TR4. 15 Fŏr hów Crĭséydĕ Tróĭlús fŏrsóok --
TR4. 16 Ŏr át thĕ léeste, hŏw thát shĕ wás ŭnkýndĕ --
TR4. 17 Mŏot hénnĕsfórth bĕn mátĕre óf my̆ bóok,
TR4. 18 Ăs wrítĕn fólk thŏrugh whích ĭt ís ĭn mýndĕ.
TR4. 19 Ăllás, thăt théy shŏlde éverĕ cáusĕ fýndĕ
TR4. 20 Tŏ spéke hĭre hárm! Ănd íf thĕy ón hĭre lýĕ,
TR4. 21 Ĭwís, hĕmsélf shŏlde hán thĕ vílănýĕ.

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): For how Criseyde forsook Troilus—or, at least, how she was unkind—must henceforth be the subject of my book, as is written by those through whom the story is remembered. Alas, that they should ever find reason to speak ill of her! And if they lie about her, indeed, they should themselves be shamed!
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): クリセイデはトロイルスをどうして捨てたのか―少なくとも、彼女はどうして不実になったのか―今後それがこの本の主題となるにちがいない。人はこの物語を書き、彼らの力でわれらはそれを記憶するのだから。ああ悲しいかな、彼らは絶えず、彼女をそしる理由を見つけねばならないとは！彼女について真実を明かさないなら、きっと、自ら恥ずかしく思わねばならないだろう。
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 本卷要唱克丽西德如何丢弃特罗勒斯，或她如何薄情，原来这故事就是这样流传给我，我不由得不照样叙述下去。啊，他们何必这样诽谤她呢，如果是他们故意撒谎，他们就该自受谴责。

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Narrator
• Addressee: N/A
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (female: Criseyde)
• 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 natural affection or concern for or loyalty towards one’s lover, cruel, untrue

Comments from the Editor

The narrator asserts that, despite his reluctance, he is obligated to remain true to his sources and narrate how Criseyde abandons Troilus. This stanza, an addition by Chaucer, is followed by an invocation to the Furies and Mars, seeking their aid in penning this book.