My science, she sayd, it is moost profitableUnto Astronomy, for I do it mesureIn every thing as it is probable;For I my selfe can ryght well discureOf every sterre, which is sene in ure,The mervaylous gretnes by my mesuring;For God made all at the begynnyng.
My science, she sayd, it is moost profitable
Unto Astronomy, for I do it mesure
In every thing as it is probable;
For I my selfe can ryght well discure
Of every sterre, which is sene in ure,
The mervaylous gretnes by my mesuring;
For God made all at the begynnyng.
By good mesuryng both the heyght and depnesOf every thing, as I understand,The length and brede with al the greatnes,Of the firmament so compassing the land;And who my cunning list to take in hand,In his emyspery of hye or low degreNothing there is but it may measure be.
By good mesuryng both the heyght and depnes
Of every thing, as I understand,
The length and brede with al the greatnes,
Of the firmament so compassing the land;
And who my cunning list to take in hand,
In his emyspery of hye or low degre
Nothing there is but it may measure be.
Though that it be from us hye and farre,If ony thing fall we may it truely se,As the sonne or moone or any other sterre,We may therof know well the quantite.Who of this science dooth know the certaynte,All maysteries might measure perfytely;For geometry doth shew it openly.
Though that it be from us hye and farre,
If ony thing fall we may it truely se,
As the sonne or moone or any other sterre,
We may therof know well the quantite.
Who of this science dooth know the certaynte,
All maysteries might measure perfytely;
For geometry doth shew it openly.
Where that is mesure there is no lacking;Where that is mesure hole is the body;Where that is mesure good is the living;Where that is mesure wisdome is truely;Where that is mesure werke is directly;Where that is mesure, natures workingNature increaseth by right good knowledging.
Where that is mesure there is no lacking;
Where that is mesure hole is the body;
Where that is mesure good is the living;
Where that is mesure wisdome is truely;
Where that is mesure werke is directly;
Where that is mesure, natures working
Nature increaseth by right good knowledging.
Where lacketh mesure there is no plente;Where lacketh mesure seke is the courage;Where lacketh mesure there is iniquite;Where lacketh mesure there is great outrage;Where lacketh mesure is none advauntage;Where lacketh mesure there is great glotony;Where lacketh mesure is moost unhappy.
Where lacketh mesure there is no plente;
Where lacketh mesure seke is the courage;
Where lacketh mesure there is iniquite;
Where lacketh mesure there is great outrage;
Where lacketh mesure is none advauntage;
Where lacketh mesure there is great glotony;
Where lacketh mesure is moost unhappy.
For there is no hye nor great estate,Without mesure can kepe his dignite;It doth preserve him both early and late,Keping him from the pytte of poverte.Mesure is moderate to all bounte,Gretely nedeful for to take the chargeMan for to rule, that he go not at large.
For there is no hye nor great estate,
Without mesure can kepe his dignite;
It doth preserve him both early and late,
Keping him from the pytte of poverte.
Mesure is moderate to all bounte,
Gretely nedeful for to take the charge
Man for to rule, that he go not at large.
Who loveth mesure can not do amys,So perfitely is the high operacionAmong all thynges; so wonderfull it is,That it is full of all delectacion,And to vertue hath inclynacion.Mesure also doth well exemplefy,The hasty dome to swage and modefy.
Who loveth mesure can not do amys,
So perfitely is the high operacion
Among all thynges; so wonderfull it is,
That it is full of all delectacion,
And to vertue hath inclynacion.
Mesure also doth well exemplefy,
The hasty dome to swage and modefy.
Without mesure wo worth the jugement;Without mesure wo worth the temperaunce;Without mesure wo worth the punishmeut;Without mesure wo worth the purveyaunce;Without mesure wo worth the sustenaunce;Without mesure wo worth the sadnes;And without mesure wo worth the gladnes.
Without mesure wo worth the jugement;
Without mesure wo worth the temperaunce;
Without mesure wo worth the punishmeut;
Without mesure wo worth the purveyaunce;
Without mesure wo worth the sustenaunce;
Without mesure wo worth the sadnes;
And without mesure wo worth the gladnes.
Mesure mesuring mesurably taketh;Mesure mesuring mesuratly dooth all;Mesure mesuring mesuratly maketh;Mesure mesuring mesuratly guyde shall;Mesure mesuring mesuratly doth call;Mesure mesuryng to right hye preemynence,For alway mesure is grounde of excellence.
Mesure mesuring mesurably taketh;
Mesure mesuring mesuratly dooth all;
Mesure mesuring mesuratly maketh;
Mesure mesuring mesuratly guyde shall;
Mesure mesuring mesuratly doth call;
Mesure mesuryng to right hye preemynence,
For alway mesure is grounde of excellence.
Mesure mesureth mesure in effecte;Mesure mesureth every quantyte;Mesure mesureth all waye the aspecte;Mesure mesureth all in certayne;Mesure mesureth in the stabilitie;Mesure mesuryth in every doutful case;And mesure is the lodesterre of all grace.
Mesure mesureth mesure in effecte;
Mesure mesureth every quantyte;
Mesure mesureth all waye the aspecte;
Mesure mesureth all in certayne;
Mesure mesureth in the stabilitie;
Mesure mesuryth in every doutful case;
And mesure is the lodesterre of all grace.
Affycte of mesure is long continuaunce,Quantite without mesure is nought;Aspect of mesure devoydeth repentaunce;Certayne wold weye all thinges thought;Stabilitie upon a perfite grounde is wrought;Cace doubtfull may yet a whyle abyde;Grace may in space a remedy provyde.
Affycte of mesure is long continuaunce,
Quantite without mesure is nought;
Aspect of mesure devoydeth repentaunce;
Certayne wold weye all thinges thought;
Stabilitie upon a perfite grounde is wrought;
Cace doubtfull may yet a whyle abyde;
Grace may in space a remedy provyde.
Countenaunce causeth the promocyon;Nought avayleth service without attendaunce,Repentaunce is after all abusion;Thought afore wolde have had perseveraunce;Wrought how should be bydede the mischaunce;Abyde nothing tyll thou do the dede;Provyde in mynde how thou mayst have mede.
Countenaunce causeth the promocyon;
Nought avayleth service without attendaunce,
Repentaunce is after all abusion;
Thought afore wolde have had perseveraunce;
Wrought how should be bydede the mischaunce;
Abyde nothing tyll thou do the dede;
Provyde in mynde how thou mayst have mede.
Promocion groweth after good governaunce;Attendaunce doth attayne good favour;Abusyon is causer of all variaunce;Perceyveraunce causeth great honour;Mischaunce alway is roote of dolour;Dede done can not be called agayne;Mede well rewarded both with joye and payne.
Promocion groweth after good governaunce;
Attendaunce doth attayne good favour;
Abusyon is causer of all variaunce;
Perceyveraunce causeth great honour;
Mischaunce alway is roote of dolour;
Dede done can not be called agayne;
Mede well rewarded both with joye and payne.
