TR2.1191 Ǎnd fíllěn fórth ǐn spéche ǒf thýngěs smálě,
TR2.1192 Ǎnd sétěn ín thě wíndǒwe bóthě twéyě.
TR2.1193 Whǎn Pándǎrús sǎugh týme ǔntó hǐs tálě,
TR2.1194 Ǎnd sáugh wěl thát hǐre fólk wěre álle ǎwéyě,
TR2.1195 "Nǒw, nécě mýn, těl ón," quǒd hé; "Ǐ séyě,
TR2.1196 Hǒw líkěth yów thě léttrě thát yě wóot?
TR2.1197 Kǎn hé thěrón? Fǒr, bý my̌ tróuthe, Ǐ nóot."

Line Information

• Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
• English translations (Windeatt: 1998): and they began to chat about trivial things, both sitting by the window. When Pandarus saw his moment, and saw that her people were all out of the way:
• ‘Now, my dear niece, out with it, I say!’ said he. ‘How do you like that letter—you know which one I mean? Does he know about things like that? For, upon my word, I don’t know!’
• Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 二人はささいなことについておしゃべりを始め、二人とも窓辺に座った。パンダルスは自分の話の時を見定め、彼女の侍女たちが皆引き下がるのを見て、「さあ、姪よ、話しなさいよ」と彼は言った。「あのね、例の手紙、どう思うかね。書く術をよく心得ているお方かね、実は、見当がつかないんだ。」
• Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 他们同坐窗边，谈些琐碎的事。彭大瑞见时机适宜，看清了她家里人都不在近旁，“甥女，说出来哪，”他道，“你觉得他的信怎样？写得好不好？老实讲，我是不知道的。”

Word Information

• Etymology: OE
• Addresser: Narrator
• Addressee: N/A
• Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
• Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 2.118)
• Noun(s) (NPs) modified: Others
• Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

• OED: Not quoted
• MED: Not quoted

• Commented in other previous works:
• Windeatt (2003: 99): smale: trivial
• Fisher (1989): N/A
• Benson (1987): N/A
• Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
• Donaldson (1975): N/A
• Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

trivial

Comments from the Editor

There are differences in the descriptions between Tr and Fil after Pandarus delivers Troilus’ first letter to Criseyde.

In Tr, Criseyde takes the letter and proceeds to have lunch with Pandarus. After their meal, she then writes a response to Troilus. This sequence of events indicates a more immediate and direct interaction between Criseyde and Pandarus.

On the other hand, in Fil, Pandaro delivers the letter to Criseida but departs afterward. He later returns to Criseida’s residence to inquire about her response, seeking a reply. This suggests a slightly different timeline, with Pandaro leaving and then revisiting Criseida at a later time for her answer.