BOOK II.

Incipit prohemium Secundi Libri.

O wind, O wind, the weather begins to clear, and carry our sail out of these black waves For in this sea my boat labors so that my cunning scarce can guide it. This sea I call the tempestuous despair that Troilus had been in, but now begin the

Calends of hope. O lady mine Clio, be my Muse and my speed henceforth to rhyme well this book till I have done it! I need here none other art but thine. And so I excuse me to very lover; for I indite this out of no strained sentiment of line own, but turn it out or Latin into mine own tongue. And so for all this work I desire neither thanks nor censure Bu I pray you meekly to hold me free if any word be lame, for as my author said, even so say I. And though I speak of love without due feeling, it is no wonder, for it is nothing new that a blind man cannot judge well in colors. You know too that in a thousand years there is a change in the forms of speech, and words which then were words of price seem to us now wondrous trivial and strange; yet they spake them so, and they sped as well in love then as men do now. And in sundry ages and lands sundry are the usages to win love. And therefore if it happen that any lover in this place hear how the story describes Troilus' coming into his lady's favor, and thinks, 'Not so would I procure love,' or wonders at his speech or his doings,--I know not how it may be, but to me it is no wonder. Every wight who goes to Rome holds not one and the same road. In some lands all the sport were spoiled if men in love did even as men do here, as, for instance, in frank conduct or looks, in visiting, in the forms they follow, or in saying their say. Therefore men say each country has its own usages. And even in this place there are scarce three who have said and done quite alike in love; this way may please that man, and that may please this. Yet there is naught that may not have been said by one or another, even as one graver may choose to grave in wood, and one on a stone wall as it may betide. But since I have begun, I will go on and follow mine author as well as I can.

Explicit prohemium Secundi Libri.

Incipit Liber Secundus.

In May, the mother of glad months, when fresh flowers that winter killed are quickened again, blue, red and white, and balmy breaths float over every mead, when Phoebus from the white Bull lavishes his bright beams,—it so betided, as I shall Sing, on the third day of May, that Pandarus too, for all his wise speech, felt his share of love's keen shots which made his hue full pale, preached he never so well on Cove. That day a reverse in love befell him, for which he went to bed in woe and tossed and turned full oft ere day. When morning came the swallow Progne began to make her lament with a sorrowful lay, how she was metamorphosed; and ever lay Pandarus a-bed half in a slumber till she made her chattering so nigh him, how Tereus carried her sister away, that with the noise he awoke and called out and prepared to rise. He remembered his errand and his undertaking for Troilus- he knew that the moon was in a propitious place for his emprise, and he made his plan and took his way anon to his niece's palace hard by. Janus, god of entrance, guide him!

When he was come thither, 'Where is my lady?' said he to her folk. They told him, and in he went and found her sitting with two other ladies in a paved parlor-- they three were hearing a maiden read them the romance of the siege of Thebes.

'Madame, God save you,' quoth Pandarus, 'with your book and all the company! '

'Eh, uncle! welcome now heartily,' said she, and up she rose and took him quickly by the hand, and said, 'Last night I dreamed thrice of you--may it turn to good!,' and with that word she set him down on a bench.

'Yea, niece, you shall fare the better for it all this year, please God,' said Pandarus. 'But I am sorry I have stayed your listening to the book that you honor thus. For God's love, what says it? Tell us now, is it of love? Let me learn some good from you.'

'Uncle,' said she, 'your mistress is not here,' whereat they all began to laugh; and then she said, 'This romance that we read is of Thebes; and we have heard how King Laius died through Oedipus his son, and all those deeds; and here we stopped at these red letters, where the book tells how the bishop Amphiaraus fell through the ground to hell.'

'I know about all that,' quoth Pandarus, 'and all the siege of Thebes and all the woe, for thereof is a poem written in twelve books. But let be all this, and tell me how you do. Put off your wimple and show your face bare; put away your book and rise up, and let us dance and do some honor to May.'

'Eh, God forbid!' said she; 'are you mad? Is that a life for a widow? You make me fearful for you, you talk so wildly that ' you must be raving! it would fit me better to pray ever in a cave and read holy saints' lives. Let maids dance, and young married folk!'

'And yet,' said Pandarus, ' I could tell you a thing to make you dance.'

'Now, uncle dear, tell it for God's love, is the siege over? I am so afeared of the Greeks that I die of it.'

'Nay, nay,' said he, 'it is something better than five such.'

'Yea? Holy God!' said she, 'what thing is it then? What, better than five such? Ah, no, surely! For all this world I cannot fancy what it should be. Some mock, I trow! Unless you tell me yourself my wit is all too thin to guess it. God help me so, I wot not what you speak of.'

'But I pledge you my word, never shall this thing be told you, for all me.'

'And why so, uncle mine? Why so? '

'By God,' quoth he, 'that will I tell you anon. It is because, if you knew it, there would be no prouder woman alive in all the town of Troy,--as I hope to be saved, I jest not.'

Then she began to wonder a thousand-fold more than ever and cast down her eyes, for never since she was born desired she so much to know a thing. But at last with a sigh she said, 'Now, uncle mine, I will not displease you, nor vex you with asking;' so with many lively words and friendly tales and merry cheer they talked of this and that, and went far into many a rare matter, merry or deep, as friends do when they have met; till she came to ask him how Hector fared, the bulwark of the town and scourge of the Greeks.

'Full well, I thank God,' answered Pandarus, 'save that he has a little wound in his arm; and so does his lusty brother Troilus. He is a wise and worthy second Hector, full of all virtues, fidelity and nobility, prudence, honor, generosity and valor.'

In good faith, uncle,' said she, 'I am glad to hear that they fare well. God save them both! Truly it is a great joy to see a king's son doing well in arms, and of good traits besides. For great power and moral virtue are seldom seen in one person on this earth.'

'In good faith, that is sooth,' answered Pandarus. 'But by my troth the king has two sons, Hector and Troilus, who are as void of vices as any men under the sun. Their mightiness is full widely known. It needs tell naught of Hector, in all this world is no better knight than he who is well of all worthiness. And he has yet more virtue than strength, and that many a wise and worthy wight knows. And the same praise can I give Troilus. So may God help me, I know not such another pair!'

'By God, that is true of Hector,' quoth she, 'and of Troilas I can well believe the same; for men tell that he does so valiantly in arms day by day, and bears himself so gently here at home to every wight, that he has all praise of those by whom it were liefest to me to be praised.'

'You say right sooth,' said Pandarus, 'for whoso had been with him yesterday might have wondered at Troilus. For never yet flew so thick a swarm of bees as the Greeks that fled from slim. Throughout the field in every man's ear was no cry but "There is Troilus!" Here, there, he hunted them so hard there was naught but Greek blood and Troilus! This one he hurt, that one he overthrew, and so it was wherever he went. Me was their death and our shield and life. That day, so long s he grasped his bloody sword, none durst withstand him. And add to all this he is the friendliest man of great station that ever I saw in my life, to such as he thinks likely to deserve honor.' And with that word Pandarus took his leave,--'I will so hence.'

