The History of grand amour and la bell Pucel, called the Pastime of pleasure, containing the knowledge of the seven sciences, & the course of man's life in this world. Invented by Stephen Hawes, groom of king Henry the seventh his chamber.  
¶ Newly perused and imprinted by john Wayland, authorized a printer, by the queens highness most gracious letters patents.   


¶ The contents of this book.  HOw grand amour walked in a meadow, & met with Fame environed with tongues of fire. Ca i. Of the sweet report of Fame; of the fair lady lafoy bell Pucell, in the tower of Music. cap. two. How Fame departed from grand Amoute, & left him governance and grace, and how he went to the tower of doctrine. ca iii How he was let in by countenance the portresse and of the marvelous building of the same tower Capitu. iiii. How science sent him first to Grammar, where he was received by dame congruity. ca v How he was received of logic. ca vi How he was received of Rhetoric, and what rhetoric is. ca seven Of the first part called Invention, and a commendation of poets. ca viii A replication against ignorant persons. ca ix Of disposition the. two. part of Rhetoric. ca x Of Elocution the third part of Rhetoric, with colouring of sentences. ca xi Of pronunciation, the. iiii. part of rhetoric. ca xii Of memory, the. v. part of rhetoric. ca xiii A commendation of Gower, Chaucer, and Lid gate. ca xiiii Of Arsmetrike. ca xv Of music mundain, human, & instrumental. ca xvi How grand amour was enamoured of la bell Pucell in the tower of music, and met with counsel in a temple. ca xvii Of the dolorous and lowly disputation between la bell Pucell, and grand amour. ca xviii How lafoy bell Pucell granted grand amour love, and of her dispiteous departage. ca nineteen Of the great sorrow that grand Amour made after her departing, and of the words of Counsel. ca xx How grand amour went to geometry, and what Geometry is. ca xxi Of dame Astronomy. ca xxii Of the direct operations of nature. ca xxiii Of the five internal wits. ca xxiiii Of the high influences of the supernal bodies. Capitu. xxv. How grand amour departed from the tower of science, & went to the tower of chivalry, where he was let in by fortitude. ca xxvi Of the marvelous argument, between Mars and Fortune. ca xxvii How Mynerue led grand amour to king Melyzyus, which made him knight. ca xxviii How he departed from king Melyzyus, which his greyhounds, and attendance his varlet, & met with false report, that changed his name to Godfrey Gobilyve. ca xxix How grand amour in the temple of Venus made his supplication. ca thirty. The copy of the letter that Venus sent to la bell Pucell. ca xxxi How Godfrey gobilive was taken of Correction and punished. ca xxxii How grand amour discomfited the giant w three heads, & was received w. three ladies. ca xxxiii How he met with perseverance, & reposed him in the manor place of dame comfort. ca xxxiiii How he vanquished a giant with seven heads and was received of seven ladies. ca xxxv How he made oblation to the goddess Pallas, and sailed over the tempestuous flood. ca xxxvi How he discomfited the wonderful monster of the. seven. metals made by enchantment. ca xxxvii How he was received of la bell Pucel. ca xxxviii The marriage of grand amour, and la bell Pucell. ca xxxix How when grand Amour had lived long with la bell Pucell, was arrested by age, that brought to him policy and avarice. ca xl How he was arrested by death. ca xli How remembrance made his epitaphy on his grave. ca xlii How Fame came into the temple with burning tongues, and of her praise. ca xliii How Time came into the temple in a marvelous similitude, and of his replication. ca xliiii How Eternity came into the temple, and of her virtuous exhortation. ca xlv The excusation of the Author. ca xlvi.   

¶ To the Reader.  
SI the that all men for the most part by a natural inclination, desire rather to spend their days in pleasure and delectable pastimes, then in painful studies and tedious labours. And yet nevertheless by the secret inspiration of almighty God (all men in general) so insaciately thirsteth for the knowledge of wisdom and learning, that some for very earnest desire thereof (though nature grudgeth) cease not to spend their days and hours, with such continual and importunate travail in seeking the same, that having no regard to the over pressing of Nature, in searching with all diligence for the true vain of knowledge, do suddenly bring forth their own confusion. Some contrariwise (whom nature to much ruleth) being discomforted with painful & tedious study, rather chose to be drowned in the stinking flood of ignorance, them with so much sweat and pains, to sail (with a by wind) into the pleasant Island of wisdom and science, which thing considered (most gentle Reader) I offer here unto the for thy better instruction this little volume, containing and treating upon the seven liberal sciences, & the whole course of man's life, first compiled & devised by Stephen Hawes gentleman, groom of the chamber to the famous Prince and second Solomon, king Henrye the seventh. A man (as by his works appeareth) of a pleasant wit, and singular learning, wherein thou shalt find at one time, wisdom and learning, with mirth and solace. So that herein thou mayest easily find (as it were in pastime) without offence of nature that thing, and in short space, which many great clerks without great pains and travail, & long continuance of time heretofore could never obtain nor get, which as it was first entitled by the author, to be the pastime of pleasure, and under the same title so dedicated to the said worthy Prince, by the author thereof: so shalt thou good reader with deliberate reading thereof, find it not only the Pastime of pleasure, but also of profit.  
Far well.   

To the high and mighty Prince, Henry the seventh, by the grace of God, king of England, and of France, Lord of Ireland. etc.  

RIght mighty prince, & redoubted sovereign  
Sailing forth well, in the ship of grace  
Over the waves of this life uncertain,  
Right toward heaven, to have dwelling place  
Grace doth you guide, in every doubtful case  
Your governance, doth ever more eschew  
The sin of sloth, enemy to virtue.   

Grace stirreth well, the grace of god is great  
Which you hath brought to your rial see,  
And in your right, it hath you surely set  
Above us all, to have the sovereignty:  
Whose worthy power, and regal dignity  
All our rancour, and our debate 'gan cease  
And hath us brought, both wealth, rest, and peace.   

From whom descendeth, by the rightful line  
Noble prince Henry, to succeed the crown  
That in his youth, doth so clearly shine  
In every virtue, casting the vice adown:  
He shall of fame, attain the high renown  
No doubt but grace, shall him well enclose  
Which by true right, sprang of the red rose.   

Your noble grace, and excellent hyenes  
For to accept I beseech right humbly,  
This little book, oppressed with rudeness  
Without rhetoric, or colour crafty:  
Nothing I am expert in poetry,  
As the monk of Bury, flower of eloquence  
Which was in the time of great excellence,   

Of your predecessor, the. b. king Henry,  
Unto whose grace, he did present  
Right famous books, of perfect memory:  
Of his fayving with terms eloquent.  
Whose fatal fictions, are yet permanent.  
Grounded on reason, with cloudy figures  
He cloaked the troth of all his scriptures.   

The light of troth, I lack cunning to cloak  
To draw a curtain, I dare not to presume  
Nor hide my matter, with a misty smoke  
My rudeness cunning, doth so sore consume  
Yet as I may, I shall blow out a fume  
To hide my mind, underneath a fable  
By covert colour, well and probable.   

Beseeching your grace, to pardon mine ignorance  
Which this feigned fable, to eschew idleness  
Have so compiled, now without doubtance  
For to present, to your high worthiness  
To follow the trace, and all the perfectness  
Of my master Lydgate, with due exercise  
Such feigned tales, I do find and devise.   

For under a colour, a truth may arise  
As was the guise, in old antiquity  
Of the poets old, a tale to surmise  
To cloak the truth, of their infirmity  
Or yet on joy, to have morality  
I me excuse, if by negligence  
That I do offend, for lack of science.   
¶ Your grace's most bound servant Stephen Hawes, one of the grooms of your majesties Chamber, the. xxi. year of your prosperous reign.   

How grand Amour walked in a meadow, and met with Fame, environed with tongues of fire. Chap. i.  

WHen Phoebus entered was, in Geminy  
Shining above, in his fair golden spear  
And horned diane, then but one degree  
In the crab had entered, fair & clear  
When that aurora, did well appear  
In the depured air, and cruddy firmament  
Forth then I walked, without impediment   

In to a meadow both gay and glorious  
Which Flora depainted with many a colour  
Like a place of pleasure most solacious  
Encensing out, the aromatic odour  
Of zepherus breath, which that every flower  
Through his fume, doth alway engender  
So as I went among the flowers tender   

By sudden chance, a fair path I found  
On which I looked, and right oft I mused  
And then all about, I beheld the ground  
With the fair path, which I saw so used  
My chance or fortune, I nothing refused  
But in the path, forth I went a pace  
To know whither, and unto what place   

It would me bring, by any similitude  
So forth I went, were it right or wrong  
Till that I saw, of royal pulcritude  
Before my face, an image fair and strong  
With two fair hands, stretched out along  
Unto two high ways, there in partition  
And in the right hand, was this description   

This is the straight way of contemplation  
Unto the joyful to were perdurable  
Who that will walk, unto that mansion  
He must forsake, all things variable  
With the vain glory, so much deceivable  
And though the way, be hard & dangerous  
The last end thereof, shall be right precious.   

And in the other hand, right fair written was  
This is the way, of worldly dignity  
Of the active life, who will in it pass  
Unto the tower, of fair dame beauty  
Fame shall tell him, of the way in certainty  
Unto la bell pucelle, the fair lady excellent  
Above all other, in clear beauty splendent   

I beheld right well, both the ways twain  
And mused oft, which was best to take  
The one was sharp, the other was more plain  
And unto myself, I began to make  
A sudden argument, for I might not slake  
Of my great musing, of this royal image  
And of these two ways, so much in usage   

For this goodly picture was in altitude,  
Nine foot and more, of fair marble stone  
Right well favoured, and of great altitude  
Though it were made, full many years agone  
Thus stood I musing, myself all alone  
By right long time, but at the last I went  
The active way, with all my whole intent   

Thus all alone, I began to travail  
For the on my way, by long continuance  
But often times, I had great marvel  
Of the by paths, so full of pleasance  
Which for to take, I had great doubtance  
But evermore, as near as I might  
I took the way, which went before me right   

And at the last, when Phoebus in the west  
'Gan to avail, with all his beams merry  
When clear Dyana, in the fair southeast  
'Gan for to rise, lighting our emispery  
With clouds clear, without the stormy pery  
Me thought a far, I had a vision  
Of a picture, of marvelous fashion.   

To which I went, without longer delay  
Beholding well, the right fair portayture  
Made of fine copper, shyding fair and gay  
Full well truly, according to measure  
And as I thought, nine foot of stature  
Yet in the breast, with letters fair and blue  
Was written, a sentence old and true   

This is the way, and the situation  
Unto the tour, of famous doctrine  
Who that will learn, must be ruled by reason  
And with all his diligence, he must incline  
sloth to eschew, and for to determine  
And set his heart, to be intelligible  
To a willing heart, is nought impossible   

Beside the image, I adown me set  
After my labour, myself to repose  
Till at the last, with a gasping net  
Sloth my head caught, with his whole purpose  
It veiled not, the body for to dispose  
Against the head, when it is applied  
The head must rule, it can not be denied   

Thus as I sat, in a deadly slumber  
Of a great horn, I heard a royal blast  
With which I awoke, and had a great wonder  
From whence it came, it made me sore aghast  
I looked about, the night was well near passed  
And fair golden Phoebus, in the morrow grey  
With clouds red, began to break the day   

I saw come riding, in a valley far  
A goodly Lady, environed about  
With tongues of fire, as bright as any star  
That fiery flames, ensensed always out  
Which I beheld, and was in great doubt  
Her Palfrey swift, running as the wind  
With two white greyhounds, that were not behind   

When that these greyhounds, had me so espied  
With fawning cheer, of great humility  
In goodly haste, they fast unto me hied  
I mused why, and wherefore it should be  
But I welcomed them, in every degree  
They leapt oft, and were of me right feign  
I suffered them, and cherished them again   

Their collars were of gold, and of tissue fine  
Wherein their names, appeared by scripture  
Of Diamonds that clearly do shine  
The letters were graven fair and pure  
To read their names, I did my busy cure  
The one was governance, the other named grace  
Then was I glad, of all this sudden case   

And then the Lady, with fiery flame  
Of brenning tongues, was in my presence  
Upon her palfrey, which had unto name  
Pegase the swift, so fair in excellence  
Which sometime longed, with his preminence  
To king Percius, the son of jubiter  
On whom he road, by the world so far   

To me she said, she marveled much why  
That her greyhounds, showed me that favour  
What was my name, she asked me truly  
To whom I said, it was la grand amour  
Beseeching you to be to me succour,  
To the tower of doctrine, and also me tell  
Your proper name, and where you do dwell.   

My name quoth she, in all the world is known  
Iclipped Fame, in every region  
For I my horn in sundry wise have blown  
After the death, of many a champion  
And with my tongues, have made aye mention  
Of their great acts, again to revive  
In flaming tongues, for to abide on live.   

It was the custom of old antiquity  
When the golden world, had domination  
And nature high, in her authority  
More stronger had, her operation  
Then she hath now, in her digression  
The people than did, all their busy pain  
After their death, in Fame to live again   

Record of Saturn, the first king of Crete  
Which in his youth, through his diligence  
Found first ploughing, of the lands sweet  
And after this, by his great sapience  
For the comen profit, and benevolence  
Of all metals, he made division  
One from an other, by good provision.   

And then also, as some poets feign  
He found shooting, and drawing of the bow  
Yet as of that, I am nothing certain  
But for his cunning, of high degree and low  
He was well beloved, as I do well know  
Through whose labour, and aye busy cure  
His fame shall live, and shall right long endure   

In whose time reigned, also in Thessaly  
A part of Grece, the king Melizyus  
That was right strong, and fierce in battle  
By whose labour, as the story showeth us  
He broke first horses, wild and rigorious  
teaching his men, on them right well to ride  
And he himself, did first the horse bestryde.   

Also Mynerue, the right hardy Goddess  
In the same time, of so high renown  
Vainquished Pallas, by her great worthiness  
And first made harness, to lay his pride adown  
Whose geeat defence, in every realm and town  
Was spread about, for her high chyvaltye  
Which by her harness, wan the victory   

Doth not remain, yet in remembrance  
The famous acts, of the noble Hercules  
That so many monsters put to utterance  
By his great wisdom, and high prows  
As the recoil of Troy, beareth good witness  
That in his time, he would no battle take  
But for the wealth, of the commons sake   

Thus the whole minds, were ever fixed and set  
Of noble men, in old time to devise  
Such things as were, to the comen profit  
For in that time, such was their goodly guise  
That after death, their fame should arise  
For to endure, and abide in mind  
As yet in books, we may them written find.   

O ye estates, surmowting in nobleness  
Remember well, the noble paynims all  
Now by their labour, they wan the highness  
Of worthy fame, to reign memorial  
And them applied, ever in special  
Things to practise, which should profit be  
To the comen wealth, and their heirs in fee.    

Of the sweet report of Fame, of the fair Lady la bell Pucel, in the tower of music. Chap. two.  

AND after this, Fame 'gan to express  
Of jeopardous way to the tower perilous  
And of the beauty, and the seemliness  
Of la bell Pucell, so gay and glorious  
That dwelled in the tower so marvelous  
Unto which might come, no manner of creature  
But by great labour, and hard adventure   

For by the way, there lie in wait  
Giants great, disfigured of nature  
That all devoureth, by their evil conceit  
Against whose strength, there may no man endure  
They are so huge, and strong out of measure  
With many serpents, foul and odious  
In sundry likeness, black and tedious   

But beyond them, a great sea there is  
Beyond which sea, there is a goodly land  
Most full of fruit, replete with joy and bliss  
Of right fine gold, appeareth all the sand  
In this fair realm, where the tower doth stand  
Made all of gold, enamelled about  
With noble stories, which do appear without   

In which dwelleth by great authority  
Of la bell Pucell, which is so fair and bright  
To whom in beauty, no pear I can see  
For like as Phoebus, above all stars in light  
When that he is, in his spear aright  
Doth exceed, with his beams clear  
So doth her beauty, above other appear   

She is both good, aye wise, and virtuous  
And also descended of a noble line  
Rich, comely, right meek, andbounteous  
All manner virtues, in her clearly shine  
No vice of her, may right long domyne  
And I dame Fame, in every Nation  
Of her do make the same relation.   

Her sweet report, so my heart set on fire  
With brenning love, most hot and fervent  
That her to see, I had great desire  
saying to Fame, O Lady excellent  
I have determined in my judgement  
For la bell Pucell, the most fair lady  
To pass the way, of so great jeopardy.   

You shall quod Fame, attain the victory  
If you will do, as I shall to you say  
And all my lesson, retain in memory  
To the tower of doctrine, ye shall take your way  
You are now within a days journey  
Both these greyhounds, shall keep you company  
Look that you cherish them full gently.   

And countenance the goodly portres,  
Shall let you in, full well and nobly  
And also she we you, of the perfectness  
Of all the seven sciences, right notably  
There in your mind, you may ententifely  
Unto dame doctrine, give perfit audience  
Which shall inform you, in every science   

Far well she said, I may not now abide  
Walk on your way, with all your whole delight  
To the tower of doctrine, at this morrow tied  
Ye shall to morrow, of it have a sight  
Keep on your way, now before you right  
For I must hence, to specify the deeds  
Of their worthiness, according to their medes.   

And with that she did, from me depart  
Upon her stead, swifter than the wind  
When she was gone, full woeful was my heart  
With inward trouble, oppressed was my mind  
Yet were the greyhounds, left with me behind  
Which did me comfort, in my great viage  
To the tower of doctrine, with their fawning courage.   

So forth I went, tossing on my brain  
Greatly musing, over hill and vale  
The way was troublous, & ay nothing plain  
Till at the lalte, I came to a dale  
Beholding Phoebus, declining low and pale  
With my greyhounds, in the fair twy light  
I sat me down, for to rest me all night.   

sloth upon me, so fast began to creep  
That of fine force, I down me laid  
Upon an hill, with my greyhounds to sleep  
When I was down, I thought me well apaid  
And to myself, these words than I said  
Who will attame, soon to his journeys end  
To nourish sloth, he may not condescend.    

¶ How Fame departed from grand amour, and left with him governance and Grace, and how he went to the tower of doctrine. Ca iii.  

THus then I slept, till that Aurora's beams  
'Gan for to spread, about the firmament  
And the clear sun, with his golden streams  
Began for to rise, fair in the orient  
Without Saturnus, black encombrement  
And the little birds, making melody  
Did me awake, with their sweet armony.   

I looked about, and saw a craggy roche  
far in the west, near to the element  
And as I did then, unto it approach  
Upon the top, I saw refulgent  
The royal tower, of moral document  
Made of fine copper, with turrets fair and high  
Which against Phoebus, shone so marvelously   

That for the very perfect brightness,  
What of the tower, and of the clear sun  
I could nothing, behold the goodliness  
Of that palace, where as doctrine did won  
Till at the last, with misty winds done  
The radiant brightness, of golden Phoebus  
Auster 'gan cover, with clouds tenebrus.   

Then to the tower I drew near and near  
And often mused, of the great highness  
Of the craggy rock, which quadrant did appear  
But the fair tower, so much of riches  
Was all about, sexangled doubtless  
Gargeyld with greyhounds, & with many lions  
Made of fine gold, with divers sundry dragons   

The little turrets, with images of gold  
About was set, which with the wind aye moved  
With proper vices, that I did well behold  
About the towers, in sundry wise they hoved  
With goodly pipes, in their mouths ituned  
That with the wind, they piped a dance  
Iclipped, amour de la haut pleasance.    

How he was let in by Countenance the porteres, and of the marvelous building of the same tower. Capitulo. iiii.  

THE tower was great, and of marvelous wideness,  
To which there was, no way to pass but one  
Into the tower, for to have an intresse  
A grece there was, ychesyled all of stone  
Out of the rock, on which men did gone  
Up to the tower, and in likewise did I  
With both the greyhounds, in my company   

Till that I came, to a royal gate  
Where I saw standing, the goodly portres  
Which axed me, from whence I came o'late  
To whom I 'gan, in every thing express  
All mine adventure, chance and business  
And eke my name, I told her every dell  
When she heard this, she liked me right well   

Her name she said, was called countenance  
Into the busy court, she did me then lead  
Where was a fountain, depured of pleasance  
A noble spring, a royal conduit head  
Made of fine gold, enamelled with red  
And on the top, four dragons blue and stout  
This dulcet water, in four parts did spout   

Of which there flowed, four rivers right clear.  
sweeter than Nysus, or Ganges was their odour  
Tygrys, or Eufrates, unto them no peer  
I did then taste, the aromatic liquor  
Fragrant of fume, sweet as any flower  
And in my mouth, it had a marvelous cent  
Of divers spices, I knew not what it mente   

And after this, further forth me brought  
Dame countenance, into a goodly hall  
Of jasper stones, it was wonderslye wrought  
The windows clear, depured all of crystal  
And in the roof, on high over all  
Of gold was made, a right crafty vine  
In stead of grapes, the Rubies there did shine.   

The flore was paved, with beryll clarified  
With pillars made, of stones precious  
Like a place of pleasure, so gayely glorified  
It might be called, a palace glorious  
So much delectable, and solacious  
The hall was hanged, high and circular  
With cloth of arras, in the richest manner   

That treated well, of a full noble story  
Of the doughty way, to the tower perilous  
How a noble knight, should win the victory  
Of many a serpent, fowl and odious  
And the first matter, than appeared thus  
How at a venture, and by sudden chance  
He met with Fame, by fortune's purveyance.   

Which did him she we, of the famous pulcritude  
Of la bell Pucell, so clear in beauty  
Excelling all other, in every similitude  
Nature her favoured, so much in degree  
When he heard this, with fervent amity  
Accompanied, with grace and governance  
He took his way, without encumbrance   

Unto the right famous, tower of learning  
And so from thence, unto the tower of chivalry  
Where he was made knight, the noble king  
Called Melyzyus, well and worthily  
And furthermore, it showed full notably  
Upon the arras, embroidered all of blue  
What was his name, with letters all of grew   

Thus with his varlet, he took on his way  
To the perilous tower, and situation  
Meeting folly, as he road on his journey  
Riding on a mare, by great illusion  
After whom, ensued fast correction  
And in her hand, a strong knotted whip  
At every iarte, she made him for to skip.   

And then correction, braught la grand amour  
Unto the tower, whereas he might well see  
divers men, making right great dolour  
That defrauded women, by their duplicity  
Yet before this, in perfit certainty  
As the arras well did make relation  
In Venus' temple, he made his oblation.   

After which he met, an hideous giant  
Having three heads, of marvelous kind  
With his great strokes, he did him daunt  
Casting him down, under the lined  
With force and might, he did him bind  
Striking of his heads, than everichone  
That of all three heads, he left not one   

This terrible giant, yet had a brother  
Which grand amour, destroyed also  
Having four heads, more than the other  
That unto him wrought mikel woe  
But he slew soon, his mortal foe  
Which was a great giant, with heads seven  
To marvelous, now for me to neven   

Yet more over, he put to utterance  
A venomous beast, of sundry likeness  
Of divers beasts, of right great mischance  
Whereof the picture, bore good witness  
For by his power, and his high worthiness  
He did discomfit, the wondrous serpent  
Of the same metals, made by enchantment   

And eke the cloth, made demonstration  
How he wedded, the great lady beauteous  
La bell Pucell, in her own domination  
After his labour, and passage dangerous  
With solemn joy, and mirth melodious  
This famous story, well pictured was  
In the fair hall, upon the arras.   

The marshal, yclept was dame Reason  
And the ewers, also observance  
The panter pleasance, at every season  
The good butler, courteous continuance  
And the chief coke, was called temperance.  
The lady chamberlain, named fidelity  
And the high steward, liberality.   

There sat dame Doctrine, that lady gent  
Which called me, unto her presence  
For to know all the whole intent  
Of my coming, unto her excellence  
Madam I said, to learn your science  
I am comen, now me to apply  
With all my cure, in perfect study.   

And yet also, I unto her than showed  
My name and purpose, without doubleness  
For very great joy, than were endued  
Her crystal eyes, full of lowliness  
When that she knew, for very sikernesses  
That I was he, that should so attain  
La bell Pucell, with my busy pain.   

And after this, I had right good there  
Of meat and drink, there was great plenty  
Nothing I wanted, were it cheap or dear  
Thus was I served, with delicate dishes dainty  
And after this, with all humility  
I went to doctrine, praying her good grace  
For to assign me, my first learning place   

Seven daughters, most expert in cunning  
Without folly, she had well engendered  
As the seven Sciences, in virtue so shining  
At whose increase, there is great thanks rendered  
Unto the mother, as nothing surrendered  
Her good name, and her dulcet sound  
Which did engender, their original ground.   

And first to grammar, she first me sent  
To whose request, I did well obey  
With diligence, forth on my way I went  
Up to a chamber, depainted fair and gay  
And at the chamber, in right rich array  
We were let in, by high authority  
Of the right noble, dame congruity.    

How Science sent him first to Grammar, where he was received by dame Congruity. Capi. v.  

THe lady Grammar, in all humble wise  
Did me receive, into her goodly school  
To whose doctrine, I did me advertise  
For to attain, in her arctic pole  
Her gilted dew, for to oppress my dole  
To whom I said, that I would gladly learn  
Her noble cunning, so that I might decern   

What that it is, and why that it was made  
To which she answered, then in special  
Because that cunning, should not pale ne fade  
Of every science, it is original  
Which doth us teach, ever in general  
In all good order, to speak directly  
And for to write, by true artografy.   

Sometime in Egypt, reigned a noble king  
I clipped Enander, which did well abound  
In many virtues, especially in learning  
Which had a daughter, that by her study found  
To write true latin, the first perfect ground  
Whose goodly name, as her story says  
Was called Carmentis, in her living days   

Thus in the time, of old antiquity  
The noble Philosophers, with their whole delight  
For the comen profit, of all humanity  
Of the seven sciences, for to know the right  
They studied many, a long winter's night  
Each after other, their parts to express  
This was their guise, to eschew idleness.   

The pomped carks, with food delicious  
They did not feed, but to their sustenance  
They followed not their flesh so vicious  
But ruled it, by prudent governance  
They were content, always with suffisance  
They coveted not, no worldly treasure  
For they knew, that it might not endure   

But now adays, the contrary is used  
To win the money, their studies be all set  
The comen profit, is often refused  
For well is he, that may the money get  
From his neighbour, without any let  
They think nothing, they shall from it pass  
When all that is, shallbe turned to was   

The brittle flesh, nourisher of vices  
Under the shadow, of evil slogardy  
Must ne des haunt, the carnal delices  
When that the brain, by corrupt gluttony  
Up so down, is turned then contrary  
Frail is the body, to great unhappiness  
When that the head, is full of drunkenness.   

So do they now, for they nothing prepence  
How cruel death, doth them sore ensue  
They are so blinded, in worldly negligence  
That to their merit, they will nothing renew  
The seven sciences, their sloth to eschew  
To an others profit, they take now no keep  
But to their own, for to eat, drink, and sleep   

And all this dame Grammar, told me every deal  
To whom I hearkened, with all my diligence  
And after this, she taught me right well  
First my donet, and then my accedence  
I set my mind, with piercing influence  
To learn her science, the first famous art  
eschewing idleness, and laying all apart   

Madam quoth I, for as much as there be  
Uiii. parts of speech, I would know right feign  
What a noun substantive, is in his degree  
And wherefore it is, so called certain  
To whom she answered, right gently again  
saying alway, that a noun substantive  
Might stand without help of an adjective   

The latin word, which that is referred  
Unto a thing, which is substantial  
For a noun substantive, is well averred  
And with a gender, is declinall  
So, all the eight parts in general  
Are latin words, annexed properly  
To every speech, for to speak formally   

And Grammar is, the first fundament  
Of every science, to have construction  
Who knew Grammar, without impediment  
Should perfectly have intellection  
Of a literal sense, and moralization  
To construe every thing ententiflye  
The word is Grammar, well and ordinately   

By word the world, was made originally  
The high king said, it was made incontinente  
He did command, all was made shortly  
To the world, the word is sententious judgement  
I marked well, dame Gramers' sentment  
And of her then, I did take my licence  
Going to logic, with all my diligence    

¶ How he was received of logic. Capit. vi.  

