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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 | John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" |  |
118
Canto octauo.
Kinge Thotobun dothe promise ayde.
battyre and sally bothe are tryed;
Gnartolite, Leifurcke, Horbells inrode stayd.
Cambuscans Love theire crueltie discried.
battyre and sally bothe are tryed;
Gnartolite, Leifurcke, Horbells inrode stayd.
Cambuscans Love theire crueltie discried.
Binato with Camballo all this night
fierd in theire quarters manie a smokinge light,
and placd some emptie curacies hard by,
Which glimpsinge like armd men at Fregely,
soone thither drewe their Gunners aimes to shoote.
fierd in theire quarters manie a smokinge light,
and placd some emptie curacies hard by,
Which glimpsinge like armd men at Fregely,
soone thither drewe their Gunners aimes to shoote.
But th' Campe their error floutes, & made this boote,
that from the barricadoed groundes ygott,
earlie salutes the towne with Canon shott.
havinge eake cutt each passage off, path, creeke,
theare to bee spokenn within their deeke.
that from the barricadoed groundes ygott,
earlie salutes the towne with Canon shott.
havinge eake cutt each passage off, path, creeke,
theare to bee spokenn within their deeke.
Now Cambuscan havinge them leagred fast,
gan send th' intelligence theareof post haste,
to Ethelta his queene and lovinge wiefe,
Whoe ioid, but vengeance wishd on Algarsife.
Which famous newes beinge in Serra known,
fyers as for halfe wonn victories weare blown.
gan send th' intelligence theareof post haste,
to Ethelta his queene and lovinge wiefe,
Whoe ioid, but vengeance wishd on Algarsife.
Which famous newes beinge in Serra known,
119
So sent hee Amidis his page t' his frend
king Thotobun of Arabie and Ind,
t'impart the premisses; Whose gratulation
powrd foorth this kind and kinglie disponsation,
of sweetlie wellcominge th' embassadere
With cheere and richer giftes then ever weare,
and at departure with all love and ioie,
thus hight: “Goe tell thie master, prettie boye,
that him I love, and honor much his action,
in that he aymes at th'atchett of slye faction,
Whoe mote at last suche marriages begett,
as no disvnion shall a-sonder sett.
tell him I will auxiliaries send him,
gainst warrs all difficulties, whiche maie spende him.
but lett him, as hee hathe begunn, perceaver,
that traitors die, and iustice raigne forever.”
king Thotobun of Arabie and Ind,
t'impart the premisses; Whose gratulation
powrd foorth this kind and kinglie disponsation,
of sweetlie wellcominge th' embassadere
With cheere and richer giftes then ever weare,
and at departure with all love and ioie,
thus hight: “Goe tell thie master, prettie boye,
that him I love, and honor much his action,
in that he aymes at th'atchett of slye faction,
Whoe mote at last suche marriages begett,
as no disvnion shall a-sonder sett.
tell him I will auxiliaries send him,
gainst warrs all difficulties, whiche maie spende him.
but lett him, as hee hathe begunn, perceaver,
that traitors die, and iustice raigne forever.”
But these (thoughe glorious newes) much yerkd Canac,
Whoe viewinge all in her perspective glasse,
found they weare mingled sweete, sowr, pleasant, bitter,
& praefaced ioie, but steepd in sadder licor.
“Alas” (quoth shee), “the best of these brave newes
bin butt wars entrie, without warrs yssues.
my ffather, to his honor, and with saftye
hathe Fregiley beeseeged; I ioie that mastrie,
for tis a brave on-sett: yet warr is warr,
and still dothe one side, nay oft bothe sides, marr.
ffor saye my father winn and raze the towne,
I graunt that fame would blason his renowne:
Yet theare is losse in winninge, wheare the winner
somms their lives loste, whoe livd till warres beginner
them lodd to fames highe daunger-teachinge schoole,
Whose rudimentes binn hott, conclusions coole.
Then if in warr wee kill our enimies,
and leese our frendes, thears Joies extremities.
Whence if he chastize Algarsife, my brother,
Yet violence in th' act is the first mover.
nay, th'instrumentes of chastninge, what bee they?
are they not Canons, irn, steele? Harshe essay!
that suche feirce surgeons tooles shoold exercise
on mans soft fleshe, kill-curinge buttcheries,
calld remedies. But if suche curinge kill,
is not the remedie as badd as th' ill?
Algarsif, ah, wee twaine live by one ffather,
and bothe muste die of him, for ought I gather.
nathlesse, I knowe my ffather loveth mee,
but what if's love to mee prove hate to thee?
I see my fathers wellfare is thy daunger,
I see thy wellfare is my fathers slaunder.
I see his saftie and thine maie not bee,
but as Dylems or Contraries agree.
Yet if thow die the deathe, I live that liefe
Which dieth sisterlie with Algarsife.”
So theare shee sobbd vntill this newe proiect
gann thus out of these cruel warrs collect,
“that warr as doubtfull is as it is cruel:
wittnesse, as fyer of propertie seekes fewell,
to worke vppon (if it bee combustible),
so warr, ire, fier, near purposd yet in idle.
