Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 2316

DIMEV 2316

I will bewail in manner of tragedy

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Monk’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales — 776 lines in eight-line stanzas.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

Title(s): Monk’s Tale; ‘De Casibus Virorum Illustrium’; Canterbury Tales

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; Fortune; tragedy

Versification: — eight-line — ababbcbc

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden. B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 195-205v

First Lines:

I wol bewaile in manere of Tregedie
the harme of hem that stode in high degre…

Last Lines:

…that hight Daunte for he can hit devise
fro poynte to poynte not oo worde wol he fayle

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: …And / next folwyng he bigynneth his tale (f. 195); the Monke (RT); here the Knyght / interipteth & / stynteth the Monke / of his tale (f. 206, margin)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 233v-245

First Lines:

I wole bewaile in manere of tragedie
þe harme of hem þat stondith in hyȝ degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trusteþ hir þan wole she faile
And kouer hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.1997, 2421, 2574 omitted.

Attributed Title: …and here bygynnythe þe prologe [sic] (f. 233v); Here endith þe monkes… (f. 245)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 162v-171v

First Lines:

[I] Will bewaile in maner of Tragedy
The harme of hem þat stode in hiȝ degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten hir þen wil she faile
And couer hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2130 omitted; spurious lines follow 2131, 2339; 2155 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: The Monkis tale (f. 162v)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 207-216

First Lines:

I will bewaile in maner of tragedy
The harme of hem þat stonde in hie degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteth hir þan wil she faile
And couer hir bright face with a cloude

Attributed Title: …And next biginneth / the tale of þe Monke de Casibus virorum illustrium (f. 207); The Monke (RT); Here endeth þe Monkes tale de casibus virorum illustrissimum… (f. 216)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 248-258

First Lines:

…As Adam til he for his mysgouernaunce
Was dryue out of high prosperite…

Last Lines:

…ffor when trustiþ her þen wil she faile
And couer her bright face wiþ a cloude

Note: VII.1991-2011 lost; 2023-30, 2333, 2653 omitted.

Attributed Title: þe monk (RT); Here endeþ þe monkes tale… (f. 258)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), ff. 116-124

First Lines:

I wyll be weyle in maner of tragedye
The harme of hem that stondeth in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trusteth hur then wol she fayle
And keuere hur bryght face with a clowde

Note: VII.2243-2497 lost; 2148, 2168-9, 2205 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Here begynneth the Monkes tale (f. 116); The Monke (RT)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 115-115v

First Lines:

I wil bewaile in maner of a tregedri
the harme of hem that stonde in degre hihe…

Last Lines:

…He slowe the geant Antheus the stronge
He slowe the griseli bore and that anon…

Note: VII.2110-766 lost; 1997 omitted.

Attributed Title: here begynneth the monkes tale (f. 115); fab (f. 115, margin)

8.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 156-165v

First Lines:

I wole bywaile in manere of tragedye
The harme of hem þat stood in heigh degre…

Last Lines:

…That hight Dant for he kan it all deuyse
ffro poynt to poynt nat a worde wole he faile

Attributed Title: …& Incipit fabula / The Monkys tale (f. 155v)

9.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 236-247

First Lines:

I wol bewayle in maner of Tregedye
The harme of hem þat standeþ stoden in heih degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteþ hire þan wol sche fayle
And couere hire brighte face wiþ a cloude

Note: VII.1997, 2279, 2311, 2343, 2421, 2574 omitted; 1997 inserted later in margin; 2007-14 left blank (the ‘Adam Stanza’).

Attributed Title: Here telleþ þe monk De casibus virorum illustrium (f. 236); Cmxxjm (f. 236, margin); Explicit (f. 247, margin)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Corpus Christi, Oxford MS 198 of the Canterbury Tales” .

