Comparison of Geoffrey Chaucer Consolatione Philosophie 3 Metre 12 to Geoffrey Chaucer

... seith: that "it is a maner sleighte to hindre, whan he sheweth to doon a thing openly and werketh prively the contrarie." Thou shalt also have in suspect the conseilling of wikked folk. For the book seith: "the conseilling of wikked folk is alwey ful of fraude:" And David seith: "blisful is that man that hath nat folwed the conseilling of shrewes." Thou shalt also eschewe the conseilling of yong folk; for hir conseil is nat rype.

... his renoun in the world, he hath sinne ther-of and noon almesse. Certes, he leseth foule his good, that ne seketh with the yifte of his good no-thing but sinne. He is lyk to an hors that seketh rather to drinken drovy or trouble water than for to drinken water of the clere welle. And for-as-muchel as they yeven ther as they sholde nat yeven, to hem aperteneth thilke malisoun that Crist shal yeven at the day of dome to hem that shullen been dampned.

... and poinant in herte.' First, for man hath agilt his lord and his creatour; and more sharpe and poinant, for he hath agilt his fader celestial; and yet more sharpe and poinant, for he hath wrathed and agilt him that boghte him; which with his precious blood hath delivered us fro the bondes of sinne, and fro the crueltee of the devel and fro the peynes of helle. [continues next]

... a wys man, to maken swiche a sorwe. Your doghter, with the grace of god, shal warisshe and escape. And al were it so that she right now were deed, ye ne oghte nat as for hir deeth your-self to destroye. Senek seith: "the wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort for the deeth of his children, but certes he sholde suffren it in pacience, as wel as he abydeth the deeth of his owene propre persone."' [continues next]

[continues previous] ... poinant in herte.' First, for man hath agilt his lord and his creatour; and more sharpe and poinant, for he hath agilt his fader celestial; and yet more sharpe and poinant, for he hath wrathed and agilt him that boghte him; which with his precious blood hath delivered us fro the bondes of sinne, and fro the crueltee of the devel and fro the peynes of helle.

thilke thinges that thou toldest me, al-be-it so that I hadde [continues next]

whylom foryeten hem, for the sorwe of the wrong that hath ben [continues next]

How Creon was of Theseus y-served,

As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved.

And yet Custance hadde of his deeth gret routhe.

And after this Iesus, of his mercy,

[continues previous] ... man, to maken swiche a sorwe. Your doghter, with the grace of god, shal warisshe and escape. And al were it so that she right now were deed, ye ne oghte nat as for hir deeth your-self to destroye. Senek seith: "the wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort for the deeth of his children, but certes he sholde suffren it in pacience, as wel as he abydeth the deeth of his owene propre persone."'

[continues previous] whylom foryeten hem, for the sorwe of the wrong that hath ben

Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wyf,

That bothe after hir deeth, and in hir lyf,

Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wyf,

That bothe after hir deeth, and in hir lyf,

Ne how the ground agast was of the light, [continues next]

That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright; [continues next]

For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe,

He moste preche, and wel affyle his tonge,

[continues previous] Ne how the ground agast was of the light,

[continues previous] That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright;

by thy resouns, that they ne mowen ben overcomen. And [continues next]

of libertee. For yif so be that god loketh alle thinges biforn, ne [continues next]

god ne may nat ben desseived in no manere, than mot it nedes [continues next]

swich a place that men clepen the theatre? The whiche nat [continues next]

only ne asswagen nat hise sorwes with none remedies, but they [continues next]

put out of the cure of god. For of alle other thinges thou

ne doutedest nat that they nere governed by resoun. But owh!

thing is that is cleped inparfit. For the nature of thinges ne [continues next]

took nat hir beginninge of thinges amenused and inparfit, but [continues next]

good is in him. For yif god ne is swich, he ne may nat ben

prince of alle thinges; for certes som-thing possessing in it-self

[continues previous] by thy resouns, that they ne mowen ben overcomen. And

[continues previous] thilke thinges that thou toldest me, al-be-it so that I hadde

woot and alle thinges may, and ne wole nat but only gode

don yvele thinges ne mowen nat alle thinges: thanne is it open

the gode governour, atempreth and governeth the world, ne doute

thee nat that alle thinges ben doon a-right.

