first ord. num. (as adj.)

2022-09-01 first

TR2.1212 “Dĕpárdĭeux,” quód shĕ, “Gód lĕve ál bĕ wéll
TR2.1213 Gŏd hélp mĕ só, thĭs ís thĕ fírstĕ léttrĕ
TR2.1214 Thăt évere Ĭ wróot, yĕ, ál ŏr ány̆ dél.”
TR2.1215 Ănd ínto ă clósĕt, fór t’ăvíse hĭre béttrĕ,
TR2.1216 Shĕ wénte ăllóne, ănd gán hĭre hérte ŭnféttrĕ
TR2.1217 Ŏut óf dĕsdáynĕs prísŏun bút ă lítĕ,
TR2.1218 Ănd sétte hĭre dówn, ănd gán ă léttrĕ wrítĕ,

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): ‘By God,’ said she, ‘God grant everything turn out all right! God help me, this is the first letter I ever wrote—yes, either the whole or any part of one!’ And she went alone into a small private room, the better to collect her thoughts, sat herself down, unfettered her heart only a little from out of Disdain’s prison, and began to write a letter.
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 「ああ神様、きっとうまくいきますように。神に誓って、これは初めての手紙なの、今まで書いたことがなかったの、そう、てがみのての字も。」そして彼女はもっと想を練るために自室へ独りで行き、〈驕慢〉という牢獄から少しだけ、自分の心を解き放ち、腰を下ろして、手紙を書き始めた。
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): “愿上天保佑一切！”她道，“天照顾我，这是我第一次写信，不论整片零段，我从未写过。”她独自走进内室，好静心下笔，囚笼里的傲气也得放一点出来；于是开始写着回信，

Word Information

Etymology: OE
Addresser: Criseyde
Addressee: Pandarus
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
Counterpart in its source (Fil): 2.120
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: written text (letter)
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

preceding all others in sequence

Comments from the Editor

Unlike Fil.2.120, Criseyde emphasizes that this is the first time she has written a letter. See also my comment of ‘dere’ (adj., Tr2.1210).