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. JANUARY AND MAY. THERE liv'd in Lombardy, as authors write, Blest with much sense, more riches, and some grace. Yet led astray by Venus' soft delights, 5 He scarce could rule some idle appetites : For long ago, let Priests say what they could, But in due time, when sixty years were o'er, NOTES. 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 reader may form a judgment of Pope's many improvements and alterations: IMITATIONS. "Whilom ther was dwelling in Lumbardie In which he lived in great prosperitee; And whan that he was passed sixty yere, But his high courage prick'd him forth to wed, This was his nightly dream, his daily care, These thoughts he fortify'd with reasons still, 15 20 Then let him choose a damsel young and fair, 25 To soothe his cares, and free from noise and strife, 30 IMITATIONS. Were it for holinesse or for dotage, 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; For wedlock is so esy and so clene, That in this world it is a paradise. Thus saith this olde knight, that was so wise. And certainly, as soth as God is king, To take a wif, it is a glorious thing, Unaw'd by precepts, human or divine, Like birds and beasts, promiscuously they join. pass In bliss all night, and innocence all day : 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 style a wife The dear-bought curse, and lawful plague of life; A bosom-serpent, a domestic evil, A night-invasion, and a mid-day-devil. 35 40 45 IMITATIONS. And namely whan a man is old and hore, That bachelors have often peine and wo: Let not the wise these sland'rous words regard, All other goods by fortune's hand are giv'n, A wife is the peculiar gift of heav'n. The Maker saw, took pity, and bestow'd A Wife! ah gentle deities, can he IMITATIONS. Ther as a wedded man in his estat Liveth a lif blisful and ordinat, Under the yoke of mariage 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? 50 55 60 65 |