Page images
PDF
EPUB

lot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hands. And thou were the courteoust knight that ever bare shield. And thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrad horse, and thou were the truest lover of a sinful man that ever loved woman. And thou were the kindest man that ever strake with sword. And thou were the goodliest person that ever came among the press of knights. And thou was the meekest 10 man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies. And thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the breast. Then there was weeping and dolour out of measure. Thus they kept Sir 15 destruction of that noble city of Troy, and the Launcelot's corpse on loft fifteen days, and then they buried it with great devotion.

work, neither to reply against the saying of the matters touched in this book, though it accord not unto the translation of others which have written it. For divers men have made 5 divers books, which in all points accord not, as Dictes, Dares, and Homer. For Dictes and Homer, as Greeks, say and write favourably for the Greeks, and give to them more worship than to the Trojans; and Dares writeth otherwise than they do. And also as for the proper names, it is no wonder that they accord not, for some one name in these days has divers equivocations, 10 after the countries that they dwell in; but all accord in conclusion the general

William Carton

1422-1491

THE NEW INVENTION OF PRINTING

(From The Recuyell1 of the Histories of Troye,

Epilogue to Book III, 1475?)

death of so many noble princes, as Kings, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Knights and common people, and the ruin irreparable of that city that never since was reedified," which may be 20 ensample to all men during the world how dreadful and jeopardous it is to begin a war, and what harms, losses, and death followeth. Therefore the Apostle12 saith, "All that is written is written to our doctrine," which 25 doctrine for the common weal I beseech God may be taken in such place and time as shall be most needful in increasing of peace, love, and charity; which grant us He that suffered for the same to be crucified on the rood tree. And

KING ARTHUR

(From Caxton's Prologue to his edition of Malory's Morte d'Arthur, 1485)

After that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as well of contemplation as of other historical and worldly acts of great

Thus end I this book, which I have translated after mine author as nigh as God hath given me cunning,2 to whom be given the laud 30 say we all Amen, for charity. and praising. And for as much as in the writing of the same, my pen is worn, mine hand weary, and not steadfast, mine eyen3 dimmed with overmuch looking on the white paper, and my courage not so prone and ready 35 to labour as it hath been, and that age creepeth on me daily and feebleth all the body, and also because I have promised to divers gentlemen and to my friends to address to them as hastily as I might this said book; therefore I have 40 conquerors and princes, and also certain books practised and learned, at my great charge and dispense, to ordain this said book in print, after the manner and form as ye may here see; and (it) is not written with pen and ink, as other books be, to the end that every man may 45 have them attones. For all the books of this story, named the recule of the histories of Troye, thus imprinted as ye here see, were begun in one day, and also finished in one day: which book I have presented to my said re- 50 other Christian kings. For it is notoriously doubted lady as afore is said. And she hath well accepted it and hath largely rewarded me, wherefore I beseech Almighty God, to reward her everlasting bliss after this life, praying her said Grace, and all them that shall read this 55 book, not to disdain the simple and rude 1 Collection; binding, or bringing together. (Fr. Recueil.) 4 Expense. At the same time; at once.

2 Knowledge; skill. Prepare; make ready.

3 Eyes.

of ensamples and doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came and demanded me many and ofttimes, wherefore that I have not done made and imprinted the noble history of the Sangrael, and of the most renowned Christian king, first and chief of the three best Christian and worthy, King Arthur, which ought most to be remembered among us English men tofore all

7i. e. take exception to the version "touched," or rehearsed, herein.

SA Cretan, said to have taken part in the Trojan War and to have written a history of the contest. A book was put forth in the time of Nero, which purported to be a translation of Dictes' work.

A priest, mentioned in the Iliad. He was believed to have written a work on the fall of Troy. A book pretending to be a translation of Dares' work into Latin, was formerly believed to be genuine. 10 Meanings.

11 Rebuilt (Lat. re and ædificare).

12 St. Paul, Rom. xv. 4.

known through the universal world that there be nine worthy and the best that ever were; that is to wit three Paynims, three Jews, and three Christian men. As for the Paynims they were tofore the Incarnation of Christ, which were named, -the first, Hector of Troy, of whom the history is come both in ballad and in prose; the second, Alexander the Great; and the third, Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories be well-known and had. 10 cius Arthurus, Britanniae, Galliae, Germaniae, And as for the three Jews which also were tofore the Incarnation of our Lord, of whom the first was Duke Joshua, which brought the children of Israel into the land of behest; the second, David, King of Jerusalem; and the 15 things. Then all these things considered, there

of Boccaccio, in his book De Casu Principum, part of his noble acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book recounteth his life; and in divers places of England many 5 remembrances be yet of him and shall remain perpetually, and also of his knights. First in the Abbey of Westminster, at Saint Edward's shrine, remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, in which is written Patri

third Judas Maccabæus: of these three the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts. And sith the said Incarnation, have been three noble Christian men stalled and admitted

