Chapter 4
¶ O fader & fownder of ornate eloquence _tha_t Illumyned hast all[e] owre bretayne! To sone we loste thy lavreat science, 332 O lusty lyqvovre of _tha_t fulsu_m_ fontayn_e_! O cursed det[=h]! why hast _tho_u _tha_t poete slayn_e_, I mene fader chavucer, mayst_er_ galfryde? Alas _th_e while _tha_t ever he from vs dyed! 336
¶ Redyt[=h] his werkes full[e] of plesavnce, Clere in sentence, I_n_ langage excellente: Bryefly to wryte, such was his suffysavnce, What-ever_e_ to say he toke i_n_ his entente, 340 his langage was so fayer_e_ & p_er_tynente, yt semet[=h] vnto manys heryng Not only the worde, but veryly _th_e thyng. 343
¶ Redyth, my child, redyth his bookes all[e], Refusith Non, they ben expedyente; sentence or langage, bot[=h] fynd ye shall[e]; ffull[e] delectablé that good fader mente, for all[e] his purpose & his hole entente 348 [was] how to please in eu_er_y audyence, & In owr_e_ tonge was well[e] of Eloquence.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[48]
[Sidenote: Leaf 163, back.]
O fader and founder of ornate eloquence [Sidenote: and the Father and Founder of Eloquence,] That enlumened hast alle our bretayne To soone we loste / thy laureate scyence 332 O lusty lyquour / of that fulsom fontayne O cursid deth / why hast thou þ^t poete slayne I mene fader chaucer / maister galfryde [Sidenote: mayster Galfryde Chawcer,] Alas the whyle / that euer he from vs dyde 336
[49]
[Sidenote: Leaf 9 a.]
Redith his werkis / ful of plesaunce [Sidenote: whose works are full of pleasaunce,] Clere in sentence / in langage excellent Briefly to wryte / suche was his suffysa[=n]ce 339 What euer to saye / he toke in his entente His langage was so fayr and pertynente It semeth vnto mannys heeryng_e_ Not only the worde / but verely the thynge 343 [Sidenote: whose language seems not only words, but truly things.]
[50]
Redeth my chylde / redeth his bookes alle Refuseth none / they ben expedyente [Sidenote: Read _all_ his books; refuse none:] Sentence or langage / or bothe fynde ye shall_e_ 346 Ful delectable / for that good fader mente [Sidenote: he is delightful.] Of al his purpose / and his hole entente How to plese in euery audyence And in our tunge / was welle of eloquence 350
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[51]
Beholde Oclyff in his translac_i_on, In goodly langage and sentence passing wyse, Yevyng the prince suche exortac_i_on 353 As to his highnesse he coude best devyse. Of trouth, peace, of mercy, and of Iustice, And odir vertuys, sparing for no slouthe To don his devere, and quiten hym, as trouth 357
[52]
Required hym, anenste his souereyne, Most dradde and louyd, whos excellent highnesse He aduertysede by his writing playne, 360 To vertue p_er_teynyng to the nobles Of a prince, and berith wyttenesse His trety entitlede 'of regyment,' Compyled of most entier true entent. 364
[53]
Loketh Also vppon dan Iohn lidgate, My mastir_e_, whilome clepid monke of bury, Worthy to be renownede laureate, 367 I pray to god_e_, in blis his soule be mery, Synging 'Rex Splendens,' the heuenly 'kery,' Among the muses ix celestiall, Afore the hieghest Iubiter of all. 371
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Behold Ocklyf in his transslacion,[1] [Sidenote 1: transflacion] In goodly langage & se_n_tence passyng wyse 352 howe he gewyth his p_ri_nce such exortac_i_on As to the hyeste he covld best devyse Off trowt[=h] / pees / m_er_cy / & Iustyse, & vertu, lettyng for no slowth 356 To do his devoyre & qvyte hy_m_ his trowth.