And som men, that ne mowen nat ben overcomen by torments,

have yeven ensaumple to othre folk, that vertu may nat ben overcomen

by adversitees; and of alle thinges ther nis no doute, that

that it susteneth and enforseth, by hise strengthes, that it nis nat

overcomen by adversitees. Ne certes, thou that art put in the

alle thinges from an heigh, ne withstondeth nat no thinges by

[continues previous] of libertee. For yif so be that god loketh alle thinges biforn, ne

[continues previous] god ne may nat ben desseived in no manere, than mot it nedes

necessitee faileth hem, they ne mighten nat ben wist biforn, and

avyse the prescience, by which it knoweth alle thinges, thou ne

shal nat demen it as prescience of thinges to comen, but thou

devyne lookinge, biholdinge alle thinges under him, ne troubleth

nat the qualitee of thinges that ben certeinly present to him-ward;

alle thinges, god ne hath nat taken it of the bitydinge of thinges

... founde, or elles possibly mighten be founde in so noble an instrument as an Astrolabie, ben un-knowe perfitly to any mortal man in this regioun, as I suppose. A-nother cause is this; that sothly, in any tretis of the Astrolabie that I have seyn, there ben some conclusions that wole nat in alle thinges performen hir bihestes; and some of hem ben to harde to thy tendre age of ten yeer to conseyve. This tretis, divided in fyve parties, wole I shewe thee under ful lighte rewles and naked wordes in English; for Latin ne canstow yit but smal, my lyte sone. But natheles, ... [continues next]

[continues previous] only ne asswagen nat hise sorwes with none remedies, but they

[continues previous] took nat hir beginninge of thinges amenused and inparfit, but

[continues previous] ... be founde in so noble an instrument as an Astrolabie, ben un-knowe perfitly to any mortal man in this regioun, as I suppose. A-nother cause is this; that sothly, in any tretis of the Astrolabie that I have seyn, there ben some conclusions that wole nat in alle thinges performen hir bihestes; and some of hem ben to harde to thy tendre age of ten yeer to conseyve. This tretis, divided in fyve parties, wole I shewe thee under ful lighte rewles and naked wordes in English; for Latin ne canstow yit but smal, my lyte sone. But natheles, suffyse to ...

To been hir helpe in al that ever they mighten.

Spak than Eleyne, and seyde, 'Pandarus,

That is the moder of tydinges, [continues next]

As the see of welles and springes, — [continues next]

[continues previous] That is the moder of tydinges,

[continues previous] As the see of welles and springes, —

His bretheren mighte yeve him lond whan he good cowde. [continues next]

[continues previous] His bretheren mighte yeve him lond whan he good cowde.

aught that sowles han any torment after the deeth of the body? [continues next]

... helle hath defaute of light material. For certes, the derke light, that shal come out of the fyr that evere shal brenne, shal turne him al to peyne that is in helle; for it sheweth him to the horrible develes that him tormenten. 'Covered with the derknesse of deeth': that is to seyn, that he that is in helle shal have defaute of the sighte of god; for certes, the sighte of god is the lyf perdurable. 'The derknesse of deeth' been the sinnes that the wrecched man hath doon, whiche that destourben him to see the face of god; right as doth a derk cloude bitwixe us and ...

that he ficche his eyen into the putte of helle, that is to

seyn, who-so sette his thoughtes in erthely thinges, al that ever he

[continues previous] the body is ended by the deeth;' this is to seyn, understandestow

[continues previous] aught that sowles han any torment after the deeth of the body?

He drow Cerberus, the hound of helle, by his treble cheyne. He, [continues next]

He drow out Cerberus, the hound of helle:

He slow the cruel tyrant Busirus,

[continues previous] He drow Cerberus, the hound of helle, by his treble cheyne. He,

Now comth, how that a man sholde bere him with his wyf; and namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. For he ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe. For ther-as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray; ther neden none ensamples of this. The experience of day by day oghte suffyse. Also certes, god ne made nat ... [continues next]

[continues previous] Now comth, how that a man sholde bere him with his wyf; and namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. For he ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe. For ther-as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray; ther neden none ensamples of this. The experience of day by day oghte suffyse. Also certes, god ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne ...

Whos stomak foules tyren ever-mo

That highte volturis, as bokes telle.

