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 |
 |
|
Canto Vndecimo.
|
 | John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" |  |
Canto Vndecimo.
Juste Ethel deignes grace to false Algarsife;
kinge Thotobun, and Theodore arives,
Equestril, Togantil, Quadrumal with, &c.
Dueltra false, Cromatia eake convives.
kinge Thotobun, and Theodore arives,
Equestril, Togantil, Quadrumal with, &c.
Dueltra false, Cromatia eake convives.
The wagginge foote riddes waie, Cambuscan than
had many miles in fewe howres, homewardes rann,
till softlie came into his Inn at night,
t'enioie gladd reste, dothe travilers invite.
had many miles in fewe howres, homewardes rann,
till softlie came into his Inn at night,
t'enioie gladd reste, dothe travilers invite.
But longe ear this, white Columbel, the post,
on aierie pineons, cleaft th'orisons cost,
and visited queene Ethel: Whence he fledd,
to make his point o're right Canacies head.
ffor ioie wheareof, when shee on highe did looke,
conceavd good newes, and thence great comfort tooke;
Which to report, shee to her mother rann,
in hope of good newes of kinge Cambuscan.
on aierie pineons, cleaft th'orisons cost,
and visited queene Ethel: Whence he fledd,
to make his point o're right Canacies head.
ffor ioie wheareof, when shee on highe did looke,
193
Which to report, shee to her mother rann,
in hope of good newes of kinge Cambuscan.
Tho Titan in th'oriental-tremblinge wave
his lavor filld, his golden browes to lave,
so lent his tresses to the windes to playe,
in a greie amice, tokeninge fairest daye,
vp lightinge travilers, to gett them gonn,
for time will (as occasion) staie for non.
his lavor filld, his golden browes to lave,
so lent his tresses to the windes to playe,
in a greie amice, tokeninge fairest daye,
vp lightinge travilers, to gett them gonn,
for time will (as occasion) staie for non.
But lô, as Canac stoode at prospective,
her glasse discried from farr a troopes arive,
makinge (in hastie sort) to Court: at laste
shee sawe, with ioie, a sight did her agast,
sithe soone shee founde Camball, her younger brother,
had brought Algarsif, prisoner, bound, t' her mother,
with his head wounded sore. Wheareat shee start,
for love in her made all his paines her smart.
yet now him havinge (thoughe on hardest termes),
a sisters pittie on a brother yernes;
whome downe shee tooke from horsbacke, in her armes,
kissd, wellcomd home, and comforted his harmes,
with askinge how hee fares: But hee dismaid,
throughe store of miseries in aunswer sayd,
“I seeke for deathe, yet death I cannott finde;
I die, yet live, yet am to death designd.”
and tho remembred, how his late-seene vision
foretold, and wrapt him too, in this condition.
her glasse discried from farr a troopes arive,
makinge (in hastie sort) to Court: at laste
shee sawe, with ioie, a sight did her agast,
sithe soone shee founde Camball, her younger brother,
had brought Algarsif, prisoner, bound, t' her mother,
with his head wounded sore. Wheareat shee start,
for love in her made all his paines her smart.
yet now him havinge (thoughe on hardest termes),
a sisters pittie on a brother yernes;
whome downe shee tooke from horsbacke, in her armes,
kissd, wellcomd home, and comforted his harmes,
with askinge how hee fares: But hee dismaid,
194
“I seeke for deathe, yet death I cannott finde;
I die, yet live, yet am to death designd.”
and tho remembred, how his late-seene vision
foretold, and wrapt him too, in this condition.
Canac foorthwith brought Camball to her mother,
Whoe, on bothe knees, presentes to her his brother:
saienge, ‘his ffather now heere sendes to her
her conquerd rebell sonn, bound prisoner,
which prize hee deerlie bought, evn with owne liefe,
yet praies her, doe her will on Algarsife.’
Whoe, on bothe knees, presentes to her his brother:
saienge, ‘his ffather now heere sendes to her
her conquerd rebell sonn, bound prisoner,
which prize hee deerlie bought, evn with owne liefe,
yet praies her, doe her will on Algarsife.’
