#  5.1 The Squire's Introduction and Tale 

 



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**Introduction to The Squire's Tale**

1 **"Squier, com neer, if it youre wille be,**  
 "Squire, come nearer, if it be your will,  
2 **And sey somwhat of love, for certes ye**  
 And say something about love, for certainly you  
3 **Konnen theron as muche as any man."**  
 Know as much about that as any man."  
4 **"Nay, sire," quod he, "but I wol seye as I kan**  
 "Nay, sir," said he, "but I will speak as I can  
5 **With hertly wyl, for I wol nat rebelle**  
 With a hearty will, for I will not rebel  
6 **Agayn youre lust; a tale wol I telle.**  
 Against your desire; a tale I will tell.  
7 **Have me excused if I speke amys;**  
 Have me excused if I speak amiss;  
8 **My wyl is good, and lo, my tale is this."**  
 My will is good, and lo, my tale is this."

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**The Squire's Tale**

*Here bigynneth the Squieres Tale.*

9 **At Sarray, in the land of Tartarye,**  
 At Sarray, in the land of Tartars,  
10 **Ther dwelte a kyng that werreyed Russye,**  
 There dwelt a king who waged war on Russia,  
11 **Thurgh which ther dyde many a doughty man.**  
 Through which there died many a doughty man.  
12 **This noble kyng was cleped Cambyuskan,**  
 This noble king was called Cambyuskan,  
13 **Which in his tyme was of so greet renoun**  
 Who in his time was of such great renown  
14 **That ther was nowher in no regioun**  
 That there was nowhere in any region  
15 **So excellent a lord in alle thyng:**  
 So excellent a lord in all things:  
16 **Hym lakked noght that longeth to a kyng.**  
 He lacked nothing that is appropriate to a king.  
17 **As of the secte of which that he was born**  
 In accord with the religion in which he was born  
18 **He kepte his lay, to which that he was sworn;**  
 He kept its law, to which he was sworn;  
19 **And therto he was hardy, wys, and riche,**  
 And moreover he was hardy, wise, and rich,  
20 **And pitous and just, alwey yliche;**  
 And compassionate and just, always impartial;  
21 **Sooth of his word, benigne, and honurable;**  
 Truthful of his word, benign, and honorable;  
22 **Of his corage as any centre stable;**  
 Of his heart as stable as the center of any circle;  
23 **Yong, fressh, and strong, in armes desirous**  
 Young, vigorous, and strong, in arms as desirous (to excel)  
24 **As any bacheler of al his hous.**  
 As any young knight of all his household.  
25 **A fair persone he was and fortunat,**  
 He was a handsome person and fortunate,  
26 **And kept alwey so wel roial estat**  
 And always so well maintained the splendor appropriate to his rank  
27 **That ther was nowher swich another man.**  
 That there was nowhere such another man.

28 **This noble kyng, this Tartre Cambyuskan,**  
 This noble king, this Tartar Cambyuskan,  
29 **Hadde two sones on Elpheta his wyf,**  
 Had two sons on Elpheta his wife,  
30 **Of whiche the eldeste highte Algarsyf;**  
 Of whom the eldest was called Algarsyf;  
31 **That oother sone was cleped Cambalo.**  
 That other son was called Cambalo.  
32 **A doghter hadde this worthy kyng also,**  
 A daughter had this worthy king also,  
33 **That yongest was, and highte Canacee.**  
 That youngest was, and was called Canacee.  
34 **But for to telle yow al hir beautee,**  
 But to tell you all her beauty,  
35 **It lyth nat in my tonge, n' yn my konnyng;**  
 It lies not in my tongue, nor in my abilities;  
36 **I dar nat undertake so heigh a thyng.**  
 I dare not undertake so high a thing.  
37 **Myn Englissh eek is insufficient.**  
 My English also is insufficient.  
38 **It moste been a rethor excellent**  
 He must be an excellent rhetorician  
39 **That koude his colours longynge for that art,**  
 Who knows his figures of speech appropriate to that art,  
40 **If he sholde hire discryven every part.**  
 If he should describe her in every detail.  
41 **I am noon swich, I moot speke as I kan.**  
 I am none such, I must speak as I can.

42 **And so bifel that whan this Cambyuskan**  
 And it so befell that when this Cambyuskan  
43 **Hath twenty wynter born his diademe,**  
 Has twenty winters borne his diadem,  
44 **As he was wont fro yeer to yeer, I deme,**  
 As he was accustomed from year to year, I suppose,  
45 **He leet the feeste of his nativitee**  
 He had the feast of his nativity  
46 **Doon cryen thurghout Sarray his citee,**  
 Proclaimed throughout Sarray his city,  
47 **The laste Idus of March, after the yeer.**  
 Exactly March 15, in the ordinary course of the year.  
48 **Phebus the sonne ful joly was and cleer,**  
 Phoebus the sun full jolly was and clear,  
49 **For he was neigh his exaltacioun**  
 For he was near his position of greatest power  
50 **In Martes face and in his mansioun**  
 In Mars' face and in his astrological house  
51 **In Aries, the colerik hoote signe.**  
 In Aries, the choleric hot sign.  
52 **Ful lusty was the weder and benigne,**  
 Full pleasant was the weather and mild,  
53 **For which the foweles, agayn the sonne sheene,**  
 For which the fowls, in response to the bright sun,  
54 **What for the sesoun and the yonge grene,**  
 What for the season and the young greenery,  
55 **Ful loude songen hire affecciouns.**  
 Full loudly sang of their desires.  
56 **Hem semed han geten hem protecciouns**  
 They seemed to have gotten themselves protections  
57 **Agayn the swerd of wynter, keene and coold.**  
 Against the sword of winter, keen and cold.

58 **This Cambyuskan, of which I have yow toold,**  
 This Cambyuskan, of whom I have you told,  
59 **In roial vestiment sit on his deys,**  
 In royal vestments sits on his dais,  
60 **With diademe, ful heighe in his paleys,**  
 With diadem, full nobly in his palace,  
61 **And halt his feeste so solempne and so ryche**  
 And holds his feast so solemn and so rich  
62 **That in this world ne was ther noon it lyche;**  
 That in this world there was none like it;  
63 **Of which if I shal tellen al th' array,**  
 Of which if I should tell all the festivities,  
64 **Thanne wolde it occupie a someres day,**  
 Then would it occupy a summer's day,  
65 **And eek it nedeth nat for to devyse**  
 And also it is not necessary to describe  
66 **At every cours the ordre of hire servyse.**  
 At every course the order of their service.  
67 **I wol nat tellen of hir strange sewes,**  
 I will not tell of their strange stews,  
68 **Ne of hir swannes, ne of hire heronsewes.**  
 Nor of their swans, nor of their young herons.  
69 **Eek in that lond, as tellen knyghtes olde,**  
 Also in that land, as old knights tell,  
70 **Ther is som mete that is ful deynte holde**  
 There is some food that is considered very delicious  
71 **That in this lond men recche of it but smal;**  
 That in this land is reckoned of but little value;  
72 **Ther nys no man that may reporten al.**  
 There is no man that can report all.  
73 **I wol nat taryen yow, for it is pryme**  
 I will not tarry you, for it is nine a.m.  
74 **And for it is no fruyt but los of tyme;**  
 And because it is not essential to the tale but a loss of time;  
75 **Unto my firste I wole have my recours.**  
 Unto my first topic I will return.

76 **And so bifel that after the thridde cours,**  
 And so it befell that after the third course,  
77 **Whil that this kyng sit thus in his nobleye,**  
 While this king sits thus in his nobility,  
78 **Herknynge his mynstralles hir thynges pleye**  
 Listening to his minstrels playing their instruments  
79 **Biforn hym at the bord deliciously,**  
 Before him at the table delightfully,  
80 **In at the halle dore al sodeynly**  
 In at the hall door all suddenly  
81 **Ther cam a knyght upon a steede of bras,**  
 There came a knight upon a steed of brass,  
82 **And in his hand a brood mirour of glas.**  
 And in his hand a broad mirror of glass.  
83 **Upon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng,**  
 Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring,  
84 **And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng;**  
 And by his side a naked sword hanging;  
85 **And up he rideth to the heighe bord.**  
 And up he rides to the high table.  
86 **In al the halle ne was ther spoken a word**  
 In all the hall there was not spoken a word  
87 **For merveille of this knyght; hym to biholde**  
 For marveling at this knight; him to behold  
88 **Ful bisily they wayten, yonge and olde.**  
 Full intently they gaze, young and old.

