INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION •ru s Cunfe.J.tuulmnntit hul>S tbefuhion Of the fifteenth and aixtttnth centuriucer, and to rtst"t (a589), and SJdnoy In the Dljfflca. Tho comparison with Chaucer, which was so repeatedly •U&aftted, could DOt but be unC.l'OUtxess or the CM/nnirll...,•hlwunotwallythe fact tbal it supplied a popubr need. AOer endavounnc to 'gave an IICXOWl1 of bis stew1mlsbip' In Vlriouo woy1 u a morall$1, the utbor at length found bis true

\IJCatlon, and th11 ume bappoly in hU. nuive tongur, aa a teller of llOries. The rnt Ia all n~J~chl...,ry, IOQietimca poetical and int =

r

' h ltiUll notht In •1 au.Dicanco 6o &rete 1t1lnro 10 COMp&lllt,

r orlhl

tho !.tllo o( ..,. writlap

F"ro "'"' day fonll I tbeakc cltaqe

Aod ....... o( ""'bt .., - .· .!erlups out of deferc:n.., to 1 fO)Al command. There Is no ruson to doubt the •tatMuntine and Sil.-er, in the latter of which the authO< bas grea.tly iJl>. proved upon lut matenah. In the third '-It the tale o( Canace .. IDOit potb
=

"''*t

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS

dowD to her embroiday, ho may rud to her if be will, but i1 must be -nd romanct, and DOl hd ....,. roadds, lnhdes, and .mbys in pnile ol htr O..tom allowo bim to kiD her wbm he tal:es his lct.-e, but a( he ooaaa botlr. oo any pmen and tal:es his lcteslwa ;., boa metro t.ad is obliged to rc>d lina ovn twice or ....., thrice, beion! he can A1isfy bimsdf bow tbc poet meant his words to be - t e d and wbot ex:u:tly wu the rh)'lhm he lrttcnded. In f>ct, 1 116lcad or IIIIOOt!!iDg the ...., for hb rc:oder, he often delib=tdr ••

b

GOWER'S ENGLISI I WORKS

LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS

to lpOtC hiiiiJdf labour bJ talnnc t or on edttor; aod when we come to c:amine tht mc.uu b) which the Jmootbness is ottained, we feel that we ha•c to do with a hterary eroftsm•n who by Ltborioua tratning hu 1J7->8o), aua b:udly be cal ltd altncetber a consistent or happy one. The application or mol'!llity to maucrs of love and of lo'locue •blob it by DO meaN lllffidently c»nnected with tho g~l achcme o( liMo poem, thoucb II is in put a po«st agsuut dJ'nSIOII and dioconl, that "' 10 lad: ot to.... Still worx ;, liMo clelobtnale ~ from the general plan which we find In the KVenth book, where on Pl't'tt1>Ce of aJfording relief and n:autooa 10 the .....,..;.,.j penitent, the Conf.-, y ho ..Y• that be hu httle or no uDCierotandlng e>ctJ'l of love, is allowed to make • digra>ion which sertation on tbe rise of tbe Arts, and especiAlly o( Alchemy. AU tb:tt on be Nid is tbot these digte$si110s •ere ""'Y common in the books or the O&e-the J/9HIQJI de Ia Rust, 41 leoat in the port written by Jean de Meun, is one of tbe wo"'t oll'fndcrs. Fnulu of detAil it would be CO!I)' enough to point ou ~ The uyle is at limes p:rosaic and lhe maucr unintcrC':Itin& the \'I!I'Se is often eked om witb such commonplaee expressions and bclpo to rhyme u were osed by the wrik"' of the ti~ both French or :English. Soonetimts the lrdly tr:msposed for the we of the uninterrupted smoothness of tho •·ers
DATE AND CIRCU MSTANCES

that the rderenee to Riclwd'a desire to tllablisb peace (riii. ,;or4· er. -st boloac 10 the paiocl of the ~ ..-ith fmrcb ;md the subtW o( ill lint complcnt, and though he WM not qtrlte 10 dC\'Oid Of A lS It hu been the (AJiuOD to suppose •, Jy well h;ove fa1led to enjOy o public •tbd, bo...,,-.r humorous. upon two de his tale.. It mu.t be observed, bow«er, that 1f we ouppooe the JIOSS>C" in q-ion to have been tbe cause or t.,., tllci•oon or eo....... lines about Choucc:r, we must IWIIme that the publia11on or it tool< place p..ciScly wothin this period or • few months which ebpaed between the first and the second ••nlons of Cower'o epilogue. Before further eooiJidering the question u to what w;u actwolly our author's motive In omitting the tribute to his brother poet, we •hould do well to obson•c thnt this tribute npparently ~llowed to •tnnd In •omc copies or tliC rewlitten opiiOjiiiC. Tilerc IS One good IIIOnUICf1p1, thot in the ~ion of Lord MiddletOn,

w••

1 l}'dpte appartndy did not \aU Ch•.uru'a c.-na~re •elY •erlousl" (orhe qull• ncedlf'tlafy lntrod•6) .,cd ,_ .............. a..... •....,.

...... (okd-.)'*

·---· .. ,.....,,.4.c ... __ MS. ....tian-ol ..,. tot oil •$- It """ .. ......, ........

... h)Oirio!, •

aloo ...

t -OKrijo oaly Cod eon du-ca.

xxxn

CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS

GOWER'S ENGLISII WORKS Lra. I.

I cuooc. Jtn:tcb my h.lnd co heafttl aDd tel in otder- the: world: ao ,,.., l&a.t.k it morr lb.u I am •1»-e 10 compus: IIDlllt let rut alooo• •IMI of othct lhlni:L Thorelore 1 tblork to ~ 1.- tb,. ' - ltutb the "lie C>( my •riti,.., and to opea1c o1 • mancr W"lllo wboch aD tloe bao to dn, ODd tlw is LOT ••J-288. Thi• wunhy IJrlc•t IJ•dc 1110 tell wh• t 1 luld felt fo r Jo••'• IILkt, both tho Jny and tho 1t1rrow ; o.nd I fe ll down d(!votuly on ill)' k11
a••r

"''"a

• JS·l

My pri.. t tbCJtlono bode me beware or mltutlni my oigbt. lest 1 a1oo lllonld bo turned to 110110; and luttbtr bo womed me to ~ ,_! heed ol my bcarinr. lor 11>&11Y a unoty comu to .,...., heart throt~lh tho tan. I•J6-•6•.) Tbon II a KrpOnl called A tjll.fil, • bi1 oooo ln tho pbCil •here 1he wu, and ..,.. torn to J>i«-~S most true, he is most false, a.nd for a time ruob lovers speed, but afterwards t.hey sufl'cr punlshm~:nt. Tht.e(ore eschew klypO5>)

I bc>e«h JOO,f•tlt•r, 10 ccU me aomc csamplo olthls In tho e&IUC ol Jo\·o. )I y Ia ...,.. u wdlaa lA Other ~"'CS this ritt sltoo&ld bo acll.cweli, u a &ate: &bows wbidl 0\o-id told. The~ ,.,... one 1\'•n:Unu, who had t:ucb pride lha\ he lhouaht nq wOtn&A •vn.b-y o( bim. Oo a cby he .-cn1 to bW1t in tbe (o~t.. and belniJ hoc ;uHS thif'Sty ltty do• n co drink from a tprinv. Tbt'ro he s:aw the lm1gc of bls faoe In tbc w•tor •nd tbougbt it - • nymph. Love

or

I toow there u oo mao lftt tuiJq here tlaut I, or •bo tbicb twos.1C 1... wonhy. !. thlnb clw he..,. juda• the Cauho ol othel'land fOIJj68a.

AVAli1'Alc bend(.......,., llw: """'P
"'""'twl-1>)'

piou•Jan;:h:r ml\\1:1!1 no mention o( ll rn4'n'a virtue, bu.t If he fiud tl (0\ult be w-UI prudahn it n-ptl'lly. So a1lo tn Lon~:·s coun many c1wious tales an told.. Jr thou hilt made ouch jonglety, my "'"' ihriYe thd been dune; but theotherptrty r.u oo '"""~&hat he coald nl uecu1e J•"• r Thlo Is above •II !he rp~r. from whh:h de«it Rowt. h ltelnl fair WC'!athcr on that Rood~ but 11 IS not ..,lh!Nib, F.J .. Sln • iU ta.y, lim th-t l may excw.e hc.r if tbey spu.k til of her, and M'Condly 1h:a1 I ntay knnw t~t"bo her lo\ert are. Thta I tdl CAlct of &belli 10 my lady, to hinder 1.bo.r '"" and further mh>c. And tbou;;h

xlv

·ro

deeper 11w> my an. Sow, !.other, wlto&ls your doom aad wbaJ pain

GN>I I 108UI (1879 J076.) My ""'·all obould bo pntised aDd all rice bbmed: lhemtft

put

~

•in••

\'ltor on thy rue. Ytt many men do 10 nowad•Js. and hh bl• hlicm o!Kains r.,. himsdf the profi1 or onded bet, if he • huuJd (Allin t.hc light, tom:any tho mRn whQ •hould p·rOOuce tbit ring. In lha bn.t,cle1..bit Roman did grc:~~t d~d,, ond Egypt fted in b1t pruenoe. At they or Peni.a. purtued, a.n arro" auuclt the S()Jdan and he w;u borne: wounded to a_ tent. Dying he p\'C hit. dnugb:ter"s ring lO lhls lmich• of Rome. Alocr Ills borW a p;u!Jamont was appointed, aod ~• tbc ni1h1 brd told his to hio bacbclqr and show0 now, (2782·28o2.) Pop. Donlfou. At Jtowe Pope Ni~bolu died. and the cardinals met in c:onr:l.&V't to cboote another fJope. They •areed upon a ho.ly recluse lull or ghood)· >irtues, =d be was msd• Pope llod e>lkd Cdutin. Tbcn:,.... a atnlinal, hi1"'CVC1'1 who bod lonr desired •be p:apaq, and be wu .wed with such cn-y tba.t be 1hought to supplilnt lilt Pope by artifice. He ouoed • young prial of his C..nily 10 be appointed co the. l)ope:•s ..cbambert a.nd hr (OJd thiJ man to take a uumpcl o( bi'IUI and by means of il ~~p.k 10 lho Pope Ill midnight

rulc.r or tht: empire Hl.s lord f.eU 5ick o( torrow, C'llring only ror tht lou or hiJ lov~:; u.nd before b:i5 d~1h ho called cha lord• to -him 11nd

