S Carpenter Henryson Fables Prologue Text

Robert Henryson, The Morall Fabillis The Prologue Thocht feinyeit fabils of ald poetré Be not al grunded upon truth, yit than, Thair polite termes of sweit rhetoré Richt plesand ar unto the eir ofman; And als the caus quhy that thay first began Wes to repreif the of thi misleving, O man, be figure of ane uther thing. In lyke maner as throw the bustious eird, Swa it be laubourit with gritdiligence, Springis the flouris and the corne abreird, Hailsum and gude to mannis sustenence, Sa dois spring thair ane morall sweit sentence Oute of the subtell dyte of poetry, To gude purpois, quha culd itweill apply. The nuttis schell, thocht it be hard and teuch, Haldis the kirnell, sueit and delectabill; Sa lyis thair ane doctrine wyse aneuch And full of frute, under ane fenyeit fabill; And clerkissayis, it is richt profitabill Amangis ernist to ming ane merie sport, To light the spreit and gar the tyme be schort. For as we se, ane bow that is ay bent Worthis unsmart and dullis on the string;Sa dois the mynd that is ay diligent In ernistfull thochtis and in studying. With sad materis sum merines to ming Accordis weill; thus Esope said, I wis, Dulcius arrident seria picta iocis. 1 Of thisauthour, my maisteris, with your leif, Submitting me to your correctioun, In mother toung, of Latyng, I wald preif To mak ane maner of translatioun Nocht of my self, for vane presumptioun, Bot berequeist and precept of ane lord, Of quhome the name it neidis not record. In hamelie language and in termes rude Me neidis wryte, for quhy of eloquence Nor rethorike, I never understude. Thairfoir meiklieI pray your reverence, Gif that ye find it throw my negligence Be deminute, or yit superfluous,

(see note) (see note) Though fictional; old based; even so polished; rhetoric pleasing; ear also; why;(see note) reprove thee; misdeeds; (see note) by example; (see note) similar; through; rough field; (see note) If; ploughed; great Springs; grain in first shoots Wholesome So does; sweet meaning;...