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 Decimo.
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 | John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" |  |
Canto Decimo.
Great murninge for Cambuscans losse of liefe:
kinge Thotobun him wondrouslie dissleepes;
winns th' town with's horse; frees yet woundes Algarsife;
gives Discipline: the towne Akafir keepes.
kinge Thotobun him wondrouslie dissleepes;
winns th' town with's horse; frees yet woundes Algarsife;
gives Discipline: the towne Akafir keepes.
Phœbus, neere six howres with his brodest eye,
sawe, full of griefe, this lovelesse tragedie,
stuffd with vntrewe and vniuste homicide;
but to make shewe how hee abhorrd the deede,
and that th' whole world mote knowe this tyrannie,
he himselfe murner turnd for companie,
Doinge as near before hee did, ne since
(the rather all folkes malice to convince)
done, for three howres a moste darke sable hoode,
When Cinthiaes fullest visage furthest stoode:
t' astrologize, then truithe, love, iustice died,
nature ne supranature ever lyed.
sawe, full of griefe, this lovelesse tragedie,
stuffd with vntrewe and vniuste homicide;
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and that th' whole world mote knowe this tyrannie,
he himselfe murner turnd for companie,
Doinge as near before hee did, ne since
(the rather all folkes malice to convince)
done, for three howres a moste darke sable hoode,
When Cinthiaes fullest visage furthest stoode:
t' astrologize, then truithe, love, iustice died,
nature ne supranature ever lyed.
Twice now had Titan wasshd his blubbled eye
in Thetis bason, farr from companie,
when these newes came to prince Camballoes eare,
hee start vp, rent his clothes and tore his heaire,
and surelie tho had falln with fittes extreame,
had not his ffather taught him to demeane;
but gatheringe him into ann agonie,
movd, as immovd, thus tempred his outcrie:
“What, is Algarsife mine, a prisoner taen?
Cambuscan eake, my roial father, slane?
th' one by his frendes, and thother by his people,
and bothe in theire owne campes, oh, ist possible?
and all so closelie donn, and I so neere!
ô Camball! ô Binate! ô Akafire!
and ô dull soldiers (heires of endles shame!)
Wheare, wheare weare yee, when Cambuscan was slane?
how shall wee looke men, naie boies, in the face?
wheare such a fact infectes all with disgrace,
as no excuse, ne dispute cann bee heard,
for some faultes qualities bin audience barrd.”
and tho repeates, that his late vncothe dreame
was th' oracle of this tragedious schene.
“What shall I saie, wheare doinge nought availes?
what shall I doe, wheare speakinge also failes?
Yet hathe it oft binn seene, the valiantst kinges,
knightes, barons, dukes, have trapd bin in such stringes.
treason hathe brought th' invincible to ende.
ô yet, mee seemes, Cambuscan shoold not wend;
no, no, mee seemes Cambuscan shoold not passe,
thoughe all the world durst practise his disgrace;
sithe wheare vntruith dares truith discountenance,
it gaines but by vsurpinge truithes semblaunce.
nor was it ever so extinguishd yet,
but that ites least left sparcke new liefe could gett;
ne shall his blood goe vnrevenged thus,
but I will them distroie, who annoyd vs.”
in Thetis bason, farr from companie,
when these newes came to prince Camballoes eare,
hee start vp, rent his clothes and tore his heaire,
and surelie tho had falln with fittes extreame,
had not his ffather taught him to demeane;
but gatheringe him into ann agonie,
movd, as immovd, thus tempred his outcrie:
“What, is Algarsife mine, a prisoner taen?
Cambuscan eake, my roial father, slane?
th' one by his frendes, and thother by his people,
and bothe in theire owne campes, oh, ist possible?
and all so closelie donn, and I so neere!
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and ô dull soldiers (heires of endles shame!)
Wheare, wheare weare yee, when Cambuscan was slane?
how shall wee looke men, naie boies, in the face?
wheare such a fact infectes all with disgrace,
as no excuse, ne dispute cann bee heard,
for some faultes qualities bin audience barrd.”
and tho repeates, that his late vncothe dreame
was th' oracle of this tragedious schene.
“What shall I saie, wheare doinge nought availes?
what shall I doe, wheare speakinge also failes?
Yet hathe it oft binn seene, the valiantst kinges,
knightes, barons, dukes, have trapd bin in such stringes.
treason hathe brought th' invincible to ende.
ô yet, mee seemes, Cambuscan shoold not wend;
no, no, mee seemes Cambuscan shoold not passe,
thoughe all the world durst practise his disgrace;
sithe wheare vntruith dares truith discountenance,
it gaines but by vsurpinge truithes semblaunce.
nor was it ever so extinguishd yet,
but that ites least left sparcke new liefe could gett;
ne shall his blood goe vnrevenged thus,
but I will them distroie, who annoyd vs.”
When Camballs soldiers heard Cambuscans death,
passion rann them and theires quite out of breath,
Whoe weepinge, flockd and swarmd to Camballs tent,
swiftlie to tell all theire impatient bent:
passion rann them and theires quite out of breath,
Whoe weepinge, flockd and swarmd to Camballs tent,
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“ô prince Camball” (quoth they), “what have wee donn?
W' are all vndon, evn evrie mothers sonn!
What! have wee savd our selves, and lost our kinge?
ah, heer's a feild soone loste without fightinge!
out on vs! out! sithe wee have broke our word!
Wear't not as good to have betraid oure lord,
as to vnsecond him, as twice wee did,
when wee shoold him have mett the towne amidd?
Which had wee donn, the towne and daie weare oures,
and this dissaster near have staind our powres.
Againe, wee promisd wheare hee went before
wee would him followe: could a kinge say more
Then hee his promise kepte? so did not wee,
sithe gonn is hee before, yet heere wee bee.
Wee, who shoold fought to death for him, Yet live,
while hee his life loste for false Algarsiue;
whearefore of vs, ô what cann worse bee sedd,
then that hee's dead, and none of vs made dead?
fye on vs! fye! whoe are suche promise breakers,
as all the world maie brand meere deedlesse speakers!
ah, who noold love him whose life aimd this end,
before his death to doe good to his frend?”
W' are all vndon, evn evrie mothers sonn!
What! have wee savd our selves, and lost our kinge?
ah, heer's a feild soone loste without fightinge!
out on vs! out! sithe wee have broke our word!
Wear't not as good to have betraid oure lord,
as to vnsecond him, as twice wee did,
when wee shoold him have mett the towne amidd?
Which had wee donn, the towne and daie weare oures,
and this dissaster near have staind our powres.
Againe, wee promisd wheare hee went before
wee would him followe: could a kinge say more
Then hee his promise kepte? so did not wee,
sithe gonn is hee before, yet heere wee bee.
Wee, who shoold fought to death for him, Yet live,
while hee his life loste for false Algarsiue;
whearefore of vs, ô what cann worse bee sedd,
then that hee's dead, and none of vs made dead?
fye on vs! fye! whoe are suche promise breakers,
as all the world maie brand meere deedlesse speakers!
ah, who noold love him whose life aimd this end,
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Akafir at this speeche wepte bitterlie,
because the worme of shame dothe never die,
sobbinge: “men maie vs tax, state awe vs brake,
and bugg-beard vs our master to forsake.
Whearefore, good sirs, thoughe wee note make amendes,
Yet maie wee on our slacke selves take revenge,
not by preventinge his praecedencie,
sith hee's gonn all before, saunce remedie;
yet wee maie followe with like confidence,
and with our loves his trewe love recompence.”
because the worme of shame dothe never die,
sobbinge: “men maie vs tax, state awe vs brake,
and bugg-beard vs our master to forsake.
