Chapter XX: Appendix: To Introduction (6)

[Sidenote: _B._ I confess it, and nothing can be more truly
affirmed than this.]

I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat
ben said.

[Sidenote: Turn your mind’s eye upon the reverse of all this
_false felicity_ and you will perceive _the true happiness_.]

_P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme
{and} þe causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} 2372
flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere shalt þou seen an oon
þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is very clear, and I had a complete view of it
when you explained to me the causes of its counterfeit.]

_b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to
a blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a 2376
lytel her byforne. whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me [[pg 86]]
þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse

[Sidenote: True felicity consists in a state of sufficiency, of
power, and honour--as well as of a shining reputation and every
desirable pleasure: and I must confess that true felicity is that
which is bestowed by these advantages, as they are in reality all
one and the same.]

¶ For but yif I be by-giled.
þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly
makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty. hono{ur}able noble. 2380
{and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel knowe þat I
haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte.
I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen
on of þe forseide þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe 2384
douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle of blysfulnesse.

[Sidenote: _P._ O my nursling, how happy are you in this
conviction, provided you add but one limitation.]

_P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I
sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I
shal seine.

[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

what is þat q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can
confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).]

¶ Trowest þou þat 2388
þer be any þing in þis erþely mortal toumblyng þinges
þat may bryngen þis estat.

[Sidenote: _B._ I think not; for nothing can be desirable beyond
such a state of perfection.]

Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat.
{and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer
is no þing more to ben desired.

[Sidenote: _P._ These imperfect things above mentioned only confer
the shadow of the supreme good, or at most only an imperfect
felicity, but they cannot bestow true and perfect happiness.]

_P._ þise þinges þan 2392
q{uo}d she. þat is to seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power.
{and} swiche þinges eyþer þei semen likenesse of verray
goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to mortal folk a
maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke 2396
goode þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen.

[Sidenote: _B._ I quite agree with you.]

_boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Then, knowing the difference between true and
false felicity you must now learn where to look for this supreme
felicity.]

þan q{uo}d she for as
moche as þou hast knowen whiche is þilke verray blisfulnesse.
{and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien 2400
falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit
seme{n} verray goodes.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]]

¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n}
*whennes {and} where þou mowe seek[e] þilke verray
blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly {and} 2404
haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it.

[Sidenote: _P._ But, as Plato says that even in the least things
the Divine assistance ought to be implored, what ought we do, to
render us worthy of so important a discovery as the true source
and seat of the sovereign good?]

¶ But for as
moche q{uo}d she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his
book of i{n} thimeo. þat in ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde
bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou þat be 2408
[now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of [[pg 87]]
þilke souereyne goode.

[Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.]

_B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme
þat we shulle clepen to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For
wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden aryȝt.

[Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--]

þou seist 2412
a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus.

[Linenotes:
2351 _many_--manye
2352 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_faute_--defaute
2353 _may_--ne may
2354 _don_--MS. done, C. don
2356 _make_--maken
2357 _forseide_--MS. sorseide
2363 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
2365 _mowe_--mowen
2368 _wenen_--wene
_mowe_--mowen
2370 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
_soþer_--sother{e}
2371 _said_--MS. saide, C. sayd
2376 [_ful wel_]--from C.
2377 _byforne_--by-forn
2378 _blysfulnesse_--MS. blyndenesse, C. blysfulnesse
2385 _of_--omitted
2386 _nurry_--norye
2387 _sey[e]_--seye
2388 _seine_--seyn
2389 _þis_--thise
2390 _nat_--nawht
2393 _seyne_--sey
2395 _ȝeuen_--yeue
2397 _goode_--good
2399 _whiche_--which
2401 _seyne_--seyn
2402 _knowen_--knowe
2403 _seek[e]_--seke
2405 _herkene_--herknen
2407 _sholde_--sholden
2408 _bysechen_--by-shechen
_helpe_--help
2409 [_now_]--from C.
2410 _souereyne goode_--verray good
2411 _shulle_--shollen
_to_--omitted
2413 _on-one_--anon]

[Headnote:
IN SEEKING SUPREME FELICITY THE DIVINE AID IS TO BE INVOKED.]

O QUI PERPETUA.

[Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: O Father and Maker of heaven and earth, by whose
eternal reason the world is governed, and by whose supreme command
Time flows from the birth of ages, Thou, firm and unchanged
thyself, makest all things else to move!]

++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat
gouernest þis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist
þe tymes for to gon from tyme þat age had[de] 2416
bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast {and}
stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued.

[Sidenote: Thy sovereign will to floating matter gave its various
forms, impelled by no exterior causes, but by the Idea of the Best
in thy great mind conceived void of malice.]

ne forein causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke
of floterynge mater. but only þe forme of souereyne 2420
goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie þat moeued[e]
þe frely.