'Nay, then, I must be to blame,' said she then; 'what ails you to be so soon weary, and especially of us women? What will you? Nay, sit you down! By God, I have something ore to say to you, to ask your counsel ere you go.'

Then every wight about who heard that began to withdraw a little, whilst they two said their say. And when their talk was ended, of her plight and her conduct, Pandarus said, 'Now it is time I went. But yet, I say, arise and let us dance, and cast your widow's habit to the Devil! Why will you thus disfigure yourself, since so glad a chance has betided you?'

'Ah, well thought of!' quoth she. 'For the love of God, am I not to know what you mean concerning this? '

'No, this thing needs leisure,' said he, 'and eke it would grieve me much if I told it and you took it amiss. It were better for me to hold my tongue than say a sooth that should be against your liking. ill or by the goddess Minerva, niece, and Jupiter, who makes the thunder ring, and the blessed Venus whom I serve, you are the woman living in this world whom, I believe verily, aside from passion, I best love and am loathest to grieve; and that you know yourself, I think.'

'Gramercy in truth, mine uncle,' said she, 'I have ever felt your friendship. To no man am I so hound as to you, and have repaid so little. By the grace of God, to the extent of my wit, I shall never knowingly offend you; and if I ever have, I will reform! But I beseech you, or the love of God, ass you are he whom I most trust and love, let be your distant manner of speech, and say to me your niece what you have in mind.'

And with that word anon her uncle kissed her and said 'Gladly, sweet dear niece; and do you take well what I shall say to you here.' With that she began to cast down her eyes, and Pandarus to cough a little, and he said, 'You know, niece, that after all, however some men may please to endite their tales with subtle art, the tales are meant for some clear end. And since the force of every tale is in its end, and since this matter is so advantageous, why should I color it highly or draw it out at length to so faithful a friend as you?' And with that word he began right intently to gaze on her face and said, 'Now fair fortune on such a mirror!'

Then he thought, 'If I frame my tale in hard terms, or make a long story, she will find but little savor in it, and will believe I mean to beguile her. Tender wits fancy all things to be wily which they cannot plainly understand. So I will strive to suit my tale to her wit.'

She saw that he gazed upon her earnestly, and said, 'Lord! how hard you stare! Saw you me never before this? What say you! No?'

'Yes Yes, yes,' quoth he, 'and shall better yet before I leave! But by my troth, I was only thinking whether fortune loves you, for now men shall see it. For to every wight some goodly adventure is ordained at some time, if he can receive -it; but if he will pay no heed to it when it comes, but willfully slights it, why, it is neither chance nor fortune that deceives him, but only his own sloth and wretchedness. Such a wight is to blame, by my soul! You, fair niece, have full lightly found such a good adventure, if you are able to receive it. For the love of God, and of me, catch at it straightway, lest opportunity pass! Why should I make a longer tale of it? Give me your hand; for, if you but will, there is not in this world a wight so favored. Since I am speaking with good intent, as I have told you already, and love your honor and fair name as well as any creature born in this world,--by all the oaths that I have sworn to you, if you are wroth at this, or fancy I lie, I will never see you again. Be not aghast and tremble not! Why should you? Change not color so for fear, for in truth the worst is over! And though my tale now seem strange, have good trust that you shall always find me faithful. Were it a thing I thought unfitting, I should bring you no such tidings.'

'Now, my good uncle, for God's love I pray you,' quoth she, 'make haste and tell me what it is, for I am both aghast to know what you will say, and beside myself with longing. Whether it be well or be amiss, say on! Let me not stay forever in this fear!'

'So I will; now hearken and I shall tell. Now, my niece the king's dear son, the good, the prudent, the valiant, the lusty, the generous, that mirror of well-doing, the noble Troilus, so loves you that unless you help him it will be his death. Lo, this is all! What more can I say? Do what you will, let him live or die; but if you let him die, I will die too; here is my pledge that I lie not, though I should have to cut my throat with this knife.' With that the tears burst from his eyes, and he said 'You will make us both die thus guiltless, a fair fishing you have made! How mend you your own fortune if we both miscarry? Alas! that loyal man, my own dear lord, that noble gentle knight, who asks for nothing but a friendly look from you, I se him slowly dying as he walks about, and making all speed to be slain, if fortune will but grant it. Alas, that God sent you such beauty! If you are in truth so cruel that you reck no more of the death of so true and worthy a man than of the death of a wretch or a mocker, if you are such, your beauty cannot make amends for so cruel a deed. It were well to consider ere the pinch comes. Woe worth the fair gem without virtue and the herb that can cure nothing! Woe worth ruthless beauty, and the wight that treads all others down; and you that are top and root of beauty, if there be no truth in you as well, by my troth you were better dead.

'But, believe me, this is no crafty lure. I had liefer that you and I and he were hanged so high that all men might look on us, than that l should be his bawd. I am your uncle--the shame were to me as well as to you should I abet or assent to his hurting your honor. Now understand I ask not that you should bind yourself to him by any promise, but only that you receive him with more joyous entertainment than before, so that at least his life he saved. This is all, and all we hoped for. So may God help me, I never meant aught else. Neither is this request more than reason, nor is there reasonable fear from it. Suppose the worst; you are afraid folk may wonder to see him come and go. Thereto I answer that any wight but a natural fool will deem it but a friendly affection on his part. What! who will deem, when he sees a man go to a temple, that he eats the images! Think also how well and wisely Troilus conducts himself, never incautiously, so that everywhere he wins praise and gratitude. And besides, he will come here so seldom, what matter were it though all the town saw? Stash friendly affection is common enough throughout this town, so evermore veil yourselves--in that mantle; so be God my salvation, you were best do that. But, good niece, in any case to stint his woe, sugar your solar reserve a little, that you be not to blame for his death.'

Criseyde, who had heard all to the full, thought, 'Now I will test what he really means.'-- 'Now, uncle,' she said, 'what think you truly I should do in this case?'

'Well said,' quoth he; in sooth the best is that you love him in return for his love, as love for love is a reasonable reward. Think how in each of you every day age lays waste a part of your beauty, anal therefore, before age clean devour you go love. Old, no wight will have you. Learn lore from this proverb: "Too late aware, says Beauty when she is gone." Old age in the end subdues pride. When the king's fool thinks a woman bears herself too high, he is wont to call at her, in so long may you and all proud dames live until crows' feet be grown under your eyes, and may you then have a mirror to pore over a-mornings! ' I can wish you no more grief!'

