TR4. 932 "Ǐ méně thús: whǎn ích hy̌m híděr brýngě,
TR4. 933 Sy̌n yé bě wíse ǎnd bóthe ǒf óon ǎssént,
TR4. 934 Sǒ shápěth hów děstóurbě yóure gǒýngě,
TR4. 935 Ǒr cóme ǎyéyn sǒon áftěr yé bě wént.
TR4. 936 Wǒmmén běn wíse ǐn shórt ǎvýsěmént;
TR4. 937 Ǎnd lát sěn hów yǒure wít shǎl nów ǎváillě,
TR4. 938 Ǎnd thát thǎt Í mǎy hélpe, ǐt shál nǎt fáillě."

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): This is what I mean: when I bring him here, since you’re sensible and both of one mind, then plan how to prevent your going, or how you may come back again soon after you’ve gone. Women are clever at quick thinking. Let’s see how your wits will now prove helpful, and what I can do to help shall not be wanting.’
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): つまりこうだよ、私が若君をここにお連れする時、お前は賢いし、二人は心一つなのだから、お前がギリシャ方に行くのをどのようにして妨げるのかとか行った後すぐにまたどのようにして戻って来られるか考えなさい。女たちは即断にかけては長じているのだから。そしてお前の知恵が今どれくらい役に立つか見てみよう、それに私は助けることができないものなんて無いんだから。」
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 这就是我的意思；我带他来时，你俩可运用理智，商定一个方法，或者可以不去，或者去后可以即刻回来。女子最能临机应变；且看你这次的能力如何，凡是有我能帮忙的地方，我决不推辞。”

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Pandarus
• Addressee: Criseyde
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: judgement or decision (avysement)
• Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: 2a. (b) in phrases: bi (with) ~ time, in (within) ~ dai (space, time, while), within a short time, soon; in (bi) ~ avisement [see avisement n.3.(b)]; of (with) ~ avisement, after brief deliberation; of) ~ time, after a short time; (s.v. short, adj.)

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003: 236): Women ben wise in short avysement: Women are shrewd at quick thinking
• Fisher (1989: 491): short avysement: quick decisions
• Benson (1987: 550): short avysement: short deliberation, quick decisions
• Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
• Donaldson (1975: 908): in short avisement: upon short deliberation
• Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

brief, short

Comments from the Editor

The phrase “Wommen ben wise in short avysement” finds a similar sentiment expressed in 4.1261–63, where Criseyde informs Troilus that she has made a sudden decision. This parallel emphasizes the idea that women possess wisdom and intuition even in moments of swift decision-making.