bettre adj.

  bettre 
 TR2.1646 “Bŭt wél yĕ wóot, thĕ cháumbrĕ ís bŭt lítĕ,
 TR2.1647 Ănd féwĕ fólk măy líghtly̆ máke ĭt wárm;
 TR2.1648 Nŏw lókĕth yé (fŏr Í wŏl háve nŏ wítĕ
 TR2.1649 Tŏ brýnge ĭn prées thăt mýghtĕ dón hy̆m hárm,
 TR2.1650 Ŏr hým dĭsésĕn, fór my̆ béttrĕ árm)
 TR2.1651 Whĕr ít bĕ bét shĕ bíde tĭl éft-sŏnýs;
 TR2.1652 Nŏw lókĕth yé thăt knówen whăt tó dŏon ís.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): But you well know that the room is only small, and a few people can easily make it warm. Now just think about whether it would be better if she waited till another time, because I’m not going to get the blame for bringing in such a crush as might harm him or make him uncomfortable — for my right arm, I wouldn’t! Now think about it, those of you who know what’s best!
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): しかしよくお分かりでしょうが、部屋は狭すぎます。数人入ればむっとします。だからどうでしょう。（私の利き腕にかけて、大勢押しかけて若君の体調を悪くさせてしまったとか、不愉快にさせたという非難を招きたくないからですが）彼女を少し後まで待たせておくほうがよいかどうか。どうしたらよいかよくご承知のお二人様、さあお考えください。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 可是你们知道房间不大，有几个人同时在内就很燥热；你们要小心（我不愿带多人进去，使他感受不舒服，这事不聪明），还是叫她下次再说，且看你们高见如何。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: Pandarus
  • Addressee: the attendees to the party
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: external parts of body (bettre arm = right arm)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: (Quoted) 1c. (a) Phrases: bettre or wers; the ~, (all) the better, (all) the more; wel the ~, surely better; never the ~, no better (off); the smaller, the ~; for my ~ arm, for my stronger (i.e. right) arm; (s.v. bettre, adj.)
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 118): bettre arm: right arm
  • Fisher (1989: 445): bettre arm: right arm (a mild expletive)
  • Benson (1987: 511): bettre arm: right arm
  • Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) ~ arm: right arm (s.v. bettre -er, adj.)
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

~ arm: right arm

Comments from the Editor

Here, Pandarus arranges for the two protagonists’ first meeting. To prevent a large group from entering the room in which Troilus is waiting and disturbing the plan, Pandarus claims the room is too small for such a crowd. As a result, besides the principals, only Deiphebus and Queen Helen enter.