With that he ceased, and bent his head down. She began to burst out weeping, and said, 'Woe, alas! Why am I alive? All the faith is gone out of this world. Alas! what will strangers do to me when he that I thought my best friend counsels me to love, who should warn me against it? Alas! I should have trusted faithfully that, if through my ill stars I had loved him or Achilles, Hector or any male creature, you would have had no mercy or moderation toward me, but would have held me in eternal reproach. Who may trust this false world? What, is this all the joy that I was to celebrate? Is this your counsel, and my blissful chance, and the prize that you promised me? Was all your colored story told only for this end? O Lady Pallas, guide me in this dreadful case, for I am so astonied that I die! ' And with that she began to sigh full sorrowfully

'Ah, is there hope of nothing better?' quoth Pandarus 'Before God, I shall come here no more this week, that am mis- trusted thus. I see well that you care full little for him or me or for our death. Alas, what a woful wretch am I t Might he but live, no one would reck of my life. O cruel god, pitiless Mars, and ye three furies of hell, I call on you; let me never come out of this house if ever I meant shame or harm. But since I see my lord must needs die, and I with him, here I shrive me and say that it is your grievous sin to cause us both to die. But since it pleases you that I should die, by Neptune, god of the sea, from this day forth I will eat no bread till I see mine own heart's blood, for in verity I will die as soon as he! '

Up he started and dashed away, till Criseyde caught him by the kirtle. She was the fearfullest wight that ever was, and well- nigh died for fear when she heard him and saw his sorrowful earnest; and seeing naught amiss in his prayer, and the greater harm that might befall, she began to melt and sorely to fear, and thought, 'Unhappy chances betide every day for love, and in such cases men are cruel and wicked against themselves. If this man slay himself here in my presence, it will be no merriment! What men would think about it I cannot fancy;--I must play full Cautiously.' So she cried thrice with a sorrowful sigh, 'Ah, Lord! what a sorry chance has befallen me! For my well-being lies in jeopardy, and mine uncle's life is in the balance But with God's help I shall so act as to save mine honor and his life. Of two harms the less is to be chosen. I had rather receive your friend kindly, in all honor, than lose mine uncle's life! Or you say you require naught else of me?' And with that she ceased to weep.

'No, in truth, mine own dear niece,' he said.

'Well,' said she; 'then I will try. I will constrain my heart against my liking, save that I will not delude him with false hopes. I know not how to love a man, and cannot against my will, but otherwise I will strive from day to day to please him, saving my honor. To such a thing I would not once have said nay, except for my fanciful dread; and now, cease cause, cease malady. But here I make an attestation that, if you go deeper into this thing, certainly for no saving of you, though you both die the death, and though all the world turn against me on one day, never will I have more and other pity on him than I have said.'

'I agree, by my troth,' said Pandarus. ' But can I verily trust to you that you will truly hold to me the thing which you have promised me here? '

'Yes, without a doubt,' said she, 'my dear uncle.'

'--So that I shall have no cause in this matter to comma- plain, or to preach to you again?'

'Why no, Perdy! What need of more words? '

Then they fell into other cheerful talk, till at the last, 'Oh, good uncle!' said she, 'for the love of Him that made us both, tell me how you knew first of his woe. Knows any man of it but you two?'

'No,' he replied.

'Can he talk well on love? Tell me, I pray, that I may the better prepare.'

Then Pandarus began to smile a little, and said, 'By my troth, I will tell you. The other day, not a long while ago, he and I were full half the day in the palace garden by a fountain speaking of a means how we might repulse the Greeks. Soon after that we began to leap, and to throw the dart, till at last he said he would sleep, and laid him down on the grass, and I began to roam to and fro at a distance, till as I walked I heard how he began to groan full woefully, and I stalked him full softly from behind. As I can call to memory, thus he made his complaint to love; he said, "Lord, have ruth upon my pain. Though I have been a rebel, mea culpa, I repent me. O God, that at Thy good pleasure ordainest the end of every wight by just providence, accept my humble confession favorably, and send me such penance as liketh Thee, but of Thy kindness shield me from despair which may part my soul from Thee. For certes, Lord, so sorely has she that stood there in black wounded me with the looking of her eyes that it has sounded my heart's bottom through which I know that I shall die. The worst is that I may not reveal it; and the hotter glow the coals if men cover them with pale ashes."

'With that he smote down his head and began to mutter I know not what. I stole away and made as though I had known nothing, and anon came again, stood by him and said, "Awake, you sleep all too long! It seems not that you pine for love, since you sleep so that none can wake you! Who ever saw so dull a fellow before?*quot; "Yes, friend," said he, "let your head ache for love, and let me live as I may." Pale and wan for love as he was, he put on as fresh a look as if he should have led a new dance.

'This went on till it fell, only this other day, that I came strolling all alone into his chamber and found him lying upon his bed. Never heard I man groan so sore. What it was that he moaned out I know not, for as I was coming suddenly he left his complaint, at which I caught a suspicion and came nearer and found that he was weeping sore. So God save me as I never felt more ruth for anything! Scarcely by cunning or by counsel could I restrain him from his death, so that even now I feel my heart weep for him. God wot, never since I was born was I so busy with preaching, and never swore such deep vows before he told me who might be his physician! Unless you would see me swoon, ask me not to rehearse all his words only to save his life, and for no harm to you, am I brought to say thus much. For the love of the God that made us, make him such cheer that he and I may save our lives. Now have I fully shriven my heart to you. you know that my intent is pure; take heed of it. And now I pray God bless you that without net have caught such game! If you are wise as yon are fair, well is the ruby Set in the ring. Never were two so well brought together as you, and God grant us to see that hour when you are all wholly his as he is yours!'

'Aha! ' quoth she; 'nay, I spoke nothing of that! God help me so, you spoil all.'

'Eh, mercy, dear niece!' he answered hastily. 'Whatsoever I spoke, I swear by steel-helmed Mars I meant no ill. Now be not wroth, my dear niece, mine own blood.'

'Well, well!' said she, 'you are forgiven.'

With that he took his leave and went home,--Lord, how happy and content! Criseyde tarried not, but arose and went straight into her closet, where she sat her down as still as a stone, and turned over in her mind every word that he had said as it came back to her, and was somewhat astonied for the very newness of it all. But when she had fully considered, she found naught perilous, why she ought to fear; for it is possible that a man may love a woman till his heart splits, and she not love in return unless she will.

Thus as she sat alone and thought, a clamor arose about a skirmish without the walls, and men cried in the street, 'See Troilus has right now put the Greek troop to flight!' At that all her household began to shout, 'Ah, let us go and see! Cast up the lattice! He will ride through this street to the palace there is no other way from the Gate of Dardanus, where the chain is open!'

Then came he and all his men, riding at an easy pace in two troops, even as his happy day would have it, which (men say) betides of necessity and may not be disturbed. Troilus, all armed full richly save for his helm, sat on his bay steed, which was wounded and bled, wherefore he rode at a full soft pace. But Mars, the god of battle, were not so knightly a sight to look upon as he! so like a man of arms and a knight he was, so full of high prowess; for he had both the frame and the strength to do those deeds, as well as the hardihood, and to see him in all his gear, so fresh and young and powerful, it was heaven to look on him. His helm, hanging behind his back by a lace, was hewn open in twenty holes; his shield was all crushed with maces and swords, and one might see in it many an arrow which had pierced the horn and sinew and hide of it; and ever the people cried s Here comes our hero, next his brother the mainstay of Troy H At this, when he heard the people cry out over him, he waxed a little red for shame, so that it was rare sport to see how soberly he cast down his eyes.