Camball shee blissd, sayenge, “vp, Camballo,
thow art best wellcomm to mee, of ilke two.
for thow com'st gladlie, of thine owne free will:
but hee, constraind, so mawlger must fulfill.”
whome, with sterne lookes, shee byd bee strictlie kept,
so, turnd awaye: Wheareat Canacey wept.
thow art best wellcomm to mee, of ilke two.
for thow com'st gladlie, of thine owne free will:
but hee, constraind, so mawlger must fulfill.”
whome, with sterne lookes, shee byd bee strictlie kept,
so, turnd awaye: Wheareat Canacey wept.
In the meane time, Cambuscan home was comm,
amidd this busines, not yet fullie donn.
but oh, what ioifull meetinge then theare was
betweene the kinge and Queene and faire Canac,
and how thwhole court of knightes gann them comport
in glorious wellcoms of festival sport,
men sooner maie belive then time cann tell,
sith liefe seemd rise from death, ill chaungd to well.
amidd this busines, not yet fullie donn.
but oh, what ioifull meetinge then theare was
betweene the kinge and Queene and faire Canac,
and how thwhole court of knightes gann them comport
in glorious wellcoms of festival sport,
195
sith liefe seemd rise from death, ill chaungd to well.
Canac, on knees, did too Cambuscan fall,
With begginge grace for Algarsifes recall,
which, graunt for daughters sake, if not for his,
but if hee will for neithers quitt the misse,
Yet for his fathers sake hee woold forgive
her miserable brother Algarsiue:
thus addinge, “know, good father, that my mother
standes yet out iust, sterne, feirce to my weake brother;
Whearefore, in you my sole trust is, deere father,
and if yee helpe not now, wee dye togeather.”
With begginge grace for Algarsifes recall,
which, graunt for daughters sake, if not for his,
but if hee will for neithers quitt the misse,
Yet for his fathers sake hee woold forgive
her miserable brother Algarsiue:
thus addinge, “know, good father, that my mother
standes yet out iust, sterne, feirce to my weake brother;
Whearefore, in you my sole trust is, deere father,
and if yee helpe not now, wee dye togeather.”
The good kinge, att her suite, recalles him in,
Whoe com, his browes wore th'skarrs of shame and synn:
pitchinge on knees, with countenaunce deiect,
fell prostrate, and in woefull silence wept,
not daringe once lift vp his rewfull eies,
for guilt the guiltie dauntes to vew the skies,
and conscient fault thear wears owne willfull shame,
wheare reason playd false to right iust infame.
Whoe com, his browes wore th'skarrs of shame and synn:
pitchinge on knees, with countenaunce deiect,
fell prostrate, and in woefull silence wept,
not daringe once lift vp his rewfull eies,
for guilt the guiltie dauntes to vew the skies,
and conscient fault thear wears owne willfull shame,
wheare reason playd false to right iust infame.
This while Canac wept fast as hee, hard bye,
and Camballs liddes scarce coold containe them drie.
196
Tho, in fewe wordes, Algarsif thus begunn,
“Lô heere, dread parentes, hee that was your sonn,
whoe hath no features left of that degree
your grace, forme, education, gave to mee:
my faultes have so diepe died their guilt in graine,
as of my ruine now doth nought remaine,
(sithe havinge forfeyted parental love)
then that my portion your dire iustice prove.
I am not worthie to bee called youres,
but yeeld to th' sharpest swoord of bothe your powres.”
so downe he laye in final expectation
of deathe-deservinge-lawes-last-stroke: damnation;
wheareat the wailinge peoples drerie eye,
sighd, pittied, sobbd theire Princes tragedie.
“Lô heere, dread parentes, hee that was your sonn,
whoe hath no features left of that degree
your grace, forme, education, gave to mee:
my faultes have so diepe died their guilt in graine,
as of my ruine now doth nought remaine,
(sithe havinge forfeyted parental love)
then that my portion your dire iustice prove.
I am not worthie to bee called youres,
but yeeld to th' sharpest swoord of bothe your powres.”
so downe he laye in final expectation
of deathe-deservinge-lawes-last-stroke: damnation;
wheareat the wailinge peoples drerie eye,
sighd, pittied, sobbd theire Princes tragedie.
Cambuscan tho drewe Morliuo full keene,
and gave't to sterne-iust Ethelta his Queene,
saienge: “heere, kill him, wiefe, for I have donn.”
and gave't to sterne-iust Ethelta his Queene,
saienge: “heere, kill him, wiefe, for I have donn.”
