Confessio Amantis, Volume 1

The complete text of John Gower's poem is a three-volume edition, including all Latin components-with translations-of this bilingual text and extensive glosses, bibliography and explanatory notes. Volume 1 contains the Prologue and Books 1 and 8, in effect the overall structure of Gower's poem.



Russell A. Peck is Professor of English at the University of Rochester. He is currently the editor of the Middle English Texts Series. Andrew Galloway is Professor of English at Cornell University. He specializes in medieval English literature and its contexts, as well as medieval Latin literature.



Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Chronology of Gower's Life and Works Confessio Amantis Prologue i. Incipit ii. The State iii. The Church iv. The Commons v. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Daniel's Prophecies Fulfilled Division and Evil Example of Arion Book 1: Pride i. On Love ii. Complaint to Cupid and Venus iii. Confessio Amantis, the Lover's Confession iv. Senses of Sight and Sound Tale of Acteon Tale of Medusa Aspidis the Serpent The Sirens v. Hypocrisy Hypocrisy of Lovers Tale of Mundus and Paulina Trojan Horse vi. Disobedience vii. Murmur and Complaint Tale of Florent viii. Presumption Tale of Capaneus Trump of Death Tale of Narcissus ix. Boasting Tale of Albinus and Rosemund x. Vainglory xi. Nebuchadnezzar's Punishment xii. Humility and the Tale of Three Questions Book 8: Lechery i. On Marriage and Incest Examples of Incest ii. Tale of Apollonius of Tyre The Confessor's Final Counsel The Lover's Admission and Request The Confessor's Reply Debate between the Confessor and the Lover The Lover's Poetic Supplication Venus' Reply iii. Old Age Parliament of Exemplary Lovers Cupid Returns Healing Love's Wound Leave-taking of Venus iv. Prayer for England [First Recension: Prayer for Richard] On Kingship Farewell to the Book Farewell to Earthly Love The Colophons Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Bibliography Glossary Reference Index to Volume 1 Illustrations 1. Bodley 902, fol. 8r. Confessio Amantis [The Confession of the Lover] 2. Fairfax 3, fol. 2r. Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the Monster of Time 3. Fairfax 3, fol. 8r. The Confession of the Lover to Genius 4. Bodley 294, fol. 4v. Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the Monster of Time 5. Bodley 294, fol. 9r. The Lover confesses to Genius