[Sidenote: Fairest thyself bearing the world’s figure in thy
thought, thou didst create the world after that prototype, and
dost draw all things from the image of the fair Supreme, and dost
command that this world should have perfect parts.]

þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde
in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse
semblable of þat faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest 2424
alle þinges of þi souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist
þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and}
absolut hyse p{er}fit parties.

[Sidenote: By harmonious measures thou dost bind fast the
elements, so that there is no discordance between things cold and
hot, or between the moist and the dry.]

¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ
by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges 2428
mowen accorde wiþ þe hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges
wiþ þe moyst þinges.

[Sidenote: That the fire may not fly too high, and that weight may
not press the earth and water lower than they are now placed,]

þat þe fire þat is purest ne fleye
nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n}
ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. 2432

[Linenotes:
2415 _worlde_--world
2416 _from----age_--from syn þ{a}t age
_had[de]_--hadde
2417 _stedfast_--stedefast
2418 _oþer_--oothre
2419 _forein_--foreyne
_werke_--werk
2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset
_wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in
[_þe_]--the
_wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
_moeued[e]_--moeuede
2422 _alþerfairest_--alderfayrest
2422-24-26 _worlde_--world
2423 _likkenesse_--lyknesse
2426 _and absolut_--C. omits
2427 _hyse_--hys
2430 _fire_--fyr
_fleye_--fle
2431 _drawe_--drawen]

[Headnote:
GOD IS THE FOUNTAIN OF FELICITY.]

[Sidenote: thou didst join the Middle Soul (of a threefold nature)
moving all things, and then by agreeing numbers didst resolve it.]

¶ þou knyttest to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde
moeuyng alle þinges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge.

[Sidenote: When that is done, cut into two orbs, it moves about
returning to itself, and then encompassing the profound mind doth
by that fair idea turn the heaven.]

¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ assembled
a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne 2436
aȝein to hym owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep [[pg 88]]
þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene by semblable ymage.

[Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser
lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.]

þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and} þe lasse
liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. 2440

[Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return
to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.]

þou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei
ben conuertid to þe by þi benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest
hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng fijr.

[Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy
august throne.]

¶ O
fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete. 2444
{and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good.

[Sidenote: Let them behold the fountain of all good. Dispel the
mists of sense, remove the weights of earth-born cares, and in thy
splendour shine (in our minds).]

{and} þe lyȝte yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes
of hys corage in þe. ¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke
[thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of erþely heuynesse. 2448
{and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes.

[Sidenote: For thou art ever clear, and to the good art peace and
rest. He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, path
and goal, combined!]

for þou art clernesse þou
art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge.
berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe
[þat] is oure ende. _Glose._ 2452

[Linenotes:
2435 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2436 _goþ_--MS. goþe
2437 _owen_--C. omits
2438 _tourniþ_--MS. to{ur}niþe
2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke
2440 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte
2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge
2444 _yif_--yiue
_þi streite_--the streyte
2445 [_hym_]--from C.
2446 _lyȝte_--lyht
2448 [_thow_]--from C.
2449 _bryȝtnes_--bryhtnesse
2451 _paþ_--MS. paþe; paath
2452 [_þat_]--that]

[Headnote:
GOD THE SUPREME GOOD.]

QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.[7]

[Footnote 7: Read que sit.]

[Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: Now that thou hast had a faithful representation of
future felicity as well as of the true happiness, I shall show
thee in what the Perfection of Happiness consists.]

++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe
forme of goode þat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe
forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now trowe I þat it were
goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is 2456
set.

[Sidenote: Our best plan will be to inquire whether there be in
nature such a good as thou hast lately defined, lest we be
deceived by the vanity of Imagination and be carried beyond the
truth of the matter subjected to our inquiry.]

{and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first enquere
forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke
goode þat þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat
is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in þe nature 2460
of þinges. For þat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne
desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe soþefastnesse
of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne.
but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. 2464
¶ and þat it nis ryȝt as a welle of alle goodes.

[Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all
other good.]

¶ For
al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit.
is proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe [[pg 89]]
amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing þat is p{er}fit.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 21.]]

[Sidenote: When we say that a thing is _imperfect_ we assert that
there is something else of its kind _perfect_.]

{and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468
þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general
þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so
be þat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke
nor seye fro whe{n}nes þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. 2472

[Sidenote: Nature takes not her origin from things diminished and
imperfect; but, proceeding from an entire and absolute substance,
descends into the remotest and most fruitless things.]

¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng
of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediþ of
þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ so
doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} 2476
wiþ oute fruyt.

