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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[A disputacion between fortune & glad pouert.] |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
[A disputacion between fortune & glad pouert.]
Qvod Andalus: “Whilom off fortune
In a streiht place ther sat Glad Pouerte,
Which resemblid off look & figure
A rekles woman, most ougli on to see,
At a naruh meetyng off hih-weies thre,
Al totorn, to-raggid and to-rent,
A thousend pachchis vpon hir garnement.
In a streiht place ther sat Glad Pouerte,
Which resemblid off look & figure
A rekles woman, most ougli on to see,
At a naruh meetyng off hih-weies thre,
Al totorn, to-raggid and to-rent,
A thousend pachchis vpon hir garnement.
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She was hidous bothe off cheer and face,
And in semyng void off sorwe and dreed.
And bi that way as Fortune dede pace,
And off Glad Pouert sodenli took heed,
She gan to smyle & lauhhe at hir in deed,
Bi a maner scornyng in certeyn,
Off hir array she hadde so gret disdeyn.
And in semyng void off sorwe and dreed.
And bi that way as Fortune dede pace,
And off Glad Pouert sodenli took heed,
She gan to smyle & lauhhe at hir in deed,
Bi a maner scornyng in certeyn,
Off hir array she hadde so gret disdeyn.
Whos froward lauhtre, whan Pouert dede espie
How she off hir hadde indignacioun,
She roos hire up off hih malencolie,
Pleynli to shewe hire entencioun,
Withoute good day or salutacioun,
Doyng to Fortune no maner reuerence,
Vnder these woordis declaryng hir sentence:
How she off hir hadde indignacioun,
She roos hire up off hih malencolie,
Pleynli to shewe hire entencioun,
Withoute good day or salutacioun,
Doyng to Fortune no maner reuerence,
Vnder these woordis declaryng hir sentence:
‘O thou Fortune, most fool off foolis all,
What cause hastow for to lauhhe at me,
Or what disdeyn is in thyn herte fall?
Spare neueradeel, tell on, lat me see,
For I ful litil haue a-do with the;
Off old nor newe I ha[ue] noon aqueyntaunce
Nouther with the nor with thi gouernaunce.’
What cause hastow for to lauhhe at me,
Or what disdeyn is in thyn herte fall?
Spare neueradeel, tell on, lat me see,
For I ful litil haue a-do with the;
Off old nor newe I ha[ue] noon aqueyntaunce
Nouther with the nor with thi gouernaunce.’
And whan Fortune beholdeth the maneer
Off Glad Pouert in hir totorn[e] weede,
And kneuh also be contenaunce & cheer,
How she off hire took but litil heede,
Lik as she hadde to hir no maner neede,—
The which[e] thynges conceyued and Iseyn,
To Pouerte she ansuerde thus ageyn:
Off Glad Pouert in hir totorn[e] weede,
And kneuh also be contenaunce & cheer,
How she off hire took but litil heede,
Lik as she hadde to hir no maner neede,—
The which[e] thynges conceyued and Iseyn,
To Pouerte she ansuerde thus ageyn:
‘Mi scornful lauhtre pleynli was for the,
Whan I the sauh so megre, pale and leene,
Nakid and cold, in gret aduersite,
Scabbid, scuruy, scallid and oncleene
On bak and body, as it is weel seene.
Many a beeste walke in ther pasture,
Which day be day off newe thou doost recure.
Whan I the sauh so megre, pale and leene,
Nakid and cold, in gret aduersite,
Scabbid, scuruy, scallid and oncleene
On bak and body, as it is weel seene.
Many a beeste walke in ther pasture,
Which day be day off newe thou doost recure.
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Hauyng nothyng to wrappyn in thyn hed
Sauff a brod hat, rent out off nattis olde,
Ful offten hungri for defaute off bred,
Slepyng on straw[e] in the frostis colde.
And wher thou comest, as men may weel beholde,
For feer off the, childre them withdrawe,
And many a dogge hath on thi staff ignawe.
Sauff a brod hat, rent out off nattis olde,
Ful offten hungri for defaute off bred,
Slepyng on straw[e] in the frostis colde.
And wher thou comest, as men may weel beholde,
For feer off the, childre them withdrawe,
And many a dogge hath on thi staff ignawe.
To alle estatis thou art most odious,
Men with the will ha[ue] no daliaunce,
Thi felaship is so contrarious,
Wher thou abidest ther may be no plesaunce.
Folk hate so dedli thi froward aqueyntaunce,
That fynali, I dar conclude off the,
Wher-euer thou comest thi felaship men fle!’
Men with the will ha[ue] no daliaunce,
Thi felaship is so contrarious,
Wher thou abidest ther may be no plesaunce.
Folk hate so dedli thi froward aqueyntaunce,
That fynali, I dar conclude off the,
Wher-euer thou comest thi felaship men fle!’
Whan Glad Pouert gan pleynli vndirstonde
These rebukes rehersed off Fortune,
The rud[e] resouns that she took on honde,
Which frowardli to hire she dede entune,
As Pouert were a refus in comune,
Bi the repreuis that Fortune on hir laide;
For which Pouert replied ageyn & saide:
These rebukes rehersed off Fortune,
The rud[e] resouns that she took on honde,
Which frowardli to hire she dede entune,
As Pouert were a refus in comune,
Bi the repreuis that Fortune on hir laide;
For which Pouert replied ageyn & saide:
‘Fortune,’ quod she, ‘touchyng this debat,
Which off malice thou doost ageyn me take,
Be weel certeyn, touchyng my poore estat,
I off fre will thi fauour ha[ue] forsake.
