VOL. I. That thee is sent receyve in buxumnesse1, L'Envoye1. Therfor, thou vache", leve thyn old wrecchednesse; For thee, and eek for other, hevenly mede'; And trouthe schal thee delivere, it is no drede. Q POEMS COMMONLY ATTRIBUTED TO CHAUCER. THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. It has already been said (p. 7) that Chaucer translated th Romaunt, and that a version has been current under his name for centuries. There is only one MS. of this translation, in the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow, so that we have no means of comparing texts, and thus settling the difficult questions that have been raised about it. As it stands, the poem contains various features which, in the opinion of the most advanced school of Chaucerian criticism, mark it out as being not Chaucer's; the principal difficulty being connected with the rhymes, some of which seem to be irreconcileable with Chaucer's principles of pronunciation. The question cannot be properly discussed here, but in deference to what seems to be the balance of opinion we quote the Romaunt under the head of 'Poems attributed to Chaucer.' The passage given is remarkable as the original of the 'May morning' passages which abound in Chaucer and his successors. Whether by Chaucer or not, it is a vigorous and exact rendering of the French. That it was May me thoughtë tho', In which that wynter had it set. And than bycometh the ground so proud, Through which the ground to preisen is. The tyme is than so savorous. Hard is the hert that loveth nought Her blisful swetë song pitous, And in this sesoun delytous: Whan love affraieth" alle thing. Methought a nyght, in my sleping, Right in my bed ful redily, And gan this nedle threde anon; With gravel, ful of stonës shene. Beet right up on the watir-syde. The ryver-syde costeying". THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF. The Flower and the Leaf, written, according to internal evidence, by a lady, and about 1450, follows out a fancy of French origin which had already in Chaucer's time found its way into the stock poetical material of the age, and to which he makes reference in The Legende of Goode Women. But helpeth, ye that han conning and might, Ye lovers, that can make of sentement; In this case oughtë ye be diligent To ferthren me somewhat in my labour, Whether ye been with the leafe or with the flour.' The followers of the Flower Are such folk that loved idlenesse, And not deliten in no businesse, But for to hunte and hauke and play in medes whereas the company of the Leaf, wearing laurel chaplets, 'whose lusty green may not appaired be' by winter storms or frosts, represent the brave and steadfast of all ages, the great knights and champions, the constant lovers and pure women of past and present times. The poem opens with the usual spring morning, and the description of a woodland arbour hedged round with sycamore and eglantine, and haunted with the songs of birds. Thence the poet sees the rival companies of the Flower and the Leaf scattered over the plain outside, and describes their dresses and equipments with a length and wearisome detail which would alone mark off the poem from Chaucer's work. A storm comes on, which drenches the flower-chaplets and green dresses of Flora's train, while it leaves those of the Leaf unharmed. These bring shelter and friendly help to the followers of the Flower, and then the two companies pass singing out of sight, and a 'fair lady,' herself a servant of the Leaf, explains to the poet the meaning of the vision. Dryden's paraphrase of this poem, which he of course believed to be by Chaucer, is well known. |