Than I toke my leve, and went from GeometryToward Astronomy as fast as I myght:For all my mynde was set right inwardlyUpon my lady that was fayre and bryght.My herte with her was bothe day and night:She had it locked with a locke so sure,It was her owne, she had therof the cure.
Than I toke my leve, and went from Geometry
Toward Astronomy as fast as I myght:
For all my mynde was set right inwardly
Upon my lady that was fayre and bryght.
My herte with her was bothe day and night:
She had it locked with a locke so sure,
It was her owne, she had therof the cure.
Than forth I wente into a medow grene,With Flora paynted in many a sundry colour,Lyke a gay goddesse of all floures the quene,She encenced out her aromatyke odour.The brethe of Zepherus encreased the floure.Amiddes the medow fayre replendishaunt,Was a pavilyon right hye and quadraunt,
Than forth I wente into a medow grene,
With Flora paynted in many a sundry colour,
Lyke a gay goddesse of all floures the quene,
She encenced out her aromatyke odour.
The brethe of Zepherus encreased the floure.
Amiddes the medow fayre replendishaunt,
Was a pavilyon right hye and quadraunt,
Of grene sarcenet bordered with golde,Wherein dede hange a fayre astrology.Which oft Astronomy did full well beholde;Unto whome than I came full shortly,And kneled adowne before her mekely,Beseching her of her great gentylnesOf her scyence to shew the perfitenes.
Of grene sarcenet bordered with golde,
Wherein dede hange a fayre astrology.
Which oft Astronomy did full well beholde;
Unto whome than I came full shortly,
And kneled adowne before her mekely,
Beseching her of her great gentylnes
Of her scyence to shew the perfitenes.
My scyence, sayd she, it is ryght resonable,And is the last of the sciences seven;Unto man it is also ryght profitable,Shewing the course above of the heaven;Right merveylous for any man to neven.Who knew astronomy at every maner ceason,Might set in ordre every thing by reason.
My scyence, sayd she, it is ryght resonable,
And is the last of the sciences seven;
Unto man it is also ryght profitable,
Shewing the course above of the heaven;
Right merveylous for any man to neven.
Who knew astronomy at every maner ceason,
Might set in ordre every thing by reason.
Also the other vi. sciences liberallBy astronomy principally were found;And one were lost they were vanished all,Eche upon other had so sure a ground.In all the world, that is so wide and round,Is none so wise that can then multiply,Nor know them all right well and surely.
Also the other vi. sciences liberall
By astronomy principally were found;
And one were lost they were vanished all,
Eche upon other had so sure a ground.
In all the world, that is so wide and round,
Is none so wise that can then multiply,
Nor know them all right well and surely.
The hye astronomier, that is God omnipotent,That the first day devided all the lyghtFrome the derkenes with his wyll prepotent;And the second day, with his excellent might,The waters above he did devide aryght,From the erthely waters which are inferiall;The third daye herbes and fruytes in speciall
The hye astronomier, that is God omnipotent,
That the first day devided all the lyght
Frome the derkenes with his wyll prepotent;
And the second day, with his excellent might,
The waters above he did devide aryght,
From the erthely waters which are inferiall;
The third daye herbes and fruytes in speciall
In erthe he planted for to have their lifeBy divers vertues and sundry growing,So to continue and be vegitative;And the third day he sette in werkingThe bodies above to have their moving,In the xii. signes them selfe to domify,Some rethrogarde, and some dyrectly.
In erthe he planted for to have their life
By divers vertues and sundry growing,
So to continue and be vegitative;
And the third day he sette in werking
The bodies above to have their moving,
In the xii. signes them selfe to domify,
Some rethrogarde, and some dyrectly.
The fyfth day he dyd fysshes make;In the see the great stormy flode,To and fro theyr courses for to takeAnd in the water for to have theyr fode,Lyke to the same colde alway theyr blode;The vi. day, bestes, wyth foules sensatyve,And man also, with soule intellectyve.
The fyfth day he dyd fysshes make;
In the see the great stormy flode,
To and fro theyr courses for to take
And in the water for to have theyr fode,
Lyke to the same colde alway theyr blode;
The vi. day, bestes, wyth foules sensatyve,
And man also, with soule intellectyve.
The sevent day he restes of hys werke,Nothynge constrayned as of werynes,As wryteth many a ryght famous clerke;But that he had accomplysshe doutlesHer purpensed purpose by infynite prowes,As to us doth moost playnely discureThe perfyte grounde of holy Scrypture.
The sevent day he restes of hys werke,
Nothynge constrayned as of werynes,
As wryteth many a ryght famous clerke;
But that he had accomplysshe doutles
Her purpensed purpose by infynite prowes,
As to us doth moost playnely discure
The perfyte grounde of holy Scrypture.
Thus God hym selfe is chyef astronomyer,That made all thyng according to his wyll;The sunne, the mone, and every lytle sterre,To a good entent and for no maner of yll.Wythouten vayne he dyd all thyng fulfyll,As astronomy doth make apparaunce,By reason he weyed all thynges in balauns.
Thus God hym selfe is chyef astronomyer,
That made all thyng according to his wyll;
The sunne, the mone, and every lytle sterre,
To a good entent and for no maner of yll.
Wythouten vayne he dyd all thyng fulfyll,
As astronomy doth make apparaunce,
By reason he weyed all thynges in balauns.
And forasmuche that he made natureFyrst of all to have domynacyon,The power of her I shall anone dyscure,How that she taketh her operacyon,And whereupon is her fundacyon,In symple and rude, opprest wyth neclygence,Shall discryve the myght of her preemynence.
And forasmuche that he made nature
Fyrst of all to have domynacyon,
The power of her I shall anone dyscure,
How that she taketh her operacyon,
And whereupon is her fundacyon,
In symple and rude, opprest wyth neclygence,
Shall discryve the myght of her preemynence.
For though that aungell be invysyble,Inpalpable, and also celestiall,Wythouten substaunce as incencyble,Yet have they nature whych is angelycall;For nature naturynge nature made all,Heven and earth and the bodyes above,By cours of nature for to werke and move.
For though that aungell be invysyble,
Inpalpable, and also celestiall,
Wythouten substaunce as incencyble,
Yet have they nature whych is angelycall;
For nature naturynge nature made all,
Heven and earth and the bodyes above,
By cours of nature for to werke and move.
On man or beest, wythouten ony mys,She werketh directly after the aspecteOf the mater, be it more or lesse, ywys,And doth therof the hole fourme dyrecte,After the qualyte it doth take effecte;Yf there be more than may one suffyse,A bye membre she wyll than more devyse.
On man or beest, wythouten ony mys,
She werketh directly after the aspecte
Of the mater, be it more or lesse, ywys,
And doth therof the hole fourme dyrecte,
After the qualyte it doth take effecte;
Yf there be more than may one suffyse,
A bye membre she wyll than more devyse.
