TR2.1023 “Tówchy̆ng thĭ léttrĕ, thóu ărt wýs y̆nóugh. TR2.1024 Ĭ wóot thŏw nýlt ĭt dýgnĕlíche ĕndítĕ, TR2.1025 Ăs máke ĭt wíth thĭse árgŭméntĕs tóugh; TR2.1026 Nĕ scrýveny̆ssh ór crăftýly̆ thów ĭt wrítĕ; TR2.1027 Bĭblótte ĭt wíth thĭ térĭs ék ă lítĕ; TR2.1028 Ănd íf thŏw wríte ă góodly̆ wórd ăl sóftĕ, TR2.1029 Thŏugh ít bĕ góod, rĕhérce ĭt nóught tŏ óftĕ.
Line Information
- Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
- English translations (Windeatt: 1998): ‘Regarding your letter—you’re smart enough. I know you won’t write it with haughty airs, showing off, or being argumentative; and nor should you write it like some secretary, or artfully. Blot it with your tears a bit, too! And if you write some fine and very tender word, even if it’s good, don’t repeat it too often!
- Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 手紙についてですが、若君は書き方を十分に心得ておられます。私は若君が理屈をこめて難しくするような、高慢ちきな手紙の書き方や、代書屋のような型にはまった書き方を、また技巧に走った書き方も、なさらないことを知っております。ちょっぴり涙で手紙をにじませなさい。そして優しい言葉を非常にやわらかい調子で書くとしましても、いくらいいからといって、何度も繰り返さないでください。
- Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): “至于你给她的信，你当然很会写；我知道你不至轻慢，奏出顽固的论调；也不可像抄书一般呆板，或矫揉造作；却该染些泪渍再上面；可是柔情的话又不可太多。
Word Information
- Etymology: OE
- Addresser: Pandarus
- Addressee: Troilus
- Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
- Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
- Noun(s) (NPs) modified: language (word)
- Attributive/ Predicative: predicative
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
excellent, effective, proper
Comments from the Editor
Pandarus’ advice to Troilus regarding writing a letter can be partly found in Ovid, Ars amatorial, 1.455–68 in which the lover is advised not to address his lady as he would the senate or a judge.