John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" Edited from the original ms. version of 1616, Douce 170, collated with its ms. revision of 1630, Ashmole 53, by Fredk. J. Furnivall: With notes on the magical elements in Chaucer's "Squire's Tale", and analogues, by W. A. Clouston |
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Canto quarto.
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 | John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" |  |
Canto quarto.
Algarsife gainste his sier rebelles;
queene Ethel vowes iust death thearefore;
Canac, Videriaes witchcrafte telles,
and learnes the brazen horses lore.
queene Ethel vowes iust death thearefore;
Canac, Videriaes witchcrafte telles,
and learnes the brazen horses lore.
The sable night (thoughtes wakefull counseler,
cares chamberlaine, daungers percursiter),
invited bothe the kinge and Queene to rest,
that slumber mote those indigestes digest;
but shee was so transported into ire,
as all her d'signes thrett vengeance, swoord, & fyer,
for princelie state (once kinglie honor wounded)
n'is safe till iustice traitors hathe confounded.
cares chamberlaine, daungers percursiter),
invited bothe the kinge and Queene to rest,
that slumber mote those indigestes digest;
but shee was so transported into ire,
as all her d'signes thrett vengeance, swoord, & fyer,
for princelie state (once kinglie honor wounded)
n'is safe till iustice traitors hathe confounded.
31
To this, the kinge addes, Algarsif was missinge
from supper, without cravinge parentes blissinge.
this more encreasd Etheltaes indignation,
to tax him att th'vndutifull boyes fasshion.
but thoughe Cambuscans love his passion stayd,
yet deemd hee, such ann absence ought bee wayd,
specialie now, when Fregiley revolteth.
thus the sadd twaine the matter long consulteth;
his love yet lothd to turne it selfe to hate
againste that statelie towne, which hee of late
with so rare kerved workes had polished,
highe sumptuous towres and trophies garnished,
that trulie to distroy't on iuste occasion,
woold forage hates hart, for loves emulation.
from supper, without cravinge parentes blissinge.
this more encreasd Etheltaes indignation,
to tax him att th'vndutifull boyes fasshion.
but thoughe Cambuscans love his passion stayd,
yet deemd hee, such ann absence ought bee wayd,
specialie now, when Fregiley revolteth.
thus the sadd twaine the matter long consulteth;
his love yet lothd to turne it selfe to hate
againste that statelie towne, which hee of late
with so rare kerved workes had polished,
highe sumptuous towres and trophies garnished,
that trulie to distroy't on iuste occasion,
woold forage hates hart, for loves emulation.
Thus vengeance, ire, love, lodginge in one nest,
spent till a snuff the nightes lampe without rest,
till morpheus ebon mace, ytipd with lead,
had spred his sable curtaine o're theire head.
spent till a snuff the nightes lampe without rest,
till morpheus ebon mace, ytipd with lead,
had spred his sable curtaine o're theire head.
But ear sonn sett, Canacies lookinge glasse
had to her glassd from farr the verie case,
Which shee beholdinge, from her closet rose,
and, weepinge, quicklie to her parentes goes:
'fore whome, on knees, shee sayd, her hap was bad
to bee the bringer still of newes vnglad.
had to her glassd from farr the verie case,
Which shee beholdinge, from her closet rose,
and, weepinge, quicklie to her parentes goes:
'fore whome, on knees, shee sayd, her hap was bad
to bee the bringer still of newes vnglad.
“Whie so?” (quoth they) “tell yt vs daughter deere,
thoughe badd newes, rifer bin, then good to heere.”
thoughe badd newes, rifer bin, then good to heere.”
32
“Pardon my brother, pardon ô,” shee sayde:
“my brother Algarsife (I feare) betrayd,
whome the Fregiliens have gott in their handes,
and him have captive made vnder their bandes.”
“my brother Algarsife (I feare) betrayd,
whome the Fregiliens have gott in their handes,
and him have captive made vnder their bandes.”
“Captive! nay Captaine,” (quoth the queene) “them o're”
so rowsinge her, vowd hee shoold dye thearefore;
“false caitiff, traitor! thy stolne liberties,
thy pleasures vnrestraind, thy surquedries,
thy gracinge publicke ill, good in private,
thy surphetes, luxuries, plottinges in state,
weare presages enuff, what thow wooldst bee,
but, as thow art, thow doest, so comm to thee.”
so rowsinge her, vowd hee shoold dye thearefore;
“false caitiff, traitor! thy stolne liberties,
thy pleasures vnrestraind, thy surquedries,
thy gracinge publicke ill, good in private,
thy surphetes, luxuries, plottinges in state,
weare presages enuff, what thow wooldst bee,
but, as thow art, thow doest, so comm to thee.”
This while, Canace melted into teares,
for brothers faultes, which weare no faultes of hers,
and while shee pittie beggd for fathers love,
noold from Cambuscan once her eies remove.
for brothers faultes, which weare no faultes of hers,
and while shee pittie beggd for fathers love,
noold from Cambuscan once her eies remove.