SO up I went, unto a chamber bright  
Where was wont, to be a right fair Lady  
Before whom then, it was my hole delight  
I kneeled adown, full well and meekly  
Beseeching her to instruct me shortly  
In her noble science, which is expedient  
For man to know, in many an argument   

You shall quoth she, my science well learn  
In time and space, to your great utility  
So that in me looking, you shall then discern  
A friend from foe, and good from iniquity  
Right from wrong, ye shall know in certainty  
My science is, all the ill to eschew  
And for to know, the false from the true.   

Who will take pain, to follow the trace  
In this wretched world, of troth & righteousness  
In heaven above, he shall have dwelling place  
And who that walketh, the way of darkness  
Spending his time, in worldly wretchedness  
A mids the earth, in hell most horrible  
He shall have pain, nothing extinguyssyble   

So by logic, is good perseverance  
To divide the good, and the evil a sunder  
It is alway, at man's pleasance  
To take the good, and cast the evil under  
If God made hell, it is thereof no wonder  
For to punish man, that had intelligence  
To know good from ill, by true experience   

logic always, doth make probation  
Proving the pro, well from the contrary  
In sundry wise, by argumentation  
Grounded on reason, well and wondrously  
Who understood, all Logic truly  
Nothing by reason, might be in pleading  
But he the truth, should have in knowledging   

Her wise doctrine, I marked in memory  
And took my leave, of her high person  
Because that I might, no longer tarry  
The year was spent, and so far then gone  
And of my lady, yet sight had I none  
Which was abiding, in the tower of music  
Wherefore anon, I went to rhetoric.    

¶ How he was received of rhetoric, and what Rhetoric is. Capit. seven.  

THan above Logic, up we went a stair  
Into a chamber, gaily glorified  
Strewed with flowers, of all goodly air  
Where sat a Lady, greatly magnified  
And her true vesture, clearly purified  
And over her head, that was bright and sheen  
She had a garland, of the laurel green   

Her goodly chamber, was set all about  
With depured mirrors, of speculation  
The fragrant fumes, did well incense out  
All misty vapours, of perturbation  
More liker was, her habitation  
Unto a place, which is celestial  
Then to a terrayne, mansion fatal   

Before whom then, I did kneel a down  
saying, O star of famous eloquence  
O gilted Goddess, of the high renown  
inspired, with the heavenly influence  
Of the dulcet well, of complacence  
Upon my mind, with dew aromatic  
distill adown, thy lusty rhetoric   

And depaint my tongue, with thy royal flowers  
Of delicate odours, that I may ensue  
In my purpose, to glad my auditors  
And with thy power, that thou me endue  
To morallise, thy literal censes true  
And cleanse away, the mist of ignorance  
With depured beams, of goodly ordinannce.   

With humble ears, of perfit audience  
To my request, she did then incline  
saying she would, in her goodly science  
In short space, me so well indoctrine  
That my dull mind, it should enlumine  
With golden beams, for ever to oppress  
My rude language, and all my simpleness   

I thanked her, of her great gentleness  
And axed her, after this question  
Madam I said, I would know doubtless  
What Rhetoric is, without abusion  
Rhetoric she said, was found by reason  
Man for to govern, well and prudently  
His words to order, his speech to purify   

five parts hath Rhetoric, for to work true  
Without which five, there can be no sentence  
For these five, do well evermore renew  
The matter perfit: with good intelligence  
Who that will see them, with all his diligence  
Here following, I shall them specify  
According well, all unto mine ordinary.    

Of the first: called Invention. And a commendation of poets. Capit. viii.  

THe first of them, is called Invention  
Which surdeth, of the most noble work  
Of. v. inward wits, with whole affection  
As writeth right many a noble clerk,  
With misty colour, of clouds dark  
how comen wit, doth full well elect  
What it should take, and what it shall abject   

And secondly, by imagination  
To draw a matter, full facundious  
Full marvelous, is the operation  
To make of nought, reason sententious  
Cloaking a truth, with colour tenebrous  
For often under, a fair feigned fable  
A truth appeareth, greatly profitable   

It was the guise, in old antiquity  
Of famous poets, right ymaginatife  
Fables to feign, by good authority  
They were so wise, and so inventive  
Their obscure reason, fair and sugratyfe  
Pronounced truth, under cloudy figures  
By the invention, of their fatal scriptures   

And thirdly, they had such a fancy  
In this high art, to be intelligible  
Their fame increasing, evermore truly  
To sloth ever, they were invincible  
To their woeful hearts, was nought impossible  
With brenning love, of insatiate fire  
New things to find, they set their desire   

For though a man, of his proper mind  
Be inventive, and he do not apply  
His fantasy, unto the busy kind  
Of hys cunning, it may not ratify  
For fantasy, must needs exemplify  
His new invention, & cause him to intend  
With whole desire, to bring it to an end   

And four, by good estimation  
He must number, all the whole circumstance  
Of this matter, with breviation  
That he walk not, by long continuance  
The perambulat way, full of all variance  
By estimation, is made annunciate  
Whether the matter, be long or breviate   

For to Invention, it is equipollent  
The matter found, right well to comprehend  
In such a space, as is convenient  
For properly, it doth ever pretend  
Of all the purpose, the length to extend  
So estimation, may right well conclude  
The perfit number, of every similitude   

And yet then, the retentife memory  
Which is the fift, must ever agregate  
All matters thought, to retain inwardly  
Till reason thereof, hath made aprobate  
And by scripture, will make demonstrate  
Outwardly, according to the thought  
To prove a reason, upon a thing of nought   

Thus when the fourth, hath wrought full wonderly  
Then must the mind, work upon them all  
By course ingenious, to run directly  
After their thoughts, then in general  
The mind must cause them, to be memorial  
As after this, shall appear more openly  
All whole expressed, by dame philosophy.   

O trust of virtue, and of royal pleasure  
Of famous poets, many years ago  
O insatiate covetise, of the special treasure  
Of new invention, of idleness the foe  
We may you laud, and often praise also  
And specially, for worthy causes three  
Which to this day, we may both here and see   

As to the first, your whole desire was set  
Fable to feign, to eschew idleness  
With ampliation, more cunning to get  
By the labour, of iwentife business  
Touching the truth, by covert likeness  
To disnull vice, and the vicious to blame  
Your deeds thereto, exemplified the same.   

And secondly, right well you did indite  
Of the worthy acts, of many a conqueror  
Through which labour, that you did so write  
Unto this day, raineth the honour  
Of every noble, and mighty warrior  
And for your labour, and your bnsy pain  
Your fame yet liveth, & shall endure certain   

And eke to praise you, we are greatly bound  
Because our cunning, from you so precedeth  
For you thereof, were first original ground  
And upon your scripture, our science ensueth  
Your splendent verses, our lightness reneweth  
And so we ought, to laud and magnify  
Your excellent springs, of famous poetry.    

Capitu. ix.  

BUt rude people, oppressed with blindness  
Against your fables, will often solisgise  
Such is their mind, such is their foolishness  
For they believe, in no manner of wise  
That under a colour, a troth may arise  
For foolish people, blinded in a matter  
Will often err, when they of it do clatter   

O all ye cursed, and such evil fools  
Whose sights be blinded, over all with folly  
Open your eyes, in the pleasant schools  
Of perfect cunning, or that you reply  
Against fables, for to be contrary  
For lack of cunning, no marvel though you err  
In such science, which is from you so far   

For now the people, which is dull and rude  
If that they do read, a fatal scripture  
And can not moralise, the similitude  
Which to their wits, is so hard and obscure  
Then will they say, that it is seen in ure  
That nought do poets, but depaint and lie  
Deceiving them, by tongues of flattery.   

But what for that, they can not defame  
The poets acts, which are in effect  
Unto themselves, remaineth the shame  
To dispraise that, which they can not correct  
And if that they, had in it inspect  
Than they would it praise, and often elevate  
For it should be to them, so delicate.    

Capitulo. x.  

THe second part, of crafty Rhetoric  
May well be called, disposition  
That doth so high matters aromatic  
adown distill, by consolation  
As old poets, make demonstration  
That Mercury, through his pre-eminence  
His natives endueth, with famous eloquence   

By very reason, it may right well appear  
That divers persons, in sundry wise delight  
Their consolations, doth contrary so steer  
That many minds, may not agree aright  
Such is the planets, of their course and might  
But what for that, be it good or ill  
Them for to follow, it is at man's free-will.   

And disposition, the true second part  
Of Rhetoric, doth evermore direct  
The matters found, of this noble art  
giving them place, after the aspect  
And oft time, it hath the inspect  
As from a fair, perfit narration  
Or else by a steadfast, argumentation   

The which was constitute, by beginning  
As on the reason, and if appearance  
Of the cause, then by outward seeming  
Be hard and difficult, in the utterance  
So as the mind, have no perseverance  
Nor of the beginning, can have audience  
Then must narration, begin the sentence   

And if it be, a little probable  
From any manner steadfast argument  
We order it, for to be right stable  
And then we never begin our sentment  
Reciting letters, not convenient  
But this commutation, should be rufused  
Without cause or thing, make it be used   

This that I writ, is hard and covert  
To them that have, nothing intelligence  
Up so down, they make it oft transuert  
Or that they can know, the, experience  
Of this craft, and facundious science  
By disposition, the rethoricyan  
To make laws, ordinately began   

Without disposition, none order 'gan be  
For the disposition, ordereth every matter  
And giveth the place, after the degree  
Without order, without reason we clatter  
Where is no reason, it vaileth not to chatter  
Disposition, ordereth a tale directly  
In a perfect reason, to conclude truly   

The fatal problems, of old antiquity  
Cloaked with mist, and with clouds dark  
Ordered with reason, and high authority  
The troth did show, of all their covert work  
Thus have they made, many a noble clerk  
To disnul mischief, and inconvenience  
They made our laws, with great diligence   

Before the law, in a tumbling barge  
The people sailed, without perfectness  
Through the world, all about at large  
They had no order, nor no steadfastness  
Tyil rethoricians, found justice doubtless  
Ordaining kings, of right high dignity  
Of all commons, to have the sovereignty.   

The barge to steer, with law and justice  
Over the waves, of this life transitory  
To direct wrongs, and also prejudice  
And though that will, resist a contrary  
Against their king, by justice openly  
For their rebellion, and evil treason  
Shall suffer death, by right and reason   

O what laud, glory, and great honour  
Unto these poets, shallbe notified  
The which distilled, aromatic liquor  
Cleansing our sight, with order purified  
Whose famous draughts, so exemplified  
Set us in order, grace, and governance  
To live directly, without encumbrance.   

But many one, the which is rude and dull  
Will despise their work, for lack of cunning  
All in vain, they do so hale and pull  
When they thereof, lack understanding  
They grope over, where is no feeling  
So dull they are, that they can not find  
This royal art, for to perceive in mind    

Capitu. xi.  

ANd then the third part, is elocution  
When invention, hath the purpose wrought  
And set it in order, by disposition  
Without this third part, it vaileth right nought  
Though it be found, and in order brought  
Yet Elocution, with the help of Mercury  
The matter exorneth, right well facundiously   

In few words, sweet and sententious  
depainted with gold, hard in construction  
To the arctic ears, sweet and delicious  
The golden rhetoric, is good refection  
And to the reader, right consolation  
As we do gold, from copper purify  
So that Elocution, doth right well clarify   

The dulcet speech, from the language rude  
Telling the tale, in terms eloquent  
The barbary tongue, it doth far exclude  
Electing words, which are expedient  
In latin, or in english, after the intent  
Encensing out, the aromatic fume  
Our language rude, to exile and consume   

But what availeth, evermore to sow  
The precious stones, among grunting hogs  
Draff unto them, is more metre I trow  
Let an hare and swine, be among cur dogs  
Though to the hares, were tied great clogs  
The gentle beast, they will regard nothing  
But to the swine, take course of running   

TO cloak the sentence, under misty figures  
By many colours, as I make relation  
As the old poets, covered their scriptures  
Of which the first, is distribution  
That to the evil, for their abusion  
Doth give pain, and to the worthy  
Laud and praise, them for to magnify.   

Of beast or bird, they take a similitude  
In the condition, like to the party  
Feble, fair, or yet of fortitude  
And under colour, of this beast privily  
The moral sense, they cloak full subtly  
In praise or dispraise, as it is reasonable  
Of whose feigning, first rose the fable   

Concluding reason, greatly profitable  
Who that their fables, can well moralyse  
The fruitful sentences, are delectable  
Though that the fiction, they do so devise  
Under the colour, the truth doth arise  
Concluding reason, riches, and cunning  
Pleasure, example, and also learning.   

They feigned no fable, without reason  
For reasonable is, all their morality  
And upon reason, was their conclusion  
That the comen wit, by possibility  
May well adjudge, the perfit verity  
Of their sentence, for reason openly  
To the comen wit, it doth so notify.   

riches.  
Their fruitful sentence, was great riches  
The which right surely, they might well domine  
For lordship, wealth, and also noblesse  
The chance of fortune, can soon determine  
But what for this, she can not decline  
The noble science, which after poverty  
May bring a man, again to dignity   

science.  
Their sentence is cunning, as appeareth well  
For by cunnyug, their art doth engender  
And without cunning, we know never a deal  
Of their sentence, but may soon surrender  
A true tale, that might to us render  
Great pleasure, if we were intelligible  
Of their cunning, nothing impossible   

Pleasure.  
O what pleasure, to the intelligent  
It is to know, and have perseverance  
Of their cunning, so much expedient  
And thereof, to have good utterance  
Reading new things, of so great pleasance  
feeding the mind, with food insatiate  
The tales new, they are so delicate.   

Example.  
In an example, with a misty cloud  
Of covert likeness, the poets do write  
And underneath the truth, doth so shroud  
Both good and ill, as they list acquit  
With similitude, they did so well indite  
As I hereafter, shall the truth soon show  
Of all their misty, and their fatal dew.   

The poets feign, how that king Athias  
Heaven should bear, upon his shoulders high  
Because in cunning, he did all other pass  
Especially, in the high astronomy  
Of the six planets, he knew so perfectly  
The operations, how they were domified  
For which poets, him so exemplified.   

And in likewise, unto the sagittary  
They feign the centaurs, to be of likeness  
As half man, and half horse truly  
Because Mylizyus, with his worthiness  
Did first attain, and break the wildness  
Of the royal steeds, and right swiftly  
His men and he, road on them surely.   

And also Pluto, sometime king of hell  
A city of Grece, standing in the ssayle  
Between great rocks, as the book doth tell  
Wherein were people, without any fail  
Huge, fierce, and strong in battle  
tyrants, thieves, replete with treason  
Wherefore poets, by true comparison   

Unto the devils, black, and tedious  
Did them resemble, in terrible figure  
For their misliving, so foul and vicious  
As to this day, it doth appear in ure  
Of Cerberus, the deflowered picture  
The porter of hell, with three heads ugly  
Like an horrible giant, fierce, and wonderly.   

Because always, his customed tyranny  
Was elevate in heart, by high presumption  
Thinking himself, most strong and mighty  
And secondly, he was destruction  
Of many Ladies, by evil compulsion  
And thirdly, his desire insatiable  
Was to get riches, full innumerable.   

Thus for these three vices abhomminable  
They made him, with three heads serpentine  
And like a fiend, his body semblable  
For his pride, avarice, and also rapine  
The moral sense, can soon illumine  
The fatal picture, to be exuberaunt  
And to our sight clear, and not vigilant.   

Also rehearsed, the chronicles of Spain  
how redoubted Hercules, by puissance  
Fought with an Ydre, right great certain  
Having seven heads, of full great mischannce  
For when that he, with all his valiance  
Had stricken of an head, right shortly  
An other anon, arose right suddenly.   

Seven sophims, full hard and fallacious  
This Ydre used, in preposition  
Unto the people, and was full rygorious  
To devour them, where lacked responsion  
And when one reason, had conclusion  
An other reason, then incontinent  
Began again, with subtle argument.   

For which cause, the poets covertly  
With seven heads, doth this Ydre depaint  
For these seven sophims, full right closely  
But of rude people, the wits are so faint  
That with their cunning, they can not acquaint.  
But who that list, their science to learn  
Their obscure figures, he shall well decern   

O redolent well, of famous poetry  
O clear fountain, replete with sweetness  
Reflering out, the dulcet delicacy  
Of four rivers, in marvelous wideness  
Fairer than Tygrys, or yet Eufrates  
For the first river, is understanding  
The second river, close concluding.   

The third river, is called novelrye  
The fourth river, is called carbuncles  
amids of whom, the tower is so goodly  
Of Uyrgill, standeth most solacious  
Where he is entired, in stones precious  
By this fair tower, in a goodly green  
This well doth spring, both bright and sheen   

To understanding, these. iiii. accident  
Doctrine, perseverance, and exercise  
And also thereto, is equipollent  
Evermore, the perfit practice  
For first doctrine, in all goodly wise  
The perseverant truth, in his booth of will  
In understanding, for to know good from ill   

So famous poets, did us endoctrine  
Of the right way, for to be intellectife  
Their fables they did, right so imagine  
That by example, we may void the strife  
And without mischief, for to lead our life  
By the advertence, of their stories old  
The fruit whereof, we may full well behold   

depainted on arras, how in antiquity  
Destroyed was, the great city of Troy  
For a little cause, grounded on vanity  
To mortal ruin, they turned their joy  
Their understanding, they did then occoy  
Nothing prepensing, how they did prepare  
To scourge themselves, & bring them in a snare.   

Who is oppressed, with a little wrong  
Revenging it, he may it soon increase  
For better it is, for to suffer among  
An injury, as for to keep the peace  
Then to begin, which he shall never cease  
War once begun, it is hard to know  
Who shall abide, and who shall overthrow.   

The high power, honour, and nobleness  
Of the mighty romans, to whose excellence  
All the wide world, so much of greatness  
Unto their empire, was in obedience  
such was their famous port, and pre-eminence  
Till win themselves, there was a contraversy  
Making them lose, their worthy sygneoury   

It is ever, the ground of Sapience  
Before that thou, accomplish outwardly  
For to revolve, understanding and prepense  
All in thyself, full often inwardly  
The beginning, and the middle certainly  
With the end, or thou put it in ure  
And work with council, that thou mayest be sure   

And who that so doth, shall never repent  
For his deeds is founded, on a perfect ground  
And for to fall, it hath none impediment  
With sureness, it is so high walled round  
In wealth and riches, it must needs abound  
On every side, it hath such ordinance  
That nothing can, do it annoyance   

Thus the poets conclude full closely  
Their fruitful probles, for reformation  
To make us learn, to live directly  
Their good intent, and true construction  
Showing to us, the whole affection  
Of the way of virtue, wealth, and stableness  
And to shut the gate, of mischievous entries   

And evermore, they are imaginative  
Tales new, from day to day to feign  
The erring people, that are retractive  
As to the right way, to bring them again  
And who that list, their sentence retain  
It shall him profit, if he will apply  
To do thereafter, full conveniently.   

Carbuncles, in the most dark night  
Doth shine fair, with clear radiant beams  
Exiling darkness, with his rays light  
And so these poets, with their golden streams  
devoid our rudeness, with great fiery leams  
Their centencious verses, are refulgent  
Encensing out, the odour redolent.   

And is their work also extinguishible  
Nay truly, for it doth shine right clear  
Through clouds dark, unto the audible  
To whom truly, it may nothing appear  
Where cunning faileth, the science so dear  
Ignorance hateth, with fervent envy  
And unto cunning, is mortal enemy.   

O ignorance, with sloth so oppressed  
Open thy curtain, so right dim and dark  
And evermore remember, the behest  
Of thy labour, to understand thy work  
Of many a noble, and right famous clerk  
Fie upon sloth, the nourisher of vice  
Which unto youth, doth often prejudice   

Who in youth list, nothing to learn  
He will repent him, often in his age  
That he the cunning, can nothing decern  
Therefore now youth, with lusty courage  
Rule thy flesh, and thy sloth assuage  
And in thy youth, the science engender  
That in thine age, it may the worship render   

Cunning is light, and also pleasant  
A gentle burden, without grievousness  
Unto him, that is right well appliaunt  
For to bear it, with all his business  
He shall attaste, the well offruitefulues  
Which Uirgyll clarified, and also Tullius  
With latin pure, sweet, and delicious.   

From whence my master lidgate derified,  
The depured rhetoric, in english language  
To make our tongue, so clearly purified  
That the vile terms, should nothing arage  
As like a pie, to chatter in a cage  
But for to speak, with rhetoric formally  
In the good order, withouten villainy.   

And who his books, list to hear or see  
In them he shall find, elocution  
With as good order, as any may be  
Keeping full close, the moralization  
Of the truth, of his great intention  
Whose name is registered, in remembrance  
For to endure, by long continuance.   

Now after this, for to make relation  
Of famous rhetoric, so in this party  
As to the fourth part, pronunciation  
I shall it show, anon right openly  
With many branches, of it sickerly  
And how it taketh, the whole effect  
In every place, degree and aspect.    

Capitu. xii.  

WHen the matter, is found by invention  
Be it merry, or yet of great sadness  
Set in a place, by the disposition  
And by elocutions, famous clearness  
Exornate well, and ready to express  
Then pronunciation, with cheer and countenance  
Conveniently, must make the utterance.   

With humble voice, and also moderate  
According, as by him is audience  
And if there be, a right high estate  
Then under honour, and obedience  
Reasonably done, unto his excellence  
Pronouncing his matter, so facundious  
In all due manner, to be sententious.   

For though a matter, be never so good  
I fit be told, with tongue of barbary  
In rude manner, without the discrete mode  
It is disturbance, to a whole company  
For to see them, so rude and boistously  
Demean themselves, uttering the sentence  
Without good manner, or yet intelligence   

It is a thing, right greatly convenable  
To pronounce the matter as it is convenient  
And to the hearers, right delectable  
When the utterer, without impediment  
With right good manner, countenance. and intent  
Doth tell his tale, unto them treatably  
Keeping his manner, and voice full moderately   

This is the custom, that the poets use  
To tell their tale, with all due circumstance  
The villain courage, they do much refuse  
That is boisterous, and rude of governance  
And evermore, they do to them advance  
Nurture, manner, and all gentleness  
In their behaving, with all seemliness.   

And thus the gentle, rhetorician  
Through the labour, of his royal clergy  
The famous nurture, oryginally began  
Oppressing our rudeness, and our folly  
And for to govern us, right prudently  
The good manner, increaseth dignity  
And the rudeness, also iniquity   

The famous poet, who so list to here  
To tell his tale, it is solatious  
Beholding his manners, and also his cheer  
After the manner, be it sad, or joyous  
If it be sad, his cheer is dolorous  
As in bewailing, a woeful tragedy  
That worthy is, to be in memory.   

And if the matter, be joyful and glad  
Like countenance, outwardly they make  
But moderation, in their minds is had  
So that outrage, may them not overtake  
I can not write, to much for their sake  
Them to laud, for my time is short  
And the matter long, which I must report.    

Capitulo. xiii.  

ANd the. v. part, is then memoratyfe  
The which, the perfect ministration  
ordinately causeth, to be retentive  
Driving the tale, to good conclusion  
For it behoveth, to have respection  
Unto the tale, and the very ground  
And on what image, he his matter found.   

If to the orator, many a sundry tale  
One after other, treatably be told  
Then sundry images, in his closed male  
Each for a matter, he doth then well hold  
Like to the tale, he doth then so behold  
And inward, a recapitulation  
Of each image, the moralization   

Which be the tales, he grounded privily  
Upon these images, signification  
And when time is, for him to specify  
All his tales, by demonstration  
In due order, manner, and reason  
Then each image, inward directly  
The orator, doth take full properly   

So is imprinted, in his proper mind  
Every tale, with whole resemblance  
By this image, he doth his matter find  
Each after other, withouten variance  
Who to this art, will give attendance  
As thereof to know, the perfectness  
In the poets school, he must have interest   

Then shall he know, by perfect study  
The memorial art, of rhetoric defuse  
It shall to him, so well exemplify  
If that him list, the science to use  
Though at the first, it be to him obtuse  
With exercise, he shall it well augment  
Under clouds dark, and terms eloquent.   

But now of days, the sin of avarice  
Exileth the mind, and the whole delight  
To covet cunning, which is great prejudice  
For insaciatly, so blinded is their sight  
With the silver, and the gold so bright  
They nothing think, on fortune variable  
Which all their riches, can make transmutable   

The old saws, they right clean abject  
Which for our learning, the poets did write  
With avarice they are so sore infect  
They take no heed, nothing they write  
Which morally, did so nobly indite  
Reproving vice, praising the virtue  
Which idleness, did evermore eschew.   

Now, will I cease, of lusty rhetoric  
I may not tarry, for my time is short  
For I must proceed, and show of arismetrike  
With divers numbers, which I must report  
Hope inwardly, doth me well comfort  
To bring my book, unto a fynishment  
Of all my matter, and my true intent.    

Capitu. xiiii.  

O Thoughtful heart, tumbled all about  
Upon the sea, of stormy ignorance  
For to sail forth, thou art in great doubt  
Over the waves, of great encumbrance  
Without any comfort, safe of esperance  
Which the exhorteth, hardly to sail  
Unto thy purpose, with diligent travail.   

Aufryeus auster, bloweth frowardly  
Toward the land, and habitation  
Of thy well favoured, and most fair lady  
For whose sake, and delectation  
Thou hast take, this occupation  
Principally, right well to attain  
Her sweet reward, for thy busy pain.   

O pensive heart, in the stormy pery  
Mercury northwest, thou mayst see appear  
After tempest, to glad, thine emispery  
Hoist up thy sail, for thou must draw near  
Toward the end, of thy purpose so clear  
Remember thee, of the trace and dance  
Of poets old, with all thy purveyance.   

As moral Gower, whose sententious dew  
adown restareth, with fair golden beams  
And after Chaucer's, all abroad doth show  
Our vices to cleanse, his depared streams  
kindling our hearts, with the fiery leams  
Of moral virtue, as is probable  
In all his books, so sweet and profitable   

The book of fame, which is sententious  
He drew himself, on his own invention  
And then the tragedies, so piteous  
Of the nintene ladies, was his translation  
And upon his imagination  
He made also, the tales of Caunterbury  
Some virtuous, and some glad and merry   

And of Troilus, the piteous dolour  
For his lady Cresyde, full of doubleness  
He did be wail, full well the languor  
Of all his love, and great unhappiness  
And many other books doubtless  
He did compile, whose goodly name  
In printed books, doth remain in fame.   

And after him, my master Lydgate  
The monk of bury, did him well apply  
Both to contrive, and eke to translate  
And of virtue, ever in especially  
For he did compile, then full nyally  
Of our blessed lady, the conversation  
Saint edmund's life, martyred with treason   

Of the fall of Princes, right woefully  
He did indite, in all piteous wise  
Following his author, Bocas ruefully  
A right great book, he did truly comprise  
A good ensample, for us to despise  
This world so full, of mutability  
In which no man, can have a certainty.   

And three reasons, right greatly profitable  
Under colour, he cloaked craftily  
And of the churl, he made the fable  
That shut the bird, in a cage so closely  
The pamflete, showeth it expressly  
He feigned also, the court of sapience  
And translated, with all his diligence.   