As that in ure ye may it dayly se,Upon one hande some hath thombes twayne;And other also somtyme armes thre;The superfluite is cause therof certayne;Whyche that dame Nature dooth constrayneSo for to do, for she lesed noughteOf the mater, but hath it hooly wroughte.
As that in ure ye may it dayly se,
Upon one hande some hath thombes twayne;
And other also somtyme armes thre;
The superfluite is cause therof certayne;
Whyche that dame Nature dooth constrayne
So for to do, for she lesed noughte
Of the mater, but hath it hooly wroughte.
And in like wyse, where is not suffycyentOf the mater for the hole reformacion,There lacketh a membre by great impediment,So that there can be no perfyte facyon;As may be judged by perfyte reason,After the qualyte of thy matter lackynge,So lacketh the of natures fourmynge.
And in like wyse, where is not suffycyent
Of the mater for the hole reformacion,
There lacketh a membre by great impediment,
So that there can be no perfyte facyon;
As may be judged by perfyte reason,
After the qualyte of thy matter lackynge,
So lacketh the of natures fourmynge.
Some lacketh a legge, some an arme also,Some a fynger, and some more or lesse;All these causes, wyth many other mo,Nature werketh so dyrectly doutlesUpon the mater, as I do expresse,After the qualyte in many a sundry wyse,The kynde of her we ought nothyng to despyse.
Some lacketh a legge, some an arme also,
Some a fynger, and some more or lesse;
All these causes, wyth many other mo,
Nature werketh so dyrectly doutles
Upon the mater, as I do expresse,
After the qualyte in many a sundry wyse,
The kynde of her we ought nothyng to despyse.
Some be fayre and replete with grace;Some be fayre and yet right unhappy;Some be foule and can sone purchaceLandes and possessyons to them shortely;Some be fooles and some be ryght wytty;Whereupon I shall shewe a dyfferenceOf the v. wyttes by good experyence.
Some be fayre and replete with grace;
Some be fayre and yet right unhappy;
Some be foule and can sone purchace
Landes and possessyons to them shortely;
Some be fooles and some be ryght wytty;
Whereupon I shall shewe a dyfference
Of the v. wyttes by good experyence.
The eyen, the eres, and also the nose,The mouth, and handes, inwarde wyttes are none;But outwarde offyces, as ye may suppose,To the inwarde wyttes, whiche do judge alone;For unto them all thinges have gone,But these outwarde gates to have the knowledginge,By the inwarde wyttes to have decernynge.
The eyen, the eres, and also the nose,
The mouth, and handes, inwarde wyttes are none;
But outwarde offyces, as ye may suppose,
To the inwarde wyttes, whiche do judge alone;
For unto them all thinges have gone,
But these outwarde gates to have the knowledginge,
By the inwarde wyttes to have decernynge.
These are the v. wyttes remeuing inwardly:Fyrst, commyn wytte, and than ymaginacyon,Fantasy, and estymacyon truely,And memory, as I make narracyon;Eche upon other hath occupacyon.Fyrst, the comyn wytte unto the front aplyde,Doth thynke, decerne, it may not be denyde.
These are the v. wyttes remeuing inwardly:
Fyrst, commyn wytte, and than ymaginacyon,
Fantasy, and estymacyon truely,
And memory, as I make narracyon;
Eche upon other hath occupacyon.
Fyrst, the comyn wytte unto the front aplyde,
Doth thynke, decerne, it may not be denyde.
Of the eyen the offyce only is the syght,To se the fayre, the lowe, or altytude,The whyte, or blacke, the hevy, or the lyght,The lytle or great, the weyke or fortytude,The ugly favour, or yet the pulcrytude;This is the use of the eyene intere,To se all thynges whiche may well appere.
Of the eyen the offyce only is the syght,
To se the fayre, the lowe, or altytude,
The whyte, or blacke, the hevy, or the lyght,
The lytle or great, the weyke or fortytude,
The ugly favour, or yet the pulcrytude;
This is the use of the eyene intere,
To se all thynges whiche may well appere.
But of themselfe they can decerne nothyngeOne frome an other; but the comyn wytteDecerneth colours by spyrytuall connynge,To the fyve inwarde wittes it is so well knytte,Nothynge is sene but it doth judge it:It doth decerne the good from badnes,The hye, the lowe, the foule, the fayrenes.
But of themselfe they can decerne nothynge
One frome an other; but the comyn wytte
Decerneth colours by spyrytuall connynge,
To the fyve inwarde wittes it is so well knytte,
Nothynge is sene but it doth judge it:
It doth decerne the good from badnes,
The hye, the lowe, the foule, the fayrenes.
The nose, also, every ayre doth smel,But yet it hath nothynge auctoryteYf it be swete for to judge and tell;But the comyn wyt doth it in certaynte,Decernynge favours in every degre,Knowynge the swete ayre from the stynkinge,Whan that the nose therof hath smellinge.
The nose, also, every ayre doth smel,
But yet it hath nothynge auctoryte
Yf it be swete for to judge and tell;
But the comyn wyt doth it in certaynte,
Decernynge favours in every degre,
Knowynge the swete ayre from the stynkinge,
Whan that the nose therof hath smellinge.
The eres, also, right well gyve audyenceUnto a tale, herynge it perfytely;But they can not decerne the sentenceTo knowe whereupon it doth so ratyfy,Upon great wysedome or elles upon foly:Thus, whether the tale be ryght good or badBy the comyn wytte the knowledge is had.
The eres, also, right well gyve audyence
Unto a tale, herynge it perfytely;
But they can not decerne the sentence
To knowe whereupon it doth so ratyfy,
Upon great wysedome or elles upon foly:
Thus, whether the tale be ryght good or bad
By the comyn wytte the knowledge is had.
Foly hath eres as well as sapience,But he can not determyne by his heryngeWhat tale it is, for lacke of intelligence;For the comyn wytte is all understandynge,And that he lacketh to gyve hym knowynge.Wherfore the eres are but an intresTo commyn wytte that sheweth the perfytnes.
Foly hath eres as well as sapience,
But he can not determyne by his herynge
What tale it is, for lacke of intelligence;
For the comyn wytte is all understandynge,
And that he lacketh to gyve hym knowynge.
Wherfore the eres are but an intres
To commyn wytte that sheweth the perfytnes.
The mouth tasteth both swete and bytternes,But the comyn wyt decerneth proprelyYf it be soure or replete wyth swetenes;Nor yet the handes fele nothyng certaynly,But the comyn wytte decerneth subtyllyWhether it be harde, moyst, or drynes,Hote, hevy, softe, or yet colde, doutles.
The mouth tasteth both swete and bytternes,
But the comyn wyt decerneth proprely
Yf it be soure or replete wyth swetenes;
Nor yet the handes fele nothyng certaynly,
But the comyn wytte decerneth subtylly
Whether it be harde, moyst, or drynes,
Hote, hevy, softe, or yet colde, doutles.
Thus comyn wytte worketh wonderly,Upon the v. gates whyche are receptatyveOf every thynge for to take inwardly,By the comyn wytte to be affyrmatyveOr by decernynge to be negatyve;The comyn wytte, the fyrst of wyttes all,Is to decerne all thinges in generall.
