Lydgate's Fall of Princes Edited by Dr. Henry Bergen ... presented to The Early English Text Society by The Carnegie Institution of Washington |
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| VI. | BOOK VI |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
BOOK VI
[Here Bochas sittyng in his studie allone writeth a grete processe, how Fortune like a monstruous ymage hauyng an hundred handys appered vn to him and spak / and Bochas vn to hir makyng betwixt hem bothe many grete argumentys & resouns of Fortunys chaunces.]
In his studie allone as Bochas stood,
His penne on honde, of sodeyn auenture
To remembre he thouhte it ded hym good,
How þat no man may hymsilff assure
In worldli thynges fulli to recure
Grace of Fortune, to make hir to be stable,
Hir dayli chaungis been so variable.
His penne on honde, of sodeyn auenture
To remembre he thouhte it ded hym good,
How þat no man may hymsilff assure
In worldli thynges fulli to recure
Grace of Fortune, to make hir to be stable,
Hir dayli chaungis been so variable.
She braideth euer on the chaunteplure:
Now song, now wepyng, now wo, now gladnesse,
Now in merthe, now peynis to eendure,
Now liht, now heuy, now bittir, now suetnesse,
Now in trouble, now free, now in distresse,
Shewyng to vs a maner resemblaunce,
How worldli welthe hath heer non assuraunce.
Now song, now wepyng, now wo, now gladnesse,
Now in merthe, now peynis to eendure,
Now liht, now heuy, now bittir, now suetnesse,
Now in trouble, now free, now in distresse,
Shewyng to vs a maner resemblaunce,
How worldli welthe hath heer non assuraunce.
Whil Bochas pensiff stood sool in his librarie
With cheer oppressid, pale in his visage,
Sumdeel abasshed, alone & solitarie,
To hym appered a monstruous ymage,
Partid on tweyne of colour & corage,
Hir riht[e] side ful of somer flours,
The tothir oppressid with wyntris stormy shours.
With cheer oppressid, pale in his visage,
Sumdeel abasshed, alone & solitarie,
To hym appered a monstruous ymage,
Partid on tweyne of colour & corage,
Hir riht[e] side ful of somer flours,
The tothir oppressid with wyntris stormy shours.
Bochas astonid, feerful for to abraide
Whan he beheeld the wonderful figure
Of Fortune, thus to hymsilff he saide:
“What may this meene? is this a creature
Or a monstre transffoormyd ageyns nature,
Whos brennyng eyen sparklyng of ther liht
As doon sterris the frosti wyntres niht?”
Whan he beheeld the wonderful figure
Of Fortune, thus to hymsilff he saide:
“What may this meene? is this a creature
Or a monstre transffoormyd ageyns nature,
Whos brennyng eyen sparklyng of ther liht
As doon sterris the frosti wyntres niht?”
676
And of hir cheer[e] ful good heed he took,
Hir face seemyng cruel & terrible,
And bi disdeyn[e] manacyng of look,
Hir her vntressid, hard, sharp & horrible,
Froward of shappe, lothsum & odible.
An hundred handis she hadde on ech part
In sondri wise hir giftes to depart.
Hir face seemyng cruel & terrible,
And bi disdeyn[e] manacyng of look,
Hir her vntressid, hard, sharp & horrible,
Froward of shappe, lothsum & odible.
An hundred handis she hadde on ech part
In sondri wise hir giftes to depart.
Summe off hir handis lefft up men aloffte
To hih estat of worldli dignite,
Anothir hand griped ful vnsoffte,
Which cast another in gret aduersite:
Gaff oon richesse, anothir pouerte,
Gaff summe also bi report a good name,
Noised anothir of sclaundre & diffame.
To hih estat of worldli dignite,
Anothir hand griped ful vnsoffte,
Which cast another in gret aduersite:
Gaff oon richesse, anothir pouerte,
Gaff summe also bi report a good name,
Noised anothir of sclaundre & diffame.
Hir habit was of manyfold colours:
Wachet bleuh of feyned stedfastnesse,
Hir gold allaied like sonne in wattri shours,
Meynt with liht greene for chaung & doubilnesse.
A pretens red: dreed meynt with hardynesse;
Whiht for clennesse, lik soone for to faille;
Feynt blak for moornyng, russet for trauaille.
Wachet bleuh of feyned stedfastnesse,
Hir gold allaied like sonne in wattri shours,
Meynt with liht greene for chaung & doubilnesse.
A pretens red: dreed meynt with hardynesse;
Whiht for clennesse, lik soone for to faille;
Feynt blak for moornyng, russet for trauaille.
Hir colours meynt of wollis mo than oon;
Sumwhile eclipsed, sumwhile she shon briht.
Dulle as an asse whan men hadde haste to gon,
And as a swalwe gerissh of hir fliht,
Tween slouh & swifft; now crokid & now vpriht,
Now as a crepil lowe coorbid doun,
Now a duery and now a champioun.
Sumwhile eclipsed, sumwhile she shon briht.
Dulle as an asse whan men hadde haste to gon,
And as a swalwe gerissh of hir fliht,
Tween slouh & swifft; now crokid & now vpriht,
Now as a crepil lowe coorbid doun,
Now a duery and now a champioun.
Now a coward, durst nat come in pres,
And sumwhile hardi as leoun;
Now lik Ector, now dreedful Thersites,
Now was she Cresus, now Agamenoun,
Sardanapallus off condicioun;
Now was she mannyssh, now was she femynyne,
Now coude she reyne, now koude she falsli shyne.
And sumwhile hardi as leoun;
Now lik Ector, now dreedful Thersites,
Now was she Cresus, now Agamenoun,
Sardanapallus off condicioun;
Now was she mannyssh, now was she femynyne,
Now coude she reyne, now koude she falsli shyne.
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Now a mermaide angelik off face,
A tail behynde verray serpentyne,
Now debonaire, now froward to do grace,
Now as a lamb tretable & benigne,
Now lik a wolff of nature to maligne,
Now Sirenes to synge folk a-slepe
Til Karibdis drowne hem in the deepe.
A tail behynde verray serpentyne,
Now debonaire, now froward to do grace,
Now as a lamb tretable & benigne,
Now lik a wolff of nature to maligne,
Now Sirenes to synge folk a-slepe
Til Karibdis drowne hem in the deepe.
Thus Iohn Bochas consideryng hir figure,
Al hir fetures in ordre he gan beholde,
Hir breede, hir heihte, hir shap & hir stature,
An hundrid handis & armys ther he tolde:
Wheroff astonid, his herte gan to colde;
And among alle hir membris euerichon,
He sempte she hadde no feet upon to gon.
Al hir fetures in ordre he gan beholde,
Hir breede, hir heihte, hir shap & hir stature,
An hundrid handis & armys ther he tolde:
Wheroff astonid, his herte gan to colde;
And among alle hir membris euerichon,
He sempte she hadde no feet upon to gon.
And whil that he considered al this thyng,
Atween[e] tweyne, as it wer in a traunce,
She sodenli toward hym lookyng,
He conceyued be hir contenaunce,—
Wer it for ire, wer it for plesaunce,
Outher for fauour, outher for disdeyn,—
Bi the maner she wolde sumwhat seyn.
Atween[e] tweyne, as it wer in a traunce,
She sodenli toward hym lookyng,
He conceyued be hir contenaunce,—
Wer it for ire, wer it for plesaunce,
Outher for fauour, outher for disdeyn,—
Bi the maner she wolde sumwhat seyn.
Lookyng a-scoign as she had had disdeyn,
“Bochas,” quod she, “I knowe al thyn entent,
How thou trauailest, besiest the in veyn,
In thi studie euer dilligent,
Now in the west, now in the orient
To serche stories, north & meredien,
Of worthi princis that heer-toforn ha been.
“Bochas,” quod she, “I knowe al thyn entent,
How thou trauailest, besiest the in veyn,
In thi studie euer dilligent,
Now in the west, now in the orient
To serche stories, north & meredien,
Of worthi princis that heer-toforn ha been.
Summe duellid vndir the pool Artyk,
Be my fauour vpreised to the sterris;
Othir vndir the pool Antartik,
Which in contrarye from vs so ferr is.
Summe encresid & set up bi the werris,
Lik as me list ther tryumphes to auaunce;
Frownyng on othir, I brouht hem to myschaunce.
Be my fauour vpreised to the sterris;
Othir vndir the pool Antartik,
Which in contrarye from vs so ferr is.
Summe encresid & set up bi the werris,
Lik as me list ther tryumphes to auaunce;
Frownyng on othir, I brouht hem to myschaunce.
I see the besi remembryng be scriptures
Stories of pryncis in eueri maner age,
As my fauour folwed ther auentures,
Be humble stile set in pleyn langage,—
Nat maad corious be non auauntage
Of rethoriques, with musis for to stryue,
But in pleyn foorme ther deedis to descryue.
Stories of pryncis in eueri maner age,
As my fauour folwed ther auentures,
678
Nat maad corious be non auauntage
Of rethoriques, with musis for to stryue,
But in pleyn foorme ther deedis to descryue.
In which processe thou dost gret dilligence,
As thei disserue to yiue hem thank or blame:
Settest up oon in roiall excellence
Withynne myn hous callid the Hous of Fame,—
The goldene trumpet with blastis off good name
Enhaunceth oon to ful hih[e] parties,
Wher Iubiter sit among the heuenli skies.
As thei disserue to yiue hem thank or blame:
Settest up oon in roiall excellence
Withynne myn hous callid the Hous of Fame,—
The goldene trumpet with blastis off good name
Enhaunceth oon to ful hih[e] parties,
Wher Iubiter sit among the heuenli skies.
Anothir trumpet, of sownis ful vengable,
Which bloweth up at feestis funerall,
Nothyng briht[e], but of colour sable,
Fer fro my fauour, dedli & mortall,
To plonge pryncis from ther estat roiall,
Whan I am wroth, to make hem loute lowe,
Than of malis I do that trumpet blowe.
Which bloweth up at feestis funerall,
Nothyng briht[e], but of colour sable,
Fer fro my fauour, dedli & mortall,
To plonge pryncis from ther estat roiall,
Whan I am wroth, to make hem loute lowe,
Than of malis I do that trumpet blowe.
Thou hast writyn & set togidre in gros,
Lik ther desert worldli mennys deedis,
Nothyng conceled nor vndr[e] couert cloos,
Spared [not] ther crownys nor ther purpil weedis,
Ther goldene sceptris; but youe to them ther meedis:
Crownid oon with laureer hih on his hed vpset,
Other with peruynke maad for the gibet.
Lik ther desert worldli mennys deedis,
Nothyng conceled nor vndr[e] couert cloos,
Spared [not] ther crownys nor ther purpil weedis,
Ther goldene sceptris; but youe to them ther meedis:
Crownid oon with laureer hih on his hed vpset,
Other with peruynke maad for the gibet.
Thus dyuersli my gifftes I departe,
Oon acceptid, a-nothir is refusid;
Lik hasardours my dees I [do] iuparte,
Oon weel foorthrid, anothir is accusid.
My play is double, my trust is euer abusid,
Thouh oon to-day hath my fauour wonne,
To-morwe ageyn I can eclipse his sonne.
Oon acceptid, a-nothir is refusid;
Lik hasardours my dees I [do] iuparte,
Oon weel foorthrid, anothir is accusid.
My play is double, my trust is euer abusid,
Thouh oon to-day hath my fauour wonne,
To-morwe ageyn I can eclipse his sonne.
Cause of my comyng, pleynli to declare
Bi good auis, vnto thi presence,
Is to shewe my maneres & nat spare,
And my condiciouns, breeffli in sentence,
Preued of old & newe experience,
Pleynli to shewe, me list nat for to rowne,
To-day I flatre, to-morwe I can weel frowne.
Bi good auis, vnto thi presence,
Is to shewe my maneres & nat spare,
And my condiciouns, breeffli in sentence,
Preued of old & newe experience,
Pleynli to shewe, me list nat for to rowne,
To-day I flatre, to-morwe I can weel frowne.
679
This hour I can shewe me merciable,
And sodenli I can be despitous:
Now weelwillid, hastili vengable,
Now sobre of cheer, now wood & furious.
My play vnkouth, my maners merueilous
Braid on the wynd; now glad & now I mourne;
Lik a wedircok my face ech day I tourne.
And sodenli I can be despitous:
Now weelwillid, hastili vengable,
Now sobre of cheer, now wood & furious.
My play vnkouth, my maners merueilous
Braid on the wynd; now glad & now I mourne;
Lik a wedircok my face ech day I tourne.
Wheryn Bochas, I telle the yit ageyn,
Thou dost folie thi wittis for to plie;
All thi labour thou spillest in veyn,
Geyn my maneres so felli to replie,—
Bi thi writyng to fynde a remedie,
To interupte in thi laste dawes
My statutis [and] my custumable lawes.
Thou dost folie thi wittis for to plie;
All thi labour thou spillest in veyn,
Geyn my maneres so felli to replie,—
Bi thi writyng to fynde a remedie,
To interupte in thi laste dawes
My statutis [and] my custumable lawes.
Al the labour off philisophres olde,
Trauaile off poetis my maner to depraue,
Hath been of yore to seyn lik as thei wolde
Ouer my fredam the souereynte to haue.
But of my lawes the libertes to saue,
Vpon my wheel thei shal hem nat diffende,
But whan me list[e] that thei shal dessende.
Trauaile off poetis my maner to depraue,
Hath been of yore to seyn lik as thei wolde
Ouer my fredam the souereynte to haue.
But of my lawes the libertes to saue,
Vpon my wheel thei shal hem nat diffende,
But whan me list[e] that thei shal dessende.
Whi sholde men putte me in blame,
To folwe the nature of my double play?
With newe buddis doth nat ver the same,
Whan premeroles appeere fressh & gay?—
To-day thei shewe, to-morwe thei gon away;
Somer afftir of flouris hath foisoun,
Til Iun with ȝithes aftir mowe hem doun.
To folwe the nature of my double play?
With newe buddis doth nat ver the same,
Whan premeroles appeere fressh & gay?—
To-day thei shewe, to-morwe thei gon away;
Somer afftir of flouris hath foisoun,
Til Iun with ȝithes aftir mowe hem doun.
Now is the se calm and blandisshyng;
Now ar the wyndis confortable & still;
Now is Boreas sturdi in blowyng,
Which yong[e] sheep & blosmys greueth ille.
Whi also shold I nat haue my wille,
To shewe my-silf now smothe and aftir trouble,
Sith to my kynde it longeth to be double?
Now ar the wyndis confortable & still;
Now is Boreas sturdi in blowyng,
Which yong[e] sheep & blosmys greueth ille.
Whi also shold I nat haue my wille,
To shewe my-silf now smothe and aftir trouble,
Sith to my kynde it longeth to be double?
680
No man so ferre is falle in wrechidnesse
But that he stant in trust to rise ageyn;
Nor non so deepe plungid in distresse,
Nor with dispeir nor wanhope ouerleyn,
But that ther is sum hope lefft certeyn
To yiue hym counforte, seruyng his entente,
To be releued whan me list assente.
But that he stant in trust to rise ageyn;
Nor non so deepe plungid in distresse,
Nor with dispeir nor wanhope ouerleyn,
But that ther is sum hope lefft certeyn
To yiue hym counforte, seruyng his entente,
To be releued whan me list assente.
The erthe is clad in motles whiht & rede;
Whan Estas entrith with violettis soote,
The greuis greene, & in euery meede
The bawme fleteth, which doth to hertis boote.
August passid, ageyn into the roote
Be cours of nature the vertu doth resorte
Be reuolucioun to Kynde, I me reporte.
Whan Estas entrith with violettis soote,
The greuis greene, & in euery meede
The bawme fleteth, which doth to hertis boote.
August passid, ageyn into the roote
Be cours of nature the vertu doth resorte
Be reuolucioun to Kynde, I me reporte.
Who sholde thanne debarre me to be double,
Sith doubilnesse longeth to me of riht?
Now fressh with somer, now with wyntir trouble,
Now blynd of look, dirk as the cloudi niht;
Now glad of cheer, of herte murie & liht:
Thei ar but foolis ageyn my myht that muse
Or me atwite, thouh I my poweer vse.
Sith doubilnesse longeth to me of riht?
Now fressh with somer, now with wyntir trouble,
Now blynd of look, dirk as the cloudi niht;
Now glad of cheer, of herte murie & liht:
Thei ar but foolis ageyn my myht that muse
Or me atwite, thouh I my poweer vse.
Seelde or neuer I bide nat in o poynt:
Men must at lepis take me as thei fynde;
And whan I stonde ferthest out of ioynt
To sette folk[es] bakward ferre behynde,
Than worldli men with ther eyen blynde
Sore compleyne upon my doubilnesse,
Calle me thanne the froward fals goddesse.
Men must at lepis take me as thei fynde;
And whan I stonde ferthest out of ioynt
To sette folk[es] bakward ferre behynde,
Than worldli men with ther eyen blynde
Sore compleyne upon my doubilnesse,
Calle me thanne the froward fals goddesse.
Thus bi your writyng & merueilous langage
I am disclaundrid of mutabilite,
Wheroff be riht I cach gret auauntage,
Sith dubilnesse no sclaundre is to me,
Which is a parcel of my liberte,
To be callid, be title off rihtwisnesse,
Off chaungis newe ladi & pryncesse.”
I am disclaundrid of mutabilite,
Wheroff be riht I cach gret auauntage,
Sith dubilnesse no sclaundre is to me,
Which is a parcel of my liberte,
To be callid, be title off rihtwisnesse,
Off chaungis newe ladi & pryncesse.”
Thus whan Fortune hadde said hir will,
Parcel declared of hir gouernaunce,
Made a stynt & sobirli stood still.
Iohn Bochas sat & herd al hir daliaunce,
Feerful of cheer[e], pale of contenaunce,
In ordre enpreentid ech thyng that she saide,
Ful demurli thus he dede abraide.
Parcel declared of hir gouernaunce,
Made a stynt & sobirli stood still.
Iohn Bochas sat & herd al hir daliaunce,
681
In ordre enpreentid ech thyng that she saide,
Ful demurli thus he dede abraide.
He took onto hym vertu & corage
Vpon a poynt for to abide stable:
“Certis,” quod he, “lik to thi visage,
Al worldli thyngis be double & chaungable;
Yit for my part bi remembraunce notable
I shal parfourme, sothli yif I conne,
This litil book that I ha[ue] begonne.
Vpon a poynt for to abide stable:
“Certis,” quod he, “lik to thi visage,
Al worldli thyngis be double & chaungable;
Yit for my part bi remembraunce notable
I shal parfourme, sothli yif I conne,
This litil book that I ha[ue] begonne.
And lest my labour deie nat nor [a]palle,
Of this book the title for to saue,
Among myn othir litil werkis alle,
With lettres large aboue vpon my graue
This bookis name shal in ston be graue,
How I, Iohn Bochas, in especiall
Of worldli princis writyn haue the fall.
Of this book the title for to saue,
Among myn othir litil werkis alle,
With lettres large aboue vpon my graue
This bookis name shal in ston be graue,
How I, Iohn Bochas, in especiall
Of worldli princis writyn haue the fall.
Off which emprise the cause to descryue,—
This was first ground, I wil it nat denye,
Teschewe slouhthe & vices al my lyue,
And specialli the vice of glotenye,
Which is norice vnto lecherie:
This was cheeff cause whi I vndirtook
The compilacioun off this litil book.
This was first ground, I wil it nat denye,
Teschewe slouhthe & vices al my lyue,
And specialli the vice of glotenye,
Which is norice vnto lecherie:
This was cheeff cause whi I vndirtook
The compilacioun off this litil book.
Yit bi thi talkyng, as I vndirstonde,
Ech thyng heer of nature is chaungable,
Afftir thi sentence, bothe on se & londe;
Yit koude I rekne thynges that be stable:
As vertuous [lyf] abidyng vnmutable,
Set hool to Godward of herte, will & thouht,
Maugre thi poweer, & ne chaungith nouht.
Ech thyng heer of nature is chaungable,
Afftir thi sentence, bothe on se & londe;
Yit koude I rekne thynges that be stable:
As vertuous [lyf] abidyng vnmutable,
Set hool to Godward of herte, will & thouht,
Maugre thi poweer, & ne chaungith nouht.
Thou maist eek callyn [vn]to remembraunce
Thynges maad stable bi grace which is dyuyne,—
Hastow nat herd[e] the perseueraunce
Of hooli martirs, which list nat to declyne
Fro Cristis feith til thei dide fyne?
Thi wheel in hem hadde non interesse,
To make hem varie fro ther stabilnesse.
Thynges maad stable bi grace which is dyuyne,—
Hastow nat herd[e] the perseueraunce
Of hooli martirs, which list nat to declyne
Fro Cristis feith til thei dide fyne?
Thi wheel in hem hadde non interesse,
To make hem varie fro ther stabilnesse.
682
A man that is enarmed in vertu
Ageyn thi myht to make resistence,
And set his trust be grace in Crist Iesu,
And hath al hool his hertli aduertence
On rihtwisnesse, force & on prudence,
With ther suster callid attemperaunce,
Hath a saufconduit ageyn thi variaunce!
Ageyn thi myht to make resistence,
And set his trust be grace in Crist Iesu,
And hath al hool his hertli aduertence
On rihtwisnesse, force & on prudence,
With ther suster callid attemperaunce,
Hath a saufconduit ageyn thi variaunce!
The[i] sette no stoor be thi double wheele,
With supportacioun of other ladies thre;
Ther trust stant nat in mail[e], plate or stel,
But in thes vertues: feith, hope & charite,
Callid vertues theologice,
Which with foure afforn heer specefied,
Thi wheel & the han vttirli defied.
With supportacioun of other ladies thre;
Ther trust stant nat in mail[e], plate or stel,
But in thes vertues: feith, hope & charite,
Callid vertues theologice,
Which with foure afforn heer specefied,
Thi wheel & the han vttirli defied.
Yiff I with wyngis myhte fleen to heuene,
Ther sholde I see thou hast nothyng to doone
With Iubiter nor the planetis seuene,
With Phebus, Mars, Mercurie nor the moone.
But woorldli foolis, erly, late and soone,
Such as be blent & dirkid with leudnesse,
Bi fals oppynyoun calle the a goddesse.
Ther sholde I see thou hast nothyng to doone
With Iubiter nor the planetis seuene,
With Phebus, Mars, Mercurie nor the moone.
But woorldli foolis, erly, late and soone,
Such as be blent & dirkid with leudnesse,
Bi fals oppynyoun calle the a goddesse.
Giftes of grace nor gifftes of nature,
Almessede[de] doon with humylite,
Loue and compassioun, been ferr out of thi cure,—
Semlynesse, strengthe, bounte nor beute
Vertuousli vsid in ther degre,—
Geyn non of these thi poweer may nat strechche;
For who is vertuous lite of the doth rechche.
Almessede[de] doon with humylite,
Loue and compassioun, been ferr out of thi cure,—
Semlynesse, strengthe, bounte nor beute
Vertuousli vsid in ther degre,—
Geyn non of these thi poweer may nat strechche;
For who is vertuous lite of the doth rechche.
Off thi condiciouns to sette a-nother preeff,
Which foolis vsen in ther aduersite
For excusacioun, as sumtyme seith a theeff,
Whan he is hangid: ‘it was his destyne’—
Atwitith Fortune his iniquite,
As thouh she hadde domynacioun
To reule man bi will ageyn resoun.
Which foolis vsen in ther aduersite
For excusacioun, as sumtyme seith a theeff,
Whan he is hangid: ‘it was his destyne’—
Atwitith Fortune his iniquite,
As thouh she hadde domynacioun
To reule man bi will ageyn resoun.
For which I, Bochas, in parti desolat
To determyne such heuenli hid secrees,
To them that been dyuynes of estat
I remitte such vnkouth pryuites;
And with poetis that been off low degrees
I eschewe to clymbe to hih aloffte,
List for presumpcioun I shold nat fall[e] softe.
To determyne such heuenli hid secrees,
To them that been dyuynes of estat
I remitte such vnkouth pryuites;
And with poetis that been off low degrees
683
List for presumpcioun I shold nat fall[e] softe.
But yif I had hid in my corage
Such mysteries of dyuyn prouidence,
Withoute envie I wolde in pleyn langage
Vttre hem be writyng with humble reuerence,—
Predestynacioun nouther prescience
Nat apperteene, Fortune, vnto the;
And for my part I wil excuse me,
Such mysteries of dyuyn prouidence,
Withoute envie I wolde in pleyn langage
Vttre hem be writyng with humble reuerence,—
Predestynacioun nouther prescience
Nat apperteene, Fortune, vnto the;
And for my part I wil excuse me,
And proceede lik as I vndirtook,
Aftir that I haue told my mateer,
Of Fall of Princis for to write a book.
But yit afforn[e], yif thou woldest heere,
I desire of hool hert & enteer
To haue a copee of princis namys all,
Which fro thi wheel[e] thou hast maad to fall.
Aftir that I haue told my mateer,
Of Fall of Princis for to write a book.
But yit afforn[e], yif thou woldest heere,
I desire of hool hert & enteer
To haue a copee of princis namys all,
Which fro thi wheel[e] thou hast maad to fall.
Thi secre bosum is ful of stories
Of sondry princis, how thei ther liff haue lad,
Of ther triumphes & ther victories,
Which olde poetis & philisophres sad
In meetre & prose compiled han & rad,
Sunge ther laudis, ther fatis eek reserued
Bi remembrance, as thei haue disserued.
Of sondry princis, how thei ther liff haue lad,
Of ther triumphes & ther victories,
Which olde poetis & philisophres sad
In meetre & prose compiled han & rad,
Sunge ther laudis, ther fatis eek reserued
Bi remembrance, as thei haue disserued.
Of which I haue put summe in memorie,
Theron sette my studie & my labour,
So as I coude, to ther encres of glorie,
Thouh of langage I hadde but smal fauour,
Cause Caliope dede me no socour.
For which thou hast duryng al this while
Rebuked me of my rud[e] stile.
Theron sette my studie & my labour,
So as I coude, to ther encres of glorie,
Thouh of langage I hadde but smal fauour,
Cause Caliope dede me no socour.
For which thou hast duryng al this while
Rebuked me of my rud[e] stile.
Men wolde acounte it wer a gret dulnesse,
But yiff langage conveied be bi prudence,
Out declared bi sobre auysynesse,
Vndir support fauoured be diffence
Of Tullius, cheef prince of elloquence,—
Sholde mor proffite, shortli to conclude,
Than my stile, spoke in termys rude.
But yiff langage conveied be bi prudence,
Out declared bi sobre auysynesse,
Vndir support fauoured be diffence
Of Tullius, cheef prince of elloquence,—
Sholde mor proffite, shortli to conclude,
Than my stile, spoke in termys rude.
684
Yit ofte tyme it hath be felt & seyn,
Vnder huskes growyng on lond arable,
Hath be founde & tried out good greyn;
Vndir rude leuys, shakyng & vnstable,
Pullid fair frut, holsum & delectable.
And semblably, wher rethorik hath failed,
In blunt termys good counseil hath auailed.
Vnder huskes growyng on lond arable,
Hath be founde & tried out good greyn;
Vndir rude leuys, shakyng & vnstable,
Pullid fair frut, holsum & delectable.
And semblably, wher rethorik hath failed,
In blunt termys good counseil hath auailed.
Philisophres of the goldene ages
And poetes that fond out fressh ditees,
As kyng Amphioun with his fair langages
And with his harpyng made folk of louh degrees,
As laborers, tenhabite first cites;—
And so bi musik and philosophie
Gan first of comouns noble policie.
And poetes that fond out fressh ditees,
As kyng Amphioun with his fair langages
And with his harpyng made folk of louh degrees,
As laborers, tenhabite first cites;—
And so bi musik and philosophie
Gan first of comouns noble policie.
The cheeff of musik is mellodie & accord;
Welle of philosophie sprang out of prudence,
Bi which too menys gan vnite & concord
With politik vertu to haue ther assistence:
Wise men to regne, subiectis do reuerence.
And bi this ground, in stories men may see,
Wer bilt the wallis of Thebes the cite.
Welle of philosophie sprang out of prudence,
Bi which too menys gan vnite & concord
With politik vertu to haue ther assistence:
Wise men to regne, subiectis do reuerence.
And bi this ground, in stories men may see,
Wer bilt the wallis of Thebes the cite.
Accord in musik causith the mellodie;
Wher is discord, ther is dyuersite,
And wher is pes is prudent policie
In ech kyngdam and euery gret contre.
Striff first inducid bi thi duplicite;
For which thou maist, as clerkis the descryues,
Be callid ladi of contekis & of stryues.
Wher is discord, ther is dyuersite,
And wher is pes is prudent policie
In ech kyngdam and euery gret contre.
Striff first inducid bi thi duplicite;
For which thou maist, as clerkis the descryues,
Be callid ladi of contekis & of stryues.
First wer founde out hatful dyuysiouns
Be thi contreued fals mutabilites,—
Slauhtre, debat, froward discenciouns
In regiouns, prouynces and cites,
Desolacioun off townis & contrees,
Wheroff men hadde first experience
Bi thi chaungable geri violence.
Be thi contreued fals mutabilites,—
Slauhtre, debat, froward discenciouns
In regiouns, prouynces and cites,
Desolacioun off townis & contrees,
Wheroff men hadde first experience
Bi thi chaungable geri violence.
Thus bi thoppynyoun of thi wheel most double,
As ferr be nature as it was possible,
Ouerthwertli thou brouhtest men in trouble,
Madest ech to other froward & odible
Bi thi treynys vnkouth & terrible,
Lik a corsour makth coltis that be wilde
With spore & whippe to be tame & mylde,
As ferr be nature as it was possible,
Ouerthwertli thou brouhtest men in trouble,
Madest ech to other froward & odible
Bi thi treynys vnkouth & terrible,
685
With spore & whippe to be tame & mylde,
Thus bi the tempest off thyn aduersites,
To make men mor tame of ther corage.
In [ther] discordes tween kyngdames & cites,
Afftir the sharpe[nesse] of thi cruel rage
Onli bi mene of speche & fair langage,
Folk be thi fraude fro grace ferr exilid,
Wer be fair speche to vnite reconcilid.
To make men mor tame of ther corage.
In [ther] discordes tween kyngdames & cites,
Afftir the sharpe[nesse] of thi cruel rage
Onli bi mene of speche & fair langage,
Folk be thi fraude fro grace ferr exilid,
Wer be fair speche to vnite reconcilid.
Peeplis of Grece, of Roome & off Cartage,
Next in Itaille, with many a regeoun,
Wer inducid bi swetnesse of langage
To haue togidre ther conuersacioun,
To beelde castellis & many roial toun.
What caused this?—to telle in breeff the foorme,
But eloquence rud peeplis to reffoorme.
Next in Itaille, with many a regeoun,
Wer inducid bi swetnesse of langage
To haue togidre ther conuersacioun,
To beelde castellis & many roial toun.
What caused this?—to telle in breeff the foorme,
But eloquence rud peeplis to reffoorme.
Affor tyme thei wer but bestiall,
Till thei to resoun be lawes wer constreyned,
Vndir discrecioun bi statutis naturall
Fro wilful lustis be prudence wer restreyned.
Bassent maad oon, & togidre [en]cheynyd
In goldene cheynys of pes and vnite;
Thus gan the beeldyng of eueri gret cite.
Till thei to resoun be lawes wer constreyned,
Vndir discrecioun bi statutis naturall
Fro wilful lustis be prudence wer restreyned.
Bassent maad oon, & togidre [en]cheynyd
In goldene cheynys of pes and vnite;
Thus gan the beeldyng of eueri gret cite.
But whan thou medlist to haue an interesse,
Thei that wer oon to brynge hem at discord,
To interupte with thi doubilnesse
Cites, regiouns, that wer of oon accord,—
Lik as this book can ber [me] weel record,
Fro the tyme that thou first began
Thi mutabilite hath stroied many a man.
Thei that wer oon to brynge hem at discord,
To interupte with thi doubilnesse
Cites, regiouns, that wer of oon accord,—
Lik as this book can ber [me] weel record,
Fro the tyme that thou first began
Thi mutabilite hath stroied many a man.
Thou causest men to been obstynat
In ther corages & incorrigible,
Wilful, froward, causeles at debat,
Ech to other contrarious & odible,
Them to refourme almost impossible,—
Til fair[e] speche, voidyng dyuisioun,
Pes reconcilid tween many a regeoun.
In ther corages & incorrigible,
Wilful, froward, causeles at debat,
Ech to other contrarious & odible,
Them to refourme almost impossible,—
Til fair[e] speche, voidyng dyuisioun,
Pes reconcilid tween many a regeoun.
686
For ther is non so furious outrage,
Nor no mateer so ferr out of the weie,
But that be mene of gracious language
And faire speche may a man conveie
To al resoun meekli for to obeie,—
Bi an exaumple which I reherse shall
Weel to purpos and is historiall.
Nor no mateer so ferr out of the weie,
But that be mene of gracious language
And faire speche may a man conveie
To al resoun meekli for to obeie,—
Bi an exaumple which I reherse shall
Weel to purpos and is historiall.
The hardi kniht, [the] cruel Achilles,
Whan hatful ire assailed his corage,
Ther was no mene with hym to trete of pes,
To stille the tempest of his doolful rage,
Sauff onli this, which dede his ire asswage
Bi attempraunce tobeien to resoun,
When of an harpe he herde the sueete soun.
Whan hatful ire assailed his corage,
Ther was no mene with hym to trete of pes,
To stille the tempest of his doolful rage,
Sauff onli this, which dede his ire asswage
Bi attempraunce tobeien to resoun,
When of an harpe he herde the sueete soun.
Which instrument bi his gret suet[e]nesse
Put al rancour out of his remembraunce,
Wrestid hym ageyn to al gladnesse,
From hym auoidyng al rancour & greuaunce.
Semblabli, faire speche and daliaunce
Set men in reste in rewmys heer & yonder
Bi good langage that wer ferr assonder.”
Put al rancour out of his remembraunce,
Wrestid hym ageyn to al gladnesse,
From hym auoidyng al rancour & greuaunce.
Semblabli, faire speche and daliaunce
Set men in reste in rewmys heer & yonder
Bi good langage that wer ferr assonder.”
With these woordes Bochas wex debonaire,
Toward Fortune as he cast his look,
Withdrouh his rancour & gan speke faire
Touchyng his labour which he upon hym took,
Besechyng hir for to forthre his book,
That his name, which was litil knowe,
Be good report myhte be ferther blowe,
Toward Fortune as he cast his look,
Withdrouh his rancour & gan speke faire
Touchyng his labour which he upon hym took,
Besechyng hir for to forthre his book,
That his name, which was litil knowe,
Be good report myhte be ferther blowe,
That his fame myhte ferther spreede,
Which stood as yit shroudid in dirknesse,
Bi hir fauour his name forth to leede,
His book to foorthre doon hir bysynesse
Bi good report to yiue it a brihtnesse,
With laureat stremys shad foorth to peeplis all,
Bi foryetilnesse that it neuer appall.
Which stood as yit shroudid in dirknesse,
Bi hir fauour his name forth to leede,
His book to foorthre doon hir bysynesse
Bi good report to yiue it a brihtnesse,
With laureat stremys shad foorth to peeplis all,
Bi foryetilnesse that it neuer appall.
This was the bille which that Iohn Bochas
Made vnto Fortune with ful humble stile.
Whan Fortune hadde conceyuyd al his caas,
Sobirli stood and gan [to] stynte a while,
And glad of cheer[e] aftir she gan smyle
On myn auctour, & with a fressh visage
In sentence spak to hym this language:
Made vnto Fortune with ful humble stile.
Whan Fortune hadde conceyuyd al his caas,
Sobirli stood and gan [to] stynte a while,
687
On myn auctour, & with a fressh visage
In sentence spak to hym this language:
[Hic loquitur Fortuna.]
“Soothli,” quod she, “I see thi besynesse,
Of mortal men, how corious that thei bee,
How thei studie bi gret auisynesse
Off my secretes for to been preue,
To knowe the conceitis hid withynne me
And my counsailles, ye men doon al your peyne,
Al-be nat lihtly ye may therto atteyne.
