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EINE MITTELENGLISCHE CLAUDIAN-ÜBERSETZUNG (1445).

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(Brit. Mus. Add. Ms. 11814.)

The auctour spekith to this tretyse

Prey god entierly to be thi goode guyde
Thou tretyse voide of lusty eloquence
That the high prince sett not ferre aside
Nobil doctryne thurgh thyn imprudence
Which of al Engelonde is namyd the defence
In loonge labourys . ful like to stilico
Assemblabil in rest . god graunte h[i]m be also
Shew the to his highnes . for this oon entente
That be thi remembraunce . vertue moote him please
Aftir whom grace folowith . soon from heven sent
Which in loonge tymes . makith right sure ease.
Othir rest is veyne . not cowntid at oo peese.
As folkis life expressith . which peynes may not fle
ffor al richessis and estatis . of worldely dignyte
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Marke stilicoes life . whom peoplis preysed
with what labouris . of the regions wide
And Rome hir selfe . the consulat he vpreised
ffor now the parlement pierys . wher thei goo or ryde
Seyen the duke of yorke hath god vpon his side
Amen . amen . blissed Ihesu make this rumour trewe
And aftir feele peryles . this prince with Ioie endewe.
259

The first parte.

Preface

In Ruffynes legende which late was write ; stilico hath preysinges armyd
Our muse now more mylde . with losyd stryngis ; in songe shal gyn to telle
With what maners . and with what love ; this dred prince rulyd the worlde
With whos preyers he lyst be mevid to clothe him in his roobys
And grauntid oo yere thestate to take ; as consulers vsid before.

.I. Benygnyte is descryed techyng stilico the prynce.

The keper of the worlde Clemencia callyd ; which chase hir first place
In iupiters girdil that partith a sundir ; grete hetis from þe colde
Which grettest is namyd of hevenly duellers ; for clemens first had ruthe
Of the vnshaply begynnyng worlde ; whan al þing lackid dieu forme
And with her bright chere put thirkenes aside ; yivyng liȝte to erthys
This goddesse the stilico as temple vsith ; & as offryng at awtrys
Where frankencens and swete odourys ; to hir with fire is yove
Her principal sees . high in thy brest ; she hath provided to be
The techyng evir that thou sholdist deme ; & nevir as manhode holde.
Oo man reioise a nothirs peyne ; or othirs deth desire
That in thi peas thou sholdist so breke ; cruel martys decrees
As by the to longe haterede ; occasion noon were yove.
That to trespassours thou sholdist pardon ; frely askid graunte
And Jre soone shuldist put awey ; seldome thou shuldist it meve
Onmevable thou owist not endure ; whan benygne preyers be offrid
To truthe distroye al aduersauntys ; and thingis to the submytted
Nevir sett in herte as the lyon doothe : which ovirthrowith wilde boolys
And smaler beestis lettyth renne beside ; not oonys vpon hem lokith
Thus by Clemens taught is stilico ; as childe enformyd by mastresse.
261

And hem foryiveth that venquysshid be ; moreovir of her he lernyd
With oonly drede to slake errourys ; and grete strives tabate.
yf by hem no noyaunce grewe ; to peas of commoun welthe
Example of this right nobil he had ; by theirly fadir him selfe
Whos thundir noise al thyng doundith ; but yit his smethis strookys.
Ciclopes namyd mannys bloode sparith ; and in the monstris fallith
In the craggis also of the see voide ; which fer fro duellers be
And lightenyngis ofte vsith to fire ; in Oethie forestis wilde.

.II. ffeith techith the prynce stilico.

A sustir Jermyn to this goddesse . ffides thyn herte enbracyth
As hir propir sanctuary ; and medelith with al thi deedys
She techith the for no lucre ; to change thi right hewe
nevir fals to speke nevir promysse to tarye ; open to make thi wretthe
not in soule to bury venym ; with pretence of faire fraude
But aftir thi mynde thi chiere to shewe ; & peerys hem to make
She warnyth the thou be not wode ; whan thou allone art lefte
Cloosly tavaile the or thyn ; with truthe she not forfendyth
She this stabelisshith frenships fele ; longe aftir for tendure.
With bidyng adamawnte hem knettith to gider ; & easily changith not wit
Ner for noise of litel offence ; dissoluyth not knottis wele knytte
Ne to caste aside thin olde frende ; for fyndyng of a newe
Gode tournys longe tave in mynde ; soon trespas to foryete
This lesson of feith the prince so lernyth ; þat no man him may scape.
But whedir he doo owthir lesse or more ; his benefite he kepith in mynde
And as enemyes he ovircommeth with armys and puissaunce grete
His frendis also with glad conquest ; his merites to him make serve
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This feith in him his frendys absent ; and such as be not by.
ffosturyth counceileth . and openyth not oonys ; glad ere to new tidyngys
That fals murmour nevir hurte sholde mown ; his seruaunt that was not ware.
ffor lacke of answere or sotil moevyng ; his wittys sholde not aliene
His love oonys knette to livyng people ; cessith no tave hir meende
Aftir hir deeth and fadris grace ; by hym rennyth in children.