89 **This strange knyght, that cam thus sodeynly,**  
 This strange knight, who came thus suddenly,  
90 **Al armed, save his heed, ful richely,**  
 All armed, except his head, full richly,  
91 **Saleweth kyng and queene and lordes alle,**  
 Salutes king and queen and all the lords,  
92 **By ordre, as they seten in the halle,**  
 In the order in which they sat in the hall,  
93 **With so heigh reverence and obeisaunce,**  
 With such high reverence and respect,  
94 **As wel in speche as in contenaunce,**  
 As well in speech as in countenance,  
95 **That Gawayn, with his olde curteisye,**  
 That Gawain, with his old courtesy,  
96 **Though he were comen ayeyn out of Fairye,**  
 Though he were come again out of Fairyland,  
97 **Ne koude hym nat amende with a word.**  
 Could not amend one word of his speech.  
98 **And after this, biforn the heighe bord,**  
 And after this, before the high table,  
99 **He with a manly voys seide his message,**  
 He with a manly voice said his message,  
100 **After the forme used in his langage,**  
 In accordance with the form used in his language,  
101 **Withouten vice of silable or of lettre;**  
 Without one mistake of syllable or of letter;  
102 **And for his tale sholde seme the bettre,**  
 And in order that his tale should seem the better,  
103 **Accordant to his wordes was his cheere,**  
 Conforming to his words was his facial expression,  
104 **As techeth art of speche hem that it leere.**  
 As teaches the art of speech to those who learn it.  
105 **Al be that I kan nat sowne his stile,**  
 Although I can not imitate his style,  
106 **Ne kan nat clymben over so heigh a style,**  
 Nor can not climb over so high a stile,  
107 **Yet seye I this, as to commune entente:**  
 Yet say I this, as to his general meaning:  
108 **Thus muche amounteth al that evere he mente,**  
 Thus much amounts all that ever he meant (to say),  
109 **If it so be that I have it in mynde.**  
 If it so be that I have it (correctly) in mind.

110 **He seyde, "The kyng of Arabe and of Inde,**  
 He said, "The king of Araby and of India,  
111 **My lige lord, on this solempne day**  
 My liege lord, on this solemn day  
112 **Saleweth yow, as he best kan and may,**  
 Salutes you, as he best knows how and can,  
113 **And sendeth yow, in honour of youre feeste,**  
 And sends you, in honor of your feast,  
114 **By me, that am al redy at youre heeste,**  
 By me, who am all ready to obey your command,  
115 **This steede of bras, that esily and weel**  
 This steed of brass, that easily and well  
116 **Kan in the space of o day natureel --**  
 Can in the space of one natural day --  
117 **This is to seyn, in foure and twenty houres --**  
 This is to say, in four and twenty hours --  
118 **Wher-so yow lyst, in droghte or elles shoures,**  
 Where-ever you desire, in drought or else showers,  
119 **Beren youre body into every place**  
 Bear your body into every place  
120 **To which youre herte wilneth for to pace,**  
 To which your heart wishes to go,  
121 **Withouten wem of yow, thurgh foul or fair;**  
 Without harm to you, through foul or fair;  
122 **Or, if yow lyst to fleen as hye in the air**  
 Or, if you desire to fly as high in the air  
123 **As dooth an egle whan hym list to soore,**  
 As does an eagle when he desires to soar,  
124 **This same steede shal bere yow evere moore,**  
 This same steed shall bear you ever more,  
125 **Withouten harm, til ye be ther yow leste,**  
 Without harm, until you be where you wished,  
126 **Though that ye slepen on his bak or reste,**  
 Though you sleep or rest on his back,  
127 **And turne ayeyn with writhyng of a pyn.**  
 And return again with twisting of a peg.  
128 **He that it wroghte koude ful many a gyn.**  
 He who made it knew full many an ingenious contrivance.  
129 **He wayted many a constellacion**  
 He observed many a configuration of the stars  
130 **Er he had doon this operacion,**  
 Before he had finished this operation,  
131 **And knew ful many a seel and many a bond.**  
 And knew full many a magical seal and many a controlling force.

132 **"This mirour eek, that I have in myn hond,**  
 "This mirror also, that I have in my hand,  
133 **Hath swich a myght that men may in it see**  
 Has such a power that men can in it see  
134 **Whan ther shal fallen any adversitee**  
 When there shall befall any adversity  
135 **Unto youre regne or to youreself also,**  
 Unto your reign or to yourself also,  
136 **And openly who is youre freend or foo.**  
 And clearly who is your friend or foe.

137 **"And over al this, if any lady bright**  
 "And in addition to all this, if any fair lady  
138 **Hath set hire herte on any maner wight,**  
 Has set her heart on any sort of creature,  
139 **If he be fals, she shal his tresoun see,**  
 If he be false, she shall his treason see,  
140 **His newe love, and al his subtiltee,**  
 His new love, and all his trickery,  
141 **So openly that ther shal no thyng hyde.**  
 So clearly that there shall no thing be hidden.  
142 **Wherfore, ageyn this lusty someres tyde,**  
 For this reason, (to protect) against this amorous spring time,  
143 **This mirour and this ryng, that ye may see,**  
 This mirror and this ring, that you can see,  
144 **He hath sent to my lady Canacee,**  
 He has sent to my lady Canacee,  
145 **Youre excellente doghter that is heere.**  
 Your excellent daughter that is here.

146 **"The vertu of the ryng, if ye wol heere,**  
 "The power of the ring, if you will hear,  
147 **Is this: that if hire lust it for to were**  
 Is this: that if she wishes to wear it  
148 **Upon hir thombe or in hir purs it bere,**  
 Upon her thumb or bear it in her purse,  
149 **Ther is no fowel that fleeth under the hevene**  
 There is no fowl that flies under the heaven  
150 **That she ne shal wel understonde his stevene,**  
 That she shall not well understand his speech,  
151 **And knowe his menyng openly and pleyn,**  
 And know his meaning openly and plain,  
152 **And answere hym in his langage ageyn;**  
 And answer him in his language in reply;  
153 **And every gras that groweth upon roote**  
 And every herb that grows upon root  
154 **She shal eek knowe, and whom it wol do boote,**  
 She shall also know, and to whom it will provide a remedy,  
155 **Al be his woundes never so depe and wyde.**  
 Although his wounds be ever so deep and wide.

156 **"This naked swerd, that hangeth by my syde,**  
 "This naked sword, that hangs by my side,  
157 **Swich vertu hath that what man so ye smyte**  
 Such power has that whatever man you smite  
158 **Thurghout his armure it wole kerve and byte,**  
 Throughout his armor it will carve and bite,  
159 **Were it as thikke as is a branched ook;**  
 Were it as thick as is a branched oak;  
160 **And what man that is wounded with the strook**  
 And whatever man that is wounded by the stroke  
161 **Shal never be hool til that yow list, of grace,**  
 Shall never be whole until you please, out of kindness,  
162 **To stroke hym with the plat in thilke place**  
 To stroke him with the flat side in that same place  
163 **Ther he is hurt; this is as muche to seyn,**  
 Where he is hurt; this is as much to say,  
164 **Ye moote with the platte swerd ageyn**  
 You must with the blunt side of the sword again  
165 **Stroke hym in the wounde, and it wol close.**  
 Stroke him in the wound, and it will close.  
166 **This is a verray sooth, withouten glose;**  
 This is a very truth, without lying;  
167 **It failleth nat whils it is in youre hoold."**  
 It fails not while it is in your possesion."

168 **And whan this knyght hath thus his tale toold,**  
 And when this knight has thus his tale told,  
169 **He rideth out of halle and doun he lighte.**  
 He rides out of hall and down he alit.  
170 **His steede, which that shoon as sonne brighte,**  
 His steed, which shone like the bright sun,  
171 **Stant in the court, stille as any stoon.**  
 Stands in the court, still as any stone.  
172 **This knyght is to his chambre lad anoon,**  
 This knight is to his chamber led straightway,  
173 **And is unarmed, and to mete yset.**  
 And is unarmed, and set to dinner.

