727she(2)—I729myȝt[e]seye—myhteseyn730stynt[e]—stynte732hire—here733knowe vtterly—knowen owtrely734languissed—languyssest737haþ—MS. haþe738astat—estatfelefolde—feelefold739colour—coloursdeceites(MS. decrites)—deceytesmerueillous—meruayles742haþ—MS. haþe743if—yif746any(MS. my)—anyþing—thinge747trauaile—travaylendon—doremembren of—remenbre on748 [and despysen]—from C.749was—omitted750were—weren751myne—mynseyne—sayn752sudeyne—sodeyn753outen—owte757inne—inmow——weye—mowe maken way758strenger—strengereCom nowe furþe—MS. Come; C. Com now forth760goþ—MS. goþe761com—MS. come, C. com762house—howslyȝter—lyhtere763prolaciouns—probasyonsheuyer—heuyereayleþ—eyleth765trow[e]—trowesen—MS. sene, C. seynsome—somþing—thingeuncouþe—vnkowth766aȝeins—ayein767wenest—weenes[þat]—C. that768haþ—MS. haþe[kept]—from C.769stablenes in þe—stabylnesse standeth in the770swyche—swich771vnleueful—vnlefful775haþ—MS. had, C. hat776good—MS. goode, C. god777agrisest—MS. agrised, C. agrysyst778fals[e]—false780myche—mochel781 [of]—from C.haþ—MS. haþe783text—texte784haþ—MS. haþe785forsaken—forsakeHoldest þou—holdestow786þan—thannepreciouse—presyes787derworþi—dereworthewhiche—which788feiþful—feythfullegoþ—MS. goþeaweye—awey790mans—mannys791when—wanþing—thinge793suffriþ—suffiseth794of þing—on thyngebyforne—MS. byforne byforneman—a man795mesureþ—amesureth796from one—fram oonseyne—seyn797fro—fromto—into799atte þe last—at the laste801seyne—seynworlde—world802Syþen—Synȝokke—yoke803if—yifwrite—wryten804whiche—which805lady—ladyeArt þou—Artow806wroþe—wrothþin—thine807chaungen—chaunge808 [and]—from C.809þider—thedyrwhider—whedyr811haue—han814manere—maneres815and—omittedwiþstonden—withholden816sweyes—sweyȝ818cesed[e]—cesedeTHE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.[The fyrst metur.]HEC CUM SUPERBA.Whan fortuneFortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of Euripus.wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnidhir chaungyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners820of þe boillyng eurippe.Glose.Eurippe is an arme ofþe see þat ebbithandflowiþ.andsomtyme þe stremeis on one sydeandsomtyme on þat oþer.TexteShe hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the captive.¶ Shecruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren824ydred.andshe deceiuable enhaunseth vp þe humblechere of hym þat is discomfited.She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the wretched.andshe neyþer hereþne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges.andshe is so hardeþat she lauȝeþandscorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche828she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille.Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is hurled from happiness into adversity.¶ Þus shepleyeþandþusshe preueþ hir strengþeandsheweþ agrete wondre to alle hir seruauntȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝtis seyn welefulandouerþrowe in an houre.832819proude—prowdhande—handhaþ—MS. haþe820lyke—lik821arme—arm822streme—strem823one—o821adoune—adownsomtyme—whilom825ydred(MS.ydredde)—ydradhumble—vmble827reccheþ—rekkeþwrecched[e]—wrecchedeharde—hard828lauȝeþ—lysshethwepyng—wepynges830strengþe—strengthesPROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.[The secunde prose.]VELLEM AUTEMPAUCA.CErtis IPhilosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of Fortune.wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsyngeþe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þatshe axeþ ryȝt.[* fol. 9b.]Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?*¶ O þou man wher fore makest þoume gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges836haue I don þe.What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?what goodes haue I byreft þe þat werenþine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þouwilt of þe possessiounof rycchesse or of dignitesCan you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in his riches?¶ Andyif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ840receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in propre. þanwol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges werenþinewhiche þat þou axest.You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and encompassed you with affluence.¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þeforþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked844andnedy of al þing.andI norysshed[e] þe wiþ myrychesse.andwas redyandententif þoruȝ my fauourtosustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now inpacient aȝeins me.andI envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunceand848shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt.Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be thankful and complain not.¶ Now itlykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had graceas he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt topleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi852þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong.Riches and honours are subject to me.Ricches honouresandswyche oþer þinges ben of myryȝt.They are my servants, and come and go with me.¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þeicomen wiþ meanddeparten whan I wende. I dar wel856affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þoupleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou nehaddest not lorn hem.Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?¶ shal I þan only be defendedto vse my ryȝt.Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same with dark nights?¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to860make clere dayes.andafter þat to keuere þe same dayeswiþ derke nyȝtes.Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with flowers?¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaileþe visage of þe erþe now withflouresandnow wiþfruyt.andto confounde hemsomtyme wiþ raynesand864wiþ coldes.The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtymecalmeandblaundyshing wiþ smoþe water.andsomtyme to be horrible wiþ wawesandwiþ tempestes.Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of men?¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched868shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesseis vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe.I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting what was low, and bringing down what was high.andþis pley. I pley[e] continuely. I tourne þe whirlyngwhele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge872þe lowest to þe heyeste.andþe heyest to þe loweste.BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport requires it.worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þoune holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descendedounwhanne resounof my pleye axeþ it.Know you not the history of Crœsus and of Paulus Æmilius?Wost þou876not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Ciruswas ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlycheCresus was cauȝt of Cirusandlad to þe fijr to bebrent. but þat a reyne descended[e] dounfrom heuene880þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde howþat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þekyng of perciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þeself[e] kyng.What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of Fortune?What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of884Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ anvnwar stroke ouerturneþ þe realmes of grete nobley¶Glose.Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a prosperite fora tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse.Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of Jove’s palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other of woes?Lernedest nat þou888in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þeseler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat onis ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme.What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?¶ What ryȝthast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously892of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesseandprosperites.andwhat eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe.My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause ofhope to han ȝit better þinges.Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of humanity.¶ Naþeles desmaie þe896nat in þi þouȝt. and þou þat art put in comune realmeof alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly propre ryȝt.833plete—pleten834tak—MS. take, C. tak835makest þou—makes thow836wronges—wronge837don—MS. done, C. donbyreft—MS. byrefte, C. byreft838stryf—MS. stryue, C. stryfplete—pletenby fore—by forn839wilt—woltrycchesse—rychesses840shewe—shewyneuer—euerehaþ—MS. haþe841þese—thohis—hise842graunt[e]—graunte[alle]—from C.845al þing—alle thingesnorysshed[e]—noryssede846rychesse—rychesses848, 849al—alle848habundaunce—aboundaunce850wiþ——hande—withdrawen myn handhad—MS. hadde, C. had851haþ—MS. haþe852vtterly—outrelylorn—MS. lorne, C.for lorn.853don—MS. done, C. don854Ricches—Rychesses858forlorn—MS. forlorne, C. forlorn859lorn—MS. lorne, C. lorn860vse—vsen861keuere þe—coeueryn tho862derke—dirkerþe—yerhaþ—MS. haþe864confounde—confownden865haþ—MS. haþe866calme—kalm867 (2nd)wiþ—omitted869stedfast—stidefaststedfastnesse—stidefastnesse870vnkouþ—MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowthSwyche—Swych871pley[e]—pleye872whele—wheelglade—gladchaunge—chaungyn874worþe—worthwilt—wolt876doun—adounwhanne—wanpleye—pleyWost þou—wistesthow877kyng(1)—the kynglyndens—lydyens878byforne—byforn880reyne descended[e]—rayn dessendedefrom—fro881rescowed[e]—rescowede882take—takyn885an—a886þe—omitted887seyne—seyn890tunnes—tonnes891harme—harm892hast þou—hasthow893seyne—seynrycchesse—rychesses894I be nat—I ne be nat al896better—betere898lyue—lyuenþine—thinTHE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.