Who (good kinge) felt more bruntes by this vprore
then yet in wisdomm hee ment to explore.
his Queenes revenge, his daughters mercie suite,
his sonns falshode, his owne truithes condispute,
his love and iustice, falshode to exile,
and serve all turnes, woold crave some longer while.
more sayd hee not, sith tim's now t'mend all harmes,
and thearefore rowzd him vp, to goe to armes.
then yet in wisdomm hee ment to explore.
his Queenes revenge, his daughters mercie suite,
his sonns falshode, his owne truithes condispute,
his love and iustice, falshode to exile,
and serve all turnes, woold crave some longer while.
more sayd hee not, sith tim's now t'mend all harmes,
and thearefore rowzd him vp, to goe to armes.
Tho sadd Lord Phebus, in a drippinge morne,
peepd through his tawnie lockes (forespellinge storme),
and rufflinge auster made all clowdes one clowd,
to dight a mantl', him gainste the raine to shrowd.
33
and rufflinge auster made all clowdes one clowd,
to dight a mantl', him gainste the raine to shrowd.
Now Canac havinge oportunitie
of time, place, grace (devoide of companye),
besought her parentes leave t'affoord her speeche:
they, givinge Lovinge Leave to her beeseeche.
of time, place, grace (devoide of companye),
besought her parentes leave t'affoord her speeche:
they, givinge Lovinge Leave to her beeseeche.
“It yrckes my verie soule and hart” (quoth shee),
“posethe my wittes and iudgmentes depth, to see,
that suche a divelishe witche, flinger of trickes,
shoold exercise on vs her slye magickes,
orelooke our cattell, and infect all thinges;
distort their bodies, and theire limbes round wringes;
wrest the streight crooked, the right eyes besquint;
poison the spirites, theire sinewes wreath and stint;
thrust ouglie fowle shapes on the fairest stature;
blowe opposition twixt nature and nature;
the matter stupifie, of youths gen'ration;
counterfeate, yet ne cann vse copulation;
traduce the witt, from own witt, to her will,
by charmes obsequious, till them selves they kill;
with good commix badd, imbibd willingelie,
till frend to frend, turne mortal enimye;
demolishe all thinges, as spites spoliator,
in spite off (yet suffred by) their creator;
in natures sicke distempers, the slye dealer,
that to gaine credite, stealer plaies and healer.
my Lord, her drugges weare yet withstoode by no man,
for malice hathe no bottomm in a woman.”
“What? what? pray whose that?” (quoth the kinge & queene),
for her discourse gann to them pleasant seeme,
in that theire daughter, a great secret telles,
of radicke witchcraft, and of horrid spelles.
“saye on, Canac” (quoth they), “whoe is this beast?
or wheare keepes th'ellcatt, dares all these infest?”
“Good Lord, tis false Viderea” (quoth Canac),
“a bewteous ladie once, and rich of grace,
sithe theldest daughter of lord Homnibone,
baron bold abrode, and kind at home:
whoe, for his prowesse and magnificence,
with hospitalitie of most dispense,
was honord throughe the world, bothe farr & nye,
as great grandfather of all faire chivalrie.
his court a schoole was, bothe of artes and armes,
whither, whoe so complaind of wronges or harmes
had to theire cause a noble knight assignd,
which shoold theire wronges right, & beat tirantes blind:
accordinge to that brave societie
of nobliste Artur of old Faerie,
whoe fetcht from thence his verie president
of love, iustizd by truith magnificent.
This false Videria, prienge into state,
and, through a false glasse, dressinge her elate,
Which glasse (it seemd) was caste in Alchymie,
to amplifye thinges to monstrositie,
fell to selfe likinge, which sh' admird in that
shee sawe, how in her selfe to factitate,
and proiectes to begett of greatest great;
wheare, deeminge eminence the iolliest seat,
that, turninge courtier, woold protest as trewe
for falshode, cann make purchase by the shewe.
her pride and avarice (not yet content)
blasond her exemplars (her mindes casement),
that all eares woold, and eies her partes admire,
meaninge (in deede) but to alluer folke nye her,
whome, with sweete blandishmentes, shee deignd regreete
(as the caracter of ann hipochreete):
for it is all daie seene, whoe sittes at gaze,
had rather to bee caught, then catch by th' blaze.
In short time shee so traffickd with them all,
as shee caught, and was caught of Quadrumal,
and baggd full great (which was ann hainous crime)
of fowr base miscreant bastardes att one time,
which to her syde had drawne a iollie faction,
in hope to beare the swaye at her direction.
but Homnibone, whoe was most provident,
knewe hers, and her conspirators intent,
and, iust at th'instant calld from her all grace,
ne left one iote of goodnes in the place.
for whie? what seemd as it, and was not it,
his reverend mowth it quicklie foorth did spitt,
and raught the sorceresse fast by the throte,
without regardinge ought the strumpetes note,
in whome was left no matter to amendment,
after all favors reft weare for avengement.