174 **The presentes been ful roially yfet --**  
 The presents are full royally fetched --  
175 **This is to seyn, the swerd and the mirour --**  
 This is to say, the sword and the mirror --  
176 **And born anon into the heighe tour**  
 And carried straightway into the high tower  
177 **With certeine officers ordeyned therfore;**  
 By certain officers appointed for this purpose;  
178 **And unto Canacee this ryng is bore**  
 And unto Canacee this ring is carried  
179 **Solempnely, ther she sit at the table.**  
 Solemnly, where she sits at the table.  
180 **But sikerly, withouten any fable,**  
 But truly, without any lie,  
181 **The hors of bras, that may nat be remewed,**  
 The horse of brass, that can not be moved,  
182 **It stant as it were to the ground yglewed.**  
 It stands as if it were glued to the ground.  
183 **Ther may no man out of the place it dryve**  
 No man there can drive it out of the place  
184 **For noon engyn of wyndas or polyve;**  
 Despite any contrivance of windlass or pulley;  
185 **And cause why? For they kan nat the craft.**  
 And the reason why? Because they do not know the craft.  
186 **And therfore in the place they han it laft**  
 And therefore in the place they have it left  
187 **Til that the knyght hath taught hem the manere**  
 Until the knight has taught them the manner  
188 **To voyden hym, as ye shal after heere.**  
 To remove him, as you shall later hear.

189 **Greet was the prees that swarmeth to and fro**  
 Great was the crowd that swarms to and fro  
190 **To gauren on this hors that stondeth so,**  
 To stare on this horse that stands so,  
191 **For it so heigh was, and so brood and long,**  
 For it was so high, and so broad and long,  
192 **So wel proporcioned for to been strong,**  
 So well proportioned to be strong,  
193 **Right as it were a steede of Lumbardye;**  
 Exactly as if it were a steed of Lombardy;  
194 **Therwith so horsly, and so quyk of ye,**  
 In additon, with such equine virtues, and so quick of eye,  
195 **As it a gentil Poilleys courser were.**  
 As if it were a noble Apulian courser.  
196 **For certes, fro his tayl unto his ere**  
 For certainly, from his tail unto his ear  
197 **Nature ne art ne koude hym nat amende**  
 Nature nor art could him not amend  
198 **In no degree, as al the people wende.**  
 To any extent, as all the people believed.  
199 **But everemoore hir mooste wonder was**  
 But evermore their greatest wonder was  
200 **How that it koude gon, and was of bras;**  
 How it could move, and yet was of brass;  
201 **It was a fairye, as the peple semed.**  
 It was from fairyland, as it seemed to the people.  
202 **Diverse folk diversely they demed;**  
 Diverse folk diversely they deemed;  
203 **As many heddes, as manye wittes ther been.**  
 As many heads, as many opinions there are.  
204 **They murmureden as dooth a swarm of been,**  
 They murmured as does a swarm of bees,  
205 **And maden skiles after hir fantasies,**  
 And made arguments according to their fantasies,  
206 **Rehersynge of thise olde poetries,**  
 Retelling these old poems,  
207 **And seyden it was lyk the Pegasee,**  
 And said it was like the Pegasus,  
208 **The hors that hadde wynges for to flee;**  
 The hors that had wings in order to fly;  
209 **Or elles it was the Grekes hors Synon,**  
 Or else it was Sinon the Greek's horse,  
210 **That broghte Troie to destruccion,**  
 That brought Troy to destruction,  
211 **As men in thise olde geestes rede.**  
 As men in these old romances read.  
212 **"Myn herte," quod oon, "is everemoore in drede;**  
 "My heart," said one, "is evermore in dread;  
213 **I trowe som men of armes been therinne,**  
 I believe some men of arms are in there,  
214 **That shapen hem this citee for to wynne.**  
 That prepare themselves to conquer this city.  
215 **It were right good that al swich thyng were knowe."**  
 It would be very good if all such things were known."  
216 **Another rowned to his felawe lowe,**  
 Another whispered to his fellow quietly,  
217 **And seyde, "He lyeth, for it is rather lyk**  
 And said, "He lies, for it is rather like  
218 **An apparence ymaad by som magyk,**  
 An illusion made by some magic,  
219 **As jogelours pleyen at thise feestes grete."**  
 Such as conjurers play at these great feasts."  
220 **Of sondry doutes thus they jangle and trete,**  
 Of various conjectures thus they chatter and debate,  
221 **As lewed peple demeth comunly**  
 As ignorant people speculate commonly  
222 **Of thynges that been maad moore subtilly**  
 Of things that are made more subtly  
223 **Than they kan in hir lewednesse comprehende;**  
 Than they in their ignorance can comprehend;  
224 **They demen gladly to the badder ende.**  
 They habitually suppose the worse.

225 **And somme of hem wondred on the mirour,**  
 And some of them wondered about the mirror,  
226 **That born was up into the maister-tour,**  
 That was carried up into the principal tower,  
227 **Hou men myghte in it swiche thynges se.**  
 How men might in it see such things.  
228 **Another answerde and seyde it myghte wel be**  
 Another answered and said it might well be  
229 **Naturelly, by composiciouns**  
 Naturally, by arrangements  
230 **Of anglis and of slye reflexiouns,**  
 Of angles and of ingenious reflections,  
231 **And seyde that in Rome was swich oon.**  
 And said that in Rome was such a one.  
232 **They speken of Alocen, and Vitulon,**  
 They speak of Alocen, and Vitulon,  
233 **And Aristotle, that writen in hir lyves**  
 And Aristotle, that wrote while they lived  
234 **Of queynte mirours and of perspectives,**  
 Of intricate mirrors and of optical lenses,  
235 **As knowen they that han hir bookes herd.**  
 As know they who have heard their books (read aloud).

236 **And oother folk han wondred on the swerd**  
 And other folk have wondered on the sword  
237 **That wolde percen thurghout every thyng,**  
 That would pierce throughout every thing,  
238 **And fille in speche of Thelophus the kyng,**  
 And fell in speech of Thelophus the king,  
239 **And of Achilles with his queynte spere,**  
 And of Achilles with his magical spear,  
240 **For he koude with it bothe heele and dere,**  
 For he could with it both heal and harm,  
241 **Right in swich wise as men may with the swerd**  
 Exactly in such a way as men may do with the sword  
242 **Of which right now ye han youreselven herd.**  
 Of which right now you have yourselves heard.  
243 **They speken of sondry hardyng of metal,**  
 They speak of various ways of hardening of metal,  
244 **And speke of medicynes therwithal,**  
 And speak of chemicals moreover,  
245 **And how and whanne it sholde yharded be,**  
 And how and when it should be hardened,  
246 **Which is unknowe, algates unto me.**  
 Which is unknown, at least unto me.

247 **Tho speeke they of Canacees ryng,**  
 Then they speak of Canacee's ring,  
248 **And seyden alle that swich a wonder thyng**  
 And all said that such a wondrous thing  
249 **Of craft of rynges herde they nevere noon,**  
 Of the craft of making rings they never heard anything,  
250 **Save that he Moyses and kyng Salomon**  
 Save that he Moses and king Solomon  
251 **Hadde a name of konnyng in swich art.**  
 Had a reputation for cunning in such art.  
252 **Thus seyn the peple and drawen hem apart.**  
 Thus say the people and draw themselves aside.  
253 **But nathelees somme seiden that it was**  
 But nonetheless some said that it was  
254 **Wonder to maken of fern-asshen glas,**  
 Wondrous to make glass out of ashes of fern,  
255 **And yet nys glas nat lyk asshen of fern;**  
 And yet glass is not like ashes of fern;  
256 **But, for they han yknowen it so fern,**  
 But, because they have known it so long,  
257 **Therfore cesseth hir janglyng and hir wonder.**  
 Therefore ceases their chattering and their wonder.  
258 **As soore wondren somme on cause of thonder,**  
 As intensely some wonder about the cause of thunder,  
259 **On ebbe, on flood, on gossomer, and on myst,**  
 About ebb tide, about flood tide, about spider webs, and about mist,  
260 **And alle thyng, til that the cause is wyst.**  
 And all things, until the cause is known.  
261 **Thus jangle they, and demen, and devyse**  
 Thus they chatter, and conjecture, and speculate  
262 **Til that the kyng gan fro the bord aryse.**  
 Until the king did from the table arise.