But lô, if iustice turne love, teeres must comm.
“Husband” (quoth shee), “I lost you once, for him,
elles had yee not binn lost, but him to winn:
now, shoold I kill him too, I shoold leese twoe;
beshrewe my love, if iustice this thinge doe.”
tho touchd his woundes with the platt of thilke swoord,
which closd all vp, and instantlie recurd.
whearevppon vp hee start of contentation,
which inwardlie reioisd this alteration,
his teeres praisinge loves virtues manifold,
able to save life lost, when nought elles coold.
tho findes this instance verified in sense,
repentance lesse secures then providence:
and ofte repeates his late seene apparition,
then verifienge his present condition.
“Husband” (quoth shee), “I lost you once, for him,
elles had yee not binn lost, but him to winn:
197
beshrewe my love, if iustice this thinge doe.”
tho touchd his woundes with the platt of thilke swoord,
which closd all vp, and instantlie recurd.
whearevppon vp hee start of contentation,
which inwardlie reioisd this alteration,
his teeres praisinge loves virtues manifold,
able to save life lost, when nought elles coold.
tho findes this instance verified in sense,
repentance lesse secures then providence:
and ofte repeates his late seene apparition,
then verifienge his present condition.
“What saiest thow, Canac, if I give him thee,
as francklie as thy ffather gives him mee?
wilt thow and Camball bothe his suerties bee,
that thow wilt (hencefoorth) him foorth cominge see,
so as hee well demeane him ever more?
on which conditions I will cleere th'old skore.”
as francklie as thy ffather gives him mee?
wilt thow and Camball bothe his suerties bee,
that thow wilt (hencefoorth) him foorth cominge see,
so as hee well demeane him ever more?
on which conditions I will cleere th'old skore.”
“Dread Dame” (quoth shee), “because hee cries ‘peccauit,’
Wee bothe will sue his special supplicauit,
and stand his Pleages too, so as he stand,
bounde to vs bothe, in his own counterband.”
Wee bothe will sue his special supplicauit,
and stand his Pleages too, so as he stand,
bounde to vs bothe, in his own counterband.”
Hee yeeldes, and cries: “God save the Kinge and Queene!”
tho Canac tooke him of them farme to feen,
and with her ringe his skarrs shee cuerd, to stand
at tilt and turniament in Faerie Land.
Cambuscan noold forget kind thanckes to give
t' his Queene, for gratious pardoninge Algarsive.
tho Canac tooke him of them farme to feen,
and with her ringe his skarrs shee cuerd, to stand
198
Cambuscan noold forget kind thanckes to give
t' his Queene, for gratious pardoninge Algarsive.
“Ô,” quoth Canac, “my dreame is allmost out!”
and musd how th' destanies brought thinges about.
The fame wheareof, and other actions, flewe
from coast to coast, as farr as marchantes drewe.
Whence all mens tonges him honord, though near sawe him;
no lodestone like to virtues powr to drawe men;
In so muche that some Princes, Barons, Knightes,
to feede theire eies on him, them thither dightes,
not doubtinge but his known magnificence
woold quitt theire paines, though but with reverence.
and musd how th' destanies brought thinges about.
The fame wheareof, and other actions, flewe
from coast to coast, as farr as marchantes drewe.
Whence all mens tonges him honord, though near sawe him;
no lodestone like to virtues powr to drawe men;
In so muche that some Princes, Barons, Knightes,
to feede theire eies on him, them thither dightes,
not doubtinge but his known magnificence
woold quitt theire paines, though but with reverence.
It followes next, by th' course of Cronikel,
wee more of this kinges great exploites foorth tell,
whoe never woold bee idle in that thinge
which touchd the point of roial managinge.
wee more of this kinges great exploites foorth tell,
whoe never woold bee idle in that thinge
which touchd the point of roial managinge.
Now then, sith Sol was clyminge Mars his Lion,
he bode all gates bee sett wide openn by noon,
saienge, ‘the Queene and hee woold then repaire
to see their goodlie new-built theataire,
that all they whoe gann noblie armes professe,
mote, gainst this knowne daie, hitherwardes addresse.’
he bode all gates bee sett wide openn by noon,
199
to see their goodlie new-built theataire,
that all they whoe gann noblie armes professe,
mote, gainst this knowne daie, hitherwardes addresse.’