Whearefore, good sirs, thoughe wee note make amendes,
Yet maie wee on our slacke selves take revenge,
not by preventinge his praecedencie,
sith hee's gonn all before, saunce remedie;
yet wee maie followe with like confidence,
and with our loves his trewe love recompence.”
On that they ioind all handes, and lowd gann crie
on prince Camball to fight immediatelie.
on prince Camball to fight immediatelie.
“Not so” (quoth Camball), “for to fight by night
and flie by daie, steales victorie: Ne like 't.
first, lett the sonn rise, that my fathers storie
maie better convert with our allegorie.
for knowe my colors redd are not taen downe,
ne mortal blacke succeedes yet in ites rown;
but morrowe morne this battaile so shall steare,
as our and theire designes all blacke shall weare.”
and flie by daie, steales victorie: Ne like 't.
first, lett the sonn rise, that my fathers storie
maie better convert with our allegorie.
for knowe my colors redd are not taen downe,
ne mortal blacke succeedes yet in ites rown;
but morrowe morne this battaile so shall steare,
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So all men them prepard gainst morrowe daie.
Now, of th' fregiliens this remaines to saie,
that through opinions (divers of distraction)
they fell to sydes, from sides to common faction,
Whence they whoe lovd Algarsif gann disdaine
that his Inferiors shoold him thus enchaine.
and looke how th' vulgar bablen, so they prate
that “three vsurpers, whoe them cleapd the state,
Horbello, Gnartolite, Leifurcoes grace,
whoe by vsurpinge prince Algarsifes place,
naie, kinge Cambuscans (wheare them selves th' inskrewe),
t' extort all services of all as dewe:
thoughe beinge but Videriaes water spanieles,
meere settinge, sharkinge, cheatinge, mountbancke camilles,
will have vs eate suche spoone meate as they give,
or somm our portions vp with Algarsive.”
Now, of th' fregiliens this remaines to saie,
that through opinions (divers of distraction)
they fell to sydes, from sides to common faction,
Whence they whoe lovd Algarsif gann disdaine
that his Inferiors shoold him thus enchaine.
and looke how th' vulgar bablen, so they prate
that “three vsurpers, whoe them cleapd the state,
Horbello, Gnartolite, Leifurcoes grace,
whoe by vsurpinge prince Algarsifes place,
naie, kinge Cambuscans (wheare them selves th' inskrewe),
t' extort all services of all as dewe:
thoughe beinge but Videriaes water spanieles,
meere settinge, sharkinge, cheatinge, mountbancke camilles,
will have vs eate suche spoone meate as they give,
or somm our portions vp with Algarsive.”
Thother towne soldiers, whoe gainst these vp stand,
and for Horbello, Gnartolite, Leifurcke bande,
swore all theire processe wise is, trewe, iuste, well,
because Algarsife did gainst's sier rebell:
and thearfore, him a prisoner thus to hold
dothe free theire state of daungers manifold,
which are vnfitt for everie one to kno.
“nor ist our partes t'enquire how secretes goe.
Now if these three our statt gann monarchize,
obedience sinneth not it t' idolize:
and what care wee, while wee participate
the profittes which are cast on vs by state?
they bee too wise, trewe, iuste, to err or lie
in what concernes bothe them and vs so nye.
Whence wee'l still stand with them, vnlesse theie fall;
then hee that longest lives, lett him take all.”
and for Horbello, Gnartolite, Leifurcke bande,
swore all theire processe wise is, trewe, iuste, well,
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and thearfore, him a prisoner thus to hold
dothe free theire state of daungers manifold,
which are vnfitt for everie one to kno.
“nor ist our partes t'enquire how secretes goe.
Now if these three our statt gann monarchize,
obedience sinneth not it t' idolize:
and what care wee, while wee participate
the profittes which are cast on vs by state?
they bee too wise, trewe, iuste, to err or lie
in what concernes bothe them and vs so nye.
Whence wee'l still stand with them, vnlesse theie fall;
then hee that longest lives, lett him take all.”
Now guiltie Horbell, Leifurcke, Gnartolite,
castinge on chaunge, the lipp versutlie bite,
Yet meaninge t' hold the raignes as longe as maie,
vnlesse that nil be held which will awaye,
prepard, wantes not to purge them by excuse,
that from them selves mote putt off fowle abuse.
for theie (kind hartes) Algarsiue did surprize
not, but because hee gainst his sier did rise;
Whearein they vaunte good service to the kinge,
throughe Zeale and dutie in theire governinge.
But now wheare their good kinge Cambuscan's slaine,
“allas” and “well a daie” (full oft they saien),
“that fact of oures, n'is oures, but th' multitude
who nil bee ruld, ne learn, th'are growne so rude.
but gainst him, whome wee guiltie find of's death,
forsoothe, theire Sanglamorte theie will vnsheath.”
Touchinge Algarsife, theare theie readie stande,
him to deliver vp to Camballs hand
(incase they mote theire peace first make with him),
for theire gainst Algarsife and th' kinge donn sinn.
so murdringe towne-artes, vppermost to wricke,
dare hurt and heale to gaine as poleticke.
castinge on chaunge, the lipp versutlie bite,
Yet meaninge t' hold the raignes as longe as maie,
vnlesse that nil be held which will awaye,
prepard, wantes not to purge them by excuse,
that from them selves mote putt off fowle abuse.
for theie (kind hartes) Algarsiue did surprize
not, but because hee gainst his sier did rise;
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throughe Zeale and dutie in theire governinge.
But now wheare their good kinge Cambuscan's slaine,
“allas” and “well a daie” (full oft they saien),
“that fact of oures, n'is oures, but th' multitude
who nil bee ruld, ne learn, th'are growne so rude.
but gainst him, whome wee guiltie find of's death,
forsoothe, theire Sanglamorte theie will vnsheath.”
Touchinge Algarsife, theare theie readie stande,
him to deliver vp to Camballs hand
(incase they mote theire peace first make with him),
for theire gainst Algarsife and th' kinge donn sinn.
so murdringe towne-artes, vppermost to wricke,
dare hurt and heale to gaine as poleticke.
Thus did all th' factions of the towne comment,
Which Camball knewe, and how theire marckett went;
yea, by intelligence exactlie knewe
how prince Algarsife did his fortunes rewe,
Whoe (poore soule) for his pleasure sake preferrd
his sense to reas'n, till smartinge, felt hee errd;
for sense afflicted reas'n it leades to see
that which it could not earst for iollitee.
sithe Custome in makes ann habitual chaine:
whence currs, once killinge sheepe, doe kill againe.
so now hee found theare is no demonstration
but is imperfect without contemplation,
and theare in ruminates his captive state,
lewdlie 'mongst princes falls enumerate,
Whose wordes and teeres bothe breakinge foorth togeathr,
Weare his seaes-afterbirth of stormie weather;
and now b' experience of own ofte made prooff,
his sense of reas'n vnlearnt to huff and snuff.
Which Camball knewe, and how theire marckett went;
yea, by intelligence exactlie knewe
how prince Algarsife did his fortunes rewe,
Whoe (poore soule) for his pleasure sake preferrd
his sense to reas'n, till smartinge, felt hee errd;
for sense afflicted reas'n it leades to see
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sithe Custome in makes ann habitual chaine:
whence currs, once killinge sheepe, doe kill againe.
so now hee found theare is no demonstration
but is imperfect without contemplation,
and theare in ruminates his captive state,
lewdlie 'mongst princes falls enumerate,
Whose wordes and teeres bothe breakinge foorth togeathr,
Weare his seaes-afterbirth of stormie weather;
and now b' experience of own ofte made prooff,
his sense of reas'n vnlearnt to huff and snuff.
