TR3. 106 "Thǔs múche ǎs nów, Ǒ wómmǎnlíchě wíf,
TR3. 107 Ǐ máy ǒut brýnge, ǎnd íf thǐs yów dǐsplésě,
TR3. 108 Thǎt shál Ǐ wréke ǔpón my̌n ówěn líf
TR3. 109 Rǐght sóone, Ǐ trówe, ǎnd dó yǒure hérte ǎn ésě,
TR3. 110 Ǐf wíth my̌ déth yǒure wréththě máy ǎpésě.
TR3. 111 Bǔt sýn thǎt yé hǎn hérd mě sómwhǎt séyě,
TR3. 112 Nǒw récche Ǐ névere hǒw sóoně thát Ǐ déyě."

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): This much for the present, O most womanly of women, I am able to express and, if this displease you, I shall soon avenge it upon my own life, I think, and bring relief to your heart, if your anger can be appeased by my death. But since you have heard me say something, now I don’t care how soon I die.’
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): ああ、女性の中の女性よ、今これだけは思い切って言えますが、もしこれが君の気にさわるなら、おれはすぐに命でそれを晴らそうと思います、そして君の怒りが、おれが命を絶つことによって和らぐのでしたら、そうしますから君の心を和らげてください。でも君がおれの言うことを幾分でも聞いてくださいましたから、おれは今すぐどのように死のうと一向に構いません。」
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 这是我所能向你吐露的一点，完美的女郎啊，假如你听了不乐意，只好立即在我这生命上泄愤，让你的心地安宁，我愿以一死为报，求你息怒。你既听到了我的话，就是死了我也甘心。”

Word Information

• Etymology: From womman, n.
• Addresser: Troilus
• Addressee: Criseyde
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (female: Criseyde) 
• Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: 1. Frequently depreciative. b. Characteristic of or befitting a woman as opposed to a man; feminine; womanish. (s.v. womanly, adj.)
• MED: 1. (a) Of a woman, a goddess: feminine, womanly; (s.v. wǒmmanlī,adj.)

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003: 127): wommanliche wif: (most) womanly woman
• Fisher (1989; 449): wommanlyche wyf: womanly woman
• Benson (1987: 515): wommanliche wif: womanly woman (having the best feminine characteristics)
• Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
• Donaldson (1975): N/A
• Baugh (1963: 128): wommanliche wif: pattern of womanhood

Possible Definitions

womanly, womanish

Comments from the Editor

Troilus pleads for mercy from Criseyde, a scene that is commonly found in the tradition of courtly love. It aligns with the recurring themes of devotion, longing, and the power dynamics inherent in the relationship between the lover and the beloved. The act of begging for mercy portrays a humble and vulnerable gesture, emphasizing the lover’s complete surrender and dependence on the mercy and favour of the beloved.