Criseyde all the time took in his look, and let it softly sink into her heart, till she said, 'Who has given me a potion?' At her own thought she waxed all red, remembering in her own mind, 'Lo, this is he who my uncle swears is sure to die unless I have mercy and pity.' And, abashed only with the thought, she pulled in her head, and that quickly, whilst he and all the people passed by. she cast over in her mind his excellent prowess, his station, his renown, his wisdom, his form, and his nobility; but what most won her was that his distress was all for her, and she thought it were pity to slay such a one, if his intent were faithful.

Now some malicious wight may prate thus, 'This was a sudden love! How might it be that she so readily loved Troilus even at the first sight?' Yea, verily! Whosoever says so, may he never flourish! Everything must needs have a beginning, before it be full grown. I say not that she so suddenly as this gave him her heart, but only that she began to incline to like him at first, and I have told you why; and after that his manhood and his longing for her made love to drive its mines within her heart. Wherefore by degrees and by good service he got her love, and not suddenly. And also blessed Venus was even then sitting in her seventh house of heaven, well placed among the stars and with benign aspects, to help poor Troilus out of his woe; and to say the sooth she had been right favorable to him at his nativity. The better he sped for that, God wot!

Now let us for a season leave Troilus riding on, and turn forthwith to Criseyde, that sat alone with bent head, and debated what resolution she should take at last, if so be her uncle should not leave to press Troilus upon her. And Lord! how she argued back and forth in her heart, now warm and now cold, and how she folded and unfolded what were best to eschew and what to do! Of what she thought I shall write somewhat, as mine author sets it down.

She thought first how well she knew Troilus' person by sought, and also his nobleness; she thought, ' it will not do to grant him love, yet it were an honor to me in my station, and also for his well-being, to have to do with such a lord in honest mirth. And well I wot he is my king's son, and peradventure since he so Joys to see me, if I should utterly flee his company he might have me in despite, through which I might stand In worse case than ever. Now were I wise to procure needless hate for me, where I may stand in favor? Where is measure In all things, I wot. Though a man forbid drunkenness, I trow he will not demand that every creature be drinkless forever Since I know his distress is for me, I ought not to despise him for that, if so lice his intent is good. I know his virtues of long time past, and that he is not a fool, and that men say he is no braggart and is too wise for so mean a vice; and besides I will never make so much of him that he shall have any cause to boast of me,--he shall never hold me in such a bond. Now suppose the worst, that men may guess that he loves me,--what dishonor to me is this? Can I hinder him? All the time men love women without their leave; when they are weary of it, let them cease! I wot well he is worthy to have the best of women in this world, saving her honor, for except only Hector he is out and out the worthiest knight. And yet now his life lies in my power! Such is love, and my good chance.

'It is no wonder that he should love me; so God speed me, though I would not any man knew of my thought, I am one of the fairest and goodliest women here, and so men say throughout this town. What wonder though he take delight in me? Thank God, I am mistress to myself, well at ease for one in my station, right young, and at liberty in a lusty pasture, untroubled by jealousy or such strife. No husband can say to me "Checkmate!" (All husbands are either full of jealousy, or masterful, or love novelty.) What shall I do? To what end live I as I am living? Shall I not love if I will? What! I am not a nun; and though I give my heart to this worthy knight, if I keep my honor and my fair repute, by rights it can be no shame to me.'

But even as in changeful March the sun shines bright, and then a cloud is driven by the wind and overspreads the sun for a season, a cloudy thought passed through her soul and over- spread all her bright thoughts, till she well nigh dropped with fear. That thought was, 'Since I am free, alas! Shall I now love, and jeopardize my security and enthrall my liberty? How durst I think of such a folly! Can I not note in other folk in love their joy full of fear, their thralldom, their pain? No woman is in love but has cause to lament it. Love is of itself the most stormy life that ever was, ever is some distrust in love or foolish strife, some cloud is over that sun. And when we wretched loving women are in trouble, all we can do is sit thinking and weeping; all the revenge we can have is to drink up our own woe. And wicked tongues are so ready to speak harm of us! And men are so faithless that, as soon as their desire is satisfied, love ceases, and forth to a new love! Harm done is done, whosoever rue it. Though these men at first tear themselves for love, a sharp beginning often has a weak end. How many times it has been known, the treachery done to women! What such love is for, I cannot see; or what becomes of it when it is gone. No wight will break his shins against it! That which at first was naught turns into naught again. And then, if f give myself to love, how anxious and busy I must be to cajole those who prate and gossip about love, and to silence them, that they say no harm of me; for though there be no cause, yet they fancy evil when folk but please their friends. Who can stop every wicked tongue, or the reverberation of ringing bells?'

And then her thoughts began to clear, and she said, 'He who undertakes nothing, willy-nilly achieves nothing.' And then with the next thought her heart began to quake; hope went to sleep and dread awoke; now she was hot, now cold. Thus betwixt the two, she rose up, and went out to divert her.

Down the stair she went into the garden with her three nieces, and up and down they took many a turn in their sporting, she and Phlexippe, Tarbe and Antigone, so that it was a joy to look on them, and a great throng of her other women followed her in the garden all about. The yard was large, well shaded with green boughs full of blossoms, and with curved banks and sanded alleys railed off, in which she walked arm in arm betwixt her nieces; till Antigone the fair began to sing a Trojan song, that it was a heaven to hear her clear voice.

'O Love,' she sang, 'to whom I have ever been and shall be humble subject, true in mine intent as I best can be, to thee, Lord, for evermore I give my heart's joy in tribute. For never yet thy grace sent to any wight so blissful cause as I have to live her life in all security and joy. Blessed god, thou hast so well bestowed me in love that no living creature could imagine how it could lose better; without jealousy or strife I love one the most devoted to good service that ever was, without weariness or feigning, nor stained with the least spot. He is the well of worthiness, ground of fidelity, mirror of goodliness, rock of security, Apollo in wit, root of virtue, discoverer and head of delight, through whom all sorrow has died in me; he loves me best, and so love I him; now blessings on him wherever he be! Whom should I thank but thee, God of Love, for all this bliss in which I bathe? And thanks to thee that I myself love. This life that I am in is the perfect life, to drive away all manner of sin and vice, and so to strive after virtue that day by day my will betters itself. Whoso says that to love is a fault or a bond- age, he is either envious or right foolish, or so wicked that he cannot love. Such manner of folk I trow defame Love as know naught of him; they speak of him, but they never bent his bow. What, is the sun the worse though a man for feebleness of his eyes cannot endure to look on it? Or Love the worse though wretches cry out on him? He is worthy of no weal that can endure no sorrow; and therefore let him who has a head of glass beware of the flying stones in battle. But I with all my heart and strength will love to the end my dear heart, mine own knight; upon whom my heart has grown so firm, and his on me, that they will last forever. Though I feared at first to begin to love him, now I wot well there is no peril in it.' There she ceased her song, and thereat said Criseyde. 'Now niece, who made this song?'

'Madame,' answered Antigone, 'the goodliest maid of great estate in the town of Troy, that led her life in most bliss and honor.'

'In sooth,' said Criseyde, and began to sigh, 'so it seems by her song. Lord! is there such happiness amongst these lovers as they say so fairly?'

