delicious adj.

  delicious 
TR5.442 Nŏr ín thĭs wórld thĕr ís nŏn ínstrŭmént
TR5.443 Dĕlícĭóus, thŏrŭgh wýnd ŏr tóuche ŏf córdĕ,
TR5.444 Ăs fér ăs ány̆ wíght hăth évere y̆wént,
TR5.445 Thăt tóngĕ télle ŏr hértĕ máy rĕcórdĕ,
TR5.446 Thăt át thăt féste ĭt nás wĕl hérd ăcórdĕ;
TR5.447 Ne ŏf lády̆s ék sŏ fáir ă cómpăigníĕ
TR5.448 Ŏn dáunce, ĕr thó, wăs névere ĭséye wĭth íĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): Nor is there in this world, as far as anyone has ever travelled, any delightful-sounding wind or string instrument that tongue can tell of or heart remember, that was not heard played well in harmony at that feast. Nor was so lovely a company of ladies ever seen dancing before then.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): また管楽器あるいは弦楽器を通じて言えば、想像できる限りにおいて、ここ以外のこの世において人の口の端にのぼり、また人の心に記憶できるほど人に喜びをもたらす、これほどの名楽器が揃っている所はない。それらによりその饗宴でよく相和した演奏を聴くのは初体験だった。また淑女の一団がこれほど美しく踊るのも、これより以前には、この目で見たことがなかった。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 席间还有优美的音乐，竭尽世上管弦的能事，确是人们在任何远近的地域，谈说或记忆所及，从未听见过的；舞蹈时的仕女们也都是绝无仅有的天姿国色。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OF
  • Addresser: Narrator
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): 5.41
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: musical instrument
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 287): 442-3: … delightful-sounding wind or string instrument
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) delightful (of music) (s.v. delicious, adj.)
  • Donaldson (1975: 950): delicious: delightful
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

(of music) delightful

Comments from the Editor

Compared to Fil.5.41, Chaucer’s description of the food and music at Sarpedon’s feast is more detailed. Troilus’s heart is not even slightly moved by such delicious food, delightful music and lovely dancing ladies. In other words, Chaucer’s detailed description serves to reveal Troilus’s sadness.