“My younge loose liefe which I have lost” (quoth hee),
“Woold grive mee lesse if it did hurt but mee,
yet what is deerer to my selfe then I,
if it bee tried b' owne sensualitie?
but my trewe honor and iust fame are lost,
(love gonn) as th' vulgar to my shame discuste.
then what is honor which hathe left no fame?
and what is liefe which hathe lost all good name?”
But hee, whose banckes orerann theire griefe with care,
expressd his bale in tearinge off his heare:
which yet note roote vp th' inward faultes more nye,
which grow (hee gonn) on his posteritie.
and thus (they saie) hee plaind (thumpinge his brest),
“breake hart, die vip'r (of men th' vnworthieste)!
I cannott saie, ne maie men speake or wright
the number of my faultes which mee endight;
faultes wheareof mote their period end in mee,
I woold to my iust punishmentes agree.
but I have causd my noblest ffathers death,
his wrongfull deathe, whoe first infusd my breathe:
his death, whose warrs on mee weare but of love;
yet I preferrd his ffoes love his above.
Was never love more lovelesselie requitted,
hatinge my selfe, with hate tis iustelie fytted.
Whearefore all deathes bee you in mee vnited,
and snatch hence your convicted and endited;
Yea doe, doe all yee liste to Algarsiue,
so as hee cease to feele, and no more live,
that false Algarsiue and'es vngratefull sinn
bee so raisd out, as hee had never binn.
lett neither earth, seaes, aier, fier, once disclose
theare livd suche one as made his frendes his foes;
Whoe thearfore gettes all kindes of enimies,
the true, iust, false, vniust.” And theare hee cries
that heavn it heard, bound in Videriaes traines,
ne'ar to bee freed, no thoughe hee shooke his chaines.
and tho hee glassd this in his conscience:
“no state so sure as that of innocence;
but th' tranquil state to give vp t' agitation
dothe surelie shipwracke make at perturbation.”
so felte hee that all fleshelie purchases
beginninge sweete, have ende in bitternes.
“Woold grive mee lesse if it did hurt but mee,
yet what is deerer to my selfe then I,
if it bee tried b' owne sensualitie?
but my trewe honor and iust fame are lost,
(love gonn) as th' vulgar to my shame discuste.
then what is honor which hathe left no fame?
and what is liefe which hathe lost all good name?”
But hee, whose banckes orerann theire griefe with care,
expressd his bale in tearinge off his heare:
which yet note roote vp th' inward faultes more nye,
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and thus (they saie) hee plaind (thumpinge his brest),
“breake hart, die vip'r (of men th' vnworthieste)!
I cannott saie, ne maie men speake or wright
the number of my faultes which mee endight;
faultes wheareof mote their period end in mee,
I woold to my iust punishmentes agree.
but I have causd my noblest ffathers death,
his wrongfull deathe, whoe first infusd my breathe:
his death, whose warrs on mee weare but of love;
yet I preferrd his ffoes love his above.
Was never love more lovelesselie requitted,
hatinge my selfe, with hate tis iustelie fytted.
Whearefore all deathes bee you in mee vnited,
and snatch hence your convicted and endited;
Yea doe, doe all yee liste to Algarsiue,
so as hee cease to feele, and no more live,
that false Algarsiue and'es vngratefull sinn
bee so raisd out, as hee had never binn.
lett neither earth, seaes, aier, fier, once disclose
theare livd suche one as made his frendes his foes;
Whoe thearfore gettes all kindes of enimies,
the true, iust, false, vniust.” And theare hee cries
that heavn it heard, bound in Videriaes traines,
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and tho hee glassd this in his conscience:
“no state so sure as that of innocence;
but th' tranquil state to give vp t' agitation
dothe surelie shipwracke make at perturbation.”
so felte hee that all fleshelie purchases
beginninge sweete, have ende in bitternes.
Longe ear this Amidis to Serra came,
Wheare hee th' misfortunes told of Cambuscane,
with his last farewell t' Ethelta the queene,
and Canac, whose bothe reddes paeld deadlie teene.
her fathers bloodie ensigne t' her hee gave,
Weepinge, said, did all the kinge wishd to have.
Wheare hee th' misfortunes told of Cambuscane,
with his last farewell t' Ethelta the queene,
and Canac, whose bothe reddes paeld deadlie teene.
her fathers bloodie ensigne t' her hee gave,
Weepinge, said, did all the kinge wishd to have.
Shee puttes his colors on behinde, before,
her selfe amidd, as was her Siers decore:
this halfe before, that other halfe behind,
thinges past, as present, to recall to mind.
“Ah newes!” (quoth shee), “my brother prisoner taen!
my ffather (lives hope) ioie, trust, also slaen!
and I alive. Wellcomm his colors deere,
my mothers widdowhode shalbee my beere.”
that said, adowne shee sancke, dienge in him
Whose deathes daunce did to all his rancke beginn:
Wearinge his embleam th'wart her lillie brest,
Which in her his newe funeral exprest.
her selfe amidd, as was her Siers decore:
this halfe before, that other halfe behind,
thinges past, as present, to recall to mind.
“Ah newes!” (quoth shee), “my brother prisoner taen!
my ffather (lives hope) ioie, trust, also slaen!
and I alive. Wellcomm his colors deere,
my mothers widdowhode shalbee my beere.”
that said, adowne shee sancke, dienge in him
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Wearinge his embleam th'wart her lillie brest,
Which in her his newe funeral exprest.
At th' sight wheareof Queen Ethel rann in hast,
and in bothe armes her lithie corse embract,
rubbinge her temples, stoppd all issuinge breathe,
and wrunge her finger hard (th' awakes from death),
givinge her spirites eake drawne by divine art
to tharteirs, to diffuse what chokd her hart.
and well it mote bee sworne that Ethel th' queene
became the wife of so compleate a kinge;
for thoughe shee weare the center of the iust,
yet no love needes in her loves want distrust.
naie, as her courage, so her love grewe great,
each immitatinge (wiselie) eithers seate.
and in bothe armes her lithie corse embract,
rubbinge her temples, stoppd all issuinge breathe,
and wrunge her finger hard (th' awakes from death),
givinge her spirites eake drawne by divine art
to tharteirs, to diffuse what chokd her hart.
and well it mote bee sworne that Ethel th' queene
became the wife of so compleate a kinge;
for thoughe shee weare the center of the iust,
yet no love needes in her loves want distrust.
naie, as her courage, so her love grewe great,
each immitatinge (wiselie) eithers seate.
No sooner was pale Canac raisd to life,
but th' Queene vp cheerd her, saienge Algarsife
shall out bee baild from his imprisonment,
by suche fitt rannsom as shathe thither sent.
and further, of Cambuscan, her trewe knight,
thoughe hee's betraid in waginge of her right,
his vertues yet have provd him suche an one
as trewer, iuster, lovinger was none.
“and so much honor shall betide his name,
as puttes liefe in the dead by quickeninge fame.
nor shall hee die, that aye lives vnto mee,
but hee my liefe shall have, I wilbee hee.
yet had I rather leese him then leese honor;
honor is liefe: our bothe lives ownes one owner.
suche deathe is liefe, which dienge, is repeated
of everie livinge soule whose love dothe speake it;
still iustelie live theie whoe deigne iustice raise
etherealie enshrind in mortal claies.
trophies of marble, garlandes greene of baie,
temples of cristal, statues faire of raie,
monument of riche stones, tumb of gold mettal,
choires of sweete hymnes perpetual, I will setle;
all these perpolishd I will statelie build
to him who was for love, truith, iustice killd.”
but th' Queene vp cheerd her, saienge Algarsife
shall out bee baild from his imprisonment,
by suche fitt rannsom as shathe thither sent.
and further, of Cambuscan, her trewe knight,
thoughe hee's betraid in waginge of her right,
his vertues yet have provd him suche an one
as trewer, iuster, lovinger was none.