'Yea, certes,' said the white Antigone. 'All the folk that have been or are alive cannot describe the bliss of love. But deem you that the perfect bliss of love is known to every wretch? Nay, nay! They ween that any hot desire is love; away with them, they wot nothing of it! Men must ask saints if it is fair in heaven and fiends if it is foul in hell.'

Criseyde answered her nothing thereto, but said, 'In faith, it avid be night directly.' Yet every word that she had heard from her she began to imprint fast in her heart, and ever love terrified her less than it did at first, and began to sink into her heart, till she was almost ready to be converted.

The glory of the day, the eye of heaven, the foe of night (all this means the sun! ) had sped his day's course and was fast westering and dropping downward; and white things began to wax dun in the dimness, and the stars to appear, when she and her folk went in together. So when she was ready to go to rest, and all but her women had left the chamber, she said that she would sleep, and they brought her anon to bed. When all was hushed she lay still and thought of all this thing; how, I need not rehearse to you, for ye are wise! Upon a green cedar, under the chamber-wall where she lay, a nightingale sang full loud in the face of the bright moon; peradventure, in his bird's manner, a lay of love that made his heart glad. she hearkened to him so long that at last dead sleep took her. And as she slept, anon she dreamed how an eagle with feathers as white as bone set his long claws under her breast, and anon rent out her heart and put his own heart into her breast, at which she felt no fear or pain; and so, with heart left for heart, forth he flew.

Now we will let her sleep and hold forth our tale of Troilus, that is ridden to the palace from the skirmish I told of. He sat in his chamber waiting, till two or three of his messengers had gone for Pandarus, and sought so diligently that at last they found and brought him. Pandarus came bounding in and began to jape, 'Who has been well drubbed today with swords and sling- stones but Troilus? Who is all heated up? Lord, but you sweat! But arise,' he said, 'and let us sup and go to rest.'

'We will do as you list,' answered Troilus.

With all the seemly haste they could they sped them from supper and to bed, and every other wight betook him out at the door and away. And now Troilus, whose very heart seemed to bleed for woe until he heard news, said, 'Friend, now am I to weep or sing?'

'Be still,' said Pandarus, 'and let me sleep, and put on your night-cap! Your needs are sped; now choose if you will dance or sing or leap! In few words, you are to trust in me. Sir, my niece will do well by you and love you best, by God and by my faith, unless sloth and lack of pursuit hinder! so far have I begun your work that this morning I gained for you her love, as of a friend, and thereto has she pledged her faith. At all events, a foot of your sorrow is cut off! ' Why should I make a longer discourse of it? He told it all to him as you have heard before.

Even as flowers, closed through the cold of night, and bent low on their stalks, erect themselves in the bright sunshine, and stand spreading and blooming in rows,--so did Troilus review and threw up his eyes and said, ' O beloved Venus, praised be thy might and grace!' And to Pandarus he held up both his hands and said, 'Lord, all that I have is yours. I am all whole now, my bonds are broken. Whoever should give me a thousand Troys one after another would not gladden me so, oh my heart! It spreads so for joy, surely it will fly in pieces! But how shall I do? Lord! how shall I live? When shall I next see my dear heart? How can I go through this long time till you go to her from me again? You may answer, "Wait, wait!" but he that is hanging by the neck waits in great uneasiness!'

'Easily, easily now, for the love of Mars!' cried Pandarus. 'There is a time for everything. Wait till the night is gone, for as sure as you are lying here by me I will be there at prime. Pray do somewhat as I tell you, or lay your charges on someone else. God wot, I have ever yet been ready to serve you, up to the present night I have never feigned to you, but to the extent of my wit have done all your pleasure, and ever will. Do now as I say and bear yourself with reason--if you will not, you may blame yourself for your troubles; they are not my doing. I wot well that you are wiser than I a thousand-fold but if I were as you, God help me so as I should this moment write her a letter with mine own hand in which I should tell her how ill I fared, and beg her pity. Help yourself now, and neglect not out of sloth. I myself will go to her with the letter, and when you know that I am with her, do you mount a horse,-- yea, in all your best gear, and ride by the place as it were about some other purpose; and if I may contrive it, you shall find sitting at some window looking into the street if you will then you may salute us, but see that you look most upon me and for your life beware of tarrying at all, God shield us! We ride on your way and hold yourself in! When you are gone, we shall speak somewhat of you, I promise you, to make your ears glow! As to your letter, you are wise enough to know how to write it. I know you will not write haughtily nor too artfully or argue pertinaciously, or compose a letter as if you were scriveners And blot it with your tears a little. And if you think of some goodly tender word, good though it be, repeat it not over-often; for if the best harper alive, with the best- sounding and merriest harp and the best-pointed nails, should touch ever one string and ever play one descant, every wight's ears would grow dull to hear his glee and his sounding strokes. And see that you Jumble in no discordant thing, as thus, to use terms of physic amongst love-terms. Let your matter have always its proper form, and let it be ever alike. If a painter should paint a fish with asses feet, and head it like an ape, it would not accord with itself; it were a mere jest.'

This counsel pleased Troilus well, but like a timid lover he said, 'Alas! dear brother Pandarus, I am ashamed to write lest in my simplicity I might speak amiss, or in anger she might reject my letter. If she did, naught could save me from death!'

'If you will,' answered Pandarus, 'do as I say and let me go with it. By the Lord that formed the east and the west, I hope anon to bring an answer right from her hand. If you will not do it, let it be then, and sorry be his life that ever again tries to help you against your will!'

Quoth Troilus, 'In God's name, I assent; I will arise and write if you wish. And I devoutly pray blessed God to speed the letter I shall write, and the sending of it. And do thou, fair Minerva, give me wit to devise the letter!' And therewith he sat him down and wrote in this wise.

First, he called her his very lady, his heart's life, his joy, the leech of his sorrow, his bliss, and by all those other terms that in such cases ye lovers search for. Then fully humbly he recommended him to her grace, but to tell just how were to spend overmuch time. And then lowly he prayed her not to be wroth though in his folly he made bold to write to her, and he said that love caused him to dc so, and otherwise he could not live and piteously he cried her mercy. Then he said (and lied in his throat!) that he was worth little, and knew less, and that she was to excuse him for his lack of wit; he told how he feared her, and ever accused his own unworthiness, and he told his woe, which was infinite for ever and ever, and how he would ever hold his faith. Then he made his adieux, and folded the letter. With salt tears he bathed the ruby in his signet and set it hastily upon the wax, and a thousand times before he left off he kissed the letter that he was sealing, and said, ' Letter, a blissful destiny is ordained for thee,--my lady shall see thee.'

Betimes on the morrow Pandarus was up with it, and sped to his niece's palace, and said, 'Are you still asleep, at prime?' Then he began to jest, and said, 'Ah my heart! So fresh it is, for all love's torments, I can never sleep of a May morning. I have a jolly woe and a lusty grief!'

When Criseyde heard her uncle, with her heart full of timidness and desire to hear why he had come, she answered, 'Now on your faith, my dear uncle, what manner of wind has blown you hither? Tell us of your penance and your jolly woe. How far have you gone through love's dance?'

