Eighth Part
EIGHTH PART
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the eighth part of the Filostrato, in which first of all Troilus with letters and with messages maketh further trial of Cressida, who beareth him in hand with words. Soon by means of a garment snatched by Deiphoebus from Diomede Troilus recognizeth a brooch which he had given to Cressida and Cressida to Diomede. Troilus grieveth with Pandarus and despaireth of his lady entirely. Last of all he was slain, as he issued forth to battle, by Achilles and his woes end. And first of all Troilus with letters and with messages maketh further trial of the fidelity and love of Cressida .
1.
He was, as hath been said, already acquainted with suffering, and more severe was it made for him by the profound sorrow, that man might never tell, which his father, he himself, and his brothers felt on account of the death of Hector, in whose sovereign courage the forts and walls and gates of Troy had faith. This for a long time kept him in sorrow and tribulation.
2.
But not for that reason did he take leave of love, although hope failed him sorely; rather he sought in every manner and fashion, as is wont to be the way with lovers, how he might be able to recover what formerly was wont to be his sweet and only thought, ever excusing her for her failure to return, believing that 'twas because she could not.
3.
He dispatched many letters to her, writing what he felt for her both night and day, reminding her of the sweet time and the troth plighted for her return. Often he sent Pandarus to her, reproaching her courteously for her long stay, whenever any truce or pact was granted between them.
4.
And likewise he had frequently in his mind the thought that he would like to go there in the light habit of a pilgrim. But he knew not how so to disguise himself that it would seem to him that he had sufficiently concealed the truth. Nor could he find an adequate excuse to offer, should he be recognized disguised in such a habit.
5.
Nor had he from her aught but fair words and great but ineffectual promises. Wherefore he began to surmise that they were all idle tales and to conceive the suspicion of what was the truth, as is often wont to happen to one who goeth over without omission all the evidence he hath in hand, for his suspicion was not an empty one.
6.
And well he knew that a new love was the cause of so frequent and so great lies. And he assured himself that neither paternal flatteries nor devoted caresses would ever have had so much effect in her heart. Nor was there opportunity for him to see by what ways he might become the surer of what his unlucky dream had shown him.
7.
In her love his faith had lessened much, just as it happeneth that he who loveth ill, willingly believeth aught that increaseth his pains in love. But that it was indeed true of Diomede, as he at first suspected, he was assured not long after by a chance that deprived him of any excuse and forced him to believe it.
8.
Timid and in suspense on account of his love Troilus was not without torment, when, after a very prolonged engagement between the Trojans and Greeks, he heard that Deiphoebus, proud of such spoils and very well pleased with himself, had returned with an ornamented garment snatched from the grievously wounded Diomede.
9.
And while he was having it borne before him through Troy, Troilus came up unexpectedly, and among all he commended him highly, and the better to see it, he held it a time, and while he gazed at it, his eyes wandering now here now there all over it, it chanced that he saw upon the breast a brooch of gold, set there perchance as a clasp.
10.
Which he recognized at once as that which he had given to Cressida when in grief he took leave of her that morning, when for the last time he had passed the night with her. Wherefore he said: " Now do I see indeed that my dream, my suspicion, and my thought are true. "
11.
Troilus, when he departed hence, sent for Pandarus, and when the latter had come to him, he began to complain of the long love he had had for his Cressida, and openly to disclose the treachery he had suffered, grieving bitterly on account of it, calling upon death alone for solace.
12.
And then he began to say in the midst of his tears: " O Cressida mine, where now is the faith, where the love, where the desire, where the so pleasing guerdon given me by thee at thy departure? Diomede possesseth all and I, who loved thee more, have been left in weeping and distress on account of thy deceit.
13.
" Who will ever believe in any oath, in any love, in any woman, when he looketh well to thy treacherous lying? Alas, for I know not. Nor did I ever think that thou hadst a heart so rigid and hard that for another man I should ever come forth from thy soul, for I love thee more than myself, and I did ever await thee in my deception.
14.
" Now hadst thou, while thou wert dwelling with Calchas, no other jewel that thou mightest give thy new lover, Diomede I mean, save that one that I had given thee with so many tears in remembrance of poor wretched me? Naught else but spite did make thee do it, that and to reveal right clearly thy mind.
15.
" I see that thou hast driven me quite out of thy breast and in mine I still hold against my will and with irksome grief the image of thy fair face. Oh, alas for me, born as I was in an evil hour!, this thought killeth me and spoileth me of any hope of future joy and is to me cause of anguish and distress.
16.
" Thou hast wrongfully driven me forth from thy mind, wherein I thought to dwell forever and in my place thou hast falsely set Diomede. But by the goddess Venus I swear to thee, I shall soon make thee sorrow for it with my sword, in the first encounter, if it happeneth that I may find him, provided I may overcome him in strength,
17.
" Or he will slay me and 'twill be dear to thee. But I hope indeed that divine justice will have regard to my bitter grief, and likewise to thy great iniquity. O highest Jove, in whom I know that justice hath a sure refuge and in whom beginneth entirely the noble virtue by which men live and move, are thy just eyes cast elsewhere?
18.
" What are thy burning thunderbolts doing? Do they repose? Or dost thou hold thine eyes no longer turned upon the faults of human kind? O true light, O bright skies by which earthly minds are cheered, put an end to her in whose bosom are lies and deceits and betrayals and deem her ever more unworthy of pardon.
19.
" O Pandarus mine, who hast blamed me with so much insistence for putting faith in dreams, now canst thou perceive what is found out through them; thy Cressida proveth it to thee. The gods have pity upon us mortals and in diverse wise do they make manifest to us that which is unknown to us, and very often known to our good.
20.
" And this is one of the ways, that showeth itself sometimes in sleep. Many times already have I remarked it, now that I come to think of it. Would indeed I had died then, since in future time I look forward to no solace, no joy, no pleasure, nor diversion. But by thy counsel I desire to wait, to die in arms with my enemies.
21.
" May the gods send Diomede in my way the first time that I go forth to battle. This do I desire among my great woes, that I may let him know by experience how my sword cutteth and put him to death with groans on the field of battle. And then I care not if I die provided only that he die and that I find him wretched in the realm of darkness. "
22.
Pandarus listened to all with sorrow, and perceiving the truth, he knew not what to say. On the one hand, love of his friend inclined him to remain here; on the other, shame for Cressida's transgression did ofttimes invite him to depart. And he knew not in his own mind how to decide what he ought to do, and either alternative did grieve him sore.
23.
Thus he spake at last, in tears: " Troilus, I know not what I ought to tell thee. I blame her, as thou dost say, as much as I can, and for her great misdeed I purpose to bring forward no excuse, nor do I wish ever to go again where she may be. What I did once, I did for thy love, putting behind all honor of mine.
24.
" And if I pleased thee, it is very grateful to me. I cannot do otherwise than what I am now doing, and, like thyself, enraged am I because of it. And if I should see any way of making amends, be assured that I should be zealous to do so. May the gods, who can change all, bring it to pass. I pray them with all my might to punish her, so that she may not again sin in like fashion. "
25.
Great were the laments and the bitterness but Fortune still ran her course. She loved Diomede with all her heart and Troilus wept. Diomede thanked the gods and Troilus, on the contrary, grieved. Troilus did ever enter the battles and more than others did he seek Diomede.
26.
And many times did they come together face to face with ugly and vile reproaches, and great blows they exchanged with one another, now thrusting with lance and now with sword in hand, intemperately selling each other their love very dear. But Fortune had not ordained that one should work his will upon the other.
27.
The wrath of Troilus did not at diverse times fail to be very harmful to the Greeks, so that few came forth to oppose him that he did not topple in death from their horses, if only they would await him, such vicious blows he dealt. And one day, after a long stalemate, when he had already killed more than a thousand, Achilles slew him miserably.
28.
Such was the end that came to the ill-conceived love of Troilus for Cressida; and such was the end that came to his wretched grief, to which none other was ever equal; such was the end that came to the brilliant splendor that he held in store for the royal throne; such was the end of the vain hopes of Troilus in base Cressida.
29.
O youths, in whom amorous desire gradually riseth with age, I pray you for the love of the gods that ye check the ready steps to that evil passion and that ye mirror yourselves in the love of Troilus, which my verses set forth above, for if ye will read them aright and will take them to heart, not lightly will ye have trust in all women.
30.
A young woman is fickle and is desirous of many lovers, and her beauty she esteemeth more than it is in her mirror, and abounding vainglory hath she in her youth, which is all the more pleasing and attractive the more she judgeth it in her own mind. She hath no feeling for virtue or reason, inconstant ever as leaf in the wind.
31.
And many women also, because they are descended from noble lineage and can count their ancestors, believe that they deserve advantage over others in loving, and think that civility is an outrage, and that they can turn up their noses and go about with a disdainful air. Shun all such and hold them base, for beasts they are and not noble ladies.
32.
The perfect lady hath a stronger desire to be loved and taketh delight in loving; she discerneth and seeth what is to be eschewed; she avoideth and chooseth; foresight she hath and looketh to the fulfilment of her engagements. All such ladies are to be followed, but choice should not be made in haste, for they are not all wise, because they may be older and age lesseneth worth.
33.
Therefore be advised and have compassion upon Troilus and upon yourself at the same time and all shall be well. And piously make prayer for him to Love that Troilus may rest in peace in that region where Love dwelleth and that Love may kindly grant you the boon of loving so wisely that ye shall not die in the end for an evil woman.
