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 translations (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 translations (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 translations (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: Narrator
- 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: plants (seeds)
- Attributive/ Predicative: attributive
Information in Previous Studies
- OED: Not quoted
- MED: 1. (i) in proverbs (s.v. swẹ̄t(e, 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
sweet (of taste)
Comments from the Editor
See my comment of ‘bitter’ (adj., Tr1.385).