Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Apollonius of Tyre
  • Editors: Tom Bishop, Andrew Forsberg

  • Copyright Tom Bishop and Andrew Forsberg. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: John Gower
    Editors: Tom Bishop, Andrew Forsberg
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Apollonius of Tyre

    [Qualiter Appolinus cum Rege pro filia sua erudienda retentus est.]
    How Appolinus was retained by the King to instruct his daughter.
    815 The king his chamberlein let calle,
    And bad that he be alle weie
    A chambre for this man pourveie,
    Which nyh his oghne chambre be.
    "It schal be do, mi lord," quod he.
    820Appolinus of whom I mene
    Tho tok his leve of king and queene
    And of the worthi Maide also,
    Which preide unto hir fader tho,
    That sche myhte of that yonge man
    825Of tho sciences whiche he can
    His lore have; and in this wise
    The king hir granteth his aprise,
    So that himself therto assente.
    Thus was acorded er thei wente,
    830That he with al that evere he may
    This yonge faire freisshe May
    Of that he couthe scholde enforme;
    And full assented in this forme
    Thei token leve as for that nyht.