:Envy it in all way$ unplt"at:a.Dt in love:; the fire within drits up the:

xlvi

senl 11.. tlltSJb.fie IO bit lady, arid, wrote nlao 1 tcucr to his father the Emperor. 1'hue he illco behind. aJ>d or this I h>>e an example. (t495-t6&4.) PkWs '""' .O,jJutr. Pbeb1h by til< low. M-... a =m =r clrko>.ll.lo hotnc at!d bit land in...,, at!d oby if ao bettu moy be. t l>n«"Ch )~ Cather, to edt me wbt:ther thOle tb:t seek wu in a •~•11fl)' ca ~o~~1 1lnd abed blood, do •dt. t2t96·2l.SG.) I V.v. Cod hu (urlotddon homldde, •no! whon God's Son was born, hit ""••h proolaimod poace to tho men o( rood will. Thuelore by tho law ol charity there ahoold be no •v,llnd ft.tlnrc: also commend~ pe~cc. \Var c..onlt'm willa pHtilcnae aNI (amino and brings t.ft'J'Y IUod ol c•ilup>o tbe OIU1h. I koow not what~ hod ,., who lonn£1 In ~wtb tllop; IUid if be do h IO pitt be&>CD'a Cr>Ce. be ahall lurtl)' {tjl. ~Ln dcctlvc the w.) Altr.,IIJtr tA• "''"''· A sea·rove:r wu brou:gbt bd'"ore Alex· Ulder and accuaod o( hit misdeeds. llo rtpltod, 'I b.a,.. a heart like thtne, •1111 It I had tbe po...,., I wwld do u thoo d-. Bot siocc I am tiM lador ol a few ....,. oo!y, I . , ny alike. Whoa rc:uon 1s put ulde. m.ta fallon rapine like a bini P"'Y• and all riM world may not ouftice for hi$ desires. Ala.u>dcr o>enlln the whole nrth aod died nJ&)

ckl"'"""'

Tt/4{'/lru,., ,,.,. tr. Achilles ud hil Td.phua made onr on Tbeucsr, klnr ol M - Achillct wu obo• t to olay Lhe klnr in the batllc, but Tclaphu1 lntcra:dod for him, t&yinJ thai Tbcua:r onc:e did him good 10rvlcc. Thua tho king'• lifo wu Sloarcd bot the Grc:olJ9•27 17.) Take phy lhcrefore, my eon, ur other mH'I autrerinJ 1 and Jet QOthinebe a pleuuro to thee •hlcb Ia rricf to artOther. Stand opiiUI Ire by tbc oolliiJd o( I'ALicnc:e &old tllke \Iorey 10 bo Ibe cvvUld the louder 1 cry, dao less she bean. Co on sO, my son, 1nd let no Lacbesce be (ouna in tbet. (244•3 l:.) 313-538. PVSlLLA.tiJMIT\'meansin~rJany:Ul\ge the lAek of bean to underutkemao's. wotk. This \•ice is e\'et a!raid wbe.n there is aocause of drcad. So as reg:..rd5 Jo\·e there are tru.1.nts that dare not speakr who nrc Ukc bclb ~·itlloutclappen .-.nd do no.t nslc a ny1bing. 1 aru one of those. my fatbet, in the presence of my b.d)•· Do no more SOt my s.on, {ot fortune COme$ to him who make& eontiounnc:e in bb praye.-.. (313-370.) Pygmolt-'»· There was one named Pymllleon, a .sculptor of g.re:lt $k:ill1 wbo mAde an image of :\ woma.n in h•ory, Wrt.r t b."\n any living creMurc. On thls he set hit love a nd prayed het t\'e.t for a rttum, as tbougb she understood wh!!t be said. Al lengtb Venus b,.d pity on him

me. ( ;o6-538.) 53~86. fOROETtULs-tss. There it yet 1mothu who aenea Acci· die, o.nd lhnt i$ Foryetclncu. l:lt forgets al""n)'S more than tbc hlllt that which he h.as to s:1y to his Jove. So it has often been with n\e1 father : 1 am &O sore nfr.aid in h·e r presence that J am as one w~o bas ~n a ghost, and I cannot get my wit.e for lear, but stand, Mitweru, dumb llnd dea(, Then afterwurds t lament Ulld nsk ~nyself why I wu Wm.id, for lhtre is no more violtrlce in hu ~ban in a eblld oC lltree yeanJ old. I compb.in to myself or my forge1fulnt$S ; but 1 never forge:tthe thought of her, nor should do, chougb J ha.d tbe R ingo! ObJh•ionr which Moses mad~ {or Tb.a.rbis. S he i5 ncar my bean nlw>tyt, nnrl when J run with her, lam so r.wished wltb th~ sight of her, that I forget nll Lhc words tlun I ought to speak.. Thus it is with rn~ as regards forgetfulne!Ss and lack

o(

·n,u.s

a

of heart. My son, lo,·e will not stud his gra~e unleu we a$k Jt. Cod knows a man's tbo~ht :md yet be wills that we ' bouid pra)·· "fh.:reJore pull up .ll buay bcart and let no chance eacape thee; and as touching Faryttelness I find a tale wriueu. (539-730-)

Dtm#JAttn ami-Phyllis. King OemephonJ i-5 hesm1ed to T roy_, crunc to Rhodopeie, of'!'hich lo.nd l'hiUi• =s queen. }le plighted his trotl• lo bet, and she granted him 31ltbat he would bRxc. Then ca.me the time tbnt he sbou1d snil on to 'f'I'O)'t but be \"Owed lO ~tu m to her within a month4 T he month p(\$$ed tmd he forgot his tim.e. Shoscnt him a letter, selling him a day, and Sll)'ing th.'\t if he crun.e not, his sJoth would c:ou.sc het death. She watched and wa.itc:d. putting up a lante.rn in a. tower by njght. but be did not recum. 1"be:n when the

cl thty wne In pria.on witb MlMtaurus and cou.ld not cxapc. Thi• l.ledaJUI then (..bloned WlftllfOr hlmr.elf ad hl1 OOn,and be W&med his 100 not 10 fty too hiah, le jC'It th'tr could"""' red....._ (ISOS-tS9S·) YatM:r, ,-.: ba,,.. done weD to Rbuke nu1dr:ns for thi5 -rice of Sloth: lxn as 10 tho tranilwhicb ,.. ay , _ OIIJbl to ub for lcm:. •bal .,..,. , .. bytlaltl I wu liuak"'c, my oltho deed• olh lty c c - IU bu ha•, {atl~r o.C Paltlmadet, came to

m baulo, w011kl nor draw back from the dan~r, bot with Jon•lh>l his .oa be met bi.t c:ntmitt oo the lnflu..t\tltnt of Gdb«, and won ~tema1

....... r.. ""....

crace ... """ = ""'

-vm. )(

pcnuade Ullxt:a to gu whh tho Gredel to Troy. He, however, dttireWM •f Aw/Jn. PrWtaa b (UUIH!cd upon lwdillood, md we 1taow how Achilla wu bloaJbt up to thlt by Cblm, ailed c ........,.. He ...,. t>U~hl eot to make bit cbaiC aftmiJcd In murlt~• 10 Acbdons, • ciant and a ,...,...... tlercules, IJw WD11hy ltoi,jbl WhO ld Up the IWO pill:an of bruo in the d-.. o( India. ""'Chi her lo.-., aod the IWl& da.-..1 no: rcfwc him. h wat onlaiocd theA thol c..., bat obooiA dccido b«w«n Ihem, Ache!-, 1l11RC!ap 10 powcu by loft, footht boldly, lxn B..(11)......... h•m wialt iJTtOittlble atn
"""''"...a

-•lu•

mnnhood ond g•'t bccD hooded d0W11 by £uno, u Cham, Cadmus, ,....., Tmny b...., would die. 'I'll&< I> wdJ cid, my - · if there he ""Y oqy by which lo\'e nay ~; llDd lli>lttally be wbo will 001 laboor ;uut d.uts llOI V""lxlt• will attain U> n!>IIUnj!. (o6JJ-2~) >it-;}388. Soloi.'e 1\ked lbe b..m 'no tid~ ODd Jrmo, to mooths.' """' an t ht ._.. o1 sl..,p. biddinc bim hom the The p~)'-N.. sent "\ m to

~

•bo•

~bh I:"'IY br drum~ ~":'::.:::d mmc down, and she •·cnt no •un ~

to Yna bent the his d!ffilinr. In • cave where the pl>c< • h - Sleep ba~d be bean! but tho munnur or the nvor ahooo nod no a.ou:nd cou. He hirruel( waa alccpinl( in A clHtmber Letb.., whiolt mn bArd br nnd Lone it wu •~ ber wrda eould J.U"Cwn up and down whb drt:lnlt, h und~:tltood «he menage, he chose pl9>7-Jt>.;.) of andbut to ~~ ~•Ye::.!"t-clher • ·•

c.roe..

dtdms pnm: SODKUma trot. J do not t 'asbcr I baY< Did tb." wheo I am In my ~!"' ~,!""'~ I c::umo< ' 01hc7 dmtt 1 c:&n2 111~ to waae, de•itt! to tJfep. Bot ' " bou her lla>ow aot ifthi> be Soa111o!cm:e. tnduze ~~be io company \\'ll d It ..,,; teiJ a l.aJc co show bow little loYe ThD.J

1 .1-tqun thee, my

$00'

an

86.)

~~ord. J!'~;~nr wake by nlalrt for love m•y mice 1#- b h he ilty ..!tb AIIIO"' pr~ycd to the Suo

and llecp are in l'roJrr II/ Ct-p n

CJ!imlple by C~phnlus, who w. c;t mlght. be HtiUhl lon~e:r and t.h'! d.!ly And lO tbe Moon that 1 ~ 'ug w onl the law or love. Slc,th CU'U dcl~ytd, In ardor .tlr.lt be mogh~~::: may !teep, but Copbalu• did olbcrnothinl ror tho OJght CXCc-p' I

lo•~

..,... (Jt87-J>7l ·l d ainco he h..r hi• by hlo sldo. My fatttcr1 that is no won ttl, h • never need to ut.re:u t.be Sun L '- • T my t:Ue 50 A\' . BUt b m t5 neve

'

then her COUr!iC. Sonlt:t.unes

to lt:a)' hi.s chariot~ ()f Ihe Moen lt: ~~~ aftttWa.rdt J find 1t untrue: I ba""e a dream lbat makes me 8 r. ~ 10 that J know not ol•rha.l OR" sl~p b •o man. b ., is taken in duo 1

that it helps IIJiu.re, ......

Tru.t", myBat aoa_,he~ mcuurt. wbo .sl~ps UDdQlY· may come by mWortuoe. u l caa

ohow by a tale. (S:71>-JJt6.)

01

~~}cU

...

1

b by l o whcrefOtilL (1J65-3JII.l JJ~~. To !InsAielc4 took !be gmlt opon bend!, IUid pray«! tloat no pity mlsbt be Jhowo to b is

a- (....,

oone. The. wife who is married co such a man may ft.ll t:UJ'H the ~y when tho &old wu laid upon tho book. Aoobe soclr. 111010 lou no appcu yo lu." ald I shtJI take lbe bcucr bctd: but oowteU me the bralldou ol A•ari« as weD lriiOT'C u oth.,...-ik. (ti>S-19]0.) t'J7t->lsl. COvJUTt I ha,.., bean! before this how 1 ..,..7 ·~ wbo inoughc rhac ft-., finrco won lhe IIcea!, ben cdl""' aow P~riner uoed biOIe In thls, 1 pray

~fy ••• thou I pella! be such

111 1

that h.) thac thon hast used iD love oo ELA.. lln>kcrs o( lo•e rtceh·e at .... 1ha1 ..~ • jono had Echo her 1112Lr-. •nid> chey have d.._d.