“Counterfeate” (quoth hee), “packe thee, with thy crewe!”
so her and hers quite out of dores hee threwe,
and lockd the gates with suche a secret seale,
as near more state newes shoold to her reveale.”
“posethe my wittes and iudgmentes depth, to see,
that suche a divelishe witche, flinger of trickes,
shoold exercise on vs her slye magickes,
orelooke our cattell, and infect all thinges;
distort their bodies, and theire limbes round wringes;
wrest the streight crooked, the right eyes besquint;
poison the spirites, theire sinewes wreath and stint;
thrust ouglie fowle shapes on the fairest stature;
blowe opposition twixt nature and nature;
the matter stupifie, of youths gen'ration;
counterfeate, yet ne cann vse copulation;
traduce the witt, from own witt, to her will,
by charmes obsequious, till them selves they kill;
with good commix badd, imbibd willingelie,
till frend to frend, turne mortal enimye;
demolishe all thinges, as spites spoliator,
in spite off (yet suffred by) their creator;
in natures sicke distempers, the slye dealer,
that to gaine credite, stealer plaies and healer.
34
for malice hathe no bottomm in a woman.”
“What? what? pray whose that?” (quoth the kinge & queene),
for her discourse gann to them pleasant seeme,
in that theire daughter, a great secret telles,
of radicke witchcraft, and of horrid spelles.
“saye on, Canac” (quoth they), “whoe is this beast?
or wheare keepes th'ellcatt, dares all these infest?”
“Good Lord, tis false Viderea” (quoth Canac),
“a bewteous ladie once, and rich of grace,
sithe theldest daughter of lord Homnibone,
baron bold abrode, and kind at home:
whoe, for his prowesse and magnificence,
with hospitalitie of most dispense,
was honord throughe the world, bothe farr & nye,
as great grandfather of all faire chivalrie.
his court a schoole was, bothe of artes and armes,
whither, whoe so complaind of wronges or harmes
had to theire cause a noble knight assignd,
which shoold theire wronges right, & beat tirantes blind:
accordinge to that brave societie
of nobliste Artur of old Faerie,
whoe fetcht from thence his verie president
of love, iustizd by truith magnificent.
This false Videria, prienge into state,
35
Which glasse (it seemd) was caste in Alchymie,
to amplifye thinges to monstrositie,
fell to selfe likinge, which sh' admird in that
shee sawe, how in her selfe to factitate,
and proiectes to begett of greatest great;
wheare, deeminge eminence the iolliest seat,
that, turninge courtier, woold protest as trewe
for falshode, cann make purchase by the shewe.
her pride and avarice (not yet content)
blasond her exemplars (her mindes casement),
that all eares woold, and eies her partes admire,
meaninge (in deede) but to alluer folke nye her,
whome, with sweete blandishmentes, shee deignd regreete
(as the caracter of ann hipochreete):
for it is all daie seene, whoe sittes at gaze,
had rather to bee caught, then catch by th' blaze.
In short time shee so traffickd with them all,
as shee caught, and was caught of Quadrumal,
and baggd full great (which was ann hainous crime)
of fowr base miscreant bastardes att one time,
which to her syde had drawne a iollie faction,
in hope to beare the swaye at her direction.
36
knewe hers, and her conspirators intent,
and, iust at th'instant calld from her all grace,
ne left one iote of goodnes in the place.
for whie? what seemd as it, and was not it,
his reverend mowth it quicklie foorth did spitt,
and raught the sorceresse fast by the throte,
without regardinge ought the strumpetes note,
in whome was left no matter to amendment,
after all favors reft weare for avengement.
“Counterfeate” (quoth hee), “packe thee, with thy crewe!”
so her and hers quite out of dores hee threwe,
and lockd the gates with suche a secret seale,
as near more state newes shoold to her reveale.”
Theare Canac breathd, a trewe-sweete oratresse,
that ne'ar learnt shiftes of gaine by slye degresse,
but with that purest-pure simplicitie,
which hidd no wrinckle from the coningst spie,
look't pittifullie vp in Parentes face,
and thus proceedes, “Now, since this hegges disgrace,
what villanie! what mischiff! what contagion!
what mutinie! rebellion! strife! invasion!
what loosenes (which this drabb calles Libertie)!
what faleshode (which this witch termes veritie)!
what tonge-plages (cowardlie scurrilitie)!
what quill-gvn bownces dares shee not let flye?
