fresh adj.

  fresh
TR3.1716 Ĭn súffĭsáunce, in̆ blísse, ănd ín sĭngýngĕs,
TR3.1717 Thĭs Tróĭlús găn ál hĭs líf tŏ lédĕ.
TR3.1718 Hĕ spéndĕth, jóustĕth, mákĕth féstĕýngĕs;
TR3.1719 Hĕ yévĕth frély̆ ófte, ănd cháungĕth wédĕ,
TR3.1720 Ănd héld ăbóute hy̆m álwĕy, óut ŏf drédĕ,
TR3.1721 Ă wórld ŏf fólk, ăs cóm hy̆m wél ŏf kýndĕ,
TR3.1722 Thĕ frésshĕst ánd thĕ béste hĕ kóudĕ fýndĕ;

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translations (Windeatt: 1998): Completely fulfilled, Troilus began to pass his whole life in blissful happiness and in song. He spent, jousted, held feasts; he gave generously and often, and wore many different clothes; and without doubt he always kept around him, as became him by nature, a whole world of the liveliest and best people that he could find,
  • Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 満足し、幸福に浸り、謳歌しつつトロイルスは生活を送った。彼は散財し、馬上槍試合をし、饗宴を催すのである。しばしば惜しみなくものを与え、衣服をよく替えた。無論、いつも彼の周りに、生来彼と馬が合う多くの人たちを集め、見つけられるうちで一番元気があり最高の人びとを多く置いた。
  • Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 特罗勒斯终日欢欣,歌唱自乐,他挥霍,骑门,宴饮;他常常到处施送财物,更换着服装,身旁许多最精强活泼的卫士,簇拥在他的四围;

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Narrator
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: best
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 3.72)
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (male)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 193): fresshest: liveliest
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

vigorous, spirited, lively

Comments from the Editor

Chaucer may have acquired hints from Fil.3.72 when writing this stanza even though the details are quite different. Troiolo leads a life of song and gaiety. Other ladies do not hold him in esteem and he considers himself happier than any other man. However, in the preceding stanza, Chaucer attempts to emphasize love’s power to improve a person. Refer to “dreden” (v. (ppl. adj.), Tr3.1775).