TR3.134 “Ăs tó my̆ lády̆ ríght ănd chíef rĕsórt,
TR3.135 Wĭth ál my̆ wít ănd ál my̆ dílĭgéncĕ;
TR3.136 Ănd Í tŏ hán, rĭght ás yŏw líst, cŏmfórt,
TR3.137 Úndĕr yŏwre yérde, ĕgál tŏ mýn ŏfféncĕ,
TR3.138 Ăs déth, ĭf thát Ĭ brékĕ yóure dĕféncĕ;
TR3.139 Ănd thát yĕ déignĕ mé sŏ múchĕl hŏnóurĕ
TR3.140 Mĕ tó cŏmándĕn áught ĭn ány̆ hóurĕ;

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): … as to my own lady and chief source of help, with all my intelligence and all my diligence; and that I should have — exactly as you please, and subject to your rule — such comfort as is appropriate to however I have offended, such as death, if I disobey your prohibition; and that you grant me so great an honour as to command me to do anything at any hour;
• Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): まさしく恋人や主たる拠り所に対して全知と全力をかたむけて尽くす人のように。そしてもしもおれが君の禁を犯すことがあれば、死罪に匹敵する君の笞の下で、君の好みのままに、慰謝をうけること。そしてかたじけなくもどんな時にどんな事でもおれに命じるという大変な名誉を施してくださることです。
• Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 竭尽我的智慧敬事我的女郎，我唯一的乐泉；我将听从你的摆布和策杖，我吃过多少苦，就愿得多少慰藉，万一违反了你的心意，愿以死报你；并求你赐恩，随时命令我；

Word Information

• Etymology: OF
• Addresser: Troilus
• Addressee: Criseyde
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: recourse (resort: source of aid)
• Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: (Quoted) 2. Most important or prominent (among a class of things, persons, activities, etc.); ~ cite, chief city, capital city; ~ halle, main hall; ~ lord, overlord; ~ marchaunt, leading merchant; ~ gerdon, chief reward; ~ sinne, cardinal sin; ~ cause (ground), principal or primary reason or motive; etc., etc.; as most chef, as the most important. (s.v. chẹ̄f, adj.)

• 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

chief, most important

Comments from the Editor

This scene portrays the two protagonists initially meeting privately. Troilus swears to serve Criseyde for good, which is commonplace in ‘courtly love’. This scene finds no counterpart in Fil.