[the secunde metur.]SI QUANTAS RAPIDIS.ÞOuȝ plenteeThough Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adounwiþ ful horn.andwiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As900many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan itis moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as manyrycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þesterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to904wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.[* fol. 10.]Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still cry for more.¶ And al be it so *þatgod receyueþ gladly her prayersandȝeueþ hem as fullarge muche goldeandapparaileþ coueytous folk wiþnoble or clere honours. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing.908but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þeihan geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapenanddesiren ȝit after moo rycchesse.What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?¶ What bridelesmyȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene912coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þat it fletiþ inlarge ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest ofhauyng.He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth truly labour under poverty.¶ Certis he þat quakynganddredeful weneþhym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neuere mo ryche.916899rycches—rychesses901recches—rychessesvpwardes—vpward902rauysshing—rauyssynge903rycches—rychessesbryȝt[e]—bryhteon(1)—in904nyȝt—nyhtes905wope wrecched[e]—wepe wrecchede906her—hirful—fool907muche—mechefolk—men908haue—hauenI-gete—I-getyn909her—hir910seye—seyn911rycchesse—rychesses912wiþholde—wytholdencerteyne—certeyn914þrest—thurst915dredeful—dredful916lyueþ—leuethBOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.[The thrydde prose.]HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.Þerfore yifIf Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your complaint.þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self inþis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] whatþou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þing wherwiþ.þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi compleynt. ¶ It920byhoueþ þe to shewen it.and.I. wol ȝeue þe space totellen it.B.What you have said is very specious, but such discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.¶ Certeynely quodI þan þise ben faireþingesandenoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorikeandmusike.andonly while þei ben herd þei ben924deliciouse.They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has made in the heart.¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng ofharme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þatþei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delitesof þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat928whan þise þinges stynten forto soun[e] in eres. þe sorweþat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt.P.So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed as remedies, but as lenitives only.Ryȝt so is it quodshe.¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. butþei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel932aȝeyne þi curacioun.When time serves, I will administer those things that shall reach the seat of your disease.¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shalmoue swiche þinges þat percen hem self depe.But you are not among the number of the wretched.¶ Butnaþeles þat þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self awrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe noumbreandþe936manere of þi welefulnesse.I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;I holde me stille how þatþe souerayn men of þe Citee tokenþe in cureandkepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadirandmodir.andwere chosen inaffinite of princes of þe Citee.940¶ And þou bygunne raþer to ben leefanddeere þanforto ben a neyȝbour. þe whiche þing is þe most preciousekynde of any propinquitee or aliaunce þat mayben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful944wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe.nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.¶Andwiþþe chastite of þi wijf.andwiþ þe oportuniteandnoblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þisonesandoueral þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges.948¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat werenwarned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now toþe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif anyfruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of952welefulnesse.Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for anycharge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembraunceof þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers.andylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret956assemble of senatours.andvndir þe blyþenesse of poeple.andwhan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in herchaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or pronouncereof kynges preysinges. deseruedest glorie of witandof960eloquence.When in the circus you satisfied the expectant multitude with a triumphal largess?whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillersin þe place þat hyȝt Circo.andfulfildest þeabydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þewiþ large praysyngeandlaude as mensyngen in victories.964By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þatis to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosyngewordesanddesseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þeandnorsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast968had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdounþat she neu[er]e ȝaf to preue manWill you therefore call Fortune to account?¶ Wilt þou þerforeleye a rekenyng wiþ fortune.She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that you are still happy.she haþ now twynkeledfirst vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere972þe noumbreandþe manere of þi blysses.andof þisorwes.[* fol. 10b.]*þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful.ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.These evils that you suffer are but transitory.For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þingesþat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi976þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat nowsemen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firstea sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þislijf.Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?or trowest þou þat any stedfastnesse be in mannis980þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe sameman. þat is to seyne whan þe soule departiþ fro þebody. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunousþinges willen dwelle.The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day984of a mannis lijf is a manere deeþ to fortune.andalsoto þilke þat haþ dwelt.What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?andþerfore what wenist þouþar recche yif þou forlete hir indeynge or ellys þat shefortune forlete þe infleenge awey.988918 [nat]—from C.919if—yif920mayist—maysttellen—defendyn921ȝeue—yeuyn922þan—thanneben—bet (= beth)923swetnesse—swetenesse924while—whilherd—MS. herde926harme—harm928mowe—mowen929soun[e]-sowne930inset—MS. insette, C. inset932sorwe—sorwes933aȝeyne—ayein934moue swiche—moeue swych938souerayn—souerane943neyȝbour—neysshebour944nere—were945nobley—nobleyefadres—fadyr-is947seyne—seyn948lyst—lystepasse of—passen the949þouȝt—yowthe950warned—werned952fruyt—fruteprice—pris953Myȝtest þow—myhtes-thow954harme—harmmyȝt[e]byfallen—myhte befalle955sey[e]—saye956from—frogret—MS. grete, C. gret958say[e]—sayesette—sether—heere961bytwix—bytwyen962hyȝt—hihte963of(1)—of theabout—abowten964wiþ—withso965ȝaue—MS. þan, C. yaueof—to966seyne—seyn967accoied[e]—acoyede968norsshed[e]—noryssedeowen—owneþou——of—thow bar away of969had—MS. haddeswiche—swich970preue—pryue971leye—lyehaþ—MS. haþe972wykked—wyckede973blysses—blysse974forsake—forsakynnart—artblysful—blysseful978soory—soryefirste—fyrst979sodeyne—sodeynshadowe—shadwe980stedfastnesse—stedefastnesse981swifte—swyftdissolueþ—dyssoluede983al þouȝ þat—al þat thowghfortunous—fortune984willen dwelle—wolen dwellynlast[e]—laste986haþ—MS. haþewenist þou—weenestow987þar recche—dar recke988awey—awayMANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.[The .iij. Metur.]CUM PRIMO POLO.Whan phebusThe stars pale before the light of the rising sun.þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenessewithrosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmydpaleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe sonne þatouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe992sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ paleandlesiþ hirlyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne.Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly winds cause their beauty to fade.¶ Whan þewode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somersesounþoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ996warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes.Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.Ofte þe see isclereandcalme wiþoute moeuyng floodes. And ofteþe horrible wynde aquilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes1000andouer whelweþ þe see.If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory riches?¶ Yif þe forme of þis worldeis so [ȝeelde] stable.andyif it tourniþ by so manyentrechaungynges. wilt þou þantrustenin þe trublyngefortunes of men. wilt þou trowen inflittyng goodes.1004All here below is unstedfast and unstable.It is certeyneandestablissed by lawe perdurable þat noþing þat is engendred nys stedfast no stable.989his—hyr990þan—thanne991flamus—flambes995redy—rodyrosene—rosyn997warme—warm998goþ—MS. goþe, C. gothfayrnesse—fayrenesse999clere—cleercalme—kalm1000wynde—wynd1001whelweþ—welueeth1002 [ȝeelde]—from C.1003, 1004wilt þou—wolthow1003þan—thannetrublynge—towmblynge1004in flittyng—on flettynge1005It is—is it1006no—nestable—estableMUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.[The ferthe prose.]TUNC EGO UERA INQUAM.ÞAnne seide IB.I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.þus. O norice of alle uertues þouseist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e]1008swifte cours of my prosperitee. þat is to seine. þatprosperitee ne be comen to me wondir swiftlyandsoone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan itremembreþ me.It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds most to man’s infelicity.¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe1012most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to hanben weleful.P.Recollect that you have yet much affluence.¶ But þat þou quod she abaist þus þetourment of þi fals[e] opiniounþat maist þou not ryȝtfullyblamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou1016hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶Textus.For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnessemoeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekenewithme of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee.1020What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest formost precious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be keptto þe by þe grace of god vnwemmedandvndefouled.Mayst þou þanpleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune.1024syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝitlyueþ in goode poynt þilke precious honourof mankynde.Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is aman maked al of sapienceandof vertue. þe whiche1028man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owenlijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee.andnot for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of anysentence put aȝeins him.Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her separation from you.¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat1032is attempre of witteandpassyng oþer women in clennesof chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountesshe is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþlooþ of hir life.andkepiþ to þee oonly hir goost.and1036is al maatandouer-comen by wepyngandsorwe fordesire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot grauntenþat þi welefulnesse is amenused.Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?¶ What shal I seyneke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children1040[* fol. 11.]of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte ofhir fadirandof hir eldefadir.And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life; you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all men value more than life.and siþen þe souereyncure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owenlyues.THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes.1044¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwellyng to þe wardes þat noman douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þenþine owen lijf.Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and hope of future felicity.¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nysnat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ouer1048greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þinancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þistyme present. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passenne to fallen.B.I hope these will never fail me.¶ And I preie quodI þat fast[e] mot[en]1052þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so euereþat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen.But do you not see how low I am fallen?¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailesandaray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me.P.I should think that I had made progress if you did not repine so at your fate.¶ I1056haue sumwhat auauncedandforþered þe quodshe. ifþat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. Aswho seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þoutempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast1060ȝit þi best[e] þinges.It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so many comforts.¶ But I may nat suffre þindelices. þat pleinst so wepyng.andanguissous for þatoþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse.Every one, however happy, has something to complain of.¶ For whatman is so sad or of so perfit welefulnesse. þat he ne1064stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee ofhis estat.The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does come.¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciounof mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al togidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not perpetuely.1068HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamedof hys vngentil lynage.Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is surrounded by indigence.andsom man is renomedof noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in sogrete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat1072he were vnknowe.A third is blest with both advantages, but is unmarried.and som manhabundeþ boþe inrychesseandnoblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e]lijf. for he haþ no wijf.This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their evil ways.¶ and som man is welandselily maried but he haþ no children.andnorissheþ his1076ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And somman is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory forþe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir.Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state of his fortune.¶ and for þisþer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condiciounof his fortune.1080for alwey to euery man þere is inmest somwhatþat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat hehaþ assaied.The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and they are impatient if anything is untoward.¶Andadde þis also þat euery welefulman haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle1084þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or isnat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þroweadoũne for euery lytel þing.The happiness of the most fortunate depends on trifles.¶ And ful lytel þingesben þo þat wiþdrawen þe somme or þe perfecciounof1088blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat.How many would think themselves in heaven if they had only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!¶ Howmany men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to benalmost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e]partie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place1092þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabitenhere.Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art miserable.andforþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þouwenest itEvery lot may be happy to the man who bears his condition with equanimity and courage.¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝtellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a1096wrecche by reputaciounof his corage.1008soþe—sothNe I may—Ne I ne may1009seine—seyn1011a—omittedgretly—gretely1012aduersitees—aduersyte1013most—mooste1014abaist—abyest1015tourment—tormentȝfals[e]—false1016seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyh1017ȝitte—yit1019leueful—leefful1020many[e]þinges—manye grete thinges1022alle—al1023þe by—the yit by1024myschief—meschef1025best[e]—beste1026lyueþ—leuethgoode—good1027whiche—which1028al—alleof(2)—omitted1029b[i]en—byenowen—owne1030byweyleþ—bewaylethdon—MS. done, C. don1031liueþ—leueth1033witte—wytwomen—wymmen1034shortly—shortely1035lyke—likwelle—wel1036hir life—this lyf1037maat—maad1038whiche—weche1039amenused—amenyssedseyn—(MS. seyne) seyn1041lyknesse—lykenessewitte—wyt1042and(1)—oreldefadir—eldyr fadyrsiþen—syn1043folke—folk1044art þou þouȝ—arthow yif1045But ȝitte—for yitdwellyng—dwellydwardes—ward1046þat—thanderworþe—derewortheþen þine—than thin1047ȝitte—yit1049haþ—MS. haþeþin—thyne1050cliue fast[e]—cleuen fastewole suffre—wolen suffren1052fallen—faylenfast[e]mot[en]—faste moten1053holden—halden1054furþe—forth1055mayst—maystegreet[e]—grete1058forþenke—forthinke1061best[e]—bestesuffre þin—suffren thi1063oþer—ther1064perfit—parfyt1065or—andsome half aȝeine—som halue ayen1067mans—mannescomeþ al—comth nat al1068lasteþ—lastperpetuely—perpetuel1069rycchesse—Rychesses1070renomed—renowned1072angre for—Angwysshe ofleuer—leuere1074chast[e]—caste1075, 1076haþ—MS. haþe1076maried—ymaryedhis—hise1077ricchesse—Rychessesheires—eyresfolk—foolkys1080þer—þerne1081mest—omitted1082vnassaieþ—vnassaiedwot—MS. wote, C. wot1083, 1084haþ—MS. haþe1084wel—ful1085fallen—byfallewille—wyl1086none—nonan-oone—Anonþrowe—throwen1087adoũne—adoun1090wolde—wolden1095it—hytwho—ho1096no—aTHE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.CONTRAQUE.And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þeagreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it.When patience is lost then a change of state is desired.¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chaungen1100his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse ofmannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses.þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme sweteandioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden1104þat it ne goþ away whan it wol.How much is human felicity embittered!¶ Þan is it wel senhow wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges.It will not stay with those that endure their lot with equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.þatneiþerit dwelliþ perpetuel wiþ hem þat euery fortunereceyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in1108al. to hem þat ben anguissous.Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that felicity which is to be found within yourselves?¶ O ye mortel folkes[* fol. 11b.]what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whicheþat is put in ȝoure self. Errourandfolie confoundeþȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne1112blisfulnesse.Nothing is more precious than thyself.Is þer any þing to þe more preciouse þanþi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay.If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot deprive thee of it.¶ Þan if it so be þatþou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquilliteeof þi soule. þan hast þou þing inþi power þat þou1116noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe.Happiness does not consist in things transitory.andþat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] maynat standen in þinges þat ben fortunousandtemperel.If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.¶ Now vndirstondeandgadir it to gidir þus1120yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þatliueþ by resoun¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereynegoode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for moreworþi þingandmore digne is þilke þing þat may nat be1124taken awey.Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true happiness.¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesseof fortune may nat attayne to receyue verrayblisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer.He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it is changeable or does not know it.¶ What man þatþis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat1128[it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the blindness of his ignorance?¶ And yifhe woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þeblyndenesse of ignoraunce. and yif he woot þat it ischaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þat he ne lese1132þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it.RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest heleese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þecontinuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben1136weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to bedispisedandforleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a fullytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it isloost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force.1140of þe lost þan of þe hauynge.Since thou art convinced of the soul’s immortality, thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity, that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of misery.¶ And for as myche asþou þi self art he to whomit haþ ben shewidandprouedby ful many[e] demonstraciouns. as I woot wel þat þesoules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke1144syn it is clere.andcerteyne þat fortunous welefulnesseendiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben doutedþat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þekynde of mortal þingusne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse1148by þe ende of þe deeþ.But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity, by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.¶ And syn we knowenwel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnessenat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng ofpeynesandtourmentes.How then can this present life make men truly happy, since when it is ended they do not become miserable?how myȝt[e] þan þis present1152lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e]lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.
727she(2)—I729myȝt[e]seye—myhteseyn730stynt[e]—stynte732hire—here733knowe vtterly—knowen owtrely734languissed—languyssest737haþ—MS. haþe738astat—estatfelefolde—feelefold739colour—coloursdeceites(MS. decrites)—deceytesmerueillous—meruayles742haþ—MS. haþe743if—yif746any(MS. my)—anyþing—thinge747trauaile—travaylendon—doremembren of—remenbre on748 [and despysen]—from C.749was—omitted750were—weren751myne—mynseyne—sayn752sudeyne—sodeyn753outen—owte757inne—inmow——weye—mowe maken way758strenger—strengereCom nowe furþe—MS. Come; C. Com now forth760goþ—MS. goþe761com—MS. come, C. com762house—howslyȝter—lyhtere763prolaciouns—probasyonsheuyer—heuyereayleþ—eyleth765trow[e]—trowesen—MS. sene, C. seynsome—somþing—thingeuncouþe—vnkowth766aȝeins—ayein767wenest—weenes[þat]—C. that768haþ—MS. haþe[kept]—from C.769stablenes in þe—stabylnesse standeth in the770swyche—swich771vnleueful—vnlefful775haþ—MS. had, C. hat776good—MS. goode, C. god777agrisest—MS. agrised, C. agrysyst778fals[e]—false780myche—mochel781 [of]—from C.haþ—MS. haþe783text—texte784haþ—MS. haþe785forsaken—forsakeHoldest þou—holdestow786þan—thannepreciouse—presyes787derworþi—dereworthewhiche—which788feiþful—feythfullegoþ—MS. goþeaweye—awey790mans—mannys791when—wanþing—thinge793suffriþ—suffiseth794of þing—on thyngebyforne—MS. byforne byforneman—a man795mesureþ—amesureth796from one—fram oonseyne—seyn797fro—fromto—into799atte þe last—at the laste801seyne—seynworlde—world802Syþen—Synȝokke—yoke803if—yifwrite—wryten804whiche—which805lady—ladyeArt þou—Artow806wroþe—wrothþin—thine807chaungen—chaunge808 [and]—from C.809þider—thedyrwhider—whedyr811haue—han814manere—maneres815and—omittedwiþstonden—withholden816sweyes—sweyȝ818cesed[e]—cesede
727she(2)—I
729myȝt[e]seye—myhteseyn
730stynt[e]—stynte
732hire—here
733knowe vtterly—knowen owtrely
734languissed—languyssest
737haþ—MS. haþe
738astat—estatfelefolde—feelefold
739colour—coloursdeceites(MS. decrites)—deceytesmerueillous—meruayles
742haþ—MS. haþe
743if—yif
746any(MS. my)—anyþing—thinge
747trauaile—travaylendon—doremembren of—remenbre on
748 [and despysen]—from C.
749was—omitted
750were—weren
751myne—mynseyne—sayn
752sudeyne—sodeyn
753outen—owte
757inne—inmow——weye—mowe maken way
758strenger—strengereCom nowe furþe—MS. Come; C. Com now forth
760goþ—MS. goþe
761com—MS. come, C. com
762house—howslyȝter—lyhtere
763prolaciouns—probasyonsheuyer—heuyereayleþ—eyleth
765trow[e]—trowesen—MS. sene, C. seynsome—somþing—thingeuncouþe—vnkowth
766aȝeins—ayein
767wenest—weenes[þat]—C. that
768haþ—MS. haþe[kept]—from C.
769stablenes in þe—stabylnesse standeth in the
770swyche—swich
771vnleueful—vnlefful
775haþ—MS. had, C. hat
776good—MS. goode, C. god
777agrisest—MS. agrised, C. agrysyst
778fals[e]—false
780myche—mochel
781 [of]—from C.haþ—MS. haþe
783text—texte
784haþ—MS. haþe
785forsaken—forsakeHoldest þou—holdestow
786þan—thannepreciouse—presyes
787derworþi—dereworthewhiche—which
788feiþful—feythfullegoþ—MS. goþeaweye—awey
790mans—mannys
791when—wanþing—thinge
793suffriþ—suffiseth
794of þing—on thyngebyforne—MS. byforne byforneman—a man
795mesureþ—amesureth
796from one—fram oonseyne—seyn
797fro—fromto—into
799atte þe last—at the laste
801seyne—seynworlde—world
802Syþen—Synȝokke—yoke
803if—yifwrite—wryten
804whiche—which
805lady—ladyeArt þou—Artow
806wroþe—wrothþin—thine
807chaungen—chaunge
808 [and]—from C.
809þider—thedyrwhider—whedyr
811haue—han
814manere—maneres
815and—omittedwiþstonden—withholden
816sweyes—sweyȝ
818cesed[e]—cesede
THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.