263 **Phebus hath laft the angle meridional,**  
 Phebus (the sun) has left the noon-time angle,  
264 **And yet ascendynge was the beest roial,**  
 And yet ascending was the beast royal,  
265 **The gentil Leon, with his Aldiran,**  
 The noble Lion, with his star Aldiran,  
266 **Whan that this Tartre kyng, Cambyuskan,**  
 When this Tarter king, Cambyuskan,  
267 **Roos fro his bord, ther as he sat ful hye.**  
 Rose from his table, where he sat full high.  
268 **Toforn hym gooth the loude mynstralcye**  
 Before him goes the loud music  
269 **Til he cam to his chambre of parementz,**  
 Until he came to his chamber of tapestries (Presence Chamber),  
270 **Ther as they sownen diverse instrumentz**  
 Where they sound diverse instruments  
271 **That it is lyk an hevene for to heere.**  
 That it is like a heaven to hear.  
272 **Now dauncen lusty Venus children deere,**  
 Now dance lusty Venus's children dear,  
273 **For in the Fyssh hir lady sat ful hye,**  
 For in the Fish (Pisces) their lady sat full high,  
274 **And looketh on hem with a freendly ye.**  
 And looks on them with a friendly eye.

275 **This noble kyng is set upon his trone.**  
 This noble king is set upon his throne.  
276 **This strange knyght is fet to hym ful soone,**  
 This foreign knight is fetched to him right away,  
277 **And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee.**  
 And on the dance he goes with Canacee.  
278 **Heere is the revel and the jolitee**  
 Here is the revel and the jollity  
279 **That is nat able a dul man to devyse.**  
 That a dull-witted man is not able to describe.  
280 **He moste han knowen love and his servyse**  
 He must have known love and its service  
281 **And been a feestlych man as fressh as May,**  
 And be a convivial man as gay as May,  
282 **That sholde yow devysen swich array.**  
 That should describe for you such splendor.

283 **Who koude telle yow the forme of daunces**  
 Who could tell you the form of dances  
284 **So unkouthe, and swiche fresshe contenaunces,**  
 So strange, and such cheerful countenances,  
285 **Swich subtil lookyng and dissymulynges**  
 Such subtle looking and dissimulations  
286 **For drede of jalouse mennes aperceyvynges?**  
 For dread of jealous men's perceptions?  
287 **No man but Launcelot, and he is deed.**  
 No man but Launcelot, and he is dead.  
288 **Therfore I passe of al this lustiheed;**  
 Therefore I pass over all this pleasure;  
289 **I sey namoore, but in this jolynesse**  
 I say no more, but in this jollity  
290 **I lete hem til men to the soper dresse.**  
 I leave them until people go to the supper.

291 **The styward bit the spices for to hye,**  
 The steward ordered the spiced cakes to be brought quickly,  
292 **And eek the wyn, in al this melodye.**  
 And also the wine, amid all this music.  
293 **The usshers and the squiers been ygoon,**  
 The ushers and the squires are gone,  
294 **The spices and the wyn is come anoon.**  
 The spiced cakes and the wine are come quickly.  
295 **They ete and drynke, and whan this hadde an ende,**  
 They eat and drink, and when this had an end,  
296 **Unto the temple, as reson was, they wende.**  
 Unto the temple, as was reasonable, they wend.  
297 **The service doon, they soupen al by day.**  
 The service done, they sup all day long.  
298 **What nedeth yow rehercen hire array?**  
 What need is there to tell you their splendor?  
299 **Ech man woot wel that a kynges feeste**  
 Each man knows well that a king's feast  
300 **Hath plentee to the meeste and to the leeste,**  
 Has plenty for the highest ranks and for the lowest,  
301 **And deyntees mo than been in my knowyng.**  
 And dainties more than are in my knowing.  
302 **At after-soper gooth this noble kyng**  
 At after-supper goes this noble king  
303 **To seen this hors of bras, with al a route**  
 To see this horse of brass, with all in a crowd  
304 **Of lordes and of ladyes hym aboute.**  
 Of lords and of ladies about him.

305 **Swich wondryng was ther on this hors of bras**  
 Such wondering was there about this horse of brass  
306 **That syn the grete sege of Troie was,**  
 That since the great siege of Troy was,  
307 **Theras men wondreden on an hors also,**  
 Where men wondered about a horse also,  
308 **Ne was ther swich a wondryng as was tho.**  
 Nor was there such a wondering as was then.  
309 **But fynally the kyng axeth this knyght**  
 But finally the king asks this knight  
310 **The vertu of this courser and the myght,**  
 About the power of this courser and the might,  
311 **And preyde hym to telle his governaunce.**  
 And prayed him to tell how to control him.

312 **This hors anoon bigan to trippe and daunce,**  
 This horse at once began to trip and dance,  
313 **Whan that this knyght leyde hand upon his reyne,**  
 When this knight laid hand upon his rein,  
314 **And seyde, "Sire, ther is namoore to seyne,**  
 And said, "Sir, there is no more to say,  
315 **But, whan yow list to ryden anywhere,**  
 But, when you desire to ride anywhere,  
316 **Ye mooten trille a pyn, stant in his ere,**  
 You must turn a peg, which stands in his ear,  
317 **Which I shal yow telle bitwix us two.**  
 Which I shall you tell between us two(secretly).  
318 **Ye moote nempne hym to what place also,**  
 You must name him to what place also,  
319 **Or to what contree, that yow list to ryde.**  
 Or to what country, that you want to ride.  
320 **And whan ye come ther as yow list abyde,**  
 And when you come where you desire to abide,  
321 **Bidde hym descende, and trille another pyn,**  
 Bid him descend, and turn another peg,  
322 **For therin lith th' effect of al the gyn,**  
 For therein lies the essence of working the device,  
323 **And he wol doun descende and doon youre wille,**  
 And he will down descend and do your will,  
324 **And in that place he wol abyde stille.**  
 And in that place he will abide still.  
325 **Though al the world the contrarie hadde yswore,**  
 Though all the world the contrary had sworn,  
326 **He shal nat thennes been ydrawe ne ybore.**  
 He shall not thence be drawn nor carried away.  
327 **Or, if yow liste bidde hym thennes goon,**  
 Or, if you wish to bid him go thence,  
328 **Trille this pyn, and he wol vanysshe anoon**  
 Turn this peg, and he will vanish at once  
329 **Out of the sighte of every maner wight,**  
 Out of the sight of every sort of creature,  
330 **And come agayn, be it by day or nyght,**  
 And come again, be it by day or night,  
331 **Whan that yow list to clepen hym ageyn**  
 When you wish to call him again  
332 **In swich a gyse as I shal to yow seyn**  
 In such a manner as I shall to you say  
333 **Bitwixe yow and me, and that ful soone.**  
 Between you and me, and that very soon.  
334 **Ride whan yow list; ther is namoore to doone."**  
 Ride when you wish; there is nothing more to do."

335 **Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght,**  
 When the king was informed by that knight,  
336 **And hath conceyved in his wit aright**  
 And has correctly understood  
337 **The manere and the forme of al this thyng,**  
 The manner and the form of all this matter,  
338 **Ful glad and blithe, this noble doughty kyng**  
 Full glad and blithe, this noble doughty king  
339 **Repeireth to his revel as biforn.**  
 Returns to his revel as before.  
340 **The brydel is unto the tour yborn**  
 The bridle is carried unto the tower  
341 **And kept among his jueles leeve and deere.**  
 And kept among his jewels precious and dear.  
342 **The hors vanysshed, I noot in what manere,**  
 The horse vanished, I know not in what manner,  
343 **Out of hir sighte; ye gete namoore of me.**  
 Out of their sight; you get no more from me.  
344 **But thus I lete in lust and jolitee**  
 But thus I leave in pleasure and jollity  
345 **This Cambyuskan his lordes festeiynge**  
 This Cambyuskan entertaining his lords  
346 **Til wel ny the day bigan to sprynge.**  
 Until well nigh the day began to spring.

*Explicit prima pars.*  
The first part ends.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Sequitur pars secunda.*  
The second part follows.

347 **The norice of digestioun, the sleep,**  
 The nurse of digestion, the sleep,  
348 **Gan on hem wynke and bad hem taken keep**  
 Did on them wink (as a signal) and bad them take notice  
349 **That muchel drynke and labour wolde han reste;**  
 That much drink and activity make rest necessary;  
350 **And with a galpyng mouth hem alle he keste,**  
 And with a yawning mouth he kissed them all,  
351 **And seyde that it was tyme to lye adoun,**  
 And said that it was time to lie down,  
352 **For blood was in his domynacioun.**  
 For blood (the humor) was in its domination.  
353 **"Cherisseth blood, natures freend," quod he.**  
 "Cherish blood, nature's friend," said he.  
354 **They thanken hym galpynge, by two, by thre,**  
 They thank him yawning, by two, by three,  
355 **And every wight gan drawe hym to his reste,**  
 And every creature did draw himself to his rest,  
356 **As sleep hem bad; they tooke it for the beste.**  
 As sleep them bad; they took it for the best.