10.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 238v-249

First Lines:

I wil be waile in manere of tregedie
The harm of hem þat stonden in hiȝ degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whenne men trust in her than wol she faille
And couer her briȝt face vnder a cloude

Note: VII. 1997, 2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’), 2077, 2375-98, 2421, 2442, 2515, 2574 omitted; spurious line follows 2330.

Attributed Title: …begynnyng of his / tale (f. 239v); Monk (RT); Here endith the monkes tale (f. 249)

11.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 221-230v

First Lines:

I wille bewaile in maner of Tregedie
the harme of hem that stondith in hie degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trustith hir than will she faile
and cuver hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2725-6, 2363, 2421, 2775, 2537-9, 2603, 2638 omitted; 2127-34 and 2135-42 reversed.

Attributed Title: Incipit ffabula Monachi (f. 221); Monke (RT); Monachus (RT); Explicit ffabula monachi (f. 230v)

12.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 178v-187

First Lines:

I wol bewayle in manere of tragedi
The harm of hem þat stoden in hey degree…

Last Lines:

…That hight Daunt for he can it al deuyse
ffro poynt to poynt nat oo word wil he faille

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2380 left blank.

Attributed Title: …& bigynneth þe Monkes tale þat is titled de casibus virorum Illustrium Chaucer (f. 178v); Here endeth the Monkes Tale / de casibus virorum Illustrium (f. 187)

13.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 352-362v

First Lines:

I Wole be wayle in manere of Tragedie
The harm of hem that stood in hey degre…

Last Lines:

…And on a day by fel that in that hour
Whan that his meete wont was to been brought…

Note: VII.2425-62 lost; VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’, missing 2425-62) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: Here begynnyth the Monk his tale (f. 352, rubric)

14.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 203-211

First Lines:

I wil bewaile in manere of tragedie
The harme of hem that stonden in highe degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trust in he then wil she faile
And covere hir bright face with a clowde

Note: VII.2187-270, 2569-70, 2589, 2758 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And next begynneth his tale / De casibus virorum illustrium (f. 203); Monke (RT); Here Endeth the monkes tale… (f. 211)

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 68-76v

First Lines:

I wol bewaille in maner of tregedrie
The harme of hem þat standeth in hie degree…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trusteth hire þan wol sche faill
And kouer hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2353-4, 2371 omitted; 2107-8 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Incipit ffabula / Here telleth the monke de casibus virorum illustrium (f. 68); The Monke (RT); Here endith þe monkes tale (f. 76v); Explicit… (f. 77)

16.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 244-255v

First Lines:

[I] Wol bewayle in maner of Tregedye
The harme of hym that stondeth in hiȝe degree…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trysten hur þen wol sche fayle
And kever her bryght fase with a cloude

Note: VII.2371, 2574 omitted; 2562-3 reversed; spurious line follows 2339.

Attributed Title: The Tale of the Monke (f. 244); Here endeth þe Monkes Tale (f. 255v)

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 99va-103va

First Lines:

I wil bewaile in maner of tragedie
The harme of hem that standeth in high degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten her than wol she faile
And couer hir briȝt face with a cloude

Note: VII.2511-662 lost; 2205, 2253 omitted

Attributed Title: …And hiere beginneth his tale folwing (f. 99va); A tale finisshed of the monk… (f. 103va)

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 249-260v

First Lines:

I wille bewayle on maner of tregedie
The harme of hem that stovden in hie degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men truste in hir than wol she faille
And covir hir bright face vndir a cloude

Note: VII.2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’), 2259, 2375-98, 2421, 2515, 2640 omitted; 2007-14 inserted in margin later; spurious line follows 2058.

