BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.*LIBER PRIMUS.[* fol. 3b.][The fyrste Metur.]INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CONSOLACIONE PHILOSOPHIE.Carmina qui quondamstudio florente peregi.Allas I wepyngBoethius deplores his misfortunes in the following pathetic elegy.am constreined to bygynne vers ofsorouful matere. ¶ Þat whilom in floryschingstudie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng musesof poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery4vers of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ verray teers.¶ At þe leest no drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses.þat þei ne werenfelawesandfolweden my wey. þat isto seyne when I was exiled.ypalage antithesisþei þat weren glorie of8my youȝth whilom welefulandgrene conforten now þesorouful werdes of me olde man.Laments his immature old age.for elde is comen vnwarlyvpon me hasted by þe harmes þat I haue.andsorou haþ comaunded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres12hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. andþe slak[e] skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body.Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.þilk[e] deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þatben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches often16yclepid.1of—MS. of of.2florysching—floryssynge3rendyng—rendynge4be—ben5wrecchednes—wrecchednesseteers—teeres6leest—leestemyȝt[e]ouer-come—myhte ouercomen8seyne when—seyn whan9youȝth—MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe10sorouful werdes—sorful wierdes [i. fata]12sorou—sorwehaþ—MS. haþebe—ben13hore—hooreben—arnmyne—myn14slak[e]—slakevpon—ofemty—emptydþilk[e]—thilke15welful—welefulcomeþ not—comth nat16.i. mirie—omitted¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ crueltourneþ awey fro wrecchesandnaieþ to closen wepyngeyen.When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius,¶ While fortune vnfeiþful fauored[e] me20wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temporels.) þe sorouful houre þatis to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued.but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.¶ But now for fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuablechere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf draweþ24a long vnagreable dwellynges in me.Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm that hath thus fallen.¶ O ȝe myfrendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful:for he þat haþ fallen stood not instedfast degree.19tourneþ—tornethnaieþ—naytethwepyng—wepynge20While—Whilfauored[e]—fauorede21lyȝte—lyhte.s. temporels—omittedsorouful houre—sorwful howre22seyne—seynhad[de]—haddemyne—myn23haþ—MS. haþechaunged hir disceyuable—chaungyd hyre deceyuable24vnpitouse lijf—vnpietous lyfPHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.[The firste prose.]HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.IN þe mene whilePhilosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman, and of great age.þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges28wiþ my self.andmarkede my wepli compleynte wiþoffice of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue þe heyȝt of myheued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunthir eyen brennyngandclere seing ouer þe comune32myȝt of men. wiþ a lijfly colourandwiþ swiche vigoureandstrenkeþ þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Alwere it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. þat men newolde not trowe inno manere þat sche were of oure36elde.Her height could not be determined, for there were times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.þe stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. forsumtyme sche constreyned[e]andschronk hir seluenlyche to þe comune mesure of men.andsumtyme itsemed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe heyȝte40of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer scheperced[e] þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyngwas inydel.Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.¶ Hir cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delyeþredesandsubtil crafte of perdurable matere. þe wyche44cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen hondes: as Iknew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryngandschewyngto me þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forletenand dispised elde had[de] duskidanddirkid as48it is wont to dirken by-smoked ymages.On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Π and on the upper Θ.¶ In þe neþerest[e]hem or bordure of þese cloþes menreddenywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijfactif. And abouen þat lettre in þe heyȝest[e] bordure52a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf contemplatif.A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.Between the letters were steps like a ladder.¶ And by-twene þese two lettres þere weren seien degreesnobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wychedegrees men myȝt[en] clymbe fro þe neþemast[e] lettre56to þe ouermast[e].Philosophy’s garments were tattered and torn, and pieces had been carried violently off.¶ Naþeles hondes of summenhadde korue þat cloþe by vyolenceandby strenkeþ.¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away sychepeces as he myȝte geet[e].In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a sceptre.¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide60woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde.andin hir leftehonde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þesepoetical muses aprochen aboute my bedde.andendytyngwordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued64and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen.Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.¶ Who quod sche haþsuffred aprochen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis[* fol. 4.]of siche a place þat *men clepen þe theatre.¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiþ no68remedies. but þei wolde fedeandnorysche hem wiþswete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornesandprykkynges of talentȝ or affecciouns wiche þatben no þing frutefiyng nor profitable destroyen þe72cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson.They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot free it from its malady.¶ For þeiholden þe hertes of men inusage. but þei ne delyuerenot folk fro maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawenfro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any vnkonnyngandvnprofitable76man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amongesþe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously.PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in Eleatic and Academic studies.¶ For-why in syche an vnprofitable man myne ententesweren no þing endamaged. ¶ But ȝe wiþdrawen me80þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles ofEleaticisandof achademicis in grece.She bids the syrens begone.¶ But goþ nowraþer awey ȝe meremaydenes wyche ben swete til itbe at þe laste.andsuffreþ þis man to be curedand84heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful sciences.Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed castenwroþely þe chere adounward to þe erþeandschewyngby redenesse hir schame þei passeden sorowfuly þe88þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged interes was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe whatþat woman was of so imperial auctorite.Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august dame.¶ I wex ala-besidandastoned.andcaste my syȝt adoune in to þe92erþe.andbygan stille forto abide what sche wolde donafterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nereandsette hir dounvpon þe vterrest[e] corner of my bedde.Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.andsche byholdyngmy chere þat was cast to þe erþe heuyand96greuous of wepyng. compleinede wiþ þise wordes þat Ischal sey þe perturbaciounof my þouȝt.26auaunted[e]—auauntedebe—ben27haþ—MS. haþenot—natstedfast—stidefast28In þe mene—omittedrecorded[e]—recordede30saw—MS. sawe, C. sawhstondyng above—MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouenheyȝt—heyhtemy—myn31greet—gret32brennyng—brennyngeclere seing—cleer seynge33swiche—swych34strenkeþ—strengtheit——emptid—it myhte nat ben emtedAl—alle36wolde——trowe—wolden nat trowen37iugement—Iuggement38sumtyme—somtymeconstreyned[e]—constreynedeschronk—MS. schronke, C. shronk39lyche—lyk40semed[e]—semedetouched[e]—towchede41when—whanhef—MS. heued, C. hefheyer—hyere42perced[e]—percedesyȝt—syhtelokyng—lookynge44crafte—craft45wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouenowen hondes—owne handes46knew—MS. knewe, C. knewhselfe declaryng—self declaryngeschewyng—shewynge47derkenes—dirknesseforleten—forletyn48dispised—despisedhad[de]duskid—hadde duskeddirkid—derked49by-smoked—the smokedeneþerest[e]—nethereste50þese—thise51swiche—omittedgregkysche—grekysshesignifieþ—syngnifieth52heyȝest[e]—heyeste54by-twene þese—bytwixen thiseþere—therseien—seyn55nobly wrouȝt—nobely ywroghtwyche—whiche56myȝt[en]clymbe—myhten clymbynneþemast[e]—nethereste57ouermast[e]—vpperestesum—some58hadde korue—hadden koruencloþe—clothstrenkeþ—strengthe59born—MS. borne, C. bornaway syche—awey swiche60geet[e]—getenforsaide—forseide61ber—MS. bere, C. barbookes—smale bookeshonde—handlefte honde—left hand62ber—MS. bere, C. baarsauȝ þese—say thise63bedde—bedendytyng—enditynge64ameued—amoued65glowed[e]—glowedehaþ—MS. haþe, C. hath66seek[e]—sikeþise—thestrumpetis—strompetes67siche—swichclepen—clepyn68only ne—nat oonly nenot his—nat hiseno—none69wolde fede—wolden feedennorysche hem—noryssyn hym72ben—ne benfrutefiyng—fructefiynge73cornes plenteuouse—corn plentyuos74þeandne—both omitted75not—natif ȝe—MS. if þe, C. yif yehadde—hadden76vnkonnyng—vnkunnynge78peple—poeple79syche—swhichemyne—myn80weren—ne weerenȝe—ye81haþ—MS. haþe, C. hathben—bescoles—schooles82goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth83wyche—whiche þat85say—seynnotful—noteful86I-blamed—Iblamyd87wroþely—wrothlyadounward—downward88redenesse—rednessesorowfuly—sorwfully89þreschefolde—thresshfoldsyȝt—syhte90derked—dyrkedmyȝt[e]——knowe—myhte nat knowen91wex—wax92a-besid—abaysshedcaste—castadoune in to—down to93don—MS. done95vterrest[e]corner—vttereste cornerebedde—bed97compleinede—compley[n]de98sey—seyenPHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.[The 2de Metur.]HEU QUAMPRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.Allas how þe þouȝt ofDrowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper clearness.man dreint in ouer þrowyngdepnesse dulleþandforletiþ hys propre clerenesse.100myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses asofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-outenmesure.þat is dryuen toandfro wiþ worldly wyndes.Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden causes of nature.¶ Þisman þat sumtyme was fre to whomþe heuene was open104andknowenandwas wont to gone in heuenelychepaþes.andsauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne.andsauȝþe sterres of þe colde moone.andwyche sterre inheuene vseþ wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres.108¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde comprehendid al þis bynoumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouerþis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyngwyndes moeuenandbisien þe smoþe water of þe112see.andwhat spirit turneþ þe stable heuene.andwhi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to fallein þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lustyhoures of þe fyrste somer sesounþat hiȝteþandapparaileþ116þe erþe wiþ rosene floures. ¶ And whomakeþ þat plenteuouse autumpne in fulle ȝeres fletiþwiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis manwas wont totelle þe dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid.120But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to the ground.¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of lyȝt of hys þouȝt.andhys nekke is pressid wiþ heuy cheynesandbereþ hischere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and isconstreyned to loke on foule erþe.124101gone—goon102bisines—bysynesseouten—owte103worldly—wordely104sumtyme—whilom105gone—goon106paþes—paathessauȝ—sawhlyȝtnesse—lythnessesunne—sonnesauȝ—MS. sue, C. sawgh107wyche—which108risorses—recourses111seche—sekensounyng—sownynge114ryseþ oute—aryseth owtfalle—fallen115westren—westrene116fyrste—fyrst119eke—ek120dyuerses—diuerseyhid—MS. yhidde121lieþ—lithemptid—emted123adoune—adowngreet[e]weyȝt—grete weyhte124loke——foule—looken on the foolPHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.[The ijdeprose.]SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.Bvt tyme is nowMore need of medicine than of complaint.quod sche of medicine more þen ofcompleynte. ¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng tome warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen saide.Philosophy addresses Boethius.¶ Artnot þou he quod sche þat sumtyme I-norschid wiþ my128mylkeandfostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascapedandcomen to corage of a perfit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þesyche armures þat ȝif þou þi self ne haddest first castehem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in sykernesse132þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not.[* fol. 4b.]She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than from stupidity.*Why art þou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge.It were me leuer þat it were for schame. but it semeþme þat astonynge haþ oppressed þe.She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of a disordered mind.¶ And whan136sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office oftongeandal doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vponmy brestandseide. ¶ Here nis no peril quodsche.¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche þat is a comune140sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a litelforȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly remembrenhym self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowenme or now.To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and dries up his tears.andþat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen.144þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel þinges ¶ Þisewordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garmentyplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat wereful of þe wawes of my wepynges.148125, 126þen—than127al—allesaide—seyde128sumtyme—whilomI-norschid—MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed129fostre[d]—fosteredmy—myne130Certys—Certesȝaf, yaf131syche—swicheȝif—yifcaste—C. cast132away—aweyschulden haue—sholden han133not be—nat benKnowest þou—knowestow134art þou—artow136haþ—MS. haþe138tonge—tungedoumbe—dowmbhonde—hand139Here—her140litargie whiche—litarge which141sekenes—sykenesse141, 143haþ—MS. haþe144done—doonwil wipe—wol wypen146garment—garnement147dried[e]—dryedewere—weeren148ful—fulleBOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.[The 3deMetur.]TUNC ME DISCUSSA.Þus when þatHer touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden light.nyȝt was discussedandchased awey.derknesses forleften me.andto myn eyen repeyreaȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and ryȝt by ensample asþe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is to152sey whensterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swiftewynde þat hyȝt chorus.andþat þe firmament stontderked by wete ploungy cloudes. and þat þe sterres notapperen vponheuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ sprad156vponerþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt boriassent out of þe kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þisnyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it awayanddescouereþ þeclosed day. ¶ Þan schineþ phebusyshaken wiþ160sodeyne lyȝtandsmyteþ wiþ hys bemes inmeruelyngeyen.149when—whan150myn—mynerepeyre—repeyrede151aȝeyne—omittedher firste—hir fyrst152hid—MS. hidde, C. hidwhen—whan153sey—seynwhen—whan154hyȝt—heyhtechorus—MS. thorusstont—MS. stonde, C. stant157þan—thannewynde—wyndhyȝt—hyhte158sent—isent160þan—thanne161sodeyne—sodeynTHE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.[The 3deprose.]HAUT1ALITER TRISTICIE.1MS. hanc.Ryȝt soThe clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be Philosophy.andnone oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowedissoluedanddon awey. ¶ I took heuene.and164receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my fyciscien.¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hirandfestned[e] mylokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whoshouses I hadde conuersedandhaunted fro my ȝouþe.168andI seide þus.He addresses her.¶ O þou maistresse of alle uertuesdescendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comenin to þis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comenfor þou art mad coupable wiþ me of fals[e] blames.172She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that she is willing to share his misfortunes.¶ O quodsche my norry scholde I forsake þe now. andscholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe chargeþat þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certisit nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten176wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat is innocent.She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new thing.¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blameandagrisen as þouȝþer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ Fortrowest þou þat philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed180inperils by folk of wicked[e] maneres.For before the age of Plato she contended against folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.¶ Haue I notstryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore þeage of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of folyandeke þe same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates184deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful deeþ in my presence.Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans and Stoics wanted to get a part.¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe heritage is to seyneþe doctrine of þe whiche socrates in hys oppiniounoffelicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people188of epicuriensandstoyciensandmany oþer enforcedenhem to go rauische eueryche man for his part þat isto seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to þedefence of his oppiniounþe wordes of socrates.Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got possession of her.¶ Þei192as in partie of hir preye todrowenme criyngeanddebatyng þer aȝeins.andtornenandtorentenmy cloþesþat I hadde wouenwiþ myn handes.andwiþ þecloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. þei196wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ hemeuerydele.Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.In whiche epicuryensandstoyciens. for asmyche as þer semed[e] somme tracesandsteppes ofmyne habit. þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens200[* fol. 5.]andstoyciens my *familers peruertede (.s. persequendo)somme þoruȝ þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e]multitude of hem.Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.¶ Þis is to seyne for þeisemeden philosophres: þei weren pursued to þe deeþ204and slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilyngeof anaxogore. ne þe empoysenyng of socrates. ne þetourmentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] straungers.¶ Ȝit myȝtest þou haue knowenþe senectiensandþe Canyos208andþe sorancis of wyche folk þe renounis neyþer oueroolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellysne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ but oonly for þei werenenfourmed of my maneres.andsemedenmoste vnlyke212to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtestnot to wondre þouȝ þat I in þe bitter see of þis lijf befordryuen wiþ tempestes blowyng aboute.It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked, who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no leader.in þe whichetempeste þis is my most purpos þat is to seyn to displese216to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al beþe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouernedwiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only byflityng errour folylyandlyȝtly.If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.¶ And if þei somtyme220makyng an ost aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oureleder draweþ to gedir hys rycchesse into hys toure.andþei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnprofitableforto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker224fro al tumulteandwode noise. ben storedandenclosedin syche a palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoyingfolye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swicherauinersandhonters of foulest[e] þinges.228163none oþer—non oothersorowe—sorwe165knowe—knowen166myne—mynfestned[e]—fastnede170fro—from170, 171art þou—artow172mad—MS. made, C. makedfals[e]—false174parte—parten176nar[e]—neresittyng—sittinge178þan—thanne179þing—thingq.d. non—omitted180trowest þou—trowestowalþerfirst—alderfirst181wicked[e]—wikkede182strife—strif183aȝeins—ayenisfoolhardines—foolhardinessefoly—folie184eke—ek185deserued[e]—desseruede186wyche—the whichseyne—seyn188welfulnesse—welefulnesse189oþer—oothre190go—goneueryche—euerich191seyne—seynto—omittedeueryche—euerich194tornen—readcoruen, C. koruen195wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouen196arased—arraced197gon—MS. gone, C. gon198dele—del199myche—mochesemed[e]—semedeand—or200myne—mynwenyng—MS. wevyng, C. weninge202þoruȝ—thorwwikked[e]—wikkedevnkunnyng[e]—vnkunnynge203seyne—seyn þat204semeden—semedepursued—MS. pursuede, C. pursued205slayn—MS. slayne, C. slayn207 [weren]—weeren208myȝtest þou haue—myhtestow han209sorancis—soranswyche—whichis—nis210oolde—MS. colde, C. old211brouȝt[e]—browhte212enfourmed—MS. vnfourmed, C. enformydmy—mynevnlyke—vnlyk213wicked folk—wikkede foolkeauȝtest—owhtest214wondre—wondrenbitter—bittre216displese—displesen217wikked[e]—wikkedeschrews—shrewes218oost—glossedaciesin C.grete—gret219, 222leder—ledere220flityng—fleetyngelyȝtly—lythlyif—yif221aȝeynest—ayenis222to——rycchesse, to gydere hise rychessestoure—towr224heyȝ—heye225al—alleben—omittedstored—warnestored226syche—swichþat—omitted227scorne—schorne228rauiners——þinges—rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thingesTHE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.[The ferthe Metur.]QUISQUIS COMPOSITO.Who so it beHe who hath triumphed over fate, and remained insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest thunderbolts.þat is clere of vertue sadandwel ordinatof lyuyng. þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e]wierdesandlokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer fortune. he mayholde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace232of þe commoeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þebotme. ne schal not moeue þat man. ne þe vnstablemountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ oute þoruȝhys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey236of þonder lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures neschal not mouene þat man.Fear not the tyrant’s rage.¶ Wherto þen wrecchesdrede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wodeandfelownes wiþ-outenony strenkeþ.He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the tyrant.¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat.and240so schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt.He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges his own fetters.