And thouh folk seyn thou maist men riche make,
Yit I ha[ue] leuere be poore with gladnesse,
Than with trouble possede gret richesse.
Which off malice thou doost ageyn me take,
Be weel certeyn, touchyng my poore estat,
I off fre will thi fauour ha[ue] forsake.
And thouh folk seyn thou maist men riche make,
Yit I ha[ue] leuere be poore with gladnesse,
Than with trouble possede gret richesse.
For thouh thou seeme benygne & debonaire
Bi a maner countirfet apparence,
Fat & weel fed, with rounde chekis faire,
With many colours off trouthe as in pretence,
As ther off feith wer werrai existence,—
But vnder all thi floures off fresshnesse
The serpent glidith, off chaung & doubilnesse.
Bi a maner countirfet apparence,
Fat & weel fed, with rounde chekis faire,
With many colours off trouthe as in pretence,
As ther off feith wer werrai existence,—
But vnder all thi floures off fresshnesse
The serpent glidith, off chaung & doubilnesse.
And thouh thi clothyng be of purpil hewe,
With gret awaityng off many chaumbereris,
Off gold & perle ech dai chaunges newe,
Clothes off gold & sondry fressh atiris,
And in thyn houshold ful many officeris,—
Yit I dar weel putte in iupartie,
With the to plete and holde chaumpartie.’
With gret awaityng off many chaumbereris,
Off gold & perle ech dai chaunges newe,
Clothes off gold & sondry fressh atiris,
And in thyn houshold ful many officeris,—
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With the to plete and holde chaumpartie.’
Thus Glad Pouert gan wexen inportune,
Off cheer contraire, off look & off language,
Ageyn this ladi which callid is Fortune,
That off disdeyn she fill into a rage:
‘Behold,’ quod she, ‘off Pouert the corage,
In wrechidnesse standyng disconsolat,
How ageyn me she is now obstynat!
Off cheer contraire, off look & off language,
Ageyn this ladi which callid is Fortune,
That off disdeyn she fill into a rage:
‘Behold,’ quod she, ‘off Pouert the corage,
In wrechidnesse standyng disconsolat,
How ageyn me she is now obstynat!
She cannat see, how she stant outraied,
Fer from the fauour off my felicite,
Yit off pride she is nat disamaied,
Nor list nat bowwe for tobeie me,
Thouh she be cast in mendicite,
Ferthest a-bak, I do you weel assure,
In myscheeff set off any creature.
Fer from the fauour off my felicite,
Yit off pride she is nat disamaied,
Nor list nat bowwe for tobeie me,
Thouh she be cast in mendicite,
Ferthest a-bak, I do you weel assure,
In myscheeff set off any creature.
But treuli, Pouert, for al thi truaundise,
Maugre thi pride and thi gret outrage,
I shal the pun[y]she in ful cruel wise,
To make the loute vnder my seruage.
Which resemblest a dedli pale ymage,
That were off newe rise out off his graue,
And yit off pride darst ageyn me raue.’
Maugre thi pride and thi gret outrage,
I shal the pun[y]she in ful cruel wise,
To make the loute vnder my seruage.
Which resemblest a dedli pale ymage,
That were off newe rise out off his graue,
And yit off pride darst ageyn me raue.’
But whan Fortune hadde these woordis said,
Glad Pouert gan falle in gret gladnesse,
And ageyn Fortune with a sodeyn braid,
She gan hir conceit out shewe & expresse:
‘Fortune,’ quod she, ‘thouh thou be a goddesse
Callid off foolis, yit lerne this off me,
From thi seruage I stonde at liberte.
Glad Pouert gan falle in gret gladnesse,
And ageyn Fortune with a sodeyn braid,
She gan hir conceit out shewe & expresse:
‘Fortune,’ quod she, ‘thouh thou be a goddesse
Callid off foolis, yit lerne this off me,
From thi seruage I stonde at liberte.
But yiff I shal algatis haue a-doo
With the in armis, most cruel & vengable,
Touchyng the quarel that is atwen vs too,
Ther is o thyng to me riht confortable,
That thi corage is flekeryng & onstable;
And wher an herte is in hymsilff deuyded,
Victorie in armys for hym is nat prouyded.
With the in armis, most cruel & vengable,
Touchyng the quarel that is atwen vs too,
Ther is o thyng to me riht confortable,
That thi corage is flekeryng & onstable;
And wher an herte is in hymsilff deuyded,
Victorie in armys for hym is nat prouyded.
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Me list[e] nouther flatre the nor fage,
Nor the tenoynte be adulacioun,
Thouh flat[e]rie & feyned fals language
Approprid be to thi condicioun;
And in despit off thi presumpcioun,
I ha[ue] forsake off my fre volunte
All the tresours off worldli vanite.
