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    Not Peer Reviewed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

    1930[Qualiter Appolinus vna cum vxore et filia sua Thyrum applicuit.]
    How Appolinus, together with his wife and daughter, reached Tyre.
    This king, which nou hath his desir,
    Seith he wol holde his cours to Tyr.
    Thei hadden wynd at wille tho,
    With topseilcole and forth they go,
    1935And striken nevere, til thei come
    To Tyr, where as thei havene nome,
    And londen hem with mochel blisse.
    Tho was ther many a mowth to kisse,
    Echon welcometh other hom,
    1940Bot whan the queen to londe com,
    And Thaise hir doghter be hir side,
    The joie which was thilke tyde
    Ther mai no mannes tunge telle:
    Thei seiden alle, "Hier comth the welle
    1945Of alle wommannysshe grace."
    The king hath take his real place,
    The queene is into chambre go:
    Ther was gret feste arraied tho;
    Whan time was, thei gon to mete,
    1950Alle olde sorwes ben foryete,
    And gladen hem with joies newe:
    The descoloured pale hewe
    Is now become a rody cheke,
    Ther was no merthe forto seke,
    1955Bot every man hath that he wolde.