¶ But who so þat quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þatnis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man þat so doþ haþ castawey hys scheldeandis remoeued fro hys place.and244enlaceþ hym inþe cheyne wiþ whiche he may bedrawen.229clere—cleer230lyuyng—leuyngehaþ—MS. haþevnderfote—vndir-footprowed[e]—prowde231may——chiere—may his cheere holde232manace—manesses233þe—þe see235hyȝt—hihteveseuus—MS. vesenuswircheþ—writith236broken[e]—brokenesmokyng—smokynge237smyte—smyten238Wherto þen—wharto thanne239felownes——ony—felonos withowte any241schalt þou desarmen—shaltow deseruien243doþ—MS. doþe, C. dothhaþ—MS. haþe, C. hathcast—MS. caste, C. cast244schelde—sheldremoeued fro—remwed from245whiche—the whichbe—benBOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.[The verthe prose.]SENTIS NE INQUIT.FElest þouPhilosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.quodsche þise þingesandentren þei ouȝtin þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe.248Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þouabidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þiwounde.Boethius complains of Fortune’s unrelenting rage.¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in mycorage answered[e]andseide.andnedeþ it ȝitte quod252.I. of rehersyng or of amonicioun.andscheweþ it notynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþwoode aȝeynes me.Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his prison?¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þeface or þe manere of þis place (.i. prisoun.).His library, his habit, and his countenance are all changed.¶ Is þis256þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝtcerteyne sege to þe inmyne house. ¶ Þere as þoudesputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touchingdiuiniteeandtouchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan260myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face orquasi diceret non.my chere swiche as now. ¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þesecretys of nature. whan þou enfourmedest my manersandþe resounof al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre264Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?ironiceof heuene. ¶ Is nat þis þe gerdounþat I refere to þeto whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfourmedistby þe mouþe of plato þis sentence.Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who study to be so.þat is toseyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren268blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdomgouerneden þilke þinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle þat[* fol. 5b.]þe gouernours *of communalites studieden in grete wisdomes.PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands of unprincipled citizens.¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same272plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to takenanddesire þe gouernaunce of comune þinges. for þat þegouernementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes offelonous tourmentours Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge276inne pestilenceanddestrucciounto goode folk.Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice (in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his retirement.¶ Andþerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryngto put[te] furþe in execusiounandin acte of comuneadministraciounþo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe280among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þouandgod þatput[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþme þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or dignite: butþe comune studie of al goodenes.He sought to do good to all, but became involved in discord with the wicked.¶ And þer-of comeþ284it þat by-twixen wikked folkandme han ben greuousediscordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by prayeres.Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger of the most powerful.¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþeof more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for288saluaciounof ryȝt.He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of Triguilla.¶ How ofte haue .I. resistedandwiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat madealwey assautes aȝeins þe propre fortunes of poure feblefolke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out292hymtrigwille prouost of þe kynges hous boþe of þewronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to doneandeke fullyperformed. ¶ How ofte haue I coueredanddefendedby þe auctorite of me put aȝeins perils.He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor folk.þat is to seine put296myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þatþe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched tourmentid alweywiþ mysesesandgreuaunces oute of noumbre.BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wrong. When I say þe300fortunesandþe rychesse of þe people of þe prouincesben harmed eyþer by priue rauynes or by comunetributis or cariages.I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.as sory was I as þei þat suffred[e]þe harme.Glosa.¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of304gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corneandcomaundede þat no manne schold[e] bie no cornetil his corne were soldeandþat at a dere greuous pris.¶ But I withstod þat ordinaunceandouer-com it308knowyng al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciounþatis to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat wereestablissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciounas who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue þe312kyng þe fifte part.Textus.I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.¶ Whan it was in þesoure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuousandinplitable coempciounþat men seyn wel it schuldegreetly tourmentynandendamagen al þe prouince of316compaigne I took strif aȝeins þe prouost of þe pretoriefor comune profit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it Iouercom it so þat þe coempciounne was not axed netook effect.I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the palace (Palatini canes).¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse320of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is toseyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hopeandcouetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucibusof hem þat gapeden.I defended Albinus against Cyprian.¶ And for as myche as þe peyne324of þe accusaciounaiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynlyhenten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller ofRome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hatesandindignaciounsof þe accusourCiprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn328þat I haue purchased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self.For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at Court.but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þatfor þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer noþing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers.332by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þesame accusours accusyng I am condempned.THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius, Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city on account of their many crimes.¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accusours one basilius þat somtymewas chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now compelled336inaccusyng of my name for nede of foreinemoneye. ¶ Also opilionandGaudenciushan accusedme. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde sumtyme demedhem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheriesandfraudes340wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei woldenot obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holyhouses.[* fol. 6.]*þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries.andwhan þis was aperceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e]344but þat þei voided[e] þe citee of Rauenne by certeyneday assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheuedwiþ an hoke of irenandchasen hem out of toune.¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis348cruelte.But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyngof my name by þilk[e] same accusours. ¶ Whatmay be seid herto. haþ my studieandmy konnyngdeserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciounof me.352made þat hem ryȝtful accusours or no (q.d. non).Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush for the baseness of the accusers.¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle haddenat fortune ben asshamyd] þat innocence was accused.ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accusours.356THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.¶ But axest þou in somme of what gilt .I.am accused.Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe compaignieof þe senatours. ¶ And desirest þou to herein what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed360þe accusourto beren lettres. by whiche hescholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kyngesReal maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou ofþis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to364þe (q. d. non).It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has and will have its best interests always at heart.¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is toseyne þe sauuaciounof þe senat. ne I schal neuer letento wilne it.andþat I confesseandam a-knowe. butþe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese.368¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat Ihaue desired þe sauuaciounof þe ordre of þe senat.and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝher decretȝandhire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne372or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciounofhem(.s senatus).(Folly cannot change the merit of things.¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hymself may not chaunge þe merit of þinges.According to Socrates’ judgment it is not lawful to hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)¶ Ne .I.trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þat it were leueful376to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent[e] to lesynges.¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] it to gessenor preisento þe iugement of þeandof wise folk. ¶ Ofwhiche þing al þe ordinaunceandþe soþe for as moche380as folk þat ben to comen aftir ouredayes schollenknowen it.Boethius determines to transmit an account of his prosecution to posterity.¶ I haue put it in scriptureandremembraunce.for touching þe lettres falsly maked. bywhiche lettres I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of384Rome. What apperteneþ me to speken þer-of.Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers had he been allowed the use of their confessions.Of whiche lettres þe fraude hadde ben schewed apertly ifI hadde had libertee forto han vsedandben at þeconfessiounof myn accusours. ¶ Þe whiche þing in388alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþerfredommay men hopen.But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped for.Certys I wolde þat some oþerfredommyȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered byþe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was392accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (canius)was knowyngandconsentyng of a coniuraciounmakedaȝeins hym (.s. Gaius). ¶ Þis Canius answered[e]þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it.396BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.It is not strange that the wicked should conspire against virtue.In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witteþat I pleyne oonly þat schrewed[e] folk apparailenfolies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þatþei may performe þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto400done.The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human nature.For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþparauenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to amonstreanda meruaille.It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the eye of an Omniscient God.