bettre adj.

  bettre 
 TR5.939 “Bŭt hértĕ mýn, sy̆n thát Ĭ ám yŏure mán --
 TR5.940 Ănd bén thĕ fírst ŏf whóm Ĭ séchĕ grácĕ --
 TR5.941 Tŏ sérvĕ yów ăs hértĕly ás Ĭ kán,
 TR5.942 Ănd éverĕ shál whĭl Í tŏ lýve hăve spácĕ,
 TR5.943 Sŏ, ér thăt Í dĕpárte ŏut óf thĭs plácĕ,
 TR5.944 Yĕ wól mĕ gráuntĕ thát Ĭ máy tŏ-mórwĕ,
 TR5.945 Ăt béttrĕ léysĕr, téllĕ yów my̆ sórwĕ.”

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): But my heart, since I am your man — and you are the first from whom I seek favour — to serve you as wholeheartedly as I can, and always shall while I live, then before I leave this place I beg you, will you please grant that I may tell you of my sorrow at greater length tomorrow?’
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): しかしわが君よ、僕は貴女のしもべであり―初めて好意を求める女性ですから―できるだけ真心を尽くしてお仕えし、命が続く限りずっとそういたします。そこで、僕がこの場から離れます前に、お願いですが、明日もっとゆっくりと、僕の悲しみを貴方にお話できる願いを適えてくださいますように。」
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 不过，我的心肝，我既属于你，你是我开口祈恩的第一个人，让我尽心侍候你，毕生献身给你，在我告别之前，请你允许我明天找个适当的时间向你倾吐衷曲。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Diomede
  • Addressee: Criseyde
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: a suitable time or opportunity (leisure, time)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 308): At bettre leyser: at greater length
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987: 572): At bettre leyser: at greater length
  • Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) at better leyser: at greater length (s.v. leyser, n.)
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

greater or higher in quantity, size, or degree

Comments from the Editor

Compared with its Fil counterpart, we find that Chaucer added ten lines (5.943–52) in which Diomede begs to come again the next day. This change is dramatic, for the next day is the eleventh, but Criseyde was supposed to return to Troy within ten days. In other words, promising to see Diomede means breaking her promise to Troilus.