cold adj.

  cold
TR4.505 “Wĕl wót Ĭ, whíl my̆ lýf wăs ín quy̆étĕ,
TR4.506 Ĕr thów mĕ slówe, Ĭ wólde hăve yévĕn hírĕ;
TR4.507 Bŭt nów thĭ cómy̆nge ís tŏ mé sŏ swétĕ
TR4.508 Thăt ín thĭs wórld Ĭ nóthĭng só dĕsírĕ.
TR4.509 Ŏ déth, sy̆n wíth thĭs sórwe Ĭ ám ă-fýrĕ,
TR4.510 Thŏu óthĕr dó me ănóon y̆n térĭs drénchĕ,
TR4.511 Ŏr wíth thĭ cóldĕ strók my̆n hétĕ quénchĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): While I lived in peace, I well know, I would have paid a ransom before you killed me. But now your coming is so sweet to me that I desire nothing in this world so much. O death, since I am on fire with this sorrow, either drown me at once in tears, or quench this heat of mine with your cold stroke.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): 確かに、平穏に生きている時には、殺される前に、お前に身代金を払って助命を望んだだろう。しかし今ではお前が来てくれることは大変ありがたい。だからおれはこの世に願うことは他に何もない。おお死よ、おれはこの悲憤に燃えているのだから、おれをすぐに涙でびしょ濡れにしておくれ。あるいは冷たい一撃でおれの熱を冷ましておくれ。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 我很明白,在我快乐的时候,我也许还要贿赂他,让我多活几天;但现在他来得倒很甜蜜,真是我在世上惟一的愿望了。啊,死神,我的愁虑使我像火一般燃烧,让我淹溺在眼泪里,否则就用你的冷掌来扑灭。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Troilus
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): 4.61
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: a stroke or blow (the stroke of death)
  • 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

lacking the warmth of a living being, lifeless, frigid

Comments from the Editor

The above quotation follows Fil.4.61; however, they are slightly different. The modern English translation of the Italian source is quoted below to provide a clearer understanding.

‘Death, thou wilt be as sweet to me as is life to him who liveth a happy one. Already thy dreadful aspect is not fearful to me. Come, then, end my suffering. Tarry not, for this fire hath already so set each vein aflame that thy blow will be a cooling relief to me. Come now, for my heart indeed yearneth for thee’.