TR4.36 Nŏt Í hŏw lónge ŏr shórt ĭt wás bĭtwénĕ TR4.37 Thĭs púrpŏs ánd thăt dáy thĕy íssĕn méntĕ, TR4.38 Bŭt ón ă dáy, wĕl ármĕd, bríghte, ănd shénĕ, TR4.39 Ĕctór ănd mány ̆a wórthĭ wíght ŏut wéntĕ, TR4.40 Wĭth spére ĭn hónde ănd bíggĕ bówĕs béntĕ; TR4.41 Ănd ín thĕ hérd, wĭthóutĕn léngĕr léttĕ, TR4.42 Hĭre fómĕn ín thĕ féld hĕm fástĕ méttĕ.
Line Information
- Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
- English translation (Windeatt: 1998): I do not know how long or short was the interval between this decision and the day they meant to go forth, but one day Hector and many an excellent man went out well and resplendently armed, with spears in their hands and strong bows bent for action; and without any longer delay they soon encountered their enemies face to face on the field of battle.
- Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): これを決めた日と出撃を予定した日との間隔が長かったか短かったか、どのくらいか、分からないが、ある日、明るくきらびやかに、申し分なく武装して、ヘクトールと多くの優れた兵たちが手に槍としなやかな強弓をもって出陣し、もはやためらうことなく、迅速に戦場で敵と差し向いに対峙した。
- Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 我不知道战略的决定是准备何时才按计划实施；反正到了一天，赫克多和多数将领，著上了璀璨的甲胄冲出城去，手执枪矛，挽起大弓；敌人在战场接住，须眉靠近须眉。
Word Information
- Etymology: OA
- Addresser: Narrator
- Addressee: N/A
- Adjectives with which juxtaposed: shene (shining)
- Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
- Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (Ector and other warriors)
- 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
shiny; resplendent
Comments from the Editor
(The following comment is taken from Zhou (2018: 130-31).)
Although this battle is the most important in Chaucer’s narrative, Boccaccio described it plainly as a usual “mislea” (hand-to-hand fight) (Fil.4.1, 8). Instead, Chaucer depicts the combat in a much more detailed and skillful manner.
The poet’s account begins with descriptions of Ector and other participants. The juxtaposed “brighte” and “shene” convey a vivid image of the sharp spears, arrows, swords, and armors of the combatants, reminding the reader of the red Mars with shining spear and shield painted on the ensign of the noble duke, Theseus (KnT.975-80). In addition, the juxtaposed, “bigge” and “bente”, alliterate with the object they modify, i.e. “bowes.” The repeated plosive /b/’s also underscore the tense circumstances and indicate that war is imminent. After this depiction, Chaucer offers a dynamic report of the fierce battle: the brave soldiers enter the battlefield “withouten lenger lette” and their “fomen in the feld hem faste mette.” Along with the phrase, “bigge bowes bente,” the alliterations in this reference produce a special rhythm, much akin to the even pace of a marching army. However, as the battle proceeds, the alliterations cease, yielding a relatively chaotic sense.
Apart from this scene, Chaucer also uses alliteration to describe battles in KnT.1.2602-12 and LGW 635-49.