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the monkes tale (f. 248v); Here endeth the Monkes tale (f. 260v)

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.19 (599), ff. 170v; 179-188

First Lines:

[I] Wyll bewayle lin maner of tragedy
The harme of theym that stondyn in hygh degre…

[T]How noble Sampson whiche was annunciat
By the Aungell long or hys natyuyte…

Last Lines:

…Now art thow sathanas that mayst nat twyn
Out of mysery whyche thow art in fall

…ffor when men trust in hyr then woll she faylle
And couer hyr bryght face vndyr a cloude

Note: A conflation of extracts from Chaucer’s Monk’s Tale (copied from Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] ) and Lydgate’s Fall of Princes (1904): see 6799 and 6367. From the Monk’s Prologue, the extract includes VII.1968-90. According to Dixon (1995)

XDixon, Lori J. “The Canterbury Tales Miscellanies: A Contextual Study of Manuscripts Anthologizing Individual Canterbury Tales.” Diss. University of Delaware, 1995

, pp. 392-6, the extracts are as follows: Monk’s Tale, VII.1968-2006; Fall of Princes, I.470-966; I.967-1001; I.1380-6; I.1394-1400; I.1338-78; I.1520-33; I.3102-29; I.3788-94; I.3431-58; I.3522-35; I.3795-3801; Monk’s Tale, VII.2015-2374; VII.2399-2766; Fall of Princes, I.1814-41; I.2150-70; I.3102-29; I.3816-43; I.4215-37; I.4240-2; I.4530-43; I.4544-50; I.4551-7; I.5524-30; I.5531-7; I.5538-51; I.6301-35; I.7050-70; II.778-805; II.512-623; II.1429-63; II.1863-76; II.1429-63; II.1884-95; II.2171-84; II.2192-8; II.2185-91; II.2199-2233; II.2521-7; II.2528-48; II.2934-61; II.3326-46; II.3536-56; II.3697-3731; II.3935-55; II.4222-63; II.4404-59; III.1569-1638; III.2164-70; III.2178-91; III.2199-2205; III.3683-3717; III.4019-32; III.4040-6; III.4033-9; III.4047-60.

VII.2421, 2515 omitted in from extract.

Attributed Title: Explicit Prohemyum (f. 170v); The tragedy of Sampson (f. 179); Explicit (f. 188)

Facsimiles:

Fletcher, Bradford Y. “Introduction.” Manuscript Trinity R.3.19. A Facsimile. Norman, OK: Pilgrim, 1987.

20.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 262-274

First Lines:

I wol bewreie in maner of Tragedie
The harm of hem that stood in hih degre…

Last Lines:

…That hihte Daunt for he can it devise
ffro poynt to poynt nat o worde wol he faile

Note: VII.2733 omitted; 2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2357-8 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Et incipit narracio eiusdem de eodem (f. 261v); Monke (RT); Explicit narracio Monachi… (f. 274)

21.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 189v-200v

First Lines:

I wol biwaille in manere of tragedie
The harm of hem that stood in high degree…

Last Lines:

…That hight Dant for he kan alle deuyse
ffro point to point nat o word wol he faille

Note: VII.2253, 2533 omitted; 2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: …Here bigynneth the monkes tale (f. 189v); the Monk (RT); Here endeth the Monkes tale… (f. 200v)

22.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 198v-208v

First Lines:

I Woll bewaile in manere of tragedie
The harme of hem þat stonden in hie degree…

Last Lines:

…That hight Daunt for he can it all devise
ffrom poynt to poynt nat oo word woll he faill

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: …& Incipit fabula sua / De Casibus virorum Illustrium bonum est (f. 198v); Here endeth the Monkes tale de casibus virorum Illustrium… (f. 208v)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Cambridge MS. Dd.4.24 of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Completed by the Egerton MS. 2726 (The Haistwell MS). The Chaucer Society 1st Series, no. 95 (Part 1, issue for 1901) and 96 (Part 2, issue for 1902).

23.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], ff. 168-176v

First Lines:

…To laboure & to helle and to meschaunce
Lo sampsoun whiche was annunciate…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trusteth hir þen wole sche faile
And kouere her bright face wiþ a cloude

Note: VII.1991-2013, 2548-623 lost; 2371, 2421 omitted.