¶ Requyre hy_m_ As Agaynst his soverayn_e_, moste Drade & loved, whose excellent hyenes he advertysed by his wrytyng playn_e_ 360 To vertu ap_er_teynyng to nobles Off a p_ri_nce, as beryt[=h] god wytnes, hys treatye entytled of regemente, Compyled of entyer trewe entente. 364
¶ Loke also than vpon Ioh_a_n lydgate, My mayrster, whylom monke of bury, worthy to be renomed As poete lavreate; I p_ra_y to god in blysse his sowle be mery, 368 Syngyng / Rex splendens / _tha_t hevenly Kyrye, Amonge _th_e mvses nyne celestyall[e] be-fore _th_e hyghest Iubyter of all[e],
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[51]
Beholde Ocklyf in his translac_i_on [Sidenote: Read Occleve too,] In goodly langage / & sente_n_ce passyng wyse How he gyueth his prynce / suche exortac_i_on 353 [Sidenote: who gave his Prince such wise advice] As to the hyest / he coude best deuyse Of trouthe. pees. mercy. and Iustise And vertues / leetyng for no slouthe To do his deuoir & quite him of his trouthe 357
[52]
[Sidenote: Leaf 9 b.]
Required_e_ hym / as ayenst his souerayne Most drad_e_ & louyd_e_ / wos excellent hyeues He aduertysed_e_ / by his wrytyng_e_ playne 360 To vertu / apperteynyng to nobles Of a prynce / as bereth good_e_ witnes His traytye / entitled_e_ of regymente [Sidenote: in his treatise _De Regimine Principum_.] Compyled_e_ of entyer trewe entente 364
[53]
Loke also / vpon dan Io[=h]n lydgate My maister whylome / monke of berye [Sidenote: John Lydgate, too, my master.] Worthy to be renomed_e_ / as poete laureate 367 I praye to god_e_ in blysse his soule be mercy Syngyng_e_ Rex splendens that heuenly kyrye [Sidenote: I pray God his soul is singing _Rex splendens_.] Amonge the muses nyne celestyall_e_ Byfore the hyest Iubyter of all_e_ 371
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[54]
I not why deth my mastir_e_ dide envie, But for he shuld_e_ chaunge his habite; Pety hit is that suche a man shulde die! 374 But nowe I trist he be a carmylite; His amyse blacke is chaunged into white, Among the muses ix celestiall, Afore the hieghest Iubiter of all; 378
[55]
Passing the muses all of elicon_e_, Where is ynympariable of Armonye, Thedir I trist my mastir-is soule is gon_e_, 381 The sterrede palays aboue dapplede skye, Ther to syng 'sanctus' incessantly Among the muses ix celestiall, Affore the highest Iubiter of all. 385
[56]
Redith is volumes that ben so large and wyde, Souereynly sitte in sadnesse of sentence, Elumynede wyth colouris fresshe on eu_er_y syde, 388 Hit passith my wytte, I haue no eloquence To yeue hym lawde aftir his excellence, For I dare say he lefte hym not on lyue, That coude his cu_n_nyng suffisantly discreue. 392
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
[Omitted. See Preface, p. ii] 372
376
¶ Passyng the mvses nyne of elycon, Wher ys no pareyll[e] of Armonye; 380 Thyder I trust my Maysters sowle be gon, The sterred paleys above _th_e dappled skye, Ther to syng snactus insessavntly 384 Emonge the mvses nyne celestyall[e], Before _th_e hyeste Iubyter of all[e].
¶ Redyth hys volumes _tha_t be large & wyde, Severyly sette in sadnes of sentence, Enlumined w_i_t_h_ colovres fresshe on eu_er_y side. 388 [Sidenote: ffl C lxiiij.] Me lakketh wytt, I haue non eloquence, To geve hy_m_ lawde after his excellence, ffor I dare saye he lefte hy_m_ not alyve That covde his cu_n_yng ssufficiently discryve. 392
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[54]
[Omitted. See Preface, p. ii.]
