Comparison of Geoffrey Chaucer Former Age to Geoffrey Chaucer

And thus I lete hem ete and drinke and pleye, [continues next]

[continues previous] And volatyl, as ay was his usage.

[continues previous] And thus I lete hem ete and drinke and pleye,

... the see comth som-tyme with so greet a violence that it drencheth the ship. And the same harm doth som-tyme the smale dropes of water, that entren thurgh a litel crevace in-to the thurrok, and in-to the botme of the ship, if men be so necligent that they ne descharge hem nat by tyme. And therfore, al-thogh ther be a difference bitwixe thise two causes of drenchinge, algates the ship is dreynt. Right so fareth it somtyme of deedly sinne, and of anoyouse veniale sinnes, whan they multiplye in a man so greetly, that thilke worldly thinges that he loveth, thurgh whiche he ... [continues next]

for they holden the hertes of men in usage, but they ne delivere [continues next]

with the metes that the trewe feldes broughten forth. They [continues next]

ne desire they nat ech of hem by semblable resoun to kepen [continues next]

[continues previous] ... greet wawe of the see comth som-tyme with so greet a violence that it drencheth the ship. And the same harm doth som-tyme the smale dropes of water, that entren thurgh a litel crevace in-to the thurrok, and in-to the botme of the ship, if men be so necligent that they ne descharge hem nat by tyme. And therfore, al-thogh ther be a difference bitwixe thise two causes of drenchinge, algates the ship is dreynt. Right so fareth it somtyme of deedly sinne, and of anoyouse veniale sinnes, whan they multiplye in a man so greetly, that thilke worldly thinges that he loveth, thurgh whiche ...

[continues previous] for they holden the hertes of men in usage, but they ne delivere

[continues previous] nat folk fro maladye. But if ye Muses hadden withdrawen fro

[continues previous] with the metes that the trewe feldes broughten forth. They

[continues previous] ne distroyede nor deceivede nat hem-self with outrage. They

[continues previous] ne desire they nat ech of hem by semblable resoun to kepen

don to me, yit natheles they ne weren nat al-outrely unknowen to [continues next]

[continues previous] don to me, yit natheles they ne weren nat al-outrely unknowen to

I have, and shal, for trewe or fals report,

With wawes grene, and brighte as any glas.

the wey of thonder-light, that is wont to smyten heye toures, ne [continues next]

[continues previous] the wey of thonder-light, that is wont to smyten heye toures, ne

With walles rounde, and diche depe,

Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse; [continues next]

But ther may no man, as men may wel see, [continues next]

Him had be lever, I dar wel undertake,

At thilke tyme, than alle hise wetheres blake,

That they ne perisse; for I dar wel seye, [continues next]

Whan that hir liste, that I dar seye, [continues next]

That she was lyk to torche bright, [continues next]

[continues previous] But ther may no man, as men may wel see,

Men mighte it cleve, I dar wel sayn. [continues next]

They been as voyde of vyces, dar I seye, [continues next]

For that man is unbore, I dar wel swere, [continues next]

And dar wel seye, the tyme is faste by, [continues next]

[continues previous] That they ne perisse; for I dar wel seye,

[continues previous] If that they doon, ye shul it dere abeye.

[continues previous] Whan that hir liste, that I dar seye,

[continues previous] That she was lyk to torche bright,

[continues previous] Men mighte it cleve, I dar wel sayn.

[continues previous] Hir forheed, frounceles al playn.

[continues previous] As any men that liveth under the sonne,

[continues previous] That ever wiste that she dide amis.

[continues previous] That fyr and flaumbe on al the toun shal sprede;

O glotonye, ful of cursednesse, [continues next]

[continues previous] O cause first of our confusioun,

And seyde hem, 'so there be no taryinge, [continues next]

Ne more pres, he wol wel that ye bringe [continues next]

[continues previous] And seyde hem, 'so there be no taryinge,

[continues previous] Ne more pres, he wol wel that ye bringe

But, ther as bagges been and fat vitaile, [continues next]

Ther wol they gon, and spare for no sinne [continues next]

[continues previous] But, ther as bagges been and fat vitaile,

Ther poverte is, as seith Diogenes, [continues next]

Ther as vitaile is eek so skars and thinne [continues next]

Sin that my lord is gon, I wol nat spare;

[continues previous] Ther poverte is, as seith Diogenes,

Ne sinne, although hir lyf were gon. [continues next]

Whan in her love ther is no sinne;

I wol that they togedre go,

[continues previous] Ne sinne, although hir lyf were gon.