.III. Stilico shewith feith to Theodosius themperoure.

Be this goddesse honouryd of the ; Theodosius was themperoure
In life and deeth thyn owne children ; thou cherisshiddist not as his
Which to thi tuycion delivered were ; and to be taught of the
Opynyon is these pryncis twoo ; shuld be founde right feithful
ffor whan her childehode denye myght ; trespas þat thei had doo
Withoute constreynte thei tolde the truthe ; & seide the dede pleyn
Stilico desired not her richesse ; ner weight of golde hem leste
But thaxiltrees tweyn of the worlde wide ; for thise children reservith
As moche also as phebus seeth ; he holdith for her deposse.

.IIII. Stilico is feithful to honorie & archadie themperours.

What nedith the than now for to drede ; which rulist ye Kingys hous
Themperial Issue honorius ; vndir thi shelde wele coveryd
Hath nat bewailed his fadrys deeth ; to whom as fadir thou were
But in begynnyng of light and lyfe ; whan folke contempnyd his youthe
He nevir yave londe vnto hir strength ; but vndirlyngys evir hem kepte
Noble triumphis by thi prowesse ; he felt wele to him growe.
Thou enformyddist him with such a spirite ; as plesaunt was & rigorous
That neithir vntaught thou sholdist him suffir ; while mekely him þou serviddest
Ner in wise contrary with sterne chiere ; his noble soule myghtest hurte
That secrete to him thou sholdist remembir ; þe yonge daies of his reigne.
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What grete weight and commoun peyse ; to him of peopil sholde sprynge.
That him also reuerence thou sholdist ; in yeres of gretter age.
With fadirly preceptis þat thou sholdist rule ; thempire & his persone.
Submytted to him as to souereyn lorde ; thou sholdist offer honoure
In seruise like a duke the shewe and fadirly in pytee
By the it was that this yonge prince ; lernyd tasswage þe heetys
Of his yonge lady & manhode toke ; not first with Venus lust
But with worship of laweful chambir ; and wedlockis chaste covenaunt
Happy thou art in such prynce ; which now thi son lawe is
More happy yit forsothe is he ; by the his fadir lawe.
As grete cure also thou haddist ; his brothir to mayntene
To educate and to brynge forthe ; archadium to the commytted
And how be it his shrewde seruauntis ; wolde ofte her wodenesse vse
Pretendyng evir the Kyngis title ; and vndir his name þe wrongid
Thou ascridest al this to youthe ; for whan discorde was mooste
Stillicois wrath was not perceived ; ofte tyme he had rebukys
With swerdis sought . and ofte provokyd ; with bataile him self to venge
And to yive cause within the londe ; of risyng of common peopil
The reuerence yit of thi souereyns high ; and of the brethern tweyn
Evir clene was savid within thi breste ; stabelisshid with meanys of feithe
In myddis of tho grete discoursis ; in themperours halle late reysed

.V. Stillico devideth feithfully bitwix honorie & archadie þe goodis of hir fader

Thou partyst even bitwix thise brethern ; mantels in sidon wrouȝte
And bawdrikis boocyng with brochis bolde ; & gownys with gemmys broudrid
Habergeownys also with smaragdis grene ; & helmys with iacincte clere
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Swerdis vnto hir fadir yove ; with shynyng hiltes riche
And crownys which apparailed were ; with dyuers price of stonys
That householde stuffe sholde not be streyte ; or odde thise heyris founde
Thou sendist him knyȝtis althogh thou drede ; his hoostis be reised ayens [the]
Thyn aduersary rather thou chesyst to strengthe ; þan feith shold fal in the
Al that right is thou grauntyst soon ; and oonly thou denyest
Whos naytyng is cause of grete reioyse ; whan truthe is wele discussyd
Al goddesses moreovir þat put awey ; synne fro pure lyppes
Haue ioyned her dauncys within thi breste ; which vsid hem to receive
And busye hem selfe even as thou wilte ; with the labours to take.

.VI. Iustice . pacience . Temperaunce Prudence & Constaunce techith stilico.

Iustice moevith to preferre right ; bifo[r]en al othir availe
And commoun lawys moost for to folowen ; & wronge nevir yive with wetyng
Pacience the techith tendure thi body ; that it laboure love
Temperaunce chaste thyngis forto chese ; & prudence evir tave counceil
Withoute advise that no thyng passe ; and constaunce willeth also
That thou doo nouȝte with weyke corage ; ne that thou owest eschewe.
Vncurteys goddis and importune ; fer from thy mende arn dreve.
Which from caves þat monstruous be ; ofte tartarus loosith to men.

