HKB
Stellify: assign to a place among the stars; as Jupiter did to Andromeda and Cassiopeia.
Agathon: there was an Athenian dramatist of this name, who might have made the virtues and fortunes of Alcestis his theme; but the reference is too vague for the author to be identified with any confidence.
CHAUCER’S A. B. C. <1> CALLED LA PRIERE DE NOSTRE DAME <2>
A.
ALMIGHTY and all-merciable* Queen, all-merciful To whom all this world fleeth for succour, To have release of sin, of sorrow, of teen! affliction Glorious Virgin! of all flowers flow’r, To thee I flee, confounded in errour! Help and relieve, almighty debonair, *gracious, gentle Have mercy of my perilous languour! Vanquish’d me hath my cruel adversair.
B.
Bounty* so fix’d hath in thy heart his tent, goodness, charity That well I wot thou wilt my succour be; Thou canst not warne that with good intent refuse he who Asketh thy help, thy heart is ay so free! Thou art largess of plein** felicity, *liberal bestower *full Haven and refuge of quiet and rest! Lo! how that thieves seven <3> chase me! Help, Lady bright, ere that my ship to-brest! *be broken to pieces
C.
Comfort is none, but in you, Lady dear! For lo! my sin and my confusion, Which ought not in thy presence to appear, Have ta’en on me a grievous action,* *control Of very right and desperation! And, as by right, they mighte well sustene That I were worthy my damnation, Ne were it mercy of you, blissful Queen!
D.
Doubt is there none, Queen of misericorde,* compassion That thou art cause of grace and mercy here; God vouchesaf’d, through thee, with us t’accord; *to be reconciled For, certes, Christe’s blissful mother dear! Were now the bow y-bent, in such mannere As it was first, of justice and of ire, The rightful God would of no mercy hear; But through thee have we grace as we desire.
E.
Ever hath my hope of refuge in thee be’; For herebefore full oft in many a wise Unto mercy hast thou received me. But mercy, Lady! at the great assize, When we shall come before the high Justice! So little fruit shall then in me be found, That,* thou ere that day correcte me, *unless Of very right my work will me confound.
F.
Flying, I flee for succour to thy tent, Me for to hide from tempest full of dread; Beseeching you, that ye you not absent, Though I be wick’. O help yet at this need! All* have I been a beast in wit and deed, *although Yet, Lady! thou me close in with thy grace; Thine enemy and mine, — Lady, take heed! — the devil Unto my death in point is me to chase.
G.
Gracious Maid and Mother! which that never Wert bitter nor in earthe nor in sea, <4> But full of sweetness and of mercy ever, Help, that my Father be not wroth with me! Speak thou, for I ne dare Him not see; So have I done in earth, alas the while! That, certes, but if thou my succour be, To sink etern He will my ghost exile.
H.
He vouchesaf’d, tell Him, as was His will, Become a man, as for our alliance, to ally us with god And with His blood He wrote that blissful bill Upon the cross, as general acquittance To ev’ry penitent in full creance;* belief And therefore, Lady bright! thou for us pray; Then shalt thou stenten alle His grievance, *put an end to And make our foe to failen of his prey.
I.