Thus comyn wytte worketh wonderly,
Upon the v. gates whyche are receptatyve
Of every thynge for to take inwardly,
By the comyn wytte to be affyrmatyve
Or by decernynge to be negatyve;
The comyn wytte, the fyrst of wyttes all,
Is to decerne all thinges in generall.
And than, secondly, ymagynacyon;Whan the comyn wytte hath the thinge electe,It werketh by all due inclynacyonFor to brynge the mater to the hole effecte;And fantasy than hath the hole aspecte,The ymagyned matter to bring to finysshement,Wyth good desyre and inwarde judgement.
And than, secondly, ymagynacyon;
Whan the comyn wytte hath the thinge electe,
It werketh by all due inclynacyon
For to brynge the mater to the hole effecte;
And fantasy than hath the hole aspecte,
The ymagyned matter to bring to finysshement,
Wyth good desyre and inwarde judgement.
And estymacion doth well comprehendeThe space, the place, and all the purveyaunceAt what time the power might entendeTo brynge the cause unto perfyte utteraunce.Often it weyeth the cause in balaunce,By estymacyon ony thinge is nombred,By length or shortnes how it is accombred.
And estymacion doth well comprehende
The space, the place, and all the purveyaunce
At what time the power might entende
To brynge the cause unto perfyte utteraunce.
Often it weyeth the cause in balaunce,
By estymacyon ony thinge is nombred,
By length or shortnes how it is accombred.
Fyftly, the mynde, whan the fourth have wrought,Retayned all tyll the minde have madeAn outwarde knowlege to the mater thought,Bycause nothynge shall declyne and fade,It kepeth the mater nothynge rethrogarde,But dyrectly, tyll the minde have provedAll suche maters whyche the iiij. have moved.
Fyftly, the mynde, whan the fourth have wrought,
Retayned all tyll the minde have made
An outwarde knowlege to the mater thought,
Bycause nothynge shall declyne and fade,
It kepeth the mater nothynge rethrogarde,
But dyrectly, tyll the minde have proved
All suche maters whyche the iiij. have moved.
Plauto, the connynge and famous clerke,That well expert was in phylosophy,Doth right reherse upon natures werke,How that she werketh upon all wonderly,Bothe for to minysshe and to multeply,In sondry wyse by great dyreccyonAfter the maner with all the hole affeccyon.
Plauto, the connynge and famous clerke,
That well expert was in phylosophy,
Doth right reherse upon natures werke,
How that she werketh upon all wonderly,
Bothe for to minysshe and to multeply,
In sondry wyse by great dyreccyon
After the maner with all the hole affeccyon.
In my natyf language I wyl not opres,More of her werke, for it is obscure;Who wyl therof knowe all the perfeytnesIn phylosophy he shall fynde it ryght sure,Whyche all the trouth can to hym discure.No man can attayne perfecte connyngeBut by longe stody and diligent lernynge.
In my natyf language I wyl not opres,
More of her werke, for it is obscure;
Who wyl therof knowe all the perfeytnes
In phylosophy he shall fynde it ryght sure,
Whyche all the trouth can to hym discure.
No man can attayne perfecte connynge
But by longe stody and diligent lernynge.
The ryght hygh power natures naturyng,Nature made the bodyes above,In sundry wyse to take theyr workynge,That aboute the worlde naturallye do move,As by good reason the phylosophres prove,That the planettes and sterres instrumentes beTo natures werkynge in every degre.
The ryght hygh power natures naturyng,
Nature made the bodyes above,
In sundry wyse to take theyr workynge,
That aboute the worlde naturallye do move,
As by good reason the phylosophres prove,
That the planettes and sterres instrumentes be
To natures werkynge in every degre.
God gave great vertue to the planettes all,And specially unto depured Phebus,To enlumyne the worlde ever in specyall;And than the mone, of her selfe tenebrus,Made lyght wyth the beames gaye and gorgyousOf the sunne, is fayre replendysshaunte,In the longe nyght wyth rayes radyaunte.
God gave great vertue to the planettes all,
And specially unto depured Phebus,
To enlumyne the worlde ever in specyall;
And than the mone, of her selfe tenebrus,
Made lyght wyth the beames gaye and gorgyous
Of the sunne, is fayre replendysshaunte,
In the longe nyght wyth rayes radyaunte.
By these twayne every thyng hath growynge;Bothe vegitatyfe and censatyve also,And also intellectyve wythout lesynge:No erthly thyng may have lyfe and go,But by the planettes that move to and fro;Whan that God set them in operacyon,He gave them vertue in dyvers facyon.
By these twayne every thyng hath growynge;
Bothe vegitatyfe and censatyve also,
And also intellectyve wythout lesynge:
No erthly thyng may have lyfe and go,
But by the planettes that move to and fro;
Whan that God set them in operacyon,
He gave them vertue in dyvers facyon.
Some hote and moyst, and some colde and dry;Some hote and drye, moyst and colde;Thus every one hath vertues sundry,As is made mencyon in the bokes olde.They shewe theyr power and werke many a folde;Man upon them hath his dysposycyon,By the naturate power of constellacyon.
Some hote and moyst, and some colde and dry;
Some hote and drye, moyst and colde;
Thus every one hath vertues sundry,
As is made mencyon in the bokes olde.
They shewe theyr power and werke many a folde;
Man upon them hath his dysposycyon,
By the naturate power of constellacyon.
What shoulde I wryte more in thys matter hye,In my maternall tonge opprest wyth ignoraunce?For who that lyst to lerne astronomye,He shall fynde all fruytfull pleasaunceIn the Latyn tonge by goodly ordenaunce;Wherfore of it I wyll no lenger tary,For fere from trouthe that I happen to vary.
What shoulde I wryte more in thys matter hye,
In my maternall tonge opprest wyth ignoraunce?
For who that lyst to lerne astronomye,
He shall fynde all fruytfull pleasaunce
In the Latyn tonge by goodly ordenaunce;
Wherfore of it I wyll no lenger tary,
For fere from trouthe that I happen to vary.
Of dame Astronomy I dyd take my lycenceFor to travayle to the toure of Chyvalry;For al my minde, wyth percyng influence,Was sette upon the most fayre ladyLa Bell Pucell, so muche ententyfly,That every daye I dyd thinke fyftene,Tyl I agayne had her swete person sene.
Of dame Astronomy I dyd take my lycence
For to travayle to the toure of Chyvalry;
For al my minde, wyth percyng influence,
Was sette upon the most fayre lady
La Bell Pucell, so muche ententyfly,
That every daye I dyd thinke fyftene,
Tyl I agayne had her swete person sene.
To you experte in the seven scyence,Now al my maysters, I do me excuseIf I offended by my great neclygence.This lytel werke yet do ye not refuse;I am but yonge, it is to me obtuseOf these maters to presume to endyte,But for my lernyng that I lyst to wryte.