Of mortal men, how corious that thei bee,
How thei studie bi gret auisynesse
Off my secretes for to been preue,
To knowe the conceitis hid withynne me
And my counsailles, ye men doon al your peyne,
Al-be nat lihtly ye may therto atteyne.
In this mateer your witt doth neuer feynte,
Ymagynyng liknessis in your mynde,
Lik your conceitis ye forge me & peynte,
Sumtyme a woman with wenges set behynde,
And portreye me with eien that be blynde.
Cause off al this, breeffli to expresse,
Is your owne coueitous blyndnesse!
Ymagynyng liknessis in your mynde,
Lik your conceitis ye forge me & peynte,
Sumtyme a woman with wenges set behynde,
And portreye me with eien that be blynde.
Cause off al this, breeffli to expresse,
Is your owne coueitous blyndnesse!
Your appetitis most straunge & most dyuers,
And euir ful of chaung & doubilnesse,
Froward also, malicious & peruers,
Be hasti clymbyng to worshepis & richesse,
Alway void of trouthe & stabilnesse,
Most presumptuous, serche out in al degrees,
Falsli tatteyne to worldli dignites.
And euir ful of chaung & doubilnesse,
Froward also, malicious & peruers,
Be hasti clymbyng to worshepis & richesse,
Alway void of trouthe & stabilnesse,
Most presumptuous, serche out in al degrees,
Falsli tatteyne to worldli dignites.
Bochas, Bochas, I parceyue eueri thyng
And knowe ful weel the grete difference
Hid in thi-silff of woordes & thynkyng,
Atween hem bothe the disconvenience.
Hastow nat write many gret sentence
In thi book to sclaundre with my name,
Off hool entent my maneres to diffame?
And knowe ful weel the grete difference
Hid in thi-silff of woordes & thynkyng,
Atween hem bothe the disconvenience.
Hastow nat write many gret sentence
In thi book to sclaundre with my name,
Off hool entent my maneres to diffame?
Thou callest me stepmooder most vnkynde,
And sumtyme a fals enchaunteresse,
A mermaide with a tail behynde,
Off scorn sumwhile me namyng a goddesse,
Sumtyme a wich, sumtyme a sorceresse,
Fyndere off moordre & of deceitis alle;
Thus of malis mortel men me calle!
And sumtyme a fals enchaunteresse,
A mermaide with a tail behynde,
Off scorn sumwhile me namyng a goddesse,
Sumtyme a wich, sumtyme a sorceresse,
Fyndere off moordre & of deceitis alle;
Thus of malis mortel men me calle!
688
Al this is doon in despiht of mee;
Bi accusacioun in many sondri wise
Ye offte appeche my mutabilite,
Namli whan I your requestis do despise,
For tacomplisshe your gredi couetise:
Whan ye faille ye leyn on me the wite,
Off your aduersites me falsli tatwite.
Bi accusacioun in many sondri wise
Ye offte appeche my mutabilite,
Namli whan I your requestis do despise,
For tacomplisshe your gredi couetise:
Whan ye faille ye leyn on me the wite,
Off your aduersites me falsli tatwite.
And thou of purpos for tesclaundre me
Hast writt vngoodli a contrarious fable,
How I wrastled with Glad Pouerte,
To whos parti thou wer fauourable,
Settest me abak, geyn me thou wer vengable,—
Now of newe requerist my fauour
The for to helpe & foorthre thi labour!
Hast writt vngoodli a contrarious fable,
How I wrastled with Glad Pouerte,
To whos parti thou wer fauourable,
Settest me abak, geyn me thou wer vengable,—
Now of newe requerist my fauour
The for to helpe & foorthre thi labour!
As-scauns I am off maneres most chaungable,
Off condiciouns verray femynyne;
Now heer, now ther, as the wynd vnstable,
Be thi descripcioun and be thi doctryne,
To eueri chaung[e] reedi to enclyne,
As women be & maidnes tendre of age,
Which of nature be dyuers of corage.
Off condiciouns verray femynyne;
Now heer, now ther, as the wynd vnstable,
Be thi descripcioun and be thi doctryne,
To eueri chaung[e] reedi to enclyne,
As women be & maidnes tendre of age,
Which of nature be dyuers of corage.
But for to forthre in parti thyn entent,
That of thi book the processe may proceede,
Be my fauour to the accomplishment
I am weelwillid to helpe the in thi neede.
Lik thi desir the bettir thou shalt speede,
Whan I am toward with a benigne face
To speede thy iourne bi support of my grace,
That of thi book the processe may proceede,
Be my fauour to the accomplishment
I am weelwillid to helpe the in thi neede.
Lik thi desir the bettir thou shalt speede,
Whan I am toward with a benigne face
To speede thy iourne bi support of my grace,
That thi name and also thi surname,
With poetis & notable old auctours,
May be registrid in the Hous off Fame
Bi supportacioun of my sodeyn fauours,
Bi assistence also of my socours
Thi werk texpleite the laurer for to wynne,
At Saturninus I will that thou begynne.
With poetis & notable old auctours,
May be registrid in the Hous off Fame
Bi supportacioun of my sodeyn fauours,
Bi assistence also of my socours
Thi werk texpleite the laurer for to wynne,
At Saturninus I will that thou begynne.
689
[Here reherceth Fortune hir condiciouns vnto Bochas shewyng how many oon she enhaunced for a tyme/ and anoon after hem sodenly ouerthroweth.]
Among Romeyns this said[e] Saturnyne
Was outraious off condiciouns,
Caused in Roome whan he gan maligne
Gret debatis and gret sediciouns.
And bi his froward conspiraciouns
He was sharp enmy ageyn the prudent iuge
Callid Metellus, deuoid of al refuge.
Was outraious off condiciouns,
Caused in Roome whan he gan maligne
Gret debatis and gret sediciouns.
And bi his froward conspiraciouns
He was sharp enmy ageyn the prudent iuge
Callid Metellus, deuoid of al refuge.
Fro the Capitoille fette with myhti hond,
Fond no socour Metellus in the toun,—
The same tyme, thou shalt vndirstond,
How be myn helpe and supportacioun
Oon that was smal of reputacioun
Callid Glaueya, in pouert brouht up lowe,
Maad consuleer, the stori is weel knowe.
Fond no socour Metellus in the toun,—
The same tyme, thou shalt vndirstond,
How be myn helpe and supportacioun
Oon that was smal of reputacioun
Callid Glaueya, in pouert brouht up lowe,
Maad consuleer, the stori is weel knowe.
A seruaunt first & almost set at nouht;
And afftirward I made hym fortunat,
Lefte neuere til I hadde hym brouht
Bi a prerogatiff chose of the senat
To been a pretour, an offise of estat.
Which also wrouhte be conspiracioun
To brynge Metellus to destruccioun.
And afftirward I made hym fortunat,
Lefte neuere til I hadde hym brouht
Bi a prerogatiff chose of the senat
To been a pretour, an offise of estat.
Which also wrouhte be conspiracioun
To brynge Metellus to destruccioun.
Off whos assent ther was also another
Callid Marius, beyng the same yeer,
Texpleite this tresoun beyng ther [own]sworn brother,
Which was also that tyme a consuleer.
I, Fortune, made hem ful good cheer,
Lik ther desirs gaff hem liberte
To banshe Metellus out of ther cite.
Callid Marius, beyng the same yeer,
Texpleite this tresoun beyng ther [own]sworn brother,
Which was also that tyme a consuleer.
I, Fortune, made hem ful good cheer,
Lik ther desirs gaff hem liberte
To banshe Metellus out of ther cite.
Of the[s] [thre] Romeyns, the first[e] Saturnyne,
And Glaueya was callid the secounde,
And Marius, leid out hook & lyne,
As I haue told, Metellus to confounde.
To ther purpos I was also founde
Fauourable to brynge hem to myscheeff,
As ther stori sheweth an open preeff.
And Glaueya was callid the secounde,
And Marius, leid out hook & lyne,
As I haue told, Metellus to confounde.
690
Fauourable to brynge hem to myscheeff,
As ther stori sheweth an open preeff.
Thei ban[y]shid hym out of Roome toun;
And Saturnynus bi his subtil werkyng
Clamb up faste, of hih presumpcioun,
To be callid of Roome lord & kyng.
I gaff hym fauour bamaner fals smylyng,
Til at the laste, pleynli to declare,
Off his destruccioun I brouht hym in the snare.
And Saturnynus bi his subtil werkyng
Clamb up faste, of hih presumpcioun,
To be callid of Roome lord & kyng.
I gaff hym fauour bamaner fals smylyng,
Til at the laste, pleynli to declare,
Off his destruccioun I brouht hym in the snare.
The senatours knowyng the malis
Of Saturnyn, which made a gret gadryng
Of sondry folk, castyng in his auys
Bi ther fauour he myhte be callid kyng.
Al this while off his vpclymbyng
I shewed hym duryng a long[e] space
Hym to deceyue a benigne face.
Of Saturnyn, which made a gret gadryng
Of sondry folk, castyng in his auys
Bi ther fauour he myhte be callid kyng.
Al this while off his vpclymbyng
I shewed hym duryng a long[e] space
Hym to deceyue a benigne face.
Til Marius, a myhti consuleer,
To withstonde his presumpcioun
Ros with strong hand, & with a knihtli cheer
Besette his paleis abouten enviroun,
Brak his gatis amyddis of the toun;
And Saturnynus, void of al fauour,
To the Capitoille fledde for socour.
To withstonde his presumpcioun
Ros with strong hand, & with a knihtli cheer
Besette his paleis abouten enviroun,
Brak his gatis amyddis of the toun;
And Saturnynus, void of al fauour,
To the Capitoille fledde for socour.
He was forbarrid be Marrius of vitaille,
The Capitoille beseged round aboute;
At the entryng was a strong bataille,
On outher parti slay[e]n a gret route.
Thus of my fauour he gan stonde in doute,
This Saturnynus brouht in gret distresse,
His good achetid, lost al his richesse.
The Capitoille beseged round aboute;
At the entryng was a strong bataille,
On outher parti slay[e]n a gret route.
Thus of my fauour he gan stonde in doute,
This Saturnynus brouht in gret distresse,
His good achetid, lost al his richesse.
Experience ful openli men lereth,
Such as hiest therupon ascende,
Lik as the tourn of my wheel requereth,
Whan thei lest weene doun thei shal descende.
Thei haue no poweer themsiluen to diffende
Ageyn my myht, whan thei been ouerthrowe:
What do I than, but lauhe & make a mowe!
Such as hiest therupon ascende,
Lik as the tourn of my wheel requereth,
Whan thei lest weene doun thei shal descende.
Thei haue no poweer themsiluen to diffende
Ageyn my myht, whan thei been ouerthrowe:
What do I than, but lauhe & make a mowe!
691
Drusus also born of gret lynage
And descendid of ful hih noblesse,
Vnto vertu contraire of his corage,
Froward founde to al gentilesse;
Yit chose he was, the stori doth expresse,
Questour of Asia, an offis of degree,
For his berthe to gouerne that contre.
And descendid of ful hih noblesse,
Vnto vertu contraire of his corage,
Froward founde to al gentilesse;
Yit chose he was, the stori doth expresse,
Questour of Asia, an offis of degree,
For his berthe to gouerne that contre.
But ofte tyme vertu nor gentilesse
Come nat to heires bi successioun,—
Exaumple in Drusus, the stori berth witnesse,
Which bothe of corage and disposicioun
Was euere froward off condicioun.
For which lat men deeme as thei mut needis,
Nat afftir berthe but afftir the deedis.
Come nat to heires bi successioun,—
Exaumple in Drusus, the stori berth witnesse,
Which bothe of corage and disposicioun
Was euere froward off condicioun.
For which lat men deeme as thei mut needis,
Nat afftir berthe but afftir the deedis.
Vertues alle in hym wer set aside:
Slouh to been armyd, hatid cheualrie,
Most coueitous, deynous, ful of pride,
His deedis froward, ful of trecherie.
To hih estat I dede hym magnefie,
Yit al my gifftes in hym ne myhte strechche,
For heer tofor the, he kometh lik a wrechche.
Slouh to been armyd, hatid cheualrie,
Most coueitous, deynous, ful of pride,
His deedis froward, ful of trecherie.
To hih estat I dede hym magnefie,
Yit al my gifftes in hym ne myhte strechche,
For heer tofor the, he kometh lik a wrechche.
He dar for shame nat shewen his visage,
So ferr disclaundrid is his wrechidnesse,
Whos couetise and vicious outrage
Falsli causid bi his doubilnesse,
Maguldusa, a prince of gret noblesse,
Betrasshed was for meede to the kyng
Callid Boccus bi Drusus fals werkyng.
So ferr disclaundrid is his wrechidnesse,
Whos couetise and vicious outrage
Falsli causid bi his doubilnesse,
Maguldusa, a prince of gret noblesse,
Betrasshed was for meede to the kyng
Callid Boccus bi Drusus fals werkyng.
What maner torment or what greuous peyne
Wer compotent, couenable or condigne
To hym that can outward flatre & feyne,
And in his herte couertli maligne,
As Drusus dede, which shewed many a signe
To Maguldusa of loue and freendliheede;
Vndirnethe fals tresoun hid in deede.
Wer compotent, couenable or condigne
To hym that can outward flatre & feyne,
And in his herte couertli maligne,
As Drusus dede, which shewed many a signe
To Maguldusa of loue and freendliheede;
Vndirnethe fals tresoun hid in deede.
But Maguldusa, lik a manli kniht,
Geyn kyng Boccus hath hymsilff socourid,
Whan he bi doom was iugid ageyn riht
Of an olifaunt for to be deuourid.
Scapid freeli, & aftir that labourid
Taquite hymsilff[e] throuh his hih renoun,
Slouh fals Drusus myd of Roome toun.
Geyn kyng Boccus hath hymsilff socourid,
Whan he bi doom was iugid ageyn riht
Of an olifaunt for to be deuourid.
Scapid freeli, & aftir that labourid
692
Slouh fals Drusus myd of Roome toun.
Bochas, also, men put the lak in mee,
That I was cause of the destruccioun
Be my contrarious mutabilite
Off the notable famous Scipioun,
Which in the tyme of Sensoryn Catoun
Gat the tryumphe for many gret victorie
To putte his name perpetuel[ly] in memorie.
That I was cause of the destruccioun
Be my contrarious mutabilite
Off the notable famous Scipioun,
Which in the tyme of Sensoryn Catoun
Gat the tryumphe for many gret victorie
To putte his name perpetuel[ly] in memorie.
For his meritis chose a consuleer
And cheeff bisshop to gouerne ther cite,
To al the senat patroun most enteer,
Most famous off name and dignite,
Saued Romeyns from al aduersite,
Tyme whan the werre dreedful & despitous
Gan atween Pompeie & Cesar Iulius.
And cheeff bisshop to gouerne ther cite,
To al the senat patroun most enteer,
Most famous off name and dignite,
Saued Romeyns from al aduersite,
Tyme whan the werre dreedful & despitous
Gan atween Pompeie & Cesar Iulius.
Thus whan the said[e] famous Scipioun
Was thoruh my fauour acountid most notable,
He fro my wheel was sodenli cast doun,
Which neuer in woord nor deede was coupable.
But the Romeyns malicious & vnstable,—
Bi ther hangman first cheynid in prisoun,
Afftir rakked, ther geyned no raunsoun.
Was thoruh my fauour acountid most notable,
He fro my wheel was sodenli cast doun,
Which neuer in woord nor deede was coupable.
But the Romeyns malicious & vnstable,—
Bi ther hangman first cheynid in prisoun,
Afftir rakked, ther geyned no raunsoun.
Thus he that hadde auailed hem so ofte,
To saue hymsilff fond socour on no side;
His dede bodi thei heeng it hih aloffte
For a spectacle longe ther tabide.
Thus gerisshli my giftes I deuide,
Stound[e]meel, now freend, now aduersarie,
Rewarde goode with guerdouns ful contrarie.
To saue hymsilff fond socour on no side;
His dede bodi thei heeng it hih aloffte
For a spectacle longe ther tabide.
Thus gerisshli my giftes I deuide,
Stound[e]meel, now freend, now aduersarie,
Rewarde goode with guerdouns ful contrarie.
This was expert ful weel in Scipioun:
Gan with ioie, endid in wrechidnesse.
Bochas, remembre, mak heeroff mencioun,
And off Fanaticus, how I off gentilesse
Made hym ascende to notable hih prowesse;
Yit bookis sey[e]n touchyng his kynreede,
Manli of persone, born a cherl in deede.
Gan with ioie, endid in wrechidnesse.
Bochas, remembre, mak heeroff mencioun,
And off Fanaticus, how I off gentilesse
Made hym ascende to notable hih prowesse;
Yit bookis sey[e]n touchyng his kynreede,
Manli of persone, born a cherl in deede.
For my disport[e] with a glad visage
I sette hym up ful hih upon my wheel,
Gaff hym lordship, out of louh seruage;
To doon hym fauour it liked me ful weel.
Wherfor Bochas, his stori euerideel,
Note it weel, & in especiall
How he be sleihte cam to estat roiall.
I sette hym up ful hih upon my wheel,
Gaff hym lordship, out of louh seruage;
693
Wherfor Bochas, his stori euerideel,
Note it weel, & in especiall
How he be sleihte cam to estat roiall.
Be sleihti feynyng to dyuers folk he tolde,
How that he spak with Cirra the goddesse
At eueri hour pleynli whan he wolde,
Of presumpcioun descryued hir liknesse,
Seide also how that she of hir goodnesse
Hadde grauntid hym, his staat to magnefie,
Duryng his lyff a sperit off prophecie.
How that he spak with Cirra the goddesse
At eueri hour pleynli whan he wolde,
Of presumpcioun descryued hir liknesse,
Seide also how that she of hir goodnesse
Hadde grauntid hym, his staat to magnefie,
Duryng his lyff a sperit off prophecie.
And ferthermore the peeple for to blynde
He fantasied bi a crafft vnkouth,
Withynne a scale, the stori maketh mynde,
Of a note to haue fyr in his mouth.
Blewe it out sparklyng north & south,
Affermede, wherwith folk wer blent,
It was a sperit to hym fro heuene sent.
He fantasied bi a crafft vnkouth,
Withynne a scale, the stori maketh mynde,
Of a note to haue fyr in his mouth.
Blewe it out sparklyng north & south,
Affermede, wherwith folk wer blent,
It was a sperit to hym fro heuene sent.
Bi which he wrouhte many gret vertu,
Gadred peeple til he hadde in deede
Two thousand cherlis at his retenu,
Which aftirward, his purpos for to speede,
To sixti thousand encreced, as I reede.
I suffrid al; seruid hym at the tide
Til al the contre gruchchede at his pride.
Gadred peeple til he hadde in deede
Two thousand cherlis at his retenu,
Which aftirward, his purpos for to speede,
To sixti thousand encreced, as I reede.
I suffrid al; seruid hym at the tide
Til al the contre gruchchede at his pride.
Thouh of berthe he was but a vileyn,
Roos up of nouht bi sodeyn auenture,
My geri fauour made hym to be seyn
Roial of port, dede his besi cure
To reise his baner, wered a cote-armure,
And be my gracious supportacioun
Brouht gret peeple to his subieccioun.
Roos up of nouht bi sodeyn auenture,
My geri fauour made hym to be seyn
Roial of port, dede his besi cure
To reise his baner, wered a cote-armure,
And be my gracious supportacioun
Brouht gret peeple to his subieccioun.
At the laste my lust gan to appall,
Towardis hym nat beyng fauourable;
Doun fro my wheel anon I made hym fall,
For bi Romeyns was sent a gret constable
Callid Porpenna, a prynce ful notable,
Which fill on hym, venquisshid hym anon,
Slouh and outraied his cherlis euerichon.
Towardis hym nat beyng fauourable;
Doun fro my wheel anon I made hym fall,
For bi Romeyns was sent a gret constable
Callid Porpenna, a prynce ful notable,
Which fill on hym, venquisshid hym anon,
Slouh and outraied his cherlis euerichon.
694
Hymsilff was hangid on an hih gibet;
Summe of his meyne wer cast in prisoun.
Thus to his pride I gaff a gret tripet
And fro my wheel I caste hym lowe doun
In his most hiest domynacioun,—
Took non heed wher he dede lauhe or mourne,
For with no man I do alway soiourne.
Summe of his meyne wer cast in prisoun.
Thus to his pride I gaff a gret tripet
And fro my wheel I caste hym lowe doun
In his most hiest domynacioun,—
Took non heed wher he dede lauhe or mourne,
For with no man I do alway soiourne.
Bochas,” quod Fortune, “tak good heed also
How I can bothe foorthre & disauaile:
For exaumple see houh Athenyo,
That whilom was a shepperde in Ytaille,
A brigaunt aftir, marchauntis to assaille,
Lay in a-wait beside a gret mounteyn,
Off fugityues he was made a capteyn.
How I can bothe foorthre & disauaile:
For exaumple see houh Athenyo,
That whilom was a shepperde in Ytaille,
A brigaunt aftir, marchauntis to assaille,
Lay in a-wait beside a gret mounteyn,
Off fugityues he was made a capteyn.
Slouh first his lord, a riche senatour,
Bi violence brak many strong prisoun;
And for a tyme I gaff hym gret fauour
To gadre robbours aboute hym enviroun,—
Alle the cherlis of that regeoun
He assemblede thoruh his iniquite,
To holde a werre with Roome the cite.
Bi violence brak many strong prisoun;
And for a tyme I gaff hym gret fauour
To gadre robbours aboute hym enviroun,—
Alle the cherlis of that regeoun
He assemblede thoruh his iniquite,
To holde a werre with Roome the cite.
Beseged castellis, brak doun myhti tours,
Slouh & robbede aboute in ech contre,
Spoiled paleis of worthi senatours,—
Title hadde he non sauff title of volunte,—
Took upon hym of pride & cruelte
For to be clad in purpre lik a kyng,
Bar a sceptre among his men ridyng.
Slouh & robbede aboute in ech contre,
Spoiled paleis of worthi senatours,—
Title hadde he non sauff title of volunte,—
Took upon hym of pride & cruelte
For to be clad in purpre lik a kyng,
Bar a sceptre among his men ridyng.
Vpon his hed ordeyned for the nonys
His gold her tressid lik an emperour,
A coiffe enbroudid al of riche stonis—
Me list to lauhhe, that a fals robbour
Be supportacioun of my geri fauour,
Which last nat longe,—for aftir in short while
As is my custum I dede hym begile.
His gold her tressid lik an emperour,
A coiffe enbroudid al of riche stonis—
Me list to lauhhe, that a fals robbour
Be supportacioun of my geri fauour,
Which last nat longe,—for aftir in short while
As is my custum I dede hym begile.
I suffred hym, made hym feyned cheer,
As I haue do to othir mo ful ofte,
Till doun fro Roome was sent a consuleer,
Which took hym proudli & heeng hym hih alofte,
His cherlis slayn; & summe of hem nat softe
In cheynys bounde, for short conclusioun,
Wer dempt be lawe to deien in prisoun.
As I haue do to othir mo ful ofte,
Till doun fro Roome was sent a consuleer,
Which took hym proudli & heeng hym hih alofte,
695
In cheynys bounde, for short conclusioun,
Wer dempt be lawe to deien in prisoun.
Bi which[e] stori[es], Bochas, thou maist lere
A gret parti of my condicioun.
But now in haste a stori thou shalt heere,
How in the yeer fro the fundacioun
Mor than sixe hundred—I meene of Roome toun—
Was a gadryng & a gret cumpanye
Togidre sworn bi fals conspiracye,
A gret parti of my condicioun.
But now in haste a stori thou shalt heere,
How in the yeer fro the fundacioun
Mor than sixe hundred—I meene of Roome toun—
Was a gadryng & a gret cumpanye
Togidre sworn bi fals conspiracye,
Them to withdrawe fro the obeisaunce
Of a tribun callid Lodonee,
Which for knihthod hadde gouernaunce,
And was sent doun fro Roome [the] cite
With myhti hand to reule a gret contre
Callid Chaumpayne; & pleynli for to seie,
The peeple ther list hym nat obeie.
Of a tribun callid Lodonee,
Which for knihthod hadde gouernaunce,
And was sent doun fro Roome [the] cite
With myhti hand to reule a gret contre
Callid Chaumpayne; & pleynli for to seie,
The peeple ther list hym nat obeie.
Thre score & foure wer of hem in noumbre
That named wer[e] cheeff conspiratours,
Which that caste hem ther capteyn to encoumbre
With multitude of theuis & robbours,
Which ches among hem to been ther supportours
Thre myhti capteyns, off which ther was oon
Callid Spartharchus, cheuest of echon.
That named wer[e] cheeff conspiratours,
Which that caste hem ther capteyn to encoumbre
With multitude of theuis & robbours,
Which ches among hem to been ther supportours
Thre myhti capteyns, off which ther was oon
Callid Spartharchus, cheuest of echon.
Gadred cherlis, made hemsiluen strong,
On an hih hill took ther duellyng place,
Hauyng no reward, wer it riht or wrong,
To spoille the contre, bestis to enchace.
I cherisshed hem with a benigne face
For a sesoun, & gaff hem liberte
Bi fals rauyne to robbe the contre.
On an hih hill took ther duellyng place,
Hauyng no reward, wer it riht or wrong,
To spoille the contre, bestis to enchace.
I cherisshed hem with a benigne face
For a sesoun, & gaff hem liberte
Bi fals rauyne to robbe the contre.
What thyng mor cruel in comparisoun
Or mor vengable of will & nat off riht,
Than whan a cherl hath domynacioun!
Lak of discrecioun bleendith so the siht
Of comouneres, for diffaute of liht,
Whan thei haue poweer contrees to gouerne
Fare lik a beeste [that] can nothyng disserne.
Or mor vengable of will & nat off riht,
Than whan a cherl hath domynacioun!
Lak of discrecioun bleendith so the siht
Of comouneres, for diffaute of liht,
696
Fare lik a beeste [that] can nothyng disserne.
Gladiatores folkes dede hem calle;
For ther suerdis wer with steel maad fyn
For to fihte geyn wylde beestis alle,
As leouns, beres, bores, wilde swyn.
And the mounteyn wher thei dede lyn
Callid Venuse, and thoruh ther cruelte
Slouh & robbede aboute in ech contre.
For ther suerdis wer with steel maad fyn
For to fihte geyn wylde beestis alle,
As leouns, beres, bores, wilde swyn.
And the mounteyn wher thei dede lyn
Callid Venuse, and thoruh ther cruelte
Slouh & robbede aboute in ech contre.
Spartharchus was ther cheeff capteyn,
Brouht up of nouht & born of louh degre;
But Claudius, a myhti, strong Romayn,
Was sent with poweer fro Roome the cite
For to diffende & saue that contre,
The hill besegyng afforn hem as he lay:
He was rebukid, bete & dryue away.
Brouht up of nouht & born of louh degre;
But Claudius, a myhti, strong Romayn,
Was sent with poweer fro Roome the cite
For to diffende & saue that contre,
The hill besegyng afforn hem as he lay:
He was rebukid, bete & dryue away.
Many of them that kepte the mounteyn
Wer hurt that day, the stori tellith thus,
Amongis which was slayn a gret capteyn
That was felawe vnto Spartharchus.
As I fynde, he hihte Ynomaus;
For whos deth was take so gret vengaunce,
That al the contre felte therof greuaunce.
Wer hurt that day, the stori tellith thus,
Amongis which was slayn a gret capteyn
That was felawe vnto Spartharchus.
As I fynde, he hihte Ynomaus;
For whos deth was take so gret vengaunce,
That al the contre felte therof greuaunce.
Thei of the mounteyn, alle off oon assent,
Withoute merci or remyssioun,
Most vengable, haue robbed & Ibrent
Al the contre aboute hem enviroun,
Til too consuleris cam fro Roome doun:
The firste off hem callid Lentulus,
Bothe put to fliht be said[e] Spartarchus.
Withoute merci or remyssioun,
Most vengable, haue robbed & Ibrent
Al the contre aboute hem enviroun,
Til too consuleris cam fro Roome doun:
The firste off hem callid Lentulus,
Bothe put to fliht be said[e] Spartarchus.
Wherof the Romeyns gretli wer dismaied.
The senatours off indignacioun,
Bothe ashamed and in hemsilff affraied,
Sente oon Crassus, a gret lord of the toun,
With the noumbre off a legioun.
And whan that he on Spartarchus first sette,
Slouh of his men six thousand whan thei mette.
The senatours off indignacioun,
Bothe ashamed and in hemsilff affraied,
Sente oon Crassus, a gret lord of the toun,
With the noumbre off a legioun.
And whan that he on Spartarchus first sette,
Slouh of his men six thousand whan thei mette.
697
And aftirward beside a gret ryueer
Callid Salaire thei hadde a gret bataile,
Wher Spartarchus stood in gret daungeer;
For his cheer and contenaunce gan faille.
Thretti thousand clad in plate & maille
Wer slayn that day, ther geyned no raunsoun,
Al ther capteyns assigned to prisoun.
Callid Salaire thei hadde a gret bataile,
Wher Spartarchus stood in gret daungeer;
For his cheer and contenaunce gan faille.
Thretti thousand clad in plate & maille
Wer slayn that day, ther geyned no raunsoun,
Al ther capteyns assigned to prisoun.
Withoute al this, as maad is mencioun,
Sixti thousand in the feeld lay ded,
And six thousand wer sent to prisoun,
The feeld with blood[e] steyned & maad red.
And foure thousand, quakyng in ther dreed,
Wer thilke day, aftir the Romeyn gise,
Take to merci, resceyued to franchise,
Sixti thousand in the feeld lay ded,
And six thousand wer sent to prisoun,
The feeld with blood[e] steyned & maad red.
And foure thousand, quakyng in ther dreed,
Wer thilke day, aftir the Romeyn gise,
Take to merci, resceyued to franchise,
And Spartarchus at mischeeff put to fliht.
Whan I from hym turnyd my visage,
He loste his cheer; he loste also his myht
Whan I appalled the fyn of his passage.
And for he was a cherl off his lynage,
Off his encres I likid nothyng weel,
Therfor vnwarli I cast hym fro my wheel.
Whan I from hym turnyd my visage,
He loste his cheer; he loste also his myht
Whan I appalled the fyn of his passage.
And for he was a cherl off his lynage,
Off his encres I likid nothyng weel,
Therfor vnwarli I cast hym fro my wheel.
Off [my] maneres to make a gretter preeff,
Ther was another famous gret robbour,
Which thoruh Spaigne was a disclaundrid theeff.
And for he dradde of iustise the rigour,
Trustyng he sholde fynde in me socour,
Callid Viriatus, he Spaigne anon forsook
And to Roome the riht[e] weie he took.
Ther was another famous gret robbour,
Which thoruh Spaigne was a disclaundrid theeff.
And for he dradde of iustise the rigour,
Trustyng he sholde fynde in me socour,
Callid Viriatus, he Spaigne anon forsook
And to Roome the riht[e] weie he took.
Gadred meyne of his condicioun
Of eueri sect to make hymseluen strong,
Theuys, robbours of eueri regioun,
Many a cherl was medlid hem among.
His name tencrece, wer it riht or wrong,
What-euer he gat in cite or village,
With his soudiours he partede the pillage.
Of eueri sect to make hymseluen strong,
Theuys, robbours of eueri regioun,
Many a cherl was medlid hem among.
His name tencrece, wer it riht or wrong,
What-euer he gat in cite or village,
With his soudiours he partede the pillage.
Thus be myn helpe he cam to gret richesse,
Which brouhte in pride & presumpcioun;
He nat prouided, of my doubilnesse,
Gan to maligne ageyn[e]s Rome toun;
But bi the prudence of laste Scipioun,
Sone of Lepidus, makyng therof no bost,
He slay[e]n was bi them he trustede most.
Which brouhte in pride & presumpcioun;
He nat prouided, of my doubilnesse,
Gan to maligne ageyn[e]s Rome toun;
698
Sone of Lepidus, makyng therof no bost,
He slay[e]n was bi them he trustede most.
Bi which exaumple[s] notable of remembraunce
Shewed heer-toforn, Iohn Bochas, vnto the,
Thow maist knowe in parti my puissaunce,
Mi sodeyn chaungis, my mutabilite.
And for tauoide al ambiguite,
To declare the somme of myn entent,
Grete Marrius to the I do presente.
Shewed heer-toforn, Iohn Bochas, vnto the,
Thow maist knowe in parti my puissaunce,
Mi sodeyn chaungis, my mutabilite.
And for tauoide al ambiguite,
To declare the somme of myn entent,
Grete Marrius to the I do presente.
Blak his weede & his habite also,
His hed vnkempt, his lokkis hor & gray,
His look doun cast in tokne of sorwe & wo,
On his cheekis the salt[e] teris lay,
Which bar record off his dedli affray,—
Wherfor, Bochas, do thi penne dresse
To descryue his mortal heuynesse.
His hed vnkempt, his lokkis hor & gray,
His look doun cast in tokne of sorwe & wo,
On his cheekis the salt[e] teris lay,
Which bar record off his dedli affray,—
Wherfor, Bochas, do thi penne dresse
To descryue his mortal heuynesse.
His robe steyned was with Romeyn blood,
His suerd ay redi whet to do vengaunce,
Lik a tiraunt most furious & wood,
In slauhtre & moordre set al his plesaunce.
Yit nat for thi I gaff hym gouernaunce
Ouer the peeple, ros on my wheel up faste,
But as vnwarli doun I dede hym caste.
His suerd ay redi whet to do vengaunce,
Lik a tiraunt most furious & wood,
In slauhtre & moordre set al his plesaunce.
Yit nat for thi I gaff hym gouernaunce
Ouer the peeple, ros on my wheel up faste,
But as vnwarli doun I dede hym caste.
Tween hym & Scilla the woful dedli stryues
At large heerafftir, Bochas, thou shalt write,—
How many Romeyns lost bi them ther lyues,
I will also in ordre that thou endite.
And yiff I shall rebuke hem & atwite,
As I fro nouht made hem in honour shyne,
So I ageynward made hem in myscheef fyne.
At large heerafftir, Bochas, thou shalt write,—
How many Romeyns lost bi them ther lyues,
I will also in ordre that thou endite.
And yiff I shall rebuke hem & atwite,
As I fro nouht made hem in honour shyne,
So I ageynward made hem in myscheef fyne.
Forget nat also the dedli pitous fate
Off hym that was so notable in his lyff,—
I meene the grete famous Mitridate,
Whos name yit is ful kouth and ryff,
To whom I gaff a gret prerogatiff,
Fourti wyntir, the deede was weel seene,
Ageyn Romeyns the werre to susteene.
Off hym that was so notable in his lyff,—
I meene the grete famous Mitridate,
Whos name yit is ful kouth and ryff,
To whom I gaff a gret prerogatiff,
Fourti wyntir, the deede was weel seene,
Ageyn Romeyns the werre to susteene.
699
For which heer-aftir I gyue it the in charge
Of Mitridate the stori set along;
Whan thou hast leiseer & a space large,
Remembre his conquest & his deedis strong,
And how that I medlid me among,
For al his noblesse and felicite,
To yiue hym part of gret aduersite.”
Of Mitridate the stori set along;
Whan thou hast leiseer & a space large,
Remembre his conquest & his deedis strong,
And how that I medlid me among,
For al his noblesse and felicite,
To yiue hym part of gret aduersite.”
Next in ordre, aftir hir owne chois,
Fortune, vntrusti vpon ech partie,
To Iohn Bochas hath conveied fro Parthois
Strong Herodes regnyng in Parthie.
“Loo, Iohn,” quod she, “tak heed of this storie,—
Al his kynreede, yiff it be weel out souht,
Wer be Sithiens chacid & brouht to nouht.
Fortune, vntrusti vpon ech partie,
To Iohn Bochas hath conveied fro Parthois
Strong Herodes regnyng in Parthie.