Whan fortuneFortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of Euripus.wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnidhir chaungyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners820of þe boillyng eurippe.Glose.Eurippe is an arme ofþe see þat ebbithandflowiþ.andsomtyme þe stremeis on one sydeandsomtyme on þat oþer.TexteShe hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the captive.¶ Shecruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren824ydred.andshe deceiuable enhaunseth vp þe humblechere of hym þat is discomfited.She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the wretched.andshe neyþer hereþne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges.andshe is so hardeþat she lauȝeþandscorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche828she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille.Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is hurled from happiness into adversity.¶ Þus shepleyeþandþusshe preueþ hir strengþeandsheweþ agrete wondre to alle hir seruauntȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝtis seyn welefulandouerþrowe in an houre.832
819proude—prowdhande—handhaþ—MS. haþe820lyke—lik821arme—arm822streme—strem823one—o821adoune—adownsomtyme—whilom825ydred(MS.ydredde)—ydradhumble—vmble827reccheþ—rekkeþwrecched[e]—wrecchedeharde—hard828lauȝeþ—lysshethwepyng—wepynges830strengþe—strengthes
819proude—prowdhande—handhaþ—MS. haþe
820lyke—lik
821arme—arm
822streme—strem
823one—o
821adoune—adownsomtyme—whilom
825ydred(MS.ydredde)—ydradhumble—vmble
827reccheþ—rekkeþwrecched[e]—wrecchedeharde—hard
828lauȝeþ—lysshethwepyng—wepynges
830strengþe—strengthes
PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.
CErtis IPhilosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of Fortune.wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsyngeþe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þatshe axeþ ryȝt.[* fol. 9b.]Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?*¶ O þou man wher fore makest þoume gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges836haue I don þe.What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?what goodes haue I byreft þe þat werenþine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þouwilt of þe possessiounof rycchesse or of dignitesCan you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in his riches?¶ Andyif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ840receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in propre. þanwol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges werenþinewhiche þat þou axest.You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and encompassed you with affluence.¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þeforþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked844andnedy of al þing.andI norysshed[e] þe wiþ myrychesse.andwas redyandententif þoruȝ my fauourtosustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now inpacient aȝeins me.andI envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunceand848shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt.Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be thankful and complain not.¶ Now itlykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had graceas he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt topleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi852þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong.Riches and honours are subject to me.Ricches honouresandswyche oþer þinges ben of myryȝt.They are my servants, and come and go with me.¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þeicomen wiþ meanddeparten whan I wende. I dar wel856affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þoupleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou nehaddest not lorn hem.Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?¶ shal I þan only be defendedto vse my ryȝt.Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same with dark nights?¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to860make clere dayes.andafter þat to keuere þe same dayeswiþ derke nyȝtes.Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with flowers?¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaileþe visage of þe erþe now withflouresandnow wiþfruyt.andto confounde hemsomtyme wiþ raynesand864wiþ coldes.The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtymecalmeandblaundyshing wiþ smoþe water.andsomtyme to be horrible wiþ wawesandwiþ tempestes.Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of men?¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched868shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesseis vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe.I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting what was low, and bringing down what was high.andþis pley. I pley[e] continuely. I tourne þe whirlyngwhele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge872þe lowest to þe heyeste.andþe heyest to þe loweste.
BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.
Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport requires it.worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þoune holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descendedounwhanne resounof my pleye axeþ it.Know you not the history of Crœsus and of Paulus Æmilius?Wost þou876not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Ciruswas ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlycheCresus was cauȝt of Cirusandlad to þe fijr to bebrent. but þat a reyne descended[e] dounfrom heuene880þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde howþat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þekyng of perciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þeself[e] kyng.What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of Fortune?What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of884Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ anvnwar stroke ouerturneþ þe realmes of grete nobley¶Glose.Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a prosperite fora tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse.Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of Jove’s palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other of woes?Lernedest nat þou888in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þeseler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat onis ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme.What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?¶ What ryȝthast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously892of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesseandprosperites.andwhat eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe.My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause ofhope to han ȝit better þinges.Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of humanity.¶ Naþeles desmaie þe896nat in þi þouȝt. and þou þat art put in comune realmeof alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly propre ryȝt.
833plete—pleten834tak—MS. take, C. tak835makest þou—makes thow836wronges—wronge837don—MS. done, C. donbyreft—MS. byrefte, C. byreft838stryf—MS. stryue, C. stryfplete—pletenby fore—by forn839wilt—woltrycchesse—rychesses840shewe—shewyneuer—euerehaþ—MS. haþe841þese—thohis—hise842graunt[e]—graunte[alle]—from C.845al þing—alle thingesnorysshed[e]—noryssede846rychesse—rychesses848, 849al—alle848habundaunce—aboundaunce850wiþ——hande—withdrawen myn handhad—MS. hadde, C. had851haþ—MS. haþe852vtterly—outrelylorn—MS. lorne, C.for lorn.853don—MS. done, C. don854Ricches—Rychesses858forlorn—MS. forlorne, C. forlorn859lorn—MS. lorne, C. lorn860vse—vsen861keuere þe—coeueryn tho862derke—dirkerþe—yerhaþ—MS. haþe864confounde—confownden865haþ—MS. haþe866calme—kalm867 (2nd)wiþ—omitted869stedfast—stidefaststedfastnesse—stidefastnesse870vnkouþ—MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowthSwyche—Swych871pley[e]—pleye872whele—wheelglade—gladchaunge—chaungyn874worþe—worthwilt—wolt876doun—adounwhanne—wanpleye—pleyWost þou—wistesthow877kyng(1)—the kynglyndens—lydyens878byforne—byforn880reyne descended[e]—rayn dessendedefrom—fro881rescowed[e]—rescowede882take—takyn885an—a886þe—omitted887seyne—seyn890tunnes—tonnes891harme—harm892hast þou—hasthow893seyne—seynrycchesse—rychesses894I be nat—I ne be nat al896better—betere898lyue—lyuenþine—thin
833plete—pleten
834tak—MS. take, C. tak
835makest þou—makes thow
836wronges—wronge
837don—MS. done, C. donbyreft—MS. byrefte, C. byreft
838stryf—MS. stryue, C. stryfplete—pletenby fore—by forn
839wilt—woltrycchesse—rychesses
840shewe—shewyneuer—euerehaþ—MS. haþe
841þese—thohis—hise
842graunt[e]—graunte[alle]—from C.
845al þing—alle thingesnorysshed[e]—noryssede
846rychesse—rychesses
848, 849al—alle
848habundaunce—aboundaunce
850wiþ——hande—withdrawen myn handhad—MS. hadde, C. had
851haþ—MS. haþe
852vtterly—outrelylorn—MS. lorne, C.for lorn.
