1566	Or fallynge doun. And therfore seith
1566	Piers alfonce: – oon of the gretteste adversitees
1567	of this world is whan a free man by
1567	Kynde or of burthe is constreyned by poverte
1568	To eten the almesse of his enemy, – and the
1568	Same seith innocent in oon of his bookes. He
1568	Seith that – sorweful and myshappy is the condicioun
1569	of a povre beggere; for if he axe nat
1570	His mete, he dyeth for hunger; and if he axe,
1570	He dyeth for shame; and algates necessitee
1571	constreyneth hym to axe. – and
1571	Seith salomon that – bet it is to dye than
1572	For to have swich poverte. – and as the same
1572	Salomon seith, – bettre it is to dye of bitter deeth
1573	Than for to lyven in swich wise. – by thise
1573	Resons that I have seid unto yow, and by manye
1574	Othere resons that I koude seye, I graunte yow
1574	That richesses been goode to hem that geten
1574	Hem wel, and to hem that wel usen tho richesses.
1575	and therfore wol I shewe yow hou ye
1575	Shul have yow and how ye shul bere yow in
1575	Gaderynge of richesses, and in what
1576	Manere ye shul usen hem.
1576	First, ye shul geten hem withouten
1576	Greet desir, by good leyser, sokyngly and nat
1577	Over-hastily. For a man that is to desirynge
1577	To gete richesses abaundoneth hym first to
1578	Thefte, and to alle othere yveles; and therfore
1578	seith salomon, – he that hasteth hym to
1579	Bisily to wexe riche shal be noon innocent. –
1579	He seith also that – the richesses that hastily cometh
1579	to a man, soone and lightly gooth and
1580	Passeth fro a man; but that richesse that
1580	Cometh litel and litel, wexeth alwey and
1581	Multiplieth. – and, sire
1581	Richesses by youre wit and by youre
1582	Travaille unto youre profit; and that withouten
1583	Wrong or hamr doynge to any oother persone.
1583	For tha lawe seith that – ther maketh no man
1583	Himselven riche, if he do harm to another
1584	Wight. – this is to seyn, htat nature deffendeth
1584	and fordedeth by right that no man make
1584	Hymself riche unto the harm of another persone.
1585	and tulliur seith that – no sorwe, ne no
1585	Drede of deeth, ne no thyng that may
1586	Falle unto a man, is so muchel agayns
1586	Nature as a man to encressen his owene
1587	Profit to the harm of another man. And
1587	Though the grete man and the myghty men
1588	Geten richesses moore lightly than thou, yet
1588	Shaltou nat been ydel ne slow to do thy profit,
1589	For thou shalt in alle wise flee ydelnesse. – for
1589	Salomon seith that – ydelnesse techeth a man to
1590	Do manye yveles. – and the same salomon
1590	Seith that – he that travailleth and bisieth
1591	Hym to tilien his land, shal eten breed;
1591	But he that is ydel and casteth hym to
1591	No bisynesse ne occupacioun, shal falle into
1592	Poverte, and dye for hynger. – and he that is
1592	Ydel and slow kan nevere fynde covenable
1593	Tyme for to doon his profit. For ther is a
1593	Versifiour seith that – the ydel man excuseth hym
1593	In wynter by cause of the grete coold, and in
1594	Somer by enchesoun of the greete heete. – for
1594	Thise causes seith caton, – waketh and enclyneth
1594	nat yow over – muchel for to slepe, for overmuchel
1594	reste norisseth and causeth manye
1595	Vices. – and therfore seith seint jerome,
1595	– dooth somme goode dedes that the devel,
1595	Which is oure enemy, ne fynde yow nat
1596	Unocupied. – for the devel ne taketh
1596	Nat lightly unto his werkynge swiche as
1597	He fyndeth occupied in goode werkes.
1597	Thanne thus, in getynge richesses, ye mosten
1598	Flee ydelnesse. And afterward, ye shul use
1598	The richesses which ye have geten by youre wit
1599	And by youre travaille, in swich a manere that
1599	Men holde yow nat to scars, ne to sparynge, ne
1599	To fool-large, that is to seyen, over-large a
1600	Spendere. For right as men blamen an avaricious
1600	man by cause of his scarsetee and
1601	Chyncherie, in the same wise is he to
1602	Blame that spendeth over-largely. And
1602	Therfore seith caton: – use, – he seith, – thy richesses
1603	that thou hast geten in swich a manere
1603	That men have no matiere ne cause to calle
1604	The neither wrecche ne chynche; for it is a
1604	Greet shame to a man to have a povere herte
1605	And a riche purs. – he seith also: – the goodes
1605	That thou hast ygeten, use hem by mesure, –
1605	That is to seyn, spende hem mesurably;
1606	for they that folily wasten and
1607	Despenden the goodes that they han,
