TR2. 708 "Ěk wél wǒot Í my̌ kýngěs sóne ǐs hé,
TR2. 709 Ǎnd síth hě háth tǒ sé mě swích dělít,
TR2. 710 Ǐf Í wǒlde óutrělíche hǐs síghtě flée,
TR2. 711 Pěráuntěr hé myǧhte háve mě ín dǐspít,
TR2. 712 Thorǔgh whícch Ǐ mýghtě stónde ǐn wórsě plít.
TR2. 713 Nǒw wére Ǐ wís, mě hátě tó pǔrchácě,
TR2. 714 Wǐthóutěn néed, thěr Í mǎy stónde ǐn grácě?

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): I’m also well aware that he’s my king’s son, and since he takes such pleasure in seeing me, if I were to avoid seeing him altogether, he might perhaps bear a grudge against me, through which I could be in a worse situation. Now would I be wise to make myself an enemy needlessly, where I could find favour?
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): あのお方はわが王の御子息であられることもよく分かっているわ。わたしを見るととてもお喜びにおなりだから、もしわたしがあのお方の目から完全に逃れようとすれば、おそらくわたしをお恨みになるでしょうし、わたしの方はいっそう苦しい立場に立たされるかもしれないわ。あのお方の愛顧を受けられる時なのに、不必要に憎しみを買うことは賢いことでしょうか。
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 我知道他是一个王子，他既如此乐意看我，假使我完全躲避，他岂不要怀恨于我，也许结果于我倒不利；我若凭空惹人厌恨，还能讨得了什么好呢？

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Criseyde
• Addressee: N/A
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: state or condition (plight)
• Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: 2. (a) More unpleasant, more unfavorable, more unfortunate, more unhappy, more to be dreaded; more grievous, more harmful, more noxious; of an enemy: more dangerous, more destructive; of cold, pain, etc.: more severe, more intense; also in proverbs; ~ and ~; so muche (muchel) the ~, so much the worse; (s.v. wers(e, adj. (comparative))

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003): N/A
• Fisher (1989): N/A
• Benson (1987): N/A
• Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
• Donaldson (1975): N/A
• Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

more unfavourable, more harmful

Comments from the Editor

After receiving information about Troilus from her uncle, Criseyde contemplates the dilemma of desiring to reciprocate his love while weighing the potential consequences of damaging her reputation. Criseyde deliberates that completely avoiding encounters with Troilus might lead to unfavourable circumstances, and thus considers a more cautious approach.