Attributed Title: The Monk (RT); Here endith þe monkes tale… (f. 176v)

24.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 214-224v

First Lines:

[I] Wol bewrye in maneer of tragedie
The harme of hem that stood in hih degree…

Last Lines:

…That hihte Daunt for he can it devise
ffro poynt to poynt nat o woord wol he faile

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: …Incipit Narracio eiusdem (f. 213v); the Monke is tale (RT); Explicit Narracio Monachi de casibus virorum illustrium (f. 224v)

25.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 184-192

First Lines:

I Woll be waile in maner of trededye
The harme of hym that stondeth in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteth hir than woll sche faile
And couyr hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2130, 2371, 2518, 2574 inserted in margin; spurious line follows 2339.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth the tale (f. 184); The Monke (RT); Here endith the Monkes tale (f. 192)

26.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 108va-112ra

First Lines:

I wolle bewayle in manere of tragedye
The harme of him that stondith in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…þat hight daunt for he can it Al devise
ffrom point to point nat a worde wol he fayle

Note: VII.2212, 2371 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here styntith þe knyȝt þe monk of his tale (f. 112ra, rubric)

27.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 227-237

First Lines:

I Wol bywaile in maner of tregedye
The harm of hem þat stood in heigh degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteth hir than wil sche faile
And couer hir brighte face with a clowde

Note: VII.2023-30, 2174, 2246, 2366, 2653 omitted; 2174, 2366 inserted later in margin.

Attributed Title: The monkes Tale (RT); Here endeþ þe monk his tale (f. 237)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Harleian MS 7334 of Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. Chaucer Society 73. London: Trübner, 1885.

28.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 207v-217

First Lines:

I wil beweile in maner of tregedrie
þe maner of him þat standeþ in hihe degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteþ hir þan wil sche faile
And couere hir briht face wiþ a cloude

Note: VII.1997, 2421, 2574 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula de Casibus virorum (f. 207v); þe Monke (RT); Explicit fabula… (f. 217)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Lansdowne Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 7, 13, 20, 36, 43, 55, 69. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

29.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 262v-273v

First Lines:

I wil bewaile in maner of tragedie
The harme of hym that stondith in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten hir than wol she faile
And couere hir bright fase with a derk clowde

Note: VII.2110, 2341 omitted; spurious line follows 2339.

Attributed Title: …And begynnyth the tale / of the monke (f. 262v, margin); Here endith the tale / of þe monke… (f. 273v, margin)

30.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 216v-226

First Lines:

[I] Wole bewayle in manere of tragedie
The harm of hem þat stonden in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trusteth hir þenne wole sche faile
And kouere her bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2371, 2421 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And begynneþ the tale (f. 216v); The Monke (RT)

31.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 203-213v

First Lines:

I wylle bewaile in manere of Tregredye
The harme of hym þat stondeth in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteth here þan wolle she fayle
And covere hir bryȝt face with a cloude

Note: VII.2073, 2130, 2169, 2371, 2437-8, 2505-6, 2574 omitted; 2043 inserted at foot; spurious line follows 2369.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth þe tale (f. 203); The Monke (RT); Here endeth þe tale of þe Monke… (f. 213v)

32.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 269-280v

First Lines:

I will bewaile in maner of treiedrie
The harme of hem that stondith in high degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusteth here then wulle she faile
And ouer couer hir bright face with A clowde

Note: VII.1997, 2421, 2574, 2598 omitted; 2007-14 blank (the ‘Adam Stanza’).