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as puttes liefe in the dead by quickeninge fame.
nor shall hee die, that aye lives vnto mee,
but hee my liefe shall have, I wilbee hee.
yet had I rather leese him then leese honor;
honor is liefe: our bothe lives ownes one owner.
suche deathe is liefe, which dienge, is repeated
of everie livinge soule whose love dothe speake it;
still iustelie live theie whoe deigne iustice raise
etherealie enshrind in mortal claies.
trophies of marble, garlandes greene of baie,
temples of cristal, statues faire of raie,
monument of riche stones, tumb of gold mettal,
choires of sweete hymnes perpetual, I will setle;
all these perpolishd I will statelie build
to him who was for love, truith, iustice killd.”
These hopes cheerd Canac vp more then the former,
Yet beggd shee to b' his everlastinge murner,
as one apprentizd to griefe, care, hope, feares,
Which (not dispairinge) never faile of tears.
Yet beggd shee to b' his everlastinge murner,
as one apprentizd to griefe, care, hope, feares,
Which (not dispairinge) never faile of tears.
When Amidis his embassies had donn,
full soone t' his lordes sepuloher backe did ronn,
for love is Livelie, painefull is trewe love,
Which no death of the livinge cann remove.
wheare, lookinge in, his hart repeates this mone,
“Lô, heere the cage, after the bird is flown!”
Yet theare about hee hauntes, lovd theare to bee,
althoughe his eies sawe not what love woold see.
full soone t' his lordes sepuloher backe did ronn,
174
Which no death of the livinge cann remove.
wheare, lookinge in, his hart repeates this mone,
“Lô, heere the cage, after the bird is flown!”
Yet theare about hee hauntes, lovd theare to bee,
althoughe his eies sawe not what love woold see.
Now it fell out, mongst other circumstances,
Which coincide with kinges and states mischaunces,
t'observe how soone ill newes abrode are hurld,
told, and retold, heere, theare, about the world,
as bowt the twoe poles turnes th'all rowlinge sphears,
Which, if removd, woold fill the world with feares.
so, if a kinge bee killd, or prisoner taen,
no secrecie cann it conceale from fame,
feare bears it knowne, thoughe (ofte) no man knoes howe,
Yea ofte b' vnsensive meanes (as clerkes avowe);
somtimes b' impression of highe shapes in th' aier,
Which (as in tabliture) is theire bewraier;
somtimes th' aier states and kinges actes d'aggregate,
and, as in mental bodie, them translate,
which th' aier, to remote aier, foorth shouldreth, till
ites science into some folkes it distill.
and thinges of sympathie binn quicklie known,
thoughe farr off, to consympathites ythrowne;
like as twoe eightes contewninge touch but one,
thother, contestinge, softlie soundes anon.
somtimes by force of stronge imagination,
holpe by some numens highe concomitation;
but with dreames visional wee liste not mell,
Wheareof, perchaunce, annother time maie tell.
Which coincide with kinges and states mischaunces,
t'observe how soone ill newes abrode are hurld,
told, and retold, heere, theare, about the world,
as bowt the twoe poles turnes th'all rowlinge sphears,
Which, if removd, woold fill the world with feares.
so, if a kinge bee killd, or prisoner taen,
no secrecie cann it conceale from fame,
feare bears it knowne, thoughe (ofte) no man knoes howe,
Yea ofte b' vnsensive meanes (as clerkes avowe);
somtimes b' impression of highe shapes in th' aier,
Which (as in tabliture) is theire bewraier;
somtimes th' aier states and kinges actes d'aggregate,
and, as in mental bodie, them translate,
which th' aier, to remote aier, foorth shouldreth, till
ites science into some folkes it distill.
and thinges of sympathie binn quicklie known,
thoughe farr off, to consympathites ythrowne;
175
thother, contestinge, softlie soundes anon.
somtimes by force of stronge imagination,
holpe by some numens highe concomitation;
but with dreames visional wee liste not mell,
Wheareof, perchaunce, annother time maie tell.
On this it chauncd kinge Thotobun of Ind,
harkeninge newes from Cambuscan (his good frend),
could heere none good. Tho mental perscrutation
mowlded much thoughtes in his imagination,
which castinge what his frend mote doe this while
gainst his Fregilien rebelles, thus gann smile,
saienge, “hee cann them chasten at his pleasure,
and then sende worde theareof by line, and leasure.
Or theie have simplie yeelded to his grace,
Or laid downe armes, or rendred vp the place.”
yet of his furthr love borne to his frend
hee thus proiected otherwise in minde
Wheather Cambuscans force sufficient weare,
to force the towne, and it b' assault to beare:
but force and fraud the weake and wise maie feare,
as daungerous superlatives to steare.
Out of which collectes (thoughe by wisdome drawne)
he found no suche estate, or certaine pawne,
how kinge Cambuscan mote (thoughe stronge) bee sure,
but that Videreaes fraudes might him immure.
While thus his serious thoughtes him furthered,
this stronge imagination vext his head,
that in his owne house laie some theeves close hidd,
whoe, at advantage, woold him robb or ridd.
so stronglie this impression in him wrought,
as instantlie his twoe-hand swoord he raught,
and rann vp to his private gallerie,
Wheare his moste secret thinges and treasures lie.
Now ronninge, Lô, One with a drawne swoord coms
as fast against him as he forward ronns;
which stoppd him staie, as att ann apparition,
which seemd at first to bee some sore ment vision.
But, heedinge, saw twas his perspective glasse
that shewd himselfe vppon him selfe to passe.
harkeninge newes from Cambuscan (his good frend),
could heere none good. Tho mental perscrutation
mowlded much thoughtes in his imagination,
which castinge what his frend mote doe this while
gainst his Fregilien rebelles, thus gann smile,
saienge, “hee cann them chasten at his pleasure,
and then sende worde theareof by line, and leasure.
Or theie have simplie yeelded to his grace,
Or laid downe armes, or rendred vp the place.”
yet of his furthr love borne to his frend
hee thus proiected otherwise in minde
Wheather Cambuscans force sufficient weare,
to force the towne, and it b' assault to beare:
but force and fraud the weake and wise maie feare,
as daungerous superlatives to steare.
Out of which collectes (thoughe by wisdome drawne)
176
how kinge Cambuscan mote (thoughe stronge) bee sure,
but that Videreaes fraudes might him immure.
While thus his serious thoughtes him furthered,
this stronge imagination vext his head,
that in his owne house laie some theeves close hidd,
whoe, at advantage, woold him robb or ridd.
so stronglie this impression in him wrought,
as instantlie his twoe-hand swoord he raught,
and rann vp to his private gallerie,
Wheare his moste secret thinges and treasures lie.
Now ronninge, Lô, One with a drawne swoord coms
as fast against him as he forward ronns;
which stoppd him staie, as att ann apparition,
which seemd at first to bee some sore ment vision.
But, heedinge, saw twas his perspective glasse
that shewd himselfe vppon him selfe to passe.
“What! wee against ourselves” (behight the kinge),
“this maie of somewhat elles bee th' alsioninge.”
