Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow XXVIII.: SAYINGS PRINTED BY CAXTON. - The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, vol. 7 (Supplement: Chaucerian and Other Pieces)

Return to Title Page for The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, vol. 7 (Supplement: Chaucerian and Other Pieces)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Literature

XXVIII.: SAYINGS PRINTED BY CAXTON. - Geoffrey Chaucer, The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, vol. 7 (Supplement: Chaucerian and Other Pieces) [1897]

Edition used:

The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, edited from numerous manuscripts by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat (2nd ed.) (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1899). 7 vols.

Part of: The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, 7 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


XXVIII.

SAYINGS PRINTED BY CAXTON.

XXVIII. From Caxton’s print of Chaucer’s Anelida, &c.; see vol. i. p. 46. Also in ed. 1542, in later spelling.

    • 1.

      WHAN feyth failleth in prestes sawes,
    • And lordes hestes ar holden for lawes,
    • And robbery is holden purchas,
    • And lechery is holden solas,
    • Than shal the lond of Albyon5[ ]
    • Be brought to grete confusioun.

    • 2.

      Hit falleth for every gentilman
    • To saye the best that he can
    • In [every ] mannes absence,
    • And the soth in his presence.10

    • 3.

      Hit cometh by kynde of gentil blode
    • To cast away al hevines ,
    • And gadre to-gidre wordes good;
    • The werk of wisdom berith witnes.

Et sic est finis.

[7. ]Cx. euery.

[9. ]I supply every.

[12. ]Cx. heuynes.

[14. ]Cx. wisedom.

[5.]Cf. Shak. King Lear, iii. 2. 91; see the Introduction.