Naye, whoe or what ist not, that spite, or hate,
that luste, or coste hathe, but shee shootes at state?
for, lett but soldiers walke without the gates,
shee or her bastardes shape to court her mates,
wheare-in shee trades, or traines them to her weeles;
nay, everie one shee tracethe close at th' eeles,
wheare simbolizethe to insinuate,
th'imposture of a snake ayminge the pate.
but, farr more glibb, persuades, and slipps all in
at that same humor, that's most apt to synn,
wheare (warninge her) shee busilie collectes
fraile moral natures corrupt-impious textes,
exhaeld from eithers distances extreame,
and theareof imitablie deignes declaime,
to force a truith out of neutralitie,
which is abhorringe to pure sanctitie,
in spite of all the muses (as I deeme),
elles (but for her) print never them had seene.
but pious canons of synceritie
shee flowtes (as novices stupiditie),
and (as too cold) to lift hott spirites alofte,
so (the good spirit her leavinge) tries the noft,
to the dishonor of all antique normes,
which ne'ar appeard yet but in pious formes.
Lô, these snakes egges shathe hatcht in Faerie lande,
Wheare none (as yet) dares her designes withstand.
Ah, father, mother (parentes deerest deere),
I, your poore daughter, may her witchcraft feare;
her night croes, battes, howles, ravens, cattes, todes, snakes,
so fright mee, that my fleshe and sinewes quakes.
vah, but ift bee your fortunes to goe hence,
leave mee some suer gard for my weake defense!
for shee this witch is, which with temptinge weele
hath snard my brother Algarsife by th' eele,
or snake-wise stunge him: ah, I feare to death.”
Tho Canac wept and sobbd, quite out of breath,
praienge them sweetlie, thoughe great weare his fault,
to weigh his weakenes, weaker then th' assault,
and signe his pardon with their lovinge hand:
which donn, shee'l call him home to Faerie Lande.
that ne'ar learnt shiftes of gaine by slye degresse,
but with that purest-pure simplicitie,
which hidd no wrinckle from the coningst spie,
look't pittifullie vp in Parentes face,
and thus proceedes, “Now, since this hegges disgrace,
what villanie! what mischiff! what contagion!
what mutinie! rebellion! strife! invasion!
what loosenes (which this drabb calles Libertie)!
what faleshode (which this witch termes veritie)!
what tonge-plages (cowardlie scurrilitie)!
37
Naye, whoe or what ist not, that spite, or hate,
that luste, or coste hathe, but shee shootes at state?
for, lett but soldiers walke without the gates,
shee or her bastardes shape to court her mates,
wheare-in shee trades, or traines them to her weeles;
nay, everie one shee tracethe close at th' eeles,
wheare simbolizethe to insinuate,
th'imposture of a snake ayminge the pate.
but, farr more glibb, persuades, and slipps all in
at that same humor, that's most apt to synn,
wheare (warninge her) shee busilie collectes
fraile moral natures corrupt-impious textes,
exhaeld from eithers distances extreame,
and theareof imitablie deignes declaime,
to force a truith out of neutralitie,
which is abhorringe to pure sanctitie,
in spite of all the muses (as I deeme),
elles (but for her) print never them had seene.
but pious canons of synceritie
shee flowtes (as novices stupiditie),
and (as too cold) to lift hott spirites alofte,
so (the good spirit her leavinge) tries the noft,
38
which ne'ar appeard yet but in pious formes.
Lô, these snakes egges shathe hatcht in Faerie lande,
Wheare none (as yet) dares her designes withstand.
Ah, father, mother (parentes deerest deere),
I, your poore daughter, may her witchcraft feare;
her night croes, battes, howles, ravens, cattes, todes, snakes,
so fright mee, that my fleshe and sinewes quakes.
vah, but ift bee your fortunes to goe hence,
leave mee some suer gard for my weake defense!
for shee this witch is, which with temptinge weele
hath snard my brother Algarsife by th' eele,
or snake-wise stunge him: ah, I feare to death.”
Tho Canac wept and sobbd, quite out of breath,
praienge them sweetlie, thoughe great weare his fault,
to weigh his weakenes, weaker then th' assault,
and signe his pardon with their lovinge hand:
which donn, shee'l call him home to Faerie Lande.
“No” (swore sterne Ethelta), “that raskall boye
shall feele hee wrote his owne, not our annoye.
Yea, thoughe hee ioine him to our enimies,
and purchas make of their iniquities,
his reason knewe his parentes trewe and iuste;
his reason knewe theire foes false and iniuste,
his will was choice, his choise was reasons will;
and that, the traiter conscientlie shall feele,
in whose fowle soule, as thear's no expiation,
so, twixt vs three, n'is reconciliation.”
shall feele hee wrote his owne, not our annoye.
Yea, thoughe hee ioine him to our enimies,
and purchas make of their iniquities,
his reason knewe his parentes trewe and iuste;
his reason knewe theire foes false and iniuste,
his will was choice, his choise was reasons will;
39
in whose fowle soule, as thear's no expiation,
so, twixt vs three, n'is reconciliation.”
Teers after teers ran downe Canacies eyes,
sithe in those termes shee Barbara discries,
great argument, so vniuersal that
admittes not one exception (hard estate).