374
378
[55]
Passyng_e_ the muses nyne of Elyco[=n] Where is non pareyl of armonye Thider I truste my meistres soule begone 381 The sterrid_e_ paleys / aboue the dapplyd skye [Sidenote: in the starred palace above the dappled sky, before the] There to synge sanctus incessantly Amonge the muses ix celestyall_e_ Byfore the hyest / Iubiter of all_e_ 385 [Sidenote: highest Jupiter of all.]
[56]
[Sidenote: Leaf 10 a.]
Redeth his volumes / that ben large & wyde [Sidenote: Read his large volumes] Seueryly set / in sadnes of sentence Enlumyned with colours fressh on euery side 388 [Sidenote: illuminated with fresh colours.] Me lacketh witte / I haue none eloquence To gyue hym lawde / after his excellence For I dar saye / he lefte hym not a lyue That coude his co_n_nyng / sufficiently discriue 392
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[57]
But his werkys his laude moste nede conquere, He may neuer oute of remembrance die, His werkys shall his [name[1]] conuey and bere 395 [Sidenote: MS. _here repeats_ werkys.] Aboute the world all-most eternallie; Lette his owne werkys prayse hym and magnifie; I dare not preyse, for fere that I offende, My lewde langage shuld rather appeyre than amend.
[58]
Lo, my childe, thes good faders Au[=n]cient Repide the feldis fresshe of fulsumnesse, The floures feyre they gadderid vp and hent, 402 Of siluereus langage the tresoure and richesse; Who wolle hit haue, my litle childe, doutelesse Must of hem begge, ther is no more to say, For of our_e_ toung they were bothe locke and key.
[59]
There can no man ther_e_ fames nowe disteyne, Thanbawmede toung and aureate sentence, Men gette hit nowe by cantelmele, and gleyne 409 Here and there wyth besy diligence, And fayne wolde riche the crafte of eloquence; But be the glaynes is hit often sene, In whois feldis they glayned haue and ben_e_. 413
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ But his werkes his lavde must nede co_n_quere; _the_i may never owt of reme_m_bravnce dye; hys werkes shall[e] his name co_n_veye & bere Abowte _th_e world almoste eternelly. 396 lete his own_e_ werk_is_ p_ra_yse hy_m_, & magnyfye; I dare not p_ra_yse, leest for fere I offende; My langage shuld rather_e_ apayer_e_ tha_n_ amend.
¶ Loo, my child, this faders avncyente Repen _th_e fyldes ffresshe of fulsomnes; 401 _th_e flowres fresshe thei gadered vp, & hente. Off syluer langage _th_e greate ryches who will[e] yt haue, my child, dowtles 404 Muste of the_m_ bege: ther_e_ ys no more to saye, ffor of owr_e_ tonge _the_i were both loke & keye;
¶ Ther ca_n_ no ma_n_ _ther_ werkes dysteyne: The enbamed tonge & avreat sentence, 408 Me_n_ gete yt now by ca_n_telmele, & glene here & ther_e_ by besy delygence, & fayne wold reche _ther_ crafte of eloqvence; & by _the_ gleyne ytt ys full[e] ofte sene 412 In whose fylde the gleners haue bene.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[57]
But his werkis / his laude / must nede co_n_q_ue_re [Sidenote: His works] They may neuer / out of remembraunce dye His werkis shal [=h]is name conueye & bere 395 Aboute the world_e_ / almost eternely [Sidenote: shall bear his name about the world almost eternally.] Lete his owe_n_ werkis preyse hym & magnefie I dar not preyse / for fere lest I offende My la_n_gage / shold rather apeyre than amende 399
[58]
[Sidenote: Leaf 10 b.]
