ilk naturel
entenc{i}ou{n} constreine?
entenc{i}ou{n} constreine?
Chaucer - Boethius
e now al redy to ?
e vndirstandynge I shal shewe
? e more ? ilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.
[Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot
attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and
almost compels them; what would become of them without this
natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible? ]
? For loke now
how gretly shewi? ? e feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]]
folke. ? at ne mowen nat come to ? at hire naturel 3260
entenc{i}ou{n} lede? hem. {and} ? itte almost ?
ilk naturel
entenc{i}ou{n} constreine? hem. ? and what wer{e} to deme
? an of shrewes. yif ? ilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten
hem. ? ? e whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} go? alwey 3264
byforne hem. {and} is so grete ? at vnne? it may be
ou{er}comen.
[Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The
greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the
power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.
? e more ? ilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.
[Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot
attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and
almost compels them; what would become of them without this
natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible? ]
? For loke now
how gretly shewi? ? e feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]]
folke. ? at ne mowen nat come to ? at hire naturel 3260
entenc{i}ou{n} lede? hem. {and} ? itte almost ?
ilk naturel
entenc{i}ou{n} constreine? hem. ? and what wer{e} to deme
? an of shrewes. yif ? ilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten
hem. ? ? e whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} go? alwey 3264
byforne hem. {and} is so grete ? at vnne? it may be
ou{er}comen.
[Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The
greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the
power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.