But ô, how mote a weaklinge poetes penn
discribe, delineate, limn, in sound poem
(in th' presence of the Classis Laureate),
the glories of this kinge and Queene in state?
the bounteous riches of theire courtlie traine;
the maiestie which did all those sustaine;
the knowne magnificence of their expense;
the grand allowances which issue thence;
the yoncker iollities of each brave knight;
the shininge bewties of each ladie bright;
the goodlie comportance, the sweete demeanoure;
their constant loves, vnder the roial streamer;
the virtuous prowesse of all them which bide,
and tooke their lodginges vp on th' kinges owne side;
The vanities of thother knightes and ladies;
the fickell pompe of dilld vp-whifflinge babies;
theire false conceipt of honor honorlesse;
their vndeservd, their vsurpd greatnesses;
their bewties, all sophisticate to viewe
(vulgarlie vermilld to pretende as trewe);
their oratories, but to counterfeate;
truith mingled with smooth falshode, for excheate.
now, how these divers bewties maie bee sedd,
Don Sidneies Ach-idea beeinge dead,
is hard to hope: yet hardie they whoe saie
“wee cann at liste”; wee others must as may.
discribe, delineate, limn, in sound poem
(in th' presence of the Classis Laureate),
the glories of this kinge and Queene in state?
the bounteous riches of theire courtlie traine;
the maiestie which did all those sustaine;
the knowne magnificence of their expense;
the grand allowances which issue thence;
the yoncker iollities of each brave knight;
the shininge bewties of each ladie bright;
the goodlie comportance, the sweete demeanoure;
their constant loves, vnder the roial streamer;
the virtuous prowesse of all them which bide,
and tooke their lodginges vp on th' kinges owne side;
The vanities of thother knightes and ladies;
the fickell pompe of dilld vp-whifflinge babies;
theire false conceipt of honor honorlesse;
their vndeservd, their vsurpd greatnesses;
their bewties, all sophisticate to viewe
(vulgarlie vermilld to pretende as trewe);
200
truith mingled with smooth falshode, for excheate.
now, how these divers bewties maie bee sedd,
Don Sidneies Ach-idea beeinge dead,
is hard to hope: yet hardie they whoe saie
“wee cann at liste”; wee others must as may.
The kinge and Queene, most roialie attended,
anon to theire newe theater discended,
fore whome rode Heraultes bare, in rich cote armes,
With cheeke-swolne trumpetters (begettinge stormes),
Which chaunted as theie went, dialoge wise,
and breathlesse one expectes thothers replies,
till all the partes mett in one common choire,
bases and trebles, seeminge t' spitt out fier,
tyninge the welkinns bosome, lowe & hie,
to confesse full of sparcklinge melodie.
anon to theire newe theater discended,
fore whome rode Heraultes bare, in rich cote armes,
With cheeke-swolne trumpetters (begettinge stormes),
Which chaunted as theie went, dialoge wise,
and breathlesse one expectes thothers replies,
till all the partes mett in one common choire,
bases and trebles, seeminge t' spitt out fier,
tyninge the welkinns bosome, lowe & hie,
to confesse full of sparcklinge melodie.
Then gann ann herault make this proclamation,
“that all knightes, farr and neere, of everie nation,
beinge trewe servauntes sworne to chivalrie,
and havinge ladies bewties, heere to trie
by speare, swoord, sheild, and goodlie amenance
(after the lore of Faerie Landes sommance),
have them safe conduct given, by th' kinge and Queene,
to trie in fight, whose bewties better sheene;
and hee whoe dothe Canacies bewtie winn,
shall have his landes, and her to wifelie twinn.
and other ladies (if desert it beare)
shall fittlie bee adiudgd them for theire pheare.
to morrowe next, these trialles to beginn;
thus god Cambuscan save, and Ethel queen!”
“that all knightes, farr and neere, of everie nation,
beinge trewe servauntes sworne to chivalrie,
and havinge ladies bewties, heere to trie
by speare, swoord, sheild, and goodlie amenance
(after the lore of Faerie Landes sommance),
have them safe conduct given, by th' kinge and Queene,
201
and hee whoe dothe Canacies bewtie winn,
shall have his landes, and her to wifelie twinn.
and other ladies (if desert it beare)
shall fittlie bee adiudgd them for theire pheare.
to morrowe next, these trialles to beginn;
thus god Cambuscan save, and Ethel queen!”