¶ How þat in þe presentsyȝt of god may ben acheuedandperformed swiche404þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hysþouȝt aȝeins innocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þifamilers not vnskilfully axed þus.If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is none, whence arises good?¶ Ȝif god is. whennescomen wikked[e] þinges.andyif god ne is whennes408comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þatfelonous folk þat now desiren þe bloodeandþe deeþ ofalle goode men.andeke of al þe senat han wilned togone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey batailen412anddefenden goode menandeke al þe senat. Ȝithadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne ofþe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destruccioun.Boethius defends the integrity of his life.¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde416[* fol. 6b.]don or *seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey presentreweledest me.He defended the Senate at Verona.¶ At þe citee of verone whanþat þekyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to transportenvpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real420maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþhow grete sykernesse of peril to me defended[e] I alþe senat.He spake only the truth, and did not boast.¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne Iauaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self.(Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving conscience.)¶ For424alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ preciouse renouninauauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þesecre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst welseen to what ende I am comen for myne innocence.428OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer the punishment due to the blackest crime.I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdounof verrayvertue. ¶ And what open confessiounof feloniehad[de] euer iugis so accordaunt incruelte. þat is toseyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of432mans witte or ellys condiciounof fortune þat is vncerteyneto al mortal folk ne submytted[e] summe of hem. þat isto seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] summe iuge to han piteeor compassioun.Had he been accused of a design to burn temples, massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his accusers.¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused436þat I wolde brenne holy houses.andstrangle prestyswiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed deeþto alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde hanpunysched me present confessed or conuict.440But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and condemned to death.¶ But now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almostfyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampnedto proscripciounandto þe deeþ. for þe studieandbountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben444þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuerȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame asmyn is of swiche trespas myn accusours seyen ful wel þe dignitee.BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it448wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on hondeandlieden. þat I hadde poluteanddefouled my consciencewiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ Andcertys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute452þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. nesacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforneþine eyen.He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim of Pythagoras,— ἕπου Θεῷ [Greek: hepou Theô].¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myneeresandin my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras.456þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god.andnot togoddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede totaken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hastordeyned or set in syche excellence þat [þou] makedest460me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secrechaumbre of myn house.His family and friends could clear him from all suspicion of the crime of sorcery.þat is to seye my wijfandþecompaignie of myn honeste frendis.andmy wyuesfadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ464hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciounof sycheblame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen metaken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame.Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.¶ Forþei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchauntementȝ468by cause þat I am replenissedandfulfilledwiþ þi techynges.andenformed of þi maners.¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayleme not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed472wiþ myne offensioun. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat Ihaue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme.BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.þat þe gessingeandþe iugement of myche folk ne loken noþing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe auenture476of fortune.Most people imagine that that only should be judged to be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with success.¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges benpurueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnessecommendiþ.Glosa.¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haueprosperite. he is a good manandworþi to haue þat480prosperite.The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikkedman.andgod haþ forsake hym.andhe is worþi tohaue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniounof sommefolke.[* Text begins again.]*andþer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of484al þing forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink[e]ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ ofme. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge ofcontrarious fortune is þis.[* fol. 7.]*þat whan þat ony blame is488laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þathe suffreþ.Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and reputation.¶ And I þat am put awey fromgoode menanddespoiled from digniteesanddefoulid of my nameby gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis.492The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines ofwikked men abounden in ioieandin gladnes. ¶ AndI se þat euery lorel shapiþ hymto fynde oute newefraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode496men ben ouerþrowen for drede of my peril. ¶ andeuery luxurious tourmentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissedandben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and innocentȝne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence500andþerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere.
BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.
Allas I wepyngBoethius deplores his misfortunes in the following pathetic elegy.am constreined to bygynne vers ofsorouful matere. ¶ Þat whilom in floryschingstudie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng musesof poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery4vers of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ verray teers.¶ At þe leest no drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses.þat þei ne werenfelawesandfolweden my wey. þat isto seyne when I was exiled.ypalage antithesisþei þat weren glorie of8my youȝth whilom welefulandgrene conforten now þesorouful werdes of me olde man.Laments his immature old age.for elde is comen vnwarlyvpon me hasted by þe harmes þat I haue.andsorou haþ comaunded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres12hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. andþe slak[e] skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body.Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.þilk[e] deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þatben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches often16yclepid.
1of—MS. of of.2florysching—floryssynge3rendyng—rendynge4be—ben5wrecchednes—wrecchednesseteers—teeres6leest—leestemyȝt[e]ouer-come—myhte ouercomen8seyne when—seyn whan9youȝth—MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe10sorouful werdes—sorful wierdes [i. fata]12sorou—sorwehaþ—MS. haþebe—ben13hore—hooreben—arnmyne—myn14slak[e]—slakevpon—ofemty—emptydþilk[e]—thilke15welful—welefulcomeþ not—comth nat16.i. mirie—omitted
1of—MS. of of.
2florysching—floryssynge
3rendyng—rendynge
4be—ben
5wrecchednes—wrecchednesseteers—teeres
6leest—leestemyȝt[e]ouer-come—myhte ouercomen
8seyne when—seyn whan
9youȝth—MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe
10sorouful werdes—sorful wierdes [i. fata]
12sorou—sorwehaþ—MS. haþebe—ben
13hore—hooreben—arnmyne—myn
14slak[e]—slakevpon—ofemty—emptydþilk[e]—thilke
15welful—welefulcomeþ not—comth nat
16.i. mirie—omitted
¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ crueltourneþ awey fro wrecchesandnaieþ to closen wepyngeyen.When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius,¶ While fortune vnfeiþful fauored[e] me20wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temporels.) þe sorouful houre þatis to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued.but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.¶ But now for fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuablechere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf draweþ24a long vnagreable dwellynges in me.Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm that hath thus fallen.¶ O ȝe myfrendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful:for he þat haþ fallen stood not instedfast degree.
19tourneþ—tornethnaieþ—naytethwepyng—wepynge20While—Whilfauored[e]—fauorede21lyȝte—lyhte.s. temporels—omittedsorouful houre—sorwful howre22seyne—seynhad[de]—haddemyne—myn23haþ—MS. haþechaunged hir disceyuable—chaungyd hyre deceyuable24vnpitouse lijf—vnpietous lyf
19tourneþ—tornethnaieþ—naytethwepyng—wepynge
20While—Whilfauored[e]—fauorede
21lyȝte—lyhte.s. temporels—omittedsorouful houre—sorwful howre
22seyne—seynhad[de]—haddemyne—myn
23haþ—MS. haþechaunged hir disceyuable—chaungyd hyre deceyuable
24vnpitouse lijf—vnpietous lyf
PHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.
IN þe mene whilePhilosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman, and of great age.þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges28wiþ my self.andmarkede my wepli compleynte wiþoffice of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue þe heyȝt of myheued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunthir eyen brennyngandclere seing ouer þe comune32myȝt of men. wiþ a lijfly colourandwiþ swiche vigoureandstrenkeþ þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Alwere it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. þat men newolde not trowe inno manere þat sche were of oure36elde.Her height could not be determined, for there were times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.þe stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. forsumtyme sche constreyned[e]andschronk hir seluenlyche to þe comune mesure of men.andsumtyme itsemed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe heyȝte40of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer scheperced[e] þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyngwas inydel.Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.¶ Hir cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delyeþredesandsubtil crafte of perdurable matere. þe wyche44cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen hondes: as Iknew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryngandschewyngto me þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forletenand dispised elde had[de] duskidanddirkid as48it is wont to dirken by-smoked ymages.On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Π and on the upper Θ.¶ In þe neþerest[e]hem or bordure of þese cloþes menreddenywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijfactif. And abouen þat lettre in þe heyȝest[e] bordure52a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf contemplatif.