To you experte in the seven scyence,
Now al my maysters, I do me excuse
If I offended by my great neclygence.
This lytel werke yet do ye not refuse;
I am but yonge, it is to me obtuse
Of these maters to presume to endyte,
But for my lernyng that I lyst to wryte.
Under obedyence and the true correctyonOf you my maysters experte in conninge,I me submytte now wyth hole affeccyonUnto your perfyte understandynge;As evermore mekely to you inclynyng,With diligent labour now without doutaunceTo detraye or adde all at your plesaunce.
Under obedyence and the true correctyon
Of you my maysters experte in conninge,
I me submytte now wyth hole affeccyon
Unto your perfyte understandynge;
As evermore mekely to you inclynyng,
With diligent labour now without doutaunce
To detraye or adde all at your plesaunce.
When clene Aurora, with her golden bemes,Gan to enlumyne the derke cloudy ayre,And combust Dyane her gret fyry lemesAmyddes of the Bull began to reflayre;Than on my jorney, my selfe to repayre,Wyth my verlet called Attendaunce,Forthe on I rode by longe contynuaunce:
When clene Aurora, with her golden bemes,
Gan to enlumyne the derke cloudy ayre,
And combust Dyane her gret fyry lemes
Amyddes of the Bull began to reflayre;
Than on my jorney, my selfe to repayre,
Wyth my verlet called Attendaunce,
Forthe on I rode by longe contynuaunce:
Wyth my grayhoundes, both Grace and Governaunce,Over an hyll and so downe in a valley,Amonge the thornes of great encumbraunce,The goodli greyhounds caught me on mi wey.So foorth I passed my troublous journey,Tyll that I came unto a ryall playne,With Flora paynted in many a sundry vayne.
Wyth my grayhoundes, both Grace and Governaunce,
Over an hyll and so downe in a valley,
Amonge the thornes of great encumbraunce,
The goodli greyhounds caught me on mi wey.
So foorth I passed my troublous journey,
Tyll that I came unto a ryall playne,
With Flora paynted in many a sundry vayne.
Wyth purple colour the floures enhewed,In dyvers knottes wyth many one ful blue,The gentyll gelofer his odoure renuedWyth sundry herbes replete wyth vertue:Amonge these floures as I dyd ensue,Castynge my syght sodaynly so ferre,Over a toure I sawe a flambynge sterre.
Wyth purple colour the floures enhewed,
In dyvers knottes wyth many one ful blue,
The gentyll gelofer his odoure renued
Wyth sundry herbes replete wyth vertue:
Amonge these floures as I dyd ensue,
Castynge my syght sodaynly so ferre,
Over a toure I sawe a flambynge sterre.
Towarde this toure as I rode nere and nere,I behelde the rocke of merveylous altytude,On whych it stode that quadrante did appere,Made all of stele wonderous fortytude,Gargeylde wyth beestes in sundry symylytude;And many turrettes above the toures hye,With ymages was set full marveylously.
Towarde this toure as I rode nere and nere,
I behelde the rocke of merveylous altytude,
On whych it stode that quadrante did appere,
Made all of stele wonderous fortytude,
Gargeylde wyth beestes in sundry symylytude;
And many turrettes above the toures hye,
With ymages was set full marveylously.
Towarde thys toure forth on my way I wente,Tyll that I came to a myghty fortresse,Where I saw hange a merveylous instrumente,Wyth a shelde and helmet before the entres:I knewe nothynge therof the perfytnes,But at aventure the instrument I toke,And blewe so loude that all the toure I shoke.
Towarde thys toure forth on my way I wente,
Tyll that I came to a myghty fortresse,
Where I saw hange a merveylous instrumente,
Wyth a shelde and helmet before the entres:
I knewe nothynge therof the perfytnes,
But at aventure the instrument I toke,
And blewe so loude that all the toure I shoke.
Whan the porter herde the hedyous soundeOf my ryght lusty and stormy blast,That made the walles therof to redounde,Full lyke a knyght that was nothinge agast,Towarde the gate gave hym selfe to hast,And opened it, and asked my name,And fro whence I came, to certyfy the same.
Whan the porter herde the hedyous sounde
Of my ryght lusty and stormy blast,
That made the walles therof to redounde,
Full lyke a knyght that was nothinge agast,
Towarde the gate gave hym selfe to hast,
And opened it, and asked my name,
And fro whence I came, to certyfy the same.
My name, quod I, is Graunde Amoure;Of late I came fro the toure of Doctryne,Where I attayned all the hygh honoureOf the seven scyences, me to enlumyne;And frome thence I dyd determyneForthe to travayle to thys toure of Chyvalry,Where I have blowen thys blast so sodeynly.
My name, quod I, is Graunde Amoure;
Of late I came fro the toure of Doctryne,
Where I attayned all the hygh honoure
Of the seven scyences, me to enlumyne;
And frome thence I dyd determyne
Forthe to travayle to thys toure of Chyvalry,
Where I have blowen thys blast so sodeynly.
Whan he herd thys, ryght gentylly he sayd:Unto thys toure ye must resorte by ryghtFor to renue that hath be longe decayd,The flour of Chyvalry, with your hole delyght.Come on your way, it draweth toward nyghte.And therwith all he ledde me to his warde,Me to repose in pleasaunt due saufgard.
Whan he herd thys, ryght gentylly he sayd:
Unto thys toure ye must resorte by ryght
For to renue that hath be longe decayd,
The flour of Chyvalry, with your hole delyght.
Come on your way, it draweth toward nyghte.
And therwith all he ledde me to his warde,
Me to repose in pleasaunt due saufgard.
After the travayle my selfe for to ease,I did there reste in all goodly wyse,And slept right well without any disease,Till on the morow the sonne did aryse;Than up I rose, as was my perfyte guyse,And made me redy into the courte to go,With my verlet and greyhoundes also.
After the travayle my selfe for to ease,
I did there reste in all goodly wyse,
And slept right well without any disease,
Till on the morow the sonne did aryse;
Than up I rose, as was my perfyte guyse,
And made me redy into the courte to go,
With my verlet and greyhoundes also.
The gentil porter, named Stedfastnes,Into the basse courte on my way he brought,Where stode a toure of mervaylous highnes,That al of jasper ful wonderly wrought,As ony man can printe in his thought;And foure ymages above the toure there were,On horsebacke, armed, and every one a spere.
The gentil porter, named Stedfastnes,
Into the basse courte on my way he brought,
Where stode a toure of mervaylous highnes,
That al of jasper ful wonderly wrought,
As ony man can printe in his thought;
And foure ymages above the toure there were,
On horsebacke, armed, and every one a spere.