“Loo, Iohn,” quod she, “tak heed of this storie,—
Al his kynreede, yiff it be weel out souht,
Wer be Sithiens chacid & brouht to nouht.
And yit, for al my mutabilite,
Somme of hem which stood[e] disespeired
I restored to ther dignite,
Vnto which whan thei wer repeired,
This Herodes was hyndred & appeired
Bi my chaunges for his hatful pride,
Whan he lest wende, vnwarli set aside.”
Somme of hem which stood[e] disespeired
I restored to ther dignite,
Vnto which whan thei wer repeired,
This Herodes was hyndred & appeired
Bi my chaunges for his hatful pride,
Whan he lest wende, vnwarli set aside.”
Suyng aftir withynne a litil while,
This gerissh ladi of condicioun
Gan an illouh falsli for to smyle,
Lookyng on Bochas, brouhte with hir doun
A myhti prince, which in Rome toun
Hadde in his daies notable pris & fame,
Al-be that she expressed nat his name.
This gerissh ladi of condicioun
Gan an illouh falsli for to smyle,
Lookyng on Bochas, brouhte with hir doun
A myhti prince, which in Rome toun
Hadde in his daies notable pris & fame,
Al-be that she expressed nat his name.
Bochas thanne his hed gan doun declyne,
Seyng that prince, of face disfigured,
Of suspecioun gan to ymagyne,
Whan he his mynde fulli hath recurid,
Be certeyn toknis & signes weel assured
It was Pompeie, surquedous of estat,
Which with Cesar so longe was at debat.
Seyng that prince, of face disfigured,
Of suspecioun gan to ymagyne,
Whan he his mynde fulli hath recurid,
Be certeyn toknis & signes weel assured
It was Pompeie, surquedous of estat,
Which with Cesar so longe was at debat.
Disconsolat thoruh his vnhappi caas,
His face soiled with water of the se,
Tyme whan Fotynus & cruel Achillas
Drowned his bodi of furious enmyte.
His face disfigured at the solempnite
With smokes blake, dedli & mortall,
Callid of clerkis the feeste funerall.
His face soiled with water of the se,
Tyme whan Fotynus & cruel Achillas
Drowned his bodi of furious enmyte.
His face disfigured at the solempnite
700
Callid of clerkis the feeste funerall.
Codrus caused that the corps was brent
And consumed into asshes dede;
To Cesar aftir his hed was born & sent
Vpon a pole, his stori who list reede.
Afftir al this, Bochas took good heede,
How Fortune bamaner mokerie,
In scorn of hym gan thus to specefie:
And consumed into asshes dede;
To Cesar aftir his hed was born & sent
Vpon a pole, his stori who list reede.
Afftir al this, Bochas took good heede,
How Fortune bamaner mokerie,
In scorn of hym gan thus to specefie:
“Vp to the heuene aftir his deuys
I gan enhaunce & encrece his glorie.
Bi my fauour I gaff hym many a pris,
Conquest of kynges with many gret victorie;
And mor to putte his noblesse in memorie,
Bi my support thoruh his cheualrie,
With Cesar Iulius to holde chaumpartie.
I gan enhaunce & encrece his glorie.
Bi my fauour I gaff hym many a pris,
Conquest of kynges with many gret victorie;
And mor to putte his noblesse in memorie,
Bi my support thoruh his cheualrie,
With Cesar Iulius to holde chaumpartie.
And whil that I my fauour did applie
Toward hym his victories to assure,
His fame aros, til that in Thesalie
I gan withdrawe his parti to socoure,
Suffryng his enmyes make disconfiture
Vpon this Pompeie, hyndred in my siht,
Whan he to Lesbos at myscheeff took his fliht.
Toward hym his victories to assure,
His fame aros, til that in Thesalie
I gan withdrawe his parti to socoure,
Suffryng his enmyes make disconfiture
Vpon this Pompeie, hyndred in my siht,
Whan he to Lesbos at myscheeff took his fliht.
Bi the seruauntis of yonge Tholome,
Regnyng in Egipt, Pompeie in his dreed
Was take & slayn; he fond no help in mee:
I gaf hym vp; & so he lost his hed.
Yit of my chaunges no man taketh heed,
Nor how vnseurli I cast my dreedful look,
Sauf thou art besi to sette hem in thi book.”
Regnyng in Egipt, Pompeie in his dreed
Was take & slayn; he fond no help in mee:
I gaf hym vp; & so he lost his hed.
Yit of my chaunges no man taketh heed,
Nor how vnseurli I cast my dreedful look,
Sauf thou art besi to sette hem in thi book.”
Bochas astoned, parcel of hir presence,
Bothe of cheer[e], face and contenaunce,
And in this while hauyng his aduertence,
Thouhte he sauh a maneer resemblaunce
Of a persone, which stood in gret greuaunce;
Til at the laste Fortune caste hir sihte
Toward Bochas, & told[e] what he hihte:
Bothe of cheer[e], face and contenaunce,
And in this while hauyng his aduertence,
Thouhte he sauh a maneer resemblaunce
Of a persone, which stood in gret greuaunce;
Til at the laste Fortune caste hir sihte
Toward Bochas, & told[e] what he hihte:
701
“This is,” quod she, “pleynli to termyne,
The famous man, [the] prynce of elloquence
That gaf to Latynes the scole & the doctrine
Of rethorik, as welle of that science.
For which I will thou do thi dilligence
To write with othir of this Tullius
Al hool the caas, & gynne at Marrius.”
The famous man, [the] prynce of elloquence
That gaf to Latynes the scole & the doctrine
Of rethorik, as welle of that science.
For which I will thou do thi dilligence
To write with othir of this Tullius
Al hool the caas, & gynne at Marrius.”
These woordes saide, Fortune made an eende;
She beet hir wynges & took hir to the fliht:
I cannat seie what weie she dede weende,
Sauf Bochas tellith, lich an aungel briht
At hir partyng she shewed a gret liht.
But as soone as she gan disapeere,
He took his penne [&] wrot as ye shal heere.
She beet hir wynges & took hir to the fliht:
I cannat seie what weie she dede weende,
Sauf Bochas tellith, lich an aungel briht
At hir partyng she shewed a gret liht.
But as soone as she gan disapeere,
He took his penne [&] wrot as ye shal heere.
[How Gayus Marrius, of low birthe born/ cam to high estat whiche blent with couetise after many grete batailes deied att mischeef.]
Heer Bochas gynneth to tellen of þe man
Callid in his tyme Gayus Marius,
Born at Aprina[s], a castel of Tuscan,
Sone of a carpenteer, the stori tellith thus,
Pursued armys, manli & vertuous;
Thoruh al Rome nor in that contre
Was ther no man hold so strong as he.
Callid in his tyme Gayus Marius,
Born at Aprina[s], a castel of Tuscan,
Sone of a carpenteer, the stori tellith thus,
Pursued armys, manli & vertuous;
Thoruh al Rome nor in that contre
Was ther no man hold so strong as he.
Disciplyne and gret subtilite
He hadde also, as bookis specefie,
Prudence, manhod and habilite
Bothe in armys and in cheualrie,
Most famous holde toward that partie,
Withynne a while, myn auctour seith certeyn,
Chose a tribun & a gret capteyn.
He hadde also, as bookis specefie,
Prudence, manhod and habilite
Bothe in armys and in cheualrie,
Most famous holde toward that partie,
Withynne a while, myn auctour seith certeyn,
Chose a tribun & a gret capteyn.
But fro the gynyng of his tendre age,
As histories put in remembraunce,
He was priked so sore in his corage
Bagredi fret of long contynuaunce,
Neuer to staunch[e] with non habundaunce;—
The world nor Fortune, with al ther gret richesse,
Suffised nat tappese his gredynesse.
As histories put in remembraunce,
He was priked so sore in his corage
Bagredi fret of long contynuaunce,
Neuer to staunch[e] with non habundaunce;—
702
Suffised nat tappese his gredynesse.
Entryng a temple he fond a dyuynour,
Counsailed [him] ther bi his dyuynaille
Tentre Rome & holde ther soiour,
Bi good auys and knihtli apparaille;
Made hym promys that he shal nat faille
Tatteyne be fauour of the comounte
To gret offis & staat in the cite.
Counsailed [him] ther bi his dyuynaille
Tentre Rome & holde ther soiour,
Bi good auys and knihtli apparaille;
Made hym promys that he shal nat faille
Tatteyne be fauour of the comounte
To gret offis & staat in the cite.
Fauour of comouns brouht hym to hih estat,
Bi them resceyued vnto the dignite
Of consuleer, al-be that the senat
Hadde disdeyn off his felicite,
Because he was born of louh degre.
Grauntid to hym after be the toun
To conquere rewmys a commyssioun.
Bi them resceyued vnto the dignite
Of consuleer, al-be that the senat
Hadde disdeyn off his felicite,
Because he was born of louh degre.
Grauntid to hym after be the toun
To conquere rewmys a commyssioun.
He gat the prouynce thoruh his hih renoun
Of Numedie, as he dede hem assaile,
And took the kyng of that regioun
Callid Iugurta proudli in bataile.
For which emprise bi marcial apparaille
He gat the tryumphe, thoruh the toun ridyng,
Because onli for takyng of that kyng.
Of Numedie, as he dede hem assaile,
And took the kyng of that regioun
Callid Iugurta proudli in bataile.
For which emprise bi marcial apparaille
He gat the tryumphe, thoruh the toun ridyng,
Because onli for takyng of that kyng.
And for he was a persone so notable
For many famous sodeyn gret victorie,
Namli in conquest preued proffitable,
To al the comoun, as put is in memorie;
And for thencres of his renoun & glorie,
Bi thoppynyoun hool of the cite,
In his hand lay al ther prosperite.
For many famous sodeyn gret victorie,
Namli in conquest preued proffitable,
To al the comoun, as put is in memorie;
And for thencres of his renoun & glorie,
Bi thoppynyoun hool of the cite,
In his hand lay al ther prosperite.
Ageyn a peeple that callid was Tymbrois,
Them to conquere fro Rome he was sent doun,
Also ageyn the boistous Tigurnois,
Gadred togidre of many nacioun.
Alle them he brouhte to subieccioun,
Lik as Romeyns hadde afforn desired,
Because thei hadde ageyn ther toun conspired.
Them to conquere fro Rome he was sent doun,
Also ageyn the boistous Tigurnois,
Gadred togidre of many nacioun.
Alle them he brouhte to subieccioun,
Lik as Romeyns hadde afforn desired,
Because thei hadde ageyn ther toun conspired.
703
Thei took upon hem of fals presumpcioun
To passen alle the mounteyns of Itaille,
First discounfited, as maad is mencioun,
Thre Romeyn dukis felli in bataille,
Four scorre thousand clad in plate & maile
Slayn of Romeyns, the stori is weel knowe,
Vnder Thalpies at myscheef ouerthrowe.
To passen alle the mounteyns of Itaille,
First discounfited, as maad is mencioun,
Thre Romeyn dukis felli in bataille,
Four scorre thousand clad in plate & maile
Slayn of Romeyns, the stori is weel knowe,
Vnder Thalpies at myscheef ouerthrowe.
This Marrius of marcial auenture
In Germanye hadde a gret bataille
With Tewtobochus, a geaunt of stature,
Put first to fliht with al his apparaille;
For Marrius dide hym so sore assaille,
At the chas[e] proudli born to grounde,
Maugre his miht, tak & in cheynis bounde.
In Germanye hadde a gret bataille
With Tewtobochus, a geaunt of stature,
Put first to fliht with al his apparaille;
For Marrius dide hym so sore assaille,
At the chas[e] proudli born to grounde,
Maugre his miht, tak & in cheynis bounde.
Marrius aftir with his host hym drouh
Toward the peeple off Cymbrois for to fiht:
Too hundred thousand, I fynde, of hem he slouh,
Eihte thousand take, thre thousand put to fliht;
Kyng Bolerus, a ful famous kniht,
Slayn in the feelde, for al his gret[e] pride,
Ageyn Marrius as he dide ride.
Toward the peeple off Cymbrois for to fiht:
Too hundred thousand, I fynde, of hem he slouh,
Eihte thousand take, thre thousand put to fliht;
Kyng Bolerus, a ful famous kniht,
Slayn in the feelde, for al his gret[e] pride,
Ageyn Marrius as he dide ride.
That day of Cymbrois was al the peeple slayn,
The women afftir he list nat to reserue;
Yit thei proffered & wolde haue be ful fayn
Ther chastite deuoutli to obserue,
In the temple of Vesta for to serue.
But ther request[e] for he list nat heere,
With hym thei fauht; echon slayn ifeere.
The women afftir he list nat to reserue;
Yit thei proffered & wolde haue be ful fayn
Ther chastite deuoutli to obserue,
In the temple of Vesta for to serue.
But ther request[e] for he list nat heere,
With hym thei fauht; echon slayn ifeere.
Except that summe, whan thei sauh non othir
Remedi, of purpos thei wer set,
Euerich of them to slen & moordren othir;
And somme thouhte also that it was bet
To hang hemsilff vpon an hih gibet,
Than tabide of Marius the outrage,
Perpetueli to lyuen in seruage.
Remedi, of purpos thei wer set,
Euerich of them to slen & moordren othir;
And somme thouhte also that it was bet
To hang hemsilff vpon an hih gibet,
Than tabide of Marius the outrage,
Perpetueli to lyuen in seruage.
Thus Marius of thre naciouns
Thoruh his conquest complisshed the victorie.
With prisoneres of sondri regiouns
Entred Roome to his encres of glorie,
With special laudes notable of memorie:
First the tryumphe, a guerdoun synguleer,
He tymes sexe chose a consuleer.
Thoruh his conquest complisshed the victorie.
With prisoneres of sondri regiouns
704
With special laudes notable of memorie:
First the tryumphe, a guerdoun synguleer,
He tymes sexe chose a consuleer.
Thus Fortune was to hym fauourable,
To sette hym up in worldli dignites
For a sesoun; but for she was chaungable,
Among hir gifftes & gret prosperites
She gaf hym part of gret aduersites:
And specialli the tyme acountid than,
Tween hym & Scilla whan the werris gan.
To sette hym up in worldli dignites
For a sesoun; but for she was chaungable,
Among hir gifftes & gret prosperites
She gaf hym part of gret aduersites:
And specialli the tyme acountid than,
Tween hym & Scilla whan the werris gan.
Lucyus Scilla abidyng in Chaumpayne,
Marrius at Roome tho present,
Whan the diuysioun gan atween hem tweyne,
Ech to other contrarie of entent,
Malencolius and inpacient,
Which of bothe, the stori weel conceyued,
To gouerne sholde sonnest be receyued.
Marrius at Roome tho present,
Whan the diuysioun gan atween hem tweyne,
Ech to other contrarie of entent,
Malencolius and inpacient,
Which of bothe, the stori weel conceyued,
To gouerne sholde sonnest be receyued.
Al sodenli, wher it wer riht or wrong,
Toward Roome takyng his passage,
Ageyn Marrius to make hymseluen strong,
Gan slen & brenne, & of gret outrage,
Wilful, hasti, furious of corage,
For sodeyn komyng & vnwar violence
Ageyn[e]s hym fond[e] no resistence.
Toward Roome takyng his passage,
Ageyn Marrius to make hymseluen strong,
Gan slen & brenne, & of gret outrage,
Wilful, hasti, furious of corage,
For sodeyn komyng & vnwar violence
Ageyn[e]s hym fond[e] no resistence.
Too myhti batailles he dede with hym leede,
Entryng the cite, gan thoruh the wal[le] myne;
With o bataille faste gan hym speede
To passe the gate callid Aquilyne
(The tothir gat[e] namyd was Colyne),
At whos entryng, bi record of the book,
Scilla be strengthe the Capitoile took.
Entryng the cite, gan thoruh the wal[le] myne;
With o bataille faste gan hym speede
To passe the gate callid Aquilyne
(The tothir gat[e] namyd was Colyne),
At whos entryng, bi record of the book,
Scilla be strengthe the Capitoile took.
But whan Marrius hadde knowlechyng
That Scilla hadde so gret poweer & myht,
Withoute arest or lenger abidyng,
Into a maris Gayus anon riht
With al his peeple took sodenli his fliht.
Fet out be strengthe, koude hym nat diffende,
Scilla aftir to prisoun dede hym sende.
That Scilla hadde so gret poweer & myht,
Withoute arest or lenger abidyng,
Into a maris Gayus anon riht
With al his peeple took sodenli his fliht.
Fet out be strengthe, koude hym nat diffende,
Scilla aftir to prisoun dede hym sende.
705
Thus the prowesse for a while slepte
Of Marrius liggyng in prisoun.
Scilla that tyme the Capitoille kepte,
Wherbi al Roome stood in subieccioun.
And of hatrede in haste he sente doun
A sturdi cherl to Marius in his dreed,
Whil he lay bounde to smyten of his hed.
Of Marrius liggyng in prisoun.
Scilla that tyme the Capitoille kepte,
Wherbi al Roome stood in subieccioun.
And of hatrede in haste he sente doun
A sturdi cherl to Marius in his dreed,
Whil he lay bounde to smyten of his hed.
This cherl weel compact of braun & of bonys,
Sent of purpos Marrius for toppresse,
For his strengthe ordeyned for the nonys,—
To the prisoun the cherl gan faste hym dresse,
Wher Marrius was fetrid in distresse,
Fulli in purpos, withoute mor delay,
To heuedyn hym in prisoun ther he lay.
Sent of purpos Marrius for toppresse,
For his strengthe ordeyned for the nonys,—
To the prisoun the cherl gan faste hym dresse,
Wher Marrius was fetrid in distresse,
Fulli in purpos, withoute mor delay,
To heuedyn hym in prisoun ther he lay.
Losed hym first, liggyng on his couche;
And Marius [a]roos up lik a man,
The cherl feerful to smyte or to touche.
And Marius ful proudli tho began
To entre a place beside of a woman,
Fond an asse ther of auenture,
Vpon whos bak the se he gan recure.
And Marius [a]roos up lik a man,
The cherl feerful to smyte or to touche.
And Marius ful proudli tho began
To entre a place beside of a woman,
Fond an asse ther of auenture,
Vpon whos bak the se he gan recure.
Toward Affrik ther he fond passage,
Bi enprisownyng thouh he wer wex[e] feynt;
Yit ther abood, stille in his corage,
Hih worthynesse with prudence meynt,
Which in his persone wer nat [fully] queynt,
Ageyn the malis to make a countirtaille,
Off proude Scilla the malis eft tassaile.
Bi enprisownyng thouh he wer wex[e] feynt;
Yit ther abood, stille in his corage,
Hih worthynesse with prudence meynt,
Which in his persone wer nat [fully] queynt,
Ageyn the malis to make a countirtaille,
Off proude Scilla the malis eft tassaile.
Of Itaille rood thoruh the contre,
Took his viage towarde Roome toun,
With foure batailes entreth the cite,
Sixe hundrid knihtis be computacioun
Slayn in the feeld, as maad is mencioun.
Wher men may seen, who list looke a-ferre,
What damage diuysioun doth in werre.
Took his viage towarde Roome toun,
With foure batailes entreth the cite,
Sixe hundrid knihtis be computacioun
Slayn in the feeld, as maad is mencioun.
Wher men may seen, who list looke a-ferre,
What damage diuysioun doth in werre.
706
First bi the manhod off this Marius,
In this dyuisioun, the stori who list reede,
The grete consul callid Octauyus
Lost his hed[e] & his lyff in deede;—
Vpon a pole whil it dede bleede
Was cruelli presentid of entent
Tofor the iuges sittyng in iugement.
In this dyuisioun, the stori who list reede,
The grete consul callid Octauyus
Lost his hed[e] & his lyff in deede;—
Vpon a pole whil it dede bleede
Was cruelli presentid of entent
Tofor the iuges sittyng in iugement.
Of whos deth[e] summe of hem wer fayn,
Summe sori, of loue as thei wer bounde.
And in this werre Merula was slayn,
Preest in the temple, lik as it is founde,
Of Iubiter, with many mortal wounde.
The Romeyn slayn that callid was Crassus;
With fyr consumyd was proude Catulus.
Summe sori, of loue as thei wer bounde.
And in this werre Merula was slayn,
Preest in the temple, lik as it is founde,
Of Iubiter, with many mortal wounde.
The Romeyn slayn that callid was Crassus;
With fyr consumyd was proude Catulus.
Alle his enmyes Marius dede encoumbre,
Which ageyn hym be conspiracioun
Wer assentid with a ful gret noumbre
In ther auys for to haue put hym doun,
Take from hym his domynacioun.
But he abood the torment & the shours,
Strong to condempne alle his conspiratours.
Which ageyn hym be conspiracioun
Wer assentid with a ful gret noumbre
In ther auys for to haue put hym doun,
Take from hym his domynacioun.
But he abood the torment & the shours,
Strong to condempne alle his conspiratours.
Sixe tymes, afforn rehersed heer,
Of condicioun thouh he wer despitous,
He was chose so ofte consuleer;
Til Fortune gan wexen envious
Ageyn this saide cruel Marius,
Which made the senat with al the cheualrie
To gruchche ageyn his hatful tirannye.
Of condicioun thouh he wer despitous,
He was chose so ofte consuleer;
Til Fortune gan wexen envious
Ageyn this saide cruel Marius,
Which made the senat with al the cheualrie
To gruchche ageyn his hatful tirannye.
In this tyme, the stori maketh mynde,
Damasippus, a pretour of the toun,
Freendli to Marius & helpyng, as I fynde,
Vnder a shadwe of decepcioun
Vnto ther cite for to do tresoun,
Causyng foure Romeyns come I-feere
Toffor Marrius a certeyn day tappeere.
Damasippus, a pretour of the toun,
Freendli to Marius & helpyng, as I fynde,
Vnder a shadwe of decepcioun
Vnto ther cite for to do tresoun,
Causyng foure Romeyns come I-feere
Toffor Marrius a certeyn day tappeere.
And ther namys to putte in memorie,
Sceuola, Carbo and Domycius,
The fourthe off them, as seith the stori,
Callid in Roome the wise Antistius.
Togidre assemblid tofor Marrius,
He of rancour, geyn iugement or lawe,
Made hem be slayn & thoruh the cite drawe.
Sceuola, Carbo and Domycius,
The fourthe off them, as seith the stori,
Callid in Roome the wise Antistius.
707
He of rancour, geyn iugement or lawe,
Made hem be slayn & thoruh the cite drawe.
Ther bodies aftir wern in Tibre cast
Bi cruelte of saide Marius.
Alle this while the cruel werre last
Tween hym & Scilla, til duk Campanyus
Cam on the parti, hard[y] & despitous,
To helpe Scilla ther baneres first displaied,
Wherof al Roome was sodenli affraied.
Bi cruelte of saide Marius.
Alle this while the cruel werre last
Tween hym & Scilla, til duk Campanyus
Cam on the parti, hard[y] & despitous,
To helpe Scilla ther baneres first displaied,
Wherof al Roome was sodenli affraied.
At the gate that callid was Colyne
Marrie & Scille hadde a gret bataille,—
Foure score thousand, the noumbre to termyne
On Marrius side slayn, it is no faille;
Scilla victorious, with marcial apparaille
Entryng the toun, ageyn his oth, parde,
Thre thousand citeseyns slouh of the cite.
Marrie & Scille hadde a gret bataille,—
Foure score thousand, the noumbre to termyne
On Marrius side slayn, it is no faille;
Scilla victorious, with marcial apparaille
Entryng the toun, ageyn his oth, parde,
Thre thousand citeseyns slouh of the cite.
Of folk disarmyd & naked in the toun,
Thei nouther spared old nor yong of age,
The cruel moordrers walkyng up nor doun
Be Scilla sent in that mortal rage,
Till Catullus, a prince fall in age,
Saide vnto Scilla, “we can no difference
Atween rebellioun nor atween innocence;
Thei nouther spared old nor yong of age,
The cruel moordrers walkyng up nor doun
Be Scilla sent in that mortal rage,
Till Catullus, a prince fall in age,
Saide vnto Scilla, “we can no difference
Atween rebellioun nor atween innocence;
We moordre & slen withoute excepcioun
Both hih & louh, holdyng no maneere;
Ageyn al knihthod, to myn oppynyoun,
We do proceede in our conquest heere,—
Our title is lost the tryumphe to requere
Of hih prowesse, whan we canat obserue
No difference to slen nor [to] reserue.”
Both hih & louh, holdyng no maneere;
Ageyn al knihthod, to myn oppynyoun,
We do proceede in our conquest heere,—
Our title is lost the tryumphe to requere
Of hih prowesse, whan we canat obserue
No difference to slen nor [to] reserue.”
And in this while, of hatful cruelte
Scilla contreued lettres diffamable,
Wherbi fyue hundred out of that cite
Wer falsli banshed, citeseyns notable,—
Ageyn[e]s hem he was so vntretable,—
Alle ther goodes achetid in that rage
Of auarice and of fals pillage.
Scilla contreued lettres diffamable,
Wherbi fyue hundred out of that cite
Wer falsli banshed, citeseyns notable,—
Ageyn[e]s hem he was so vntretable,—
Alle ther goodes achetid in that rage
Of auarice and of fals pillage.
708
Another Romeyn namyd Marrius,
Brother to Marrius, of whom tofor I tolde,
For dreed of Scilla fledde & took an hous
Which vnto goot was set up for a foolde;
Found & rent out in his daies olde,
With cordes drawe (no rescus myhte hym saue)
Of cruel vengaunce to Catullus graue,
Brother to Marrius, of whom tofor I tolde,
For dreed of Scilla fledde & took an hous
Which vnto goot was set up for a foolde;
Found & rent out in his daies olde,
With cordes drawe (no rescus myhte hym saue)
Of cruel vengaunce to Catullus graue,
Wher Scilla made bi cruel iugement,
With a sharp suerd[e], forgid for to bite,
Aftir tyme his eien wer out rent,
Bothe attonys his handis of to smyte.
His hed smet of, no raunsoun myhte hym quite,
Set on a pole, it wolde be non othir,
And off despiht[e] sent vnto his brothir,
With a sharp suerd[e], forgid for to bite,
Aftir tyme his eien wer out rent,
Bothe attonys his handis of to smyte.
His hed smet of, no raunsoun myhte hym quite,
Set on a pole, it wolde be non othir,
And off despiht[e] sent vnto his brothir,
To grete Marius, of whom I spak now riht,—
The grete duk, so mihti & so huge,
Which hadde afforn[e] tak hym to the fliht
For feer of Scilla in that mortal deluge,
Into a cite to fynde ther refuge,
Callid Preueste, ther stondyng in gret dreed,
Namli whan he beheeld his brothris hed.
The grete duk, so mihti & so huge,
Which hadde afforn[e] tak hym to the fliht
For feer of Scilla in that mortal deluge,
Into a cite to fynde ther refuge,
Callid Preueste, ther stondyng in gret dreed,
Namli whan he beheeld his brothris hed.
For-asmoche as he no socour fond,
Disespeired, this was his purpos:
To slen hymsilff[e] with his owne hond
In thilke place wher he was kept[e] cloos.
Drouh out a suerd, up anon he roos,
Constreyned his seruaunt in that sodeyn affray
Smyte off his hed, the silue same day.
Disespeired, this was his purpos:
To slen hymsilff[e] with his owne hond
In thilke place wher he was kept[e] cloos.
Drouh out a suerd, up anon he roos,
Constreyned his seruaunt in that sodeyn affray
Smyte off his hed, the silue same day.
Men seen how deth is fyn of al myscheeff,
Eende off aduersite that doth wrechchis tarie.
Fortune heer maketh another preeff
In Marrius, how she hir cours can varie,
Bi an euidence hatful and contrarie
To shewe hir malis and vngoodliheed
Ageyn this duk, alas, whan he was ded.
Eende off aduersite that doth wrechchis tarie.
Fortune heer maketh another preeff
In Marrius, how she hir cours can varie,
Bi an euidence hatful and contrarie
To shewe hir malis and vngoodliheed
Ageyn this duk, alas, whan he was ded.
This frowarde ladi, of malis most vengable,
Whan hir list furiousli to raue
And shewe hirsilff[e] cruel & vnstable,
To non estat she list no reward haue.
Causede Marius be take out of his graue
Bi cruel Scilla, in stori it is founde,
His ougli careyn smet on pecis rounde.
Whan hir list furiousli to raue
And shewe hirsilff[e] cruel & vnstable,
709
Causede Marius be take out of his graue
Bi cruel Scilla, in stori it is founde,
His ougli careyn smet on pecis rounde.
And aftir, mor to shewe his cruelte,—
Marrius sholde haue no burying place,—
Caste his careyn, of kankrid enmyte,
Into Tibre, ther was non othir grace.
Loo, thus can Fortune for hir folk purchace!
Bi which exaumple touchyng Marrius,
Off worldli chaunges Bochas writeth thus,
Marrius sholde haue no burying place,—
Caste his careyn, of kankrid enmyte,
Into Tibre, ther was non othir grace.
Loo, thus can Fortune for hir folk purchace!
Bi which exaumple touchyng Marrius,
Off worldli chaunges Bochas writeth thus,
Maketh in this chapitle a descripsioun,
First what thyng is verray gentilesse,
To sette a preeff & a probacioun,
No thyng atteyneth vnto hih noblesse
But the cleer shynyng of vertuous clennesse,
Which may nat shewe, in louh nor hih parage,
But wher it groweth out of a peur corage.
First what thyng is verray gentilesse,
To sette a preeff & a probacioun,
No thyng atteyneth vnto hih noblesse
But the cleer shynyng of vertuous clennesse,
Which may nat shewe, in louh nor hih parage,
But wher it groweth out of a peur corage.
Worldli poweer, oppressioun, tirannye,
Erthli tresour, gold, stonis nor richesse
Be no menys vnto gent[e]rie,
But-yif vertu reule ther hih prowesse:
For wher vices haue any interesse
In hih[e] berthe, mene, or louh kynreede,
Deeme no man gentil, but onli bi his deede.
Erthli tresour, gold, stonis nor richesse
Be no menys vnto gent[e]rie,
But-yif vertu reule ther hih prowesse:
For wher vices haue any interesse
In hih[e] berthe, mene, or louh kynreede,
Deeme no man gentil, but onli bi his deede.
In roial paleisis of ston & metal wrouht,
With galleries or statli cloistres rounde,
Gentilesse or noblesse is nat souht,
Nor in cileris nor in voutis rounde;
But onli ther wher vertu doth habounde:
Corious clothes nor gret pocessiouns
Maketh nat men gentil but condic[i]ouns.
With galleries or statli cloistres rounde,
Gentilesse or noblesse is nat souht,
Nor in cileris nor in voutis rounde;
But onli ther wher vertu doth habounde:
Corious clothes nor gret pocessiouns
Maketh nat men gentil but condic[i]ouns.
Philisophres conclude in ther entent
And alle thes worthi famous old auctours,
No man may quethe in his testament
Gentilesse vnto his successours;
Of wikked weed[e] come non holsum flours.
Concludyng thus: of good[e] men & shrewes,
Calle ech man gentil aftir his good[e] thewes.
And alle thes worthi famous old auctours,
No man may quethe in his testament
Gentilesse vnto his successours;
Of wikked weed[e] come non holsum flours.
Concludyng thus: of good[e] men & shrewes,
Calle ech man gentil aftir his good[e] thewes.
710
Duk Marrius, of whom I spak toforn,
Of nature, the stori berth witnesse,
As be discent [both] poore and nedi born,
Bi disposicioun of coraious noblesse,
Hadde in his persoone wit, strengthe [&] hardynesse;
Vndir al this, ther dide his herte myne
A werm of auarice his worshep to declyne.
Of nature, the stori berth witnesse,
As be discent [both] poore and nedi born,
Bi disposicioun of coraious noblesse,
Hadde in his persoone wit, strengthe [&] hardynesse;
Vndir al this, ther dide his herte myne
A werm of auarice his worshep to declyne.
What uaileth plente, that neuer may suffise?
Or what the flood, that staunche may no thrust?
Or what an appetit, that euer doth arise,
Alwey to ete, and euer to ete hath lust?
Of kankrid hunger so fretyng is the rust,
That the ryueer of Tantalus in his rage
Of gredi etikes the fret may nat asswage.
Or what the flood, that staunche may no thrust?
Or what an appetit, that euer doth arise,
Alwey to ete, and euer to ete hath lust?
Of kankrid hunger so fretyng is the rust,
That the ryueer of Tantalus in his rage
Of gredi etikes the fret may nat asswage.
Of Marrius ye han herd the eende,
His woful fall & his vnhappi caas,
Into fate how he dede weende.
Now wil I folwe myn auctour Iohn Bochas,
How onto hym thre Cleopatras,
With look[e] doun cast, woful face & cheere,
Alle attonys to hym dide appeere.
His woful fall & his vnhappi caas,
Into fate how he dede weende.
Now wil I folwe myn auctour Iohn Bochas,
How onto hym thre Cleopatras,
With look[e] doun cast, woful face & cheere,
Alle attonys to hym dide appeere.
The firste of hem, bi processe of writyng,
Hadde thre husbondis, Bochas doth expresse:
Weddid in youthe to Alisaundre the kyng
Callid Zebenna, a prince of gret noblesse;
Aftir that for hir gret fairnesse
She weddid was vnto Demetrius,
And laste of all to kyng Anthiochus.
Hadde thre husbondis, Bochas doth expresse:
Weddid in youthe to Alisaundre the kyng
Callid Zebenna, a prince of gret noblesse;
Aftir that for hir gret fairnesse
She weddid was vnto Demetrius,
And laste of all to kyng Anthiochus.
Of hir thre husbondis woful auenture
And of hir sonis gret vnkyndenesse,
Bochas afforn hath doon his besi cure
Ceriousli the maner to expresse,
Which to reherse ageyn wer idilnesse,
Sith al the processe heer-toforn is founde
Of the firste & eek of the secounde,
And of hir sonis gret vnkyndenesse,
Bochas afforn hath doon his besi cure
Ceriousli the maner to expresse,
Which to reherse ageyn wer idilnesse,
Sith al the processe heer-toforn is founde
Of the firste & eek of the secounde,
Which weddid was to kyng Tholome,
Lik as toforn is maad eek mencioun
Bothe of ther ioie & ther aduersite.
The firste slayn be drynkyng of poisoun,
And the secounde, to hir confusioun,
Bi Euergetes, wher she wer wo or fayn,
Was with hir child[e] seruid, that was slayn.
Lik as toforn is maad eek mencioun
Bothe of ther ioie & ther aduersite.
The firste slayn be drynkyng of poisoun,
711
Bi Euergetes, wher she wer wo or fayn,
Was with hir child[e] seruid, that was slayn.
The thridde weddid was to kyng Grispus,
Slayn in a temple bi ful gret outrage,
For dreed & shame gan wexe furious,
To saue hirsilff[e] knew non auauntage,
Saue she enbracid of Iubiter an image,
In the stori as heer-tofforn is founde,
Or she was ded suffred many a wounde.
Slayn in a temple bi ful gret outrage,
For dreed & shame gan wexe furious,
To saue hirsilff[e] knew non auauntage,
Saue she enbracid of Iubiter an image,
In the stori as heer-tofforn is founde,
Or she was ded suffred many a wounde.
[How kyng Mitridate bood vij. yere in wildernesse had grete tormentys bothe in see & londe, by his blood brouht to vttraunce slouh himsilf with a swerde.]
I wil passe ouer thes Cleopatras thre,
Foorth proceede to the hasti fate
Soone execut bi Parchas cruelte
Vpon the duk callid Mitridate.
First reherse the grete vnkyndli hate
Of them that wern his tutours, as I reede,
Hym to destroie bassent of his kynreede.
Foorth proceede to the hasti fate
Soone execut bi Parchas cruelte
Vpon the duk callid Mitridate.
First reherse the grete vnkyndli hate
Of them that wern his tutours, as I reede,
Hym to destroie bassent of his kynreede.
Which of purpos dide his deth prouide
Bi many vnkouth straunge occasioun:
In tendre youth[e] first thei made hym ride
Vpon an hors wildere than [a] leoun,
Off purpos onli for his destruccioun.