"""'"II ..... love. •

- .... and lho wu or a«ord witiLJupiter ocl co bliod her lady's •res. Wbeo ]Gno r again, 10 that oil speak wdl or bcr. As for mo. aho ltnowt th." n>y heart and all that I ha•o is at her command and wlll be •·bile I live.. (46rt-478o.) Oa6io atul Croaus. ..Scntc«mm llCc:ord• not witl1 lo-n , and onen ~ n>an bas lost the coat for the hood. With gilt a mAn mAy do muc:ll, and meed keeps Jove in houJe. Dabio had • love named Viola, who waf beth fair and frco: but be wu a niqud, and ao abe...., iU •ervecethycloo an .,.Uty ol Uoklad- aDJI-~9S·l

"""AriM,...

sso;~..

RAVIIfL

a.:c':::

Ra•-.oe, In ....... sen-ice "=ortioo,

.

other Olal's cood• whboat ~t ud without paymeat. 5o there IOU- who will take by furoe. usos-ssS!>-J arc TH'nls. "-1-, kil>( of Atiie'a l&w. (6o.ol-&7•·1 apmso 6o7s~ Ro nau. Tbe ,;, ol Robbery sm his..,.._ ... by lh&t •hid he cu lollre on tha hiah·...U, io woodo ud io fields. So ~ ""' lovua, who, .r tbcy &nd ....... ID• loo>dy pba, will toke • pan of lrer WVCI, 110 nutl... """" n( them, but soes there only to oU'al tbdr bcarts.

Alltblois~

Wyr.ubcr,l do- oo: bat •ben .,y lady s-tnawill• ... t • tbitllu I eo aloo; and then mylooba"' for heralon .. and mypl'l'yen are tbo1 Cod may ~ btt lleaR. I Wll1cll aad •all ID ~ 1,_ Iter a wwt1 .,. look, ud when I load Iocr ap 10 tbe ollmDI .u) my hand about bcr waist, J win a couch Q well. Except in ~th things 1 b&•od- oo ~.bot it io my powu and- my will.tbcrc is ~ tlw bo " - DOt and DOtiWJc tlw lie do,,... bo is withal so helplea tlw bo .... SLIUid .... be - . DOt •lntt bo is,wbotllu at is day or tdJbL IJ> !.he: -.inr bo ..U. apia for !.he: oop • bich tllade bilD '-Ius wi,. u nlfbt. Tho wine linch him fut an4 makct him a oubject aDd a lla•-e (S H·l Tllel'e arc Jove:ra 10 bc:sotttd with lov~ tbat Ihey know no more than drun.kon nlcn -.•h.M ru10n IJ. "rhe gtt'Alut mtn ha"e been thus ovu· come.: SaJon1on, S"mJ)Ion, oa.,1ld, Vlrvll nnd AriJtotle. Confess if thou lltl thut drunken, for I think by thy c:ountenana. thou art Kbapen to thlo m;al•dy. II is rrue, mytllbor: I co..ren th.1t I am drunk wltb love,;uu! often 1 k:ftow DOl •holt I do, 10 that meG man-d at me. Wbt:a. I am abstn:1 lDf lady I ..., dnllllt witll !.he: t"""lols ol bor, aDd wt.eu J ""' -~ Willi lookiq ·~ her. At , , _ I ae ill Panodtse, aDd then I - u d IDf JOY iot......S to-. I ouliU tbd be 1'.,.. ..,. 10 drink ol !hom br ~ J>OW of tbia OJ>d DOW o( that, 10 that l&oJb aDd Gibers ........ I bf thy tale tlw tlloa lwt dtiotllt o( tho pocloa tll.u is bitru. 1]06-J90o) &J«A111 i• lA~ IRurl. Bot tl:KKt vau.tt tYer pray 10 att&ila to the otbor, wbOtlde "" wocldoclto Pitotoils,

and beln,hocl his friend• to the few. They bn>u,(bt uaJcr tbe bw and ..,_ d.......S to doe. TbeJ> &lied !WI a c-t -.1 wiac ud clanlc until thea ...,... ld• theta, ....s .. tJocy ..... llaiD. ~>a~or altudy laJf

c..n."""

or

IIIey

or

dead. (Sl1-S9S.) 6t7•126o. OllUCACY. Tho rice o( Otlieacy w.U not lad: any pleasure whkb rnot or dnnlt caoghc, and dellrea alwap _..,bing

.....

So he ~ho is ddlcate in love. cannOt content hlnl~tlf with what he

hill~ but though he have a fair wife, ye' ho wlU IC' h l1 hea.rc on olhttt, and \hough h1J lady nMkc him ch~r, he muat h llYO more t hlln she can

with honour give. 1 arn na< rullty o( thl., &tber: I would be tod•Rocllll could be fed 11 aU, except with woe. Yet """"' dalnti.. I pldt which please me r.,,

!.he: time. 16wH•·) )Jy .;pt Ia led w~bdalntia wllea I loot u~ bor IJtceaad r-n, yet it - y ........- bo fed to !.he: full, bot alwap Joooc• for _,.., (75J-s:6.) Wr lleonbJ lw a d&mty fcut whoa ...,. ......-nd bor ~ and lf&CCo aDd ;oboy or his 10t

£00....,

lxxU.

ttn:t

(I.J9t•t711.)

'

• ·

II'Nt-. The~ ol Ef)'PC, !'Ia:........., a c-1 __., i!ed '""" bio entmios 10 Maadoiac. In lhe ch1bus insuucted him Ia ..,,_,, 0.. a wbeo they •= opGD a tonr obocn ••1 the ....., 1\caanaiMu .,_

or

u-c

cert=.._

lxxx

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

CON FESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS

phesltcl by obem ohao his OW1t a..oh &hould be b 7 the hmds o1 his --. AJtu.ndu, to pnn-c tha& k bed, threw him Cram the toWer to the,-, what,... thcl all othtr """' ol - . , and bow to tbo lono ol - ; . .d he told how he hod IOOdl Cirus . _ rus t b""'o ...,..,_ by the lo•'e ol Apomu, cbughtcr of Besub, to ahot tb. dkl wath hun what ahc would. \Vom,.n too tna..U men desire l1~ur, and woman ia next to Cod thorr~ate~t he.tpof m~n,,.. Alu.stt, WJ(c or AmetvJ, gave her ur. tO "'vc her hutband. Thu.J Zorobabel tc>ld hit opinion, but ncvcnhcleu he a.1hl th:at n.bove aU Lbese the mlxhtiuL of all earthly tblnvs It Truth 1 o.nd to the que-Jtion wsu

...s.,.,

So....,.,.

nc•cr 10 oae thio, my - . ( 2.)67 • -) I will ooc, C.ther. Bot I bct«ch fOU kD me SOg of t1w rhd-phy which, .. ye oaid, Ari .. odc ..... bt to AleJ:w!tt: for 10 bear ol somethinc new mtcbo ....., my Tbou ~)'"$well; but I, who am oltb.; tchool ot Vena, know not mucbo(thlt h1gb lore. Ytt, u (t '• mMf)f'thcnded in a book, 1 an in pan show forth 10 tt.cc how It Is. (2401-2.1,..._)

po••·

Lt .. VII. ,..... Tboo lwl pn)'Od me to drdare 10 thee the Khool o1 Aristotle, a.od bow AJc-x:aoclu wu tauaht. ThiJ It oat tbc nwter ao which ,.. wen 101 to spcalr; )'01 .,..., • illd- Is to be d Pncdc. 61- 156. TIIIOXIC:. The ..n• ol Th«
CONFESS!O M.IANT!S. ANALYSIS

thyttlf.' juliut toolc bit .,...., in ~nd; and !bot evuy worthy kin1 tbould hdp bls oetnnlt wbclln netd. q .) At1 oh0111d mow how mach to ci"'A poo< bJcht outed Kla1 Alltlcoou "-" a '""' and he rt!plicd. ' TUt It 100 moch f« the. 10 out': thta wba the lmcln ubcl a w:r"f IIIMlJ lifl. he Aid, •That it IDO lattle ticw 1110 tO ci're-' KiJoel a>UJI aot .,....,.Stllo due __..lacivi•J• and cspt 10 IQm, and th
w:'U

enchrnntd, hlJ m.atont c:arnc to atlc him how he would have the ;:tone

made (Or hiJ lOmb. Th"c WU 110 ft.illt:ry tbtn, lO deceive

printa~

(24 1) •H8.) (.MJt~l"'6 Afti'Dfr. One c:ante and did RVtrcnce co Cesu, u il he: were A l')d : thoa be CADit and .., down br his tide u an equal. ' U thuu an aaoo: be .. id, 'I ~... dona wtll 1ft .....uiPS>inc !hoe, bCil it • ..wa. iG liu&aa by thy t.d«.• c..., a.atWUed thas be was a fool, ood llad IU ia 011e ol •~• tlrlnr, 6.)

... lcooon "'"'"" lbl...,..

l.nxili

thn.s

"''her

booae. (.S.S-:tiU.) c..~y,. ila)...S a coomrpc }lldge, aad ll&ikd bls ...., """" tho cbak "heR bls- wat ""'to j.Mica Ia bit place. C•U9-:t}Qof.l Llprrr.u, priDce or Aoheu. lra•"'c at&bl•bcd cood h" ;, Iris cny, loolc .. oath f1'0111 lllc atilau lhOl obey would ebange 1IC>mfl, 1 Kln:s xii. I-a. (4027-4 t2SJ-) Coun.sel ol youna rntt'&bUJita.ds-to rui1\. Thc.ro i• a quettion wbtther it iJ benet th.-at the lUng be wiac a:r his COWlc:il. The answu ia t.b.at it is beuu to have wise crouasdl09+) SiDJ/..., the cnoel ltilliJ uused Bcrillus to make a bell ol brus, 'lritbin which men obould be bumt to death. ~riUus ,... hlmse!f the rim who aulli!ti-JJJ:L) O.'••JI fed bla bonem loco 1•1&, ., clu.t 111ty ....,. clist:oamted .. banJo. ull r h i - ~ thaa 10 ._..d dceir ways. ~~~_>.) Tbu >tnue ol Cloutoty bdo"C' peOallyiO a ......

so~.- took :""•• "' - , . - - and did iclolauy u. IUs folly.