Nor dothe warr promise victorie to him
Who activelie or passivelie beginn;
Nor th' innocent profferrs before th' nocent,
savinge that th' innocent's more confident.
Besides in th' chaunce of Warr, it so maie chaunce
(if fortunes wheele plaie out her turninge daunce),
that my father (most deere) maie in this warr
bee taen, or die, or hurt. Ah, bee these farr!
for if anie of these comm so to passe,
Worse weare my case than hers that never was.”
tho wept shee bitterlie for thone and thother,
and sweetlie prayd for father and for brother,
begginge withall it bee (if it maie bee)
in her to make sound peace twixt all the three;
much praisinge love (sweete peaces harbinger),
meeke truithes, sterne Iustices colliginer.
But warr it selfe her gentile hart abhorrethe.
for whie? with it the Furies aye concurreth,
vnlesse it bee Justices instrument,
trespasses rasor, scurge, swoord, punishment;
and theare shee sighd, it knowinge well before
that this iuste warr had t' pay Algarsifes skore.
Addinge, “warr bettr is ended then begunn,
sithe, once begunn, th' end none knoes vntill donn.”
eftsoones repraienge for ann happie end,
did to thallmighties will all recommend.
Whoe viewinge all in her perspective glasse,
found they weare mingled sweete, sowr, pleasant, bitter,
& praefaced ioie, but steepd in sadder licor.
“Alas” (quoth shee), “the best of these brave newes
bin butt wars entrie, without warrs yssues.
my ffather, to his honor, and with saftye
120
for tis a brave on-sett: yet warr is warr,
and still dothe one side, nay oft bothe sides, marr.
ffor saye my father winn and raze the towne,
I graunt that fame would blason his renowne:
Yet theare is losse in winninge, wheare the winner
somms their lives loste, whoe livd till warres beginner
them lodd to fames highe daunger-teachinge schoole,
Whose rudimentes binn hott, conclusions coole.
Then if in warr wee kill our enimies,
and leese our frendes, thears Joies extremities.
Whence if he chastize Algarsife, my brother,
Yet violence in th' act is the first mover.
nay, th'instrumentes of chastninge, what bee they?
are they not Canons, irn, steele? Harshe essay!
that suche feirce surgeons tooles shoold exercise
on mans soft fleshe, kill-curinge buttcheries,
calld remedies. But if suche curinge kill,
is not the remedie as badd as th' ill?
Algarsif, ah, wee twaine live by one ffather,
and bothe muste die of him, for ought I gather.
nathlesse, I knowe my ffather loveth mee,
but what if's love to mee prove hate to thee?
121
I see thy wellfare is my fathers slaunder.
I see his saftie and thine maie not bee,
but as Dylems or Contraries agree.
Yet if thow die the deathe, I live that liefe
Which dieth sisterlie with Algarsife.”
So theare shee sobbd vntill this newe proiect
gann thus out of these cruel warrs collect,
“that warr as doubtfull is as it is cruel:
wittnesse, as fyer of propertie seekes fewell,
to worke vppon (if it bee combustible),
so warr, ire, fier, near purposd yet in idle.
Nor dothe warr promise victorie to him
Who activelie or passivelie beginn;
Nor th' innocent profferrs before th' nocent,
savinge that th' innocent's more confident.
Besides in th' chaunce of Warr, it so maie chaunce
(if fortunes wheele plaie out her turninge daunce),
that my father (most deere) maie in this warr
bee taen, or die, or hurt. Ah, bee these farr!
for if anie of these comm so to passe,
Worse weare my case than hers that never was.”
tho wept shee bitterlie for thone and thother,
and sweetlie prayd for father and for brother,
122
in her to make sound peace twixt all the three;
much praisinge love (sweete peaces harbinger),
meeke truithes, sterne Iustices colliginer.
But warr it selfe her gentile hart abhorrethe.
for whie? with it the Furies aye concurreth,
vnlesse it bee Justices instrument,
trespasses rasor, scurge, swoord, punishment;
and theare shee sighd, it knowinge well before
that this iuste warr had t' pay Algarsifes skore.
Addinge, “warr bettr is ended then begunn,
sithe, once begunn, th' end none knoes vntill donn.”
eftsoones repraienge for ann happie end,
did to thallmighties will all recommend.
The while from morninges peepe till high midd noone,
Cambuscans battringe Canons beat the towne
at everie quarter, bothe from campe, sea, shore,
whence greater battrie near was heard to rore;
so dilligent oft vttred and agen,
by th' industries, swett spirites of valient men,
that once begun, near had to make ann end,
till it demolishe all it dothe intend,
plaienge continualie bothe daie and night,
till coolinge time admittes some small respight.
but then afreshe as if all newe begunn,
rebringes these canons foorth that back weare run,
againe to plaie and never ceasse to play,
till battrie all th' inhabitantes dissmaye.
