benigne adj.

  benigne 
TR1.428 “Yĕ stóndĕn ín hĭr eíghĕn mýghtĭlý,
TR1.429 Ăs ín ă pláce ŭntó yŏure vértŭ dígnĕ;
TR1.430 Whĕrfórĕ, lórd, ĭf mý sĕrvíce ŏr Í
TR1.431 Măy líkĕn yów, sŏ béth tŏ mé bĕnígnĕ;
TR1.432 Fŏr mýn ĕstát rŏiál Ĭ hére rĕsígnĕ
TR1.433 Ĭntó hĭre hónd, ănd wíth fŭl húmblĕ chérĕ
TR1.434 Bĭcóme hĭr mán, ăs tó my̆ lády̆ dérĕ.”

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): In her eyes you stand very high, as in a place worthy of your excellence. Therefore, Lord, if my service or I may please you, be gracious to me. For I here resign my royal position into her hand, as my dear lady, and in humblest manner become her man.’
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 貴方は彼女の瞳の中に力強く座を占めておられます。まるで貴方の高徳に値する場所に在す如くに。それゆえ、主よ、おれの献身もしくはおれ自身が貴方を満足させられますなら、おれに恵みを垂れたまえ。おれは王族の地位をここで放棄し、あの方の手中に入り、本当に慎ましい態度で、わが愛しい人に対し、恋するしもべとなります。」
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 在她的眼中你是拥有威权的，你有这能力，你应居此尊位；所以，我的神，假如我的劳役能邀得你的欢心，就求你垂怜于我；从今以后我要把这权贵身份交付给她，决心卑躬到底，做她的侍从，认她为我惟一心爱的人。”

Word Information

  • Etymology: OF
  • Addresser: Troilus
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 1.39)
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: supernatural beings (God of Love)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: (Quoted) 1. (a) Of persons: gracious, gentle, kind, generous, merciful; showing good will (toward sb.); of an inferior: meek, submissive; (s.v. benīgne,adj.)
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 22): benigne: well disposed
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) well-disposed (s.v. benigne, adj.)
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

well disposed

Comments from the Editor

Troilus does not believe in love. However, after seeing Criseyde in the temple, he is now regretful for what he has said and done to other knights. In the above quotation, he prays to the God of Love for grace. There is a comparable scene in Fil (1.39) wherein Troiolo prays similarly, but Troiolo does not mention his willingness to abdicate his royalty.