I have relegated Poems no. XXI., XXII., and XXIII. to an Appendix, because they are not expressly attributed to Chaucer in the MSS. Such evidence has its value, but it is possible to make too much of it; and I agree with Dr. Koch, that, despite the MSS., the genuineness of no XX. is doubtful; for the rime of _compas_ with _embrace_ is suspicious. It is constantly the case that poems, well known to be Chaucer's, are not marked as his in the MS. copies; and we must really depend upon a prolonged and intelligent study of the internal evidence. This is why I admit poems nos. XXI-XXIII into the collection; and I hope it will be conceded that I am free from recklessness in this matter. Certainly my methods differ from those of John Stowe, and I believe them to be more worthy of respect. * * * * * THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. << FRAGMENT A. Many men seyn that in sweveninges Ther nis but fables and lesinges; But men may somme swevenes seen, Which hardely ne false been, But afterward ben apparaunte. 5 This may I drawe to waraunte An authour, that hight Macrobes, That halt not dremes false ne lees, But undoth us the avisioun That whylom mette king Cipioun. 10 And who-so sayth, or weneth it be A Iape, or elles [a] nycetee To wene that dremes after falle, Let who-so liste a fool me calle. >> LE ROMAN DE LA ROSE. Maintes gens dient que en songes N'a se fables non et mençonges; Mais l'en puet tiex songes songier Qui ne sunt mie mençongier; Ains sunt après bien apparant. Si en puis bien trere à garant Ung acteur qui ot non Macrobes, Qui ne tint pas songes à lobes; Ainçois escrist la vision Qui avint au roi Cipion. 10 Quiconques cuide ne qui die Que soit folor ou musardie De croire que songes aviengne, Qui ce voldra, pour fol m'en tiengne; << For this trowe I, and say for me, 15 That dremes signifiaunce be Of good and harme to many wightes, That dremen in her slepe a-nightes Ful many thinges covertly, That fallen after al openly. 20 Within my twenty yere of age, THE DREAM. Whan that Love taketh his corage Of yonge folk, I wente sone To bedde, as I was wont to done, And fast I sleep; and in sleping, 25 Me mette swiche a swevening, That lykede me wonders wel; But in that sweven is never a del That it nis afterward befalle, Right as this dreem wol telle us alle. 30 Now this dreem wol I ryme aright, To make your hertes gaye and light; For Love it prayeth, and also Commaundeth me that it be so And if ther any aske me, 35 Whether that it be he or she, How [that] this book [the] which is here Shal hote, that I rede you here;