In Septembre, at fallyng of the leef, The fressh season was al to-gydre done altogether And of the corn was gadred in the sheef; gathered In a gardyn, abowte tweyne after none, two in the afternoon line5 There were ladyes walkying, as was ther wone, custom Four in nombre, as to my mynde doth falle, come And I the fift, symplest of alle.

Of gentil wymmen foure there were also, Disportyng hem everiche after theyr guyse, themselves each fashion line10 In crosse aleys walkyng be two and two, And some alone after theyr fantasyes. according to their fancies Thus occupied we were in dyvers wise, various ways And yit in trowth we were nat alone: yet Theyr were knyghtis and sqyers many one. many a one

line15 Whereof I serve? on of hem asked me. What am I doing here? I seyde ageyne, as it fil in my thought: in reply came ‘To walke aboute the mase, in certeynte, maze As a womman that nothyng rought.’ had no cares He asked me ageyn whom I sought line20 And of my coloure why I was so pale. ‘Forsoth,’ quod I, ‘and therby lith a tale.’ said lies

‘That must me wite,’ quod he, ‘and that anon; I know straightway Telle on, late se, and make no taryeng.’ let me see delay ‘Abide,’ quod I, ‘ye be an hasti one; line25 I let yow wite it is no litle thyng; know But for because ye have a grete longyng In yowre desire this procese for to here hear I shal yow telle the playne of this matiere. full truth

It happed thus that in an after none happened line30 My felawship and I, bi one assent, Whan al oure other busynesse was done, To passe oure tyme in to this mase we went maze And toke oure weyes yche aftyr other entent: Som went inward and went they had gon oute, and thought line35 Som stode amyddis and loked al aboute; in the middle

And soth to sey som were ful fer behynde to tell the truth far And right anon as ferforth as the best; far forward Other there were, so mased in theyr mynde, bewildered Al weys were goode for hem, both est and west. ways them line40 Thus went they furth and had but litel rest, And som theyr corage dide theym so assaile impetuous spirit For verray wrath they stept over the rayle.

And as they sought hem self thus to and fro I gate my self a litel avauntage; got line45 Al for-weryed, I myght no further go, completely exhausted Though I had wonne right grete for my viage; greatly journey So come I forth into a streyte passage, came narrow Whiche brought me to an herber feyre and grene arbor fair Made with benchis ful craftily and clene; skillfully neatly

line50 That, as me thought, myght no creature Devise a bettir by proporcioun. a better proportioned one Save it was closed wele, I yow ensure, Safely assure With masonry of compas environ in a circle all around Ful secretly, with steyres goyng down line55 In myddes the place, a tornyng whele, sertayne, And upon that a pot of margoleyne; marjoram

With margarites growyng in ordynaunce daisies in regular patterns To shewe hem self as folk went to and fro, That to behold it was a grete plesaunce; line60 And how they were accompanyed with mo, others Ne m’oublie-mies and sovenez also; The poore penses ne were nat disloged there — pansies excluded No, no, God wote, theyr place was every where. knows

The floore beneth was paved faire and smoth line65 With stones square of many dyvers hewe So wele joyned that, for to sey the soth, Al semed on, who that non other knewe. a single unbroken whole And underneth the streames, newe and newe, springs ever afresh As silver newe bright spryngyng in such wise fashion line70 That whens it com ye cowde it nat devise. whence came could

A litel while thus was I alone Beholdyng wele this delectable place; My felawshyp were comyng everichone each one So must me nede abide as for a space, So I had of necessity to time line75 Remembryng of many dyvers cace happenings Of tyme past, musyng with sighes depe, I set me downe and there fil in slepe. fell

And as I slept me thought ther com to me A gentil womman metely of stature; moderate line80 Of grete worship she semed for to be, honor and worthiness Atired wele, nat hye but bi mesure, grandly soberly Hir contenaunce ful sad and ful demure, grave Hir colours blewe, al that she had upon; Theyr com no mo but hir silf alon. There others herself

line85 Hir gowne was wele enbrowdid, certaynly, embroidered With sovenez aftir hir owne devise; remember-me’s emblem On the purfil hir word, by and by, hem motto word for word Bien loialment, as I cowde me avise. ‘Very loyally’ discern Than prayd I hir in every maner wise most earnestly line90 That of hir name I myght have remembraunce. She sayde she was callid Perseveraunce.

So furthermore to speke than was I bold: then Where she dwelt I prayed hir for to say. And she ageyne ful curteisly me told: line95 ‘My dwellyng is and hath be many a day been With a lady.’ ‘What lady, I yow pray?’ ‘Of grete astate, thus warne I yow,’ quod she. I tell you for a fact ‘What calle ye hir?’ ‘Hir name is Loiaulté.’

‘In what office stand ye, or in what degre?’ rank line100 Quod I to hir, ‘that wold I wit ful fayne.’ would gladly know ‘I am,’ quod she, ‘unworthy though I be, Of hir chamber hir ussher in certayne; certainly This rodde I bere as for a tokene playne, Lyke as ye knowe the rule in suche service line105 Perteyneng unto the same office.

She charged me be hir comaundement To warne yow and youre felawes everichone That ye shuld come there as she is present to where For a counsaile, whiche shuld be anone, council line110 Or seven dayes bien comen and gone. Before are And more she badde that I shuld sey And furthermore Excuse ther myght be none nor delay.

Another thyng was nygh forgete behynd nearly forgotten in passing Whiche in no wise I wold nat but ye knewe — line115 Remembre it wele and bere it in your mynde: Al youre felawes and ye must com in blewe, blue Everiche yowre matier for to sewe, petition present With more, whiche I pray yow thynk upon, Yowre wordes on yowre slevis everichon. mottoes sleeves

line120 And be nat ye abasshed in no wise, As many as bien in suche an high presence; Though many are Make youre request as ye can best devise And she gladly wil yeve yow audience. give Ther is no grief nor no maner offence line125 Wherin ye fele your hert is displeased But with hir help right sone ye shul bien eased.’ be

‘I am right glad,’ quod I, ‘ye telle me this; But ther is none of us that knowith the way.’ ‘And of your wey,’ quod she, ‘ye shul nat mys; shall not go wrong line130 Ye shul have one to guyde yow day be day Of my felawes — I can no better say — Suche on as shal telle yow the wey ful right; And Diligence this gentil womman hight, is called

A womman of right famous governaunce wise and discreet conduct line135 And wele cherisshed, I sey yow for certeyne; held in great affection Hir felawship shal do yow grete plesaunce, Hir porte is suche, hir manere is trewe and playne; demeanor She with glad chiere wil do hir busy peyne utmost exertion To bryng yow there. Farwele, now have I done.’ line140 ‘Abide,’ quod I, ‘ye may nat go so soone.’

‘Whi so?’ quod she, ‘and I have fer to go for I have far To yeve warnyng in many dyvers place give To youre felawes and so to other moo, others more And wele ye wote I have but litel space.’ time to spare line145 ‘Yit,’ quod I, ‘ye must telle me this cace, point If we shal any men unto us calle?’ ‘Nat one,’ quod she, ‘may come among yow alle.’

‘Nat one?’ quod I, ‘ey, benedicité! oh, my goodness! What have they don? I pray yow, telle me that.’ line150 ‘Now, be my lif, I trowe but wele,’ quod she, by my life believe ‘But evere I can beleve ther is somwhat, And for to sey yow trowth, more can I nat; In questions nothyng may I be to large, too open and unconstrained I medle me no further than is my charge.’ get involved responsibility

line155 ‘Than thus,’ quod I, ‘do me til undrestond give to me What place is there this lady is dwellyng?’ ‘Forsoth,’ quod she, ‘and on sought al a lond, even if one searched Feirer is none, though it were fore a kyng; Devised wele, and that in every thyng; well planned line160 The toures high ful plesaunt shul ye fynde, With fanes fressh tournyng with every wynde; weather vanes

The chambres and parlours both of oo sort, of the same kind With bay wyndowes goodely as can be thought, As for daunsyng and other wise disport; kinds of amusement line165 The galaries right wonderfully wrought; That wele I wote, yef ye were thider brought if And toke good hede therof in every wise, Ye wold it thynk a verray paradise.’ an absolute

‘What hight this place?’ quod I, ‘now sey me that.’ is called line170 ‘Plesaunt Regard,’ quod she, ‘to telle yow pleyne.’ ‘Of verray trouth?’ quod I, ‘and wote ye what, Indeed? know It may wele be callid so sertayne. certainly But furthermore this wold I wite ful fayne, gladly What shal I do as soone as I com there line175 And after whom that I may best enquere?’

‘A gentilwomman, porter at the yaate, gate Ther shal ye fynde; hir name is Contenaunce. Self-Control If so happe ye com erly or late, whether it happens Of hir were goode to have som aqueyntaunce; line180 She can telle how ye shal yow best avaunce put yourself forward And how to come to this ladyes presence; To hir wordis I rede yow yeve credence. advise give

Now it is tyme that I part yow fro, from you For in goode soth I have grete busynesse.’ line185 ‘I wote right wele,’ quod I, ‘that that is soo, so And I thanke yow of youre grete gentilnesse; courtesy Yowre comfort hath yeve me suche hardynesse given confidence That now I shal be bold withouten faile To do after youre avise and counsaile.’ advice

line190 Thus parted she and I left al alone. I remained With that I sawe, as I behielde aside, to one side A womman come, a verray goodely oon, And furth withal as I had hir aspied And immediately Me thought anon that it shuld be the guyde; line195 And of hir name anon I did enquere. Ful wommanly she yave this answere: gave

‘I am,’ quod she, ‘a symple creature Sent from the court; my name is Diligence. As soone as I myght com, I yow ensure, assure line200 I taried nat after I had licence, permission to leave And now that I am com to yowre presence, Looke what service that I can do or may Whatever service Comaunde me, I can no further say.’

I thanked hir and prayed hir to come nere line205 Because I wold se how she were arrayed. Hir gowne was bliew, dressed in goode manere adorned With hir devise, hir worde also, that sayde emblem motto Taunt que je puis; and I was wele apayed, ‘As much as I can’ pleased For than wist I without any more knew line210 It was ful triew that I had herd afore.

‘Though we toke now before a lite space set off little while It were ful goode,’ quod she, ‘as I cowth gesse.’ could ‘How fer,’ quod I, ‘have we unto that place?’ ‘A dayes journey,’ quod she, ‘but litel lesse, line215 Wherfor I rede that we onward dresse, advise proceed For I suppose oure felawship is past And for nothyng I wold that we were last.’ not for anything

Than parted we at spryngyng of the day And furth we wente a soft and esy pase, pace line220 Til at the last we were on oure journay So fer onward that we myght se the place. ‘Nowe lete us rest,’ quod I, ‘a litel space, And say we as devoutly as we can A Pater Noster for seynt Julyan.’ An ‘Our Father’

line225 ‘With al myn hert,’ quod she, ‘I gre me wele; I heartily agree Moche better shul we spede whan we have done.’ prosper Than taryed we and sayde it every dele. every bit And whan the day was fer gon after none We sawe a place, and thider come we sone, line230 Whiche rounde about was closid with a wal Semyng to me ful like an hospital.

There fonde I oon had brought al myn array, A gentilwomman of myn acqueyntaunce. ‘I have mervaile,’ quod I, ‘what maner wey line235 Ye had knowlache of al this governaunce?’ knowledge arrangement ‘Yis, yis,’ quod she, ‘I herd Perseveraunce, Yes, yes How she warned youre felawes everichone, And what array that ye shal have upon.’

‘Now, for my love,’ quod I, ‘I yow pray, line240 Sith ye have take upon yow al this peyne, Since trouble That ye wold helpe me on with myne array, For wite ye wele I wold be go ful fayne.’ ‘Al this prayer nedith nat certeyne,’ is quite unnecessary Quod she ageyne; ‘com of, and hie yow soone, come on hasten line245 And ye shal se how wele it shal be done.’

‘But this I dowte me gretely, wote ye what, That my felaws bien passed by and gone.’ ‘I waraunt yow,’ quod she, ‘that ar they nat, For here they shul assemble everichon. line250 Natwithstandyng, I counseil yow anone Make ye redy and tarye ye no more; It is non harme though ye be there afore.’

So than I dressid me in myn array And asked hir if it were wele or noo. line255 ‘It is,’ quod she, ‘right wele unto my pay; to my satisfaction Ye dare nat care to what place so ever ye goo.’ need not worry And while that she and I debated soo Com Diligence, and sawe me al in bliew: ‘Suster,’ quod she, ‘right wel broke ye your niewe.’

line260 Than went we forth and met at aventure by chance A yong womman, an officer semyng. by appearance ‘What is your name,’ quod I, ‘goode creature?’ ‘Discrecioun,’ quod she, ‘without lesyng.’ falsehood ‘And where,’ quod I, ‘is yowre abidyng?’ abode line265 ‘I have,’ quod she, ‘this office of purchace, purchasing supplies Chief purviour that longith to this place.’ purveyor belongs

‘Faire love,’ quod I, ‘in al youre ordynaunce, organization What is hir name that is the herbegyer?’ lodgings-officer ‘Forsoth,’ quod she, ‘hir name is Aqueyntaunce, Friendship line270 A womman of right graciouse maner.’ Than thus quod I, ‘What straungiers have ye here?’ ‘But fewe,’ quod she, ‘of hie degre ne lowe; Ye bien the first, as ferforth as I knowe.’ as far as

Thus with talis we com streyght to the yaate; chat gate line275 This yong womman departed was and gone. Com Diligence and knokked fast therate. ‘Who is without?’ quod Contenaunce anone. ‘Triewly,’ quod she, ‘faire suster, here is one.’ ‘Whiche oon?’ quod she; and ther-withal she lough: laughed line280 ‘I, Diligence, ye knowe me wele inough!’

Than opened she the gate and in we goo. With wordis feyre she sayde ful gentily: courteously ‘Ye ben welcom, iwis; bien ye no mo?’ indeed ‘No,’ quod she, ‘save this womman and I.’ line285 ‘Now than,’ quod she, ‘I pray yow hertily, Take my chambre as for a while to rest To yowre felawes bien comen, I hold it for the best.’ Until

I thanked hir and furth we gon echeon Til hir chambre without wordes mo. To more line290 Come Diligence and toke hir leve anon; ‘Where ever yow list,’ quod I, ‘nowe may ye goo, it pleases you And I thank yow right hertily also Of yowre laboure, for whiche God do yow mede; reward I can nomore, but Jhesu be yowre spede.’ can say help

line295 Than Contenaunce asked me anone: ‘Yowre felawship, where bien they now?’ quod she. ‘Forsoth,’ quod I, ‘they bien comyng echeone, But in certeyne I knowe nat where they be. At this wyndow whan they come ye may se; line300 Here wil I stande awaityng ever among, For wele I wote they wil nat now be long.’

Thus as I stode musyng ful busily I thought to take heede of hir array. Hir gowne was bliew, this wote I verily, line305 Of goode facion and furred wele with gray; Upon hir sleve hir worde, this is no nay, there is no denying it The whiche saide thus, as my penne can endite, write A moy que je voy, writen with lettres white. ‘To me what I see’

Than ferforth as she com streyght unto me, immediately as line310 ‘Yowre worde,’ quod she ‘fayne wold I that I knewe.’ ‘Forsoth,’ quod I, ‘ye shal wele know and se: And for my word, I have none, this is trewe; It is inough that my clothyng be blew As here before I had comaundement, line315 And so to do I am right wele content.

But telle me this, I pray yow hertily, The stiward here, sey me, what is hir name?’ ‘She hight Largesse, I say yow surely, is called Generosity A faire lady and right of nobil fame; of truly noble line320 Whan ye hir se ye wil report the same. And undir hir, to bid yow welcom alle, There is Bealchiere, the marchal of the halle. Good Cheer

Now al this while that ye here tary stille Yowre owne matiers ye may wele have in mynde; line325 But telle me this, have ye brought any bille?’ petition ‘Ye, ye,’ quod I, ‘or ellis I were behynde; remiss Where is ther on, telle me, that I may fynde To whom I may shewe my matiers playne?’ openly ‘Surely,’ quod she, ‘unto the chambrelayne.’

line330 ‘The chambrelayne,’ quod I, ‘say ye trewe?’ ‘Ye verily,’ quod she, ‘be myn advise, by my advice Be nat aferd but lowly til hir shewe.’ humbly make petition ‘It shal be don,’ quod I, ‘as ye devise, suggest But me must knowe hir name in every wyse.’ in any case line335 ‘Triewly,’ quod she, ‘to telle yow in substaunce, in short Without feyneng, hir name is Remembraunce. evasion

The secretarye yit may nat be forgete, For she may do right moche in every thyng; much Wherfor I rede whan ye have with hir met advise line340 Yowre matier hole telle hir withoute feyneng; whole petition Ye shal hir fynde ful goode and ful lovyng.’ ‘Telle me hir name,’ quod I, ‘of gentillesse.’ out of courtesy ‘Be my goode soth,’ quod she, ‘Avisenesse.’ truth Circumspection

‘That name,’ quod I, ‘for hir is passyng goode, extremely line345 For every bille and cedule she must se. written petition Now, goode,’ quod I, ‘com stonde where I stoode; good lady My felawes bien comyng, yonder they be.’ ‘Is it a jape, or say ye soth?’ quod she. ‘In jape? nay, nay! I say it for certeyne; line350 Se how they come togyder tweyne and tweyne.’ two by two

‘Ye say ful soth,’ quod she, ‘it is no nay; it cannot be denied I se comyng a goodely company.’ ‘They bien,’ quod I, ‘suche folk, I dare wele say, That list to love, thynk it ful verily; That desire believe line355 And my faire love, I pray yow feithfully, At any tyme whan they upon yow cal, That ye wil be goode frend to theym al.’

‘Of my frendship,’ quod she, ‘they shul nat mys, As for ther case to put therto my payne.’ utmost exertion line360 ‘God yield it yow,’ quod I; ‘but telle me this: repay How shal we knowe whiche is the chambrelayne?’ ‘That shal ye wele knowe by hir worde certayne.’ truly ‘What is hir worde, suster, I pray yow say?’ ‘Plus ne purroy, thus writeth she alway.' ‘I could (do) no more’

line365 Thus as we stoode to-gydre, she and I, At the yate my felawes were echon. So mette I theym, as me thought was goodely, polite And bad hem welcom al by one and oon. one by one Than forth com Contenaunce anon: line370 ‘Ful hertily, feyre sustres al,’ quod she, ‘Ye bien right welcom to this contre.

I counseile yow to take a litel rest In my chambre, if it be youre plesaunce. Whan ye bien there me thynk it for the best line375 That I gon in and cal Perseveraunce Because she is oon of youre acqueyntaunce, And she also wil telle yow every thyng How ye shal be rulyd of your comyng.’ concerning your arrival

My felawes al and I, be oon avise, by unanimous judgment line380 Were wele agreed to do as she sayde. Than we began to dresse us in oure guyse our appointed attire That folk shuld se us nat unpurvayde, unprovided for And wageours among us there we layde Whiche of us atired were goodeliest line385 And whiche of us al preysed shuld be best.

The porter than brought Perseveraunce; She welcomd us in ful curteys manere: ‘Thynk ye nat long,’ quod she, ‘youre attendaunce; consider wait I wil go speke unto the herbergier lodgings-officer line390 That she may purvey for youre loggyng here, provide Than wil I gon to the chambrelayne To speke for yow, and come anon agayne.’

And whan she departed and was agone We sawe folkes comyng without the wal, line395 So grete people that nombre couthe we none. Ladyes they were and gentil wymmen al Clothed in bliew everiche, her wordes withal; with their mottoes too But for to knowe theyr wordis or devise They com so thycke we myght in no wise.

line400 With that anon come Perseveraunce And wher I stoode she com streight to me: ‘Ye bien,’ quod she, ‘of myn old acqueyntaunce, Yow to enquere the bolder dare I be What worde they bere eche after theyr degre; rank line405 I pray yow telle it me in secrete wise And I shal kepe it close on warantise.’ I guarantee

‘We bien,’ quod I, ‘fyve ladies al in feere, all in company And gentil wymmen foure in company; Whan they begynne to opyn theyr matiere line410 There shal ye knowe her wordis, by and by. their one after another But as for me I have none verily And so I told to Countenaunce here afore; Al myn array is bliew, what nedith more?’

‘Now,’ quod she, ‘I wil go in agayne, line415 That ye may know what ye shal do.’ ‘Forsoth,’ quod I, ‘yif ye wil take the peyne, Ye dide right moche for us, yif ye did so; The rather spede the sonner may we go. Grete cost alwey there is in taryeng, Great harm line420 And long to sue it is a wery thyng.’

Than parted she and come agayne anon: ‘Ye must,’ quod she, ‘com to the chambrelayne.’ ‘We bien,’ quod I, ‘now redy, everichone, To folowe yow whan ever yow list, certeyne. line425 We have none eloquence, to telle yow pleyne, Besechyng yow we may be so excused Oure triewe meanyng that it be nat refused.’

Than went we forth after Perseveraunce. To se the prease it was a wonder case; throng wonderful thing line430 There for to passe it was grete combraunce, inconvenience The people stoode so thykk in every place. ‘Now stonde ye stille,’ quod she, ‘a litel space, And for yowre ease somwhat shal I assay Yif I can make yow any better way.’

line435 And furth she goth among hem everychon, Makyng a wey that we myght thurgh passe More at oure ease, and whan she had don She bekened us to com ther as she was, So after hir we folowed more and lasse. one and all line440 She brought us streight unto the chambrelayne; There left she us and than she went agayne.

We salwed hir as reson wold it soo, greeted Ful humbly besechyng hir goodenesse, In oure matiers that we had for to doo, line445 That she wold be goode lady and maystresse. ‘Ye bien welcom,’ quod she, ‘in sothfastnesse, certainty And so what I can do yow for to please I am redy, that may be for youre ease.’

We folowed hir unto the chambre doore; line450 ‘Suster,’ quod she, ‘come in ye after me.’ But wite ye wele, ther was a paved floore, The goodeliest that any wight myght see; person And furthermore aboute than loked we On eche a corner and upon every wal, line455 The whiche is made of berel and cristal; beryl

Wheron was graven of storyes many oon: engraved First how Phillis of wommanly pite because of Deyd pitously for the love of Demephon; Died Next after was the story of Thesbe, line460 How she slowe hir self under a tre; slew Yit sawe I more how in pitous case For Antony was slayne Cleopatrace;

That other syde was how Melusene Untriewly was disceyved in hir bayne; deceived bath line465 Ther was also Anelada the quene Upon Arcite how sore she did complayne; Al these storyes wer graven ther certayne And many mo than I reherce yow here — recount It were to long to telle yow al in feere. too completely

line470 And bicause the wallis shone so bright With fyne umple they were al over-spredde gauze To that entent folk shuld nat hurt theyr sight, And thurgh that the storyes myght be redde. Than further I went as I was ledde line475 And there I sawe without any faile A chayer set with ful riche apparaile; adornment

And fyve stages it was set from the grounde, steps Of cassidony ful curiously wrought, chalcedony intricately With foure pomels of gold and verray rounde knobs completely line480 Set with saphirs as fyne as myght be thought. Wote ye what, yif it were thurgh sought if thoroughly searched As I suppose from this contre til Ynde, India Another suche it were hard to fynde.

For wete ye wele, I was ful nere that, know you well line485 So as I durst beholdyng by and by. every detail in turn Above ther was a riche cloth of state canopy Wrought with the nedil ful straungely, unusually Hir worde theron, and thus it sayde triewly: A Endurer, to telle in wordis fewe, ‘(Ever) to endure’ line490 With grete lettres, the better for to shewe. capital

Thus as we stoode a doore opened anon; A gentil womman semely of stature, comely Beryng a mace, com out, hir self alone — Triewly, me thought, a goodely creature. line495 She spak nothyng to lowde, I yow ensure, too Nor hastily, but bi goodely warnyng: with polite warning ‘Make roome,’ quod she, ‘my lady is comyng.’

With that anon I saw Perseveraunce How she hield up the tappet in hir hande. held cloth-hanging line500 I sawe also in right goode ordynaunce orderly fashion This grete lady withyn the tappet gan stande, Comyng outward, I wil ye undrestande, And after hir a noble company, I cowde nat telle the nombre sikerly. for certain

line505 Of theyr names I wold nothyng enquere Further than suche as we wold sue unto, Sauf oo lady whiche was the chaunceler — Except for one Attemperaunce, sothly, hir name was soo — Temperance For us must with hir have moche to doo line510 In oure matiers and alwey more and more. And so furth to telle yow furthermore:

Of this lady hir beauties to discryve describe My konnyng is to symple verily, skill For never yit the dayes of al my live life line515 So inly fayre I have none sene triewly, In hir astate assured utterly; noble state Ther lakked naught, I dare yow wele ensure, That longged to a goodely creature. was appropriate

And furthermore to speke of hyr aray line520 I shall yow tell the maner of hyr goune: Of cloth of gold full ryche, hyt ys no nay, The colour blew of a ryght good fassion, blue fashion In taberd wyse, the slevys hangyng don; And what purfyll ther was and in what wyse embroidered hem line525 So as I can I shall hyt yow devyse. describe

Aftyr a sort the coler and the vent, Lyke as ermyn ys made in purfelyng, used in trimming borders With gret perles full fyne and oryent precious They were couchyd all aftyr oon worchyng line530 With dyamondes in stede of pouderyng; ‘powdering’ with ermine tails The slevys and purfyllys of assyse, They were made lyke in every wyse; in the same fashion

Abowte hir nekke a serpe of fayre rubies neck-ring In white floures of right fyne enemayle; line535 Upon hir hede sette in the fresshest wise A cercle with grete balays of entaile; diadem ruby with engraving That in ernest to speke, withouten faile, For yong and old and every maner age It was a world to loke on hir visage. supreme delight

line540 This comyng to sit in hir astate, This (lady) having come In hir presence we knelid downe echeon Presentyng up oure billis and, wote ye what, Ful humbly she toke hem by oon and oon. Whan we had don than com they al anon line545 And dide the same iche after in theyr manere, Knelyng attones and risyng al in feere. at the same time together

Whan this was don, and she sette in hir place, The chambrelayne she dide unto hir cal, And she goodely comyng til hir a-pace with brisk stride line550 Of hir intent knowyng nothyng at al: ‘Voyde bak the prease,’ quod she, ‘unto the wal; Remove throng Make larger rome, but loke ye do nat tarye, And take these billes unto the secretarye.’

The chambrelayne dide hir comaundement line555 And come ageyne as she was bode to doo; bidden The secretarie there beyng present The billes were delyvered til hir also, Nat only oures but many another moo. Than this lady with gode avise ageyne discernment line560 Anone withal callid hir chambrelayne. straightway with that

‘We wil,’ quod she, ‘the first thyng that ye doo, The secretary make hir come anon With hir billes, and thus we wille also, In oure presence she rede hem everychone line565 That we may take goode avise theron advice Of the ladyes whiche bien of oure counsaile. Looke this be don without any faile.’

The chambrelayn whan she wist hir entent Anon she dide the secretary calle: line570 ‘Lete yowre billes,’ quod she, ‘be here present; presented My lady it wil.’ ‘Madame,’ quod she, ‘I shal.’ wishes it ‘In hir presence she wil ye rede hem al.’ ‘With goode wil I am redy,’ quod she, ‘At hir plesure whan she comaundith me.’

line575 And upon that was made an ordynaunce regulation They that com first theyr billes to be redde. Ful gently than seyde Perseveraunce: ‘Reason it wold that they were sonnest spedde.’ soonest dealt with Anon withal upon a tappet spredde carpet line580 The secretary layde hem downe everichon; Oure billes first she red oon by oon.

The first lady, beryng in hir devise Sanz que jamais, thus wrote she in hir bille: Compleyneng sore and in ful pitous wise line585 Of promesse made with feithful hert and wil And so broken ayenst al maner skille, reason Without desert alweys in hir party, on her part In this matier desiryng remedy.

Hir next felawes word was in this wise — line590 Une sans chaungier; and thus she did compleyne: ‘One without changing’ Though she had bien gwerdoned for hir service, rewarded Yit nothyng, as she takith it, pleyne, fully Wherfor she cowde in no wise restreyne But in this case sue until hir presence, unto line595 As reason wold, to have recompence.

So furthermore to speke of other tweyne: Oon of hem wrote after hir fantasye fancy Oncques puis lever, and for to telle yow pleyne, ‘I can never rise’ Hir compleynt was grevous verily line600 For as she sayde ther was grete reason why, And as I can remembre that matiere I shal yow telle the processe al in fere.

Hir bille was made compleyneng in her guyse in her fashion That of hir joye, comfort and gladnesse line605 Was no suerte, for in no maner wise certainty She fonde therin no poynt of stabilnesse, Now ill now wele, out of al sikernesse; security Ful humble desiryng of her grace humbly Som remedy to shewe in this case. offer

line610 Hir felaw made hir bille, and thus she sayde In pleyneng wise: ther as she lovid best, Whethir she were wroth or ill apayde, pleased She myght nat se whan she wold faynest, And wroth was she in verray ernest line615 To telle hir worde, and forsoth, as I wote, Entierment vostre right thus she wrote. ‘Entirely yours’

And upon that she made a grete request, With hert and wil and al that myght be done, As until hir that myght redresse it best, unto line620 For in hir mynde thus myght she fynde it sone The remedy of that whiche was hir bone; request Rehersyng that she had seyd before, Besechyng hir it myght be so no more.

And in like wise as they had don before line625 The gentil wymmen of oure company Put up their billes; and for to telle yow more, One of hem wrote C’est sanz dire, verily; ‘It needs no words’ Of hir compleynt also the cause why Withyn hir bille she put it in writyng, line630 And what it saide ye shul have knowlachyng. knowledge

It sayde, God wote, and that ful pitously, Like as she was disposed in hir hert, No mysfortune that she toke grevously, took to heart Al on til hir it was the joy or smert; All one to her pain line635 Somtyme no thank for al hir desert; In the past no reward Other comfort she wayted non comyng, expected none to come And so used it greved hir nothyng; And being so used

Desiryng hir and lowly hir besechyng That she for hir wold se a bettir way, provide line640 As she that had bien al hir dayes livyng As one Stadefast and triewe and so wil be alway. Of hir felaw somwhat shal I yow say, Whos bille was redde next after forth withal, forthwith And what it ment reherce yow I shal. recount

line645 Endieuest she wrote in hir devise, ‘In God is (my trust)’ And thus she sayde, without any faile: Hir trowth myght be take in no wise accepted as of value Like as she thought, wherfor she had mervaile, For trowth somtyme was wont to take availe line650 In eche matiere, but now al that is goo — The more pite that it is suffred soo.

Moche more ther was wherof she shuld compleyne But she thought it to grete encombraunce burden So moche to write, and therfor, in certayne, line655 In God and hir she put hir affiaunce, trust As in hir worde is made a remembraunce, Besechyng hir that she wold in that case Shewe til hir the favour of hir grace.

The thridde she wrote rehersyng hir grevaunce, line660 Yee, wote ye what, a pitous thyng to here, Yea For as me thought she felt grete displesaunce — One myght wele perceyve bi hir chiere, And no wonder, it sat hir passyng neere; affected her very deeply Yit loth she was to put it in writyng, line665 But neede wil have his cours in every thyng. necessity its way

Sejour ensure this was hir worde certeyne, ‘Rest assured’ And thus she wrote but in litel space: There she loved hir labour was in vayne For he was sette al in another place; line670 Ful humble desiryng in that cace humbly Som goode comfort hir sorow to appese That she myght live more at hertis ease.

The fourth surely, me thought, she liked wele, was well pleased As in hir port and in hir havyng, demeanor behavior line675 And Bien monest, as ferre as I cowth feele, ‘Well advised’ perceive That was hir worde, til hir wele belongyng; Wherfor til her she prayde above al thyng, Ful hertily, to say yow in substaunce, in short That she wold sende hir goode contenuaunce.

line680 ‘Ye have rehersed me these billis alle, But now late se somwhat of youre entente.’ ‘It may so happe peraventure ye shal.’ perhaps ‘Now, I pray yow, while I am here present.’ ‘Ye shal, parde, have knowlache what I ment; indeed line685 But thus I say in trowth, and make no fable, The case it silf is inly lamentable, itself deeply

And wele I wote that ye wil thynk the same Like as I say whan ye han herd my bil.’ ‘Now, goode, telle on, I hate yow, be seynt Jame.’ good lady bid line690 ‘Abide a while, it is nat yit my wil; Yet must ye wite, bi reason and bi skil, according to reason Sith ye knowe al that hath be done afore.’ And thus it sayde, without any more:

‘Nothyng so lief as death to come to me dear line695 For fynal end of my sorwes and peyne; What shuld I more desire, as seme ye — think And ye knewe al aforne it for certeyne If I wote ye wold; and for to telle yow pleyne, Without hir help that hath al thyng in cure in her care line700 I can nat thynk that it may long endure;

And for my trouth, preved it hath bien wele — tested To sey the soth, it can be no more — Of ful long tyme, and suffred every dele everything In pacience and kept it al in store; suffered it all in silence line705 Of hir goodenesse besechyng hir therfor That I myght have my thank in suche wise requital As my desert deservith of justice.’

Whan these billes were redde everichone This lady toke goode avisement, consideration line710 And hem til aunswere, eche on by oon, them She thought it to moche in hir entent, too Wherfor she yaf in comaundement In hir presence to come both oon and al To yeve hem there hir answere in general. collectively

line715 What did she than, suppose yow, verily? She spak hir silf and seyde in this manere: ‘We have wele sen youre billis by and by one by one And som of hem ful pitous for to here. We wil therfor ye knowen this al in feere: all together line720 Withyn short tyme oure court of parlement Here shal be holde in oure paleys present, held in this very palace

And in al this wherein ye fynde yow greved There shal ye fynde an open remedy, In suche wise as ye shul be releved line725 Of al that ye reherce heere triewly. As of the date ye shal knowe verily, Than ye may have a space in your comyng, time to get here For Diligence shall bryng it yow bi writyng.’

We thanked hir in oure most humble wise, line730 Oure felawship echon bi on assent, with one accord Submyttyng us lowly til hir servise, For as us thought we had oure travel spent labor In suche wise as we hielde us content. Than eche of us toke other by the sleve, line735 And furth withal, as we shuld take oure leve. And that straightway

Al sodainly the water sprang anone In my visage and therwithal I woke. ‘Wher am I now?’ thought I, ‘al this is goon,’ Al amased; and up I gan to looke. bewildered line740 With that anon I went and made this booke, Thus symply rehersyng the substaunce essentials of the story Because it shuld nat out of remembraunce,

‘Now verily your dreame is passyng goode And worthy to be had in remembraunce, line745 For though I stande here as long as I stoode It shuld to me be none encombraunce, burden I toke therin so inly grete plesaunce. truly But tel me now what ye the booke do cal, For me must wite.’ ‘With right goode wil ye shal:

line750 As for this booke, to sey yow verray right absolutely correctly And of the name to tel the certeynte, “La semble de Dames,” thus it hight; ‘The Assembly of Ladies’ How thynk ye that the name is?’ ‘Goode, parde!’ indeed ‘Now go, farwele, for they cal after me, line755 My felawes al, and I must after sone.’ Rede wele my dreame, for now my tale is done.