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the eighth part of the Filostrato, in which first of all Troilus with letters and with messages maketh further trial of Cressida, who beareth him in hand with words. Soon by means of a garment snatched by Deiphoebus from Diomede Troilus recognizeth a brooch which he had given to Cressida and Cressida to Diomede. Troilus grieveth with Pandarus and despaireth of his lady entirely. Last of all he was slain, as he issued forth to battle, by Achilles and his woes end. And first of all Troilus with letters and with messages maketh further trial of the fidelity and love of Cressida .
1.
He was, as hath been said, already acquainted with suffering, and more severe was it made for him by the profound sorrow, that man might never tell, which his father, he himself, and his brothers felt on account of the death of Hector, in whose sovereign courage the forts and walls and gates of Troy had faith. This for a long time kept him in sorrow and tribulation.
2.
But not for that reason did he take leave of love, although hope failed him sorely; rather he sought in every manner and fashion, as is wont to be the way with lovers, how he might be able to recover what formerly was wont to be his sweet and only thought, ever excusing her for her failure to return, believing that 'twas because she could not.
3.
He dispatched many letters to her, writing what he felt for her both night and day, reminding her of the sweet time and the troth plighted for her return. Often he sent Pandarus to her, reproaching her courteously for her long stay, whenever any truce or pact was granted between them.
4.
And likewise he had frequently in his mind the thought that he would like to go there in the light habit of a pilgrim. But he knew not how so to disguise himself that it would seem to him that he had sufficiently concealed the truth. Nor could he find an adequate excuse to offer, should he be recognized disguised in such a habit.
5.
Nor had he from her aught but fair words and great but ineffectual promises. Wherefore he began to surmise that they were all idle tales and to conceive the suspicion of what was the truth, as is often wont to happen to one who goeth over without omission all the evidence he hath in hand, for his suspicion was not an empty one.
6.
And well he knew that a new love was the cause of so frequent and so great lies. And he assured himself that neither paternal flatteries nor devoted caresses would ever have had so much effect in her heart. Nor was there opportunity for him to see by what ways he might become the surer of what his unlucky dream had shown him.
7.
In her love his faith had lessened much, just as it happeneth that he who loveth ill, willingly believeth aught that increaseth his pains in love. But that it was indeed true of Diomede, as he at first suspected, he was assured not long after by a chance that deprived him of any excuse and forced him to believe it.
8.
Timid and in suspense on account of his love Troilus was not without torment, when, after a very prolonged engagement between the Trojans and Greeks, he heard that Deiphoebus, proud of such spoils and very well pleased with himself, had returned with an ornamented garment snatched from the grievously wounded Diomede.
9.
And while he was having it borne before him through Troy, Troilus came up unexpectedly, and among all he commended him highly, and the better to see it, he held it a time, and while he gazed at it, his eyes wandering now here now there all over it, it chanced that he saw upon the breast a brooch of gold, set there perchance as a clasp.
10.
Which he recognized at once as that which he had given to Cressida when in grief he took leave of her that morning, when for the last time he had passed the night with her. Wherefore he said: " Now do I see indeed that my dream, my suspicion, and my thought are true. "
11.
Troilus, when he departed hence, sent for Pandarus, and when the latter had come to him, he began to complain of the long love he had had for his Cressida, and openly to disclose the treachery he had suffered, grieving bitterly on account of it, calling upon death alone for solace.
12.
And then he began to say in the midst of his tears: " O Cressida mine, where now is the faith, where the love, where the desire, where the so pleasing guerdon given me by thee at thy departure? Diomede possesseth all and I, who loved thee more, have been left in weeping and distress on account of thy deceit.
13.
" Who will ever believe in any oath, in any love, in any woman, when he looketh well to thy treacherous lying? Alas, for I know not. Nor did I ever think that thou hadst a heart so rigid and hard that for another man I should ever come forth from thy soul, for I love thee more than myself, and I did ever await thee in my deception.
14.
" Now hadst thou, while thou wert dwelling with Calchas, no other jewel that thou mightest give thy new lover, Diomede I mean, save that one that I had given thee with so many tears in remembrance of poor wretched me? Naught else but spite did make thee do it, that and to reveal right clearly thy mind.
15.
" I see that thou hast driven me quite out of thy breast and in mine I still hold against my will and with irksome grief the image of thy fair face. Oh, alas for me, born as I was in an evil hour!, this thought killeth me and spoileth me of any hope of future joy and is to me cause of anguish and distress.
16.
" Thou hast wrongfully driven me forth from thy mind, wherein I thought to dwell forever and in my place thou hast falsely set Diomede. But by the goddess Venus I swear to thee, I shall soon make thee sorrow for it with my sword, in the first encounter, if it happeneth that I may find him, provided I may overcome him in strength,
17.
" Or he will slay me and 'twill be dear to thee. But I hope indeed that divine justice will have regard to my bitter grief, and likewise to thy great iniquity. O highest Jove, in whom I know that justice hath a sure refuge and in whom beginneth entirely the noble virtue by which men live and move, are thy just eyes cast elsewhere?
18.
" What are thy burning thunderbolts doing? Do they repose? Or dost thou hold thine eyes no longer turned upon the faults of human kind? O true light, O bright skies by which earthly minds are cheered, put an end to her in whose bosom are lies and deceits and betrayals and deem her ever more unworthy of pardon.
19.
" O Pandarus mine, who hast blamed me with so much insistence for putting faith in dreams, now canst thou perceive what is found out through them; thy Cressida proveth it to thee. The gods have pity upon us mortals and in diverse wise do they make manifest to us that which is unknown to us, and very often known to our good.
20.
" And this is one of the ways, that showeth itself sometimes in sleep. Many times already have I remarked it, now that I come to think of it. Would indeed I had died then, since in future time I look forward to no solace, no joy, no pleasure, nor diversion. But by thy counsel I desire to wait, to die in arms with my enemies.
21.
" May the gods send Diomede in my way the first time that I go forth to battle. This do I desire among my great woes, that I may let him know by experience how my sword cutteth and put him to death with groans on the field of battle. And then I care not if I die provided only that he die and that I find him wretched in the realm of darkness. "
22.
Pandarus listened to all with sorrow, and perceiving the truth, he knew not what to say. On the one hand, love of his friend inclined him to remain here; on the other, shame for Cressida's transgression did ofttimes invite him to depart. And he knew not in his own mind how to decide what he ought to do, and either alternative did grieve him sore.
23.
Thus he spake at last, in tears: " Troilus, I know not what I ought to tell thee. I blame her, as thou dost say, as much as I can, and for her great misdeed I purpose to bring forward no excuse, nor do I wish ever to go again where she may be. What I did once, I did for thy love, putting behind all honor of mine.
24.
" And if I pleased thee, it is very grateful to me. I cannot do otherwise than what I am now doing, and, like thyself, enraged am I because of it. And if I should see any way of making amends, be assured that I should be zealous to do so. May the gods, who can change all, bring it to pass. I pray them with all my might to punish her, so that she may not again sin in like fashion. "
25.
Great were the laments and the bitterness but Fortune still ran her course. She loved Diomede with all her heart and Troilus wept. Diomede thanked the gods and Troilus, on the contrary, grieved. Troilus did ever enter the battles and more than others did he seek Diomede.
26.
And many times did they come together face to face with ugly and vile reproaches, and great blows they exchanged with one another, now thrusting with lance and now with sword in hand, intemperately selling each other their love very dear. But Fortune had not ordained that one should work his will upon the other.
27.
The wrath of Troilus did not at diverse times fail to be very harmful to the Greeks, so that few came forth to oppose him that he did not topple in death from their horses, if only they would await him, such vicious blows he dealt. And one day, after a long stalemate, when he had already killed more than a thousand, Achilles slew him miserably.
28.
Such was the end that came to the ill-conceived love of Troilus for Cressida; and such was the end that came to his wretched grief, to which none other was ever equal; such was the end that came to the brilliant splendor that he held in store for the royal throne; such was the end of the vain hopes of Troilus in base Cressida.
29.
O youths, in whom amorous desire gradually riseth with age, I pray you for the love of the gods that ye check the ready steps to that evil passion and that ye mirror yourselves in the love of Troilus, which my verses set forth above, for if ye will read them aright and will take them to heart, not lightly will ye have trust in all women.
30.
A young woman is fickle and is desirous of many lovers, and her beauty she esteemeth more than it is in her mirror, and abounding vainglory hath she in her youth, which is all the more pleasing and attractive the more she judgeth it in her own mind. She hath no feeling for virtue or reason, inconstant ever as leaf in the wind.
31.
And many women also, because they are descended from noble lineage and can count their ancestors, believe that they deserve advantage over others in loving, and think that civility is an outrage, and that they can turn up their noses and go about with a disdainful air. Shun all such and hold them base, for beasts they are and not noble ladies.
32.
The perfect lady hath a stronger desire to be loved and taketh delight in loving; she discerneth and seeth what is to be eschewed; she avoideth and chooseth; foresight she hath and looketh to the fulfilment of her engagements. All such ladies are to be followed, but choice should not be made in haste, for they are not all wise, because they may be older and age lesseneth worth.
33.
Therefore be advised and have compassion upon Troilus and upon yourself at the same time and all shall be well. And piously make prayer for him to Love that Troilus may rest in peace in that region where Love dwelleth and that Love may kindly grant you the boon of loving so wisely that ye shall not die in the end for an evil woman.
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