bitter adj.

  bitter 
 TR1.379 Thŭs tóok hĕ púrpŏs lóvĕs cráft tŏ súwĕ,
 TR1.380 Ănd thóughte hĕ wóldĕ wérkĕn prývĕlý,
 TR1.381 Fírst tŏ hídĕn hís dĕsír ĭn múwĕ
 TR1.382 Frŏm évery̆ wíght y̆bórn, ăl óutrĕlý,
 TR1.383 Bŭt hé my̆ghte óught rĕcóverĕd bé thĕrbý,
 TR1.384 Rĕmémbry̆ng hým thăt lóve tŏ wíde y̆blówĕ
 TR1.385 Yĕlt bíttrĕ frúy̆t, thóugh swĕte séed bĕ sówĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): He thus decided to pursue the art of love, and thought he would work secretly, at first hiding away his desire in secret from absolutely every living being, unless he could benefit in any other way, remembering that love made widely known yields bitter fruit, though sweet seed be sown.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): こうして愛の技を追求しようと決意し、密かに行動しようと考えた。先ず初め、誰からもまったく知られないで、彼の恋心を胸の檻の中に隠した。知られることにより、いやしくも恩恵を受けるならいざ知らず、広く恋風に吹かれすぎると、たとえ甘い実のなる種を蒔いても苦い実を結ぶ、ということを思い出したのだ。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 于是他打定主意去经营爱的行业，想先在暗中进行，锁紧火热的欲念，不让任何人知道，除非为了进展的便利，决不稍作透露；他深信爱的种子虽然十分甜蜜，但是假若播散太广了，那所结出的果实就会苦口。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OE
  • Addresser: T(N)
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 1.36, 7-8)
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: food and drink (fruit (but in a abstract sense))
  • Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: (Quoted) 1b. Fig. Distasteful, disagreeable, unpleasant. (s.v. bitter, adj.)
  • 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

bitter (the opposite of ‘sweet’)

Comments from the Editor

This quotation’s final two lines are adapted from Fil. 1.36, 7–8, itself is based on De Amore by Andreas Capellanus (see the 13th ‘rule of love’ in Book II). However, the horticultural metaphor is Chaucer’s.