Nor the tenoynte be adulacioun,
Thouh flat[e]rie & feyned fals language
Approprid be to thi condicioun;
And in despit off thi presumpcioun,
I ha[ue] forsake off my fre volunte
All the tresours off worldli vanite.
Whilom I was, as thou hast deuised,
Seruant to the, and onto thi tresours;
But fro thi daunger now that I am fraunchised,
Sekyng off the nouther helpe nor socours,
Manace kynges & myhti emperours:
For Glad Pouert, late nouther soone,
With thi richessis hath nothyng to doone.
Seruant to the, and onto thi tresours;
But fro thi daunger now that I am fraunchised,
Sekyng off the nouther helpe nor socours,
Manace kynges & myhti emperours:
For Glad Pouert, late nouther soone,
With thi richessis hath nothyng to doone.
For thouh thou haue enbracid in thi cheyne
Worldli pryncis & goodes transitorie,
And riche marchantis vndir thi demeyne,
Yeuest to knyhthod conquest and victorie,
The fadyng palme off laude & veynglorie,—
But whan echon thi fauour han recurid,
Than is Glad Pouert fre fro thi lure assurid.
Worldli pryncis & goodes transitorie,
And riche marchantis vndir thi demeyne,
Yeuest to knyhthod conquest and victorie,
The fadyng palme off laude & veynglorie,—
But whan echon thi fauour han recurid,
Than is Glad Pouert fre fro thi lure assurid.
All thi seruantis standen vnder dreede,
Quakyng for feer[e] off thi doubilnesse;
For nouther wisdam, force nor manheede,
Fredam, bounte, loue nor ientilesse
Mai in thi fauour ha[ue] no sekirnesse;
Thei be so possid with wyndis in thi barge,
Wher-as Glad Pouert goth freli at his large.
Quakyng for feer[e] off thi doubilnesse;
For nouther wisdam, force nor manheede,
Fredam, bounte, loue nor ientilesse
Mai in thi fauour ha[ue] no sekirnesse;
Thei be so possid with wyndis in thi barge,
Wher-as Glad Pouert goth freli at his large.
Thi manacyng doth me no duresse,
Which worldli pryncis dredyn euerichon.
Thei may weel quake for losse off gret richesse;
But I, Glad Pouert, theroff desire non,
As flowe & ebbe al worldli thyng mut gon;
For afftir flodis off Fortunys tyde,
The ebbe folweth, & will no man abide.
Which worldli pryncis dredyn euerichon.
Thei may weel quake for losse off gret richesse;
But I, Glad Pouert, theroff desire non,
As flowe & ebbe al worldli thyng mut gon;
For afftir flodis off Fortunys tyde,
The ebbe folweth, & will no man abide.
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Flowe and ebbe be to me bothe aliche;
I dreede nothyng thi mutabilite,
Mak whom thou list[e] outher poore or riche;
For I nothyng will requere off the,
Nouther lordshepe nor gret prosperite:
For with thi gifftes who that hath to doone,
Off chaunges braideth offter than the moone.
I dreede nothyng thi mutabilite,
Mak whom thou list[e] outher poore or riche;
For I nothyng will requere off the,
Nouther lordshepe nor gret prosperite:
For with thi gifftes who that hath to doone,
Off chaunges braideth offter than the moone.
Out off pouert cam first these emperours
That were in Rome crownyd with laurer;
Fredam & largesse made hem first victours,
Causyng ther fame to shyne briht and cleer,
Till couetise brouht hem in daunger,
Whan thei off foli, in ther most excellence,
To thi doubilnesse dede reuerence.
That were in Rome crownyd with laurer;
Fredam & largesse made hem first victours,
Causyng ther fame to shyne briht and cleer,
Till couetise brouht hem in daunger,
Whan thei off foli, in ther most excellence,
To thi doubilnesse dede reuerence.
For whan fredam a prynce doth forsake,
And couetise put awei largesse,
And streihtnesse is into houshold take,
And negardship exilith ientilesse,
Than is withdrawe from ther hih noblesse
The peeplis herte; and, pleynli to deuise,
Off ther seruauntis farweel al good seruise.
And couetise put awei largesse,
And streihtnesse is into houshold take,
And negardship exilith ientilesse,
Than is withdrawe from ther hih noblesse
The peeplis herte; and, pleynli to deuise,
Off ther seruauntis farweel al good seruise.
Al such sodeyn chaungis in comune
In this world vsid now fro day to day,
Echon thei come be fraude off fals Fortune;
Experience hath put it at assay,
Loue, trouthe & feith be gon [so] ferr away.
And yiff that trust with pryncis wil nat tarie,
Litil merueile thouh the peeple varie.
In this world vsid now fro day to day,
Echon thei come be fraude off fals Fortune;
Experience hath put it at assay,
Loue, trouthe & feith be gon [so] ferr away.
And yiff that trust with pryncis wil nat tarie,
Litil merueile thouh the peeple varie.
For thoruh thi chaungis off fraudulent fairnesse,
Ther is now vsid in eueri regioun
Glad cheer out shewed with couert doubilnesse,
Vnder the courtyn off symulacioun.
So secre now is adulacioun,
That in this world may be no sur[e]te,
But yiff it reste in Glad Pouerte.
Ther is now vsid in eueri regioun
Glad cheer out shewed with couert doubilnesse,
Vnder the courtyn off symulacioun.