Loo my child_e_ / these faders auncyente Repen the feldes fresshe of fulsomnes [Sidenote: These fathers reaped the fields,] The flours fresh they gadred vp & hente 402 [Sidenote: and gathered the flowers.] Of siluer langage / the grete riches Who wil it haue my lityl childe doutles Muste of hem begge / ther is no more to saye [Sidenote: He who wants silver words must beg of them.] For of our tunge / they were both lok & kaye 406
[59]
Ther can noma[=n] now her werkis disteyne The enbamed tunge / and aureate sentence Men gete it now / by cantelmele & gleyne 409 [Sidenote: Now we only glean,] Here and there by besy diligence And fayne wold reche / her craft of eloque_n_ce And by the gleyne / it is ful oft sene In whos felde / the gleyners haue bene 413 [Sidenote: and by the gleaning one sees in whose fields the gleaners have been.]
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[60]
As vnto me Age hath bede good morowe, I am not able clenly for to gleyne, Nature is feyne of crafte here eien to borowe, 416 Me fayleth clerenesse of myn eien tweyne; Begge I may, I can no gleyn certeyn, Ther-for that werke I wolle playnly remytte To folke yong, more p_er_saunt clere of wytte. 420
[61]
And syke also, and in case ye fynde Suche gleynes fresch as hath some apparence Of fayre langage, yet take them and vnbynde, 423 And preueth what they beth in existence, Coloured in langage, savory in sentence, And dou[te]th not, my childe, wythoute drede, Hit woll profite such thyng to se and rede. 427
[62]
Yit eft-sonnys, my child_e_, let us resorte To the intente of our_e_ fyrst matier_e_ Digresside, somwhat fulle we wolld reporte, 430 And reuyue the lawde of them that were Founders of our_e_ langage, thilke fadyrs dere, Who-is soulis god [aboue] in b[l]esse inhaunce That lusten so our_e_ langage to Avaunce. 434
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ And unto my age bot good morowe I am not able clerly for to gleyne, Nature ys fayn_e_ of crafte her eyen to borow; 416 Me lakketh clernes of myn_e_ eyen twayn_e_; Begge I may / gleyn_e_ I may not c_er_teyn_e_; _ther_fore _tha_t werke I will[e] playnly remytte To folk_is_ yong, more passyng clere of wyte. 420
¶ Seche ye _ther_fore, & in caas ye fynde suche glenars fresshe as haue su_m_ apparens Off fayer la_n_gage, yet take the_m_, & vnbynde, & preve ye what _the_i be i_n_ existence 424 Colovred i_n_ langage, saverly i_n_ sentence, & dowte not, my child, w_i_t_h_-owt drede yt will[e] p_ro_fet to se such thy_n_g_is_, & rede. 427
¶ Ye, efte-soones, my child, let vs resorte To _th_e yntent of yo_u_r fyrst matere Degressed somwhat, for we wolde reporte & revyue _th_e lawde of the_m_ _tha_t were famovs i_n_ owr_e_ langage, thise faders dere 432 who_s_[1] sowles i_n_ blis, god et_er_nall[e] avaunce, [Sidenote 1: The _s_ is by a later hand.] _th_at lysten sone owr_e_ langage to enhavnce!
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[60]
And vnto me / age hath bode good morowe I am not able clenly / for to gleyne [Sidenote: I cannot glean,] Nature is fay[=n] of craft / her eyen to borowe 416 Me lacketh clerenes / of myn eyen tweyne Begge I maye / gleyne I can not certeyne [Sidenote: I can only beg:] Therfore Þ^t werck / I wil playnly remytte To folkis yong / more passyng clere of witte 420 [Sidenote: gleaning I give up to younger folks.]
[61]
Seche ye therfore / and in caas ye fynde [Sidenote: If you find such gleaners,] Such gleynors fressh as haue so[=m] appare_n_ce Of fayr langage / yet take hem & unbynde 423 [Sidenote: unbind their sheaves:] And preue ye / what they be in existence Colourd in langage / sauerly in sentence [Sidenote: their fair speech] And doubte not my childe / withoute drede It wil prouffite to see suche thingis & red[e][1] 427 [Sidenote: will profit you.]
