attempre adj.

  attempre 
TR1.953 “Nŏw lókĕ thát ătémprĕ bé thĭ brídĕl,
TR1.954 Ănd fór thĕ béste ăy súffrĕ tó thĕ týdĕ,
TR1.955 Ŏr éllĕs ál ŏure lábŏur ís ŏn ýdĕl:
TR1.956 Hĕ hástĕth wél thăt wísely̆ kán ăbýdĕ.
TR1.957 Bĕ dílĭgént ănd tréwe, ănd áy wĕl hídĕ;
TR1.958 Bĕ lústy̆, fré; pĕrsévere ĭn thý sĕrvýsĕ,
TR1.959 Ănd ál ĭs wél, ĭf thów wĕrke ín thĭs wýsĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): ‘Rein yourself in with moderation and, for the best, always be patient until the right time, or else all our work is in vain. He hastens well who can wait prudently. Be diligent and faithful, and always be discreet. Be cheerful, generous, persevering in your service, and all is well if you act in this way.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): さあ、若君の手綱たる自制心をお緩めください。そしてよかれと思って時節をお待ちください。さもないとすべての骨折りは無駄になります。賢明に待つことができる者こと急ぐのが上手なのです。勤勉で誠実であって、しかも常に己を出さずお隠しなさい。元気で、大らかであれ、奉仕の気持を持続してください。このように行なえば、すべてうまく行きます。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 现在你该松松地握着你的缰绳，一切事都要听其自然，否则就不免枉费了功夫；能耐心等待的才是善于赶程的人；勤快、真诚、缄默最重要。灵活、宽大、待人始终不渝、自然就万事如意。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OF
  • Addresser: Pandarus
  • Addressee: Troilus
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: self-possession or self-control (bridle: Troilus’s self-control)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 44): atempre: restrained
  • Fisher (1989: 419): atempre … brydel: moderate, self-control (bridle)
  • Benson (1987: 486): atempre: moderate, restrained
  • Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
  • Donaldson (1975: 744): attempre: well in control  
  • Baugh (1963: 96): atempre: restrained

Possible Definitions

restrained, moderate, well in control

Comments from the Editor

Troilus confesses his love for Criseyde, and Pandarus promises to win him her love. In and after this quote, Pandarus mentions several important points, emphasizing most of all not to haste (1.953–55, 64–65, 972).