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth his tale folowyng (f. 269); [A] Tale of the Monke (RT); Here endithe the tale of the Monke… (f. 281)

33.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 89-98v

First Lines:

I Wol biwaille in manere of Tragedie
The harm of hem that stoode in heigh degree…

Last Lines:

…That highte Dant for he kan al deuyse
ffro point to point nat o word wol he faille

Note: This section of the MS is likely disordered in the binding. VII.2533 omitted; 2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’) inserted later by a different hand; 2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the Monkes tale (f. 89); The Monkes tale (RT); Here is ended the Monkes tale (f. 98v, foot)

Facsimiles:

Ruggiers, Paul G., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer. A Facsimile of the Hengwrt Manuscript, with Variants from the Ellesmere Manuscript. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma, and Folkestone: Wm. Dawson, 1979.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Hengwrt Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 3, 9, 27, 39, 51, 71. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Blake, Norman F., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Edited from the Hengwrt Manuscript. York Medieval Texts, second series. London: Edward Arnold, 1980.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

34.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, f. 262v-273

First Lines:

I woll bewayll in manere of tregedy
The harm of hym þat stondith in hiȝe degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trustith her þen woll she fayll
And covir hir bryȝt fase with a clowde

Note: VII.2130, 2169, 2192, 2371, 2574, 2107, 2709-10 omitted; spurious lines follow 2074, 2339

Attributed Title: …and here begynnyth his tale (f. 262v); Here endith the Monke his tale… (f. 273)

35.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 29vb-34ra

First Lines:

I Wolle bywale in manere of tregedrye
The harme of hem þat stonde in high degree…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trosten hir þan wole she fayle
And couere hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2353-4, 2371, 240-1, 2528-35, 2623-30 omitted; 2107-8 reversed; 2297 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the tale of the Munke / De Casibus virorum illustrium (f. 29vb); The Munkes tale (RT); Now endeth the tale of þe monke… (f. 34ra)

36.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 230v-241

First Lines:

I wil beweille in manere of tregedie
The harme of hem þat stonden in high degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten hure than wil she faille
And keuer her bright face with a cloude…

Note: VII.1997, 2533 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here endeth Chaucers his tale of Melibe / And here bygynneth The prologe of the / Monke his tale (f. 230); The monke (RT); here eendeth the monke his tale… (f. 241)

37.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, f. 221v-231v

First Lines:

I Wol beweylle in manere of tregedie
þe harm of hem þat stonde in hiȝe degre…

Last Lines:

…þat hiȝt Daunt for he can it al deuyse
ffro poynt to poynt not a word wol he fayle

Note: VII.2533 omitted.

Attributed Title: …and bigynnyþ the monkis / tale þat is titled de casibus virorum illustrium chaucer (f. 221v); The Monk (RT); Here eendiþ þe monkis tale de casibus / virorum illustrium… (f. 231v)

38.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 288-300v

First Lines:

I wil bewaile in manere of Tragedie
The harm of theym that stoode in hie degre…

Last Lines:

…That hight Daunt for he can al devise
ffro point to point a word wil he nat faile

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2185, 2363-70, 2533 omitted; 2323 follows 2326.

Attributed Title: …Incipit ffabula (f. 288); Explict fabula Monachi… (f. 300v)

39.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 140v-147

First Lines:

[I] woll bewaile in maner of tragedie
þe harm of hem þat stonden in high degre…

Last Lines:

…þat hight daunt for he can it all deuyse
ffro poynt to poynt not oo word wol he faile

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766.

Attributed Title: …And begynnyth / the monkis tale (f. 140v); ffabula monachi (f. 140v, margin); Monk (RT); Here endith þe monkis tale de casibus virorum / illustrium… (f. 147)

40.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 247v-258

First Lines:

I wol bywaile in manere of tregedie
þe harme of hem þat stonden in hie degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten hir þan wil she faile
And keuere her briȝt face wiþ a cloude

Note: VII.2057, 2371, 2574 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here bygynneþ þe monkes tale (f. 247v); þe tale (f. 247v, margin); The Monke (RT); Thus endeþe monke his tale… (f. 258)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Petworth MS of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 6, 12, 19, 35, 42, 54, 68. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. Autotype Specimens of the Chief Chaucer MSS, Part II. Chaucer Society Series 1, no. 56. London: Trübner, 1876.