“this maie of somewhat elles bee th' alsioninge.”
Too longe it weare to thincke of wondrous glasses;
how somme at once cann shewe a thowsand faces,
and some (placd aptlie for prospective) shoe
theire farroff walkers neere, in th' aier to goe;
some, convexd, so catch titans beames by art,
as turne (contracted) to a fyerie dart;
some shewe thwhole bodie, some the face alone;
some shewe trewe obiectes, some the flattringe shoen;
some shewe ites obiect twice as great as tis,
Whearein nature and art contend as wise;
some in a glasse ann absent shade have shoen,
and some as worse a sight: let that alone.
how somme at once cann shewe a thowsand faces,
and some (placd aptlie for prospective) shoe
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some, convexd, so catch titans beames by art,
as turne (contracted) to a fyerie dart;
some shewe thwhole bodie, some the face alone;
some shewe trewe obiectes, some the flattringe shoen;
some shewe ites obiect twice as great as tis,
Whearein nature and art contend as wise;
some in a glasse ann absent shade have shoen,
and some as worse a sight: let that alone.
Thotobun was the wisest, learned kinge,
that ever turnd the volumes of learninge;
for, all of thighest skie and diepest deepe,
in th' globes cilinder, and without dothe peepe,
bird, beast, fishe, flye, men, everie creepinge thinge,
tree, plant, herbe, weede, and each greene leafe that springe,
veines, metall, mineralles, all kind of stones,
and what earth, seaes, aier, fyer breedes to younge bones;
no act of nature, moral fact divine,
no propertie, but he knewe to calcine;
for this was hee who made Canacies glasse,
the Ringe, and Swoord, with the brave horse of brasse;
and greater thinges then all this hee cann sho,
but all bin curious of their skill that kno.
Hee all these ominous dowbtes to explore,
them calculates vp in his highest towre,
Wheare soone hee found his frend distressd, evn dead,
at which he stormd, And thus he feircelie sedd:
“And have they vsd thee thus, my Cambuscan?
Ile print thy wronges in th' blood of them anan,
and skore on th' browes of their posteritie
ann everlastinge shame of tretcherie.
Yet raigne thow shalt, to tread them vnderfoote.”
that ever turnd the volumes of learninge;
for, all of thighest skie and diepest deepe,
in th' globes cilinder, and without dothe peepe,
bird, beast, fishe, flye, men, everie creepinge thinge,
tree, plant, herbe, weede, and each greene leafe that springe,
veines, metall, mineralles, all kind of stones,
and what earth, seaes, aier, fyer breedes to younge bones;
no act of nature, moral fact divine,
no propertie, but he knewe to calcine;
for this was hee who made Canacies glasse,
the Ringe, and Swoord, with the brave horse of brasse;
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but all bin curious of their skill that kno.
Hee all these ominous dowbtes to explore,
them calculates vp in his highest towre,
Wheare soone hee found his frend distressd, evn dead,
at which he stormd, And thus he feircelie sedd:
“And have they vsd thee thus, my Cambuscan?
Ile print thy wronges in th' blood of them anan,
and skore on th' browes of their posteritie
ann everlastinge shame of tretcherie.
Yet raigne thow shalt, to tread them vnderfoote.”
So speedelie prepares this learned boote,
in a well luted violl, close incensd,
th' elixal elemental quintescencd,
with all th' seaun planetes, spirites, immixt togeather,
and owne inspir'd breath: which gann deliver
to Columbell their milke-white turtle dove,
beinge their common post in case of love.
Him hee biddes post for life, ear th' sonn goe downe,
to kinge Cambuscan, in Fregilia towne,
and give to Amidis this glasse and note,
the which kinge Thotobun tyed to his foote.
in a well luted violl, close incensd,
th' elixal elemental quintescencd,
with all th' seaun planetes, spirites, immixt togeather,
and owne inspir'd breath: which gann deliver
to Columbell their milke-white turtle dove,
beinge their common post in case of love.
Him hee biddes post for life, ear th' sonn goe downe,
to kinge Cambuscan, in Fregilia towne,
and give to Amidis this glasse and note,
the which kinge Thotobun tyed to his foote.
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On speedes hee (as a seeg'd townes flienge post,
to bringe backe newes of aide, ear th' towne be lost).
to bringe backe newes of aide, ear th' towne be lost).
Now, ear the peepe of daie, Page Amidis
heard the doves voice on th'ouse topp ear him sees.
“good newes” (quoth hee), tho, ronninge foorth, behold
the dove brought to his hand, the message told,
for this familiar Dove twixt yond twoe kinges
went boldlie too and fro, as vsen frendes.
heard the doves voice on th'ouse topp ear him sees.
“good newes” (quoth hee), tho, ronninge foorth, behold
the dove brought to his hand, the message told,
for this familiar Dove twixt yond twoe kinges
went boldlie too and fro, as vsen frendes.
Tho Columbel and Amidis in rann,
and powrd thelixar into Cambuscan,
Whoe foorthwith wooke in Tartarie, and rose,
callinge for meate, his armor, and out goes.
for ioie wheareof, (quoth weepinge Amedies),
“no treasure to a ffrend,” tho dried his eyes;
and theare they sweetlie entertaind the dove,
which tooke his leave, and flewe to thowses rove.
and powrd thelixar into Cambuscan,
Whoe foorthwith wooke in Tartarie, and rose,
callinge for meate, his armor, and out goes.
for ioie wheareof, (quoth weepinge Amedies),
“no treasure to a ffrend,” tho dried his eyes;
and theare they sweetlie entertaind the dove,
which tooke his leave, and flewe to thowses rove.
Quicklie Cambuscan tho tooke from his midle
his leather hunger waste, Ducelloes bridle,
and armd and dond Morliuo his good swoord,
tho, to thetherial welkin, he susurrd
Ducelloes vsual call, Who came straight waie;
And then hee chargd home, wheare Algarsiue laye,
hewd ope the gates, cutt off his chaines, enlargd him,
and, but with one wound givn on's head, dischargd him.
his leather hunger waste, Ducelloes bridle,
and armd and dond Morliuo his good swoord,
tho, to thetherial welkin, he susurrd
Ducelloes vsual call, Who came straight waie;
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hewd ope the gates, cutt off his chaines, enlargd him,
and, but with one wound givn on's head, dischargd him.
Algarsifs soldiers, russhinge to the prison,
and findinge th' gates wide ope, b'yond powr of reason,
but missinge him, did passionatelie crie.
Whereat Prince Camballs hoste rose instantlie,
as at a soddaine ambusshes alarum,
speedelie aunswerd by thwhole armies swarme.
And tho Binato, Camball, Akafir
rann to thassault, as close as troopes mote stirr:
Whose choler now had in them domination,
beinge revenges swifteste vindecation.
but as they chardgd, “Ethel, Canac,” they cried,
“Canac, Ethel,” yet not a foe discried.
Wheareat they musde, deeminge them fledd, or packinge,
which soone denouncd that Algarsife was lackinge.
and findinge th' gates wide ope, b'yond powr of reason,
but missinge him, did passionatelie crie.
Whereat Prince Camballs hoste rose instantlie,
as at a soddaine ambusshes alarum,
speedelie aunswerd by thwhole armies swarme.
And tho Binato, Camball, Akafir
rann to thassault, as close as troopes mote stirr:
Whose choler now had in them domination,
beinge revenges swifteste vindecation.
but as they chardgd, “Ethel, Canac,” they cried,
“Canac, Ethel,” yet not a foe discried.
Wheareat they musde, deeminge them fledd, or packinge,
which soone denouncd that Algarsife was lackinge.