The seconde parte

.VII. Stilico excludith auarice and ambicion.

Thou first defoilest auarice ; þe modir of wrecchidnessis
That evir in havour is nedy founde ; & thristeth more & more
which with chekis right wide sette ope ; golde dolve depe seergith
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With her also thou puttist to shame ; her loothsom norice ambicion
Which evir lyeth waite at chambir doorys ; & at riche mennys yates
Her marchandises conveying forth ; which desired high worshippes
The common swelough of mannys life ; which rote is of grete cryme
In ofte vsyng vnleeful raveyn ; and makith a wrecchid lawe.
This damysel corrupcion is right wele namyd ; þat drewe þe with noon example
No riche man is by the oppressid ; for love of hous or londe.
No theef is suffrid to lyen in weyes ; there felawys him like to make
No vertue is hyd or caste awey ; though poverte be Ioyned þerto
ffrom al marchis from al cuntrees ; þou chesist to þe gode folke
And askist what life this man hath had ; not what cradyl him rockyd
Ne of whens he is but his condicion ; gladly thou requyrest.
Easyly with the thus thi men live ; thou seith of hem evir wele
Thy rewardys calle hem to noble maners ; & Jentle condicions to vse
Be thyn excytyng craftys lefte ; þat som tyme were wele knowe
Be had now newly ageyn in mynde ; & gladsom wey is openyd
To happy wittis which evir reioysen ; vertue in pryncis high
The modrys of eloquence the musys ix ; which late durst nat loke vp
Now lefte her neckys & wisely talke ; dytees ful delectable.
Bothe pore and riche labouryd righte sore ; encrese to gete with studye
ffor either of hem wele vndirstode ; þat wise travaile must growe
Where sluggid Idilnes myght not vprise ; in myddis of tresours grete

.VIII. Stilico excludith vicious lyfe of bodye.

Lechery the dowsett syn ; which oonly abideth the doome
And sentence of deceivable flessh ; coude nat the supplante.
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ffor al the height of hir forhede ; and hir pretendid myrthe
In mystes of her . mannys wittys be dullyd ; & she mysshapith som bodies
More cruelly than circes herbis ; which venemyd be with poysoun.
She semyth right faire of outeward chiere ; ful lothful she is within
Her chekys ar peyntid her vesture gay ; is made men to deceive
Her heerys blake arn dressid aboute ; with precious shynyng golde
With hookis of lust she many a soule ; beforn this tyme hath take
But yit nevir the . she so diseasyd ; as oonys thi slepe were broke
To folowe her wille ne nevir in feste ; þurgh songe of man or childe
In the she had a restyng place ; or tarying ony while.

.IX. Stilico is preysed of occupacion and othir vertuous dedys

Who myght the see vnoccupied ; or dissolute eithir in soule
As thogh no thing were charge to the ; ne peysed not for þe worlde
Or seigh the evir for cause of myrthe withoute mesure in mete
Expensis which the vnworship myght ; nevir lessid thi tresoure
And also thi writyng testifieth ; thi yiftes be not streyned
In noon smal boke thei may be writen ; this causid þe to be lovid
Of al thy knyȝtis as for her fadir ; whom than thou makist not riche
Whan werre tyme is and whan pees is ; þou list not hem to knowe
Right wele thou felyst yat yiftes not plese ; þat longe be lokid aftir
And for fere oonly be offrid to hem ; whom late þou settist not by
In veyne than thou wastist awey ; thi golde longe reservid
Wherfore thou preventist tyme ; and soon thi bowntee shewist
Art glad to see peple at thi borde ; and euery man by his name.
Benygnely clepist and for thi love ; remembrist what he hat doon.
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Thi godely wordis arn so bisett ; þat hem he nevir foryetith
By the which he thynkith þat thi grete yifte ; is doublid in his hande
Whan ought þou grauntist avauncyng noon ; þou vsist to make þerof
Or him either tabreide therby ; which it receivid of the
Ner thou spekist not sternely to hem which thou hast promotid
With high chiere & contenaunce . ne spillest no wynde for pride.