1607	What they han namoore propre of hir owene,
1607	They shapen hem to take the goodes of another
1608	Man. I seye thanne that ye shul fleen avarice;
1609	usynge youre richesses in swich manere
1609	That men seye nat that youre richesses been
1610	Yburyed, but that ye have hem in
1611	Youre myght and in youre weeldynge.
1611	For a wys man repreveth the avaricious
1612	Man, and seith thus in two vers: – wherto and
1612	Why burieth a man his goodes by his grete
1612	Avarice, and knoweth wel that nedes moste
1613	He dye? for deeth is the ende of every man
1614	As in this present lyf. – and for what cause or
1614	Enchesoun joyneth he hym or knytteth he hym
1615	So faste unto his goodes that alle hise wittes
1615	Mowen nat disseveren hym or departen
1616	Hym from his goodes, and knoweth
1616	Wel, or oghte knowe, that whan he is
1616	Deed he shal no thyng bere with hym out of
1617	This world? and therfore seith seint austyn
1618	That – the avaricious man is likned unto helle,
1618	That the moore it swelweth. The moore desir it
1619	Hath to swelwe and devoure. – and as wel as
1619	Ye wolde eschewe to be called an avaricious
1620	Man or chynche, as wel sholde ye kepe yow
1620	And governe yow in swich a wise that
1621	Men calle yow nat fool-large. Therfore
1621	seith tullius: – the goodes, – he seith,
1621	– of thyn hous ne sholde nat been hyd ne kept
1621	So cloos, but that they myghte been opened
1622	By pitee and debonairetee; – that is to seyn, to
1623	Yeven part to hem that han greet nede; – ne
1623	Thy goodes shullen nat been so opene to been
1624	Every mannes goodes. – afterward, in getynge
1624	Of youre richesses and in usynge hem, ye shul
1625	Alwey have thre thynges in youre herte, that
1625	Is to seyn, oure lord god, conscience,
1626	And good name. First, ye shul have
1627	God in youre herte, and for no richesse
1627	Ye shullen do no thyng which may in any
1627	Manere displese god, that is youre creator
1628	And makere. For after the word of salomon,
1628	– it is bettre to have a litel good with the love
1629	Of god, than to have muchel good and tresour,
1630	and lese the love of his lord god. And
1630	The prophete seith that – bettre it is to been
1630	A good man and have litel good and
1631	Tresour, than to been holden a shrewe
1632	And have grete richesses. – and yet seye
1632	I ferthermoore, that ye sholde alwey doon youre
1633	Bisynesse to gete yow richesses, so that ye
1634	Gete hem with good conscience. And th' apostle
1634	seith that – ther nys thyng in this world
1634	Of which we sholden have so greet joye as
1634	Whan oure conscience bereth us good witnesse.
1635	– and the wise man seith, – the substance
1635	of a man is ful good, whan synne
1636	Is nat in mannes conscience. – afterward,
1636	in getynge of youre richesses and
1637	In usynge of hem, yow moste have greet bisynesse
1637	and greet diligence that youre goode
1638	Name be alwey kept and conserved. For salomon
1638	seith that – bettre it is an moore it availleth
1638	a man to have a good name, than for
1639	To have grete richesses. – and therfore he
1639	Seith in another place, – do greet diligence,
1639	Seith salomon, – in kepyng of thy freend and
1640	Of thy goode name; for it shal lenger abide
1640	With thee than any tresour, be it never
1641	So precious. – and certes he sholde nat
1641	Be called a gentil man that after god
1641	And good conscience, alle thynges left, ne
1641	Dooth his diligence and bisynesse to kepen his
1642	Goode name. And cassidore seith that – it is
1642	Signe of a gentil herte, whan a man loveth and
1643	Desireth to han a good name. – and therfore
1643	Seith seint austyn that – ther been two thynges
1644	That arn necessarie and nedefulle, and that
1645	Is good conscience and good loos; that is to
1645	Seyn, good conscience to thyn owene persone
1645	Inward, and good loos for thy neighebor
1646	Outward. – and he that trusteth hym so
1647	Muchel in his goode conscience that he
1647	Displeseth, and setteth at noght his goode
1647	Name or loos, and rekketh noght though he
1647	Kepe nat his goode neam, nys but a crueel
1648	Cherl.
1648	Sire, now have I shewed yow how ye shul
1648	Do in getynge richesses, and how ye shullen
1649	Usen hem, and I se wel that for the trust
1649	That ye han in youre richesses ye wole moeve
1650	Werre and bataille. I conseille yow that ye
1650	Bigynne no were in trust of youre richesses,