So great weare th' peoples shootes, yt thearth it startes,
for hee that makes them sport shall have their hartes.
Cambuscan made small staie till hee had seene
his theater, without dores and within,
whose glorious roomes, lightes, furnitures, rich hanginges,
tapestrye, arras, counterpointes, beddes standinges,
rich sadles, for which yonder hawtie strive
(as whilome did th' forgettfull Algarsiue);
plate, vessell, clothe, suites of accomptlesse store,
with officers attendinge at the dore,
and everie roome dressd, aierd, perfumd right sweete,
for knightes and ladies, when th'assemblies meete;
with curious galleries for openn viewe,
endlesselie roundinge, eastward westward drewe,
beginninge at th'altar of truithes image,
to iustices altar in equipage:
but from theast gate downe to the westerne gate
how spatious, longe, brode, faire th'court gann dilate,
for troopes, or single combattantes, to fight,
mote easelie pose heeresaie, but not sight.
for hee that makes them sport shall have their hartes.
Cambuscan made small staie till hee had seene
his theater, without dores and within,
whose glorious roomes, lightes, furnitures, rich hanginges,
tapestrye, arras, counterpointes, beddes standinges,
rich sadles, for which yonder hawtie strive
(as whilome did th' forgettfull Algarsiue);
plate, vessell, clothe, suites of accomptlesse store,
with officers attendinge at the dore,
and everie roome dressd, aierd, perfumd right sweete,
for knightes and ladies, when th'assemblies meete;
with curious galleries for openn viewe,
endlesselie roundinge, eastward westward drewe,
202
to iustices altar in equipage:
but from theast gate downe to the westerne gate
how spatious, longe, brode, faire th'court gann dilate,
for troopes, or single combattantes, to fight,
mote easelie pose heeresaie, but not sight.
This donn, a noise of trumpettes from with out,
gave notice of a neere arivinge Rowte
of noble states, lordes, knightes, or what they bee:
at whome the people out rann to gaze and see.
Whose heraultes-cote-armes gave to signifye
the kinge of Ind and Palestine was nye;
Bunthoto, with his daughter Theodore,
of bewtie excellent, and sweete decore,
Who came in love and ioie t' congratulate
Cambuscans noble victories, of late
obtaind o're Fregiley and Algarsife,
the fame wheareof, sithe yt amazd beliefe,
they faine woold see with Ethelta the queene,
and what these honorable ioustes woold beene;
yea, whoe woold winn faire Canac to his prize,
of whome th'ad heard, now faine woold see with eies.
gave notice of a neere arivinge Rowte
of noble states, lordes, knightes, or what they bee:
at whome the people out rann to gaze and see.
Whose heraultes-cote-armes gave to signifye
the kinge of Ind and Palestine was nye;
Bunthoto, with his daughter Theodore,
of bewtie excellent, and sweete decore,
Who came in love and ioie t' congratulate
Cambuscans noble victories, of late
obtaind o're Fregiley and Algarsife,
the fame wheareof, sithe yt amazd beliefe,
they faine woold see with Ethelta the queene,
and what these honorable ioustes woold beene;
yea, whoe woold winn faire Canac to his prize,
of whome th'ad heard, now faine woold see with eies.
Cambuscan soone, and Queene Ethelta rose,
and onwardes, with theire traine, to meete them goes,
wheare they with goodliest complementes comported,
cheerfull and ioious countenaunce consorted.
Bunthoto kissd queene Ethel and Canac,
and then did kinge Cambuscan fast embrace.
Cambuscan the faire Theodora kisst;
Algarsifs favor was, hee bussd her fiste.
queene Ethel also Theodora kissd,
and both the daughters neither either missd.
these roial straungers weare to lodginges brought,
with wellcoms hartier then maie bee thought,
and placd in th' midle ward, on th' kinges right side,
fitt for theire ease to eye, and to bee eyd.
203
wheare they with goodliest complementes comported,
cheerfull and ioious countenaunce consorted.