So secre now is adulacioun,
That in this world may be no sur[e]te,
But yiff it reste in Glad Pouerte.
Yit off thi pereilous froward variaunce
I sette no stor, treuli as for me;
For al thi frenship concludeth with myschaunce,
With sodeyn myscheeff off mutabilite,
Which yeueth me herte to haue a-do with the:
For suffisaunce in my poore estaat
Shal to thi chaunges seyn sodenli chekmaat.’
I sette no stor, treuli as for me;
For al thi frenship concludeth with myschaunce,
With sodeyn myscheeff off mutabilite,
Which yeueth me herte to haue a-do with the:
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Shal to thi chaunges seyn sodenli chekmaat.’
Fortune almost with anger disespeired,
Off these woordis took ful gret greuaunce.
‘Pouert,’ quod she, ‘which maist nat been apeired!
But I now shewe ageyn the my puissaunce,
Men wolde litil accounte my substaunce,
O myhti Pouert! O stronge Hercules!
Which ageyn[s] me puttest thi-silff in pres!
Off these woordis took ful gret greuaunce.
‘Pouert,’ quod she, ‘which maist nat been apeired!
But I now shewe ageyn the my puissaunce,
Men wolde litil accounte my substaunce,
O myhti Pouert! O stronge Hercules!
Which ageyn[s] me puttest thi-silff in pres!
Supposest thou it sholde the auaile,
Outher be force or be hardynesse
To haue a-do with me in bataile,
Which am off conquest & off hih prowesse
In armys callid ladi and pryncesse?
For ther is non so myhti conquerour,
That may preuaile withoute my fauour.’
Outher be force or be hardynesse
To haue a-do with me in bataile,
Which am off conquest & off hih prowesse
In armys callid ladi and pryncesse?
For ther is non so myhti conquerour,
That may preuaile withoute my fauour.’
Off these woordis Pouert nothyng afferd,
Ansuerde ageyn, thus pleynli in sentence:
‘Thouh heer I ne haue spere, sheeld nor suerd,
Nor chosen armour to stonden at diffence,
Pollex nor dagger to make resistence,
But bare and naked, anon it shal be seyn,
Wher thou with me darst wrastlen on this pleyn.
Ansuerde ageyn, thus pleynli in sentence:
‘Thouh heer I ne haue spere, sheeld nor suerd,
Nor chosen armour to stonden at diffence,
Pollex nor dagger to make resistence,
But bare and naked, anon it shal be seyn,
Wher thou with me darst wrastlen on this pleyn.
Which shal be doon vnder condicioun
That non off vs shal hymsilff withdrawe,
But stille abide off entencioun,
Till he that venquysshe ordeyned hath a lawe,
Such as hym likith, ageyn[e]s his felawe.
The which[e] lawe shal nat be delaied
To be acomplisshid on hym that is outraied.’
That non off vs shal hymsilff withdrawe,
But stille abide off entencioun,
Till he that venquysshe ordeyned hath a lawe,
Such as hym likith, ageyn[e]s his felawe.
The which[e] lawe shal nat be delaied
To be acomplisshid on hym that is outraied.’
Off whos woordes Fortune ageyn gan smyle,
That Pouert proffred so proudli to assaile.
And vpon this she stynte a litil while,
And to Pouert she putte this opposaile:
‘Who shal,’ quod she, ‘be iuge off this bataile,
Or yeue a doom iustli atwen vs tweyne
Off this quarell which we shal darreyne?
That Pouert proffred so proudli to assaile.
And vpon this she stynte a litil while,
And to Pouert she putte this opposaile:
‘Who shal,’ quod she, ‘be iuge off this bataile,
Or yeue a doom iustli atwen vs tweyne
Off this quarell which we shal darreyne?
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I axe also a-nother questioun
Touchyng thi profre off furious outrage:
Wher-as thou puttest a condicioun
And a lawe with ful proud language,—
Wher shaltow fynden pleggis or hostage
To keepe the promys which thou doost ordeyne,
Theroff tabide the guerdoun or the peyne?
Touchyng thi profre off furious outrage:
Wher-as thou puttest a condicioun
And a lawe with ful proud language,—
Wher shaltow fynden pleggis or hostage
To keepe the promys which thou doost ordeyne,
Theroff tabide the guerdoun or the peyne?
I meene as thus: yiff ther be set a lawe
Atween vs too or a condicioun
Be sur[e]te, which may nat be withdrawe,
As vnder bond or obligacioun;
But there is nouther lawe nor resoun
May bynde a beggere, yiff it be weel souht,
Whan it is preued that he hath riht nouht.
Atween vs too or a condicioun
Be sur[e]te, which may nat be withdrawe,
As vnder bond or obligacioun;
But there is nouther lawe nor resoun
May bynde a beggere, yiff it be weel souht,
Whan it is preued that he hath riht nouht.
Thi sect off pouert hath a proteccioun
From all statutis to gon at liberte,
And from al lawe a pleyn exempcioun:
Than folweth it, yiff thou bounde the
To any lawe that may contreuid be,
It wer fraude, pleynli to endite,
Which hast riht nouht thi parti to aquite.