1650	For thay ne suffisen noght werres to
1651	Mayntene. And therfore seith a philosophre,
1651	hthat man that desireth and
1651	Wole algates han werre, shal nevere have suffisaunce;
1652	for the richer that he is, the gretter
1652	Despenses moste he make, if he wole have worshipe
1653	and victorei. – and salomon seith that
1653	– the gretter richesses that a man hath, the mo
1654	Despendours he hath. – and, deere sire, al be
1654	It so that for youre richesses ye mowe have
1655	Muchel folk, yet bihoveth it nat, ne it is nat
1655	Good, to bigynne werre, whereas ye mowe in
1655	Oother manere have pees unto youre
1656	Worshipe and profit. For the victorie
1656	Of batailles that been in this world lyth
1656	Nat in greet nombre or multitude of the peple,
1657	Ne in the vertu of man, but it lith in the wyl
1658	And in the hand of oure lord God almyghty.
1658	And therfore judas machabeus, which was
1659	Goddes knyght, whan he sholde fighte agayn
1659	His adversarie that hadde a gretter nombre and
1659	A gretter multitude of folk and strenger than
1660	Was this peple of machabee, yet he reconforted
1660	his litel compaignye, and seyde
1661	Right in this wise: – als lightly, – quod
1661	He, – may oure lord God almyghty yeve
1662	Victorie to a fewe folk as to many folk; for the
1662	Victorie of a bataile comth nat by the grete
1663	Nombre of peple, but it cometh from oure
1664	Lord God of hevene. – and, deere sire, for as
1664	Muchel is ther is no man certein if he be
1664	Worthy that God yeve hym victorie, (ne plus
1664	Que il est certain se il est digne de l' amour de
1665	Dieu), or naught, after that salomon seith,
1665	Therfore every man sholde greetly drede
1666	Werres to bigynne. And by cause that
1667	In batailles fallen manye perils, and
1667	Happeth outher while that as soone is the grete
1668	Man slayn as the litel man; and as it is writen
1668	In the seconde book of kynges, – the dedes of
1668	Batailles been aventurouse and nothyng certeyne,
1669	for as lightly is oon hurt with a spere
1670	As another; – and for ther is gret peril in
1670	Werre; therfore sholde a man flee and eschue
1670	Werre, in as muchel as a man may
1671	Goodly. For salomon seith, – he that
1672	Loveth peril shal falle in peril –
1672	After that dame prudence hadde spoken in
1673	This manere, melibee answerde, and seyde:
1673	I see wel, dame prudence, that by youre faire
1673	Wordes, and by youre resouns that ye han
1673	Shewed me, that the werre liketh yow no
1674	Thyng; but I have nat yet herd youre conseil,
1675	How I shal do in this nede.
1675	Certes, quod she, I conseille yow that ye
1675	Accorde with youre adversaries and that
1676	Ye have pees with he. For seint jame
1676	Seith in his epistles that – by concord and
1677	Pees the smale richesses wexen grete, and by
1677	Debaat and discord the grete richesses fallen
1678	Doun. – and ye knowen wel that oon of the
1678	Gretteste and moost sovereyn thyng that is in
1679	This world is unytee and pees. And therfore
1679	Seyde oure lord jhesu crist to his apostles in
1680	This wise: – wel happy and blessed been they
1680	That loven and purchacen pees, for they
1681	Been called children of god. –
1681	A, quod melibee, now se I wel that
1682	Ye loven nat myn honour ne my worshipe.
1682	Ye knowen wel that myne adversaries han
1682	Bigonnen this debaat and bryge by hire outrage,
1683	and ye se wel that they ne requeren ne
1683	Preyen me nat of pees, ne they asken nat to be
1684	Reconsiled. Wol ye thanne that I go and meke
1684	Me and obeye me to hem, and crie hem
1685	Mercy? for sothe, that were nat my
1686	Worshipe. For right as men seyn that
1686	– over-greet hoomlynesse engendreth dispreisynge,
1686	– so fareth it by to greet hymylitee
1687	Or mekenesse.
1687	Thanne bigan dame prudence to maken
1688	Semblant of wratthe, and seyde: certes, sire,
1688	Sauf youre grace, I love youre honour and youre
1688	Profit as I do myn owene, and evere have
1689	Doon; ne ye, ne noon oother, seyn nevere
1690	The contrarie. And yit if I hadde seyd that
1690	Ye sholde han purchaced the pees and the
1690	Reconsilacioun, I ne hadde nat muchel
1691	Mystaken me, ne seyd amys. For the
1691	Wise man seith, – the dissensioun bigynneth
1691	by another man, and the reconsilyng bygynneth
1692	by thyself. – and the prophete seith,
1693	– flee shrewednesse and do goodnesse; seke
1694	Pees and folwe it, as muchel as in thee is. –
1694	Yet seye I nat that ye shul rather pursue to
