fresh adj.

2022-09-02 fresh

TR3.1296 “Fŏr cértĕs, frésshĕ wómmănlíchĕ wíf,
TR3.1297 Thĭs dár Ĭ séye, thăt tróuth ănd dílĭgéncĕ,
TR3.1298 Thăt shál yĕ fýndĕn ín mĕ ál my̆ líf;
TR3.1299 Ny̆ wól năt, cértĕin, brékĕn yóure dĕféncĕ;
TR3.1300 Ănd íf Ĭ dó, prĕsént ŏr ín ăbséncĕ,
TR3.1301 Fŏr lóve ŏf Gód, lăt slé mĕ wíth thĕ dédĕ,
TR3.1302 Ĭf thát ĭt líke ŭntó yŏure wómmănhédĕ.”

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): For certainly—you lovely, most womanly of women—I dare say this: that you will find me loyal and diligent all my life; nor indeed will I go against what you have forbidden; and if I do, while together or apart, for the love of God, let me be killed at that very instant, if that’s what, as a woman, you would wish.’
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): というのはね、最も女らしい女性よ、これをあえて言うが、忠誠と勤勉おれの生涯、君にお目にかけよう。また君の禁じていることを侵さないつもりだ。君が居ようと居まいと、君の禁じることをすれば、お願いだから、おれを殺しておくれ、それが君の女性としての優しい気持ちに適うならばだけれど。」
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 我敢立誓，鲜明完善的女郎，我毕生将对你忠诚不变，也决不违反你的意志；我如一朝翻悔，无论你在近旁或否，只要你愿意，我可以立即死去。”

Word Information

Etymology: OE
Addresser: Troilus
Addressee: Criseyde
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: wommanliche (womanly)
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (female: Criseyde)
Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

OED: Not quoted
MED: Not quoted

Commented in other previous works:
Windeatt (2003: 176): fresshe: lovely
Fisher (1989): N/A
Benson (1987): N/A
Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
Donaldson (1975): N/A
Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

lovely; youthful

Comments from the Editor

Chaucer adds this scene. After sexual intercourse, Troilus again promises that he will love Criseyde forever and that he is willing to die for her. This fulfills Criseyde’s demand that even though Troilus is a prince, he will not enjoy sovereignty over her in love (3.170–71).