[Footnote 1: A hole in the paper.]
[62]
[Sidenote: Leaf 11 a.]
Yet eft sones my child_e_ / lete vs resorte [Sidenote: But let us return to our first subject.] To thentente of yur first matere Degressed somwhat / for we wold reporte 430 And reuiue the laude of hem that were Famous in our langage / these faders dere Whos sowles in blysse / god et_er_nel aua_u_nce That lysten so our langage to enhaunce 434
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[63]
Than, litle childe, I councelle you that ye Take hede vnto the norture that men vse, Newe founden or Auncient whet[h]er hit be, 437 So shall no man your_e_ curteyse refuse; The guise and custome shall you, my childe, excuse; Mennys werkys haue often entirchaunge, That nowe is norture, sumtyme had ben full straunge.
[64]
Thinges whilome vside ben layde aside, And new fetis dayly ben contryvyde, Men[nys actes] can in no plight abyde, 444 They ben chaungeable and oft mevide, Thing some-tyme alowide is nowe reprevide, And aftir this shall thingis vppe aryse, That men sette nowe but [at] litle a prise. 448
[65]
Thus mene I, my childe, that ye shull vse and haunte The guise of them that don most man_er_ly, But be ware of vnthrefte ruskyn galaunte, 451 Counterfetour_e_ vncunnyng of curtesie, His tecches ben infecte wyth vilonye, Vngerde, vnblesside, seruyng at the table, Me semeth hym s_er_u_a_unt full pendable. 455
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text_.]
[Sidenote: ffl C lxiiij back.]
¶ Then litill[e] Ioh[=n], I co_n_sayle you _tha_t ye Take hede to _th_e nortvres _tha_t me_n_ vse, 436 newe fownd or avncyent, whe_ther_ yt be; So shall[e] no ma_n_ yo_u_r curtesye refuse; _the_ gyse & custu_m_, my child, shall[e] you excuse. Menys werkes haue oftyn enterchavnce; 440 _tha_t now ys norture, so_m_tyme hath be stravnge;
¶ Thyng_is_ whylom vsed be now layd a-syde, & newe fetes dayly be co_n_tryved: Menys actes ca_n_ in no plyte abyde, 444 They be chavngable & ofte meved; thynges su_m_tym_e_ alowed be now rep_re_ved; & after this shall thynges vp a-ryse that me_n_ sett now but at lytill[e] pryse: 448
¶ This mene I, my child, _tha_t ye shall[e] havnte _th_e gyse of the_m_ _tha_t do most manerly; but be ware of onthryft[1] ruskyn gallavnte, [Sidenote 1: A later hand has added _y_.] Co_n_terfetter[2] of vnco_n_nyng curtessy, 452 [Sidenote 2: The _r_ is by a later hand.] hys taches ben enfecte w_i_t_h_ vylonye; Vngerte / vnblessed / s_er_vyng at table, Me semeth hy_m_ a s_er_vavnte no thyng able;
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[63]
Then_n_e lityl Io[=h]n / I counceyl you that ye [Sidenote: Little Jack,] Take hede to the norture / that men vse [Sidenote: take heed to the manners of your time,] Newe founde / or auncyent whether it be 437 So shal no man / your curtoisye refuse The guyse & custom / my child shal you excuse Me_n_ys werkis / haue often entercha[=n]ge [Sidenote: for customs change,] That nowe is norture / so_m_tyme had be stra[=n]ge 441
[64]
Thingis whilom vsed / ben now leyd a syde And newe feetis / dayly ben contreuid_e_ [Sidenote: new ways are invented every day,] Mennys actes / can in no plyte abyde 444 They be changeable and_e_ ofte meuid_e_ Thingis somtyme alowed / is now repreuid And after this / shal thinges vp aryse [Sidenote: and will be hereafter.] That men set now / but at lytyl pryse 448
[65]
[Sidenote: Leaf 11 b.]