[Sidenote: If there be an imperfect and fading felicity there must
also be one stable and perfect.]

but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne.
þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and}
inp{er}fit. þer may no man doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse
þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. þis is concludid 2480
q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly.

[Sidenote: But now consider wherein this felicity resides. That
God is the governor of all things is proved by the universal
opinion of all men.]

_P._ But co{n}sidere
also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe
co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men
p{ro}ueþ {and} graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is 2484
good.

[Sidenote: For since nothing may be conceived better than God,
then He who has no equal in goodness must be good.]

¶ For so as no þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan
god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he þ{a}t] no þing is
bettre. þat he nys good.

[Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and
(2) that the sovereign good exists in him.]

¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat
god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit 2488
goode is in hym.

[Sidenote: If it were not so He could not be the Ruler of all
things, for there would be some other being excelling him who
possesses the supreme good and who must have existed before Him.]

¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne
may nat ben p{r}ince of alle þinges. for certis som þing
possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more
þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were first 2492
{and} elder þan god.

[Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the
imperfect;]

¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat
alle þinges þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit.

[Linenotes:
2453 _whiche_--which
2454-55-56-58-59 _goode_--good
2454 _whiche_--whych
2457 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
2460 _seine_--seyn
_souereyne goode_--souereyn good
_be founden_--ben fownde
2461 _veyne_--veyn
2463 _þis is to seyne_--C. omits
2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed
_goode_--good
2465 _of_--MS. of of
2466 _al þing_--alle thing
2468 _her of comeþ_--ther of comht
2470 _somme_--som
2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don
2473 _token_--took
2475 _hool_--hoole
2476 _doune_--down
2477 _wiþ oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut
2480 _stedfast_--stydefast
2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely
_soþefastly_--sothfastly
2486 [_he þat_]--from C.
_is bettre_--nis bettr{e}
2488-89-91 _goode_--good
2489 _swiche_--swych
2492 [_it_]--from C.
_seme_--semen
2493 _elder_--elder{e}]

[Headnote:
GOD THE SOURCE OF TRUE FELICITY.]

[Sidenote: wherefore, that our reasonings may not run on with
infinity, we must confess that the Supreme God is full of perfect
and consummate good.]

¶ And for þi for as moche as [that] my resou{n}
or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an ende. we 2496
ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of
souereyne p{er}fit goode. [[pg 90]]

[Sidenote: And as we have seen that the perfect good is true
happiness, it follows that the true felicity resides in the
Supreme Divinity.]

and we han establissed þat þe
souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes
ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. 2500
_B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne may nat be wiþseid
in no manere.

[Sidenote: But let us see how we can firmly and irrefragably prove
that the Supreme God contains in his own nature a plenitude of
perfect and consummate good.]

¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now how
þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis
þat I haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of 2504
souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest
þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of alle þinges haue
ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self.
¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful 2508
ryȝt as þou myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse
in hym self. {and} þat ilke blisfulnesse þat is in hym
were diu{er}s in substaunce.

[Sidenote: If you think that God has received this good from
without, then you must believe that the giver of this good is more
excellent than God the receiver.]

¶ For yif þou wene þat
god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou 2512
mayst wene þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more
goode þan is god.

[Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more
excellent than God.]

¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse
{and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle
þinges.

[Sidenote: But if this supreme good is in Him by nature, and is
nevertheless of a different substance, we cannot conceive, since
God is the author of all things, what could have united these two
substances differing one from another.]

¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by 2516
nature. but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng
resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne
who so feyne may. who was he þat [hath] co{n}ioigned
þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre.

[Sidenote: Lastly, a thing which essentially differs from another
cannot be the same with that from which it is supposed to differ.]

{and} eke at þe last[e] se 2520
wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke
þing nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n}
to ben diu{er}s.

[Sidenote: Consequently, what in its nature differs from the chief
good cannot be the supreme good.]

þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat
by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. þat þat 2524
þing nys nat souereyne good.

[Sidenote: But it would be impious and profane thus to conceive of
God, since nothing can excel Him in goodness and worth.]

but certys þat were a
felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing
nis more worþe.

[Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than
its origin.]

For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e
of hem ne may nat ben better þan his bygy{n}nyng. 2528

[Linenotes:
2495 [_that_]--from C.
2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses
2497 _ouȝt[e]_--owen
2498 _goode_--good
2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
2500 [_þat----is_]--from C.
_yset_--MS. ysette, C. set
2501 _be_--ben
_wiþseid_--MS. wiþseide, C. withseid
2503 _wiþ-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte
2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
[_In----I_]--from C.
2506 _ouȝt_--awht
2507 _þan of_--owt of
2508 _whiche_--whych
_souereyne goode_--souereyn good
2509 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2510 _þat ilke_--thilke
2511 _were_--weren
2514 _goode_--worth
2517 _from_--fro
[_hym_]--from C.
2518 _feyne_--faigne
2519 _feyne_--feigne
[_hath_]--from C.
2520 _last[e]_--laste
2521 _o_--a
2522 _whiche_--whych
2524 _from_--fro
2527 _nis_--is
2528 _better_--bettre]

[Headnote:
THERE CANNOT BE TWO CHIEF GOODS.]