.X. Stilico excludith pride and idel talkyng

Pride her silfe levith the fer of ; royal and solempne holde
While goodis be had in habundaunce ; & prosperous chauncis be falle
She is felowe vnkynde ofte founde ; to nobil and high vertue
Now and than men the to touche ; and to speke yivest leve
Jn wyne drynkyng wele ware of worde ; þou lernyst not wit of cuppis
With sobirnes thi sporteful wordis ; arn meyncte & by discrecion
With clennes of life & liberte ; bolde art to telle thi talys
He þat knowith the fadirlawe vnto themperours sone
And how men clepe the benygne fadir ; of the hool kyngdāme
Merveileth þat thou so lowly art ; as wil not be but piere
A pore citeseyn in thi degree ; wolde bere a saile as high
The lernyd man may here þe speke ; of þingis þat be passyd
Of ripe thyngis which sounde sadly ; thou techist men right aged
Thaventorous knyȝte by thyn reporte ; is warnyd of his perellys
Thou strowist such saltcornys amonge þi spechis ; as amphion is founde vnlike
To the in talkyng Aonias also ; which crafte of musys studyed
And orpheus harpe which trees made trace ; in truthe þi tunge excellith
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The iijde parte begynneth

.XI. How stilico was lovid for his gode lyfe.

For thise vertues al peopil the lovid ; & with vnfeyned preyers
Were busy for the in every place ; thy name gladly rehercyd
With handis clappyng a solempne Ioie ; a common myrthe was spronge
What stethis were þat hameryd not ; bras platys with thi figurys
What smethis forge was þan vacaunte ; whan al fourneys labouryd
To yete ymagis like vnto the ; of harde and starke metal
What angyl than or region ; was founde in al þe worlde
Which thin ymages sholde not haue worshipped ; or not reuerencid as goddis
But yf thi selfe forfendyd had ; and such honour refusyd
This godly worshippe a tirante takith ; whom yiftes fals deceive.
Of peplis þat fere and love him nought ; & grucchyng him obeyeth
Where he þat worthy is callid therto ; ful ofte it first forsakyth

.XII. How legatis came fro diuers regions to preise & to thanke stilico.

Legatys come forth on euery side ; and vndir thi sonlawys title
Into thi preisyngis wisshid thei had ; voices an hundirfolde
Entierly the . the frensh man thankith ; þat armour he nedith noon
ffor sure he is with soudiour nakid ; and dredith noon aduersary
Vpon high bankys he makith new roovis ; & castith a dam right depe
Yit somdele lesse than tybur watir ; wele howsyng it beforne
Peny also thi preisyngis eekyn ; in þat her feeldis arn free
And not oppressid with tyranny ; as thei had be to forne
Pannonius by the from sege delyuered ; and þe drynker of sauus broke
Where as townys were longe speryd vp ; he dare sette wide þe yates
He whettith ageyn with whetstonys harde ; þe brown blad of his sithe
And shares that were with rust ovirfretyn ; with labour he makith to shyne
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His cootis he knowith þat arn in þe felde ; & whan he sigh tho hilles.
Vpon the which he duelle was wonte ; for ioye he kisseth hem soone
Aftir his plough he sew his seede ; and loondys which were vntilied
Tymes and daies right many beforne ; aftir his stubbyng staryth
Histirlonde he plantith with vyne ; & glad his tribute paieth
As longe as thi gode helthe lestith ; al peple shal wele knowe
The reghmys body shal spryng with youthe ; which languris many hath had
And what so evir we haue loste toforne ; vndir our princis fele
By thi comforte gode stilico ; may soon be yolden ageyn
A plastir to cure þe wounde of Rome ; thi vertue may best fynde
Whan thou þe tilman hast brought ageyn ; into his owne marchys
Themperours halle shal soon be riche ; with Illeries tribute grete

.XIII. How goddis of heven merueilously doo for stilico.

The doome of heven also yiveth space ; to mannys favour in the
And strengthith thi persone on every side ; with her common assent
Thei wrey thin enemyes to þe as sone ; as þei the see banke touche
Or els thei spere þe see from hem ; whan thei from the wolde flee
Or els these goddis sende wodenes to hem ; & makith eche kille her othir
Or with þe lawe of pentheus ; hem rende with cruel swerdys
Thise goddis the telle þin enemyes sleightes ; and lede to þe couchis of fraude
As blode houndys with her tendir nose ; tel thingis or thei appiere
Or with foulys yive warnyng beforne ; or els by spirites in slepe.

.XIIII. Stilico consentid not to take the dignyte of consulate.

For thise causis al contrees to the ; flockid with her presentis.
And brought the roobys which consulys vsid ; whos councel alþing rulid
Thou thi self withstoodist hem alle ; & woldist not graunte her askyng
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But than thi soule right fauorable ; and right benygne to othir
A Juge grevous for shamefastnes ; is felt vnto thi selfe.
Puttyng awey this high worshippe ; with lowe and meke excusys.
Wherfore thise regions . desiryng longe ; and frustrate many yeris.
Of her gode hope that thou sholdist be ; her consul to thi worshippe
Her iourney take to the high goddesse ; to the doorys of nobil Rome
So that yf thou woldist nat enclyne ; to her severel preyers
At Romys request thou sholdist not lette ; her wille soone to perfourme
Arraied thei were and come to gider ; to this goddessis house
Which ful clere was bilded vp ; in the mownte palatyne.
Where first spayne comely chevelryed ; with the levis of minerva
In reede clothe powdrid with golde beemys ; such speche bigan to have.