These ymages were made ful curiously,Wyth theyr horses of the stele so fyne,And eche of them, in theyr places sundry,About were sette that clerely dyd shyne,Lyke Dyane clere in her spere celestyne;And under eche horse there was, ful pryvely,A great whele made by craftly Geometry,
These ymages were made ful curiously,
Wyth theyr horses of the stele so fyne,
And eche of them, in theyr places sundry,
About were sette that clerely dyd shyne,
Lyke Dyane clere in her spere celestyne;
And under eche horse there was, ful pryvely,
A great whele made by craftly Geometry,
Wyth many cogges, unto whiche were tyedDyvers cordes that in the horses holoweTo every joynte full wonderly applyed;Whan the wheles wente the horses dyd folowe,To trotte and galop both even and morowe,Brekynge theyr speres and coude them dyscharge,Partynge asonder for to turney at large.
Wyth many cogges, unto whiche were tyed
Dyvers cordes that in the horses holowe
To every joynte full wonderly applyed;
Whan the wheles wente the horses dyd folowe,
To trotte and galop both even and morowe,
Brekynge theyr speres and coude them dyscharge,
Partynge asonder for to turney at large.
Besyde this toure of olde foundacionThere was a temple strongly edefyed;To the high honoure and reputacyonOf the mighty Mars it was so fortefyed:And for to know what it signifyedI entred in, and sawe of golde so pureOf worthy Mars the mervaylous pycture.
Besyde this toure of olde foundacion
There was a temple strongly edefyed;
To the high honoure and reputacyon
Of the mighty Mars it was so fortefyed:
And for to know what it signifyed
I entred in, and sawe of golde so pure
Of worthy Mars the mervaylous pycture.
There was depaynted all about the wallThe grete destruccion of the cite of Troye;And the noble actes do reygne memoryallOf the worthy Hector that was all theyr joye.His dolorus death was herde to occoye;And so whan Hector was cast all downe,The hardy Troylus was moost hyghe of renowne.
There was depaynted all about the wall
The grete destruccion of the cite of Troye;
And the noble actes do reygne memoryall
Of the worthy Hector that was all theyr joye.
His dolorus death was herde to occoye;
And so whan Hector was cast all downe,
The hardy Troylus was moost hyghe of renowne.
And as I cast my syght so asyde,Beholdynge Mars how wonderly he stode,On a whele top with a lady of prydeHaunced aboute, I thought nothing but good,But that she had two faces in one hode;Yet I kneled adowne and made mine oryson,To doughty Mars, wyth grete devocyon.
And as I cast my syght so asyde,
Beholdynge Mars how wonderly he stode,
On a whele top with a lady of pryde
Haunced aboute, I thought nothing but good,
But that she had two faces in one hode;
Yet I kneled adowne and made mine oryson,
To doughty Mars, wyth grete devocyon.
Sayenge: O Mars! O god of the warre!The gentyll lodesterre of an hardy herte,Dystyll adowne thy grace from so farreTo cause all fere from me to astert:That in the felde I may ryght well subverteThe hedyus monsters, and winne the victoryOf the sturdy giauntes with famous chyvalry.
Sayenge: O Mars! O god of the warre!
The gentyll lodesterre of an hardy herte,
Dystyll adowne thy grace from so farre
To cause all fere from me to astert:
That in the felde I may ryght well subverte
The hedyus monsters, and winne the victory
Of the sturdy giauntes with famous chyvalry.
O prynce of honour and of worthy fame!O noble knightes of olde antiquite!O redouted courage, the cause of theyr name,Whose worthy actes fame caused to beIn bokes wrytten, as ye maye well se!So gyve me grace ryght well to secureThe power of fame that shall long endure.
O prynce of honour and of worthy fame!
O noble knightes of olde antiquite!
O redouted courage, the cause of theyr name,
Whose worthy actes fame caused to be
In bokes wrytten, as ye maye well se!
So gyve me grace ryght well to secure
The power of fame that shall long endure.
I thought me past al chyldly ygnoraunce,The xxxi. yere of my yonge flourynge aege;I thought that Venus might nothyng avaunceHer strength against me with her lusty courage;My wytte I thought had suche avauntage,That it should rule both Venus and Cupyde:But, alas for wo! for all my sodayne pryde!
I thought me past al chyldly ygnoraunce,
The xxxi. yere of my yonge flourynge aege;
I thought that Venus might nothyng avaunce
Her strength against me with her lusty courage;
My wytte I thought had suche avauntage,
That it should rule both Venus and Cupyde:
But, alas for wo! for all my sodayne pryde!
Whan that Phebus entred was in Gemine,Toward the Crab takynge ascencyon,At the tyme of the great solempniteFrom heven above of Goddes descencyon;In a grete temple with hole entencyonAs I went walkyng my selfe to and fro,Full sodaynly Venus wrought me such wo.
Whan that Phebus entred was in Gemine,
Toward the Crab takynge ascencyon,
At the tyme of the great solempnite
From heven above of Goddes descencyon;
In a grete temple with hole entencyon
As I went walkyng my selfe to and fro,
Full sodaynly Venus wrought me such wo.
For as I cast than my syght all alofte,I sawe Venus in beaute so clere,Which caused Cupide wyth his darte so softe,To wounde my herte wyth fervent love so dere;Her lovynge countenaunce so hyghe dyd appere,That it me ravyshed wyth a sodayne thought,Alas for wo! it vayled me ryght nought.
For as I cast than my syght all alofte,
I sawe Venus in beaute so clere,
Which caused Cupide wyth his darte so softe,
To wounde my herte wyth fervent love so dere;
Her lovynge countenaunce so hyghe dyd appere,
That it me ravyshed wyth a sodayne thought,
Alas for wo! it vayled me ryght nought.
To gyve audyence unto the melodyOf waytes and organs that were at the fest,Love had me wounded so sore inwardly,What was to do I knewe not the best.Replete wyth sorowe and devoyde of rest,Sythen the tyme that she my hert soo wounded,My joy and pryde she hath full lowe confounded.
To gyve audyence unto the melody
Of waytes and organs that were at the fest,
Love had me wounded so sore inwardly,
What was to do I knewe not the best.
Replete wyth sorowe and devoyde of rest,
Sythen the tyme that she my hert soo wounded,
My joy and pryde she hath full lowe confounded.
And so nowe, for to attayne her grace,As thou doost knowe become adventurous,Besechinge the in thys peryllous case,O Mars! me succoure in tyme tempestyous,That I may passe the passage daungerous,And to thy laude, honoure, and glorye,I shal a temple ryght strongly edefy.
And so nowe, for to attayne her grace,
As thou doost knowe become adventurous,
Besechinge the in thys peryllous case,
O Mars! me succoure in tyme tempestyous,
That I may passe the passage daungerous,
And to thy laude, honoure, and glorye,
I shal a temple ryght strongly edefy.
Well than, sayd Mars, I shall the fortefyeIn all thy warre as fast as I can.But for thy payne I knowe no remedy,For Venus reyned whan that thou began,Fyrst for to love making the pale and wanne;And of the trouthe to make relacyonThou was borne under her consolacion.
Well than, sayd Mars, I shall the fortefye
In all thy warre as fast as I can.