But al-be-so that he was yong of age,
The hors he reuled in al his moste rage.
Bi many vnkouth straunge occasioun:
In tendre youth[e] first thei made hym ride
Vpon an hors wildere than [a] leoun,
Off purpos onli for his destruccioun.
But al-be-so that he was yong of age,
The hors he reuled in al his moste rage.
Nat of doctryne, but onli of nature
He was disposid kon[n]yngli to ride,
Ouer hym the maistri to recure,
Maugre the hors, of wit he was his guide.
What weye he took[e], froward or a-side,
He dauntede hym, that wher-so-euer he rood
Bridled hym & on his bak abood.
He was disposid kon[n]yngli to ride,
Ouer hym the maistri to recure,
Maugre the hors, of wit he was his guide.
What weye he took[e], froward or a-side,
He dauntede hym, that wher-so-euer he rood
Bridled hym & on his bak abood.
His owne kyn & his next allies
Most laboured to brynge hym to myscheeff,
With venymous drynk set on hym espies
At good leiseer, as dooth a couert theeff,
Of ther fell poisoun for to make a preeff,
In ther entent, the stori is weel kouth,
Hym to moordre in his tendre youth.
Most laboured to brynge hym to myscheeff,
With venymous drynk set on hym espies
712
Of ther fell poisoun for to make a preeff,
In ther entent, the stori is weel kouth,
Hym to moordre in his tendre youth.
But whan that he apparceyued ther tresoun,
To saue hymsilff[e] made gret ordenaunce;
Anon as he gan haue suspecioun
Of the[r] vnkyndli hatful purueyaunce,
For remedies made cheuisaunce:
Was prouided ther malis to declyne,
Be many notable preeued medecyne.
To saue hymsilff[e] made gret ordenaunce;
Anon as he gan haue suspecioun
Of the[r] vnkyndli hatful purueyaunce,
For remedies made cheuisaunce:
Was prouided ther malis to declyne,
Be many notable preeued medecyne.
And ther malis prudentli teschewe,
Is remembred, whil he was yong of age,
With certeyn freendes, which that dede hym sue,
He disposed of custum his corage
To hunte & chase beestis most sauage;
Vndir that colour he dede it for a wile,
Ferr from his contre absente hym for a while.
Is remembred, whil he was yong of age,
With certeyn freendes, which that dede hym sue,
He disposed of custum his corage
To hunte & chase beestis most sauage;
Vndir that colour he dede it for a wile,
Ferr from his contre absente hym for a while.
Of o corage, of oon hert & o cheer
Suffred manli, took non heuynesse,
In desertis space of seuene yeer,
Among hih hilles abood in wildirnesse.
Set in Asia, the stori berth witnesse,
Fond no loggyng, tracyng the contres,
Saue in kauernys & in holwe trees.
Suffred manli, took non heuynesse,
In desertis space of seuene yeer,
Among hih hilles abood in wildirnesse.
Set in Asia, the stori berth witnesse,
Fond no loggyng, tracyng the contres,
Saue in kauernys & in holwe trees.
The book remembreth how that his diete
Wer beestis wilde enchacid with gret miht,
Fledde idilnesse, eschewed al quiete,
And litil sleep suffised hym at niht;
Bexercise his bodi was maad liht:
Ther was nouther, whan hym list pursue,
Hert nor hynde that miht his hand eschewe.
Wer beestis wilde enchacid with gret miht,
Fledde idilnesse, eschewed al quiete,
And litil sleep suffised hym at niht;
Bexercise his bodi was maad liht:
Ther was nouther, whan hym list pursue,
Hert nor hynde that miht his hand eschewe.
He nouther dradde tigres nor leouns;
He was so swifft, thouh thei dede hym assaile,
Lik of strengthe to olde champiouns,
No wilde beeste of gret nor smal entaille
Tescape his hand[e] myht nat countiruaille
Yif he wer war[e], erli outher late,
So gret[e] swifftnesse hadde Mitridate.
He was so swifft, thouh thei dede hym assaile,
Lik of strengthe to olde champiouns,
No wilde beeste of gret nor smal entaille
Tescape his hand[e] myht nat countiruaille
Yif he wer war[e], erli outher late,
So gret[e] swifftnesse hadde Mitridate.
713
Among he hadde in armys excersise,
Among to tourneye & renne on hors[e]bak;
Al delicat fare he dede also despise,
Of gredi excesse, in hym ther was no lak:
A-nihter-tyme his slep ful ofte he brak,
Stoundemeel the hour[e]s for to marke;
In the dawenyng roos up or the larke.
Among to tourneye & renne on hors[e]bak;
Al delicat fare he dede also despise,
Of gredi excesse, in hym ther was no lak:
A-nihter-tyme his slep ful ofte he brak,
Stoundemeel the hour[e]s for to marke;
In the dawenyng roos up or the larke.
The space accomplisshid fulli of seuene yeer,
He is repeired hom to his contre;
Shewed hymsilf of manhod and of cheer
Ful lik a kniht, his stori who list see.
Wherof his enmyes sore astoned bee;
Kauhte of his comyng in herte a maner dreed,
Supposyng afforn that he was ded.
He is repeired hom to his contre;
Shewed hymsilf of manhod and of cheer
Ful lik a kniht, his stori who list see.
Wherof his enmyes sore astoned bee;
Kauhte of his comyng in herte a maner dreed,
Supposyng afforn that he was ded.
In whos absence his wiff Leodices
Conceyued a childe, as maad is mencioun.
For the diffame sholde nat kome in pres,
Hym for to moordre she souhte occasioun,
Fulli in purpos to slen hym be poisoun.
Of which diffautis hir lord was nothyng fayn,
Knowyng the trouthe, made hir to be slayn.
Conceyued a childe, as maad is mencioun.
For the diffame sholde nat kome in pres,
Hym for to moordre she souhte occasioun,
Fulli in purpos to slen hym be poisoun.
Of which diffautis hir lord was nothyng fayn,
Knowyng the trouthe, made hir to be slayn.
Took on hym aftir many knihtli deede:
First to conquere al Pafflagonye
Bi the helpe of worthi Nychomeede,
That tyme callid kyng of Bithynye,
Togidre assurid to been of allie
In losse or lucre, Fortune to be ther guide,
And therto swor[e]n neuer to deuyde.
First to conquere al Pafflagonye
Bi the helpe of worthi Nychomeede,
That tyme callid kyng of Bithynye,
Togidre assurid to been of allie
In losse or lucre, Fortune to be ther guide,
And therto swor[e]n neuer to deuyde.
To Mitridate legates wer doun sent
From the Romeyns, hym lowli requeryng,
That he wolde, lik to ther entent,
Pafflagonie restore vnto ther kyng,
Which he hadde wonne, the cite assailyng.
But he list nat aduertise ther praieere,
Nor on no parti ther requestis heere.
From the Romeyns, hym lowli requeryng,
That he wolde, lik to ther entent,
Pafflagonie restore vnto ther kyng,
Which he hadde wonne, the cite assailyng.
But he list nat aduertise ther praieere,
Nor on no parti ther requestis heere.
He dradde nat ther thretis nor manacis,
Gat proudli after the lond of Galathie,
In his conquestes wan many othir placis,
Capadoce took to his partie,
Slouh ther kyng, of hatrede & envie,
Ariaractes, a ful manli man;
And in this wise his conquest he began.
Gat proudli after the lond of Galathie,
In his conquestes wan many othir placis,
Capadoce took to his partie,
714
Ariaractes, a ful manli man;
And in this wise his conquest he began.
Ageyn thassuraunce tween hym & Nichomeede,
Alle sodenli he gan falle at debat;
Thouhte he wolde werreie hym in deede,
Because that he, pompous & elat,
In Capadoce took on hym the estat
To regne as kyng, ageyn[e]s his entent,
He nouther beyng of counsail nor assent.
Alle sodenli he gan falle at debat;
Thouhte he wolde werreie hym in deede,
Because that he, pompous & elat,
In Capadoce took on hym the estat
To regne as kyng, ageyn[e]s his entent,
He nouther beyng of counsail nor assent.
Yit Nichomeede, or thei gan debate,
Hadde long afforn[e] to his owne encres
The sustir weddid of this Mitridate,
Whan thei as brethre lived in rest and pes.
And she was also callid Leodices,
Hauyng too sonys born for to succeede
Afftir disses of seid[e] Nichomeede.
Hadde long afforn[e] to his owne encres
The sustir weddid of this Mitridate,
Whan thei as brethre lived in rest and pes.
And she was also callid Leodices,
Hauyng too sonys born for to succeede
Afftir disses of seid[e] Nichomeede.
But bi processe thes said[e] childre tweyne
In Capadoce, bi help of Mitridate,
Cleymed a title, iustli for tatteyne
Vnto the crowne, ther fadir ded but late.
For which thei gan felli to debate,
Til Mitridate falsli gan contryue
His too neuews vngoodli to depryue.
In Capadoce, bi help of Mitridate,
Cleymed a title, iustli for tatteyne
Vnto the crowne, ther fadir ded but late.
For which thei gan felli to debate,
Til Mitridate falsli gan contryue
His too neuews vngoodli to depryue.
Al Capadoce he took into his hand,
His owne sone he hath ther crowned kyng.
Capadociens, bassent of al the lond,
Gan disobeie of purpos his werkyng.
Whan the Romeyns considred al thys thing,
Ariobarzanes in haste thei sente doun
Geyn Mitridate to keep that regioun.
His owne sone he hath ther crowned kyng.
Capadociens, bassent of al the lond,
Gan disobeie of purpos his werkyng.
Whan the Romeyns considred al thys thing,
Ariobarzanes in haste thei sente doun
Geyn Mitridate to keep that regioun.
The sone of whom fro them thei ha[n] refusid,
Out of ther kyngdam gan hym to enchase;
For thei sempte ther franchise was abusid,
To seen a foreyn occupie that place.
Mitridate gan newli hem manace,
And took with hym to susteene his partie
Tigranes the kyng of Armenye.
Out of ther kyngdam gan hym to enchase;
For thei sempte ther franchise was abusid,
To seen a foreyn occupie that place.
Mitridate gan newli hem manace,
And took with hym to susteene his partie
Tigranes the kyng of Armenye.
715
Ariobarzanes, that was fro Roome sent
To Capadoce to helpe hem & counsaille,
Of Mitridate knowyng the entent,
How he cam doun proudli hym tassaille
With Tigranes set in the ferst bataille,
Of Capadoce that al the regioun
Was brouht that day to ther subieccioun.
To Capadoce to helpe hem & counsaille,
Of Mitridate knowyng the entent,
How he cam doun proudli hym tassaille
With Tigranes set in the ferst bataille,
Of Capadoce that al the regioun
Was brouht that day to ther subieccioun.
Thus Mitridate hauyng his entent,
In short tyme contrees conqueryng,
Was myhtiest prince of al the orient,
And in tho daies oon the grettest kyng.
And as it is remembred be writyng,
He delitid most in astronomye,
In sortilege & in sorcerye.
In short tyme contrees conqueryng,
Was myhtiest prince of al the orient,
And in tho daies oon the grettest kyng.
And as it is remembred be writyng,
He delitid most in astronomye,
In sortilege & in sorcerye.
And with al these, he dede his besi cure
For to lerne vnkouth conclusiouns
And secretes souht out bi nature,
Knew the langage of dyuers regiouns,
Of too and tuenty sondri naciouns,
And heeld[e] women many mo than oon,
Loued Hipsicrata aboue hem euerichon.
For to lerne vnkouth conclusiouns
And secretes souht out bi nature,
Knew the langage of dyuers regiouns,
Of too and tuenty sondri naciouns,
And heeld[e] women many mo than oon,
Loued Hipsicrata aboue hem euerichon.
To the Romeyns this manli Mitridate,
As bookis olde recorde of hym & seyn,
Vpon a day, of verray cruel hate
Thoruh al Asie he bad that ech Romeyn
Sholde of his men merciles be slayn:
Twenti thousand he slouh eek on o day
Of Romeyn marchauntes, ther durst no man sei nay.
As bookis olde recorde of hym & seyn,
Vpon a day, of verray cruel hate
Thoruh al Asie he bad that ech Romeyn
Sholde of his men merciles be slayn:
Twenti thousand he slouh eek on o day
Of Romeyn marchauntes, ther durst no man sei nay.
To hym he drouh dyuers naciouns
To encrece his parti bi puissaunce,
Kymbrois, Gallois, with othir regiouns,
Bastornois took to his alliaunce;
With straunge peeple made his aqueyntaunce
Wher that euer he rood nyh or ferre,
With them of Roome for to holde werre.
To encrece his parti bi puissaunce,
Kymbrois, Gallois, with othir regiouns,
Bastornois took to his alliaunce;
With straunge peeple made his aqueyntaunce
Wher that euer he rood nyh or ferre,
With them of Roome for to holde werre.
In Grece also he gat many an ile,
Al Ciclades to his subieccioun;
Conquered so, that withynne a while
Of Athenes he gat the famous toun.
But whan Romeyns knew his entencioun,
Thei sente Scilla in a furious heete
With Mitridate in Grece for to meete.
Al Ciclades to his subieccioun;
Conquered so, that withynne a while
Of Athenes he gat the famous toun.
But whan Romeyns knew his entencioun,
Thei sente Scilla in a furious heete
With Mitridate in Grece for to meete.
716
Archelaus, which that was constable,
Leedyng the host of kyng Mitridate,
Gan ageyn Scilla, trustyng he was able,
Maugre Romeynes with hym to debate.
As thei mette in ther furious hate,
Beside Ortonia of Grece a gret[e] toun,
Of Archelaus the parti was born doun.
Leedyng the host of kyng Mitridate,
Gan ageyn Scilla, trustyng he was able,
Maugre Romeynes with hym to debate.
As thei mette in ther furious hate,
Beside Ortonia of Grece a gret[e] toun,
Of Archelaus the parti was born doun.
Ther gan Scilla to been victorious
Geyn Mitridate, & be gret violence
Gat al Ephese, a kyngdam ful famous,
Rood thoruh Asie, fond no resistence;
Bi his knihthod & manli prouidence
Capadoce, Bithynye eek also
To Romeyn handis he gat hem bothe too.
Geyn Mitridate, & be gret violence
Gat al Ephese, a kyngdam ful famous,
Rood thoruh Asie, fond no resistence;
Bi his knihthod & manli prouidence
Capadoce, Bithynye eek also
To Romeyn handis he gat hem bothe too.
Whan Mitridate parceyued hath this thyng,
How the conquest of Scilla took encrees,
Anon he caste withoute long tarieng,
For a tyme with hym to haue a pes.
Of hih[e] wisdam he was nat rek[e]les
To dissymule til he fond tyme & space
In Fortune to fynde bettre grace.
How the conquest of Scilla took encrees,
Anon he caste withoute long tarieng,
For a tyme with hym to haue a pes.
Of hih[e] wisdam he was nat rek[e]les
To dissymule til he fond tyme & space
In Fortune to fynde bettre grace.
Abood his tyme, kept hymsilue cloos
Til he fond leiseer lik his oppynyoun.
In this while of auenture aroos
Withynne Roome a gret discencioun
Tween too consuleris beyng in that toun,
Which tappese bi his auctorite
Scilla cam up ageyn to the cite.
Til he fond leiseer lik his oppynyoun.
In this while of auenture aroos
Withynne Roome a gret discencioun
Tween too consuleris beyng in that toun,
Which tappese bi his auctorite
Scilla cam up ageyn to the cite.
Whan Mitridate his absence dede espie,
To his purpos fond oportunyte,
Gadred peeple, & with his cheualrie
A siege leid to Cizite the cite,
Of al Asie most off auctorite.
Til Lucullus, a myhti consuleer,
To breke the seege aproche gan ful neer.
To his purpos fond oportunyte,
Gadred peeple, & with his cheualrie
A siege leid to Cizite the cite,
Of al Asie most off auctorite.
Til Lucullus, a myhti consuleer,
To breke the seege aproche gan ful neer.
Mitridate hadde on fyue capteyns
Tofor the toun made a disconfiture,
Of hih despiht he hadde to Romeyns.
But Lucullus the damage to recure,
Tenclose ther enmyes dide his besi cure:
To his mynours gaf anon in charge
Aboute the siege to make a dich ful large.
Tofor the toun made a disconfiture,
Of hih despiht he hadde to Romeyns.
But Lucullus the damage to recure,
717
To his mynours gaf anon in charge
Aboute the siege to make a dich ful large.
Thei withynne hadde knowlechyng
Be certeyn toknys of al þer gouernaunce;
Wherupon thei made no taryeng
To caste a weie for ther deliueraunce.
Mitridates seyng ther ordenaunce,
Of hih prudence scaped awey beside,
And at the seege no lenger list abide.
Be certeyn toknys of al þer gouernaunce;
Wherupon thei made no taryeng
To caste a weie for ther deliueraunce.
Mitridates seyng ther ordenaunce,
Of hih prudence scaped awey beside,
And at the seege no lenger list abide.
Lucullus than, the myhti consuleer,
Pursued aftir, slouh of his meyne
Swich multitude, that Asapus the ryueer
Was maad with blood[e] lik the Rede Se.
With wynd & tempest fordryue also was he,
And whan he sauh no socour on the lond,
To shipp he wente with strong & myhti hond.
Pursued aftir, slouh of his meyne
Swich multitude, that Asapus the ryueer
Was maad with blood[e] lik the Rede Se.
With wynd & tempest fordryue also was he,
And whan he sauh no socour on the lond,
To shipp he wente with strong & myhti hond.
He fond Fortune cruel aduersarie
On lond & se, this worthi Mitridate;
And Neptunus made the se contrarie
Ageyn[e]s hym, his puissaunce to abate.
What shal men calle it?—influence or fate?—
So sodenli a prince of hih renoun
From hih noblesse to be plongid doun.
On lond & se, this worthi Mitridate;
And Neptunus made the se contrarie
Ageyn[e]s hym, his puissaunce to abate.
What shal men calle it?—influence or fate?—
So sodenli a prince of hih renoun
From hih noblesse to be plongid doun.
For any myscheeff he kept ay o visage,
This Mitridate, & loth was for to plie
Or for to bowe, so strong was his corage,
But efft ageyn goth with his cheualrie
Toward Adrastus, an hill of Armenye,
Where-as Pompeie besette hym enviroun,
Sent fro Roome to his destruccioun.
This Mitridate, & loth was for to plie
Or for to bowe, so strong was his corage,
But efft ageyn goth with his cheualrie
Toward Adrastus, an hill of Armenye,
Where-as Pompeie besette hym enviroun,
Sent fro Roome to his destruccioun.
Mitridate makyng his loggyng place
Vndir that hill, whan it drouh to niht,
The troubli heuene with thundryng gan manace;
The firy leuene dirkid hath his siht;
The cloudi moone clipsed of hir liht,
Astoned hym bi vnwar violence,
That he stood confus of al prouidence.
Vndir that hill, whan it drouh to niht,
The troubli heuene with thundryng gan manace;
The firy leuene dirkid hath his siht;
The cloudi moone clipsed of hir liht,
Astoned hym bi vnwar violence,
That he stood confus of al prouidence.
718
He was be tempest & vnwar dirknesse
Almost maad wery of his woful liff;
Yit I fynde, of verray kyndenesse,
Hipsicrata, which that was his wiff,
Nouther for werre nor no mortal stryff
Left hym neuere: disgised of visage
Folwed hym arraied as a page.
Almost maad wery of his woful liff;
Yit I fynde, of verray kyndenesse,
Hipsicrata, which that was his wiff,
Nouther for werre nor no mortal stryff
Left hym neuere: disgised of visage
Folwed hym arraied as a page.
Yit in his moste mortal heuynesse,
Whan cloudi Fortune gan hym most manace,
Of his corage the naturel quiknesse
Appalled nat nor remeued from his place,
So hih prowesse dide his hert enbrace.
Nat disespeired for no sodeyn fall,
Of condiciouns he was so marciall.
Whan cloudi Fortune gan hym most manace,
Of his corage the naturel quiknesse
Appalled nat nor remeued from his place,
So hih prowesse dide his hert enbrace.
Nat disespeired for no sodeyn fall,
Of condiciouns he was so marciall.
In tokne wherof, he stondyng at myscheeff,
Chaunged nouther cheer nor contenaunce:
An euidence & a ful gret preeff
Of manli force and hertli assuraunce.
Deffying Fortune, with al hir variaunce,
Whan that he fond to his destruccioun
Of disespeir grettest occasioun.
Chaunged nouther cheer nor contenaunce:
An euidence & a ful gret preeff
Of manli force and hertli assuraunce.
Deffying Fortune, with al hir variaunce,
Whan that he fond to his destruccioun
Of disespeir grettest occasioun.
With hym he hadde a bailiff, as I fynde,
Callid Castor, which of condicioun
Was to his lord[e] fals & eek vnkynde,
And conspired ageyn hym fals tresoun.
In tokne wherof, up to Roome toun
His lordis childre, yong & tendre of age,
Lik a fals theeff he sent hem in hostage.
Callid Castor, which of condicioun
Was to his lord[e] fals & eek vnkynde,
And conspired ageyn hym fals tresoun.
In tokne wherof, up to Roome toun
His lordis childre, yong & tendre of age,
Lik a fals theeff he sent hem in hostage.
Oon of his sones he moordred be tresoun,
Which Mitridate took ful sore at herte.
Another sone, as maad is mencioun,
Fals to his fader, which whan he dide aduerte,
The vnkyndnesse made hym sore smerte;
For of al vicis, shortli to conclude,
Werst of alle is ingratitude.
Which Mitridate took ful sore at herte.
Another sone, as maad is mencioun,
Fals to his fader, which whan he dide aduerte,
The vnkyndnesse made hym sore smerte;
For of al vicis, shortli to conclude,
Werst of alle is ingratitude.
This same child, of whom I make mynde,
Callid Pharnax, which ageyn nature
To his fadir tretour & vnkynde,—
And his purpos ageyn hym to recure
In al hast[e] dede his besi cure;
For tacomplisshe his purpos in partie,
Took to hym hool his fadris cheualrie.
Callid Pharnax, which ageyn nature
To his fadir tretour & vnkynde,—
And his purpos ageyn hym to recure
In al hast[e] dede his besi cure;
For tacomplisshe his purpos in partie,
Took to hym hool his fadris cheualrie.
719
Be sleihte & meede whan he was maad[e] strong,
He beseged his fadir round aboute,—
Vnto nature, me seemeth, he dide wrong
To putte his fadir in so gret a doute.
Kyndenesse was ferr shet withoute,
Whan the sone, with hate set affire,
Ageyns his fadir list falsli to conspire.
He beseged his fadir round aboute,—
Vnto nature, me seemeth, he dide wrong
To putte his fadir in so gret a doute.
Kyndenesse was ferr shet withoute,
Whan the sone, with hate set affire,
Ageyns his fadir list falsli to conspire.
With multitude his fadir was constreyned,
Maugre his myht, into a tour to flee,
His sone vnkynde hath at hym disdeyned;
And yit for al his straunge aduersite,
Of his corage the magnanymyte
In his persone stood hool, list nat varie,
Thouh Fortune was to hym contrarie.
Maugre his myht, into a tour to flee,
His sone vnkynde hath at hym disdeyned;
And yit for al his straunge aduersite,
Of his corage the magnanymyte
In his persone stood hool, list nat varie,
Thouh Fortune was to hym contrarie.
Yit myn auctour Bochas berth record,
That Mitridate, yif it wolde haue bee,
Requered his sone to been at accord
And set aside al old contrariouste.
But he vnkynde, was indurat parde,
Euere froward, malicious of corage,
So disposed from his tendre age.
That Mitridate, yif it wolde haue bee,
Requered his sone to been at accord
And set aside al old contrariouste.
But he vnkynde, was indurat parde,
Euere froward, malicious of corage,
So disposed from his tendre age.
So that the kyng Mitridate, alas,
Was ouercome be vnkyndenesse,
That neuer afforn[e] in no maner caas
Stood disamaied, but of hih prowesse
Kept ay o face al passiouns to represse.
This vertu force, bi marcial doctryne,
For non aduersite suffrid hym declyne.
Was ouercome be vnkyndenesse,
That neuer afforn[e] in no maner caas
Stood disamaied, but of hih prowesse
Kept ay o face al passiouns to represse.
This vertu force, bi marcial doctryne,
For non aduersite suffrid hym declyne.
Eende of his werris & his mortal stryues,
Of his debatis and discenciouns,
His concubynes, his douhtres & his wyues,
Be mene onli of certeyn pociouns,
Slouh hem alle be drynkyng of poisouns;
For he nat wolde, the cause to descryue,
Aftir his deth thei sholde abide alyue.
Of his debatis and discenciouns,
His concubynes, his douhtres & his wyues,
Be mene onli of certeyn pociouns,
Slouh hem alle be drynkyng of poisouns;
For he nat wolde, the cause to descryue,
Aftir his deth thei sholde abide alyue.
His owne deth, of mortal fel rigour
Compassed afforn[e], thus he gan deuise:
Made a Frensh kniht that was a soudiour,
With a sharp suerd in ful cruel wise
To renne hym thoruh; wherbi the fraunchise
Conserued was his purpos to fulfill,
He shold nat deie but bi his owne will.
Compassed afforn[e], thus he gan deuise:
Made a Frensh kniht that was a soudiour,
With a sharp suerd in ful cruel wise
To renne hym thoruh; wherbi the fraunchise
Conserued was his purpos to fulfill,
He shold nat deie but bi his owne will.
720
Loo, heer the eende of kyng Mitridate!
Lat princis alle of his deth take heede,
How reklesli he passed into fate
And bi assent made his herte bleede.
And Bochas heer, who list his book to reede,
Pleynli rehersyng but in woordes fewe,
To worldli princis doth his conceit shewe.
Lat princis alle of his deth take heede,
How reklesli he passed into fate
And bi assent made his herte bleede.
And Bochas heer, who list his book to reede,
Pleynli rehersyng but in woordes fewe,
To worldli princis doth his conceit shewe.
Lenvoye.
Myhti Princis, lefft up your corages,
Toward heuene doth your hertes dresse,
Of your memorie tourne up þe visages,
Wher ioie is euere, concord and gladnesse,
Trewe armonye, celestial suetnesse,—
Countirpeiseth in your remembraunce
Worldli chaungis, Fortunys variaunce.
Toward heuene doth your hertes dresse,
Of your memorie tourne up þe visages,
Wher ioie is euere, concord and gladnesse,
Trewe armonye, celestial suetnesse,—
Countirpeiseth in your remembraunce
Worldli chaungis, Fortunys variaunce.
Aduertiseth the mortal fel outrages
Of blodi werris impossible to represse,
Whil fals envie with his furious rages
In sondry rewmys hath so gret interesse,—
Slauhtre, moordre, deuisioun, falsnesse,
Which conscience haue brouht[e] to vttraunce
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
Of blodi werris impossible to represse,
Whil fals envie with his furious rages
In sondry rewmys hath so gret interesse,—
Slauhtre, moordre, deuisioun, falsnesse,
Which conscience haue brouht[e] to vttraunce
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
Rekne up princis that sat on hih[e] stages:
What was the fyn of ther roial noblesse?
Or of tirauntis rekne up the bloodi wages:
Sodeyn slauhtre guerdouned ther woodnesse.
Mitridate can bern herof witnesse,
Bi blood vnkynde brouht vnto vttraunce,
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
What was the fyn of ther roial noblesse?
Or of tirauntis rekne up the bloodi wages:
Sodeyn slauhtre guerdouned ther woodnesse.
Mitridate can bern herof witnesse,
Bi blood vnkynde brouht vnto vttraunce,
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
Princis remembreth vpon the goldene ages,
Whan Satourn reuled the world in rihtwisnesse;
Next Iubiter, for peeplis auauntages,
In silueren world conserued in clennesse,
Which Mars hath now tournid to felnesse,
Made it stelene, with suerd, dagger & launce,
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
Whan Satourn reuled the world in rihtwisnesse;
Next Iubiter, for peeplis auauntages,
In silueren world conserued in clennesse,
Which Mars hath now tournid to felnesse,
Made it stelene, with suerd, dagger & launce,
Thoruh sodeyn chaung of worldli variaunce.
721
Of Mitridate registreth the viages,
Conspired poisouns taffraie his hih prowesse,
On lond and se tempestuous passages,
Bi constreynt bood seuene yeer in wildirnesse.
Of his wandryng peiseth thunsekirnesse,
His eende in myscheef, knew non auoidaunce
Geyn worldli chaung nor Fortunys variaunce.
Conspired poisouns taffraie his hih prowesse,
On lond and se tempestuous passages,
Bi constreynt bood seuene yeer in wildirnesse.
Of his wandryng peiseth thunsekirnesse,
His eende in myscheef, knew non auoidaunce
Geyn worldli chaung nor Fortunys variaunce.
Yif neccligence haue brouht you in rerages
Towardis God, or he rekne in streihtnesse,
Lat resoun medle for you to leyn hostages,—
Compassioun, merci, partyng of almesse,
Toward heuene to supporte your feeblesse,
Whan your meritis shal peisen in ballaunce
Of worldli chaungis & Fortunys variaunce.
Towardis God, or he rekne in streihtnesse,
Lat resoun medle for you to leyn hostages,—
Compassioun, merci, partyng of almesse,
Toward heuene to supporte your feeblesse,
Whan your meritis shal peisen in ballaunce
Of worldli chaungis & Fortunys variaunce.
Deth spareth nouther hih blood nor hih lynages,
Hath mynde heeron for any reklesnesse;
Transitoire been heer your pilgrymages,
Set with brigauntis vnwarli you toppresse,
But-yif prudence bi gret auysenesse
With prouidence preserue your puissaunce
Geyn worldli chaung & Fortunys variaunce.
Hath mynde heeron for any reklesnesse;
Transitoire been heer your pilgrymages,
Set with brigauntis vnwarli you toppresse,
But-yif prudence bi gret auysenesse
With prouidence preserue your puissaunce
Geyn worldli chaung & Fortunys variaunce.
[How Eucratides kyng of Sithie was slayn bi Demetrius, and after his careyn cast to houndys.]
Next in ordre to Bochas dide appeere
A woful prince, which put himsilf in pres,
Regnyng in Sithia, his stori doþ us lere,
The name of whom was Eucratides.
But to disturbe his quiete & his pes,
Ageyn[e]s hym, pleynli, as I fynde,
Cam Demetrius the myhti kyng of Ynde.
A woful prince, which put himsilf in pres,
Regnyng in Sithia, his stori doþ us lere,
The name of whom was Eucratides.
But to disturbe his quiete & his pes,
Ageyn[e]s hym, pleynli, as I fynde,
Cam Demetrius the myhti kyng of Ynde.
Of whom the poweer & the violence
To Eucratides was verray importable:
Beseegid first, and for lak of diffence
Take at myscheef, his foon nat merciable;
For Demetrius was on hym so vengable,
Whan he was slayn withynne his owne boundis,
Made the careyn [to] be caste out to houndis.
To Eucratides was verray importable:
Beseegid first, and for lak of diffence
Take at myscheef, his foon nat merciable;
For Demetrius was on hym so vengable,
Whan he was slayn withynne his owne boundis,
Made the careyn [to] be caste out to houndis.
722
Natwithstondyng he was a worthi kyng,
Born of hih blood, swich was his auenture.
Demetrius sone aboue al erthli thyng
Hatede hym, bi record of scripture,
Of rancour denied his sepulture.
And for the mateer is hatful & contrarie,
On his stori I wil no lenger tarie.
Born of hih blood, swich was his auenture.
Demetrius sone aboue al erthli thyng
Hatede hym, bi record of scripture,
Of rancour denied his sepulture.
And for the mateer is hatful & contrarie,
On his stori I wil no lenger tarie.
[How herodes kyng of Parthos, werred with Romayns whiche aftir his sone & heir was slayn / made his bastard son kyng þat anon aftir slouh his fadir.]
To Arthabanus whilom of Parthos king
I purpose my stile to transporte,
A ful olde prince, had in his lyuyng
Sonys tweyne, bookis so reporte,
Which in his age dide hym most counfort:
Mitridate was the elder brothir,
And Herodes callid was the tothir.
I purpose my stile to transporte,
A ful olde prince, had in his lyuyng
Sonys tweyne, bookis so reporte,
Which in his age dide hym most counfort:
Mitridate was the elder brothir,
And Herodes callid was the tothir.
Mitridate, be resoun of his age,
His fadir ded, dide aftir hym succeede,
Which banshed was for tirannye & outrage.
Aftirward for myscheeff & for neede
Into Babiloun he took his fliht for dreede.
The peeple anon, after his partyng,
Of indignacioun made his brothir kyng.
His fadir ded, dide aftir hym succeede,
Which banshed was for tirannye & outrage.
Aftirward for myscheeff & for neede
Into Babiloun he took his fliht for dreede.
The peeple anon, after his partyng,
Of indignacioun made his brothir kyng.
Thus kam Herodes to estat roiall,
Pursuede his brothir into Babiloun,
Leide a seege round aboute the wall;
Thei to hym yold[e] up the toun.
Thus was his brothir brouht to confusioun,—
Afforn the castel, withoute lenger date,
Made smyte of the hed of Mitridate.
Pursuede his brothir into Babiloun,
Leide a seege round aboute the wall;
Thei to hym yold[e] up the toun.
Thus was his brothir brouht to confusioun,—
Afforn the castel, withoute lenger date,
Made smyte of the hed of Mitridate.
In Parthos aftir he took pocessioun,
This yonge Herodes, of volunte & pride
Gan a werre geyn hem of Roome toun,
Whom to withstonde thei list nat longe abide.
The consul Crassus kam doun on ther side,
Comaundid was short processe to make,
Toward Parthos his viage for to take.
This yonge Herodes, of volunte & pride
Gan a werre geyn hem of Roome toun,
Whom to withstonde thei list nat longe abide.
723
Comaundid was short processe to make,
Toward Parthos his viage for to take.
Crassus list nat tentren in that rewm,
Lefte Parthos, the stori doth deuise,—
Took his weie toward Iherusalem
To take ther a solempne enprise,
In the temple, onli of couetise,
Took ther, ageyn the title of rihtwisnesse,
Vp al ther tresour & ther gret richesse.
Lefte Parthos, the stori doth deuise,—
Took his weie toward Iherusalem
To take ther a solempne enprise,
In the temple, onli of couetise,
Took ther, ageyn the title of rihtwisnesse,
Vp al ther tresour & ther gret richesse.
Bi which he gat in dyuers regiouns
Gret multitude to holde up his partie,
Ladde with hym elleuene legiouns,
Toward Parthos faste gan hym hie,
Bi his lettres proudli gan defie
The said Herodes, and with gret apparaille
Mid his contre proffred hym bataille.
Gret multitude to holde up his partie,
Ladde with hym elleuene legiouns,
Toward Parthos faste gan hym hie,
Bi his lettres proudli gan defie
The said Herodes, and with gret apparaille
Mid his contre proffred hym bataille.
The nexte morwe whan Crassus took þe feeld,
To hym was brouht of blak a cotearmure,
Which whan his knihtes auysili beheeld,
Dempte it a tokne of disconfiture;
For in contrarie Romeyns do ther cure,
Whan ther capteyn shal fihten, or ther hed,
His cotearmure is owther whit or red.
To hym was brouht of blak a cotearmure,
Which whan his knihtes auysili beheeld,
Dempte it a tokne of disconfiture;
For in contrarie Romeyns do ther cure,
Whan ther capteyn shal fihten, or ther hed,
His cotearmure is owther whit or red.
A-nother tokne froward to beholde,
The firste egle bete in his baneer,
Also soone as men it dide vnfolde
Contrariousli he tournid look & cheer,
The bak to Crassus, folk sauh that stood[e] neer:
A pronostik to Romeyns ful certeyn,
How Fortune that day was hem ageyn.
The firste egle bete in his baneer,
Also soone as men it dide vnfolde
Contrariousli he tournid look & cheer,
The bak to Crassus, folk sauh that stood[e] neer:
A pronostik to Romeyns ful certeyn,
How Fortune that day was hem ageyn.