“Yet, noblist mother” (quod this humble mayd),
“beare with your child, whoe ofte hathe heard it sayd,
that thoughe a father bee a lovinge frend,
Yet, naturalie, mothers are more kind.
tis to your love, Deere Dame, that I appeale:
Love brought you and my ffather so to deale,
as wee your childrenn are: whome, if yee kill,
nature maye sweare love is oreruld by will.”
sithe in those termes shee Barbara discries,
great argument, so vniuersal that
admittes not one exception (hard estate).
“Yet, noblist mother” (quod this humble mayd),
“beare with your child, whoe ofte hathe heard it sayd,
that thoughe a father bee a lovinge frend,
Yet, naturalie, mothers are more kind.
tis to your love, Deere Dame, that I appeale:
Love brought you and my ffather so to deale,
as wee your childrenn are: whome, if yee kill,
nature maye sweare love is oreruld by will.”
“Gearl” (quoth the queene), “I note my selfe mistake;
I love my sonn while hee dothe vs partake;
but hee is gonn. Now love I iustice better;
my iustice shall my love paye, trew loves debter,
my iustice is my selfe, and I am it,
which iustice cann no partial love admitt:
nor will I separate mee to annother,
no, thoughe I weare tenn thowsand times his mother.”
I love my sonn while hee dothe vs partake;
but hee is gonn. Now love I iustice better;
my iustice shall my love paye, trew loves debter,
my iustice is my selfe, and I am it,
which iustice cann no partial love admitt:
nor will I separate mee to annother,
no, thoughe I weare tenn thowsand times his mother.”
Then sobbd the seelie-meeke-deiected mayd,
“so bee it, sacred mother, as you sayd.
graunt yet, that, as vnheard I begg for him,
I too bee made partaker of his synn,
and die his death: Let me not see the daye
that our twoe loves shall parted bee a tway:
his liefe, my death may not concomitate;
ô, let vs bothe die, or bothe live one fate!
wee bee twoe graffes, twoe blossoms of one stocke,
let one sharpe pruninge knife addresse our blocke;
my grace cannot his disgrace overlive:
I will die with thee, my owne Algarsiue.”
“so bee it, sacred mother, as you sayd.
graunt yet, that, as vnheard I begg for him,
40
and die his death: Let me not see the daye
that our twoe loves shall parted bee a tway:
his liefe, my death may not concomitate;
ô, let vs bothe die, or bothe live one fate!
wee bee twoe graffes, twoe blossoms of one stocke,
let one sharpe pruninge knife addresse our blocke;
my grace cannot his disgrace overlive:
I will die with thee, my owne Algarsiue.”
The queene woold heere no more, but strooke vp stairs,
Leavinge sad Canac sprent with teers and praiers;
and as the queene rose cryd, “Good Ladie mother,
bee good t' Algarsife, my owne eldest brother!”
Leavinge sad Canac sprent with teers and praiers;
and as the queene rose cryd, “Good Ladie mother,
bee good t' Algarsife, my owne eldest brother!”
Heere fell a notable antipathie
twixt ffathers and the mothers propertie:
her nature (on iust cause) wox iustelie fell;
his nature (on trewe cause) Love did impell.
but all this while Cambuscan inwardlie
drancke vp Canacies teeres, hyd in his eye:
courage with truith, pittye with iustice, bothe
fought hard in him, to salve his sonns vntrothe,
But all was for his lovelie Daughters sake,
Yet made no showe, no, thoughe his hart did ake,
but volvd, revolvd, in diepe perplexitie,
how to fitt love, and iustice remedie.
Oh, noblest Love (active), the baies bee thine,
which deignst annothers faultes say, “they bee mine.”
twixt ffathers and the mothers propertie:
her nature (on iust cause) wox iustelie fell;
his nature (on trewe cause) Love did impell.
but all this while Cambuscan inwardlie
drancke vp Canacies teeres, hyd in his eye:
courage with truith, pittye with iustice, bothe
fought hard in him, to salve his sonns vntrothe,
But all was for his lovelie Daughters sake,
Yet made no showe, no, thoughe his hart did ake,
but volvd, revolvd, in diepe perplexitie,
41
Oh, noblest Love (active), the baies bee thine,
which deignst annothers faultes say, “they bee mine.”
Boreas, by this, had swept the firmament,
and rolld vp wett clowdes, backe to seaward sent;
Phebus, discurtaininge his murninge face,
shewd his longe absence dulld the worldes solace.
and rolld vp wett clowdes, backe to seaward sent;
Phebus, discurtaininge his murninge face,
shewd his longe absence dulld the worldes solace.
“Come, Canac” (quoth Cambuscan), “goe with mee
to yond faire towr.” Shee runns as quick as bee.
Wheare, downe hee raught the bridle, which his frend,
kinge Thotobon of Arabœ and Ind,
had sent him, with a swoord and horse of brasse,
which trye hee will in this disastrous case.
plaine was the bridle, of well tand leather hunger,
buckled, to lett longe, short, not o're or vnder;
the bitt, a canon bytt, of won stuff,
able to tame the wildest colt in proff;
howbeet so pleasaunt, after some while worne,
as with glad cheere and ease mote well bee borne;
Which held the curb, or water chaine so nye,
as coold checke stumblinge, and teach remedye.
from whence they ventred to the mantled greene,
wheare Phœbus woold have Canac gladder seene,
out of her murninge weedes: but murners lawes
affoorde no mirth duringe the murninge cause.
to yond faire towr.” Shee runns as quick as bee.
