able adj.

  able 
TR2.206 Ănd whér hy̆m lést, bĕst félăwshípĕ kán
TR2.207 Tŏ swích ăs hým thýnkĕth áble fŏr tŏ thrývĕ."

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): when he wants, knows how to show the greatest friendliness to those he thinks deserve to succeed.’
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 気が向く所どこへ行っても、見込がありそうな人には、最高の友情の示し方を知っておられるのだ。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956):（他虽名位很高，）却对于任何有志之士最是和蔼可亲，

Word Information

  • Etymology: OF
  • Addresser: Pandarus
  • Addressee: Criseyde
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (male: Troilus)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 60): able for to thryve: worthy of success
  • Fisher (1989: 426): able … to thryve: able to prosper (i.e., competent, desrving)
  • Benson (1987: 492): able for to thryve: worthy of prospering, desrving
  • Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
  • Donaldson (1975: 756): able: worthy
  • Baugh (1963): N/A
  • Root (1954): N/A

Possible Definitions

competent, qualified, deserving, worthy

Comments from the Editor

Here, Pandarus tries to impress on Criseyde that Troilus is a virtuous man who is worthy of love. However, Baugh (1963: 102) does not mention this adjective, commenting that “The connotation [of thryve] is not clear; possibly ‘to grow (or continue) in virtue.’”