Bunthoto kissd queene Ethel and Canac,
and then did kinge Cambuscan fast embrace.
Cambuscan the faire Theodora kisst;
Algarsifs favor was, hee bussd her fiste.
queene Ethel also Theodora kissd,
and both the daughters neither either missd.
these roial straungers weare to lodginges brought,
with wellcoms hartier then maie bee thought,
and placd in th' midle ward, on th' kinges right side,
fitt for theire ease to eye, and to bee eyd.
Within a while more trumpettes gann resound,
that more knightes binn arivd in Faerie ground,
for whome large space was made by th' marshallers,
gardantes, and tipp staves, which the people stears.
that more knightes binn arivd in Faerie ground,
for whome large space was made by th' marshallers,
gardantes, and tipp staves, which the people stears.
Tho entred, first, a trumpetter ycladd
in manie winges, flame colord, staringe madd,
about whose head these letters boldlie shine,
which his ensigne repeates thus, “A famin.”
in manie winges, flame colord, staringe madd,
about whose head these letters boldlie shine,
which his ensigne repeates thus, “A famin.”
Next came a woman with distended hears,
Which wriglen as th'orse trottes and vp arears,
speckd snakes, checkred lampernes, which turninge round,
out sprange at length, and in againe vpwound:
pallid her habite, wrinckled, large, and longe,
and, ridinge, sange division on th' plaine songe.
Which wriglen as th'orse trottes and vp arears,
204
out sprange at length, and in againe vpwound:
pallid her habite, wrinckled, large, and longe,
and, ridinge, sange division on th' plaine songe.
The next that entred was a mightie knight
of limbes and posture, and no lesse of spright,
Whose bever and his vmbier closd vp weare,
to passe vnknowne, as after did appeare:
his armor blewe, some clowdes wore, and some starrs,
chaungeablie sorted, which him boldlie carrs;
his bases and caparison like eied,
and his great horse of manie colors pied,
his tossant plume, which sublimeth his head,
all colors wore, save white, that mote bee read:
iaies, pecockes, parrettes fethers, ostridges,
With all new daintie dies which gallantes dresse,
full of devices, danglinge vp newe fangled,
as nyce invention idlie dightes them spangled,
that neither eie ne witt suche fancies sawe,
ear figurd yet, but in newe fasshions lawe,
With toies and glasses dallienge in the wine,
turninge and altringe nimblie with the time,
he comes: whose horse fomed the seas invndation,
as th' rider felt him on owne exaltation;
which puttes so bravelie off, curveddinge hie,
as drewe vppon him everie wondringe eye;
then onward trottes saunce stopp, or curteous stay,
not deigninge ladies congees or obay;
but trottes beyonde the boundes of th' trophies twaine,
right so is followd by all of his traine.
of limbes and posture, and no lesse of spright,
Whose bever and his vmbier closd vp weare,
to passe vnknowne, as after did appeare:
his armor blewe, some clowdes wore, and some starrs,
chaungeablie sorted, which him boldlie carrs;
his bases and caparison like eied,
and his great horse of manie colors pied,
his tossant plume, which sublimeth his head,
all colors wore, save white, that mote bee read:
iaies, pecockes, parrettes fethers, ostridges,
With all new daintie dies which gallantes dresse,
full of devices, danglinge vp newe fangled,
as nyce invention idlie dightes them spangled,
that neither eie ne witt suche fancies sawe,
ear figurd yet, but in newe fasshions lawe,
With toies and glasses dallienge in the wine,
205
he comes: whose horse fomed the seas invndation,
as th' rider felt him on owne exaltation;
which puttes so bravelie off, curveddinge hie,
as drewe vppon him everie wondringe eye;
then onward trottes saunce stopp, or curteous stay,
not deigninge ladies congees or obay;
but trottes beyonde the boundes of th' trophies twaine,
right so is followd by all of his traine.
