TR5.967 “Thăt Grékĭs bén ŏf héigh cŏndícĭóun
TR5.968 Ĭ wóot ĕk wél; bŭt cértĕyn, mén shăl fýndĕ
TR5.969 Ăs wórthĭ fólk wĭthínnĕ Tróiĕ tówn,
TR5.970 Ăs kónny̆ng, ánd ăs párfĭt, ánd ăs kýndĕ,
TR5.971 Ăs bén bĭtwíxĕn Órkădés ănd Índĕ;
TR5.972 Ănd thát yĕ kóude wĕl yówrĕ lády̆ sérvĕ,
TR5.973 Ĭ trówe ĕk wél, hĭre thánk fŏr tó dĕsérvĕ.

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): I’m also well aware that Greeks are men of high character. But as worthy folk are certainly to be found inside the town of Troy: as knowledgeable, and as perfect, and as kind, as are between the Orkneys and India. I also well believe that you could serve your lady well, in order to deserve her thanks.
• Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): ギリシャの方々は高い資質の持ち主であることもよく存じております、しかし、きっと、人びとはお分かりでしょう、トロイアの町中にも立派な人びとがいて、オークニー諸島からインドまでに住まう人びとと同じように、能力があって、申し分なく、親切であるということが。そして、貴方は貴方の愛人に立派に仕えられ、愛人の感謝をうけるに値することもわたしは十分に信じます。
• Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 希腊人德性高超，我是明白的；但特罗亚城中的确也有同样可钦仰的人物，聪明，完善，和蔼，可与全世界东起印度，西迄奥克尼群岛任何人比拟。你善于奉侍你的意中人，领受她的厚意，我也很相信得过。

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Criseyde
• Addressee: Diomede
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: worthi (worthy), parfit (perfect), kynde (kind)
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): 6.28
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (some folk in Troy)
• Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: (Quoted) 2. Possessing knowledge; learned, erudite, expert, competent; experienced, wise; ~ clerk, a scholar; ~ in (of) lore, clergie, the sciences; ~ and wis, learned and wise. (s.v. cǒnning, ppl.)

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003: 309): konnyng: knowledgeable
• Fisher (1989: 518): konnyng: capable
• Benson (1987): N/A
• Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
• Donaldson (1975: 967): conning: able
• Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

clever, knowing; knowledgeable; capable

Comments from the Editor

This quotation follows Fil.6.28. Although the general meaning is similar, Boccaccio’s Criseida uses Hector as an example to indicate that the Trojans are as worthy and well-mannered. However, Chaucer omits this example, equating Troilus with the worthy folk who are ‘konnyng’, ‘parfit’ and ‘kynde’. Criseida criticises Diomede for disparaging others and then praising himself above them, but Criseyde does not do so.

‘Orkades and Inde’ is added by Chaucer to refer to the furthest points of the world.