853don—MS. done, C. don
854Ricches—Rychesses
858forlorn—MS. forlorne, C. forlorn
859lorn—MS. lorne, C. lorn
860vse—vsen
861keuere þe—coeueryn tho
862derke—dirkerþe—yerhaþ—MS. haþe
864confounde—confownden
865haþ—MS. haþe
866calme—kalm
867 (2nd)wiþ—omitted
869stedfast—stidefaststedfastnesse—stidefastnesse
870vnkouþ—MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowthSwyche—Swych
871pley[e]—pleye
872whele—wheelglade—gladchaunge—chaungyn
874worþe—worthwilt—wolt
876doun—adounwhanne—wanpleye—pleyWost þou—wistesthow
877kyng(1)—the kynglyndens—lydyens
878byforne—byforn
880reyne descended[e]—rayn dessendedefrom—fro
881rescowed[e]—rescowede
882take—takyn
885an—a
886þe—omitted
887seyne—seyn
890tunnes—tonnes
891harme—harm
892hast þou—hasthow
893seyne—seynrycchesse—rychesses
894I be nat—I ne be nat al
896better—betere
898lyue—lyuenþine—thin
THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.
ÞOuȝ plenteeThough Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adounwiþ ful horn.andwiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As900many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan itis moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as manyrycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þesterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to904wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.[* fol. 10.]Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still cry for more.¶ And al be it so *þatgod receyueþ gladly her prayersandȝeueþ hem as fullarge muche goldeandapparaileþ coueytous folk wiþnoble or clere honours. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing.908but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þeihan geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapenanddesiren ȝit after moo rycchesse.What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?¶ What bridelesmyȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene912coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þat it fletiþ inlarge ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest ofhauyng.He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth truly labour under poverty.¶ Certis he þat quakynganddredeful weneþhym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neuere mo ryche.916
899rycches—rychesses901recches—rychessesvpwardes—vpward902rauysshing—rauyssynge903rycches—rychessesbryȝt[e]—bryhteon(1)—in904nyȝt—nyhtes905wope wrecched[e]—wepe wrecchede906her—hirful—fool907muche—mechefolk—men908haue—hauenI-gete—I-getyn909her—hir910seye—seyn911rycchesse—rychesses912wiþholde—wytholdencerteyne—certeyn914þrest—thurst915dredeful—dredful916lyueþ—leueth
899rycches—rychesses
901recches—rychessesvpwardes—vpward
902rauysshing—rauyssynge
903rycches—rychessesbryȝt[e]—bryhteon(1)—in
904nyȝt—nyhtes
905wope wrecched[e]—wepe wrecchede
906her—hirful—fool
907muche—mechefolk—men
908haue—hauenI-gete—I-getyn
909her—hir
910seye—seyn
911rycchesse—rychesses
912wiþholde—wytholdencerteyne—certeyn
914þrest—thurst
915dredeful—dredful
916lyueþ—leueth
BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.
Þerfore yifIf Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your complaint.þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self inþis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] whatþou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þing wherwiþ.þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi compleynt. ¶ It920byhoueþ þe to shewen it.and.I. wol ȝeue þe space totellen it.B.What you have said is very specious, but such discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.¶ Certeynely quodI þan þise ben faireþingesandenoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorikeandmusike.andonly while þei ben herd þei ben924deliciouse.They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has made in the heart.¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng ofharme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þatþei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delitesof þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat928whan þise þinges stynten forto soun[e] in eres. þe sorweþat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt.P.So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed as remedies, but as lenitives only.Ryȝt so is it quodshe.¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. butþei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel932aȝeyne þi curacioun.When time serves, I will administer those things that shall reach the seat of your disease.¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shalmoue swiche þinges þat percen hem self depe.But you are not among the number of the wretched.¶ Butnaþeles þat þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self awrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe noumbreandþe936manere of þi welefulnesse.I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;I holde me stille how þatþe souerayn men of þe Citee tokenþe in cureandkepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadirandmodir.andwere chosen inaffinite of princes of þe Citee.940¶ And þou bygunne raþer to ben leefanddeere þanforto ben a neyȝbour. þe whiche þing is þe most preciousekynde of any propinquitee or aliaunce þat mayben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful944wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe.nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.¶Andwiþþe chastite of þi wijf.andwiþ þe oportuniteandnoblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þisonesandoueral þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges.948¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat werenwarned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now toþe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif anyfruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of952welefulnesse.Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for anycharge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembraunceof þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers.andylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret956assemble of senatours.andvndir þe blyþenesse of poeple.andwhan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in herchaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or pronouncereof kynges preysinges. deseruedest glorie of witandof960eloquence.When in the circus you satisfied the expectant multitude with a triumphal largess?whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillersin þe place þat hyȝt Circo.andfulfildest þeabydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þewiþ large praysyngeandlaude as mensyngen in victories.964By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þatis to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosyngewordesanddesseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þeandnorsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast968had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdounþat she neu[er]e ȝaf to preue manWill you therefore call Fortune to account?¶ Wilt þou þerforeleye a rekenyng wiþ fortune.She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that you are still happy.she haþ now twynkeledfirst vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere972þe noumbreandþe manere of þi blysses.andof þisorwes.[* fol. 10b.]*þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful.
ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.
These evils that you suffer are but transitory.For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þingesþat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi976þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat nowsemen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firstea sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þislijf.Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?or trowest þou þat any stedfastnesse be in mannis980þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe sameman. þat is to seyne whan þe soule departiþ fro þebody. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunousþinges willen dwelle.The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day984of a mannis lijf is a manere deeþ to fortune.andalsoto þilke þat haþ dwelt.What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?andþerfore what wenist þouþar recche yif þou forlete hir indeynge or ellys þat shefortune forlete þe infleenge awey.988
918 [nat]—from C.919if—yif920mayist—maysttellen—defendyn921ȝeue—yeuyn922þan—thanneben—bet (= beth)923swetnesse—swetenesse924while—whilherd—MS. herde926harme—harm928mowe—mowen929soun[e]-sowne930inset—MS. insette, C. inset932sorwe—sorwes933aȝeyne—ayein934moue swiche—moeue swych938souerayn—souerane943neyȝbour—neysshebour944nere—were945nobley—nobleyefadres—fadyr-is947seyne—seyn948lyst—lystepasse of—passen the949þouȝt—yowthe950warned—werned952fruyt—fruteprice—pris953Myȝtest þow—myhtes-thow954harme—harmmyȝt[e]byfallen—myhte befalle955sey[e]—saye956from—frogret—MS. grete, C. gret958say[e]—sayesette—sether—heere961bytwix—bytwyen962hyȝt—hihte963of(1)—of theabout—abowten964wiþ—withso965ȝaue—MS. þan, C. yaueof—to966seyne—seyn967accoied[e]—acoyede968norsshed[e]—noryssedeowen—owneþou——of—thow bar away of969had—MS. haddeswiche—swich970preue—pryue971leye—lyehaþ—MS. haþe972wykked—wyckede973blysses—blysse974forsake—forsakynnart—artblysful—blysseful978soory—soryefirste—fyrst979sodeyne—sodeynshadowe—shadwe980stedfastnesse—stedefastnesse981swifte—swyftdissolueþ—dyssoluede983al þouȝ þat—al þat thowghfortunous—fortune984willen dwelle—wolen dwellynlast[e]—laste986haþ—MS. haþewenist þou—weenestow987þar recche—dar recke988awey—away
918 [nat]—from C.