This mene I my childe / þ^t ye shal haunte The guyse of them / that do most manerly But beware of vnthryft Ruskyn gala[=n]te 451 [Sidenote: Imitate the well-mannered, and beware of ruskyn gallants] Counterfeter of vnconnyng curtoisye His tacchis ben enfecte with vilonye [Sidenote: of bad habits,] Vngyrte. vnblyssed. seruyng atte table [Sidenote: serving ungirt,] Me semeth hym a serua[=n]t nothing able 455
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[66]
Wynter ne somer to his souerayne Chappron hardy no bonet lust avale, For euery worde yeuyng his maister tweyne, 458 Vaunparlere in euery mannes tale, Absolon wyth the disculede heres smalle; Lyke to A presener of seint Malouse, A sonny bush myght cause hym to goo louse. 462
[67]
O I passe norture! fy! fy! for schame! I shuld haue seide he myght go hauke and hunt, For that schuld be A gentilmannys game, 465 To suche disportis thes gentis folkys be wounte; I seide to ferre, my langage was to blounte, But of this galaunte, loo! loke a while & fele, He feccheth his compace whan he shall bowe or knele,
[68]
Braced so straytly th[at h]e[1] may not plie, [Sidenote 1: MS. the.] But gaderith hit in by man_er_ of wyndlese, And 3*if he wrenche aside or lytil wrye, 472 His gere stonte all in pertous[2] case, [Sidenote 2: _Read_ perlous?] The scho, the hose, the point, doublet, and lace; And if ought breke, som_m_e thing_es_[3] that ben badde [Sidenote 3: _Read_ toung_es_.] Shall sey anon, 'a knaue hath broke a ladde.' 476
[Sidenote: _ Hill's Text._]
¶ Wynter & somer to his soverayn_e_ Capron hardy, no bonet lyst to avayle, 457 For eu_er_y worde geveyng his mayst_er_ twayn_e_, avavntp_ar_ler In eu_er_y manys tale, Absolon w_i_t_h_ disheveld heres smale, 460 lyke to a prysoner of saynt malowes, A sonny busshe able to the galowes.
¶ O! I passe nortvre! fy, fy, for sham! I myght haue said he shuld go havke & honte, 464 ffor _tha_t shuld be a gentylman[i]s game, To suche dysport_is_ gentill[e] folk_is_ be wonte; I sayd to ferre, my langage was but blonte; but yet, sir gallavnt, wha_n_ ye shall[e] bowe or knele 468 he got[=h] by co_m_passe rovnd as doth a whele.
¶ Brased so streyte þat he may not plye, but gaderyth yt by maner_e_ of a wyndlas; & he awght wrench a-side, or a litill[e] wrye, 472 hys gere stondyt[=h] the_m_ i_n_ full[e] p_ar_lovs caas, hys sho / his hose / doblet, poynt & laas; & yff owght breke, su_m_ tonges _tha_t be bade will[e] moke & say, "A knave hath broke a lade." 476
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[66]
Wynter and somer to his souereyne Capron hardy / no bonet lyste to auale [Sidenote: not doffing his cap to his master,] For euery word / gyui_n_g his maister tweyne 458 Auauntparler / in euery mannys tale [Sidenote: forward in speech,] Absolon with disheueld heeris smale [Sidenote: rough-haired,] Lyke to a prysoner of seynt malowis [Sidenote: and lousy-headed,] A sonny busshe / able to go to the galowis 462
[67]
O I passe norture fy fy for shame [Sidenote: (though it's hardly good manners to say so.)] I myght haue said he shold go hauke & honte For that shold be a gentilmans game 465 To such disportes / gentil folkes be wonte I sayd to ferre / my langage was to blonte But yet sir gala_n_te wha_n_ ye shal bowe or knele [Sidenote: When he tries to kneel, he works round like a wheel,] He goth by compace round as doth a whele 469
[68]
[Sidenote: Leaf 12 a.]