From all statutis to gon at liberte,
And from al lawe a pleyn exempcioun:
Than folweth it, yiff thou bounde the
To any lawe that may contreuid be,
It wer fraude, pleynli to endite,
Which hast riht nouht thi parti to aquite.
Thou art so feeble, yiff it cam therto,
That thou were brouht onto vttraunce,
For noun power, whan al that wer do,
Thou sholdist faile to make thi fynaunce,
Bothe destitut off good and off substaunce;
And sithe no lawe thi persone may coarte,
It wer foli with suchon to iuparte.
That thou were brouht onto vttraunce,
For noun power, whan al that wer do,
Thou sholdist faile to make thi fynaunce,
Bothe destitut off good and off substaunce;
And sithe no lawe thi persone may coarte,
It wer foli with suchon to iuparte.
Yiff I wolde compulse the to wrak,
Taxe off the the tresour off kyng Darie,
On that parti thou stondest ferr abak,
Mi paiement so longe sholde tarie,
Indigence wolde make the to varie.
And yiff I wolde thi persone eek compare
To Alisandre,—thi sides been ful bare!
Taxe off the the tresour off kyng Darie,
On that parti thou stondest ferr abak,
Mi paiement so longe sholde tarie,
Indigence wolde make the to varie.
And yiff I wolde thi persone eek compare
To Alisandre,—thi sides been ful bare!
And fynali thou stondest in such caas
Off miserie, wrechidnesse and neede,
That thou myhtest off resoun seyn allas,
Bothe forsake off frenshipe & kenreede,
And ther is non dar plegge the for dreede:
Yit lik a fool supprisid with veynglorie,
Hopest off me to wynne the victorie.’
Off miserie, wrechidnesse and neede,
That thou myhtest off resoun seyn allas,
Bothe forsake off frenshipe & kenreede,
And ther is non dar plegge the for dreede:
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Hopest off me to wynne the victorie.’
Quod Glad Pouert, ‘I doute neueradeel
That the victorie shal passen on my side.
Plegge & hostages, lat hem go farweel!
I axe no mor off al thi grete pride,
But to the eende that thou wilt abide.
Plegge thi feith, al-be that sum men seith,
To truste in Fortune ther is ful litil feith.
That the victorie shal passen on my side.
Plegge & hostages, lat hem go farweel!
I axe no mor off al thi grete pride,
But to the eende that thou wilt abide.
Plegge thi feith, al-be that sum men seith,
To truste in Fortune ther is ful litil feith.
And for my part, in this hih emprise,
Sithe I ha[ue] pleggis nouther on nor tweyne,
Mor sur hostage can I nat deuise,
But yiff so be the victorie thou atteyne,
Than yelde my bodi bounden in a cheyne,
Perpetueli, lik the condicioun,
With the tabide fettrid in prisoun.’
Sithe I ha[ue] pleggis nouther on nor tweyne,
Mor sur hostage can I nat deuise,
But yiff so be the victorie thou atteyne,
Than yelde my bodi bounden in a cheyne,
Perpetueli, lik the condicioun,
With the tabide fettrid in prisoun.’
Than Fortune louh mor than she dede afforn,
Whan she sauh Pouert so presumptuous;
In hir arrai al ruggid and totorn,
And hadde nouther rente, lond nor hous.
‘It is,’ quod she, ‘a thyng contrarious
Onto nature, who that can aduerte,
To a beggere to haue a sturdi herte.
Whan she sauh Pouert so presumptuous;
In hir arrai al ruggid and totorn,
And hadde nouther rente, lond nor hous.
‘It is,’ quod she, ‘a thyng contrarious
Onto nature, who that can aduerte,
To a beggere to haue a sturdi herte.
And yiff that I the venquisshid in bataile,
It were to me no worshepe nor auauntage,—
What sholde thi bodi onto me auaile,
The tenprisowne streihtli in a cage?
It sholde been a charge and a costage,
Thyn empti wombe ech day to fulfill,
Yiff thou myhtest haue vitaile at thi will!
It were to me no worshepe nor auauntage,—
What sholde thi bodi onto me auaile,
The tenprisowne streihtli in a cage?
It sholde been a charge and a costage,
Thyn empti wombe ech day to fulfill,
Yiff thou myhtest haue vitaile at thi will!
And yiff I wolde my-silff to magnefie,
Tokne off tryumphe afftir my char the leede,
Men wolde deeme it a maner moquerie,
And seyn in scorn: ‘tak off that fool good heede,
How he a beggere hath ouercome in deede,
Fauht with hym for to encrece his name,
Which conquest turneth to his disclandre & shame!’
Tokne off tryumphe afftir my char the leede,
Men wolde deeme it a maner moquerie,
And seyn in scorn: ‘tak off that fool good heede,
How he a beggere hath ouercome in deede,
Fauht with hym for to encrece his name,
Which conquest turneth to his disclandre & shame!’
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Yit whan I haue brouht the to vttraunce,
Mi power shewed and my grete myht,
And thyn outrage oppressid bi vengaunce,—
Afftir al this, as it is skile and riht,
It shal be kouth in eueri manys siht,
Out declarid the gret[e] difference
Twen thi feblesse & my gret excellence.
