Sample texts Middle English

1 sample texts

1.1 ormulum, 12th century
1.2 epitaph of john smyth, died 1371
1.3 wycliffe s bible, 1384
1.4 chaucer, 1390s
1.5 gower, 1390

sample texts

most of following modern english translations poetic sense-for-sense translations, not word-for-word translations.

ormulum, 12th century

this passage explains background nativity:

epitaph of john smyth, died 1371

an epitaph monumental brass in oxfordshire parish church:

wycliffe s bible, 1384

from wycliffe s bible, (1384):

first version

and don aftirward, , jhesu made iorney citees , castelis, prechinge , euangelysinge þe rewme of god, , twelue wiþ him; , summe wymmen þat weren heelid of wickide spiritis , syknessis, marie, þat clepid mawdeleyn, of whom seuene deuelis wenten out, , jone, þe wyf of chuse, procuratour of eroude, , susanne, , manye oþere, whiche mynystriden him of riches.

second version

and don aftirward, , jhesus made iourney bi citees , castels, prechynge , euangelisynge þe rewme of god, , twelue wiþ hym; , sum wymmen þat weren heelid of wickid spiritis , sijknessis, marie, þat clepid maudeleyn, of whom seuene deuelis wenten out, , joone, þe wijf of chuse, þe procuratoure of eroude, , susanne, , many oþir, þat mynystriden hym of ritchesse.

translation

and came pass afterward, jesus went throughout every city , village (castle), preaching , showing kingdom of god, , twelve him; , women, had been healed of wicked spirits , sicknesses, mary called magdalene, out of whom went 7 devils, , joanna wife of chuza, steward of herod, , susanna, , many others, provided him substance.

chaucer, 1390s

the following beginning of general prologue canterbury tales geoffrey chaucer. text written in dialect associated london , spellings associated then-emergent chancery standard.

translation modern english prose: when april sweet showers has pierced march s drought root, bathing every vein in such liquid virtue flower engendered, , when zephyrus sweet breath has enlivened tender plants in every wood , field, , early-year sun halfway through aries, , small birds sleep night open eye make melodies (their hearts pricked nature), people long go on pilgrimages, , palmers seek foreign shores , distant shrines known in sundry lands, , wend way canterbury every shire of england in order seek holy blessed martyr, has helped them when ill.

gower, 1390

the following beginning of prologue confessio amantis john gower.

translation in modern english prose:

the books of wrote before survive, , therefore taught written then. reason in our time, here among us, write material scratch, inspired example of these old customs; might, when dead , elsewhere, left world s ear in time coming after this. because men say, , s true, when writes entirely wisdom, dulls man s wit reads every day. reason, if permit it, take middle way, , write book between two, of passion, of instruction, whether of high or low status, people may write about.