Next came a lustie knight, in armes as greene
as okenn leaves, or verdant feildes pulleine,
Whose plume, caparisone, brave bases eake,
challengd the greenes of the greenest leeke;
his prauncinge-dauncinge horse of dapled gray,
disdaind to make the ground or aier their staye;
his beaver ope shewd a smoothe beardlesse face,
Which publishd boldnes rashe for iolliest grace;
greene was his lance, ne ladies baisance caerd,
callinge “Sir Equestrillo,” foorth hee faerd.
as okenn leaves, or verdant feildes pulleine,
Whose plume, caparisone, brave bases eake,
challengd the greenes of the greenest leeke;
his prauncinge-dauncinge horse of dapled gray,
disdaind to make the ground or aier their staye;
his beaver ope shewd a smoothe beardlesse face,
Which publishd boldnes rashe for iolliest grace;
greene was his lance, ne ladies baisance caerd,
callinge “Sir Equestrillo,” foorth hee faerd.
Next came a stowt couragious vibrant knight,
larglie proportiond, and as large of might,
his armor plaine, caparisone, and bases
of orenge tawnie; none this knight out faces;
his aburne beard gann in his eye declare,
hee knewe owne strength, that none mote it compare;
as though all ladies ought first bowe to him,
nor held him bound to bewtie leese or winn;
so lovd him selfe, and durst that love maintaine,
which leavinge one, mote chaunge or chouse eake twaine;
his nervous horse of sorrell shininge hyde,
as smale respect hee vsed, as after glyde:
Sir Togantillo cleaped was more proved,
then of them which him knowes, trusted or loved.
larglie proportiond, and as large of might,
his armor plaine, caparisone, and bases
of orenge tawnie; none this knight out faces;
206
hee knewe owne strength, that none mote it compare;
as though all ladies ought first bowe to him,
nor held him bound to bewtie leese or winn;
so lovd him selfe, and durst that love maintaine,
which leavinge one, mote chaunge or chouse eake twaine;
his nervous horse of sorrell shininge hyde,
as smale respect hee vsed, as after glyde:
Sir Togantillo cleaped was more proved,
then of them which him knowes, trusted or loved.
Next came a woman (mask'd) right wondrous gay,
in crimson velvetes, gold-pearl-brodred raie,
Which att her necke, vntill her dugges dependinge,
Wore the ritch rubie of all eies attendinge:
other six iewelles bove her browes vpbore,
Which beggd all suitors not to scape her dore;
her stead farr redder then the tawnie baye,
and onwarde fared, knowinge too well the way.
in crimson velvetes, gold-pearl-brodred raie,
Which att her necke, vntill her dugges dependinge,
Wore the ritch rubie of all eies attendinge:
other six iewelles bove her browes vpbore,
Which beggd all suitors not to scape her dore;
her stead farr redder then the tawnie baye,
and onwarde fared, knowinge too well the way.
Close att her heeles prickd foorth a doughtie knight,
Whose armor, plumes, caparisone weare dight
of colors white, redd, yellow, blacke commixt,
havinge a rowlinge eye, right seldom fixt:
a knight (in deede) that stoode at all essaies,
and wondrous feirce, sithe aiminge his owne waies;
skewd was his horse, of manie colors chaunginge,
which lovd in manie pastures to bee ranginge.
Sir Quadrimal men cleapd him, sith he leand
on owne sweete appetites after he weand.
Whose armor, plumes, caparisone weare dight
of colors white, redd, yellow, blacke commixt,
havinge a rowlinge eye, right seldom fixt:
207
and wondrous feirce, sithe aiminge his owne waies;
skewd was his horse, of manie colors chaunginge,
which lovd in manie pastures to bee ranginge.
Sir Quadrimal men cleapd him, sith he leand
on owne sweete appetites after he weand.
Next came a knight with face in bever hidd,
which beinge downe, of none it mote be spidd;
his horse was of a sangine color redd,
so weare his flasshinge plumes aloft his head:
his armor redd, so his caparison,
and redd his launce; is after th' rest ygonn.
which beinge downe, of none it mote be spidd;
his horse was of a sangine color redd,
so weare his flasshinge plumes aloft his head:
his armor redd, so his caparison,
and redd his launce; is after th' rest ygonn.
Next came a knight, whose face was also hydd,
vppon a pale horse, meagerlie bestridd,
in armor, plumes, caparisone all pale,
his launce and swoord eake pale, thretninge fatale:
this hee spurrd onwardes, praw[n]cinge to the rest,
to kill him whoe grauntes not his purpose best.
vppon a pale horse, meagerlie bestridd,
in armor, plumes, caparisone all pale,
his launce and swoord eake pale, thretninge fatale:
this hee spurrd onwardes, praw[n]cinge to the rest,
to kill him whoe grauntes not his purpose best.