357 **Hire dremes shul nat now been toold for me;**  
 Their dreams shall not now be told for me;  
358 **Ful were hire heddes of fumositee,**  
 Their heads were full of fumes from drinking wine,  
359 **That causeth dreem of which ther nys no charge.**  
 That causes dreams of which there is no significance.  
360 **They slepen til that it was pryme large,**  
 They sleep until it was nine a.m.,  
361 **The mooste part, but it were Canacee.**  
 The most part, except for Canacee.  
362 **She was ful mesurable, as wommen be;**  
 She was very temperate, as women are;  
363 **For of hir fader hadde she take leve**  
 For of her father had she taken leave  
364 **To goon to reste soone after it was eve.**  
 To go to rest soon after it was evening.  
365 **Hir liste nat appalled for to be,**  
 She did not wish to be grown pale,  
366 **Ne on the morwe unfeestlich for to se,**  
 Nor in the morning to appear unfestive,  
367 **And slepte hire firste sleep, and thanne awook.**  
 And slept her first sleep, and then awoke.  
368 **For swich a joye she in hir herte took**  
 For such a joy she in her heart took  
369 **Bothe of hir queynte ryng and hire mirour,**  
 Both of her strange ring and her mirror,  
370 **That twenty tyme she changed hir colour;**  
 That twenty times she changed her color;  
371 **And in hire sleep, right for impressioun**  
 And in her sleep, directly because of the mental impression  
372 **Of hire mirour, she hadde a visioun.**  
 Made by her mirror, she had a vision.  
373 **Wherfore, er that the sonne gan up glyde,**  
 Therefore, before the sun did glide upward,  
374 **She cleped on hir maistresse hire bisyde,**  
 She called on her governess who was beside her,  
375 **And seyde that hire liste for to ryse.**  
 And said that she wished to rise.

376 **Thise olde wommen that been gladly wyse,**  
 These old women who are customarily wise,  
377 **As is hire maistresse, answerde hire anon,**  
 As is her governess, answered her at once,  
378 **And seyde, "Madame, whider wil ye goon**  
 And said, "Madame, whither do you wish to go  
379 **Thus erly, for the folk been alle on reste?"**  
 Thus early, for the folk are all in bed?"

380 **"I wol," quod she, "arise, for me leste**  
 "I want," said she, "to arise -- for I desire  
381 **Ne lenger for to slepe, and walke aboute."**  
 No longer to sleep -- and walk about."

382 **Hire maistresse clepeth wommen a greet route,**  
 Her governess calls a great crowd of women,  
383 **And up they rysen, wel a ten or twelve;**  
 And up they rise, a good ten or twelve;  
384 **Up riseth fresshe Canacee hireselve,**  
 Up rises fresh Canacee herself,  
385 **As rody and bright as dooth the yonge sonne,**  
 As ruddy and bright(ly shining) as does the young sun,  
386 **That in the Ram is foure degrees up ronne --**  
 That in the Ram is four degrees up run --  
387 **Noon hyer was he whan she redy was --**  
 No higher was he when she was ready --  
388 **And forth she walketh esily a pas,**  
 And forth she walks at an easy pace,  
389 **Arrayed after the lusty seson soote**  
 Clothed, in accord with the lusty season sweet,  
390 **Lightly, for to pleye and walke on foote,**  
 Lightly, to amuse herself and walk on foot,  
391 **Nat but with fyve or sixe of hir meynee;**  
 With no more than five or six of her entourage;  
392 **And in a trench forth in the park gooth she.**  
 And in a path forth in the park goes she.

393 **The vapour which that fro the erthe glood**  
 The vapor that glided up from the earth  
394 **Made the sonne to seme rody and brood;**  
 Made the sun seem ruddy and broad;  
395 **But nathelees it was so fair a sighte**  
 But nonetheless it was so fair a sight  
396 **That it made alle hire hertes for to lighte,**  
 That it made all their hearts to lighten,  
397 **What for the seson and the morwenynge,**  
 What for the season and the dawning,  
398 **And for the foweles that she herde synge.**  
 And for the fowls that she heard sing.  
399 **For right anon she wiste what they mente**  
 For right away she knew what they meant  
400 **Right by hir song, and knew al hire entente.**  
 Exactly by their song, and knew all their meaning.

401 **The knotte why that every tale is toold,**  
 The main point for which every tale is told,  
402 **If it be taried til that lust be coold**  
 If it is delayed until the desire (to hear it) is cold  
403 **Of hem that han it after herkned yoore,**  
 Of those who have listened to it for a long time,  
404 **The savour passeth ever lenger the moore,**  
 The taste (for it) passes away more and more,  
405 **For fulsomnesse of his prolixitee;**  
 Because of the overabundance of its prolixity;  
406 **And by the same resoun, thynketh me,**  
 And by the same reason, it seems to me,  
407 **I sholde to the knotte condescende,**  
 I should proceed to the main point,  
408 **And maken of hir walkyng soone an ende.**  
 And quickly put an end to her walking.

409 **Amydde a tree, for drye as whit as chalk,**  
 In a tree, for dryness as white as chalk,  
410 **As Canacee was pleyyng in hir walk,**  
 As Canacee was amusing herself in her walk,  
411 **Ther sat a faucon over hire heed ful hye,**  
 There sat a falcon over her head full high,  
412 **That with a pitous voys so gan to crye**  
 That with a pitiful voice so did cry  
413 **That all the wode resouned of hire cry.**  
 That all the wood resounded with her cry.  
414 **Ybeten hadde she hirself so pitously**  
 She had beaten herself so pitifully  
415 **With bothe hir wynges til the rede blood**  
 With both her wings until the red blood  
416 **Ran endelong the tree ther-as she stood.**  
 Ran down the length of the tree in which she stood.  
417 **And evere in oon she cryde alwey and shrighte,**  
 And continually she cried always and shrieked,  
418 **And with hir beek hirselven so she prighte**  
 And with her beak herself she so stabbed  
419 **That ther nys tygre, ne noon so crueel beest**  
 That there is no tiger, nor any beast so cruel  
420 **That dwelleth outher in wode or in forest,**  
 That dwells either in wood or in forest,  
421 **That nolde han wept, if that he wepe koude,**  
 That would not have wept, if he could weep,  
422 **For sorwe of hire, she shrighte alwey so loude.**  
 For sorrow of her, she shrieked always so loud.  
423 **For ther nas nevere yet no man on lyve,**  
 For there was never yet no man alive,  
424 **If that I koude a faucon wel discryve,**  
 If I could well describe a falcon,  
425 **That herde of swich another of fairnesse,**  
 That heard of its equal in beauty,  
426 **As wel of plumage as of gentillesse**  
 As well in plumage as in nobility  
427 **Of shap, of al that myghte yrekened be.**  
 In shape, in all that might reckoned be.  
428 **A faucon peregryn thanne semed she**  
 A peregrine falcon then seemed she  
429 **Of fremde land; and everemoore, as she stood,**  
 From foreign land; and repeatedly, as she stood,  
430 **She swowneth now and now for lak of blood,**  
 She swoons every now and then for lack of blood,  
431 **Til wel neigh is she fallen fro the tree.**  
 Until well nigh is she fallen from the tree.