Mi power shewed and my grete myht,
And thyn outrage oppressid bi vengaunce,—
Afftir al this, as it is skile and riht,
It shal be kouth in eueri manys siht,
Out declarid the gret[e] difference
Twen thi feblesse & my gret excellence.
Than to represse thi surquedie attonys,
Cruel Orchus, the teidogge infernall,
Shal reende thi skyn assonder fro thi bonys,
To shewe my power, which is imperiall,
And to declare in especiall,
Pouert recleymed onto Pridis lure,
With me to plete may no while endure.’
Cruel Orchus, the teidogge infernall,
Shal reende thi skyn assonder fro thi bonys,
To shewe my power, which is imperiall,
And to declare in especiall,
Pouert recleymed onto Pridis lure,
With me to plete may no while endure.’
And sodenli, or Glad Pouert took heed,
Fortune proudli first began tassaile;
And onwarli hent hire bi the hed,
Demyng off pride, that she may nat faile
Thoruh hir power to venquysshe this bataile.
But it may falle a dwery in his riht
Toutraie a geaunt, for al his grete myht.
Fortune proudli first began tassaile;
And onwarli hent hire bi the hed,
Demyng off pride, that she may nat faile
Thoruh hir power to venquysshe this bataile.
But it may falle a dwery in his riht
Toutraie a geaunt, for al his grete myht.
God taketh non heed to power nor to strengthe,
To hih estaat[e] nor to hih noblesse,
To squar[e] lemys, forged on breede or lengthe,
But to quarelis groundid on rihtwisnesse;
For out off wrong may growe no prowesse.
For wher that trouthe holdeth chaumpartie,
God will his cause be grace magnefie.
To hih estaat[e] nor to hih noblesse,
To squar[e] lemys, forged on breede or lengthe,
But to quarelis groundid on rihtwisnesse;
For out off wrong may growe no prowesse.
For wher that trouthe holdeth chaumpartie,
God will his cause be grace magnefie.
Wherfor Pouert, strong in hir entent,
Liht and delyu[e]re, auoid off al fatnesse,
Riht weel brethed, & nothyng corpulent,
Smal off dieete surfetis to represse,
Ageyn Fortune proudli gan hir dresse,
And with an ougli, sterne cruel face,
Gan in armys hir proudli to embrace.
Liht and delyu[e]re, auoid off al fatnesse,
Riht weel brethed, & nothyng corpulent,
Smal off dieete surfetis to represse,
Ageyn Fortune proudli gan hir dresse,
And with an ougli, sterne cruel face,
Gan in armys hir proudli to embrace.
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Pouert was sclendre & myhte weel endure;
Fortune was round[e], short off wynd and breth.
And wombes grete oppressid with armure,
For lak off wynd the grete stuff hem sleth;
And many a man bryngeth to his deth:
For ouermekil off any maner thyng
Hath many on brouht to his ondoyng.
Fortune was round[e], short off wynd and breth.
And wombes grete oppressid with armure,
For lak off wynd the grete stuff hem sleth;
And many a man bryngeth to his deth:
For ouermekil off any maner thyng
Hath many on brouht to his ondoyng.
A mene is best, with good[e] gouernaunce;
To mekil is nouht, nor ouer-gret plente:
Gretter richesse is founde in suffisaunce
Than in the flodis off superfluyte.
And who is content in his pouerte
And gruchchith nat, for bittir nor for soote,
What-euer he be, hath Fortune vndir foote,
To mekil is nouht, nor ouer-gret plente:
Gretter richesse is founde in suffisaunce
Than in the flodis off superfluyte.
And who is content in his pouerte
And gruchchith nat, for bittir nor for soote,
What-euer he be, hath Fortune vndir foote,
Coueitise put hym in no dispeir,—
Wherfor Pouert, off herte glad and liht,
Leffte Fortune ful hih up in the heir,
And hir constreyned off verai force & myht.
For Glad Pouert off custum and off riht,
Whan any trouble ageyn hir doth begynne,
Ay off Fortune the laurer she doth wynne.
Wherfor Pouert, off herte glad and liht,
Leffte Fortune ful hih up in the heir,
And hir constreyned off verai force & myht.
For Glad Pouert off custum and off riht,
Whan any trouble ageyn hir doth begynne,
Ay off Fortune the laurer she doth wynne.
Maugre Fortune, in the hair aloffte
Constreyned she was be Wilful Pouerte,
That to the erthe hir fal was ful onsoffte:
For off Pouert the bony sharp[e] kne,
Sclendre and long & leene vpon to see,
Hitte Fortune with so gret a myht
Ageyn the herte, she myht nat stande vpriht:—
Constreyned she was be Wilful Pouerte,
That to the erthe hir fal was ful onsoffte:
For off Pouert the bony sharp[e] kne,
Sclendre and long & leene vpon to see,
Hitte Fortune with so gret a myht
Ageyn the herte, she myht nat stande vpriht:—
To signefie that Pouert with gladnesse,
Which is content with smal possessioun
And geueth no fors off tresour nor richesse,
Hath ouer Fortune the dominacioun,
And kepith hir euer vnder subieccioun,
Wher worldli folk, with ther riche apparaile,
Lyue euer in dreed Fortune wolde faile.