'By God!' quoth he, 'I hop always at the after end.' As she laughed as if her heart would burst, he went on, ' Look that you always find sport in my hood! But now please to listen.-- There has but now come into town a stranger, a Greek spy, which has news to tell, about which I have brought you tidings. Let us go into the garden, and you shall hear a long discourse about this privately.'

With that they went arm in arm down from the chamber into the garden, and when they had gone so far that no man could hear what he spoke, he plucked out the letter and said, 'Lo, he who is wholly yours commends him humbly to your favor and sends you this letter by me; read it advisedly when you have time, and provide you some goodly answer, or, to speak plainly and as God sees me, he cannot live longer in such pains.'

She stood still then in fear, and took it not, but all her modest aspect began to grow more firm, and she said, 'Billet or note bring me none that touches such matters, for the love of God; and also, dear uncle, I pray you have more regard to my condition than to his desires. What more can I say? Consider now if this be reasonable, and shrink not, for partisanship or laziness, to admit the truth. Were it agreeable to my condition to take this letter, or so to have compassion on him as to bring harm or reproach on myself? Carry it back, in the name of Him in whom you believe!'

Pandarus began to stare upon her, and said, 'Now this is the greatest wonder that ever I saw. Let be these foolish doings! May I be smitten to death by lightning if I would bring you a letter to harm you, for all the city that spreads yonder! What are you trying to do? But thus you do, wellnigh all of you; he that most desires to serve you, you reck the least what happens to him, or whether he lives or dies. But, if I ever deserved anything from you, refuse it not,' and with that word he seized her and thrust the letter down into her bosom, saying, ' Now cast it from you straightway, that folk may- see and gape at us!'

'I can abide till they be gone,' quoth she, and began to smile. 'Uncle, I pray you provide such an answer yourself as you will, for in truth no letter will I write.'

'No?' said he.' Then I will, if you will dictate.'

Thereat she laughed and said, 'Let us go and dine.'

He began to jest at himself, and said, 'Niece, I am so pining for love that every second day I fast,' and he so flung out his best quips that she thought she should die of laughing at his mad folly.

When she was come into the hall, 'Now, uncle,' quoth she, s we will dine anon,' and called some of her women and went straight to her chamber; and amongst her other matters this doubtless was one—privily to read the letter. She considered every line and every word, and found no defect, and thought in truth he knew good manners. Up she put it, and as she went in to dinner found Pandarus standing in a muse. Ere he was aware she caught him by the hood, and said, ' ou were caught before you knew it.'

'I grant it,' quoth he; 'do as you list.'

Then they washed and sat them down to eat. After dinner and noon were passed, Pandarus slyly drew toward the window on the street and said, ' Niece, who has thus arrayed yonder house that stands over against us?'

'Which house?' said she, and came to look and told whose it was; and then they fell into talk of small matters, and both sat down in the window.

When Pandarus saw his time and that her folk were gone 'Now, niece,' he said, 'tell on. How like you the letter? Knows he how to write one? By my troth, I wot not!'

Thereat she waxed all rosy, and began to hum and said, 'I believe so.'

'Requite him well, for the love of God,' said he, 'and to repay you I myself will sew up your letter.' When he held up his hands and fell on his knee.—' Now, good niece, however small it be, give me the task to fold and sew it.'

'Yea,' quoth she, 'for I am such a writer! And besides I wot not what I should say to him.'

'Nay, niece,' said he, 'say not so! At the least I beg you to thank him for his good-will, and let him not die. Now for the love of me, refuse not my prayer this once!'

'God grant all be well!' said she. 'So God help me, this is the first letter that ever I wrote,—yea, whole letter or even a part.' And she went alone into a closet to consider it more carefully, and began to unfetter her heart a little out of the prison of Disdain, and sat her down and began to write; and I mean to tell the substance in brief, so far as I can learn it. She thanked him for all his good intent towards her, but she could not delude him, nor bind herself to love- vet she would gladly ease his heart by kindness as of a sister. She closed the letter and went back to Pandarus where he sat looking into the street; and down she sat her by him on a gold-embroidered cushion upon a stone of jasper, and said, 'So may the great God help me, I never did a thing with more trouble than this to which you constrain me!' Then she gave it him.

He thanked her and said, 'God wot, of a loath beginning comes often a good ending. And, my niece Criseyde, by yonder heavens, he has reason to be glad that you are now hard to win, for men say,

"Impressions light
Are light for flight."

But it is nigh too long that you have played the tyrant, and your heart has been hard to grave; now cease this (even though you keep the appearance of reserve), and haste you to grant him some joy; for trust me, hardness too long kept up full oft causes pain to turn to anger.'

Even as they were discoursing thus, right at the end of the street came Troilus riding slowly in his troop of ten, and passed along toward them as his way was to his palace. Pandarus spied him and said, ' Niece, see who comes riding this way.-- Ah, fly not in! He sees us, no doubt, and he might think that you shun him!'

'Nay nay!' said she, and waxed ruddy like a rose. With that Troilus humbly saluted her with a timid look, often changed color, and cast a look up courteously, nodded to Pandarus and passed on his way. I leave it to you if he sat well on his horse and was goodly to look on that time and like a manly knight. Why should I be tedious, or tell about his accoutrement? In a word, Criseyde, who saw all, liked all, his person, his array, his look, his expression, his goodly manner and his nobleness; and liked them so well that never had she such ruth for his pain. However hard she had been aforetime, I hope in God he has now caught a thorn which she will not pull out in the next week. God send her more such thorns to pluck at!

Pandarus, as he stood by, felt the iron hot and began to smite. 'Niece, I pray you heartily,' he said, 'tell me what I ask you. A woman that should be to blame for his death, without guilt of his but only for her lack of pity,--were it well done?'

'Nay, by my troth,' quoth she.

'So God help me,' said he, 'you say the sooth now! You feel yourself that I lie not. See, how nobly he rides yonder!'

'Yea,' said she, 'so he does.'

'Well, as l have thrice told you,' said he, 'let be your false shame and your folly, and ease his heart by speaking with him. Let not silly scruples hurt you both.'

But here was a laborious task for Pandarus! 'Considering all things, it might not be. And why plead for speech with him? It were too soon to grant him such a privilege yet.' Her full intent, as she said, was to love him unknown to any, if she could, and guerdon him only with the sight of her.

But Pandarus thought, 'It shall not be so. If I have any power, she shall not hold this caprice any two years!' But why make a long discourse of it? He must assent to this resolution for the time; and when it drew toward night, and all was well, he took his leave, and sped homeward, his heart bounding for joy. Troilus he found alone in bed, lying, as do these lovers, in a trance betwixt hope and dark despair. Pandarus came in singing, as if to say, 'I bring you somewhat! Who is this buried in his bed so early? ' he cried.

'It is I, friend,' replied the other.

'Who? Troilus? Nay, so help me the moon,' quoth Pandarus, 'you must arise and see a charm that seas sent you but now and can heal you of your attack, if you do your diligence and help yourself.'

'Yea, through the mighty blessing of God,' said Troilus.

Then Pandarus handed him the letter, and said, 'Perdy, God has helped us! Make a light here, and look on all these black marks!'