1694	Youre adversaries for pees than they shuln to
1695	Yow. For I knowe wel that ye been so hard-
1695	Herted that ye wol do no thyng for
1696	Me. And salomon seith, – he that hath
1696	Over-hard an herte, atte laste he shal
1697	Myshappe and mystyde. –
1697	Whanne melibee hadde herd dame prudence
1697	Maken semblant of wratthe, he seyde in this
1698	Wise: dame, I prey yow that ye be nat displesed
1699	of thynges that I seye, for ye knowe
1699	Wel that I am angrey and wrooth, and that is
1700	No wonder; and they that been wrothe witen
1700	Nat wel what they don, ne what they
1701	Seyn. Therfore the prophete seith that
1702	– troubled eyen han no cleer sighte. – but
1702	Seyeth and conseileth me as yow liketh, for I
1703	Am redy to do right as ye wol desire; and if
1703	Ye repreve me of my folye, I am the moore
1704	Holden to love yow and to preyse yow. For
1704	Salomon seith that – he that repreveth hym
1705	That dooth folye, he shal fynde gretter grace
1705	Than he that deceyveth hym by sweete
1706	Wordes. –
1706	Thanne seide dame prudence, I
1706	Make no semblant of wratthe ne anger, but
1707	For youre grete profit. For salomon seith,
1707	– he is moore worth that repreveth or chideth
1707	A fool for his folye, shewynge hym semblant
1708	Of wratthe,than he that supporteth hym and
1708	Preyseth hym in his mysdoynge, and laugheth
1709	At his folye. – and this same salomon seith
1709	Afterward that – by the sorweful visage of a
1709	Man, – that is to seyn by the sory and hevy contenaunce
1710	of a man, – the fool correcteth
1711	And amendeth hymself. –
1711	Thanne seyde melibee, I shal nat
1711	Koone answere to so manye faire resouns as ye
1712	Putten to me and shewen. Seyeth shorthly
1712	Youre wyl and youre conseil, and I am al redy
1713	To fulfille and parfourne it.
1713	Thanne dame prudence discovered al hir
1714	Wyl to hym, and seyde, I conseille yow,
1714	Quod she, aboven alle thynges, that ye make
1715	Pees bitwene God and yow; and beth
1716	Reconsiled unto hym and to his grace.
1716	For, as I have seyd yow heer biforn, god
1716	Hath suffred yow to have this tribulacioun and
1717	Disese for youre synnes. And if ye do as I sey
1717	Yow, God wol sende youre adversaries unto
1718	Yow, and maken hem fallen at youre feet,
1718	Redy to do youre wyl and youre comande –
1719	Mentz. For salomon seith, – whan the condicioun
1720	of man is plesaunt and likynge to god,
1720	He chaungeth the hertes of the mannes adversaries
1720	and constreyneth hem to biseken
1721	hym of pees and of grace. – and
1721	I prey yow lat me speke with youre adversaries
1722	in privee place; for they shul nat
1722	Knowe that it be of youre wyl or of youre adsent.
1723	and thanne, whan I knowe hir wil and
1723	Hire entente, I may conseille yow the moore
1724	Seurely.
1724	Dame, quod melibee, dooth youre wil and
1725	Youre likynge; for I putte me hoolly in
1726	Youre disposicioun and ordinaunce.
1726	Thanne dame prudence, whan she
1726	Saugh the goode wyl of hir housbonde, delibered
1727	and took avys in hirself, thinkinge how
1727	She myghte brynge this nede unto a good conclusioun
1728	and to a good ende. And whan she
1728	Saugh hir tyme, she sente for thise adversaries
1729	To come unto hire into a pryvee place, and
1729	Shewed wisely unto hem the grete goodes that
1730	Comen of pees, and the grete harmes
1731	And perils that been in werre; and
1731	Seyde to hem in a goodly manere hou
1732	That hem oughten have greet repentaunce of
1732	The injurie and wrong that they hadden doon
1732	To melibee hir lord, and unto hire, and to hire
1733	Doghter.
1733	And whan they herden the goodliche wordes
1734	Of dame prudence, they weren so supprised
1734	And ravysshed, and hadden so greet joye of
1735	Hire that wonder was to telle. A, lady, quod
1735	They, ye han shewed unto us the blessynge
1735	Of swetnesse, after the sawe of david the
1736	Prophete; for the reconsilynge which
1736	We been nat worthy to have in no manere,
1737	but we oghte requeren it with greet contricioun
1738	and humylitee, ye of youre grete
1739	Goodnesse have presented unto us. Now se
1739	We wel that the science and the konnynge
1740	Of salomon is ful trewe. For he seith that
1740	– sweete wordes multiplien and encreescen
1740	Freendes, and maken shrewes to be debonaire
1741	and meeke. –
1741	Certes, quod they, we putten oure
1741	Dede and al oure matere and cause al hooly in