The great book, of the last destruction  
Of the city of Croye, whilom so famous  
how for a woman, was the confusion  
And between virtue, and the life vicious  
Of Gods and Goddesses, a book solacious  
He did compile, and the time to pass  
Oflove he made, the bright temple of glass   

Were not these three, greatly to commend  
Which them applied, such books to contrive  
Whose famous draughts, no man can amend  
The time of sloth, they did from them drive  
After their death, for to abide on live  
In worthy fame, by many a nation  
Their books, their acts, do make relation   

O master Lydgate, the most dulcet spring  
Of famous rhetoric, with ballad royal  
The chief original, of my learning  
What vaileth it, on you for to call  
Me for to aid, now in especial  
sithen your body, is now wrappeth in chest  
I pray God to give, your soul good rest   

O what loss is it, of such a one  
It is to great truly, for me to tell  
sithen the time, that his life was gone  
In all this realm his peer did not dwell  
Above all other, he did so excel  
None sith his time, in art would succeed  
After their death, to have for their meed   

But many a one, is right well expert  
In this cunning, but upon authority  
They feign no fables, pleasant and covert  
But spend their time, in vaynefull vanity  
Making ballads, of fervent amity  
As gests and trifles, without fruitfulness  
Thus all invayne, they spend their business   

I little or nought, expert in poetry  
Of my master Lidgate, will follow the trace  
As evermore, so his name to magnify  
With such little books, by God's grace  
I fin this world, I may have the space  
The little cunning, that his grace me sent  
In time among, in such wise shallbe spent.   

And yet nothing, upon presumption  
My master Lydgate, I will not envy  
But all only, is mine intention  
With such labour, myself to occupy  
As white by black, doth shine more clearly  
So shall their matters, appear more pleasant  
beside my draughts, rude, and ignorant    

Capitu. xv.  

Now in my book, further to proceed  
To a chamber I went, replete with riches  
Where sat arismetrike, in a golden weed  
Like a lady pure, and of great worthiness  
The walls about, did fully well express.  
With gold depainted, every perfect number  
To add, detray, and to divide a sunder.   

The roof was painted, with golden beams  
The windows crystal, clearly clarified  
The golden rays, and depured streams  
Of radiant Phoebus, that was purified  
Right in the bull, that time so domified  
Through windows, was resplendishant  
About the chamber, fair and radiaunt   

I kneeled down, right soon on my knee  
And to her I said, O lady marvelous  
I right humbly, beseech your majesty  
Your art to show, me so facundious  
Which is defuse, and right fallacious  
But I shall so, apply mine exercise  
That thevery truth, I shall well devise   

My science said she, is right necessary  
And in the mids of the sciences all  
It is now set, right well and perfectly  
For unto them, it is so special  
Numbering so, their works in general  
Without me, they had no perfectness  
I must them number, always doubtless   

Without number, is no manner of thing  
That in our sight, we may well see  
For God made all, at the beginning  
In number perfit, well in certainty  
Who knew arsmetrike, in every degree  
All manner number, in his mind were had  
Both to detray, and to divide and add.   

But who will know, all the experience  
It behoveth him, to have great learning  
In many things, with true intelligence  
Or that he can, have perfit reckoning  
In every number, by expert cunning  
To rehearse in english, more of this science  
It were folly, and eke great negligence.   

I thought full long, till I had a sight  
Of la bell Pucell, the most fair lady  
My mind upon her, was both day and night  
The fervent love, so pierced me inwardly  
Wherefore I went anon, right shortly  
Unto the tower, sweet and melodious  
Of dame music, so gay and glorious.    

Capitu. xvi.  

WHen splendent Phoebus, in his midday spear  
Was high in Gemine, in the fresh season  
Of lusty may, with golden beams clear  
And dark diane, made declination  
When Flora flourished, in this nation  
I called unto mind, right inwardly  
The report of Fame, so much ententislye   

Of lafoy bell Pucell, in the tower musical  
And right anon, unto the tower I went  
Where I saw, a temple made of Crystal  
In which music, the lady excellent  
Played on base organs, expedient  
According well, unto dyopason  
Dyapenthe, and eke dyetesseron   

In this temple, was great solemnity  
And of much people, there was great press  
I looked about, whether I could see  
La bell pucelle, my languor to cease  
I could not see her, my pain did increase  
Till that I spied her, above in a vault  
Which to my heart, did make so sore assault.   

With her beauty clear, and sweet countenance  
The stroke of love, I could nothing resist  
And anon, without longer circumstance  
To her I went, or that her person witted  
Her thought I knew not, she thought as she list  
By her I stood, with heart sore and faint  
And did myself, with her son acquaint.   

The comen wit, did full little regard  
Of dame music, the dulcet harmony  
The ears heard not, for the mind inward  
Venus had wrapped, and taken fervently  
Imagination, wrought full privily  
The fantasy, gave perfect judgement  
Always to her, for to be obedient.   

By estimation, much doubtfully I cast  
Whether I should, by long time and space  
attain her love, or else to love in waste  
My heart sobbed, and quaked in this case  
I stood by her, right near in the place  
With many other, fair ladies also  
But so fair as she, I never saw no more.   

The feast done, dame music did go  
She followed after, and she would not tarry  
Far well she said, for I must part you fro  
Alas thought I, that fortune doth so vary  
My sad body, my heavy heart did carry  
I could not speak, my heart was near broken  
But with my head, I made her a token   

When she was gone, inwardly then wrought  
Upon her beauty, my mind retentife  
Her goodly figure, I graved in my thought  
Except herself, all were expulsyfe  
My mind to her, was so intentive  
That I followed her, into a temple far  
Replete with joy, as bright as any star.   

Where dulcet Flora, her aromatic dew  
In the fair temple, adown did distil  
All abroad, the fair drops did show  
Encencing out, all the vapours ill  
With such a sweetness, Flora did fulfil  
All the temple, that my gown well showed  
The liquor sweet, of the drops endued   

And so to a chamber, full solacious  
Dame music went, with la bell Pucell  
All of jasper, with stones precious  
The roof was wrought, curiously and well  
The windows glazed, marvelously to tell  
With cloth of tissue, in the riches manner  
The walls were hanged, high and cyrculer   

There sat dame music, with all her minstrelsy  
As tabours, trumpets, with pipes melodious  
Sakbuttes, organs, and the recorder sweetly  
haps, lutes, and crowds right delicious  
Cimphans, doucemers, with claricymbals glorious  
Rebecks, claricordes, each in their degree  
Did sit about their ladies majesty   

Before dame music, I did kneel adown  
saying to her, O fair Lady pleasant  
Your prudence reigneth most high in renown  
For you be ever, right concordaunt  
With perfit reason, which is not vigilant  
I beseech your grace, with all my diligence  
To instruct me, in your noll science   

It is she said, right greatly profitable  
For music doth set, in all unity  
The discord things, which are variable  
And devoydeth mischief, and great iniquity  
Where lacketh music, there is no plenty  
For music is concord, and also peace  
Nothing without music, may well increase   

The seven sciences, in one monochord  
Each upon other, do full well depend  
Music hath them, so set in concord  
That all in one, may right well extend  
All perfit reason, they do so comprehend  
That they are way, and perfit doctrine  
To the joy above: which is celestine   

And yet also, the perfect physic  
Which appertcyneth, well to the body  
Doth well resemble, unto the music  
When the inward entrails, turneth contrary  
That nature can not, work directly  
Then doth physic, the parts interiall  
In order set, to their original.   

But yet physic, can not be liberal  
As the seven sciences, by good authority  
Which leadeth the soul, the way in special  
By good doctrine, to dame eternity  
Only of physic, it is the property  
To aid the body, in every sickness  
That is right frail, and full of brittleness   

And because physic, is appendent  
Unto the body, by help of medicine  
And to the soul, nothing apportenaunt  
To cause the body for to incline  
In eternal health, so the soul to domine  
For to the body, the sciences seven  
Doth teach to lead, the soul to heaven   

And music itself, is melodious  
To rejoice the ears, and comfort the brain  
Sharping the wits, with sound' solacious  
Devoyding bad thoughts, which did remain  
It gladdeth the heart, also well certain  
Length the life, with dulcet harmony  
As is good recreation, after study.   

She commanded her minstrels, right anon to play  
Mamours the sweet, and the gentle dance  
With la bell Pucell, that was fair and gay  
She me recommended, with all pleasance  
To dance true measure, without variance  
O lord God, how glad then was I  
So for to dance, with my sweet lady.   

By her proper hand, soft as any silk  
With due obeisance, I did her then take  
Her skin was white, as whales bone or milk  
My thoughts was ravished, I might not aslake  
My brenning heart, she the fire did make  
These dances truly, music hath me taught  
To lute or dance, but it availed nought.   

For the fire kindled, and waxed more and more  
The dancing blewe it, with her beauty clear  
My heart sickened, and began to wax sore  
A minute. vi. hours, and. vi. hours a year  
I thought it was, so heavy was my cheer  
But yet for to cover, my great love aright  
The outward countenance, I made glad & light   

And for fear mine eyes, should mine heart bewray  
I took my leave, and to a temple went  
And all alone, I to myself did say  
Alas what fortune, hath me hither sent  
To devoid my joy, and my heart torment.  
No man can tell, how great a pain it is  
But if he will feel it, as I do iwis   

Alas O lady, how cruel art thou  
Of piteous dolour, for to build a nest  
In my true heart, as thou dost right now  
Yet of all ladies, I must love the best  
Thy beauty thereto, did me surely arrest  
Alas with love, when that it doth the please  
Thou mayest cease my care, & my pain soon ease.   

Alas how sore, may I now bewail  
The piteous chance, which did me hap  
My ladies looks, did me so assail  
That suddenly, my heart was in a trap  
By Venus caught, and with so sore a clap  
That through, the great stroke did pierce  
Alas for woe, I could not reverse.   

Farewell all joy, and all perfect pleasure  
Far well my lust, and my liking  
For woe is comen, with me to endure  
Now must I lead, my life in mourning  
I may not lute, or yet dance, or sing  
O la bell Pucell, my lady glorious  
You are the cause, that I am so dolorous   

Alas fair lady, and mine own sweet heart  
With my service, I yield me to your will  
You have me fettered, I may not astart  
At your pleasure, you may me save or kill  
Because I love you, will you me spill  
Alas it were, a piteous case in deed  
That you with death, should reward my meed.   

A a, that I am right woebegone  
For I of love, dare not to you speak  
For fear of nay, that may increase my moan  
Anay of you might, cause my heart to break  
Alas I wretch, and yet unhappy peke  
Into such trouble, misery, and thought  
With sight of you, I am into it brought   

And to myself, as I made complaint  
I spied a man, right near me beforue  
Which right anon, did with me acquaint  
Me think he said, that ye are near forlorn  
With inward pain, that your heart hath borne  
Be not to pensive, call to mind again  
How of one sorrow, ye do now make twain   

Mine inward sorrow, ye begin to double  
Go your way quoth I, for ye can not me aid  
Tell me he said, the cause of your trouble  
And of me now, be nothing afraid  
Me think that sorrow, hath you overlaid  
drive of no longer, but tell me your mind  
It may me hap, a remedy to find.   

A a quod I, it vaileth not your speech  
I will with you, never have meddling  
Let me alone, the most unhappy wretch  
Of all the wretches, that is yet living  
Such is the chance, of my bewailing  
Go on your way, you are nothing the better  
To me to speak, to make my sorrow greater   

For so the he said, remember things three  
The first is, that ye may sorrow long  
Unto yourself, or that you aided be  
And secondly, in great pains strong  
To muse alone, it might turn you to wrong  
The third is, it might you well ease truly  
To tell your mind, to a friend right trusty   

It is a jewel, of a friend of trust  
As at your need, to tell your secretness  
Of all your pain, and fervent lust  
His council soon, may help and redress  
Your painful woe, and mortal heaviness  
Alone is nought, for to think and muse  
Therefore good son, do me not refuse.   

And sith that you are, plunged all in thought  
Beware the pit, of dolorous despair  
So to complain, it vaileth you right nought  
It may so fortune, ye love a lady fair  
Which to love you, will nothing repair  
Or else ye have lost, great land or substance  
By fatal chance, of fortune's ordinance   

Tell me the cause, though that it be so  
In case you love, I know it by experience  
It is a pain, engendering great woe  
And hard it is, for to make resistance  
Against such love, of fervent violence  
The love is dreadful, but nevertheless  
There is no sore, nor yet no sickness   

But there is a salve, and remedy therefore  
So for your pain, and your sorrow great  
Council is medicine, which may you restore  
Unto your desire, without any let  
If ye will tell me where your heart is set  
In thy chair of sorrow, no great doubt it is  
To find a remedy, for your pain I wis   

A physician truly, can little decern  
Only manner sickness, without sight of urine  
No more can I, by good counsel you learn  
All such woeful trouble, for to determine  
But if you meekly, will to me incline  
To tell the cause, of your great grievousness  
Of your inward trouble, and woeful sadness   

Than I began, with all my diligence  
To hear him speak, so grounded on reason  
And in my mind, did make advertence  
How it was wholesome, in tribulation  
To save a good, and a true companion  
For to know my sorrow, and woeful grief  
It might me comfort, and right well relief   

And of him then, I asked this question  
What was his name, I prayed him me tell  
Council quod he, the which solution  
In my woeful mind, I liked right well  
And privily I did, his lesson spell  
saying to him, my chance and destiny  
Of all other, is the most unhappy.   

Why so quoth he, though fortune be strange  
To you a while, turning of her face  
Her louring cheer, she may right soon change  
And you accept, and call unto her grace  
Despair you not, for in good time and space  
Nothing there is, but wisdom may it w●●  
To tell your mind, I pray you to begin.   

Unto you quoth I, with all my whole assent  
I will tell you truth, and you will not bewray  
Unto none other, my matter and intent  
Nay nay quoth he, you shall not see that day  
Your whole affiance and trust, well ye may  
Into me put, for I shall not vary  
But keep your council, as a secretary.   

And then to him, in the manner following  
I did complain, with sighing tears deep  
Alas quoth I, you shall have knowledging  
Of my heavy chance, that causeth me to weep  
So woe I am, that I can never sleep  
But wallow and tumble, in the trap of care  
My heart was caught, or that I was ware   

It happened so, that in a temple old  
By the tower of music, at great solemnity  
La bell pucelle, I did right well behold  
Whose beauty clear, and great humility  
To my heart did cast, the dart of amity  
After which stroke, so hard and fervent  
To her excellence, I came incontinent   

Beholding her cheer, and lovely countenance  
Her garments rich, and her proper stature  
I registered well, in my remembrance  
That I never saw, so fair a creature  
So well favouredly, create by nature  
That hard it is, for to write with ink  
All her beauty, or any heart to think.   

Fairer she was, then was queen Helen  
proserpine, Cresyde, or yet hippolyte  
Medea, Dydo, or young Polexyne  
Alcumena, or queen Menelape  
Or yet dame Rosamonde, in certainty  
None of all these, can have the pre-eminence  
To be compared, to her high excellence   

During the feast, I stood her near by  
But then her beauty, increased my pain  
I could nothing, resist the contrary  
She wrapped my heart, in a brenning chain  
To the musical tower, she went then again  
I went after, I could not be behind  
The chain she haled, which my heart did bind.   

Till that we came, into a chamber gay  
Where that music, with all her minstrelsy  
divers base dances, most sweetly did play  
That them to here, it was great melody  
And dame music, commanded courteously  
Lafoy bell pucelle, with me then to dance  
Whom that I took, with all my pleasance   

By her sweet hand, beginning the trace  
And long did dance, till that I might not hide  
The painful love, which did my heart embrace  
Because whereof, I took my leave that tide  
And to this temple, where I do abide  
Forth then I went, alone to bewail  
My mortal sorrow, without any fail,   

Now have I told you, all the very troth  
Of my woeful chance, and great unhappiness  
I pray you, nothing with me to be wroth  
Which am drowned, in careful wretchedness  
By fortune plunged, full of doubleness  
A a said council, doubt ye never a deal  
But your disease, I shall by wisdom heal   

Remember you, that never yet was he  
That in this world, did lead all his life  
In joy and pleasure, without adversity  
No worldly thing, can not be without strife  
For unto pleasure, pain is affirmatife  
Who will have pleasure, he must first apply  
To take the pain, with his cure busily.   

To deserve the joy, which after doth ensue  
Rewarding pain, for the great business  
No doubt your Lady, will upon you rue  
Seeing you apply, all your gentleness  
To do her pleasure, and service doubtless  
Hard is the heart, that no love hath felt  
Nor for to love, will then incline and melt.   

Remember ye, that in old antiquity  
How worthy Troilus, that mighty champion  
What pain he suffered, by great extremity  
Offeruent love, by a great long season  
For his lady Cresyde, by great tribulation  
After his sorrow, had not he great joy  
Of his lady, the fairest of all Troy   

And the famous knight, yclept Ponthus  
Which loved Sydoyne, so much entirely  
What pain had he, and what care dolorous  
For his lady, with love so marvelously  
Was not her heart, wounded right woefully  
After his pain, his lady did her cure  
To do him joy, honour, and pleasure.   

Who was with love, more woefully arrayed  
Then were these twain, and many other more  
The power of love, had them so asayed  
That and I list, I could rehearse also  
To whom true love, hath wrought mykle woe  
And at the end, have had their desire  
Of all their sorrow, for to quench the fire   

Languish no more, but pluck up thy heart  
Exile despair, and live a while in hope  
And keep your love, all close and covert  
It may so fortune, that your lady will grope  
Somewhat of love, for to drink a soap  
Though outwardly, she dare not let you know  
But at the last, as I believe and trow.   

She can not keep it, so privy and close  
But that somewhat, it shall to you appear  
By countenance, how that her love arose  
If that she love you, the love it is so dear  
When you come to her, she will make you cheer  
With countenance, according unto love  
Full privily, for to come to her above   

Sending of love, the messenger before  
Which is her eyes, with lovely looks sweet  
For to behold you, than ever more and more  
After the time, that you together meet  
With loving words, she will you then great  
Sorrow no more, for I think in my mind  
That at the last, she will be good and kind   

Alas quod I, she is of high degree  
Borne to great land, treasure, and substance  
I fear to sore, I shall disdained be  
The which will trouble, all my grevannce  
Her beauty is, the cause of my penance  
I have no great land, treasure, and riches  
To win the favour, of her nobleness.   

What though quoth he, draw you not back  
For she hath enough, in her possession  
For you both, for you shall never lack  
If that ye order it. by good reason  
And so in perfect consideration,  
She will with love, her green flowering age  
Pass forth in joy, pleasure, and courage   

Youth is always, of the course right light  
Hot, and moist, and full of lustiness  
Most of the air, it is ruled by right  
And her complexion, hath chief intresse  
Upon sanguine, the airs holesomenes  
She is not yet in all, above. xviii. year  
Of tender age, to pleasure most dear   

Gold or silver, in any manner of wise  
For sanguine youth, it is all contrary  
So for to covet, for it doth arise  
Only engendered, upon the melancholy  
Which is dry, cold, and also earthly  
In which the gold, is truly nutrified  
far from the air, so clearly purified   

Thus covetise, shall nothing surmount  
Your young lady's heart, but only nature  
Shall in her mind, make her to account  
The great loss of youth, her special treasure  
She knoweth she is, a right fair creature  
No doubt it is, but yet privily among  
So high is nature, with his works strong.   

That she of force, the man's company  
Must well covet, for she may not resist  
Dame natures work, which is so secretly  
Though she be maid, let her say what she list  
She would have man, though no man it witted  
To make her joy, when nature doth agree  
Her thought is hers, it is unto her free.   

Who spareth to speak, he spareth to speed  
I shall provide, for you convenient  
A gentle time, for to attain your meed  
That you shall go, to your lady excellent  
And right before, take good advisement  
Of all the matter, that ye will her show  
Upon good reason, and in words few   

Thus past we time, in communication  
The after none, with many a sentment  
And what for love, was best conclusion  
We deemed oft, and gave a judgement  
Till that in the even, was refulgent  
Fair golden Mercury, with his beams bright  
About the air, casting his pured light   

Then to a chamber, sweet and precious  
Council me led, for to take my rest  
The night was wit, and also tenebrous  
But I myself, with sorrow oppressed  
Did often muse, what was for me best  
Unto my fair lady, for to tell or say  
And all my dread was, for fear of a nay.   

Though that my bed, was easy and soft  
Yet did I tumble, I might not eye still  
On every side, I turned me full oft  
Upon the love, I had so set my will  
Longing right sore, my mind to fulfil  
I called council, and prayed him to wake  
To give me council, what were best to take   

Ha ha quoth he, love doth you so prick  
That yet your heart, will nothing be eased  
But evermore, be feeble and sick  
Till that your lady, hath it well pleased  
Though ye think long, yet ye shallbe pleased  
I would quoth I, that it were as ye say  
Fie fie quoth he, drive such despair away   

And live in hope, which shall do you good  
joy cometh after, when the pain is passed  
Be ye patient, and sober in mode  
To weep and wail, all is for you in waste  
Was never pain, but it had joy at last  
In the fair morrow: rise and make you ready  
At nine at the clock, the time is necessary   

For us to walk, unto your Lady gent  
The bodies above, be then well domified  
To help us forward, without impediment  
Look what ye say, look it be derified  
From perfect reason, well exemplified  
Forsake her not, though that the say nay  
A woman's guise, is evermore to delay.   

No castle can be, of so great a strength  
If that there be, a sure siege to it laid  
It must yield up, or else be won at length  
Though that tofore, it hath been long delayed  
So continuance, may you right well aid  
Some woman's heart, can not so harded be  
But busy labour, may make it agree   

Labour and diligence, is full marvelous  
Which bringeth a lover, to his promotion  
Nothing to love, is more desirous  
Than instant labour, and delectation  
The harded heart, it giveth occasion  
For to consider, how that her servant  
To attain her love, is so attendant.   

Thus all in communing, we the night did pass  
Till in the air, with clowes fair and red  
Risen was Phoebus, shining in the glass  
In the chamber, his golden rays were spread  
And Dirane, declining, pale as any lead  
When the little birds, sweetly did sing  
With tunes musical, in the fair morning    

¶ Of the dolorous and lowly disputation, between la bell Pucell, and grand amour. Capit xviii.  

Council and I, then rose full quickly  
And made us ready, on our way to walk  
In your cleanly weed apparelled properly  
What I would say, I did unto him talk  
Till on his book, he began to calk  
How the sun, entered was in Geminy  
And eke diane, full ot mutability   

Entered the Crab, her proper mansion  
Then right amids, of the Dragon's head  
And Venus and she, made conjunction  
From her combust way, she had her so sped  
She had no let, that was to be dread  
The assured air, was depainted clear  
With golden beams, of fair Phoebus' spear   

Then forth so went, good council and I  
At. by. at clock, unto a garden fair  
By musics tower, walled most goodly  
Where la bell Pucell, used to repair  
In the sweet morning, for to take the air  
Among the ffowers, of aromatic fume  
The misty air, to exile and consume   

And at the gate, we met the portresse  
That was right gentle, and called courtesy  
Which salved us, with words of meekness  
And asked us, the very cause and why  
Of our coming, to the garden sothell  
cruelly saled we, for nothing but well  
A little to speak, with la bell Pucell.   

Truly quoth she, in the garden green  
Of many a swe●e, and sundry hour  
She maketh a garland, that is very sheen  
With trueloves' wrought, with many a colour  
Replete with sweetness, and dulcet odour  
And all alone, withouten, company  
amids an harbour, she sitteth pleasantly   

Now stand you still, for a little space  
I will let her, of you have knowledging  
And right anon, she went to her grace  
Telling her then, how we were coming  
To speak with her, greatly desiring  
Truly she said, I am right well content  
Of their coming, to know the whole intent   

Then good courtesy, without tarrying  
Came unto us, with all her diligence  
Praying us, to take our entering  
And come unto, the lady's presence  
To tell your errand, to her excellence  
Then in we went, to the garden glorious  
Like to a place, of pleasure most solacious   

With Flora painted, and wrought curiously  
In divers knots, of marvelous greatness  
Rampande Lions, stood up wonderfly,  
Made all of herbs, with dulcet sweetness  
With many dragons, of marvelous likeness  
Of divers flowers, made full craftily  
By Flora coloured, with colours sundry   

amids the garden, so much delectable  
There was an harbour, fair and quadrant  
To Paradise, right well comparable  
Set all about, with flowers flagrant  
And in the middle, there was resplendishaunt  
A dulcet spring, and marvelous fountain  
Of gold and azure, made all certain   

In wonderful, and curious similitude  
There stood a dragon, of fine gold so pure  
Upon his tail, of mighty fortitude  
Wreathed and scaled, all with azure  
Having three heads, divers in figure  
Which in a bathe, of the silver great  
Spouted the water, that was so dulcet.   

Beside which fountain, the most fair lady  
La bell Pucell, was gaily sitting  
Of many flowers, fair and royally  
A goodly chaplet, she was in making  
Her here was down, so clearly shining  
Like to the gold, late purified with fire  
Her here was bright, as the drawn wire   

Like to a lady, for to be right true  
She ware a fair, and goodly garment  
Of most fine velvet, all of India blewe  
With armines powdered, bordered at the vent  
On her fair hands, as was convenient  
A pair of gloves, right slender, and soft  
In approaching near, I did behold her oft.   

And when that I came, before her presence  
Unto the ground, I did kneel adown  
saying O Lady, most fair of excellence  
O star so clear, of virtuous renown  
Whose beauty fair, in every realm and town  
Endued with grace, and also goodness  
Dame Fame the herself, doth evermore express   amour. 

Please it your grace, for to give audience  
Unto my woeful, and piteous complaint  
How fervent love, without resistance  
My careful heart, hath made low and faint  
And you thereof, are the whole constraint  
Your beauty truly, hath me fettered fast  
Without your help, my life is near hand past.   Pucell. 

Stand up quoth she, I marvel of this case  
What sudden love, hath you so arrayed  
With so great pain, your heart to embrace  
And why for me, ye should be so dismayed  
As of your life, ye need not to be afraid  
For ye of me now, have no great awe  
But when ye list, ye may your love with draw   Amoure. 

Then stood I up, and right so did she  
Alas I said then, my heart is so set  
That it is yours, it may none other be  
Yourself hath caught it, in so sure a net  
That if that I may not, your favour get  
No doubt it is, the great pain of love  
May not assuage, till death it remove.   Pucell. 

Truly quoth she, I am obedient  
Unto my friends, which do me so guide  
They shall me rule, as is convenient  
In the snare of love, I will nothing slide  
My chance or fortune, I will yet abide  
I thank you, for your love right humbly  
But I your cause, can nothing remedy.   Amoure. 

Alas madame, if I have enterprised  
A thing to high, truly for my degree  
All those causes, which I have commised  
Hath been on fortunes, gentle unity  
Trusting truly, that she would favour me  
In this case, wherefore now excuse  
Your humble servant, and not me refuse   Pucell. 

Ha ha, what vaileth all your flattery  
Your feigned words, shall not me appose  
To make mine heart, to incline inwardly  
For I myself now, do nothing suppose  
But for to prove me, you flatter and gloze  
You shall not die, as long as you speak  
There is no love, can cause your heart to break   amour. 

I would madame, you had prorogative  
To know the privity, of my perfect mind  
How all in pain, I lead a woeful live  
Then as I trow, ye would not be unkind  
But that some grace, I might in you find  
To cause mine heart, which you fettered sure  
With brenning chains, such woe to endure   Pucell. 

By very reason, I may give judgement  
That it is the guise, of you everichone  
To feign you sick, by subtle argument  
When to your lady, you list to make your moan  
But of you true, there is few or none  
For all your pain, and words eloquent  
With dame repentance, I will not be shent   amour. 