Thcftfon all.. "" .... llio """"- .... clnided. Am-,, - o1 Snt...., pve.., oYil uamp1c ol._; and thew. •laic.b .... f.UO.• w111 ..-... wtw .. the ...s o1 l}'ftmiJ and tec:be:y. (~4l9>·l

r.,...,. tlco CJrUl Ud -..y- and a-. cloaa A~

I'.......,

••r

the llftrt. A ditpuce &10M betwe.tta Arroas a.nd Co1btin ~ to 1M. •~t~uo of their wl•u, and cboy rode co Rome co ..., ho• they wen: tmplny•d Ac cbo pal.tco choy found tho of Arro,. 1\ill of minh and chlnklnr nothing of hor huoband; 11 the bou.. or Coll.uin, Locrca:

,.,r.

worlclnlt Vtlth her women and pra710g for her bu.sb:uad's return. Arrona w"• anllutn with love of her, and retumlng again the nest day Wi*J

ho ravlthtd hu. Sho on tho morrow ailed h.er hu.sband ant;! her f~o~~thC!r, .-hh whom Clnlc llnHut, and told tbcLn her tAlc. Refuting their fol'(llvonr" •ho sic., hon.df, and they tnok tho body Into the

nuukcl·pfa.ce, wht'lro Hrutu• told the taJe to the: ptople. 'fllty rememhtrc:d •l'o I he roriUcr cvll dolna• or ···uquln a.nd his son. and ~t both lnco callo. (47!4•5130.) ll.rr•~•·a. When Ap1>lus ClAudius was aovemor or Rome, be .., bls dul"' upnn a 5"nlle n>ald, daurhcor of Uvlus Vlrr'nl.., and he eauiOd hit brucber Marc:uo co .Wm her unrlahtfllllyAJ b1J sh•·e. Her lathef wu with the ho-.t, but be rode butiJy to Rome· and wbtn Appiut •dJudr..J hfr co blo b,...ber opu..t the lAw, &:..i;.g tbot bt could ..,. btt f.- dilbooour in 110 other ""Y• be thrust ber through bl1 •word and made h11 woy bo.ck to tbo h001. Tbvo u.. I)'Tmfty came to mora'a tan and tbo unn,t11..,.,. kilo( ...., de~ by the . . , _ - a t . (JIJI JJ06.) A> •• _,..pic oldwucy ill ......U,. ore tad the ""'Y d S..... the

••th

d&U~:httr o(

R&flld. Seven men who cnarrlrd her we"' otranglcd by cbo tleud A>mod, bc:cauoc they took has said tlat chk wu f•• tbt liD and pride oiT""'W' and hi1-, and t1at be wbo Mould fiM kt • 1... -l>u, MOGld &Y'fDit tbo wronr. Bnttus fdl 10 tho IJ'VUnd ud k~Hed hil mother t:anL (4l9J-47SJ.) Tuqu~n had a al\erw•rd• with Ardo, and lhty....,. ""'' at

lxxx'~i

1-19L I...AWII or )IAUIAOL Cod au1.CII Aio ., bcal u a flu IJi&, mn:t1D11 'W'CIO

lxxxvlii

CONFESSIO AMANTIS. ANALYSIS

GOWE R'S ENGLISH W OR KS

for which lbey set up a ttatue or hlm In tbe c:omu>oo place. («tlo Tbanit. (IOS9-11So.) The theL (1272• 1423·) Tbe young men who came to ht-r wm moved by compassioo and did her no wroog, so that. Leonin jMt hts own IC!fVartt in to her. She entreated to bcpumitrod to maJceaain for him i.n some other way, a nd be.ing m.ken from the brothel aod plAced in aewrit)'t the t~ught •uch things us gentle~ women desire to lc:.m, and bet name wt ru forth over all lhe land. (14"-1-1497-1 TheophUu.s reponed that he hlld tlnln 1'h~a.isc, and Dioojto. pret·e nd· ing tha.t s bt had di«l $Uddenly, mndc a RTtat funeral and set up a comb with an eplL'lph. After thb, ApotlinuJ amc to seek ror hit daughter at Tlu.nis, a.nd.huring I hat the WAJ dt:ad, ho put ron h to sea again in grievous sorrow. He lAy '~''«pin; alooe in the d:ulmess of t he $hlp"o bold, uotil under Jtress of uonn tbeycamc to Mitt bd>old ta)'ld£ I oawmy C... wriDided ...S mr eyoo tlim, .... I ""-e ...U.. The Rc:unn rctutDcc! to me and I wao mlldeaober and 1011nd. (27»-•869·) bebcld - ond la111blAs aoked me what Len, wao. I .,_ rnnd ..... -"d= thai I Dew Iii• .... ond pnyinc 1DJ COGf.-ioo toO, I aoltd ao rovdoped Ia a ttarry cloud, Von•• •u talteo to bcr plact ohoYe,.,.. loer Priest departed abo at the amc .._ I IIOOd Cot a while ama.ted ; &:>d tbco I amllt the dinly not be jumliod in ®nduding that tllis and not • blro' wu the normal fonn of his bnguoge. SimiLuly in tlle ~ of Gower by era.min>tion of his rhyraes alone we might be led to many nry doubtful results. For eJmmple, we should pther that he alm...t alWllys used tlle form n'wlf# "'!her than Sllf~~.)

Chritulhor actual!; of h~ lana J dtaw any volid eonclutions about !.he Ia,.. WJge. t may even be necessary . CU$Slon to aueh forrno .. are th • to , .. met lbe diswe ore eornpelled to d b.•u rnuc:ued by rhyme; but when ~ccepting n rather dAn o t IS! ~c ~ust ttmembcr tbat we are gerous IJmttQUon. The ctlnclusions drawn

"••-c

zciii

never s,"Ai ltt~~td and never M,.J, toMIIte nnd never tOtJdt, stifle

(pre\.) mther tlr.an r.wilCl been om•~ ot In • paper by K. Fahreobehc:d in the AW:m filr iii. ""'""' Spradrat, vo1. Sjj. 1'hc autbor of this paper, ba•ing only Pauli's text before him, very properly confines himself to •• e10min:otion of the rhrmco, ond within tbeoe limits most of his 101Uits art sound enough ; but it would be w:ry uns:tfe to treat them os genemUy applic:tblc 10 the IAngllllgt of Gower. In our c:ue it must he underStood thot tho l"nirfax manuscript is rcgnrded (for rtasons whlcb wm llftcrwardl bt atatod) . . . pt:letiarlly .........,. reproduction of tlle author'• originol test, and eonsequently the oc:cur. renee or • particular fonn in rhyme is not held nrily to be or my special •isnificanee. 011T1rOC:IIAPHV. -This beiqg premisod, we slull procond of A gives t:am, }J in which this is the only form or spelling.

fi.rl

$i.nale-vowel, and we bavc q.uite rcgulatly (for n:a.mplo) llrd, tf,J, drcm, tk, 1

•pclli~g In thi• respec;t, it 1s oot rclt to bo a matter whlcll co.ucern~ the RHt : ' " "111, /!.trY ,,,,.,,

g0DJ ••toJ, frxlr: zoot~,, rio: -MAoo, &c., tbou1h aotncdmu the apdling of

~und1

and it is! Ll1erefore useful as a disLinguishing note1 though

xcvii

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

PHONOLOGY

Both m o( 1rOI'1h :u>cl u> their tc:nninatioos i is 00 the wbolo prd'crm!IO J, so th>1 .., ba~ fi'W, II.Jt,lif, liJ:r, .Jk, >Vt, &c. II)Oie uouall7 tban cryr., liP,, &c. (but petbaps .1 more ~ &fitJ' , , lf1 U l"fAI, 1117/dL, lf}.4J), and a1Jo t1rrr1l, tfai, Al.uv/1~ /mil, trW')/, M~ /Jtt~ more often on 1hc who1e thAn array. Ma,, &c., !Jut -/)1 In •d,-erbs more oRen thon .11: l n aome f~w rii. .pol).

:xcvi

Mal:



n.er.

Ia DO dilfumee bctwttn .,.,, and --«~,. .., lcnninatlona ol wch Prcm~b worda u J,i!ifiow,., t'thff/'f~.-l(;,n, lc:c., 11'1~ o4NON Is m.ueb tbc more u.1.u•l fo•••n •. \Vbtre 1.bey otc:ur [n thymo, tho 1hyme...worcll are uau•lly utlmUated lo one ano~b.or in rorm or tptiUor, tM,& acMDctimes ..o~t~Jt, ..o.. ~· to~ctbc-r, u '~ : flot,,., IL •1t3 f., ,.,._,. t tow.fitic.-. v. •~t , _,;.~,_. ..,..,.., ri. . _ t ....... c-.. ef . . roll.owed bJ • t . , •• • IOGc-..,.!lahlc. . . ...n..a...... _ ..... - . . J y . _ o l............ _ ..... _~ • ,._,_. I ,........ ...._ L ltJL, ....._. 1 ft. *?94, _,.. tl. _ . , ,..,_,.., ... ..,-.,. Ia doe · lu'-..U... ···~1 ..-1, tk . . . ,... .. dated {bit~ .....,. • ,__.,,. ProL t&J C... ,..,u' ....,....., u. aps a5 • .a.o •• ...,. ..... - . .. ~ -~. · - · "'--1erhaps wus pronounced neorly as "I (see Mo11bach, Jl/llltftnst. GroN·

or sti~

1o or •· 0. u.. .....,. llaod, ....., ... pm. pillS~ boaed on lhe very llllllfett poaith'e evidence.

,.

GOWER'S £NGL IS II WORKS /tin (ltir) is UJed .....,latly IO< the pmona1 and poucnpbJ ollhe hwi# "iVa, e. g. 197, 210, us, &c., beside dm:At, • J ••• 54-

rem. (•

and,_-..,

•Ni•

0. E. o. .W.It, ~ODilUolro WosaCe:t'IIIII.J:Ik 4, •-o 8ad t.tw, foUowtq with ( t

""''(pre
...... ........

8$5,_,.._,

....,.........,..,,.

PHONOLOGY

ciii

dv

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

PHONOLOGY

and! from 0. E. i, .;., 1t. In addition to thit, an investiption lw been DWie of 1M rb1111int of thete wonls an>e>qg lhemsehu and with wonls ol Romance oripn. in the process of wbich ...,.., aMitiomt wwds "'lh i from "· u ~ilL, wk, nNJr, • S1rell,' -A; are brou;:ht m. This ca..- ben be liven in r.u, but n - 1 be aid !bat in olmoot aD poinll 11 confirau 1M raulcs aniTed at abo.-e. A few wardt, how~, to which an opm ..,..-d is assigned abooe, thyme "'lh other worda rrom • which a1moo< oauinly have {. and therefore mtat be 1. fo (iv. 3-407). alsor..,_ Willi Pf011ft name., GChu/..... .ua..., BoJM. The Ol.ber faoms ol M, u ~ U., rhyme onant in .,._ where the metre !"""'res a ~ I) liable, as i :!69. • AI privdy behJncl bit bak (bat.fr-Uidt. \'iii. 217J\ -&Itt or -&A before a vowcl, u L 3lJ, 'Tb:n roone beslllcbe aboute,' c:p. ii. •69So v. ''41• and ./{Jt, of course -~ two syiiJtble; rue required, os l. , OJ So • Wu thanne al openlicbe ach.,...ed,' so ii. 918, iv. S7o and comporc olso Ill. ao6s r.,

'*

Un.\indely (or thou ba!ll wrocht,

I

UnlllndcUehe h ~hal ~ bolht:

But in Prol. 7'9 we bnve only before a vowt~ Noab t a1 only at tborlo.nt," though""'~ OC(.UfS in a olmllar po11tlon, L 19.S, and lr, mor~ frequenr.ly MI{AI lrrlj 1«/tJ~ \Uid lttAinlf• bo057· fil.sc.AIJ. ii. 1117. A.cttftt bowevc.r bas aome inftueo:oe, ucl it is hm!ly con~vable that the 6naJ • ohould """"' iD the metre """"P' •here the oeou·• in n ROod many pz-e. positionru phrnse.s: ltJ (i, ) 6ttill~. ;, lh!b, IR ltiJIW~, 1M (In) 6iJI1, tuliA (•.1) rltlld,, unt•lke eMnnt (but vnto lk• tltln, I. t682), 6< dalt,lo (fro) lf thuo ot tho s-ultioDato, u ~ to(•) In 1.-., the £.W • """"" r.auWI)' u a IJIJ&hlo, 10 dw In cue oldlaool the -.1 it rcdocecl 10 a m~ whlcb oeva r.ako pta.ce with """''"• fllrtAnY, ac. \\'baa adjtahu ., a d - oodl.. lo -~~ • ""' cambb>o:l with a Affix or IIDOihu word, ,. It oftm dropptd 1 thu•"" have_._,. ,_.,,flIoodly ypouuo,' .tc.). As ao uotpttOnal iootaoce the !orm ""-", tllitf mull lte coouldered pcdapo u a oobol&oti'to, like Mite 'the bed pluele.' Nahlr.OIIy ......a like ..,,..,,, -fol, I11J1•, &c:., take "" p!;orol onllaioo, bet "'" b.l"'