A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.
Between the letters were steps like a ladder.¶ And by-twene þese two lettres þere weren seien degreesnobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wychedegrees men myȝt[en] clymbe fro þe neþemast[e] lettre56to þe ouermast[e].Philosophy’s garments were tattered and torn, and pieces had been carried violently off.¶ Naþeles hondes of summenhadde korue þat cloþe by vyolenceandby strenkeþ.¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away sychepeces as he myȝte geet[e].In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a sceptre.¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide60woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde.andin hir leftehonde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þesepoetical muses aprochen aboute my bedde.andendytyngwordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued64and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen.Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.¶ Who quod sche haþsuffred aprochen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis[* fol. 4.]of siche a place þat *men clepen þe theatre.¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiþ no68remedies. but þei wolde fedeandnorysche hem wiþswete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornesandprykkynges of talentȝ or affecciouns wiche þatben no þing frutefiyng nor profitable destroyen þe72cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson.They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot free it from its malady.¶ For þeiholden þe hertes of men inusage. but þei ne delyuerenot folk fro maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawenfro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any vnkonnyngandvnprofitable76man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amongesþe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously.
PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.
Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in Eleatic and Academic studies.¶ For-why in syche an vnprofitable man myne ententesweren no þing endamaged. ¶ But ȝe wiþdrawen me80þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles ofEleaticisandof achademicis in grece.She bids the syrens begone.¶ But goþ nowraþer awey ȝe meremaydenes wyche ben swete til itbe at þe laste.andsuffreþ þis man to be curedand84heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful sciences.Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed castenwroþely þe chere adounward to þe erþeandschewyngby redenesse hir schame þei passeden sorowfuly þe88þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged interes was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe whatþat woman was of so imperial auctorite.Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august dame.¶ I wex ala-besidandastoned.andcaste my syȝt adoune in to þe92erþe.andbygan stille forto abide what sche wolde donafterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nereandsette hir dounvpon þe vterrest[e] corner of my bedde.Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.andsche byholdyngmy chere þat was cast to þe erþe heuyand96greuous of wepyng. compleinede wiþ þise wordes þat Ischal sey þe perturbaciounof my þouȝt.
26auaunted[e]—auauntedebe—ben27haþ—MS. haþenot—natstedfast—stidefast28In þe mene—omittedrecorded[e]—recordede30saw—MS. sawe, C. sawhstondyng above—MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouenheyȝt—heyhtemy—myn31greet—gret32brennyng—brennyngeclere seing—cleer seynge33swiche—swych34strenkeþ—strengtheit——emptid—it myhte nat ben emtedAl—alle36wolde——trowe—wolden nat trowen37iugement—Iuggement38sumtyme—somtymeconstreyned[e]—constreynedeschronk—MS. schronke, C. shronk39lyche—lyk40semed[e]—semedetouched[e]—towchede41when—whanhef—MS. heued, C. hefheyer—hyere42perced[e]—percedesyȝt—syhtelokyng—lookynge44crafte—craft45wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouenowen hondes—owne handes46knew—MS. knewe, C. knewhselfe declaryng—self declaryngeschewyng—shewynge47derkenes—dirknesseforleten—forletyn48dispised—despisedhad[de]duskid—hadde duskeddirkid—derked49by-smoked—the smokedeneþerest[e]—nethereste50þese—thise51swiche—omittedgregkysche—grekysshesignifieþ—syngnifieth52heyȝest[e]—heyeste54by-twene þese—bytwixen thiseþere—therseien—seyn55nobly wrouȝt—nobely ywroghtwyche—whiche56myȝt[en]clymbe—myhten clymbynneþemast[e]—nethereste57ouermast[e]—vpperestesum—some58hadde korue—hadden koruencloþe—clothstrenkeþ—strengthe59born—MS. borne, C. bornaway syche—awey swiche60geet[e]—getenforsaide—forseide61ber—MS. bere, C. barbookes—smale bookeshonde—handlefte honde—left hand62ber—MS. bere, C. baarsauȝ þese—say thise63bedde—bedendytyng—enditynge64ameued—amoued65glowed[e]—glowedehaþ—MS. haþe, C. hath66seek[e]—sikeþise—thestrumpetis—strompetes67siche—swichclepen—clepyn68only ne—nat oonly nenot his—nat hiseno—none69wolde fede—wolden feedennorysche hem—noryssyn hym72ben—ne benfrutefiyng—fructefiynge73cornes plenteuouse—corn plentyuos74þeandne—both omitted75not—natif ȝe—MS. if þe, C. yif yehadde—hadden76vnkonnyng—vnkunnynge78peple—poeple79syche—swhichemyne—myn80weren—ne weerenȝe—ye81haþ—MS. haþe, C. hathben—bescoles—schooles82goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth83wyche—whiche þat85say—seynnotful—noteful86I-blamed—Iblamyd87wroþely—wrothlyadounward—downward88redenesse—rednessesorowfuly—sorwfully89þreschefolde—thresshfoldsyȝt—syhte90derked—dyrkedmyȝt[e]——knowe—myhte nat knowen91wex—wax92a-besid—abaysshedcaste—castadoune in to—down to93don—MS. done95vterrest[e]corner—vttereste cornerebedde—bed97compleinede—compley[n]de98sey—seyen
26auaunted[e]—auauntedebe—ben
27haþ—MS. haþenot—natstedfast—stidefast
28In þe mene—omittedrecorded[e]—recordede
30saw—MS. sawe, C. sawhstondyng above—MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouenheyȝt—heyhtemy—myn
31greet—gret
32brennyng—brennyngeclere seing—cleer seynge
33swiche—swych
34strenkeþ—strengtheit——emptid—it myhte nat ben emtedAl—alle
36wolde——trowe—wolden nat trowen
37iugement—Iuggement
38sumtyme—somtymeconstreyned[e]—constreynedeschronk—MS. schronke, C. shronk
39lyche—lyk
40semed[e]—semedetouched[e]—towchede
41when—whanhef—MS. heued, C. hefheyer—hyere
42perced[e]—percedesyȝt—syhtelokyng—lookynge
44crafte—craft
45wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouenowen hondes—owne handes
46knew—MS. knewe, C. knewhselfe declaryng—self declaryngeschewyng—shewynge
47derkenes—dirknesseforleten—forletyn
48dispised—despisedhad[de]duskid—hadde duskeddirkid—derked
49by-smoked—the smokedeneþerest[e]—nethereste
50þese—thise
51swiche—omittedgregkysche—grekysshesignifieþ—syngnifieth
52heyȝest[e]—heyeste
54by-twene þese—bytwixen thiseþere—therseien—seyn
55nobly wrouȝt—nobely ywroghtwyche—whiche
56myȝt[en]clymbe—myhten clymbynneþemast[e]—nethereste
57ouermast[e]—vpperestesum—some
58hadde korue—hadden koruencloþe—clothstrenkeþ—strengthe
59born—MS. borne, C. bornaway syche—awey swiche
60geet[e]—getenforsaide—forseide
61ber—MS. bere, C. barbookes—smale bookeshonde—handlefte honde—left hand
62ber—MS. bere, C. baarsauȝ þese—say thise
63bedde—bedendytyng—enditynge
64ameued—amoued
65glowed[e]—glowedehaþ—MS. haþe, C. hath
66seek[e]—sikeþise—thestrumpetis—strompetes
67siche—swichclepen—clepyn
68only ne—nat oonly nenot his—nat hiseno—none
69wolde fede—wolden feedennorysche hem—noryssyn hym
72ben—ne benfrutefiyng—fructefiynge
73cornes plenteuouse—corn plentyuos
74þeandne—both omitted
75not—natif ȝe—MS. if þe, C. yif yehadde—hadden
76vnkonnyng—vnkunnynge
78peple—poeple
79syche—swhichemyne—myn
80weren—ne weerenȝe—ye
81haþ—MS. haþe, C. hathben—bescoles—schooles
82goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth
83wyche—whiche þat
85say—seynnotful—noteful
86I-blamed—Iblamyd
87wroþely—wrothlyadounward—downward
88redenesse—rednessesorowfuly—sorwfully
89þreschefolde—thresshfoldsyȝt—syhte
90derked—dyrkedmyȝt[e]——knowe—myhte nat knowen
91wex—wax
92a-besid—abaysshedcaste—castadoune in to—down to
93don—MS. done
95vterrest[e]corner—vttereste cornerebedde—bed
97compleinede—compley[n]de
98sey—seyen
PHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.
