<T HENR CRESS>
<B HENR>
<KHTC>
<N CH 1593 TRS DFOX>
<D 1500A>
<DV 1593A>
<L 1>THE TESTAMENT OF
CRESSEID.
COMPYLIT BE M. ROBERT
HENRYSONE, SCULEMAISTER
IN DUNFERMELING.
IMPRENTIT AT EDINBURGH
BE HENRIE CHARTERIS.
<Q ?FIFE>
<MRCT>
<H ABABBCC>
<L 1> ANE DOOLIE SESSOUN TO ANE CAIRFULL DYTE
SULD CORRESPOND, AND BE EQUIUALENT.
RICHT SA IT WES QUHEN I BEGAN TO WRYTE
THIS TRAGEDIE, THE WEDDER RICHT FERUENT
QUHEN ARIES IN MIDDIS OF THE LENT
SCHOURIS OF HAILL CAN (GART) FRA THE NORTH DISCEND
THAT SCANTLIE FRA THE CAULD I MICHT DEFEND.

ZIT NEUERTHELES WITHIN MYNE ORATUR
I STUDE, QUHEN TITAN HAD HIS BEMIS BRICHT
WITHDRAWIN DOUN, AND SYLIT (SCYLED) VNDER CURE
AND FAIR VENUS THE BEWTIE OF THE NICHT
VPRAIS, AND SET VNTO THE WEST FULL RICHT
HIR GOLDIN FACE, IN OPPOSITIOUN
OF GOD PHEBUS DIRECT DISCENDING DOUN

THROW OUT THE GLAS HIR BEMIS  BRAST SA FAIR
THAT I MICHT SE ON EUERIE SYDE ME BY
THE NORTHIN WIND HAD PURIFYIT THE AIR
AND SCHED THE MISTIE CLOUDIS FRA THE SKY,
THE FROIST FREISIT THE BLASTIS BITTERLY
<L 20> FRA POLE ARTICK COME QUHISLING LOUD AND SCHILL,
AND CAUSIT ME REMUFE AGANIS MY WILL.

FOR I TRAISTIT THAT VENUS LUIFIS QUENE
TO QUHOME SUM TYME I HECHT OBEDIENCE,
MY FAIDIT HART OF LUFE SCHO WALD MAK GRENE,
AND THERUPON WITH HUMBILL REUERENCE,
I THOCHT TO PRAY HIR HIE MAGNIFICENCE,
BOT FOR GREIT CALD AS THAN I LATTIT WAS
AND IN MY CHALMER TO THE FYRE CAN PAS

THOCHT LUFE BE HAIT, ZIT IN ANE MAN OF AGE
IT KENDILLIS NOCHT SA SONE AS IN ZOUTHEID,
OF QUHOME THE BLUDE IS FLOWING IN ANE RAGE,
AND IN THE AULD THE CURAGE DOIF AND DEID:
OF QUHILK THE FYRE OUTWARD IS BEST REMEID
TO HELP BE PHISIKE QUHAIR THAT NATURE FAILLIT
I AM EXPERT, FOR BAITH I HAUE ASSAILLIT.

I MEND (MADE) THE FYRE AND BEIKIT ME ABOUT
THAN TUIK ANE DRINK MY SPREITIS TO COMFORT
AND ARMIT ME WEILL FRA THE CAULD THAIROUT
TO CUT THE WINTER NICHT AND MAK IT SCHORT.
<L 40>I TUIK ANE QUAIR AND LEFT ALL VTHER SPORT.
WRITTIN BE WORTHIE CHAUCER GLORIOUS
OF FAIR CREISSEID, AND WORTHIE TROYLUS.

AND THAIR I FAND EFTER THAT DIOMEID
RESSAUIT HAD THAT LADY BRICHT OF HEW.
HOW TROILUS NEIR OUT OF WIT ABRAID,
AND WEIPIT SOIR WITH VISAGE PAILL OF HEW,
FOR QUHILK WANHOPE HIS TEIRIS CAN RENEW
QUHILL ESPERUS (ESPERANCE) REIOISIT HIM AGANE
THUS QUHYLE IN IOY HE  LEUIT QUHYLE IN PANE.

OF HIR BEHEST HE HAD GREIT COMFORTING
TRAISTING TO TROY THAT SCHO SULD MAK RETOUR,
QUHILK HE DESYRIT MAIST OF EIRDLY THING
FOR QUHY SCHO WAS HIS ONLY PARAMOUR,
BOT QUHEN HE SAW PASSIT BAITH DAY AND HOUR
OF HIR GANECOME, THAN SORROW CAN OPPRES
HIS WOFULL HART IN CAIR AND HEUINES.

OF HIS DISTRES ME NEIDIS NOCHT REHEIRS,
FOR WORTHIE CHAUCEIR IN THE SAMIN BUIK
IN GUDELIE TERMIS, AND IN IOLY VEIRS
<L 60>COMPYLIT HES HIS CAIRIS, QUHA WILL LUIK.
TO BREK MY SLEIP ANE VTHER QUAIR I TUIK,
IN QUHILK I FAND THE FATALL DESTENIE
OF FAIR CRESSEID, THAT ENDIT WRETCHITLIE.

QUHA WAIT GIF ALL THTQ CHAUCEIR WRAIT WAS TREW
NOR I WAIT NOCHT GIF THIS NARRATIOUN
BE AUTHOREIST OR FENZEIT (FORGED) OF THE NEW
BE SUM POEIT, THROW HIS INUENTIOUN
MAID TO REPORT THE LAMENTATIOUN
AND WOFULL END OF THIS LUSTIE CREISSEID,
AND QUHAT DISTRES SCHO THOILLIT, AND QUHAT DEID.

QUHEN DIOMEID HAD ALL HIS APPETYTE,
AND MAIR FULFILLIT OF THIS FAIR LADIE
VPON ANE VTHER HE SET HIS HAILL (SETTE WAS AL HIS)(SET HIS WHOLE) DELYTE
AND SEND TO HIR ANE LYBELL OF (LYBEL)(LETTER OF) REPUDIE
AND HIR EXCLUDIT FRA HIS COMPANIE.
THAN DESOLAIT SCHO WALKIT VP AND DOUN,
AND (AS) SUM MEN SAYIS, INTO (IN) THE COURT, COMMOUN (AS COMMUNE).

O FAIR CREISSEID THE FLOUR AND A PER SE
OF TROY AND GRECE, HOW WAS THOW FORTUNAIT?
<L 80>TO CHANGE IN FILTH ALL THY FEMINITIE
AND BE WITH FLESCHELIE LUST SA MACULAIT
AND GO AMANG THE GREIKIS AIR AND LAIT
SA GIGLOTLIKE TAKAND THY FOULL PLESANCE
I HAUE PIETIE THOW SULD (THE SHULDE) FALL SIC MISCHANCE.

ZIT NEUERTHELES QUHAT EUER MEN DEME OR SAY.
IN SCORNEFULL LANGAGE OF THY BRUKKILNES,
I SALL EXCUSE ALS FAR FURTH AS I MAY
THY WOMANHEID, THY WISDOME AND FAIRNES
THE QUHILK (QUHIK) FORTOUN HES PUT TO SIC DISTRES
AS HIR PLEISIT, AND NATHING THROW THE GILT
OF THE, THROW WICKIT LANGAGE TO BE SPILT.

THIS FAIR LADY, IN(ON) THIS WYSE DESTITUTE
OF ALL COMFORT, AND CONSOLATIOUN,
RICHT PRIUELIE, BUT(WITHOUT) FELLOWSCHIP OR REFUTE(ON FUTE),
DISAGYSIT(DISAGUISED,DISSHEUELDE) PASSIT FAR OUT OF THE TOUN
ANE MYLE OR TWA, VNTO ANE MANSIOUN
BEILDIT FULL GAY, QUHAIR HIR FATHER CALCHAS
QUHILK THAN AMANG THE GREIKIS DWELLAND WAS.

QUHEN HE HIR SAW, THE CAUS HE CAN INQUYRE
<L 100> OF HIR CUMMING, SCHO SAID SICHING FULL SOIR
FRA DIOMEID HAD GOTTIN HIS DESYRE
HE WOX WERIE, AND WALD OF ME NO MOIR.
QUOD CALCHAS, DOUCHTER WEIP THOW NOT THAIRFOIR
PERAUENTURE ALL CUMMIS FOR THE BEST,
WELCUM TO ME, THOW ART FULL DEIR ANE GEST.

THIS AULD CALCHAS, EFTER THE LAW WAS THO
WES KEIPER OF THE TEMPILL AS ANE PREIST
IN QUHILK VENUS AND HIR SONE CUPIDO
WAR HONOURIT, AND HIS CHALMER WAS(WAS THAME) NEIST,
TO QUHILK CRESSEID WITH BAILL ANEUCH IN BREIST
VSIT TO PAS, HIR PRAYERIS FOR TO SAY
QUHILL AT THE LAST, VPON ANE SOLEMPNE DAY,

AS CUSTOME WAS, THE PEPILL FAR AND NEIR
BEFOIR THE NONE, VNTO THE TEMPILL WENT,
WITH SACRIFICE DEUOIT IN THAIR MANEIR,
BOT STILL CRESSEID, HEUIE IN HIR INTENT
INTO THE KIRK WALD NOT HIR SELF PRESENT
FOR GIUING OF THE PEPILL ONY DEMING,
OF HIR EXPULS FRA DIOMEID THE KING.

<L 120> BOT PAST INTO ANE SECREIT ORATURE
QUHAIR SCHO MICHT WEIP HIR WOFULL DESTENY,
BEHIND HIR BAK SCHO CLOISIT FAST THE DURE
AND ON HIR KNEIS BAIR FELL DOUN IN HY
VPON VENUS AND CUPIDE ANGERLY
SCHO CRYIT OUT, AND SAID ON THIS SAME WYSE,
ALLACE THAT EUER I MAID ZOW SACRIFICE,

ZE GAUE ME ANIS ANE DEUINE RESPONSAILL,
THAT I SULD BE THE FLOUR OF LUIF IN TROY,
NOW AM I MAID ANE VNWORTHIE OUTWAILL
AND ALL IN CAIR TRANSLATIT IS MY IOY,
QUHA SALL ME GYDE?  QUHA SALL ME NOW CONUOY
SEN I FRA DIOMEID AND NOBILL TROYLUS
AM CLENE EXCLUDIT, AS ABIECT ODIOUS.

O FALS CUPIDE IS NANE TO WYTE BOT THOW,
AND THY MOTHER, OF LUFE THE BLIND GODDES,
ZE CAUSIT ME ALWAYIS VNDERSTAND AND TROW
THE SEID OF LUFE WAS SAWIN IN MY FACE,
AND AY GREW GRENE THROW ZOUR SUPPLIE AND GRACE
BOT NOW ALLACE THAT SEID WITH FROIST IS SLANE
<L 140> AND I FRA LUIFFERIS LEFT AND ALL FORLANE.

QUHEN THIS WAS SAID DOUN IN ANE EXTASIE
RAUISCHIT IN SPREIT INTILL ANE DREAME SCHO FELL
AND BE APPERANCE HARD QUHAIR SCHO DID LY
CUPIDE THE KING RINGAND(TYNKYNG) ANE SILUER BELL,
QUHILK MEN MICHT HEIR FRA HEUIN VNTO HELL.
AT QUHAIS SOUND BEFOIR CUPIDE APPEIRIS
THE SEUIN PLANETIS DISCENDING FRA THAIR SPHEIRIS.

QUHILK HES POWER OF ALL THING GENERABILL
TO REULL AND STEIR BE THAIR GREIT INFLUENCE,
WEDDER AND WIND, AND COURSIS VARIABILL,
AND FIRST OF ALL SATURNE GAUE HIS SENTENCE
QUHILK GAUE TO CUPIDE LITILL REUERENCE,
BOT AS ANE BUSTEOUS CHURLE ON HIS MANEIR
COME CRABITLIE WITH AUSTER LUIK AND CHEIR.

HIS FACE FROSNIT(FRONSIT,FROUNSED,FROZNED), HIS LYRE WAS LYKE THE LEID,
HIS TEITH CHATTERIT, AND CHEUERIT WITH THE CHIN,
HIS ENE DROWPIT, HOW SONKIN IN HIS HEID
OUT OF(AT) HIS NOIS THE MELDROP FAST CAN RIN,
WITH LIPPIS BLA AND CHEIKIS LEINE AND THIN
THE ICE SCHOKLIS THAT FRA HIS HAIR DOUN HANG
WAS WONDER GREIT, AND AS ANE SPEIR ALS LANG

<L 162> ATOUIR HIS BELT HIS LYART LOKKIS LAY
FELTERIT VNFAIR, OUIRFRET WITH FROISTIS HOIR,
HIS GARMOUND AND HIS GYIS(GYTE,GATE) FULL GAY OF GRAY
HIS WIDDERIT WEID FRA HIM THE WIND OUT WOIR,
ANE BUSTEOUS BOW WITHIN HIS HAND HE BOIR
VNDER HIS GIRDILL ANE FLASCHE(FASSHE,FLUSH) OF FELLOUN FLANIS
FEDDERIT WITH ICE, AND HEIDIT WITH HAILSTANIS

THAN IUPPITER RICHT FAIR AND AMIABILL,
GOD OF THE STARNIS IN THE FIRMAMENT,
AND NUREIS TO ALL THING GENERABILL
FRA HIS FATHER SATURNE FAR DIFFERENT,
WITH BURELIE FACE, AND BROWIS BRICHT AND BRENT
VPON HIS HEID ANE GARLAND WONDER GAY
OF FLOURIS FAIR AS IT HAD BENE IN MAY

HIS VOICE WAS(WER) CLEIR, AS CRISTALL WER HIS ENE
AS GOLDIN WYRE SA GLITTERAND WAS HIS HAIR,
HIS GARMOUND AND HIS GYIS(GYTE) FULL OF (GAY OF) GRENE
WITH GOLDIN LISTIS GILT ON EUERIE GAIR,
<L 180>ANE BURELIE BRAND ABOUT HIS MIDDILL BAIR(HE BEARE)
IN HIS RICHT HAND HE HAD ANE GROUNDIN SPEIR,
OF HIS FATHER THE WRAITH FRA VS TO WEIR.

NIXT EFTER HIM COME MARS THE GOD OF IRE,
OF STRIFE, DEBAIT, AND ALL DISSENSIOUN,
TO CHIDE AND FECHT, ALS FEIRS AS ONY FYRE
IN HARD HARNES, HEWMOUND AND HABIRGEOUN,
AND ON HIS HANCHE ANE ROUSTIE FELL FACHIOUN,
AND IN HIS HAND HE HAD ANE ROUSTIE SWORD
WRYTHING HIS FACE WITH MONY ANGRIE WORD.

SCHAIKAND HIS SWORD(BRAND), BEFOIR CUPIDE HE COME
WITH REID VISAGE, AND GRISLIE GLOWRAND ENE,
AND AT HIS MOUTH ANE BULLAR(BLUBBER) STUDE OF FOME
LYKE TO ANE BAIR QUHETTING HIS TUSKIS KENE,
RICHT TUILZEOUR LYKE. BUT TEMPERANCE IN TENE
ANE HORNE HE BLEW, WITH MONY BOSTEOUS BRAG
QUHILK ALL THIS WARLD WITH WEIR HES MAID TO WAG

THAN FAIR PHEBUS, LANTERNE & LAMP OF LICHT
OF MAN AND BEIST, BAITH FRUTE AND FLOURISCHING,
TENDER NUREIS, AND BANISCHER OF NICHT,
<L 200> AND OF THE WARLD CAUSING BE HIS MOUING
AND INFLUENCE, LYFE IN ALL EIRDLIE THING
WITHOUT COMFORT OF QUHOME, OF FORCE TO NOCHT
MUST ALL GA DIE THAT IN THIS WARLD IS WROCHT

AS KING ROYALL HE RAID VPON HIS CHAIR
THE QUHILK PHAETON GYDIT SUM TYME VNRICHT(VPRICHT,VNRIGHT).
THE BRICHTNES OF HIS FACE QUHEN IT WAS BAIR
NANE MICHT BEHALD FOR PEIRSING OF HIS SICHT.
THIS GOLDIN CART WITH FYRIE BEMIS BRICHT
FOUR ZOKKIT STEIDIS FULL DIFFERENT OF HEW
BUT BAIT OR TYRING THROW THE SPHEIRIS DREW.

THE FIRST WAS SOYR, WTQ MANE ALS REID AS ROIS
CALLIT EOYE INTO THE ORIENT.
THE SECUND STEID TO NAME HECHT ETHIOS
QUHITLIE AND PAILL, AND SUM DEILL ASCENDENT,
THE THRID PEROS, RICHT HAIT AND RICHT(EKE) FERUENT,
THE FEIRD WAS BLAK, CALLIT PHILOLOGIE
QUHILK ROLLIS PHEBUS DOUN INTO THE SEY.

VENUS WAS THAIR PRESENT, THAT GODDES GAY(GODDES),
HIR SONNIS QUERRELL FOR TO DEFEND AND MAK
<L 220> HIR AWIN COMPLAINT, CLED IN ANE NYCE ARRAY,
THE ANE HALF GRENE, THE VTHER HALF SABILL BLAK
QUHYTE(WITH,WHITE) HAIR AS GOLD KEMMIT AND SCHED ABAK.
BOT IN HIR FACE SEMIT GREIT VARIANCE,
QUHYLES PERFYTE TREUTH, AND QUHYLES INCONSTANCE.

VNDER SMYLING SCHO WAS DISSIMULAIT,
PROUOCATIUE, WITH BLENKIS AMOROUS,
AND SUDDANELY CHANGIT AND ALTERAIT,
ANGRIE AS ONY SERPENT VENNEMOUS
RICHT PUNGITIUE, WITH WORDIS ODIOUS.
THUS VARIANT SCHO WAS, QUHA LIST TAK KEIP
WITH ANE EYE LAUCH, AND WITH THE VTHER WEIP.

IN TAIKNING THAT ALL FLESCHELIE PARAMOUR
QUHILK VENUS HES IN REULL AND GOUERNANCE,
IS SUM TYME SWEIT, SUM TYME BITTER AND SOUR
RICHT VNSTABILL, AND FULL OF VARIANCE
MINGIT WITH CAIRFULL IOY AND FALS PLESANCE,
NOW HAIT, NOW CAULD, NOW BLYITH, NOW FULL OF WO
NOW GRENE AS LEIF, NOW WIDDERIT AND AGO.

WITH BUIK IN HAND THAN COME MERCURIUS
<L 240> RICHT ELOQUENT, AND FULL OF RETHORIE,
WITH POLITE TERMIS AND DELICIOUS
WITH PEN AND INK TO REPORT ALL REDDIE
SETTING SANGIS AND SINGAND MERILIE:
HIS HUDE WAS REID HEKLIT ATOUIR HIS CROUN
LYKE TO ANE POEIT OF THE AULD FASSOUN.

BOXIS HE BAIR WITH FYNE ELECTUAIRIS,
AND SUGERIT SYROPIS FOR DIGESTIOUN.
SPYCIS BELANGAND TO THE POTHECAIRIS
WITH MONY HAILSUM SWEIT CONFECTIOUN,
DOCTOUR IN PHISICK CLED IN ANE SKARLOT GOUN,
AND FURRIT WEILL, AS SIC ANE AUCHT TO BE,
HONEST AND GUDE, AND NOT ANE WORD CULD LIE.

NIXT EFTER HIM COME LADY CYNTHIA
THE LAST OF ALL, AND SWIFTEST IN HIR SPHEIR,
OF COLOUR BLAK, BUSKIT WITH HORNIS TWA,
AND IN THE NICHT SCHO LISTIS BEST APPEIR(TAPERE,TO APPEAR)
HAW AS THE LEID, OF COLOUR NATHING CLEIR
FOR ALL HIR LICHT SCHO BORROWIS AT HIR BROTHER
TITAN, FOR OF HIR SELF SCHO HES NANE VTHER.

<L 260>HIR GYSE(GYTE) WAS GRAY AND FULL OF SPOTTIS BLAK,
AND ON HIR BREIST ANE CHURLE PAINTIT FULL EUIN
BEIRAND ANE BUNCHE OF THORNIS ON HIS BAK,
QUHILK FOR HIS THIFT MICHT CLIM NA NAR THE HEUIN.
THUS QUHEN  THAY GADDERIT WAR THIR GODDES SEUIN
MERCURIUS THAY CHEISIT WITH ANE ASSENT
TO BE FOIRSPEIKAR IN THE PARLIAMENT.

QUHA HAD BENE THAIR, AND LIKEN(LYKYNG,LISTNED) FOR TO HEIR
HIS FACOUND TOUNG, AND TERMIS EXQUISITE,
OF RETHORICK THE PRETTICK HE MICHT LEIR
IN BREIF SERMONE ANE PREGNANT SENTENCE WRYTE
BEFOIR CUPIDE VEILING HIS CAP ALYTE.
SPEIRIS THE CAUS OF THAT VOCATIOUN
AND HE ANONE SCHEW HIS INTENTIOUN.

LO (QUOD CUPIDE) QUHA WILL BLASPHEME THEQ NAME
OF HIS AWIN GOD, OUTHER IN WORD IN(WORDE OR,WORD OR) DEID,
TO ALL GODDIS HE DOIS BAITH LAK AND SCHAME.
AND SULD HAUE BITTER PANIS TO HIS MEID.
I SAY THIS BY ZONE WRETCHIT(YONDER WRETCHE) CRESSEID,
THE QUHILK THROW ME, WAS SUM TYME FLOUR OF LUFE
ME AND MY MOTHER STARKLIE CAN REPRUFE.

<L 281> SAYING OF HIR GREIT INFELICITIE
I WAS THE CAUS, AND MY MOTHER VENUS,
ANE BLIND GODDES, HIR CALD THAT MICHT NOT SE
ANE BLIND GODDES HIR CALD,AND(CALD THAT,SHE CALLED A BLYNDE GODDES AND)+
MICHT NOT SE,
WITH SCLANDER AND DEFAME INIURIOUS,
THUS HIR LEUING VNCLENE AND LECHEROUS
SCHO WALD RETURNE ON(RETORTE IN) ME AND MY MOTHER
TO QUHOME I SCHEW MY GRACE ABONE ALL VTHER.

AND SEN ZE AR ALL SEUIN DEIFICAIT
PARTICIPANT OF DEUYNE SAPIENCE,
THIS GREIT INIURIE(INIURE) DONE TO OUR HIE ESTAIT
ME THINK WITH PANE WE SULD MAK RECOMPENCE,
WAS NEUER TO GODDES DONE SIC VIOLENCE.
ASWEILL FOR ZOW, AS FOR MY SELF I SAY
THAIRFOIR GA HELP TO REUENGE I ZOW PRAY.

MERCURIUS TO CUPIDE GAUE ANSWEIR
AND SAID SCHIR KING MY COUNSALL IS THAT ZE,
REFER ZOW TO THE HIEST PLANEIT HEIR,
AND TAK TO HIM THE LAWEST OF DEGRE
THE PANE OF CRESSEID FOR TO MODIFIE.
AS GOD SATURNE, WITH HIM TAK CYNTHIA
<L 301> I AM CONTENT (QUOD HE) TO TAK THAY TWA.

THAN THUS PROCEIDIT SATURNE AND THE MONE
QUHEN THAY THE MATER RYPELIE HAD DEGEST,
FOR THE DISPYTE TO CUPIDE SCHO HAD DONE.
AND TO VENUS OPPIN AND MANIFEST.
IN ALL HIR LYFE WITH PANE TO BE OPPREST
AND TORMENT SAIR WITH SEIKNES INCURABILL,
AND TO ALL LOUERS BE ABHOMINABILL.

THIS DULEFUL SENTENCE SATURNE TUIK ON HAND
AND PASSIT DOUN QUHAIR CAIRFULL CRESSEID LAY,
AND ON HIR HEID HE LAID ANE FROSTIE WAND.
THAN LAWFULLIE ON THIS WYSE CAN HE SAY
THY GREIT FAIRNES AND ALL THY BEWTIE GAY
THY WANTOUN BLUDE, AND EIK THY GOLDIN HAIR
HEIR I EXCLUDE FRA THE FOR EUERMAIR.

I CHANGE THY MIRTH INTO MELANCHOLY,
QUHILK IS THE MOTHER OF ALL PENSIUENES,
THY MOISTURE AND THY HEIT IN CALD AND DRY
THYNE INSOLENCE, THY PLAY AND WANTONES
<L 320> TO GREIT DISEIS, THY POMP AND THY RICHES,
IN MORTALL NEID, AND GREIT PENURITIE
THOW SUFFER SALL, AND AS ANE BEGGAR DIE.

O CRUELL SATURNE FRAWARD AND ANGRIE
HARD IS THY DOME, AND TO MALITIOUS
ON(OF) FAIR CRESSEID QUHY HES THOW NA MERCIE?
QUHILK WAS SA SWEIT, GENTILL AND AMOROUS
WITHDRAW THY SENTENCE AND BE GRACIOUS
AS THOW WAS NEUER, SA SCHAWIS THOW(THROUGH) THY DEID,
ANE WRAIKFULL SENTENCE GEUIN ON FAIR CRESSEID.

THAN CYNTHIA QUHEN SATURNE PAST AWAY
OUT OF HIR SAIT DISCENDIT DOUN BELYUE,
AND RED ANE BILL ON CRESSEID QUHAIR SCHO LAY,
CONTENING THIS SENTENCE DIFFINITYUE
FRA HEIT(HEALE) OF BODIE I THE NOW(HERE I THE,I DO THEE HERE) DEPRYUE
AND TO THY SEIKNES SALL BE NA RECURE
BOT IN DOLOUR THY DAYIS TO INDURE.

THY CRISTALL ENE MINGLIT(MINGIT,MENGED,MINGLED) WITH BLUDE I MAK
THY VOICE SA CLEIR VNPLESAND(VNPLESAUNT) HOIR(HEER) AND HACE,
THY LUSTIE LYRE OUIRSPRED WITH SPOTTIS BLAK,
<L 340> AND LUMPIS HAW APPEIRAND IN THY FACE
QUHAIR THOW CUMMIS, ILK MAN SALL FLE THE PLACE.
THIS(THUS) SALL THOW GO BEGGING FRA HOUS TO HOUS
WITH COP AND CLAPPER LYKE ANE LAZAROUS.

THIS DOOLIE DREAME, THIS VGLYE VISIOUN
BROCHT TO ANE END CRESSEID FRA IT AWOIK.
AND ALL THAT COURT AND CONUOCATIOUN
VANISCHIT AWAY, THAN RAIS SCHO VP AND TUIK
ANE POLEIST GLAS, AND HIR SCHADDOW CULD LUIK:
AND QUHEN SCHO SAW HIR FACE SA DEFORMAIT
GIF SCHO IN HART WAS(WERE) WA ANEUCH(I NE WYTE,ENOUGH),GOD WAIT.

WEIPING FULL SAIR, LO, QUHAT IT IS, QUOD SCHE,
WITH FRAWARD LANGAGE FOR(LANGAGE) TO MUFE AND STEIR
OUR CRAIBIT GODDIS(GODDES,GODDESSE),AND SA IS SENE ON ME.
MY BLASPHEMING NOW HAUE I BOCHT FULL DEIR,
ALL EIRDLIE IOY AND MIRTH I SET AREIR.
ALLACE THIS DAY, ALLACE, THIS WOFULL TYDE
QUHEN I BEGAN WITH MY GODDIS FOR(GODDES,GODDESSE) TO CHYDE.

BE THIS WAS SAID ANE CHYLD COME FRA THE HALL
TO WARNE CRESSEID THE SUPPER WAS REDDY,
<L 360> FIRST KNOKKIT AT THE DURE, AND SYNE CULD CALL.
MADAME ZOUR FATHER BIDDIS ZOW CUM IN HY
HE HES MERWELL SA LANG ON GROUF ZE LY,
AND SAYIS ZOUR PRAYERS(BEEDES) BENE TO LANG SUM DEILL.
THE GODDIS WAIT ALL ZOUR INTENT FULL WEILL.

QUOD SCHO FAIR CHYLD GA TO MY FATHER DEIR
AND PRAY HIM CUM TO SPEIK WITH ME ANONE.
AND SA HE DID, AND SAID DOUCHTER QUHAT CHEIR?
ALLACE (QUOD SCHO) FATHER MY MIRTH IS GONE.
HOW SA (QUOD HE) AND SCHO CAN ALL EXPONE
AS I HAUE TAULD THE VENGEANCE AND THE WRAIK
FOR HIR TRESPAS, CUPIDE ON HIR CULD TAK.

HE LUIKIT ON HIR VGLYE LIPPER FACE,
THE QUHYLK BEFOR WAS QUHITE AS LILLIE FLOUR
WRINGAND HIS HANDIS OFTYMES HE(OFTYMES,HE OFT-TIMES) SAID ALLACE
THAT HE HAD LEUIT TO SE THAT WOFULL HOUR,
FOR HE KNEW WEILL THAT THAIR WAS NA SUCCOUR
TO HIR SEIKNES, AND THAT DOWBLIT HIS PANE
THUS WAS THAIR CAIR ANEUCH BETUIX THAME TWANE.

QUHEN THAY TOGIDDER MURNIT HAD FULL LANG,
<L 380> QUOD CRESSEID FATHER, I WALD NOT BE KEND,
THAIRFOIR IN SECREIT WYSE ZE LET ME GANG
WNTO(TO) ZONE HOSPITALL AT THE TOUNIS END.
AND THIDDER SUM MEIT FOR CHERITIE ME SEND
TO LEIF VPON, FOR ALL MIRTH IN THIS EIRD
IS FRA ME GANE, SIC IS MY WICKIT WEIRD.

THAN IN ANE MANTILL AND ANE BAWER HAT,
WITH COP AND CLAPPER WONDER PRIUELY.
HE OPNIT ANE SECREIT ZET, AND OUT THAIR AT
CONUOYIT HIR, THAT NA MAN SULD ESPY,
WNTO(THERE TO) ANE VILLAGE HALF ANE MYLE THAIRBY,
DELYUERIT HIR IN AT THE SPITTAILL HOUS,
AND DAYLIE SENT HIR PART OF HIS ALMOUS.

SUM KNEW HIR WEILL, & SUM HAD NA KNAWLEDGE
OF HIR BECAUS SCHO WAS SA DEFORMAIT.
WITH BYLIS BLAK OUIRSPRED IN HIR VISAGE,
AND HIR FAIR COLOUR FAIDIT AND ALTERAIT.
ZIT THAY PRESUMIT FOR HIR HIE REGRAIT,
AND STILL MURNING, SCHO WAS OF NOBILL KIN:
WITH BETTER WILL THAIRFOIR THEY TUIK HIR IN.

<L 400> THE DAY PASSIT, AND PHEBUS WENT TO REST,
THE CLOUDIS BLAK OUIRQUHELMIT(OUERHELED) ALL THE SKY.
GOD WAIT GIF CRESSEID WAS ANE SORROWFULL GEST,
SEING THAT VNCOUTH FAIR AND HARBERY:
BUT MEIT OR DRINK SCHO DRESSIT HIR TO LY
IN ANE DARK CORNER OF THE HOUS ALLONE.
AND ON THIS WYSE WEIPING, SCHO MAID HIR MONE.


THE COMPLAINT OF CRESSEID
<H AABAABBAB>
<L 407>O SOP OF SORROW, SONKIN INTO CAIR:
O CATIUE CRESSEID, FOR NOW(NOWE,NOW) AND EUER MAIR,
GANE IS THY IOY AND ALL THY MIRTH IN EIRD,
OF ALL BLYITHNES NOW ART THOW BLAIKNIT(BLAKE AND) BAIR.
THAIR IS NA SALUE MAY SAIF THE OF(HELPE,SAIF OR SOUND,SAVE OR SOUND)+
THY SAIR,
FELL IS THY FORTOUN, WICKIT IS THY WEIRD:
THY BLYS IS BANEIST, AND THY BAILL ON BREIRD,
VNDER THE EIRTH, GOD GIF I GRAUIN WER:
QUHAIR NANE OF GRECE NOR ZIT OF TROY MICHT HEIRD

QUHAIR IS THY CHALMER WANTOUNLIE BESENE?
WITH BURELY BED AND BANKOURIS BROWDERIT(BANKERS BROUDED,BONKERS +
BROWDRED) BENE,
SPYCIS AND WYNE TO THY COLLATIOUN,
THE COWPIS ALL OF GOLD AND SILUER SCHENE:
<L 420>THE(THY) SWEIT MEITIS, SERUIT IN PLAITTIS CLENE,
WITH SAIPHERON SALS(SAUERY SAUCE,SAFFRON AND SAUSE) OF ANE GUDE +
SESSOUN(FACIOUN):
THY GAY GARMENTIS WITH MONY GUDELY GOUN,
THY PLESAND LAWN PINNIT WITH GOLDIN PRENE:
ALL IS AREIR, THY GREIT ROYALL RENOUN.

QUHAIR IS THY GARDING WITH THIR GREISSIS GAY?
AND FRESCHE FLOWRIS, QUHILK THE QUENE FLORAY:
HAD PAINTIT PLESANDLY IN EUERIE PANE,
QUHAIR THOU WAS WONT FULL MERILYE IN MAY,
TO WALK AND TAK THE DEW BE IT WAS DAY
AND HEIR THE MERLE AND MAWIS MONY ANE,
WITH LADYIS FAIR IN CARROLLING TO GANE.
AND SE THE ROYALL RINKIS IN THAIR ARRAY(RAY):
IN GARMENTIS GAY GARNISCHIT ON EUERIE GRANE

THY GREIT TRIUMPHAND FAME AND HIE HONOUR
QUHAIR THOU WAS CALLIT OF EIRDLYE WICHTIS FLOUR.
ALL IS DECAYIT, THY WEIRD IS WELTERIT SO.
THY HIE ESTAIT IS TURNIT IN DARKNES DOUR.
THIS LIPPER LUDGE TAK FOR THY BURELIE BOUR.
AND FOR THY BED TAK NOW ANE BUNCHE OF STRO,
<L 440> FOR WAILLIT WYNE, AND MEITIS THOU HAD THO,
TAK MOWLIT BREID,PEIRRIE(PIRATE) AND CEDER SOUR:
BOT COP AND CLAPPER, NOW IS ALL AGO.

MY CLEIR VOICE, AND COURTLIE CARROLLING,
QUHAIR I WAS WONT WITH LADYIS FOR(FAIR) TO SING.
IS RAWK AS(RANK AS,RANK AND) RUIK, FULL HIDDEOUS HOIR(HEER,HOAR) AND +
HACE,
MY PLESAND PORT ALL VTHERIS PRECELLING:
OF LUSTINES I WAS HALD MAIST CONDING.
NOW IS DEFORMIT THE FIGOUR OF MY FACE,
TO LUIK ON IT, NA LEID NOW LYKING HES:
SOWPIT IN SYTE, I SAY WITH SAIR SICHING,
LUDGEIT AMANG THE LIPPER LEID ALLACE.

O LADYIS FAIR OF TROY AND GRECE ATTEND,
MY MISERIE, QUHILK NANE MAY COMPREHEND.
MY FRIUOLL(FREYLE) FORTOUN, MY INFELICITIE:
MY GREIT MISCHEIF QUHILK NA MAN CAN AMEND
BE WAR IN TYME APPROCHIS NEIR THE END,
AND IN ZOUR MYND ANE MIRROUR MAK OF ME:
AS I AM NOW, PERADUENTURE THAT ZE
FOR ALL ZOUR MICHT MAY CUM TO THAT SAME END,
<L 460> OR ELLIS WAR, GIF ONY WAR MAY BE.

NOCHT IS ZOUR FAIRNES BOT ANE FAIDING FLOUR,
NOCHT IS ZOUR FAMOUS LAUD AND HIE HONOUR.
BOT WIND INFLAT IN VTHER MENNIS EIRIS.
ZOUR ROISING REID TO ROTTING SALL RETOUR:
EXEMPILL MAK OF ME IN ZOUR MEMOUR,
QUHILK OF SIC THINGIS WOFULL WITNES BEIRIS,
ALL WELTH IN EIRD, AWAY AS WIND IT WEIRIS
BE WAR THAIRFOR, APPROCHIS NEIR THE(ZOUR,YOUR) HOUR:
FORTOUN IS FIKKILL, QUHEN SCHO BEGINNIS & STEIRIS

<H ABABBCC>
<L 470> THVS CHYDAND WITH HIR DRERIE DESTENYE,
WEIPING, SCHO WOIK THE NICHT FRA END TO END.
BOT ALL IN VANE, HIR DULE, HIR CAIRFULL CRY
MICHT NOT REMEID, NOR ZIT HIR MURNING MEND.
ANE LIPPER LADY RAIS AND TILL HIR WEND,
AND SAID: QUHY SPURNIS THOW AGANIS THE WALL,
TO SLA THY SELF, AND MEND NATHING AT ALL?

SEN THY WEIPING DOWBILLIS BOT(THY WEIPING BOT DOWBILLIS,THAT THY WEPYNG+
 BUT DOUBLETH,THY WEEPING DOTH DOUBLE BUT) THY WO.
I COUNSALL THE MAK VERTEW OF ANE NEID.
TO(GO) LEIR TO CLAP THY CLAPPER TO AND FRO,
<L 480>AND LEIR(LEIF,LERNE) EFTER THE LAW OF LIPPER(LEPERS) LEID.
THAIR WAS NA BUIT, BOT FURTH WITH THAME SCHO ZEID,
FRA PLACE TO PLACE, QUHILL CAULD AND HOUNGER SAIR:
COMPELLIT HIR TO BE ANE RANK BEGGAIR.

THAT SAMIN TYME OF TROY THE GARNISOUN,
QUHILK HAD TO CHIFTANE WORTHIE TROYLUS.
THROW IEOPARDIE OF WEIR HAD STRIKKEN DOUN
KNICHTIS OF GRECE IN NUMBER MERUELLONS,
WITH GREIT TRYUMPHE AND LAUDE VICTORIOUS
AGANE TO TROY RICHT (RICHT, RIGHT) ROYALLIE THAY RAID
THE WAY QUHAIR CRESSEID WITH THE LIPPER BAID.

SEING THAT COMPANIE THAI COME(THAT COMPANIE,THAT COMPANIE COME,THE +
TROOP THEY CAME), ALL WITH ANE(O,A) STEUIN
THAY GAIF ANE CRY, AND SCHUIK COPPIS GUDE SPEID.
SAID WORTHIE(WORTHIE,WORTHY) LORDIS, FOR GODDIS LUFE OF HEUIN,
TO VS LIPPER PART OF ZOUR ALMOUS DEID.
THAN TO THAIR CRY NOBILL TROYLUS TUIK HEID,
HAUING PIETIE, NEIR BY THE PLACE CAN PAS:
QUHAIR CRESSEID SAT, NOT WITTING QUHAT SCHO WAS.

THAN VPON HIM SCHO KEST VP BAITH HIR ENE,
AND WITH ANE BLENK IT COME INTO HIS THOCHT,
<L 500> THAT HE SUMTIME HIR FACE BEFOIR HAD SENE.
BOT SCHO WAS IN SIC PLYE HE KNEW HIR NOCHT,
ZIT THAN HIR LUIK INTO HIS MYND IT BROCHT
THE SWEIT VISAGE AND AMOROUS BLENKING
OF FAIR CRESSEID SUMTYME HIS AWIN DARLING.

NA WONDER WAS, SUPPOIS IN MYND THAT HE
TUIK HIR FIGURE SA SONE, AND LO NOW QUHY.
THE IDOLE OF ANE THING, IN CACE MAY BE
SA DEIP IMPRENTIT IN THE FANTASY:
THAT IT DELUDIS THE WITTIS OUTWARDLY,
AND SA APPEIRIS IN FORME AND LYKE ESTAIT,
WITHIN THE MYND AS IT WAS FIGURAIT.

ANE SPARK OF LUFE THAN TILL HIS HART CULD SPRING,
AND KENDLIT ALL HIS BODIE IN ANE FYRE.
WITH HAIT FEWIR ANE SWEIT AND TRIMBLING
HIM TUIK, QUHILL HE WAS REDDIE TO EXPYRE.
TO BEIR HIS SCHEILD, HIS BREIST BEGAN TO TYRE
WITHIN ANE QUHYLE HE CHANGIT MONY HEW,
AND NEUERTHELES NOT ANE ANE VTHER KNEW

FOR KNICHTLIE PIETIE AND MEMORIALL
<L 520> OF FAIR CRESSEID, ANE GYRDILL CAN HE TAK.
ANE PURS OF GOLD, AND MONY GAY IOWALL,
AND IN THE SKIRT OF CRESSEID DOUN CAN SWAK:
THAN RAID AWAY, AND NOT ANE WORD SPAK(HE SPAK).
PENSIWE IN HART, QUHILL HE COME TO THE TOUN,
AND FOR GREIT CAIR OFT SYIS ALMAIST FELL DOUN.

THE LIPPER FOLK TO CRESSEID THAN CAN DRAW,
TO SE THE EQUALL DISTRIBUTIOUN
OF THE ALMOUS, BOT QUHEN THE GOLD THAY SAW.
ILK ANE TO VTHER PREWELIE CAN ROUN,
AND SAID ZONE LORD HES MAIR AFFECTIOUN
HOW EUER IT BE, VNTO ZONE LAZAROUS,
THAN TO VS ALL, WE KNAW BE HIS ALMOUS.

QUHAT LORD IS ZONE QUOD SCHO HAUE ZE NA FEILL
HES DONE TO VS SO GREIT HUMANITIE?
ZES QUOD A LIPPER MAN I KNAW HIM WEILL.
SCHIR TROYLUS IT IS, GENTILL AND FRE:
QUHEN CRESSEID VNDERSTUDE THAT IT WAS HE,
STIFFER THAN STEILL, THAIR STERT ANE BITTER STOUND
THROWOUT HIR HART, AND FELL DOUN TO THE GROUND.