919if—yif
920mayist—maysttellen—defendyn
921ȝeue—yeuyn
922þan—thanneben—bet (= beth)
923swetnesse—swetenesse
924while—whilherd—MS. herde
926harme—harm
928mowe—mowen
929soun[e]-sowne
930inset—MS. insette, C. inset
932sorwe—sorwes
933aȝeyne—ayein
934moue swiche—moeue swych
938souerayn—souerane
943neyȝbour—neysshebour
944nere—were
945nobley—nobleyefadres—fadyr-is
947seyne—seyn
948lyst—lystepasse of—passen the
949þouȝt—yowthe
950warned—werned
952fruyt—fruteprice—pris
953Myȝtest þow—myhtes-thow
954harme—harmmyȝt[e]byfallen—myhte befalle
955sey[e]—saye
956from—frogret—MS. grete, C. gret
958say[e]—sayesette—sether—heere
961bytwix—bytwyen
962hyȝt—hihte
963of(1)—of theabout—abowten
964wiþ—withso
965ȝaue—MS. þan, C. yaueof—to
966seyne—seyn
967accoied[e]—acoyede
968norsshed[e]—noryssedeowen—owneþou——of—thow bar away of
969had—MS. haddeswiche—swich
970preue—pryue
971leye—lyehaþ—MS. haþe
972wykked—wyckede
973blysses—blysse
974forsake—forsakynnart—artblysful—blysseful
978soory—soryefirste—fyrst
979sodeyne—sodeynshadowe—shadwe
980stedfastnesse—stedefastnesse
981swifte—swyftdissolueþ—dyssoluede
983al þouȝ þat—al þat thowghfortunous—fortune
984willen dwelle—wolen dwellynlast[e]—laste
986haþ—MS. haþewenist þou—weenestow
987þar recche—dar recke
988awey—away
MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.
Whan phebusThe stars pale before the light of the rising sun.þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenessewithrosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmydpaleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe sonne þatouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe992sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ paleandlesiþ hirlyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne.Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly winds cause their beauty to fade.¶ Whan þewode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somersesounþoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ996warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes.Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.Ofte þe see isclereandcalme wiþoute moeuyng floodes. And ofteþe horrible wynde aquilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes1000andouer whelweþ þe see.If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory riches?¶ Yif þe forme of þis worldeis so [ȝeelde] stable.andyif it tourniþ by so manyentrechaungynges. wilt þou þantrustenin þe trublyngefortunes of men. wilt þou trowen inflittyng goodes.1004All here below is unstedfast and unstable.It is certeyneandestablissed by lawe perdurable þat noþing þat is engendred nys stedfast no stable.
989his—hyr990þan—thanne991flamus—flambes995redy—rodyrosene—rosyn997warme—warm998goþ—MS. goþe, C. gothfayrnesse—fayrenesse999clere—cleercalme—kalm1000wynde—wynd1001whelweþ—welueeth1002 [ȝeelde]—from C.1003, 1004wilt þou—wolthow1003þan—thannetrublynge—towmblynge1004in flittyng—on flettynge1005It is—is it1006no—nestable—estable
989his—hyr
990þan—thanne
991flamus—flambes
995redy—rodyrosene—rosyn
997warme—warm
998goþ—MS. goþe, C. gothfayrnesse—fayrenesse
999clere—cleercalme—kalm
1000wynde—wynd
1001whelweþ—welueeth
1002 [ȝeelde]—from C.
1003, 1004wilt þou—wolthow
1003þan—thannetrublynge—towmblynge
1004in flittyng—on flettynge
1005It is—is it
1006no—nestable—estable
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
ÞAnne seide IB.I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.þus. O norice of alle uertues þouseist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e]1008swifte cours of my prosperitee. þat is to seine. þatprosperitee ne be comen to me wondir swiftlyandsoone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan itremembreþ me.It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds most to man’s infelicity.¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe1012most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to hanben weleful.P.Recollect that you have yet much affluence.¶ But þat þou quod she abaist þus þetourment of þi fals[e] opiniounþat maist þou not ryȝtfullyblamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou1016hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶Textus.For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnessemoeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekenewithme of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee.1020What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest formost precious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be keptto þe by þe grace of god vnwemmedandvndefouled.Mayst þou þanpleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune.1024syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝitlyueþ in goode poynt þilke precious honourof mankynde.Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is aman maked al of sapienceandof vertue. þe whiche1028man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owenlijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee.andnot for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of anysentence put aȝeins him.Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her separation from you.¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat1032is attempre of witteandpassyng oþer women in clennesof chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountesshe is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþlooþ of hir life.andkepiþ to þee oonly hir goost.and1036is al maatandouer-comen by wepyngandsorwe fordesire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot grauntenþat þi welefulnesse is amenused.Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?¶ What shal I seyneke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children1040[* fol. 11.]of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte ofhir fadirandof hir eldefadir.And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life; you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all men value more than life.and siþen þe souereyncure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owenlyues.
THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.
¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes.1044¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwellyng to þe wardes þat noman douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þenþine owen lijf.Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and hope of future felicity.¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nysnat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ouer1048greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þinancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þistyme present. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passenne to fallen.B.I hope these will never fail me.¶ And I preie quodI þat fast[e] mot[en]1052þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so euereþat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen.But do you not see how low I am fallen?¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailesandaray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me.P.I should think that I had made progress if you did not repine so at your fate.¶ I1056haue sumwhat auauncedandforþered þe quodshe. ifþat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. Aswho seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þoutempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast1060ȝit þi best[e] þinges.It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so many comforts.¶ But I may nat suffre þindelices. þat pleinst so wepyng.andanguissous for þatoþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse.Every one, however happy, has something to complain of.¶ For whatman is so sad or of so perfit welefulnesse. þat he ne1064stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee ofhis estat.The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does come.¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciounof mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al togidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not perpetuely.1068
HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.
One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamedof hys vngentil lynage.Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is surrounded by indigence.andsom man is renomedof noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in sogrete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat1072he were vnknowe.A third is blest with both advantages, but is unmarried.and som manhabundeþ boþe inrychesseandnoblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e]lijf. for he haþ no wijf.This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their evil ways.¶ and som man is welandselily maried but he haþ no children.andnorissheþ his1076ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And somman is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory forþe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir.Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state of his fortune.¶ and for þisþer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condiciounof his fortune.1080for alwey to euery man þere is inmest somwhatþat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat hehaþ assaied.The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and they are impatient if anything is untoward.¶Andadde þis also þat euery welefulman haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle1084þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or isnat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þroweadoũne for euery lytel þing.The happiness of the most fortunate depends on trifles.¶ And ful lytel þingesben þo þat wiþdrawen þe somme or þe perfecciounof1088blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat.How many would think themselves in heaven if they had only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!¶ Howmany men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to benalmost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e]partie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place1092þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabitenhere.Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art miserable.andforþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þouwenest itEvery lot may be happy to the man who bears his condition with equanimity and courage.¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝtellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a1096wrecche by reputaciounof his corage.