But lô, a midd the marckett place a noise,
composd of manie a rewfull-dienge voice,
Which “mercie, mercie!” cried, “o gratious kinge!”
This drewe vp th'oste, to see one glisteringe,
armd, on a flaminge horse, with blasinge swoord,
Whoe, like swifte lightninge, through th' Fregiliens skowrd,
o'returninge standes, troopes, squadrons, all that flees,
save those whome downe right blowes smote on their knees.
Now, now Ducello, for his master fightinge,
gave all vp to bee killd hee caught by bitinge,
distroienge all and some, that stood in's way,
nor left hee one vnfetchd vp (gonn a straie):
in so much that they who admird this horse
stood stupified, havinge thus felt his force.
Not Diomedes horse (fleshe eatr of men)
had e'ar th'obedience this atchivd o're them;
so all men grauntes the kinges feirce bloes weare suche
for strength, length, waight, ne'ar knight coold halfe so much.
composd of manie a rewfull-dienge voice,
Which “mercie, mercie!” cried, “o gratious kinge!”
This drewe vp th'oste, to see one glisteringe,
armd, on a flaminge horse, with blasinge swoord,
181
o'returninge standes, troopes, squadrons, all that flees,
save those whome downe right blowes smote on their knees.
Now, now Ducello, for his master fightinge,
gave all vp to bee killd hee caught by bitinge,
distroienge all and some, that stood in's way,
nor left hee one vnfetchd vp (gonn a straie):
in so much that they who admird this horse
stood stupified, havinge thus felt his force.
Not Diomedes horse (fleshe eatr of men)
had e'ar th'obedience this atchivd o're them;
so all men grauntes the kinges feirce bloes weare suche
for strength, length, waight, ne'ar knight coold halfe so much.
Tho Camball (saunce resistance) tooke the towne,
albeet annoth'r first beare the renowne.
Hee, hee, twas hee, whose swoordes wrath staid in time,
of clement hart shewd in hott blood this signe,
that onlie Loue hathe pittie to forgive
Wheare iust revenge mote kill, or not reprive.
behinde whome, when page Amidis theie spied,
how all the matter went, was soone discried.
Wheareat th'whole host flunge vp such acclamation,
as when theavns does all thinges b'yond expectation,
and now belivd, and sawe twas Cambuscan,
Whearefore all th'oste to take all prisoners rann.
Camball tooke Algarsife, and bound him fast,
yet, as a frendlie ffoe, him oft embract.
theare was no soldier but tooke prisoners store,
and made all theires which thothers robbd before.
albeet annoth'r first beare the renowne.
Hee, hee, twas hee, whose swoordes wrath staid in time,
of clement hart shewd in hott blood this signe,
that onlie Loue hathe pittie to forgive
Wheare iust revenge mote kill, or not reprive.
behinde whome, when page Amidis theie spied,
how all the matter went, was soone discried.
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as when theavns does all thinges b'yond expectation,
and now belivd, and sawe twas Cambuscan,
Whearefore all th'oste to take all prisoners rann.
Camball tooke Algarsife, and bound him fast,
yet, as a frendlie ffoe, him oft embract.
theare was no soldier but tooke prisoners store,
and made all theires which thothers robbd before.
“Ô” (quoth Cambuscan), “are Yee now come downe,
my boies? Ile give yee, for your paines, this towne:
Y' all shalbee cittisens.” Tho hee alighted,
and sweetl' embracd ev'n everie one he knighted,
cleapinge them fellowe soldiers, and coheires
of th'onors which hee gettes in these affaires.
suche was this noble kinges truith, iustice, love,
as all theire hartes his giftes with ioie approve.
Which knowne, full manie a towne in Tartarie
them yeeldes, and sent in pledges instantlie.
my boies? Ile give yee, for your paines, this towne:
Y' all shalbee cittisens.” Tho hee alighted,
and sweetl' embracd ev'n everie one he knighted,
cleapinge them fellowe soldiers, and coheires
of th'onors which hee gettes in these affaires.
suche was this noble kinges truith, iustice, love,
as all theire hartes his giftes with ioie approve.
Which knowne, full manie a towne in Tartarie
them yeeldes, and sent in pledges instantlie.
Tho, vp hee puttes his swoord (a peacefull signe),
but first hee did a gen'ral serche inioine,
through all the towne, and in all secret corners,
for his malitious ffoes, beinge theare soiorners,
Viderea, Horbell, Leyfurcke, Gnartolite,
for these weare they had donn him most dispite.
But none of these could b' anie means be found,
because theare was discovered vnderground
a vast abisse or dungeon, ribbd with bone,
right darcke, and hollowe built, and laid with lome,
which had a passage to the Posterne gate,
and this waie twas the traiters gott out at.
but first hee did a gen'ral serche inioine,
through all the towne, and in all secret corners,
for his malitious ffoes, beinge theare soiorners,
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for these weare they had donn him most dispite.
But none of these could b' anie means be found,
because theare was discovered vnderground
a vast abisse or dungeon, ribbd with bone,
right darcke, and hollowe built, and laid with lome,
which had a passage to the Posterne gate,
and this waie twas the traiters gott out at.
Tho t' him theie brought fast bound Princ Algarsife,
on whose sadd browe was writt muche woe and grife;
Whome when the kinge sawe, said, “Hence naughtie knave!”
so, turnes him fro, and nought but frowninges gave.
Then Amidis and Camball beggd for him,
beseechinge pardon for his prisoners sinn,
Whose weakenes, eake, beggd for him this good time,
thus ffoes to begg for ffoes, is frendships signe.
Howbeet, he balkd theire importunitie,
With sterne-sett count'naunce (in austeritie),
on which theie lecturd, that love to provoke
dothe challenge iustice at her feircest stroke;
so read they, that the maiestie of a kinge
(abvsd) nis soone pleasd with eie fingeringe.
Whearfore the kinge his sonn and page rebukes,
saienge, ‘they want discretion in their suites,
in deeminge that so coninge ann offender,
audatious eake, shoold slipp on termes so slender;
as if th'offenders (more of will then weaknes)
shoold doe as liste, then vaunt theire weake compleatnes;
so pleasures of suche weaknes woold bee th' cause.'
“but, credite mee, sweete meate shall have sowr sawce;
for single eies I knowe, from squintinge litle,
and him who slilie haultes before a criple.
Ells might each humorous-wanton appetite,
or thirst of bribe, &c., which custom hathe t' excite,
begg, with selfe-rawe-made legges (as beggers kno),
and cleape it weaknes: but hee scapes not so.
sithe I twixt him and yee this difference putt,
that y' have watcht, warded, fought with emptie gutt,
and rann those wantes and daungers which I rann,
but Algarsife woold none with Cambuscan;
Whearefore hee shall conforme to all wee did,
or by my swoord I sweare, off goes his head!
Touchinge your loves suite, heere's my iuste beheste,
his mother shall have him, to doe as list.”
on whose sadd browe was writt muche woe and grife;
Whome when the kinge sawe, said, “Hence naughtie knave!”
so, turnes him fro, and nought but frowninges gave.
Then Amidis and Camball beggd for him,
beseechinge pardon for his prisoners sinn,
Whose weakenes, eake, beggd for him this good time,
thus ffoes to begg for ffoes, is frendships signe.
Howbeet, he balkd theire importunitie,
With sterne-sett count'naunce (in austeritie),
on which theie lecturd, that love to provoke
dothe challenge iustice at her feircest stroke;
so read they, that the maiestie of a kinge
(abvsd) nis soone pleasd with eie fingeringe.
