couard adj.

2022-07-26 couard

TR4.1408 “Ĕk, ‘Drédĕ fónd fĭrst góddĕs, Í sŭppósĕ’ --
TR4.1409 Thŭs shál Ĭ séyn -- ănd thát hĭs cówărd hértĕ
TR4.1410 Măde hým ămýs thĕ góddĕs téxt tŏ glósĕ,
TR4.1411 Whăn hé fŏr férĕd óut ŏf Délphŏs stértĕ.
TR4.1412 Ănd bút Ĭ máke hy̆m sóonĕ tó cŏnvértĕ
TR4.1413 Ănd dón my̆ réd wĭthínne ă dáy ŏr twéyĕ,
TR4.1414 Ĭ wól tŏ yów ŏblígĕ mé tŏ déyĕ.”

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): Also “Fear first invented gods, I suppose”—I’ll say that —and that his coward heart made him misinterpret the gods’ text when he fled in fright from Delphi. And unless I make him soon change his mind, and follow my advice within a day or two, I’ll pledge myself to you to die.’
Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): また『おそらく、恐怖心が神々を初めて創り出した』とーーわたしはこういいましょうーーそして父の臆病なお心によって、デルフォイから恐れをなして急いで逃げ帰った時神々の字句を誤って解釈なさったのだと。もしもわたしがすぐに父を心変わりさせられず、一日か二日以内にわたしの助言に従ってくれなければ、わたしは命を絶つことを貴方にお約束いたします。」
Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 最初无非是恐惧心使人创造神明出来，以便自护，我想，—我将这样说，—他当初也曾因为心上懦怯，解错了懴句，吓得只有逃开阿波罗的庙坛。我若不能叫他马上回转心意，在一两天内照着我的心计而行，我誓愿对你以死回报。”

Word Information

Etymology: OF
Addresser: Criseyde
Addressee: Troilus
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: seat of the emotions (Calchas’s heart)
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

cowardly

Comments from the Editor

Criseyde attempts to make Troilus believe that she is able to persuade her father within a day or two. Delphi is the shrine where Calchas consulted Apollo and was told that Troy should be destroyed. Criseyde claims that Calchas must have misunderstood the prophecy due to his coward heart. By saying this, Criseyde intends on leaving an impression that his father is foolish, and therefore easily persuaded.