O sweet madame, now all my destiny  
Unhap and happy, upon you doth know  
If that you call me, unto your mercy  
Of all happy, the most happy I trow  
Then shall I be, of high degree or low  
And if ye list, so me then to forsake  
Of all unhappy, none shallbe my make.   Pucell. 

Your fortune on me, is not more applied  
Then upon other, for my mind is free  
I have your purpose, oft enough denied  
You know your answer, now certainty  
What need your words, of curiosity  
Woe here no more, for you shall not speed  
Go love an other, where ye may have meed.   Amoure. 

That shall I not, though that I continue  
All my life, in pain and heaviness  
I shall not change you, for none other new  
You are my lady, you are my mistress  
Whom I shall serve, with all my gentleness  
Exile him never, from your heart so dear  
Which unto his, hath set you most near   Pucell. 

The mind of men, changeth as the moan  
If you meet one, which is fair and bright  
Ye love her best, till ye see right soon  
An other fairer, unto your own sight  
Unto her then, your mind is turned right  
Truly your love, though ye make it strange  
I know full well, ye will it often change.   Amoure. 

Alas madame, now the bright loads star  
Of my true heart, where ever I go or ride  
Though that my body, be from you a far  
Yet my heart only, shall with you abide  
When then you list, ye may for me provide  
A remedy sweet lady, of my heart  
It is your own, it can nothing astart.   Pucell. 

Nay truly, it can nothing be mine  
For I thereof, take no possession  
Your heart is yours, by substantial line  
It is not in my domination,  
Love where ye list, at every season  
Your heart is free, I do not it accept  
It is your own, I have it never kept.   Amoure. 

Alas madame, ye may say what yond list  
With your beauty, ye took mine heart in snare  
Your lovely looks, I could not resist  
Your virtuous manner, increaseth my care  
That of all joy, I am devoid and bare  
I see you right often, when I am a sleep  
And when I wake, do sigh with tears deep   Pucell. 

So great deceit, among men there is  
That hard it is, to find one full stable  
Ye are so subtle, and so false iwis  
Your great deceit, is nothing commendable  
In stories old, it is well probable  
How many ladies, hath been right falsely  
With men deceived, ill and subtly   amour. 

O good madame, though that they abused  
Them to their ladies, in their great deceit  
Yet am I true, let me not be refused  
Ye have me taken, with so fair a bait  
That ye shall never, out of my conceit  
I can not wrinche, by no wile nor croak  
My heart is fast, upon so sure a hook   Pucell. 

Ye so said they, till that they had their will  
Their will accomplished, they did i'll at large  
For men say well, but they think full ill  
Though outward sweetness, your tongue doth enlarg  
Yet of your heart, I never can have charge  
For men do love, as I am right sure  
Now one, now an other, after their pleasure   Amoure. 

All that madame, I know right perfectly  
Some men there be, of that condition  
That them delight, often in novelry  
And many also, love perfection  
I cast all such novels, in abjection  
My love is set, upon a perfit ground  
No falsehood in me, truly shallbe found.   Pucell. 

Ye say full well, if ye mean the same  
But I in you can have no confidence  
I think right well, that it is no game  
To love unloved, with piercing influence  
You shall in me find, no such negligence  
To grant you love, for ye are unthrifty  
As two or three, to me doth specify.   Amoure. 

Was never lover, without enemies three  
As envy, malice, and perturbaunce  
Their tongues are poison, unto amity  
What man on live, can use such governance  
To attain favour, withouten variance  
Of every person, but right privily  
Behind his back, some saith unhappily   Pucell. 

Truth it is, but yet in this case  
Your love and mine, is full far a sunder  
But though that I do, your heart so race  
If I dread you, it is thereof no wonder  
With my friends, I am so sore kept under  
I dare not love, but as they accord  
They think to wed me, to a mighty Lord   Amoure. 

I know madame, that your friends all  
Unto me, sure will be contrarious  
But what for that, yourself in special  
Remember there is, no love so joyous  
As is your own, to you most precious  
Will you give your youth, and your flowering age  
To them, against your mind in marriage   Pucell. 

Against my ininde, of that were I loath  
To wed for fear, as them to obey  
Yet had I rather, they were somewhat wroth  
For I myself, do bear the lock and key  
Yet of my mind, and will do many a day  
Mine own I am, what that I list to do  
I stand untied, there is no joy thereto,   amour. 

O sweet lady, the good perfect star  
Of my true heart, take ye now pity  
Think on my pain, which am tofore you here  
With your sweet eyes, behold you and see  
How thought and woe, by great extremity  
Hath changed my hue, into pale and wan  
It was not so, when I to love began.   Pucell. 

So me think, it doth right well appear  
By your colour, that love hath done you woe  
Your heavy countenance, & your doleful cheer  
Hath love such might, for to array you so  
In so short a space, I marvel much also  
That ye would love me, so sure in certain  
Before ye knew, that I would love again   Amoure 

My good dear heart, it is no marvel why  
Your beauty clear, and lonely looks sweet  
My heart did pierce, with love so suddenly  
At the first time, that I did you meet  
In the old temple, when I did you great  
Your beauty my heart, so surely assayed  
That sith that time, it hath to you obeyed    

Capitu. nineteen.  Pucell. 

YOur woe and pain, & all your languishing  
Continuaily, ye shall not spend in vain  
Sithen I am cause, of your great morning  
Nothing exile you, shall I by disdain  
Your heart and mine, shall never part in twain  
Though at the first, I would not condescend  
It was for fear, ye did some ill intend   amour 

With thought of ill, my mind was never mixed  
To you madame, but always clean and pure  
Both day and night, upon you whole perfixt  
But I my mind, yet durst nothing discover  
How for your sake, I did such woe endure  
Till now this hour, with dreadful heart so faint  
To you sweet heart, I have made my complaint   

I deemed oft, you loved me before  
By your demenoure, I did it espy  
And in my mind, I judged evermore  
That at the last, ye would full secretly  
Tell me your mind, of love right gently  
As ye have done, so my mercy to crave  
In all worship, you shall my true love have   Amoure. 

O lord God then, how joyful was I  
She looked on me, with lovely countenance  
I kissed her once or twice, right sweetly  
Her depured visage, replete with pleasance  
Rejoiced my heart, with amorous purveyance  
O lady clear, that pierced me at the rote  
O flower of comfort, all my heal and boat   

O gem of virtue, and lady excellent  
Above all other, in beauteous goodliness  
O eyes bright, as star refulgent  
O profound cause, of all my sickness  
Now all my joy, and all my gladness  
Would God that we were, joined in one  
In marriage before, this day were gone   Pucell. 

A a said she, ye must take pain a while  
I must departed, by the compulsion  
Of my friends, I will not you beguile  
Though they me lead, to a far nation  
My heart shallbe, without variation  
With you present, in perfit sikernesses  
As true and stable, without doubleness   

To me to come, is hard and dangerous  
When I am there, for giants ugly  
With monsters also, black and tedious  
That by the way, await full cruelly  
For to destroy you, ill and utterly  
When you that way, do take the passage  
To attain my love, by high advantage.   Amoure. 

All that madame, was to me certified  
By good dame Fame, at the beginning  
When she to me, of you well notified  
As she came from, the tower of learning  
Of all such enemies, the might excluding  
I promise unto you, here full faithfully  
When I depart, from dame astronomy   

That I will to, the tower of chivalry  
And for your sake, become adventurous  
To subdue all enemies, to me contrary  
That I may after, be right joyous  
With you my lady, most sweet and precious  
Woe worth the cause, of your departing  
Which all my sorrows, is in renewing.   

Alas what pleasure, and eke without disport  
Shall I now have, when that ye be gone  
Ha ha' truly, now without good comfort  
My dolorous heart, shallbe left alone  
Without your presence, to me is none  
For every hour, I shall think a year  
Till Fortune bring me, unto you more near   

Yet after you, I will not be right long  
But haste me after, as fast as I may  
In the tower of chivalry, I shall make me strong  
And after that, pass shortly on my way  
With diligent labour, on my journey  
Spite of your enemies, I shall me so speed  
That in short time, ye may reward my meed   

I thank you quoth she, with my heart entire  
But yet with me, ye shall make covenant  
As I to you, am right lief and dear  
Unto no person, ye shall so advaunte  
That I to love you, am so attendant  
For any thing, your council not bewray  
For that full soon, might us both betray   

And to tell me, I pray you heartily  
Yonder is council, how were you acquainted  
He is both honest, and true certainly  
Doth he not know, how your heart is fainted  
With fervent love, so surely attainted  
If he so do, yet I nothing repent  
He is so secret, and true of intent   

Truly madame, because ye are content  
I shall you tell, how the matter was  
When that your beauty, clearly spendent  
Into my heart, full wondrously did pass  
Like as fair Phoebus, doth shine in the glass  
All alone, with inward care so rend  
Into a temple, forth on my way I went   

Where that I walked, plunged in the pit  
Of great despair, and he then me met  
Alas he said, me think ye lose your wit  
Tell me the truth now, without any let  
Why ye demean, such mortal sorrow great  
Avoid quod I, you shall nothing it know  
You can not help me, in the case I trow   

But he such reason, and fruitful sentence  
Did for him lay, that I told him all  
When he it knew, with all his diligence  
He did me comfort, then in special  
Unto my mind, he bade me to call  
Who spareth to speak, he to speed doth spare  
Go tell your lady, the cause of your care   

By whose council, grounded in wisdom  
To the intent, I should speed the better  
And right shortly, I did then to you come  
But dread always, made my sorrow greater  
After great pain, the joys is the sweeter  
For who that tasteth, painful bitterness  
The joy to him, is double sweetness   

And therewithal, I did unto her bring  
Council my friend, and full right meek  
Did him receive, as he was coming  
And of all things, she did him beseek  
After her parting, the same week  
To haste me forward, to my journeys end  
Thereto quoth I, I do well condescend   

Far well quoth she, I may no longer tarry  
My friends will come, of that were I loath  
I shall retain you, in my memory  
And they it knew, they would with me be wroth  
To love you best, I promise you my troth  
And then mine eyen, great sorrow showed  
With tears salt, my cheeks were endued   

Her eyes grey, began to look right red  
Her gay white colour, began for to pale  
Upon her cheeks, so the drops were spread  
Which from her eyen, began to advale  
From her sweet heart, she did the sighs hale  
Never before, as I trow and ween  
Was such departing, true lovers between   

We wiped our cheeks, our sorrows to cloak  
Outwardly feigning us, to be glad and merry  
That the people should, not perceive the smoke  
Of our hot fire, to light the emispery  
Though inwardly, with a stormy pery  
The fire was blown, yet we did it cover  
Because abroad, it should nothing perceiver   

Out of the garden, to an haven side  
Forth we went, where was a ship right large  
That tarried there, after the flowing tide  
And so then did there, many a boat and barge  
The ship was great, five. C. tun to charge  
La bell Pucell, right anon me told  
In yonder ship, which that ye behold   

Forth must I sail, without longer delay  
It is full sea, my friends will come soon  
Therefore I pray you to go hence your way  
It draweth fast now, toward the none  
Madame quod I, your pleasure shallbe done  
With woeful heart, and great sighs oft  
I kissed her lips, that were sweet and soft   

She unto me, nor I unto her could speak  
And as of that, it was no great wonder  
Our hearts swelled, as that they should break  
The fire of love, was so sore kept under  
When I from her, should depart asunder  
With her fair head, she did low incline  
And in like wise, so did I with mine    

¶ Of the great sorrow that grand amour made after her departing, and of the words of Council. Capitu. xx.  

HEr friends and she, on their way they sailed  
Along the haven, god them save and bring  
Unto the land, I heard when that they haled  
With a great peal of guns, at their departing  
The marvelous tower, of famous cunning  
No gun was shot, but my heart did weep  
For her departing, with woeful tears deep   

Council me comforted, as ever he might  
With many stories, of old antiquity  
Remember he said, that never yet was wight  
That lived always, in great tranquillity  
But that him happened, some adversity  
Then after that, when the pain was past  
The double joy, did comfort them at last.   

Ye need nothing, for to make great dolour  
Fortune to you, hath been right favourable  
Making you, to attain the good favour  
Of your lady, so sweet and amiable  
No doubt it is, she is true and stable  
And demean you so, that in no wise  
No man perceive, or of your love surmise.   

Be hardy, fierce, and also courageous  
In all your battles, without feebleness  
For ye shall be, right well victorious  
Of all your enemies, so full of subtleness  
Arm you with wisdom, for more sureness  
Let wisdom work, for she can steadfastly  
In time of need, resist the contrary   

Was never man, yet surely at debate  
With Sapience, but that he did repent  
Who that is ruled, by her high estate  
Of his after wit, shall never be shent  
She is to man, right benevolent  
With walls sure, she doth him fortify  
When it is need, to resist a contrary.   

Was never place, where as she did guide  
With enemies, brought to destruction  
A remedy, she can so well provide  
To her high work, is no comparison  
It hath so strong, and sure foundation  
Nothing there is that can it molifye  
So sure it is, against a contrary   

Of her always, it is the perfect guise  
To begin nothing, of mutability  
As is the war, which may soon arise  
And will not down, it may so sturdy be  
The beginner oft, hath the iniquity  
When he began, wisdom did reply  
In his great need, to resist the contrary   

The mighty Pryant, sometime king of Troy  
With all his city, so well fortified  
Little regarded, all his wealth and joy  
Without wisdom, truly exemplified  
His proper death, himself he nutrified  
Against his war, wisdom did reply  
At his great need, to resist the contrary   

And where that wisdom, ruleth hardiness  
Hardiness than is, ever invincible  
There may nothing, it vainquishe or oppress  
For prudence is, so well intelligible  
To her there is, nothing impossible  
Her grounded work, is made so perfitly  
That it must needs, resist the contrary   

To woeful creatures, she is goodly leech  
With her good sister, called patience  
To the tower of joy, she doth them tell weche  
In the way of hope, without resistance  
Who to her l●st, to apply his diligence  
She will him bring, to worship shortly  
That he shall well, resist the contrary.   

Right so let wisdom, your sorrow surrende  
And high you fast, unto dame Geometry  
And let no thought, in your heart engender  
Eur after this, speak to astronomy  
And so from thence, to the tower of chivalry  
Whe●e of the worthy king Melyzyus  
You shallbe made, soon knight adventurous   

And far you well, for I must from you go  
To other lovers, which are in despair  
As I did you, to comfort them also  
It is great need, that I to them repair  
abundant tears, their hearts do refleire  
Far well quoth I, my good friend so true  
I would with me, ye might always ensue   

Then again I went, to the tower melodious  
Of good dame music, my leave for to take  
And privily, with these words dolorous  
I said O tower, thou mayest well aslake  
Such melody now, in the more to make  
The gem is gone, of all famous port  
That was chief cause, of the great comfort   

Whilom thou was, the fair tower of light  
But now thou art, replete with darkness  
She is now gone, that shone in the so bright  
Thou wast sometime, the tower of gladness  
Now mayst thou be, the tower of heaviness  
For the chief is gone, of all thy melody  
Whose beauty clear, made most sweet armony   

The fair carbuncle, so full of clearness  
That in the truly, did most purely shine  
The pearl of pity, replete with sweetness  
The gentle gillofloure, the goodly columbine  
The redolent plant, of the dulcet vine  
The deed aromatic, may no more incense  
For she is so far, out of thy presence   

A a truly, in the time so past  
Mine errand was, the often for to see  
Now for to enter, I may be aghast  
When thou art hence, the star of beauty  
For all my delight, was to behold thee  
A tower tower, all my joy is gone  
In the to enter, comfort is there none   

So then inwardly, myself bewailing  
In the tower I went, into the habitacle  
Of dame music, where she was singing  
The ballads sweet, in her fair tabernacle  
Alas thought I, this is no spectacle  
To feed mine eyen, which are now all blind  
She is not here that I was wont to find.   

Then of dame music, with all lowliness  
I did take my leave, withouten tarrying  
She thanked me, with all her meekness  
And all alone, forth I went musing  
A a quod I, my love and liking  
Is now far hence, on whom my whole delight  
Daily was set, upon her to have sight   

Farewell sweet heart, farewell, farewell, farewell  
Adieu, adieu, I would I were you by  
God give me grace, with you soon to dwell  
Like as I did, for to see you daily  
Your lowly cheer, and gentle company  
rejoiced my heart, with food most delicate  
Mine eyen to see you, were insatiate   

Now good sweet heart, my lady and mysteries  
I recommend me, unto your pity  
beseeching you, with all my gentleness  
Yet other while, to think upon me  
What pain I suffer, by great extremity  
And to pardon me, of my tude writing  
For with woeful heart, was mine inditing    

Capitu. xxi.  

SO forth I went, upon a craggy roche  
Unto the tower, most wonderfully wrought  
Of geometry, and as I did approach  
The altitude, all in my mind I sought  
Six hundred fore, as I by number thought  
Quadrant it was, and did have and set  
At every storm, when the wind was great   

Thus at the last, I came into an hall  
Hanged with arras, rich and precious  
And every window, glazed with Crystal  
Like a place of pleasure, much solacious  
With knots sexangled, gay and glorious  
The●●●●● did hang, right high and pleasantly  
By geometry made, right well and craftily   

In this marvelous hall, replete with riches  
At the high end, she sat full worthily  
I came anon, unto her great nobles  
And kneeled adown, before her meekly  
Madam I said, ye work full royally  
I beseech you, with all my diligence  
To instruct me, in your wonderful science.   

My science said she, it is most profitable  
Unto astronomy, for I do it measure  
In every thing, as it is probable  
For I myself, can right well discover  
Of every star, which is seen in ure  
The marvelous greatness, by me measuring  
For god made all, at the beginning.   

By good measuring, both the height and deepness  
Of every thing, as I understand  
The length and breadth, with all the greatness  
Of the firmament, so passing the land  
And who my cunning, list to take in hand  
In his emispery, of high or low degree  
Nothing there is, but it may measure be.   

Though that it be, from us high, and far  
If any thing fall, we may it truly see  
As the sun or moan, or any other star  
We may thereof, know well the quantity  
Who of this science, doth know the certainty  
All masteries might, measure perfitly  
For geometry, doth show it openly   

Where that is measure, there is no lacking  
Where that is measure, whole is the body  
where that is measure, good is the living  
Where that is measure, wisdom is truly  
where that is measure, work is directly  
Where that is measure, natures working  
Nature increaseth, by right good knowledging.   

Where lacketh measure, there is no plenty  
Where lacketh measure, sick is the courage  
where lacketh measure, there is iniquity  
where lacketh measure, there is great outrage  
where lacketh measure, is none advantage  
where lacketh measure, there is great gluttony  
Where lacketh measure, is most unhappy   

For there is no high, nor great estate  
Withouten measure, can keep his dignity  
It doth preserve him, both early and late  
Keeping him from, the pit of poverty  
Measure is moderate, to all bounty  
Greatly needful, for to take the charge  
Man for to rule, that he go not at large   

Who loveth measure, can not do amiss  
So perfitly is, the high operation  
Among all things, so wonderful it is  
That it is full, of all delectation  
And to virtue, hath inclination  
Measure also, doth well exemplify  
The hasty doom, to suage and modify.   

Without measure, woe worth the judgement  
Without measure, woe worth the temperance  
without measure, woe worth the punishment  
without measure, woe worth purveyance  
Without measure, woe worth the sustenance  
Without measure, woe worth the sadness  
And without measure, woe worth the gladness   

Measure measuring, measuratly taketh  
Measure measuring, measuratly doth all  
Measure measuring, measuratly maketh  
Measure measuring, measuratlye guide shall  
Measure measuring, measuratly doth call  
Measure measuring, to right high pre-eminence  
For always measure, is ground of excellence   

Measure measureth, measure in effect  
Measure measureth, every quantity  
Measure measureth, always the aspect  
Measure measureth, in certainty  
Measure measureth, in the stability  
Measure measureth, in every doubtful case  
And measure is the loadstar of all grace.   

Affect of measure, is long continuance  
Quantity without measure is nought  
Aspect of measure, devoydeth repentance  
Certain would weigh, all things thought  
Stability, upon a perfect ground is wrought  
Case doubtful may, yet a while abide  
Grace may in space, a remedy provide   

Countenance causeth, the promotion  
Nought availeth 〈◊〉, without attendance  
Repenaunce is after all abusion  
Thought afore, would have had perseverance  
Wrought how should be, by deed the mischance  
Abide nothing, till thou do the deed  
Provide in mind, how thou mayst have meed.   

Promotion groweth, after good governance  
Attendance doth, attain good favour  
Abusion is causer, of all variance  
perseverance causeth the great honour  
Mischance always, is rote of dolour  
Deed done, can not be called again  
Mede well rewarded, both with joy and pain.   

Then I took my leave, and went from Geometry  
Toward astronomy as fast as I might  
For all my mind, was set right inwardly  
Upon my lady, that was fair and bright  
My heart with her, was both day and night  
She had it locked, with a lock so sure  
It was her own, she had thereof toe cure    

Capitu. xxii.  

THen forth I went, into a meadow green  
With flora painted, in many a sundry colour  
Like a gay goddess, of all flowers the queen  
She encensed out, her aromatic odour  
The breathe of zepherus, increased the flower  
amids the meadow fair, resplendishant  
Was a pavilion, right high and quadrant.   

Of green sarsenet, bordered with gold  
Wherein did hang, a fair astrology  
Which oft astronomy, did full well behold  
Unto whom then, I came full shortly  
And kneeled adown, before her meekly  
beseeching her, of her great gentleness  
Of her science, to show the perfectness.   

My science said she, it is right reasonable  
And is the last, of the sciences seven  
Unto man, it is also right profitable  
Showing the course, above of the heaven  
Right marvelous, for any man to neven  
Who knew astronomy, at every manner season  
Might set in order, every thing by reason.   

Also the other. vi. sciences liberal  
By astronomy, principally were found  
And one were lost, they were vanished all  
Each upon other, hath so sure a ground  
In all the world, that is so wide and round  
Is none so wise, that can them multiply  
Nor know them all, right well and surely.   

The high astronomer, that is God omnipotent  
That the first day, divided all the light  
From the darkness, with his will prepotent  
And the second day, with his excellent might  
The waters above, he did divide a right  
From the earthly waters, which are inferial  
The third day, herbs and fruits in special   

In earth he planted, for to have their life  
By divers virtues, and sundry growing  
So to continue, and be vegitatife  
And the fourth day, he set in working  
The bodies above, to have their moving  
In the. xii. signs, themselves to domifye  
Some rethrogarde, and some directly   

The fift day, he did fishes make  
In the sea, the great stormy flowed  
To and fro, their courses for to take  
And in the water, for to have their food  
Like to the same, cold always their blood  
The sirt day, beasts with fowls sensitive  
And man also, with soul intellective.   

The seventh day, he rested of his work  
Nothing constrained, as of weariness  
As writeth many a right famous clerk  
But that he had, accomplished doubtless  
His purposed purpose, by infinite prows  
As to us doth most plainly discover  
The perfect ground, of holy scripture   

Thus God himself, is chief astronomer  
That made all thing, according to his will  
The sun, the moan, and every little star  
To a good intent, and for no manner of ill  
Withouten vain, he did all thing fulfil  
As astronomy, doth make appearance  
By reason he weighed, all things in balance    

Capitulo. xxiii.  

ANd for as much, that he made nature  
First of all, to have domination  
The power of her, I shall anon discover  
How that she taketh, her operation  
And where upon, is her foundation  
I simple and rude, oppressed with negligence  
Shall descrive the might, of her pre-eminence   

For though that angel be invincible  
In palpable, and also celestial  
Without substance, as incencible  
Yet have they nature, which is angelical  
For nature, naturing, naturate made all  
Heaven and earth, and the bodies above  
By course of nature, for to work and move.   

On man or beast, without any miss  
She worketh directly, after the aspect  
Of the matter, be it more or less I wiss  
And doth thereof, the whole form direct  
After the quality, it doth take effect  
If there be more, then may one suffice  
A by member, she will then more devise.   

As that in ure, ye may it daily see  
Upon one hand, some hath thumbs twain  
And other also, sometime arms three  
The superfluity, is cause thereof certain  
Which that dame nature, doth constrain  
So for to do, for she loseth nought  
Of the matter, but hath it wholly wrought.   

And in likewise, where is not sufficient  
Of the matter, for the whole formation  
There lacketh a member, by great impediment  
So that there can be, no perfit fashion  
As may be judged, by perfit reason.  
After the quality, of the matter lacking  
So lacketh they, of natures forming.   

Some lacketh a leg, some an arm also  
Some a finger, and some more or less  
All these causes, with many other more  
Nature worketh, so directly doubtless  
Upon the matter, as I do express  
After the quality, in many a sundry wise  
The kind of her, we ought nothing despise.   

Some be fair, and replete with grace  
Some be fair, and yet right unhappy  
Some be foul, and can soon purchase  
Lands and possessions, to them shortly  
Some be fools, and some be right witty  
Whereupon I shall show a difference,  
Of the. v. wits, by good experience.    

Capit. xxiiii.  

THe eyen, the ears, and also the nose  
The mouth & hands, inward wits are none  
But outward offices, as ye may suppose  
To the inward wits, which do judge alone  
For unto them, all things have gone  
By these outward gates, to have the knowledging  
By the inward wits, to have decerning   

These are the five wits, removing inwardly  
First comen wit, and then imagination  
Fantasy, and estimation truly  
And memory, as I make narration  
Each upon other, hath occupation  
First the comen wit, unto the front applied  
Doth think, decern, it may not be denied   

Of the eyen, the office only is the sight  
To see the fair, the low, or altitude  
The white or black, the heavy, or the light  
The little or great, the weak or fortitude  
The ugly favour, or yet the pulcritude  
This is the use, of the eyen enteare  
To see all things, which may well appear.   

But of themselves, they can decern nothing  
One from an other, but the comen wit  
Decerneth colours, by spiritual cunning  
To the five inward wits, it is so well knit  
Nothing is seen, but it doth judge it  
It doth decern, the good from badness  
The high, the low, the foul, the fairness   

The nose also, every air doth smell  
But yet it hath, nothing authority  
If it be sweet, for to judge and tell  
But the comen wit, doth it in certainty  
Decerning savours, in every degree  
Knowing the sweet air, from the stinking  
When that the nose, thereof hath smelling   

The ears also, right well give audience  
Unto a tale; hearing it right perfectly  
But they can not, discern the sentence  
To know whereupon, it doth so ratify  
Upon great wisdom, or else upon folly  
Thus whether the tale, be right good or bad  
By the comen wit, the knowledge is had   

Folly hath ears, as well as Sapience  
But he can not determine, by his hearing  
What tale it is, for lack of intelligence  
For the comen wit, is all understanding  
And that he lacketh, to give him knowing  
Wherefore the ears, are but an intresse  
To the comen wit, that showeth the perfectness   

The mouth tasteth, both sweet and bitterness  
But the comen wit, decerneth properly  
If it be sour, or replete with sweetness  
Nor yet the hands, feel nothing certainly  
But the comen wit, decerneth subtly  
Whether it be hard, moist, or of dryness  
Hot, heavy, soft, or yet cold doubtless   

Thus comen wit, worketh wondrously  
Upon the. v. gates, which are receptatyve  
Of every thing, for to take inwardly  
By the comen wit, to be affirmative  
Or by decerning, to be negative  
The comen wit, the first of wits all  
Is to decern, all things in general   

And then secondly, imagination  
When the comen wit, hath the thing elect  
It worketh by all, due inclination  
For to bring the matter, to the whole affect  
And fantasy, then hath the whole aspect  
The imagined matter, to bring to finishment  
With good desire, and inward judgement   

And estimation, doth well comprehend  
The space, the place, and all the purveyance  
At what time the power, might intend  
To bring the cause, unto perfect utterance  
Often it weigheth, the cause in balance  
By estimation, any thing is numbered  
By length or shortness, how it is accumbered   

fifthly the mind, when the fourth have wrought  
Retained all, till the mind have made  
An outward knowledge, to the matter thought  
Because nothing, shall decline and fade  
It keepeth the matter, nothing rethrogarde  
But directly, till the mind have proved  
All such matters, which the. iiii. have moved   

Plato the cunning, and famous clerk  
That well expert, was in Philosophy  
Doth right rehearse, upon nature's work  
How that she worketh, upon all wondrously  
Both for to minish, and to multiply  
In sundry wise, by great direction  
After the matter, with all the whole affection   

In my native language, I will not express  
More of her work, for it is obscure  
Who will thereof, know all the perfectness  
In philosophy, he shall find it right sure  
Which all the troth, can to him discover  
No man can attain, perfect running  
But by long study, and diligent learning    

Capit. xxv.  