41.Source: Austin, University of Texas, Humanities Research Center HRC Pre-1700 MS 143 [olim Deene Park; post Cardigan-Brudenell, sold Sotheby’s, Feb. 1959], ff. 176v-186

First Lines:

I woll be waylle in manner of Tragedye
The harme of hem that stondith in high degre…

Last Lines:

…That hight davnte ffor he can hyt well devyse
ffro poynte to poynte not oo word wull he faylle

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2268-9 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: …and be gynnyth the monkys tale (f. 176v); [H]Ere endyth the monkys talle De casibus virorum illustrium… (f. 186)

42.Source: Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Library 564 [olim Ashburnham 126, post McCormick], ff. 107-120v

First Lines:

I wylle beweyle in manere of tregedie
þe harme of hem þat standeth in heye degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men tristeth here þenne wyl she fayle
And keuer her bryht face with a cloude

Note: VII.2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’) left blank; 2205, 2307 omitted; spurious line follows 2172.

43.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 219-230

First Lines:

I wil beweille in maner of Tregedie
The harme of hem that stonden in high degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whan men trusten hure than wil she faille
And keuer her bright face with a cloude

Note: VI.1997 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here endeth Chaucers his tale of Meeliby / And here bygynneth the prolog of the Monke his tale (f. 219; what follows is the Tale, not the Prologue); The prologe (RT); The Monke (RT); Here endeth the Monkes tale… (f. 230)

44.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], f. 24v-34v

First Lines:

I wole bewayle in maneer of tregedye
Þe harm of hem þat stondeth in heeygh degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor whanne men trusteth hire thanne wole sche fayle
And keueren hire bryght face with a cloude

Note: VII.2371, 2574 omitted.

Attributed Title: …and / here begynneth the / Monkys tale (f. 24v); The Monkys Tale (RT); Here endyth the Monkys tale… (f. 34v)

45.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 182-191

First Lines:

I wol bewaile in manere of tragedy
The harm of hem that sonden in hy degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trust in here than wol she faile
And kyvir hir bright fase with a clowd

Note: VII.1997, 2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’), 2077, 2353-5, 2375-98, 2421, 2442, 2515, 2574, 2680-1, 2720 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here begynnyth the tale (f. 181v, rubric); Monkes tale (RT, rubric); Monk (RT); Here endith the Monke his tale… (f. 191, rubric)

46.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 169-178

First Lines:

I wol bewaille in manere of Tragedie
The harm of hem that stoode in heigh degree…

Last Lines:

…That highte dant for he kan al deuyse
ffro point to point nat o word wol he faille

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2533 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Heere bigynneth the Monkes tale de casibus virorum Illustrium (f. 169); Monk (RT); Explicit Tragedia… (f. 178)

Facsimiles:

The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Preface by Alix Egerton. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1911.

Hanna, Ralph, ed. The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1911. Preface by Alix Egerton repr. as The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: A Working Facsimile. Intro. Hanna; Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1989.

Woodward, Daniel, and Martin Stevens, eds. The New Ellesmere Chaucer Facsimile (Huntington MS EL 26 C 9). Tokyo: Yushodo, and San Marino, CA: Huntington Library, 1995: Now available in part online: http://dpg.lib.berkeley.edu/webdb/dsheh/heh_brf?CallNumber=El+26+C+9.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 2, 8, 16, 26, 32, 38, 50, 70. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

47.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library HM 144 [olim Huth 7], ff. 100-110v

First Lines:

I wil biwaile in maner of de tragede
The harme of hem þat stond in heigh degre…

Last Lines:

…ffor when men trustith her than wyl she fayle
And couer her bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2023-30, 2174, 2246, 2366, 2653 omitted.

Attributed Title: They that this present & forseyde tale / haue or shal Reede Remembyr the no / ble prouerbis that rebukyth Couetise and Vengeaunce takyng in truste of / ffortune whiche hathe causyd many / a noble Prince to falle as we may rede / of them here folluyng (f. 99v, following the extracted Meilbee); The Falle Of Princis (RT)

Facsimiles:

Digital Scriptorium: Huntington Library MS HM 144. Columbia University, 1996-.

