first ord. num. (as adj.)

2022-09-01 first

TR5.834 Ănd cértĕynlý ĭn stórye ĭt ís y̆fóundĕ
TR5.835 Thăt Tróĭlús wăs névere ŭntó nŏ wíght,
TR5.836 Ăs ín hĭs týme, ĭn nó dĕgrée sĕcóundĕ
TR5.837 Ĭn dúrry̆ng dón thăt lóngĕth tó ă knýght.
TR5.838 Ăl mýghte ă géănt pássĕn hým ŏf mýght,
TR5.839 Hĭs hérte ăy wíth thĕ fírst ănd wíth thĕ béstĕ
TR5.840 Stŏod párĕgál, tŏ dúrre dŏn thát hy̆m léstĕ.

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): And certainly, it is found in the stories that in his time Troilus was never in any way second to anyone in daring to do what befits a knight. Although a giant might surpass him in strength, his heart always stood fully equal with the first and the best in daring to do what pleased him.
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): きっと歴史の中で見られることだが、騎士に相応しいことを敢えて行なう勇者の点では、トロイルスは彼と同時代のどの人物にも決して引けを取らず、二番目の地位に甘んじてはいなかった。力の点では巨人は彼を凌駕するかもしれないが、己を欲するところを敢えて行なう勇者の点では、彼の心はいつも第一人者か最高の者の部類に十分入った。
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 在当时他是惟一忠勇的武士，史乘上都有记载可寻。一个巨人或可超过他的臂力，可是他的雄心却决不后人，敢于担当任何伟业。

Word Information

Etymology: OE
Addresser: Narrator
Addressee: N/A
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: best
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings
Attributive/ Predicative: –

Information in Previous Studies

OED: Not quoted
MED: (Quoted) 4a. (a) Of persons: most prominent in rank, power, or excellence; highest; ~ conseiler, chief councilor; ~ fo, chief enemy; ~ godhede, supreme God; first of pes, Prince of Peace; (s.v. first, ord. num. (as adj. & n.))

Commented in other previous works:
Windeatt (2003: 304): In durryng don that longeth to a knyght. Al myghte a geant passen hym of myght, His herte ay with the first and with the beste Stood paregal, to durre don that hym leste: In daring to do (durryng don) that which befits (longeth to) a knight. Although a giant might surpass him in strength (myght), his heart was always fully equal (paregal) to the first and best in daring to do what he wished
Fisher (1989: 516): ferste: first
Benson (1987): N/A
Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) the ~: the most distinguished (s.v. first, adj.)
Donaldson (1975): N/A
Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

the ~: the most distinguished

Comments from the Editor

See my comment of ‘entechen’ (v., Tr5.832).