•"·li-10

"'.-y•

c.a:ii

GOWER'S ENGLISII WORKS

(....U) bcoi4e _

_, apparcally u a plvral form, lbau&b - a l s o .U.~, liN! u plunol ol Ia 11M: expreolioo ....... - · - is withoat iduloo ..... plan!, e.~ Pral. i"h 11i. 211.3, b u t ' - clttUo,' Prol. JSS. ' - rbo-.· i. rl6;. Adjtai9a II:SICd .,. pNdicarn or aa •FF ·•• a.rc ta MmJe au:a1 tn:alcd ~co~ olmcrna w rbr-, but in the cue of ~ b a dcddtd prcr.- for lallaion. i'loc i>llowiDI an: JIOme of the: ;'C't!.,....: • \\'baD .. c bon fiN1,' Ptal. 2, 'hem llw wuea ~,' 42. • my wtuca ben &o rf11Ltll,1 81, • Tbu ben o( sucbc m:&JJieg&44' !1'991o 'becomt.ptl;,o .)OJ. 'IM.n wich DW'lnesacaneutr4N'M,' ~.eo 61i'"'t1 i. n'u '""n/;, •••Ut 1ta.U, I lJI, AfAt, rllNIII, i. t67S (., II41T't Md wAJit1 i. 20.fJ, 1/rtl~l'• til. 111~, d111ft1 lv. 947, wllylt, /alit, pelt, lv. 13 LO, &c. \Vo hn.vo IIW 'hilt lhOKhlta fn'nle.' iv. u8, 1 thingea • , , 11tlrut" 1, 2689. 'hlto bedet most diWIIIe,' f. &"i9o 1 in wordes 10 Mttrlt,' iv, t6Q6. whtr tho n\en btn ttnm'ltHt.tt, v. ,..SOO. On the other hand, 'Of hMl Ihat ben 10 lltrl.' w1thln.ne; i. tern, • Hi11:1 cbc.ka bea whh lt:rct ._.,,. i. •Gao. 'Tbti '«'UUU dw.•.b/ i?. ~s. • Jfere bodies weren lnz a.ad s•.J,' iv. a.sao.' Tbd WUCD grat:itiJu liN! "'Jl,' ,;;. 1~7, 'tbd wcrea tf*',' >ilL Ur, lllld 10 hqueatly. The putie:a~c Ia ordlnorily u-"cccod, but tbue

"'J"'-

CIClOin in the

"'.1·

-llahlcs

are a r- _, 0< a .,...._;~ lhc ............. lore .J (NX>-lly lli1) is uoed, as 'a! liM:-~· 'al the WOJ adJOCb"' iD ·$, Pral. 1JS. ..Wclly iAuoclt;ad lor t1oc Ake ollbc: .~,_. •arr-Jil~ •. . OA,' •·

IJ) i'llO.'' latfy /, - id_ It io omWI)r wriiO.D J by tJoe CIOpyUt of I he lut >JJ ~ ... oflh. Fah!~ IdS. liN! In the l'ndH •f ,.,.,.,, The lhinl pc110n li"f. fem. U U.l (n..tr wrhteD IN), ODCC Kfu#: tbo oblique case b ltir4 Air (never Auv), and Air~, rllougb usuoUy equ.lvalent to a. monosylla.blcJ 1omellme~ luu "'*fully sound~, as i. 367, lv. 766, v. 1178. 'l11c third penon netucr it it, aeldtllt\ 1111. ln the: 6rst ptnOn plur:tl the obllquo tate 1t Ott/1 not ahont.ocd to us In opcUlng. The ~es or lhe first and ttCOod penot11 alnt•• .an, UW., hne no plunol ini!t:daa, bvo rbe t!JV.nn-llr, ~nKI!r, 6ri~t,rt~, milt, Wtlfllllr drinJI!J /:UtA >arl/,'

/tmalt4, /dllr! /yll>, fmlth, sfJ< Iiiii ,._ ol dllol' pretcrile I. IM&w\lclll -.ll7 ~Wore a ...-d as wdl • dwwlocso ocdda:~ 1• 1'IJcft are.. ~er. a et.na.i.a o/'Qtll Kt:s ol the: ase o( wa1:: pottcntco, indicotift 0< sabj1111wCba=:r,~u>wn
~nde,

and. normaJly with the ao:,nt lhrowo on the

tcnninaJion, u i. 'JO.I, 'To me: .s.frh,tfe thus began,' 23-6, '\Vhos Prut 111m l-e'utlumle of IO\'C,' 4,8, 'Stq11Jknd1 as Stones biere rutd lhe.re; 633, •so tb.at smunJ~ of liht thci weikc,' 1379 f.1 4 Tha.l for J sc no sped ilJJiiend~, ••• (t)tN/IIdgnenil~' J68'l, 'Ha#gtntlt-doutl unto the chin!. Sometimes the !lame (onn is used with accent on the- p r-~dlog

a.

6)'llablc and in this cas-e the -~ is syscamatieally elidM, e. g. ProJ. 1 ' • 'In t~ ttmttnr!' after thit/ 2591 'BdDntMI.Ie unto the prulhodr..· i. ::a¢, • At lcutlurult. of my wines f)'\-c:' (cp. 334, 742), .;~»s, • And Utal/m;f~ Jn his bes.tly s tevenr.' ln a rela.th-elysm.aJI number of Instances the form ·b:geoccuns either to .rhyru.e, as i. S241 'So whan tbci coruen forth. seiUnge,' In rhyme w~th ' ainr.e • i. 1710 1 And · fiveth, u who .lleitb, dt-.)'ilfg~,• in rhyme wnh - l . ., .1. • ' l' r.• 1 ' j 1UcyJ1gc' (•ub.st.), Dr with tho accent thrown b:)."""' M 1. J tS, rus"'"C~ and Wtjti'llff~ aJ myn one,' v. 51 8, ' Alftlilfg-e in hir comp:Ugnie,• ,vj, 717, ' I m.ni go fastinp evere:mo'; ro.reJ_y out of rbymt IUld with ac.cent1 as i. 27~1, 1 Mi (ader, a.s ID~tcluirKe of al' . •J1te final ~ is never-lost in ,..idng, but wheo tho ncctnt 1s thrown b.1ck it is ~w~ys c1ided. . • Put Partlclpla. Tbe .. ,if tenniJULtion of weak past participles is \'Cl")' mrcly fouad in t.be Fairfax MS., uoept in the c:ooduding pass11;ge, whidt is C'Dpled in a different band (Tom the rmt. It occurS cormnonJy in the Praiu nJ Pm.t~. ,Exa.mplC$ found elsewhere in F are weddi'tl-, iv. 6So, m.rt!ll'tl, h•. 1415· from ullnl besld ~ th e reguln.r p.ut participle sll there appears the Corm s1le \wice in rhyme, vii. 'lU41/tW-Jtl~ : u/~J and \'m. :44, "'#Xtl~ (post portic:.) : ujmu. Tills seew 1o be !Grmod after 1be ..Wory of

vn.

On ll1e oll1.r hand we hove fonl, t. 445, &c., but also jart(11), 3i97, &e. T he past po.:rtidplo cf. .u ls st~, ~~1.,, but most cammonty '""'· ln ;, few instances a fiual t. It gwen by the MSS. in weak J>ast participle., .e.g. Au~ for ~tor;, ~~Jl, ~~ltP.# ft:,r stAofJ, v. 427'8J uti~ (or 1t1-, vt, 10-' unsl~ fot' ~ut, ~Ill· 37• T he c:a.s6 of .-cal< p>!l puticiplos with plural mftuto.n (e. g. Pm 30C\ i. 3246, iv. 2343, v. 6789) bavc already been mentioned in dealing with ndjccti,·es. I __bcept io the C..C Of tbcte bftpen.llVC (ormt the :md pert. ph1r. [J. quite ho..., by Cowet fOt the dooe IIOUnd ol i, &om 0. E. ii, ""'1 be 10 110111e extent due to Kmtloh inlllla!Cc. Other points ol rcscmblantt bet....., the lal\au>&t of Cower and that of the A¥fiiJ(Ie (for eumple) ""' the ftce use of ayncopa~t'd farms m the 3rd pen. sing. of •crba and the regulu crnplD)'IIlent ol for us.

""I

vii. M t.Till!, &c. The amoothne.. and regubrity of Cowcr's metre hill been to 1011\C c>teut tt-cognired. Dr. Schipper in JtnglluAI Jlr.!rl~, vol. I, p. 279, ~morks upon the skfll with which the writer, while prCicrvlng the ayllobic rule, n>Akto bis verse flow alway• 10 omoothly witbout doing violence to the Mtttr.U o.ccen· tuatlon of the worda, and ai1 4, ' Any ltllrcl {or 10 rede,'

uc.

lil. S I, 'Of this hill thot notthwatd by,' iii 62), nor displaces the norural occt"nt (u • Of Dcecmbte the ttnthe d.>y,' H""'l'j Fa..~, 1. 111, 'Jol"tcr eon•idcrcth wd !hit, oi. 134. 'Rouncdc ..-U)"Ch tn otbcrca ere,' iiL 9H), nor &lura onr 1ylbb!cs. To uy that Gower ne>n •odlll£cs in any ol tbc:se 1ittoc:es •ould be an eu;oeratioR. Some dllplacn apon from the c:ue of those hmeh worda wbooe occcnl ,.... uiiiCilled, but 11 IS presc:Dl on a '"''7 slishr depoe, and the rhythm ptoducrd dots no: at all rt~tmblc th.tt of rbc linea ott'd abont ftom Ch.tuecr: e. g. t u¢. '\\'her thll be ,.olde make h11 cblce,' •348, 'Under the ~oe thei bqro•-..,' •sst, '"Drink "'ith th> f>dcr, name," he scidc.' Such os it is, this licence It nearly r:onfint'd to the firtt foo• of the veroc, and is not so much a du(>llctment of the natur.ol ..xent of the worda :u a 1r0eh.toc eommtn«ment, lifter the Wbion whtch hu ..ublished illelf u an admiut'd nncty in the English Iambic. ll'e may, howt\'Cr, read """ ...-ccs the {A.tjmi without tindtna any bne in wbicb the ..xent is di>pbccd uen to thil ntmt. i\plO, . . to sllltfina S)'Uabla, this no doubt takes~. but on rqulu principles and wtth ctrUJn wordt or eornbimtions only. 1l>ere are blrdly more than three or four bnea in the wbole of the O~tftJJil AM#whi where a ouperRuous l)lbble SW>da unaccounted for in the body of the Vtt.e, u for example,

or

A.,••lil

or

lv. '131 1 • Socn da~o In tb•mbl"'!, toM dme In ht.tlc." V, 4-471 I 0( ]tiOUJft1 lKJ4. Whll h 11,• "· .,,4, • And tbuJ (ul oftc •boule tho halft,' v. 501 r, 1 Jt wu (1111\l.osm~, bot ylt he hcrde:

The 1vrlter 1Ct>118 tO hove no nted o( nny licences.