But for thy payne I knowe no remedy,
For Venus reyned whan that thou began,
Fyrst for to love making the pale and wanne;
And of the trouthe to make relacyon
Thou was borne under her consolacion.
Wherefore thou must, of veray perfyte ryght,Unto her sue by the disposicionWhyche the constreyneth wyth hole delyghtFor to love ladies by true affeccion.Suche is her course and operacion.Wherfore whan thou hast lerned perfytelyThe for to governe by prudent chyvalry,
Wherefore thou must, of veray perfyte ryght,
Unto her sue by the disposicion
Whyche the constreyneth wyth hole delyght
For to love ladies by true affeccion.
Suche is her course and operacion.
Wherfore whan thou hast lerned perfytely
The for to governe by prudent chyvalry,
Than, to fulfyll the ryght hye enterpryse,Forth on thy waye thou shalt thy jorney take,Unto a temple in all humble wyseBefore dame Venus thine oblacion to make,Whiche all thy payne may sone redresse and slake;For at that tyme she holdeth a parlemente,To redress lovers of theyr impedimente.
Than, to fulfyll the ryght hye enterpryse,
Forth on thy waye thou shalt thy jorney take,
Unto a temple in all humble wyse
Before dame Venus thine oblacion to make,
Whiche all thy payne may sone redresse and slake;
For at that tyme she holdeth a parlemente,
To redress lovers of theyr impedimente.
A, ha! quod Fortune, with the faces twayne,Behynde syr Mars; I have a grete mervayleThat thou dost promyse him that he shal attayneUnto his purpose with al diligent travayle,Through thyne ayd, eke strength and counsayl;Sythens dependeth in myn ordenaunce,Hym to promote or brynge to myschaunce.
A, ha! quod Fortune, with the faces twayne,
Behynde syr Mars; I have a grete mervayle
That thou dost promyse him that he shal attayne
Unto his purpose with al diligent travayle,
Through thyne ayd, eke strength and counsayl;
Sythens dependeth in myn ordenaunce,
Hym to promote or brynge to myschaunce.
My power, estate, and ryall dygnyte,Doth torne the whele of worthely gloryeOften up so downe by mutabilyte.Have not I promoted full noblyMany a lowe degre to reigne full ryally?And often have made a transmutacionOf worldly welthe into tribulacion?
My power, estate, and ryall dygnyte,
Doth torne the whele of worthely glorye
Often up so downe by mutabilyte.
Have not I promoted full nobly
Many a lowe degre to reigne full ryally?
And often have made a transmutacion
Of worldly welthe into tribulacion?
Thus can I make an alteracionOf worthely honoure, whiche doth dependeAll onely in my dominacion;Through the worlde my whele doth extende,As reason doth ryght well comprehende;Of my great chaunces whiche are unsure,As dayly doth appere well in ure.
Thus can I make an alteracion
Of worthely honoure, whiche doth depende
All onely in my dominacion;
Through the worlde my whele doth extende,
As reason doth ryght well comprehende;
Of my great chaunces whiche are unsure,
As dayly doth appere well in ure.
If I should worke with perfite stedfastnes,And to exalte some to be honourable,And that they knewe by perfyte sykernes,That it should dure and not be variable,It were a thyng unto me culpable;For great orguell pryde should them so blynde,To knowe them selfe they should lose their mynde.
If I should worke with perfite stedfastnes,
And to exalte some to be honourable,
And that they knewe by perfyte sykernes,
That it should dure and not be variable,
It were a thyng unto me culpable;
For great orguell pryde should them so blynde,
To knowe them selfe they should lose their mynde.
Thus whan that they should them selfe forgete,And in no wyse their owne persone knowe,Full lytell than they would by me sette,That them exalted to hye degre from lowe;And by my chaunce could nought them overthrowe;Thus should they do and drede me nothyng,Wherfore my whele is evermore tournyng.
Thus whan that they should them selfe forgete,
And in no wyse their owne persone knowe,
Full lytell than they would by me sette,
That them exalted to hye degre from lowe;
And by my chaunce could nought them overthrowe;
Thus should they do and drede me nothyng,
Wherfore my whele is evermore tournyng.
And where that I shoulde turne my face,Castinge some in pytte of poverte,They were condampned without ony graceAs for to attayne any prosperite;Whiche were a cause of greate iniquite:For riche mennes goodes I must ofte translate,Unto the poore, them for to elevate.
And where that I shoulde turne my face,
Castinge some in pytte of poverte,
They were condampned without ony grace
As for to attayne any prosperite;
Whiche were a cause of greate iniquite:
For riche mennes goodes I must ofte translate,
Unto the poore, them for to elevate.
And thyrdely; I shoulde lese my name,For this worde fortune is well derifydeOf an accydent chaunge, both good or shame,Whan that the deade is so exemplifyde;Wherfore by reason I must be duplifyde;And nothing stable in myne hye werke,As wryteth many a ryght noble clerke.
And thyrdely; I shoulde lese my name,
For this worde fortune is well derifyde
Of an accydent chaunge, both good or shame,
Whan that the deade is so exemplifyde;
Wherfore by reason I must be duplifyde;
And nothing stable in myne hye werke,
As wryteth many a ryght noble clerke.
Therfore by reason I must be mutable,And turne my whele right ofte up so downe,Labouringe in werkes whiche are unstable,On some to laughe and on some I must frowne;Thus all aboute in every realme and towne,I shew my power in every sundry wyse,Some to descende and on some to aryse.
Therfore by reason I must be mutable,
And turne my whele right ofte up so downe,
Labouringe in werkes whiche are unstable,
On some to laughe and on some I must frowne;
Thus all aboute in every realme and towne,
I shew my power in every sundry wyse,
Some to descende and on some to aryse.
Wherfore my power doth ryght well excellAbove the, Mars, in thine house enclosed;For to rule man thou hast power never a dele,Save after the somwhat he is disposed:Thy consolacion hath him so apposedWho under the taketh his nativitie,Yet God hath gyven him power to rule the.
Wherfore my power doth ryght well excell
Above the, Mars, in thine house enclosed;
For to rule man thou hast power never a dele,
Save after the somwhat he is disposed:
Thy consolacion hath him so apposed
Who under the taketh his nativitie,
Yet God hath gyven him power to rule the.
Wherfore I am of a ferre hyer powerThan thou arte; for there is no defenceAgaynst my wyll at any time or houre;And in my name there is a difference,For in these wordes in my magnifycencePredestinate, and also desteny,As I shall shew anone more formably.
Wherfore I am of a ferre hyer power
Than thou arte; for there is no defence
Agaynst my wyll at any time or houre;
And in my name there is a difference,
For in these wordes in my magnifycence
Predestinate, and also desteny,
As I shall shew anone more formably.
Predestinate doth right well signifyA thing to come, whiche is prepared:None but God doth know it openly,Tyl that the dede caused to be declared;For many one, whan they well fared,Full lytell thought that tribulacionTo them was ordeyned by predestinacion.
