Good Counsel of Chaucer <1>
FLEE from the press, and dwell with soothfastness;
Suffice thee thy good, though it be small;
For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness,*. . . . . . . *instability
Press hath envy, and *weal is blent* o'er all,. .*prosperity is blinded*
Savour* no more than thee behove shall;. . . . . . . . *have a taste for
Read* well thyself, that other folk canst read;. . . . . . . . .*counsel
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.*. . . . . . . . . . *doubt
Paine thee not each crooked to redress,
In trust of her that turneth as a ball; <2>
Great rest standeth in little business:
Beware also to spurn against a nail; <3>
Strive not as doth a crocke* with a wall;. . . . . . . . . .*earthen pot
Deeme* thyself that deemest others' deed,. . . . . . . . . . . . .*judge
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.
What thee is sent, receive in buxomness;*. . . . . . . . . . . *submission
The wrestling of this world asketh a fall;
Here is no home, here is but wilderness.
Forth, pilgrim! Forthe beast, out of thy stall!
Look up on high, and thank thy God of all!
*Weive thy lust,* and let thy ghost* thee lead,. . . . . . .*forsake thy
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.. . . . . . .inclinations*
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . spirit
Notes to Good Counsel of Chaucer
1. This poem is said to have been composed by Chaucer "upon
his deathbed, lying in anguish."
2. Her that turneth as a ball: Fortune.
3. To spurn against a nail; "against the pricks."
-THE END-
Geoffrey Chaucer's poem: Good Counsel of Chaucer
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