agasten ppl. adj.

  agasten 
TR5.890 “Swĭch wréche ŏn hém fŏr fécchy̆nge óf Ĕléynĕ
TR5.891 Thĕr shál bĕn táke, ĕr thát wĕ hénnĕs wéndĕ,
TR5.892 Thăt Mánĕs, whích thăt góddĕs bén ŏf péynĕ,
TR5.893 Shăl bén ăgást thăt Grékĕs wól hĕm shéndĕ,
TR5.894 Ănd mén shŭl dréde, ŭntó thĕ wórldĕs éndĕ,
TR5.895 Frŏm hénnĕsfórth tŏ rávy̆sshen ány̆ quéenĕ,
TR5.896 Sŏ crúĕl shál ŏure wréche ŏn hém bĕ séenĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): Before we go from here, such vengeance shall be taken on them for the abduction of Helen that the Manes, who are gods of pain, will be afraid that Greeks will injure them, and for henceforth until the end of the world men will fear to ravish any queen, so cruel shall our vengeance on them appear.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 彼らには、ヘレネーを誘拐したために、僕らがここから進軍する前に、手ひどい報復が加えられるでしょうから、苦痛の神々であるマネスでさえギリシャ人が彼らに面目をなくさせたことに肝をつぶすでしょう。そして世界の果てにいたるまで、人びとは、これからどんな王妃であれ、強奪することを恐れるでしょうし、われわれの報復は彼らに非常にむごく見られるでしょう。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 在我们离去之前，为了报复劫去海伦的冤仇，希腊人必将屠杀他们；就是司刑之神盟斯看了也会吓得害怕。“从此直到天地终了的一天，好让人们得到警戒，不敢再劫女后，我们决心复仇将痛快淋漓以至于此。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Diomede
  • Addressee: Criseyde
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 6.15-6)
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: supernatural beings (Manes)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: (Quoted) 2. Ppl.agast, terrified, frightened, aghast; fearful, afraid; (b) with inf. phrase or that clause; (s.v. agasten, v.)
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 306): agast: afraid
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • 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

Chaucer adds the mention of Manes, the god of the lower world. Diomede stresses the will to exact revenge, even if their enemy is an infernal spirit. Doubtlessly, his words influence Criseyde and become a major reason for her decision to stay.