And we also, to bere him companye — [continues next]

And whyl we seken thilke divinitee [continues next]

Now comth, how that a man sholde bere him with his wyf; and namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. For he ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe. For ther-as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray; ther neden none ensamples of this. The experience of day by day oghte suffyse. Also certes, god ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne sholde nat been holden to lowe; for she can nat paciently suffre: but god made womman of the rib of Adam, for womman sholde be felawe un-to man. Man sholde bere him to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, and in love, as seith seint Paul: that 'a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist loved holy chirche, that loved it so wel that he deyde for it.' So sholde a man for his wyf, if it were nede. [continues next]

[continues previous] If he were founde, or that men mighte him spye;

[continues previous] And we also, to bere him companye —

[continues previous] Now comth, how that a man sholde bere him with his wyf; and namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. For he ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe. For ther-as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray; ther neden none ensamples of this. The experience of day by day oghte suffyse. Also certes, god ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne sholde nat been holden to lowe; for she can nat paciently suffre: but god made womman of the rib of Adam, for womman sholde be felawe un-to man. Man sholde bere him to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, and in love, as seith seint Paul: that 'a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist loved holy chirche, that loved it so wel that he deyde for it.' So sholde a man for his wyf, if it were nede.

By this she hadde ended hir song, whan the sweetnesse of hir [continues next]

The sixte thing that oghte moeve a man to contricion, is the hope of three thynges; that is to seyn, foryifnesse of sinne, and the yifte of grace wel for to do, and the glorie of hevene, with which god shal guerdone a man for hise gode dedes. And for-as-muche as Iesu Crist yeveth us thise yiftes of his largesse and of his sovereyn bountee, therfore is he cleped Iesus Nazarenus rex Iudeorum. Iesus ... [continues next]

[continues previous] ditee hadde thorugh-perced me that was desirous of herkninge,

[continues previous] The sixte thing that oghte moeve a man to contricion, is the hope of three thynges; that is to seyn, foryifnesse of sinne, and the yifte of grace wel for to do, and the glorie of hevene, with which god shal guerdone a man for hise gode dedes. And for-as-muche as Iesu Crist yeveth us thise yiftes of his largesse and of his sovereyn bountee, therfore is he cleped Iesus Nazarenus rex Iudeorum. Iesus is to ...

... the flesh, as sheweth here by Eve; and after that, the consentinge of resoun, as sheweth here by Adam. For trust wel, thogh so were that the feend tempted Eve, that is to seyn the flesh, and the flesh hadde delyt in the beautee of the fruit defended, yet certes, til that resoun, that is to seyn, Adam, consented to the etinge of the fruit, yet stood he in thestaat of innocence. Of thilke Adam toke we thilke sinne original; for of him fleshly descended be we alle, and engendred of vile and corrupt matere. And whan the soule is put in our body, right anon is ...

Fortune a yifte, that is to seyn, swiche guerdoun, that she never yaf

That 'who shal yeve a lover any lawe?' [continues next]

Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan, [continues next]

... bifalle or happe that a man of gretter might and strengthe than thou art do thee grevaunce, studie and bisie thee rather to stille the same grevaunce, than for to venge thee. For Senek seith: that "he putteth him in greet peril that stryveth with a gretter man than he is him-self." And Catoun seith: "if a man of hyer estaat or degree, or more mighty than thou, do thee anoy or grevaunce, suffre him; for he that ones hath greved thee may another tyme releve thee and helpe." Yet sette I caas, ye have bothe might and licence for to ... [continues next]

[continues previous] That 'who shal yeve a lover any lawe?'

[continues previous] Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan,

[continues previous] Than may be yeve to any erthly man.

[continues previous] ... stryf." And if it so bifalle or happe that a man of gretter might and strengthe than thou art do thee grevaunce, studie and bisie thee rather to stille the same grevaunce, than for to venge thee. For Senek seith: that "he putteth him in greet peril that stryveth with a gretter man than he is him-self." And Catoun seith: "if a man of hyer estaat or degree, or more mighty than thou, do thee anoy or grevaunce, suffre him; for he that ones hath greved thee may another tyme releve thee and helpe." Yet sette I caas, ye have bothe might and licence for to venge yow. ...