And first his canons aymd th' aspiringe spire,
wheare prowd Algarsifes standard flaunted higher
then anie towr or steeple of the towne,
and quicklie them requird to tatter downe;
paringe theire house topps, pearcd theire earthen walls,
which mowldred into heapes, and soone downe falls:
for gainst great canon shott theare is no sheild
then that lesse force must to the greater yeeld.
whence greater cries mongst people near wear heard,
wheare daunger in so manie formes appeard.
so nowe deere-bought-witt by owne feelinge smart,
examind neerer home their rebelles hart,
to graunt within them selves kinge Cambuscan
is a most trewe, iust, kind, wise, valient man;
and that of pride and insolent selfe wille,
they had deservd this seege and muche more ill;
In so muche that the most wishd present peace,
thoughe peace weare never yet obtaind by ease.
ô powr of correction, if well extended,
which soone makes to obaye, and not contemned.
Cambuscans battringe Canons beat the towne
at everie quarter, bothe from campe, sea, shore,
whence greater battrie near was heard to rore;
so dilligent oft vttred and agen,
by th' industries, swett spirites of valient men,
that once begun, near had to make ann end,
till it demolishe all it dothe intend,
123
till coolinge time admittes some small respight.
but then afreshe as if all newe begunn,
rebringes these canons foorth that back weare run,
againe to plaie and never ceasse to play,
till battrie all th' inhabitantes dissmaye.
And first his canons aymd th' aspiringe spire,
wheare prowd Algarsifes standard flaunted higher
then anie towr or steeple of the towne,
and quicklie them requird to tatter downe;
paringe theire house topps, pearcd theire earthen walls,
which mowldred into heapes, and soone downe falls:
for gainst great canon shott theare is no sheild
then that lesse force must to the greater yeeld.
whence greater cries mongst people near wear heard,
wheare daunger in so manie formes appeard.
so nowe deere-bought-witt by owne feelinge smart,
examind neerer home their rebelles hart,
to graunt within them selves kinge Cambuscan
is a most trewe, iust, kind, wise, valient man;
and that of pride and insolent selfe wille,
they had deservd this seege and muche more ill;
In so muche that the most wishd present peace,
124
ô powr of correction, if well extended,
which soone makes to obaye, and not contemned.
Th' vnkind Fregiliens, wantinge Love wileare,
spake well of virtue now, though but for feare:
naie, now collaudes Combuscans virtues all,
which graunted that his force theire hartes apall.
a certaine signe, that virtues foes are faine
it to agnize, for shame, or feare of paine;
and made as thoughe they woold to virtue cleve,
yf Algarsife, theire chiefe, woold give them leave;
and grauntes (vnaskd) that peace weare better farr
then the feirce yssues of vncertaine warr.
spake well of virtue now, though but for feare:
naie, now collaudes Combuscans virtues all,
which graunted that his force theire hartes apall.
a certaine signe, that virtues foes are faine
it to agnize, for shame, or feare of paine;
and made as thoughe they woold to virtue cleve,
yf Algarsife, theire chiefe, woold give them leave;
and grauntes (vnaskd) that peace weare better farr
then the feirce yssues of vncertaine warr.
Algarsife, heeringe this, begann to thincke
the people (in short time) backe from him woold shrincke
sithe, maie they their commaunders virtuous see,
they also all will trulie virtuous bee.
Whearefore him beares like virtues nicitie,
intermixt with virtues neutralitie:
knowinge, hee sooner gettes whoe simulateth,
then hee that churlishelie quite abnegatethe,
Woold faine that all men shoold his actions deeme
pure, virtuous, though affected, but to seeme.
the people (in short time) backe from him woold shrincke
sithe, maie they their commaunders virtuous see,
they also all will trulie virtuous bee.
Whearefore him beares like virtues nicitie,
intermixt with virtues neutralitie:
knowinge, hee sooner gettes whoe simulateth,
125
Woold faine that all men shoold his actions deeme
pure, virtuous, though affected, but to seeme.
But hee and thother princes laboreth
to reinforce what the campe demolisheth,
because wheare Canons puissance dothe mayme,
nature craves fitt vtensilles to sustaine.
to reinforce what the campe demolisheth,
because wheare Canons puissance dothe mayme,
nature craves fitt vtensilles to sustaine.
Then sayd prince Algarsife, with smilinge grace,
vnto his soldiers (lookinge in his face),
“Yee spirites generous, resolve” (quoth hee),
“in your iuste cause stowtlie to followe mee,
with hart, minde, and with vigor of all handes,
Yea, with your vttmoste force, which none withstandes:
tusshe! w'are not borne to die like Rattes in holes,
nor hide our heades in darcke, with battes, and mowles,
ne bee suche cowardes, as vp kept at baye,
while canon shott (vs luklesse borne) dothe slaye.
No, wee bee men as they, and dare well meete
all them who vex our walkes in our owne streete.
and knowe they shall, ear daye, wee meane to fight,
and our distresses by owne virtues quight.
Saye then, if wee shall try't; Sirrs, followe mee,
wheathr theire virtues or ours trewer bee!”
vnto his soldiers (lookinge in his face),
“Yee spirites generous, resolve” (quoth hee),
“in your iuste cause stowtlie to followe mee,
with hart, minde, and with vigor of all handes,
Yea, with your vttmoste force, which none withstandes:
tusshe! w'are not borne to die like Rattes in holes,
nor hide our heades in darcke, with battes, and mowles,
ne bee suche cowardes, as vp kept at baye,
while canon shott (vs luklesse borne) dothe slaye.
No, wee bee men as they, and dare well meete
all them who vex our walkes in our owne streete.
and knowe they shall, ear daye, wee meane to fight,
126
Saye then, if wee shall try't; Sirrs, followe mee,
wheathr theire virtues or ours trewer bee!”
The soldiers verie much lovd Algarsife,
and made his wronges theires, in theire owne beliefe,
saienge, that his example is the sterne
that guides, and shall guide them, to learn and earn.
Whearvppon, in each quarter, they prepare,
to charge the campes sodainlie and vnware.
and made his wronges theires, in theire owne beliefe,
saienge, that his example is the sterne
that guides, and shall guide them, to learn and earn.
Whearvppon, in each quarter, they prepare,
to charge the campes sodainlie and vnware.
But lo, in dreame, this vision t' him appears, vz.
ann aged-sceminge Sier, wearinge white heairs,
which prefacd in his visage, veritie,
and awd him straunglie, t' heere him seriouslie.
ann aged-sceminge Sier, wearinge white heairs,
which prefacd in his visage, veritie,
and awd him straunglie, t' heere him seriouslie.
“Algarsif” (quoth hee), “fight no nightes, for whie,
thow shalt by daie subdewe thine enimye,
whoe, turninge frend, thee bindes, till him thow kill
who lives: so sweare the destanies. ffarewell!”
thow shalt by daie subdewe thine enimye,
whoe, turninge frend, thee bindes, till him thow kill
who lives: so sweare the destanies. ffarewell!”
That sayd, hee vanishd soone, agastinge all,
whoe pondred, that fore Princes death, or fall,
landes plage, states chaunge, or bloodie battailes losse,
thighe powres (heavn's elementes) hanges out the crosse,
of misticke embleams, which have to foretell,
to reason, What sense hathe yet not to revell.
whoe pondred, that fore Princes death, or fall,
landes plage, states chaunge, or bloodie battailes losse,
thighe powres (heavn's elementes) hanges out the crosse,
of misticke embleams, which have to foretell,
to reason, What sense hathe yet not to revell.
Howbeet, Algarsife fearlesse wox, and rasshe,
praesuminge, courage all eventes shoold passhe,
ne reckethe prophecies, or anagogies,
ne queint amphibolies, or tropologies,
but all his thoughtes flewe at his newe empire,
which hee termes honor (point of his aspire).
and so, in th' dead of night, he passd the dike,
praepard, resolvd, well armd, cruel alike,
to doe all mischifes, ear they weare discried.
tho charginge, the Fregiliens lowdlie cried,
in all fowre quarters of Cambuscans campe,
that vnexpected feare mote dieper stampe.
praesuminge, courage all eventes shoold passhe,
ne reckethe prophecies, or anagogies,
ne queint amphibolies, or tropologies,
but all his thoughtes flewe at his newe empire,
which hee termes honor (point of his aspire).
127
praepard, resolvd, well armd, cruel alike,
to doe all mischifes, ear they weare discried.
tho charginge, the Fregiliens lowdlie cried,
in all fowre quarters of Cambuscans campe,
that vnexpected feare mote dieper stampe.
Nathlesse, these false Fregiliens exclamation,
tonitruous vprores, lowd vociferation,
onlie awooke the men, which litle slept,
or restinge, had their watch and wardes well kept.
but to th' alarum a like wellcomm sent,
Camp vollies for town vollies, lent and ment.
and, iust at thinstant, all the canons plaien
from towne to Campe, from Camp to towne againe,
in suche ann horrid noise, and flaminge light,
as if noone daie weare wedded to midd night:
or as if th' pitchie clowdes of fulgrous heavn
had taen their In vp, neath the spheres seaven.
So now, all quarters (plaienge out their quarters)
chaungd wordes for bloes, and thrustes for thrustes rebarters:
till pikes, and pikes, whole troopes, and shockes of pikes,
sidewise, and foreright, vibrant thrustes in strikes,
bothe parties charginge, till th' fregiliens fell,
and the Cambuscanites on them pell mell.
Then theare warrs roughest doll they freely dell,
crienge, “Ethel, Canac;” “Canac, Ethel.”
tonitruous vprores, lowd vociferation,
onlie awooke the men, which litle slept,
or restinge, had their watch and wardes well kept.
but to th' alarum a like wellcomm sent,
Camp vollies for town vollies, lent and ment.
and, iust at thinstant, all the canons plaien
from towne to Campe, from Camp to towne againe,
in suche ann horrid noise, and flaminge light,
as if noone daie weare wedded to midd night:
or as if th' pitchie clowdes of fulgrous heavn
had taen their In vp, neath the spheres seaven.
So now, all quarters (plaienge out their quarters)
chaungd wordes for bloes, and thrustes for thrustes rebarters:
till pikes, and pikes, whole troopes, and shockes of pikes,
sidewise, and foreright, vibrant thrustes in strikes,
128
and the Cambuscanites on them pell mell.
Then theare warrs roughest doll they freely dell,
crienge, “Ethel, Canac;” “Canac, Ethel.”
The verie names of Ethel and Canac
causd the fregiliens allmost leese the place,
had not Algarsifes statizers rann in,
to putt some hope, wheare no hope was to winn.
Thus all the quarters fower, in general,
Weare tramplinge out warrs bloodie catterbrall,
that vertue trewe gainste virtue false mote trie
a trewe, iust, noblie earned victorie.
Which, in the darcke, mote hardlie well bee showen,
Onlie the Leaders actes maie yet bee knowen.
ffor Gnartolite, who chargd Cambuscans quarter,
resolvd as many as hee could to martir,
whose soldiers, findinge spoile, seazd all they wishe,
beate, by th' Cambuscanites vnto stocke ffishe.
for Gnartolite, when he Cumbuscan spide,
spurrd on his soldiers, while selfe steppd a side,
because he knewe, if Morliuo him mett,
the kinge woold roialie paie all his debt.
whose matchlesse swoord, vppon the Gnartolites,
powrd out the large reward of hipochrites.
with takinge some his prisoners, chacd the rest,
who came for canons, but to winn them messt.
“Sirrah,” quoth Cambuscan (in heate) to him,
“none of your worckes of darknes, see to winn;
but knowe and bee't well known, to all your town,
Ile visite yee by daye, yea at highe noone.”
causd the fregiliens allmost leese the place,
had not Algarsifes statizers rann in,
to putt some hope, wheare no hope was to winn.
Thus all the quarters fower, in general,
Weare tramplinge out warrs bloodie catterbrall,
that vertue trewe gainste virtue false mote trie
a trewe, iust, noblie earned victorie.
Which, in the darcke, mote hardlie well bee showen,
Onlie the Leaders actes maie yet bee knowen.
ffor Gnartolite, who chargd Cambuscans quarter,
resolvd as many as hee could to martir,
whose soldiers, findinge spoile, seazd all they wishe,
beate, by th' Cambuscanites vnto stocke ffishe.
for Gnartolite, when he Cumbuscan spide,
spurrd on his soldiers, while selfe steppd a side,
because he knewe, if Morliuo him mett,
the kinge woold roialie paie all his debt.
whose matchlesse swoord, vppon the Gnartolites,
powrd out the large reward of hipochrites.
129
who came for canons, but to winn them messt.
“Sirrah,” quoth Cambuscan (in heate) to him,
“none of your worckes of darknes, see to winn;
but knowe and bee't well known, to all your town,
Ile visite yee by daye, yea at highe noone.”
Gnartolite soone telles what the kinge had sayd,
which verie muche the guiltie towne dismayd.
which verie muche the guiltie towne dismayd.
Algarsife, who had chargd on Camballs quarter
(beinge the third time), that no furious tartar
eare shewd more greedines to winn that game,
which warr dothe killinge call, or to bee taen.
yet still those martial breathern deadlie fought,
till bothe their pikes weare broke, and swoordes flew out,
most feircelie hissinge, percinge, cuttinge, stasshinge,
in that same stile which death endites to crasshinge,
faste grapled weare this paire in mutual locke,
and strove to bringe thone vnder thothers yocke.
bothe fastned, bothe fast, like fell mastiffs twaine,
which hold fast eithers hold, to neithers gaine.
(beinge the third time), that no furious tartar
eare shewd more greedines to winn that game,
which warr dothe killinge call, or to bee taen.
yet still those martial breathern deadlie fought,
till bothe their pikes weare broke, and swoordes flew out,
most feircelie hissinge, percinge, cuttinge, stasshinge,
in that same stile which death endites to crasshinge,
faste grapled weare this paire in mutual locke,
and strove to bringe thone vnder thothers yocke.
bothe fastned, bothe fast, like fell mastiffs twaine,
which hold fast eithers hold, to neithers gaine.
Amid this combatt in Cambuscan cam,
which Algarsife perceavinge, loosd and rann,
to scape by flight. Yet prisoners theare weare taken
of those who had Cambuscans syde forsaken.
which Algarsife perceavinge, loosd and rann,
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of those who had Cambuscans syde forsaken.
But Binate with Horbello so contended,
as all the world su[s]pected none mote mend it.
for hee the chawffinge giant putto flight,
and, thoughe tweare darcke, he sawe to hitt him right.
for whie? a messenger blowe at his head,
assurd Binate he had that monster spedd.
and in the chace some of his prisoners tooke,
the rest for feare did backwardes never looke.
as all the world su[s]pected none mote mend it.
for hee the chawffinge giant putto flight,
and, thoughe tweare darcke, he sawe to hitt him right.
for whie? a messenger blowe at his head,
assurd Binate he had that monster spedd.
and in the chace some of his prisoners tooke,
the rest for feare did backwardes never looke.
Akafirs quarter was the more envied,
for that old prophecie praesignifyed,
how, by the south wind, a north tyde should drowne,
and burne vp (bothe at once) Fregilia town;
and after the north wind had cleerd the weather,
a woman queene shoold theare commaund forever.
which galld Leifurco to the verie hart,
so that hee vsd all violence and art
which laie in false Videriaes fallecies,
to crosse, or disappoint the destanies.
