TR3.953 Thĭs Tróĭlús fŭl sóone ŏn knées hy̆m séttĕ TR3.954 Fŭl sóbrĕlý, rĭght bé hy̆re béddĕs héd, TR3.955 Ănd ín hĭs béstĕ wýse hĭs lády̆ gréttĕ. TR3.956 Bŭt Lórd, sŏ shé wĕx sódĕynlíchĕ réd! TR3.957 Nĕ thóugh mĕn shóldĕ smýtĕn óf hĭre héd, TR3.958 Shĕ kóuthĕ nóught ă wórd ăríght ŏut brýngĕ TR3.959 Sŏ sódĕynlý, fŏr hís sŏdéyn cŏmýngĕ.
Line Information
- Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
- English translation (Windeatt: 1998): Very soon Troilus was kneeling down most solemnly just by her bed’s head, greeting his lady in his best fashion. But Lord, how red she suddenly became! All at once — even if she were to have been beheaded — she could not get a word out properly, because of his coming in suddenly.
- Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 間もなくトロイルスは自ら慎ましく恋人の枕辺に跪いて、恭しく挨拶をした。ところが、ああ、何と、彼女は見る見る真っ赤になった！彼の不意の訪問に対し、彼女はたとえ人に首を打たれても、とっさに一言も言葉を発することができなかっただろう。
- Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 特罗勒斯已立即虔诚地跪到了床边，以最驯良的态度向他的心爱道侯；可是，天哪，她脸上立刻红了一阵！那一刻之间，好似刀架住了头颈一般，她再也说不出一句话来，哪里防到他突然就进来了。
Word Information
- Etymology: OE
- Addresser: C(N)
- Addressee: N/A
- Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
- Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
- Noun(s) (NPs) modified: attitude (Troilus’s way to greet Criseyde)
- 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
Of things, actions, conditions, etc.: best, most excellent or desirable, of highest quality, most advantageous;
Comments from the Editor
Chaucer rearranged the scene in which Troilus enters through a secret door to meet Criseyde. Interestingly, although Troilus is described as extremely humble and prudent, his character changes when the two protagonists make love. In their sexual intercourse, Troilus is portrayed as a sparrow hawk hunting a lark (3.1192), and he even commands Criseyde to yield (3.1208).