woful adj.

2023-07-09 Uncategorized

TR4. 785 "My̌n hérte ǎnd ék thě wófǔl góost thěrínně
TR4. 786 By̌quéthe Ǐ wíth yǒure spírǐt tó cǒmpléyně
TR4. 787 Ětérnǎlý, fǒr théy shǎl néverě twýnně;
TR4. 788 Fǒr thóugh ǐn érthe y̌twýnněd bé wě twéyně,
TR4. 789 Yět ín thě féld ǒf pítě, óut ǒf péyně,
TR4. 790 Thǎt híghte Ělísǒs, shál wě bén y̌féerě,
TR4. 791 Ǎs Órphěús ǎnd Érǔdíce, hǐs féerě.

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): I bequeath my heart (and also the sorrowful spirit inside it) to complain with your spirit eternally, for they shall never part. For though on earth we two may be separated, yet in the field of compassion, beyond pain, which is called the Elysian Field, we shall be together, like Orpheus and his consort Eurydice.
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): わたしは心に、そしてその中に住まう悲しい魂にも貴方の魂とともに永遠に嘆き悲しむことを伝えます、だって、心と魂は決して離れられないものですもの。わたしたち二人はこの世で離れ離れになっても、エリュシオンと呼ばれる苦痛のない憐憫の野で、オルフェウスと連れのエウリディーケのように、一緒に暮らせるのですから。
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 我要传授这颗心和心中哀魂去和你精灵会合，同声悲号，永不分离。虽在人世不能偕老，却到了亡魂乐土，那时慈光普照，苦痛全消，我俩仍可互相依伴，像奥费斯和他的优丽狄西一样。

Word Information

Etymology: From wo, n.
Addresser: Criseyde
Addressee: N/A
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
Counterpart in its source (Fil): 4.91
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: soul (Criseyde’s spirit) or human beings (female: Criseyde)
Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

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

sad, sorrowful

Comments from the Editor

Similar to its Italian source, the above stanza is a segment of Criseyde’s lamentation after the departure of the other ladies. The main distinction is that in Fil, Criseida accuses Troiolo of not attempting to make her stay through love or even by force. This statement is omitted in Tr, and later in Chaucer’s rendition of the story, Criseyde declines Troilus’ suggestion of elopement.