The narrative

Rowe on In 114turnl lnngungc, ond In eentcncca ••d periods which

or

arc app:>rently not mutb nrreeted by the edcncc of the highC$1 style of an, it thon at leu! ..., contidcrable wll. In Gower•• five-accent Une, u ulubitcd in the Supplication of •ul 2217-2300 and in the (10Cm flf Prllil< 1/ J'm:r, Schlpper 6nd.s te. tmoolh.- ol metre, • owina perblpo 10 the sreatn un&mili.uity and difficulty ol the IWID and verae' (E~qliHk .Vrlrt'}, 1. 483 It~ HIS examples, boweYC1, are n01 amclusi.-e on thi! potnL Some of the lines cited owe their implarity to comq>-

GOWER'S ENGLISII WORKS

c.uli

llom oC test, and otben prove 10 be qwte tqularlr in accordance witb Cowen ......! awrical prillcipler. For instance.. iD ri&i. 2220 the true tat il '-n.t ..._ • diM I ,_• .,. l .,.._..'

wbicb is a ID~jon, Pt01. a.e, aDd ollen ln. rtsy~M)1 .,Wtr, vii .,.,, (~1 /t)ltl"- ii.. t03'J, iv. ..~ : ,.., twd, &Lao;;.. '"· ,,.,, ttNt 1-~ •· L .a~ n. . , , (llut .-...; •• 3$47, S$93l t • •, tt. 4S.S b.t. ..,. •• 1'50· 5445): woh t..S.. ..,, •· ..,..., '29H, &-c.: , . . , il.. ' " ' ••S4• ty, (kt a.otW. Pnl. r.U. L 1$•, .l:e.)• ...... (aioo ..U,, • 441J ( - u7 - " " l • - , u. ,e,. ;..... ', iii. an.o, • · ..,. iit • ..-. · Ia iT. UYi .... +t1. ,au. wt.ic:llll w. ...,.. .....-... ~ liM- mpcak u •.tlbWc m c:adt ea. . ., ... co-e'ld¢4 Wt~ ~:aee.,u ... oo6>). • L'u o4 , ... - , ru~ ~

--r-,

j,p')

._...-.e ...

ad...._.

Syncope (so br u rqards the melt.Us pbcc in the following: li1Dtn (il,__n, &c.), lldo't>trr {but notllditvriJttt, i. 15841 v. 1657), nYift, rtvrt,fit1Vrt, Aat!flft, ~lfe, leoel"lt 1fJI7, cp. /win, ii. 2519 (bot on!iiWlly a dtaJIIablc). iL 3124 (but 1UIR•icdif7, iii. •o6s), ~,tfinlt, to•tllMdt, "· 30o1S. 6734 (but rq~tttf7, ii 441)1 naMtl¥, viii. 3041, allo •n•/y, ii. ~7 (bot umtlly three syllables, u Prot 14~1 111. 63), :/}rNttl:iJ, tv. 24oS. We m•y nolo, however, that thlo kind or oyn!'Ope is less used by Gower

CTC.

(.XXV

£!Won o( weak fin:ll t taka plad.lpb, nit. 1536. One eumplc 0«11" alr«11J'' the-« temu.":'uon, nL C'

.v.u,,

•545, 1z knowlc.Jce. E•en ID llcnhelcttes cd~uon of •SJ• the dillitrence at the bqutninc wu noted, IUid

c xxviii

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

t hough the printer did not venture, to dC>viate from the fo rm of text whieh had been made Cllrrent by Caxton, )'01 be gave in his preface the beginnlng of the poem u he found h fo his m>.ouscript. Ur. l'oull accordingly proceeded on the assumptic>n tlut there were two nomul f0m1.. one ha1·ing a dedication tO Riciurd 11 >t the beginning and a form of mncludon in which mwtioo is mode of Chau~. and the other with a dedication to Henry of l..aneasttt and a oondusion in v.-bich Chaucer is not mentioned. Coptc. which do nC>t conform to these sl.and.ards are for him limply lrrquar. lie is aware of the additiooal pasggeo in Berthcleue's edttion ond in the SW!'ord MS., ond io one p~ he rpeob of three cl.USCI of llSS., but be doe< not know that there ore any wnnen eopn and about the bncr from Todd, he would "'"" found the paos>gcs in question also in MS. Bodley 29~ at O:d'OTd and in the Trimty and Sidoey MSS. at Cambridge. There :lrC then at least these three cbss.dy tendency to rid itoclf of error, and the process of corruption in the ordini\r)' sense con hArdly be said to hove set in until niter the denth of the author. There ore o Iorge number of various readings in the cnse of which we find on the one side the great majority of first re) io i. JJ96, 3~16, v. JO, 47, 81,368, '~-!. ~"-• o.re due to the author, u it alm011 certain, there ean be no doubt thot the form or tut whicb io 1"-tn by the group AJ M in combilutioo ••th the ICCC1Id and tblnJ ,......_,. .. w later the .,..., : &nd II the crovp H • • •• 8, ~preknll an earlia type u repn1s this duo nri&llon. It m..t 1111~11 do ao also as ~ the e >e:cn. stmd upon the same ground in fe>pc:et manUKnf'( autbonty, At we this Mli. aand• alone amonc first ~ copies in agreement with the harWI tell. In the sixth book, for eu.mple, i( J Jet uide, there are at lea>t p&SPJ; lie round on a ..flllc eopy or the lim reemy, lh011Jh no copy p~ly L Paeans to the occond ~. we mu" fottt r~ w!ut bu alrady b«n ..;d. tb&t it dod not uperaede the Ml, ba:t existed and dn eloped b) tlJ side, hann0 tlJ on&lft prubably in the ''U'f umt: )e&r, or :n latest m the nc-.L ht dw'J.cs.cru.uc pomt tS tbt:

1..

'"•'"J'b'""

or

or

"'"""dcd

or

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS of considonble addidoru In the fifth and 5eTmlh boob, logcther with a ""'""111ltmcnl ol rort ol 1M llixlh. n.e,.. ""' K,..., maaoocnpcs k-.. to """• ol • hoc:h thn:e ue clt{tttJve at lht lqinning All thae (~ClqUb.tble, but by no m"""" certain, lh.>t T agreed with Tl lo this resp:t which they clhibi~ and b)· the !~ron 0t omission or ceruln of the adduion.J p.usages or which we ha•·e spok the . - gt'ntrolly, the il• o \IS,;. fim a~entioocd all ba..., c o n - . ol .,.,_. kinds with t.be unn:Yioal farm of the lint r«ewion, wbilc the bst two tq>t or Ad apptoub"" \tty ne:tr to a fully rfBinol notes. All these olttrations, •• well u tho pomts p •me

1

K bcloaJIIOthcbrfCI.luHDiacd HJ lolh.e midd~oftbc l~tb «.allll)".

CONFESSIO AMANTIS. TEXT

-=..,

H .. aocl1t bas the same bs-t from the third r=mioo to the fin;t, coiocidlt\J wnb the pp rn the Keo""'lt book. the other hand w, though in fonn d ten 11 eonespouds wi1b these aoc1 wrth F, is qa1te independent of the poup abrn·e mentioned, and rrob>bly also of !he Frurflllt MS. It IJ late and ~ull of comrptioru, but in ae>·ef111 instl\nr:tS it ouiall In the conectroo. of errora which appeor In ~,and it is >ppartntly ~~on • copy whrch retained some of the V1UL1n« of the culler tut At ill unc:o"':"'ed. As for the r.:rorc his w;easion to the throne. It \\"U doubtleso for some Jucb prcsen~uon copy t lrDI the prcr•ce WU rewritten In 1392-30 wltlo the dedication to llenry introduced into the English t..,.t, while n\IJ\It of the oth~r coplOl tuucd during Richard's reign prol;.\~ly rct.lincd therr original forrn. If we ouppose th>t the new form• of prefalll Chri>ti, 1\"odbam, Magdalen. and New College, Oxford, Cot allo.Ons ther MSS. 10 be 5enl 10 the Bodlei>.n Ub"'l)' fO< my uae, and 10 n:lJI2io thttt Cor conoiderablc pcriodJ. Excqll In the cue o( one or two, 10 which my aa:eu wa.s bmiled, I ha•c eurnlntd ~one cuel'ully, roo !hat I am able to uy (Cor example) to wh.11 cxtc:uly with tt.oo. ol rbo f&trW< MS. "P to £81, al\crwloicb pailn -atlattp( lo ....S.rou~- by writ!DJ lbo L..tio ita the ...p.. Latia _ , _ Ia lbo awp>, aoccpl \'CJ)I -.Jiy, U OC 1: 10 aaJ II o4, nore..ed IWf bonier In wdy £ODd Ryle at the bcclnot~ fll each bcoJo: c:xa:pt the fdlb, IIAd one minbttn oo r. S. ol rhe Cooraoloo, rcuurbble ~r lbo W:t tltot the fi~ure of the Loorcr Is e.l.lerulr iaroadcd ""a ~ito( tbe aotbor, bc.i.at that o( aa old mAn end with totnc ft"kmhhnce In tc.tureo to the ollin on Cowe,.. t001b. 'lloc (;onfcnor b.u a red otO:o,

""''""JIObd

cl!XXix

~IANUSCRIPTS

w~ with hit ri;ht haod he is tartn. oo tbo r
J..

'""'*" ..

__.Ita. . "'*" ;. ......... - ..,...,7 ............

"" _ . &aal •• ""' ...

POID6), a.nd a row here tu1d llttre In tltc fiilh and acvoutlt books.