1742	Youre goode wyl and been redy to obeye to
1742	The speche and comandement of my lord melibee.
1743	and therfore, deere and benygne lady,
1743	We preien yow and biseke yow as mekely as we
1744	Konne and mowen, that it lyke unto youre
1744	Grete goodnesse to fulfillen in dede youre goodliche
1745	wordes. For we consideren and knowelichen
1745	that we han offended and greved
1746	My lord melibee out of mesure, so ferforth
1746	that we be nat of power to maken
1747	His amendes. And therfore we oblige and
1747	Bynden us and oure freendes for to doon al
1748	His wyl and his comandementz. But peraventure
1748	he hath swich hevynesse and swich wratthe
1749	To us – ward, by cause of oure offense, that he
1749	Wole enjoyne us swich a peyne as we mowe
1750	Nat bere ne susteene. And therfore, noble
1750	Lady, we biseke to youre wommanly
1751	Pitee to taken swich avysement in this
1751	Nede that we, ne oure freendes, be nat
1752	Desherited ne destroyed thurgh oure folye.
1752	Certes, quod prudence, it is an hard
1753	Thyng and right perilous that a man putte
1753	Hym al outrely in the arbitracioun and juggement,
1753	and in the myght and power of his enemys.
1754	for salomon seith, – leeveth me, and
1754	Yeveth credence to that I shal seyn: I seye, –
1754	Quod he, – ye peple, folk and governours of
1755	Hooly chirche, to thy sone, to thy wyf,
1756	To thy freend, ne to thy broother, ne
1756	Yeve thou nevere myght ne maistrie of
1757	Thy body whil thou lyvest. – now sithen he
1757	Deffendeth that man sholde nat yeven to his
1757	Broother ne to his freend the myght of his
1758	Body, by a strenger resoun he deffendeth and
1758	Forbedeth a man to yeven hymself to his enemy.
1759	and nathelees I conseille you that ye
1760	Mystruste nat my lord, for I woot wel and
1760	Knowe verraily that he is debonaire and
1761	Meeke, large, curteys, and nothyng desirous
1762	ne coveitous of good ne richesse.
1762	For ther nys nothyng in this world that he
1763	Desireth, save oonly worshipe and honour.
1763	Forthermoore I knowe wel and am right seur
1763	That he shal nothyng doon in this nede withouten
1764	my conseil; and I shal so werken in this
1764	Cause that, by the grace of oure lord god, ye
1765	Shul been reconsiled unto us.
1765	Thanne seyden they with o voys, worshipful
1765	lady, we putten us and oure goodes
1766	Al fully in youre wil and disposicioun,
1766	And been redy to comen, what day that
1766	It like unto youre noblesse to lymyte us or assigne
1767	us, for to maken oure obligacioun and
1767	Boond as strong as it liketh unto youre goodnesse,
1768	that we mowe fulfille the wille of yow
1769	And of my lord melibee.
1769	Whan dame prudence hadde herd the answeres
1769	of thise men, she bad hem goon agayn
1770	Prively; and she retourned to hir lord melibee,
1770	and tolde hym how she foond his
1771	Adversaries ful repentant, knowelechynge
1771	ful lowely hir synnes and trespas,
1772	And how they were redy to suffren al peyne,
1772	Requirynge and preiynge hym of mercy and
1773	Pitee.
1773	Thanne seyde melibee: he is wel worthy
1773	To have pardoun and foryifnesse of his synne.
1774	That excuseth nat his synne, but knowelecheth
1775	It and repenteth hym, axinge indulgence. For
1775	Senec seith, ther is the remissioun and
1776	Foryifnesse, where as the confessioun is – ;
1776	For confessioun is neighebor to innocence.
1777	and he seith in another place that – he
1777	That hath shame of his synne and knowlecheth
1777	It, is worthy remissioun. – and therfore I assente
1778	and conferme me to have pees; but it
1778	Is good that we do it nat withouten the assent
1779	And wyl of oure freendes.
1779	Thanne was prudence right glad and joyeful,
1780	and seyde: certes, sire, quod
1781	She, ye han wel and goodly answered;
1781	For right as by the conseil, assent, and
1781	Help of youre freendes ye han been stired to
1782	Venge yow and maken werre, right so withouten
1782	hire conseil shul ye nat accorden yow
1783	Ne have pees with youre adversaries. For the
1783	Lawe seith: – ther nys no thyng so good by wey
1783	Of kynde as a thyng to be unbounde by hym
1784	That it was ybounde. –
1784	And thanne dame prudence, withouten delay
1784	or tariynge, sente anon hire messages for
1784	Hire kyn, and for hire olde freendes which
1785	That were trewe and wyse, and tolde hem
1785	By ordre in the presence of melibee al this mateere
1785	as it is aboven expressed and declared,