[Sidenote: We may therefore conclude that the Author of all things
is really and substantially the supreme Good.]

¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}. [[pg 91]]
þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same
þing is good in his substaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!]

_B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully
q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ But you have owned that true felicity is the
sovereign good; then you must also grant that God is that true
felicity.]

_P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she þat 2532
souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d .I. þan
q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat
þilke same souereyne goode be god.

[Sidenote: _B._ Your conclusions follow from your premises.]

[Sidenote: [* fol. 21 _b_.]]

¶ Certys *q{uo}d
.I. I ne may nat denye ne wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. 2536
and I see wel þat it folweþ by strengþe of þe
p{re}misses.

[Sidenote: _P._ Let us see whether we cannot prove this more
convincingly by considering it in this view, that there cannot be
two sovereign goods which differ in themselves.]

¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued
[yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben
two souereyne goodes þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem 2540
self.

[Sidenote: For it is plain that of the goods that differ one
cannot be what the other is; wherefore neither of them can be
perfect where one wants the other.]

þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan [ne] mowen
neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to
oþir.

[Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.]

but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly
þat it nis nat souereyne.

[Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.]

þe þinges þan þat ben 2544
souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse.

[Sidenote: But it has been shown that God and happiness are the
chief good, wherefore the sovereign felicity and the Supreme
Divinity are one and the same.]

¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben
[the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat
souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No 2548
þing q{uo}d I nis more soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by
resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god may nat ben
concluded.

[Sidenote: Following then the examples of geometricians who deduce
their consequences from their propositions, I shall deduce to thee
something like a corollary as follows:--]

_P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as
þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2552
ben wont to brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes
or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue
þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune.

[Sidenote: Because by the attainment of felicity men become happy,
and as felicity is the same as Divinity itself, therefore by the
attainment of Divinity men are made happy.]

For whi.
for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben 2556
maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is
it manifest {and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men
ben makid blisful.

[Sidenote: But as by the participation of justice or of wisdom men
become just or wise,]

ryȝt as by þe getynge of iustice . . .
{and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben maked wise. 2560

[Linenotes:
2529 _whiche_--whych
2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2533 _soþe_--soth
2534 _mote_--moten
2539 [_yit_]--from C.
2541 _is_ (1)--nis
_oþer_--othre
[_ne_]--from C.
2546 _conclude_--concluded
2547 [_the_] from C.
_goode_--good
_be_--ben
2549 _soþefast_--sothfast
_ferme_--MS. forme, C. ferme
2552 _proposiciouns_--MS. p{ro}porsiou{n}s, C. p{ro}posiciou{n}s
2553 _porismes_--MS. poeismes, C. porysmes
2554 _wil_--wole]

[Headnote:
THE HAPPY MAN IS A GOD.]

[Sidenote: so by partaking of Divinity they must necessarily,
and by parity of reason, become gods.]

¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n}
wha{n} þei han getyn [[pg 92]]
diuinite þei ben maked goddys.

[Sidenote: Every happy man then is a god. But by nature there is
only _One_; but by participation of Divine essence there may be
many gods.]

þan is euery blisful
man god. ¶ But certis by nature. þer nys but oon god.
but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne 2564
disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many goddes. ¶ þis
is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as
þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune
or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. 2568
þan is þe þing þat by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise
forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: But as happiness seems to be an assemblage of many
things, ought we not to consider whether these several things
constitute conjointly the body of happiness, or whether there is
not some one of these particular things that may complete the
substance or essence of it, and to which all the rest have a
relation?]

¶ So q{uo}d she as
it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges. it were
forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or 2572
conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite
of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle
þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it acomplise by hy{m} self þe
substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise oþer þinges 2576
ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne
as to þe chief of hem.

[Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.]

¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou
makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what þou seist. {and}
þat þou recordest me þe forseide þinges.

[Sidenote: _P._ As you grant that happiness is a good, you may say
the same of all the other goods; for perfect sufficiency is
identical with supreme felicity; so is supreme power, likewise
high rank, a shining reputation, and perfect pleasure.]

¶ Haue I nat 2580
iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis forsoþe
q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d
she þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide
þinges. ¶ For þilke same blisfulnesse þat is 2584
demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke self is
souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse
or noblesse {and} souereyne delit.