Then rampd twoe bowncinge gearles, scarce fresh or faire,
but as frolicke lustiehead coines a paire
of suche as, in the point of emulation,
stande tipptoa highe for taliste vindication;
wee said not best, ffor that weare to decide
what mote anon by virtuous swoordes bee tryed;
th'one false Dueltra (by art soundinge trewe),
thother Cromatia (of no blusshinge hewe),
yborne greeke Cynickes: so as yonder knightes,
Whoe marchen on the waves of owne delightes.
but as frolicke lustiehead coines a paire
of suche as, in the point of emulation,
stande tipptoa highe for taliste vindication;
wee said not best, ffor that weare to decide
208
th'one false Dueltra (by art soundinge trewe),
thother Cromatia (of no blusshinge hewe),
yborne greeke Cynickes: so as yonder knightes,
Whoe marchen on the waves of owne delightes.
The last of these laggd a distressed paire,
Frelissa faire, Reglata debonaire,
bothe Romane ladies of the familie
of th'ancient senators Patricij,
whose fortunes hard (ô whoe maie fate withstande?)
bound them to sea, to comm to Faerie Lande,
to see the soile wise poetes caelebrates,
ear since old Merlins time: O cruel fates!
that it is loste, and these, in seekinge yt,
for Pyrates on theire shipp and them gann hitt;
so came they captives, and to Greece transported,
sold, and by these badd mistresses extorted:
for they, as chambermaides, bin forcd to dresse
these errand pusselles, which cann but transgresse;
Yet these mote sett their ruffes and clothes in print,
Yea, keepe them so: elles dames will looke a squint.
Nathlesse, while these twoe discreete maides bee theare,
Dueltra and Cromatia seeme bothe faire:
which weare not, but for Freliss and Reglate,
whoe bringe in tewne what yond sluttes discordate.
twice round they trott the circklinge theatere,
like challengers, which all theire topp sailes reare.
Frelissa faire, Reglata debonaire,
bothe Romane ladies of the familie
of th'ancient senators Patricij,
whose fortunes hard (ô whoe maie fate withstande?)
bound them to sea, to comm to Faerie Lande,
to see the soile wise poetes caelebrates,
ear since old Merlins time: O cruel fates!
that it is loste, and these, in seekinge yt,
for Pyrates on theire shipp and them gann hitt;
so came they captives, and to Greece transported,
sold, and by these badd mistresses extorted:
for they, as chambermaides, bin forcd to dresse
these errand pusselles, which cann but transgresse;
Yet these mote sett their ruffes and clothes in print,
Yea, keepe them so: elles dames will looke a squint.
Nathlesse, while these twoe discreete maides bee theare,
209
which weare not, but for Freliss and Reglate,
whoe bringe in tewne what yond sluttes discordate.
twice round they trott the circklinge theatere,
like challengers, which all theire topp sailes reare.
But this last paire, which lagged all behine,
by bewties force drewe to them all mens eyen,
for Camball and Binato oftenn swore,
twoe fairer paragons near sawe before,
then Freliss and Reglate, whome well they vye,
ne once dismissd, while distance lettes them prie;
naie, till they weare gonn foorth and taen their In,
for th' morrowe next, When all these ioustes beginn.
by bewties force drewe to them all mens eyen,
for Camball and Binato oftenn swore,
twoe fairer paragons near sawe before,
then Freliss and Reglate, whome well they vye,
ne once dismissd, while distance lettes them prie;
naie, till they weare gonn foorth and taen their In,
for th' morrowe next, When all these ioustes beginn.
All these weare oppositlie lodgd to th' kinges,
on th' left side, wheare they fell to banckettinges:
till Phebus from his fierie coche deceedes
to walke, and coole by eveninges dewe his steedes:
and blusshinge welkin fell with stowtes to playe
at novum, for the morrowes golden daie.
on th' left side, wheare they fell to banckettinges:
till Phebus from his fierie coche deceedes
to walke, and coole by eveninges dewe his steedes:
and blusshinge welkin fell with stowtes to playe
at novum, for the morrowes golden daie.
| John Lane's continuation of Chaucer's "Squire's Tale" | |