No More Learning

The inverted semicolon (rare) is shown in brackets as [;]. All other
bracketed letters or letter groups are in the original.

In the primary text, anomalous spellings with initial "u" or non-initial
"v" are not individually noted. Other errors, whether corrected or not,
are listed at the end of the e-text.

For this e-text, Chaucer's translation of the _Consolatio_ is given
twice: first as printed, with all notes and apparatus, and then as text
alone. ]




Chaucer's Translation of
BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE
PHILOSOPHIAE"


EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY

Extra Series, No. 5

1868
(Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc. , 1969)

Price 40s.




Chaucer's Translation of
BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE
PHILOSOPHIAE"

Edited From
British Museum Additional MS. 10,340
Collated With
Cambridge University Library MS. Ii. 3. 21

By

RICHARD MORRIS


_Published for_
THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
_by the_
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
London New York Toronto




First Published 1868

Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc. ,
and 1969


Extra Series, No. 5

Originally printed by
Richard Clay & Sons Ltd.
, London and Bungay
and now reprinted lithographically in Great Britain
at the University Press, Oxford
by Vivian Ridler
Printer to the University




INTRODUCTION.


When master hands like those of Gibbon and Hallam have sketched the life
of _Boethius_, it is well that no meaner man should attempt to mar their
pictures. They drew, perhaps, the most touching scene in Middle-age
literary history,--the just man in prison, awaiting death, consoled by
the Philosophy that had been his light in life, and handing down to
posterity for their comfort and strength the presence of her whose
silver rays had been his guide as well under the stars of Fortune as the
mirk of Fate. With Milton in his dark days, Boece in prison could say,--

'I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied
In liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side. '

For, indeed, the echoes of Boethius, Boethius, rang out loud from every
corner of European Literature. An Alfred awoke them in England, a
Chaucer, a Caxton would not let them die; an Elizabeth revived them
among the glorious music of her reign. [I-1] To us, though far off, they
come with a sweet sound. 'The angelic' Thomas Aquinas commented on him,
and many others followed the saint's steps. Dante read him, though,
strange to say, he speaks of the Consolation as 'a book not known by
many. '[I-2] Belgium had her translations--both Flemish[I-3] and
French[I-4]; Germany hers,[I-5] France hers,[I-6] Italy hers. [I-7] The
Latin editors are too numerous to be catalogued here, and manuscripts
abound in all our great libraries.

No philosopher was so bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of
Middle-age writers as Boethius. Take up what writer you will, and you
find not only the sentiments, but the very words of the distinguished
old Roman. And surely we who read him in Chaucer's tongue, will not
refuse to say that his full-circling meed of glory was other than
deserved.