1008soþe—sothNe I may—Ne I ne may1009seine—seyn1011a—omittedgretly—gretely1012aduersitees—aduersyte1013most—mooste1014abaist—abyest1015tourment—tormentȝfals[e]—false1016seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyh1017ȝitte—yit1019leueful—leefful1020many[e]þinges—manye grete thinges1022alle—al1023þe by—the yit by1024myschief—meschef1025best[e]—beste1026lyueþ—leuethgoode—good1027whiche—which1028al—alleof(2)—omitted1029b[i]en—byenowen—owne1030byweyleþ—bewaylethdon—MS. done, C. don1031liueþ—leueth1033witte—wytwomen—wymmen1034shortly—shortely1035lyke—likwelle—wel1036hir life—this lyf1037maat—maad1038whiche—weche1039amenused—amenyssedseyn—(MS. seyne) seyn1041lyknesse—lykenessewitte—wyt1042and(1)—oreldefadir—eldyr fadyrsiþen—syn1043folke—folk1044art þou þouȝ—arthow yif1045But ȝitte—for yitdwellyng—dwellydwardes—ward1046þat—thanderworþe—derewortheþen þine—than thin1047ȝitte—yit1049haþ—MS. haþeþin—thyne1050cliue fast[e]—cleuen fastewole suffre—wolen suffren1052fallen—faylenfast[e]mot[en]—faste moten1053holden—halden1054furþe—forth1055mayst—maystegreet[e]—grete1058forþenke—forthinke1061best[e]—bestesuffre þin—suffren thi1063oþer—ther1064perfit—parfyt1065or—andsome half aȝeine—som halue ayen1067mans—mannescomeþ al—comth nat al1068lasteþ—lastperpetuely—perpetuel1069rycchesse—Rychesses1070renomed—renowned1072angre for—Angwysshe ofleuer—leuere1074chast[e]—caste1075, 1076haþ—MS. haþe1076maried—ymaryedhis—hise1077ricchesse—Rychessesheires—eyresfolk—foolkys1080þer—þerne1081mest—omitted1082vnassaieþ—vnassaiedwot—MS. wote, C. wot1083, 1084haþ—MS. haþe1084wel—ful1085fallen—byfallewille—wyl1086none—nonan-oone—Anonþrowe—throwen1087adoũne—adoun1090wolde—wolden1095it—hytwho—ho1096no—a
1008soþe—sothNe I may—Ne I ne may
1009seine—seyn
1011a—omittedgretly—gretely
1012aduersitees—aduersyte
1013most—mooste
1014abaist—abyest
1015tourment—tormentȝfals[e]—false
1016seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyh
1017ȝitte—yit
1019leueful—leefful
1020many[e]þinges—manye grete thinges
1022alle—al
1023þe by—the yit by
1024myschief—meschef
1025best[e]—beste
1026lyueþ—leuethgoode—good
1027whiche—which
1028al—alleof(2)—omitted
1029b[i]en—byenowen—owne
1030byweyleþ—bewaylethdon—MS. done, C. don
1031liueþ—leueth
1033witte—wytwomen—wymmen
1034shortly—shortely
1035lyke—likwelle—wel
1036hir life—this lyf
1037maat—maad
1038whiche—weche
1039amenused—amenyssedseyn—(MS. seyne) seyn
1041lyknesse—lykenessewitte—wyt
1042and(1)—oreldefadir—eldyr fadyrsiþen—syn
1043folke—folk
1044art þou þouȝ—arthow yif
1045But ȝitte—for yitdwellyng—dwellydwardes—ward
1046þat—thanderworþe—derewortheþen þine—than thin
1047ȝitte—yit
1049haþ—MS. haþeþin—thyne
1050cliue fast[e]—cleuen fastewole suffre—wolen suffren
1052fallen—faylenfast[e]mot[en]—faste moten
1053holden—halden
1054furþe—forth
1055mayst—maystegreet[e]—grete
1058forþenke—forthinke
1061best[e]—bestesuffre þin—suffren thi
1063oþer—ther
1064perfit—parfyt
1065or—andsome half aȝeine—som halue ayen
1067mans—mannescomeþ al—comth nat al
1068lasteþ—lastperpetuely—perpetuel
1069rycchesse—Rychesses
1070renomed—renowned
1072angre for—Angwysshe ofleuer—leuere
1074chast[e]—caste
1075, 1076haþ—MS. haþe
1076maried—ymaryedhis—hise
1077ricchesse—Rychessesheires—eyresfolk—foolkys
1080þer—þerne
1081mest—omitted
1082vnassaieþ—vnassaiedwot—MS. wote, C. wot
1083, 1084haþ—MS. haþe
1084wel—ful
1085fallen—byfallewille—wyl
1086none—nonan-oone—Anonþrowe—throwen
1087adoũne—adoun
1090wolde—wolden
1095it—hytwho—ho
1096no—a
THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.
And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þeagreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it.When patience is lost then a change of state is desired.¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chaungen1100his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse ofmannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses.þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme sweteandioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden1104þat it ne goþ away whan it wol.How much is human felicity embittered!¶ Þan is it wel senhow wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges.It will not stay with those that endure their lot with equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.þatneiþerit dwelliþ perpetuel wiþ hem þat euery fortunereceyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in1108al. to hem þat ben anguissous.Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that felicity which is to be found within yourselves?¶ O ye mortel folkes[* fol. 11b.]what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whicheþat is put in ȝoure self. Errourandfolie confoundeþȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne1112blisfulnesse.Nothing is more precious than thyself.Is þer any þing to þe more preciouse þanþi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay.If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot deprive thee of it.¶ Þan if it so be þatþou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquilliteeof þi soule. þan hast þou þing inþi power þat þou1116noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe.Happiness does not consist in things transitory.andþat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] maynat standen in þinges þat ben fortunousandtemperel.If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.¶ Now vndirstondeandgadir it to gidir þus1120yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þatliueþ by resoun¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereynegoode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for moreworþi þingandmore digne is þilke þing þat may nat be1124taken awey.Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true happiness.¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesseof fortune may nat attayne to receyue verrayblisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer.He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it is changeable or does not know it.¶ What man þatþis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat1128[it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the blindness of his ignorance?¶ And yifhe woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þeblyndenesse of ignoraunce. and yif he woot þat it ischaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þat he ne lese1132þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it.
RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.
If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest heleese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þecontinuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben1136weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to bedispisedandforleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a fullytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it isloost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force.1140of þe lost þan of þe hauynge.Since thou art convinced of the soul’s immortality, thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity, that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of misery.¶ And for as myche asþou þi self art he to whomit haþ ben shewidandprouedby ful many[e] demonstraciouns. as I woot wel þat þesoules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke1144syn it is clere.andcerteyne þat fortunous welefulnesseendiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben doutedþat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þekynde of mortal þingusne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse1148by þe ende of þe deeþ.But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity, by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.¶ And syn we knowenwel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnessenat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng ofpeynesandtourmentes.How then can this present life make men truly happy, since when it is ended they do not become miserable?how myȝt[e] þan þis present1152lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e]lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.