Whearefore hee sett on Akafir twoe waies,
by land and sea; yet Akafirs arraies
made good the streetes, and held them for their waies,
to his and to his soldiers raftinge praise.
thoughe of his leaders one they prisoner caught,
whome the Fregiliens handled worse then naught,
with tauntes disgracfull, and fowle indecore,
which martial virtue ever did abhore:
for professd soldiers reverencd weare of old
as vices scurdges, virtues anchor hold.
whence that profession otherwise to vse,
is but presumptuouslie it to traduce.
but each good soldier, if by fortune taen,
was fairelie held, as of the sonns of fame.
But they this leader to the vaughouse bore,
wheare leavinge lawes of armes without the dore,
how cowardice, how feare, how crueltie
abusd his rancke, let silence put it bye:
not meaninge to provoke good soldiers ire,
when indigne passages they read or hier.
for that old prophecie praesignifyed,
how, by the south wind, a north tyde should drowne,
and burne vp (bothe at once) Fregilia town;
and after the north wind had cleerd the weather,
a woman queene shoold theare commaund forever.
which galld Leifurco to the verie hart,
so that hee vsd all violence and art
which laie in false Videriaes fallecies,
to crosse, or disappoint the destanies.
Whearefore hee sett on Akafir twoe waies,
by land and sea; yet Akafirs arraies
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to his and to his soldiers raftinge praise.
thoughe of his leaders one they prisoner caught,
whome the Fregiliens handled worse then naught,
with tauntes disgracfull, and fowle indecore,
which martial virtue ever did abhore:
for professd soldiers reverencd weare of old
as vices scurdges, virtues anchor hold.
whence that profession otherwise to vse,
is but presumptuouslie it to traduce.
but each good soldier, if by fortune taen,
was fairelie held, as of the sonns of fame.
But they this leader to the vaughouse bore,
wheare leavinge lawes of armes without the dore,
how cowardice, how feare, how crueltie
abusd his rancke, let silence put it bye:
not meaninge to provoke good soldiers ire,
when indigne passages they read or hier.
Retraite once made, as well in towne as feild,
Wearines did some litle respite yeild,
till earlie Titans drowsye countenance
disclosd new light: light did new matters vaunce.
ffor, by daies prime, the camps rathe soldiers
survaied with sharpest eies theire prisoners,
Whoe, beinge viewd by daie light, weare well known
to have servd once on this side, thoughe now flown:
Naie, some had twice, some thrice, had rann awaye,
after th'ad sworne, and tooke Cambuscans pay.
Wearines did some litle respite yeild,
till earlie Titans drowsye countenance
disclosd new light: light did new matters vaunce.
ffor, by daies prime, the camps rathe soldiers
survaied with sharpest eies theire prisoners,
Whoe, beinge viewd by daie light, weare well known
to have servd once on this side, thoughe now flown:
Naie, some had twice, some thrice, had rann awaye,
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At these th' whole host out roerd, and traiters howted;
naie more, each soldiers boy theire basenes flowted.
Wheareat these (seeminge boies theire falshode knewe)
for shame (farr passinge feare) hunge th'ead, tonges gnewe.
naie more, each soldiers boy theire basenes flowted.
Wheareat these (seeminge boies theire falshode knewe)
for shame (farr passinge feare) hunge th'ead, tonges gnewe.
But now the martial Captaines Court down sate,
to punishe peremptorilie theire fault,
sithe findinge some of th' prisoners weare known spies,
some revoltes, some relapsd, all enimies,
whose aggravated faultes by doinge ofte
of pardons hopelesse weare, Nor weare they sought.
to punishe peremptorilie theire fault,
sithe findinge some of th' prisoners weare known spies,
some revoltes, some relapsd, all enimies,
whose aggravated faultes by doinge ofte
of pardons hopelesse weare, Nor weare they sought.
So these condemnd, thence garded weare to dye,
lothd, skornd, revild, cursd of th' vulgaritie.
lothd, skornd, revild, cursd of th' vulgaritie.
Which Cambuscan knewe b' Amidis his page,
and theareof thus disputes in his courage:
“What conquest ist” (quoth hee) “to vanquishe foes,
if I, by killinge them, theire hartes doe lose?
but everie mastrie makes not victorie,
vnlesse the hart be vanquishd willinglie;
nor force alone cann stowtest hartes subdewe,
but stowborne hartes may yeeld to meeke virtue.
Ile try th' conclusion, wheather force or love
have greater force sterne soldiers hartes to move.
but this shalb' of Cambuscans owne trophies,
by love t' have mastred all his enimies.”
So, to the place of exequution cominge,
the soldiers, seeinge it, sett vp a ronninge,
Wheare hee to th' prisoners said thus, ear they die,
“Whie d'yee, Fregiliens, falselye from mee flye?
ioine with my enimies? my state betray?
as if your last howr weare not iustice day.”
and theareof thus disputes in his courage:
“What conquest ist” (quoth hee) “to vanquishe foes,
if I, by killinge them, theire hartes doe lose?
but everie mastrie makes not victorie,
vnlesse the hart be vanquishd willinglie;
nor force alone cann stowtest hartes subdewe,
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Ile try th' conclusion, wheather force or love
have greater force sterne soldiers hartes to move.
but this shalb' of Cambuscans owne trophies,
by love t' have mastred all his enimies.”