.XV. Spayne compleyneth that stilico wil not rule.

Alle my desires evir vnto me ; stilico til now hath grauntyd
Which to no thyng is envious founde ; but to his own worshippe
His fadirlawe themperour ; from ceptris he myght haue putte
And haue contempnyd his sonne in lawe ; which emperour also was
Yf he nyl take rule of worlde ; which wolde be rulyd by hym
As nere kynnesman yit lete him take ; rule of themperours hous
He shulde not trowe that litel it is ; that he hath halsyd þe kynrede
Of hibrus the worthy and that he kepith ; our cosynes with stedfast lawe
That purpyl him worshippeth by his fadris riȝte ; þat maryes Issue grete
And his . our kyngdam hath plentevous made ; þat he is belefadir namyd
To his sovereyn and to his lorde ; which is honories sonne.
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.XVI. Gallia compleyneth that stilico wil not be consul

Gallia fers with heere vndressid ; stode with a coler of price.
Holdyng in hande ij. daartys to gider ; & thus with ful breste spake.
Why is not he redde with the worthiest ; þat hath now vndirputte
Vnto my power tho germaynes proude ; and frensh men with high power ;
Why knowith not yit the volume of Rome ; which conscript fadris shewith
A name which is of such vertue ; as worthy is to be nombryd ;
Is his worship of so litel peys ; which peasid hath the Reene ;

.XVII. Engelonde preiseth stilico.

Aftir her Engelonde araied in clooth ; wrouȝte oute of shepis wulle
Which be clepid in Calcedonye ; monstrys of grete mervaile
Whos chekys be coveryd with Iron harde ; whos fete þe watir hideth
Her clothyng feyneth the occian wawys ; and seith ofte me hath defendyd
Nobil stilico . from myn nere enemyes ; which by my marchis duelle
Whan scottis had moevid ayens my pees ; al wilde Irisshe londe.
And the watir brode bigan to foome ; with the oore of aduersaryes.
Thurgh his helpe soone it was doone ; I shulde not fere bataile
Of scotlonde . ne of picardy ; ne fro my see banke
I sholde nevir see me for to noye ; the saxon saile with wyndes

.XVIII. Affrica compleyneth þat stilico wil not be consul.

Than affrica seid whos hede was dight ; with faire eerys of corne.
Whos toothe was white as boone of Ivore ; whos cheke as rody as day.
Som tyme I hopid whan gildo was slayne ; þat tarying noon sholde be
But þat stilico soone sholde haue take ; his consular dieu astate.
He oonly repugnyth now to ws ; & douteth to his triumphe
Thise solempne titles now tascrye ; by whom þe dredeful name.
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Of maurus the moste vnmanly tiraunte ; was first put fro mynde
Aftir thise regions . enotria ; in broudyng her smothe vynes
With grene Ivye and pooryng wynes ; from bough of vyne right large
O ye chaiers seith she ; which high be made for worthy consulers
With stilicoes presence ye covette sore ; in worship tencrese.
The common opynyon of al the worlde ; me semyth may best helpe
ffor this desire that brennyng is ; corageously me mevith
In hym present to sette my Joie ; to folowe his goyng vp.
Into his tribunal and to salute ; him openyng tymes of helthe.

The fourth parte begynneth

.XIX. The regions preyen Rome to be a meane to stilico.

In this maner the regions to gider ; talkid eche vnto othir
Praying dame Rome þat for hem al ; she wolde vouchesafe to goo
Which not tarying obeyed her wil ; & spedely her armour toke
The son light smytyng from the hevyns ; by þe clowdis fast she passid
Transveied she was ovir tuscian londe ; and also thappenynys
Eridanus watir was soone ovirstreyned ; with swyftenes of hir flyght
Whan she biforne the prynce appieryd ; þe shadow of shelde gan shyne
Her face as comely as pallas was ; which modir of wisdam is
Her stature not less than myghty martys ; þe hous tremelid at hir lokyng
ffor the high crestys vpon hir hede ; neighed þe self wyndebemys.

.XX. Rome mevith stilico to be consul.

With lovesom querels þan first she spake ; to stilico þat was astoyned
And seid by the right wele I knowe ; þe consuls chaiers arn kepte
But yit I fele not thornamentys ; which thou sholdist hem yive.
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What availeth it þat thou hast put ; servauntys from this degree
That thou defendist this grete worshippe ; which first þi self refusyst
Despisest tho placis which with grete charge ; þou hast sheltronnyd to forne
Thou puttist awey þat glorye fro the ; for whos ruyne þou fightest
What is now cause of thi tarying ; what questions askist more
Alle fere is falle þat northward was ; þe south marche is in rest
Maurus is falle Germany yiveth way ; & geane is bounde to pees.
Yf thou be consul I am not lyke ; o litel title to haue
To the comparyd of worthynes ; for truly we suppose
That al such thingis as subiecte be ; thogh thei make hem gay
Of smal pris arn . on which maner ; vnwillyng . kyngis me serve
In that also nature hir self ; hath markyd chauncys to come
With grete merveil and tokenys gode ; we arn put in blame
That thou excusist the . and seyst thus ; the eest peple of þe worlde
That Ruffyne servid gode fortune had ; oo day & with treson
Steyned my worshippe . but what for this ; I knew nevir þis worde trewe.
The commoun Rumour of foltysh people ; nevir of this sclaundir gladyd
In such rebukys no feith is had ; of credens nevir cam letter
The to accuse and in this parte ; thi grettest worshippe groweth
That thou which counceil to al yivest ; art stille & preyst not oonys
The fadris which al thing may doo ; thise monstrys to distroye
Thyn enemyes I sey to putte aside ; thi wordis nevir defile
This blynde sede of grete myschief ; ne nevir my courte rehersyd
The shameful name which not gilteles ; þei wer disworshippid with
ffygh on her syn yf writyng oute ; fro phebus first thressholde.
287

ffrom the eest I mene where as thei duellyd ; had come vnto myn handys
I sholde haue broste it vpon the see ; dowtyng of her treson
That her foule deedys sholde not haue noyed ; ytalians eerys chaste
The common wodenesse of this people ; is secrete made & cloos.
Thurgh thi godenesse & þurgh thi cure ; which lest not hem bewrey
Thestirlyngis now may be glad ; which cessith to write of the.
Thise vnkouthe slaundrys were nevir herde ; amonge þe gabynys true
But busy thei be her own shenship ; to weve and make be knowe.
Why sholde I ioye a dede exempte ; or pardonnyd either of lawe.
Which nevir I felte ne nevir was lernyd ; þat it trespas myght be.
It hem repentith þat thei mysdede ; but yit we kon not leve it
Oon trespas in hem alle was founde ; & provid wele with axes.

.XXI. The cause why stilico sholde be consul.

Wherfore the rulyng of our lawe ; thou owist to þe to take
That þis olde worship perissh not now ; which haven of worshippe was
This grete damage withoute thyn helpe ; withoute thi comforte stilico
No consul is myghty now to refourme ; or to redresse with peas.
Thou sighe this myschief or than it felle ; and yit differdest tyme
And woldist not rule whan by office ; in worshippe myghtest haue growe
Sith now by al titlis of rule ; in honoure may be had
Socoure now consul to consulis olde ; for vilayned & grevid arn
Which s[o]evir haue be in tyme passyd ; or the shal aftir folowe
Yelde thou thy yere . and the estate take ; as for thise monethis twelve
The succession than shal be sure ; than olde worship defendyd
Al hevynesse shal [be] put a side ; // Stilico mote venger be.
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Vnto the highnes of consulers ; whos fynder brutus was
The libertees of al romayns ; in brutis first sprange
By ordenyng of the consulate ; and stilico now therfro
Servage and lowe birthe excludid hath ; vnmete to þat degree

.XXII. Allectives to drawe stilico vnto the consulate.