... nat in greet nombre or multitude of the peple ne in the vertu of man; but it lyth in the wil and in the hand of our lord god almighty. And therfore Iudas Machabeus, which was goddes knight, whan he sholde fighte agayn his adversarie that hadde a greet nombre, and a gretter multitude of folk and strenger than was this peple of Machabee, yet he reconforted his litel companye, and seyde right in this wyse: "als lightly," quod he, "may our lord god almighty yeve victorie to a fewe folk as to many folk; for the victorie of bataile cometh nat by the grete nombre of peple, but ...

y-sent out of the caves of the contree of Trace, beteth this night

(that is to seyn, chaseth it a-wey), and descovereth the closed day:

the wind that highte Boreas hath reft awey in autumpne, that

is to seyn, in the laste ende of somer; and the sedes that the

hise brode termes or boundes up-on the erthes, that is to seyn, to

places ther-as the shyninge night is peinted; that is to seyn, the

night that is cloudeles; for on nightes that ben cloudeles it semeth as

But natheles, men seyn that, at the laste,

Thorgh which Troyens loste al hir Ioye. [continues next]

And after this was grave, allas! [continues next]

[continues previous] And after this was grave, allas! [continues next]

[continues previous] And after this was grave, allas!

heer-biforn, that is to seyn, soverein good, may ben founde in the [continues next]

loketh the helles,' that is to seyn, in-to lowe thinges of the erthe. [continues next]

thilke somme and of the heighte of thinges, that is to seyn, soverein [continues next]

to the soverein contree or point, that is to seyn, y-torned neigh to [continues next]

the soverein pool of the firmament, and wot nat why the sterre [continues next]

[continues previous] heer-biforn, that is to seyn, soverein good, may ben founde in the

[continues previous] loketh the helles,' that is to seyn, in-to lowe thinges of the erthe.

[continues previous] thilke somme and of the heighte of thinges, that is to seyn, soverein

[continues previous] good; ne thise wrecches ne comen nat to the effect of soverein

[continues previous] to the soverein contree or point, that is to seyn, y-torned neigh to

Avarice, after the descripcion of seint Augustin, is likerousnesse in herte to have erthely thinges. Som other folk seyn, that Avarice is, for to purchacen manye erthely thinges, and nothing yeve to hem that han nede. And understond, that Avarice ne stant nat only in lond ne catel, but somtyme in science and in glorie, and in every manere of outrageous thing ... [continues next]

in helle, of relesinge; that is to seyn, to yilden him his wyf. [continues next]

[continues previous] Avarice, after the descripcion of seint Augustin, is likerousnesse in herte to have erthely thinges. Som other folk seyn, that Avarice is, for to purchacen manye erthely thinges, and nothing yeve to hem that han nede. And understond, that Avarice ne stant nat only in lond ne catel, but somtyme in science and in glorie, and in every manere of outrageous thing is Avarice and Coveitise. And the difference ...

[continues previous] in helle, of relesinge; that is to seyn, to yilden him his wyf.

the purviaunce of god; and Marcus Tullius, whan he devyded the [continues next]

of thinges; and the same chaunginge from oon in-to an-other,

that is to seyn, from adversitee in-to prosperitee, maketh that the

seketh to lede his thought in-to the soverein day, that is to seyn,

to cleernesse of soverein good. For who-so that ever be so overcomen

thilke somme and of the heighte of thinges, that is to seyn, soverein

it sholde ben torned in-to the habite of accusacioun; that is to

seyn, they sholden accuse shrewes, and nat excuse hem. And eek

faylen, that is to seyn, torne in-to nought.

This is the comune Love to alle thinges; and alle thinges axen

in-to simplicitee, that is to seyn, in-to unmoevabletee, and it ceseth

the thinges that he hath maked in-to his semblaunce, that is to

seyn, for to with-holden thinges in-to good, for he him-self is good,

or the alliaunce, of thinges, that is to seyn, the coniunccioun of god

thise two soothfast or verray thinges, that is to seyn,

bitwixen the purviaunce of god and free wil, that they ben singuler

to right heye thinges; and som-tyme it descendeth in-to

right lowe thinges. And whan it retorneth in-to him-self, it reproeveth

[continues previous] the purviaunce of god; and Marcus Tullius, whan he devyded the

[continues previous] divynaciouns, that is to seyn, in his book that he wroot of divynaciouns,

soothly she hir-self, that is to seyn, resoun, loketh and comprehendeth,

tyme it is present, and procedeth fro preterits in-to futures, that is

to seyn, fro tyme passed in-to tyme cominge; ne ther nis no-thing

But now is this abusion to seyn,

That fallinge of the thinges temporel

Is cause of goddes prescience eternel.