Wheare, downe hee raught the bridle, which his frend,
kinge Thotobon of Arabœ and Ind,
had sent him, with a swoord and horse of brasse,
which trye hee will in this disastrous case.
plaine was the bridle, of well tand leather hunger,
buckled, to lett longe, short, not o're or vnder;
the bitt, a canon bytt, of won stuff,
able to tame the wildest colt in proff;
howbeet so pleasaunt, after some while worne,
as with glad cheere and ease mote well bee borne;
Which held the curb, or water chaine so nye,
as coold checke stumblinge, and teach remedye.
from whence they ventred to the mantled greene,
42
out of her murninge weedes: but murners lawes
affoorde no mirth duringe the murninge cause.
They had not oftenn measured the plaine
(powncd with white deisies, died with flowrs in graine,
checkred with primrose, dyed with cowslips mild,
strewd with blewe violetes, amilinge the feild);
but as theire eies the lantskipps viewe weare fetchinge,
iust with th'orisons furthest clowdes out stretchinge,
behold, amidd the aier, the brazen horse
came in his mayne carryer, of sourse deorse,
rougher then Neptunes wildcolt-fominge waves,
when all the sandes and sowndes with frothe hee laves:
that wonder was to see him sore so hye,
not havinge Pegasus his winges to flye;
as wondrous to expect his then repaire,
havinge so longe a time binn weft and straier.
the reason was Cambuscans privie call
(secretlie whispred to th' etherial),
had first, as swift as thought, flown to the stead,
which heard, hee comms, the world mote not forbead.
Cambuscan tho, so rounded in his eare,
as still hee standes, not offringe muche to steare;
like as of old, when wise Pithagoras
sawe a wild oxe devoure the corne or grasse,
gann virtuous wordes so round into his eare,
as foorthwith gann the lowlie beast forbeare,
yea, wox tame, and went vp and down the streate,
nor once woold eate, but what men gave to eate;
so stoode this brasen horse as still as stone,
till kinge Cambuscan gann the bridel done,
and clombe his backe, as light as bucke or doe;
but then the horse gann startel, tripp, and goe,
curved, carrier, bound, rear, rebound, and daunce,
obayenge yet the bridelles observaunce.
Tho bode hee Canac gett vp him behind.
shee did so, fearinge nought hee t' her assignd,
so confident of him was Canace,
as shee durst walke with him vppon the sea.
(powncd with white deisies, died with flowrs in graine,
checkred with primrose, dyed with cowslips mild,
strewd with blewe violetes, amilinge the feild);
but as theire eies the lantskipps viewe weare fetchinge,
iust with th'orisons furthest clowdes out stretchinge,
behold, amidd the aier, the brazen horse
came in his mayne carryer, of sourse deorse,
rougher then Neptunes wildcolt-fominge waves,
when all the sandes and sowndes with frothe hee laves:
that wonder was to see him sore so hye,
not havinge Pegasus his winges to flye;
as wondrous to expect his then repaire,
havinge so longe a time binn weft and straier.
the reason was Cambuscans privie call
(secretlie whispred to th' etherial),
had first, as swift as thought, flown to the stead,
which heard, hee comms, the world mote not forbead.
Cambuscan tho, so rounded in his eare,
as still hee standes, not offringe muche to steare;
like as of old, when wise Pithagoras
sawe a wild oxe devoure the corne or grasse,
gann virtuous wordes so round into his eare,
43
yea, wox tame, and went vp and down the streate,
nor once woold eate, but what men gave to eate;
so stoode this brasen horse as still as stone,
till kinge Cambuscan gann the bridel done,
and clombe his backe, as light as bucke or doe;
but then the horse gann startel, tripp, and goe,
curved, carrier, bound, rear, rebound, and daunce,
obayenge yet the bridelles observaunce.
Tho bode hee Canac gett vp him behind.
shee did so, fearinge nought hee t' her assignd,
so confident of him was Canace,
as shee durst walke with him vppon the sea.
Whome, vp and setled, bides sitt close and fast,
holdinge by him, and bee of nought agast.
Meane while the kinge said, “hollo, hollo, boye,”
shee wondrous gladd to feele the stead obaye.
holdinge by him, and bee of nought agast.
Meane while the kinge said, “hollo, hollo, boye,”
shee wondrous gladd to feele the stead obaye.
“But now, my gearle,” Cambuscan said to her,
“looke to thy selfe:” the rodd then made him sterr,
the kinge him bearinge faire & streight in seate,
for better knight no age did ear begeate,
wheather it weare on horsebacke or on foote,
hee vsd to putt his horse and him selfe toot.
first, easelie trottes, endlonge, all the greene,
liftinge his pasternes (goodlie to bee seene),
with suche a countenance as gave to knowe,
the kinge had to commaund the beast to bowe;
then gallops out, then makes a soddaine stopp,
then fortie foote into the ringe hee lopp.
the people howtinge, “oh, most gallant horse.”
for whie? hee had not tried on them his force,
and theare in mayne carrier, he trode th'essaye
that simbolizeth trew loves rundelaye:
whence, crossewise, viers twoe roundes, like eightes bi figure,
trew lovers simbole gemelized one creature.
“looke to thy selfe:” the rodd then made him sterr,
the kinge him bearinge faire & streight in seate,
for better knight no age did ear begeate,
wheather it weare on horsebacke or on foote,
hee vsd to putt his horse and him selfe toot.
first, easelie trottes, endlonge, all the greene,
liftinge his pasternes (goodlie to bee seene),
with suche a countenance as gave to knowe,
the kinge had to commaund the beast to bowe;
44
then fortie foote into the ringe hee lopp.
the people howtinge, “oh, most gallant horse.”
for whie? hee had not tried on them his force,
and theare in mayne carrier, he trode th'essaye
that simbolizeth trew loves rundelaye:
whence, crossewise, viers twoe roundes, like eightes bi figure,
trew lovers simbole gemelized one creature.
When hee had donn all smooth trickes on the ground,
hee tooke the paralel, neighbringe the round,
wheare in hee trottes, vnto the pathes farr ende,
but theare, on thinder heeles, turnes to rewend:
thence retrottes tailewise backwardes, whence he cam
to charge foreright, as dothe a busshinge ram.
hee tooke the paralel, neighbringe the round,
wheare in hee trottes, vnto the pathes farr ende,
but theare, on thinder heeles, turnes to rewend:
thence retrottes tailewise backwardes, whence he cam
to charge foreright, as dothe a busshinge ram.
Thus havinge founde his horse at plaine worke readye,
hee warnd Canac, aye to sitt fast and steadye.
tho, with the rodd and spurr, th'orse rose alofte,
twentie curveddes before, behind as ofte,
that never horse was known comm off so hye,
which seene, “God save Canac!” all people out crye.
hee warnd Canac, aye to sitt fast and steadye.
tho, with the rodd and spurr, th'orse rose alofte,
twentie curveddes before, behind as ofte,
that never horse was known comm off so hye,
which seene, “God save Canac!” all people out crye.
“Harcke” (quoth the kinge), “these praie for thee, with cries,
Yet bin thy most malitious enimies.”
tho (with a trice), Cambuscan trilld the Jyn
that in his horses ear movd with a pinn,
and whispred secretlie, a word or twaine:
th'orse boltes vp right in th'aier, and left the mayne.
Yet bin thy most malitious enimies.”
tho (with a trice), Cambuscan trilld the Jyn
that in his horses ear movd with a pinn,
and whispred secretlie, a word or twaine:
th'orse boltes vp right in th'aier, and left the mayne.
45
The people, it seeinge, soone awaye rann all,
fearinge the beast woold on their heades down fall.
but soone the stead sord highe and out of sight,
leavinge them weepinge, in a mazefull plight.
some sighd for their good kinge, some for his daughter;
others wisshd they mote ride awaye soone after.
some wondred how Canac (so towzd and tosst)
coold keepe her seate, and sitt her horse so fast.
some said, “If they had suche ann horse, be bould
to heavn with ease, when so them liste, they would.”
some fell to counsell, “Whoe shoold be their kinge?”
others said, “none, but Ethelta the Queene.”
some dreamd of chaunge, some of succession prate,
others weare sicke, till they had taxt the state.
some thought it best to chouse annother kinge;
others thought twoe too muche, wheare one did wringe.
some mockd at somme, for state-mongers absurd,
till scarce one of them all had one wise word.
fearinge the beast woold on their heades down fall.
but soone the stead sord highe and out of sight,
leavinge them weepinge, in a mazefull plight.
some sighd for their good kinge, some for his daughter;
others wisshd they mote ride awaye soone after.
some wondred how Canac (so towzd and tosst)
coold keepe her seate, and sitt her horse so fast.
some said, “If they had suche ann horse, be bould
to heavn with ease, when so them liste, they would.”
some fell to counsell, “Whoe shoold be their kinge?”
others said, “none, but Ethelta the Queene.”
some dreamd of chaunge, some of succession prate,
others weare sicke, till they had taxt the state.
some thought it best to chouse annother kinge;
others thought twoe too muche, wheare one did wringe.
some mockd at somme, for state-mongers absurd,
till scarce one of them all had one wise word.