432 **This faire kynges doghter, Canacee,**  
 This fair king's daughter, Canacee,  
433 **That on hir fynger baar the queynte ryng,**  
 That on her finger bore the strange ring,  
434 **Thurgh which she understood wel every thyng**  
 Through which she well understood every thing  
435 **That any fowel may in his leden seyn,**  
 That any fowl may in his language say,  
436 **And koude answeren hym in his ledene ageyn,**  
 And could answer him in his language in return,  
437 **Hath understonde what this faucon seyde,**  
 Has understood what this falcon said,  
438 **And wel neigh for the routhe almoost she deyde.**  
 And well nigh for the pity she almost died.  
439 **And to the tree she gooth ful hastily,**  
 And to the tree she goes full hastily,  
440 **And on this faukon looketh pitously,**  
 And on this falcon looks compassionately,  
441 **And heeld hir lappe abrood, for wel she wiste**  
 And spread wide her skirt, for well she knew  
442 **The faukon moste fallen fro the twiste,**  
 The falcon must fall from the branch,  
443 **Whan that it swowned next, for lak of blood.**  
 When it swooned next, for lack of blood.  
444 **A longe whil to wayten hire she stood**  
 A long while to await her she stood  
445 **Til atte laste she spak in this manere**  
 Until at the last she spoke in this manner  
446 **Unto the hauk, as ye shal after heere:**  
 Unto the hawk, as you shall after hear:

447 **"What is the cause, if it be for to telle,**  
 "What is the cause, if it may be told,  
448 **That ye be in this furial pyne of helle?"**  
 That you be in this pain such as the Furies suffer in hell?"  
449 **Quod Canacee unto this hauk above.**  
 Said Canacee unto this hawk above.  
450 **"Is this for sorwe of deeth or los of love?**  
 "Is this for sorrow of death or loss of love?  
451 **For, as I trowe, thise been causes two**  
 For, as I believe, these are the two causes  
452 **That causen moost a gentil herte wo;**  
 That most cause woe to a gentle heart;  
453 **Of oother harm it nedeth nat to speke.**  
 Of other harm there is no need to speak.  
454 **For ye youreself upon yourself yow wreke,**  
 For you avenge yourself upon yourself,  
455 **Which proveth wel that outher ire or drede**  
 Which proves well that either anger or fear  
456 **Moot been enchesoun of youre cruel dede,**  
 Must be the reason for your cruel deed,  
457 **Syn that I see noon oother wight yow chace.**  
 Since I see no other creature hunt you.  
458 **For love of God, as dooth youreselven grace,**  
 For love of God, spare yourself,  
459 **Or what may been youre help? For west nor est**  
 Or what can be your help? For west nor east  
460 **Ne saugh I nevere er now no bryd ne beest**  
 I saw never ere now no bird nor beast  
461 **That ferde with hymself so pitously.**  
 That treated himself so piteously.  
462 **Ye sle me with youre sorwe verraily,**  
 You slay me with your sorrow truly,  
463 **I have of yow so greet compassioun.**  
 I have of you such great compassion.  
464 **For Goddes love, com fro the tree adoun;**  
 For God's love, come down from the tree;  
465 **And as I am a kynges doghter trewe,**  
 And as I am a king's daughter true,  
466 **If that I verraily the cause knewe**  
 If that I truly knew the cause  
467 **Of youre disese, if it lay in my myght,**  
 Of your malady, if it lay in my power,  
468 **I wolde amenden it er that it were nyght,**  
 I would amend it ere it were night,  
469 **As wisly helpe me grete God of kynde!**  
 So help me great God of nature!  
470 **And herbes shal I right ynowe yfynde**  
 And herbs shall I in abundance find  
471 **To heel with youre hurtes hastily."**  
 With which to heal your hurts quickly."

472 **Tho shrighte this faucon yet moore pitously**  
 Then shrieked this falcon yet more pitifully  
473 **Than ever she dide, and fil to grounde anon,**  
 Than ever she did, and fell to ground straightway,  
474 **And lith aswowne, deed and lyk a stoon,**  
 And lies in a swoon, dead and like a stone,  
475 **Til Canacee hath in hire lappe hire take**  
 Until Canacee has in her lap her taken  
476 **Unto the tyme she gan of swough awake.**  
 Until the time she awoke from the swoon.  
477 **And after that she of hir swough gan breyde,**  
 And after she started up from her swoon,  
478 **Right in hir haukes ledene thus she seyde:**  
 Right in her hawk's language thus she said:  
479 **"That pitee renneth soone in gentil herte,**  
 "That pity runs soon in a gentle heart,  
480 **Feelynge his similitude in peynes smerte,**  
 Feeling its counterpart in sharp pains,  
481 **Is preved alday, as men may it see,**  
 Is proven every day, as men may it see,  
482 **As wel by werk as by auctoritee;**  
 As well by deeds as by written authority;  
483 **For gentil herte kitheth gentillesse.**  
 For a gentle heart makes known its noble character.  
484 **I se wel that ye han of my distresse**  
 I see well that you have of my distress  
485 **Compassion, my faire Canacee,**  
 Compassion, my faire Canacee,  
486 **Of verray wommanly benignytee**  
 Out of true womanly goodness  
487 **That Nature in youre principles hath set.**  
 That Nature in your natural disposition has set.  
488 **But for noon hope for to fare the bet,**  
 But for no hope to fare the better,  
489 **But for to obeye unto youre herte free,**  
 But to obey unto your heart noble,  
490 **And for to maken othere be war by me,**  
 And to make others be warned by my example,  
491 **As by the whelp chasted is the leon,**  
 As by the whelp chastised is the lion,  
492 **Right for that cause and that conclusion,**  
 Right for that cause and to that conclusion,  
493 **Whil that I have a leyser and a space,**  
 While that I have the time and the opportunity,  
494 **Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace."**  
 My harm I will reveal ere I go away."

495 **And evere, whil that oon hir sorwe tolde,**  
 And ever, while that one her sorrow told,  
496 **That oother weep as she to water wolde**  
 That other wept as she would turn to water  
497 **Til that the faucon bad hire to be stille,**  
 Until the falcon prayed her to be still,  
498 **And, with a syk, right thus she seyde hir wille:**  
 And, with a sigh, right thus she spoke her mind:

499 **"Ther I was bred -- allas, that ilke day! --**  
 "Where I was bred -- alas, that same day! --  
500 **And fostred in a roche of marbul gray**  
 And fostered on a cliff of marble gray  
501 **So tendrely that no thyng eyled me,**  
 So tenderly that no thing ailed me,  
502 **I nyste nat what was adversitee**  
 I knew not what was adversity  
503 **Til I koude flee ful hye under the sky.**  
 Until I could fly full high under the sky.  
504 **Tho dwelte a tercelet me faste by,**  
 Then dwelt a male falcon very near me,  
505 **That semed welle of alle gentillesse;**  
 That seemed an exemplar of all nobility;  
506 **Al were he ful of treson and falsnesse,**  
 Although he was full of treason and falseness,  
507 **It was so wrapped under humble cheere,**  
 It was so concealed under humble bearing,  
508 **And under hewe of trouthe in swich manere,**  
 And under the appearance of truth in such a manner,  
509 **Under plesance, and under bisy peyne,**  
 Under pleasantness, and under careful attentiveness,  
510 **That no wight koude han wend he koude feyne,**  
 That no creature could have supposed he could feign,  
511 **So depe in greyn he dyed his coloures.**  
 So deeply in a fast dye he dyed his true colors.  
512 **Right as a serpent hit hym under floures**  
 Just as a serpent hides himself under flowers  
513 **Til he may seen his tyme for to byte,**  
 Until he can see his time to bite,  
514 **Right so this god of loves ypocryte**  
 Just so this god of love's hypocrite  
515 **Dooth so his cerymonyes and obeisaunces,**  
 So does his ceremonies and obeisances,  
516 **And kepeth in semblaunt alle his observaunces**  
 And keeps in outward appearance all his observances  
517 **That sownen into gentillesse of love.**  
 That are in accord with nobility in love.  
518 **As in a toumbe is al the faire above,**  
 As in a tomb all the beauty is above,  
519 **And under is the corps, swich as ye woot,**  
 And under is the corpse, as you know,  
520 **Swich was this ypocrite, bothe coold and hoot.**  
 Such was this hypocrite, in every circumstance.  
521 **And in this wise he served his entente**  
 And in this manner he served his own purpose  
522 **That, save the feend, noon wiste what he mente,**  
 So that, except for the fiend, no one knew what he meant,  
523 **Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned,**  
 Until he so long had wept and complained,  
524 **And many a yeer his service to me feyned,**  
 And many a year his service to me feigned,  
525 **Til that myn herte, to pitous and to nyce,**  
 Until my heart, too compassionate and too naive,  
526 **Al innocent of his crouned malice,**  
 Entirely ignorant of his consummate malice,  
527 **Forfered of his deeth, as thoughte me,**  
 Very frightened that he might die, as it seemed to me,  
528 **Upon his othes and his seuretee,**  
 Upon receiving his oaths and his pledges,  
529 **Graunted hym love, upon this condicioun,**  
 Granted him love, upon this condition,  
530 **That everemoore myn honour and renoun**  
 That evermore my honor and renown  
531 **Were saved, bothe privee and apert;**  
 Were safe, both in private and in public (in all ways);  
532 **This is to seyn, that after his desert,**  
 This is to say, that according to his deserts,  
533 **I yaf hym al myn herte and al my thoght --**  
 I gave him all my heart and all my thought --  
534 **God woot and he, that ootherwise noght --**  
 God knows and he, I would not have agreed on any other terms --  
535 **And took his herte in chaunge of myn for ay.**  
 And took his heart in exchange for mine for ever.  
536 **But sooth is seyd, goon sithen many a day,**  
 But truly it is said, since many a day gone by,  
537 **`A trewe wight and a theef thenken nat oon.'**  
 `An honest creature and a thief think not alike.'  
538 **And whan he saugh the thyng so fer ygoon**  
 And when he saw the business so far advanced  
539 **That I hadde graunted hym fully my love**  
 That I had granted him fully my love  
540 **In swich a gyse as I have seyd above,**  
 In such a manner as I have said above,  
541 **And yeven hym my trewe herte as free**  
 And gave him my true heart as freely  
542 **As he swoor he yaf his herte to me,**  
 As he swore he gave his heart to me,  
543 **Anon this tigre, ful of doublenesse,**  
 Immediately this tiger, full of treachery,  
544 **Fil on his knees with so devout humblesse,**  
 Fell on his knees with such devout humility,  
545 **With so heigh reverence, and, as by his cheere,**  
 With such high reverence, and, as seemed by his appearance,  
546 **So lyk a gentil lovere of manere,**  
 So like a gentle lover in his manners,  
547 **So ravysshed, as it semed, for the joye**  
 So ravished, as it seemed, for the joy  
548 **That nevere Jason ne Parys of Troye --**  
 That never Jason nor Paris of Troy --  
549 **Jason? certes, ne noon oother man**  
 Jason? certainly, nor any other man  
550 **Syn Lameth was, that alderfirst bigan**  
 Since Lameth was, he who first of all began  
551 **To loven two, as writen folk biforn --**  
 To love two, as folk wrote long ago --  
552 **Ne nevere, syn the firste man was born,**  
 Nor ever, since the first man was born,  
553 **Ne koude man, by twenty thousand part,**  
 Could (any) man, by (so much as) one twenty thousandth,  
554 **Countrefete the sophymes of his art,**  
 Reproduce the deceptive sophisms of his art,  
555 **Ne were worthy unbokelen his galoche,**  
 Nor were worthy to unbuckle his galosh,  
556 **Ther doublenesse or feynyng sholde approche,**  
 Where duplicity or feigning were concerned,  
557 **Ne so koude thonke a wight as he dide me!**  
 Nor so could thank a creature as he did to me!  
558 **His manere was an hevene for to see**  
 His manner was a heaven to see  
559 **Til any womman, were she never so wys,**  
 For any woman, were she never so wise,  
560 **So peynted he and kembde at point-devys**  
 So painted he and made himself elegant in every way,  
561 **As wel his wordes as his contenaunce.**  
 Both his words and his countenance.  
562 **And I so loved hym for his obeisaunce,**  
 And I so loved him for his obeisance,  
563 **And for the trouthe I demed in his herte,**  
 And for the truth I believed was in his heart,  
564 **That if so were that any thyng hym smerte,**  
 That if it so were that any thing pained him,  
565 **Al were it never so lite, and I it wiste,**  
 Although it were never so little, and I knew of it,  
566 **Me thoughte I felte deeth myn herte twiste.**  
 It seemed to me I felt death twist my heart.  
567 **And shortly, so ferforth this thyng is went**  
 And shortly, this business had gone forth so far  
568 **That my wyl was his willes instrument;**  
 That my will was his will's instrument;  
569 **This is to seyn, my wyl obeyed his wyl**  
 This is to say, my will obeyed his will  
570 **In alle thyng, as fer as reson fil,**  
 In all things, so far as was consonant with reason,  
571 **Kepynge the boundes of my worshipe evere.**  
 Keeping ever the limits set by my honor.  
572 **Ne nevere hadde I thyng so lief, ne levere,**  
 Nor never loved anyone more, or even as much  
573 **As hym, God woot, ne nevere shal namo.**  
 As him, God knows, nor never shall again.

574 **"This laste lenger than a yeer or two,**  
 "This lasted longer than a year or two,  
575 **That I supposed of hym noght but good.**  
 That I supposed of him nothing but good.  
576 **But finally, thus atte laste it stood,**  
 But finally, thus at the last it stood,  
577 **That Fortune wolde that he moste twynne**  
 That Fortune would have it that he must depart  
578 **Out of that place which that I was inne.**  
 Out of that place where I was.  
579 **Wher me was wo, that is no questioun;**  
 Whether I was woeful, there is no question;  
580 **I kan nat make of it discripsioun.**  
 I can not make a description of it.  
581 **For o thyng dar I tellen boldely:**  
 For one thing I dare tell boldly:  
582 **I knowe what is the peyne of deeth therby;**  
 By this experience I know what is the pain of death;  
583 **Swich harm I felte for he ne myghte bileve.**  
 Such harm I felt because he could not remain.  
584 **So on a day of me he took his leve,**  
 So one day he took his leave of me,  
585 **So sorwefully eek that I wende verraily**  
 So sorrowfully also that I believed truly  
586 **That he had felt as muche harm as I,**  
 That he had felt as much harm as I,  
587 **Whan that I herde hym speke and saugh his hewe.**  
 When I heard him speak and saw his appearance.  
588 **But nathelees, I thoughte he was so trewe,**  
 But nevertheless, I thought he was so true,  
589 **And eek that he repaire sholde ageyn**  
 And also that he should return again  
590 **Withinne a litel while, sooth to seyn;**  
 Within a little while, to say the truth;  
591 **And resoun wolde eek that he moste go**  
 And it was reasonable also that he must go  
592 **For his honour, as ofte it happeth so,**  
 For his honor, as often it happens so,  
593 **That I made vertu of necessitee,**  
 So that I made virtue of necessity,  
594 **And took it wel, syn that it moste be.**  
 And took it well, since it had to be.  
595 **As I best myghte, I hidde fro hym my sorwe,**  
 As I best could, I hid from him my sorrow,  
596 **And took hym by the hond, Seint John to borwe,**  
 And took him by the hand, with Saint John as my guarantor,  
597 **And seyde hym thus: `Lo, I am youres al;**  
 And said to him thus: `Lo, I am all yours;  
598 **Beth swich as I to yow have been and shal.'**  
 Be to me such as I to you have been and shall be.'  
599 **What he answerde, it nedeth noght reherce;**  
 What he answered, it needs not be repeated;  
600 **Who kan sey bet than he, who kan do werse?**  
 Who can speak better than he, who can act worse?  
601 **Whan he hath al wel seyd, thanne hath he doon.**  
 When he has said everything well, then he has done (all he will do).  
602 **`Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon**  
 `Therefore she must have a very long spoon  
603 **That shal ete with a feend,' thus herde I seye.**  
 Who shall eat with a fiend,' thus I have heard said.  
604 **So atte laste he moste forth his weye,**  
 So at the last he had to go forth on his way,  
605 **And forth he fleeth til he cam ther hym leste.**  
 And forth he speeds until he came where he pleased.  
606 **Whan it cam hym to purpos for to reste,**  
 When he decided to rest,  
607 **I trowe he hadde thilke text in mynde,**  
 I believe he had that text in mind,  
608 **That `alle thyng, repeirynge to his kynde,**  
 That `every thing, by returning to its natural state,  
609 **Gladeth hymself;' thus seyn men, as I gesse.**  
 Makes himself happy;' thus say men, as I suppose.  
610 **Men loven of propre kynde newefangelnesse,**  
 Men, because of their nature, love novelty,  
611 **As briddes doon that men in cages fede.**  
 As do birds that men feed in cages.  
612 **For though thou nyght and day take of hem hede,**  
 For though thou take care of them night and day,  
613 **And strawe hir cage faire and softe as silk,**  
 And strew their cages with straw fair and soft as silk,  
614 **And yeve hem sugre, hony, breed and milk,**  
 And give them sugar, honey, bread and milk,  
615 **Yet right anon as that his dore is uppe**  
 Yet just as soon as his door is left open  
616 **He with his feet wol spurne adoun his cuppe,**  
 He with his feet will kick down his cup,  
617 **And to the wode he wole and wormes ete;**  
 And to the wood he will go and eat worms;  
618 **So newefangel been they of hire mete,**  
 They are so fond of novelty in their food,  
619 **And loven novelries of propre kynde,**  
 And love novelties because of their nature,  
620 **No gentillesse of blood ne may hem bynde.**  
 No nobility of blood can restrain them.

