TR5. 820 Shĕ sóbrĕ wás, ĕk sýmple, ănd wýs wĭthál,
TR5. 821 Thĕ bést y̆nórĭsshed ék thăt mýghtĕ bé,
TR5. 822 Ănd góodly̆ óf hĭre spéche ĭn génĕrál,
TR5. 823 Chárĭtáble, ĕstátlĭch, lústy̆, fré;
TR5. 824 Nĕ néverĕ mó nĕ lákkĕd híre pĭté;
TR5. 825 Téndrĕ-hértĕd, slýdy̆nge óf cŏrágĕ;
TR5. 826 Bŭt tréwĕlý, Ĭ kán năt télle hĭre ágĕ.

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): She was demure, unaffected too, and prudent as well, and also the best brought up that could be, and pleasant in all respects in her speech, kindly, dignified, vivacious, and generous; she never lacked for compassion; tender-hearted; irresolute. But truly, I cannot tell her age.
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 彼女は慎み深く、気取らず、その上思慮深かった。最も品性よく育てられ、言葉遣いはどの点からみても上品で、慈愛に満ちているが、堂々として、快活で、寛容だった。情けに欠けることはまったくなく、気立ては優しいが、優柔不断だった。だが、実を言えば、彼女の年齢は分からないのである。
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 她又严肃，纯朴，贤淑，是世上最高贵端庄的女子，言辞娴雅，仁慈，宽厚，活泼；她的柔肠充满了怜悯，可惜不十分坚定；至于她的年龄我却讲不出来。

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Narrative
• Addressee: N/A
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: tender-hearted
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: courage (Criseyde’s heart) or human beings (female: Criseyde)
• Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: 1. (d) to slide out of position; also, of an ax head: slip (from its handle); ~ awei; ppl. slidinge, sliding (from one’s hand); also, fig. unstable, irresolute; (s.v. slīden, v.)

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003: 303): slydynge of corage: irresolute (n.)
• Fisher (1989: 516): slydynge of corage: changeable of heart
• Benson (1987: 571): slydynge: wavering, changeable
• Davis et al. (1979): changeable, unstable (s.v. slyding(e, pr. p. adj.)
• Donaldson (1975): N/A
• Baugh (1963: 195): slydynge of corage: unstable of heart

Possible Definitions

changeable, unstable

Comments from the Editor

See my comment of ‘charitable’ (adj., Tr5.823).