1786	and preyden hem that they
1786	Wolde yeven hire avys and conseil what
1787	Best were to doon in this nede. And whan
1787	Melibees freendes hadde taken hire avys and
1788	Deliberacioun of the forseide mateere, and
1788	Hadden examyned it by greet bisynesse and
1789	Greet diligence, they yave ful conseil for to
1790	Have pees and reste, and that melibee sholde
1790	Receyve with good herte his adversaries
1791	To foryifnesse and mercy.
1791	And whan dame prudence hadde herd
1791	The assent of hir lord melibee, and the conseil
1792	of his freendes accorde with hire wille
1793	And hire entencioun, she was wonderly glad
1794	In hire herte, and seyde: ther is an old
1794	Proverbe, quod she, seith that – the goodnesse
1795	that thou mayst do this day, do it,
1795	And abide nat ne delaye it nat til tomorwe.
1796	– and therfore I conseille that
1796	Ye sende youre messages, swiche as been
1797	Discrete and wise, unto youre adversaries,
1798	Tellynge hem on youre bihalve that if they
1799	Wole trete of pees and of accord, that they
1799	Shape hem withouten delay or tariyng to comen
1800	Unto us. Which thyng parfourned was
1801	In dede. And whanne thise trespassours
1801	and repentynge folk of hire folies,
1802	That is to seyn, the adversaries of melibee,
1802	Hadden herd what thise messagers seyden unto
1803	Hem, they weren right glad and joyeful, and
1804	Answereden ful mekely and benignely, yeldynge
1804	graces and thankynges to hir lord melibee
1805	and to al his compaignye; and shopen
1805	Hem withouten delay to go with the messagers,
1805	And obeye to the comandement of hir
1806	Lord melibee.
1806	And right anon they tooken hire wey
1807	To the court of melibee, and tooken with hem
1807	Somme of hire trewe freendes to maken feith
1808	For hem and for to been hire borwes. And
1808	Whan they were comen to the presence of
1809	Melibee, he seyde hem thise wordes: it standeth
1809	thus, quod melibee, and sooth it is, that
1810	Ye, causelees and withouten skile and
1811	Resoun, han doon grete injuries and
1811	Wronges to me and to my wyf prudence,
1812	And to my doghter also. For ye han entred
1813	Into myn hous by violence, and have doon
1813	Swich outrage that alle men knowen wel that
1814	Ye have disserved the deeth. And therfore
1815	Wol I knowe and wite of yow wheither ye
1815	Wol putte the punyssement and the chastisynge
1815	And the vengeance of this outrage in the wyl
1815	Of me and of my wyf prudence, or ye
1816	Wol nat?
1816	Thanne the wiseste of hem thre answerde
1817	for hem alle, and seyde, sire, quod
1817	He, we knowen wel that we been unworthy
1817	To comen unto the court of so greet a lord and
1818	So worthy as ye been. For we han so greetly
1818	Mystaken us, and han offended and agilt in
1819	Swich a wise agayn youre heigh lordshipe,
1820	That trewely we han disserved the deeth. But
1820	Yet, for the grete goodnesse and debonairetee
1820	That al the world witnesseth of youre
1821	Persone, we submytten us to the excellence
1821	and benignitee of youre gracious
1822	Lordshipe, and been redy to obeie to alle youre
1823	Comandementz; bisekynge yow that of youre
1823	Merciable pitee ye wol considere oure grete
1824	Repentaunce and lowe submyssioun, and
1824	Graunten us foryevenesse of oure outrageous
1825	Trespas and offense. For wel we knowe that
1825	Youre liberal grace and mercy strecchen hem
1825	Ferther into goodnesse than doon oure outrageouse
1825	giltes and trespas into wikkednesse,
1826	al be it that cursedly and
1826	Dampnablely we han agilt agayn youre
1827	Heigh lordshipe.
1827	Thanne melibee took hem up fro the ground
1828	Ful benignely, and receyved hire obligaciouns
1828	And hir boondes by hire othes upon hire plegges
1829	And borwes, and assigned hem a certeyn day
1830	To retourne unto his court, for to accepte and
1830	Receyve the sentence and juggement that
1830	Melibee wolde comande to be doon on
1831	Hem by the causes aforeseyd. Whiche
1831	Thynges ordeyned, every man retourned
1832	To his hous.
1832	And whan that dame prudence saugh hir
1833	Tyme, she freyned and axed hir lord melibee
1833	What vengeance he thoughte to taken of his
1834	Adversaries.
1834	To which melibee answerde, and seyde:
1834	Certes, quod he, I thynke and purpose me
1835	Fully to desherite hem of al that evere they
1835	Han, and for to putte hem in exil for
1836	Evere.
1836	Certes, quod dame prudence, this
1836	Were a crueel sentence and muchel agayn resoun.
