HumanitiesWeb.org - Shorter Poems (The Complaint of Chaucer to His Purse) by Geoffrey Chaucer
HumanitiesWeb HumanitiesWeb
WelcomeHistoryLiteratureArtMusicPhilosophyResourcesHelp
Periods Alphabetically Nationality Topics Themes Genres Glossary
pixel

Chaucer
Index
Biography
Selected Works
Quotations
According To...
Chronology
Related Materials

Search

Get Your Degree!

Find schools and get information on the program that’s right for you.

Powered by Campus Explorer

& etc
FEEDBACK

(C)1998-2012
All Rights Reserved.

Site last updated
28 October, 2012
Real Time Analytics

Shorter Poems
The Complaint of Chaucer to His Purse

by Geoffrey Chaucer

To yow, my purse, and to noon other wight 
Complayne I, for ye be my lady dere! 
I am so sory, now that ye been lyght; 
For certes, but ye make me hevy chere, 
Me were as leef be layd upon my bere; 
For which unto your mercy thus I crye: 
Beth hevy ageyn, or elles mot I dye! 

Now voucheth sauf this day, or yt be nyght, 
That I of yow the blisful soun may here, 
Or see your colour lyk the sonne bryght, 
That of yelownesse hadde never pere. 
Ye be my lyf, ye be myn hertes stere, 
Quene of comfort and of good companye: 
Beth hevy ageyn, or elles moote I dye! 

Now purse, that ben to me my lyves lyght 
And saveour, as doun in this world here, 
Out of this toune helpe me thurgh your myght, 
Syn that ye wole nat ben my tresorere; 
For I am shave as nye as any frere. 
But yet I pray unto your curtesye: 
Beth hevy agen, or elles moote I dye!  

Lenvoy de Chaucer 
O conquerour of Brutes Albyon, 
Which that by lyne and free eleccion 
Been verray kyng, this song to yow I sende; 
And ye, that mowen alle oure harmes amende, 
Have mynde upon my supplicacion! 
Previous Poem Next Poem
Personae

Terms Defined

Referenced Works