Daciae, Imperator. Item, in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawain's skull and Craddock's mantle: at Winchester the Round Table: in other places Launcelot's sword and many other

can no man reasonably gainsay but here was a king of this land named Arthur. For in all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed and taken for one of the nine worthy, and the

through the universal world into the number 20 first of the three Christian men. And also he is

more spoken of beyond the sea, more books made of his noble acts than there be in England, as well in Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greek, as in French. And yet of record remain in witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot the great stones and marvellous works of iron, lying under the ground, and royal vaults, which divers now living hath seen. Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country, save only it accordeth to the word of God, which saith that no man is accept for a prophet in his own country. Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny but that there was such a noble king named

of the nine best and worthy, of whom was first the noble Arthur, whose noble acts I purpose to write in this present book here following. The second was Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, of whom the history is had 25 in many places both in French and English; and the third and last was Godfrey of Boulogne, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince and king of noble memory, King Edward the Fourth. The said noble 30 gentlemen instantly required me to imprint the history of the said noble king and conqueror, King Arthur, and of his knights, with the history of the Sangrael, and of the death and ending of the said Arthur; affirming that 35 Arthur, and reputed one of the nine worthy,

I ought rather to imprint his acts and noble feats, than of Godfrey of Boulogne, or any of the other eight, considering that he was a man born within this realm, and king and emperor of

and first and chief of the Christian men; and many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be not had in our

the same; and that there be in French divers 40 maternal tongue, but in Welsh be many and

also in French, and some in English, but nowhere nigh all. Wherefore, such as have late been drawn out briefly into English I have, after the simple cunning that God hath sent to

and many noble volumes of his acts, and also of his knights. To whom I answered, that divers men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that all such books as be made of him be but feigned and fables, by cause that 45 me, under the favour and correction of all some chronicles make of him no mention, nor remember him nothing, nor of his knights. Whereto they answered, and one in special

said, that in him that should say or think that

noble lords and gentlemen, emprised to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir

there was never such a king called Arthur, 50 Thomas Malory did take out of certain books

might well be credited great folly and blind-
ness; for he said that there were many evidences
of the contrary; first ye may see his sepulture
in the Monastery of Glastonbury. And also
in "Polychronicon," in the fifth book, the sixth 55
chapter, and in the seventh book, the twenty-
third chapter, where his body was buried, and
after found and translated into the said
monastery. Ye shall see also in the history

of French, and reduced it into English. And I, according to my copy, have done set it in imprint, to the intent that noble men may see and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days, by which they came to honour; and how they that were vicious were punished and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other

estates, of what estate or degree they be of,
that shall see and read in this said book and
work, that they take the good and honest acts
in their remembrance, and to follow the same.
Wherein they shall find many joyous and
pleasant histories, and noble and renowned
acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalry.
For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy,
humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friend-
ship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. 10
Do after the good and leave the evil, and it
shall bring you to good fame and renown. And

for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in; but for to give faith and believe that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty; but all is written for our doctrine, 5 and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue; by which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life, to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven, the which He grant us that reigneth in heaven, the Blessed Trinity. Amen.

IV. WYATT AND SURREY TO THE DEATH OF

BEN JONSON

c. 1525-1637

WYATT AND SURREY AND THE

EARLY ELIZABETHANS

c. 1525-1579

Sir Thomas Wyatt

1503-1542

THE LOVER'S LIFE COMPARED TO THE

ALPS

(From Tottel's Miscellany, 1557)

Like unto these unmeasurable mountains
So is my painful life, the burden of ire;
For high be they, and high is my desire;
And I of tears, and they be full of fountains:
Under craggy rocks they have barren plains; 5
Hard thoughts in me my woful mind doth
tire:

Small fruit and many leaves their tops do attire:

With small effect great trust in me remains: The boisterous winds oft their high boughs do blast;

Hot sighs in me continually be shed:

10

Wild beasts in them, fierce love in me is fed; Unmovable am I, and they steadfast.

Of singing birds they have the tune and note;

And I always plaints passing through my throat.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Hard to obtain, once gotten, not geason:3 Jewel of jeopardy, that peril doth assail; False and untrue, enticed oft to treason; Enemy to youth, that most may I bewail; Ah! bitter sweet, infecting as the poison, Thou farest as fruit that with the frost is taken;

To-day ready ripe, tomorrow all to shaken. * Small. * Mingles.

1 Sorrow.

1 Sweet.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

But they with gait direct to Lacon ran.
And first of all each serpent doth enwrap
The bodies small of his two tender sons;
Whose wretched limbs they bit, and fed
thereon.

20

Then raught they him, who had his weapon caught

To rescue them; twice winding him about,
With folded knots and circled tails, his waist:
Their scaled backs did compass twice his neck,
With reared heads aloft and stretched throats.
He with his hands strave to unloose the knots, 26
(Whose sacred fillets all-besprinkled were
With filth of gory blood, and venom rank)
And to the stars such dreadful shout he sent,
Like to the sound the roaring bull forth lows, 30
Which from the altar wounded doth astart,

1 Reached.

[blocks in formation]
« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »