Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Name: The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems
Author: Chaucer, Geoffrey, 1343?-1400; Purves, David Laing, 1838-1873 [Editor]

作者：Chaucer, Geoffrey, 1343?-1400; Purves, David Laing, 1838-1873 [Editor]
体例：题　章数：425
字数：1,239,263　来源：Project Gutenberg

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共 425 题

Contents
PREFACE.
D. LAING PURVES.
LIFE OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER.
Notes to Life of Geoffrey Chaucer
2. See introduction to “The Legend of Good Women”.
5. See note 1 to The Tale in The Clerk’s Tale.
6. See note 1 to The Man of Law’s Tale.
14. Railings.
16. See the Prologue to Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Thopas.
17. See the “Goodly Ballad of Chaucer,” seventh stanza.
THE CANTERBURY TALES.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue
11. Peacock Arrows: Large arrows, with peacocks’ feathers.
15. It was fashionable to hang bells on horses’ bridles.
42. An endowment to sing masses for the soul of the donor.
43. A ram was the usual prize at wrestling matches.
44. Cop: Head; German, “Kopf”.
53. Significavit: an ecclesiastical writ.
55. Pardoner: a seller of pardons or indulgences.
58. Mail: packet, baggage; French, “malle,” a trunk.
61. Herberow: Lodging, inn; French, “Herberge.”
THE KNIGHT’S TALE <1>
4. Wonnen: Won, conquered; German “gewonnen.”
6. Waimenting: bewailing; German, “wehklagen”
7. Starf: died; German, “sterben,” “starb”.
9. Pillers: pillagers, strippers; French, “pilleurs.”
21. Dan: Lord; Latin, “Dominus;” Spanish, “Don.”
22. The “caduceus.”
24. Next: nearest; German, “naechste”.
25. Clary: hippocras, wine made with spices.
30. Beknow: avow, acknowledge: German, “bekennen.”
34. Mister: manner, kind; German “muster,” sample, model.
36. Thilke: that, contracted from “the ilke,” the same.
38. Last: lace, leash, noose, snare: from Latin, “laceus.”
44. Citole: a kind of dulcimer.
47. This line, perhaps, refers to the deed of Jael.
50. Julius: i.e. Julius Caesar
57. Kemped: combed; the word survives in “unkempt.”
59. Y-ment: mixed; German, “mengen,” to mix.
61. On the dais: see note 32 to the Prologue.
72. Ayel: grandfather; French “Aieul”.
73. Testers: Helmets; from the French “teste”, “tete”, head.
74. Parements: ornamental garb, French “parer” to deck.
75. Gniding: Rubbing, polishing; Anglo-Saxon “gnidan”, to rub.
78. Sarge: serge, a coarse woollen cloth
82. Galaphay: Galapha, in Mauritania.
87. Y-wrie: covered, hid; Anglo-Saxon, “wrigan,” to veil.
THE MILLER’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Miller’s Tale
THE TALE.
Notes to the Miller’s Tale
8. Popelet: Puppet; but chiefly; young wench.
10. Yern: Shrill, lively; German, “gern,” willingly, cheerfully.
13. Oseney: A once well-known abbey near Oxford.
14. Trave: travis; a frame in which unruly horses were shod.
17. Rise: Twig, bush; German, “Reis,” a twig; “Reisig,” a copse.
20. Piment: A drink made with wine, honey, and spices.
27. Crouche: protect by signing the sign of the cross.
28. Forlore: lost; german, “verloren.”
40. Ere: before; German, “eher.”
THE REEVE’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
5. A colt’s tooth; a wanton humour, a relish for pleasure.
12. The illustration of the mote and the beam, from Matthew.
THE TALE.<1>
Notes to the Reeve’s Tale
2. Camuse: flat; French “camuse”, snub-nosed.
3. Gite: gown or coat; French “jupe.”
6. Testif: headstrong, wild-brained; French, “entete.”
9. See note 1 to the Prologue to the Reeves Tale
11. Levesell: an arbour; Anglo-Saxon, “lefe-setl,” leafy seat.
12. Noth: business; German, “Noth,” necessity.
13. Bathe: both; Scottice, “baith.”
17. Chalons: blankets, coverlets, made at Chalons in France.
21. Compline: even-song in the church service; chorus.
23. A furlong way: As long as it might take to walk a furlong.
27. In manus tuas: Latin, “in your hands”.
THE COOK’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Cook’s Tale
2. Sooth play quad play: true jest is no jest.
THE TALE.