[Sidenote: What say you, then; are all these things, sufficiency,
power, and the rest, to be considered as constituent parts of
felicity? or are they to be referred to the sovereign good as
their source and principal?]

what seist þou
þan of alle þise þinges. þat is to seyne. suffisance power 2588
{and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as membris of blisfulnesse.
or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne good.
¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem.

[Linenotes:
2563 _oon_--o
2564 _letteþ_--let
2566 _faire_--fayr
2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme
2572 [_þat_]--from C.
2573 _maner_--maner{e}
_by_--be
2574 [_of_]--from C.
2575 _swyche_--swych
2576 _oþer_--oothr{e}
2577 _seyne_--seyn
2578 _chief_--chef
2581 _goode ȝis_--good ys
2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
2583 _goode_--good
2585 _self_--selue
2588 _þise_--C. omits
_seyne_--seyn
2589 _oþer_--oothre]

[Headnote:
GOOD, THE RULE AND SQUARE OF THINGS DESIRABLE.]

[Sidenote: _B._ I see what you are aiming at, and I am desirous to
hear your arguments.]

b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to [[pg 93]]
seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. 2593

[Sidenote: _P._ If all these things were members of felicity, they
would differ one from another, for it is the property of diverse
parts to compose one body.]

_p._ Take now þus þe discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d
she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d she weren membris to
felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. 2596
¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris.
þat dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body.

[Sidenote: But it has been well shown that all these things are
the same and do not differ--therefore they are not parts, for if
they were, happiness might be made up of one member--which is
absurd and impossible.]

¶ Certis
q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben shewed her byforne. þat alle þise
þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei none membris q{uo}d 2600
she.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]]

for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were
conioigned *al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g
þat may nat ben doon.

[Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the
sequel.]

þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat
doutous. but I abide to herkene þe remenaunt of þe 2604
questiou{n}.

[Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by
Good, as the rule and square.]

þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat alle oþer
þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode.

[Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they
are esteemed a good.]

¶ For þerfore
is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben
good. {and} forþi is power requered. for men trowen also 2608
þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we þinken {and}
coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit.

[Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.]

þan is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat
auȝt[e] be desired.

[Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or
appearance, can never be desired.]

forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no 2612
good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat
wel in no manere be desired ne requered.

[Sidenote: On the contrary, things not essentially good are
desired because they appear to be real goods.]

{and} þe contrarie.
For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben nat
goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben 2616
þei desired as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode.

[Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all
things that we desire.]

{and} þerfore is it þat men auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte
be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of alle þinges þat ben to
requeren.

[Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is
itself what we chiefly want.]

¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for whiche 2620
men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same
þing be most desired.

[Sidenote: If a man desire to ride on account of health--it is not
the ride he wants so much as its salutary effects.]

as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde
for cause of hele. he ne desireþ nat so mychel þe
moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. [[pg 94]]

[Sidenote: Since all things are sought after for the sake of Good,
they cannot be more desirable than the good itself.]

Now þan 2624
syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good.
þei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same
good

[Sidenote: It has been shown that all the aforesaid things are
only pursued for the sake of happiness--hence it is clear that
good and happiness are essentially the same.]

¶ But we han graunted þat blysfulnesse is þat
þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben desired. 2628
þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and}
desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good
{and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} þe same substaunce.

[Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.]

¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat men myȝt[en] discorden 2632
in þis.

[Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are
identical and inseparable.]

_p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse
is al oon þing

[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I.

[Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that
of the Supreme Good.]

þan mowe we conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is
set in þilke same good {and} in noon oþer place. 2636

[Linenotes:
2591 _brouȝt_--MS wrouȝt, C. browht
2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne
2594 _Take_--tak
2596 _fro_--from
2597 _swiche_--swhych
2600 _on þing_--othing
2602 _one_--on
2603 _ben doon_--be don
2604 _herkene_--herknen
2605 _clere_--cler
_oþer_--oothre
2606 _goode_--good
2609 _goode_--good
_mowe_--mowen
2617 [_þat_]--from C.
_were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche
2618 _þerfore_--therfor
_auȝten_--owhten
2619 _alle_--alle the
2620 _whiche_--whych
2623 _mychel_--mochel
2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge
2626 [_nat_]--from C.
2628 _oþer_--oothr{e}
2630 _clerely_--clerly
_good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse
2631 _oone_--oon
2632 _myȝt[en]_--myhten
2634 _oon_--oo
_soþe_--soth
2635 _mowe_--mowen
2636 _set_--MS. sette, C. set]

[Headnote:
GOD A HAVEN OF REST.]

NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.

[Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]

[Sidenote: Come hither, all ye that are captives--bound and
fettered with the chains of earthly desires;--come to this source
of goodness, where you shall find rest and security.]

++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and}
ybounde wiþ wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable
delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in ȝoure þouȝt. here
shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene 2640
stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to
wreches.

[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.]

_Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred
{and} deceyued wiþ worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now
to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat is refut to hem þat 2644
wolen come to hym.

[Sidenote: Not the gold of Tagus or of Hermus, nor the gems of
India, can clear the mental sight from vain delusions, but rather
darken it.]

_Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe
ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or
ellys alle þe þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his
rede brynke. or þat yndus ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote 2648
p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene stones
(smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat
cleren þe lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure
blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne hire dirkenesse

[Sidenote: Such sources of our delight are found in the earth’s
gloomy caverns,--but the bright light that rules the heavens
dispels the darkness of the soul.]

¶ Alle þat 2652
likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ ȝoure þouȝtes.
þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe [[pg 95]]
shynyng by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and}
whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe þat chaseþ þe derke 2656
ouerþrowyng of þe soule.

[Sidenote: He who has seen this light will confess that the beams
of the sun are weak and dim.]

¶ And who so euer may
knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat
þe white bemes of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer.

[Linenotes:
2638 _wicked[e]_--wyckyde
2639, 2640 _here_--her
2640 _hauene_--MS. heuene, C. hauene
2641 _al oone_--allone
2643 _worldly_--worldely
2645 _come_--comyn
2646 _golden[e] grauels_--goldene grauayles
2647 _þynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges
_hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus
2648 _nexte_--next
2649 _worlde_--world
2654, 2656 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2654 _hys_--hyse
2656 _chaseþ þe derke_--eschueth the dyrke
2657 _euer_--C. omits
2658 _seine_--seyn]

[Headnote:
MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]

ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.

[Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I assent, and am convinced by the force of your
arguments.]

++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben 2660
strongly bounden wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s.

[Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully
know what this good is?]

how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif þat þou
knowe what þilke goode is.

[Sidenote: _B._ I should value it infinitely if at the same time I
might attain to the knowledge of God, who is the sovereign good.]

I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by
price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to 2664
knowe also to-gidre god þat is good.

[Sidenote: _P._ I shall elucidate this matter by incontrovertible
reasons if thou wilt grant me those things which I have before
laid down as conclusions.]

¶ certys q{uo}d she
þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}.

[Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]]

yif þat þo þinges þat
I haue conclude[d] a litel her by *forne dwellen oonly
in hir first[e] graunty{n}g.

[Sidenote: _B._ I grant them all.]

_Boice._ þei dwellen graunted 2668
to þe q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi
forseide conclusiou{n}s.

[Sidenote: _P._ Have I not shown that the things which the
majority of mankind so eagerly pursue are not true and perfect
goods, for they differ from one another; and because where one of
them is absent the others cannot confer absolute happiness (or
good)?]

¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d
she þat þe þinges þat ben requered of many folke. ne
ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei ben diu{er}se þat 2672
oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to
oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful
{and} absolute.

[Sidenote: Have I not shown, too, that the true and chief good is
made up of an assemblage of all the goods in such a way, that if
sufficiency is an attribute of this good, it must at the same time
possess power, reverence, &c.]

¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good
whan þei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in 2676
to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing þat is suffisaunce.
þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and}
mirþe.

[Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be
classed among desirable things?]

¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o
same þing þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben 2680
put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges. þat auȝten ben requered
or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may
þer no man douten.

[Sidenote: While these things differ from one another they are not
goods; but as soon as they become one then they are made
goods.--Do not they owe their being good to their unity?]

_p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne
ben none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei [[pg 96]]
bygynnen to ben al o þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne 2685
comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite þat þei ben
maked goodes.

[Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.]

_b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do you confess that everything that is good
becomes such by the participation of the sovereign good or no?]

but alle þing þat
is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good
by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} 2688
of good or no.

[Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]

¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I.

[Linenotes:
2660 _assent[e]_--assente
2662 _mychel_--mochel
2663 _goode_--good
2664 _price_--prys
2669 _is_--omitted
_seyne_--seyn
2671 _folke_--folkes
2673 _oþer_--oothre
_eche_--ech
2675 _absolute_--absolut
_atte arst_--at erste
2676 _al_--alle
_a_--O
2677 _to_--omitted
_wirchyng_--wyrkynge
2678 _þilk_--thilke
2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
_auȝten_--owhten
2684 _none_--no
2685 _al o_--alle oon
2686 _comiþ_--comth
2689 _graunt[e]_--graunte]

[Headnote:
UNITY NECESSARY TO EXISTENCE.]

[Sidenote: _P._ Then you must own that unity and good are the same
(for the substance of those things must be the same, whose effects
do not naturally differ).]

¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable
resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing. ¶ For of
þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse 2692
nedys þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge.

[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot gainsay it.]

I ne may
nat denye it q{uo}d I.

[Sidenote: _P._ Do you not perceive that everything which exists
is permanent so long as it preserves its unity--but as soon as it
loses this, it is dissolved and annihilated?]

¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d
she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe his dwellyng {and}
his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it 2696
forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre.

[Sidenote: _B._ How so?]

¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.

[Sidenote: _P._ In the animal creation as long as the soul and the
body are united and conjoined in one, this being is called an
animal or beast, but when the union is dissolved by the separation
of these, the animal perishes and is no longer a beast.]

¶ Ryȝt as in
beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule {and} þe body ben
co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a 2700
beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce
þat oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a
dede þi{n}g. {and} þat it is no lenger no beste.

[Sidenote: The same may be said of man and all other things; they
subsist while unity is preserved, but as soon as that is destroyed
the things themselves lose their existence.]

{and} þe
body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} 2704
of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a figure of
mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so]
diuide[d] {and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei
destroien vnite. þe body forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. 2708
¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same manere
by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery
þinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and}
whan it forletiþ to ben oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ.

[Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.]

_boice._ 2712
whan I considre q{uo}d I many þinges I see noon oþ{er}.

[Linenotes:
2690 _mayst þou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten
2692 [_of_]--from C.
2695 _al_--alle
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2696, 2697 _oone_--oon
2698 _whiche_--which
2703 _dede_--ded
_lenger_--lenger{e}
_beste_--beest
2704 _while_--whil
_oon_--oo
2706 _[so] diuide[d]_--so deuydyd
2709 _so_--omitted
2713 _many_--manye]

[Headnote:
NATURE SUSTAINS VEGETATION.]

[Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything which acts naturally that
forgoes this desire of existence and wishes for death and
corruption?]

¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as moche as
it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of 2715
hys beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ
{and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. [[pg 97]]

[Sidenote: _B._ I do not find any creature endowed with volition,
which, of itself and without constraint, renounces or despises
life and self-preservation or willingly hastens to destruction.]

¶ yif I considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han
any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne
fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out
forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} 2720
or þat wole his þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For
euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to defende {and} kepe þe
sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}.

[Sidenote: But with regard to herbs and trees, I am doubtful
whether I ought to have the same opinion of them, for they have no
sensitive soul, nor any natural volition like animals.]

_b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. þat is 2724
to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes
or trees þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel
wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han wheþer
þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren.

[Sidenote: _P._ There is no cause for doubt in respect to these.]

¶ Certis 2728
q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute.

[Sidenote: Herbs and trees first choose a convenient place to grow
in, where, agreeably to their respective natures, they are sure to
thrive, and are in no danger of perishing; for some grow on
plains, some on mountains, &c.; and if you try to transplant them,
they forthwith wither and die.]

¶ Now look
vpon þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in
swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place
þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire 2732
nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen
in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n}
mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._]
[{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos 2736
in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any wyht enforce hym to
beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //

[Sidenote: To everything that vegetates, nature gives what is
needful for its subsistence, and takes care that they should not
perish before their time.]

For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t /
þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to
hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they 2740
han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen //

[Sidenote: Need I tell you that plants are nourished by their
roots (which are so many mouths hid in the earth), and diffuse
strength throughout the whole plant, as through their marrow?]

what woltow seyn
of this / þ{a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr
rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged 2743
w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as})
hyr wode {and} hyr bark /

[Sidenote: And further, it is admirably contrived that the pith,
the most tender part of plants, is hid in the middle of the trunk,
surrounded with hard and solid wood, and with an outer coat of
bark to ward off the storms and weather.]

{and} what woltow seyn
of this þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i.
sapp) is / þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and}
þ{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of 2748
wode // {and} þ{a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis
the destemprau{n}ce
of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren [[pg 98]]
harm /

[Sidenote: Admire, too, the diligence of nature in propagating
plants by a multiplicity of seeds, which are as a foundation for a
building, not to remain for a time, but as it were for ever.]

{and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is
the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} 2752
pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man
þ{a}t ne wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and}
edyfice for to duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto
duren p{er}durablely by generacyou{n} //

[Sidenote: Things inanimate incline to what is most suitable to
their beings, and to preserve continuance.]

{and} the thinges ek 2756
þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech
of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t
is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n}
of hyr beynge {and} endurynge //

[Sidenote: For why should the flame mount upwards by lightness,
and the earth tend towards its centre by gravity (weight), unless
these motions were agreeable to their respective natures?]