Lord, how often did the heart of Troilus rejoice and quake whilst he read the letter, as the words gave him hope and fear! But at last he took for the best what she wrote him; for he saw somewhat on which his heart might repose, though she covered her words under a shield. Thus he held to the better side of it, so that, what with his own hope and Pandarus' promises, his chiefest woe at least he gave up.

But, as we may every day see ourselves, the more wood or coal there is, the greater the fire; even so, as hope of aught increases, so does the longing. Or even as an oak grows out of a little shoot, so through this letter began desire to increase and burn him. I therefore, I say, day and night hope kindled in Troilus more desire than he had before, and he did all he could to press on, by Pandarus' lessoning, and to write to her of his sore griefs. From day to day he let not opportunity grow cool, but sent some note or message by Pandarus, and did his other observances that behoove a lover in such case. According as the dice turned up for him, he rejoiced or said Alas!, and ever he pursued his fortunes, and, according to the answers which he received, his days were sorry or joyous. To Pandarus was ever his recourse, and piteously he lamented to him and asked counsel or succor. Pandarus, who saw his mad torment, waxed nigh dead for pity, and cast about with all his heart to slay some of his woe straightway.

'Lord and friend and brother dear,' he would say, 'God wot that your pain is pain to me. yet if you will but lighten this woful visage, by my troth, before two days are gone I shall devise it that you shall come to a certain place where you can yourself pray her for favor. And certainly, I wot not if you know it, but those who are expert in love say that one of the things that further a man most is to have a good opportunity himself to press his suit and a safe place to reveal his woe. In a kind heart it must kindle some pity to see and hear the guiltless in pain. Perchance you are thinking, "Though so be natural feeling may matte her begin to have a sort of pity on me, reserve will say, Nay you shall never win me; her heart's spirit so rules her within that though she may bend, yet she grows firmly on her root. What can all this do to cure me?"

'Think, on the other side, that, when the sturdy oak has been hacked at for a long time and at last receives the lucky blow which fells it, its great mass causes it to come down all at once, like a rock or a mill-stone; for heavy things come down with a swifter force than light things do. The reed that bows with every blast will arise again full lightly when the wind ceases, but so will not an oak when it is overthrown.--But I need not parable you forever. A man shall rejoice the more over a great emprise achieved well and enduringly, the longer he has been about it.

'But now, Troilus, if you please, tell me somewhat which I shall ask you,--which of your brothers do you love best in your very heart of hearts?'

'Why, my brother Deiphobus,' said Troilus.

'Ere four-and-twenty hours,' quoth Pandarus, 'he shall relieve you without knowing it himself. Now leave me alone to work as I can.'

To Deiphobus he went then, who had ever been his good lord and friend, and whom he loved more than any save Troilus; and (to be brief) he said, 'I pray you be friend to a cause which touches me nearly.'

'Yea, perdy!' said Deiphobus; 'You well know in all that ever I can I am readier to serve you than any man save him that I love most, my brother Troilus. But say wherefore it is. Since the day I was born I never was, and never shall be, against anything, so I grieved you thereby.'

Pandarus thanked him and said, 'Lo, sir, I have a lady in this town, my niece, named Criseyde, whom some men would fain oppress, and wrongfully have her possessions. Wherefore, and this is all, I beseech you of your lordship to be our friend.'

'Ah,' Deiphobus answered him, 'is not this lady, whom you speak of so distantly, Criseyde, my friend?'

'Yea,' he said.

'Ten in truth,' replied Deiphobus, 'there needs no more of this, for trust well that I will be her champion with shaft and spear, and I care not though all her foes heard it. But you know about this matter,--tell me how it may be done to most avail? '

'Now let see,' quoth Pandarus; 'if you, my dear lord, would do me this honor and pray her to come to you to-morrow and relate her troubles, her adversaries would tremble to hear of it And if I durst ask more, and charge you with so great a trouble as to have some of your brothers here with you who might help in her cause, then I wot well she should never fail to be helped, through your urgency and her other friends' managing.'

Deiphobus, who was by nature ever ready for all acts of honor and generosity, answered, ' it shall he done. And I can think of still a greater help. What say you if I should send for Helen to speak about this? I trow that is the best, for she can lead Paris as she will. As to my Lord Hector, my brother, it needs not pray him to be her friend, for once and again I have heard him speak such honor of Criseyde that he could say no more; she stands so well with him it needs not crave his help more, for he will be even such as we would have him. But speak you also to Troilus on my behalf, and pray him to dine with us.'

'Sir, all this shall be done,' Pandarus said, and took his leave and never stopped till as straight as a line he came to his niece's house. He found her but just arisen from meat, and sat hint down and spoke in this wise.

'Lord, how I have run! See you not how I sweat, niece Yet I know not whether you are the more grateful to me are you not aware how false Polyphetes is about to go to law again and bring you new trouble?'

'I? No!' she said, and changed color. 'What? Goes he about to harass and injure me more? Alack, what shall I do? I should not care for him were it not for Antenor and Aeneas who stand his friends in these things. But for the love of heavens no matter,--let him have all he is after at once; I have enough for ourselves without that.'

'Nay,' said Pandarus, 'it shall never be so, for I have been even now with Delphobus and Spector and others of my lords, and in short, set each of them against him; so that, as I hope to be saved, he shall never prevail against you, whatsoever he may try.'

As they were considering what were best to do, Deiphobus of his courtesy came himself to pray her to hear him company on the morrow at dinner, to which she assented in goodly manner. He thanked her and went his way, and after him Pandarus departed quietly to Troilus, and told him word for word how he had hoodwinked Deiphobus. 'Now is your time; bear yourself well tomorrow, and all is won. Now speak, now pray, now bewail piteously, neglect it not for false shame or fear or sloth. Sometimes a man must tell his troubles for himself. Believe this, and she will show you pity; you shall, in truth, be saved by your faith. But I see clearly you are afraid at this moment, and I lay a wager I can tell why! You are thinking, "How can I do all this? By my very look folk will see that it is for her love that I fare so ill. Rather than that I would die for sorrow unknown." Think not so, do no such folly; for I have just found a cunning device so that folk need not see your face. you shall go straightway for overnight to Deiphobus' house, as it were to amuse yourself and drive away your malady (for indeed you seem sick). Soon after you are to go to bed, and say you can no longer endure to be about; and lie right there and await your fortune. Save that your fever is wont to take you about that time and to last till the morrow; and let us see now how well you can feign, for he that is in sorrow is sick. Go now, farewell! And now before Venus I trust that if you hold to this purpose, she shall fully confirm her favor to you.'

'In faith,' said Troilus, 'you need not counsel me to feign me sick, for I am sick in earnest, nigh unto death.'

'You will the better bewail you, then,' quoth Pandarus, 'and have the less need to counterfeit. Him that men see sweat they will readily deem hot! Hold close to your trist, and I will drive the deer to your bow.'