1837	for ye been riche ynough, and han
1838	No nede of oother mennes good; and ye
1838	Myghte lightly in this wise gete yow a coveitous
1839	name, which is a vicious thyng, and
1840	Oghte been eschued of every good man. For
1840	After the sawe of the word of the apostle,
1841	– coveitise is roote of alle harmes. –
1841	And therfore it were bettre for yow to
1841	Lese so muchel good of youre owene, than for
1842	To taken of hir good in this manere; for bettre
1842	it is to lesen good with worshipe, than it
1843	Is to wynne good with vileynye and shame.
1843	And everi man oghte to doon his diligence and
1844	His bisynesse to geten hym a good name.
1844	And yet shal he nat oonly bisie hym in kepynge
1845	of his good name, but he shal also enforcen
1845	hym alwey to do somthyng by
1846	Which he may renovelle his good name.
1846	For it is writen that – the olde good loos
1846	Or good name of a man is soone goon and
1847	Passed, whan it is nat newed ne renovelled. –
1847	And as touchynge that ye seyn ye wole exile
1848	Youre adversaries, that thynketh me muchel
1849	Agayn resoun and out of mesure, considered
1849	The power that they han yeve yow upon hemself.
1850	and it is writen that – he is worthy
1850	To lesen his privilege, that mysuseth the
1850	Myght and the power that is yeven
1851	Hym. – and I sette cas ye myghte enjoyne
1851	hem that peyne by right and by
1853	Lawe, which I trowe ye mowe nat do, I seye
1853	Ye mighte nat putten it to execucioun peraventure,
1854	and thanne were it likly to retourne
1855	To the werre as it was biforn. And therfore,
1855	If ye wole that men do yow obeisance,
1856	Ye moste deemen moore curteisly; this
1856	Is to seyn, ye moste yeven moore esy sentences
1857	and juggementz. For it is writen that
1857	– he that moost curteisly comandeth, to hym
1858	Men moost obeyen. – and therfore I prey yow
1858	That in this necessitee and in this nede ye caste
1859	Yow to overcome youre herte. For senec seith
1859	That – he that overcometh his herte, overcometh
1860	Twies. – and tullius seith: – ther is no
1861	Thyng so comendable in a greet lord as
1861	Whan he is debonaire and meeke, and
1862	Appeseth him lightly. – and I prey yow that ye
1863	Wole forbere now to do vengeance, in swich
1863	A manere that youre goode name may be kept
1864	And conserved, and that men mowe have
1864	Cause and mateere to preyse yow of pitee and
1865	Of mercy, and that ye have no cause to
1866	Repente yow of thyng that ye doon.
1866	For senec seith, – he overcometh in an
1866	Yvel manere that repenteth hym of his victorie.
1867	– wherfore I pray yow, lat mercy been in
1868	Youre herte, to th' effect and entente that
1868	God almighty have mercy on yow in his laste
1869	Juggement. For seint jame seith in his epistle:
1869	– juggement withouten mercy shal be doon
1870	To hym that hath no mercy of another wight. –
1870	Whanne melibee hadde herd the grete skiles
1870	And resouns of dame prudence, and hire
1871	Wise informaciouns and techynges, his
1871	Herte gan enclyne to the wil of his wif,
1872	Considerynge hir trewe entente, and conformed
1872	hym anon, and assented fully to werken
1873	After hir conseil; and thonked god, of whom
1873	Procedeth al vertu and alle goodnesse, that
1874	Hym sente a wyf of so greet discrecioun. And
1874	Whan the day cam that his adversaries sholde
1875	Appieren in his presence, he spak unto
1876	Hem ful goodly, and seyde in this wyse:
1876	Al be it so that of youre pride and heigh
1876	Presumpcioun and folie, and of youre necligence
1877	and unkonnynge, ye have mysborn yow
1878	And trespassed unto me, yet for as muche as
1879	I see and biholde youre grete humylitee, and
1879	That ye been sory and repentant of youre
1880	Giltes, it constreyneth me to doon yow
1881	Grace and mercy. Wherfore I receyve
1882	Yow to my grace, and foryeve yow outrely
1882	alle the offenses, injuries, and wronges that
1883	Ye have doon agayn me and myne, to this
1883	Effect and to this ende that God of his endelees
1884	mercy wole at the tyme of oure diynge
1884	Foryeven us oure giltes that we han trespassed
1885	To hym in this wrecched world. For doutelees,
1885	if we be sory and repentant of the synnes
1885	And giltes which we han trespassed in
1886	The sighte of oure lord god, he is so
1887	Free and so merciable that he wole foryeven
1888	us oure giltes, and bryngen us to the
1888	Blisse that nevere hath ende. Amen.