Allas how þe þouȝt ofDrowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper clearness.man dreint in ouer þrowyngdepnesse dulleþandforletiþ hys propre clerenesse.100myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses asofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-outenmesure.þat is dryuen toandfro wiþ worldly wyndes.Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden causes of nature.¶ Þisman þat sumtyme was fre to whomþe heuene was open104andknowenandwas wont to gone in heuenelychepaþes.andsauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne.andsauȝþe sterres of þe colde moone.andwyche sterre inheuene vseþ wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres.108¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde comprehendid al þis bynoumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouerþis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyngwyndes moeuenandbisien þe smoþe water of þe112see.andwhat spirit turneþ þe stable heuene.andwhi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to fallein þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lustyhoures of þe fyrste somer sesounþat hiȝteþandapparaileþ116þe erþe wiþ rosene floures. ¶ And whomakeþ þat plenteuouse autumpne in fulle ȝeres fletiþwiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis manwas wont totelle þe dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid.120But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to the ground.¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of lyȝt of hys þouȝt.andhys nekke is pressid wiþ heuy cheynesandbereþ hischere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and isconstreyned to loke on foule erþe.124
101gone—goon102bisines—bysynesseouten—owte103worldly—wordely104sumtyme—whilom105gone—goon106paþes—paathessauȝ—sawhlyȝtnesse—lythnessesunne—sonnesauȝ—MS. sue, C. sawgh107wyche—which108risorses—recourses111seche—sekensounyng—sownynge114ryseþ oute—aryseth owtfalle—fallen115westren—westrene116fyrste—fyrst119eke—ek120dyuerses—diuerseyhid—MS. yhidde121lieþ—lithemptid—emted123adoune—adowngreet[e]weyȝt—grete weyhte124loke——foule—looken on the fool
101gone—goon
102bisines—bysynesseouten—owte
103worldly—wordely
104sumtyme—whilom
105gone—goon
106paþes—paathessauȝ—sawhlyȝtnesse—lythnessesunne—sonnesauȝ—MS. sue, C. sawgh
107wyche—which
108risorses—recourses
111seche—sekensounyng—sownynge
114ryseþ oute—aryseth owtfalle—fallen
115westren—westrene
116fyrste—fyrst
119eke—ek
120dyuerses—diuerseyhid—MS. yhidde
121lieþ—lithemptid—emted
123adoune—adowngreet[e]weyȝt—grete weyhte
124loke——foule—looken on the fool
PHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.
Bvt tyme is nowMore need of medicine than of complaint.quod sche of medicine more þen ofcompleynte. ¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng tome warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen saide.Philosophy addresses Boethius.¶ Artnot þou he quod sche þat sumtyme I-norschid wiþ my128mylkeandfostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascapedandcomen to corage of a perfit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þesyche armures þat ȝif þou þi self ne haddest first castehem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in sykernesse132þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not.[* fol. 4b.]She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than from stupidity.*Why art þou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge.It were me leuer þat it were for schame. but it semeþme þat astonynge haþ oppressed þe.She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of a disordered mind.¶ And whan136sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office oftongeandal doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vponmy brestandseide. ¶ Here nis no peril quodsche.¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche þat is a comune140sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a litelforȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly remembrenhym self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowenme or now.To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and dries up his tears.andþat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen.144þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel þinges ¶ Þisewordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garmentyplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat wereful of þe wawes of my wepynges.148
125, 126þen—than127al—allesaide—seyde128sumtyme—whilomI-norschid—MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed129fostre[d]—fosteredmy—myne130Certys—Certesȝaf, yaf131syche—swicheȝif—yifcaste—C. cast132away—aweyschulden haue—sholden han133not be—nat benKnowest þou—knowestow134art þou—artow136haþ—MS. haþe138tonge—tungedoumbe—dowmbhonde—hand139Here—her140litargie whiche—litarge which141sekenes—sykenesse141, 143haþ—MS. haþe144done—doonwil wipe—wol wypen146garment—garnement147dried[e]—dryedewere—weeren148ful—fulle
125, 126þen—than
127al—allesaide—seyde
128sumtyme—whilomI-norschid—MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed
129fostre[d]—fosteredmy—myne
130Certys—Certesȝaf, yaf
131syche—swicheȝif—yifcaste—C. cast
132away—aweyschulden haue—sholden han
133not be—nat benKnowest þou—knowestow
134art þou—artow
136haþ—MS. haþe
138tonge—tungedoumbe—dowmbhonde—hand
139Here—her
140litargie whiche—litarge which
141sekenes—sykenesse
141, 143haþ—MS. haþe
144done—doonwil wipe—wol wypen
146garment—garnement
147dried[e]—dryedewere—weeren
148ful—fulle
BOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.
Þus when þatHer touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden light.nyȝt was discussedandchased awey.derknesses forleften me.andto myn eyen repeyreaȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and ryȝt by ensample asþe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is to152sey whensterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swiftewynde þat hyȝt chorus.andþat þe firmament stontderked by wete ploungy cloudes. and þat þe sterres notapperen vponheuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ sprad156vponerþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt boriassent out of þe kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þisnyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it awayanddescouereþ þeclosed day. ¶ Þan schineþ phebusyshaken wiþ160sodeyne lyȝtandsmyteþ wiþ hys bemes inmeruelyngeyen.
149when—whan150myn—mynerepeyre—repeyrede151aȝeyne—omittedher firste—hir fyrst152hid—MS. hidde, C. hidwhen—whan153sey—seynwhen—whan154hyȝt—heyhtechorus—MS. thorusstont—MS. stonde, C. stant157þan—thannewynde—wyndhyȝt—hyhte158sent—isent160þan—thanne161sodeyne—sodeyn
149when—whan
150myn—mynerepeyre—repeyrede
151aȝeyne—omittedher firste—hir fyrst
152hid—MS. hidde, C. hidwhen—whan
153sey—seynwhen—whan
154hyȝt—heyhtechorus—MS. thorusstont—MS. stonde, C. stant
157þan—thannewynde—wyndhyȝt—hyhte
158sent—isent
160þan—thanne
161sodeyne—sodeyn
THE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.