Therewith he quietly took his leave; Troilus went straight to his palace, gladder than ever before in his life, and took Pandarus' advice and went at night to Deiphobus' house. What need to tell you of all the cheer that his brother made him, or of his feigned attack, or his sick look, how they loaded him with coverlets when he was laid a-bed, and how they tried to cheer him? All their efforts were for naught; he held to the course that Pandarus had counseled him. But it is known that, ere Troilus was a-bed, Deiphobus had prayed him to be a friend and helper to Criseyde. God wot he agreed anon to be her full friend with all his might; as much need to pray him for that as to bid a madman to run wild!

The morrow came and the time of dinner approached; the fair queen Helen was to be an hour after prime with Deiphobus, whom she would not fail, but came to dinner quietly as his sister, suspecting naught. But God and Pandarus knew what this was all about! Criseyde came also, all innocent of this, and Antigone and her sister Tarbe also. Now let us flee prolixity, for the love of God, and go speedily to the outcome, without a longer tale of how all these folk were assembled there, and let us pass over their salutations!

Deiphobus did them all honor, and fed them with all that might please them; but evermore his refrain was, 'Alas! my good brother Troilus still lies sick,' and therewith he would sigh and then he would strive to make good cheer and to entertain them as best he could. Helen eke lamented his sickness so heartily that it was pitiful to hear; and every wight for the nonce became a leech, and said, 'Thus and thus men cure folk,'-- 'This or that charm I will tell you.' And all the time one sat there who said nothing, but thought, ' Yet I could be his leech better than any! ' After bewailing him they began to praise him, as folk will do still, when someone has begun to praise a man; then the rest fell to and exalted him a thousand-fold higher than the heavens! ' There be few lords who are and can do as much as he.' And Pandarus forgot not to confirm all they could say in his praise. All this Criseyde heard well enough, and laid it up in her memory, whilst her heart bounded within her; and who would not glorify her who had the power of life and death over such a knight? But I pass over all this, lest I keep you too long; all that I tell is only for the outcome of it.

When the time came to rise from dinner, they talked of this and that for a season. But shortly Pandarus broke off his speech and said, 'Will you speak now, as I prayed you, of the necessities of Criseyde?'

Helen, who was holding her by the hand, first spoke- 'Let us do so quickly,' she said, looking kindly upon Criseyde; 'ill luck and short life to him who would harm her, and to me if I do not all I can to make him rue it!'

'Do you tell your niece's case,' said Deiphobus to Pandarus, 'for you can tell it best.' 'My lords and ladies,' he began, 'it stands thus,--why should I delay you by a longer tale?' And then he rung them out an account of her foe, Polyphetes by name, so villainous that one would spit on it! At this each one exclaimed more indignantly than the last, and all cursed Polyphetes: ' Such a man should be hanged, though he were my own brother, and so he shall be without fail!' Why should I tarry longer over this account? They all at once fully promised to be her friends in all that ever they could.

Helen then said, 'Pandarus, knows my lord my brother about this,--I mean Hector? Knows Troilus of it?'

'Yea,' he answered, 'but listen to me now; since Troilus is here, methinks it were good, if you assent, that she herself should tell him all this before she goes. Because she is a lady, he will have her grief more at heart. By your leave I will now but run in and let you know whether he sleeps, or will hear about this.' In he darted and whispered to him, ' God have your soul! I am bringing your bier!' Troilus smiled, and Pandarus without more parley went out anon to Helen and Deiphobus, and said, ' if there be no long staying nor more company, he would have you bring in my lady Criseyde here, and he will listen to her as well as he can. But you know well the chamber is small, and even a few people will quickly make it hot; look you, I will incur no blame by bringing in a company that might injure or discomfort him, no, not for my better arm! You who know what is best, consider whether she had better wait till another time. As for me, it Sevens to me best that no wight should go in but you two, unless it were I also; for I can in few words rehearse her case better than she can; and after that she might pray him in short to be her good lord and then take her leave. This could not much disturb his quiet; and he need not forbear his ease for you, as he will for her, being little known to him, and then I know well he would tell you another thing that it behooves her not to hear, that is secret and for the profit of the town.'

So they, knowing naught of his purpose, went in to Troilus without more ado. Helen in her sweet and gentle wise began to salute and rally him, and said, ' Indeed you must be up soon, fair brother; now I pray you be all well!' And then she laid her arm over his shoulder, and tried with all her wit to encourage and divert him. After this she said, ' we beseech you, my dear brother Deiphobus and I, for the love of God,--and so does Pandarus eke,--to be good lord and hearty friend to Criseyde, who has of a certainty had wrong usage, as Pandarus here knows, who can declare her case better than I.'

Then Pandarus began to polish his tongue, and anon rehearsed her case; and then shortly, when he was done, Troilus replied, ' By my troth, as soon as I can walk I will right fain with all my might be one of those to sustain her cause.'

'Now blessings on you for that!' said Helen the queen.

'If it were your pleasure,' said Pandarus then, 'that she might take her leave before she went,--'

'Ah, God forbid otherwise,' he replied, 'if she would vouchsafe to do so!--But you two, Deiphobus and my dear sister, I must speak of one matter to you, to gain your counsel'; and as hap was he found at his bed's head a copy of a document and a letter from Hector, asking counsel whether such and such a man (I wot not who) were worthy of death; and in a grave manner he prayed them anon to consider it. Deiphobus very seriously began to unfold this letter, and as they strolled out, and down a stair, he and queen Helen earnestly looked upon it, and in a green arbor read the thing together, poring over it fully an hour.

And so we leave them reading, and turn to Pandarus, who pried about to see that all was well, and hastened out into the larger chamber and said, 'God save all this company! Come my niece, my lady queen Helen awaits you, and also my two lords; arise and bring with you your niece Antigone or whom you will. Or no matter, in truth,--the less crowd the better. Come forth with me, and look that you humbly thank them all, and when you see a fair season take your leave of them, lest we bereave him of his rest too long.'

Criseyde replied, all innocent of Pandarus' intent, 'Let us go, dear uncle,' and went in with him arm in arm, her mind all on what she should say and how demean her; whilst Pandarus said earnestly to the rest, 'I pray you all to remain here, and be not too noisy in your mirth; consider what folk are within here, and in what plight one of them is, God amend him!' And as he went in, he said, 'Niece, I conjure you, begin full softly- and in the name of Him who has given life to us all, slay not this man who suffers so for your love! Fie on the Devil! Think who the man is and in what plight he is lying. Haste you, and think that whilst you tarry, time is utterly lost; as you will both say when once you are one. And secondly, think that as yet none divines aught of you two. Hasten now, if you can; whilst folk are blinded, all the time is clear gain. As he pursues and you hesitate and tarry, the moving of a straw will set folk to guessing, so that, though afterwards you would have merry days, you will dare naught. And why? Because she and she spake such a word, and he and he cast such a look! I dare not deal longer with you, lest I lose time; so up with you, and bring him to health!'

But now, ye lovers that are here, was not Troilus in a parlous state, that lay and heard them whispering, and thought, 'Ah Lord, now is my lot being cast, utterly to die or straightway to have comfort!' At this, the first time when he should entreat her for love,--ah, mighty God! what shall he say?

Explicit Secludes Liber.

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San Diego State University