Predestinate doth right well signify
A thing to come, whiche is prepared:
None but God doth know it openly,
Tyl that the dede caused to be declared;
For many one, whan they well fared,
Full lytell thought that tribulacion
To them was ordeyned by predestinacion.
The desteny is a thyng accydent,And by the werke doth take the effecte;Tyll it be done it is ay precedent,And man from it can him selfe abject.Thus every chaunce doth Fortune derecte.Wherfore, by reason, La Graunde AmoureMust sue unto me to do him socour.
The desteny is a thyng accydent,
And by the werke doth take the effecte;
Tyll it be done it is ay precedent,
And man from it can him selfe abject.
Thus every chaunce doth Fortune derecte.
Wherfore, by reason, La Graunde Amoure
Must sue unto me to do him socour.
Aha! quod Mars, suche a one as thouI never knew before this ceason;For thou thy selfe doost so much enprouAbove the havens by exaltacion;But what for all thy commendacion?Arte thou now any thing substanciall,Spirituall, or els yet terrestryall?
Aha! quod Mars, suche a one as thou
I never knew before this ceason;
For thou thy selfe doost so much enprou
Above the havens by exaltacion;
But what for all thy commendacion?
Arte thou now any thing substanciall,
Spirituall, or els yet terrestryall?
How can a werke perfitely be groundedBut in these two? and thou arte of those:Wherfore for nought thou mayst be confounded;For nought in substaunce can nothing transpose;Of none effecte thou canst thy selfe disclose;How hast thou power, in any maner of case,In heven or earth without a dwellyng place?
How can a werke perfitely be grounded
But in these two? and thou arte of those:
Wherfore for nought thou mayst be confounded;
For nought in substaunce can nothing transpose;
Of none effecte thou canst thy selfe disclose;
How hast thou power, in any maner of case,
In heven or earth without a dwellyng place?
But that poetes hath made a figureOf the, for the great sygnificationThe chaunge of man so for to discure,Accordyng to a moralyzacion;And of the trouth to make relacion,The man is fortune in the propre dede,And not thou that causeth hym to spede.
But that poetes hath made a figure
Of the, for the great sygnification
The chaunge of man so for to discure,
Accordyng to a moralyzacion;
And of the trouth to make relacion,
The man is fortune in the propre dede,
And not thou that causeth hym to spede.
What nedeth him unto his selfe to sue,Sythen thou art the dedes of his chaunce;Thou to rule man, it is a thynge not true,Nowe wherupon doth hange this ordenaunce,But accedent upon the governaunceOf the hye bodis, whiche doth man disposeThe dede to do as hym lyst purpose.
What nedeth him unto his selfe to sue,
Sythen thou art the dedes of his chaunce;
Thou to rule man, it is a thynge not true,
Nowe wherupon doth hange this ordenaunce,
But accedent upon the governaunce
Of the hye bodis, whiche doth man dispose
The dede to do as hym lyst purpose.
To here of Mars the marveylous argument,And of Fortune, I was sore amased;Tyll that I sawe a lady excellent,Clerely armed, upon whome I gased,And her armes ful prevely I blased:The shelde of golde, as I well understande,With a lyon of asure through passande.
To here of Mars the marveylous argument,
And of Fortune, I was sore amased;
Tyll that I sawe a lady excellent,
Clerely armed, upon whome I gased,
And her armes ful prevely I blased:
The shelde of golde, as I well understande,
With a lyon of asure through passande.
To me she came, with lowely countenaunce,And bad me welcome unto that mancion,Ledyng me forth wyth joy and pleasaunceInto an hall of mervaylous facion,Right strongly fortyfyde of olde foundacion,The pillers of yvery garnished with golde,With perles sette and broudred many a folde.
To me she came, with lowely countenaunce,
And bad me welcome unto that mancion,
Ledyng me forth wyth joy and pleasaunce
Into an hall of mervaylous facion,
Right strongly fortyfyde of olde foundacion,
The pillers of yvery garnished with golde,
With perles sette and broudred many a folde.
The flore was paved with stones precious,And the rofe was braunched curiouslyOf the beten golde both gaye and glorious,Knotted with pomaunders right swetely,Encencing out the yll odours misty;And on the walles right well did appereThe sege of Thebes depaynted fayre and clere.
The flore was paved with stones precious,
And the rofe was braunched curiously
Of the beten golde both gaye and glorious,
Knotted with pomaunders right swetely,
Encencing out the yll odours misty;
And on the walles right well did appere
The sege of Thebes depaynted fayre and clere.
There were knightes playeng at the chesse,Which saw Minerve lede me in the hall;They lefte their play and all theyr besines,And welcomed me right gentely withall,With sir Nurture than moost in speciall,Accompanied of his brother Curtesy;They made me chere than full effectuall.
There were knightes playeng at the chesse,
Which saw Minerve lede me in the hall;
They lefte their play and all theyr besines,
And welcomed me right gentely withall,
With sir Nurture than moost in speciall,
Accompanied of his brother Curtesy;
They made me chere than full effectuall.
And after that they brought me up a stayre,Into a chambre gayly glorified;And at the dore there stode a knight right fayre,Ye cleped Trouth, right clerely purified;His countenaunce was right well modified;To me he sayde that, before mine entres,Him for to love I should him promes.
And after that they brought me up a stayre,
Into a chambre gayly glorified;
And at the dore there stode a knight right fayre,
Ye cleped Trouth, right clerely purified;
His countenaunce was right well modified;
To me he sayde that, before mine entres,
Him for to love I should him promes.
Of ryght, he sayde, I have in custodyThis chambre dore of king Melezius,That no man enter into it wrongfully,Without me, Trouthe, for to be chivalrous;Here knightes be made to be victorious.I shall you promise, quoth I, faythfully,You for to love and serve prudently.
Of ryght, he sayde, I have in custody
This chambre dore of king Melezius,
That no man enter into it wrongfully,
Without me, Trouthe, for to be chivalrous;
Here knightes be made to be victorious.
I shall you promise, quoth I, faythfully,
You for to love and serve prudently.
Abyde, quod he, I wyll speke with the kynge;Tell me your name and habitation,And the chefe cause now of your coming,That I to him may make relacion,To knowe his minde without variacion.La Graund Amour my name is, sayd I;The cause of my coming, intentifly,
Abyde, quod he, I wyll speke with the kynge;
Tell me your name and habitation,
And the chefe cause now of your coming,
That I to him may make relacion,
To knowe his minde without variacion.
La Graund Amour my name is, sayd I;
The cause of my coming, intentifly,
Is for bicause that I have enterprised,Now for the sake of fayre La Bell Pucell,To passe the passage that I her promisedThat is so daungerous with serpentes cruell;And for as much as I know never a dellThe festes of armes to attayne honoure,I am come to lerne with diligent labour.
Is for bicause that I have enterprised,
Now for the sake of fayre La Bell Pucell,
To passe the passage that I her promised
That is so daungerous with serpentes cruell;
And for as much as I know never a dell
The festes of armes to attayne honoure,
I am come to lerne with diligent labour.