For wher for elles berith 2760
lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth the
erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and
thilke moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem //

[Linenotes:
2718 _willynge_--wylnynge
_or_--{and}
2719 _þing_--beest
_out forþe_--owte forth
2720 _lyue_--lyuen
2723 _of lijf_--of hys lyf
2726 _soule_--sowles
2727 _appetite_--appetites
2729 _look_--loke
2730 _waxen firste_--wexen fyrst
2733, 2734 _some_--som
2734 _oþir_--oothre
2753 _pupllisen_--H. publisshen)
2755 _edyfice_--MS. edyfite
_a tyme_--H. oon) tyme
2758 _that_--H. omits
_hirs_--H. his]

[Headnote:
THE LOVE OF LIFE IS INSTINCTIVE.]

[Sidenote: Whatever is agreeable to the nature of a thing
preserves it. So what is contrary to its nature destroys it.]

{and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge 2764
{and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes
{and} enemys corompen hem //

[Sidenote: Dense bodies, such as stones, resist an easy separation
of parts; whereas the particles of liquid or flowing things, such
as air and water, are easily separated and soon reunited.]

{and} yit the harde thinges
as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere
ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge 2768
þ{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the
thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr
they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem þ{a}t
brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} 2772
sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben
arraced //

[Sidenote: Fire avoids and utterly refuses any such division.]

but fyr [fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} /

[Sidenote: I am not now treating of the voluntary motion of a
conscious soul, but of the natural intention and instinct.]

ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the
sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n} 2776
of thinges //

[Sidenote: We swallow our meat without thinking of it, and we draw
our breath in sleep without perception.]

As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete þ{a}t we
resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen
owr{e} breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt //

[Sidenote: The love of life in animals is not derived from an
intellectual will, but from natural principles implanted in them.]

For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of 2780
hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle //
but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} //

[Sidenote: For the will, induced by powerful reasons, sometimes
chooses and embraces death, although nature dreads and abhors it.]

For certes thorw
constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful
ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith
// that is to seyn [[pg 99]]
as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som 2785
cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which
þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //

[Sidenote: And, on the contrary, we see that concupiscence (by
which alone the human race is perpetuated) is often restrained by
the will.]

And som tyme
we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / 2788
destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and
requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} /
by the whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd
the longe durablete of mortal thinges //

[Sidenote: Self-love possessed by every creature is not the
product of volition, but proceeds from a natural impression or
intention of nature.]

And thus 2792
this charite and this Loue þ{a}t eu{er}y thing hath to hym
self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle / but of
the entenciou{n} of natur{e} //

[Sidenote: Providence has implanted in all created things an
instinct, for the purpose of self-preservation, by which they
desire to prolong existence to its utmost limits.]

For the puruyance of god
hat yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is 2796
a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they
desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen //

[Linenotes:
2774 [_fleeth_]--from H.
2775 _weleful_--H. wilfull{e}
2779 _slepyt_--H. slepe{n}
2788 _seeth_--H. seen)
_wil_--H. will{e}
2792 _And_--H. as
2796 _hat_--H. haue]

[Headnote:
THE WILL IS SUPERIOR TO INSTINCT.]

[Sidenote: Doubt not, therefore, that everything which exists
desires existence and avoids dissolution.]

For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that
alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren 2800
naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable
dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} //

[Sidenote: _B._ You have made those things perfectly plain and
intelligible, which before were obscure and doubtful.]

B //
now confesse I. wel q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly /
w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the thinges that whylom semeden 2804
vncerteyn to me /

[Sidenote: _P._ That which desires to subsist desires also to
retain its unity for if this be taken away it cannot continue to
exist.]

P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng þ{a}t
desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth
to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes
beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht //

[Sidenote: _B._ That is very true!]

that 2808
is sotħ q{uod} I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ All things then desire one thing--unity.]

Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges
oon //

[Sidenote: _B._ They do.]

.I. assente q{uod} .I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ Unity then is the same as good.]

{and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she
that thilke same oon is thilke that is good //

[Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]

B // ye forsothe
q{uod} I. //

[Sidenote: _P._ Thus all things desire good--and it is one and the
same good that all creatures desire.]

Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren 2812
good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen
ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth //

[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true. For either all things must
be reduced to nothing (or have no relation to anything else), and,
destitute of a head, float about without control or order; or if
there be anything to which all things tend, that must be the
supreme good.]

Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e}
verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and} 2816
browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour
despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif [[pg 100]]
ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden
{and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of 2820
alle goodes /

[Sidenote: _P._ I rejoice greatly, my dear pupil, that you so
clearly apprehend this truth, of which but just now you were
ignorant.]

P /. thanne seyde she thus // O my norry
q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // For thow
hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse //
that is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben 2824
descouered to the / in that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow
wystest nat a lytel her by-forn //

[Sidenote: _B._ What was that?]

what was th{a}t q{uod} I. //

[Headnote:
THE END OF ALL THINGS.]

[Sidenote: _P._ The _End of all things_. And this is what every
one desires; but we have shown that _good_ is the thing desired by
all, therefore _Good_ is the _End of all things_.]