[continues previous] Al woxen was hir body unwelde,

ne were no manere ne non ende, but-yif that a wight constreinede

And diden al hir might, sin they were oon, [continues next]

... wyn; which was the firste miracle that he wroghte in erthe biforn hise disciples. Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacioun and replenisseth holy chirche of good linage; for that is the ende of mariage; and it chaungeth deedly sinne in-to venial sinne bitwise hem that been y-wedded, and maketh the hertes al oon of hem that been y-wedded, as wel as the bodies. This is verray mariage, that was establissed by god er that sinne bigan, whan naturel lawe was in his right point in paradys; and it was ordeyned that o man sholde have but o womman, and o womman but o ... [continues next]

Oon is dishonest, another is nyce; [continues next]

[continues previous] And diden al hir might, sin they were oon,

Everich of hem halp for to armen other,

To king Alla, and he to him also;

Everich of hem doth other greet honour;

[continues previous] ... the firste miracle that he wroghte in erthe biforn hise disciples. Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacioun and replenisseth holy chirche of good linage; for that is the ende of mariage; and it chaungeth deedly sinne in-to venial sinne bitwise hem that been y-wedded, and maketh the hertes al oon of hem that been y-wedded, as wel as the bodies. This is verray mariage, that was establissed by god er that sinne bigan, whan naturel lawe was in his right point in paradys; and it was ordeyned that o man sholde have but o womman, and o womman but o man, as ...

... hem two, as in that, no parfit mariage. Thanne shal men understonde that for three thinges a man and his wyf fleshly mowen assemble. The firste is in entente of engendrure of children to the service of god, for certes that is the cause fynal of matrimoine. Another cause is, to yelden everich of hem to other the dette of hir bodies, for neither of hem hath power over his owene body. The thridde is, for to eschewe lecherye and vileinye. The ferthe is for sothe deadly sinne. As to the firste, it is meritorie; the seconde also; for, as seith the decree, that she hath merite of chastitee that ...

with hir teeth, yit thilke same men seken to sleen everich of hem

other with swerd. Lo! for hir maneres ben dyverse and descordaunt,

[continues previous] Everich of hem hath somme vyce;

For ech of hem made other for to winne; [continues next]

And ech of hem seyde to other ful lowde, [continues next]

is lakkinge to other, they ne han no power to bringen a good that [continues next]

[continues previous] For ech of hem made other for to winne;

Unhorsed hath ech other of hem tweye. [continues next]

Han take hir leve, and ech of hem of other.

To live and dyen ech of hem for other,

And ech of hem gan other for tassure

Of bretherhede, whyl that hir lyf may dure.

And ech of hem tolde other what hem liste.

For ech of hem hadde other leef and dere.

The hye pryde of Nero to cheryce; [continues next]

... everich of hem other,' bothe day and night, as god seith by the prophete Michias. And the lovinge children, that whylom loveden so fleshly everich other, wolden everich of hem eten other if they mighte. For how sholden they love hem togidre in the peyne of helle, whan they hated ech of hem other in the prosperitee of this lyf? For truste wel, hir fleshly love was deedly hate; as seith the prophete David: 'who-so that loveth wikkednesse he hateth his soule.' And who-so hateth his owene soule, certes, he may love noon other wight in no manere. And therefore, in helle is no solas ne no frendshipe, ...

[continues previous] And ech of hem seyde to other ful lowde,

[continues previous] they ben dyverse that oon fro that othre; and so as ech of hem

[continues previous] is lakkinge to other, they ne han no power to bringen a good that

For ech of hem gan other in winges take,

Thus wolde Love, y-heried be his grace, [continues next]

[continues previous] Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgopheye,

[continues previous] Now fil it so that fortune list no lenger [continues next]

[continues previous] The hye pryde of Nero to cheryce; [continues next]

[continues previous] That Pryde, Envye, Ire, and Avaryce

[continues previous] Now fil it so that fortune list no lenger

How that he, which that first seyde this thing, [continues next]

Of philosophres fader was, Hermes; [continues next]

[continues previous] How that he, which that first seyde this thing,

... the deeth of hir child, til she have wept hir fille, as for a certain tyme; and thanne shal man doon his diligence with amiable wordes hir to reconforte, and preyen hir of hir weping for to stinte.' For which resoun this noble wyf Prudence suffred hir housbond for to wepe and crye as for a certein space; and whan she saugh hir tyme, she seyde him in this wyse. 'Allas, my lord,' quod she,' why make ye your-self for to be lyk a fool? For sothe, it aperteneth nat to a wys man, to maken swiche a sorwe. Your doghter, with the grace of god, shal warisshe and ... [continues next]

To here how men wolde wepe and crye;

And slow his brother, and by his sister lay.

Can I noght doon ne seye that may yow lyke, [continues next]

[For] certes, now, allas! allas! the whyle! [continues next]

[continues previous] ... wepen in the deeth of hir child, til she have wept hir fille, as for a certain tyme; and thanne shal man doon his diligence with amiable wordes hir to reconforte, and preyen hir of hir weping for to stinte.' For which resoun this noble wyf Prudence suffred hir housbond for to wepe and crye as for a certein space; and whan she saugh hir tyme, she seyde him in this wyse. 'Allas, my lord,' quod she,' why make ye your-self for to be lyk a fool? For sothe, it aperteneth nat to a wys man, to maken swiche a sorwe. Your doghter, with the grace of ...

[continues previous] [For] certes, now, allas! allas! the whyle!