agasten ppl. adj.

  agasten 
TR2.309 “Nów, gŏod ém, fŏr Góddĕs lóve, Ĭ préyĕ,”
TR2.310 Qŭod shé, “cóme ŏf, ănd télle mĕ whát ĭt ís!
TR2.311 Fŏr bóth Ĭ ám ăgást whăt yé wŏl séyĕ,
TR2.312 Ănd ék mĕ lóngĕth ít tŏ wíte, y̆wís;
TR2.313 Fŏr whéthĭr ít bĕ wél ŏr bé ămýs,
TR2.314 Săy ón, lăt mé năt ín thĭs féerĕ dwéllĕ.”

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): ‘Now, dear uncle, for the love of God, I beg you,’ she said, ‘hurry up and tell me what it is! For I’m both afraid of what you’ll say, and I’m also longing to know what it is, to be sure. For whether it’s for better or worse, do tell me — don’t let me remain in this state of fright.’
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 「さあ、叔父様、後生だから、お願い、さあ、それは何のことかおっしゃってください。だって、わたし、何をおっしゃるのか怖くもあり、また、もちろん、それを知りたくもありますもの。良いことでありましょうと、悪いことでありましょうと、おっしゃってください、わたしを怯えるままにしておかないで。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): “好舅父，上天有情，”她道，“我求你直截了当告诉我，究竟是一件什么事；因我一面既怕你要说些什么话出来，同时又急于要听；所以是好是歹，请快说吧，莫让我尽在暗中害怕：” —

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Criseyde
  • Addressee: Pandarus
  • 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: (Quoted) 1. (c) With subordinate clause with lest or that, expressing a future prospect or action. †Also with indirect question (obsolete). (s.v. aghast, adj.)
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003): N/A
  • Fisher (1989: 427): agast: afraid
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

afraid, frightened

Comments from the Editor

After Pandarus’ careful induction, Criseyde shows her interest in what he has to say despite her fear. Before this juncture, Pandarus keeps her in suspense by stopping several times at a climactic moment. He wants to get her ready for what he wants to say and thus does not tell her directly. Pandarus believes that winning her favor is like building a house (1.1065–71), and he appears to be excel at this task.

Criseyde is afraid, for Pandarus has already indicated in the previous context that he is to talk above love. See also my comment of ‘bare‘ (adj., Tr2.110).