The fint ~ hu a c:ompltte bord
oa:r

c....~os Curf. A..-u •DD'£splicil'). l'a:duncot,lt:o7 .. 4blaoU.aboat IJ!•CJlcn.."' qoua oil ..W.caldawurds; acatly ..nuco In do>ublecoiWIU>of ¥>lines

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

alii

lew 39). So LaiDa -..urieo or ......._ The llr.DdwnriDg dwr&'a of the MS.'""" which it n• copltd had b«n diJpi.uzd, 10 th>.t lv. •so•~ come• aftc:r •16.1. ,.,.., follaws JOO~Jtp, lhr4 >86s,....s, and aile. theK J2ll tr. lt•o lcavu diJpll«d In lhe orlcUW~ u.. -aoe< Tbomu Mom- olll,uhonspcoo, ahenil' o1 Wilt• Ia 1478 (K. Meyc ~ lood u ,...,. I_...,. ud ........ or lasl , as • Wll.tof .._ _., wdlc '- .,._: • A,-.asu tk I'OTI't• or t1oc bded by PI'OL ••s.J. • Bot .......S. god,'&.J67·•u.U: lhebooh end• ...lth viil. 2799> 1wo o. th..., l11•· ..... 1.0&. Otc 5:c=D.t"\.lllt!aM •• hav. • ~J' 1o cr-r 11wllwilll B.a.1. ...., -... &114 m ot11c:r p.t.ra •c fta4 \"1:. ., \·t.c r~., • cro-P il'l •pCUMat wllb 8. U

L

J6t, id. 6JJ. ¥. 1944, .)119-

X. Soell:n' OT ,U.-nQtiAallt• , t)4. C""tal01, It ,_,., Lydgote'f Vi'6ia (iml"'rfcct at btJ!innin¥), ( 1 bq:tnl on c:ap. Jiii. 'Tbudore quod pees,' IT. )I>-2•9 •Jtul• A•wflll •ith 'Explidt' (lb liDa, •Qo:un cm..r._• and •Quia •uiDqllllq...,'lr.tJ....,!J, Hne
AIIUI~, impc:f~ ~~the t:ad. Pal(:hUMrU, If' rlt (ol.iJI:lhcn:d 179 by doubhug 94 ood t06) witb two bl.>nu at tho hJr read ia thlo ""''J by Lrclptc. I am oadc creat c-lqz'!ono to Dr. Llbnlriua ol the H01>tcriaA &1-. for the troollle he lw IHee to 11•• .,. ucc.& to thd ncrl],.nt m:aDG:SC:ripc.. the Get; wllo I"

of

a..,.;, SdCilt-'

v...,._

'*""to

l1oc c .....-liiS. ;. eope9 brice ~puted alacr 671 ud 67'!-766 ldt 0111, >1oo • CU>IId. llraJ ..,.., leo- are bcre lool is a mistake) Ia tM 1416-o67l K'I'I:D1 lcavco C&Jh. ST. CATJtAaUIE'I cou., CAIIL

1 ExpUc:iL r c~

•01·•6o· ""·

I••·

~-·-~iAdoeqUJrt

Clvca to doe

l'•'''"""""

•i•

CoDece io 11•• by Wm. Bobua ollllk), to

•IIDM rnoru~. 0...... llobwr, ll wao ~,..,. "' t6sz by his 'rr-1-«ber Luy.' 'nor leU it el a ra:llct lrn!pla,r IJPI, ... tlf\q *lr'Ua wid~ lM. XGO

_,_ II._ _,.-.uo...t lllo . .W.Cio - ·

Q. Jldooocod 10 doe la~e Wr. 8. Qaaritdt. •M •...a,. aUo....s- to

--... .. oliPJ!y. l'tlrchmeM, - - _ ................ 8f Ia., In d001ble - . , of ~ bco, wtll '"'""'• ..rt, 611-tlo ant. Uds Wltb doe accoant olthc

••tbor'• booluo, 'Quia •noaaquloqoc.'

In to>t (rtd).

borimri•r ol bokt and

F1orolCd

miniature of tho cftt~'o-n o-n r. J, ol 3 Fi.lhet unu~l type the prlrat lt.lted to the left of' tho picture lind tbe penitc.nl at a hnle dl•IIIR(e. J.,&Llh •wnrrwiH

"""" .. the

a

aood

lkglnt will! r rol. :1-42, having loll'"" ICAveo here. 11nd

lulo IOJl alto Prol. 529-6&8, l'rol.

8~2-l.

8s, and l,.thapa mo..,.

The boo~ rormtri)' bolon!l"d to • Matqu ... of IIMtln~•· 'J'hl• 1• a 1ood maWICrip1, alld tbe •pallln1 It (.tlrly wrrc:ct. l plad). Tbo bMic hu Jot< f - ......... lh< &eCOl>d of the lim qun (l'nll. 144 ,011, lho Lui of the >1Dd u4 ilm of ll;c: o)ld (•h. JIJ1·)416), aJMl lhc (lnl of the o6tll (.W. 1569-1727). We find oa lk Juc Ia! I' a bud po1h.apo u early . . lk en-tJ> aftL' Liberpaltlncl, buo the m.:u11>Sedally u rq:u~ls Rr1al '· ..-or tpcc!al tonuv.Jon whh ll, •co I. •S.., lv. SSP, &e. CL go apedaUy toaedttr apptrc.ntJy In at;~lltr! place.•, u Prol, 937 r., I. 94, t6r, •6s, css. pt6, but notthrou,llout. There arc IIO&nc C'Cin'Cttlou by t!f&SU.n: o{fl.cal

'• ud a llne tupplltd by a ddl'trtnl band, vi, tcml. No pun«uaUota. R. fh:O. 18.

c. ui~ 1lriL Mu..eum.

cxllx

MANUSCRIPTS

c . ,.frul• AMIIIJI/s wi.tli '"Ex·

pliat • b.u: liDU), 'Qoam cinure • and •Qu~~o vn\l.tqu.itque." hrcb.ment. IT. '>.lch•otdJ: douhlecolumo of.., N-. ...U wrin~ fino quattC Ale ol lbe ~IS. Tie l>'ndlllc 11 deq>ly JWDpcd wuh I he .,.. vi Creal Bnala ud lte1uld '" ... aad ""' lcllcn I. R., aboele:a-): wrinen "' dnl!bk column ol 46 1.- In. p>d .......,. luand ot .... r........,,h eeoWtycype. Latlnallml!Uriesin !he""''¥'"· Tho 6na porelw,.niJ. eucutf'd bordtr ol reomeulcal ~utm and a rat~r rud.eJy fWn.ted miniature of X'ebudtadflemQ"s drum, In atyle tt:M:mbling dw. ot F. Tb11 s»ge ba.t alto three her:tlcbc th.ie.ldt llnd a trea:c, o1 which more buuftor. florutcd luall bard.,. a1 th< bt11nnln, a{ boob and iUouUIIAled •. o-mhtl.ar v. 770t-17•6· a.Dd tnntpollillll -..i. 66~ I• con-«LGca it b lafcriar onJy IO F, a.a4 lbac two MUd (ar •L.o,·e aJI otha. d ptiJ:rwy .ulborluea. T'hdr l~eGU of aa.a •notJ._r I• tM"taln, and abe~ ~~of 1~lr rut e-ve. h the hlcbot p.tn"'" ~ authc:nnd.t)'• The-.pd.L.q it ~7 tW Macl • w.ll k

IC!d •• ..._. pt.tNCtS

wtakh

U'C'

piao..t t... s ... w. ""-· .. r vij SOO'l' ..... . la4Hol •• - • p~aces q. ,,... tu1:1 .,.. at.ohately d•c ...r, kuu foe- leu". ~ ~ (. SO! . . . . . . . . . .C'tdl ...... i1. ....ad . . . . . . 8Qt •17 &MI. • • Je. an'Cd tilM &1M. ,...._ ._, aliD tbat •• • cop&.~ " - • 4.-.crnc .npa.:l • MS.eii.M ma;wd6n&...u:.-.~~ ,....apofwWdtwe:pwa. ia aa. aM6. •"'- •too. ,..,._ •Wic: • ~ el-'"lt re..rtap *fJPftl' iD Ufook1"pano(5. !>all.•&Y S1i5SitX COLI.., Cute. A. • 1 (Rem. Cat. l 3- r..6). AIN411fi".l, whh 1 J::xphch • (tl.a Unu) and rQum cinx~.' (fr. ,..202 v4'), ,.nd Lhen An Enallsh Vt... lon or Cato't Dtiltiltn. P•per, 0". ou (of whlJd.

....s

lal lUllS. ..................... ' u d l t .. ......._ U.C W dtc Laneacer P"C'~ It • "..,-bWe: as ~ .... hb7 eo- ...... cod ................ •.wlucb ...,. ._.,., ken a14lo io S ~ uct it. hu dcwa La.d• k.....,t.,.. ..t.lill!U47 tJnu. 6,..t quarlt'F o( fifteenth «nt Laten NmrNnd lo ttkt (red): aJ

c.,..,•

• Confusor,• • Amant,' lmaaUy omhted. CocnpltcU• bord("f" of fi rs.t page and "' the beginning ul r:u:h book '""UIJ1t I •ntl U, p.Rlmcd In good t tyle. Two mlnlll\lllrtl, (, 4VCI Nr:buC:hlulnCI,Ar'• du::un (the king in bed cro-aned), (. 9 the ConfC'aion., ne.•rly at In t-:. No ta-..u loat. 'T'1:Ho natnt- I Edwarde flcte•ooc.lc. appeata Oft r. I, and the book wu probably anc-n by btm 10 the \Jo.ave:nity en 16ol.

r.-

ol ta.t Ia ... n, ..U the • Actr W~ ..,.. U. tlld MS. • t ....... el\k prc6ar with t.t.fo ...... rkua ~-... ....... wlhcb

cart,

1111't:.tMr;ilt, ·W7dptel&o ........ ,.....,.. _.,a.., .. kfll lht oCT, . . .. -lalol7 waa olllw liS. ...d loJ llcrth

s-.t ktJ.cn, ............._. . .

tilt

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

U.~o

H.uU.&IAN .)169, Ont. \tv..rum.. Coetaio• tbe ~ as F. rtiip>as ....... .. • do&nnl lwwl - blub •• lloc ~>q;,_~ IUOd cud. l'opor, ftcrpt _ . , lcallooodl, ll\•7l ........ qaircs cl16 ....W:y), ..W. llpalwn, •nt ..,U. lloa....U..C L; one! M.U.,

ae.,,.._

«

t....,

14 Wnu... 1n ~ eolo""' J&-;n mhcr ~y. Lalla ~ ia """J'TO (rod I. Uo ( , S •• I be bcgiarung ol end. P.udlme1n, B: 1&9. 1.lk9't in,' quires of 8 wttb catch•ordt. \Veil wriue:n in double

column or •6 lints (corr..ponding column for column with F thrnu~h·

' ""dt.

out), lppaft.ntly in six d itTcrtnt or which lho iil'lt wrote qwre5 •• .,, 6, s-u , 2 l, the second 3 nnd. IKtthJLp!l 7• tho \hlrd 4, So 16, the fourth n -t s, 19, the tifllt J8, 'nd tho tb.th ':0, u-24. Lahn

'?'

summaries in the m.arr*n (sometime.t omlued). 1 hrce leaves are. lost tn tho tc\·entb quite (ill. to87-J6)2), and OM at tho rnd, cootaiaing the tut thirteen fino of the t.alln d1 ••llt/fld, &:c., .Otb p robably !be ..:count of doe boob IUid Ibo pi4D, Williaa M.UOW. (Q. ~·· mp 1),

o,,..,,.

Jolla Fcynto~~.

n. ,...-....,.di6crftr7 _ _ _ _ .. .........,.....

TJ:c

h aod ~e foon.h c:"'c • ,u, .. dotcl7 conu~c to Uaat ot F, that U •• ~ '-poMibk: a.Ol 10 bdne thlt u. b copt.f ""- lL lo the case o!

••

I

dxiii

COWER'S ENCLISII WORKS

MAN USCRIPTS

...,. ot &1M o&llcr haodt lNt cutt CWfttpottdcau 1o tk~ ol .lpd1tne 'od pu.ac:I'UlJ• 4la.tppu..n. ._., a -.d. lea correct te&t il pc. kt """ dwdlr d .... . . . , , . _ ""'tlolnl ....... r.r ......p~c, b ...tdcatlr l.u.can~ a 111J . .c.a. IM"''>«e~ \be actre t. At Ute ..c: ~i.-e u ..,_, t.. 80Cod lh4 K at.M &b. aurlW IIHICIIM 1M be a' ·-. ol lt.ke ~ .................,. .. r, 'lilt .. ,.... p~o; &c.._. ~~ocrc .,.. -radlop wt.k.b..ato'-dcti•cJ froau.otkt ~l'ft, u lit nl.9')6.pl, fi3l'o t&p aD •• lbc *"""'-'~ q~MrW •,...._. tlwr. .. ACT....:t tri&ll. AlL Oa: the-~ fll 1M dq>3->IOJ), t 61 (lv. 4oo. 576), (. 78 (iv. 3701-v. 161), f. 110 (v. 6J8)·6;!6o), and t 118 (ri. LDtt;. v,lll i. 4""181), \Wtlve lc&\'o.a lifter(, u6 (vi. I S71-viL 140_5), four aJtcr r.1 31 (vii. 2Jl4•J088), and thluy or mole Aller f. 1341 from vii. 359~ I Q lhc enol o( the book. On tbc h
\\'ADUA.Jf; COl.~... OXF. IJ..

C-f,Jitl A•mlh'l wi:U:t' Expiicit •

hal._) a114 'Q1l.\m c:lauft,' t'-aiiM tho - . diac .... &I1UO '"" GnJiaal blt.ob al lhe

T"""''· tliprlr ;m;>t, It 206, 12 x 9 oa, 18 quii'H 6nt ~ 6 and abc CJG!Iy of 8 (lettered); tooble c.a-a o( 41- 41 u..., uutidy

A-nz, imp67 1t), L ,.1 ,.. Tbc Tn.•cllm and the An•..J (a 29tlt), 1. 127 .. VIrgil's 1-l'onor, t ul .. The Two Coft'm, f. 109 ~ ~ and tho Puries, &c. (•. :o)t-2491'. Pardtoaorft~ t.uae folla. calnmn o( &lliala .,.. l.UIAC II W>la ud ~ loGd 10 . . ~. wl>ilo '"tile bw:ki:• d - the riillt Ill oqd To ........, . . o{ tl>e d,.U.C ~.. Tl>ote ~ ..,.. 111ppooed to llan boloarod 10 Sir John F - . editor or the PaatOD LeUc9" (Ho), 4035, 'Cowui Coru-'• ADw>1iJ. Fol. _,..,. b I &iDr to Rie. Bridcoooke, £sq., til Lad well,~ ad 6974· 'Jo. eo-'• P - lol.,' k' c•l 10 Sir Ucaryl..aDpy til tl>e COGJity til Salop (i.e. til tl>e Abbey, Shrewtboory). The avcrqe ~ of tbo Go- MSS.. ocudt lurll, aod t1>m: io a -putiv&ly WKe proponiGD olwaU W1'1lttD aod bdy ~ copa, wbidl atWa. ll> thaD • rupocllblo WMiaruoaipu llleh u L or Bo, wbleh ttAad Ia tbe third r=lt amoac coplonf the c...jml• A••~
..,,.,.,...!ado>

r-

cbviil

GOWER'S ENGLISH WORKS

EDIT IONS

Cod. ..mto en papc:l d aAo de 1400, fol. menor. putt.' The salt· ment aboot theautbora.nd 1ho tranlbtorela taken from the bt:ginning ol Ibe baiU!ation i...U. It -..u 10 be ratba' implied tha.ttbe C.stilian vcrsioo made by juan de Cumca wu betn top)' after about v. 6400 Ia dur from the unbroke.n aeries ~f tcadlnp belonging lo l.bls elus wblth he cxhibhl. Tite text ceneralJy .. very poor and Usc metre estremc1y bad.

·~

c.,.

A~

DtatTUBLET1'£ in tSJ) printed the Ct~"f. Amanll'1 from a lo.!S· very dOKly rCKtnbllog B. He did not venture, howC.\'t.r, to aublutu~. thQ pre!ace which be found in his copy for thai tO wblch Ca.xton .bad g>ven currency, but me:rtly expressed rurprise. that the ptinted cop1e1 ~houl_d

dcTiate 10 mud. from the MSS., and print~ sepan.tely tha.t wbkh hu waipt gav-e. He abo ta.kes from Caston tht lines all be end ohbe ;::;.,... theadditionalll>lrd .-nslon pusa&et, Pn>l.495-498. ;w-s&4. L 1403-~ ·~•u. •34J->3SS. •369·•37• •, and abo the au~ 'n •iii 2941-296• but be bas 0\'etlooked v. 7101-7746. • ITOe1l an the additional passages In •· I.Dd •i~• as• be, fOOJnd tnsrtrt~ 01 course 1 es 1 them in his MS., )OQdly ptotttdna apiol\ Ca.xt:on 10r om~:tung yn

f:,

and columnes. ye and somctJme bollc pAdp.' , . Buthelette•1 ten is batter dun Cu•on'a, but btl rnanu.tcnpt mwt ha.ve been decidedly inferior in correct nest to B. The second edition, t SS4t l.t a rtprint or tho fir1t, column ror column, in different type. A few 1nillRket nre c:t~rrec:.ted,. and the ape.Uing is 1 ome:whM c:hRnged, especi:\lly by aubttituuoo 10 many cues of i ror y.

CIIAL111£1 • (Ia tbe .,lddlo ol a ..1\l._), boiDJ lclt oad770, .ass.-~56, oSI!J-.SA, 3111-J.JOO, ud"' ...,.. .,.... it 1s imposoihle .,..., "'n b..., r~ In .n (:S2S wboeroc nNliOD bu ~.. r...nd. CliCq>' ~ u IS aradr or Corm and spellinc o< or • YnJ ln4"" and acQdenaJ lund, the radingsolat leaot foort..., ocher oclecltdc:opod 1>3.., been ucnUinal, and by this proced~Ue •"'- nnaltOnt wlucb oro me.dr lncllridual lave ~n diot•ngui~ from thooc which are olwed by • dus or a group. The ~ullltS>•en in the cntlctl notes, all the nrlluions or A ond D bdng thCTO chtd uccpt th- that arc very trilling 1, while the readings C oro USU>Iiy &iven only when shored by some other mnnu...,.lpl. • • 11 ts hnporlllnt tho! it altould be nbtterved whorh lhc m~uscnpts are which hove thus ·btl'n referred to and how thet~ evoden'7 " c:1ted They are divided alWA)'I acconllng to thetr reci!DJlOn, ft 1 ICCOOd or tbini, and they are cited In on unnrytng order, as ~~~. . : AJMihX(G)ERCLB• 5.\dOT.:I, l'Wll, (or K), oo thot A a. mesns tbr whole Kncs or tbe fiM d.u1, and S •• • ~ ~t ol the soecoocl, while R, , , • Bt SWMis for HoX(G)ERCLBt, and E •.• a. roc ERCLBo. none .,......., (or coghteeo) DWIIUittipts are pracnt u tnm.- Jbroa&holl~ wbetlla D3med or - • (or wben the IXWIUKnj)U a~ named which Clbacs 10111ctima odclcd tn pfnnthoc:a. Atlelltioa sboold be paid olototolbe fJIIontr poin11 (1) lt -.no 110\ fOUl>0n it. The Trenthnm MS., which contAins It, h:u nlr..-.dy been fully described in the volume of ' ftonch Works.' A poem in five seven-line 1t.1nas, bq;innlna ' l'asse fortbc too l>llarrm• and bridel wde l'Y beotc,' occurs In (Shirley'•) MS. Ash· mole! S9. f. 17 ,.. (Bodl. Llbr.), w11b the title 'llabde moral of sod• counte)le made by Go..-et.' The IIJI>e wrthout the ruul ~ (OW1ng to 1 "b..:h b.u been pabhshed by Or. :M.u ronter in the Awlttt~J•r 1!.11 Slotli•"' tiff •(1((.-c" -~•rulrLot, •'01. ro; p. so. In this MS. the piece is :ucribed t~ Jlenedtcl Burgh, :111d it 15 called 'A l~n to ktpe ~·elf the tonge. It Is almost impossil>lc tbtu tbetc vcrset can h•ve been wrluen by Cowct, but out of deJ'crcnc:c to Shirley'• outhority (which is not very ll'elghty however), nnd In Ot'dar that the rcoder may Judge, It Is printed here, all dcvlotlon1 from the Ashmole t
kok;

A.,.. u.., WYJ,fo" ,tiac6tvcred tftf_-.1 dCKOC:\'erdJ p, 109f L !t710:t/or-o11 rr.,Jal fa ul-10 p. 156, I. ¢6, p. o.)8,l4•7, P ·3-i6~ 1. t668 p. 1Ht1 ·1. alb!», for' bare m:u{baf

Suc:heo AJ cboo m:~ytt nct\'cr revoke ~gc)'ll; II. rood mcnc le~tc b lestc ((fir &)' tertttin. Plc.y not with pec;u.a ne: d'aw\'1:.1 tQ thy f~re; thou bc.m ncVI!r, yl( lho.u do a.ll\.er me; The. h.:lndc b hurt Utu bourdetb with the bere : Fawvd f4rt:th even ricbt as doth a bee: Cb~e

Ho~y

mowthl!d, ful of swe.tnesac Is sbe,

But lokc: bc:bi.nde .1.ud wa~ lhee (rqm hir 3lM&~ Thow 1balt ho.ve burt yf thou pln.y with bir Ionge. Dispreyse ao wictu.

b~;~.t

30

\Veyahe thy wardes Md hem by mf!.!l.nrc peyse.; Thenkc that 1bc rilly may by ~ee am.ende, And e ke: lbct gode ma~· happ4!n to offc-:ndc: Remtmber eke l~t wbat man doth a.n.Jls$, T:bau h.Ju.t or o.rt or may be aud1c u h e is..

This iB run of 11nes th;at Gower would not btlve written, with supt.!:rOuous syHD-bles in the tn~tre, tlS U. t, s, to, q, 29, 33. 35 {omiuing those th31 might p>SS witb amended spelling), •ccent on "'eak syllnblet, as 11. 2o, 1:5, ;6, 31, dcfecth·e rhyme~ as 'besydc': • be .. ryde' (p:trticiple), nnd • feero' (oompnnion) 1 'bezo,' or •upJlrcssion of !)'liable al the betinning. •s in L 12. The form • mayst • (mnist) for 'miht' i.s not round in any respectnb1e Gower 'MS. Moreover the •tyle is not th•t or Gower, but evidently imitttted from Ctuuter's poem 'Fte (rom the pres.' 9 gladde (cl4t1 .R) ll.m.f5$e to Jlt_o t 1 wit (wiuc: R) tg ewys.se 13 s:tonde>e 15 tttens (meMy.s R) t6 adnu!de t8: eppe}•reJre rnan-t (manne. R) 19 wel.e: )owe :.o •&ctyne 'lat gadc (cood. R) cerlaiac_ 22 ( PJoyo aot pecus R) 24 burte bourde~ (~ btere R) ~5 fate.)te do))c ~ rlsht ful {full R) ~7 f.rort~e aS )owe al~t k.acbe hllferne t.a pley )Ieos bc:cttU loncc (Tbow abalt h.auc hurt y(

j)ou plAy with her Jcm~ .R)

w'

3.of R eruc.mbre do)e arui.sse

p.- ••s, 1. 28s8. fttt' Stu mtd Bot p. r 33, ~low 1. 96, a small spue should be ldl p, ra.a.t. a7,,/o,.~eU1 mnf arievetb 1). 1$0, l. ?so.fo,.ber ntAJ hire. p. r-;o1 I. •498~/