Ryȝt soThe clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be Philosophy.andnone oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowedissoluedanddon awey. ¶ I took heuene.and164receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my fyciscien.¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hirandfestned[e] mylokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whoshouses I hadde conuersedandhaunted fro my ȝouþe.168andI seide þus.He addresses her.¶ O þou maistresse of alle uertuesdescendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comenin to þis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comenfor þou art mad coupable wiþ me of fals[e] blames.172She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that she is willing to share his misfortunes.¶ O quodsche my norry scholde I forsake þe now. andscholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe chargeþat þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certisit nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten176wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat is innocent.She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new thing.¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blameandagrisen as þouȝþer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ Fortrowest þou þat philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed180inperils by folk of wicked[e] maneres.For before the age of Plato she contended against folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.¶ Haue I notstryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore þeage of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of folyandeke þe same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates184deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful deeþ in my presence.Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans and Stoics wanted to get a part.¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe heritage is to seyneþe doctrine of þe whiche socrates in hys oppiniounoffelicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people188of epicuriensandstoyciensandmany oþer enforcedenhem to go rauische eueryche man for his part þat isto seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to þedefence of his oppiniounþe wordes of socrates.Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got possession of her.¶ Þei192as in partie of hir preye todrowenme criyngeanddebatyng þer aȝeins.andtornenandtorentenmy cloþesþat I hadde wouenwiþ myn handes.andwiþ þecloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. þei196wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ hemeuerydele.Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.In whiche epicuryensandstoyciens. for asmyche as þer semed[e] somme tracesandsteppes ofmyne habit. þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens200[* fol. 5.]andstoyciens my *familers peruertede (.s. persequendo)somme þoruȝ þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e]multitude of hem.Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.¶ Þis is to seyne for þeisemeden philosophres: þei weren pursued to þe deeþ204and slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilyngeof anaxogore. ne þe empoysenyng of socrates. ne þetourmentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] straungers.¶ Ȝit myȝtest þou haue knowenþe senectiensandþe Canyos208andþe sorancis of wyche folk þe renounis neyþer oueroolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellysne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ but oonly for þei werenenfourmed of my maneres.andsemedenmoste vnlyke212to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtestnot to wondre þouȝ þat I in þe bitter see of þis lijf befordryuen wiþ tempestes blowyng aboute.It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked, who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no leader.in þe whichetempeste þis is my most purpos þat is to seyn to displese216to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al beþe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouernedwiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only byflityng errour folylyandlyȝtly.If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.¶ And if þei somtyme220makyng an ost aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oureleder draweþ to gedir hys rycchesse into hys toure.andþei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnprofitableforto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker224fro al tumulteandwode noise. ben storedandenclosedin syche a palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoyingfolye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swicherauinersandhonters of foulest[e] þinges.228
163none oþer—non oothersorowe—sorwe165knowe—knowen166myne—mynfestned[e]—fastnede170fro—from170, 171art þou—artow172mad—MS. made, C. makedfals[e]—false174parte—parten176nar[e]—neresittyng—sittinge178þan—thanne179þing—thingq.d. non—omitted180trowest þou—trowestowalþerfirst—alderfirst181wicked[e]—wikkede182strife—strif183aȝeins—ayenisfoolhardines—foolhardinessefoly—folie184eke—ek185deserued[e]—desseruede186wyche—the whichseyne—seyn188welfulnesse—welefulnesse189oþer—oothre190go—goneueryche—euerich191seyne—seynto—omittedeueryche—euerich194tornen—readcoruen, C. koruen195wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouen196arased—arraced197gon—MS. gone, C. gon198dele—del199myche—mochesemed[e]—semedeand—or200myne—mynwenyng—MS. wevyng, C. weninge202þoruȝ—thorwwikked[e]—wikkedevnkunnyng[e]—vnkunnynge203seyne—seyn þat204semeden—semedepursued—MS. pursuede, C. pursued205slayn—MS. slayne, C. slayn207 [weren]—weeren208myȝtest þou haue—myhtestow han209sorancis—soranswyche—whichis—nis210oolde—MS. colde, C. old211brouȝt[e]—browhte212enfourmed—MS. vnfourmed, C. enformydmy—mynevnlyke—vnlyk213wicked folk—wikkede foolkeauȝtest—owhtest214wondre—wondrenbitter—bittre216displese—displesen217wikked[e]—wikkedeschrews—shrewes218oost—glossedaciesin C.grete—gret219, 222leder—ledere220flityng—fleetyngelyȝtly—lythlyif—yif221aȝeynest—ayenis222to——rycchesse, to gydere hise rychessestoure—towr224heyȝ—heye225al—alleben—omittedstored—warnestored226syche—swichþat—omitted227scorne—schorne228rauiners——þinges—rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges
163none oþer—non oothersorowe—sorwe
165knowe—knowen
166myne—mynfestned[e]—fastnede
170fro—from
170, 171art þou—artow
172mad—MS. made, C. makedfals[e]—false
174parte—parten
176nar[e]—neresittyng—sittinge
178þan—thanne
179þing—thingq.d. non—omitted
180trowest þou—trowestowalþerfirst—alderfirst
181wicked[e]—wikkede
182strife—strif
183aȝeins—ayenisfoolhardines—foolhardinessefoly—folie
184eke—ek
185deserued[e]—desseruede
186wyche—the whichseyne—seyn
188welfulnesse—welefulnesse
189oþer—oothre
190go—goneueryche—euerich
191seyne—seynto—omittedeueryche—euerich
194tornen—readcoruen, C. koruen
195wouen—MS. wonnen, C. wouen
196arased—arraced
197gon—MS. gone, C. gon
198dele—del
199myche—mochesemed[e]—semedeand—or
200myne—mynwenyng—MS. wevyng, C. weninge
202þoruȝ—thorwwikked[e]—wikkedevnkunnyng[e]—vnkunnynge
203seyne—seyn þat
204semeden—semedepursued—MS. pursuede, C. pursued
205slayn—MS. slayne, C. slayn
207 [weren]—weeren
208myȝtest þou haue—myhtestow han
209sorancis—soranswyche—whichis—nis
210oolde—MS. colde, C. old
211brouȝt[e]—browhte
212enfourmed—MS. vnfourmed, C. enformydmy—mynevnlyke—vnlyk
213wicked folk—wikkede foolkeauȝtest—owhtest
214wondre—wondrenbitter—bittre
216displese—displesen
217wikked[e]—wikkedeschrews—shrewes
218oost—glossedaciesin C.grete—gret
219, 222leder—ledere
220flityng—fleetyngelyȝtly—lythlyif—yif
221aȝeynest—ayenis
222to——rycchesse, to gydere hise rychessestoure—towr
224heyȝ—heye
225al—alleben—omittedstored—warnestored
226syche—swichþat—omitted
227scorne—schorne
228rauiners——þinges—rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges
THE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.
Who so it beHe who hath triumphed over fate, and remained insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest thunderbolts.þat is clere of vertue sadandwel ordinatof lyuyng. þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e]wierdesandlokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer fortune. he mayholde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace232of þe commoeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þebotme. ne schal not moeue þat man. ne þe vnstablemountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ oute þoruȝhys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey236of þonder lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures neschal not mouene þat man.Fear not the tyrant’s rage.¶ Wherto þen wrecchesdrede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wodeandfelownes wiþ-outenony strenkeþ.He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the tyrant.¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat.and240so schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt.He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges his own fetters.¶ But who so þat quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þatnis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man þat so doþ haþ castawey hys scheldeandis remoeued fro hys place.and244enlaceþ hym inþe cheyne wiþ whiche he may bedrawen.
229clere—cleer230lyuyng—leuyngehaþ—MS. haþevnderfote—vndir-footprowed[e]—prowde231may——chiere—may his cheere holde232manace—manesses233þe—þe see235hyȝt—hihteveseuus—MS. vesenuswircheþ—writith236broken[e]—brokenesmokyng—smokynge237smyte—smyten238Wherto þen—wharto thanne239felownes——ony—felonos withowte any241schalt þou desarmen—shaltow deseruien243doþ—MS. doþe, C. dothhaþ—MS. haþe, C. hathcast—MS. caste, C. cast244schelde—sheldremoeued fro—remwed from245whiche—the whichbe—ben
229clere—cleer
230lyuyng—leuyngehaþ—MS. haþevnderfote—vndir-footprowed[e]—prowde
231may——chiere—may his cheere holde
232manace—manesses
233þe—þe see
235hyȝt—hihteveseuus—MS. vesenuswircheþ—writith
236broken[e]—brokenesmokyng—smokynge
237smyte—smyten
238Wherto þen—wharto thanne
239felownes——ony—felonos withowte any
241schalt þou desarmen—shaltow deseruien
243doþ—MS. doþe, C. dothhaþ—MS. haþe, C. hathcast—MS. caste, C. cast
244schelde—sheldremoeued fro—remwed from
245whiche—the whichbe—ben
BOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.
FElest þouPhilosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.quodsche þise þingesandentren þei ouȝtin þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe.248Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þouabidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þiwounde.Boethius complains of Fortune’s unrelenting rage.¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in mycorage answered[e]andseide.andnedeþ it ȝitte quod252.I. of rehersyng or of amonicioun.andscheweþ it notynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþwoode aȝeynes me.Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his prison?¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þeface or þe manere of þis place (.i. prisoun.).His library, his habit, and his countenance are all changed.¶ Is þis256þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝtcerteyne sege to þe inmyne house. ¶ Þere as þoudesputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touchingdiuiniteeandtouchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan260myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face orquasi diceret non.my chere swiche as now. ¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þesecretys of nature. whan þou enfourmedest my manersandþe resounof al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre264Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?ironiceof heuene. ¶ Is nat þis þe gerdounþat I refere to þeto whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfourmedistby þe mouþe of plato þis sentence.Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who study to be so.þat is toseyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren268blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdomgouerneden þilke þinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle þat[* fol. 5b.]þe gouernours *of communalites studieden in grete wisdomes.
PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.