Which is content with smal possessioun
And geueth no fors off tresour nor richesse,
Hath ouer Fortune the dominacioun,
And kepith hir euer vnder subieccioun,
Wher worldli folk, with ther riche apparaile,
Lyue euer in dreed Fortune wolde faile.
The poore man affor the theeff doth synge
Vnder the wodis with fresh notis shrille;
The riche man, ful feerful off robbynge,
Quakyng for dreed[e], rideth foorth ful stille.
The poore at large goth wher hym list at wille,
Strongli fraunchised from al debat and striff;
The riche afferd alwei to lese his liff.
Vnder the wodis with fresh notis shrille;
The riche man, ful feerful off robbynge,
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The poore at large goth wher hym list at wille,
Strongli fraunchised from al debat and striff;
The riche afferd alwei to lese his liff.
Thus Glad Pouert hath the palme Iwonne,—
Fortune outraied, for al hir doubilnesse.
Vpon whom Pouert in haste is ronne,
And streyned hir with so gret duresse,
Till she confessid & pleynli dede expresse
With feith & hand, in al hir gret[e] peyne,
Tabide what lawe Pouert list ordeyne.
Fortune outraied, for al hir doubilnesse.
Vpon whom Pouert in haste is ronne,
And streyned hir with so gret duresse,
Till she confessid & pleynli dede expresse
With feith & hand, in al hir gret[e] peyne,
Tabide what lawe Pouert list ordeyne.
And in haste afftir this disconfiture,
Fortune began to compleyne sore.
But Glad Pouert, which all thynge myhte endure,
Charged Fortune scornen hire no more.
For it was said[e] sithen go ful yore,
He that reioishith to scorne folk in veyn,
Whan he wer lothest shal scorned been ageyn.
Fortune began to compleyne sore.
But Glad Pouert, which all thynge myhte endure,
Charged Fortune scornen hire no more.
For it was said[e] sithen go ful yore,
He that reioishith to scorne folk in veyn,
Whan he wer lothest shal scorned been ageyn.
‘Yit,’ quod Pouert, ‘thouh thou were despitous,
Woordis rehersyng which wer nat faire,
Straunge rebukis ful contrarious,
And repreuys many thousend paire,
Thou shalt me fynde ageynward debonaire:
For thouh a tunge be sclandrous & vengable,
To sclandre ageyn is nothyng comendable.
Woordis rehersyng which wer nat faire,
Straunge rebukis ful contrarious,
And repreuys many thousend paire,
Thou shalt me fynde ageynward debonaire:
For thouh a tunge be sclandrous & vengable,
To sclandre ageyn is nothyng comendable.
Thou must considre, touchyng our bataile
The ordynance and imposicioun,
That which off vs in conquest do preuaile
To brynge his felawe to subieccioun,
He shal obeie the statut off resoun,
And acomplisshe, off verai due dette,
What lawe the victour list vpon hym sette.
The ordynance and imposicioun,
That which off vs in conquest do preuaile
To brynge his felawe to subieccioun,
He shal obeie the statut off resoun,
And acomplisshe, off verai due dette,
What lawe the victour list vpon hym sette.
For which thou shalt the said[e] lawe obeie,
With circumstaunces off the condicioun
Bi me ordeyned, and nothyng ageyn seie,—
Make no gruchchyng nor replicacioun.
Considred first the fals opynyoun
Off hem that seyn, al worldli auenture
Off good and badde abide vnder thi cure,—
With circumstaunces off the condicioun
Bi me ordeyned, and nothyng ageyn seie,—
Make no gruchchyng nor replicacioun.
Considred first the fals opynyoun
Off hem that seyn, al worldli auenture
Off good and badde abide vnder thi cure,—
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Summe poetis and philisophres also
Wolde in this caas make the a goddesse,
Which be deceyued, I dar seyn, bothe too;
And ther errour and foli to redresse,
I shal withdrawe in verai sekirnesse
Onhappi Auenture away fro thi power,
That she no mor shal stonde in thi daunger.
Wolde in this caas make the a goddesse,
Which be deceyued, I dar seyn, bothe too;
And ther errour and foli to redresse,
I shal withdrawe in verai sekirnesse
Onhappi Auenture away fro thi power,
That she no mor shal stonde in thi daunger.
This lawe off newe vpon the I make,
That first thou shalt, al open in sum pleyn,
Euel Auenture bynden to a stake,
Or to sum peler wher she mai be seyn,
To shewe exaumple to folkis in certeyn,
That no man shal loosne hire nor discharge,
But such as list with hire to gon at large.
That first thou shalt, al open in sum pleyn,
Euel Auenture bynden to a stake,
Or to sum peler wher she mai be seyn,
To shewe exaumple to folkis in certeyn,
That no man shal loosne hire nor discharge,
But such as list with hire to gon at large.
Heeroff to make a declaracioun,
Touchyng thi myht off Euel Auenture,
Thou shalt forgon thi dominacioun
To hyndre or harme any creature,
But onli foolis, which in thi myht assure.
Thei off ther foli may feele gret damage,
Nat off thi power, but off ther owne outrage.’
Touchyng thi myht off Euel Auenture,
Thou shalt forgon thi dominacioun
To hyndre or harme any creature,
But onli foolis, which in thi myht assure.
Thei off ther foli may feele gret damage,
Nat off thi power, but off ther owne outrage.’