So, to the place of exequution cominge,
the soldiers, seeinge it, sett vp a ronninge,
Wheare hee to th' prisoners said thus, ear they die,
“Whie d'yee, Fregiliens, falselye from mee flye?
ioine with my enimies? my state betray?
as if your last howr weare not iustice day.”
“Good Lord” (quoth they), “wee have donn worse then this,
but lett our deathes amendes make for our misse,
sithe wee have nought elles left then deathe to paye,
which death is trewe and iuste, wee note denaie.”
so, beinge readie to turne off the ladder
(deaths articl' infectinge th' beholders sadder),
“Com downe,” Cambuscan sayd, “yee I forgive;
and if it bee your chaunce yet longer t' live,
Yee maie at leasure once remember him
Whoe could, yet woold not, kill yee for your synn.
but doe no more (if yee doe after mee),
least love convert to iust severitie.”
but lett our deathes amendes make for our misse,
sithe wee have nought elles left then deathe to paye,
which death is trewe and iuste, wee note denaie.”
so, beinge readie to turne off the ladder
(deaths articl' infectinge th' beholders sadder),
“Com downe,” Cambuscan sayd, “yee I forgive;
and if it bee your chaunce yet longer t' live,
134
Whoe could, yet woold not, kill yee for your synn.
but doe no more (if yee doe after mee),
least love convert to iust severitie.”
Heereat th' whole hoste cried out, “God save the kinge,”
heavns hollowe vawlt his honors ecchoinge.
heavns hollowe vawlt his honors ecchoinge.
The ioifull pardned ones could vowe no lesse
then hartes, lives, deathes, all to his services.
others bethought them that this noble scheone [?]
instancd Canac, and Ethelta the queene.
the fame wheareof spred to Fregilia towne,
and to the people, who told his highe renowne,
saienge: “Tis not yond noble kinges intent
to kill his sinninge subiectes that repent.”
then hartes, lives, deathes, all to his services.
others bethought them that this noble scheone [?]
instancd Canac, and Ethelta the queene.
the fame wheareof spred to Fregilia towne,
and to the people, who told his highe renowne,
saienge: “Tis not yond noble kinges intent
to kill his sinninge subiectes that repent.”
Gnartolite and Leifurco this envied,
for his virtue theire malice multiplied,
throughe false Videria, for (to his dispight)
they hunge the prisoner vp they tooke last night.
Oh, heinous deede! for ev'n this lawlesse action
blewe vp in all the towne a fowle distraction,
specialie mongst the soldiers, whoe protested
against the fact, which lawe of armes detested.
sayenge: “faire warrs are gone (faire quarter broke),”
so swore noold fight no more, least like rope and stroke
bee quitt on them per talionis Legem,
as barbarouslie begun is, per ilke stetemen.
for his virtue theire malice multiplied,
throughe false Videria, for (to his dispight)
they hunge the prisoner vp they tooke last night.
Oh, heinous deede! for ev'n this lawlesse action
blewe vp in all the towne a fowle distraction,
135
against the fact, which lawe of armes detested.
sayenge: “faire warrs are gone (faire quarter broke),”
so swore noold fight no more, least like rope and stroke
bee quitt on them per talionis Legem,
as barbarouslie begun is, per ilke stetemen.
'Gainste this Algarsife negativelie contestethe,
sithe beinge a fact that th' soldiers all infesteth.
and swore it was dishonorablie donn,
naie, worse, improvidentlie now begonn,
now, while as th' kinges host stoode before their face,
and cann, or maie, revenge this malice base:
addinge withall, “this chokes all hopes of peace,
which mote the warrs on fitt conditions cease;
so dothe it quenche that soldierlie delight
of virtue fightinge, or like virtue bright.”
sithe beinge a fact that th' soldiers all infesteth.
and swore it was dishonorablie donn,
naie, worse, improvidentlie now begonn,
now, while as th' kinges host stoode before their face,
and cann, or maie, revenge this malice base:
addinge withall, “this chokes all hopes of peace,
which mote the warrs on fitt conditions cease;
so dothe it quenche that soldierlie delight
of virtue fightinge, or like virtue bright.”
“Whie then,” quoth Leifurcke, Gnartolite and Horbell,
vnto Algarsife: “w' vnderstand you well,
that now y' are weerie of your charge and paines;
if so, then when you liste, laie downe the raignes,
and wee'l take 't on vs. Ells, whie comm wee hither
but t' hold the towne, by all waies whatsoever,
for what care wee for anie tyrannie,
while wee stand full possessd of th'empirie,
and not one eminent to take offense,
or rise for Virtue 'gainst our insolence?
Sir, shall wee not kill one? yes, everie one
that on our groundes leaves no stone on a stone;
but wee muste weaken him (bee't wronge or right).”
vnto Algarsife: “w' vnderstand you well,
that now y' are weerie of your charge and paines;
if so, then when you liste, laie downe the raignes,
and wee'l take 't on vs. Ells, whie comm wee hither
but t' hold the towne, by all waies whatsoever,
136
while wee stand full possessd of th'empirie,
and not one eminent to take offense,
or rise for Virtue 'gainst our insolence?