<L 540> QUHEN SCHO OUIRCOME, WITH SICHING SAIR & SAD,
WITH MONY CAIRFULL CRY AND CALD OCHANE.
NOW IS MY BREIST WITH STORMIE STOUNDIS STAD,
WRAPPIT IN WO, ANE WRETCH FULL WILL OF WANE.
THAN SWOUNIT SCHO(FEL IN SWOUN) OFT OR SCHO CULD REFRANE(FULL OFT OR +
EUER SCHO FANE,FUL OFTE OR SHE WOLDE FONE,FULL OFT ERE SHE WOULD FANE),
AND EUER IN HIR SWOUNING CRYIT SCHO THUS:
O FALS CRESSEID AND TREW KNICHT TROYLUS.

THY LUFE, THY LAWTIE, AND THY GENTILNES,
I COUNTIT SMALL IN MY PROSPERITIE.
SA ELEUAIT(EFFATED,EFFLATED) I WAS IN WANTONES,
AND CLAM VPON THE FICKILL QUHEILL SA HIE,
ALL FAITH AND LUFE I PROMISSIT TO THE.
WAS IN THE SELF FICKILL AND FRIUOLOUS:
O FALS CRESSEID, AND TREW KNICHT TROILUS.

FOR LUFE OF ME THOW KEIPT CONTINENCE(GUDE CONTINENCE,COUNTENAUNCE, +
COUNTENANCE).
HONEST AND CHAIST IN CONUERSATIOUN.
OF ALL WEMEN PROTECTOUR AND DEFENCE
THOU WAS, AND HELPIT THAIR OPINIOUN.
MY MYND IN FLESCHELIE FOULL AFFECTIOUN
WAS INCLYNIT TO LUSTIS LECHEROUS:
FY FALS CRESSEID, O TREW KNICHT TROYLUS,

<L 561> LOUERS BE WAR AND TAK GUDE HEID ABOUT
QUHOME THAT ZE LUFE,FOR QUHOME(FOR WHAN,QUHAIRFOR) ZE SUFFER PAINE.
I LAT ZOW WIT, THAIR IS RICHT FEW THAIROUT:
QUHOME ZE MAY TRAIST TO HAUE TREW LUFE AGANE:
PREIF QUHEN ZE WILL, ZOUR LABOUR IS IN VAINE.
THAIRFOIR, I REID, ZE TAK THAME AS ZE FIND:
FOR THAY AR SAD AS WIDDERCOK IN WIND,

BECAUS I KNAW THE GREIT VNSTABILNES
BRUKKIL(BRITTEL) AS GLAS, INTO(VNTO) MY SELF I SAY.
TRAISTING IN VTHER ALS GREIT VNFAITFULNES(BRUTELNESSE):
ALS VNCONSTANT, AND ALS VNTREW OF FAY.
THOCHT SUM BE TREW, I WAIT RICHT FEW AR THAY,
QUHA FINDIS TREUTH LAT HIM HIS LADY RUSE:
NANE BUT MY SELF, AS NOW I WILL ACCUSE.

QUHEN THIS WAS SAID, WITH PAPER SCHO SAT DOUN,
AND ON THIS MANEIR MAID HIR TESTAMENT.
HEIR I BETEICHE(BEQUETH) MY CORPS AND CARIOUN
WITH WORMIS AND WITH TAIDIS TO BE RENT.
MY COP AND(MY) CLAPPER, AND MYNE ORNAMENT
AND ALL MY GOLD THE LIPPER FOLK SALL HAUE:
<L 581> QUHEN I AM DEID, TO BURIE ME IN GRAUE.

THIS ROYALL RING, SET WITH THIS RUBIE REID,
QUHILK TROYLUS IN DROWRIE(DOWRY) TO ME SEND.
TO HIM AGANE I LEIF IT QUHEN I AM DEID,
TO MAK MY CAIRFULL DEID WNTO HIM KEND:
THUS I CONCLUDE SCHORTLIE AND MAK ANE END,
MY SPREIT I LEIF TO DIANE QUHAIR SCHO DWELLIS.
TO WALK WITH HIR IN WAIST WODDIS AND WELLIS,

O DIOMEID THOU HES BAITH BROCHE AND BELT,
QUHILK TROYLUS GAUE ME IN TAKNING
OF HIS TREW LUFE, AND WITH THAT WORD SCHO SWELT.
AND SONE ANE LIPPER MAN TUIK OF THE RING,
SYNE BURYIT HIR WITHOUTTIN TARYING,
TO TROYLUS FURTHWITH THE RING HE BAIR,
AND OF CRESSEID THE DEITH HE CAN DECLAIR.

QUHEN HE HAD HARD HIR GREIT INFIRMITIE,
HIR LEGACIE AND LAMENTATIOUN.
AND HOW SCHO ENDIT IN SIC POUERTIE,
HE SWELT FOR WO, AND FELL DOUN IN ANE SWOUN,
<L 600> FOR GREIT SORROW HIS HART TO BRIST WAS BOUN:
SICHING FULL SADLIE, SAID I CAN NO MOIR,
SCHO WAS VNTREW, AND WO IS ME THAIRFOIR.

SUM SAID HE MAID ANE TOMB OF MERBELL GRAY.
AND WRAIT HIR NAME AND SUPERSCRIPTIOUN,
AND LAID IT ON HIR GRAUE QUHAIR THAT SCHO LAY,
IN GOLDIN LETTERIS, CONTEINING THIS RESSOUN:
LO, FAIR LADYIS(CLEAR LADIES FAIR), CRESSEID, OF TROYIS(TROY THE) TOUN,
SUMTYME COUNTIT THE FLOUR OF WOMANHEID.
VNDER THIS STANE, LAIT(LAITH) LIPPER, LYIS DEID.

NOW WORTHIE WEMEN IN THIS BALLET SCHORT,
MAID FOR ZOUR WORSCHIP AND INSTRUCTIOUN,
OF CHERITIE, I MONISCHE AND EXHORT,
MING NOT ZOUR LUFE WITH FALS DECEPTIOUN.
BEIR IN ZOUR MYND THIS SCHORT(SORE) CONCLUSIOUN
OF FAIR CRESSEID, AS I HAUE SAID BEFOIR,
SEN SCHO IS DEID, I SPEIK OF HIR NO MOIR.

FINIS