Now, when the kinge had brought vnder her eye
all regions, nations, kingdoms, farr and nye,
hee bore vp, till her head was in the sonn;
whence (with a trice) her feete weare in the moone;
thence, downehill, softlie homewardes bore againe,
and in his daughters handes hee placd the raigne,
teachinge and helpinge how to rule his steade,
by a discreete hand, borne vppon his head;
for twas his purpose, glorie, ioye, and glee
that shee should ride his horse as well as hee.
and theare belowe hee shewd her all thats donn,
publicke, and privatelie, vnder the sonn;
in states, courtes, counselles, benches, consistories,
schooles, vniuersities, celles, oratories,
faires, marketes, burses, shopps, heades, hartes, handes too,
in closetes, studies, chambers, wheare men doe
all policies of them, which factitate
all stratagems of them who machinate,
a wondrous thinge to see, which I note tell,
vnlesse Canacies glasse stoode centinell.
all regions, nations, kingdoms, farr and nye,
hee bore vp, till her head was in the sonn;
46
thence, downehill, softlie homewardes bore againe,
and in his daughters handes hee placd the raigne,
teachinge and helpinge how to rule his steade,
by a discreete hand, borne vppon his head;
for twas his purpose, glorie, ioye, and glee
that shee should ride his horse as well as hee.
and theare belowe hee shewd her all thats donn,
publicke, and privatelie, vnder the sonn;
in states, courtes, counselles, benches, consistories,
schooles, vniuersities, celles, oratories,
faires, marketes, burses, shopps, heades, hartes, handes too,
in closetes, studies, chambers, wheare men doe
all policies of them, which factitate
all stratagems of them who machinate,
a wondrous thinge to see, which I note tell,
vnlesse Canacies glasse stoode centinell.
But when the people him cominge home discried,
capps, cries, and friskalles, to the welkin hyed.
Naie, when they sawe Canac comm well againe,
no ground, no reason, mote theire tonges containe,
for they which late woold have annother kinge,
now, none but hee, theire common songe dothe singe:
now, for Canacies Love they woold runn madd,
though of Algarsifs revolt they weare gladd.
some said, “ô, whoe noold ioye in suche a kinge?
Love, honor, and obaie all his offspringe?
so trew, iust, valient, wise, meeke, debonaire!
good god continewe them!” was all theire praier:
yet these binn th'arpeies of the droopinge time,
that all at nouum settes, on fyve or nyne.
capps, cries, and friskalles, to the welkin hyed.
Naie, when they sawe Canac comm well againe,
no ground, no reason, mote theire tonges containe,
47
now, none but hee, theire common songe dothe singe:
now, for Canacies Love they woold runn madd,
though of Algarsifs revolt they weare gladd.
some said, “ô, whoe noold ioye in suche a kinge?
Love, honor, and obaie all his offspringe?
so trew, iust, valient, wise, meeke, debonaire!
good god continewe them!” was all theire praier:
yet these binn th'arpeies of the droopinge time,
that all at nouum settes, on fyve or nyne.
By this the kinge came prawncinge o're y plaine,
Canac, his daughter, holdinge well the raigne,
whome theare hee made right perfect in the skilles
of ridinge goiles, plaines, ruffetes, dales, and hills,
and to comm off and on, turne and returne,
and In him anie wheare, shee liste soiorne.
so taught her how to trill the pinn in th'eare,
which th'horse, at willes quicke call, heard anie wheare,
all which the people sawe, with mickle ioye,
so neere the court gates nimblie lighted they,
and drewe the bitt, which in thighe towr they layd,
till, cominge foorthe, it bee of all obayd.
Canac, his daughter, holdinge well the raigne,
whome theare hee made right perfect in the skilles
of ridinge goiles, plaines, ruffetes, dales, and hills,
and to comm off and on, turne and returne,
and In him anie wheare, shee liste soiorne.
so taught her how to trill the pinn in th'eare,
which th'horse, at willes quicke call, heard anie wheare,
all which the people sawe, with mickle ioye,
so neere the court gates nimblie lighted they,
and drewe the bitt, which in thighe towr they layd,
till, cominge foorthe, it bee of all obayd.
The kinge gonn home; theare stoode the brazen horse,
not to bee movd by all the peoples force,
no, thoughe they gazd & shovd, b'yond all decision,
calles gladlie, what they knewe not, superstition.
48
no, thoughe they gazd & shovd, b'yond all decision,
calles gladlie, what they knewe not, superstition.
Tho titan pursd vp all his somms of coyne
emploid at vsurie, in bancke, or moyne,
and lockd his golden rayes in thazure cheste,
convoid by torche and candel light to weste,
dismissinge eglet scyntills on the flowres,
which causd the gardins blusshe of silver showres.
the leathern batt, shades hawnter, lothinge light,
strooke in: all takinge leave to bidd good night.
emploid at vsurie, in bancke, or moyne,
and lockd his golden rayes in thazure cheste,
convoid by torche and candel light to weste,
dismissinge eglet scyntills on the flowres,
which causd the gardins blusshe of silver showres.
the leathern batt, shades hawnter, lothinge light,
strooke in: all takinge leave to bidd good night.
| John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" | |