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saienge, ‘they want discretion in their suites,
in deeminge that so coninge ann offender,
audatious eake, shoold slipp on termes so slender;
as if th'offenders (more of will then weaknes)
shoold doe as liste, then vaunt theire weake compleatnes;
so pleasures of suche weaknes woold bee th' cause.'
“but, credite mee, sweete meate shall have sowr sawce;
for single eies I knowe, from squintinge litle,
and him who slilie haultes before a criple.
Ells might each humorous-wanton appetite,
or thirst of bribe, &c., which custom hathe t' excite,
begg, with selfe-rawe-made legges (as beggers kno),
and cleape it weaknes: but hee scapes not so.
sithe I twixt him and yee this difference putt,
that y' have watcht, warded, fought with emptie gutt,
and rann those wantes and daungers which I rann,
but Algarsife woold none with Cambuscan;
Whearefore hee shall conforme to all wee did,
or by my swoord I sweare, off goes his head!
185
his mother shall have him, to doe as list.”
This aunswer taught th' younge suitors thus to stann,
that wills the greater halfe of everie man.
so Algarsife, bound, backe to Gaile they bore,
not daringe to speake for him one word more.
that wills the greater halfe of everie man.
so Algarsife, bound, backe to Gaile they bore,
not daringe to speake for him one word more.
Lô, heere the ioifull daie of victorie,
of livelie mirthe, to murninge contrarie,
for Phebus now, whoe whilome blachd his face,
wore bright-gold eglettes edgd in richest trace,
which (lett at nitent length) his orient haier
made his cleere-praesence chamber everie wheare:
and entringe into his cleane azurne haull,
dauncd a brave galliard (which becoms the taull)
With smoothe, then loftie, trickes, then smoothe againe;
“neere halfe ann howr wee saw't,” so mote yee plaine.
evn as a friskinge lambe gann daunce, ronn, bound
by damms kind side, ne cares to stand on ground;
so lordlie Phebus frolickd in his spheare,
and this of custome gann this daie each yeere,
Which claimes for argument to somme to prove,
swifte-fierie Sol, not earthie ops, dothe move.
of livelie mirthe, to murninge contrarie,
for Phebus now, whoe whilome blachd his face,
wore bright-gold eglettes edgd in richest trace,
which (lett at nitent length) his orient haier
made his cleere-praesence chamber everie wheare:
and entringe into his cleane azurne haull,
dauncd a brave galliard (which becoms the taull)
With smoothe, then loftie, trickes, then smoothe againe;
“neere halfe ann howr wee saw't,” so mote yee plaine.
evn as a friskinge lambe gann daunce, ronn, bound
by damms kind side, ne cares to stand on ground;
so lordlie Phebus frolickd in his spheare,
and this of custome gann this daie each yeere,
Which claimes for argument to somme to prove,
swifte-fierie Sol, not earthie ops, dothe move.
186
Cambuscan now, to celebrate this daie,
solemnizd a great feast t' all men, they saie;
and for his knightes of th' order honorable,
of cedar kervd he built a large round table,
and calld it thorder of the golden girdle,
in kind remembrance of that milke white tirtle,
which, on this daie, gann vanquishe death with liefe;
so theare sate all his knightes, save Algarsife.
To tell the dainties of their roial fare,
of boild, roste, bakd, of flagons of nectare,
of statelie pastworkes, of wild fowle and birdes,
of march pane stuff, which closetes fine affoordes,
no princes kitchen clerke coold tell in haste,
for it Lucullus in Apollo past;
but theare was livelie meate, and drincke to fare,
which no wheare elles was founde to eate but theare.
It pleasd the kinge, that Amidis his page
sate chiefe guest, bove the kinge (though younge of age),
because his Loue had followd him till deathe,
and never left him till new liefe gave breathe.
Wheareat some iocund knightes this question move,
Whie the kinges selfe (as iust) sate not above?
To whome the kinge the question thus discuste: vz.
“Love without iustice is not Love, but lust,
and iustice without love is crueltie;
for I by love doe live, by Justice die.
And iustice without truith is tyrannie;
but truith without Justice is slogardie.
Naie, truith without love is false veritie,
as love without truith is hypochrisie.
yea, love without truith is but surquedrie:
So love without iustice is lenitie,
such as fond cockeringe spillethe vtterlie,
Which, partialie, gives and takes indulgence,
while it to iustice vseth connivence.
But my caracters bin love, truith, iustice;
so, not to have true love, of all dothe misse,
as to lacke Justice, love and truith are gone,
sithe eache convertes, in wisdom, t' vnion.
Whearfore, love wrongd is truiths iust ielowsie,
and iustice wrongd is trewe-loves iniurie.
Whence, to provoke Love and truith impiouslie,
provokes sterne Justice to severitie.
yet, wheare trewe love (distressd) for pittie sewethe,
Justice turnes lover: Mercie all subdeweth.
But falshode, which is truithes old enimie,
wantes love and iustice: so n'ath lenitie.
All which your soules wisdome throughe reasons eie,
maie moderate to pious remedie.
But love the signe, and seale is of perfection,
which all deliuereth to th' vse of dilection,
which multiplienge in him, so begettes,
as, vpmost on my right hand, heere hee settes.”
solemnizd a great feast t' all men, they saie;
and for his knightes of th' order honorable,
of cedar kervd he built a large round table,
and calld it thorder of the golden girdle,
in kind remembrance of that milke white tirtle,
which, on this daie, gann vanquishe death with liefe;
so theare sate all his knightes, save Algarsife.
To tell the dainties of their roial fare,
of boild, roste, bakd, of flagons of nectare,
of statelie pastworkes, of wild fowle and birdes,
of march pane stuff, which closetes fine affoordes,
no princes kitchen clerke coold tell in haste,
for it Lucullus in Apollo past;
but theare was livelie meate, and drincke to fare,
which no wheare elles was founde to eate but theare.
It pleasd the kinge, that Amidis his page
sate chiefe guest, bove the kinge (though younge of age),
because his Loue had followd him till deathe,
and never left him till new liefe gave breathe.
Wheareat some iocund knightes this question move,
187
To whome the kinge the question thus discuste: vz.
“Love without iustice is not Love, but lust,
and iustice without love is crueltie;
for I by love doe live, by Justice die.
And iustice without truith is tyrannie;
but truith without Justice is slogardie.
Naie, truith without love is false veritie,
as love without truith is hypochrisie.
yea, love without truith is but surquedrie:
So love without iustice is lenitie,
such as fond cockeringe spillethe vtterlie,
Which, partialie, gives and takes indulgence,
while it to iustice vseth connivence.
But my caracters bin love, truith, iustice;
so, not to have true love, of all dothe misse,
as to lacke Justice, love and truith are gone,
sithe eache convertes, in wisdom, t' vnion.
Whearfore, love wrongd is truiths iust ielowsie,
and iustice wrongd is trewe-loves iniurie.
Whence, to provoke Love and truith impiouslie,
provokes sterne Justice to severitie.
188
Justice turnes lover: Mercie all subdeweth.
But falshode, which is truithes old enimie,
wantes love and iustice: so n'ath lenitie.
All which your soules wisdome throughe reasons eie,
maie moderate to pious remedie.
But love the signe, and seale is of perfection,
which all deliuereth to th' vse of dilection,
which multiplienge in him, so begettes,
as, vpmost on my right hand, heere hee settes.”
The knightes, all satisfied heereat, sate still,
havinge from these his reasons heard their fill.
havinge from these his reasons heard their fill.
