story." But many passages in it are evidently taken from the Polycraticon of John of Salisbury. De molestiis et oneribus conjugiorum secundum Hieronymum et alios philosophos. Et de pernicie libidinis. Et de mulieris Ephesinæ et similium fide. And, by the way, about forty verses belonging to this argument are translated from the same chapter of the Polycraticon, in the Wife of Bath's prologue. In the mean time, it is not improbable that this tale might have originally been Oriental. A Persian tale is just published which it extremely resembles; and it has much of the allegory of an Eastern apologue." The author adds, that the Miller's Tale in Chaucer, excels all his other tales in true and exquisite humour. Warton. JANUARY AND MAY. THERE liv'd in Lombardy, as authors write, Blest with much sense, more riches, and some grace. He scarce could rule some idle appetites: For long ago, let Priests say what they cou'd, But in due time, when sixty years were o'er, Whether pure holiness inspir'd his mind, NOTES. 5. 10 JANUARY AND MAY.] This translation was done at sixteen or seventeen years of age. P. In conformity to our author's own practice, it has been thought proper to insert a portion of the original of Chaucer, that the may form a judgment of Pope's alterations : reader IMITATIONS. "Whilom ther was dwelling in Lumbardie Warton. "As This was his nightly dream, his daily care, These thoughts he fortified with reasons still, 15 20 Then let him chuse a damsel young and fair, 25 To sooth his cares, and free from noise and strife, IMITATIONS. "As done thise fooles that been seculere. 66 66 Praying our Lord to granten him, that he Mighte ones knowen of that blisful lif, "That is betwix an husban and his wif; 30 "And for to live under that holy bond, "With which God firste man and woman bond. "Non other lif (said he) is worth a bene; "That in this world it is a paradise. "Thus saith this olde knight, that was so wise. "And Unaw'd by precepts, human or divine, Like birds and beasts, promiscuously they join: And pass his inoffensive hours away, In bliss all night, and innocence all day : 35 40 Tho' fortune change, his constant spouse remains, Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains. But what so pure, which envious tongues will spare? Some wicked wits have libell'd all the fair. With matchless impudence they stile a wife 45 The dear-bought curse, and lawful plague of life ; IMITATIONS. "And certainly, as soth as God is king, VOL. II. X "Ther A bosom-serpent, a domestic evil, A night-invasion, and a mid-day devil. Let not the wise these sland'rous words regard, But curse the bones of ev'ry lying bard. 50 All other goods by fortune's hand are giv'n, 55 A wife is the peculiar gift of heav'n. IMITATIONS. "Ther as a wedded man in his estat "Liveth a lif blisful and ordinat, "Under the yoke of marriage ybound: "Wel may his herte in joye and blisse abound. "Who is so trewe and eke so ententif "To kepe him, sike and hole, as is his make? 66 Though that he lie bedrede til that he sterve. "And yet some clerkes sain, it is not so, "Of which he Theophrast is on of tho: "What force though Theophrast list for to lie? 60 |