THe right high power, nature naturing  
Naturate made, the bodies above  
In sundry wise, to take their working  
That about the world, naturally do move  
As by good reason, the philosophers prove  
That the planets and stars, instruments be  
To nature's working, in every degree.   

God gave great virtue, to the planets all  
And specially, unto depured Phoebus  
To enlumine the world, ever in special  
And then the moan, of herself tenebrous  
Made light with the beams, gay and glorious  
Of the sun, is fair resplendishaunt  
In the long night, with rays radiaunt   

By these twain, every thing hath growing  
Both vegetative, and censatyve also  
And also intellective, without leasing  
No earthly thing, may have life and go  
But by the planets, that move to and fro  
When that God set them, in operation  
He gave them virtue, in divers fashion   

Some hot and moist, and some cold and dry  
Some hot and dry, moist and cold  
Thus every one, hath virtues sundry  
As is made mention, in the books old  
They show their power & work, many a fold  
Man upon them, hath his disposion  
By the naturate power, of constellation   

What should I write more, in this matter high  
In my maternal tongue, oppressed with ignorance  
For who that list, to learn astronemye  
He shall find, all fruitful pleasance  
In the latin tongue, by goodly ordinance  
Wherefore of it, I will no longer tarry  
For fear from troth, that I happen to vary   

Of dame astronomy, I did take my licence  
For to travel, to the tower of chivalry  
For all my mind, with piercing influence  
Was set upon, the most fair lady  
La bell Pucell, so much ententiflye  
That every day, I did think fifteen  
Till I again, had her sweet person seen.   

TO you expert, in the seven science  
Now all my masters, I do me excuse  
If I offended, by my great negligence  
This little work, yet do ye not refuse  
I am but young, it is to me obtuse  
Of these matters, to presume to indite  
But for my learning, that I list to write   

Under obedience, and the correction  
Of you my masters, expert in cunning  
I me submit, now with whole affection  
Unto your perfit understanding,  
As evermore meekly, to you inclining  
With diligent labour, now wout doubtance  
To detray, or add, all at your pleasance.    

¶ How grand amour came to the tower of chivalry. Capi. xxvi.  

WHen clean Aurora, with her golden beams  
'Gan to enlumine, the dark cloudy air  
And combust diane, her great fiery lemes  
amids of the bull, began to reflayre  
Then on my journey, myself to repair  
With my varlet, called attendance  
Forth on I road, by long continuance   

With my greyhounds, both grace & governance  
Over an hill, and so down in a valley  
Among the thorns, of great encumbrance  
The goodly greyhounds, taught me on my way  
So forth I passed, my troublous journey  
Till that I came, into a royal plain  
With flora painted, in many a sundry vain   

With purple colour, the flower enhewed  
In divers knots, with many one full blewe  
The gentle gillofloure, his odour renewed  
With sundry herbs, replete with virtue  
Among these flowers, as I did ensue  
Casting my sight, suddenly so far  
Over a tower, I saw a flaming star   

Toward this tower, as I road near and near  
I beheld the rock, of marvelous altitude  
On which it stood, that quadrant did appear  
Made all of steel, of wondrous fortitude  
Gargeylde with beasts, in sundry sunilitude  
And many turrets, above the towers high  
With images was set, full marvelously   

Toward this tower, forth on my way I went  
Till that I came, to a mighty fortress  
Where I saw hang, a marvelous instrument  
With a shield and helmet, before the entries  
I knew nothing, thereof the perfectness  
But at aucuture, the instrument I took  
And blewe so loud, that all the tower I shaken   

When the porter, heard the hideous sound  
Of my right lusty, and stormy blast  
That made the walls, thereof to redound  
Full like a knight, that was nothing aghast  
Toward the gate, he gave himself to haste  
And opened it, and asked my name  
And fro whence I came, to certify the same.   

My name quoth I, is grand amour  
Of late I came, from the tower of doctrine  
Where I attained, all the high honour  
Of the seven sciences, me to enlumine  
And from thence, I did determine  
Forth to travail, to this tower of chivalry  
Where I have blown, this blast so suddenly   

When he heard this, right gently he said  
Unto this tower, ye must resort by right  
For to renew, that hath been long decayed  
The flower of chivalry, with your whole delight  
Come on your way, it draweth toward night  
And therewithal, he led me to his ward  
Me to repose, in pleasant due safeguarde   

After the travel, myself for to ease  
I did there rest, then in all goodly wise  
And slept right well, without any disease  
Till on the morrow, the sun did arise  
Then up I rose, as was my perfect guise  
And made me ready, into the court to go  
With my varlet, and my greyhounds also   

The gentle porter, named stedfastues  
Into the base court, on my way me brought  
Where stood a tower, of marvelous highness  
That all of jasper, full wondrously was wrought  
As any man, can print in his thought  
And four images, above the tower there were  
On horse back armed, and every one a spear.   

These images were made, full curiously  
With their horses, of the steel so fine  
And each of them, in their places sundry  
About were set, that clearly did shine  
Like diane clear, in her celestyne  
And under each horse, there was full privily  
A great wheel made, by crafty Geometry.   

With many cogs, unto which were tied  
divers cords, that in the horses hollow  
To every joint, full wonderslye applied  
When the wheels went, the horses did follow  
To trot and gallop, both even and morrow  
Breaking their spears, & could them discharge  
Parting a sunder, for to tourney at large    

Capi. xxvii.  

BEside this tower, of old foundation  
There was a temple, strongly edified  
To the high honour, and reputation  
Of the mighty Mars, it was so fortified  
And for to know, what it signified  
I entered in, and saw of gold so pure  
Of worthy Mars, the marvelous picture.   

There was depainted, all about the wall  
The great destruction, of the city of Troy  
And the noble acts, to reign memorial  
Of the worthy Hector, that was all their joy  
His dolorous death, was hard to occoye  
And so when Hector, was cast all down  
The hardy Troilus, was most high of renown.   

And as I cast my sight so aside  
Beholding Mars, how wonderfully he stood  
On a wheel top, with a lady of pride  
Haunced about, I thought nothing but good  
But that she had, two faces in one hood  
Yet I kneeled adown, and made mine orison  
To doughty Mars, with great devotion   

saying, O Mars, O god of the war  
The gentle loadstar, of an hardy heart  
distill adown, thy grace from so far  
To cause all fear, from me to astart  
That in the field, I may right well subvert  
The hideous monsters, and win the victory  
Of the sturdy giants, with famous chivalry   

O prince of honour, and of worthy fame  
O noble knights, of old antiquity  
O redoubted courage, the causer of their name  
Whose worthy acts, Fame caused to be  
In books written, as ye may well see  
So give me grace, right well to recure  
The power of Fame, that shall long endure.   

I thought me past, all childly ignorance  
The. xxi. year, of my young flowering age  
I thought that Venus, might nothing advance  
Her strength against me, with her lusty courage  
My wit I thought, had such advantage  
That it should rule, both Venus and Cupid  
But alas for woe, for all my sudden pride.   

WHen that Phoebus entered was, in Geminye  
Toward the crab, taking ascension  
At the time, of the great solemnity  
From heaven above, of God's descension  
In a great temple, with whole intention  
As I went walking, myself to and fro  
Full suddenly, Venus wrought me such woe   

For as I cast then, my sight all aloft  
I saw Venus, in beauty so clear  
Which caused Cupid, with his dart so soft  
To wound my heart, with fervent love so dear  
Her loving countenance, so high did appear  
That it me ravished, with a sudden thought  
Alas for woe, it availed me right nought   

To give audience, unto the melody  
Of waits and organs, that were at the feast  
Love had me wounded, so sore inwardly  
What was to do, I knew not the best  
Replete with sorrow, and devoid of rest  
Sithen the time, that she my heart so wounded  
My joy and pride, she hath full low confounded.   

And so now, for to attain her grace  
As thou dost know, become adventurous  
beseeching thee, in this perilous case  
O Mars me succour, in time tempestuous  
That I may pass, the passage dangerous  
And to thy laud, honour, and glory  
I shall a temple, right strongly edify   

Well then said Mars, I shall the fortify  
In all thy war, as fast as I can  
But for thy pain, I know no remedy  
For Venus reigned, when that thou began  
First for to love, making the pale and wan.  
And of the truth, to make relation  
Thou was borne under, her constellation   

Wherefore thou must, of very perfit right  
Unto her sue, by the disposition  
Which the constraineth, with whole delight  
For to love ladies, by true affection  
such is her course, and operation  
Wherefore when thou hast learned perfitly  
The for to govern, by prudent chivalry.   

Then to fulfil, thy right high enterprise  
Forth on thy way, thou shalt thy journey take  
Unto a temple, in all humble wise  
Before dame Venus, thine oblation to make  
Which all thy pain, may soon redress and slake  
For at that time, she holdeth a parliament  
To redress lovers, of their impediment   

Aha quod fortune, with the faces twain  
Behind sir Mars, I have a great marvel  
That thou dost promise him, that he shall attain  
Unto his purpose, with all diligent travail  
Through thine aid, eke strength and counsel  
sithence dependeth, in mine ordinance  
Him to promote, or bring to mischance   

My power, estate, and royal dignity  
Doth turn the wheel, of worthily glory  
Often up so down, by mutability  
Have not I promoted, full nobly  
Many a low degree, to reign full royally  
And often have made, a transmutation  
Of worldly wealth, into tribulation   

Thus can I make, an alterasion  
Of worthily honour, which doth depend  
All only in my domination  
Through the world, my wheel doth extend  
As reason doth, right well comprehend  
Of my great chances, which are unsure  
As daily doth appear well in ure.   

If I should work, with perfect steadfastness  
As to exalt some, to be honourable  
And that they knew, by perfit sickerness  
That it should dure, and not be variable  
It were a thing, unto me culpable  
For great orguel pride, should them so blind  
To know themselves, they should lose their mind   

Thus when that they, should themselves forget  
And in no wise, their own person know  
Full little then, they would by me set  
That them exalted, to high degree from low  
And by my chance, could nought then overthrow  
Thus should they do, & dread me nothing  
Wherefore my wheel, is evermore turning   

And where that I, should turn my face  
Casting some, in pit of poverty  
They were condemned, without any grace  
As for to attain, any prosperity  
Which were a cause, of great iniquity  
For rich men's goods, I must oft translate  
Unto the poor, them for to elevate   

And thirdly, I should lose my name  
For this word fortune, is well derified  
Of an accident chance, both good or shame  
When that the deed, is so exemplified  
Wherefore by reason, I must be duplified  
And nothing stable in my high work  
As writeth many, a right noble clerk   

Therefore by reason, I must be mutable  
And turn my wheel, right oft up so down  
Labouring in works, which are unstable  
On some to laugh, & on some I must frown  
Thus all about, in every realm and town  
I show my power, in every sundry wise  
Some to descend, and on some to arise   

Wherefore my power, doth right well excel  
Above the Mars, in thine house enclosed  
For to rule man, thou hast power never addle  
Save after thee, somewhat he is disposed  
Thy constelation, hath him so opposed  
Who under thee, taketh his nativity  
Yet God hath given him, power to rule the   

Wherefore I am, of a far higher power  
Than thou art, for there is no defence  
Against my will, at any time or hour  
And in my name, there is a difference  
For in these words, in my magnificence  
Predestinate, and also destiny  
As I shall show, anon more formably   

Predestinate, doth right well signify  
A thing to come, which is prepared  
None but God doth know it openly  
Till that the deed, cause it to be declared  
For many a one, when they well fared  
Full little thought, that tribulation  
To them was ordained, by predestination   

The destiny, is a thing accident  
And by the work, doth take the effect  
Till it be done, it is ay precedent  
No man from it, can himself abject  
Thus every chance, doth fortune direct  
Wherefore by reason, lafoy grand amour  
Must sue unto me, to do him succour   

A ha quod Mars, such a one as thou  
I never knew, before this season  
For thou thyself, dost so much enprove  
Above the heavens, by exaltation  
But what for all, thy commendation  
Art thou now any thing substantial  
Spiritual, or else yet terrestrial   

how can a work, perfectly be grounded  
But in these two, and thou art of those  
Wherefore for nought, thou mayest be confounded  
For nought in substance, can nothing transpose  
Of none effect, thou canst thyself disclose  
How hast thou power, in any manner of case  
In heaven or earth, without a dwelling place   

But that poets, hath made a figure  
Of thee, for thy great signification  
The chance of man, so for to discover  
According to a moralization,  
And of the truth, to make relation  
The man is fortune, in his proper deed  
And not thou, that causeth him to speed   

What needeth him, unto himself to sue  
Sithence thou art, the deeds of his chance  
Thou to rule man, it is a thing not true  
Now whereupon, doth hang this ordinance  
But accident, upon the governance  
Of the high bodies, which doth man dispose  
The deed to do, as him list purpose.    

Capi. xxviii  

TO hear of Mars, the marvelous argument  
And of Fortune, I was sore amazed  
Till that I saw, a lady excellent  
Clearly armed, upon whom I gazed  
And her arms, full privily I blazed  
The shield of gold, as I well understand  
With a lion of azure, through passande.   

To me she came, with lowly countenance  
And bade me welcome, unto that mansion  
Leading me forth, with joy and pleasance  
Into an hall, of marvelous fashion  
Right strongly fortified, of old foundation  
The pillars of ivory, garnished with gold  
With pearls set, and broidered many a fold   

The flore was paved, with stones precious  
And the roof, was branched curiously  
Of the beaten gold, both gay and glorious  
Knotted with pommaunders right sweetly  
Encencing out, the ill odours misty  
And on the walls, right well did appear  
The siege of Thebes, depainted fair and clear   

There were knights, pla●yng at the chests  
Which saw Minerva, lead me in the hall  
They left their play, and all their business  
And welcomed me, right gently withal  
With sir Nurture, than most in special  
Accompanied of his brother Courtesy  
They made me cheer then, full effectually.   

And after that, they brought me up a stair  
Into a chamber, gaily glorified  
And at the door, there stood a knight right fair  
Y clipped truth, right clearly purified  
His countenance was, right well modified  
To me he said, that before mine entress  
Him for to love, I should him promise   

Of right he said, I have in custody  
This chamber door, of king Melizyus  
That no man enter, into it wrongfully  
Without me truth, for to be chivalrous  
Here knights be made, to be victorious  
I shall you promise, quoth I faithfully  
You for to love, and serve perdurably   

Abide quoth he, I will speak with the king  
Tell me your name, and habitation  
And the chief cause, now of your coming  
That I to him, may make relation  
To know his mind, without variation  
La grand amour, my name is said I  
The cause of my coming, intentifly   

Is forbicause that I have enterprised  
Now for the sake, of fair la bell pucelle  
To pass the passage, which I her promised  
That is so dangerous, with serpent's cruel  
And for as much, as I know never a deal  
The feats of arms, to attain honour  
I am come to learn, with diligent labour   

Then forth he went, unto the majesty  
Of king Melizyus, the mighty conqueror  
saying O pour, so high in dignity  
O prince victorious, and famous Emperor  
Of jousting truly, the original flower  
One grand amour, would be acceptable  
In your high court, for to be tendable   

With all my heart, I will quod he accept  
Him to my service, for he is right worthy  
For unto doctrine, the high way he kept  
And so from thence, to the tower of chivalry  
He shall attain, great acts wondrously  
Go on your way, and bring him fast to me  
For I think long, him to behold and see   

And then the good knight truth, incontinent  
Into the chamber so pure, soon me led  
Where sat the king, so much benivolent  
In purple clothed, set full of rubies red  
And all the floor, on which we did tread  
Was crystal clear, and the roof at night  
With carbuncles, did give a marvelous light   

The walls were hanged, with cloth of tissue  
Broidered with pearls, and rubies rubiconde  
Mixed with emeralds, so full of virtue  
And bordered about, with many a diamond  
An heavy heart, it will make jocund  
For to behold, the marvelous riches  
The lordship, wealth, and the great worthiness   

There sat Melizyus, in his high estate  
And over his head, was a pair of balance  
With his crown, and sceptre, after the true rate  
Of another worldly king, for to have governance  
In his hand a ball, of right great circumstance  
Before whom then, I did kneel adown  
saying O Emperor, most high of renown   

I the beseech, of thine abundant grace  
Me to accept in this court, the for to serve  
So to continue, by long time and space  
Of chivalry, that I may now deserve  
The order right, and well it to observe  
For to attain, the high advantage  
Of the enterprise, of my doughty viage   

Welcome he said, to this court rial  
minerve shall arm you, with great diligence  
And teach you the scates, of arms all  
For she them knoweth, by good experience  
In the old time, it was her science  
And I myself, shall give you a worthy stead  
Called galantyse, to help you in your need.   

I humbly thanked, his great highness  
And so to minerve, I did then apply  
Which did me teach, with sicker perfectness  
For to haunt arms, right well and nobly  
Sapience me ruled, well and prudently  
Thus among knights, for to just and tourney  
minerve me taught, in sundry wise all day   

It was a joyful, and a knightly sight  
For to behold so fair, and goodly a sort  
Of good knights, armed clear and bright  
That I saw there, which did me well exhort  
Arms to haunt, with courageous comfort  
minerve me taught, my strokes and defence  
That in short space, was no resistance   

Against my power, and mighty puissance  
To my wilful heart, was nought impossible  
I bore myself, so without doubtance  
My heart made, my courage invincible  
Of which the trou thee, was soon intelligible  
With my behaving, before the pre-eminence  
Of king Milizyus, famous excellence   

Which right anon, for dame minerve sent  
And me also, with sir truth to obey  
We thought full little, what the matter meant  
But unto him, we took anon the way  
Entering the chamber, so fair, clear, and gay  
The king us called, unto his person  
saying, I will grand amour anon   

Truly make knight, for the time approacheth  
That he must haunt, and seek adventure  
For la bell Pucell, as true love requireth  
And first of all, began to me discover  
The high order, how I should take in cure  
And then anon, he began to express  
What knighthood was, to perfit sickerness.   

knighthood he said, was first established  
The comen wealth, in right to defend  
That by the wrong, it be not minished  
So every knight, must truly condescend  
For the comen wealth, his power to intend  
Against all such rebels contrarious  
Them to subdue, with power victorious   

For knighthood is not, in the feats of war  
As for to fight, in quarrel right or wrong  
But in a cause, which truth can not defer  
He ought himself, for to make sure and strong  
justice to keep, mixed with mercy among  
And no quarrel, a knight ought to take  
But for a truth, or for the commons sake   

For first good hope, his leg harness should be  
His habergeon, of perfect righteousness  
gird fast, with the girdle of chastity  
His rich placard, should be good business  
Broidered with alms, so full of largesse  
The helmet meekness, and the shield good faith  
His sword God's word, as. S. Paul sayeth   

Also true widows, he ought to restore  
Unto their right, for to attain their dower  
And to uphold, and maintain evermore  
The wealth of maidens, with his mighty power  
And to his sovereign, at every manner hour  
To be ready, true, and eke obeisant  
In stable love fyxte, and not vigilant   

Thus after this noble, and solemn doctrine  
He made me knight, and gave me in charge  
Unto these points, right low to incline  
And to steer well, the frail tumbling barge  
Over vain glory, when I sail at large  
When the wind is right, the barge can not fail  
Unto his purpose, so with hardiness to sail   

I did well register, in my remembrance  
Every thing, which he hath to me told  
And right anon, in good resemblance  
The king I thanked, with courage right bold  
Of his great gifts, and grace many a fold  
Which unto me, right openly he showed  
With golden drops, so liberally endued   

I took my leave, of his right high estate  
And then Mynerue, into the hall me brought  
Accompanied of troth, my faithful mate  
Us for to solace, there lacked right nought  
That any man, can print in his thought  
The knights all, unto their arms went  
To bring me forward, with a true intent   

And minerve armed me, as she could devise  
And brought unto me, my fair barbed stead  
On whom I mounted, in all goodly guise  
With shield and spear, as nothing to dread  
In right to fight, for to attain my meed  
So with me went, both my greyhounds twain  
And good attendance, my varlet certain.   

The good knight troth, brought me on my way  
Accompanied then, with sir Fidelity  
With haute courage, betrapped fair and gay  
With shining trappers, of curiosity  
And then also, there road forth with me  
The sturdy knight, well named Fortitude  
With the noble veteran, sir Consuetude.   

And eke sir justice, and sir Misericorde  
Sir Sapience, with good sir Courtesy  
With famous nurture, and then sir Concord  
Accompanied me, full right gently  
Out of the castle, riding royally  
And dame minerve, the chivalreous Goddess  
Did me endue then, with hearty hardiness   

And when we came, into a goodly plain  
Right of them all, I took my licence  
Me thought it time, that they turn again  
Unto the king, with all their diligence  
I made mine oath, with piercing influence  
Unto them all, for to remain full true  
In steadfast love, all treason to eschew   

Full loath they were, fro me to departed  
Every one of them, as ye may understand  
With salt tears, full woeful was my heart  
When all on row, they took me by the hand  
Adieu they said, and grace with you stand  
You for to aid, when that you do fight  
And so they turned, unto the castle right.   

And good dame minerve, unto me then said  
Be not adredde, of your high enterprise  
Be bold, and hardy, and nothing afraid  
And rather die, in any manner of wise  
To attain honour, and the life despise  
Then for to live, and to remain in shame  
For to die with honour, it is a good name   

Farewell she said, and be of good cheer  
I must departed, I may no longer tarry  
ride on your way, the wether is full clear  
Seek your adventure, and look ye not vary  
From your high order, by any contrary  
And therewithal, forth on her way she road  
Right so did I, which no longer abode   

With both my greyhounds, and my varlet  
Through the plain, and into wilderness  
And so aloft, among the hills great  
Till it was night, so thick of darkness  
That of constraint, of very weariness  
We lighted adown, under an hill side  
Unto the day, to rest us there that tide.   

And when my page, my helmet unlaced  
He laid it down, underneath my head  
And to his leg, he my stead embraced  
To graze about, while on the grass he fed  
And then also, his horse in like stead  
With both our greyhounds, lying us near by  
And sloth our heads, had caught so suddenly   

That all the night, we slept in good rest  
Till against day, began to neye and cry  
My stead gallantize, with a roaring breast  
And eke began, to stamp full marvelously  
Whose high courage, awaked us wondrously  
And right anon, we cast up our eyes  
Beholding above, the fair crystal skies   

Seeing the clouds, rayed fair and red  
Of Phoebus, rising in the orient  
And aurora, her golden beams spread  
About the air, clearly refulgent  
Withouten misty black, encombrement  
Up I arose, and also my page  
Making us ready, for to take our voage    

Capit. xxix.  

ANd so forth we road, till we saw afar  
To us came riding, on a little nag  
A foolish dwarf, nothing for the war  
With a hood, a bell, a foxtayle, and a bag  
In a pied coat, he road brygge a brag  
And when that he, unto us drew nigh  
I beheld his body, and his visenamye.   

His head was great, betled was his brows  
His eyen hollow, and his nose crooked  
His bryes brystled, truly like a sows  
His cheeks heerie, and God wot he looked  
Full like an ape, here and there he toted  
With a pied beard, and hanging lips great  
And every tooth, as black as any get   

His neck short, his shoulders stood awry  
His breast fat, and bollen in the waste  
His arms great, with fingers crookedly  
His legs kewed, he road to me fast  
Full like a patron, to be shaped in haste  
Good even he said, and have good day  
If that it like you, for to ride merely away.   

Welcome I said, I pray the now tell  
Me what thou art, and where thou dost dwell  
Sotheych quoth he, when I cham in kente  
At home I cham, though I be hither sent  
I tham a gentleman, of much noble kin  
Though Iche be clad, in a knaves skin   

For there was one, called Peter Pratefast  
That in all his life, spoke no word in waste  
He wedded a wife, that was called Maude  
I trow quod I, she was a gorgeous bawd  
Thou liest quod he, she was gentle and good  
She gave her husband, many a furde hood   

And at his meals, without any miss  
She would him serve, in cleanly wise iwis  
God love her soul, as she loved cleanliness  
And keep her dishes, from all foulness  
When she lacked clouts, without any fail  
She wiped her dishes, with her dogs tail   

And they had issue, Sym saddle gander  
That for a wife, in all the world did wander  
Till at the last, in the winters night  
By Thames he sailed, and arrived a right  
Among the nuns, of the green coat  
He went to land, out of his pretty boat  
And wed there one, that was comen of new  
He thought her stable, and faithful, and true   

Her name was Betres, that so clenlye was  
That no filth by her, in any wise should pass  
For in her lise, that any man could spy  
She let no fart, nor yet fist truly  
And between them both, they did get a son  
Which was my father, that in Kent did won   

His name was Davy drunken noll  
He never drank, but in a fair black bull  
He took a wife, that was very fair  
And gate me on her, for to be his heir  
Her name was Alyson, that loved nought else  
But evermore, to ring her black bells   

Now are they dead all, so moat I well thrive  
Except myself, Godfrey gobilyve  
Which ride about, a wife me to seek  
But I can find none, that is good and meek  
For all are shrews, in the world about  
I could never meet, with none other rout   

For some devils will, their husbands beat  
And those that can not, they will never let  
Their tongues cease, but give three words for one  
Fie on them all, I will of them have none  
Who loveth any, for to make him sad  
I ween that he become, worse than mad   

They are not steadfast, nothing in their mind  
But always turning, like a blast of wind  
For let a man love them, never so well  
They will him love again, never a deal  
For though a man, all his life certain  
Unto her sue, to have release of pain   

And at the last, she on him do rue  
If by fortune, there come another new  
The first shallbe clean, out of her favour  
Record of Creside, & of Troilus the dolour  
They are so subtle, and so false of kind  
There can no man wade, beyond their mind   

Was not Aristotle, for all his clergy  
For a woman wrapped, in love so marvelously  
That all his cunning, he had soon forgotten  
This unhappy love, had his mind so broken  
That evermore, the salt tears down hailed  
When the chance of love, he himself bewailed   

Afeard he was, of the true love to break  
For saying nay, when he thereof should speak  
Till of constraint, of woeful heaviness  
For to have remedy, of his sore sickness  
When he her spied, right secret alone  
Unto her he went, and made all his moan   

Alas he said, the cause of my woe  
Mine only lady, and mistress also  
Whose goodly beauty, hath my heart enrached  
With fervent love, and fiery lemes entached  
Wherefore take pity, of the painful sorrow  
Of me your servant, both even and morrow   

She stood right still, and heard what he said  
Alas quoth she, be ye no more dismayed  
For I am content, to fulfil your will  
In every manner, be it good or ill  
Of this condition, that ye shall release  
Me first of woe, and great distress.   

For I myself, have thought many a day  
To you to speak, but for fear of a nay  
I durst never, of the matter move  
Unto your person, lest it should you grieve  
Nay nay quoth he, with all my whole intent  
I shall obey, to your commandment   

Well then quoth she, I shall you now tell  
How the case standeth, truly every deal  
For you know well, that some women do long  
After nice things, be it right or wrong  
Right so must I, upon your back now ride  
In your mouth also, a bridle you to guide   

And so a bridle, she put in his mouth  
Upon his back she road, both north and south  
About a chamber, as some clerks ween  
Of many persons, it was openly seen  
Lo what is love, that can so fore blind  
A Philosopher, to bring him out of kind   

For love doth pass, any manner of thing  
It is hard, and privy in working  
So on the ground, Aristotle crept  
And in his teeth, she long the bridle kept  
Till she thereof, had enough her fill  
And yet for this, he never had his will   

She did nothing, but for to mock and scorn  
This true lover, which was for love forlorn  
But when he knew, the point of the case  
The fiery anger, did his heart embrace  
That he himself, did anon well know  
His anger did, his love so overthrow   

And right anon, as some poets writ  
He that great mockage, did her well acquit.  
Did not a woman, the famous Uirgyle  
By her great fraud, full craftily beguile  
For on a day, for his own disport  
To the court of Rome, he 'gan to resort   

Among the ladies, the time for to pass  
Till at the last, like Phoebus in the glass  
So did a lady, with her beauty clear  
Shine through his heart, with such love so dear  
Then of great force, he must needs obey  
She of his mind, bore both the lock and key   

So was his heart, set upon a fire  
With fervent love, to attain his desire  
She had him caught, in such a wily snare  
Great was his pain, and much more his care  
To find a time, when it should be moved  
To her of love, and he nothing reproved   

Thus every day, by imagination  
In his mind, was such perturbation  
And at the last, he had found a time  
He thought to speak, and unto him no crime  
Mercy lady, now in all humble wise  
To her he said, for if ye me despise   

So hath your beauty, my true heart arrayed  
It is no marvel, though I be afraid  
To you to speak, if that you deny  
My purpose, truly I am marred utterly  
So do I love you, with all my heart enter  
With in ward care, I buy your beauty dear   

I must abide, with all my whole intent  
Of life or death, your only judgement  
With feigned ears, of perfit audience  
She did him hear, giving this sentence  
Uyrgyll she said, I would fain you ease  
Of your trouble, and of your great disease   

But I wot not how, that it should be  
Without turning us, to great dishonesty  
If it be known, then both you and I  
Shallbe reheyted at, full shamefully  
But what for that, I have me bethought  
A pretty craft, by me shallbe wrought.   

Ye know my chamber, joineth to a wall  
Being right high, and a window withal  
soon at night, when all folk be at rest  
I shall take a basket, as me thinketh best  
And thereto I shall, a long cord well tie  
And from the window, let it down privily   

Right so when it is, adown on the ground  
Ye may well enter, in it both hole and sound  
And my two maidens, the which secret be  
Shall anon help, to hale you up with me  
Lo in this wise, you may have right well  
Your own desire, in short space every dell.   

At a. xi. of the clock, in the night so dark  
They did appoint, for to fulfil this work  
He often thanked, her great gentleness  
And so departed, with great gladness  
And so he went, unto his study  
Passing the time, himself full merely   

Till that the clock, did strike eleven  
Then to the wall, he went full even  
And found the basket, at the ground already  
And entered into it, full suddenly  
Wagging the rope, which the lady espied  
Which to the window, right anon her hied   

With her two maidens, she did him up wind  
amids the wall, and left him there behind  
That was five fathom, and more from the ground  
When himself, in such a case he found.  
Alas he said, mine own lady save  
Mine honesty, and what ye list to have   

Ye shall have it, at your own desire  
Now wind me up, my heart is on fire  
Thou shalt quoth she, in that place abide  
That all the city, so right long and wide  
May the behold, and the matter know  
For mine honesty, and thy shame I trow   

So there he hung, till noon of the day  
That every person, which went by the way  
Might him well see, and also behold  
And unto them, the very cause she told  
Lo how with shame, she her love rewarded  
His pain and sorrow, she nothing regarded   

Thus at the last, he adown was brought  
Replete with shame, it veiled him right nought  
Thus with great anger, he his love confounded  
Healing the stroke, which that she had wounded  
And by his craft, he in Rome did drench  
Every fire, for he left none to quench   

And toward Rome, a great circuit about  
There was no fire, that was un put out  
He at her buttocks, set a brenning coal  
No fire there was, but at her arse hole  
She turned her toute, that was crisp and fat  
All about Rome, did fetch their fire thereat   

One of an other, might no fire get  
It would not kindle, without he it fet  
From her arse, by the magykes art  
She blewe the fire, when she let a fart  
Thus every man, might behold and see  
With the light of fire, her pretty privity.   

Thus all the city, upon her did wonder  
For perfit sorrow, her heart was near asunder  
And thus Uyrgile, with crafty subtleness  
Rewarded her falsehood, and doubleness  
All this I tell, though that I be a fool  
To the young knight, for thou mayst go to school.   

In time coming, of true love to learn  
Beware of that, for thou canst not decern  
Thy lady's mind, though that she speak the fair  
Her heart is false, she will no troth repair  
Nay quoth I, they are not all disposed  
So for to do, as ye have here disclosed   

Aha quoth he, I trow well yebe  
A true lover, so moat I thrive and the  
Let not thy lady, of thy heart be rother  
When thou art gone, she will soon have an other  
Thus forth we road, till we saw a far  
A royal tower, as bright as any star   

To which we road, as fast as we might  
When we came there, adown my stead I light  
So did this Godfrey gobilive also,  
Into the temple, after me 'gan go  
There sat dame Venus, and Cupid her son  
Which had their parliament, right newly begun   

To redress lovers, of their pain and woe  
Which in the temple, did walk to and fro  
And every one, his bill did present  
Before Venus, in her high parliament  
The temple of her royal consistory,  
Was walled all about, with ivory   

All of gold, like a place solacious  
The roof was made, of knots curious  
I can nothing, extend the goodliness  
Of her temple, so much of riches  
This Godfrey Gobilyve, went lightly  
Unto dame Sapience, the secretary   

That did him make, this supplication  
To the goddess Venus, with breviation  
O lady Venus, of love the Goddess  
Redress my pain, of mortal heaviness  
I did once woe, an old maiden rich  
A foul thief, an old wydred which   

Fair mayed I said, will ye me have  
Nay sir so God me keep and save  
For you are evil favoured, and also ugly  
I am the worse, to see your visnamy  
Yet was she fouler, many an hundred fold  
Than I myself, as ye may well behold   

And therewithal, he caused to depaynte  
His face and hers, all under his complaint  
And to Venus, he made deliverance  
Of his complaint, by a short circumstance  
Which right anon, when she had it seen  
Began to laugh, with all the court I ween   

Lo here the figures, of them both certain  
judge which is best favoured of them twain.   

THus godfrey Gobilyve, did make sucha sport  
That many lovers, to him did resort  
When I saw time, I went to Sapience  
Showing to her, with all my diligence  
How that my heart, by Venus was trapped  
With a snare of love, so privily bewrapt   

And in her tower, to have a dwelling place  
I seek adventures, to attain her grace  
Her name quoth I, lafoy bell Pucell is  
Both east and west, she is well known iwis  
And my name, lafoy grand amour is called  
Whose heart with pain, she all about hath walled   

With her beauty, which dame nature create  
Above all other, in most high estate  
Well said Sapience, I think in my mind  
Her love & favour, you shall attain by kind  
And I will draw, to you incontinent  
All your complaint, as is convenient   

Unto dame Venus, to see directly  
For your pain and sorrow, soon a remedy.  
She drew my piteous lamentation,  
According to this supplication.    

¶ The Supplication. Capit. thirty.  

O Venus lady, and excellent Goddess  
O celestial star, having the sovereignty  
Above all other stars, as lady and princes  
As is according, unto your deity  
Pleaseth it now, your great benignity  
Unto my complaint, for to give audience  
Which burn in love, with piercing vyoence   

For so it happened, that the lady Fame  
Did with me meet, and 'gan to express  
Of a fair lady, which had unto name  
La bell Pucell, come of high noblesse  
Whose beauty clear, and comely goodliness  
From day to day, doth right well renew  
With grace bridled, and with great virtue   

She told me, of her fair habitation  
And of the ways, thereto full dangerous  
Her sweet report, gave me exhortation  
Unto my heart, for to be courageous  
To pass the passage, hard and troublous  
And to bring me out, of great encumbrance  
She me delivered, both grace and governance   

So forth we went, to the tower of science  
For to attain, in every arctic pool  
And first doctrine, by good experience  
Unto dame Grammar, did set me to school  
Of misty ignorance, to oppress the dole  
And so I ascended, unto dame logic  
And after her, unto lusty Rethortke   

Till at the last, at a feast solemnly  
To a temple I went, dame music to hear  
Play on her organs, with sweet armony  
But then on fit, I saw to me appear  
The flower of comfort, the star of virtue clear  
Whose beauty bright, into my heart did pass  
Like as fair Phoebus, doth shine in the glass   

So was my heart, by the stroke of love  
With sorrow pierced, and with mortal pain  
That uneath I might, from the place remove  
Where as I stood, I was so take certain  
Yet up I looked, to see her again  
And at adventure, with a sorry mode  
Up then I went, where as her person stood   

And first of all, my heart 'gan to learn  
Right well to register, in remembrance  
How that her beauty, I might then decern  
From top to too, endued with pleasance  
Which I shall show, withouten variance  
Her shining here, so properly she dresses  
A fit her forhcade, with fair golden tresses   

Her forehead step, with fair brows ybent  
Her eyen grey, her nose strait and fair  
In her white cheeks, the fair blood it went  
As among the wit, the red to repair  
Her mouth right small, her breath sweet of air  
Her lips soft, and ruddy as a rose  
No heart on live, but it would him appose.   

With a little pit, in her well favoured chin  
Her neck long, as white as any lily  
With veins blue, in which the blood ran in  
Her paps round, and thereto right pretty  
Her arms slender, and of goodly body  
Her fingers small, and thereto right long  
White as the milk, with blue veins among.   

Her feet proper, she gartered well her hose  
I never saw so fair a creature  
Nothing she lacketh, as I do suppose  
That is longing, to fair dame Nature  
Yet more over, her countenance so pure  
So sweet, so lovely, would any heart inspire  
With fervent love, to attain his desire.   

But what for her manners passeth all  
She is both gentle, good, and virtuous  
Alas what fortune, did me to her call  
Without that she be to me pitiful,  
With her so fettered, in pains dolorous  
Alas shall pity, be from her exiled  
Which all virtues, hath so undefiled   

Thus in my mind, when I had engraved  
Her goodly countenance, and fair figure  
It was no wonder, that I was amazed  
My heart and mind, she had so ta'en in cure  
Nothing of love, I durst to her discover  
Yet for because, I was in her presence  
I took arquayntaunce, of her excellence   

My heart was drenched, in great sorrow deep  
Though outwardly, my countenance was light  
The inward woe, into my heart did creep  
To hide my pain, it was great force and might  
Thus her sweet beauty, with a sudden sight  
My heart hath wounded, which must needs obey  
Unto such a sorrow, now alas well away.   

For she is gone, and departed right far  
In her country, where she doth abide  
She is now gone, the fair shining star  
O lady Venus, I pray the provide  
That I may after, at the morrow tide  
And by the way, with heart right rigorious  
To subdue mine enemies, to me contrarious.   

And yet thy grace, most humbly I pray  
To send thy son, little Cupid before  
With loving letters, as fast as thou may  
That she may know, somewhat of pains sore  
Which for her sake, I suffer evermore  
Now lady Venus, with my whole intent  
Of life or death, I abide thy judgement   

Well then said Venus, I have perseverance  
That you know somewhat, of mighty power  
Which to my court, sue for acquaintance  
To have release, of your great pains sour  
Abide a while, ye must tarry the hour  
The time runneth, toward right fast  
joy cometh after, when the sorrow is past   

Alas I said, who is fettered in chains  
He thinketh long, after deliverance  
Of his great woe, and eke mortal pains  
For who abideth painful penance  
Thinketh a short while, a long continuance  
Who may not speak, with her he loveth best  
It is no wonder, though he take no rest.   

Abide quod she, you must a while yet tarry  
Though to have comfort, ye right long do think  
I shall provide for you a lectuary,  
Which after sorrow, into your heart shall sink  
Though you be brought now, unto death's brink  
Yet dread exile, and live in hope and trust  
For at the last, you shall attain your lust   

And specially, I give to you a charge  
To fix your love, for to be true and stable  
Upon your Lady, and not to flee at large  
As in sundry wise, for to be variable  
In corrupt thoughts, vile, and culpable  
Prepences nothing, unto her dishoncstie  
For lone dishonest, hath no certainty   

And sithen that I, was cause you begun  
First for to love, I shall a letter make  
Unto your lady, and send it by my son  
Little Cupid, that shall it to her take  
That she your sorrow, may detraye or slake  
Her harded heart, it shall well revolve  
With piteous words, that shall it dissolve.   

And right anon, as the manner followeth  
She caused Sapience, a letter to write  
Lo what her favour, unto me availeth  
When for my sake, she did so well indite  
As I shall show, in a short respite  
The gentle form, and tenor of her letter  
To speed my cause, for to attain the better    

¶ The copy of the Letter. Capi. xxxi.  

RIght gentle heart, of green flowering age  
The star of beauty, and of famous port  
Consider well, that your lusty courage  
Age of his course, must at the last transport  
Now truth of right, doth ourself exhort  
That you your youth, in idleness will spend  
Withouten pleasure, to bring it to an end   

What was the cause, of your creation  
But man to love, the world to multiply  
As to sow the seed, of generation  
With fervent love, so well conveniently  
The cause of love, engendereth perfitly  
Upon an intent, of dame Nature  
Which you hath made, so fair a creature   

Then of dame Nature, what is the intent  
But to accomplish, her fair seed to sow  
In such a place, as is convenient  
To God's pleasure, for to increase and grow  
The kind of her, ye may not overthrow  
Say what ye list, ye can nothing deny  
But otherwhile ye think, full privily   

What the man is, and what he can do  
Of chamber work, as nature will agree  
Though by experience, ye know nothing thereto  
Yet oft ye muse, and think what it may be  
Nature provoketh, of her strong degree  
You so to, as hath been her old guise  
Why will you then, the true love despise.   

In our court, there is a bill presented  
By grand amour, whose heart in duresse  
You fast have fettered, not to be absented  
From your person, with mortal heaviness  
His heart and service, with all gentleness  
He to you oweth, as to be obedient  
For to fulfil, your sweet commandment.   

What you availeth, your beauty so fair  
Your lusty youth, and gentle countenance  
Without that you, in your mind will repair  
It for to spend, in joy and pleasance  
To follow the trace, of dame Nature's dance  
And thus in doing, you shall your servant heal  
Of his disease, and hurt you never a deal.   

One must you love, it can not be denied  
For hard it is, to void you of the chance  
Then love him best, that you have so arrayed  
With fiery chains, fettered in penance  
For he is ready, without doubtance  
In every thing, for to fulfil your will  
And as ye list, ye may him save or spill   

Alas what pain, and mortal woe  
Were it to you, and ye were in like case  
With him dismayed, which you have rayed so  
Would you not then, think it a long space  
In his sweet heart, to have a dwelling place  
Then in your mind, ye may revolve that he  
Most long doth think, that joyful day to se.   

Is not he young, both wise and lusty  
And eke descended, of the gentle line  
What will you more, have of him truly  
Then you to serve, as true love will incline  
But as I think, you do now determine  
To fix your mind, for worldly treasure.  
Though in your youth, ye lose your pleasure   

Alas remember, first your beauty  
Your youth, your courage, and your tender heart  
What pain here after, it may to you be  
When you lack that, which is true lovers desert  
I tell you this, yourself to convert  
For little know ye, of this pain iwis  
To live with him, in whom no pleasure is.   

Where that is love, there can be no lack  
Fie on that love, for the land or substance  
For it must needs, right soon a back  
When that youth hath, no joy nor pleasance  
In the party, with nature's suffisance  
Then will you, for the sin of avarice  
Unto your youth, do such a prejudice.   

Thus sithen Nature, hath you well endued  
With so much beauty, and dame Grace also  
Your virtuous manners, hath so much renewed  
Exile disdain, and let her from you go  
And also strangeness, unto love the foe  
And let no covetise, your true heart subdue  
But that in joy, ye may your youth ensue   

For I of love the Goddess, dame Venus  
Right well do know, that in the world is none  
That unto you, shallbe more joyous  
Than grand amour, that loveth you alone  
Sith he so did, it is many days agone  
Who ever saw, a fair young hart so hard  
Which for her sake, would see her true love marred   

And so shall he, without ye take good heed  
Ifhe so be, ye be cause of the same  
For love with death, will ye reward his meed  
And if ye do, ye be to much to blame  
To love unloved, ye know it is no game  
Wherefore me think, ye can do no less  
But with your love, his pains to redress.   

If ye do not, this may be his song  
Woe worth the time, that ever he you met  
Woe worth your heart, so doing him wrong  
woe worth the hour, that his true heart was set  
woe worth disdain, that would his purpose let  
woe worth the flower, that can do no boot  
Woe worth you, that pierced him at the root   

Woe worth my love, the cause of my sorrow  
Woe worth my lady, that will not it release  
woe worth fortune, both even and morrow  
woe worth trouble, that shall have no peace  
Woe worth cruelty, that may never cease  
Woe worth youth, that will no pity have  
Woe worth her, that will not her love save.   

woe worth the trust, without assurance  
Woe worth love, rewarded with hate  
woe worth love, replete with variance  
woe worth love, without a friendly mate  
woe worth the heart, with love at debate  
woe worth the beauty, which took me in snare  
woe worth her, that will not cease my care   

Woe worth her manners, and her goodliness  
Woe worth her eyes, so clear and amiable  
woe worth such cause, of my great sickness  
woe worth pity, on her not tendable  
woe worth her mind, in disdain so stable  
woe worth her, that hath me fettered fast  
And woe worth love, that I do spend in waste.   

Wherefore of right, I pray you to remember  
All that I writ, unto you right now  
How your true love, is of age but tender.  
His humble service, we pray you allow  
And he himself, shall evermore enprowe  
You for to please, and give the sovereignty  
How can you have, a more true love than he.   

And far ye well, there is no more to say  
Under our signet, in our court royal  
Of September, the. xxii. day  
She closed the letter, and to her did call  
Cupid her son, so dear in special  
Commanding him, as fast as he might  
To la bell Pucell, for to take his flight   

So did Cupid, with the letter fly  
Unto la bell Pucels domination  
There that he sped, full well and wondrously  
As I shall after, make relation  
But to my matter, with breviation  
A turtle I offered, for to magnify  
Dame Venus' high estate, to glorify.   

She me exhorted, for to be right hardy  
Forth on to travail, and to dread nothing  
I took my leave, of her full humbly  
And on my way, as I was riding  
This Godfrey Gobilyve, came running  
With his little nag, and cried tarry, tarry  
For I will come, and bear you company.    

Capit. xxxii  

ANd forbicause, that I was then full sad  
And by the way, he made me good game  
To have his company, I was somewhat glad  
I was not proud, I took of him no shame  
He came to me, and said ye are to blame  
So to ride louring, for a woman's sake  
Unto the devil, I do them all betake.   

They be not steadfast, but change as the moan  
When one is gone, they love another soon  
Who that is single, and will have a wife  
Right out of joy, he shall be brought in strife  
Thus when Godfrey, did so merry make  
There did a lady, us soon overtake   

And in her hand, she had a knotted whip  
At every yerk, she made Godfrey to skip  
Alas he said, that ever I was borne  
Now am I take, for all my mock and scorn  
I looked about, when that I heard him cry  
Seeing this lady, on her palfrey ride high   

Madam I said, I pray you me tell  
Your proper name, and where that ye dwell  
My name quoth she, is called Correction  
And the tower of chastise, is my mansion  
This strong thief, called false report  
With vilayne courage, and an other sort   

And vile perlers, false conjecture  
All these I had, in prison full sure  
But this false report, hath broken prison  
With his subtle craft, and evil treason  
And this journey, privily to speed  
He hath clad him, in this fools weed   

Now have I answered you, your question  
And I pray you of, a like solution  
You seem me think, for to be a knight  
I pray you tell me first, your name aright  
My name quoth I, is lafoy grand amour  
A well quoth she, you are the perfit flower   

Of all true lovers, as I do well know  
You shall attain, lafoy bell Pucell I trow  
I know right well, ye are adventurous  
Onward your way, to the tower perilous  
And for as much, as the night is near  
I humbly pray you, for to take the cheer   

That I may make you, in my tower this night  
It is here by, you shall of it have sight  
And I pray you, to help me to bind  
This false report, as you should do by kind  
What Godfrey quoth I, will ye change your name  
Nay nay qood he, it was for no shame   

But alas for woe, that she hath me taken  
I must obey, it can not be forsaken  
His feet were fettered, underneath his nag  
And bound his hands, behind to his bag  
Thus Correction, with her whip did drive  
The little nag, with Godfrey Gobilyve.   

Till at the last, we 'gan to approach  
Her royal tower, upon a craggy roche  
The night was come, for it was right late  
Yet right anon, we came to the gate  
Where we were let in, by dame Measure  
That was a fair, and a goodly creature.   

And so Correction, brought me to the hall  
Of gete well wrought, glazed with crystal  
The roof was gold, and amids was set  
A carbuncle, that was large and great  
Whose virtue clear, in the hall so bright  
About did cast, a great marvelous light   

So forth we went, into a chamber fair  
Where many ladies, did themselves repair  
And at our coming, then incontinent  
They welcomed us, as was convenient  
But of Correction, they were very glad  
Which false report, again taken had   

There was queen Panthasile, with Penalape  
Queen Helen, and queen Menelape  
Queen I thesyle, and queen proserpine  
The lady Meduse, and young Polixyne  
With many more, that I do not rehearse  
My time is short, I must fro them reverce   

And dame Correction, into a chamber led  
Me right anon, for to go to my bed  
What need I show, of my great cheer and rest  
I wanted nought, but had all of the best  
And so I slept, till that aurora clear  
Began to shine, amids her golden spear   

Then up I rose, and my varlet also  
Which made me ready, and to my stead did go  
And dame Correction, at this morrow tide  
Did me entreat, a while to abide  
And right anon, my breakfast was brought  
To make me cheer, there wanted right nought   

And after this, dame Correction  
Did lead me to a marvelous dungeon  
And first she led me, to the upper ward  
Where shamefastness, did us well regard  
For he was jailor, and had at his charge  
Every rebel, not for to go at large   

In the first ward, there went to and fro  
Both men and women, that might no further go.  
But yet they hoped, for to have relieve  
Of their enprison, which did them so grieve  
These prisoners, when true love was moved  
They would drive of, and not release the grieved.   

And for this cause, by equal judgement  
Like as they did, here have they punishment  
And shamefastness, lower did us bring  
Where we saw men, that were in tormenting  
With many ladies, that their mouths gagged.  
And false report, on me his head wagged   

Then right anon, a lady 'gan to scrape  
His furred tongue, that he cried like an ape  
And vile Peller, in like wise also  
His tongue was scraped, that he suffered woe  
And yet we went, into a deeper vale  
Where I saw men, that were in great bale   

In hollow bushes, they did hang aloft  
Their heads downward, for to fall unsoft  
And two ladies, did their bodies beat  
With knotted whips, in the flesh to frete  
That the desire, it should soon assuage  
And specially, of the villain courage   

These men, with sugared mouths so eloquent  
A maidens heart, could right soon relent.  
And these young maidens, for to take in snare  
They feign great woe, and for to suffer care  
The foolish maidens, did believe they smarted  
That to their will, the men, them converted   

Thus when that they, had them so beguiled  
And with their fraud, these maidens defiled  
They cast them of, they took no longer keep  
Go where ye list, though they cry and weep.  
Therefore these ladies, with their whips hard  
Their bodies beat, that their bodies hath marred   

And every man, as he hath deserved  
A pain there is, which is for him observed  
Thus when I had, all the prison seen  
With the torment, of many a one I ween  
And forth we went, again to the hall  
My stead was ready, and brought to the wall   

And of the ladies, clear in excellence  
I took my leave, with all due reverence  
And thanked Correction, with my heart entire  
Of my repose, and of her loving cheer  
To me she said, remember you well  
Of the sweet beauty, of la bell Pucell   

When you her heart, in fetters have chained  
Let her have yours, in likewise retained  
Look that your heart, your word, & countenance  
Agree all in one, withouten variance  
It the for pity, do release you your pain  
Consider it, and love her best again.   

Be true and secret, and make none advaunt  
When you of love, have a perfit grant  
And if ye will come, unto your will  
Both here and see, and then hold you still  
Dreadc you nothing, but take a good heart  
For right soon, after you from hence depart   

Right high adventures, unto you shall fall  
In time of fight, unto your mind then call  
If you prevail, you shall attain the fame  
Of high honour, to certify the same  
And therewith I light, upon my stead  
Madam I said, I pray God do you meed  
Far well she said, for you must now hence  
Adieu quoth I, with all my diligence.    

¶ How grand amour discomfited the Giant with three heads., and was received of three fair Ladies. Capi. xxxiii.  

WHen golden Phoebus, in the Capricorn  
'Gan to ascend, fast unto Aquary  
And janus bifrus, the crown had worn  
With his frosty beard in january,  
When clear Dyana, joined with Mercury  
The crystal air, and assured firmament  
Were all depured, without encumbrement.   

Forth than I road, at mine own adventure  
Over the mountains, and the craggy rocks  
To behold the countries, I had great pleasure  
Where coral growed, by right high stocks  
And the popinjays, in the tree tops  
Then as I road, I saw me before  
Beside a well hang, both a shield and a horn   

When I came there, adown my stead I light  
And the fair bugle, I right well beheld  
Blazing the arms, as well as I might  
That was so graven, upon the goodly shield  
First all of silver, did appear the field  
With a ramping Lion, of fine gold so pure  
And under the shield, there was this scripture.   

If any knight, that is adventurous  
Of his great pride, dare the bugle blow  
There is a giant, both fierce and rigorious  
That with his might, shall him soon overthrow  
This is the way, as ye shall now know  
To la bell Pucell, but withouten fail  
The sturdy giant, will give you battle.   

When I the scripture, once or twice had read  
And knew thereof, all the whole effect  
I blewe the horn, without any dread  
And took good heart, all fear to abject  
Making me ready, for I did suspect  
That the great giant, unto me would haste  
When he had heard me, blow so loud a blast.   

I alight anon, upon my gentle stead  
About the well, than I road to and fro  
And thought right well, upon the joyful meed  
That I should have, after my pain and woe  
And of my lady, I did think also  
Till at the last, my varlet did me tell  
Take heed quod he, here is a fiend of hell   

My greyhounds leapt, and my stead did start  
My spear I took, and did look about  
With hardy courage, I did arm my heart  
At last I saw, a sturdy giant stout  
Twelve foot of length, to leare a great rout  
Three heads he had, and he armed was  
Both heads and body, all about with brass   

Upon his first head, in his helmet crest  
There stood a fanc, of the silk so fine  
Where was written, with letters of the best  
My name is falsehood, I shall cause incline  
My neighbour's goods, for to make them mine  
Always I get, their land or substance  
With subtle fraud, deceit, or variance   

And when a knight, with noble chivalry  
Of la bell Pucell, should attain the grace  
With my great falsehood, I work so subtly  
That in her heart, he hath no dweiling place  
Thus of his purpose, I do let the case  
This is my power, and my condition  
Love to remove, by a great illusion   

And of the second head, in a silken tassel  
There I saw written, imagination  
My crafty wit, is withouten fail  
Love for to bring, in perturbation  
Where la bell Pucell, would have affection  
To grand amour, I shall a tale devise  
To make her hate him, and him to despise.   

By my false wit, so much ymaginatife  
The truth full oft, I bring in disease  
Where as was peace, I cause to be strife  
I will suffer no man, for to live in ease  
For if by fortune, he will be displease  
I shall of him, imagine such a tale  
That out of joy, it shall turn into bale.   

And on the third head, in a stricter green  
There was written, my name is pariury  
In many a town, I am known as I wend  
Where as I list, I do great injury  
And do forswear, myself full wrongfully  
Of all things, I do hate conscience  
But I love lucre, with all diligence   

Between two lovers, I do make debate  
I will so swear, that they think I am true  
For ever falsehood, with his own estate  
To a lady cometh, and sayeth to eschew  
An inconvenience, that ye do not rue  
Your love is nought, imagination knoweth  
I swear in likewise, and anon she troweth   

That we have said, is of very truth  
Her love she casteth, right clean out of mind  
That with her love, she is wonderfly wrough  
with feigned kindness, we do her so blind  
Then to her lover, she is full unkind  
Thus our three powers, were joined in one  
In this mighty giant, many days agone   

And when that I, had seen every thing  
My spear I charged, that was very great  
And to this giant, so fiercely coming  
I took my course, that I with him met  
Breaking my spear, upon his first helmet  
And right anon, adown my stead I light  
Drawing my sword, that was fair and bright.   

I clipped Clara prudence, that was fair and sure  
At the giant I struck, with all my valiance  
But he my strokes, might right well endure  
He was so great, and huge of puissance  
His glaive he did, against me advance  
Which was. iiii. foot, and more of cutting  
And as he was, his stroke discharging   

Because his stroke, was heavy to bear  
I leapt aside, from him full quickly  
And to him I ran, without any fear  
When he had discharged, again full lightly  
He roared loud, and swore I should abye  
But what for that, I struck at him fast  
And he at me, but I was not aghast.   

But as he fought, he had a vantage  
He was right high, and I under him low  
Till at the last, with lusty courage  
Upon the side, I gave him such a blow  
That I right near, did him overthrow  
But right anon, he did his might enlarge  
That upon me, he did such strokes discharge   

That I uneath, might make resistance  
Against his power, for he was so strong  
I did defend me, against his violence  
And thus the battle, dured full right long  
Yet evermore, I did think among  
Of la bell Pucell, whom I should attain  
After my battles, to release my pain.   

And as I looked, I saw then avail  
Fair golden Phoebus, with his beams red  
Then up my courage, I began to hale  
Which nigh before, was agone and dead  
My sword so entered, that the giant bled  
And with my strokes, I cut of anon  
One of his legs, amids the thigh bone.   

Then to the ground, he adown did fall  
And upon me, he 'gan to louvre and glumme  
enforcing him, so for to rise withal  
But that I shortly, unto him did come  
With his three heads, he spit all his venom  
And I with my sword, as fast as could be  
With all my force, cut of his heads three.   

When I had so, obtained the victory  
Unto me then, my varlet well said  
You have demeaned you, well and worthily  
My greyhounds leapt, and my stead then brayed  
And then from far, I saw well arrayed  
To me come riding, three ladies right sweet  
Forth then I road, and did with them mete.   

The first of them, was called verity  
And the second, good Operation  
The third also, yclept Fidelity  
All they at once, with good opinion  
Did give to me, great laudation  
And me beseeched, with their heart entire  
With them to rest, and to make good cheer.   

I granted them, & then backward we road  
The mighty giant, to see and behold  
Whose huge body, was more than five cart load  
Which lay there bleeding, that was almost cold  
They for his death, did thank me many a fold  
For he to them, was enemy mortal  
Wherefore his three heads, they took in special   

And then verity, on the first fane  
Did set aloft, of falsehood the head  
And good Operation, in likewise had ta'en  
Of imagination, that full fore then bled  
Upon his head aloft, upon his banner red  
And in likewise, Fidelity had served  
Perjuries head, as he had well deserved   

And with sweet songs, and sweet armony  
Before me they road, to their fair castle  
So forth I road, with great joy and glory  
Unto the place, where these ladies did dwell  
Set on a rock, beside a spring or a well  
And fair Observance, the goodly portresse  
Did us receive, with solemn gladness   

Then to a chamber, that was very bright  
They did me lead, for to take mine ease  
After my trouble, and my great sturdy fight  
But three wounds I had, causing my disease  
My pain and woe, they did soon appease  
And healed my wounds. with salve aromatic  
Telling me of a great giant lunatic.   

Whose name truly, was called Uariaunce  
Whom I should meet, after my departing  
These ladies, unto me did great pleasance  
And in the mean while, as we were talking  
For me my supper, was in ordaining  
Thus when by temperance, it was prepared  
And then to it we went, and right well fared   

Tell me quoth verity, if you be content  
What is your name, so high adventurous  
And who that you, into this coast hath sent  
Madam I said, I was so amorous  
Of la bell Pucell, so fair and beauteous  
La grand amour, truly is my name  
Which seek adventures, to attain the fame   

A ha quod she, I thought asmuch before  
That you were he, for your great hardiness  
La bell Pucell, must love you evermore  
Which for her sake, in your high nobles  
Doth such access, by chivalrous excess  
Her gentle heart, may nothing deny  
To reward your meed, with love full fervently.   

Thus did we pass time, in all manner of joy  
I lacked nothing, that might make me solace  
But evermore, as noble Troilus of Troy  
Full oft I thought, on my fair ladies face  
And her to see, a much longer space  
When time was come, to rest I was brought  
All to me longing, there lacked right nought   

What should I wade, by perambulution  
My time is short, and I have far to sail  
Unto the land, of my conclusion  
The wind is east, right slow without fail  
To blow my ship, of diligent travail  
To the last end, of my matter troublous  
With waves enclosed, so tempestuous.   

Right in the morrow, when aurora clear  
Her radiaunt beams, began for to spread  
And splendent Phoebus, in his golden spear  
The crystal air, did make fair and red  
Dark diane, declining pale as any led  
When the little birds, sweetly did sing  
Laudes to their maker, early in the morning.    

Capit. xxxiiii.  

UP I arose, and did make me ready  
For I thought long, unto my journeys end  
My greyhounds leapt, on me right merely  
To cheer me forward, they did condescend  
And the three ladies, my cheer to amend  
A good breakfast, did for me ordain  
They were right glad, the giant was slain.   

I took my leave, and on my way I ride  
Through the woods, and on rocks high  
I looked about, and on the hill abode  
Till in the vale, I saw full hastily  
To me come riding, a lady sikerly  
I well beheld, the high way so used  
But of this lady, right often I mused.   

Till at the last, we did meet together  
Madam I said, the high God you save  
She thanked me, and did ask me whither  
That I so road, and what I would have  
Truly quoth I, nothing else I crave  
Of the high God, but to be so fortunate  
La bell Pucell, to have to my mate.   

What is your name, than said she  
Lafoy grand amour, for sooth madame quod I  
Then was she glad, as any one might be  
And said she was sent, fro mine own lady  
Tidings I said, I pray you heartily  
Your lady quoth she, is in perfect health  
And would be glad, to hear of your wealth.   

She promised you, in a garden green  
To love you best, of any creature  
So do the she yet, as I think and ween  
Though that disdain, brought her to her lure  
But of her heart now, you shall be sure  
Be of good cheer, and for nothing dismay  
I spoke with her, but now this other day.   

And she myself, unto you hath sent  
My name is called, dame perseverance  
A little before, that I from her went  
To her came Cupid, with great circumstance  
And brought a letter, of Venus' ordinance  
Which unto her, he did anon present  
When she it read, and knew the intent,   

All inwardly, full wondrously dismayed  
Withouten word, she did stand right well  
Her harded heart, was full well delayed  
What for to do, she knew not good or ill  
You for to help, or let you so spill  
Disdain and Strangeness, did stand then thereby  
Seing her countenance, they 'gan to draw nigh.   

Madame quod they, why are ye so sad  
Alas quoth she, it is no marvel why  
Right now, of Cupid, a letter I had  
Sent from Venus, full right marvelously  
By which I have, perceived utterly  
That a young knight, called grand amour  
Doth for my sake, suffer such dolour   

That of constraint, of woe full heaviness  
He is near dead, all only for my sake  
Shall he now die, or shall I him release  
Of his great woe, and to my mercy take  
Abide quod Strangeness, and your sorrow slake  
Have you him seen, in any time before  
Yes yes quoth she, that doth my woe restore.   

At pentecost, no we many days agone  
Music to hear, at great solemnity  
To and fro he walked, himself all alone  
In a great temple, of old antiquity  
Till that by fortune, he had espied me  
And right anon, or that I was ware  
To me he came, I knew nought of his care   

He seemed gentle, his manners right good  
I beheld right well, all his condition  
Humble of cheer, and of goodly mode  
But I thought nothing, of his affliction  
But his behaviour, showed the occasion  
Of fervent love, as then in mine intent  
I oft did dame, and give a judgement   

So after this, I did then soon departed  
Home to my country, where I did abide  
When I was gone, full heavy was his heart  
As Cupid saith, I must for him provide  
A gentle reamedy, at this sudden tide  
And for my sake, he is adventurous  
To subdue mine enemies, to me contrarious   

A quod Disdain, know ye his substance  
Why will you love, such a one as he  
Though he seem gentle, and of good governance  
You shall have one, of far higher degree  
He is nothing meet, as it seemeth me  
To be your fere, your favour to attain  
What is it to you, though he suffer pain.   

Could yourself, let his eyen to have a sight  
Of your beauty, or his heart to be set  
What skilleth you, though that he die this night  
You called him not, when he with you met  
And he will love you, you can not him let  
Be as be may, ye shall have mine assent  
Him for to forsake, as in most expedient   

Alas madame, than said dame Strangeness  
When he cometh hither, your courage abate  
Look high upon him, beware of meekness  
And think that you shall have, an high estate  
Let not grand amour, say to you chekmate  
Be strange unto him, as ye know nothing  
The perfit cause, of his true coming   

And in mean while, came to her presence  
Dame Peace and Mercy, and to her they said  
Alas madame, consider your excellence  
And how your beauty, hath him so arrayed  
If you have him, ye may be well apaid  
And doubt you not, if that ye love for love  
God will send riches, to come to you above.   

Will you for love, let him die or perish  
Which loveth you so, with fervent desire  
And you yourself, may his sorrow minish  
That with your beauty, set his heart a fire  
Your sweet looks, did his heart inspire  
That of fine force, he must to you obey  
To live or die, there is no more to say   

Alas quod Peace, will ye let him endure  
In mortal pain, withouten remedy  
Sithen his heart, you have so ta'en in cure  
Your hasty doom, look that ye modefy  
Exile Disdain, and Strangeness shortly  
And send perseverance, as fast as ye may  
To comfort him, in his troublous journey   

Then in her mind, she 'gan to revolve  
The loving words, of Mercy and Peace  
Her hardy heart, she 'gan for to dissolve  
And inwardly, she did to me release  
Her perfit love, your great pain to cease  
And did exile then from her, to wilderness  
Both dame disdain, and eke dame strangeness.   

And did me send, to you incontinent  
With this goodly shield, that ye should it were  
For her sweet sake, as is convenient  
It is sure, ye shall not need to fear  
The stroke of sword, or yet the grate of spear  
She prayeth you, for to be of good cheer  
Above all men, ye are to her most dear.   

Now said perseverance, I pray you repose  
This long night, with my cozen comfort  
A gentle lady, as any may suppose  
She can you tell, and also well exhort  
Of la bell Pucell, with a true report  
I thanked her, of her great goodness  
And so we road, with joy and gladness.   

Till that we came, unto a manor place  
Moted about, under a wood side  
Alight she said, for by right long space  
In pain and woe, you did ever abide  
After an ebb, there cometh a flowing tide  
So down I light, from my goodly stead  
After my pain, to have rest for my meed.   

Then dame perseverance, on the way me led  
Into the place, where did us gentillye meet  
The lady Comfort, without any dread  
With countenance, that was demure and sweet  
In goodly manner, she did us then great  
Leading us, to a chamber precious  
Dulcet of odour, and most solacious.   

And privily, she asked a question  
Of perseverance, what I called was  
La grand amour, without abusion  
cozen quoth she, he doth all lovers pass  
Like as doth Phoebus, in the pure glass  
So doth his deeds, extol the sovereignty  
Of the dark gyaunres, by high acthoritie.   

When she it knew, she was of me right fain  
Nothing I lacked, that was to my pleasance  
After my travail, and my woeful pain  
Good meat and drink, I had to sustenance  
We sat together, by long continuance  
But evermore Comfort, gave exhortation  
To me of patience, in tribulation.   

Think well quoth she, that in the world is none  
Which can have pleasure, without woe and care  
joy cometh after, when the pain is gone  
Was never man, that was devoid or bare  
Always of joy, after his woeful snare  
Who knoweth pain, and hath been in trouble  
After his woe, his joy is to him double.   

It may so fortune, that la bell Pucell  
Hath divers friends, that be not content  
That her favour, ye should attain so well  
For you, of them, she may often be shent  
But what for that, she shall not her repent  
And if her friends, be with you angry  
Suffer their words, and take it patiently   

Against their ill, do unto them good  
Them for to please, be alway diligent  
So shall you suage, the tempestuous flood  
Of their stormy minds, so impatient  
And inwardly, they shall themselves repent  
That they to you, have been contrarious  
In such fiery anger, hot and furious.   

Thus by your wisdom, ye shall them so win  
Unto your friends, that did you so hate  
For it is reason, you should obey your kin  
As by obedience, both early and late  
Make them your friends, without the debate  
For evermore, the spirit of patience  
Doth overcome, the angry violence.   

Be hardy, bold, and also courageous  
For after that, ye be gone from hence  
You shall meet, with a giant rigorious  
Having seven heads, of ill experience  
You shall subdue him, with your prudence  
And other adventures, shall unto you fall  
Which Fame shall cause, to be memorial   

When it was time, I was brought to bed  
So all the long night, I endured in rest  
With such a sloth, itaken was my head  
That my soft pillow, I found a good gest  
For long before, I was so oppressed  
With inward trouble, that I might not sleep  
But oft wake, and sigh with tears deep    

Capit. xxxv.  

WHen morning came, up anon I rose  
And armed me, as fast as I might  
Forth for to travel, unto my purpose  
I took my leave, & on my stead I light  
Thanking dame comfort, of her cheer that night  
She with perseverance, in my company  
Forth on the way, we road full merely   

Over the heath, till we saw from far  
A royal castle, right strongly fortified  
Bulwarks about, accustomed for war  
On a craggy roche, it was so edified  
Walled with get, so clearly purified  
To which we road, and drew near and near  
Till in our sight, did openly appear.   

A mighty giant. xv. foot of length  
With heads seven, and armed full sure  
He seemed well, to be a man of strength  
Then quoth perseverance, ye must put in ure  
This day your power, in honour to endure  
Against this giant, your mortal enemy  
Be of good cheer, you shall have victory.   

Besides this giant, upon every tree  
I did see hang, many a goodly shield  
Of noble knights, that were of high degree  
Which he had slain, and murdered in the field  
From far this giant, I right well beheld  
And toward him, as I road my way  
On his first head, I saw a banner gay   

Wherein was written, dissimulation  
Whose nature false, is full of flattery  
That under a feigned commendation,  
Can cloak a mock, and fraudefull subtly  
So doth he love, deceive oft privily  
For the blind love, doth perceive right nought  
That under honey, the poison is wrought   

And the second head, was a banner blewe  
In which was written, in letters right white  
Delay my name is, that can long eschew  
A true lover, with my fatal respite  
That love for love, shall not him acquit  
For evermore, I lie oft in a wait  
Love to delay, and cast him from conceit.   

On the third head, in a banner square  
Al of read, was written discomfort  
Causing a lover, for to drown in care  
That he of love, shall have no report  
But looks high, his heart to transport  
And I myself, shall him so assail  
That he in love, shall nothing prevail   

On the fourth head, on the helmet crest  
There was a stricter, right white, large, & long  
Where on was written, with bice of the best  
My name is variance, that ever among  
The mind of love doth change, with great wrong  
That a true lover, can not be certain  
Love for his meed, right steadfast to retain.   

And yet aloft, on the fift helmet  
In a black banner, was written envy  
Whose heart ever, inwardly is fret  
When grand amour, should attain his lady  
He museth oft, in himself inwardly  
To let the lady, for to set her heart  
On grand amour, for to release his smart.   

In a russet banner, on the sixth head  
There was written, this word detraction  
That can open, in a covert stead  
His subtle male, replete with treason  
To cause a lady, to have suspection  
Unto her true lover, with his bitter tale  
That she her love, from him than did hale.   

On the seventh head, in a banner of riches  
Was written, with letters all of grew  
My name truly, is called doubleness  
Which I do owe, unto all ladies true  
At a time unware, my det shallbe due  
To grand amour, for to make him repent  
That he his love, on la bell Pucell spent.   

When in my mind, I had well agregate  
Every thing, that I in him had seen  
Both of his head, and of his high estate  
I called for help, unto the heaven queen  
The day was fair, the sun was bright & sheen  
Beside a river, and a craggy roche  
This giant was, which spied me approach.   

He hurled about, and cast his shield afore  
And took his axe, of mighty fortitude  
That was of length. xx. foot and more  
Which he had used, by long consuetude  
To dance true lovers, and their power exclude  
I took my spear, and did it well charge  
And with hardiness, I made my force enlarge.   

I took my course, and to the giant ran  
On his second head, breaking then asunder  
My mighty spear, that he to roar began  
With so base a cry, that I had great wonder  
His seven heads so roared, like the thunder  
Right from my stead, I light to the ground  
And drew clara prudence, that was whole & found   

The mighty giant, his axe did up lift  
Upon my head, that the stroke should fall  
But I of him, was full ware and swift  
I leapt aside, so that the stroke withal  
In the ground lighted, beside a stone wall  
Three foot and more, and anon then I  
Did leap unto him, striking full quickly.   

But above me, he had such altitude  
That I at him, could have no full stroke  
He struck at me, with many strokes rude  
And called me boy, and gave me many a mock  
At the last he said, I shall give the a knock  
That with thy brains, I shall the trees depaint  
Abide quoth I thou shalt be first full faint.   

And right anon, I by me espied  
On the rocks side, twelve steps full sure  
And then right fast, I upon them hied  
That we were both, about one stature  
My strength I doubled, and put so in ure  
The great strokes, that I cut of anon  
Six of his heads, leaving him but one   

When he felt himself, hurt so grievously  
He stretched him up, and lift his axe a fit  
Striking at me, with strokes wondrously  
But I full swiftly, did give back full oft  
For to devoid, his great strokes unsoft  
When he saw this, he thought him forlorn  
With a hideous voice, he began to roar   

The battle dured, between us right long  
Till I saw Phoebus, declining full low  
I advanced my sword, that was sure and strong  
And with my might, I gave him such a blow  
On his seventh head, that he did overthrow  
When he was down, he 'gan to cry and yell  
Full like a serpent, or a fiend of hell.   

When I saw this, as fast as might be  
A down I came, and did then unlace  
His seventh helmet, right rich for to see  
And him beheaded, in a right short space  
And then full soon, there came to the place  
perseverance, and my varlet also  
Alas they said, we were for you right wo.   

But we were glad, when ye had forsaken  
The low vale, and up the craggy fair  
For your advantage, the high way had taken  
Thus as we talked, we did seladies fair  
Seven in number, that were debonaryre  
Upon white palfreys, each of them did ride  
To us right gently, from the castle side.   

The first of them, was named Steadfastness  
And the second, Amorous purveyance  
The third, was joy, after great heaviness  
The fourth of them, was dame Continuance  
And the fift of them, called dame pleasance  
The sixth was called, Report famous  
The seventh amity, to lovers dolorous   

And right Anon, with all humility  
They light adown, and then incontinente  
Each after other, they came unto me  
I ●issed them, with all my whole intent  
hail knight they said, so clear and excellent  
Which of this giant, our hideous enemy  
So worthily, hath won the victory.   

Ladies he said, I am much unworthy  
So to accept, your great praise and fame  
They prayed me, to keep them company  
I will quod I, or else I were to blame  
They prayed me, to show them my name  
La grand amour it is, I said in deed  
And then said they, no wonder though ye speed.   

No doubt it is, but ye shall obtain  
La bell Pucell, so right fair and clear  
We were with her, exiled by disdain  
And then besieged, in this castle here  
With this great giant, more than a whole year  
And you this night, if it do you please  
In this poor castle, shall take your ease.   

I thanked them, and so I road anon  
Into the castle, of old foundation  
Walled about, with the black touch stone  
I took there then, my recreation  
Among these ladies, with commendation  
And when time came, that they thought best  
To a royal bed, I was brought to rest.   

After my weary, and troublous travail  
I took mine ease, till that it was day  
Then up I rose, without any fail  
And made me ready, for to ride my way  
But than anon, into the chamber gay  
The seven ladies came, with perseverance  
saying they would, give me attendance.   

And bring me, to la bell Pucell  
Where that she is, in her court royal  
And likewise, as Phoebus doth high excel  
In brightness truly, the fair stars all  
So in beauty, and virtue special  
She doth cxcede, any earthly creature  
That is now made, by fair dame Nature   

We broke our fast, and we made us ready  
To la bell Pucell, on our way to ride  
My stead was brought, I leapt up shortly  
So did the ladies, they would nothing abide  
Thus forth we road, at the morrow tide  
Out of the castle, with all joy and pleasure  
Forth on our way, at all adventure.    

Capi. xxxvi.  

SO long we road, over hill and valley  
Till that we came, into a wilderness  
On every side, there wild beasts lay  
Right strange and fierce, in sundry likeness  
It was a place, of dissolute darkness  
The ladies and I, were in fear and doubt  
Till at the last, that we were gotten out.   

Of the great wood, upon a craggy roche  
When clear Dyana, in the scorpion  
Against fair Phoebus, began to approach  
For to be, at her whole opposition  
We saw from far, a goodly region  
Where stood a palace, high and precious  
Beyond an haven, full tempestuous   

Then said perseverance, behold ye and see  
Yonder is the palace, gay and glorious  
Of la bell Pucels great humility,  
A place of pleasure, most solacious  
But than we spied, a fiend fallacious  
Beyond the haven, at the sure entress  
Blowing out fire, by marvelous wideness   

The fire was great, it made the island light  
He roared loud, it seemed like the thunder  
But as me thought, he was of great might  
To know his likeness, we were far asunder  
But of the fire, we did often wonder  
We asked perseverance, what that it might be  
Alas quod she, with fraud and subtlety.   

Of dame Strangeness, and of dame Disdain  
When la bell Pucell, did them so abject  
Because that they might not, revert again  
With mortal envy, they did then conject  
To make a feud, in likewise to direct  
Sir grand amour, with the fervent fire  
Of evil treason, to let his desire.   

For dame Disdain, the crafty sorceress  
With art magic, hath wrought full craftily  
Of the. seven. metals, a dragon doubtless  
And dame Strangeness, by her nigromancy  
Hath closed therein, a fiend right subtly  
That the fire encenseth, by great outrage  
But grand amour, shall it well assuage   

Beneath this roche, there is well fortified  
An old temple, to the laud and glory  
Of wise dame Pallas, it was so edified  
We will ride, unto it full lightly  
And do oblation, unto her truly  
She will us tell, by good experience  
How we may scape, the brenning violence.   

So to the temple, of dame Pallas  
Anon we road, and did light adown  
Of depured crystal, her whole image was  
The temple walls, were right old and brown  
And then right soon, before her high renown  
Prostrate we fell, meekly to the ground  
And suddenly, we were cast in a sound   

Thus as we lay, in a deadly chance  
We thought to her, we made petition  
And all in english, with long circumstance  
She showed us, all the whole condition  
Of the marvelous, serpent's operation  
And did show us, a perfit remedy  
To withstand, all the craft of Sorcery   

And in likewise, as the manner followeth  
In depured verses, of crafty eloquence  
Every thing, unto us she showeth  
And first of all, with all our diligence  
These verses we said, unto her excellence  
But she with crafty, verses eloquent  
Gave us an answer, full expedient.   

When golden Phoebus, in the first hour  
Of his own day, began for to domime  
The sorceress, the false root of dolour  
All of gold, that was so pure and fine  
Of the best, made the head serpentine  
And eke thereof, she did make his face  
Full like a maid, it was a wonders case.   

And every hour, as the planets reigned  
She made the serpent, of the metals seven  
Till she her purpose, had fully attained  
And when five bodies, above on the heaven  
Went retrograde, marvelously to neven  
With divers quartyls, and the moan combust  
In the dragon's tail, to let a lovers lust.   

These cursed witches, disdain and strangeness  
Made the monster, of a subtle kind  
To let my purpose, and all my gladness  
But that dame Pallas, of her gentle mind  
Of marvelous herbs, a remedy did find  
And anon a box, of marvelous ointment  
She took to me, to withstand the serpent.   

Thus all esmarueyled, we did then awake  
And in my hand, I had the ointment  
Closed in a box, of which I should take  
To anoint my harness, for the serpent  
Which shall devoid, his fire so fervent  
And my sword also to cause to departed  
Astrothe the fiend, so set with Magikes art.   

THen when the sun, with his beams merry  
Began to rise, in the fair morrow grey  
All about, lighting our emispery  
Exiling mists, and dark clouds away  
And when we saw, that it was bright day  
near by the rivage, at the last we spied  
A goodly ship, which unto us fast hied   

And right anon, by the rivage side  
She cast an anchor, and did us than hail  
With a peal of guns, at the morrow tide  
Her bonnet she veiled, and 'gan to strike sail  
She was right large, of three tops without fail  
Her boat she made out, and sent to the land  
What that we were, to know and understand   

That so did walk, by the river coast  
And with two ladies, we suddenly met  
So when that they, were come to us almost  
From their ship boat, curiously counterfeit  
Hail knight they said, now from a lady great  
Called dame Patience, we are hither sent  
To know your name and all the whole intent   

What you make here, and the ladies all  
Truly quoth I, over this stormy flowed  
We would have passage, now in special  
Tarry she said, it were to you not good  
There is a serpent, evil, right fierce, and wood  
On the other side, which will you devour  
Nay then quoth I, my name is grand amour   

I have discomfited, the giants terrible  
For la bell Pucell, the most fair lady  
And for her sake, shallbe invincible  
Of this great monster, to have the victory  
You have quod they, demeaned you nobly  
And we anon, to our lady Patience  
Will give of you, perfit intelligence   

Thus they departed, and to their boat they went  
And the royal ship, yclept perfectness  
They did aboard, and then incontinent  
Unto dame Patience, they 'gan to express  
My name, mine acts, and all my prows  
Ha ha quoth she, how glad may I now be  
Which in this place, may him both hear and see   

And in great haste, she made them row again  
Toward the land, with all due reverence  
For to receive me, and the ladies certain  
And so we then, with all our diligence  
Entered the boat, without resistance  
And did aboard then, perfectness so sure  
Which the great waves, might right well endure   

And Patience, with great solemnity  
Did me receive, and the ladies also  
Welcome she said, by high authority  
I am right glad, that it hath happened so  
That la bell Pucell, must redress your woe  
And on yourself, with your worthy deeds  
Of Fame and her, hath won right high medes   

And then their anchor, they weighed in haste  
And hoist their sail, when many a clarion  
Began to blow, the morning was passed  
But Afrycus auster, made surrection  
Blowing his bellows, by great occasion  
So forth we sailed, right plain south-west  
On the other side, where the Serpent did rest    

¶ How grand amour discomfited the wonderful monster of the seven metals, made by enchantment. Capit. xxxvii.  