Notes to the Cook’s Tale
2. His paper: his certificate of completion of his apprenticeship.
THE MAN OF LAW’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to The Man of Law’s Tale
7. Metamorphoseos: Ovid’s.
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Man of Law’s Tale
3. Purpose: discourse, tale: French “propos”.
8. Fand: endeavour; from Anglo-Saxon, “fandian,” to try
9. Feng: take; Anglo-Saxon “fengian”, German, “fangen”.
13. A manner Latin corrupt: a kind of bastard Latin.
14. Knave child: male child; German “Knabe”.
16. Beknow: confess; German, “bekennen.”
17. The poet here refers to Gower’s version of the story.
18. Stound: short time; German, “stunde”, hour.
19. Gestes: histories, exploits; Latin, “res gestae”.
THE WIFE OF BATH’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE. <1>
Notes to the Prologue to the Wife of Bath’s Tale
3. Jesus and the Samaritan woman: John iv. 13.
5. Defended: forbade; French, “defendre,” to prohibit.
11. Parage: birth, kindred; from Latin, “pario,” I beget.
12. Norice: nurse; French, “nourrice.”
15. Women should not adorn themselves: see I Tim. ii. 9.
16. Cherte: affection; from French, “cher,” dear.
17. Nicety: folly; French, “niaiserie.”
18. Ba: kiss; from French, “baiser.”
20. St. Joce: or Judocus, a saint of Ponthieu, in France.
25. The lines in brackets are only in some of the manuscripts.
29. “Ars Amoris.”
33. Intermete: interpose; French, “entremettre.”
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Wife of Bath’s Tale
7. Nice: foolish; French, “niais.”
9. Hele: hide; from Anglo-Saxon, “helan,” to hide, conceal.
10. Yern: eagerly; German, “gern.”
11. Wiss: instruct; German, “weisen,” to show or counsel.
12. Dante, “Purgatorio”, vii. 121.
13. “Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator” — “Satires,” x. 22.
15. Elenge: strange; from French “eloigner,” to remove.
THE FRIAR’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.<1>
Notes to the Prologue to the Friar’s tale
THE TALE.
Notes to the Friar’s Tale
5. De par dieux: by the gods.
6. See note 12 to the Knight’s Tale.
8. Medieval legends located hell in the North.
12. Capels: horses. See note 14 to the Reeve’s Tale.
16. In his await: on the watch; French, “aux aguets.”
THE SOMPNOUR’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Sompnour’s Tale
THE TALE.
Notes to the Sompnour’s Tale
8. Potent: staff; French, “potence,” crutch, gibbet.
9. Je vous dis sans doute: French; “I tell you without doubt.”
10. Dortour: dormitory; French, “dortoir.”
14. Eli: Elijah (1 Kings, xix.)
24. The friar had received a master’s degree.
THE CLERK’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Clerk’s Tale
THE TALE.<1>
Notes to the Clerk’s Tale
6. Very: true; French “vrai”.
10. Arace: tear; French, “arracher.”
11. Fele: many; German, “viel.”
18. Aventail: forepart of a helmet, vizor.
THE MERCHANT’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.<l>
Notes to the Prologue to the Merchant’s Tale
THE TALE.<l>
Notes to The Merchant’s Tale
4. Mebles: movables, furniture, &c.; French, “meubles.”
9. Skinked: poured out; from Anglo-Saxon, “scencan.”
11. Familiar: domestic; belonging to the “familia,” or household.
16. Full of jargon as a flecked pie: he chattered like a magpie
19. Precious: precise, over-nice; French, “precieux,” affected.
THE SQUIRE’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Squire’s Tale
THE TALE.<1>
Notes to the Squire’s Tale
7. Heronsews: young herons; French, “heronneaux.”
8. Purpose: story, discourse; French, “propos.”
12. Remued: removed; French, “remuer,” to stir.
23. Trill: turn; akin to “thirl”, “drill.”
24. Ride: another reading is “bide,” alight or remain.
25. Feastying: entertaining; French, “festoyer,” to feast.
THE FRANKLIN’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE. <1>
Notes to the Prologue to the Franklin’s Tale
THE TALE.
Notes to The Franklin’s Tale
7. Annoyeth: works mischief; from Latin, “nocco,” I hurt.
21. Another and better reading is “a week or two.”
THE DOCTOR’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE. <1>
Notes to the Prologue to the Doctor’s Tale
THE TALE.
Notes to the Doctor’s Tale
1. Livy, Book iii. cap. 44, et seqq.
3. Slothe: other readings are “thought” and “youth.”
4. Meschance: wickedness; French, “mechancete.”
THE PARDONER’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Pardoner’s Tale
3. Boist: box; French “boite,” old form “boiste.”
4. Erme: grieve; from Anglo-Saxon, “earme,” wretched.
5. Cardiacle: heartache; from Greek, “kardialgia.”
6. Corpus Domini: God’s body.
THE TALE <1>
Notes to the Pardoner’s Tale
2. Hautein: loud, lofty; from French, “hautain.”
6. Grisly: dreadful; fitted to “agrise” or horrify the listener.
9. “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.” Eph. v.18.
18. Another reading is “Fleet Street.”
22. “Swear not at all;” Christ’s words in Matt. v. 34.
27. Haw; farm-yard, hedge Compare the French, “haie.”
THE SHIPMAN’S TALE.<1>
THE PROLOGUE
Notes to the Prologue to the Shipman’s Tale
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Shipman’s Tale
7. Contour-house: counting-house; French, “comptoir.”
THE PRIORESS’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Prioress’s Tale
9. Souded; confirmed; from French, “soulde;” Latin, “solidatus.”
CHAUCER’S TALE OF SIR THOPAS.
THE PROLOGUE.<1>
Notes to the Prologue to Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Thopas
2. Referring to the poet’s corpulency.
THE TALE <1>
The First Fit* *part
The Second Fit
Notes to Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Thopas
12. Clove-gilofre: clove-gilliflower; “Caryophyllus hortensis.”
CHAUCER’S TALE OF MELIBŒUS.
THE PROLOGUE.
THE TALE.<1>
THE MONK’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE
Notes to the Prologue to The Monk’s Tale
1. The Corpus Madrian: the body of St. Maternus, of Treves.
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Monk’s Tale
4. Oliveres: olive trees; French, “oliviers.”
5. “Liber Judicum,” the Book of Judges; chap. xv.
15. Aurelain became Emperor in A.D. 270.
18. Trice: thrust; from Anglo-Saxon, “thriccan.”
24. At the battle of Pharsalia, B.C. 48.
THE NUN’S PRIEST’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Nun’s Priest’s Tale
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Nun’s Priest’s Tale
4. Horloge: French, “clock.”
10. Fumetere: the herb “fumitory.”
12. Gaitre-berries: dog-wood berries.
14. Haled or hylled; from Anglo-Saxon “helan” hid, concealed
18. See the Monk’s Tale for this story.
30. Flattour: flatterer; French, “flatteur.”
36. Beams: trumpets; Anglo-Saxon, “bema.”
THE EPILOGUE <1>
Notes to the Epilogue to the Nun’s Priest’s Tale
THE SECOND NUN’S TALE <1>
Notes to the Nun’s Priest’s Tale
6. See note 1.
THE CANON’S YEOMAN’S TALE. <1>
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale
THE TALE. <1>
Note to the Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale
3. Squames: Scales; Latin, “squamae.”
9. Threpe: name; from Anglo-Saxon, “threapian.”
14. Blin: cease; from Anglo-Saxon, “blinnan,” to desist.
17. Grame: sorrow; Anglo-Saxon, “gram;” German, “Gram.”
THE MANCIPLE’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Manciple’s Tale
THE TALE. <1>
Notes to the Manciple’s Tale
THE PARSON’S TALE.
THE PROLOGUE.
Notes to the Prologue to the Parson’s Tale
THE TALE. <1>
De Tertia Parte Poenitentiae. [Of the third part of penitence]
Notes to the Parson’s Tale
2. Jeremiah vi. 16.
3. See Note 3 to the Sompnour’s Tale.
5. “I have lost everything - my time and my work.”
Notes to the Prayer of Chaucer
THE END OF THE CANTERBURY TALES
THE COURT OF LOVE.
Explicit* *The End
Notes to The Court of Love
4. Stirp: race, stock; Latin, “stirps.”
5. Calliope is the epic muse — “sister” to the other eight.
6. Melpomene was the tragic muse.
13. fele: many; German, “viele.”
14. Arras: tapestry of silk, made at Arras, in France.
22. Blife: quickly, eagerly; for “blive” or “belive.”
27. See note 91 to the Knight’s Tale for a parallel.
28. Flaw: yellow; Latin, “flavus,” French, “fauve.”
32. Environ: around; French, “a l’environ.”
33. Cast off thine heart: i.e. from confidence in her.
34. Nesh: soft, delicate; Anglo-Saxon, “nese.”
38. The three of fatal destiny: The three Fates.
40. Avaunter: Boaster; Philobone calls him out.
41. The statute: i.e. the 16th.
51. “Te Deum Amoris:” “Thee, God of Love (we praise).”
54. “Jubilate:” Psalm c. 1, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
56. “Laudate:” Psalm cxlvii.; “Praise ye the Lord.”
THE CUCKOO AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
Explicit.* *The End
Notes to the Cuckoo and the Nightingale
2. A stronger reading is “all.”
4. Grede: cry; Italian, “grido.”
7. The Queen: Philippa of Hainault, wife of Edward III.
THE ASSEMBLY OF FOWLS.
Qui bien aime, tard oublie. <45>
Explicit.* *the end
Notes to The Assembly of Fowls
6. Clear: illustrious, noble; Latin, “clarus.”
16. Hautain: haughty, lofty; French, “hautain.”
22. Prest: ready; French, “pret.”
28. The sparrow, Venus’ son: Because sacred to Venus.
38. The fieldfare visits this country only in hard wintry weather.
43. Solain: single, alone; the same word originally as “sullen.”
THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF
Explicit.* *The End
Notes to the Flower and the Leaf
2. The young oak leaves are red or ashen coloured.
5. “Yede” or “yead,” is the old form of go.
6. Sote: fool — French “sot.”
7. See note 59 to The Court of Love
8. Agnus castus: the chaste-tree; a kind of willow.
13. Tartarium: Cloth of Tars, or of Tortona.
14. Bargaret: bergerette, or pastoral song.
17. Gramercy: “grand merci,” French; great thanks.
22. Laurer: laurel-tree; French, “laurier.”
THE HOUSE OF FAME
Here endeth the Book of Fame
Notes to The House of Fame
4. See the account of the vision of Croesus in The Monk’s Tale.
8. Vulcano: Vulcan, the husband of Venus.
19. French, “roche,” a rock.
22. Cop: summit; German, “kopf”; the head.
33. Beam: horn, trumpet; Anglo-Saxon, “bema.”
37. Jongelours: jugglers; French, “jongleur.”
47. Simon Magus: of whom we read in Acts viii. 9, et seqq.
54. Lapidaire: a treatise on precious stones.
59. Partridges’ wings: denoting swiftness.
71. Sky: cloud; Anglo-Saxon, “scua;” Greek, “skia.”
72. Los: reputation. See note 5 to Chaucer’s Tale of Melibœus.
73. Swart: black; German, “schwarz.”
75. Tetches: blemishes, spots; French, “tache.”
77. Quern: mill. See note 6 to the Monk’s Tale.
82. The river Oise, an affluent of the Seine, in France.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA
THE FIRST BOOK.
The Song of Troilus. <9>
THE SECOND BOOK.
THE THIRD BOOK.
THE FOURTH BOOK
THE FIFTH BOOK.
Explicit Liber Troili et Cresseidis. <96>
Notes to Troilus and Cressida
5. “Oh, very god!”: oh true divinity! — addressing Cressida.
7. Eft: another reading is “oft.”
8. Arten: constrain — Latin, “arceo.”
22. His brother: Hector.
27. The line recalls Milton’s “dark with excessive bright.”
29. French, “verre;” glass.
45. Nice: silly, stupid; French, “niais.”
52. A tale of Wade: see note 5 to the Merchant’s Tale.
54. Smoky rain: An admirably graphic description of dense rain.
61. Fortuna Major: the planet Jupiter.
69. Love of steel: love as true as steel.
72. Zausis: An author of whom no record survives.
80. Troilus was the son of Priam and Hecuba.
87. She has been told that Troilus is deceiving her.
92. Sorted: allotted; from Latin, “sors,” lot, fortune.
CHAUCER’S DREAM.
Notes to Chaucer’s Dream
7. Salad: a small helmet; french, “salade.”
THE PROLOGUE TO THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN.
Notes to The prologue to The Legend of Good Women
3. See introductory note to “The Flower and the Leaf.”
5. The poet glides here into an address to his lady.
9. Ethic: the “Ethics” of Aristotle.
15. Isoude: See note 21 to “The Assembly of Fowls”.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
V.
X.
Z.
Explicit.* *The end
3. Thieves seven: i.e. the seven deadly sins
A GOODLY BALLAD OF CHAUCER.<1>
Notes To a Goodly Ballad Of Chaucer
A BALLAD SENT TO KING RICHARD.
L’ENVOY OF CHAUCER TO BUKTON. <1>
A BALLAD OF GENTLENESS.
Notes to A Ballad of Gentleness
1. The firste stock-father of gentleness: Christ
THE COMPLAINT OF CHAUCER TO HIS PURSE.
Notes to The Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse
2. Brute, or Brutus, was the legendary first king of Britain.
GOOD COUNSEL OF CHAUCER. <1>
Notes to Good Counsel of Chaucer
2. Her that turneth as a ball: Fortune.
3. To spurn against a nail; “against the pricks.”
PROVERBS OF CHAUCER. <1>
Notes to Proverbs of Chaucer
VIRELAY. <1>
Notes to Virelay
CHAUCER’S WORDS TO HIS SCRIVENER.
CHAUCER’S PROPHECY. <1>
Ora pro Anglia Sancta Maria, quod Thomas Cantuaria. <2>