Bi the flood passyng of Eufrates,
With vnwar tempest his standardis euerichon
Into the ryuer wer cast among the pres,
To rekne hem all, vpriht stood nat oon.
Wherof astoned, thei wolde no ferther gon,
Thes pronostiques made hem so affraied,
Lik men in herte dispeired & dismaied.
With vnwar tempest his standardis euerichon
Into the ryuer wer cast among the pres,
To rekne hem all, vpriht stood nat oon.
Wherof astoned, thei wolde no ferther gon,
Thes pronostiques made hem so affraied,
Lik men in herte dispeired & dismaied.
724
Of thes toknys Crassus was rek[e]les,
The pronostikes he dede also despise,
Took upon [hym] to passen Eufrates,
Tentre Parthos onli for couetise.
To whom Herodes sendith in this wise,
That his comyng was mor for pillage
Than for knihthod, manhod or corage.
The pronostikes he dede also despise,
Took upon [hym] to passen Eufrates,
Tentre Parthos onli for couetise.
To whom Herodes sendith in this wise,
That his comyng was mor for pillage
Than for knihthod, manhod or corage.
Al the poweer of Parthos tho kam doun
With many prefect in that mortal rage
Ageyn Crassus and them of Roome toun,
Which, as I tolde, abood on ther pillage,
That turnid aftir to ther gret damage:
The sone of Crassus slayn in that affray,
His fadir take, & al upon o day.
With many prefect in that mortal rage
Ageyn Crassus and them of Roome toun,
Which, as I tolde, abood on ther pillage,
That turnid aftir to ther gret damage:
The sone of Crassus slayn in that affray,
His fadir take, & al upon o day.
His hed smet of, in whom was no diffence,
And discounfited with many legioun,
The hed of Crassus brouht to the presence
Of Herodes withynne his roial toun,
Which hath comaundid gold to be brouht doun,
To be molte ther as he lay ded,
And to poure therof ful his hed.
And discounfited with many legioun,
The hed of Crassus brouht to the presence
Of Herodes withynne his roial toun,
Which hath comaundid gold to be brouht doun,
To be molte ther as he lay ded,
And to poure therof ful his hed.
This thyng was doon for a moquerye,
In signe onli, the stori doth deuise,
That gold nor tresour, upon no partie,
Staunche myht his thrust of couetise.
Such gredynesse ech man owith despise;
For auarice of custum in ech place
Of hih prowesse doth the pris difface.
In signe onli, the stori doth deuise,
That gold nor tresour, upon no partie,
Staunche myht his thrust of couetise.
Such gredynesse ech man owith despise;
For auarice of custum in ech place
Of hih prowesse doth the pris difface.
Herodes aftir did serche al the wardis
Thoruh al the feeld[e] upon Crassus side,
Took the penouns, baneres & standardis,
And in his templis, large, longe & wide
Leet hang hem up of surquedie & pride,
In signe onli, and eek for a memorie,
He of Romeyns hath get[e] the victorie.
Thoruh al the feeld[e] upon Crassus side,
Took the penouns, baneres & standardis,
And in his templis, large, longe & wide
Leet hang hem up of surquedie & pride,
In signe onli, and eek for a memorie,
He of Romeyns hath get[e] the victorie.
725
With whiche he list nat onli be content,
Weenyng his fortune sholde abide stable,
Into Surrye he hath his sone sent,
Callid Pachorus, made hym a constable,
Of that regioun with hym to be partable
Of al tresours & meobles that he fond,
Wher-euer he rood thoruhout al the lond.
Weenyng his fortune sholde abide stable,
Into Surrye he hath his sone sent,
Callid Pachorus, made hym a constable,
Of that regioun with hym to be partable
Of al tresours & meobles that he fond,
Wher-euer he rood thoruhout al the lond.
Thus Pachorus bi his cheualrie
Encrese gan in his tendre age,
Wherof Herodes, his fader, had envye,
Feerful it sholde turne to his damage,
List he wolde be title of heritage,
Maugre hym, at his ageyn komyng
Take upon hym in Parthos to be kyng.
Encrese gan in his tendre age,
Wherof Herodes, his fader, had envye,
Feerful it sholde turne to his damage,
List he wolde be title of heritage,
Maugre hym, at his ageyn komyng
Take upon hym in Parthos to be kyng.
Than Pachorus was callid hom ageyn,
And of Surrie, wher in conclusioun,
Al that he had wrouht[e] was in veyn,
Because oon Cassius fro Roome was come doun,—
Slouh al the peeple in that regeoun
Which apartened to Pachorus, as I fynde,
Withoute capteyn for thei wer lefft behynde.
And of Surrie, wher in conclusioun,
Al that he had wrouht[e] was in veyn,
Because oon Cassius fro Roome was come doun,—
Slouh al the peeple in that regeoun
Which apartened to Pachorus, as I fynde,
Withoute capteyn for thei wer lefft behynde.
To withstonde this Romeyn Cassius
Herodes hath his sone sent ageyn,
Which anon aftir, the stori tellith thus,
Amyd the feeld vnhappili was slayn.
To truste Fortune it is a thyng but vayn,
Which of custum to-day is fauourable,
And to-morwe gerisshli chaungable.
Herodes hath his sone sent ageyn,
Which anon aftir, the stori tellith thus,
Amyd the feeld vnhappili was slayn.
To truste Fortune it is a thyng but vayn,
Which of custum to-day is fauourable,
And to-morwe gerisshli chaungable.
Of Pachorus deth whan the noise aroos
And the distrussyng of his cheualrie,
And to Herodes abidyng in Parthos
Tidyng was brouht, ferde as he wolde die,
Of hertli sorwe fill into frenesie:
Heir was non left of the roial lynes,
Sauf thretti bastardis born of concubynes.
And the distrussyng of his cheualrie,
And to Herodes abidyng in Parthos
Tidyng was brouht, ferde as he wolde die,
Of hertli sorwe fill into frenesie:
Heir was non left of the roial lynes,
Sauf thretti bastardis born of concubynes.
Thus Herodes was cast in gret seeknesse,
His sonis deth was to hym importable,
His worldli ioie was gon and his gladnesse,
Fortune contrarie, which neuer can be stable;
Age fill on; his liff was nat durable:
And of o thyng most he dede hym dreede,
Cause he hadde non heir to succeede,
His sonis deth was to hym importable,
His worldli ioie was gon and his gladnesse,
Fortune contrarie, which neuer can be stable;
726
And of o thyng most he dede hym dreede,
Cause he hadde non heir to succeede,
Which wold[e] nat suffre hym lyue in pes.
Til at the laste he cauhte a fantasie,
Ches a bastard callid Pharactes,
Because he was famous in cheualrie,
Gaf hym the crowne & the regalie,
Which anon aftir, breeffli to conclude,
Slouh Herodes of ingratitude.
Til at the laste he cauhte a fantasie,
Ches a bastard callid Pharactes,
Because he was famous in cheualrie,
Gaf hym the crowne & the regalie,
Which anon aftir, breeffli to conclude,
Slouh Herodes of ingratitude.
[How Fymbria a consul of Rome slouh himsilf.]
Afftir to Bochas, bi processe of the book,
Foure mihti princis notable of estat,
Towardis hym thei caste cheer & look,
Lik vnto folk that wer infortunat,
With whom Fortune had been at debat;
For be ther maner, as it sempte weel,
Thei wer at mischeeff fallyn from hir wheel.
Foure mihti princis notable of estat,
Towardis hym thei caste cheer & look,
Lik vnto folk that wer infortunat,
With whom Fortune had been at debat;
For be ther maner, as it sempte weel,
Thei wer at mischeeff fallyn from hir wheel.
First Fymbria, a Romeyn consuleer,
Sent bi the Romeyns to a gret cite
Callid Nichomeed[y]e, cam as a massageer
To helpe Flaccus, & entryng that contre,
Fond Flaccus slayn bi gret aduersite.
Aftir whos deth, his parti to auaunce,
Of Flaccus meyne took the gouernaunce.
Sent bi the Romeyns to a gret cite
Callid Nichomeed[y]e, cam as a massageer
To helpe Flaccus, & entryng that contre,
Fond Flaccus slayn bi gret aduersite.
Aftir whos deth, his parti to auaunce,
Of Flaccus meyne took the gouernaunce.
Of presumpcioun, withoute auctori[t]e,
This Fymbria bi dilligent labour,
Ful ferr abouen his staat & his degre,
Took upon hym bi Fortunys fals fauour
To be callid capteyn and emperour
Thoruh al that cuntre, bokis specefie;
Of whos presumpcioun Scilla had envie.
This Fymbria bi dilligent labour,
Ful ferr abouen his staat & his degre,
Took upon hym bi Fortunys fals fauour
To be callid capteyn and emperour
Thoruh al that cuntre, bokis specefie;
Of whos presumpcioun Scilla had envie.
Pursued hym thoruh many gret cite,
To a castel made hym take his fliht,
Wher Fymbria of gret necessite
Constreyned was, maugre al his myht,
Disespeired, forsake of eueri wiht,
To slen hymsilf, the stori tellith thus,
Withynne the temple of Esculapius.
To a castel made hym take his fliht,
Wher Fymbria of gret necessite
Constreyned was, maugre al his myht,
Disespeired, forsake of eueri wiht,
To slen hymsilf, the stori tellith thus,
Withynne the temple of Esculapius.
727
[Of Albynius that was slayn with stonys.]
Anoþer consul stood in cas semblable,
In his tyme callid Albynyus,
Whos hatful pride was abhominable,
To alle folkis lothsum and odious;
Which lik a rebel, wood & furious
Ageyn Romeyn[e]s oft[e]nere than onys,—
Whan he lest wende slay[e]n was with stonys.
In his tyme callid Albynyus,
Whos hatful pride was abhominable,
To alle folkis lothsum and odious;
Which lik a rebel, wood & furious
Ageyn Romeyn[e]s oft[e]nere than onys,—
Whan he lest wende slay[e]n was with stonys.
[How Adriane of low degre falsly vsurped to be kyng of Rome whiche with his cherlys was aftir brent.]
Next Adrian, which ros to hih estat:
First in Roome born of louh degre,
Chose a pretour, sent bi þe senat
To gouerne of Affrik the contre,
Wher of his owne pompous auctorite
Took upon hym bi sotil fals werkyng,
Maugre Romeyns, ther to be crowned kyng.
First in Roome born of louh degre,
Chose a pretour, sent bi þe senat
To gouerne of Affrik the contre,
Wher of his owne pompous auctorite
Took upon hym bi sotil fals werkyng,
Maugre Romeyns, ther to be crowned kyng.
Whom to supporte, shortli to conclude,
Was a gret noumbre of the comounte,
Of cherlis gadred a confus multitude,
Title was non nor ground but volunte.
Gentil-men than beyng in that contre,
Alle off assent and oon oppynyoun,
Assemble[d] hem to his destruccioun.
Was a gret noumbre of the comounte,
Of cherlis gadred a confus multitude,
Title was non nor ground but volunte.
Gentil-men than beyng in that contre,
Alle off assent and oon oppynyoun,
Assemble[d] hem to his destruccioun.
At Vtices, a large gret cite,
Hym and his cherlis besette round aboute,
Of wode & faget with large quantite
In compas-wise closed hym withoute,
Gadred with hym of vileyns a gret route,
Leide on fyr, that with flawmes rede
Echon consumyd into asshes dede.
Hym and his cherlis besette round aboute,
Of wode & faget with large quantite
In compas-wise closed hym withoute,
Gadred with hym of vileyns a gret route,
Leide on fyr, that with flawmes rede
Echon consumyd into asshes dede.
728
[How Synthonyus kyng of Trace þat moche coueted affor went and deied in pouerte.]
Next Adrian cam Syntonyvs
Tofor Bochas, with teris spreynt his face;
As the stori rehersith vnto us,
In his tyme he was kyng of Trace,
Falle sodenli fro Fortunis grace,
Cast doun lowe from his estat roiall,
Which kam to Bochas to compleyne his fall.
Tofor Bochas, with teris spreynt his face;
As the stori rehersith vnto us,
In his tyme he was kyng of Trace,
Falle sodenli fro Fortunis grace,
Cast doun lowe from his estat roiall,
Which kam to Bochas to compleyne his fall.
Whos purpos was, yiff it wolde haue be,
Seuene rewmys taue conquered with his hond,
That were soget to Roome the cite;
And alle seuene wer of Grekis lond.
Who al coueiteth, ye shal vndirstond,
He al forgoth, ful weel afferme I dar,
At vnset hour, wheroff ech man be war.
Seuene rewmys taue conquered with his hond,
That were soget to Roome the cite;
And alle seuene wer of Grekis lond.
Who al coueiteth, ye shal vndirstond,
He al forgoth, ful weel afferme I dar,
At vnset hour, wheroff ech man be war.
Longe or his conquest was brouht to a preeff,
From hir wheel Fortune cast hym doun.
The pretour Sencyus brouht hym to myscheef,
Deide in pouert, as maad is mencioun.
And Bochas heer maketh a digressioun,
Compendiousli withynne a litil space
To descryue the regioun of Trace.
From hir wheel Fortune cast hym doun.
The pretour Sencyus brouht hym to myscheef,
Deide in pouert, as maad is mencioun.
And Bochas heer maketh a digressioun,
Compendiousli withynne a litil space
To descryue the regioun of Trace.
[Here Bochas in party makith a descripcioun of the kyngdam of Trace and passith over lightly to the accomplisshment of his book.]
The discripsion of þe same.
Trace, whilom a contre of gret fame,
And conteneth a ful large space;
And of Tiras it took[e] first þe name,
Sone of Iaphet, & so was callid Trace.
Which many a day duelled in that place,
Toward Septemptrion, plenteuous of good,
Beside Dynoe, the large famous flood.
And conteneth a ful large space;
And of Tiras it took[e] first þe name,
Sone of Iaphet, & so was callid Trace.
Which many a day duelled in that place,
Toward Septemptrion, plenteuous of good,
Beside Dynoe, the large famous flood.
729
Southward Trace renneth the flood Egee,
Macedoyne stant in the occident,
And the kyngdam callid Perpontide
Stant in Trace toward the orient,
Wher gret plente of blood was shad & spent,
Whan Sencyus thoruh his hih prowesse
Kyng Adrian ther manli dede oppresse.
Macedoyne stant in the occident,
And the kyngdam callid Perpontide
Stant in Trace toward the orient,
Wher gret plente of blood was shad & spent,
Whan Sencyus thoruh his hih prowesse
Kyng Adrian ther manli dede oppresse.
Ebrus in Trace is the cheeff ryueer,
As myn auctour maketh mencioun;—
I caste nat to tarie in this mateer,
To make of Trace a descripcioun,
But to proceede in my translacioun,
Folwe myn auctour, which writ a long processe
Of gret Pompeye & of his worthynesse.
As myn auctour maketh mencioun;—
I caste nat to tarie in this mateer,
To make of Trace a descripcioun,
But to proceede in my translacioun,
Folwe myn auctour, which writ a long processe
Of gret Pompeye & of his worthynesse.
[How aftir many grete conquestes of Duk Pompeye / began grete werre betwixt him and Iulyus iijc. M. were slayn / and at last the heed of Pompeye smyten of.]
This Pompeius, of whom þe name is kouþ,
Wis & worþi & famous of prowesse,
Took upon hym in his tendre youth,—
Afftir his fadir bi fortunat duresse,
Callid Pompeye, the stori berth witnesse,
Distrussid was bi sodeyn deth komyng,
The stori seith, thoruh thundryng & lihtnyng,
Wis & worþi & famous of prowesse,
Took upon hym in his tendre youth,—
Afftir his fadir bi fortunat duresse,
Callid Pompeye, the stori berth witnesse,
Distrussid was bi sodeyn deth komyng,
The stori seith, thoruh thundryng & lihtnyng,
His host destroied be the violence
Of vnwar tempest, lik as seith the book,
Fourti thousand slayn in that pestilence;
For feer the remnant anon þe feeld forsook,—
Til yonge Pompeie of corage on hym took
In his begynnyng proudli to proceede
Ful lik a kniht his fadris host to leede.
Of vnwar tempest, lik as seith the book,
Fourti thousand slayn in that pestilence;
For feer the remnant anon þe feeld forsook,—
Til yonge Pompeie of corage on hym took
In his begynnyng proudli to proceede
Ful lik a kniht his fadris host to leede.
Roome that tyme bi ther discenciouns
Among hemsilf nih brouht[e] to ruyne,
Bi the froward fals dyuysiouns
Tween Marie & Scilla, breefli to termyne,
Till that a newe sonne gan to shyne
Of worthynesse, which that shadde his liht,
In manli Pompeie the noble famous kniht.
Among hemsilf nih brouht[e] to ruyne,
Bi the froward fals dyuysiouns
Tween Marie & Scilla, breefli to termyne,
Till that a newe sonne gan to shyne
Of worthynesse, which that shadde his liht,
In manli Pompeie the noble famous kniht.
730
This said Pompeie, this noble knihtli man,
At his begynnyng, thoruh his cheualrie,
The proude capteyn slouh whan he began,
Which of Marrius heeld up the partie,
Callid Brutus, which in Lombardie
Was be Pompeye thoruh kniyhtli gouernaunce
With al his host[e] brouht vnto myschaunce.
At his begynnyng, thoruh his cheualrie,
The proude capteyn slouh whan he began,
Which of Marrius heeld up the partie,
Callid Brutus, which in Lombardie
Was be Pompeye thoruh kniyhtli gouernaunce
With al his host[e] brouht vnto myschaunce.
In his begynnyng Pompeie eek also,
To sette Romeyns in reste & in quiete,
Oon that was callid Gnevs Carbo,
He slouh hym knihtli whan he dede hym meete,
Which in Sicile proudli heeld his seete.
And alle the contres aboute hym enviroun
Pompeie made hem soget to Roome toun.
To sette Romeyns in reste & in quiete,
Oon that was callid Gnevs Carbo,
He slouh hym knihtli whan he dede hym meete,
Which in Sicile proudli heeld his seete.
And alle the contres aboute hym enviroun
Pompeie made hem soget to Roome toun.
Aftir al this Pompeius on the se
With many a shippe stuffid with vitaille
Toward Affrik made a gret arme,
And ther in haste aftir his aryuaille
With Domicius hadde a gret bataille,
Brouhte the contre thoruh his hih renoun
To be to Roome vndir subieccioun.
With many a shippe stuffid with vitaille
Toward Affrik made a gret arme,
And ther in haste aftir his aryuaille
With Domicius hadde a gret bataille,
Brouhte the contre thoruh his hih renoun
To be to Roome vndir subieccioun.
He pursued the grete myhti kyng
Callid Iertha, to Marrius fauourable,
And hadde also his roial abidyng
In Numedie, a contre ful notable.
Ageyn Pompeie his poweer was nat hable;
For at a castell as thei mette in fiht,
He slouh kyng Iertha, ful lik a manli kniht.
Callid Iertha, to Marrius fauourable,
And hadde also his roial abidyng
In Numedie, a contre ful notable.
Ageyn Pompeie his poweer was nat hable;
For at a castell as thei mette in fiht,
He slouh kyng Iertha, ful lik a manli kniht.
Thus in breef tyme, holdyng his passage
For comoun proffit, as maad is mencioun,
Bi his wisdam & knihtli hih corage
Brouht al Affrik to subieccioun,
Which stood affor[e]n in rebellioun
To the Romeyns; but al ther sturdynesse
The said[e] Pompeie dede in haste redresse.
For comoun proffit, as maad is mencioun,
Bi his wisdam & knihtli hih corage
Brouht al Affrik to subieccioun,
Which stood affor[e]n in rebellioun
To the Romeyns; but al ther sturdynesse
The said[e] Pompeie dede in haste redresse.
The grettest enmy ageyns Roome toun
Thilke daies was oon Sertorius;
And of fortune, which is now up now doun,
On Pompeie onys was victorious.
But aftir soone of hym it happid thus:
Among his meyne fallyng at debat,
He slay[e]n was in his most hih estat.
Thilke daies was oon Sertorius;
And of fortune, which is now up now doun,
On Pompeie onys was victorious.
731
Among his meyne fallyng at debat,
He slay[e]n was in his most hih estat.
Aftir the deth of this Sertorivs
Cam Porpenna Pompeie for tassaile;
And as thei mette anon[e] Pompeius
Ful lik a kniht slouh hym in bataile,
Which victorie gretli dide auaile
To the Romeyns. Aftir bi gouernaunce
He brouht al Spayne to ther obeissaunce.
Cam Porpenna Pompeie for tassaile;
And as thei mette anon[e] Pompeius
Ful lik a kniht slouh hym in bataile,
Which victorie gretli dide auaile
To the Romeyns. Aftir bi gouernaunce
He brouht al Spayne to ther obeissaunce.
Bi auctorite youe bi the Senat,
This noble Pompeie, for vail of the cite,
Vpon the se wolde suffre no pirat;
Wher-euer he cam from hym thei dede flee:
For with his shippis he scoured so the se
And bar hym ther so manli with his hond,
That maugre them he brouht hem to the lond.
This noble Pompeie, for vail of the cite,
Vpon the se wolde suffre no pirat;
Wher-euer he cam from hym thei dede flee:
For with his shippis he scoured so the se
And bar hym ther so manli with his hond,
That maugre them he brouht hem to the lond.
Al the piratis and thes fals robbours
Igadred wern out of the regioun
Callid Silice, which lik to rauynours
Made ageyn Roome a conspiracioun,
Robbede, spoillede, seillyng up & doun,
Romeyn marchauntis & peeple of ech contre,
That non was hardi to passe bi the se.
Igadred wern out of the regioun
Callid Silice, which lik to rauynours
Made ageyn Roome a conspiracioun,
Robbede, spoillede, seillyng up & doun,
Romeyn marchauntis & peeple of ech contre,
That non was hardi to passe bi the se.
Afftir Pompeie hath maad the se tobeie,
That pirat non durst[e] theron abide,
He bi the Senat was sent out to werreye
Toward thorient, his knihtis be his side.
And wher-so-euer that he dide ride,
Myn auctour writ, bynfluence of heuene
His conquest was swifft as wynd or leuene.
That pirat non durst[e] theron abide,
He bi the Senat was sent out to werreye
Toward thorient, his knihtis be his side.
And wher-so-euer that he dide ride,
Myn auctour writ, bynfluence of heuene
His conquest was swifft as wynd or leuene.
And to encres of his eternal glorie,
Perpetueli to geten hym a name,
His laude & renoun to putte in memorie
He bilt a cite in Asia of gret fame,
Callid Nichopoli, Bochas seith the same,
Tween too floodis, the ton Araxzases,
And the tothir was callid Eufrates.
Perpetueli to geten hym a name,
His laude & renoun to putte in memorie
He bilt a cite in Asia of gret fame,
Callid Nichopoli, Bochas seith the same,
Tween too floodis, the ton Araxzases,
And the tothir was callid Eufrates.
732
He bilte this cite onli of entent
That Romeyn knihtis, which wer falle in age,
And such as wer[e]n in the werris spent,
Sike, woundid, in pouert or in rage,
Sholde of custum haue ther herbergage
In that cite alway, & nat faille
Beddyng, clothes, spendyng & vitaille.
That Romeyn knihtis, which wer falle in age,
And such as wer[e]n in the werris spent,
Sike, woundid, in pouert or in rage,
Sholde of custum haue ther herbergage
In that cite alway, & nat faille
Beddyng, clothes, spendyng & vitaille.
Pompeye aftir rood into Armenye,
Rebel to Roome, wher Tigranes was kyng.
Fauht with hym ther, & thoruh his cheualrie
Discounfited hym, ther was non abidyng.
Wher Tigranes hymsilue submyttyng
Vnto Pompeie with eueri circumstaunce,
Euer tabide vndir his obeissaunce.
Rebel to Roome, wher Tigranes was kyng.
Fauht with hym ther, & thoruh his cheualrie
Discounfited hym, ther was non abidyng.
Wher Tigranes hymsilue submyttyng
Vnto Pompeie with eueri circumstaunce,
Euer tabide vndir his obeissaunce.
Than in al haste Pompeie gan hym hie
To ride in Asia, wher lik a manli kniht
He gat the kyngdam callid Albanye,
Which took his name, who-so looke ariht,
Of whiht[e]nesse; for eueri maner wiht
That ther is born, be record of writyng,
Whiht as snouh[e] hath his her shynyng.
To ride in Asia, wher lik a manli kniht
He gat the kyngdam callid Albanye,
Which took his name, who-so looke ariht,
Of whiht[e]nesse; for eueri maner wiht
That ther is born, be record of writyng,
Whiht as snouh[e] hath his her shynyng.
Ther been houndis merueilous of nature,
For tassaile bolis and leouns;
No wilde beeste ageyn hem may endure.
So Pompeye, bi many regiouns
Rood thoruh Armenye with his champiouns,
Wher growen herbes that may neuer feynte,
What-euer colour men list with hem peynte.
For tassaile bolis and leouns;
No wilde beeste ageyn hem may endure.
So Pompeye, bi many regiouns
Rood thoruh Armenye with his champiouns,
Wher growen herbes that may neuer feynte,
What-euer colour men list with hem peynte.
Conquered rewmys aboute in eueri cost:
Of Hiberie he gat the regeoun,
And Artaces the kyng with al his host
Discounfited, as maad is mencioun.
With his poweer to Surrie he cam doun,
Than to Fenise, a cite of gret fame,
Which of Fenix whilom took his name.
Of Hiberie he gat the regeoun,
And Artaces the kyng with al his host
Discounfited, as maad is mencioun.
With his poweer to Surrie he cam doun,
Than to Fenise, a cite of gret fame,
Which of Fenix whilom took his name.
Brouhte al thes contres to subieccioun:
Of Sydonye, the myhti strong cite
Of Iturye, he took pocessioun;
Thoruh Arabie he cam doun to Iudee,
Which of Iewes was sumtyme the contre.
Of Libanus he passed the mounteyn,
Wher cedris growe[n], as auctour[e]s seyn.
Of Sydonye, the myhti strong cite
Of Iturye, he took pocessioun;
Thoruh Arabie he cam doun to Iudee,
733
Of Libanus he passed the mounteyn,
Wher cedris growe[n], as auctour[e]s seyn.
Sent [to]forn hym, entryng in that reum,
Oon Gabynus, a myhti strong constable;
Regnyng that tyme in Iherusalem
Aristobolus, a prince ful notable.
And for the temple was strong & nat permiable,
Leide a siege aboute in breede & lengthe
Space of thre monethes, & gat it so bi strengthe.
Oon Gabynus, a myhti strong constable;
Regnyng that tyme in Iherusalem
Aristobolus, a prince ful notable.
And for the temple was strong & nat permiable,
Leide a siege aboute in breede & lengthe
Space of thre monethes, & gat it so bi strengthe.
Thre thousand Iewes vndir the wal wer founde,
Ded at thassaut, which made resistence;
The wal aftir doun beten to the grounde.
Pompeye afftir bi sturdi violence
Is entrid in withoute reuerence,
Sancta sanctorum men that place call,
Made Hircanius hiest preest of all,
Ded at thassaut, which made resistence;
The wal aftir doun beten to the grounde.
Pompeye afftir bi sturdi violence
Is entrid in withoute reuerence,
Sancta sanctorum men that place call,
Made Hircanius hiest preest of all,
The grete bisshop Aristobolus,
Sent to Roome in myhti cheynis bounde.
Toward Septemptrion, I fynde write thus,
Gat seuene kyngdames with citees wallid rounde,
Rebel to Roome, he dide hem confounde;
With mihti suerd[e] gat al the contre
Fro Caucasus doun to the Red[e] Se.
Sent to Roome in myhti cheynis bounde.
Toward Septemptrion, I fynde write thus,
Gat seuene kyngdames with citees wallid rounde,
Rebel to Roome, he dide hem confounde;
With mihti suerd[e] gat al the contre
Fro Caucasus doun to the Red[e] Se.
In his conquest, it sempte verraily
As the goddis hadde doon ther cure,
And that Fortune was with hem eek besi,
This myhti Pompeye prince to assure,
What-euer hym list be conquest to recure:
In Spaigne he gat, whan thei wer rebell,
Thre hundred citees & sixty strong castell.
As the goddis hadde doon ther cure,
And that Fortune was with hem eek besi,
This myhti Pompeye prince to assure,
What-euer hym list be conquest to recure:
In Spaigne he gat, whan thei wer rebell,
Thre hundred citees & sixty strong castell.
Hard to remembre his conquestis euerichon,
Alle the prowessis of this knihtli man:
Toward the parti of Septemptrioun
A thousand castell I fynde that he wan,
Sixe hundred mo, fro tyme that he gan,
Eihte & thretti cites, out of doute,
With myhti wallis closed round aboute.
Alle the prowessis of this knihtli man:
Toward the parti of Septemptrioun
A thousand castell I fynde that he wan,
Sixe hundred mo, fro tyme that he gan,
Eihte & thretti cites, out of doute,
With myhti wallis closed round aboute.
734
Peise his deedis, his conquestis marciall:
Thries consul chose for his encres;
Reed, ye shal fynde how he was egall
To Alisandre or to Hercules.
Wher that euere he put hymsilff in pres,
Al cam to hand, concludyng, ye may see,
To comoun proffit of Roome the cite.
Thries consul chose for his encres;
Reed, ye shal fynde how he was egall
To Alisandre or to Hercules.
Wher that euere he put hymsilff in pres,
Al cam to hand, concludyng, ye may see,
To comoun proffit of Roome the cite.
His marciall deedis to putte in remembraunce,
Oon was chose to do his dilligence
To enacte his conquest in substaunce
And his knihthod of synguler excellence;
And Triffanes, famous of elloquence,
Assigned was onto that labour,
Took his guerdoun of ther comoun tresour.
Oon was chose to do his dilligence
To enacte his conquest in substaunce
And his knihthod of synguler excellence;
And Triffanes, famous of elloquence,
Assigned was onto that labour,
Took his guerdoun of ther comoun tresour.
Pompeye of Roome was cheef gouernour,
Cesar absent in Gaule, a ferre contre,
Which tyme Pompeie stood in gret fauour
Bothe of Fortune and Roome the cite,
Sumwhat maad blynd of his prosperite,
Purposyng, in his clymbyng nat stable,
He wolde haue non that wer to hym semblable.
Cesar absent in Gaule, a ferre contre,
Which tyme Pompeie stood in gret fauour
Bothe of Fortune and Roome the cite,
Sumwhat maad blynd of his prosperite,
Purposyng, in his clymbyng nat stable,
He wolde haue non that wer to hym semblable.
Vnto purpos was saide ful yore agon,
How that loue nouther hih lordshippe,—
Preeff hath be maad in many mo than oon,—
Nouther of hem wolde haue no felashipe;
Ech bi his oon wolde his parti keepe:
In thes too caas, brothir onto brothir
Failleth at a poynt; ech wil put out othir.
How that loue nouther hih lordshippe,—
Preeff hath be maad in many mo than oon,—
Nouther of hem wolde haue no felashipe;
Ech bi his oon wolde his parti keepe:
In thes too caas, brothir onto brothir
Failleth at a poynt; ech wil put out othir.
To Pompeye resortyng now ageyn,—
He took on hym al the gouernaille
Of the Romeyns, as ye haue herd me seyn,
Bothe of estatis, comouns & poraille,
And for his part al that myhte [a]vaille
In makyng lawes, statut or decre,
Al up engrosed bi his auctorite.
He took on hym al the gouernaille
Of the Romeyns, as ye haue herd me seyn,
Bothe of estatis, comouns & poraille,
And for his part al that myhte [a]vaille
In makyng lawes, statut or decre,
Al up engrosed bi his auctorite.
Folk this while which that had envie
Toward Cesar in his longe absence,
Leet make a lawe bi conspiracye
And a statut, concludyng in sentence,
Withoute excepcioun, fauour or reuerence,
No man sholde, be wil of the Senat,
In his absence be chose to non estat,
Toward Cesar in his longe absence,
Leet make a lawe bi conspiracye
And a statut, concludyng in sentence,
Withoute excepcioun, fauour or reuerence,
735
In his absence be chose to non estat,
Nor been admittid be no procutour
Taue auctorite of dignite [n]or offis,
In court of tribun nor off senatour
To be promotid; this was ther auys,
Wer he neuer so manli nor so wis.
This lawe ordeyned be folk envious,
For hyndryng onli of Cesar Iulius.
Taue auctorite of dignite [n]or offis,
In court of tribun nor off senatour
To be promotid; this was ther auys,
Wer he neuer so manli nor so wis.
This lawe ordeyned be folk envious,
For hyndryng onli of Cesar Iulius.
Whan Iulius knew al ther fals werking,
Fro Gaule sente up to the cite,
Al the Senat requeryng be writyng
To graunte hym bi ther auctorite
Of tryumphe the notable dignite,
To haue also thoffis and thestat
Callid in Roome the seconde consulat,
Fro Gaule sente up to the cite,
Al the Senat requeryng be writyng
To graunte hym bi ther auctorite
Of tryumphe the notable dignite,
To haue also thoffis and thestat
Callid in Roome the seconde consulat,
For hym aleggyng many gret victorie
In dyuers contres doon for the cite,
Many conquest notable of memorie
Wrouht bi his knihthod; for which of equite
Requeryng them guerdoned for to bee.
But contrarie vnto his entent
Denied hym al bi oon assent,
In dyuers contres doon for the cite,
Many conquest notable of memorie
Wrouht bi his knihthod; for which of equite
Requeryng them guerdoned for to bee.
But contrarie vnto his entent
Denied hym al bi oon assent,
Which was cheeff ground, roote & occasioun
That brouht in first the contrauersie,
Cyuile discordes, froward dyuysioun,
Whan eueri man drouh to his partie
Of old hatreede to kyndle newe envie,
Causyng princis Iulius & Pompeie
To ther confusioun ech othir to werreye.
That brouht in first the contrauersie,
Cyuile discordes, froward dyuysioun,
Whan eueri man drouh to his partie
Of old hatreede to kyndle newe envie,
Causyng princis Iulius & Pompeie
To ther confusioun ech othir to werreye.
The tryumphe denyed to Cesar,—
Fraude of Pompeie made hym therof faile,
Of whos deceit Iulius was war,—
Made hym redi with many strong bataille,
Passed ouer the Alpies of Itaille,
Fulli in purpos, pleynli, yiff he myhte,
With the Romeyns and Pompeie for to fihte.
Fraude of Pompeie made hym therof faile,
Of whos deceit Iulius was war,—
Made hym redi with many strong bataille,
Passed ouer the Alpies of Itaille,
Fulli in purpos, pleynli, yiff he myhte,
With the Romeyns and Pompeie for to fihte.
Thus gan the werre atween thes princis tweyne.
Pompeye chose for parti of the toun
To been ther duk & capteyn souereyne
Ageyn Cesar, as maad is mencioun.
And thus alas the desolacioun
Suede of the cite, be many straunge signe,
With vnkouth toknis, whan thei gan maligne.
Pompeye chose for parti of the toun
To been ther duk & capteyn souereyne
Ageyn Cesar, as maad is mencioun.
736
Suede of the cite, be many straunge signe,
With vnkouth toknis, whan thei gan maligne.
At the gynnyng of thes woful werris,
In the heuene wer seyn dreedful sihtes—
Sparklyng brondis, cometis, vnkouth sterris,
With flawme of fyr many feerful lihtes
Lik laumpis brennyng al the longe nihtes,
Castyng of speres, dartis in the hair,
Wherbi Romeyns fill in gret dispair.
In the heuene wer seyn dreedful sihtes—
Sparklyng brondis, cometis, vnkouth sterris,
With flawme of fyr many feerful lihtes
Lik laumpis brennyng al the longe nihtes,
Castyng of speres, dartis in the hair,
Wherbi Romeyns fill in gret dispair.
From the parti of Septemptrion
Toward Roome cam ful gret lihtnyng;
At non seyn sterris; lik blood the sunne shon;
The moone eclipsed, terrible in shewyng;
The mount[e] Ethna, feerfulli brennyng,
From his cauernis cast up flawmys rede
Toward Itaille, which set hem in gret dreede.
