Part 9 (1/2)

Whereof a crystal is that one, Which that corone is set upon: The second is an adamant: The third is n.o.ble and evenant, Which cleped is Idriades.

And over this yet natheless, Upon the sides of the werk, After the writing of the clerk, There sitten five stones mo.[2]

The Smaragdine is one of tho,[3]

Jaspis, and Eltropius, And Vendides, and Jacinctus.

Lo thus the corone is beset, Whereof it s.h.i.+neth well the bet.[4]

And in such wise his light to spread, Sits with his diadem on head, The Sunne s.h.i.+ning in his cart: And for to lead him swith[5] and smart, After the bright daye's law, There be ordained for to draw, Four horse his chare, and him withal, Whereof the names tell I shall.

Eritheus the first is hote,[6]

The which is red, and s.h.i.+neth hot; The second Acteos the bright; Lampes the thirde courser hight; And Philogens is the ferth, That bringen light unto this earth, And go so swift upon the heaven, In four and twenty houres even, The carte with the brighte sun They drawen, so that over run They have under the circles high, All midde earth in such an hie.[7]

And thus the sun is over all The chief planet imperial, Above him and beneath him three.

And thus between them runneth he, As he that hath the middle place Among the seven: and of his face Be glad all earthly creatures, And taken after the natures Their ease and recreation.

And in his constellation Who that is born in special, Of good-will and of liberal He shall be found in alle place, And also stand in muchel grace Toward the lordes for to serve, And great profit and thank deserve.

And over that it causeth yet A man to be subtil of wit, To work in gold, and to be wise In everything, which is of prise.[8]

But for to speaken in what coast Of all this earth he reigneth most, As for wisdom it is in Greece, Where is appropred thilk spece.[9]

[1] 'Croned:' crowned.

[2] 'Mo:' more.

[3] 'Tho:' those.

[4] 'Bet:' better.

[5] 'Swith:' swift.

[6] 'Hot:' named.

[7] 'Hie:' haste.

[8] 'Prise:' value.

[9] 'Thilk spece:' that kind.

THE TALE OF THE COFFERS OR CASKETS, &c.

In a chronique thus I read: About a kinge, as must need, There was of knightes and squiers Great rout, and eke officers: Some of long time him had served, And thoughten that they have deserved Advancement, and gone without: And some also been of the rout, That comen but a while agon, And they advanced were anon.

These olde men upon this thing, So as they durst, against the king Among themselves complainen oft: But there is nothing said so soft, That it ne cometh out at last: The king it wist, anon as fast, As he which was of high prudence: He shope[1] therefore an evidence Of them that 'plainen in the case To know in whose default it was: And all within his own intent, That none more wiste what it meant.

Anon he let two coffers make, Of one semblance, and of one make, So like, that no life thilke throw,[2]

The one may from that other know: They were into his chamber brought, But no man wot why they be wrought, And natheless the king hath bede That they be set in privy stede,[3]

As he that was of wisdom sly; When he thereto his time sih,[4]

All privily that none it wist, His owne handes that one chest Of fine gold, and of fine perrie,[5]

The which out of his treasury Was take, anon he filled full; That other coffer of straw and mull,[6]

With stones meynd[7] he fill'd also: Thus be they full bothe two.

So that erliche[8] upon a day He bade within, where he lay, There should be before his bed A board up set and faire spread: And then he let the coffers fet[9]

Upon the board, and did them set, He knew the names well of tho,[10]

The which against him grutched[11] so, Both of his chamber, and of his hall, Anon and sent for them all; And saide to them in this wise:

'There shall no man his hap despise: I wot well ye have longe served, And G.o.d wot what ye have deserved; But if it is along[12] on me Of that ye unadvanced be, Or else if it be long on yow, The soothe shall be proved now: To stoppe with your evil word, Lo! here two coffers on the board; Choose which you list of bothe two; And witteth well that one of tho Is with treasure so full begon, That if he happe thereupon Ye shall be riche men for ever: Now choose and take which you is lever,[13]

But be well 'ware ere that ye take, For of that one I undertake There is no manner good therein, Whereof ye mighten profit win.

Now go together of one a.s.sent, And taketh your advis.e.m.e.nt; For but I you this day advance, It stands upon your owne chance, All only in default of grace; So shall be shewed in this place Upon you all well afine,[14]

That no defaulte shall be mine.'

They kneelen all, and with one voice The king they thanken of this choice: And after that they up arise, And go aside and them advise, And at laste they accord (Whereof their tale to record To what issue they be fall) A knight shall speake for them all: He kneeleth down unto the king, And saith that they upon this thing, Or for to win, or for to lose, Be all advised for to choose.

Then took this knight a yard[15] in hand, And go'th there as the coffers stand, And with a.s.sent of every one He lay'th his yarde upon one, And saith the king[16] how thilke same They chose in reguerdon[17] by name, And pray'th him that they might it have.