The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands of unprincipled citizens.¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same272plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to takenanddesire þe gouernaunce of comune þinges. for þat þegouernementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes offelonous tourmentours Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge276inne pestilenceanddestrucciounto goode folk.Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice (in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his retirement.¶ Andþerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryngto put[te] furþe in execusiounandin acte of comuneadministraciounþo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe280among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þouandgod þatput[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþme þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or dignite: butþe comune studie of al goodenes.He sought to do good to all, but became involved in discord with the wicked.¶ And þer-of comeþ284it þat by-twixen wikked folkandme han ben greuousediscordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by prayeres.Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger of the most powerful.¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþeof more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for288saluaciounof ryȝt.He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of Triguilla.¶ How ofte haue .I. resistedandwiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat madealwey assautes aȝeins þe propre fortunes of poure feblefolke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out292hymtrigwille prouost of þe kynges hous boþe of þewronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to doneandeke fullyperformed. ¶ How ofte haue I coueredanddefendedby þe auctorite of me put aȝeins perils.He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor folk.þat is to seine put296myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þatþe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched tourmentid alweywiþ mysesesandgreuaunces oute of noumbre.
BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.
I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wrong. When I say þe300fortunesandþe rychesse of þe people of þe prouincesben harmed eyþer by priue rauynes or by comunetributis or cariages.I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.as sory was I as þei þat suffred[e]þe harme.Glosa.¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of304gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corneandcomaundede þat no manne schold[e] bie no cornetil his corne were soldeandþat at a dere greuous pris.¶ But I withstod þat ordinaunceandouer-com it308knowyng al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciounþatis to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat wereestablissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciounas who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue þe312kyng þe fifte part.Textus.I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.¶ Whan it was in þesoure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuousandinplitable coempciounþat men seyn wel it schuldegreetly tourmentynandendamagen al þe prouince of316compaigne I took strif aȝeins þe prouost of þe pretoriefor comune profit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it Iouercom it so þat þe coempciounne was not axed netook effect.I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the palace (Palatini canes).¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse320of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is toseyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hopeandcouetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucibusof hem þat gapeden.I defended Albinus against Cyprian.¶ And for as myche as þe peyne324of þe accusaciounaiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynlyhenten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller ofRome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hatesandindignaciounsof þe accusourCiprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn328þat I haue purchased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self.For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at Court.but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þatfor þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer noþing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers.332by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þesame accusours accusyng I am condempned.
THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.
Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius, Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city on account of their many crimes.¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accusours one basilius þat somtymewas chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now compelled336inaccusyng of my name for nede of foreinemoneye. ¶ Also opilionandGaudenciushan accusedme. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde sumtyme demedhem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheriesandfraudes340wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei woldenot obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holyhouses.[* fol. 6.]*þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries.andwhan þis was aperceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e]344but þat þei voided[e] þe citee of Rauenne by certeyneday assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheuedwiþ an hoke of irenandchasen hem out of toune.¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis348cruelte.But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyngof my name by þilk[e] same accusours. ¶ Whatmay be seid herto. haþ my studieandmy konnyngdeserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciounof me.352made þat hem ryȝtful accusours or no (q.d. non).Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush for the baseness of the accusers.¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle haddenat fortune ben asshamyd] þat innocence was accused.ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accusours.356
THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.
¶ But axest þou in somme of what gilt .I.am accused.Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe compaignieof þe senatours. ¶ And desirest þou to herein what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed360þe accusourto beren lettres. by whiche hescholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kyngesReal maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou ofþis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to364þe (q. d. non).It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has and will have its best interests always at heart.¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is toseyne þe sauuaciounof þe senat. ne I schal neuer letento wilne it.andþat I confesseandam a-knowe. butþe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese.368¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat Ihaue desired þe sauuaciounof þe ordre of þe senat.and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝher decretȝandhire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne372or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciounofhem(.s senatus).(Folly cannot change the merit of things.¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hymself may not chaunge þe merit of þinges.According to Socrates’ judgment it is not lawful to hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)¶ Ne .I.trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þat it were leueful376to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent[e] to lesynges.¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] it to gessenor preisento þe iugement of þeandof wise folk. ¶ Ofwhiche þing al þe ordinaunceandþe soþe for as moche380as folk þat ben to comen aftir ouredayes schollenknowen it.Boethius determines to transmit an account of his prosecution to posterity.¶ I haue put it in scriptureandremembraunce.for touching þe lettres falsly maked. bywhiche lettres I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of384Rome. What apperteneþ me to speken þer-of.Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers had he been allowed the use of their confessions.Of whiche lettres þe fraude hadde ben schewed apertly ifI hadde had libertee forto han vsedandben at þeconfessiounof myn accusours. ¶ Þe whiche þing in388alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþerfredommay men hopen.But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped for.Certys I wolde þat some oþerfredommyȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered byþe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was392accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (canius)was knowyngandconsentyng of a coniuraciounmakedaȝeins hym (.s. Gaius). ¶ Þis Canius answered[e]þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it.396
BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.
It is not strange that the wicked should conspire against virtue.In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witteþat I pleyne oonly þat schrewed[e] folk apparailenfolies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þatþei may performe þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto400done.The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human nature.For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþparauenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to amonstreanda meruaille.It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the eye of an Omniscient God.¶ How þat in þe presentsyȝt of god may ben acheuedandperformed swiche404þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hysþouȝt aȝeins innocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þifamilers not vnskilfully axed þus.If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is none, whence arises good?¶ Ȝif god is. whennescomen wikked[e] þinges.andyif god ne is whennes408comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þatfelonous folk þat now desiren þe bloodeandþe deeþ ofalle goode men.andeke of al þe senat han wilned togone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey batailen412anddefenden goode menandeke al þe senat. Ȝithadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne ofþe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destruccioun.Boethius defends the integrity of his life.¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde416[* fol. 6b.]don or *seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey presentreweledest me.He defended the Senate at Verona.¶ At þe citee of verone whanþat þekyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to transportenvpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real420maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþhow grete sykernesse of peril to me defended[e] I alþe senat.He spake only the truth, and did not boast.¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne Iauaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self.(Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving conscience.)¶ For424alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ preciouse renouninauauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þesecre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst welseen to what ende I am comen for myne innocence.428
OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.
But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer the punishment due to the blackest crime.I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdounof verrayvertue. ¶ And what open confessiounof feloniehad[de] euer iugis so accordaunt incruelte. þat is toseyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of432mans witte or ellys condiciounof fortune þat is vncerteyneto al mortal folk ne submytted[e] summe of hem. þat isto seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] summe iuge to han piteeor compassioun.Had he been accused of a design to burn temples, massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his accusers.¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused436þat I wolde brenne holy houses.andstrangle prestyswiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed deeþto alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde hanpunysched me present confessed or conuict.440But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and condemned to death.¶ But now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almostfyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampnedto proscripciounandto þe deeþ. for þe studieandbountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben444þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuerȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame asmyn is of swiche trespas myn accusours seyen ful wel þe dignitee.
BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.
Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it448wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on hondeandlieden. þat I hadde poluteanddefouled my consciencewiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ Andcertys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute452þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. nesacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforneþine eyen.He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim of Pythagoras,— ἕπου Θεῷ [Greek: hepou Theô].¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myneeresandin my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras.456þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god.andnot togoddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede totaken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hastordeyned or set in syche excellence þat [þou] makedest460me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secrechaumbre of myn house.His family and friends could clear him from all suspicion of the crime of sorcery.þat is to seye my wijfandþecompaignie of myn honeste frendis.andmy wyuesfadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ464hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciounof sycheblame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen metaken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame.Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.¶ Forþei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchauntementȝ468by cause þat I am replenissedandfulfilledwiþ þi techynges.andenformed of þi maners.¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayleme not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed472wiþ myne offensioun. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat Ihaue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme.
BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.
þat þe gessingeandþe iugement of myche folk ne loken noþing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe auenture476of fortune.Most people imagine that that only should be judged to be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with success.¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges benpurueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnessecommendiþ.Glosa.¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haueprosperite. he is a good manandworþi to haue þat480prosperite.The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikkedman.andgod haþ forsake hym.andhe is worþi tohaue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniounof sommefolke.[* Text begins again.]*andþer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of484al þing forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink[e]ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ ofme. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge ofcontrarious fortune is þis.[* fol. 7.]*þat whan þat ony blame is488laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þathe suffreþ.Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and reputation.¶ And I þat am put awey fromgoode menanddespoiled from digniteesanddefoulid of my nameby gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis.492The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines ofwikked men abounden in ioieandin gladnes. ¶ AndI se þat euery lorel shapiþ hymto fynde oute newefraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode496men ben ouerþrowen for drede of my peril. ¶ andeuery luxurious tourmentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissedandben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and innocentȝne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence500andþerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere.