TR1.197 “Ĭ háve hĕrd tóld, părdíĕux, ŏf yóure ly̆výngĕ, TR1.198 Yĕ lóverĕs, ánd yŏure léwĕd óbsĕrváuncĕs, TR1.199 Ănd whích ă lábŏur fólk hăn ín wy̆nnýngĕ TR1.200 Ŏf lóve, ănd ín thĕ képy̆ng whích dŏutáuncĕs; TR1.201 Ănd whán yŏure préy ĭs lóst, wŏo ánd pĕnáuncĕs. TR1.202 Ŏ vérăy fóolĕs, nýce ănd blýnde bĕ yé! TR1.203 Thĕr nýs năt óon kăn wár by̆ óthĕr bé.”
Line Information
- Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
- English translation (Windeatt: 1998): I’ve heard tell, by God, of your way of life, you lovers, and your foolish observances, and what an effort people have in obtaining love and what uncertainties in keeping it — and when your prey is lost, misery and suffering! O true fools, you are silly and blind! There’s not one of you that can take warning from another’s example.’
- Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 神かけて言うが、おれはそなたら恋人たちの生き方やら、ばかげたお勤めぶりやらが、語られるのを聞いたことがある。恋人たちは愛を勝ち取るのにどんな骨折りをするのか、それを守るのにどんな難儀をするのかも。それに愛する人という獲物を失うと、悲嘆に暮れることもね。ああ、本当のばか者たちよ、そなたらは愚かで盲目なのだ！他人の振りを見てわが振りを注意することができないもの。」
- Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 我一向听说你们这些痴心妄想的家伙，化尽了劲儿去求爱，又受尽了烦恼去守住，到后来一块好肉还是落个空，毕竟是苦闷与悲伤；啊，傻汉们！你们真算得又痴又瞎，没有一人能以前车为鉴的。”
Word Information
- Etymology: OE
- Addresser: Troilus
- Addressee: lovers (the young knights)
- Adjectives with which juxtaposed: verry, nyce (nice)
- Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 1.21-22)
- Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (male lovers)
- 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
lacking insight or mental perception
Comments from the Editor
In this quotation, Troilus teases the young lovers and despises love. However, since love can bind everything and no man can abolish this law of nature (1.237–38), Troilus will soon learn that he also is ‘nyce and blynde’.