Stilico answeryd gretter it is ; olde thingis tave kepte
Than new thyng oonys for tave founde ; to whom dame Rome þus seide
Why is thi face so shamefast nowe ; why taryest now tassent
Why flykerith the fyre in thy forhede ; as it was wonte to doo
Thou þat hast venquysshid periles so many ; at þe last ovircomme þi selfe.
Though sure it be þat with no yiftes ; thi spirite nyl be corrupte
Yet gladly thise garnementis mervelyng see ; & take with humble chere.
Which tritonia with her hevenly carde ; first halpe me for to breke.
And aftirward of purpil coloure ; twyes we dyed it ovir
Bounde it vp vpon our rockys ; & with such golde it spunne
As lachesis the worldis hath woven of ; þat golden sholde be to the
I prophesye also of thin Issue ; þat children thou shalt haue
Whan as þe worlde wolde nat suppose ; anoon þou shalt me preve
In this a prophetesse ful trewe ; for destenyes wil make gode
That arn commyng right thus she saide ; & shewid forth in her lappe
Precious yiftes and roobys hevy ; þe which minerva wrought
His halle ful swithe was reysed vp ; with pilours wondir clere
And lucina comfortith labours ; of mary in her childyng
Whos bed was faire in which she restyd ; or than her wombe was lighted
With herebende nimphe dressid vp hir templis ; & aftir labour were pale.
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Wasshyng the childe the modris Ioies ; in welle of precious golde
Whos tendir laughyng thurgh thynne stamyne ; & wepyng men myȝte here
The childe gan growe & shewid his fadir ; whos face & his were oon
But his maistresse an olde womman ; to him as hir nevieu
fful wisely yave preceptis of marte ; which to his birthe were mete
This thy son Eutherius by the ; othir manly preceptis had
Whan he growe was and markyd firste ; with purpil floure of youthe
He rulyd and turnyd his hors atte wille ; which bridels of silke enfoomyd
With his darte or with his boowe ; he filled grete hertis to grounde
Of purpil colour þat reised her hornys ; for price araied with golde
Soone venus þan was brouȝte to hous ; with flyght of culverys fele
Where mariage the thridde she ioyned to gider ; with knotte of regaly
Plumyd loves she sett aboute ; vnto this lusty prynce.
Which fyred him selfe by the maydens mowthe ; þat sett him was to love
She this was doughtir vnto themperours high ; & emperours also sustir
Right soon termanchia aftir to stilico ; a fair lady was borne
Which pleyed ful ofte with Eutherius ; and lovelyly vpon him lough
And thus this hous with either keendis ; the diademys askith to haue
Which husbondis childeth to nobil quenys ; & quenys also bryngith forth.

.XXIII. Rome araieth stilico in vesture of the consul

With thise maner yiftes þe goddesse Rome ; þe princys herte moevid
yivyng a ceptre vnto his right hande ; þat of Ivore was white
Tookenys of deeth which loong were feeryd ; in haste she turnyd awey
With divers signes of prosperous lyfe ; by wedris & foulys take
Than she araied his able aarmys ; with armour defensable.
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And clothid him in Romulys roobys ; which was hir first patrone
The panys of Italie before his brest ; expressid his nobil birthe
His habergeoun was with gowne wele coverid ; such as gradiuus vsid
What tyme he came from histirlonde ; or scicia as conquerour
And wolde not shew his shelde of stele ; ne harneys þat was bright
In riche roobys with mylke white hors ; he entrith þe citee
Quirinus his bridels governyd him by ; bellona this fadris chare
with riche clothis þat al rede was ; an oke beryng in hande.
yede beforne . and evir hir handis ; vnto þe sterris helde vp
Metus as Iailer sewid aftir þe chare ; and pavor his brother clepid
Boonde þe barbarys handis behynde ; with cheynes þat were not smothe.
Thise persoonys tweyn had lorer boughes . vpon her helmys shene
Whos hors folowid nere formido riȝte bleike ; beryng þe axe of dethe.

.XXIIII. The Joie of Rome in stilico the consul.

Whan Rome þan sighe þat she myȝte Ioie ; in her consul desired
Now she seith let ws breike vp ; þe lukys þe woodis thicke
Of the felde Elises ; where spirites of men be glad
That I compare may þe marveil ; of my right longe desire
Bothe to the charge and grete comforte ; which worthy fabrice had
Thei also that late beweyled ; oure cuntrey with hungrys stroke
Ner haue be perisshid . with mery foote ; now let hem daunce þe medewys
It mote not shame the sad catones ; for our love now pley
Who shal telle these glad tidyngis ; vnto our elder bruto
Or by whom may scipioes children ; here thise present Jeestys
ffor I had loste my loondis longe ; and also ruler lackyd.
295

But yit at last I was made free ; fro thise twoo damagys
And thurgh oonys helpe received ageyn ; libiam and my consul.

.XXV. Stilico is preyed to come to Rome.

Now thou my ruler thou stilico ; graunte oo thyng yat yit wantith
To that citee yive thy presence ; thi commyng which desireth
Whom thou hast made to reigne ageyn ; aftir bataile and hungir
Oure Iugys benchis mote oonys the take ; where as camillus restyd
Their senatour knyghtis mote wele the knowe ; & venger eke of Rome
Lette the people oonys yit in the Ioie ; to whom by the was yolde
Affrica the large cuntree ; & rodanus first yafe greynes
That massile corne and galis plente ; me myght promote in welth
Now the south moyste . and now þe north ; make soon þe herbis ripe
And large beernys shul be made riche ; how so evir þe wynde wil blowe.
How many thousandys þan shal be seyn ; aboute þe toure flaminea
Oo how fele tymes deceivable rumour ; shal thi lover illude
Suspence evir in his desire ; whan at al ourys he lokith
Aftir thi commyng their lovesom̄ modris ; talkyng the shal abide
With redolent flouris than shal be strowid ; þe weyes & stretis large
Whan thou our consul shalt entir our housis ; & phises thressholdis trede
That art the beaute of Rome now callid ; and fadir of olde senate
Pompeyes scaffaldis for pleyers made ; what myrthis shul make for the.
How ofte sithes the marcial vale ; shal lefte þi name into heven
Aboue both hilles þat aventyne ; & palatyn ar clepid
Shew now thi self a litel while ; & leve thi castels stronge
That thi sonne lawe & the in fere ; the peple may see in roobys.
297

.XXVI. The worlde was cited tappiere in Rome whan stilico sholde comme in.

While as Rome thus had hir speche ; tydyng with woordy wyngis
Ovir the grete occian fleugh ; commaundyng tappiere
Swich high estatys as somownyd were ; no man was lettid for age
Loong wey withstode not þe western Iryssh ; which ferthest duel of folke.
ffor al alpees & mownteyns high ; yit shippis sailed with wynde
The first love of thi gode life ; passid al hir labourys
And gladly come to worship the ; which venger of worship were.
Translat & wrete at Clar .1445. / Deo gracias.
298

Mercy Jhesu miseris miserere maria

1

Thy maystyr Claudyan euyn as hys chyld . þou lytyll tretys swe.
And wurshypp hym . wyth latyn tunge embelshyd hath with penne.
Preyse god in hym as in paynemys . whos doctryne whylom crewe
To good manerys and preconysyd vertu to heuen renne.
Loue not hys lawe / love weel hys word . þe thyk chyuse fro þe thenne.
Oure feyth and hys be not as oon þey goo in dyuers sutys.
Yet eche assentyth . þat pure honour merces est uirtutis.

2

Thys lesson breff & long also . Claudyan now hath tawght.
In wordys thyrk . in sentens cleer . In whom as in a merour
Princys may se her owtward gestys / & yf hem vyce haue caught.
They owyn to leve yt hastly / gret ellys dyshonour.
Wyll sprynge þer off . thow par cas fortunys blynde fauour.
Seme to help / yet in thende euyr prouyd weel yt ys.
That wurshyppe as wyse men haue seyd / merces est uirtutis.

3

It may not be þat errour longe wyth vertu shuld compare
Nedys iustyce fro hevyn peyseth . What mete ys to þem bothe
Whos pacyens sumtyme may suffyr weell . vertu to mysfare
And wrechys lyff to be full swete / whom prudens techyth to lothe
When all ys doo / yett hedy pepull how be yt þey be wrothe
As fer fro wurshypp they shall be put / as lyght ys now fro hellys
To synne shame rewardyth . and honour merces est uirtutis

4

Desyre of wurshypp as a swre ankyr . in myddys of gret passyons.
Kepyth pryncys lyff . þat yt flytte not vnsurly in the flood.
Whos cabyll ys vertu ther to weell fastnyd and tyed in here condycions.
Defyll vertu the cabyll ys broke . the ankyr boþe strong & good.
Ys lost in wawys here shypp seylyth forth / as man replesshyd with mood
Myscheuyth hymself vnprudently not seyng hys propyr mys.
Ne aduertyseth . how þat honour merces est virtutis.
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5

Ruffynys rychesse and gooldyn dayes with corryous wytt mayntenyd.
Rulyd londys and themprour himself aȝens him wold not do.
Hys worde as lawe receyuyd was / and as peplys wenyd.
Aboue all pryncys he durst presume . bothe to stond and go.
Tendyrly hys dedys gyyd . lachesys fatall also.
But whenne hys pott to the welle cam . þat erthe yt was iwys
The world weell knewe / for euyr honour merces est virtutis

6

In wyse contrarye / now stillico informyd be benygnyte
Be feyth by othyr vertuys hygh whom peplys reuerensyd
And callyd to wurshypp . whych hym duwe was but he trowyng all vanyte
Off worldly blyss not tendure . humbylly hym defensyd.
Aȝens hyr wylle yett hys mekenesse in such wyse was encensyd
That gladly rome hym cowntyd pere vnto the wurthy brutys
To princys shewyng þat euyr honour merces est virtutis.

7

Souereyn god & verry good reward off perfyght meende
Make pryncys to love & othyr folk wurshyp for þe alone
Non nobis domine graunt them to seye & þat they lyst þe seende.
Thy godly omage syth grace hyrself descendyth fro thy trone
Leende pees off vertu bytuyx hem alle preserue hem fro her ffone
My lord off yorke most tendurly graunt good ihesu thys
Preeude in hys herte ; how euyr honor merces est virtutis.
Amen.
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