For trewely comfort ne mirthe is non,
To riden by the way domb as the ston.
[185]: The House of Fame.
[186]: André le chapelain, en 1170.
[187]: The craft of love; the ten commandements of love; ballades; the court of love, peut-être aussi, the assemble of ladies, et la belle dame sans merci.
And as the new abashed nightingale,
That stinteth first, whan she beginneth sing,
Whan that she heareth any heerdes tale,
Or in the hedges any wight stearing,
And after siker doeth her voice outring:
Right so Creseide, whan that her drede stent,
Opened her herte, and told him her entent.
(Liv. III.)
In chaunged voice, right for his very drede,
Which voice eke quoke, and thereto his manere,
Goodly abashed, and now his hewes rede,
Now pale, unto Creseide his ladie dere,
With look doun cast, and humble iyolden chere,
Lo, the alderfist word him astart
Was twice: «Mercy, mercy, o my sweet herte!»