621 **"So ferde this tercelet, allas the day!**  
 "So fared this falcon, alas the day!  
622 **Though he were gentil born, and fressh and gay,**  
 Though he was of noble birth, and fresh and gay,  
623 **And goodlich for to seen, and humble and free,**  
 And goodly to look upon and humble and generous,  
624 **He saugh upon a tyme a kyte flee,**  
 He saw upon a time a kite (scavenger bird) fly by,  
625 **And sodeynly he loved this kyte so**  
 And suddenly he so loved this kite  
626 **That al his love is clene fro me ago,**  
 That all his love is completely gone from me,  
627 **And hath his trouthe falsed in this wyse.**  
 And has turned his truth false in this manner.  
628 **Thus hath the kyte my love in hire servyse,**  
 Thus has the kite my lover in her service,  
629 **And I am lorn withouten remedie!"**  
 And I am lost, without remedy!"  
630 **And with that word this faucon gan to crie**  
 And with that word this falcon did cry out  
631 **And swowned eft in Canacees barm.**  
 And swooned again in Canacee's lap.

632 **Greet was the sorwe for the haukes harm**  
 Great was the sorrow for the hawk's harm  
633 **That Canacee and alle hir wommen made;**  
 That Canacee and all her women made;  
634 **They nyste hou they myghte the faucon glade.**  
 They knew not how they might cheer up the falcon.  
635 **But Canacee hom bereth hire in hir lappe,**  
 But Canacee carries her home enfolded in her gown,  
636 **And softely in plastres gan hire wrappe,**  
 And softly did wrap her in bandages,  
637 **Ther as she with hire beek hadde hurt hirselve.**  
 Where she with her beak had hurt herself.  
638 **Now kan nat Canacee but herbes delve**  
 Now Canacee can do nothing but dig herbs  
639 **Out of the ground, and make salves newe**  
 Out of the ground, and make new salves  
640 **Of herbes preciouse and fyne of hewe**  
 Of herbs, precious and delicate in color,  
641 **To heelen with this hauk. Fro day to nyght**  
 With which to heal this hawk. From dawn to nighttime  
642 **She dooth hire bisynesse and al hire myght,**  
 She devotes her efforts and all her power,  
643 **And by hire beddes heed she made a mewe**  
 And by her bed's head she made a pen  
644 **And covered it with veluettes blewe,**  
 And covered it with velvet cloths, blue  
645 **In signe of trouthe that is in wommen sene.**  
 As a sign of truth that is in women seen.  
646 **And al withoute, the mewe is peynted grene,**  
 And on all the outside, the pen is painted green,  
647 **In which were peynted alle thise false fowles,**  
 In which were painted all these false fowls,  
648 **As ben thise tidyves, tercelettes, and owles;**  
 Such as are these small birds, falcons, and owls;  
649 **Right for despit were peynted hem bisyde,**  
 For sheer scorn were painted beside them,  
650 **Pyes, on hem for to crie and chyde.**  
 Magpies, to cry out against them and chide them.

651 **Thus lete I Canacee hir hauk kepyng;**  
 Thus I leave Canacee keeping her hawk;  
652 **I wol namoore as now speke of hir ryng**  
 I will for now speak no more of her ring  
653 **Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn**  
 Until it becomes again appropriate to tell  
654 **How that this faucon gat hire love ageyn**  
 How this falcon got back her love,  
655 **Repentant, as the storie telleth us,**  
 Repentant, as the story tells us,  
656 **By mediacion of Cambalus,**  
 By the mediation of Cambalus,  
657 **The kynges sone, of which I yow tolde.**  
 The king's son, of whom I told you.  
658 **But hennesforth I wol my proces holde**  
 But henceforth I will keep to my narrative  
659 **To speken of aventures and of batailles**  
 To speak of adventures and of battles  
660 **That nevere yet was herd so grete mervailles.**  
 That never yet were heard such great marvels.

661 **First wol I telle yow of Cambyuskan,**  
 First will I tell you of Cambyuskan,  
662 **That in his tyme many a citee wan;**  
 That in his time many a city won;  
663 **And after wol I speke of Algarsif,**  
 And after I will speak of Algarsif,  
664 **How that he wan Theodora to his wif,**  
 How he won Theodora to his wife,  
665 **For whom ful ofte in greet peril he was,**  
 For whom full often in great peril he was,  
666 **Ne hadde he ben holpen by the steede of bras;**  
 Had he not been helped by the steed of brass;  
667 **And after wol I speke of Cambalo,**  
 And next I will speak of Cambalo,  
668 **That faught in lystes with the bretheren two**  
 That fought in lists with the brethren two  
669 **For Canacee er that he myghte hire wynne.**  
 For Canacee ere he could win her.  
670 **And ther I lefte I wol ayeyn bigynne.**  
 And where I left off I will again begin.

*Explicit secunda prima pars.*  
The second part ends.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Sequitur pars secunda.*  
The third part follows.

671 **Appollo whirleth up his chaar so hye**  
 Appollo whirls up his chariot so high  
672 **Til that the god Mercurius hous, the slye --**  
 To that house of the god Mercury, the sly --

*Heere folwen the wordes of the*   
*Frankeleyn to the Squier, and the*  
*wordes of the Hoost to the Frankeleyn*

673 **"In feith, Squier, thow hast thee wel yquit**  
 "In faith, Squire, thou hast well acquitted thyself.  
674 **And gentilly. I preise wel thy wit,"**  
 And nobly. I praise well thy intelligence,"  
675 **Quod the Frankeleyn, "considerynge thy yowthe,**  
 Said the Franklin, "considering thy youth,  
676 **So feelyngly thou spekest, sire, I allow the!**  
 With such feeling thou speakest, sir, I praise thee!  
677 **As to my doom, ther is noon that is heere**  
 In my opinion, there is no one that is here  
678 **Of eloquence that shal be thy peere,**  
 That shall be thy equal in eloquence,  
679 **If that thou lyve; God yeve thee good chaunce,**  
 If thou live; God give thee good luck,  
680 **And in vertu sende thee continuaunce,**  
 And in virtue send thee perseverance,  
681 **For of thy speche I have greet deyntee.**  
 For I take great pleasure in thy speech.  
682 **I have a sone, and by the Trinitee,**  
 I have a son, and by the Trinity,  
683 **I hadde levere than twenty pound worth lond,**  
 I had rather than have twenty pound's worth of land,  
684 **Though it right now were fallen in myn hond,**  
 Though it right now were fallen in my hand,  
685 **He were a man of swich discrecioun**  
 That he were a man of such discretion  
686 **As that ye been! Fy on possessioun,**  
 As you are! Fie on possessions,  
687 **But if a man be vertuous withal!**  
 Unless a man is virtuous as well!  
688 **I have my sone snybbed, and yet shal,**  
 I have rebuked my son, and shall again,  
689 **For he to vertu listeth nat entende;**  
 Because he has no desire to devote himself to virtue;  
690 **But for to pleye at dees, and to despende**  
 But to play at dice, and to spend  
691 **And lese al that he hath is his usage.**  
 And lose all that he has is his usage.  
692 **And he hath levere talken with a page**  
 And he would rather talk with a serving boy  
693 **Than to comune with any gentil wight**  
 Than converse with any noble person  
694 **Where he myghte lerne gentillesse aright."**  
 From whom he might learn true nobility."

695 **"Straw for youre gentillesse!" quod oure Hoost.**  
 "Straw for your nobility!" said our Host.  
696 **"What, Frankeleyn! Pardee, sire, wel thou woost**  
 "What, Franklin! By God, sir, well thou knowest  
697 **That ech of yow moot tellen atte leste**  
 That each of you must tell at the least  
698 **A tale or two, or breken his biheste."**  
 A tale or two, or break his promise."

699 **"That knowe I wel, sire," quod the Frankeleyn.**  
 "That know I well, sir," said the Franklin.  
700 **"I prey yow, haveth me nat in desdeyn,**  
 "I pray you, hold me not in disdain,  
701 **Though to this man I speke a word or two."**  
 Though to this man I speak a word or two."

702 **"Telle on thy tale withouten wordes mo."**  
 "Tell on thy tale without more words."

703 **"Gladly, sire Hoost," quod he, "I wole obeye**  
 "Gladly, sir Host," said he, "I will obey  
704 **Unto your wyl; now herkneth what I seye.**  
 Unto your will; now hearken what I say.  
705 **I wol yow nat contrarien in no wyse**  
 I will not offend you in any way  
706 **As fer as that my wittes wol suffyse.**  
 So far as my mental abilities will suffice.  
707 **I prey to God that it may plesen yow;**  
 I pray to God that it may please you;  
708 **Thanne woot I wel that it is good ynow."**  
 Then I will know well that it is good enough."