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The Canterbury Tales

Fragment VII

The Tale of Melibee

Heere bigynneth Chaucers

Tale of Melibee.

967

A yong man called melibeus, myghty and

967

Riche, bigat upon his wyf, that called was prudence,

968

a doghter which that called was sophie.

968

Upon a day bifel that he for his desport is

969

Went into the feeldes hem to pleye. His wyf

969

And eek his doghter hath he left inwith his hous,

970

Of which the dores weren faste yshette. Thre

970

Of his olde foes han it espyed, and setten laddres

970

To the walles of his hous, and by wyndowes

971

been entred, and betten his wyf,

971

And wounded his doghter with fyve mortal

972

woundes in fyve sondry places, – this is to

972

Seyn, in hir feet, in hire handes, in hir erys, in

972

Hir nose, and in hire mouth, – and leften hire

973

For deed, and wenten awey.

973

Whan melibeus retourned was in to his hous,

973

And saugh al this meschief, he, lyk a mad man,

974

Rentynge his clothes, gan to wepe and crie.

974

Prudence, his wyf, as ferforth as she dorste,

975

Bisoghte hym of his wepyng for to stynte; but

975

Nat forthy he gan to crie and wepen

975

Evere lenger the moore.

976

This noble wyf prudence remembred

976

Hire upon the sentence of ovide, in his book

976

That cleped is the remedie of love, where as

977

He seith he is a fool that destourbeth the

977

Mooder to wepen in the deeth of hire child,

978

Til she have wept hir fille as for a certein tyme;

978

And thanne shal man doon his diligence with

978

Amyable wordes hire to reconforte, and preyen

979

Hire of hir wepyng for to stynte. For which

979

Resoun this noble wyf prudence suffred hir

979

Housbonde for to wepe and crie as for a certein

980

Space; and whan she saugh hir tyme, she

980

Seyde hym in this wise: allas, my lord, quod

980

She, why make ye youreself for to be

981

Lyk a fool? for sothe it aperteneth nat

982