For thilke foolis, which that list onbynde
This wrechche callid Onhappi Auenture,
Off witt & resoun thei make hemseluen blynde,
Lich as the world stood in Fortunys cure,
As thouh she myhte assure hem & onsure,
And hem dispose to welthe or wrechchidnesse,—
In ther errour hir callyng a goddesse!
This wrechche callid Onhappi Auenture,
Off witt & resoun thei make hemseluen blynde,
Lich as the world stood in Fortunys cure,
As thouh she myhte assure hem & onsure,
And hem dispose to welthe or wrechchidnesse,—
In ther errour hir callyng a goddesse!
Such wilful wrechchis that hemsilff betake
To putte ther fredam in hir subieccioun,
Off God aboue the power thei forsake,
And hem submitte, ageyn[e]s al resoun,
Vnder Fortunis transmutacioun,
Ther liberte ful falsli for to thrall,
Namli whan thei a goddesse list hir call.
To putte ther fredam in hir subieccioun,
Off God aboue the power thei forsake,
And hem submitte, ageyn[e]s al resoun,
Vnder Fortunis transmutacioun,
Ther liberte ful falsli for to thrall,
Namli whan thei a goddesse list hir call.
With a dirk myst off variacioun
Fortune hath cloudid ther cleer natural liht,
And ouershadwed ther discrecioun,
That thei be blent in ther inward siht
For to considre and to beholde ariht,
How God aboue put vnder mannys cure
Fre chois off good, his resoun to assure.
Fortune hath cloudid ther cleer natural liht,
And ouershadwed ther discrecioun,
That thei be blent in ther inward siht
For to considre and to beholde ariht,
347
Fre chois off good, his resoun to assure.
The Lord enlumyned off his bounteuous largesse
With mynde and witt his memoriall,
Toward al vertu his steppis for to dresse,
Endued his resoun for to be naturall,
Off frowardnesse till he wex bestiall,
To bynde hymsilff contrariousli in deede
To serue Fortune, atwixen hope and dreede.
With mynde and witt his memoriall,
Toward al vertu his steppis for to dresse,
Endued his resoun for to be naturall,
Off frowardnesse till he wex bestiall,
To bynde hymsilff contrariousli in deede
To serue Fortune, atwixen hope and dreede.
Thus bestiall folk made hire a goddesse,
Falsli wenyng she myhte hem most auaile
With hir plentes off habundant richesse;
And summe demen in ther supposaile,
With onwar chaung she dar the grete assaile,
Whos trust[e] alwei medlid is with trouble,
And hir plesaunce includith menyng double.
Falsli wenyng she myhte hem most auaile
With hir plentes off habundant richesse;
And summe demen in ther supposaile,
With onwar chaung she dar the grete assaile,
Whos trust[e] alwei medlid is with trouble,
And hir plesaunce includith menyng double.
And summe afferme that she mai auaunce
Conquestis grete and disconfitures,
And how [it] lith also in hir puissaunce
To forthre & hyndre all maner creatures,
And calle hir pryncesse off fatal auentures,
The riche tenhaunce be roial apparaile,
And be disdeyn to hyndre the poraile.
Conquestis grete and disconfitures,
And how [it] lith also in hir puissaunce
To forthre & hyndre all maner creatures,
And calle hir pryncesse off fatal auentures,
The riche tenhaunce be roial apparaile,
And be disdeyn to hyndre the poraile.
Whan she maketh most fulsumli hir profres,
Hir blaundisshyng is farsid with falsheed;
Whan hir richessis be stuffid up in coffres,
Thei been ay shet vnder a lok off dreed.
Wherfore, ye riche, off o thyng takith heed,
As your gadryng cam in with plesaunce,
Riht so your losse departeth with myschaunce.
Hir blaundisshyng is farsid with falsheed;
Whan hir richessis be stuffid up in coffres,
Thei been ay shet vnder a lok off dreed.
Wherfore, ye riche, off o thyng takith heed,
As your gadryng cam in with plesaunce,
Riht so your losse departeth with myschaunce.
Your gredi thrust tresour to multeplie
Causith an etik off nounsuffisaunce,
In you engendryng a fals ydropisie,
With a sharp hunger off worldli habundaunce,
Makyng off you a maner resemblaunce
With Tantalus,—whan ye deppest synke,
Than is your nature most thrustleuh for to drynke.
Causith an etik off nounsuffisaunce,
In you engendryng a fals ydropisie,
With a sharp hunger off worldli habundaunce,
Makyng off you a maner resemblaunce
348
Than is your nature most thrustleuh for to drynke.
Who clymbeth hiest on Fortunys wheel
And sodenli to richesse doth ascende,
An onwar turn, afforn seyn neueradeel,
Whan he leest wenyth makith hym descende.
Fro such chaungis, who may hymselff defende,
But thei that be with Pouert nat dismaied,
And can with litil holde hemsilff appaied.”
And sodenli to richesse doth ascende,
An onwar turn, afforn seyn neueradeel,
Whan he leest wenyth makith hym descende.
Fro such chaungis, who may hymselff defende,
But thei that be with Pouert nat dismaied,
And can with litil holde hemsilff appaied.”
| Lydgate's Fall of Princes | |