48.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, f. 73va1

First Lines:

I wil bewaylen in maner of tregedye
the harme of hem that stood in hy degree…

Last Lines:

…but to his wyfe toild he his secree
thurgh which he slough hymself in wrechidnesse

Note: VII.2023-766 omitted.

Attributed Title: Hic incpit fabula Monachi (f. 73va); Non plus de ista fabula quia est valde dolorosa… (f. 73va)

49.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 194v-205

First Lines:

I wol bewaile in maner of Tragedie
The harme of hem that stonden in high degre…

Last Lines:

…That hiȝt Daunt for he can it wel deuise
ffrom point to point nat oo word wol he faill

Note: VII.2375-2462 (the ‘Modern Instances’) follow 2766; 2213, 2606 omitted

Attributed Title: …Et incipit fabula sua de casibus / virorum illustrium (f. 194); Monkes tale (RT); Hiere endith the Monkes tale… (f. 205)

50.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 122ra-127vb

First Lines:

I wole by wayle in thee manere of tregedye
Thee harme of hym that standyht in hey degre…

Last Lines:

…Withinne his presone hee made thee to deye
But why no how note I that thow were slawe

Note: VII.2407-766 omitted (eight lines left blank following 2406); spurious line follows 2369.

Attributed Title: Here bee gynnyht thee tale (f. 122ra); Thee Mvnkis tale (RT)

51.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 190-202

First Lines:

I wil bewail in maner of Tregedye
þe harm of hem þat stode in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…for when men trust hir þen wil she fail
And couer hir bright face with a cloude

Note: VII.2130 omitted; spurious line follows 2369.

Attributed Title: The Tale of the Monk (f. 190, rubric)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 48” .

Print Witnesses:

1.Source: STC 5082. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 295-308

First Lines:

[I] Wil be waile in manere of tregedie
The harm of hem that stonden in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…For whenne men trust in her than wol she faylle
And couer her bright face vnder a cloude

Note: VII.2007-14 (the ‘Adam Stanza’), 2375-98, 2421, 2515 omitted; spurious lines follow 2058, 2513.

Attributed Title: …Here begynnyth the Tale (f. 295); Here endith the Monkes tale (f. 308)

Facsimiles:

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

2.Source: STC 5083. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster], W. Caxton, [1483] , sigs. C.6-E.1v

First Lines:

[I] wyl bewayle in maner of tragedye
The harme of hem that stōden in hye degre…

Last Lines:

…For when men trust in her than wol she faylle
And couer her bryght face vnder a cloude

Note: VII.2375-98 follow 2726; 2515 omitted; spurious line follows 2513.

Attributed Title: …Here begynneth the Tale (sig. C.6); The Tale Of the Monke (RT); Here endeth the Monkes tale (sit. E.1v)

Facsimiles:

The Canterbury Tales (a facsimile of the Pepys copy of Caxton’s Second Edition). London: Cornmarket Reprints in association with Magdalene College, Cambridge, 1972.

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

3.Source: STC 5084. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, R. Pynson, [1492] , sigs. C.2v-D.6v

First Lines:

[I] wol be wayle in maner of tragedy
The harm of them that stonde high degre…

Last Lines:

…For whan men trust in her than wol she fayle
And couir her bright face vndre a cloude

Attributed Title: …And begynneth his tale (sig. C.2v); The monkes Tale (RT); Here endith the tale of the monke… (sig. D.6v)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sig. t.2va-u.4ra

First Lines:

[I] Wyll bewayle in manere of tragedye
The harme of them þat stond in hy degre…

Last Lines:

…That hyght dant for he can it all deuyse
fro poynt to poynt not o worde woll he faylle

Attributed Title: …Here begynneth the monkis tale (sig. t.2v); The tale of the monke (RT); Here stynteth the knyghte the / monke of his tale (sig. u.4ra)