TR2.1079 Ănd thát shĕ shólde hăn hís kŏnnýng ĕxcúsĕd
TR2.1080 Thăt lítĕl wás, ănd ék hĕ drédde hĭre sóo;
TR2.1081 Ănd hís ŭnwórthy̆nésse hĕ áy ăcúsĕd;
TR2.1082 Ănd áftĕr thát thăn gán hĕ télle hĭs wóo --
TR2.1083 Bŭt thát wăs éndĕlés, wĭthóutĕn hóo --
TR2.1084 Ănd séyde hĕ wólde ĭn tróuthe ălwéy hy̆m hóldĕ;
TR2.1085 Ănd rádde ĭt óver, ănd gán thĕ léttrĕ fóldĕ.

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): and that she should excuse his lack of understanding, and he was so afraid of her too; and he repeatedly blamed his unworthiness; and after that, he then told of his unhappiness—but that was endless, without ceasing!—and said he would always stay true; then he read it over, and folded up the letter.
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 乏しい自分の知識を大目に見てほしいい、そして貴女にひどく恐縮していると。そして自分の価値のなさを終始責め、その後で自分の悲しみを述べ始めた、しかし、それは際限なく、とめどもなかった。それから自分はいつも信頼を持ち続けるつもりであると言って、手紙を読み直して、折りたたんだ。
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 请她原谅他无知，并表示对她十分敬畏，再三自认薄弱无能；又絮述他的无限悲哀；且誓愿真诚到底；—写完后读了三遍，把信折好。

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Narrator
• Addressee: N/A
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 2.107)
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: suffering, sorrow or grief (Troilus’s woe)
• Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: Not quoted

• 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

having no end or limit

Comments from the Editor

Unlike Boccaccio, Chaucer does not provide one with detailed content of Troilus’ letter in this scene. However, simply by reading the summary of Troilus’ letter, it is easy to guess that Troilus speaks in a much humbler tone than his counterpart does. For instance, Troiolo in Fil.2.106 makes the following direct statement: “I pray the sweet lord Love that, as he hath placed thee in my delight, so with the same willingness he place me in thy desire, that, as I am thine, so thou mayest at some time become mine and may never be taken away from me.” A similar speech is found when Pandarus speaks (2.582–88) even though it is likely that Troilus does not utter it. See also my comment of ‘blisful’ (adj., Tr2.1091).