Toward Roome cam ful gret lihtnyng;
At non seyn sterris; lik blood the sunne shon;
The moone eclipsed, terrible in shewyng;
The mount[e] Ethna, feerfulli brennyng,
From his cauernis cast up flawmys rede
Toward Itaille, which set hem in gret dreede.
Out of Karibdis, a daunger of the se,
Wawes terrible boiled up lik blood;
From the rokkes that in Cecile bee
Was herd howlyng of houndis that wer wood.
Vesta the goddesse, in Roome ther she stood,
Mid hir temple was al with teres spreynt,
Whan the heuenli fyris wern afforn hir queynt.
Wawes terrible boiled up lik blood;
From the rokkes that in Cecile bee
Was herd howlyng of houndis that wer wood.
Vesta the goddesse, in Roome ther she stood,
Mid hir temple was al with teres spreynt,
Whan the heuenli fyris wern afforn hir queynt.
Afforn this goddesse, at the aulter princepall
Was fyr perpetuel brennyng day & niht,
Til werris cyuyle, hatful & mortal,
Gan among Romeyns, & the contagious fiht.
Than of vengaunce anon was queynt the liht
Tofor Vesta, the fire partyng on tweyne,
Of dyuisioun a tokne ful certeyne.
Was fyr perpetuel brennyng day & niht,
Til werris cyuyle, hatful & mortal,
Gan among Romeyns, & the contagious fiht.
Than of vengaunce anon was queynt the liht
Tofor Vesta, the fire partyng on tweyne,
Of dyuisioun a tokne ful certeyne.
Erthe-quaues sodeyn & terrible
Ouertournede castellis vp-so-doun;
With rage floodis hidous & horrible
Neptunvs dide gret destruccioun,
Drowned villages & many a mansioun,
Reuersed in templis of gold al ther vessellis,
Threw doun baners, standardis & penselis.
Ouertournede castellis vp-so-doun;
With rage floodis hidous & horrible
Neptunvs dide gret destruccioun,
Drowned villages & many a mansioun,
Reuersed in templis of gold al ther vessellis,
Threw doun baners, standardis & penselis.
737
Geyn these signes was founde non arest,
The vnwar myscheeff koude no man declyne.
Leouns, wolues kam doun fro the forest
With many othir beestis sauagyne;
Wilde beris & serpentis of rauyne
Kam to the cite; & summe ageyn[e]s kynde
Spak as do men, in Bochas thus I fynde.
The vnwar myscheeff koude no man declyne.
Leouns, wolues kam doun fro the forest
With many othir beestis sauagyne;
Wilde beris & serpentis of rauyne
Kam to the cite; & summe ageyn[e]s kynde
Spak as do men, in Bochas thus I fynde.
Dyuers foulis, which of ther nature
Haue in custum to fleen but a-niht,
Affor thes werris dede hemsilf assure
Euene at mydday, whan Phebus is most briht,
Thoruh the cite for to take her fliht.
Wommen with childre—the stori list nat feyne—
Brouht foorth summe that hadde hedis tweyne.
Haue in custum to fleen but a-niht,
Affor thes werris dede hemsilf assure
Euene at mydday, whan Phebus is most briht,
Thoruh the cite for to take her fliht.
Wommen with childre—the stori list nat feyne—
Brouht foorth summe that hadde hedis tweyne.
Tofor thes werris, that callid wer cyuile,
Senatours beyng in Roome toun
Cam to the woman that callid was Cybile,
Vnto hire made this questioun:
To declare bi short conclusioun,
Among ther other questioun[e]s all,
Of ther cite what fortune sholde fall?
Senatours beyng in Roome toun
Cam to the woman that callid was Cybile,
Vnto hire made this questioun:
To declare bi short conclusioun,
Among ther other questioun[e]s all,
Of ther cite what fortune sholde fall?
To whom she gaff an ansuere ful obscure,
Wherupon she made hem sore muse:
Took hem sixe lettres set in pleyn scripture,
Which in no wise thei myhte nat refuse,
For false rihtis that thei dede vse;
Lik the thre lettres twies set in noumbre,
Who vndirstondeth, thei shal the toun encoumbre.
Wherupon she made hem sore muse:
Took hem sixe lettres set in pleyn scripture,
Which in no wise thei myhte nat refuse,
For false rihtis that thei dede vse;
Lik the thre lettres twies set in noumbre,
Who vndirstondeth, thei shal the toun encoumbre.
Thre R. R. R. first[e] she set on a rowe
And thre F. F. F. in ordre faste bi,—
Long tyme aftir or thei koude knowe
Thexposicioun therof openly,
Til ther dyuynours gan serche sotilly
To fynde[n] out, lik to ther entente,
Be the sexe lettres what Cibile mente.
And thre F. F. F. in ordre faste bi,—
Long tyme aftir or thei koude knowe
Thexposicioun therof openly,
Til ther dyuynours gan serche sotilly
To fynde[n] out, lik to ther entente,
Be the sexe lettres what Cibile mente.
Off this woord Regnum the first lettre is R,
So is the capital off Roome the cite;
Who looke ariht, the thridde is nat ferre,—
This woord Ruet gynneth with R, parde.
Of which[e] woordes whan thei ioyned be,
The sentence concludeth in meenyng,
Off ther cite the ruynous fallyng.
So is the capital off Roome the cite;
Who looke ariht, the thridde is nat ferre,—
738
Of which[e] woordes whan thei ioyned be,
The sentence concludeth in meenyng,
Off ther cite the ruynous fallyng.
Touchyng thre F. F. F., who can aduertise,
Of this woord Ferro, F go[e]th toforn;
And the cheeff lettre off Fames to deuyse
Is F also, the processe weel forth born.
The same of Flamma, bi which þe toun was lorn,
Off which resouns make a coniunccioun,
Causyng of Roome fynal destruccioun.
Of this woord Ferro, F go[e]th toforn;
And the cheeff lettre off Fames to deuyse
Is F also, the processe weel forth born.
The same of Flamma, bi which þe toun was lorn,
Off which resouns make a coniunccioun,
Causyng of Roome fynal destruccioun.
Fyr, swerd & hunger caused be the werris,
Desyr of clymbyng, froward ambicioun,
Shewyng of cometis & of vnkouth sterris,
With pronostikes off [ther] desercioun,
Werst of alle, wilful dyuysioun
Among hemsilff bi vnwar violence,
Off lettres sexe accomplisshid the sentence.
Desyr of clymbyng, froward ambicioun,
Shewyng of cometis & of vnkouth sterris,
With pronostikes off [ther] desercioun,
Werst of alle, wilful dyuysioun
Among hemsilff bi vnwar violence,
Off lettres sexe accomplisshid the sentence.
The suerd of Cesar, werris of Pompeye,
Tween thes tweyne lastyng a long[e] while,
Made many Romeyn & Italien to deie,
Bi the batailes that callid wer cyuile,
With prophecies remembred of Cebile,
As the writyng ful weel reherse can,
Of the old poete that callid was Lucan.
Tween thes tweyne lastyng a long[e] while,
Made many Romeyn & Italien to deie,
Bi the batailes that callid wer cyuile,
With prophecies remembred of Cebile,
As the writyng ful weel reherse can,
Of the old poete that callid was Lucan.
In Martes temple on heihte wher he stood,
And Bellona, the goddesse despitous,
The preestes cried & offred up ther blood
With lamentaciouns, lik folkis furious,
Cause off toknys fell and contrarious
Which that wer shewed in that seyntuarie,
How ther goddis to Romeyns wer contrarie.
And Bellona, the goddesse despitous,
The preestes cried & offred up ther blood
With lamentaciouns, lik folkis furious,
Cause off toknys fell and contrarious
Which that wer shewed in that seyntuarie,
How ther goddis to Romeyns wer contrarie.
Mong dede bonys that leyen in ther grauis
Wer voises herd lik wood men in ther rages,
Cry of goostis in cauernys & cauys,
Herd in feeldis, paththis & passages;
Laboureres fledde hom to ther villages.
Serpentis, adderes, scaled siluer briht,
Wer ouer Roome seyn fleeyng al the niht.
Wer voises herd lik wood men in ther rages,
Cry of goostis in cauernys & cauys,
Herd in feeldis, paththis & passages;
Laboureres fledde hom to ther villages.
Serpentis, adderes, scaled siluer briht,
Wer ouer Roome seyn fleeyng al the niht.
739
Another tokne, pitous for to heere,
Which astoned many proud Romeyn,
Dede bodies dide in the feeld appeere,
Which in bataille hadde afforn be slayn,
From ther tombis arisyng wher thei layn,
Which in the werris, woful & despitous,
Wer slayn be Scilla & proude Marrius.
Which astoned many proud Romeyn,
Dede bodies dide in the feeld appeere,
Which in bataille hadde afforn be slayn,
From ther tombis arisyng wher thei layn,
Which in the werris, woful & despitous,
Wer slayn be Scilla & proude Marrius.
It was eek tolde bi ther dyuynours,
How Pompeyus was lik to haue a fall,
And how thestat of Romeyn emperours
With ther tryumphes that been imperial
At Iulius first ther begynne shal;
And afftir hym thestat shal foort[h] proceede
Be eleccioun or lyneal kynreede.
How Pompeyus was lik to haue a fall,
And how thestat of Romeyn emperours
With ther tryumphes that been imperial
At Iulius first ther begynne shal;
And afftir hym thestat shal foort[h] proceede
Be eleccioun or lyneal kynreede.
To withstonde the poweer of Cesar,
Which toward Roome took his weie riht,
Pompeye was sent, wis, manli & riht war;
But whan he herd[e] tellyn of the myht
Of Iulius, he took hym to the fliht;
Eek alle the senatours with hym dede flee
Toward Epire, in Grece a strong cite.
Which toward Roome took his weie riht,
Pompeye was sent, wis, manli & riht war;
But whan he herd[e] tellyn of the myht
Of Iulius, he took hym to the fliht;
Eek alle the senatours with hym dede flee
Toward Epire, in Grece a strong cite.
Pompeye was old, famous in cheualrie,
Cesar but yong [&] hardi for tassaille.
Vppon the pleyns of Grece & Thesalie
Pompeye & he hadde a gret bataille:
Geyn Iulius suerd no Romeyn mihte auaile;
Constreyned of force the feeld[e] to forsake,
Toward Egipt thei haue the weie take.
Cesar but yong [&] hardi for tassaille.
Vppon the pleyns of Grece & Thesalie
Pompeye & he hadde a gret bataille:
Geyn Iulius suerd no Romeyn mihte auaile;
Constreyned of force the feeld[e] to forsake,
Toward Egipt thei haue the weie take.
Pompeye thoruh Cipre cam to Tholome,
Bi a gret watir at Paphus dede aryue;
On the stronde ther he dide see
A statli place, & up he wente blyue,
The name of which, pleynli to descryue,
Cacabosile the contre dede it call,
Of which[e] name the fortune is thus fall:
Bi a gret watir at Paphus dede aryue;
On the stronde ther he dide see
A statli place, & up he wente blyue,
The name of which, pleynli to descryue,
Cacabosile the contre dede it call,
Of which[e] name the fortune is thus fall:
740
The name tokne of froward arryuaill,
Sownyng in Greek vnhappi auenture.
Be which the trust of Pompeie did[e] faille,—
Fill in dispeir, myht it nat recure,—
Forsook that ile, dede his besi cure
To take a shipp, so bi the se saillyng
Toward Egipt, wher Tholome was kyng.
Sownyng in Greek vnhappi auenture.
Be which the trust of Pompeie did[e] faille,—
Fill in dispeir, myht it nat recure,—
Forsook that ile, dede his besi cure
To take a shipp, so bi the se saillyng
Toward Egipt, wher Tholome was kyng.
Of trust he fledde to this Tholome,
In hope he sholde fynde in hym socour:
Fair cheer shewed vndir duplicite,
Failled at the poynt, gaf hym feynt fauour,
Al-be Pompeye bi his freendli labour
Crownid hym kyng in Egipt, as I fynde,
To whom ageyn he was fals & vnkynde.
In hope he sholde fynde in hym socour:
Fair cheer shewed vndir duplicite,
Failled at the poynt, gaf hym feynt fauour,
Al-be Pompeye bi his freendli labour
Crownid hym kyng in Egipt, as I fynde,
To whom ageyn he was fals & vnkynde.
To meete Pompeye he leet stuffe a barge
Be a maner pretence of freendliheede,
Gaff his meyne that wer ther in charge
To moordre Pompeie, behiht hem a gret meede.
Tweyne ther wern, which to hym bar hatreede;
And in the vessel, with sharp suerdis whette,
Or he was war[e], of his hed thei smette.
Be a maner pretence of freendliheede,
Gaff his meyne that wer ther in charge
To moordre Pompeie, behiht hem a gret meede.
Tweyne ther wern, which to hym bar hatreede;
And in the vessel, with sharp suerdis whette,
Or he was war[e], of his hed thei smette.
The ton of hem was callid Achillas,
And his felawe namyd was Fotyne.
Took up the hed[e] of that prince, alas,
Famous in knihthod, born of gentil lyne,
Among Romeyns, as auctours determyne,
Holde in his tyme, yiff men doon hym riht,
Thoruh al the world[e] oon the beste kniht.
And his felawe namyd was Fotyne.
Took up the hed[e] of that prince, alas,
Famous in knihthod, born of gentil lyne,
Among Romeyns, as auctours determyne,
Holde in his tyme, yiff men doon hym riht,
Thoruh al the world[e] oon the beste kniht.
Thus erthli princis, with al ther pompous fame,
Which thoruh the world yiueþ so gret a soun,
Of slauhtre & moordre thei took[e] first þer name,
Bi fals rauyne and extorsioun
Clamb up so first to domynacioun.
Brennyng of contres, conquest bi violence
Sette hem in chaieres of worldli excellence.
Which thoruh the world yiueþ so gret a soun,
Of slauhtre & moordre thei took[e] first þer name,
Bi fals rauyne and extorsioun
Clamb up so first to domynacioun.
Brennyng of contres, conquest bi violence
Sette hem in chaieres of worldli excellence.
In this bataile, which callid was cyuyle,
Hold atween Pompeye & Cesar Iulius,
Thre hundred thousand slay[e]n in a while,
Thre thousand take, the stori tellith thus,
Withoute princis notable & glorious,
As kyngis, pretours, reknid all attonys,
Tribunys, consulis & centuryonys.
Hold atween Pompeye & Cesar Iulius,
Thre hundred thousand slay[e]n in a while,
Thre thousand take, the stori tellith thus,
741
As kyngis, pretours, reknid all attonys,
Tribunys, consulis & centuryonys.
Phebus on the soil myht nat his bemys spreede,
Nor on the ground shewe out his cleer[e] liht;
Men that wer slay[e]n lay so thikke on breede,
That of the erthe no man hadde a siht.
Wolues, beres, rauynous foul off fliht,
Kam gret plente to feede hem ther ech day
Beside the ryueer of Nile wher thei lay.
Nor on the ground shewe out his cleer[e] liht;
Men that wer slay[e]n lay so thikke on breede,
That of the erthe no man hadde a siht.
Wolues, beres, rauynous foul off fliht,
Kam gret plente to feede hem ther ech day
Beside the ryueer of Nile wher thei lay.
Gobetis of flessh, which foulis dede arace
Fro dede bodies, born up in the hair,
Fill from ther clees vpon Iulius face,
Amyd the feeld wher he had his repair.
Made his visage bloodi & nat fair,
Al-be that he to his encres of glorie
Hadde thilke day of Romeyns the victorie.
Fro dede bodies, born up in the hair,
Fill from ther clees vpon Iulius face,
Amyd the feeld wher he had his repair.
Made his visage bloodi & nat fair,
Al-be that he to his encres of glorie
Hadde thilke day of Romeyns the victorie.
The hed of Pompeye, brouht with his statli ring,
Offrid up to Iulius hih presence,
He be compassioun, the moordre aduertisyng,
Of his innat imperial excellence
Brast out to weepe, & in his aduertense
Thouhte gret pite, a prince of so gret myht
Sholde so be slayn, that was so good a knyht.
Offrid up to Iulius hih presence,
He be compassioun, the moordre aduertisyng,
Of his innat imperial excellence
Brast out to weepe, & in his aduertense
Thouhte gret pite, a prince of so gret myht
Sholde so be slayn, that was so good a knyht.
The corps abood withoute sepulture,
Til oon Coodrus of compassioun
Aftir the bataille & disconfiture
Besouht[e] hym, of gret affeccioun,
To hide the trunke lowe in the sondis doun.
Souhte tymbir, and ther he fond but smal,
To doon exequies with fires funeral.
Til oon Coodrus of compassioun
Aftir the bataille & disconfiture
Besouht[e] hym, of gret affeccioun,
To hide the trunke lowe in the sondis doun.
Souhte tymbir, and ther he fond but smal,
To doon exequies with fires funeral.
Now, sithe this prince kam to such myscheeff,
Moordred and slayn bi Tholome the kyng:
Heer of hir poweer Fortune hath maad a preeff,
What trust ther is in any worldli thyng.
Aftir his deth wantid he nat buriyng?—
This proude Pompeie, so famous of his hond,
Of fissh deuoured, as he lay on quik sond!
Moordred and slayn bi Tholome the kyng:
Heer of hir poweer Fortune hath maad a preeff,
What trust ther is in any worldli thyng.
Aftir his deth wantid he nat buriyng?—
This proude Pompeie, so famous of his hond,
Of fissh deuoured, as he lay on quik sond!
742
What shal men sette bi poweer or noblesse
Of slidyng goodis or any worldli glorie,
Which to restreyne may be no sekirnesse?
Fortune and the world is transitorye;
Thouh Mars to-day yiue a man victorie,
Parcas to-morwe vnwarli he shal deie,—
I take record of Cesar and Pompeie.
Of slidyng goodis or any worldli glorie,
Which to restreyne may be no sekirnesse?
Fortune and the world is transitorye;
Thouh Mars to-day yiue a man victorie,
Parcas to-morwe vnwarli he shal deie,—
I take record of Cesar and Pompeie.
Sith al stant vndir daunger of Fortune,
Ye worldli men doth your look up-dresse
To thilke place wher ioie doth ay contune;
The Blynde Ladi hath ther non interesse.
Set pride aside, tak you to meeknesse,
To sue vertu doth treuli your labour,
Geyn worldli pompe mak Pompeie your merour!
Ye worldli men doth your look up-dresse
To thilke place wher ioie doth ay contune;
The Blynde Ladi hath ther non interesse.
Set pride aside, tak you to meeknesse,
To sue vertu doth treuli your labour,
Geyn worldli pompe mak Pompeie your merour!
Lenvoye.
This tragedie of the duk Pompeie
Declareth in gros þe cheef occasioun
Whi he and Cesar gan first to werreie,
Ech ageyn othir, thoruh veyn ambicioun
To haue lordshipe and domynacioun
Ouer the Romeyns, bi fauour, fraude or myht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong or riht.
Declareth in gros þe cheef occasioun
Whi he and Cesar gan first to werreie,
Ech ageyn othir, thoruh veyn ambicioun
To haue lordshipe and domynacioun
Ouer the Romeyns, bi fauour, fraude or myht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong or riht.
To trouthis parti pride is loth tobeie;
Extort poweer doth gret destruccioun;
Wis policie al out of the weie,
Prudent counsail, age with discrecioun
Loste ther liberte of free eleccioun.
Who was most strong, with hym heeld euery wiht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong nor riht.
Extort poweer doth gret destruccioun;
Wis policie al out of the weie,
Prudent counsail, age with discrecioun
Loste ther liberte of free eleccioun.
Who was most strong, with hym heeld euery wiht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong nor riht.
Swich dyuysioun made many man to deie,
Brouhte the cite to desolacioun.
With these too princis Fortune list to pleie,
Til from hir wheel she cast hem bothe doun.
Sotil deceit, fraude & collusioun
Bambicious clymbyng blente ther bothe liht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong nor riht.
Brouhte the cite to desolacioun.
With these too princis Fortune list to pleie,
Til from hir wheel she cast hem bothe doun.
Sotil deceit, fraude & collusioun
Bambicious clymbyng blente ther bothe liht,—
Pocessioun take no fors of wrong nor riht.
743
Noble princis, remembreth what I seie,
Peiseth this stori withyne in your resoun,
Of fals surmountyng auarice berth þe keie,
Record of Cesar, Pompeye of Roome toun,
Whos wilful werris, hatful discencioun
Yiueth cleer warnyng to you & eueri wiht,
No cleym is worth withoute title of riht.
Peiseth this stori withyne in your resoun,
Of fals surmountyng auarice berth þe keie,
Record of Cesar, Pompeye of Roome toun,
Whos wilful werris, hatful discencioun
Yiueth cleer warnyng to you & eueri wiht,
No cleym is worth withoute title of riht.
[How victorious Iulius Cesar brent the vessels of Tholome slouh Achillas that wolde ha moordred him & after grete victories himsilf was mordred with boidekens bi brutus Cassius.]
Afftir the woful compleint lamentable
Of Pompeis dethe, pitous for to heere,
Werris remembrid, with tresouns importable,
Compassid fraudis farcid with fair cheere,
Conspired moordre, rehersid the maneere
How kyng Tholome, fraudulent of corage,
The deth conspired of Pompeie fall in age.
Of Pompeis dethe, pitous for to heere,
Werris remembrid, with tresouns importable,
Compassid fraudis farcid with fair cheere,
Conspired moordre, rehersid the maneere
How kyng Tholome, fraudulent of corage,
The deth conspired of Pompeie fall in age.
The processe tolde, I holde it wer but veyn
Therof to write a newe tragedie;
Thyng onys said, it to reherse ageyn,
It wer but idil, as for that partie.
But how Cesar went out of Thessalie,
Kam Talisaundre to logge hym in that place,
I wil remembre with support of your grace.
Therof to write a newe tragedie;
Thyng onys said, it to reherse ageyn,
It wer but idil, as for that partie.
But how Cesar went out of Thessalie,
Kam Talisaundre to logge hym in that place,
I wil remembre with support of your grace.
He logged was in his paleis roiall,
Wher he was besi, be diligent labour
Thoruh that regioun in templis ouerall
To spoile goddis and haue al ther tresour,
Wher he was mokkid, fond ther no fauour;
For Achillas, which that slouh Pompeie,
Cast hym with Cesar proudli to werreie.
Wher he was besi, be diligent labour
Thoruh that regioun in templis ouerall
To spoile goddis and haue al ther tresour,
Wher he was mokkid, fond ther no fauour;
For Achillas, which that slouh Pompeie,
Cast hym with Cesar proudli to werreie.
His purpos was to falle upon Cesar,
As of nature was his condicioun
Falsli to moordre men or thei wer war,—
Bi sum sleihte to fynde occasioun
To destroye Iulius be tresoun,
And tacomplisshe his purpos in partie
Hadde twenti thousand in his cumpanye.
As of nature was his condicioun
Falsli to moordre men or thei wer war,—
Bi sum sleihte to fynde occasioun
To destroye Iulius be tresoun,
And tacomplisshe his purpos in partie
Hadde twenti thousand in his cumpanye.
744
This Achillas, fals, cruel, deceyuable,
Cast hym deceyue Cesar yif he myhte,
Of Thegipciens leder and constable
With the Romeyns purposeth for to fihte.
But whan Cesar therof hadde a sihte,
He is descendid, & faste bi the se
Brent al the naue of kyng Tholome.
Cast hym deceyue Cesar yif he myhte,
Of Thegipciens leder and constable
With the Romeyns purposeth for to fihte.
But whan Cesar therof hadde a sihte,
He is descendid, & faste bi the se
Brent al the naue of kyng Tholome.
Alle the vesselis wer dryue up with a flood
To gret damage of seide Tholome;
Iulius brente hem euene ther thei stood,
And a gret part beside of the cite.
And ther was brent, which was ful gret pite,
The famous librarie in Egipt of the kyng,
Ful fourti thousande volumys ther liggyng.
To gret damage of seide Tholome;
Iulius brente hem euene ther thei stood,
And a gret part beside of the cite.
And ther was brent, which was ful gret pite,
The famous librarie in Egipt of the kyng,
Ful fourti thousande volumys ther liggyng.
In which thyng Bochas reherseth in sentence,
How Tholome was gretli comendable,
That thoruh his besi roial prouydence
Made hymsilff a librarie so notable;
For to al clerkis in studie that wer hable,
Of seuene sciences, the stori maketh mynde,
Lik ther desire myhte bookis fynde.
How Tholome was gretli comendable,
That thoruh his besi roial prouydence
Made hymsilff a librarie so notable;
For to al clerkis in studie that wer hable,
Of seuene sciences, the stori maketh mynde,
Lik ther desire myhte bookis fynde.
Afftir this fyr, in Farus the contre,
The Egipciens hadde a gret bataille,
Wher Cesar was of gret necessite
That day constreyned, whan the feeld gan faille,
Take a barge from Egipt for to saille,
But so gret pres[e] folwed at his bak,
Almost the vessel was lik to go to wrak.
The Egipciens hadde a gret bataille,
Wher Cesar was of gret necessite
That day constreyned, whan the feeld gan faille,
Take a barge from Egipt for to saille,
But so gret pres[e] folwed at his bak,
Almost the vessel was lik to go to wrak.
Cesar armyd, with lettres in his hond,
Put his persone that day in auenture;
Two hundred pas manly swam to lond,
And kunnyngli to lond he doth recure,
Natwithstondyng his heuy strong armure.
But yit toforn or Cesar took the se,
He in the feeld hadde take Tholome.
Put his persone that day in auenture;
Two hundred pas manly swam to lond,
And kunnyngli to lond he doth recure,
Natwithstondyng his heuy strong armure.
But yit toforn or Cesar took the se,
He in the feeld hadde take Tholome.
And Achillas, the moordrere of Pompeie,
With alle his felawes that wer of assent
Wer slayn that day; ther went[e] non aweye:
Many Egipcien the same tyme brent.
Cesar of mercy for Tholome hath sent,
To Alisaundre sent hym hom of newe,
Chargyng he sholde to Romeyns forth be trewe.
With alle his felawes that wer of assent
Wer slayn that day; ther went[e] non aweye:
Many Egipcien the same tyme brent.
Cesar of mercy for Tholome hath sent,
745
Chargyng he sholde to Romeyns forth be trewe.
But whan he was delyuered fro prisoun,
Of Egipciens in Alisaundre the cite,
From eueri coost he gadred gret foisoun,
Ageyn Iulius kam doun with his meyne;
But yit for al his hasti cruelte,
Swich resistence Cesar gan to make,
That twenti thousand that day wer slayn & take.
Of Egipciens in Alisaundre the cite,
From eueri coost he gadred gret foisoun,
Ageyn Iulius kam doun with his meyne;
But yit for al his hasti cruelte,
Swich resistence Cesar gan to make,
That twenti thousand that day wer slayn & take.
Sixti galeis nat ferr fro the lond,
Tuelue thousand men komyng to Tholome,—
Echon wer yolde and brouht onto the hond
Of Iulius his prisoneres to bee.
Than Tholomeus besied hym to flee
Toward the watir, wher maugre al his myht,
He drowned was in his gret hasti fliht.
Tuelue thousand men komyng to Tholome,—
Echon wer yolde and brouht onto the hond
Of Iulius his prisoneres to bee.
Than Tholomeus besied hym to flee
Toward the watir, wher maugre al his myht,
He drowned was in his gret hasti fliht.
He knowen was bi his riche haberioun,
Of gold and steel[e] it was entermaylid,
Bi Cesar sent onto the roial toun,
Which for diffence was strongli enbatailed,—
Bokelis of gold richeli enamailed,
Which[e] toknis anon as thei haue seyn,
Disespeired to Cesar sente ageyn.
Of gold and steel[e] it was entermaylid,
Bi Cesar sent onto the roial toun,
Which for diffence was strongli enbatailed,—
Bokelis of gold richeli enamailed,
Which[e] toknis anon as thei haue seyn,
Disespeired to Cesar sente ageyn.
Of them to Cesar was maad feith & homage;
The rewm of Egipt brouht to subieccioun,
Til he of grace and merciful corage
To Cleopatra gaff al that regioun,
Longyng to hire be successioun,
Be title of riht that tyme & non othir,
Because only Tholome was hir brothir.
The rewm of Egipt brouht to subieccioun,
Til he of grace and merciful corage
To Cleopatra gaff al that regioun,
Longyng to hire be successioun,
Be title of riht that tyme & non othir,
Because only Tholome was hir brothir.
Kyng Lagus whilom in his testament,
Fadir to Cleopatra & to Tholome,
Toforn his deth bi gret auisement
Cleerli enacted his laste volunte,
That his kyngdam departid sholde be,
Half to Tholome, as his bequethe was,
The tothir halff to queen Cleopatras.
Fadir to Cleopatra & to Tholome,
Toforn his deth bi gret auisement
Cleerli enacted his laste volunte,
That his kyngdam departid sholde be,
Half to Tholome, as his bequethe was,
The tothir halff to queen Cleopatras.
746
She bi hir brothir was holde in prisoun
To keepe hir wrongli from hir heritage,
Wheroff Cesar hadde compassioun,
Purposed hym to refourme hir damage.
And whil that he heeld ther his hostage,
Of equite, of lawe and of resoun,
Of al Egipt gaff hir pocessioun.
To keepe hir wrongli from hir heritage,
Wheroff Cesar hadde compassioun,
Purposed hym to refourme hir damage.
And whil that he heeld ther his hostage,
Of equite, of lawe and of resoun,
Of al Egipt gaff hir pocessioun.
Than kam Iuba, of Libie lord & kyng,
Sowere of stryues and discencioun,
Proud, hih of port, cruel in werkyng,
Which in especial hadde indignacioun
Vnto the worthi laste Scipioun,
Cause he was chose, lik as bookis seie,
To succeede next consul to Pompeie.
Sowere of stryues and discencioun,
Proud, hih of port, cruel in werkyng,
Which in especial hadde indignacioun
Vnto the worthi laste Scipioun,
Cause he was chose, lik as bookis seie,
To succeede next consul to Pompeie.
This Iuba eek bar to hym gret hatreede,
Souht a quarel ageyn hym for o thyng,
Cause that he was clad in purpil weede,
For hym aleggyng, how onli that clothyng
No maner estat sholde vse but a kyng:
Mente for hymsilff, sittyng in roial throne,
He wold as kyng that colour were allone.
Souht a quarel ageyn hym for o thyng,
Cause that he was clad in purpil weede,
For hym aleggyng, how onli that clothyng
No maner estat sholde vse but a kyng:
Mente for hymsilff, sittyng in roial throne,
He wold as kyng that colour were allone.
Heer myn auctour maketh a digressioun,
Puttyng exaumple of Almayne the contre;
Seith that ther is non othir nacioun
Touchyng array that is so disgise
In wast of cloth and superfluite,
Rehersyng her in ful pleyn langage,
In many wise such was doth gret damage.
Puttyng exaumple of Almayne the contre;
Seith that ther is non othir nacioun
Touchyng array that is so disgise
In wast of cloth and superfluite,
Rehersyng her in ful pleyn langage,
In many wise such was doth gret damage.
It causeth pride and ambicioun,
Ageyn the vertu of humylite;
To lecherie it yiveth occasioun,
Which is contrarie vnto chastite.
Wast of array sett folk in pouerte,
Causeth also such costage spent in veyn
Off othir porere to haue ful gret disdeyn.
Ageyn the vertu of humylite;
To lecherie it yiveth occasioun,
Which is contrarie vnto chastite.
Wast of array sett folk in pouerte,
Causeth also such costage spent in veyn
Off othir porere to haue ful gret disdeyn.
747
Wher superfluite is vsid of aray,
Riot folweth, proud port & idilnesse;
With wast of tyme dryue forth the day,
Late drynkyng, wach, surfet, dronkenesse,
Engendreth feueres & many gret axcesse.
Thus eueri surfet englued is to othir,
And o mysreule bryngeth in anothir.
Riot folweth, proud port & idilnesse;
With wast of tyme dryue forth the day,
Late drynkyng, wach, surfet, dronkenesse,
Engendreth feueres & many gret axcesse.
Thus eueri surfet englued is to othir,
And o mysreule bryngeth in anothir.
God suffreth weel ther be a difference
Touchyng array, as men been of degre:
Hih estatis, that stonde in excellence,
Mut be preferrid, of resoun men may see;
As cloth of gold, stonis & perre
Was for princis, with othir fressh clothynges,
But specialli purpil was for kyngis.
Touchyng array, as men been of degre:
Hih estatis, that stonde in excellence,
Mut be preferrid, of resoun men may see;
As cloth of gold, stonis & perre
Was for princis, with othir fressh clothynges,
But specialli purpil was for kyngis.
Thus was ther set, of hih discrecioun,
Array accordyng to princis hih noblesse;
And for othir estatis lower doun,
Lik ther degrees tween pouert & richesse,
An ordre kept from scarsete & excesse,
A mene prouided atween hih & lowe,
Lich to hymsilff[e] ech man may be knowe.
Array accordyng to princis hih noblesse;
And for othir estatis lower doun,
Lik ther degrees tween pouert & richesse,
An ordre kept from scarsete & excesse,
A mene prouided atween hih & lowe,
Lich to hymsilff[e] ech man may be knowe.
But kyng Iuba, insolent & mad,
Of surquedie kauht [an] oppynyoun
That non but he in purpil shal be clad,
Causyng debat tween hym & Scipioun.
Yit wer thei parti bothe with Roome toun
Ageyn Cesar, and drouh toward Pompeie,
For which at myscheef bothe thei dide deie.
Of surquedie kauht [an] oppynyoun
That non but he in purpil shal be clad,
Causyng debat tween hym & Scipioun.
Yit wer thei parti bothe with Roome toun
Ageyn Cesar, and drouh toward Pompeie,
For which at myscheef bothe thei dide deie.
Whan Iuba felte hymsilf of noun poweer
Ageyn Cesar to holde chaumpartie,
For sorwe he loste contenaunce & cheer;
Of hih disdeyn[e] and malencolie
Callid on Pectryn, a kniht off his allie,
Made hym bassent that thei wer bothe fayn
Felli to fihte til oon off hem was slayn.
Ageyn Cesar to holde chaumpartie,
For sorwe he loste contenaunce & cheer;
Of hih disdeyn[e] and malencolie
Callid on Pectryn, a kniht off his allie,
Made hym bassent that thei wer bothe fayn
Felli to fihte til oon off hem was slayn.
Ageyn nature was this straunge fiht,
Ech to slen othir, & knew no cause whi,—
But for kyng Iuba was an hardi kniht,
He slouh his felawe and abood proudli,
And rather ches to deien wilfulli,
Of hih despiht[e] & of proud corage,
Than vndir Cesar to lyuen in seruage.
Ech to slen othir, & knew no cause whi,—
But for kyng Iuba was an hardi kniht,
He slouh his felawe and abood proudli,
748
Of hih despiht[e] & of proud corage,
Than vndir Cesar to lyuen in seruage.
Maad calle a man whom he loued weel,
Gaff vnto hym gret gold & gret guerdoun
To take a suerd[e] forgid of fyn steel,
And make theroff no long dilacioun,
But bad he sholde, for short conclusioun,
Take upon hym, & haue no feer nor dreed,
Withoute tarieng to smyten of his hed.
Gaff vnto hym gret gold & gret guerdoun
To take a suerd[e] forgid of fyn steel,
And make theroff no long dilacioun,
But bad he sholde, for short conclusioun,
Take upon hym, & haue no feer nor dreed,
Withoute tarieng to smyten of his hed.
Thus kyng Iuba rather ches to deie
Than lenger lyue in subieccioun
Vndir Cesar; he loued so weel Pompeye.
Than next to Bochas, as maad is mencioun,
Cam Aristobolus, with face & look cast doun,
Which was to Roome, afforn as I haue told,
Sent bi Pompeye to be kept in hold.
Than lenger lyue in subieccioun
Vndir Cesar; he loued so weel Pompeye.
Than next to Bochas, as maad is mencioun,
Cam Aristobolus, with face & look cast doun,
Which was to Roome, afforn as I haue told,
Sent bi Pompeye to be kept in hold.
[Aristobolus.]
Which aftir was delyuered fro prisoun
Bi help of Cesar in ful hasti wise,
Stondyng in hope of his regioun
To be restored vnto the fraunchise,
Wher Hircanus, as ye haue herd the guise,
Preferred was, to his gret foorth[er]yng,
Bi Pompeie of Iewes crowned kyng.
Bi help of Cesar in ful hasti wise,
Stondyng in hope of his regioun
To be restored vnto the fraunchise,
Wher Hircanus, as ye haue herd the guise,
Preferred was, to his gret foorth[er]yng,
Bi Pompeie of Iewes crowned kyng.
Which Aristobolus hopeth to recure,
Caste menys ther to regne ageyn,
Wrouhte theron, dide his besi cure,
Whos hasti labour was but spent in veyn.
Fill in the handis of a proud capteyn
Which that whilom was longyng to Pompeie;
And he with poisoun vnwarli made hym deye.
Caste menys ther to regne ageyn,
Wrouhte theron, dide his besi cure,
Whos hasti labour was but spent in veyn.
Fill in the handis of a proud capteyn
Which that whilom was longyng to Pompeie;
And he with poisoun vnwarli made hym deye.
[How the last Scipioun Consulere of Rome for he not list to lyue in seruage of Iulyus roff himsilf to þe hert.]
Next cam the laste worthi Scipioun,
Which aftir Pompeie was maad consuleer,
With whom Iuba was at discencioun
For weryng purpre, as it was told wol er,
And aftirward fill in ful gret[e] feer,
Whan Cesar hadde withynne Libie-lond
Outraied [hem] bothe with strong & myhti hond.
Which aftir Pompeie was maad consuleer,
With whom Iuba was at discencioun
For weryng purpre, as it was told wol er,
749
Whan Cesar hadde withynne Libie-lond
Outraied [hem] bothe with strong & myhti hond.
Wherbi Sipioun gan fallen in despair,
Loste his cheer, as man disconsolat,
With thre Romeyns gan make his repair,—
Damasippus, Plectorie and Torquat,—
Goyng to shipe, the tyme infortunat,
Toward Spayne; but tempest gan hem dryue,
That thei in Affrik vnwarli dede aryue.
Loste his cheer, as man disconsolat,
With thre Romeyns gan make his repair,—
Damasippus, Plectorie and Torquat,—
Goyng to shipe, the tyme infortunat,
Toward Spayne; but tempest gan hem dryue,
That thei in Affrik vnwarli dede aryue.
Scipioun seeyng this woful caas sodeyne,
How he was brouht vnwarli to myscheeff;
For Scicius, a myhti strong capteyn,
Beyng a pirat and off the se a theeff,
Which is a name of ful gret repreeff,—
The same pirat, longyng to Cesar,
Fill on Scipioun or that he was war,
How he was brouht vnwarli to myscheeff;
For Scicius, a myhti strong capteyn,
Beyng a pirat and off the se a theeff,
Which is a name of ful gret repreeff,—
The same pirat, longyng to Cesar,
Fill on Scipioun or that he was war,
Beyng in purpos take hym prisoneer
Withynne his shipp toforn his arryuaill;
For which, alas, dulle gan his cheer,
His contenaunce appallen & eek faille.
To fynde counfort no man coude hym counsaille,
Pullid out a suerd, whan he myht nat a-sterte,
And roof hymsilff[e] euene to the herte.
Withynne his shipp toforn his arryuaill;
For which, alas, dulle gan his cheer,
His contenaunce appallen & eek faille.
To fynde counfort no man coude hym counsaille,
Pullid out a suerd, whan he myht nat a-sterte,
And roof hymsilff[e] euene to the herte.
This was the eende of laste Scipioun:
Leuere he hadde at myscheef for to deie
Than vndir Cesar lyn fetrid in prisoun
Or to his lordshipe in any wise obeye.
To Bochas next hym cam Pompeye,
Sone and heir to gret[e] Pompeius,
Contraire also to Cesar Iulius,
Leuere he hadde at myscheef for to deie
Than vndir Cesar lyn fetrid in prisoun
Or to his lordshipe in any wise obeye.
To Bochas next hym cam Pompeye,
Sone and heir to gret[e] Pompeius,
Contraire also to Cesar Iulius,
Hadde brethren & sistren mo than oon,
And many another of ther alliaunce.
And of assent thei cast hem euerichon,
Ther fadris deth hauyng in remembraunce,
Vpon Cesar to take therof vengaunce,
Eek upon Tholomee, which bi collusioun
Slouh ther fadir bi ful fals tresoun.
And many another of ther alliaunce.
And of assent thei cast hem euerichon,
Ther fadris deth hauyng in remembraunce,
Vpon Cesar to take therof vengaunce,
Eek upon Tholomee, which bi collusioun
Slouh ther fadir bi ful fals tresoun.
750
The eldest brothir callid eek Pompeye,
Beyng in Spaigne with ful gret apparaill,
Cast hym of newe Cesar to werreye
And his peeple proudli to assaille.
And, as I fynde, ther was a gret bataille,
In which Pompeie, the eldest sone of thre,
Bi Iulius men constreyned was to flee.
Beyng in Spaigne with ful gret apparaill,
Cast hym of newe Cesar to werreye
And his peeple proudli to assaille.
And, as I fynde, ther was a gret bataille,
In which Pompeie, the eldest sone of thre,
Bi Iulius men constreyned was to flee.
He fond no socour nor receit hym to saue,
Off his lyff, he, stondyng in gret dreed,
Knowyng no reffut, fledde into a caue,
Tescape awey knew no bettir reed,
Wher he was slayn; to Cesar brouht his hed,
Sent foorth in scorn anon to Hispalee,
Which in Spaigne is a ful gret cite.
Off his lyff, he, stondyng in gret dreed,
Knowyng no reffut, fledde into a caue,
Tescape awey knew no bettir reed,
Wher he was slayn; to Cesar brouht his hed,
Sent foorth in scorn anon to Hispalee,
Which in Spaigne is a ful gret cite.
Thus bi processe al hooli the kynreede
Of Pompeius, for short conclusioun,
Bi Cesar wern & bi his men in deede
Withoute mercy brouht to destruccioun.
Thus gan encrece the fame & the renoun
Of Iulius conquest on se & eek on londe,
Whos mortal suerd ther myht[e] non withstonde.
Of Pompeius, for short conclusioun,
Bi Cesar wern & bi his men in deede
Withoute mercy brouht to destruccioun.
Thus gan encrece the fame & the renoun
Of Iulius conquest on se & eek on londe,
Whos mortal suerd ther myht[e] non withstonde.
First in Libie, Spaigne and eek Itaille
Thexperience of his roial puissaunce,
In Germanye bi many strong bataille,
His poweer preved, in Lumbardie & in Fraunce.
Brouhte alle thes kyngdames vndir thobeissaunce
Of [the] Romeyns: peised al this thyng & seyn
Touchyng his guerdoun, his labour was in veyn.
Thexperience of his roial puissaunce,
In Germanye bi many strong bataille,
His poweer preved, in Lumbardie & in Fraunce.
Brouhte alle thes kyngdames vndir thobeissaunce
Of [the] Romeyns: peised al this thyng & seyn
Touchyng his guerdoun, his labour was in veyn.
Toward Roome makyng his repair,
Of hym appesed cyuyl discenciouns,
Of throne imperial clymbyng on the stair;
For the conquest of threttene regiouns,
Of the tryumphe requered the guerdouns,
Which to recure his force [he] hath applied,
Al-be the Senat his request hath denied.
Of hym appesed cyuyl discenciouns,
Of throne imperial clymbyng on the stair;
For the conquest of threttene regiouns,
Of the tryumphe requered the guerdouns,
Which to recure his force [he] hath applied,
Al-be the Senat his request hath denied.
751
And his name mor to magnefie,
To shewe the glorie of his hih noblesse,
To the Capitoile faste he gan hym hie,
As emperour his doomys ther to dresse.
That day began with ioie & gret gladnesse;
The eue nothyng accordyng with the morwe:
The entre glad; the eende trouble & sorwe.
To shewe the glorie of his hih noblesse,
To the Capitoile faste he gan hym hie,
As emperour his doomys ther to dresse.
That day began with ioie & gret gladnesse;
The eue nothyng accordyng with the morwe:
The entre glad; the eende trouble & sorwe.
Calipurnia, which that was his wiff,
Hadde a drem the same niht afforn,
Toknis shewed of the funeral striff,
How that hir lord was likli to be lorn
Be conspiracy compassed & Isworn,
Yiff he that day, withoute auisement,
In the Capitoile sat in iugement.
Hadde a drem the same niht afforn,
Toknis shewed of the funeral striff,
How that hir lord was likli to be lorn
Be conspiracy compassed & Isworn,
Yiff he that day, withoute auisement,
In the Capitoile sat in iugement.
She drempte, alas, as she lay & sleep[te],
That hir lord, thoruh girt with many a wounde,
Lay in hir lappe, & she the bodi kepte
Of womanheed, lik as she was bounde.
But, o alas, to soth hir drem was founde!
The nexte morwe, no lenger maad delay,
Of his parodie was the fatal day.
That hir lord, thoruh girt with many a wounde,
Lay in hir lappe, & she the bodi kepte
Of womanheed, lik as she was bounde.
But, o alas, to soth hir drem was founde!
The nexte morwe, no lenger maad delay,
Of his parodie was the fatal day.
A poore man callid Tongilius,
Which secreli the tresoun dede espie,
Leet write a lettre, took it Iulius,
The caas declaryng of the conspiracie,
Which to reede Cesar list nat applie.
But, o alas! ambicious necligence
Caused his mordre bi vnwar violence.
Which secreli the tresoun dede espie,
Leet write a lettre, took it Iulius,
The caas declaryng of the conspiracie,
Which to reede Cesar list nat applie.
But, o alas! ambicious necligence
Caused his mordre bi vnwar violence.
Cesar sittyng myd the consistorie,
In his estat[e] most imperiall,
Aftir many conquest & victorie,
Fortune awaityng to yiuen hym a fall,
With boidekenys, percyng as an all,
He moordred was, with many mortal wounde.
Loo, how fals trust in worldli pompe is founde!
In his estat[e] most imperiall,
Aftir many conquest & victorie,
Fortune awaityng to yiuen hym a fall,
With boidekenys, percyng as an all,
He moordred was, with many mortal wounde.
Loo, how fals trust in worldli pompe is founde!
752
Lenvoye.
Thoruh al this book[e] rad ech tragedie,
Afforn rehersid & put in remembrance,
Is non mor woful to my fantasie,
Than is the fall of Cesar in substaunce,
Which in his hiest imperial puissaunce
Was, whil he wende haue be most glorious,
Moordred at Roome of Brutus Cassius.
Afforn rehersid & put in remembrance,
Is non mor woful to my fantasie,
Than is the fall of Cesar in substaunce,
Which in his hiest imperial puissaunce
Was, whil he wende haue be most glorious,
Moordred at Roome of Brutus Cassius.
This marcial prince ridyng thoruh Lumbardie,
Ech contre yolde & brouht to obeissaunce;
Passyng the Alpies rood thoruh Germanye,
To subieccioun brouht the rewm of Fraunce,
Gat Brutis Albioun bi long contynuaunce:
To lustris passed, this manli Iulius
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Ech contre yolde & brouht to obeissaunce;
Passyng the Alpies rood thoruh Germanye,
To subieccioun brouht the rewm of Fraunce,
Gat Brutis Albioun bi long contynuaunce:
To lustris passed, this manli Iulius
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Among the Senat was the conspiracye
Alle of assent & of oon accordaunce,—
Whos tryumphe thei proudli gan denye;
But maugre them was kept thobseruaunce,
His chaar of gold with steedis of plesaunce
Conveied thoruh Roome, this prince [most] pompous,
The moordre folwyng bi Brutus Cassius.
Alle of assent & of oon accordaunce,—
Whos tryumphe thei proudli gan denye;
But maugre them was kept thobseruaunce,
His chaar of gold with steedis of plesaunce
Conveied thoruh Roome, this prince [most] pompous,
The moordre folwyng bi Brutus Cassius.
Rekne his conquest, rekne up his cheualrie
With a countirpeis of worldli variaunce:
Fortunys chaungis for his purpartie;—
Weie al to-gidre, cast hem in ballaunce,
Set to of Cesar the myscheeuable chaunce,
With his parodie sodeyn & envious,—
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
With a countirpeis of worldli variaunce:
Fortunys chaungis for his purpartie;—
Weie al to-gidre, cast hem in ballaunce,
Set to of Cesar the myscheeuable chaunce,
With his parodie sodeyn & envious,—
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Bookis alle and cronicles specefie,
Bi influence of heuenli purueiaunce,
Mars and Iubiter ther fauour did applie
With glade aspectis his noblesse to enhaunce:
Mars gaf hym knihthod, Iubiter gouernaunce,
Among princis hold oon the moste famous,—
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Bi influence of heuenli purueiaunce,
Mars and Iubiter ther fauour did applie
With glade aspectis his noblesse to enhaunce:
Mars gaf hym knihthod, Iubiter gouernaunce,
Among princis hold oon the moste famous,—
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
753
Behold of Alisaundre the grete monarchie,
Which al the world had vndir obeissaunce,
Prowesse of Ector medlid with gentrie,
Of Achilles malencolik vengaunce,—
Rekne of echon the quaueryng assuraunce,
Among remembring the fyn of Iulius,
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Which al the world had vndir obeissaunce,
Prowesse of Ector medlid with gentrie,
Of Achilles malencolik vengaunce,—
Rekne of echon the quaueryng assuraunce,
Among remembring the fyn of Iulius,
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Princis considreth, in marcial policie
Is nouther trust[e], feith nor assuraunce:
Al stant in chaung with twynclyng of an eye.
Vp toward heuene set your attendaunce,
The world vnseur & al worldli plesaunce;
Lordship abit nat, record on Iulius
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
Is nouther trust[e], feith nor assuraunce:
Al stant in chaung with twynclyng of an eye.
Vp toward heuene set your attendaunce,
The world vnseur & al worldli plesaunce;
Lordship abit nat, record on Iulius
Moordred at Roome bi Brutus Cassius.
[How Octavian / succeded next and how the mordres of Iulius / deied at mischeff.]
Afftir the moordre of þis manli man,
This noble prince, this famous emperour,
His worthi nevew callid Octouyan
To regne in Roome was next his successour.
Which dide his deueer bi dilligent labour
To punshe all tho, of nature as he ouhte,
Bi rihtful doom, that the moordre wrouhte.
This noble prince, this famous emperour,
His worthi nevew callid Octouyan
To regne in Roome was next his successour.
Which dide his deueer bi dilligent labour
To punshe all tho, of nature as he ouhte,
Bi rihtful doom, that the moordre wrouhte.
Cheeff conspiratour was Brutus Cassius,
Which of this moordre made [al] the ordynaunce.
Anothir Brut, surnamyd Decius,
Was oon also conspiryng the vengaunce
Wrouht on Cesar; he aftir slayn in Fraunce.
Heer men may seen, what coostis that men weende,
How moordre alwey requereth an euel eende.
Which of this moordre made [al] the ordynaunce.
Anothir Brut, surnamyd Decius,
Was oon also conspiryng the vengaunce
Wrouht on Cesar; he aftir slayn in Fraunce.
Heer men may seen, what coostis that men weende,
How moordre alwey requereth an euel eende.
Withyne the space almost of thre yeer
Destroied wern al the conspiratours
Be sodeyn deth; & summe stood in daungeer
To be banshed or exiled as tretours.
And as it is cronicled bi auctours,
Space of thre yeer, reknid oon bi oon,
Deide at myscheeff the moorderis euerichon.
Destroied wern al the conspiratours
Be sodeyn deth; & summe stood in daungeer
To be banshed or exiled as tretours.
And as it is cronicled bi auctours,
Space of thre yeer, reknid oon bi oon,
Deide at myscheeff the moorderis euerichon.
754
To moordre a prince, it is a pitous thyng.
God of his riht wil take therof vengaunce;
Namli an emperour, so famous in ech thing,
Which al the world[e] hadde in gouernaunce.
Rekne his conquest digne off remembraunce,
Al peised in oon, Bochas ber[e]th witnesse,
In hih estat is litil sekirnesse.
God of his riht wil take therof vengaunce;
Namli an emperour, so famous in ech thing,
Which al the world[e] hadde in gouernaunce.
Rekne his conquest digne off remembraunce,
Al peised in oon, Bochas ber[e]th witnesse,
In hih estat is litil sekirnesse.
[How Tullius was too tymes exiled and atte last / slayn by Pompylyus.]
Myn auctour heer writ no long processe,
Of Iulius deth compleynyng but a while;
To write of Tullie in hast he gan hym dresse,
Compendiousli his liff for to compile,
Compleynyng first, seith his bareyn stile
Is insufficient to write, as men may seen,
Of so notable a rethoricien.
Of Iulius deth compleynyng but a while;
To write of Tullie in hast he gan hym dresse,
Compendiousli his liff for to compile,
Compleynyng first, seith his bareyn stile
Is insufficient to write, as men may seen,
Of so notable a rethoricien.
Laumpe and lanterne of Romeyn oratours,
Among hem callid prince of elloquence,
On Pernaso he gadred up the flours,
This rethoricien most of excellence.
Whos meritis treuli to recompence,
The Muses nyne, me thouhte, as I took heed,
A crowne of laureer set upon his hed.
Among hem callid prince of elloquence,
On Pernaso he gadred up the flours,
This rethoricien most of excellence.
Whos meritis treuli to recompence,
The Muses nyne, me thouhte, as I took heed,
A crowne of laureer set upon his hed.
Bochas astoned, gan of hymsilff conclude,
His look abasshed, dul of his corage,
Thouhte his termys & resouns wer to rude,
That he lakked kunnyng & langage,
Wherebi he sholde to his auauntage,
Thouh he laboured writyng al his lyue,
Of Tullius the meritis to descryue.
His look abasshed, dul of his corage,
Thouhte his termys & resouns wer to rude,
That he lakked kunnyng & langage,
Wherebi he sholde to his auauntage,
Thouh he laboured writyng al his lyue,
Of Tullius the meritis to descryue.
Wherof supprised, he kauhte a fantasie,
Withynne hymsilf remembryng anon riht,
Thouh it so falle sumtyme a cloudi skie
Be chacid with wynd affor the sunne briht,
Yit in effect it lasseth nat his liht;
So Bochas dempte that his dul writyng
Eclipsed nat of Tullius the shynyng.
Withynne hymsilf remembryng anon riht,
Thouh it so falle sumtyme a cloudi skie
Be chacid with wynd affor the sunne briht,
Yit in effect it lasseth nat his liht;
So Bochas dempte that his dul writyng
Eclipsed nat of Tullius the shynyng.
755
With rud language a man may weel reporte
The laude off tryumphes & conquestis merueilous,
Which thyng remembryng gretli gan comforte
The herte of Bochas; & to hymsilf spak thus:
“Too colours seyn that be contrarious,
As whiht and blak; it may bee non othir,
Ech in his kynde sheweth mor for othir.
The laude off tryumphes & conquestis merueilous,
Which thyng remembryng gretli gan comforte
The herte of Bochas; & to hymsilf spak thus:
“Too colours seyn that be contrarious,
As whiht and blak; it may bee non othir,
Ech in his kynde sheweth mor for othir.
In Phebus presence sterris lese her liht;
Cleer at mydday appeereth nat Lucyne;
The fame of Tullye whilom shon so briht,
Prince of fair speche, fadir of that doctrine,
Whos brihte bemys into this hour doth shyne:
Sothli,” quod Bochas, “of whom whan I endite
Myn hand I feele quakyng whan I write.
Cleer at mydday appeereth nat Lucyne;
The fame of Tullye whilom shon so briht,
Prince of fair speche, fadir of that doctrine,
Whos brihte bemys into this hour doth shyne:
Sothli,” quod Bochas, “of whom whan I endite
Myn hand I feele quakyng whan I write.
But for to yiue folk occasioun,
Which in rethorik haue mor experience
Than haue I, & mor inspeccioun
In the colours and craff[t] of elloquence,—
Them texcite to do ther dilligence,
Onto my writyng whan thei may attende,
Of compassioun my rudnesse to amende.”
Which in rethorik haue mor experience
Than haue I, & mor inspeccioun
In the colours and craff[t] of elloquence,—
Them texcite to do ther dilligence,
Onto my writyng whan thei may attende,
Of compassioun my rudnesse to amende.”
Vnto hymsilff[e] hauyng this langage,
Bochas to write gan his penne dresse,
Vndir support afforced his corage
To remembre thexcellent noblesse
Of this oratour, which with the suetnesse
Of his ditees, abrod as thei haue shyned,
Hath al this world most cleerli enlumyned.
Bochas to write gan his penne dresse,
Vndir support afforced his corage
To remembre thexcellent noblesse
Of this oratour, which with the suetnesse
Of his ditees, abrod as thei haue shyned,
Hath al this world most cleerli enlumyned.
This Tullius, this singuler famous man,
First to remembre of his natyuyte,
Born at Aprinas, a cite of Tuscan,
Of blood roial descendid, who list see.
Grekissh bookis of old antiquite,
Maad of rethorik and in ther vulgar songe,
He translatid into Latyn tunge.
First to remembre of his natyuyte,
Born at Aprinas, a cite of Tuscan,
Of blood roial descendid, who list see.
Grekissh bookis of old antiquite,
Maad of rethorik and in ther vulgar songe,
He translatid into Latyn tunge.
In tendre youthe his contre he forsook
And fro Tuscan his passage he gan dresse;
Toward Roome the riht[e] weie he took,
Entryng þe cite, the renommed noblesse
Hid in his persone shewed the brihtnesse
Of dyuers vertues, tyme whil he abood,
That lik a sonne his fame spradde abrod.
And fro Tuscan his passage he gan dresse;
Toward Roome the riht[e] weie he took,
Entryng þe cite, the renommed noblesse
756
Of dyuers vertues, tyme whil he abood,
That lik a sonne his fame spradde abrod.
For his vertues made a citeseyn,
The goode report of hym shon so cleer,
Lik as he hadde be born a Romeyn,
In ther fauour his name was so entieer.
Among hem chose for a consuleer,—
Ageyn the cite, tyme of his consulat,
Whan Catalyne was with hem at debat.
The goode report of hym shon so cleer,
Lik as he hadde be born a Romeyn,
In ther fauour his name was so entieer.
Among hem chose for a consuleer,—
Ageyn the cite, tyme of his consulat,
Whan Catalyne was with hem at debat.
Bi the prudence of this Tullius
And his manhod, reknid bothe Ifeere,—
Catelyna, most cruel and irous,
Froward of port & froward of his cheere,
Besi euere to fynde out the maneere,
How he myhte be any tokne or signe
Ageyn the cite couertli maligne.
And his manhod, reknid bothe Ifeere,—
Catelyna, most cruel and irous,
Froward of port & froward of his cheere,
Besi euere to fynde out the maneere,
How he myhte be any tokne or signe
Ageyn the cite couertli maligne.
Sixe hundrid yeer, fourscore told & nyne,
Reknid of Roome fro the fundacioun,
This cruel tiraunt, this proude Catalyne,
Made with othir a coniuracioun
Ageyn fraunchises & fredam of the toun.
First discurid, as bookis telle can,
In the parties & boundes of Tuscan.
Reknid of Roome fro the fundacioun,
This cruel tiraunt, this proude Catalyne,
Made with othir a coniuracioun
Ageyn fraunchises & fredam of the toun.
First discurid, as bookis telle can,
In the parties & boundes of Tuscan.
The purpos hooly of this Catalyne,
Imagyned on fals[e] couetise,
Was to brynge Roome vnto ruyne.
And therupon in many sondri wise
Fond out weies, menys gan deuise,
To his entent bi dilligent labour
In the cite gan gete hym gret fauour.
Imagyned on fals[e] couetise,
Was to brynge Roome vnto ruyne.
And therupon in many sondri wise
Fond out weies, menys gan deuise,
To his entent bi dilligent labour
In the cite gan gete hym gret fauour.
But fynali his coniuracioun
Discured was bi oon Quintius,
Which was afforn[e] fals vnto the toun.
Tolde al the caas vnto Tullius,
Bi whos prudence & werkyng merveilous,
Bi help of Antoyne, that was his felawe,
The coniuracioun was broken & withdrawe.
Discured was bi oon Quintius,
Which was afforn[e] fals vnto the toun.
Tolde al the caas vnto Tullius,
Bi whos prudence & werkyng merveilous,
Bi help of Antoyne, that was his felawe,
The coniuracioun was broken & withdrawe.
757
Bi witt of Tullie al the coniuratours
Espied wern and brouht onto myschaunce,
Ther namys rad tofor the senatours,
Of ther falsheed told al the gouernaunce,
Manli ordeyned thoruh his purueiaunce.
With al his peeple, as maad is mencioun,
Catilyna departid fro the toun.
Espied wern and brouht onto myschaunce,
Ther namys rad tofor the senatours,
Of ther falsheed told al the gouernaunce,
Manli ordeyned thoruh his purueiaunce.
With al his peeple, as maad is mencioun,
Catilyna departid fro the toun.
With Antonye the said[e] Catalyne
Beside Pistoie hadde a gret bataile.
Slayn in the feeld; he myht[e] nat declyne,
For he abood whan the feeld gan faille.
Poweer of oon litil may auaile,
Namli whan falsheed, of malis & of pride
Ageyn[es] trouthe dar the bront abide.
Beside Pistoie hadde a gret bataile.
Slayn in the feeld; he myht[e] nat declyne,
For he abood whan the feeld gan faille.
Poweer of oon litil may auaile,
Namli whan falsheed, of malis & of pride
Ageyn[es] trouthe dar the bront abide.
Ther was another callid Lentulus
Of his felawes, that namyd was Fabyne;
The thridde of hem eek callid Cetegus,—
Alle assentid & sworn to Catallyne,
Stranglid in prisoun, at myscheef dide fyne.
Cause Tullius dide execucioun,
Tullyane was callid the prisoun.
Of his felawes, that namyd was Fabyne;
The thridde of hem eek callid Cetegus,—
Alle assentid & sworn to Catallyne,
Stranglid in prisoun, at myscheef dide fyne.
Cause Tullius dide execucioun,
Tullyane was callid the prisoun.
Thus koude he punshe tretours of the toun,
Outraie ther enmyes, of manhod & prudence;
Callid of ther cite gouernour & patroun,
Sent from aboue to been ther diffence,
Ther champioun, most digne of reuerence,
Chose of ther goddis ther cite for to guie
Bi too prerogatyues: knihthod & polycie.
Outraie ther enmyes, of manhod & prudence;
Callid of ther cite gouernour & patroun,
Sent from aboue to been ther diffence,
Ther champioun, most digne of reuerence,
Chose of ther goddis ther cite for to guie
Bi too prerogatyues: knihthod & polycie.
Lik a sunne he dide hem enlumyne
Bi hih prowesse of knihtli excellence;
And thoruh the world his bemys dede shyne
Of his rethorik & his elloquence,
In which he hadde so gret experience.
Bi circumstaunces that nothyng dede lakke,
He transcendid Polityus & Grakke.
Bi hih prowesse of knihtli excellence;
And thoruh the world his bemys dede shyne
Of his rethorik & his elloquence,
In which he hadde so gret experience.
Bi circumstaunces that nothyng dede lakke,
He transcendid Polityus & Grakke.
Of oratours it is put in memorie,
This Tullius, thoruh his hih renoun,
Of all echon the honour & the glorie
Was youe to hym, as maad is mencioun:
Surmountid all; & in conclusioun,
The goldene trumphe of the Hous of Fame
Thoruh al the world[e] bleuh abrod his name.
This Tullius, thoruh his hih renoun,
Of all echon the honour & the glorie
Was youe to hym, as maad is mencioun:
758
The goldene trumphe of the Hous of Fame
Thoruh al the world[e] bleuh abrod his name.
He knew secretis of philosophie,
Cam to Athenys to scoole for doctryne,
Wher he profited so gretli in clergie
In al sciences heuenli and dyuyne,
That he was callid, as auctours determyne,
Among Romeyns, of verray dieu[e] riht,
Of elloquence the lanterne & the liht.
Cam to Athenys to scoole for doctryne,
Wher he profited so gretli in clergie
In al sciences heuenli and dyuyne,
That he was callid, as auctours determyne,
Among Romeyns, of verray dieu[e] riht,
Of elloquence the lanterne & the liht.
It is remembred among oratours,
How Tullius pleted causes tweyne
In the Romeyn court affor the senatours,
The cause defendyng be langage souereyne
Of too accusid geyn hem that dede pleyne
On ther defautis, them sauyng fro myscheef,
The court escapyng fro daunger & repreeff.
How Tullius pleted causes tweyne
In the Romeyn court affor the senatours,
The cause defendyng be langage souereyne
Of too accusid geyn hem that dede pleyne
On ther defautis, them sauyng fro myscheef,
The court escapyng fro daunger & repreeff.
Thes causes tweyne he pleted in Latyn,
With so excellent flouryng fair langage,
With suich resouns concluded at the fyn,
That he be wisdam kauhte the auauntage
In his mateeres with al the surplusage
That myhte auaile onto his partie:
What he saide ther koude no man denie.
With so excellent flouryng fair langage,
With suich resouns concluded at the fyn,
That he be wisdam kauhte the auauntage
In his mateeres with al the surplusage
That myhte auaile onto his partie:
What he saide ther koude no man denie.
Among Grekis [at] Athenys the cite
He was so gret of reputacioun,
So famous holde of auctori[t]e,
To be comparid bi ther oppynyoun
To the philisophre that callid was Platoun,
To whos cradel bees dede abraide
And hony soote thei on his lippes laide.
He was so gret of reputacioun,
So famous holde of auctori[t]e,
To be comparid bi ther oppynyoun
To the philisophre that callid was Platoun,
To whos cradel bees dede abraide
And hony soote thei on his lippes laide.
A pronostik[e], lik as bookis tell,
Plato sholde bi famous excellence,
Of rethorik be verray sours & well,
For his langage, merour off elloquence.
Yit the Grekis recorden in sentence,
How Tullius in parti and in all
Was onto Plato in rethorik egall.
Plato sholde bi famous excellence,
Of rethorik be verray sours & well,
For his langage, merour off elloquence.
Yit the Grekis recorden in sentence,
How Tullius in parti and in all
Was onto Plato in rethorik egall.
759
Thoruh his langage this saide Tullius
Reconsilede bi his soote orisouns
To the lordshipe & grace of Iulius,
Princes, kynges of dyuers regiouns,
That suspect stood bi accusaciouns,
Because thei dide Iulius disobeie,
Wer enclyned with Romeyns to Pompeie.
Reconsilede bi his soote orisouns
To the lordshipe & grace of Iulius,
Princes, kynges of dyuers regiouns,
That suspect stood bi accusaciouns,
Because thei dide Iulius disobeie,
Wer enclyned with Romeyns to Pompeie.
He coude appese bi his prudent langage
Folkis that stoode at discencioun;
Bi crafft he hadde a special auauntage,
Fauour synguleer in pronunciacioun,
In his demenyng gret prudence & resoun:
For the pronouncyng of maters in substaunce,
His thank resceyueth bi cheer & contenaunce.
Folkis that stoode at discencioun;
Bi crafft he hadde a special auauntage,
Fauour synguleer in pronunciacioun,
In his demenyng gret prudence & resoun:
For the pronouncyng of maters in substaunce,
His thank resceyueth bi cheer & contenaunce.
To a glad mateer longeth a glad cheer,
Men trete of wisdam with woordes of sadnesse,
Pleyntes requeere, aftir the mateer,
Greuous or mortal, a cheer of heuynesse,
Lik as the cause outher the processe
Yiueth occasioun to hyndren or to speede,—
The doctryne in Tullius men may reede.
Men trete of wisdam with woordes of sadnesse,
Pleyntes requeere, aftir the mateer,
Greuous or mortal, a cheer of heuynesse,
Lik as the cause outher the processe
Yiueth occasioun to hyndren or to speede,—
The doctryne in Tullius men may reede.
The name of Tulie was kouth in many place;
His elloquence in eueri lond was ryff;
His langage made hym stonde in grace
And be preferrid duryng al his lyff.
Maried he was, and hadde a riht fair wiff,
Childre manye, seruauntis yonge & old;
And, as I fynde, he heeld a good houshold.
His elloquence in eueri lond was ryff;
His langage made hym stonde in grace
And be preferrid duryng al his lyff.
Maried he was, and hadde a riht fair wiff,
Childre manye, seruauntis yonge & old;
And, as I fynde, he heeld a good houshold.
De Officijs he wrot bookis thre,
De Amicitia, I fynde how he wrot oon,
Of Age another, notable for to see;
Of moral vertu thei tretede euerichon.
[And] as Vincent wrot ful yore agon
In his Merour callid Historiall,
Noumbre of his bookis be ther remembrid all.
De Amicitia, I fynde how he wrot oon,
Of Age another, notable for to see;
Of moral vertu thei tretede euerichon.
[And] as Vincent wrot ful yore agon
In his Merour callid Historiall,
Noumbre of his bookis be ther remembrid all.
760
He wrot also the Drem of Scipioun,
Of Rethoriques compiled bookis tweyne,
And tweyne he wrot of dyuynacioun;
Of tilthe of lond to write he dede his peyne,
A large book of glorie that is veyne,
De Re publica; & as he seith hymselue,
Of his Orisouns he wrot bookis tuelue.
Of Rethoriques compiled bookis tweyne,
And tweyne he wrot of dyuynacioun;
Of tilthe of lond to write he dede his peyne,
A large book of glorie that is veyne,
De Re publica; & as he seith hymselue,
Of his Orisouns he wrot bookis tuelue.
And of his dictes that callid be morall
Is remembred notabli in deede
In the said Merour Historiall.
And yit this saide Tullius, as I reede,
Mid his worshepes stood alwey in dreede
Of Fortune; for in conclusioun,
He be envie was ban[y]shed Roome toun.
Is remembred notabli in deede
In the said Merour Historiall.
And yit this saide Tullius, as I reede,
Mid his worshepes stood alwey in dreede
Of Fortune; for in conclusioun,
He be envie was ban[y]shed Roome toun.
Beyng in exil, this famous Tullius,
In Campanya at Atyne the cite
Resceyued he was of oon Plancius,
A man that tyme of gret auctorite.
And whil that he abood in that contre,
Slepyng aniht, the book makþ mencioun,
How that he hadde a wonder visioun.
In Campanya at Atyne the cite
Resceyued he was of oon Plancius,
A man that tyme of gret auctorite.
And whil that he abood in that contre,
Slepyng aniht, the book makþ mencioun,
How that he hadde a wonder visioun.
He thouhte thus, as he lay slepyng:
In a desert and a gret wildirnesse
Fyndyng no path, but to & fro erryng,
How he mette, clad in gret richesse,
Gaius Marrius, a prince of hih noblesse,
Axyng Tulli with sad contenaunce,
What was cheef ground & cause of his greuaunce.
In a desert and a gret wildirnesse
Fyndyng no path, but to & fro erryng,
How he mette, clad in gret richesse,
Gaius Marrius, a prince of hih noblesse,
Axyng Tulli with sad contenaunce,
What was cheef ground & cause of his greuaunce.
Whan Tullius hadde hym the cause told
Of his disese & his mortal wo,
Marrius with his hand set on hym hold,
To a sergaunt assigned hym riht tho,
And in al haste bad he sholde go,
To conveie hym doon his besi cure
In al haste possible to his sepulture,
Of his disese & his mortal wo,
Marrius with his hand set on hym hold,
To a sergaunt assigned hym riht tho,
And in al haste bad he sholde go,
To conveie hym doon his besi cure
In al haste possible to his sepulture,
761
Wher he sholde haue tidyngis of plesaunce
Of his repeir into Roome toun,
Been aleggid off his old greuaunce.
This was the eende of his auiseoun.
The nexte morwe, as maad is mencioun,
Ther was holde, to Tullius gret auail,
Tofor Iubiter in Roome a gret counsail
Of his repeir into Roome toun,
Been aleggid off his old greuaunce.
This was the eende of his auiseoun.
The nexte morwe, as maad is mencioun,
Ther was holde, to Tullius gret auail,
Tofor Iubiter in Roome a gret counsail
Withyne the temple bilt bi Marrius:
The senatours accorded wer certeyn
To reconcile this prudent Tullius,
Out of his exil to calle hym hom ageyn.
Aftir resceyued as lord & souereyn
Of elloquence, bassent of the Senat,
Fulli restored vnto his first estat.
The senatours accorded wer certeyn
To reconcile this prudent Tullius,
Out of his exil to calle hym hom ageyn.
Aftir resceyued as lord & souereyn
Of elloquence, bassent of the Senat,
Fulli restored vnto his first estat.
This thing was doon whan that in Roome toun
The striff was grettest tween Cesar & Pompeie;
And for Tullius drouh hym to Catoun,
With Pompeius Cesar to werreie
And of Iulius the parti disobeie,
Out of Roome Tullius dide hym hie,
Fledde with Pompeie into Thesalie.
The striff was grettest tween Cesar & Pompeie;
And for Tullius drouh hym to Catoun,
With Pompeius Cesar to werreie
And of Iulius the parti disobeie,
Out of Roome Tullius dide hym hie,
Fledde with Pompeie into Thesalie.
Cesar aftir of his fre mocioun,
Whan that he stood hiest in his glorie,
Hym reconciled ageyn to Roome toun,
Vpon Pompeie accomplisshed the victorie.
But Iulius slayn in the consistorie
Bi sexti senatours beyng of assent,
Tullius ageyn was into exil sent.
Whan that he stood hiest in his glorie,
Hym reconciled ageyn to Roome toun,
Vpon Pompeie accomplisshed the victorie.
But Iulius slayn in the consistorie
Bi sexti senatours beyng of assent,
Tullius ageyn was into exil sent.
And in a cite callid Faryman
Tullius his exil dide endure;
For Antonyus was to hym enmy than,
Because that he, parcas of auenture,
Compiled hadde an invectiff scripture
Ageyn Antoyne, rehersyng al the cas
Of his defautis & of Cleopatras.
Tullius his exil dide endure;
For Antonyus was to hym enmy than,
Because that he, parcas of auenture,
Compiled hadde an invectiff scripture
Ageyn Antoyne, rehersyng al the cas
Of his defautis & of Cleopatras.
Thus of envie and [of] mortal hatreede,
His deth compassed bi Antonyus,
And aftirward execut in deede
Bi procuryng of oon Pompillius;—
Gat a commyssioun, the stori tellith thus,
Of fals malice, & foorth anon wente he
Into Gayete of Campaigne a cite.
His deth compassed bi Antonyus,
And aftirward execut in deede
Bi procuryng of oon Pompillius;—
762
Of fals malice, & foorth anon wente he
Into Gayete of Campaigne a cite.
And bi the vertu of his commyssioun,
Takyng of Antoyne licence & liberte,
Cheeff rethoricien that euer was in the toun,
Among Romeyns to worshep the cite,
Was slayn, alas, of hate and enmyte
Bi Pompilius, roote of al falsheed,—
Proffryng hymsilff to smyten of his hed.
Takyng of Antoyne licence & liberte,
Cheeff rethoricien that euer was in the toun,
Among Romeyns to worshep the cite,
Was slayn, alas, of hate and enmyte
Bi Pompilius, roote of al falsheed,—
Proffryng hymsilff to smyten of his hed.
Tullius afforn[e] hadde been his diffence
Fro the galwes, & his deth eek let,
Which hadde disserued for his gret offence
To haue been hangid upon an hih gibet.
Who saueth a theef whan the rop is knet
Aboute his nekke, as olde clerkis write,
With sum fals tourn the bribour wil hym quite.
Fro the galwes, & his deth eek let,
Which hadde disserued for his gret offence
To haue been hangid upon an hih gibet.
Who saueth a theef whan the rop is knet
Aboute his nekke, as olde clerkis write,
With sum fals tourn the bribour wil hym quite.
Loo, heer the vice of ingratitude,
Bexperience brouht fulli to a preeff,
Who in his herte tresoun doth include,
Cast for good wil to do a man repreeff.
What is the guerdoun for to saue a theeff?
Whan he is scapid, looke, ye shal fynde
Of his nature euere to be vnkynde.
Bexperience brouht fulli to a preeff,
Who in his herte tresoun doth include,
Cast for good wil to do a man repreeff.
What is the guerdoun for to saue a theeff?
Whan he is scapid, looke, ye shal fynde
Of his nature euere to be vnkynde.
This Popilius, tretour most odible,
To shewe hymsilff fals, cruel and vengable,
Toward Tullie dide a thyng horrible:
Whan he was ded, this bribour most coupable,
Smet of his riht hand, to heere abhomynable,
With which[e] hond, he lyuyng, on hym took
To write of vertues many [a] famous book.
To shewe hymsilff fals, cruel and vengable,
Toward Tullie dide a thyng horrible:
Whan he was ded, this bribour most coupable,
Smet of his riht hand, to heere abhomynable,
With which[e] hond, he lyuyng, on hym took
To write of vertues many [a] famous book.
The hand, the hed of noble Tullius,—
Which eueri man ouht of riht compleyne,—
Wer take and brouht[e] bi Popilius,
Vpon a stake set up bothe tweyne,
Ther tabide, wher it dide shyne or reyne,
With wynd & wedir, til thei wer deffied,
In tokne al fauour was to hym denied.
Which eueri man ouht of riht compleyne,—
Wer take and brouht[e] bi Popilius,
Vpon a stake set up bothe tweyne,
Ther tabide, wher it dide shyne or reyne,
With wynd & wedir, til thei wer deffied,
In tokne al fauour was to hym denied.
763
A chapitle ageyn [Iangelers and] diffamers of Rethorique.
Bochas compleynyng in his studie allone
The deth of Tullie and the woful fall,
Gruchching in herte made a pitous mone,
The folk rebukyng in especial,
Which of nature be boistous & rurall,
And hardi been (for thei no kunnyng haue)
Craft of rethorik to hyndren and depraue.
The deth of Tullie and the woful fall,
Gruchching in herte made a pitous mone,
The folk rebukyng in especial,
Which of nature be boistous & rurall,
And hardi been (for thei no kunnyng haue)
Craft of rethorik to hyndren and depraue.
Clerkis olde dide gretli magnefie
This noble science, that wer expert & wis,
Callid it part of philosophie,
And saide also in ther prudent auys,
Ther be thre partes, as tresours of gret pris,
Compiled in bookis & of old prouided,
Into which philosophie is deuyded.
This noble science, that wer expert & wis,
Callid it part of philosophie,
And saide also in ther prudent auys,
Ther be thre partes, as tresours of gret pris,
Compiled in bookis & of old prouided,
Into which philosophie is deuyded.
The firste of hem callid is morall,
Which directeth a man to goode thewes;
And the secounde, callid naturall,
Tellith the kynde of goode men & shrewes;
And the thridde, rac[i]ounal, weel shewes
What men shal uoide & what thing vndirfonge,
And to that parti rethorik doth longe.
Which directeth a man to goode thewes;
And the secounde, callid naturall,
Tellith the kynde of goode men & shrewes;
And the thridde, rac[i]ounal, weel shewes
What men shal uoide & what thing vndirfonge,
And to that parti rethorik doth longe.
Bi Tullius, as auctours determyne,
Of his persone rehersyng in substaunce,
Translatid was fro Greek into Latyne
Crafft of rethorik; and for the habundaunce
Of elloquence stuffed with plesaunce,
All oratours remembrid, hym to-fore
Was ther non lik, nor aftir hym yit bore.
Of his persone rehersyng in substaunce,
Translatid was fro Greek into Latyne
Crafft of rethorik; and for the habundaunce
Of elloquence stuffed with plesaunce,
All oratours remembrid, hym to-fore
Was ther non lik, nor aftir hym yit bore.
Bochas also seith in his writingis
And preueth weel be resoun in sentence,
To an oratour longeth foure thingis:
First naturel wit, practik with science,
Vertuous lyff, cheef ground of elloquence,
Of port and maner that he be tretable;
Thes menys had, myn auctour halt hym able.
And preueth weel be resoun in sentence,
To an oratour longeth foure thingis:
First naturel wit, practik with science,
Vertuous lyff, cheef ground of elloquence,
Of port and maner that he be tretable;
Thes menys had, myn auctour halt hym able.
764
In his writyng and in his scriptures
Bochas weel preueth, if mut needis been,
How that of riht ther longe fyue armures
To eueri notable rethoricien,
Set heer in ordre, who that list hem seen,
Which he callith, rehersyng in sentence,
The fyue baneeres longyng to elloquence.
Bochas weel preueth, if mut needis been,
How that of riht ther longe fyue armures
To eueri notable rethoricien,
Set heer in ordre, who that list hem seen,
Which he callith, rehersyng in sentence,
The fyue baneeres longyng to elloquence.
The firste off hem callid Inuencioun,
Bi which a man doth in his herte fynde
A sikir grounde foundid on resoun,
With circumstaunces, that nouht be left behynde,
Fro poynt to poynt enprentid in his mynde
Touchyng the mateer, the substaunce & þe grete,
Of which he caste notabli tentrete.
Bi which a man doth in his herte fynde
A sikir grounde foundid on resoun,
With circumstaunces, that nouht be left behynde,
Fro poynt to poynt enprentid in his mynde
Touchyng the mateer, the substaunce & þe grete,
Of which he caste notabli tentrete.
Another armure, in ordre the secounde,
Of riht is callid Disposioun,
As of a mateer whan the ground is founde,
That eueri thyng bi iust dyuysioun
Be void of al foreyn digressioun,
So disposid touchyng tyme & space,
Fro superfluite keepe his dewe place.
Of riht is callid Disposioun,
As of a mateer whan the ground is founde,
That eueri thyng bi iust dyuysioun
Be void of al foreyn digressioun,
So disposid touchyng tyme & space,
Fro superfluite keepe his dewe place.
The thridde armure namyd in sentence
Is Ellocucioun, with woordes many or fewe,
Materes conceyued bi iust conuenyence,
Disposid in ordre couenably to shewe,—
Lik a keruer that first doth tymbir hewe,
Squier & compas cast fetures & visage,
With keruyng tool makth [up] a fair image.
Is Ellocucioun, with woordes many or fewe,
Materes conceyued bi iust conuenyence,
Disposid in ordre couenably to shewe,—
Lik a keruer that first doth tymbir hewe,
Squier & compas cast fetures & visage,
With keruyng tool makth [up] a fair image.
Pronunciacioun is the fourth armure,
Necessarie to eueri oratour,
In such caas whan craft onto nature
Iioyned is bi dilligent labour
With execucioun, and that ther be fauour
In declaryng, with eueri circumstaunce,
Folwyng the mateer in cheer & contenaunce.
Necessarie to eueri oratour,
In such caas whan craft onto nature
Iioyned is bi dilligent labour
With execucioun, and that ther be fauour
In declaryng, with eueri circumstaunce,
Folwyng the mateer in cheer & contenaunce.
An heuy mateer requereth an heuy cheer;
To a glad mateer longeth weel gladnesse;
Men in pronouncyng mut folwe the mateer,—
Old oratours kan bern herof witnesse,—
A furious compleynt vttrid in distresse:
This was the maner, as poetis do descryue,
In his tragedies whan Senec was alyue.
To a glad mateer longeth weel gladnesse;
Men in pronouncyng mut folwe the mateer,—
Old oratours kan bern herof witnesse,—
765
This was the maner, as poetis do descryue,
In his tragedies whan Senec was alyue.
The fiffte armure callid Remembraunce,
With quik memorie be prouidence to see,
So auisili to grose up in substaunce
Hooli his mateeris, that nouht forgetyn be,
Liste foryetilnesse dirke nat the liberte
Of cleer report, ech thing hadde in mynde,
That in pronouncyng nothing be left behynde.
With quik memorie be prouidence to see,
So auisili to grose up in substaunce
Hooli his mateeris, that nouht forgetyn be,
Liste foryetilnesse dirke nat the liberte
Of cleer report, ech thing hadde in mynde,
That in pronouncyng nothing be left behynde.
Afforn prouided, so that foryetilnesse
Be non hyndrere to inuencioun,
And in proceedyng no foreyn reklesnesse
Trouble nat the ordre of disposicioun.
And for tacomplisshe al up with resoun,
That pronouncyng be cleer[e] remembraunce
Be weel fauoured with cheer & contenaunce.
Be non hyndrere to inuencioun,
And in proceedyng no foreyn reklesnesse
Trouble nat the ordre of disposicioun.
And for tacomplisshe al up with resoun,
That pronouncyng be cleer[e] remembraunce
Be weel fauoured with cheer & contenaunce.
Thes said[e] thynges be inli necessarie
To euery prudent notable oratour,
Nat to hasti nor ouer long to tarie,
But to conveie his processe be mesour;
In cheer accordyng stant al the fauour:
For in pronouncyng, who lakketh cheer or face,
Of Tullius scoole stant ferr out of grace.
To euery prudent notable oratour,
Nat to hasti nor ouer long to tarie,
But to conveie his processe be mesour;
In cheer accordyng stant al the fauour:
For in pronouncyng, who lakketh cheer or face,
Of Tullius scoole stant ferr out of grace.
Al erthli beestis be muet of nature,
Sauf onli man, which haueth auauntage
Bi a prerogatiff aboue ech creature
To vttre his conceit onli be langage.
The soule be grace repressith al outrage,
Namli whan resoun hath the souereynte
To bridle passiouns of sensualite.
Sauf onli man, which haueth auauntage
Bi a prerogatiff aboue ech creature
To vttre his conceit onli be langage.
The soule be grace repressith al outrage,
Namli whan resoun hath the souereynte
To bridle passiouns of sensualite.
Kynde onto man hath youen elloquence,
A thyng couenable in especiall
Whan that it is conveied bi prudence,
To talke of mateeris that be natural
And secrees hid aboue celestial,—
Doth entrete of sunne, moone & sterris
Thynfluent poweer doun sent of pes & werris.
A thyng couenable in especiall
Whan that it is conveied bi prudence,
To talke of mateeris that be natural
And secrees hid aboue celestial,—
Doth entrete of sunne, moone & sterris
Thynfluent poweer doun sent of pes & werris.
766
God of al this hath graunted knowleching
Onli to man bi wisdam and resoun,
And thoruh langage youe to hym shewyng,
Outward to make declaracioun
Of the heuenli cours & sondri mocioun,
Diuers chaunges, &, pleynli to diffyne,
The reuolucioun of the speeris nyne.
Onli to man bi wisdam and resoun,
And thoruh langage youe to hym shewyng,
Outward to make declaracioun
Of the heuenli cours & sondri mocioun,
Diuers chaunges, &, pleynli to diffyne,
The reuolucioun of the speeris nyne.
Men bi langage shewe out ther ententis,
The naturall meeuyng & mutaciouns,
Accord & discord of the foure elementis,
Kyndli variaunce of foure complecciouns,
The generacioun & the corupciouns
Of erthli thynges, contrarie ech to other,
Corrupcioun of oon engendryng to another.
The naturall meeuyng & mutaciouns,
Accord & discord of the foure elementis,
Kyndli variaunce of foure complecciouns,
The generacioun & the corupciouns
Of erthli thynges, contrarie ech to other,
Corrupcioun of oon engendryng to another.
This the poweer & the precellence
Youe vnto man, which is resonable,
That bi langage and bi elloquence
A man is tauht in vertu to be stable,—
Of soule eternal, of bodi corumpable,
Tauht with his tunge whil he is alyue
Of his defautis how he shal hym shryue.
Youe vnto man, which is resonable,
That bi langage and bi elloquence
A man is tauht in vertu to be stable,—
Of soule eternal, of bodi corumpable,
Tauht with his tunge whil he is alyue
Of his defautis how he shal hym shryue.
Bochas eek tellith, touchyng rethorik,
Ther been too maneres: oon is of nature,
Lernyd in youthe, which doth oon spek[e] lik
As he heereth & lerneth bi scripture;—
Crafft of rethorik youe to no creature
Sauff to man, which bi gret dilligence
Be studie kometh to crafft of elloquence.
Ther been too maneres: oon is of nature,
Lernyd in youthe, which doth oon spek[e] lik
As he heereth & lerneth bi scripture;—
Crafft of rethorik youe to no creature
Sauff to man, which bi gret dilligence
Be studie kometh to crafft of elloquence.
Crafft of langage and of prudent speche
Causeth prechours bi spiritual doctryne
Vertuousli the peeple for to teche,
How thei shal lyue bi moral disciplyne.
Langage techeth men to plaunte vyne,
Enfourmeth folk to worshepe hooli cherche,
The artificeer treuli for to werche.
Causeth prechours bi spiritual doctryne
Vertuousli the peeple for to teche,
How thei shal lyue bi moral disciplyne.
Langage techeth men to plaunte vyne,
Enfourmeth folk to worshepe hooli cherche,
The artificeer treuli for to werche.
Yit ther be summe that pleynli preche and teche,
Haue of langage this oppynyoun:
God ha[th] nat most reward onto speche,
But to the herte & to thaffeccioun;
Best can guerdone the inward entencioun
Of eueri man, nat after the visage,
But lik the menyng of ther inward corage.
Haue of langage this oppynyoun:
God ha[th] nat most reward onto speche,
But to the herte & to thaffeccioun;
767
Of eueri man, nat after the visage,
But lik the menyng of ther inward corage.
To vttre langage is gret dyuersite
Whan that men shewe theffect of ther menyng,
Be it of ioie or off aduersite,
Cheer for taccord therwith in vtt[e]ryng,
Now debonaire, sumwhile rebukyng,
And in rehersyng, lik cheer alwei tapplie,
Be it of rudnesse, be it of curteisie.
Whan that men shewe theffect of ther menyng,
Be it of ioie or off aduersite,
Cheer for taccord therwith in vtt[e]ryng,
Now debonaire, sumwhile rebukyng,
And in rehersyng, lik cheer alwei tapplie,
Be it of rudnesse, be it of curteisie.
Of discrecioun sette a difference
In his pronouncyng to perce or vndirmyne,
To drawe the iuge vnto his sentence
Or to his purpos to make hym to enclyne,
Seen wher he be malencolik or benigne,—
Or his mateer be vttrid or vnclosid,
Considre afforn how that he is disposid.
In his pronouncyng to perce or vndirmyne,
To drawe the iuge vnto his sentence
Or to his purpos to make hym to enclyne,
Seen wher he be malencolik or benigne,—
Or his mateer be vttrid or vnclosid,
Considre afforn how that he is disposid.
Peised al this thyng, the rethoricien,
With other thynges which appertene of riht
To crafft of speche, he mut conueye & seen
Mateeris of substaunce & mateeris that be liht,
Dispose hymsilf tentretyn euery wiht
Lik to purpos & fyn of his mateere,
As for the tyme rethorik doth requeere.
With other thynges which appertene of riht
To crafft of speche, he mut conueye & seen
Mateeris of substaunce & mateeris that be liht,
Dispose hymsilf tentretyn euery wiht
Lik to purpos & fyn of his mateere,
As for the tyme rethorik doth requeere.
As bexaumple, myn auctour doth record,
Men sette at werre, in herte ferr assonder,
The rethoricien to make hem for taccord
Mut seeke weies & menys heer & yonder,
Of old rancour tappese the boistous thonder,
Be wise exaumplis & prouerbis pertynent
Tenduce the parties to been of oon assent.
Men sette at werre, in herte ferr assonder,
The rethoricien to make hem for taccord
Mut seeke weies & menys heer & yonder,
Of old rancour tappese the boistous thonder,
Be wise exaumplis & prouerbis pertynent
Tenduce the parties to been of oon assent.
A man also that stant in heuynesse,
Disespeired and disconsolat,
The rethoricien mut doon his besynesse,
The ground considred & felt of his estat,
The cause serchid whi he stant desolat,
Which to reffourme be dilligent labour
Is the trewe offis of eueri oratour.
Disespeired and disconsolat,
The rethoricien mut doon his besynesse,
The ground considred & felt of his estat,
The cause serchid whi he stant desolat,
Which to reffourme be dilligent labour
Is the trewe offis of eueri oratour.
768
Of rethoriciens whilom that wer old
The sugrid langage & vertuous daliaunce
Be goode exaumples & prouerbes that thei tolde,
Woordes pesible enbelisshed with plesaunce,
Appesid of tirauntes the rigerous vengaunce,
Sette aside ther furious sentence
Bi vertu onli of prudent elloquence.
The sugrid langage & vertuous daliaunce
Be goode exaumples & prouerbes that thei tolde,
Woordes pesible enbelisshed with plesaunce,
Appesid of tirauntes the rigerous vengaunce,
Sette aside ther furious sentence
Bi vertu onli of prudent elloquence.
And in contrarie, pleynli to conclude,
Men seen alday bi cleer experience
Folk vnauised, & hasti foolis rude,
And braynles peeple, of wilful necligence,
Because thei wern bareyn of elloquence,
Vttringe ther speche as nakid folk & bare,
For lak of rethorik ther mateer to declare.
Men seen alday bi cleer experience
Folk vnauised, & hasti foolis rude,
And braynles peeple, of wilful necligence,
Because thei wern bareyn of elloquence,
Vttringe ther speche as nakid folk & bare,
For lak of rethorik ther mateer to declare.
Bi cleer exaumple, as purpil, who takþ heede,
Longeth to kynges, in stori men may fynde,
With clothes of gold & riche velwet weede
Fret with rubies and othir stonis Ynde,
Saphirs, emeraudis, perlis of ther kynde,—
As alle thes thynges aproprid been of riht,
Plesaunt obiectis to a mannys siht,
Longeth to kynges, in stori men may fynde,
With clothes of gold & riche velwet weede
Fret with rubies and othir stonis Ynde,
Saphirs, emeraudis, perlis of ther kynde,—
As alle thes thynges aproprid been of riht,
Plesaunt obiectis to a mannys siht,
So the langage of rethoriciens
Is a glad obiect to mannys audience,
With song mellodious of musiciens,
Which doth gret counfort to euery hih presence.
Bexaumple as Amphioun, with song & elloquence
Bilte the wallis of Thebes the cite,
He hadde of rethorik so gret subtilite.
Is a glad obiect to mannys audience,
With song mellodious of musiciens,
Which doth gret counfort to euery hih presence.
Bexaumple as Amphioun, with song & elloquence
Bilte the wallis of Thebes the cite,
He hadde of rethorik so gret subtilite.
In his langage ther was so gret plesaunce,
Fyndyng therbi so inli gret proffit,
That al the contre kam to his obeissaunce,
To heere hym speke thei hadde so gret delit;
The peeple enviroun hadde such an appetit
In his persone, in pes & in bataille:
Heer men may seen what rethorik doth auaille!
Fyndyng therbi so inli gret proffit,
That al the contre kam to his obeissaunce,
To heere hym speke thei hadde so gret delit;
The peeple enviroun hadde such an appetit
In his persone, in pes & in bataille:
Heer men may seen what rethorik doth auaille!
769
[How Sextus werreide Tryumvir, and of the deth of grete Antonye and Cleopatras.]
Folwyng the ordre Bochas of his book,
With penne in hond[e], castyng up his eye,
Tofor hym cam pale of cheer & look
A myhti prince, sone onto Pompeye,
Callid Sextus, which as bookis seye,
Delited hym, with a gret naue
Lik a pirat to robben on the se.
With penne in hond[e], castyng up his eye,
Tofor hym cam pale of cheer & look
A myhti prince, sone onto Pompeye,
Callid Sextus, which as bookis seye,
Delited hym, with a gret naue
Lik a pirat to robben on the se.
To his fadir contrarie in such caas,—
For eueri pirat of custum he dede hate,
Vpon the se whos vsage alwey was
Ageyn[es] hem proudli to debate,
Pursued hem erli and eek late,—
Wher this Sextus, to his gret repreeff,
Was of the se a robbour and a theeff.
For eueri pirat of custum he dede hate,
Vpon the se whos vsage alwey was
Ageyn[es] hem proudli to debate,
Pursued hem erli and eek late,—
Wher this Sextus, to his gret repreeff,
Was of the se a robbour and a theeff.
The sclaundre of hym gan to spreede ferre,
Reportid was to many ferr contre;
With Tryumvir this Sextus gan a werre,—
Which is an offis and a dignite
Bi the Romeyns commyttid onto thre
Notable estatis, chose for cheualrie,
Thempire al hool to gouerne & to guie.
Reportid was to many ferr contre;
With Tryumvir this Sextus gan a werre,—
Which is an offis and a dignite
Bi the Romeyns commyttid onto thre
Notable estatis, chose for cheualrie,
Thempire al hool to gouerne & to guie.
The firste of hem namyd Lepidus,
And the secounde callid Octouyan,
The thridde in noumbre was Antonyus,
Ageyn[s] which thre Sextus, this proude man,
Of surquedie a newe werre gan,
Afforn bi Iulius for his rebellioun
Banisshed for euere out of Roome toun.
And the secounde callid Octouyan,
The thridde in noumbre was Antonyus,
Ageyn[s] which thre Sextus, this proude man,
Of surquedie a newe werre gan,
Afforn bi Iulius for his rebellioun
Banisshed for euere out of Roome toun.
Triumvir of politik gouernaunce,
Weel auised afforn in ther resouns,
Tretyng for pes bi notable purueyaunce
With proude Sextus vndir condiciouns
Write & enact in ther conuenciouns,—
But anon afftir, list no while tarie,
He to his promys was froward & contrarie.
Weel auised afforn in ther resouns,
Tretyng for pes bi notable purueyaunce
With proude Sextus vndir condiciouns
Write & enact in ther conuenciouns,—
But anon afftir, list no while tarie,
He to his promys was froward & contrarie.
770
For his convict outraious falsnesse,
And on the se for his robberye,
Bochas of hym writ no long processe,
Hauyng disdeyn his name to magnefie;
For he to vertu list nothing applie,—
The difference cause which [is] in thestat
Atwixe knihthod & liff of a pirat.
And on the se for his robberye,
Bochas of hym writ no long processe,
Hauyng disdeyn his name to magnefie;
For he to vertu list nothing applie,—
The difference cause which [is] in thestat
Atwixe knihthod & liff of a pirat.
With fugityues, theuys and robbours
And men exiled out of Roome toun,
Banisshed peeple, fals conspiratours,
With othir convict of moordre & tresoun,—
He took al such vndir proteccioun;
And oon Moena, a cherl of his certeyn,
Of fourti shippes he made hym a capteyn.
And men exiled out of Roome toun,
Banisshed peeple, fals conspiratours,
With othir convict of moordre & tresoun,—
He took al such vndir proteccioun;
And oon Moena, a cherl of his certeyn,
Of fourti shippes he made hym a capteyn.
The said[e] cherl vnwarli tho began
Folwe the nature of his condicioun,
Allied hymsilff[e] with Octauyan
Ageyn his lord[e], bi ful fals tresoun;
With al his naue and shippes he cam doun,
Spared nat to meete of verray pride
With Menecrates, that was on Sextus side.
Folwe the nature of his condicioun,
Allied hymsilff[e] with Octauyan
Ageyn his lord[e], bi ful fals tresoun;
With al his naue and shippes he cam doun,
Spared nat to meete of verray pride
With Menecrates, that was on Sextus side.
But also soone as the bataile gan
And the parties togidre sholde gon,
Alle the vessellis of Octauyan
With sodeyn tempest wer drownid euerichon
Beside a castell bilt of lym & ston
Callid Nauletum, wher yit to gret repreeff
Sextus fledde & was brouht to myscheeff.
And the parties togidre sholde gon,
Alle the vessellis of Octauyan
With sodeyn tempest wer drownid euerichon
Beside a castell bilt of lym & ston
Callid Nauletum, wher yit to gret repreeff
Sextus fledde & was brouht to myscheeff.
Wente into Grece to make hym stronge ageyn
To holde a bataile with Antonyus,
Take in his komyng bi strengthe of a capteyn
Longyng to Antoyne, callid Furnyus,
Whilom neuew to Cesar Iulius:
And or duk Sextus myhte ferþer weende,
He slay[e]n was & made ther an eende.
To holde a bataile with Antonyus,
Take in his komyng bi strengthe of a capteyn
Longyng to Antoyne, callid Furnyus,
Whilom neuew to Cesar Iulius:
And or duk Sextus myhte ferþer weende,
He slay[e]n was & made ther an eende.
Of Tryumvir in thempire, as I tolde,
Ther was a capteyn callid Lepidus,
Which bi his offis lik as he was holde,
Riht besi was, the book rehersith thus,
To reconcile the proude Antonyus
To the grace of gret Octouyan,
Ech thyng forgete wherof the werre gan.
Ther was a capteyn callid Lepidus,
Which bi his offis lik as he was holde,
Riht besi was, the book rehersith thus,
771
To the grace of gret Octouyan,
Ech thyng forgete wherof the werre gan.
And to conclude shortli, who list see,
Fortune a while was to hym gracious,
Thempire al hool gouernid bi thes thre:
Lordship of Affrik hadde Lepidus,
Bi which he wex proud & contrarious,
To hym assigned vndir commissiouns
Fulli the noumbre of tuenti legiouns.
Fortune a while was to hym gracious,
Thempire al hool gouernid bi thes thre:
Lordship of Affrik hadde Lepidus,
Bi which he wex proud & contrarious,
To hym assigned vndir commissiouns
Fulli the noumbre of tuenti legiouns.
Wherof in herte he kauhte such a pride,
Causyng be processe his destruccioun.
Surquedie a while was his guide,
From his estat til he was falle doun;
Namli whan he, of fals presumpcioun,
Took upon hym of malis to werreye
The said Octouyan, & gan hym disobeie.
Causyng be processe his destruccioun.
Surquedie a while was his guide,
From his estat til he was falle doun;
Namli whan he, of fals presumpcioun,
Took upon hym of malis to werreye
The said Octouyan, & gan hym disobeie.
Whan Octouyan his malis dide see,
That he gan wexe sodenli contrarie,
He threw hym doun from his dignite,
Cast hym in exil, list no lenger tarie.
Loo, how Fortune sodeynli can varie,
To maken hym that hadde gouernaunce
Off al Affrik to comen to myschaunce!
That he gan wexe sodenli contrarie,
He threw hym doun from his dignite,
Cast hym in exil, list no lenger tarie.
Loo, how Fortune sodeynli can varie,
To maken hym that hadde gouernaunce
Off al Affrik to comen to myschaunce!
Another prince, Cesar Lucyus,
Exiled was fro Roome the cite
Bi his vncle, the saide Antonyus,
Of wilfulnesse & hasti cruelte;
For in that tyme, as men may reede & see,
Contreued causes wer founde up of malis
Texile princis notable holde & wis.
Exiled was fro Roome the cite
Bi his vncle, the saide Antonyus,
Of wilfulnesse & hasti cruelte;
For in that tyme, as men may reede & see,
Contreued causes wer founde up of malis
Texile princis notable holde & wis.
Summe because thei heeld[e] with Cesar,
Other for Pompeie that heeld on that partie,
Summe for ther good, afforn or thei wer war,
Summe for suspecioun, summe for envie,
Summe for thei koude nat flatre nouther lie,
Summe for vertues, which was gret[e] routhe,
Because thei wern so stable in ther trouthe.
Other for Pompeie that heeld on that partie,
Summe for ther good, afforn or thei wer war,
Summe for suspecioun, summe for envie,
Summe for thei koude nat flatre nouther lie,
Summe for vertues, which was gret[e] routhe,
Because thei wern so stable in ther trouthe.
772
In this trouble dreedful & odious,
As is rehersid in ordre ye may reede,
The noble kniht, Paulus Lucyus,
Exilid was of malis & hatreede,
Folwyng upon the grete horrible deede,
The pitous deth & the hatful caas
Of gret Antonye and Cleopatras.
As is rehersid in ordre ye may reede,
The noble kniht, Paulus Lucyus,
Exilid was of malis & hatreede,
Folwyng upon the grete horrible deede,
The pitous deth & the hatful caas
Of gret Antonye and Cleopatras.
The tragedie of these ilke tweyne
For me as now shal be set aside,
Cause Chauceer, cheef poete of Breteyne,
Seyng ther hertis koude nat deuyde,
In his book, the Legende of Cupide,
Remembryng ther, as oon thei dide endure,
So wer thei buryed in oon sepulture.
For me as now shal be set aside,
Cause Chauceer, cheef poete of Breteyne,
Seyng ther hertis koude nat deuyde,
In his book, the Legende of Cupide,
Remembryng ther, as oon thei dide endure,
So wer thei buryed in oon sepulture.
Thyng onys said be labour of Chauceer
Wer presumpcioun me to make ageyn,
Whos makyng was so notable & enteer,
Riht compendious and notable in certeyn.
Which to reherse the labour wer but veyn,
Bochas remembryng how Cleopatras
Caused Antonye that he destroied was.
Wer presumpcioun me to make ageyn,
Whos makyng was so notable & enteer,
Riht compendious and notable in certeyn.
Which to reherse the labour wer but veyn,
Bochas remembryng how Cleopatras
Caused Antonye that he destroied was.
Hir auarice was so importable,
He supprised with hir gret fairnesse,
Folwyng ther lustis foul & abhominable,
She desiryng to haue be emperesse;
And he, alas, of froward wilfulnesse,
To plesen hire, vnhappily began
To werreye the grete Octouyan.
He supprised with hir gret fairnesse,
Folwyng ther lustis foul & abhominable,
She desiryng to haue be emperesse;
And he, alas, of froward wilfulnesse,
To plesen hire, vnhappily began
To werreye the grete Octouyan.
Froward ambicioun sette his herte affire
To clymben up to the imperial see,
To haue pocessioun of the hool empire,
Took upon hym, yiff it wolde haue be,
To regne allone in Roome the cite,
Cleopatras to fostren in hir pride,
Title of Octauyan for to sette aside.
To clymben up to the imperial see,
To haue pocessioun of the hool empire,
Took upon hym, yiff it wolde haue be,
To regne allone in Roome the cite,
Cleopatras to fostren in hir pride,
Title of Octauyan for to sette aside.
With multitude of many legiouns,
As I haue told, ageyn Octauyan,
To hym acrochid of dyuers regiouns
Gret multitude of many manli man;
First on the se to werreye he began,
Wher he was first, maugre al his miht,
To his confusioun vnwarli put to fliht.
As I haue told, ageyn Octauyan,
To hym acrochid of dyuers regiouns
Gret multitude of many manli man;
773
Wher he was first, maugre al his miht,
To his confusioun vnwarli put to fliht.
Disespeired, fledde hom to his contre,
Knowyng no helpe nor mene to recure,
But to encres of his aduersite,
Whan that he sauh this woful auenture,
Geyn Octouyan he myhte nat endure,
With a sharp suerd his daungeer to dyuerte
Hymsilff he rooff vnwarli to the herte.
Knowyng no helpe nor mene to recure,
But to encres of his aduersite,
Whan that he sauh this woful auenture,
Geyn Octouyan he myhte nat endure,
With a sharp suerd his daungeer to dyuerte
Hymsilff he rooff vnwarli to the herte.
Of whos deth the queen Cleopatras
Took a sorwe verray importable;
Because ther was no recure in the caas,
Thouhte of his wo she wolde be partable,
Whos fatal eende pitous & lamentable:
Slouh eek hirsilf[e], loue so did hir raue;
Afftir thei bothe buryed in o graue.
Took a sorwe verray importable;
Because ther was no recure in the caas,
Thouhte of his wo she wolde be partable,
Whos fatal eende pitous & lamentable:
Slouh eek hirsilf[e], loue so did hir raue;
Afftir thei bothe buryed in o graue.
Finis libri Sexti.
Incipit liber septimus.
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