Sir, shall wee not kill one? yes, everie one
that on our groundes leaves no stone on a stone;
but wee muste weaken him (bee't wronge or right).”
“But that” (quoth Algarsife) “becoms no knight.
twas Achills feare draggd Hector, when him slewe,
some courage in his mermidons t' renewe.
but I suche chivalrie still hate, and will,
which thinckes not it dothe well when it doth ill.
sithe to contende against apparant right,
dothe in-lie give the lye to mental light.
nor will I leave my charge, but vnderstande yee,
I will in this same fasshion aye commaund yee.”
twas Achills feare draggd Hector, when him slewe,
some courage in his mermidons t' renewe.
but I suche chivalrie still hate, and will,
which thinckes not it dothe well when it doth ill.
sithe to contende against apparant right,
dothe in-lie give the lye to mental light.
nor will I leave my charge, but vnderstande yee,
I will in this same fasshion aye commaund yee.”
Videria, skulkinge neere, arroundes their ears,
and praid them marcke how him Algarsife beares,
“for” (quoth shee) “doe but marcke (beet daye or night)
if once hee comm within his parentes sight,
and not hange downe the head, or balke the place;
but in this cause near looke him in the face.”
and praid them marcke how him Algarsife beares,
“for” (quoth shee) “doe but marcke (beet daye or night)
if once hee comm within his parentes sight,
and not hange downe the head, or balke the place;
but in this cause near looke him in the face.”
137
Theie vowd they woold. But lô, from off the campe
newe daie light taught them wheare the soldiers ramp,
in troops selected, for some praesent gard,
charge, or supplie, which the Fregiliens feard.
newe daie light taught them wheare the soldiers ramp,
in troops selected, for some praesent gard,
charge, or supplie, which the Fregiliens feard.
Now, so it chauncd after some sleapes repaste,
Cambuscan, wearinge then about his waste
his brazen horses bridle, as hee did,
when servd on fote, and not on horsebacke ridd,
bethought revenge on thilke indignitie
of hanginge vp his knight in Fregelie.
Tho, castinge how to serve on horse and foote,
biddes battries all, and musketes wholie shoote,
and make smoothe worke of th' seaun mountes & the towne.
So gettinge vp, he quicklie trode the rowne
from east to west, from th' north vnto the south,
and crie revenge, which pleasd the soldiers tooth.
Cambuscan, wearinge then about his waste
his brazen horses bridle, as hee did,
when servd on fote, and not on horsebacke ridd,
bethought revenge on thilke indignitie
of hanginge vp his knight in Fregelie.
Tho, castinge how to serve on horse and foote,
biddes battries all, and musketes wholie shoote,
and make smoothe worke of th' seaun mountes & the towne.
So gettinge vp, he quicklie trode the rowne
from east to west, from th' north vnto the south,
and crie revenge, which pleasd the soldiers tooth.
The trenches all full mand with muskettiers,
the barricadoes with sure canoniers,
the plottformes with toughe laborers,
th' artillerie with swettie pioners.
barrelles of powder serpentine brought out,
heapes of whole canon bullettes to distrowte,
and everie officer which ought attende
stoode readie prest best services to spend.
the barricadoes with sure canoniers,
the plottformes with toughe laborers,
th' artillerie with swettie pioners.
barrelles of powder serpentine brought out,
heapes of whole canon bullettes to distrowte,
and everie officer which ought attende
138
So theare out flies the roringst batterie
on all the towne and mountes of Fregiley;
tire after tire, vollie on vollie ofte,
at each mount, walls peece, corner, lowe and loft,
that nought theire force withstandes, nor countes their number,
which quattes the townes men, makes them hide them vnder:
Yet they with great and small shott still replye,
hitt or hitt not, vollies of muskettes flye.
and all supplies that mote bee hadd or thought,
weare to the battrie plentifullie brought.
all th' earth, aier, sea (to th' midle region), seeminge
smoke, fyer, noise, cries, in bundled clowdes vp steeminge;
which dreadfull battrye, by Cambuscans doome,
had not to give ore till too morrowe noone:
but all their groundworkes hee will beate to duste,
and leave no stone vppon a stone to ruste.
on all the towne and mountes of Fregiley;
tire after tire, vollie on vollie ofte,
at each mount, walls peece, corner, lowe and loft,
that nought theire force withstandes, nor countes their number,
which quattes the townes men, makes them hide them vnder:
Yet they with great and small shott still replye,
hitt or hitt not, vollies of muskettes flye.
and all supplies that mote bee hadd or thought,
weare to the battrie plentifullie brought.
all th' earth, aier, sea (to th' midle region), seeminge
smoke, fyer, noise, cries, in bundled clowdes vp steeminge;
which dreadfull battrye, by Cambuscans doome,
had not to give ore till too morrowe noone:
but all their groundworkes hee will beate to duste,
and leave no stone vppon a stone to ruste.
| John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" | |