* * * * *

XXII.  SELECTIONS FROM CHAUCER MODERNISED.

487. Of the Volume in which the ‘Selections’ appeared.

Of these ‘Selections’ the Author wrote as follows to Professor Reed, of Philadelphia: 

’There has recently been published in London a volume of some of Chaucer’s tales and poems modernised.  This little specimen originated in what I attempted with the “Prioress’s Tale;” and if the book should find its way to America, you will see in it two further specimens from myself.  I had no further connection with the publication than by making a present of these to one of the contributors.  Let me, however, recommend to your notice the “Prologue” and the “Franklin’s Tale;” they are both by Mr. Horne, a gentleman unknown to me, but are, the latter in particular, very well done.  Mr. Leigh Hunt has not failed in the “Manciple’s Tale,” which I myself modernised many years ago; but, though I much admire the genius of Chaucer as displayed in this performance, I could not place my version at the disposal of the editor, as I deemed the subject somewhat too indelicate, for pure taste, to be offered to the world at this time of day.  Mr. Horne has much hurt this publication by not abstaining from the “Reve’s Tale;” this, after making all allowance for the rude manners of Chaucer’s age, is intolerable, and by indispensably softening down the incidents, he has killed the spirit of that humour, gross and farcical, that pervades the original.  When the work was first mentioned to me, I protested as strongly as possible against admitting any coarseness or indelicacy; so that my conscience is clear of countenancing aught of that kind.  So great is my admiration of Chaucer’s genius, and so profound my reverence for him as an instrument in the hands of Providence for spreading the light of literature through his native land, that, notwithstanding the defects and faults in this publication, I am glad of it, as a mean for making many acquainted with the original who would otherwise be ignorant of everything about him but his name.’[9]

[9] Extract:  January 13th, 1841 (Memoirs, ii. p. 374-5).

488. The Prioress’s Tale.

    ’Call up him who left half told
    The story of Cambuscan bold.’

In the following Poem no further deviation from the original has been made than was necessary for the fluent reading and instant understanding of the Author:  so much, however, is the language altered since Chaucer’s time, especially in pronunciation, that much was to be removed, and its place supplied with as little incongruity as possible.  The ancient accent has been retained in a few conjunctions, as also and alway, from a conviction that such sprinklings of antiquity would be admitted, by persons of taste, to have a graceful accordance with the subject.  The fierce bigotry of the Prioress forms a fine back-ground for her tender-hearted sympathies with the Mother and Child; and the mode in which the story is told amply atones for the extravagance of the miracle.