ANd at the land, we arrived than  
With all the ladies, in my company  
Which to pray for me, suddenly began  
To the God Mars, loadstar of chivalry  
I took my leave, of them full gently  
And right anon, to find out my foe  
This mortal dragon, I went to and fro.   

Till at the last, beside a craggy roche  
I saw the dragon, which did me espy  
And near and near, as I 'gan to approach  
I beheld his head, with his great body  
Which was misshaped, full right wondrously  
Of gold so shine, was both his head & face  
Full like a maid, it is a marvelous case.   

His neck silver, and thick like a bull  
His breast steel, and like an Olyphant  
His forelegs latin, and of feeder full  
Right like a Gripe was every tallaunt,  
And as of strength, he nothing did want  
His back afore, like bristles of a swine  
Of the fine copper, did most clearly shine.   

His hinder legs, was like to a cat  
All of tin, and like a Scorpion  
He had a tail, with a head thereat  
All of lead of pliant fashion,  
His heart steel, without menission  
Toward me he came, roaring like the thunder  
Spitting out fire, for to see great wonder.   

In his forehead, with letters all of grew  
Was written, my name is malice privy  
That old debate, can full soon renew  
Between true lovers, with colour crafty  
Against grand amour, I shall so fortify  
My evil subtle power, and cursed courage  
To let him truly, of his high passage.   

I took my box, as Pallas commanded  
And my sword and shield, with all my armure  
In every place, I right well anointed  
To hardiness, I took my heart in cure  
Making me ready, and when I thought me sure  
I took my sword, and with an hardy heart  
Toward the dragon, I began to start   

And as I 'gan, my great stroke to charge  
He blewe out so much fire innumerable  
That on the ground, I did my might discharge  
The smoke was dark, full greatly damageable  
And the hot fire, was so intolerable  
About me flying, that uneath I might  
Through my vysure, cast abroad my sight.   

But the sweet ointment, had such a virtue  
That the wild fire, might nothing endamage  
Me through heat, for it did extue  
The Magikes art, with great advantage  
Causing the fire, right well to assuage  
And with my sword, as nothing aghast  
Upon the serpent, I did strike full fast.   

His body was great as any tun  
The devil about, did his body bear  
He was as eager, as Gripe or Lion  
So with his talons, he did my harneyes' tear  
That oft they put me, in a mortal fear  
Till at the last, I did his body pierce  
With my good sword, he might it not reverce.   

Right there withal, the dragon to braced  
And out there flew, right black and tedious  
A foul Ethiope, which such smoke did cast  
That all the island, was full tenebrous  
It thundered loud, with claps tempestuous  
Than all the ladies, were full fore adreade  
They thought none other, but that I was dead   

The spirit vanished, the air waxed clear  
Then did I look, and behold about  
Where was the tower, of my lady so dear  
Till at the last, I had espied it out  
Set on a rock, right high without doubt  
And all the ladies, with perseverance  
To me did come, with joy and pleasance.   

Forsooth quoth they, you are much fortunate  
So to subdue, the serpent venomous  
Which by sorcery, was surely ordinate  
You for to slay, with fire so vicious  
Blessed be Pallas, the goddess glorious  
Which that you taught, a perfit remedy  
For to devoid, the craft of forcery.   

It was no wonder, though that I was glad  
After the pain, and tribulation  
That in many places, I right often had  
For to attain, the high promotion  
Of la bell Pucelles domination  
Considering, in my passage dangerous  
All I subdued, to me contrarious   

And then right soon, with great solemnity  
So forth we road, to the solemn mansion  
Of la bell Pucelles, worthy dignity  
Which was a tower, of marvelous fashion  
Replete with joy, without suggestion  
Walled with silver, and many a story  
Upon the wall, enamelled royally.   

So at the last, we came unto the gate  
Which all of silver, was knotted properly  
Where was a lady, of right high estate  
Which us received, well and nobly  
And then perseverance, went full shortly  
To lafoy bell Pucell, showing, every thing  
Of mine adventure, and sudden coming.    

How grand amour was received of la bell Pucell. Capit. xxxviii.  

WHen she it knew, then right incontinent  
She called to her, Peace & dame Mercy  
With justice & reason, the lady excellent  
pleasance, grace, with good dame memory  
To wait upon her, full ententiflye  
Me to receive, with all solemn joy  
A down her chamber, she went on her way   

And in the mean while, the gentle porteresse  
Called countenance, on my way then me led  
Into the base court, of great wideness  
Where all of gold, there was a conduit head  
With many dragons, enamelled with red  
Which did spout out, the dulcet liquor  
Like crystal clear, with aromatic odour.   

Aloft the base tower, four images stood  
Which blewe the clarious, well and wondrously  
Aloft the towers, the golden fanes good  
Did with the wind, make full sweet armony  
Them for to here, it was great melody  
The golden towers, with crystal clarified  
About were glazed, most clearly purrified   

And the gravel whereupon we went  
Full like the gold, that is most pure and fine  
Withouten spot, of black encombrement  
About our feet, it did right clearly shine  
It seemed more like a place celestine,  
Then an earthly mansion, which shall away  
By long time and process, an other day.   

And toward me, I did see then coming  
Lafoy bell Pucell, the most fair creature  
Of any fair earthly person living,  
Which with me met, with cheer so demure  
Of the shining gold, was all her vesture  
I did my duty, and once or twice iwis  
Her lips soft, I did full sweetly kiss.   

Aha quoth she, that I am very fain  
That you are come, for I have thought long  
sithen the time, that we parted in twain  
And for my sake, you have had often wrong  
But your courage, so hardy and strong  
Hath caused you, for to be victorious  
Of your enemies, so much contrarious.   

With her fair hand, white as any lily  
She did me lead, into a royal hall  
With knots carved, full right craftily  
The windows fair, glazed with crystal  
And all about, upon the golden wall  
There was enamelled, with figures curious  
The siege of Troy, so hard and dolorous   

The floor was paved, with precious stones  
And the roof, of marvelous Geometry  
Of the sweet Cypress, wrought for the nonce  
Encensing out, the evil odours misty  
amids the roof, there shone full wonderfly  
A pointed diamond, of marvelous bigness  
With many other, great stones of riches.   

So up we went, to a chamber fair  
A place of pleasure, and delectation  
Strewed with flowers, flagraunte of air  
Without any spot of perturbation  
I beheld right well the operation,  
Of the marvelous roof, set full of Rubies  
And tynst with saphers, and many turkeys   

The walls were hanged, with golden arras  
Which treated well, of the siege of Thebes  
And yet all about us depured was,  
The cristallyne windows, of great brightness  
I can nothing extend the goodliness,  
Of this palace, for it is impossible  
To show all that unto me was visible.   

But lafoy bell Pucell, full right gently  
Did sit adown, by a window side  
And caused me also, full sweetly  
By her to sit, at that gentle tide  
Welcome she said, ye shall with me abide  
After your sorrow, to live in joy and bliss  
You shall have that, you have deserved iwis   

Her redolent words, of sweet influence  
Degouted vapour, most aromatic  
And made conversion, of my complacence  
Her depured, and her lusty rhetoric  
My courage reform, that was so lunatic  
My sorrow defeted, and my mind did modefy  
And my dolorous heart, began to pacify.   

All thus my love, we began to devise  
For each of other, were right joyous  
Then at the last, in a marvelous wise  
Full suddenly, there came unto us  
Little Cupid, with his mother Venus  
Which was well clad, in a fair mantel blewe  
With golden hearts, that were pierced a new   

And round about us, she her mantle cast  
saying that she, and her son Cupid  
Would us conjoin, in marriage in haste  
And to let know, all your court so wide  
Send you perseverance, before to provide  
To warn your ladies, for to be ready  
To morrow by time, right well and solemnly   

We answered, both our hearts were in one  
saying that we, did right well agree  
For all our foes, were added and gone  
Right glad I was, that joyful day to see  
And then anon, with great humility  
La bell Pucell, to a fair chamber bright  
Did me then bring, for to rest all night   

And she took her leave, I kissed her lovely  
I went to bed, but I could not sleep  
For I thought so much, upon her inwardly  
Her most sweet looks, into my heart did creep  
Piercing it through, with a wound so deep  
For Nature thought, every hour a day  
Till to my lady, I should my debt well pay.    

¶ Of the great marriage, between grand amour, and label Pucell. Capit. xxxix.  

THen perseverance, in all goodly haste  
Unto the steward, called Liberality  
Gave warning for to make ready fast  
Against this time, of great solemnity  
That on the morrow, hallowed should be  
She warned the cook, called Temperance  
And after that the ewres Observance.   

With pleasance the panter, and dame Courtesy  
The gentle butler, with the ladies all  
Each in her office, was prepared shortly  
Against this feast, so much triumphal  
And la bell Pucell, then in special  
Was up by time, in the morrow grey  
Right so was I, when I saw the day.   

And right anon, lafoy bell Pucell me sent  
Against my wedding, of the satin fine  
White as the milk, a goodly garment  
Braudred with pearl, that clearly did ●●●ne  
And so the marriage for to determine,  
Venus me brought, to a royal chapel  
Which of fine gold, was wrought everydeal.   

And after that, the gay and glorious  
La bell Pucel, to the chapel was lead  
In a white vesture, fair and precious  
With a golden chaplet, on her yellow head  
And Lex ecclesie, did me to her wed  
After which wedding, there was a great feast  
Nothing we lacked, but had of the best   

What should I tarry, by long continuance  
Of the feast, for of my joy and pleasure  
Wisdom can judge, without variance  
That nought I lacked, as ye may be sure  
paying the sweet due debt of nature  
Thus with my lady, that was fair and clear  
In joy I lived, full right many a year.   

O lusty youth, and young tender heart  
The true companion, of my lady bright  
God let us never, from other astart  
But all in joy, to live both day and night  
Thus after sorrow, joy arrived aright  
After my pain, I had sport and play  
Full little thought I, that it should decay.   

Till that dame nature, naturing had made  
All things to grow, unto their fortitude  
And nature naturing, waxed retrograde  
By strength my youth, so for to exclude  
As was ever, her old consuetude  
First to augment, and then to abate  
This is the custom, of her high estate.    


THus as I lived, in such pleasure glad  
Into the chamber, came full privily  
A fair old man, and in his hand he had  
A crooked staff, he went full weakly  
Unto me then, he came full softly  
And with his staff, he took me on the breast  
Obey he said, I must you needs arrest.   

My name is age, which have often seen  
The lusty youth, perish unhappily  
Through the desecte, of the self I ween  
And evermore, I do think inwardly  
That my deeds of youth, were of great folly  
And thou thyself, right joyous may be  
To live so long, for to be like to me.   

Happy is he, that may well over pass  
The narrow bridge, over fragility  
Of his wanton youth, brittle as the glass  
For the youth is open, to all frailty  
Ready to fall, into great iniquity  
Full well is he, that is bridled fast  
With fair dame Reason, till his youth be past   

I obeyed his rest, there was no remedy  
My youth was past, and all my lustiness  
And right anon, to us came Policy  
With avarice, bringing great riches  
My whole pleasure, and delight doubtless  
Was set upon, treasure insatiate  
It to behold, and for to agregate.   

The fleshly pleasure, I had cast aside  
Little I loved, for to play, or dance  
But ever I thought, how I might provide  
To spare my treasure, land and substance  
This was my mind, and all my purveyance  
As upon death, I thought little or never  
But gathered riches, as I should live ever.    


BUt when I thought, longest to endure  
Death with his dart, arrest me suddenly  
Obey he said, as ye may be sure  
You can resist, nothing the contrary  
But that you must, obey me naturally  
What you availeth, such treasure to take  
Sithence by force, ye must it now forsake.   

Alas quoth I, nothing can me aid  
This worldly treasure, I must leave behind  
For earth of earth, will have his debt now paid  
What is this world, but a blast of wind.  
I must needs die, it is my native kind  
And as I was, at this conclusion  
To me did come, dame Confession.   

With dame contrition, which 'gan to bewail  
My sins great, with whole repentance  
And Satisfaction, without any fail  
With dame Conscience, did weigh in balance  
How that they might, then without doubtance  
My treasure and good, so gotten wrongfutly  
To restore again, to the rightful party.   

Of holy church, with all humility  
My rights I took, and then incontinent  
Nature availed in so low degree  
That death was come, and all my life was spent  
Out of my body, my soul than it went  
To Purgatory, for to be purified  
That after that, it might be glorified.    

Capi. xlii.  

THe good dame Mercy, with dame Charity  
My body buried, full right humbly  
In a fair temple, of old antiquity  
Where was for me, a dyrege devoutly  
And with many a mass, full right solemnly  
And over my grave, to be in memory  
Remembrance made, this little epitaphy.   

O earth on earth, it is a wonders case  
That thou art blind, and will not the know  
Though upon earth, thou hast thy dwelling place  
Yet earth at last, must needs the overthrow  
Thou thinkest thee, to be no earth I trow  
For if thou didst, thou wouldst then apply  
To forsake pleasure, and to learn to die.   

Pride.  
O earth of earth, why art thou so proud  
Now what thou art, call to remembrance  
Open thine ears, unto my song aloud  
Is not thy beauty, strength, and puissance  
Though it be clad, with clothes of pleasance  
Very earth, and also worms food  
When earth to earth, shall turn the blood.   

Wrath.  
And earth with earth, why art thou so wroth  
Remember thee, that it vaileth right nought  
For thou mayest think, of a perfit truth  
If with the earth, thou hast a quarrel sought  
amids the earth, there is a place ywrought  
When earth to earth, is turned properly  
The for thy sin, to punish wondrously.   

Enuy.  
And earth for earth, why hast thou Envy  
And the earth upon earth, to be more prosperous  
Than thou thyself, freting the inwardly  
It is a sin, right foul and vicious  
And unto God, also full odious  
Thou thinkest I trow, there is no punishment  
Ordained for sin, by equal judgement.   

sloth.  
Toward heaven to follow on the way,  
Thou art full slow, and thinkest nothing  
That thy nature, doth full soon decay  
And death right fast, is to the coming  
God grant the mercy, but no time enlonging  
When thou hast time, take time and space  
When time is past, lost is the time of grace   

Covetise.  
And when earth to earth, is next to revert  
And nature low, in the last age  
Of earthly treasure, earth doth set his heart  
Insaciatly, upon covetise to rage  
He thinketh not, his life shall assuage  
His good is his God, with his great riches  
He thinketh not, for to leave it doubtless.   

gluttony.  
The pomped clerks, with food delicious  
Earth often feedeth, with corrupt gluttony  
And nothing, with works virtuous  
The soul doth feed, right well ententifly  
But without measure, full inordinately  
The body liveth, and will not remember  
How earth to earth, must his strength surrender   

Lechery.  
The vile carcase, set upon a fire  
Doth often haunt, the sin of lechery  
Fulfilling the fowl carnal desire,  
Thus earth with earth, is corrupt marueyloussye  
And earth on earth, will nothing purify  
Till earth to earth, be near subverted  
For earth with earth, is so perverted.   

O mortal folk, you may behold and see  
How I lie here, sometime a mighty knight  
The end of joy, and all prosperity  
Is death at last, through his course and might  
After the day, there cometh the dark night  
For though the day, be never so long  
At last the bells, ringeth to evensong   

And myself, called la grand amour  
Seeking adventure, in the worldly glory  
For to attain, the riches and honour  
Did think full little, that I should here lie  
Till death did mark me, fuil right privily  
Lo what I am, and whereto you must  
Like as I am, so shall you be all dust   

Then in your mind, inwardly despise  
The brittle world, so full of doubleness  
With the vile flesh, and right soon arise  
Out of your sleep, of mortal heaviness  
Subdue the devil, with grace and meekness  
That after your life, frail and transitory  
You may then live, in joy perdurably.    

Capit. xliii.  

ANd as remembrance, mine epytaphy set  
Over my grave, in came dame Fame  
With brenning tongues, without any let  
saying that she would spread about my name  
To live in honour, without any shame  
Though that dead were, my earthly body  
Yet my renown, should reign eternally.   

The power, estate, and royal dignity  
Of dame Fame, in every region  
Is for to spread, by high authority  
The noble deeds, of many a champion  
As they are worthy, in mine opinion  
For though his body, be dead and mortal  
His fame shall endure, and be memorial.   

Did not grand amour, with his royal deeds  
Win lafoy bell Pucell, the most fair lady  
And of high honour, attained the medes  
In the demeaning him, so worthily  
slaying the great terrible giants ugly  
And also the fiery monster violent,  
Of the seven metals, made by enchantment   

About the world, in every nation  
That evermore, he shall abide alive  
Of his great acts, to make relation  
In books many, I shall of him contrive  
From one to other, I shall his name so drive  
That evermore without extinguishment  
In burning tongues, he shall be permanent   

Hector of Troy.  
Unto this day, reigneth the high renown  
Of the worthy Hector, prince victorious  
About is spread, in every region and town  
His noble acts, and courage chivalrous.  
In full many books, right delicious  
Unto the readers, who list to give audience  
To hear report, of his great excellence   

joshua.  
And in likewise, duke joshua the gent  
Which was right strong, and fierce in battle  
Whose noble feats, high and excellent  
I have caused, with diligent travail  
To abide in books, without any fail  
Who list his story, for to see or here  
In the bible it doth right well appear.   

judas Machabeus.  
Also the noble and hardy feats of war  
Of judas Machabeus, I about have cast  
In every nation, for to reign afar  
Though that his life, out of this world be past  
His fame shall prosper, and shall never waste  
Thus with my power, of every worthy  
I spread his deeds, in tongues of memory.   

David.  
Did not king David, a lions jaws tear  
In his tender youth, he so hardy was  
The lions cruelty, might nothing him fear  
And after that, he slew great Golias  
All in his time, he did in honour pass  
And I dame Fame, without any doubt  
Have spread his name, in all the world about.   

Alexander.  
Also king Alexander, the noble conqueror  
Whose great power, in all the world was known  
Of me dame Fame, he wan the honour  
As I my trump, after his death have blown  
Whose sound aloud, can not be over thrown  
Thus in flaming tongues, all about I fly  
Through the world, with my wings swiftly.   

julius Cezar.  
And of the worthy, Cezar julius  
All about, with golden beams bright  
His name shall dure, and be full glorious  
In all the world, with ardent tongues light  
His Fame shall reign, he hath it won by right  
For to abide, and ever to augment  
Withouten let, or yet impediment.   

Arthure.  
Also yet Arthur, the good king of Britain  
With all his knights, of the round table  
I now dame Fame, shall make to remain  
Their worthy acts, high and honourable  
Perpetually, for to be commendable  
In royal books, and gests historical  
Their Fame is known, right high triumphal.   

Charles.  
And then Charles, the great king of France  
With all his noble dousepers also,  
As Roulande and Oliver, of his alliance  
With all the residue, and many other more  
Their fame increaseth, running to and fro  
The hardy deeds, did them magnify  
Unto me Fame, their names to notify.   

Godfrey of Boleyn.  
And Godfrey of Boleyn, of hardy courage  
That of the paynims wan the victory  
His worthy acts did their strength assuage  
Whose fame renowned is full openly  
About the world reigning so royally  
In staming tongues to be intelligible  
His most high acts so much invincible.   

And in likewise without abatment  
I shall cause for to be memorial  
The famous acts so high benevolent  
Of grand amour my knight in special  
His name shall dure and be eternal  
For though his body be wrapped in clay  
Yet his good fame shall remain alway   

And right anon she called remembrance  
Commanding her right truly for to write  
Both of mine acts and my governance  
Which than right soon began to indite  
Of my feats of arms, in a short respite  
Whose goodly stories, in tongues several  
About were sent, for to be perpetual.   

And thus I Fame, am ever magnified  
When earth in earth, hath ta'en his estate  
Thus after death, I am all glorified  
What is he now, that can my power abate  
Infinite I am, nothing can me mate  
The spring of honour, and of famous clerks  
Myself I am, to renown their work.    

Capitu. xliiii.  

ANd as dame Fame, was in laudation  
Into the temple, with marvelous likeness  
Suddenly came Time, in breviation  
Whose similitude, I shall anon express  
Aged he was, with a beard doubtless  
Of swallows feaders, his wings were long  
His body feathered, he was high and strong.   

In his left hand, he had an horology  
And in his right hand, a fire brenning  
A sword about him, girt full surely  
His legs armed, clearly shining  
And on his noddle, darkly flaming  
Was set Saturn, pale as any lead  
And jupiter, amids his forehead.   

In the mouth Mars, and in his right wing  
Was splendent Phoebus, with his golden beams  
And in his breast, there was resplendishing  
The shining Venus, with depured streams  
That all about, did cast her fiery leams  
In his left wing Mercury, and above his waste  
Was horned diane, her opposition past.   

My name quoth he, is in division  
As time was, time is, and the time future  
I marvel much, of the presumption  
Of thee dame Fame, so putting in ure  
Thy great praise, saying it shall endure  
For to be infinite, evermore in press  
Seeing that I, shall all thy honour cease.   

Shall not I time, destroy both sea and land  
The sun, and moan, and the stars all  
By very reason, thou shalt understand  
At last shall lose, their course in general  
On time past, it vaileth not to call  
Now by this horologe, it doth well appear  
That my last name, doth evermore draw near.   

In my right hand, the great fire so fervent  
Shall burn the time, and also minyshe  
The fatal tongues, for it is accident  
Unto me time, all things to perish  
When my last end, I shall accomplish  
And thus in vain, thou hast thy labour spent  
When by me time, thou shalt be so brent.   

In eternity, before the creation  
Of author and man, all thing was visible  
In God's light & due probation  
Of his godhead, which is intelligible  
To whom nothing, can be impossible  
For in myself, a high and sufficient  
Before all things, he was refulgent.   

Unto whom only, is appearance  
Of my last end, as mine original  
Was in his sight, without doubtance  
For only of him, it is especial  
The high power, and godhead infinall  
The future tense, to know directly  
Unto whom, it appeareth openly.   

I am the loadstar, to dame eternity  
When man of earth, hath his creation  
After the minute, of his nativity  
He taketh then his operation,  
Upon me time, at every season  
In the same hour, the world was create  
Originally, I took mine estate.   

Could the nine worthies so victorious,  
Do all their acts, without time or space  
Time is a thing, both gay and glorious  
When it passeth, with virtue and grace  
Man in this world hath a dwelling place  
Either hell or heaven, without leasing  
Always he getteth, in his time spending.   

Withouten time, is no earthly thing  
Nature, fortune, or yet dame Sapience  
Hardiness, clergy, or yet learning  
Past, future, or yet in presence  
Wherefore I am, of more high pre-eminence  
As cause of fame, honour and clergy  
They can nothing, without him magnify.   

Do not I time, cause nature to augment  
Do not I time, cause nature to decay  
Do not I time, cause man to be present  
Do not I time, take his life away  
Do not I time, cause death take his say  
Do not I time, pass his youth and age  
Do not I time every thing assuage.   

In time, Troy the city was edified  
By time also, was the destroction  
Nothing without time, can be fortified  
No earthly joy, nor tribulation  
Without time, is for to suffer passion  
The time of earth, was our destruction  
And the time of earth, was our redemption   

Adam of earth, son of virginity  
And Eve by God, of Adam create  
These two, the world dampened in certainty  
By disobedience, so foul and vycyate  
And all other, then from them generate  
Till peace, and mercy, made right to incline  
Out of the Lion, to enter the virgin.   

Like as the world, was destroyed totally  
By the virgins son, so it seemed well  
A virgins son, to redeem it piteously  
Whose high godhead, in the chosen vessel  
Forty weeks, naturally did dwell  
Nature weeks, naturally did god of kind  
In the virgin, he did such nature find.   

Thus without nature, nature wondrously  
In a virgin pure, openly hath wrought  
To the God of nature, nothing truly  
Impossible is, for he made of nought  
Nature first, which naturing hath taught  
Naturately, right naturate to make  
Why may not he then, the pure nature take.   

By his godhead, of the virgin Marry  
His elect mother, and arkly of testament  
Of holy church, the blessed luminary  
After the birth, of her son excellent  
virgin she was, yet always permanent  
Disnulling the sects, of false idolatry  
And casting down, the fatal heresy.   

Thus when I time, in every nation  
Reigned in rest, and also in peace  
And Octavian, in his domination  
Through the world, and the peopled press  
Letters had sent, his honour to increase  
Of all the number, for to be certain  
For to obey him, as their sovereign.   

In whose time God took his nativity  
For to redeem us, with his precious blood  
From the devils bond, of great iniquity  
His heart was pierced, hanging on the road  
Was not this time, unto man right good  
Shall not I time, evermore abide  
Till that in Libra, at the dreadful tide   

Of the day of doom, then in the balance  
Almighty God, shall be just and equal  
To every person, withouten doubtance  
Each as they did deserve in general  
Some to have joy, some pain eternal  
Then I am past, I may no longer be  
And after me, is dame Eternity.    


ANd thus as Time made his conclusion,  
Eternity in a fair white vesture  
To the temple came, with whole affection  
And on her head, a diadem right pure  
With three crowns, of precious treasure  
Eternity she said, I am now doubtless  
Of heaven queen, and of hell empress.   

First God made heaven, his proper habitacle  
Though that his power, be in every place  
In eterne heaven, is his tabernacle  
Time is there in no manner, of case  
Time runneth always, his end to embrace  
Now I myself, shall have no ending  
And my maker had no beginning.   

In heaven and hell, I am continually  
Withouten end, to be in extinguissible  
As evermore, to rain full royally  
Of every thing, I am invincible  
Man of my power, shall be intelligible  
When the soul, shall rise against the body  
To have judgement, to live eternally.   

In heaven or hell, as he doth deserve  
Who that loveth God, above every thing  
All his commandments, he will then observe  
And spend his time, in virtuous living  
Idleness will evermore be eschewing  
Eternallioye, he shall then attain  
After his labour, and his busy pain   

O mortal folk, revole in your mind  
That worldly joy, and frail prosperity  
What is it like, but a blast of wind  
For you thereof, can have no certainty  
It is now so full, of mutability  
Set not your mind, upon worldly wealth  
But evermore, regard your soul's health.   

When earth in earth, hath ta'en his corrupt taste  
Then to repent, it is for you to late  
When you have time, spend it nothing in waste  
Time passed with virtue, must enter the gate  
Of joy and bliss, with mine high estate  
Without time, for to be everlasting  
Which God grant us, at our last ending   

Now blessed lady of the health eternal  
The quene-of comfort, and of heavenly glory  
Say to thy sweet son, which is infinal  
To give me grace, to win the victory  
Of the devil, the world, and of my body  
And that I may, myself well apply  
Thy son and thee, to laud and magnify.   
¶ Explicit. The pastime of pleasure.   

¶ The excusation of the author. Capit. xlvi.  

INto all poets, I do me excuse  
If that I offend, for lack of science  
This little book, yet do ye not refuse  
Though it be devoid, of famous eloquence  
Add or detray, by your high Sapience  
And pardon me, of my high enterprise  
Which of late, this fable did feign and devise.   

Go little book, I pray God the save  
From miss metring, by wrong impression  
And who that ever, list the for to have  
That he perceive, well thine intention  
For to be grounded, without presumption  
As for to eschew, the sin of idleness  
To make such books, I apply my business.   

Beseeching God, for to give me grace  
Books to compile, of moral virtue  
Of my master Lidgate, to follow the trace  
His noble fame, for to laud and renew  
Which in his life, the sloth did eschew  
Making great books, to be in memory  
On whose soul, I pray God have mercy.   
Finis.   

Imprinted at London by john Waylande, dwelling in fleetstreet, at the sign of the Sun. over against the Conduit. Anno do. M. D. L. iiii. The. i. day of june.  
Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.