Tho this most roial kinge bode fill the cupp,
and lookd on all with cheerfull aspectes vpp,
saienge, “My knightes, this cupp, by th' warr, I sweare,
hathe, as yee knowe, cost me right deerlie deere.
now, heer's a helthe t' yee all, with all my hart.”
At that adowne theire knees theie quicklie start,
“on these conditions, that this towne I wonn
yee shall safe keepe by those meanes I begunn.”
so, in that cupp vnites them lovingelie.
Theie swore theie woold, and pledgd him hartelie.
“Now, thearfore, sithe it is my daughters dowre,
still shall yee call this towne Canacamor,
thoughe other ancientes it Rosalia call;
others, the standinge vp of them which fall.”
and lookd on all with cheerfull aspectes vpp,
saienge, “My knightes, this cupp, by th' warr, I sweare,
hathe, as yee knowe, cost me right deerlie deere.
now, heer's a helthe t' yee all, with all my hart.”
At that adowne theire knees theie quicklie start,
“on these conditions, that this towne I wonn
189
so, in that cupp vnites them lovingelie.
Theie swore theie woold, and pledgd him hartelie.
“Now, thearfore, sithe it is my daughters dowre,
still shall yee call this towne Canacamor,
thoughe other ancientes it Rosalia call;
others, the standinge vp of them which fall.”
That said, the knightes flunge vp theire capps for ioie,
saienge, “Viuat Canac! Viue Le Roy!”
saienge, “Viuat Canac! Viue Le Roy!”
Tho, givinge thanckes, Cambuscan soone arose,
of his townes reparation to dispose;
and first buildes vp the walles, so stronge and hie,
as highe, ne lowe, climbes o're ne puttes it buy.
Next, turnes a cristal streame int' everie streete,
to washe them cleane, and keepe the cittie sweete.
Then, for his garrison leaves victualles store,
that warr, ne peace, shoold cause it want no more;
or if it chaunce some to bee of their order,
hee biddes that none bee taken by disorder,
but that they maie with stronge laddes fill his bandes,
biddes first clapp on them bothe their valient handes,
to trie, then soldiers chouse of virtuous brest,
sith of tonge stories, hand glories are beste.
mutinistes and wronge doers all hee hates,
and biddes them all be turnd out att the gates,
vnlesse theie sorrowe and repent their factes,
and make amendes to doe no more suche actes;
leavinge it in free choise to suche as tarrie,
“allienge them to vs, well maie they marrie.”
But that sicke soldiers live stronge, and so die
(active and nimble of dexteritie),
hee biddes with olives fatt to rubb them over,
and phisickes confidence shall them recover.
Twice six gates to his towne hee edifyed,
and to each gate one porter leaves for guide,
t' admitt no weaponed straungers to annoie them,
but, if suche will make entrie, first distroie them;
and willes them providentlie watch and ward,
so as all men keepe their owne courtes of gard.
of his townes reparation to dispose;
and first buildes vp the walles, so stronge and hie,
as highe, ne lowe, climbes o're ne puttes it buy.
Next, turnes a cristal streame int' everie streete,
to washe them cleane, and keepe the cittie sweete.
Then, for his garrison leaves victualles store,
that warr, ne peace, shoold cause it want no more;
or if it chaunce some to bee of their order,
hee biddes that none bee taken by disorder,
but that they maie with stronge laddes fill his bandes,
biddes first clapp on them bothe their valient handes,
to trie, then soldiers chouse of virtuous brest,
sith of tonge stories, hand glories are beste.
mutinistes and wronge doers all hee hates,
190
vnlesse theie sorrowe and repent their factes,
and make amendes to doe no more suche actes;
leavinge it in free choise to suche as tarrie,
“allienge them to vs, well maie they marrie.”
But that sicke soldiers live stronge, and so die
(active and nimble of dexteritie),
hee biddes with olives fatt to rubb them over,
and phisickes confidence shall them recover.
Twice six gates to his towne hee edifyed,
and to each gate one porter leaves for guide,
t' admitt no weaponed straungers to annoie them,
but, if suche will make entrie, first distroie them;
and willes them providentlie watch and ward,
so as all men keepe their owne courtes of gard.
That said, the kinge Don Akafir gann call,
Who in this service was his admirall,
and, in his stead, first gracd him with th'onor
of governinge his towne Canacamor:
in hope hee will so faithfullie demeane,
as still hee find his towne stronge, virtuous, cleane;
expectinge, sithe hee leaves him chiefe commaunder,
hee shall keepe in his men, keepe out each straunger;
but if his owne will needes exceede licence,
biddes Sentinells them shoote to bulge thoffence,
inioininge eake “t' all soldiers that bee mine,
that they peciselie keepe warrs discipline;
nor will I so dispense with anie man,
as willinglie followes not Cambuscan:
Now, who so poisoneth anie water springe,
let him not live, but die for murderinge.”
and thus concludes, loves, truithes, and iustice storie,
to bee th'eternal garland of trewe glorie.
“Dred soveraigne lord,” behight Don Akafir,
“sith on poore mee these honors yee conferr,
heere I depose, ear I your towne forgoe,
Downewardes my handes, my feete shall vpwardes gro.”
Who in this service was his admirall,
and, in his stead, first gracd him with th'onor
of governinge his towne Canacamor:
in hope hee will so faithfullie demeane,
as still hee find his towne stronge, virtuous, cleane;
expectinge, sithe hee leaves him chiefe commaunder,
hee shall keepe in his men, keepe out each straunger;
191
biddes Sentinells them shoote to bulge thoffence,
inioininge eake “t' all soldiers that bee mine,
that they peciselie keepe warrs discipline;
nor will I so dispense with anie man,
as willinglie followes not Cambuscan:
Now, who so poisoneth anie water springe,
let him not live, but die for murderinge.”
and thus concludes, loves, truithes, and iustice storie,
to bee th'eternal garland of trewe glorie.
“Dred soveraigne lord,” behight Don Akafir,
“sith on poore mee these honors yee conferr,
heere I depose, ear I your towne forgoe,
Downewardes my handes, my feete shall vpwardes gro.”
This aunswer likd Cambuscan verie well,
in whose face free forgivenes seemd to dwell.
in whose face free forgivenes seemd to dwell.
Tho lookinge vp to the sonnes middaie diall,
hee told his knightes hee'l yet make further trial
of theire worth (ear longe) in Serra Prouince.
for surelie hee was a most stirringe prince,
sithe him prepares to thilke Grand turniamente
Which earst b' his heraultes, to all Courtes hee sent:
by whose example everie ioifull man
cried “bootie Cella,” to depart anan.
hee told his knightes hee'l yet make further trial
of theire worth (ear longe) in Serra Prouince.
for surelie hee was a most stirringe prince,
sithe him prepares to thilke Grand turniamente
Which earst b' his heraultes, to all Courtes hee sent:
by whose example everie ioifull man
192
Out blewe the trumpettes pointes of victors pleasure,
for, the warrs ended, peace found dulcet leasure
to chaunt and flaunt out thrillant clangors hie,
in aeriel carrowses to the skie:
faire Ecchoes pledges seeminge to adore them,
vntill theie sawe the sonn iogg home before them,
as sweete, as faire, reioisinge everie hart,
so sange the birdes evnsonge, his lothe depart.
for, the warrs ended, peace found dulcet leasure
to chaunt and flaunt out thrillant clangors hie,
in aeriel carrowses to the skie:
faire Ecchoes pledges seeminge to adore them,
vntill theie sawe the sonn iogg home before them,
as sweete, as faire, reioisinge everie hart,
so sange the birdes evnsonge, his lothe depart.
| John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" | |